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George Strait brought in a pair of hornback lizard boots before he was famous, and Ray Wylie Hubbard was a frequent visitor as well while he was residing in Wimberley in the mid-80’s.
Renee Medina
La n di s Sh oe C l in i c : T h e S a n M a r c o s C o b b le ry Cobblers aren’t only found in fairy tales. If you pay over $100 for a pair of shoes, a good cobbler can add months and even years to the life of your shoes for less than the cost of a new pair.
On average, resoling shoes can add six months to over a year onto a shoe’s lifespan, saving at least a hundred dollars per pair.
The average shoe is used for only 3-6 months, depending on the intensity of use. You could get them re-soled for longer use, but it’s not just the soles that are the problem. The materials used today are so thin, you’re lucky if you don’t have any holes. At Landis Shoe clinic they’ll re-sole, re-polish, and even give your shoes a little boost of color, so when you get them back it feels like the first day you got them. They might feel even better, because you’ve already broken them in. Renee Medina has been working with the repair shop for nearly 25 years with third generation owner Ronnie Mendez. Occasionally Renee’s nephew will come give them a hand, but mostly it’s just the two of them, who have become practically family over the years.
In an age where even most manufacturing jobs have evolved to sitting behind a screen or tapping away at a keyboard, working at a business where they take something and transform it with their own two hands is special. Medina finds the work very satisfying, working with his hands and giving new life to something destined for the trash, bringing it to newfound glory. He feels a sense of pride in being able to not just fix something but to bring it back to life, whether it’s someone’s work boots or a pair of Jimmy Choos. Even on the high end, shoes typically have heels made of plastic or something similar. When you’ve worn those down and take them to Landis, they’ll replace the heel with one made of a much higher quality neoprene material, making them even better than when you brought them in. On average, resoling shoes can add six months to over a year onto a shoe’s lifespan, saving at
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least a hundred dollars per pair. When considering whether it’s worth it to have your shoes doctored up, or before you spring for a new pair, know that shoes can be resoled several times over before they finally bite the dust. During the off season of summer, you could get your shoes in and out pretty much next day. Winter is significantly busier, and might take a little over a week then. Being in business for as long as they have, Renee and Ronnie know what they’re doing and they enjoy it too. The work is rewarding and meeting the people who find their way into the shop, making connections, is a special thing to them. George Strait brought in a pair of hornback lizard boots before he was famous, and Ray Wylie Hubbard was a frequent visitor as well while he was residing in Wimberley in the mid-80’s. This is an old school business that believes in the basics of commerce, and adding new life to something that fits you like an old shoe.
Landis-Shoe-Clinic | By Heather Yzaguirre | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
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“...the low key vibe of summer camp and the big time goal of creating a more perfect life.”
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IN 2008 HELEN STU TCHBURY R AN A L ARGE C ORPOR ATE YO GA SCHO OL IN DALL AS, AN “INTENSE” JOB WITH “BIGB OX START UP ENERGY ” THAT SHE FOUND “WONDERFUL.” BUT STUTCHBURY C OULDN’ T RESIST LEAVING DALL AS FOR A SLICE OF THE SWEET LIFE AWAITING HER IN WIMBERLEY. WITH HER HUSBAND ONLY NEEDING AN AIRPORT FOR HIS JOB, THEY MOVED ON SOME PROPERT Y THERE. STUTCHBURY ’S PARENT S FELL IN LOVE AT A CANADIAN MILITARY BASE CALLED CAMP UT OPIA. THE NAME REFLECTED THE ATMOSPHERE SHE WANTED TO CREATE FOR HER WIMBERLEY-BASED YO GA TEACHER TR AINING PRO GRAM OF THE SAME NAME: “ THE LOW KEY VIBE OF SUMMER CAMP AND THE BIG TIME GOAL OF CREATING A MORE PERFECT LIFE.” FOR THOSE SEARCHING FOR HARMONY INSTEAD OF TEACHING, THEY CAN DIAL INTO C OMMUNIT Y THOUGHT AT STUTCHBURY ’S SANCTUARY IN THE VILL AGE, A FORMER BAPTIST CHURCH NOW USED PRIMARILY AS A YO GA STUDIO.
WHEN DID YOU BEGIN PRACTICING YOGA? My mom took a yoga course when I was three and she was suffering from cabin fever. When she went back to work for a while, her yoga teacher became my baby sitter. She is a little whitehaired old lady in my memory, and we are upside down in plow pose. I played in the poses all my life without really knowing I was doing yoga, and then dipped in and out of classes whenever I could afford it as a young adult. WHY DID YOU BEGIN PRACTICING YOGA? It makes my body feel fantastic all the time. I have tons of energy and I never get sick. I eat mostly organic real foods, but I can also eat whatever I want. I just hate to be in pain it’s worth it to me to do yoga to earn that freedom. WHAT TYPE OF YOGA DO YOU PREFER TO PRACTICE AND TEACH? WHY? I love teaching and practicing hot powerful yoga classes where everyone sweats like mad and works super hard and leaves feeling bright and pure. I also love to teach aging and injured people with a really safe lowkey power version of yoga I call “The Yoga You Need.” It keeps the focus on what makes us feel best and avoids all the more dangerous poses. And I love teaching teachers. Helping other people be good and get gigs is important to me. WHAT ARE SOME COMMON YOGA MISCONCEPTIONS? That everyone can do every pose if they just work hard enough; that American teachers are gurus; that yoga is a religion. It started that way, and it can be and is for some people, but it doesn’t have to be. Yoga is a program for living. It includes
| Interview By Jordan Gass-Poore |
ethics, like most religions, but trying to be a good person isn’t inherently religious. If we are good people, we are always going to be happier, and happiness is the end goal of yoga. Usually it makes them better, happier people. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TEACH YOGA? Love. Pure love. When you are doing what you love your life becomes pretty easy pretty fast. The best part of my day is teaching. WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART ABOUT TEACHING YOGA? Good verbal instructions. Some people look amazing in their poses but can’t tell you what to do in a way that makes sense. When a teacher can explain, in clear and simple language, what to do with your feet, your legs, your butt, your belly, your back, etc., you are more likely to do it right. But this is very hard for lots of teachers. WHAT IS THE YOGA TEACHER CERTIFICATION LIKE, WHAT STEPS? Each weekend we learn a little bit of history, a little bit of anatomy, a little bit of teaching skills and a lot of practice. No one feels overwhelmed and the info can sink in during the week between training. There is not too much homework; I like people to do lots of yoga classes because it takes a few years to really get to know the poses deeply and they do better if they practice their teaching assignments in advance, and they practice different breathing techniques and so on. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TEACHING YOGA AND TEACHING PEOPLE TO TEACH YOGA? To me, teaching yoga is poses and breathing and relaxing and
loving ourselves. Teaching teachers is about making other people good at doing the same thing. “YOGA IS ABOUT ETHICS” – HOW DO YOU APPLY THIS TO YOUR TEACHING PRACTICE AND TO CAMP UTOPIA? To me, it begins with being a good person for real, not just for show. Nobody’s perfect, but we have to keep trying. I practice and teach yoga because I want other people to feel good like me, not because I want to be good at yoga. I want to make the world a better place. WHAT PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF YOGA/ANATOMY DO PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE PRIOR TO PRACTICING YOGA AND TEACHING YOGA? Most people can start practicing with no knowledge at all. For teaching, it’s good to have at least six months of pretty consistent practice because we all fall in love with things that don’t necessarily become our life path. It’s good to know for sure before you jump in. WHO SHOULDN’T PRACTICE YOGA, TEACH YOGA? Anyone can practice. Crazy, mean people should not teach. WHAT MAKES A GOOD YOGA TEACHER? Passion, intelligence, good verbal skills (and) authenticity. IN WHAT WAYS IS YOGA “USEFUL IN LIFE OFF THE YOGA MAT”? In every way. More balance on the mat means more off. We don’t have the same big mood swings and disasters over and over. We make less mistakes. Everything works better because we are paying attention to ourselves.
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“I just wanted to be in business with her,” said April about sister Ashley, who has always been exceptional at mastering artistic endeavors.
