HARD TIMES The Prattler
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 1
HARD TIMES The Prattler
GOOD TIMES
2 | T H E P R AT T L E R
The Prattler
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 3
HARD TIMES The Prattler
GOOD TIMES
2 | T H E P R AT T L E R
The Prattler
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 3
3 Letter 4 Meat Myrtle an introduction to the new building 6 Pratt Knows How to Ball sports at Pratt 8 You Hungry? talking food at Pratt 14 I Qualify for Food Stamps (and so can you) 20 Mailroom Mystery where is your mail going? 22 Cheap Labor! an investigation into internships 24 Chic for Cheap fall fashion trends with a budget 26 Food Review 28 Art Review 30 Last Page: Leaving Brooklyn 4 | T H E P R AT T L E R
HARD TIMES
Y ou’re going to notice this issue talks about food. A lot. That’s because as young adults we crave it constantly, but as college students really can’t afford it. I for one covet the Fridays that I get my paycheck so I can treat myself to any meal that doesn’t come from a Wonder Bread bag and has peanut butter smeared on it. The Prattler knows how important nutritious, but more importantly good tasting, food is and because of this we want to make sure our readers are getting the best deals. We’ve got price comparisons of on-campus food to the food in the neighborhood. We’ll also tell you how to apply for food stamps because you most likely qualify. But the problem of not being able to afford food comes from the same place that not being able to afford anything comes from: expensive private art school. We’re calling this issue the “Hard Times/Good Times” issue because we here are in a depression, but getting through it. Let us bring to light the common issues of indigent students: the mailroom is questionably stealing students’ mail, dining hall prices are going up, the new building costed $50 million. Now I’m not sure what any of this means to you and you don’t have to be broke to read on and find out, but I will say that the recession has affected everyone, administration included. So, it’s best we all get on the same page and work towards doing something about it. Read the “Hard Times/Good Times ” issue, it’s one of the few pleasures in this city that’s free.
Colleen Stufflebeem, Editor
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 5
3 Letter 4 Meat Myrtle an introduction to the new building 6 Pratt Knows How to Ball sports at Pratt 8 You Hungry? talking food at Pratt 14 I Qualify for Food Stamps (and so can you) 20 Mailroom Mystery where is your mail going? 22 Cheap Labor! an investigation into internships 24 Chic for Cheap fall fashion trends with a budget 26 Food Review 28 Art Review 30 Last Page: Leaving Brooklyn 4 | T H E P R AT T L E R
HARD TIMES
Y ou’re going to notice this issue talks about food. A lot. That’s because as young adults we crave it constantly, but as college students really can’t afford it. I for one covet the Fridays that I get my paycheck so I can treat myself to any meal that doesn’t come from a Wonder Bread bag and has peanut butter smeared on it. The Prattler knows how important nutritious, but more importantly good tasting, food is and because of this we want to make sure our readers are getting the best deals. We’ve got price comparisons of on-campus food to the food in the neighborhood. We’ll also tell you how to apply for food stamps because you most likely qualify. But the problem of not being able to afford food comes from the same place that not being able to afford anything comes from: expensive private art school. We’re calling this issue the “Hard Times/Good Times” issue because we here are in a depression, but getting through it. Let us bring to light the common issues of indigent students: the mailroom is questionably stealing students’ mail, dining hall prices are going up, the new building costed $50 million. Now I’m not sure what any of this means to you and you don’t have to be broke to read on and find out, but I will say that the recession has affected everyone, administration included. So, it’s best we all get on the same page and work towards doing something about it. Read the “Hard Times/Good Times ” issue, it’s one of the few pleasures in this city that’s free.
Colleen Stufflebeem, Editor
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 5
MEAT MYRTLE
by Orlando Gondar, illustration by Michael Ryterband
In the last issue we breifly discussed the new building on Myrtle Ave. Here we investigate further.
Y ou’ve seen it on your way to Willoughby, you’ve heard the rumor that it’s the reason for the tuition spike this semester, you’ve tiptoed past the occasional, inflatable rat and possibly questioned whether this shiny, new building is needed at all. But if you’re a Media Arts major you know that there’s a shortage of studios, and if you’re Fine Arts major - particularly a painter - you know that studio space is limited and that the studios we have are ridiculously small. These are among the issues being addressed by the120,000-square-foot building on Myrtle that’s replacing a vacant lot – in the distant past, the site of a fondly remembered Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Myrtle Hall – as it will be known until it is named in
honor of some generous alumnus - will house the Digital Art Center, Admissions, and Student Services Center, as well as some classrooms. Pratt’s Development and Alumni Relations department will share space with the Pratt Center for Community Development. (In 2007, the Institute invited the community to a forum and in which they voiced ideas on how the building could best serve the neighborhood.) Designed by Pratt Institute School of Architecture alumnus Jack Esterson AIA of the New York City architecture and engineering firm WASA/Studio A, 524 Myrtle will be energy self-sufficient,
with a geothermal climate control system, photovoltaic solar panels and a greenhouse on the roof. In fact, Myrtle Hall is on track to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, the first in Brooklyn. Says Pratt Institute President Thomas F. Schutte. “Pratt’s new building will symbolize the growth and Institute, its surrounding neighborhood and Brooklyn while demonstrating the Institute’s commitment to sustainability. We anticipate that 524 Myrtle will serve as a model of sustainable design for Pratt students, the local community and urban campuses across the country.” The building will also feature 15,000 square feet of retail space along Myrtle Avenue – possibly including a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet.
The site of a fondly remembered K.F.C.
6 | T H E P R AT T L E R
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 7
MEAT MYRTLE
by Orlando Gondar, illustration by Michael Ryterband
In the last issue we breifly discussed the new building on Myrtle Ave. Here we investigate further.
Y ou’ve seen it on your way to Willoughby, you’ve heard the rumor that it’s the reason for the tuition spike this semester, you’ve tiptoed past the occasional, inflatable rat and possibly questioned whether this shiny, new building is needed at all. But if you’re a Media Arts major you know that there’s a shortage of studios, and if you’re Fine Arts major - particularly a painter - you know that studio space is limited and that the studios we have are ridiculously small. These are among the issues being addressed by the120,000-square-foot building on Myrtle that’s replacing a vacant lot – in the distant past, the site of a fondly remembered Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Myrtle Hall – as it will be known until it is named in
honor of some generous alumnus - will house the Digital Art Center, Admissions, and Student Services Center, as well as some classrooms. Pratt’s Development and Alumni Relations department will share space with the Pratt Center for Community Development. (In 2007, the Institute invited the community to a forum and in which they voiced ideas on how the building could best serve the neighborhood.) Designed by Pratt Institute School of Architecture alumnus Jack Esterson AIA of the New York City architecture and engineering firm WASA/Studio A, 524 Myrtle will be energy self-sufficient,
with a geothermal climate control system, photovoltaic solar panels and a greenhouse on the roof. In fact, Myrtle Hall is on track to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, the first in Brooklyn. Says Pratt Institute President Thomas F. Schutte. “Pratt’s new building will symbolize the growth and Institute, its surrounding neighborhood and Brooklyn while demonstrating the Institute’s commitment to sustainability. We anticipate that 524 Myrtle will serve as a model of sustainable design for Pratt students, the local community and urban campuses across the country.” The building will also feature 15,000 square feet of retail space along Myrtle Avenue – possibly including a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet.
The site of a fondly remembered K.F.C.
