May 2016 Eleonore

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Downtown Vibes

MARCH 2016

Volume 1 Number 4 Published by students of La Salle High School, Pasadena, California www.lasallehs.org Moderator, John Blackstock '67 Copyright 2016. All rights reserved

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Buzzing streets, trendy shops, determined faces and vibrant conversations on every corner. Yup! That

sounds exactly like Downtown L.A. Something about the city draws me in every time I see it. I have the extraordinary honor of being able to see the city every morning before I go to school, and every time I see it I know that Downtown L.A. is where I should be. The vibe of the city alone has me craving for more time to be who I am meant to be in the city. I did not fall in love with the city because of the shops, restaurants, or the people that raom the crowded streets. I fell in love with the way the sun rises over the towering buildings and the fact that I know every day is a new day of exhilaration in the city. Change is in the city in every second. New people, new cars, new smells, new opportunities everywhere.

In the city you can be anything you want to be at any given time. You can be the best version of yourself

and unleash that version of yourself into the bustling city. I love the city because it is a whole new world that continuously unravels itself in front of me. It makes me believe that if there is so much for me to experience in a this city in California then the possibilities are endless for me beyond the borders of America. Downtown L.A. helps me realize that I am far more than just a girl at La Salle High School, but a girl that can accomplish anything she wants to in this crazy not so big world.

So I ask all of you to enjoy this Downtown Vibes issue and I hope that you may be inspired to unleash

your greatest potential in and out of the city.

Elizabeth Ayala, Editor

may 03

Downtown Places to Go, Places to Know and Places to Play

By Elizabeth Ayala

Juice Crafters

Calle Olvera

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n LA The Last Bookstore

Cliffton's Cafeteria

1810

Angel Wings

may 05

The Last Bookstore

This place is actually amazing! When I went with my best friend we spent at least two to three hours in this two story magical bookstore. We took pictures in places that might often be overlooked, we browsed the book sections, we went inside of a few gift shops and mini art museums that they had on the second floor, and we had a lot of laughs trying to figure our way out of the book maze that I think was unintentional on their part. Overall, this is a must see place. I am definitely going back here to look at the enchanted book tunnel with Christmas lights around it.

Location: 453 S Spring St – Ground Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (The Entrance is on 5th street)

Hours: Mon-Thur 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-9pm

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1810 - eighteen-ten

Located in Downtown L.A. on 105 West 9th St. Los Angeles, this authentic Argentinean Restaurant will make you want to keep coming back not just for their delicious and sumptuous food, but for how absolutely cute the interior of the restaurant is! This is the perfect place to take some awesome photos!

Hours: Open MondayThursday 11am -10pm Friday- Saturday 11am - 10pm Sundays 4pm – 10pm If you cannot make the drive to the Downtown L.A. have no fear! 1810 has another venue in Old Town Pasadena!

Calle Olvera

I have been coming to this place since I was a young child.

Whether you are looking for some good food, cute photo opts, or just a day to do some unique shopping Olvera Street is the place for you! Not to mention that it is in the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, California, USA, and is part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. If you have not been here it is a must! Grab some friends and spend the entire day here! Tip: If you do not want to spend an enormous amount of money on gas and parking you can always take the Metro Link Location: Olvera Street / Calle Olvera 845 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Hours: Open 7 days a week!

(Hours may vary from store to store.)

10am to 6 - 8pm Daily 10am to 8 -10pm Weekends Admission is free to the public!

may 07

Juice Crafters

The smoothie that I got from here must have been one of the best smoothies that I have ever had the pleasure of drinking. This place out does Jamba Juice 1,000 times. This juice bar is cozy, rustic and offers cold-pressed combinations made with raw, organic produce.

Please try this place out! Though it is small and overlooked it is spectacular and perfect for a photo opt.

Location: 702 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 Hours: Monday- Sunday 7am- 7pm

Angel Wings

Just outside of 1810 a pair of beautifully painted angel wings by Colette Miller are open to the public to take pictures of and enjoy. This can be great to share beautiful pictures with family and friends, or to post on your social media.

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Clifton’s Cafeteria

My grandmother has told me about Clifton’s for as long as I can remember. She used to go to Clifton’s Cafeteria with her family on special occasions in her youth.

