C Magazine Vol. 1 Edition 7

C C The CampanilE A&E Magazine

Cover:

Steam

relax

BALLEt

page 8

page 18

page 9

CONTENTS EDITORS’ LETTER FOOD

MUG DESSERTS An alternative for nights when you’re craving sugar but don’t want to bake.

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STEAM

8

TACOLICIOUS

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Grab some dim sum from the newly-opened restaurant Steam.

The new fabulous taco shop in Palo Alto that has everyone talking.

STYLE ETSY

Sick and tired of ordinary jewelry? Have no fear Etsy is here!

COVER STORY BALLET

Step into the lives of Paly’s finest Ballerinas, Jessica Tam and Olivia Maggi.

CULTURE

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13

CONCERT CALENDAR

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CRAYON ART

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Find out upcoming and summer concerts around the bay area!

Check out artist of the month arin taiseale’s steaming hot art.

RELAX

Stressed about finals, extracurriculars, or just life in general? Then check this out.

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Mason Jars are the new fad for do-it-yourself crafts that are all over sites like Tumblr and Pinterest.

Maggie Zheng

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The Campanile A&E Magazine April 26, 2013

HIKES

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Palo Alto High School 50 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto High School, CA 94303

V-DAY

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH Meet Shyon Lewis-Steck, an ambitious edgy artist who loves to sketch animals and creatures.

Want to get away from the busyness of downtown? Check out some of these hikes!

Fighting violence agaist women and girls

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EDITORS’ LETTER Dear readers,

Welcome to the seventh edition of C Magazine! This will be the second to last issue, and as such, we, as editors-in-chief, are stepping down. As our last edition, we want to thank all of our readers and staff members, as well as our incredible advisor. We are so proud of what our staff has accomplished and want to congratulate them on their hard work and achievement.

We have also selected our editorial board for the 2013-2014 school year. Taking our place as Editors-in-Chief will be Caroline Moley, Sophia Moss and Samantha Newell. We are confident that these three will be able to expand upon C Magazine, bettering the content, design and overall quality. Our Text Editor will be Pauline Na, and she will also be tackling the position of Tech Editor. Our Photo Editor will be Bella Graves and our Design Editor will be Riya Varma. Our Ad Managers will be Carmelle and Kallee Bareket-Shavit.

STAFF LIST EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Perri Pond Rachel Wilson

The new editorial board has our confidence, as the outgoing leaders they are and we know they will step up and perform to the best of their ability.

Though this year has full of ups and downs, laughter and tears, fun and work C Magazine has been extremely rewarding and we can only hope that C Magazine expands in the coming years.

We would like to remind everyone that we appreciative of all feedback and critique. Please direct all comments to: cmtheeds@googlegroups.com. Just think you could be published in C magazine!

Well, this is it! Caroline, Sophia and Sam we trust that C mag will be great we just ask you guys to work hard, but most of all have fun and enjoy it!

— Perri Pond and Rachel Wilson Editors-in-Chief

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Caroline Martignetti Rose Fitzgerald

STAFF WRITERS

Carmelle Bareket Shavit Kallee Bareket Shavit Nikki Freyermuth Bella Graves Madison Mignola Armete Mobin Caroline Moley Matt Morton Sophia Moss Pauline Na Samantha Newell Nolan Perla-Ward Julia Poppy Riya Varma Eric Wang Maggie Zheng

ADVISOR

Esther Wojcicki

Interested in advertising with C Magazine?

Contact us at: cmtheeds@gmail.com for more information

Get a Gift!

It’s prom time and we have a special gift just for you!

Anna L. Waring, Ph.D. Executive Director

$10 off your style & a FREE full-size bottle of Shine Brilliance “Magic Finish” hairspray to carry you through the busy night.

awaring@collegefoundation.org

Be Inspired.

Stay Inspired.

tel: (650) 327-9976 tel: (650) 327-5048 fax: (650) 327-9977 2160 Euclid Avenue East Palo Alto, CA 94303

Stanford Shopping Center · Palo Alto, CA

www.collegefoundation.org

650.324.2007 Located between Macy’s & Bloomingdales channing

Lytton

University High St.

dairy store

ALMA

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

“Bada Bing”

“Philly Cheese”

“Chicken Teriyaki”

Grilled Roast Beef, Provolone Cheese, Baby Greens, Tomato, Italian Dressing and Onions on Sourdough Bread.

(Did you see my Bada Bing ad? Classic.)

Grilled Roast Beef, Onions, Bell Peppers, Jack cheese and Mayo on a French Roll.

(OK, it’s kinda like the Bada Bing but maybe you missed us on Monday!)

Grilled Roast Beef, Provolone Cheese, Baby Greens, Tomato, Italian Dressing and Onions on Sourdough Bread.

