ING BREAK
Continued from
lile the Colorado mount*
; continue to attract thesp
crowds each year, Brittiai
ajority of clients this yet;
j where it is wanner,
here are no flights [left] to!
Brittian said,
ncun, according to Aggie*
itures, has been one of tit
destinations for universiti
this year. Coming in a close
South Padre Island, and
aytona Beach, Florida,
-ing break trips are notnect
t expensive,
look forward to just relaxit
each for a few days in C
i. We are staying in Texas,*
ceep costs down, but wewil
e to have fun.
idn’t want to just sit all
tting on the beach will
s will be exciting,”
tan Brooks, sophomore mart
aior.
AOOTFT TFF
JL, JL JL 1 wJ A-J JL JL JSLma*S
Fiidav, Marfch 3, 2000
THE BATTALION
Page 3
The B-side of H-town
Houston offers alternative to
mainstream tourist attractions
SUSAN REDDING/Thk ll,\rT\UO\
)NING
Continued from Pagt
(>S(' | was created to take cd
it end of the business and alio
continue researching.”
.ilure cloning prices have
determined. Westhusin saidtlsi
: future clones will cost at?
able amount less than Missy!
, cloning may not be the rights
for everyone,
n the future, we hope to ma|
tore affordable. But petclonii
dways be more expensive tta
> to ;i dog breeder, a pet store
limal shelter,” Westhusin sail
. will not be for everyone- 4
erve only a select group ofpeti
Westhusin said that the corap?
;o hopes to make advancemenu
mting cattle with a more res$
mmune system,
any think there are otherwayst#
;c a lost pet. Kathy Bise,dii
the Brazos Animal Shelter,sail
tore arc over a half millionp®
sleep every year in TexasaW
t’s sad that there aretwogrof
ts out there. [There
re loved and cared for so mud
/hen they die, their ownersaif
g to pay thousands of dollars]
them cloned” Bisesaid.1
here are those that are abusft
ft to be euthanized because
wants them.”
/hat people need to understand!
iis is not the way of getting
ick,” Westhusin said. ‘'You
g at best to get a pet that exit#
of the same characteristics.’
BY JUSTIN GARRETT
The Battalion
A s the largest city in Texas, Houston is
filled w ith modem venues of entertain
ment. From world-class theaters mid con
cert halls to live-star restaurants, Houston
stands tall in its ability to provide first-rate cul
tural commodities.
1 lowever, for those who tend to shy away
from commercialized, trendy hotspots and
would rather check out the local punk scene
than the local string quartet, Houston still re
mains an excellent location for an unforgettable
experience.
Just under the surface of this expansive me
tropolis lies a vast unexploited realm of vintage
shops, chic cafes and even a shoe store for
cross-dressers.
Although College Station has never been a
common rendezvous for drag queens, there is
always a first, and Bmcette’s shoe store is more
than willing to help. Need a pair of lace up, knee
high stilettos but can’t seem to find your size in
die women’s department? Check out Brucette’s
where larger sizes are all their speciality.
11'cross-dressing, or even being seen in a
store catering to that lifestyle, does not sound
enthralling, yet fashion is still of interest, then
perhaps a vintage store would be a more w orth
while venture. Ifso. then the Buffalo Exchange
on Westheimer is an excellent choice. Once in
side, the sweet, musty aroma of yesteryear's
threads and ’80s punk reverberating from hid
den speakers will make one forget today’s pop
ular cargo pants and techno rock. Should the
overwhelming array of clothing prove to be too
much to take in all at once, the courteous and
well-tattooed sales stafifis always happy to pro
vide assistance.
Another vintage store, located on Bissonett,
offers used clothing and accessories in a re
freshingly uncluttered setting. The store has
many interesting items, yet die most amazing
tire displayed behind the counter. These rare
collectible may be taken only through trade.
The most interesting item, a 14-year-old girl’s
skull, would be impossible to obtain anywhere
else—legally, dial is. Hopefully the stalf could
also give advice on where and how to decorate
your home with such a delightful artifact.
