Craze Issue Seven: Roots by Craze Magazine

cra ze the roots issue

ISSUE 7 / VOLUME 5 / MAY 2014

table of contents

table of contents 14 stories from our streets Meet a musician and author who has been playing in Omaha for 22 years.

18 westside’s day at the beach Look for your friends in these pictures from our summer photo booth.

34 a summer of selling cars Learn about one senior who will spend the summer working with his passions.

44 this story is basic (and that’s okay) Just don’t be so #judgemental.

70 make the most of your summer From book recommendations to music festivals, we’ve got your back. 4

contributors to this issue

snapshots: the second annual chalk party

10 from iraq to america 12 street style 22 why you’ll never be a grown-up 24 westside’s dream vacations 30 student artists at kent bellows studio 37 fashions for this summer 46 things we didn’t understand as kids 48 do it yourself: the perfect date 54 the best summer albums 59 exploring omaha’s trails 62 do it yourself: gardening 66 snapshots: prom

a note from the editors... The seniors have graduated, and staff members are taking over their positions with excitement. With two new editorsin-chief, we’ve adapted to a change in leadership and adjusted to a smaller staff. The last two weeks have been full of chaos, we have been scrambling to get things finished in just over half of the time it usually takes us to make our magazine. In the midst of all of this, one thing does not change: our love for this publication. Craze isn’t just something that comes out on Issuu every month. The time, stress, and dedication our staff puts into what we publish is incomparable to anything I’ve ever experienced. Each one of us comes from different places with different passions, and to me, that’s what makes Craze such a unique publication. Some of us are varsity athletes, while others have a secret obsession with blogging on Tumblr. Whether we’ve come from different states or have different hopes and dreams, Craze has helped shape us into the people we are today. We’re all rooted in our own places, and yet we have all been able to be a part of this staff, this family. So for this, we thank you. Thank you for being a part of our family this year, and thank you for supporting and (hopefully) loving this publication as much as we do.

contributors

Editors-in-Chief:

Allie Laing Lia Hagen

Marketing Editor:

Jenna Hynek

Managing Editors:

Tom Huerter Lilli Marvin

Business Managers:

Casey Arritt Maddie Look

Design Editor:

Kirsten McCormack Copy Editors:

Estella Fox Grace Wolfe

Staff:

Sarah Lemke Jake Larsen

Photo Editor:

Abegale Headlee

Social Media Editors: Jaylee Johnson Audrey McCann

snapshots // lemonade stand

chalk ‘til you drop craze’s second annual chalk party story by lia hagen, photos by abegale headlee, jenna hynek, and audrey mccann, design by lilli marvin A year ago, I became the managing editor of a publication no one read. It was a magazine fighting to stay alive and desperately trying to recruit just 10 staff members. Any less, and Craze as a staff and as a publication would disappear. It was during this time that we began to work on our junior issue, the Nostalgia issue. It was an issue full of big ideas run by a minuscule staff of four editors. Before this issue, Craze had always been a closed circle. We wrote stories we were interested in and rarely pushed to involve students. Content was a secondary concern, and promotional efforts were almost nonexistent. All of that changed with a box of chalk. For the first time, we pushed ourselves and the limits of our publication. We engaged the student body, and we gained so much more than we anticipated. We realized that we could be more. This was the first issue that I wrote something that I was really, truly proud of. A silly intro blurb created a tone and standard for me and, in many cases, for our publication. Our new design editor, Allie, went through a similar journey, developing an aesthetic that would define our publication. This year, we lived up to the standard the chalk project set. We involved the student body with photobooths and features as our readership grew. We turned a publication no one read into one we can all be proud of. That is why, this issue, we’ve decided to embrace our roots. It’s time to look back on all that we’ve left behind and to begin growing and moving forward. With this in mind, we’ve decided to bring back two important parts of Craze’s history: our chalk art and our photobooth. These throwbacks, combined with the other stories in this issue, begin a new phase in Craze’s lifespan. We can’t wait to share it with you.

snapshots // lemonade stand

feature // sandra aljuboori

a story of new beginnings

and a connection to home a students journey to america story and design by tom huerter, photos by maddie look

he wears a jersey blouse, black skinny jeans, and a pair of black boots. When people see senior Sandra Aljuboori, she appears to just be a normal high school girl. However, her story is very different. Aljuboori was born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1995 to a family of mixed religions. Both of her Christian grandmothers married Muslim men. In Iraq, it is customary for the children to subscribe to their father’s religion. However, her parents strayed from this tradition. Both of their fathers were Muslim, but they are Christian. This was not accepted in Iraq. She grew up discriminated against for her religion. “Complicated circumstances made life for my parents harder because they were not accepted by either the Muslims or the Christians,” Aljuboori said. She never felt accepted by people in Iraq, but this didn’t stop her from following her passion: learning. Her mother taught her the joy of learning, and it is something she “truly loves.” She adapted, not letting differences hold her back. Her life seemed to be normal in Iraq. Then, the Iraqi American War broke out and everything changed. “After the Iraqi American War started in 2003, my parents began working with the American army,” Aljuboori said. “This did not make it any easier on my family since people did not like that my parents were helping ‘the enemy.’ My parents never thought of the Americans as ‘the enemy.’ Instead, they wanted to help both sides to understand each other.” Before the war, her family had

felt the harsh effects of religious discrimination. Once they began helping the Americans, their religious discrimination was accompanied by political discrimination due to their friends and neighbors thinking they were helping the enemy. Any chance of a safe and happy life in Iraq was gone for her and her family. “There were many times where we could have died, but numerous miracles happened that prevented our death,” Aljuboori said. “One time I did not go to school, and during that day the militia entered my school. I was really sad for my other friends and classmates, but [I was] also lucky because I was not there.”