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| By Heather Yzaguirre Photos: Andres Sotomayor |
2Tarts’ Serves Up Tangy Treats NEW BRAUNFELS SISTERS CREATE BAKED GOODS WITH PANACHE New Braunfels, home to Schlitterbahn and a slew of festivals, attracts several thousands of visitors each year and generates millions in commerce, making it a pleasant getaway for San Marcos residents in search of something new. When you do make the short drive out to this German heritage town, there’s really only one place to go: the circle. Much like the square in San Marcos, the circle is the center of all things in New Braunfels. Antique shops, wine bars, saloons, and cafes are sprinkled in every direction. And then there’s 2Tarts, a little bakery owned and operated by sisters Ashley (Landerman) and April (Weilbacher) that combines an old-fashioned sense of community with high quality baked goods fusing the traditional and the contemporary. Signature dishes include chocolate bacon cupcakes, pumpkin tiramisu cups and rosemary apple pie, which some consider a blissful piece of art. 2Tarts strives to not only bake goods, but create experiences. Their inventiveness is deeply rooted in the sisters’ artistic backgrounds. Ashley, a self-professed foodie-at-birth, has always been drawn to artistic outlets like cooking and design. April was also drawn to the creative universe, and is unmatched in her know-how of current trends, weddings and local vendors. They opened up shop in New Braunfels in mid-2009, at the height of a grueling reces2tarts.com
sion, after spending years in the food and hospitality business and realizing they not only had the smarts to be successful, but they had niche talents that were lacking in New Braunfels. “I just wanted to be in business with her,” said April about sister Ashley, who has always been exceptional at mastering artistic endeavors. They financed the business old-school, with private investors and a long, slow building process. Their decor reflects that push and pull of perfection, hunting for just the right pieces to fit into their space: hand crafted furniture, refurbished Dairy Queen booths, and blown up photos from their very first photo shoot. As far as Ashley and April are concerned, if you want perfection you can’t divorce amazing taste from good decoration. A large part of their success can be attributed to their deep rooted entrepreneurial mindset and values in upholding tradition, yet they’re not afraid to push the boundaries to create new and edgy items. They sell weekly at the farmer’s market, and a whopping half of their business goes to creating wedding cakes, sometimes as many as three in a single weekend. Austin gets most of the credit for fresh, creative ideas. With a little exploration, you’ll discover they don’t have a monopoly on them. With 2Tarts in New Braunfels, Ashley and April prove it.
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There is also a large outdoor patio with fire pits scattered throughout and a small acoustic stage for live music events.
STATE OF THE ART ENTERTAINMENT COMES TO KYLE EVO TAKES ENTERTAINMENT TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL The EVO cinema’s Dolby Atmos Sound System is the only Atmos auditorium within 60 miles.
“I’ve been working in the movie theater industry for 35 years, and I can promise you, people will flock to come here.” says Tom Lipiec, Vice President of Moving Image Technologies, “Kyle will be on the map for movie goers throughout central Texas and beyond.”
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With EVO the next evolution has arrived- movies, bowling and games all in one location. EVO Entertainment center is a 70,000 square foot Next-Gen hybrid Family Entertainment Center, featuring a cinema, bowling lanes, full scale restaurant and bar, video arcade, event rooms for parties and corporate events, and an outdoor patio with room for live performances. It’s the first of its kind not just in Kyle, but in the central Texas area. The movie theater is run by Texas Cinema, operator of both Showtime and Starplex in San Marcos, which are both in the process of getting a “drafthouse-style makeover”. EVO, though, debuted the new Enhanced Viewing Experience (EVX) auditorium. Screens are 60ft ceiling to floor radius screens (meaning they are slightly curved), producing a more advanced high definition picture. They’re accompanied by plush radius seating to match, giving every seat a perfect viewing angle. It will also be equipped with a Dolby Atmos Sound System, the most modern form of surround sound technology which creates multidimen| By Heather Yzaguirre | Photos Will Bowling |
14 lanes of bowling with V.I.P. parties available
sional sound. Sound comes from all directions, including overhead, to create an immersive experience with remarkable crispness and detail. It could be called the 3-D of sound and EVO is the only auditorium within 60 miles that has one. It also has the latest in 4K technology as well, which is quickly becoming the industry standard with four times the resolution than the current HD format seen on television. A better viewing experience is nearly impossible. “I’ve been working in the movie theater industry for 35 years, and I can promise you, people will flock to come here.” says Tom Lipiec, Vice President of Moving Image Technologies, “Kyle will be on the map for movie goers throughout central Texas and beyond.” EVO’s restaurant features American style food with modern flares. They offer full bar service with 24 beers on tap: classic drafts as well as local favorites. You’re welcome to enjoy your beverage anywhere in the facility including the theaters. There is also a large outdoor patio with fire pits scattered throughout and a small acoustic stage for live music events. The bowling alley has 14 lanes of bowling with V.I.P. parties available for up to six lanes. All lanes
have top of the line LED screens, scoring equipment and modern lighting systems, and are lined with projectors and screens. Disco bowling will be a regular event at the venue, adding a unique alternative to the typical night-out experience for young adults and families. EVO’s video and redemption arcade is 3,500 square feet stacked with all the newest games and redemption capability, which means gamers have cards that rack up points for high-end redeemable items like cell phone cases, purses, even X-Box Ones. All you need is an EVO One Card. The card is used for all activities throughout the venue, from games to food, drinks and movies. Just buy it once and recharge it over and over. Its technology is quite impressive too. You don’t have to swipe or scan them, you can simply stand in front of the game you want to play, and it’s activated at a certain distance. Ownership is currently working on an app that will allow you to recharge these from your phone as well.
EVO One Card. The card is used for all activities throughout the venue, from games to food, drinks and movies. Just buy it once and recharge it over and over. Its technology is quite impressive too. You don’t have to swipe or scan them, you can simply stand in front of the game you want to play, and it’s activated at a certain distance.
It’s been over 50 years since the first multiplex opened. Since then, they’ve grown from two screens to four to six, then up to 20 screens and more. With EVO the next evolution has arrived- movies, bowling and games all in one location. 01.15 | SMTX | BOBCATFA NS 13
THE 15TH YEAR OF THE 21ST CENTURY, 2014, IS ALMOST OFFICIALLY ONE FOR THE BOOKS. Not only has our community made history as the nation’s fastest-growing city, but it seems as if our little nest in the hills of Central Texas has finally begun to hit its stride. Like every year, our editorial staff combed through the calendar from beginning to end for the sake of deciding what really stood out in the ole’ 78666: seven happenings, eight people, six changes, six predictions, six trends
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THE MAN WHO’LL GET YOU A ROOM How one man is changing the San Marcos Hotel Landscape. As a teenager, Vikash (Vic) Patel stayed in the background, helping his dad, a retired hotel developer, with the family business, Vaka Management. The Patel family owns seven hotels in Texas, with properties in Brenham, Palestine and New Braunfels. It wasn’t in Patel’s Master Plan to follow his father into development. He had dreams of designing the developments. He pursued a career in architecture, earning a degree in the field from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001, and wanted to start an architecture firm.
“You know, just read a lot of reports, did a lot of research on my own and then I kind of landed on San Marcos
For a while Patel ran his own homebuilding company, where he designed and developed a 125-unit neighborhood. Then he “lost his shirt on it” and quit, going back to working for a firm where he helped design hotels and resorts. About seven years ago he made the switch back from architect to developer and began to pursue his real passion: hotel development. Patel remembered driving countless hours in his car when not working for a Dallas-based architecture firm, scouting around Texas for the right location to start his hotel business. “I would just get in the car and drive around the state and look for cities that I thought were, like, hot spots for growth and so on,” he said. “You know, just read a lot of reports, did a lot of research on my own and then I kind of landed on San Marcos.” It was love at first sight and there was room to grow. San Marcos became Patel’s “perfect spot” because of its location on the Interstate 35 Corridor and numerous tourism opportunities. “I hit the target,” he said. How to become a hotel developer, in the words of Patel: gather a group of investors, buy land and secure a hotel brand. Voila, Patel’s first San Marcos hotel was built, the 80-room Country Inn and Suites, which opened in April 2009. That’s not to say that Patel didn’t hit any speed bumps.
year. After they made it through that tough year, “I think that kind of hardened us a little bit,” he said. It was a big learning curve. Reaching out to a hotel brand is tough too. Patel said once a developer makes a pitch to a company the company questions their qualifications, experience – they do their own research to find out if the partnership would be a good fit. “Country Inn gave me a shot, you know? Country Inn’s been good to me,” he said. Now he’s parlaying that experience into bigger companies. He said he’s now getting offers from Hampton and Hilton. With every hotel he builds, Patel said he tries to revamp the traditional model. “I don’t just build the kind of cookie cutter, prototypical hotels that brands usually dish out. I kind of change it up a little bit,” he said. For instance, Country Inn and Suites is only required by its parent company to have 10 suites. Patel built 30. Patel’s second San Marcos hotel, Candlewood Suites off Wonder World Drive, stands out because, he said, it’s the first extended-stay hotel in the city and all the rooms have kitchens. He’ll continue to bring down the house with his third San Marcosbased project, a full-service Holiday Inn with a restaurant, bar, catering, room service and convention center that will open on July 1. Once the Holiday Inn opens, Patel said he has two other undisclosed hotels in the pipeline. He is also pursuing two other properties in two different cities and would like to venture into restaurant and retail development. San Marcos, though, is the city he’s financially and emotionally invested in. He built a home here in 2009, his children go to school here and he’s the treasurer of the San Marcos Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “I don’t see myself ever leaving,” he said.
