Festiva (Sept. 16, 2011)

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Moenia

YOU LOOK LIKE A FUN PERSON. LET’S BE FRIENDS! REQUEST US ON FACEBOOK TODAY.

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B-DAYS

AMBERSEPT. 18

JADESEPT. 17

YSABELLASEPT. 17

BLOGFESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM

MITCH ELADA

STAFFBRANDON R. GARCIAEDITOR [email protected]

ZACK QUAINTANCEWRITER [email protected]

AMY NICHOL SMITHWRITER [email protected]

CRYSTAL OLVERAWRITER [email protected]

TRAVIS M. WHITEHEADWRITER [email protected]

COPY/PHOTO DESK TAMARA CUPPLESAMY CASEBIERBRUNO GARCIASANTOS GARCIANYDIA GARZA TELMA GUZMAN JUAN LUEVANO

PHOTOGRAPHERS GABE HERNANDEZNATHAN LAMBRECHTDELCIA LOPEZJOEL MARTINEZ

Festiva, a product of The Monitor and Valley Freedom Newspapers of South Texas, is the Rio Grande Valley’s oldest and most established weekly arts and entertainment publication. It is available in every Friday edition of The Monitor. Story sug-gestions, comments and criticisms may be e-mailed to [email protected]. For advertising inquires, contact Christina Castillo at (956) 683-4177 or Pily Toledo at (956) 683-4164.

ALEXANDERSEPT. 16

DAVIDSEPT. 16

JEANNIESEPT. 18

MOVIE: Drive (R)STARRING: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perl-man, Christina Hendricks, Bryan CranstonGENRE: Action/Adventure, DramaWHAT’S IT ABOUT? A Hollywood stunt driver stars in action movies by day and real-life Los Angeles heists by night.AT FIRST GLANCE ... The fi lm looks like it could be the best action thriller of the year. With rave reviews and a talented cast, how could you go wrong?

CONTESTS THE FESTIVA2F THE MONITOR | FRIDAY, SEPT. 16, 2011FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM

>> This is the best time of year because my only emotion is fantasy football.

>> Wait what? Facebook stalking chicks is NOT my job?

>> In regards to last night: Now I’m not the world’s most physical guy, but when she squeezed me tight she nearly broke my spine.

>> Oops, just realized my phone has been on super loud all day. Good thing I don’t have any friends!

>> None of my facebook friends have a birthday today ... God my life is empty.

>> No seriously, how did anyone know if beer was cold before the Coors Light super cold bar?

>> I should start sending out apology notes on Friday afternoon.

>> The post offi ce smells like body odor, come to think of it so did the bank and my apartment...

>> Don’t you hate when your phone vibrates? But it’s not really vibrating? It’s just wishful thinking cause you’re so lonely you wanna die?!

FOLLOW @MITCH_ELADAON TWITTER!

MOVIE: I Don’t Know How She Does It (PG-13)STARRING: Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn, Seth MeyersGENRE: ComedyWHAT’S IT ABOUT? A working mom balances chil-dren, a husband and a high-stress job.AT FIRST GLANCE ... The movie looks like it could be a fun girls’-night-out fl ick for moms, daughters and bes-ties.

MOVIE: The Lion King (G)STARRING: Matthew Broderick, Niketa Calame, Jim Cummings, James Earl Jones, Nathan LaneGENRE: Comedy/AdventureWHAT’S IT ABOUT? A young lion who is convinced he’s responsible for his father’s death runs away from home.AT FIRST GLANCE ... “The Lion King” is a classic, and every family’s best best this weekend. The colorful tale is sure to dazzle in 3D.

ATTHEMOVIES

MOVIE: Straw Dogs (R)STARRING: Serinda Swan, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Amanda Fuller, Sid Haig, Mehcad BrooksGENRE: Suspense/ThrillerWHAT’S IT ABOUT? When a young couple moves to the country they are harrassed by a local gang. AT FIRST GLANCE ... It’s hard to tell if this modern version of Sam Peckinpah’s “Straw Dogs” will be able to live up to its predecessor. James Marsden is no Dustin Hoffman.

To compete for a pair of tickets to see Moenia, post a com-ment on our Facebook page answering this question: What is your favorite Moenia song and why?

