Vol .12 No. 28 by Maroon Weekly

04.20.16 - VOL. 12, NO. 28

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meet the team PUBLISHER Chris Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Luke Murray ASSISTANT EDITOR Linley McCord LAYOUT EDITOR Amy Winn STAFF WRITERS

Annabeth Reeb Jordyn Smith Adrianna Zampieri INTERNS Evan Flores Hannah Hardwick DISTRIBUTION Kristen Cottrell Lindsay Cox Daryl Dorman

Maroon Weekly is an independent, publication and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university funding. 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. ÂŠ Copyright 2016 Campus Press LP

Music Reviews Sturgill Simpson

Album:

By Jordyn Smith

Country artist Sturgill Simpson has released his third album, “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth.” This album serves as a welcome letter to his new infant son and the eclectic styles, rhythms, and lyrics in this album bring a refreshing twist to the country music genre. Instead of layering on week-old pop tunes, Simpson brings funk, blues, and southern rock to the forefront in his album and kicks off with the swingy “Welcome to Earth (Pollywog).”

Next up is “Breakers Roar” as Simpson dials it back and brings a classic country vibe to this track. His smooth vocals with the soft, gentle music accompaniment behind him elevates this song to another level before cracking it up a notch with “Brace for Impact Release Date: (Live a Little).” Throughout the album, Simpson digs deep and pushes the country music April 15, 2016 genre in a positive direction.

A Sailor’s Guide to Earth

Santana Album: Santana IV

Royce da 5’9”

Bear Hands

Album: Layers

Album: You’ll Pay for This

Release Date: April 15, 2016

Rock n Roll legend Santana has released his latest work “Santana IV” and his infusion of rhythms and guitar riffs makes this album unique—to say the least. The 16-track album kicks off with “Yambu” it has an AfricanLatin vibe to it with solid congo beats driving the song, the keyboard and guitar add a splash of Latin flare to the track.

Hip-Hop artist Royce da 5’9” is back with “Layers.” The 17-track album flows extremely well with the attention to the lyrics driving the album. The clear, concise, meticulous nature of each track highlight the emotions and points Royce is striving to make. Royce covers a variety of topics from tragedy and joy in “Tabernacle” to being anti-corporate in “America.”

Alternative band Bear Hands is back with “You’ll Pay for This.” This 12-track album is full of unique sounds, styles, and lyrics and kicks off with “I Won’t Pay.” It starts off with almost a dance-club vibe to it then transitions into a guitar-heavy rock tune and this change in direction mid-song grabs the listener’s attention.

Other tracks like “Shake It,” “Love Makes the World Go Round,” and “All Aboard” are the album’s most rockin’ tunes. Santana proves that he still has his classic sound in “Anywhere You Want to Go.” Overall this is a great pickup from a classic artist.

The album includes a number of collaborations, including Melanie Rutherford, K. Young, Loren W. Oden, Pusha, Tiara, Mr. Porter, and others. This is a middle of the pack, run-of-the-mill rap album, but if you like Royce you will most likely enjoy this album.

pg 4 • MAROON WEEKLY • Apr. 20, 2016 • maroonweekly.com

As the album rolls on, Bear Hands explores a variety of topics in “Boss,” “2 AM,” and “Purpose Filled Life.” Their unique harmonies are what makes this group stand out and have a powerful way of bringing their music to life. Overall, this is a pretty good album.

By Annabeth Reeb

“HERE” A

n insurmountable amount of love, support, and understanding all gathered into one syllable. Aggie traditions are often loud, such as the way we yell and sway from side to side as we saw Varsity’s horns off. Sometimes they are silly, like chugging beer to celebrate the Aggie ring. Then some traditions are quiet – they’re whispered – but their significance is in no way small. It is these traditions that truly knit us together. It is these traditions that set us apart from every other loud and prideful school. Here. Dating back to 1883, Aggie Muster has been an important part of the fabric of Texas A&M since the beginning. Though the ceremonies have grown and shifted over the years, the essence of the meeting has remained the same: to celebrate, commemorate, and remember our fellow Aggies. Muster is now held in more than 300 locations worldwide, though the biggest ceremony still remains on the College Station campus. Muster will be kicked off with the annual Muster Barbeque from 11am - 2pm at the Kyle Field Northwest Plaza. Food tickets can be purchased for $10 at the event or online, though no ticket is necessary to attend. The Muster Ceremony will begin at 7pm in Reed Arena. “Softly call the Muster…”

maroonweekly.com • Apr. 20, 2016 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 5