The hotel barely broke even the first | By Jordan Gass-Poore | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
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A JOHN GRISHAM FOR HAYS COUNTY? Once the dust settles in the court room, the real dramatic thriller for one lawyer begins on paper. The Creative Defense
In Billy McNabb’s opinion, trial attorneys are supposed to roll up their sleeves and go to work. Not swing golf clubs or drive around in a Benz—but to be a shield for their client versus the government. “People call it criminal law, but I don’t represent criminals,” McNabb says. “I defend the constitution, the law that says we are innocent until the state can prove our guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It doesn’t matter if we ate it or drank it or smoked it or burned it or forged it or buried it or stole it, that’s the law.” He’s every bit the passionate fellow, yet casual and contained. It shows as our conversation carries on in his office. He leans back in a chair behind his desk, and his deep, business-like voice crescendos when he’s excited, especially when the topic shifts to the film industry. Yes, the film industry. McNabb’s enthusiasm carries beyond his career in the court room. He is also a potentially talented screenwriter when he’s not wearing a suit and tie.
The Creative Process
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As with the lucky few, screenwriting began with beginner’s luck for the small town trial attorney. Several years ago, with no ties to the film industry and absolutely no training, McNabb bought some script writing software on a hunch. From there, with a bit of homework and brainstorming, he began to write. “After watching one too many crummy movies about board games and comic book heroes, I just thought I had some ideas,” he says. At the time, everyday life happened as it often does, leaving McNabb no choice but to put his first screenplay on the shelf until he, the protagonist, could further develop his own
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| By Xander Peters | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
“I defend people. It’s what I do.”
MOVIE SHOT DOWNTOWN There’s a rumor floating around—according to social media and film-buff gossip, a sequel to the 1993 cult classic movie “Dazed and Confused” was filmed on Texas State’s campus this past October. Soon after film director Richard Linklater, who is also popular for writing and directing “Slacker” and “Bernie,” was spotted on campus one Friday afternoon in early fall, media outlets went up like wildfire with theo-ries pertaining to Linklater’s latest project. Some individuals on Twitter claimed they saw actors Matthew McConaughey and Zac Efron on set. While others do not believe the film has anything to do with Linklater’s first cult classic hit at all. What does the Austin-based director actually have up his sleeve, and will he and his film crew make another appearance in the community? We shall see.
PIZZA, PIZZA, PIZZA When thinking about the number of local pizza joints springing up over the past several years, you would assume San Marcos had sprung a pizza pie shortage. However, as the university’s enrollment maintains its steady trickle upwards, the market for late night pie enthusiasts also increases. How much Italian cuisine can our community consume exactly? A lot, obviously. Because the pie doctors keep on coming.
life’s plot. It took awhile but the father of two daughters finally put the finishing touches on his script a little over a year ago. In the late summer of 2013, a few weeks after sending his screenplay to the Austin Film Festival, a phone call came one afternoon. Apparently McNabb’s script had made it to the festival’s semifinals, meaning his entry was one of the top 20 out of over 3,600 scripts. The man from the film festival said it was a big deal and insisted McNabb attend the festival. In recognition of his creative endeavors, he would also receive a full-access pass to the film festival. This was no hoax. Within 24 hours his life had changed for the better. No longer was he purely a criminal defense lawyer in San Marcos; by society’s standards, he was becoming a renaissance man.
The Creative Future?
That was over a year ago. To date, multiple directors and companies have maintained their interest in McNabb’s first script. His presence in the film scene is growing. And he’s still learning how to translate his ideas into proper format for a story, as all writers do. As for life in the court room, it’s just as stressful standing in front of juries as ever. Regardless, constitutional law is McNabb’s first and strongest calling—the same calling that brought the Texas A&M alum from Austin to San Marcos in 1995 for what was supposed to be only a two-year stint. “There’s just too many lawyers and not enough good ones,” he says, laughing at his own joke.
A NEW FAMOUS GRADUATE For too long, Texas State students and alumni have pretty much had only two famous graduates to top the Pride Meter: Lyndon Johnson and George Strait. Paul Goldschmidt has been a nice little addition but won’t reach elite status until he makes the Baseball Hall of Fame. It’s time for someone new. We predict someone from the Bobcat Class of 2015 will be the next to reach the upper echelon of Texas State fame. We don’t know who it is or what they’ll be famous for but they’re in the next graduating class. We can feel it.
Whether he ever writes a blockbuster or no one reads his script, it’s all the same for McNabb. Similar to how he capitalized on his local success as a trial attorney, he’ll see his ideas on paper to fruition. Win or lose. Even if he wins and wins big in the film industry, though, he’ll never stop practicing constitutional law. “I defend people,” McNabb says. “It’s what I do.”
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GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER Meet the area’s newest cardiologist, who hopes to make long drives to Austin or San Antonio a thing of the past for heart patients. For Dr. Anthony Cedrone, it’s all about heart: his own heartfelt feelings concerning his career as a cardiologist, and the beating hearts of his patients. Dr. Cedrone and his wife, who are expecting their first child in December, are two of the most recent additions to San Marcos. Cedrone accepted the position as the first interventional cardiologist at Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC). As a member of the new program, he’s part of a team providing the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and vascular conditions. That means local patients with coronary artery syndromes, or blockages of the heart, will no longer have to drive all the way to Austin or San Antonio. “When people are sick, they can stay close to their family,” he says. “It’s important that as the community grows we’re able to take care of everybody here in town.” That’s part of the vision Cedrone has for how he wants to see interventional cardiology progress at CTMC. Growing up as a second generation Italian-American, Dr. Cedrone learned how to work with his hands early on while tossing pies at his parents’ pizzeria. It was there that he remembers feeling that first sense of responsibility and purpose in terms of a job and helping others.
“I like to help people when they’re at their sickest.”
Neither of his parents were college graduates, though, nor had they earned their high school diplomas—leaving Dr. Cedrone to be the first in his family to receive both, as well as a medical degree from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. “I don’t come from a wealthy family,” he says, smiling. “They did the best they could for me, and I had to find the odd jobs here and there.” “I’m an extremely passionate person about what I do,” the cardiologist says, whether its his careers, his family, or simply playing a game of golf. “I like to help people when they’re at their sickest.”
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| By Xander Peters | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
LBJ CONSTRUCTION (ALMOST) FINISHED After almost two years of hassle-causing construction throughout downtown, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel (although North LBJ Dr. is still looking rather patchy). The square, as well as the surrounding streets around the heart of San Marcos, will finally be easy to navigate again. Long gone will be the days of second-guessing which road you can turn on at an intersection. Welcome back to sanity.
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CITY CONTINUES GOING GREEN It’s no surprise how conscious both the city and its citizens are of our local environment. We predict the community will become even more involved with “going green,” as well as keeping our natural amenities exceptionally clean. That means more emphasis on cleaning up trash left along the river, the possibility of banning free plastic bags at local grocery stores and continuing to urge us all to be good environmental stewards.
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GREEK LIFE ON THE RISE It’s official, the numbers are in—Texas State experienced a record-high sorority registration in fall 2014. It wasn’t just incoming freshman, the university’s largest class to date, contributing to the in population for the Greek community. More upperclassmen rushed this year than ever before. Greek life’s built-in social atmosphere offers a set of familiar faces, as well as the opportunities to make friends (and future networking opportunities) quick and easy.
OUR THRIVING CULTURAL MECCA Attention for being the fastest-growing city nationwide, music festivals like Float Fest coming to town, the new Texas State Performing Arts Center, an expanding foodie culture—the list goes on and on just how much more a diverse, cultural mecca our city becomes every year. The citizens of San Marcos have been saying it for years, too—“This is the place to be.” And finally the rest of the world, is beginning to listen. Why spend the extra money in Austin when you can experience a similar college town aesthetic as the Capitol city in the 1980s for cheaper?
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SMOKE SHOP CLERK HELD UP AND SHOT Crime never seems to fit well with our city. Especially when it happens on a lazy Sunday afternoon. On September 21, 20-year-old Steven Carlos Hernandez walked into the Gotta Habit Smoke Shop on North LBJ Dr, armed with a pistol. From there, after a brief struggle with shop employee, 25-year-old Patrick William Reilly, Hernandez shot the store clerk in the chest and made a mad dash for freedom through the Treehouse Apartments. Several days later, Hernandez was apprehended by authorities and charged with armed robbery, with additional charges expected. Reilly is successfully recovering from the incident.
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STUDENT DIES AT ACL An evening of live music festivities took a quick turn for the worse October 5th when Jessica Hunter, a junior at Texas State, was hospitalized after ingesting what’s been called a bad batch of the designer drug “Molly” during the first weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival. By Wednesday of the next week, Hunter passed away. Both the Bobcat family and the city of San Marcos alike send their deepest condolences to the late student’s family and friends.
MOBILE DEVICE USAGE BANNED IN CARS Smaller urban areas surrounding Austin are seldom far behind when it comes to adopting similar citywide ordinances. On January 1, 2015, an ordinance prohibiting all forms of hand-held cell phone use while driving or bicycling inside Austin’s city limits will go into effect. It figures to be only a matter of time before San Marcos begins to consider a similar policy. For the sake of everyone’s safety, it couldn’t hurt.
