Mustang Magazine Volume 6, Issue 2

volume six | issue two | february 2011

Credits DESIGNER / WRITER Teresa Castillo EA

ILLUSTRATOR Paola Constante Digital Media Design Technology EDITORS Melani Zuniga Coordinator of Publications

Parachute

Ker i Gutierrez Director of Marketing

by:Teresa Castillo

STAFF WRITER Dave Ralph Communications Writer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS credited

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS credited

Want to be a part of this publication? Send us your creative work!

For more info: 956.364.4260 phdclub@gmail.com

1902 N. Loop 499 Harlingen, TX 78550 1.800.852.8784 www.harlingen.tstc.edu

TSTC Harlingen is a two-year higher education institution emphasizing courses of study in technical education for which there is a demand within the state of Texas.

A PRODUCTION OF THE

phdclub@gmail.com 956.364.4260 02

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

Connect with us!

Read the magazine online at: www.harlingen.tstc.edu/mustang

Contents ON CAMPUS 04 Campus Event Calendar 05 SGA President: Sarah Zamarripas 06 Student Development Workshops 08 Valley Metro 09 Learning to Lead

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COLLEGE RESOURCES 10 Support Services 11 The Military Shift

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SPECIAL FEATURES 12 Valentine’s Day: Around the World ENTERTAINMENT 14 February Releases in Film and Gaming 15 Movie Review: Black Swan 16 Book Review: Be More Chill 17 HeroClix 18 Book Releases at the LRC 19 Community Calendar 20 Hand Drawn: Paola Constante 21 Tech News from a Geek

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Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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F e b r u a r y 2011 C AMPUS EVENT S

Mr. & Ms. TSTC Flag Football Roster

Valentine’s Las Vegas Bash

02 10 14 14 15 18-19 23

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Flag Football Roster Due Valentine’s Las Vegas Bash 7-9:30pm Cultural Arts Center SGA Dating Game SGA Campaigning Begins Wellness Walk/Mile Run 6pm TSTC Track Field Skills USA Regional Competition Mr. & Ms. TSTC Scholar ship Competition

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

Hey there, Mustangs!

A L ETTER FRO M YO U R S G A PR E S I D E N T

Hope you all have been enjoying your semester at TSTC so far and enjoyed our welcoming events we have had in January.

We have had many people attend our GOING GREEN Welcome Week. Performance Day and Activity Day was such a blast with an awesome performance by the Silver Spurs and knowing Environmental Tips was very helpful. Join a Club Day was such a blast having the opportunity to see all of our clubs on campus. And let’s not forget our SGA Open House; hope everyone enjoyed the cake and punch!

Here is what to look forward to in February! February 1 and 15 we will be having our SGA meeting; don’t forget free lunch! The 16th and 22nd we will we be having our Learning to Lead workshops so be sure to pre-register. How exciting!

SGA and 50 other leaders on campus will be attending the Texas Community College Day in Austin. If you are interested in running for SGA, we will be holding info sessions February 4, 8, and 9. Don’t forget SGA applications are due February 11.

It’s that time again for our annual Vegas Bash; you could be our next King or Queen of Hearts! Come out and join the fun. What other place can you get married and divorced in the same day? On Valentine’s Day we will be having our own dating game during lunch in the cafeteria.

Good luck to everyone in the SkillsUSA Local Competition on the 18th and 19th!

Connect with us!

Get to know your officers! Check out event photos! Find out about upcoming events! And much more!

Finally, February 23 we will be holding our Mr. and Ms. TSTC Scholarship Competition, so please come by and support the contestants.

Remember: If you have any questions or concerns, please stop by the SGA office in Student Center Room 122 or contact us at 956.364.4343. Our door is always open and we love to hear from you.

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

Sarah Zamarripas

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SPRING 2011

Ask. Think. Know.

