CRA Z the antihomecoming
have your crown and wear it too volume 3 | issue 1 | september 2011
sept. issue have your crown and wear it too
what’s inside
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editors’ note 04-05
intro: have your crown and wear it too 06-07
fashion: battle of the thrifts 08-09
food: indian cuisine 10
music: alternative tunes 11, 12-13
swing: swing this way 12-13
books and movies
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14-15
video games 16-17
diy: newspaper nails 18
interviews 19
sponsors and contributers
e editors’ note editors’ note
CONGRATULATIONS! You have just opened the first issue of Craze. We are stoked about it, as you flip through, we hope you will be too. But first, let us give you a little background into who we are and what we do. Craze is an online magazine run by 13 amazing students (see back page for names) that covers all things cool. Our goal is to provide the student body with sophisticated entertainment and new ideas. We look for hole-in-the-wall restaurants, fun stores and awesome events that we know you’d be interested in, and then we bundle it all up in a cleverly designed package. This issue is all about Homecoming, or rather, alternatives to it. We know that not everyone is into school dances, so we have looked high and low for the creative options to make your night awesome. If you are going, that is cool too. Our issue is stock full of things to do all weekend long. We had a blast making this issue, and we hope you have fun reading it as well. Keep on the lookout for our next one, which comes out in October. Also, we love feedback. For ideas to cover, thoughts or praise, email our editor-in-chief, Lilly Phillips, on first class, or check us out on Facebook. ENJOY!
craze vol 3 | issue 1 | september 2011 Omaha Westside High School 8701 Pacific Street Omaha, NE 68114
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the antihomecoming Have your crown and wear it too
W
e have nothing against school dances. In fact, some of us are even going. But here is the deal: Not everyone goes to Homecoming. Maybe you can’t dance, or you are nervous to. Maybe you didn’t get asked or didn’t ask someone yourself. Maybe you just don’t feel like dressing up or spending money on a ticket, an outfit, or a meal. Whatever the case, there is absolutely no need to be mopey this weekend. The truth is, you don’t need to win the Homecoming crown to have one. Everyone has the potential to be Anti-Homecoming kings and queens. All you have do is take charge of your weekend and perhaps pay a visit to BK. Once you put on that crown, you rule. You could make a new playlist, learn a new dance or beat level 5 of a video game. But, because being royalty can be tough, we have put together ideas as a helpful guide to your alternative Homecoming weekend. So go on... flip through. You can have that crown, and you can wear it too.
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fashion battle of the thrift
written by laurel oetken, designed by lilly phillips , megan ulrich, and tyler schank, photos by eva phillips
H
omecoming arrives once a year in schools across the country. It is the time of year (other than Winter Formal and Prom) where both guys and girls get to dress up and have a good time. The only downside to Homecoming is that it’s one of the only times of the year where you have to have money to look good. Generally, girls can spend anywhere from $50-100 on a Homecoming dress. When you add in the cost of shoes and accessories your final total of what you spend just to wear to homecoming can be as much as $200. Although guys have the advantage of not having to spend as much on what they wear, (considering the fact that most of the time guys can reuse shirts and ties) the prices can still add up when paying for a nice dinner before the dance, and possibly activities after the dance. After taking a look at the final
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costs of everything that spent for homecoming, the question becomes this‌ was it worth it to spend your money on items that you will probably only wear once, when you can spend that money on multiple items that you can wear all of the time? New fashion trends are coming out all of the time, but the one trend that never seems to fade is thrifting to find fashion. Thrift stores have always been around, but new ones are constantly opening. The new stores are more modern and the selection of clothing tends to be hand-picked. In some of them, you can even exchange your own gently used clothing for cash or store credit. In Omaha, teenagers are thrifting or shopping the vintage scene to get pieces to add to a wardrobe because of the cheaper costs. Shopping at vintage and thrift stores is cheaper and you can get many items for a
lower thrift price. Some of the stores around town are not well known, but have some of the best thrift items that you can add to your style. These stores include items for both guys and girls that can make shopping a whole new experience. This weekend, go around Omaha and check out some of the stores we have reviewed. Our ratings depended on four variables: price, variety of trends available, options of clothing, and the atmosphere of the store. Our overall rating was out of 10 points. Tell us what you think. Is it worth it to spend money on a Homecoming dress when you can but more than 10 dresses for the price of one?
reserve
new life thrift
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
$$$: A little over the average of Goodwill Stores
$$$: Very cheap (Jewelry under $1)
TRENDS: Reserve is a collection of hand picked items from all of Omaha’s Goodwill stores. The vintage items, including old wedding dresses, and bags, and even old records, are in great shape and reflect popular styles and trends of the past. With the prices of a Goodwill store, Reserve’s truly vintage styles are a great deal.