CONSTRUCTION BUMMER TRANSITION San Marcos has congested streets, due to closed off lanes, which is due to downtown construction, which is due to necessary public renovations. This is nothing new for the city’s citizens and visitors. Now a different section of the city will have an excuse to voice their complaints once construction on Aquarena gets underway. The repercussions will vary: horns will honk and four-letter words will be yelled from behind the comfort of tinted glass windows. Expect to reap the satisfaction of a city progressively urbanized for an increasing population, as well as the knowledge that the younger generation will benefit far more than you someday.
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PRIDE IN PROGRESS Because of the dedication of one LGBT activist, the gay population of San Marcos received long overdue recognition. After three months of braving difficulties for the sake of bringing their project to life, Silvia Sandoval led the charge in the local debut of Pride, the world’s most renown LGBTQIA celebration. Life for Silvia began in Monterrey, Mexico but her family moved to San Marcos by the time she was four. Thus, this is the place she calls her hometown. While growing up in a traditional Hispanic family, Silvia had her quinceañera here; she met her best friends here; she was married to a man for three years and had a child with him here. She did almost everything she was supposed to do as a member of the local Catholic community. Except come out of the closet. “It was terrifying,” Sandoval admits, nervously cupping her hands at the thought of this unpredictable, scary phase in her life. “I was afraid my friends were going to be disgusted with me, or not want to be a part of my life.” Thinking back, she’ll never forget how her mother slapped her across the face when the truth was finally told: Sandoval is a lesbian. That was the first event in a series leading up to the moment when Sandoval looked over her shoulder on Saturday, September 6th, as a parade of rainbows marched through downtown—it was midway through the city’s inaugural Pride festival. She had done it. The years of trial and tribulation were finally worth it. It took everything she had to contain the happy tears. “I thought it was going to be small—eh—maybe 20 people will show up,” Sandoval says. “But when I turned around and saw the parade, I held my tears from the moment we started walking down.” In addition, there wasn’t one single protester throughout the entire weekend. “I hit a lot of barriers, but it was worth it,” she says, the emotion lumping up in her throat. “San Marcos has always been known for being a Baptist community, with limitations for what we can have here. This was a big step.” And she thinks next year’s celebration can be bigger and better. Still estranged from her mother, Sandoval’s mission as an LGBT activist is simple: to help everybody get somewhere. “My goal is to leave some sort of path for the youth,” she says. “Growing up being bullied because I didn’t know I was gay makes it a big deal for me to push for making a difference for the youth.” 22 BOBCAT FA NS | SMTX | 01.15
“I thought it was going to be small—eh— maybe 20 people will show up. But when I turned around and saw the parade, I held my tears from the moment we started walking down.”
| By Xander Peters | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
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DOWNTOWN NO LONGER AS CONGESTED
THE REGION’S FIRST STAGE 4 DROUGHT Since April 2011, San Marcos and surrounding areas have been under almost continuous pressure due to drought restrictions. But it was not until the summer of 2014, on August 17, that a Stage 4 drought was ever declared by the Edwards Aquifer Authority. Use of sprinklers and handheld hoses were strictly limited and monitored by the police while patrolling neighborhoods. It would be weeks before the community’s cars were properly cleaned again.
Believe it or not, it may be safe to ride your bike in downtown San Marcos again. No more worrying about the lack of bike lanes. No more rough and patchy roads filled to the brim with bumper to bumper traffic, waiting on construction crews to give the go ahead. No more construction (kind of)! It’s about time the city gets back on track—almost literally speaking. Now if we could just figure out how to avoid parking tickets altogether.
HOOKAH BAR OPENINGS Since October 2005, the Stratosphere Lounge on LBJ Drive has held the sole spot as San Marcos’ only hookah bar. That all changed, though, with the move in of not one, but two, new joints to sit back , relax and enjoy a cloud of scented smoke while studying or taking the edge off. Options are nice, however. We’re a fan of options. And hookah bars.
KEYS TRENDS
CHANGES
PREDICTIONS
HAPPENINGS
FIRST GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL September 5-7—It was a long time coming, but thanks to our diverse community’s development, the first ever Gay Pride festival took place throughout downtown San Marcos. Those who made it out witnessed the city’s wave of appropriate recognition for the LGBT community. And perhaps it never would have happened had it not been for the efforts of Silvia Sandoval, coordinator and founder of SMTX Pride. It took years to actually make it happen, but Sandoval finally pulled it all together—including gaining the city’s approval, recruiting sponsors and marketing to the community. The rainbow flags flew for the first time over San Marcos, and it won’t be the last. More 78666 on page 25 of BOBCATFANS
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Chewed & Brewed | MMMM SOUP |
Tor tellini Soup @ Italian Garden Imagine this: Cheesy and delicious tortellini swimming around in a beautifully seasoned, piquant chicken broth, with rustic veggies and tons of flavors bursting in every bite. Now stop imagining and get the reality at the Italian Garden, just south of campus on N. LBJ Dr. This scrumptious soup promises to warm you up on even the chilliest nights. Italian Garden is a great place for your next date night, and it’s also a cozy place to head during your lunch break. 415 N LBJ Dr, San Marcos (512) 392-8730
The Good Grub Guide highlights the dishes and neighborhood favorites in the area’s food scene. They are reviewed and selected by the editorial staff.
| Dish Reviews By Katie Ogletree |
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SMTX | GOOD GRUB GUIDE
Classic Lentil Soup @ Euro Café You’re not alone if you’ve never heard of lentil soup, or know anything of this bowl of love. Euro Café is here to open your eyes to a new flavor sensation that you won’t soon forget. This hearty, heart-warming soup has few ingredients and is quite simple on the surface, but is loaded with complex flavors. It’s a great source of protein, and makes for a meal on chillier days. Pro tip: order it up with a fresh and crisp Greek salad, and the Mediterranean comes alive. 350 N Guadalupe St, San Marcos (512) 392-6044
Jalapeno Broccoli Cheddar Soup @ Deli-Cioso There’s something comforting about a delicious bowl of warm, creamy soup. It’s like a warm hug to your mouth. This bowl of Jalapeno Broccoli Cheddar soup from Deli-Cioso is just that: a nice warm hug, with a bit of a kick. It’s velvety, smooth and filling. With the cooler weather sneaking in, there’s nothing better than a bowl full of this spicy take on a wholesome comfort food classic.
700 N LBJ Dr, San Marcos (512) 667-7272
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KOBE Steakhouse
Japan Latino
Hibachi grill for Steaks and Seafood, terrific sushi, happy hour and Asian cuisine all in one! KOBE serves up any combination you’re craving. Lunch and dinner daily.
Those choosing not to judge a book by its cover enjoy some of the best tasting sushi Hays County has to offer. Don’t know what to order? May we suggest the off-menu Sunshine Roll. YUMMY!
515 Springtown Way, San Marcos (512) 396-7200
Kent Black’s Barbecue Named the Best New Restaurant in 2014, Kent Black’s Barbecue opened in September. With nearly a century of family BBQ tradition under their belts (see their Lockhart location), the new San Marcos smokers have gotten a huge working, churning out absolutely delicious, tender and mouth-watering delectable meat every single day. Lunch and dinner daily.
1328 N IH35, San Marcos (512) 878-1455
Italian Garden With just a short walk from campus, this little restaurant has become a local staple. They’re serving up consistently delicious dishes that are easy on the pocketbook. Lunch and dinner daily. 415 North LBJ Drive, San Marcos (512) 392-8730
500 Hull St, San Marcos (512) 878-0795
Gill’s Fried Chicken
The Root Cellar
A San Marcos original, Gill’s serves up crisp, golden, and super juicy fried chicken. While you’re there, sink your teeth into the southern staple: fried okra. It truly is something to rave about. Lunch and dinner daily.
Root Cellar Cafe is proud to be a part of San Marcos culture. Opening its doors for business in February 2005, they strive to create a great experience for their customer, whether you are touring the city, preparing for a hard day’s work, or taking a break from your typical day.
2550 Hunter Rd, #1112, San Marcos (512) 353-3113
215 N LBJ, San Marcos (512) 392-5158
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SMTX | GOOD GRUB GUIDE
Grins Grins is a true San Marcos icon that continues to be enjoyed by several generations of students and locals. Head on over and order a juicy burger or mouth-watering chicken fried steak. Don’t forget to grab a frosty margarita and dine on their outdoor patio. Lunch and dinner daily. 802 N LBJ, San Marcos (512) 392-4746
Vodka Street Conveniently located on The Square, this classic bistro and bar serves up amazing tapas, burgers, and Sunday brunch. The food is beautifully presented and along side the more elevated and inventive dishes, they serve up old-fashioned favorites. Dinner daily. Sunday brunch. 202 North LBJ Drive, San Marcos (512) 396-4260
Louie’s Oyster House
Crawfish Bisque @ Louie’s Oyster House & Beer Garden Does cooler weather make you miss the heat of the summer and the buttery, sweet and delicious taste of crawfish? You’re not the only one. The folks at Louie’s Oyster House have something just for you. Find yourself a seat, and order a bowl of their creamy crawfish bisque. Delectable. It truly captures the flavor of the sea and the summer! You’ll think it’s time to get out on the river for your next tubing adventure.
