San Marcos Daily Record

DISCOVER Summer 2014

Gabriel Horstmann, dressed as peas in a pod, takes time to pet Lola during a previous Foodstock event. — See page 14

San Marcos Daily Record sanmarcosrecord.com

DESIGN — Kaitlin Schmidt — Anita Miller, Chris Pike, Candice Brusuelas and Richard Parrish PHOTOS — David Short and Candice Brusuelas COVER PHOTO — Gabriel Horstmann, dressed as peas in a pod, takes time to pet Lola during a previous Foodstock event. Photo by Candice Brusuelas.

CONTRIBUTORS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SMCISD Summer Food Program — 4 Camp HeartSong — 6 Water Conservation Tips— 8 Eat Healthy this Summer — 12

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SummerFest— 13 Foodstock— 14 Girl Power: Brenda Bell— 15

Feeding the future SMCISD Summer Feeding Program helps children stay healthy during summer months TARA POHLMEYER •• •

The San Marcos CISD Summer Feeding Program is bigger than ever this year with 13 local stops planned to ensure school-age children and their families have proper nutrition.

Meals are offered for free to anyone 18 years of age or younger, and adults may purchase a meal for $3.

Mike Boone, associate director of Child Nutrition Services for San Marcos CISD, has been with the school district for eight and a half years.

“It’s a very rewarding career,” he said.

During the school year, some students rely solely on the breakfast and lunch served during the day for their source of food and nutrition.

“Our school district is 74 percent economically disadvantaged,” Boone said.

When Boone first started with the district, the summer food program was just being held at the schools.

According to him, the idea to have different locations came from Jim Lanning, who Boone and the community refer to as Brother Jim. “I’d see him and Brother Keith coming in every day in these rickety old vans,” he said.

“I don’t know how they made it from Redwood to the high school every day, but

they did. They’d bring in probably 15 kids in each van — just packed to the brim.”

One day, Lanning approached Boone and asked if it was possible to have a food service location at Redwood. Boone looked into it, and got approval.

“Why don’t we go where the kids hang out in the summertime, instead of having them come to us?” Boone said. The program has grown exponentially since that first meeting with the Redwood location.

“We went from serving basically 30 kids a day, that they would pack in these vans that looked like clown cars,” Boone said. “We’re up to 100 kids a day (at Redwood) and there’s definitely a need in that area.”

The program goes for 10 weeks over the summer, beginning on June 9 and running through Aug. 15, and serves meals five days a week except for July 4. They serve both hot and cold meals, and everything is homemade.

Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the San Marcos High School, Bowie, Crockett and Travis cafeterias.

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Martindale Three Rivers Church, Rio Vista Park Pavilion, Redwood Baptist Church, CM Allen Housing at the KAD Korner Store and at Allen Wood Housing at the PODER Learning Center, Building 177.

Purple Bus Mobile Meals will be deliverPage 4

ing lunch at 10:30 a.m. to Morning Wood Neighborhood, 11:15 a.m. to Regency Mobile Home Park on Post Road, noon to Riverview Apartments and at 12:45 p.m. to Cuauhtémoc Hall Parking Lot. Redwood Baptist Church, Martindale Three Rivers Church, Allen Wood Housing and CM Allen Housing locations also offer an optional Bible Study and reading program for children separate from the meal.

“A lot of disadvantaged families in the summertime, if we weren’t doing this… It’s tough out there,” Boone said. “They wouldn’t have food to feed their kids in the summertime. A lot of these kids, it’s not their fault that they’re born into this situation.”

The Mobile Meals bus program was created when the school realized that a lot of areas had a great number of kids who weren’t able to make it to the planned locations.

“If the kids can’t come to us, we’ll come to the kids,” Boone said. The Child Nutrition Services department bought a bus to bring the meals to the underserved areas.

“We’ve got national recognition for doing this bus,” he said. “We painted it purple. We got snake eyes on the front, fangs around the grill, snake tail on the back and it’s

••• Continued on pg. 5

called SMCISD Mobile Meals.”

Boone said that the program is expanding all the time.

“We served over 8,000 breakfasts last year and 30,500 lunches,” he said. “Majority of these kids, if they didn’t have this program, they’d be going hungry. It’s very rewarding. I love what I do.”

Boone said that one grandmother in the Morning Wood neighborhood said, “I don’t know what I’d do if they weren’t coming out here,

because we don’t have the money to feed our kids.”

