G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g
May 2020
Conjunto the Seguin Way A modern twist on traditional Mexican tunes
Police Pursuit Under the Hood with Seguin Police Department
100 Reasons I
to give
100 Club helps first responders in need
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Steven Alyea
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in this issue may 2020
FEATURES
8 FRANCE MEETS SEGUIN
A French foreign exchange student experiences American culture and vice versa
8
12 COMBAT K9
Retired Navy Senior Chief remembers fallen comrades
16 TWO GUYS - ONE COMIC : FREAKADOO
12
Using the internet to bridge the gap between two long distance creators
20 THE 100 CLUB
An organization bringing our community together to give back to first responders in need
UNDER THE HOOD 24 CRUISER UPGRADES
Staying ahead in vehicle technology gives officers an advantage in the field
16
ON THE SCENE
20
30 CONJUNTO CATS
Contemporary Mexican music influenced by nontraditional genres
CULINARY CREATIONS 36 FIDEO LOCO WITH ELAINE REAMER
A soon-to-be familial tradition
AROUND TOWN 40 FACES OF SEGUIN
Submitted photos from our readers
42 DIY HOME OFFICE TIPS
4
Productivity and organization tips for your home office SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
on the cover
Photo by Rushton Skinner
Saylem Mendoza models with the Seguin Police Department’s new Tahoe cruiser. Saylem is the daughter of Seguin Police Officer Justin Mendoza.
FROM THE
G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g
Editor
A
s spring begins to turn into the early summer that many of us are accustomed to, I find myself daydreaming of long days spent by the water. It’s difficult to wonder what this summer will be like considering the state of uncertainty that still looms, but I stay hopeful that some sort of normalcy will come soon and my dreams of weekend gatherings, water gun battles, frozen treats, and late night grooving to great music with loved ones will become a reality. Though, no matter when that reality develops, there’s still work to be done, and it is still important to consider what opportunities are available, or what opportunities we can offer others. I recently made the decision to offer a few high school seniors a chance to gain some real-world experience in print media. As members of their school newspaper they have the beginnings of the skills and experience needed, and their time with our magazine will only further this journey. This is something that I felt was important to me during my time as a student, so being able to offer them that is an opportunity I didn’t want to miss. I am very proud of the stories written by Hunter Kotronakis and Karen Ranft and look forward to you enjoying them as well. In this issue you will get the chance to reminisce with foreign exchange student, Melodie Poisson, on how she spent her time in Seguin. Get an inside look at the processes of Rob Wuest and Ian Baker as they collaborate on a comic while thousands of miles apart. You will read a heartfelt story about Michael Toussaint and his learning experiences with two K9 partners. Finally, learn how the 100 Club has inspired our community to help give back to our first responders and their families while in need. All of these stories serve as excellent reminders of taking advantage of, or creating, opportunies, for yourself, and others. Stay cool, Seguin!
Vol. 6, No. 12 Seguin magazine is published twelve times a year by the Seguin Gazette. Publisher
Elizabeth Engelhardt Editor
Desiree Gerland PHOTO Editor
Lizz Daniels Writers
Felicia Frazar Rushton Skinner Karen Ranft Hunter Kotronakis Graphic Designer
Bethy Male ADVERTISING
Delilah Reyes Gay Lynn Olsovsky Laurie Cheatham TO ADVERTISE IN SEGUIN Magazine call 830-379-5402 Story Ideas
seguinmagazine@seguingazette.com
Desiree Gerland
Desiree Gerland, Editor
SEARCH SEGUIN GAZETTE All material herein c. 2020 Southern Newspapers Inc., dba The Seguin Gazette, 1012 Schriewer Road, Seguin, TX, 78155. All rights reserved
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SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
An INSIDE look from our
WRITERS
