bay magazine
spring in technicolor b
a
y
bay magazine
editor-in-chief T.T. TU associate editor LYKA SETHI think KELSEY DANG MABEL HSU MARY MYKHAYLOVA JENNY HEATH watch NEYHA BHAT CATHERINE WANG TIFFANY WANG listen JONATHAN VU KATHY KOO TARA FATEMI eat MICHAEL HUANG FELIX TUAN MAGGIE LIN ALICIA LEE ANNIE LEE wear LYKA SETHI TIFFANY MO green COREY RATEAU go KELSEY DANG TIFFANY MO travel T.T. TU CATHERINE WANG STACY KU copy editor BRIAN KIM layout/webmaster SONALI DUJARI advertising HERAA HYDER SATOMI ISHIKAWA public relations COREY RATEAU photography FELIX TUAN Bay Magazine is a free quarterly publication printed by Diamond Press & Printing, 900 Rock Avenue, San Jose, California 95131. This magazine is distributed throughout the lower Bay Area. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT OF BAY MAGAZINE. For any additional information about advertising, writing for the magazine, or sponsoring us, email us at baymagazine@gmail.com or mail us at PO Box 35667, Monte Sereno, CA 95030.
*bold=head editor
© 2008 Bay Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
WHAT’S INSIDE?
spring2009
S
Spring truly brings out the best in me. The
first thing that comes to my mind when I think of this flourishing season is a mix between the whimsical natures of Snow White and her friends of the forest and the vivacity of Central Park in New York City. Everything is in full bloom, and despite the occasional chances of a rain shower, we still maintain an optimistic view on the road ahead. (Partly because summer is just a couple of months away.). There is, however, one thing that plagues most of us during this colorful season and it can only be identified by the interrupting sneezes and lack of tissues in our classrooms. The culprit is none other than a teeny tiny particle we have learned to love: pollen. Allergy season hits a reasonable amount of people and almost always, people can rely on me as an indicator. I went to the doctor and got an allergy test and was pleasantly surprised to find out that I was not allergic to mold. Everything else on the list, however, was not an exception. This is really an interesting time for me. My eyes start to swell up and water a bit, not because of the allergies themselves, but becaue of the agonizing itchiness in my rosy red nose. Speech is very difficult as I begin to talk in a muted voice and pretty soon, “Hello my name is T.T.” becomes “’Ello, my name is D.D.” Congested and miserable, I have become the mascot of allergy season. Even so, feeling like a “walking snot ball” is no reason to be stuck inside the house; there is a world of color and animation outside, just waiting to be discovered. It is a season of rebirth, renewal, and revitalization, all of which I can successfully achieve with two tablespoons of Benadryl and a box of Kleenex. Sneezing, coughing, but still smiling, T.T. Tu Editor-in-Chief & Founder of Bay Magazine
1 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
Colorful decorations, awesome yogurt, and a guest appearance by Benji Madden; what’s not to love?
e
magazin
@
the pinkberry grand opening january 22, 2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
SPRING2009 2
n e t s i l
“
Carrie Underwood, the fourth winner on the show, was lucky to have gained more than just publicity from her experience on American Idol.
THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL? >> T.T. Tu & Jonathan Vu Over its past seven seasons, American Idol has become more than just a television show. It has become a national phenomenon that brings together the two things that Americans feed on: talent and competition.
O
Of course, as it is still made for television, it exaggerates its notions of a “reality TV show” with the over-glamorized commodities like the stage, the hundreds of millions of viewers, and the ever-critical Simon Cowell. Nevertheless, it still gives forth the element of chance and the fact that the viewers have control over the contestants’ destinies. Another reality of American Idol that is commonly overlooked is the aftermath of the show. We have seen, through American Idols like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jordin Sparks, that this show does make its marks on the music scene. At the same time, however, some other idols haven’t been so lucky. In Season 5, Taylor Hicks won us over with his Southern charm and his crazy dance moves and surprisingly enough, he swept the competition. Shortly after his whirlwind victory, he seemed to spiral off the planet like the whirlwind he came on and hasn’t been heard of since. In the end, it wasn’t the winner of the show who dominated the music charts. Chris Daughtry, a contestant who was booted off a couple of weeks before the finale, had the last laugh and is still extremely successful today. So what exactly is the true formula for the American Idol success? The truth is: there isn’t one. People often forget that despite Simon Cowell’s assertions that American Idol is a “singing competition”, it is still a television show. To viewers, it is more than just the ballads and the incredible voices. It’s the critiques, the adrenaline rush, the enjoyment that only Tuesday and Wednesday nights bring that draws them in and when it comes time to vote, people are going to choose the person that entertained them the most that night. The television and music industries operate on two different mediums and even though American Idol seems to meld the two together, the entertainer typically comes before the singer. All in all, American Idol may not be as realistic as its genre claims it to be. However, let us not forget that the show also presents a reality that becoming America’s Idol does not guarantee a ticket to the Grammy Awards. As we watch and see America’s decisions during the eighth season, keep this in mind: true musical skill always prevails and the winner most certainly does not take it all.
3 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
LADY GAGA
{ { {
concerts
march14
mezzanine sf @ 10PM for $21
cont’d.
concerts
SPRING FEATURE:
april19
COURTESY OF RCA
THE KILLERS
sj state center arena @ 730PM for $42.50 The American band, The Killers, will be rocking the stage of the SJSU Event Center Arena while promoting their Day & Age album. With its highly energized performances, this Las Vegas quartet is sure to impress.
{ { { { { { { {
Don’t let her “Poker Face” fool you. Catch this chart-topping artist on “The Fame Ball Tour” as she engages you into high drama-filled performances to keep you on your feet. You can expect to “Just Dance” at the Mezzanine as you wonder what other surprises Lady Gaga has in store.
albums march10
KELLY CLARKSON: All I Ever Wanted >> Jonathan Vu
march21
JASON ALDEAN & BLAKE SHELTON oracle arena @ 5PM for $45 If you’re in the mood for some good fiddle and twang, then Hot Country Nights is the place for you. Don’t forget your cowboy hat and leather boots and saddle up for a great night with these great men of country music.
april20
BLOC PARTY
fox theater @ 8PM for $33.50
Coming all the way from across the Atlantic, Bloc Party is embarking on their North American tour and is hitting Oakland! With their upbeat British influences, Bloc Party is sure to rock the theater.
BRITNEY SPEARS
hp pavillion @ 7PM for $36.50-$150
It has been a crazy couple of years for the queen of pop, and you can expect some of that craziness in her highly anticipated “Circus Tour”. Many shows have been sold out already so get this hot ticket while its still on the market!
