Niner Times: February 9, 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: JOHN ISNER, ANDY RODDICK AND MORE PLAY TENNIS FOR CHARITY IN THE HALTON ARENA

PG. 3

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“DEADPOOL” SPICES UP THE SUPERHERO MOVIE GENRE WITH ITS R RATING

PG. 12

NOT SOLD ON DONUTS? DUCK DONUTS MIGHT BE THE PLACE TO FINALLY WIN YOU OVER PG. 15

FEB. 9 - FEB. 15, 2016

VOL. 28, ISSUE 18

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Contents

News 3 4 5 6

Jordan Snyder editor@ninertimes.com

Nick Cropper

Alyssa Fronk

news@ninertimes.com

community@ninertimes.com

Hunter Heilman

Jared Allen

ae@ninertimes.com

Casey Aldridge opinion@ninertimes.com

Diane Gromelski copy@ninertimes.com

Sports 7 8

sports@ninertimes.com

John Lineberger

video@ninertimes.com

Ben Robson

10 11

photo@ninertimes.com

managing@ninertimes.com

layout@ninertimes.com

12 Salina Dickie, Sydney Stephens, Trevor Wilt, Mia Shelton

Movie review: “Deadpool”

Lifestyle 14 V-Day / Mary Kay 15 Duck Donuts / Humans of UNC Charlotte 16 Recipe: zucchini noodles

ADDITIONAL STAFF Jasmine Taylor, Leysha Caraballo, Annie Young, Alex Sands, Vincent Cahill, David Flaherty, Hailey Turpin, Candice Kelly, Vanessa Martinez, Vivian Westra

Matt Lorenz

Voter registration Relating to “Being Mary Jane”

A&E

Andrew Hocutt

MANAGING EDITOR

Sara Carson

Supporting 49ers tennis Griffin Dempsey feature

Opinion

lifestyle@ninertimes.com

VIDEO PRODUCER

Andrew James

Tennis challenge Edd Hauser awarded COED helping Union County SGA updates

Andrew Hocutt MARKETING STAFF

Tia Warren, David Mendez, Kristen Bobeng, Madeline Lemieux

NINER TIMES • RADIO FREE CHARLOTTE SANSKRIT LITERARY-ARTS MAGAZINE MEDIA MARKETING • TECHNICAL

MEGAN VAN EMMERIK

www.ninertimes.com/app 2

Cover and contents photos by Leysha Caraballo and Ben Robson

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NINERTIMES

PROFESSIONAL TENNIS CHALLENGE FOR CHARITY

John Isner brings annual Ebix Charity Challenge to Halton Arena NICK CROPPER NEWS EDITOR

On Feb. 4, Halton Arena in the Student Activity Center (SAC) became the host of professional tennis player John Isner’s annual charity event, the sixth annual Ebix Charity Challenge.

Isner is America’s top mens singles tennis player and is a native of Greensboro, N.C. He created the Ebix Charity Challenge after his mother, Karen Isner, was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Karen was successfully treated at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

John created the event to benefit the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center to give back to the place that saved his mother’s life.

“Our family owes Lineberger Hospital everything,” said John. “If there is anything we can do to give back, we’re gonna do it.”

All proceeds raised during the charity challenge are donated to the center.

During the event, John was accompanied by professional tennis players Andy Roddick, Bob Bryand and Mike Bryan, who are more commonly refered to as the Bryan Brothers.

At 7:30 p.m., John played a singles match with Roddick, which was followed by a doubles match between the Bryan Brothers against John and Roddick.

There were also raffles at the event to give audience members the chance to return one of John’s serves and to participate in a doubles match against the Bryan Brothers.

The raffle challenges happened in between the singles and doubles

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match.

The players were less focused on winning that night. Instead, they wanted to show the audience a good time and raise money for the center.

“I think it’s going to be more of a fun night than an intense tennis match,” said Event Manager Brandon Malley.

Malley works with Lagadere Sports, a company based out of Washington, D.C. that has organized the event for the past six years and has worked with the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center to make the fundraiser possible.

“We’ve built great relationships with them over the past couple years and it’s just a mutual thing were we all want to raise enough money to put towards cancer research,” said Malley.

After last year’s event, hosted in Greensboro, John wanted to move it to a larger venue. UNC Charlotte agreed to hold the event. “[John] wanted to try a bigger market. We’ve had the support of UNC Charlotte wanting to host us so that’s why we brought it here,” said Malley.

Before the tennis challenge in Halton Arena, the players were giving lessons to both youth and adult clinics at Olde Providence Racquet Club located in Charlotte.

General tickets to the public were available for $35. Tickets for UNC Charlotte staff and faculty started at $10.

Before the singles match started, the players were signing posters and taking pictures in the SAC.

Top: Professional tennis player John Isner prepares for a serve.

Bottom: Players John Isner, Andy Roddick, Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan shake hands after their doubles match. Photos by Ben Robson

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Edd Hauser awarded lifetime achievement in transportation research JASMINE TAYLOR INTERN

POLICE BLOTTER FEB. 2-5

ACCIDENT FEB. 2 • Lot 7, officer took a report of a hit and run that was witnessed by a third party.

ARREST FEB. 2 • Atkins Library, officers responded in reference to a drug call. An individual was arrested after a search revealed drugs in his backpack.