Every penny that the program does make on meals goes back into the program itself, which is 99.96 percent federally funded, Boone said. The program also helps to ensure school staff can continue to work over the summer.

“One hundred kids at our high school are considered homeless,” Boone said. “We’re here for the kids.”

Avocado, corn, tomato salad recipe CANDICE BRUSUELAS •• •

This recipe is courtesy of my aunt Dalana in Florida. Needless to say, I haven’t eaten this, but I’ve tried the honey lime dressing and have used it on salads before. Nothing says fresh like limes!

Ingredients: Tomatoes One avocado

Two ears of fresh corn Two tbsp fresh chopped cilantro Half red onion, chopped One lime, juiced Three tbsp vegetable oil One tbsp honey Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper One chopped (or crushed) garlic clove Cayenne pepper

••• Continued on pg. 13

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A different kind of

summer camp DAVID SHORT •• •

Employees making a difference in their community is what makes San Marcos strong and a prime example is CTMC’s CampHeartSong and CampHeartSong, Too. Funded almost entirely via the contributions of CTMC employees’ annual Seasons of Sharing campaign, the annual camps are very special and fill a critical need in the lives of many children.

“CTMC Hospice Care designed these two camps to help children and teens who’ve recently lost a loved one,” Abel Rodriguez, LMSW and Bereavement coordinator at CTMC Hospice, said. “Here the kids gather together with others

who’ve endured a similar loss in their lives and they learn, share and let go.”

CampHeartSong has been running 10 years now for children ages eight to 13 and sadly sometimes has to turn away kids due to space.

“We created CampHeartSong, Too a couple of years ago because we found an equal need for children in the 14-18 age range,” Rodriguez said.

While the younger children spend their time at a three-day camp at the John Knox Ranch, the older kids in CampHeartSong, Too have a different situation.

“Theirs is two days, but it’s a day camp, not overnight. The first day is about grievance support and learning to understand

Camp HeartSong helps children, teens overcome grief ••• ‘Here the kids gather together with others who’ve endured a similar loss in their lives and they learn, share and let go.’

that it’s a process. One of the biggest things facing them is this age group is approaching or entering adulthood and the death of a loved one can become emotional baggage that burdens their lives if not dealt with at an early age,” Rodriquez said.

And having others who are the same age around can make the dealing process much easier.

“It gives the children a safe environment to work, share and find a place for grief in their life, avoiding the denial of grief,” Rodriguez said. “On day two we go to the San Marcos Academy ropes course where they develop skills from within. They look at how to develop and grow into adult roles. And they take on challenges they didn’t think possible and learn to overcome.”

“We end the two days with a

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balloon letting go ceremony where they talk about their grief, the person they lost and get to say the things they didn’t get to before the person passed on. And they write a brief note on the balloon before letting it go. It becomes an emotional lift for them.”

CampHeartSong and CampHeartSong, Too are held in early June each year. For more information, either to donate needed funds or to inquire about sending a child or teenager to next year’s camp, go to www.ctmc.org/care-services/hospice/camp-heartsong.

There is also a very well done, yet emotionally touching, video about the camps on the website where you can see the valuable service this ministry provides to the community.

Water conservation tips for landscape RICHARD PARRISH •• •

Summer is here, and there is no apparent end in sight to the summer heat and the ongoing drought. Because of the increased water usage and decreased water supply brought on by the drought, San Marcos is among many cities that are implementing drought plans and water restrictions. These restrictions are put in place to help ensure that there is enough water to meet the demands of all people using the water.

These drought plans have stages and each stage adds more requirements to conserve water. No matter what stage of restriction the city is in, there are numerous things you can do to prepare and help your landscape survive a drought.

Drought is simply defined as less than normal precipitation based on a 30-year average. Droughts are classified as long term, lasting for several months/years, or short term, lasting several weeks.

Since water use increases anywhere from 30 to 60 percent during the summer, there

are many opportunities to conserve water in a landscape with efficient irrigation. Study the city’s drought plan and make immediate and long-range plans to conserve outdoor water. New irrigation technologies and other water-conserving landscape practices allow landscape water conservation to be easy, affordable and rewarding.

Properly designed water efficient landscapes need one inch of water per week.

Many homeowners water their landscape two or more times a week which can actually damage the landscape by supporting a shallow root system. Frequent watering produces shallow roots whereas infrequent deep watering will produce deeper roots.

