contents
11.27-12.03
meet the team PUBLISHER Chris Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chris Zebo ASSISTANT EDITOR Cheyenne Mueller PHOTOGRAPHER Asad Panjwani STAFF WRITERS Drew Knight Katie Lea Joshua Russell
MARKETING INTERNS Cody Carlsen Valeria Cenoz Daniella Delgado Cecilia Garcia Rachel Pickering Connie Song
Essentials: Listen Play Discover Look
4 12 19 20
Cover:
behind-the-scenes story of TAMU’s move to the SEC is coming 10The to the big screen. We chatted with two of the film’s producers.
WRITING INTERNS Eunice De Luna Kate Williams DISTRIBUTION Cody Atkinson Lindsay Cox 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.
What?!: Cheer: Sip and Shop: 14 - Santa’s Wonderland is 7 - Imagine going shopping 9 - Well, it’s finally even bigger and better this year. Kick off the holiday season on a hayride through a town glistening in millions of lights.
for the holidays with a glass of wine in your hand. Sounds too good to be true, right? It’s not.
happening. Wooly Mammoth DNA has been extracted from a prime specimen, which means it’s only a matter of time before....
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
Music Reviews
Wilco
In celebration of their 20th anniversary, American alternative rock group Wilco has released two special album DVDs titled Alpha Mike Foxtrot:Rare Tracks 1994-2014 and What’s Your 20? Essential Tracks 1994-2014.
Album:
Wilco was formed by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo after the lead singers departure in ‘94. Throughout their first decade as a band, they experienced several line-up changes. The only original founding members that stuck around were singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt.
What’s Your 20?
Release Date: Nov. 17, 2014
Recommended Tracks:
By Eunice De Luna
I Must Be High You and I Casino Queen
What’s Your 20? Essential Tracks 1994-2014 is a selection of greatest hits...even though the band never had any hit singles. It’s a collection of 38 tracks that follows Wilco from the beginning of their alt-country sound through the evolution of their music toward pop-alternative. What’s Your 20? is essentially a beginners guide to Wilco. The release features two discs, the first song being “I Must be High”, written Tweedy. The track embodies all of where they first started, with country roots and strumming acoustic guitars and a folk edge the band kept in tow as they embraced indie. “Casino Queen” has an edgier sound, with violins grounding the background. We see a softer side of the group with candle-burners like “You and I”, a simple, sweet duet with one guitar.
Brad Paisley Buzzcocks
Brad Paisley Nickelback
Brad Direction Paisley One
Album: The Way
Album: No Fixed Address
Album: Four
Release Date: Nov 18, 2014
Release Date: Nov. 17, 2014
Release Date: Nov. 17, 2014
By Eunice De Luna
By Kate Williams
By Connie Song
The Buzzcocks have been around since 1976, one of the forefathers of punk. They formed in Bolton when singersongwriter Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto joined forces almost 40 years ago. The band’s influence has helped develop the Manchester music scene. The Way features ten songs and tries to bring punk rock (the old school, at least) into the 21st century. Unfortunate, the record falls short. Although they’ve managed to stay relevant, their historical high-energy sound is a little winded and dusty on this release. Some tracks are repetitive and stale. “Keep on Believing”, the first track, is nearly emblematic of the sound they helped make popular decades ago, and “In the Back” is heavier on the bass yet a bit mellow Older punk fans looking to rekindle their roots might not find any kin on this release. New fans, listen to their older catalog.
The band everyone loves hate has done it again. Nickleback produced yet another dooming album that, well, still gives rock a bad name. Addressing the cosmos, the band attempts to sound edgier and more relevant; but frankly, they just sound like they’re underwater in the track song, “Million Miles An Hour”. “Edge of a Revolution” is a flogging song, with too-loud-everything—overpowering electric guitar, uncharacteristically aggressive vocals. They even went disco with “She Keeps Me Up”, and the song would definitely keep you up at night, wondering how they thought the song would be a good idea. Address has the “Parental Advisory” sticker plastered on the front, which is probably referring to the ample amount of explicit language. Normally, this would be distracting, but it actually makes the album all the more humorous. If you need a good laugh, give it a listen. Haters, keep hating.
pg 4 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov. 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
If you can get over the roar of teenage girls screaming, the ones you hear in your head every time One Direction is mentioned, you’ll come to find their newest album, Four, is their best to date. They’re still poppy and as catchy as ever, which their lead single, “Steal My Girl”, has proven. However, they’ve also grown out of the teenage heartthrob mold the world cast them into over 4 years ago. Four still sounds like their old work, but they were able to mix-in some ‘80s flourished within their signature bubblegum pop, especially present in “Where Do the Broken Hearts Go” and “Stockholm Syndrome”. But their soft, folk numbers, simlar to their hit “Little Things”, can definitely be heard in “18”, also written by Ed Sheeran (which is bound to make girls weak in the knees).
