Arts and Entertainment

A Wild Winter Ride

Georgia Kreischer '22

Arts and Entertainment Editor

From September to December, yards of the houses surrounding me are filled with décor for any holiday you could imagine. Some excruciatingly passionate homeowners get so excited, that December is just not close enough to start their decorating. These people include my aunts. The prime time for spending all your savings on that electricity bill is now!

On my extravagant holiday hunt for the best blow ups, sleighs, baby Jesus, and lights, there were just some houses that were too good to be true. So jump in the car, relax, turn on the seat warmer if you get too chilly, and take a ride with Georgia, Winston (the car's name), Grand Master Funk (the stuffed monkey I keep in my passenger’s seat so I can use the carpool lane), and my photographer Morea to come see some sick lights with us!

As we pull up to our first house, imagine yourself rolling down the window and peaking your head out. What do you see? Lights everywhere! On the hedges, the house, the roof, and even the trees! As if the light up Santa and wreaths are not enough on this house, my main question would be how often the residents need to use their windows. Every single one is dressed in a neon LED holiday symbol, and while this home radiates light from at least a block away, when I say I was blinded by this house, I was indeed blinded. Grand Master Funk, (or as he likes to be called, GMF) wanted to move on from this house and look for another one. Back on the road we go!

As we take off, only a few blocks away lies this hidden gem of Studio City. The cute bridge of Candy Canes reminds you of the mint gum you refused to take from my photographer Morea earlier. It is okay however, because the next time she offers gum, you take it. The house itself is festive and offers a sense of mystery as to what lies beyond those infamous canes. Winston remarks on the second light up Santa in a row, with a sense of jolly Christmas spirit in his voice. We move beyond this house, on a mission to find the next show stopping experience. It will not take too long, however, as the next candidate is literally right across the street.

But wait, this is not a house! This is a mansion! The elegance when it comes to color contrast here is unmatched. The angle that the lights were so delicately strung at is surprising in the execution, but in fact paid off when it came to presentation. The audience of the single blow up snowman in the background applauds so loud that all of us getting out of the car and raising our voices in song does not do it justice. By far, this is the best, most creative and most festive home we will experience on this ride. Sadly, the car behind us honks, for they want a little taste of what we were privileged to see. With that, we move on.

Now this house is something that no man has ever seen before. We have to park in the middle of the road just to take in all the fat white men in the yard. While the Candy Cane bridge is not as detailed as the first one, this deserves your full attention. The amount of car accidents I’m inferring happen while getting a glimpse of this house are catastrophically high. If anyone thought you cannot have one too many Santa's, just take a gander at this house. In fact, there were too many blow ups to just leave on the ground. The thought of about three cats walking around that yard and slashing everything open with their claws is one of the first things that comes to my mind when looking here. If the man in red fails to make a stop at this house, I will sue on their behalf. As much fun as it is to watch Snoopy Claus dance to carols in the front yard, we take the picture and move on to a more creative and jolly environment.

My photographer gasps in excitement at the lit up tree and forces me to stop the car. The amount of candy canes we keep seeing is bizarre! Each palm tree is wrapped in its own set of light and makes GMF feel claustrophobic. But cut the cameras, is that snow?

I had to run out of Winston and go touch it. It is snow! Real and genuine snow in Los Angeles! She takes a picture to prove that she is not hallucinating again and runs back in the car with a big chunk in her hand. You yell at her and say how it is going to melt with nothing to put it in. She chucks the snowball back out the window just as the homeowner walks out of their house. The amount of time it took for my foot to reach the pedal was about 0.003 seconds, and we were already out of there.

Ending on a more elegant note, honorable mention to Sanam Khanlou for sending in this picture from what is clearly Kevin McCallister’s neighborhood (of Home Alone fame). My jaw dropped when I saw this and I think it is by far one of the most impressive and dedicated uses of décor I have ever seen. My favorite little touch of spice is the banner in the very very back that says “CONGRATULATIONS.” I will always strive for this dedication and art when it comes to decorating my trees, which look sick and dead compared to this.

Our holiday light viewing has come to a close. As you slowly get out of the car, we all wave goodbye and aggressively throw Christmas socks at you. GMF yells, “Thank you for joining us on our journey and Happy (almost) Holidays to all.”

Hottest Holiday Hits!

Madi McCrary '21

Sports Editor

We all know that when Thanksgiving is over, December has started, and the weather is finally cold: it is time for Christmas. Although Christmas is one of the most important days on the Catholic calendar as it commemorates the birth of Jesus, it also brings immense happiness to those who celebrate. Whether it be spending time with loved ones or sharing an amazing meal, this holiday is meant to be thoroughly enjoyed.

