prime by the daily bruin
may 2009
best of west LA
ucla student media publication
2 | may 2009 | prime
letter from the editor don’t feel that we’re exactly qualified to deem this or that as the best of West Los Angeles; it’s an awfully bold statement by an otherwise modest, if not downright self-deprecating, publication. This issue, the disclaimer is that our proclamations aren’t designed as the authoritative declarations from the Cool Police. You are welcome to agree or disagree with our picks. These kinds of debates make for the best conversations: Everyone has an opinion and everyone knows of different stores, businesses and restaurants that they think deserve recognition. This magazine, and this issue especially, is a celebration of our environment, a tribute to the wealth of fortune we have for being surrounded by so many wonderful and unique destinations. We have examined the new (hydrogen fueling stations in Santa Monica), the great (people at UCLA who are going to change the world), the eclectic (drum circles in Venice), and – with a review of sizzling salads – the trendy. Each article is meant to encourage – we write, photograph, design and work to inspire and evoke reactions and prompt discussion. If one page motivates you to change your hair, download songs from an unfamiliar band or to try a new restaurant, then we didn’t just skip studying for our midterms for naught; we actually accomplished something. For me, it’s personal. As I wrap up my third year, I find myself with three classes left before I’m totally done – UCLA practically deems me fit to go out into the real world and do whatever grown-ups are expected to do. People naturally ask why I don’t simply graduate. It would make a lot of sense, especially since I blew my life savings years ago on Pokémon trading cards. (Stupid Charizard holograms, they ruined everything.) But I take on more loans than I should and tell people I’m staying – and paying for – a fourth year because I want to make the most of my college experience. You only have it once, unless you wake up one day and find yourself in a “Groundhog Day” scenario, and it matters to me to have as many new and memorable experiences as possible in college, on top of that whole learning thing I hear so much about. I’ll admit that I imagined what it would be like to attend commencement a year earlier than I anticipated. I already came up with what I would say to scheduled commencement speaker James Franco. (“Hey? Remember me? I’m that guy who put your face on my magazine!”) But just like my Pokémon card collection, some things aren’t meant to be, and I’ll have to wait a year to sit in Pauley with 10,000 other people and get a diploma placeholder. That’s fine with me. I’ll have more time to see the rest of Los Angeles. Hugs and handshakes,
Edward Truong
prime by the daily bruin
Edward Truong [ prime editor ] Stephanie White [ prime art director ] Courtney Kan, Melanie Wong [ prime design assistants ] Emily Jaffe, Jessica Tan [ design senior staff ] John Anzelc, Christine Perez [ design staff ] Kimberly Lajcik [ photo editor ] Michael Chen, Maya Sugarman, Tiffany Cheng [ assistant photo editors ] Kate Stanhope [ senior staff writers ] Derek Liu [ photo senior staff ] Christopher Wu [ photo staff ] Raymond Moy [ copy chief ] Carol Fan, Mary Kate Ham, Audrey Kuo, Kendall Lynes, Christina Robinette, Maggie Shine [ copy deputies ] ________________________________________ Anthony Pesce [ daily bruin editor in chief ] Amber Bissell [ daily bruin managing editor ] Jeremy Wildman [ business manager ] Jacqueline Brabyn, Jonathan Sauer [ account executives ] Lauren Lucido, Marissa Nagler [ assistant sales managers ] Jenni Diekneite [ university display account executives ] Liz Magallanes Layug [ advertising production manager ] Amber Le [ management assistant ] Zenia Wei [ senior student supervisor ] Jonathan Dallas, Jing Jin, Jennifer So, Alyssa Wang, Jiaxi Zhang [ graphic designers ] Michael O’Connor [ general operations manager ] Christopher Bates [ MIS manager ] Frieda Farrier [ sales entry supervisor ] Rosemary Vu [ senior student supervisor ] Danielle Aceves, Mira Karageorge [ collections ] Gabriela Cox, Charlotte Purcell, Arie Wong [ staff ] Amy Emmert [ media adviser ] Arvli Ward [ media director ] The Daily Bruin (ISSN 1080-5060) is published and copyrighted by the ASUCLA Communications Board. All rights are reserved. Reprinting of any material in this publication without the written permission of the Communications Board is strictly prohibited. The ASUCLA Communications Board fully supports the University of California’s policy on non-discrimination. The student media reserve the right to reject or modify advertising whose content discriminates on the basis of ancestry, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation. The ASUCLA Communications Board has a media grievance procedure for resolving complaints against any of its publications. For a copy of the complete procedure, contact the publications office at 118 Kerckhoff Hall. All inserts that are printed in the Daily Bruin are independently paid publications and do not reflect the views of the Editorial Board or the staff. To request a reprint of any photo appearing in the Daily Bruin, contact the photo desk at 310-825-2828 or e-mail photo@media.ucla.edu.
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prime by the daily bruin
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contents may 2009
Issue no. 5 is a salute to the best and brightest on- and offcampus, from people you should know to places you should go.
playlist
summer tunes
hoods
a swim in silver lake
best of
west L.A.
