A BRIEF REPRIEVE

A generation of undocumented immigrants receives a moment of safety following the Supreme Court’s ruling on Dreamers. A DACA recipient reflects on what’s next in an exclusive Q&A and poem.

A Brief Reprieve By EVANGELINE BRENNAN

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that grants undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children temporary protection from deportation. Despite attempts to walk back the program from the Trump administration, on Thursday, June 18, the Supreme Court found in a 5–4 ruling that the current administration had not sufficiently justified ending the program. While this decision can be repealed at any time with sufficient causation, for now, the Supreme Court has changed the lives of DACA recipients across the country.

This news was met with great adulation from DACA participants and allies alike across the country as, for the first time since the Trumpera began, a generation of immigrants has been offered a small reprieve from persecution.

Following a tumultuous time in legislative limbo, in which the Supreme Court considered the Trump administration’s petition to rescind the protections DACA offers early childhood arrivals, Tania Y. Solano Cervantes, a student at Saddleback College at the time, wrote a poem regarding the possibility that DACA would be repealed and how it would affect not only her—a childhood arrival herself—but also her loved ones and future generations of immigrants.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Tania Y. Solano Cervantes to ask for her thoughts on DACA and her experience as an immigrant who has had to live in fear of not only being undocumented but also of the formation of stricter immigration policies from the current administration.

When did you come to America and where did you immigrate from?

I was born in Guerro, Mexico and I immigrated to the U.S. when I was only two months old.

Do you consider yourself an American? Have you/would you be comfortable living anywhere else?

I often find myself struggling to answer this question. On the one hand, I was raised knowing of my undocumented status; I was well aware that I was not a U.S. citizen and because of it, I felt un-“American.” On the other hand, although I am proud to be Mexican—I am very proud of where I come from and I honor my heritage—I can never call Mexico my home.

As I mentioned earlier, I immigrated to the U.S. when I was 2 months old. I was brought to California by my parents as an infant. Therefore, my life here in the U.S. is all I really know. It’s the only place I can call home, but this government often fails to recognize that. Immigration policies have never considered me as an “American,” it wants to rid me of this country by deporting me, and I grew up internalizing that. And for a long time, I did not feel comfortable living in Mexico or the U.S. because I felt like I did not belong anywhere.

This is why advocacy for undocumented rights in America is so important to me because I know there are between 690,000800,000 DACA people who have struggled and continue to struggle with their nationality. Some of us have not stepped foot in our respective birth countries since we immigrated to the U.S.

Few of us have forgotten or don’t speak our native tongues anymore. And most of us have lived the majority of our lives in the U.S. We (DACA people) don’t consider any other place “home” other than the U.S. So, no. I do not feel comfortable living anywhere else.

Ultimately, in every way, shape, and form, DACA people are American. And it is time that we all acknowledge that; I am starting to, and this is why I will not stop until this country does, too.

Have you ever been afraid of deportation? If yes, can you describe that fear?

I have always been afraid of deportation. However, lately, I have been more frustrated and angry than afraid. I can speak more about the vexation I have towards the risk of deportation.

It just does not make sense to deport DACA people. It’s not going to fix any of the many issues of our immigration system. It’s not going to eliminate immigrants from this country because DACA recipients are only a fraction of that population. It’s going to cost millions of taxpayer money to fund ICE to deport us. It will strike our immigrant communities with this severe trauma as they watch their young DACA recipients be uprooted from their friends and families.

Moreover, DACA people are so ingrained in our American society, economy, and culture. For instance, in terms of education, all of us have attended American schools (in fact, that is one of the main requirements to qualify for DACA). For the majority of DACA students, this country has funded our K-12 education via public schools.

Now, as DACA students are entering college, earning degrees, and starting careers, we have so much to offer to this country because of the education that the U.S. has invested in us—and we want to contribute to this country! Currently, there are thousands of DACA people risking their lives and fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic as healthcare workers—are these the people this country is really willing to lose by deporting them?

Again, it just doesn’t make sense to deport a cohort of people in whom this country has already vested in with protection from deportation. It just does not make any sense—economically, politically, socially, morally—to deport DACA recipients.

