The Battalion — Experiential Journalism Special Edition

opportunities just off campus in the surrounding community can offer unique and interesting experiences.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Howdy Aggies,

If you wanted to try something new around the Brazos Valley, what would it be? That was the question reporters in professor Angelique Gammon’s Journalism 303 class answered in “Experience Aggieland: Explore Life Away from Campus.”

Anything new can be intimidating and there’s a host of uncertainties that can make or break a new experience. The Journalism 303 newsroom went out in the community, so you’ll know the in’s and out’s before you go on experiences from international travel, to visiting an apiary, to spending an afternoon at a cat cafe. Media research confirms there’s nothing Gen Z loves more than “IRL” expe-

riences. JOUR 303 reporters embraced experiential journalism to bringing readers Brazos Valley experiences without the fear factor. From tips and costs to parking information, Experience Aggieland answers all the important questions so you can enjoy the experience.

Published in cooperation with Student Media and The Battalion, this special edition is produced by members of JOUR 303 class who do work in reporting, design, copyediting, photography and social media. This partnership between the journalism studies program at A&M and The Battalion underscores The Batt’s importance as one of the oldest learning laboratories on campus.

We hope this collection of

stories encourages and empowers you to go out and try something new. Through each of these experiences, my fellow reporters and I have learned not only about off-campus life, but also a little bit more about ourselves in the process. Visit the Messina Hof winery in Bryan for the first time. Challenge your fitness with a hot yoga session. Learn about bees and their hives at BeeWeaver farm in Navasota. Or simply try out these experiences as an armchair adventurer. Most of all — enjoy!

Emma Lawson, Editor-in-Chief

Brady Stone, Page Designer

Jessica King, Page Designer

Aubrey Vogel, Copy Editor Hayden Carroll, Photo Chief

Emma Lawson is a communication junior and journalism minor.

Aggieland is home to Texas A&M University and many on-campus activities, but

Courtesy of The Battalion

Barrels of history

wine industry.

The family-owned business began getting attention from neighbors shortly after its inception, beginning Messina Hof’s work in hospitality and accessibility for the Brazos Valley community.

Locations:

Bryan, TX

+ Messina Hof winery, restaurant and bed & breakfast

Fredericksburg, TX

+ Hill Country winery

Grapevine, TX

+ Messina Hof winery

Richmond, TX

+ Harvest Green Winery & Kitchen

“People shouldn’t feel intimidated coming here for the first time,” Ciemiewicz said. “The reason we are here is to teach and guide people to making good decisions about wine. We look to educate people in an approachable way so don’t worry about coming here without knowledge of wine. We welcome all levels of wine knowledge and that won’t change anytime soon.”

Going behind the scenes at Messina Hof winery in Bryan

By Brady Stone

After spending an hour and a half at the flagship Messina Hof winery in Bryan, I learned about the ins and outs of grape growing and winemaking. But perhaps most importantly, I learned Messina Hof gives its visitors the celebrity feel of a professional winery at an affordable price.

The first thing I used to think of when I

thought of a vineyard or winery was the cost associated with them. I mean, expensive bottles of wine can be hundreds of dollars and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had their wedding at a winery in France. For a while I held onto this idea that winemaking and vineyards were experiences only attainable for wealthy people and celebrities. However, Cameron Ciemiewicz, the tasting room manager at Messina Hof, said he wants everyone in Aggieland to know that a good experience at a winery doesn’t have to be expensive.

“In wine culture there is this history of it being saved only for people who were on the

more wealthy side,” Ciemiewicz said. “There has been a shift now, it is a lot more accessible and people of all backgrounds can enjoy wine. It doesn’t have to be this pretentious thing anymore and we can enjoy it as a community together.”

Known as Texas’ most award-winning winery, Messina Hof could easily be a go-to for only the area’s most elite. Despite this, Messina Hof’s humble beginnings have influenced its growth. Planting their first vineyard in 1977 on a one-acre plot in Bryan, Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo started a family tradition that would pioneer the growth of the Texas

For $20, I booked my tasting tour at Messina Hof’s location in Bryan and was given not only a taste of the winery’s history, but a taste of several of their most popular wines and a complimentary wine glass. Now I’ll admit, I’ve never been much of a wine person. Walking through the aisles of H-E-B and seeing the hundreds of different wine options always seemed intimidating, so I typically opted for something else (who am I kidding, it’s White Claw). After spending an afternoon with Ciemiewicz, however, my outlook on wine was changed and I even bought a $13 bottle of Riesling as I left.

The family-owned feel of Messina Hof and Ciemiewicz’s passion for teaching about wine made me feel like I was on an adult field trip and I would definitely compare my experience to my trips to the zoo as a child. I recommend Messina Hof for anyone looking for an interesting and affordable experience — they have tours and low-cost bottles as well as a restaurant and a bed and breakfast. For a grand total of only $33, I got a tour of one of Texas’ finest wineries, a bottle of wine, a complimentary wine glass and a new-found appreciation of wine that will last a lifetime.

While trying four different wines, two reds and two whites, tourgoers are taught the five steps in properly tasting wine -- sight, swirl, smell, sip and savor.

Aubrey Vogel

By Bailey Moore

A calm, welcoming environment similar to the feeling of a grandma’s house greets visitors at the Brazos Valley Farmers Market.