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
{
{ april12
Everybody loves a good comeback and Kelly Clarkson is coming back full force. With her last album, My December, being infused with edgy rock elements, Clarkson’s new album, All I Ever Wanted, returns with her original pop rock influence that she is most definitely known for. Her first single from the album, “My Life Would Suck Without You” brings us back to the lighter days of “Since U Been Gone” and we can finally put “Never Again” into our “never again” pile. Third time’s the charm and from this American Idol, that’s all we ever wanted.
other
may03
ROBIN THICKE & JENNIFER HUDSON
paramount theatre @ 730PM for $50
R&B is reborn when sultry-sounding Jennifer Hudson and the ever-charming Robin Thicke come together at the Paramount Theatre. There tickets are selling like hotcakes so get them while they’re hot!
albums
march10
U2 - No Line On The Horizon Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted
march24
Letoya - Lady Love - 3/24
april07
Rascal Flatts - Unstoppable Flo Rida - R.O.O.T.S.
april21
Depeche Mode Sounds Of The Universe
listen
SPRING2009 4
fresh&foreign
Q
COURTESY OF TINCHY STRYDER
>> T.T. Tu
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles aren’t the only royalty to reign in the United Kingdom. Proclaimed by Rewind Magazine as the Prince of the new music genre, Grime, an urban style developed in the UK in the early 2000’s, Tinchy Stryder is an emerging pioneer in the music business. His roots take him back to Ghana but he proudly calls Bow, East London his home and inspiration for pursuing this genre that combines UK garage, dance, and hip-hop. His first call to fame came in 2003, when he was named “Best Newcomer” at the Sidewinder Awards. Since then, he has collaborated with other grime artists and finally released his debut album, Star in the Hood, back in August of 2007. Moving into 2009, Stryder unveiled his newest single, “Take Me Back”, to Great Britain on January 19th. This song captures the true essence of grime. It intermixes the dancehall beat of Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” while also keeping a hip-hop undertone similar to that of Akon’s. With his song taking London by storm, it’s only a matter of time before Tinchy starts striding over here.
MUSIQUE NOUVELLE
B
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the up-and-coming band Greycoats has certainly expanded its audience from coast to coast in the past two years. The band, whose song, “Watchman, What is Left of the Night?” was featured in an episode of Gossip Girl in January, released its acclaimed debut album in October 2008. The record, entitled Setting Fire to the Great Unknown, contains soft, entrancing tracks with intense beats and addicting melodies. All eleven songs are capable of captivating any listener with their meaningful lyrics. Lead singer and guitarist Jon Reine’s smooth, controlled voice is reminiscent of Keane’s Tom Chaplin and Coldplay’s Chris Martin. The band as a whole, consisting of keyboard player Titus Becker, drummer Mike Smith and bassist Matt Patrick, has been compared to famed bands such as Radiohead, Morrissey, Sigur Ros and Arcade Fire. Greycoats was officially formed in January 2008, after Reine, Becker and Smith, needing a bassist, decided to join forces with Patrick. After releasing Setting Fire, the band played several shows around their home state and the East Coast. In March and April, Greycoats will be starting a publicity and college radio tour before embarking on their West Coast tour this April. Because the band, influenced by The Smiths, Portishead, TV on the Radio and Radiohead, is not signed by a record label, its members have to work day jobs to make the necessary money to keep recording. Thus, their goals for the future, according to Reine, include “making enough money to [record and tour] full time. We just need enough to pay the bills so we can tour more, make really great art that people will enjoy and be as productive as we can.” And after starting their first tour on the other side of the country, filming their first music video for the song “Goodbye, Sweet Youth, Goodbye” and gaining more publicity, this ambition is definitely within reach for the members of Greycoats.
>> Lyka Sethi
COURTESY OF JASON STRONG
5 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
travel Ah yes, spring break is finally here but with the current recession, travel seems to have to taken a toll for the worse. Well, don’t be glum, let’s have some fun! There are perfectly great destinations right around the bay that are both affordable and accessible, so turn off the T.V, shut down your computer, and go out for the day!
monterey half moon bay santa cruz berkeley carmel Start off the day with a walk If you like seclusion and relaxation, A short drive to Santa Cruz in the Not only is Berkeley the home of Carmel or Carmel-by-the-Sea, on the beach right by Cannery Half Moon Bay is just the place springtime means two things: lots one of the best universities in the as it is aptly named, is just the Row where you can watch the to unwind with hardly anyone to of sun and plenty of things to keep country, but also is full of history place for quaint dining and upscale bother you while you sun bathe. you busy. Get going with a stroll and attractions. In the morning, shopping as well as the wonderful sunrise, but if you’re not an You can wake up to a peaceful downtown in the cultural heart nothing is better than the scent of view from the beach. Begin your early riser, take a stroll down beach to go tide pooling and enjoy of the city and explore the eclectic countless flowers to brighten your day at the Patisserie Boissiere Cannery Row and peruse the the sea creatures in the shallow collection of shops and cafes on senses. Take a stroll through the for some patries in the morning shops. By around noon, be sure water. You can keep an eye out Pacific Avenue. When the sun hits University of California Botanical or if you arrive just in time for to consider taking a look in the for northern elephant seals when high noon, be sure to head over to Garden but make sure to not visit lunch, La Bicyclette is a must for Monterey Bay Aquarium, which you are horseback riding down the the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, on the first Tuesday of the month a delicious meal as if you were on is known for its Great White beach. At noon, head downtown with its 35 amusement park rides when they are closed. Before the Seine River. When you’re full Sharks and jellyfish exhibits as for great dining and shopping. spread out along a one-mile lunch, hit the Berkeley Art Museum and satisfied, take a nap or a stroll well as many other types of The Half Moon Bay Coffee Co. stretch of beach. If carousels and and Pacific Film Archive where you on Carmel City Beach and breathe aquatic life. You can even step is definitely a destination with roller coasters aren’t your thing, can check out the many interesting in the sea air. Before dinner, you its great soups and of course, you can get your sand n‘ surf fix exhibits. If flowers and art aren’t can do some light shopping at the outside and maybe be lucky by relaxing at one of the many interesting enough for you, take an boutiques and souvenir shops or enough to see some otters or coffee. In the afternoon, pay a visit to Daylight Farms to get some state or private beaches in the educational approach and consider visit one of their art museums that sea lions. After you have seen of the freshest fruit, vegetables, area, or expand your knowledge exploring UC Berkeley and take also lie within the vicinity of the enough of the ocean, check out with a trip to the Santa Cruz an elevator up Sather Tower to downtown area. For dinner, get the Monterey Art Museum and and flowers. The farm also has cute baby ducks and peacocks for Surfing Museum. Looking for get amazing views of the Bay ready for some delectable Italian the National Steinbeck Center to viewing and petting. End the day adventure? Consider dropping by Area. For lunch, dine at La Note food at Pepe’s Little Napoli. While get to know one of the greatest down by the docks at Pillar Point the Municipal Wharf to sign up for for the best French food you’ve had it seems like there is not much to American authors. End your day Harbor and dine at the infamous kayaking lessons at Venture Quest outside France or even Top Dog do in Carmel, it is a beautiful town at Fish Hopper and sample their Mezza Luna for an authentic Sea Kayaking, or simply rent your for some awesome hot dogs. You full of hidden treasures and allows award-winning Clam Chowder Italian dinner. With all of its own equipment and go solo! Finally, can learn about the unique process to enjoy life as it comes. but don’t forget to leave room natural wonders Half Moon Bay put a cap on the day with a fresh of making sake at the Takara Sake for a banana split from the has to offer, it wouldn’t be fair to seafood platter from Miramar Fish Museum and take the BART to Ghirardelli Store. neglect such a breathtaking place Grotto, also on the Wharf, where an Oakland Raiders game in the this spring.