119 E Hutchison, San Marcos
Serving up oysters on a half shell and fresh seafood with sides that are just as scrumptious. The street tacos satisfy diners who like the taste of beef as well as fish. Lunch and dinner daily. 119 E. Hutchison Street, San Marcos (512) 878-8862
(512) 878-8862
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Contents | DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015 |
24
22
BOBCATFANS
SMTX
8. HAPPENINGS
06. COBBLERY
10. WATER SKIING
08. YOGA CRAZY
12. HAPPY HOUR
10. 2TARTS
14. RIDE ME
12. EVO-LUTION
16. BACK STAGE
14. 78666 YEAR IN REVIEW
18. COCKTAILS
27. SOUP DU JOUR
20. BALLER
10
COVERS BOBCATFANS Photo by Ashley Haguewood SMTX Photo by Ashley Haguewood
22. WINTER FASHION 24. 78666 YEAR IN REVIEW
bobcatfans.com 6
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@bobcatfans
bobcatfans
smtxmagazine.com
@smtxmag
smtxmagazine
PUBLISHER Rick Koch
ART DIRECTOR Will Bowling
PHOTO EDITOR Ashley Haguewood
COPY EDITOR Pam Bowen
FOOD EDITOR Katie Ogletree
DEVELOPMENT Steve Huskey
CONTRIBUTORS Steve Helsing Xander Peters Tiffany Matthews Jordan Gass-Poore Brodie Corinth Heather Yzaguirre Andres Sotomayor Luciano Guerra
ADVERTISING 512.619.0494 bobcatfans.com/advertise
FEEDBACK smtxmagazine@gmail.com bobcatfans@gmail.com
Copyright 2014, BOBCATFANS LLC 139 E. Hopkins Suite B San Marcos, TX 78666 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited. SMTX | BOBCATFANS Magazine is not affiliated with Texas State University.
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Events & Happenings | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2014 -15|
Sights and Sounds of Christmas December 3-6 For more than 25 years, Sights and Sounds of Christmas has helped San Marcans ring in the holidays. This four-day event includes a carnival, local vendors that sell food, arts and crafts, pictures with Santa and entertainment by area schools and musicians.
Wednesday - Saturday, Dec 3 - 6 @Park Plaza 206 N. C.M. Allen Pkwy, San Marcos
Blue Santa Toy Drive
VocaLibre
“The Nutcracker” Ballet
Through December 12
December 5
December 6 and 8
The San Marcos Police Department is accepting donations of money and new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 12 for its annual Blue Santa Toy Drive. Toy donations may be delivered to the San Marcos Police Department or any of the various businesses hosting Blue Santa Donation Barrels. Monetary donations are also welcome.
The Texas State University singing group, VocaLibre, will sing in the holiday season with various music genres from 7:30-9 p.m. Dec. 5 in the Performing Arts Center.
The local River City Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” with accompaniment by SMART Orchestra in the San Marcos High School Performing Arts Center.
Friday, December 12 @ San Marcos Police Department 2300 S Interstate 35, San Marcos
“The Nutcracker” December 4 Texas State University’s Jazz Ensemble will present Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in Evans Auditorium. Admission tickets can be purchased in advance on the Texas State Presents website or at the door.
Thursday, Dec 4 @ 7:30 p.m.– 9:30 p.m. @ Evan Auditorium 601 University Dr, San Marcos
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Friday, December 5 @VocaLibre 601 University Dr, San Marcos
“To Kill a Mockingbird” Through December 6 Harper Lee’s classic “To Kill a Mockingbird” comes to life on stage at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at The Price Center through the first weekend in December. Tickets are available online (http://leecoleestudios.com) or by phone at 512-847-7934. Funds will also benefit The Price Center.
Through Saturday, Dec 6 @ The Price Center 222 W. San Antonio St, San Marcos
Saturday and Monday, Dec 6 and 8 2 p.m. @SMHS Performing Arts Center 2601 E. McCarty Ln, San Marcos
Jingle Bell 5K and 1K Kids Fun Run December 6 The annual Sights & Sounds of Christmas Jingle Bell run will take participants through downtown and historic San Marcos. The race will begin and end at San Marcos Plaza Park.
Saturday, December 6 @ 9 a.m. @ Plaza Park 206 N. C.M. Allen Pkwy, San Marcos
The Price Center Christmas Banquet
Central Texas Environmental Summit
Cookies and Cocoa at the Courthouse
Christmas Crafts
December 8
December 8
December 11
The Price Center will host its annual Christmas banquet at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8. San Marcan Terri Hendrix and Grammy Award-winning musician Lloyd Maines will provide entertainment. Reservations must be made by Dec. 4 at 512-392-2900. Tickets cost $22 and will benefit The Price Center.
The annual Central Texas Environmental Summit, cosponsored by State Sen. Kirk Watson, District 14 and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, will take place from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center. The summit, whose mission is to provide people with the opportunity to work together to solve environmental challenges in the community, will include presentations on environmental topics that affect Central Texas, exhibits and talks with experts from local and state agencies. Attendance is free, but registration is required at www.tceq.texas.gov
San Marcos’ Main Street Program and the Parks and Recreation Department will host the inaugural Cookies and Cocoa at the Courthouse from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11. This free event includes cookies, cocoa, popcorn and a screening of the movie “Elf ” on the Historic Hays County Courthouse lawn. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs.
Before the Christmas decorations come down, head over to the San Marcos Public Library Dec. 27 and 28 to create a “Make and Take” thank you card.
Monday, Dec 8 @ 5:30 p.m. @ The Price Center 222 W. San Antonio St, San Marcos
Hill Country Chorus December 8 Texas State University’s School of Music Community Outreach Program presents Hill Country Chorus from 6-7 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. This program is one of three the school offers to help provide music instruction and activities for children in the San Marcos area. Monday, Dec 8 @ 6 p.m.– 7 p.m.
@ TXST Performing Arts Center 601 University Dr , San Marcos
Monday, Dec 8 @Bastrop Convention Center 1408 Chestnut St, Bastrop
Thursday, Dec 11 6 p.m.– 8 p.m. @ Downtown Square 111 E. San Antonio St, San Marcos
Holiday Movies December 22 The San Marcos Public Library will screen a selection of short holiday movies for people of all ages from 10 a.m. until noon Dec. 22. Children must be supervised by a parent or legal guardian.
December 27–28
Saturday and Sunday, Dec 27–28 @ Public Library 625 E. Hopkins St, San Marcos
Bluegrass Night Ongoing Bluegrass Night is a Tantra Coffee House favorite. Local bluegrass artists pick a fiddle, banjo or other acoustic stringed instruments on the outdoor stage every Wednesday, weather depending.
Wednesdays 9:30 p.m. @ Tantra_Coffee 217 W. Hopkins St, San Marcos
Monday, Dec 22 10 a.m.– noon @ Public Library 625 E. Hopkins St, San Marcos
Natural Areas Cleanup Ongoing The San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance helps cleanup local natural areas from 7-8:30 a.m. Thursdays at various locations, weather depending. The mission of this organization is to “create and conserve an interconnected system of parks and natural areas” for the community and future generations. Tools and bug repellent are provided, but the required gloves, hard shoes and eye wear aren’t. A water bottle, long pants, and hat are recommended. For more information, contact alliance@smgreenbelt.org to receive up-to-date locations, directions and cancellations.
Thursdays 7 a.m.– 8:30 a.m. @ SMGreenbelt.org Various Locations
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BO BCATFAN S | ATHLETES
GR AC E KEL M Walking On Water ”It’s not good to be afraid to jump while waterskiing,” warned Grace Kelm. She would know. The president of the Texas State Water Ski Sports Club remembered when she was a kid and scraped the back of one of her ears with her ski while trying to complete a trick move. THROUGH FIRE AND WATER This injury didn’t deter Kelm, a Texas State accounting junior, from practicing surface tricks the summer before her junior year of high school, but she did flip out.
A FAMILY AFFAIR Kelm has been waterskiing with her family since she was seven and began competing when she was 11. Her dad water-skied in college and, according to Kelm, he has been “obsessed with it ever since.” She and her younger brother have some big skis to fill, but they’re proving their salt through various American Water Ski Association and National Collegiate Water Ski Association competitions. The latter organization Kelm competes in as a member of the Texas State Water Ski Sports Club. That’s just skimming the surface of the Kelms’ water ski history and involvement, though.
Water Ski Sports Club practices. It made for an easy transition for Kelm when she joined the club her freshman year at Texas State, where she helps others learn how to water-ski.
Profiles
LEARNING TOGETHER Prospective members that may feel as though they’re a fish out of water need not fear, she said: there are no requirements to join the club. “I will teach you,” Kelm stated with confidence. The 15-20 member club has its own equipment, she said, including a boat and life jackets, which is good for everyone, but especially for those who can’t or don’t swim well. There are no coaches. Members teach each other during practices, Kelm said. “It’s just a bunch of friends hanging out on a lake,” she said. “… It’s pretty much just a family.”
