The Bull Magazine Fall 2023/Winter 2024

The Bull Magazine Fall Winter

2023 - 2024

Melrose Ave

La Brea Museum

Disney Magic

LA Culture

Benjamin Hanson - Photo Editor

Violet Garcia - Managing Editor

Daniela Raymundo - Editor-in-Chief

Lourdes Susanabar - Reporter

Ashley Cardenas - Reporter Rachael Rosenberg -Managing Editor

Dannie Carreon - Photographer Sophia Gonzalez - Reporter

Jill Connelly - Adviser

Morgan Keith - Adviser

Jeff Favre - Adviser

TABLE OF CONTENTS

g Walk among the stars 3

g Food emporium of LA 7

g Dodgers fans bleed blue 9

g Where LA shops 13

g Chicano fashion 17

g History oozes 23

g Life in plastic 27

g Magic everywhere 29

f f f

Special thanks to Sean MacDonald

It was 11:30 a.m., on a recent, radiant Thursday morning on Hollywood Boulevard, as throngs of fans gathered behind metal fences to get a glimpse of their queen bee—singer Gwen Stefani—for a taste of the nectar known as stardom.

Shouts of “You did it!” and “I love you!” resonated from the crowd.

Faithful fans had lined up for hours to see California girl Stefani wearing her signature platinum blond ponytail and a long-sleeved mini-dress adorned with cut-out stars.

The singer began to cry as she listened to her husband, country singer Blake Shelton, praise her for being a great mother to her three sons. It is a family affair shared with the world, and it all began with a dream.

Stefani is celebrity number 2,764 to earn a star on “The Walk of Fame,” which primarily runs 15 blocks down Hollywood Boulevard, from Gower Street to La Brea Avenue. It began with actor Joanne Woodward in 1957.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce oversees “The Walk of Fame” which plays an influential role in Los Angeles. Their committee gathers periodically to decide recipients, schedule ceremonies and handle overall administration.

CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Ana Martinez scouts sites before selecting a spot for the future star.

“When I walk down the street looking for a location, it brings back a lot of memories of the ceremonies,” Martinez said.

Martinez said she focuses on providing an enjoyable time for both the stars being honored and their fans. It makes her job more fulfilling.

“Celebrities are human beings just like you and me, and I want

to give them a good experience, give the fans a good experience. That’s what helps me with my job,” Martinez said.

Martinez said the process begins with different media organizations nominating actors, singers and other entertainers. The committee meets in June to vote, and if someone is chosen to receive a star, they are contacted to see if they will accept the honor. In almost all cases, if they are living, they must agree to attend a reception ceremony in person.

Martinez said there is a sponsorship fee to be part of

“The Walk of Fame,” and most of the money collected goes to the Hollywood Historic Trust.

“People think that you can just buy a star, but you can not,” she said. “We get hundreds of applications, and we only pick about 30 a year.”

Much of the sponsorship fee goes into maintaining the star and the rest goes to the Chamber, which is used for the production of the event, including hiring private companies and the Los Angeles Police Department for security.

“This is a free event that we are offering for people to come and see,

People walk by Nunnally Johnson’s star while attending Gwen Stefani’s “Walk of Fame” ceremony in Hollywood on Oct. 19, 2023. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

Walk among the stars

Singer Gwen Stefani gives a speech during her “Walk of Fame” ceremony in Hollywood on Oct. 19, 2023. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

Story by Lourdes Suasnabar Photos by Benjamin Hanson, Lourdes Suasnabar and Rachael Rosenberg

and we are paying for it through the sponsorship of the honoree,” she said.

Former CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Leon Gubler said that Los Angeles likes to be first on things, and he believes “The Walk of Fame” was the first in the world to be created.

“It is considered one of the main entertainment industry awards given and it is covered all around the world, so all of those factors make it part of LA’s culture,” said Gubler, who wrote the book “The Walk of Dreams.” Former “Walk of Fame” Chair Johnny Grant intended to write a book, but he never did.

“So, I wanted to write this book to also tell about him,” Gubler said about Grant. “He had participated in 600 ceremonies and emceed 300, and he had heard very insightful stories about how celebrities had their start in Hollywood.”

Gubler said in his research he

found a common denominator. The majority of the honorees started from humble beginnings and faced many hardships before earning recognition in their field.

“Most of them started from nothing,” Gubler said. “Adversity and their speeches were very inspiring. I thought these stories need to be shared.”