6 | T H E P R AT T L E R
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 7
PRATT KNOWS HOW TO BALL
A LOOK AT PRATT ATHLETICS, PHOTOGRAPH AND ARTICLE BY NADIA MOHAMED
Iitsnstudents, addition to the many activities Pratt offers some may be surprised to learn
are (in order) Chelsea Miller, Klara Barvarosy, Mary Pieterse, Julie Pallesen, Dianna Demers that our gym is among them. Student may and Hannah West. The boy’s team need to even be more suprised to fine that Pratt offers overcome Yeshiva University as well as Webb a variety of men and women’s varsity sports Institute to hold rank. The top boys holding that participate in the Hudson Valley Athletic the best times are (in order) Ian Carr, Kyle Conference. Nasypany, Tim Macken, Rusty Rehl and These sports include basketball, tennis, Ryan Thiskal. cross-country, and indoor/outdoor track and High hopes are held for the teams as they field for men and tennis, volleyball, cross- are in good hands. Coach Evans is a former country, and indoor/outdoor track and field Olympian, competing in the 1980 and 1984 for women. Olympics in the 400-meter. He has been This season’s women’s tennis team has the coach for the Jamaican Olympic team been coming along well, with wins in our since 1992 and is currently coaching his 16th favor, 3-1, so far, losing only a home game to season at Pratt. Sarah Lawrence. The season for women’s volleyball is al Our men and women’s cross country teams ready half way over, with five games played are about to wrap up their season with the and five more to come. Hudson Valley Athletic Men’s tennis and basketConference for cross- Pratt has a variety of athletic ball have yet to start their country/track and field teams that have all been seasons. The first tennis on October 24 with a doing very well this season match will be held March TBA location. Their 22 at 7 pm in the Pratt last meet was both a good one for the girl’s Gym. The first game for basketball is a little and boy’s teams. Chelsea Miller placed 4th at closer. The first game will be a tournament the Brooklyn College Invitational with a 27:22 against Berkeley College on November 6th. finish for the 5k. Ian Carr held our top time In addition to the varsity sports offor the boy’s team, finishing 6th with a time fered at Pratt the gym also provides us of 30:31. with equipment for other sports such as The Hudson Valley Athletics Conference ping pong, boxing, and soccer free to gym promises to be an interesting one. Coach patrons. Pratt also provides us with gym Dalton Evans says that if the girls can get a classes ranging from Yoga to Zumba to one up on Albany School of Pharmacy that Total Body Bootcamp, held in the upstairs all will be easy sailing. The top girls right now dance studio. 8 | T H E P R AT T L E R
For more information and an extended schedules of teams and classes visit www.pratt.edu/student_life/activities/athletics_and_recreation THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 9
PRATT KNOWS HOW TO BALL
A LOOK AT PRATT ATHLETICS, PHOTOGRAPH AND ARTICLE BY NADIA MOHAMED
Iitsnstudents, addition to the many activities Pratt offers some may be surprised to learn
are (in order) Chelsea Miller, Klara Barvarosy, Mary Pieterse, Julie Pallesen, Dianna Demers that our gym is among them. Student may and Hannah West. The boy’s team need to even be more suprised to fine that Pratt offers overcome Yeshiva University as well as Webb a variety of men and women’s varsity sports Institute to hold rank. The top boys holding that participate in the Hudson Valley Athletic the best times are (in order) Ian Carr, Kyle Conference. Nasypany, Tim Macken, Rusty Rehl and These sports include basketball, tennis, Ryan Thiskal. cross-country, and indoor/outdoor track and High hopes are held for the teams as they field for men and tennis, volleyball, cross- are in good hands. Coach Evans is a former country, and indoor/outdoor track and field Olympian, competing in the 1980 and 1984 for women. Olympics in the 400-meter. He has been This season’s women’s tennis team has the coach for the Jamaican Olympic team been coming along well, with wins in our since 1992 and is currently coaching his 16th favor, 3-1, so far, losing only a home game to season at Pratt. Sarah Lawrence. The season for women’s volleyball is al Our men and women’s cross country teams ready half way over, with five games played are about to wrap up their season with the and five more to come. Hudson Valley Athletic Men’s tennis and basketConference for cross- Pratt has a variety of athletic ball have yet to start their country/track and field teams that have all been seasons. The first tennis on October 24 with a doing very well this season match will be held March TBA location. Their 22 at 7 pm in the Pratt last meet was both a good one for the girl’s Gym. The first game for basketball is a little and boy’s teams. Chelsea Miller placed 4th at closer. The first game will be a tournament the Brooklyn College Invitational with a 27:22 against Berkeley College on November 6th. finish for the 5k. Ian Carr held our top time In addition to the varsity sports offor the boy’s team, finishing 6th with a time fered at Pratt the gym also provides us of 30:31. with equipment for other sports such as The Hudson Valley Athletics Conference ping pong, boxing, and soccer free to gym promises to be an interesting one. Coach patrons. Pratt also provides us with gym Dalton Evans says that if the girls can get a classes ranging from Yoga to Zumba to one up on Albany School of Pharmacy that Total Body Bootcamp, held in the upstairs all will be easy sailing. The top girls right now dance studio. 8 | T H E P R AT T L E R
For more information and an extended schedules of teams and classes visit www.pratt.edu/student_life/activities/athletics_and_recreation THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 9
You Hungry?
answers to why we’re all starving
article and illustrations by Celine Park and Michael Ryterband
W hen I came to Pratt Institute as a Freshman I didn’t know what to expect of Brooklyn or the
college campus. I especially didn’t know what to expect of the food; from as far as I could tell it was all expensive. But what I’ve learned throughout the years is that high food prices aren’t necessarily everywhere. Though it is a common complaint that the on-campus food is unfairly priced, there are food businesses around the school that are kinder to our wallets, and maybe easier on the stomach too. Because the economic condition in this country isn’t getting any better and students’ need for food isn’t getting any less pressing, I’ve researched 8 of the most well known restaurants, cafes and grocery stores in the area to compare the prices to CulinArt’s. Hopefully this will help you complain less and eat more.
1 0 | T H E P R AT T L E R
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 11
You Hungry?
answers to why we’re all starving
article and illustrations by Celine Park and Michael Ryterband
W hen I came to Pratt Institute as a Freshman I didn’t know what to expect of Brooklyn or the
college campus. I especially didn’t know what to expect of the food; from as far as I could tell it was all expensive. But what I’ve learned throughout the years is that high food prices aren’t necessarily everywhere. Though it is a common complaint that the on-campus food is unfairly priced, there are food businesses around the school that are kinder to our wallets, and maybe easier on the stomach too. Because the economic condition in this country isn’t getting any better and students’ need for food isn’t getting any less pressing, I’ve researched 8 of the most well known restaurants, cafes and grocery stores in the area to compare the prices to CulinArt’s. Hopefully this will help you complain less and eat more.
1 0 | T H E P R AT T L E R
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 11
Ianbegan my quest for cheaper eating with interview with Ron Jones, who works for
The Price is Right
In my final test of finding the cheapest
CulinArt and is the director of the cafeteria and the PI shop. Jones has been working with Pratt for nearly a decade and if anyone knows something about Pratt’s food pricing it’s him:
options for students’ diets I went to many neighborhood restaurants, cafes and grocery stores around campus to compare their food prices to CulinArt’s. I spoke with the owner of a Dekalb grocery store and he had this to say: “Everything is so much cheaper at my store. I charge 30 to 70 cents less per drink at my store [as opposed to Pratt’s drinks]. I want to sell more using cheaper prices to make money.” At his store, a canned soda is a dollar when it costs $1.25 at the Pratt cafeteria. This is just one example of lower costs students could be spending. Look through my comparisons to see what else you could be saving money on.
