in! w BE ON
NOVEMBER 2015 | VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 4 | prioritygirlmagazine.com
OUR COVER! ALL ABOUT VINCENT VAN GOGH
EL NIÑO
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
BE WiSE LEARN HOW
HOW ADORABLE AM I?
plus
THANKSGIVING SHOPPING FASHION BEAUTY FITNESS SPORTS
E D IT O R ’S N O T E
Welcome to issue four of Priority Girl!
T
his month the magazine is jam-packed with all the things a Priority Girl needs to know! We have beauty tips, fashion ideas and a Black Friday shopping guide. Learn how to be the perfect dinner guest, or try making your own scrumptious pump-utella swirl loaf, with our Thanksgiving-inspired recipe. Find out why cycling is so good for you, and meet one of California’s brightest female sporting talents, San Diego Junior Bowler of the Year, Renee Gentry. If that’s not enough, we’ve got animals, puzzles, competitions, arts ‘n craft ideas, plus loads more! Thanks to all of you who have written in, sent photos or messaged us over the past few months. Every comment, letter, e-mail and attachment is read, looked at and discussed by the Priority Girl team, and we really appreciate your efforts. Message us on Facebook or Twitter - @Priority_Girl - and check out our website at www.prioritygirlmagazine.com for more cool Priority Girl tips, stories, and advice. Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful time this Thanksgiving. Jeremy Priority Girl editor
Cover Contest Would you like to be on our next cover? We believe a Priority Girl should have a positive attitude towards: – Academics – Family – Community – The environment and the world around you If you believe in having a positive attitude to these four core areas, and you would like to be considered to appear on Priority Girl Magazine’s front cover, write an essay and tell us what they mean to you, and how they apply to your daily life. Along with the essay, you must include your name, age, e-mail address and postal address.
SEND YOUR ESSAY TO:
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PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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Inside...
CONTESTS Cover Contest
1
Be on the cover of Priority Girl!
Art
24
19 Win! Tickets to the San Diego Museum of Art!
Chargers
19 WIN! Tickets to watch Chargers v Dolphins!
Photography
55 Have your photos published in an upcoming issue!
32
COLUMNS Health
6 Soups - warm up with some goodness this winter
Recipes
8 Pump-utella swirl loaf and pumpkin milkshake!
Fitness
8
10 12
5 reasons to cycle Top 5 Californian bike routes
Sports Spotlight
14
Meet Renee Gentry - bowler supreme!
Sport
16 19
All you need to know about bowling NFL lowdown
Games & Puzzles
18
Sudoku
68 Answers
Animals
20 Simply adorable! Top 5 Californian cuties
Art
24 Vincent Van Gogh - mad man or genius artist?
Beauty
66 2
30 Four ways to get the most out of your eyeliner
32
Manicures - tips and tricks
Fashion Girl
34
Thanksgiving fashion
PUBLISHER
Corine Hampton
Pets Rule
corine.hampton@prioritygirlmagazine.com
36 Fish!
EDITOR
Jeremy Barron
Environment
38 Why are our oceans so warm? The El Niño effect
STEM
40 BE WiSE and find out about the Science Alliance for girls
Career Spotlight
jeremy.barron@prioritygirlmagazine.com A RT DIR ECTOR
Scott A. McPherson
40
sm@hiresm.com S TA F F W R I T E R S
Joanne Anderson joanne.anderson@prioritygirlmagazine.com
Tami Benedict tami.benedict@prioritygirlmagazine.com
42 Reach for the stars and meet a NASA astronomer
FEATURES
Arts ‘n Crafts
Charities
44 Flowers, paintings & maple leaves - Thanksgiving craft ideas
Money Matters
46 Black Friday shopping guide
Books
48 Native Americans - Top 5 fiction books for November
Tech Corner
50 Feel the music - five apps & tech for the rising musician
Gamer
52 Rock bands & Disney figures Top 5 games of the month
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Giving thanks to Father Joe
54
Be the perfect dinner guest!
An Alien’s Guide to the Human Boy 62 Computer games what is he doing?
28
Things to do this November
Inspiration
89 Motivational Quotes
william.poole@prioritygirlmagazine.com rhona.reid@prioritygirlmagazine.com
Cheryl Walker cheryl.walker@prioritygirlmagazine.com CON TR IBU TIONS
Erica Lowell, Carrol Potter DIR ECTOR S OF SOCI A L MEDI A
Mike Hampton mike.hampton@prioritygirlmagazine.com
Ann Moreno ann.moreno@prioritygirlmagazine.com
Priority Girl Magazine 2907 Shelter Island Drive No. 105-281 San Diego, CA 92106 Q U E S T I O N S/C O M M E N T S
editor@prioritygirlmagazine.com
On the web ...
58 Snakes and lizards wild reptiles of California
76
drea.miesnieks@prioritygirlmagazine.com
T O R E AC H U S
Wildlife Watch
Drea Miesnieks
Rhona Reid
28
56 James Bond and Katniss latest film releases
Events
alex.green@prioritygirlmagazine.com
Movies
64 Looking after your bike!
Alex Green
William Poole
Your life thru a lens!
Auto-Girl
victoria.craw@prioritygirlmagazine.com
Etiquette 101
Photography
Victoria Craw
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C H A R IT Y BY WILLIAM POOLE
T
Give Thanks for Father Joe
hanksgiving Day is a time to gather with loved ones and eat a big, tasty meal. However, for some families and individuals in San Diego County, Thanksgiving is just another day in the struggle to survive. That’s where Father Joe’s Villages comes in.
TEACH A MAN TO FISH It’s an old adage; “Teach a man to fish,” but one that still applies to today’s world. Do you know where it comes from? No, it’s not a Chinese proverb or a Bible verse. The saying wasn’t even coined by a fisherman. Actually, the phrase comes from a young
“Without our dedicated corps of volunteers, our staff could not provide the comprehensive range of services and programs to assist our homeless and needy neighbors who turn to us for help.”
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PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
“I am so grateful to St. Vincent de Paul Village for all of the help and support I received. Left on my own, I would not have been able to make the changes that were so essential to building a life worth living, and that is what I have today.” woman named Anne Isabella Ritchie. She wrote a story called Mrs Dymond, way back in 1885 with this quote: “He certainly doesn’t practice his precepts, but I suppose the patron meant that if you give a man a fish he is hungry again in an hour; if you teach him to catch a fish you do him a good turn.” Father Joe’s Villages uses this approach in their effort to end homelessness in San Diego. Many charities offer temporary housing and meals to the homeless and their work is extremely important, but Father Joe’s Villages go one step further. They teach needy citizens how to feed themselves. In addition to meals and housing, Father Joe’s offers people mental health services, addiction treatment, childcare, and helps them to search for jobs.
COULD YOU HELP? At a place that houses 900 people and serves 3,000 meals a
A Difficult Combination: San Diego has the fifth largest population of homeless people in the U.S. and also has the second most expensive housing market. That makes getting the homeless into a permanent house a tough task.
A Story from the Village In 2008, a young pregnant woman named Connie was living on the streets of San Diego. She didn’t have a job or anyone to turn to for help. Then she found Father Joe’s. Connie entered the Village and received addiction treatment, job support, and childcare after she gave birth to her baby girl. Today, Connie and her daughter live in a condo together and Connie works at a law firm. Of her time at Father Joe’s, Connie says, “I am so grateful to St. Vincent de Paul Village for all of the help and support I received. Left on my own, I would not have been able to make the changes that were so essential to building a life worth living, and that is what I have today.”
day, there is plenty of work to go around. According to the Village, “Without our dedicated corps of volunteers, our staff could not provide the comprehensive range of services and programs to assist our homeless and needy neighbors who turn to us for help.” Volunteers are needed to help the staff to serve meals, look after children in the daycare, plus lots more. And guess what? If you are over the age of ten, Father Joe wants your help! To learn more, ask your parent to call Father Joe’s Volunteer Services at 619-645-6411 or e-mail them at volunteer@neighbor.org.
RUN FOR FUN Every year, Father Joe’s hosts a 5k run on Thanksgiving Day to raise awareness about homelessness in San Diego. Join the Village for a morning jog or volunteer to help with the event. It’s a great way to get active, both physically and in your community! “Hurray for the fun! Is the pudding done? Hurray for Father Joe!” Remember, you could make a difference in someone’s life.
The Help Adds Up: Father Joe’s helps 15,000 people and serves 1,000,000 meals every year! Wow! Father Joe’s Corporate Office 3350 E Street, San Diego, CA 92102, (619) 446-2100
Thanksgiving Day 5k November 26, Balboa Park https://fjvthanksgivingday5k.squarespace.com/
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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H E A LT H
The Healthiest (and tastiest)
BY CHERYL WALKER
Warm up to winter with this season’s healthy comfort food.
W
Soups
hen it comes to chilly-weather comfort foods, big bowls of warm soup certainly top most of our lists. The best part about soups is that the combinations of flavors and ingredients are endless! Choosing a soup that is both delicious and healthy can seem confusing (so many options!), but if you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be an expert at picking out the season’s best.
1. Focus on Color The healthiest (and often most flavorful) soups have a wide range of ingredients that give them a diverse color palette. This is because different nutrients and health properties produce different colors in nature, and you get the widest array of them when you eat foods with many colors at a time. This is a great rule to follow for salads, too.
2. Protein If you want to make a bowl of soup a meal, make sure that it has some form of protein in it to keep you full and satisfied longer. Lean meats like chicken and turkey are great options for soups, because they won’t bog you down with fat. If it is a vegetarian soup that you are after, a combination of rice and beans also makes a complete protein, and it adds a healthy dose of fiber.
3. Creamy Goodness We all love soups with a silky creamy base, but they tend to have less nutritious ingredients in them. Luckily, you can get a creamy soup without the splurge: Opt for whole milk or light coconut milk bases instead of cream, and you’ll cut your fat and calories in half.
4. Add Some Greens Because soft greens like spinach and baby kale are so versatile in flavor, they can be added to just about any soup for an extra burst of nutrition and color. Once your soup is finished cooking, just stir in some greens at the end and watch them wilt into the mix. You can do this with soups at a salad bar, too!
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Take It To Go
You might th ink that soup is imp ossible to take to scho ol, but a great way to bring soup with you is to put it into a seal-tight thermos or mug. Just h eat up the soup before you leave (ask for you r parent’s permission or help) and it should stay nice and warm until lunch .
Steer Clear of Canned Soup
ps can be Canned sou ient ever y super conven , but like now and then ed foods most prepar a huge they rely on lt to keep sa amount of af ter packthem tast y mention aging. Not to foods lose the fact that value with nutritional why fresh time. That ’s e is best! or homemad
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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R E C IP E BY RHONA REID
Thanksgiving Recipes to Rock Your Holiday! Are you doing happy little dances at the thought of the delicious things you’re going to be enjoying with friends and family? How about contributing something of your own to the table? Take a look at these Thanksgiving ideas to indulge your loved ones with (and yourself!). We’re going slightly crazy for the Priority Girl Pumputella Swirl Loaf!
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Priority Girl Pump-utella Swirl Loaf First, chop your freshly picked Pumputella into small pieces. Oh wait…you don’t have a Pump-utella tree in your yard? Just kidding. YOU WILL NEED…
– 1 cup of pumpkin puree – 2-3/4 cups of self-raising flour – 1 tsp baking powder – 1/4 tsp powdered cinnamon – 1/4 tsp powdered ginger – 1/4 freshly grated nutmeg – 1 stick of butter softened at room temperature or in microwave – 1 tsp vanilla extract – 3 eggs – Splash of milk – 1 cup of light brown sugar – 1 tbsp honey – Jar of Nutella/similar
Priority Pumpkin Milkshake
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and place all the ingredients, except for the Nutella, into a large bowl and beat together with a hand mixer until smooth. 2 Pour ¾ of the cake batter into an oiled 2lb loaf tin, until it reaches around 2/3rds of the way up the tin. 3 Stir half of the jar of the Nutella into the remaining cake batter until evenly-colored. 4 Next, pour the Nutella batter on top of the pumpkin batter in the tin. Using a chopstick or skewer, swirl the two batters together. 5 Place the tin into the oven for around 50 minutes. 6 Check that the cake has risen, and that the loaf bounces back when you press it with your finger. 7 Leave to cool completely while you finish tidy up the kitchen. 8 Serve in slices – this will also keep for two or three days in an airtight tin.
A super-quick recipe that kids (and adults!) will love. For around 4 cups of milkshake. YOU WILL NEED…
– 1 can of pumpkin puree – 1-1/4 cup of milk (if you avoid dairy products, then try almond milk) – 1 tbsp honey – 1 tbsp brown sugar – 1/4 tsp cinnamon – 1/4 tsp nutmeg – 1 cup of vanilla ice cream METHOD
Blend together all of the ingredients and serve in glass jars, with whipped cream on top and a straw! If you like, add some sprinkle toppings of your choice – fudge pieces, marshmallows, crystallized ginger, whatever you fancy!