By Evan Flores

TONY BENNETT @ RUDDER

SC OPAS will present Tony Bennett, the 18-time Grammy Award-winning musician whose music spans over six decades on April 26 at 7:30 in Rudder Auditorium. Selling millions of records and boasting a long and prestigious career, Tony Bennett is a staple of American musical culture with his influence lasting 60 years. His past achievements include 18 Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Tony Bennett released “Duets II” and made music history by making Tony the oldest artist to ever have a #1 CD on the Billboard album charts at the age of 85. “Duets II,” followed up “Tony Bennett Duets: An American Classic” CD, released in 2006. 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the singer’s signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” The singer also recently released a new documentary film titled “The Zen of Bennett,” created and conceived by Tony’s son and manager Danny Bennett. Bennett also authored his fourth book, “Life is a Gift,” released in 2012 and entered the NY Times Best Seller list. In 2014, Tony Bennett released a collaborative album with Lady Gaga, “Cheek to Cheek,” featuring these two legendary artists performing jazz standards. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album charts making Bennett the oldest musical artist, at the age of 88, to have an album top the Billboard 200 and won the Grammy Award in the Best Traditional Pop Album category. Tony Bennett is a Kennedy Center Honoree, an NEA Jazz Master and a recipient of the United Nation’s Humanitarian and Citizen of the World honors. In the fall of 2015, Tony Bennett released “The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern”

pg 6 • MAROON WEEKLY • Apr. 20, 2016 • maroonweekly.com

where: RUDDER AUDITORIUM when: APRIL 26, 7:30PM tickets: $40 - $150 info: MSCOPAS.ORG with jazz pianist Bill Charlap, that debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Traditional Jazz Album charts. In addition to his musical achievements, Tony Bennett has historically been a part of many changes in humanitarian need. Tony Bennett was a part of the Selma March in 1968, along with being an advocate for a number of organizations that impact the community and nation as whole. From building high schools to helping charities that work with diabetes, Tony Bennett has had a hand in making the world a better place for future generations to come. Tickets are on sale now at the MSC Box Office. Ticket prices range from $40 to $150 depending on where you sit. It will be worth your while on April 26 to come see this musical legend.

ranger Smith, Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 2002, is making his return to Aggieland on April 22 at Hurricane Harry’s. Granger is coming off of a huge feat by hitting his first number one single with “Backroad Song.” His latest release, “Remington,” which dropped on March 4 has become one of the best country albums of the year so far. “Reminton” is Granger’s first major-label release after Smith signed with Broken Bow Records in the fall of 2015. After years of grinding on the Texas music scene, Granger is finally getting the fame he deserves.

By Jordyn Smith

Granger’s musical journey began in 1998 when he released his first album “Waiting on Forever.” Since that first release, he has gone on to release nine more albums, create a super-star alter ego, and become a nationally recognized country artist. Over the years, Granger’s music has steadily progressed and matured. He remained an independent artist to please his fans, resisting the everpresent mainstream country vacuum. He grinded, he played, and he worked extremely hard and his efforts were rewarded when Broken Bow came in to offer him record deal. This provided Granger with an opportunity to continue to make his music and “Remington” certainly reflects that.

In 2009 Granger released “Don’t Listen to the Radio” and then followed that record up with “Poets and Prisoners” in 2011. By then, Granger had become a major headliner in the Texas music scene. He consistently sold-out shows all over the state. With his success in Texas, Granger was able to take his talents throughout the rest of the country. He played small clubs and venues and continued to grow a devout fan base. In 2011, Granger released a video that sent him straight to the top starring a new character: Earl Dibbles Jr became Granger’s alter-ego. With the success of the video, he made another. He coined the phrase “Yee-Yee” and really made a brand for himself, and his merchandise sales went through the roof. In his 2013 album “Dirt Road Driveway,” Granger included “The Country Boy Song” by Earl Dibbles Jr. and began to incorporate the alter-ego in his shows. Granger gained so much recognition for this insane character that he began to do the weekly “Dip em and Pick ems,” a segment on CBS Sports in which Earl Dibbles Jr would pick the weekly big games. The success of his music and brand has paid dividends for Granger. He continues to grow as an artist and fans keep coming back for more. The show starts at 9pm, but show up early to get a good spot. Tickets are $10 at the door or at harrys. bcsclubs.com.