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979.314.1900 | live-thelofts.com maroonweekly.com • Nov. 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 5
Places to Call Home
pg 24 624•••MAROON 26, 2014 ••maroonweekly.com pg MAROON MAROONWEEKLY WEEKLY WEEKLY•••Nov Nov. March 19,26, 2014 2014 maroonweekly.com • maroonweekly.com
By Kate Williams This Saturday, November 29, taste the flavors of the holidays while browsing Downtown Bryan’s restaurants, shops, and boutiques. Warm up with some wassail (hot mulled cider) and wine as you stroll the Christmas-lit streets in search of that special gift. There will be a total 16 checkpoints throughout town that will feature different sample beverages at each stop. Participants include the Old Bryan Market Place, Hemline Boutique, SEAD Gallery, Village Café, Chocolate Gallery and Café Capri, just to name a few. Tickets are $25 and include a shopping bag and unique wine glass (no two the same). The sip and shop begins at 216 W 26th Street, Bryan TX and encourages participants to explore downtown’s new and old storefronts. The event will be taking place from 4-8pm. Tickets are available for purchase online at The Downtown Bryan Association’s website: downtownbryan.com.
the scoop WHAT: HOLIDAY SIP AND SHOP WHERE: DOWNTOWN BRYAN WHEN: NOV. 29 @ 4PM
The Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts
Holiday Sip and Shop: A Wine and Wassail Walk
Spring 2015 Events January 29, 2015
Actors From The London Stage February 12, 2015
Black Violin
February 26, 2015
Ragamala Dance presents Sacred Earth March 26, 2015
The Intergalactic Nemesis April 9, 2015
Koresh Dance presents Come Together April 16, 2015
The Neuland Artist Lecture Tickets may be purchased at the MSC Box Office (http://boxoffice.tamu.edu/ or 979,845,1234). More information about performances, lectures and tickets is available at http://academyarts.tamu.edu.
All Performances & Lectures: 7 PM All performances held in Rudder Theatre, except The Intergalactic Nemesis in Rudder Auditorium. Lectures held in Geren Auditorium. Performances: Students $5, General Admission $10 Lectures: Free to all attendees. (schedule subject to change)
For more information, call 979.847.2787 avpa@tamu.edu v academyarts.tamu.edu w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / AV PA a t TA M U
It’s Time For
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 26, music 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 7 dance theatre visual art
SEAD Gallery Hosts Two Local-themed Exhibits
“20x20 Show” Selected Works from Members of the Brazos Valley Art League 20x20 is a unique opportunity to discover (or rediscover) art by some of your favorite local artists. All works measure 20x20 inches and are priced at $200. The exhibit is a great opportunity to learn more about the Brazos Valley Art League and you can pick up a piece of local art for yourself or as a gift for the holidays. 20x20 will be up through December. “The Future of the Room Upstairs” Exhibit by Adreon Henry Adreon’s exhibition at the SEAD Gallery pays homage to a “shift” with particular personal significance to his own past. For years, Henry’s father worked in the basement of the Federal Building (now the location of Advent GX’s Innovation Underground and SEAD Gallery). Often, Adreon was brought along to help out. The title of his exhibition, The Future of the Room Upstairs, is a nod to his time spent in and around a room that would go on to play its own humble role in the artistic and cultural development of a community. That the two should meet again under such circumstances is pure serendipity. “The Future of the Room Upstairs” is Henry’s self-proclaimed “love letter” to a place and a past from which he continues to draw significance.
the scoop WHAT: ART EXHIBITS WHERE: SEAD GALLERY WHEN: THROUGH DECEMBER pg 8 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Scientists: Preserved Wooly Mammoth Could Be Cloned, Brought Back To Life
Challenging California Corn Maze Has Adventurers Calling 911 To Be Rescued DIXON, Calif. – Touted as the largest corn maze in the world at 63 acres, this seasonal labyrinth is no game to Dixon County deputies: They’ve been receiving emergency calls from lost participants. As it was covered by CBS Sacramento when the maze opened for the Halloween season, adventurers flooded to “Cool Patch Pumpkins” to test their wits each weekend; and each weekend brought in at least one phone call to the police, according to maze owner Matt Cooley. Since the maze closed for the season, ABC obtained the 911 calls from the lost souls: - “I don’t know what to do anymore. We’ve been in here like four hours.” - “We’re stuck and they close at 10. We’re very worried and we can’t find a way out.” Why they didn’t cut through the corn on their own is beyond us. And Cooley suggests that maze-goers just grab a map before they take it on next year.
Domestication
a
tie Le
By Ka
SIBERIA – Discovered in the snowy wastelands of Siberia, scientists are saying they might be able to bring back the extinct wooly mammoth by cloning the preserved body of one specimen.