discrimination her entire life and had to flee her home, she has overcome adversity. Her connections to home, good and bad, have made her into who she is today. She came to school in America and was able to become an exceptional student with an incredible personality, but it wasn’t easy. “School was a totally different experience in America,” Aljuboori said. “Everyone spoke English, and I only knew the basics. I still managed to get a 4.0 my first year in middle school.” Aljuboori is truly dedicated to learning. Most of us would be horrified if we had to go to a new school in a new country. Aljuboori, however, threw herself into learning English and being successful in District 66. Even though I was She also has big plans for the sad because I was future. Her dream job is to be the not like everyone else, U.S. Ambassador to Korea. She I feel like it made me is one of 50 students chosen by the National Security Language into the person I am Initiative for Youth to be a part of today” their Korea program this summer. Her family’s life in Iraq beShe will be learning about differcame too dangerous. Aljuboori ent cultures and languages while may have not survived if she went living with a host family in South to school that day. A neighbor Korea. In the fall, she will begin at threatened to kill them if her faWilliam Jewel College, and she is ther did not convert the family to enthusiastic about their language Shia Islam. The family had to flee and study abroad programs. to Jordan. Aljuboori may look like a They lived in Jordan for a year normal high school girl, but she and a half while their Special Imis not. She knows her experiences migrant Visa was being processed have made her into who she is, so they could come to America and she enjoys being different. and continue working for the “Even though I was sad beAmerican military. cause I was not like everyone else, Yet to everyone else, she still I feel like it made me into the perjust looks like a normal high son I am today,” Aljuboori said. “I school girl. am stronger, and [I] don’t care if I People see her walking through am [not] like everyone else. I like the halls and think nothing of it. being different.” No one would guess she has faced

“

fashion // street style

GLOWING IN GREEN story and design by lilli marvin, photos by Maddie look, audrey mccann, and sarah lemke

As we anticipate summer, our moods instantly get better. Between the long, hot days spent by the pool and the late nights spent out partying with your friends, summer is our chance to get away from the stress and hustle of the school year. This month’s street style is dedicated to all of the students wearing the greens that surround us in the summer. From that garden you’ve started to the fresh spring grass, they’re the things that always seem to brighten our day.

Featuring: 1- Joshua Beckley

2- Karin Porras 3- Emily Yowell 4- Cora Watanabe 5- Langston Meyer 6- Alonzo Adams 7- Blair Goldstein 8- Laura Erdman 7

feature // street musician

A SAX AND A STORY the tale of a downtown street musician story and design by allie laing, photos by kirsten mccormack

ow many times have you passed a stranger on the street and wondered what makes them unique? It doesn’t matter if it was someone sitting on a bus stop, reading the newspaper, or playing music in the Old Market. Every person you pass by has a story of their own. We all have our experiences. Whether they are good or bad, they impact the way we live our lives. We end up in places that seem normal to us, but we rarely think about how we ended up there. Maybe you’re an artist who spends hours waltzing through art galleries, or maybe you’re an athlete who can’t stay away from the gym. In this case, we meet a musician who has a passion for impacting people’s lives through his music. On this adventure, I went down to the Old Market in search of a good story. I returned with a new perspective and an amazing view of what it meant to be an Omaha street musician.

feature // street musician

michael mitchell: street musician

iving in Omaha, it’s nearly impossible not to love the Old Market. The atmosphere creates an illusion that you’re in a different city. Lights are draped in every tree, brick roads lead from store to store, and absolutely perfect restaurants mark the corner of every block. It was approaching 9 p.m. on a Friday night, and I found myself wandering these streets. I’ve walked them what seems like a thousand times, but this time something was different. The entire environment seemed more welcoming than ever before, and every block was full of people who did nothing but smile and enjoy themselves. Street musician Michael Mitchell was no exception. How many times have you passed a street musician in downtown Omaha? Better yet, how many times have you interrupted their playing just to talk to them? Don’t worry, I hadn’t either, until that night. I could hear Mitchell’s saxophone playing from down the block, and with every step I took, his playing grew more distinct and beautiful. As I turned the corner, there he stood. A small crowd surrounded him, listening. For a few minutes, I just listened. There was a little boy standing with his parents, dancing as Mitchell played the ‘Hokey Pokey’ for him. People walked by and smiled at his joy. I looked from the kid to Michael, and I couldn’t decide which one looked happier. In that moment, I wanted to approach him. In other

words, I felt the need to know why he does what he does. I wanted to know why he decided to share his talents with the world around him in such a charismatic way. He finished the song, and I took a few steps forward. It was the first time I had walked up to a stranger on the streets to ask them about their life story, and you could tell I was nervous. With a smile on his face, he asked me a question. “When was the last time we saw each other?”

“

The first year I was down here, a guy came up to me and told me he loved my music, but he didn’t have any money. Instead, he gave me the shirt off his back.” -michael mitchell

“Never,” I said, confused. “Let’s change that,” he said. Mitchell is the type of person who has the ability to make anyone feel as if they know him. I may have never seen him or heard him play his music before, but his personable approach made my nervousness feel insignificant. “I’ve been playing saxophone for quite a while, and I’ve been doing this for 22 years,” Mitchell said. “The Old Market is the only place I can play in Omaha. You don’t need a license.” It’s no surprise that Mitchell is a talented musician. In addition

to simply playing music, however, Mitchell comes downtown to market his CD. “When I come down here to play, people love to dance in groups,” Mitchell said. “So I thought I would make my music into a CD for them to enjoy. My new song is called Can’t Get That. I just released it on CD Baby, and in a few days it will be on iTunes and Spotify.” This isn’t the first time he has had success with sharing his work with others. Mitchell has already published children’s books, including “ABC’s For You And Me,” “The Owl That Didn’t Say Who,” and “The Day My Socks Ran Away.” “Everyone needs a way to express themselves,” Mitchell said. “To me, it’s music. I have at least 3,000 songs in my iTunes library. I have eight published children’s books, and I’ve also done a few photography books. Anything that has to do with my life experiences, I either write or play about it.” 22 years is a long time to be playing music in the streets of Omaha, and those years have been full of unforgettable memories for him. “This one time a lady proposed to me,” he said to me, chuckling. “I think she was drunk though.” His laughter was contagious. “The first year I was down here, a guy came up to me and told me he loved my music, but he didn’t have any money,” Mitchell said. “Instead, he gave me the shirt off his back. It’s hard to forget something like that.”