Q: Students seem to think that Pratt’s food is overpriced and more so now than ever before. Did the cost of food really go up? Mr. Jones: No, the prices didn’t go up over the last couple years. What exactly does CulinArt do for Pratt? CulinArt is the company that runs the cafeteria and the PI shop. We’ve helped Pratt to physically build a better cafeteria through renovation and maintenance. Now it looks cleaner and nicer. Pratt cafeteria used to look very bad until we renovated it. It was a mess. Cont. page 17
Restaurants Choice Market 318 Lafayette (718) 230-5214
Maggie Brown’s 455 Myrtle Ave (718) 643-7001
Liberty Pizza 482 Myrtle Ave (718) 789-0600
Mike’s Dinner 328 Dekalb Ave (718) 857-1462
Little Louie’s 154 Adelphi St (718) 797-5280
Pillow Cafe 505 Myrtle Ave (718) 246-2711
Luigi’s Pizza 326 Dekalb (718) 783-2430
Dekalb Grocery 322 Dekalb Ave (718) 783-3253
WHERE 90% said they mainly get their food from the cafeteria 8% cook for themselves 2% go to restaurants HOW MUCH 50% spend over $100 a week in the cafeteria Survey says.... While the interview with Mr. Jones pro- 30% over $50 a week vided good insight into the intentions of 20% over $20 a week CulinArt, I still wanted to see how students felt about campus food using this survey in AND... which 248 students answered my questions 99.9% of the students think about the food they eat, where they get it and the Cafeteria and PI shop how much they spend. These are the results: are too expensive
Drinks Coffee Tea Hot Coco Soda
Cafeteria
Choice
Grocery
Pillowcafe
Mike’s
$1.20 $1.09 $1.31 $1.25
$2.50 $1.50 $2.50 $1.50
$1.00 $1.00 $1.00
$2.25 $2.25 $3.50 $2.00
$0.80 $1.00 $1.25 -
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 13
Ianbegan my quest for cheaper eating with interview with Ron Jones, who works for
The Price is Right
In my final test of finding the cheapest
CulinArt and is the director of the cafeteria and the PI shop. Jones has been working with Pratt for nearly a decade and if anyone knows something about Pratt’s food pricing it’s him:
options for students’ diets I went to many neighborhood restaurants, cafes and grocery stores around campus to compare their food prices to CulinArt’s. I spoke with the owner of a Dekalb grocery store and he had this to say: “Everything is so much cheaper at my store. I charge 30 to 70 cents less per drink at my store [as opposed to Pratt’s drinks]. I want to sell more using cheaper prices to make money.” At his store, a canned soda is a dollar when it costs $1.25 at the Pratt cafeteria. This is just one example of lower costs students could be spending. Look through my comparisons to see what else you could be saving money on.
Q: Students seem to think that Pratt’s food is overpriced and more so now than ever before. Did the cost of food really go up? Mr. Jones: No, the prices didn’t go up over the last couple years. What exactly does CulinArt do for Pratt? CulinArt is the company that runs the cafeteria and the PI shop. We’ve helped Pratt to physically build a better cafeteria through renovation and maintenance. Now it looks cleaner and nicer. Pratt cafeteria used to look very bad until we renovated it. It was a mess. Cont. page 17
Restaurants Choice Market 318 Lafayette (718) 230-5214
Maggie Brown’s 455 Myrtle Ave (718) 643-7001
Liberty Pizza 482 Myrtle Ave (718) 789-0600
Mike’s Dinner 328 Dekalb Ave (718) 857-1462
Little Louie’s 154 Adelphi St (718) 797-5280
Pillow Cafe 505 Myrtle Ave (718) 246-2711
Luigi’s Pizza 326 Dekalb (718) 783-2430
Dekalb Grocery 322 Dekalb Ave (718) 783-3253
WHERE 90% said they mainly get their food from the cafeteria 8% cook for themselves 2% go to restaurants HOW MUCH 50% spend over $100 a week in the cafeteria Survey says.... While the interview with Mr. Jones pro- 30% over $50 a week vided good insight into the intentions of 20% over $20 a week CulinArt, I still wanted to see how students felt about campus food using this survey in AND... which 248 students answered my questions 99.9% of the students think about the food they eat, where they get it and the Cafeteria and PI shop how much they spend. These are the results: are too expensive
Drinks Coffee Tea Hot Coco Soda
Cafeteria
Choice
Grocery
Pillowcafe
Mike’s
$1.20 $1.09 $1.31 $1.25
$2.50 $1.50 $2.50 $1.50
$1.00 $1.00 $1.00
$2.25 $2.25 $3.50 $2.00
$0.80 $1.00 $1.25 -
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 13
Out of 248 Pratt students surveyed, the majority were cafateria goers, spent way too much money on groceries per week, thought Culinart’s prices were unbelievably high, and burned through meal plans as a result.
What does CulinArt do to directly benefit students? We do a lot of things. We have a student committee, called the Dinning Committee which helps us to focus on [students’] opinions. The community is run by the Residential Life office and we meet once every week. We also do a lot of research for the students. For example, when there are holidays that international students recognize we celebrate the day for students by cooking their food. We recently offered free Korean barbeque on campus for the Korean New Year celebration. So did CulinArt pay for the Korean barbeque? The international office provided funds for
Tuna Turkey Chicken Vegetarian Sausage Pepperoni White Chicken
Pizza
Cafeteria
Luigi’s
Liberty
Little Louie’s
$3.50 $3.50 $4.95 $4.95
$3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00
$3.00 $3.00 $3.00
$3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $4.00
the barbeque and we went to Asian restaurants to inspire the menu. Why do you think students should eat at Pratt? We don’t charge taxes when you have a mealplan. We always have fresh food and a very nice staff. We try to keep the prices down. We do research for better food for students because we are here for students. However, we do need more students to participate in the Dinning Committee. That is the only way we can hear students’ voices. Other than that, we are considering having reusable-plastic boxes for the cafeteria to cut down the prices on the current plastic boxes and to make the food taste better.
Cafeteria
Mike’s
Choice
Pillow
$6.95 $6.95 $5.50 $3.50
$4.50 $6.00 $5.50 -
$4.00 $5.50 -
$7.50 $7.95 $5.50 $7.90
Sandwichs
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 15
Out of 248 Pratt students surveyed, the majority were cafateria goers, spent way too much money on groceries per week, thought Culinart’s prices were unbelievably high, and burned through meal plans as a result.
What does CulinArt do to directly benefit students? We do a lot of things. We have a student committee, called the Dinning Committee which helps us to focus on [students’] opinions. The community is run by the Residential Life office and we meet once every week. We also do a lot of research for the students. For example, when there are holidays that international students recognize we celebrate the day for students by cooking their food. We recently offered free Korean barbeque on campus for the Korean New Year celebration. So did CulinArt pay for the Korean barbeque? The international office provided funds for
Tuna Turkey Chicken Vegetarian Sausage Pepperoni White Chicken
Pizza
Cafeteria
Luigi’s
Liberty
Little Louie’s
$3.50 $3.50 $4.95 $4.95
$3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00
$3.00 $3.00 $3.00
$3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $4.00
the barbeque and we went to Asian restaurants to inspire the menu. Why do you think students should eat at Pratt? We don’t charge taxes when you have a mealplan. We always have fresh food and a very nice staff. We try to keep the prices down. We do research for better food for students because we are here for students. However, we do need more students to participate in the Dinning Committee. That is the only way we can hear students’ voices. Other than that, we are considering having reusable-plastic boxes for the cafeteria to cut down the prices on the current plastic boxes and to make the food taste better.