What does the Supreme Court’s decision on DACA mean to you, in both a concrete sense (i.e. how long are you protected by it) and abstractly (your feelings toward it)?

So this is how DACA works: it is an immigration policy that protects people who immigrated to this country as children from deportation and grants them employment authorization that allows us to work legally with valid social security. But this is temporary. We (DACA recipients) must renew the application every two years, which includes a fee of $495 (revenue that the ICE collects). Some of the benefits, of course, include protection from deportation and being I was on the able to gain employment. In California, DACA students qualify verge of a for in-state tuition and financial aid, which I cliff, and greatly benefit from. I get to keep my driver’s license! Older DACA SCOTUS was recipients can get mortgages and start a family. Basically, anything either going that requires social security, but does not to push me ask you to be a U.S. citizen, DACA people can participate in. In a off that cliff concrete sense, the Supreme Court’s decision continues to allow this. or pull me Abstractly, however, I know that the back into Supreme Court’s decision does not make DACA permanent. safety. This immigration policy continues to be temporary. At any moment, it can face the challenge of repeal again. In other words, the SCOTUS decision on DACA was a victory battle, but we are still at war. The fight for a path towards citizenship or something more permanent remains for DACA people.

Also, my fear is that folks may be hesitant to apply for DACA for their first time because they realize that the application requires one to willingly share an undocumented person’s information to an institution that, at any moment, can repeal and deport them. DACA, in general, is so strict and specific on who qualifies and who does not and, on top of that, with this current anti-immigration rhetoric and politics, many undocumented children and young adults may not benefit from DACA because their parents and families may feel that it is not a secured policy. Therefore, while the SCOTUS decision was a favorable outcome, there is still so much at stake.

How did you react to the news that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of upholding DACA?

I’ll be honest: I was not expecting the SCOTUS to rule in our favor. I was working on a protest committee who was in support of DACA and we have been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on the program for months. Throughout our planning meetings (virtually, of course), we always brought up the fact that the Supreme Court was currently a conservative majority and their ruling would jeopardize DACA.

For months, I was on the verge of a cliff, and SCOTUS was either going to push me off that cliff or pull me back into safety—I was so moved when it picked the latter. I woke up to the news on June 18 and instantly a hard knot of emotion formed in my throat. I was not expecting it. And while the fight for a permanent DACA solution remains, the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of upholding DACA allowed me to just simply breathe in peace for once since this administration took office.

How does DACA change your outlook for the future? What are your plans?

The fight towards justice and equality does not stop with this DACA decision. We still have a long way. But the SCOTUS’s decision on DACA gives me hope that change is possible. The next step is, okay so how can we create a path of citizenship or a permanent solution for DACA people. More so, what com-

DACA supporters rally outside the Supreme Court as cases are heard November 2019.

prehensive immigration reform can Congress pass that will support thousands of uncounted, undocumented folks in this country that live day to day in fear of deportation and in limbo.

Do you believe DACA can be improved in any way?

I appreciate that DACA is directed at young people who did not have a say in crossing borders “illegally,” but again it is not permanent policy, and very few people actually qualify for it. To apply for DACA, you need to verify your attendance in an American school and that you have/or will graduate high school, verify that you were less than 16 years when you immigrated to the U.S., you have to prove that you do not pose a threat to national security and public safety. Really, the initial application process is very scrutinizing, and if you don’t have the proper verification or paperwork, you are instantly rejected. In my opinion, many undocumented people deserve DACA. This government must take the immigrants who do not qualify for DACA into consideration and offer them similar solutions.

I also think that DACA fails to be fair with those who do qualify. For instance, DACA people have to pay taxes, yet we do not qualify for healthcare or federally funded programs. Public policies greatly affect DACA, yet we have no say in our democracy because we are not allowed to vote. It is also unfair rhetorically, as well. There is this common notion or public belief among certain political groups that declare DACA people as “illegal aliens.” It’s like, first off, we have not committed any crimes or illegal activities (we would not qualify for DACA if we did). DACA people had absolutely no autonomy in immigrating to this country. So stop acting like we are committing an “illegal act.” And even if we did have a say, there is nothing “illegal” about crossing borders in the search for a better life. Also, DACA people are not foreigners, we are so ingrained in American society, so stop calling us “aliens.” For instance, I am a DACA recipient and I bet I know our Constitution and Bill of Rights more than someone who is U.S. citizen. Labeling us as “illegals aliens” serves as a painful reminder that we are not welcome here or that we don’t deserve to be a part of this nation.