Deep roots have water available for an extended period of time.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TO PREPARE FOR DROUGHT • Mulch All Planted Areas Mulch is like icing on a cake because mulch keeps the soil moist the same way icing keeps a cake moist. Mulch slows evaporation of water from the soil, allowing Page 8

water to infiltrate the soil efficiently; moderates the soil temperature; and breaks down into nutrients for the plants. Maintain a two to four inch mulch layer in all planted beds and containers.

• Efficient Irrigation Is Essential If your irrigation system is not working properly, no matter how much you water, the landscape suffers and water is wasted.

Check for pipe and valve leaks (indicated by greener faster growing grass), breaks, clogged heads, sprinkler heads not working, misaligned heads, misting versus spraying due to too much pressure, water spraying onto hard surfaces and runoff into the street. If possible, get these problems fixed.

• Judge Irrigation Requirements In The Morning High afternoon summer temperatures cause plants to wilt, be off color, drop leaves and/or shrink even if there is significant moisture in the soil. Once the sun sets, the lawn and plants look normal; if in the morning the lawn and plants look like water is required, irrigation is justified. If in doubt, use a long screwdriver to test for moisture in the soil. Push the screwdriver into the soil (like a toothpick into a cake) to see how much moisture is in the soil. The screwdriver will push easily into moist soil and will not push easily into dry soil.

• Catch Can Test A catch can test is used to determine how long to run an irrigation system or hose-end sprinkler and how well the water is distributed over the landscape. The root zone (where water and nutrient absorbing roots grow) is typically six inches deep in Central Texas soils. Usually one inch of water will fill this root zone, but in many cases irrigation systems apply water faster than the ground can absorb. During a summer drought with high temperatures, the water requirement may be higher. Each type of sprinkler (spray, rotors, multi-stream, drip) applies water at different rates, therefore a catch can test is essential to determine the run time and efficiency of the system. To determine the runtime of your irrigation system: 1. Place five to nine catch cans (tuna or cat food cans work well) in each irrigation zone or station.

2. Run each zone for three minutes to determine how much water is applied in each zone by measuring the amount of water in each catch can.

3. To determine the run time (time each station should run) use this example: if there is 1/4 inch of water in each catch can after running for three minutes, to apply one inch of water set the run time for 12 minutes. (This is just an example; your measurements could vary greatly). Some irrigation systems apply water faster than the ground will absorb one inch of the

••• Continued on pg. 10

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water. To avoid water running off the landscape into the street, you many need to run these stations several short times instead of one long time. With this example, set the controller to run six minutes two times.

4. If the water levels in the catch cans are equal or near equal, your irrigation system is working efficiently (distributing water evenly). If the water level in each catch can varies greatly, take the steps to get this problem corrected.

5. Test each zone. Water application and distribution can vary by zone.

• Soak And Cycle Of Irrigation Method Some irrigation systems apply water faster than the ground will absorb one inch of the water. This is especially true in lawn areas. Mulched areas absorb water more efficiently.

To avoid water running off the landscape into the street, you may need to run these stations several short times instead of one long time. Use soak and cycle method by: 1. Determine how long to run each zone. (Use the Catch Can Test) 2. Water these areas in two or three short cycles or four cycles is on a slope instead of one long cycle.

3. Wait 20 to 30 minutes between cycles Most irrigation controllers have a way to set different start times. If you have trouble programming your controller, visit the irrigation controller company’s website or contact their customer service for instructions for soak and cycle.

Some newer controllers have a soak and cycle setting, so this may be a good time to upgrade your irrigation controller.

• Always water after 8 p.m. and before 10 a.m.

• Mow At Higher Settings Adjust the height setting on your mower up one or two notches. Taller grass will create shade which will reduce evaporation of water from the soil and protect the roots from excessive heat.

• Do Not Fertilize Plant growth naturally slows down and/or plants go dormant during a lengthy drought. Do not encourage new growth by

fertilizing.

Irrigation and Management Tips for No Landscape Watering Buffalograss, bermudagrass and some of the zoysia varieties will probably survive a drought without irrigation. These grasses will go dormant until the drought ends, at which time they should green up again.

Grass varieties such as St. Augustine grass, centipede grass, tall fescue, and some other species may be severely damaged or die during extended periods of drought. You may have to replant dead areas after the drought ends.

Tree and Shrub Irrigation During a Drought During a severe drought, the goal for tree and shrub irrigation is two-fold: Reduce water use to save precious water and money, yet use enough water to preserve your substantial investment in your landscape trees and shrubs.