LIKE A DUCK TO WATER Besides her brother being “super good now” (she hopes he’ll attend Texas State next year), he’s also an AWSA assistant judge. Her mom’s also an official water ski competition scorer, although she doesn’t ski, and her dad’s now a “super high up there” senior judge and registered safety officer. This man-made lake was developed by the same company that created the San Marcos River Ranch where the Texas State
Year: Junior Studying: Accounting Hometown: Houston
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| By Jordan Gass-Poore | Photo Ashley Haguewood |
| SMTX| |Photo | By Jordan Gass-Poore EricNSMorales | 11 12.14 BOBCATFA
Happy Hour Specials | DECEMBER 2014 |
VODKA STREET Vodka Street marries a tasty fusion of old favorites like the Philly cheesesteak with new world flavors that make it pop. Eat here and enjoy the original walls and turn of the century copper ceiling with abstract modern art.
MUST TRYS mimosa & bloody mary
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202 N LBJ Dr. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 396-4260 | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
RESTAURANTS LOUIE’S BEER GARDEN
BOBCAT NATION
$.50 Chips & Salsa $2 Wells & Domestics Daily @ 3pm – 6pm 700 N LBJ (512) 667-6393
$3.99 Street Tacos $1.50 Ritas (All Day) $2 Domestic Bottles $2.50 Wells $3 Infused Liquors Daily @ 3pm – 7pm 119 E. Hutchison St. (512) 878-8862
CHIMYS CERVECERIA $2 Ziegen & Cans $3 Fireball $3 Cuervo $4 Special Shots Everyday Specials 217 E Hopkins (512) 216-6175
SEAN PATRICK’S
$3 Off Select Appetizers $1 Off ALL 100 Drafts $1 Off Specialty Drinks $3 Off All Pitchers Mon-Fri @ 3pm - 7pm 202 E. San Antonio St. (512) 392-7310
GRINS
$.99 Margaritas $5 Baby Beer Buckets Mon-Th @ 2pm - 10pm 802 N. LBJ Dr. (512) 392-4746
GUMBY’S
VODKA ST.
$1.50 Ziegenbock (All Day) $4.20 Ziegenbock Pitchers Mon-Wed @ 9pm-11pm 403 N. Guadalupe St. (512) 754-8629
Half Price Appetizers $3 Wells, $1 Off Drafts Mon-Fri @ 3pm - 7pm 202 N LBJ Dr. (512) 396-4260
BARS BLACK RABBIT SALOON SHADE ROOFTOP $2.50 Pints PATIO BAR Every Monday 127 E. Hopkins St (512) 667-6313
BARFISH LOUNGE $2 U Call It’s Every Tuesday 141 E. Hopkins (512) 558-7399
HARPER’S PUB
$2.50 Wells $2.50 Dom Bottles Daily @ 3pm – 7pm 139 E. Hopkins St. (512) 878-2448
$1 Off All Liquor $2 Off Craft Cocktails Daily @ 5pm – 9pm 127 E. Hopkins St (512) 667-6313
TAXI’S PIANO BAR
Various Daily Specials Mon-Fri @ 6pm - 8pm
202 N. LBJ Dr. (512) 392-3031
TRIPLE CROWN
$1.75 Shiner & XX $2.50 Big Bark & Guinness $1.75 Wells
Mon-Fri @ 5pm - 8pm
206 N. Edward Gary St. (512) 396-2236
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BO BCATFAN S | GET TING AROUND
N e e d A Lyf t? I MUS-STACH YOU FOR A RIDE Alternative to Cabs Begins Service in San Marcos. But besides the large pink mustaches on the front of all Lyft cars, the difference between this ridesharing service and a taxi company is the overall experience: Lyft drivers are groomed to be hipsters, someone a passenger can fist bump and call “man,” regardless of gender.
Lyft got a lift from the Austin City Council recently. They got the City Council green light in October to operate legally in Austin following reports of company drivers being ticketed and having their vehicles impounded shortly after they first entered the Austin market on May 29.
The process for getting a Lyft ride has also gotten a facelift. You don’t have to hail or call a cab with Lyft. Instead, you download the Lyft app on your smartphone, type in your debit/credit card information and book a ride. You can even track your driver’s ETA on the app and see their photo and that of their car.
Mary Caroline, Lyft spokeswoman, said the company was intrigued by Austin, “an open, dynamic city that lives and breathes” the company’s “community-first” culture. After hearing the Austin community’s overwhelming calls for more transportation options, “Lyft launched to provide convenient, safe, and affordable rides for everyone,” Caroline said. This support prompted Lyft to expand its coverage area about two months ago to Lockhart, Round Rock, Lakeway, Kyle and San Marcos. Let’s say you’re on Sixth Street in Austin and need a ride back to San Marcos. A ride in one of Lyft’s post-pubescent cars will cost about $65 one way. No word from San Marcos’ Aloha Taxi on what Lyft’s move to the city means for their company or for the taxi industry in general.
Here’s a line-by-line fare breakdown
(information from Lyft’s website)
Trust & Safety Fee $1.50 Base Charge
$1.35
Cancel Penalty
$5.00
Cost Minimum
$5.00
Cost Per Mile
$1.70
Cost Per Minute
$0.27
lyft.com 14 BOBCAT FA NS | SMTX | 12.14
If you’re interested in making money rather than spending it on a ride, you can apply to be a Lyft driver in the Austin area, as long as you’re at least 21, own a 2000 or newer fourdoor car and can pass a background and DMV records check. The company’s “peer-to-peer” platform makes drivers independent contractors. Lyft’s website estimates an Austin-based driver can make $800 a week (40 hours). Drivers get 80% from each ride. But they also are responsible for maintaining their vehicle – and providing their own gas. The ridesharing company, however, provides drivers with additional car insurance.
@lyft
| By Jordan Gass-Poore |
lyft
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BO BCATFAN S | BACKSTAGE
C h i lli n ’ To T h e Top San Marcos Indie Scene relates to The Refrains Newly formed and on the rise, The Refrains are a fourpiece band based in San Marcos. All from central Texas, they have been together for only six months but they already have shows booked all over SMTX and South Austin. They currently have 5 songs available on their Soundcloud for your listening pleasure, and are fresh out of a studio session with Sons Of Our Fathers’ Dave Beck, with another six songs on the way in January.
his process. “I feel like when I’m down or energetic or jazzed, that feeling resonates in the town as well. We’re so strongly connected by circumstance, our vibes just meld.” The interesting part of their music is the way their sound so closely matches the tone of the lyrics they sing; it’s as if you don’t even really need to hear what the lyrics say to comprehend the emotional ride they’re taking you on musically. They meld into each other perfectly.
Their music features light and airy harmonies that you quickly find yourself tapping your foot and bobbing your head to, especially if you’re watching them live. They’re a lyric driven band, though, dealing with a wide variety of universal problems and solutions. Frontman Lindsey James, originally from Austin, talks about the climate of camaraderie in San Marcos and how it’s affected
From their lyrics to their music, The Refrains are all about simplicity. All the feelings in the world are condensed into a handful of ones we all relate to: Love, angst, happiness and sadness. Their problem-solving method is to make music, and our ability to relate to them lets us go through that same process. And, in the end after every song, everything seems to feel a little better. Listen Now
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Therefrainsmusic
| By Heather Yzaguirre | Photo Ashley Haguewood |
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| Words & Photos Eric Morales |
STM
cocktails Cocktails Make your next happy hour the happiest hour of the day with some of San Marcos’ best destinations for great drinks and awesome prices. So when you call it quits with classes or pack up at the office for the day, head out on to town and get your night kicked off on the right foot with some seriously delicious cocktails from around the city. Plus, we’ve got a tip on where to get the most delicious boozy shake on planet earth. That’s right. Let your inner child do a song and dance, because this creamy concoction is something to celebrate.
PALMER’S RESTAURANT & BAR BLACK RABBIT SALOON
127 E Hopkins San Marcos, Texas (512) 667-6313
With the largest selection of premium oak barrel aged spirits in San Marcos, whiskey lovers need not go anywhere else than Black Rabbit. Join the Whiskey Club and sample special spirits from as far away as Japan. Their Old Fashioned is made with Buffalo Trace Whiskey, muddled with care and poured over a large artisan ice cube. It is the best in town. 18 BOBCAT FA NS | SMTX | 12.14
218 Moore St San Marcos, Texas (512) 353-3500
If something slightly sweet yet comforting, and warm makes your mouth pucker and salivate at the end of a long, hard day, then head to Palmer’s Restaurant and Bar for their Sidecar. With a combination of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Cointreau, lemon juice and simple syrup, you really can’t go wrong. It’s a refreshing twist on an Old Fashioned, and designed to kick your evening off on the right foot.
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TAXI’S PIANO BAR 202 N LBJ Dr. San Marcos, Texas (512) 392-3031
Taxi’s Deep Eddy’s Sparkling Cranberry Madras is something special, folks. A mix of Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka, orange juice, and lemon-lime soda simply makes magic in the mouth. It’s a mix of tart and sweet, and the delicious splash of fruit is boldly invigorating. It’s the right drink for a weary mind after a long day, so uplift your spirits and your taste buds with one of these bright and slightly-fruity but perfectly balanced cocktails.