I finally got the chance to see what Clifton’s was all about for myself and I was amazed! I loved the theme of "being in the woods" that is carried throughout the entire restaurant. the food service is cafeteria style and I opted to try a dessert instead of a full on meal. Yumm. Please go to Clifton’s. It is something that you must experience.

Location: 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014 Hours: 11am- 2am

may 09

Safety

Whether you are going on vacation or planning on hanging out around your city, safety is the most important thing no matter what you decide to do over the summer. Summer is all about having fun so don’t worry too much about anything bad happening, just be prepared so that if anything does happen, you’ll know what to do. Personally, I can, and do, drive myself around most of the time. So when I’m going somewhere alone, even if it’s just to the grocery store, I try to spend my time as effectively as I can while also staying safe. The following are some safety tips to remember over the summer and just in general. Some of them may sound like common knowledge, but just remember, sometimes the most obvious things are the ones that we don’t pay enough attention to.

Always be aware of your surroundings - Think Ahead

• Make sure you know how to get where you are going and also how to get back home. If you already have your license and are planning on driving yourself around, you should figure out exactly how to get to your destination, and how to get back home, before even getting in the car.

Carry a mini first aid / emergency kit in your purse or backpack • This will help you solve and adapt to any situation, big or small .

Stay organized

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• Make sure you have everything you need both before you get out of your car and before you are about to leave. You don’t want to be digging through your purse to get your keys while walking in the parking lot, it will distract you and slow you down.

First

By Katerina Esquivel

Carry your phone with you at all times

• Have it either in your hand or in an easy to reach place just in case you need to get a hold of someone or call 911. However, you should also try to keep at least one of your hands free as much as you possibly can.

Wear bright clothing

• This will help you stand out in a crowd and at night.

The easiest way to follow this tip is to keep a light sweater or sweatshirt in your backpack, purse or car.

When you think you might need it, just take it with you.

Plus you’ll never get cold if you always have an extra sweater lying around!

Stick with your friends and look out for each other

• If you’re going somewhere with a group, make sure everyone has a ride home and that everyone gets home safely. Also, never feel bad about asking your friends for a ride home or just asking them to wait for you until your mom picks you up or the bus comes.

Park in a lit area and lock your car

• Try to park as close to your destination as possible.

When walking to your car make sure that no one is following you. If they are, turn back and walk to the nearest business. If the person is not gone or if you still do not feel safe, ask an employee to walk you to your car. Yes it might be awkward to ask, but they will understand, and if you feel safer doing so, that’s all that really matters. Also lock your doors and windows when you get into your car.

Always tell someone where you are going

• Tell your mom, your dad, your friend, your aunt, your grandma, anybody! Just make sure that somebody knows where you will be.

may 11

nning Pla Planning fect the Per Perfect nic Pic Picnic

By Nicole Ortiz

Summer is one of the happiest times of the year. The leaves come back to life, the grass is greener, and the days become longer. As we step into summer, what better way to embrace the warm air than to have a picnic? I remember when I was a young girl, I would always look forward to my family’s Sunday picnics at the park.

Nothing was better than to eat food with my family and play all day. Here’s some word of advice for having a great spring picnic.

Where?

First and foremost you have to pick the right spot to have it, whether that be at a park, the beach, or even your backyard. Make sure there’s lots of shade to cover you from the sun. From there you can decide what to put on the list of things to take.

What to Bring?

At the top of the list is to bring the right picnic blanket. It should be comfortable, colorful, and big enough for whoever is coming. Next on the list is the best part, the picnic basket. What makes any picnic great, has to be the food. Spring picnics call for delicious and tasty snacks. Some staple picnic foods are fruit, especially cherries and strawberries because they are in season, chips and dip if you’re craving something salty, salad, sandwiches or flatbreads, and maybe some cookies or chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. As for the drinks you can’t go wrong with some lemonade, homemade is the best kind, some bottles of your favorite soda, and of course water. After preparing your food and drinks you can pack it in your picnic basket along with plates, napkins, and utensils. Some others things you can bring with is a good book, magazines, a Frisbee, and some background music. Now you’re all set and you can head on your way to your picnic site.

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may 13

Cover Girl

Nothing But Jocelyn I am inspired by success. It is what drives my everyday actions. Success is not just for me, but for my family, the people that I love. I am thankful for all of the sacrifices my parents have made in order to give the life that I am able to live. I find that the only way to pay them back is to make my life as successful and meaningful as possible, which means that I must work hard each and every day to better myself.