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
you can dine while enjoying views of the sunset over the bay.
evening to top off a historic day in Berkeley.
SPRING2009 6
travel
I
In light of our country’s current financial situation, it may seem like a great time to spend spring break cooped up at home playing Monopoly and imagining that the money earned from the four hotels on our Boardwalk property was actually real. As insensitive as this may sound: the truth of the matter is that a recession is a perfect time for any type of international travel. Right now, airline prices are super low and hotels are getting so capacious that they are resorting to give desperate deals to attract guests. One destination that has begun to follow this trend is none other than our French friend from the north: Montreal. Located in the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec, Montreal is obviously not a typical spring break destination. Actually, it is probably the complete opposite of what people are thinking. But with amazing nightlife, culture, and people, Montreal has all the necessities to make your spring break the best and for the best prices too! Since last year, the value of the Canadian dollar has gone down 21% so with an exchange rate like that, who wouldn’t want to go to Montreal? In the city, there are four neighborhoods that are a MUST-VISIT.
7 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
OH, MONTREAL! DOWNTOWN
>> T.T. Tu
The downtown area of Montreal, in French, is called the centre-ville, which directly translates to the “center of the city.” Downtown is the truly the heart of Montreal and within that heart, lies Sainte-Catherine Street. It is the place where everything is a constant hustle and bustle and where people get a true city-feel. It is the place to shop in Montreal with bigname department stores, plenty of shops, and tons of dining options. For a more upscale shopping experience, there is also Crescent which is the place to be seen. Downtown is also most famous for its museums that specialize from architecture to fine art. The Museum of Contemporary Art is definitely a place to discover the trends in international art as well as that of local artists as well. Downtown Montreal is one area of the city where you’ll never be bored. OLD MONTREAL AND OLD PORT Montreal has the advantage of having the best of both worlds. One moment it can be a bustling metropolis and the next it can be a quaint village seeming to be nowhere near a big city. With its cobblestone roads and cute boutiques, Old Montreal is the place to escape the fast-paced lifestyle of downtown. For authentic old Gothic French architecture, visit the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. Built between 1824 and 1829, it captivates visitors with its amazing wood workmanship and colorful stained glass windows. In the evening, a favorite among locals is to take a stroll along the quays of the old port. The harbor is always alive with an array of bicyclists, rollerbladers, and Segways. It is the perfect place to grab a bite and watch the boats sail in. Come to Old Montreal for a truly timeless adventure. PLATEAU MONT-ROYAL The indie-scene of Montreal is very much apparent in Plateau MontRoyal. A blue-collar-turned-white-collar neighborhood, it attracts the young crowds with its bohemian boutiques and offbeat restaurants. It is the place to really experience the soul of Montreal. Saint-Denis Street is filled with up-and-coming designers while Mont Royal Avenue has restaurants that use only the freshest ingredients. A great place to sample local music and the famous Montreal nightlife is at Le Reservoir Restaurant. They offer all meals of the day at great prices and they also offer wonderful views of the city on the second floor of the restaurant. The neighborhood is a trendy spot that is sure to satisfy all visitors. HOCHELAGA-MAISONNEUVE The environmental center of Montreal, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is an escape to nature. While having a very big residential community, it is also home to the infamous Biodome, which is home to four different ecosystems. There is an immense amount of flora and fauna as well as penguins in the Arctic ecosystem. Also, there is world-class Botanical Garden that has over 30 different theme gardens. HochelagaMaisonneuve is also home to the world’s tallest incline tower at Olympic Park, which was home to the 1976 Summer Olympics. With open green spaces, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is the perfect place to breathe. PICTURES COURTESY OF AVENTURE STUDIO, ENVIRONMENT CANADA’S BIOSPHERE, MARIE-REINE MATTERA, MICHEL-ANGE GALLERY, TOURISME MONTREAL, TOURISME MONTREAL, STEPHAN POULIN AND WWW.OLD.MONTREAL.QC.CA, LE PHOTOGRAPHE MASQUE
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
SPRING2009 8
EAT
D
>> T.T. Tu
Dessert enthusiasts and cake connoisseurs can all agree that when it comes to a dessert that’s both sweet and petit, the cupcake is one that cannot be beat. In the past, cupcakes were just sold alongside other baked goods at our local bakeries and grocery stores but now, they are slowly creating their own market and gathering up legions of their own cupcake clientele. Here in the Bay Area, we have our own resident “cupcakerie” that always seems to draw crowds when it opens its doors each day. Kara’s Cupcakes, with its four locations in the Bay Area, has created quite a name for itself, being San Francisco Magazine’s “Best of 2008.” Starting out as a dentist’s daughter’s love for sweets, the cupcake shop stemmed from a dream to own a business and of course, the yearning to make cupcakes. With the rise in competition from other cupcake shops in the area, what makes Kara’s so much more tantalizing? Kara, the owner, makes it imperative that the community and the environment are first priorities. She makes sure that every single cupcake is made with energy-efficient appliances and packaged with recyclable materials. In addition, each ingredient that goes into these delectable treats comes from within a 100-mile radius of San Francisco. Kara’s Cupcakes has also gone on to donate over 40,000 cupcakes to local charities, senior-resident homes, teen rescue clinics, and the homeless in 2008. With such a great sense of Bay Area pride and a heavenly cupcake to match, Kara’s Cupcakes has established itself as a classic and a staple to the cupcake industry.
What we thought about Kara’s Cupcakes... Sweet S’mores
Sweet Vanilla
Chocolate Velvet
Coconut
Kara’s Karrot
“ “ “
I’m not really much of a frosting eater, but there’s just something about the lemon one. The filling is really tangy and there’s a good balance of sweet and sour.
kathy koo listen editor
I’m a huge fan of coconut cupcakes, so it’s obvious that I was drawn to it. I like the coconut texture on top and it has a nice vanilla smell which is always comforting.
t.t. tu editor-in-chief
Meyer Lemony Lemon
I like plain and simple. Both the vanilla and the chocolate were my favorite. They are classics and I think that Kara’s really captured that original taste.
felix tuan eat editor
My favorite was by far the s’mores cupcake. It is basically a s’more but in a cupcake form. The frosting was like a real marshmellow and was really airy. I like the graham cracker crust on the bottom. It adds a nice texture and crunch.
tiffany wang watch editor 9 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
local favorite:
LAYERED FRUIT DESSERT >> Maggie Lin
INGREDIENTS:
8 oz. cream cheese 8 oz sour cream 2 tablespoons of orange juice 1 tablespoon of orange zest (grated) 1/3 cup of brown granulated sugar 3/4 cup of strawberry preserve 3/4 cup of vanilla wafers sliced fruit of your choice (pears, strawberries, etc.) whipped cream
crab omelet
DIRECTIONS:
1. Put softened cream cheese in mixer on low until creamy (about 2 minutes). add the sour cream, orange juice, zest and mix until well blended and smooth. afterward stir in the sugar. 2. Spread the cream cheese mixture into the bottom of a plate or bowl. spread a layer of strawberry preserves over it. 3. Places the 3/4 cup of vanilla wafers into a ziploc bag and crush the cookies. sprinkle a layer of crushed cookies over the strawberry preserves 4. Top with fruit of choice and whipped cream. Enjoy!