MEDIC ASSIST FEB. 5

The last 15 years of Edd Hauser’s 50 years in transportation research have been at UNC Charlotte. Photo by Jasmine Taylor

UNC Charlotte’s Edd Hauser, director of the center of transportation policy studies and the center for disaster studies received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Transportation Research.

Hauser talked about his recent award for the Lifetime Achievement in Transportation Research and Education Award from the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC). “[It is] most rewarding when people come back to me to tell me how much I helped them. There is always going to be work that needs to be done,” said Hauser.

Hauser noted that during his entire adult lifetime, he has been involved with research on planning, design, operations and maintenance

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of transportation infrastructure, ranging from research on mitigation of potential damages due to natural disasters, to research on bridge maintenance, to serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Hauser obtained his degree in transportation engineering at North Carolina State University and his master’s degree in city and regional planning. He has been involved at UNC Charlotte since joining the faculty in September 2000. He has academic appointments in civil and environmental engineering, as well as in geography and earth sciences.

Over the years, Hauser has worked at four different universities: Duke University, Arizona State, North Carolina State University and UNC Charlotte. Hauser worked

within the Institute of Research and Education (ITRE) at NC State, a university-based institute committed to leadership in the study of surface and air transportation issues.

The program serves all 16 UNC statewide school systems and has partnered with transportation professionals from all over the world.

For 50 years Hauser has worked within transportation and has worked at UNC Charlotte for 15 years.

Hauser also owes a lot of his success to the many partners he has made over the course of his career.

“I come into work enjoying what I do,” said Hauser. “There is no limit to what a person can do if they don’t mind who gets the credit.”

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• Miltimore Hall, victim stated he had stepped onto a wet floor at the bottom of a flight of stairs and fell. Victim was taken to Carolina’s Medical CenterUniversity by medic.

VANDALISM FEB. 4 • Resident Dining Hall, officer took a report in reference to damage to an exterior door at the Resident Dining Hall.

No items were reported missing.

For more information on Mecklenburg County arrests, visit arrestinquiryweb.co.mecklenburg.nc.us

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Reaching out to Union County educators

College of Education helps Union County teachers receive Master’s degree ANNIE YOUNG INTERN

The UNC Charlotte College of Education has partnered with Advanced Learning Partnership (ALP) to help Union County teachers earn their master’s degree in education.

The Partners in Learning Collaborative program started in May 2015. Up to 16 middle school and high school teachers are accepted into the 33 credit hour, one-year program in which they will receive a hybrid degree and graduate in August 2016.

According to the project overview, “The purpose of this project is to enhance the learning of an extremely diverse population of middle and high school students through an innovative learning project for their teachers.”

Dr. Jeanneine Jones, professor and director of middle school grades education for the program, explains

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that the program is tailored to the needs of Union County teachers through design thinking.

“The teachers expressed what issues need to be addressed and the program was built around those needs,” said Jones.

Issues like strengthening foundations, curriculum instruction, teacher leadership, action research and adolescent development create the five platforms on which the program is built.

Jones works beside Dr. Tina Heafner, professor and director of secondary education. These women are not only the program directors, but embedded coaches as well. Jones explains that the embedded coaching is what sets this program apart from others. Jones and Heafner shadow each of the teachers in their classrooms once a week and coach them throughout the class period.

Jones states that the embedded coaches act as mentors as well.

Teachers have individual meetings with their coach where they discuss skills, growth and any milestones seen in the classroom.

Selected Union County teachers will have the ease of earning their master’s degree from their classroom and home.

“Seventy-five percent of the program is face-to-face while the other 25 percent is online. All of the summer classes are online as well,” said Jones.

The majority of the face-toface class time is in the form of embedded coaching and meeting at Monroe High School in Monroe, N.C., while the online portion is handled through Moodle and Saba Classroom platforms.

This hybrid design makes earning a master’s degree more convenient

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for full-time teachers. The program is also offered at a greatly reduced rate due to a Goodnight Foundation grant paying for the majority of tuition and the remaining costs further reduced by Distance Education.

Graduates of the Partners in Learning Collaborative are obligated to teach in Union County one year after earning their master’s degree.

“The hope is to energize, revitalize and prepare [the teachers] to stay in the classroom and contribute back to the district,” said Jones.

“It is a blessing to work with such inspirational teachers who love their job and students as much as they do.”

Partners in Learning Collaborative hope to replicate the program in other counties as well. They are planning for Rowan County soon.

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SGA update: Feb. 4 ALEX SANDS STAFF WRITER

The UNC Charlotte Student Government Association (SGA) had their weekly legislative meeting Feb. 4.

Midterm feedback form An online midterm feedback form opened Feb. 8 at 9 a.m. The form will provide an alternate way for students to communicate issues they have with a class half way through the semester.

After two pilot semesters, data will be collected to see whether or not students are actually using the form and if faculty members are responding to it. The hope is that this will be something the University can use for decades to come.

Updates from the Faculty Advisory Library Committee Secretary for Student Affairs Carrie Nowell made some announcements on behalf of the Faculty Advisory Library Committee.

New furniture will be delivered to the first floor of the Atkin’s Library during Spring Break. In addition, nine digital display models are planned to be added this semester.

