Drake Magazine Spring 2014

REAL-LIFE LIGHTSABERS P.06 | FIVE GLOBAL FOODS LOCALIZED P.10 | HUMANS OF DRAKE P. 50

DM DRAKE MAGAZINE | SPRING 2014

suit UP! brain YOUR

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

transition A SYSTEM IN

COUNSELING FOR THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY NEEDS A CHANGE

NO MORE BORING BUSINESS CASUAL

17

BEST SUMMER EVENTS IN

DES MOINES

32

45

contents SPRING 2014 42

Bits & Pieces

03 A PRICELESS EDUCATION Three sites teach useful life skills but don’t charge a dime.

04 NOT YOUR MOM’S COFFEE TABLE BOOK Six books to add life to your living space.

06 COMING FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY Star Wars lightsabers could come to life with a new state of matter.

07 CONGRESS CONNECTION Washington politics don’t seem as distant thanks to these apps.

Say What

08 STICKS & STONES & THIGH GAPS A critique of thin-shaming in our body image-conscious society.

09 THE MILLENNIAL MISCONCEPTION Gen X and Baby Boomers think our generation is lazy, but one writer argues otherwise.

16

Food & Drink

10 GLOBAL GONE LOCAL Taste flavors from around the world in five dishes at ethnic restaurants in Des Moines.

13 COFFEE WITH A HEART A Valley Junction roaster offers fresh, free-trade coffee.

14 BUZZWORDS FOR GETTING BUZZED Add beer and wine descriptors to your drinking vocabulary.

16 Summer in the City

32 A System in Transition

For those staying in Des Moines all season or those just stopping by for a visit, plenty of local events, shows, and festivals will make this summer one to remember.

Adequate support from healthcare providers or counselors may not be readily available to the transgender community. Reformatting the current system could encourage acceptance and provide inclusive support to those who seek it.

45 #psychology of social media Why has social media become so ingrained in our lives? Turns out, spending time on socialnetworking sites affects our brains, relationships, and lives more than some might think.

50 Humans of Drake Inspired by the blog Humans of New York, we set out to take a look into the lives of Drake students.

22 13

Fashion

20 SUIT UP! Give a simple suit and tie a bold and bright update.

22 FINISHING TOUCHES Five sets of springtime accessories for any style.

28 SUSTAINABLE STYLE These fashion brands sell socially conscious and eco-friendly products.

Health

29 SCREW STDS One new social media service is trying to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

29 NUTRITION’S NEW LOOK The FDA proposed a clearer nutrition label that could change food packaging.

30 HEALTHY OR HARMFUL? Scientists haven’t made definitive decisions on these foods. But we have.

31 SOMETHING IN THE AIR An innovative nutrition system sends vitamins, nutrients, and caffeine through the air.

Music

38 THE APACHE RELAY This bluesy band got its reputation from its boisterous stage presence.

40 RIPP-LE EFFECT “Simple” describes more than this singer-songwriter’s latest album.

41 MUSIC FESTIVALS BY THE DOLLAR Calculating the most cost-effective summer music festivals in the Midwest.

42 DIY-STYLE RECORDS Artists who produce albums without a label give indie music a whole new meaning.

44 SOLO SOUND Josh Davis is breaking away from his bands to launch an individual project.

ON THE

COVER Real-Life Lightsabers

06

Five Global Foods Localized

10

17 Best Summer Events in Des Moines 16 Suit Up! 20 A System in Transition 32 Your Brain on Social Media 45 Humans of Drake 50

BITS & PIECES DM

DRAKE MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief

Kristin Doherty

I’m not one to shy away from a challenge.

For starters, I edited this magazine (self-five!). I also challenged myself to sneak as many How I Met Your Mother references as possible into this magazine. (Three are on this page. Have fun finding the others.)

The challenges we took on this semester are the reason I’m so excited about this issue of DrakeMag. These big projects weren’t easy, but I’m proud that we pulled them off. For the first time, we have two fashion spreads—and one is just for the guys (pg. 20). We looked at controversial subjects, such as why we shouldn’t criticize skinny people (“Sticks & Stones & Thigh Gaps,” pg. 8). Our most challenging venture this issue? Sami Smith’s story on the fragile system of healthcare for transgender people (pg. 32). It’s been in the works since last summer, and it’s absolutely worth the read.

My next challenge: graduating from the DrakeMag team. It’ll be a change of pace not spending my evenings waging friendly wars over commas with Meagan, pretending I have fantastic art ideas with Claire, or giving Kendall a hard time for not following me on Twitter until March (whatever, assistant). I’m bummed I won’t have an excuse to use my Marshall Eriksen-inspired “editored” catchphrase anymore. But I can close this issue with confidence that I’m leaving it in the very capable hands of my mini-me, Linley Sanders. I have no doubt she’ll continue taking on the big challenges that come with this magazine.

Until then, indulge in another issue of Drake Magazine.

Remember to check out our website (drakemagazine.com), like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@DrakeMag). And let us know what you think of this issue by shooting us an email at drakemag@gmail.com.

Challenge accepted,

Managing Editor

Meagan Flynn

Associate Editor

Linley Sanders

Art Director Claire Sedovic

Photo Editor

Morgan Cannata

Assistant Editor

DUOLINGO

Kendall Wenaas

Advertising & PR Manager Kassy Cheshire

...

Online

Executive Editor Sami Smith Associate Editor Leah Walters Assistant Editor Melissa Studach Assistant Editor Zoë Ekonomou

Contributors Olivia Albers Bailey Berg Maggie Dickman Taylor Eisenhauer Paige Ernste Jennifer Gardner Annika Grassl Chance Hoener Raeann Langas

Molly Longman Lauren McElmeel Derek Nystrom Brita Olmstead Kaila Sekula Hayleigh Syens Brian Taylor Luna Ward Taylor Zant

Designers

Photographers

Olivia Curti Greta Gillen Raeann Langas Alecia McEachran

Cameron Johnson Allison Trebacz

© 2014 Drake Magazine is published with the support of the Board of Student Communications.

Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of Drake University.

Letters to the editor are encouraged, but may not be published.

Direct any questions, comments, or concerns to drakemag@gmail.com.

Kristin Doherty Editor-in-Chief

education A PRICELESS

SPECIAL THANKS Lori Blachford | Jan Wise | Jill Van Wyke | Jeff Inman Drake University Marketing and Communication ColorFX | IKONIX Studio

...

OFFERING FIVE DIFFERENT languages— Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, and Italian—Duolingo is an interactive website for learning a new language or refreshing an old one. Multiple levels enable students to either start from scratch and learn the basics or take a placement test if they already have some of the language under their belt. The lessons include a variety of formats, from matching photos with words to translating sentences. So if your Spanglish is more than a little rusty, the lessons provide a nonthreatening environment to brush up on your skills.

Erik Turner, a 21-year-old from Des Moines, tried Duolingo before visiting his parents,

CODING ISN’T AS SIMPLE as crime shows make it look—the process takes more than a few quick taps on a keyboard. For those who hope to play in Mark Zuckerberg’s league, start with Codecademy, a website that teaches six types of code, from JavaScript to PHP. Each hands-on lesson shows students how to code as they go—no more taking notes in a boring lecture hall.

Students can choose specific skills to learn, or focus on a project like building an app or website. After enough lessons, they can publish tutorials, which other members check for accuracy and clarity.

FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE always admired the Taylor Swifts of the world but never had the time (or ability) to perform themselves, Dave Conservatoire is worth checking out. David Rees, the British musician and composer behind Dave Conservatoire, teaches basic and advanced musical concepts in video-based lessons. Some examples include how to build a drumbeat, name intervals, or create chords with triads.

Rees runs Dave Conservatoire off donations in order to keep his lessons accessible. The

CODECADEMY

THESE FREE WEBSITES OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

BY JENNIFER GARDNER ILLUSTRATIONS OLIVIA CURTI

who live in Germany. “Duolingo is good because it’s repetitive, at least with learning certain words and the language structure,” Turner says.“It has you run through little exercises over and over again so you remember them, and then it builds from there.”

Whenever he returns to Germany, Turner visits Duolingo to refresh his memory. Plus, the site saves students’ progress, so if he needs to, Turner can pick up where he left off.“The longer you stick with it, the more it helps,” he says.“I find that I actually remember the stuff that I learned. Duolingo does help you to learn, but you get out of it what you put into it.”

Frank Merchlewitz, a senior at Drake University, uses Codecademy to refresh his knowledge of HTML and learn new languages, such as Python and Ruby. “Codecademy has taught me how to read code, and that’s really important because it lets me edit existing code,” Merchlewitz says.“I can build navigation menus, I can post content, and I can style content so it looks the way I want it to.” But the site is only a starting point, he says.

“Codecademy is great for learning the basics, but it won’t turn you into a professional coder.”

conversational tone in Rees’ videos avoids the structured feel of a classroom and livens up topics that are usually seen as boring.“People see music theory as a very separate and dull part of their music education,” Rees says.“I’m trying to show that, no matter what musical instrument you play or what style of music you want to work in, the more you understand how music works under the surface, the more creative you’ll be.”

DAVE CONSERVATOIRE

03

BITS & PIECES DM

DM BITS & PIECES

FOR THE CRAY-CRAY ABBREVIATOR TOTES RIDICTIONARY

e e f f o C e l b a T s k o Bo

By Balthazar Cohen

A two-word review: totes amaze (translation: totally amazing). This dictionary decodes abbrevs such as “adorbs,”“hilar,” and “gorge” with their more colloquial translations. But defining these confusing terms that blow up everyone’s Facebook feeds isn’t the book’s only purpose. It also includes fake, abbreviated (and def hilar) Twitter conversations between historical figures.

Example: Juliet gets “totes emosh,” but it’s OK, because Romeo tweets that she’s “srsly gorge.”

NOT YOUR MOM’S

offee table c e r a e r e h t ­ r topic— o Nowadays , d n e r t , y b y hob books for an parents. r o f t n a e m t no propriate and they ’re p a e g e ll o c add dorm, r These books o t n e m t r a an ap character to the very t a , r o , n io t a rs start a conve when the d e in a t r e t n ou e least, keep y n.

Wi-Fi is dow DOVIC

BY

CLAIRE SE RS | PHOTO OLIVIA ALBE

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 RAVES

By Marcus Barnes

The biggest and baddest parties around the world are now combined in one easily accessible guide. Around the World in 80 Raves describes itself as the “definitive guide” to music festivals. From Coachella in California to Hidden Agenda in Dublin, find all the details on the most popular events, including each one’s type of crowd and music, past performers, and beer prices. With these tips, attendees should arrive at their venues ready to rave.

Urban Outfitters ($12.95)

Amazon ($11.55)

FOR THE CAT HATER UNDERWATER DOGS

By Seth Casteel

We’ve had enough cute cat pics on the Internet, and Underwater Dogs grants a refreshing change of pace. The book, which includes more than 80 pictures, offers a new perspective of our four-legged friends. In some pictures, the puppies attack the water with a painful belly flop; in others, they enter a state of panic, as if they’ve never dipped a paw in water before. Some bare their teeth while going after a favorite tennis ball, while others simply look dazed and confused. Far more interesting than cats in baskets, these floppy-eared canines will have readers rolling on the floor with laughter and begging for more.

Barnes & Noble ($19.99)

FOR THE PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE ROOMATE HOW NOT TO BE A DICK: AN EVERYDAY ETIQUETTE GUIDE

By Meghan Doherty

There’s no denying it: Everyone knows someone who is a dick.You know, the girl who slams the door while her roommate is sleeping, or the guy who leaves his dirty dishes stacked in the sink.

When strongly worded sticky notes around the room aren’t enough to change a guy’s tune, this book can save your sanity. Full of storybook-style drawings and sarcastic descriptions of classic jerk moves, How Not to Be a Dick guides readers through every kind of frustrating situation, from awkward coffee-shop encounters to chatty dinner parties. Next time the sink fills up, leave this book flipped open on the kitchen counter. Passive aggression at its finest.

Urban Outfitters ($16.99)

04

FOR THE SERIAL CONCERT-GOER

FOR THE INK ADDICT TATT BOOK: VISIONARIES OF TATTOO

By Joseph Ari Aloi

This book is meant for the people who love the sound of a tattoo gun and can’t wait to add more ink to their collection.

JK5, a highly regarded artist, put together these images for people to share in hopes that they would truly appreciate the art of tattoos. Readers can meet the top artists and visionaries behind these ink designs and see their most eye-catching creations. From simple prints to complex and colorful sleeves, this book might inspire another trip to the tattoo parlor.

Amazon ($20.76)

FOR THE FASHIONISTA THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS: VINTAGE TREASURE

By Didier Ludot

Here’s the solution for the girl looking to master the essential little black dress. The book shows how this wardrobe staple has impacted the fashion world since its 1920s debut. Ludot displays his Paris boutique’s collection of the quintessential piece made by designers such as Chanel, Balmain, and Balenciaga. Photos of A-list celebrities— from Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor— also grace the pages and provide timeless style inspiration for dressing an LBD up or down.

Amazon ($25.00)

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BITS & PIECES DM

DM BITS & PIECES

galaxy

COMING FROM A

FAR, FAR AWAY

NEW MATTER IMITATES THE LIGHTSABERS OF SCI-FI FAME.