Just down the street from the Buffalo Ex
change sits the oldest full line hemp shop in
America. Prided on having one of the largest
assortments of hemp products around, the
Texas 1 femp Co. (T11C) is a delight to all die
senses. Although the store has several items
common to all stores of its kind, it is an entire
ly dilferent breed of alternative store. Owner
Richard Tomcala said the store is devoted to
promoting items that are less harmful to die en-
xironment than their cotwentional counterparts.
‘'We’re try ing to create a living demonstra
tion of alternatives to traditional human needs.
Consider w iping your ass with a 20ryear-old
tree and what’s gone into that brief contact with
your person,” Tomcala said.
Without a doubt, litis store is a one-of-a-
kind establishment. With little provocation,
Tomcala will remove his thick, black-rimmed
eyeglasses and reveal his eerily vast knowledge
of environmental destruction, government
scandal and, of course, the countless practical
and efficient uses of hemp-made products. In
little time, one is rendered speechless and a lit
tle more Entrusting of die world that awaits out
side the door.
Aside from running the THC, Tomcala also
publishes'his own environmental paper titled
Hemp Magazine. Copies are available in his
store and contain articles dedicated to provid
ing environmental awareness as well as publi
cizing hemp retail stores across die nation.
Also located in this neighborhood is a pe
culiar shop ottering new designer clodies at sig
nificantly reduced prices. Adding to the excite
ment die store provides are the shady characters
lingering beside the building who stare at you
through dark sunglasses and thick smoke
emerging from whatever is burning between
their lips. Although most people encountered
in this area are extremely friendly, some oftheir
appearances can easily engender temporary un
easiness. Once inside, though, the mood quick
ly lightens upon seeing price tags so unbeliev
able they require a confirmation of validity
from the sales clerk.
The women’s clothing is predominantly
Express and the small but intriguing selection
of men’s clothing is primarily from Structure.
Most of the clothes show few if any defects •—
deeming them a thritty shopper’s dream.
1 t one is seeking escape from the fast-paced
Houston streets dien perhaps the Ale I louse off
of West Alabama could provide relief. The es
tablishment was originally a home built in the
late 18()()s, and apparently one inhabitant de
cided to never leave.
“We're not really sure who the ghost is,
but we’ve had different psychics in and
they believe that she was a servant who was
left here as a young girl,” employee Angela
Jenkins said.
Modeled after a British street pub, the bar
otters an expansive variety of beers and liquors
to choose from. In back there is a quaint beer
garden and local bands frequently play upstairs.
However, none of these attractions draw as
many people as the frequent show put on by the
local specter.
“We’ve had things like voices, candles light
up, lights come back on. It’s just her letting us
know she’s still here,” Jenkins said.
Should one want to avoid a personal en
counter with paranormal beings, but still satis
fy an interest in the occult and other mystifying
areas, the Aquarian Age Bookshelf is more than
fulfilling. Not only does the store carry all the
latest literature in astrology' and other new-age
genres, it also has tarot cards, jewelry, new-age
music, aroma therapy oils and candles.
Behind the store in a garage apartment
known as the “treehouse,” classes in astrology
and essential oils arc taught. The store has been
in operation since the ’70s and isco-owned by
Virginia Gray, the mother of John Gray, author
of Mars and Venus self-help books. Given this,
the store is a truly remarkable place to chat as
well as browse.
These are but a few of the unique and
amazing experiences Houston has to oiler.
Although many of the well-publicized at
tractions in Houston are well worth visiting,
few can compare with the many lesser-known
establishments that offer a doorway to the
valuable subcultures that flourish throughout
this amazing city.
RETHINKING THE
WAR ON
DRUGS
Come hear Dr. Alan Robison from the Drug Policy Forum of Texas speak about the
social and economic costs associated with the modem war on drags. The presentation
will be followed by a question and answer session where audience members are
encouraged to express their opinions and concerns.
JL;
Presented by MSC Current Issues Awareness
Tuesday, March 7,2000 at 7 pm
in Rudder Theater
&
Persons with disabilities please call 845-1515 to inform us of
your special needs. We request notification three working
days prior to the event to enable us to assist you
to (he best of our ability