Uhde Sisters

SIDE BY SIDE Sisters Ayiana and Anaiya Uhde share their love for basketball and support each other both on and off the court. (Photo by Anna Tomka)

American Wizarding World Fulfills Its Purpose

The first film in a new series, this American wizarding world adequately entertains with a strong cast and brilliant visual effects.

BY ABBY SMITH PRINT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The theater goes dark and the Harry Potter theme song emerges over the speakers, immediately catching the attention of the mass of fans that wait expectantly in the theater for J.K. Rowling’s latest masterpiece put to life.

While the following 132 minutes will undoubtedly entertain with the powerful cast and incredible visuals of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” it will ultimately fails to satisfy any craving for a revival of the Harry Potter legacy.

Based off a Hogwarts textbook and set roughly 70 years before Harry Potter entered the wizarding world, this latest fantasy universe draws viewers in with parallel plotlines that include a balance of action, humor and a hint of romance. Set in 1926 New York City, a surplus of conflict arises between the “no-maj” (muggle) community and the Magical Congress (informally known as Macusa and synonymous with the Ministry of Magic).

The movie, directed by David Yates (who also directed the last four Harry Potter works), starts out slow but quickly picks up due to impressive cast performances including Eddie Redmayne who plays the leading role of Newt Scamander, an English wizard with a briefcase full of magical beasts that escape into the city. Newt illegally teams up with a hilarious “no-maj” named Jacob Kowalski, played by Dan Fogler; insulted Macusa member Tina, played by Katherine Waterston; and Tina’s telepathic sister, Queenie, played by Alison Sudol.

Newt and Jacob travel the city to re-capture all of Newt’s prized creatures. However, not only are the creatures creating chaos, but an even larger unknown force is simultaneously wreaking havoc on the city, threatening to expose the secret wizarding community to the rest of the world. Combined with the clever inclusion of an extremist anti-witchcraft group located in Salem, the handful of twisted plotswhile each weak in itself-serve their purpose as solid and intriguing entertainment.

The visual effects are perhaps the most stunning addition to this film, allowing this magical world of beasts

(Photo used with permission by EPK.TV)

practically come to life. Newt’s briefcase provides a prime example of this by acting as a portal to an incredible sanctuary, home to a wide variety of extraordinary creatures in their individual habitats including a giant rhino, an adorable platypus-looking critter and an enormous eagle.

Except for a few brief mentions of Albus Dumbledore and Hogwarts, the movie concludes with a plot twist but little apparent connection to the more familiar European world of magic. Even though the film and its four future sequels have little to no chance of ever reaching the level of its Harry Potter relatives, the film is nevertheless an entertaining work well worth the time to watch.

McLain’s Market Offers Unique Experience

New combined restaurant and bakery Equally impressive as the variety is the provides a distinct environment and a variety of goods. atmosphere. Even with all the changes, McLain’s Market retains the informal feel of a bakery, with customers coming in and out or sitting down for BY CATHERINE FRERKER a few moments. However, it is unlike any other SPORTS EDITOR KC bakery. The industrial chic design, friendly Wood and metal architecture, bustle from the kitchen, dining customers of all ages and indie music playing in the background are the sights and sounds of Overland Park’s newest bakery and restaurant duo. What used to be a gas station at the corner of Roe and W. 107th St. is now a cool place to go for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a quick snack. Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays but closed on Mondays, the restaurant offers delicious options at really any hour. McLain’s Market, sister to McLain’s Bakery on Gregory Blvd., differentiates itself in many ways from the older bakery. The name “market” reflects the increased variety of goods: salads, sandwiches, small plates, breakfast, grocery items and juice instead of just bakery items and coffee. Additionally, there is a table stocked with T-shirts, coffee beans, candles and other items for sale, with most of the products priced under $15. and fast service and expanded menu set it apart from others. An outdoor patio is also available for dining on days with nice weather. People looking for a quick and delicious meal, snack or tasty treat will not be disappointed. Within five minutes of entering, a delectable order of a cranapple salad, mini chocolate cupcake and caramel latte was already set on the table. The food was better than expected; the cupcake was rich and definitely lived up to its high expectations, the salad and its custom dressing were unique and flavorful and the latte was perfectly blended, creating a sweet and palatable drink. One final perk of McLain’s Market is the location. About five to ten minutes from school, seniors can easily go there over their lunch break. Overall, McLain’s Market is unquestionably a success. The delicious food, pleasant atmosphere and accessible location are just a few of the factors that will undoubtedly make McLain’s the new favorite restaurant of many students. (Photo by Catherine Frerker)