BY TAYLOR EISENHAUER | PHOTO ILLUSTRATION CAMERON JOHNSON

THE DREAMS OF WANNABE JEDIS everywhere are about to come true. A new scientific discovery means that lightsabers could be heading to us from a galaxy far, far away.

Like many other scientific discoveries, this one was an accident. Two physicists—Mikhail Lukin, a Harvard professor, and Vladan Vuletic, an MIT professor—were experimenting with photons (particles of light) when they discovered a new state of matter, according to a report in the Harvard Gazette. This new form can hold light particles together, mimicking the properties of the fictional lightsabers in the Star Wars franchise.

Rana Biswas, adjunct professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Iowa State University, says that light beams normally bounce right through each other. But if light beams interact with highly excited atoms, as they did for Lukin and Vuletic, then the beams become linked together, which creates matter similar to that of a lightsaber. Most of the duo’s work was done at low temperatures, Biswas says, which may surprise some Star Wars fans, because cool temperatures don’t exactly come to mind when Vader’s lightsaber slices off Luke’s hand.

The properties of this new matter, originally published in September 2013 in Nature, an international weekly science journal, are still being researched.“This is not an ordinary medium,” Biswas says. And its potential uses—besides being used to fight the Empire—remain uncertain. Even so, lightsabers might be part of the future, but one that’s a bit closer.

In the meantime, rev up the Millennium Falcon, brush up on some Wookiee, and practice those Jedi mind tricks, because the future is approaching at warp speed.

CONGRESS

connection

IF IT’S NOT CAUCUS SEASON, D.C. politics can seem far removed from the Midwest, and it can be difficult to keep up with the political maneuvers of our elected elite. Plus, you never know when Washington’s finest will take a cue from the politically notorious House of Cards. Fortunately, there are a variety of free apps that can help voters keep tabs on senators and representatives both at home and in Washington.

The first useful app, appropriately dubbed Congress, pinpoints each representative and shows how he or she voted on past bills. Searching for specific bills in either the House or Senate is simple with this app: Users can follow individual bills, committees, and legislators for quick updates on any developments. The app also notifies users about bills based on their interests.

“The goal of the political app Congress is to make democracy easily accessible for America’s youth, specifically college students,” says Gabriella Schneider, the communications director for the Sunlight Foundation group, which developed the app. Schneider says apps like Congress are a good way for students to stay involved in politics

THESE APPS PROVIDE A WAY TO KEEP AN EYE ON WASHINGTON’S FINEST.

BY ANNIKA GRASSL | PHOTO ALLISON TREBACZ

because updates come directly to smartphones—devices students are already glued to.

Another Capitol-conscious app is US Congress Watch, which spells out who sponsored bills and the current actions being taken on them. The app includes detailed biographies of Congressmen, including their leadership score, voting attendance, and even links to their social media accounts.

The iPhone-only app called Eligo breaks politics down with color-coded graphics. It shows what bills have been sponsored by local reps or senators, and that individual’s level of partisanship in the House or Senate. This makes it easy to follow bills like the Student Loan Affordability Act, which will keep interest on college loans at a lower rate until 2015.

Schneider is eager to see how apps like these will encourage more informed decisions now that politics have infiltrated the mobile world.“Hopefully more students will become politically aware by the use of apps, which can help them to follow their local legislators,” she says.

You know, you could be writing this.

Take the challenge.

Drake University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication will give you cutting-edge communication skills, help you view the world in a new and exciting way, and make you a leader in your profession.

Visit us: www.drake.edu/sjmc

06

07

SAY WHAT DM

DM SAY WHAT

STICKS AND STONES

THE MILLENNIAL

&thigh gaps

misconception

WHY THIN-SHAMING IS A SHAMEFUL PRACTICE

ONE WRITER IS FED UP WITH OLDER GENERATIONS’ UNFAIR CRITICISM.

BY KAILA SEKULA | PHOTO CAMERON JOHNSON

not only something I can’t participate in, but it also intensifies my insecurities.

And yes, I did say insecurities. Most pencil-shaped people aren’t aiming for the figure society idolizes.

We hate that extra-small tees aren’t long enough to cover our torsos. We hate the death glares people shoot us at the gym. We can try our best to gain weight, but it’s not as easy as eating three cheeseburgers every day. Have you ever tried a protein shake? Don’t.

Mean Girls said it best:“Calling somebody else fat won’t make you any skinnier.” And making fun of a skinny girl doesn’t validate anyone’s body type.Yes, you can put your thumb and index finger together around my wrist—and yes, it really is “that small.” But if the tables were turned and I decided to poke someone in the stomach, I probably wouldn’t survive to tell the tale.

No one enjoys getting their insecurities pointed out to them—end of story.

Times are changing to embrace a new standard of beauty, and I get that. Aerie launched a campaign featuring unPhotoshopped models of all sizes and gained tons of media attention—which is great.

But does that mean we have to cut down people who happen to fit the image society has historically used to define beauty? Part of a body image-conscious culture means respecting all the different boxes that beauty comes in. Whether it’s calling out someone’s muffin top or hot dog legs, bullying others based on weight always hurts the victim. Open your eyes to where thin-shaming exists, and close your mouth next time you’re about to tell me to go eat a pizza.

But I’ll go eat one anyway, because pizza is delicious. Shame me all you want.

NO MATTER HOW CLOSE SOMEONE GETS TO THIS PICTURE-PERFECT IMAGE, SHE’LL STILL BE CRITICIZED. 08

“

I’M SKINNY. I weigh 110 pounds and I’m 5 foot 6. No, I’ve never had an eating disorder.

No, I don’t work hard to keep my weight low.

And no, I don’t have magical powers. I’m just a person with some luck and a high metabolism.

Last time I checked, society had sculpted this perfect, Barbie Doll icon of what it means to be beautiful. Tall, tan, blonde, and thin as a spaghetti noodle. Well, two out of four isn’t half bad, and I think that qualifies me as pretty attractive by society’s standards. So here’s my question: How come my friends keep telling me to shove pizza down my throat to fatten me up?

We do strange things to maintain this society-approved image of beauty. We sweat on ellipticals for hours. We pour hot wax on our faces and rip off our body hair. We sit under UV rays, and, according to InStyle, we will spend over $15,000 on makeup in our lifetime.

And yet, even people who are on the cusp of achieving this high beauty standard are still not good enough. No matter how close someone gets to this picture-perfect image, she’ll still be criticized—and that’s especially true when it comes to weight.

Welcome to thin-shaming.

Similar to fat-shaming, perpetrators cut down the self-esteem of their victims by criticizing their weight—whether or not it’s intentional.

The only difference between thin and fat is the awareness. There is no “minus-size” section in clothing stores for skinny young adults. We’re condemned to shop in pre-teen Hollister until we can learn to retain fat.

I’m not insensitive to fat-shaming by any means; no one should feel inferior because of how they look. Why should someone have to listen to the Kate Moss doppelgänger complain that her ribs stick out awkwardly? It’s uncomfortable to feel out of the conversation— and I experience this every time someone talks about how fat that pasta made her feel. It’s

BY LAUREN McELMEEL | ILLUSTRATION CLAIRE SEDOVIC

I AM PART OF A GENERATION that my parents’ and grandparents’ generations call “lazy, narcissistic leeches.” I am a Millennial. The Baby Boomers and Gen X say I don’t contribute enough to society. They publish articles in national magazines saying I won’t find a job right after college to finance a typical suburban lifestyle—complete with a house, a spouse, and 2.5 kids, surrounded by a white picket fence.

They attribute this to my entitled, trophy-laden existence and my extraordinary lack of work ethic. Not to the poor state of the job market for those entering it for the first time. Not to the economy that’s desperately clawing its way back to stability. And not to the fact that some of us simply don’t want the typical lifestyle that we’re expected to embrace.

But maybe that’s only projection. In a survey done by the Buzz Marketing Group and the Young Entrepreneur Council, one in five Millennials plans to quit his or her 9-to-5 job and create a new business. One in three Millennials creates a side business in addition to a traditional day job.

Owning a business and taking on all the responsibilities that accompany it? And still performing the duties of a 9-to-5 job?

Doesn’t sound lazy to me.

Older generations call attention to the fact that many of us are moving home or taking too long to “grow up.”They forget that most of us are being forced to postpone adulthood and its expensive responsibilities, because entry-level incomes are not enough to mortgage a house, support a family, and pay off our exorbitant student loans all at once. College tuition and fees have

increased approximately 1,120 percent since records began in 1978, according to a study published by Bloomberg.

They call us entitled. But to what? Mountains of student debt because the cost of college keeps growing every year. Internships that don’t pay a dime and don’t protect us from office harassment.

And generational hate from our elders who seem to forget they were once young and vulnerable in the job market, too.

Here’s an example of a Millennial: me.

I work two jobs. I work at a bookstore and take care of children at a church nursery. Even combined, these jobs don’t pay enough to make a dent in the tuition I pay for the full courseload I’m taking so I can—by some sort of miracle—get a job when I graduate. I spend what little free time I do have searching tirelessly for unpaid internships, crossing my fingers that the hiring manager will glance twice at my application.

Entitled? I don’t think so.

Yes, we are products of coddling and participation trophies. But who coddled us and gave us those trophies? Who banned the use of red pens in some schools because it was deemed too harsh on students’ self-esteem? I certainly don’t recall being in that meeting.

We are behaving how we were taught to behave. We are products of our childproofed upbringings. We are asking for a little understanding and a little respect from our elders who continually look down their noses and scoff at our “entitled” behavior. We’re doing the best we can with what our predecessors left us. And no matter how terrible the next generations might seem, we’ll remember that we were once them.

The Average American Millennial* *According to the Pew Research Center

DEMOCRAT

AGE 18 TO 24

LESS RELIGIOUS

UNMARRIED

THAN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS

HAS GRADUATED OR PLANS TO GRADUATE COLLEGE

NO KIDS

LIVES IN THE SUBURBS

ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

HAS A PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME JOB

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FOOD & DRINK DM

DM FOOD & DRINK

global

GONE LOCAL

HOMEMADE BORSCHT IRINA’S RESTAURANT AND BAR RUSSIAN CUISINE IS all about hospitality— starting with zakuski, a buffet of appetizers and finger foods before dinner. Russian cooking emphasizes all things simple and rustic, with many recipes based on cabbage, root vegetables, meat, and fish.

For those who have never tried Russian cuisine, Irina’s borscht is an ideal introduction.

It’s not on the regular menu, but if diners call three days ahead, owner Irina Khartchenko will make it herself.

This hearty stew is made from thinly sliced golden beets and cabbage immersed in a simmering bath of hearty beef broth with minced beef tips, chopped carrots, potatoes, and pressed ripe tomatoes. Its spicy edge is counterbalanced with a dollop of cool, refreshing piroshky, or seasoned sour cream.

The borscht is served with freshly baked herb rolls for dipping. Irina’s husband, Demitri, suggests pairing it with one of the Russian beers or vodkas that the eatery offers.

FLAVORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AREN’T AS FAR AWAY AS THEY MAY SEEM. NOT SURE WHERE TO START? THESE DES MOINES RESTAURANTS FEATURE QUINTESSENTIAL FLAVORS IN MUST-TRY ETHNIC DISHES.

BY BRIAN TAYLOR | PHOTOS ALLISON TREBACZ

TANGY FISH MEATBALL AND VEGETABLE Á ÐÔNG FINE VIETNAMESE CUISINE AUTHENTIC VIETNAMESE CUISINE uses chilies, curry spice blends, and nuoc nam, a fish sauce for dipping. Fresh vegetables and herbs—such as lemongrass, ginger, and basil—are also essential for a signature Vietnamese flair.

A Dong manager Ngu Ng suggests the popular Lau Canh Chua Cha Cá Viên (or, if you stumbled, simply No. 112). This soup-as-an-entrée is an old family recipe that’s been handed down for several generations.

Seasoned ground cod is rolled into bite-size pieces and submersed in a tangy broth with roasted tomatoes and pineapple. The broth is made days ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld.

The soup is topped with fresh bean sprouts and herbs and served with a choice of steamed rice or vermicelli, a spaghetti-like pasta. The best part? Its presentation. The 112 is served in a “hot pot,” a ringshaped aluminum bowl filled with flaming charcoal in the center to keep the soup piping hot.

1511 High St. Des Moines, IA, 50309

WANT MORE? ORDER THESE ETHNIC CLASSICS, TOO. BEEF STROGANOFF Irina’s Restaurant and Bar Juicy Black Angus sirloin tips sautéed with onions, green peppers, button mushrooms, and garlic in a rich and peppery cream sauce, served over mashed potatoes.

GULAB JAMUN India Star Restaurant Deep-fried globes of sweetened cottage cheese drizzled with honey syrup.

GOI CUÔN Á ÐÔNG Fine Vietnamese Cuisine Broiled shrimp with shredded lettuce and rice noodles, rolled in rice paper and served with a tangy plum dipping sauce.

2301 Rocklyn Dr. Urbandale, IA, 50322

LOCATED AT A CROSSROAD between the East and West, Lebanon fuses Mediterranean flavors with Middle Eastern spices. The cuisine makes use of a wide range of ingredients, particularly grilled chicken, garlic, lemon, and olive oil.

