FAR OUT VINTAGE MAGAZINE • 2901 MELROSE AVE. • IOWA CITY, IA 52246 • MAY 19, 2016
FASHION TRENDS
That have made a comeback, page 9
3 9 12
PROFILES History teacher Neil Davis shares about his
many years at West
FEATURE The most iconic fashion trends of the past
century that are back in modern liight
ENTERTAINMENT
We review the most popular films by the decade
COVER DESIGN BY MARY VANDER WEG
DECADES OF DEDICATION BY MARY VANDER WEG
PHOTO BY SAM SAYLOR
DESIGN BY MARY VANDER WEG
If you walk into room 233 you’ll find an abundance of St. Louis Cardinals merchandise, a large desk in the corner covered in picture frames, papers, and artwork, and numerous inspirational posters littering the walls. Classes in this room are taught by Neil Davis, a social studies teacher at West High School. Davis has been teaching for much longer than the average teacher, with 28 years of experience under his belt, 25 of which were at West High. By the time he himself was in high school, Davis was set with his dream of becoming a teacher. “I had a teacher who was a positive influence on me,” says Davis, “they’re what made me realise I wanted to be a teacher.” “Mr. Davis is a good guy,” says Brian Martz, who first met Davis when they started coaching track together in 2003, “and he’s a very good teacher. He takes it seriously.” Davis is just as enthusiastic today about teaching as he was in high school. “As a teacher, you get so many opportunities to help others be successful,” Davis says about his favorite part of his job, “you don’t get so many [opportunities] in any other job.” Another one of Davis’ favorite parts of teaching is the students, namely the humor they bring. “I really enjoy hanging out with the students and laughing,” Davis says, chuckling. “The students will say things so funny that I just have to tell other people. I really should have written them down.” Davis is also proud of his drive to never give up on his students. “I’ve learned to be careful about making assumptions about students,” Davis says. He enthuses about the idea of encouraging positive change and being patient among the children he teaches, a practice he says is not used by many teachers. “[Davis] is really good at reaching goals with kids,” says Martz, “he
knows how to get them going in the right direction.” “It is important to remember kids are in a developmental age,” says Davis, “people my age - if they do something habitual they’ll probably keep doing it, but kids grow out of habits.” As for why he’s stayed teaching almost three decades at West High School, Davis has many reasons. First his children went to West High, and his daughter will go in the fall. “I wanted to teach them.” Davis says, simply. Secondly, Davis is impressed by West High’s urge for scholastic excellence. “I was drawn to the academic expectations of West High,” says Davis, “that is different from many other schools.” Davis’ own school experience is very different from his teaching experience, and he feels it helps him reach his students better. “I came from a different environment from West, and I can connect with students from different backgrounds.” He Says. Another reason for his long-lasting stay is that Davis loves his job. He laughs at memories of students’ jokes, and explains that he never gets tired of teaching the same class lessons. “I know people who dread having to go to work,” Davis says, “I am fortunate to not feel that way. I have a lot of fun.” “Mr. Davis is good for any kid who talks through his door,” says Martz, surely, “he’s smart as a whip, a good listener, and he thinks things through.” In terms of retirement, Davis does not plan on leaving just yet. “Am I starting to think about it, yeah, but I’d miss [teaching] too much,” Davis says truthfully. Davis plans on continuing his teaching here at West High School for about seven to ten years, but is definitely not counting down the days to his retirement. “I will still miss it,” says Davis, “even if I don’t retire for another ten years, I will always want to teach.”
MAY 2016 PROFIILE 3
HUNTING FOR HISTORY BY: MARY VANDER WEG
Artifacts Artifacts 331 E Market Street When walking down the streets in Downtown Iowa City, you may have passed by a store whose front door is almost blocked by a sea of bicycles, chairs, and crates. This is Artifacts Antique store. Their motto? Antique is sexy - and after going into Artifacts, you will think the same. The first step into the store, you may be a little disappointed - just two aisles crammed with items, and a sale shelf to the side. But, if you make your way further into the store, you’ll find a doorway that leads to the “promised land.” In the back of the store is three more rooms - one for toys, one for kitchen items, and one for anything in between - that are stock full. These rooms feature a shelf filled with salt and pepper shakers, art on every wall, a retro gumball machine, and many more. Artifacts has a little bit of everything, and it is tons of fun shopping around for that one special item.
Decorum & Modela
Decorum & Modela 323 E Market Street Located right next door to Artifacts, Decorum & Modela is much smaller, but has a sense of inspiring charm about it. A lot of Decorum’s items come from right here in Iowa City, giving the store some local cred. Some of these hometown finds include old postcards, scout badges, and a poster for a community poetry company. The employees are also a positive aspect to Decorum, greeting you when you come through the door, and not being too shy to drum up conversation when you look around. Any customer will feel thoroughly delighted when they leave, whether they bought something or not.
