Issue 78.10
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Intro
Katie Cortez, Editor-in-Chief editorinchief@lbunion.com Richard Mejia, Managing Editor manager@lbunion.com Ashley Rodriguez, Advertising Executive ashley.lbunion@gmail.com Nathan Zankich, Web Manager web@lbunion.com Amanda Del Cid, Social Media Manager Andrew Linde, Podcast Producer
NEW YORK AND BASKETBALL These last few weeks have been insane over here at the ol’ UW. You’ll see in the Food and Travel sections that Andrew, Alex and I traveled to the College Media Association’s national conference in New York last week. We learned a lot about journalism and got some good tips from professionals on how to make UW even stronger. But while we were there, the three of us took the opportunity to get motivated for our future careers. New York was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on, lack of sleep be damned. It was the coming back to California part that sucked. Not only did I come back to a state that has too much sun and too little weather, but I came back to a bunch of pointless office drama. When I was much younger, I probably would’ve gotten angry about coming back to such childish garbage and destroyed anyone in my path. But since I have much more important things to do (starting a career afer graduation), I don’t really care about office drama. I’ve gotten to that point in my life where I just want to graduate college and quit working two jobs. The light at the end of the tunnel is made
up of spring break hibernation and the start of Major League Baseball. To kill time and get back into sports, my friends asked me to participate in my first-ever NCAA March Madness bracket. I know nothing about basketball, so this whole experience has been interesting. I picked teams at random and at first my picks were killin’ it, but as of Saturday night I had been moved from first to forth place in less than 24 hours. Yes, we’ve put money on this. No, I don’t think I’ll be winning any of it. But on the bright side, keeping up with scores and watching games while working has made me feel less burnt out and anxious than I have school started in the fall. Since school started, my weeks have consisted of classes and UW office work on MondayWednesday. Classes, office
Christopher Orozco, Distribution Manager Graphic by Sam Orihuela
work, and barista life on Thursday. Office work and barista life on Friday. 12-15 hour production days on Saturday. And sleeping on Sundays. I worked at the coffee shop almost every day during winter break, so New York was the first time I’ve taken time off in almost eight months, and even then it was for a conference. Needless to say, I’m as burnt out as humanly possible and intend on spending my spring break in hibernation. Wake me up in April, Ktez
ART & DESIGN Sam Orihuela, Art Director artdirector@lbunion.com John Mueller, Graphics Illustrator illustration@lbunion.com EDITORIAL Ghost, News Editor news@lbunion.com Elizabeth Nguyen, Opinions Editor opinions@lbunion.com Bailey Mount, Community Editor community@lbunion.com Alejandro Ramos, Athletics Editor athletics@lbunion.com Kaila-Marie Hardaway, Food Editor food@lbunion.com Amanda Dominguez-Chio, Culture Editor amanda@lbunion.com Madison Gallegos, Culture Editor madison@lbunion.com Elliott Gatica, Music Editor music@lbunion.com Andrew Linde, Entertainment Editor entertainment@lbunion.com
Andrew and I want to do the unthinkable and eat every item on the Nugget Bar and Grill’s menu. We have take-home menus and check off each item, and each week we’ll talk about a different Nugget meal.
Andrew: Located way down on lower campus next the more disused than ever SSPA building is the Outpost. Consider it the Nugget’s little sibling. I had only eaten there a handful of times before, but now their menu is better than ever. They have a selection of wraps and pizza unheard of at the Nugget. I personally enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich with a Wyder’s pear cider. Their beer selection is smaller, but that’s to be expected. I also issued a challenge to the Outpost workers. They have a chili dog on the menu, but no chili burger. So I ordered one and they were more than willing to add chili to a
Peter R. Clark, Travel Editor travel@lbunion.com STAFF WRITERS Lauren Hunter, lauren@lbunion.com Sylvana Uribe, sylvana@lbunion.com Emily Ayers, emily@lbunion.com Jordan Daniels, jordan@lbunion.com Elizabeth Campos, liz@lbunion.com Matthew Gozzip, matt@lbunion.com Abraham Alapisco, abraham@lbunion.com
burger. The bun comes out a bit charred, but it was still good. Their hours are more limited and it’s usually busier than the Nugget, but I see no reason to avoid it. Katie: For whatever reason, the Outpost seems like a longer walk from our office than it actually is. This is why I haven’t been there until now, but I’ll probably start going there a little more often. Not only does the Outpost have my favorite cheap beer (Pabst Blue Ribbon) on tap, but it has a couple of menu items that aren’t featured at the Nugget. I had the pastrami sandwich that was a little messy,
COPY & ASSISTANT EDITORS Carissa Pope, Karen Ruiz, Sheila Sadr, Abril Burstein CONTRIBUTORS
Pastrami sandwich but overall a delicious lunch. The pastrami was cooked just right and even though I forgot to say “no onions,” the sandwich was not overpowered by the little amount of onion it had.
