october 2013
the flyer VOL1
the flyer
OCTOBER 4th5th8th9th12th14th 16th 19th 30th31st-
2
Calendar
Progress Report #1 SAT Testing 9th Grade Challenge Day 10th-12th Grade Challenge Day Princeton Review Free ACT BHHS College Night 9th Grade MEAP Testing Sweetest Day, PSAT Testing Devil’s night Halloween
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4 HAWK TALK 5 BATTLE 6 RESTAURANTS 7 MOVIES 8 MUSIC 9 TECHNOLOGY 11-17 FEATURE 18 FASHION 19 HOW-TO 22 ONE LAST THING 24COMICS frozen yogurt
mex, kalamata, cafe ml
On the cover: The October 2013 cover of the Flyer combines three pictures featured inside of the issue. The leftmost picture is of Bloomfield Hill’s new Mexican restaurant, Mex (see page 6). In the middle is a photo of the thinker at the Detroit Institute of Arts (see pages 1117). Last is an image of the Detroit skyline (see page 11).
Photo Credits: From left: Junior Sarah Kovan, sophomore Brendan Eathorne, senior Ibrahim Ijaz. Ijaz explains, “I was visiting the set of Transformers 4 in Detroit, and when I saw the clouds and buildings, I realized that even though the economy of Detroit is down, the character and personality will constantly be present and positive.”
cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2, gravity, runner runner
ariana grande album
iphone 5s, pheed
detroit arts and film
ask the expert, rococo
make apple cider
Charlie hollerith
Contents
3
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Hawk Talk See Who’s Tweetin’
“We just did four
“Thank god everyone is tweeting that today is homecoming, I almost forgot #sarcasm” @TrevorDWoods
more years...Let that sink in” @emiweee
“Ears are ringin.
Things are back to normal.” @ben_haji06
“‘tis the day
#hc2013yo” @alliee_careyy
“When your 2
shades of purple clash #bloomfieldstrugs” @freebie21
4
HAWK TALK
“The bhhs plague is taking its toll.” @LizaHsu
4312 Orchard Lake Rd West Bloomfield Township 48323
141 W Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI 48009
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FRO-YO FIGHT The froyo here is more than Just Peachy. As a froyo addict, I have scoured just about every single froyo establishment within a thirty-mile radius of Bloomfield Hills. With average yogurt but a refreshing ambiance, Just Peachy is definitely at the top of my list. A day in the life of a froyo addict means that the craving kicks in when the clock strikes noon. However, instead of following my typical route to Yoz Yogurt, I decided to take a little detour and give Just Peachy a try. As I walked into the contemporary establishment, my eyes immediately went to the great array of toppings, including fresh fruits, crushed chocolate candies, gummies, and many syrups. Not only do customers have 35 toppings to choose from, but they can also select from fourteen self-serve frozen yogurt machines with mouth-watering flavors such as key lime pie and hawaiian coconut. I was in froyo heaven. Being a froyo addict usually comes with a heavy price. Luckily for me, Just Peachy is among the cheapest in comparison to other local self-serve frozen yogurt establishments at just $.47 per ounce. I usually opt for the original tart with cookie dough on top. But with the great variety of flavors, I wanted to try something new. It was nearly impossible to make a decision without trying them first, so the friendly, staff attentively catered to my taste-testing needs. Unlike some frozen yogurt stores where the ice cream is watery and melted, a customer’s worst nightmare, Just Peachy’s yogurt came out looking frosty and delectable. In the end I filled my cup with peach, raspberry, and my all-time favorite: cake batter with a spoonful of coconut flakes for a grand total of $4.94. . My first-time experience at Just Peachy could not have been better. I would recommend Just Peachy to any froyo lovers out there. Keep calm and froyo on. --Xinlei Zhu, Associate Editor
sweet earth More like sweet heaven. Tired of finding guilty pleasure in tempting desserts that will have you working out for the next week? Rest assured, Sweet Earth’s frozen yogurt will leave both your desires met and your body in shape. Open from 11am to 11pm daily, Sweet Earth welcomes all different ages. Whether with a group of friends, a date, or family, Sweet Earth is a great place for all. This Birmingham hang-out works to promote a healthy lifestyle and clean environment. They offer organic, gluten-free, wheat free, and vegan flavors to encourage a healthy way of treating yourself. Sweet Earth also uses spoons made of plastic starch and decorates its interior with handmade tables in an attempt to become more eco-friendly. With countless flavors and 35 different toppings, this self-serve style cafe left me wanting more with each serving. Being able to create my own combination of yogurt and toppings is what made this place so much fun. Even after eating my three pound masterpiece of chocolate yogurt topped with fresh fruit, sprinkles, chocolate chips, cookie dough, and nuts, I was still craving more. The cozy interior serves as a nice hangout place as well. The soothing colors on the walls and the dim lighting attracted me in right away with its sense of peacefulness. I preferred Sweet Earth’s interior to other places like Just Peachy or Leaf & Berry where more bold and flashy colors are used to decorate. Sweet Earth is better than any other frozen yogurt place out there with affordable prices of $10 or less per serving and a guarantee of guilt free satisfaction. --Jasmine Sharma, Page Editor
See for yourself:
Easily topping my “favorite froyo” list is Leaf & Berry. Located in Orchard Mall on Orchard Lake Road, Leaf & Berry is up to my standards of frozen yogurt. The array of toppings available and the fact that the flavors are always changing made this particular froyo place top my personal charts. This shop has incorporated tea and smoothies into their menu along with yogurt. This shocking twist to the recent yogurt craze made me quickly learn that tea and yogurt is the dynamic duo of all desserts. Considering myself to be an avid tea drinker, I simply could not resist the urge to try every tea at least once. The first time I ever walked into Leaf & Berry, I immediately fell in love with the calmness all around me. I proceeded to layer my empty yogurt cup with Banana Royale yogurt and sprinkle chocolate chips and fresh cut strawberries over it. It was love at first bite. Being my first of my many times there, I decided to try their exceptional bubble tea. As I waited in line to pay, the man in front of me had self served froyo weighing out to 10 oz exactly. All of a sudden the cashier exclaimed that his ice cream was free due to the exact weight. Ever since then I have tried to create the perfect 10 oz yogurt (I’m still in the process). After these two delicious visits, I had to have more. I became a regular costumer days later, and soon I could not go a day without their Blueberry Green Tea or Sugar Free Peanut Butter yogurt. I came in so often, the manager gave me a 10% off family and friends discount. I have decided to cut back on my addiction, but I still make my weekly visit to the only place my sweet tooth desires. They also offer karaoke nights, open mike night, and drag queen bingo throughout the week. They are open until 11pm on weekdays and 12am on the weekends. If you are looking for a unique, nearby, delicious treat, Leaf & Berry won’t disappoint. --Shelbi Jouni, Page Editor
Just Peachy
Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6385 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322
Leaf & Berry
battle
5
Bloomfield’s newest mexican spot overwhelms
6
I opened the larger-than-life wooden door into a wonderland of hip music, loud conversations, gaudy design, and pungent fumes of tequila. I was overwhelmed. Mex, the new restaurant and bar, attempted to greet me with excitement, but the mirrors hanging on the walls and ceiling reflected a confused Alice in Wonderland. Inspired by the iconic work of Mexican architect Luis Barragan Zach Sklar (the owner and executive chef) wanted his restaurant to be “fun and totally outside the box.” His vision was that “everywhere you sit you have a different experience, and every time you dine at the restaurant you notice new design elements which always create an exciting experience.” This vision is now being welcomed by big crowds--a crowd that brings about an hour and forty-five minute wait (no reservations). Two hours later (due to the hostile host who forgot to give me a reminder call), I was seated at the indoor patio with the delightful view of Telegraph Road and a jam-packed parking lot. About ten minutes after ordering, my fish tacos ($9.50) and elote ($4.50) arrived. The fish tacos layers grilled mahi, cabbage slaw, spicy peanuts, and corn. My first impression was the smell--the spicy peanuts gave a kick of earthy nuttiness hard to find in chalupas from Taco Bell. However, the sensory overload stopped with the smell. The rest of the flavors were too bland to be noticed. I was more impressed with the elote than the fish tacos. The elote was sweet and savory with a blend of seasoning, but the fish tacos were bland and the texture lumpy. In terms of my overall experience at Mex-it was all a bit of a blur. Although the edgy design and authentic Mexican bistro caught my attention, the apathetic service was a turnoff, and my tacos were carelessly prepared. Still, Mex has that certain je ne sais quoi that keeps customers coming back for more. Its entertaining, lively, trendy, and original qualities ensure Mex will become the new hotspot in town for Metro-Detroiters. Just not for me. --Julia Lee, Associate Editor
FOOD
cafe ml
restaurant offers superior greek at affordable prices
unique menu options make this eatery a stand out
Assembling the perfect gyro is remarkably similar to crafting the perfect Pad Thai or throwing together an exemplary taco. An amalgamation of potentially dominating ingredients (raw red onion and tomato, tamarind paste and scallion, cilantro and jalapeno, respectively) must be coaxed, in the correct proportions, into a cohesive dish. Perfection, unfortunately, is a distinctly un-human characteristic. However, Kalamata’s gyros (at the $6 price point) come satisfyingly close. Walking inside the Woodward and 14 Mile location (there’s another on Crooks and Big Beaver past Somerset), I was thoroughly impressed. Kalamata is a fusion of Starbucks and Chipotle: wooden tabletops adorn stainless steel booths and bar-style tables, a full window-wall strikes a pleasant balance between spacious and cozy, and high ceilings and an efficient layout impart a modernist feel. Menu-wise, Kalamata offers a degree of choice without overwhelming patrons with options. Gyros, the feature item, come in five different styles ranging from traditional (onion, tomato, Tzatziki) to unorthodox Greek Cowboy (green pepper, pepperoncini, Greek barbeque sauce). For a larger meal, there are plates of Greek meatballs or lemon-roasted chicken available (both $9.95), as well as a wide assortment of Greco-American sides including quinoa, spinach pie, lemon rice soup and pita with grilled vegetables. Being a purist, I went with the traditional gyro ($5.69) plus spinach pie and a side of quinoa ($2.29 a piece). My gyro was successful on multiple levels. The flavors were expertly balanced between spicy onion, acidic tomato, mellow Tzatziki, and rich lamb (which was carved from the ubiquitous vertical spit moments before). The sandwich walked an important line between being overstuffed and easy-to-eat. Hearty quinoa and the rich spinach-feta pastry rounded out a dinner that tasted way better than $11 has any right to taste. $1.85 Chipotle guac, eat your heart out. So stop by Kalamata the next time you need your quick Greek fix between 11am and 9pm, and you’ll never voluntarily go back to Leo’s again. --Josh Inwald, Staff Writer
