Former Miss Indian NAU Erin O’Keefe performs a song during the farewell address at the pageant. The pageant took place at Ashurst Auditorium on Nov. 30. (Photo by Jeff Bucher)

The Miss Indian Northern Arizona University (NAU) Scholarship Pageant was full of bright colors and patterns, traditional song and dance and the creative cultural expression of five exceptional young indigenous women. The purpose of this pageant was to find and reward a young woman who could be a student ambassador in cultural awareness along with someone who could radiate cultural pride, dignity and honor as a diplomatic leader. The contestants for Miss Indian NAU 2013 must go through a very demanding, life-changing process to prove they are worthy of such an honorary title and responsibility.

Contestants for the Miss Indian NAU 2013 had to submit an application nine pages long, write personal essays, submit recommendation letters, complete preliminary interviews and be a part of a federally recognized Native American tribe. In addition, an entire month of preparing for the pageant competition itself was required. According to first-time contestant Chelsea Natseway, a music education freshman from Seattle, Wash., preparing for the pageant is a lengthy process taking a considerable amount of work.

“We’ve been working on everything for about a month. This last week has been crazy, because we have met every single day, on top of doing homework and school work. It was really difficult, but we got it done,” Natseway said.

The pageant consists of three categories: the evening gown presentation, the traditional attire and talent and the impromptu question. The evening gown presentation tests confidence and public speaking skills, as the contestants shared their platform of what they plan to promote if they were elected as Miss Indian NAU. Each contestant had a unique and creative platform ranging from community involvement to ending discrimination. Each contestant also had a personal reason as to how and why she had chosen her platform and how it had meaning to her.

This evening gown portion of the pageant had a specific impact on newly elected Miss Indian NAU First Attendant Charnelle Williams, a sophomore speech language pathology major, because of the emphasis placed on public speaking skills.

“I’m usually kind of a shy person, but having to go out in front of other people has kind of opened my eyes to all that I can be and how I can benefit from everybody and how they can benefit from me,” Williams said.

The traditional portion was a bold presentation of traditional native attire and traditional talent, which showed the contestants’ cultural awareness and pride. The traditional talents the contestants displayed included storytelling, medicinal plants, traditional dancing and singing.

The part of the competition extra challenging for the contestants was the impromptu question. Each contestant remained unaware of the question until they heard it for the first time onstage. Once asked, they only had three minutes to give their best answer.

This year’s question was as follows: “As an indigenous woman, what leadership skills and values do you consider to be important for success?”

Contestant Natseway explained the Miss Indian NAU title is a major leadership role for the Native American community in Flagstaff.

“I think being able to have an admin for the native community at NAU is really awesome in the fact that we have a leader, or an idol, to look up to. Miss Indian NAU has to be a role model and really positive,” Natseway said.

This representation of personal culture was important to all the contestants who participated in this year’s pageant.

“[It is important] to show my history, my heritage, and be proud of it, and also to show that I am not only a Navajo, but multi-cultured,” said Tanya Genack, a sophomore criminology and criminal justice major.

“For me, it’s always been about how I grew up and that is all I know how to do. If I don’t have that and if I don’t see that, then I kind of lose a part of me. I want to keep it going as long as I could and do my part in sharing the tradition and teaching it to everyone else,” Williams said.

After each part of the competition was completed, the judges took an intermission to confer. The judging panel consisting of five Native American NAU faculty members christened Tyesha Ignacio, a sophomore environmental studies major, worthy of the title and awarded her a generous $1,600 scholarship along with a quilt and gifts donated by the previous Miss Indian NAU’s and Miss Indian NAU First Attendant’s families.

Erin O’Keefe, a first year graduate student in sustainable environments and the winner of the Miss Indian NAU pageant in 2012, has taken her role as a spokesperson seriously.

“I entered into this journey with a view that the role of Miss Indian NAU encompasses not only a positive role model and ambassador, but also serves as a visionary and a catalyst. This title bestows a very privileged but humble position to perpetuate a vision of positive change and exude inspiration to others,” O’Keefe said.

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Josiah Cook and Rebecca Langstrand perform the “Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier” during Act II of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Nov. 30 at Ardrey Auditorium. (Photo by Andrea Sanchez)

A lonely nutcracker watches, unmoving from the shelf, as the girl he loves is asleep on the floor beneath the sparkling Christmas tree. The peaceful night is broken when Clara awakens to find herself as small as a mouse and in the midst of a terrifying battle between her nutcracker and the evil Mouse King.

The Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra (FSO) partnered with the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Community Music and Dance Academy Ballet Troupe to perform Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. In addition to two full performances on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, the two groups also performed a condensed matinee.

Normally, the show consists of two acts. Within the first, a little girl named Clara receives a nutcracker for Christmas from her godfather during a family party. That night, she falls asleep in front of the tree and wakes up to find she has shrunk to the size of a toy. The Mouse King and his mouse minions are in a battle with the Nutcracker and his tin soldiers. When all seems lost, Clara throws her slipper at the Mouse King, which stuns him long enough for the battle to be won. The Nutcracker and Clara travel to the Land of Snow, a magical place of dancing snowflakes.

In order for kids to enjoy the show as much as possible, the matinee only performed Act Two. The second act takes place in the Land of Sweets ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. Both Clara and the Nutcracker watch dances from the different people of the land, including Chinese Tea and Spanish Coffee. In the end, Clara returns home to find her Nutcracker back on the shelf and wonders if it was all a dream. Afterward, there is a surprise visit from Santa Clause who, along with Emily Wells, the outreach coordinator, sang Christmas carols alongside the large crowd.

Wells was very pleased with the turnout and loved how both groups were able to give back to the community.

The dancers conclude Act II with the final dance of The Nutcracker. (Photos by Andrea Sanchez)

“This event was a big success. The matinee was even sold out,” Wells said. “I think it’s important that the children see this show. Not only has The Nutcracker become a holiday staple, but the show is a mix of both theater and music which is great for the kids to watch.”

Along with professional musicians, some NAU students joined with FSO in this performance. Although they had only been practicing for a week, the students hung on and dealt with unique challenges arising from Tchaikovsky’s music.

Chris Vennel, a senior and music performance major, played percussion. He thought the music was difficult because it demanded specific sounds and tones from his instruments.

“Although I did not have a huge part in the music, it was hard to get the sounds exactly right for the cymbals, for example,” Vennel said. “Tchaikovsky’s score could be really nitpicky, and we only had minimal practice this week.”

Shea Campbell, a senior and violin performance major, had a similar thought to Vennel.

“The violin music was really exposed during some of the pieces,” Campbell said. “This means not many other instruments are playing at the same time and it would be really easy to tell if the players were not playing together or if it’s bad.”

Despite the challenges involved, the students enjoyed their time working with the ballet company. In fact, the dancers were an exciting and fun new element the students had to work with.

“Along with the fantastic music, the dancers made it fun and added a great atmosphere,” Campbell said.

In order to be a part of the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, the students had to audition. In some cases, the auditions could be very competitive and even some NAU music professors were a part of the orchestra already.

Ian Gryzb, a junior music education major, saw the audition as a challenge and a opportunity to push himself.

“I am a percussionist, which means the audition was pretty competitive,” Gryzb said. “I was auditioning against six other percussionists, but I really wanted to rise to the occasion.”

As a performance major, Vennel looks forward to the chance to play onstage as often as he can.

“Being in a professional symphony looks great on the resume,” Vennel said. “Plus, I get paid to play music and it’s a great opportunity to perform in a larger venue.”

In the end, all the students found working with the orchestra to be a great experience.

“It is more challenging than school orchestra,” Campbell said. “The rehearsals definitely have a faster pace to them.”

Carolyn Snyder, a senior viola performance and music education major, loved working with the other people involved in the orchestra.

“It was a great experience working with professors and members of the community,” Snyder said. “Plus, it was fun to see the dancers and the little girls were so cute.”

For more information on the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and upcoming performances, visit their website at flagstaffsymphonyorchestra.org. Student tickets are $8.

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4/5

Following the conclusion of the 2012 presidential election and with Barack Obama back for in office another term, it is only proper to celebrate the democratic win with a controversial and subversive film on the mafia’s struggles during the beginning of Obama’s first term in 2008. Killing Them Softly follows Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt), a hitman hired to restore order within the mafia and its collapsing economy. Amid all the bloodshed, Pitt’s character frequently quips at the unrealistic presidential campaigns, the current government and its inability to maintain the economy. Cogan’s “killing them softly” means to not drag out the pain of victims of the mafia; instead he’d rather get rid of the “problem” quickly and easily.