TRENDS: At first glance, New Life Thrift may not seem like anything special. You may have to do a little digging to find all the cool, unique clothing items, but it is worth your time. New Life Thrift has a huge selection, including funky purses and jewelry(most for under a dollar!).
OPTIONS: Items at Reserve range from accessories to clothing items to vintage appliances. There are many unique dresses and skirts that could fit any personality. ATMOSPHERE: Reserve is a cute and cozy store located in the Old Market. It’s creative layout and vintage decore gives it a fun atmosphere and gives the previous Goodwill items a new chic look. Location: 501 S. 13th St. Omaha, NE 68102
the flying worm OVERALL RATING: 9 out of 10
OPTIONS: At New Life Thrift, there is a wide variety of skirts, jackets, pants, shoes, and even furniture to choose from. The styles range from modern to vintage and each item is unique, meaning you will probably be the only one you know to have anything like it! ATMOSHPHERE: New Life Thrift is a large store and may not look like much. Some areas of the store are somewhat unorganized and the decore could use some touchups. Despite its appearance, but the unique clothing found there will make up for it. Location: 7007 S. 36th St. Bellevue, NE 68147
$$$: Moderately priced, $10-$30 an outfit TRENDS: The Flying Worm is mostly vintage clothing but there are also some new items, many of which are made to look vintage or fit in with the new fashion trends, such as feathers and tube socks. OPTIONS: There are plenty of items to choose from at Flying Worm including their large display of cowboy boots. Some of the unique accessories offered include handmade jewelry by local artists, spoon rings, scarves and funky bags. All of the clothing items that are used vintage are in great condition and can be taken right off of the shelf and worn. ATMOSPHERE: The Flying Worm has a very retro atmosphere, fitting its vintage clothing styles. Since it is in the Old Market, it is in an older building, adding to it’s thrifty vibe. Location: 1125 Jackson St. Omaha, NE 68102
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Food written by megan north, photos/design by kate laing
indian cuisine
kurry xpress
can I get for you?” “W hat The man behind the counter had a
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275 M
St. John Galt Blvd
Q St. Kurry Xpress
10841 Q Street, Suite 105, Omaha, NE 68137 402-934-5054
107th St.
S 108th St.
S 114th St.
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heavy accent. It seemed to hang suspended in the air, coloring the menu in my hands as I tried to interpret the list of foreign dishes before me. This was unlike any other Indian restaurant I had been to; it was the epitome of a hole-in-the-wall. The parking lot had been bumpy as I pulled up, the walls were a dull shade of creamy white and though it looked well kept, the decorations weren’t overly elaborate. Its neighbor in the near-empty strip mall was a dog-grooming boutique with a cheesy name, and Kurry Xpress was somewhat cliche itself. It didn’t seem like a place to get dressed up for, which would be a good alternative for homecoming night. I placed an order, sitting down in a booth lined with a mirror, and waited. On the multiple occasions that I’ve been back to the restaurant, the wait has never been more than 10-15 minutes. Doubt began to creep into my mind as they called my name and I grabbed my food – was this a waste of time? However, as I lifted the creamy buttered chicken to my mouth and my senses took on the slight spice, I knew that Kurry Xpress was a hidden treasure. A hole-in-the-wall to the greatest extent possible? Yes. A bit of a language barrier? Yes. The best Indian food I’ve tasted in Omaha thus far? Definitely.
make it at home: merg makhani ingredients
1 cup butter, divided 1 onion, minced 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce 3 cups heavy cream 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon garam masala 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons tandoori masala
instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). 2. Melt a few tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook slowly until the onion caramelizes to a dark brown, about 15 minutes. 3. Meanwhile melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat along with the tomato sauce, heavy cream, salt, cayenne pepper, and garam masala. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in caramelized onions. 4. While the sauce is simmering, toss cubed chicken breast with vegetable oil until coated, then season with tandoori masala and spread out onto a baking sheet. 5. Bake chicken in preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 12 minutes. Once done, add the chicken to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes before serving.