12
tech
hydrogen cars
in-depth
venice drum circles
14
proďŹ les
seven people you should know
chew
salad days
looking to be seen
16
campus fashion
style
hair with air
web
L.A. links
cover photo by maya sugarman & tiffany cheng
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Spring quarter is the worst. While all your friends on the semester system are out gallivanting and painting the town red, you’re studying for midterms. As summer taunts you through the windows of Powell, these tunes will help pass the time until the proverbial school bell rings and you are free (until fall). edward truong illustration by melanie wong
“Doin’ Time” [ Sublime ]
“Crazy in Love” [ Beyonce ]
Borrowing heavily from “Summertime” by George Gershwin, who also composed former UCLA fight song, “Strike Up The Band for UCLA,” singer Bradley Nowell laments his unfaithful girlfriend, comparing his failed relationship with a prison sentence. Also check out: “Welcome to Jamrock” by Damian Marley
Her fi rst solo hit since ditching, er, moving on from Destiny’s Child, “Crazy in Love” is a horny-heavy summer anthem that evokes the days when the song came out, memories of early adolescence – which, well, some of us may prefer to leave in the past. Also check out: “Genie in a Bottle,” by Christina Aguilera, “Pon De Replay” by Rihanna
“Tennessee” [ Arrested Development ]
“Afternoon Delight” [ Starland Vocal Band ]
One of the sole hits from the mid-’90s hip-hop group – no relation to the 2003 Fox sitcom – is a soulful and relaxed song that just begs to be played during a mid-summer kickback. Also check out: “Summer Gypsy” by Nujabes, “Daydreamin’” by Lupe Fiasco featuring Jill Scott
This 1976 classic was recently revitalized by being used in the Will Ferrell comedy “Anchorman.” In the most uber-kitsch way possible, the song extols the virtues of midday intercourse. Also check out: “Love Shack” by The B52s, “Summer Nights” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton John
“Steal My Sunshine” [ Len ]
“California Love” [ Tupac ]
Sampling from disco classic “More, More, More,” this one-hit-wonder from Canada’s Len is about butter tarts and other nonsensical, possibly drug-related references. Also check out: “How Bizarre” by OMC, “All Star” by Smash Mouth, “It Wasn’t Me” by Shaggy
This song is cliche as far as summer-themed playlists go, but that’s probably because it namedrops like nobody’s business. On the bright side, it’s a free lesson in state geography. Also check out: “Going Back to Cali” by the Notorious B.I.G., “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan, “Country Grammar” by Nelly
“Island in the Sun” [Weezer]
With the electric guitar strumming on repeat, this is a relaxing tanning tune to bake yourself into oblivion, just like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen would. Also check out: “Summer Breeze” by Seals & Crofts, “July, July!” by The Decemberists
“Ocean Avenue” [ Yellowcard ] Pop-punk at its finest, this upbeat, bubblegum-flavored music is nostalgia- (or nausea)-inducing, with lyrics wishing for days when life was easier – perfect music to listen to while cramming for exams. Also check out: “Boys of Summer” by the Ataris, “I’d Do Anything” by Simple Plan
silver lining
Take a break from those summer Dodger games and make a short drive to the melting pot that is Silver Lake. The tiny bohemian neighborhood is bursting at the seams with vegan restaurants, ethnic cuisines and vintage boutiques. With graffiti art and paintings garnishing every possible inch of wall space, the city is like one big canvas. Classifying the area would be impossible; each store and restaurant is nothing like the next. Oh, and they are completely ecologically friendly.
Tacos Delta
sydney schuit
3806 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026 323-664-2848
photos by christopher shane
The little obscure stand on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Lucile Avenue is pretty easy to miss. Yet if the constant stream of customers is an indication of anything, it’s that this is one place you don’t want to pass by. It’s a local favorite and a clear representation of the diversity that Silver Lake shows off. But don’t allow yourself to be fooled by the worn-down stand. In the back is a beautiful canopy with vines hanging down, providing shade from the abominable summer heat. Plus, the authentic Mexican restaurant offers breakfast all day, so there’s no rush. And what’s even better, the meals are usually between four to seven bucks.
Intelligentsia Coffee 3922 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90029 323-663-6173
With its beautiful wooden ceiling and aquamarine and white patterned floor tiles, Intelligentsia Coffee – also served down the block at Pazzo Gelato – would probably do just fine on aesthetics alone. But there is a reason for the huge line that goes out the door and seems to never end. Their highquality coffee keeps customers coming back. They pay lots of money to ensure that their coffee is organic and to get to know the farmers they are buying from. And they buy from all over – Africa, Latin America, you name it. Their coffee is ground fresh for every drink, and their customer service is more than great, considering how busy they always are. People come here just to do some work, hang out or people-watch.
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Red Lion Tavern
2366 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039 323-662-5337
Red Lion Tavern is the last of its kind – an all-German bar and restaurant. The tavern boasts the best and most pure beer, as well as tasty meals like sausages, schnitzels and strudel. The feel of the place is twofold: The dark, intimate bar gives a warm and friendly feeling. But step outside onto the garden patio, and the energy multiplies by 10. Everyone knows everyone here, considering the place has been open for 50 years. The German placards and decorations add to the ambience of the garden, and the quality of service makes everyone, including locals, come back.
Pazzo Gelato
3827 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026 323-662-1410
Gelato is always delicious, but add in some fresh fruit from the farmer’s market, and what do you get? Amazing quality and texture that is so rarely found elsewhere. And it gets better, because they make sorbet, too. Pazzo Gelato takes great care to be local and ecological, with biodegradable cups and compost. Even on a chilly day, the place has a steady stream of customers, many of which come back for seconds. The flavors range from espresso and chocolate raspberry to mango passion fruit. Plus, the friendly staff make for a fun, energetic atmosphere, and if gelato is not your thing, don’t fear, they serve coffee and tea as well.
All Shades of Green 3038 Rowena Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90039 323-665-7454
This tiny little store is just starting to get some attention after its remodeling. Everything, literally every item, is “green.” From hemp or bamboo shirts to jewelry made from recycled items, the store has pretty much everything you could ever want. It even sells sustainable construction items, such as tiles made from crushed SKYY bottles. Yet All Shades of Green also takes a proactive approach, offering “Sustainability From the Inside Out” workshops, with topics such as “Composting 101” and “Organic Gardening.” The store really takes the time to fully explain what customers need to know about their products and demonstrate the benefits of living sustainably.
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west LA kate stanhope & edward truong
Because we attend a world-class research university, we thought we would engage in a little social science and conduct a survey to rate the best of West Los Angeles. Prime contributors created a questionnaire online, distributed it to friends and harassed people on Facebook to collect responses. Some of the responses were crude, some were stupid (yes, your bed may be a great place to study, but we’re doubtful that it’s open to the public), and others straight up did not answer the question. Nevertheless, we compiled the results the best we could, ignoring the irrelevant or just plain rude responses. Next year, we’re consulting the statistics department. 8 | may 2009 | prime
Best Mexican food: Acapulco Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Two words: Margarita Mondays . The Mexican food may be bland and the service only tolerable, but college restaurants are only as good as their drinks. The margaritas (available blended or on the rocks in a multitude of flavors) are perfection, especially when they’re priced at only $2.75 on Mondays from 5 to 10 p.m. Ole!