Enjoy making your food and drink! Happy Thanksgiving, Priority Girls! PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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F IT N E S S BY RHONA REID
FIVE RE ASONS TO
Cycle Cyclists are passionate about the benefits of cycling as it’s fantastic for your health and for the environment. But why exactly? What’s so tremendous about traveling on two wheels? Priority Girl dons her lycra to find out!
‘Smile! You’re reducing your carbon footprint!’ 10
Why didn’t the bicycle go to the pa rty? Becaus e it was two-t ired.
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
! ou around to beat traffic y s t e g t I 1. tic way alking. ing is a fantas
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rocks! just so much 4. Riding ate, cycling is im cl ul tif au be ycling and ad-c California’s faction of ro Especially in ng, the satis ki bi n ai wing a trail nt llo ou fo l of m picnic or a r fo t to fun! The thril ou g blin – it’s easier easure of am al leveler too re a s the chilled pl It’ . at be nd is hard to with running. at the weeke cyclists, than ty ili ab ed ix of m have a group
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ain! 5. Bike br Researchers from Illinois Universrditioy-re-
ment in ca lf smar ter! Cycle yourse a 5% improve to s ad 15% in le g in at cycl provement of im s er g ig discovered th tr turn “It boosts ss, which in mer explains, ra K r hu rt A spirator y fitne fessor enerates rmance. Pro fires and reg ch hi w , in ra mental per fo b the to the d oxygen to contributes blood flow an s of cycling, ct fe ef brain which ve ur iti yo e pos e par t of th in , lls receptors.” Th ce brain blem uilding new have no pro process of b ies. So you’ll or em rity Girl! o m ri ur P le for yo ur copy of yo r fo e is responsib or st the g to cycle to rememberin
nd ns to ride. A o s a e r e v fi , u go er So there yo ou’ll discov y h ic h w , e r any mo the trails! g n there’s so m ti it h t r ta when you s for yourself for the Not a bike ls…’ gnarlier trai
orld is the w e h t in e pensive bik by Damien d te a e r c The most ex ’ e Bik e ‘Butterfly 0. Trek Madon ool $500,00 c a r fo d e n uctio Hirst, and a
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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F IT N E S S
BY TA M I B E N E D I C T
CALIFORNIA CYCLING
Top Five Bike Routes Now we know why cycling is so great. Next step is getting out there and riding! Finding the perfect cycling route can be difficult though. A route that gets us off the road and onto the beaten path comes with a sense of freedom and excitement that’s hard to describe, and is worth its weight in gold. So here they are: Five of California’s best cycling routes.
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12
1
2
#
#
Still in training wheels
Novice
Lunada Bay Loop LOCATION: Lunada
Bay by the Catalina
Island LENGTH: 8
miles SKILL LEVEL: Easy ELEVATION GAIN: 300 feet Lunada Bay Loop is a great route to take if you are a beginner. The ride is relatively short and traffic is light throughout the trail. Take a look around and enjoy some of the breath-taking ocean views, and if you are into architecture, the Catalina homes are one of a kind. HOW DO I GET THERE? Zip code: 90274 MORE INFO: www.ridewithgps.com/ routes/4836225
2
Long Beach Bike Path LOCATION: Long
Beach miles SKILL LEVEL: Easy ELEVATION GAIN: 90 feet The Long Beach Bike Path is a great cycling route for families or out-of-towners visiting Long Beach. The ride is easy and light, with beautiful coastal views. If you are visiting, don’t fear; Long Beach offers a bike rental service. HOW DO I GET THERE? Zip code: 90802 MORE INFO: www.mapmyride.com/us/ long-beach-ca/ LENGTH: 12
Take a look around and enjoy some of the breath-taking ocean views
3
4
5
#
#
#
Been cycling for years
Fancy a challenge
Professional
LOCATION: Point
LOCATION: Cambria
Pescadero and Pigeon Point Lighthouse LOCATION: Pescadero LENGTH: 28
miles
SKILL LEVEL: Moderate ELEVATION GAIN: 1,400 feet Pescadero is a small country town tucked along the Pacific Coast that offers a lot to cyclists. Nature enthusiasts will love the landscape of the route as it winds its way through numerous wetland habitats. Opportunities to see a variety of birds, mammals, and fish make this a popular ride for the amateur wildlife watcher. Plus, if you finish your ride and want more, Pescardero also has some amazing hiking trails throughout the wetland. HOW DO I GET THERE? Zip code: 94060 MORE INFO: www.mapmyride.com/ routes/view/
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Point Reyes Peninsula
Reyes miles SKILL LEVEL: Challenging ELEVATION GAIN: Minimal The Point Reyes Peninsula ride will give you a glorious view of Point Reyes, plus the ocean, meadows, and waterways of Drakes Estero. The route starts with a paved trail, but gets a little rougher the further you go. The ride is known as a switchback climb, meaning it snakes through the mountain, instead of being a steep climb - but a steady rise of 1,200 feet over four miles is not for the faint-hearted, so be prepared! HOW DO I GET THERE? Zip code: 94956 MORE INFO: www.bayarearides.com/ rides/drakeshead/ LENGTH: 15
4
Cambria Challenge LENGTH: 43
miles
SKILL LEVEL: Difficult ELEVATION GAIN: Minimal The Cambria Challenge route is no joke. In this ride you will encounter two major descents that follow monstrously steep climbs. The route is relatively clear of traffic, except for the 12 miles you have to travel on the highway. Even though the ride is difficult, the end result is worth the effort; the views of the ocean and mountains are stunning, and once you’ve thrown your bike down, you can enjoy pie and pancakes at one of the local eateries! HOW DO I GET THERE? Zip code: 93428 MORE INFO: www.mapmyride.com/us/ cambria-ca/
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So, Priority Girls, you up for the cycling challenge? 13
S P O R T S S P O T L IG H T
Renee Gentry Striking her way to success
A
s a full-time college student from San Diego, it may seem surprising that Renee Gentry is able to make bowling a top priority: “I come to this bowling alley right after school most days,” she says, sitting comfortably in the diner inside Parkway Bowl. For Renee, bowling is a common part of life. As her parents bowled throughout her childhood, Renee grew up familiar with bowling alleys and bowling culture, and when she was eight, she begged her parents for a pretty bowling ball in a shop window. “They said I could only get
BY CHERYL WALKER
the ball, if I started bowling, so I did.”
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Eleven years have passed since then, and Renee is no longer a beginner. “I’m very competitive,” she says. “I just really enjoy it,” she says. Renee averages at least six to eight hours a week at the alley (more if there’s a tournament coming up) so her fellow bowlers have become close friends: “The community is like a family to me now.”
• 2014 Junior Bowlers Tour Champion (Sept 2014) • San Diego Female Youth Bowler of the Year 2015 • 2015 SDUSBC All Star Youth Team • San Diego Female Youth Bowler of the Year 2014 14
Renee’s Tips for Getting Into Bowling
fun, with no pressure. • Start off playing for ver their ability • Go with friends, whate may be. w naturally over time, • Just let yourself gro if you enjoy it. s their own str uc• Each bowling alley ha you’re ready to ture of leagues, so once them. join, you can ask about
GIRL POWER When I asked Renee what she likes most about her sport, she tells me that it’s fun to do something “out of the box,” something that builds a community, without all of the responsibility of a team sport. “The great thing about bowling,” she says, “is that you can bowl singles as an individual, but there are team options too. It’s kind of like tennis in that way.” She also enjoys being a female athlete in a sport that’s associated with men.
WHAT’S NEXT? As for her future in bowling, Renee still has some decisions to make. “I’m unsure about going pro. I’m not against it, and if it happens, that’s great, but if not, I won’t be heartbroken. I’m lucky to have a sport that can be a part of my life forever, regardless of whether I do it professionally or not.”
RENEE GENTRY
300 GAME MAY 2015
“I bowled against a guy whose dad kept saying ‘You’re losing to a girl!’ and that just fueled me more - I killed him in that game.”
15
SP O RT BY VICTORIA CRAW AND CORINE HAMPTON
‘Spare’ Some Time for Bowling? Ten pins. Two chances to knock them all down. Sounds easy right? For some it is utterly impossible, but for others it is a highly competitive sport.
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AIM OF THE GAME
GETTING INVOLVED
Most people have thrown a game or two before, but if you’re a newbie to the sport, here are a few of the basics: • There should be a full 10-pins up, on the lane, when you begin. • You have two attempts to try and knock them all down. • Each two attempt turn is called a FRAME. • Every GAME consists of TEN frames. • Each pin you knock down goes towards your overall score – but you can get extra points along the way, SPARES and STRIKES add bonus points . • Whoever scores the most after ten frames WINS!! It may look easy, but don’t be too hard on yourself, if you don’t knock them all down. Bowling is a skill that takes years to master. Make sure you’re having fun with it!
If you want to bowl for fun with friends, you can go to the local bowling alley. Many bowling alleys are open every day, so you can head over there after school or on the weekends. Like bowling? Perhaps join a league. Ask at your local center about junior leagues. Teams have mixed boys and girls, and are divided by age. You’ll get to work with a USBC certified bowling coach in a group setting. Don’t worry if you’re not experienced – you just have to be excited about bowling to join one of these leagues. Check out the CALUSBC, they have information on leagues, coaches and tournaments. www.usbc.com
GET OUT AND PLAY One of the great parts about bowling is that you can do it year-round. It doesn’t get rained out or cancelled because of a thunderstorm. It’s one of those places where you can lose track of time with your friends and compete against each other, while having fun!
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
Free Bowling
te for this! There’s actually a websi m has teamed ww w.Kidsbowlfree.co alleys, all up with a ton of bowling bowls kid get to across the US te bsi we the On ing for free. r you ose you can cho state to see all the locations. There are also leagues that give you free bowling games during the week, for participating in their leagues on the weekend . Check with your local alley for any discounts or programs that are available.
Bowling T erms Frame
: Your two chan ces to knock down all th e pins. Headpin: Th e Number
one pin, located in th e ver y front, of the group of pin s.
Strike: Knock in all ten pins
Double: Two strikes in a row.
T
urkey: Three strikes in a row.
Hambone: Fo
strikes in a
Sp
ogram
row.
ur
are: Knocking down all ten pins in two turns.
Wher e to S Try M trike Junio ira Mesa La ? r pr nes and t
heir . E bow ling ti day of m e to pr t he w e actice ek ! , E V ER • FR E Y E t-sh ir ts • FR E E less ons w coach ith cer es tified a nd v e • EA R rified N sc h olorsh league i p $ $ t h ro bowlin ugh w g a nd par tic eekly tourn ipatio a n ment • MA K E ne w frie nd s a n • ww d have w.mir a me sa f u n! lanes.c om fo r more info. • FR E
g do w n on one turn .
Split: Leaving pins on your first tr y, separated by a noticeable g ap (7-10, 6 ,7 ,10). Gutter: The b rightly colo red channels on either side of the wooden lan e. A ball ente ring the gutter receiv es a zero sc ore.
Foul
Line: The hor izontal line just bef ore the lane begins. Crossing th at line resu lt s in a zero and is rather dangerous as the lane is ver y slipp er y.
Cosm
ic: Bowling in the dark, usually occ urs with mu sic and neon lights .
N
o-Tap: Bowlin g when 9 -pin count as a st s rike.
“The best bowlers come from California!” – calusbc.com PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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GA M ES & P U ZZ LES
Sudoku!
Have a go at solving some of these suduko challenges! Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.43)
Puzzle 2 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.34)
EASY # 1
6
EASY # 2
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Oct 6 00:58:27 2015 GMT. Enjoy!
9 4
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Puzzle 2 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.70)
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The goal of Sudoku is to fill in a 9×9 grid with single digit numbers so that each column, row, and 3×3 section contain the numbers between 1 and 9. At the beginning of the puzzle, the 9×9 grid will have some of the squares filled in. Your job is to use logic to fill in the missing digits and complete the grid.
HARD #2 Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Oct 6 00:59:10 2015 GMT. Enjoy!
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Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.68)
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HARD #1 Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Oct 6 00:59:10 2015 GMT. Enjoy!
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Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.57) MEDIUM #2 Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Oct 6 00:59:22 2015 GMT. Enjoy!
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Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.54)
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MEDIUM #1 Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Oct 6 00:59:22 2015 GMT. Enjoy! 9
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Oct 6 00:58:27 2015 GMT. Enjoy!
