Vol. 10 No. 23 by Maroon Weekly

02.26.14 - VOL. 10, NO. 23 - MAROONWEEKLY.COM

Roller Skates, Bruises, and Bonding The Brazos Valley Derby Girls Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Play Nice, But They Do Play Together

pg 2 • MAROON WEEKLY • February 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com

contents

02.27-03.05

meet the team PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Chris Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Chris Zebo CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bekah Skinner ASST. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kaitlin Vickers WRITERS

Sara Gilmore Katie Lea Cheyenne Mueller Luke Murray Amanda L. Reynolds

Essentials: Listen Discover Play Look

4 8 16 18

On the Cover:

For the past four years, the Brazos Valley Derby Girls have elbowed, tripped, and checked one another mercilessly. They’ve also forged a community of empowerment and amity together.

INTERNS Haley Clark Katy DeLuna April Elkins Alex Gieger Brittany Holm Avery Moore Kelly Porter Heydy Sanches Kyla Spaugh Camille Youngblood DISTRIBUTION Chris Frank Randy Shepperd

Maroon Weekly is an independent, publication and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university funding.

Road Trip 17 - In this week’s

Weekender, we’re taking you to an Irish festival in Dallas for a little St. Patty’s pre-gaming.

Look Listen 4 - Beck is back! His new 21 - Cheyenne gives album ushers his musical a rundown of this week’s top 20 box legacy into new aural office films. territory.

Opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the editor, publisher or the newspaper staff. Maroon Weekly is not liable for omissions, misprints or typographical errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher. © Copyright 2014 Campus Press LP

Reviewed by Megan Ingram

BECK Album: Morning Phase

Release Date: February 25, 2014

Rating: Sounds Like: The Flaming Lips Cake Blur

Tracklist:

Cycle Morning Heart is a Drum Say Goodbye Blue Moon Unforgiven Wave Don’t Let it Go Blackbird Chain Phase Turn Away Country Down Walking Light

Morning Phase is his first album since 2008. However, Beck has never stopped recording and writing. Besides the one-off singles and a sheet music song collection, rumor has it that he has unreleased material simply lying around untouched. But at the beginning of 2012, the folk multi-instrumentalist began piecing together the groundwork for Morning Phase, completing the foundation in just three days in Los Angeles. The album is the sequel, or “companion piece,” to Beck’s Sea Change (released in 2002). Recalling the same California folk-rock sound, Morning Phase alludes to the sensational harmonies, song structure, and powerful emotional blow of its predecessor, while moving forward with a rush of optimism. The album evokes a new kind of trance induced by swooning vocals and poetic lyrics. An unconfined lunar theme is laced throughout the collection, ebbing with early tracks “Morning” and “Blue Moon” and flowing through “Waking Light” with crepuscular reverence.

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••••••

For many, Beck has been somewhat of an enigma. Over the years, he’s displayed many a persona: from the rock baby boy of the ‘90s to the L.A hipster minstrel to the experimentalist who, last year, delivered a book of sheet music to the world. Now, as he releases his twelfth studio album a full eight days before its scheduled release, it’s not hard to find ourselves wondering which Beck we’ll hear this time.

Morning Unforgiven Phase

LISTEN

Recommended Tracks:

The Fray

“Helios”

Release Date: Feb. 25, 2014 Reviewed by Haley Clark The Fray is hot off the release of their third studio album, Scars and Stories, which was released in February 2012. Now, a year since their last album release, the Denver-based foursome is releasing their fourth studio album, Helios. The album’s first single, “Love Don’t Die”, was released in December 2013. The track has an upbeat, anthem-esque vibe, an unusual sound for the group. The single is a fresh and catchy take on a typical love song. “Hurricane” is the other single on the album and features lead-singer Isaac Slade’s trademark vocals. The pop-rock group’s new sound is a little different (in a good way), with a rock edge that is louder than the softer sound the band refined in the past.

Dierks Bentley

“Riser”

Release Date: Feb. 25, 2014 Reviewed by Haley Clark Dierks Bentley’s seventh full-length album, Riser, is his most personal release so far. Riser was written and recorded following his father’s death, and its main theme is accepting change and moving forward. Bentley purposefully rearranged his team members so his new sound would have flair unlike anything we’ve heard from him in the past. While still keeping his roots, the result is a deeply emotional album from the country superstar. The track “I Hold On” is predominately about faith, family, and love. “Bourbon in Kentucky” features vocals by fellow country star Kacey Musgraves. The song is about the angst and sorrow of heartbreak—not new territory for the country singer, but poignant in this rendering. Riser is a deeply personal album and may be Bentley’s best to date.

Design | Branding | Web

maroonweekly.com • February 26, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • p 5

By Haley Clark

Ishi at Grand Stafford Ishi was formed by JT Mudd and Brad Dale in 2006. Both Mudd and Dale have Muskogee Creek Indian heritage and celebrate the culture they come from through dance, art, and music. In fact, the name of their band has significant meaning in the Native American culture. Ishi was a Native American from California and was the last member of the Yahi, the last surviving group of the Yana people. Ishi was widely know as the “last wild Indian” and lived most of his life outside of modern culture. Ishi, the group, is also wild and esoteric. The group blends folk and electronic music with soul, funk, and techno as well. They’re also known for their unconventional dance duets that get the crowd moving. Ishi has appeared at many festivals, like SXSW and Meltdown Music Festival. They released their first album, Through the Trees, in 2010 and their second album, Digital Wounds, in 2013. Sphinx is a three-piece from Austin comprised of Cory Dennis, Todd Harris, and Aaron Miller. The three friends fuse pop and electronic music and released their debut EP Human Beast in February 2011, which was a Top 30 album in various US and Canadian markets. By December 2011, a full-length of Human Beast was released and garnered them a Top 10 Best New Bands in Austin nod presented by The Austin Music Awards.

