San Marcos Entertainment and Culture
October 2012
& Spreading the Good News of Neon
Mayoral Candidates. In Their Own Words, Words, & More Words
Zombies Takeover SMTX. Four Sure-fire Cures For Your Safety
A Culture Of INK. You’re Almost Cooler If You Don’t Have One
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S N O I T A C O KYLE L
ity s r e niv 0
Dr:
SA
1. U 353-750
N E OP hr
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2. Aquarena: 757-8833 3. Hopkins: 353-0000 4. Wonder World: 353-7766 5. Kyle on 1626: 268-6400
txsubs
& S O C N MAR
@bobcatfans
/bobcatfans
In The Ink Gun
San Marcos Entertainment and Culture
This might sting a little...
14 Hang Loose Release a little stress 16 Euro Trip For the hummus lover
Blacked Out
18 Ghost of Dixie Boo!
& Spreading the Good News of Neon
24 SMTX Ink No cry babies allowed
October 2012
22 What’s Your Issue? There are plenty this election
Mayoral Candidates. In Their Own Words ...or S#it they say
Zombies Takeover SMTX. Four surefire cures for your safety
A Culture of INK. You’re almost cooler if you dont have one
About The Cover If you ever run into Jay Gordon around town, he will most likely be holding a cigarette between his teeth, but you might not want to ask him for a light unless you plan on loosing a few hair follicles. Jay and his wife, Darcy, are the owners of Blackout Signs in San Marcos. They are huge fans of neon, but are not affiliated with any sorority or fraternity.
28 Veranda Rooftop Look down while you drink up 30 Blackout Signs You might not remember this tomorrow 34 Scare Tactics Are you afraid of the dark? 36 Zombie Apocalypse We have your cure 38 Lost Paintball Please use protection 40 Take a Hike It’s no purgatory 42 Pink Out! We love boobs 44 Pole Fitness Make it rain...sweat
SMTX Entertainment & Culture Publisher Rick Koch @rickkoch Art Director Will Bowling wbcreative.org Distribution & Operations Jordan Regas @jjregas Events Johnell Huebner @johnellhueber Photo Editor Eric Morales @ericmphotoTX
Contributors
Badasses
Tiffany Matthews Kaley Kusenberger Lauren Watkins Michael Kelton Kathryn Slaughter
Sarah McDonald Morgan Martens Morgan Kemper & Stephanie Simmons
Food & Drink
Advertising
Jake $alter
Photography & Art
Dalton Campbell thevophoto.com Katrina Barber Kate Anderson Adam Gutierrez Katy Shoopman
361.236.5624 Marketing@ BobcatFans.com
Story Ideas
512.619.0494 BobcatFans@ gmail.com
Copyright 2012 BobcatFans LLC 139 E. Hopkins Suite B San Marcos, TX 78666 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.
BobcatFans Magazine is often imitated but never duplicated. We are NOT a Texas State University publication.
CREATIVE PEOPLE WANTED Graphic Design, Marketing, Advertising, Photography, Writing & Promotions We’re looking for a few creative interns. Submit 300 words on why you would be a Mad Man for BobcatFans. bobcatfans@gmail.com
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Guest Welcome Letter
Bowls with buds Dear San Marcos, October marks a milestone for me. It was seven years ago this month that my best friend and I opened the doors to The Stratosphere Lounge and started our new life here in San Marcos – a unique city I instantly knew I could call home. We had no idea that this small business opportunity would evolve into so much more, even from day one. My business partner and I had our hands full, struggling to unload equipment and furniture from a moving truck, when a local jumped to lend a hand. I’m sure Joe, a piercer at Classic Tattoo and also our business neighbor, hasn’t forgotten about the seven-foot-tall, nearly five-hundred-pound refrigerator. The friendships made that day were the first of many that would follow and are ones that have helped us to consider so many in the San Marcos community as our family. What makes a place feel more like home than family? Having grown up in South Austin, San Marcos has all of the things I loved about my first home. There are the obvious things like the river and recreational areas, but what really makes San Marcos home is the community. I can sit outside of Coffee Pot with Steve the Lizard or go have a kolache at Dos Gatos and nine times out of ten I run into a friendly face and a good conversation. Though San Marcos is evolving and growing more each year, it still has that small town charm. Dealing with growth is nothing new to the area. That being said, we are all witnesses to an extraordinary time that is shaping this town’s future. We experienced the buzz and excitement of Texas State’s football home opener last month. Whether you were downtown for Rally On The Square, cheering at Bobcat Stadium or just happened to be here that weekend, you felt it. As the University grows, so must the city around it. We’ve recently seen new businesses open their doors and old businesses expand and remodel to meet growing demands. With great new options for dining, shopping or meeting friends for a drink there’s a new energy in the air, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Although The Stratosphere Lounge is what brought me here, it’s the unique blend of amazing people, sense of community and progressive thinking that make San Marcos home for me today. Sincerely, Michael Kelton Co-Owner, The Stratosphere Lounge
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TIDBITS
Pocketbook Friendly According to the 2012 Cost of Living Index, San Marcos is considered one of the “least expensive” urban areas to live in the U.S. This ranking is based off of our fantastic quality of life and educational opportunities. Plus, we have affordable cost of living and competitive prices when it comes to housing, utilities, goods, etc. But, not only is our humble town inexpensive, we’re also seen as one the most family friendly places, and in recent years, “one of the best places to raise children.” I guess we aren’t the only people that see San Marcos as the coolest gems…ever!
one of the best places to raise children”
RUN SMTX It’s tricky; tricky, tricky, tricky, tricky trying to come up with a cool T-shirt idea, which is why we wanted to give some mad props to those playas that came up with this funky fresh “T” concept. Shirts can be purchased at Texas Skate for $20. They come in both black and white and include a “tank” option. Cause it’s who’s house? Run’s house. Don’t be ill’in yo. Check out RUN DMC reuniting this November at Fun Fun Fun Fest. Pictured: Local MC David Shabani
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Going Gruene Veteran outdoor and fishing store Gruene Outfitters is planning their second store opening next to the Central Texas Ballet Conservatory near the Vault on Hopkins St. The store, whose name has not yet been finalized, will be an extension of Gruene Outfitters, carrying much of the same products as their parent location. Students can expect to find brands such as Northface, Patagonia, and Chacos for the outdoorsy type. Expect to see the doors open around the first of October. There will be a grand opening and students will receive special discounts.
Breathalyzer Q. Are police breath test machines accurate? A.The choice of providing a
specimen upon officer request is a personal decision. What the officer will not tell you is that breath testing instruments are not actually measuring alcohol in breath, but rather trying to guess what it thinks is in your blood by assuming certain essential variables. For example, the breath test machine assumes an average blood/breath ratio in trying to guess what is in a person’s blood. If your blood/breath ratio is different than the “average” assumed by the machine, then the purported result is not an accurate measure of the true blood alcohol concentration. There are many other variables that can also lead to an invalid breath test result.
Billy McNabb Attorney at Law
San Marcos, Texas 512-353-2136 www.billymcnabb.com
Know your rights. Protect your future. @BobcatFans
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BobcatFans Magazine | 7
WHAT’S NEW
The Nation of Bobcat
Followers will soon be able to Pledge Allegiance to Bobcat Nation. It’s the newest addition to the sports bars here in San Marcos, however; this one is boisterous with TXST Pride. A witnessed change in the community culture, long ago were the days businesses touted burnt orange over Maroon & Gold...except for Pluckers of course. With the tagline, “Where you can Eat’em Up & Drink’em Down” Bobcat Nation is designed to attract people of all ages, from business professionals to coaches to alumni to students who want to grab a bite to eat. Their signature speciality drinks include the “Hot Bobcat”, a jalapeno and whisky concoction, or try the classy “Frantini”. This non-smoking venue is equipped with an outdoor patio for cool nights where smoking is allowed. Opening late October.