GRANGER SMITH @ HARRY’S

What makes Granger special is his ability to connect with his listeners. He is well-loved in Aggieland for his track “We Bleed Maroon.” pulling at the heart and reminds us why we became Aggies, why we love this university, and of the memories we have made here at this great school. One of the highlights of Granger’s career came at Midnight Yell before the inaugural SEC game against Florida in September of 2012 when he grabbed a guitar and sang “We Bleed Maroon” to 50,000 Aggies. It was a glorious moment, the perfect way for A&M to be welcomed into the SEC.

maroonweekly.com • Apr. 20, 2016 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 7

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mericana artist David Ramirez has been making a life out of living on the road since 2008. In a world full of singer-songwriters selling their stories, Ramirez has managed to stand out from the crowd, developing a fiercely loyal following of fans who are drawn to his intimately personal songwriting. “I’ve never been one to really want to lock in a certain “sound”, I think people are al-ways changing and evolving rather than staying the same, or at least we shouldn’t be. I’ve always wanted each record to capture what I feeling or what I was going through.” said Ramirez when he sat down with us to discuss his upcoming tour. After years on the road touring as an opening act for artists like Noah Gundersen, Shakey Graves, and Joe Pug, Ramirez was excited to finally embark on his own tour.

@ NEW REPUBLIC

DAVID RAMIREZ

“It basically started with me selling everything I owned and jumping in my car with my instruments, and I just hit the road. That spiraled into more records. It wasn’t for a cou-ple years that I really even wanted to go out with a band, but at that time I didn’t have the money to do it. I don’t think anyone wakes up with the dream over traveling the world solo, you want to do it with friends and people you love,” said Ramirez. Now with the recent release of his fourth full-length record, Ramirez has been touring relentlessly yet again–this time with a full band and a packed touring schedule. “I would like to step away from solely writing alone like I stepped away from touring alone,” Ramirez said. “I want to do more collaborations. That’s the goal and hopefully sometime soon we can get some things rolling. That’s really all I have in mind. I don’t have a sound I’m channeling for the next record. I just know that I want to do it with friends.” Be sure to see David Ramirez’s show at New Republic Brewing’s Taproom on April 22 at 8:30pm and listen to his new record “Fables,” available now! Rescheduled from March 25th. All tickets from that date will be honored for this new date.

maroonweekly.com • Apr. 20, 2016 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 9

iding on the release of his sophomore album, “Breathless,” Sam Riggs is touring relentlessly around the country as he continues to grow his brand of music across regional country radio. Scheduled to make another stop in College Station on April 22, we sat down to talk with Sam about the upcoming show, his chart-smashing album, and his efforts as a songwriter. Be sure to catch Sam Riggs & the Night People this Thursday night at The Tap. MW: Let’s talk about the new album; “Breathless” released in in February – debuting at #3 on iTunes’ country chart behind Chris Stapleton and Sam Hunt, a big accomplishment for an indy artist from Texas. We’re big fans of tracks like “Gravity” and “Second Hand Smoke” that have a bold lyrical character; how much time and effort went into the songwriting for the record? SR: Well, the process of writing for the record was kind of pieced-together. There were songs that I already had done – like “One More Chance to Stay” – that didn’t make it onto “Outrun the Sun” but made it onto “Breathless” instead. So, “Breathless” came to be over the course of the craziest year of my life. Basically, I had been so busy touring and promoting “Outrun the Sun” that I hadn’t done much writing. I was so busy hammering highways and trying to put on the biggest and baddest shows that we could, when it finally came time to do this record, I was like ‘we aren’t ready – I don’t have the songs.’ So I just started pouring myself into my writing. I was working off the 80/20 method – where 80% of what I wrote was just not good, 20% was decent, and maybe half of that is songs that make it on the record. So, songs like “Second Hand Smoke,” that particular song came to be one night when we were going down the road. We had stopped at a truck stop – a Pilot I think – and I was walking into the store, it was late at night and we had fueled up and out by the big rigs, I walked by this old Peterbilt 379 and the driver was out by his truck lighting a cigarette with a wooden match. My granddad used to smoke Marlboro cigarettes and he’d light them with a wooden match. There’s really nothing like the smell of a fresh lit match on the tip of a cigarette. I overall hate smoking, but something about that smell took me back. It just made me think how memories are funny like that, something can just come into your life or you can just walk into a room with someone and it suddenly opens up this corridor of memories that you thought you had forgotten. That’s where the idea for the song came from, just like that secondhand smoke, every time he gets around her – it all comes rushing back. So I took what I had of that song – I had written about a third about a third of it – I took it out to Nashville where I had a last-minute writing session scheduled with Matt Nolen. Matt is a great writer. He’s been in Nashville for about 15 years but he’s originally from San Angelo, Texas. He asked me what I had, and I said that I had this song tucked under my hat waiting on the right day but maybe you know something about it. I told him it was about addiction, but being addicted to someone rather than something. And he said he knew a thing or two about that. Matt used to drink a bit but doesn’t anymore, and I too have had my bouts with the bottle. So we just connected over this song and when we finished, I was just like ‘man, that song.’ My wife Natalie shot a video of me doing an acoustic version of the song, and once we put it on YouTube, it just went viral. Rolling Stone picked it up, and that’s when they wanted to do that interview about me and “Outrun the Sun” and all that. So, that’s how that song came to be. “Gravity,” however, is a song that is about getting away from all the things in life that just pull you down. I’m sure you know what it’s like to just need to get the hell away from everyone for a while. So, Chad, my good friend and drummer who I write with all the time, came out with me to Wimberley. Natalie’s aunt and uncle have this vacation cabin out there that I’m lucky enough to get to use now and then, and we were out there having a few drinks and trying to do some writing. I was just out on the back porch just sort of looking up at the sky, and I said to Chad, ‘you know there’s something about getting out here – away