L.A. Hippo ‘On Birth Control’ Surprises Zoo Staff With Calf LOS ANGELES – Zookeepers at a zoo in Los Angeles noticed that Mara the hippo had been putting on weight, but since she was on birth control, the idea that she could be pregnant seemed preposterous. Now, to the zoo’s surprise, Mara and her mate, Adhama, have increased their hippo herd by one with their newborn calf. As the first baby hippo the zoo has seen in 26 years, the unsexed and unnamed newborn was born on Halloween, and has already made a public appearance by swimming with its mother in their exhibit. Mother Mara, 10, came to Los Angeles from Topeka, Kansas, and had an instant connection with Adhama, who is 3, zoo officials said. They said they had some suspicions that Mara could have become pregnant despite the birth control, but only had limited testing options to investigate properly.
While the history of dog domestication has been pretty thoroughly researched, the story of our feline friends is much less understood. This is partly due to the comparatively recent domestication of cats, which happened around 9,000 years ago. As anyone who’s ever owned a cat could probably tell you, “you don’t own your cat, your cat owns you.” This idea stems from cats’ largely independent nature, especially when compared to their canine counterparts. Hopefully, with the help of genome sequencing, we can finally figure out why our cats are the way they are.
extensive scrutiny by a team led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine. Our very own Dr. William Murphy of the A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences also lent his expertise to the project. The cat genome sequencing project began in 2007 and originally set out to study hereditary diseases in cats. Eventually, they began tracing other characteristics of domestication, such as hair coloring and texture, facial structure, and docility. They found the changed genes were related to behaviors like memory, fear and reward-seeking—all of which can be involved in the domestication process.
The cat genome has recently undergone
According to Dr. Wes Warren of Washington
Through carbon dating, the team concluded that the animal walked the earth about 40,000 years ago, and its good condition raised hopes that the specimen could be cloned, researchers said. A palaeobiologist at the Natural History Museum, Dr. Tori Herridge, took part in the work and estimated that the mammoth, nicknamed Buttercup, lived for around 50 years, as indicated by its remaining teeth. “Actually coming face-to-face with a mammoth in the flesh, and being up to my elbows in slippery, wet and, frankly, rather smelly mammoth liver, counts as one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” she said. “It’s up there with my wedding day.”
University, “humans most likely welcomed cats because they controlled rodents that consumed their grain harvests”, and he hypothesizes that “humans would offer cats food as a reward to stick around.” Some of the team’s other discoveries help explain why certain characteristics – like cats’ vision, sense of smell, and propensity to be almost exclusively carnivorous – differ from those of other animals. The research will help us to understand a little more about how wildcats of the past transformed into today’s housecats. Something to keep in mind, though, even Dr. Warren admits that “cats, unlike dogs, are really only semi-domesticated.”
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 26, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • pg 9
Breaking Tradition: A New Film Tells A&M’s Untold Story of Leaving the Big 12 and Entering the SEC By Chris Zebo
If you’re like most Aggies, the day you heard A&M officially entered the SEC was one of the best days of your life. Lately, for John Robison and John Claybrook, the story of how A&M entered the SEC is their lives. Since last November, Robison (executive producer) and Claybrook (associate producer) began pre-production on a film that charts the behind-thescenes conversations and decisions that led to the Big 12 departure. Robison, class of ‘85, left Aggieland and lived in L.A. for 18 years before moving back to Texas in 2012. “Spending most of his time since graduation away from Texas allowed him to look objectively at the story and find the exact people who played a role in the story we’re telling,” says Claybrook. Robison says he and his production partner, Joe Sabatino (who created the show Necessary Roughness on USA), were initially interested in producing a show like NFL Hard Knocks that would cover the Aggie football program. But after more brainstorming and a few lucrative discussions with persons involved in the backroom politics of the SEC move, Robison and his team decided they had a much bigger story on their hands. “The more we dug into it, we found what truly happened had more story drama than a season of Dallas,” he says. “I decided that a story covering not only how it happened but more why it happened would be important to tell. The more interesting thing, to me, was the actual internal conflicts and barriers the University and its supporters had to overcome.” The film, with a working title of Breaking Tradition: Ride for the Brand, will be released in the fall of 2015. The film team has four producers and thirty student interns from Texas
pg 10 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov. 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
A&M—all led by Robison. The film will be released by Robison’s production company, Wellborn Road Productions—the name of which came from a dinner discussion Robison had with Governor Perry, former coach Gene Stallings, former system board chairman Richard Box, and TAMU regent Jim Schwertner, who all play a part in the film. We talked with Robison and Claybrook about the “big decision” to leave the Big 12, about what that means for them and Aggieland, and more about the film’s production. MW: Why was the decision to leave the Big 12 and enter the SEC so important to you personally? Why does it deserve a story like the one you’re telling? Claybrook: Leaving the Big 12 was a monumental decision in the history of Texas A&M. As Aggies, we love our school and believe in the mission of the university. Entering the premiere conference in all of college sports gave Texas A&M the national stage it needed to share its message. Taking an inside look into the difficulties of making a bold decision, especially at a school that reveres tradition, will allow anybody who watches the film to walk away with the courage to make bold decisions for their organization or business. Robison: Often, it takes a bold move against great odds or under extreme pressure to break us out of our self-imposed exile and allow us to break out of our own shell. To me, this was statement about setting a goal for excellence and doing it instead of settling for less. Maybe we all do that in our lives; but its these moves that make a mark. We haven’t even seen the true benefits yet. It’s being on that journey and knowing we took the step that sets us up for future success; no matter how long it takes...we made the jump.
