August 2015

THE RISE AND FALL OF AN ICONIC NIGHTSPOT

AUGUST | 2015

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PUBLISHER

Rick Koch ART DIRECTOR

Will Bowling MANAGING EDITOR

Tiffany Koch COPY EDITOR

Steven F. Helsing CONTRIBUTORS

Xander Peters Tiffany Matthews Jordan Gass-Poore Brodie Corinth Heather Yzaguirre Andres Sotomayor Ashley Haguewood Eric Morales Jon Wilcox Parker Thornton Madelynne Scales ACCOUNT MANAGER

Jordan Desormeaux ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

512.619.0494 info@smtxmagazine.com WRITE TO US

Tell us what you really think. Send your raves, rants or questions to smtxmagazine@gmail.com or bobcatfans@gmail.com Please include name and daytime phone number, and remember that letters are subject to editing for clarity and space.

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BOBCATFANS | TIDBITS

BEING SOCIAL

#TXST #SMTX

Reaper

@68GoHawks #Juneteenth2015 Parade in #smtx Special guest appearance by #BookerTWashington #HaysGOP

Russell Wilde

@russellwilde The new #SMTX @TCloudSubs is coming along nicely. We’re going to be office neighbors on hwy 123.

SMGreenbeltAlliance

@SMGreenbelt WOW! This is one monster seep! Trail crews are trying to remedy the worst areas so avoid muddy #trails please. #smtx

San Marcos

@CityofSanMarcos Dads & daughters got their groove on at @smtxCS’s Daddy Daughter Dance this weekend!

1.

Start doing calf raises and stretches NOW! You’re gonna need strong legs to get around campus.

2. Don’t ration your BobcatCard meal

6.

Treat school like a job and professors like your boss. Sitting in the front row may have been lame in high school, but in college no one cares. One study discovered students in the front, middle, and back rows of class scored 80%, 71.6%, and 68.1% respectively on course exams.

swipes. Despite all your planning, you will have a ton left over at the end of the school year and the remaining balance at the end of your Spring Semester is nonrefundable. And Chick-fil-A BobcatCard Research professors before regismeal swipes don’t start until 1pm, so don’t tering for classes. Check out RateMyfall for it! It’s a trap!

Professor.com to read professor reviews and ratings. Your Spring Semester self Get out of your dorm! Go talk to will thank you. people. You should meet someone new every day, whether it’s in the quad, at the Get to know your professors. Visit library or eating at LBJ. Just get yourself professors during their office hours and out there! show them you are trying. It is a myth that you are just a number in college.

Be aware of the freshman 15.

If you put yourself out there all your professors will know your name.

Play hide and go seek on Wednesday night at least once. The Texas State Hide Don’t put too much pressure on & Seek club plays a variety of games yourself. Work hard, but be realistic. each week from their namesake to Freeze Tag, Capture the Flag, Red Rover and Enjoy life! You’re gonna Dodgeball. Contact hideandseek@txstate. miss this. edu to join in.

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FRESHMAN FOR DUMMIES 4.

Words of “wisdom” from those who came here before you!

You may not listen to your elders, but what about your notso-elders? Here’s a list of advice from upper classmen telling you what to do (not that you’ll listen, but you should). These pro tips will help get you off on the right foot to start making the most of your time here in your new home away from home.

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BOBCATFANS | UNDERGROUND ARTS

“We were honestly [lucky] we were able to get away with it for as long as we did.”

little things that carry energy from far away times and occasions.”

“Ritual was a sacred thing,” Roberts proclaimed. “Music, art, expression and connecting with people can make an intense, transformative experience.”

Parties at Spacelab, especially Ritual, took their energy from the synergy between visual art and live music.

“Painters get out into a place [with] a live audience, and they paint with the music,” said Jody Cross, another Spacelab founder. “The painters and musicians have a relationship. It’s a co-creation between the music, the live artists and the audience.”

SPACELAB: THE RISE & FALL OF AN ICONIC NIGHTSPOT | By Jon Wilcox | Photos Madelynne Scales |

How A Dusty Garage Became An Epic Hangout.

“When we first got there, it was just a shitty garage with no restrooms and no air conditioning,” says Chance Roberts, one of the handful of San Martians behind Spacelab, what was once downtown’s mysterious hang out.

In 2013 Roberts was looking for a place to practice his art. The painter and now Texas State alumnus got with a few friends, pooled their money and rented the space in the alleyway behind Chimy’s and next door to Taxi’s Piano Bar. “It was a blank slate,” according to Roberts.

At first, they’d work on their art projects and store an occasional piece of furniture. Then Roberts, a veteran of the Austin art scene, had a brilliant idea. His musician friends from Austin were always asking about places to play. Roberts wanted to share his artwork. The solution was inside the garage behind Chimy’s, the place that became Spacelab.

plies to protecting emails from government surveillance.

But the workshops contrasted sharply with what transpired weekend nights.

Spacelab became most known for holding sick parties, a whole spectrum of awesomely weird parties and events.

Flowlab, a circus-like, audio-kinetic event boasted slack lines amidst hula hoopers, fire spinners, acrobats and, of course, danceable beats. “It was crazy,” Roberts admitted.

Soon, all sorts of bands and acts made their way to the garage: loco locals like FunkOTron, Brother Bear, the Hair Farmers, Dirty Wolves; and musicians from abroad, like the delightfully-bizarre Biomigrant, a South American troubadour blending traditional Andean folk music with electro-pop.

Ritual was the most popular event. One night more than 400 people filed into the tiny venue for the monthly music-art show. “The building could barely handle it.” Roberts and his crew set up an altar at the front, encouraging guests to attach toys, rocks, pictures, “strange

Spacelab was always about connecting people, Roberts said, but connecting too many may have been the venue’s downfall.

The spot closed its doors for the last time in June because of pressure from the city and fire marshal.

“We were honestly [lucky] to get away with it for as long as we did,” Roberts says. “We would love to see a Spacelab 2.0, but we don’t have the time and energy. It was a good run.”

Roberts and his friends still rent the property but don’t foresee any parties or workshops in the future.

Spacelab is once again just another dusty garage, serving as a storage space for Martindale peaches.

Musicians started booking and Roberts kept painting.

“We can let this thing bloom,” he thought to himself.

During the day and weeknights, Roberts and his friends hosted low-key, educational events. Topics ranged from nutrition to cryptocurrency to homemade cleaning sup-

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Video: An Inside Look At RITUAL

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BOBCATFANS | BACKSTAGE Most powerful and progressive yet is her most recent album from 2014, Don’t Disconnect, where she sheds her folk sound almost entirely and delves into our obsessions and struggles with human and machine.

Jaffe doesn’t just push outside her comfort zone, she obliterates it and the result is a highly inspired, masterful album both musically and lyrically. She is influenced by many different styles of music; she takes them and seamlessly makes them her own.

Part of her success of transitioning into such a varied artist comes from her experience working with other artists, including hip-hop producer S1; Eminem picked up the hook she composed with him for the opening track “Bad Guy” on The Marshall Mathers LP2 back in 2013.

Jaffe spent time performing with Patty Griffin earlier this year in Alaska, which she describes as surreal. “Her record Flaming Red was THE pivotal record for me. I got a hold of that record in junior high and it kinda changed my world. I used to lip sync the entire album.”

She’s performed at SXSW for many years now, most currently with Delta Spirit earlier this year on the Capitol One sponsored stage.