Thurs - Ladies Night Ft $3 Dbl Wells Fri/Sat - $4 Dbl “U Call it’s” till 12am Sunday Funday! ft $3 Dbl Wells $4 Dbl Calls & $3.50 Shots $3.50 Fireball Daily 111 College Main College St, TX

Ishi and Sphinx will be performing at the Grand Stafford Theater on February 28. Doors open at 8pm and the show starts at 9pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at grandstaffordtheater.com.

the scoop WHAT: ISHI WHERE: GRAND STAFFORD THEATER WHEN: FEB. 28 | 9PM

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At the ripe age of age twenty, country singer Holly Tucker has already appeared on national television and has four albums under her belt. In 2012, she made her way on to television screens in homes everywhere and appeared on the hit TV show The Voice. The story of how she stumbled onto the show is surprising. She was in Dallas, heard about the open call auditions, ended up having some time to kill, and decided at the last minute that she would audition. In the end, the odds were in her favor and she made it all the way to the Top 6 out of 40,000. Holly even got to work with country superstar Blake Shelton.

Holly Tucker at the MSC By Kelly Porter

Besides being a songwriter and singer, Holly also plays the guitar, piano, and alto saxophone. The multi-talented Tucker is coming to the Memorial Student Center on Texas A&M’s campus from 6pm – 8pm on February 27 for the Coffeehouse Concert Series. Open mic starts at 6pm and Holly will perform at 7pm.

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Roller Skates, Bruises, and Bonding: The Brazos Valley Derby Girls Don’t Play Nice, But They Do Play Together By Chris Zebo During the day, Cindy Trujillo works for the county. She was born and raised here, and at 42 years old, she looks 25. She's about 5 feet tall, give or take a few inches. She has four kids and one grandchild. She's healthy, leads a Zumba class in town, and exercises regularly. Her speaking voice is soft and soothing, and she talks with a slight Texas drawl. Three nights a week, Trujillo goes by another name: Baby Glock Back. She's a few inches taller on roller skates. She wears a helmet, kneepads, elbow pads, a mouth guard, and she looks like she's outfitted for trench warfare. When she's not ramming into other girls with pseudonyms like Rogue Rage, Vyn Detta, and Dropkick Betty, she takes plenty of hits herself. But it's all part of the game. It's all part of a lifestyle called roller derby. “It's a really neat escape,” she says gently, “even from my other workouts. It's a great separation from what you do in your day-to-day life.” Baby Glock Back plays for the Brazos Valley Derby Girls, a roller derby league that practices and competes at the VFW Post 4692 in Bryan. Her derby name came after discovering—to her surprise—that she was an ace shot with a Glock during her handgun certification. Trujillo is just one of 32 women ages 20-50 associated with the league. Started four years ago, the BVDG is in the process of attaining a Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) certification. When that happens, the team will be able to compete in a division.

“There are several leagues in the surrounding area and we are always willing to travel to them for bouts,” says league president Tessa Miranda, a.k.a. Chi Chi's Rodriguez. When the league was nascent, Miranda was only coaching and training. Today, she's the league's CEO, president, and coach. “Since we don't have a regulationsize track, we can't host official bouts at home. However, we typically have exhibition bouts here in town once a month in order to stay in touch with our fans and give them an opportunity to see us play.” When roller derby started in the 1930s, it was purely a sport. Decades later, derby promoters and players

is also witnessing a growing number of male and co-ed teams entering the rink nationally and internationally. The game is played by two teams skating in the same direction around a rink, or flat track, as it's called in the sport. The short matches (two 20-minute bouts divided by a 20-minute halftime) are called “jams.” The object of the game is for one scoring skater from each team, called a “jammer,” to break through a roller-skating wall of players, called “the pack.” The pack consists of players from both teams and their responsibility is to both keep the opposing team's jammer from passing and to also open a path for their own jammer to pass. Points are

“You can’t stop. Once you leave derby, you’re going to come back. It’s in your blood.” - NICOLE ZAPALAC, DERBY GIRL boosted the sport's entertainment edge by adding theatrical elements, such as aliases for players, wild costumes, and even some scripted stunts and daring spectacles. Although the scripts and spectacles are a thing of the past, the pseudonyms and costumes are still a large part of roller derby's appeal. The sport has made quite a resurgence since the early 2000s and is played by approximately 1,250 leagues worldwide—a number that doesn't account for numerous unregistered amateur leagues. Predominately played by women, roller derby

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scored when a jammer breaks through and laps the track while passing opposing team members. Roller derby is a full-contact sport, and when velocity and blocking happen at the same time, things bruise and break. When asked how many injuries players sustain during practices and matches, Miranda laughs. Sometimes, the girls will go without injuries for weeks. “But sometimes, it's quite regular,” she says. “We practice like we play, so sometimes injuries happen. They're not

always extreme; usually it's just bumps and bruises that need a little ice and rest. The big, incapacitating injuries are more rare, and we usually only see a few each season at the most.” Fortunately, one of the Derby Girls is a nurse. Nicole Zapalac, a.k.a. Brutal Annihilate-Her, has been playing with the team for a year and a half. During the day, she's a nurse for patients at a local hospital. At night, she's sometimes a nurse for injured players. She chose her derby name after her son, David Brutal Zapalac. She has a tattoo of a heart (the anatomical one) high on her chest below her neck for her son, who survived open heart surgery. “I knew I would want to do this,” she says at a recent practice. “I saw the movie Whip It, and I was like, 'I'm gonna do that!' It was just made for me. It's just a certain type of people it's made for.” She was also attracted to the sport's camaraderie off and on the track and likes the group's diversity. “We're all different. Some people are hairdressers, nurses, social workers, maids.” The team also had a rocket scientist play for them, before she moved to Michigan. “We might not hang out outside of derby as much as people would think, but when we come here, we're BFFs. We'll beat the crap out of each other, and afterward we'll be giving hugs and compliments. There's no other sport like it, where you get to beat up your friends and be cool with it afterward.” In the past four years, the team has had approximately 100 girls play for the team. Many of the core members are still present, and some who leave return eventually. “Girls come and go, girls get pregnant—you can't play when you're pregnant, obviously,” says Zapalac. “But then they always come back.” She points at a couple of girls who have had kids and returned. “You can't stop. Once you leave derby, you're going to come back. It's in your blood.”