Jars stacked high with jam and pickled products or baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth are all available for purchase at the market. Plants to spruce up your garden await in bundles.

“It’s more of an event,” Christopher Jagge, vice president of the Board of Members said. College students seeking a contrast to large sporting events or nightlife at Hurricane Harry’s might enjoy the calmer, warm environment of walking through the farmers market on a Saturday morning with a chance to meet farmers, artisans and neighbors. When arriving in downtown Bryan, at 500 N. Main St., I noticed cars parked down 21st street. With a larger crowd, free parking is only a half-block of walking distance from the market.

Country music played in the background as I walked to the grounds of the farmer’s market. The weekend I went was a special occasion — with musicians performing live for the vendors and visitors. Unfortunately, the tunes aren’t available every Saturday, but if you’re

Fun, fresh finds

lucky enough you can see the live musicians.

The farmers market is pet friendly. Multiple vendors were selling healthy dog and cat treats for your furry friends. Around almost every corner a dog and its owner will greet you and there was even a cat from a neighborhood nearby browsing the market.

When visiting the Bundles of Blessing flower booth, the vendors were friendly and easy to talk to. Bright vibrant flower bouquets of yellows and pinks surround the area as you walk in. While there isn’t ever an overwhelming number of people, if you’re looking to attend with the smallest crowd, I encourage you come earlier in the morning and since the market is hosted outside, dress accordingly for the weather.

“One negative is the location,” Jagge said upon approaching his booth. The Brazos Valley Farmers Market is located in Downtown Bryan. Next to Main Street the market is a rather distant drive from some off-campus student housing located in south College Station. However, from A&M’s campus it is an eight-minute drive. Instead of a drive to Starbucks, you can pick up local coffee at Aggieland Coffee, LLC and enjoy while browsing the farmers market selection.

Most college students visiting the farmers market are not looking to grocery shop, Jagge said. Like the ones I purchased, flowers are more popular among the college crowd. The bundle of flowers was I picked was $10 and

while products here are a higher in price than H-E-B, it’s worth the extra money. The quality of this bouquet has exceeded over a week in comparison to a few days.

For consumers looking to purchase lettuce or onions, they should pay attention to what is in season at the time of their visit. For example, lettuce is in season now during the spring. When walking the aisles, broccoli and mustard greens were in short supply, but onions were in abundance at vendors booths. If apples are what you want to purchase, they are available all seasons, however, tomatoes are only available to purchase during the summer, according to the USDA website.

Vendors for the farmers market are expected to follow specific guidelines to sell their goods and the products sold are not allowed to be resold; they must be handmade, Jagge said.

“All products sold at the market are subject to local and state licensing regulations,” according to rules and regulations located on the Brazos Valley Farmers Market website.

For more information visit www.brazosvalleyfarmersmarket.com or their Instagram @brazosvalleyfarmersmarket.

MORE PLACES TO GO:

There are also other farmers markets in the area if this one is not your style or you’re not available on Saturdays.

• The South Brazos County Farmers’ Market is available every Tuesday and

Friday in the afternoon 12:00 p.m.5:00 p.m..This market is located on the other end of University Drive where it meets Glenhaven Drive.

• Farm Fridays go from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and are located north of campus in Bryan.The address for Farm Fridays is 2861 Tabor Rd. in Bryan.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

The Brazos Valley Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., unless stated otherwise on social media or their website.

Products being sold locally can mean anywhere from Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Milam, Robertson and Washington counties. Anyone from any of these counties can purchase membership at this market, according to The Brazos Valley Farmers Market website.

Farmers markets have gained popularity over the years and possess 8% of food sales locally, according to ers.usda.gov.

Most vendors accept cards, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some cash on hand because there are a few who only accept cash.

To know what products are in season at the time, visit, snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide.

Farmers Market provides local produce, goods every Saturday

The Brazos Valley Farmers Market in Bryan provides an opportunity for local vendors to sell home-grown and homemade products every week to members of the surrounding communities.

Hayden Carroll

To bee or not to bee

was clear as he pulled out a section of the hive for all of us to see.

“I started here in 1966 when I was 21,” Roberson said. “I ain’t goin’ nowhere. I’m gonna stay here until they have to haul me away. I love my job.”

For $5, I was able to hold a drone bee, which cannot sting, so I didn’t have to worry, touch the queen and get a taste of honey straight from the hive. The fake corn syrup honey can’t compare to the taste of wildflower honey made before your eyes. Even I went in for a second scoop of honey with my little wooden spoon, but in my defense, it tasted great.

Roberson was keen to share his immense experience with bees and talk about tools and tricks new beekeepers could utilize.

“The best way to get started is with a nuc,” Roberson said. “A nuc is a miniature beehive that’s already established, got a laying queen in it and everything.”

After finishing the hive tour, I headed over to the BeeWeaver gift shop to peruse the different types of honey available to purchase and met with Kate Bell, a self-proclaimed “worker bee” and Airbnb manager at the facility.

One of the sweetest advantages of beekeeping is the honey produced, Bell said, and the health benefits of regularly eating bee-produced honey. Since pollen is minuscule, not all of it gets filtered from the honey.