pg 10 • MAROON WEEKLY • Apr. 20, 2016 • maroonweekly.com

By Luke Murray

from everything – that helps put things into perspective.’ That’s the idea that “Gravity” was spawned from. It’s just about this guy who isn’t really popular but everybody knows him. He’s there at the party, but then he’s gone. You know what I mean? There’s something in him that just needs to get out, but hasn’t figured out a way to get out of town yet – so he just sort of disappears. As for the rest of the songs on the record, they all sort of came to be in about a six-month period. I wrote “Burn Me Down,” “Gravity,” “Second Hand Smoke,” “Breathless,” and “High On a Country Song” in this really tight span of time. Each one just helped to fuel this creative fire inside of me, so that’s how the whole record came to be. That also sort of pairs up with how the record was during recording, because we had been on the road so long that when we went into the studio, I had a hard time slowing down. I couldn’t slow my brain down enough to just focus on the songs. There’s this excitement, there’s this fear, anxiety, and apprehension about whether or not this record will be as big as “Outrun the Sun” was. For the longest time, I was just trying to outwrite “Outrun the Sun.” I just had to give myself permission to do something different, and just realize that “Outrun the Sun” will always be great in itself and that “Breathless” will just be its own thing – which has turned out to be a hell of a record for us. MW: You’ve be called to play some high-caliber stages – from Steamboat to closing out Houston Rodeo’s Hideout this year – what would you like to see as your next big stage? SR: It’s kind of happening a little at a time with these bigger and bigger stages. Like last week we played The Grizzly Rose in Denver, which was a big stage that I’ve been wanting to headline for a while. We’ve opened for Cody Johnson there in the past, but we finally got to headline it – and it was awesome. But there’s big stages that I would be thrilled to play on. I’ve always wanted to play the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville along with plenty of other big places in Texas. You know, playing The Hideout at Rodeo Houston was more than awesome – but I want to play the main stage there one day! MW: Oh. Absolutely. SR: (laughing) MW: You have to love places like Gruene Hall and Billy Bob’s too. SR: We’ve played Gruene Hall, which is awesome. And we’ve played Billy Bob’s but we’re getting our first shot at the main stage up there on July 15 this year – I’m super excited to headline that place. MW: With music going almost 100% digital in today’s age, what does it mean for you to have more than two million streams on Spotify? Are you able to wrap your head around that number? SR: Yeah, I can wrap my head around it. I think when you create a portal for people to experience music right at their fingertips, they don’t have to flip a record or mess with discs, they just click it on Spotify or just put it on shuffle and it’s there – it just makes music much, much, much more accessible to people. For me, it’s incredible. There’s always that part of me that wishes that number were two million record sales – that would be awesome! Yet, at the same time, I’m just eternally grateful that people have access to my music, along with so many other folks’ music through platforms like Spotify. I think

