Unicycle Football League gears up for seventh season, works on expansion to Austin

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By: Rachel Nelson

www.weirdmagazine.com

As a child, Marcus Garland had a passion for juggling, football and unicycles. He entertained the thought of combining unicycle riding with his favorite sport, but the dream didn’t come to life until he got to college.

“I kept toying with the idea and thought it was going to be impossible to find unicycle riders,” Garland said.

Garland started a juggling club while attending school at Texas State, and he taught some of the members how to ride unicycles. He shared his idea of unicycle football with them, ultimately leading to the formation of the Unicycle Football League.

“I called a local bicycle store and asked the owner if he would sale us unicycles at wholesale if I started a league,” he said. “We ordered 15 unicycles, and we wound up making two teams. It just keeps growing.”

Today there are six unicycle football teams in San Marcos, and the league has spent the summer working towards expanding to Austin. Angel Serda is spearheading the Austin effort.

“One thing that we have been doing since March is the summer ‘gore-illa’ season,” Serda said. “We’ve created two new teams for the summer that are comprised of any player that shows up and wants to play.”

Serda said he has spent the summer season showing up to public parks and events in Austin, and those who want to participate in the gore-illa games are provided with a jersey. At half time there is a unicycle clinic to teach people how to ride.

“They’re not official games, so the rules are different, and we can sort of amend the rules as we please,” Serda said.

Serda, who got involved with unicycle football about a year and a half ago, said the next logical step for the growing sport is to expand to Austin. He said the league is hoping to have two steady teams in Austin by September, and if that happens they will begin their first season.

“And then hopefully after the first season, we will have drawn more excitement and more riders and the league will grow bigger in Austin,” Serda said.

Until then, Serda said they will hold events in Austin to raise awareness about the sport.

“On August 11 we will be throwing a new type of unicycle football game called a gore-illa warfare. We’re going to incorporate this game into the Thursday night social ride that takes place every week in Austin,” he said.

In San Marcos, the seventh unicycle football season will kick off August 21 at the San Marcos Farmer’s Market field, located at 104 Edward Gary. The event will be a doubleheader, meaning there will be two games. The Unicychos will compete against the Berzerkers at 2 p.m., and the Gnarwhals will play the Hot Dogs at 4 p.m. The complete schedule can be viewed at unicyclefootball.com.

This year, the UFL was invited to make an appearance at the National Unicycle Convention that is taking place on Labor Day weekend in New York, but they could not attend due lack of funding. However, the UFL will be holding benefits during the next 12 months and hopes to be in attendance at the event next year.

Dane Walter got involved with the UFL in its third season and plays for the Ill Eagles, a team he calls “the sickest birds of prey on one wheel.” Walter is looking forward to season seven.

“I think this coming season is the year of the Ill Eagles,” Walter said. “The Ill Eagles dance party 2009 was just so ridiculous that I think it’s just spilling over into all eternity. I imagine us riding across the horizon against a cherry-hued sunset, glory spilling from our hearts and a champion sweat dripping from our brow.”

Garland said he is surprised by the amount of success the UFL has experienced since its formation in 2008.

“Honestly I didn’t think it was going to get off the ground, you know. I thought we might play a game or something like that, but I didn’t really expect it to take off as much as it did,” Garland said. “But I’m glad it happened.”

Serda, who the league refers to as Darth Vato, said he has big hopes for unicycle football’s future and wants to see its popularity catch on in other regions.

“My ultimate dream is to receive a phone call from somebody in Anywhere, USA saying, ‘hey we have a unicycle football team, meet us halfway. Let’s play a game!’ That’s what I would like to see happen some day,” Serda said.

Garland said unicycle football has become more serious and competitive since it began, but he believes the sport is still mostly about fun.

“We’re trying to keep it from becoming that serious. We have to give people a reality check sometimes and tell them not to take it so serious,” he said. “The crowd that comes out and watches the spectacle has a lot of fun, and I feel very lucky to be part of that. As long as people keep having fun we should do well.”

UPCOMING EVENTS:

August 5 (San Marcos) – Benefit show @ the Triple Crown

August 11 (Austin) – Gore-illa warfare game and Thursday night social ride

August 21 (San Marcos) – Season 7 begins

If anyone is interested in having a unicycle football game in their area, e-mail the UFL at unicyclefootballleage@yahoo.com.

Kick off Spring Break with the West Texas Death Fest

By: Rachel Nelson
www.amarilloscene.com

For the second consecutive year, the West Texas Death Fest is bringing a weekend of brutality to the Panhandle.

This year's event will be held March 12-13 at the Nat Ballroom and will consist of approximately 30 death, thrash and black metal bands from across the country.

"We're taking the fest seriously," said Jessica Cazares, promoter for the event. "It's not just some show to us. We want it to be bigger, we want it to be better and we want to push the limits."

Cazares said last year's event was a success and hopes to see it flourish in 2010.
"The bands last year were phenomenal, the mosh pit was insane and everything was just so great," Cazares said.

Besides bands, the Death Fest is drawing three magazines to the event. Lone Star Metal Magazine, Sick Drummer Magazine and Beyond the Dark Horizon will have booths set up at the festival. Record labels Dead World Syndicate and Ossuary Industries will also be present to scout out new talent.

"This way we kind of help them out," Cazares said. "We really wanted this to be as good for the bands as it is for the fans."

Brian Ferrell, owner of Ossuary Industries, said he sees the festival as an opportunity to support the Texas metal scene. For Ferrell, a highlight will be seeing a performance by Human Meat Market--an up-and-coming act based out of Oklahoma.

"There's a lot of different genres of music," Ferrell said. "I think there's a little bit of something (at the Death Fest) for everyone."

Cazares encourages people who do not normally listen to heavy metal to give the Death Fest a chance.

"This is going to be an awesome weekend for people that love music of all kinds," Cazares said. "We want to show people what death metal is. A lot of people think that the vocals are too rough and you can't understand it. Look at the vocal as another guitar or another drum piece or another bass. We judge it as an instrument."

Dave Bennett of Indiana is traveling to Texas to play with his band, Cryptic Fog, which combines black and death metal in their music.

"I'm definitely excited about coming to Texas," Bennett said. "Being in a band, we have never gone that far."

Bennett said Cryptic Fog formed one year ago and has played around 20 shows. He said he is optimistic about the opportunity to share his music with new ears.

"(The Death Fest) is probably going to be our biggest show yet," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what the crowd turnout is going to be. Being on stage is such a high; it's a feeling I can't explain."

Cazares notes that most festivals this size are held in larger cities such as Houston or Dallas.

"We have purposefully chosen to stay in Amarillo so that Amarillo can have something big," Cazares said. "A lot of these bands would normally never come to Amarillo, but because of the fact that we're having a huge festival they will be here."

Tickets to the West Texas Death Fest can be obtained at Tarpley's Music Co., Night Songs or on the group's MySpace. The cost is $20 for two days or $12 for each day.

"So you get to see 30 bands for $20," Cazares said. "For 75 cents a band, this is a chance to test the waters and see if you like any of it."

The West Texas Death Fest is an all-ages event and B.Y.O.B. with proper I.D.

Cazares said several tables will be set up and loaded down with band merchandise. The Death Fest is selling T-shirts containing every band's logo for $15 as well as a compilation CD that will include one song from each band participating in the festival.

Cazares said the Fifth Seasons Inn & Suites is offering special rates for those who tell them they are attending the Death Fest.

"They have an indoor pool, hot tub, free breakfast and a bar," she said.
The hotel can be reached at 806-358-7881.

Ferrell said he hopes to see a good turnout at the event.

"Come out and support the underground brutality," he said. "Give it a chance. Feed the beast, as they say."

Professor writes about myths of ‘Locavores’

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

James McWilliams, associate history professor, wanted to get to the root of the locally grown food craze.
His findings led to the authorship of his book Just Food: Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly.

McWilliams said he was inspired to research this topic when he observed a growing trend of people consuming food from local sources.

“I’m a historian, but one of the things historians are quite skeptical of is when everyone believes an idea without questioning it. It raises red flags,” McWilliams said.

Weighing on McWilliams’ mind was his observation advocates for small-scale agriculture promote going back to pre-industrial methods of farming.

“That is actually very bad for the environment,” McWilliams said. “Pre-industrial farming led to the Dust Bowl. It’s clear to me the sustainable food movement today has little knowledge of agricultural history.”

McWilliams wrote an article for The New York Times in the summer of 2007 presenting his view that food miles are not the best gauge of environmental efficiency.

“It got tons and tons of responses, pro and con,” McWilliams said. “I thought, ‘Wow, I really touched a nerve here.’ I thought maybe I should research it a little more.”

Eating local is an informal movement that has gained popularity during the past five years, according to information posted at Localvore.net.

“A localvore is a person who eats only locally-grown and produced food,” the Web site states.
McWilliams refutes the idea eating locally is the best option for environmentally cautious consumers in his book.

“We need to worry less about where our food comes from and more about what we’re eating,” McWilliams said. “We need to eat less meat and a wider range of fruits and vegetables. That is not only a healthier diet, but healthier for the environment.”