Calling All Winos Ruby Heels Wine Shoppe is located on Edward Gary Street in the small strip center directly across from Wells Fargo’s drive-thru. This eclectic new winery is owned and run by Roger Hestand and his son Randy of New Braunfels. Roger has been working at The Grapevine in Gruene’s Historic district for about a year and half, which is whom he has based his business model after. At that time he attended the International Wine Guild and became a sommelier, which means he knows a hell of a lot of about wine. The opening of Ruby Heels will feature twelve wines, all of which are skillfully crafted and fermented by Roger.
This month San Marcos will enhance it’s local wine selection with the addition of a new winery.
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The Contest We have a pair of 3-Day Passes to Fun Fun Fun Fest during November 2-4 to give away, but you’ve got to earn them! We’re searching for creative minds out there to come up with a sweet title for an imaginary festival of any kind – but it must pertain to San Marcos. Enter by Tweeting to @BobcatFans using hash tag #BFMcontest or visit BobcatFans’ Facebook page and post a title for the festival you’ve always visualized! Include a one-sentence statement explaining the correlation to SMTX. The entry deadline is October 15th. Examples: Aftershock Music Festival - Heavy Metal concerts taking place on the San Marcos fault line. Float-A-Palooza - Attendees sit in tubes on the backs of SM River. The winner will receive two 3-Day passes and be featured in the November issue with his or her unique festival title. Ends Oct 15. @BobcatFans
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Foodstock Enjoy Peace, Love and Non-Perishable Food Items Every month Foodstock takes place at San Marcos’ Plaza Park. Foodstock is a collaborative effort of Print This, The Root Cellar, Tantra and KTSW to help stock the shelves of the Hays County Foodbank every month. The inaugural show in August featured performances by Chief and the Doomsday Device, Those Nights, Grace Park and The Deer, The Black Squeeze, Good Field, and The Couch. Approximately $400 was raised for the Hays County Foodbank and 400lbs of non-perishable food items were donated. This month’s Foodstock will take place on October 20th from 4pm until 10pm. Many reasons to help support the Hays County Food bank. • In the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, 71% of children qualify for free or reduced price breakfasts and lunches. (Source: SMCISD Child Nutrition Department, 2012) • In the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, 52% of children qualify for free or reduced price breakfasts and lunches. (Source: HCISD Child Nutrition Department, 2012) •Texas ranks #2 in the nation for food insecurity in children under the age of 18. (Source: Feeding America, 2010, “Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2006 - 2008”)
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Thank You!
If you shut it down, they will come. That was our motto and thanks to the city of San Marcos and the businesses on N. LBJ That Happened for the first time in twenty years. There were plenty of reasons to celebrate and only one thing to do on the eve of the biggest game to ever hit San Marcos, RALLY, and rally we did. Not only did Pride fill N. LBJ, It filled the entire Square.
Root Cellar, San Marcos Hair Co., Twist & Shout, Stratosphere Lounge, Classic Tattoo, Mobile Phone Geeks, Sophia Beauty & Barber Salon, Vodka St., TEXAS SKATE, Out of the Blue, Morales & Navarette, Strut, Dan’s Dollar Bookstore, Paper Bear, Bada Bling, & WALLY’S Party Factory
WHAT’S HAPPENING October’s Top Events
“Trouble in Tahiti” & “Slow Dusk”
Oct 4-7
TXST Music Building 7:30pm Expand your music horizon and enjoy Texas State’s stupendous opera performances! events.txstate.edu CTMC Stars of Texas Gala Embassy Suites 5pm
Oct 7
Be entertained by Neal McCoy at this premier black-tie fundraiser for CTMC, with a special tribute to local philanthropist Terry P. Gilmore. For Tickets call 512.753.3687
Hill Country Cook-Off Hays County Civic Center 7am
Oct 12-13
Think you’re the ultimate grilling master? Prove it and try your skills at a state championship BBQ and chili cook-off. First place is $1000. toursanmarcos.com/hillcountrycookoff
Washer Pitching Tournament Hays County Civic Center 10am
Oct 13
If you’re a total juggernaut at washers then compete and make yourself some dough. $20 per team; bring your own washers. Cash payouts. toursanmarcos.com/node/3122
2012 US Kayak Polo Nationals Rio Vista Park
Oct 19-21
Best described as a mix of basketball and water polo except that the players are in kayaks. It is an exciting game played in two ten-minute halves on a 35×23 meter court. www.austinkayakpolo.org
Samantha Lynn
Oct 23
Triple Crown 6pm (21+) Relax and enjoy the sweet sounds of a local who loves to sing the Hill Country Blues. triplecrownlive.com Texas State Quidditch Diamond Cup West Campus (Soccer) Fields 9am
Oct 27
Attention IQA and NCBA Red River Conference Quidditch teams! Texas State University will be hosting its first annual Diamond Cup in San Marcos. They are expecting approximately 8-15 teams from all around Texas. facebook.com/texasstatequidditch
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10
year
Anniversary Pet Fest San Marcos Plaza Pavilion Park 10am
Oct 6th
The 10th anniversary PET FEST is a celebration of all pets, large and small, hosted by P.A.L.S. Restrained animals with nice manners are invited to enjoy a day dedicated to them, and of course costumes are encouraged! Bring a pet or come meet and greet the homeless pets from shelters and rescues who are waiting to be adopted. The festival has expanded this year to include both sides of the beautiful San Marcos River with events throughout. Admission is free, but it is requested that attendees bring a donation of dry pet food. Prior to the festival, there will be a 5K race at 8:00 a.m. followed by the 1 mile all ages Fun Run & ¼ mile Kids Fun Run at 9:00 a.m. PreventALitter.com
Dudes for Boobs - Cancer Benefit The Barn 6pm
Oct 20th
The Barn is doing what they can this October to help in the fight against breast cancer. They will feature drink specials, such as their Pink Martini and Pink Lemonade, while donating a portion of the profits from each drink. This will culminate in their special community event, Dudes for Boobs, which will help raise awareness and funds while having fun in the process. There will be food, live music, art, a fashion show, and even a silent auction. Local artists, musicians and businesses are welcomed to get involved and help support the cause. Facebook Page: “Dudes for Boobs” or TheBarnTX.com
#BobcatFans
BobcatFans Magazine | 13
KEEP SMTX
By Stephanie Simmons Photo Dalton Campbell
Keep San Marcos Loose The daily grind can be tough and stressful. Whether it’s work, school or some tragic combination of both, make sure you stay loose and stress free. Salons that offer massages will keep you loose, happy and healthy this fall.
Mink
Spa Botanica IsAnZe
Salon Mink, located on Hopkins, tailors their massages for the individual. Their techniques include Swedish (which is more soothing and relaxing), Deep Tissue (more intense with more pressure), or a combo of the two. They also use trigger point therapy and stretching as part of their methods. There are a tremendous amount of health benefits both physical and mental. It’s great for getting rid of stress and specific tension. Have some old injuries? Massages are great to help you work through and possibly heal them. For an hour of Swedish it cost $65 and for Deep Tissue, $75. But don’t worry. They give great discounts to TXST students and faculty. And new clients get $10 off regular price for a half hour. Be sure to also check out their monthly specials!
Spa Botanica, located in Embassy Suites on McCarty Lane, has everything you need to make you feel like a million bucks. With their stylish, serenity like setting you can get your body in tune. Relaxing Swedish, De-Stressing Deep Tissue, Pre-Natal, and Hot Stone massages are all offered. Need a gift idea for that special someone? Check out the couples massage that is sure to make both of you happy. Spa Botanica takes their massages a step further; you can add aroma therapy or essential oils to any massage that you chose. If you’re into trying new things, check out the aquatic massage that is sure to rinse your stress away. Spa Botanica has everything you need to get back to 100%.