However, finding the Christmas spirit will certainly be more difficult this year, but definitely more crucial. To get through the remainder of this year, we must maintain the pure bliss brought upon us by Christmas. To do so, here are Spotify’s Top 10 most popular Christmas songs that you should, without question, add to your winter playlists.

  1. Mariah Carey, "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

Although released in 1994, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" was the number-one single of the 2010s decade, as well as the 2020s decade. It spent a third week at the Hot 100 chart dated January 4, 2020. This pop Christmas hit is a must-have!

2. Wham! "Last Christmas"

The song was written by George Michael and performed by Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in 1984. More than three decades later, it is the UK’s second most played Christmas song. “Last Christmas” is an undisputed classic that comes highly recommended.

3. Ariana Grande, "Santa Tell Me"

“Santa Tell Me” is a Christmas single from a reissue of Ariana Grande's first Christmas EP, Christmas ‘Kisses’. Although the song only reached number 13 on the charts, the song is repeatedly played every Christmas season since its debut.

4. Michael Buble, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"

Audiences love Buble, as his music has a big, orchestral, and retro feel to it. Coming out in 2011, (the original version was released in 1951) Buble helped boost this Christmas classic’s iconic reputation.

5. Justin Biber, "Mistletoe"

The young pop artist released this very cheer-filled tune featured on the former teen’s 2011 album “Under the Mistletoe.” The song just missed the Top 10 in the United States. However, it did quite well in many other countries.

6. Andy Williams, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

This song was first recorded by Andy Williams in 1963 on his first-ever Christmas album. It peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Music Charts. As Andy Williams says, add this to your playlist because it is “The most wonderful time of the year!”

7. Brenda Lee, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"

In 1958, rock ‘n’ roll was still considered a new genre of music. Thus, “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree” was seen as an inventive song, making it very popular. By 2008, the song’s 50th anniversary, the song was sold over 25 million times.



8. Bobby Helms, "Jingle Bell Rock"

Similar to “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” released in 1957, Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” also sparked a widespread interest as it was a part of the rock ‘n’ roll genre.

9. Band Aid, "Do They Know It's Christmas"

“Do They Know It’s Christmas” was recorded in a single day by a group of British musicians. The goal was to raise money for famine relief; it sold over 1 million copies in just the first week of release.

10. Frank Sinatra, "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!"

During a very long heatwave, the snowy song hit number 1 on the charts as all its listeners wanted was a little cold.

As this semester comes to a close, take this well-deserved time off to center yourself and find the necessary motivation to get through our second semester. Listen to these feel-good tunes as you spend time with your family, friends, or even by yourself. Put yourself in a good mood, relax, and breathe in the Christmas spirit!

Netflix Christmas Movies Every Teenage Girl Must Watch

Alex Gerwe '21

News Editor

The holiday season is finally here! Though COVID-19 will limit traveling and other winter traditions, there are still many ways to get into the holiday spirit at home! My favorite December activity is cuddling up with my favorite blanket and binging a holiday romance movie. Since so many new Christmas movies are out in time for the holidays, here are some of the must-watches! What better way to celebrate the season than to watch a festive movie!

“A Christmas Prince”


The first on my list is “Holidate”. This 2020 release is the perfect light-hearted movie to wind-down with. Frustrated about always being single on holidays, two strangers come into contact and decide to be each other's platonic plus-ones for holiday events all year long. By the time Christmas rolls around, they have caught feelings for one another. Though this movie may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it is a ride of entertainment, a good laugh, and overall a cute movie.

Image source: IMDB

“Klaus”


This beautifully animated Netflix original movie gives a fresh take on the classic character, Santa Claus. “Klaus” is an Academy Award-nominated film that follows a crabby postal worker named Jesper and his new friendship with Klaus, a reclusive toymaker. Their friendship sparks joy throughout their dull town, leaving a positive impact. This fun tale is perfect to watch with your family and friends of all ages! The holiday film is soon to be a classic because of the warm feeling it gives within.

Image Source: Wikipedia

“A Christmas Prince”


The next movie every teenage girl needs to see is “A Christmas Prince”. This holiday romance is the cheesiest movie I have ever watched. That being said, I loved every minute of it. The love story between a fiery journalist named Amber and the handsome prince Richard is full of Christmas spirit to lift your mood. Though easy to predict, this movie is a definite mood-booster that you have to watch during the Christmas season. The film is super easy to follow and has two additional movies in the series to boost your Holiday Spirit.