The Shawarma Chicken Plate is a favorite for many regulars at Open Sesame, owned by Mario Gazali, who also owns Gazali’s near the Drake University campus. The chef begins by marinating boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a secret Middle Eastern spice blend, slow-roasted garlic, olive oil, and lemon for at least 24 hours. The meat is grilled over an open flame, sealing in the juices for a delectably moist and tender chicken breast. It’s thinly sliced and served over soft, homemade pita bread with fresh tomatoes, red onions, and pickles. A drizzle of zesty yogurt-garlic sauce over the top offers a perfect complement to the rich meat.

This entrée is served with a house salad with kalamata olives, pepperoncinis, and a citrusy Mediterranean vinaigrette.

SHAWARMA CHICKEN PLATE OPEN SESAME LEBANESE CAFÉ

313 E. Locust St. Des Moines, IA, 50309

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FOOD & DRINK DM

DM FOOD & DRINK

TANDOORI SHRIMP MASALA INDIA STAR RESTAURANT

INDIAN FOOD VARIES depending on access to local ingredients, and the methods of preparation rely heavily on which part of India the recipes originate from. Tandoori Shrimp Masala hails from Punjab in northern India, and the spicy and savory dish is a crowd favorite at India Star. After marinating in freshly grated ginger, coconut milk, lime juice, and turmeric, the shrimp are cooked in a special cylindrical clay oven called a tandoor. The chef adds red curry, puréed tomatoes, sautéed onions, and garlic paste to the mix, and then covers the tandoor while the shrimp are slow-roasted until plump and juicy. To top it off, the dish is sprinkled with fresh cilantro and floral-scented, steamed basmati rice.

On the side, consider ordering naan—a traditional Indian bread—to dip into the addictive masala sauce.

5514 Douglas Ave. Des Moines, IA, 50310

RASPBERRY SAMPITA SARAJ CAFÉ

BOSNIAN CUISINE is heavily influenced by both Central Europe and the Middle East. When it comes to Saraj’s raspberry-chocolate sampita, the rich desserts of Austria are the key tastemakers.

Sampita is traditionally a simple dessert, despite its layered crust of flaky phyllo pastry and meringue topping. However, chef and owner Fuada Aljic takes a different approach: She starts with a delicate bottom layer of homemade chocolate sponge cake instead. This is topped with a thick layer of rich, airy raspberry meringue—made from egg whites, powdered sugar, and fresh raspberry juice.

3916 NW Urbandale Dr. Urbandale, IA, 50322

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COFFEE WITH A

heart

CORAZON COFFEE ROASTERS PUTS A LITTLE EXTRA CARE INTO EACH CUP.

BY LINLEY SANDERS | PHOTOS ALLISON TREBACZ

DAY-OLD COFFEE BEANS aren’t good enough for Scott Warner. He holds his coffee to a higher standard—and it’s the difference between a pleasant brew and a bitter one.

This is what sets Warner and his coffee roastery apart: the freshness. Last year, he and his wife opened their shop, Corazon Coffee Roasters, in Valley Junction. It produces coffee fresher than chain stores can dream of—but this isn’t your typical coffee shop hangout. Warner, 52, will happily brew a drink for customers. In fact, he can take green coffee beans, roast them on the spot, and pour a cup of coffee within 20 minutes. But his main game is selling wholesale or by the bag.

He’s the CEO, waiter, and even dishwasher for the store.

“I’m lucky I never get sick—it’s a company of one,” he says.

And while only a little over a year old, Corazon Coffee Roasters is thriving. In its first year, the shop brought in more money than it spent, and then Warner reinvested his earnings in the business.

The coffee is made from free-trade beans, primarily coming from South America. In the store itself, the walls are painted red, orange, and yellow to remind Warner of Latin America. Two men walk in the shop, and Warner leaps up from his barstool.“Hello, folks, how are you doing?” he asks cheerfully. While fixing the customers’ drink orders, he begins chatting about his commitment to customer loyalty.

One of the men chimes in:“I told people at work about the cup you gave me last time. A whole cup for $1. That’s how this place will get big—word of mouth.”

Corazon Coffee, named for the Spanish word “heart,” aims to give back to the Des Moines community, and it’s gained a steady base of customers by reaching out to local organizations, mostly churches and some charity groups.

“We want to be the coffee with a heart, and we give to different charitable causes,”Warner says.“We’re into giving back as much as we take.”

Everything Corazon Coffee uses is biodegradable, from the cups to the straws. The shop is organically certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, meaning every type of coffee is organic, and most are fair trade.“We just wanted to be a natural company that wasn’t all about profit,”Warner says.

“We figured if we take care of our customers and help take care of the environment, everything else takes care of itself.”

Challenges still arose when it was time to open shop.

When Warner and his wife initially planned out the business, they had re-financed their house and had placed the order for a pricey coffee roaster. And neither was an expert on roasting coffee quite yet. They had to decide between giving up and pressing forward.“We went all in,” Warner says.

The risk paid off, and business is doing well. He dreams of going bigger by providing coffee to Des Moines restaurants and making more connections in the community. “I tell people I want all their coffee money—I just don’t want it all today,” he says.“I want loyal customers.”

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getting buzzed BUZZWORDS FOR

WHETHER YOU’RE SIPPING WINE WITH DINNER OR KNOCKING BACK A FEW COLD ONES AT THE BAR, YOU WON’T LOOK LIKE AN AMATEUR WHEN THESE TERMS ARE IN YOUR TASTING LEXICON.

BY BAILEY BERG | PHOTOS CLAIRE SEDOVIC

BOLD

PERFUMED

“[Perfumed] simply means that there are floral aromas in the wine,” Bradshaw says.“Nothing is added, though—it’s just a tendency of that kind of grape.” Both the Tamar Ridge Gewurztraminer (avg. $17) and the Chateau Ste Michelle Gewurztraminer (avg. $10), along with many Rieslings, have a perfumed taste.

COMPLEX

A complex wine has different layers and flavors that change from first sip to final swallow.“It’s like the difference between apple juice and apple cider,” Bradshaw says.“In the juice you taste one flavor, but in the cider you taste different things as it hits different parts of your tongue.”

Zinfandels like Ancient Peak (avg. $14) and Dry Creek Heritage (avg. $15) are solid complex options.

“Malt is the characteristic of the grain—it gives the beer a bready, bold flavor,” Woodford says.“It’s the opposite of hoppy.” Malty beers are often sweet with hints of caramel, toffee, or oatmeal flavors. The darker the beer, the maltier it is.

Check out brown ales like the Sam Adams Brown Ale (avg. $1.75 per bottle) or the Abita Turbo Dog (avg. $2 per bottle).

“It’s the perfect combination of malty and hoppy,” Woodford says.“Not too bitter, not too sweet.” A beer even Goldilocks would approve of. Many popular lagers such as Heineken (avg. $2.29 per bottle) and Budweiser (avg. $3.50 per bottle)— plus amber ales like Fat Tire (avg. $6 per bottle)—are a few examples.

UNFILTERED

SILKY

“Unfiltered means that the beer has some residual yeast in it because it doesn’t fall out of the solution,” Woodford says.

“Basically, it means the beer is cloudy.” If Blue Moon (avg. $4 per bottle) is your brew of choice, you’ll likely enjoy other unfiltered beers. Peace Tree, an Iowa-based brewery, makes a mean (read: 8.5 percent alcohol) pale ale, the Blonde Fatale (avg. $5.25 per bottle).

Think lush and smooth.“It’s exactly how it sounds,” Bradshaw says.“The mouthfeel is silky because it has undergone a fermentation process that gives it a creaminess.” Castle Rock (avg. $9) and Kendall-Jackson (avg. $14) Pinot Noirs both have the silkiness signature to a red wine.

OAKED

“When a wine is oaked, it’s aged in oak barrels— not stainless steel tanks,” Bradshaw says. The wine takes some of its flavor from the wood, often adopting vanilla, spice, cream, or cedar notes. Clos du Bois Chardonnay (avg. $10) and Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay (avg. $7) take on the oaky description.

Meet the Expert

Meet the Expert

KATIE BRADSHAW JASPER WINERY (5 YEARS) Favorite Wine: La Crescent from Jasper

JOHN WOODFORD EXILE BREWERY (HEAD BREWER) Favorite Beer: Rodenbach Grand Cru

SPICED

“Adding nutmeg, cinnamon, or allspice makes a beer spiced,” Woodford says.“They’re really popular winter beers.” You may have to wait a few months to add some spice to your life. But when the time comes, a Christmas Ale (avg. $4 per bottle) or Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest (avg. $4.50 per bottle) will do the trick.

HOPPY

“Hops are what make the beer bitter,” Woodford says.“When someone says the beer is hoppy, they’re describing the bitterness of the aroma or flavor.” Pale ales and IPAs usually taste this way. Try a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (avg. $2 per bottle) or go local with the Des Moines IPA (avg. $4.75 per bottle).

APPS FOR BEER

APPS FOR WINE

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MALTY

BALANCED

Bold wines pack a mighty flavor punch.

“It’s not going to taste watered down,” Bradshaw says.“It’s like the difference between a Guinness and a Coors Light.”

Alamos (avg. $10) and Barefoot (avg. $7) Cabernet Sauvignons are examples of bold bottles.

HELLO VINO – WINEASSISTANT

VIVINO WINE SCANNER

WINE SPECTATOR WINERATINGS+

UNTAPPD

7,800+ BEER BRANDS

BREWGENE

Much like a personal shopper for wine selection, this tool recommends the perfect accompaniment for different meals, occasions, or taste preferences. A label scanner uses the smartphone’s camera to easily identify any wine’s name, price, and user-based rating.

On a college budget, becoming a wine connoisseur isn’t realistic—but this app helps you pose as one. Quickly scan through reviews on Vivino’s wine catalog and no one will ever know the bottle you bought came from Hy-Vee. Reviews cover the acidity, color, and body of the wine, while an in-depth catalog displays popular wines in your area, identifies grapes from the region, and locates nearby stores.

With thousands of professional wine reviews added each month, this app is the go-to source for high-end wine recommendations. As if that weren’t enough, it includes charts of wine regions around the world and evaluates the defining elements of each region’s grapes.

Untappd resembles a cross between Twitter and FourSquare, complete with user profiles, badges, and “toasting” (think Facebook liking, but for beer). Check in at any bar, write brew reviews, and see which beers are trending nearby. Social drinking just got a whole lot more fun.

For the true beer aficionado, this app prides itself on teaching Beer 101—for free. And with a catalog of over 7,800 beer brands, as the name suggests, there’s a lot to learn. The app details recommended serving temperature, fermentation type, what type of glass to use, and what foods pair well with each beer.

Looking to branch beyond the typical Miller or Bud? Based on personal reviews, this app’s recommendation engine suggests other beers you might like. Save the standout bottles on a list, or check out brewer profiles for more information on the beer’s maker. And did we mention a list of Top 100 beers that’s updated daily?

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IN THE

ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

CITY

You know what they say about being in Rome. Go ahead and expand the age-old saying to all of Italy at this cultural festival whose theme—Viva L’Italia, or Live Italy— encompasses the same idea. Nosh on Italian cuisine—from cannolis to pasta to gelato—while enjoying traditional music and dance by local performers. Get in touch with your own Italian side (even if your family doesn’t hail from Italy) by competing in the bocce tournament, or enter Nonna’s secret recipe in the Best Sauce Contest.

Des Moines dwellers are famous for their small-city pride—and that’s only amplified in the summer. Soak up the season and the city ’s best art, music, food, and more at festivals and events all summer long.

BY KRISTIN DOHERTY

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ARTS & CULTURE

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL LOFREDDO

DES MOINES ARTS FESTIVAL

PRIDEFEST: PRIDE 2.0

The Des Moines Arts Festival attracts enough world-class artists to appease anyone’s appetite for art.The annual festival offers something for every kind of art appreciator: Watch films and live performances, or browse wall hangings and wearable art. Plus, visitors can get their hands dirty with the festival’s interactive arts by creating a mural for the skywalk.

For the 36th annual celebration of equal rights advocacy, Capital City Pride brings back PrideFest on a whole new level. PrideFest aims to raise awareness, visibility, inclusion, and change for the LGBTQ community. This year, it’s Pride 2.0—a twice-as-exciting celebration complete with a drag competition, a parade for rainbowclad walkers, and a rambunctious party in the streets.

June 6–8 Historic East Village capitalcitypride.org Free

June 27–29 Western Gateway Park desmoinesartsfestival.org Free

ARTFEST MIDWEST

MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

AVENUE Q The 2004 Tony-winning musical Avenue Q follows a college grad taking on the Big Apple. This show, complete with a comical cast, is playfully offensive (case in point: a musical number titled “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”), accurately inappropriate (take, for example,“The Internet Is for Porn”), and brutally honest for college folk (listen to “What Do You Do With a B.A. in English?”). Oh, and by the way, all the characters are puppets.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREATER DES MOINES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

CELEBRASIAN This popular cultural festival is organized in villages—one for each Asian subculture, from Chinese to Thai. Stop by each village to taste its native foods and learn about its history.