(Pineapple is good on a sandwich. We’re silly like that.)

Thursday

Friday

Peninsula Creamery

“Muelly”

“Baby Boomer”

Grilled Pastrami, Swiss cheese, Mustard, Mayo and Onion on Light Rye. (One time I heard Andrew Dice Clay say Muelly on TV, then my Daddy turned it off)

Tuna Melt with Jalapenos.

(No, don’t call me baby. My Daddy doesn’t even call me baby anymore.)

(650) 323-3175 900 High Street Palo Alto

FOOD

Mug Desserts

By Pauline Na

Samantha Newell

PChocolate Chip Cookie Dough Mug Cake

Strawberry and Cream Cake in a Jar

I have one word to describe this dessert: flipping-flappingflupping-fantastic. It’s a chocolate chip cookie, in a mug.

It really doesn’t get much better than that. It is the perfect substitute for when you have a craving that needs to be satisfied but are too lazy to actually take the time to make it. It’s an automatic comfort food that doubles as the perfect companion for when you’re sitting on your couch watching movies, doing homework, or just because. Whatever the reason, try it out!

With warmer weather quickly approaching, picnics are a great option for any family outing, dates, or just for fun. Sandwiches, chips, drinks and for dessert, strawberry shortcake without the mess of an actual cake. Strawberry and cream cake in a jar is extremely convenient for travel because you can easily put a lid on it and pack it away until it’s time to eat. With every spoonful, you get the perfect amount of cake, strawberry and whipped cream.

icture this: it’s a Friday night, you’re sitting at home watching a movie, when all of a sudden, you get a ravenous craving for something sweet. You’re too lazy to bake—what to eat, what to eat? Ice cream? Too cold. Candy? Too mainstream. Maybe a healthy fruit salad? Just stop right there. Microwavable dessert in a mug or jar? Perfect.

What you will need:

A microwave A mug 1 tablespoon melted butter 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar 1 tablespoon of firmly packed dark brown sugar 3 drops of vanilla extract Pinch of salt 1 egg yolk (discard the egg white) Little less than ¼ cup of all purpose flour 2 heaping tablespoons of semi sweet chocolate chips First, pour the melted butter into the mug. Next, add in the sugars, vanilla and salt. Stir. Then, add in the egg yolk and stir again. Add the flour and mix. Add the chocolate chips and fold them into the batter. Cook in microwave for 40-60 seconds (check after 40, don’t cook it for longer than one minute!). Serve warm and add a scoop of ice cream on top if desired.

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What you will need:

A microwave safe jar A microwave 1 egg 2 tablespoons strawberry yogurt, well stirred 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 tablespoons granulated sugar 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 cup fresh sliced strawberries and whipped cream to serve Coat the jar with cooking spray and set aside. Mix the egg, yogurt, vegetable oil, baking powder, vanilla extract, sugar and flour in a small bowl until completely smooth. Fill the jar halfway full and place it in the microwave. Cook in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Lastly, top with strawberries and whipped cream and serve!

Chocolate Fudge S’mores Mug Cake It has all the components of an amazing s’more without the inconvenience of that lingering campfire smell. Plus this delectable dessert requires no more than five minutes of your time and there’s practically no mess. There are three layers to this dessert: crumbled graham crackers, a marshmallow that melts in your mouth as you enjoy it’s extreme sweetness. And finally, a moist, chocolate chip filled fudge cake. This is definitely a more complicated mug dessert recipe, so if time is a factor in deciding what to make, I would save this one for a later date.

What you will need:

A microwave A microwave safe container (mugs work best!)

Marshmallows (mini, jumbo, fluff, it doesn’t matter) 1 Graham Cracker 3 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 large egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup flour 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder A pinch of salt 1 1/2 ounces of milk chocolate chips First, crush up the graham crackers. Then, add in 1/2 tablespoon of melted butter until moist and tightly pack the crumb mixture into the bottom of your mug. In a bowl, combine the rest of the butter with 1 ounce of the chocolate and melt in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Next, whisk the egg, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add in baking powder, flour, salt and cocoa. Stir until a thick batter is formed. Slowly add in melted butter, chocolate mixture while stirring. Fold in the chocolate chips that you did not melt. If you are using real marshmallows, add half of this batter into the mug. Put as many marshmallows as desired, and pour the remaining batter over the layer of marshmallows and microwave for 1:20-2 minutes. If you are using marshmallow fluff, you can add it as the last layer on top before you microwave it.

Banana Bread in a Mug To shake things up a bit, I decided to make a bread instead of another cake or cookie. What better bread to make than banana?