“The more pollen you have in honey, the better it’s going to help with your allergies,” Bell said. “Do a spoonful of honey a day, and the reason behind that is when your body is processing that honey, it’s slowly becoming immune to the pollen.”

BeeWeaver

By Emma Lawson

There’s a buzz in Navasota as wildflowers begin to bloom bright blue, electric orange and majestic violet. But without bees, our

spring would be much less colorful.

“Save the bees’’ is a common cry for environmentalists and there is concern in ensuring bees stay healthy. Honey bees provide approximately $15 billion in crops due to their pollination and are vital to the health of 250,000 flowering species of plants, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

BeeWeaver Farm has been dedicated to raising mite and disease resistant bees since

the 1920s and continues to be treatment-free. Personally, I have always had an interest in beekeeping, so I scheduled a tour of the hives to find out more. After a quick waiver and $5, I was ready to go.

To begin the tour, I was led to a meshed patio where beekeeper Roosevelt Roberson explained the ins and outs of the 3,500 hives at BeeWeaver. With 56 years of experience under his belt, his enthusiasm for beekeeping

It is recommended those with severe bee allergies do not visit the farm because BeeWeaver is a fully functioning bee farm and cannot ensure you will not be stung. While there is a active smoker to calm the bees, it is impossible to control their actions. I, personally, was never stung while there, but my friend was when they got too close to the hive for pictures. Although it’s unlikely you’ll be stung, especially if you’re giving the bees their space, it is still possible.

Whether you’re looking to get outside, enjoy a sweet treat, start your own hive or learn about beekeeping from the experts, BeeWeaver has a little bit of everything for lovers of nature.

Farm offers affordable, in-depth look at importance of bees

Kate Bell, a beekeeper at BeeWeaver Farm in Navasota, opens the cell of a hive box to show worker bees.

Emma Lawson

Taking CHAARG of your health

Women-only workout group offers safe environment for exercising

By Shreya Rao

Being comfortable at the gym has always been a challenge for me, I never know quite how to use the equipment and the stares from men feel strong enough to sear into my soul. Similar to other women, it was easier to workout in the safety of my apartment or visit the gym at ungodly hours to avoid strange looks and small talk.

Changing Health, Attitudes + Actions to Recreate Girls, or CHAARG, is a women-only workout group that helps create safe spaces for female students to exercise on college campuses across the United States.

“I joined CHAARG originally because I was looking to make some friends that were

girls and I wanted to have a safe place to workout,” CHAARG event coordinator Lauren Hillbrick said. “I thought it was fun that I was gonna be able to find different workout exercises that I could do and not be judged because we’re all just trying it for fun. I think the community of it and just the security of everyone is definitely a big factor in why I wanted to join CHAARG.”

Sexual violence and harassment is a reality every woman has to face or will likely face within her lifetime. In undergraduate programs, 26.4% of females experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation, according to Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

Every week, CHAARG hosts new interesting workouts. After an entire semester in CHAARG, I had the motivation to try workouts I would have never done on my own, like aerial yoga. After suiting up in leggings and a workout top, I walked into an ambient-

ly lit studio at Innovative Fitness with hooks mounted from the ceiling and a wall-to-wall mirror staring back at me. Once our instructor hooked everyone’s silk hammocks to the ceiling, we followed her choreographed workout throwing our legs over us and swinging into various positions.

I was out of my depths, having to take breaks after beginning to sweat – much to my surprise. Everyone was lined up in two rows, so it was hard to not accidentally touch someone. Our instructor led us in various positions and walked us through warm-up and cool-down positions, like any other workout. While I didn’t become an expert overnight, I got to participate in a class with friends in a safe space I didn’t feel embarrassed to mess up in.

Health promotions coordinator Denise Crisafi, Ph.D., said a sexual assault survivor can use working out as a safe space to find independence over their body again and ex-

ercise can teach individuals to not be ashamed of their body.

“Sometimes being in a space with individuals who identify the same way as they do or [not] having individuals in a space who may remotely remind them of the identity of someone who harmed them can be a very empowering space,” Crisafi said.

Now that I have had experience with D1 training, boxing, strength training, barre and other workouts, it has been empowering to put myself through each workout and see how enjoyable working out can be. Exercising doesn’t have to be this daunting task I have to force myself through if I’m with a community of women who want to uplift and support each other.

Looking for free alternatives? The Texas A&M Rec Sports center offers multiple $5 and free classes. Visit recconnect.tamu.edu for a variety of options.

Since 2012, Changing Health, Attitudes + Actions to Recreate Girls, or CHAARG, provides weekly workouts for college-aged women who may feel uncomfortable in traditional exercise settings.

Shreya Rao

Ready, aim, fire

fun gimmick. I found myself stalking enemy teams in the woods and then hiding in a saloon style room taking fire from a second-story window across the street. I was hiding behind industrial spools one game and sprinting through shipping containers the next. Heck, there was even a school bus. The games were equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. I often got jitters before the games even started. Paired with the intricacy and creativity of the courses, Zoomz is ahead of other parks I have visited and it’s definitely one of the most intense full-body workouts I have ever done.

On the other hand, there were a couple times where I wasn’t sure if my ankle was gonna land at a 90-degree angle due to pretty hazardous terrain. Wasps, thorns and some eager-to-clothesline tree branches were constant issues throughout the day.

