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Column: Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya and Jesus Chavez

May 2, 2009 By Brian Stubbs

They say that mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship are crushing the sport of boxing. The cage fighters get to brawl like two guys in a street fight. The kings of the ring are limited to strictly punching with heavier padded gloves to find a way to out-point or knock out their opponent. Its true that ratings and attention have gone the way of the cage, but boxers fight for 12 rounds and can be saved by the bell…Don’t count Boxing out.

In case you missed it, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Productions was in Austin hosting the Lightweight Lightning at the Frank Erwin a few weeks back. I didn’t see Oscar, but heard rumors that he was in the building. However, during one of the fights, I noticed that, ex-champ, Jesse James Leija was in the corner of a San Antonio fighter. The early fights were a bit slow and fans became a little restless.

It got pretty funny when one of the drunk guys in the row behind us yelled out, “Throw in the flag!” His boy next to him begins to correct him, “Stupid, its throw in the towel. Not the flag.” Everyone within an earshot started laughing. This is known as a Wronger where I come from. Wronger – This is when someone messes up a known phrase or word. “Throw in the flag!” is a total wronger.

Back to the boxing…Austin’s very own, Jesus “El Matador” Chavez, was in one of the headlining fights vs Michael Katsidas. Chavez fought as he always does, in your face. He was determined to bring a victory for himself and the local crowd. Unfortunately, Katsidas had his number. Taking advantage of the fighting style and slowing age of Chavez, Katsidas charged at Chaves and bullied him around the ring. It almost looked like a UT secondary putting a shoulder on a wide receiver. He would charge Chavez, and drop his shoulder into him and push him. Chavez was unable to use his strength of dodging and weaving punches and then hurting and stopping opponents with his counter punches. Katsidas’ relentless, head-first attacks literally became the deciding factor in the fight when a head butt caused a gash to open up in Chavez’s forehead. The blindingness of the blood in his eyes and the frustration of finding the open shots on Katsidas drew Chavez and his corner to call it quits and not come out for round eight. It was sad to see this happen to one of Austin’s greatest champions, but it was a valiant effort. During the post fight interview, Chavez hinted at retirement.

Speaking of retirement, everybody reading this blog had to of heard that De La Hoya retired last week. It was sad because De La Hoya brought so much to the sport. Always battling with the better fighters of the day, he made money for Pay-per view and he made money for me. 😉 I loved it when my friends would bet me against him. Thankfully they have been too cautious to bet during some of his last fights and I got to keep my money. Oscar is one of the last fighters left of the great boxers of the late nineties and early millennium. Oscar won a gold medal at the Olympics, carried several title belts in different weight classes, and had some of the most memorable fights in boxing history. One of his most remembered fights was against the World famous, Mexican fighter, Jesus Chavez. Oscar demolished his childhood idol in a bloody massacre. He earned the respect of many, but also angered many of those that felt he should have taken it easier on Chavez. Chavez was aging and he had lost his speed and strength. De La Hoya was the new and younger champion of boxing and it seemed as if the Latino boxing torch was passed over to him that night.

Its interesting how life can go full circle and repeat itself. Manny Pacquiao reminded Oscar a few months back when he ran circles around him in the ring. Pacquiao was faster and stronger and frustrated Oscar to an 8th round TKO. Oscar hinted at retirement that day and we all know what happened. Pacquiao is the new star in the boxing’s lighter classes. He’s going to take on Ricky Hatton and this is going to be a thrilling show. Manny comes into the fight with a 48-3-2 record with 36 KOs. Hatton steps in with a nearly perfect record of 45-1 and 32 KOs. Manny uses his speed and strength and usually head hunts his opponents while Hatton is a stalker and a wrecking force to the body. This will be a good one…very technical, action packed, and someone is probably going down. Call your cable company, start the BBQ, bust out the drinks and kick back for the main event…Don’t count Boxing out!

Column: Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast

April 15, 2009 By Brian Stubbs

A couple of weeks ago, I went to my first Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast. The topic that morning was Finding Capital in a Recession. The place was packed and it made sense. We’re in a recession and people are looking for money, so why not find out how to get it. Anyways, I happened to be there because my friend was seeking money for his new business opportunity, a new brand of tequila. That’s a whole different story that I will hopefully talk about in the future.

So, it was a while back and I was half paying attention as I ate my breakfast and twittered from the table. I’m going to try and recall some points that I found interesting.

During a discussion on applying for loans from lenders, one of the panel members advised on not having your credit pulled as you bounced from bank to bank, because it would hurt your score. One woman explained that it was not necessary to have your score pulled and that you could apply for loans with a previous credit score pulled. At the time of due diligence, they would eventually find out if that score still qualified you for the loan.

They also talked about making friends with the bank manager. Explaining that it was easier for the bank manager to make adjustments or assist you based on a history of banking with them. This will not guarantee you receive a loan, but will give you a better chance if you are close to qualifying.

