By Joseph De Mond | ContributorPastor Rubén Andrade with his Family of Faith Church tackles the obstacles that a lot of the Waco community face. Through the Family of Faith food drives and community outreaches, Andrade and his team bless anyone in the community. Each Friday, the church opens its 18-wheeler full of food from Austin for those in the community who could use a blessing. The only criteria to receive food is a photo ID and a signature for records. Only 11 years after their official chartering, Family of Faith has added another service for the community. The Family…
Author: Bradi Murphy
By Bo Mello | Contributor A gateway to adventure is what customers will find when they enter The Bear Mountain. The outdoor and bike shop builds personal connections, and its customer loyalty is accompanied by a knowledgeable staff and a friendly golden retriever. The Bear Mountain is an outdoor and bike shop that has locations in Waco and College Station. The shop in Waco has been serving the city and surrounding areas for about 10 years. In 2006, Brandon Blagg, owner of The Bear Mountain, said he saw a need in the city of Waco and wanted to combine it…
By David Humphrey | Contributor A chalkboard covers the right wall of Twila’s Cafe sporting the day’s lunch special. The menu has options ranging from breakfast sandwiches to shrimp tacos, but upon request, Twila and her staff will serve customers just about anything. Twila’s Cafe is a homestyle cooking restaurant that was recently opened by restaurateur Twila Saulter. Saulter, the owner and namesake of the restaurant, opened the cafe in mid-July to fulfill a need for homestyle cooking that she saw in the Waco community. “Comfort food really is a need, and there’s not much of it,” Saulter said. “There’s…
Throughout the year, many look forward to the Christmas season. It is a holiday that brings smiles and laughs as families gather around luxurious trees and outstanding meals. Christmas is a cherished holiday with extravagant lights, luminous decorations and magnificent gifts. However, during this season, individuals should take a step back and remember what Christmas is actually meant for.Christmas is a time for giving to family and friends, but more importantly, Christmas is about giving to others who may not have as much as you. There are many families who are not able to celebrate Christmas due to financial limitations.…
By Pablo Gonzales | ContributorAs the fall semester draws to a close, many Baylor students look forward to celebrating the holiday season with events such as Christmas on Fifth Street.Christmas on Fifth Street is a cherished tradition among the Baylor community as shown by the number of people that attend. Students, faculty and community members gather on campus on the last Thursday of the fall semester for a time of celebration and fellowship. The department of Student Activities, the Baylor Activities Council and Kappa Omega Tau have partnered to sponsor this event. “We look forward to putting on this event…
Waco festivities students can go to over the holiday break
It is apparent that the canine presence around Baylor continues increasing. Students bring their pups for a stroll down Fountain Mall or on play-dates hosted by various organizations. While hanging out with furry friends is therapeutic for both owner and pet, not every dog gets the luxury of attending.Rottweilers, pit bulls, huskies and German Shepherds are known as some of the most aggressive breeds because of their protective instincts. But because of the dangerous reputations, many dog-friendly apartment complexes will not allow owners to have “aggressive breeds” and organizations will not allow these “aggressive breeds” to come to events while…
By Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life EditorThe recently released movie “Hacksaw Ridge” tells an emotional love story about a brotherhood and one man’s endurance in persuing a conviction. Independent production company and financier Cross Creek Pictures backed the movie because of the moving story that was put to life by director Mel Gibson.“Hacksaw Ridge” is based on the true story of U.S. Army corporal and combat medic Desmond Doss, played by Andrew Garfield, who saved 75 men in Okinawa during World War II without firing or carrying a gun. Doss believed that while war was justifiable, killing others was…
By Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life Editor Independent artist Brady Toops is performing at 9 p.m. Thursday at Common Grounds. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $7-$10. Toops has performed at Common Grounds a few times before and looks forward to returning. His recent experience on ABC’s “The Bachelorette” has helped him create songs filled with love and heartbreak in his new album “Tried & True.” Have you ever been to Waco before? Yes, I’ve actually played twice at Common Grounds so far. I love playing in Waco. Common Grounds has been such an advocate, I think,…
Pumpkin picking, camping, fall flicks and haunted houses are a few things to do while staying in Waco this extended weekend.
By Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life EditorAs homecoming begins, there is a small, select group of students that has worked behind the scenes to orchestrate Baylor’s traditional festivities. Founded in 1919, Baylor’s Chamber of Commerce works hard months in advance to plan Baylor’s homecoming festivities. The group of 45 members devotes itself to Baylor, accomplishing any tasks that needs to be done. The members of Chamber take pride in the love, service and accountability of being a Chamber member. From commemorating the Immortal Ten to celebrating floats at the parade, Baylor Homecoming is a time to reminisce about Baylor’s…
Stars are coming forward and TV shows and films are dealing with the once-shameful issue
By Joseph De Mond | ContributorAnyone driving down University Parks drive in downtown Waco on Oct. 2 was in for a surprise as businesses and artists filled the streets. The Waco Cultural Arts fest took place from Friday, Sept. 30, to Sunday, Oct. 2 on University Parks Drive.The Waco Cultural Arts Fest offered a wide array of smaller festivals that celebrated the city. Exhibits in art, music, film, literature and science were headliners in an event featuring professionals and novices alike who are located in Waco. Among one of these smaller festivals was the Sciencefest, filled with booths and entertainment…
By Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life Editor and Lindsey McLemore | ReporterAustin City Limits (ACL) is right around the corner. Starting today through Sunday and Oct. 7 through Oct. 9, many festival-goers will invade the music capital of the world to see artists such as Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, Willie Nelson and The Chainsmokers. We have compiled a list of 10 essential items everyone should take with them to ACL. 1. ACL music festival official app (#aclfest) Download the #aclfest app for wristband activation, festival updates, schedule, creating a personal schedule and even shopping in the online store.…
Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life EditorThere is a massive forest deep in the backwoods of Maryland that is known to be the home of a witch — one who has the ability to alter time and distort travelers’ minds. “Blair Witch” was released Sept. 16 and received mostly mediocre reviews in the first week. It was rated a 5.7 out of 10 on IMDb. For skeptics, “Blair Witch” seems nothing more than a flash from the past that will come and go in a quick blur, much like the witch in the movie. A sequel to “The Blair Witch…
By George Varga | Tribune News ServiceExactly how ready is Carrie Underwood for some football?”I’m very ready!” said the country music vocal star, seven-time Grammy Award recipient and 2005 “American Idol” winner. She’s also very involved. The National Football League’s new “Sunday Night Football” theme song features Underwood belting out a revamped version of “Somethin’ Bad,” her chart-topping 2014 hit with Miranda Lambert. It replaces “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” the Underwood-sung theme the NFL had used since 2013. To kick off the new theme song, Underwood filmed a playful video that teams her with such gridiron stars as…
By Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life Editor Coming all the way from London, the professional vocal ensemble St Martin’s Voices will be performing in Waco Hall at 9:05, 10:10 and 11:55 a.m. today during Chapel. They also performed Monday at George W. Truett Theological Seminary and Tuesday at Armstrong Browning Library. St Martin’s Voices is a professional choir that formed about three years ago. All of the 10 members are recent graduates who are establishing singing careers. This is St Martin’s Voices’ first major tour in the U.S., where they are performing in Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee. Back in…
Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life EditorAs large cities such as Dallas and Austin are expanding, Waco has been slowly catching up by increasing its music, film and art scene. While Waco is home to a lot of unique sightings and events, one thing it lacks is a film festival. Video and film producers Samuel Z.P. Thomas and Louis Hunter are changing this by bringing forth the Deep in the Heart Film Festival to the Waco Hippodrome Theater on Feb. 17 and 18, 2017. They are still taking submissions, and Baylor students are encouraged to submit their films before December.…
By Deidre Martinez | Lariat Washington News BureauWASHINGTON – At the corner of Adams Morgan, a neighborhood in Washington D.C. known for it’s cultural diversity, stands a Cuban restaurant and bar called Habana Village. If you can’t spot it, you can hear it, as the rhythmic thump of salsa music reverberates off the chestnut townhouse into the surrounding neighborhood. Habana Village is a restaurant on the first floor and a dance hall Wednesday through Saturday nights on the second floor. On Thursday, people of all ages come to learn kizomba — a style derived from Angola that has been spreading…
By Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life EditorGreat for Baylor and the Waco community, the movie “Misconception” plays at 7 p.m. on Monday at The Hippodrome. “Misconception” is part of the year-long Movie Mondays at the Hippodrome. “Misconception” is the third movie of the season, and so far, the season is off to a good start. This is the second year for Movie Mondays at the Waco Hippodrome Theater, a free event that airs documentaries chosen by a committee of Baylor students, faculty and staff. Each movie aims to address an issue in today’s society. The trailer for “Misconception” says…
By Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life EditorLit up faces and enthusiastic voices filled up the H&M store at Richland Mall on Thursday. Noon marked the grand opening of H&M, and eager Wacoans lined the front doors, waiting for their turn to see what the new lot in Richland Mall would behold. Music blared from a DJ table displayed at the front entrance; the energy-endorsing beats could be heard throughout the halls of the mall, not just in the store. “We try and make [the grand openings] like a celebration,” said Patrick Shaner, the public relation representative for H&M. The…
By Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life EditorMany performers and vocalists have stepped onto the Common Grounds stage. Among those is Forlorn Strangers, a band made up of five songwriters who blend to make one distinct harmony. Forlorn Strangers will perform at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The Nashville-based band is composed of Abigail Dempsey (fiddle, percussion, vocals), Hannah Leigh Lusk (mandolin, percussion, upright bass, vocals), Chris Banke (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Benjamin Lusk (banjo, guitar, vocals) and Jesse Thompson (upright bass, dobro, guitar, vocals). Banke and the Lusks used to live on a farm in Waco while working at World Hunger Relief…
The Pullin Family Marina, BSR Cable Park, Mr. Snow and Katie’s Frozen Custard are great Waco hot spots to help you cool off on that hot afternoon.
Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life Editor This will be the first year for the week-long Mosaic Mixer presented by the Department of Multicultural Affairs. Mosaic Week aims to celebrate the multicultural student organizations around campus and is sponsored partially by the Student Development team. In previous years, the Department of Multicultural Affairs had a one-day event called the Mosaic Mixer, where multiple multicultural organizations around campus were able to have information booths as well as a variety of performances. This year however, the Department of Multicultural Affairs tried something new and extended their mixer to a full week to…
Alice Lunakova visited Carroll Library to share her journey from Prague and her thesis on the history of Czech immigration to Texas in the nineteenth century on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Lunakova began her presentation by discussing the origin of the kolache, a popular Czech pastry. Kolaches are made by baking sausage, ham or fruits in the center of soft bread dough. Lunakova demonstrated the proper way to say kolache. As a French and English major who is passionate about the linguistic of words. Lunakova has a major in french and english. Kolache is originally from the Czech word kolac, the…
Fountain Mall will be filled with students yelling sic ‘em’s at the top of their lungs and singing along with award winning artist Aloe Blacc on Thursday night, at the Baylor Traditions Rally. This will be a time for the Baylor and Waco communities to join together to celebrate the upcoming football season.Students can look forward to hearing hit songs, “The Man,” “Wake Me Up,” “I Need a Dollar,” “Candy Man,” and “Live My Life” from the albums “Good Things” and “Lift Your Spirit.”“One of the songs that I sang, that I wrote with Pharrell is called ‘Love is the…
By Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life EditorMonday marked the beginning of the second year for the Movie Mondays at the Waco Hippodrome, a free weekly showing of documentaries covering a diverse set of important issues and topics arising in our world today. The season started with “Sonic Sea,” a documentary about the impact of the industrial and military ocean noises on marine animals. It also included “the unexplained stranding and mass mortality of several species of whales in the Bahamas in March 2000,” the Student Activities Website said. Viewers can also look forward to a variety of films coming…
Bradi Murphy | Arts & Life Editor Students were invited to the event “In Living Color: Welcome to BU” on Thursday, Aug. 28, to learn more about the African American organizations Baylor has to offer. The Barfield Drawing Room in the Student Union Building was filled with eager students excited to learn more about the different organizations Baylor had to offer for African American students. The Baylor National Association for the Advancement of Colored People put on “In Living Color” and released a promotional video on Tuesday, Aug. 23, that previewed the diverse organizations that would be there. A few…
Downtown Waco gets a revamp
Baylor Theatre has a very unique year coming up. Students can look forward to seeing some classic plays that are making their way to the Baylor stage for the first time this year.“Fiddler on the Roof” is a classic musical that’s being performed for the first time at Baylor Theatre. The play’s setting is in Czarist Russia at the time of a political upheaval while the town is changing their social morals to believe that the Jewish settlement is lesser. It centers on the idea of being an alien in your own land. Viewers can expect to see the joys…