Running through the initial 500 paintballs that come with the $38 rental is easy. I would say a bag of 500 paintballs buys you about 1 hour of paintball. How many paintball bags you buy really determines your time at the park, starting at $20 a bag. I felt even less guilty learning paintballs are fully biodegradable, using dyed potato starch and gelatin casings for easy clean-up.

Seeing someone from every age group during my time at Zoomz highlighted the inclusivity of the paintball community in Aggieland and it is one of the few events where no one has to be left out on their phones.

“It’s a great fun, outdoor entertainment experience, that there’s nothing like it in the county,” Ryan said. “You’re gonna get exhausted, you’re gonna get a workout and then you’re gonna get a thrill that you can’t really experience indoors.”

So if you have a coworker you don’t like, or want to really get back at, Jason from your student organization for wasting your time and don’t mind a few welts, don’t hesitate and head out to Zoomz for some one-of-a-kind fun.

RULES AND SAFETY

Zoomz in Bryan gives paintballers

six safe courses to explore

By Ronaldo Mata

Fill your CO2 tank, load your hopper and switch that safety off. If that made sense, it’s because you have played paintball before, and if you are in the Bryan-College Station area like me, then you’re likely at Zoomz.

Established in 2010, Zoomz is the family

business of Bryan natives Ryan and Taylor Thompson, giving community members of BCS a place to safely play paintball.

“We always wanted to do a family business,” Ryan said.

Paintball’s potential for life-altering injuries, one even being responsible for a California woman’s death, leave many doubtful of its safety. Yet at its peak, nearly 5.5 million Americans played nationwide and there’s only one way to form an opinion.

Donning my baggiest joggers and combat-appropriate boots, I traveled 11 minutes

from campus to visit Zoomz. There, I was greeted with rental weapons, paintballs and a safety mask that covered my entire face — most importantly, my eyes, easing any worries I had. Legend has it the winner of the first game of paintball never even fired a shot — this wasn’t a strategy I sought to follow.

Zoomz employs rules on minimum shooting distances, gun safety etiquette and surrender. The company’s “3-strike policy” ensures repeat violators of these rules are banned for the day.

Each of Zoomz’s six courses had their own

Paintball is fun, but injuries happen. Several safety measures are taken at the park to avoid projectile injuries. Standard gun safety features are built-in to the guns like a safety-lock and a barrel-clearing slide. “Barrel socks,” as they were referred to at Zoomz, are plugs that prevent paintballs from shooting out due to a misfire. These are worn when in the public areas of the park. When your opponent is less than 20 feet away from you, the phrase, “bang bang!” can be used as a way to avoid a painful elimination which can be accepted or declined. Tag elimination is also a way to defeat an opponent, tagging them with the barrel of the gun.

Zoomz is the only paintball park in the Brazos Valley and is unaffiliated with the Texas A&M rec center. It does, however, host the Kinesiology 199 paintball class.

Ronaldo Mata

Finding forever homes

Humane societies offer shelter, care for animals looking for new homes

By Aubrey Vogel

It’s springtime and you know what that means — it’s puppies and kitten season. As much love and joy these common household pets bring to their families, many animals are left without homes and may need a little help to find families through local humane societies such as Aggieland Humane Society, which serves as a no-kill animal shelter.

In addition to finding homes for pets, Aggieland Humane Society helps to reunite lost pets with their owners and has a program to spay and neuter pets around the community to eliminate overpopulation issues. During the 2020-2021 year, the shelter found homes for 946 cats and 676 dogs, reunited 515 pets with their owners, and spayed and neutered 4,088

pets.

I remember countless hours being tugged by excited dogs and feline cuddles in the cat room when I volunteered at a humane society before starting college. Following staffers around Aggieland Humane Society, reinforced the simple act of volunteering at a shelter can have life-saving benefits for the animals looking for forever homes. To me, this is an opportunity to show pets extra love and attention, something I believe is super important to our community.

Aggieland Humane Society volunteer coordinator Nyssa Meyerdirk will be one of the first people to admit these shelter communities cannot run without volunteers. These individuals spend time with the animals helping to enrich their social skills and teach them mannerisms, which they may just need a little extra practice on.

“It’s just really providing that hands-on time with the animals and getting them used to just the way different people behave and

the way they’re going to interact with them,” Meyerdirk said.

Starting with the volunteer application process through online and in-person training, the Aggieland Humane Society team ensures volunteers are ready to react in any situation presented.

“You’ll go through a couple of classes, teaching you about the shelter in general and our volunteer program,” Meyerdirk said. “Before you’re able to sign up for shifts, you’ll also go through what we call them enrichment training, basically learning a little bit of basic animal behavior, how to read body language for a dog or a cat [and] how to best use your time with them. We really stress that people spend more time with an animal than trying to get to every animal in the kennel like they don’t seem to go out to go to the bathroom.”

Volunteering can go beyond time spent with animals, Meyerdirk said. They have worked to expand volunteer services to administration and the spay and neuter mobile

clinic. Additionally, beyond the walls of the shelters, many volunteers open up their homes to any furry friends who may need 24/7 attention and care in the foster program.