STRAWBERRY JELLO DESSERT >> Alicia Lee
copenhagen pancakes
THE LOS GATOS CAFE
I
>> Michael Huang If you’re just looking for a bite to eat or a
cozy place to meet your friends for brunch, look no further. Located just off of Highway 9 on Santa Cruz Avenue, The Los Gatos Cafe can be easily spotted by the triangular shaped rooftop and the hoards of people there on weekend mornings. Commonly known to the locals as “The Cafe”, offers home-style breakfast and
INGREDIENTS: 30 vanilla sandwich cookies (any type) 1/2 cup of melted butter 1 (6-ounce) packet of strawberry flavored gelatin 1 3/4 cup of boiling water 1 (6-ounce) can of pineapple-orange juice 1/2 cup of cold water 2 cups of mashed/pureed strawberries 1 (8-ounce) container of thawed Cool Whip or other whipped topping
DIRECTIONS:
1. Crush the sandwich cookies in a plastic bag until crumbled, then pour into a 13” x 9” pan. Add the melted butter to it and mix together thoroughly, then press the buttered crumbs into the bottom of the pan. This forms the bottom layer of the dessert. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the packet of gelatin with the boiling water. Mix until the powder totally dissolves. Then stir in the juice, cold water, and finally the strawberry puree. Let it set in the refrigerator for 40 minutes or until the mixture starts to thicken a little. 3. Whisk in the thawed Cool whip until smooth. Set it in the refrigerator again but only for 10 minutes or until the mixtures starts to thicken. Then pour it over the cookie crumb crust in the pan. Place the whole thing back into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until set. Serves 12-16. WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
lunch food supplemented by a comfortable environment with quick service. Despite not having a multicultural menu, this hot spot cafe compensates with their extensive variety of omelets, potatoes, and pastry items, ranging from primavera omelets to grilled potatoes to raspberry coffee cake. The Crab Omelet is definitely a classic and one to definitely sample. Most known for its brunch menu, this Los Gatos favorite suits anyone looking for a “homey” meal.
Los Gatos Cafe 340 N.Santa Cruz Avenue (408) 354-4647 SPRING2009 10
Food for Thought?
E
>> Annie Lee
Every week, high school students are so
crammed with SAT’s, vocabulary tests, foreign language tests, and other tests that it seems they could use all the help they can get in memorizing vocabulary, concepts, formulas, etc. A study conducted at the University of Munster in Germany may have just the answer for those teenagers who have trouble memorizing and packing information into their heads for big tests.
The study recently published its results
in January 2009, concluding that people who cut calories in their diet are more sensitive to blood sugars, which is linked to brain function and memory. In other words, cutting calories improves memory
FRUTTI GELATO AND YOGURT
W
>> Catherine Wang
With a combination of exotic gelato and yogurt flavors
function. In the study, 50 women were split into three groups: a group of 20 who increased their calorie intake, another group of 20 who decreased their calorie intake, and the remaining group of 10 who
smoothly stirred with excellent customer service, it’s no
maintained their normal diet. While the group that
wonder why Frutti Gelato and Yogurt is always packed with
increased their calorie intake and the group that
teens. Conveniently located across the street from Prospect
maintained their normal calorie intake did not show
High School, this South Bay shop takes pride in using fresh
any difference in memory function, the group that did
ingredients and serving your dessert with style and at an
decrease their calorie intake showed an improvement
affordable price. To start, the yogurt flavors are few but Frutti
in memory by 30 percent.
serves them with grace in light colored green dishes that
complement the spring-like aura of the brightly colored décor.
to the outcome of the time we spend laboring over
The flavors are infused with the perfect amount of sweetness
textbooks. In today’s society, many people, especially
that melts off your palate gently. Add some fresh fruit on
teenagers, snack while they work and study. Whether
top and you have a snack that is both healthy and delicious.
it is inhaling chips while cramming for a biology test
The glass case of gelato that catches your eye as you enter
or constantly going to the kitchen for “just one more
this delightful dessert destination is labeled by flavor and
bite” of ice cream while memorizing 2000 words
accessorized with a food item that represents the flavors.
for the SAT, there is no doubt that this incessant
From avocado to mango to cheesecake, the flavors can satisfy
snacking adds unnecessary calories and sugars to
any desire. But what really makes the gelato an experience is
our normal dietary intake.
its rich, creamy texture and with the added Pirouline cookie
tucked right into your cup, it will be as if you just stepped into
also helps boost our memory, so avoiding those late
an Italian gelato shop. This hidden treasure of the South Bay
night bagels, family size Doritos, and 32-ounce Pepsis
has such delicious desserts with awesome presentations and
may just be the key to a better score on your next
affordable prices; what more can we ask for?
test.
This study has connected the way we work
Cutting calories not only keeps us healthy but
11 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
GO
WHERE AM I?
*
LOCAL EVENTS
your chance to show off how skilled you are at
SECOND SUNDAYS AT THE TECH
interesting spots to take a snapshot at. Then, I’ll put the
* * * *
Think you know your Bay Area? Well here’s
Visit the Tech Museum of San Jose for FREE on March 8, April 12, or May 10; sponsored by Fidelity Investments and ScholarShare College Savings Plan.
SPRINGFEST Come out and celbrate the season at JCC’s annual SPRINGFEST on Sunday, April 5th from 12 to 2:30 at Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley. There will be a family Los Gatos Trail walk, yoga, Zumba, and plenty of food!
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY
On April 22, celbrate the earth all day at the Hidden Villa Farm, Los Altos Hills.Go hiking, tour the farm, and enjoy the gardens!
identifying places. For each issue, I will be out and about throughout the bay looking for cool and picture in the magazine and all you have to do is guess where I am. Try to be as specific as possible. (Don’t say, “Uh, T.T. is in the Bay Area) The winner will get his/her name posted in the next issue and will also receive a special prize from us, here at Bay Magazine. Send your responses either to our email, whereami@baymagazine.org or mail us at P.O. BOX 35667, Monte Sereno, CA 95030. Good luck and I hope to see you out and about, getting to know your Bay Area a little better. :] Happy Travels, T.T. Tu
GREENFAIR SILICON VALLEY Learn about being green at the Greenfair on April 25th from 10 to 6 at the South Hall of the San Jose Convention Center. Representatives from all sorts of environmental organizations will be there so this is an event not worth missing!
WINTER ANSWER: SUNNYVALE CALTRAIN STATION
THE FLIX ‘09 FILM FESTIVAL
Want to watch some studentmade films? Come to the FLIX ‘09 FILM FESTIVAL, sponsored by the Saratoga Youth Commission. It will be held at Wildwood Park in Saratoga on May 15th from 7:30 to 10 in the evening. NOTE: If you would like to submit to the event, please visit their website at www.saratogateen.com/flix. Submissions are due on April 14th.