When making a full loaf is completely out of the question, this recipe is not only exponentially faster, but also the perfect portion size for one person. You know what that means? You don’t need to share! While I will admit that it’s definitely not the best banana bread I’ve ever had in my life, you will be surprised by how good this makeshift microwave recipe tastes for the time it requires. So when you have a single ripe banana lying around the house and are craving some banana bread, this is the recipe for you.

What you will need: A microwave A microwave safe mug 3 tbs flour 1 tbs + 1 teas sugar 2 tbs brown sugar 1/8 teas salt 1/8 teas baking powder 1/8 teas baking soda 1 egg 1/4 teas vanilla extract 1 tbs vegetable oil 1 tbs milk 1 ripe banana, mashed

Mash the banana in a small bowl and set aside. Spray the inside of a mug with non-stick cooking spray or coat with butter.

Add flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda directly into the mug and mix thoroughly. Add in the egg and completely mix it in. Lastly, mix in oil, vanilla, milk and the mashed banana.

Bake in microwave for no more than 3 minutes, check on it after 90 seconds to know how much longer to cook it. Let cool until warm before eating.

Samantha Newell

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STEAM Text & photos by Maggie Zheng

W

Hours: 11:00 am- 9:30 pm Mon-Sun Phone: (650) 322-1888 209 University Ave. Palo Alto Rating:

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FOOD

ith it’s angular and modernchic appearance, Steam offers a different approach to the usual coziness and somewhat shabbiness of Chinese cooking.

This newly opened restaurant is the epitome of an “Asian” restaurant that is actually catered to American taste buds. For those who aren’t too keen on the authentic oriental cuisine but are interested in this genre, this restaurant is totally for you.

Although Steam is mainly comprised of Chinese recipes, they still offer some Western dishes and peculiar hybrids, like Cream Cheese Wontons ($4).

The menu is split into nine sections: Starters, Dim Sum, Noodles & Rice, Chef’s Special, Tea & Coffee, Wine by the Glass, Main [course], Drinks and Steamed Sweets. Steam’s selection of steamed sweets is what separates it from the norm; not many Asian-American restaurants offer the latter.

The Golden Lemon Garlic Ribs ($6) is a hybrid dish where the East meets the West; it is sweet and tangy with a taste similar to that of Thai food. The lemon artfully placed atop the ribs also serves a refreshing purpose by delivering the zesty citrus flavor in contrast with the savory garlic ribs. The garlic and the lemon prove a dynamic duo in this particular dish.

Next up is the Szechuan Spicy Chicken with Garlic ($10). Ironically, this is one of the least memorable dishes and also happens to be one of the most expensive on the menu. I found it to be overly salty with too much soy sauce, and flat in flavor. It fails to deliver both the savory garlic taste and the pick-me-up spiciness that I was anticipating.

Another dish that does not prove to be particularly delightful is the Braised Beef Noodle Soup ($8). Although the beef cubes are tender and flavorful, the noodles are very bland on their own. A few bites could finish all the beef, leaving you to deal with the insipid strands of noodles. That said, it wasn’t the best.

The Beef Chow Fun ($8) proves to be ambrosia for the taste buds. The green bean sprouts added freshness to the flavor and crispiness to the texture. All the while the onions made the most impact, bringing in a subdued flavor to the overall sautéed bliss. You will also notice a few pieces of rice noodles dispersed throughout—those are not to be missed!

Dim sum is what Americans usually perceive as Chinese cooking. In reality, dim sum is only a small contributor to the world of Oriental cuisine. At Steam, dim sum is a house specialty, hence it’s name. In a cornucopia of steamed dim sum, the famous barbecue pork bun is something almost everybody knows about. The Steamed BBQ Pork Bun ($3) is comprised of delectable barbecue pork pieces housed in fluffy white buns, served on traditional bamboo steamers. One hot steamy bite makes the bun melt on one’s tongue. What can I say? It was love at first taste.

Of course, dessert is crucial to conclude any great meal and Steam does not disappoint. The Chinese sponge cake ($4) is an uncommon dessert for Chinese restaurants in America, however Steam offers this rare sweet.

Upon ordering it and the waiter placing it on the table I noticed that the rather large cube of cake in front of me wiggled. Never have I expected to eat cake as flexible and fluffy as this.

Four words: you won’t regret it.

TACOLICIOUS

By Armete Mobin Photos provided by Tacolicious Are you getting tired of same old Palo Alto? For all you urbanites out there, have no fear, Tacolicious is here. Located at 632 Emerson in Palo Alto, this Mexican restaurant is any hipsters dream. With its bright blue walls and neon orange pillars, Tacolicious screams contemporary. The geometric interior rival its cuisine.

Walking into Tacolicious, the target audience is quite prevalent; the bar takes up about a third of the restaurant and their drink menu is about four times longer than the actual menu.