By Stephanie Simmons Photo Dalton Campbell
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IsAnZe Spa, located on Wonder World, offers a plethora of different massages. Of course you have the classics, like Swedish and Deep Tissue, but IsAnZe also offers Pre-Natal and Hot Stone massages. This spa has it all! They even give you a form to fill out so they can decide what massage would be right for you and how to best suit your body’s needs. IsAnZe is a family owned business with 15 years of experience and has 5 Licensed Massage Therapists on hand that are sure to get your body back where it needs to be. Get relaxed while alleviating your aches and pains.
Therapist Spotlight Jody Cross
Jody Cross is a LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) at Salon Mink. We got the opportunity to sit down with her and really get to know why she chose this as her path in life. At the age 17, Jody had her first massage and fell in love. After it was over, she began to have a Q&A session with her therapist. With this eye opening experience, she believed that she was a natural healer. Massage therapy is important to Cross because she loves helping people by healing them. Her favorite technique to use on clients is Reiki, an energy healing massage. Jody is very truthful when she says, “one massage is not going to work”. Your body needs more than one to process and heal. Head on over to Salon Mink and ask for Jody! Take it from us, you won’t be disappointed! (On Nov. 1st Jody
will make a move to Bower Bird Shop)
@BobcatFans
Bobcat Shopping at Bobcat Stadium The Only Fan Shop Owned and Operated by Texas State University.
Texas State University Bookstore Presents The new fan shop located in Bobcat Stadium featuring the finest in Texas State apparel & gifts is now open! Open daily from 10 am - 4 pm. Extended hours on game days. Closed Sundays.
Here for you, here for Texas State 2nd Floor LBJ Student Center · 512-245-2273 www.bookstore.txstate.edu
CHEWED
The Greek Life at Euro Cafe Of all the cuisines our world has to offer, Greek is the one I am least familiar with, so you can imagine how excited I was to dig into Euro Café & Market’s menu of traditional Greek and Eastern European fare. As you walk in, you’re treated to a mix of different heady aromas: meats and vegetables roasting, exotic spices, and hot spinach pie with feta coming out of the oven. Located off the square right next to campus, this is a great place for students and San Marcos regulars alike. Complete with authentic hummus, baba ganoush, and Gyros that will make you say, “Opa!”. A willingness to make exactly what the customer is looking for is why the Euro Café is a definite must for any San Marcos foodie. 350 N. Guadalupe St. 512.392.6044
Hummus Platter The perfect sampler to start your delicious foray into Greek culture is the hummus platter. Served up with pita wedges and three separate dipping sauces including hummus (obviously), cucumber yogurt and tabouli salad. The hummus had a mild flavor and rich, creamy texture. The yogurt was light and flavorful, with just a hint of spice. The tabouli was refreshing and cleansed the palette with perfect tomato acidity.
Village Salad A light fresh salad consisting of shredded cabbage, tomato, cucumber, feta, and an oil and vinegar dressing. While I would have liked a few more tomatoes, the dressing was subtle, but nice. Feta is always the perfect addition.
Kadaif A surprisingly good dessert, and really the perfect way to end the meal. Basically shredded wheat and walnuts soaked in honey and topped with powdered sugar. Simple, but elegant in its simplicity. A perfect palette cleanser, and really a superb end to a great meal. Reviewed by Jake $alter
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Photos Eric Morales
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Brewed From the Taps @ Sean Patrick’s
Harvest Pumkin Blue Moon
Fall is a season of change. Leaves change color, temperatures (hopefully) cool down, and I change my opinion on Blue Moon brewing company. I’ve always enjoyed their beers to a certain extent, but they have always seemed like a middle of the road brewery. Not so with their fall seasonal Harvest Pumpkin Ale, a rich flavorful brew with effervescent notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and of course pumpkin. It’s like eating a fresh pumpkin pie on your grandmother’s porch while watching the leaves fall, but you know, better. Cause its beer. ABV- 5.7%
Rates a 5 out of a 6 in a pack.
Alibi
Circle Brewing Co. From our friends at Austin’s own Circle Brewing comes Alibi, a thick and rich mutt of a beer. Touted as a cross between the German Mai Bock and American Blonde Ale, this is definitely a sipping beer. The heavy mouth feel is Rates a 3 offset a bit by a light, citrusy flavor that works well with the out of a 6 in hop flavors present. With that a pack. in mind I’m not a huge fan of this beer. It’s too sour, a bit too thick, and you really get way more blonde than bock. Not really bad, but there are definitely beers more deserving of your attention. Bar: Slacker’s, Harper’s & Veranda Brews rated by ABV- 4.3%
Jake $alter
Take a Shot Bar: Chimy’s Howdy Y’all. Saddle up for the cowboy shot, partner! This citrusy combination of Tarantula tequila and Redbull has Chimy’s customers lining up to try this simple shot. In regards to taste, its citrusy and sweet-like a cowboy should be! This shot will get your boots kickin’. #BobcatFans
BobcatFans Magazine | 17
BACKSTAGE
Haunted by Ghost of Dixie
Photos Eric Morales
By Stephanie Simmons
Ghost of Dixie is the epitome of San Marcos culture; people coming together, having a good time, and just enjoying the music they make. This band doesn’t play by the rules, from age to sex to style, Ghosts of Dixie looks as unique as they sound. With their eclectic music style and their integration of different instruments into their mix, this band creates a truly original sound that’s all about having a good time. BobcatFans got a chance to sit with the entire band and was truly “haunted” by the Ghost of Dixie.
Q: A:
Where does the inspiration come from for your style of music? “We strive to be open to all styles really. Blues is definitely a big influence. As far as vocals, they are very blues oriented. Some people say southern rock…a little bit of funk. We kind of formed a base of New Orleans old school jazz. Artists like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and just old school jazz musicians getting together and playing songs that were relevant to the day. We just want to play songs that are relevant to our time and era.”
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When did you guys decide to get together and start making music?
Can you tell me a little about the upcoming album?
“We started it off getting together and having kind of music practice/music counseling. It was something to get the everyday stress out of the way. A little bit before August 2010…we wanted to go back to the roots of music and just jam whatever we wanted to.”
“The upcoming album will be called “Baron la Croix” which is a Voodoo deity that stands for death, sexuality, and over all having a good time enjoying the things that the world has to offer, which is all encompassing of the message we convey throughout the album.”
If you could describe the band and the sound in one statement, what would it be? “Voodoo Blues. We have a little bit a gypsy/funk feel.”
@BobcatFans
Label Me What? By Kathryn Slaughter
It’s 2012, and in one month the presidential election will take place. To honor the political campaign trail, why not tackle the foundational roots behind certain political ideals.
We sat down with Philosophy Professor Riley Inks for a few introspective discussions to help clarify these ideologies, politically and philosophically, because “the first thing that gets lost in politics,” according to Professor Inks, “are definitions of terms.” BIO: Riley Inks is an adjunct Philosophy professor at Texas State University. His background includes Political Theory, Social Philosophy, Value Theory, and Applied Ethics.
For our purposes, we speak on these political ideals in a very broad sense. Below are a few basic tenets of each political ideology precisely because one could use an entire book to cover one ideology alone. For the term Liberal, we are referring to an American Liberal, which is not be confused or associated with the traditional understanding of the word.
The Libertarian
The Conservative
The Liberal
Individualistic
Traditionalist
Preconditions for political freedom
Individual rights are universal, i.e., if only partial, and if some acquire them and others do not, then these so-called rights turn into privileges.
Traditional values, i.e., the family, the community, culture, religious beliefs etc. and mores are respected and recognized as self-governing.
Basic needs must be met first in order for a citizen to truly be free, equal, and an active participant in a social democracy.
Equality under the law
Commitment to objective truth
Privileges should not be held under the law. For instance, to own a house is not to be held accountable as a right under the law but as a privilege.
Believes in absolute, timeless truths that should govern life.
Limited government Government, as Robert Nozick refers to it, is a “monopoly of force” This idea touches on the idea of the individual; it is a notion meaning that force enacted on an individual is against the law of nature.