- Jocelyn Flores

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may 15

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may 17

How to Take Advantage of your Summer

By Rebecca Lynne Whitehead

Personally, I love summer. I always look forward to this season because it gives me time to focus on everything that truly matters to me: my goals, pursuing my dreams, my friends and family, etc. During the school year my job is to be a student, but summer is my time to do whatever I want. So, here are some of my tips to take advantage of your summer and not let it slip away.

SUMMER CLEANING

Start off your summer strong by cleaning your space. Clean your room, your bathroom, everything and anything. Go through that pile in your closet you always ignore because it may lead to rediscovering cute summer clothes that were pushed to the back of your closet. Additionally, put all of your school uniforms in a bag somewhere out of your sight, so you are less likely to remember school will eventually start again. Doing all this gives you a fresh start to the next three months, allows you to clear out all unnecessary items, and makes room for all the new stuff that will gradually take over your room throughout the summer. I like to donate my unwanted belongings because it is a good place to send them and it warms my heart to do a nice deed. The key is to get all of this done within the first week of summer at the latest. If you do not finish summer cleaning then, let’s be real, you probably never will.

PLAN your summer

Plan excursions with friends and family. Plan fun days for only yourself. Keep a planner to keep track of your schedule and try to make your summer as busy and filled with fun as possible.

SET GOALS

To give you an example, some of my goals for this summer include: uploading frequently to my YouTube channel (Shameless self promotion… My channel name is Rebecca Lynne. Subscribe!), looking at colleges, writing my college essay, practicing for my college acting audition, and maybe getting a job. Once you decide on your goals, then all you need to do is follow through. Make them happen. You do not want to look back and realize you did absolutely nothing productive.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

The best time to try something new is over summer. So spice up your style or maybe cut your hair. The best part is if you do not like it, you will not need to worry about what people will think of your new look the next day at school

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DO THAT THING

Do the thing that you have always wanted to do. I wish I went to Disneyland, SixFlags, or Knott’s Berry Farm more often, but I never get the chance because I am “too busy” or “the amusement parks cost too much money." I also do not go to the beach as often as I should, being a California girl with many beautiful beaches to choose from. If you are like me, we need to stop making excuses and go to the places that makes us happiest!

Even if it means splurging a little on a ticket to Disneyland.

TRAVEL

Talk to your parents about going on a trip. If you can not fly anywhere, do not worry because it is not necessary to go far, to have fun. Traveling does not always need to be with your parents.

Go with a friend, or if even better- by yourself! I flew to New York by myself to meet my sister out at college, and that was such a great experience for me. I loved how independent and mature I felt when I stepped on the airplane! If you want to go on a small trip on your own, let your parents know that I recommend it! ;) You can also use the excuse that traveling alone is preparing you for when you go to college.

GET IN SHAPE

My next advice would be to get in shape. I will most likely not be working out this summer because I am very lazy, hopefully you are not like me and will be more motivated to stay in shape. Fun workout activities I am interested in and you should check out include boxing, salsa dancing, Soul Cycle, and Zumba.

TAKE PICTURES

Obviously taking pictures is important to capture moments worth remembering.

RELAX

While being productive is always great, summer is basically designed to give yourself a break from the hectic school year, so RELAX. Dedicate at least one day each week to doing absolutely nothing and do not put anything on your agenda. Leave that day completely open to either sit around the house and stare at the ceiling, go through all your favorite movies, eat food, tan in the sun, or just sleep! Sometimes it is okay to be lazy, especially in summer.

I hope these summer tips make your next months all the more exciting! may 19

Bohemian Hair Boho Half up - Half down Hairstyle

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By Katerina Esquivel

2 Step 1. Separate your hair and put the top half into a ponytail.

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Tip: Flip the ponytail in front of your face so that you

Step 2. With the hair you put into a ponytail, create a fishtail braid

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In the City in BoHo Style

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6 Step 3. Pull out pieces of the braid to make it more messy looking

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Tip: Spray a bit of Hair spray into your hair to prevent it from getting too crazy, remember we’re going for messy chic not windstorm chic.