All it takes is one trip to Café ML to realize it is better than your ordinary café. Café ML takes its name from its location right on the corner of Maple and Lahser. The conveniently located restaurant opens its doors at 4pm and closes at 10pm on weekdays and 12am on Saturdays. As I walked into the new American bistro restaurant I was immediately hit with a warm, modern feeling. I first noticed the large stylish bar area which stretched across the restaurant along with the high urban tables topped with mini golden globe lights. This might not be the “cool” hang out place for teens to go on a Saturday night, because when I walked in almost every customer had a drink in hand. I almost mistook this visit for happy hour. When I picked up the menu, nothing looked familiar. Ceviche, tuna poke, Korean fried chicken…what was this stuff? The only recognizable food was the steak frites, but that was soon a dismissed thought when I realized they didn’t have my favorite A1 steak sauce to go with it. I decided to go with the jerk shrimp ($21). When my entrée was brought to the table, I was more than pleased. It looked almost too perfect. The spicy jerk shrimp was served on top of the coconut rice covered in a mango papaya salsa. The spices from the shrimp accompanied the rice so well that I couldn’t help but want more of it when I noticed they were all gone. This dish was totally delish. It was now time for desert. All night I looked forward to trying the Popcorn Pot de Crème ($6), vanilla custard with caramel, sea salt, and chocolate covered popcorn. I came to find out they were all out of this popular dessert. So I ended up trying the Peanut Butter Mousse Pie ($6) with caramelized bananas on the side. My mouth watered with every forkful of the irresistable dessert. My food experience at Café ML was a pleasing, new experience. Not exactly the place for teens, but the food was great. If your parents are ever looking for a nice evening out, this upscale restaurant is the place to visit. --Brittany Andrews, Staff Writer
From left: Mex exterior, Pollo Asado ($7.5) and Fish Taco ($9.5) from Mex, Traditional Gyro ($5.69) from Kalamata, and Jerk Shrimp ($21) from Café ML
mex
the flyer kalamata
the flyer Gravity Clooney’s latest fi l m visually stuns
“Gravity” is out of this world. Released on October 4th, Gravity shows the story of a seemingly routine spacewalk where disaster strikes and Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock, “Blind Side”) and veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney, “Up in the Air”) are thrown into the vast unknown. Probably the most amazing aspect of this PG-13 film, and what has earned it a 98% on rottentomatoes.com, is the special effects. Director Alfonso Cuaron truly made this film memorable. They are utterly stunning and particularly extraordinary when seen in 3-D. Everything felt real. Breath fogging up glass, millions of stars in the distance, debris flying at unimaginable speeds…everything was thought out to appear in the most magnificent way possible. Gravity was able to tell an incredibly insightful story that was both beautiful and terrifying. It amazed me to no end while remaining a unique, creative, and new story. However, the one drawback of the film was its entertainment value. While at certain points the suspense is high and I was gripping the edge of my seat, at others I was bored, looking at my watch wondering how a 91 minute film could feel so long. Despite the fact that the story was drawn out at points, it was still exciting due to the strong acting abilities of Bullock and Clooney, who are able to show spectacular character development in such a short amount of time. Both extremely intriguing and inspiring protagonists, it’s impossible not to root for them the entirety of the film. Overall, Gravity is a breathtaking thrill ride, with amazing effects and impeccable acting. With its fresh ideas, it is able to overcome some of the rather drawn out scenes. I would recommend this movie to anyone interested in space, to anyone who wants to see an innovative story, or to anyone wanting to see a triumph that is as mind-blowing as space itself. --Lizzie Nagel, Editor-in-Chief
runner runner
Cloudy 2
Timberlake and affleck bring the action
Cloudy with a Chance of meatballs 2 serves up fun for the whole family
“Runner Runner” begins at Princeton University with an ingenious student named Richie Furst (Justin Timberlake, “Friends with Benefits”). Richie, the son of a gambler (John Heard, “Between the Lines”), finds himself struggling to find the funds needed to complete his masters degree--so he turns to gambling. After losing all of his savings to an inhuman poker player online, Richie knows that he has been cheated and sets off to contact the founder of the site, Ivan Block (Ben Affleck, “Argo”), and get his money back. He sets off to Costa Rica where the fun begins. In this action-packed film, Timberlake encounters all sorts of people in his business ventures and finds himself in a lot of trouble. This plot-line is similar to any other classic action movie which includes a family hostage, a forbidden love, and a lot of street fights. However, the incorporation of modern technology being used negatively separates it from other movies. The entire movie revolved around the use of online gambling sites and how much easier it is for college students to throw away their entire life savings without ever leaving their bedroom. I felt that this message was unique and relevant towards today’s society. Directer Brad Furman (“The Lincoln Lawyer”) was able to create a complex web of lust, greed, and betrayal while characters strived for success. At a short length of 91 minutes, a multitude of events kept my attention. Nevertheless, with an R rating this movie is not for everyone. Viewers must have the ability to follow complex plot-lines and understand a ton of gambling and business jargon. If looking for an interesting, eventful movie I would recommend “Runner Runner,” especially for anyone who is particularly interested in the up and coming online gambling fad. The message that it gives is an important one and this movie portrays the consequences quite perfectly. --Maddy Pazner, Associate Editor