MW: You interview a number of prominent figures from the A&M universe: RC Slocum, Gene Stallings, Miles Marks, Billy Pickard, and many more. Who, in your estimation, was the most exciting on a personal level to talk to? Claybrook: Interviewing Gene Stallings was a once in a lifetime experience. We flew up to his ranch in Paris, TX and interviewed him in his living room, surrounded by trophies, autographs, and memorabilia. He’s a living legend in every sense of the term. What really struck me, however, was his relationship with his son, Johnny, who was born with Down Syndrome but lived life more fully than anyone ever could. Coach Stallings said, “People always think I gave so much to Johnny, but the truth is, he gave me more than anyone ever could.” It was his relationship with his son that gave him a demeanor and look in his eyes that portrayed great wisdom, satisfaction, and dignity in the life he’s lived. Robison: To me, it’s amazing to get to tell this story with amazing people in it. Coach Stallings, for precisely the reasons John said; Jackie Sherrill for a completely different set of reasons. Each remembers some glory but communicates a level of pain associated with their experience. Most interesting to me are the real stories told
Robison: That’s what the movie is about. Some are facts that we might not know, but many are the stories that happened along the way, where we get to see it all unfold. There were some very funny or compelling stories about secret flights to New Orleans to meet Mike Slive on Schwertner’s jet. Stories about how University of Texas president and AD made assumptions and talked down to A&M officials. When you hear it firsthand, you’re shocked that discussions like that would actually take place. I love the way A&M leadership finally played chess instead of checkers. One serious thing I did not know was that, based on the conservative nature of A&M, along with some old stereotypes, A&M was painted as a racist school by some opposing coaches during recruiting. It was false evidence appearing real...the definition of fear. MW: Some have said that celebrating the move to the SEC was too early, that waiting until the team had 5 or more years under its belt in the conference would be better. With the current season not living up to expectations for some, how do you feel about the making of the film post-Johnny Football?
Claybrook: I’ve gained an even deeper appreciation for the depth of the history at Texas A&M. When you talk with individuals who have given their lives to the welfare of Texas A&M, your perspective changes in a way that allows you see into their heart and mind, and their passion is contagious.
Claybrook: Now is the perfect time to tell our story. One
Robison: I learned that what you think is happening, or even expect to be happening at these upper levels of a University as it wrestles with the politics of sports vs. academia, is often quite a bit more involved than we could imagine. You add a level of deep affection for your institution that doesn’t often exist in other professions. It can make grown people sometimes act in great ways and it can drive a few to act out of ego. It’s the difference between riding for the brand and riding for one’s self.
“Now is the perfect time to tell our story. One question we ask in our film is, “How should a fan base or organization respond in times of difficulty?” - JOHN CLAYBROOK, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER by Richard Box and Jim Schwertner when they are together with Jim Wilson. The things we don’t know or didn’t know. Most interesting is the actual fly-on-the-wall look into the true trust and friendship that came out of being in battle together. They aren’t grandstanders at all, but they have so much to teach. I love a story where we get to see the power of relationships and integrity. MW: Are there any stories or facts you discovered during your interviews you can share with us? Anything particularly surprising? Claybrook: Coach Stallings was a long-time supporter of Texas A&M’s move to the SEC. After winning a national championship at Alabama in ‘92, he knew the SEC provided the best competition, the best recruiting platform, and the most publicity. Although he lived five hours north of College Station, he still had the ability to influence decision makers in the right direction.
question we ask in our film is, “How should a fan base or organization respond in times of difficulty?” We hope that fans walk away from our film with an understanding of what it means to “ride for the brand” and that they truly do ride for the brand through thick and thin. Robison: Our story is called Breaking Tradition: Ride for the Brand precisely because it examines the good and bad, the quick and the long, the pain and the glory of this decision. It’s a lesson in decision making and all it takes to endure the process. Ours is in no way meant to be that black and white about how great we are. To do that is to tell a sophomoric story and provide a disservice to the power and various impacts of the decision. MW: Usually, when documentary filmmakers enter a project, they expect to wrap up not only knowing so much more about their subject but also to come away with a different perspective. Has that happened at this point? What has changed since day one of filming?
The thing I noticed was that sometimes someone might have been riding for the brand but somewhere along the line stopped. Some at the University of Texas, on the blogs, have said that Deloss Dodds was so obsessed with the Longhorn Network that he made a bad deal. Perhaps he stopped riding for the brand and didn’t know it. MW: Do you think viewers of the film will come away with similar experiences? Claybrook: Absolutely. Not only will Aggies be proud of what we’re making, but anybody can watch this film and walk away with an understanding of how to better lead their families, their churches, their businesses, or organizations. More than anything, this is a story of values, and we are extremely proud of the work we’re doing. Robison: I hope they laugh a little, learn some things, cry a little, and ultimately ask themselves whether they are riding for their brand. I’d love it if it helps us and future generations ask that question of our leadership and not let it go unchecked if our leaders ever stop riding for it. Lets hope they want to go see it in theaters, buy it on Netflix, and give it as gifts. I think it would be incredible if people watched it every year as a reminder.