Every word he spoke and every story he told made me think about how often we pass people on the streets with such incredible stories. Here is a man who has gone through so many experiences within the past 22 years, and no one takes time out of their day to explore what his life contains. People play music or walk by us

every day, and not once had I made the attempt to get to know a single one of them. Now I regret all of the opportunities I passed up. We get so stuck in our own circle and don’t have the desire to get to know new people. Our lives are only going to be as exceptional as we allow them to be. Whether or not we introduce ourselves to people we pass on the

streets is up to us. “All these experiences I’ve had playing music far outweighs any negative stuff that has gone on,” Mitchell said. “You’ve got good and bad wherever you go, but it’s up to you to make it a positive environment.”

snapshots // beach photo booth

a day at

the beach STORY AND DESIGN BY LIA HAGEN, PHOTOS BY ALL CRAZE STAFF MEMBERS

snapshots // beach photo booth

opinion // growing up

GROWING UP and why you never really do story and design by lia hagen

“W

hat do you want to be when you parents’ health insurance until you’re 26. Are grow up?” you an adult if you’re still depending on a It’s a question every one of has parent’s income? heard, in one way or another. There’s no way to determine an objectively It’s in the eyes of our relatives at every family grown-up age. Everyone matures differently, gathering and in the awkward get-to-knowand you can neither measure nor quantify it. you activities on the first day of school. It’s There are ‘kids’ at Westside who are paying vaguely condescending, oddly worded, and their own rent or working 40 hour weeks. incredibly stressful. There are also adults who spend every night In other words, it’s the perfect partying, who have never worked a day in representation of their lives, or who have our definitions of There’s no cut and never had to overcome adulthood. any particularly difficult dry way to decide It’s rare to find struggles. a group of people It’s unfair to act like when we are ‘grown who agree on what teenagers are somehow up’ because we are it means to be a less valuable members never completely ‘grown-up.’ Some of society. They have no define it by our grown up. People are control over their age. They age, others by our do have control over their works-in-progress. subjective maturity actions and their attitudes. levels, and, in the With this in mind, it case of Pampers, by whether or not we use seems like an ideal understanding of what diapers. Personally, every year I’m convinced it means to grow up would measure our that I’m a big girl now. Then, after the year individual maturity. This understanding, is over, I look back to who I was and laugh. however, is just impossible to gain. How could I have thought I was an adult? Maturity is one of the most subjective I suppose the simplest definition of things out there. That’s why I always think adulthood is the one that revolves around age. my younger self was immature, even though I It seems simple and objective. You turn 18, thought I was incredibly mature at the time. and you’re done. The fact is, there’s no cut and dry way to It would be nice... if it were true, that is. decide when we are ‘grown up’ because we are First of all, we can’t even agree on an age never completely grown up. People are worksto use. In Nebraska, you have to be 19-yearsin-progress. old to legally be considered an adult. In most Who you are now is not who you’ll be in a other states, you have to be 18-years-old. year, and that’s a good thing. We’re not meant Some people don’t think you’re an adult to stay underground, rooted. We’re meant to until you can drink. You can now be on your grow.

“

TREEHOUSE a playlist for the child in you 1. Treehouse by I’m From Barcelona 2. Every Goliath Has Its David by The Boy Least Likely To 3. 2 Atoms in A Molecule by Noah and the Whale 3. You Can’t Force A Dance Party by Dent May & His Magnificent Ukelele 4. Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes 6. In the Sun She & Him 7. You and I by Ingrid Michaelson 8. This is What I Used to Know by Julia Nunes

q&a // dream vacation

head in the clouds westside’s dream vacations

story and photos by maddie look, design by lia hagen Summer is just around the corner, and most people wish they could be anywhere other than Omaha. Because of this, I decided to ask students about their dream vacation. Most of the students at Westside have been living in Omaha all their lives. Many kids haven’t been anywhere outside of the Midwest at all, and they dream about being seaside. Here we learn students’ dream vacations and favorite destinations around the world. People pictured (from left to right): Davisha Garrett, Jackson Frerichs, and Dilnoza Inoyatova

q&a // dream vacation

MITCHELL COZIAHR “Wild Horse Mesa, Colorado, because that’s where running camp is in the summer.”

CAROLINE ARANT “If I could, I would go to New Zealand because I hear it’s really pretty.”

DAVISHA GARRETT “The Congo, because I hear they have good food, and it’s not in the US.”

JACKSON FRERICHS “I’d have to say Council Bluffs. It’s a pretty cool place.”

q&a // dream vacation

CHERI KELLY “Well, I’ve always wanted to go to Disney World. I’m hoping that after retirement I can go with my granchildren.”

TRE WRIGHT “I’ve always wanted to go to Singapore because it’s a really cool city, and there’s always a lot of stuff going on. The weather and the restaurants are great. The tourism there is just amazing.”

kylene abraham “I would want to go to Samoa because I have family there, and it’s really pretty.”

DILNOZA INOYATOVA “I want to go to Greece because the Kardashians went there for an episode, and it’s the perfect place for cute insta pics.”

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self-expressionists letters from the kent bellows studio art exhibition story by tom huerter, design and photos by kirsten mccormack On a warm spring night, the Craze staff went to the Kent Bellows Gallery to see the work of our former editor-in-chief, Eva Phillips. Kent Bellows is a mentorship program for teenage artists. Every year, at the end of the semester, they host an art show to showcase the students’ work. While we were there, we realized how incredible the stories of some of these artists were. From making their own clothes to painting themselves, these artists are not afraid to express themselves. Their art expresses who they are and where they have come from. It’s the perfect way for them to show who they are at their core. We wanted their stories and didn’t know how to get them. Then it came to us: the best way for these self-expressionists to share their stories was for them to write it themselves. Enjoy these notes from some of the amazing artists from Kent Bellows.

feature // kent bellows

feature alex rapp

senior spends summer selling cars story by tommy huerter, design by kirsten mccormack, photos by kirsten mccormack and estella fox

ummer is a time to do what you love and discover your passions. For many of us, summers have been spent by the pool doing a whole lot of nothing. As we grow older, our summers become less of a vacation. We are expected to get jobs and make plans for the future. Most people would prefer to not spend their summers working. However, for senior Alex Rapp, this is not the case. He will be working on something he loves. “There is a brand new Toyota dealership near Village Pointe,

and I am going to be a product specialist,” Rapp said. “I am going to be on the floor selling cars.” This is a dream job for Rapp. His position allows him to sell cars for the summer without needing a college degree. Cars have been one of Rapp’s passions from a young age, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. “[I have been interested in cars] since I was 7,” Rapp said. “When the first Fast and Furious came out in 2001, I was instantly hooked.” Rapp doesn’t just like cars, he

knows everything about them. Talking about cars is one of his favorite things to do, and now he will be paid to do so. In fact, talking about cars is what got him the job in the first place. “My dad and I were at the Toyota dealership looking at cars, and one of the salesmen said I definitely knew more [about cars] than him,” Rapp said. “He thought I would be good at selling cars, so he told me to come in some time, and that he would hook me up with a job for the summer.” The salesmen kept his word and got Rapp a job. A job is a

job, but having a job that you are passionate about can make all the difference. Dozens of Westside students work at grocery stores, but few of them are as passionate about their work as Rapp is. Rapp knows how important caring about your work is and how much of a difference it can make. “I did landscaping last summer,” Rapp said. “I made a decent amount of money, but it just was not a fun environment, and selling cars is natural to me.” After the summer, Rapp will be attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to study film

and journalism. Even after his summer job ends, it will still help him out in the future.