Music and dance performances, a cultural fashion show, and cooking demonstrations will keep visitors entertained. But the most exciting part of the all-day festival is the martial arts, table tennis, and Takraw (kick volleyball) tournaments. Join in on the competition, or at least watch from afar.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IOWA ASIAN ALLIANCE

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPITAL CITY PRIDE

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After admiring the art at the Des Moines Arts Festival, hop on a free shuttle bus to ArtFest Midwest, affectionately dubbed “The Other Art Show.” ArtFest Midwest showcases artwork created by over 200 Midwestern artists in more than 12 categories. This festival is meant for the art aficionado or interior decorator on a budget. The Other Art Show’s pieces tend to have smaller price tags than those at the Des Moines Arts Festival, so don’t break out your wallet till you get here.

June 28–29 Iowa State Fairgrounds stookeyshows.com Free

July 25–26 Western Gateway Park italianfestivalofiowa.com Free before 5 p.m., $5 after

May 31, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

State Capitol Complex – East Campus iowaasianalliance.com Free

June 6–22 Des Moines Civic Center desmoinesperformingarts.org $38.50

YANKEE DOODLE POPS The Fourth of July just isn’t American without fireworks.

Watch the best display in the area light up the sky above the Capitol after the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra plays. The patriotic performance—including classic tunes like “God Bless America” and, of course,“Yankee Doodle”—will make you want to sing along (or chant “USA!”).

July 3, 8:30 p.m.

Iowa State Capitol – West Terrace dmsymphony.org Free

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREATER DES MOINES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

80/35 Get your music-fest fix at Iowa’s biggest summer concert, which attracts over 30,000 fans and 40+ indie bands to downtown Des Moines. To see the lineup and read about some of the headliners, head to drakemagazine.com.

July 4–5 Western Gateway Park 80-35.com $39–$49

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PHOTO COURTESY OF GREATER DES MOINES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

NITEFALL ON THE RIVER

HY-VEE TRIATHLON

Grab a blanket and head to the river to catch a laid-back outdoor show. The Nitefall on the River concert series draws big crowds and big names— Blues Traveler, Owl City, Slightly Stoopid, and Hanson took the stage last year. This year’s performers? The Nadas on June 6, NEEDTOBREATHE on June 10, and Fitz & The Tantrums on July 29, just to name a few. Bonus: If you ride your bike downtown to the amphitheater, you get a free beer.

For aspiring racers and professional athletes, the Hy-Vee Triathlon puts running, swimming, and biking skills to the test. This race isn’t for the faint of heart: Because the Hy-Vee Triathlon is a U.S. Championship qualifier, the event attracts veteran triathaloners from around the country. That said, even racers who won’t challenge 2013’s winning time (1:45:57) are welcome to compete. Not a triple threat? Enter with a team of two or three racers—one runner, one swimmer, one biker. Not even a single threat? Just stand back and watch for free.

Various dates May 25–July 29 Simon Estes Amphitheater nitefalldsm.com $15–$31

August 31, 4:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Gray’s Lake hy-veetriathlon.com $99–$240

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ATHLETICS

FOOD & DRINK

DAM TO DAM HALF MARATHON

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREATER DES MOINES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID MOLNER

COLOR RUN Come dressed in white, but don’t plan on leaving clean. This 5K is less about the running (that means you, couch potatoes) and more focused on fun. After all, it says the endless powdered-paint fights make it the “happiest 5K on the planet.” As part of its 2014 Kaleidoscope Tour, the Color Run route will be scattered with Instagram-worthy photo ops and kaleidoscope-inspired attractions. After the race, celebrate in blazing colors at the Finish Festival, a celebration with music and dancing— and even more paint to throw.

GLOW RUN 5K One part race, one part rave. Runners come decked in neon and wear accessories made of glow sticks—or what they call “glow swag.” Besides the nighttime race, individuals and teams can also enter costume and dancing contests. The 5K route, sprinkled with black light zones and music areas blasting dance mixes, ends with a shining finish line. And after that finish line? A dance party and beer garden, of course.

May 31, 8:30 p.m. glowrun5k.com Science Center of Iowa $32–$45

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IOWA STATE FAIR It’s been called one of the best places for summer fun, a top Midwest attraction, and something you have to do before you die—so don’t miss this one. The largest event in the state attracts more than a million visitors and some big music performances, too. This year, catch Foreigner, Styx, Lady Antebellum, Chevelle, Florida Georgia Line, and the Robertsons of Duck Dynasty fame. While you’re there, check out the Butter Cow (yep, that’s a thing) and a daily fireworks show.

WINEFEST

After 35 years of a 20K run, the D2D Iowa Distance Classic redrew its route for 2014. Now the race stretches for 13.1 miles—a half marathon. (Not feeling quite that ambitious? Stick with the 5K.) Starting at the Saylorville Dam, runners travel along the new riverwalk and through downtown, ending at Western Gateway Park for a post-race party. After finishing a half marathon, runners will have plenty to celebrate.

May 31, 7 a.m. damtodam.com Saylorville Dam and Western Gateway Park $25–$45

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREATER DES MOINES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

July 12, 8 a.m. thecolorrun.com Court Avenue District $44–$55

As if you needed an excuse to sip on vino, Winefest Des Moines starts the summer by celebrating the area’s best bottles all week long.

Each day offers a sampling of Iowa wines, microbrews, and imported champagnes, all paired with local foods. Certain Winefest events are on the pricey end—we’re talking $250 a plate for dinner from top chefs. But other tastings are free or not outrageously priced. We’ll raise a glass to that.

May 31–June 7 Various locations and prices winefestdesmoines.com Free; $15–$250

And don’t forget to eat. Typical fair food gets extra flavors at the Iowa State Fair—think shrimp corndogs and maple-bacon funnel cakes. Count on deepfried sweets, including brownies, cheesecake, and pineapple, to ruin your diet. And from salads and smoothies to honey and PB&J, just about everything is available on a stick.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREATER DES MOINES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

August 7–17 iowastatefair.org Iowa State Fairgrounds $11 for regular admission

ZOO BREW

DES MOINES FARMERS MARKET

Enjoy the Blank Park Zoo, grownup style. At this after-hours, 21-and-over event, there will be no kids impeding your view of the animals. Each week has a new theme, music performance, and drink menu. Buy a margarita and a Zoo Brew tee, cleverly taglined, “Lions and Tigers and Beers—oh my!” Cue corny joke about being a party animal.

The Des Moines Farmers Market—which has been called one of the country’s best markets— runs from May through October, but is best during the summer months. The 300+ Iowabased vendors offer plenty of homegrown food, plus baked goods, clothing, jewelry, soaps and more. Stock up on fresh produce, or spend the morning perusing the arts and crafts, sipping on homemade wine, and smelling fresh flowers. For the best selection, get there early—the market opens at 7 a.m.

Wednesdays, 5:30–9 p.m.

Blank Park Zoo blankparkzoo.com $11 or free for members

Saturdays, 7 a.m.–12 p.m.

Court Avenue District desmoinesfarmersmarket.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREATER DES MOINES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

PHOTO COURTESY OF DRAKE UNIVERSITY

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1.

3.

2.

4.

5.

suit UP!

Channeling Barney Stinson may not be as easy as waltzing into the nearest separates store, pointing at something black (or is that blue?), and handing the clerk a card.

But that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. Go beyond basic by mixing well-fitted, neutral pieces with bold color choices, urban-cool shoes, and unexpected accessories.

STYLED AND WRITTEN BY LUNA WARD PHOTOS MORGAN CANNATA MAKEUP & HAIR ALIDA TROCKE-FOWLER MODELS GARRETT CARTY | PATRICK MOARN ISHAAN ARORA | DANE VAN BROCKLIN | JUSTIN DURUJI

1. Garrett

2. Patrick

Rocking a vest without the jacket is fair game. While we love a three-piece ensemble, sometimes warmer weather makes all those separates impractical. Don’t sweat it. Grab a neutral vest, like this gray number; some combat boots; and business basics. The result: casual, cool, and put-together.

Bring your favorite pair of winter chinos into spring by pairing them with a light-colored blazer and pastel bow tie. Trading traditional dress shoes for boots may feel like a risk, but the boots keep an otherwise-conventional outfit edgy. And don’t forget to cuff your pants to show off a laid-back attitude.

Eton Button-Up ($235) Badowers Byron Vest ($198) Mr. B Clothing Cause and Effect Belt ($160) Badowers Mac Jeans Arne Cotton Pants ($225) Badowers Wolverine Courtland Boots ($350) Badowers

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Edward Armah Tie ($105) Badowers Eton Button-Up ($245) Badowers LBM 1911 Sport Coat ($750) Badowers Todd Snyder Pants ($225) Badowers Allen Edmond Boots ($395) Badowers

Not only were most of these pieces found in Des Moines haberdasheries, but Patrick’s pants were also designed

by Iowa native Todd Snyder.

Snyder has designed for lines such as J. Crew and Polo Ralph Lauren. His line is sold at the likes of Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and locally at Badowers.

3. Ishaan

4. Dane

5. Justin

Button up this season, but forget the expected accessory. The missing tie is anti-establishment in all the right ways. Look smart, sans cravat, by wearing a crisp shirt and bright pants.

When it comes to flashy details, a little goes a long way. A classic button-up and gray pants meet yellow-striped suspenders and a skinny tie in a well-balanced ensemble. Mix patterns in the same color scheme to keep the outfit streamlined. It’s modern-day Mad Men.

The era of the strict suit is over. Show the world—in the most sartorial way—your lighter side by replacing straight-laced styles, like Oxfords and dress shoes, with V-necks and Vans. Add a pocket square to keep it looking sharp. Creative types will kill in this juxtaposed style.

Byron Button-Up ($198) Mr. B Clothing Byron Blazer ($898) Mr. B Clothing Cause and Effect Belt ($160) Badowers Billy Reid Slacks ($185) Badowers To Boot New York Spencer Shoes ($350) Badowers

Eton Tie ($135) Badowers Eton Button-Up ($245) Badowers Ragstock Suspenders ($10) Ragstock Incotex 1951 Slacks ($295) Badowers Wolverine Courtland Boots ($365) Badowers

White V-Neck ($20) Gap Blazer ($198) Express Cause and Effect Belt ($165) Badowers Billy Reid Slacks ($185) Badowers Vans ($45) Zumiez

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FINISHING

TOUCHES

An outfit is incomplete without a complementary set of accessories. Shoes, jewelry, hats, and bags can take a run-of-the-mill look from average to eye-catching窶馬o matter your style.

BY RAEANN LANGAS | STYLING RAEANN LANGAS & LEAH WALTERS PHOTOS MORGAN CANNATA | LIGHTING CAMERON JOHNSON

CLASSIC

A black-and-white color scheme never goes out of style. Wear dichromatic accessories with more neutrals for an elegant look, or add a playful pop of color.

Hat ($48) Aimﾃｩe Clutches ($125) Proper Pop-Up Sunglasses ($295) Proper Pop-Up

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FEMININE Matte materials and hints of metallic gold add class to the timeless combo of beige and pale pink.

Bag ($45) Aldo Shoes ($59.99) Dillard’s Necklace ($79.50) Banana Republic

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BOHO

A fringed bag creates a relaxed look, but a spiked necklace adds a daring edge. Turquoise booties—perfect for warmer weather—balance the styles.

Bag ($60) Aimée Necklace ($58) Leona Ruby Booties ($205) Proper Pop-Up

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SPORTY Mesh gives feminine heels an athletic feel, and neon energizes a clutch. Top it off with a simple baseball cap and a metallic watch.

Shoes ($89) Dillard’s Clutch ($34) Dry Goods Hat ($29.50) J.Crew Watch ($29.50) American Eagle Outfitters

ARTSY

Vibrant color makes the transition to spring a breeze.

A bold shade of cobalt blue brightens an otherwise simple ensemble, while geometric details add funky contrast.

Shoes ($120) Aldo Necklace ($38) Francesca’s

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nutrition’s

SUSTAINABLE

STYLE

SOCIALLY MINDED FASHION BRANDS ARE TAKING A STAND IN A MARKET OF “FAST FASHION” MENTALITY.

BY MAGGIE DICKMAN | PHOTO CLAIRE SEDOVIC

SHOPPERS WON’T FIND average mall apparel when browsing The Little Market. The online shop is all about social responsibility, global connection, and sustainability. Its co-founders, Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla, sell fair-trade pieces handmade by artisans from around the world.“When you buy fair-trade products, wear fair-trade apparel, or use fair-trade goods in your home,” Skvarla says,“you’re sending a message that you are supporting fair wages and safe working conditions for the people who made the products.”

This socially minded business model is the opposite of some of the most popular clothing stores in the country. Many trendconscious stores sell stylish but inexpensive pieces that quickly move from the runway to the sales rack, a practice known as “fast fashion.” But many of these fast-fashion products have a one-season wear life, which wastes money and adds to our collective carbon (stiletto-shaped) footprint.

The cure to this clothing controversy? A shift in shopper mentality toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly clothing brands.“Trying to buy clothing that you think is as versatile as possible is really key,” says Margaret Badore, editor of the blog Tree Hugger. Another bonus: Shoppers end up spending less money.

Investing in a quality piece that lasts years—instead of a cheap one that lasts only a few months—saves cash in the long run. Brands that produce high-quality, environmentally conscious clothing are the best places to start when rebuilding a long-lasting wardrobe.Your closet—and wallet—will thank you.