Sarah Phillips, a.k.a. Lenny McWrath, was an English major in college and is currently a paralegal at a law firm in Bryan. She had a friend ask her to join the derby girls, and she didn't expect to stick with it after trying it. She's now played off and on for three years. She was “off” for a time because of injuries sustained while playing. “I stuck around because it's just too much fun. And it's very empowering. I was very quiet for most of my life. I was never really outgoing. Now, I'm a little more outspoken, a little more self-assured. Because I know that if I can take a hit from one of our biggest girls, I can take on anything.” Phillips was in a play called “Crimes of the Heart” in high school and her character was Lenny MaGrath. The tragicomedy tells the story of the three MaGrath sisters, Meg, Babe, and Lenny, who were raised in a dysfunctional family. They return to their old homestead to reconcile after Babe shoots her abusive husband. Sarah says her character name and the play is fitting in the BVDG context, given the derby “sisters” dysfunctional behavior on the track. The derby names are important for the girls. In some ways, the names elevate a quality they already possess; in other ways, they serve as an alter ego they embody when playing. Taylor Marrs, without a pseudonym, has been reluctant to choose a name. She wants just the right one. She's 24 and hopes to get a bachelor's in recreation, parks, and tourism, and she's been working in the hotel industry since she moved to College Station. Her peers already have an unofficial name for her: Maleficent Marrs. Taylor likes it, because she's a fan of Disney films (Maleficent is the name of the sinister fairy in Sleeping Beauty). But she's still unsure. “Part of the fun is having an alter ego you can play under, and it's a lot of fun—people really love that.” Although she hasn't decided upon a name, she knows she wants her jersey number to be 398.2. It's the Dewey Decimal System number for the fairy tale and folklore section in the library.

Nora Maza, a.k.a. Maza Rotti, studies psychology at Texas A&M. Roller derby wasn't something she thought she'd embrace as a little girl—she grew up doing ballet. But when she turned 18, she went to a derby game. “I told my family about it,” she says, “and I kind of joked around about it, because I'm small. But I wanted to try something new.”

The BVDG practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. Members are required to make two practices per week. The VFW gives the girls the space to practice and to hold competitions for free. The free space allows the league to keep their dues as low as possible—a mere $7 per month, compared to the league average of between $40-$50 per month. When they host games, the team draws a crowd, which translates into revenue for the VFW behind the bar.

When asked what she thought the other girls' motivations for joining were, she said, “I think we all have different motivations. We have single moms here who come to get a break. We have students here who come for a stress relief. We have people here who are trying to stay fit and healthy. There are different motivations for everybody.”

For more information about the Brazos Valley Derby Girls, visit their website at brazosvalleyderbygirls.com. The group also maintains an active Facebook page. Their first home bout is March 23 at the VFW (794 Harvey Mitchell Parkway, Bryan) at 6pm. Pre-sale tickets are $5, $7 at the venue. Admission is free for children 10 and under.

maroonweekly.com • February 26, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • p 9

One evening last May, it was a normal evening of dinner service at Veritas. However, unbeknownst to Executive Chef Tai Lee, someone decided to have dinner there that would help him implement something he had been anticipating for over three years. A book editor from Savory Books happened to be dining that night and was so impressed with his meal that he decided to approach Tai about writing a cookbook. A quick six months later, we get to experience the fruits of his labor. For Tai, compiling the cookbook is a “collection of history” of Veritas. Veritas was opened seven years ago and they’ve rotated through 15 seasonal menus throughout the years. The cookbook (hopefully, the first of a series) highlights the early years and dishes that are no longer currently offered in the restaurant. It also features a wide range of recipes; from the basics such as Caesar Salad and Spicy Carrot soup (which we sampled and it was delicious!) to dinner entrees such as Asian-Style Baked Salmon to obscure recipes such as Twice-Cooked Charred Octopus.

Chef Tai’s Cookbook Released By Amanda L. Reynolds

Tai Lee was attending Texas A&M and happened to get a job in the restaurant industry while in school because it was one of the easiest jobs to get as a college student. However, he realized he wanted to learn how to cook, so he quickly upgraded to a line cook. Lee went to Chicago to study under Master Sushi Chef Soon Park. Lee explained that he had to learn why every individual component was part of a dish, why they put wasabi on specific dishes

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and why they used radish as a garnish. The best thing he learned were the fundamentals of cooking—because without a firm grounding in the basics, everything else he tried to cook would crumble. With his newfound knowledge, Tai decided to return to Bryan/College Station to fill a void he felt existed in the restaurant scene. At the time he opened, he learned that there was an 85% failure rate with new restaurants. But he took his business savvy to strategize how to overcome common failures. His goal was to have a metropolitan, contemporary dining room “where the traditions of French cuisine meet the flavors of the American and Asian market.” His focus was on “the simplicity of fine ingredients” and the menu changed in accordance with the seasons. We asked Tai if he had any reluctance in sharing any of his recipes. He was actually more than willing, and he sees it as a form of flattery. He had actually been prepping a cookbook as a gift to his family and friends over three years ago because he gets such pleasure from sharing his dishes with friends. However, with the opening of a food truck, the birth of a child, and opening a second food truck, he got a little sidetracked. When the opportunity presented itself with Savory books, he quickly jumped on it and is happy he did. To be able to share with the community that supported him and to allow them to bring a little bit of Veritas home with them is something he could not be more proud of.