“

I love talking about cars. If I could talk about something I love all day, then you can’t beat that.” -ALEX RAPP

“There are plenty of Toyota dealerships all around the US, so wherever I go I could still have a recommendation from this

dealership,” Rapp said. Confucius said that if you chose a job you love, you will never work a day in your life. It seems Rapp will never work a day in the summer. Rapp has been able to find a job doing something that has been a part of him for his entire life. While he won’t be spending every day of the summer poolside, he will still be enjoying himself “I love talking about cars,” Rapp said. “If I can talk about something I love all day, then you can’t beat that.”

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YOUR STYLE IS YOURS a nebraska look on style

story and design by jenna hynek, photos by kirsten mccormack Our lives are full of events from pool time to weddings, and our outfits vary along with our plans. Summer in Nebraska isn’t full of high fashion, but we like to express ourselves through clothing and show the best of what the midwest has offered us. Here in the Big O, we have found a happy medium between the trends other places have made popular and our own styles. We’re not going to be walking down the runway anytime soon, but we walk down cracked sidewalks like we own them. Here’s a hometown guide to summer fashion, be proud of where you came from and the style that comes with it.

fashion // your style is yours

flip flops: $15 at Target

backwards hat: $20 at Vineyard Vines

cut t-shirt: $10 at Real Asian Beauty

nike shorts: $35 at Dickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sporting Goods

1 4

trunks: $40 at Swim Outlet

nike sandals: $40 at Eastbay

bro tank: $25 at Tillyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

drawstring bag: $20 at Shoe Carnival

fashion // your style is yours

button up shirt: $30 at American Eagle

khaki pants: $60 at Gap

sperrys: $150 at Sperry Topsider

printed belt: $5 at Buckle City

toms wedges: $89 at Toms

floral dress: $50 at Polyvore

french tip: $10 at Seventeen Magazine

bulky necklace: $20 on Etsy

fashion // your style is yours

3 1

chucks: $50 at Converse

crop top: $20 at Wet Seal

ripped shorts: $30 at Forever 21

bandana: $3 at Only Bandanas

colored t-shirt: $5 at Hanes

chino shorts: $50 at J. Crew

aviators: $30 at Sunglass Warehouse

vans: $55 at Vans

opinion // basic

#BASIC

e all know that girl who goes to Starbucks or Juice Stop multiple times a week, watches Gossip Girl religiously, and probably takes way too many selfies. If you know this girl, you’ve probably thought of her as “basic.” Although the stereotype of basic girls is more common, guys can be basic too. It’s true no matter how much they claim they aren’t. I recently saw a tweet that said “you call girls basic?” with a picture attached of a boy in khaki shorts and Sperry’s. Boys may not all be obsessed

this story is basic and you probably are too story by jaylee johnson, design by casey arritt, photos by maddie look

with Starbucks, but they tend to wear the same things or have the same interests. We’ve seen way too many Janoski’s in the halls of Westside to think they’re anything but basic. I have to admit that I fit every stereotype that qualifies as basic. I often go to Juice Stop and order the Butterfly, while wearing my Lulu Lemon leggings and with my iPhone in hand. I abbreviate words like crazy, and I totally listen to the top 40 billboard hits. I sometimes spend my Friday nights in bed watching Gossip Girl on Netflix, dreaming about

Nate Archibald’s luscious hair. All of my Twitter followers know I tweet 11:11 almost every night. I’m guilty. So what? That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. I can’t count the amount of times I’ve heard the words “you’re basic” in the last week. Ever since I was assigned this story, I’ve become aware of how overused the term is. Frankly, I think the label is stupid. It’s lumping together a group of people and labeling them. People think drinking Starbucks or wearing leggings automatically makes you shallow and unoriginal. Call me

crazy, but Starbucks has delicious getting lattes from Starbucks or If you’re one who follows the drinks worth buying, and leggings wearing Vineyard Vines? Life is flock, that’s okay, but having your are the most comfortable pants all about living how you want, own opinions about the life you in the world. Everyone is basic and you only get one chance to want to live will make it more in their own way, and no one is do it right. Sure, your friends may enjoyable. Don’t waste your time more original than doing things you don’t enjoy anyone else. All of No matter how much crap just to fit in. If you enjoy the people who enjoy wearing Nike shorts and you get for being basic, soccer are technically as quoting Vines, then more you’re not alone, and it’s unoriginal as the people power to you. Whether you’re who enjoy Juice Stop. not the end of the world.” basic (or nah), recognize that They just don’t get made stereotypes are there, and fun of for it. people may call you out for No matter how much crap you get on your nerves when they being basic. Just ignore it, and get for being basic, you’re not complain about “basic” people, but remember to look on the bright alone, and it’s not the end of the if you’re happy, then who are they side. After all, there’s always world. Who’s stopping you from to want to change you? another 11:11 around the corner.