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music alternative tunes written and designed by eva phillips
One of the most common complaints about Homecoming each year is the music selection. Lousy song choices can ruin a whole night of highly anticipated dancing and fun. School dance playlists usually go something like this: the top ranked songs on iTunes, followed by last year’s one hit wonders, the annual line dance songs, then some Lady Gaga. If you’re getting tired of dancing to the same old songs, here are some cool, lesser-known alternatives.
instead of this... One song that is expected to be playing on the dance floor is “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon Five. This up-beat track featuring Christina Aguilera has been on the top charts for weeks due to its pulsing bass and catchy chorus line, giving it a perfect sound for dancing. I paired this track with Two Door Cinema Club’s “Something Good Can Work.” Although this track may not be as well-known as Adam Levine’s hit, it is worth giving a listen due to its foot-tapping drum beats and memorable vocal lines that will get you on your feet and singing along after one listen. Lady Gaga has become one of, if not the, most well-known international pop icons, and her song, “The Edge of Glory” will most likely be blasting at this year’s Homecoming. Her bold attitude and eccentric style make her nearly impossible to compare, but indie music’s Lykke Li seems to be getting pretty close. Their music may not have a lot in common, but their unconventional styles do. Lykke Li has created a distinct sound, setting her aside from all other musicians in the indie spotlight. This style is highly reflected in her track, “Im Good, Im Gone.” Lykke Li and Lady Gaga both go against the norm with their music, giving it an interesting vibe that many artists strive to achieve. The next track on my anticipated Homecoming playlist is “Tonight, Tonight”, by Hot Chelle Rae. This new track has made an unexpected breakthrough in pop music due to its quirky lyrics and care-free vibe. When listening to this song, the first thought that came to my mind was that its pounding rhythm and sharp drum hits reminded me considerably of the spunky alternative band, Free Energy’s “Something in Common.” Both bands share a very loose, relaxed feel, perfect for partying on the weekend.
“Black and Yellow,” the popular Wiz Khalifa hit that everyone has been singing for the past year, has a repetitive beat that imbeds itself in your head and stays there for hours. The humorous rap group, Das Racist shares a very similar quality through their track “You Outta Know by Now”. This song creatively mixes and layers various rhythms and unusual vocal lines in a way that will have a similar effect on you as the well-known “Black and Yellow”. The last song on my predicted Homecoming playlist is “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO. This electronic-dance track is one of the most anticipated on the list and will have everyone dancing and pumped up. I think the most prominent aspect of this track and the reason for its mass popularity is the way it incorporates an electronic dance beat. One of the most notable electronic bands of recent years is Ratatat. With their gauzy guitar and bassheavy synthesizers, Ratatat composes their songs in a very unconventional way that catches the ear of music lovers. LMFAO incorporates just a small amount of the electronic music techniques that Ratatat has come to master over the past years, reflected in Ratatat’s popular track “Seventeen Years”.
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try this!
swing swing this way
written and designed by lilly phillips, photos by alycia olson
L
ike fashion trends, certain dances tend to fade over time. They are replaced by more “modern” dances that often reflect the changes in the societies they come from. Today, ‘grinding’ has become widely popular and can be seen from clubs to middle school dances. Yet, grinding leaves little room for creativity and self expression. The majority of people do not even enjoy it. If you are one of those people, or are simply bored of the repeated pelvic oscillations of grinding, fear not. This Friday, grab a partner and some dancing shoes because, like pencil jeans or high waisted skirts, Swing dancing is back in, and its a whirl of fun. Every Friday night at 8:00 pm, a crowd of 50-100 well groomed, nicely dressed people gather in an old ballroom called the Eagles Club. Many of them are nervous as this is their first lesson in swing dancing. An instructor patiently leads the group through the basic steps,
answering questions and providing assistance. Christie Palmer, the creative director of the Omaha Jitterbugs (the non-profit who organizes these dances) has been Swing dancing since she was 17. “[Swing dancing] is really just like anything else,” Palmer said. “All it takes is a little practice.” The lesson continues until 8:30 when the real dance begins. After working on the steps solo, everyone grabs a partner. “It is not a big deal if you don’t get it right away,” Palmer said. More experienced dancers love to help novices learn, and the more you practice, the easier it becomes. “One of the coolest things about Swing is that it is a great way to meet new people. You can meet a lot of people really fast, in a comfortable setting,” Palmer said. The crowd that gathers every Friday is composed of everyone from high schoolers to 60 year old swing enthusiasts, although there seems to be a pull from the high school and
college ages. There is nothing awkward about swing dancing either, besides stepping on your partner’s feet. “It is very courteous,” Palmer said. “There is nothing weird about asking someone to dance. Also, we are modern. Girls can ask fellas to dance.” Unlike grinding, partners face each other, which leads to more social interaction. However, Palmer suggests novices keep talking to a minimum as it can become distracting. If you do get tired of dancing, there are tables set up that are perfect for talking to friends, or watching the best dancers show off their moves. So if you find grinding uncomfortable or boring, or just want to try something new, swing on over to the Eagles Club. It is located on 24th and Douglas Street and the cover fee is $5.00. Don’t forget to dress up in your Friday best with some flat and comfortable shoes, and of course, don’t forget a positive attitude, some good humor and a big smile.