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 11
pg 12 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
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maroonweekly.com • Nov. 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 13
Santa’s Wonderland By Rachel Pickering
Worried about fighting the snow to get to the North Pole this year? Forget it. Enjoy the largest Christmas attraction in the Lone Star State instead. Santa’s Wonderland is now open for it’s 17th holiday season. The venue sits on 37 acres and has a trail of lights that is over a mile long and has over 3 million Christmas lights! Santa’s Wonderland is always looking to improve from the previous year. This year, there will be double the walking space, double the restrooms, and double the seating. Santa’s Wonderland also doubled the ticket stations, doubled the shuttle service, and doubled the hayride waiting area, which will allow visitors to spend more time seeing the sites rather than waiting in line. Even the food will be doubled, meaning more cocoa, fudge, and funnel cakes. There will also be a new 4000 square foot dining hall which features 12-foot-tall nutcrackers and also a new covered pavilion. They will also be adding ten more hayride trailers, which should minimize the waiting time. The trail of lights is one of the main features of Santa’s Wonderland and there are many different ways to view them. Each year, there are new scenes and holiday displays along the lighted trail. Hayrides allow you to enjoy the view with open visibility, festive holiday music, and all while sitting on freshly bundled hay. Another way to view the lights is by a horse and carriage ride, which includes hot cocoa and holiday music. The drive-thru tour allows you to drive your personal vehicle; however, this option is only available on specific evenings. Starting this year, the drive-thru entrance has moved to the
pg 14 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
“Prancer” Parking lot. Another popular attraction at Santa’s Wonderland is Santa’s Town, which is a Texas-themed Christmas Village. Inside Santa’s Town, enjoy the festive atmosphere with nostalgic holiday foods, unique shops, and live music around a cozy campfire. Kids can enjoy pictures with Santa, a petting zoo, and more. Santa’s Town also features a high-tech synchronized light show and even features a real reindeer, Prancer! Santa’s Wonderland will be open Monday-Friday from November 14th, 2014 to January 4, 2015. Monday-Thursday the venue will be open from 6pm- 11pm and on Fridays it will be open from 6pm-midnight. Saturdays the doors will open at 3pm until midnight and Sundays it will be open from 3pm-11pm. Tickets for Santa’s Town range from $6.95-$12.95. Tickets for both the hayride tour and Santa’s town range from $16.95$25.95.
the scoop WHAT: SANTA’S WONDERLAND WHERE: SOUTH ON HWY 6 WHEN: TIL JANUARY 4, 2015
Sparkling
loose Diamond sale Round Diamonds
Holiday Horse Show
The Texas American Saddle Horse Association (TASHA) will be hosting a holiday horse show December 7-8. The holiday show will feature a variety of classes including jackpot classes for the country pleasure, amateur 5-gaited championships, and UPHA Exceptional Challenge Cup. There will also be pony and road horse classes, academy classes, and even a build-a-class option to meet guests' special interests. This year, the show will take place in the new 70,000 square-foot enclosed arena. The host hotel will be the historic Lasalle Hotel located 4 miles from the expo grounds in downtown Bryan. The American Saddle Horse Association’s mission is to promote and protect the grace, intelligence, and versatility of the American Saddlebred. Embedded in this is the group’s goal to encourage sociability, cooperation, enjoyment and good sportsmanship among TASHA members and the public. The association also partners with educational institutions, governmental agencies, and civic organizations to promote the horse industry.
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0.51ct retail $1,400 1.00ct retail $4,000
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Cushion Diamond
1.03ct retail $5,665
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Concessions will be available both days and a luncheon with prizes will be provided on Saturday.
the scoop WHAT: HOLIDAY HORSE SHOW WHERE: BRAZOS EXPO CENTER WHEN: DEC. 7-8
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(Starbucks Center across from Home Depot) In Store FInancIng avaIl able
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 15
Where is home for the holidays?