McWilliams, who is critical of the Localvore Movement, understands why people are enchanted with the idea of eating foods grown close to home.

“We all want to know where our food comes from, and if it’s coming from a local source then we feel more comfortable,” McWilliams said. “There is something very satisfying on shrinking the supply chain. We should do it, but we shouldn’t dilute ourselves into thinking we can do that everywhere. Local environments normally can’t support a broad range of food.”

Pamela Ronald, professor of plant pathology at the University of California, Davis, and co-author of Tomorrow’s Table: Organic Farming, Genetics and the Future of Food said she read McWilliams’ book thoroughly.

“I think that the local movement is interesting and nice, but it’s really a drop in the bucket of our huge agricultural problems,” Ronald said. “I really appreciate his book and putting that into perspective.
Ronald said consumers who focus on environmental friendliness should consider the big picture before vowing to eat locally.

“I think most people really do want to help the agricultural issues that we have so they eat locally, but sometimes they don’t think further than that,” Ronald said.

McWilliams said he believes many environmentalists desire to live ethically, but do not want to make sacrifices in order to achieve that.

“Buying and eating locally is not much of a sacrifice,” McWilliams said. “Reducing meat is a sacrifice.”
For McWilliams, the locally grown food trend boils down to one fact.

“If I want to be an ethical consumer and make sure that all my food comes locally because it’s local doesn’t mean it’s necessarily more efficient or that it was grown in a more responsible matter,” McWilliams said.

Local metal band Klause offers more than a novelty act

By: Rachel Nelson
www.amarilloscene.com

During the week they clean their rooms, take out the garbage and complete homework assignments. On the weekends, however, they rock stages from Amarillo to Dallas.

"I couldn't imagine what we'd be doing if we were not in a band," said bassist Jon Klause of Klause, an Amarillo heavy metal band.

The Klause brothers--Stevie, 13, Josh, 14, and Jon, 15--had been playing together for a while when their dad opted to join in.

"He's pretty much the new guy," Jon Klause said.

Steve Klause came home from work about two years ago and discovered his boys playing an old Pantera song he hadn't heard in years.

"It was my favorite band," he said. "When I was about 18, me and my buddies just wore that cassette out. There were cassettes back then."

At that point, Steve Klause wanted to throw his vocals in the mix.

"I decided I was going to try and sing for them, and I bought a PA and we decided we were going to do our first song together as a band," he said.

That song was Pantera's "Cowboys From Hell."

"It was awful," Steve Klause said with all three of his sons in agreement.

But the group did not give up. After kicking around a few band names, the four-piece decided to stick with Klause.

In July 2008, a friend invited the group to play at a Wal-Mart employee party. More than 50 shows later, they have performed at local bars and venues and branched out to other cities such as Lubbock, Pampa and Dallas.

"My favorite memory was going to Pampa because it was huge," said guitarist Stevie Klause. "I love to see people mosh. It gives me a really warm heart."

Klause performs most often at the War Legion Underground in Amarillo, located at 519 S.E. 10th Ave. The band calls the venue their second home.

Eric Turley, War Legion owner, refers to Klause as "the biggest little band in Amarillo."
Turley said he did not know what to think of the band until the first time he heard them play.

"They're the real deal," Turley said. "I got to host one of their first club shows in Amarillo, so that kind of always meant something to me. And I see them as a serious talent other than just a couple of kids with a gimmick. They are truly talented, and they're my little guys, man. I think they could do something with the whole thing."

Since their formation, Steve Klause said the band set their focus on playing in Dallas because one of their favorite metal magazines, Harder Beat, was based out of the city.

"We'd been reading that for years, so when we started the band we put a target on Dallas," Steve Klause said. "Their last issue was like the next month."

Still, Klause persevered and their dream came true in August when they were invited to play at one of the pre-parties for the fifth annual Ride For Dime event. Ride For Dime is a charitable organization that memorializes "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, the former guitarist for heavy metal bands Pantera and Damage Plan. Klause helped raise $3,500, which was donated to a few of Abbott's favorite charities.

"It was the craziest party you could ever imagine," Steve Klause said. "We were right up front. Dimebag's wife gave my kids a hug, and she offered us the main stage next year."

Klause thinks of Abbott as a heavy metal hero and ends every show with a 15-minute-long Pantera medley.

"That's my favorite part of the night, every night," said drummer Josh Klause, who banged on a trash can in his back yard for more than a year before his dad bought him a drum set.

Jon Klause said he vividly remembers the moment he found out Abbott had been shot in 2004 at an Ohio nightclub during a performance.

"It was the 9-11 of heavy metal, easily," Jon Klause said. "We finish every show with Pantera, and I hope we always will."

Steve Klause said he and his sons relate to Abbott because he was a down-to-earth person.

"When he met somebody back stage, he made them feel like they were his best friend," Steve Klause said. "We definitely don't take ourselves seriously. It's kind of hard to be first class when you're white trash, and that's another thing we take from him."

Klause also recycles the phrase "Getcha' Pull," a famous Abbott slogan. To them, the words can mean "anything and everything," from advancing musically to letting it all hang out.

Klause is "getting their pull" by playing all the shows they can.

"We turn hand shakes into relationships, and that's how you get gigs," Steve Klause said. "Now we get to go to Dallas and hang out with (Abbott's) friends and buddies."
Turley said he has watched Klause's audience grow since they started doing shows last year.

"Every body's immediately taken by them," Turley said. "They definitely have a fan base. A lot of people like them. I appreciate the talent they have."

Along with praise, however, the group's success has generated criticism.

"Every once in a while we'll get the random nimrod on the Web site who tells us I shouldn't be exposing our kids to this," Steve Klause said. "What can you do? These are my kids. A lot of parents would cringe about taking their kids to a bar, but the way I see it I guess the juice is worth the squeeze."

Steve Klause said his sons take on bar environments with maturity.

"I've been real proud about how they've handled it," he said. "They've never tried to sneak a drink, and they're teenagers."

Steve Klause said he and his wife make parenting their top priority.

"I'm a parent first and singer second," Steve Klause said. "We tell them that if you want to do this, it's not a given. It's a privilege to be up here doing this. All we ask for is good grades and decent behavior."

Steve Klause describes his wife as the "grounding rod" to the band.

"She's our biggest fan," he said.

"She's supportive, but at the same time if we mess up she will put wrath on our world," Jon Klause said.

Another criticism the band faces is being labeled a "novelty act" by some spectators.
"They say once we grow up we're nothing," Stevie Klause said.

"Novelty act bothers me more than them criticizing my parenting because they don't know me," Steve Klause said. "They're criticizing not only our music but how serious we are about it, because we take it very serious and this isn't going to stop when they're grown up."

The Klause brothers have a natural connection when they play together, Steve Klause said.

"It's a trip because all three of them just look at each other," he said. "Even a look ... Josh is a little slow on the tempo and Jon will give him a look. It's that brother thing. It's cool."

Steve Klause enjoys the musical journey he shares with his sons.

"Pride's not a big enough word," he said. "I'm up there living my dream with them, so it's like a dream within a dream. So I'm not only having my cake but eating it, too."
Stevie, Jon and Josh said they are proud of their dad as well.

"He's probably the best singer for us," Josh Klause said. "Without him we wouldn't be going to Dallas. Even if he ends up not being the singer, he'll be involved. I can't see him not being in the band."

Klause's current focus is adding more songs to their 7 original compositions. They also hope to record a demo or self-produced CD in the near future. Another goal is taking their act on the road.

"We want to tour, man, we want to tour," Steve Klause said. "We want the same thing that any band wants. We're no different. We want it, too."

Other musical influences of Klause are Slipknot, Stone Sour and Damage Plan. Stay up to date with show dates and the group's blog by visiting MySpace.com/klauseband72.

Steve Klause said he and and his sons hope to work their way to the top.

"We're going to keep kicking around town doing what we're doing because we have fun and that's the bottom line," he said. "The worst case scenario is that we have fun, and that's pretty good."

Wonder World expansion is environmentally friendly

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

The Wonder World Drive expansion project to alleviate heavy traffic areas in San Marcos may be completed sooner than expected, according to city officials.

The four-lane, 3.2-mile divided parkway will connect Interstate-35 to Ranch Road 12.
Construction began on the project in December.

Melissa Millecam, communications director for the city, said it has been on the drawing board for years.

“The parkway will take heavy truck traffic out of neighborhoods and let them go directly to the interstate,” Millecam said. “It will create greater ease of access of the growing population that’s going to western Hays County and relieve congestion in neighborhoods.”

Mayor Susan Narvaiz described the road as “our first premiere gateway into the community.” She said the roadway will decrease emissions, and help the city meets its clean air goals. It will help with the noise and safety concerns associated with heavy traffic.

“We can’t wait to get the traffic out of downtown and onto the roadway,” Narvaiz said.

The project is slated for completion by October, but Millecam said it is running ahead of schedule and could open as early as August.

“The drought was bad for a lot of reasons, but it was good for road construction. We were able to get ahead,” Millecam said.

Mike Sexton, engineer for Kellogg Brown & Root, said bicyclists will benefit from the new road because it includes 10-foot wide shoulders. A mile-long hike and bike trail is also incorporated, he said.