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
Congratulations to Cheryl Lin of San Jose! She was the first person to guess the place correctly! Better luck to everyone next time! SPRING2009 12
SPRING
SUNSHINE CLEANING march 13, 2009 COURTESY OF OVERTURE FILMS/IMAGE.NET
SUNSHINE CLEANING
DUPLICITY
ADVENTURELAND
March 20, 2009
March 27, 2009
March 13, 2009
In this action packed drama imbued with Another comedy that will surely leave you
This drama, comedy combination
forbidden romance, CIA Agent Claire
with tears in your eyes from laughter,
tells the story of Rose Lorkowski
Stenwick ( Julia Roberts) and MI6 agent
Adventureland stars James Brennan
(Amy Adams) who was once the
Ray Koval (Clive Owen), a couple with
(Jesse Eisenburg) as a kid straight out
head cheerleader and dating the star
a complex history, have abandoned the
of college hoping to spend his summer
quarterback of her high school football team. Now, she is single mother working
intelligence business to delude their way doing sophisticated things like drinking into large sums of money in the fresh
German beer and hot French girls in
fight to land the key to a multi-million
Europe. Yet the tables turn when he
dollar product. The power couple try to
discovers that he has to come up with
ignore the chemistry between them but
his own funds for this trip. It turns out
up business for some quick clash, and
it soon becomes the only thing in the
that the only job he can get is as a
soon the girls are climbing the ladder of
way of success.
theme park worker. When he starts, he is
as a made. Her slacker sister, Norah, still lives at home with her not to successful salesman of a dad. Rose persuades Norah to go into the crime scene clean-
a very dirty job, surrounded by murders
very unenthusiastic until he falls for one
and other crimes. The sisters, however,
of his colleagues, Em (Kristen Stewart)
who were polar opposites, begin a
who begins to change him for the better.
relationship that blossoms into one of trust and respect, one which creates a bright future for the entire family.
13 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
AT THE CINEMA DUPLICITY march 20, 2009
COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL/IMAGE.NET
SUGAR
17 AGAIN
UP
April 3, 2009
April 17, 2009
May 29, 2009
Remembering the life of well known
This comedy is Zac Efron’s nonmusical
This adorable and side-splitting comedy
Dominican pitcher, Miguel Santos,
debut as Mike O’Donnel who refects
from the renowned Disney Pixar Studios
Sugar traces his struggle living in an
on his life as a high school senior and
showcases a relationship between two
impoverished area to make it into the
compares it to his unfortunate present
aspiring explorers. 78-year-old Carl
world of baseball. While working to
with his high school sweetheart/ex-wife
Fredricksen has always wished to see the
taking care of his family, he somehow
and two kids who barely speak to him.
depths of the South American jungles
makes it at the age of only 19. Yet
In a Freaky Friday-like magic whirl, he
and after he feels as though he is out
the saddening story of hardwork and
is transformed into his 17 year old self
of time, in desperation, he ties helium
perseverance revolves around Miguel’s
and convinces his friend, Ned Freedman
balloons to his house to perhaps reach
feeling of worthlessness as his success
(Thomas Lennon), to enroll him in high
his dream. He discovers a 8 year old
begins to weaken. He wonders if he
school again to relive his glory days. The boy looking for adventure who ends up
should have left more of his options
truth about his two kids is revealed as he accompanying Carl on his journey. A
open when he was younger.
gets to know his son, Alex, and breaks up definite lovable flick, Up will surely send his daughter, Maggie, with her boyfriend. you flying up. He even begins to learn more about his marriage when he recalls why he was so in love with his wife. But all of this has not just been a joyride while he still has to figure out how to improve his current life and learn to understand his wife and
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
kids.
SPRING2009 14
watch
COURTESY OF ABC
S
cupid >> Tiffany Wang
Some say New York City is full of interesting people and Trevor Pierce just might be one of them. A remake of the 1998 show that was supposed to star Jeremy Piven now features Sarah Paulson as Dr. Claire Allen and Bobby Cannavale as Trevor Pierce. In this ABC comedy, Trevor claims to be the Roman god of love, Cupid, sent to Earth without his bow and arrow as punishment from the gods of Mount Olympus. He has to find a way to bring together 100 couples in order to come back to the top with the gods. Believed to be insane, Trevor finds himself in an institution but after three months, he is released-but on one condition: he is to be put under the care of psychologist and self-help author, Dr. Claire Allen. She puts him in her singles’ therapy sessions and finds herself having a different perspective on love than Trevor. He believes love develops quickly and passionately while Claire thinks it takes time to grow. Whatever the secret to love may be, we will soon figure out what conquers all in this battle of the heart. Catch it on ABC on March 24 at 10 PM
15 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
I
It seems like every time I turn on the TV, and
flip to channels like MTV or VH1, there is always some girl or boy taking off clothes to win the love of some “desirable date” of the opposite or even same sex. This is the culture of reality dating shows, one that has unfortunately taken over these networks.
Shows like “Next,” “Parental Control,” and “A
Double Shot of Love” from MTV, and “Real Chance of Love,” and “Flavor of Love” from VH1 seem to be the only shows ever playing. Although I do admit, they are a guilty pleasure; I can’t help but think about the days when these networks focused around music videos.
The networks names, themselves, represent
music as MTV stands for “Music Television” and VH1 for “Video Hits 1.” Now with TRL cancelled, viewers wanting these channels for the music have to wait until the wee hours of the morning. The contradiction is that over half of these network’s viewers come from these dating shows.
What is it that makes these shows so
appealing? It could be that people enjoy watching others make complete fools out of themselves all to impress one person. For example, on a challenge from the hit VH1 show, “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels” girls are forced to strip down into skimpy lingerie and play football in the mud. They’re vulgar, but for some reason, these shows seem to becoming the heart of American television.
For me, it’s the comfort of knowing that each
COURTESY OF DANIELLE LEVITT/VH1
week, one of the prospective lovers will be sent home, and that in the end, the winner and his or her prize will live happily ever after. Even though this rarely comes true, as the winners cannot see their fellow lover for 3 months after filming ends, and the relationship usually falls apart, it is still fun to watch people think they can fall in love in a matter of 3 weeks.