Conjunto music is not something I was very familiar with going into this story. I honestly couldn’t have told you the difference between that and Tejano, but Art and the rest of the band were amazing to talk to about it. As a long time musician, they embraced my experiences and framed their music in a way that I could easily understand, despite my unfamiliarity with the genre. I think the best thing about this story was coming to appreciate music with such a prolific local sound in a deeper way. I may not be fluent in Spanish, but music doesn’t require you to understand it, to feel and hear the heart of the sound. – Lizz Daniels Being a student at Seguin High School myself, I had already met a couple of the foreign exchange students that go there, but I never really got the chance to talk to them and learn about them. This opportunity to hear about a foreigner’s experience in the United States was great for me because I had always wondered what other countries were like. Apparently where Melodie lives in France is far less religious than Texas, and they use a lot less plastic too. She also said that sports are a lot more popular here, and she seemed to enjoy them. I certainly hope that insights like these will help citizens of the US consider outside perspectives respectfully and curiously, just as the Rotary Exchange program has done for Melodie. – Hunter Kotronakis Writing this story was an eye opening experience. First responders are such a necessary part of society that we often take for granted the effort they put in every day to keep us safe. The novel coronavirus epidemic has forced everyday heroes such as first responders into the spotlight and the world is finally giving them the praise they deserve, however even when their efforts aren’t as obvious as they are today, the 100 Club remembers their sacrifice and ensures the protectors have the means to continue helping the community. – Karen Ranft
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Story By Hunter Kotronakis
rance isn’t a country that stays at the forefront of the average Texan’s mind, especially considering the state’s closer proximity to Mexico as opposed to the French-speaking country of Canada. That’s why an opportunity to experience the enlightening company of one of France’s citizens is a welcome one to Seguin resident, Kristy Kirkland, a parent and president of Seguin’s Rotary Exchange Club. She has been housing Melodie Poisson, a foreign exchange student at Seguin High School whose passion for adventure that brought her around the globe to experience a culture different from her own. Having her around has turned the Kirkland family into tourists in their own country –– an experience they have embraced excitedly. “We wanted to take her to Blue Bell in Brenham, Myrtle Beach, all kinds of places,” Kirkland said. “I’ve cooked food for her to share our culture as well, and although she can be a bit picky, she’s good about trying new things. And she said we smile a lot more here than France, which made me laugh.” Melodie’s opinions about the United States and observations about American culture are valuable because experiencing life through the view of an outsider can offer insights otherwise left unnoticed. “One thing that Melodie says about us all the time is that our food is much saltier here than France,” Kirkland said. “It has more flavor, and of course, everything is spicy here in Texas. It’s also harder for her not to have public transportation. She’s used to being able to hop on and get a ride to wherever she needs to go, and she’s a good sport about it, but you can tell she misses the freedom.” Past the subtle differences like salty food and slightly more freedom of travel, Melodie provided a chance to learn about how France sees non-Europeans. Poisson said that in her experience, the U.S. is a lot more religious and that Texas is significantly more
with Love
from France,
Local exchange student experiences life in America
8
SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
“
Even if you aren’t hosting at the time, you can always get involved for one weekend and give them an experience they’ll remember...jjjjjj
”
10 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
conservative than her homeland. All of that might be intriguing, but it’s important to remember the real purpose of Seguin’s Rotary Exchange Program, which is building a community. “You become a part of a family in a sense - and even if you aren’t hosting at the time, you can always get involved for one weekend and give them an experience they’ll remember for their entire lifetime,” she said. “It’s amazing to see students come here all shy and quiet and then leave so confident and energized by their experience. You can’t be a part of a program like this and come out unchanged.”
Most of the people involved are just glad to have had the opportunity for adventure. The Seguin Rotary Exchange Program is genuinely doing wonders for all parties involved when it comes to the destruction of cultural barriers and the enrichment of communities. “Seguin’s exchange program has been around for 50 years, and Melodie Poisson is our 50th exchange student,” Kirkland said. “This is something we are extremely proud of. As the current president and a member of the Rotary Club, I intend to continue this tradition for many years to come.”