This film is set during the 2008 presidential election between Barack Obama and John McCain. One of the first visuals shown at the beginning of the film is a billboard featuring the two presidential nominees and their slogans: McCain’s “Keeping America Strong” and Obama’s “Change.” Killing Them Softly illustrates the film is at odds with the government and crippled economy, which was quick to weaken underground criminal business.

Jaw-clenching violence and suspenseful scenes keep audience members alert and hesitant for the next surprise. The filming style of this movie was creative enough to make a murder look artistic. Wonderful lighting techniques help to make a killing simulate a drug trip; slow motion requires the audience to analyze a man being shot through a car window and the massive amount of energy the small scene requires. The impressive cinematography accompanied by the intriguing political theme helped make the film a success.

In reaction to Obama preaching America is a community, Cogan’s says in a rant, “America’s not a country. It’s a business.” This statement accurately portrays the country’s immorality many of its citizens struggle with today.

It is a short, but thrilling movie with great political concepts and gorgeous illustrations. It challenges previous conceptions of the current election and whether Obama’s plans to “change” have actually been achieved. The film is very well built and despite the violence and bloodshed sold in the film’s trailer, Killing Them Softly is a challenging and insightful film.

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4/5 stars

Flight opens with airline pilot William “Whip” Whitaker (Denzel Washington) in a hotel room with Katerina Marquez (Nadine Velazquez), a flight attendant, the morning he is due to fly to Atlanta. Short on sleep from the previous night of drinking and partying with Katerina, Whip opts for a breakfast of champions: more alcohol followed by cocaine to straighten himself up as he leaves to fly the plane.

Bad weather and other circumstances beyond Whip’s control cause both engines to fail, but Whip calmly talks through the steps he wants to take, while co-pilot Ken Evans (Brian Geraghty) panics, clearly with no faith in their chances of surviving.  Whip is a flying expert though, even while intoxicated, calmly instructing co-pilot and stewardess Margaret Thomason (Tamara Tunie) what to do in order to execute the successful crash landing.

Not even 30 minutes into the movie, and there’s already been full-frontal nudity, jaw-clenching action shots and plenty of drug use — which is what most popular movies tend to be composed of these days. Somehow, it still managed to not be overdone.

Whip is praised as a hero for saving all but six of the passengers, one of the deceased being Katerina, but when the toxicology tests taken in the hospital reveal his blood alcohol content was over twice the legal limit, the investigation of the plane’s failure is turned into a manslaughter charge. Facing a minimum of 12 years  of jail time, Whip tries to quit in order to appear at his best when the press and law officials observe him, insisting he was the only pilot who could have pulled off such a miraculous landing.

This isn’t a movie about addiction, though — more like the predictable cycle most addicts go through and the internal struggle they face.

Washington acted the part perfectly, with the right amount of denial and anger about being charged with manslaughter. His acting was believable, as well as the portrayal of an alcoholic fighting against his addiction. When Whip is informed Katerina was among those who didn’t make it, he dumps out all his hidden and not-so-hidden bottles of alcohol once he returns from his stay in the hospital. The stress turns out to be too much and he eventually goes back to the bottle.

Despite the film’s well-executed performance, it lacked originality. If it weren’t for the opening scene of Whip crash-landing the plane, it would just be another movie about an alcoholic struggling to quit. The directing and performances were spot-on, causing the audience to reconsider parts of their lives. However, there are only so many ways a story about reformed addicts and “heroism” can be told.

The post Movie Review: Flight appeared first on Northern Arizona News.

1/5

From the generation that made terms like YOLO and swag actual vernacular comes Kesha Rose Sebert’s—better known as Ke$ha­—brand of party-dance-pop on her newest album Warrior, and really, it is not that different from her past work.

The album starts off with title track “Warrior,” which actually sounds promising at first. The Auto-Tune has been turned down, but the annoying background noise sinks back to its low expectations.

“Die Young” is clearly an anthem for the whole YOLO craze, perfectly exemplified by the following: “Young hunks, taking shots/ Stripping down to dirty socks/ music up, gettin’ hot.” They are truly classy lyrics — really. The lack of substance in this and many other songs on the album is simply astounding.

The fun keeps going with a song clearly written for revenge on a past boyfriend or lover. “Thinking Of You” is an uncreative attack on an uncreative song topic and it sounds pretty much like all of the others. With its annoying vocals and the weirdest use of autotuned vocals, it sounded like a music break. Saying “But now my song’s on the radio/ and you see my face everywhere you go” may tell why popular music is in the state that it is.