With the high number of sushi places in Westwood, it’s all about the little things. Besides their great rolls and good service, Ami offers some of the best happy hour discounts within walking distance of UCLA, and the upper seating area is the perfect place for birthday celebrations and group sake bombing adventures.
Best brunch: the dorms
Best “drunk eats”: “Buck Fitty”
The dorms are the best brunch spot in town because of their extensive options (omelettes, pastries, pancakes – oh my!), and the thought of not having to fight over the bill at the end of a pleasant meal puts this choice far ahead of its competition, especially when it’s a friend’s swipe you’re using and not your own.
It’s the time-honored tradition most people never understood until they went to college: the idea of getting a little (or a lot) tipsy and grabbing a huge, hot and delicious burrito with all the fixings. No matter if you have time to sit on the sidewalk and enjoy the meal with friends or you’re in a rush to pass out on your warm bed, burritos work either way because they only require one hand.
Best frozen yogurt: Yogurtland
Best coffeehouse: Peet’s Coffee and Tea
With a variety of flavors and toppings that customers can mix and match, Yogurtland is a popular late-night destination where it’s impossible to avoid running into someone in BearWear. At 30 cents an ounce, it’s possible to indulge in your custom creations without breaking the bank, but remember that gummy bears are not a fruit.
West Los Angeles has plenty of competition for coffeehouses, with baristas vying with aging hipsters, aspiring screenwriters and studying students to come and use the WiFi. Despite a cornucopia of independent “mom and pop” coffeehouses in Westwood and beyond, Peet’s was the readers’ choice, most likely because of the spacious stores and high-quality drinks Peet’s offers.
Best on-campus eatery: Greenhouse
eating
Best sushi: Ami Japanese Restaurant
The thought of Ackerman Union offering healthy food options is almost equal to the idea of Joe Bruin and Tommy Trojan joining forces – they just don’t go together! That is, until Greenhouse came along and swept students and staff off their feet with its extensive salad bar and delicious soups.
& drinking LA
Best bar: Maloney’s Honestly, it’s slightly puzzling how Maloney’s (still referred to as O’Hara’s by most Bruins) won both “Most Overrated” and “Best Bar,” but we’ll chalk that up to poor surveying techniques. That, and the lack of competition. Sorry, Westwood Brewing Company, maybe next year.
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Best Hook-up Spot: Murphy Sculpture Garden
Once part of the old Fox Theatres circuit, the Mann Village seats more than 1,300 moviegoers and is home to many premieres. (Tip: Grab a window seat at BJ’s during a premiere to celebrity-watch.) The lack of stadium seating and fancy IMAX technology does not deter people; the beautiful architecture and giant screen still draw audiences to the 79-year-old theater.
Really? How many people have actually done that there? Though it’s touted as a hook-up spot, at least according to Playboy Magazine, it’s hard to believe that people are getting busy next to an original Rodin. The garden is pretty well-lit at night, but word on the street is that there are some darker hidden spots for intimate relations.
With cheap coffee (free during finals week), friendly faces and outlets aplenty for laptops, Kerckhoff beats both the many off-campus coffee spots and the numerous libraries on campus in one fell swoop. Just be prepared to fight tooth and nail for an open table as finals approach.
Best Date Destination: Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Pier The Ferris wheel on the pier is an iconic image of West Los Angeles and a great place to woo a potential significant other. Cheap thrills come more than just in the form of rides, and a Friday evening with dinner and a stroll through the pier is straight out of “The Notebook” – the happy parts, not when they are all old and stuff.
Most Overrated Place: Maloney’s
Best Farmers Market: Santa Monica
In theory, $2 pint night may sound like a good deal, but when the deal is only good for Budweiser or Miller, well, that’s the first indication a six-pack from Trader Joe’s may be the better choice. Combine the poor beer selection with the long lines and obnoxious bouncers, and you’ve got the single most overrated spot in Westwood Village.
The city of Santa Monica operates four different markets on four different days in four different locations, all with unique features. Local chefs offer delicious samples, live bands perform on Sundays and some vendors offer organic products. With a bigger selection and wider variety than Westwood, this farmers market is an eco-friendly way to spend an afternoon and do your grocery shopping.
Best Place to Hear Live Music: The Roxy Theatre
Best Bargains: Thank You Mart
Located on the Sunset Strip, the Roxy is a legend in rock music, with more than 35 years of music history wrapped up in one club (and an after-hours facility). Neil Young was the Roxy’s first performer, and acts today include MSTRKRFT, Bedouin Soundclash and Adele.
Everything’s $3.99. It’s really difficult to compete with such prices without being a Big Lots store. It’s cheap and a classic goto store for any theme-party preparations, with a variety of retro-themed clothing that provides people with the Urban Outfitter look without the Urban Outfitter price.