that’s how a lot of new artists get discovered nowadays, through suggested feeds and such. I think it’s wonderful, but I’m not satisfied, I want to turn those two million plays into ten million plays. MW: We know that “Breathless” just came out, but are you already thinking about your next record and what type of feel it’s going to have? SR: Oh yeah, definitely. That was a lesson learned from “Outrun the Sun.” I had put the pen down for a while and it took a certain amount of conditioning to get back in shape as a writer, but after finishing “Breathless,” I haven’t come out of that creative state yet. I’m planning to demo a lot of the next record at my house. I bought a lot of basic recording equipment so I can just run through it at home and get a definite feel for it. With “Breathless,” we basically had 30 days – I went in there and made the record in a month. With the next record, I want to go in there and take some time – at least two months! MW: One more for you, this is your second time playing in College Station this semester alone; is there something in particular that you enjoy about playing in front of an Aggie crowd? SR: Man, the heart! The heart of an Aggie crowd, for me, is what it’s all about. Every time we play in College Station, it’s a good time. As a performer, you have to bring energy to the stage, but Aggies bring energy to the room. It’s inspiring. Some of the best shows we’ve ever play have been right there in College Station. I remember partying in College Station, my cousin graduated from Texas A&M and we used to go out to The Hall of Fame. I don’t know though, man. There’s just this synergy between our stage and an Aggie crowd that I just can’t get enough. I’m always super excited to get back out there!

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DOWNTOWN BRYAN FIRKIN FEST

f you didn’t get enough beer at Chilifest – or maybe you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated than Keystone – check out the Downtown Bryan’s Firkin Fest for a great time and even better beer. This will be Downtown Bryan’s first Firkin Fest, modeling after similar events in Houston and Dallas. The Firkin Fest gets its name from the Firkin: the traditional cast that the beer is fermented in. Each brewery will be bringing their firkins for a one-of a kind beer tasting experience. The Firkin is the “craft beer” of craft beer. Since Firkin’s only make a small amount of beer, each batch is unique. The Firkin gives the brewers room to experiment with new things and flavors. So why is the Firkin Fest unique from other craft beer events? At the Downtown Bryan Firkin Fest, attendees will get a chance to taste beers that they won’t be able to get anywhere else. Firkin Fest is more than just tasting the flavors of different breweries – it’s a chance to taste and respond to new and unique flavors. Blackwater Draw Brewing Company will be bringing a Laika Russian imperial stout with cocoa nibs and vanilla bean and a German style Keller beer. Ranger Creek, a brewing company based in San Antonio, will have a Dry Hopped Berliner Weisse, an Oatmeal Pale Ale (OPA) with mango/peach Tea, and a Love Struck Hefeweizen with coconut & vanilla bean at the event. Twisted X Brewing will be trying out a Dark American Lager with cinnamon and vanilla beans. Brigadoon Brewing has been aging a Black Plague Ale in a Ranger Creek whiskey barrel for six months for the event.

PARTICIPATING BREWERIES: Blackwater Draw Brewing Company Brazos Valley Brewing Company Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School Deep Ellum Brewing Company Independence Brewing Co. Karbach Brewing Co. New Republic Brewing Company Ranger Creek Twisted X Brewing Uncle Billy’s Brewery By Annabeth Reeb

WHEN: April 23 @ 2:00pm WHERE: The Palace Theatre 105 S Main, Bryan, TX 77803 VIP TICKETS: $65 GENERAL ADMISSION: $35 DESIGNATED DRIVER TICKET: $10

These are just a few of the many exciting beers that will be featured at the event. Downtown Bryan has had a lot of success with previous beer events, so be sure to get there early to ensure you get a ticket. VIP ticket holders will be allowed in an hour early for valuable extra time to taste beers and speak with the brewery representatives - ut hurry, because there is only a limited amount of VIP tickets being sold. VIP passes include a full size glass and a commemorative t-shirt in addition to eight sample tickets. General Admission ticket holders will be welcomed into the event at 3pm and given a commemorative tasting cup and eight sampling tickets. Besides the beer, Firkin Fest will have a food vendor and live music for all to enjoy. Attendees must be 21 and over, but not everyone has to be drinking! To promote safe driving, Downtown Bryan is offering $10 tickets for designated drivers (21 and up), which includes free soft drinks and the same great atmosphere. So whether you have been a beer drinker for life or are just looking for something new, Downtown Bryan’s Firkin Festival is sure to be a hit. Purchase tickets online at downtownbryan. com or at the door.

maroonweekly.com • Apr. 20, 2016 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 13