The Library Advisory Board is also working on the concept of ‘Atkin’s Spaces,’ where students can receive library resources in places other than the library itself.

Atkin’s Library is also conducting an online survey for the Popular Reading and Movies Section on the

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first floor. The feedback will be used to ensure that the section provides what students are interested in.

The possibility of 24/7 library access has been suggested by the committee. Atkin’s will be looking at the cost-benefit analysis before making any decisions.

Changing from Moodle to a different system About 60 faculty members on campus are conducting classes using the potential new system Canvas.

Officials will decide by March 1 whether to move away from Moodle.

New student organizations Two new student organizations have been approved by the Senate.

This includes The Example, which will serve as an outlet for newly converted or potential Christians.

The other new student organization, Niner Miners, will act as an accepting environment for students interested in the video game “Minecraft.”

Approved grants A financial bill supporting student organizations has been approved.

Various student organizations received a total of $8,867.03 in grant money.

Chancellor Invitation Act SGA passed the Chancellor Invitation Act, inviting the UNC Charlotte Chancellor to one Senate meeting per semester.

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NINERTIMES

THE HERO IN HUNTINGTON Griffin Dempsey owns the big moment in an overfamiliar environment JARED ALLEN SPORTS EDITOR

The yellow digits of the Cam Henderson Center’s game clock blinks down, rapidly approaching zero. Green and white banners drape from the rafters parallel to each other overhead.

Griffin Dempsey rolls around the baseline, inches from the Kelly green trim, with two arms extended as she locks eyes with teammate Alexis Alexander. Eight feet separate Dempsey and her defender, more than enough space for the sophomore to catch and release safely before the clock expires.

Dempsey steps to the ball and catches Alexander’s pass in motion, feet planted firmly well beyond the three-point arc. Marshall

scrambles to close out Dempsey and extends an outstretched right arm with the hope of breaking her peripheral vision. The sophomore rises, lunges forward and flicks her wrist. To her left, the referee raises her left hand into the air signaling for three.

The clock reads 2.8 seconds and continues to tick down. Her shot tumbles end-over-end, soaring through the air as the anxious crowd is frozen on the edge of their green fold-down seats, eyes fixated on the ball’s trajectory.

The white nylon ripples, the 49ers’ bench explodes and storms the court to greet Dempsey in elation. Dempsey’s teammates swarm her but

Griffin Dempsey orchestrates the offense in front of a home crowd in Halton Arena. Photo by Benjamin Robson

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in the midst of the madness, she searches for her biggest fan who’s celebrating in the crowd behind Charlotte’s bench. Her eyes scan the audience; she finds her.

Their eyes meet, Dempsey smiles, sharing the momentous moment with her mom.

“She drove me everywhere when I was younger,” Dempsey remembered. “She took me everywhere, she paid for everything, she was always at every game. I don’t think my mom missed one game my entire high school career, probably any game.”

Dempsey’s mother, Mary, was there for her daughter every step of the way and provided her with the utmost confidence. The pair travelled long distances for Dempsey’s Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) games while growing up. She knew Griffin loved basketball and supported her no matter what in every and any endeavor.

“She gave me confidence,” Dempsey said. “I played with a lot of kids who had parents who were negative. My mom was always supportive and positive, like ‘Oh, you did so well,’ or ‘Where are we going to eat?’”

The relationship helped propel Dempsey to success at a young age. She never feared that she was letting anyone down. Her confident attitude on the court led to prosperity at the high school level. She ranked as high as No. 24 among point guards nationally, earned a nomination for the McDonald’s All-American game and garnered All-West Virginia first team honors three years running. Dempsey was a member of four-straight state championship teams, set St. Joseph Central Catholic’s single-game scoring record with 53 points and broke the 1,000 point plateau by her junior year.

Nothing’s changed over the years despite the fact that now, Dempsey plays basketball 394 miles from her hometown, Huntington, W. Va. “I fell in love with Charlotte’s campus,”

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Dempsey said. “I loved coach Cara and what she stands for and I was drawn to the potential I saw in this program. It felt like home away from home.”

However, family was one of Dempsey’s key factors in deciding where she’d play collegiate basketball. She wanted to give her family the opportunity to see her play as much as possible and with Charlotte competing in Conference USA, at least one trip home each year was certain.

“It was the main reason why I wanted to go to C-USA,” Dempsey revealed. “My entire family is in Huntington, so I wanted them to be able to see me play. That was big for me because I grew up with them at every game.”

But for Dempsey’s biggest fan, it didn’t matter how far away from home she was playing. State borders haven’t separated the two as Dempsey’s mom makes a habit of attending games and taking day trips to Charlotte, sometimes even when Dempsey isn’t playing.

“She’s here almost every weekend,” Dempsey said. “She’ll typically take a half-day Thursday and a Friday off and then she’ll stay till Saturday.

That’s an 11-hour drive. She’s made day trips for games I haven’t even played in. She’ll come just to watch

me on the bench because she just loves seeing me out there.”

Unfortunately for Dempsey, that was the situation for the first half of the season. A knee injury sidelined the sophomore for Charlotte’s first 11 games. However, the ill-timed injury didn’t mentally derail Dempsey. She embraced her misfortune and viewed it as a learning experience. The setback reshaped the guard and helped mold her into an improved player and teammate.