Image Source: Fandom

“Dash and Lily”


Last on my list is the Netflix series, “Dash and Lily”. Though not a movie, the seven-episode series is still a must-see, being my favorite watch of the Christmas season. Each episode follows a whirlwind of Christmas romance between chipper Lily and a cynical boy named Dash. The two quickly grow feelings toward one another while communicating through a notebook they pass back and forth around New York City.

Image source: Rotten Tomatoes

There you have my must-watch list for Christmas 2020. I hope you enjoy watching these with family and friends, and further you more into the holiday spirit.

Pumpkin Pies All Season!

Sanam Khanlou'21

Opinions editor

This Thanksgiving season I decided to take it upon myself to rate pumpkin pies. I personally believe that many people during this uncertain time are too stressed out to know where to get the best pumpkin pie and I really wanted to taste test all of the options. The places I chose are your well known and popular holiday baking goods destinations. Each pumpkin pie had its own personality and that made the experience very interesting and fun.

Marie Callender's Pumpkin Pie

Coming in first place is the iconic Marie Callender's pumpkin pie. This entire pie costs $16.50, and it’s worth every penny. Compared to the other two pumpkin pies, this pie’s presentation stood out. Before I took a bite, I was completely overwhelmed by the beautiful golden brown top. This pie includes every aspect you desire in a pie; creamy consistency, flavorful batter, and smooth texture everyone loves. The crust complimented the pie filling and the whipped cream, and overall the pie embodied the essence of fall . This pie is a must-have for Thanksgiving dinner

Ralph’s Pumpkin Pie

Coming in second place is the Ralph’s pumpkin pie. If you are looking for a less expensive alternative this Thanksgiving, then I would completely recommend this pie. The pumpkin pie was not as flavorful as Marie Callendars, yet it still has all the great aspects of a pumpkin pie. Not only is this pumpkin pie less expensive, but it is more readily available because the elite Marie Callender’s pie is known to sell out quickly.



Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Unfortunately, coming in last place is my homemade pumpkin pie. I would like to disclaim to everyone that I truly did try to make this pumpkin pie edible. This pumpkin pie lacked everything. Not only did the crust taste only like flour, but it also had none of the great spices you want in a pumpkin pie. While making this pumpkin pie, I was suspicious of its lack of ingredients but decided to trust the recipe and go for it, but I was right in my suspicions . If you want to bake your own pumpkin pie, I would suggest finding a different recipe or just take the easy route and purchase one for the holiday season.

Homemade Pie Recipe


Crust:

1 ⅓ cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon salt

⅓ cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons cold water

Filling

2 eggs

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cloves

can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

can (12 oz) evaporated milk

Steps

  • Heat oven to 425°F. In a medium bowl, mix flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the oil with a fork until all flour is moistened. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all water is absorbed. Shape pastry into a ball. Press in bottom and up the side of 9-inch glass pie plate.

  • In large bowl, beat eggs slightly with wire whisk or hand beater. Beat in 1/2 cup sugar, the cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, ginger, cloves, pumpkin, and milk.

  • To prevent spilling, place pastry-lined pie plate on oven rack before adding the filling. Carefully pour pumpkin filling into pie plate. Bake 15 minutes.

  • Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake about 45 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Place pie on cooling rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours.

  • In chilled medium bowl, beat whipping cream and 2 tablespoons sugar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Serve pie with whipped cream. Store in refrigerator.


Recipe and Ingredients (credit BettyCrocker.com):

Which Halloween Movie are YOU?

Katie Mitchell '21

Copy Editor

A beautiful pumpkin carving for a spooky Halloween season!

COVID-Safe Things to do this Fall

Rory Brennan'21

Editor-in-Chief of Design

With Halloween right around the corner and Thanksgiving shortly after, there is plenty of time to get in some quality celebrating! I put together some ideas of places to go as well as some activities to enjoy safely:


Places to go

Pumpkin Patch

Mr. Jack O’Lanterns Pumpkins

Underwood Family Farms


Drive in Movie

LA Zoo

    • The Zoo will be showing Halloween movies for the weekend!

    • Pack yourself dinner and dessert while you enjoy a movie

    • Thursday, Oct. 29 they will be playing “Clue”

    • Friday, Oct. 30 “Goosebumps”

    • Saturday Oct. 31 (Halloween night) “The Addams Family”

    • Sunday Nov. 1 “Poltergeist”

    • More details at https://www.lazoo.org/movies/

A snapshot of the pumpkins at the Night of Jacks

Haunted Drive by

Night of the Jacks (personal favorite)

    • King Gillette Ranch, Calabasas

    • Open until Nov. 1

This is an event where you can see larger than life installations as well as detailed artist depictions. They use thousands of pumpkins to create magnificent creatures as well as intricate and unique carvings.