“Wherever You Are” is a very generic cheesy love song you could really hear the gist of on most other cheesy pop albums; there is really not much else to say about it. Also, it’s kind of awkward having a song about loving someone wherever they happen to be and love never dying follows a song about how much a past boyfriend sucks.

Somewhat a divergence in musical style, “Dirty Love” featuring Iggy Pop, who introduces Ke$ha in the creepiest voice ever, meshes rock elements into the normal electronic style of the rest of the album. However, what is being said or sung is pretty much along the same lines as the rest of Warrior.

The album takes a more reflective tone with “Wonderland,” a slower song with actual instruments instead of the heavy electronic music backing the rest of the music in the album. With this song, she proves she does have a good voice. When Sebert’s voice is not burdened with heavy effects or strange rhythms, it can really shine. This song is easily the strongest on this album, which, of course, isn’t hard, considering the rest this record has to offer.

Similarly to “Wonderland,” “Love Into The Light” is rather slow. However, it is not very well-developed and the vocals, while sounding better than the rest of the record, are still awkward, especially paired with the general trashy lyrical style.

It’s really a shame artists like Ke$ha, despite the negative viewpoint many have on her, can actually sing, but the talent is squandered by songs with no substance and so many effects making her voice inhuman and bothersome. If the songwriting matched up with her vocal quality, she might be a class act — probably not, though.

Best Track: “Wonderland”

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Wrestling and martial arts weren’t the only things rumbling the Rolle on Friday night; local band Swamp Wolf commanded the show as the musical addition. Hosted by Kick Axe Wrestling, Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) pro-wrestling club, Rumble at the Rolle was a night of wrestling, martial arts and metal.

Kick Axe Wrestling hosts the Rumble at the Rolle twice a semester and incorporates martial arts and wrestling. This semester, they added a new dynamic: metal with local hardcore thrash band, Swamp Wolf. Swamp Wolf has been around for just over a year and they have been working hard to make their mark on Flagstaff by playing as many shows as possible.

“We play mostly the house parties [in Flagstaff], but we’ve played the Orpheum twice,” said Steve ‘Dirty Steve’ Kaufman, the band’s singer.

Metal and fighting usually complement each other well, and Rumble at the Rolle was no different.

When asked how the band got into doing the event, Daniel Toberg, guitarist said, “We were asked by my friend from work, Sean Patrick, and I wasn’t sure if the guys would be down but they were so stoked!”

The marriage of metal and wrestling was entertaining and full of loud, screaming debauchery. The band’s interjection to the quiet of the martial arts was unusual, but complimentary. Swamp Wolf came out in luchador wrestling masks, a nice touch for the overall theme. Their chugging riffs and the screams by Kaufman bombarded the audience, and they brought a spark of life to the Rolle. The audience and competitors alike were itching to breakout into a mosh in the confined space.

The band’s set was split in two, broken up by the display of wrestling and the Chinese martial art, Wushu. In the second half of the set, the band tried some wrestling moves of their own. Toberg dominated Kevin Pennick, guitarist, throwing him on the ground in pro-wrestling style. The cheering crowd ate it up and wanted more.

Megan Sissingh, a sophomore visual communications major and fan of Swamp Wolf, enjoyed the pro-wrestling dynamic of the show.

“I think [the band] complemented the wrestling and it was so much different than what you regularly see,” Sissingh said. “I’ve never seen wrestling at a show before.”

Overall, the members of Swamp Wolf were happy with their performance, even if they had to soften the lyrics.

“I missed a few words in the second song we played ’cause I had to think about what to say instead of the profanity I normally use,” Kaufman said.

Swamp Wolf is as entertaining to listen to as they are to watch. They are heavy but groovy and their music sounds like a party. With their  hardcore metal riffs and screams, the vibe feels like a metal show at a seedy bar — it’s dark but fun.

The future looks bright for Swamp Wolf as they will be kicking off 2013 with a southwest tour.

“We’re going up through Albuquerque, Colorado, Salt Lake City and back to Flagstaff, playing with our friends, Drug Culture and Stress Relief,” said drummer Nate Edenhofer.

“We’re writing more music and just continuing to do what we’re doing . . . we have a good chemistry together so we’ll just keep going,” Kaufman said.