SARAH JAFFE COMES HOME | By Heather Yzaguirre |

TEXAS SINGER-SONGWRITER TO APPEAR AT FLOAT FEST. In the past few years Denton has become known as the indie band factory. No longer an up and comer, singer-songwriter Sarah Jaffe has been recognized by publications like Rolling Stone and the Dallas Observer since releasing her first EP Ever Born Again in 2008. She’s since released another EP and 3 albums with Kirtland Records and gained a national audience touring and performing.

Her growth as a musical artist and performer has been a fascinating journey for fans, and with each new album comes a new sense of self, commanding compositions and interesting sound. In her bio she talks about working on The Body Wins after buying a bass and a drum set at a pawn shop, about how it came from a side of Jaffe that didn’t exist before. It’s an interesting creative process to hear, as each album seems to go through this same thing.

Sarah Jaffe will perform live at Float Fest later this month, her first trip down to this area, and it’s sure to be one of the most anticipated performances this year.

“ANYTIME I LISTEN TO A SONG I LOVE, IT’S TRANSFORMING. IT CHANGES ME PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY IN A MOMENT. I COULD ONLY HAVE THE SAME HOPE FOR A LISTENER WITH MY SONGS.”

Her first album, Suburban Nature, was the epitome of folkpop, with a quaint sound and beautifully crafted, reflective narratives. Her single Clementine put her on the map, even garnering attention from Rolling Stone in 2009. The Dallas Observer recognized her wholeheartedly at their 2011 Music Awards, honoring her as Best Solo Act, Best Folk Act and Best Female Vocalist.

Popularity in the folk-pop genre continued to soar in 2012 with bands like Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers, leaving listeners craving something new and different. Jaffe delivered with The Body Wins, which was significantly less folk sounding and more supple and delicate, with lyrics less narratively composed and more sporadic. It was more indie rock in sound, with only slight traces of her folky background.

SarahJaffeMusic @sayjaffe sarahjaffe.com

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BOBCATFANS | MIXOLOGY The Rum Punch Recipe Rhyme

Knockout Punch

“One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong and four of weak, a dash of bitters and a sprinkle of spice, served well chilled with plenty of ice.” That is: one part lime juice, two parts sweetener, three parts rum, four parts water, Angostura Bitters, and ground nutmeg.

@ PINBALLZ KINGDOM The Grapes of Wrath

The word PUNCH comes from the Hindi word Paanch meaning “five” as the drink was originally made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. The drink was brought to England by sailors from India.

When Jamaica became a British colony in 1655 the rum punch we know today was born.

Court Jester’s Punch This fruity circus has a slight spice from Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, mixed with Bacardi Limon, pineapple juice, fresh squeezed orange juice, grenadine, and topped with Bacardi 151.

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This beverage covers its fruity bases with a blend of Pinnacle Grape Vodka, Blue Curacao, Black Raspberry, sweet & sour, cranberry juice, and topped off with a Red Bull floater to give it a little kick.

| Words & Photos Eric Morales |

BOBCATFANS | FASHION

SKIRT SEASON LIVES ON | Photos Eric Morales | Model: Avery Knott | | Styled by: Crooked Lines Vintage Shop |

While the heat of summer simmers down and fall functions with new friends increase, sassy skirts are the way to enjoy the last days of warm weather.

They can be dressed down with a favorite tee, or fancied up with heels or boots. Skirts that feature loud, playful designs are in for girls who want to show off their playful personality.

Fall is always a great time to break out the denim jacket; pair with a tight dress for a sexy casual look, or dress it up with some heels and bangle bracelets.

Leather or faux leather messenger bags are also trademark for fall, large enough to fit your books, iPad, pens and paper for class, but thin enough to be vintage chic and sexy.

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Top �Black Pink Floyd concert T-shirt with grey and white vertical stripes. Skirt worn with black leather sandals.

All from Crooked Lines Resale Bus located behind Tantra Coffeehouse.

Left Pearl snap denim shirt worn with coral lace dress, a navy lace up boots and vintage tan leather bag. All found at Crooked Lines Resale Bus.

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BOBCATFANS’

ROOMIES BEFORE GLOOMIES

CONTRACT

A Peaceful Living Roommate Agreement

This ROOMIES BEFORE GLOOMIESTM contract is a written agreement to help you and your roommate settle on different rules you’ll both appreciate following throughout the year. No one is easy to live with, not even you buttercup, so have your roomies back and they’ll have yours. Don’t make a rookie mistake. A bad living situation is worse than an 8am class.

Rooming ain’t always easy but it’s often necessary. Whether you went through an uber elaborate roommate-matching process, decided to room with your BFF or got matched up with someone pot-lock style, it’s advantageous to layout expectations in writing. I mean you’re an adult dammit! Time to act like one, at least upfront.

The Iron Clad, Unbreakable,

EN

TERTAINMEN

ROOMMATE CONTRACT

EST

T

Authorized by

2006

AND

C U LT U R

E

This sweet little contract hereby states that _______________ and ________________ will be cool and respectful of each other’s eccentricities from the day we move in together, until the day we move out. Only after that will we be allowed to be jackasses to each other.

Allowed in shared common areas: Farting: __Yes __No Smoking: __Yes __No Drinking: __Yes __No Pornography: __Yes __No Sex/P.D.A. : __Yes __No During these specific times:_________________________ TV: Control is forfeited after being absent __mins Hours reserved for sleeping: Weekday_______________________ Weekend_______________________ When one roommate is sleeping (reserved hours), the other roommate may: __Play music__headphones __Watch TV__headphones __Have guests over __Use a hairdryer __Have the lights on __Other: _______________________

Hours reserved for hardcore study time: _______________________________ When one roommate is studying, these background activities may take place: __Music __TV __Friends over __Other: _______________________ We will keep our place: __Messy __In Between __Neat We will clean: Daily __Weekly __Monthly __ Other: _________________________ Cleaning will include: __Doing laundry before the basket overflows __Washing dishes after using them __Taking out the trash __Vacuuming once a week __Making our beds daily __Other: _______________________

During these hours a roommate may have friends over: _______________________________ A roommate may have _____ friends over at once Overnight guests allowed: __Yes __No __Only if they are female __Only if they are male Before a roommate has an overnight guest, they will warn the other roommate ___days & ___hours in advance.

How often may a roommate have an overnight guest? _______________________________ Roommate policy on overnight guests (i.e. if it is okay to request that the other roommate leave): ____________ _______________________________

Items that may be shared: _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Items that may NOT be shared: _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ Acceptable daytime temperature range: _______________________________ Acceptable nighttime temperature range: __________________________ Other important stuff: _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ In the case of an argument, we will: _______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________________________ Sign & Date _______________________________________________ Sign & Date Presented By College Delivery

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Drops of Blood Here

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SHOW’EM STATE! While rarely referred to by its official name, the “Heart of Texas State” hand sign - as seen here - is made by holding up your left hand in the shape of the state of Texas with your ring and little fingers pointing down toward the middle of the palm, creating the shape of the state of Texas.

Eat ‘Em Up, Cats is made by holding up your right hand in the shape of a Bobcat paw while yelling “Eat ‘em up, Cats!”

TEXAS STATE TRADITIONS OLD & NEW

A Handy Guide To Bobcat Pride!

As generations of students come and go, traditions change and evolve. Texas State’s story is a complex combination of hundred-year-old traditions and fresh new ideas that could prove to last even longer.