“

entertainment // kids

things we don’t understand as kids what you probably missed your first 12 years story and design by tom huerter hen you’re 9-years-old, there are many things you don’t understand. Everyone has had one point when they see something from their childhood that means something completely different than what it used to. I was reminded of this when

watching an episode of Disney Channel’s “The Proud Family.” What I used to think was an innocent show is actually full of dirty jokes and sexual innuendos that I never understood as a child. It turns out that this is not an isolated incident. A quick Google search, and you will realize that

almost all kids shows have hidden adult jokes in them. Some are subtle, and others are much more obvious. It doesn’t just stop at cartoons. Check out this recap of things you probably didn’t understand as a child.

cartoons Unknown to most kids, many cartoons are full of raunchy jokes. If you ever watched “Spongebob Squarepants,” you have probably seen more hidden jokes than you can count. For my first 12 years, I didn’t think that Spongebob was that funny. Now, I can’t get through an episode without hysterically laughing. It seems so odd that a show designed for children is full of jokes only adults will understand. The only logical explanation is that it’s for the writer’s own personal entertainment. Children are not the ones behind kids cartoons. They are created from start to finish by college-educated adults. Writers, artists, and marketing executives are the reason cartoons are even on television. Most children probably had little to no idea of what was going on when Spongebob and Patrick went on a “panty raid” or why they would want to steal girls underpants in the first place. So next time you’re babysitting and the newest cartoon comes on the television, pay attention. What you see might surprise you.

books Books are one of the main things we didn’t understand as kids. They are full of complicated words and require an attention span that most kids do not possess. When I was a kid, I usually stuck to the 100 page kids “novels.” However, I stumbled upon the book “Wicked” when I was about 10 and decided to give it a whirl. After the first page, I realized I had absolutely no idea what I was reading. The words were too large, and the phrases were too confusing. I barely had the mental capacity to tie my own shoes, let alone understand the book’s confusing inferences. Long story short, kids require visuals to understand what is going on, or at least I did. Great and descriptive works of literature are totally lost on the average 10-yearold child.

tv & movies One of the things my parents and I used to do together was watch the television series “24.” I remember a lot of the action and excitement as well as a lot of my eyes being hidden under a pillow. Whether it was a sex scene or a fight between Jack Bauer and an international terrorist, I always had to cover my eyes at least once an episode. I never really understood why I couldn’t watch these scenes. There was something about them that was inherently bad that made my parents and I uncomfortable. It was like when I used to flip through the channels and accidentally land on MTV. For some reason, I felt like I was doing something wrong, and I could never understand why. TV and movies are full of content that society has deemed unsuitable for children to watch. When you are a kid, however, it is impossible to understand exactly when these things are so forbidden.

music When I was a kid, one of my favorite movies was “Mrs. Doubtfire.” My favorite part was when they played “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” by Aerosmith. However, for the majority of my life, I thought the lyrics were “do the funky lady.” I have since learned that this is not the case. I am not alone. My Dad thought that the classic Christmas song “Oh Come All ye Faithful” was “Oh Come Augie Faithful” until the first time he actually read the lyrics. He assumed Augie was a person. He decided those were the lyrics, even though he had never heard of another person named Augie. He didn’t understand it, but he never questioned it. Music wasn’t just confusing to us as kids because we couldn’t understand the lyrics. It was also an inability to comprehend them. I’m sure a massive amount of kids nonchalantly sung “Can you blow my whistle baby, whistle baby, let me know,” with no idea of what it actually means. Music seems like something so simple that everybody can understandit, but kids are definitely an exception.

diy // date

HOW TO SET UP A PERFECT DATE story and design by casey arritt, photos by abegale headlee

lanting a seed and watching it grow is a beautiful thing. You water it to keep it alive and see the same thing every day. Then, one day, a bud or branch appears out of nowhere. The same applies to people. We are the seeds, and the water are our dates. If we put enough work into it, our relationship becomes the bud. Throughout your life, you will go on plenty of dates. As teenagers, we are notorious for not having long term relationships, but the lucky ones who find someone while they are young have flowers that are blooming. Along with the blooming flowers, there are the people whose relationships are still growing. These date ideas will help your relationship become a beautiful flower.

diy // date

PERFECT NIGHT IN Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry, you can stay snuggled up for this one. There is no need to get out of your blanket cocoon. All you have to do make room for one more! Start off the night by ordering from your favorite delivery place, whether that be pizza or Chinese. Take the food with you, go back to the couch, and pop a squat. Cuddle up next to your date and watch some Netflix or your favorite DVDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Stock up the area with tons of blankets and pillows for extra comfort. An added bonus if you get bored or restless: make a fort!

OUT ON THE TOWN

If there’s one thing prom taught us, it’s that 99% of people love dressing up. Take advantage of that and woo your partner with a night on the town. Repeat the classics: go out to a fancy restaurant, intimate but pricey. For a low budget option, get dressed and go to one of your local restaurants. You may get some weird looks, but you’re out with the person of your dreams, so who cares?

diy // date

ADVENTURE DATE Though a traditional date is always adorable, people like to be adventurous too. So if you or your date loves going out and trying new things, pay attention. First of all, it’s a good idea to go during the day. You don’t have to, but a day date makes it more casual, allows you and your date to connect, and gives you more opportunities for activities. Dates during the day can seem harder to plan, but there are lots of things you can do. If you want to travel, you can go to Mahoney Park or Adventureland. If you two want something more local, then you can go on a bike ride through downtown, have a picnic with all of your favorite foods, go to the zoo, or go to a concert. If all else fails and you don’t have a ride or money to pay for tickets, you can keep it simple and take a quick dip in the pool. Spending the day with someone you care about is the most important thing.

GAME DAY DATE Grab your foam finger, your favorite pair of comfy shoes, and get ready for a day full of screaming fans. Whether it’s football, basketball, or baseball, you and your date are sure to have a day full of excitement. Head to a cute, light lunch before the game, and don’t forget the music. Go somewhere close to the game so you can walk over. This gives you two more time to connect. Hold each other’s hands and look warmly into each other’s eyes because remember, you’re on a date. When you reach the game, take your seats and enjoy it. Let loose and don’t be afraid to be silly. If you’re rooting for the same team, bond as you trash talk the opposing one. If you’re rooting for different teams, trash talk each other’s teams. Make a fun bet - whoever loses has to pay for ice cream. Or if you are cheering for the same team, just go anyways.

music // summer albums

donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss a beat the ideal soundtrack to your summer story by jake larsen and estella fox, design by allie laing

sugar ray Pop rock jake Genre: Best Song: Under the Sun

cults estella

You know an album is made for summer when the words “sun” and “summer” make an appearance in every song. Before he was the host of “Killer Karaoke,” Mark McGrath was the frontman of a band who wrote songs specially crafted for beach parties. Their 2001 self-titled release, “Sugar Ray,” hit the jackpot. It’s an album with no noticeable weak spot. Top tracks on the album are “When It’s Over,” a song featuring laid back pop rhythms, “Answer the Phone,” which has heavy guitar riffs and sounds like typical pop rock, and “Stay On,” which features Westside alum Nick Hexum. “Ours,” “Under The Sun,” and “Words To Me” are other songs that’ll be stuck in your head. Don’t worry though, it isn’t a bad thing.