What do you believe is the next step in immigration reform?

I am now starting to learn how to defend myself from a government that continues to disregard and marginalize immigrant communities in the U.S. And I am not just talking about this current administration. Immigration reform has been long overdue in the U.S. I will continue to advocate for this reform.

One of my concerns is that once this administration is voted out of office, the public will feel that there is no direct threat affecting not just DACA recipients, but immigrant communities as a whole. Yes, a presidential term and conservative senate can be voted out, immigrants and undocumented folks will remain in this country. Let’s begin having discussions and advocating for comprehensive immigration reform that benefits not just DACA people, but immigrants and undocumented people in the U.S.

In your poem, “Dream Repealed,” you give your visceral reaction to the possibility of DACA being walked back by the Trump administration and you mention the absence of the American Dream. As an immigrant, do you feel as if there is sometimes a double-standard when it comes to who is allowed to the American Dream? Is it something that can be afforded to everyone?

As you may know, DACA people are often referred to as “Dreamers.” I wrote “Dream Repealed” on Nov. 12, 2019, inspired by the Dreamers marching in the streets of Washington and in honor of the great American poet, Langston Hughes. This is the day the SCOTUS scheduled hearings for DACA after the administration’s rescission of the program.

Personally, my immigration status has impacted my sense of well-being since I was a child. I grew up struggling to make sense of it, and, now that I am older and see/hear and understand things more clearly, I am garnering up the courage to share my experience in the hopes that others support us, Dreamers and all undocumented folks. Writing this poem is an example.

And it worked. You [Evangeline] read this poem, partook in our car rally the day of the SCOTUS decision on DACA last week, and now she is interviewing me to share with others what it means to be a DACA recipient. And one thing I want to share, as written in my poem, is this sense of hopelessness that I feel about the American Dream.

There is a double-standard when it comes to who is allowed to live the American Dream and not everybody can afford it. The American Dream has become more of a luxury than a right. In terms of immigration, those who qualify for visas, green cards come from privilege or have access to resources that grant them this possibility to go through the “legal” immigration process.

A lot of Americans think this is a luxury all immigrants can afford and it is simply not true! Many immigrants cross borders “illegally” because this is their only option for a better life. Ultimately, the American Dream exists, but let’s be mindful of who it serves today and who it has oppressed throughout history.

I do want to add that DACA opens many opportunities for me that I would not have had if it were not for this program. But there are still so many barriers people such as myself face in this country: racism, the cycle of poverty, sexism, gentrification, voter suppression, educational inequity, suppressive labor rights, underserved communities, and misrepresentation or no representation at all in the media—the list never stops!

And this is a reality for many minority groups out there. This poem is dedicated to those who have been unjustly robbed from their right to live the American Dream: of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

America has largely been built on the premise of the “American dream,” an idea that anyone—regardless of where they were born or their economic status—can fulfill their idea of success in America through hard work and perseverance. It is a country that was supposed to welcome anyone, free from persecution, under the idea that people were created equal and with intrinsic rights. The Supreme Court’s decision on June 18, feels like a first step, of sorts, in the direction of the seemingly elusive idea that America is a country built on dreams and, finally, it’s time to welcome the dreamers.

Dream Repealed

By TANIA Y. SOLANO CERVANTES

inspired by Hughes and the Dreamers marching in the streets of Washington

America, the bold, the beautiful, the great, the land of the f r e e — where is the American Dream?

for years We sang to your flag, We let you pull, twist, reverse Our mother tongue; she’s now h u r t — will We ever be enough?

not red, not white, not blue We are a different shade for you Ourselves viewed less human than y o u — this land is not made for Us?

living in the shadows, they say separated by walls every day no laws or pathways, only u n c e r t a i n t y — why throw Us across the floor?

D

A

C

A

— are We here to stay?

not here,

not there, — if not, then w h e r e?