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st LA
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Best movie theater: Mann Village Theater
Best Place to Study: Kerckhoff Hall
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ross aikins photo by christine yuan
I
n the rich and historic automotive culture of Los Angeles, cruising is somewhat of an unofficial pastime in which getting noticed is the goal. “Look at this car, wow!” a pair of female students said as I drove around South Campus. This is exactly the reaction one would expect when driving a $750,000 Mercedes-Benz, not some toothpaste-green econobox roughly the profile of a Honda Fit. “You get a lot of that,” said my co-pilot, Vasilios Manousiouthakis, a chemical engineering professor. But as I hit the brake pedal to avoid hitting a startled student crossing Portola Plaza, the regenerative whine of the brakes returning energy to the battery reminded me that this was no ordinary compact. “You are not generating a lot of noise, so people don’t hear you coming,”
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Manousiouthakis said. The car is a Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell, on loan to UCLA’s Hydrogen Engineering Research Consortium. Except for the UCLA and F-Cell decals plastered across its side panels like NASCAR, the Benz looks identical to any other A-Class found in Europe or Asia (they are not sold in the U.S.). But it’s what’s under the hood – or floorboard rather – that makes the car special. Perhaps you’ve heard that hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, is poised to make a big comeback as a transportation fuel. The ubiquitous gas has sparked international interest as a broader energy resource, economic catalyst and even a solution to climate change. Hydrogen’s fi rst trick, however, will be displacing petroleum as the pre-eminent transportation fuel. Replacing our gas-chugging internal
combustion engines with hydrogen-sipping fuel cells will take years of research, billions of dollars and the development of an infrastructure that does not yet exist. But as incredible as it is to have a viable fuel source that powers a vehicle and emits nothing but pure water, the truly miraculous part of hydrogen’s history in the making is that all of the chips seem to be falling into place. Automobile manufacturers are pouring precious resources into developing fuel cell prototype vehicles, oil and energy companies are scrambling to build fueling stations, and in an era in which green initiatives are finally getting an enthusiastic green light, even the government is cooperating. What you may not know is that the hydrogen highway begins in Los Angeles, and just about all major auto manufacturers have chosen Los Angeles to test their first generation of fuel cell fleets. Plus, a stop is being planned at UCLA. As director of the consortium, Manousiouthakis was recently awarded a $2.1 million grant to build a
I managed to beat a ’92 Nissan Quest minivan off the line in front of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. It almost felt zippy, and sounded like nothing. If anything was a surprise, it was how absolutely normal the car felt. The Shell station in West Los Angeles can generate up to 30 kilograms per day, enough for 5 to 7 fi ll-ups. The Hydrogen Engineering Research Consortium station, for comparison, will produce 140 kilograms per day. Because there are very few hydrogen vehicles currently on the road, running out is rarely a problem. We arrived just before Rick Scott, operations and safety coordinator for Shell Hydrogen, conducted a training session. “Back in the good old days of 2004, and those were already the good old days, manufacturers had to fuel their own cars. I had to wear a flame retardant jacket, safety glasses and hydrogen sensor,” said Scott, who explained that the only thing to change has been Shell Hydrogen’s comfort level. With more cars and infrastructure, the days of running out of fuel or towing the F-Cell to Diamond Ba r or Bu rba n k a re over for Manousiouthakis, who is not at all nostalgic about the limitations of the Merc’s 80-mile range. Auto ma nu facturers a re continuing to make great strides to increase viability and reduce cost. With its carbon fiber tanks capable of sa fely holding pressurized hydrogen at 350 atmospheres (bar), the first-generation F-Cell Benz is already somewhat of a relic of the future. Newer hydrogen vehicles have bigger cylinders rated at 700 bar, increasing range to roughly 200 miles. But engineering hurdles persist. Currently platinum is the only known material that will work as a catalyst in the fuel cell, which makes the component very expensive. And because the electricity in a fuel cell is generated in part by water forming across a membrane, the whole process won’t work if it’s below freezing outside. While these engineering challenges are not insurmountable, weather was hardly the issue in the middle of spring at the West Los Angeles Shell station. A clearly vainglorious and perhaps eccentric owner of a new BMW 3 Series decided to refuel next to us, peacocking both of his custom vertical-scissor-style doors up for no ostensible purpose but to attract attention. His classic cruising behavior, however, went unrewarded, as droves of curious onlookers flocked instead to inquire about our F-Cell. “Awesome car,” third-year chemistry student Sean Chen said. “I hope someday we can get more of these on the road.” This proves that if you really want to turn heads in Los Angeles, go with hydrogen – extroverts only. On the way back, Manousiouthakis demonstrated the performance potential of the F-Cell Benz by reaching 80 miles per hour on the 405 Freeway, decelerating fast enough to leave a seat-belt imprint across my chest. He then took a tight corner off Sunset Boulevard onto Bellagio Drive that produced enough audible tire screech to say fast, if not furious. As we define our new energy economy, resurrect the auto industry and seek solutions for a city and state most impacted by automobile pollution, many questions linger. “I have no doubt in my mind that this is going to be the answer,” Manousiouthakis said. And it drives like a cloud.
hydro hydrogen fueling station at UCLA on the corner of Veteran and Kinross as early as the end of this year. The station will be operated by the consortium as an educational and research facility to train both graduate and undergraduate students for jobs in an emerging industry. “Because we will be making hydrogen on site, essentially we’re building a little chemical plant,” said Manousiouthakis, who expects Toyota to soon provide the consortium with five hydrogen-combustion Priuses, which are less efficient and less expensive than hydrogen fuel cells, but still only emit water. In addition to the UCLA hydrogen fleet, the station will serve the public, and Los Angeles is expected to have 1,000 hydrogen vehicles on the road by the end of this year. The station will serve as an industrial proof of concept. “The process that is being used today to produce hydrogen inside refining facilities can be taken and scaled down to the level of a fueling station on a street corner, taking advantage of the fact that there is a natural gas piping infrastructure in place,” Manousiouthakis said. The biggest criticism of hydrogen is that refining it into a fuel is still a somewhat energy intensive process, and using grid energy from fossil fuels to make and transport hydrogen can negate some of its greenness. While using natural gas is UCLA’S solution, the Shell station on Santa Monica Boulevard purchases green energy credits. That Shell location is the only current hydrogen fueling station in Los Angeles open to the public – though more are planned – and it was our destination in the FCell Benz. With a modest 87 horsepower, it became apparent that this vehicle, probably the most expensive thing I will ever operate, was ill-suited for the drag strip. Nonetheless, at the encouragement of Manousiouthakis,
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the beat goes on
Drum circles gather each weekend to celebrate community, feel energy of music story & photos by derek
liu
It’s 6 p.m. on a Saturday down at Venice Beach, and you can’t hear the person next to you. As the sun sets, the cacophony of the drum circle climbs to its zenith. More than a hundred drummers, dancers and onlookers crowd in a pack so dense it’s hard to see the middle. All you can hear is the beat. That’s what Brian Hogan, a doctorate student in ethnomusicology, hears every weekend from his house several blocks away in the Venice suburbs. “There’s this incredible, visceral quality to how much sound is produced,” he said. “If you can hear it from my place, that’s loud.” The sound of drums at Venice Beach has become as consistent as the tide. Every Saturday
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and Sunday, a diverse group arrives at the sand carrying hand drums, shakers, flutes and all manner of percussive instruments. “It’s the energy,” Hogan said. “I think that’s why a lot of people go.” For Will Magid, a former music student and UCLA alumnus, coming to the circles was a way to relieve postgraduation stress. “Sometimes you take one Coke can and bang it against another Coke can,” he said. “All those things you worried about before the drum circle, you just stop caring about. Afterward, I focused on things I did have control over. I picked up a newspaper and looked at job postings.” Hogan, a percussionist for more than a decade, also said he believes the act of communal
drumming to be both physically and mentally engaging. “My mind doesn’t have room to wander,” he said. By 7:30 p.m., the excitement has reached a peak. The swaying crowd seems entirely comprised of European tourists, waterfront dwellers and remnants of Woodstock. Marijuana is smoked in plain sight. While Hogan acknowledged the presence of a drug counterculture, he said that it is less dominant than people would assume. “To equate drum circles with drug use is a dangerous thing because the drug use is independent,” he said. “The people at that drum circle probably do smoke pot. At the same time,
Drum circles are a common sight in Venice Beach, where groups of people informally gather on the weekends to play music, dance and celebrate rhythm.