Not to worry though, they can make certain drinks “virgin” upon request. The level of service that Tacolicious offers is impressive, each customer is treated like a VIP guest and is immediately treated to a complimentary bowl of their highly addictive tortilla chips and authentic Mexican salsa. Trust me, you’ve never had salsa like this north of the border.

Owner Joe Hargrave travelled around Mexico from a young age and grew to love not only its culture, but its cuisine. He never liked the idea of the “Mom and Pop” taco shops. Instead, he ventured to make a shop that presented itself in a different light; one of sophistication and urban culture. And indeed it is, there is nothing in Palo Alto that has the vibe of Tacolicious.

It’s the type of place that just screams chic without trying too hard. The ambiance combined with the food make the patron feel really cool, as if Tacolicious was a restaurant in the center of a metropolis.

Tacolicious makes it a point to differ itself from our beloved Chipotle. Some fans have dubbed it “Chipotle 2.0.” In its statement, it promises to differ from a traditional taqueria and it stays true to its word. You won’t find any burritos here. Tacolicious also makes a point to keep food hormone-free and the vegetables organic. Unfortunately, this makes it a bit pricier

than your traditional taqueria. If you want fast, cheap food, this is not the place for you.

Their tacos are generally two inches wide and start at $3.95 and go up from there. An average person consumes about four tacos in one sitting. Luckily, Tacolicious offers a deal of $14 for four tacos. If you’re concerned that this may be stretching your wallet a bit far, don’t worry, Tacolicious also offers a wide assortment of traditional Mexican dishes that are best shared.

The most popular of these include Fried Sweet Plantains ($7.50), Chili Con Queso ($7.50), and Enchiladas Suizas ($9.95).

Lets not forget dessert however, if you get anything, get dessert. The “Traditional Churros and Mexican Hot Chocolate” ($6.00) seem to come straight from Mexico itself. And don’t even get me started on their Meyer Lemon Flan ($6.00). Though we consider ourselves cultured in Palo Alto, many of us have not tasted this treat. If you have not yet experienced the joy of putting this Jello-like treat into your mouth, this is your chance.

I have to say, though it’s certainly not the cheapest place around, Tacolicious is a great experience. The ambiance is by far one of the best in downtown Palo Alto. The food, though traditional and delicious, is served in small portions. Taken together, Tacolicious is a great restaurant that captures the direction of where Palo Alto is headed in the near future.

Hours: Open Monday through Sunday 11:30 am – 12:00 am Phone:(650) 838-0500 Address: 632 Emerson St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

FOOD

9

Let’s See,

Etsy!

Rachel Wilson

Rachel Wilson

Text by Carmelle Bareket-Shavit

T

ired of the same old, boring, commercial jewelry? Look no further. With the help of Etsy. com, you will never be caught wearing the same accessory.

Immediately one can see the extreme amount of detail that is put into each item.

Etsy, often regarded as a “granola” version of Ebay, is a website with over 850,000 active shops, that supports small, authentic businesses. Shops are only allowed to sell either handmade or vintage products.

Created solely for the purpose of promoting small business, Etsy allows people the opportunity to both sell and purchase unique and handmade items. From chic clothing, to vintage Chanel earrings, to funky furniture, Etsy offers something for everyone’s taste.

Almost all of the jewelry sold on Etsy is

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Rachel Wilson homemade, giving it a cute and personal touch that you just do not get in a typical store.

Recently learning about Etsy, I decided to explore this crafty world. Mesmerized with the array of products I decided to take the plunge and order a couple things.

I ordered a detailed necklace, a recycled bracelet and a pair of awesome earrings. Each piece of jewelry is unique and I value their hard work.

TRENDY Appeal The first Item I bought was a personalized initial flower necklace for around $13 dollars from the Etsy shop Ringostone.

This small and delicate pendant, engraved with the letter ‘C,’ matches perfectly with its bulkier chain.

The combination of the small and sweet flower pendant with the heavy chain is a perfect balance.

However, the best part of this necklace is that it is personalized. One the best benefits that Etsy offers, is the ability to personalize jewelry specifically for you or for a delightful present.

Environmental Appeal Next I ordered a bracelet, however it is not a typical bracelet. I decided to help the environment with this purchase. It was fairly easy, because on Etsy there is a eco-friendly jewelry tab; one has the opportunity to not only help the economy, but also the environment.

Deciding how to help the environment was easy, deciding which bracelet to buy was not. Etsy has around 30,000 items of jewelry that are listed as ‘EcoFriendly,’ and the materials used to make bracelets range from recycled bicycle tires, to pennies, to zippers, to paper, and to fabric.

Bella Graves

The thought and effort that this seller puts into each individual sale makes shopping online a brand new experience.

Some are obviously recycled, and others are more discrete. The bracelet I ordered is an Eco-Friendly Friendship bracelet made of hand dyed and recycled fabric.