“I was just coming off shoulder surgery and I was getting back into playing. I was in shape, everything was really going for me and it put things into perspective. But, I wouldn’t take it back for a moment,” Dempsey said. “I learned so much about the things my teammates and coaches need from me.”

Dempsey welcomed the role of being a bench player throughout the first half of the season. Her enthusiasm skyrocketed as she and teammate, Nyilah Jamison-Myers provided the 49ers with energy from the sidelines.

“I’m a lot more vocal now. I learned we have to have energy and if it’s not on the floor, it has to come from the bench,” Dempsey said. “Me and Ny tried to bring as much energy as we could. I think we realized the

impact we have. We still had a role in the team.”

Her off-court efforts didn’t go unnoticed.

“She’s always in practice very vocal, encouraging her teammates, always engaged watching whatever we’re doing,” assistant coach Joanne Aluka-White said. “She hasn’t skipped a beat as far as what we’ve put in offensively or defensively.”

Dempsey’s rehab created an adverse situation but she knew she’d return as the New Year loomed.

January introduced conference play and a few key games including a trip to Dempsey’s hometown.

However, the sophomore didn’t view the matchup with Marshall as a significant date because it was her homecoming, but instead because she knew her team needed her.

“I was thinking that I wanted to be healthy for that game because I knew the situation our team was in, it had nothing to do with it being our hometown,” Dempsey explained.

However, the trip up to the southwestern corner of West Virginia still brought surprises, revived many childhood memories and produced unforgettable triumphs.

“Every time I go back to Huntington I get emotional, just because that’s home,” Dempsey said.

“That’s where my whole family is.

Coming to Huntington and seeing the exit sign, passing my house, it’s not just that we’re in the same city, it’s my hometown.”

An uncountable amount of friends and family as well as over a foot of snow greeted Dempsey upon her arrival in Huntington. However, those weren’t the only surprises.

“I walked into coach’s office the day before we travelled to ask if I could go to my little cousin’s basketball game instead of the dinner because I’ve never seen her play before,” Dempsey said.

Consuegra’s last words startled Dempsey before the guard left the office.

“I was walking out and she said, ‘Oh by the way, change of plans, you’re starting tomorrow,’” Dempsey said.

While the news caught her offguard, she wasn’t necessarily nervous. It would be the first time that Dempsey heard her name called among the starting five at the collegiate level but Consuegra showed faith and confidence in her.

She believed in her young guard and that’s all Dempsey needed—she proved it with one shot.

Griffin Dempsey schackles the opposition in her return to the hardwood. Photo by Benjamin Robson

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NINERTIMES

549ERS TENNIS REASONS TO ATTEND

BENJAMIN ROBSON PHOTO COORDINATOR

ALMOST GUARANTEED TO SEE CHARLOTTE WIN

Bottom line is that if you want to see your 49ers get the W this year, the chances are highest with tennis. This past season the men’s tennis team won 18 matches during the season, losing only to nationally ranked Wake Forest (No. 20), Duke (No. 4), NC State (No. 34) and Rice (Conference Tournament). Tied for the second highest singleseason win total in school history in the 20142015 season, the team had the highest winning percentage of all team sports with 85.71 percent, with the closest being men’s soccer who went 144-1 for a 73.68 percent win rate.

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Creating connections is one of the many benefits of tennis. The community is filled with enthusiastic individuals who not only love to play the game, but watch as well. Who knows, maybe

you just might meet your next hitting partner at the next home tennis match.

Although the contests between professionals can last for hours (and even days), there is no obligation to even keep score. Tennis is the ideal workout if you only have a short period of time in your schedule because you can play a few games, leave and know you had an excellent cardio session. College tennis is not like what you see at the Australian Open with the chair umpire’s telling the crowd to quiet down. While it is warming up, go enjoy the fresh air and come

cheer on the 49ers.

WATCH JORDI MASSALLÉ FERRER WRITE HISTORY

Senior Jordi Massallé Ferrer is on the cusp of breaking all of Charlotte’s men’s tennis records.

Already holding the achievement for the best career singles record (.786), Ferrer (81-22) is a

mere three wins away from owning the record for most career singles wins in school history. Even though it will be hard to improve on last season’s personal record of 29-3, the prolific senior could possibly also take the most singles wins and best singles record for a season by pushing for the record of 30 wins currently held by former 49er Jacob Nordwall. Massallé, who has 68 career doubles wins, also only needs three more wins to tie the 49ers career doubles wins record.

THE LIFE LESSONS OF A LIFETIME SPORT

Have you ever seen a group of senior citizens outside playing a game of flag football? If so please take a picture immediately and send it to me. The United States Tennis Association has tournaments for 70, 80 and 90-year-old age brackets. If you start playing tennis early and continue to improve your game, you will come to enjoy the most beautiful and challenging sports ever created.

All you need is a partner, a racket, tennis balls and a court. Thankfully, the UNC Charlotte campus has 16 courts and while becoming a standard player takes years, getting comfortable on the court doesn’t take long at all. Come get inspired by watching one of the most competitive tennis conferences in nation.