ETHICAL PRODUCTION

Developing countries are the target for some companies, which supply the workers with living wages and skill development. Case in point: One Mango Tree creates jobs in clothing production for women in Uganda. Founder Halle Butvin stresses the importance of sustainability in fashion by using quality materials to create a durable product.“Our goal is that consumers buy less apparel in general, but more [apparel that’s] high quality and always ethically produced,” she says. The products lend themselves to not only a sustainable wardrobe, but also to creating a stable life for those who produce the apparel.

“GREEN” CLOTHING

Eco-friendly clothing brands pride themselves on production that’s safe for the environment. Rachel Kibbe, founder of ethics-focused collection HELPSY, produces goods locally to have minimal effects on the environment.“Not only are you supporting your community and smaller operations, but you’re also avoiding CO2 emissions from transport,” Kibbe says. Large brands such as H&M and Urban Outfitters are contributing to a greener fashion industry, too.The H&M Conscious Collection uses organic cotton and no hazardous chemicals in its pieces, while Urban Renewal takes surplus clothing from around the world and reinvents the pieces for resale.

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SCREW

STDs A SOCIAL APP AIMS TO STOP THE SPREAD OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES.

BY DRAKEMAG STAFF WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DEREK NYSTROM PHOTO CAMERON JOHNSON

MADE IN THE USA

Products carrying a “Made in the USA” tag provide plenty of local jobs and economic opportunities. Modavanti, founded by David Dietz, supports ethical manufacturing abroad and in the United States.“It’s becoming more cost effective to consider producing in the States, and, pretty soon, locally,” Dietz says.“There are a lot of advantages, especially better quality control.” The brand also launched a program called Modacycle, in which customers can send their clothing to Modavanti for proper recycling. Plus, with each purchase, Modavanti contributes 2 percent of the sale to a charity of the buyer’s choice.

THE AWKWARD “BEFORE WE KEEP GOING…” talk has just been replaced by a digital shortcut. A new online service called Luhu has committed itself to preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. It’s the same concept as Googling a guy before agreeing to a date, or looking at a girl’s relationship availability on Facebook—except Luhu allows you to check someone’s STD status.

Before getting intimate, users can click on potential partners’ accounts to see if they have an STD.And no faking allowed— at least, not at this part of the night.The test results are all authenticated by Luhu’s lab test provider. But verifying facts isn’t this app’s only role. Fred Wyand of the American Sexual Health Association says sites like this may lead to a more open discussion about these diseases.“This could be a very important thing in terms of breaking down the awkwardness and shame that’s put around STIs,” he says.“Just about everybody that’s sexually active could have one or more in their lifetime, even if they don’t know about it. So it’s important that we normalize these conversations.”

Luhu focuses on three of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases—HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis—and users are encouraged to retest every 90 days. Members set up an appointment through the site, and their results are sent via Luhu. If they’re in the clear, a green check mark will appear next to each STD option. If not, a red X will appear in its place.

But no one wants that personal information plastered all over the Internet, and Luhu gets that. It protects member privacy by allowing users to decide who can view their information. Even then, profile access only lasts 24 hours—just long enough for users to know what they’re getting into.

Luhu membership costs $79, but it covers the STD testing, the ability to check other users’ profiles, and, most importantly, peace of mind in the bedroom. But of course, this tech development isn’t a full substitute practicing safe sex. It’s also not an alternative for what Wyand still emphasizes as the key to STD prevention: face-to-face communication.“It’s fine to use an app like Luhu or something else. Just keep in mind it’s not the end of the deal,” he says.“Sometimes a direct conversation—a very frank discussion—is the best thing you can do.”

NEW LOOK

A REDESIGNED FOOD LABEL CLARIFIES WHAT CONSUMERS REALLY NEED TO KNOW.

BY TAYLOR ZANT

NUTRITION FACTS LABELS may soon be getting a makeover—and after 21 years, it’s time for a redesign that reflects the changing times and needs of consumers. Theresa Eisenman, press officer for the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, has some insight to the logic behind the proposals.

“Today, people are eating differently, so current serving sizes and the amount of calories and nutrients that go with them are out of date,” Eisenman says.

The recommended label draws consumers’ attention to components that are key to eating healthy and fighting obesity.

“The FDA proposed to update the Nutrition Facts label for packaged foods to reflect the latest scientific information, including the link between diet and chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease,” Eisenman says.

The suggested change to the Nutrition Facts label is open for comments from the public on regulations.gov until June 2. After considering the comments, the FDA will issue a final rule, which is expected to be released by the end of this year. Afterward, manufacturing industries will be given two years to comply. Once the new label is implemented, eating healthy will require even less effort on consumers’ end, Eisenman says.“The new label would make it easier than ever for consumers to make betterinformed food choices that will support a healthy diet.”

More realistic and prominent serving size

Emphasis on calorie count

New category for added sugars

Percent daily value of vitamin D

Potassium content

29

HEALTH DM

DM HEALTH

HEALTHY OR HARMFUL?

BY MOLLY LONGMAN | PHOTOS CAMERON JOHNSON

THE GOOD

THE BAD

DM VERDICT

Starting the day with OJ can provide the body with vitamin C, folate, and potassium. A study from Maturitas, an international health journal, proved that it reduces unwanted cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol— the good stuff.

Holy sugar. Orange juice has a glycemic index (a system that ranks foods based on their effect on bloodsugar levels) of up to 76 out of 100, depending on the brand. Plus, the citric acid in it can contribute to enamel erosion.

Only drink OJ with a splash of vodka.

Decades of research have proved that wine night can be good for your heart. Resveratol, an antioxidant in red wine, is a heart-healthy ingredient that lowers cholesterol. It also helps prevent blood clots and damage to blood vessels.

While wine may keep the heart happy, it’s no friend to the liver. The liver works overtime to convert alcohol into acetic acid, which is then converted into a less toxic form called acetate. This extra work takes a toll on the liver and could eventually lead to alcoholic liver disease.

The heart wants what the heart wants. And the heart is more important than the liver. Drink up.

Wheat is a source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy complex carbohydrates. Unlike white bread— which is made with starchy white flour—the bran and fiber in whole grains make it harder for digestive enzymes to break down the starches into glucose.

To be considered whole grain, the FDA says foods must contain 51 percent of whole grains by weight. That means the other 49 percent is potentially junk for the body. Artificial flavors, preservatives, and chemicals are often added. And that brown, wheaty color?

Usually just dye.

Pick whichever is on sale.

Bread is bread.

If you think you’re being healthy by switching out the Cocoa Puffs with granola cereal—well, not really.

Granola is chock full of added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and is often cooked in oil.

Just don’t be the person that leaves crumbs everywhere from a messy granola bar.

GRANOLA

Granola is full of high-fiber whole grains that can lower cholesterol and keep you feeling full and energized longer. Many granolas also contain nuts, which give you “good” fats that are essential for heart health.

Flavored yogurt is full of corn syrup, food coloring, and artificial flavors, which can add 15 or more grams of sugar. According to the American Medical Association, there’s a positive correlation between added sugars and risk for diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.

Greek yogurt first. No-yo on a strict diet. Froyo on a bad day.

YOGURT

An eight-ounce container of low-fat yogurt contains 531 milligrams of potassium (a little over 100 milligrams more than a banana), plus vitamins B and D, protein, and calcium. Greek yogurt—the healthiest member of the yo-family—contains twice the protein of regular low-fat yogurts.

ORANGE JUICE

WINE

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

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Science is indecisive. One minute a food is healthy, but the next day it’s deadly. Frankly, we’re sick of the contradictory claims, so we looked at the good and the bad and then decided for ourselves.

SOMETHING

air IN THE

NO, IT ISN’T LOVE. THANKS TO AEROLIFE, IT’S ENERGY, SLEEP, IMMUNITY, AND EVEN CAFFEINE.

BY KRISTIN DOHERTY | PHOTO MORGAN CANNATA

IT COULD BE A “NUTRITION REVOLUTION”— or at least that’s what AeroLife calls its reimagining of the way we consume food and flavors. This air-based system transfers nutrients and vitamins from an inhaler-like device into the mouth.

Right now, there are five varieties of AeroLife: Immunity, Energy, Coffee, Sport, and Sleep. To keep the immune system strong, the Immunity AeroLife provides essential nutrients, including zinc, vitamin D, and the recommended daily value of vitamin C. The caffeine in Energy, Coffee, and Sport can easily replace a cup of coffee. Plus, Sport contains added electrolytes, so it works like a sports drink to refuel the body. Lastly, the Sleep AeroLife gives consumers a mix of melatonin, magnesium citrate, and 5HTP—a combination that helps induce sleep.

By sending the ingredients through the air, AeroLife provides the important stuff without extra calories and sugar. But for Kathleen Kohlhaas, a dietitian at Mercy Weight Loss & Nutrition Center in Des Moines who tested AeroLife Energy, the powdered inhalation system wasn’t perfect.“It was user-friendly enough, but I coughed a lot whenever I tried it,” she says.“You kind of inhale the powder, so it goes into your lungs a little bit, and that was uncomfortable.”

Powdered vitamins aren’t new by any means: Plenty of nutritious powders that can be mixed into water or milk are on the market. But the air-based system offers an

alternative.“I know a lot of people who don’t like to take a multivitamin, for instance, or they don’t want to drink something,” Kohlhaas says. A puff provides a simple substitute or addition to one’s diet in less time and with fewer calories.

And because nothing is digested, the ingredients affect the body faster—in three to five minutes, according to the AeroLife website.“It’s absorbed right on the tongue, so it doesn’t have to go through the gastric system,” Kohlhaas says.“Your body doesn’t have to break it down, so it gets into the bloodstream faster. That makes AeroLife pretty quick and easy.”

Dispersing the particles directly onto the tongue also causes a blast of flavor. But unfortunately, that’s not something to be excited about. Kohlhaas and her co-workers thought the raspberry-flavored Energy tasted terrible.“That could be due to the use of artificial sweeteners,” she says.“It has sucralose, so that could make it sort of bitter.” Kohlhaas thinks this is a flaw in the system, especially when teas, coffees, and energy drinks give the same healthy boost—and actually taste good.

But for consumers willing to give it a shot, a 12-pack costs close to $30, and each pocket-sized AeroPod contains enough for three to five puffs. At about $1.60 per inhalation, that’s comparable to purchasing a cup of joe or an energy drink. Find AeroLife in CVS stores, or online at aerolife.com.

31

DM

DM

A SYSTEM IN

transition TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FACE COUNTLESS CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES—AND THESE ADJUSTMENTS ARE ONLY COMPLICATED BY THE UNSTABLE SYSTEM OF CARE FOR THEM. THIS FRAGILE SYSTEM NEEDS A MAKEOVER, BUT IT WILL TAKE A THOROUGH TRANSITION BEFORE IT GIVES THE TRANS COMMUNITY WHAT IT NEEDS.

BY SAMI SMITH | PHOTO MORGAN CANNATA

32

33

trans

DM MIRRORS NEVER MADE SENSE to Ryan Sallans, as he watched himself grow up as a female. Wishes on stars were wasted as puberty ran its inevitable course. Childhood ended. College began. And still, he was stuck with a physical identity he could never reconcile.

After six years of therapy in college, his earlier wishes—repressed by over a decade of faking what never felt right—were finally granted.

Months of research gave him the courage; a complete gender transition gave him the answer. At 25, Sallans began the female-tomale transition.

Sallans, now 34, is one member of the transgender community in the United States. Despite the increase in cultural acceptance for the community, neither the support nor medical care has caught up to serve it. Sallans fought for years to overcome miscommunication, hesitance, and denied healthcare coverage. A cloud of stigmas over counseling—judgment, misunderstanding, the incorrect label of “illness”—still prevent many trans people from trusting existing support systems. And those who do use what’s available may not have access to experienced professionals or other community support. Seeking help and finding certainty before a transition should be easily accessible. But while the awareness of the community continues to grow, the outdated and fraying medical system only continues to tear, leaving behind unsupported patients.

Pre-transition counseling as it is today just isn’t up to par.

Emotional Transitions Teresa Gilbert, a clinical social worker and therapist who specializes in transgender counseling in Des Moines, knows too well the consequences of the slipping system. She knows that some professionals aren’t prepared to provide education on the physical or emotional aspects of a gender transition. Counselors aren’t always fully equipped to support those in the transgender community, meaning fewer patients are prepared for what lies ahead in the life-altering transition.“People don’t always consider that some of the feelings that may have formed early in the development of their personality might not be there now that they have some new body parts,” Gilbert says.“Even with the best surgical techniques and knowledge that we have today, people are somewhat disillusioned as far as what they’re going to get after they have the surgeries.” If a counselor isn’t trained to handle the gender identity side of therapy, this disillusionment could continue.

Mental health professionals typically specialize in an area of study they are personally drawn to. Coupling this interest with outside research and specialty exams allows the practitioners to call themselves “board certified” after four years, according to the American Board of Medical Specialties. However, this particular qualification process only applies to licensed psychiatrists. After that, it’s up to individual mental health professionals to pursue additional training in their specialty. Many have lengthy lists of specialties, interests, or areas of expertise based on their own experiences.

For example, Gilbert earned a master’s degree in social work and is an advanced licensed independent social worker. Earning her accreditation did not technically require training in trans care, but because she sought to help patients struggling with gender identity, she chose to pursue extra training in gender transitions.