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COMMENCEMENT RIVER DIVE/LEAP A newer tradition emerged once graduations began regularly in Bobcat Stadium; freshly graduated students leap into the river fully dressed in cap and gown.

Texas State has quickly become known for this tradition. Its symbolism has grown into an integral part of students’ time at Texas State; a fresh start, a new life, and preservation of memories with one last dive into the San Marcos River.

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| SMTX || Photo 21 | By Jordan Gass-Poore Eric | 12.14 BOBCATFA NSMorales

I-35 RIVALRY

SUPERCAT The current logo is the SuperCat, designed by a student in 2003 – the same year the university officially changed its name – and refined by the university in 2009 with the addition of the Texas State lettering underneath. There was great resistance to the name change by students and alumni, so the introduction of the chic, new SuperCat logo was a great way to ease the transition. It came heavily endorsed by then-coach Manny Matsakis, previously an assistant coach for K-State, whose logo is strangely similar.

SOAP BOX DERBY In 1967 this event attracted more students than any single activity on campus all year, and it’s still an annual favorite during homecoming week. Sponsored by the Order of Omega, registered student organizations build their own racecars and race them against each other on Bobcat Trail. Cars are launched from a large ramp at the top of the hill and stopped by gravity, brakes or – last resort – hay bales.

The rivalry between the UTSA Roadrunners and the Texas State Bobcats started in the mid-90’s as a way to build more hype around college sports in Central Texas and to create a sense of pride for both growing franchises. At first the competition was exclusively for men’s basketball, but has since grown to include all sports competitions. It works with a point system based on matchups between the two universities throughout the academic year.

At the end of the year the school with the most points receives a trophy inscribed with their name.

The winner keeps the trophy until the next year’s awards ceremony, where either a new winner will be announced or they’ll keep the trophy for another year.

GAILLARDIANS The editors of the Pedagogue yearbook established a tradition in 1925 where outstanding and accomplished students were recognized based on a voting system. Named after the nativeTexas flower that gives Texas State University its colors, it’s a campuswide election with 12 finalists selected from 150 candidates, who are nominated from the school, club or organization they’re a part of. The awards are given out at homecoming. They could be considered original homecoming King and Queen awards before there was such a thing, as they’re rooted in “beauty and personality”, and students considered “favorites”.

MOONLIGHT BREAKFAST On the night before the first day of finals students are treated to breakfast, cooked and served by their professors and other staff members, offering them a break to enjoy breakfast for dinner before the big day. It’s a great way for students to relieve stress and for professors to show their support.

This tradition disappeared for a while in the 70’s when Len Fielder, former campus food service director who started the tradition, lost the contract. It was reinstated in the 80’s and has since grown.

BOBCAT BUILD Bobcat Build started in 1991, and has been a huge success every since. It allows student organizations and independent students to volunteer for service projects throughout the San Marcos community. Living in a college town can occasionally be a pill, but it makes all the difference to be in a college town with a university that remains so aware of preserving the community.

BOBCAT ALLEY The Bobcat Stadium parking lot is overrun with maroon and gold clad Bobcats on game day, transforming it into Bobcat Alley. In the late 90’s Southwest Texas State was struggling with a “party school” image problem that was spiraling out of control, so for several years there was no tailgating. However, in order to revamp the football program they revamped tailgating too. In 2003, with a new name, new logo, and new head coach Manny Matsakis,

VICTORY STAR Originally a Christmas decoration placed on a water tower in 1936 that stood where the Chemistry building now stands.

It was transformed in 1942 into the Victory Star, when a night watchman found it, placed it back onto the water tower and began lighting it every time the Bobcats won football games. When the water tower was replaced it was moved to the top of Jackson Hall, 22 BOB CATFANS | 08.15

the tallest building on campus at the time, and various staff members upheld the tradition through the years. Later, a new Victory Star was built by Texas State engineering students and installed on the wall above the Strahan Coliseum ticket office, thanks to the Lighting the Way campaign, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the cause. The original intent was to replace the star on Jackson Hall, but

who was as much a marketer as he was a coach, tailgating returned. The scene grew, fans flocked back to games and the team got better each year too.

The height of the comeback was 2005, when the team went on a national championship playoff run. Sold out games started hours before kickoff, with legions of fans coming out to tailgate. It’s been tricky to balance out the fun and responsibility of tailgating but they seem to work out more kinks every year. Before every home game you’ll find students and alumni wandering around Bobcat Alley BBQing, playing games and listening to local bands before heading into the stadium.

STALLIONS The fighting stallions statue is located on the west end of the quad in the plaza between Derrick Hall and Evans Liberal Arts Building. 17-feet tall, it was erected in 1951 as a gift from South Carolina sculptors Anna and Archer Huntington, two influential and well known 20th century sculptors. They were the first to use aluminum as a medium, which is what the Stallions are made of.

Students have made it tradition to rub the statues on their way into a test for good luck.

it couldn’t safely hold the new Star. It stands 18-feet tall, weighs in at about 400 pounds, is activated by a web-based app instead of an old fashioned switch and is adorned with LED lights, which burn brighter and cost less. Strahan is where graduations, sporting events and convocations are held, thus having great significance for the university and a great place to house one of the university’s most beloved traditions.

BOKO Known for their stubborn fierceness and great courage, the bobcat became the official mascot of Texas State in 1921. The football team used the mascot for the first time that year and completed the season undefeated.

There were several versions of the mascot until 1964, when a student named Beth Greenless won a “Name the Bobcat” contest, giving Texas State’s Bobcat the official name Boko. She won $5 and bragging rights, and Boko has been a huge success, twice being named USA National Champion Mascot.

FIGHT SONG Texas State didn’t have a fight song until 1961, when then-bandmaster Paul Yoder was commissioned to compose “Go Bobcats.” The song is the call to arms for all Texas State athletic games and competitions.

“Go Bobcats” Go Bobcats all the way, Keep that maroon and gold on high!

Fight on for every play until you hear that Bobcat battle cry!

We’re gonna cheer for our team today Until the whole world knows our name.

No doubt about it, We’re gonna shout it — Bobcats will win this game!

STRUTTERS The Strutters are a precision dance team established in 1960, the first to be formed at any 4-year institution in the United States. They perform to music ranging from hip-hop to jazz and funk. They’ve developed a strong national reputation, having performed at two presidential inaugural parades, two Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, several NBA and NFL halftime shows and were the first university dance team to be invited to the People’s Republic of China. They also had a respectable run in season 3 of America’s Got Talent, making it to the semifinals, and surprising then-judge David Hasselhoff with their unison and charm. You can catch a performance at any Texas State football game, and even take a peek into the Linda Gregg Fields Strutters Gallery beforehand to see their visual history.

RIVER RAFT RACE Started in 1994 with 60 rafts and 300 people, this event has grown into one of the social events of the year, with over 450 rafts and 2,500 coeds participating. Hosted by the Alumni Association of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Texas State, it’s become the largest spring party on the river and the event kicking off the tubing season. Next year’s date has already been set for Saturday, April 23rd at its annual spot in Gruene, New Braunfels.

SEWELL PARK / BIKINI HILL Sewell Park started as a rough 4 acres of riverfront land, leased by the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries.