WATCH AS TWO TOP FRESHMAN START THEIR CAREER AT CHARLOTTE

Jordi Massallé Ferrer prepares his serve. Photo by Benjamin Robson

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Come see two of the team’s newest freshman begin their career on the court. The 49ers women’s team welcomed Alexandra Lee and Tai Martin to the team this year. The two added up to land Charlotte the twelfth spot on tennisrecruiting.net’s top mid-major women’s recruiting classes. Lee has been ranked as high as No. 74 in the nation and Martin up to No. 66 by tennisrecruiting.net, and with both being acomplished juniors players, they both look to have promising carrers for the years to come. Both have already made an impact on the team with a solid fall season performance, also receiving wins in their first regular season matches.

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Who has your vote?

As the Feb. 19 deadline approaches, time to register to vote is running out VINCENT CAHILL GUEST WRITER

On March 23, 2015, Ted Cruz formally announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States, and in doing so officially kicked off one of the most astonishing (and entertaining) presidential nomination seasons in memory. In the 324 days that have followed, the candidate pool has ballooned to as many as 23 major candidates (depicted here for your viewing pleasure), and, after the Iowa caucus results, 11 candidates still stand as contenders for their respective nominations.

Soon, their attention will turn to our beloved state. North Carolina will hold its primaries on March 15. After all of the intrigue, the tweets, the advertisements and one debate after another, your time has finally arrived. You now have the opportunity to select from this merry band of aspiring presidents. There is just one question remaining: Are you registered to vote?

After Feb. 19, North Carolina will not add new voters to its databases or update voter information for the March primary. If you are not registered correctly, you will be unable to vote in this cycle, which means that you will be unable to fully #FeeltheBern or look down that long list of Republican hopefuls.

Beyond the presidential election, the March ballot is chock full of exciting races and initiatives to consider. Your ballot will also feature candidates pursuing office at the federal (U.S. House of Representatives and Senate), state (governor and N.C. legislature) and municipal (city council) levels. Additionally, you will find a special vote at the very bottom of the ballot.

North Carolina is considering a $2 billion bond referendum. The bond will ask voters to consider accepting debt to fund investments in our universities, infrastructure and state parks. This bond will not require state taxes to be raised, and UNC Charlotte will be fully funded for a new science building. So, with all that in mind, let’s make sure that you’re ready to vote.

What if I don’t know if I am registered to vote?

If you are a North Carolina resident, simply search for your name in the online N.C. Public

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Stephen Colbert compares the field of candidates to “The Hunger Games” on “The Late Show.”

Photo via Columbia Broadcasting System

Voter Search database. If you are listed, you are registered to vote according to the information listed with your name.

If you are not a N.C. resident, your home state likely has a similar public voter database. Look for it to confirm your voter information.

I am not registered to vote. What next?

An online voter registration service called TurboVote is available to all UNC Charlotte students. Simply go to uncc.turbovote.org, follow the provided steps, and turn in your completed form to a Board of Elections office.

I am registered to vote in my hometown, but I’m not sure if I’m going to drive back home for a March election.

There are two options at your disposal: 1. Request an absentee ballot. Voting by absentee ballot allows you to vote for the candidates running in your hometown.

Oftentimes this is the most convenient option, and it is entirely free of charge. Just request FEB. 9 - FEB. 15, 2016

an absentee ballot through your State Board of Elections website.

2. Update your registration to reflect your residence at UNC Charlotte. Students who live both on campus and off campus can change their voter registration to vote here, in Charlotte.

Where is the UNC Charlotte voting location?

If you register to vote by using an on campus address or an address in the area surrounding campus, your polling station will likely be at the University City Library right off campus. Confirm your polling location through the online N.C. Polling Place Search.

Can I get involved in registering my fellow students and increasing voter engagement?

Absolutely. Join the 49er Democracy Experience by emailing Sean Langley at slangley@uncc.edu.

Any and all remaining questions can likely be answered by the appropriate state or county Board of Elections websites. Get registered!

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YOU ARE

‘BEING MARY JANE’ Photo courtesy of Black Entertainment Television

DAVID FLAHERTY INTERN

Hit BET series “Being Mary Jane” is renewed for yet another season.

Its previous season, season three, ended on a controversial issue of race and left viewers pondering, “What does show creator Mara Brock Akil have in store for us next?”

While Akil allows viewers to observe the life of successful, beautiful and complicated news anchor, Mary Jane Paul (Gabrille Union), she also allows viewers to live in the life of Mary Jane. To be quite frank, I have come to the conclusion that we—you and I­—are being Mary Jane.

I have been an avid viewer of “Being Mary Jane” for years, watching the messy, emotional life unfold right in front of my eyes.

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However, I realized I was actually watching my life unfold on that TV screen.

Although I am not black nor a woman, I found Mary Jane’s struggles to parallel with those of every other American. The struggle to find love. The struggle of a job. The struggle of family. The struggle of living. Most importantly, the struggle to be happy. To be something.

That’s the real issue we all must face. We all attempt to strive for something better and greater than what we have now. We all want the best, and just like Mary Jane, we explore unconventional ways to obtain that goal.

The audience consistently finds themselves engulfed in the realistic

approach that Mary Jane takes to battle daily issues. We see the ongoing perpetual lies about ourselves, relationships, beliefs and morals that we continue to feed into.

We enjoy hearing what we want to hear, ignoring the blatant signs of reality. It’s easier. It’s comfortable.

However, we must learn, just like Mary Jane, to overcome these delusions.