Whatever attracts viewers, I don’t see these
networks having to think of new ideas for shows
the realities of romance >> Neyha Bhat
anytime soon. We are undoubtedly a country of reality love show lovers. WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
SPRING2009 16
green
Green Activist Spotlight:
VAN JONES
COURTESY OF GREEN FOR ALL
R
Recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 2008 Environmental Heroes, local activist Van Jones is taking on environmental issues facing our nation with a unique approach. While the Bay Area has grown synonymous with innovation and new emerging green technologies, certain communities continue to remain unaffected by this recent progress. It was Jones’s awareness of the everwidening gap in both living and working conditions throughout the Bay Area that led him to found NGO Green For All. With a mission of promoting the creation of green-collar jobs in traditionally low-income neighborhoods, Green For All has harmoniously linked the green movement with urban poverty initiatives. In Jones’s words, “we can beat pollution and poverty at the same time.” Since its conception in January of 2008, Oakland-based Green For All has been working on several different levels to promote the creation of a truly green economy. By working on all fronts, from engaging with federal lawmakers and local officials, to mobilizing individuals and networking in the business sector, Jones’s Green For All has laid the groundwork for an “inclusive green economy” with the power to create “pathways out of poverty.” At the core of his efforts, Jones hopes to open the
traditionally white-collar green movement to all members of society, especially individuals of lowincome neighborhoods who could greatly benefit from increased job opportunities that a new green economy would bring. Jones, a resident of Oakland, lives with his wife and two young sons. In addition to his efforts with Green For All, he continues to play a lead role with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, which he helped found over 10 years ago. The Center, which focuses on positive solutions to today’s problems facing urban America, is located in Oakland and has championed major reform ranging from police brutality to inequities in the California state juvenile justice system. Working off of the three ideas of justice, peace and opportunity, the Ella Baker Center continues to play a key role in the Oakland community and serves as inspiration for positive civil action across the country. Graduating from Yale Law School in 1993, at the age of 40, Jones’s tireless dedication to his local community and country has gained him countless awards and recognition from individuals such as Al Gore. For more information on Van Jones’s projects, and for volunteer opportunities, please visit: vanjones.net; greenforall.org; ellabakercenter.org.
17 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
SPRING DO-IT-YOURSELF:
homemade soap >> Christina Lim
Cut as many blocks of Goats Milk Soap needed.
Add as many drops of color as you want and stir.
Add 1 tablespoon of the bottled fragrance. Allow them to melt in a pot and stir until it melts into a liquid, like soup.
NOTE: Remember to keep stirring or else the mixture will mold.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Goats Milk Soap a bottle of of liquid color a bottle of liquid fragrance a wooden spoon a knife a large pot a ladle
Once evenly blended, pour the mix into the molds and let it cool for 25-30 minutes.
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
SPRING2009 18
think
A chat with a Product Designer
W
>> Kelsey Dang
Walk into IDEO Palo Alto’s main building and you can almost feel the creativity buzzing. The lobby area is airy and comfortable, with large windows and unusual furniture to sit on. Within the design firm, co-workers are “teammates,” finger-blaster wars are common, and the innovation is quite palpable. Recently I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Judy Lee, a mechanical engineer and industrial designer at IDEO. Learn about what experiences she had to share as we chatted inside an old van-turnedworkspace (complete with a drum set on the roof!) KD: Could you share some background information on IDEO? JL: We’re a design innovation firm that teaches human-centered design. Basically, all of our design work is founded by humancentered design. A really good example is most companies would just say, “hey we’re going to design this new mug.” They wind up designing for themselves. They wind up not really talking to people and finding out what’s really important. But we always start with the people first. We actually go out and talk to the people and learn from them. We’re really good at finding interesting people to talk to so we can learn from them. So, that starts off the work. If we want to understand something about the world of mugs— I don’t know, maybe it’s tea specifically—so what makes a good tea cup? Then we’ll go talk to tea-drinkers and non-tea-drinkers. Maybe it’s about someone who grows tea, or someone who makes cups, things like that, and really understand what it is that is essential and important. Then, once we can get those golden nuggets, we can start designing. KD: How would you describe your work environment? JL: Super laid-back. Very trusting. A really good way to describe it is… David Kelley is the founder of IDEO, and he has a philosophy of ‘don’t ask for permission.’ Like, ask for forgiveness, not for permission. It started off with the idea of this guy wanted to put his bike up, and instead of asking, he just rigged up this thing onto the ceiling rafter…and no one said anything and everyone else kept following. So if you think about that attitude here, then it kind of gives you a safe place to play.
You try out a lot of different things without worrying about “is this okay?” It’s better just to say, I’m sorry, I’ll take it down, but it’s rare that that happens. KD: Do your clients come to you with a problem and ask for a certain solution? JL: We’re a design consulting firm. So typically a company will come to us and say, “Hey, we have an idea we’d like you to help us make happen,” or they could say, “Hey, we have this really cool material. We don’t really know what we could do with it” or “We want to do something with kids and food. Can you come up with something?” Those are product-type things. We also do interior space design: layouts, flow, things like that. We’ve got quite a few different areas to work in. KD: Once you get a product, then where does the manufacturing happen? How do you go on from there? JL: At IDEO specifically, I guess what sets IDEO apart from any other product design is that we have the capabilities to help you get to manufacturing. A lot of places, they’ll help you design and then whoever the client is they’ll just take it and have to go find their own vendors. Here, we have manufacturing experts who are also engineers as well. We also have hard-core in-house engineers. We have human factors, which sort of start off each project…thinking about what’s the real need behind this? And then the team will spend some time doing some research. And then after we’ve kind of done all the observations, we’ll do a
19 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
lot of moving Post-its around. It’s also the most mentally challenging time. And then, once you break through from that, you feel good, and you’re able to come up with these ideas for products, or ideas in general. And then, we start to brainstorm a little bit more, and then we start to actually make things more tangible. So we get off the paper from this drawing into something we can actually interact with. Then usually, in the end, if it keeps continuing on where they need help in terms of manufacturing, we definitely bring people in, here internally, and we have people that are experts that can help us design along the way. We can also help them get connected to places overseas or here, depending on what their needs are.
JL: My favorite thing is definitely the people. It feels like a close family. It feels like everybody’s friends here. You can just joke around, and it’s pretty laid-back. And if you ever need help, people are willing to help you. They will stop and do anything they can to help you. At a lot of other corporate environments, it’s just not like that at all. The only reason I can say that is I’ve done that before, and I have that comparison. The attitude there is more like, “Why should I help you? You should be able to do this on your own.” And it didn’t really feel like a trusting environment. But this is like family.
KD: Would you say that you absolutely have to be a math whiz to be in your line of work?
JL: I think the most difficult thing—I think with any job, not necessarily this one—is being able to find time for yourself. The whole work balance. Everybody needs downtime. Being able to fit a day’s worth of work plus hanging out at home plus any hobbies you might have all into daylight—that’s pretty challenging. So, I think it’s something that we constantly battle as we get older.
JL:No. I think you don’t have to love math, you just have to be able to do it. People think you have to be the biggest dork in order to be an engineer. It’s not about loving or hating. It’s just a tool that you use, right? Know how to apply it. You have to be able to do it, for sure. But you don’t have to love it.
KD: And do you feel there is a most difficult aspect of your job?