By Katie Lea

The Pros of Propulsion Nathan Johnson, a graduate student at Texas A&M, has teamed up with colleagues from Harvard, the California Institute of Technology, Indiana University, and the Woods Hole Oceanic Institute to study to the evolution of propulsive structures in animals. After considering many species from the animal kingdom, the final study group was pared down to 59 species. By looking at the way animals moved, whether it be through the air, over land, or in water, they found one common factor: flexibility. This led the researchers to focus on the

bending capabilities of propulsion structures within each of the species. As it turns out, there is an evolutionary formula for success in motion, and that is a bend between a 30 and 60 degree angle. From birds to fish, all the animals studied possessed a degree of flexibility between these numbers, except for some insects’ wings, which tended to bend less than other species examined. Apparently the maximum flexibility angle is almost as important as the lowest one. According to Johnson, “There is a certain angle that these propulsion devices will reach and won’t exceed. It’s not that they probably can’t exceed these angles, but rather doing so is not energetically efficient for them.” Despite being designed for use in very different conditions, wings and fins are designed strikingly similar to one another and move in even more analogous ways than one would expect. No matter the environment, evolution has found the sweet spot for animal motion.

maroonweekly.com • February 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 11

Wood-Style Flooring Flat-Screens in Every Apartment Stand-Up Tanning Booth Fully-Equipped Fitness Center Basketball & Sand Volleyball Courts Individual Leases Resort-Style Pool Game/Activity Room

thedistrictonluther.com

pg pg 12 12 •• MAROON MAROON WEEKLY WEEKLY •• February February 26, 19, 2014 • maroonweekly.com

Chec out o k upco ur ming SP

ECIA LS

“Luther” to 47464 for information* *standard text messaging rates apply

866.973.5389

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

TUESDAY

ISHI brings high energy and on point sound to the Grand Stafford stage.

Gorilla Zoe headlines Schotzi’s 2014 Mardi Gras Party.

Spencers: Theatre of Illusion bring magic to Rudder Auditorium.

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WEEKLY // PICKS WEEK

FEBRUARY 27 - MARCH 05,

2014

FIND MORE AT: WWW.MAROONWEEKLY.COM/EVENTS

and Amy, as they grow up in Civil War era in America. THE THEATRE COMPANY 725 E. Villa Maria, Bryan Feb. 28, 2014 7:00 PM $5-20

SATURDAY

night. Join the fun or be a spectator every Sunday night from 9pm until 2am. HOOKAH STATION 106 College Main, College Station, March 2, 2014 9:00 PM

3/1 MONDAY SALSA SATURDAYS Voted “Best Night of Dancing” for Best of BCS, Salsa Saturdays starts with a “30-Minute Crash Course Salsa Lesson” at 10pm followed by a scorching hot night of dancing til 2am. Come prepared to sweat and to meet tons of new people at this Aggie hot spot. Visit mambosentertainment. com for more info. VILLAGE CAFÉ 210 W. 26th Street, Bryan, March 1, 2014 10:00 PM $5

SUNDAY

THE VESPERS

THURSDAY 2/27 THE VESPERS

A collaboration of two sisters at the front of the stage and two brothers keeping time, The Vespers is a folk-pop band from Nashville. Keeping with the family theme of the lineup, The Gray Havens are a married couple from Illinois. Lastly, Votary is a local band from College Station who released their first album in 2013 and is currently working on their next EP, to be released in spring of 2014. GRAND STAFFORD THEATER 106 S. Main St., Bryan, Feb. 27, 2014 8:00 PM $8

HOLLY TUCKER

Finishing in the top 6 of The Voice’s fourth season, Holly Tucker is making her way to Aggieland. Held in the Memorial Student Center’s Flag Room, open mic begins at 6pm

and Holly will sing at 7pm. MSC TAMU Campus, Feb. 27, 2014 6:00 PM

FRIDAY

2/28

WHISKEY MYERS

Whiskey Myers is sure to play off of their latest album, Early Morning Shakes, which was released earlier this month. They will be accompanied by Parker Heights, a country band that consists of siblings Dusty, Colby, Corey and Jessie Samford. HURRICANE HARRY’S 313 College, College Station, Feb. 28, 2014 9:00 PM $10

LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women the musical has graced Broadway and is based on author Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the same name. The story follows the March sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth,

3/2

MIC CHECK POETRY

Speak your mind or listen to those who perform at Mic Check Poetry Slam. Hosted by Revolution Cafe, MCPS is held every Sunday at 8:30 and completely free. Break out of the mold and channel your inner artist; you’ll go home feeling inspired. REVOLUTION 211B S. Main St., Bryan, March 2, 2014 8:30 PM

PUB QUIZ

Sundays are trivia night at O’Bannon’s, so grab a group of friends to play or just to watch. Check with their Facebook page the day of to find out what the topics will be. O’BANNON’S 103 Boyett, College Station, March 2, 2014 9:00 PM

KARAOKE

Warm up your vocal cords and belt out those lyrics at the Hookah Station’s weekly karaoke

TRIVIA NIGHT

3/3

Monday nights are pretty boring; it’s too early in the week to party and too early in the week to study. So, you’re kind of left with nothing to do but Facebooking, channel surfing, or Netflixing. What if you could spend a Monday night with a drink in your hand and “study” at the same time without feeling like you’re partying or doing your homework? Well, you can do just that. Every Monday night, Revolution Cafe hosts Trivia Night from 9pm till just before midnight–ending just in time to sleep 8 hours before class on Tuesday. REVOLUTION 211B S Main St, Bryan March 3, 2014 9:00 PM

OPEN MIC

Schotzi’s is giving you the chance to show your stuff with Open Mic Night every Monday. Get some $2 liquid courage with wells and domestics all night long! SCHOTZI’S 205 University, College Station, March 3, 2014 9:30 PM