Answers on page 68
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S P O RTS PRO FOOTBALL REPORT
Bolt Banter BY WI LLI A M PO O LE A N D TA M I B E N E D I C T
San Diego’s Golden Arm: Philip Rivers became the all-time leader in touchdown passes in San Diego history on September 20th, 2015. Congrats Phil!
rgers a h C e h t ch WIN! Wat Dolphins! e take on th tickets to watch the Chargers on
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he San Diego Chargers are playing at a fairly steady pace but need to string together wins to really make a play-off challenge. As expected, Phillip Rivers is having another great year and is near the top of the league in passing stats. He is going to have to avoid injuries if the Chargers want to succeed. This month, San Diego has a Monday night game against the Chicago Bears and a big showdown with the visiting Kansas City Chiefs on the 22nd. Luckily, between those games, the Chargers have a bye week to get some extra rest. Unfortunately for the Chargers, are members of the AFC West. Since the Denver Broncos are the clear leader in the division, San Diego probably won’t make the play-offs. But that doesn’t mean they won’t try!
to win three For a chance question: , answer this December 20
N RE THE SA? E W R A E Y Q: WHAT ARGERS FOUNDED test ’ to: DIEGO CH hargers Con
d ‘C ceived no s must be re swers marke ie an tr r n u E . yo m d Sen azine.co ood luck! oritygirlmag er 1 2015 . G b editor@pri em ec D pm Tuesday later than 6
San Diego Chargers YEAR FOUNDED: 1960 STADIUM: Qualcomm
Stadium in San Diego California
CAPACITY: 71,294 STAR PLAYERS: Philip Rivers (Quarterback), Melvin Gordon (Running back) INTERESTING FACTS: In 1961 the Chargers didn’t have their own professional major league stadium, but Jack Murphy was able to convince the City to build one for the team when Proposition 1 was passed by the people of San Diego. HONORS: The Chargers have 38 players in the Hall of Fame including LaDainian Tomlinson and Ed White. DIVISION: AFC West HEAD COACH: Mike McCoy
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A N IM A L S BABY ANIMALS
Simply Adorable!
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Californian cuties
hat’s the cutest baby animal you’ve ever seen? Puppies, kittens, cubs, foals, fawns and calves are all up there on the cuteness-scale, but which one is the most adorable? We’ve compiled our top five Californian cuties. See if you agree! Baby animals come in all shapes and sizes. Some can weigh a fraction of an ounce, while others top three tons! Puppies weigh in
5 Puppies Newborn pups have no teeth and cannot see or hear, so they desperately need their mother’s milk and protection for at least three weeks - but six to eight weeks is ideal. Their sharp baby teeth (28 of them) come in around three weeks, and the adult teeth (42 in total) emerge after four months. Small dogs are likely to have three or four puppies in a litter, while big dogs can deliver a dozen or more.
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BY JOANNE M. ANDERSON
around a pound or less at birth, kittens average 3.5 ounces, and baby elephants come into the world at 200 pounds and three feet tall! The largest baby is the blue whale, which is also the largest animal in the world. Their wee calves are born some 25 feet long and can weigh three tons or 6,000 pounds! But cute-wise, all these little ones are adorable.
Kittens Kitten litters average three to five, and they open their eyes seven to ten days after birth. Most important in the early weeks are food and warmth. Each nose pad has a unique pattern, like our fingerprints. Only mother cats should handle kittens by the scruff of their necks because only they know how to do it without hurting them.
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Wild California Tule Elks
A little further from home‌ Elephants All the herd gathers around as an elephant gives
One last pair of these smallest of elks was found in 1874 hiding in Kern County, California. Ranch owner Henry Miller protected the pair, and today’s 4,000 or so tule elks are directly descended from those two. These beautiful creatures weigh around 35 pounds at birth and are born spotted and scentless so the calves are not easily found by predators.
birth to its calf, and they help the newborn stand up. Older elephants teach younger ones, and the little ones need mother’s milk for two years - and may help themselves for up to four years! They will suck their little trunks for comfort, much like human babies suck their thumbs.
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Green Sea Turtles Green sea turtles have babies at about age 20, and they may travel up to 2,000 miles to the same nesting beach each year. They dig a nest cavity in wet sand, lay hundreds of eggs, cover them up and crawl back into the water. Turtle babies hatch two months later and journey to the ocean. Few hatchlings make it, but those that do may grow to five feet long, weigh 200 pounds and live 70 years!
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So, which one is your favorite? Sea Otters Some 3,000 or more of these playful, sociable, water critters thrive along the California coast. They are the only otters to give birth in water, and they nurture the young ones on their chests while floating on their backs. Moms give birth to one pup per year, and they are born around five pounds and ten inches long. Sea otters hold hands while sleeping so they don’t drift apart in the ocean. How adorable is that?
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A RT THE ART OF THE MATTER M EET FAM OUS ARTISTS
BY RHONA REID
Vincent van Gogh “Hallo. My full name is Vincent Willem van Gogh, and I was born on March 30, 1853, in GrootZundert, Netherlands, the son of a country minister, and an artist mother.” THE EARLY YEARS “I was a pretty serious, quiet child. I was educated at home for a while, before being sent to boarding school. “After leaving school, I began to work for art dealers. Like my father, I was deeply religious, and in 1879 I became a missionary, working with poor people in Belgium. The following year, my brother Theo, who was an art dealer, suggested that I become a painter. “I took his advice, and studied for the next few years, producing my first major work in 1885 (The Potato Eaters). I used dark colors at this stage in my career, but after becoming aware of Impressionism in Paris, I found that I loved using brighter colors and soon developed the painting style for which I became famous.”
PAINTING WITH A FRIEND “Art became my life – in ten years, I drew, painted and sketched more than 2000 pieces! In 1888, I rented a yellow house in Arles, in the South of France. My friend, the artist Paul Gauguin, joined me there,
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The Starry Nights
“I am sure he will be understood later on. It is just hard to say when.” – Theo van Gogh, Paris 1889 and I began to paint with renewed intensity. The light and the vibrant colors of Arles inspired me, and my painting style soon changed. “I would sometimes scrape paint directly out of the tubes, or squeeze them onto the canvas, which meant that the paint would take weeks to dry, but it captured the brilliant colors with which I was falling more and more in love with.”
ILLNESS “I suffered from a condition called temporal lobe epilepsy, which caused seizures. It was during one of these seizures that I argued with Gauguin. I got angry. I couldn’t think straight. I felt out of control, and in a moment of madness, I cut off part of my own ear!
“Shortly after that, I committed myself to the Saint-Paul asylum, suffering from mental problems, depression and ill health. I remained here for a year, during which time I painted some of my most admired and famous works, including The Starry Night and Irises.”
THE END “Although I left the hospital, my health deteriorated and my illness continued until my death on July 29, 1890. “I had sold only one painting during my lifetime. My dear brother, Theo, in whose arms I died, was my loyal supporter. His wife, Jo, gathered together my paintings, after my death to mount an exhibition of my work.”
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“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.” – Vincent van Gogh RICHER IN DEATH
Sunflowers
“Almost unknown and penniless throughout my life, today my paintings are among the most famous in the world, and have sold for record-breaking amounts of money. The painting of my last doctor – Portrait of Dr Gachet – was sold in 1990 for $82.5 million, and is now valued at around $148.5 million! “To think I used to live on so little money, that I would eat only dry bread or potatoes for weeks on end! “Thank you for listening to my story, my friends. I hope you enjoy my paintings, as much as I loved painting them. I dreamed of painting, and then I painted my dreams! Perhaps you could continue my work…”
Irises
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Green Wheat Fields, Auvers
Green Wheat Fields, Auvers is one of Van Gogh’s most important landscapes. Measuring about two-and-a-half by three feet, this piece of art was thought lost for many years, hidden away in an old lady’s living room! Rachel Mellon was a sprightly 103 years of age when she donated her painting to the National Gallery of Art in Washington. It had been hanging over her fireplace in Virginia since 1955, after she’d bought it from a New York art dealer! Incredible!
WIN!
Send clear scans of your original artwork to art@prioritygirlmagazine.com for a chance for it to appear in a future issue of Priority Girl.
The star artist will WIN FOUR TICKETS TO THE SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART! Mark it ‘The Art of the Matter’ and include your name, age, e-mail address and a few sentences about your artwork. 27
ETIQUETTE 101
BY ERICA LOWELL
HOW POLITE ARE YOU? H
The Dinner Party
ave you ever felt a bit awkward or unsure how to act in a certain situation? There are many formal occasions in which a Priority Girl needs to know how best to conduct herself. Having proper etiquette can sometimes go beyond simply saying “Please”,
“Thank you” and “Excuse me”. Having good manners and understanding ‘social rules’ can really go a long way in reducing the stress when you are trying to impress. Here are a few tips to guide you through one of the most common social situations; the dinner party.
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” – Emily Post, American writer
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Dinner Party Etiquette BRING A GIFT
If you are invited to a dinner party, offer to bring a dish, drink, or dessert. You will probably be asked to just bring yourself, but common courtesy says bring a gift anyway – a little ‘thank you’ for your invitation.
BE EARLY Arriving ten minutes early and offering to help the host is a great way to begin, as well as remembering to leave your drama at the door – no one wants to hear about a huge homework assignment, while they are enjoying crab cakes and puff pastries!
Stuck for things to say? Here’s six ice-breakers to start a conversation:
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LISTEN Be interested in what others have to say – don’t drone on about yourself. Gossip is also a no no - young ladies with manners do not discuss other people’s private affairs. If others do begin to chirp away about Jenny’s new un-designer jeans, the proper way to conduct yourself might be to simply change the subject. Choosing to complement the food or decorations will also endear yourself to your host and other guests.
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Here are a few more tips –
If you want to impress mom, or granny, practice at home too! • Turn off your cell-phone – speaking into your device when you are sharing a meal is the height of bad manners. • If you need to use the restroom, quietly excuse yourself from the table only to those sitting next to you. • If you are eating family style, pass dishes side to side, never across the table. • If you have food allergies or diet restrictions, it is proper to discuss these ahead of time with the host. If this is not possible, doubling up on side dishes and bread is an easy way to save yourself from embarrassment - and hunger! • Try your food! If there is a dish you are uncertain about, the best thing to do is to take a bite! Remember your host has spent time making it for you. • Follow the leader - wait until your host begins eating before you pick up your fork – and take small, manageable bites of food. • Chew and listen, then swallow and speak. No one wants to see what portion of the meal you are currently digesting! • Elbows in! Sitting around a table can get a little crowded. Remember personal space and keep your elbows to your sides. • If someone has spinach in their teeth, do not rudely point it out in front of others. Instead, wait for an opportunity to discreetly tell them in private. Remember, you would want someone to tell you! • Make an effort to talk to everyone - after party conversations are fun and everyone should feel included. • If you must leave early, promptly thank the host for the party.
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The U.S. Postal Service delivers around 20 billion parcels and cards between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. The king of hearts is the only king without a moustache in a regular pack of cards. On last count, there are 18 different animal shapes in the Animal Crackers cookie zoo! People blink over ten million times a year. Each year, almost 6,000 people end up in ER after injuring themselves hanging up decorations. American kids spend around a billion dollars on chewing gum every year!
It is always a good idea to send a thank you card to the host after the event, ensuring your next party invite will be in the mail! Having proper etiquette and good manners is a reflection of your character and goes a long way in building your reputation.
“Please” remember your manners, and “thank you” for reading!
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B EAUTY BY CHERYL WALKER
EYELINER–
Your Most Versatile Beauty Companion Four ways to get the most out of your eyeliners
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f you ask most girls which makeup product they would hate to live without, the answer is almost always mascara. But there’s a much more versatile eye tool that should be getting some major attention: the eyeliner. If you want to change the shape of your eyes, bring them some major attention, or even change the whole mood of your look, eyeliner is the main tool you need to get there. Follow these quick tutorials to become a master of the beauty trade.
2. Define Your Brows TRY IT IF: You want more attention on your eyes without eye makeup, or if you want to reshape some asymmetry. HOW TO GET IT: Find an eyeliner pencil that is only one shade darker than your natural brow color. Gently fill in the eyebrow hair with the pencil, shaping as you go along. Once you’re finished, make sure to blend with your fingers to help your brows look natural.
3. The Classic Wing
1. Accentuate Your Natural Eye TRY IT IF: You want an everyday look that can work both daytime and night. HOW TO GET IT: Simply line your lash lines lightly with eyeliner, connecting at the outer edges. If you use a pencil in a soft color, gentle smudging can make this look especially appropriate for daytime.
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TRY IT IF: You want a classic look that adds “Cleopatra-like” drama to any nighttime event. HOW TO GET IT: If you’re going to wear any eyeshadow, apply it before the liner. Then, line your top lashes from end to end. Now the tricky part: Flick a line at an angle from the end of your lashes outward, as if it were a natural extension of your lash line. Having trouble staying steady? Use a card to guide a nice straight line. Finally, connect a line from the middle of your wing to the lash-line you drew. This should create an open triangular shape, which you simply fill in with liner. Add a coat of mascara to match, and your eyes are ready to wow.
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4. Artistic Liner TRY IT IF: You’re feeling extra bold and artsy. HOW TO GET IT: There are a million ways under the sun that you could frame your eye with interesting abstract shapes. A great one to start with is this eyelid framer, as you can use the classic wing as a base – just make sure the wing angle goes more upward than it does out. Next, draw a thin line from the center of your eye crease along the crease out to just above the end of your lashes. Work both the wing-line, and the crease-line, toward each other until they touch. Once they do, re-form an angled point and thicken the line in your crease as you’d like!