Even though the material is recycled, it has no affect on the quality of the final product.

Not only is the bracelet eco-friendly, but the packaging it is reusable too!

Connecting with your seller Along with my bracelet, came a sweet note from the seller that said: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, xoxo, Ragademalion.”

Ragademalion; the name of the shop I purchased this bracelet from, is the combination of the seller’s favorite messages and words, ‘ragamuffin,’ and ‘tatterdemalion’.

Finally, I purchased the perfect small pair of infinity earrings. These earrings sold for the affordable price of $10 dollars; a shocking price compared to prices at conventional stores.

The delicate shape and size of the earrings is the best part of the earring. They are comfortable and I can wear them with everything.

Along with the earrings came a note from the seller offering a discount on the next purchase.

Etsy let’s you build a connection with your seller; especially when you purchase items from the same seller. This proves the point that purchasing items through Etsy, and especially purchasing items from the same seller, will provide a huge economic benefit in the long run.

People can buy original items at a very reasonable price through Etsy. If you change your mind on a piece of jewelry,

all you have to do is contact the seller and recreate the design.

Many stores on Etsy encourage you to message them and give them feedback.

No longer will shopping online be a cold and lonely experience. Knowing the person who made your jewelry has actually thought about how to make the experience the most enjoyable for everyone makes a huge difference.

So why not stop buying jewelry from large chain-stores, but instead start supporting small businesses. Most of the time they have better ideas and much better customer service. Small businesses would benefit a lot more from community support than any conventional store would.

Instead of buying clothes or jewelry at the nearest department store, a person can actually make a difference in an individual’s life, and gain a huge benefit.

STYLE

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COVER STORY

On Pointe

Text by Caroline Moley

Pictures provided by Olivia Maggi and Jessica Tam

B

allet has always been a way for people to express themselves.

Ballet dancers like Palo Alto High School seniors Olivia Maggi and Jessica Tam gracefully dance across the stage creating an amazing display of art.

Maggi and Tam started dance and ballet at a very young age, Maggi at three and Tam at four. Since then Maggi and Tam have both been avid ballet dancers, spending an immense amount of time perfecting their skills.

“Ballet requires a lot of effort and discipline, it takes years of training in order to build up your technique and artistry,

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COVER

On Pointe

which usually comes with age and maturity,” Tam said.

However both girls take on the challenge and spend most of their time practicing.

“Classes are seven days a week and about two hours a day, and rehearsals for shows last all day on the weekend,” Maggi said.

As ballet dancers, Maggi and Tam have taken part in many ballets, but each have their own favorite, for Maggi it is The Nutcracker. “[Dance Connection does] it annually and I’ve been in it for about 10 years so it brings up a lot of great memories and its

always a fun time,” Maggi said.

Tam’s favorite is La Bayadere, choreographed by Marius Petipa.

“Everything about [La Bayadere] defines what ballet is all about—the choreography is brilliant, the music is gorgeous,” Tam said. “There’s so much artistry that a dancer can put into it that when it’s danced by an amazing dancer, the show is absolutely breathtaking.”

A big part of a ballet are the costumes.

Ballerinas tend to sparkle as they move delicately across the stage.

“The most common costume for a classical female ballet dancer is a tutu,” Tam said. “[A tutu] consists of a corset/

“Dance is how I get my exercise, relieve my stress and express myself every day.”

bodice around the midsection and then layers of tulle and other materials that make up the skirt, which can be long or short.”

The bigger the headpiece the more important the part is.

“Everyone wears tiaras or some kind of headpiece, and the better role you have the bigger and more beautiful you tiara will be,” Maggi said.

Another important part of a dancers attire is their shoes.

“Female ballet dancers wear pointe shoes, which are a special kind of shoe that allows the dancers to dance on the tips of their toes,” Tam said.

For the future, Maggi hopes to take her love for ballet to the next level.

“I am going to major in dance in college and I’ve actually been accepted into all of the programs I auditioned for,” Maggi said. “Hopefully after college I will get a dance job, and eventually my ultimate goal is to open my own dance studio.”

Tam on the other hand, is not planning on pursuing ballet as her profession but it will always be a part of her life.

“I don’t plan on becoming a professional dancer in the future but I also know that I could never stop dancing,” Tam said. “It’s a huge part of my life—

dance is how I get my exercise, relieve my stress and express myself every day.”

It is people like Maggi and Tam who bring awareness to a form of art that does not require paper or a pen, but instead the whole body. “[Ballet] is the only art form in which your whole body is involved in telling the story or conveying the emotions of the piece, which makes it so much more special not only to watch, but also to perform,” Tam said.

Ballet is an art form that takes determination and the ability to move one’s body in a graceful manner to create something quite beautiful.