BOBCAT NATION SPORTS BAR & GRILL
700 N LBJ Suite 109 San Marcos, Texas (512) 667-6393
The Frantini: Sometimes you just want to spice up your life a little bit. Sometimes a cranberry-vodka just isn’t exciting enough for your happy hour celebration. But you don’t want to go too crazy and try something completely new and different. That’s where Bobcat Nation’s “Frantini” comes in to play. The drink named for the Texas State Bobcat Football coach, the “Frantini” is a top-shelf mix of Grey Goose Vodka, club soda and cranberry juice. Lift your spirits and get the party started with the clean, refreshing and tart “Frantini.” 12.14 | SMTX | BOBCATFA NS 19
BO BCATFAN S | STILL BALLIN’
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WATCH TONY BISHOP & THE RGV VIPERS VS. THE AUSTIN SPURS AT CEDAR PARK CENTER
DEC. 21 @ 5 PM JAN. 3 @ 7 PM
to playing two seasons overseas and then signing with the Vipers last year. The 6-foot-7, 220 pound forward believes that his two seasons as a Bobcat has made his transition to the Rio Grande Valley and the Vipers much easier.
Hoop D r e am s Former Bobcat and now NBA D-League Star hopes to Rocket to Houston. Former Texas State Bobcat standout Tony Bishop is so close to achieving his dream of signing with an NBA franchise that he can almost taste it. In his second season as a member of the NBA Development League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers, an affiliate of the Houston Rockets, Bishop has made his presence felt on the court at State Farm Arena in the border town of Hidalgo, Texas and is optimistic about his chances of joining the many former Vipers already in the NBA. Having chosen Texas State over other schools that recruited him like Cleveland State, SMU, Stephen F. Austin, Northern Arizona and Morehead State, the Garland, Texas native played his junior and senior seasons with the Bobcats from 2009 to 2011 prior 20 BOBCAT FA NS | SMTX | 12.14
“Having played at Texas State, where a lot of the students are from the Valley, a lot of Vipers’ fans remember me,” shared Bishop. “They have made me feel very welcome here in the Valley and I love the environment here.” If Bishop’s dream of making an NBA roster is going to become a reality, it won’t necessarily be with the Rockets. “The Rockets have first dibs on us,” explained Bishop. “They see us in practice and they see pretty much all of our games so they have first dibs to call us up if they like us but other teams can call us up as well.” As for which of his former Vipers’ teammates have already made the jump into the NBA Bishop said, “Troy Daniels (Rockets), Isaiah Canaan (Rockets), James Johnson (Grizzlies), Chris Johnson (Celtics), Robert Covington (76ers) and Earl Clark (Lakers) are all former teammates of mine who are now in the NBA. There are quite a few players really.”
| Words & Photos By Luciano Guerra |
VITAL STATISTICS In his senior year at Texas State (201011) Bishop served as a team co-captain and was named to the men’s All-Southland Conference team.
He was the only player in the league to rank in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots.
Bishop currently ranks fifth all-time at Texas State in career blocks.
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WINT E R TO NE W Y E A R
FASHION
A s i t g o e s , N e w Ye a r, N e w Yo u , and Janu ar y is f ina l ly t he t ime Te x a n s g e t t o d r e s s i n s e a s o n a l l y appropriate attire. Bring in the new year with bold solids accented with subtle bling and patterned inf inity s car ves. Howe ver monochrome separates are definitely the pieces to fill your w a r d r o b e t h i s w i n t e r. H i g h - w a i s t ed acid washed jeans paired with pumps make for a nice casual elegance.
Color blocked Maxi Dress in black & emerald $39.90 Belt in black and gold $19.90 Sparkly Holiday necklace in forest green $24.90
3/4 sleeve cotton tunic in green $39.90 Multi knit infinity scarf in pink and grey $29.90 Circle pendant necklace in black and gold $19.90
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Boyfriend Blazer in Rose Dust $39.90 High-waisted acid washed distressed jeans $39.90 Cropped Camisole top in Cranberry $34.90 Suede platform pumps in Mauve $29.90
| Clothing courtesy Langford Market | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
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“Don’t be afraid to make a move through the fear alone.”
ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES Think your life is tough? Try going through almost 200 surgeries in eight years. David Cosner is the living embodiment of perseverance. He was a varsity athlete, healthy, and dealing with the same growing pains any typical teenager would. Who could have predicted that life for David Cosner would come to change so drastically with the onset of a runny nose?
The Diagnosis Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG), a disease that weakens the pulmonary system and organs, causing the body’s immune system to gradually deteriorate—that was the diagnosis the doctor gave Cosner’s mother over the phone one afternoon. Sitting on the stairs inside their family’s suburban home in Austin, only feet away from where his mother’s voice was fading to tears, Cosner’s mind began to race. What is it? Is it a happy cry?
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A runny nose had escalated into a bloody one, as did his chronic cough. His gums turned black, blood appeared instead of tears, and an alarming amount of weight continued to drop from the varsity lacrosse player’s 6’3” frame. On September 20, 2006, after months of misdiagnosis and the unknown, what had been slowly killing David Cosner finally had a name: WG. In his case, the systematic disorder was attacking his lungs. It was Cosner’s 17th birthday.
The Process That was eight years ago. Since then there have been five rounds of chemotherapy; two medically induced comas; learning to walk again twice; and 188 lung surgeries, including a procedure that required the removal of two-thirds of his right lung in 2010. Looking back to a time when stairs didn’t leave him winded—“to what is normal”—is tough, Cosner admits, as he coughs into his end of the phone line. Our interview was originally set for early November, but the doctors insisted on Cosner coming in for yet another minor surgery—what would become his 189th. Now the in-and-out of the hospital routine has boiled down to nothing more than a mental chess game for the now 25-yearold Cosner. He’s a realist, and he’s just not one to play the “What if?” game, he says. “You’re constantly worried about things that haven’t even happened.” Although the latest question concerning the future of his health still stands: How many times can you stretch a rubber band before it breaks? Just weeks prior to our conversation, Cosner’s doctor presented his case at the CHEST Conference in Austin, a gathering of the world’s best pulmonologists and lungsurgeons. With the numbers of minor surgeries steadily increasing, the doctors can’t be quite sure how much longer his lungs will hold up, which brings the professionals to the latest option, a [CK] heart-lung transplantation—the last resort. | By Xander Peters | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
“Pretty much the biggest surgery known to man,” as well as the transplant procedure with the lowest survival rate, Cosner says. That’s the debate at hand right now: How much more strain can the minor surgeries put on his lungs? When is the right time to pull the trigger? The precision required for Cosner to be strong enough to survive a significant surgery, yet be sick enough for the surgery to happen?
The Living-With On the good days, you’ll find David Cosner fishing. In 2010 he founded the Bass Cats Fishing Club at Texas State. He and his partner, Jay McCollum, competed all the way up to the national level during the club’s inaugural year, earning a second place finish behind the University of Florida while fishing with an IV in his arm and enough antibiotic treatments to last the week. To top it off, Cosner was only months removed from coming out of his second induced coma. The duo lost the final weigh-in by nine ounces. Cosner and McCollum had almost done it. Almost. “Don’t be afraid to make a move through the fear alone,” Cosner says. “Really open your eyes and experience everything you can.” “Because no one ever knows, you could back out of your driveway and get hit by a gravel truck one morning and boom, it’s done,” he says. “It’s over.”
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“I don’t have a lot of info, but I’ve been told by several people that come in who have either lived there or partied in that house, stories go on and on and on,”
A CUP OF JO The house that may have formerly been the telephone exchange switchboard for San Marcos at the turn of the 20th century has returned as the talk of the town. “I don’t have a lot of info, but I’ve been told by several people that come in who have either lived there or partied in that house, stories go on and on and on,” said Liz Rios about the small wooden house with distinct rock trim that houses her newest business venture. Jo’s Café, at 310 Mary St., has revitalized this unique structure with a full-service espresso and coffee bar, along with a kitchen lovingly run by co-owner Leah Molina. It’s a place that maintains its history while allowing people to spend hours inside its walls to create their own. It took a year and a lot of work for the café’s doors to open, according to Rios. She’s owned Jo on the Go for 15 years and a second location that recently closed after five years off Wonder World. Since the beginning of the New Yorker’s foray into coffee there have been plans to open something else. What that something else was going to be, well, that may have been easier to decide
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than what that something else was going to be called. Originally, Jo’s Café was going to be called Cosmo’s Café after Rios and Molina’s young son. The couple, however, has an older son, Max, whom they didn’t want to exclude. “We didn’t kind of want to put the boys in between it,” said Rios. “Then Cosmo would have to grow up with, ‘Ya, that’s my café. Ya, ya, those are my two moms,’ things like that, and we didn’t want to put the pressure on him. And we didn’t want to leave Max out, so we decided not to go that route.” A lot of names came into play, she said, but people know Jo on the Go. So, Rios and Molina rolled with it. Jo’s Café now rolls out the popular breakfast tacos and baked goods also sold at Jo on the Go. Create-yourown tacos, paninis and other sandwiches are sold exclusively at the café. Rios said the café is an opportunity to provide more food options for the San Marcos community and help residents develop their palate for bagless food. As San Marcos grows and changes, Rios and Molina will continue to stay grounded – while grinding a mean cup of jo.
| By Jordan Gass-Poore | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
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“My future’s coaching. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
BOBCATS SOFTBALL LANDS THE BIG CAT Move over, Boko. There just may be a bigger Cat than you in town these days. Life On the Diamond Twenty years later, she is a sports hero—the first women’s softball player to make two appearances on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Little girls from all over the country dreamed of growing up to be the next left-handed Cat Osterman.