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Limited government Like Libertarians, Conservatives support and are committed to limited government and limited government intervention. Communitarian
Active government intervention True freedom and equality comes from active government intervention on social issues, e.g., public education and environmental concerns. Skeptical of traditions Liberals, as well as Libertarians, are skeptical of claims and traditions that involve the idea of moral authorities.
There is an emphasis on concern for the community and social institutions. The good of the polis, or the whole political community, trumps the individual except where rights are exposed. @BobcatFans
Photo Eric Morales
What exactly is a Liberal? A Conservative? And a Libertarian? We sought to go beyond mere dictionary definitions on these terms, and tried to discover their philosophic roots.
self-serve frozen yogurt
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BobcatFans Magazine | 21
What’s
your ISSUE
The 2012 SMTX Mayoral Election is shaping up to be an interesting race. Incumbent Mayor Daniel Guerrero is pushing for continuity of leadership and goals. Relatively ambiguous candidate Thomas Prentice entered the race at the last minute with a completely original and peculiar campaign. There is only one thing that’s for sure; San Marcos has plenty of issues to consider come November 6th. Check out what our two candidates had to say.
Local - Regional - National SOCIAL • ECONOMICAL School - City
Be Heard!
Last day to register to vote: Oct 9th Early voting: Oct 22nd Election Day: Nov 6th
How do I register to vote? Voter registration applications are available at post offices, libraries, Texas Department of Public Safety offices, and Texas Health and Human Services Commission offices throughout the state.
Guerrero
Prentice
Daniel Guerrero Incumbent Age 35
Growth:
“I think we are at a point now where we have provided the preliminary boundaries of where we would like to see San Marcos go in the next twenty to thirty years. It’s an understanding of where we would like to see our community grow, where we would like to see investments made in preservation; where we would prefer to see residential growth and the best places for industrial and commercial growth. You have to have a balance. In order for us to preserve land, to maintain parkland, ensure that you have appropriate amenities for the different wants that we have, we have to take care of our needs. Our needs are going to be police and fire protection, streets, sidewalks, bike lanes and roadways, utilities, water and infrastructure.”
Community:
“Those of us that live here, work here and reside here; it is our responsibility to better the overall life in our community. A major piece of that is going to be housing. We would like to have a balance of both multi and single family housing, but we also have to recognize that the household income of our community is lower than any other portion of Hays County in Central Texas. We need to make sure that we are doing our best to attract workforce development and attract high wage jobs. One of the core pieces to making that happen is enhancing our education, enhancing our workforces skills and demonstrating to job prospects that we have the workforce, we have the know-how and the will to get those jobs here, ensure that they have housing, ensure that their children will be educated appropriately and demonstrate that we are a community of quality and choice for all of the state of Texas and the nation.”
Budget:
“Our number one priority over the last two years was sound finances, both internally and externally. How we take care of our home as a city financially. One of the main things we saw was that we needed to diversify our finances and our revenue and not be so dependent [on sales tax] and gradually you are seeing that dependence come down. You’re seeing our level of debt come down.”
Parks and Recreation:
“Back in 2011 we received so many different letters, emails, letters to the editor and phone calls from families saying that we are never coming back [to Rio Vista], saying they had a dangerous experience where they didn’t feel comfortable. As the Police Chief put it, to be drunk and obnoxious in a park, that’s not against the law. Until someone gets to the point of an altercation or verbal altercation, there is very little that an officer or ranger can do, but now the way we have it structured is before someone gets to the point of getting into an altercation, now you have the authority to tell someone to vacate the park. In reality, I don’t see this as an issue where if someone is seen holding can of beer that an officer is going to give them an issue. I think that if someone is at the level of getting to the point where there could possibly be a verbal or physical altercation, now the officer or park ranger can say, ‘We’re going to have to ask you to leave.’”
Traffic:
“The university is growing so we had to make some changes and one of TXDOT’s highest priorities for the state of Texas is the implementation of Loop 82 overpass, which will be over the railroad on Aquarena Springs. You will see that coming along, if not in the next few months, then by the beginning of 2013.”
Thomas Prentice Challenger Age 60
Conversation:
“The best thing about our human brain is that we can teach each other something, and I see a society in which we are not doing that. I also see a society in which people think, I can’t do anything about the federal reserve and I can’t do anything about congress and I can’t do anything about Wall Street, but together we should start talking about those issues at the local level, which is actually what democracy is all about: conversation.”
Climate Change:
“For two hundred years we started pouring incredible amounts of pollution, since the industrial revolution, into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, which is a green house gas that has a climate change/global warming effect. One of the things I have been concerned about is that you can’t find climate change in the capitalist news media, in the New York Times, or on CNN. It’s just not discussed…but I think we ought to talk about it. I don’t know if we can do anything necessarily about it here in San Marcos, but I think we ought to talk about it and that’s the first step to trying to comprehend the problem and understand the immediacy of the problem.”
Capitalism:
“Why are the occupy protesters getting arrested, but the Wall Street bankers aren’t getting arrested? There is a contradiction there. It seems like the enforcement is not very minuscule. It seems like the big fish are still swimming. I don’t know if they have brought about the restructuring of capitalism or if they are causing the looming collapse of capitalism or whether they are causing a return to authentic Adam Smith capitalism, I don’t know what’s ahead, but I do know we ought to be talking about it.”
Local Business:
“I’m fixing to send a letter in support of Zelicks to the City Planning Commission. I just find it outrageous. I think that this is an example of big government, paternalistic nanny state meddling into locally owned and locally operated businesses. Certainly there needs to be ordinances and they need to follow the rules, but as far as I can tell, Zelicks is following the rules. So why does the City Panning Commission continue to only give it a six month extension because there are some chronic complainers?…There is a danger of too much big government at the local level.”
Tickets:
“I’m actually doing a study on the number of people under the age of 30 who receive traffic tickets, now about 26% of the population I think is composed of students at Texas State, so there would be a presumption that with that big of a bulge, that there would probably be more students, but I’m finding that it appears that they’re all young people...I’m just overwhelmed with what I have heard so far, especially now that they are talking about putting parking meters up around The Square. I mean, who comes here?...I’m not for raising the property tax rate, but at the same time I’m not for extracting wealth from starving students.”
Photos Eric Morales
Inked in SanMarcos
By Jordan Regas
S
Pictured (Upper Right and bottom left) Tattoos by Bubba Ward. (Upper left) Classic Tattoo artist Adam Burdine (Bottom right) Out Of The Blue stylist Bobbie Kelman
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an Marcos has a history of leaving a permanent mark on people’s lives, but there are a talented few who are taking that impact to another level. The local tattoo artist may never be seen as the cornerstone of a society, but walking the streets of San Marcos are a group of very talented, very dedicated and very colorful people. Tattoo artists are not individuals who have settled in life or who are doing side jobs to make ends meet; the true tattoo artist is someone who has found their life’s calling. Sox, a local artist out of Classic Tattoo, is the perfect example of this. Hanging around Sox gives you the feeling that there is a lot more to a tattoo artist than meets the eye. They may have extracurricular piercings, dyed hair, or tattoos from head to toe (literally), but that is only because they are highly committed professionals who love their craft. “I didn’t realize how much of an effect tattooing was going to have on my life, the effect it was going to have on everything. It’s not just a job; it’s one of the few things that just becomes a part of who you are. Like, if you’re an accountant, it’s your day job, but it doesn’t really define you. When you start and get involved in tattooing it really is one of the things that define you,” says Sox. Sox explained how the tattoo artist can have such a major impact on some random person’s life who they may never encounter again. He actually remembers every single artist that has ever tattooed him and even the exact dates of his first three tattoos. For Sox, and many of our great tattoo artists around town, the goal is to create something for the client that sinks far below the skin. “It’s about the look I see on people’s faces when I do something that came out of their head. I did a piece today for a girl and it was her 18th birthday, and just the look on her face, and her dad was with her and he got the same thing, his first as well. Just to be able to do that, to create that permanent bonding experience and create those memorable moments, it’s really fun,” explains Sox.