This information raises the question, “Why do I keep messing up?” This is a question that audiences see themselves answering alongside Mary Jane. I wish there was a magic answer to these questions, but what Akil reminds us through Mary Jane’s life is that it’s never-ending. It’s ongoing.

We all have ups and downs

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that we must face in order to be something stronger. These ups and downs not only make us strong, but also aid in the production of our true, authentic selves. Moreover, we will continue to knowingly and unknowingly make mistakes in life.

It’s inevitable.

Take away the race, sex and material aspects of yourself, and look deep into yourself. You’re human.

You’re going to make mistakes regardless. Embrace that concept.

Understand that making mistakes only provides answers in the end.

Just like Mary Jane, you will fail, and you will succeed. Moreover, just remember, as singer-songwriter Stacy Barthe says, “We’re all flawed, beautiful creatures.”

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Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

‘DEADPOOL’

A CURIOUS, R-RATED TAKE ON THE SUPERHERO GENRE HUNTER HEILMAN A&E EDITOR

At first, the superhero genre was something I was completely enthralled with, but have since become more and more tired of. Sure, Marvel Studios is churning out some pretty good films, even having some, like “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” easily set themselves up as some of the best the genre has ever seen. But in August, the Fox reboot of “Fantastic Four” put a lot of things into perspective for me. Seeing as how atrocious it was, it reminded me that not that many things have changed since 2005 and that this genre is not impervious to being awful. It also doesn’t help that it seems now that Marvel is going to continue to beat the crap out of the “Spider-Man” franchise until there’s no more web left for Peter Parker to shoot. Add to this the fact that we’re beginning to make films costing $150 million for origin stories of superheroes people have never heard of and I get the feeling this horse died a long time ago.

But then we got “Deadpool.”

“Deadpool” isn’t the best superhero film to come around in this renaissance, but it easily sets itself up as the most daring superhero film the world has ever seen. It has become increasingly rare for big budget blockbusters to receive R ratings, especially the goldmine of superhero films, with only “Watchmen” and “The Punisher”/“Punisher:

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War Zone” being the ones to take on this rating.

(I don’t count the “Daredevil” director’s cut because what was shown in theaters was PG-13).

Even then, all three films were met with mixedto-negative reviews and were rated R for the darkness of the plots and for graphic violence.

Meanwhile, “Deadpool,” while having quite a bit of graphic violence, earns most of its rating from the absolutely filthy language and sexual scenes pervading the entire film, which automatically sets itself apart from even the rare R-rated films as something of its very own.

Ryan Reynolds, known for playing Wade Wilson a.k.a. Deadpool in the critically panned “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” returns in this reboot as Wilson. After the aforementioned film completely rewrote the comic character with something more PG-13, this time, they get it right. From the opening credits, it’s obvious that “Deadpool” isn’t a movie you’re going to take seriously in the slightest and if you do, you probably shouldn’t be at the movies in the first place. Reynolds absolutely nails the character, if not simply for his borderline annoying demeanor he takes on so wonderfully. Notice how I said borderline annoying? That’s the genius of the dialogue in “Deadpool,” the film hits the perfect balance of humor, without ever going into the annoying category. Wilson is an obnoxious character, but FEB. 9 - FEB. 15, 2016

a very likable one too, one that Reynolds doesn’t even seem to be trying in, he just is Deadpool.

While the supporting characters take the backseat (or even the trunk) to Reynolds’ Deadpool, they’re not without merit either. Ed Skrein, who I lambasted for his bratty, unlikable demeanor as the protagonist in “The Transporter Refueled,” actually does a good job as the main villain, Ajax, simply because of his bratty, unlikable demeanor.

Ajax is a villain that has a wonderful front of knowing what he’s doing, but finds himself at a clueless disadvantage when Deadpool shows up. Brianna Hildebrand and the voice of Stefan Kapicic make an X-Men dream team as Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Colossus, two X-Men hell-bent on getting Deadpool to join the group.

Hildebrand’s Negasonic Teenage Warhead is the closest thing that Deadpool ever finds to a match in this film, firing back when she can against Wilson’s constant belittling and she hits bullseye.

Morena Baccarin turns her typical image on its head as Vanessa, a sex worker who falls in love with Wilson and is every bit his equal in terms of vulgarity, proves that Baccarin has a range no one knew existed before, at least beyond her typical cold, classy demeanor.

If you’re unfamiliar with the story of “Deadpool,” it might actually behoove you to not research much on it, as to make the discovery

NINERTIMES

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

process of this character you have probably bypassed your entire life even more magical. Director Tim Miller, a first time director, handles the simplistic plot with ease and does very well with the scale given his visual effects background. Any time a director does good work, it’s a nicety, but to see a first time director pretty much stick the landing, something that many filmmakers can’t do after years of experience, is something to behold and a complete relief, as I was scared of the potential results.

The writing in “Deadpool” is where the film truly shines. While the plot doesn’t go anywhere that 50 other superhero movies haven’t already gone before, it’s the character of Wilson and the dialogue that set this film apart from the others. The sometimes shocking dialogue is absolutely hilarious to behold, with many jokes coming from nowhere that you would never expect in a film like this. The character of Deadpool is also a nice breather, as he is in no way the typical hypermasculine superhero we’ve come to expect. Sure, Reynolds is insanely ripped and an absolute pleasure to look at, but his character embraces

a lot of feminine qualities that were really refreshing to see in a world so permeated by manliness.