JORDAN MORALES
Lubbock HANNAH MEYERDIRK
Denton
LAUREN STRUCK
Houston
GARRETT FAIRBANKS
Mansfield
By Danielle Delgado It’s almost that time of the year – the time to trample others to get amazing Black Friday deals. Right after stuffing your face with turkey and dressing, there’s no time to waste. Make your way to stores to get those savings you’ve been waiting all year for (or don't, and be with family). Heck, you might even be camping out in front of a store right now. After searching local deals, we found five that are pretty sweet. Black Friday Deals • Best Buy: Panasonic 50” HDTV: $199.99 (was $549.99, save $350) • Macys: ½ Ct. t.w. diamond earrings in white gold: $169 • Old Navy: Entire store 50% off
JENNA HARRISON
Missouri City, TX
• Home Depot: Samsung 25.5 cu. ft. stainless steel refrigerator: $998 (was $1799, save $801) If you want to avoid the crowd and shop online, we found a pretty good Cyber Monday deal, as well. Cyber Monday Deal • Walmart: Apple iPad mini: $219 (was $299, save $80)
pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov. 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
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maroonweekly.com • Nov. 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 17
there’s an
#APP4THAT LOSE IT! - BY CONNIE SONG It’s the holidays again, and you know what you’ll be doing: stuffing yourself with endless amounts of delicious, home cooked meals. Soon afterwards, you’ll start feeling a little guilty when that turkey ends up on your thighs. Not cool. With Lose It!, you can count the calories you’ve eaten along with how much you lose with exercise—all tabulated by the app’s extensive food database and calorie calculator. When you first download Lose It!, it will ask you some questions about your height and your current and target weight to help you develop a personalized weight loss plan. There is also a forum for you and all COST: FREE of your friends to show off how much weight you’ve lost and to motivate each other to attain weight loss goals. TGI BLACK FRIDAY - BY CECILIA GARCIA After a full day of stuffing your face with turkey, mashed potatoes, and dressing, it’s time for the real fun to begin: Black Friday shopping. But who wants to spend all night flipping through paper ads to see who has the best deals and at what time (this is the 21st century). At the tips of your fingers, the TGI Black Friday app tells you about those deals—and ones in your own town, too. TGI Black Friday allows users to make a shopping list, get coupons, compare COST: FREE prices, and even see Cyber Monday sales and promotions before they are released to the public. The app is powered by TGIblackfriday.com and DealCatcher.com, two of the most popular shopping resources on the web. For great deals all year long, also check out the Dealcatcher app. EPICURIOUS - BY CODY CARLSEN Thanksgiving is upon us and finding creative Thanksgiving dinner ideas can be difficult. When you have a large family, it can be next to impossible to find a dish that everyone enjoys. While there are always a few dishes your family wants to see year after year, there will always be people at your Thanksgiving table who’d enjoy something different. That’s where Epicurious comes in.
TEXAS GRAND SLAM
11.07.12 | maroonweekly.com | pg 23
Beyond Thanksgiving classics, this app also has a ton of unique spins on traditional holiday foods that could leave the whole table wanting seconds…or even thirds. If you want fancy gravies, alternatives to roasting a whole bird, or delectable desserts, Epicurious has you covered. In the lead-up to Thanksgiving, Epicurious has categories such as turkey and gravy, Thanksgiving sides, stuffing, pies, and even vegetarian Thanksgiving options to make your search easier.
pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
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thedistrictonluther.commaroonweekly.com866.973.5389 • Nov. 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 19
By Cheyenne Mueller
Interstellar Sci-Fi (PG-13)
Mockingjay Pt. 1 Drama (PG-13) Despite Mockingjay being the same length as the other two novels in the Hunger Games trilogy, the good folks over at Lionsgate have given you two movies for the price of… well… two movies. In Mockingjay Pt. 1, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook) is seen in a hospital room after being rescued from the arena in Catching Fire. Her first thoughts are of Peeta (Josh Hutcherson, Red Dawn), who was unable to be rescued. She’s in District 13 – the almost-mythological district that is alive and well after all – headed by a no-nonsense President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore, Carrie) and assisted by Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Capote). Coin and Heavensbee want to use Katniss as the voice of the rebellion to keep energies high and the fire for the cause alive, but being in front of the camera was never Katniss’ strong suit – she always relied heavily on Peeta to make her likable. So, in an effort to inspire genuine emotion, they decide to send her out to District 12… or what’s left of it.
In Christopher Nolan’s latest epic set in the future, civilization has regressed into a failing agrarian society. Cooper (Matthew McConaughey, True Detective) is a former NASA pilot who now runs a farm with his father-in-law, his teenage son, and his 10-year-old daughter Murphy (Mackenzie Foy, The Conjuring). Murphy believes there’s a ghost in her room which – after a series of interactions, sends Cooper and Murph coordinates to NASA. There, Cooper reunites with his favorite professor, Dr. Brand. Brand reveals that a wormhole, which they assume to be created via an alien assistance, offers a chance for humanity’s survival on a new planet. Through this wormhole, three potentially habitable planets have been discovered close to a black hole. Brand recruits Cooper to pilot the spacecraft Endurance to recover data, his decision to leave devastates Murphy, and they part on bad terms.
With any book-to-movie adaptation, there are some obvious changes. Also, because the novel is being broken into two parts, there wasn’t much action in Pt. 1 – just a lot of dialogue and arguing and Katniss freaking out. There are some explosions and civilian casualties to keep people who are anxious for action appeased, but the one thing that remains with you after leaving the movie is simply the color gray. (There really wasn’t much happening.) Fans of the book will note that Mockingjay was much slower-paced than its counterparts, so at least the film is close to the text. But – honestly – the break down into two parts is unnecessary and, frankly, greedy.