Gubler recommended that people think of “The Walk of Fame” as a source of influence to dream about the possibilities of their path to a successful life.

“Tell them to take inspiration from ‘The Walk of Fame,’ walk around the boulevard, and let your dreams go wild,” he said. “The sky is the limit, absolutely.”

Gubler has collected many memories of working at the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, but the one that stands out is the dedication of the subway line to Hollywood. It helped bring back

Leonard Macadoo, supervisor at SPEC event security, passes out signed magazines after Gwen Stefani’s “Walk of Fame” ceremony in Hollywood on Oct. 19, 2023. Photo by Rachael Rosenberg.

Former CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Leon Gubler holds the book he wrote about “The Walk of Fame” in Hollywood on Oct. 12, 2023. Photo by Lourdes Suasnabar.

the boulevard when it needed it the most.

“When people said we could never do it,” Gubler said. “To me, it was very rewarding and turned around this historic community.”

Darnell Gill, a tour guide for “We Love LA Tours,” has worked in many capacities as a performer and a private driver for the stars. He said Hollywood draws in so much attention because of the attractions it has to offer, including “The Walk of Fame.”

“The tourists come to say they have been here at least to take a picture with their favorite star on the Boulevard,” Gill said. “They come from all corners of the world to Los Angeles.”

Gill said that LA residents should support “The Walk of Fame” because it is part of our city.

“Because it is a landmark, it is Hollywood,” he said.

A Tupac Shakur fan, who goes by the street name “Hustleman,” pays tribute to the fallen rapper in Hollywood on Nov. 8, 2023. Photo by Rachael Rosenberg.

Gwen Stefani’s “Walk of Fame” star in Hollywood on Nov. 8, 2023. Photo by Benjamin Hanson. The

Grand Central Market

Food

Dannie Carreon

The Grand Central Market, first named “Wonder Market,” is a historical landmark in Downtown Los Angeles.

It opened in 1917 on the ground floor of the Homer Laughlin Building. It currently has more than 40 different food vendors, which provide visitors with plenty of options from cultures around the world.

It is the largest and oldest public food market in Los Angeles.

Located in the middle of the market is Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria, with a two-ton wood-fired oven,

which bakes artisan pizza to 900 degrees of perfection.

Owner Michael Robles has been cooking here since 2013.

Neon lights adorn the wall at the Grand Central Market in Downtown LA on Oct. 26, 2023.

Hector Vargas eats a pizza from Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria in Downwtown LA on Oct. 26, 2023.

Hawaiian pizza is served fresh at Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria at the Grand Central Market in Downtown LA on Oct. 26, 2023.

Miguel Robles (left) and his employee cook in the kitchen at Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria in Grand Central Market in Dowtown LA on Oct. 26, 2023.

Dodgers fans

Blake Williams, an editor for the Dodger Blue blog, stands in front of a mural in North Hollywood on Nov. 10, 2023. Photo by Daniela Raymundo.

bleed blue

While Jazzlyn Flores can’t remember much of her first Dodgers game, she can recall the Dodger dog that her small hand could barely hold, the sea of blue surrounding her and the waves of cheers and chants that erupted from every seat.

Her dad, who was seated next to her, made sure she knew the ins and outs of the game and, most importantly, taught her to be a proud fan.

For Flores and her father, the Los Angeles Dodgers are more than a baseball team. The fandom bleeds blue, and it feels like there is no LA without them.

While Flores is now the proud owner of a beauty parlor, her first ever job was at the stadium her dad would take her to every year to cheer on their favorite LA team.

“From the moment I can remember, my parents were putting me in Dodgers gear,” Flores said. “I don’t know LA without the Dodgers.”

She even went as far as to commemorate her favorite team and fondest memories with an LA Dodgers tattoo on her middle finger. Her dad got a matching tattoo at the same time.

“When I see my tattoo, it reminds me of such an important part of me, and it reminds me of my family,” Flores said. “I know people see it and might think, ‘Oh, she’s just a Dodgers fan,’ but it means a lot to me.”

Blake Williams, a former Pierce College student, is another fan who took his love of the team and made it a career. Williams is a writer for the Los Angeles Dodgers blog, Dodger Blue. Like Flores, his love for the team was instilled by his family.

“My grandma was a Dodgers fan from when they were playing in Brooklyn,” he said. “She raised my mom to be a Dodgers fan, and she raised me to be a Dodgers fan as well. It feels like home to support them.”