KD: What is your most helpful tool? KD: Do you think to get to where you are today you needed to get a graduate degree? JL:Just like SATs where you feel like there is this huge pressure to do well, it’s the same thing with school. You feel this weird pressure to make sure you choose the right thing from the get-go, and that’s really hard because most of the time people go through undergrad, and it’s a great experience but that’s not what they end up doing for the long term. Being able to really think about and focus on what you want to do…and feeling okay with switching. You might feel pressure from your parents to continue on that path, but understanding that that is a really small stint of your life…and you have the rest of it to worry about working or finding your passion. If it’s not quite right, definitely change it. You have control over it. That’s the biggest thing for me. For me, going down the path of going back to grad school felt right. You don’t have to do it that way. There are a few other people here who sort of did both in parallel. There is also the product design program at Stanford which is somewhere in between industrial design and mechanical engineering. Everyone’s got their own story of how they got here. KD: Do you have a favorite part about working here? WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
JL: Pen and paper, computer, and coffee. Actually, I should say Post-it. Post-it and Sharpies are really valuable for a couple different reasons. It allows you to put one thought per Post-it and be concise about it and put it up. And it’s not a permanent thing whereas if you’re starting with a piece of paper, it feels like you have to fill up the page. With a Post-it it doesn’t matter. And not only that. Once you have a collection of Post-its, you can start arranging and rearranging them in a way that makes sense to you. It might be like a bucket of thoughts or you can start grouping them in multiple different ways. It’s like a mindmap—a visual mind-map. So that’s really useful. A computer, you just have to use; there is no way you can get away from that. And then coffee just because it’s good. KD: My last question: what advice do you have for someone going into college? JL: Thinking about what it is you like to do, thinking about what feels right with you [is key]. Ideally, your passion will match up really nicely with what you’re studying. And if it doesn’t, then, are you okay—and you should be okay—with a job, but being able to go home and just having the rest of your life. So my advice is find out what you love doing, and try to do it.
SPRING2009 20
think
it’s time like these...
T
>> Mabel Hsu
The housing downturn in 2006 was the start of a long road. When it was declared near the end of 2008 that the United States was once again in a recession and had been since December 2007, people began to worry. According to the national bureau of economic research, post World War II recessions had generally ranged from six to 16 months. This recession has become the longest recession since the Great Depression. The cost of living, foreclosures, declarations of bankruptcies, and unemployment have all risen. The economic turmoil caused President Barack Obama to make a stimulus package his first priority. South Carolina governor Mark Sanford walked into a bar. Waiting for the punchline? So am I. Really though, he must have literally walked into a bar and sustained some head injury. How else can we explain his actions? South Carolina currently has the third highest unemployment rate in America, yet governor Sanford has stated that he might reject some of the stimulus money coming his way. The republican has been a hard critic of the $787 billion stimulus package, but refusing $2.8 billion the federal government wants to direct towards his state is just ridiculous. The economy is in no shape for governor Sanford to refuse money that is entirely beneficial to the people he works for. He is in office to serve his people and look out in their best interest. In response to Sanford’s possible refusal of stimulus money, the House majority whip, Rep. James E. Clyburn, plans to help state legislatures receive some of the federal funds whether or not a governor rejects it. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Republican like Sanford, but he reported that if Sanford wasn’t interested in the stimulus money, he would be more than happy to take it for him because California needed it. Another governor that should be lauded is Republican Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who like Sanford does not agree with the stimulus package, is still willing to take the money despite his disagreements. It’s time for governors like Sandford to learn what children learned. Beggars can’t be choosers. COURTESY OF BARACK OBAMA
21 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
A
Ah, Facebook—the social networking site that has
completely overtaken the Bay Area and the world, for that matter. Reconnect with long-lost friends, out-of-state relatives, and even old teachers! I didn’t quite understand when my friends told me I had to get Facebook. But I now realize I was missing out on important events and priceless pictures, not to mention those precious minute-by-minute updates on people’s day. You can become a fan of water, track a photo comment conversation without ever entering it, or, most recently, give your thumbs-up of approval on just about anything. Facebook has easily become part of my daily existence. Yet as much as I love keeping up with my friends’ lives, I must analyze the negatives. First on the list are those tricky privacy settings. You think you’re safe because your profile is set to private. If so, why are so many people keen on changing their display names? I’m sorry, but most colleges have a record of your middle name as well. I parrot the sentiments of many when I say if you are worried about college officials or potential employers seeing what you have posted, then don’t post it. And then there are event invitations. People inevitably find out about so-called secret events. It is highly difficult to host a private party and then monitor the pictures that go up after. It is easy to post pictures, and even easier to make people feel left out. Additionally, you end up being “friends” with peers you pass by wordlessly each day. You must declare your relationship status, and I won’t even go into Poking. Gone is the mysterious fun of getting to know someone. It’s all there for you—the person’s favorite activities, television shows, music artists, books, politicians, and even candies. Facebook continues to feed our love for all things instant. Yet despite it all, I tip my hat to Mark Zuckerburg and his busy coworker bees. I miss out on extra credit in science if I don’t join the class Facebook group. I would never know about the senior slide show or momentous birthdays without Facebook’s Events application. I simply urge users to consider spending less time in the virtual world and more time in the real world, perhaps even giving a tangible hug instead of a Notification about one.
LOGO COURTESY OF FACEBOOK, INC.
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
SPRING2009 22
k n thi student stress
A
>> Mary Mykhaylova
A relentless storm cloud of stress hovers over
every high school student. Juggling a rigorous course load as well as multiple extra curriculars, SATs, AP tests, and attempting to have a social life on the weekends can be hectic while our parents fail to stop pressuring us with expectations and responsibilities.
At this age of adolescence, teenagers are
beginning to realize the significance of making good decisions and dealing with the consequences. We make mistakes and are forced to pay for them, whether it be through a bad test score or a fight with a friend
At times we are faced with the inescapable task to
prioritize and to choose one thing over the other, such as study time for a Chemistry test over watching a TV show. And yes, technically the decision made may end up being questionable, but at this age, if it’s a sacrifice we’re willing to make, then so be it!
Many parents feel the need to control every aspect
of their childrens’ lives, they often fail to realize that everyone makes mistakes. If a person is never allowed to make a mistake, then how is he to learn? With all of this accumulated stress in our lives, the last thing we need is nagging after every little slip.
Teens want to please their parents, since usually,
if our parents are happy with us, they tend to be more lenient with letting us do what we want, if we have time for it, that is. Thus, the stress caused by all the timeconsuming sources of our lives is nearly doubled due to the pressure caused by striving to satisfy our parents.
Though we all hope life will give us a chance to
relax sometime soon, the stress doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, even over breaks! It’d be quite a relief if parents could perch off the cloud to prevent us from drowning.
