The L asso On the scene since 1914
Student-run newspaper | Never a dull moment
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 | Vol. 101, No. 20
Denton Community
Oaktopia’s sophomore success story Denton’s local and hip-hop festival expanded to two days in year two Alex Ancira Managing Editor aancira@twu.edu
Photo by Tammi Paul
Denton has Arts and Jazz Fest for just about everyone, 35 Denton for the young, hipster-ish crowd and Blues Fest for the genre’s niche fans and those curious. You would think that that covers Denton’s music festivals — and you would be most certainly wrong.
Oaktopia in its second year is the little hip-hop and indie festival that could, bringing together hundreds of Denton and Dallas local artists, along with a few well known headliners, to the Little d for a few nights of unadulterated musical performance. While the festival was marred with a few organizational problems, most clearly defined in the September 22 Dallas
Observer article by JaimePaul Falcon, it was still two days of headliners, tiny local acts, a venue for comedy and tons of fun activities geared toward the college market. Here’s a rundown of a number of performers from Oaktopia’s weekend-long party: Brave Combo: As always Brave Combo came out and gave a great show to the town the band calls home.
When you can successfully get a group of 18-50 year-olds dancing to the Hokey Pokey, you’re doing something really right. No matter the set, Brave Combo comes out and performs with gusto for the crowd. Each show’s setting creates a unique feeling for the band’s style — but energy is a given. So while the band is literally at every Denton
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News Feature | Fracking
Fracking ban debate escalates As the vote approaches slowly, the debate heats up on whether Denton should ban hydraulic fracturing
CLEAN
HAZARDOUS
boost local economies
Affordable REGUL ATED
AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
AMERICA’S NATURAL GAS
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
LACK OF ENVOIRNMENTAL CLEAN UP
VOTE
SUPERFUND SITES
EXPENSIVE
Air Pollution
UNSAFE DRINKING WATER
EARTHQUAKES
SAFE Graphic by Toi Ferguson
Matt Olson Reporter molson3@twu.edu Denton has recently entered the national spotlight for the fracking ban initiative that will be taken to the voting booth. The City Council had opposed the ban when faced with the issue on July 15, instead allowing residents to decide for themselves this November. Numerous Dentonites have
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complained about fracking sites located alarmingly close to homes and neighborhoods, and opponents to the controversial practice claim that it has contributed to air and water pollution as well as health complications, particularly high rates of asthma in North Texas children. Despite practical reasons for local objections, the ban proposal remains controversial. Supporters of fracking
insist that banning the practice will only harm Denton, particularly its economic sector. Additionally, the legality of a fracking ban can be called into question; according to an Al Jazeera America article, New York has approved such bans within city ordinances while Colorado’s voters approved bans before a judge reversed the population’s decision. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a means of natural
gas extraction that involves using chemically-treated fluids to release gas held within shale rocks. Generally, the shale is located a mile underneath the ground. Environmental activists believe the process stands the chance of poisoning groundwater supplies as well as prompting undue seismic activity. Supporters of the practice insist on its safety and deny the aforementioned claims. Denton stands as the first Texas city to
bring forth the notion of a ban. In Texas, untapped underground minerals can belong to independent owners. According to a Houston Chronicle article, these owners and their rights can take precedence over local ordinances.
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16th annual Blues Fest rolls through Denton
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Opinions
Right timing for Halloween..........2
News
Tech Talk......................................3
Lifestyle
Horoscopes..............................4
Arts & Entertainment
Creative Women’s Conference...5
Sports
Clark’s Corner..............................6
Photography by Tammi Paul
Above: Denton Blues Festival took place in Quakertown Park, with bands from all over the DFW and Denton local areas participating. Right: Festival goers have a good time dancing to the different jazz, blues and rock ensembles that made an appearance Saturday and Sunday last weekend.
Photography by Tammi Paul
Denton Blues Festival pg. 3