Menu Highlights

CranApple Salad

$7.50 // Mixed Greens, Chicken, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Carrots, Almonds, Dried Cranberries, Homemade Cranberry-Apple Dressing

Veggie Quiche

$5.25 // Eggs, Cheese, Assorted Veggies, served with Potatoes

Bite-Sized Desserts

$1.00-$1.50 // Peanut Butter Balls, Brownie Truffle, Cheesecake Bites, Cake Bites, Mini Cupcakes

Chicken Flatbread

$9.00 // Chicken, Red Peppers, Red Onions, Fresh Mozzarella, Almond Green Sauce, Blackberry Sauce, Drizzled with Chive Oil on Flatbread

Winter Formal: Last Minute Beauty Tips BY ELLIE MAGSAMEN, REPORTER Hair Inspiration Sophomore Mia McLey, junior Meghan Frerking and senior Jackoboice offer easy hair options. Elizabeth Makeup Inspiration Junior Caroline Bono gives helpful hints for last minute makeup ideas. Bono is pictured below.

LIPS: “My advice to anyone looking for a good lipstick shade is to really know your skin tone,” Bono said. “It also helps to do your research because some formulas feel a lot better than others.” Bono used Too Faced Melted Chihuahua, $22. For an alternative lipstick, Bono recommend NYX lipsticks for $5-$6.

Sophomore Mia McLey models a classic half-up half-down look. Anyone can pull off this look and it can be done in a short amount of time either at home or at a salon. Junior Meghan Frerking pulls off the popular fishtail braid. Though this look takes some time, the beautiful outcome is worth it. Pictured is senior Elizabeth Jackoboice styled with a high ponytail. This simple and classy look can easily be done at home.

EYES: “I chose to go with a more nude-colored, smokey eye because it matched my eye color best,” Bono said. Bono used Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette for $42.

Donutology Offers Satisfying Custom Creations

Westport’s newest donut shop takes a clever spin on the classic donut.

BY ELLIE MAGSAMEN REPORTER

With new signature donut shops popping up all around Kansas City, it’s hard for one to outshine the others. However, Donutology is rising above the rest. Located in a small building in the middle of Old Westport, it’s hard to not be entrapped by the warm aroma of dough and coffee that fills the building at 1009 Westport Rd, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.

Neon lights, stringed light bulbs and abstract artwork make up the bright interior. Open at 6 a.m. seven days a week, the cozy atmosphere is hard to resist and it’ll surely satisfy any creative donut sweet tooth.

Immediately customers are greeted with a pen and pad to bubble in their donut order. If they so choose to go with the Build Your Own Donut, known as B.Y.O.D., customers then fill out their preferred donut, icing, topping and

Donutology’s selection of donuts. (Photo by Ellie Magsamen)

drizzle. Customers have the option to watch their creation come to life or lounge in the comfortable cafe setting.

Donut options include chocolate, white cake and blueberry. Icings include classic vanilla, chocolate and glaze, but they also offer unique flavors like maple and peanut butter. Toppings range from classic rainbow sprinkles and bacon, to cotton candy and Pop Rocks, offering exceptional flavor for any craving. Finally, drizzles include chocolate, marshmallow, caramel, raspberry and strawberry.

The B.Y.O.D. mini donut packs are offered as a 3 pack for $2.25, a 6 pack for $4.50, a 15 pack for $10.99 or a 35 pack for $24.99. Since mini donuts are the only option for the B.Y.O.D., classic donuts of all kinds are available at $0.99 while twists and long johns are $1.39. Also available is a seasonal special. For the election season, they sold Trumpkin Spice or Hill-Berry.

Donutology also impresses with their wide selection of drinks. Shatto milk is available for $2.50, including their special cotton candy milk, strawberry milk, chocolate milk and classic white milk. Kansas City’s own local coffee shop, The Roasterie, serves classic coffee starting at $1.99, plus drinks such as lattes, hot chocolate, cappuccinos, hot tea, smoothies and more. If looking for dessert, vanilla and chocolate donut milkshakes are also sold for $5.75.