23 SPRING2009
57 N Santa Cruz Ave Los Gatos, CA 95030-5916 Phone: (408) 354-7520 WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
What exactly is misscouturable.com? I could say Miss Couturable is about me and I could say that Miss Couturable is about fashion -- and both of these statements are correct, but I like to think that Miss Couturable is a blog for the young ones (and the young at heart!) out there who aren’t afraid to pursue their dreams and look dapper while they’re at it. Apathy isn’t permitted in my world. Why did you start blogging? I’ve always loved writing but I didn’t have a lot of ways to combine it with my love of fashion in high school. It was the summer before my junior year, and I had just come back from Columbia Journalism Camp in New York City and was finishing up an internship with a local fashion designer. I was getting really excited about the fashion industry and about fashion in general, but my friends weren’t interested in discussing fashion with me. Blogging has been an excellent way for me to connect with people around the world with interests similar to mine -- and not just about fashion. Blogging allows you to take personal responsibility for your written voice -which I love because I edit and write for a lot of publications with different voices and purposes. What advice do you have for a teen who wants to break into the fashion industry? Read fashion magazines and start small -- and be prepared to pull all-nighters. Love fashion for its artistry and expression. I also think a lot of teens think they want to work in fashion because they’ve seen glamorous depictions of the industry in The Devil Wears Prada and The Hills. Definitely try to jump in if you want to work in fashion, though. For me, sometimes I think fashion is the only thing that truly makes sense. If it makes sense to you, just do it. How will you wear your favorite spring trends? Tips for updating wardrobe for spring? I’m loving the idea of “strong shoulders” on jackets and blazers! I love structure so I’m definitely look forward to investing in more statement boleros and blazers -- as well as pulling my old favorites out of the closet! I’m also looking for a vintage military band jacket and sequins -lots of sequins. Investing in a statement jacket is probably the easiest way to update your look for spring. General style tips for fellow Bay Area teens? We live in a totally diverse community, so take advantage of what’s around you! Go to the many vintage stores in the area, scour the sample sales in San Francisco, and support the local designers and artisans around here! We’re lucky to be growing up in such a vibrant and liberal place, so don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks! WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
SPOTLIGHT: >>Tiffany Mo Meet Noel Duan: 18-year-old Harker senior, avid March of Dimes participant, and budding cupcake connoisseur. To the readers of her fashion blog, however, she is known as Miss Couturable. While most popular fashion blogs are penned by established adults, misscouturable.com is written entirely by a high schooler – not your typical high schooler, however; although she is only eighteen, Noel has already accumulated extensive knowledge of fashion history, interned at Seventeen Magazine in New York City, and gained a faithful following on her blog. From short, quirky entries about Lanvin’s colorful embellished heels to a lengthier series detailing her experiences at Seventeen, Miss Couturable never fails to keep her readers’ interest.
COURTESY OF NOEL DUAN
SPRING2009 24
FEATURED BOUTIQUE:
PINK STRIPES
>> Tiffany Mo
P
Pink Stripes on Santana Row combines what all girls crave: unique, moderately-priced clothing and a variety of sweet treats. Though far smaller than the other retailers on the Row, Pink Stripes offers designer lines unlikely to be found at the Nordstrom across the street; Sky, Voom, Fighting Eel, KENSIE, and Roberta Oaks are a few of the names to be found along the colorful origami crane-covered walls. Rings hang from the branches of a bronze tree-shaped jewelry stand, and bright furniture is painted on a wall for a whimsical touch. For a personal shopping experience, the employees offer thoughtful tips and suggestions while shoppers browse and try on items. The boutique brings a new dimension to shopping, arranging trendy clothes next to Ring Pops and Bubbies, the Hawaiian Mochi ice cream for which the store is famous. In addition to brand new merchandise, Pink Stripes offers a collection of vintage pieces, called Vintage Row, bringing one-of-a-kind pieces into girls’ wardrobes. From popular designers to lesser-known talents, the boutique offers eclectic pieces at varied prices; a Collective Clothing sundress may cost $39, while a KENSIE trench coat will leave you $215 short. With icy Hawaiian treats and wide range of items, no wonder the store is popular among the fashionistas of the Bay. 25 SPRING2009
WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
wear
COURTESY OF INFINITI BOUTIQUE
CANDYSTORE COLLECTIVE >> Lyka Sethi
INFINITI BOUTIQUE >> Lyka Sethi
L
Located in the quaint downtown of Los Gatos, Infiniti Boutique is the perfect place to shop for those who are tired of finding the same old stuff at malls and department stores. Although some items can be a bit pricey, you’ll find unique, vintage-inspired clothes and accessories hand-picked by the owner from both local designers and those from other parts of the world, including Europe and Japan. The store provides a comfortable atmosphere with a wide selection of fashionable clothes to choose from for both men and women. Adding to this welcoming environment, the boutique, owned and operated by a mother-daughter team, is known for its helpful sales associates and great customer service. The store keeps up to date on the latest trends, from retro t-shirts and sneakers to vintage jackets and nice jeans. They carry a wide range of brands including 5 Crown, Covet, Howe, Rex, BB Dakota, Ames Bros, Unlimited 191, Tank Farm, Colcci & WeSC, Red Monkey, Velvet Messiah and Triple 5 Soul. The clothing is very versatile and a sales associate is always ready to assist you in coming up with several ways to wear any one article. The boutique prides itself on its uniqueness with trademark philosophy: “Let me be me.” All customers doing their spring shopping at Infiniti will surely find some interesting pieces to add to their wardrobes. WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
COURTESY OF CANDYSTORE COLLECTIVE
I
If you’re looking to indulge yourself in beautiful, unique vintage finds that extend beyond just clothes, Candystore Collective is the shop for you. What started as a temporary store called Hot! is now a larger, permanent boutique that, in addition to clothing, sells jewelry, beauty supplies, decorations, art, and music. The store is also unique in that it serves as a studio for local designers (currently Talla and Cookie & the Dude). The owners of Candystore Collective understand that everything in life deserves a meaning. Thus, they search for eccentric artists and designers around the globe to contribute to their pool of products. They even extend the opportunity to create to the public through the design submission page on their website. There is a wide price range; for example, t-shirts and tank tops are moderately priced but nice dresses and jewelry can be a bit expensive. However, sale prices get pretty low so there’s always something cute and affordable to buy. Stop by Candystore Collective to immerse yourself in all things fantastic—whether you’re looking to get a nice shirt for your boyfriend or a piece of art for your bedroom wall, you’ll be sure to leave the store with something in hand.
SPRING2009 26
Would you like your chance to be featured in BAY Magazine? Submit a photo, an artpiece, a poem, a short story, anything! If it can be printed into a publication, then it is welcome! To submit, either mail us at: P.O. Box 35667 Monte Sereno, CA 95030 or email us at: submit@baymagazine.org For more information, visit www.baymagazine.org Submit something today!
SPRING by Tiffany Tu Cherry blossoms float Gentle sun roams in the sky Creating nature.
butterflies
spring is coming 27 SPRING2009
submitted by Grace Wu
taken by Katie Wang WWW.BAYMAGAZINE.ORG
EYE FACTS The leading cause of blindness for Americans aged 21-65 is Diabetic Retinopathy (eye disease affecting people with Diabetes). After 15 years of diabetes, over half of the diabetic patients will show some change in their retina (the inside lining of the eye) and vision may be normal! The first sign of a problem may be the inability to read the newspaper clearly. See your eye care provider today. The leading cause of blindness after age 55 years in the US is Age Related Macular Degeneration. New treatments have the chance to improve vision. Provided as a courtesy of Gloria Wu, MD Retina-Vitreous Specialist, Ophthalmologist 320 Dardanelli Lane, Suite 12, 13 Los Gatos, CA 95032 tel: 408-370-3921
Offer expires June 30, 2009.
Offer expires June 30, 2009.