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Combat brothers honoring a soldier’s best friend STORY BY FELICIA FRAZAR
R
etired Navy Senior Chief Michael Toussaint wears a Silver Star on his arm. It’s one earned in combat — but it’s not his. It was awarded to his K9 partner Remco, who died on July 9, 2009, protecting Toussaint and their team. Pointing to the tattoo on his forearm of Remco, a Belgian Malinois, and a Silver Star, “that’s only on there because of him. That’s his Silver Star,” he said. Toussaint was a dog handler for most of his military career. He was trained and given the opportunity to work with Navy SEALs, although that’s not where he started. The Guadalupe County resident joined the Navy in 1993 after attempting to enlist in the Marines. Having not completed his high school education, the Marine Corps wouldn’t take him. Toussaint earned a high enough score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, and the Navy accepted him. “I needed to join the military — to do something more positive in my life,” he said. “I later got my education.” He spent the first four years on a ship, after which he made the transition to special operations dog handler. Having a fondness for dogs growing up, Toussaint saw the opportunity to become a canine handler and took it. “I was the guy walking down the 12 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
street when I was my kids’ age, bringing strays home,” he said. “I always had a connection with dogs. It just made sense.” His first assigned K9 partner, Ducky, was one of Toussaint’s most memorable, he said. Toussaint met Ducky in Guam and learned he had his work cut out for him. “They took me to the kennel, walked me to my dog and he was just staring at the wall. Like, completely out of it,” he said. “Found out the kennel attendant before abused him, he decertified him and had him on medications, like antidepressants.” Over time, the two formed a bond and they both learned from each other, making each other better, Toussaint said. “The best thing happened to me was getting that dog first, because it was a learning opportunity and he was teaching me,” he said. In the years after that, Toussaint worked and trained more than 100 dogs. He became a kennel master and supervised a dog training squadron. He was then given the opportunity to train with the SEALs. “They were seeking out experienced dog handlers, primarily seeking out someone who could run their kennel,” he said. “I was already a kennel master, but the trick was I had to make it through the screening — physical, mental, psychological.”
“The best thing happened to me was getting that dog first, because it was a learning opportunity and he was teaching me” GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 13
Remco
Fate brought Toussaint and Remco together. As Toussaint began Special Operations Sailor School with another canine, the dog washed out in the first three days, Toussaint said. Remco was picked out, purchased and sent from Europe to California at the same time and the two began training together. The pair wasn’t together long before they were deployed to Afghanistan in May 2009. “That was his first time out there, that was my first time with him out there,” Toussaint said. “It was like we were both learning together out there and he was coming along good.” Unfortunately, their time together was short lived. Just two months later, the two along with the Naval Special Warfare Research and Development Group they were assigned to was called out on a special mission — retrieve Beaudry Robert “Bowe” Bergdahl. A little more than a week after Bergdahl walked off post, the post’s commanders received information on his potential location. After one scrapped mission, another was planned. “It wasn’t ideal planning,” Toussaint said. “Hostage rescue you wouldn’t take as many precautions because there was only one mission, Toussaint and Remco train on fast rope for helicopters. Military working dogs must learn these skills alongside their partner in order to reach peak performance in the field.
to get whoever it was that was being held hostage back. That is the preface to which we went out. We knew we had an American to get back. It was last minute, we knew where he was at and we went to go get him and we just missed him.” Before the helicopters dropped the team on the ground, they were in a firefight, Toussaint said. “It was intense and chaotic,” he said. “There was a lot of bombs going off, automatic machine guns, rocket propelled grenades.” After seeing a pair of male figures ahead of them, Toussaint sent Remco out to flush them out just as they were preparing to fight. “They waited until they had the best chance, but Remco messed up that plan and took that fire off of us,” he said. “Remco was the only thing that made it to where it was only one of us carried off there.” Toussaint said everything happened quickly, but it felt like slow motion as the two men were shooting automatic weapons at the team and throwing grenades. “My team leader was yelling he got shot, and he was screaming in pain,” he said. “As we were approaching, I saw Remco getting close, about to go in for a bite and I saw him get shot. This was all happening as what felt like slow motion.” Toussaint kept moving forward, to end the threat.
“It was indescribable the fury I had that they had just shot my buddy, they just shot my dog and now they’re trying to get me,” he said. Before the helicopters arrived, members of their team began working on their team leader, and Toussaint turned his attention to Remco, as other team members continued to engage. They were quickly loaded onto helicopters and taken to the newest military medical facility for treatment. Toussaint watched as the medical staff worked to save his partner, but in the end, he didn’t make it. “Remco was the only we lost on that mission,” he said. “There were claims that no one got injured because of Bergdahl’s actions. That’s b*******.” Toussaint said Remco wasn’t just a dog. He was a warrior. “It mattered more to us to make sure we never let our brothers down than anything else,” Toussaint said. “And that drove me and everyone out there, and it definitely drove the dogs. They always wanted to please their dads and please their brothers, and they proved that time and time again.” Remco and Toussaint were awarded the Silver Star for their actions. “Remco was the first dog in Afghanistan to receive a Silver Star,” Toussaint said. The senior chief said he wasn’t in it for the awards or the recognition.