By Adrianna Zampieri

or a weekend of guaranteed fine wine, delicious food, and good times, look no further than Bryan’s own Messina Hof Winery & Resort. Officially established in 1983, this award-winning winery knows how to entertain its visitors. Each day from Friday April 22 through Sunday April 24, Messina Hof hosts a special event that will transform your weekend from snooze-worthy to the time of your life. Spring is here, and with a new season comes new wine. Start your weekend right on Friday at 7pm and join Messina Hof at their Spring Release Wine Dinner, their first wine release of the year. You’ll be wined and dined during an elegant five course meal, consisting of sautéed halibut cheeks, daikon and fennel bruschetta, watermelon caprese, sesame crusted halibut, and for dessert a glory lemon curd topped with pistachio dust and raspberry coulis. Skillfully paired with their newly released wines and vintages, you can expect nothing less than the best with this meal.

But what’s wine, food, and pleasant company without fine art? You’ll also receive the opportunity to partake in a silent auction co-hosted with The Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, an organization dedicated to making the arts accessible to all residents and visitors of the Brazos Valley. The entries for the Messina Hof’s Wine 2016 Texas Wine Label Competition will be available for viewing, as well. You can vote for your favorite at their annual Wine & Roses Festival the following day on the 23rd. From 11am to 10pm, April 23 is a day for tasting wine, listening to live music, and stomping on grapes. The 32nd Annual Wine & Roses Festival at Messina Hof celebrates the budding vines and blooming roses of the Messina Hof estate, inviting local vendors and artisans to the grounds and scheduling a number of activities every wine enthusiast can enjoy. General admission is free; however, if you’re itching to swirl your glass and do some tasting, you’ll need to purchase the tickets online from the Messina Hof website beforehand.

maroonweekly.com • Apr. 20, 2016 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 15

A festival isn’t complete without entertainment, and Messina Hof delivers. Take delight in watching the Grape Stomp Competition or compete yourself (be sure to register and buy a ticket if you’re eager to stomp on some grapes). Hosted by KBTX’s Brazos Valley This Morning team, each team is challenged to fill a bottle in two minutes with the juice they’ve stomped, and the champions will be crowned at 5:30. Throughout the day, Messina Hof will have live music, including the musical talents of Brandon Rhyder, a known staple in the Country and Red Dirt scene, and Parker Heights, a band that has shared the stage with the likes of Cody Johnson and other well-known country music stars. Although we love our country music, wine is clearly the star of the show. All over the estate, red and white wine tents will be eagerly awaiting your arrival, offering you samples of an assortment of wines to taste. Venture to the Wine Bar and Tasting Room for a few more sips. Learn how to expertly pair decadent chocolates with award-winning wines during a class led by Karen Bonarrigo. This event is known to quickly sell out, so snatch up a ticket before you lose the chance to experience chocolate heaven. Finish your day at the festival with a hearty, juicy steak and a glass of wine served from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Estate Wine Cellar. This meal also requires a special ticket. Cross the finish line of your weekend with the Wine & Roses Half Marathon & 5K on Sunday. The result of a partnership between the Messina Hof Winery & Resort and Race Texas Sports, the race starts at 7 a.m. and winds through the scenic Messina Hof estate. Participants will receive a custom shirt, commemorative wine glass, and a unique wine stopper medal at the finish line. If you get tired while running, then take a quick break to enjoy a sip of wine because wine tasting stations will be set up along the vines of the course that are exclusive to the runners. From a five-course meal to a grape stomping competition, the Messina Hof Winery & Resort offers a variety of events that will keep you entertained from start to finish. It’s the place to be all weekend long.

pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY • Apr. 20, 2016 • maroonweekly.com

By Adrianna Zampieri

CELEBRATING OUR GREEN EARTH

HOW TO DO IT: 1. In a bowl, mix together the flour, water, corn syrup, and one envelope of unflavored gelatin. Stir until well combined. 2. Add the bird seed and mix well. 3. Spray your cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray and pour the seed mixture onto the cookie sheet. Flatten out the seed mixture. 4. Use cookie cutters to cut different shapes such as circles, hearts, or even animals from the seed mixture. 5. Use a drinking straw make a little hole in the bird seed ornament. 6. Once the bird seed ornaments are dry (it usually takes overnight), string twine through the hole. TISSUE PAPER TREES Help your children and younger siblings create their own miniature forest with this tutorial from (the aptly named) “Housing A Forest.” For an educational twist, teach them about the environment, climate change, and deforestation while they’re assembling their twig trees. It’s never too early to for the next generation to learn about the importance of trees in Earth’s ecosystem. WHAT YOU NEED: • Twigs • Tissue paper