Student employees used mud scrapers and mules to clean the river bottom, build up the banks and smooth the slopes, creating the college’s first park. It was called Riverside until it was renamed for its founder in 1946, former Math Professor Dr. S.M. “Froggy” Sewell. The area that’s now a basketball court used to be an island, but one side of the river constantly clogged and was eventually closed off. The concrete walls were added in the 1920’s, and a $1 million renovation in 1984 gave the now 6-acre park its current look, which students, faculty and staff enjoy during breaks and weekends.

FITE NITE One of the longest-standing Texas State traditions is Fite Nite, a fully sanctioned amateur boxing event. In its early years it was an elimination-style competition, between Greeks and Independents, but since then has evolved into a more modern-style boxing event with several categories, including some for women.

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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

SNOWBALL FIGHT

TXST TRADITIONS THAT HAVE ENDED

This bizarre tradition started in 1964 as a joke between friends working at Texas State and Michigan Tech that led to shipments of 500 snowballs from the snowy north down to the warm dry south. They were shipped in dry-ice cartons as a publicity stunt advertising the annual Snow Carnival on the Michigan Tech Campus. It was originally Greeks versus Independents, but slowly incorporated teachers and administrators through the years.

UNIVERSITY NAMES PEDAGOGUE

CRICKETFEST

The institution started in 1899 has since gone through several changes in name, starting in 1918 when it was known as Southwest Texas State Normal College because of its ability to start granting degrees and becoming a senior college. In 1923, after raising academic standards to compete with UT Austin, it became a college to train teachers, and thus changed their name to Southwest Texas State Teachers College. In 1969 it became known as Southwest Texas State College and, just 10 years later, Southwest Texas State University. It remained SWT for 34 years until 2003, when the Associated Student Government requested that the school be renamed Texas State University due to Southwest Texas State suggesting too much regionalism for a university striving to become a household name across the state and the nation.

The Roamoke Street Festival unofficially became CricketFest around 1989, due to the massive number of crickets invading campus every fall. It used to be a way to show Freshmen how united a large university can be, with huge participation from student organizations. They provided everything, including dunking booths, food and bake sales, and even condoms to promote safe sex and AIDS awareness. A great way to start a semester, except for the cricket nachos.

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Published most years from 1904 until 1999, this yearbook provided written and visual mementos of student life, extracurricular activities and notable events during the academic year. Its documentation of student interests and how they’ve evolved through the years serve as a historical reference for information. Most copies are available to browse online and are even searchable, thanks to the archiving department of the Texas State library.

>>>>

BATTLE FOR THE PADDLE Flooding is no recent obstacle for San Marcos. There was even a football rivalry rooted in it. In 1998 the game against Nicholls State University was cancelled due to severe flooding. In remembrance of those who suffered and died, a wooden oar was made with each school’s colors and initials; the winning school took possession of the oar for the next year with the score inscribed on it, thus becoming the Battle for the Paddle.

Following a 2010 win against the Bobcats, Nicholls State took the paddle and announced it would be permanently displayed in their athletic offices, due to the Bobcats switching conferences and likely not facing each other in football again.

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B O B CAT FA NS | 08.15 25

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SMTX

THE QUEST FOR GROUND BEEF BLISS - THE 2015 BURGER AWARD WINNERS

WITH FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS, A COMMUNITY SAYS

“WE CAN DO IT!”

AUGUST | 2015

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Contents

| AUGUST 2015 |

Get

SMTX

BOBCATFANS

6. WHAT’S NEW

8. BE SOCIAL

8. HAPPENINGS

10. SPACE LAB

10. SKATER

12. BACKSTAGE

12. DRIVE-IN

14. MIXOLOGY

14. STORM TROOPERS

16. FASHION

20. BURGER AWARDS

18. ROOMMATE CONTRACT

SUBS C FO R R I B E FREE Txt: SMT X to :7 7948

21 The magazine of san marcos

20. TRADITIONS

DELIVERED TO YOUR TABLET OR SMARTPHONE

smtxmagazine.com @smtxmag smtxmag

COVERS

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BOBCATFANS - Illustration by Will Bowling

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SMTX - Photograph by Eric Morales, Model Annalisa Turner

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PARTS 877.299.3652

YOUR TOWN

WHAT’S NEW SMTX NEW BUSINESSES IN THE SAN MARCOS AREA ENTERTAINMENT

RETAIL

BEAUTY

FOOD

EDUCATION

THUMBS

UP & DOWN Flooded With Music There were a slew of fundraising music festivals that took place in the wake of the flood, including smaller artist gatherings at Taxi’s and Triple Crown. One of the bigger ones to take place outside of San Marcos was Flood Aid TX, which raised over $175,000 for Hays County.

Rhea’s Ice Cream The shop was supposed to close but is now being bought out jointly by Lindsey Belk and The Root Cellar, who will keep the doors open in the future.

MIRROR MIRROR SALON AND SPA Discover the fairest one of all at this salon that offers haircuts, coloring, waxing, and chair massages. With women’s cuts and styles as low as $25, it just might be you!

6160 FM 2770, Ste. B, Kyle| 268-5108 HOKULIA SHAVE ICE Catch a wave of flavor at this food truck that specializes in Hawaiian shave ice. The ice is literally shaved, not ground, and all syrups are made entirely from pure cane sugar and topped with flavors imported from Hawaii.

310 N. Guadalupe St., San Marcos| 830-302-0235 GATTI’S PIZZA The ‘90s pizza party staple has returned to San Marcos. The pizza is everything you remember it being: dough made fresh daily and pizza sauce made with 16 herbs and spices. But this time the restaurant is pick-up and delivery only.

1504 Aquarena Springs Dr., San Marcos| 710-2222 LOUNGE SHISHA ZONE Live, breathe, and experience Morocco just minutes away from home at this hookah lounge.

Enjoy a variety of hookah flavors with hot and cold drinks. Live music on Saturday nights.

700 N. LBJ Dr., Ste. 111, San Marcos| 667-9240

DONUT 911 There’s a new donut and bagel sheriff in town.

Pick a flavor or build your own, the jury’s still out on which one is best. But as far as taste is concerned, the jury has charged Donut 911 guilty… of being delicious.

310 N. Guadalupe St., San Marcos| 817-915-6379 BAREFOOT CAMPUS OUTFITTER This unique and trendy Bobcat gear shop has moved to its new and improved location at the corner of LBJ Dr and Hutchison St, where Emeralds used to be. Welcome to downtown San Marcos!

300 N. LBJ Dr., San Marcos| 392-3986 HALF PRICE BOOKS After some obstacles, this bookstore, a chain started in Texas, has been restocked and reopened. The store was damaged in the spring floods, with three-to-six inches of mud and water reported inside the building.

900 Bugg Ln., San Marcos| 805-7503 EL TACO FELIZ 2 This food truck serves Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Come hungry, leave feliz.

310 N. Guadalupe St., San Marcos| 214-3024

BUSINESS NEW IN TOWN? LET US KNOW info@smtxmagazine.com SMTXMAGAZINE.COM

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Our Condolences 11 piece funk band Mama K and the Shades’ saxophonist David Curtis McKnight drowns after a night swim in the San Marcos River.

BOMB Threat A bomb threat at Wal-Mart shuts down the store for a day and frazzles residents and shoppers.

Rainbow Flags Vandalized On the eve of Stonewall’s Pridefest celebration, a vandal hopped onto the roof of the bar and forcibly removed flags affixed to the the top of the building.

READER FEEDBACK

Ellen Ygnacio

@MrsYgnacio @smtxmag The buffalo kahuna at the big kahuna is the #smtxbestburger and of course the original big kahuna burger!