Pencil, Gel, or Liquid? For everyday liner, your best bet is a pencil as it’s soft, smudgy, and the most blendable. Gel is the easiest to work with, and goes on the smoothest for when you’re in a hurry. And for sharp, dramatic looks, liquid liner is always the way to go. PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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B EAUTY
TIPS & TRICKS to Confidently Tackle the MANICURE World BY CAROL POTTER
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hen you change your hairstyle or try on a new outfit, you often feel better than usual. This feeling isn’t about how you look, more so it’s a feeling that stems from pampering yourself. One way young girls can feel recharged and glammed up is with a fresh manicure. A trip to the nail salon can be a great way to unwind, and a DIY manicure can leave you feeling great, too. Although it may seem difficult to navigate the salon or to paint your nails on your own, with the right tips, tricks, and knowledge you will be confidently tackling the manicure world.
DIY POLISHING TIPS & TRICKS When painting your nails at home you are able to really explore nail art ideas and inspirations. The nail art may not always turn out exactly how you imagined, but with practice and trial you will find success. Some fun options you can try at home are 3-D nail kits, nail decals, and traditional polishing. When visiting your local drug store you can find many kits and polish options to explore. Select your favorite option for your next manicure. Also, always be sure to have plenty of nail polish, Q-tips, and cotton on hands for your manicure. These items will help you with perfecting your work and easier cleanup.
SO YOU’RE GOING TO THE SALON... What a treat! A trip to the nail salon is a replenishing and relaxing experience. When you decide to treat yourself to a manicure you will need to select a salon. Look for recommendations online, or perhaps ask a friend or family member who may know of some reliable options. Call ahead to see if your salon takes appointments, some places do and others don’t, but it is always best to check. When you arrive at the salon you should
check in with the desk and select a nail color – perhaps you already have a particular color or design in mind. When your manicurist calls you it is time to enjoy. Sit back and allow your manicurist to work his or her magic, polishing your hands perfectly. Once your manicure is complete you will want to let your nails dry. Nothing is worse than hastily leaving and ruining your new nails. Another tip to help you with nicks and bumps is paying your manicurist before they polish your nails.
LATEST TRENDS When you are stumped for a new nail polish, style or design, you can always look for outside inspiration. Whether you find a polish in a store, a picture in a magazine, or a patterned wall in a house – these can all inspire your next nail design. Here are some of the latest trends in nails… • MARBLE Using a combination of distilled water, nail polish, and a toothpick – ‘DIY-ers’ are able to create marble effect on their nails in any color they can imagine. Explore the Internet for tutorials, videos, and plentiful information on how to get this fashion-forward look. • OMBRE Much like the very popular hairstyle and fashion trend, ombre, we have also seen this design used on nails. Ask your manicurist for ombre nails for a look of one color gradually blending from dark to light. You can also get this look at home with some research and practice. • TEXTURE All kinds of textured nail options are available over the counter and at the salon. Some of the latest trends we have seen in textured nails are matte and crackle nail polishes.
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FA S H IO N G IR L BY VICTORIA CRAW
Giving Thanks for Fashion This month we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time to talk about how grateful we are for all that we have; our family, friends, home, food, and maybe clothes!
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lmost 400 years ago, the Native Americans and European settlers feasted for several days as part of the first Thanksgiving*. It was the newcomers’ first fall in The New World. What do you think that day was like? Perhaps there was a giant turkey feast, with people sat and enjoying themselves at a huge, long table. But what were they wearing? The English settlers and Wampanoag tribe shared food over three days in parts of what is now Massachusetts and Rhode Island. They gave thanks to God for all that they had. There are only a couple passages written about the first Thanksgiving that give us a glimpse into what happened. They wrote of eating fish, deer and fowl. There was no mention of what they wore, though! Nonetheless, the Native Americans have inspired fashion choices to this day. Here are some of the ways Native Americans have inspired today’s fashion:
PRIORITY GIRL RECOMMENDS: Fringe HOW MUCH? $24.99 or Faux-Suede Fringe Skirt WHERE? JCPenney HOW MUCH? $29.99
Kohls fringe boots
Zappos minnetonka
Suede This special kind of leather would be made from animal skins in a process called tanning. Usually it was the woman’s job to do this! Nowadays, you can see suede in all kinds of fashion: boots, skirts, jackets, belts, headbands and purses. Real suede can be expensive, so most of the products you’ll find in stores are what they call faux (fake) suede. The great thing about suede is that it matches with so many things and just about every color. PRIORITY GIRL RECOMMENDS: Faux Suede Vest WHERE? JCPenney HOW MUCH? $28.99
JC Penney faux suede vest
Fringe
Fringe was both fashionable and functional to the Native Americans. The dangling pieces of fabric helped keep the rain from touching them. You can find fringe on skirts, shoes, boots and purses.
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Boots
WHERE? Kohls
JC Penney faux suede fringe skirt
Moccasins These shoes may represent the biggest fashion influence the Native Americans have had on the present day. Moccasins are known to be soft and comfy, slipper-like shoes. They come in all different colors like brown, blue, red, black and white. PRIORITY GIRL RECOMMENDS: Minnetonka Moccasins WHERE? Zappos.com HOW MUCH? $29.99
Pilgrims
Thanksgiving Day Challenge Challenge each member of your family to wear one piece of clothing that was either inspired by the Native Americans or the English settlers. During dinner, go around the table and have each person explain what they’re wearing and how it was influenced by the first people who celebrated Thanksgiving!
Justice sweater buckle boots
Prints Modern technology has allowed designers to screen some pretty cool Native Americaninspired prints on t-shirts. The patterns usually include several colors and shapes, including triangles and diamonds.
Giving Thanks
PRIORITY GIRL RECOMMENDS:
Mudd Aztec Hooded Cardigan WHERE? Kohls HOW MUCH? $24.99 or Aztec Baby Doll Shirt WHERE? Justice HOW MUCH? $29.90.
Much of the ‘fashion’ associated with pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving is quite different to what they actually wore. Black, white and plain clothing is often associated with pilgrims, but they actually wore a lot of colors! They would often dye their clothes to get the color they wanted. People also often associate buckles with pilgrims. You may have seen drawings of hats with buckles or shoes with buckles, but those were not in fashion at the first Thanksgiving! Nowadays, buckles on shoes are very common. PRIORITY GIRL RECOMMENDS: Sweater Buckle Slouch Boots WHERE? Justice HOW MUCH? $39.90
Kohls Aztec cardigan
One important thing to remember is that there were hundreds of different Native American tribes. No two tribes dressed exactly the same. The same goes for the European settlers. Once the native world and the Old World (from Europe) collided, they couldn’t help but influence each other’s fashions. When you’re picking out what to wear, let yourself be inspired not by just one group or style, but by many – and remember to say “Thank you!” *National Geographic
Justice baby doll shirt
ow? n K u o Did Y s Native Americans ccasin se they The mo d becau le o -s ft ant to re so didn’t w wore we d n a th r e Ea loved th ! any way it har m
Thank a Woman for Thanksgiving Author Sarah Joespha Hale worked hard during the 1800s to get Thanksgiving recognized as a national holiday. She wrote letters to politicians and even to several Presidents. It was Abraham Lincoln who eventually listened to her and named the last Thursday in November ‘Thanksgiving.’ However, it wasn’t recognized by law as a national holiday until 1941.
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P ETS R U L E BY JOANNE M. ANDERSON
~Aquarium Fish~ F rom hamsters and horses to birds, fish, kitty cats and more, you’ll find need-to-know basics and fun facts every month right here at Pets Rule. We will give you the right information to make an informed and responsible decision when it comes to selecting a pet! Quiet activities like reading a good book under your favorite tree or sitting by a waterfall have a calming effect. Fish for pets also promote tranquility, and they are the third most popular pet, behind cats (#2) and dogs (#1). They are easy to care for, less expensive than many pets and don’t mind being alone when you go to school or off to a sleepover.
POPULARITY AND ATTITUDE
Though goldfish are the most popular fish, they are also one of the messiest, and it can be more tricky to maintain water quality, which is very important to fish health. Not all fish get along, so it’s important to learn about different varieties. Check out the fish and more information at these websites: fishchannel.com homeaquaria.com freshaquarium.about.com drsfostersmith.com fish4beginners.com
More than 2,000 kinds of fish can live happily in an aquarium with goldfish being the most popular. Fun Facts • Common Goldfish can grow up to 8 inches and live 10 to 20 years. • There are more than 30,000 species of fish. • Fish enjoy senses like sight, taste, touch, smell and some degree of hearing. • Fish that hide often are frightened or uncomfortable about something. • Fish sleep, usually on the bottom of the tank. Their light needs to be turned off every night. If they don’t sleep, they become stressed out and unhealthy. • Almost all fish can change their color or markings and do so often. • Every aquarium needs plants to oxygenate the water. They are pretty and give your fish a more natural environment.
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Cost – Aquarium, filters, pump, light and accessories(around $200 ) recommended 20-gallon tank minimum). – Fish ($1 to $5 each) – Food (around $25 per year)
Care Daily care is simple ~ turn on and off the light, monitor temperature and feed them. Only feed the recommended amount. Extra food falls to the bottom where it rots and negatively affects the water quality. It’s best to feed fish, smaller amounts several times a day, so they eat it all each time. Each week or two you need to remove and replace several gallons of water with preaged water. You can test aquarium water with a kit from a pet supply store. Monthly, you want to clean the filter and change filter pads and charcoal.
Not-So-Fun Fact Most aquarium fish that die are improperly housed or fed.
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E N V IR O N M E N T BY DREA MIESNIEKS
Why Are Our Oceans so Warm? And what’s Godzilla got to do with it?
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he ocean temperatures along the coast of San Diego have been unreasonably warm for the past few months. While surfers and fishermen love these warmer waters, it’s causing destruction and chaos to the marine world. According to NASA climatologist Bill Patzert, this warm water at the surface is, in part, due to the last four very severe years of drought and the changing weather patterns. In fact, it’s been the driest four consecutive years in California’s recorded history! This year, surfers are cruising the waves without feeling cold, and despite the fishing season usually ending in September, fishermen are reeling in catches never usually seen this far north – some are landing yellowfin tuna right off the piers of San Diego! While this may seem like the never-ending summer, it’s throwing ocean ecosystems seriously out of whack!
Comparison of 1997 El Nino (left) to 2015 Ell Nino.
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Hammerhead sharks are just one of the species not normally seen this far nor th
SEA-LIFE SUFFERING Since late last year, starved sea lion pups have lined the shores of California. The sea lion’s favorite foods, such as anchovies, squid and sardines are finding the ocean too hot, and are swimming into deeper waters where it is cooler. With their prey further away, mother sea lions are having to travel greater distances in search of food, leaving their young ones without any nourishment for long periods of time. The pups are too young to dive for food themselves, and many starve.
WHAT’S CAUSING THE PROBLEM? El Niño is the culprit. Occurring every two to seven years, this natural weather pattern temporarily changes the world climate, warming up the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The biggest El Niño to date was in 1997-1998, but scientists are predicting this one to be even bigger. This cycle has been happening for billions of years, according to Patzert. After giving a speech in a middle school and showing an image (opposite page) of El Niño this year, a student remarked it looked like Godzilla! Check it out and see if you can see the shape of the monster lizard… Patzer says look for at least a minute!
HOW CAN WE HELP? “Break the fossil fuel addiction, and work towards renewable energy,” said Patzert. While you may not be directly in control of this, just spreading awareness of these issues are a HUGE step. “Millennials are supposed to be more intact with technology and
the communication. Maybe they can surprise me and use twitter for something great!” joked Patzert.
WHAT’S NEXT? Historically, El Niño has helped California get out of droughts. “I always say, great droughts end in great floods, so be careful what you wish for,” says Patzert. So far, there have been countless wildfires, destroying over 25 million trees, yet this El Niño is likely to bring the rain. Although that may seem like a good thing, these downpours can cause horrible floods. And things are likely to get a lot worse before they get better. Many scientists believe El Nino will peak during late fall and winter. But the sea lions will be glad to know that by the spring, hopefully, things should have turned back to normal, and their pups will
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STEM BY VICTORIA CRAW
GETTING STOKED ABOUT STEM:
San Diego Science Alliance
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he San Diego Science Alliance wants you to be wise – literally. The organization runs a program called ‘Be WISE’, which stands for Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering. The goal is simple: to encourage more girls to consider a career in science or math. That’s partly because women are underrepresented in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, with women accounting for just 24% of the workforce back in 2009!*
OVERNIGHTS Imagine having a big sleepover at one of the most fun places in town – while learning about science! That’s what the BE WiSE overnights are for! The program is for girls in 7th and 8th grade. You’ll get to work with women who are working in STEM fields right now. In the past, the overnights have been held at pretty cool places, like Sea World and the San Diego Zoo Institute! To get in, you’ll have to write an essay about an experience that got you excited about science. Maybe it was hearing about water on Mars, or when you made a baking soda volcano! You also need to fill out an online application and have one of your teachers write a recommendation letter. Applications for the coming year are accepted between December 1, 2015 and February 1, 2016.