that’s not the vibe.” Suddenly, flashing sirens light up on either side of the circle and bright headlights beam into the crowd. The police, as they have done every Saturday before, show up and dictate the end of the festivities promptly at 8 p.m. There is no confrontation. The drummers bang out their last verse as onlookers filter back to the boardwalk, and the officers, for their part, never even leave their SUVs. The whole process takes 15 minutes. Magid said he’s amazed at how cooperative the police force is. “And the people cooperate with (the police), too.” By 8:30 p.m. the cops have left along with the crowds. Very few people remain aside from a few shadowy figures. The drumming, however, will resume shortly at their hands. Hogan said he believes that there is a “core group” of dedicated drummers that allows the Venice circle to operate on both a musical and a communal level. “They set a rhythm ... a musical framework that allows other percussionists to play with them,” he said. “It’s open to everyone. Because these guys come and make it happen, they’re facilitating community in a unique way without letting the musical quality deteriorate.” For an idea of what dedication to the drum
circle means, there’s Gary Gallerie, also known to the drum circles. Others come in the opposite direction, straight from the beach. as “OG” for “Old Gary.” Among the latter group is a man in a dark He has white hair, parted down the middle, and a moustache, and he tows his drums on motorcycle jacket. He wears feathers in his a trailer behind his bike. His right forearm is thinning white hair, and at age 59, has become completely covered by a colorful tattoo. It reads: the spiritual leader of the drum circle. Beach regulars know him as the “Chief.” He believes the “Venice Drum Circle – After Dark.” “Sometimes we go until 1 or 2 a.m.,” Gallerie drum circles can bring positive social change. “I say to people, ‘Come over here and have said. It grows cold quickly after dark, but the small some loving, leave everything back there.’ I give group is still going. They’ve moved closer to them this beach. It’s all I got,” he said. “Peace and t he crashing t ide ; the noise from the ocean assures that “There’s this incredible, visceral there will be no noise quality to how much sound is produced.” complaints. Someone has used empty water BRIAN HOGAN | DOCTORATE STUDENT bottles to keep the thin legs of a snare love of the drum circle.” drum from sinking into the sand. Hogan said he doubts that a trip to the drum Meanwhile, one of the drummers, dressed only in a thin red T-shirt, pounds on an upturned circles will be a life-changing event for most bucket. His name is Christopher Anderson, and UCLA students. However, he said he believes it he said he graduated from USC in 1991 with a offers “a portal outside of UCLA life.” “You’re stepping beyond your boundaries degree in cinematography. “(Some people) see it as a religious activity,” of what you’re used to,” Hogan said. “My recommendation for anyone who hasn’t heard Hogan said. “It’s a trance experience.” Around noon on Sunday the early arrivals the drum circle would be to come down on will gather again. Some come down Breeze Sunday afternoon, get some friends, and go to Avenue, the alleyway connecting the main road the beach.”
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fredrika thelandersson photo by maya sugarman
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he road to getting a college degree, or even a high school diploma, isn’t always an easy one, nor is it accessible to everybody, but people such as Ernest Morrell dedicate most of their lives to changing that. An associate professor in the Urban Schooling division of the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, Morrell is one of the leading forces behind the Institute for Democracy, Education and Access Summer Seminar, which, for the last 10 years has provided unconventional education opportunities for underprivileged kids in high-poverty areas. Through teaching outdoors and outside the classroom, the project explores nontraditional ways of learning. “He is helping students to become critical researchers, and that way empowers them to create change,” said UC Student Regent D’Artagnan Scorza. But Morrell is not only active within the academic field; he also goes under the titles of screenwriter, poet, media producer and fiction writer. The professor started out at the undergraduate level as an English student at UC Santa Barbara, then started teaching after graduation as a way of supporting himself while writing. The strongest motivation for Morrell to write, he said, was that he knew how reading could open up new worlds. The six years teaching English at Oakland High School in Northern California made him realize that there are many kids who never get to experience that sense of empowerment, since
they are held back by poor education or no education at all. Inspired to make education more accessible to less privileged students, Morrell traveled to grad school at Berkeley, where he earned his doctorate in language, literacy and culture. He said his research is motivated by his desire to “tap into the natural ability of kids to learn.” To that end, Morrell and his research team asked what young students do that demonstrates their ability to learn. What they found was that students put a lot of time and energy into pop culture – Morrell’s goal then became to help students use that effort in a way that would be rewarding for their academic careers. In the IDEA Summer Seminars, teenagers are taught to be producers of pop culture through computer-generated maps, photographs, graphs, video and audio that allow them to actively express their experiences and, in the long run, make them eligible for college. The students’ work is published in the online journal “Teaching to Change LA,” through which it reaches not only the students themselves, but also local and state policymakers and legislators, and readers from across the country. For Professor Morrell, education is strongly connected to creative expression, and he has not given up the writing that once led him into the teaching field. “It’s like having two kids and being asked who you love the most – teaching and writing is equal to me,” he said.
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mark dakkak 18 | may 2009 | prime
ashley honma photo by christopher shane
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ark Dakkak’s priorities seem to differ from those of other people. “Extracurricular (activities), school, friends,” Dakkak said, listing the order. The third-year math and economics student is the head of the nonprofit Project Literacy this year. He devotes countless hours into overseeing the organization’s recent tremendous growth. The organization’s increasing size can be attributed to his leadership, starting with his role as last year’s head of recruitment. “When I started (working with) Project Literacy my freshman year, there were 67 tutors. Last quarter, there were 146,” he said. “The fact that I’ve been able to partake in creating these hours that are spent with kids and UCLA students, it just blows me away,” Branching from the Community Service Commission, Project Literacy is a student-run, nonprofit organization that aims to promote literacy to children and adults within the inner city. Currently, the group operates five days a week in the communities of Watts, Vernon, Baldwin Hills and Mar Vista. For two hours a week, UCLA students work with their assigned learners, with whom they are paired based on age preference and schedule availability. The recent increase in membership also created an increase in need for change in administrative structure.
