Who uses Facebook anymore? Photo courtesy of Facebook.

I joined Facebook when I was about 21 or 22, after my younger sister who was currently attending Mizzou told me about it. Since that time, Facebook has gone through numerous changes, including privacy alterations, enabling “status” updates, and their new timeline format. One thing that we’ve all recognized is the expansion of Facebook users. Now, everyone from the kids we used to babysit to our grandparents are on the social networking site.

However, I found out recently through a classmate that her younger sibling claimed,  “no one uses Facebook anymore.” Our professor then pointed out that Facebook has become “passé” to the younger generations. My classmate then responded, “Yeah, they only use Twitter. They say Facebook is for older people.” I was genuinely surprised to hear this, but I then took a moment to process. Off the top of my head, I believe I’m Facebook-friends with one high school aged kid, and I rarely have conversations with any. To someone like myself, Facebook has only been around since I was in college, but to them, Facebook has always been around. And lastly, ever since the age that most of them have been allowed to use it (13 and older), many of their parents have already been active on the site, making it even less appealing.

My point is this: while we age, Facebook is aging with us, and with that Facebook loses its appeal to the younger generations. While Facebook does its best to remain current with constant new updates and features, it has more so turned itself into a social playground and online yearbook for adults. Also, Facebook is notorious for others documenting the things that you may not want documented (i.e. not so flattering pictures, check-ins, etc.), while Twitter is simply a 140-character format to communicate with your friends, while also being able to communicate with celebrities you follow.

While I personally still enjoy having Facebook in order to keep tabs on my friends in other cities, I do understand the lack of privacy, lack of control and overall lack of interest (particularly in the mundane posts about what someone’s child ate for breakfast). So, does this mean Facebook could be irrelevant sooner rather than later? Do you still use Facebook as much as you did when you were younger?

The post Question of the Day: Is Facebook Passé? appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

This piece was made on an electric potter’s wheel. Photo courtesy of Emily Blackshear.

Introduction to Ceramics is a studio art class that is taught by both Michelle Hamilton and Rene D. Michel-Trapaga in the Art and 3-D Design Building. If you’re not an art major, you’ve probably never heard of this building. Don’t worry the Art and 3-D Design Building is only nearly impossible to find.

If you leave the Library and walk towards the road you are headed in the right direction. Then when you see the sign for the Annex, you want to go down that road. Once you find McNally House you’re almost there, it is just a little bit farther down that hill. Though the building looks small from the outside, inside is the studio that is the perfect place to work with clay. Make sure to wear both old clothes and shoes and be ready to work.

Introduction to Ceramics is a fun and interactive studio art class that allows you to be expressive while also learning many techniques of throwing on the potter’s wheel, hand building and glazing. Don’t worry about having experience working with clay. Many of the students in my class hadn’t touched clay since grade school. No matter who your instructor is they make sure to start right at the beginning so you can fully enjoy Intro to Ceramics, and also come out with valuable ceramics knowledge.

Some of the techniques you will learn in Introduction to Ceramics have to do with hand-building. By rolling out slabs and carving designs into the pieces with a small loop tool called a sgraffito tool you can make an envelope pot. This is a piece that is only connected on two sides. You can also learn how to press shapes of clay into a plaster casting to make a vessel called a press-mold pot. Some other techniques have more to do with sculpture and can be utilized in the building of an animal shaped teapot.

This piece has been glazed and fired in a Raku kiln. Photo courtesy of Emily Blackshear.

You will also learn how to operate an electric or kick-operated potter’s wheel. With this tool you can make centered pieces, and as you practice they can become better and better. On the wheel you can make the bodies of coffee mugs, vases, bowls and pitchers. By measuring your pieces as you work, you can also throw matching pieces.

The other major skill you will garner from this class is glazing. Glazing is the final step in making a beautiful piece of ceramic artwork, or making a functional piece, such as a coffee mug.

Glazing can be done using opaque candy colors that turn shiny after they have gone through the process of firing in the kiln. Or you can use earthy tones to give your works a rustic feel. Another way to glaze ceramic pieces is to put them in a Raku kiln. This special type of firing technique also comes with special glazes. This is a little bit risky as the glazes turn out different every time, so glaze carefully.

All in all, Introduction to Ceramics allows the freedom to be creative and can act as an escape from an otherwise strenuous college work load. It is a great class to take to learn about something new, and maybe even gain a new hobby. Introduction to Ceramics is the perfect class to take in the Fall of 2013 for anyone wishing to think outside the box and try something just a little bit artistic.

