Mustang Magazine Volume 6, Issue 4

volume six | issue four | april 2011

Credits LAYOUT DESIGNER

Teresa Castillo

EA

ILLUSTRATOR

Paola Constante

DMDT

DESIGNER

Patr ick Rodriguez

CSMT

WRITER

Leslie Nelson

DMDT

A Digital Frontier by: Patrick Rodriguez, CSMT

EDITORS

Melani Zuniga

Coordinator of Publications

Ker i Gutierrez

Want to be a part of this publication?

Director of Marketing

For more info: 956.364.4260 phdclub@gmail.com

Send us your creative work!

STAFF WRITER

Dave Ralph

Communications Writer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Credited

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Credited

A PRODUCTION OF THE

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phdclub@gmail.com 956.364.4260

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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.

Equal opportunity shall be afforded within the Texas State Technical College System to all employees and applicants for admission or employment regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age or disability. TSTC will make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.

Contents ON CAMPUS 04 Campus Event Calendar 05 SGA President: Sarah Zamarripas 06 Soldier’s Blog 10 Gay Straight Alliance Club COLLEGE RESOURCES 06 Mustang (re)Minders

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SPECIAL FEATURES 12 Tron: Legacy ENTERTAINMENT 14 April Releases in Film and Gaming 15 Gamer Review: MAG 16 Unknown Artist 17 J. R. R. Tolkien 18 Internet Challenges: Chubby Bunny 20 Hand Drawn: Paola Constante 22 Community Events

Connect with us!

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

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Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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A P R I L 2011 C AMPUS EV ENTS

Graduation

SGA Banquet

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04

07

13 20

04

Softball Roster s Due

Techsan Day

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SGA Leader ship Banquet

Graduation Orientation for Spring Graduates

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Semester Break

Techsan Day

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End of the Semester

Sexual Assault Awareness

SGA Housing Picnic

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Mustang Magazine | April 2011

Graduation

Housing Move Out Day

Hey there, Mustangs!

A LETTER FRO M YO U R S G A P R E S I D E N T

Wow! Graduation is right around the corner already! Hope you all have enjoyed the events throughout the semester, but we still are not done with the fun just yet.

The month of March was such a blast. Congratulations to AUB for winning 1st place in our Annual Club Olympics. Each club went against each other for three days which included an activity day, quiz bowl, and scavenger hunt. Let’s not forget our Spring Break Hook up, where we had free games, free raffles, safety information booths, and gave out free beads!

Here is what to look forward to in the Month of April.

Saturday, April 2nd is the Harlingen Proud Trash Bash!

Please come out and help make Harlingen Beautiful. Sign up with SGA. Tuesday, April 5th will be our last SGA meeting of the semester in the VIP room from 12:00-1:00, FREE LUNCH! Wednesday, April 13th will be our Annual Techsan Day. We will have free rides, free games, country band, food, and let’s not forget our mechanical bull. And last, but not least, graduation will be held April 29th.

As for myself, I would like to thank you for letting me serve as your SGA president for the 2010-2011 school year. It has been such a blast working with my team and some of the best students on campus. I will be graduating this April and would like to congratulate all of you that are graduating as well. If you are returning next semester, I wish you the best of luck and keep up the hard work!

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, please stop by the SGA Office in the Student Center, Room 122, or contact us at 956.364.4343. Our door is always open and we love to hear from you! On behalf of the 2010-2011 Student Government Association, farewell Mustangs!

Sarah Zamarripas

Connect with us!

Get to know your officers! Check out event photos!

Find out about upcoming events! And much more!

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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SOLDIER’SBlog Hello my fellow peers whose eyes I happen to catch!