Interstellar will blow your mind. Brothers Christopher and Jonathan Nolan co-wrote the film, merging a script Jonathan developed in 2007 with Christopher’s ideas. They collaborated with Kip Thorne, the theoretical physicist whose work inspired the film and who acted as scientific consultant and executive producer. The one real complaint about this movie is that there was no real reason for Cooper’s son. It’s made clear in the beginning that he’s not near as bright as his sister, and Cooper doesn’t really pay attention to him. Murphy is the real hero of this story. The brother just gets in the way and can’t seem to see the bigger picture. If you plan on seeing Interstellar, be sure that you’re completely awake, not sitting with people who will disrupt you, and have at least an hour to sift through what you just watched afterwards.
Mockingjay Pt. 1 is 123 minutes and rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and thematic material.
Interstellar is 169 minutes and rated PG-13 for some intense perilous action and brief strong language.
She returns to District 13 scarred by the morbid remains of her home and the bones of the people she once knew. Not long after, the Capitol airs a talk show clip with Peeta. Katniss – relieved that he’s alive – agrees to be the rebellion’s voice, only after guaranteeing the rescue of Peeta and two other victors.
pg 20 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
1. Mockingjay Part 1
After destroying the Games, Katniss is rescued and taken to District 13. There, she is used as the face of the rebellion where she attempts to save Peeta from the Capitol. PG-13 (123 min)
2. Big Hero 6
Child prodigy Hiro Hamada develops a special bond with a plus-sized inflatable robot named Baymax. Together, they team up to form a group of high-tech heroes. PG (108 min)
3. Interstellar
Life on Earth will soon become inhabitable. After the discovery of a wormhole, a group of explorers set out to surpass the limitations on human space travel for the fate of humankind. PG-13 (169 min)
4. Dumb and Dumber To
After Harry discovers he has a daughter who was given up for adoption, Lloyd and Harry embark on another epic road trip to find her. PG-13 (110 min)
5. Gone Girl
Nick Dunne’s wife, Amy, disappears and he becomes the prime suspect. He defends his innocence, but Amy’s journal paints a very different picture of her husband. The truth, however, is much different than the tales both Nick and Amy have spun. R (149 min)
6. Beyond the Lights
Noni is a superstar singer who is struggling with the burdens of fame. She meets Kaz, who’s a young cop, and together they help Noni find the courage to find her own voice. PG-13 (116 min)
7. St. Vincent
Oliver’s parents just divorced and in his mother’s custody, they move to a new city to start fresh. He forges an unlikely friendship with their new neighbor Vincent, an abrasive war vet who manages to fend off everyone except for Oliver. PG-13 (102 min)
8. Fury
Right before the end of WWII, a Sherman tank and five crewmen are dispatched on a mission that leaves them outnumbered and outgunned in the face of the enemy. With a rookie slowing things down, the men face impossible odds in a heroic attempt to hold a crossroad from the Axis. R (134 min)
9. Birdman
Riggan is a washed-up actor who once played the iconic superhero, Birdman. His career screeched to a halt after refusing to make a Birdman 4, and as he attempts to reclaim his former glory, he must deal with his ego and estranged family. R (119 min)
10. TheTheoryofEverything
A satirical comedy that follows four very different black students at an Ivy league university who converge together after a controversial theme at a Halloween party. R (100 min)
11. Nightcrawler
15. Alexander...Very Bad Day
Alexander is no stranger to unfortunate circumstances. After wondering if his family ever experienced the same misfortunes, his mom, dad, brother, and sister all share their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. PG (81 min)
16. Rosewater
Maziar Bahari is an Iranian-Canadian journalist. After going to Iran to document the controversy behind the country’s elections, he’s detained by Iranian forces who brutally interrogate him under the belief that Bahari’s a spy. R (103 min)
17. Whiplash
Andrew is a young drummer with serious potential. He enrolls at a music conservatory, notorious for its cutthroat program and intense instructors who still stop at nothing to expel Andrew’s talent. R (107 min)
18. Foxcatcher
In desparate need for work, Lou Bloom stumbles into the world of LA’s crime journalism. His obsession for getting the perfect story blurs the line between what’s ethical and completely immoral. R (117 min)
Training for the 1988 games in Seoul, wrestler Mark Schultz forges a relationship with his new sponsor, millionaire John du Pont. Through unforeseen circumstances, the union leads both men to feel inferior to Mark’s brother, Dave. R (134 min)
12. Ouija
19. The Book of Life
13. John Wick
20. The Maze Runner
After a mysterious death of one of their peers, a group of friends use a Ouija board as part of a game. What they uncover is a sinister force that forces them to confront their most terrifying fears. PG-13 (89 min)
A former hitman is forced out of retirement to kill the men who took everything from him. R (101 min)
14. Saving Christmas
Kirk Cameron stars in this film about bringing Christ back to Christmas. PG (80 min)