The sound of ambient acoustic guitar and soft singing fills the first few seconds of the first song “Abducted.” Then the song is flooded by loud, inyour-face singing with instrumentals to match. To me, it represents the first part of summer: a blaring release that makes you want to explore. This transitions perfectly into the next song, “Go Outside.” It starts with a pretty melody, and the lead singer, Madeline Follin, reiterates the burning passion to go outside. The song is filled with warm notes, an inviting bass line, and old vocal clips that are perfectly nostalgic. The rest of the album plays out similarly. Follin brings the summer-y, high-pitched voice that starts out soft and ends up hard to avoid. The last song, “Rave On,” could not describe summer more perfectly. Follin’s voice is dreamlike until the song picks up and she belts the chorus. It has everything you want in a summer album.

Genre: Indie pop Best Song: You Know What I Mean

music // summer albums

ok go Genre: Power pop / indie rock jake Best Song: Don’t Ask Me

album estella

Most people know OK Go as the band that made music videos of themselves dancing on treadmills and creating mind-blowing Rube Goldberg machines. Before the fame and crazy videos, OK Go released their self-titled debut album. It deserves a lot more attention than it received. While not as much of a summer album as Sugar Ray’s self-titled release, “OK Go” has at least one song perfect for any situation. Top songs are “Get Over It,” featuring gritty and aggressive guitars and blues influences, and “Don’t Ask Me,” a fast-paced power pop song where the influence of bands like Fountains Of Wayne and The Strokes is very noticeable. OK Go’s debut album is one of the most overlooked albums of all time, and it’s about time someone gets the word out about this gem.

Before listening to this album, there’s a lot you need to know about the primary creator, Christopher Owens. He grew up in the Children of God cult, and he and his mother lived all around the world. When Owens was a teenager, he fled to Texas where he met a local millionaire who moved him out to San Francisco. There, he and Chet White formed the band Girls, did absolutely no drugs, and the album “Album” was created. This confusing past comes through heavily in the album. It is a soulful version of the early Beatles or Beach Boys. They are love songs with 60s style harmonies and guitar riffs, but the vocals and lyrics sound much more meaningful. It’s the kind of album that makes you want to sell all of your belongings and move to an island, and that’s why I think it’s perfect for summer.

Genre: Alt rock Best Song: Hellhole Ratrace

fush yu mang Genre: Alternative rock / surf jake Best Song: Disconnect the Dots

lonerism estella

In the days before “All-Star,” numerous media appearances, and selling out, there was “Fush Yu Mang.” Before taking the more pop rock route, Smash Mouth was a wild rock band. They wrote songs about everything from summer to annoying neighbors. This is arguably their best album, and that is saying a lot. While the album is a summer album, it’s not a relaxing one by any means. Listening to any track on “Fush Yu Mang” will cause to you to rock out uncontrollably. For that reason, listening to the album too much might cause you to break something, but it’s totally worth it.

I never thought there could be a band so similar to late 60s Beatles. This album proved me wrong. When I listened to it for the first time, I thought the band used samples of John Lennon’s voice on every track. This album preserves the beauty and innovation of this era, while bringing a new sound to the classic psychedelic rock. It has ambient sounds that put you in a trance, and it cuts them with loud acoustic drums and thick bass lines. Lonerism provides the perfect sound track to a road trip, which is one of the best things to do over the summer. The whole album brings back the beautiful nostalgia of the psychedelic music period. If you are looking for a laid-back album, this is it.

Genre: Psychedelic Rock Best Song: Why Won’t They Talk To Me

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the new

EXPLORE AND EXERCISE trails to discover story, design, and photos by kirsten mccormack Every time I go for a run, I see the same scenery: the boring houses Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been around my whole life, cracks and potholes in the pavement, and occasionally another runner that I may or may not wave to depending on my mood. I appreciate the places that have defined my running experience, but I want to go somewhere new. Finding a trail nearby or across town can be refreshing and will spice up your daily routine. These trails have beautiful landscapes and are guaranteed to satisfy your desire for adventure.

local // trails

swanson trail

location: 3102 Cornhusker Bellevue, NE 68005 distance: 4.62 miles skill level: intermediate for: mountain biking / biking The first thing I noticed were the bright colors that surrounded the entire bike trail. With numerous jumps and bridges, this trail is known for mountain biking. If you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looking for a difficult ride, take the easy routes which go around high jumps.

elmwood park

location: S 60th St, Omaha, NE 68106 distance: 5.9 miles skill level: beginner for: running, walking, biking Just a walk down the sidewalk, and you can tell many other people enjoy coming here to take a stroll in the park. This area has a place to run, walk, or ride your bike, and there are many other things in this area worth your time. These include a park and areas to play sports.

diy // garden

DIY: DREAM GARDEN brighten up your home and yard with nature’s best decorations story and design by audrey mccann , photos by grace wolfe and abegale headlee What’s the first thing you do when summer vacation begins? Bask in the glory of not having any homework (woo hoo), sit in the dark watching your favorite TV shows, and avoid your mother’s calls to do your chores (geez mom, you’re totally killing my vibe). Once you’ve exhausted the limited supply of illegal downloads on the Internet, you can head out into the blazing sun… and try planting a garden! Its easy, fun, and it will score bonus points with your mom. There are many things you can do in a garden. In this DIY, we first decided to show a seed

bomb, which once made can be dropped anywhere and hopefully a new flower or other plant will pop up. It adds life to any city corner. We also showed the tried and true vegetable garden, which can liven up any backyard space and help save a few pennies on groceries. Lastly, we are showing how to make a garden gang, tiny little corks dressed up as your favorite characters. These add a little personality to gardening and landscaping. So, if you’re having trouble finding something to do during the long summer months, lay down some roots in your own backyard.