Los Angeles became home to the Dodgers in 1958. The team was founded in the New York burrough of Brooklyn and played for 68 seasons before making the move to the West Coast.

This stadium is now one of the oldest ballparks in Major League Baseball and has a 56,000-seat capacity. It was built in an attempt to give the city a more modern aesthetic.

Eventually, the stadium would break records in more ways than one. \This year alone, the Dodgers had nearly 4 million spectators during the season.

The stadium has also become an integral part of the downtown area since its inception.

But, Dodgers culture extends beyond the neighborhoods around the stadium. Their infamous LA blue-and-white logo is a staple piece in many Angelenos’ closets.

Fan Stephanie Estrada is loaded with team gear and bought even more pieces on a recent tour of the stadium. As a season ticket holder, she said going to the games is the most exciting part of her year.

“I wait year-round to be able to go to the games with my boyfriend,” Estrada said. “It’s our little tradition at this point. We try to go to at least one game a week every season.”

Estrada was aware of the Dodgers and their reputation in the city, but she did not develop a passion for the team until she met her boyfriend, Adrian Galindo.

“He brought me on one of our first dates to a Dodgers game, and I didn’t know much about it, but he lit up whenever we came, so I learned to love it,” Estrada said. “It’s our special place now.”

The Dodgers were also the first Major League Baseball team to ever play in Los Angeles. They played four seasons at the Memorial Coliseum before moving to a newly constructed stadium in the Chavez Ravine neighborhood near downtown.

Galindo said he knew that Estrada would like the Dodgers once she came to a game, and now the couple attends games at least 10 times every year.

These are the types of connections that a baseball team can foster with its residents.

A foam finger statue rests outside Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Oct.18, 2023.

The two-letter logo is not just an LA brand. You can go most anywhere in the country and spot a fan wearing a white and blue Dodgers hat.

“The Dodgers aren’t just an LA brand. They’re a global brand,” Williams said. “You’re supporting a team with so much history. They’re the team that brought in Jackie

Robinson, they’re the team that brought in Valenzuela, they’re the team that brought in Nomo. There’s just so much history within one team and one city.”

Although more than 20 years has passed since she attended her first game, Flores is still going each year with her dad,

grabbing a Dodger dog and cheering on her team.

“My dad used to take me to Dodger games when I was younger and now that I’m older, I get to take him to the games every year. I think that’s what’s so special about it. It’s something that’s always waiting for us.”

Left: Former Dodgers Stadium employee Jazzlyn Flores shows off her “LA” finger tattoo on Oct. 18, 2023.

Right: The Dodgers play the Toronto Blue Jays game at the Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on July 25, 2023.

Where LA shops

Shop till you drop on Melrose Avenue

Story by Sophia Gonzalez

Photos by Benjamin Hanson and Sophia Gonzalez

Turn one corner on North Fuller Avenue in Los Angeles, which is full of quiet residential houses, and a new world emerges, with more than 300 shops selling jewelry, inking tattoos and serving trendy coffee.

One of those shops has racks of clothing that depict a variety of figures, from iconic pop culture icons to the Rolling Stones and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Surrounded by electric blue

lighting and standing by a doorway painted with an eagle is Dominic Anaya, who has been selling his collection of vintage T-shirts for the past decade on one of LA’s most recognized avenues—Melrose.

For about half a century, Melrose has been a thriving shopping hub for independent businesses. Spanning 14 blocks between La Cienega and La Brea boulevards, Anaya and other shop owners are shaping the culture of Los Angeles.

“I used to drive down here on the strip and think, ‘One day, I’m going to have a store here. One day I’m going to figure it out,’” he said.

Anaya, 27, was born in La Puente, California. Before owning a premium vintage clothing storefront and selling at Melrose Trading Post,

he grew up visiting Melrose with his mom.

Anaya began his business journey at 13, working with his dad, who inspired his passion for clothing. They had a brand called Impressve, which grew to be successful in a short period of time.

“What’s crazy is that it skyrocketed,” Anaya said. “In a matter of six more months, we went to Tillys, PacSun, Foot Locker.”

When Anaya was around 16, he started planning his own brand, Due Date Studios.

“We have been everywhere for a while until I was 16, and that’s when I started this,” Anaya said. “I grew up and evolved, and I was like, ‘You know what, I think it’s time for me to come out the place and make my

Dominic Anaya stands in his vendor tent at Melrose Trading Post in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, 2023. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

own thing.”

Anaya also credits his mother, who pushed him to pursue his dreams.