Irrigating large trees is often misunderstood. Laying a hose at the trunk of a large tree and letting it run for hours does not water a tree and can waste huge amounts of water. In addition, sprinkler irrigation systems do not water trees. They simply do not apply enough volume of water to meet the tree’s requirement.

To irrigate trees and large shrubs within a lawn area, apply water just inside and a little beyond the “dripline,” not at the trunk. The dripline is the area directly below the outermost reaches of the branches. This is where the feeding root system of a tree or shrub is located.

Simply lay a slowly running hose on the ground and move it around the dripline as each area becomes saturated to a depth of eight to 10 inches. For large trees, the watering technique may take several hours.

In the continued absence of significant rainfall, large trees and shrubs will benefit from a twice a month watering to help them survive drought and heat.

Long Term Plans for Landscape Water Conservation • Change Nozzles

Change sprinkler head nozzles to water conserving multistream nozzles which apply water in heavier droplets, so less water is lost due to displacement by wind and evaporation.

• Replace Controller Replace an older irrigation controller with new models with water conserving settings (soak and cycle; seasonal adjustment) or with a smart controller which use evapotranspiration or moisture sensors to determine runtime.

• Install A Rain And Freeze Sensor This sensor prevents an automatic system from applying water while raining or during freezing conditions to avoid loss of water and prevent hazardous ice conditions.

• Drip Irrigation Install drip irrigation (many existing irrigation systems can be converted to drip irrigation).

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Drip irrigation is 90 percent efficient compared to spray irrigation which is about 65 percent efficient if designed, installed and maintained property. There is now sub-surface drip tubing available for lawn areas. Drip irrigation tubing is available for you to do-it-yourself or hire a licensed irrigator.

• Plant Drought Tolerant Plants Utilizing native and adapted drought tolerant plants reduces the amount of landscape water needed. However changes should not be made to your landscape during a drought.

Wait until drought conditions and water restrictions have been lifted before making any changes. The best time to plant is during the fall, winter or early spring.

• Plant Trees

••• Continued on pg. 11

Shade trees cool the landscape and therefore lower the evapotranspiration rate.

Evapotranspiration is the loss of water from the soil due to evaporation and from plants due to transpiration. Plant trees on the western side of your landscape to receive the most benefit from shading (this will also save electricity). Select species that are native or adapted to the central Texas area.

• Aerate Lawn Area Clay soils become compacted over time from activities, rain and irrigation. To increase the soil’s ability to absorb water, aerate the lawn area in the spring and apply about 1/4 inch of compost. Do not however, aerate your lawn during a drought. It will cause undue stress to the root zone.

When you are irrigating your landscape, it is important that you abide by any watering restrictions that might be in place.

Other Water Conservation Practices In addition to more efficient

landscape practices, there are many ways that water can be conserved inside the home.

These conservation practices will not require drastic lifestyle changes. But by making a conscious effort to reduce water consumption in the home, a large amount of water can be saved. And that savings could be reflected in your pocketbook.

Some simple steps that you can put into practice indoors include: • Check your water meter to monitor water use.

• Run dishwasher and washing machine only when full, using the short cycle.

• Take shorter showers, instead of baths. Turn off the water when lathering up in the shower.

• Don’t let water run while washing dishes, washing foods, shaving, washing hands or brushing teeth.

• Fix any leaky toilets or faucets.

• Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket.

These are not all of the inhome conservation tips that can

be used to save water, but it is a start. Many more ideas on how to save water both in the home and in the landscape can be found at the 40 Gallon Challenge website (www.40gallonchallenge.org). The 40 Gallon Challenge is a call for residents and businesses to reduce our region's water use on average by 40 gallons per person, per day. The challenge began in 2011 as a voluntary campaign to increase water conservation. The 40 Gallon Challenge encourages people to save a minimum of 40 gallons a

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day by adopting new water-saving techniques. The pledge card outlines water-saving practices and the daily water-savings to expect. People can use the pledge to review the water-saving practices that they are currently using.

Water is a precious yet limited resource. Conservation is everyone’s responsibility.

Remember: Do one thing each day to conserve water. Every drop counts.