These foster families such as Hannele Rubin and her daughter Calla, who foster kittens through foster2forever, have changed their day-to-day routines to take extra time to focus on the nurturing of animals.

“For the cats, I woke up at 7 [a.m.] and I would feed them, clean up their litter [and] play with them because they need lots of attention,” Calla said. “When I would get home [from school, I had to] do their water, clean then [and] clip their nails.”

Just as the philosophy I was taught from a young age, if I look to grow my family by four paws in addition to my cat, Ferguson, who was adopted from Bryan Animal Center, I will be sure to ‘adopt not shop’ to give a deserving animal a home who may not already have one.

Aggieland Humane Society offers a variety of volunteer tasks including working with dogs and cats, administration and opportunities with their spay and neuter clinic.

Courtesy of the Aggieland Humane Society

Throw your stress away

By Jessica King

I’d be lying if I claimed my most recent axe-throwing experience as my first. In fact, it is a frequent activity among my hometown friend group. An article from Business Insider describes axe-throwing as “a night of release and friendly competition,” but would a non-competitive introvert say the same?

I walked into BCS Axe House eager to test my own theory and was met at the door with kindness and attentiveness from an “axepert.” Even before throwing a single axe, any of the anxiety I had left my body.

The Axe House is an Aggie family-owned axe-throwing venue with 14 throwing lanes, projected targets with games including tic-tactoe, zombie and tournament play with digital scoring. Ninja stars are also available to mix it up, which are my personal favorite to throw.

Many Texas A&M organizations such as the local Alpha Chi Omega chapter have made trips to the facility. The group visited the Axe House for their “Dad’s Day” event on April 19, member Katherine Galbraith said.

“It takes a minute to get the hang of it, but once you do, it’s fun, and it’s fun playing against other people,” Galbraith said.

The attention to safety details was the factor about my experience at the Axe House that outweighed my previous ones, which include anti-bounce borders and safety-designed end grain targets making axes both easier to stick and stop bounce-back. “Axe-perts” are also present to teach each participant the correct axe holding and throwing form to ensure safety remains the utmost concern.

“We are very safety conscious and we built this thing to be just that,” Jes Linne, owner of BCS Axe House said.

The various target safety features are excellent differentiators of what makes the Axe House unique from other axe-throwing venues in the area, such as Waco Axe Co., Linne said.

Linne said there have been no injuries reported or observed at the Axe House and consumption of alcohol is monitored and cut off by general managers to keep the venue a safe place.

While safety was definitely a concern of mine, my wallet was also concerned. Physically throwing sharp objects at a target may be like cheap therapy to relieve stress, but the pricing structure at the Axe House (individu-

al: 1 hr: $19.95, 1 ½ hr: $26.95, 2 hr: $33.95; group rates on Friday and Saturday the same) not only relieve personal stress, but financial stress as well.

Because of its location in a college town, the Axe House was eager to bring an affordable outing for college students, Linne said.

In between throwing games or a post-game recuperation, participants have access to a bar and cocktail area, board games and 14 TV’s throughout the venue. The Axe House does not sell food, but welcomes guests to bring their own or order from delivery services.

Weekends are typically busy, especially Saturdays, which are their busiest. But, I would describe my night at the Axe House as a peaceful atmosphere and a release of my end-of-semester stress, and for the first time, I understand the concept of friendly competition. In my experience, ‘competition’ didn’t hold any weight at all, it’s simply the principle of the game. The part that matters is ‘friendly’; finding joy in unplugging from everyday anxieties with someone you love. Sure, it’s a ‘duh’ concept for most, but for this non-competitive, anxious introvert, this was a valuable lesson to learn, and BCS Axe House on a Tuesday night was the perfect teacher.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Waiver:

Prior to throwing, guests are required to sign a safety waiver agreeing the participant understands the possibility of risk and injury either by themselves or others. The waiver also gives the Axe House permission to post any photos taken of the participant and their party. Individuals 12 and older may throw axes and ninja stars, but those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Proper attire:

The BCS Axe House requires close-toed shoes for all throwers.

Bar Precautions:

Alcohol consumption is monitored by the Axe House general managers and guests may be cut off at any time deemed necessary.

General Safety:

BCS Axe House general managers check the structural integrity of the axes and their ability to stick. BCS Axe House safety waiver says any behavior that puts any patrons at risk will result in immediate expulsion from our venue.

BCS Axehouse offers locals unique opportunity to throw axes, ninja stars

BCS Axe House offers a variety of throwing games for guests including the traditional target, tic-tac-toe, zombies and more. For a more relaxed visit, they also have televisions across the establishment and a variety of board and card games to play including giant Jenga.

Aubrey Vogel

One man’s trash

temperature of your pile to avoid spontaneous combustion.

Health hazards, such as Aspergillosis, can occur when inhaling plant matter fumes, according to the IACHI. Extensive exposure to the contents in a compost pile can potentially cause diseases, so it’s vital to use protection including gloves to protect your hands and a mask that blocks breathing in spores. Long sleeves and pants will help avoid cuts and tetanus, which may enter your bloodstream through soil contents.

Downstream water quality is improved by retaining pollutants including heavy metals and pesticides due to composting, according to the EPA. Compost and composted products help reduce water pollution with its ample water-holding abilities. It reduces the need for irrigation due to water infiltration and soil characteristics. Practicing safe composting is a direct method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and recycle in a unique way.