My name is Jonathan Quezada, currently an E.A. major at Texas State Technical College and a valley veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. When I was asked to write a column for the Mustang Magazine I humbly accepted this task but then so many questions began to race through my mind. What would I write about? Who would I write about? Suddenly it hit me, along with writing about my experiences as a veteran student; I want to share the stories of my fellow service men and women here on campus from the newly enlisted private to the proudly served veteran. Also, I hope to include perspectives from active duty military personnel who are defending this great nation. From the successes to the struggles of these kinds of people, I want to be their voice. I want to serve you, the people.

Jonathan Quezada jequezada@mymail.tstc.edu

Mustang (re)Minders POLL

RESULTS We asked you:

How many clubs are you in this semester?

RANDOM INFO FOR TSTC STUD ENTS

Support Services Office

You said: • 1Club

• 2 Clubs • 3 Clubs • 3+ Clubs • None

14 04 02 03 20

Thank you to poll participants!

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Mustang Magazine | April 2011

NT Ambassador Claudia Carr talks with students about the Autobody Collision Program at Support Services Non-Traditional Expo. Non-Traditional Ambassadors and students set up displays promoting their non-traditional programs of study during Tech Day.

OFFICE

Student Success So You’re About to Graduate...

Students graduating this semester will be met at the crossroads of their educational journey with the all too familiar question of “What’s next?” Although intimidating at first, as a graduate, you realistically have some time on your hands. Many students will either enter the workforce and land a job that fits the certificate or associate degree they just earned, or they will continue with their college experience and prepare for the next degree level.

One road to take is Academic Core completion at Texas State Technical College Harlingen. Traditionally, students will look at the “core requirements” needed to satisfy their future bachelor degree and begin taking similar courses hoping they will transfer. The obstacles that come along with that approach occur when you change your mind about which degree you are going to pursue or which institution you are going to attend. Instead of handling the headache that comes along with which speech or foreign language class you took, you can ease your stress by simply completing the Academic Core!

Academic Core completion saves lives. Well…mostly time and money, but sometimes that is life. Every public college and university in the state of Texas offers Academic Core completion for their students. If you complete “the core” at TSTC Harlingen, you can then transfer your “basics” as a complete block to ANY public university or college in Texas. No need to worry about which speech class you took; the block transfer will automatically transfer into the institution by law. Once you get “Academic Core Complete” stamped on your official TSTC transcript…yyou’re GOLDEN! This tidbit of information was brought to you by the Office of Student Success. For more information, please call 956.364.4163 or visit us in the Biomedical Technology Building “D” room 121.

Joshua Hernandez

Scholarship1O1 W O R K S H O P April 5, 2011 12-1PM • D-125 Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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Mustang Magazine | April 2011

New LRC Releases CHECK THEM OUT TODAY

Treachery in Death

by J.D. Robb

Detective Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, are following up on a senseless crime-an elderly grocery owner killed by three stoned punks for nothing more than kicks and snacks.This is Peabody's first case as primary detective-good thing she learned from the master.

But Peabody soon stumbles upon a trickier situation. After a hard workout, she's all alone in the locker room when the gym door clatters open; and-while hiding inside a shower stall trying not to make a sound-she overhears two fellow officers, Garnet and Oberman, arguing. It doesn't take long to realize they're both crooked-guilty not just of corruption but of murder. Now Peabody, Eve, and Eve's husband, Roarke, are trying to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down-knowing all the while that the two are willing to kill to keep their secret.

Family Storms

by V.C. Andrews

Living on the streets with her destitute mother, selling knickknacks and trinkets just to survive, Sasha Porter dreams of someday having a normal life, with a real house and family. But she never dreamed a devastating tragedy would bring her those very things: on a stormy night by a rain spattered highway, a speeding car veers out of control, striking and killing her mother and badly injuring Sasha. . . is anywhere truly safe?