FRIDAY, SEPT. 16, 2011 | THE MONITOR 3FFESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM

SWEET SOUNDS

mar Samaniego believedsomething was missing fromMcAllen. The city needed morecolor, more lights, more music

and more spontaneous bursts of singing. Omar’s wife Jennifer and his sister-in-lawValerie Johnson both climbed on board tohelp jump start the McAllen Music The-atre Company.

“I’ve been a choir director for seven yearsnow,” Omar, 35, said. “I see all of thesekids who are graduating who really, theydon’t have anywhere else to go. There’sreally not a lot for them to do. I know thatthere’s talent out there. I know that thereare people who are ready and willing.”

The group will be holding a fundraisercalled “A Night on the Town” hosted bynews anchor Letty Garza at 7 p.m. FridayOct. 28, at the Art Village on Main.

Auditions have already been held and lo-cals will be appearing in elaborate masksperforming music from “The Phantom ofthe Opera.” There will also be food anddrinks and a silent auction.

Johnson, 41, has worked on variousstage productions from opera to musicalsas a costume designer. She will lend herdesign and seamstress skills to the proj-ect, and she hopes to recruit some of herstudents from South Texas College to thegroup.

“They were actually really interestedand I’ve talked to a couple of them sincethen and they’re willing to volunteer

O

BY AMY NICHOL SMITH

THIS PAGE Photos of actors and actresses who auditioned for McAllen Music Theater compa-ny’s upcoming show, ‘A Night On The Town.’

NEW THEATER COMPANY IS MUSIC TO McALLEN’S EARS

so really it’s an amazing opportunity,” Johnson said. Omar leads the choir atMcAllen Memorial High School. Beforethat, he worked as an instructor at NikkiRowe High School. Omar wore the hatsof almost every position needed in theproduction of a musical from producerand director to stage hand and sound.

“I was raised here, so I went throughthe high school choir and was in musi-cals here,” Omar said.

While Jennifer doesn’t sing or act, shedoes understand the important role artsplay in education. As an English teacherat Brown Middle School, Jennifer seesthe impact art, music and theatre haveon her students.

“I really like to get kids involved in thearts. It’s really important. It improves their view of life, and their enjoyment oflife,” she said.

Currently, the McAllen Music TheatreCompany is recognized as a nonprofi t group by Texas, but the organizers are in the process of applying for 501c3 status.

Omar expects the fi rst full productionto take place in July next year. All threeemphatically agreed on the fi rst show— “Hairspray.”

A NIGHT ON THE TOWNWHERE 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28WHERE: The Art Village on Main, 800 N. Main St., McAllenCOST: $25BUY TICKETS: (956) 802-3672 or [email protected]

THE MONITOR | FRIDAY, SEPT. 16, 2011FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM4F

T H E B E S T S T U F F T O D O T H I S W E E K

� LIVE MUSIC

AlexCampos

olombia-born singer Alex Campos is set to perform at 7 p.m. Fri-day, Sept. 16, at the

McAllen Convention Center. Cam-pos began singing at 14 years old and he hasn’t let up since. The artist has released eight albums, with his latest being “Lenguaje De Amor.” “Lenguaje De Amor” peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums chart. Campos was also nominated for a Latin Grammy for the same album. Also performing is Nidia Quinta-nilla. [ANS]

WHEN

WHERE

COSTTICKETS

7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16McAllen Con-vention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd.$17 to $27McAllen Conven-tion Center box offi ce or at www.ticketmaster.com

C

TO HAVE YOUR EVENT CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN OUR CALENDAR FREE OF CHARGE, E-MAIL ALL DETAILS AND IMAGES TO [email protected] AT LEAST TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE.


Ultimate Block Party Series

� LIVE MUSIC

Kaotiq Productions presents “Ultimate Block Party Series: Vol. 1” tonight, Sept. 16, at Ibiza Nightclub in Downtown McAllen. The night will be host-ed by Lil’ Flip, the Houston rapper who has made a name for himself with songs “Game Over” and “Sunshine,” which peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. DJs set to spin include DJ Agro, Champ and Genairik. There will be performances by Kaotiq, Beat Mecca, C-Styles, Texas’ Most Wanted and Drop Top Entertainment.

WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16WHERE: Ibiza Nightclub, 101 S. 17th St., McAllenCOST: $10, general; $20, VIPBUY TICKETS: Presale tickets can be purchased by calling (956) 400-9870 or (956) 648-2333ONLINE: www.rgvclubs.com

Dog Days� COMMUNITY

Get out of the house with your canine companion for the “Dog Days of Summer are Over” event happening from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Mission Sports Complex. The all-day event features K-9 unit demonstrations, a dog walk, a “muttsquerade,” dog competitions and vendors. All proceeds from the competitions will benefi t the City of Mission Animal Shelter, Palm Valley Animal Center, The Oasis Animal Sanctuary and the Mission Chamber of Commerce Dip-lomat program.

Deena� CELEBRITIES

Deena, from MTV’s reality show “Jersey Shore,” will make an appearance Saturday, Sept. 17, at Club Metropolis in McAllen. She will be joined by her entourage.

WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17WHERE: Club Metropolis, 2021 Orchid Ave., McAllenCOST: $15, presale; $20, at the door; $30, VIP (with meet and greet)CALL (956) 325-9055

� COMMUNITY

Hobo Hap’nin ReunionThe Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Depot Restoration committee will be holding the Hobo Hap’nin Reunion at 6:30 p.m. Sat-urday, Sept. 17, at the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. Money raised through ticket sales and silent and live auctions during the event will go toward preserving the South-ern Pacifi c railroad station. There will be live entertainment and dinner served.

WHEN 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17WHERE: Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, 602 W. University DriveCOST: $75BUY TICKETS: (956) 383-4974

� COMMUNITY

Jamaican Me CrazyEnjoy the fl avors of the islands at the McAl-len North Rotary Club “Jamaican Me Crazy” celebration at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Las Palmas Race Park in Mission. There will be Jamaican barbecued chicken, pork and sausage, beer, soda and Jamaican rum punch, music by Sugar Ice Tea, a silent auc-tion and a raffl e for a scooter.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17WHERE: Las Palmas Race Park, 7509 N. Taylor Road, MissionCOST: $40, presale; $45, at the doorCALL: (956) 781-4141

� COMMUNITY

Lousy T-shirt Fun RunThis fun run will raise money for The Leu-kemia and Lymphoma Society, and it will also offer you a free lousy T-shirt if you want one.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17WHERE: Harlon Block Park, 1020 W. 18th St., WeslacoCOST: $5 (no shirt) for one mile, $10 (shirt) for one mile; $15 (no shirt) for almost four miles; $20 (shirt)

>>>> MORE EVENTS ON PAGES 6 AND 7

WHEN 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17WHERE: Mission Sports Complex, 3605 Plantation Grove, MissionCOST: Free, general admission; $5, contests, “muttsquerade”; $15, dog walk; $35, VIP (Very Important Pooch: includes dog walk entry, all contests and competitions, lunch for handler and access to VIP tent)CALL: (956) 789-6345

6F THE MONITOR | FRIDAY, SEPT. 16, 2011FESTIVA.THEMONITOR.COM

� CHARITY

Empty Bowls FundraiserThe annual Empty Bowls fundraiser and silent auction presented by the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Pharr Events Center. More than 30 local restaurants will offer samples of food at this event which aims to raise money to help feed the hungry. The local event also features handcrafted bowls created by lo-cal students, artists and volunteers. The unique pieces of art are souvenirs for those who attend.Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at Food Bank RGV’s website..

WHEN 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22WHERE: Pharr Events Center, 3000 N. Cage Blvd.COST: $25BUY TICKETS: http://www.foodbankrgv.com

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� CALL FOR ARTISTS

Fiesta Marathon seeking bandsOrganizers for the Fiesta Marathon, which takes place Sunday, Dec.11,at the McAllen Convention Center, are searching for bands to entertainthe crowd. The Fiesta Marathon is one of the largest annual events in McAllen for runners with a total distance of 26.2 miles. All participatingbands will receive lunch. If you’re interested in participating call Veronica Galligan at (956) 821-9569.