Disclaimer and Publication Information: The Union Weekly is published using ad money and partial funding provided by the Associated Students, Inc. All Editorials are the opinions of their individual authors, not the Union Weekly, ASI nor CSULB. All students are welcome and encouraged to be a part of the Union Weekly staff. All letters to the editor will be considered for publication. However, CSULB students will have precedence. Please include name and major for all submissions. They are subject to editing and will not be returned. Letters may or may not be edited for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and length. The Union Weekly will publish anonymous letters, articles, editorials, and illustration, but must have your name and information attached for our records. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 500 words. The Union Weekly assumes no responsibility, nor is it liable, for claims of its advertisers. Grievance procedures are available in the Associated Students business office.
Jesus Hernandez, Elizabeth Weinberger, Julia Velasco-Aguilar, Roberto Hererra, Justin Wu, Alex Pham, Tiffany Tran, Justin Abella, Mary Cruz, Jack Villalba, Sarah LeBlanc, Lilyana Tsoiasue, Anna Elaine Abella, Railan Oviedo, Lawrence Liu COVER DESIGN BY: Sam Orihuela FEATURE DESIGN BY: Sam Orihuela CONTACT US Snail Mail: 1212 Bellflower Blvd. Suite 116 Long Beach, CA 90815 Phone: 562.985.4867 E-mail: lbunion.info@gmail.com Classifieds: classifieds.lbunion@gmail.com
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Opinions
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Illustration by John Mueller Graphics Illustrator Corresponding with the Union Weekly’s feature about being burnt out, the Union staff also wanted to hear what other students felt about being burnt out and stressed. Because the semester has reached its time for midterms, many students were willing to express themselves and their methods of dealing with being burnt out. -Elizabeth Nguyen, Opinons Editor
When I’m stressed out, I like to do jiujitsu. All I have to worry about is tapping the other person out. All my focus is just on that person. Justin Abella, fourth year Recreation
When I am either burnt out or stressed, I take some time off for myself. I do something I really like to help me feel at ease. Then afterwards, I will go back to my problem and not feel antsy as I was before.
When I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed, I remind myself that my life is bigger than my current moment and situation. All I have to do is get through this obstacle in one piece. After that, I KNOW I’ll feel better because I always do. Sarah LeBlanc, fourth year Psychology
I take a step back. I cut off all the strings that are tied to me or attempt to cut off most strings. I think about how small I am in comparison to my point in the universe. I, to my city, my state, my country, my continent, my planet, my solar system, my galaxy. I think about all the multiple events, all these cogs in the machine that make our life as what it is. I think how the world will function without me. if I am removed myself from the machine, it will continue to move. Christopher Orozco, fourth year Psychology
Tiffany Tran, third year Sociology
When I’m stressed, I tend to exercise more. Sometimes, I just like to go on the track and run as fast as I can and for as long as I can until I burn out. Justin Wu, third year Accounting
When I’m under lots of amounts of stress, I sweat like crazy and I have this unshakable anxiety. But when I just think about the situation I’m in, I just ask myself if it’s something I should be stressing about. Most of the time, I answer, “No, it’s nothing that I should be stressing over.” I breathe or I just go outside. I listen to music. I cuddle my pillows. I vent my feelings towards family and friends. But if it’s something major and it will have an impact on my familiy/work, I let my peers know. Every now and then, I remind myself how far I’ve come with school, work, and research opportunities. I remind myself that I’m fucking awesome and I will kick life’s ass if I have to. Anna Elaine Abella, fourth year Psychology
How do you deal with being burnt out?
