Blake’s Food Reviews Week two: Buffalo Wild Wings

By: Blake Van Patten

Week two of my food reviews, we will be looking at Buffalo Wild Wings. Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW) is a reliable spot for you and your friends to go eat. My friends and I love going here to eat good food and watch sports games. While occasionally the wait for you food can take a little long, the food quality makes up for it. The have any option you can imagine: wings, burgers, chicken tenders, wraps, great fries, and more. My favorite time to go to BWW is on Thursday because they have a bogo on wings. You can buy 10 wings and get 10 free. Overall, the price range is average-not super expensive but not cheap. BWW is also in a good location and they have plenty of parking spots. If you’re looking for a place with good food to go with your friends and watch sports, Buffalo Wild Wings is the place. I rate them a 7.4/10.

How to make Stuffed Shells 

By: Luke Banar

Ingredients 

  • 5 Ounces of Spinach 
  • 2 Cups of Ricotta cheese 
  • ¼ cup of Pecorino cheese
  • 2 Garlic cloves or garlic salt
  • 20 Jumbo Shells
  • 1 cup of Mozzarella 

This recipe will make up to 20 pasta shells filled with a cheese mixture. First you need to start by cooking the jumbo pasta shells in salted water. Make sure that the pasta is still firm and not overcooked so it can hold the filling. While the shells are cooking, make the filling by adding ricotta, pecorino, garlic, and cut up steamed spinach and mix all of these ingredients until it is fully incorporated. Once the shells are cooked you need to fill them using the cheese from earlier. Use a spoon to scoop some of the filling into each shell. Place the shells in the pan and add the tomato sauce into the bottom of the pan making sure that it is evenly spread throughout. Then add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on the top and bake at 375 F for 30 minutes while covered with tinfoil. If you want you can move the pan onto the top row of the oven to broil for 2-4 minutes after taking off the tinfoil. This dish is good to have with garlic bread or whatever other dish you would like. 

Why the Grind Should Never Stop

By: Ben Reynolds

Working out is an incredibly effective way to improve your personal health mentally as well as physically. There are a multitude of ways that exercise can aid an individual and his/her physical body. It increases strength and endurance, and enhances our cardiovascular health. It can also promote weight loss and muscle toning, leading to a more sculpted and defined physique. And what guy doesn’t want to look like a Greek sculpture. Additionally, exercise boosts our immune system, making us likely to obtain  illnesses. With the recent breakout of the coronavirus as well as the Flu, our immune system is more important now than ever. Besides vaccines and taking proper precautions, working out is an additional way to make sure that your body stays fit and safe. However, the benefits of exercising are not limited to your physical wellbeing. It also drastically helps mentally. Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. Regular exercise can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, and can improve our overall mental health. It can also enhance our memory which helps in school as well as in other aspects of life. With the uprising importance of mental health, it is vital that we remember that there are things as simple as just working out that can help us achieve a more stable and optimistic outlook on life. With the undeniable and incredible effects we get from working out, there is nothing but positive results we can get from working out on a daily basis. Always remember that THE GRIND DONT STOP!!!

Will Bryce Young turn it around in his sophomore season. 

By: Tucker Burnette

After struggling in his first season as a Carolina Panther, the number 1 overall pick Bryce Young is looking to turn things around in his second season. There have been many excuses made for the young quarterback, but the key factor to success will be if the new hire at head coach will be able to help Young adapt and grow as a quarterback. 

Recently there have been some big-name quarterbacks who have struggled in their first season and then turned it around in their second year under a new head coach. A prime example of this is Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence, much like Young, struggled in his first season under the coaching of Urban Meyers, but when the Jaguars made the switch to Doug Pederson Lawrence flourished. 

The question still remains, will Bryce Young take the leap or will he be just as unproductive? In my opinion Young has all the skills he needs to be a superstar quarterback but he lacks the talent around him. This season his offensive line was one of the worst in the league and his number one wide receiver was Adam Thielen who for the first time in 5 years had over 1,000 yards. The Panthers also do not have a pick in the first round which means the top offensive weapons will be gone by the time they are on the board. With all that being said, I am not a sports analyst and do not get paid to have an opinion but Bryce Young is going to have to take a major step forward next season if he wants to turn the Panthers franchise around. 

A Brutal Ending

By Connor Hanson

My beloved Packers have fallen in the most heartbreaking game of the season. I’ve never actually been emotionally affected by the outcome of a game, but this game was different. This team was different, we had a beat up running back, young wide receiver core, and an unproven quarterback.

We were expected to go into a rebuild this year, and for the first 9 games, it looked like we were, but we persevered and pushed through the tough times and made a playoff push. All of this is thanks to the complete turnaround that Jordan Love has had. He went from having the worst qbr in the league for the middle of the year to leading the league in that same statistic for the last 5 weeks of the season.

But, all good things must subside, and change to something melancholy. On Saturday the Packers faced the explosive 49ers. And for 57 minutes we were the better team, but we got slapped in the face by having a rookie kicker. He missed the kick that would have secured a tie if the 49ers scored. But, they marched down the field and scored with 1:35 seconds left in the 4th quarter putting them up by 3. Jordan Love was making great throws and skillfully managing the game clock. In the end, he threw a game-ending interception, to end in heartbreaking fashion.

