France won their 2nd FIFA World Cup in their history of the game, their first in 1998. Their last appearance in the FIFA World Cup was back in 2006 as the host nation, only to lose to Italy 5-3 on penalties. Their historic 2nd win against Croatia ended with a 4-2 win. France had, for the most part, a tough game against underdog Croatia. Croatia battled through a difficult group stage (Argentina, Nigeria, and Iceland) to then go through two games ending in penalties and a semifinal game against England ending in Extra Time. As exhausted as the Croatians’ legs were, they managed to keep up with the French team. One announcer even said these Croatian players could compete in the Tour De France, highlighting their elite physicality. Of course, it wouldn’t be a major sporting event without a little drama. Despite a Russian rock band charging the field during the match, a Croatian own goal and a hand ball call leading to a penalty kick gave up two goals to France in the first half.
After Croatia scored a goal in the first half and then another in the 69th minute, it was too little too late as France scored two more goals in the second half at the hands of French players Paul Pogba and “Golden Boy” 19 year old Kylian Mbappé. In what was considered the most exciting FIFA World Cup history due to early exits of powerhouse favorites Argentina, Brazil, Germany, and Spain, the underdogs that made it through surprised many fans, even ‘experts’. Although France won, Croatia didn’t walk away completely empty handed. Croatia’s Luka Modrić won the Golden Ball exemplifying the best overall player in the tournament. Belgium’s Eden Hazard was awarded the Silver Ball as runner-up, and Antoine Griezmann was given the Bronze Ball. England’s Harry Kane won the Golden Boot finishing with most goals in the tournament (6). France’s Mbappé, was awarded Best Young Player. If the year’s tournament gives any indication on how the next World Cup should be in 2022 in the next host nation Qatar, it should be quite an interesting one. For now, teams will look to their next tournaments, that including the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
UTSA Professor Discusses the Resilience of San Antonio’s Cultural Heritage
Facebook Twitter Google+ Gmail Print Friendly Like 0 By R Eguia . Last month, scholars, community members and students gathered at the Southwest School of Art Coates Chapel to hear a conversation by the San Antonio Conservation Society Endowed Professor at UTSA, William Dupont, called A Resilient Heritage: Designing San Antonio’s Future to Preserve Our Past. The talk introduced Cultural Sustainability as the continuity of cultural systems of human existence. People have heritage identities and values that bind them to places and communities are essential for full sustainability. “Design with respect for Heritage,” was a key theme as Dupont...
Read MoreComputer and Internet Addiction is a Real Thing
Facebook Twitter Google+ Gmail Print Friendly Like 0 Are you dependent on technology to bring you satisfaction in life? Dependency can be playing video games to escape reality, posting to social media to get attention or validation, compulsive online spending when anxious or bored, or visiting dating sites with the hopes of meeting the love of your life. Are there noticeable negative patterns surrounding your computer or internet activities? Are they causing problems in your relationships or affecting your work performance? Most of the time, these addictions are just distractions to real issues that people are not yet ready to face. They may feel anxious, impulsive or unfulfilled in life. These activities produce a “high”, filling a void and bringing pleasure that lasts momentarily. Overtime, these addictions have negative consequences that outweigh the positive feelings experienced. They can also have long-term negative effects on many areas of our lives. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research has shown that certain people are more susceptible to computer or internet addiction. These individuals include; those who have had prior addictions to other behaviors or substances; a history of depression or anxiety; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; or Low self-esteem. Recovering computer addicts reported feelings of euphoria when using the computer and feelings of depression, unfulfillment and irritability when not using it. They also described feeling withdrawn or neglected by family and...
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S.A Performance Art Collective HoK
Facebook Twitter Google+ Gmail Print Friendly Like 0 On March 9, the local performance art collective, HoK (House of Kenzo) presented Permutations, a 20 minute production exploring systems, fluidity, work and cycles, at the Lawndale Art Center in Houston. The trio, Ledef (sound production), Brexxitt (choreography) and Grapefruit (concept design) embodied possibilities through splash choreography and projection mapping. Local carpenter company, Precision Woodworking Texas, assisted the group with an installation that included an indoor water trough, a 10 part pulley system and a network of clear bags filled with water tied onto natural rope. The performance was inspired by...
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Mariachi Girl Stars Lucero Garcia at the Magik Theatre
Facebook Twitter Google+ Gmail Print Friendly Like 1 Many women have made their mark in the performance arts. In San Antonio, girls go to places like the Magik theatre to begin their journey. Like 14-year-old San Antonio actress, Lucero Garcia. She began acting at the age of 7 during The Magik Theatre’s summer camps and classes. She plays the role of Carmencita in the new show called Mariachi girl at the Magik Theatre. “I fell in love with musical theatre. All I could think about was being on stage singing and dancing and performing for people and making them...
Read More Guadalupe Cultural Arts
Facebook Twitter Google+ Gmail Print Friendly Like 0 By Melinda Gonzalez There is a renewed energy in the air and the culmination of efforts to re-establish the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center (GCAC) as the beacon of Chicano Art is paying off. Founded in 1980 and located in the heart of San Antonio’s historic Westside, the nonprofit organization serves over 100,000 people each year on a local, national and international scale through artistic, educational, and community programming. Jorge Piña who is a native San Antonian is back and fulfills a key leadership position for the GCAC after resigning from the...
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