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WWW.ANDERSPIERCE.COM Senior Chief Michael Toussaint works with his K9 partner, Remco, on bite work. Protection trained dogs begin learning these skills as early as 6-8 weeks after being born so that by the time they are in the field, they have the confidence to work as a partner with their human companion.
He enjoys working with the canines. “The reward was working with the dogs,” he said. “You had to be in it for the right reasons or you would never make it as a dog handler. It’s a thankless job.” After Remco’s death, Toussaint continued to work with canines. “I worked a couple of other dogs in the ‘theater’ until September and I got injured on an operation,” he said. Toussaint eventually retired after 21 1/2 years of service. After returning home, he began working at a San Antonio area police department, where he stayed until January 2020. Toussaint now serves as the director of operations for Bulletproof Dog Training out of San Antonio and Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Anus tart Crafting Happiness
Across an Ocean Featuring
FREAKADOO By Rob Wuest & Ian Baker
16 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
Story by Felicia Frazar
R
ob Wuest grew up with an interest in art, cartoons and comics. While art wasn’t a career path he followed, he kept feeling the pull to his artistic side, which led him to create his cartoons and comics. Most recently, he, along with his cartoonist, Ian Baker, has crafted the comic Freakadoo. Wuest modeled the comic after “The Far Side,” comedic without being overboard. “I try to be funny,” he said. “I don’t try to be cruel or vulgar. I also avoid stereotyping and politics. My goal is to make people happy and have a fun time reading. We use people, we use animals, all kinds of things to make people happy.” Despite the pair living an ocean
apart, they still work well together. Wuest sends his ideas to Baker, who then draws it out and emails it back. “When I send cartoon ideas to him, I flip through my books and think, I really like this one or not,” he said. “A soon as I give him the descriptions, he puts in his artistic style.” Baker finds some way to incorporate the comic strip’s name into the image. It can show up as the name of a business, a doctor or a street, Wuest said. The pair have submitted their work to three major syndications. They’ve received a rejection from one and nothing from the others. To help get the ball rolling, they’ve taken to social media.
When coming up with the name, Wuest said he found what he liked after thinking outside the box. His initial name idea of “Weird City” was taken by a book written about Austin. He began searching for domain names in search of something similar, yet different. “I started looking on GoDaddy, typing all kinds of various names similar to weird or freaky or unusual names similar to the Far Side and Bizzarro,” he said. “Every time I put in a term, it would tell me it was taken. So then I thought, I’m gonna make a word that doesn’t exist. One day I was driving between the stores for work, and it came to me, Freakadoo. I was excited to get back to the office and search. It wasn’t taken.”
GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 17
“
Most of my inspiration comes from daily life. It just pops in my mind.
”
“
I have been an obsessive drawer since I was a toddler but started to develop cartoon style work by the age of about 10
”
The Author
Wuest is a 1984 graduate of Seguin High School and currently works in the family business at Wuest Corporation. As a comic book enthusiast growing up, he found himself surrounded in graphic novels. “I’ve been a comic book collector since I was 8 years old, and still am,” he said. “When I was in high school, I was interested in art, but I was the type — and, I regret this — who was a scared artist, scared of trying to make a living.” Instead of following his artist passion, Wuest chose business school. “I entered an art contest and was accepted to an art school in Minnesota,” he said. “I ended up not going, and going to the University of Texas instead and studied business. I was afraid of being that starving artist. I never went down that path; I went the safe path of going into business and accounting.” After he started his family, Wuest wanted to ensure they would know their father’s passion for art, so he began “Rob & Chelly”, a Peanuts-style comic strip. “It was my wife and me, but as kindergarten-age children,” he said. “I was in a few weekly newspapers.” After the couple’s third child, Wuest put his craft on hold until late 2000 when he paired up with an Italian artist and self-published a comic book 18 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
called “Monsters Among Us.” Once his children hit high school age, Wuest placed comics on the back burner again so he could focus on their events. However, that didn’t stop Wuest from writing down ideas for future works. “I would just start thinking of things and start writing them down,” he said. “I had these little notebooks at home, and I would just write these down and thought that someday I might want to do something with this. Most of my inspiration comes from daily life. It just pops in my mind. Rarely do I sit down and think, I need five cartoons today.” In just a few years, Wuest filled hundreds of pages of notebooks with ideas — some only a few words and thoughts; others were full descriptions. He then decided to start looking for an artist that matched his style. “I read somewhere that a comic book was like a musical band,” he said. “It is good to not do everything by yourself, and if you can find someone who does a certain aspect of a comic book or a cartoon strip better than you, get them, and it will make it a whole lot better.” Wuest found the British cartoonist, Baker, through an internet search. “I thought his style was just perfect for the cartoons I was writing,” he said. “Our styles really matched.” The two have worked together since January 2019 and so far have completed almost 90 comics.