Rather than have individual directors hold positions, Dakkak created four committees to divide the workload and encourage a sense of teamwork among his administration: Logistics, Publicity and Recruitment, Community Building and Education. “I was able to identify four different areas, and then I created committees,” he said. “I felt like it would be a more fluid process, where people would be working together more often.” The changes Dakkak initiated certainly did not go without notice. Graduate Student Association President Jamal Madni, a previous Project Literacy member, remembered the energy and enthusiasm Dakkak possessed for the organization. “The work that he did with Project Literacy was really remarkable; he really enhanced the participation of Project Literacy,” Madni said. “Project Literacy was always a big organization, but he did wonderful things for it.” Dakkak may consider extracurricular activities his top priority, but his passion and ambition are a general indicator of his success, even with the priorities that come next . “I think Mark has that sort of renaissance ability,” Madni said. “UCLA’s a very exceptional place, and there’s a lot of tremendous students that do great academic work. “There’s a lot of great researchers, there’s a lot of great advocates, there’s a lot of great community service individuals that do community work, but it’s very rare that you see a person be able to wear all of those hats.”
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ree time is rare for third-year political science student Katie Frost. “I don’t have a lot of spare time; I try to fill my spare time with organizations that I love at UCLA,” Frost said. Indeed, for Frost, the list of organizations she’s involved in is extensive and enough to flood anyone’s schedule. She currently serves as Panhellenic Council president, the leadership development director of the Alumni Scholars Club, is a campus tour guide, a fitness instructor for UCLA recreation, a member of Alpha Phi sorority and the College Honors Program, and she runs marathons. Frost’s interest in leadership within the Greek community grew shortly after she decided to pledge a sorority. “I decided I wanted to get involved on the inner-house level – connecting all the houses to one another, getting to know girls that aren’t only in Alpha Phi, but are in the rest of the Greek community,” she said. After serving as vice president of Junior Panhellenic Council her first year, Frost decided to run for president of Panhellenic Council. As president of the organization, Frost is responsible for representing the Greek
ashley homna photo by maya sugarman
community at UCLA; her duties include interacting with leaders on campus and from the Los Angeles area, determining which activities the organization participates in, and advocating for Panhellenic interests around the school. Frost’s list of leadership roles also extends to the Alumni Scholars Club. Each year, the club grants scholarships to around 200 incoming freshmen, selecting recipients on the basis of an application screening and interview process. As a freshman, Frost was the top recipient for the incoming class of 2010; currently, she is the program’s leadership development director. Next year, Frost said she hopes to serves her third year on the executive board of ASC. In addition to her extracurricular activities, Frost also works as a campus tour guide and a spin instructor at Wooden Recreation Center. Before coming to UCLA, Frost had already acquired a background in both programs. As a high school participant in Campus Tours, she immediately knew she wanted to become a guide. “When I was visiting campuses, I was so enamored with all the tour guides. I just
thought they were the coolest people in the world – so I knew it was something I wanted to do,” she said. Her enthusiasm for the program certainly remains: approaching her third year as a guide, Frost will serve as one of the student coordinators of the program next year. Similarly, Frost’s interest in spin was also cultivated in high school. A competitive runner for 13 years, Frost started doing spin after acquiring her first injury while running. Now a certified spin instructor, she has been teaching spin classes since her freshman year at UCLA. With her vast involvement in numerous organizations, it’s easy to see why time is a limited resource for Frost. But she cites her drive to work hard as the encouragement she needs to finish everything on her to-do list. “I think that self-motivation is probably my biggest attribute. I always said, ‘I may not be the most talented in every area, but I’ll outwork anyone,’ and I feel that that’s what’s helped me to be successful in college and really stay actively involved in so many organizations on campus,” she said.
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mustafa abdul-hamid
rei estrada photo by christopher mccoy
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alking to Mustafa Abdul-Hamid, junior guard for the UCLA basketball team, you get the sense that all he wants is to achieve his personal best, physically and mentally, in the most humble way possible. Abdul-Hamid emphasized the importance of personal growth and taking risks; he chose UCLA over Harvard, Davidson and the University of Chicago for the opportunities in both academics and basketball, in spite of outside objections. “People said, ‘Oh, you’re not going to be able to do this at UCLA. ... Why would you go away from Harvard?’” he said. “But I made an informed decision – it was a risk ... and you don’t look back.” For Abdul-Hamid, it was certainly a major transition moving to the West Coast from St. Louis, Mo. “I kind of tell people this. The first time I came here to play, late at night, I came to play – me and a couple of my teammates – and the gym was full ... and it was full of Asians,” he said. “And in St. Louis, you don’t see that, because there’s just not a large Asian population. Now, my best friends are from all of these different backgrounds, all of these different cultures. ... I think it’s just really cool.” 20 | may 2009 | prime
Abul-Hamid will be traveling to Morocco this summer and said he wouldn’t mind studying or playing abroad. “You have to try to empathize, or get into the body of another, and see it from their perspective.” Outside of basketball, Mustafa is pursuing a double major in communications studies and global studies, and he’s always finding ways to give back to the community. Along with friends Camille Gannam and Ara Jamasbi, he is currently organizing a drive with Soles4Souls, a charity that collects and distributes shoes internationally to those in need. In the future, Abdul-Hamid said, he hopes to continue playing basketball professionally, either stateside or abroad, but could also see himself going into foreign diplomacy or international business. At the photo shoot, Abdul-Hamid appeared humble and a little stiff when asked to look a little more in-yourface than he is. “I don’t have a tough guy look. ... I think I look silly,” he remarked. After wrapping up the shoots and politely saying goodbye, it was back to the court to watch his teammates practice.