TUESDAY

BREAKAWAY

3/4

Non-denominational Breakaway Ministries’ events have already set a record for attendance, and Tuesday’s assembly of worship, inspiration and entertainment will surely set yet another one. For more details check Breakaway Ministries Facebook @ http://www.facebook. com/breakawayministries REED ARENA March 4, 2014 9:00 PM

maroonweekly.com • February 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 13

ne o Z Kid

• Face Painting • Rock Star Hair • Arts & Crafts • Adopt-A-Rock Star

Silent ction! Au & d o o F inks Dr

By Megan Ingram

Gorilla Zoe at Schotzi’s The glint of purple, green, and gold beads fills the imaginations of those who await Fat Tuesday’s arrival each year. Mardi Gras, or “carnival season,” is a time of celebration, parades, fried cuisine, and people generally just having one heck of a time. This year, join Texas A&M’s Phi Delta Theta as they host Gorilla Zoe for a special concert and Mardi Gras party. Born and raised in southwest Atlanta, Alonzo Mathis is better known by his stage name, Gorilla Zoe. His childhood was typical of the region; while skating rinks and swimming pools characterized his youth, it was West Coast hiphop artists such as DJ Quick, NWA, and Snoop Doggy Dogg that provided its soundtrack. However, things weren’t easy. Before his sophomore year, he was kicked out of high school, leaving home shortly after. A sixteen-yearold at the time, he joined the Job Corps and spent one year in Kentucky, introducing himself to the world of culinary arts and hustling to keep money in his pocket. The former Boyz N Da Hood member debuted his first solo album, Welcome to the Zoo, an account of his life and of other’s lives who grew up in similar situations. The album was followed up by Don’t Feed Da Animals and King Kong, released in 2009 and 2011 respectively.

First Annual Benefit Concert

Black Pistol Fire • Soul Track Mind Andrew Duhon • Daniel Gonzales Band

March 8, 2014 Palace Theater, Downtown Bryan, Texas go to www.bmbfoundation.org for ticket info!

Meet Gorilla Zoe and the brothers of Phi Delta Theta at Schotzi’s on Saturday, March 1. The night’s full line up is set to include Chase Anderson, Gibron LastName, DJ Drew, Boona, and Dip. The party will begin at 9pm, and ladies get in free until midnight. Current college freshmen and high school seniors who are seriously interested in rushing Phi Delt are eligible for free VIP admission. Contact phideltmardigras@gmail.com for more information or to purchase your $15 wristband. Admission will be $20 at the door.

the scoop WHAT: GORILLA ZOE WHERE: SCHOTZI’S WHEN: MARCH 1 | $15/20

pg 14 • MAROON WEEKLY • February 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com

By Megan Ingram and Katy De Luna

ONE MORE THING

by b.j. novak The name B.J. Novak may be familiar to some of you as the man who played Ryan Howard on The Office. However, what some of you might not know is that Novak was also a writer for the show. Now he’s written his first book. After the show ended, Novak penned One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories, a collection of humorous short stories. The tales vary in size; some are almost twenty pages, whereas others are only a few sentences. One More Thing will not have you laugh-out-loud laughing, but it will elicit giggles and a snort from time to time. One More Thing is also great for adults with short attention spans. “The Rematch” revisits the classic tale of the tortoise and the hare and adds new dimensions while “Chris Hansen at the Justin Bieber Concert” rants about both men and their ill-framed celebrity.

THE SIXTH EXTINCTION by elizabeth kolbert You might not know it, but scientists around the world are currently in the middle of tracking Earth’s sixth extinction, an event said to be the most disastrous since the asteroid encounter that ravaged the dinosaurs. But this go ‘round, it’s not a rock that’s causing all the ruckus; it’s us. New Yorker staff writer and two-time winner of a National Magazine Award, Elizabeth Kolbert has long since carved herself a name as a premiere science writer. In The Sixth Extinction, she delves into a riveting account of the species vanishing all around us and follows the progression of extinction from its first manifestation by Georges Cuvier in revolutionera Paris to modern day. Kolbert reports from the Andes, the Amazon rain forest, the Great Barrier Reef, and her own backyard – all prime stages for the head-on collision between human civilization and Earth’s ecosystem. In an illuminating exposition, she analyzes the effects of climate change on the current global wave of plant and animal loss, acquainting us with a dozen species, some that are already lost and others seemingly running down the clock on Earth.

STILL LIFE WITH BREAD CRUMBS

by anna quindlen

They say that in every novelist’s life there eventually comes a moment when he or she throws off the dark weight of anything and everything that drags them down - the stereotypes and conventions, the follies in style and language, the leverage and influence of those who have come before them. The past is gone and there’s only one way out: forward. Described by The New York Times as a “feminist novel for a post-feminist age”, Still Life with Bread Crumbs is Anna Quindlen’s quest into her own uncharted territory. Beginning with an imagined gunshot, the story details the life (and more accurately, the crisis) of an unexpected heroine. Rebecca Winter, 60, is a photographer whose work has inspired many women. Marriage and motherhood inspired the creation of her renowned art. The power of her early photos was rooted in darkness, in anger towards her selfish husband and towards herself for life characterized by a conventional and unhappy marriage. Now, with both her career and her bank account on a downward spiral, she trades the city for the middle of nowhere, forging her own path for the very first time.

maroonweekly.com • February 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 15