Millecam said the Wonder World expansion costs $26.38 million and is the largest transportation project in San Marcos history in terms of funding. She said voters approved the project in a 1998 bond election.

The Texas Department of Transportation agreed to reimburse the city during the next 10 to 20 years based on the parkway traffic volume.

“The state will pay us back $3 to $6 million per year,” Millecam said.

Narvaiz said the city did not ask the county for a contribution.

Millecam said the parkway will provide visual beauty and convenience to motorists.

“The road is surrounded by park land, it’s a beautiful view, especially when you’re coming from Ranch Road 12,” Millecam said. “It’s really much higher than the Hunter Road area. It’ll be a beautiful drive.”

Sexton said wildflowers will be planted to beautify the project.

“The city has gone the extra mile to make this more than another piece of asphalt on the road,” Sexton said. “It’s not just a new road. It’s a showcase for the community.”

Millecam said because the parkway runs through an environmentally sensitive area that is mostly designated park land, development will be limited along the road. Preliminary steps were taken because of the nature of the land.

“It goes through the hill country and a recharge zone into the Edwards Aquifer,” Millecam said. “We took precautions and spent a good deal of money on environmental work, archaeological studies and litigations.”

Sexton said he created accommodating designs to prevent pollution from spilling into the Edwards Aquifer, and ditches were re-aligned to avoid cutting down trees.

The city is also rebuilding the intersection at Wonder World Drive and Hunter Road in association with the expansion project.

“It’ll certainly be done in the near future,” Millecam said. “We expect to have the intersection done by the first of the year, weather permitting, and that can be a big caveat.”

Narvaiz said she eagerly awaits the completion of the new parkway.

“We look forward to opening this project and getting it in the hands of residents who have envisioned it and paid for it,” Narvaiz said.

Security cameras considered for future construction projects

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

An alleged sexual assault Oct.12 in the Pleasant Street parking garage has sparked security concerns on campus.

“Just some areas and buildings,” ASG President Chris Covo said in a tweet two days after the alleged assault.
Covo said the incident did not initiate the camera increase. Plans to implement more security cameras have been in the works for a couple of years, he said.

Jeb Thomas, supervisor of Access Services at the University Police Department, said security cameras are not required in the Master Plan, but are included in the construction standards for all projects.

“These are the standards we send to builders and contractors,” Thomas said. “They come up with a customized plan for what video surveillance installations are needed.”

Thomas said the construction standards were updated last year to include cameras.

“With any building, a lot of that is determined by funding,” Thomas said.

Thomas said a building’s use and security concerns factor into the need for cameras.

Thomas said camera installation costs range depending on the type of camera, mounting options and power needed.

“We don’t have network connections in parking lots or (the) power,” Thomas said. “It’s not just the cost of the camera, it’s the cost of the infrastructure to be able to see the video and record it.”

A project is underway to put cameras in entrances to existing buildings and is being completed by Network Installations, Thomas said.

Thomas would not disclose how many cameras exist on campus or where they are located. He stressed video cameras are not monitored by the dispatch office at all times because “there’s just too many of them.” However, the office does watch the monitors in response to reported problems and can review documented footage.

“Just because there’s a camera doesn’t mean there’s an actual human watching it at that time,” Thomas said. “I want people to have the appropriate expectation of why the cameras are there. They need to have the appropriate understanding of what a camera does for them security wise.”

Charlene Berger, exercise and sports science senior, said she feels safe on campus because her dad equipped her with pepper spray. She said she was not completely surprised to learn there are no cameras in the Pleasant Street garage.

“It is a parking garage and cameras may help with theft prevention as well as safety, but it is costly to place that technology everywhere,” Berger said.

Thomas said construction on the new Matthews Street parking garage will include camera installation.

“The older garages are going to be more difficult to install cameras because they were built when you didn’t have a lot of network infrastructure in garages,” Thomas said.

Covo said he feels additional security cameras will benefit campus theft and robbery cases while also providing peace of mind.

“I think it will be better for the university, especially help parents feel at ease and students who may feel like they can’t protect themselves,” Covo said.

Thomas said the university continues to consider camera usage in the future.

“It’s definitely going to be an ongoing project over years as money is available,” Thomas said.

Porterfield communicates 140 characters at a time

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

Local government has found a place in the growing social networking phenomenon.

City Councilmember Kim Porterfield, Place 1, utilizes Twitter to get the word out about issues in San Marcos.

“I think it’s a good way to communicate with people,” Porterfield said. “It’s a way to draw attention to issues and hopefully get people engaged in the community. I tweet about things that happen at City Council, and about volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community.””

Mayor Susan Narvaiz is on Facebook but said she has never considered using Twitter. She sees the benefits of tweeting in local government.

“I think each member finds the methods that work best for them,” Narvaiz said in an e-mail. “I like to meet my citizens face to face and have coffees at City Hall, walk neighborhoods and have ‘Monday’s with Mayor’ events.”

Narvaiz recognizes Twitter’s capacity to reach the masses.

“I think government needs to use the methods that reach the majority of their citizens,” Narvaiz said. “As their communication habits change, so will the government’s habits.”

Porterfield uses her iPhone to update Twitter and has embraced the “re-tweeting” feature to forward the messages of others to her followers.

She said news of the recent closing of Commons Dining Hall because of a rat infestation spread on the site.

“That got re-tweeted all over the place by lot of different people,” Porterfield said.

Jordan Stewart, geography graduate student, is among Porterfield’s 117 followers on Twitter.

“I followed her because she is an active figure at Texas State and in San Marcos,” Stewart said in an e-mail.

Stewart said she created her Twitter account three years ago.

“I only updated it sparingly for a while because I looked at it as simply being the equivalent of a Facebook status without Facebook,” she said. “But, as it has grown, and as news organizations, bands and millions of people began using it, (Twitter) has turned into a revolutionary method of global communication, in my opinion.”

Porterfield can be spotted on Faceboook, which she began using first.

“I’m really trying to stay up with the times,” Porterfield said. “It was a natural progression from Facebook to tweeting.”

Porterfield, who has been tweeting for about a year, now uses the two sites simultaneously.

“My tweets update my Facebook status, and so a lot of times people start responding to my Facebook status from the tweets,” she said.

Re-tweeting scores during Texas State’s first football game this season was something Porterfield said generated several responses, including a “thank you” from a person who was traveling and could not follow the game other wise.

Porterfield said she also tweets for entertainment value.

“I’m kind of a very nosy person,” she said. “It’s a little creepy sometimes, but I really enjoy reading what other people are tweeting.”
Porterfield said she tweets about issues, such as the noise ordinance, directly from City Council meetings.

“There are U.S. congressmen who tweet during their sessions,” Porterfield said. “I’ve found that it’s difficult and might be inappropriate, so I try to do it before and after meetings.”

Stewart said Twitter has “changed the global communication landscape” and feels it’s a good idea for local governments to stay in touch on social networking sites.

“(Twitter) is becoming a good way to quickly disseminate information, especially in the case of an emergency,” Stewart said. “It also allows people to be more directly involved with their city and its’ leaders.”

Stewart has mixed feelings about Twitter’s limit of 140 characters in length.

“I still don’t like the brevity required to post on Twitter because it seems to water down communication in some ways,” Stewart said. “But on the other hand it forces people to be concise and not drone on about everything, so I see it as a positive too.”

E-mailing and text messaging have provided convenient ways for people to keep in touch, but Porterfield said lately “it seems like tweeting is the way to go.”

“It’s a great way to communicate with people who you other wise wouldn’t communicate with and trying to get people involved in local government, in volunteerism and in the community,” she said. “It’s another way to get the word out, and it’s free.”

Twitter users intertwine the social networking media with their cell phones.

“Perhaps the best thing is being able to communicate with people with Twitter no matter where they live, even if I don’t have their phone numbers,” Stewart said.

Porterfield notes she is among many who are embracing Twitter and other social networking tools.

“I definitely see it as a trend for communication amongst government, non-profits and within organizations,” Porterfield said.

Administration plans to reopen Commons Hall next semester

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

Rats were discovered in Commons Dining Hall in late June, but closure did not take place until three months later.

The information caused Sarah Ross, undecided sophomore, to ask the question, “Why did they wait so long?”

Ross said she normally does not eat at Commons during the school year, but her soccer team ate at the dining hall three times a day during the summer.

“We didn’t notice any rats, but I’m creeped out now,” Ross said.

John Root, director of auxilary services, said university officials initially did not realize how bad the situation was.

“At first we didn’t know the extent of the problem, so naturally our first instinct was to do what we could do while remaining open,” Root said.

Root said Commons was closed for a short period during the summer, and service was shifted to Jones Dining Hall.

“We reopened in August, then it was good for a couple of weeks,” Root said. “We basically gave it every possible chance we could without closing. We tried more aggressive ways of trying to use the extermination processes. Every time we would get to a point where we thought we had it under control, they would come back. It became obvious (closing the dining hall) was the only way to take care of it once and for all.”

A 10-week process began this week to rid the building of rats.