Step 4. Flip the ponytail back and, voila! The finished product.

may 217

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Keeping Fit with Kolby

By Kolby Deziel

With summer quickly approaching, who wouldn’t want to be in bikini ready shape? With a few easy exercises, you can ensure that you get into or remain in tip top shape for the summer and into the next school year. It doesn’t even take a gym membership or buying expensive equipment. Here’s how:

For better abs you can also do the following:

Step 1: Get down on the ground and lay flat with your arms at your sides.

Bring both of your knees up until your calves are almost parallel with the ground. At the same time, lift your head, neck and back up using your abdominal muscles. Hold the position briefly.

Step 2: Straighten your legs out straight in front of you making sure that your legs and feet do not touch the ground. At the same time, your head, neck and back should be dropping back towards the floor. Ensure that the top of your back, your neck and head remain off of the floor

Repeat 10 times, increasing the reps after each week.

may 23

Keeping Fit with Kolby For a flatter belly and stronger core, do the following:

Step 1: grab a towel and get down on one knee. Place the other knee with your foot flat on the ground facing outward and at a 90 degree angle. Hold the towel above your head with your hands grabbing each end of the towel. Make sure that your arms are not too far apart or that the towel is not too big!!

Step 2: Pull the towel taut and inhale. This should cause you to engage your abs. Exhale pulling the towel sideways toward the top of your knee. Repeat with the other leg/knee facing outward.

These moves should be repeated 10 times each side. Again, as you progress, you can add reps.

These quick and easy exercises, which can be performed anywhere, will help you stay in enviable bikini ready shape. See you in August!

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For your arms, we recommend the following:

Step 1: Find two 10 pound hand weights (15 pound weights can be used for the regular athlete). If you do not have hand weights, consider using cans of food or other household products of similar weight and size.

Lie flat on the ground with a hand weight in each hand. Place your upper arms straight out to the side, with your forearms perpendicular to them.

Step 2: Push the weights up in the arm until your arms are fully extended straight up. Be sure not to lock your arms in place. Bring them back down to the perpendicular position and repeat 10 times. Again, increase the reps as you progress in your program.

For a firmer butt sneak in the following exercise:

Step 1: slowly move into a deep squat holding on to a ledge, counter or the seat of a chair for balance.

Keeping your knee at a 90 degree angle extend one of your legs back staying in a low lunge. Make sure to keep your back flat and keep your legs hip width apart.

Step 2: Bring the extended knee forward and up to your chest and then return to the lunge position in Step One. If you are unable to reach your chest with your knee, bring it up as far as you are able. With time and practice, you should be able to touch your chest.

These moves should be repeated 10 times on each side. As you progress, you can add reps.

may 25

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Top 5 Early Summ

By Ryan Pizante

With this article, I take you deep into the archives of my Netflix watch history to provide you with my top 5 summer movies as we celebrate our first few weeks of summer.

I’ll begin with number 5, The Breakfast Club. Full disclosure, and to my disappointment, this movie is no longer available for streaming via the app. Though not a particular favorite of mine in terms of a stand-alone film, the sometimes incarcerating feeling of school with summer just within reach makes this a must-see. I’ll spare you the extraneous plot and character details, but rather talk about what pursued me to add this particular movie to my top 5.

Firstly, who can’t relate to a cult classic? I think everyone, for the most part, is familiar with the slightly campy but equally charming '80s blockbuster, but what makes it worth the Google search to find an alternative streaming source? The dated music and passé denim and floor-length tent skirts may be reason enough, but it also contains iconic scenes and unexpected friendships under improbable circumstances. It doesn’t go so far as to say what happens to the members of The Breakfast Club after their dissolution and escape from their detention prison, but needless to say the ending is optimistic. This movie is a great choice for a movie night with friends, being equally comical and endearing, where a Princess, Criminal, Basket Case, Brain, and Athlete team together against all odds, turning heads and changing fates.