“She taught me to keep going,” Anaya said. “Through all the hard times that I had, I had to keep going. There is not always a good sunny day in business.”

Before opening his shop, Anaya began the way many selfmade entrepreneurs do, through the Melrose Trading Post.

Located at Fairfax High School, just off Melrose Avenue, the selfproclaimed “favorite flea market” of LA takes place on Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s there that a community of sellers come together to share their creations, including furniture, plants, soap and unique clothes.

Anaya’s mom used to buy furniture at Melrose Trading Post, where she made friends with a woman who sold to her. This is where Anaya was introduced to the idea of selling at the Trading Post.

Prior to owning his spot, Anaya would stand next to the lady who sold furniture and sell his clothing.

“I would take my backpack full of T-shirts,” Anaya said. “And I would go to the Trading Post and start selling it to people as they walked by. And I would get super ignored.”

Their friend then urged him to start selling in the booth behind her, despite this not being allowed. He shared that she was reassuring that they would figure it out.

“The following Sunday I went,” Anaya said. “I bought a canopy, table and a clothing rack. I just put myself there.”

Despite the challenges of being a new seller, Anaya never gave up

A Melrose Avenue street sign rests in front of a graffiti wall in Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2023. Photo by Sophia Gonzalez.

He partnered with a friend who shared the same aspiration, so they launched a business together.

“We had the same goal to be out here in Melrose,” Anaya said. “So we figured it out. Our goal was to actually rent out a U-haul truck and sell stuff on the street.”

Due Date Studios was born in 2018. Anaya said that Melrose has helped expand his brand because of the connections he was able to make.

“This place is like a dot connector, anybody can walk in,” Anaya said. “This past weekend, this singer Kali Uchis came in. I helped her out and she bought a T-shirt, anybody could walk in.”

Anaya is one of many over the years who have realized that the best place for his vision is this strip of shops.

Corrie Sommers, a luxury realtor who works extensively in the area, said that Melrose is a one-of-a-kind.

“Melrose being one of the most

well-known recognized streets in Los Angeles is always going to make it a landmark,” Sommers said.

It all began in 1909. Melrose Avenue took its name from a town in Massachusetts, which lies outside of Boston.

Sommer said that it wasn’t until the 1980s when Melrose Avenue began to evolve into what it became today thanks to a new wave of punk culture that swept through the city, attracting a number of people and celebrities.

“At that time, there was punk culture popping up,” Sommers said. “It was so eclectic. When you go to Melrose, you’ll still find at least one store that caters to that punkish style.”

Melrose’s location keeps the area busy with both tourists and locals.

“You’re close to The Grove, West Hollywood,” Sommers said. “If you’re a tourist you can hit all the spots, you’re not far from Sunset or Hollywood Boulevard.”

The avenue also has many

buildings that are painted with murals.

Sommers said that Melrose has been able to keep the area consistently trendy.

“Somebody was really wise to take advantage of the sides of buildings that were blank slates and doing a little bit more with them,” Sommers said. “For example, there are a couple of buildings that have painted wings where people go take photos. People literally go there just for their selfies.”

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop Melrose from being a lively place. Sommers said because of its reputation, it will never lose its iconic value.

“Post-pandemic, a lot of people have suffered,” Sommers said. “But there is this special draw with Melrose that keeps it going. It’s so well-known that it’s always going to be that.”

Alongside keeping Melrose in fashion, Sommers added that fair price points and great sales keep

Jacky Au-Yeung shops in Anaya’s tent at the Melrose Trading Post in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, 2023. Photo by Benjamin Hanson. working his way to his own store on Melrose.

attracting a diverse group of people.

Hannah Martin lives an hour from LA but still chooses to come to Melrose to shop for exclusive clothing.

“It’s a lot of unique pieces. You’re not going to see any of this stuff in stores,” Martin said. “A lot of the artists here make stuff to make people step into themselves. I drove out here for this.”

Morgan Cooper, who owns gift store Highland Shop, moved from New York to LA with his partner. When looking for an area to start his business, it was the community that drew him to Melrose.

“Melrose was our vibe. There’s people who are from all different backgrounds and ethnicities,” Cooper said. “People from all over the city were coming here.”

For Anaya, it is those characteristics that keep him running his store there.

“When I was growing up, it was always the dream lane to be at Melrose,” Anaya said. “Streetwear is here. Everybody comes here to get a piece instead of just buying clothes

at the mall. Melrose is for connecting to people.”

Anaya continues to work toward bettering his clothing, while also building his status as time goes on.