Swamp Wolf’s tour will take them back to Flagstaff on Jan. 8 at a house show. For more details, message the band at their Facebook page.

Swamp Wolf’s full length album, The Brilliance of a Feral Mind, is on Bandcamp at http://swampwolfband.bandcamp.com/

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Lowell Observatory’s Clark Telescope Dome surveys the stars from Mars Hill during the “Red Planet in 3D” exhibit. (Photo by Keenan Turner)

The possibility of life on other planets has long been a field of interest for astronomers and laypeople alike. Of all the candidates to choose from, none seem more capable than the planet Mars. This particular idea may never be known for certain, but there is still much more to the Red Planet than whether humanity should be concerned with War of the Worlds becoming a reality. “A New Perspective on Mars: the Red Planet in 3D” is a new exhibit at Lowell Observatory aiming to engage and educated visitors on what makes Mars such an interesting subject.

Astronomer Percival Lowell founded the Lowell Observatory here in Flagstaff in 1894 because of his interest in the Martian surface. This same observatory was responsible for the discovery of Pluto, but its original purpose was to study the Martian canals, what he previously thought could be evidence of life.

“Lowell was sure he could see the canals and drew elaborate maps to chart their paths,” said Lowell Observatory Curator Samantha Thompson. “He believed the canals were built by an intelligent civilization to help conserve a dwindling water supply and move water from the poles down toward the equator.”

Despite his research, and the countless science fiction stories published under its influence, recent explorations of Mars have not come across any concrete evidence of extraterrestrial life. The lack of life found is due to a variety of factors, including the planet’s atmosphere and size.

“Because Mars is small, there is less much gravity, making it harder for Mars to hold on to its atmospheres,” Thompson said. “As a result, the surface temperature is colder, pressure is lower, and without an ozone layer, there is little protection from the ultraviolet radiation of the sun.”

Still, the possibility of life existing on Mars is open for investigation.

“There is evidence that liquid water used to flow on the surface which suggests that there must have been a thicker atmosphere in place to keep the surface warm,” Thompson said. “In this environment, life may have once existed.”

“Furthermore,” Thompson continued, “we know of places on Earth where life exists in very harsh environments, places scientists previously thought could not sustain life.”

Even without looking for extraterrestrial life Mars is a topic of great interest to the astronomy community, an interest “Red Planet in 3D” wishes to share with the observatory’s visitors.

“This exhibit features large-format still 3D images and two short films of 3D images taken by the Mars Express research satellite,” said Tom Vitron, media and communications coordinator for Lowell Observatory. “Visitors put on a pair of 3D glasses and walk by large panels and the space theater in the exhibit hall. Other panels provide information about the exhibit and Mars.”

These images come from the Mars Express research satellite under the direction of European Space Agency and DLR, the German Aerospace Center. The satellite shared a part in observing the landing of NASA’s Curiosity rover this year.

“We’re lucky to be hosting this exhibit so close after the landing of Curiosity and I think many people come in with an interest in Mars,” Thompson said. “What this exhibit is especially good at is showcasing the many ways Mars appears similar to Earth.”

Like with any rotating exhibit at Lowell Observatory, “Red Planet in 3D” also provides a series of educational activities called “Mars Fridays.”

“Every Friday through the end of November, we featured fun-filled and educational activities,” Thompson said. “Visitors were able to indulge their ‘Curiosity’ and learn why Mars is red, get a hands-on view of how the rovers on Mars, analyze rocks, participate in their own rover mission and more.”

Mars’ history is a topic that may still be explored for generations to come, but the knowledge gained from such missions as the Curiosity rover exploration could one day shed more light on the Red Planet.

“Has life ever existed on Mars? We might well find out via Curiosity,” Vitron said. “Does it exist there now? I personally am skeptical, but there may be some form of life beneath the surface.”

“A New Perspective on Mars” will be open until Jan. 13, 2013 at Lowell Observatory during regular hours. Students get in for $9 with student ID.

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Amanda Cassaro paints a cart during the second Art Attack at the Green Scene Cafe on Nov 30. (Photo by Kelli Tresgallo)

Whether they wanted to perform music, read poetry or simply tell a story, anyone could take the floor for their moment to express themselves. For the second consecutive month, Art Attack provided an atmosphere of artistic freedom Nov. 30 in the Green Scene Café, located at Northern Arizona University (NAU)’s Health and Learning Center on the third floor.