On the other hand, some advocates who work with trans individuals could have very specific training in trans care, but no professional degree. This sometimes includes volunteers in clinics and those on the outreach end of peer hotlines. The mental healthcare system’s standard for training is not an even playing field because there isn’t a set regulation on who should work with those going through gender transitions—and, more importantly, how they should do so.

But the importance of adequate training for counselors and other advocates is amplified when considering the prevalence of

34

TRANSGENDER TERMINOLOGY GENDER EXPRESSION The outward appearance of a gender identity.

Mannerisms, clothing, name, pronoun preference, and voice are all elements of a person’s gender expression.

the rate of unemployment for trans people of color, as compared to the general population

A person’s internal sense of gender, despite outward appearances.

GENDER NON-CONFORMING

GENDER TRANSITION The process of matching a person’s gender identity to his or her biological sex, including permanent or temporary changes. Hormone therapy and surgeries are part of a gender transition, but the process can also include a shift in gender expression.

the rate of unemployment for Caucasian trans people, as compared to the general population

experienced an adverse job outcome—such as being fired, not hired, or denied a promotion

SEXUAL IDENTITY

HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE HORMONE THERAPY

78% felt more comfortable in professional settings after outwardly transitioning

HORMONE THERAPY An increase of sex hormones—testosterone for trans men, estrogen for trans women—to match gender identity and sex. Sometimes called cross-sex hormone therapy, the process can alter one’s appearance and gender expression.

IN SOCIETY

Unless otherwise noted, information came from the Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, conducted in 2011 by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality. The survey included 6,450 transgender and gender non-conforming study participants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

GENDER IDENTITY

A term for those whose gender expressions don’t fall into traditional societal definitions or expectations of gender.

DM

4x

more likely to have an annual household income of less than $10,000, compared to the general population

Also commonly referred to as sexual orientation identity, this is how one perceives one’s own romantic or sexual attraction to others. Not all people choose to identify with a specific sexual identity.

59% reported updating the gender on their driver’s license/ state ID

78%

50%

reported having to teach their medical providers about transgender care

of those who identified as trans or gender non-conforming while in grades K-12 reported being harassed

29% reported police harassment or disrespect

SEXUAL REASSIGNMENT SURGERY Usually refers to genital reconstruction surgery, but can also describe other surgical procedures related to a gender transition, such as chest reconstructions, breast augmentations, or hysterectomies.

6

TRANSGENDER An adjective describing those who want to transition from one gender to another or have already done so.

18

states and D.C. have an employment non-discrimination law that covers sexual orientation and gender identity, according to the American Civil Liberties Union

major cities—New York, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco—provide coverage for transitionrelated care through their employee health plans, according to the American Civil Liberties Union

57% experienced significant family rejection

35

DM

DM

EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO CREATING THE CHANGE OF MOVING POLICY AWAY FROM IGNORANCE AND TOWARD SUPPORT. RYAN SALLANS

suicidal thoughts or actions. In a 2011 study by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 41 percent of transgender and gender non-conforming people reported attempting suicide at some point.

“Unfortunately, that number does not surprise me,” says Nan King, a licensed mental health counselor in Des Moines.“It scares me, but it doesn’t surprise me.” That number increased to 64 percent for those who experienced other hardships, such as losing a job, surviving sexual assault, or living with low income. Psychological support may relieve or lessen the stress. But for those who bypass pre-transition counseling or receive inadequate care, these influences could remain tangled with their motivation for making a gender transition.

Walt Heyer is one who counted on counseling to help him prepare for his transition.“I had the best professional help in the United States at the time,” says Heyer, 67. “He told me sex-change surgery was ‘the correct path’ and wrote my letter of approval for the surgery to be performed.” But Heyer’s counselor hadn’t yet diagnosed his dissociative identity disorder, which may have deterred the approval.

For Heyer, receiving an improper mental health diagnosis was not just an inconvenience—it affected his gender identity for years to come. More thorough counseling could have helped Heyer consider all the factors contributing to his gender identity before deciding to make a physical transition.

Anxiety, depression, and identity confusion have the power to interfere with the decision to undergo a gender transition. But the disparaging misconception—that they cause someone to identify as trans—still exists. Sallans, an LGBTQ activist and national speaker from Nebraska, says these other mental health problems can obscure how transgender people are received by their community. Part of the problem is in the label of mental illness. Before May 2013, transgender people were said to have gender identity disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.“It’s attaching it to people and their gender identity. It’s attaching it to the transgender community,” Sallans says.“Being transgender is not a mental health illness.” In the latest edition of the DSM-5, that diagnosis has been changed to gender dysphoria.

The removal of the word “disorder” and recognition that not all trans people suffer from this dysphoria are steps in the right direction.

Sallans says the psychological problems often associated with transitions can be the result of experiences many transgender people have in common. But just like everybody else, these conflicts are caused by discomfort, trouble finding love and acceptance, and other damaging social situations—not the gender identity itself.“It’s not always about who you are,” Sallans says.“It’s about how society treats us.” And despite any negative treatment from those who resist acceptance, stopping gender transitions isn’t the answer.“My mission really isn’t to stop surgeries,” says Heyer, who’s written three books about transgender issues and works with those who experience regret due to misdiagnosis.“It’s to prevent suicides. That’s what I speak out so strongly for.”

36

More Hurdles to Jump The emotional journey is just one aspect of a gender transition affected by the weak framework of the healthcare system. Physically experiencing this drastic change—whether a sexual reassignment surgery or hormone therapy—also requires in-depth preparation that many counselors don’t have experience with.“It’s basically going through puberty again,” King says.“Having an increased sex drive, anger outbursts, getting pimples again, or experiencing mood swings on hormone replacement therapy—if you’re now in your 30s, 40s, or 50s going through that for a second time, it’s not fun.”

Not only is this time “not fun,” but it can also be financially draining—particularly because of the lack of healthcare coverage for most transition-related costs. That was the reason Sallans traveled to Belgrade, Serbia, to complete his genital reassignment surgery 10 years ago. It cost him $26,000 to receive the surgery overseas. This included the flight, meals, and other travel expenses. In the States: up to $70,000 for his surgery alone.“It was financially impossible,” Sallans says.

Health insurance plays a role in this financial obstacle. Transinclusive medical coverage is required for all insurance companies in only five states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon, and Vermont. Each has made discrimination by sexual identity for insurance purposes illegal. This type of coverage isn’t limited to hormones and surgeries, but spans across all transition-related expenses. For example, in some private insurance plans outside of those five states, these expenses could be all out-of-pocket. A maleto-female trans person could be denied a mammogram to screen for breast cancer because the company can declare it “medically unnecessary.” Even with insurance, the lack of training for counselors and doctors still makes the gender transition process complicated.

The combination of insurmountable surgery costs and scarce healthcare coverage are hurdles many still jump. Between .25 and 1 percent of Americans identifies under the transgender umbrella, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality. That’s at least 800,000 people. For those who pay their own way, each counselor bill or doctor’s visit problematically encourages faster— and possibly less thorough—treatment.

The Support System Because the mental healthcare system has not entirely evolved to handle the emotional side of a gender transition, some who do choose sexual reassignment surgery only complete the minimum prerequisite: a recommendation letter from a mental health professional. But many are eager to see the system go in a direction that encourages exploration beyond obligatory paperwork.“I think therapy can benefit all of us,” Sallans says.“But our system is set up where what therapy becomes for a lot of trans people is not a place to do that exploration, but a place where they feel they’re forced to go. It’s another gatekeeper to try to validate or pathologize who they are before they can move forward in that transition process.”

The current state of counseling can perpetuate the misconception that being trans is an illness—especially if the counselor has little experience in this area.“They really loathe the idea of going into therapy,” Sallans says of those who refuse treatment beyond the bare minimum.“They feel like they’re being told there’s something wrong with their gender identity.”

To King, the greatest concern in the “gatekeeping” system is the lack of care for the 41 percent of those with suicidal thoughts or attempts. For her, asking pointed questions is the first step in moving toward a system of counseling that unveils other unexplored conditions that might interfere with the transition process.“What was their reasoning behind that suicide attempt?” King asks.“Was it just because of the internal conflict they were having or because of other things? It’s usually not just one thing that’s going on.”

Future of Counseling Finding the right direction for progressive care may not be easy, but Sallans, King, and Gilbert agree that change begins with education.“We need more therapists who are actually trained in working with sexuality,” Sallans says. This includes legal care, as well.

While harassment and abuse were common threads in the NGLTF study, policy that enforces tolerance and discourages discrimination will hopefully lead to cultural acceptance.“We need education out there for professionals and politicians,” Sallans says.“Education is the key to creating the change of moving policy away from ignorance and toward support.”

A shift in counseling procedures would also lead to a more well-rounded, informed transition. More effective communication between professionals during each step of the transition—including medical care and legal protection—provides a sturdy base for this reformation.“I think that it needs to be a very team-oriented approach,” Gilbert says.“Everybody’s so busy that it’s hard to have team coordination, but that’s not really an excuse. Because if we want to serve these people in the best way possible, it really takes an interdisciplinary team to work with that.”

Although he’s eager for change, Sallans fears that a reformation could go in the wrong direction by creating a one-size-fits-all system of care. He worries that professionals may lose sight of the overarching necessity for individualized attention. His own sexual exploration took place mostly within himself for years; he only spent a few months in formal therapy that discussed his transition.“A streamlined approach won’t necessarily work for everybody,” Sallans says.“Everybody has different steps and processes, and the method of support needs to be what they need for their own trans identity.”

He believes that a more welcoming system is the first step in helping counseling shed its gatekeeping stigma. The obligatory needs to become accommodating.

“When you find even one thing where you can say,‘that speaks to me,’ it just gives you that little beacon of light,” he says.“There is hope for something to change in your life.”

Transition Services While advocates push for reform, they’ve sparked a change in some organizations that are adapting to the evolving needs of transgender people. Aiming to provide flexible, high-quality care and guidance, these lines of support are available to those who need it.

GLAAD Since 1985, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has created advocacy campaigns and launched legal action to support the LGBTQ community in the media. With GLAAD to thank, media professionals have guidance for how to accurately represent the trans community. glaad.org; @glaad

GLBT Near Me Based on a user’s zip code, GLBT Near Me lists organizations with information on sexual health, political advocacy, and social groups for the transgender community.

Des Moines’ database includes LGBTQ clubs and bars, churches, youth services, and coalitions for Iowa college students. glbtnearme.org; 888.843.4564

One Iowa This advocacy group pushes for statewide rights for the LGBTQ community. Transformations Iowa, a support group, meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the One Iowa office in downtown Des Moines. oneiowa.org; 515.288.4019

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund By focusing on widespread education, providing legal services and action, and encouraging change in public policy, the TLDEF aims to end discrimination against the trans community. This group has tackled major concerns like healthcare access and employment discrimination. transgenderlegal.org; 646.862.9396

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MUSIC DM

DM MUSIC

Apache Relay THE

“

THIS UP-AND-COMING GROUP EXPLORES NEW MUSIC TERRITORY WHILE MAINTAINING ITS TWANGY ROOTS.

BY CHANCE HOENER | PHOTOS CAMERON JOHNSON

BEFORE TAKING THE STAGE, three members of The Apache Relay sat on retro couches in the green room at the Maintenance Shop in Ames, Iowa, complaining about the atmosphere.

“Can we turn these lights off and just have the lamps?” asked lead vocalist Michael Ford.“It’s kind of a pet peeve of mine—overhead lighting. It harshes the mellow.” The guys were so caught up in the harshed mellow that they forgot what day it was—their birthday.

“We’ve been a band since 2009,” Ford said once the lighting problem was solved.“March 1, 2009.”

“Oh, that’s today,” lead guitarist Mike Harris realized.

Fiddler and keyboardist Kellen Wenrich wished the guys a happy birthday, and not long afterward, they took the stage in celebratory fashion. The crowd took note.“It feels good to play for a crowd that is digging what you’re doing, and if they’re giving it out, you know, we kind of react to that,” Wenrich said.

The Apache Relay formed in Nashville after the six members met at Belmont University. But they didn’t bother sticking around the dives in Music City. Mutual friends led them to a breakthrough opportunity: opening for Mumford & Sons. And from there, they played festivals including Bonnaroo in 2011, plus South by Southwest and Newport Folk Festival in 2012. At shows like these, The Apache Relay became known for its rousing live performances.

“I guess we’ve kind of garnered that reputation,”Wenrich says.“I think a lot of that, too, came from when we started this band. We were all four or five years younger than we are now. I was still a teenager at that time, so I think it’s easier to get super stoked. Not saying that that doesn’t still happen, but it’s very much a reactionary thing.”

The band’s sound harkens to twangy folk acts like Old Crow Medicine Show or The Band. The vocals are a little more nasally, while bluesy ballads are fueled by acoustic guitars, fiddles, and mandolins. But The Apache Relay can

I DON’T THINK WE’LL EVER MAKE THE SAME RECORD TWICE. MIKE HARRIS, LEAD GUITAR

38

still pick up electric guitars, throw in a rock drumbeat, and crank it to 11 when it wants to.

In their new self-titled album, set to drop on April 22, the guys have nearly reinvented their sound to go in a more retro-pop direction, Ford says. It’ll be the band’s third album in five years, following its sophomore album, American Nomad, and debut, 1988.“I think [the self-titled album] is a bit of a departure from both of those,” Ford says.

The next album picks up some new traits, with more offbeats and a few harsher sounds than their previous work.