I will gladly take seconds of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”. This sequel to the 2009 movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” picks up shortly after the first film left off. After his machine wreaks havoc upon his hometown, Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader, “Superbad”) and the rest of the residents of Swallow Falls are relocated to sunny San Franjose, while “the coolest, hippest company in the world”, LiveCorp, heads up a cleanup effort back in Swallow Falls. Most of the main cast from the first film returned to lend their voices to the sequel. Bill Hader and Anna Faris (“House Bunny”) as Flint Lockwood and Sam Sparks, respectively, delivered strong performances. Kristen Schaal (“Despicable Me 2”) was a standout as Barb, a talking orangutan with a human brain. Schaal’s voice was perfect for the character, and she was able to subtly show the development of her character in her voice. The animators were the true stars of this PG film. The visuals were absolutely stunning and the visual humor was an especially strong component of the film. All of the artwork, from the colorful apple pie-thons and flamangoes to the sleek and futuristic LiveCorp headquarters, was done beautifully and with great care. If you have an appreciation or even just a high tolerance for 95 minutes of food puns, you will undoubtedly be entertained by Cloudy 2, which packed in at least ten gags per minute. At times they did seem forced and incessant, but at their best, they were quite amusing. Of course, the movie did have some flaws. From what I could see, there was a complete lack of a theme. Unlike its predecessor, which contained messages about being true to one’s self, this sequel seemed to be more concerned with cramming in as many anthropomorphic marshmallows and fruit puns as possible, instead of truly developing an identifiable theme. --Maitreyi Anantharaman, Associate Editor
movies
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lorde our savior Lorde’s new album is addictive
Praise the Lorde. This New Zealand native released her first album, Pure Heroine, on September 27th and it has instantly become one of my personal favorites. Featuring her hit single “Royals,” which became extremely popular over the summer for its original heart-thumping beats, her album shows off many other songs with similar styles. This ten track album starts off with “Tennis Courts,” with the 16 year old asking, “Don’t you think that it’s boring how people talk?” The album continues with this theme of talking and gossiping, showing off her simple lyrics and mesmerizing voice, both extremely soothing in a day and age where the radio is plagued by dub-step remixes and auto-tune. Although I can listen to the album on repeat constantly, I seem to keep going back to the seventh track “Glory and Gore.” It’s just one of those songs that makes me want to go beat up some bad guys in high heels. Her low, deep voice syncs
perfectly with the bass of the song. Her rhymes in the chorus flow perfectly in a way that seem incredibly new to me and have me singing along despite my tone-deafness. Another favorite of mine is the ninth track, “White Teeth Teens.” The quiet, slow music to the verses greatly differs from the loud and progressive beats in the chorus. There’s just something about her smooth and varied sounds with her lyrics that make the song irresistible. The entire album meshes together to create perfect harmonies, melodies, and whatever other musical terms you can think of. Lorde was able to create an amazing alternative album that has something for just about everyone. The album ends with “A World Alone,” with Lorde answering her own question from the beginning saying, “Let them talk.” And I’ll be talking about Pure Heroine for a very long time. You can purchase Lorde’s album for $9.99 on iTunes. -- Lizzie Nagel, Editor-in-Chief
Grande is grand The album Yours truly, truly amazes
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Pop sensation sweeps charts. Sensational singer Ariana Grande, 20, released her first album September 3rd and within a week was topping the charts, and upstaging artists who have been around for years. The 13-track album Yours Truly features artists such as Big Sean and Mac Miller, who complement Grande’s angelic voice beautifully. Grande’s voice is often compared to Mariah Carey’s for her whistle tones and unique talents. Big Sean is featured on track 3 with a song called “Right There.” Although this song has gotten a great deal of publicity due to the fame Big Sean has accumulated, Grande steals the show. The contrast of rap and pop brings out the different genres all in one simple song. A personal favorite of mine, track
MUSIC
6, “Piano,” was love at first listen. This is the type of song I would listen to when getting ready in the morning to kick start my day. It’s upbeat and puts me in a good mood. As I continued to listen to the album I immediately understood why Grande excites listeners, particularly teens. Her voice is optimistic and fun, which may seem like every other pop artist out there, but it has much more depth. Grande released her music video for the hit song “Baby I” on September 6th. The album, containing songs like “Honeymoon Avenue,” “Lovin’ it,” and “Better Left Unsaid” should not be mistaken for basic pop music. These upbeat and individual songs differentiate the music style from basic iTunes top 10. Priced at $9.99 on iTunes, I consider Yours Truly money well spent. -- Shelbi Jouni, Page Editor