Haunt O’Ween

    • Woodland Hills

    • Open until Oct. 31

    • This event features Pumpkin Picking, Video Op, Immersive Installations, and even trick-or-treating in your car!

    • Check them out at https://www.hauntoweenla.com/

Stranger Things The Drive Into Experience

    • Skylight ROW Central Downtown Los Angeles

    • Open until Feb. 2021

    • This one hour drive through ride takes you right to the city of Hawkins

    • For more information https://strangerthingsdriveinto.com/

Activities to do from home

Pumpkin Decorating

Carve pumpkins

    • Get an inexpensive kit from Target or Walmart

Paint pumpkins

    • You can spray paint them with Autumn colors and keep your pumpkins on your porch till the end of November!

Watch Halloween and Fall Movies/ TV Shows

    • “Bewitched”, “Hocus Pocus”, “Halloweentown”, etc.

    • Make a night out of it and bake a fun fall dessert!

      • Pumpkin pie!

    • Watch old Disney episodes featuring Halloween

    • Watch Thanksgiving episodes

      • “Friends” and “The Office” have plenty of these

Look at the Moon

    • On Halloween night there is a full moon!

    • It is called a blue moon since it is the second full moon in the same month

    • This is the first time since WWII that the full moon will be visible to everyone around the world!

Send a postcard or letter

    • Check up on your friends, what is a better excuse to do so than Halloween or Fall?

I have gone to the Night of the Jacks myself in previous years before it was a drive in event, and really enjoyed it! I have heard that the “Stranger Things” drive through experience is really good and extremely similar to the actual television show. I hope this was helpful and please remember to wear a mask if you choose to do any of these activities outside of your home. Stay safe and happy fall!

Covid Free Brunch/Lunch Spots Near You!

Sanam Khanlou '21

Opinion Editor

More Than Waffles $$

More Than Waffles is a hidden little gem in the Encino Commons. It has been around since 1975, offering its guest a homemade tasting breakfast. When I arrived at this establishment, I noticed a very well set up outdoor seating. Every employee was wearing a mask and some even had face shields. The wait for a table wasn’t too bad but you should expect to wait at least 10 minutes! Once you are seated, you are required to wear your face mask on until you have your drinks or your meal. The service was friendly and the menu contains many options including unique and fascinating waffle creations. I ordered the nutella waffles with bananas and strawberries, it had the perfect amount of nutella that did not require more or less. I also ordered the waffle french toast which was very quirky and ideal with syrup. Overall with service, outdoor seating, and food it was worth the waiting time. I would fully recommend More Than Waffles for a chill Sunday breakfast or brunch with family!



The Butcher, The Baker, and the Cappuccino Maker $$

The Butcher, The Baker, and The Cappuccino Maker is located in West Hollywood. This little cafe is known for their colorful cappuccinos! Not only do they have great cappuccinos but they also have a wonderful selection of main courses and their outdoor seating is great for photo ops! It has a cute modern yet cozy ambiance. All servers wore face shields and masks and the menu is brought to you by a QR code, which was a very fascinating glimpse into our future. We ordered the croissant breakfast sandwich and the banana foster french toast. The croissant came with very well seasoned potatoes and tomatoes, the sandwich itself was filled with yummy greens, but for the egg I would recommend a scrambled or a less yolky sunny side up. The banana french toast had a delightful balance of sweetness and the bananas brought a great fresh addition. This cafe would be a great place to have a nice brunch with your friends if you are around West Hollywood.



Hawaiian Hot Chicken $$

Located in Northridge, California is Hawiian Hot Chicken. I found this place through its very popular instagram page, and have been looking forward to trying it for a long time. When I arrived I noticed it was in a small shopping plaza with barely any parking. My friend and I were required to park in the residential area which was also very crowded. When we walked up unfortunately there was no outdoor seating and allowed for only 5 guests in the store at a time wearing a face covering. The line and wait were both long but worth it in the end. My friend and I have been exploring multiple hot chicken restaurants and this by far is our favorite! We both ordered the Hawaiian plate that came with two tenders with coleslaw and their secret sauce in Hawaiian buns with a side of fries. With there being no outdoor seating we ended up eating in the car. It was not the most conventional place but it did not matter because of how good it was. This hot chicken place is a great place to go with your friends for a late night dinner or lunch (and it is worth the wait).



Life with Quarantined Screens

Katie Mitchell '21

Copy Editor

Entertainment during this time did not seem too difficult at the beginning of quarantine. As streaming platforms are becoming more and more popular, it seems almost routine to use them. When quarantine began, I remembered how much I love going to the movies. With everything closed down, I felt that there was no way that I could watch movies with my friends. As quarantine continues, I have found two new ways of watching movies with friends while being safe during this ongoing pandemic.