John Salazar

@_johnsalazar @SMTXmag Cheeseburger at Cafe on the Square

Cody K Day

@CodyKaes @SMTXmag #SMTXBestBurger?

- Is this even a real question?

Taproom!! @TaproomTX

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK info@smtxmagazine.com SMTXMAGAZINE.COM

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WEEKEND HAPPENINGS | AUGUST | HAND-PICKED CENTRAL TEXAS EVENTS

SATURDAY, 1ST - SUNDAY, 2ND FESTIVAL:

WINE:

Full day of food trucks, local wineries, and live music.

Saturday in Luckenbach, $15, luckenbachtexas.com

Experience includes lunch, grape stomp, activities, and 2 drink tickets.

Saturday at Blue Lotus Winery, $35, bluelotuswinery.com. or Saturday & Sunday at Dry Comal Creek Vineyards, $140 per couple, drycomalcreek.com

HILL COUNTRY FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

WEEK

1

SPORTS:

TOUR DE JALAPENO BICYCLE RACE

26 mile race. 2 minutes deducted for each jalapeno eaten at drink stations.

Sunday at San Marcos River Ranch, Martindale, $60, tourdejalapeno.com

PEDDLER SHOW

2

SPORTS:

STOCK CAR RACES

Extreme NASCAR style side-by-side racing. Saturday at Central Texas Speedway, Kyle, $15+,

FRIDAY, 7TH - SUNDAY, 9TH SHOPPING:

ART:

Unique vendors from around the country include artisans, crafters, jewelers, designers, and boutiques.

Friday through Sunday at the Convention Center, New Braunfels, $7, peddlershow.com

Wimberley’s fine art galleries stay open till 7 pm and also provide food, wine, and entertainment.

Saturday at Wimberley Square, Free, facebook.com/SecondSaturdayGalleryTrail

FESTIVAL:

SHOPPING:

Artists lead Float Trip during the day and concerts at night.

Friday & Saturday at River Road Ice House, New Braunfels, $30+, rocktheriverfest.virb.com

Sales tax exemptions on most clothing, footwear, and school supplies priced under $100. Friday through Sunday, http://comptroller.texas.gov/

THE PEDDLER SHOW

WEEK

GRAPE STOMPS IN NEW BRAUNFELS

ROCK THE RIVER FEST

WIMBERLEY GALLERY TRAIL

TAX FREE WEEKEND

FRIDAY, 14TH - SUNDAY, 16TH NATURE:

FESTIVAL:

Exclusive opportunity to see 20 million bats emerge from the summer home to the largest bat colony in the world, Bracken Cave. Tour includes Natural Bridge Caverns tour followed by nearby bat flight emergence viewing. Friday at Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio, $36, naturalbridgecaverns.com

Charity festival featuring a car & bike show, BBQ competition, live music, children activities, silent auction, and raffle. Friday through Sunday at Camp Ben McCulloch, Driftwood, $10, hcrally.com

BRACKEN BAT FLIGHT

WEEK

3

SHOPPING:

GRUENE MARKET DAYS

Shop over 100 artisan vendors.

Saturday & Sunday in Historic Gruene, Free, gruenemarketdays.com

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HILL COUNTRY RALLY FOR KIDS

THEATER:

SHAKESPEARE UNDER THE STARS

Students perform “As You Like It” set in the roaring 20’s at an outdoor theater. Friday & Saturday evening at EmilyAnn Theatre, Wimberley, $15, emilyann.org

CENTRAL TEXAS CONCERT CALENDAR

FRIDAY, 21ST SUNDAY, 23RD FESTIVAL:

GILLESPIE COUNTY FAIR

Fair features downtown parade, horse races, live entertainment, livestock show, 4-H & FFA exhibits, and craft show. Thursday through Sunday at Gillespie County Fair Grounds, Fredericksburg, $7, gillespiefair.net THEATER:

WEEK

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TALKING PICTURES

A woman who makes her living playing live music for the silent pictures is willing to do almost anything to keep her and her teenage son going after “talkies” come to town. Friday through Sunday at Gaslight Baker Theatre, Lockhart, $15, gaslightbakertheatre.org PARTY:

PASSPORT TO SAN MARCOS

The block-party will feature music, free food samples, games and an interactive scavenger hunt with $2,000 in prizes welcoming TXST students to explore downtown before the semester begins.

Friday at the San Marcos square, Free, passportsmtx.com FESTIVAL:

BAT FEST

1.5 million bats emerging from under the bridge at dusk, 3 stages with live music, more than 75 arts & crafts vendors, food and drinks, children’s activities, a bat costume contest.

Saturday at Congess Avenue Bridge, Austin, $10, roadwayevents.com/event/bat-fest

FRIDAY, 28TH SUNDAY, 30TH FESTIVAL:

FIRE FEST

Buda’s annual festival with craft and food vendors, kids’ zone, firefighter challenge, and live music. Saturday at Buda City Park, Free during the day and $15 for the evening concert, firefesttexas.com SPORTS:

STOCK CAR RACES

WEEK

5

Extreme NASCAR style side-by- side racing. Saturday at Central Texas Speedway, Kyle, $15+, centraltexasspeedway.com FESTIVAL:

FLOAT FEST

40 artists playing over 3 days. Headliners include Ghostland Observatory, Phantogram, Paul Wall, and Bright Light Social Hour.

Tubing and camping packages available. Friday through Sunday at Cool River Ranch, Martindale, $50+, floatfest.net SPORTS:

TXST WOMEN’S SOCCER

TXST women’s soccer home opener versus McNeese State. Friday at Bobcat Soccer Complex, San Marcos, txstatebobcats.com

AUGUST 1

BULLRIDING BLOWOUT WITH JOHNNY LEE Country, $20 Jerry Diaz Ranch, New Braunfels AARON WATSON Country, $16 Whitewater Amphitheater, New Braunfels AUGUST 2

TUBING FOR CANCER FESTIVAL - 18 ARTISTS Various, $10 Billy’s Ice House, New Braunfels AUGUST 7

CHRIS SALINAS Country, $3 Conway’s Dance Hall, New Braunfels MARK JUNGERS Folk/Americana/Rock Triple Crown, San Marcos CODY JINKS Country, $12 Gruene Hall, Gruene AUGUST 8

RILEY’S ANNUAL LUAU Various Riley’s Tavern, Hunter JOHNNIE JAM Various Cheatham Street Warehouse, San Marcos RICKY STEIN Rock, Free Salt Lick BBQ, Driftwood AUGUST 14

GIRL TALK WITH LUDACRIS DJ/Pop & Hip Hop, $40 Whitewater Amphitheater, New Braunfels JONATHAN TYLER Rock, $12 Gruene Hall, Gruene AUGUST 22

FLOAT TRIP & RIVER FEST Various, $48 River Road Ice House, New Braunfels HAYES CARLL Country, $25 Gruene Hall, Gruene AUGUST 29

BOB SCHNEIDER Pop/Rock/Folk/Country, $25 Gruene Hall, Gruene

LOCAL LOOK OUT

BASTARD SONS OF JOHNNY CASH Americana/Alternative/Country Mercer Street Dance Hall, Dripping Springs

TEXAS STATE STUDENT MOVE IN! The university operates a centralized move-in process at Strahan Coliseum. Their office expects approximately 5,000 students to move in on August 15 and 16.