APPLES TO APPLES
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The iPhone 5S Has Room For Improvement In an incredible, earth-shattering, eye-melting, super-amazing, totally-not-seen-coming twist of fate, Apple just this past month released its next half-generation of iPhones: the iPhone 5S. But, that’s not really very interesting. What is interesting is the answer to the question: Is the 5S any good or not? Well, let’s just say it’s complicated. Following in typical Apple fashion, the 5S is a direct iteration upon the original iPhone 5. The 32GB version of the new Android-Slaughterer costs a hefty $300 when paired with a two-year contract, and honestly, it comes up as a disappointment, due to a combined issue of uninspired design and poor build quality. Considering how many cracked screens a guy can see walking around it’s no secret that smart phones are touchy. One might have the audacity to suggest it’s Apple’s responsibility to work on that, but I guess that would just mean they make less money on $60 screen repairs. In fact, a series of dropping, water-resistance, and other hazard tests run by SquareTrade proves the 5S is
less durable than the iPhone 5. This is what really killed the 5S for me: it’s just an up-charged iPhone 5 that’s even touchier than before. To be fair, the 5S does improve upon its predecessors in some ways. It boasts a sleeker frame and an improved camera. However, these are overshadowed by the biggest “improvement,” the fingerprint lock. The fingerprint lock idea sounds nice, until you realize the government will likely exercise its new found power to force companies to give them information deemed important (think Google searches). So if you are comfortable with the possibility of your fingerprints floating around the internet, then I guess that’s all right. Is it a bad phone? No. At the end of the day, it’s still an Apple product and has both good software and hardware integrated at a level superior to Android. It just has some major issues that make it not worth the high price. And considering Apple’s stock dropped 5% after it was first announced, a lot of people feel the same. Maybe if the iPhone 5 was still around this would be a good time to snag one. Too bad Apple decided to discontinue it. -- Daniel Bordener, Guest Writer
Pheed it Social Media Takes A Step Forward With Pheed The perfect app to ‘Pheed’ your latest social media addiction is now here. Pheed, just now gaining popularity, was created anonymously on October 12, 2012 just outside of Los Angeles. Pheeds’ philosophy is “It’s all about the options”. Pheed enables users to share various forms of social media; music, video, picture, and more. While the app’s interface is nothing new when it comes to layout, Pheed brings a whole new style to social media. This makes navigating through the app a natural ability. Taking the easy out of options to show opinion, Pheed piggy-backs off the other social media apps. Pheed gives you the option to give Pheedback (comment), love the post (like, or favorite), remix (retweet, or share post), or the most unique, and a personal favorite, the broken heart button (simply the ever yearned for dislike button).
The most appealing trait (taken from the social media site ‘stumbleupon’) allows one to rate media posts as ‘keepers’. That way, if the user finds a post he or she enjoys, and wants to come back to it, the user can go to ‘your profile’, they select My Keepers and find the videos they love. One of the biggest differences in Pheed compared to the other social media websites is the ‘customization of your Pheed’. Pheed gives you the ability to choose not only who you follow, but what content you follow. If you desire, you can filter your Pheed to only music, pictures, or any of the other media forms available. A handy feature to keep out the bad, and keep in the good. Pheed is the modern culmination of any form of media, tastefully done yet impressively simple. Although still using a similar interface to all the social media apps you have come to love, Pheed is the best way possible to bring them all together. --Jonah Newman, Page Editor
e iPhonne o h P i
TECHNOLOGY
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Classes at Bloomfield Hills High School, 3456 Lahser Rd. Room 105 Segment One Classes: $295.00
Oct. 28 - Nov. 20, 2013: Oct. 28, 29, 20. Nov. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 (4 weeks) 2:45 - 4:45 PM
Segment Two Classes: $60.00 Oct. 21, 23, 24: M, W, Th 2:45 - 6:45 PM Nov. 4, 5, 6: M, T, W 4:45 - 6:45 PM
Classes at 6785 Telegraph Rd, Suite 125
Segment One Classes: $295.00 Oct. 7-24: 7-9 PM Oct. 28 - Nov. 20: 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Segment Two Classes: $60.00 Oct, 1-3: 6:30 - 8:30 PM Oct. 19, 20, 26: 11:15 - 1:15 PM
Apple Driving School Inc. 248-689-8224 www.appledriving.com 10 ADS
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y s Detroit t r A s t Ge From the DIA to Indie Films, BHHS Gets Involved
11 Photograph taken by Ibrahim Ijaz
FEATURE
y s t r A s t e G t Detroi Piece/Artist/Est.Value A
A
Detr
C
B
- Self Portrait,
Vincent Van Gogh
Debt,
$60 million B
-The Wedding Dance,
Pieter Bruegel the Elder
E
$100 million
C -The Visitation,
& the
F
D
Rembrandt
Cash-Strapped C DIA Art for the
$60 million D -Orange Brown,
Mark Rothko
$70 million E
-Double Self Portrait, Andy Warhol
$80 million F
-The Window, Henri Matisse
$150 million
By city request, the collection of art at the DIA is soon to undergo an appraisal to determine its monetary value. However, some art experts have already estimated the worth of Detroit’s most notable pieces.