Wearing a hideous Green Bay jersey is the man known as “Sox”
San Marcos is a great place to get inked. All of our premier shops and artists love the creativity that students and residents bring to the table. They want to create something for you that will not only look amazing, but have a stupefying impact on you as well. There is a little friendly competition among shops, but they all have respect for each other and value each other’s work. So whether you’re looking for your first little tattoo of Texas or plan on putting the San Marcos River on your arm, your ink is in good hands. Get to know the owners of three of our local ink shops...
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Classic Tattoo Morgan Haberle Morgan was one of the few adolescent girls who did not grow up wanting to be a cheerleader or ballerina. Morgan would write in her journal about being a tattoo artist at the age of fourteen. “I just thought that it was a cool job, but I didn’t really believe that it would be a lifelong career choice. I really didn’t have the knowledge to know that it’s not a side job, it takes over your life…It’s not a stepping stone career; it’s a be-all end-all career,” says Morgan. She got her start in a little biker tattoo shop on 6th St., but she has done some major climbing since. After moving to SMTX in 2003, she soon became the owner of Classic Tattoo by
2005. She likes to incorporate bright, bold colors into her work and is a major fan of nature imagery. Morgan prefers having good competition in town because it keeps her on top of her game. Speaking of Bubba, she says, “When I look online and see something that he did on Facebook, it makes me want to come in the next day and do something better. Tattooing at its heart is very competitive…It’s nice to have other good artists around. San Marcos is just starting to get some really good artists and shops around here.” Morgan also gave props to the clientele of San Marcos who are becoming more creative and bold with their choices. Today, Classic Tattoo is stocked full with great artists like Sox, Mark, Andrea and Adam who all can do some amazing things with a little ink and skin.
Resilience Tattoo Hillary Martin Hillary Martin went from stay-at-home mom all the way to tattoo artist mom, not your typical Desperate Housewives scenario. She is still the loving mother of three little girls, but now she has an additional love in tattooing. It all started back in California where Hillary was selling paintings on consignment until the day a classmate asked if she wanted to learn how to tattoo. Things have not been the same since. Hillary couldn’t really pin point her style, but she did mention, “I know
what I don’t do. I don’t do American traditional; I don’t do realism or surrealism. I like black and gray and color, but I like to have a lot of texture with a darker twist.” She moved to San Marcos to get closer to her mother in Austin, and she came with no more than the clothes on her back and daughters in the truck. Hillary admitted that there are better ways to make money out there, but she describes tattooing as “something that feeds my soul.” She gets along well with the other artists here in town and will even send work their way if she thinks it might be a better fit for the client.
Bubba's Family Tattoo Bubba Ward Bubba, which is not a nick name, was born and raised in San Angelo, Texas. Most kids don’t get to step into a tattoo shop until their 18th birthday, but Bubba basically grew up in one. Having a tattoo artist for a mother and an older brother who followed along, it didn’t take Bubba long to join the family business. Bubba spent some time tattooing in Nacogdoches before moving his abilities to San Marcos in 2004. Bubba would describe his style as bold and traditional. Bubba stands by his work saying, “It lasts a lifetime; my work doesn’t need to be
touched up. I use very bold lines.” Bubba has all kinds of people come into his shop, from the college kid getting their first tattoo, all the way to the seasoned canvas. He values traditional, larger scale pieces. “I think that’s part of my job as a professional, to take what I know that’s going to make a tattoo look good and then combine that with what they had in mind,” says Bubba. He prides himself on original work not hanging a bunch of pre-drawn patterns on the walls, or “flash” as they refer to it in the industry.
Permanent smtx Everyone talks about how much they love good old San Marvelous, but do you love it so much that you would wear it on your skin? Well, at least one of us does. When we heard that someone in town had the San Marcos River, in its full glory, decked out on their arm, we knew we had to take a good look at this. Andrea, of Classic Tattoo here is SMTX, is the artist behind this beautiful portrait that features all the scenery of our river down the right arm of Kelly Stone. Keep your ink local! 26 | BobcatFans Magazine
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The “Bar” Has Been Raised Hanging outside with a beer just got elevated. Take a look at what it’s like to experience SMTX’s newest (some might say only) rooftop bar. The Square is on the rise, literally. More restaurants and bars are moving in downtown and because of all the competition the “bar” has to be raised. That’s what gave Allen Shy, the man behind Harper’s, Slacker’s, and Rocky La Rue’s, the idea to raise his newest bar all the way to the roof. “I’m going for the old school beer garden feel, just three stories up on the roof…I’m not building a hotel style rooftop, I’m building something that’s way more comfortable and way more inviting,” says Allen. If the Hanging Gardens of Babylon made the Seven Wonders of the World list, then maybe the Rooftop Beer Garden of SMTX might have some solid potential. Getting a sneak peek of the view from The Veranda, it was amazing to see how far you can actual see in any direction. Look to your left and gaze out at a scene of the stadium that’s so clear you could watch fans cheering on the football team. Look behind you and take in practically the whole Texas State campus, but everyone knows that the coolest part of partying on a rooftop is looking down. You won’t miss any action as you look down at all the people on the Square hoping to get on your level.
Photo Eric Morales
The Veranda (atop of Harper’s Hall) opened on September 21st. Eighteen months of planning and construction went into it’s completion, giving SMTX a bar with a view unlike anywhere else.
As a Texas State Alum, Allen hopes The Veranda represents his pride in Texas State tradition and athletics. “Its alumni based, over the past five years the more and more that I have gotten involved with the Bobcat Club and football, baseball and basketball, my wife and I, we wanted to build something that the alumni are proud of when they come into town; somewhere they will feel at home,” says Allen. The Veranda will be fit with a stage that will play host to some acoustic shows featuring both local and major acts. So whatever you’re in the mood for, be it fresh air, good tunes, or a major Bobcat celebration, The Veranda plans to have you covered…just not with a roof. 28 | BobcatFans Magazine
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Photo © TWITBIZ SMTX
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Photo Eric Morales
Photos Eric Morales
“I think it just all started with Legos as a kid, just Lincoln Logs and all that,� says Jay as he cracks open a cold Modelo.