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overstock.com – This website has anything you are looking for on it. Literally from tool sets, make-up brushes, home décor, small kitchen appliances, bedding, car accessories and so much more. You are sure to feel just like you’re in Wal-Mart with the wallet friendly prices and the distraction of 20 items that you didn’t intend to look for that day on your visit.

hautelook.com – Okay, this is my favorite fashion website. Haute Look is a fashion close-out website with a auction-like twist. You don’t bid on the items in real time, but certain items are released on sale only during certain days and hours. Every day Haute Look has about 20 sales going on. The sales are grouped by brands, items or styles. Sometimes maybe just Burberry is having a sale at the same time as a summer sunglasses sale that features multiple designers. The sales are endless. When I saw the commercial where the girl changes her outfit and apartment five times I had to check it out. My first night on I stayed up for hours browsing through stuff. I couldn’t believe the prices or the brand names on all the items.

shopstyle.com – Another fashion website. Shop Style is different because they act as a online Google for apparel shopping. The prices aren’t close-out deals but rather the same price listed on the store’s website. Once you find your desired item and click, you are taken to the website where the item is from. It has a Pinterest format so finding things is very easy. You simple scroll through the ‘board’ of pictures and you will definitely find something eye catching.

everbuying.com – I saved the best for last. Item prices range from $8 – $90 but the only items found for $90 are expensive winter coats. The prices are incredible. Even when Macy’s has their friends and family sale offering 20% off AND you use your Macy’s credit card for an extra 15% off, you still couldn’t find fashionable trendy items this cheap anywhere but here. I am unable to even find a retail store that compares thanks to the raising prices of even the most inexpensive mall stores.

Happy shopping! – and you don’t even have to leave the couch.

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Zip-lining is something everyone can enjoy. Photo courtesy of www.graftonzipline.com

We all know that St. Louis has many free and well priced attractions to enjoy during the summer months. However, with summer just around the corner, you may be seeking a little bit more thrill. If you are looking for something to enjoy this summer that is a little bit more extreme and unique than the standard St. Louis attractions, look no further. Here are just three suggestions for some fun summer activities you may have never thought of before. Waivers are required.Take a zip! Zip-lining is a great way to be adventurous and enjoy the outdoors this summer. Grafton Zip-line Adventures is located in Grafton, Ill. This attraction features nine zip-lines that cover 1 3/4 miles. It takes about two hours to complete the whole tour. This activity is great for people of all ages to enjoy. While reservations are not required, they are recommended. But Grafton Zip-line Adventures is open daily and offers both onsite accommodations and is close to many bed and breakfasts, as well. The zip-line is a great way to do something extreme and fun, this summer break.

Get artistic! Another option for a fun summer activity is paintball. This allows for you to enjoy the company of your friends by shooting them with paint. While it is not an extremely comfortable activity, it is fun for those who are old enough, 10 or older. Gateway Paintball in Bridgeton, Mo. is a great place to go paint-balling. They offer play for private groups every day of the week, and offer open play 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Paintball is a recreational activity that many people enjoy, so suit up and have fun.

Finally, jump! Take a jump out of you comfort zone and try an indoor trampoline park. This park has trampolines for the floor and for the walls, as well. Sky Zone indoor trampoline park is in St. Louis, Mo. and allows the unique opportunity of the first all trampoline walled play court. Sky Zone offers both open jump time and special programs to people of all ages. Sky Zone has some adrenaline pumping activities that everyone can enjoy.

So, don’t forget to get your waiver and enjoy these great, extreme summer activities! Have a fun and safe summer!

The post An Extreme-ly Fun Summer appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Hancock.

• Lion’s Choice: Yes, all you roast beef fan know that when you leave St. Louis it’s nearly impossible to find a roast beef sandwich that tops Lion’s Choice. If the roast beef sandwich isn’t your thing then the amazing grease soaked french fries or the amazing horseradish sauce might just be.

• Toasted Ravs: A St. Louis tradition in its own rite, these deep fried, meat filled little squares of joy can only be found in… you guessed it, St. Louis.

• Provel Cheese: No, it’s not the same as provolone, people! How many times have I been asked that? Only people from St. Louis who no longer live here understand the pain of trying to find Provel cheese outside of STL. For those of you who don’t know, it’s a combinations of cheddar, swiss, and provolone cheese. When melted it almost has a buttery consistency, and is a favorite of most Italian restaurants around STL.