I feel very tired when I’m stressed. I deal with it by making out with a girl and relaxing myself with some good ol’ sleep. I try to keep calm through and not take it out on anyone. Alex Pham, third year Computer Engineering
The best way for me to deal with stress is to go on an outdoor trip, whether it’s just a day hike or a weekend trip. It’s just to get away for a little while to recent myself. Another way I deal with stress is by going dancing, either at the Social Dance Club or PCH Club just to relax and just to have fun. Those have been the most effective stress relievers for me so far. They force me to let loose and enjoy myself, which helps me with my school work. My stress is relieved and I’m put in a good mood. Lilyana Tsoiasue, third year Psychology
When I’m stressed, I like to destress by doing yoga or maybe go for a run. I also try to hang out with friends so I don’t think about the stress. Justin Low, fifth year Psychology
I sing or paint. Sometimes, I cry for a bit or take really long showers. Mary Cruz, third year Fibers
I bite my nails. However, whatever makes me stressed usually gets to me. I don’t really have a way to fix what’s making me stressed until so much time passes by that I forget. Lawrence Liu, third year Biomedical Engineering
When I’m stressed, I go to sleep if it’s something I can’t fix at the moment. Otherwise, I do my darndest to fix whatever’s making me stressed. Railan Oviedo, third year Biomedical Engineering
So the way I usually deal with burning out is that I resort to my hobbies. Without them, I’d probably have gone insane already. Experiencing a burnout is a very common thing in life. The more you deal with it, the better you get at dealing with it although it’s not easy. You find something enjoyable to kill some time and pick up where you had left off. Anonymous
4
News
Who Will You Vote For? A look at the ASI Presidential candidates before the polls open March 21-23
Robert Espinoza By Lauren Hunter Staff Writer Robert Espinoza is a history major with a communications minor working to get his credential here and aspires to be a teacher, as well as ASI President. He says that his background gives him the strength to get through this election. Transparency is his campaign platform. “Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, I never thought I’d be in the situation I’m at,” Espinoza said. “I’ve been shot before, I’ve been incarcerated, my brother was a
Oscar Acevedo By Abraham Alapisco Staff Writer Transparency and awareness are aspects surrounding Oscar Acevedo and Corey Jordan’s Campaign for ASI President and Vice President. They want students to be aware that ASI is meant to serve student interests as a whole. “The whole point of ASI is to keep students first,” Acevedo said. “In my opinion, it’s all about advocating for the students. It’s just something that’s been lacking at least the last three years I’ve been here.” Acevedo sees ASI like a lawyer-client relationship. He says he would advocate for students and values the potential opportunities the position would allow as a representative of the student body. The student-funded multi-million dollar budget of ASI is a responsibility that Acevedo and Jordan aim to focus on. Jordan would like to see a more balanced appropriation of funds from the budget, while Acevedo believes in fair distribution of funds. “I don’t want spending that’s only going to go towards a specific interest group,” Acevedo said. Besides budgeting and awareness, sexual assault is a focal point of their campaign, as there have been issues during the academic school year ranging from how it is been handled, communicated, and addressed. Acevedo is disturbed by the rise in sexual assults related to campus, and believes creating an open, safe environment to propose solutions is key to tackling the issue. He believes that there is a lot of attention on sexual assault right now, so it’s important to acknowledge it and not sweep it under the rug. Past campaigns have been full of empty promises such as proposals to alleviate the pain of finding parking and improving WiFi in order to have stronger connections, but Acevedo wants to find practical solutions for realistic issues based on the reach of ASI’s breadth. “I feel like I’m the only candidate trying to take on the real issues. I feel like students are smart enough to not fall for that.”