“I hope to be the guy where you can find a cool shirt,” Anaya said. “That’s what I see vintage as. It’s not just a T-shirt from the old ’90s or the ‘80s or early 2000s.”

It is LA and Melrose that have given his life a foundation.

“Being in LA, it’s the city of dreams,” Anaya said. “Never give up on your dreams, never agree to the naysayers, and never think you can’t connect the dots. Give it time, everything will come.”

People browse through the vendors at the Melrose Trading Post in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, 2023. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.

People walk down on Melrose Avenue on Oct.1, 2023. Photo by Sophia Gonzalez.

(L-R) Jennifer Martinez and Ella Sapphire pose at “Porvidalosangeles,” a Hispanic Heritage Month event at the Arts District in Los Angeles, on Sept. 15, 2023. Photo by Daniela Raymundo

Fashion

The streets of g g G G G G G G G g g

Baje Zuss models at the RepurposingLA fashion show in East Los Angeles, on Sept. 30, 2023.

Viridiana models at the RepurposingLA fashion show in East Los Angeles on Sept. 30, 2023.

Kayleigh Sanderson models at the RepurposingLA fashion show in East Los Angeles on Sept. 30, 23.

of East L.A

by Daniela Raymundo

g g g g g g g g g g g

Jennifer Martinez shows off her nails at “Porvidalosangeles,” a Hispanic Heritage Month event at the Arts District in Los Angeles, on Sept.15, 2023.

Hailey Amezquita poses at the RepurposingLA fashion show in East Los Angeles on Sept. 30, 2023.

Sloani models at the RepurposingLA fashion show in East Los Angeles, on Sept 30, 2023

Reviving clothing with Chicano Culture

At the start of the pandemic, Verenisse Guzman holed away in her East LA garage with scraps of discarded clothing—old denim pants, patches, big T-shirts and, more recently, metal. She began experimenting with the scraps, creating luxury pieces at home in place of shopping at the mall.

Guzman started out sewing by hand and worked to save up for a sewing machine.

“People would think it was really cool and asked me to make some for themselves, and, of course, I didn’t sell any of those back then,” she said.

Guzman slowly began to turn the trash of others into her own treasures.

From those early creations, Guzman has spent three years growing a popular LA Chicano streetwear brand, “RepurposingLA,’’ which is inspired by Chicano fashion from the ‘90s and focused on sustainability. She recently hosted her first runway fashion show with more than 100 unique, handmade pieces.

The pieces she makes are infused with sentimental memories. Often, Guzman draws inspiration from her parents’ clubbing outfits when styling her models.

modeling Chicano fashion for six years. ‘’I loved my grandma’s outfits. I was inspired by my mom’s pictures when she was younger, the tapachula look and the ‘70s hairstyle.”

Chicanos are raised in a rich culture and often look up to their

“I vividly remember watching my mom and tias wearing their gold hoops and jewelry, long nails adorned with rings, finding it incredibly glamorous,” said Diane Bang, another model for Guzman.

“I used to want to look like my mom so bad, and now I look at myself and it reminds me of her, ” Guzman said.

Many of Guzman’s models, who she found through social media and local events, share the same passion for family-inspired fashion.

“It’s the whole cultural influences, from the cooking, the way people carry themselves, the icons, the fashion, the music,’’ said Gabriella Quinteros, who has been

role models as inspiration for self expression.

The work of Guzman and other Chicano fashion designers shows the influence their culture has on modern styles. Despite its evolution, Chicano fashion continues to express political statements about survival and the healing power of clothing. It often highlights Catholic symbols with a mix of oversized pants, crop tops, high heels and gothic makeup.

“[Chicano fashion] has made its mark on streetwear, urban fashion and even high-end brands, showcasing the heavy, lasting impact of Chicano style on the fashion world.”

However, family and Chicano culture are not the only driving forces behind Guzman’s fashion. According to Guzman, her favorite part of her brand is its focus on sustainability.

“Nobody talks about how it’s really made, and it’s because they leave a big carbon footprint. They don’t care about the environment,” Guzman said. “The way this industry works is to make things just for the moment; nothing is built to last.”

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined, according to the United National Environment Programme (UNEP). At this pace, UNEP estimates that the fashion industry’s greenhouse gas emissions will surge more than 50% by 2030.

Guzman makes sure her pieces are adjustable for different bodies and heights to avoid limitations for her customers and models, as well as to increase the life cycle of her work. Her goal is to create pieces that can be passed through generations instead of going into the garbage after a couple of uses.