cori tucker I
nspired by the work of her grandmother, Cori Tucker has been devoted to social change from a young age. “My grandmother runs a nonprofit called Tabitha House, and it’s an organization that rehabilitates women who have either been addicted to drugs, or have a criminal record,” Tucker said. “To see her compassion for another human being really affected me at a young age.” Tucker said her grandmother has been doing the work for a long time and gets “a lot of joy” out of her work. “I want to know how to be as happy as she is, and so I found that was also my passion,” Tucker said. The idea of social change comes up in all of Tucker’s activities. For instance, it’s one of the reasons she is a resident assistant for the Office of Residential Life. “(It is) an organization that really has the
structure and the people in place to create agents of change,” she said. “Being (a resident assistant) is something that helps me to enact change almost every day.” Along with her responsibilities on the Hill, Tucker is a research scholar with the McNair Scholars Progra m, where she studies social justice through a combination of academics, mentoring and a major research paper. “McNair is really set up for our research to be not only a research project that will be able to give people more information about a specific topic, but can also enact change,” Tucker said. Tucker’s research project examines racial authenticity and black masculinity in the context of the characters of the television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” As far as the future of social justice goes, Tucker said she hopes to see the educational system become stronger: “I am very passionate
rei estrada photo by christopher mccoy
about education. If we have an informed and passionate youth that’s coming up, that are going to be the people that take our positions, then I don’t see why anything wouldn’t get better.” She said her personal goals include earning a doctorate and becoming a professor while furthering her research. She also said she hopes to become a political specialist in the media and maybe take up a future in politics in her hometown of Bakersfield. Even with a ll her achievements and ambitions, Tucker said it is important to stay grounded. “Everything I do isn’t for me. There are so many people in my life that have been very inf luential, and I know I wouldn’t be here without them,” she said. “For me, it’s not about me. That’s how I try to live my life.”
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salomon hossein lauren percivalle photo by christopher wu
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any Bruins pride themselves on being active in their university, joining events, clubs and aid organizations that relate to their concerns. But even with so many students getting involved in causes they find worthy, there are still some Bruins who take being active to an extreme, such as Salomon Hossein. The third-year political science and international development studies student has developed an extensive résumé of achievements – organizing events, joining clubs and networking with like-minded students who share his concerns for the Afghan community and elsewhere. Hossein clearly enjoys the company of others; as a freshman, he hit the ground running, starting as an intern in the offices of the undergraduate student government president and a general representative. Hossein’s first year at UCLA may have motivated him to do more the next year, but his parents, both Afghan refugees, were no small matter in encouraging his activism, either. “They were happy with what I was doing, but they also wanted to remind me of the importance that Afghanistan itself should have in my
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life, that I should do things to help the people there,” Hossein said. In his second year, Hossein founded the United Afghan Club, creating a means by which Afghan students could come together and develop pride in their community. Throughout the academic year, the club helped coordinate a number of events that raised money for Afghanistan. A banquet and an early screening of “The Kite Runner,” a film based on the bestselling novel by Khaled Hosseini, held at the Fowler Museum at UCLA, raised more than $10,000 to help build libraries in Afghanistan. Hossein also helped organize an Afghan College Day through the United Afghan Club. Coordinators drove UCLA vans to pick up prospective Afghan college students from across Southern California, taking them to the UCLA campus for a day of counseling, workshops, panels and other activities. The United Afghan Club recently coordinated a clothing drive with the help of other Afghan clubs along the West Coast. Hossein also helped organize a culture show and banquet, raising funds to send vitamins and monetary donations to orphans in Afghanistan. Hossein said he hopes one day to expand the reach of his humanitarian efforts and share with the world the issues affecting underdeveloped countries. “It’s a pretty big dream,” he said, laughing.
drew shackleton jennifer ta photo by elaine hu
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or Drew Shackleton, running is more than just a sport. It’s his life. For Shackleton, he has always been running – ever since middle school, right alongside his twin brother Kyle. Yet it wasn’t until high school that he became serious about this longtime hobby. “As I got through high school, I realized a
lot of things that are valuable about athletics in general,” he said. “It distracts from all the bad and negative directions that come with high school.” Now as a fifth-year student in college, Shackleton is majoring in business economics with an accounting minor. Other than school, Shackleton devotes much of his time to track and field and cross country, which have helped to set both individual and team milestones. He is No. 7 in UCLA’s all-time athletes. “ We h ave n’t qu a l i f ie d for n at ion a l championship over 20 years going into 2006. We were able to qualify that year as a team, which was a really big accomplishment,” he said. Apart from being an athlete, Shackleton is also a part of the Bruins Athletic Council, where he helps organize volunteer events for the athletic department. Shackleton is also a part of the Volunteer Income Taxes Assistants, a group that helps those in the Los Angeles area fi le their taxes and paperwork for free. Even with his busy schedule, Shackleton was also able to land a job. Once he leaves school, he will begin full-time work for one of the “big four” accounting fi rms, Deloitte, where he will be auditing companies’ financial statements. Despite going full-steam into accounting after he leaves UCLA, Shackleton has yet to turn his back on running. “(I’d) like to start training for marathons and be pretty successful,” Shackleton said. “My brother and I are thinking about training through the summer and maybe competing in the Chicago marathon to try to qualify for the Olympic trials in 2012.” His biggest dream, however, is to help fight Parkinson’s disease by running in the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research marathon . Parkinson’s is a disease that hits close to home because his grandfather has it. “I like to achieve a lot in road races and raise a lot of money for organizations like Michael J. Fox’s. My grandfather has Parkinson’s and it’s close to my heart,” Shackleton said. “I want to use my successful running to give back to that.” But w he t her t h rou g h h i s c a re er or through his philanthropy, Shackleton seems determined to make a difference through whatever means necessary. “I rea lly like to be involved with my communit y on my own persona l time,” Shackleton said. “Growing up, my family put a big stress and value on giving back to your community and doing service to your community.”