former gang member.” One of the bigger issues he hopes to tackle as the next ASI president is The Male Success Initiative. “I found out there’s a 10 percent gradational rate between black and Latino males,” Espinoza said. “It’s unacceptable, especially since our campus motto is ‘Graduation starts first.’” He hopes to establish resources, like tutoring and mentorships, for all nationalities to provide more opportunities for the successful futures for all students. He plans to change how the current ASI government gives back to the students. “I truly believe ASI should allocate more money towards scholarships,” Espinoza said. “When I checked the ASI scholarships we are only offering 20 to our students for $1,000 each. Especially since our students are paying $100 in ASI fees that money should be going back to them. That’s one of the biggest things I want to make sure.” Espinoza also wants to give the students more information about ASI government. “They have no idea who the president is, they have no idea who the vice president is, they have no idea who represents them,” he said. “I think the greatest thing in this world is to give to others, to make a difference,” Espinoza said.
Marvin Flores By Emily Ayers Staff Writer For ASI Presidential candidate Marvin Flores and his running mate for ASI Vice President Logan Vournas, making students feel that their voices are heard is at the center of their platform. “This year student voices have often been shut down and we want to raise them up and make sure that everyone knows they have support from ASI, and that they can come to us with any questions,” Flores said. One of the team’s goals to support student voices is to hold bi-weekly town-hall meetings to increase transparency between students, faculty, and administration. “We are at a critical time at our university with the conversations being had with administration, but most students still walk around campus feeling like they don’t
Jose Salazar By Alejandro Ramos Athletics Editor Although his busy schedule as president has kept him from campaigning, Jose Salazar, the current ASI president he believes his previous work from his first term will prove he is worthy enough to be president again. “If you want a president who is accountable to themselves, you have a perfect example,” Salazar said. Salazar’s main focus throughout first term has been the improvement of the
Isidro Morales By Matthew Gozzip Staff Writer ASI presidential candidate Isidro Morales knows what it is like to be in the shadows of society. Growing up in the border city of San Diego, Isidro saw a lot of his friends go to college but was distraught that he could not apply. “I used to hide the fact that I was undocumented in the past,” he said. “I was in fear of deportation but I overcame the struggle by surrounding myself with passionate friends who never let me give up.” Being undocumented was part of his past but Isidro does not want it to define him in the long run. He understands incumbent ASI president Jose Salazar struggles with his own immigration status. Isidro sees this as
Dylan Tom By Elizabeth Campos Staff Writer A random idea where a dynamic duo would follow each other’s path resulted in working towards “a new beach vibe.”ASI presidential candidate Dylan Tom is running for ASI president along with his long time friend and vice presidential candidate, Novy Bowman. “She’s just as passionate as me, if not more, about the election,” said Tom about his partner.Tom, a 22-year-old journalism major decided to take on to a presidential position in the student government to change the campus environment. Tom explains that throughout his stay at the CSULB, technical changes have been made, but that the atmosphere on campus has yet to be revamped.
an opportunity rather than a negative quality. “I understand the issues students face on a daily basis; I know what it is like to have job outside of school, balance a hectic schedule and resolve more personal problems”, Isidro explains. “I will be transparent as president and I will be out fighting for equal rights for all students. I want to let them know that I am open minded to all students point of views”. On top of transparency and open acceptance of all views, the junior transfer student senses community at CSULB and aims to nurture it. “I am running because I believe I can change the culture around the school,” Isidro elaborated. “I believe I can bring back dormant school pride and I want to reach out to everyone in the CSULB family who feels excluded. ” Isidro outlines his pride plan as a way to connect sports teams, arts and music programs and student organizations to move towards a common goal: make their time at Long Beach a memorable one. “I want to change the atmosphere on campus,” he said referring to the school spirit and voice that its given to the students. Tom’s idea of “a new beach vibe” rose from seeing the events, school spirit and opportunities that other schools have. “I feel like we have the resources so all it takes is to have the right person to do it,” Tom said. Tom explained that he truly cares about the campus community and has ideas that can better improve the students’ experience at the beach. Tom emphasized on the importance of cultural diversity on campus and recognizes that the school needs to be more socially conscious as a lot of people feel underrepresented. Tom emphasized on the importance of cultural diversity on campus and recognizes tenvironment on campus to a better and more transparent one.