We are not welcomed We do not belong will Our dreams d r y u p — like a raisin in the sun?

taste

Calling All Recruits, Welcome to Avengers campus

words & photos By ALYSSA GERVACIO

Graffiti mural mirrors WEB Suppliers in Avengers Campus.

Take a walk through California Adventure Park’s latest quite superheroic addition

Officially open to the public on June 4, Avengers campus has brought Disney fans back to the park for the first time in over a year. With a wide array of entertainment and food options, the land is packed with things to see and do. Personally, Avengers Campus blew my mind when i walked in for the first time. From seeing our favorite superheroes roaming around to trying the different treats the land has to offer, the imagineers did a fantastic job with this project. The immersion and theming are incredible which makes this new addition a must see. Though there may be tons to do, relax and take in the scenery around you. Avengers Campus is incredible and something that exceeded my expectations.

Have you tried Shawarma?

Avenger’s Campus has a couple of places to dine at and near the front of the entrance, guests stumble upon the infamous Shawarma Palace. This restaurant offers a vegan wrap full of plantbased falafel and vegetables. The cart, located near the back of the campus, also offers a chicken wrap as well as a breakfast option. I ordered a breakfast shawarma on the mobile app in the morning.

It was pretty good for the price and the portion. I’m also giving it bonus points for having vegan sausage. On that note, I highly recommend ordering ahead through the Disneyland mobile app because it’s quick and convenient. The line gets pretty backed up near lunchtime and the last thing you’re gonna want to do is wait in a line while starving in the sun.

You could also find another cart located near the back of the land in front of Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. Though we may not be in New York, we get pretty close with these carts.

Quantum Bites

In the mood to take a seat and relax? The Pym Test Kitchen is gonna be your jam. I mean, where else are you gonna get a huge Bavarian pretzel and a fancy alcoholic beverage in the same place? To be specific, Pym Test Kitchen is focused more on the food and the Pym Tasting Lab is more similar to a bar. Once again, mobile ordering is

The Quantum recommended from Pretzel ($12.99) both the kitchen from the Pym Test and the lab as the Kitchen, left, is lines can get pretty served with mustard and cheese sauces. long. You can pick Spider-Man, right, from a selection of swings across food items at the the rooftops near the entrance of Pym Test Kitchen. Avengers Campus. Disney caters to a lot of dietary restrictions, so it’s a safe bet for larger groups. Did I mention you can get your hands on a $100 panini? You heard that right, you can purchase a family-sized Pym-ini, and it’s perfect for sharing.

Suit Up!

Next is Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure. Don’t worry, no spoilers here, but I’m gonna tell you how awesome it is. The theme is incredible and the ride itself is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Now, if you’re one of the big kids, or a really brave little one, don’t forget to pay a visit to the Guardians of the Galaxy for us. If you haven’t been on the Disneyland loop, Guardians Of The Galaxy: Mission - Breakout! replaced The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror back in 2017.

Though the Tower of Terror is still a fan favorite, there’s no denying that Guardians Of The Galaxy: Mission - Breakout! fills the void. I mean, a fast-paced drop ride full of music from the movies and familiar characters? Nothing can beat that! After you hop off the gantry lift, check out the Terran Treats cart right across the ride. You can get some unique desserts here straight from Taneleer Tivan.

More To See

There’s always something going on in Avengers Campus. You can catch some of your favorite heroes like Black Widow and Black Panther during a live stunt show at their headquarters. Or, snag a seat at the Pym Test Kitchen dining patio, with a great view of the show from your table. One of the coolest experiences is witnessing the Warriors of Wakanda. Join the Dora Milaje as they garner everyone’s attention with an incredible show.

I highly recommend participating in this one, you may even have a chance to perform in front of everyone! Once the sun starts to set, head to the Ancient Sanctum where you’ll find Dr. Strange. Aside from being absolutely beautiful at night, the area offers an awesome show full of visuals and familiar faces. And last, but definitely not least, check out The Amazing Spider-Man! before you carry on. We’ve seen that crazy flying animatronic all over the web for months now, and we’re finally able to see it in action. The show is short and sweet and the audience never fails to stand in awe after see-

Taneleer Tivan’s statue, ing Spider-Man fly left, in the front of through the air! All Guardians of the Galaxy: of these shows hapMission Breakout. Middle represents all pen multiple times members of the Dora throughout the day, Milaje in the Warriors of but I highly recomWakanda show. An ode to New York and friends, right, arrives through the mend checking the Disneyland app Shawarma Palaca cart. to get up-to-date times.