It still holds true to their folk base, but it also melds some more psychedelic and denser sounds, similar to the work of groups like Arcade Fire or Animal Collective.“I don’t think we’ll ever make the same record twice,” Harris says.“We’re not interested in it.”

“We definitely won’t,” Ford adds.“I don’t think we could even if we tried.”

What’s an Apache Relay?

The band’s name was inspired by the movie Heavyweights. This Disney film, about a summer camp for overweight boys, culminates in a race known as the Apache Relay.

The competition includes a sack race, throwing a football through a tire, shaving a balloon, a trivia session called the Hall of Knowledge, and a go-kart race. So the real question: Which member of The Apache Relay would compete in each part of the Apache Relay?

Guitarist Mike Harris and keyboardist/fiddler Kellen Wenrich chose who’d complete each leg of the race.

THE COMPETITORS Michael Ford, Jr. – Lead Vocals Mike Harris – Lead Guitar Kellen Wenrich – Fiddle & Keys Brett Moore – Keys, Guitar & Mandolin Steve Smith – Drums Ben Ford – Guitar & Vocals KW: “Mike would definitely drive the go-kart.”

MH: “The Hall of Knowledge—I was gonna say maybe Kel. Not to discredit Brett, but Kellen’s got a prep-school education.”

From left to right: Kellen Wenrich, Ben Ford, Michael Ford, Jr., Brett Moore, and Mike Harris. Not pictured: Steve Smith PHOTO COURTESY OF THE APACHE RELAY

KW: “Yeah, but I’m also a college dropout. I think Brett should shave the balloon.”

MW: “Yeah, he’s got some steady hands. I guess I would throw the football. And Ben would do the sack race, and Steve is gonna be vibe master.”

39

MUSIC DM

DM MUSIC

MUSIC FESTIVALS BY THE DOLLAR

BY DRAKEMAG STAFF | ILLUSTRATION GRETA GILLEN

Manchester, Tenn.

Milwaukee, Wisc.

150,000

JUNE JULY 25–29 1–6

DAYS JULY 4–5

DAYS

AUGUST 1–3

LOLLAPALOOZA

2013 ATTENDEES

DAYS

80/35

$284.50 for a four-day pass

SUMMERFEST

BONNAROO

JUNE 12–15

SINGER-SONGWRITER ANDREW RIPP SIMPLIFIED HIS LIFE AND HIS MUSIC WITH THE RELEASE OF HIS LATEST ALBUM.

Chicago, Ill.

4 11 2 3 $ $ $ $ DAYS

ripp-le effect

Des Moines, Iowa

$70 for an 11-day pass

$49 for a two-day pass

$250 for a three-day pass

2013 ATTENDEES

2013 ATTENDEES

2013 ATTENDEES

840,000

15,000

300,000

BY ZOË EKONOMOU | PHOTO DANIELA BUVAT DE VIRGINY

ANDREW RIPP’S LATEST ALBUM, Simple, may be an acousticonly collection—but that doesn’t mean his live shows aren’t full of energy. Fans experienced this firsthand at his Feb. 7 concert in Ames, Iowa. Ripp’s set included a mash-up of his own pop anthem, “Savior,” with crowd-pleasing classics such as “We Will Rock You” and “American Woman.” And at one point, Ripp pulled a girl on stage and asked her to rap the last part of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” with him.

Although the show was in promotion of Simple, Ripp’s style was far from it.

From open mic nights in his hometown of Chicago to recording sessions in Nashville, Ripp has come a long way. Before headlining his own tour this year, he worked his way up as the opening act for Parachute and Ben Rector. He had garnered steady success with three albums under his belt before releasing Simple—an acoustic reimagining of his 2013 album, Won’t Let Go. And on both of those albums, the tracks aren’t just speaking volumes to the success he’s had as a musician.

Ripp’s songs document hardships he’s faced in his personal and professional life—namely, his struggle with alcoholism. For years, Ripp couldn’t work in the studio without having his comfort drink. The tracks reflect Ripp’s journey through that and his new outlook on life since beating his addiction. In fact, the release of

40

Simple coincided with his six-year sobriety anniversary. Plus, making the acoustic album helped Ripp focus his time on intentionally simplifying his life—as its name suggests.“I’ve been in a really good place since writing that record,” Ripp says.“It kind of just goes along with where I’m at.”

To overcome his obstacles, songwriting played a weighty role: It’s been a healing process for him.“I’m not really the guy that wakes up on the road or in a hotel room and writes the song,” he says.“Getting real, digging down to what’s truly in your deepest part of your heart— that’s where great songs come from. When you do that, it’s kind of therapeutic. Even though songwriting is my job, it’s also how I keep my head straight.”

The writing process for the song “Rescue Me” is a prime example of this process. The song parallels Ripp’s journey from hitting rock bottom with addiction to discovering his inner strength.“It’s probably my favorite song on that record because it’s a prayer,” Ripp says.“It’s a song I wrote in a really desperate time.”

He’s seen that his music can make a difference for others, too. By sharing his story with his fans, he aims to provide hope. That was his goal with Simple:“Every single song on that album has a redemptive quality to it,” Ripp says.“There’s a hope in the mess.”

BANDS 120

BANDS 83

BANDS 40+

BANDS 150

HEADLINERS Elton John Kanye West Jack White Vampire Weekend

HEADLINERS Bruno Mars Lady Gaga Fall Out Boy Brad Paisley

HEADLINERS Not released at press time. See 80-35.com for lineup.

HEADLINERS Eminem Kings of Leon Arctic Monkeys Skrillex

COST PER DAY

COST PER DAY

COST PER DAY

COST PER DAY

COST PER BAND

COST PER BAND

$71.13

$2.37

$6.36

$0.84

$24.50 COST PER BAND

$1.22

$83.33 COST PER BAND

$1.66

41

MUSIC DM

DM MUSIC

Discography of Sam Thies

DIY

STYLE RECORDS

ARTISTS MAINTAIN CREATIVE FREEDOM BUT STRUGGLE TO MAKE IT BIG WHEN PRODUCING THEIR OWN ALBUMS.

BY MEAGAN FLYNN | PHOTOS MORGAN CANNATA

SAM THIES’S RECORDING STUDIO is his friend’s basement.

There are no soundproof booths to beef up the music’s quality, no bossy bigwigs sitting behind the glass at a control panel of fancy buttons. But Thies has a nice set of acoustically tuned headphones and an audio-engineering education—plus a comfy chair he sits in while on his laptop. These are the tools he uses to mix the basement recordings from last night.“I’m my own boss,” he says.

He’s been on the DIY-record grind for almost 10 years now, ever since he was a high school kid with a hobby. At 24, he’s working on four different projects—ranging from his own acoustic solo act, The Days We Don’t Go Hunting, to an experimental-rock duo, Mad Wheel Starfish. He writes, he plays, he produces the music with his own equipment.

But as with many local, unsigned bands trying to do it themselves, contention strikes between the intangible ideals that founded the band and the materialist ones required to move it forward.“This is what I would like to do full-time,”Thies says.“It’s just that there’s really no money in it. It’s a work of passion. It’s really more about the music, whereas a large label is going to be about how much money they can make.”

Finances aside, the freedom afforded to DIY-ers like Thies and other unsigned bands is what usually steers them away from signing a contract. It’s why Jeff Roalson, frontman of The Olympics—an upbeat, indie pop-rock band from Iowa City, Iowa—chose to self-release the band’s albums.

“Most musicians have a pretty clear direction and idea of how they want the music to be done—not only created, but the

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way it’s produced and put out into the world,” Roalson says.“If you’re able to release your own stuff, you basically have every say in it since there’s nobody else who has another agenda.”

Signing a record-label contract often means signing away these creative liberties. Though musicians may have written their own material, rights to the songs often belong not to them, but to their label (and not just until the “contract period” ends—the label owns it forever). Bands have little to no say in the album’s release date; it might be trapped in a computer file for several months post-recording. Labels can dictate the band’s tour, sound, merchandise sales—a whole string of variables.

But labels haven’t gone out of style for distinct reasons: mostly, the promise of exposure. Any band or artist can make a Facebook page and compose some tweets, but the promotional tools and resources available to a label are simply unmatched.

And because the Internet has become the primary medium for music promotion, competing for exposure without the help of a label is a seemingly bleak effort.

“That’s something that’s really changed the way music consumption works in recent years,” Roalson says.“Lots of [unsigned bands] out there are able to put their music up online and promote themselves, which is a good thing overall.

But by the same token, there are so many bands and artists doing that same thing, which makes it really hard to get above that and still find your own place in the music community.”

For Thies, the managerial side has been the challenge.

Booking a tour involves reaching out to small, obscure venues in small, obscure Midwestern towns, where most showgoers

have never heard of his band. “It would take a lot of weight off my shoulders to have a label do it,” Thies says. And actually, if a contract that allowed him to retain his creative freedom ever presented itself, he might jump at the chance.

Roalson hasn’t thrown labels out of the picture yet either.

He took a few steps in that direction this spring, when he hired a producer for The Olympics’ upcoming album. It was a compromise: There might be a guy behind the glass calling shots about the first verse, but it might mean forward progress, too. Decisions like these have been difficult for guys like Roalson, and lately, they’ve left him asking hard questions.

“We have to ask ourselves,‘Where is this going? What kind of future is in this?’” he says. “It’s not like there’s some scientific way of ensuring that you ‘make it’ as a band. It’s not like you go to some band school that just says,‘You have a really awesome album that will get you signed.’ You just kind of have to do it yourself and then hope that somebody listens to it.”

He paused for a bit, while his brain worked on squaring two polar ideas.

“It’s frustrating,” Roalson says.“The industry is so subjective, and, you know, as we get older, there are so many other pressures in life that it’s kind of a weird co-existence our brain is trying to understand. On the one side, we love music—we really believe in this art that we’re doing. But we put so much energy in this, and there’s literally no security. When you’re not signed, there are no real guarantees of being able to make music a livelihood.

“But there’s just so much more—we get so much more out of the music.”

The Days We Don’t Go Hunting

One of These Days June 2013

Thies blends mellow acoustics with subtle electronic beats to create a folky, experimental sound. He began this solo project in 2006 and has produced seven albums since.

Mad Wheel Starfish

Red Perm Freaks October 2012

Constantly shifting tempos, complex rhythms, and intricately technical riffs make up this math-rock twosome, sans vocals. The band’s latest album is due out this month.

The Dandelion Tamers

Shitty Songs About You April 2013

Expect tambourines, harmonicas, and occasional brass from this upbeat folk-rock duo, made up of Thies and singer-songwriter Elliot Burke from Des Moines-based band Lesbian Poetry.

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JOSH DAVIS IS TAKING A BREAK FROM HIS BANDS TO CREATE A NEW SOUND OF HIS OWN.

BY BRITA OLMSTEAD | PHOTO MORGAN CANNATA

“LET’S TRY THAT AGAIN,” Josh Davis says before plugging away at the riff once more. He’s been in the studio since morning, and now it’s almost dark. They play back the recording, but the sound is too loose—too much strumming.

Davis starts over, adjusting the pace slightly.

The ability to change his tune at a moment’s notice is essential for Davis’s constantly changing music career. Davis, who’s from Boone, Iowa, started with an alt-rock quartet (The Josh Davis Band), then later formed a rougher and grittier group (Bright Giant). As a versatile musician and songwriter, Davis thrives on the freedom of what his different bands offer him. And now, after years of touring across the Midwest, he’s back in the studio, changing things up once again. This time: a solo album.

Davis and producer Brandon Darner, who produced Imagine Dragons’ Night Visions, have been kicking around the idea of this new solo project for almost a year now.“There were just songs that were falling between the cracks that I knew were good,” Davis says. They’ve been taking it slow in the studio, building up the project piece by piece. It hasn’t been named yet, but Davis is hoping to release a few tracks this summer.

“First and foremost, this time around we’re recording a bunch of music the way we want to.”

Originally, Davis thought his solo gig would be mostly rootsy, with an alt-country Americana sound. But in the studio, it’s adopting a ’70s vibe, as well.“We’re still sort of trying to figure out exactly what everything is going to sound like this time, or at least the parameters of where it’s going to fall musically,” Davis says. But he enjoys not having a clear plan: With no guiding parameters, he has no restraints. “I might have a really dorky idea that wouldn’t normally work for Bright Giant, so I can run with it this time around. Eventually the idea will be that all the songs are sort of within the same scope. But in the creative process, scope is unlimited. I’m open to anything.”

OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Why is Facebook creeping so addicting?

Why does it suck when that person doesn’t follow you back?

Why do Facebook pictures of an event you weren’t invited to bum you out?

Why is it a confidence-boost to change your profile pic?

The answer to these questions: It’s all in our heads. Psychological motives fuel everything we do—and online activity is no different. Here are the reasons we re-pin that quote on Pinterest, stay on Twitter until 2 a.m., and give in to the social media craze.

BY MELISSA STUDACH, HAYLEIGH SYENS & KENDALL WENAAS | PHOTO ILLUSTRATION MORGAN CANNATA

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Want More Likes?

Because self-esteem relies on the approval of others on social media, we won’t blame you for wanting to accrue as many likes, retweets, comments, and favorites as possible. These tips and tools will increase your Klout score and your self-esteem—it’s scientifically proven. Try something simple, or do something extreme to boost your online presence and sense of self-worth.