The first method is Netflix Party. As we all know, Netflix has been a necessity for us this quarantine, and just when I thought it could not get any better, I was bested by the new upgrade.

According to the official website, “Netflix Party synchronizes video playback and adds group chat to your favorite Netflix shows.” This allows us all to have a socially distanced movie night and still talk about vampire love triangles at the same time. The service is easily accessible and my friends and I love to use it to watch movies and TV shows.

I personally enjoyed watching the new Netflix series, Outer Banks. I started it with my brother while he was home from college and finished it on this program when he went back. Netflix Party is a fun and easy way to watch movies with family and friends at home. Side note: If you have not seen Outer Banks yet, I highly recommend it. It saved me from going crazy during this quarantine. Just get to episode 5; it’s worth it.


The 50s are making a comeback ladies and gents. Recently, many parking lots have been transformed into outdoor movie theaters. Drive-in movies became more popular and more in demand as the movie theaters were not in use. Last month I drove to Our Lady of Grace and attended a Sandlot movie night with a few friends. My friends and I cozied up the back of her truck with blankets, snacks, and pillows. The movie was awesome (of course) but it was even better watching it safely outdoors surrounded by good people.

Captivating yet calming: “Howl’s Moving Castle”

Hayley Zupancic '20

Photographer

Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki, acclaimed Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli has produced some of the best animated features of the 21st century, such as “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Spirited Away.” The intricate hand drawn scenery and characters have captured the hearts of many viewers, young and old. Released in 2004, Studio Ghibli’s “Howl’s Moving Castle” masterfully adapts author Diana Wynne Jones’s fantasy novel to create a dazzling world worth visiting at any age.

“Howl’s Moving Castle” depicts a fantasy adventure where a young girl, Sophie, transforms into an elderly woman after a cursed encounter with a scheming witch. On her journey to regain her youth, Sophie leaves behind her hat shop and becomes immersed in the world of magic through the guidance of mercurial wizard Howl. Traveling on the titular moving castle, Howl and Sophie attempt to break Sophie’s curse, with unexpected friends and enemies along the way. With an original plot, unique and endearing characters, and breathtaking animation, Studio Ghibli presents a movie that is inherently lovable.

A noteworthy strength of “Howl’s Moving Castle” is that difficult life issues are explored in a way that is accessible to children but not saccharine or oversimplified. For instance, an integral element of the plot is the political turmoil and warfare occurring in Sophie’s home country. Without spoiling key events, Miyazaki’s personal pacifist beliefs feature largely in the film and encourage peaceful resolution through the ultimate choices of Sophie and Howl. He has cited various real-life events as inspiration for this aspect of “Howl’s Moving Castle”: World War II life in Japan, the Iraq War, and Welsh revolts. It is rare that a movie is able to impart such serious messages while still being watchable by all audiences, but Miyazaki achieves this flawlessly.

Furthermore, this movie not only transcends age but also culture. Visually, “Howl’s Moving Castle” is unmistakably a Japanese-born product, yet the film can be adored universally. By focusing on inherent human experiences like family and coming of age, Studio Ghibli films are able to cross borders and continents.

However, “Howl’s Moving Castle” ultimately is successful because of its intentional focus on people and ordinary life. While this may sound contradictory for a movie with dramatic wars and strange magic, the real interest stems from the convincing humanity of Miyazaki’s characters. A recurring motif throughout the film is domesticity in the form of seemingly mundane tasks like cooking (albeit with a magical fire). By adding these scenes alongside those of large scale conflict, the film emphasizes the significance of the everyday. Characters become increasingly close and familial not in battle, but over meals and housework. The acknowledgment of these small moments builds on Miyazaki’s humanistic and pacifist messaging because every person can see themselves and their life in his characters. It serves as a reminder that throughout war, change, or even pandemic, happiness can be found as life goes on.

Despite being a movie with magical scarecrows, conniving witches, and wizard politics, creator Hayao Miyazaki builds a world that is intriguingly similar to our own. Miyazaki’s complex discussion of love, chosen family, and unexpected kindnesses build on the technically perfect animation and score to make a truly meaningful movie.

When asked about the motivation behind his films in a rare interview with news outlets, Miyazaki mused that “if we say that life is worth living and the world is worth living in - then something good might come of it. Maybe that's what these films are doing. They are my way of blessing the child.”

Little Women gets a big response

The movie played at Regal Edwards Theatre in the Calabasas Commons.