“(Commons) is expected to be a full-service dining hall by the beginning of next semester, considering no unforeseen issues arise,” Root said.

Root said the university has contracted Town Lake Construction of Austin to seal the building of entry points for rodents.

“The company is going to do whatever necessary to seal up all the penetrations to the building including cracks and the tiniest of holes,” Root said. “That’s the first part. The second part is getting rid of what’s already there.”

Root maintains the rats did not get into the food at Commons, but found their food source in the trash. He said the rats would chew through soda lines that originate in the basement. The lines would be immediately replaced because they stopped working once damaged, he said.

There were talks of closing the dining hall for good when Commons was shut down in August. The university considered using the space for other campus endeavors but has now decided to maintain it as a dining hall.

“We really need that dining hall back,” Root said. “It’s such a central location for students for primarily lunch. When we looked around, there wasn’t a good alternative compared to where it sits right now.”

Since the closing, Root said customer service has not been affected.

“The students basically distributed themselves between The Den, Jones and the Student Center food court,” he said.

Rachel Purswell, interdiciplinary sophomore, said she will not be in a hurry to eat at Commons after the rats issue is resolved.

“I wouldn’t want to go because of knowing they had rats and didn’t tell anyone,” Purswell said. “I probably would after a while, but I think I’d wait to hear what other people say.”

Root said he hopes students will not be skeptical to give Commons another chance but concedes “that’s an individual decision for each student to make.”

“We would not re-open it if we were not sure about the safety and sanitation of the kitchen area,” Root said.

Stadium expansion will continue

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

The Jerry D. and Linda Gregg Fields Bobcat Stadium West Side Complex opened last month, but the over all expansion is far from finished.

"We built it with expansion in mind," said Derek Grice, assistant athletics director. "We have the ability to put another level on top so we can in the future bring the press box up to that level and put a couple additional suites on that level. Everything we've done has been done with the idea that we are going to continue to expand the stadium."

A master plan was laid out in 2008 to expand the stadium from 15,000 seats to around 35,000. Completing the West Side Complex was the first step of that project, Grice said. The second part of the project includes relocating the current track facility to make room for a north end zone expansion.

"Relocating the track facility allows us to enclose the north end zone -- adding about 8,500 seats -- which allows us to get the fans closer to the field, giving us a more intimate setting," Grice said.

A new track location has not yet been settled.

Grice said all future construction is to be determined, but tentatively includes the north side expansion, a south end zone expansion, additional luxury suites and club seats, a new press box and an upper deck on the east side.

Another step in the expansion process includes bridging Bobcat Stadium's east parking lot with the former location of the Hidden Village apartments.

Texas State real estate specialist David Bisett said Texas State purchased the property for the purpose of expanding the stadium. The apartment complex was demolished, which Bisett said could provide a new track location or additional parking spaces.

Bisett said the city recently granted an easement on a .07-acre piece of property that will allow for better connectivity.

"Now the city has better options on how to connect that Hidden Village site to Bobcat Stadium," Bisett said. "They're continuing to look at their options."

Funding for the projects is being derived from several sources, said athletics director Larry Teis.
"The funds to finish the stadium will come from ticket sales, private donations, other outside income such as corporate sponsorships, and student service fee money," Teis said.

Teis said he thinks expanding the stadium will have an over-all benefit on Texas State.
"It will help the department move the football program to division 1 status with the rest of our sports," Teis said. "This increased exposure, as a marketing tool, will benefit the entire university."

A time table has not been set for the remaining projects, but Grice said they are expected to be a work in progress for the next several years.

"We are looking at locations and what it's going to take to do this," Grice said. "We have started the feasibility process, so the wheels are in motion. So as we continue to look at these options, the more clear a definitive timeline is going to be."

Teis said several factors, including the current economic climate, have an impact on the date of completion for the stadium.

Amnesty period over for municipal court warrant roundup

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

Students with outstanding warrants may soon find themselves in handcuffs for neglecting to take action on past offenses.

A one-week amnesty period which allowed persons with pending cases to appear before a judge without posting bond ended Friday, meaning officers have put forth special efforts to seek out and arrest persons with outstanding warrants in San Marcos Municipal Court.

A press release sent out by the City of San Marcos states, “People with outstanding warrants for traffic violations, city ordinance violations and other misdemeanor charges filed at Municipal Court are urged to contact the court immediately to avoid arrest at home, work or school.”

UPD Officer Otto Glenewinkel said serving warrants on campus or tracking students down at their residences is not an uncommon practice. Police sometimes wait outside of a classroom to arrest a student with a warrant.

“Warrant roundups happen all the time, and there are constables who come up here to serve warrants,” Glenewinkel said. “They usually publicize it two or three times a year to get people to come in voluntarily.”

It is unlikely a student would be served a warrant during class, Glenewinkel said.

“Usually as a rule we don’t pull students out of class for someone to serve a warrant,” Glenewinkel said. “We can wait 50 minutes to serve them when they are coming out of class. We have served warrants when people have been in class, and the only reason why we do that is if we think they may be violent. Usually if we do it while they are in class, they have a tendency not to be violent.”

Glenewinkel said one reason for the warrant roundup is to boost money for the city.

“There’s a lot of revenue that they don’t get because people don’t pay their citations,” Glenewinkel said.

A list of people with outstanding warrants can be found on The Municipal Court’s Web site.

“We urge anyone who has delinquent cases in San Marcos Municipal Court to contact the court to take care of the matter immediately,” said Rusty Grice, deputy marshal with the San Marcos Marshal’s office.

Glenewinkel encourages people with warrants to take care of them promptly to avoid future problems.

“It’s hard for anyone to go though life and not make contact with a law enforcement officer at one time or another,” Glenewinkel said. “Eventually I would think everyone sooner or later gets contacted by the police.”

City Council may reconsider taxicab ordinance

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

A city ordinance stuck in park for decades could get a jump-start.

City Council members are discussing allowing taxicabs to wait for fares downtown, a practice local law currently prevents .

Howard Williams, San Marcos Chief of Police, said 1970 was the last time the ordinance was updated.

“The way our ordinance is written now, the taxicabs can’t do what we call patrolling for fares,” Howard said. “They could get a citation if they show up without being called.”

Howard said no one seems to know the rationale behind the ordinance.

“We kind of need to modernize it and bring it up to modern standards,” he said. “I just know that today it doesn’t meet the needs of the city so we need to change it.”

Changing the ordinance would mean cabs could line up in areas around The Square and other populated places late at night, to aid bar-goers in finding a ride home.

“The logic now is we want it to be easy for people who are downtown to get home,” said City Councilmember Kim Porterfield, Place 1. “If they don’t feel like they can drive their car, and if it’s not safe for them to drive their car, my belief is there needs to be an alternative for people to get home in a safe manner.”

Porterfield said the recent disbandment of Students With Alternative Transportation, did not contribute to the proposed changes.

Robert Rubio, one of the owners of Hays Taxi Service, said he could not be sure if changing the ordinance would benefit his business, but he sees a need for the change.

“I hope it works out for the young kids because we don’t want the kids taking a chance getting in their vehicle intoxicated trying to get home,” Rubio said.

Rubio offers rides to any location in San Marcos for a maximum of six people for a total of $10.

“I just hope the kids can give taxi services a shot and see how it works for them,” Rubio said.

Porterfield predicts the emergence of pedicabs, powered by bicyclists, if the ordinance is changed.

Williams said he is working with the bar task force to update the taxicab ordinance.

“Right now we are tentatively scheduled to have this heard at the Oct. 20 City Council meeting,” Howard said. “They will look it over and see what they want to do with it.”

Texas State among top military friendly schools

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

When it comes to military friendliness, Texas State makes the grade.

G.I. Jobs magazine recently named the school among the nation’s top 15 percent of military friendly colleges.

“We’re very excited about it,” said assistant registrar Melissa Hyatt. The honor stems from a survey taken from more than 7,000 schools. G.I. Jobs considered the efforts of institutions to recruit and retain military and veteran students as well as academic accreditation.

“I’m not surprised by it because of the great things people around campus are doing, and I think it’s well-deserved by the university,” said Chris Schave, international business junior and veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Texas State has taken several different initiatives to accommodate veterans, Hyatt said.

“We have the Veterans Affairs Office, whose primary focus is to assist veterans for getting benefits through the VA,” Hyatt said. “We assist them with applying for financial aid and that kind of stuff.”

Besides financial aid advising, the university offers personal counseling, provides job placement assistance and free tutoring to veterans. The university held a resource fair Sept. 9 at the LBJ Student Center that had several booths geared toward veterans, Hyatt said.

Schave said veterans were welcomed to campus this semester with approximately 3,000 feet of yellow ribbon, which was displayed by the Office of Student Affairs on behalf of the Veterans Advisory Board.

“The yellow ribbons were used to welcome (veterans) back and give awareness to students and veterans, and kind of a way to say thank you for your service and welcome to the school,” Schave said.

Schave is president of the Veteran’s Alliance at Texas State, an organization sparked last winter.

“Essentially we try to help incoming and current veterans adapt to the university life,” Schave said.