“I make everything with the intention of being it better than everything else is out there.”

Verenisse Guzman sits at the workspace in her garage in Los Angeles on Nov. 10, 2023.

g g g

LA-based photographer and videographer Estevan Oriol directed “LA Originals,’’ a documentary containing 29 years worth of footage from his time as a tour manager for Cypress Hill and Blink-182. He has also published multiple books, including “LA Woman” and “LA Portraits.”

Estevan has impacted the media industry in Los Angeles by showing photographers not to be afraid of any situation or getting too close to the their subjects.

‘‘I just see how I’ve influenced the way other people shoot photos and the things they shoot, because when I used to shoot 20 years ago, it wasn’t common. Now it’s just blowing out,” Oriol mentioned.

From low riders to famous rappers like Snoop Dog and Eminem, Estevan’s ties to hood life and the streets of LA have given his audience a deeper understanding of the importance of everyone’s story.

“Times are different,” he said. “It’s crazy out there. It’s a different world, but if you know how to talk to people and how to finesse your way into places and out of places then you’re good.”

Photos and Copy by Daniela Raymundo

Estevan Oriol shows off his LA tattoos in Burbank on Oct. 1, 2023.

(L-R) Vanessa Weinert plays with an interactive tar simulation as her mom Emma watches inside the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles on Nov 5, 2023.

Story by Violet Garcia

Photos by Daniela Raymundo

HISTORY

In the heart of Los Angeles lays an iconic piece of the city known for its ability to blend science and culture into one.

Once enveloped by luscious greenery and swarming with different species of animals and insects, the La Brea Tar Pits are now home to a cross-section of fossils, giving the people of today a glimpse into the past and a peek into the future.

According to the International Union of Geological Sciences, the Tar Pits are reportedly the richest Ice Age fossil site in the world.

Although paleoecologist and associate curator Emily Lindsey started working at the Tar Pits about seven years ago, the area has been excavated on and off since the early

1900s, producing millions of specimens.

Experts can pull a significant amount of information from fossils, so scientists like Lindsey are now able to solve puzzles that have been enigmas for centuries.

Lindsey notes how the wealth of research that can be performed at this site is unlike any other in the world.

“The Tar Pits has a really unique opportunity to give insight on these questions that scientists can’t get through normal research,” Lindsey said.

These new developments expose the possibilities that may have caused the extinction event, a 50-yearold mystery.

Most experts and citizens agree that it is important to look into the past to figure

out how to plan for the future, whether the information is used to proactively strategize for disasters or as a tool to innovate something new.

Lynne Schneider, a volunteer at the museum for 10 years, said having a strong grasp on what happened in the past is vital to understanding the present.

“It’s how we got here. It’s why we are who we are. People need to understand history, and the Tar Pits in particular is a very special place because there’s no place else in the world that has what we have,” Schneider said. “And if you don’t learn what was, you ain’t going to learn what is. And you won’t be able to plan for what will be, not successfully anyway.”

Founded in 1913, the site began as the Los Angeles Museum of History, Science and Art. As it grew, the departments broke off and became separate entities, with the Tar Pits becoming the field site for the Natural History Museum.

Kaitlin Brown, an assistant professor of archaeology at California State University Northridge, details how “tar pit” is a misleading term, and that the raw material itself is asphaltum. The petroleum byproduct bubbles up to the surface where the lighter components of the oil then evaporate, creating the phenomenon known as an asphaltum seep.

Once this process occurs, experts can determine if a site has the potential to help

Lynne Schneider, a volunteer, cleans up fossil remains at La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2023.

them answer broader research questions. Nearly every scientist needs to ask one question before proceeding with a dig: How will the dig make a unique contribution to society?

Staff at the Tar Pits recognize the vital role they play in navigating the relationship between society and science, which led them to reflect on how they fit into the larger culture of Los Angeles.

While scientists use technical jargon in their work, it can cause some confusion with the public. This, coupled with the political atmosphere exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, has ultimately created a rocky relationship between everyday people and the scientific community, Lindsey said.

The La Brea Tar Pits decided to diffuse this animosity and mistrust by creating a fossil lab that is open to all visitors.

“It’s a really good opportunity to teach the public about the nature of scientific inquiry, to showcase how science works, why it’s trustable, how it relates to your life,” Lindsey said. “And also because they see real people doing these jobs, it’s an opportunity to be role models. They can see that it’s not a mysterious thing.”