Beat the heat by eating healthy

CANDICE BRUSUELAS •• •

It’s summer, and you know as well as I do how exhausting the summer sun and humidity can be! It takes motivation to get out and do the things you need to do for your busy day — and why not eat to make your day the best, and most productive, it can be? Especially in our go-go-go lives, we need all the help we can get to keep ourselves from dragging to a halt midday. Well, we’re here to help you pick the most nutritious and delicious food to pump you up for all of your summer adventures, whether it be another day of work, or a high-powered fun day in the sun!

For starters, keep hydrated. It’s easy to let yourself go with too little water, but don’t let that happen. Even a little dehydration can take a lot out of you. Keep a water bottle with you at work and remind yourself to keep drinking throughout the day.

Though vitamins and minerals are nutritious and needed in your day-to-day diet, they aren’t always energizing. If you’re looking for energy, look for carbo-

hydrates, fats and proteins. It’s best to look for healthy fats and combine complex carbs with your protein.

Some fruits and veggies can also help hydrate you as well as providing energy.

Oranges and citrus fruit can often be energizing as well as apples, berries, mango, cantaloupe, tomatoes and avocado.

As far as veggies go, dark, leafy greens, peppers, broccoli and sweet potatoes are among the most energizing.

Fish (particularly salmon) are full of omega-3s – the good kind of fats that help your mood and brain function, instead of the kind that make you sluggish.

Low-fat dairy products, whole grains and oatmeal also provide energy.

Many people are iron deficient and don’t know it. According to the Center For Disease Control, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the U.S. Not having enough iron can cause you to feel weak and not-so-energetic. Don’t be afraid to have some red meat every now and then. Some other options to boost your iron are egg yolks, iron-enriched grains, turkey, beans, soybeans, lentils and artichokes. Dark, leafy Page 12

greens like spinach are also full of iron and provide antioxidants to keep you moving. If you commonly experience fatigue, try adding some of these options to your diet, you may just need more iron!

(The CDC also says consuming vitamin C with iron also helps you absorb it better.)

Dark chocolate is, of course, delicious, and has some serious nutritious benefits.

Dark chocolate is filling, and a food that can help you feel full longer. Dark chocolate has also been found in recent years to be beneficial to your heart health and lower blood pressure. That being said, dark chocolate is also full of antioxidants.

That doesn’t mean eating dark chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner is ok. Like many things, dark chocolate is best eaten in moderation, but don’t feel bad for having a couple squares between meals.

If you’re snacking during the day (which is healthiest — you’re less likely to let yourself get very hungry and therefore eat less at meals, staggering your nutrition throughout the day), here are some ideas for for a tasty snacktime.

••• Continued on pg. 13

Veggies and hummus dip — My favorite is baby carrots and hummus, but you can eat your favorite hummus with pretty much any veggie. Slice up some red peppers or chop some broccoli to take with you and eat at work.

Peanut butter and apple slices — I eat this whenever I feel faint (which happens to me quite often in-between meals). This is usually a quick-fix for me and gets me feeling better sooner than later.

Low-fat yogurt and berries

— Buy a container of vanilla low-fat yogurt at the store and see what all you can eat with it. I typically chop up some strawberries and put them and blueberries in my yogurt.

If peaches are in season, I’ll do the same thing. It provides both the proteins and sugars for a midday pick-me-up and is filling and delicious.

Almonds and dried fruits — Almonds are less fatty than other nuts, yet still provide the proteins and carbohydrates to pick you up from a midday crash.

recipe continued from pg. 5

Directions: 1. Grill your corn over medium heat. Not for too long, just enough to brown it a little and make it tender.

2. Take it off the heat and cut the corn off the cob.

3. Cut up your tomatoes.

Cut up the avocado. Chop your cilantro. Chop your onion. Wipe away your tears.

Put all of these and the corn in a large bowl.

4. On to the dressing.

Combine your spices, oil, lime juice, garlic and honey in a bowl and stir thoroughly. Test and adjust the spices to your liking.

5. Pour this mixture over your veggies and mix gently as to not smush your avocadoes.

And now, you have the perfect dish for entertaining out on the patio, enjoying your summer in the sun!

Celebrate with a bang SummerFest

DAVID SHORT •• •

Few cities can hold a July 4th Independence Day celebration the way San Marcos does.

With live music, kid’s activities, a parade, costume contest and fireworks it’s the perfect way to spend a holiday evening.

But it’s Texas. And it’s hot.

And therein is what makes San Marcos’ celebration special.

SummerFest has the beautiful, cool San Marcos River flowing right through the middle of the park inviting all to take a dip or even a leisurely float trip before or during the celebrations.