3 Apps You

••••••

Won’t Regret

PLAY

Downloading THREADFLIP - BY KELLY PORTER With Threadflip, you can sell and shop for clothes right from your phone. To sell, you just take a picture of the item you’re selling and upload it. You can shop and browse different items by category, style, brand, or size. You’re able to double-tap a photo and save items that you like and follow select closets. You can also purchase new items from brands at up to 70% off retail. Get fashionable ideas from viewing photos of other fashion savvy people. New items are posted daily, and you’re able to choose whether you access your account from the app or the web. Threadflip offers a buyer protection guarantee, and you have the ability to manage your sales and track your orders. Standard shipping with USPS Priority Mail is free and easy with their prepaid shipping label. iTRANSLATE VOICE 2 - BY MEGAN INGRAM Featured on the iPhone App Store as an “Editor’s Choice”, “Best of 2013”, “10 Apps that WOW”, and “App Store Essentials”, iTranslate Voice 2 has been revamped for iOS 7. Boasting faster translation and increased accuracy over its predecessor, the app is a handy tool for those interested in converting and conversing between many different languages. Simple in both design and use, it offers 42 different languages, including Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Korean, and many European languages. On one side of the screen is a flag depicting your chosen language. In one tap, choose the icon of the language you’re about to speak, then speak and await your results. iTranslate’s AirTranslate feature is said to work even better now, due to iOS 7’s new peer-to-peer technology. SOOSHI - BY HALEY CLARK Sooshi is an app all about, you guessed it, sushi! Whether you’re a novice or connoisseur, the app teaches the different kinds of sushi, different ways to prepare it, and the best spots to order it. Sooshi has 5 different groups, each entailing important information about each section: sushi, utensils, fish, ingredients, and restaurant finder. The traditional sushi restaurant offerings are also offered on the app: Maki, Nigiri, Gunkanmaki. Tools and utensils needed to make sushi and information on how to use them is listed in the app as well. A full list of ingredients and steps on how to prepare different rolls is another feature. But if you’re not feeling like making your own one night, the restaurant finder section finds some of the best sushi spots close to your location.

pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY • February 26, 2014 •• maroonweekly.com maroonweekly.com 19, 2014

Roadtrips and Getaways Within a Day’s Drive

By Katy De Luna

Dress as a Leprechaun, Get in Free Surprise! Bet you didn’t know that Fair Park in Dallas (home of the State Fair of Texas) is open all year long. They hold tons of events throughout the year, and this weekend is no different. They actually have two events that will complete your weekend, which means you only have to pay for parking once! Starting Friday, February 28, the Southwest Celtic Music Association begins their 32nd Annual North Texas Irish Festival. The theme this year is “Erin Go Bark!”, celebrating the role of “Celtic canines.” You don’t have to be Irish, or a canine, to enjoy the music, food, and entertainment of this family friendly festival. You’re allowed to bring your dog, cat, rabbit, and/or wombat pal with you, and let him or her explore the newly added pet pavilion. The pet pavilion houses the largest gathering of animal rescue groups in North Texas. Your pets are allowed into the festival after a $1 donation goes to a selected pet adoption agency. Inside the festival, there are a total of 13 stages (with plenty of seating, so no need to bring chairs) that will feature top Irish musicians and dancers from around the world. Maybe cultural presentations aren’t your thing. How about Guinness or whiskey tastings? What about macho blacksmith demonstrations, archery in a Celtic Village, or Gaelic football? With a wide variety of events and demonstrations, there will be something to appeal to everyone. Wondering what to wear? Men, wearing your kilt is welcomed. SCMA actually encourages all festival goers to get in the spirit and wear kilts, renaissance garb, ethnic costume, or whatever you want. But if you dress as a leprechaun (in full ceremonial dress and carrying pot of gold), you can get in free. The festival is open Friday, February 28, from 6 pm – 11 pm, Saturday, March 1, 10:30 am – 11:30 pm, and Sunday, March 2, 11:30 am – 7:30 pm. Ticket prices vary depending on if you buy them online (the best deal), at the door, and if you want a single-day pass or a weekend pass. Daily ticket prices range from $5 - $20, Friday being the cheapest, and Saturday costing a little more.

maroonweekly.com • February 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 17

Spencers: Theatre of Illusion By Haley Clark Spencers: Theatre of Illusion is your not-so-typical magic show. The show was created by Kevin and Cindy Spencer, a duo that’s garnered many accolades and who have trailblazed a remarkable path in the 10+ years they’ve been in the magic industry.

Thursday Happy Hour: 4-Midnight

Kevin Spencer is not only a performer but a speaker as well, and he had a part in founding the Healing of Magic and is the sole founder of the Hocus Pocus Project. The Spencers have been named Performing Arts Entertainers of the Year for six years in a row, the only performers to do so, and they’ve also been named America’s Best Entertainers twice. They’ve been awarded as the Best Performing Arts Event, Best Touring Production, and Best Major Performance over the years, and the dynamic duo is currently bringing their jaw-dropping performances to venues all across the nation. Spencers: Theatre of Illusion blends Broadway-esque elements of production with an enthusiastic atmosphere. But you don’t go and just simply watch the amazing performance; you are actively engaged in it. The audience is welcome and encouraged to participate in the show. The Spencers mix art and theater to produce illusion, humor, mystery, and personality for an exceptional, one-ofa-kind performance.

Open Everyday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 1808 Texas Ave. College Station, TX 77840 - 979.485.8888

Spencers: Theatre of Illusion is coming to Rudder Auditorium on March 4. The show starts at 7:30pm and will last about two hours. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for the public. Tickets are available online at boxoffice.tamu.edu, at the MSC Box Office, and by phone at (979) 845-1234.

the scoop WHAT: SPENCERS: THEATRE OF ILLUSION WHERE: RUDDER AUDITORIUM WHEN: MARCH 4

pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • February 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com

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“Capitalism and the Environment” with David Barsamian

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By Kelly Porter David Barsamian, an award-winning journalist, is coming to the Courtyard Marriott in College Station on February 28. He will be giving a talk on “Capitalism and the Environment” from 7pm – 9pm. Barsamian is the founder and director of Alternative Radio and has collaborated on books with several impressive figures (Noam Chomsky, Tariq Ali, Howard Zinn, Edward Said, and Arundhati Roy).

believes fuels deleterious results for the environment.