SEED BOMB materials clay

water

topsoil/ compost

the qualities of a super spy

seeds

grab your clay Either make your own or buy some premade. Pull the appropriate amount out for the side of your seed bomb.

a pinch of soil Put in a bit of soil to ensure that your seeds have something to grow in.

place your seeds place however many seeds you would like to have in your seed bomb in the soil.

wrap it all up Roll the soil and seeds up in the clay, and form it into a ball shape.

drop the bomb Utilize your super spy skills and drop these beautiful bombs everywhere!

diy // garden

MINI GARDEN materials a pot

water

topsoil and compost

a motherly instinct

seeds

find your pot For our garden we used a vintage lunch box.

get some soil We placed one layer of compost between two layers of topsoil. (Soil and compost are two types of dirt that help plants grow).

grab your seeds Make divot for the seeds, place them, water them, and cover with soil again.

wait Wait for your freshly planted seeds to blossom under your care.

GARDEN GANG materials wine corks

googly eyes

hot glue that burns your tender skin

a lack of human connections

markers

any other decorations you want

grab some supplies Gather whatever you need to use to decorate your cork.

get some glue Hot glue is crucial to making this project a success.

put it together Glue everything together and bam! You have the first member of your garden gang.

place them Decide where in your garden you want your gangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top secret hideout to be.

snapshots // prom

a night in paradise junior/senior prom 2014 story by lia hagen, photos by maddie look and abegale headlee, design by abegale headlee Ever since I was a kid, I’ve heard about the perfection that is supposed to be Prom. Every high school movie reminded me that this was it - the moment I would remember forever. The best day of high school. Now, I wouldn’t say Prom was the best night of my life, but I do get the hype around it. It’s nice to imagine a moment that will ground you, an experience that marks the end of your childhood and the beginning of your adult life. Prom can be just another high school dance. It can also be a symbol, a night that solidifies who you are. It’s up to you.

snapshots // prom

feature // make the most of summer

EVENTS This summer, embrace everything Omaha has to offer. story and design by lia hagen, photo by abegale headlee

CONCERTS

POETRY

THEATER

Craze’s Picks

The Shelterbelt Battle Slam is held every month at the Shelterbelt Theatre. This poetry slam adds fun and flavor to the traditional slam by structuring it like a good old fashioned brawl. Poets compete against other poets in their bracket to determine who can move on to the next round. After the final round, that month’s champion must compete against the last month’s victor to determine who will take home the coveted “Cheese Belt.” All in all, it’s one of the most exciting poetry events in Omaha, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s also free.

‘Tarzan” is one of my favorite childhood tales. I remember spending hours watching the movie, pouring over novelizations, and wasting away in front of the television show. The classic story of the wild Tarzan and geeky, elegant Jane is always guaranteed to be both funny and heartwarming. With dozens of different interpretations and mediums, “Tarzan” is the perfect story for people of every age. This summer, check out The Rose’s production of this classic tale. The excitement and depth added by the live performance will make it a once in a lifetime experience. You can watch the traditional story come to life.

The Backstreet Boys with Avril Lavigne will be coming to the Century Link Center on June 9. Now, if you’re anything like me, that sentence just spurred a combination of nostalgic pre-teen excitement and disbelief. I suggest that you embrace both. Put on your best “rawr means I love you in Dinasaur” shirt, bring your Tiger Beat magazines, and have a totally random time.

The OM Center Poetry Slam and Open Mic is Omaha’s oldest slam. It begins at 7:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month and has both an open mic and a traditional slam. It’s open for people of all ages. This slam features some of the best performance poets in the country and is a staple of the Nebraska slam scene.

Other Events For more information on Nebraska poetry events, check out Poetry Menu.

COMEDY Craze’s Picks Crom Fest is an annual comedy festival held here in Omaha. This year will be its second year, and it will run from May 23-25. I highly suggest everyone take a break from their intense procrastination to enjoy the May 25 performance at the Waiting Room. One of my favorite podcasts ever, Competitive Erotic Fanfiction, will be playing that night. If you’re 17 or younger, be sure to bring a notarized form, available on their website.

The Artic Monkeys will be at Stir Cove at Harrah’s in Council Bluffs July 30. The Artic Monkeys’ wide variety of songs and genres will keep you interested throughout the entire concert, and their reputation for being excellent live performers will make it one of the best concerts you’ve ever been to.

Other Events

FILM Craze’s Picks Loessfest is a Council Bluffs festival that runs from May 25 to June 8. While I have never been able to attend Loessfest before, this year’s series of movies in the park has already persuaded me to go. My recommendation is to attend their showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, one of my favorite movies of all time. Viewing this film is an immersive experience that involves props, callbacks, and a nation-wide community and culture. In my opinion, it’s one of the fundamental high school experiences.

Other Events This summer, keep an eye out for events at Film Streams. Film Streams is a theater in downtown Omaha dedicated to maintaining and growing Omaha’s independent film scene and culture.

The Slowdown and The Waiting Room are two other venues that always have great musicians.

ART Craze’s Picks The Countryside Village Art Fair is being held June 7 and June 8. On Saturday, June 7, the fair will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Sunday, June 8, it will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This local art fair is held every year right across from our high school. In addition to their art, they have food and other options for entertainment. Here you can find art from all across the Metro area, including some artists from Westside. If you’re looking to walk around, see awesome art, and have a great time, the Countryside Village Art Fair is the perfect place for you.

feature // make the most of summer

AT HOME Don’t just waste away in bed, waste away in bed with books! story and design by lia hagen, photo by abegale headlee

BOOKS “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” is a hilarious book co-written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Many Westside students will recognize Gaiman’s name from his children’s novel, “Coraline,” and Pratchett is one of the UK’s best-selling authors. In the novel, it is coming time for the world to draw to a close, but not everyone is ready. The book’s plot revolves around a bookstoreowning angel, Aziraphale, and a suave demon, Crowley. Their strange

deal to end the apocalypse is one of three plot threads, which also include the antics of a young AntiChrist and the preparations of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. If you’re looking for an entertaining (and sort of strange) read, this is the perfect book.

the novel clearly takes on a lot of serious issues, it never made me feel weighted down or even particularly tired of reading. The book manages to be hopeful, inspiring, and funny even as it deals with depression as one of its many themes. I recommend it for any teenager.

“It’s Kind of a Funny Story” is a young adult novel by Ned Vizzini. The book, which covers the narrator’s stay in a mental hospital, is a powerful discussion of the pressures of high school. Still, while

Other books: “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath, “Paper Towns” by John Green, “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner, “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, and “Slaughterhouse Five” by Kurt Vonnegut

to use popular media to get its point across, bringing together ideas like “Adventure Time” and feminism or “Community” and postmodernism. The combinations are always well

worth a watch.