Having assisted a previous start-up with seeking funding, I knew my friend probably should stay away from the banks and focus on venture capitalist. They can invest on different criteria other than credit lines. They take these risks, because they usually request a piece of the company in exchange for helping you. It has its advantages, because along with the money, you also get the knowledge of the investment team as support to grow your business. There was an Angel investor there that my friend was able to meet and they actually are meeting again next week to discuss his business venture.

Panelists
Cole Harmonson, Far West Capital
Shirley Sheffield, BiG Austin
Will Penny, Wachovia
Barbra Boeta, PeopleFund
Debra Dimando, Small Business Administration (SBA)
Jason Villarreal, Capital CDC
Adeline Rem, Celtic Bank

Moderated by Susan Baughman
Business Development Manager
Clark, Thomas & Winters
A Professional Corporation
Hall T. Martin, Austin Entrepreneur Network

On a side note – The networking breakfast was held at:
Casa Chapala Mexican Cantina and Grill
3010 West Anderson Lane, Suite D
The food was good. I had the Migas, beans, and tortillas.

Overall, I was impressed with the networking breakfast held by the GAHCC and I will attend future events.

Column: NHI needs motivated high school freshmen

March 2, 2009 By Ian Morales

Almost every Sunday in 1995, I spent my day at the capital learning how to debate and develop leadership skills. Little did I know at that time that I was building friendships that would last a lifetime. Later in life it became a valuable business network. You see, my friends that I spent my Sundays with at 15 are many of the same friends I have today. We are all what I consider to be the next wave of Hispanic leadership not only in Austin but in the country. Some of us are educators, lobbyists, prominent businessman, social workers, entrepreneurs and anything in between. I never would have met those people or made those great friends had it not been for The National Hispanic Institute (NHI).

As a high school freshman, I was part of the NHI’s Young Leadership Conference (YLC) training. YLC’s objective is to develop leadership skills in students through debate training, with events that include mock trial, extemporaneous speaking, oratory and cross examination. All the fore mentioned events are what students compete in at a summer debate tournament known as The Great Debate. Here is a video clip here to give you an idea of the student experience and a visual of how big the tournament actually is:

After 1995, I went on to do the other NHI programs like the Lorenzo DeZavala Youth Legistlative Program and The College World Series. Also after my freshman year of high school, I helped train the new incoming class of YLCers for their Great Debate. I did this until my senior year of high school. Although it was a great experience being a participant, it was more rewarding as a trainer or junior counselor (as they are referred to) for the Champion Austin YLC Team in 1996. It was at that moment in my life when I really understood what it was to give back to not only the program that did so much for me, but also to the Hispanic Community as a whole.

Back then the Austin NHI program was so strong and large in number. The program was comprised of students from every school in AISD, Pflugerville, Buda, and Round Rock. Today the team is comprised primarily of Bowie students. They have been making inroads into Crocket and other schools, but still need more contacts and help from the schools. The current and newly formed Austin NHI alumni is now working together to help fund raise and help in any other way they can.

Current Austin NHI Students

Right now the Austin NHI is asking all you readers out there to help them identify talented high school freshman who would be ideal candidates for the YLC program. They also are looking to connect with teachers in the different area school districts and potential sponsors to assist students with the YLC tuition. In the meantime, I will be spending my Sundays with the current team of high school student coaches and alumni volunteers.

For a quick introduction to The National Hispanic Institute, check the video below:

For more information on the Austin YLC program visit the following website:

YLC Austin

Or Email the Austin NHI YLC Program at:

[email protected]

Column: Live music comes to Pangaea

February 3, 2009 By Angela Maldonado

Maybe I watched too much of the BBC’s Absolutely Fabulous on Super Bowl Sunday (not a football girl, sorry), so bear with me. Anyway, the main character Edwina Monsoon loves the beautiful things, is obsessed with names and gets herself in outrageous situations trying to obtain them.

So, when I hear her crying for, “Names, darling! Names!” I think of Pangaea.

Located in the Warehouse District on Colorado Street– more specifically at the site of the old Drafthouse for those who haven’t been yet–Pangaea’s storied reputation easily filled the confines and, in fact, changed the face of the location that held an Austin Landmark.

Now Pangaea is a chain, having started in New York City in 2001. There are now Pangaeas in hot spot cities such as London, Spain, Miami and Hollywood, Florida. The clubs are used to having high profile guests stop by to party. J Lo, Shakira, Prince and Alicia Keyes are a few of the names that have stepped into a Pangaea. But, Pangaea Austin will have something that those locations won’t: live music.

According to Steven Seymour, who runs Pangaea Austin, the club caught the live music bug during last year’s South by Southwest music festival.

“We found out we have such spectacular acoustics that everyone wanted to play here,” Seymour said. “We’re still running as a nightclub on weekends, which has always been amazing since the day we opened, but we’re running in Austin and it’s the ‘Live Music Capital of the World.”

Before the stage or sound system was built, they had to reach out to music community, and who best to call then Danny Crooks of Steamboat fame. And what happened next was like one those school phone tree moments…Austin music scene style.