• Hoosier: This is SO NOT a compliment! If you’re from St. Louis you know this has little to do with Indiana, and it’s by no means a term of endearment. It’s a slang term that natives use to sum up the people that fall between rednecks and trashy toothless hicks. Supposedly, back in the 1930s, there was a strike and Indiana workers were brought to fill in for the striking St. Louis laborers.

• Pork Steaks: If you haven’t had at pork steak drowned in BBQ sauce then you’re not a true BBQ connoisseur. It’s popularity has grown over the years, and it has become available in most of the Midwest; but if you’re headed to Memphis, good luck finding one. Your waiter will look at you like you’ve got four eyes. Trust me, I’m speaking (in this case, writing) from experience.

If you’re new to St. Louis or Maryville these are the five things you should at least know about. The food, is something you should try. If you happen to hear the word hoosier you’ll know it has a negative connotation associated with it around here, and the likelihood of it being used to refer to a person from Indiana is nil-none.

The post Simply St. Louis: Five Things You Can Only Get in STL appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

Image courtesy of Catherine McComish.

St. Louis since opening, Three Sixty quickly became a new hot spot for watching Cardinals baseball. They open two hours before any Cardinals home game. Make sure you get there early if you want the best spot in the house. The ultra-sheek roof-top patio dining lounge with outside kitchen provides a unique experience for St. Louis diners. Any night you decide to go, you can be sure to enjoy yourself, your company and your delicious food and drinks, but it’s most exciting to go on the day or night of a Cardinals game.

If you show up to late after the game has started, you’ll think you came to the only place open in St. Louis. The lobby will most likely be filled with guests scattered amongst the lounge areas glued to the TVs, already enjoying cocktails. You’ll want to find the security personnel who is in charge of allowing people to go up the elevators to the restaurant as other guests are leaving. They will be able to let you know how long the wait will be, or just arrive before the game begins and you will be in better shape. ANY bar you venture to with plans to watch the Cardinals is sure to be crowded, since St. Louis has some of the most dedicated baseball fans, but no where is quite like Three Sixty. Sure you can go to an upscale lounge in Clayton to watch the game, but it’s not the same. Three Sixty is unique, especially during a Cardinals game.

At Three Sixty a customer gets to be a part of a crowded elite hang out spot where St. Louis’s classiest decide to watch Cardinals baseball; and die-hard Cardinal fans, who may have had one too many beers to drink before they came, venture in to mingle, making it a truly diverse and fun crowd. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to have drinks or somewhere to have good eats, Three Sixty will satisfy your desire.

The Cardinals game might be what brought you to Three Sixty, but the food will have you wanting to return right away. With so many options crafted beyond standards of typical bar food, one couldn’t order everything on the menu that sounded good. Since there are many small plate options, it is a great idea for a tabe to order a bunch of different items and share amongst each other. This way you can try the fish tacos, roasted BBQ oysters, California roll, Korean BBQ pork tacos, chicken skewers and sliders with your choice of short rib-with arugula and horseradish aioli, meatball-with pomodoro sauce, basil, parmesan & provolone, or smoked pork belly BLT-with Hinkebein Hills Asian pears. Don’t forget to try the truffled popcorn for a dessert snack.

The post Three Sixty Rooftop Bar: The Next Best Thing to Busch Stadium appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

• A set of hand shovels ($10 – $20)

You’ll have plenty of tomatoes in no time! Photo courtesy of Jeff Hancock.

• A bag of top soil– I like Miracle-Gro ($8 – $15)
• Tomato cages or tomato stakes ($1 – $5)
• A soaker hose– optional but a good investment ($15 – $30)
• A bag of Epsom salt– yes, you read that right; on the back of the bag it tells you to add a teaspoon for each foot of plant height ($1 – $10)

Now you’re probably reading this thinking, Okay, Epsom salt is weird but I need to know what to plant. Here are my suggestions for a first time gardener.

• Tomato plants
• Onions
• Yellow squash
• Zucchini
• Cucumbers
• Green beans

Tomatoes are an easy addition to any garden, because there are many types of tomatoes plants. Just read the labels on the plants when you go to the store and don’t be afraid to mix and match your types and decide what you like best. I prefer big boys and early girl tomato plants, but that’s just a personal preference. Onions are also super easy to plant and they make a great addition to a garden.