YOUTUBE The PBS Idea Channel may sound a bit too school-y for summertime, but it manages to be one of those rare things that both entertains you and teaches you. The channel tends

Other channels: Vlogbrothers, Button Poetry, The Art Assignment, and MyHarto

tv shows “Scrubs” is one of my personal favorite sitcoms as well as one of my favorite medical shows. Funny enough, it’s actually the most accurate medical show on television, probably because the medicine is so rarely the focus of an episode. Instead, the show focuses on Dr. John Dorian and the antics he gets into at Sacred Heart Hospital. With eight (worthwhile) seasons and the kind of humor best appreciated at 3 a.m., “Scrubs” is the perfect show for your next binge watch. “Hannibal” is a horror series based off of “Red Dragon,’” the prequel to the famous “The Silence of the Lambs.” The series focuses on Hannibal Lecter, the intelligent and ‘sophisticated’ cannibal, and

his relationship with an FBI agent named Will Graham. The show is chilling and creepy more than horrifying, filled with grotesque imagery and more than a few long scenes of Hannibal cooking meals for unsuspecting friends. Still, it’s not just the shock value that keeps people coming back. Personally, “Hannibal” is exactly what I’m looking for in a horror show: dramatic, engaging, and full of nightmare material. “Steven Universe” is an animated show created by Rebecca Sugar, a former writer and storyboard artist for Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time.” Both of these shows, despite being meant for kids, have gained a following among teenagers and

adults. The two are very similar, from their format to their song stylings. Most importantly, they both have the same power to make you nostalgic for things you never experienced. “Steven Universe” does this through the unabashed excitement of its protagonist, Steven. The character is eager to learn and quick to mess up, and it’s easy to get swept away into the pure delight of the world that he occupies. “Steven Universe” is just plain fun to watch, and its bubbly attitude will be perfect for your summer. Other shows: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Broad City,” “Elementary,” “House of Cards,” “Freaks and Geeks,” “Dollhouse,” “Breaking Bad,” “Bob’s Burgers,” and “Firefly”

MOVIES “The Shining” is one of the most iconic horror films of all time. It doesn’t matter how much you like or dislike scary movies, you’ve seen something inspired by or referencing “The Shining.” The film is full of incredible quotes that never appeared in the book, including: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” and “Here’s Johnny!” Still, despite its reputation, many people our age have never bothered to actually watch the film. I think that should change. The movie, which is based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, is about Jack Torrance and his family moving into the Overlook

Hotel for the winter. The Overlook is the perfect scary movie location. It’s isolated, has a mysterious past, and is, of course, incredibly haunted. The novel tends to focus on this, emphasizing the hotel and its history, but the film’s plot revolves around Jack Torrance’s descent into madness. The effect is a chilling look at a family falling apart. “Little Miss Sunshine” is my favorite road trip movie, the perfect film to begin your summer with. It documents the escapades of one family as they travel across country to the Little Miss Sunshine pageant. Olive, the dorky daughter, is excited

to win the pageant despite not fitting its traditional aesthetic, and her zany family is eager to help her (though they generally only make things worse). Carrying the movie is an allstar cast, which includes comedy geniuses like Steve Carrell (“The Office”) as well as family favorites like Abigail Breslin (“Kick A**” and “Nim’s Island”). If you’re looking for a good laugh, check out this movie. Other movies: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Anchorman,” “Coraline,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “The Avengers,” “Bringing Up Baby,” and “Corpse Bride”

feature // make the most of summer

FESTIVA Check out these summer music festivals. All of these Midwestern marvels are well worth the trip.

story by estella fox, design by lia hagen, photo by abegale headlee

VANS WARPED TOUR Location: Bonner Springs, KS Date: July 31 Lineup Highlights: The Devil Wears Prada, The Ready Set, Of Mice And Men, Less Than Jake, Every Time I Die, Cute Is What We Aim For, and Breathe Carolina Price: $45 Originally created as a showcase for punk rock music, this tour has developed into a show featuring a variety of genres. Even if you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a fan of the music, you can watch the extreme sports that go on throughout the festival. It is sponsored by Vans, along with other brands, and tours across the nation so it is bound to come somewhere near you. Parents get in for free, and there is even an adult day care.

ALS PITCHFORK

LOLLAPALOOZA

Location: Chicago, IL Date: July 18-20 Lineup Highlights: Beck, Kendrick Lamar, Neutral Milk Hotel, Grimes, St. Vincent, Danny Brown, Earl Sweatshirt, Slowdive, tUnE-yArDs, Death Grips, Sun Kil Moon, Pusha T, DIIV, The Julie Ruin, Speedy Ortiz, and Perfect Pussy Price: $60 per day

Location: Chicago, IL Date: August 1-3 Lineup Highlights: Eminem, Arctic Monkeys, Lorde, Interpol, Lykke Li, Chance the Rapper, Iggy Azalea, Parquet Courts, and San Fermin Price: About $180 per day or $300 for three days

The three day Pitchfork Music Festival celebrates the alternative music culture. There is not only music, but artwork, food vendors, and an enormous amount of gig posters. It features a variety of popular and talented music artists that range from electronica to jazz. Three day passes sold out within days, but one day passes are still available to purchase this year.

Lollapalooza, along with Coachella, is considered the mother of all music festivals in America. It was originally a tour, but it has settled in Chicago and attracts more than 160,000 people per year. The lineup gets more impressive each year with one of the largest range of genres music festivals have to offer. The 2014 lineup seems to have something for everyone. The festival has helped popularize artists such as: The Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, Imagine Dragons, The National, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Lady Gaga, along hundreds of others. Although all the tickets are sold out, they can still be found on ticket selling websites such as StubHub.

MAHA Location: Omaha, NE Date: August 16 Lineup Highlights: Death Cab For Cutie, The Head and the Heart, Local Natives, The Both, Doomtree, The Envy Corps, Radkey, Twinsmith, Matt Whipkey, and M34N STR33T Price: $50 Although it is relatively new, Maha Music Festival has been gaining traction these past few years for their continually impressive lineup. It is a non-profit, one day festival that is run by volunteers. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lineup seems to be the most impressive one yet with headliners such as Death Cab For Cutie and Local Natives. Located in our very own city at Stinson Park, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely worth your time.