• Pipe cleaners • Scissors

HOW TO DO IT: 1. Cut out several 4”x4” squares of tissue paper. It does not have to be exact, so you can guestimate the size. 2. Wrap a small piece of pipe cleaner about a third of the way down the twig to keep the “leaves” in place on the “tree trunk.” 3. Slide the tissue squares on to the twig one by one. This will be easiest if the twigs have a pointy top, but it’s not necessary. 4. Once you’ve finished adding the tissue paper, place a piece of pipe cleaner around the top to hold the “leaves” on. 5. Crunch up all the tissue paper into a tight ball. t’s that time of year again when Dr. Seuss’ beloved book “The Lorax” is used to educate 6. Lastly, pull the pieces of tissue back outward, shaping them to children in school about the environment we live in. Established in 1970, Earth Day look like the top of a tree. focuses on bringing attention to environmental issues and inspiring ideas to solve them, so on April 22 celebrate our planet Earth with a few DIY projects. And don’t forget what the wise Lorax said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” There’s only one Earth, and it’s ours to take care of.

BIRD SEED ORNAMENTS Trees are more than just oxygen-producing machines. They’re also a source of food, hiding spots, and nesting places for local wildlife, especially birds. With this tutorial by “Hellobee,” make bird seed ornaments to hang from the branches of the trees in your backyard. The birds (and a few pesky squirrels) will certainly thank you! WHAT YOU NEED: • 4 cups bird seed • 3/4 cup flour • 1/2 cup water • Gelatin

• 3 tbs corn syrup • Cookie cutters • Drinking straw • Twine

maroonweekly.com • Apr. 20, 2016 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 17

PLANET EARTH OREO TRUFFLES Every holiday calls for something sweet, and “The Gunny Sack” has made the perfect Earth Day treat. These round, scrumptious Oreo truffles are coated with Earth’s signature colors, blue and green, and have a vivid inside to match. With these miniature planets, you’ll literally have the whole world in your hand. WHAT YOU NEED: • 36 Golden Oreos • 2 cups dark chocolate chips • 8 oz cream cheese, softened • 1/4 cup green candy melts • Green gel paste (food coloring) • 1/4 cup blue candy melts • Blue gel paste (food coloring) HOW TO DO IT: 1. Crush enough Golden Oreos, about 36, to get three and a half cups of crushed cookies. 2. Mix together the crushed Oreos with the eight ounces of softened cream cheese. 3. Divide the mixture into two bowls, and use the gel paste to tint one blue and the other green. 4. Grab several small bits of each color and roll them into balls about one inch wide. 5. Place the Oreo balls into the freezer for about 15 minutes to get firm. 6. Melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave according to the instructions on the package. Then dip the firm Oreo balls in the melted chocolate and set on parchment paper. Re-melt the chocolate as needed. 7. Finally, once the chocolate is set, drizzle the melted candy melts on top of the Oreo balls. Tip: Scoop the melted candy melts into a disposable pastry bag and snip off a tiny bit of the tip to help you drizzle it neatly over the truffles.

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Movie Reviews

The Jungle Book (PG) By Linley McCord The beloved animated Disney movie (that was once famous in book form by Rudyard Kipling) about a boy raised by wolves in a jungle has been revamped to be a live action stunner. If you’re feeling nostalgic for the bare necessities, this new version of “The Jungle Book” will satisfy your every childhood whim. A drought hits the jungle, and the food chain is disrupted because water trumps hunting. When the animals gather at the watering hole to call the seasonal truce, all are intimidated by tiger Shere Khan as he prowls the pond, making threats. After spotting the only human (“man-cub”), Mowgli, the man-cub raised by a pack of wolves, Shere Khan vows to kill him due to unfinished business with man. Mowgli is protected by the wolves he grew up with, but ultimately begins a journey to get out of the jungle to escape Shere Khan’s vindictive manhunt. The cast of characters voicing all the animals (minus Mowgli, of course) is absolutely incredible. Mowgli (Neel Sethi) is flawless at being a “man-cub” who behaves like a nine-year-old boy in the midst of wolves, panthers, and bears. He’s innovative and caring and exceeds expectations in his role. The cast is star-studded from there out. Bill Murray is, obviously, fun-loving Baloo. Ben Kingsley slays his role of the father-figure panther Bagheera. Idris Elba is the formidable and evil Shere Khan, and Scarlett Johansson is the intoxicating snake Kaa. Christopher Walken is the power hungry King Louie and is perfect. To round it all out, Lupita Nyong’o is Raksha— Mowgli’s wolf mom. These stars breathe true life into the animals they voice and it enhances the film that much more. The CGI is beautiful, oftentimes looking completely authentic. It’s mind blowing to think about how a young actor essentially talked to nothing when filming because all of his costars were product of a computer. Overall, the plot follows well with the Disney animated version, minus most of the songs. Really the only two that make it are “The Bare Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You.” Additionally, this film is a little darker and has a few scenes that jump out at you. It is definitely a must-see of the year, and deserves 8/10 stars.