Now to number 4, a personal favorite, Pleasantville. If you enjoyed Reese Witherspoon’s clever witticisms and buoyant, bubbly personality in Legally Blonde, and Tobey Maguire’s slightly dorky, but action-packed presence in Spider-Man, you may be surprised to find two very different personalities. Between Witherspoon and Maguire in this 1998 spinoff on a 1950s TV show, you’re in for an equal division of dry sarcasm and empty tissue boxes. What I like most about this movie, beyond the impressive transitions between black and white and tech nicolor visuals, is the gripping story-

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mer Netflix Favs line as our two seeming protagonists are zapped into a television set to play the part of Jennifer and David Parker in a world where color does not exist, let alone is desired. Jennifer, not fully understanding or accepting the implications of her modernity on a “pleasant� world, breaks rules and inspires mass changes to the town, bringing color to their droll suburban lives. David is initially opposed to Jennifer’s actions, but later realizes the idealistic community of Pleasantville is really not so pleasant beneath the surface, a place where true emotions are concealed and forbidden, a place where passion is admonished, and one where all is black and white and never gray. A town where color is sinful, and the suburban housewife is confined to a small, tiled kitchen, wasting away on extravagant breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, never to break routine or let her true colors shine through. This movie is laced with humor and charm, and has its explosively colorful moments as well. What makes it a well-established summer flick is perhaps its fresh, poppy imagery and heartwarming, original story, taking a world from black and white to one in technicolor.

Number three, continuing with a theme of dark suburban comedies, The Stepford Wives, referencing the 2004 adaptation with an all-star cast of Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler, and Glenn Close, is an uncannily sardonic film where animatronic housewives roam the externally charming suburbs of Connecticut. We follow Joanna Eberhart, a self-made feminist advocate and Manhattan career woman at the top of her field, who after a life-threatening encounter at work, leaves black turtlenecks and her cutthroat New Yorker disposition for colorful cocktail dresses and a second shot at her marriage. Joanna, accompanied by her husband Walter and two children, enters new territory, surmounting to Fourth of July square dancing and the homely American atmosphere Stepford appears to be, a place where crime rate is nonexistent and each home practically has its own zip code. Though Joanna attempts to play the role of the cupcake-baking, optimistic housewife, she soon finds like-minded friends in Bobbie Markowitz and Roger Bannister, who are mutually aghast with the disdainfully animated and antiquated community of Stepford. In attempts to make sense of their painfully archaic surroundings, the three decide to investigate, but what they find is far darker than their senses of humor or the sunny outer facade of Stepford can capacitate. This movie combines vivid humor, bold characters, and a campy story line to make for an ideal summer showcase, and is definitely worth the watch.

may 27

Moving on to number two, Stardust, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, combines witches, cross-dressing sky pirates, and a young man’s quest for true love to fuel its energetic, complex, and often unpredictable story along. Tristan, our protagonist, in an attempt to win the heart of the object of his affections, Victoria, who is now engaged to be married, travels far and wide to retrieve a fallen star as proof of his devotion. Little does he know this fallen star is nothing short of a young woman named Yvaine. With the remainder of this enchanted world seeking out Yvaine for their own selfish reasons, Tristan falls into numerous tricky situations where he must use his wit and a bit of leftover magic from the realm to keep Yvaine from harm. As the two gradually become closer, Tristan’s love for Victoria begins to fade, setting a new star on his horizons. This hopelessly romantic flick takes you into a world where nearly anything is possible and any adventure conceivable. With the charismatic spirit of summer in mind, this particular movie ranks highly on my list.

And, finally, to top off my list, as if anything else could ever rank as highly as my undying love for Clueless, a pop culture classic full of charm, eccentric style, and all-around light humor. Not having seen this movie is a travesty in itself, so heed my advice and take the hour and 37 minutes to enjoy my personal favorite summer flick, along with Alicia Silverstone’s killer Calvin Klein dress and infinity wardrobe, I promise it won’t be a waste of your time. There are too many iconic moments in this movie to name, so I’ll keep this recommendation short and sweet. Whether it’s falling head over platforms for the dynamite cast and coined phrases, or perhaps the innocently sarcastic humor of our leading protagonist Cher and her entourage, this movie is a timeless summer blockbuster that will have you totally buggin’ the whole way through.

Bright, Summer DIY Nails

By Michelle Encinas

For some fun, colorful, summer nails try these bright DIY nails!

1. First you must prep your nails to your own liking: cut, filed, cleaned.

2. Secondly, apply your teal color (or color of preference), and one nail of pink as shown in the photos below.

3. Once the nails are almost dry apply a flower to your thumbnail and third finger using a nail art pen.

4. Lastly, apply the clear coat, and you have completed your stunning summer nails!

These nails are flashy and fun for the start of your summer. Show off your amazing nails and have the best summer yet!

may 29

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