COVER

15

Upcoming Concerts

By Nikki Freyermuth April 28th: Meek Mill- The Fillmore April 28th: The Killers- Bill Graham Civic Auditorium May 3rd: Bonobo- The Warfield May 4th: Paramore- The Warfield May 15th: Big Boi- The Catalyst May 16th: Imagine Dragons- The Warfield May 16th: Of Monsters and Men- Fox Theater May 18th: MGMT- Frost Amphitheater May 23th: Cold War Kids: The Regency Ballroom May 29th: Tame Impala- Fox Theater May 30th: The xx- Fox Theater June 1st: The xx- Greek Theater June 4th: Juicy J- The Fillmore June 9th: Tim McGraw- Shoreline Amphitheater June 15th: Dispatch & Guster- Greek Theater June 22nd: Vans Warped Tour- Shoreline Amphitheater July 2nd: Beyonce- HP Pavilion July 25th: Kenny Chesney, Eli Young Band- Shoreline Amp. July 26th: Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake- Candlestick Park July 26th-27th: The Postal Service- Greek Theater August 9th- 11th: Outside Lands- Golden Gate Park

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CULTURE

Arin Tai-Seale

I

Text by Kallee Bareket-Shavit and Madison Mignola Photos by Kallee Bareket-Shavit

n elementary school, art involved finger paint, washable markers and a 16-pack of Crayola crayons. Some loved crayons and some hated them, but for Palo Alto High School sophomore, Arin Tai-Seale, crayons have a bigger meaning. Tai-Seale looks at art with a different perspective, creating crayon art to offer a sense of inspiration.

Crayon art is simple. The materials needed are crayons, a canvas and a blow dryer. Tai-Seale goes to Michaels for all her supplies. Having no background in art, Tai-Seale now teaches friends how to make crayon art of their own.

She began making crayon art only two months ago, in a corner of her room. This space is splattered with various colors across laid out newspapers.

“I’m really unartistic actually, I’m very bad at drawing, [but] this is actually really easy to do,” Tai-Seale said.

Some of Tai-Seale’s art is for sale. Her pieces cost between $10-$25 depending on the piece and the amount of time it took to make it.

One of her pieces is on a black canvas, giving the melted crayons a waterlike effect—the actual crayons and their colors seem to pop off the canvas.

Crayon wax drips over the edges of the canvas, giving the piece even more visual depth.

Her first and favorite piece, “Love, Dream, Joy” displays a rainbow of varied crayons, underneath the melted crayon wax are the words love, dream and joy.

Some of her pieces have a more serious theme. For example, one piece reflects a more romantic theme; in it a man’s and woman’s silhouette are joined together underneath a red umbrella, as hues of melted blue crayons drip down from clouds.

Her most fragile piece displays inspirational words: “Live life to the fullest.”

Surrounded by yellow, pink and orange melted crayon, giving warmth to the words. Crayons are hot-glued to the right-hand corner of the canvas, making an exaggerated effect on the canvas.

Her art is easily done but can frustrate some first attempting this style.

Crayons are no longer just for kindergartners. Tai-Seale’s crayon art includes inspirational words and beautiful meanings, but mostly makes one stare in awe of what was once a childhood drawing tool that now make works of art.

CULTURE

17

Don’t Worry Be

By Bella Graves

T

he demands of homework, extra curricular activities, and the college application process seems never ending. It is possible that there will never be enough hours in the day to complete the daunting list of tasks. Let’s be honest, we go to Palo Alto High School, one of the most academically and athletically competitive schools in the

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CULTURE

country. So unless you are Superman, or have invented a vaccine to eliminate the need for sleep, experiencing overwhelming stress is an inevitability.

But you have more control over it then you may think.

Realizing that you can control your stress. One of the basic foundations of stress management is keeping your stress in check which is surpris-

ingly much easier then most people think. Simply by eating and drinking right, staying physically active, and getting enough sleep, you will likely find yourself in a happier state of mind, and ultimately more productive in your work. With a few simple tricks and methods you can prevent stress from controlling your life.

Yoga instructor at Yoga Source in downtown Palo Alto

Happy

and avid practitioner of yoga for over 16 years, Brian Kruzic, makes it his goal in every yoga class to leave his clients feeling refreshed.

“In a way the whole 90 minute class is working towards that final place of complete physical rest and relaxation but also mental clarity, just no thoughts,” Kruzic said. “If you look at history, a lot of brilliant people in life have had

some of their best ideas when they weren’t thinking.”

A yoga is one of the few workouts that is designed specifically for stress control and mental relaxation.

“The idea is to let go of those worries and to focus on the practice,” Kruzic said.

“And at the same time you’re getting a great workout, your body is getting stronger and when your body feels better

“The idea is to let go of those worries and to focus on the practice.”