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LOCAL ATHLETES Being a sponsored skater is one of his proudest feats thus far. In 2011 Dogtown became Logan’s first sponsor and has since been joined by éS Shoe company, and ATX/SA based skate shop Fast Forward.

Profiles

History:

Dogtown is the oldest skateboarding company, credited with making skateboarding what it is today.

“When you start to skate, you gotta believe in yourself. If you’re really down on it and you don’t think you can do it, you’re not gonna make it., you’re not gonna stick with it.”

Logan Cogswell

By Heather Yzaguirre

Photos Eric Morales

13-year old skateboarder brings Dogtown style and skill to town It’s not unusual to find the skatepark littered with kids, but there’s definitely one kid who’s going to stand out if you happen to be there when he’s rolling on four wheels.

COMPETITION RESULTS Placed 36 out of 68

The Board Am Qualifiers at Houston Saturday, February 14, 2015 Placed 30 out of 53

Adidas Skate Copa Austin Qualifiers Saturday, June 14, 2014

and encouraging each other to challenge themselves, not give up, and be themselves.

Placed 1 out of 9

Logan moved to Austin when he was 7 and has grown into an incredible skateboarder.

His hard work and dedication are obvious in looking at the tricks he pulls. He makes a casual afternoon at the skate park look like a high stakes competition, with high airs, complex grinds and lengthy combinations.

Watching him skate is mesmerizing; he flips his board so quickly, and flies so high that his grab tricks seem like slow motion. The look on his face mid-air is peaceful and highly concentrated, but there’s still that wonderful child-like gleam.

GFL Series, Fort Lauderdale Bowl 10 to 12 Division Saturday, May 17, 2014

That kid is Logan Cogswell. And he has the X Games in his sights.

The California native first stepped on a board when he was 3, when an older neighbor let him take a spin on his longboard. From there he was hooked. His local park in Dana Point had an age limit of 5 years old for a membership, so on his 5th birthday he asked for a membership. It was the best gift to ever receive from his parents, one that he continues to receive: support and encouragement.

Follow Logan on Instagram for epic pics of prodigy skaters @LoganCogswell.

“I’m not a helicopter parent, I just love being around him. He’s such an awesome kid,” his mother Enid Cogswell remarks as she spends an afternoon at the skate park watching him.

Although having his parents there every step of the way means the world to him, he gathers inspiration from the older guys at the parks he frequents. He beams with pride as he talks about the sense of community they create, helping each other nail tricks,

“I like to push myself as hard as I can because I want to get better, I don’t want to be the best at being mediocre.”

^ WATCH LOGAN RIP IT UP AS AN 11-YEAR OLD

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His Instagram pictures are a mix of epic shredding parks, soaring epically through the air looking casual as ever and standing beside greats like Bucky Lasek, Tony Alva, and Bob Burnquist, board in hand, proud grin on his face, sporting a Dogtown tee.

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DOWN THE ROAD

“no sticky floors, no kids kicking your seat, two Movies for the price of one.”

The Old glory of Stars & Stripes

The theater gained legendary status for a performance by then unknown musician Buddy Holly, who performed on the roof of the theater’s projector building.

Smith contacted The Sophienburg for information about New Braunfels history. The museum shared photos and background information of the Tower, which closed in the 1980s.

Drive-In Theater Experiences Are Back In Vogue.

Gas Up The Muscle Car, Grab The Lawn Chairs, And Enjoy Movies The Old Fashioned Way.

The Sky-Vue served as an inspiration for Smith’s first drive-in. He left law school at 25 to open Stars & Stripes, the same age his grandfather was when he built the Sky-Vue.

New Braunfels was hungry for a slice of Americana. So Ryan Smith, his wife and parents served it to them in the form of a drive-in theater.

The theater brought West Texans out in droves. Its popularity led to a three-year search for property along the Austin-San Antonio Corridor to build a second location.

Now, Central Texans can enjoy up to three nightly, first-run double features (two movies for the price of one ticket) from the comfort of their vehicle or lawn chair, or from a covered or uncovered patio where live music will eventually be played.

By Jordan Gass-Poore

Stars & Stripes, Smith’s second drive-in, opened in April less than a mile off Interstate 35. This 1,200-car, three-screen theater is the only operating drive-in within a 70-mile radius of the city.

Smith opened the first Stars & Stripes in Lubbock in 2003 with his two sisters. In April 2011, the theater upgraded its technology to become what may be the world’s first digital multi-screen outdoor theater.

Digital helped solve the problem of not getting enough light on the outdoor screen for viewers to see what’s projected.

A spot was soon discovered in New Braunfels, once home to the Tower Drive-In, a 250-car theater that opened in 1950.

Linda Dietert, The Sophienburg Museum and Archives director, said she and her husband Mike had their first date at the Tower.

There are other benefits as well. “There’s no sticky floors, no kids kicking your seat,” Smith said of why people choose a drive-in instead of at a multiplex. “People don’t want to just sit in a room, they want to talk and text.”

Modern drive-in sound is conducive to individualized moviegoing experiences. Now, instead of a speaker box on a pole outside of the vehicle, moviegoers can tune their FM stereos to a specific frequency to hear the movie from their vehicle’s speakers.

Smith’s first experience with a drive-in movie was in 2002, when he saw “Signs” at what was once his grandfather’s theater.

The Sky-Vue opened in 1948 in the farming community of Lamesa, south of Lubbock. Smith’s grandfather, R.A. “Skeet” Noret was 25 years old when it was built.

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The master plan includes adding a playground and a fourth screen, so more people can take advantage of the area’s moderate weather and Hill Country scenery.

Keeping with the retro 1950s theme, Stars & Stripes’ 50’s Cafe offers hamburgers and chicken strips, among the theater food classics. Pizza, wings and milkshakes are expected to be added to the menu.

While the decline of the drive-in has been lamented for decades, the Stars & Stripes proves it’s style is going back to the future.

Stars & Stripes Drive-in Theatre 1178 Kroesche Ln, New Braunfels 830-620-SHOW(7469) Adult ticket ages 12+ $8 Kid ticket ages 4 - 11 $5 Ages 3 and under free driveinusa.com

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STORM TROOPERS “TO SEE THE HEART IN OUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION HAS BEEN THE SHINING LIGHT IN THIS ENTIRE DISASTER.” Michelle Harper President/CEO United Way of Hays County

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THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF HEROES IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE MEMORIAL WEEKEND FLOODS. HERE ARE JUST A FEW. If it’s true that you find out who your friends really are when times are at their worst, then Hays and Caldwell Counties discovered they had more friends than they ever thought possible in the aftermath of the Blanco River flood.

By Steven F. Helsing Photos Eric Morales & Parker Thornton

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H

elp came from far and wide, from small church groups to large corporations; Cub Scout troops to CEO’s.

Bill Adams President Emeritus San Marcos Lions Club

The torrential rains that caused such havoc, destruction and death begat a flood of a different sort: a flood of compassion. A day after Memorial Day, affected areas of San Marcos were deluged with an army of volunteers looking to help affected citizens remove mud-caked furniture and appliances to begin the process of getting their lives back in order.

So many people and organizations provided help in the days and weeks following the floods, it would be impossible to mention every one of them in these pages. Each and every one of them, though, are heroes in their own way and we salute them.

UNITING THE PEOPLE Perhaps no organization was more visible than the United Way of Hays County. Their imprint was on just about everything flood-related.