Cafeteria
Mike’s
Choice
Pillow
$6.95 $6.95 $5.50 $3.50
$4.50 $6.00 $5.50 -
$4.00 $5.50 -
$7.50 $7.95 $5.50 $7.90
Sandwichs
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 15
I Qualify for Food Stamps
(and so can you)
by Harriet Harris
Photographs curtesy of the Library of Congress and Harriet Harris 1 6 | T H E P R AT T L E R
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 17
I Qualify for Food Stamps
(and so can you)
by Harriet Harris
Photographs curtesy of the Library of Congress and Harriet Harris 1 6 | T H E P R AT T L E R
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 17
W hen the elevator opened to the 5th floor of Brooklyn’s Food Stamp Center on Dekalb all I could see were people waiting. There were about 36 people sitting in chairs to the right of the front desk, a security guard, and to the left, approximately 60 people wrapped around the interior of the building waiting. I waited in line for 10 minutes before being put into another line for 20 minutes. Eventually I sat down with a woman who promptly asked for my social security number. I showed her I had filled out the application, but she wouldn’t take it. She then asked for my address and employment status and typed the information into her program. I was quickly ushered over to the 36 chairs of people to wait again, indefinitely, for my name to be called. The irony of this was pointed out to me immediately; Why would someone voluntarily paying nearly $50,000 in college tuition need government assistance to afford food? Even more curious, most people in college likely qualify for food stamps and don’t even know it. How can this be? 1 8 | T H E P R AT T L E R
In my case, I am a full-time student work- student who had applied for food stamps and ing 16 hours a week and living off-campus. qualified so I decided to look into it. Food My parents cannot afford to give me any stamps are no longer the orange and blue financial aid and do not have good enough paper stamps they were in 1939. Starting in credit to co-sign anything. My tuition comes 1984, the Electronic Benefit Transfer system from three places: grants & scholarships, put into effect a type of food stamp debit card government loans and private loans. Since that uses a four-digit PIN number. The food the economy crashed, however, banks are re- stamp program is now called SNAP, an acroluctant to give out loans, even student loans. nym for “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance If the applicant asks for more money than Program.” what their tuition (minus grants and scholar- Eligibility for food stamps is determined ships, plus government loans) equals, they are by household size, income, “resources” as likely to get denied. To increase the probabil- they call it, and household expenses, such as ity of getting approved for the private loan rent and medical. There is a website called (especially for someone like me who has no “Access NYC” where the applicant can type adult co-signer), the requested amount has to in their information and be screened, anonyadd up with other financial aid to equal the mously if desired, to see if they qualify. If tuition cost, and nothing more. As a result, so, the next step is to apply directly at a local all of the money I make at my job goes di- food stamp center. rectly to rent, forcing me All of the money I make to disregard textbooks and food entirely. goes directly to rent, forcing me to disregard textbooks
Apply! Apply! Apply!
I was told about a fellow
and food entirely
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 19
W hen the elevator opened to the 5th floor of Brooklyn’s Food Stamp Center on Dekalb all I could see were people waiting. There were about 36 people sitting in chairs to the right of the front desk, a security guard, and to the left, approximately 60 people wrapped around the interior of the building waiting. I waited in line for 10 minutes before being put into another line for 20 minutes. Eventually I sat down with a woman who promptly asked for my social security number. I showed her I had filled out the application, but she wouldn’t take it. She then asked for my address and employment status and typed the information into her program. I was quickly ushered over to the 36 chairs of people to wait again, indefinitely, for my name to be called. The irony of this was pointed out to me immediately; Why would someone voluntarily paying nearly $50,000 in college tuition need government assistance to afford food? Even more curious, most people in college likely qualify for food stamps and don’t even know it. How can this be? 1 8 | T H E P R AT T L E R
In my case, I am a full-time student work- student who had applied for food stamps and ing 16 hours a week and living off-campus. qualified so I decided to look into it. Food My parents cannot afford to give me any stamps are no longer the orange and blue financial aid and do not have good enough paper stamps they were in 1939. Starting in credit to co-sign anything. My tuition comes 1984, the Electronic Benefit Transfer system from three places: grants & scholarships, put into effect a type of food stamp debit card government loans and private loans. Since that uses a four-digit PIN number. The food the economy crashed, however, banks are re- stamp program is now called SNAP, an acroluctant to give out loans, even student loans. nym for “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance If the applicant asks for more money than Program.” what their tuition (minus grants and scholar- Eligibility for food stamps is determined ships, plus government loans) equals, they are by household size, income, “resources” as likely to get denied. To increase the probabil- they call it, and household expenses, such as ity of getting approved for the private loan rent and medical. There is a website called (especially for someone like me who has no “Access NYC” where the applicant can type adult co-signer), the requested amount has to in their information and be screened, anonyadd up with other financial aid to equal the mously if desired, to see if they qualify. If tuition cost, and nothing more. As a result, so, the next step is to apply directly at a local all of the money I make at my job goes di- food stamp center. rectly to rent, forcing me All of the money I make to disregard textbooks and food entirely. goes directly to rent, forcing me to disregard textbooks
Apply! Apply! Apply!
I was told about a fellow
and food entirely
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 19
An application is available online to print, or at the center to fill out (not recommended). Make sure you have all necessary documents: proof of identity, proof of residence, proof of income and proof of citizenship. No documentation is actually necessary to apply, but eventually you’ll have to prove that the information given is true. If some of these documents are missing, the staff should help you obtain them (also not recommended). I waited an hour and a half before deciding it would be better to mail in my application. A week later I got a response in the mail telling me my interview time was at 3:15pm. I went back to the center at three
o’clock on the designated day and showed the letter to the front desk feeling triumphant that I had beaten the system. They told me appointment times don’t mean anything and shooed me back into that long line that wrapped around the hallway. It was unavoidable. I finally spoke to someone three hours later, at six o’clock. The center officially closes at five, but they regularly stay open late to get through this line. In total, the meeting took 30 minutes, including the time it took to get fingerprinted and photographed on the 2nd floor. I was missing my birth certificate and although I was approved for the SNAP program, I had go back before the end of
Food stamps are paid for by your tax dollars October and wait in that bloody line again to prove my citizenship. My advice is to have all the documents needed. Don’t even bother going if you don’t have them all because you’re only going to have to go back. Mail the first application and wait in that line for the interview only once. According to an interactive feature by The New York Times in November 2009,
can’t buy. Excluded items include: hot foods, food meant to be eaten in the grocery store, pet food, alcohol, tobacco, cleaning supplies, paper products, vitamins and supplements, medicine and live animals. Currently soda is the topic of debate as Mayor Bloomberg pushes the federal government to exclude that as well. Food stamps are paid for by your tax dollars. Applying for and/or being on food On the rise... stamps does not affect your credit. I encourBrooklyn’s food stamp usage has gone up 33% age everyone to apply and get some of your since 2007. Articles are now dotting the inter- money back from the government. Only an net with titles like, “Universities encourage outdated point of view considers food stamps students to enroll in food stamp program,” a negative stigma. Be smart; milk the system “No Trust Fund? Try Food Stamps,” and for everything you can get. “The Latest in College Financial Aid: Food Stamps.” This is a wide-spread phenomenon For more information visit www.otda.state.ny.us or occurring all across America, not just in www.foodstampshelp.org New York. So, what exactly can you buy with food stamps? Well, it’s easier to tell you what you
2 0 | T H E P R AT T L E R
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 21
An application is available online to print, or at the center to fill out (not recommended). Make sure you have all necessary documents: proof of identity, proof of residence, proof of income and proof of citizenship. No documentation is actually necessary to apply, but eventually you’ll have to prove that the information given is true. If some of these documents are missing, the staff should help you obtain them (also not recommended). I waited an hour and a half before deciding it would be better to mail in my application. A week later I got a response in the mail telling me my interview time was at 3:15pm. I went back to the center at three
o’clock on the designated day and showed the letter to the front desk feeling triumphant that I had beaten the system. They told me appointment times don’t mean anything and shooed me back into that long line that wrapped around the hallway. It was unavoidable. I finally spoke to someone three hours later, at six o’clock. The center officially closes at five, but they regularly stay open late to get through this line. In total, the meeting took 30 minutes, including the time it took to get fingerprinted and photographed on the 2nd floor. I was missing my birth certificate and although I was approved for the SNAP program, I had go back before the end of
Food stamps are paid for by your tax dollars October and wait in that bloody line again to prove my citizenship. My advice is to have all the documents needed. Don’t even bother going if you don’t have them all because you’re only going to have to go back. Mail the first application and wait in that line for the interview only once. According to an interactive feature by The New York Times in November 2009,
can’t buy. Excluded items include: hot foods, food meant to be eaten in the grocery store, pet food, alcohol, tobacco, cleaning supplies, paper products, vitamins and supplements, medicine and live animals. Currently soda is the topic of debate as Mayor Bloomberg pushes the federal government to exclude that as well. Food stamps are paid for by your tax dollars. Applying for and/or being on food On the rise... stamps does not affect your credit. I encourBrooklyn’s food stamp usage has gone up 33% age everyone to apply and get some of your since 2007. Articles are now dotting the inter- money back from the government. Only an net with titles like, “Universities encourage outdated point of view considers food stamps students to enroll in food stamp program,” a negative stigma. Be smart; milk the system “No Trust Fund? Try Food Stamps,” and for everything you can get. “The Latest in College Financial Aid: Food Stamps.” This is a wide-spread phenomenon For more information visit www.otda.state.ny.us or occurring all across America, not just in www.foodstampshelp.org New York. So, what exactly can you buy with food stamps? Well, it’s easier to tell you what you
2 0 | T H E P R AT T L E R
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 21
article and illustration by Sophie Johnson
Fdaysor those of us far from our families, birthmean simply a brightly colored envelope
Jane decided to try an experiment, “I re-inserted the cards into the envelopes and noticed that, if shaken, one could see the contents of the card through the tear in the envelope. I would not have found [the tears] suspicious if it were the first time. However, when I lived on-campus my freshman and junior years, I had multiple cards with cash go missing. I lived off-campus my sophomore year, in the same zip code/with the same servicing Post Office, and received all cards that were sent to me.The only conclusion I can draw is that someone in the Mail Room is tampering with incoming mail.” The thought that someone from Pratt could be responsible is pretty shocking, but seems to make sense.