Brian Kruzic

often times your mind follows.”

Another way to control your stress levels and to maintain a healthy physical and mental lifestyle, is to keep a balanced diet. Scarfing down a family sized bag of chips, as fabulous as it is at the time, does not provide your body and your mind with the necessary vitamin and nutrients that you need to perform.

Finally, sleep is essential. It seems impossible sometimes to get a reasonable amount of sleep every night; we are no stranger to late night work, or worse, dreaded all-nighters, but if your performance is in any way important to you, go to bed. Try and develop a consistent sleep schedule and do your very best to follow it, even if you have to put your favorite T.V. show off.

CULTURE

19

Artist of the Month:

Shyon Lewis-Steck

Photos and Text by Sophia Moss and Samantha Newell

Not all artists’ minds work the same way. Some have a more conventional idea of what art is, while others have a more creative outlook. Palo Alto High School Junior Shyon Lewis-Steck definitely fits into the latter category.

As a child, Lewis-Steck was constantly sketching—he found inspiration to create art everywhere.

“I just always had a bunch of blank paper everywhere and I was always encouraged to draw,” Lewis-Steck said.

Often artists dabble in different art techniques, however Lewis-Steck has chosen to stick with drawing in pencil because he feels that it is the medium he is the most skilled in.

“I prefer to do pencil sketches [and] draw strange creatures [that appear] warped,” Lewis-Steck said.

Several of these warped and strange creatures are inspired by Lewis-Steck’s music taste and the musical groups within each of his favorite genres. Indeed, all artists have a source for their artistic spark when beginning a new piece. For many, music is a great source of inspiration, not only for art but for everything they do in life.

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“A lot of music that is kind of experimental [gives] me an experimental mindset,” Lewis-Steck said.

Lewis-Steck has a very distinct taste in music that inspires his art and his sketches. He enjoys listening to genres such as Alternative and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

“The bands that most inspire me are Sonic Youth and the Velvet Underground,” Lewis-Steck said.

Today there are endless amounts of artistic styles and techniques that are all incredibly different from each other. Paintings, drawings, murals or sculptures are only a few of the different mediums and genres that make up the art world. Artists take ideas from the world around them, from personal experiences, from their mood and from each other.

Lewis-Steck primarily admires and looks to three artists— Edmund McMillen, H.R. Giger and Salvador Dali.

Lewis-Steck admires Edmund McMillen’s art for the grotesque and fleshy figures, while H.R. Giger’s art is dark and surreal. Also, Lewis-Steck is fascinated by Salvador Dali’s eccentric style and distortion of the figures he draws.

Gallery

“The abstract styles, walls of sound, and dissonance of the music is really inspiring to the art I make.”

- Lewis-Steck

Displayed are 3 of Lewis-Steck’s pieces, including his favorite albums from Sonic Youth and The Velvet Underground H.R. Giger was part of the special effects team that won an Academy award for their visual work on the film Alien. LewisSteck gathers ideas and incorporates stylistic ideas from the works of these three artists, creating an individualized piece of art.

He is mostly influenced by art that many view as “different,” such as Dali’s painting called, “Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man,” dating back to 1943. “(My art is) weird, really weird,” Lewis-Steck said.

Even though many artists prefer to stay in their comfort zones, it never hurts to experiment with different art styles and adventure beyond one’s normal color range. Recently Lewis-Steck has been thinking about reaching out of his comfort zone by adding more color to his art.

“I wanted to try blending mediums like black and white drawings with colorful paintings,” Lewis-Steck said.

Currently he is taking Ceramics with Mr. Ferrera and plans to continue his art career in college and maybe even beyond.

He is looking into several art colleges in the Pacific Northwest, including Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) located in Portland. However, Lewis-Steck wants to continue his art not only for college but also the remedial appeal and joy he gets from art. “[My favorite thing about art is] the fact that I can just do it without really thinking about it,” Lewis-Steck said. “It’s therapeutic.”

Art to Lewis-Steck is more than just a class or potential career path, art is a passion.

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Best Bay Area Hikes Windy Hill

This magnificent hike begins along Portola Road in the town of Portola Valley at the base of the Santa Cruz mountains. Windy Hill isn’t very far away—only about 20 minutes from Palo Alto High School—making it great for nature lovers. Windy Hill has multiple trails that explore the lovely hills; combined the distance sums up to approximately 10 miles in length and pass through Skyline and some of the Bay Area’s most interesting woodland areas.

No matter your skill level, windy hill is a great destination for you. Advanced hikers will enjoy Windy Hill because of the

Text and Photos by Sophia Moss

variety of trails it offers but it is also well suited for beginners because the trails stay at a rather low elevation.