If you are looking for a fun and effective activity this spring, give this at-home practice a try. The war over waste will be effectively fought, and, maybe, you too will have some fun.

COMPOSTING FAST FACTS

Temperature Range for Composting:

Optimal temperature range for good composting is 130-150º F.

Effective temperatures aid food decomposition and kill harmful pathogens and microorganisms in the soil.

Warning - No Proteins:

At-home composting bins help environment, reduce waste

By Hayden Carroll

Spring comes with bumblebees, blooms and — plastic bins. Aerated static pile composting is an easy and effective way to reduce waste in our daily lives.

Food scraps and waste make up approximately 30% of the nation’s trash overall, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. To combat growing waste, basic items such as browns, greens and water are combined in the bin and stored in the sun to allow decomposition. “Browns” include dead leaves, branches and twigs, while “greens” include grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps and coffee grounds.

Meat and eggs are not recommended to drop in the compost bin as their complex car-

bohydrate structure makes these proteins slow to decompose. There is a high risk of bacteria contamination in meats, which thrive in a compost bin’s warm, humid environment.

Constructing a cheap bin is a perfect spring activity for an environmentally conscious, broke college student like myself. The catch is your compost may not be ready to use for anywhere from six months to two years. To make a difference, patience and persistence are paramount.

To begin the process, I grabbed an 18-gallon plastic tub and drilled small holes on the lid, sides and bottom of the tub to allow for circulation within the concoction. I added browns, then greens and finally watered the mix and put the bin in a dry and shady spot, put the lid on and now can add scraps regularly.

Composting enriches soil by keeping moisture in and pests and plant diseases out, according to the EPA. In a warm environment, a cover is needed to trap moisture, while in

a cool environment, the center of the bin will remain warm. Placing the bin inside will counteract stagnant heat because the goal is to keep warmth circulating.

Being a forgetful person makes this process a challenge, so I found it helpful to set a reminder on my phone to stir my compost. Heat is a necessary factor in determining the decomposition status of waste. Decomposition occurs most rapidly during the thermophilic stage of composting, 104-140º F, according to the Cornell Waste Management Institute. The process kills pathogens, larvae and other microorganisms. It is recommended to stir or turn your pile every three to seven days. Stirring too often can cause a disruption of the fungus and could prevent the contents from heating up.

Stirring helps to avoid potential hazards including heat generated from microbial activity can cause fires, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, or IACHI. It is important to regulate the

Proteins should not be added into compost bins. The EPA states meat and animal products cause odor problems and attract unwanted pests like rodents and flies. Proteins take much longer to decompose than simpler material such as plant waste.

Mask Up:

Use a 3M filtration gardening mask to avoid Aspergillosis and other lung diseases caused by inhaling fumes.

Where Does My Bin Go?

Place your compost bin in a sunny and dry area of your yard to increase the heat aiding in decomposition.

Indoor options include bins such as:

Electric composters that can be stored on your countertop

Aerobic bins that require oxygen for decomposition

Anaerobic bins that do not require oxygen for decomposition

Worm bins

Food scraps and waste make up approximately 30% of the nation’s trash overall, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Hayden Carroll

Hot Yoga: the ultimate test

HOTWORX offers 24-hour saunas, studios at three BCS locations

By Brandon Miller

As I walked into a hot yoga studio, I did not know what to expect, other than knowing how to do a pose called downward dog.

With two locations in Bryan-College Station, HOTWORX is a 24-hour, infrared sauna fitness studio which offers a variety of classes to members including hot pilates and Hot High Intensity Interval Training.

As I walked into the studio, I noticed the professional setup of the facility. With many individual saunas, multiple people can do different workouts at the same time without being in the same room.

Each sauna has a self-regulated thermostat monitored by employees and individuals can adjust the heat in their selected sauna to turn it up or down as needed. Each sauna also has a television where workouts are shown, so guests can follow along.

With many questions and a few nerves, I chatted with Alonzo Nelson, Jr., a yoga instructor from St. Louis, Missouri, to get a feel of what exactly I was getting myself into.

“You are definitely going to be tested mentally and physically when it comes to hot yoga,” Nelson said. “Hot yoga has a slew of benefits but one of the best benefits is that it not only transforms your body, but most importantly, it transforms your mind.”

I was looking forward to seeing if I could not only challenge myself, physically and mentally, but also see if I could notice the benefits of hot yoga in infrared lights including muscle recovery, pain relief, stress reduction, weight loss, detoxification, according to their website.

With the good, comes the bad. There are some risks to working out your body in extreme heat, around 120º F. Dehydration is a risk from pushing your body in the heat and not drinking enough water before, during or after the exercise. Thus, it is best to hydrate before you go. Hot yoga can also lead to overstretched muscles becoming unnaturally loose. In extreme cases, hot yoga can even cause heat stroke and

exhaustion, according to Insider.com. Individuals who have cardiovascular disease, back pains, asthma, diabetes or women who are pregnant should consult their doctor before attending hot yoga, according to WebMD.com.

Locations:

College Station, TX

+ 1902 Texas Ave. S.

+ 1295 Arrington Rd. Suite 200

Bryan, TX

+ 3387 University Dr. E.