matter,” Vournas said. “I want every student to know that this is their university. By being vice president I would lead and advocate for every student so they feel like they can create change within their campus. The two believe that an education is more than being handed a diploma, it is an experience, and they intend to lead the way for students to reclaim their voices, and with
it their power. “We have both worked form the ground up going from Senate and so forth. We moved up the latter and learned where to go, and what methods to do. We aren’t jumping into this blind” Flores said. “We have actually worked hard and want to continue that pattern.”
experience students have at Cal State Long Beach. He worked with the City of Long Beach and the university to get the process of installing a shared bike rack on campus. This would allow students to rent bikes they can ride and return to other bike racks throughout the city. Salazar has also been pushing for a designated nap room, where students can rest during their down time. This started with a proposal for nap pods, which some universities have offered to students. The proposal was denied by the university, but Salazar refuses to give up on it. He wants to give students better
But these are ambitious goals, and Salazar needs more time to accomplish them. He has been aware of this since the beginning of his first term. “I always thought I wanted to run twice,” Salazar said. His first term was not without controversy, though. Salazar drew attention to his undocumented status and the fact that he would not be paid. What followed was a turbulent couple of weeks while we and the school figured things out. The result: Salazar is still not being paid under ASI but he went on to propose a change in the way ASI government officials are paid.
News
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Potential Leaders Preach Transparency ASI executive candidates give final thoughts ahead of election By Amanda Del Cid Social Media Manager Students came in waves between classes on March 17 to watch the Associated Students Inc. Executive Candidates forum, which took place at the Speaker’s Platform. Candidates for president, vice president, and treasurer sat in one panel from 12:15-2 p.m. to discuss issues on campus. Co-hosted by CollegeBeatTV, Kbeach Radio, DIG Magazine, the Daily 49er and Union Weekly, the questions raised at the Executive Candidates Forum came from students live-tweeting questions to the Daily 49er and filling out note-cards for the moderators to read. The most common topic was campus safety and administration transparency. Many of the candidates called for more transparency concerning events and safety issues on campus. Vice presidential candidate Logan Vournas, presidential candidate Dylan Tom and candidate for treasurer Giovanni Smith support the idea of a student oversight committee. “Our students are not being heard,” Vournas said.“And we’re
being pushed around by administration in different places. I want to make sure everyone feels safe and that will would lead to having something like a student oversight committee.” This agreement stemmed from the same idea that “students feel [that] they are safe significant and supported,” Tom said. Vournas stated that though the university should strive for transparency when there are on-campus safety issues, victims of assault, such as herself, may not want to be put out there while they are trying to deal with what has happened to them. On the topic of budgets and fees many of the candidates argued that, though the budgets are transparent and accessible to students online, there is still more to be done to make information available to students. “The only people that find it [the budget] are those people in ASI and I think those are the only people who know what’s going [...] we’re not doing a good enough job to inform the students who might not necessarily look for it but they should know,” presidential candidate Isidro Morales said. College Beat TV, KBeach Radio, and the Daily 49er live-broadcast the “I feel like election forum. (Katie Cortez/Union Weekly) we should have
From left to right: Dylan Tom, Marvin Flores,Logan Vournas, Isidro Morales, and Giovanni Smith (Katie Cortez/Union Weekly)
both opposing messages on campus as well…so that there can be a true debate… and there can be a positive discussion going on on these opposing issues,” Tom said in reference to a student question about limiting promotional messages sent to CSULB students by certain organizations. “There is a difference between freedom of conducive speech, and freedom of hate speech,” Vournas said in reference to the Genocide awareness project and the street preachers on campus. “Unfortunately, the things that I think we seen in this university in the past couple of days is…not conducive speech. This is speech directly aimed to put students in fear. We have to do more to protect our students and our campus.” By the closing statements, it was clear that all the candidates want transparency and to unite ASI and the rest of CSULB’s students. Whether that be through open door policy or making themselves more visible, these candidates have big plans for the student body.