4 FEATURE MAY 2016 WSSPAPER.COM
The best antique stores in Iowa City Crowded Closet Crowded Closet 1213 Gilbert Court The ultimate 3-in-one when it comes to antique hunting, Crowded Closet not only features an antique section, but triples as a thrift store and fair-trade market. Located just to the left of the entrance, there is a large section of the store dedicated to period pieces such as cookware from the fifties, old feathered hats, and primitive beer mugs. Once you finish your antique searching, you can browse the numerous selections of clothes, shoes, and household items. Near the checkout, you can shop Crowded Closet’s wide range of fair-trade goods, like coffee, tea, chocolate, and even jewelry. Anyone buying something at Crowded Closet will definitely feel pleased with their
Sweet Livin’ Antiques, Art, and Records Sweet Livin’ Antiques, Art and Records 1565 S Gilbert Street An endearing little shop on the outside, and large and fascinating on the inside, Sweet Livin’ Antiques, Art, and Records houses the largest collection of antique furniture in town. Not only is Sweet Livin’ a charming furniture outlet, but it houses more than 20,000 vinyl records - the only place in Iowa City to go for a true selection. In the far left of the store, there are shelves and stacks everywhere of LPs, 45s, and 78s, everything from Neil Diamond to Pink Floyd to Blind Lemon. If you can tear your eyes away from the music collection, you’ll also see a little bit of everything else - political pins, dolls, and even an old typewriter. Sweet Livin’ may not look like much on the outside, but on the inside it is a true treasure trove. PHOTOS BY: SAM SAYLOR DESIGN BY MARY VANDER WEG/ SAM SAYLOR
MAY 2016 FEATURE 5
Hunting For History Page 1 - Artifacts
DESIGN BY SAM SAYLOR
6 FEATURE MAY 2016
PHOTOS BY SAM SAYLOR
Crowded Closet
Crowded Closet
Crowded Closet
Sweet Livin’
Sweet Livin’
Crowded Closet
Crowded Closet
Sweet Livin’
Crowded Closet
Sweet Livin’
Sweet Livin’
Crowded Closet
Crowded Closet MAY 2016 FEAUTRE 7
EYES OF ADDICTS
BY SAM SAYLOR
The distant sound of laughter echoed in my head, As did the sweet memories Of children fighting over who would kick the ball first Or who would catch. Joy gleamed in their eyes as they breathed in the nice fresh air. Silenced voices replaced the laughter Only faint tapping of fingers against phones remained. As the children stared at bright screens, It became clear to me Those were eyes of no sweet kids of mine But addicts. Slowly consuming our intoxicated air.
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8 OPINION MAY 2016
ART BY MARY VANDER WEG
CLOTHES WERE
THE DAYS The most iconic old fashion trends that are back in style BY MARY VANDER WEG AND SAM SAYLOR
PHOTOS BY SAM SAYLOR
Berry Lip Initially made popular by the iconic Clara Bow in the 20s, this versatile 90s makeup look is appearing on runwayall across the globe. It’s ability to look perfect with any skin tone or outfit makes it a true show-stopper.
Floppy Hats Big floppy hats took on a sensual flair in the 1970s when many style icons popularized the trend - some even wore them to their weddings! Today, a floppy hat can dress up a casual outfit, or be paired with a dress for a relaxed vibe - a true all-around accessory.
Big Glasses Worn by many influential figures such as Andy Warhol, Kurt Cobain, and even Jay-Z, these wide frames became popular in the 70s, and never really went out of style. Today, whether they're fake or real, they fit the face perfectly and offer a sophisticated or quirky edge. 10 FEATURE MAY 2016
DESIGN BY MARY VANDER WEG
Choker Necklace What is now a quirky and dainty accessory once adorned royalty in the 1800s, housewives in the 1940s, and supermodels in the 1990. The choker necklace can be found in almost any teenage girl’s jewelry box, and is a defining asset to any look.
Flannel Once popular during the grunge era of the 1990s, flannel shirts are rustic, soft, and comfortable - perfect to throw on over your favorite t-shirt to make it winter-wear worthy.
Crop Tops
This piece has become a major staple in the past few years, but has been a trend for far longer. The crop top first showed itself in the 1940’s, often collared and short sleeved, it was a conservative way to show some skin. In the 1980s, however, it was the defining clothing item for “flashdance” era. MAY 2016 FEATURE 11
ENTERTAINMENT
ICONIC MOVIES By the decade REVIEWED BY MARY VANDER WEG
CASABLANCA, 1942
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid Adapted from the unproduced stage play Everybody Comes to Rick’s, Casablanca tells the story of Rick Blaine (Bogart), a cynical bar owner who rediscovers his lost political ideals when Isla Lund (Bergman) – the woman he once loved – waltzes into his establishment with her husband, Victor Lazlo (Henreid), a legendary war hero, in tow. Set in December in 1941, Casablanca’s World War II backdrop is dark and momentous, but clashes beautifully with the time period through its light demeanor and bittersweet emotion. A classic romance film for sure. Iconic at its time and iconic today, it’s still a wonder how an unpromising stage production coalesced into a romantic classic. But, wondrous as it is, there is no doubt that viewers will fall in love with the rich detail and quotable lines the same way that Rick fell in love with Isla.