As I went through the 30-minute session HOTWORX offers, I tested myself in ways I have not been tested before. I sweat profusely on the yoga mat and towel that was offered to me and found myself in yoga positions that I didn’t know existed — stretching muscles that I didn’t know I had. At times I found myself wanting to step out of the sauna to get a breath of cool fresh air — which is encouraged by the staff — but I kept pushing through and I was glad I did. I left the studio feeling a sense of accomplishment knowing I challenged myself and finished the task I set out to complete. I also felt really good physically leaving the studio with my muscles loose and feeling refreshed. Most importantly, I accomplished something I put my mind to.

Things to Know Before You Go:

I recommend you bring your own mat, a towel to go over the mat, a foam roller and a water bottle, preferably an insulated one. The first session is free of charge. HOTWORX memberships are $59 per month and include a personal account and code for 24/7 access to the studio. Each sauna can fit up to three individuals at a time. If you prefer to go alone, you can book all three spots in that room so you can be by yourself.

Hot yoga has a multitude of benefits, but you should consult your doctor before you attend a class if you are pregnant, have diabetes or any heart condition. For more information, visit hotworx.net.

Hot yoga offers a variety of benefits including muscle recovery, pain relief, stress reduction, weight loss and detoxification.

Brandon Miller

The Local springs into action

By Hope Dobson

Spring has sprung into action, and it’s not just the flowers blooming. The Local at Lake Walk has sprung for the season featuring 12 weeks of vendors bringing their handmade creations to the community.

Located across from the Stella Hotel and by Lake Atlas, The Local is what one might call a mini farmers market highlighting artisans, not only within Bryan-College Station, but also Dallas, Austin and Houston.

I love a good tote bag, especially one that is free, and The Local hands out free bags for the small price of scanning a QR code and giving their Facebook page a “like.” The bag comes

in handy for all the goodies may purchase.

The goodies at The Local aren’t your typical farmers market fruit and veggies. There is a specific requirement you have to meet to be a vendor.

“The vendors have to make their own products,” Alysha Noorani, the market manager for Lake Walk said. “Each vendor is unique in their own way and their product is different. We have some vendors making their own salsa while others make lavender soap with lavender straight from their fields.”

With over 50 vendors, it is run by Lake Walk and has been bringing the Bryan-College Station community together since 2017. Not only are dogs welcome, there are multiple vendors who create dog accessories, such as handmade bandanas and treats, according to their website.

If you get hungry, The Local also hosts food

trucks each week featuring local cuisine.

Walking from tent to tent is an experience in itself as each vendor differs vastly from the last. My weakness is salsa, and sure enough, there was a salsa tent. Having almost passed it up, the vendor made sure to let me know I was making a grave mistake by not tasting his homemade salsa — he was absolutely right. I took a bite of his ‘perfect hot’ salsa and into my tote bag it went.

A fan favorite at The Local is the lemonade stand. While lemonade may seem mundane, this tent has seemed to master the art of lemons, water and sugar because there is almost always a line.

While The Local is a great place to advertise small business within the area, it also fosters community.

“It’s a community family-like environment that is hard to leave,” Noorani said. “We have

vendors that have been with us from the beginning as well as new vendors each season. Our vendors get really close with each other as well. Two of our vendors from different cities met here at The Local and now go to conventions and events together.”

The Local lives up to its name, with making guests feel like a local even if they don’t live here. It also welcomes friends, family and visitors from all around.

The Local strives to create an experience different and unique for shoppers, while also creating an environment where relationships and small businesses grow, according to its website.

If you have a small business and make handmade products, you can visit The Local’s website and send in an application to become a vendor.

Local artisan vendors bring community to Lake Walk in Bryan

Every Tuesday in the spring, The Local markets sets up along Lake Bryan offering artisan booths, activities and food trucks.

Hope Dobson

Purrfect study spot

By Aubrey Vogel

When you need a place to relax, H&J’s Tea House provides an escape from everyday routine — and cats.

A double door system ensures cat residents don’t escape, but once the second door opens, be prepared to be greeted by curious cats eager for pets or play.

Growing up with a cat and now having my own here in College Station, I was eager to visit to see the local cat cafe, especially the ones up for adoption. A shelf filled with toys

and wands assures visitors the kitties are ready to play.

Prince was the first cat to pay a visit to our table. A gray Maine Coon, he was eager to just sit and soak in the attention as we chatted with owner and international graduate student Hao Ju. Hao brought the cat cafe concept to Aggieland in August 2021 after visiting similar places in San Antonio — and China.

“College Station to me isn’t like a place with a lot of fun,” Ju said.“I don’t drink; I don’t really do any outdoor sports. So it was until last January when I spent New Year’s Eve with my girlfriend’s family in San Antonio, and we were just randomly searching for fun places to visit and the cat cafe pops up.

“I’m from China — where cat cafes come from — and I think I can do a better one, and

I think College Station is the right fit,” Ju said.

Beds of all sizes and plushiness as well as scratching posts are scattered around the room, while tubes and tracks line the walls where cats can find refuge. Many cats sit and observe passersby through the large glass windows at the front of the cafe.

Beyond communing with cats, the cafe also offers a variety of teas, taro milk, matcha and coffees as well as a variety of drink modifications and flavors to add.