with a card and couple bucks tucked inside. Sentimentalism gives way to convenience and practicality during our college years. Besides, cash is the gift that always comes in the right size and color. When Jane’s* birthday greetings started to trickle in, she was expecting two specific cards: one from her mother and one from her uncle, both containing $20 bills. When the cards didn’t arrive, she didn’t think too much of it. “I chalked this up to Postal Service error, but then I examined the envelopes. All of the cards I received had identical tears in the lower left hand corner. I would attribute this to a Postal Service error again, but then realized I had not actually received a single card Who Dunnit? containing cash. They all had checks in them.” If Jane’s suspicions are true, they could have serious consequences. Mail tampering All of the cards I received is a federal offense that can result in not only fines, but up to six months of jail time. Mail had identical tears in the theft, a more serious offense, carries a senlower left hand corner tence of up to five years in prison. 2 2 | T H E P R AT T L E R
“I think it’s terrible. This is such a small school. If it’s one of the student workers, for example, they’re stealing from their friends and classmates.” A friend of Jane’s added, “[The scheme] is pretty smart. I mean, none of my relativvves tell me when they’re sending me anything, so if a letter goes missing here or there how would I ever know? I guess [Jane’s] mom’s slightly obsessive personality really paid off.” After Jane noticed the torn envelopes she promptly contacted Residential Life. Christopher Kasik, Director of Res Life and Housing, responded the next day: “Your situation concerns me greatly. I will speak with both our security staff and the division head overseeing the mailroom. I sincerely hope, as I am sure you do, that our staff at Pratt have nothing to do with this.” Other students have had similar problems with their mail. Harris Hine said “I’ve had cash go missing and Mail tampering some of my envelopes have been is a federal offense opened” Sarah Ratinetz also said, “My room mates got me a subscription to Nylon for my birthday but I never got any of the issues.” After a meeting with security, Jane was introduced to the possibility that the tears on her envelopes were the result of a sorting machine. She was also told that mail room security footage showed no evidence of suspicious activity. As of October 27th, William Schmitz, director of Pratt Security, stated, “The investigation is on-going, currently there is no evidence implicating Pratt staff and we will be meeting with Postal officials later this week.” Whether or not someone from the Pratt staff is involved is unclear, it seems beyond coincidence that more than one student has experienced issues receiving their mail. One can only hope that Pratt will be able to solve the mail room mystery soon. If you live on campus and have noticed missing or damaged mail be sure to contact: Chris Kasik Director of Residential Life and Housing ckasik@pratt.edu, (718) 399-4551
*name has been changed THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 23
article and illustration by Sophie Johnson
Fdaysor those of us far from our families, birthmean simply a brightly colored envelope
Jane decided to try an experiment, “I re-inserted the cards into the envelopes and noticed that, if shaken, one could see the contents of the card through the tear in the envelope. I would not have found [the tears] suspicious if it were the first time. However, when I lived on-campus my freshman and junior years, I had multiple cards with cash go missing. I lived off-campus my sophomore year, in the same zip code/with the same servicing Post Office, and received all cards that were sent to me.The only conclusion I can draw is that someone in the Mail Room is tampering with incoming mail.” The thought that someone from Pratt could be responsible is pretty shocking, but seems to make sense.
with a card and couple bucks tucked inside. Sentimentalism gives way to convenience and practicality during our college years. Besides, cash is the gift that always comes in the right size and color. When Jane’s* birthday greetings started to trickle in, she was expecting two specific cards: one from her mother and one from her uncle, both containing $20 bills. When the cards didn’t arrive, she didn’t think too much of it. “I chalked this up to Postal Service error, but then I examined the envelopes. All of the cards I received had identical tears in the lower left hand corner. I would attribute this to a Postal Service error again, but then realized I had not actually received a single card Who Dunnit? containing cash. They all had checks in them.” If Jane’s suspicions are true, they could have serious consequences. Mail tampering All of the cards I received is a federal offense that can result in not only fines, but up to six months of jail time. Mail had identical tears in the theft, a more serious offense, carries a senlower left hand corner tence of up to five years in prison. 2 2 | T H E P R AT T L E R
“I think it’s terrible. This is such a small school. If it’s one of the student workers, for example, they’re stealing from their friends and classmates.” A friend of Jane’s added, “[The scheme] is pretty smart. I mean, none of my relativvves tell me when they’re sending me anything, so if a letter goes missing here or there how would I ever know? I guess [Jane’s] mom’s slightly obsessive personality really paid off.” After Jane noticed the torn envelopes she promptly contacted Residential Life. Christopher Kasik, Director of Res Life and Housing, responded the next day: “Your situation concerns me greatly. I will speak with both our security staff and the division head overseeing the mailroom. I sincerely hope, as I am sure you do, that our staff at Pratt have nothing to do with this.” Other students have had similar problems with their mail. Harris Hine said “I’ve had cash go missing and Mail tampering some of my envelopes have been is a federal offense opened” Sarah Ratinetz also said, “My room mates got me a subscription to Nylon for my birthday but I never got any of the issues.” After a meeting with security, Jane was introduced to the possibility that the tears on her envelopes were the result of a sorting machine. She was also told that mail room security footage showed no evidence of suspicious activity. As of October 27th, William Schmitz, director of Pratt Security, stated, “The investigation is on-going, currently there is no evidence implicating Pratt staff and we will be meeting with Postal officials later this week.” Whether or not someone from the Pratt staff is involved is unclear, it seems beyond coincidence that more than one student has experienced issues receiving their mail. One can only hope that Pratt will be able to solve the mail room mystery soon. If you live on campus and have noticed missing or damaged mail be sure to contact: Chris Kasik Director of Residential Life and Housing ckasik@pratt.edu, (718) 399-4551
*name has been changed THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 23
CHEAP LABOR! a look into the exploitations of internships by Nadia Mohamed
R ecently I went to talk with Laura Keegan, the Internship Program Manager in Career Services. She had some very interesting things to tell me about how students are taken advantage of through their internships and how she is working to get students informed. In the 1930’s the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) was instated. Laura told me “part of this act defines what constitutes an intern and six steps an employer must take to ensure an appropriate intern-employer relationship so that interns did not take the roll of a full-time employee and the employer fulfilled the roll of a teacher.” Within a lot of creative industries (communication design, fashion design, etc.) unpaid internship are heavily relied on and expected.