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books
a great and terrible beauty written by jill hoppe, designed by jordan meradith
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ith Homecoming approaching in a couple of days, people are flocking around like crazy to make things just perfect for the special night. If you’re not interested in dressing up, going to school dances, or whatever your reason may be, there are entertaining alternative options for your night! Instead of spending your precious weekend packed into a gym with sweaty bodies and overplayed music, try curling up with a good book. It may seem like a boring idea at first, but if you actually find a book you’re interested in, it’s easy to become completely immersed into it. For example, A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray, is extremely engaging. Set in the Victorian era, this book is full of elegant words
and vivid pictures that set into your mind. After sixteen-year-old Gemma Doyle’s mother commits suicide in their temporary home in India, she is sent to a boarding school in England all alone. Here, women are used as something to look at and not to be taken seriously. Gemma, however, has other ideas about her new life, and she’s not about to be pushed to the sidelines. Throw in sudden, dangerous visions of the future, a mysterious guy, and uncovering hidden family secrets, Gemma’s got some serious work to do. Bray’s writing in this novel is nothing short of applaudable. Her descriptions are vibrant and her
characters are unforgettable. History junkies will appreciate that Bray obviously did her research with facts scattered about the book. The literary style is sophisticated and is thought provoking. One downside is the plot started off a bit slow, but when it got going, it really flew. Later on, the cliffhangers are almost unbearable and leave you staying up way later than you had planned on a school night. Overall, if you’re a fan or interested in the Victorian age but would like a bit of a twist of fantasy, A Great and Terrible Beauty is a breathtaking wif you decide you can’t get enough of this book, read Rebel Angels and The Sweet Far Thing, which are the last two books in the trilogy.
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Overall, this is an amazing book with a riveting plot line. The characters are intriguing and realistic. However, the beginning is a bit slow and it may be hard to capture the reader’s attention that way.
Other reader’s rating: 4.5 stars.
“This book is exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat,” junior Marisa North said. “There are many things you don’t expect to happen.”
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movies release your inner child written by cassie mccormick, designed by jordan meradith
Savory Grab and Go Pizza Popcorn Ingredients:
Directions:
-6 quarts popped popcorn -Olive oil cooking spray -1 cup grated Parmesan cheese -2 teaspoons garlic salt -2 teaspoons paprika -1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
-Place popcorn in a large, sealable plastic container. -Spray popcorn lightly with cooking spray. -Sprinkle cheese, garlic salt, paprika and Italian seasoning over popcorn and shake to distribute evenly. -To serve, scoop popcorn into reusable plastic cups.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
movie time! a marathon of oldies
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omecoming. A time for grown up outfits, grown up music, grown up dancing, and acting like a grown up… well at least as grown up as a teenager can be. Just getting ready for homecoming can take hours and the whole ordeal can be more overwhelming and stressful than magical. This homecoming, release your inner child and instead try a Disney and other classics movie night. (And don’t forget the popcorn!)
Craze Staff’s Favorite Old Movies:
1. The Lion King
2. Mulan 3. The Goonies 4. Finding Nemo 5. The Incredibles 6. Spy Kids 7. Hook 8. The Little Rascals 9. The Little Mermaid 10. The Princess Bride
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sam cav game on
written by samie steed, designed by by leanna klimisch, tyler schank and lilly phillips
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...well actually it was in this galaxy and it was only sixteen years ago, I was beamed down.
In my house Star Wars and Star Trek references are common and constant. I grew up playing any video game I could get my hands on. The best gift I’ve ever received to this day is my N-64, and one of my fondest and earliest memories was playing Pokemon Silver. The very first thing I bought as kid was Pokemon Stadium Two and Pokemon Stadium One is my all time favorite game. I am a nerd and would love to share all things nerdy with you. It’s-a me-a Samie, let’s-a go!
Attention Gamers! On the following page is my list of some of MY favorite games. They are seperated into two categories: Games for single players and group games (although some work as both). They may require different gaming systems, so keep in mind what system you have or can borrow from a pal.
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ve Single Games Call Of Duty: Black Ops*
Call of Duty is becoming a classic single player game for teenage guys. It’s perfect for homecoming night because you can play online with others who opted for staying home. You can also release aggression from the person who didn’t go to homecoming with you...simply pretend they’re a commie. *It could also be fun as a group game. It’s entertaining when your date tries to show you how to play for the first time.