It’s best to go into “Deadpool” knowing as little as possible, as it only sweetens the pot of the jokes made throughout. “Deadpool” is far funnier than most “comedies” we see on the market today and proves to be shocking without ever being truly offensive, which something like “Dirty Grandpa” just couldn’t seem to master. Reynolds is absolutely perfect in the role and completely nails every scene he’s in. Miller, like the rest of the film, is pretty selfaware that the plot of “Deadpool” isn’t incredibly layered and epic, focusing far more on the character interactions, while never losing sight of the scale of the action scenes (this film would be a perfect watch in IMAX). “Deadpool” is a strange film, if not only for its uniqueness, but also just for the grimy, gritty feel that permeates through the film. This is a curious take on this increasingly tired genre that is the superhero movie, and for something to challenge its genre so daringly and to pull it off, “Deadpool” is pretty special.

Runtime: 108 minutes Rating: R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual content and graphic nudity.

Twentieth Century Fox presents, in association with Marvel Entertainment, a Kinberg Genre/Donners’ Company production

ACROSS 1 Basil sauce 6 Pops, to baby 10 Sacred assurance 13 Sound from a lily pad 14 88 or 98 automaker 15 Give a ticket to 16 Birds on United States seals 18 Longing feeling 19 Old photo hue 20 Started the poker kitty 21 Explosion noise 24 Commonly multipaned patio entrances 27 Hop out of bed 29 More like a cad 30 Send a racy phone message to 31 Changed into 34 Apt anagram of “aye” 37 Reptiles known for their strong jaws

40 Actor McKellen 41 Briefs, informally 42 50-and-over organization 43 Somber melody 45 Red-nosed “Sesame Street” character 46 Bank transport vehicles 51 Poetic nightfall 52 Quicken offerings 53 Reebok rival 55 __ Spumante 56 Musicians found at the ends of 16-, 24-, 37and 46-Across 61 Costa __ 62 Word for the calorie-conscious 63 Fertile desert spots 64 “I’m not impressed” 65 Arrived at second base headfirst, perhaps 66 Little songbirds

DOWN 1 Banned chem. pollutant 2 Pitching stat 3 South-of-the-border sun 4 Youngsters 5 Michael of “Caddyshack” 6 “Git along” little critter 7 Edgar __ Poe 8 Pres. before JFK 9 Stubborn animal 10 Post-race place for a NASCAR winner 11 Catchall check box 12 Dandelions, e.g.

15 Kayak kin 17 Earth Day mo.

20 Poisonous snake 21 Low operatic voices 22 Sports venue with tiered seating 23 Versatile, as a wardrobe 25 Shipping container 26 Organic fertilizer 28 Fuel additive brand 31 __-watching: TV viewing spree 32 Put the kibosh on 33 Movie SFX 35 Tremble-inducing 36 Trembling tree 38 Good vibrations, in the cat world 39 Sticky road stuff 44 Ancient Aegean region 45 Real-estate holding account 46 Smartphone wake-up feature 47 Riveting icon 48 Desert plants 49 Patronized a help desk 50 Big truck 54 Zoom up 56 Dr. Jekyll creator’s monogram 57 Saudi Arabian export 58 “__ the Force, Luke” 59 Confident crossword solver’s tool 60 Escaping-air sound

Opens this Friday, Feb. 12 in theaters and IMAX.

NINERTIMES.COM

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Make extra money with Mary Kay CANDICE KELLY

3 OPTIONS FOR A HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

INTERN

HAILEY TURPIN STAFF WRITER

Every year on Feb. 14, we celebrate the day of love all around the world. The day of love is the number one holiday for chocolate sales, and is a day known for its full dedication to love. Whether you spend your day with your significant other, wife/husband or with friends, this day has many outcomes and should be spent with the people most special around you.

Here are some ways to spend your Valentine’s Day.

DINNER I don’t know about you, but food is the way to many hearts in America. A fancy dinner out to a nice restaurant with a special someone is sure to charm any heart.

Taking that special love out is a kind gesture to show that you care for them.

NIGHT AT HOME No matter who you spend your day of love with, a night at home

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cozied up on the couch with the people you love is definitely one of the best ways to enjoy your evening.

Whether it is with your one true love or with seven of your closest friends, the night is sure to be incredible.

GALENTINE’S DAY If you find yourself single on Valentine’s Day, rally up the girls for a day of pampering, dinner and a night out on the town. Don’t spend your Valentine’s Day alone and cooped up in your home, spend the day with your closest girls and show them how much you love and appreciate them.

Valentine’s Day is the day that we not only tell our significant other or our husbands/wives that we love and admire them, but it’s a time that we tell all the people around us that we are thankful to have them and love them. Take the time to tell your loved ones what they mean to you and how much you love them.

Are you a savvy, enthusiastic woman looking to make some extra cash? Why not become a part of a $4 billion corporation. Over three million woman have become Mary Kay consultants worldwide. This unique opportunity allows woman from all different backgrounds to make connections, buy and sell make up and trade beauty secrets. This is a great opportunity for college students since it is a fun, easy and rewarding way to make money.

So what does it mean to be a Mary Kay consultant?