19.67
Price of DIA Admission for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Miles Down Woodward Counties. from Bloomfield Hills High School to the DIA
$0.00
277
New Bloomfield Hills High Schools that could be built with $18 Billion
60,000+
Total Art Pieces in the DIA Collection
$18,000,000,000 Detroit’s Reported Total Debt
roit,
$15,000,000,000 Expected Worth of DIA Collection
$6,400,000,000 Owed Post-Employment Benefits
Centerspread by Brendan Eathorne, additional information from The Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News and The Huffington Post
City considers e Auction Block
$3,500,000,000 Underfunded Pension Liabilities
$500,000,000 Amount EM Desires DIA to Deliver
Key Figures
James E. Scripps Founding Benefactor, DIA
Kevyn Orr Detroit Emergency Manager
Graham Beal, Current Director, DIA
the flyer
y s t r A s t e G Detroit The Municipal Art Thief
T
The Sale of DIA Art Will Rob Detroit of its Cultural Identity
he world’s perception of art in Detroit has long been confined to the image of graffiti scrawled across the decaying factories and neighborhoods of the city. Movies, magazines, and television dramas have limited the view of Detroit’s cultural presence to gang lifestyle and criminal vandalism. At the apex of its city’s financial troubles, the Detroit Institute of the Arts (DIA) is facing its greatest threat. With Detroit bankrupt and luck run out, the government has turned to the idea of selling off DIA art, an idea that would further blemish our cultural image. Tragically, this idea will likely be carried out. If Emergency Financial Manager Kevyn Orr wants to play auctioneer with Detroit’s timeless treasures, then the sale of DIA artwork is an excuse of a solution to the city’s economic strife. Not only would his actions eliminate an aspect of culture for Detroit, but a shared heritage the people of Bloomfield cherish. The DIA is far from a lifeline for the still-scandalous city government. The museum’s bounds extend farther than the city limits themselves, to where the children, parents, and grandparents of Michigan take pride in the collection they consider their own. Already visitors can see placards in place of paintings on loan, and one cannot help but to consider the gallery walls of a post-auction DIA. The DIA has long persevered through Detroit’s historical rollercoaster. With the danger of debt collapsing in, the government is forced to consider the sale of Detroit’s assets to cover the major losses. Unfortunately, the most highly considered of these assets involves the prestigious collection of art at the DIA. During its heyday, the city invested large sums of money at auctions around the world in order to secure various notable pieces. The works of renowned artists such as
14
FEATURE
Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Matisse, and Warhol have called the walls of the DIA home for decades. Now, however, their future in the Motor City has come into question. The first of the art museum’s obstacles came when Emergency Manager Orr first took up his position, and with it, processed the long-rumored sale of DIA art in order to begin recovering Detroit’s overwhelming debt. In response to this first step towards uncertainty regarding the collection, the DIA released an official statement in late May of this year, roughly two months after Orr was appointed. “The DIA strongly believes that the museum and the City hold the museum’s art collection in trust for the public. The
“
of a bankruptcy proceeding, as well as outlined the negative effects of such actions. “We continue to believe there is no reason to value the collection as the Attorney General has made clear that the art is held in charitable trust and cannot be sold as part of a bankruptcy proceeding,” the document continues. “In addition, recent moves in Oakland and Macomb counties to invalidate the tri-county millage if art is sold virtually ensure that any forced sale of art would precipitate the rapid demise of the DIA. Removing $23 million in annual operating funds—nearly 75% of the museum’s operating budget—and violating the trust of donors and supporters would cripple the museum, putting an additional finan-
We do not believe the art collection is a monetary asset, but a cultural one.
DIA manages and cares for that collection according to exacting standards required by the public trust, our profession and the Operating Agreement with the City,” reads the statement. “According to those standards, art cannot be sold to generate funds for any purpose other than to enhance the collection.” Despite the work of DIA directors and the support from as high-ranking officials as the Michigan Attorney General, a recent request from the emergency manager has heightened the feeling of insecurity. The collection of art at the DIA will undergo a valuation for the benefit of Emergency Manager Orr’s knowledge in regards to what portion of the city’s debt the sale of art could potentially make up. While the DIA has agreed to fully cooperate with the assessment, a statement they released in August reiterated their belief that the city could not legally sell their art as part
”
cial burden on our already struggling city.” The millage referred to in the statement involves a property tax passed last year for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties to assist in funding the DIA. In return, residents of the three counties are given free admission. Any move to sell art would invalidate the millage and trigger the swift downfall of the museum into what DIA Public Relations Director Pam Marcil defines as a ‘controlled shutdown’. “Our operating budget is around $34 million per year, so the bulk of our funding would stop,” Marcil explains. “We would not be able to raise that kind of money annually.” The predicament that both the City of Detroit and the DIA face is something Marcil and the other museum directors have never experienced before and the true risk of art being sold is unclear. “The situation is unprecedented. The emergency manager and governor have
The Thinker, Auguste Rodin
said they don’t want to sell the art, but that they must put everything on the table as part of the bankruptcy process,” Marcil continues. “The DIA believes that we and the City of Detroit hold the collection in trust for the public. We do not believe the art collection is a monetary asset, but a cultural one.” The $500 million that Orr reportedly seeks from the DIA is simply a drop in the bucket when it comes to the sheer size of Detroit’s debt, now more than $18 billion. While selling off a few Picassos and Van Goghs would satisfy the emergency manager’s request, even the removal of less noteworthy artwork would immediately afflict damage to the DIA, not only due to the subsequent defunding, but also in the loss of reputation in the cultural community. By selling Detroit art, the city as a whole loses credibility, reliability, and the already diminished respect of the rest of our nation, and indeed, the world. In the final statement released by the DIA this summer, they concluded their stance on the subject. “We applaud the EM’s focus on rebuilding the City, but would point out that he undercuts that core goal by jeopardizing Detroit’s most important cultural institution.” --Brendan Eathorne, Associate Editor