In the hospital, Sasha is whisked off to a fancy private suite at the request of wealthy Mrs. Jordan March, a complete stranger who keeps watch by Sasha’s bedside and insists she come live at her family’s sprawling, luxurious mansion. Sasha soon learns Mrs. March never recovered from the loss of her daughter Alena, and with nowhere else to go, Sasha agrees to use Alena’s room, sleep in her bed, and wear her clothes. But someone will make sure that Sasha never takes Alena’s place: a jealous sister dead set on making Sasha’s life a living hell.

Inside Wikileaks

by Daniel Domscheit-Berg

Under the pseudonym Daniel Schmitt, Domscheit-Berg was the effective No. 2 at WikiLeaks and the organization’s most public face, after Julian Assange. In this book, he reveals the evolution, finances, and inner tensions of the whistleblower organization, beginning with his first meeting with Assange in December 2007. He also describes what led to his September 2010 withdrawal from WikiLeaks, including his disenchantment with the organization’s lack of transparency, its abandonment of political neutrality, and Assange’s increasing concentration of power. What has been made public so far about WikiLeaks is only a small fraction of the truth.

With Domscheit-Berg’s insider knowledge, he is uniquely able to tell the full story. A computer scientist who worked in IT security prior to devoting himself full-time to WikiLeaks, he remains committed to freedom of information on the Internet.

Learning Resource Center Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 7:30AM - 8PM Friday: 7:30AM - 5PM

Saturday: 10AM - 4PM Sunday: 1PM - 4PM

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.

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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STUDENT CLUB

features

Gay Straight Alliance Club GSA Pride for Texas State Technical College is a club that was started back in the summer of 2009

by Jolie E. Espinoza. We are a club that allows individuals to have the freedom to be who they are in a safe, environment. We travel all around the Rio Grande Valley educating students on everyday issues with everyday life. We offer support groups, mentoring programs, and self awareness for individuals of any orientation. We take monthly trips to places all around including the Gladys Porter Zoo, Flamingo glow bowling to UTB-TSC. What our club does essentially is create a safe, negative-free environment for anyone who is looking to be themselves.

Student Services Building Room 127 12 - 1PM (bi-weekly)

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For more information: E-mail: gsapridehgntstc@hotmail.com Phone: 956.453.2310

want to have

your club featured?

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

Contact us to set up an interview!

E-mail: phdclub@gmail.com Phone: 956.364.4260

What’s New? THIS MO N T H I N F I L M A N D G A M I N G

SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy Seals

Rio

Mortal Kombat

Portal 2 Water for Elephants

Your Highness

8 Your Highness

19 SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs

When Prince Fabious's bride is kidnapped, he goes on a quest to rescue her... accompanied by his lazy useless brother Thadeous.

In Southeast Asia, a revolutionary army has seized control of a country bordering one of the world’s most vital waterways; threatening to disrupt he global economy. A totally overhauled single-player mission structure will put players on the battlefield with more control than ever before, while the 32-player online combat scenarios will test every gamer's fortitude in battle.

FILM Rated: R

15 Rio FILM Rated: PG

When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams.

19 Mortal Kombat PlaySation 3 | XBOX 360 Rated: M

After centuries of Mortal Kombat, Emperor Shao Kahn has finally defeated Raiden and his allies. Faced with extinction, Raiden has one last chance to save Earthrealm. To undo the Emperor's victory, he must strike Shao Kahn where he is vulnerable...the Past.

PlaySation 3 Rated: M

21 Portal 2

FILM Rated: E10+ (Ever yone 10+)

Valve's unique take on puzzle gameplay returns with this second entry, a storyline originally begun in The Orange Box. Will there still be cake?

22 Water for Elephants FILM Rated: PG-13

A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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Tron: Legacy by: Armando Garcia

Prepare to enter the Grid in Tron Legacy. Twenty-eight years after the original Tron was released, Disney offers us its continuation of the story.