Take My Money!

Throughout the campus, there are a couple of spots with cool merchandise. Near the Spider-Man area, we have WEB Suppliers. Here, you can get anything and everything related to everyone’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. You can even get an extra accessory that could help you in Web Slingers! There’s also a small pop-up stall near the middle of the campus called the Campus Supply Pod. You can grab a few cool pieces here from apparel to unique Avengers merchandise. After hopping off of Mission - Breakout!

You walk directly into a gift shop, but before walking straight through, take some time to take a sneak peek at everything there is to offer! The Collector’s Warehouse has everything to treat your galactic fix. There are some cool items like toys, apparel and even collectibles, so make sure to check it out.

Dublin 4 Works for Everyone

Now, months into our “new normal”, Orange County is having to adapt to dining out taking on a new meaning. While some restaurants were equipped for dining al fresco with patio seating, others were designed solely for an in-house experience.

Award-winning, sister restaurants, Dublin 4 Gastro Pub and Wine Works for Everyone are two examples of such restaurants. Right here in Mission Viejo, the family-owned, and operated establishments were one of the many businesses tasked with the challenge of creating a safe outdoor space that customers could dine.

As a repeat customer myself, I can tell you I was not ready to give up their beautiful cocktails or their lamb and goat cheeseburger—I type as I drool over my keyboard. Thankfully, the Coyle family and staff acted quickly to ensure their numerous regulars wouldn’t have to go long without their favorites.

“The start of COVID-19 brought a lot of uncertainty,” restaurant manager Drew Coyle says. “As a small business, there were so many immediate concerns and emotions like ‘How long will this last?’ ‘Is my family safe?’ ‘Will we be able to survive financially to re-open?”

Along with other restaurants at the beginning of this mess, Dublin and Wine Works transitioned to a full take out model to try and limit the interactions with customers. Coyle attributes their regulars’ continued support during that time keeping them afloat until dining establishments were allowed to open with safety guidelines in place.

Paper menus are given to customers to reduce the spread of germs.

When news broke that restaurants would be allowed to open so long as seating distances were six feet apart and employees would wear protective gear, Coyle and his staff had to transition again. Dublin and Wine Works are set in small and intimate settings, so having to get rid of half the seating was a hit.

Probably one of the biggest downsides was the loss of the bar that Coyle worked at himself. It wasn’t possible to keep a sixfoot distance from anyone at the bar top, so that was closed completely, which was a disappointment for many who visited the bar specifically for the opportunity to speak with him and his other bartenders while they worked. “As a bartender, I definitely miss the face-to-face interaction and conversation at the bar top,” he says. “To build and create a cocktail, based on the sense and personality of a guest, is a huge part of mixology. The saying ‘A smile is worth a thousand words’ has never meant so much in these times within our industry. I miss that.” This most recent shift has shown us the true grit and innovation of the service industry. In early July, Gavin Newsome announced that all indoor dining would need to be immediately ceased, which had restaurants all over scrambling, yet again, to transition to patio-outdoor dining only. “We hear of all closures and guidelines no earlier than the general public does,” Coyle says. “Only a few hours before opening, we had heard we were no longer able to accommodate our reservations inside once again, in which we had to build a fully serviceable parking lot patio. Our

staff made this happen quickly and safely without question.”

He adds: “Our outside patio was made by laying turf in our parking lot, allowing us to have an occupancy of 65 guests, half of our usual. We built furniture, umbrellas, planted flowers, and hung stringing lights to create an atmosphere where you could enjoy, even in a parking lot.” In total, these renovations cost the family $3,740 with the costliest item being the grass turf. The expenses, while difficult, weren’t the only challenge with outdoor dining. The July heat brought its own destruction. Tables that were used inside actually began to slowly warp in the hot sun and Coyle was forced to buy furniture made for weathering the elements. I took my mom to the now combined Dublin and Wine Works parking lot for drinks and apps one night and the outdoor dining experience was no different than the usual fabulous food and service we are used to. Eating in the open air made us both feel more at ease and our server wore protective gear and was doing everything by the book when it came to cleaning tables and keeping her distance from us and other customers.