The group organizes social events so that veterans can find a place to fit in.

“Often they’ll be older coming back to school, so they may not feel like they fit in with a bunch of 18, 19 and 20 year olds,” Schave said.

Schave said the Veteran’s Advisory Board was developed last year and is comprised of faculty members from offices that deal with veteran outreach.

“They identify the needs of veterans and see if it’s reasonable to fulfill them as a university,” Schave said. “Not many universities have a group like this, and every body’s so pro-veteran and willing to do their share to help us out.”

Hyatt said Texas State will be offering a workshop for veterans Oct. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to noon in JCK1100. The workshop, “Transition from Combat to Classroom: Helping Student Veterans Succeed at Texas State,” will focus on helping veterans achieve a smooth transition from military to college life.

Physical geography alumnus David Rasmussen graduated from Texas State in May and is now on active duty in the Army as a gold bar recruiter for Texas State’s ROTC program. Rasmussen said he believes Texas State accommodates veterans “very well.”

“We have a lot of veterans who come to school here,” he said. “ I would say maybe 40 percent of the guys in ROTC are veterans. Texas State is a really good school, and they do a lot for the (ROTC) program. They help out the program by helping us use their facilities .”

Rasmussen said Texas State also honors veterans with an annual Veteran’s Day ceremony. This year the ceremony will be held at 10:45 a.m. Nov. 11 in The Quad and will include guests and speakers. Schave said recognition in G.I. Jobs is an honor to the university but acknowledged a desire to be better.

“We are not satisfied with the top 15 percent,” he said. “We want to be in the top 1 percent.”

Sisterhood and tradition

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

Pan-Hellenic councils encourage young women to seek communities, friends and goals by joining Texas State sororities.

Gabriela Perez, advertising junior, said she joined her sorority, Delta Zeta, for a number of reasons.

“It’s a great way to meet new people and get involved with the university,” Perez said. “It makes you work harder on your grades, and you make the friends that you know will be there forever.”

“Women will have a chance to attend events at the different sorority houses with the six groups of the Pan-Hellenic Council,” said Michelle Lopez, associate director of student activities.

Texas State Pan-Hellenic President Laura Fowler, communication studies senior, said recruitment for the six Texas State Pan-Hellenic organizations is “a mutual selection process,” meaning the girls choose the sororities they wish to belong to and the sororities choose the girls they believe are the best matches.

“Texas State sororities are well known for always finding a sorority for girls,” Fowler said.

Registration for the Pan-Hellenic organizations has ended, but Fowler said girls can get a head start on next semester now.

“They could definitely go online (www.txstatepanhellenic.com) and attend events that we’re holding if they’re interested,” Fowler said. “Sororities definitely hold a lot of different events throughout the year that they can attend and get them involved, and maybe next fall they can go through recruitment. It’s a really, really formal process.”

Others who missed registration could consider joining the Multicultural Greek Council.

MGC President Sarah Rebollar said the council is viewed primarily as Latino-based but is open to anyone and includes members who are Anglo, Black, Puerto Rican, Brazilian and more.

Like the Pan-Hellenic Council, Rebollar said the MGC holds GPA requirements.

According to Lopez, academic excellence is a priority in greek life.

“They create a community to make sure they are living up to highest standards for academic excellence,” Lopez said.

Grade reports from the last few years can be viewed online on the academics page at www.txstategreeks.com. According to Lopez, the average Panhellenic GPA at Texas State has been higher than that of all women combined at the school for the past nine semesters. Fowler said the over-all Pan-Hellenic GPA last semester was a 3.0.

Another aspect of going Greek includes doing community service, Lopez said.

“Every sorority is linked with a philanthropy, and we work together,” Fowler said. “We do an all Greek clean up where we go around San Marcos and clean up. Each sorority has a philanthropy that they are involved in.”

Fowler said some philanthropy projects include doing volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald House and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They also promote breast cancer awareness and research.

An upcoming event is the annual Greek dodge ball tournament that will take place at Jowers Sept. 27 and will benefit the San Marcos Education Foundation, Fowler said.

According to Fowler, hazing during initiation into a Pan-Hellenic organization is not tolerated despite rumors.

“Initiation with sororities is actually more of a ceremony, and it’s just where we present the girls their membership,” Fowler said. “It’s not threatening at all. Most sororities have what I would call a beautiful ceremony. We absolutely do not allow hazing at all. It’s more of a beautiful ceremony is how I would describe it.”

Joining greek life at Texas State links girls to the campus and builds character, Lopez said.

“I think (women should join sororities) if they’re looking for an opportunity to become connected to Texas State, but also really to go through some personal development and growth,” Lopez said.

When it comes to joining a sorority, money is a factor.

“There’s a lot of first-time fees as a new member to a sorority, but there are also a lot of payment plans that will help you break up the dues by semester,” Fowler said.

Rebollar said getting involved with the MGC may be a more affordable way for students to get involved in greek life.

Interfraternity Council encourages students to 'Go Greek'

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

It is not uncommon to see back windshields adorned with Greek decals or shoe polished slogans that read "Go Greek" cruising around the Texas State campus. Houses with "rush" banners stand tall around the school. But what does it all mean?

According to Michelle Lopez, associate director of student activities, joining a fraternity "provides an instant community and instant connections for students on the campus. It offers that opportunity for them to really connect."

Although Lopez recognized the social aspect of being involved in a fraternity, she said there is more to it than the party stereotype often associated with the groups.

"I'm not gonna lie," Lopez said. "We have social aspects of our organizations, but these are not the reasons that these organizations are founded or why they exist. They also create a community to make sure they are living up to highest standards for academic excellence."
Jay Yarbro, president of the Interfraternity Council, said fraternity members must meet GPA criterias.

"Most are just a typical 2.5 to stay an active member and to become initiated," he said.
Lopez said fraternities also complete community service projects.

"We've got some who will do things with the local community such as we have one fraternity that will put on an annual easter egg hunt (in Sewell Park) for kids in the community who may not have the opportunity to do an easter egg hunt," Lopez said.

The three fraternity principles are brotherhood, philanthropy and scholarship, Yarbro, a computer information systems senior, said.

"We ask you to be leaders within the community as well as the classroom," he said. "We have a lot of Greeks in the ASG senate."

Yarbro said he encourages incoming freshmen and returning students to consider Greek life.
"It's one of the best decisions I've ever made coming to this school and I would strongly, strongly suggest it to anyone I'd talk to," Yarbro said. "There's so many opportunities to go from being Greek. Some doors are opened for you and stuff like that."

Jordan Johnson, a management senior, said being involved in a fraternity can lead members to desired positons.

"Greek organizations are gateways to leadership positions on campus and other organizations," Johnson said.

Meeting connections is one of the biggest advantages to being involved in a fraternity, said public administration senior Kyle Lamb.

"Fraternities are a great way to surround yourself with a large group of gentlemen who hold themselves to a higher standard than your average student," Lamb, a member of Phi Delta Theta, said.

Yarbro said there are a couple of ways students can get involved in a fraternity.

"Once they step foot on campus, they see all the houses and stuff like that," Yarbro said. "You can go up and talk to some of the guys."

A formal recruitment will take place Sept. 12 at the LBJ Student Center where male students can visit different rooms to obtain information on the various fraternities at Texas State. Those who want to attend the event should register online at the Texas State IFC Web site and pay a $35 registration fee, Yarbro said.

Yarbro said hazing is not tolerated by groups involved with the IFC.

"All initiation really is is you actually becoming an active member," Yarbro said. "All fraternities do it different, and it's all secret. Everyone keeps that very secret. It's nothing bad, don't get that from it. Greeks will understand that it's just a ritual that was written by the founders and stuff like that, but it's nothing bad. It's just you becoming a full active member of the chapter."

Another concern to those seeking fraternity membership is the cost.

"Your first semester might be the most expensive, and I say that just because of all the materials you get when you're a new member," Yarbro said.

Yarbro said his ball park estimate to be involved with a fraternity could typically range from about $600 to $700 per semester and be reduced to about $500 or $600 after that. He also said some organizations reward students with good grades by reducing their dues.

"It varies from different fraternities," Yarbro said.

Lopez said Texas State currently has 13 Interfraternity Council groups that students can get involved in. A list of those organizations can be viewed at www.txstateifc.com.

"Being Greek is not just four years of your life," Yarbro said. "It's from the time that you're initiated to the time that you pass on."

University will move forward with recital hall despite setback

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

Requests for tuition revenue bonds did not see approval from the state legislature in May, but Texas State officials said they will break ground for a new recital hall and theater building in 2011 — a project expected to reach completion by 2013.

“As we moved into the legislative session last summer, we initially heard there were not going to be any tuition revenue bonds considered,” said Bill Nance, vice president for finance and support services. “Then we got communication from our system office that they were going to consider TRBs.”

Texas State requested TRB funding for five construction projects.

“(Funding for) the new recital hall and theatre center were our highest priorities at the time,” he said.

Richard Cheatham, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, said he was not surprised Texas State’s requests did not make it past the committee stage in the legislature and cited the poor state of the national economy. Institutions in Houston which suffered hurricane damage were awarded construction funding, Cheatham said.