The museum makes a conscious effort to engage the public, rebuilding the science world’s credibility

while including the everyday civilian.

“It’s how we got here. It’s why we are who we are. People need to understand history, and the Tar Pits in particular is a very special place.”

- Lynne Schneider, museum volunteer

The Tar Pits also recently announced plans to completely re-imagine its 13 acres into a site of discovery of arts, science, nature and culture.

The museum aims to involve civilians in the planning stages and hopes to further its relationship with the public. The project, which was kickstarted in February 2022, invites the everyday individual to ask questions and provide insight.

Senior paleontological preparator Sean Campbell emphasized the importance of speaking to the public to build rapport and spread awareness.

“Unless you speak about what you’re doing, people don’t have a real understanding of what’s actually going on,” Campbell said. “Understanding that our existence is extremely temporary and minuscule in comparison to the deep time and geologic time and even just a few thousand years ago, Los Angeles was so much different.”

(Previous page): Sean Campbell works at the Tar pits at the La Brea Museum in Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2023.

Below: (L-R) Thomas Hamilton and Donna Lynn watch a video at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2023.

Rachael Rosenberg

Life in plastic

In his Beverly Hills office, which is like his second home, Dr. Jay Calvert’s fingers hold a scalpel drenched in red liquid that slides into the flesh of a patient lying on an operating room table.

As he cuts through the cartilage, blood seeps out. Removing a white chunk from the patient’s septum, Calvert begins to smooth the bridge of the nose. The thread woven inside of the nostrils will dissolve, leaving a “new nose.”

Whether it’s for self-esteem or medical reasons, Calvert is an integral part of an industry often synonymous with Los Angeles culture. From 2000 to 2020, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), reported an increase of 131% in cosmetic procedures.

Calvert, a board-certified plastic surgeon who has worked in the field for 29 years, said the rise in cosmetic procedures has made it almost commonplace.

“Since the time I’ve been practicing here, plastic surgery has become very acceptable,” Calvert said. “It’s almost like, ‘Who’s your plastic surgeon? Where do you get your Botox? Who does your lasers?’”

According to RealSelf, a healthcare marketplace where consumers research aesthetic treatments, Los Angeles is ranked third for cities with the highest concentration of plastic surgeons in America, behind only Miami and Salt Lake City. RealSelf

Model Ashley Cardenas

Photo illustration by Rachael Rosenberg

also reports that the average price of rhinoplasties in Los Angeles is more than $9,000, while liposuction averages at about $6,000.

“They’ll come here and they’ll pay the money to be in the place where they know that they’re getting high quality surgeons doing high quality work,” Calvert said.

Dr. Shawn Moshrefi, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who works in Beverly Hills and Calabasas, said that prospective patients have to be motivated for the surgery rather than pressured by someone.

“There’s some people’s lives you get to change, whether it be reconstructive or aesthetic surgery,” Moshrefi said. “Sometimes it’s just giving people their confidence back or their ability to look back in the mirror and feel good about themselves.”

Self-esteem is one of the most common reasons people seek out procedures.

Calvert remembers a situation that led to a woman finding her partner.

“One of my most memorable operations was a revision rhinoplasty,” Calvert said. “She was immediately freed from all the distress that she was in, so much so that she got engaged right after that.”

Psychology and statistics professor Angela Belden said that it’s important to know your mental state before receiving plastic or cosmetic surgeries.

“It’s a medical technique that can sometimes be psychologically really healthy for people and also sometimes psychologically unhealthy for people, depending on the individual situation,” Belden said.

According to a scientific study, that National Library of Medicine concluded that there is a high prevalence of individuals with body dysmorphic disorder seeking cosmetic surgery, and that appropriate interventions, such as pre-screening

Dr. Shawn Moshrefi talks a patient at his office at Modern Plastic Surgery in Calabasas, Calif., on Nov. 9,2023.

for body image disturbance, should be mandated.

Aram Karamanian is a creator of filters for many social media platforms. One of the filters he created digitally applies makeup to faces and landed him a partnership with Kat Von D Beauty. Despite that, he recognises that filters can warp users’ mindset about their appearance.

“I have these phases where I make filters that don’t alter the face and I get the most positive feedback and the most happy people,” Karamanian said.

In many cases, plastic surgery can be life-changing in a positive way. “I think there’s just a lot of confidence that gets restored when your breasts get reconstructed after breast cancer,” Calvert said.