In the talk, Barsamian will tackle the green movement and its sullied relationship to western capitalism. When the green revolution took roots, emphasis was placed on things such as driving hybrids, recycling plastic, and changing out old light bulbs for more energy efficient ones – all options that focus on individual agency. However, Barsamian argues, “As global warming accelerates, carbon-fueled industrial capitalism is systemically incapable of making the necessary radical changes to protect the planet. Its insatiable appetite for profits precludes it from doing so.” Accordingly, he argues it’s time to reassess the entire economic system, one he

Barsamian often lectures on various topics such as imperialism, world affairs, censorship, and global rebellions. He fervently pursues his passion for change, resulting sometimes in him facing serious consequences, as he did in 2011 when he was deported from India because of the work he was doing on Kashmir and other revolts. Barsamian’s latest book of interviews featuring Chomsky is Power Systems: Conversations on Global Democratic Uprisings and the New Challenges to U.S. Empire.

Although Barsamian acknowledges recent victories such as Earth Day, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Environmental Protection Agency, he is still advocating for change on an ideological scale.

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A suggested donation to attend the event is $10, but no one will be turned away. The talk is sponsored by KEOS.

maroonweekly.com • February 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 19

By Cheyenne Mueller

Upcoming: Non-Stop ROBOCOP

ACTION (PG-13)

Making his lead role debut, Swedish actor Joel Kinnaman plays Alex Murphy in RoboCop, a human police officer transformed into a cyborg crime fighter in director José Padilha’s remake of the 1987 sci-fi thriller. Set in the year 2028, fifteen years before the original RoboCop was set, Padilha’s rendition keeps the basics similar: the setting is Detroit, Murphy’s a cop with a family he adores, and he has a bad habit of getting himself into hairy situations. His life is forever changed when he wakes up from a near-fatal assassination attempt to discover that he’s been re-built as a steelgirded action figure. Before going to see this movie, rumors had been circulating that the reboot had missed the mark of the original entirely. Keeping with the original, the movie opens with a group of suicide bombers planning an attack on American robots in Tehran with a mission to die on television. As the deaths transpire, the news reporters remain collected and unmoved, even though the gruesome scene happens right before them. Despite the acceptance of violence by people in the future, humanity is still a beacon of hope in RoboCop. More importantly, the idea of free will is alluded to throughout the film. It’s a hackneyed theme, but it adds another dimension to the original plot, making the new version appeal to the 21st century’s fear of tech domination. Also, in the original, Alex Murphy’s body isn’t revealed. But Padillha doesn’t spare the audience and shows Murphy’s gruesome innards—a frightening thing to observe, but a calculated move that heightens our sense that Murphy is alive despite his armor and programming. There’s not much left to him, but he still is human inside. As the film progresses, Murphy’s dopamine levels are decreased, transforming him into nothing but a robot wearing a human mask. However, he’s eventually able to “override” the doctor’s tampering and begins to feel emotions again, out of his own free will. The movie balances on that beam of hope until the very end and manages to take us for quite an action-packed thrill ride.

pg 20 • MAROON WEEKLY • February 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com

On an international flight from New York to London, U.S. Federal air marshal Bill Marks receives a series of threatening text messages warning every 20 minutes a passenger will be killed unless $150 million is transferred into an offshore bank account. After investigation reveals that the bank account is under Marks’ name and a bomb is found aboard the plane, Marks is labeled a hijacker. Not only does he have to prove his innocence and find the killer, but the entire plane becomes his responsibility… and no one trusts him. Now, I’m not entirely sure how this movie is going to work logistically. Typically, when I’m on a flight, there’s no cell reception. Also, with wi-fi available, you’d have to sign in with your account and pay for it. So, while the crime is being pinned on the air marshal, is there no possible way to track whose using the Internet? I’m not a tech wizard, but it just doesn’t make sense. Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra has worked with Neeson before in 2011’s thriller, Unknown. Collet-Serra’s other directorial projects include Orphan and House of Wax--no stranger to suspenseful movies. The most recent films Neeson has appeared in are both animated: he voices the raccoon in Nut Job and the “bad cop” in Fox’s The Lego Movie. But Non-Stop proves that Neeson hasn’t gone soft. He’s just as tough as he was in Taken.

1. The Lego Movie

An ordinary LEGO, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the universe together.PG (100 min)

permanent winter, a young girl voiced by Kristen Bell teams up with a mountain man to rescue her sister and stop the curse in the latest Disney animated adventure. PG (102 min)

from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall from goldplated grace, this Scorsese film is like The Godfather for investment bankers. R (180 min)

2. 3 Days to Kill

9. Endless Love

15. Philomena

A dying Secret Service agent trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter is offered an experimental drug that could save his life in exchange for one last assignment. PG-13 (113 min)

The story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart. PG-13 (103 min)

3. Pompeii

10. Winter’s Tale

A slave-turned-gladiator finds himself in a race against time to save his true love, who has been betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator. As Mount Vesuvius erupts, he must fight to save his beloved as Pompeii crumbles around him. PG-13 (98 min)

4. RoboCop

In 2028 Detroit, when Alex Murphy - a loving husband, father and good cop - is critically injured in the line of duty, the multinational conglomerate OmniCorp sees their chance for a part-man, part-robot cyborg police officer. PG-13 (108 min)

5. The Monuments Men

6. About Last Night

Two couples journey from the bar to the bedroom, and their ties are eventually put to the test in the real world. R (100 min)

7. Ride Along

Fast-talking security guard Ben joins his cop brother-in-law James on a 24-hour patrol of Atlanta in order to prove himself worthy of marrying Angela, James’ sister. PG-13 (100 min)

kingdom

11. Lone Survivor

Based on the failed 2005 mission “Operation Red Wings”, four members of SEAL Team 10 were tasked with a mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader Ahmad Shahd. R (121 min)