Delaney Vega ’21

Arts and Entertainment Editor

The accomplished director, Greta Gerwig, adapted and re-created the latest screenplay of Little Women, released back in 2019. The film, taking place in the midst of the Civil War, tells the story of four talented sisters whose mother is a teacher and father is in the service. Throughout the story, the girls face financial problems, sickness, romance, and arguments that always bring the family even closer together. Their untraditional nature consistently brings conflicts, but their love for each other always prevails over their troubles.

This one hundred and fifty-year-old novel, by Louisa May Alcott, has now become a twenty-first century achievement making over $8 billion in the box offices. The production of this film led the movie to receive 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, 8.2/10 on IMDB, and 5/5 on Common Sense Media as well as being nominated for six Oscars in the upcoming awards. Two of these prestigious Oscar nominations include Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

However, the movie wouldn’t have been as phenomenal as it was, if the casting wasn’t so perfect.

Saoirse Ronan, playing Josephine March, has already been nominated for Best Actress in the 2020 Oscars along with Florence Pugh as Best Supporting Actress in her role as Amy March. The fresh take on the characters brought the traditional novel writings of Louisa May Alcott and combined it with a modern, comedic source of entertainment. Laura Dern (Mary March), Emma Watson (Meg March), and Eliza Scanlen (Beth March) also play important characters in the film which they executed perfectly, emerging the audience into the story itself. The beloved role of Laurie was given to none other than Timothee Chalamet who is quickly making his way into becoming America’s heartthrob. Last, but certainly not least, the iconic Meryl Streep added to this production with her big Hollywood name playing Aunt March in all her rich and tasteful tones throughout the movie.

Although the casting was flawless, that was not the only aspect to be nominated for the Oscars. The original musical score was one of the six nominees. The blend of bright instrumentals into deep and eerie compositions helps the audience to feel what each scene brings.

Costume design also played an important role in the film and is the next recipient of an Oscar nomination. Jaqueline Durran’s beautiful designs bring out the era Gerwig is conveying throughout every part of the production. Because of her immense talent, this is her seventh Oscar nomination.

After seeing this movie in theaters, it is clear that Little Women deserves every award it has been nominated for. The production of this film shows a truly artistic adaption of the original novel and gives a fresh, modern take on the long-loved classic. Critics were calling the film “brilliant” and “triumphant” within the first week and, evidently, those critics were far from being wrong.

Mary’s Fabulous Food Reviews: Calling All Single Ladies!

Mary Kearin ‘21

Design Editor

As those lonely days approach, girls pressure themselves to find a boy to keep them company, but lucky for you, no boy is necessary to make you happy this time! As a single lady myself, I will be giving you the top 4 best restaurants you can treat yourself to when you need a little pick me up!

1. Crumbs & Whiskers | Kitten & Cat Café $$

As we all know, cats are great pets, but they also can make a great date. After years of hearing about this café, I finally decided to make the drive and go! I could not be more excited as I walked into the café, already aware that I am extremely allergic to cats, but willing to take the risk for all of you. Apparently, I did not do enough research as I walked in ready to eat, but soon realized they only offer drinks. Although this left me minorly disappointed, I laid my eyes on the cats and my heart felt full again! Overall, the coffee was great, but the company was even better. For a 30 minute hang out, I paid $20 which is pricey, but if you are a true animal lover, it is worth it! After spending some time there, I became aware of the “purrks” of hanging with a cat: they cannot talk back to you, they won’t point out anything bad about you, they cannot refuse your love, and they are overall pretty cool. Besides the hives I received from the cats, I had a wonderful time! This place is perfect if you are not feeling very hungry, but you could use a little furry friend to keep you company. Be sure to book your visit online before you show up!

2. WOKANO $$

It was a Sunday evening and I was on a walk with my mom, being my clumsy self, I twisted my left ankle. After crying the whole walk back, I remembered something that always cheers me up… food! I quickly looked up top restaurants near me and came across Wokano. Thanks to the two hour free underground parking, I got to take my time hobbling into the restaurant on my injured ankle. I entered the dimly lit restaurant, and was brought to a table almost immediately. My meal which consisted of: spicy tuna rolls, cucumber avocado rolls, and of course the vegetable eggrolls, arrived to my table, shortly after ordering. Although the food was delicious, the service could have been faster. One complaint would be that the seats were set extremely close to each other which left me feeling claustrophobic, so I recommend take out for this restaurant. The total price came out to $24.70, which was more than I was hoping to spend, but worth every penny.