SPRING SEMESTER SOCIAL

January 26, 2011

Student Development Workshops

RESPONSIBILITY

“C U 2Nite. OMG. NVM.: Social & Electronic Media” [Social Media]

In today’s world My Space, Facebook,Twitter, etc. have taken on a life of their own! Some may not realize that what you post on these social networking sites can have serious consequences.

Come learn about safety tips when utilizing such social networking sites. Learn about recommendations in order to ensure that you and your loved ones are kept safe.

February 9, 2011 [Financial Responsibility]

February 23, 2011 “Pillow Talk”

Police Chief Aurelio Torres

“Money Management”

CRITICAL THINKING WORKSHOPS MINI-INSTITUTE

Jaime Cano and Financial Aid

Participants will learn money management skills including smart borrowing and budgeting. The workshop will cover the basics of managing debt as a student.

[Sex Education]

Emily Gonzales

This informational session will focus on sexual awareness.

Sexually transmitted diseases will be discussed as well as preventative measures.

March 9, 2011

“It’s Your Body. Learn to Keep it Safe.”

[Sexual Assault]

Liz Silva and Edda Urrea

Come learn about how you and your friends can stay safe this Spring Break. Learn about the safety measures you need to take in the event you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted.

March 31, 2011 : Institute Graduation

• Critical Thinking Activity • Certificate Conferment

B Y I N V I TAT I O N O N LY

• Institute will be recorded on the student’s co-curricular non-credit transcript in the college’s Datatel system by filling out a validation form on March 31.

Mini-Institute Credit: Fall & Spring:

Students need to attend three (3) of the four (4) Critical Thinking (CT) workshops offered in the fall and spring semesters and attend the Institute Graduation which will consist of a CT Activity as well as the conferment of the certificates.

Students who attend three out of the four CT workshops must attend the Institute Graduation in order to be a considered a graduate of the Mini-Institute. Invitations will only be sent out to students who have attended at least three of the four workshops.

Summer:

Workshop topics for the summer semester will be announced at a later time. A CT Activity will close each one of the workshops. Summer semester workshops will not be a Mini-Institute.

Support Services Special Populations participants must attend three (3) workshops plus the Institute Graduation to receive credit.

Institute Graduation is by invitation only.

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Registration Information:

Students must pre-register for workshops online and participation will be on a first come, first serve basis.

To register online, students should go to https://secure.harlingen.tstc.edu/workshop, click on “Register” in the left margin and log in using their WebAdvisor login and password. For information or assistance, call 956.364.4520.

Workshop Information:

All workshops will be conducted from 12:00-1:00PM The location will be provided at the time of registration.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Support Services at least one week prior to the event.

For assistance, contact Support Services located in Auxiliary Building “A” at 956.364.4520.

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

Dear Students, A L ETTER FRO M D I R E C TO R O F S T U D E N T S U C C E S S

As you may have noticed, a lot of changes have taken place in the last few months—changes that may affect (or have affected) your academic progress here at TSTC. To this end, I would like to remind you about the services offered through the Office of Student Success. We offer:

• Tutoring services • Mentoring • Advisement • Referrals services to on-campus resources • Supportive guidance • Navigating Moodle

All these services can help you boost your grade point average, increase your college knowledge, or springboard you into a career that suits your needs and interests. With the new scholastic suspension policy in effect, it is even more important that you monitor your academic progress. The new policy dictates that students on scholastic suspension will be barred from registration for one academic year.

Prepare now and set yourself semester goals to ensure you avoid scholastic suspension. I challenge you to make it your goal this semester to aim for A’s & B’s and earn nothing less than C’s. Don’t wait—now is the time to prepare for a successful semester! Good luck and hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

If you’re not sure whether you’re in the right career track, you can stop by our Academic Achievement Center in D138 and take a career assessment, which will help you identify your strengths in different careers or professions. If you’re confused about college or simply need some direction, the Office of Student Success is here to help you remove barriers to your education as possible.

Visit Us! ROOM 121

BIOMEDICAL/DENTAL LAB BUILDING 956.364.4557

Norma A. Salazar Director of Student Success

Support Services Office Support Services currently has applications for the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the Harlingen Housing Authority. Students who wish to test their eligibility can pick up an application at the Support Services Office located in Bldg. A.