» » » » » »

Director Joseph Kosinski

Starring Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde Released 17 December 2010 Parental Rating PG

Genre Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi Running Time 125 min

» Summary

Tron: Legacy begins with the mysterious disappearance of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), the hero of the first film. Flynn’s son, Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund) is left alone and grows into a defiant heir to his father’s company. We follow Sam on his journey into the Grid, the realm in which Tron takes place, to find the truth about what happened to his dad. Sam soon discovers that his father was trapped in this world by Clu, a creation of Kevin Flynn’s that turned against him.

After Sam finds his father, the two team with Quorra (Olivia Wilde) to get home before the way out closes. At the same time, they must try evade the forces of Clu and end his tyrannical rule over the Grid.

» Analysis

Garrett Hedlund does a good job at capturing the rebellious spirit and growth of Sam Flynn into a hero. Olivia Wilde excellently portrays the curious and adventurous nature of Quorra. It is Jeff Bridges, however, that delivers the standout performance. He plays Sam’s aged and wise father, Kevin Flynn, and the vengeful Clu. One of Tron: Legacy’s best features is its music. Daft Punk provides an amazing soundtrack that captures the intensity of the fight sequences and the excitement and wonder of traveling through the Grid.

The film’s crowning achievement is its visuals. Light cycle and disk battles are thrilling to watch and make the movie worth checking out in 3D. The environment is sleek and beautiful to behold as neon lights accent the dark, complex structures that make up this world.

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Mustang Magazine | April 2011

Tron: Legacy is not with out flaws though. As praise worthy as the visuals are, the same can’t be said about the character of Clu. He is made to resemble a young Kevin Flynn but the CGI results in a face that looks lifeless. One of the most significant problems is its lack of detail. For example, Kevin Flynn’s discovery of Isomorphic Algorithms is supposed to change humanity but he never explains how.

Further explanation of the impact these Isomorphic Algorithms would have on the real world and expansion on the rules that govern the Grid would benefit the movie. It would allow us to better understand that world and solidify its identity among other movie franchises. » Conclusion

At its heart, Tron: Legacy is about a son reuniting with his father and accepting the responsibilities handed down to him. The film has enough to rise above its faults and is definitely a must see for fans of the sci-fi, action or adventure genres.

» Rating

4 out of 5 stars.

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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GAME REVIEW MAG is the first ever MMOFPS (Multi-Massive Online First Person Shooter) to hit the PlayStation 3 console.

You are able to choose one of the three PMCs (private military companies): Raven,Valor, and S.V.E.R. Each PMC has its own pros and cons.

MAG MASSIVE ACTION GAME

Platform PlayStation 3 » Developer Zipper Interactive

» Players 1 to 256 Players » Released 26 January 2010 » Genre Shooter

9.5 10

by Joe Castillo

OUT OF Raven is stationed in South America and has the high tech weapons and gadgets, but the operatives have not seen real combat. Valor is stationed in Alaska and has the standard U.S military weapons. Their soldiers are the most experienced and have seen the most combat. S.V.E.R. is the underdog, so to speak, of the three PMCs. Their weapons are not the best, but they do pack a punch and their bases are held up with just about whatever they can get their hands on, such as tin and other metal materials for cover from enemy snipers to air strikes.

The gameplay for MAG is quite impressive; even though the environment is not destructible it will have you captivated by how the game works.There are roles you can play such as the Rapid Assault, Sniper, Direct Action, Commando, and Field Support. When you reach rank 15, you qualify to be a Squad Leader. This is where a headset is really important, so you can tell your fellow squad mates where to go, what to defend, or where the enemy is advancing from.

The game can hold matches from 64 players to 265 players on a single map! You will come across some parts of the game where it may bug on you, such as you get snipped behind a wall or the server can overload and boot people out of the game, which only happens on the Domination Matches (265 player maps). The most exciting part of the game is calling in motor barrages to decimate enemies or cluster bombs while playing as the Squad Leader.

Overall I would recommend renting it first to see how you like it or go to your local GameStop and purchase it there for a great low price.

