12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief (Various Artists) Recorded from the benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, this collection includes standout performances from artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Eric Clapton, The Who and Bon Jovi on a two-disc set. In the spirit of the event, the Robin Hood Foundation relief fund will receive 100 percent of the net proceeds of Columbia Records and the artists from the sale of this album. Proceeds will go toward improving areas in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States affected by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.
The newest shop in the Houston coffee scene is already proving to be a sensation among local coffee-lovers. Tucked away behind Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine and the Japanese restaurant Uchi is Southside Espresso, a small shop that you could easily miss if you drive too quickly down Westheimer. The quaint coffee bar was opened in the fall by Sean Marshall, a well-known name in the local coffee circle. Marshall is also the owner of Fusion Roasting Company, located in south Houston. He was mentored by the one-and-only Ken Palmer, a famous Houston specialty roaster and himself the student of Alfred Peet. Peet founded Peet's Coffee & Tea and revolutionized coffee roasting with innovative techniques, such as being one of the first to use the French roast in the United States. He is also credited with teaching the founders of Starbucks essentially everything they knew.
After a much deserved winter break, various members of the men's cross-country team put on their running shoes and got back out in their respective events. Joining the rest of the men's indoor track team the season started rapidly at the Texas A&M University 12-team Indoor Invitational.
Running a business is no easy task. To do so successfully requires tireless effort, energy and creativity. Managing a full course load at the same time seems downright scary. This, however, was the challenge Martel College sophomore Mattie Pena took on after becoming the new general manager of The Hoot. Pena, who is pursuing a major in linguistics with a business minor, served as The Hoot's product development manager last fall, a role that saw her manage The Hoot's inventory, products and nighttime specials. She was hired as general manager this spring, replacing Will Rice College senior Justin Sable, who had spent the last two years in the position.
After boosting their ranking from No. 71 to No. 30 throughout the 2012 season, the Rice women's tennis team is taking that momentum straight into the 2013 season. With a 10-person team composed almost entirely of returning players, Head Coach Elizabeth Schmidt and the team are eager to add to the successes of last year.