Companies find it more economical to hire interns as replacements for full-time employees Though, whether it is perceived as right or wrong depends on the field the intern is in. Historical Preservation, Writing and Fashion Design students are all required to hold internships as part of their required credits to graduate. Throughout these industries, it is both appropriate and acceptable for an internship to offer an intern no compensation for their work. Since it becomes so expected not to pay 2 4 | T H E P R AT T L E R
interns, companies find it easier and more economical to hire interns as replacements for full-time employees, which is illegal under the FLSA. The FLSA puts “internship” in the context of a learning experience. Though it sets rules and regulations regarding internships, there isn’t much of a way to check if a business is following protocol. Which is why there is a cry to update the labor laws so that the academia has a larger roll in the internship process to make sure students are treated fairly and are learning from their experience. Laura brought to my attention something I never even considered: “Unpaid internships for summer credit have begun to separate students by class.” Since students usually aren’t taking classes full time during the summer, they don’t have student loan coverage for the credits they are taking. “A lot of high profile firms, companies and organizations that are for-profit are requiring students to receive academic credit to participate in an internship in order to comply with the FLSA and not pay interns.” That means that the students that can afford these credits are able to get the extra experience interning during the summer. Also, since the internships are unpaid they take up valuable time for students that cannot afford to work without pay. “Students who can work at an internship with no compensation get a leg up in their field in comparison to those students that must work to support themselves through college.”
Laura was recently hired as Pratt’s Intern ship Prog ram Manager and has been working hard to infor m and educated students, employers and faculty about the inner workings of internships and to try to alleviate the stress and issue of money. “Getting an internship through Pratt has more perks than you would think,” Laura emphasized. Credited internships become a great bargaining chip. It allows you to learn what you want to be learning about and set and organize your goals with Pratt there as kind of a big brother to keep your employer
Laura is trying to get more students to utilize Career Services. It’s a great resource that I feel is one of the few departments outside the majors that are really trying to do good by the students, rather than just going through the motions like so many offices here at Pratt. In addition to being great counselors, everyone in the office is a working artist and is well versed in legalities. Laura stressed to take advantage of this and to just stop by the office to check and make sure you’re getting as much out of your internship as you can. She has also updated the Pratt website
in check and to make sure that your goals are met. Laura told me that she fears for students with unpaid internships for no credit. “I am afraid that students will be tricked into signing contracts and doing work for the companies they intern with and that the company will make money off it, but the student will have no rights to the work they’ve done.” Companies take advantage of a student’s enthusiasm to be working in their industry. Students will often skip through the necessary steps one should consider when getting an internship just to get in and be able to put it on their resume.
and is now working to rebrand the internship program by making a student handbook for interns that puts all the information you need in one place. On Tuesdays from 12-2 pm Laura accepts walk-ins and hopes to organize this time slot as a kind of workshop for students with internship, or wishing to find one, to be able to talk about their experiences and get tips and guidance from the counselors and other students. Above all, Laura says that if the students’ mentality doesn’t change the employer’s’ attitude won’t change either. THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 25
CHEAP LABOR! a look into the exploitations of internships by Nadia Mohamed
R ecently I went to talk with Laura Keegan, the Internship Program Manager in Career Services. She had some very interesting things to tell me about how students are taken advantage of through their internships and how she is working to get students informed. In the 1930’s the FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) was instated. Laura told me “part of this act defines what constitutes an intern and six steps an employer must take to ensure an appropriate intern-employer relationship so that interns did not take the roll of a full-time employee and the employer fulfilled the roll of a teacher.” Within a lot of creative industries (communication design, fashion design, etc.) unpaid internship are heavily relied on and expected.
Companies find it more economical to hire interns as replacements for full-time employees Though, whether it is perceived as right or wrong depends on the field the intern is in. Historical Preservation, Writing and Fashion Design students are all required to hold internships as part of their required credits to graduate. Throughout these industries, it is both appropriate and acceptable for an internship to offer an intern no compensation for their work. Since it becomes so expected not to pay 2 4 | T H E P R AT T L E R
interns, companies find it easier and more economical to hire interns as replacements for full-time employees, which is illegal under the FLSA. The FLSA puts “internship” in the context of a learning experience. Though it sets rules and regulations regarding internships, there isn’t much of a way to check if a business is following protocol. Which is why there is a cry to update the labor laws so that the academia has a larger roll in the internship process to make sure students are treated fairly and are learning from their experience. Laura brought to my attention something I never even considered: “Unpaid internships for summer credit have begun to separate students by class.” Since students usually aren’t taking classes full time during the summer, they don’t have student loan coverage for the credits they are taking. “A lot of high profile firms, companies and organizations that are for-profit are requiring students to receive academic credit to participate in an internship in order to comply with the FLSA and not pay interns.” That means that the students that can afford these credits are able to get the extra experience interning during the summer. Also, since the internships are unpaid they take up valuable time for students that cannot afford to work without pay. “Students who can work at an internship with no compensation get a leg up in their field in comparison to those students that must work to support themselves through college.”
Laura was recently hired as Pratt’s Intern ship Prog ram Manager and has been working hard to infor m and educated students, employers and faculty about the inner workings of internships and to try to alleviate the stress and issue of money. “Getting an internship through Pratt has more perks than you would think,” Laura emphasized. Credited internships become a great bargaining chip. It allows you to learn what you want to be learning about and set and organize your goals with Pratt there as kind of a big brother to keep your employer
Laura is trying to get more students to utilize Career Services. It’s a great resource that I feel is one of the few departments outside the majors that are really trying to do good by the students, rather than just going through the motions like so many offices here at Pratt. In addition to being great counselors, everyone in the office is a working artist and is well versed in legalities. Laura stressed to take advantage of this and to just stop by the office to check and make sure you’re getting as much out of your internship as you can. She has also updated the Pratt website
in check and to make sure that your goals are met. Laura told me that she fears for students with unpaid internships for no credit. “I am afraid that students will be tricked into signing contracts and doing work for the companies they intern with and that the company will make money off it, but the student will have no rights to the work they’ve done.” Companies take advantage of a student’s enthusiasm to be working in their industry. Students will often skip through the necessary steps one should consider when getting an internship just to get in and be able to put it on their resume.
and is now working to rebrand the internship program by making a student handbook for interns that puts all the information you need in one place. On Tuesdays from 12-2 pm Laura accepts walk-ins and hopes to organize this time slot as a kind of workshop for students with internship, or wishing to find one, to be able to talk about their experiences and get tips and guidance from the counselors and other students. Above all, Laura says that if the students’ mentality doesn’t change the employer’s’ attitude won’t change either. THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 25
6. camel
leop
ard
2. structured bags 1.
ace s
ts
a
ari
it util
oo nb
1. uniqlo $49.90, 2. zara $29.90, 3. urban outfitters $28.00, 4. urbanoutfitters $168.00,
8.
dan t ne ckl
3.
7. caplets ‘70’s inspired denim
4.
black lace
5.
pen
Chic for Cheap
eight fall trends that won’t leave you eating ramen by Sarah Ratinetz
5. topshop $80.00, 6. uniqlo $79.90, 7. forever21 $10.80, 8. urbanoutfitters $34.00 THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 27
6. camel
leop
ard
2. structured bags 1.
ace s
ts
a
ari
it util
oo nb
1. uniqlo $49.90, 2. zara $29.90, 3. urban outfitters $28.00, 4. urbanoutfitters $168.00,
8.
dan t ne ckl
3.
7. caplets ‘70’s inspired denim
4.
black lace
5.
pen
Chic for Cheap
eight fall trends that won’t leave you eating ramen by Sarah Ratinetz
5. topshop $80.00, 6. uniqlo $79.90, 7. forever21 $10.80, 8. urbanoutfitters $34.00 THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 27
FOOD
CHEAP EATS
food review by Harris Hine, illustration by Katy Filarski
E veryone likes going out into the city for dinner, but the fact of the matter is that not everyone can afford to. This usually leaves us with three options: we can go out and scour the menu for the cheapest item, stay at home, or end up spending money we don’t have. To be honest, none of these are fun. So, what if there was a fourth option? What if there was a way for us to go out to unique places with great food, lots of beer and not break the bank? Well if you are stubborn about going to Manhattan you are out of luck, but the wonderful thing about this city is that there is more then just Manhattan—here are three places in good old Brooklyn that are cheap, fun and delicious. First off, and straight to business is Korzo; an Eastern European bar and restaurant located on Fifth Ave. While absolutely delicious, it would be a lie to say the food at Korzo is a bargain, but the beer is a different story. Every night after ten, Korzo offers every beer at ten dollars a pitcher, and we are not talking PBR or Bud either. Korzo imports only the best beers from Eastern Europe and cuts the prices by more than half when the clock strikes ten. What’s more, Korzo is not some dirty bar full of creeps and cockroaches. It is in fact a nice place to sit with friends and drink the night away. The staff, is friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and more than willing to break down the different beers so you know what you are getting. All in all, if you are passionate about beer, poor and looking for a fun place to go, or just sick of forking over cash to some hipster in Williamsburg, Korzo is worth checking out.