Activities start at 6 p.m. when the festival grounds open along with food and activity booths lining the area.

Entertainment by singer/songwriter Cheryl Murdock kicks things off with her original songs. Later headliner David

Ybarra hits the stage and will play “a variety of genres and old familiars, with a touch of new.�

Registration for the ever popular Children’s Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. with the actual parade getting underway at 7 p.m. There will also be a children’s costume contest.

Of course, no 4th of July is complete without fireworks, and the sky will light up just after 9:30 p.m. with the San Marcos display.

Free parking is available at both the San Marcos Activity Center and Library complex as well as at Texas State’s Strahan Coliseum parking lot.

Remember, no alcohol, glass containers or Styrofoam is allowed as well as no smoking of any kind including vapor/ecigarettes in San Marcos parks.

For more information, go to www.summerfestsmtx.com.

SERIES SPONSORS Grande Communications, San Marcos Lions Club Presented by the San Marcos Performing James Walker Arts Association and San Marcos Parks Wonder World Park and Recreation with generous support TXI from the San Marcos Arts Commission Academy Sports + Outdoors

June 5

. . . . . . . Derailers Performance Sponsor: McCoy’s

June 12 . . . . . . . Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones Performance Sponsor: Emeritus at San Marcos

June 19 . . . . . . . Shelley King

Performance Sponsor: Corridor Primary Care

June 26 . . . . . . . Walt Wilkins & the Mystiqueros Performance Sponsor: Sage Capital Bank

July 3

. . . . . . . Pianorama

July 10

. . . . . . . Soul Track Mind

July 17

. . . . . . . Midnight River Choir

July 24

. . . . . . . Willow Creek Project

July 31

. . . . . . . Brave Combo

Aug 7

. . . . . . . Terri Hendrix Band (w/Lloyd Maines)

Aug 14

. . . . . . . Two Tons of Steel

Performance Sponsor: Frost Bank Performance Sponsor: Horizon Bay Performance Sponsor: MedPark Pharmacy Performance Sponsor: Cental Texas Medical Center Performance Sponsor: Ozona National Bank

Performance Sponsor: Price Senior Center

Performance Sponsor: Broadway Bank For more information call 512-393-8400 or www.smpaa.com %QPEGUUKQPU $Q[ 5EQWVU QH #OGTKEC 6TQQR † 4CKPUKVG 5CP /CTEQU #EVKXKV[ %GPVGT

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The party of the summer Foodstock, benefiting the Food Bank, promises good eats, music and fun The Grant Ewing band playing at a Foodstock event. (Submitted photo)

CHRIS PIKE •• •

July 26 promises one of the best parties San Marcos has to offer. And it’s all for a good cause.

Foodstock, a celebration benefiting the Hays County Food Bank, is a tri-annual event held in the center of the Square on the courthouse lawn. It’s purpose is to entertain, educate and nourish the county.

“We just want to provide a fun atmosphere where the community can come together, enjoy themselves and give to those in need. It’s not a fundraiser, but an event of giving” Jenny Leidecker said.

Leidecker serves, along with Kyle Mylius, Ian Lee, Adam Lilley and Nathan Todd, on the board for the celebration.

Foodstock is held every April, July and October. The Can Do Food Drive contest runs throughout each event every year. The contest encourages businesses and organizations to raise canned goods and mone-

tary donations to be given to the Hays County Food Bank. The group that gathers the most donations wins bragging rights and the chance to display the legendary traveling Can Do trophy until the next Foodstock event. The current reigning champion of the Can Do Food Drive is AAA Storage who beat out Little Guys Movers last April.

Each event also has its own unique individual contests. April has the Bake for the Bank Pie Baking contest and, of course, the Pie Eating contest. July has the Watermelon Eating and Watermelon Seed Spitting contests as well as the Salsa Showdown. Cafe on the Square is the current champion of the Showdown and will be back this year to defend its title. October has the Children’s Pumpkin Painting area hosted by the First United Methodist Church as well as several other fall themed competitions.

For businesses or individuals who would like to get involved in the celebration in a more

hands on way, there are many opportunities.

There are several sponsorship packages for local businesses to choose from. Participating companies will have the chance to be honored as a Presenting Sponsor on the main stage of the event and on all advertising and media, including several local newspapers.