Candidate for treasurer Giovanni Smith expressed concerns about campus safety. (Katie Cortez/Union Weekly)
Inspiring Change Beyond the Classroom CSULB’s Dr. Alfredo Carlos spreads message of encouragement to students By Abraham Alapisco Staff Writer On March 18, the Chicano Latino Studies Association welcomed Dr. Alfredo Carlos, a faculty member in the departments of Political Science and Chicano/Latino Studies at CSULB, to El Centro in order to have a discussion surrounding research, fieldwork, community involvement, and experiences. Dr. Carlos’ research is in a diverse range of fields such as Urban Politics, Inequality, Labor Politics, and Social Movements. The point of the conversation was to allow Dr. Carlos to lend his expertise and
experience to assist students with various concerns ranging from graduate school to community involvement and change. For Dr. Carlos, conversation is the starting point when addressing social issues but it’s also important to remember that it’s not always about fighting against something or someone, rather asking the right question can be just as powerful.. “It’s important to ask what we want? What are we building towards? Creating a better community, not just individual,” said Carlos.
Part of the reason the club has events such as these is to bring people together with similar backgrounds and aspirations. Dr. Carlos provides a perspective for students based on his humble beginnings and his return investments into the type of communities he originated from. Dr. Carlos is the founder and director of Foundation for Economic Democracy, an organization that supports community based businesses and projects that prioritize people not profits. “I got involved not because I’m political
but because of my family. They would invite me to places where there were activists and discussions pertaining to issues in my community,” says Carlos. Trying to change attitudes and beliefs in order to foster change is a slippery slope according to Carlos, who believes that is better to ask questions that make people assess and reconsider the reasons they think the way they do, rather than telling them directly what they should think.
6
Food
Slapfish A seafood restaurant that is sure to reel you in
By Amanda Dominguez-Chio Culture Editor
For OC Restaurant Week, my friends had lunch at Slapfish, a delicious seafood shack. My friends and I had been waiting for another food adventure and the OC Restaurant Week was the perfect excuse for all of us to get together and eat tasting and appetizing food. As part of OC Restaurant Week, Slapfish had a $10 lunch special. For a starter, I ordered the Melted Clobster Beignets and the Petite Lobster Roll with fries served as my entrée. My friends and I waited in eager anticipation and hunger. It’s not every day you find such a great deal on lobster. Our meals arrived one by one, making the wait even more aggravating. What really tested our patience was the server arriving to our table on multiple occasions with a plate of
Melted Clobster Beignets. (Amanda Dominguez-Chio/ Union Weekly)
shrimp ceviche, resolved and adamant that we ordered this meal. Finally when all our meals arrived, we inhaled our food. We each received two small clobster beignets. As I bit into the clobster beignet, the combination of fish and lobster still warm, I knew we picked the right restaurant and Slapfish exceeded my expectations. The clobster beignets came with spicy mustard dressing, which gave the beignets an extra kick. As for the beignet itself, the beignet was light and not heavily powdered. Although the clobster beignets were delectable, the lobster roll was my favorite. As the title dictates, the roll was filled with lobster. The roll was lightly buttered and toasted to perfection. I haven’t eaten lobster
Petite Lobster Roll with a side of fries. (Amanda Dominguez-Chio/Union Weekly)
An order of chowder fries. (Amanda Dominguez-Chio/ Union Weekly)
Chicken Fajitas Recipe and photos by Sylvana Uribe Staff Writer Ingredients: 1. 4 chicken breasts, sliced 2. Juice of 3 oranges 3. Juice of 2 lemons 4. 3 to 4 bell peppers 5. 1/2 of an onion 6. Salt and pepper 7. Teriyaki sauce Instructions: 1. Marinade the chicken in the citrus juices and seasoning. Let the chicken rest in the marinade for 30 minutes to an hour. Best results are achieved if the chicken marinades overnight. 2. Slice the bell peppers and onions and toss them together in a bowl. 3. Heat a large pan over a medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil has heated, add the vegetables. Sprinkle with a dash or
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in such a long time, so I devoured the lobster roll. This meal also came with fries, which to be honest were nothing out of the ordinary; however, my friend did ordered chowder fries for us to share and those were nothing short of excellent. The chowder fries were seasoned with Cajun spices and covered chowder and topped with bacon bits. Overall my experience at Slapfish was memorable. I do intend to return and perhaps try the clopster grilled cheese. Slapfish has several locations, so I highly recommend the place if you love sea food. And if you detest sea food, then what’s wrong with you? You’re missing out!