� FILM

‘La Epoca De Oro’Rogelio Agrasanchez Jr., the curator of the Agrasanchez Film Archive, and Al-varo Rodriguez, screenwriter of “Ma-chete,” and “From Dusk Til Dawn 3: The Hangman’s Daughter,” will screen and discuss Roberto Gavaldon’s “De-seada.” The fi lm scholars will discuss “La Epoca de Oro,” an era of Mexican fi lmmaking from the mid-1930s to the 1960s. For more information visit www.cinesol.com..

WHEN Noon Saturday, Sept. 17WHERE: UTPA Library Auditorium, EdinburgONLINE: www.cinesol.com

� ART

Student ExhibitThe McAllen Creative Incubator will host an exhibit of the work of four student artists. It will beheld 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the

Incubator, located at 1001 S. 16th St., McAllen. Attendees of this free exhibit may also purchase the paintings. For more information call (956) 687.

� FAMILY

Skating Rink PartyHelp The Rink Family Fun Center cel-ebrate its one year anniversary from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, in San Juan. Everyone gets into The Rink for free. Also, outside there will be face painting, fi nger painting and moon jumps. A local artist will perform and a DJ will keep the party going while you browse vendor and food booths and enter a grito con-test. The Latin Dreams Car Club will hold a car show, too. Entry will only cost 10 canned goods, which will be donated to the Rio Grande Val-ley Food Bank. They’re also looking for graffi ti artists willing to do live pieces during the event. For more information on participating, call (956) 781-7465.

� CHARITY

Museum FundraiserThe Mission Historical Museum will be honoring locals for their contributions to the history of Mission at a banquet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at Ci-marron Country Club in Mission. Dinner will be served and then there will be a presentation to thank those who will be featured in the museum’s hall of fame. There will also be a silent auc-tion and a drawing for prizes, such as a fl at screen television, a weekend for two at South Padre Island, electronics and tickets to the Rio Grande Valley Sym-phony. Tickets for the banquet cost $35 per person, and raffl e tickets are $10 each. Proceeds from the event will benefi t the museum.

WHEN 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 WHERE: Cimarron Country Club, 1200 S. Shary Road, Mission COST: $35, banquet; $10, raffle tickets

DRIVE R12:10 2:40 5:20 7:50 10:25I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT PG-1311:50 2:20 4:35 7:10 10:05THE LION KING 3D GREALD 3D 1:55 4:25 7:05 9:40DIGITAL CINEMA 11:40AMSTRAW DOGS R11:00 12:25 1:40 3:15 4:45 6:05 7:30 8:50 10:10BUCKY LARSON: BORN TOBE A STAR R 9:25PMCONTAGION PG-1311:10 12:35 1:50 3:25 4:50 6:15 7:40 9:05 10:35WARRIOR PG-13DIGITAL CINEMA 1:00 4:10 7:15 10:40APOLLO 18 PG-1311:45 2:05 4:20 7:00 9:45SHARK NIGHT PG-13REALD 3D 2:00 4:30 7:00 9:30DIGITAL CINEMA 11:30AM

SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ(SALVANDO AL SOLDADOPEREZ) PG-13DIGITAL CINEMA 4:50 7:20 10:00THE DEBT R11:15 2:00 4:40 7:20 10:15COLOMBIANA PG-13DIGITAL CINEMA 11:05 2:00 4:50 7:40 10:30DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK R11:00 1:45 4:20 7:10 9:50SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIMEIN THE WORLD PG REALD 3D 11:30AMDIGITAL CINEMA 2:10PMTHE HELP PG-1312:00 3:40 7:00 10:20RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES PG-1311:30 2:15 4:55 7:45 10:30THE SMURFS PG11:05 1:35 4:10 6:45

DRIVE R11:40 2:15 4:50 7:25 10:00THE LION KING 3D GREALD 3D 11:35 2:00 7:00 9:20 DIGITAL CINEMA 4:25PMSTRAW DOGS R11:25 2:05 4:55 7:35 10:20BUCKY LARSON: BORN TO BE A STAR R12:00 2:45 5:15 7:45 10:15CONTAGION PG-1311:25 12:50 2:10 3:30 4:50 6:10 7:30 8:50 10:10WARRIOR PG-13 DIGITAL CINEMA11:45 3:00 6:30 9:40APOLLO 18 PG-1311:50 2:10 4:30 7:00 9:20SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ(SALVANDO AL SOLDADOPEREZ) PG-13 DIGITAL CINEMA 11:50 2:25 5:00 7:35 10:05