ay Gordon is a successful San Marcos business owner. When Jay wakes up in the morning, he certainly doesn’t shave, he doesn’t craft a tie into a tight double Windsor, and he never has to battle his way through morning rush hour. In fact, the more you get to know Jay, the more you realize that he defies all the odds of the cut throat world of business. Jay puts his family life ahead of his business life, which is why he recruited his wife, Darcy, and two kids, Blaze and Ruby, to be members of his internal operations team. Instead of getting a power trip, Jay cares about his employees as if they were his own flesh and blood. However, the craziest thing you will learn about Jay is that his business is not about making money (although he doesn’t mind it); it’s about doing something you love with the people you love. Hidden in an old barn behind a vintage silver bus is the Blackout Signs workshop. Approaching the entrance gives the impression that you are either about to walk into a junk yard or the location of a new Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. On this particular day, Zack is sanding down a retro Volkswagen van that Ben had recently chopped in half. The van is to be used as a salsa bar in a Freebirds location. Shay is putting the finishing touches on a set of engraved medallions that are meant for a fence the crew is building for The Mellow Mushroom. Ben is face deep in sparks flying from a piece of metal, and Darcy is helping us get set for our photo shoot. Jay, with his cigarette clinched beneath his teeth, tugs on his beard a little as he shows us around the shop. Dismembered mannequin limbs grace the ceilings and walls alongside tools, knick-knacks and, of course, neon signs; it’s pure attention deficit heaven. If you’re not careful, you might be startled by the metal ticket-selling Robot in the room, one of many that the team has built for Alamo draft house. The nude, red mannequin posted up in the middle of the room is a sight to see all by itself. It’s a small and cozy workspace, but what happens in this workspace is mind blowing. Blackout Signs has been contracted to build giant signs and metal sculptures for ACL, Lollapalooza, FunFunFun Fest, Red Bull and many other national companies. So what was the key to Jay’s success? Well, it’s time to discover the man behind the iron mask. “I think it just all started with Legos as a kid, just Lincoln Logs and all that,” says Jay as he cracks open a cold Modelo. Growing up on the rough side of Austin, Jay discovered his love for graphic design and sign making at Johnson High School, but pure printing was not that satisfying. “Just keep knocking on doors, sign painters, fabricators saying I’ll sweep your floors, whatever I got to do. Finally, I lied my way into my first job at a sign shop; lied strait through my teeth and just tried to catch up for a year. I would stay late, I paid attention.” Jay bounced around between a few different industries of work over his life, picking up new skills along the way. One day, on a construction site back in 1996, his coworker made a little discovery that would have a major impact on Jay’s life. “He told
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me that you’re a decent carpenter, but an awesome welder,” says Jay. “I was still making things, but not making a living at it. So taking in the art side of it just kind of helped me rediscover my love for it all. So Blackout was just me in my shop making shit: brackets here, railings there, and we had a couple good breaks with some really good clients, but that doesn’t mean shit if you don’t back it up. None of this has been handed to us, we have worked twice as hard and twice as long to get where we are with our client list and the work we get to do.” Jay says that the name itself is derived from a night in the Driskill Hotel that neither he nor his wife can remember that well. To say that Jay is a good welder is one thing, but he is much more than that, he is an artist. What many people would view as worthless junk, Jay and the members of Blackout see as potential art. For the artists at Blackout, blow torches are their paintbrushes and metal is their paint. “I just love the creative process, I just love There is no business plan to this, working around creative people that have it was just born out of a pure love their own ideas and for making stuff, we love creating, vision. I love exceedwe love seeing our stuff up around ing our client’s expectown and I think people have been tations. They have a certain idea of what real receptive of the heart of the they want but they business, the business end does just trust our style and need work, but the passion and our abilities enough to give us free reign and delivery end is all there. unfortunately sometimes we over deliver and don’t charge enough, but we are just artists at heart,” says Jay. Jay summed up his business plan by stating, “There is no business plan to this, it was just born out of a pure love for making stuff, we love creating, we love seeing our stuff up around town and I think people have been real receptive of the heart of the business, the business end does need work, but the passion and delivery end is all there.” Even though Jay will tell you that Blackout Signs lacks a business plan, they definitely have a business style, which is to always be passionate about what they do, even if that means less money. “We got to get our heart behind what we do; we have turned down jobs because we were not a good fit for it. We have to be emotionally invested in what we make.” FunFunFun Fest was a special scenario where Blackout Signs went above and beyond for a client they loved and wanted to invest in it, even doing jobs at pure cost. You are most likely more familiar with the work of these metallic Mozarts than you know. They crafted local signs, such as Nopalito’s, Rhea’s, St. Pita, and not only the Zelicks sign, but every piece of metal décor that gives Zelicks its unique allure (including, of course, the mature content signs located in the Zelicks restrooms). They are currently working on the sign for the new Chimy’s set to open in College Station soon and Super Fly’s, the new music store moving into the former Sundance location. It doesn’t end there; they continue to work with Red Bull, music festivals across the nation and even a sign that was featured on television which they did for Jesse James’ shop in Austin. So what’s the key to Jay’s success? “I think it comes from just staying true to your word and over-delivering on your projects. If we were total drunks and alcoholics then nothing would happen and we would be out of business. So, I think a testament to that fact is that the doors have been open five years and the business keeps growing and growing and growing,” says Jay. He went on to say, “I don’t like doing the same thing twice, when you have jobs of 200 brackets or 100 signs, it turns into work at that point.” Jay’s success does not come from working up a net worth, but from working for his life’s worth. Darcy, Blaze, Ruby, Ben, Shay and Zack are what make him successful. They care about each other, they are passionate about what they do, and simply put: they make some badass signs. 32 | BobcatFans Magazine
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Photos Dalton Campbell
Darcy Hanna: Darcy was 24 and Jay, who she described as a “gear head” even then, was 20 when they first met. Despite the age difference, they hit it off and today they are happily married with two kids, Blaze and Ruby. Darcy worked in retail management for a while until a family emergency required her to quit. It was during this time that she started helping out around Blackout. She is passionate about what happens there and does whatever she can to spread their neon gospel. Darcy plays a key role in landing new jobs and will help out around the shop with painting or Styrofoam cutting, but handling the marketing end of Blackout is her major contribution. Ben Williams: Ben and Jay crossed paths at a shop up in Austin where Jay would run up and grab interesting parts. Ben was a little curious and decided to check into the situation. Ben had been helping out around Blackout for the past few years, but is now a full time employee. He doesn’t mind driving from South Austin to do bad ass work all day. Shay Miller: Shay, a native of New Orleans, got her start in the industry on movie sets such as The Reaping, Big Mama’s House 2, and Tree of Life. The wreckage of Katrina caused her and her son to move to Austin working on the set of the television show Friday Night Lights. It was while shooting on site here in San Marcos that Shay fell in love with this town and decided to move here. One day her son informed her that a crazy looking guy with a beard was trying to get him to come check out the skate ramp in his backyard. She was obviously concerned and told him to never go near that man. That man happened to be Jay. Through the friendship of her son with Jay’s son, Blaze, they awkwardly met. It was then that she discovered the real Jay and decided she wanted in. Until Shay got the hang of things, she told Jay that he only needed to pay in pineapples. Which he did, a pineapple stuffed full of bills.
Zack Foerster:
Zack is currently a student at Texas State who was working out of the Gristmill when he discovered a craigslist ad for a welder. He had been welding for most of his life so he decided to check it out. Now he gets to do something for money that’s a great deal more fun than waiting tables.
Blaze & Ruby: Interns at Blackout Signs and the offspring of Jay and Darcy. #BobcatFans
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ALUMNI “I believe horror is one of the few truly shared experiences that everyone has because everyone has experienced fear. Everyone has, at one point or another, experienced, or will experience terror.”-Scott. A. Johnson
SECRETS OF THE SCARE with author SCOTT A. JOHNSON
Around here, most have heard a ghostly tale or two about Texas State’s mysterious “Old Main”, but Scott A. Johnson is the guy who can spook you so much that you might catch yourself looking over your shoulder, hoping the girl who fell to her death from the top floor of the building in the 1920’s doesn’t run right through you as she still tries to get to class. Scott Johnson knows ghost stories. So well in fact, that Johnson made a career out of it with ten horror novels, three collections of true ghost stories that include actual ghost tales from Austin and San Antonio, and more than 120 investigative articles on real hauntings that have occurred across America. And for Johnson, it all started right here in San Marcos. Johnson was not aspiring to be a writer when he began his undergraduate career at what was then, Southwest Texas State University. It was not until he found himself having to come up with a story for a creative writing class taught by Professor Miles Wilson that he even knew he liked writing. Johnson turned in a story, which, was also shared with the class. The story was about a guy who woke up in the middle of the night to find his whole family had been butchered. After the reading, no one in class wanted to sit next to him, but Professor Wilson, along with Professor John Blair, also a former instructor of Johnson’s, knew he had something and encouraged him to keep writing. In 2002, Johnson graduated and also garnered his first literary publication in The Rectangle Literary Journal with a short story titled, Mimes.
Who wants to read about bloodthirsty monsters and horrifying gore? But goriness, guts, and shock, Johnson points out, are common misperceptions of what “horror” actually entails. “The best horror, the very purest of the form, is subtle, creeping, it changes your perspective. The best horror sticks with you when you are done reading it”, says Johnson. But achieving the perfect scare is no easy task. Horror can be a tricky genre and one of the more difficult literary genres to master since, as Johnson puts it, “you’re literally trying to frighten people with nothing more than words on a page.” So horror, then, is not just about the big scary monster, but the mysterious shadows he creates. “When you describe the monster, the brain can quantify it and it is no longer scary. But if you leave it vague, let the reader draw his or her own conclusions, the imagination can do all sorts of things.” Johnson says. Scott Johnson’s tales of terror are charged with chilling uncertainty, an emotion he describes as key to all that is frightening. “If you leave the hallway dark, and let the reader only hear what’s in there rather than see it, a whole new level of emotion is reached.”