The Cartoonist
Baker, who lives in Sheffield of South Yorkshire, England, describes himself as a life-long artist who began honing his craft at a young age. “I have been an obsessive drawer since I was a toddler but started to develop cartoon style work by the age of about 10,” he said. “After studying in graphic design, I went immediately into freelance cartooning, illustration and comedy writing and am now in my 30th year ... I’ve never had a ‘proper’ job!” While he’s not working on “Freakadoo,” he’s on various other projects and worked for many major publications, including “The Times,” Nickelodeon, Reader’s Digest, National Lampoon, “The Sun,” Esquire, Maxim and People, among many others.
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Rescuing
Responders STORY BY KAREN RANFT
W
henever people find themselves needing help or in dangerous situations, first responders come to their aid, frequently putting the wellbeing of others above their own safety. When these men and women are the ones in need, it can be hard to know where to look for aid. That’s when the Guadalupe County 100 Club comes to the rescue. 100 Club president Angela Mark appreciates the struggle police, firefighters, EMS personnel, and others may face when tragedy strikes their own lives. “Nobody ever thinks about these things until their heartstrings are pulled,” she said. “The money in our account is for first responders who are injured or killed in the line of duty, and thankfully we don’t use that money often. Instead, we try to give back once a year by offering grants to our first responders.”
PHOTO BY LIZZ DANIELS
Mark helped found the Guadalupe County 100 Club back in 2010 after hearing about a group of police officers involved in a shooting. This heartbreaking story hit close to home and inspired her to help first responders in her community any way possible. “My husband was a detention officer at the Guadalupe County jail at the time, and it bothered me to see that these people had lost their lives,” she said. “I wanted to do something to help protect our local law enforcement, so I asked the Chief at the time how we could help show our appreciation for everything they do.” What the chief told them was he would love to see Guadalupe county get a 100 Club to take care of those who risk so much to protect, and care for, others. Since its debut, the 100 Club has provided annual grants to emergency
Officer Justin Mendoza takes a break at Starcke park with his K-9 partner, Mike. While Mike is all business when on duty, he loves to snuggle with the family when he’s off work at home.
“
We gave Seguin police a grant for tourniquets one year, and then an officer saved a life using one –– it was an inspirational moment.kek
response groups. These grants help provide life-saving equipment that their budget doesn’t cover, a cause most people would cite as the epitome of heroic. “Sometimes, it may seem like we are not doing a whole lot, but when you see the result and the people we’ve helped, we know that what we are doing has a positive impact,” Mark said. “We gave Seguin police a grant for tourniquets one year, and then an officer saved a life using one –– it was an inspirational moment. It is nice to see that our actions go into a domino effect and help other people.” The community’s donations help fund life-saving grants, which if not available would stop a beneficial chain reaction before it impacts the community. “We haven’t had a fundraiser in a while,” Mark said. “Our biggest one was the McDonalds one that we put on once a year, but I don’t think we will be able to have it this year because of all of the things going on. It was our major fundraiser, so now we rely solely on donations and membership dues.” The 100 Club stays alert, always seeking new ways to expand its ability to help the community. By benefitting local first responders the club shows them the community appreciates the sacrifices they and their families make every day. 22 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
”
Top - The Gernonimo Volunteer Fire Department recieves a donation from the 100 Club which were used to purchase medical packs. Bottom - Local police and county law enforcement come together to support the 100 Club at its last McDonald’s fundraiser. Courtesy Photos