Each month, the people at Art Attack sell $1 tickets and raffle off canvases made by community members, which are blank at the beginning of the event and filled with different artists’ work by the end. This month, the raffle’s profits went towards TRANSitions, a newly established fund which aims to help pay for medical expenses for transgender students and headed by the Queers and Allies (QA) learning community.

Freshman electrical engineering major Cayden Cupper, with the QA community and Action Research team, attended the event to promote the TRANSitions fund.

“It helps promote the transgender community [via] tolerance and acceptance, as well as combining art with expression . . . being able to be who you are without fearing harassment or discrimination within society,” Cupper said.  Additional funding is being raised through selling friendship bracelets and accepting donations.

Additionally, two compost carts sat outside the Green Scene next to the open canvases to be painted by anyone willing. These carts were donated in 2011 by the Green Fund and are now part of Sovello Compost, a bicycle and student-run initiative on campus. This organization takes biodegradable waste, such as coffee grounds and compost scraps, and turns them into soil to then be used in gardens on campus.

Erik Rendelman and Noah Charles perform a song during the second Art Attack at the Green Scene Cafe on Nov 30. (Photo by Kelli Tresgallo)

The students of a slam poetry, art and activism first year seminar class and members of Art Through All Mediums (ATAM) organized this event.

Sophomore psychology major Noah Charles, a teacher’s assistant of the first year seminar, spearheaded this event with the help of fellow teacher assistants, students and professor Jacob Dolence.

“I think events like this are very necessary for the community, because I don’t think that free spaces like this exist too often, and I think we all have something inside of us that we want to let out . . . environments like this are a place to do it . . . it’s just necessary to rejuvenate the human spirit . . .  in the world today, everything is  so structured . . . this is kind of a space where all that doesn’t exist. It’s a human experience,” Charles said.

To those artists seeking to perform or simply to vent, Art Attack is the place to go. Freshman English major Daniel Westbrook, a musician who plays acoustic guitar solos, said, “It brings a community . . . a bunch of people here to appreciate what everyone else has to offer. I think art is a lot of positive things for people, [for] when you need something.”

In future, ATAM will be the foundation of the event, organizing and donating to a variety of charity organizations, in order to extend the event beyond the duration of the class. A general consensus among organizers and goers alike was this: the event depends on the people who attend.

“It’s up to the people to see where the event goes,” Charles said. “So many times, people don’t realize the power they have, and this is a place where we encourage people to flex that power . . .  the foundation is you. You come and you create what this is.”

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Higher Grounds Coffeeshop General Manager, Andrew Fillmore, gets coffee for eager customer, Garrett Shelp (Photo by Keenan Turner)

With finals fast approaching, students can now stray from the over-crowded coffee shops in downtown Flagstaff  to a new café on Phoenix Avenue and Beaver Street. Higher Grounds Coffee House is a breathe of fresh air, providing a mellow, welcoming environment free from distractions, allowing students to both relax and hit the books.

Higher Grounds Coffee House is located at the former home of Mexican restaurant and music venue Tacos Locos.  After Tacos Locos moved to a new location on San Francisco Street, Higher Grounds Coffee House moved into the space.

Building a clientele may be a challenge for this independent coffee shop that just opened earlier this month.  Competition will always be a concern with one of Flagstaff’s most popular cafés, Macy’s European Coffeehouse, just around the corner.  However, general manager Andrew Filmore is confident what they have to offer is better than their competitors.

“Obviously, you’re going to compare yourself with the coffee shop next door, and one of the biggest in Flagstaff. We knew that was there, but we also have lower prices,” Filmore said.

Rather than being a place to stop by on the run, Higher Grounds aims for an environment where students as well as the Flagstaff community can relax, talk, and even watch TV.

“It’s really a family environment where you can have your kids with you or you can be alone and meet somebody or you can sit here at the window and look outside.  It’s very diverse,” Filmore said.

Space is a major aspect that gives Higher Grounds an advantage over other cafés in town.

“I feel like when I go into Macy’s it’s over-crowded. You know, people there all the time.  It’s not like we don’t want a lot of people in here; we want a big crowd, but we are also spaced out a lot more.  We have a lot more to work with in that aspect,”  Filmore said.

Higher Grounds has already proven to be a pleasant environment for NAU students.  Sophomore parks and recreation major Molly Wilmer is impressed with their laid-back atmosphere.