2 8 | T H E P R AT T L E R
The next place is nothing new, but still worth talking about. The Red Hook Ball Fields are located near Ikea which makes them not that close, but still extremely easy to get to. You can even take the free Ikea busses if you don’t feel like walking. Historically, the Red Hook Ball Fields have been the place to go for cheap Dominican, Mexican, El Salvadorian, and Guatemalan street food, but recently, the area’s fame has gotten out of hand. The hip and the wealthy from all over migrate to the Ball Fields looking for a “cultural experience,” and quite frankly have almost ruined the place. Still, if you can get past the fact that the prices are on the rise and you often have to wait in line, the Ball Fields make for a great place to get a cheap lunch on a nice day. The third place is personally one of my favorite places to eat in all of New York. Tacos Xochimilco is a small Mexican restaurant on fifth ave in Sunset Park. With tacos starting at 99 cents Tacos Xochimilco is the definition of cheap and delicious. I have been eating there for three years, and the wait staff is very friendly and always make me feel welcome, although you may have to order in Spanish. While I really like Tacos Xochimilco, but I do have to say that Sunset Park is really what’s worth talking about. Fifth Ave. between 39th and 53rd street is packed full of amazing restaurants, cool stores and great bakeries. Almost all of the food there is cheap, and while I can’t vouch for everything, I can say that I have had far fewer bad experiences there then good. It is also a great place to walk around and explore.
Red Hook Ball Fields Clinton St and Bay St, Brooklyn G to Smith St. $5-10 per person ***
Korzo 667 5th Ave, Brooklyn N/R to 25th st $10 pitchers of beer ***
Tacos Xochimilco 5th Ave and 45th St, Brooklyn N/R to 45th st $2-10 per person ****
FOOD
CHEAP EATS
food review by Harris Hine, illustration by Katy Filarski
E veryone likes going out into the city for dinner, but the fact of the matter is that not everyone can afford to. This usually leaves us with three options: we can go out and scour the menu for the cheapest item, stay at home, or end up spending money we don’t have. To be honest, none of these are fun. So, what if there was a fourth option? What if there was a way for us to go out to unique places with great food, lots of beer and not break the bank? Well if you are stubborn about going to Manhattan you are out of luck, but the wonderful thing about this city is that there is more then just Manhattan—here are three places in good old Brooklyn that are cheap, fun and delicious. First off, and straight to business is Korzo; an Eastern European bar and restaurant located on Fifth Ave. While absolutely delicious, it would be a lie to say the food at Korzo is a bargain, but the beer is a different story. Every night after ten, Korzo offers every beer at ten dollars a pitcher, and we are not talking PBR or Bud either. Korzo imports only the best beers from Eastern Europe and cuts the prices by more than half when the clock strikes ten. What’s more, Korzo is not some dirty bar full of creeps and cockroaches. It is in fact a nice place to sit with friends and drink the night away. The staff, is friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and more than willing to break down the different beers so you know what you are getting. All in all, if you are passionate about beer, poor and looking for a fun place to go, or just sick of forking over cash to some hipster in Williamsburg, Korzo is worth checking out.
2 8 | T H E P R AT T L E R
The next place is nothing new, but still worth talking about. The Red Hook Ball Fields are located near Ikea which makes them not that close, but still extremely easy to get to. You can even take the free Ikea busses if you don’t feel like walking. Historically, the Red Hook Ball Fields have been the place to go for cheap Dominican, Mexican, El Salvadorian, and Guatemalan street food, but recently, the area’s fame has gotten out of hand. The hip and the wealthy from all over migrate to the Ball Fields looking for a “cultural experience,” and quite frankly have almost ruined the place. Still, if you can get past the fact that the prices are on the rise and you often have to wait in line, the Ball Fields make for a great place to get a cheap lunch on a nice day. The third place is personally one of my favorite places to eat in all of New York. Tacos Xochimilco is a small Mexican restaurant on fifth ave in Sunset Park. With tacos starting at 99 cents Tacos Xochimilco is the definition of cheap and delicious. I have been eating there for three years, and the wait staff is very friendly and always make me feel welcome, although you may have to order in Spanish. While I really like Tacos Xochimilco, but I do have to say that Sunset Park is really what’s worth talking about. Fifth Ave. between 39th and 53rd street is packed full of amazing restaurants, cool stores and great bakeries. Almost all of the food there is cheap, and while I can’t vouch for everything, I can say that I have had far fewer bad experiences there then good. It is also a great place to walk around and explore.
Red Hook Ball Fields Clinton St and Bay St, Brooklyn G to Smith St. $5-10 per person ***
Korzo 667 5th Ave, Brooklyn N/R to 25th st $10 pitchers of beer ***
Tacos Xochimilco 5th Ave and 45th St, Brooklyn N/R to 45th st $2-10 per person ****
ART
ABEX Chief, Franz Kline, 1950
a review of the latest exhibit at MoMA by Sarah Ratintez
Isearch n 1949, a group of New York City artists in of a place to converse and create freely rented a small loft on 8th street. They called it “The Club.” Linked by their rejection of social realism and geometric abstraction, the Abstract Expressionists were born. The Museum of Modern Art was on hand for the birth of Abstract Expressionism being one of the first to collect works by Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. The Museum of Modern Art’s “Abstract Expressionist New York,” which opened October 3rd, houses over 25,000 square feet of Abstract Expressionist or “AbEx” works, all from the MoMA’s personal collection. The Abstract Expressionists’ post-World War II painting
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put New York City on the map as a capital for avant-garde art practices. “Abstract Expressionist New York” displays the true breadth of the movement. Ann Tempkin, the show’s curator does an excellent job melding the works of famed AbEx artists with the lesser known ones such as Richard Pousette-Dart, William Baziotes and Bradley Walker Tomlin. Spanning three floors the show is massive, using the 4th floor where the permanent collection is displayed as well as two smaller gallery spaces on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Experiencing the show from the 2nd floor up I began with “Ab Ex New York: Rock Paper Scissors” which displays AbEx drawings, prints and sculpture. The eclectic mixing of form with abstraction and famed artists with the lesser known ones makes this gallery full of different visual experiences. Not to be missed are the sculpted works by Isamu Noguchi and Louise Bourgeois. Careful you don’t miss Jackson Pollock’s “She-Wolf ” when you first walk in on your right. Jackson Pollock’s drawings are not to be missed and are a great way to experience the artist beyond what we learn about him in our art history courses. The next section of the show, located on the 3rd floor, “Ideas Not Theories: Artists and The Club, 1942-1962,” refers to the space in Greenwich Village that served as a location during the AbEx movement for dialogues between artists and innovators. The space held influential lectures, by writers, composers and architects. Their innovative ideas are embodied in the works presented in this section of the exhibit. My favorite pieces in this gallery were the framed compositions by modern composer John Cage. Although not a traditional artist, Cage was an influential artist in avant-garde music.