“Unless it was a special need like that, the budget was so tight this year they did not fund any of the tuition revenue bonds,” Cheatham said.

A gift of $8 million donated by Patti Harrison will go toward funding for the recital hall and theater center. The rest of the funding will come from Education Assistance Fund allocations, Nance said.

Nance said $52 million in TRBs had been requested for the project. When combined with Harrison‘s gift, the building was estimated to cost $60 million. However, Nance said economic conditions have caused the price of construction materials to fall.

“Because we’ve re-done the construction cost estimate, we’re going to be able to get everything for something closer to $40 million than (the original estimate) $60 million,” Nance said.

Nance said the recital hall and theater center is just one part of several projects. Other elements, such as a parking garage and road modifications, will be funded by “self-supporting revenues,” he said.

Nance estimated the parking garage will have 350 to 400 parking spaces and will be pay by the hour, not permit-based. It will be erected adjacent from the new recital hall and theater center where Falls Hall currently sits.

“It’s being put in this location to facilitate the attendance of the events that will be held in the new center,” Nance said. “Student and community members will have convenient parking.”

Other projects Texas State requested TRB funding for have been put on hold.

“We’re hopeful two years from now when the legislature meets again, the economy will have improved and some of these projects will be funded,” Cheatham said.

Tax Man and Judge D to headline Toxic Kitten's 'Back to Skull Bash'

By: Rachel Nelson
www.amarilloscene.com

With the end of summer fast approaching, Nina, creator of Toxic Kitten Clothing, wants to throw Amarillo a party.

"I have so much excitement in me that I can't even sleep," she said. "My mind is like 'What can I do to make it even better and bigger; what can I do to blow their minds?'"

The Back To Skull Bash will be held August 28 at the Nat Ballroom, 604 S. Georgia Street, and will present what Nina describes as a "death and psychobilly theme" to compliment her newest fashion items.

Besides live music, merchandise booths, free beer and giveaways from Toxic Kitten and SRH Clothing, Nina will premiere Toxic Kitten's latest clothes with a runway fashion show featuring several local models.

"I like modeling for Toxic Kitten because it shows a different kind of model," said Hylann Camacho, a local Kitten who will participate in the show. "It's not your everyday run-of-the-mill girl."

According to Nina, it is important for her to introduce her new clothes at the event before releasing them in stores or on her recently renovated Web site, www.toxickittenclothing.com.

"It gives Amarillo an advantage of having it first, and I dedicate that to Amarillo since it is a hometown clothing line," Nina said. "I want to give back to my community."

Nina will have a merchandise table set up at the event where she will sell Toxic Kitten's clothes for $20 "straight across the board," she said.

Merchandise will also be available from The Glass House, a new Amarillo head shop.

To celebrate Toxic Kitten's success, Nina is bringing in special guest Tax Man, the anti-hero from the Kottonmouth Kings, who said he is "happy to come do the show." He will perform with hardcore/experimental/hip-hop artist Judge D. The bash will mark the first time for these artists to appear in Amarillo. A signing and meet-and-greet will be held for guests at the bash.

The Bastard Sons of David Hasselhoff and the Yellow City Rockets are local acts that will play at the event. Johnny Handgun, a band out of Lubbock, will also perform.

Jeremy Knowles, drummer for the Yellow City Rockets, said guests should expect a high-energy show from all bands that will be "a lot of fun to watch."

Joan Pollock, owner of Amarillo's newest booking and promoting company 2 Gun$ Calamity Entertainment, is helping to organize the happening and said party-goers can also expect a surprise act.

"It's going to be so big that I would hate to say that I missed the Back to Skull Bash," she said.

Pollock is pleased with the event's location.

"(The Nat) is a beautiful, historic landmark," she said. "Musical prodigies and wonders have played there. All kinds of crazy people have played there. It makes me happy to bring my friends into a place that has so much musical history behind it. It's such a neat, cool place."

Nina said an after party will be held across the street from the Nat at the R&R bar following the event.

Toxic Kitten emerged in December, and Nina said the clothing line has come a long way since it debuted.

"It just kind of blew up unexpected," Nina said. "I wanted to start with baby steps, and it just kind of turned into something big over night. Now I'm trying to keep up."

Nina sponsors the Route 66 Roller Derby, which is sporting Toxic Kitten shirts in its second bouting season. Nina's clothes can be found in Amarillo at The Music Box, The Glass House and Vertical Movements Dance Studio. Items can also be purchased online at toxickittenclothing.com. Nina said the site gets an average of 3,500 hits per month, and she is currently looking for people to advertise for a monthly fee of $20.

Although she will not introduce these items at the event, Nina said something to watch out for is Toxic Kitten's 2009 jewelry line, which includes hand-made, edgy pieces.

"They're just the cutest things you've ever seen," she said. "No piece is the same."

The Back to Skull Bash will start at 7 p.m. The cost is $15 at the door, but tickets may be obtained in advance for $13 at the Glass House, located next to The 806 coffee house on 6th Avenue.

The event is B.Y.O.B., and all ages are welcome. Nina stressed that there will be tight security at the show, and underage drinking will not be tolerated.

"I encourage everybody to come out and check out the clothes and check out the models," Camacho said. "It's going to be a good, unconventional time."

Local Shark Fights Promotions makes world-wide mark on MMA

By: Rachel Nelson
www.amarilloscene.com

Amarillo is a tough town.

Take a look at Heath Herring, the late Evan Tanner, Paul Jones, Steve Nelson, Justin Martin and Paul Buentello. These household names to Mixed Martial Arts and Ultimate Fighting Championship fans have one thing in common: they call the heart of the Panhandle home.

"All of these guys come from one small town in the top of Texas," said Michael Lister, seventh degree Tae Kwon Do grand master and owner of the Mixed Martial Arts and Athletic Center in Amarillo. "I would say we have some of the toughest guys walking around."

With the emergence of the Shark Fights Promotion in Amarillo, MMA is blowing up. It's unlikely to go anywhere in town without seeing at least one person sporting MMA gear. But according to Jim Larsen, owner of the Shark Fights Promotion, the sport has been big in the Panhandle since the emergence of the Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation in the '90s.

"That's the very first form of MMA in Texas, and it started in Amarillo," Larsen said.

According to Lister, whether people like it or not, humans are intrigued by competitive fighting.

"It is barbaric, but it's fighting ... I think that's in our blood," Lister said, making reference to the gladiators. "It's in our nature. I mean come on, has there ever been at time that there wasn't a war?"

Larsen had been working as a car salesman for several years when he was invited to a UFC party at a friend's house six years ago.

"I went, and I was absolutely hooked," Larsen said. "I fell in love with the sport. I just watched it every chance I could get, bought every pay-per-view, subscribed to every MMA channel. I really started to try to understand the sport."

From there, Larsen sponsored good friend Brent Medley on his fighting ventures in Las Vegas and went on to sponsor Amarillo native Evan Tanner, who died when he ran short of supplies while on a journey in the California dessert.

"I actually cornered Evan's last fight in the UFC," Larsen said. "It aired on Spike TV June 23, 2008. It was the main event on the Ultimate Fighter's season 6 Finale."

Before Tanner's passing, Larsen said he told Tanner and Medley that he wanted to bring his own MMA promotion to Amarillo.

"I went to a MMA event in Lubbock, and it was ridiculous," Larsen said. "You couldn't see anything or hear anything. It was bad."

Larsen said that event was the push he needed to start his own promotion.
"On September 15, 2008 we formed Shark Fight Promotions, which was my brainchild, and shortly after that, Evan passed away in the tragic accident," Larsen said. "For Shark Fights 1, (October 24, 2008) we did a tribute to Evan Tanner."

According to Larsen, Shark Fights 1 was the first live pay-per-view event from Amarillo and was distributed via the Internet. The event took place at the Amarillo National Center.

The Shark Fights promotion has now held 5 events and has been featured on major MMA Web sites such as Sherdog, Bloodyelbow and ESPN's Inside MMA.
"We've got the largest cage in the country of any MMA company, including UFC," Larsen said.

Larsen's wife, Sheila, helped organize a group of women called the Shark Angels, which can be compared to the UFC's Octagon Girls. Twenty days before Shark Fights 1, Larsen said 34-year-old Sheila collapsed of exhaustion and was taken to BSA Urgent Care where she found out she had low hemoglobin levels in her blood. It later was discovered that she had multiple malignant tumors in her small intestine, which were surgically removed. Despite the obstacles, she still supported the first Shark Fights event as a Shark Angel.

"We remove 3 feet of her small intestine, and she is actually at the show," Jim Larsen said of his wife. "She is such a fighter."

By the time Shark Fights 3 rolled around in March, Larsen said that Shark Fights decided to sponsor the Children's Miracle Network and raised $750 at the event that was donated to a local family who has a child battling cancer. Also at Shark Fights 3 was the introduction of the first three Texas MMA-endorsed belts--featherweight, wellterweight and heavyweight. Although the belts were introduced at Shark Fight 3, they were not won until Shark Fight 4 in May. The event was held in Lubbock and was also offered as an online pay-per-view event. Current belt holders include T.J. WaldBurger (welterweight) and Doug Evans (featherweight) and Darrill Schoonover (heavyweight). Schoonover is scheduled to appear on Spike TV's reality show The Ultimate Fighter for its 10th season.