For more information, contact the Support Services Office at 364.4520.

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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TSTC students have more public transportation options as the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council expands existing bus routes to directly service the college.

New extensions to the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council’s bus routes through western Cameron County and San Benito will allow students originating in La Feria, Santa Rosa and San Benito to take direct trips to the TSTC campus. The new system will improve students’ ability to make bus connections throughout Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties.

Students taking advantage of the route extensions will be able to board buses on any of the six scheduled runs each day. The western Cameron County and San Benito routes will use the new bus shelters in front of the college’s new University Center on Loop 499.

Students who present valid college identification pay 75 cents and transfers are free; adults pay $1.50 per ride. Riders should pay with exact change.

Frequent rider discount passes are $10 for students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and veterans, and $20 for adults. Twenty trip passes can be obtained by calling 800.574.8322, and the passes will be sold in the TSTC Bookstore. All buses are wheelchair accessible and some are equipped to carry bicycles.

Cost to Student: $.75 per ride Cost to Adults: $1.50 per ride

*Riders should pay exact amount

Bus route maps and bus stop schedules are online at www.lrgvdc.org/transit.html. Brochures are available in the Student Government Office in the Student Center. A large bus route map is located in the Housing Office on campus.

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The LRGVDC phone number is 800.574.8322 and the e-mail address to send questions to public transit is riotransitcenter@yahoo.com.

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

The Learning to Lead workshop series was developed to foster and encourage students’ leadership skills both at TSTC and beyond. Check out what’s being offered in February and register for a workshop today!

February 16

Ethical Leader ship

Learn how values and beliefs can impact one's leadership abilities.

February 22

Leading a Winning Team

Leaders succeed because of their teams, but assembling, developing, and guiding winning teams can be a challenge. Whether they select the team or the team is selected for them, leaders use their skills to make everyone around them better. The goal of this session is to learn strategies to build, motivate, and direct successful groups.

How to Register Students must preregister for workshops either online or in person; participation will be limited to 40 students on a first come, first served basis. Reserve your seat today! https://secure.harlingen.tstc.edu/Workshop/index.aspx

Click on “register” in the left margin and log in using your WebAdvisor login and password. Then, select “categories” from the drop down menu, select “Learning to Lead” and register for the desired work-

shops. To register in person, stop by the Office of Student Life, SC 123 to complete the registration process. For information or assistance, please call Student Life Office at 956.364.4302.

Workshop information All workshops will be conducted from 12pm – 1pm in the Learning Resource Center, Orientation room. Lunch is provided to registered students only.

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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Mustang Magazine | February 2011

LOOKING FOR

SUPPORT? Veterans Support Group

Offers support with veteran concerns and issues. Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 12PM in the LRC. Led by Anna Castillo, LPC from Tropical Texas Behavioral Center in Edinburg. For more information call 956.364.4310.

For more information

Veteran Student Alliance Club

http://harlingen.tstc.edu/FinancialAid/veteranaffairs.aspx All veterans applying or receiving veteran's educational assistance must apply and have a current financial aid application on file for continued certification of their courses effective Fall 2006 and ongoing.

Provides outreach and assistance for the needs and goals of our veterans while providing service to our college and community. Meets on Thursdays at 12PM in Student Center Room 127. Contact Advisor Josh Hernandez at 956.364.4142.

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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Valentine's Day AROUND THE WORLD

Early Valentine’s Day Tradition in

Source: http://www..stvalentinesday.org/

Italy

In the Italian City of Turin, betrothed couples used to announce their engagement on the Valentine's Day. Several days ahead of February 14, stores were decorated and loaded with a huge variety of bon-bon. Some even sold China baskets and cups filled with delectable Valentine's Day candies and tied with a ribbon. These were to be presented as gifts to Valentine.