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y s t r A s t e G t Detroi
Detroit I Goes Indie
Michigan Film Director Takes us inside the World of Independent Films
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FEATURE
Independent films are Detroit’s best-kept (murder) mystery. “I like to keep the audience guessing as long as I can,” says local director Lee Martin who for the past eight years has directed The Midnight Hour- a thirty minute independent murder mystery show based in Detroit. “The sky is the limit because I don’t have a board of directors telling me what I can and can’t do. The Midnight Hour is a cross between the Twilight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, so if you like a little half-hour mystery that’s sometimes played for horror and has a nice little twist at the end, this is that sort of a show. We get you in and out in a half hour, it’s a fast ride.” Founder of the Michigan Entertainment Network Billy Whitehouse explains why directors like Martin are choosing Detroit not only for film locations, but for the area’s actors as well. “We go to big budget movies and we enjoy seeing a lot of the flash that happens on the screen and the stars we know, but there are so many incredibly well done independent films. They are diverse films with a broad range of topics that you might not see in the megaplexes.” He continues, “The bigger budget films are great for jobs and press, but at the end of the day, when that film makes a profit, those profits go out to Hollywood. If we have local producers, then they will be able to bring their profits back into Michigan.” Unlike visiting productions, Martin says his company has a reputation for building relationships with the people of the Motor City. “Many actors have told me that they have learned so much more being on our show than just standing around being one of seven hundred extras on a visiting production,” he explains. “It’s given them more to put in their demo reels and on their resumes. It’s one of those things where you can be a big fish in a little pond or a small fish in a big pond.”
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y s t r A s t e Detroit G Agreeing with Martin, Whitehouse adds, “When you get into some of the larger budget movies, a lot of those are casting out of state. They just fly the people in. The opportunities for Michigan actors in large out of state productions is very limited. Smaller budget, local, independent productions definitely utilize the very talented actors that we have here.” Martin, who did neighborhood theater in high school and college, feels that his acting experience has made him a better director. “It is helpful for directors to start out as actors first. By the time you get to be a director, you really understand everyone else’s challenges. It makes you much better at supervising those people.” Bloomfield Hills High School junior Maggie Smith is just one of the many local actors who have worked with Martin. “Working with Lee compared to other Detroit film makers is a breath of fresh air because he is very professional and organized. He’s got clear direction on what he wants you to do. Other filmmakers are very vague in their directions,” she says as to why she’s worked with Lee on three different projects. “This last time was on an episode called The Night that Rena Came Back from the Dead. It is about a group of children who caused a very bad incident on Halloween that comes back to haunt them years later. It premieres later this fall.” Martin believes that it is important to hire actors who are passionate about the business. “I suppose I am the proudest when we get a cast of really good actors and they have obviously done the homework and studied the script and made all of the right decisions. Sometimes as a director, you
hardly have to tell them anything because they have already figured out the character themselves. It makes my job so easy and it is a delight to work with those people.” According to Maggie’s mother Martha Smith, a lot of work goes into Maggie’s acting. “We spend a lot of time between the two of us talking about the character’s motivation,” she says. “Her latest character was a bully. We tried to figure out why the character is doing what she is doing. We had to figure out why she is saying what she is saying and not so much just what she is saying.” Martin believes that all of the hard work that he and fellow Michaganders put into The Midnight Hour was worth it. “A few months ago, we signed an exclusive ten year contract with a distributor in New York and they have ordered ten episodes. As soon as we turn those ten over to them, they are going to shop them around to Netflix and the other video on demand providers. It would mean that all of the years that I and many other people in Michigan have worked very hard were not all for nothing, that there was a reward at the end of the day for all of the hard work that went into it. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best and as soon as anything is cemented, we’ll definitely be making an announcement.” Maggie shares, “It is very exciting because Netflix can give a lot of publicity to unknown actors. I am very proud of Lee because he works so hard and it has finally paid off.” Looking at his work within the mitten, Martin says, “Everything you do is a gamble. Usually you don’t win, but sometimes you do and I think that that makes it worth it.” -- Sarah Kovan, Managing Editor
Independent Film: As defined by the Independent Film & Television Alliance, a film primarily produced and financed without the aid of a major studio
BHHS junior Maggie Smith works with Director Lee Martin on the set of “Don’t Look Under the Bed”
FEATURE
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q
q
How did you decide to start The Unconventional Zee?
I am in love with denim ripped jeans
a
love my Superga sneakers.Those are my life right now. A plaid shirt is what I pair with almost everything I wear. I really enjoy tying it around my waist to add another texture and dimension. Then, I throw on my signature “K” necklace and put my hair in a bun with my good old scrunchie that I never leave home without, and I’m good to go.