An intense visual dialogue, much like being in Betty Parson’s gallery in 1950 Upon approaching the 4th floor, I could understand the show’s subtitle “The Big Picture.” Each gallery was covered in large canvases, spanning the entire floor. Paintings that we’ve only seen slides of on a projector finally came to life. “Seeing Women I” by Willen de Kooning in the flesh was terrifying with her vicious mouth grinning down at me. The rearranging of the museum’s permanent collection floor was done with much thought. Devoting rooms to specific artists such as Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman, viewers are able to experience both a range in work over time as well as the ability to view works that have not been exhibited in many years. Galleries devoted to showing AbEx painters amongst their colleagues allows viewers to take place in an intense visual dialogue much like being in Betty Parson’s gallery in 1950. “Abstract Expressionist New York” is a comprehensive reflection of the movement. The show seemed daunting at times to get through, each gallery more engrossing than the next. Luckily for us Pratt students, admission to the MoMA is free. I suggest visiting more than once in order to fully spend time with each gallery. The show is on display until late April 2011.
also get free admission to these other great museums with your pratt card The Brooklyn Museum The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum The Frick Collection Museum of Arts and Design Whitney Museum of American Art MoMA PS1 THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 31
ART
ABEX Chief, Franz Kline, 1950
a review of the latest exhibit at MoMA by Sarah Ratintez
Isearch n 1949, a group of New York City artists in of a place to converse and create freely rented a small loft on 8th street. They called it “The Club.” Linked by their rejection of social realism and geometric abstraction, the Abstract Expressionists were born. The Museum of Modern Art was on hand for the birth of Abstract Expressionism being one of the first to collect works by Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. The Museum of Modern Art’s “Abstract Expressionist New York,” which opened October 3rd, houses over 25,000 square feet of Abstract Expressionist or “AbEx” works, all from the MoMA’s personal collection. The Abstract Expressionists’ post-World War II painting
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put New York City on the map as a capital for avant-garde art practices. “Abstract Expressionist New York” displays the true breadth of the movement. Ann Tempkin, the show’s curator does an excellent job melding the works of famed AbEx artists with the lesser known ones such as Richard Pousette-Dart, William Baziotes and Bradley Walker Tomlin. Spanning three floors the show is massive, using the 4th floor where the permanent collection is displayed as well as two smaller gallery spaces on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Experiencing the show from the 2nd floor up I began with “Ab Ex New York: Rock Paper Scissors” which displays AbEx drawings, prints and sculpture. The eclectic mixing of form with abstraction and famed artists with the lesser known ones makes this gallery full of different visual experiences. Not to be missed are the sculpted works by Isamu Noguchi and Louise Bourgeois. Careful you don’t miss Jackson Pollock’s “She-Wolf ” when you first walk in on your right. Jackson Pollock’s drawings are not to be missed and are a great way to experience the artist beyond what we learn about him in our art history courses. The next section of the show, located on the 3rd floor, “Ideas Not Theories: Artists and The Club, 1942-1962,” refers to the space in Greenwich Village that served as a location during the AbEx movement for dialogues between artists and innovators. The space held influential lectures, by writers, composers and architects. Their innovative ideas are embodied in the works presented in this section of the exhibit. My favorite pieces in this gallery were the framed compositions by modern composer John Cage. Although not a traditional artist, Cage was an influential artist in avant-garde music.
An intense visual dialogue, much like being in Betty Parson’s gallery in 1950 Upon approaching the 4th floor, I could understand the show’s subtitle “The Big Picture.” Each gallery was covered in large canvases, spanning the entire floor. Paintings that we’ve only seen slides of on a projector finally came to life. “Seeing Women I” by Willen de Kooning in the flesh was terrifying with her vicious mouth grinning down at me. The rearranging of the museum’s permanent collection floor was done with much thought. Devoting rooms to specific artists such as Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman, viewers are able to experience both a range in work over time as well as the ability to view works that have not been exhibited in many years. Galleries devoted to showing AbEx painters amongst their colleagues allows viewers to take place in an intense visual dialogue much like being in Betty Parson’s gallery in 1950. “Abstract Expressionist New York” is a comprehensive reflection of the movement. The show seemed daunting at times to get through, each gallery more engrossing than the next. Luckily for us Pratt students, admission to the MoMA is free. I suggest visiting more than once in order to fully spend time with each gallery. The show is on display until late April 2011.
also get free admission to these other great museums with your pratt card The Brooklyn Museum The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum The Frick Collection Museum of Arts and Design Whitney Museum of American Art MoMA PS1 THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 31
Leaving Pratt Inst.
Leaving New York
Witouttahjobb Marty Markowitz Borough President
Butiwannnastay
Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor
It’s located in the heart – well, maybe the
liver – of the Big Apple, The Media Center of the Universe, New York City – that’s one of the best things Pratt Institute has to offer to its students. But we all should bear in mind that after this 4-year college holiday, not many of us will be landing a job in NYC right out of school - or get to live on parental dollars for a couple more years, just to hang with the beautiful people in the city that never sleeps. Some of us are lucky that home is only a bridge or tunnel away. So if I, for example, can’t come close to finding a gig after graduation (this is all hypothetical by the way), I’ll
Marty Markowitz Borough President
Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor
article and illustrations by Joe Maruca move back to Long Island, where it might take a year on my parents’ couch before I become suicidal from watching too much Everybody Loves Raymond. But what about the kids who hail from Arkansas or Kansas? Four years at Pratt, surrounded by the Greatest City in the World must have some profound effect on you—maybe even get you thinking you’re a New Yorker. Are students really moving back home to Wyoming after Pratt? It may sound absurd, but it’s reality. A little research reveals that 80% of college grads moved back home after graduation in 2009. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Have something you think should go in The Prattler? Send ideas, photographs, pictures, drawings, illustratrations, and opinions to theprattler@gmail.com
EDITOR
Colleen Stufflebeem ART DIRECTOR
Crissy Fetcher
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Orlando Gondar Nadia Mohamed Celine Park Michael Ryterband Harriet Harris Sophie Johnson Sarah Ratinetz Harrison Hine-Ramsberger Joseph Maruca PRINTING BY
Nasco Printing
Welcome to Brooklyn
Leaving New York
Enjoitwhileucan
Goinbaktobumblfck
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SPECIAL THANKS
Michael Kelly Sean Kelly
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 33
Leaving Pratt Inst.
Leaving New York
Witouttahjobb Marty Markowitz Borough President
Butiwannnastay
Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor
It’s located in the heart – well, maybe the
liver – of the Big Apple, The Media Center of the Universe, New York City – that’s one of the best things Pratt Institute has to offer to its students. But we all should bear in mind that after this 4-year college holiday, not many of us will be landing a job in NYC right out of school - or get to live on parental dollars for a couple more years, just to hang with the beautiful people in the city that never sleeps. Some of us are lucky that home is only a bridge or tunnel away. So if I, for example, can’t come close to finding a gig after graduation (this is all hypothetical by the way), I’ll
Marty Markowitz Borough President
Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor
article and illustrations by Joe Maruca move back to Long Island, where it might take a year on my parents’ couch before I become suicidal from watching too much Everybody Loves Raymond. But what about the kids who hail from Arkansas or Kansas? Four years at Pratt, surrounded by the Greatest City in the World must have some profound effect on you—maybe even get you thinking you’re a New Yorker. Are students really moving back home to Wyoming after Pratt? It may sound absurd, but it’s reality. A little research reveals that 80% of college grads moved back home after graduation in 2009. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Have something you think should go in The Prattler? Send ideas, photographs, pictures, drawings, illustratrations, and opinions to theprattler@gmail.com
EDITOR
Colleen Stufflebeem ART DIRECTOR
Crissy Fetcher
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Orlando Gondar Nadia Mohamed Celine Park Michael Ryterband Harriet Harris Sophie Johnson Sarah Ratinetz Harrison Hine-Ramsberger Joseph Maruca PRINTING BY
Nasco Printing
Welcome to Brooklyn
Leaving New York
Enjoitwhileucan
Goinbaktobumblfck
3 2 | T H E P R AT T L E R
SPECIAL THANKS
Michael Kelly Sean Kelly
THE HARD TIMES ISSUE | 33
GOOD TIMES
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The Prattler