The décor made us forget we were in a parking lot and it kept the same classy impression as it always has. Coyle and his staff keep a radiantly positive attitude during these constant transitions and are clearly ready to face anymore coming their way. “From learning, training, and adapting to these guidelines, I truly could not applaud our entire staff enough in this conversation,” Coyle says. “Almost five weeks later, they are continuing to provide a safe and healthy dining experience. We are all in this together. Health, love, and happiness overcome

all.” MARIAH MILLER

Harvest Restaurant

The fine dining experience goes outside during state shutdowns

COVID-19 may have ruined the dining experience for many, but at The Ranch Laguna Beach’s Harvest restaurant, that would be next to impossible.

Although this restaurant is abiding by all of the safety guidelines and regulations to keep their guests safe and their doors open, the service and ambiance of the restaurant hasn’t taken a back step whatsoever. In fact, you could argue that the ambiance in particular, is better than ever.

The restaurant abides by the strict COVID-19 laws that apply to all food and beverage businesses at the moment. The tables are spread out wide to encourage social distancing, guests are not allowed in the restaurant without having a mask, and they moved their entire restaurant outside, after California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, ordered all indoor bars and restaurants to re-close, due to a spike in coronavirus cases.

Now, Harvest overlooks a beautiful 9-hole golf course, making the ambiance second to none.

The scenery is also amazing. With a large mountain essentially engulfing this entire location, you almost get reminded of the beautiful luscious green mountains that are all over Hawaii.

Aside from the beautiful view, the food and service at this restaurant is great as well. They feature a variety of delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts. From duck drums, to pork chops and fried chicken, to butter cake and creme brûlée for dessert, their menu is truly unique and hard to come by.

One dish Harvest is known for is their duck drums which is an appetizer. Many people have told me about them in the past, and when I finally got my chance to try, they lived up to the hype. They are absolutely delicious and unlike anything I’ve ever had before. They are a tad bit spicy though, so if you don’t enjoy spicy, these may not be for you.

As far as entrees go, my favorite item on the menu is the grilled eye of the ribeye. The beef is sourced from Snake River Farms, and the quality of the meat speaks for itself. The dish is served with a sweet corn risotto, java beans, asparagus and a chipotle-lime butter. If you visit this restaurant upon my recommendation, I’d suggest you try this delicious and savory entree.

I personally asked the restaurants executive chef, Kyle St. John, what he recommends off the menu. He recommended the pork chops, fried chicken, and the duck drums.

Don’t bother wasting your time and money at those other restaurants in Laguna Beach that may gauge you just because of the location by giving you an over priced, under par menu with poor service. Enjoy the best restaurant in Laguna Beach that has an exquisite menu, beautiful ambiance, excellent service, and prices that are more than fair for the quality of food served. They truly deliver. JACOB CASTRO

ORANGE COUNTY

The Golden Coast is in the midst of a major shift in punk culture for a new generation ready for more

While being tossed around in a pit of sweat with strangers stage diving onto your head unannounced isn’t everyone’s ideal concert going experience, it is a welcomed trill for the hardcore music scene. For Orange County, the somewhat underground culture is very much a thriving community made up of queer folk, activists, and straight-edge vegans.

While misconceptions circulate, fans and even some bands themselves, have been adamant in changing the perception of the scene. People unfamiliar with the culture are quick to assume hardcore shows are composed of drug-addicted degenerates who may also be anarchists or neo-Nazis. This train of thought stems back to the neo-Nazi skinhead movement born in 1980s United States as they expressed their hatred via hardcore punk. The media