3. PRESTO: EMILIO’S TORTALLINI $$

After a beautiful night of sleep, thanks to my late start and a long day of school, I was ready to eat! I watched each second tick until the clock finally struck 2:45! Using my track skills, I sprinted down to the junior parking lot to get in my car and beat the traffic. It was an easy 20 minute drive to get to the restaurant. Made fast and easy with valet parking, I was sitting at my table in seconds. Soon after my order of the Italian Chopped Salad: chicken with lettuce garbanzo beans, mozzarella cheese, and Spaghetti Carbonara on Funghi noodles served with bacon, cream, and mushrooms, was taken down by the waiter, a warm basket of bread and butter was placed on my table. Soon after, my food was served! The chopped salad was to die for with the perfect about of cheese and salami. Next was my pasta, and wow did I save the best for last! It was cooked to the right amount of “al dente” and covered in the most flavorful sauce. After finishing up my dinner and paying my bill that came out to about $25, I got back in my car and drove home unable to take my mind off the delicacy I had just tasted.

4. CAVA $

After treating myself to some new clothes from the Topanga Village, my stomach began to grumble. I stepped out of the last store, and noticed a Greek looking, chipotle-style restaurant. With not much money left in my bank account, I decided this was the best option. I hopped right into line and was suddenly overwhelmed with an infinite amount of options. After a long time debating, I chose to make a bowl in which I included: romaine lettuce, brown rice, taziki dip, crazy feta dip, roasted veggies, falafel, cucumber, quinoa, cuscus, and pita crisps. Once I had finished going to each station, my masterpiece was complete and I had finally reached to checkout counter where I paid $10.47 for my entire meal. I took a seat inside and took my first bite. It was the best bowl I had ever had, and it was healthy! This will definitely be one of my favorite go to restaurants to stop by when I am on the go and needing a quick, yet delicious bite to eat!

Grammys 2020: Winners, tributes and fabulous fashions

Madison Bretado ’21

News Editor

On 26 January 2020, the 62nd Grammy award ceremony took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Lizzo kicked off the night with a stellar performance; she sang one of her most popular songs “Truth Hurts.” The night was hosted by the amazingly talented, Alicia Keys who currently holds 15 Grammys.

Prior to the show, the world lost an amazing person, and incredible basketball player, Kobe Bryant. A moment of silence was shared in “the place that Kobe built” and throughout the evening, he was honored and loved.

The opening picture of the tribute for Prince.

The inside of the LA Convention Center on the night of the Tribute Concert for Prince.

Alicia wrote and sang a rendition of Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved.” In this song, she sang a music recap and 2019 recap. Afterwards she spoke the truth about the world. Throughout the show, Keys spoke about positivity, diversity, and wanted to “celebrate the artists that put themselves on the line and share their truth”.

There were performances by the Jonas Brothers who released a brand new song “Five More Minutes”. The night continued with Camila Cabello who sang a heartwarming song dedicated to her father, leaving many with tears in their eyes.

Demi Lovato also made her comeback to the stage with a brand new song “Anyone”— it was a beautiful and emotional performance.

There were several incredible performances including Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, and Tyler the Creator just to name a few. Each performer included a small tribute to Kobe Bryant, whether it was a jersey or his number, 24 and 8.

Lizzo had eight nominations, and won three, which was the most out of any nominee for this year.

Billie Eilish went on to win five Grammys, the most of the night and all major honors. She accepted her Album of the Year award saying, “Can I just say I think Ariana Grande deserves this?” Her brother Finneas won five himself, totaling to ten for this gifted duo. It was an incredible night with so many unexpected events and emotional moments.

Here is a list of this year’s top winners

· The crazy talented Billie Eilish with her album When We All Fall Asleep Where do We Go? won Record of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Album of the Year. She also won Song of the Year, with her song “Bad Guy” as well as Best New Artist.

· Best Pop Solo Performance

- Lizzo for “Truth Hurts”

· Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

- “Old Town Road” - Lil Nas X, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

Some of the Grammy’s fashion highlights were Ariana Grande, who wore a dress by Giambattista Valli. This dress was made of layers of grey tulle. It dominated the red carpet and left people wondering how she was going to sit down. In total, she had four outfit changes each beautifully designed.

Billy Porter wore a fringe hat that turned out to be a motorized curtain. The hat literally opened the second he posed on the red carpet, ready for the flashing cameras.

Billie Eilish wore a custom suit by Gucci with the iconic logo encrusted with rhinestones all over matching her brother Finneas. She also had emerald green nails sporting the GG logo all over.

Lizzo wore a white Versace gown, a black tulle dress with sliver polka dots all over, and two more, totaling four outfit changes.

Lil Nas X strutted down the carpet in a hot pink Versace ensemble with a diamond-encrusted cowboy hat including matching boots and harness. He also changed twice during his performance; one time being a holographic Gucci-logoed shirt and matching pants. The other being a black duster coat.