two of salt and pepper and toss. Once onions become slightly translucent, add 1-2 tablespoons of teriyaki sauce to the vegetables and toss. The vegetables should be done once the onions become fully translucent and are slightly caramelized, or have cooked for approximately ten minutes. Before cooking the chicken, strain out all of the liquid. Heat a pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the chicken for 1012 minutes, tossing it every three to four minutes. Mix the veggies and chicken together. Enjoy with warmed tortillas, over rice, or on its own.
Food
7
Cuisine of NYC A hunt for the best foods to eat in New York For the last four years, I’ve made it a travel tradition to only drink beers made in the state I’m located in. On our recent trip to New York for the College Media
Tasty Harpoon Craft Cider served at TheWhiskey Brooklyn. (Andrew Linde/ Union Weekly)
A hot dog from Grey’s Papaya makes a great late night meal. (Alejandro Ramos/ Union Weekly)
By Katie Cortez Editor-In-Chief
Association’s national conference, this Andrew is more of a cider man, and he and tradition was passed down to my traveling Alejandro preferred Down East cider poured companions, Andrew Linde and Alejandro into a glass over ice. It’s unique sunsetRamos. We also adapted this tradition like color and fruity flavor delighted their to include tastebuds. everything we In an ate in an effort effort to try to get a full New something York experience. different, In our spare we went to time after Sake Hagi, conferences a Japanese were over for restaurant the day, our near afternoons and Rockefeller From left to right: Andrew’s Green Iced Tea, nights were Center. Katie’s Earl Grey Iced Tea, and Alejandro’s cup of spent wandering Alejandro black coffee. (Katie Cortez/Union Weekly) through three and I enjoyed boroughs in an attempt to fully embrace tempura pizza, which sounds disgusting, New York life at a reasonable price. We but tastes great. The tempura really ate and drank in many different New York compliments the cheese pizza much better locations, but there are only a few that we than we imagined it would. really enjoyed. Our absolute favorite place to go for food On our first night in the city, we stopped was Brooklyn. at a Halal cart outside the 49th street subway CUP, a coffee, tea and espresso shop, was station. Outside the hotel, there was a Halal a hole-in-the-wall great find in the middle Guys cart, but we felt that because there’s a of a residential neighborhood. But no food Halal Guys eatery in Long Beach, we needed or bar in New York will top The Whiskey to try the off-brand kind, and we’re glad Brooklyn for us. that we did. The food was cheaper than the The dimly-lit basement bar serves name-brand Halal Guys cart and the food delicious food and appetizers until 3 a.m. was delicious. and has a large variety of beer and liquor. Our go-to breakfast and brunch spot was A bucket of 6 beers cost roughly $30 the Cosmic Diner, a small seemingly family (depending on the beer) and the appetizer own-place near Times Square. The service platter with mozzarella sticks, chicken was fast, the portions were huge, and the nuggets, buffalo wings and jalapeno food was delicious. Unlike other restaurants poppers only cost $13. There are also TVs we went to in Times Square, the staff at surrounding the large bar-top, a long Cosmic Diner didn’t try to overcharge us shuffleboard table and a mini-arcade. The when they noticed that we were obviously music played a variety of ‘80s metal and pop tourists. hits with a mix of ‘90s classics thrown in. Another favorite location for us near We fell in love with Brooklyn as a whole, but Times Square was a bar called Faces & mostly because of The Whiskey Brooklyn. Names. The prices were reasonable the the So, the next time you decide to travel to variety was large. My personal favorite beer America’s most expensive city, do yourself was the Brooklyn Lager—a Vienna-style beer a favor and check out the local spots when with a lightly floral aroma. But Ommegang looking for something to eat. You’ll be Hop House Belgian-style pale ale from pleasantly surpised that not everything will Cooperstown, New York was a close second. cost you your life savings.