WORKSHOPS Once you’re accepted into the overnights program, you’ll have loads of opportunities to participate in other BE WiSE programs, as they hold various workshops throughout the year. Some of their topics for this year include: • Introduction to the Crime Lab • Brains, Brains, Brains • From Genes to Vaccines Each workshop is designed for different grades, so make sure you check them out before you sign up!
BOTBALL TEAM
Who says math and science can’t be competitive? BE WiSE fields a team each spring for the Southern California Regional Botball competition. The team will engineer and program a robot using things like lego and sensors, and then coding it with a process called C computer programming. The girls then compete against other teams from southern California. So far, BE WiSE has competed seven times.
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Did You Know? BE WiSE surveys show that 85% of girls were considering a career in a STEM field after going through the program.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES Summer may seem like a long way away, but it’s always good to plan ahead. BE WiSE offers a busy summer schedule. They have camps where girls learn about computer programming, renewable energy, military robots, ‘smart’ homes, and solar-powered cars.
YOUTH SPACE INSTITUTE This is separate from the BE WiSE program, but is another opportunity just for girls! A team of high schoolers will make an experiment to be tested on the International Space Station. It’s an intensive program, running
from September to March. You’ll have to commit several hours per week. Check out www.sdsa.org/ youth-space-institute for information on how to apply!
BE WISE The great part about the BE WiSE program is that it doesn’t end once you graduate middle school. BE WiSE holds events for alumnae every year; many of them have gone on to have careers in STEM fields, proving that you can, too! *Office of Science and Technology Policy
Fast Facts about BE WiSE STARTED: 1999 PARTICIPATION: More than 1600
girls from San Diego County area have taken part
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C A R EE R
S P O T L IG H T
STEM GIRL FOCUS – PHYSICS AND MATH
Reach For The Stars Ever gazed up at the sky at night and thought how amazing it is to see all those stars? Ever wondered how they got there? How far away they are? Whether there are any planets like Earth out there somewhere? Ever thought about doing it as a job?! BY JEREMY BARRON
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my Mainzer is an astronomer – she studies all that for a living; the sun, moon, stars, planets, comets, galaxies – and so much more besides. Her job is so cool. It’s incredible. Space has inspired so many books and films like Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Star Trek, Space Chimps, Space Dogs…(the list goes on). To study it – and get paid too – must be awesome! But how do you become an astronomer? Why aren’t there more girls? And what’s it really like as a job? We spoke to Amy about working for NASA and why she thinks astronomy is the coolest thing ever. ARE YOU A SCIENTISTS OR AN ASTRONOMER?
Both. As a scientist, my job is to understand and appreciate nature. In particular, I’m an astronomer, and this has given me a tremendous opportunity to learn about the amazing universe we live in.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BE AN ASTRONOMER?
At first, I was attracted to astronomy because I thought the pictures I saw of stars and galaxies were beautiful to look at. But what kept me interested was that I was curious about the world around me, and I wanted to try to understand a few simple questions: why are we here? And where is ‘here’, for that matter? What is this place that I’m in, and what else is out there? As I learned more about it, science and astronomy provided a way to try to answer some of these questions.
WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING AN ASTRONOMER?
One day is always different from the next. I specialize in instrumentation which means I deal with lots of different subjects, ranging from computers, to electronics, to telescopes and cameras. WHAT DO YOU DO?
Right now at NASA, my job is to run a space telescope called NEOWISE, which is orbiting the Earth and scanning the skies looking for asteroids and comets. We are learning what asteroids are made of and how they move throughout the solar system.
RATE ASTRONOMY OUT OF 10
10 WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS NUMBER?
By becoming an astronomer, I’ve gained a whole new perspective on the universe. Planet Earth is so much more important to me now, because I know how special it is. We’ve found thousands of planets around other stars, and even though there are lots of them, they are too far away for us to go to them. So we absolutely must take good care of this planet – it’s the only home we’ve got.
SCIENCE, TECH, ENGINEERING AND MATH! In each issue CAREER SPOTLIGHT will show you how studying hard in these subjects can not only be fun - but also earn you lots of money when you are older!
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PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
Fact!
Only 36% of astronomers are women! HOW DO YOU BECOME AN ASTRONOMER?
Astronomy uses a lot of different skills. Of course you need to study math and physics, and I spend a lot of time writing programs on my computer to figure out what the images we collect from our telescopes are telling us. But I think a lot of folks don’t realize how much time we spend reading, writing, and speaking in this field. Astronomy these days is highly collaborative, meaning that we work in pretty big groups of people a lot of the time. It’s a very social activity since we work with people all over the world. That means you need to be able to communicate your ideas to other people.
Galactic Careers Working for NASA must be awesome! A good understanding of math and science is important – especially physics. But what different jobs are there? We picked 3 of the best!
WHAT’S THE COOLEST THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
As a scientist, your job is to try to understand why things work the way they do. The universe and Planet Earth in particular is full of so many beautiful and mind-blowing things. There is nothing quite like finally understanding how something works – whether it’s why the sky is blue, or how clownfish find their anemone homes on coral reefs, or how many asteroids are out there orbiting the Sun. To me, nature is full of wonderful stories. Learning about how the world works is like watching a great TV show in space where you love spending time with the characters. You have to find out what happens next! AND FINALLY, WHAT ADVICE HAVE YOU GOT FOR ANY BUDDING FEMALE ASTRONOMERS OUT THERE?
One thing about my job is that it is never boring! And there’s no reason why more girls shouldn’t do it. As an instrument builder, the time I spent as a kid doing random little art projects (like making silly hats) turned out to be pretty useful. If you like to tinker and make stuff, then building telescopes and astronomy might just be for you!
“Learning about how the world works is like watching a great TV show in space where you love working with the characters.”
ing! s u f n o c o Astr astrolog y! fused with
n in tronomy co ever y thing Don’t get as that studies ce n ie f ie sc a el b is d, is the Astronomy e other han t olog y on th tr as planets affec e an ac sp e stars d th of g t! in n en io er it ly diff that the pos Ear th! Total ts occur on en ev ay w e th PR I O R I T Y G I R L | S E P T E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
Astronomer
Reach in to space and study black holes, moons, planets, stars, asteroids, comets, galaxies – and everything else you’ve heard about in science fiction stories! Earning average: $66,000 Earning potential: $138,000 www.payscale.com
Cosmologist
How old is the universe? Cosmologists look at how the universe began, how it changed over billions of years, and what the future holds! How cool is that?! Earning average: $106,000 Earning potential: $140,000 www.ehow.com
Astronaut
Ok! So we’re aiming high here! But did you know space travel is increasing all the time? And so are the number of female astronauts. Pilot a spacecraft, go for a spacewalk, or serve as a research crew member! A mind-blowing career path! Earning average: $65,000
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A R T S ‘N C R A F T S
THANKSGIVING THEMED CRAFT IDEAS
BY TA M I B E N E D I C T
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Flowers, Paintings & Maple Leaves
rts and crafts can be a lot of fun to do, plus you get to show off your amazing art skills to your friends and family. Why not sit down with your siblings, cousins, or parents and have an awesome crafts night this Thanksgiving? It’s a great way to bring the family together and with everyone’s unique skills, you have endless possibilities of what you can create! Here are some fun Thanksgiving and fall inspired ideas for your next family craft night:
Maple Leaf Mason Jars Mason jars are a great accessory as they can be used as lights, makeup brush holders, or just a fall decoration around your house, and making these maple-leaf varieties is pretty easy.
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WHAT YOU NEED
– Three small mason jars – Maple leaves – Mod podge – Sponge brush INSTRUCTIONS
1 Make sure your mason jars are clean before beginning. 2 Take your sponge brush and some mod podge. Begin applying it to the mason jar - do this in sections, so you still have room to hold the jar. 3 After a section of mod podge is applied, press your maple leaf to it. 4 Continue until the entire jar is covered that way you like. The leaves don’t have to be perfect - think of fall and how imperfect the leaves gather on the ground! Also, don’t worry if the mod podge goes on white, it will dry clear. 5 Add a little twine to the top of your jars for a finishing touch.
Leaf Painting This cool leaf painting trick will give you awesome fall decorations that are super easy to make. WHAT YOU NEED
– White painting canvas – Spray paint (your color choice) – Canvas paint (your color choice) – Leaves INSTRUCTIONS
1 Take your blank canvas and paint it with the canvas paint. Just do a light layer - it doesn’t have to be perfect - and set aside to dry. 2 Once dried, take the leaves and arrange them any way you like on the canvas (you can do one leaf, or numerous). 3 Then grab your spray paint and paint the entire canvas. You want to go over the leaf and already painted canvas – again, this doesn’t have to be perfect. 4 Finally, take the leaf off your canvas and let it dry. Voila! An awesome, beautifully-colored leaf wall painting that was really easy and quick to make!
Pumpkin Floral Arrangement Having flowers around the house is always nice, but during the holidays having a fun vase to arrange them in is even better. Creating a floral arrangement inside a pumpkin is both festive and fun. WHAT YOU NEED
– Foam pumpkin – Flowers (real or fake) – Festive bow (optional) INSTRUCTIONS
Everything for this craft project can be bought at a Michaels or Joanne, unless you go with real flowers. All you need to do for this project is arrange your flowers in the pumpkin in the way that pleases you most. This is your floral arrangement, so go as crazy as you want. Be very careful, if you cut the wires from the flowers to get them to stick inside the pumpkin. Finish the arrangement off by adding a bow, or a cool little scarecrow.
Have fun with your art ‘n crafts this Thanksgiving! PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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M O N E Y M AT T E R S BY CORINE HAMPTON
Black Friday Shopping Getting the most for your money
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ovember means one thing in the money world: the start of the holiday shopping season and the eager anticipation of Black Friday sales! Are you one of those shoppers that camps out, hoping for big savings and great deals on Thanksgiving night and the day after? Although it might be fun, it may not be the most advantageous method of spending your money. We all love a bargain, right? But getting the best deals sometimes requires a bit of research, and a fair amount of strategic planning. Black Friday and the holiday season encourage our impulses to buy. However, Priority Girls know the value of a dollar and try to get the most for their money. Here are a few tips and tricks for holiday spending:
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Start by planning ahead and making a list of the things you want to buy. Set a realistic goal for spending, and stick to it.
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Do some comparisons, by visiting several different stores ahead of the holiday rush. You’ll be well equipped with the knowledge of whether or not you actually are getting a discount. Check out the Black Friday advertisements early, even if it’s just the day before. This will help you to plan where to shop, so you aren’t tempted to just buy because you are in a particular store.
Think about avoiding the crowded parking lots and long lines by shopping online (with your parent’s permission and help). Most Black Friday sales are available on the web too. Just beware of those sneaky shipping costs. The holidays are a busy time of year for everyone. Keeping your perspective about holiday shopping will not only help you stay relaxed, but will help your wallet remain plentiful into the new year.
Did you Know? An estimated 135 million people will shop on Black Friday. It is estimated that over $40 billion will be spent! That’s a serious amount of money!
We all love a bargain, right?
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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B O O KS TOP FIVE NOVEMBER BOOKS
Thankful for good books BY THE PRIORITY GIRL BOOKWORM
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ovember is great for enjoying a walk through the changing leaves, breaking out your favorite sweater, or sipping a tasty PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte). Here at Priority Girl one of our favorite parts of November is Thanksgiving! To celebrate the history of Thanksgiving, here are five amazing books that appreciate the culture and contributions of Native Americans. Some of these books discuss current challenges for people from native cultures, while others are adaptations of historical native figures like Sacagawea. Snag a cup of hot chocolate and pick up any of these engaging and exciting tales. Remember to be thankful of your own family this Thanksgiving and happy reading! – Priority Girl Bookworm
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian BY SHERMAN ALEXIE & ELLEN FORNEY
Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heart-breaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author’s own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character’s art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.
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Moccasin Thunder BY LORIE MARIE CARLSON
The ten stories that make up this collection are raw, original, and fresh. Although they are all about American Indians, they are as different from one another as they are from anything you’ve read before. A supermarket checkout line, a rowboat on a freezing lake at dawn, a drunken dance in the gym, an ice hockey game on public-access TV: These are some of the backgrounds against which ten outstanding authors have created their memorable characters. Their work — both poignant and funny, sarcastic and serious — reminds us that the American Indian story is far from over — it’s being written every day.