Tuesday - Friday Lunch Special Lunches are served with (2) sides, for only $8.50! Served from 11-2 or while quantities last. (Drinks NOT included with Lunch Specials)
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UndertheHood
Seguin’s
NEW
Police Cruisers There’s more than meets the eye S t o ry & P h o t o s by Rushton Ski nne r
If you haven’t noticed, there aren’t a whole lot of police sedans running around anymore. All over the U.S., bigger SUVs have replaced the passenger cars of bygone eras in favor of more room and versatility. Look anywhere and you’ll see a myriad of truck-sized vehicles owning the lanes. Some argue not everyone who buys one of these behemoths needs all that room, but for Seguin’s Police Department, the switch from small to large is a sign of the times. This switch in fleet vehicles happens every 15 years or so, with the latest update replacing the Ford Crown Victoria with the Chevrolet Tahoe. A completely different make and model offers a clean slate for new changes to be implemented, fixing problems that existed with previous fleet generations. But this time, there isn’t just a new car, it’s an entirely different class of vehicle that doesn’t only benefit the police department, but Seguin as a whole. So far, the change has been met with success, according to Seguin Police Officer Justin Mendoza. “It’s a general all-purpose vehicle ––
24 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
dirt roads, streets, going off-road sometimes,” he said. “They’re just great. A lot better than the Crown Vics, I think.” Conventionally, going up in size means moving up in weight, which can make a car top-heavy and less stable. But with new technology, many of these problems are mitigated. “There are no issues with them being top-heavy at all,” Officer Mendoza explained. “You would think that since it’s a vehicle with a higher center of gravity, it would be worse, but it’s not.” Not only do the new Tahoes not suffer from size, but they also handle better. “They have great get up and go, they’re low to the ground,” Seguin Police Sgt. Bruno Cavasos said. “At the driving schools that we go to, the instructor will make a better time in this than they can in the Crown Vic.” Of course, the new Tahoe that law enforcement uses is not readily available to the public. Just as in the past, these vehicles are heavily upgraded from stock. “They’re high-performance cars,” Cavasos said. “They’ve got a bigger and better
They’re high“ performance cars. They’ve got a bigger and better transmission... everything is beefed up.kk
”
transmission, bigger engine, they’re a little bit lower than a regular SUV for handling. Everything is beefed up on them because they know that they’re going to be, for lack of a better word, abused.” As for solving past problems, the new platform supported a full redesign for safety and cost-saving measures. “In the Crown Vics, you always had cloth or leather seats,” Officer Mendoza said. “These are a lot different. These seats are basically made to where you can hose them down if you need to.” Detainees also have well thought out safety features. Seatbelts run opposite to assist in detaining a passenger; there are rear seat partitions to prevent contact and barred windows protect against damage. “We had a big issue with the Crown Vics before we had the bars,” Mendoza said. “Detainees were kicking out windows, and it was very expensive. They would actually break the door frame.” 26 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
The new Tahoe has resulted in a better, more versatile driving experience, and it has streamlined the way officers do their jobs. Each and every part of the vehicle has been thought out so that a single officer can do 99% of their job alone. This optimization for efficienty allows more officers to be in the field, indirectly saving taxpayers money. New tech and a unique point of view go a long way. However, the most significant difference may be the most looked over, and the most cost-effective. Seguin, like most departments across the nation, owned their fleet.
“
We had a big issue with the Crown Vic before we had the bars. Detainees were kicking out windows, and it was very expensive.