SHARK NIGHT PG-13REALD 3D 11:35 2:15 7:35 10:15DIGITAL CINEMA 4:55PMTHE DEBT R11:40 2:30 5:10 7:50 10:30COLOMBIANA PG-1311:45 2:25 5:05 7:45 10:25DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK R11:35 2:05 4:40 7:15 9:50SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD PGREALD 3D 11:30 4:10 8:50DIGITAL CINEMA 1:50 6:30 THE HELP PG-1311:30 2:40 6:05 9:15RISE OF THE PLANET OFTHE APES PG-1312:00 2:40 5:30 8:00 10:30THE SMURFS PG11:55 2:30 5:05 7:40 10:10

DRIVE R DIGITAL CINEMA 2:00 4:35 7:05 9:45 I DON'T KNOW HOW SHEDOES IT PG-13 DIGITAL CINEMA 11:55 2:30 5:10 7:45 10:30THE LION KING 3D G REALD 3D 2:25 4:50 7:20 9:35 DIGITAL CINEMA 12:00PMSTRAW DOGS R DIGITAL CINEMA 1:50 4:45 7:25 10:20CONTAGION PG-13 DIGITAL CINEMA 11:45 2:20 4:55 7:30 10:05

WARRIOR PG-13 DIGITAL CINEMA 12:45 4:05 7:15 10:25APOLLO 18 PG-13 DIGITAL CINEMA 11:55 2:15 4:40 7:10 9:40SHARK NIGHT PG-13 REALD 3D 5:00 10:15 DIGITAL CINEMA 1:25 7:40COLOMBIANA PG-13 DIGITAL CINEMA 1:35 4:10 7:00 10:00DON'T BE AFRAID OFTHE DARK R DIGITAL CINEMA 12:05 2:35 5:05 7:35 10:10

HORRIBLE BOSSES R 11:55 2:15 4:40 6:55 9:15ZOOKEEPER PG 12:10 2:40 5:00 7:25 9:50TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON PG-13REALD 3D 11:45 3:05 6:25 9:45STANDARD 12:00 3:20 6:40 10:00BAD TEACHER R 12:05 2:20 4:35 6:50 9:05SUPER 8 PG-13 11:50 2:25 5:05 7:35 10:10

HORRIBLE BOSSES R 11:50 2:20 4:40 7:00 9:25ZOOKEEPER PG 12:05 1:00 2:35 3:30

5:05 6:00 7:35 9:00 10:05TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON PG-13REALD 3D 11:30 2:50 6:10 9:30STANDARD 12:00 3:20 6:40 10:00BAD TEACHER R 11:45 2:00 4:30 7:05 9:20GREEN LANTERN PG-13 12:45 3:25 6:15 8:50SUPER 8 PG-13 11:35 2:15 4:50 7:25 10:10

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FRIDAYNIGHTBITES

It’s Friday night, and the Sharyland Rattlers have jumped out to a massive lead over Corpus Christi Flour Bluff. The team piles on the points. Meanwhile in the stands, a different battle rages, fought with fajitas, sweet tea and cups of corn. This year school districts across Texas faced budget cuts, which also hurt some of the athletic and extracurricular programs. Parent and teacher volun-teers took up arms. They planned to sell delicious food at the weekly football games as they do every year, but this season the stakes are higher. The fajita has to be extra succulent, the raspas especially sweet and the cups of corn mind-bogglingly, er, corny. As student athletes work on the fi eld, boosters work to make sure they don’t feel the sting of budget cuts. For the average fan, it means one thing – Friday night football food will be as tasty as ever.

BY ZACK QUAINTANCE

Beef fajitas at PSJA stadium.PHOTO BY DELCIA LOPEZ


DONNAKevin Kromer and the Donna High School girls basketball team faced a tough

challenge.They wanted to raise money for their team by working a concession stand at

the Redskins football games, but due to the luck of the draw they got stuck with concession stand D, which is located on the far northeast corner of the fi eld beside the visiting stands.

It’s not exactly a highly traffi cked area.So what were they to do? They needed to make a certain amount of money

to afford team T-shirts and other incidentals.Kromer hauled his grill from home, and he decided to make barbecue chicken

tacos, just like he does at home. The girls from the team volunteered to walk through the stands in the middle of the game selling them.