coverage of these extremist fans amassed the coverage of those with opposing views, and although hardcore gangs successfully formed in the 1990s to violently push the neo-Nazis off their platform, the stigma remains today. “Hardcore punk has always been about honoring integrity when households, governments, and social relationships fail,” says Eric Giordani, Orange County resident and longtime heavy metal-punk enthusiast. While sitting down with Giordani, he speaks about an interesting and oftentimes overlooked branch of hardcore fans. “Despite the conflicting perceptions, common lyrics discuss struggles with mental health, being unapologetically true to one’s identity, resisting corruption against institutions and government, social justice, and staying drug- and alcohol-free,” he says. “In fact, one of the subcultures of hardcore punk HARDCORE is the straight-edge scene, also represented as XXX. This scene is so prevalent that the straight-edge hardcore scene is often referred to as HxC, where the X represents the straight-edge foundation. People who identify with HxC are also commonly vegan and actively promote activism against animal cruelty.” Twenty-year-old straightedge artist Jenn Guinevere the punk scene “has always been a platform for the oppressed,” she says. The music can stand on its own while others “find communities and seek self-improvement.” “It’s a place where kids with broken homes can let their frustrations out and meet with those alike,” she says. “It can also be a platform for activists to speak out about injustices, or a place where people can just let loose after an uptight shift at work. Most people in the scene are friendly, and it’s good to have friends in the mosh pit when the crowd gets wild.” Guinevere laughs as she recalls memories of shows, pre-quarantine, that got out of hand. Most of the time, crowds and stage presence are high energy, so mosh pits are always expected, especially for the headlining bands. “Limbs flailing everywhere and bodies diving off stage is the best part of the show,” Giordani says. “Light injuries are common. Down-tuned guitars and palm mutes make people rabid.” Although mosh pits seem like a cracked skull waiting to happen, there is a rule of thumb the majority of pit goers seem to follow. Holding lost items over one’s head for others to find, no moshing outside the pit into the standing crowd, and no throwing things are just a few examples of basic rules known throughout the community. Knowing they can absolutely lose their shit without fear for their

lives is the kind of controlled chaos that keeps people coming back to the shows.

The most popular venue in Orange County to find hardcore punk shows is Chain Reaction in Anaheim. The space is small and intimate with no stage barricades, a blessing for stage divers. “Many shows are also played in record stores, since it is inexpensive and easygoing for the bands and attendees,” says Andrew Marquez, a 23-year-old from Garden Grove.

Programme Skate & Sound in downtown Fullerton, which sells a variety of hardcore vinyls, CDs, and cassettes is one such place. Fullerton is home to a booming community of HC and punk lovers. Another legendary record store, previously a venue, is Black Hole Records. Then there’s another famous worldwide hardcore band from the 1980s: Adolescents, formed in Fullerton.

An energetic crowd piles on top of one another together during a DARE show at Toxic Toast in Long Beach. A fan backflips on stage during a Turnstile show at the Observatory in Santa Ana, California.

In most recent times, DARE, another Fullerton band, is rapidly growing a fan base. They aim to empower the straight-edge community while urging the youth to resist social pressures, especially given the destruction that drugs caused in their homes. Paying homage to their humble beginnings, DARE’s latest album Welcome to the OC released in late 2019.

To an outsider, the tree hugging do-gooders don’t easily fit the stereotypical punk rocker. But once you learn what the music is about, you begin to understand the anger behind each scream and growl. And the infectious energy and emotion in those sweaty mosh pits transforms into something as reasonable as a glass of wine with dinner or a good cry after a hard

day. MARIAH MILLER

juice

Caipirinha of various flavors: strawberry, passion fruit, and original.

Brazil’s National Cocktail in Vogue World Round

CAIPIRINHA IS THE NATIONAL DRINK OF

Brazil, made with cachaça liquor, lime and sugar. In Portuguese, it means “little country girl,” as it emerged from the countryside of São Paulo state. There are many stories retracing the origins of caipirinha. According to one interpretation, sailors adopted cachaça instead of rum upon arriving in Brazil. In order to ward against scurvy, a disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin C that particularly affected sailors, they drank citrus juices mixed with alcohol. This tropical cocktail is on the list of International Bartender Association’s official cocktails drink list. A caipirinha is flavorful and refreshing, perfect for the summer. Caipirinhas are ideal for the beach and are simple to make. GLEN SALAZAR

What is caipifruta?