Cafe admission is charged by the half hour: Monday through Thursday is $6 for 30 mins with no drink and $11 with a drink; an hour is $9 with no beverage and $14 with a drink. On the weekends, half-an-hour with no drink is $8 and $13 with a beverage.

For an extra $2, purchase a cup of tempta-

tion treats to lure in feline snuggles, or choose a $3 cup of wet food to lure cats to your table. Patrons are asked to only feed the cats treats purchased from the facility.

With 17 permanent feline residents, Ju said most are retired show or breeding cats so they are used to being around large groups of people. Adoptable cats from the Houston Humane Society sport purple collars and white collars indicate owner-surrendered cats, according to the cafe website.

To ensure the safety of the feline residents and cafe guests, H&J Tea House requires everyone to sign a waiver including a list of house rules. Visitors agree to not pick up the cats and cafe visitors must be at least 5 years old. Visit hnjsteahouse.carrd.co for all the details.

A&M graduate student launches cat cafe to bring fun to College Station

H&J Tea House provides a relaxing experience for people to study with their favorite cups of coffee or tea alongside several cat companions.

Courtesy of The Battalion

International travel: Britain on a budget

Making small tweaks to travel plans can reduce cost of international travel

By Regan Bennett

Pack your bags and grab your passport — London is calling.

Traveling internationally from the United States is in no way cheap, but there are certainly ways to reduce costs: take a carry-on instead of checking a bag; travel at non-peak times and be open to a layover or two.

“To help reduce costs, consider flying on an airline that has longer layovers,” Beth Deuermeyer Ph.D., program manager at Texas A&M University Innovation Partners, who has family living in London said.

The United Kingdom currently does not require COVID-19 testing to enter the country. On April 21, there were 21,227 new COVID-19 cases and 646 new deaths in the country, according to worldometers.info. My experience flying amid the pandemic was slightly concerning, but wearing a high-quality mask and using hand sanitizer regularly made me feel comfortable. With most planes equipped with high efficiency particulate air filters, cabin air is much cleaner than the air in restaurants and stores, according to National Geographic. About 40% of a cabin’s air gets filtered through the HEPA system, with the remaining 60% being fresh air that is piped in from outside the plane, according to National Geographic.

The 2,000-year history of England’s capital city is rich with architectural masterpieces, landmarks and free attractions; making the city accessible to travelers on a tighter budget.

With so much to see in such a short amount of time, purchase a $48 ticket with BigBus Tours for a drive all around the city. The tour passes sights such as Tower Bridge and The Marble Arch to Harrods — where a browse around the world famous shop is irresistible. From Gucci to Gelato, they have it all. A bus tour is a great avenue for sightseeing and learning the city’s history, with the option of listening to a guided commentary that tells you all about the famous monuments and buildings you admire.

“The buses are a cheaper way to see the whole city and they often come with discounted or free tickets into some of London’s tourist attractions like the Tower of London and the wax museum,” Deuermeyer said. If you want to take in all the sights and get

off at a few of the many stops, the bus can be an all-day activity. On the second and last day a stop by Buckingham Palace and a picnic in St. James Park is a good way to offset the intense activity of the previous day. An evening stroll down the banks by Tower Bridge and some Jamaican jerk chicken from one of the many diverse street food vendors is a great way to end the day.

I stayed with my family on my visit to London, but the area is definitely not short of accommodations. From hostels to budge-friendly hotels, there are many deals available to be snatched up. St. Christopher’s Inn at London Bridge is one of the many I found, and it has beds available in dormitory style rooms from around $21 a night on booking.com.

The London tube system, along with great public transport, make the city easy and efficient to navigate. The purchase of an Oyster card for a fee of $6.50 will allow you to add funds at your own discretion to use for access to the tube at the stations all over the city.

If you make a whirlwind tour and fall in love with international travel, Texas A&M offers scholarship opportunities for students to travel internationally via the study abroad programs. Available scholarships include the education abroad scholarship, along with other opportunities offered by colleges and departments across the university, according to abroad.tamu.edu.

A&M’s Department of Communication has a study abroad program in Siena, Italy which have recently started back up after COVID-related setbacks. Students take four communication courses over the semester-long program while embracing Italian culture through field trips and more.

Even on a tight budget, if you can, travel. The memories and experiences will last forever.

How to get a passport:

To be able to apply for a U.S. passport, you must be a U.S. citizen.

To apply for a U.S. passport, you will need the following items:

Application form, filled out electronically or by hand. It is very important this form is not signed until present with a passport official. Personal documents: You will need an original proof of your citizenship document, an acceptable photo ID document and a photocopy of both.

The next step is submitting your passport application. There are many post offices that accept passport applications. Appointments are available to schedule at usps.com.

The application fee for a passport book for first-time applicants ages 16 and older is $130 with an additional $35 execution fee, according to travel.state.gov. Renewals cost $130.

Routine processing is 8-11 weeks, according to travel.state.gov. If you pay an $80 fee for expedited shipping, the time frame is cut to five to seven weeks. U.S. passports are valid for 10 years.

U.S. citizens looking to apply for a U.S. passport need personal documents like original proofs of your citizenship document, an acceptable photo ID document and a photocopy of both.

Regan Bennett