Shelter NETFLIX

By Adrianna Zampieri Anthony Mackie can do more than save the day as Falcon, Captain American’s wingman. While waiting for this hero to return in the highly anticipated “Captain America: Civil War,” catch up on Mackie’s film history with Netflix. A versatile actor, he takes on a gritty role in the hard-hitting film “Shelter.” In Paul Bettany’s directorial debut (who also plays Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe), two strangers meet on the streets of New York. Tahir (Anthony Mackie) is a Nigerian with an expired VISA, and Hannah (Jennifer Connelly) is a suicidal woman hooked on heroin. Both homeless, they bond over their personal struggles and discover strength within each other; however their world is unpredictable and neither knows how it all will end. Built around the social issue of homelessness and consequentially human suffering, “Shelter” will play with your emotions, tugging on your heartstrings as you watch two strangers-turned-lovers struggle in a world where although they may have nothing, they have everything to lose. It’s also a test of empathy, forcing you to understand a world where morality is ambiguous. Could you feel sympathy for someone with more than a few skeletons in their closet?

maroonweekly.com • Apr. 20, 2016 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 21

Err Guitar Across 1 Hoover, e.g. 4 He came back for a “Big Holiday” in 2016 10 Participates in an auction 14 Roswell craft 15 ___-Lorraine (area in northeast France) 16 “A Streetcar Named Desire” director Kazan 17 ___ de mer 18 Veteran Marine, in slang 20 Cold one 22 Corleone patriarch 23 A year in Paris 24 Lawsuit 26 Pair with a lot of pull? 27 Spherical treat that comes from a toroid 32 Bowler’s place 33 Hockey Hall of Famer Cam 34 Kal Penn’s costar John 37 Hitchcock title word 38 ___ au poivre 39 “The Grapes of Wrath” family name 40 Neither’s partner 41 Graphics program included with Windows 1.0 42 Carried, as by the wind 43 Sprays some sticky stuff as a prank 45 Answer sharply 48 Plasma particles 49 Not mine, in bucolic comic strips 50 Carpenter’s leveler 53 Autocorrect target 56 Poopo or Titicaca, e.g. 59 Empty (of) 60 About, formally 61 “I can’t hear you!” 62 Four-color card game 63 King with three daughters 64 John Doe, e.g. 65 Part of rpm

Down 1 Like some mistakes 2 In the distance 3 Like some small biological projects? 4 Chum 5 Late hour, for some 6 “Caprica” star Morales 7 Light bulb unit 8 Reverb (and a cliche when a character thinks it’s someone else) 9 Ultra-wide shoe size 10 He was associated with the Jets 11 “Mr. Belvedere” actress Graff 12 Vegetable cutter 13 Fermented rice drinks 19 Recover from a setback 21 Final Jeopardy! amount 25 Not forthcoming 26 Eleventh U.S. president 27 “Shoot!” 28 It’s sold in bars and tubs 29 No later than 30 Pint-sized 31 Events at meets 34 Sweetener under recent scrutiny 35 Install in a gallery, maybe 36 Neruda works 38 Seasonal addition? 39 It usually gets rolled 41 Schroeder’s prop 42 ___-country (2010s music genre) 43 Comparatively agile 44 Opportune 45 Emmy-winning title role for Sally Field 46 All’s opposite 47 Tony-winning actress McDonald 50 Graceful swimmer 51 Xbox series since 2001 52 “Was ___ inside job?” 54 Maine’s state tree 55 Paper factory side effect 57 Ft. Lauderdale locale 58 Aries’ animal 2016 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com)

pg 22 • MAROON WEEKLY • Apr. 20, 2016 • maroonweekly.com

Answers

pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. 28, 2015 • maroonweekly.com

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