“[Pangaea] called me up and said if you want to put music in here, let’s do it,” Crooks said. “And i started calling around to a few of my friends: Grupo Fantasma,Vallejo, Del Castillo, and got three yes’ in a row, boom, boom, boom.”

And those groups are exactly who will play the first three shows at Pangaea Live this month on February 5, 12 and 19, respectively.

To prepare for all the live music about to happen, a brand new sound system was installed as well as a 12×18 foot stage with red curtain backdrop.

Booking for the club, Crooks said, is a lot more relaxing than doing the booking for Steamboat for 20-plus years.

“It’s been really easy because I’m not having to do five nights a week or seven nights a week like at Steamboat, three bands a night every night. When you’re booking 84 bands a month it can be not fun, the rest of the stuff can be fun, but the booking cannot be fun and you’re pulling your hair out trying to make sure you’re doing the right things.”

Through all that, Crooks had definitely done the right things, building an extensive rolodex of bands he’s worked with throughout the years. And with the club side of Pangaea still going on strong, the live music coming to the club can ebb and flow.

“The cool thing about this place is there is no real pressure,” Crooks said. “If I’ve got five shows, then I can do five or I can do one show a week if it’s a cool show.”

With the music scene in Austin, pulling that off would easy to do. Seymour goes on to say he specifically wanted to have local bands play the first few shows then work in more diverse and national acts later down the road.

So what can people expect from a Pangaea Live shows?

“As a club, Pangaea starts as a lounge and builds itself,” Seymour said. “If you come earlier, the lights are brighter, the music a bit lower and the the lights go down and the music goes up as the night progresses, and then by 2 o’clock it’s a raging party. We orchestrate that, but I think with the live music it’s going to be interesting. I think it’s going to be a great room for live music.”
Probably interesting in the fact that Seymour thinks dance floors are boring, opting for a more interactive experience.

“One of the great things is there is never really a dance floor, so you’re encouraged to dance on the furniture.You’ll come here at night and you’ll see all these different levels and the room sort of takes off.”

Seymour goes on to describe how one Saturday had about 60 women dancing everywhere throughout the room.

If anything, Seymour says, it’s just good practice in this economy for people to just come out and have a good time.

“You need to go dancing, you really need to. It’s not about the drinks, you need to go have fun, go out and see a great movie or a great band, but you need to get out and dance you really do.”

With local favorites, Grupo Fantasma, Vallejo with opening band Kalua and Del Castillo, it’s hard to imagine doing anything else.

*For more information, check out the Pangaea Live Myspace

*To purchase advance tickets, visit Frontgate Tickets

Column: Whataburger heartbreak, an open letter

January 5, 2009 By Angela Maldonado

Dear Whataburger,

I’ve always thought of you as part of the family. I mean you’ve been around since 1950. My parents were mere teenagers when your first stand came up in Corpus Christi.

So, what happened? Now you’re leaving, closing the doors of your nondescript headquarters on Staples Street. As reported by the Corpus Christi Caller Times in November, you announced moving about 250 employees to San Antonio and you left city officials wondering, ‘could this relationship have been saved?’

I’d heard my parents experiences at different times throughout my life. As told to me by my mom, she and my dad could get a classic Whataburger for 35 cents. For an extra 25 cents, they could wash it down with a thick strawberry, vanilla or chocolate shake.

“They were good,” she’d say, sighing. “ But, they were better then they were now.” And her taste-bud memory would take over and she’s describe glossy, toasted buns with crunchy edges, crisp, shredded lettuce. Not like now, as her head starts shaking, when she’d unwrap a burger and find a squashed bun and clumsy chunks of lettuce.

As far as my memories go, I remember the five of us pulling into the parking lot after a long family trip. We’d all order burgers and shakes at the Whataburger off SPID on Airline. And in 1999, when I was a senior in high school, the “Whataburger by the Bay” opened up and the whole city made the trek down Shoreline Drive.

I mean this one sported an elevator and outdoor seating on the second floor. Believe me, you’ve never experienced Whataburger until you’re eating your burger with the salty breeze from the bay hitting your face, all the while keeping a wary eye on the vulture-like seagulls hovering above. In fact, that year my best friend and our dates had dinner there after the homecoming dance on the Lexington.

Come college, I was living in San Marcos and you’d already expanded your menu to include taquitos. Being raised on the real stuff from my mom and the tacos from local taquerias in Corpus, I didn’t judge that your potato in your potato and egg tacos was just cut up hash browns. In fact, when my dorm mates suggested a taco run I went along and doused mine with as much hot sauce as the poor, little, mass-packaged tortilla could handle.

But now, I can’t do it. At least, not right now. I mean, I know Corpus can be the biggest, small city you could ever live in, but it’s got personality. I used to enjoy the look of surprise on people’s faces when I’d tell them that you were from Corpus too. Oh, if they needed proof? I’d say just check the fine print on one of the little takeout ketchup tubs, and you’d see the city listed right there.

And now, if you need proof of how your leaving affects Corpus, just check out the disappointed faces of people in town.

Until next time,

Angela

P.S. Um, next time may be when I get a BOB craving, ’cause those are good. Damn you, Whataburger!!