It means you get to be a hostess, giving free makeovers to your friends and family at Mary Kay parties.

It means you get to meet people all across the city and help them look their best.

It means you get paid for doing others’ makeup. A Mary Kay consultant is a woman who is dedicated to making sure all women can look and feel their best. You become an entrepreneur in a sense, deciding ways to expand your business and meet your personal sales goals.

Mary Kay makes it easy to get started as an independent consultant. They provide business education, marketing tools and product samples so that you will be fully equipped with the necessities to succeed. It is recommended that you purchase a starter kit bag (which includes retail sized products to demonstrate with friends at parties), samplers to share with your potential customers and informational DVDs with easy sales

FEB. 9 - FEB. 15, 2016

tips.

The most important question when going into a new business venture is how much money can be made. Well, that really depends on how hard you pound the pavement and make sales. A consultant makes 50 percent commission off of every sale. There are also rewards depending on how much you sell. There is an initial cost to buy inventory. However, Mary Kay offers the inventory buyback program. If after one year you do not sell all of your initial inventory, you can send it back and Mary Kay will give you 90 percent of your money back. So there is minimal risk when just starting out, and a lot of potential to make a profit.

Besides the financial benefits, there are many other reasons why becoming a Mary Kay consultant is a rewarding career opportunity for young women. Unlike the traditional job where a manager oversees all work, as a consultant, you get to be your own boss. You decide how much product you want to purchase or how many hours a week you can work. There are no deadlines or time cards. You are in control of your schedule. This takes away some of the stress of trying to fit in studying between work and classes. Some people choose to only sell on the weekends. Others will work only during the summer and over breaks. Ultimately, you get out of it what you put in.

If you’re interested in becoming a part of the Mary Kay family, check out www.marykay.com for more information.

NINERTIMES

DUCK DONUTS: WINNING OVER NON-DONUT LOVERS VANESSA MARTINEZ INTERN

My good friend has been raving about Duck Donuts for a while now since she visited the Greenville, N.C. location. I am not a huge fan of donuts, but now that they have opened a new shop here in Charlotte, I decided to give it a try.

After getting a little lost and annoyed trying to find the shop in Dilworth, both of our headaches drifted away as we walked in to the delicious aroma of fried goodness.

Duck Donuts serve their donuts fresh toorder. Each donut begins coming hot off the line and gets coated in your choice of: • Cinnamon Sugar • Powdered Sugar • Glazed • Vanilla Icing • Chocolate Icing • Lemon Icing • Peanut Butter Icing • Maple Icing

• Strawberry Icing Once they get coated you can add toppings to the donuts, which include: • Shredded Coconut • Chocolate Sprinkles • Rainbow Sprinkles • Chopped Peanuts • Bacon I ordered a half-dozen donuts to bring back to my roommates. They included: maple icing with bacon sprinkles, vanilla icing with rainbow sprinkles, lemon, strawberry, chocolate and plain vanilla for myself. They were absolutely worth it. Even after a few hours, once we warmed them back up per box directions, they tasted just as good as when they slipped off the line.

Again, I am not a huge donut fan, but I definitely recommend Duck Donuts and I would come back and order again.

With several locations including Raleigh,

Photo by Vanessa Martinez

Greenville, Cary, and Charlotte N.C., everyone should stop by Duck Donuts. Plus you are helping small businesses grow and that is a considerably awesome thing to do.

VANESSA MARTINEZ INTERN

“I do not know anything more painful than witnessing the man I loved love someone else. With Valentine’s Day coming up, it would’ve marked five years of being together. As a result, I’ve erased him off everything, though sometimes he can slip through the cracks … I’ll see pictures of him and sometimes he messages me to see how I’m doing, but I cannot gather the strength to speak to him like we are not together. I feel too young to complain about this heartbreak, but it did really cloud my way of viewing love. I’m learning to be okay with being alone, and after everything I’ve become distant and rather terrified with the idea of building a new relationship and starting completely anew with someone else. I just picture myself finishing school, moving back to Brooklyn, and if the universe plans it, maybe love will reintroduce itself into my life. I don’t get to decide when it arrives, but I’m sure it’ll catch me by surprise.”

Stephanie NINERTIMES.COM

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Recipe: Zoodles VIVIAN WESTRA STAFF WRITER

My all time favorite food is spaghetti. Every time I go home, that is the meal I always look forward to. As a part of my New Years resolution, I’m holding myself accountable to cut back on my pasta intake because I consume way too much. Over the holidays, I received the most amazing kitchen tool, and it’s called a “spirializer.” The spirializer can turn any vegetable like potatoes, zucchini and beets into “noodles.” I decided to try making my favorite meal into a healthy alternative to pasta. Here is what you will need: • Zucchini • Tomato sauce • Corn • Sprouts • Spices • Nutritional Yeast

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DIRECTIONS:

To start out, take your tomato sauce and heat it up in a pot on medium heat. Take your spirializer and spirialize your zucchini.

After the sauce is heated up, add the spices of your choice, such as oregano, pepper and salt. Pour the tomato sauce on the “zoodles” and add the sprouts, corn and top with nutritional yeast for an amazing cheese alternative. Bon Appetite.

Photo by Vivian Westra

FEB. 9 - FEB. 15, 2016

NINERTIMES