“I love Windy Hill so much because of the amazing views and the challenge of the hike because it is a hard uphill run,” Palo Alto High School junior Kristen DeStefano said. “Also if you go a bit off trail you will find a perfect view of the ocean.”

Windy Hill is a great year-round destination, but it is best to go on a clear day so you can really appreciate the terrific views of Portola Valley. If you love to hike and enjoy spectacular views of the ocean and mountains, check out this half-day hike.

Pearson Arastradero Preserve

The Pearson Arastradero Preserve is a good location for beginners who are looking for fun, rather than exercise. Getting to Arastradero is pretty simple. All one has to do is follow Page Mill Road towards arastradero. When one had crossed Junipero Serra Freeway, take a right on Arastradero and then the destination is the on right a couple hundred meters down. If one wants to cover more area than is offered at this preserve, continuing down Arastradero Road will bring many more options.

Pearson Arastradero Preserve is a great place to hike if one wants to enjoy a large open nature preserve with great views.

Arastradero is a big open space making it the perfect for a wide

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type of outdoor activities; to change up from the usual quiet hike, try biking, or taking a run along the trails. Also, with lots of open space comes the bonus of never running out of new areas to explore. One can choose to come for a short outing and only cover 1-2 miles or can stay longer and tackle more mileage.

The knolls offer scenery and challenging uphill terrain, so if you are looking for something more difficult, work your way further up into the mountains.

Arastradero is a fun and convenient hike that lets one get away from the busy scene downtown to explore vast open areas not too far from home.

V-Day

T

oday violence against women occurs around the world. From the United States to the Democratic Republic of the Congo women are being beaten, raped and abused daily. However, V-Day, a global activist movement and organization that has been around for fifteen years, works to inform people about these atrocities in order to end violence against women and girls.

City of Joy Gina Maya, a Palo Alto resident and mother, works closely with V-Day. As part of V-Day, Maya traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the City of Joy in Bukavu, a revolutionary center for female survivors of gender violence.

While in the DRC, Maya had the opportunity to meet women who suffered from horrible violence.

“I was most impressed with the dignity, strength and resilience of the people I met,” Maya said. “So many of the women [I] met have suffered so much and yet they continue to rise every day and continue to do what they can to help others.”

In the DRC, Maya met a woman named Masika who herself was the victim of rape and violence. “[Masika] and her daughters were brutally raped and [Masika’s] husband was killed in the course of an attack on her home,” Maya said. Although Masika and her family suffered the unthinkable, she still perseveres in her everyday life.

Today Masika has set up a center to help women and children who have been subjected to violence. She offers women and children physical, emotional and psychological aid.

“Many of these women would have nowhere to turn without [Masika],” Maya said. “I often wonder if I would have the strength of Masika and many of the other women and men I met who do amazing work to help their fellow members of society, often at great risk to themselves.”

One Billion Rising On February 14th, V-Day organized One Billion Rising, a day where men and women around the world rose up and danced to show their support against violence towards women and girls.

One Billion Rising unified supporters from around the world

Text by Caroline Moley Photo provided by Gina Maya for one important cause and made people more aware of the violence that is taking place all over the planet. However, One Billion Rising’s main accomplishment was the motivation people felt to rise up against such horrible crimes, inching the world a little closer to the end of violence towards women and girls.

“I think it is important for women, and their fathers, brothers, husbands and friends to rise to highlight the fact that one in three women living today will be raped or beaten during her lifetime,” Maya said.

Vagina Monologues After fifteen years of working to end violence, V-Day has raised $80 million to help fight violence against women and girls, and has touched thousands upon thousands of lives. VDay also works closely with Eve Ensler the author of the Vagina Monologues.

“There is the College and Community Campaign which uses Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues and other artistic works to raise money for local organizations working to end violence against women and girls as well as raising awareness,” Maya said. “Last year there were over 5,500 performances of The Vagina Monologues worldwide, that number says a lot about how much awareness V-Day has raised about gender based violence.”

A Hope Even after all the amazing work V-Day has put in to end violence against women, these atrocious attacks still occur. It is important for people young and old, male or female, to step up and take action to stop violence towards women.

“I truly do believe that the world won’t be a totally safe, healthy place until the violence against women comes to an end and women are allowed to flourish and receive equal opportunities in education and the work place throughout the world,” Maya said.

One Billion Rising a major step in the right direction, “There were events in more than 200 countries on February 14th, including in Palo Alto.” It is time for everyone to rise and join Maya and countless others in the fight to end violent crimes against women and girls.

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Christina Chu of Silicon Tech Realty Inc.

Christina Chu Broker Your Guide to the Silicon Valley

Salutes the Class of 2013!

“Every individal matters.

Every individual has a role to play.

Every individual makes a difference.� ~Jane Goodall

(650)-919-3725 ccchu26@gmail.com www.ChristinaChu.com