Shea Conner
Friday, Nov. 21, 2008
Friday, Nov. 21, 2008
Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008
Nicolas Cage has retired... from making good movies
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Smart Brass
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008
Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008
Text speak finds way into school
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Eight stories that defined music in ‘08
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008
Friday, Oct. 24, 2008
JoeTube
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008
White noise
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008
Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008
Friday, Oct. 3, 2008
Friday, Oct. 3, 2008
Friday, Oct. 3, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008
Goin' South
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008
Friday, Sept. 12, 2008
Friday, Sept. 12, 2008
Friday, Sept. 12, 2008
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008
Friday, Nov. 21, 2008
In a time when hip-hop’s biggest acts are making music for the club, Murs chooses to be different. While Soulja Boy cranks that Superman, Murs is forming some of hip-hop’s best love songs.
He doesn’t do drugs. He doesn’t rap about killing people. He is different, and he wants to make the path of hip-hop different as well.
“Most young hip-hop listeners aren’t looking for the next John Lennon,” Murs says. “They’re not looking for something intelligent... and they haven’t been equipped to think because they’ve been fed nonsense for the last 10 years or so.”
Friday, Nov. 21, 2008
Briefs for Nov. 21, 2008
Crank it upSunday, Nov. 16, 2008
With the success of “Rock Band” and the “Guitar Hero” series of games, it seems as if every video-game developer is trying its hand at making a popular music game. Some big follow-ups and new titles were released in the last month. Here’s the rundown:
Nicolas Cage has retired... from making good movies
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Nicolas Cage is in 11 upcoming films. Unfortunately, none of them will be good.
The Dude abidesFriday, Nov. 14, 2008
Saturday is Shabbos, the Jewish day of rest. On Shabbos, Walter Sobchak doesn’t get in a car or even turn on an oven. But on this Shabbos, there will be an event that many who love the Dude can enjoy.
Smart Brass
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Many nationally recognized performers interact with their audiences during their shows. Few, however, connect and leave an impression quite like the Dallas Brass.
The Dallas Brass is a six-man brass ensemble that has appeared with symphony orchestras nationwide including the Cincinnati Pops and New York Pops. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington and have toured Europe. They have shared the stage with Bob Hope and have performed for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush. They’ve even played on the CBS “Early Show.”
Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008
As the World Series ended last week, another year of baseball was put to rest. But for the champions, the memories of this summer will last for a lifetime. The same can be said for one special team from St. Joseph.
The Saint Joe Sluggers are the city’s most popular Special Olympics softball team. And although they look like a group of guys who got together for a pickup game (the ages of the players range from 15 to nearly 60), they all have the heart and will of true baseball heroes.
The Sluggers proved how heroic they were when they won both a regional tournament at Missouri Western in July and then the Special Olympics State Softball Playoffs in Columbia, Mo. The Sluggers were clutch to say the least.
Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008
Who needs Oscar when you have Bennie?
I talked with several students at Benton High School about what they felt were this year’s best movies. Some films were popular, some were called stupid, some were considered outright hilarious and some were recognized as “pee-your-pants” scary.
They may not be the Academy, but the students at Benton know what they like (and what they don’t). Although several films were discussed, here are the clear-cut favorites:
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008
Whether Rachael Yamagata is crafting a dark, beautiful piece or pumping out a rocking anthem, her music has one sole focus: Heartache.
“It’s probably one of my big lessons in life. I’m always kind of searching for that great counterpart,” Yamagata says of her fascination with the subject. “It’s the only thing that I can’t articulate in any other way. I can’t say it in just words. I need a melody. I need instrumentation.”
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008
Briefs for Nov. 7, 2008
Text speak finds way into school
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008
When reading a blog or a Facebook comment, one might need a secret decoder pen to completely understand it. Or maybe that person needs to keep up with the times.
As informal typing has increased with the rise of blogs, texting and social networking sites, the use of proper capitalization, grammar and punctuation has decreased.