Another interesting Valentine's Day tradition followed in Italy and Britain made unmarried girls to wake up before sunrise. People strongly believed that the first man an unmarried girl sees on Valentine's Day, or someone who looks like him, would marry her within a year. Girls, therefore, used to wake up early on Valentine's Day and stand by their window to watch a man pass.

Danish Valentine’s Day Traditions Lover's Card

The tradition of “lover's card” is the most popular and romantic Valentine's Day custom in Denmark. Earlier, these cards came in the form of transparent cards which reflected the picture of a lover presenting his beloved a wonderful gift when it was kept in front of light. Now any card is called a Lover's Card. Every card shop is stocked with colorful and musical lover's card with charming Valentine messages.

Custom of White Flowers

People celebrate the custom of White Flowers with immense love and care. As per the tradition, people send white flowers called “snowdrops” to their friends and lovers.

Tradition of Gaekkebrev

Young couples also write special love poems, beautiful romantic love notes and some funny poems known as “gaekkebrev.” It is customary for the sender of gaekkebrev to pen down a rhyme for his beloved. He is not required to put his name on it. He signs the message with dots for the lady. Now, the girl who receives the card is supposed to guess the name of the sender. If she is able to guess the right name, then she is rewarded with an Easter egg on that very year.

Tradition of Valentine’s Day in

Scotland

According to this Scottish custom, the first young man or woman encountered on the street or elsewhere on Valentine's Day becomes his or her Valentine and the day is celebrated with them.

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Mustang Magazine | February 2011

Valentine’s Tradition in South Africa The most commonly observed tradition includes going out on a romantic date with one's Valentine. Young couples celebrate the day at a very romantic place. Also, young girls celebrate the occasion by following an old-age Roman festival of “Lupercalia.” According to this traditional festival, young girls pin their lover’s name on their sleeves. At some places, men also follow this custom.

Celebrations of Valentine’s Day in

China

The celebrations of Chinese Valentine's Day or Qi Qiao Jie - the seventh eve - is quite different from usual Valentine's Day celebrations we see in the rest of the world. There are specific and colorful rituals for the day besides the usual exchange of flowers, cards and chocolates as tokens of love between lovers.

Following the tradition, lovers visit the Temple of Matchmaker on the Chinese Valentine's Day and pray for their love and happiness and their possible marriage. Singles, too, visit the temple on the day and ask for their luck in love.

The Chinese Valentine Day is also known as the Daughter's Festival. Chinese girls always wished to learn a good handcrafting skill like the weaving maid. On the night of the Chinese Valentine's Day, unmarried girls offer prayers to the Weaving Maid star and seek blessings to become smarter. When the star Vega is high up in the sky, girls perform a test by putting a needle on the water surface. If the needle doesn't sink, it's a sign of the girl's maturity and smartness indicating she is eligible to find a husband. A girl who passes the test may ask for any one wish. It is also traditional for young girls in China to demonstrate their domestic arts, especially melon carving, on this day. Chinese Valentine's Day is therefore also known as The Festival to Plead for Skills, The Seventh Sister's Birthday and The Night of Skills.

In some provinces of China, people decorate the ox's horn with flowers on the Chinese Valentine Day in a belief that the ritual will save them from catastrophe. Following the age old tradition women also wash hair to make them look fresh and shining. Children wash their face the next morning using the overnight water for a more natural and beautiful look.

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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What’s New? TH IS MO N T H I N F I L M A N D G A M IN G Unknown

Killzone 3

Hyperdimension Neptunia

Gnomeo & Juliet

Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds

11 Gnomeo & Juliet

FILM Rated: PG An animated version of Shakespeare's play, where Gnomeo and Juliet are would-be lovers from rival gardenbased families.

11 Just Go With It

FILM Rated: PG-13 A man enlists the help of a woman and her kids to land the woman of his dreams.

15 Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds XBOX 360 Rated: T After a decade of waiting, iconic Marvel and Capcom characters join forces again in team fighting action. Fill the shoes of legendary characters from both the Marvel and Capcom Universes.