12. American Hustle

An unlikely World War II platoon are tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their owners. PG-13 (118 min)

8. Frozen

One night in winter, Peter Lake, orphan and master-mechanic, attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side. But through a happenstance meeting, Peter falls in love with the daughter of the house, a dying woman named Bethany. PG-13 (118 min)

A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and the mafia. R (138 min)

13. That Awkward Moment

Surly, a curmudgeon, independent squirrel is banished from his park and forced to survive in the city. Lucky for him, he stumbles on the one thing that may be able to save his life and the rest of park community as they gear up for winter. PG (86 min)

14. The Wolf of Wall Street cursed

endure

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort,

A world-weary political journalist picks up the story of a woman’s search for her son, who was taken away from her decades ago after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent. PG-13 (98 min)

16. The Nut Job

17. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Jack Ryan, as a young covert CIA analyst, uncovers a Russian plot to crash the U.S. economy with a terrorist attack. PG-13 (105 min)

18. Gravity

A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space.PG13 (91 min)

19. 12 Years a Slave In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. R (134 min)

20. Her

A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that’s designed to meet his every need. R (126 min)

maroonweekly.com • February 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 21

“thinking of view”

- so listen carefully

Across 1 AMA members 4 Defiant stayer’s stance 11 Race participant? 14 Black Eyed Peas singer will.___ 15 Place for a friend to crash 16 SOS part 17 Bed linen where bad stuff goes on? 19 Hosp. diagnostic 20 “___ fair in love and war” 21 Smooth fabric 22 Random link from some stranger, say 23 Late comedian Phyllis 26 Island show 28 Planner square 29 “West Side Story” actor Tamblyn 32 Site to search for stomach remedies 36 Drinkware crafted between the mountains? 40 “In ___ of flowers...” 42 Clearer, as the sky 43 “Silver Spoons” actress Gray 44 What sports car engines have? 47 Put at, as a price 48 Sinn ___ 49 “But ___ Cheerleader” (Natasha Lyonne movie) 52 “The Georgia Peach” 55 “Primal Fear” actor Edward 57 Roo, for one 60 Disaster relief org. 63 Better Than ___ 64 Major miner concern? 65 Technical genius at filmmaking? 68 Animation studio drawing 69 D, E and F, but not F#, on a piano 70 Quit fasting 71 Daily ___ (political blog) 72 Instant coffee brand 73 Common omelet ingredient Answers

pg 22 • MAROON WEEKLY • February 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com

Down 1 Total one’s totals? 2 Mexico’s national flower 3 Reason for insoles, maybe 4 “Was ___ das?” 5 Pursue with passion 6 Deep-sixes, to a thug 7 Language spoken in “Avatar” 8 Government IOU of sorts 9 Lizard that pitches insurance 10 Kind of poem 11 Easy win 12 A psychic may claim to see it 13 Barber’s quick job 18 Adult ed. course 22 “Jackass” crewmate once on “Dancing with the Stars” 24 Pitching stat 25 Rough game on a pitch 27 Abbr. in personal ads 30 Toby Keith’s “Red ___ Cup” 31 Tobacco type 33 Event where 13 is a good number 34 1051, to Caesar 35 Opium lounge 37 Utter madness 38 Late golfer Ballesteros 39 Senator Hatch 40 Jazzophile’s collection, often 41 Detroit suburb Grosse ___ 45 General ___’s chicken 46 “Bed-In” participant 50 Pat of “The Karate Kid” 51 Headwear of yore 53 Bingo call 54 Jeff who bought the Washington Post in 2013 56 Court judge 57 Sporty stereotype 58 Brand with a “Triple Double” variety 59 Slippery critters 61 “Walking in Memphis” singer Cohn 62 Coloratura’s offering 65 Earn a title 66 Cool, to the Fresh Prince 67 Suffix for sugars 2014 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@ jonesincrosswords.com)

Drink Slinger

GET TO KNOW YOUR FAVORITE BCS BARTENDERS

SLINGER OF THE WEEK

ERIC WALL fox and hound

MW: How long have you been a bartender? And what got you started? E: I have been a bartender for 4 years. I started working in a restaurant. Three months later, they needed bartenders. I was the next best thing, so they promoted me once I turned 18. MW: What is the first drink you learned to make? E: Margarita-Grand Marnier. I actually messed it up. I only put sweet and sour and forgot margarita mix, and then I got yelled at. MW: If you could bar chat with one person—a celebrity, sport star, anyone—who would it be? What would you want to talk with them about? What drink do you think that person would ask for? E: A country star. Someone like Alan Jackson. We would just be shooting bull. He would probably order a scotch on the rocks. MW: What is your personal favorite drink? E: It would be beer, specifically Abita Turbo Dog. MW: What is the craziest thing you’ve seen while working behind this bar? E: Our bartender lined up 10 flaming Dr. Peppers in the well. He took his finger and lit them all on fire. Then he blew fire out about 3 feet into the bar. MW: What’s your biggest pet peeve at the bar? E: When people stand at the bar and wave me down as if I don’t see you. If you do this, I will ignore you for even longer. MW: Do you ever experiment with new drink recipes? E: Yes. I actually have a formula I use for any shot. I always try things out with vodkas. I put two flavored vodkas, sweet and sour, add sprite, and sync any flavor Pucker and it always turns out okay.

Slinger’s Signature Drink MW: What is your signature drink? E: Georgia Peach. MW: What is in it? E: It has Absolute Peach, peach schnapps, orange juice, sweet and sour, grenadine, and sprite.

maroonweekly.com • February 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 23

THINK

pg 28 | maroonweekly.com | 01.23.13