There are many variations of the traditional caipirinha just like other classic cocktails from Latin America. The fruity variations are called caipifruta, which can include abacaxi (pineapple), maracujá (passion fruit), goiaba (guava), morango (strawberry), manga (mango), kiwi, milho verde (sweetcorn), or jabuticaba berries.

RECIPE // level easy

Level Easy Prep 3-5 minutes Serves 1

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of sugar 1 lime, cut into wedges ice cubes 2 ounces of cachaça (a liquor distilled from fresh sugarcane, made in Brazil) or white rum

Directions

Cut the lime into small wedges 2 Place the lime and sugar into the bottom of the glass and crush

Top with cachaça or white rum and stir well

Fill the glass with cubed ice

Garnish with a lime wheel

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Do Pants Matter?

FOR EVERY ZOOM CONFERENCE

call or work conference meeting, most of us are in the comfort of our cozy clothes or lounge wear while we work. While our denim jeans lye in our closets, collecting dust next to that summer luggage. What is the purpose to keep them? Could it be the nostalgic past of the average blue collard individual or could jeans disappear for good?

As the months continue, under quarantine jeans are in less demand than ever. According to the Levi Strauss Jeans Brand at the stock market proves that jeans are dying. Before the quarantine began in February, the average share was 20. Today the average share is 12, a 80% decrease in share value.

Other Brands that are known for loungewear or comfy work out attire, like Lululemon are thriving through the pandemic. Unlike Levi Strauss, the Lululemon company shares are thriving on the market. Before the pandemic, Lululemon average share was 260 and today a share values at 325 a 25% increase in one quarter. And the trend of its shares will continue to increase while the pandemic stretches on. Even commercials like to poke fun at the idea of people not wearing pants during work hours from home. But as you might be reading in your older comfy pair of sweatpants or loungewear, it provides comfort in a time of uncertainty.

As conditions get worse, someone wants to wear even more pieces of comfort. People are looking for any kind of relief possible, and the answer is not the skin tightening, blood constricting, sweat inducing, and uncomfortable pant legs making it impossible to binge any form of media. Here is to comfortable clothing and how it might loosen the ideas of proper attire.

Pants once equated to the hardworking, blue collard individual, but today it’s one who holds onto the past. Hardworking folks might not need pants at work anymore, but that doesn’t mean we’re throwing them away anytime soon. When consumers see rise in the stock market for Levi’s is when the economy and the workplace eases back to nor-

malcy. FRANK ROCHA

Meet Your MATCHA

Oh so healthy and delicious

FROM HEALTH MAGAZINES TO your local boba shop, matcha green tea has taken the world by storm. Aside from being delicious, it can also provide you with a steady, sustained boost of energy to last a whole day. I kickstart busy days with a matcha latte to prepare for the events that may lie ahead. This recipe call for matcha green tea powder, which can be easily found through online retailers as well as most health food markets. It’s easy to make the perfect iced matcha latte at home with this a simple rec-

ipe. ALYSSA GERVACIO

Ingredients

2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder 2 tablespoons of hot water 1 tablespoons of honey or sugar ½ cup of milk ½ cup ice

Optional

Matcha bowl Matcha whisk Caramel syrup

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5

6 Directions

1 Scoop out 2 teaspoons of your matcha powder into a matcha bowl or cup. 2 Pour 2 tablespoons of hot water into your matcha powder. 3 Mix the water and powder with a matcha

Whisk, handheld milk frother, or a mixing tool of your choice to

make a paste. Quickly incorporate honey or sugar into the paste, melting it in. Pour milk into a glass and add as much ice as you’d like. I like tons of ice in my drink, so I usually top it off. Transfer the matcha paste mixture into the glass of milk and ice. Mix and enjoy! Optional: Drizzle on some caramel syrup to get a sweeter matcha latte with a touch of caramel.

Let’s Talk Green

You can find two different grades of matcha powder, ceremonial and culinary. Ceremonial matcha is typically meant to be consumed dissolved in water by itself, so the flavor is sweeter on its own.

Culinary matcha is intended for use when mixed with other things. I use Culinary matcha as much as I can. I grab an affordable bag of it online and use it for lattes where I can alter the taste to my liking.