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Vanishing on 7th Street

15 Hyperdimension Neptunia

PLAYSTATION 3 Rated: T Players take the role of Neptune and follow her quest to save the captive Histoire. This leads her to face the corrupt monsters ravaging the world of Gamindustri unleashed by the evil Arfoire. Neptunia also features iconic characters from classic games as special summon skills.

18 Vanishing on 7th Street

18 Unknown

FILM Rated: PG -13 A man awakens from a coma, only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no one (not even his wife) believes him. With the help of a young woman, he sets out to prove who he is.

22 Killzone 3

18 I Am Number Four

25 Hall Pass

FILM Rated: PG -13 John is an extraordinary teen, masking his true identity and passing as a typical high school student to elude a deadly enemy seeking to destroy him. Three youngsters like him have already been killed ... he is Number Four.

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

FILM Rated: R When a massive power outage plunges the city of Detroit into total darkness, a disparate group of individuals find themselves alone. Soon the daylight begins to disappear completely, and as the survivors gather in an abandoned tavern, they realize only their rapidly diminishing light sources can keep them safe.

PLAYSTATION 3 Rated: M In Killzone 3, players once again face the hostile Helghast army, battling overwhelming odds in the fight for human survival. Killzone 3 delivers a single-player campaign as well as full featured multiplayer mode.

FILM Rated: PG-13 A married man is granted the opportunity to have an affair by his wife. Joined in the fun by his best pal, things get a little out of control when both wives start engaging in extramarital activities as well.

“Unforgettable, erotic, and madly beautiful, Black Swan is a visually complex masterpiece.”” » Director

Darren Aronofsky

» Actors Natalie Portman Mila Kunis Vincent Cassel

» Release Date 17 December 2010

» Genre

Drama Romance Thriller

» Running Time

108 minutes

» Parental Rating Rated R

(strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use)

by Jessica Alaniz

Natalie Portman plays Nina Sayers: a naive, but dedicated ballet dancer from New York City who gets the lead role in "Swan Lake.”

Nina lives with her over-protective former ballerina mother Erica Sayers (Barbara Hershey). Her director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) claims she is perfect for the role of the fragile White Swan, but is too sheltered and inexperienced to portray the lustful Black Swan.

As Nina strives for perfection, she struggles to maintain a balance between illusion and reality. In between it all, she develops a deranged friendship with her competition Lily (Mila Kunis). In a way, Lily helps Nina get in touch with her darker side, but it starts to slowly consume her innocence; making her mother worry for her health.

Nina, who was once the sheltered little girl of her mother, soon completely loses her mind to become The Black Swan. Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky has created an incredibly bold film. Unforgettable, erotic, and madly beautiful, Black Swan is a visually complex masterpiece. A must see for all.

Got a

Review?

movie review

Black Swan

Send it to us! phdclub@gmail.com

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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book review

Be More Chill

“Can the computer generated pill learn to understand human emotions?””

» Author Ned Vizzini

» Publisher Disney - Hyperion

» Release Date

May 24, 2004

» Genre Young Adult

Jeremy. Here is a typical geeky kid in high school who everyone tends to ignore or make fun of. He desperately wants to be cool, but with his humiliation sheets and dorky personality, he is far from it. He stares at his crush, Christine, every day at school and thinks of different ways to win her over.

When his situation turns sour after he finds out Christine has a boyfriend, he encounters a certain pill called "squip." The squip is a futuristic pill that imports itself into the brain and instructs the owner how to be cool. Illegal and disastrous, the squip costs over $500 and Jeremy finds himself stealing a bundle of Beanie Babies from his aunt's attic to sell on eBay. Within a few weeks of taking the squip, Jeremy transforms from a scrawny geek to an attractive and desirable character. Following the squip’s orders, Jeremy scores all the hot chicks from school and becomes accepted into the popular crowd - forgetting about his only loyal friend. This, of course, comes with some problems. Can the computer generated pill learn to understand human emotions? That’s something Jeremy will have to figure out on his own.