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Mustang Magazine | April 2011

UNKNOWN

ARTIST MUSIC REVIEW

by Jacob Miranda

Los Campesinos

» Genre Indie/Pop/Punk » Location Cardiff, UK » Website www.loscampesinos.com » Similar Artists Two Door Cinema Club, Florence and The Machine

All the way from the United Kingdom, Los Campesinos has made a name for itself in the United States. Their hit song "You! Me! Dancing!", which airs on the Budwieser football commercials, is one of their catchiest songs yet. Check website for tour dates and upcoming concerts.

Scarlett O’ Hara

» Genre Post-Hardcore » Location McAllen, TX » Website www.myspace.com/scarlettohara » Similar Artists Bring Me The Horizon, Asking Alexandria

Straight up from McAllen, Texas, the band got signed practically right after high school to Rise Records (Dance Gavin Dance, Attack Attack) in December 2009. Their latest album "Lost in Existence" is available in stores and will be touring soon. Check out website for tour dates and upcoming concerts.

Four Year Strong

» Genre Easy-Core/Pop-Punk/Punk » Location Worchester, MA » Website www.fouryearstrongmusic.com » Similar Artists A Day To Remember, Set Your Goals

From poppy melodies to heavy breakdowns, Four Year Strong has proved that combining technical and hardcore riffs with pop punk melodies can still be a plus on both hardcore and pop punk fans! Their latest album "Enemy Of The World" is one of their most energetic and catchy albums yet! Checking out this band is a must and will be worth your time! Check out website for tour dates and upcoming concerts.

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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Tolkien J.R.R.

by Ashley Castillo

What is the distinction between a mediocre author and one who leaves an impression that has lasted for generations? Is it a witty turn of phrase or the rich landscape the author creates in the reader’s mind?

Whatever the case, one such author has made an impression on the literary world that will last for generations to come.

Many people may not know about John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (J.R.R. Tolkien), but it is safe to bet they have heard of his famous trilogy—The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa on 3 January 1892. Upon the unfortunate death of his father, his family moved to Great Britain.

He attended the usual schools—King Edward’s and later, Oxford University. At a young age, he showed great promise in many ancient and modern languages. Most notably, he was fascinated with Old Norse, the Germanic languages, and Old English. These languages would later be the foundation of his own language. He then formed a fraternity with several of his classmates called the Tea Club Barrovian Society (T.C.B.S).

Tolkien married Edith Bratt, and their love gave birth to his legend of “Beren and Lúthien.” The tale is about a mortal man who falls in love with a beautiful elf who was part goddess. It is a powerful story describing their trials and subsequent lives after death.

After receiving his degree, his life was put on hold when World War I broke out in Europe, where he served in the Lancashire Fusiliers. While there, he succumbed to a form of typhus called “trench-fever.”

As a result, he was sent back to England where he reunited with Edith. Sadly, all but one of his former club members perished in the war. It is through their loss that Tolkien conceives The Book of Lost Tales.

In this, the history of Middle-earth found in The Silmarillion is given shape.

With the ending of WWI,Tolkien returned to Oxford seeking employment. He became a professor and joined a group of contemporaries—calling themselves the “Inklings.” In the group were gentlemen who would become authors of great repute. Most notable, C.S. Lewis was a member and was considered one of Tolkien’s closest friends.

Together, they shared their musings and stories. Among those stories told were The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. In time, the relationship between the two cooled, and they became distant.

Sources point to religion being the catalyst, but one cannot truly know the cause. Suffice to say, their friendship did not last.

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Mustang Magazine | April 2011

As his children grew up, he lavished them with stories. One such example occurred when Christopher forgot his toy at the beach. On the fly, Tolkien created an intricate tale called Roverandom. It is an adventure of a toy dog that was left at the beach and goes on an adventure to become a real dog.

Following the success of The Hobbit, Tolkien released its sequel—The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien was already known for his translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo. The LOTR catapulted him into literary history. Tolkien was reputed to have enjoyed the success his novels brought him, but not the fans. He especially disliked being the object of ardent fandoms and cults.