Anime Recommendations

By: Daniel Burton

This week for my anime recommendations I decided to go with a classic, Anohana. “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day” is a moving animation that beautifully balances themes of friendship, grief, and healing. Set in a calm, nostalgic setting, the movie follows a group of childhood friends who grow apart after one of them, Menma, is killed in a sad accident. Years later, the protagonist, Jintan, begins seeing Menma’s ghost, causing him to reunite with his former friends in an attempt to grant her final wish and bring closure to their unresolved sadness.

“Anohana” stands out for its intensely emotional narrative and authentic character development. Each member of the group deals with shame, remorse, and longing in their own unique way, making their road to healing and reconciliation all the more moving. The anime perfectly depicts the complexities of human relationships and the enduring bonds of friendship that stand the test of time.

With amazing animation and a magnificent soundtrack, “Anohana” immerses viewers in a somber environment while still providing moments of warmth and hope. It’s a gripping story that will pull at your heartstrings and leave an unforgettable impact, reminding us of the power of love and forgiveness to heal even the darkest of scars.

Top 5 Places to Take a Nap

By: Joseph Bauman

Many people cherish naps and take one everyday, but not everyone can take one so I will be ranking the top five places to take a nap.

At number five is taking one in class, which can vary depending on the class and teacher. Sleeping in class is the worst option since you could miss material and the positions are all uncomfortable, you also won’t feel good after since your position will mess with your posture.

At number four we have napping on a bus, which will also make you uncomfortable since you are sitting up. A bus is not as bad as in school but due to the more public environment you have to be careful as you could accidentally lean onto someone and be woken up by the person.

At number three is napping in the car on a long drive, which can be great and bad at the same time. If you decide to nap in the car you have to take into account who is driving, because they can either allow you to sleep by driving easy or wake you by driving horrendously. You also will once again deal with posture and positioning issues since you can only sit up.

At number two is napping on a couch, which is very high due to the ability to lay down. Many couches can support a person’s height due to their length, but they can also be uncomfortable with how they feel being too soft or hard.

At number one is napping in bed, the best option for a nap. Beds are literally made to sleep in so there are made to be comfortable, and they can be highly customized like controllable temperatures and adjustable sides of the mattress to support your legs or back. 

The Football Player

Art and Writing by: Emmi Leard

This art piece was finished September 28, 2023. This piece is made with acrylic paint on a canvas. My visual for this piece was to have the player in the center in full color, as the camera is focused on him, while the rest of the painting is in black and white.

My process of creating this piece started with the player in color. I painted him first then painted the black and white around him. 

The toughest part of this project was the bleachers in the back. I struggled with the dimension of it and how it sits. Another part of the project I struggled with was painting the man standing on the other side of the fence. The shading on his legs is meant to be a lot darker since he is further away from the players so it took time to make him look realistic.

The Irresistible Charm of Jones DesChamps

For this week’s edition of Jones’s flattering pickup lines, I have chosen a one liner that has never failed throughout my many years of experience. As everyone already knows, my charm can be seen from miles away, but I have to admit that this pickup line has helped in attracting many gorgeous girls. Whether you need to break the ice with a beautiful young lady, or you need to dive a little deeper into the personality of your already known crush, this line is perfect for any occasion. Yes, hitting on women can be quite nerve wracking, but if this attention-grabbing line is used correctly, it takes most of the tension out of the situation. 

Are you a parking ticket because you have fine written all over you? 

One of the many advantages of using this line is that it yields a lot of different responses from a lot of different women.  Depending on the woman, some girls respond strongly by dishing out a compliment back to you. On the contrary, some chicks become shell shocked by your immaculate swagger which allows for many other different avenues for asking for a date. It is impossible for me to tell you what it’s like for women to not be in love with me, but I can guarantee you that this line will bring you one step closer to being the woman magnet that we all desire to be.

The greatest CFB Team Ever

By: Sam Tristan

The 2019 LSU college football team stands out as one of the greatest of all time for several compelling reasons. Led by head coach Ed Orgeron and quarterback Joe Burrow, the Tigers achieved a remarkable 15-0 record, capping off their extraordinary season with a victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

One defining aspect of the 2019 LSU team was its prolific offense. Under the guidance of Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow, the Tigers set numerous records, showcasing an explosive and dynamic style of play. Burrow himself threw for an astonishing 60 touchdown passes during the season, establishing a new single-season record. The team’s offense averaged an impressive 48.4 points per game, leaving opponents struggling to contain their high-powered attacks.

Moreover, the 2019 LSU team navigated a challenging schedule, defeating seven top-10 ranked opponents throughout the season, including decisive wins against powerhouse teams like Alabama and Clemson. The National Championship game against Clemson showcased the team’s resilience, as they overcame an early deficit to secure a convincing 42-25 victory.

The team’s success extended beyond individual performances to a cohesive and determined unit that demonstrated exceptional teamwork and camaraderie. The combination of an explosive offense, a tenacious defense, and a resilient mindset makes the 2019 LSU Tigers a formidable candidate for the title of the greatest college football team of all time. Their dominant and historic season left an indelible mark on the sport, solidifying their place in the annals of college football history.