“It’s much more homey than other coffee shops I’ve gone to. I could definitely come here to do homework and not be distracted,” Wilmer said.

Higher Grounds’ lower prices also help them reach out to the public, especially NAU students on a tight budget.  Any small coffee drink does not exceed $3, and for non-coffee drinkers they offer soft drinks for $2.  Higher Grounds’ coffee beans are local and come from the It’s About Coffee roaster, just a walk away off of Butler Avenue.

“We do a special drip coffee, so it’s not just like an espresso and americano for a cup of coffee. You can actually have a good cup of coffee and also a good latte or a mocha or anything like that,” Filmore said.

As business builds, Higher Grounds aims to have a stronger food menu.  “Our plan is to eventually go into the kitchen and make our own stuff; hopefully have a little menu, make it a good breakfast place with a good cup of coffee,” Filmore said.

Currently, they offer snacks such as artisan burritos, steak bites, bagels, English muffins and pastries.  All of these options range from about $1 to $5.

With their vast amount of space, the staff at Higher Grounds is looking forward to hosting open-mic nights, meetings and even parties.  Filmore’s wife, Alyssa, has played a big role in designing the café and looks forward to working with local entertainers in Flagstaff.

“We were just talking about having people come in and play sets and stuff.  You know, I think that will help bring people in and also help people who are wanting to play music,” said Alyssa Filmore.

With Flagstaff’s reputation for “going green,” Andrew Filmore realizes the name Higher Grounds can mean many things.

“There are a couple meanings, and in Flagstaff there are a lot more meanings.  But part of it is that there are higher grounds for God, higher grounds for altitude, and higher grounds — you know — if you’re from Flagstaff  . . . that’s not what we were thinking but that’s what it happens to be,” said Andrew Filmore.

Alyssa Filmore hopes that people also keep coming back for the simple feel of their coffee shop.

“I think it’s somewhere peaceful and fun to come.  Just a comfortable environment to come and have a cup of coffee,” Alyssa Filmore said.

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Rating: 2.5 stars

Putting nostalgia aside, it is actually possible for a remake of a film to be just as good — or sometimes even better — than the original: just look at John Carpenter’s The Thing. Still, many of them tend to fall short of the standards set by the original and a remake sometimes just doesn’t make much of an impact. This is the case with Red Dawn, an action film that makes for an entertaining few hours but is still nothing too special.

When North Korea begins its invasion of the United States, brothers Jed (Chris Hemsworth) and Matt (Josh Peck) witness their home and loved ones fall under foreign control. After regrouping at the family cabin, the brothers organize a small resistance of fellow survivors dubbed the “Wolverines” and begin to engage the North Koreans in guerrilla combat. They are, however, outmatched by the enemy forces, and their struggle becomes more and more strenuous as the “Wolverines” become a growing thorn in the invader’s side.

There’s really not much to the plot in Red Dawn: bad guys attack, good guys fight back. A quick montage of news coverage at the beginning is the only real set up for this invasion, and while it works, it would’ve been more advantageous to have more exposition after the success of the invasion. At the same time, this kind of makes sense considering a ragtag group of civilians behind enemy lines wouldn’t know all of the political details anyway. Character development isn’t much of a problem, even though the film moves a little too fast and some of the characters die before their identities are fleshed out.

Like the plot, the acting isn’t anything special, but still gets the job done. Chris Hemsworth has yet to disappoint in anything he’s in, so he gives a good performance as the battle-hardened Jed. Josh Peck seems to have a permanent squint, but he too does a serviceable job. As for the villain, Captain Cho, Will Yun Lee has a fairly intimidating presence, but he’s not given enough material to have much else. Some actors like Isabel Lucas were completely forgettable and in her case, she was pretty much just a plot device.

Frankly, “shaky cam” is a disease to be cured in action movies, because with Red Dawn, it makes the action scenes hard to follow. After one chaotic scene, it wasn’t very clear who had died and who had lived until after the fact. This is a shame, because there were some intense moments missed. Nothing stood out with the effects save for a few instances, and even with the PG-13 rating, the combat is still brutal. The script, however simple, managed to mix drama and comedy well, so there were no moments where a joke was out of character or too soon.

On its own, Red Dawn serves as a fun, if simple, action film for those who can suspend their thoughts on the original. For those who can’t, there are quite a few changes that may raise a few tempers.

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