“What can we do?” Kromer said. “We got to do something to get people over here.”

Selling a few tacos now should go a long way later.

.

Sausage tacos from the PSJA Memorial boosters at PSJA Stadium in PharrPHOTO BY NATHAN LAMBRECHT


Edcouch-Elsa Stadium chili con carne hotdogs PHOTO BY DELCIA LOPEZ

Corn in a cup at a stand at Rattler Stadium in Mission PHOTO BY DELCIA LOPEZ


Edcouch Elsa chili chamoy gummy bears. PHOTO BY DELCIA LOPEZ

Candies at a stand at Rattler Stadium in Mission PHOTO BY GABE HERNANDEZ

HIDALGOStanding beside a grill the size of a compact car, Jerry Gonzalez lifts his base-

ball cap and wipes his sweaty brow. He can relax now as the third quarter starts. Gonzalez, who started cooking

fajita tacos 10 years ago as a volunteer coach for the Hidalgo Pirates football team, has done his job tonight.

He arrived at the stadium at 4 p.m. with a team of about fi ve other cooks. They had 150 pounds of fajita meat to grill before kickoff. Now the job is done, and the tacos have sold out, as usual by the end of half time.

Gonzalez, like many other parents throughout the Valley, volunteers his time without pay to raise money for the team. He also enjoys watching fans ap-preciate the food.

In fact, until last year he used to haul his own personal grill to the game to cook. But like a superstar player, his grill’s day eventually came to an end.

“Last year when they built this one, mine was retired,” Gonzalez says, stand-ing over the new stationary grill Hidalgo built.

It took a brief getting-to-know-you process, but Gonzalez has mastered the new grill. And the fajita tacos at Hidalgo are just as delicious as ever.

.


SHARYLANDMichelle Longoria and Clariza Rivera are sophomore raspa and elote sales-

women. They were rookies last season, when their daughters Kristina Longoria and

Ariana Rivera were freshmen on the cheerleading team. Now both girls are in their second season and on the varsity squad.

With a season of experience, the moms have returned to the Sharyland stands to sell the treats, fully aware that with budget cuts the team needs to raise money more than ever.

Fortunately for them, many of the fans in attendance have already had a satisfying dinner courtesy of Sharyland Athletic Booster Club, which arrived at 3:30 p.m. to cook fajita and sausage tacos.

“Imagine cooking for several thousand of your closest friends,” said Tom Ri-vera, president of the Sharyland boosters.

That’s what they do at every home game. They cook between 120 and 130 pounds of fajita for a normal game. For a rivalry or, fi ngers crossed, playoff game they’ll have to cook more than 200 pounds. But they have a lot of help.

Parent volunteers cook and sell the food. An assembly line of girls soccer players roll the tacos up in foil on a nearby picnic table.

Elsewhere, the booster club has deployed new means of raising money. This year, for the fi rst time ever, they have a memorabilia trailer selling Sharyland gear.

Normally, the $50,000 raised each year goes to fund college scholarships for seniors. And the booster club will still do that, but like every other school, Sharyland needs to compensate for recent cuts, Rivera said.

The fans seem more than willing to help, whether it be by eating tacos or enjoying raspas. Even the $1 cups of sweet tea raise money.

“I don’t care if it’s a cold night, they’ll still drink the sweet tea,” Rivera said with a smile.

And why shouldn’t he smile? The Rattlers were winning, volunteers were raking in funds and the kids in

the stands were having some dinner with their football.

Cindy Venecia from the Sharyland High School Cheerleader Booster Club prepares a raspa at a stand at Rattler Sta-dium in Mission. PHOTO BY GABE HERNANDEZ


Nachos at a stand at Rattler Stadium in Mission. PHOTO BY GABE HERNANDEZ

Martin Carrihea and members of the Edinburg Economedes JROTC prepare fajita tacos before the football game with Brownsville Lopez at Cats Stadium in Edinburg. PHOTO BY JOEL MARTINEZ

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY! CALL YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE.956.982.6651

BROWNSVILLE956.430.6235

HARLINGEN956.975.3506

MID VALLEY956.683.4147

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Festiva (Sept. 16, 2011)