Texas State’s Mainstage Theater transported audiences to 1809 in the theater department’s most recent production, Arcadia.

The story is set in an English country home and leaps between present-day and the early 19th century.

The intertwining stories give the audience a taste of politics, mystery, sexual tension and comedy. The play occurs in a living room and maintains order in the different time periods by using the same props and decorations.

To be frank, Broken Embraces, directed by Pedro Almodovar, is not a bad film by any means. But it is not a great film.

The movie had everything going for it from the enigmatic trailer, lush visuals and big stars, but fell short of expectations.

The film is about a man, played by Lluis Homar, who goes by two names: Mateo Blanco, the director; and his fictional name, Harry Caine, the scriptwriter. When the movie begins, we are shown he goes by Harry Caine after a car accident that left him blind 14 years earlier.

Students and residents visited Stone Creek Crossing this weekend to get a glimpse inside the latest retail store to open at the new shopping center.

Maurices celebrated its grand opening Thursday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Maurices boasts more than 700 stores nationwide and is the most recent development for the San Marcos shopping center.

Christina Cerda-Schultz, store manager, said customers should expect to find the most up-to-date trends at affordable prices when they come into maurices.

Christ Chapel, the Lutheran and Episcopal campus ministry, has had a big transformation in past months. 

The time and space is available for the ministry to become a center to focus on students and staff alike.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church shared the space on Guadalupe Street with the campus ministry program for three years. The house of worship has since moved to a new location on Ranch Road 12.

“We’re establishing our own identity and our own use of the space,” said Rev. Jaime Bouzard.

A San Marcos group proves growing fruits and vegetables is possible without a garden in the backyard.

The importance of eating local and organic foods is stressed by Edible San Marcos, an organization created to support surrounding growers.

Suzi Fields, chairman of Edible San Marcos, professionally farms organically.

Fields said Edible San Marcos is spreading the word about becoming healthy by eating smart.

“We are here to make the connection between food and health,” Fields said. “We want to show people how easy it can be.”

Ben Rondeau/ Staff photographer

Abram Garcia still considers himself a kid at heart.

Garcia, a self-proclaimed “Disney freak,” has big dreams and the talent to make them come true.

Garcia, dance junior, first began dancing when he was five years old, but quit when teased by classmates.

“My friends made fun of me,” Garcia said. “My little dance heart was broken. I started dancing again when I was 15.”

Local musicians are singing a tune to remind students to check their mailboxes for the 2010 U.S. census.

The Texas State team for the Bateman Competition, a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of the 2010 census, decided to market its message in the form of musical lyrics.

Laura Carhart, a Bateman member, said the team wrote the lyrics for a census-themed song titled, “Count on Me to Be Counted.” The team gave the song to different bands and local artists to record.

Two fraternities united Monday and Tuesday to raise money for Haiti relief.

Kappa Alpha Order and Alpha Phi Alpha joined together for a two-day barbecue fundraiser in The Quad.

Jeremy Klaff, Kappa Alpha Order member, said he was working with the Interfraternity Council for the cause and to unite the greek community.

Klaff, electronic media senior, said this was the first recent event to mix fraternities together.

“As far as I know, we haven’t had any type of events together, and I’ve been here since fall ‘07,” Klaff said.

Language takes a different form for the students who gather every Monday in LBJ Student Center, Room 4-1.9.

The newly re-formed American Sign Language Club educates people about the group’s purpose and deaf culture.

Club president Suzy Bush, advertising senior, said she has always been interested in the intersection of movement and expression. Bush was an avid dancer growing up, but had to give up her passion after injuring her back while serving in the Army.

Getting an appointment at the Texas State Writing Center has been a hassle because of limited staff and an increase of students.

When staff members heard the protests of frustrated students through e-mails and verbal complaints, they chose to accommodate and expand.

The Writing Center has set aside specific “drop-in” tutoring hours staffed exclusively by graduate students.