Streams to the River, River to the Sea BY SCOTT O’DELL
Once again O’Dell turns to the Native American for his subject, and in this novel he brings to life the mysterious Shoshone girl Sacagawea, interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark. Told from Sacagawea’s point of view, this is an honest, unsparing account of Indian life and the approaching whites. From the beginning, Sacagawea is calm and practical but fiercely independent; these attributes enable her to survive the succession of traumas that
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
Snag a cup of hot chocolate and pick up any of these engaging and exciting tales. will prepare her for Lewis and Clark. Forced into marriage with a French trader, she is then hired with her husband by Lewis and Clark for her knowledge of the Shoshone language and lands. Sacagawea’s narration of their trek often becomes unbearably agonizing as both she and her infant son are nearly killed several times. But her journey to the great sea is not only physical. It is a spiritual journey as well, as she matures in wisdom and in her love for William Clark. Finally, having been offered the white world and Clark’s love, she turns away, back to her Shoshone life. This is as quiet and intriguing a re-creation as Sacagawea herself.
The Ransom of Mercy Carter BY CAROLINE B. CONNEY
Deerfield, Massachusetts is one of the most remote, and therefore dangerous, settlements in the English colonies. In 1704 an Indian tribe attacks the town, and Mercy Carter becomes separated from the rest of her family, some of whom do not survive. Mercy and hundreds of other settlers are herded together and ordered by the Indians to start walking. The grueling journey — three hundred miles north to a Kahnawake Indian village in Canada — takes more than 40 days. At first, Mercy’s only hope is that the English government in Boston will send ransom for her and the other white settlers. But days turn into months and Mercy, who has become a Kahnawake daughter, thinks less and less of ransom, of Deerfield, and even of her ‘English’ family. She slowly discovers that the ‘savages’ have traditions and family life that soon become her own, and Mercy begins to wonder: If ransom comes, will she take it?
navigate to survive. Thomas Black Bull’s parents forsook the life of a modern reservation and took to ancient paths in the woods, teaching their young son the stories and customs of his ancestors. But Tom’s life changes forever when he loses his father in a tragic accident and his mother dies shortly afterward. When Tom is discovered alone in the forest with only a bear cub as a companion, life becomes difficult. Soon, well-meaning teachers endeavor to reform him, a rodeo attempts to turn him into an act, and nearly everyone he meets tries to take control of his life. Powerful and timeless, When the Legends Die is a captivating story of one boy learning to live in harmony with both civilization and wilderness.
When the Legends Die BY HAL BORLAND
A young Native American walks between the lonesome forest where he was raised and the complicated modern world he must
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TEC H C O R N ER Our monthly look at innovative electronics and gadgetry gizmos
Feel the Music Five apps & tech for the rising musician
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usic. Whether you love house, rap, or you’re super into country – it’s one thing we can all connect with; what bands you like, what concerts you’ve been to, and what famous people you’ve managed to meet are all great topics of conversation. But for some of us, that love of music goes deeper, and we want to become artists ourselves. Perhaps you’ve put in some late hours in singing practice, or you’ve continuously cut your fingers trying to get those guitar sections to sound just right, or maybe you’ve been working on that drum loop over and over just to get the perfect beat lined up. This month’s Top Tech is for all you aspiring musicians out there. We’ve got music discovery apps, music maker apps, and even an electric piano. Check below!
BY ALEX GREEN
easy by Keezy. Here’s how it works - when you first turn on the app there’s a bunch of tiles you can press. Each tile plays a different sound. Play them together by mixing whatever kind of beat you like, and you’ve got your first song. There’s tons of available sounds already on the app, but if you want to take your own thing even further, you can record songs, piano, and guitar right to the app!
KEEZY DRUMMER FREE
I’m sure we’ve all been there - determined we’re going to be the next Calvin Harris or Avicii, but when we boot up GarageBand, we’ve just got no clue where to start. Thankfully, getting some help with that first jump into music-making has been made
VIRTUAL DJ FREE
Ever been to a party where you can really tell the music’s a playlist? Well, you can now impress your friends, get gigs as a DJ, and have loads of fun with the free Virtual DJ program. It’s available on Mac & PC, and lets you use songs from your library to mix, match, record, and mess with any songs - just like a DJ would with a real turntable. It’s a little hard to understand at first, but spend a few minutes watching tutorials on YouTube and you’ll be laying down tracks like the best of them.
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give you a ‘ton’ of options, but this is something to use over a weekend to show off to friends, or a useful tool to get some simple track ideas down and recorded. It’s intuitive to learn, so after a few tries anyone can pick it up. Check it out on the Super Looper website - it’s also available in the Apple App Store.
SPOTIFY DISCOVER WEEKLY FREE
Have you ever really loved an artist, but found it hard to find a similar sound? Sure, friends can give you great recommendations, but no one knows you like you do. If you have Spotify, you’re in luck. In the ‘browse’ tab, the Discover Weekly playlist actually does an amazing job of finding songs you’ll love. Spotify gives you hit after hit that you’ll want to save. Even better, if you add more songs you like, it’ll find even more songs based on everything that’s in your saved music. Talk about a game changer!
SUPER LOOPER FREE
Similar to Keezy Drummer, this helps you put together really fun tracks in a matter of minutes. It’s actually simpler to use because it doesn’t
CASIO CTK-4200 PIANO FREE
Yes, for our last product on this month’s list we’re getting physical. If you’re a musician of any kind, you’ll have to get close with a piano. Singers need to be able to go up and down the scales, guitarists have to hear notes to play along, and even in the electronic world - synths, midis, and more are all based off the piano. But the good thing is that it’s a beautiful instrument to learn, and the Casio CTK-4200 is a personal favorite because it allows you do to so much for a fair price. Aside from hundreds of different piano & synth sounds, it has a 5-track recording power, it plays drum loops, and it has USB capability to record directly on to tons of computer programs. Basically, if you need a multi-purpose instrument, we definitely recommend this one.
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GAMER BY ALEX GREEN
Rock Bands & Disney Figures The best November games Every month, here at Priority Girl, we find the five best games that are currently out for mobile, PC, PS4, Xbox One and the Wii U. It’s hard work playing games all day, but we do it for you! No matter what kind of game you love, this month we have something for everybody, especially those that love music. Read on to see what we have in store.
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play vocals, guitar, piano, drums, and bass. There’s classic rock artists like The Who, modern artists like St. Vincent, and tons more you’ll get to discover. Songs are broken up by category and style, so find your groove alone or with the crew. After such a long wait, It is going to be a AWESOME!
Disney Infinity 3.0
Rock Band XBOX ONE, PLAYSTATION 4, $250.00
WII U, PLAYSTATION 3, WII,
The return of the classic is finally here. Rock Band is back with number 4! It’s the perfect party game; it’s so much fun, and super hilarious to watch your friends try to be musicians. Rock Band 4 comes with 65 songs to start, where you can
NINTENDO 3DS, XBOX 360, MICROSOFT WINDOWS, IOS, $60.00
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Disney Infinity is cool for a few reasons: one, you get to collect numerous figures. And two, you get to use them to play a really fun game. Disney Infinity 3.0 is the latest
in a series of games by Disney, where you play an ongoing story, and get to use special characters in the game by collecting their figures in real life. 3.0 is about Star Wars, and if you’re as excited as us for the movie, this will hold you over just long enough until December 25! The game has multiple chapters and stories that’ll last hours, in addition to collectables and much more. The base game, with a few figures comes in at $60.00, and figures come in packs of four or five that’ll also cost $60.00. Single figures cost $15, and you can find them in Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Toys R Us, and so on. And the cool thing? You can even get the characters from Pixar’s Inside Out, and put them in the game, too!
Knightmare Tower IOS, ANDROID, OS X, WINDOWS, $2.99+
Knightmare Tower is pretty straightforward - If you’ve ever played those games where you have to keep climbing, or bouncing on a screen to go higher and higher until the bottom catches up with you, this is exactly that. The cool thing is that you play a knight on
Rocket League OSX, WINDOWS ON STEAM, $20.00
What do you get when you combine racing cars and soccer? Amazing things. Number three on our list is Rocket League, a game on Steam where you combine high paced racing with soccer. It’s as insane and crazy as you’d think. On a futuristic soccer stadium, you’ve got a bunch of high speed, rocket powered cars instead of soccer players. A giant soccer ball drops in, and you move the ball around the field passing through defenders and goalies, using nitro to shoot the ball into the goal.
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a rocket-powered broom, and the longer you last in each round, the more items and customizables you can unlock. Sound crazy? Definitely. Worth the few bucks? Absolutely.
Just Dance 2016 PLAYSTATION 3, PLAYSTATION 4, WII U, XBOX, AND XBOX 360, $60.00
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Dust of your dancing shoes and get ready to show off your moves.
Just Dance 2016 returns with all new songs and challenging dance patterns. Songs from Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Meghan Trainor and even those Angry Birds, will have you up and out of your seat. There is something for everyone! So whether you are practicing by yourself or challenging a group of friends, Just Dance 2016 will have you movin’ and shakin’ as soon as you open the box!
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P H O TO G RA P H Y
READERS’ PHOTOS
Your Life Through a Lens Where the pictures tell the stories
We have some fantastic photos to share with you this week. Thanks to everyone who has sent in their pics! We are always looking for really good images, and we love it when there is a story behind them. Check out these snapshots from some aspiring Priority Girl photographers:
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LA camerawork Ann from Los Angeles sent in these three stunning photos.
KNOTT’S BERRY FARM “There’s still a feel of the Old West when you wander down the streets of the ghost town at Knott’s Berry Farm. I love the flowers and colors – it’s a wonderful place to go during the holidays.
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
OBSERVATORY “Nestled high in the hills of Griffith Park this is one of my favorite places to go to get away. From here you can see all of Los Angeles, it is a very quiet place to be.
WRIGHTWOOD, CA
Thanks to everyone who contributed this month – it’s great fun looking through your fantastic work!
“Snow piles high in the mountains of the small town of Wrightwood, CA. It was a wonderful day of building snowmen and having snowball fights.
We’d like to see your life thru a lens! Inspired? Want to share your pics? Send your original work to: photography@prioritygirlmagazine.com marked ‘Your Life Thru a Lens’. Please add your name, age and email address. Give us a line or two about yourself and why you’ve chosen that particular shot.
SUNSET VIEW We also have this picture sent in from an anonymous reader, which simply reads: “Our house is called ‘Field View’ and this is the view from my window. We often sit and watch the sun go down, listening to the birds chattering high in the grand old horse-chestnut trees that frame the picture. This fall our sunsets were rich in color and atmosphere. Next year they plan to build houses on the land, and my life through this lens will be changed forever.”
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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M O V IE S NOVEMBER BLOCKBUSTERS
BY TA M I B E N E D I C T
Action Sequels & Heart-wrenching Tales
Spectre
Brooklyn
RATED:
RATED:
PG-13 RELEASED: November 6 The latest James Bond film hits the screens this month, with Daniel Craig as the famous British spy. This time we follow Bond to Mexico City and Rome, as he tries to unravel a cryptic message from his past. While on the mission, 007 finds out that he is connected to an old enemy in more chilling ways than one. VERDICT: Licence to thrill!
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PG-13 November 6 The film takes place in the 1950s and follows Irish immigrant, Eilis Lacey, as she is lured from her Irish home by the bright lights of New York and the promise of a better life in America. But as her past life begins to catch up on her, Eilis has to make some difficult choices. Which country? Which love? Which life? VERDICT: Beautiful storytelling but an emotional roller-coaster RELEASED:
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There are some top movies to go and see this November. The latest Bond adventure and the final chapter of The Hunger Games will get the pulses racing, but we’ve also got some family fun and a bit of a tear-jerker! Enjoy the films! The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 RATED: Not
Yet Rated RELEASED: November 20 The final instalment of The Hunger Games is one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2015. It’s revolution time: Katniss teams up with her best companions to lead District 13 against the Capitol to liberate the citizens of Panem and stop President Snow. The action doesn’t stop in this whirlwind final chapter. VERDICT: Sensational!
The Good Dinosaur RATED: Not
Yet Rated
RELEASED: November
25 The newest Disney and Pixar films takes us back to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, but with a twist: What if the comet that wiped the dinosaurs out actually missed Earth and they didn’t all die? We are introduced to a young dinosaur, called Arlo, who makes an unlikely friendship with a human boy. Together they embark on a journey, navigating harsh landscapes as they travel across a dangerous and mysterious planet Earth. VERDICT: Dino-mite!
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W IL D L IF E W AT C H
REPTILES OF CALIFORNIA
Snakes and Lizards The stuff of nightmares, or animals with a bad rap?
O
ften seen as symbols for evil, and feared in many parts of the world, snakes have had a hard time of things down the years. Often presumed poisonous and killed on sight, humans have never really warmed to these cold-blooded creatures. Ok, so they haven’t got those heart-melting puppy-dog eyes, or the furry cuddliness of a
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
BY JEREMY BARRON
new-born kitten. But snakes, along with their other reptile cousins, really do have some redeeming features, and form an important part of the eco-system – particularly here in California. Read on to find out about some of the incredible and truly remarkable reptiles that live just outside your doorstep. They may not make you say “Ahhhh…”, but we promise you’ll be amazed all the same.