Dr. Jay Calvert holds a septum nasal speculum in an exam room in his Beverly Hills office on Oct.16, 2023.

Magic everywhere

Photos by Benjamin Hanson

Story by Benjamin Hanson & Rachael Rosenberg

Droves of people gather in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland every night at 9:30. People from all across the world fill Main Street U.S.A. Some have scouted out viewing spots two hours in advance. Others scramble to a spot at the last moment.

Whistle! Crack! Boom!

The crowds at Disneyland are always moving non-stop throughout the day, but for 15 minutes, almost everyone stood still as a frenzy of rockets and lights erupted in the sky.

Tanya de Boer, a Canadian resident of Victoria, British Columbia, said her favorite moment at Disney occurred when she witnessed the fireworks for the first time with her high school best friend.

“She grabbed my hand and said, ‘We made it,’ because that was like our dream since we were 16,” de Boer said.

De Boer first came to Disneyland with her husband, Jared, to celebrate their honeymoon. Now celebrating their 10-year anniversary, they brought along 4-year-old son Jake.

Disneyland was created by Walt Disney and opened its doors in 1955. The animator wanted to entertain people who visited the original studio in Burbank. The park has since expanded with additional themed areas, including “Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge” and “Mickey’s Toontown.”

According to Disney News, the theme park has averaged more than 14 million visitors a year since 2006, except for 2020 and 2021, when the park was mostly closed for and then reopened with COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Reggie Libre, a Filipino who immigrated to Bellflower 20 years

People ride the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster in Disneyland on Nov. 8, 2023.

Top: A child hugs Goofy in Disneyland on Nov. 8, 2023.

Left: People shop for pins in Westward Ho Trading Company in Disneyland on Nov. 8, 2023.

Bottom: People take part in the “Pirates of the Carribean” ride in Disneyland on Nov. 8, 2023.

ago, said he enjoys the happiness that Disneyland brings to LA.

“It’s very different from Asian countries,” Libre said. “There’s a lot more freedom here.”

Libre said he most enjoys staying young at heart and reliving his childhood when he comes to the park.

Same goes for Nelson Maligaya, who moved to Lakewood, California, from the Philippines 10 years ago. When Maligaya brought his 5-yearold son to the parks for the first time, he was mesmerized by the ambience.

“We were amazed because it felt like being a child again,” Maligaya said.

The Walt Disney Company has opened five more theme parks around the world, but Disneyland is the only one that opened under the supervision of Walt Disney.

Melissa Kelly, who visited

California from Washington state, said she chose Disneyland over other iconic places in the LA area because it is her happy place.

“I absolutely enjoy the atmosphere, the relaxation and the fact that I can’t hear the outside world when I’m in Disney,” she said.

During Kelly’s first visit to the parks 15 years ago, her father spent the entire day grumpy, but when he saw Goofy, he immediately ran up to the character in excitement.

“Everywhere you look, there’s magic,” Kelly said.

Top right: Hundreds of people walk around the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland on Nov. 8, 2023.

Bottom right: Balloons float in the air above Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland on Nov. 8, 2023.

A Sally animatronic from “A Nightmare Before Christmas” looks around during the Haunted Mansion ride in Disneyland on Nov. 14, 2023.

People enjoy a piano show at the Golden Horseshoe in Disneyland on Nov. 14, 2023.

As I moved to LA just a few years ago, facing a different culture was a shock to me. From learning a new language to being able to wear anything I wanted, expressing myself and knowing that my voice matters and is being heard was a total change to me.

Some of the reasons that I choose LA Culture as The Bull magazine semester theme is because of how amazed I was by the people and the community around me. You can see hard working people trying to follow their dreams everyday, and it feels like anything is possible in LA.

f f

This fall semester has taught me how to be strong for myself and others. It has shown me there is a reason behind meeting each person. With all the injustice and violence around us, it has shown me there is a safe space that we luckily have in our newsroom at Pierce College

For others that are featured in this magazine, it is the community they have built within each other.

Thank you to my family, friends and professors for all the help this year, and thank you for taking the time to read this semester’s issue.

Don’t ever give up following your dreams.

- Daniela Raymundo

f f

Front page: Diane Bang, a fitness and fashion model, holds a flag at the ‘‘Streets of LA’’ fashion show by RepurposingLA in East Los Angeles on Sept. 30, 2023. Photo by Daniela Raymundo.

Back page: Low riders lined up at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles on Sept. 21, 2023. Photo by Daniela Raymundo.