By Lauren Watkins
34 | BobcatFans Magazine
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e s p y l a c o p A e i b m o Z TX Survival Guide The SM
Art by Adam Gutierrez & Katy Shoopman
11am: Rio De-Vistation
Fascination with the walking dead appears to be at an all time high this year. Something about once living flesh hungry friends and family fascinates us. If a zombie invasion were to occur this month, we wouldn’t want to leave you unprepared and empty handed. Lucky for you, our team of experts found four cures that are available around town throughout the month of October. Get ready for the attack and don’t say we didn’t warn you.
4pm: Happy hour-devour
5pm: Quad of the living dead
8pm: 35 Weeks later...
36 | BobcatFans Magazine
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There is a cure from flesh eating 78666 Zombies! BobcatFans, with the help of our friends, is here to save San Marcos.
The Zombie Pie tastes better than flesh. Enjoy it, instead of a friend, at Gumby’s Pizza all month long.
A drink from Sean Patricks is a no brainer, and the Jager Crush will save your brains from being eaten. #BobcatFans
Relax those cravings with a Zombie Bowl @ Stratosphere Lounge. A special blend of only the finest Zombie Shisha.
Find safety with Great Locations Apartment Locating. They will keep you from roaming around town aimlessly. BobcatFans Magazine | 37
Get lost in smtx Paintball
Photo Dalton Campbell Models Chelsea & Danny
By Morgan Martens
Deep in the woods of San Marcos sits a battle ground where only the bravest of warriors make it out alive. Well, no one actually dies, but there are a significant amount of minor scrapes and bruises to go around. Take an adventure with us into the wild world of Lost Paintball. 38 | BobcatFans Magazine
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Can you think of any better way to spend a day than shooting paintballs at your friends? Lost Paintball prides themselves on just that- it could be one of the only places you can do some shooting and not get in trouble. The good people at Lost Paintball have their priorities in line, with safety precautions at the top of the list. Of course, their guarantee that their customers will have a “ball” helps keep loyal customers coming back for more. For the last 3 years, Lost Paintball owner Mike Hall has transformed his part time hobby into a full time job, playing and operating a paintball field complete with four different arenas with unique historic themes. Building these fields and expanding Lost Paintball has become Mike and his employee’s passion, but he stays true to his simple philosophy of family first! Their goal is to always provide a new exciting experience for customers. The fields aren’t the only thing themed at Lost Paintball. Certain games are meant to be played like a war reenactment. From the battle at the Alamo to the battles in Vietnam, the boys at Lost Paintball like to salute our fallen soldiers and have fun while they’re at it! They “aim” to see their customers have a “ball”, and you can play on their fields for as long as you would like, until you run out of paintballs of course. The games themselves are timed to a certain degree but customers can play as many games as possible and take all the time in the world in-between games. As if the open ended play time wasn’t enough, they also offer low priced concessions and rounds of paintball. Aside from the public, Lost Paintball welcomes the high school and Texas State paintball team and plans on hosting their first amateur tournament upon the completion of the newest field, D-Day. The Texas State paintball team uses Lost Paintball as their local grounds to practice and prepare for games against UT and other major universities. Fraternities and Sororities utilize these resources when they host their “paint your date” parties; instead of shooting each other with paintballs, they turn to dumping buckets of paint on top of said date. Birthday parties are also hosted at Lost Paintball with plenty of play time for groups that have kids with extra energy. They also offer charcoal grills and the option to bring your own food so you can have your cake and eat it too. Business set aside, the folks at Lost Paintball are dedicated to one thing: good, safe fun! We can think of no better way to get lost. Be brave!
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SMTX LIFE GUIDE
TAKE A HIKE Photo Katrina Barber
By Jake Salter
Maybe you are familiar with the San Marcos River, but you might not be aware of the many other outdoor adventures to be had in this beautiful environment. As fall begins to repaint the landscape with its bright colors, and you feel the first rush of cool air push back your hair, you know it’s time to explore the outdoors. A simple afternoon stroll down the crushed limestone path at Purgatory Creek is the perfect escape from the daily grind, but there are plenty of options for those seeking a little more adventure.
Blanco Shoals
Those who like to blaze trails and make their own paths would do well to visit Blanco Shoals, a natural area with over 81 acres of unspoiled and undeveloped Texas wilderness. Fancy a stroll through a meadow surrounded by giant pecan trees? How about a private bank along the pristine San Marcos River? Find all this and more at this unique and beautiful natural area. Hiking, Birding, Pet Friendly 81 Acres No developed trails yet www.smgreenbelt.org/ SMNaturalAreas.htm
Purgatory Creek Natural Area
If you’re looking to get lost in nature look no further than Purgatory Creek Natural Area. At 463 acres and five miles in trails, you really can get lost, so it’s important to stay on the marked trails and not get sucked into the many natural wonders along the way, including meadows, live oaks, juniper thickets, and breathtaking canyon bluffs. Hiking, Biking, Birding, Pet Friendly 463 Acres 5 Miles of Trails www.smgreenbelt.org/SMNaturalAreas.htm
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Ringtail Ridge Natural Area
Spring Lake Preserve
Combining convenience, a varied landscape, and a mix of marked crushed stone and unmarked trails, Ringtail Ridge Natural Area is one of the best places in San Marcos for a quick escape from civilization. The natural area has over two miles of trails, but is only about five min. from the square, so it’s easy to get your nature on before you get your drink on! Hiking, Biking, Birding, Pet Friendly 40 Acres 2 Miles of Trails www.smgreenbelt.org/SMNaturalAreas.htm
Situated on the north outskirts of San Marcos, Spring Lake Preserve is a large and beautiful nature preserve with over four miles of trails. Several different branching paths weave through a varied environment, including forests, meadows, and along the pristine banks of Sink Creek. Be sure to check out this unique piece of nature located right here in town. Hiking, Birding, Biking, Pet Friendly 251 Acres 4.25 miles of trails www.smgreenbelt.org/SMNaturalAreas.htm#SpringLake
Schulle Canyon Natural Area
Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve
Like an Oasis in the desert, Schulle Canyon Natural Area is a haven for nature lovers situated in the heart of Suburbia. This small natural area is surrounded by beautiful oak trees, grassy meadowland, and features a trail on a ridge overlooking the entire area. The perfect spot for a quick getaway. Hiking, Pet Friendly 22 Acres ½ mile of trails www.smgreenbelt.org/SMNaturalAreas.htm
For hundreds of years, people have been visiting Hamilton Pool for it’s natural beauty and cool refreshing water. Long before it was a nature preserve residents of central Texas were using it as a swimming hole, and an escape from expanding city life. Featured on several lists of the most beautiful places in the world, you would have to be crazy to not want to see this natural wonder for yourself. Hiking, Birding, Swimming 232 Acres ¼ mile of trails www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/hamilton_pool.asp
Turkey Creek Trail If a 2.5 mile off leash trail through beautiful cedar groves, across creeks, up high bluffs, and past beautiful limestone cliffs doesn’t appeal to you, don’t go to Turkey Creek off leash hiking trail. Those of us who know better will keep going back to one of the hands down most beautiful and fulfilling trails in the San Marcos/ Austin Area. So grab your dog and your hiking boots and get ready for an amazing day! Hiking, Birding, Pet Friendly, Off Leash 0 Acres 2.5 mile trail www.austinparks.org/apfweb/park. php?parkId=666
University Camp If you’re a Texas State student, faculty, or staff, then you’re missing out if you’re not taking advantage of University Camp. Complete with two lodges, six campsites, four day-use areas, and over three miles of trails, this 126-acre haven is perfect for relaxing after a tough week of school. Close proximity to the Blanco River provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and tubing. Come check out Texas State’s bet kept secret today! Hiking, Biking, Swimming, Camping 126 Acres 3.5 miles of trails http://www.campusrecreation.txstate. edu/programs/university-camp.html
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NO PLATES CAN HOLD OUR BAR-B-QUE Preserving Central Texas Tradition!