This informal use of writing has crept in to the classroom. In April, a study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that teens who keep blogs or use social-networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace have a greater tendency to use informal elements in their assignments.
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
These are the ten best scary movies ever.
Eight stories that defined music in ‘08
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
It was a turbulent and poignant year in music that brought on many new trends and big comebacks. Here are the eight most important music stories in 2008:
Motivated... charismatic... MelismaticFriday, Oct. 31, 2008
There’s one guarantee: Whether The Melismatics are playing in front of thousands of music fans or a few guys in a bar, the band plays with the same passion.
‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Amidst the sex jokes, foul language, raw dialogue and one really disgusting scene, “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” is a romantic comedy at its core. In fact, of all of director Kevin Smith’s films, this one is more like “Chasing Amy” than “Clerks.”
At the beginning of the film, the relationship between Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) can be best described as a stagnant friendship. They share an apartment in the Pittsburgh area and neither have any money because of their dead-end jobs and bad spending habits.
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Briefs for Oct. 31, 2008
Is Joaquin Phoenix retiring?Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008
Because he is focusing on a new album, Joaquin Phoenix has retired as an actor. Don't worry, he'll be back.
Messa for McCainSunday, Oct. 26, 2008
In three years of high school, Tayla Messa was never really involved in politics. With her 18th birthday falling just nine days before Election Day, however, she figured her senior year was the best time to get active.
“I just wanted to learn more and help out who I would support,” says the student at Central High School.
After doing research on both parties, Tayla made an informed decision to support the Republican ticket in November. She especially likes the party’s position on the war and energy.
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008
Children’s arts programming for the Performing Arts Association, the Robidoux Resident Theatre and the Saint Joseph Symphony got a boost recently from a Hollywood Halloween benefit that raised $13,000.
There will be bloodFriday, Oct. 24, 2008
Director Don Lillie has a message for those who go to see “Night of the Living Dead” at Missouri Western’s Potter Theatre.
“I would suggest that the first three rows might come dressed in things they don’t particularly care about,” he warns. “We’ll just say that Gallagher would be proud.”
JoeTube
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008
A new phenomenon was born in 2005. YouTube allowed people all over the world to share and view videos in one Internet community. It also created celebrities throughout the globe, including a guy singing and dancing to “Numa Numa” in New Jersey, a defender of Britney Spears in Tennessee and a prairie dog giving a “dramatic”
look in Japan. The list goes on and on.
No one in St. Joe has yet to achieve worldwide Internet stardom, but there have been some interesting local videos uploaded to the site. Here are the stories of people who created and posted a few of Joetown’s best videos:
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008
Once you’re in high school, you’re a little too old for some things. It would be best to stay out of the Playplace at McDonald’s. “Blue’s Clues” probably shouldn’t be your favorite show anymore. And trick-or-treating, well, that’s actually something that’s fun no matter how old you are.
“I went last year, and I’m going again this year,” says Hayley Rogers, a freshman. “I love candy!”
White noise
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
With a glass of scotch in one hand and a microphone in the other, he weaves together stories that are comic gems. With dry wit and perfect timing, he has audiences around the country hanging on his every word. Not bad for a good ‘ol boy from Texas who’s trademark line is “They call me... Tater Salad.”
Briefs for Oct. 17, 2008Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
Briefs for Oct. 17, 2008
Seventeen with Senate aspirationsSunday, Oct. 12, 2008
Joseph Bridgman, a 17-year-old who lives between Maysville and Union Star, realized he was interested in our government when he was 12 or 13. However, he has only recently become actively involved in politics.
“This spring was the first time I actually took action,” Joseph says. “I went to a TeenPact class at our capitol.”
The TeenPact program is a non-profit organization whose aim is to turn students into statesmen. Joseph found out about the conference through friends with the Generation Joshua club. The TeenPact conference took place in Jefferson City and was organized by teens and young adults.
Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008
There are several negative stereotypes tagged to beauty pageant contestants. They’re shallow. They only care about their looks.
Megan Knott is breaking those stereotypes.