Onions sets are sold in the plant section and come in yellow, red and white. Barely cover them with dirt and water, and you will have onions growing in less than a week!

Yellow squash and zucchini need to be planted in hills, about a foot high and a foot wide. Save yourself some money and buy seed packets for your squash and zucchini plants. Simply follow the instructions on the back and water them heavily. They’ll pop up in a few days.

Green beans are an easy addition to any garden. Bush beans or pole beans are both good options. I tend to like to plant pole beans because they vine up my terrace and last through the summer heat really well. Buy them in the seed packages and simply follow the instructions on the back of the package. (If you have rabbits that keep eating your beans as they pop up, mix up a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a smidge of dawn dish soap, then water and spray them lightly; it’ll keep those furry pests out of your green beans!)

You’re ready to go. Plant your garden, make sure to use your Epsom salt and your soaker hose. Make sure you keep your weeds out and that you tie up your tomatoes as they grow, because they can very easily get top heavy. You’ll have a great harvest in no time!

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Photo Courtesy Of Screenrant.com

If you want to see an action packed, pro-American type of propaganda movie mixed with current events, then Olympus Has Fallen is your type of movie. This movie was released in theaters on March 22, but I just got around to seeing it last week. I must admit I wasn’t really sure what the movie was about when I agreed to go see it with a friend and I wasn’t all that interested. After seeing the film, I was left with so many questions not even directed at the film, but directed towards us, the United States. If you have been following the recent threats against the U.S. made by North Korea, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone over there saw this film and was not quite fond of it.

The moment the opening sequence had finished and the movie started to settle in, I was curious as to what to expect next.  Shortly after, the movie went in a completely different direction than I had expected. It pretty much turned into a lost Die Hard film. A Die Hard film hell-bent on hammering into the American audience’s brain that North Korea is the enemy. Not only did the one and only plot twist happen too early on, it was possibly one of the most obvious plot-twist in a movie that I can remember. Before you can even wrap your head around what just happened, the director comes up with a scene that’s almost bad enough to make you get up and leave.

The next sequence that stunned me was the horribly unnecessary scene of murder that takes place upon innocent American citizens and some images that’ll remind people of the destruction of 9/11 that leaves you feeling uncomfortable. It made me question what type of emotion the director was trying to appeal to? Fear, anger or sadness, and who did he want us to direct these emotions at? It was clear this movie was made to scare us into thinking of the worst possible scenario that could happen if these threats from North Korea are not taken more seriously.

If you are able to get past the cheesy dialogue at times, the lame computer graphics and the sloppy and chaotic plot then you might actually find this movie to be very effective.  It does its job of planting the seed in your mind that no matter what threat faces us, we’re America and we will overcome anything that opposes us. All this film was missing was a corny Uncle Sam reference with someone pointing towards the audience shouting, “We need you!” The cast list features a number of well know actors such as Gerald Butler starring at the lead role, Morgan Freeman who is the speaker of the house and Aaron Eckhart who plays the role as the president of the United States. Olympus Has Fallen might rub some folks the wrong way if you’re are easily offended and sensitive.  For hardcore American fanatics who love to see us taking down bad guys, this movie is for you.

The post Olympus Has Fallen Review appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

The new Facebook phone hits the market. Photo courtesy of TechCrunch.com.

The “Home” application allows Android users to replace their home screen with their Facebook news feed. “Home” users are always connected and do not have to launch the Facebook app to access the social network.

“The home screen is the soul of your phone. It sets the tone for your whole experience and we think it should be deeply personal,” said Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg in an interview with CrunchBase.

The HTC First is an AT&T smart phone that costs only $99. The phone is designed to run the “Home” interface. Many great things have been pointed out about the new HTC First. The phone appears to be the perfect size. Smart phone screens are getting bigger and bigger, but the Facebook phone is relatively small compared to something like the Galaxy SIII, but a tad larger than the iPhone 5. It fits perfectly in your hand. Although the “Home” application is constantly running, the battery life is dependable. The phone does not have to be unlocked to use the “Home” feature. You can scroll through pictures and statuses without ever unlocking your device. The constant stream of  photographs and bright colors is addictive.

Critics worry that like other technology, it is taking away our means for personal interaction. Why would you pick up the phone to call someone just to check in, if you can access their life right there on your mobile device? We already have extremely easy access to our social networks. It is not difficult to open up an app on a smart phone. The Facebook “Home” feature makes it easier, and that convenience seems unnecessary to some people.