BRISKET - PORK RIBS - PORK CHOPS CHICKEN - TURKEY - SAUSAGE
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MON - SAT 11 a.m -8 p.m.
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TXST LIFE
Pretty in Pink Leaves aren’t the only things that change color every fall. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it doesn’t take long for a pink haze to settle over SMTX. From the annual Texas State Pink Out game to practical ways of implementing awareness, the ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha are doing their part in spreading pink fever. BobcatFans got a chance to ask current ZTA Vice President Brittany Arrambide how to Pink Out all month long. Q: Why is it important to have a Breast Cancer Awareness Month? A: It is important to create awareness not only in October, but every month out of the year. One in eight women are attacked by this invasive disease. October is nationally recognized for breast cancer awareness to let the world know that great strides have been made toward a cure, yet there is still much to be accomplished. October provides the opportunity to remind everyone to stay dedicated, and keep on fighting! Q: What is the history behind the Pink Out football game? A: Pink Out has been ongoing for many years now. Zeta Tau Alpha loves the opportunity to work with the athletic department, and since the past, it has grown to a campus-wide event. Cheerleaders, Stutters, Football, Soccer, etc all wear pink on this day! Pink Out is so special to ZTA, because we become a part of the change. Q: What are the practical applications of the Pink Out game (fundraising, education, etc.) & how can people get involved? A: Having the newly renovated Bobcat Stadium filled with pink is a great way to tell the world that San Marcos is fighting, too. Another way to help spread awareness is wearing the trademarked Think Pink® Ribbon! Zeta Tau Alpha hands these out for free to everyone on campus, and we love seeing them on backpacks and other book bags! Also, starting at Texas State Pink Out, ZTA will be collecting pink Yoplait Yogurt lids! By turning these lids into Zeta Tau Alpha, or by dropping them at various drop boxes that will be set up all over San Marcos, Bobcats can help save lives! Another way to get involved is to sign up for Race for the Cure in Austin, TX on November 4, 2012!
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Q: What philanthropy(s) benefit from your fundraising and what efforts are those organizations making in the fight against breast cancer? A: At Zeta Tau Alpha, we like to Think Pink®! Think Pink® is a registered trademark that helps promote our national philanthropy, Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. Nationally, Zeta Tau Alpha chapters have distributed 9.85 million Breast Self-Examination (BSE) shower cards, 9.6 million BSE reminder stickers, and 8 million pink ribbons! To help, ZTA partners with the NFL, Yoplait, SELF Magazine, Susan G. Komen, Lifetime Television, and most recently, Bank of America. Q: What practical steps can women take throughout the year to prevent breast cancer? A: Women should do a monthly self-examination. The BSE shower cards will help walk women through it. So many think that they are too young to be checked, but self-examinations should start as young as the age of 18. Women should not worry if they feel something out of the ordinary-the best thing to do is consult a doctor. Another step women can take is getting professionally examined by a doctor at least once a year. Q: How can guys get involved in the awareness process and what would you say to a guy to refused to wear pink this October? A: Guys can get just as involved as women. By taking a BSE card, a guy can give it to someone he cares about, and possibly save a life. The athletic department really helps with spreading the word that tough guys do wear pink, but in case they need to be reminded, I would say that Real Men October is just as important as No Shave November. There’s nothing more manly than saving lives. @BobcatFans
Profiles
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TXST Polo
For most of us, the only thing we know about polo is that it has nice shirts, and may or may not involve horses. With this in mind, we decided to sit down with one of the members of the Texas State Polo team and sort this whole polo thing out. Turns out polo isn’t that different from other sports, except you’re galloping around an area on a 1000 lb. animal with wooden mallets ramming into each other. If you think that polo is just for snooty rich folks then think again; polo is a down and dirty sport where ramming is encouraged and a horse can knock your teeth out just by throwing back its head. The TXST team plays Arena Polo, which is a smaller, faster variant of traditional polo. Each team fields three players whose goal is to use their mallets to hit a ball into the opposing team’s goal. Unlike most sports though, there is no goalie, so players need to constantly switch between offense and defense, and with so few players on the field, you really need to be on the top of your game. Games are split up into 4 chukkers (quarters), and each game lasts about an hour. After the first chukker, the teams trade horses with each other, and then switch out for completely fresh horses at the end of the second, and then switch with each other again after the third. As much about athleticism as it is about animal mastery, polo is a sport that must be seen to be truly appreciated. TXST plays against other schools such as UT, TX Tech, A&M, SMU, OSU and CSU, as well as playing against the County Line Polo Club every Sunday at 6. Be sure to come check them out some time, either by watching a match or joining the team, as they are always looking for new members.
From the Horses Mouth How did you get involved with TXST Polo Club? I heard about the club at the start of the summer through a friend of a friend and decided to jump aboard and immediately fell in love with the game. What do you study? Why?
How long have you been riding? I rode here and there with friends growing up and had a couple of lessons when I was younger. I didn’t seriously start riding again until I got into polo. #BobcatFans
Photo Eric Morales
I am a double major with Painting and Photography with the hopes of someday being a comic book artist or illustrator.
BobcatFans Magazine | 43
I WORK OUT
Pole Fitness
Jennifer Martin
By Stephanie Simmons
San Marcos Pole Fitness offers a new, innovative way to stay fit and learn something new while (you won’t believe this) having fun! With the opening on August 17th, this fitness center has had the ladies coming in and out wondering about this latest work out routine. Well, I got an inside look for all the curious women out there and trust me, it isn’t as easy as it looks.
“I wanted women to have a place to go…do something fun and still get a really good workout” Being an ex professional dancer, Jennifer understood that working out is very important. When she stopped dancing 5 years ago, she continued to try to work out frequently, but going to gyms and dealing with personal trainers was not her style. She wanted something that would be fun and interesting. She wanted something that would change the way work outs were done. When she realized that other cities had places just like this, she decided to start up her very own place. “I’m not the first to do this, this isn’t my idea but since I’ve seen all these studios pop up everywhere else. I thought, well San Marcos is cool and they need one…” Jennifer confessed that she lost 20 pounds in the first month. Who wouldn’t love that? Jennifer Martin has brought something to San Marcos that women crave; working out, having fun, and feeling sexy. They gym is only for ladies 18 and up and dudes are not allowed to sit in on the sessions, sorry boys.
Pole dancing is generally grouped with one type of profession (And hey, no judgment here), but there is a lot more to the pole than meets the eye. Don’t down it until you try it because a workout at Pole Fitness will leave you sore for days. The tricks and the positions you’re body must adjust to are only the beginning of this intense workout. Just the warm up itself can leave you breathless and begging for a break. Following the warm up, the instructor leads you into stretching and getting used to the pole, which is something you’ll need to learn because the pole will become your new best friend when you start learning tricks.
Tricks These bad boys work every muscle in your body, no exaggeration. Your arms, abdominals, legs and, rear end are all incorporated into the tricks. Here’s an inside peek at just a few you could be learning while getting an amazing workout.
Hangin’ on Learning this skill works out your arms like no other. Your biceps and pecks will be screaming at you while you force yourself to hold on. Photos Eric Morales Model Abby Benavides
Upside down This trick works three main areas. It engages your abs, strengthens your arms, and builds leg muscle. Learning this technique will bring muscle tone and definition to those tough areas.
Leg action This trick is definitely one of the hardest to master. This particular skill requires engaging the abdominals and hard core arm strength. Once you have the perfect balance and can hold yourself up, you can manipulate your legs like the picture illustrates.
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BobcatFans Magazine | 45
Moral Photo Eric
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