”
GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 27
Gone are the days of old school sedans and multi-cop teams dishing out justice all over the city. Today, modern technology aids local police in covering a wide area efficiently and effectively.kk
At the end of the vehicle’s life, the car would be auctioned off at a considerable loss. This recently changed when the Seguin Police Department began leasing their patrol cars instead of owning them outright. There is now a fouryear lease on each vehicle. This allows the department to simply turn in the cars once the time is up, instead of keeping them for many years and thousands of more miles. This keeps law enforcement in new, technologically advanced cars with taxpayers not covering the depreciation. Gone are the days of old school sedans and multi-cop teams dishing out justice all over the city. Today, modern technology aids local police in covering a wide area efficiently and effectively. The benefits of new technology affect everyone, and it’s only going to get better. 28 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
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OntheSCENE
San Antonio Style, Seguin
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30 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
Conjunto Cats
Create Party Music with
Culture
STORY BY LIZZ DANIELS
T
here’s no denying the Lone Star State’s status as a musical hotspot. Just beyond Guadalupe county, country and western fills the air as tourists flock to renowned Gruene Hall. In Austin, local indy musicians play alongside some of the industry’s biggest names and San Antonio is home to Tejano music’s most prestigious event –– the annual Tejano Music Awards. Here, the sounds of various cultures meet and meld, culminating into something only found in South Texas. Seguin’s Conjunto Cats are playing their part in contributing to this unique musical profile through their ability to transform the old-school Mexican sounds of Art Campos’ lead
d
PHOTOS BY LLAMAR VASQUEZ
vocals and bajo sexto into something more contemporary. This is accomplished, partially due to the band’s three youngest members who are all still in their teens. Art’s two sons, Zeke –– second voice/accordion, and Diego –– bass guitar, unite with their ‘weekend brother,’ Nathan Alzalde who ties it all together on the drums lending the group its fresh, youthful tone. “Conjunto is most known as a four-piece band with accordion, bajo sexto, bass, and drums, whereas Tejano, most of the time, has keyboards, brass, and guitar in their sound,” Art explained. “In conjunto, the drummer has to have a disciplined tempo –– the “puro compaz,” or pure tempo.” With a 25-year age difference between Art and Zeke –– the next oldest band-member –– they manage to create a cross-generational sound that listeners of all different ages and backgrounds can enjoy. They do this partially through performing original work, but where the Conjunto Cats truly excel is in reimagining Mexican songs from the 40s and 50s for modern-day crowds.
“Whenever we do covers, I try to select songs people aren’t familiar with, so that when we put our spin on them, it creates something new from the old,” Art said. “Zeke is involved with our music selection, so sometimes, when I want to play a song, he’ll tell me it’s not one the young people want to hear. I always try to take his advice because we want to be able to please both the older crowd and a new generation.” Most children draw some musical influence from their parents, but inevitably at some point, they branch out and start developing their own musical predilections. The inclusion of what’s popular with younger listeners helps elevate the complexity of their work and challenges their musical understanding by demanding cooperation despite stylistic differences. Zeke, who’s favorite musicians include Bruno Mars and Texas natives, Los Lonely Boys, is especially involved in the writing process “I’m not just into straight conjunto music; I also listen to progressive, progressive norteño, some jazz, and rock, so I get a lot of GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 31
“
Zeke is involved with our music selection, so sometimes, when I want to play a song, he’ll tell me it’s not one the young people want to hear. I always try to take his advice because we want to be able to please both the older crowd and a new generation.
”
32 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 33
different ideas going through my mind,” Zeke said. “I try to spice things up by melding those elements when I play to give it a new groove.”
“
When you let everybody play what they’re feeling...that is what gives a band an original sound.
”
Vastly different musical influences within the group create a situation wherein butting heads over creative decisions seems likely –– especially within a family dynamic. However, where some parents would try forcing their children to conform
34 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
to their musical preferences, Art encourages the individual sounds of his younger bandmates. One way he does this is by collaborating with Zeke to create the primary musical arrangements. Once they’ve built their framework, Nathan and Diego, come in to sort out the bass and rhythm during experimental jam sessions. “I never try to force them to perform a certain way because everybody has their way of playing,” Art said. “Unless it’s going to be clashing with the music, we embrace it. When you let everybody play what they’re feeling as opposed to making it mechanical, that is what gives a band an original sound.” A current trend in the conjunto genre is slowing tempos down to allow for more flowing melodies, but with origins that draw from polka and other European sounds, the real soul of the style is in the upbeat and enthusias-
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tic mood it conveys. The Conjunto Cats go against the grain of current trends by keeping the lively party feeling, for which they are known. “This type of music seems simple, but not everyone can play this way,” Art said. “It requires playing from the heart. It’s a vibe, same with Tejano –– they’re both dancing styles of music.” The band may have started off playing smaller parties and gatherings, but they’ve since grown, producing numerous albums while also performing at the Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair, although it was canceled this year due pandemic-related closures. And when the thick strumming timbre of the Conjunto Cats’ bajo sexto unites on stage with the reedy drone of accordion, bass, and drums, one thing that’s nearly impossible to do is keep from dancing.