Mrs. Knott, who resides in Smithville, Mo., was the regional winner of the Mrs. Northwest Missouri pageant and will compete for the crown of Mrs. Missouri, the state’s biggest pageant for married women, in March of 2009. In the six months leading up to the competition, she won’t be doing a lot to prepare. Instead, she will be holding workshops and discussions with girls about body image. She chose the topic as part of her platform for the Mrs. Missouri competition.
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008
When there are eight, nine or even ten talented people in one band, there’s bound to be some lineup shuffling, scheduling conflicts and a desire to work on other projects. The Canadian art rockers of Broken Social Scene have weathered that storm the best they could. The band that was formed by Brendan Canning and Kevin Drew has had a total of 19 members in its nine years of existence, including Leslie Feist, Emily Haines and Justin Peroff. After a while, it became hard to get everyone in the studio for a record.
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008
Entertainment briefs for Oct. 10, 2008
Gala costume event will aid children’s artsThursday, Oct. 9, 2008
There are still seats and tables available for Hollywood Halloween, a benefit for children’s arts programming.
Applying for the crownSunday, Oct. 5, 2008
At some schools, the football team decides who should be homecoming king and queen. At others, only the seniors get to choose who wears the crown. Some schools even make lists with every senior included, and the student body picks the winners. At Central High School, it’s as easy as signing up and applying for candidacy.
In early September, about 40 senior girls and 25 senior boys at Central signed up as candidates. Athletes of all of the fall sports, even the freshmen, then narrowed the list to seven boys and seven girls as finalists.
Friday, Oct. 3, 2008
Long before Jon Stewart was ripping on Sen. Larry Craig, before Stephen Colbert claimed he made Mike Huckabee, even before Bill Maher begged Ralph Nader to drop out of the 2004 presidential race, the Capitol Steps were poking fun at politicians like Ronald Reagan, Dan Quayle and the Clintons.
The fun began in 1981 when Elaina Newport and Bill Strauss were working on the staff of Illinois Sen. Charles Percy. Newport, Strauss and other staff members thought it would liven up the Christmas party to roast Sen. Percy and others through song and dance. The group got lots of laughs, and in no time most of Washington wanted their brand of satirical comedy.
“At first we thought we would do the show once, but then we kept doing it. We figured they would either tell us to stop or we’d get fired,” Newport laughs.
Friday, Oct. 3, 2008
If you’ve ever played a music show in St. Joseph, you undoubtedly know Marcus Words and Colby Walter.
They’ve played venues on the Belt. They’ve played venues on Felix Street. They’ve played at Cafe Acoustic as much as anyone. Both are great solo singer/songwriters, but group them with a few musicians and they’re The Leading Average, a band that plays original acoustic rock fused with jazz.
Friday, Oct. 3, 2008
Briefs for Oct. 3, 2008
The ArkWednesday, Oct. 1, 2008
This is an outstanding animated short film by Grzegorz Jonkajtys and Marcin Kobylecki called "The Ark." In my opinion, it should win the Academy Award for Animated Short Film in 2009. For more on this film, visit www.thearkfilm.com.
Having the last laughFriday, Sept. 26, 2008
Although they are doing shows with Beck today, Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser never really thought they would be touring worldwide when they met as freshmen at Wesleyan University in 2002. The two started making jams out of dorm room boredom.
“We kind of started messing around and making music on Ben’s laptop,” VanWyngarden says. “But we were just fooling around.”
Six years later, “fooling around” has given them a booming fanbase and a unique, yet oddly familiar, sound. MGMT’s (formerly known as The Management) album “Oracular Spectacular” is often described as psychedelic pop, but the band also incorporates elements of classic rock, funk and R&B in its synth-induced loops.
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008
Briefs for Sept. 26, 2008
Early predictions for the 81st Annual Academy AwardsWednesday, Sept. 24, 2008
As fall has arrived, the wave of Oscar-worthy films has come with it. Here is who I think will be the nominees for the six most recognizable awards. These are not necessarily the nominees I would choose, but the nominees I think the Academy will choose.