The diamondback shakes its rattle to warn off predators
Rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes found in California, and the diamondback is one of the best known. Its heavy body and triangular shaped head make it stand out from the rest. There are two dark diagonal lines on each side of its face running from the eyes to its jaws, and it has that fearsome sounding death rattle in its tail. Despite its terrifying reputation, the poor diamondback has many natural enemies, and often comes under attack from foxes, hawks and other larger carnivores – not to mention humans! Yet it provides a fantastic service to people by gobbling up other snakes and disease-carrying rodents. FAVORITE FOOD: Mice, rats, rabbits, gophers, ground dwelling birds, lizards and other small animals. WHERE? This snake’s not too picky with its habitats. You can find them living in deserts, grassy plains, forests, rocky hillsides and areas along the coast. INTERESTING FACT: Rattlesnakes are pit vipers. They have heat sensors behind their nostrils that they use to sense the slightest change in temperature. This helps them to locate their prey. DID YOU KNOW? Diamondbacks can shake their rattle 60 or more times per second! ENEMIES: Birds of prey, roadrunners, king-snakes, coyotes, bobcats and foxes all actively hunt diamondbacks, while deer, antelope, cows and horses will trample them on sight. WANT MORE INFO? CHECK OUT: • www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/ • www.wildlife.ca.gov/News/Snake • www.laspilitas.com/reptiles
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ENEMY. Eagles will sometimes prey on the diamondback.
ENEMY. Foxes actively hunt rattlesnakes.
ENEMY. Roadrunners are too quick for the diamondback.
Reptile facts • Cold-blooded • Most lay eggs, though some give birth to live young • Scaly skin
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Horned Lizard There are a number of different kinds of horned lizards that live in California. Ranging between two and five inches in length, these odd little reptiles are a throwback to prehistoric times. Covered in spiky horns, they are the masters of camouflage - often hiding from predators by standing completely still and blending into whatever is around them. FAVORITE FOOD: Ants are their favorite meal, but horned lizards also eat other small animals, like beetles and spiders. WHERE? Horned lizards can be found in varying habitats. They love fine sand between their toes, so are often found in deserts - but they are just at home in short grass landscapes, spruce-fir forests, and the lower parts of mountains. INTERESTING FACT: Horned lizards love eating harvester ants. But harvester ants bite, and their venom is pretty potent. Once gobbled, this doesn’t bother our little reptile, as his stomach is really tough. However, if too many of his favorite food swarm out of the nest and sink their venom into the reptile’s spiky skin, he will make a hasty retreat, as the ants can overcome and kill an adult horned lizard! Imagine your best-loved food attacking you! DID YOU KNOW? When threatened, horned lizards squirt blood from their eyes! ENEMIES: Birds of prey, roadrunners, snakes, larger lizards, dogs and coyotes. WANT MORE INFO? CHECK OUT:
Horned lizards often stand still to blend in with their background
• www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_ horned_lizard.php • www.animals.nationalgeographic.com/ animals/reptiles/horned-toad/ • www.laspilitas.com/reptiles_and_ Amphibians/Lizards/Horned_Lizard/ horned_lizard.htm
ENEMY. Red tailed hawks can spot lizards from high above.
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ENEMY. Lizards are the staple diet of many species of snake.
ENEMY. The little horned lizard is no match for big predators like the coyote.
ENEMY. Ravens prey on the tortoise’s eggs and young.
ENEMY. Female desert tortoises will defend their eggs from the venomous gila monster.
ENEMY. Fire ants can attack and overcome young tortoise hatchlings.
Desert Tortoise These slow-moving vegetarians seem to have a different reputation to snakes and lizards. Often seen in a more positive light, these hard-shelled animals can grow up to 15 inches in length. Able to survive temperatures of up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, desert tortoises spend most of their lives tucked away in their cool burrows, and are extremely hard to find in the wild. Despite water being extremely scarce in the desert, tortoises are cleverly adapted to extract the moisture from the plant life they eat. They also dig small holes to collect rainwater! Crafty tortoise! FAVORITE FOOD: Grass, wildflowers, herbs, fruit – even young cacti shoots. WHERE? Desert tortoises spend around 95% of their time in underground burrows. Although they are mainly found in desert and semi-desert habitats, they sometimes live in bush flats,
hillsides and even woodlands. INTERESTING FACT: Some burrows have been found to home up to 23 desert tortoises. It’s good to share! DID YOU KNOW? Desert Tortoises are an endangered species and are protected by law in every state they live in. In the 1950s, there were about 200 desert tortoises per square mile, but now there are as few as 50 to 60 per square mile. Human interference has been a major cause of this decline. ENEMIES: Ravens, gila monsters, foxes, badgers, roadrunners, coyotes, and fire ants. WANT MORE INFO? CHECK OUT: • www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_tortoise • www.desertmuseum.org/center/edu/docs/3-4_Reptiles_p21-27.pdf • www.ehow.com/info_8631135_desert-tortoises-kids.html Desert tortoises are able to survive temperatures of up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
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TR A N S L ATE D BY R H O N A R E I D
An Alien’s Guide to the Human Boy– Computer Games Hey! Xandra the Alien here, back with some more observations on the behavior and habits of the Human Boy.
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This time, we are focusing on his almost constant desire to engage in playing games using a variety of hand-held devices. It has to be said that this is not just confined to the young male – these electronic objects appear to preoccupy the human female too, though usually she is found staring deeply into its optical receptors with her lips puckered like she wants to kiss it. We assume she is copying an image of her fish-lipped face to send to other humans, who may appreciate this unnatural expression. We’re not sure. But back to the young male, and his ‘gaming’ habit…
think that the Human Boy has perfect hearing. But our observations show this is not true. While playing a game, a hearing defect clicks in, allowing the creature to use an inbuilt selective filter. With this in operation, the Human Boy listens only to what he needs to hear. Indeed, words that allude to the delivery of food or drinks seem to make it through the filter and can be acted upon, whereas words such as ‘homework’ or ‘bedtime’ cannot. Poor Human Boy.
What is he doing?
The young male may emit either shocked groans, such as “No way!” and “Urgghhh! I hate this game! It’s so unfair!”, or cries of ‘Yeeesssss!’ at various points of the gaming cycle. There may also be a low rumbling sound if the Human Boy fails to correctly hear the offer of food made by the elder humans, thinking, mistakenly, that he had been asked to take out the garbage. It is hunger, and that is apparently one of the few outside forces that can lead the young male to abandon the computer game; often in search of cookies and cheesy poofs.
He is building; he is running; he is fighting; he is gathering. He is a rock star. He is a warrior. He is a farmer. He is a hero. Life is full of challenges, and the Human Boy is not always equipped to deal with them. By retreating into a world, where he only has to press buttons in the right order and at the right time to make worlds rise and fall, he is experiencing a taste of control and recognition that he may still be struggling to find in the real world. Or he is just avoiding clearing out the dishwasher. It is hard to work out.
Can he hear me?
The elder male and female of the species
What’s that noise?
But what about The Real World? The Human Boy is still part of it. He just looks as though he isn’t. As soon as he finishes this level, he will definitely, definitely unload the dishwasher. … Or maybe the level after that.
May our knowledge be with you.
– Xandra
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A U T O G IR L BY RHONA REID
LOOKING AFTER YOUR BIKE
Auto Girl Maintains Her
Bicycle! W
hether you’re hitting the road or the trail, if you commute daily to school, or only use your bike at weekends, it’s really important to know how to keep it working properly. Here are five checks you can carry out really quickly and easily, which will leave your wheels in tip-top condition. Let’s go, Auto girls!
1. Keep a clean seat post
If you want to avoid a large bill and the inconvenience of paying a mechanic to sort it out (or worse, writing off the frame), then take care of your seat post! It’s an easy one; unfasten the seat clamp, give the seat post a clean, apply lubricant (tool grease), and retighten. This simple job will stop corrosion and seizing.
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“I relax by taking my bicycle apart and putting it back together again!” – Michelle Pfeiffer, actress ct s Wheel Fatenegger wheeled his way into omas Kal en he manAustrian Th 29 , 2014 , wh e n Ju on s ook in one hour! the record b ile wheelie m 15 g in p p ro aged a jaw-d
2. Avoid water ingress
Great! You’re keen to keep your bike looking clean and shiny, so you wash it every weekend. That’s good, yes? Well, yes and no. If you don’t drain your bike properly after washing it, then standing water can accumulate, especially at the seat post and bottom bracket area. Some bikes have a drainage hole, but try lifting your bike upside down to see just how much water is trapped in there!
3. Chain reaction
Keep your chain clean and oiled – you’ll soon feel it protest if you don’t! To clean, use a chain brush and chain cleaner, and scrub until most of the oil is off. Rinse the chain with water and dry with an old rag. In sunny California, you don’t want to apply a heavy, sticky lubricant, which will attract dust; you need dry lube, which goes on as a liquid, coats the chain and then dries.
ut Check o tons of r o f e b u YouT e ntenanc i a m e k bi s tutorial
4. The name’s Allen, Allen key Or Hex key, whatever is more familiar to you. Have a set of these in your kit, and use them to adjust the brakes and tighten the handlebars of your bike regularly.
5. Lights! Cycle-action! It seems obvious, but check your lights are working properly, front and back, and then check them again. Even if you’re not planning night cycling, be prepared and know that you can see and be seen in the dark.
Auto Girls, well done! Another set of skills brushed up. Enjoy the ride! PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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THE HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA
THE FIRST
EUROPEAN SETTLERS Spain ‘discovers’ San Diego
E
BY CHERYL WALKER
ver wonder about the history of where you live? Ever wonder what was there before all those roads and buildings and concrete? Each month, Priority Girl is building a picture of the Californian past, learning about our ancestors - the people who shaped the land into what we all call ‘home’ today. Last time we found out about the Kumeyaay people, who had lived in the Californian area for thousands of years. But what happened next?
CABRILLO EXPLORES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In 1542, 12,000 years after the Kumeyaay people had settled in the San Diego area, the Spanish explorer, Admiral Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, sailed north from the
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SEE FOR YOURSELF
• See Mission Basilica, the old mission that the first settlers built! Check out www.mission sandiego.org to see tour and event times. • The San Diego History Center is a great place to see photos, artifacts and more! Visit SanDiegoHistory.org to plan your trip.
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SAN DIEGO TIMELINE 1602
Spanish merchant, Sebastián Vizcaíno names the area after his ship, The San Diego
1500
1542 Spanish explorer, Admiral Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, discovers what would later be known as San Diego Bay
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west coast of Mexico. Cabrillo was hoping to discover the Northwest Passage - a stretch of water that was supposed to extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific through North America. Finding such a passage would have provided an easy route from Europe to the Spanish colonies on the Pacific coast. Spain worried that if France, England, or another enemy country discovered it first, the future of Spain would be in danger. Named Sal Salvador and Victoria, the two ships Cabrillo sailed in were small, and not well-equipped for such a long voyage. But somehow, Cabrillo’s ships successfully landed in what would later be named San Diego Bay. Cabrillo and his men stayed and explored for only six days, before heading northward again to continue their search.
SAN DIEGO GETS ITS NAME 60 years later, in 1602, Sebastián Vizcaíno came to map the coastline of California for Spain. A merchant hoping to establish colonies in the area, Vizcaíno went on his journey with three good ships. The flagship was called the San Diego. After five months of sailing from Acapulco, Vizcaíno finally anchored at Point Loma, and two days later the bay was renamed ‘San Diego’ in honor of Vizcaíno’s expedition. After ten days, Vizcaino left and was very excited to tell the
King about San Diego’s safe harbor, friendly natives, and very promising potential as a future colony for Spain. But his country was not convinced, and for well over 150 years, San Diego was forgotten by Europe…
SPAIN (FINALLY!) COLONIZES Around 1769, Spain got news that Russia had become interested in the Pacific West, and had begun traveling very quickly down the coast of the Americas after crossing the seas between Siberia and Alaska. The threat of losing land in California and Mexico made King Charles III of Spain finally take urgent steps to colonize San Diego, and he sent settlers right away. The first arrival of the new colonists was in 1774. The local Kumeyaay people rebelled against the Spanish takeover. Protecting their homes, the Kumeyaay killed a priest and two other Spanish men on their land, and they burned down the newly-built Spanish Mission church. A few years later, in 1780, a fire-proof clay and tile building replaced it, and was named Mission Basilica. By 1797, tensions between the Spanish and the Kumeyaay had lessened, and the San Diego mission had become the largest in California. It was the beginning of what California has become today.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cabrillo’s discovery of San Diego Bay is reenacted every year at the Cabrillo Festival at Cabrillo National Monument.
1774 Native Kumeyaay people rebel against the Spanish, burning down the church and killing three people
1769
1780
King Charles III of Spain gives orders to populate California and the San Diego area
Mission Basilica rebuilt
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2015
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F R IE N D S THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP
HOW TO BE A
GREAT
Girl-Friend BY CHERYL WALKER
W
e’ve all seen it: The girls at school who make it their mission to cut down the other gals around them - often including their own friend group. It seems that female relationships are notorious for being shallow and fake, and if you take notes from the most popular TV shows and movies, it can feel like healthy female friendships are one in a million (thank goodness for Leslie Knope and Ann Perkins).