Vizzini’s book has a charm of its own. Witty and fun, the characters are easy to relate to. Simplicity at its best! This book will keep your hands glued to it, wondering what the squip’s next move will be.

Got a

Review?

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by Jessica Alaniz

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

Send it to us! phdclub@gmail.com

Heroclix

by Leslie Nelson

Heroclix is a collectible mini figurine game that was geared toward fantasy gamers and lets its players create teams that are based on comic book characters such as Batman, Spider-man, and the Joker. Players can re-live epic comic battles, and create their own point constructed battles on a turn by turn basis, and played on a grid map. The maps are designed to represent particular areas from popular comic book scenes such as Arkham Asylum and The Hall of Justice.

The game is structured on a point value system usually anywhere from 100 to 600 and beyond. The figures are seated on a dial that contains different numbers representing damage, attack, range, speed, and defense. All if these come into play during every action turn that is taken by the player. Numbers are compared and overcome to deal damage, damage is taken after every successful combat. The game continues til all opposing characters’ dials are exhausted.

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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The LRC

DR. J. G I LB ERT L E A L L E A R N I N G R ESOURC E CENTE R

Learning Resource Center Hours: Monday - Thursday: 7:30AM - 8PM Friday: 7:30AM - 5PM Saturday: 10AM - 4PM Sunday: 1PM - 4PM What the Night Knows

by Dean Koontz In the late summer of a long ago year, a killer arrived in a small city. His name was Alton Turner Blackwood, and in the space of a few months he brutally murdered four families. His savage spree ended only when he was killed by the last survivor of the last family, a 14-year-old boy.

Half a continent away and two decades later, someone is murdering families again, recreating in detail Blackwood's crimes.

Homicide detective John Calvino is certain that his own family - his wife and three children - will be targets in the fourth crime, just as his parents and sisters were victims on that distant night when he was 14 and killed their slayer.

As a detective, John is a man of reason who deals in cold facts. But an extraordinary experience convinces him that sometimes death is not a one-way journey, that sometimes the dead return.

Here is ghost story like no other you have read. In the Calvinos, Dean Koontz brings to life a family that might be your own, in a war for their survival against an adversary more malevolent than any he has yet created, with their own home the battleground. Of all his acclaimed novels, none exceeds What the Night Knows in power, in chilling suspense, and in sheer mesmerizing storytelling.

Bringing Up Oscar: The Story of the

American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of

by Tim Slover

by Karen Abbott

Men and Women Who Founded the Academy

The untold story of the innovative pioneers who helped make movies the preeminent art form of the 20th century by founding the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Gypsy Rose Lee

The Great Depression leveled everything. When the dust settled, Americans were primed for a star who could distract them from grim reality and excite them in new, unexpected ways. Enter Gypsy Rose Lee, a strutting, bawdy, erudite stripper who possessed a preternatural gift for delivering exactly what America needed.

Karen Abbott brings to vivid life an era of ambition, glamour, struggle, and survival. Using exclusive interviews and never-before-published material, she vividly delves into Gypsy’s world.

New LRC Releases!

Check them out today

All you need at the LRC to borrow a book is a valid TSTC student ID. For more information, visit www.harlingen.tstc.edu/library.

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Mustang Magazine | February 2011

F e b r u a r y 2011 CO MMUNIT Y C ALENDAR

Selena Gomez

Disturbed

Cirque Du Soleil - Alegria 2/9-12 Thursday | 7:30PM State Farm Arena | Hidalgo

21st Annual Jalape単o 100 2/19 Saturday | 6:30AM Oil Mill Pavilion | Harlingen

HPAT Presents: "Greater Tuna" 2/25-27 Friday | 10:00AM Harlingen Performing Arts Theatre

Hidalgo Borderfest 3/03 Thursday | 7:30PM State Farm Arena | Hidalgo

Jackson Street Market Days 3/05 Saturday | 9:00AM Downtown Jackson Street | Harlingen