From donuts to drinks, Donutology has the variety to satisfy everyone. Whether looking for a classic glaze or a complex creation, it’s well worth the drive up to Westport for these creative and delicious donuts.

TRY GALS

Le Journal staffers juniors Lauren Graves,

Anna Tomka, Kelly

Nugent and senior Tara Jungden posted a new Christmas themed video.

In this Try Gals video, they tried making gingerbread houses in teams of two and also discussed their favorite holiday traditions. CHECK IT OUTONLINE Go to lejournallive.com to watch the video.

New & Upcoming Events (Photos used with permission by EPK.TV and Wikimedia)

Dec. 2

“Darkness and Light” by John Legend on iTunes features artists like Chance the Rapper and Miguel.

-Photo by Ellie Chaffee

Dec. 7

The Night the Buzz Stole Christmas at Arvest Bank Theater By 96.5 The Buzz. Tickets are on sale now for $29.65 and any remainders are $35 at the door.

Dec. 16

“The Return of the East Atlanta Santa Project” by Gucci Mane on iTunes will be his third of the year, after releasing “Woptober” on Oct. 14.

Dec. 16

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” directed by Gareth Edwards takes place before the original Star Wars film, “A New Hope.”

Dec. 21

Assassin’s Creed Movie directed by Justin Kurzel, is based on the video game series of the same title that furthers the series’ mythology.

Dec. 25

“Hidden Figures,” directed by Theodore Melfi, tells about the life of African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson.

Album Speaks To All Decades

Bruno Mars’ new album “24K Magic” offers a unique and refreshing pop experience.

BY SYDNEY SAN AGUSTIN REPORTER

After releasing his last hit, “Uptown Funk” in 2015, singer and songwriter Bruno Mars remained under the radar for several months. That is, until his new album “24k Magic” was released Nov. 18. The diverse album sounds fresh and continues his late-80’s-through early90’s style.

The album has a unique pop twist compared to other classic pop artists such as Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. Its sly pop theme is shown throughout the album. Mars uses a variety of instruments that make his songs stand out. The song “Perm” projects a very upbeat drum beat that really drives the song along with other instruments that are bright and precise altogether it really ties the song together well. On the other hand “Versace on the Floor” showcases a more mellow tone and really highlights Mars’ spectacular singing ability that fans fell in love with in his hit song “Grenade.”

The song “24K Magic” was released on Oct. 6 along with a music video. The video highlights the glitz and glam that Vegas is notorious for. “24K Magic” contains a catchy beat and lyrics that makes it easy to sing along to. It has a showy entertaining feel and can transport watchers to a different time period.

(Photo by Wikimedia Commons)

The album consists of nine songs, with the whole album only being 33 minutes long. But within those minutes one gets to hear how Mars has matured in his music since his last album. Instead of relying on hooks, catch beats and memorable lyrics, the album focus on showing complexity and depth in each song. With no featured artists on the album Mars remains the star attraction throughout.

With the release of his new album, Mars plans to go on a 85-date world tour. His European leg of the tour starts March 28 and his North American leg will start on July 15.

Mars will be making an appearance at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri on August 9. Tickets went on sale Nov. 21 with average prices ranging from $49.50 to $125. The VIP Front Row Early Package starts at $689 but doesn’t include a meet and greet. Tickets can be purchased online at the Sprint Center website and ticketmaster. 24K Magic was entertaining and distinct from the current pop hits of today. All eyes are now on Mars. The world will be watching as he hits the stage in 2017. Mars’ new album can be found on spotify for free, iTunes for $9.99 and in stores for $9.99 as well. 24K Magic proves to be Mars’ strongest album of beats and vocal skills.

Go to lejournallive.com to check out more reviews.

Confessions of an Awkward Winter Formal...

Kathleen McDaniel

Sophomore

“Freshmen Winter Formal my date was driving to the dance and I didn’t realize that the Sion

I put into my GPS was Sion lower, so we ended up at the Plaza.”

Grace Frame

Junior

“Sophomore Winter Formal my date was trying to catch shrimp in his mouth and squatted so low his pants ripped.”

Maddi McMaster

Senior

“Freshman year I got so nervous while asking my date that I impulsively asked if I could take some of the leaves from his front yard to use for my biology project.”