There they were organizing a Day of Caring the day after the Memorial Day holiday, sending teams of workers to flood-damaged homes in San Marcos offering assistance.

Teams represented all walks of life.

“We saw a ton of college students that were willing to help their neighbors in need, regardless of whether or not they knew anyone that had been affected,” according to Michelle Harper, President/CEO of United Way of Hays County. “We looked up and saw Wounded Warriors also came out to volunteer.”

One of the teams had problems with their own business. “To have Walmart employees out there helping their neighbors when their own store had been flooded was unbelievable to see,” exclaimed Harper. Later, another Day of Caring effort helped victims in Caldwell County. A week later, a United Way-sponsored benefit concert featured Blue October and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

Harper called the concert, “Honestly, one of the most well put together events in such a short amount of time that I’ve ever been a part of.”

The event raised over $200,000 in ticket sales, sponsorships, donations and tips.

Money raised in United Way efforts are getting distributed to agencies and organizations assisting

flood survivors who have immediate housing needs, focusing on survivors with no flood insurance, and initiatives supporting the elderly, children, disabled and single household families. As of mid-June, over $350,000 was raised in United Way fundraisers and donations.

THE LIONS-HEARTED Bill Adams was just a month away from the end of his term as president of the Lions Club of San Marcos. The Georgia transplant was looking forward to finally finishing his dissertation work and earn his PhD from Texas State. Then the phone calls came in.

“At City Park (home of Lion’s Club Tube Rental), where people come pick up their tubes, water came within two inches,” Adams related.

“However, down at our check-out point at Rio Vista, our concession trailer was completely inundated with water.” Adams then received word that his mother-in-law’s house was also feet deep in water.

Yet there he was, remaining calm while chaos surrounded him. He rallied his fellow Lions, organized and planned quickly and before even addressing the Club’s own troubled business, had volunteers visiting affected neighborhoods in Martindale and Fentress, handing out gift cards from HEB, Walmart and Dollar General. In all, San Marcos Lions distributed over $42,000 in direct support to flood victims while Lions Club International added another six thousand dollars in support.

Adams said what touched him was a story incoming 1st Vice President Mitch Hoffman told him. “When they were over in the Barbara Lane area handing out gift cards, some of the people asked that we give the cards to someone they felt was in more need than they were. It just speaks to how much support our community has provided to the people that are affected.”

Meanwhile, the Lions Club Tube Rental was only down for two weeks. After replacing all the tubes and getting donations of coolers, they were able to reopen to continue their regular fundraising work.

And repairs on Adams’ mother-inlaw’s house are already underway as well.

REBUILDING THE WALLS McCoy’s Building Supply’s headquarters have been located in San Marcos since 1992. The company has always been closed on Sundays. But according to Dan Stauffer, McCoy’s Vice-President for Marketing and Real Estate, that ended the afternoon of the flood.

“Randy Haas, our store manager, he opened on Sunday afternoon to provide product for some folks,” according to Stauffer. “By Tuesday,

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we had done a bid to mark down things folks would need like drywall, insulation, doors and molding.”

The San Marcos location made sure they had a wide variety of materials available to homeowners at a discount, not just sheetrock and drywall. Stauffer estimates the store has been able to help a few hundred people get their homes back to a semblance of normal.

RECOVERING MEMORIES In times like these, most of us think about the big items: the property damage, the furniture and appliances. In today’s technological age, it’s easy to forget how much of our lives are now contained on the hard drives of our PC’s, tablets and smart phones. They contain pictures of our loved ones, our music collections and our important documents. Now imagine those hard drives caked in mud and the entire unit thoroughly soaked by flood waters.

Dock Harrison Vickers of New Braunfels realized how much of peoples lives are now contained as a series of 1’s and 0’s in a piece of electronic equipment. He offered his services to attempt retrieving all this information. Better yet, he’s had amazing success. “I’ve had a

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“I wanted to recycle as much material as I could salvage from the debris and put that money directly back to help the flood victims recover,” he said.

Hahn attended a meeting held by FEMA recently where he was told that just looking at an average home cost of $150,000, if there were 300 homes destroyed in the area, that’s $45 million in losses on homes alone. All told, the financial loss from the flooding could reach up to the $100 million dollar range.

As a result, every little bit helps. As of June 13th, Hahn’s Green Guy Recycling had already salvaged over 192,000 pounds of metal, 21,000 pounds of TV sets and monitors and over a hundred tires from the storm debris that can be recycled. All the money will go directly to flood relief and, Hahn added, the groups he gives the money to are all dedicated to using every cent for the victims and no money for overhead costs.

SPREADING THE LOVE(SEATS)

Kyle Hahn Green Guy Recycling

CENTRAL TEXAS CIVIC GROUPS HELPING OUT IN THE FLOOD’S AFTERMATH Boy Scout Troop 365 in Round Rock arrived with 10 truck loads, 2 trailer loads and one Scout trailer full of a total of 3,874 pounds of supplies and $380 donated to both Wimberley and the Hays County Food Bank.

Food El Buen Pastor served free meals through Saturday, May 30th.

Crisis Bread Basket in Wimberley offered food to flood victims through Sunday, May 31st.

The Clinic for Autism Research Evaluation and Support (CARES) at Texas State University in San Marcos provided respite for families with children with developmental disabilities.

Celebration Church in Georgetown had scores of volunteers spotted on Conway and Barbara Streets in San Marcos offering assistance to flood victims.

93% success rate so far,” Vickers happily reported.

Vickers says the process of information retrieval isn’t easy. “I may be able to access the hard drive for another year or it could go bad in another minute, so time is of the essence.” As soon as he’s able to access the hard drive, he immediately transfers all the information to a new hard drive. This way, if the computer itself doesn’t survive, at least the information can now be transferred to a new one.

While it’s doubtful a unit affected by the floods will be able to get information retrieved by the time this issue went to press, Vickers can be reached via e-mail at dockharrisonvickers@gmail.com.

“I WANTED TO RECYCLE AS MUCH MATERIAL AS I COULD SALVAGE FROM THE DEBRIS AND PUT THAT MONEY DIRECTLY BACK TO HELP THE FLOOD VICTIMS RECOVER.”

DEBRIS TO DOLLARS So much was destroyed in the floods, it’s easy to imagine area landfills being full of discarded appliances, televisions and the like. Kyle Hahn at Green Guy Recycling had a better idea.

Imagine being a business owner who not only loses their home in the flood but also have the storm hit on what is usually your biggest sales weekend of the year. That’s what happened to Derrick and Angie Flack, owners of Diane Flack Furniture in San Marcos.

“Our sales were down 98% from our usual Memorial Day weekend,” according to Angie. “But that was nothing compared to what some folks were going through.”

So in between trying to take care of salvaging what they could from their own washed-out home, the Flacks made their store a drop-off point for people to donate used furniture to go to other families in need. In less than three weeks time, the Flacks had filled four big storage containers with furniture and bedding.

In the end, perhaps 95% of the money that will help pay for people to replace their homes, cars and personal possessions will come from the federal government, state government and property insurance companies. But it’s people like these, taking care of that other five percent, that put the most human face on the compassion of the American people, especially the people of Texas. As Michelle Harper put it, “To see the heart in our community in action has been the shining light in this entire disaster.