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| By Xander Peters | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
The hero worship is well deserved. In summer 2001, Osterman was invited to join USA Softball’s national team after graduating from Cypress Springs High School as the Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year. As a University of Texas Longhorn from 2002-2006, she was a four-time collegiate All-American, three-time USA Softball Player of the Year, and still holds almost every Longhorn pitching record, as well as several Big 12 Conference records. Professionally, Osterman was the youngest member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic softball team in 2004 and a member of the silver medal team in 2008. Now the Texas Sports Hall of Fame member has a chance to make more headlines in San Marcos. This past May, following her third season as an assistant coach at St. Edwards University, she received a call from Texas State Head Coach Ricci Woodard. The Bobcats needed a pitching coach and Osterman was just the (wo)man for the job. “(Coach Woodard) knows what she’s doing. I’m just here to take the pitchers off of her hands and let her run the program,” Osterman said. She continued by explaining how a majority of softball teams’ success centers around their pitching staff. “I can’t say we’re going to the (Women’s College) World Series in the next two years, but we have the potential to be a team who can contend in the postseason if everything falls into place right.” At 31-years-old, the move back to coaching at a Division I program is a permanent decision. She says, “My future’s coaching. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do.” In 1998—before the magazine covers, the Player of the Year awards, the Olympic medals—four years after Osterman’s first pitching lesson, softball had officially taken over the then 15-year-old’s life. The sport would go on to be much more than just her summertime passion: it gave her opportunities to see the world and a chance to represent the United States atop the world’s highest athletic podium. “Softball’s been my life since I was 11. It’s just always been kind of the only thing I’ve ever known,” Osterman said. “For me, it’s what I’ve always done and what I’ll always love to do.”
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COMEDY SCENE GROWS Everyone likes to have a laugh, a fact we concluded after watching the local comedy scene mature over the past year. Taxi’s Piano Bar, Back Alley Comedy Lounge, Corridor Comedy Club—there’s finally options for nightlife entertainment around San Marcos these days besides getting boozed up atop a bar stool. This comes as no surprise, considering our community’s all around good nature. San Marcos was a comedian-friendly environment waiting to happen.
OUR OWN ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE? With potential clientele flocking to Austin or New Braunfels for their cinema experience at places like Alamo Drafthouse, we would like to see the Texas Cinema Corp.’s overhaul towards a similar setup become a local success. Located a block from Texas State’s campus, the company plans to renovate their tiny downtown movie theater to include a physical upgrade and a beer, wine and casual dining menu. Their application has already been approved by the planning commission, and should be up and running sometime in the near future.
PARKING BACKWARDS ON LBJ If you think long enough, it just makes more sense: parking backwards on LBJ. It’s more efficient, considering how much time and minor traffic halts it will save in the end. Move over SoCo District in Austin, because LBJ may have it all figured out.. Now comes the real test—can the people of our community master the skill of actually using their mirrors to back into a spot? Only time, and the number of fender benders in the near future, will tell.
HAPPENINGS
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MAJOR CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS Anyone who’s spent any time on campus lately can tell you that campus renovation and construction projects are not anything out of the ordinary. Renovation and construction represents change, nonetheless. While Texas State’s student body continues to grow, so do the amenities containing it, including a jazzed up roof for Old Main and an increasing amount of arm room for various departments.
BOBCAT FOOTBALL GOES BOWLING In 2013, Texas State qualified for a bowl game but didn’t get an invite. The jury’s still out as of press time for the 2014 season. So let’s go out on a limb. In 2015, the Bobcats will win the Sunbelt Conference and go to the New Orleans Bowl. They’ll follow it up with an undefeated 2016 season, uproar over not being in the 4-team BCS playoffs, a Heisman Trophy for Tyler Jones and a student body asking alumni, “Barrick Who?”
“If it weren’t for me catching that very first tag as a kid, then I would have never gotten the bug to want to paint like I do now
SCOOTERS Why drive a Civic when you can ride a Ruckus? The evolution of twowheels has continued throughout 2014, gathering popularity for an exceptional mode of transportation—scooters. While the hills may be a little bit too much to bear for 50cc engines, more and more locals have converted to sporting scooters. Perhaps this year’s “Trend” will open up a market for leather gloves and mini-ramps?
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For almost 30 years, the 43-year-old Perez has relied on spray paint and public places for his artistic medium. Like many other youth in 1980’s urban San Antonio, break dancing and skateboarding was how he was first introduced to the underground art scene. Young, reckless, and defiant of their illegal right as graffiti writers, Perez and his friends laid the early stylistic framework for their alternative art on whatever surface that made itself available. Time flies when you’re feeling young and invincible. Eventually Perez would mature beyond illegally painting walls, just as the Graffiti Culture has continued to grow. “If it weren’t for me catching that very first tag as a kid, then I would have never gotten the bug to want to paint like I do now,” he says. “As you get better, you just stop spending time going out and catching tags.” “People, when they see the walls that we’re doing, think we’re possibly the kids who are out catching a tag around town,” Perez says, citing works he and other artists have done around town, such as the “Alice in Wonderland” mural off South LBJ Drive. The stigma behind aerosol painting and defacing public property gives a bad impression for those who are creating legally, according to the retired graffiti writer. “We’re trying to make it to where those stigmas don’t exist.”
TAG, DAVID’S IT In the Graffiti Culture, the question stands: If a wall is tagged with legal consent, is it considered art? Conversely, does it still maintain the taboo of traditional graffiti? Open To Interpretation Graffiti. Defacement. Urban Art. Doodles. The tag, a graffiti writer’s personalized signature. No matter how you label it, the stigma behind street art isn’t easily overlooked. “A lot of people still see tags and they get scared,” David Perez, owner and operator of 78666 Customs, says. “Right away they think it’s a gang or somebody claiming their turf.”
| By Xander Peters | Photos Ashley Haguewood |
Nowadays, whenever Perez isn’t taking care of his mother in San Antonio as she undergoes cancer treatment or enjoying the quiet countryside with his lady and their dogs, he’s collaborating with other artists on small projects around town. Regardless of whether they pay or not. His business, 78666 Customs, has begun to gain momentum. Perez accredits his success to his late father’s belief and advice several years ago before his death. When 78666 Customs first opened its doors, his father was there cheering on his decision. “He was right away, like, ‘Hey, keep your head up and stay busy. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re falling behind,’” he says, remembering a man who was more than purely his father— he was his best friend. “It makes me happy to see others happy off of what we do, and I think that’s the compliment,” he says. “Just having people appreciate what I do. Rather than the monetary compensation or any of the write-ups or anything.”
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FIRST GAY BAR OPENS CHANGES
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Another step for the sake of progress took place when former Texas State student Chris Rue initially began tossing around the idea of opening a gay bar in San Marcos two years ago. Rue, one of the three owners of what is now known as Stonewall Warehouse, coined the bar’s name in honor of the historic Stonewall Riots of 1969, arguably one of the most historical events of the LGBTQIA liberation and equality movement. With Stonewall Warehouse, another seed of diversity has been planted in San Marcos and the city’s continuous change has evoked another cultural breakthrough.
APARTMENTS POPPING UP It just makes more sense to go up than out. That’s exactly what our city has been doing lately, building apartment complexes by the handful. People, both the general population and students alike, need a place to live. There were a few short circuits in early fall when certain apartments were not finished and ready by the time students were prepared to move in. (Whoops.)
TUBING GOES NATIONAL What is more quintessentially San Marcos than tubing on the river? Anybody who’s spent any time here will attest to the pleasure. Now it’s time to get competitive. We see a future that includes a National Tubing tour, with America’s best tubers descending on San Marcos for competitions and prodigious amounts of beer twice yearly (The San Marcos Invitational and San Marcos Pro-Am). We’re tubing, tubing, tubing on the river.
POOL PARTY OVERKILL Well “Big Neechi,” you and your social media campaigns finally did it. You nearly broke the internet. And almost The Retreat’s pool too. This past summer, Endless Entertainment, a local nightlife production company, was hired to promote the second annual “#TXSummerbash” at The Retreat’s pool via the hashtag on social media. They did their job too well. An estimated 2,000 people smushed themselves together in the apartment complex’s pool area, which was built to only accommodate up to 750 bodies. It took almost the entire on-duty SMPD to shut down the festivities and The Retreat’s manager was fined. Law enforcement said they had warned the company and complex the previous week to postpone the event until a permit had been acquired. More 78666 on page 14 of SMTX
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