Who are your fashion inspirations?
q
I definitely take cues from different peoI’ve always been inspired by my mom and my parents. Recently, I’ve taken note of street-style blogs that have influenced what I want to wear. This blogger named Leandra Medine has a blog called The Man Repeller. I am in love with her style. She can do no wrong in my eyes,.
a ple.
q
How can we smoothly transition from summer to fall styles?
a Right
now, I am wearing a summery dress that I am making more fall by throwing on heavy boots and a sweater. I think you can play with your summer outfit and add maybe a chunky sweater or combat boots to make it more fall-related.
ask
What is your go-to outfit?
a and I’ll pair them with anything. I also
It started with my MYP project sophomore year, but my family and friends had been telling me to make a blog for a long time. People would always tell me they love my outfits, and I really have a passion for writing, so it almost became inevitable that I would create a blog where I could express myself and show off what I am wearing. Now, it’s something that I really enjoy doing.
q
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What new trends should we be looking out for?
think it’s becoming more and more popa Iular to mash-up different styles. I’m really
into wearing mini skirts right now. My blog is about trying to go against the stereotypes of girls wearing really short skirts or dressing really femininely, but I’m really into pairing mini skirts and flowery skirts with a blazer or cable knit sweater or even menswear. .
q Describe your style in three words. a I have to put unconventional in
because that’s the name of my zesty because I really like that and unexpected. Unconventional, unexpected, that sounds about
the
there blog, word, zesty, right.
expert
junior karlyn sykes talks fashion. For more from Karlyn, visit http://unconventionalzee.blogspot.com.
Rococo rises to expectations b i r m i n g h a m ’s n e w e s t b o u t i q u e o f f e rs a f fo r d a b l e fa s h i o n s There is nothing worse than looking at the price tag of the perfect top and knowing it will not be going home with you. The remedy? Rococo. The solution to this unbearable heartache moved from their temporary space in Complex in downtown Birmingham to their new location next to Sy Thai on 327 Hamilton Row. Rococo is the perfect hybrid of Anthropologie’s quirky and colorful style and Urban Outfitters’ unique and youthful seasonal trends without the overbearing prices. As soon as I walked in, I noticed the store’s hip ambiance and interior design; it suited their clothing style extremely well. Inter-
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FASHION
esting black and white striped wallpaper to contrast the colorful racks of beautiful apparel, modern edgy chandeliers to match their bold accessory line, and edgy displays to showcase their newest collections. Rococo’s items include trends that are currently in style, such as short A-line skirts, chunky knit sweaters, and colorful button ups. All that with a classic twist, pop of color, accents of metal, and the best part, they don’t fall apart after the first wash. Not only are the items for sale affordable eye candy and definitely worth checking out, but the sales associate was incredibly nice and helpful, informing me of their 70% off all summer items sale, which has been a yearly tradition since they opened their first store in Northville.
I indulged in a bit of retail therapy. As an avid lover of maxi dresses and maxi skirts, I caved in and bought a couple pieces including a beautiful floor length transition skirt for fall with a contemporary, simplistic print ($16) and a chiffon maxi dress that had a bright summer floral design ($20). The total of my entire purchase was about 1/4 of the price of a skirt from Anthropologie. So the next time you’re in need of a wardrobe spice up, stop by Rococo at 11am.-7pm, swing by and take a look, there is absolutely something for every style. --Liza Hsu, Staff Writer
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How To Make Apple Cider Step 1
* Shop the local produce stands, fruit markets or grocery store shelves. If you lean toward a sweet juice, use a ratio of three sweet to one tart, or for medium sweetness, use a two sweet to one tart ratio.
* Cut out any bruises or damaged parts, and remove stems. As a rule, it is not recommended to use any fruit for cider that you would not eat as it is.
Step 5
* Always keep your cider refrigerated. After enjoying a tall glass of fresh apple cider, store the rest in a sealed container below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (5°C) for up to two weeks, or freeze for extended storage.
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
* Strain the pulp. Squeeze the pureed apple through a cheesecloth, extracting all of the juice possible. If you have a fine-mesh sieeve or chinois, you can use the back of a spoon to press even more juice out. And you’re done!
* Puree the apple quarters. Use a food processor or blender, and process till your apples have the consistency of applesauce.
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How-to
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HERE 30% Discount for students and staff! Email bloomfieldhawkeye@gmail.com Sizes: business card, 1/4 page, 1/2 page, full page, webpage ad
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ONE
LAST with THING
Charlie Hollerith Principal
“The Last
compliment i received was from an excited junior who had just received a parking pass through the lottery. He thanked me for allowing juniors to be able to get parking passes.”
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“The last restaurant that I went to was Mex. I thought the food was good and I’m glad to see that Bloomfield has a new place for people to go to. “ one last word of advice “Listen and learn from others. Both of our high schools had been successful in different areas, whether it was in athletics, or performing arts, or academics. This means that we have good things to look forward to and makes the consolidation more exciting. Take advantage of opportunities when they are available and remain committed to your goal.”
What is the last dream yoU had? “In my last dream I was being scooped up and hauled away by a big Blackhawk!”
What is the last song you listened to? “‘Your Smiling Face’ by James Taylor.”
What is the Last meal you cooked? “Lasagna. My daughter and wife wanted a nice Italian meal, so I decided to cook lasagna that I spent two hours making in the kitchen.”
ONE LAST THING
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