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GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 35
CULINARYCREATIONS Beginning a Family
Tradition
Story by Felicia Frazar
Guadalupe County Sheriff ’s Deputy Elaine Reamer has made serving her country and community a life-long career. She also has made it her mission to ensure her daughter carries on a love of cooking traditional Mexican cuisine. When she was only 17 years old, Reamer enlisted in the Navy and set a course to see the world. Growing up with two older brothers — one in college, the other preparing to go to college — Reamer wanted to do something different, other than the expected. When her enlistment was up, Reamer returned home unsure of what she’d do. She worked in the restaurant industry. Reamer quickly found it wasn’t for her and saw Bexar County Jail was hiring, so she took a chance. After serving eight years as a jailer, Reamer made the change to officer, and 12 years ago, she was hired by the Guadalupe County Sheriff ’s Office as a deputy. Prior to her marriage, Reamer admitted she wasn’t one who spent a whole lot of time in the kitchen. Now she enjoys spending time in the kitchen with her 3-year-old daughter, teaching her how to cook traditional Mexican recipes. Reamer wants to make sure her daughter can help carry on the tradition and recipes as she grows up.
Fideo Loco INGREDIENTS 1 lb. meat (ground beef, diced chicken or pork) 1 5 oz package. Q&Q vermicelli 1 tbsp oil or shortening 1 medium chopped onion 2 15 oz can chicken broth 1/2 cup water 1 tsp apple cider vinegar 2 or 3 tbsp chili powder (to taste) salt or garlic salt and pepper to taste 2 cups of cooked beans INSTRUCTIONS Sauté the selected meat until done, set aside In the same pan, heat oil or shortening and lightly brown Q&Q vermicelli, stirring constantly. Add chopped onion halfway through browning. Add chicken broth, water and apple cider vinegar Return meat to pan, add chili powder, salt and pepper. Add beans Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
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WORKING FROM HOME Productivity & Organization quick tips
Clutter - messy desk equals messy mind • Tackle cord management - attach binder clips to the edge of your desk and slide cables through the clip handles to keep them secure, use masking tape to label cables, and recycle twist ties to group cables together. • Create a “landing pad” - to keep a clean work area, use A placemat or mentally designated area for any objects you might want or need to place on your desktop. Anything not on the landing pad doesn’t belong, when the landing pad is full it’s time to reorganize or put things away. • Stay on top of file organization - avoid leaving paperwork on your desk or landing pad. Ideally keep a well maintained file cabinet, or get creative with simple Do-it-yourself projects that recycle cardboard/cereal boxes into useful file management tools. Consider digitizing your paperwork if possible, this encourages further organization as well as a reduction in clutter.
Lighting - with the amount of time staring at artificial light sources it is important to be aware of the impacts on eye health • Place your desk near a window - Having a work space near a window reduces depression, motivates, and is free lighting! Use your blinds, don’t blind yourself. • Use the appropriate color lights - It’s important to keep harmony with your lighting, if you have to go artificial. Ambient lighting should be low and not overwhelming. Task lighting should be stronger, and more focused to paperwork or physical projects. Fluorescent is great in general for office space, but don’t shy away from a soft warm light. • Use an automatic luminescence app for your phone/computer - Reduce eye strain with apps/programs that automatically adjust blue/orange levels. Also helps with screens keeping you up when the work/play day is over.
42 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
comfort - if your body isn’t relaxed your mind won’t be either • Invest in a chair cushion - a cushion that offers the right support for the natural curve of your spine means alleviating many issues associated with poor posture and chronic or acute pain. • avoid sitting too long - turns out sitting all day is bad for you. consider an adjustable desk to keep your body in motion. Going for short walks during a break can do a lot for your body and mind. • correct and re-correct your posture - be mindful of all aspects of your posture. Sitting or standing in certain ways can lead to headaches, neck pain, muscle fatigue, and tight hamstrings. If you find yourself instinctively slouching consider an affordable posture correcting brace.
Personal Touches - your environment should inspire, not limit • Experiment with color - home and work environments both need color as positive stimuli. Giving your eyes something else to focus on from time to time while working hard is a great way to help your brain continue to function smoothly. • find your inspiration - Things that get the creative juices flowing - photographs, art, knick knacks, and toys offer minor distractions for much needed/earned breaks.
s
Add personal touches and color to make the space more inviting.
s
Select a chair that is comfortable, the right height, and provides proper back and arm support for the type of work you will be doing.
s
s
It’s extremely important to have proper lighting in a home office to reduce eye strain.
Clutter is very distracting and reduces efficiency, so sort through your supplies and get rid of anything extra.
GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 43
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