Manolo faces a difficult decision where he must pick between his family and his heart. In the process, he experiences three different worlds where he is confronted with his greatest fears. PG (95 min) Thomas wakes up with no memory and in an ascending elevator. He’s delivered to an all-male community where he learns that the walls that enclose them leads out to an extraordinary maze. His arrival serves as the catalyst for their escape from the walls, but it comes with a price. PG-13 (113 min)
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 21
“Lucky number seven” Across 1 Brother of Dubya 4 Does nothing 10 “And others” abbreviation 14 Let go 15 Fed. securities 16 1958 Chevalier musical 17 Actress Kirshner 18 Like some fibrillation 19 Agents under J. Edgar Hoover, informally 20 Put effort into test prep 22 Serviceability 23 Ex-R.E.M. lead 24 Hiccups, e.g. 27 “Dang straight!” 30 Certain Sooner 31 Problem while drying out 33 Backside 34 Not quite transparent 35 In-basket stamp: abbr. 37 Necklace part 39 Address for Bill and Ted 40 Detach 42 Become less hostile 44 Irish airline ___ Lingus 45 Research your blind date, say 46 Mister, in Rio 48 Polar expedition vehicle 49 10-rated Bo 51 Amateur 52 Bunk up 56 Cupid’s specialty 58 Bar in a steering mechanism 59 “32 Flavors” singer DiFranco 60 Attack of the flu 61 Leisurely walk 62 Alkali in cleansers 63 Barracks bunks 64 Where everything from the theme answers collects 65 Young bloke
Answers
pg 22 • MAROON WEEKLY • Nov. 26, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Down 1 Impromptu concerts 2 Goes offstage 3 Reason cosmetology is a no-go? 4 “Freeze!” 5 Where sand and plastic shovels go? 6 When tripled, a 1970 war film 7 Make Kool-Aid 8 Abacus piece 9 Fashionable initials 10 Sandwich spread 11 Party in New York City? 12 Get better in barrels 13 Jeremy of the NBA 21 “Lock Up the Wolves” metal band 22 “___ and Away” 24 The two things tires do best? 25 “Harold and ___” 26 Nasty expression 28 Course for U.S. immigrants 29 “___ how I roll” 31 “Hugs not ___” 32 Carpentry joint part 36 Horse-drawn vehicles, despite their name 38 That naval vessel 41 Cosmetics aisle brand 43 Sweet-talk 47 Day division, in Venice 50 Great Rift Valley locale 52 In ___ (as found) 53 Alpaca group 54 Longtime Yankees nickname 55 Conked out 56 “Resurrection” network 57 Ranch call 58 Cough syrup amt. 2014 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com)
Aggies Sports Give Us a Lot to Be Thankful for By Joshua Russell
Thanksgiving time is here in Aggieland and while finals and Christmas are right around the corner, it’s time to look at all the things A&M sports have given us. It seems that every sport at A&M is competitive, something most schools can only dream about. From football to soccer, volleyball to baseball, there are teams on campus that are in the NCAA post-season.
In volleyball, Angela Lowak was named NCAS Sports Playmaker of the Month for November, Shelby Sullivan has earned All-SEC honors, and Stephanie Aiple was ESPNW Volleyball Player of the Week. The football team possesses plenty of playmakers, including freshman defensive end Myles Garrett, who is already breaking SEC records and is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest Aggie athletes ever. Speedy Noil is on Garrett’s heals as he shows his skills not only as a receiver but also as a kickoff and punt returner. QB Kyle Allen has already upset a Top 5 team on the road and looks to have taken the reins on the Aggies offense.
The Aggies have some of the best coaches around. Coach Gary Blair has won a national championship here and fields a team that consistently ranks among the nation’s best. Soccer coach G Guerrieri has won SEC Coach of the Year the past two years and led the Aggies to both the regular season and SEC tournament championships. Softball coach Jo Evans has taken the Aggies to 12-straight NCAA Tournament appearances and has won over 1,000 games as a head coach. Then there is the legendary Track & Field coach, Pat Henry, who might be one of the best the maroon and white has ever had. Henry has coached eight National Champions in his 11 years in College Station including winning three consecutive men’s and women’s national titles from 2009-2011. We should be thankful for the immense talent at Texas A&M.
The soccer team is littered with special players such as Bianca Brinson, Annie Kunz, Shea Groom, Kelly Monogue and Megan Streight who are All-SEC First Team. The 5th ranked women’s basketball team has All-SEC players in Courtney Walker, Jordan Jones and Courtney Williams. The baseball team has Nick Banks who batted .348 last season.
The future is bright and that is something we should be thankful for. The Aggie baseball team, who plays at one of the best ball parks in the country, just signed a Top 10 recruiting class and is looking to build on their eight consecutive trips to the NCAA Regionals or beyond. The men’s basketball team currently has the #2 recruiting class in the country and is looking to break into the NCAA Tournament after a three year absence. The three previously mentioned football players are all true freshmen and they will be joined next season with another top 10 recruiting class.
maroonweekly.com • Nov. 26, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 23
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