Priyanka Chopra showed a small 24 on her nail to commemorate Kobe. All these creative fashions stunned the audience and they were not even inside yet. Talk about an incredible night!

Later that week there was a tribute concert. Every year one is held to commemorate a famous musician who has passed, this year’s tribute was to Prince. He was born June 7, 1958 and got a record deal at the age of 17. This concert will air on April 21, 2020 on the fourth anniversary of his death. The name of this special is Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince. Prince was an icon and his memory and songs continue to thrive. The concert was two days after the Grammys and I had the honor of attending. Celebrities like John Legend; Alicia Keys; H.E.R; Juanes; Earth, Wind, and Fire; and more all attended and sang his songs to honor his memory. Hosted by Maya Rudolf, she shared stories of her encounters with Prince. That night I heard today’s talented artists sing Prince’s hits like “Purple Rain”, “Kiss”, “Raspberry Barret”, “When Doves Cry”, and “1999”. These songs topped the charts of their time and had people screaming his name. The color purple became a part of his icon as well as his famous sign (pictured below). Overall, the night was a beautiful tribute that truly honored his legacy.

What Fall Food Are You?

By Madison Bretado '21

What is your favorite thing about fall?

A. Sweaters

B. Blankets

C. Sweets

D. Halloween

How would you describe your personality?

A. Easy-going

B. Unique

C. Funny

D. Adventurous

What is your favorite fall spice?

A. Pumpkin

B. Allspice

C. Nutmeg

D. Cinnamon

If you were a pumpkin, which one would you be?

A. Regular orange

B. Bumpy aka knuckleheads

C. Small aka Jack B Little

D. White aka Baby Boo

Pick your favorite fall color.

A. Orange

B. Brown

C. Red

D. Yellow

If you answered mostly A’s, you are Pumpkin Pie! You are sweet and a classic treat.

If you answered mostly B’s, you are a Maple Bar! You are unique and salty on the outside but a softie on the inside.

If you answered mostly C’s, you are a Caramel Apple! You are funny and sugary sweet.

If you answered mostly D’s, you are Candy Corn! You are adventurous and very outgoing.

Students perform during Fall Assembly at St. Louis Hall.

Students performing on stage

Encore, Encore: The Lark


by Christabelle Malek '20

Arts and Entertainment

This year’s Fall Drama, The Lark is a play written in 1953, by French dramatist Jean Anouilh and adapted by Lillian Hellman. The play is about Joan of Arc and her history including flashbacks of significant experiences in her life making it a spiritual adventure.

To give some background, Joan goes through a difficult journey throughout her life just to make a difference in the world. She symbolizes hope, faith, and courage and helps others with these traits. Joan sees God in which she feels he has instilled in her the gift of faith. Through her faith and finding herself in God, Joan wants to inspire others even during tough times.

“I was most excited for the audience to see the captivating spin The Lark is on the story of Joan of Arc,” said Ava Dunlop ’20, who plays one of the four Joans.

Additionally, I asked the director, Mr. Dan Mailley what about the play inspired him to choose this play and have it performed at Louisville:

“Joan of Arc is one of the first female superheroes and I think her story is incredibly inspiring because it’s about faith and courage and holding true to your convictions even in the sight of danger.”

The cast worked very hard for this motivating play and excitedly performed this past weekend. for you to see The Lark! It was truly a spectacular show. Not only was it entertaining, but also very inspiring.


The Happiest Place at Home

By: Carly Ralph '21

Sports Editor

The happiest place on earth is now streaming right to your TV. Disney is known for making movies, memories, and more. However due to the recent outbreak of Covid-19, the Disney amusement park shut down, Disney cruise ships docked, and Disney plus original movie production slowed. But, while Disney attractions have been hit hard by the coronavirus, the entertainment company has managed to keep its audiences entertained with its speedy output of recent movies and shows on its newly released streaming app, Disney Plus.

Disney Plus has rapidly accelerated its addition of new movies like Frozen 2 and a new Star Wars series, “The Mandalorian”. While Disney’s original productions have been put on hold, Disney Plus is sure to make up for it in terms of their early release of entertainment suitable for audiences of all ages. During this pandemic, Disney plus has found ways to keep families happy at home and forever enjoying the Disney spirit. Though kids and adults may not be able to experience the magic of Disney in person due to the shutdown of all parks and public gatherings, they have managed to keep their over 50 million subscribers happy. All the while, Disney has found profit in the monthly subscriptions that cost seven dollars a month.

Worldwide audiences in countries like Australia, India, the UK, and America are staying engaged and healthy with the help of Disney Plus. If you ever find yourself bored during this quarantine, make sure to get your own subscription and enjoy both your favorite childhood movies and the newest Disney releases on the market!