“We are always looking for sponsors, without them Foodstock could not exist,” Leidecker said.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations can also participate as vendors at the celebration by setting up a booth and selling or giving away goods or even by facilitating a game to entertain the public.

Foodstock always needs volunteers as well. Such a large event requires a lot of coordination so there are ample volunteer opportunities, from helping at recycling stations, to volunteering in the childrens area or in one of the many competitions.

Aside from the booths and

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contests, several bands will provide musical entertainment on the main stage. The headliner for July is 2007’s Austin Music Awards Album of the Year winner Del Castillo. Formed by brothers Rick and Mark del Castillo, the Austin based Latin rock band is expected to release a highly anticipated new album this year.

The ever-enthusiastic Kory Kelly will be back again this year to MC the event, as well as Chief and the Doomsday Device as the resident DJ. Officials from the city of San Marcos will also be in attendance to support Foodstock and present the Transportation Master Plan to citizens.

Don’t miss out on the best party of the summer in San Marcos, Saturday, July 26, 1-6 p.m. on the courthouse lawn.

And don’t forget to bring canned food or monetary donations to help the Hays County Food Bank nourish those in need around the city and county. For more information visit www.foodstocksmtx.com.

Girl power

One of first women licensed in professional boxing returns to San Marcos, teaches others Brenda Bell (forefront) instructs Diana Juarez (left) and Robin Blackburn. (Photos by David Short)

DAVID SHORT •• •

She graduated from San Marcos High School, earned two black belts, for a time was the sparring partner of Laila Ali (yes, Muhammad Ali’s daughter and a top professional boxer in her own right), and she’s seen the world in unique ways.

Brenda Bell, retired professional boxer and one of the first women licensed in the profession, has returned home.

And she is sharing her vast knowledge now through a new program called Tigerlily Mental Training.

“It’s about balanced mind, strong body and a place to challenge yourself,” Bell said.

Being offered for free at the Cephas House on MLK Drive through San Marcos Parks & Recreation, Bell’s class was developed in her days in California where she spent 12 years as a world rated profes-

sional boxer and martial artist.

“The program is 70 percent mental and 30 percent physical and uniquely different from many out there. Anyone of any age, even up to 90 years old can participate and benefit.

We get into the breathing, clear our minds of all thoughts.”

Bell used the program with street gangs in California and said the change was remarkable in their lives.

“Young people are moving too fast... you have to slow down,” Bell said. “All we do everyday is constantly moving, we all need to learn to slow down. What I teach is broken down into two concepts. The mental focuses on respect, determination, patience and confidence. In the physical we learn speed, power, coordination and control.”

Having traveled around the world in her professional career, Bell said she’s come home to stay.

“This is home, yes, I’m stay-

Brenda Bell.

ing here in San Marcos.”

Bell hopes to expand her classes into the schools and other parts of the community, taking life lessons she’s learned and helping others.

“The philosophy of Tigerlilly Mental Training is a simple

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one. To constantly strive to better yourself. You make yourself good or you make yourself bad,” Bell said.

“Whether for better or worse, you control your life. The choice is yours. This is your freedom of choice.”

If you’ree a TTexas exas high schoolol graduatete, we invite you to become part rt of the

Te exas State Statte family. familyy.

Texas

TToo qualifyy for Bobcat Promise, which ch offers more re 500 each academic demic year, year, a student must: st: than $9,500 t IBWF B GBNJMZ GBN JMZ BEKVTUFE HSPTT JODPNF JODP PNF UIBU EPFT O PU FYDFFE OPU

t CF FOSPMMFE E GVMM UJNF BOE DPNQMFUF F BU MFBTU DSF FEJU IPVST FBDI TFNFTU UFS DSFEJU TFNFTUFS

t CF BO FOUFS SJOH GJSTU UJNF GSFTINBO O FOUFSJOH USBOTGFS TUV VEFOUT BSF OPU FMJHJCMF

TUVEFOUT

t CF B 5 FYBT SFTJEFOU 5FYBT

To learn more, go to www To www.finaid.txstate.edu/bobcatpromise. w.finaid.txstate.edu/bobcatpromise..

T o apply ee Application for Federal Student Aid A before March 15.

To apply,, complete the Fre Free Go to www .fafsa.ed.gov. www.fafsa.ed.gov. | TTexas exas State University is a tobacco-free campus.

TTexas exas State University is an equal oopportunity pportunity educational institution.

This information is available in alter rnate format upon request from the Office of Dis ability Services. alternate Disability