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, 1952
Starring: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor
Considered to be one of the best Hollywood musical ever made, Singin’ in the Rain is a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood in the 1920’s, showcasing three silent movie stars (Kelly, Reynolds, O’Connor) as they make the difficult transition from silent films to “talkies”. It is obvious that this film is a drastic improvement on other old-school musicals particularly in the deployment of the music. Rather than haphazardly placing its songs in the script by the means of a play-within-a-play, the tunes are sutured into the story. Each one utilizes, underlines, or enhances every plot point. Whether you’re a fan of musicals or not, Singin’ in the Rain has something for everyone – catchy songs, fantastic dance numbers, plenty of laughs, and heartfelt romance. Without a doubt, this film will make viewers want to do a few musical numbers of their own next time it’s raining.
12 ENTERTAINMENT MAY 2016
PSYCHO
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh Unhappy real-estate worker Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) flees from Phoenix after being given $40,000. Paranoia and exhaustion soon kick in, and she stops for the night at the Bates Motel, run by lonely innkeeper Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). There’s hardly anyone alive who doesn’t know what happens next. While the infamous shower scene is justifiably the film’s most famous moment, there are dozens of memorable parts to this movie. Based off of the novel by Alfred Hitchcock, the suspense of the plot builds slowly to an extravagant pitch of excitement, and is distinctly unnerving the best way possible. There is hardly a slasher film alive that doesn’t owe something to Psycho, a true pioneer of the genre. The film’s main downfall is its infamous characters and storyline, and it is hard to watch without knowing some aspect of the outcome, and then being somewhat disappointed with the anti-climactic second half of the film. But, it is a true iconic horror film, and there’s much more to the gripping plot than its famous shower stabbing.
JAWS
Starring: Roy Sheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw Directed by Academy Award-winning Steven Spielberg and based off Peter Benchley’s novel of the same name, Jaws is the thrilling 70s blockbuster that tells the tale of a man-eating white shark off the coast of Amity Island. After frightening beachgoers, a local police chief (Sheider) set off with a marine biologist (Dreyfuss) and a professional shark hunter (Shaw) to catch the terrifying beast. While it is obvious that such a creature could be so blood-thirsty is utter nonsense, it still makes sense in a way that will give viewers a good deal of fun. It’s no wonder that Jaws was the first film in America to make over 100 million dollars, as it contains chilling plot sequences, quirky characters, an iconic soundtrack, and many, many memorable lines, that cause it to still be relevant to this day. Considered to be the definition of how blockbusters should be made, Jaws is perfect for viewers looking for a fun yet surprisingly frightening film to share with their family and friends on a summer movie night. The phony-looking attacks are sure to coax some screams - whether those who watch it will admit it or not - and the escalating tension makes up for any old-timey special effects – that shark sure looked real to me, anyways.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd
The first in the widely-loved science-fiction adventure trilogy, Back to the Future tells the story of teenager Marty McFly (Fox), who is sent back in time to 1955. There, he meets his future parents who are in high school and somehow accidentally becomes his mother’s love interest. Marty must rely on eccentric scientist Dr. Emmett Brown (Lloyd) to help him repair the damage to history, and return to 1985. Called one of the greatest movie ever made by many, Back to the Future is hilarious and completely set apart from any other of its kind. The scientific inaccuracies and discrepancies are lost in the lovable light-hearted manner of the film. The film is funny and inventive, while simultaneously providing well-acted characters and an interesting storyline, a combination that is difficult to find today. It is truly hard for viewers not to enjoy this timeless adventure tale that still stands relevant against all of the sci-fi movies of today.
JURASSIC PARK
Starring: David Attenborough, Sam Neil, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum Jurassic Park is set on the fictional Isla Nublar and tells the tale of a billionaire philanthropist (Attenborough) and a small team of scientists (Neill, Dern, Goldblum) who have created a wildlife park full of cloned dinosaurs. The first of soon to be five movies in its franchise, Jurassic World totally shattered box office records, and another Spielberg classic. Though the special-effects are truly artistic, the characters are completely lifeless, flattened on the trip from the adapted novel to the screen. The film definitely lacks a villain, a hero, and any character’s values. This film is still a must see, because no viewer is watching for the characters, they’re watching for the sense of adventure that is undoubtedly there, and the life-like details that are still remarkable 23 years later.
DESIGN BY MARY VANDER WEG
MAY 2016 SECTION 13