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turn a new leaf
Bossa Nova Salads are the perfect meal when the temperature is escalating and the thought of something hot and heavy leaves you running for the Pacific. While these salads hit the light and healthy mark, make no mistake you will leave these various restaurants a round We st L . A . satisfie d. aly holmes photos by christine haroutounian
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10982 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 310-441-0404 bossafood.com The West Los Angeles outlet of this small chain of Brazilian restaurants offers an escape from the ordinary with food inspired by the vibrant colors, energy and flavors of Brazil. The Carnival Salad is comprised of grilled chicken, hearts of palm, jack cheese, olives and greens. It was meant to evoke its namesake, but lacked the pop and freshness of an exotic locale. But for $7.99 ($9.49 for dinner), it would make a good lunch especially with the balance of protein, veggies and yummy extras like cheese. The location is extremely easy to get to by bus, but truthfully it doesn’t offer the stimulating flavor experience one thinks of when trying a new cuisine such as Brazilian food.
Jack n’ Jill’s Too 8738 W. 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90048 310-858-4900 jacknjillstoo.com
Jack n’ Jill’s Too is known as a creperie, but it is the salads that make the restaurant a destination. The pecan citrus lunch, for $9 or $11, can be enjoyed at any time of the day and was a surprising combination of flavors that co-existed incredibly well, making this salad the winner of the salad quest. The meal was made up of field greens, blue cheese, mandarin oranges, avocado, candied pecans, almonds, granny smith apples, cranberries, golden raisins and grilled chicken, all topped off with a citrus vinaigrette. The salad was refreshing and sweet, making it the perfect salad for a sultry evening. The service was exceptional and the environment was light and airy. After savoring your salad, feel free to indulge in a delicious dessert crepe of your choice.
Literati Café
12081 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025 310-231-7484 literaticafe.com
Tender Greens
Literati Café is located in the upscale neighborhood of Brentwood, but once inside the environment, the cafe is reminiscent of a cozy but eclectic living room with pictures in mismatched frames. The tuna salad, $8.95, was refreshingly light and made with very little mayonnaise and placed on top of greens with a subtle vinaigrette. It came with a dense whole-wheat house-made bread that felt healthy with every bite. The tuna is also “Dolphin Safe,” which makes you feel eco-friendly as you devour the delicious salad. The cafe also offers vegan treats and a good selection of coffees and teas. If you are a born multitasker, there are crossword puzzles available that add to the homey living-room feeling. The combination of healthful food and an inviting environment makes this the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon.
9523 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 310-842-8300 tendergreensfood.com
The line for Tender Greens goes out the door onto the street. A line? For salads? Yes. It is well worth the wait for salads made of such fresh local ingredients that are anything but boring, especially when combined with delicious meats, fishes and intriguing twists. The food is served cafeteria style: You watch your salad assembled and placed on a stylish tray before you with your choice of wines, microbrews or sparkling juices. The grilled flat iron steak salad, $10.50, consists of butter lettuces, radishes, beets and a tangy but approachable horseradish vinaigrette. The sweetness of the beets was a perfect contrast to the strong pepper flavor of the steak, and the salad was topped with crostini that added a much-needed crunch. The tasty food and al fresco atmosphere made for a relaxing evening.
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looking to be seen tricia ro photos by michael vu
Leila Rajazi
Third-year political science student Top: Forever 21 Skirt: Bershka Sandals: ClassiďŹ ed
Sarah-Neel Smith
Graduate student in art history Shirt: J.Crew Shorts: Gap Shoes: L.L.Bean
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Xochitl Alvarez
Fourth-year international development studies student Jumper: Buffalo Exchange Tank: American Eagle Outfitters Sandals: Marshall’s
Joan Ramos
First-year biochemistry student Top: Hollister Skirt: Charlotte Russe
Tomas Aguilera
Second-year linguistics and anthropology student
Shirt: Target Jeans: Levi’s Hat: Quiksilver Shoes: Vans prime | may 2009 | 27
“Indianinspired, Bohemian hair accessories are really hot right now.�
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Mark Slicker Salon
’dos and don’ts
1107 Gayley Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90024 The sun’s out, the beach is waiting and you probably don’t feel like spending hours primping. That’s why the hairstyles of the season are all about easy glamour. Loose waves, Bohemian braids and hair accessories (that can hide a plethora of tress-related sins) are all the rage! Recently, Mark Slicker of the Mark Slicker Salon in Westwood showed us some easy styles for the season. So, follow these tips, head out the door and make the most out of the summer sun! Mark used Dr. Hauschka Neem Hair Oil for some added sheen. Additionally, he rubbed Margaret Josefin pomade to combat flyaways. He rubbed a small amount between his palms before lightly applying it root to tip. Here are Slicker’s other tips for you:
“Braids are easy and fresh for summer.”
nancy thuvanuti photo by christopher wu models: sara rossi, anna snyder, michelle tulac
“Always remember to keep it simple.” prime | may 2009 | 29
L A site-seeing
edward truong & kate stanhope
The irony behind the Internet is how useful it is to find ways to get outside and explore Los Angeles. The online community is a great link to the real-life community, with different blogs and directories that are handy tools to avoid another Saturday night at home.
boredLA
LAist
BoredLA’s mission is just that: to make sure its readers are never bored in the City of Angels. The site features everything from upcoming concerts and movie screenings to food reviews but the oddball items are the true highlight of this blog: instructions on how to make tissue paper lanterns and posts about International Sunf lower Guerrilla Gardening Day help boredLA stand out from the rest.
A branch of the Gothamist chain of blogs, LAist focuses on the Los Angeles area with a hodge podge of different information: It covers breaking news and regional arts and events, and provides weekend activity suggestions. Though it is an eclectic mix of content, it is a good way for non-local students to get a feel for the vibe of the area and feel like a true Angeleno, Web-style.
LA Observed
Losanjealous
Founded in May 2003, this Web site is the news junkie’s answer to the blog craze. LA Observed covers local media, culture and politics with strong reporting and an even stronger wit. Their “Media tweet o’ the day” posts are a must-read, as is LA Sketchbook. The site also produces a radio show on local National Public Radio station KCRW, which is available for download as a podcast.
This Web site is a local blog focusing on various events, with an emphasis on i ndependent music a nd a g ra ssroot s phi losophy. A long w it h music news, concert reviews and photograph galleries, the site also features food reviews from contributors with tantalizing restaurant recommendations. The highlight of the Web site is its comprehensive concert listings.
www.boredla.com
www.laobserved.com
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www.laist.com
www.losanjealous.com
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