IT’S A GIRL THING So what’s the deal? Why is it that female friendship has become such a minefield of dishonesty? Largely, it’s because we’ve been taught - whether we realize it or not - that other girls and women are purely competition. Pop culture loves to highlight relationships between women that are the most destructive; the most catty and untrustworthy of them all - and often, those that revolve entirely around boys or men. In most plotlines, women are either in competition with each other, or jealous of each other, which creates a backstabbing atmosphere of cattiness and mistrust that all of us should hope to avoid.
Use these tips to step out of the world of unhealthy female friendships, and into the next stage of your life.
AVOID GOSSIP One of the most destructive elements of a relationship can be talking badly about someone behind their back. Sometimes we just need to get something off our chest, but don’t give in to an endless cycle of nasty comments – it’s not healthy. It’s also a pretty dishonest way of expressing your feelings about someone you call a friend. The next time you get the urge to gossip, try to pinpoint why: If there’s something that your friend has done to hurt your feelings, she deserves to be approached in person, and delicately. That’s the most likely path to deepen your relationship, rather than break it. If the
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gossip is coming from a less genuine place, practice simply holding your tongue.
OPT FOR POSITIVE MEDIA It may seem hard to find shows and movies that reflect healthy female relationships, but try. The next time you watch a show, ask yourself if you would be happy to have the female friendships the main characters have? Think about the way they treat each other and talk to each other. If you don’t like it, reconsider watching or replacing it with a more positive show.
EMBRACE HAPPINESS, REJECT JEALOUSY In terms of success, there are two ways you can look at the world: One in which there is only a small amount of success available to a small amount of people, or one in which many people can be successful at the same time. A friend doing well at school, or in a sport, or who is popular with boys, does not make you a failure. It’s no reflection on you at all. Sometimes seeing someone else being successful brings out the worst in us. Be happy for them, not jealous.
TEAMWORK The worst part about jealousy is that it makes you push away the people who might actually be your most powerful allies. Instead of viewing your friends as competition, view them as resources for your own success! There’s a truth to the idea of strength in numbers, and there is nothing more powerful than two or more strong women working together. Think ‘Girl Power’!
SHED THE EXCESS Don’t feel badly about cutting ties with ‘friends’ who cut you down more often than they build you up. If you consistently feel down on yourself after hanging out with a certain friend, it may be time to let them go.
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quads Inspirational Girl S
ON SCREEN ) Abbi + Ilana (Broad City (Parks and Recreation) s in rk Pe nn A + pe no K Leslie OFF SCREEN r Tina Fey + Amy Poehle omez Taylor Swift + Selena G PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
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P ETS R U L E SMALL CAGE WHEEL RUNNERS BY JOANNE M. ANDERSON
Hamsters & Gerbils
Y
ou don’t need a barn or a one to a cage. Dwarf breeds can live yard to have a pet, and together, and all of them are busy after here in Pets Rule, we’re the sun goes down. This means they going to give you make little noises tearing up paper, the low down on all kinds of scampering around and running on possible pets. Animals love us the wheel during the night – not just as we are. They don’t care great if you’re a light sleeper about our hair, house, grades, and they live next to your bed! age, weight or shoes. You can Gerbils are highly social and read, sing and talk to them about should not live alone; be sure to a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g. get two males or two females, so Hamsters and gerbils have long you don’t have a dozen gerbils in a Dwarf Hamster been enjoyed for their soft fur, cute few weeks! They rarely bite and are faces, fun antics and running sooooo active both day and night. fast and going sooooo nowhere on a wheel COST ‘N CARE in a cage! They are both rodents and appear similar, yet their personalities are quite different - and you’ll You’ll need to plan and set up housing, bedding, need to choose the best to suit you and your family. food and water before bringing home your new pet. Syrian hamsters (the most popular) MUST live alone; A wire cage or 10-gallon aquarium with a secure
Mongolian Gerbils
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BOOKS Obi BY MICHAEL DELANEY
Syrian Hamster
mesh top makes a good living space for a A gerbil book series, hamster or gerbils (gerbils, in particular, including Obi on the love to burrow deep into the lower part Loose, On a Mission of an aquarium). Always keep them away and On a School Trip. from direct sunlight, drafts, air vents and other sources of heat or cold. Avoid pine Secrets or cedar shavings for bedding; the fumes According to can be harmful. They like timothy hay, aspen Humphrey shavings, gerbil bedding or shredded paper towels, and they’ll shred it for you, including BY BETTY G. BIRNEY cardboard. Since they like to tunnel around, make With other stories the bedding a few inches deep, and also toss in some starring Humphrey PVC or other indestructible pipes for playing and hiding. Commercial feed is fine, along with fresh veggies, nuts and seeds. The safest water system is an inverted bottle with a tube, available at a pet store. Change water daily, and clean their cage completely once or twice a week. They will clean themselves, but they will not do simple housekeeping chores. That’s your job! Like all critters, they need exercise, and much of it comes by running on a wheel. A wire wheel is fine for a hamster, but gerbils MUST have a solid wheel to run in because of their long tails. They all need to gnaw on something hard to keep their teeth from growing too long. Wood (untreated) or a nylon or sterilized bone works well - no paint or chemicals. All these small pets are lively, and while you clean their cages, it’s nice if they can go into a bigger enclosure temporarily, even a room, but be sure there are no places they can get out or fall into. They don’t exactly come when they’re called!
MOST POPULAR Hamster: Syrian, 6-8 inches, lives 2-3 years Gerbil: Mongolian, 4 inches, lives 3-4 years
THE TAIL E
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GER BI
Gerbil
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L TA ILS: A bout 4 inch es, same as bod y, be cautiou s w ith toys and wh eels – their tail can sometimes get caught in them . Never buy a wire wheel.
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H E A LT H ALLERGY ALERT
Beds, Pets & Dust Mites The truth behind indoor allergies
H
ave you ever cleaned your room and been ‘rewarded’ with a vicious sneeze attack? Because it often stirs up dust, household allergies are often triggered by cleaning. Unlike sufferers of pollen, people with indoor
BY CHERYL WALKER
allergies are actually affected worse in the comfort of their own homes. According to WebMD, indoor air pollution can be twice as high as outdoors - and often it’s much, much worse. In the winter, indoor allergies can become more severe than ever.
What’s to blame? House dust is a combination of many tiny particles that can all cause allergic reactions, including: mold spores, food particles, insect parts and more. But the main culprit is the lowly dust mite; small enough to be inhaled and become lodged in your mucus membranes. During fall and winter, when we turn on our heaters for the first time, the house dust and mold that has built up in the heater systems are blasted throughout the house tightly-shut windows and doors trapping it all in without ventilation.
What can I do?
1. Keep things clean
While you might be tempted to tell your parents that your cleaning days are over, one of the only ways to combat indoor allergens is to clean more consistently and more thoroughly, so that the allergen particles don’t build up. Especially if you have pets, or if you’ve had the windows and doors open a lot during the spring and summer, you should dust and vacuum at least once a week.
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2. Focus on Bedding
Many people with indoor allergies suffer most at night, tossing and turning as their symptoms keep them awake. To keep your bed allergen-free, wash your bedding and pillowcases in hot (more than 150°) water at least once a week.
“Indoor air pollution can be twice as high as outdoors.” – WebMD Indoor Allergy Symptoms Nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy skin, red itchy eyes, and/or asthma conditions.
3. Get Tested
If your allergy symptoms are new and last more than a week, then consider going to the doctor and asking for an allergy test. The doctor can examine your skin and blood, to confirm any indoor allergy suspicions.
4. Treat Your Symptoms
If you think you have indoor allergies and you want to stop the symptoms, try an antihistamine if you want to reduce sneezing, sniffing or itching, or a decongestant to clear out mucus and swelling. If your symptoms are severe, consider asking your doctor for an allergy shot.
And you thought it was safe inside your own home!
Cockroach Allergy?! According to medicinenet.com, cockroach particles, feces, and eggs have all been confirmed as a major source of indoor allergies. Yuck!
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EV E N TS LIVE FROM CALIFORNIA
Don’t Forget These NOVEMBER Events Check out some of these awesome late fall events. SAN DIEGO Annie November 3–8 3666 Fourth Ave San Diego, CA 92103-4106 http://www.broadwaysd.com/annie.htm
It’s a hard knock life, but somebody’s got to live it. What better way to enjoy an autumn evening than by seeing a beloved musical? The show is a remake of the Broadway original that is sure to please modern audiences. Bet your bottom dollar it’ll be good! Chargers vs. Chicago Bears November 9 Qualcomm Stadium http://www.chargers.com/team/game/2015/week-9/ san-diego-chargers-vs-chicago-bears
Are you ready for some football? The Monday Night Football crew descends on San Diego, for the second time this season, to see the hometown Chargers take on the Bears. Qualcomm will be rocking as the Chargers fight to stay in the race. Be sure to show up early to participate in all the pre-game fun! Escondido Tamale Festival November 14 Grape Day Park
69th Annual Mother Goose Parade November 21 El Cajon http://www.mgpelcajon.com/index.html
Sure, soon enough Santa Claus is coming to town, but the real attraction at this parade is Mother Goose. As the largest parade in San Diego County each year, the Mother Goose has a lot to live up to. Thousands of spectators join the hundreds of floats, marching bands, horsemen, clowns, and classic cars on the streets, for a goose load of fun.
SAN FRANCISCO Oakland Raiders vs. New York Jets November 1 1:05pm The red-hot Oakland Raiders take on the surging New York Jets. Oakland has been on a winning streak lately and with Derek Carr and Amari Cooper, they hope to continue their winning ways. Come out to the field and enjoy a game. If you have some Halloween spirit left over, get a seat in the Black Hole ... The scariest end zone in all of the NFL. Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pier 39 November 21 and 22 PIER 39 http://www.pier39.com/
http://visitescondido.com/7761/ escondido-tamale-festival/
Celebrate Southern California’s Hispanic culture with music, dancing, and delicious tamales. Admission to the event is free and the schedule includes a tamale cooking contest, Chihuahua costume contest, and Quincineara fashion show. Vamos a la fiesta!
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BY WILLIAM POOLE
What could make kicking off the holiday season at Pier 39 any better? How about Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and the rest of the Disney gang? That’s right. Characters from Disneyland will be making the trek to SF for this special tree lighting occasion. Get an autograph or a high five from your favorite characters, while a 60-foot Christmas tree lights up the scene.
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
Turkey Trail Trot November 26 Polo Field, Golden Gate Park http://www.sanfranciscoturkeytrot.com/2015/
Work up an appetite on Thanksgiving morning as you jog through beautiful Golden Gate Park. Did I mention that participants love to dress up as pilgrims, Santas, and turkeys? It’s the perfect way to wake up on Thanksgiving while having fun. Celebration of Craftswomen November 27-29 Fort Mason, Herbst Pavilion
their goal is to prevent any pet from ever dying in a shelter again. At this event, 50 LA area shelters will bring their cutest pets together in an attempt to find them a loving home. Hundreds of kitties and pups will be available for as little as 50 bucks, so roll on down to add a furry family member in time for the holidays. LA Auto Show November 20-29 LA Convention Center http://laautoshow.com/
http://www.celebrationofcraftswomen.org/
What started as a small crafts show in 1976 has grown into the largest women’s crafts fair in the nation. The Women’s Building of San Francisco hosts the event to promote the arts and support women in need. Interested in a career in the arts? This is a great event to check out to see women pursuing their dreams.
LA is famous for its terrible traffic but at the LA Auto Show, patrons can enjoy cars without the dread. Futuristic four-wheelers from all over the world will be on display and some can even be driven. But if cars aren’t your thing, there’s also a Fun Zone with arts, crafts, video games, and more. Vroom! Vroom! Designer Con November 21st and 22nd Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau http://www.designercon.com/
LOS ANGELES NKLA Super Adoption Weekend November 7 and 8 La Brea Tar Pits and Museum http://nkla.org/
NKLA stands for No-Kill Los Angeles and
PR I O R I T Y G I R L | N OV E M B E R 2015 | p r i o r i t yg i r l m a g a zi n e .c o m
Calling kids of all ages! Designer Con is a weekend long celebration of toys, art, and designer goods. Over 300 vendors will be offering goods for sale and show, from funny trinkets to collectible action figures. There’s even a pajama party one day - but no, you can’t stay the night. Sorry!
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Suduko: Answers!
No peeking until you solve them!
EASY # 11 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.43) Puzzle
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Inspiration PRIORITY GIRL
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
– Oprah Winfrey, Media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist
“I sustain myself with the love of family.” – Maya Angelou, Author
“It doesn’t matter what story we’re telling, we’re telling the story of family.” – Erica Lorraine Scheidt, Author
“Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weakness.” – Ann Landers, Chicago Sun-Times advice columnist
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