Tolkien is one of those authors who defy death. His works are still being published; in fact, new stories are released by his son, Christopher Tolkien. Some posthumous books are The Silmarillion,The Unfinished Tales,The History of Middle-earth, The Children of Húrin, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, and Mr. Bliss. The Lord of the Rings was turned into a major motion picture that shattered box office sales and received numerous awards. Presently, The Hobbit has begun production.

Filming started this March, and it is a $500 million, two-movie work in progress.

Tolkien passed away on September 2, 1973. Edith, his wife, preceded him on November 29, 1971. They are survived by Christopher and Priscilla. Maybe they truly were like Beren and Lúthien, and they reside in an undying land.

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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(\_/) (oxo) (___)o

INTERNET CHALLENGES Series Presents:

Chubby Bunny When we were mere children (and for some that was a decade ago), we all indulged ourselves in making bets.

Not gambling bets, though, but more like issuing challenges that involved our abilities or skills. The basic formula is "I bet you can't beat me in (insert challenge here)." For instance, there is the classic "I bet you can't beat me in a race" challenge.

As we get older, though, we find ourselves unwilling to make such bets because we do not find them to be as entertaining. But, through the power of the Internet, a new era of challenges was born - one that only requires you to have a pulse and a willingness to do something extremely stupid. This era has been labeled with two words. Internet. Challenge. While there are many good challenges, this piece covers only one of the more popular challenges. As the series continues, we will observe or consider a different one in each issue.

First off, we have the infamous "chubby bunny." This one requires more than one participant. The general rule is the cliche "the more, the merrier." What you want to do 18

by Isaac Trevino

is get a bag or two of regular-size marshmallows. DO NOT use the mini-marshmallows.That ruins it. Now the objective is to get the most marshmallows in your mouth while still being able to say the phrase "CHUBBY BUNNY." Seems simple enough, but after about four or five times saying it the task increasingly becomes a greater challenge.

Remember, you are not allowed to chew and / or swallow the marshmallows. That's cheating. Start off by having everyone put one marshmallow in their mouth and, one at a time, say "chubby bunny." Once everyone does that just continue the process - gradually adding one marshmallow at a time - until there is only one person left who can say "chubby bunny." That person wins! Simple as that.

So, with that, I bed thee adieux. ENJOY!

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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Hand Drawn ARTWORKS AND DRAWINGS BY TSTC STUDENTS

by Paola Constante

Hector Hernandez

Send us your artwork! phdclub@gmail.com 20

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

Kathleen Atkinson Ramirez

Jared Stanco

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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A P R I L 2011 CO M M U N I T Y C A L E N DA R

Ricky Martin

Rio Grande Valley Magic

Memphis Broadway Musical

Jackson Street Market Days Saturday, Apr 2 9:00AM to 3:00PM Jackson Street | Harlingen

Disney On Ice: Wednesday, Apr 6 7:30PM State Farm Arena | Hidalgo

Disney-Pixar Toy Story 3

Chalk Art Saturday, Apr 9 9:00AM - 2:00PM Children's Museum of Brownsville

Music/Art

Family Fun

Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3

The Grateful Dead Movie Event Wednesday, Apr 20 7:30PM Cinemark | Harlingen Memphis Broadway Musical Thursday, Apr 28 7:30PM Cinemark | Harlingen Ricky Martin: Monday, Apr 25 7:30PM State Farm Arena | Hidalgo

Musica Almo Sexo World Tour 2011

Metropolitan Opera: The Barber of Seville

Tuesday, Apr 26 1:00PM Carmike 20 | Edinburg

Rio Grande Valley Magic vs. Houston Stallions

Saturday, Apr 16 7:05PM State Farm Arena | Hidalgo 22

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

Mustang Magazine | April 2011

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