Korn

Music/Art

Family Fun

Cirque du Soleil

Music As A Weapon Tour: Korn and Disturbed 2/10 Thursday | 8:00PM McAllen Convention Center

HPAT Presents: "Cupid Sucks" 2/11 Friday | 7:30PM Harlingen Performing Arts Theatre

RGV Music Festival: Country, Bluegrass and more 2/15-20 Tuesday | 8:00AM RGV Livestock Showground | Mercedes A Day In The Park: Rock, Punk and Metal 2/26 Saturday | 2:00PM Weslaco City Park

Selena Gomez 3/05 Saturday | 7:30PM State Farm Arena | Hidalgo

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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Hand Drawn ARTWORKS AND DRAWINGS BY TSTC STUDENTS

by Paola Constante, DMDT

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Mustang Magazine | February 2011

Send us your artwork! phdclub@gmail.com

TECH NEWS FROM A GEEK The End of Apple?

by Patrick Rodriguez

For those of you who don’t know, Steve Jobs is the current CEO of Apple. Apple, as in iPods, iMacs, iTunes, etc. It is known that Steve Jobs has had a history of pancreatic cancer and even underwent a liver transplant in 2009. It was during this time that Jobs was on a “medical leave,” allowing for the medical procedure, and inadvertently caused Apple’s shares to plummet. It was during Jobs’ absence, that the general population basically started to panic for the future of Apple. Why would people panic, you ask? Well that’s because Steve Jobs is always the number one face on articles that feature Apple. Steve Jobs has often been proclaimed the true force behind Apple’s success.

For every product, device, and gadget, Steve Jobs is always on the front line, promoting and advertising their creation. Always pushing for the betterment of Apple, and its products, Steve Jobs can be described as an essential asset to Apple, much like milk is to cereal.

June. This is not the first time that Jobs has left Cooks in charge due to leave of absense. In 2004, Cook took the company throne, when Jobs went on medical leave to recover from surgery for his pancreatic cancer. Cook’s performance for this first reliever engagement won him the promotion to chief operating officer in 2005. Despite this surprisingly good performance, many people speculate that with Steve Jobs’ absence, Apple will slowly begin to fall apart at the seams and will no longer be able to produce the same quality of merchandise for it was Jobs’ vision and inspiration that led to the undeniable success, “Steve Jobs is Apple and Apple is Steve Jobs.”

So what will happen to Microsoft’s competitor? Will Apple succumb to a deep pit in which it cannot dig itself out of? Apple’s shares are already predicted to drop significantly and at the same time Steve Jobs’ appearance over the past year has become frighteningly (and significantly) different.The photos can really speak for themselves and only add to the magnitude of this “mystery illness” as some have called it. All you have to do is Google “Steve Jobs before and after” and you will see one of the many reasons why shareholders are starting to shift and feel their feet begin to sweat.

Although Steve Jobs currently claims that his weight loss is due to a hormonal problem, and not cancer, many loyal shareholders, and customers, needless to say, are a bit skeptical. So what will happen? Not many people can confirm too many details, but it seems as though Apple’s in the hot seat. If the worst comes to pass, maybe the “worst case” is worse than we thought. Without major competition, Microsoft will possibly, and likely become a super power in the computing world, free to price its products with numbers large enough to touch the clouds… Perhaps it’s time for “Inception.” Inside joke - Sorry.

“Steve Jobs is Apple and Apple is Steve Jobs.”

Unfortunately, Steve Jobs has announced his medical leave of absence to all Apple employees through e-mail. In his e-mail, Jobs states that although he is taking a leave of absence he will continue to act as the CEO of Apple, and will be involved in major strategic decisions for the company. Jobs also informed employees that Tim Cook, currently Apple’s chief operating officer, would be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. While expressing his love for Apple in the e-mail, Jobs stays vigilant that he will return soon enough to his beloved company and claims that he will return in late

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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Vegas Bash 2011

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Mustang Magazine | February 2011

Mustang Magazine | February 2011

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