Other technology experts worry that Facebook was just too late. Facebook is used by over 600 million people all over the world, but younger generations have many more social media platforms to choose from than they did five years ago. Facebook does not dominate social networking anymore. Smart phone users are more likely to stick with their trusted brands like Apple and Samsung than they are to convert to a new brand.

Regardless of what critics have to say, the HTC First and Facebook “Home” are innovative. Facebook has done an intense amount of research in the past few years to make the Facebook experience more personal. Facebook continuously adds new features to meet the needs of their 600 million users, and the HTC First and “Home” feature are no exception. Both were created with the user in mind and the hope is that consumers will be drawn to the new device and app for the personalized features and reliability. What is your opinion on the new ‘Facebook phone’?

The post ‘Facebook Phone’ Hits the Market appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

I had the amazing priviledge of being the red carpet correspondent for WIL 92.3 at this year’s 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this past Sunday. First and foremost, this was my first red carpet, so emotions and expectations were running rampant.

I’ve watched countless red carpet events on E! and various other networks as pros like Giuliana Rancic effortlessly fly through interview after interview, never having truly realized the work that goes into such an event. I remember Giuliana prepping for the red carpet before the Oscars. She had a book the size of an old school, ten-pound dictionary consisting of celebrity headshots, and attached was their entire bio describing current projects along with the latest personal life gossip. She studied. And now I realize and understand why.

Pawprint reporter Courtney South on the red carpet. Photo courtesy of Courtney South.

Obviously my day began with a fantastic brunch (however, no french toast this time) at the Bellagio. It’s imperative to fill up on energy in the morning, because there’s essentially no time to eat at any other point throughout the day. Once done with brunch, it was time to head back to the Vdara to begin getting ready. Seeing as how you’re on the red carpet interviewing celebrities donning couture gowns and designer suits, you yourself must dress the part. So, naturally, I went with a gown by one of my favorites: BCBG Max Azria.

Los Angeles based PR firm PMK BNC was in charge of press credentials, and are very particular about when to pick up your credentials the day of the event, reinforcing the narrow and strict window of 12 to 2 p.m. After picking up your credentials, it was time to set up in the press room before heading out to the red carpet. The press room is where the stars go after they’ve received an award, given their acceptance speech, and walked backstage. This is the opportunity for the press to ask any question they’d like, and gives the artist the opportunity to maximize their publicity through these outlets.

Once set up in the press room, it was time to head out to the red carpet. As you walk out the doors, high pitched screams from behind iron baracades bombard your senses as you walk past all the fans waiting for the celebrity arrivals. Walking down the red carpet was magnetic. Lines of camera equipment, microphones, lighting, and stage hands went as far as the eye could see, and the beautiful reporters in full hair and make-up stepped out onto the carpet to complete their test shots before the celebrities began to arrive.

The artists begin to show up to the carpet, and the perfect assembly line process became evident. Each artist had their PR representative escorting them down the carpet, and would walk ahead and hand out an information card to each reporter with a few facts about the artist alongside their picture. This gave the reporters a few seconds to read over the card and quickly think up questions. One after the other, the moment you finished interviewing one celebrity, the next was already on their way.

Interviewing live on the red carpet is a sink or swim experience. There is no editing, and no reshoots. You mess up? No do-overs. If you allow yourself to be nervous, to overthink, or to doubt your material, you’ll inevitably stumble.

When the awards show began, we headed to the press room to watch the show and take notes before the winners began to enter the room for questions. Florida Georgia Line, Thompson Square, Little Big Town, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan all came through the press room to take our questions. They each remained in a state of euphoria as they were still processing what had happened just moments prior.

Yet, the most blindsiding moment of the night is incontestable–the moment Hunter Hayes walked into the room, escorting on his arm the legend Stevie Wonder.

Stevie Wonder was not expected to do press at the time, so you can imagine the blanket of silence that fell over us all as he walked up on stage. He spoke about his love for country music, his love for love, and was overcome with emotion as he shared some personal feelings. As cliché as it sounds, it was a moment I will honestly never forget.

If you want to see footage of my red carpet interviews, as well as the press room questions with the award winners, go to WIL 92.3′s Facebook page. As the saying goes, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” However, this time, I’m taking every single moment home with me forever.

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