"We used the same belt maker that the UFC uses," Larsen said. "Let me tell you, these fighters freaked out when they saw our belts."

Two weeks prior to Shark Fights 4, Larsen’s wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a plum and underwent surgery to remove the mass. She was able to be at the event, but not as a Shark Angel this time.

"On that card alone, we had 3 UFC veterans fight for us: Don Frye, Jesse Taylor and Phil Cardella,"Larsen said.

During the course of the Shark Fights Promotions, Larsen also opened up the Shark Fights Store in Westgate Mall.

Meanwhile, his wife went to the doctor for a check-up and was given devastating news that more tumors had consumed half of her liver and returned in her brain. She was diagnosed at a stage 5 terminal level with no available treatments. According to Larsen, the couple has four daughters--ages 5,9,15 and 17.

Shark Fights 5 was scheduled to take place June 27 as an outdoor happening at Gamboa's Outdoor Event Center, but the event was rained out. To make up for the cancellation, Shark Fights refunded all tickets, and Shark Fights 5.5

“Nothing to Lose” was offered as a free event to the public on July 18. Shark Fights 5.5 attracted a record-breaking 10,603 people, Larsen said.

"We didn't even let the rain out keep us down," Larsen said.

In its first 5 MMA events, Larsen called his company a success, although its formation has been met with personal battles.

"It's just such a connection because we own a fight company, and that's what we are doing; we are fighting," Larsen said. "This company is fighting internally with the fighting of my wife and supporting children in this community. We're going to take a bite out of cancer one fight at a time."
In less than a year after its formation, Shark Fight Promotions has left its mark on MMA world-wide.

"It gives us place in Texas and gives us place in the MMA community across the globe, and I think that that's important," Larsen said.

Lister said he believes Amarillo has more stars in the making, including Marcus Sursa, an Amarillo native and 2001 graduate of River Road High School. Sursa beat Ricky Shivers of Alaska at Shark Fights 5.5. Before Shark Fights 5.5, three of Sursa's fights had been cancelled due to injuries of his opponents.

"It does suck that I don't have three wins to make my record better, but I have to train anyway," Sursa said. "But I have to train anyway. It's just prepared me better for the next fights."

Sursa said that he didn't feel like he had any ring rust before his win against Shivers, and he proved that when he defeated Shivers with a triangle choke 57 seconds into the second round.

In 2006, Sursa participated in the Jungle Fights in Brazil where he fought against a black belt for the first time and won. He has three losses to UFC veterans Stefan Struve, Eliot Marshall and Alan Belcher. Although he did not win these fights, Sursa believes he has the potential to make it to the UFC himself.

"That's the dream and goal of every fighter," Sursa said. "I definitely think I have the caliber to make it."

According to Lister, another up-and-coming fighter with the potential to make it big is Edgar Santos, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor at the Martial Arts and Athletic Center. He trained for 12 years and earned his second degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt in Brazil before making his way to Amarillo about one year ago. He now contributes to the 100 years of collective martial arts experience at the MAAC.

Santos won the last North American Grapplers Association event in Dallas and took third place at the World Cup of Jiu Jitsu. He has also taken first place twice at the Brazilian Nationals.

"You're getting guys that are the best in the world right here in Amarillo, Texas," Lister said.

Santos said his dream is to eventually fight in Japan and said he "has been waiting for this day for a very long time."

Lister said he has been teaching Tae Kwon Do in the Amarillo Independent School District as a P.E. credit for the past 19 years and coaching others to achieve their MMA potential at his gym for 28 years.

"If they only get in the cage one time or two times then they've had their fun and I'd say they've learned a lesson," Lister said.

Lister said the values he strives to instill in his students are discipline, respect, dignity, honor and self control.

To any person with dreams of making it big in MMA, Sursa offers this advice: "Say your prayers, take your vitamins and do your push-ups."

Mexican drug wars affect Texas, students

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

Ada Pomar remembers a time when she and her friends would cross the Texas-Mexico border with ease to shop, eat or go clubbing.

“Since 2004/2005 we haven’t gone across at all,” said Pomar, communication studies senior.

The acts of violence stemming from the long-running Mexican drug war were once common to fear at night, but in recent years “they started doing it during the day time,” Pomar said.

Bystanders who are not involved with the drug cartels are now at risk of being victimized more than ever.

“They just don’t have any regard for anybody anymore,” Pomar said. “If you’re in the way, it’s your fault.”

Pomar is from Laredo, a Texas border town, which is separated from Nuevo Laredo, a Mexican city, by bridges. Since her father gained U.S. citizenship in 1995, Pomar said her entire family resides in Laredo and seldom crosses the border. However, the violence is increasingly moving into Texas.

“You can’t say it’s completely safe on one side or the other anymore,” she said.

According to The Associated Press, the Mexican drug war grew much more violent in August 2006 when Javier Arellano Felix, the leader of a

Tijuana-based cartel, was arrested. Since December 2006, 10,700 people have lost their lives throughout Mexico as drug lords from different cartels fight for control of the trade.

Angel Keen, public administration and Spanish senior, is from Laredo and said some of her family members reside in Nuevo Laredo. Since starting college, Keen rarely visits there, mostly because “the border is so dangerous,” she said.

Keen said her fear of the violence escalated when people involved in a drug cartel hi-jacked her mother at gunpoint two years ago. Police never recovered her stolen Nissan Altima.

Pomar and Keen said they have dealt with the drug wars when they were raised in Laredo. Keen remembers seeing a house that was burned down in Nuevo Laredo in relation to the drug war just around the corner from her grandmother’s residence.

“We’ve learned how to deal with it,” Keen said. “We have to make accommodations to be able to live there.”

Pomar said she and others who come from the area tend to be desensitized to the violence.

“It’s just become so normal that it doesn’t scare anyone who lives there,” Pomar said.

Keen said the increasing violence combined with a slumping economy has taken a noticeable toll on the area.

“There used to be a lot of tourism,” Keen said. “You don’t really see much of that anymore. A lot of the stores have closed down. It’s just not as safe as it used to be.”

Victor Santiesteban, Spanish senior, said his parents and younger siblings relocated to El Paso three years ago to escape the increasing bloodshed.

“I feel they are safe and that my brother and my sister will be safe more than how it was when I was their age,” Santiesteban said. “At the same time, I am sad they are not going to get to experience the same Mexican culture I experienced.”

Santiesteban said members of his family still reside in Juarez, but most have moved to residential areas where gates and security surround their homes. Santiesteban returned to Mexico to visit those family members during Christmas break. He said there seemed to be a sense of fear from the locals.

“You can tell people are scared,” Santiesteban said. “I mean, they don’t trust anybody.”

Santiesteban said although he hears brutal stories that sometimes involve decapitations and hangings, he believes the government is making an effort to stop the bloodshed.

Pomar said the violence at the border has never stopped her from going to Laredo, but she takes precautions while she is there.

“You just have to know what you know and keep your mouth shut when you’re not supposed to be talking,” Pomar said.

Santiesteban exercises the same caution and said he uses “common sense” when he returns to his hometown.

“Pretty much, stay alert all the time, don’t be too trusting with people, and of course don’t get a ride from a stranger,” he said. “All my life I’ve lived there, and all my life I’ve been cautious.

However, for Keen the thought of returning home is not as appealing, especially when it comes to crossing the border because “it’s just not smart,” she said.

Student health fair offers Gardasil vaccine, cancer tests

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

Women assembled Tuesday in the LBJ Ballroom to receive the first round of the Gardasil vaccine.

The free injections were given to 128 women who attended this year’s Student Health Fair.

“The Gardasil vaccines were very well utilized,” said Ashlee Dozier, health education coordinator.

The vaccine protects against four strands of the common Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, that can lead to genital warts and cervical cancer in women.

Those who got the first injection at the fair qualify to obtain the two remaining rounds of the vaccine at the Student Health Center at a discounted rate of $25 per injection.

Priscilla Hargraves, director of the Hays County Health Department, said all women are encouraged to get the Gardasil vaccination because regardless if a person has one strand of HPV, she can be shielded against the remaining three strands the shot protects against.

Hargraves said women who get the vaccine should get annual screenings and be aware of changes they notice in their bodies.

“It’s very important to keep getting your pap smears every year,” Hargraves said. “The best case scenario is to get Gardasil, get annual pap tests and pay attention to your body.”

Rebecca Herring, a nurse at the Hays County Health Department, said Gardasil vaccines will likely be made available for men, who have the capacity to carry the disease and pass it to women.

“(Men) are half the problem,” Herring said. “They are hopefully going to be in the next round.”

This year’s fair took on a cancer theme in conjunction with Cancer Awareness Month.

Dozier, who organized the event, said besides providing cancer awareness and screenings, there were nutritional and fitness booths that “will help students stay healthy long-term.”

More than 30 booths were set up in the ballroom for the fair, she said.