Halo: Reach
Halo is another game that is perfect to play because of its usage of Xbox Live. Reach is the newest installment in the Halo series however it’s not really new because it’s been out for about a year. It’s perfect to play with others on Xbox Live and has great multiplayer modes. Similar to Call of Duty, it’s a first person shooter game and can have you playing for hours.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The new Skyward Sword game should be coming out in a matter of weeks so in preparation, why not break out your old zelda games? Twilight Princess is the most recent Zelda game but any of the classic games would be fun to play. They are all single player games and can occupy you for hours.
Group Games Rock Band/ Guitar Hero
How can you go wrong with a group of teenagers and Rock Band? This game is great because many people can play and you can free play the songs of your choosing. Anyone can play it because you can set the difficulty level for each individual. It does require that you have the various controllers for the instruments, so make sure you have the after party at your “friend who has everything’s” house.
Just Dance
If you’re already in the dancing mood from Homecoming why not keep the party going with Just Dance? I find it’s the most fun to place with Xbox 360 and Kinect rather than playing on Wii. It’s also fun to have everyone get up and try the dance moves instead of trying to play in a game mode where only one or two people can play. If you are feeling competitive, you can play in various modes to see if you or your date is a better dancer.
Super Smash Bros Brawl*
This is a fun fighting game for groups of people. There are multiple Super Smash Bros from different generations, so it might be fun to play the old school one for N64. At least one person in your group is bound to know how to play, so they can teach everyone else. It’s more fun when people are learning how to play for the first time and die within a minute. *It can also be a fun single player game, because there are various modes where you can play against the computer.
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DIY
newspaper nails
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written and designed by kate laing
very September, teenage girls go on the hunt for the flawless Homecoming dress, shoes and accessories. After those are bought, the shade of nail polish that perfectly matches the dress has to be found. Many girls choose to visit a salon for a full service manicure and pedicure, which unfortunately can add a significant sum of money to the total bill of Homecoming. A basic manicure (includes trimming, shaping, cleansing, cuticles, massage and polish) costs $25... you could spend the same amount of money on a pair of heels at DSW. A cheap alternative to this would simply be to do your own manicure. Instead of a boring plain coat that girls end up doing for Homecoming, try creating unique newspaper nails. It is easy, fast, and looks awesome.
What You Will Need:
-10 newspaper squares (size of your nails) -small bowl -rubbing alcohol -clear top coat -light pastel or white nail polish
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2
3
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5
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1 4
2
3 6
Paint your nails with the white or light pastel nail polish.
Place the wet newspaper square on your nail, text side down for 30 seconds. Make sure the newspaper is pressed down over all of your nail.
Dip the tips of your fingers into the bowl of rubbing alcohol so your nails are submerged.
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Repeat step four for the rest of your nails
After your base coat has dried, soak one square of newspaper in the rubbing alcohol.
Paint on a clear top coat.
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q&a q&a
written and designed by lilly phillips photos by tyler schank
cami wagner sophomore
WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON GRINDING? It is gross. I mean, I don’t really get it.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN A DANCE OFF? Michael Jackson against Andy Pintado. I swear he [Michael] invented dancing.
joe coldanghise senior
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freshman
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT SCHOOL DANCES? My least favorite thing is the dancing. I don’t like to dance. It’s not my thing. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN A DANCE OFF? Max Carlson and Obama because I have a strong feeling Obama would win. WHAT’S YOUR STANCE ON GRINDING? I could care less...
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DANCE MOVE? I like a lot of pop-lockand-notdropping it. It just comes naturally. Although sometimes it comes from workout videos... like Turbo Jam. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN A DANCE OFF? I really want to see Hillary Clinton, in a tutu, versus Ralph Nader. That would be epic.
tanner dyer
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SCHOOL DANCES? Getting psycho on the dance floor. Least favorite... smelly people on the dance floor.
t u O t h g i N Jitterbugs
Swing Dancing every Friday 9-12 pm YOUR AD HERE! Do you want to advertise with Craze? Contact our staff at: (402) 343-2645 or xanadustaff@gmail.com
Beginner’s
Lesson @
8:15, admis
sion
Eagles Club, 24th & Douglas
staff editor-in-chief: lilly phillips craze managing editor: kate laing design editor: tyler schank xanadu managing editor: jordan meradith photo editor: jill hoppe photographer: alycia olson music editor: eva phillips designers for this issue: megan ulrich, leanna klimisch, eva phillips, jordan meradith, kate laing, tyler schank, lilly phillips writers for this issue: eva phillips, laurel oetken, samie steed, kate laing, lilly phillips, cassie mccormick, jill hoppe adviser: nathan moseley Omaha Westside High School 8701 Pacific Street Omaha, NE 68114
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