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Peer approval does the same thing in the form of likes and positive comments, as proved by a June 2013 study from the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia Business School.“We as humans are naturally set to connect. That is a core human driver,” says Jerri Lynn Hogg, Ph.D., a professor of media psychology at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, Calif.“We get social validation, social acceptance.”

It was that social approval that freshman Drake student Taylor Scott strived for on Instagram. She admits to using hashtags and posting photos during popular viewing times to attract likes.“If I had posted a picture and it got a lot of likes or a lot of comments, it made me feel really good,” Scott says.

“I think it’s something everyone goes through in life—trying to be the most popular.”

Hogg believes that users should take advantage of a profile’s blank slate. Choosing how to be perceived—as selective selfpresentation allows—can help develop a sense of self.“In that coming-of-age [stage], it’s a lot easier to play with your identity online and be able to find yourself and try on a few different [identities] to see how they work,” Hogg says. So go ahead and upload that concert photo from last weekend or post the witty comment stuck in your head, because editing your profile only adds to the satisfaction. –MS

SIMPLE

THE UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING of rejection has always been prominent in social settings—think being stood up on a date or not getting a call after a job interview. Problems that could once be forgotten in a couple days are now available at every log-in.

Social rejection activates the same section of the brain that stimulates physical pain, according to a October 2013 study from the University of Michigan medical school. That means physical and emotional pain can cause the same level of hurt. The amygdala region of the brain processes the feelings of rejection and releases opioids to ease the pain in the same way it reacts to physical injuries. In the experiment, participants who received negative responses on online dating sites showed the highest release of opioids, which is part of the body’s “natural painkiller system.”

Imaginary rejection can even be harmful—and it’s all too present online. After the participants in the study were told that the rejection was from fictitious users, the brain still responded negatively to the simulated social denials. Social networks’ straightforward designs and the lack of face-toface communication can encourage false conclusions.

Example: One friend sends a Facebook message to another, who doesn’t respond because she’s been busy. But the sender concludes that his friend is ignoring him—he’s not considering other possibilities and ultimately feels rejected.

Assumptions like these are common, says Todd DuBose, an associate professor at the Chicago School of Professional

Psychology. “Everything that happens is made sense of and has meaning for each of us in different ways,” DuBose says.“What often happens is what we intend and what we receive is out of sync with people.”

Social networks show users as what DuBose calls “data bytes of information” instead of human beings, which causes confusion in relationships. The lack of clarity from Facebook comments or ignored Snapchats causes users to assume rejection, DuBose says.“Social media is conditioning us to relate to each other in certain ways,” he says.“For instance, we expect people to be responsive immediately. Our sense of patience in a relationship is really threatened.”

Sam Logterman, a first year at Drake, has witnessed relationship conflicts as a result of social media’s “middleman” role.“My co-worker took the fact that his girlfriend had liked her ex’s picture as a sign that she was going to get back together with her ex,” he says.“It’s really easy to read into things like that and draw your own conclusions when, in reality, it’s not that big of a deal.”

Users can’t change the way their brains interpret rejection—real or perceived. But rationalizing why online rejection happens and considering all the possibilities can help minimize the confusion and pain that comes with social networking. –MS

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MOST OF US HAVE A FILTER when it comes to online statuses—we know what’s appropriate to post and when. In fact, according to a July 2012 study from Carnegie Mellon University, 71 percent of Facebook users self-censored at the last minute before clicking “post.” Being in control of your online persona and presenting yourself positively is an advantage exclusive to social media.

It’s called selective self-presentation—carefully choosing content that will be well-received by followers. For example,“untagging” unflattering photos or deleting old, embarrassing tweets allows social networkers to create a pristine online image. A July 2011 Cornell University study proves that a self-created online portrayal can increase people’s happiness due to positive responses from friends and the ability to filter out the bad.

Psychologically, the human experience of self comes in two forms: action and object. The active perspective is how people internally make sense of their own everyday actions, from watching TV to eating lunch. The objective perspective, on the other hand, allows individuals to imagine how others view them: Looking in a mirror, creeping on your own Facebook profile (don’t lie; we all do it), or re-reading comments provide this out-of-body view of self. When posting online, social networkers view themselves as objects rather than subjects, a perspective that the study proves raises a user’s self-esteem.

Avoid these conversational terms in tweets—they’re turn-offs to potential retweeters: • lol • watching • tired • boring • listening

During the week, post photos midday, when viewers will be scrolling through during a lunch break.

Just because Facebook allows posts to be 60,000 characters long doesn’t mean you should use them all. Posts between 100 and 150 characters see 60 percent more likes, comments, and shares.

Using hashtags means your photos will show up in more searches, so more people will see and favorite your photos. Try one of these most popular Instagram tags: #love #instagood #me #follow #cute

Post consistently to stay on your friends’ newsfeeds—otherwise, your updates might not show up. But stick to one post a day. There’s a fine line between an active user and a fullblown attention whore.

Blatantly asking for attention is now socially acceptable—when it comes to retweets, that is.

Users increase the chance of a retweet by 160 percent when including phrases like “please retweet” or “RT” in a post.

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Internet Intervention Despite hundreds of studies, most couples still believe technology has no effect on their relationship. A Pew Research Center survey of 18- to 29-year-old Internet users in serious relationships looked at the difference between how much they believe technology affects their relationships and how much it actually does.

42% 18%

have argued with a partner about the amount of time one of them spent online

of cell phone owners say their partner has been distracted by a mobile phone while they were together

23% 41%

report resolving an argument using digital devices that they were struggling to resolve in person

8%

say they’ve been upset by something their partner was doing online

have felt closer to their partner thanks to online or text message conversations

45%

say the Internet has had an impact on their relationship, while just 10 percent of online adults ages 65 and older say the same

WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE: unable to fall asleep without checking Instagram one last time, endlessly scrolling through Pinterest, or updating Facebook every five seconds instead of doing homework. What if someone is doing something exciting without you? What if you’re the only one who hasn’t taken the newest Buzzfeed quiz?

Enter: fear of missing out, scientifically defined as “apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent” in a April 2013 study by the University of Essex. Basically, FOMO is being afraid that everyone is having fun without you. It could mean missing out on real-life experiences, such as a trip or event, or being excluded from online activities, such as watching a viral video or keeping up with the news. Fear of missing out is most common in young people, and men are more susceptible to feelings of FOMO than women.

“FOMO is characterized by the desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing,” says Andrew Przybylski, one of the researchers of the study. “People want to maximize their opportunities to connect, but often cannot follow up on a portion of the possibilities. Social media extends our reach in this respect, but not our grasp.”

Merely seeing what’s happening on social media doesn’t completely fulfill the desire to feel included.

Results from the study showed that those who more often experienced FOMO reported lower levels of general mood and life satisfaction. These people’s psychological needs aren’t met—they’re unsatisfied with levels of competence, autonomy, and relatedness in their lives.

People experiencing FOMO who already feel low levels of satisfaction become even more upset because they aren’t experiencing what they see online.

The feeling is hard to escape. Reports show that people with FOMO are more likely to use social media during university lectures and are more likely to check for notifications, text messages, and emails while driving. But keeping up-to-date on social media isn’t worth risking your own safety. At least wait till you arrive at your destination before cyberstalking your crush—again. –HS

#jealous CREEPING ON A LOVE INTEREST seems harmless.

Almost everyone does it: A study from July 2012 by the University of Western Ontario found that 88 percent of Facebook members admit to creeping on an ex. But social media sites can affect how often people feel jealous, especially in romantic relationships.

According to a May 2011 study about Facebook “intrusion”—aka creeping—by the University of Queensland,“individuals who are more highly involved with Facebook may have relationship difficulties.” Participants in the study reported the time they spent on Facebook, their Facebook intrusion habits, and characteristics of their relationships. The experimenters found that Facebook intrusion correlates with jealousy and relationship dissatisfaction. So the more that people creep on their partner’s profile, the more envious and less happy they’ll feel in their relationship.

Social media makes it easy to see a false reality of someone’s life by merely clicking on his or her profile.

Seeing that your boyfriend added a girl you don’t know on Facebook or favorited his ex’s tweet can come off as threatening.“When your brain senses a threat to the self, it triggers a response to protect you,” says Mary Lamia, a clinical psychologist and professor at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, Calif.“The biological aspect of what happens in the brain is what we call affect—the unconscious part of emotion. Emotion is the psychological part; feelings are the physiological part.”

The feeling of jealousy is the brain’s way of protecting itself. “It’s not the fault of the social media, but it’s the fault of the person who’s dealing with the social media and how they interpret it,” Lamia says.“Jealousy is created by the images that we form ourselves.” Even though we can’t control our jealous tendencies (scientists suspect the brain’s left frontal cortex, where emotions are created, is to blame) we can at least attempt to control the amount of time spent on social media sites. –KW

> EXTREME Sign up at Tweriod with your Twitter account, and the site will analyze your feed’s traffic to find the best time to post.

Sites such as TagsForLikes, Instatags, and Tagstagram allow users to copy and paste up to 30 of the most popular hashtags that best relate to their photo.

For desperate users who still aren’t pleased with their collected double-taps, Buzzoid allows users to sell their souls by paying for favorites on Instagram.

• 100 favorites – $2.97 • 500 favorites – $6.99 • 2,500 favorites – $29.99 • 5,000 favorites – $39.99 • 10,000 favorites – $69.99

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OF DRAKE

A GLIMPSE INTO THE EVERYDAY LIVES OF DRAKE DWELLERS

BY PAIGE ERNSTE | PHOTOS MORGAN CANNATA

KYRELL NEWELL SHAUNA KAYE CAMPBELL

MADISON DOCKTER

“One thing I really want people to understand is that learning about different cultures is very important, and it’s OK to travel around and learn from people. Everyone in the world should understand that it’s not just their culture—there’s a bunch of other stuff to understand that can make you a better global citizen.”

What is your last name, Meghan?

“Oh, this actually isn’t my name. I’m just wearing Meghan’s nametag.”

NATE MOYSTON Have you done anything lately worth remembering?

“Uh, yeah.”

What’d you do?

“I mean, I got up today. Like, that’s a pretty important thing. Not everybody got to wake up today. I’m doing normal things like working at the front desk, but it’s better than not doing anything.”

“I don’t wanna grow up yet. I don’t wanna go and look for jobs and look for internships and stuff like that. I don’t wanna sincerely think about my major and what I really wanna do for the rest of my life. I don’t wanna think about it yet. I’m still just trying to live in the moment, and I still just like hanging out with my friends and watching TV and taking naps all day.”

JEFF JONES Can you recall the most intense moment in your life?

“Signing up for classes for second semester.”

That was the most intense moment in your life?

“It was pretty stressful.”

Well, did you get what you wanted?

“No. I didn’t get anything I wanted.”

NADIA VALENTINE

Why is that?

“My personality is really obnoxious, and it probably pisses some people off. But I think it makes 94 percent of other people laugh and feel good about themselves. So who even cares?”

“Because I lost my nametag, and I haven’t gotten around to telling my boss that I don’t have it.This is my last semester working here, and I don’t really feel like she should have to order me a new nametag when I won’t be here for that long.”

So do people call you Meghan then?

“I actually switch my nametag every time I work. I feel like nobody ever looks at the nametag, so that’s kinda funny that you looked. So people do actually look at it; now I know. My real name is Madison.”

BRIAN ROBINSON

MORGAN SEKHON

When you close your eyes, what do you dream of?

If you could go back in your life and do one thing differently, what would it be?

“Not stress so much.There’s so much more to life than just homework and stress.”

“Being in California.”

Why?

JACOB HEWITT What is the toughest decision you’ve ever had to make?

“White or wheat.”

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“’Cause there’s, like, mountains and nature and hippies and fun people.”

So why are you here?

“Biggest regret.”

SHELBY DERRICK What is a belief that you hold that many people disagree with?

“Hmm…I don’t think Zombie Burger is that great.”

There’s more where that came from.

Check out humansofnewyork.com to see our inspiration.

Then head to drakemagazine.com/humans-of-drake for more interviews with Drake students.

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WHAT’S

ONLINE

Want more DrakeMag? For more thought-provoking stories, photo essays, and videos, check out drakemagazine.com. Here’s a preview of what you’ll find on our website.

Secret Life of Models

Obamacare Explained

Raise the Minimum Wage

Between odd jobs and glamorous gigs, models spill on the highly criticized industry.

Here’s what college students need to know about the Affordable Care Act—without the legal jargon.

The hourly pay rate makes it difficult for students to keep up with the cost of living.

Inked

Plus:

We traveled to the Best of the Midwest Tattoo Convention in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to check out the flashiest tattoos and most talented artists from the area.

Keep up with our bloggers’ weekly DIY projects, fashion and beauty ideas, musings on sports, and adventures around Des Moines.

PHOTO MAGGIE DICKMAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAULINA STANISZ

Chris Fairbank Catch up with a Drake student who recently released his first folk album and is already working on his next record.

PHOTO CAMERON JOHNSON

Safe Sipping

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS FAIRBANK

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These cups, straws, and coasters alert drinkers when date-rape drugs have been added to their beverage.

To find these stories and more, head to drakemagazine.com. For content year-round, like us on Facebook (facebook.com/Drake.Magazine) and follow us on Twitter (@DrakeMag).