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ADDITIONAL LOCAL BUSINESS INVOLVEMENT Gumby’s Pizza shut

its doors for two days. Employees, management, and ownership volunteered their time to help flood victims, some of whom work for the Bobcat owned shop. The only pizzas made were for feeding affected neighborhoods. After reopening Gumby’s continued to donate pizzas for police, fire, and volunteer efforts.

CTMC and Live Oak Health Partners offered

free tetanus shots for victims and volunteers.

EVO Entertainment

served lunch to volunteers at Half Price Books on 5/27. EVO also gave free small popcorns with a donation of two non-perishable food items Jumpy Place in Kyle

accepted donations for flood victims in instead of charging for entry.

Wash Day in Wimberley provided 50% laundry service to those impacted by the flooding. Volunteers did laundry around the clock for flood victims.

Keller Williams Realty

International provided meat for thousands of meals, as well as over 1,000 volunteer hours.

Keller Williams Dripping Springs donated three truck loads of cleaning supplies.

Circuit of the Americas

donated admission to the X-Games to the graduating Wimberley HS seniors who gave the money for their senior trip to survivors.

THE QUEST FOR GROUND BEEF BLISS Every three years we search out and proclaim the best breakfast tacos in town, so we figured, “How hard could finding the best burger be?” Almost immediately we began to regret our hubris. We ate burger after burger, day after day, sometimes at every meal. If it came on a bun and contained some sort of ground beef, it was fair game. For sheer health reasons we eliminated the fast food burger chains. However, did you know Carl’s Jr has a breakfast burger? Ordered it, ate it, we’ll leave it at that!

In our search for burger heaven we were reminded that the simplest of questions are often the hardest to answer. When a consensus could not be reached the investigation turned to friends, acquaintances, old professors, basically everyone we knew. What we learned was people weren’t telling us where to find the best burger. Instead, they were sharing their favorite burger, and there’s a big difference. As we dug deeper (because this is investigative journalism at its best), we discovered nearly 70% of people have only tried the burgers at 4 or less restaurants. Once someone has given a burger joint top position in their mind, they rarely venture off to a new burger frontier.

The truth lies in highly concentrated pockets of personal burger passion. So we asked you to vote, not because we don’t have our own personal favorites, but because everyone has their favorites. The more people proclaiming a spot worthy of serving up the best burger, the more likely it produced a true contender. The masses participated in a two week long online vote, totaling 5,879 proclamations of burger Nirvana. And what we found is, we loved trying the voters’ favorites. While some of us still stuck to our burger guns in the end, many converted to new favorites, or added a place to their “regular haunts” list that they would have never tried before. You have to try the best, to truly know the best. So without further ado, the awards for San Marcos’ Best Burgers go to...

TIFFANY MATTHEWS, BRODIE CORINTH, WILL BOWLING & STEVEN F. HELSING Photos by Andres Sotomayor

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TOP FIVE BEST BURGERS (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, JUST WORTH A JUICY BITE)

BUFFALO BURGER VODKA STREET GLOBAL BISTRO

ZESTY BUFFALO SAUCE

HOUSE-MADE POTATO CHIPS BLUE CHEESE CRUMBLES

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Despite a full global menu with first-rate macaroni & cheese (ask for it as a side) and tapas to fall in love with (half price 3-7p), when the kitchen is open, more than half the customers are ordering burgers. This bad boy is anything but simple, it’s the Bohemian Rhapsody of burgers: a roller coaster of notes working together, holding your attention from beginning to end. Succulent cooked to order beef is laid gently over a sweet fluffy bun that plays in harmony with warm fresh-made potato chips drizzled in a blend of hot runny Gorgonzola and Maytag Blue Cheese sauce.

And just when you think you understand it, your lips are hit with the glissando of just the right level of spicy buffalo sauce. The music is turned up as green scallions and extra blue cheese crumbles round out the arrangement. We’re not worthy. $8 202 N LBJ Dr. (Downtown) (512) 396-4260

THE WORKS BURGER TAP ROOM

There may be no burger more locally revered or famous. The towering construction — the patty layered with slices of Swiss and American cheese, mushrooms, jalapenos, tender grilled onions and crispy bacon — is as iconic as the grub pub itself. But it’s the bun- baked, toasted and portioned perfectlythat made it a star long ago. When stacked, The Works is so tall you practically have to squeeze the buns to get the thing between your teeth, causing juices to leak out. On a normal bun this would cause a soggy dilemma, but not with this inch thick bottom bun. The only sogginess should come from the beer you drink to wash it down. $9 129 E Hopkins St. (Downtown) (512) 392-9824

SWEET BUN CRISPY BACON SPICY GRILLED JALAPENOS

FRIED EGG, BACON CHEESEBURGER AJ’S RANCH ROAD GRILL

Greasy, smoky, and downright gooey, this burger is not so much a meal as a intestinal challenge to your digestive system, otherwise known as a gut bomb. The overwhelming density of the burger can be felt at first grasp, begging to be held by both hands. Make sure to grab plenty of napkins. The tender, less fatty buffalo seemed sweeter than beef, and the taste (order it medium-rare) melded perfectly with melted cheddar cheese (or try the pepperjack), thick bacon, and a superbly grilled pretzel bun. $10 (includes fries) 205 Moore St. (Close by Historic District) (512) 667-6212

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FRIED EGG

CHEDDAR CHEESE

HONORABLE MENTION FULLY LOADED BURGERS

BIG KAHUNA BURGER BIG KAHUNA

HAWAIIAN BUN KALUA PORK

BIG MOE BURGER MOE BETTER BURGERS

“Customizable” is Moe’s middle name. The truth is, from top bun to bottom, Moe’s burger experience is what you make of it. The moment you step in the door a list of options awaits you. From what kind of cheese to pickles or no pickles. Would you like bacon, jalapenos or avocado? How about a fried egg? Go Moe Bigger with double the beef: two fresh quarter pound hand-pressed patties grilled diner style and just waiting to be smothered to your exact specifications. If “less is more” is a mantra you live by, try it topped simply with aged swiss and a steaming pile of buttery grilled mushrooms.

Then make the call on adding the special Moe sauce. $8 (as customized here) 420 University Dr. (Close to River & Campus) (512) 393-2221

Receiving more votes than any other, it was made very clear: DO NOT IGNORE THE BURGERS coming out of this humble food truck. Cooked slowly in banana leaves, their signature kalua pork and cabbage adds depth to the aroma as it tops a 1/3 pound beef patty. Served on a Hawaiian sweet bun, the flavors flowing from the pork make you forget all about bacon, even if you’re a bacon lover and can’t imagine a burger without it. A nice accompaniment is drizzling the house-made Lava Sauce on top, but BEWARE! You may slap your knee or your mama, cuz this one is scrumptious. $7.25 312 E Hopkins St. (The Hitch Food Trailer Park) (512) 680-0224

SEAN PATRICK’S IRISH PUB IRISH BURGER $10 202 E San Antonio St. (512) 392-7310

GIL’S BROILER THE ORIGINAL $3.5

GRILLED MUSHROOMS FRIED PICKLE SPEARS

328 N LBJ Dr. (512) 392-4595

SWISS CHEESE

GRIN’S RESTAURANT JALAPENO POPPER $7.5 802 N LBJ Dr. (512) 392-4746

LOUIE’S OYSTER HOUSE & BEER GARDEN THE KITCHEN SINK $9 119 E Hutchison St. (512) 878-8862

PATTY WAGON MUSHROOM SWISS $8.25 312 E Hopkins St. (512) 413-9891

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