TRY THIS: Christmas lights, DIY Gifts and Holiday Traditions

With Christmas approaching quickly, try out these last minute gift ideas, festive local light displays and learn about tried and true traditions. BY OLIVIA DOPHEIDE REPORTER

Tried and True Traditions

“My whole family sits on the stairs and makes a video starting with my oldest sibling working my way down to my youngest where we say our name and age.” - junior

Melissa Hamilton

“I have to go see Santa every year.” - sophomore

Molly Conway

“We have lots of Norwegian heritage, so we all dress up in Viking costumes and play viking games with each other, even when it snows.” - Biology teacher

Suzanne Norberg

KC Light Displays Local Christmas light displays stretch across all of Kansas City.

Magic Tree 10287 NW View High Dr. Kansas City, MO 64134

Christmas Card Lane West of Ridgeview and north of 151st Street Olathe, KS 66062

Candy Cane Lane 7900 block of Outlook Street Prairie Village, KS 66208

Plaza Lights 4750 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64112

DIY Gifts: Mom Edition

Starbucks Peppermint Latte Soap

Supplies:

-Goat’s Milk Soap Base, 2 lbs. $11 -Peppermint essential oil $6 - Three 8 oz. Starbucks’ cups with lids (a size smaller than “Tall”) free - Spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol $5 - Pinch of cinnamon/ three cinnamon sticks $3

Process:

1. Remove your soap from its packaging and cut into small pieces. 2. Pile your soap pieces into a large measuring cup or microwaveable bowl. 3. Microwave the soap for 40 seconds. Then, microwave at 10-30 second intervals until the soap is completely melted. Stir to make sure there are no unmelted chunks on the bottom. 4. Add about 30 drops of peppermint essential oil (roughly 10 drops for each soap) and stir. 5. Pour soap into cups and spray soap surfaces with rubbing alcohol. Add a cinnamon stick if you desire. 6. Then, put your soap lattes in the refrigerator for two hours or overnight to harden. 7. Add a pinch of cinnamon on top.

DIY Gifts: Dad Edition

Water Color Nail Polish Mug

Supplies:

-White Ceramic Mug $4 -Old or Disposable Bowl/Container -Nail Polish $7

Process:

1. Fill the bowl with warm water. 2. Add a drop of nail polish to the water and let it spread out. You can also use a skewer to swirl the color around a bit to give it the effect you’d like. 3. Dip your mug in the water. 4. Carefully pat mug dry with paper towel. 5. Once you’ve achieved the look you want, let it sit for at least two hours.

Students Get Involved

The fall semester is wrapping up but student organizations such as Robotics and Debate are in full swing.

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6. 3. 4.

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1. Juniors Chigozie Okuagu and Haley Ulowetz laugh while handing a compliment cookie to Assistant Division Head for Student Life Fran Koehler during REbeL’s Be Thankful Week. “Having people read the sticker quotes from the cookies out loud was the best part,” Okuagu said. (Photo by Madisen Hane) 2. Freshman Inaya Khan and sophomore M.K. Shevlin light candles during the Thanksgiving Prayer Service put together by the Interfaith Club Nov. 17. “My main point during my speech was to share and let people know what life is like outside of school,” Khan said. (Photo by Megan Ostrander) 3. Senior Taylor Ramsey sings “Summertime” by Ella Fitzgerald in her performance during the Fine Arts Department’s Tri-M Benefit Concert Nov. 9. “It’s always a pleasure doing things that make a difference in someone’s life and getting to do what I love at the same time,” Ramsey said. (Photo by Rachel Doctor) 4. Sophomore Ava Rawson and junior Melissa Hamilton prepare for a parliamentary debate at Rockhurst High School Nov. 9. “The Rockhurst tournament was fun because they had topics that weren’t just about the election like most of the other tournaments,” Hamilton said. (Photo by Madisen Hane) 5. Sophomore Sam Wilson works on trying to perfect the top part of the collector in the Robotics Lab. Sion hosted a Robotics competition Nov. 5 where they performed better than expected, placing fifth. “We made our robot work in less than 48 hours,” Wilson said. “Just taking those last steps and realizing, wow, we will be able to compete.” (Photo by Paige Ritter) 6. Seniors Clare Carey and Maria Arroyo participate in a massage train before a long practice for the musical “Sister Act” in their costumes on Halloween. “I’m excited for this year as a senior taking on more of a leadership role,” Carey said. (Photo by Paige Ritter)