Services made available to students included voice screenings to detect laryngeal disorders, oral cancer screenings and lung function tests.

Amanda Martinez, health professions senior, gave lung function tests to students and encouraged smokers to quit. She said because students are young, they often do not worry about the long-term damage they are doing to their lungs by smoking.

“You get one set of lungs and that’s it,” Martinez said. “Once you ruin it, that’s it. You can’t live without breathing, so that’s pretty much the bottom line.”

Thomas Naveja, radiation therapy senior, gave out information about lung cancer at the fair and said he thinks it is a good idea for students to be informed about the different forms of cancer.

“It’s pretty important for people to know about cancer and know ways to prevent it so they don’t end up in that type of situation,” Naveja said.

Colon, breast, prostate, skin and other types of cancers were addressed at the fair. Women were encouraged to give themselves regular breast self-exams and students were reminded to protect their skin against sun damage and tanning.

Remaining Cancer Awareness Month events can be found by visiting cancerawareness.healthcenter.txstate.edu.

Bobcats save lives, raise awareness about cancer

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

Leukemia survivor Lawrence Estaville had no idea the donor who helped save his life in August 2007 was sitting behind him during the National Marrow Donor Program presentation Wednesday.

“Wow,” Estaville, professor in the department of geography, continually repeated after the surprise guest was revealed. “This is incredible. He saved my life.”

Estaville was filled with emotion as he hugged Rick O’Neil from Massachusetts for the first time. Yvonne Ybarra of the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center in San Antonio arranged the meeting.

Estaville asked O’Neil if he received a letter expressing his gratitude for the marrow donation. Estaville was surprised when the answer was “no.”

“It was the hardest letter I wrote in my whole life, and it was hard because I cried the whole time,” Estaville said. “I couldn’t put in words how much I love my donor — Rick O’Neil of Massachusetts.”

O’Neil said he is not normally an emotional person, but meeting the man who benefited from his donation evoked strong feelings.

“This is the closest I’ve come to crying since I was probably about five years old,” O’Neil said. “The only thing I can say is that I’m thankful I could help someone else.”

O’Neil decided to become a marrow donor after a family friend was diagnosed with Leukemia. O’Neil was not a match for that person, but he signed up for the National Marrow Donor Program hoping he could provide a match for someone else.

Guest speaker Dr. Jeffrey Chell, chief executive officer of the donor program, delivered a presentation focused around marrow donations.

This was part of a series of events taking place at Texas State throughout April, which was declared cancer awareness month in San Marcos this year. Chell said to be a compatible marrow donor, a person’s sixth chromosome must match with whoever needs the transplant. Chell said the process is more complex than finding a blood or organ donor.

Chell said there are more than 70 diseases that have marrow transplants as a treatment option, but only 40 percent of patients find the match they need. In his speech, Chell encouraged the audience to register for the program.

“When you donate marrow, two lives are changed,” Chell said, referring to the patient and the donor. “Donors tell me that it’s one of the greatest experiences of their lives.”

For the past three days, Texas State has hosted a marrow drive that has drawn 1,591 people to join the registry. Today is the last day to register on campus, and Estaville said the goal is to raise that number to 2,000. Donors must be between 18 and 60 years old and be in good health. Chell said minorities are especially encouraged to apply because it is more difficult to find matches for them.

Angelika Wahl, Cancer Awareness Month Committee board member, said there are tables set up throughout The Quad where people can register. Those who register can expect four cheek swabs, which is the first stage of screening.

Last year was the first time Texas State held the marrow drive, and 1,163 people registered. Estaville said two children have received transplants so far from Texas State students — an 8-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl.

“That’s Texas State students saving lives,” he said. “Just that alone makes this worth it. There are children out there who need another chance at life.”

Wahl said 90 percent of people making it to the final stage of donation give marrow through stem cells. The process, she said, includes taking injections and getting blood drawn. The blood is returned to the donor after the stem cells are removed.

O’Neil said the procedure is painless.

“I encourage you to sign up for the list and if you’re called, donate … absolutely,” O’Neil said.

Estaville said the Cancer Awareness Month Committee strives to achieve two objectives.

“The whole idea is to make our community here, as well as Texas State, aware of cancer and the signs of cancer so that we can prevent it,” Estaville said. “Many cancers are preventable. Students are young and think they’re invincible. It’s about students. They can’t keep smoking. They can’t keep laying out.”

The second goal, he said, is “to reach out and help save people stricken with cancer.”

One way the committee hopes to raise awareness is through the largest student health fair Texas State has ever hosted. The event will take place Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the LBJ Ballroom.

“There’s going to be tons of freebies,” said Ashlee Dozier, health education coordinator.

Different kinds of cancer screenings will take place at the event including oral, lung and skin. Dozier said door prizes will be given away every 15 minutes.

The event will make it possible for women to qualify for the first round injection of Gardasil, a vaccine that protects against the common

Human Papilloma Virus that can lead to cervical cancer. From there, appointments can be made at the Student Health Center to obtain the two remaining rounds of the vaccine at a discounted rate of $25 per injection.

“They found (Gardasil) to be safe and very important,” Dozier said.

The event will also promote fitness and nutrition, she said.

Chell said those who do not register for the marrow drive on campus can learn more about National Marrow Donor Program by visiting bethematch.org.

Estaville is thankful he was able to find a marrow match.

“God is great,” he said. “Life is beautiful.”

Relay for Life raises cancer awareness

By: Rachel Nelson
www.universitystar.com

Shannon McFadden, communication studies senior, learned in middle school that her best friend had Leukemia.

McFadden’s friend was unable to find a bone marrow match and as a result died after the Leukemia came out of remission when they were in high school.

“It’s hard because you can’t do anything but sit there and watch,” she said.

Now McFadden is working to ensure Texas State students play an active role in cancer awareness. She is the American Cancer Society’s Texas State Relay for Life co-chair.

McFadden said a Relay for Life event, held 7 p.m. April 17, took place in her hometown four weeks before her friend died.

“Basically, that 12 hours we had our friend back again because you wouldn’t know she was sick,” McFadden said. “She was so happy to be there.”

This is the sixth year Relay For Life will be held at Texas State, and will include food, guest speakers, entertainers and on-site cancer fundraisers.

This year, April is a big month for cancer awareness in San Marcos.

Texas State, Hays County, the City of San Marcos and San Marcos CISD have made proclamations declaring April as Cancer Awareness Month. Events are planned on campus throughout the month, starting Wednesday with a workshop in J.C. Kellam 1100 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The theme of the workshop is “Cancer Has Struck Your Family: What Do You Do Now?”

A bone marrow donor drive will take place April 13 to 16 throughout campus to help those like McFadden’s friend who need a transplant.

Relay for Life will take place at Bobcat Stadium and will run throughout the night. There are 68 teams participating.

“The idea is that cancer doesn’t sleep, so at least one person from your team has to be on the track at all times,” said Aubri Nowowiejski, advocacy chair for Relay for Life.

The relay kicks off with a survivor lap where those who have lived through cancer walk around the track. The event will run until 7 a.m.

Nowowiejski, public relations sophomore, got involved with Relay For Life this year because both of her grandmothers have breast cancer.
Nowowiejski learned last week her sister was diagnosed with the disease.

When Nowowiejski’s maternal grandmother learned about her involvement with Relay For Life, she gave Nowowiejski a plaque that was presented to her grandfather for service to the American Cancer Society in the ’70s. Nowowiejski said her grandfather died before she could meet him.

“It just gave me a connection with him I never had because I never got to meet him,” Nowowiejski said. “Me going out there — it’s kind of continuing what he started.”

Among events taking place at the Relay for Life event will be the luminary ceremony. Luminaries are paper sacks with glow sticks placed in them, each one representing a life affected by cancer. The bags have names and messages written on them and can be purchased for a suggested donation of $5.

“The bags are lined all the way around the track so when people walk around the track they’ll see the bags constantly,” McFadden said.

Participating in the Relay for Life event this year is Sergio Palacios, public relations senior. Palacios is the founder of Cans for a Cure, an organization that collects and recycles aluminum cans for the purpose of donating to organizations that fight cancer. Cans for a Cure is in its first year, and Palacios said proceeds are going toward Relay for Life.

Cans For A Cure has donated $500 to the relay and hopes to double that amount by the date of the event, he said.

“We’re going to have a tent set up and everything, but we’re also going have two, 50-gallon can canisters so people who don’t know about us will know about us, and at the same time we’ll still be doing our recycling,” Palacios said. “We’re trying to save lives one can at a time.”

Palacios said 36 aluminum cans equal one pound, which is currently worth about 25 cents.

“There are about 30,000 kids who go to Texas State,” he said. “If each student donated one pound of cans per month, that would add up to $7,500 per month.”

People can still get involved in the Relay for Life.

“They can definitely join a team if they don’t want to start their own team,” McFadden said.

McFadden said the relay is seeking volunteers for the event, particularly for cleaning afterwards.

People unable to participate in the event can contribute by purchasing a shirt from the bookstore that reads “Texas State” on the front and “Gives Hope” on the back for $10.99.

“Five dollars from every shirt goes to Relay for Life,” McFadden said.