TEEN CANTEEN (1st located at our neighborhood's own Jefferson UMC) Reunion August 23, 2009

The first location of San Antonio's TEEN CANTEEN was right here in the Jefferson neighborhood at the Jefferson United Methodist Church.

Here's a link to a fantastic article, Through the Past Brightly, by Margret Moser in the August 17, 2009 Austin Chronicle about the Canteen and the SAMSTOCK, Teen Canteen Reunion show, Saturday August 23, 2009 at Floores Country Store, 14492 Old Bandera Road, Helotes Texas 78023.

Here's either an revised version of Margret's article or something completely different from the Classic San Antonio Facebook Group:

Until a few years ago, San Antonio’s Teen Canteen was relegated to “remember when?” status. The northside nightclub that catered to teenagers during the 1960s and 70s lay forgotten in the city’s musical history…almost. At Samstock: the Teen Canteen Reunion 2009 on Sunday, August 23 at Floore’s Country Store, more than a dozen bands and musicians from its heyday will reunite for fun and to pay tribute to owner-promoter Sam Kinsey.

At the behest of local civic and church groups, Sam Kinsey opened the first Teen Canteen in 1960, at Jefferson Methodist Church Hall. Kinsey played deejay to the youthful crowds, spinning 45s on a portable record player. This was the format for several years, as the Canteen moved around to several locations, including a ballroom dance studio, until it settled at Wonderland (now Crossroads) Mall in 1963.

In its new, larger location, the Teen Canteen went from records to the real thing. It housed two separate stages so bands could perform at the same time during the regular rounds of Battle of the Bands and entertain the hundreds of teens who flocked there. In 1968, the Canteen moved to its last location on Bitters Road across from Northeast Stadium, the place it would occupy until it closed in 1977, a victim of the lowered drinking age and more generous all-ages policies.

In retrospect, the Teen Canteen was the staging ground for San Antonio’s vibrant rock & roll scene before the Beatles until the dawn of punk, and its roster of local and touring bands made it a gem in the crown of Texas music. The Teen Canteen gave many San Antonio and area bands their start, including the Laughing Kind, Homer, the Chayns, the Outcasts, Swiss Movement, Virgil Foxx, the Zilches, Rocksand, Castle, Spook Julius, Mr. Moose, Meadow, Mourning Dove, Stillwater, Excalibur, Nassur Blue, United, and Island.

Those bands and/or members of them will be performing at Samstock. Teen Canteen owner and promoter Sam Kinsey will be in attendance. For website updates and band times, see http://www.mikesbandarchive.com/news

Samstock: the Teen Canteen Reunion 2009 takes place at Floore’s Country Store, 14492 Old Bandera Rd., on Sun. Aug. 23, 4-midnight. Cover is $10, the memories are free.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS

Neka Scarbrough-Jenkins, 210-573-6352

Margaret Moser, 512-292-3005

* www.mikesbandarchive.com, click "news" for event updates and info
* teencanteensa@gmail.com
* Friends of Teen Canteen San Antonio (facebook)

"Heroes of the Game" Four Square in its true perspective

Thanks to Jefferson United Methodist Church and other generous donors our neighborhood now boasts not only a refurbished basketball court but a refurbished "4-Square". This video explains the game as well as any. Like any game local rule variations apply.



For more information check out www.squarefour.org , gameskidsplay.net, and of course Wikipedia.

Like kickball and dodgeball but in a much, much smaller way, adults have come back to 4 Square to recapture the thrill of youthful competition. A "world's championship" has been held the past few years in Bridgton Maine which has attracted dozens and dozens of spectators and participants. Competition is open people of all ages, shapes and sizes who appear and pay a modest fee. The event is a fundraiser for Lakes Environmental Association.

Is a Texas Four Square Championship in the works for the Jefferson UMC court? It could be a fun collaborative fundraiser for the church and/or various neighborhood associations.

Jefferson Unitied Methodist refurbishes Basketball and 4 Square play area and opens it to the neighborhood

Jefferson United Methodist Church has reached out to the Jefferson area with a gift of play space for adults and children. With the help of some donors they have refurbished the playing area that was once a center of neighborhood and church basketball competition and opened it again to the public.

The court directly across from TJHS has four baskets and a "4 Square" play area. To help make it work for everyone they have laid out the following ground rules:

1. The court is to be used for basketball and "4 Square" only.
2. Basketball games are to be played to a maximum of 15 points (1 basket= 1 [point).
3. The winning team may play until it loses.
4. The church and its ministries have first priority over use of the courts.
5. All four baskets are for everyone's use: men, women, girls and boys.
6. No fighting is allowed.
7. Treat others with respect.
8. Pick up trash and keep the area clean.
9. No alcohol or drugs are allowed.
10. No skateboards, bikes, roller blades or skates are allowed.
11. No vehicles of any kind are allowed
12. No parking is allowed.

If these rules are followed we can enjoy a harmonious addition to our neighborhood. So take a walk around our beautiful neighborhoods, our beautiful high school and take a look at our new play area.