Let there be rockSunday, Sept. 21, 2008
It’s officially fall. The leaves are changing colors, it’s getting a little colder and high schoolers are back to the grind. Between homework, activities and part-time jobs, teens have to find their fun on Friday and Saturday nights.
The good news for them is that there is a cure for that weekend night boredom: ROCK.
Goin' South
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008
When Brenda Walsh, the entertainment chair for the Southside Fall Festival, was laying down plans for this year’s festivities, she knew the entertainment would have to match the excitement of the 20th anniversary of the festival.
“We wanted it to be different,” she says. “The festival is going to be bigger and better this year, so we wanted to get more variety in it. We wanted something for everyone so they can all come out and see something that they like.”
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008
In 2007, Barry Woodhall wanted to bring a Woodstock-like atmosphere to Magoon’s, so he decided to have an outdoor music festival featuring musicians inspired by songs from the era. When the time came, the musicians played mostly acoustic sets on the flat bed of a truck outside of the bar in downtown St. Joseph. And many people came to listen while sporting tye-dyed shirts.
Stall power: The American Idol AM/FM shower radioFriday, Sept. 19, 2008
Stall power: The American Idol AM/FM shower radio
Briefs for Sept. 19, 2008Friday, Sept. 19, 2008
Briefs for Sept. 19, 2008
Top 10 greatest movies starring 'Saturday Night Live' alumsThursday, Sept. 18, 2008
"Saturday Night Live" kicked off its season with a big show this past weekend. So here are the top 10 movies starring actors who were once part of the cast of "SNL."
A trip to a more innocent timeFriday, Sept. 12, 2008
If you ever had a crush on Bobby Darrin, a love for Frank Sinatra or if Carol Burnett made you laugh hysterically, then this is the show for you. Five By Design presents its variety show “Stay Tuned” at 8 p.m. tonight at the Missouri Theater.
Coming up quickFriday, Sept. 12, 2008
As high school students in Las Vegas four years ago, Alex DeLeon and Cash Colligan hated each other. The two battled for the same girl and emotions ran deep. With such animosity between the two teens, no one would have thought that they would bury the hatchet and bring their musical minds together.
Briefs for Sept. 12, 2008Friday, Sept. 12, 2008
Briefs for Sept. 12, 2008
Signs "Spider-Man 4" may be doomed like other sequelsWednesday, Sept. 10, 2008
It was recently reported that Tobey Maguire would reprise his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man for two more installments of the "Spider-Man" franchise. Was this a good move?
Border battleSunday, Sept. 7, 2008
I have to admit, it was an odd sight when I moved from Iowa City to St. Joseph three months ago. Instead of seeing Hawkeye shirts at the front of the store, there were Wildcat and Tiger shirts. On the radio, I would hear commercials for Kansas season football tickets.
Where I came from, you either bled Hawkeye black and gold, or you were exiled. But people in St. Joseph seem to like every school in the Big 12. It was driving me crazy. I knew St. Joseph was home to Missouri Western and wasn’t too far from Northwest, but I had to know which of the Big 12 schools call St. Joe its territory.
I know I can never prove it, but I wanted to at least get SOME answers. Here is what I found:
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008
After a few weeks of school, students should be settling in and becoming comfortable with their schedules. It’s easier for some than others. While one student may be free for the day after the bell rings, another may have to juggle practices, a part-time job, homework, other extracurricular activities and quality time with friends and family.
It can be difficult to dedicate the proper amount of time to all of these things. It’s definitely stressful, but it can be done. For those of you who are trying to stabilize every activity in your life, here are some pointers that might help you reach that perfect balance without as much stress.
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008
Michael Phelps may have won eight gold medals in Beijing, but here in St. Joseph, three Chinese team members won medals in August.
The medals were won during the Wii Olympics at the St. Joseph Downtown Library. Three teams of teenagers, China, Germany and the U.S., competed in events from the Nintendo Wii game “Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games.” After the Chinese team won team competitions, the three members squared off for medals. Fred Byrd of Central High