The bacon and egg breakfast sandwich from Cosmic Diner is out of this world. (Andrew Linde/Union Weekly)
Oreo cheesecake from Lindy’s costs around $11— delicious but pricey. (Andrew Linde/Union Weekly)
A unique treat—Tempura pizza from Sake Hagi in Times Square. (Andrew Linde/Union Weekly)
A lamb rice plate from a Halal cart on 49th St. (Alejandro Ramos/Union Weekly)
The outside of The Whiskey Brooklyn, located at 44 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11211. (Katie Cortez/ Union Weekly)
8
Athletics
A Nice Walk On The Beach Dirtbags grind out 8-3 victory over the Lions By Matthew Gozzip Staff Writer A “ball” flies past #18 into the catcher’s mitt during the 8th inning of the game on Friday, March 18 at Blair Field. The game saw an unusual number of walks from both teams. (Alejandro Ramos/Union Weekly)
In one of the more strange results of the season, the No.24-ranked Dirtbags (135) redefined the term “walk-off ” in an 8-3 victory on at Blair Field against the Lions (2-10), recording a season-low four hits but receiving a generous gift of 13 walks. The Dirtbags were lead by sophomore catcher David “Bam Bam” Banuelos, who walloped a breaking ball over the left field firs for a three-run home run that capped the win for the Beach. The rocket shot plated sophomore designated hitter Luke Rasmussen and freshman phenom Garrett Nelson to put the game out of reach for good in the 7th inning. “You’re going to have to take the advantage of the free opportunities,” said LBSU head coach Troy Buckley. “When we were aggressive, we do a nice job”. For most of the game, the Beach Bats were flat. The Dirtbags didn’t record a hit for
The Beach Falls Again Men’s basketball season ends against Huskies
By Richard Mejia Managing Editor
five innings and though the score wouldn’t indicate it, they were several strikeouts away from not even scoring at all. The bizarre game played out more like a distorted tale of hare turning tortoise for Long Beach. Early on the Dirtbags jumped on the Columbia pitchers immediately and were opportunistic. Junior infielder Garrett Hampson drove home two on a daring swing with a full count to spark a four-run 2nd inning that put LBSU in the lead early. Alex Muzzi, a junior outfielder known for his savvy base running skills, dropped a perfect bunt that plated freshman outfielder Brooks Stotler who had the 1st RBI of his career earlier in the inning when he drew a bases loaded walk. However, the continuous walks from Columbia prevented the Beach batters from getting into a true rhythm in the batter’s box With a second chance at postseason play following their close loss in the Big West tournament finals against Hawaii, the heartbreak continued for the Beach as they lost 102-107 in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament to Washington, Tuesday Mar. 15. A secondary tournament for schools that didn’t qualify for the NCAA tournament, the NIT hosted a plethora of elite as well as mid-major schools—most of which have never faced LBSU For the Washington Huskies, they were introduced to all aspects of the Beach—both good and bad. LBSU held the largest lead of the game halfway through the first half as they went up 36-23 while pushing a fast-paced full court offense that was troubling the man-to-man defense of the Huskies. The Beach finished the first half shooting 51.4 percent from the field, but always part of their gameplan—the three-point shooting -was at an abysmal 25 percent. As the minutes went on in the second half, Washington controlled the tempo, and forced the Beach to play a half-court offense
for much of the game. The Dirtbags retreated back into their shell and became much too cautious with the aluminum in their hands. The Dirtbags didn’t record another hit for several innings and seemed reluctant to swing at a lot of fastballs that ended up being strikes. “We were too patient at times”, noted Hampson. “The batters kept falling behind on counts. [Columbia] gave us a lot but we didn’t end up taking it”. After a shaky 7th inning in an otherwise solid performance from star sophomore pitcher Darren McCaughan (4-0, 1.62 ERA) that cut down the lead to 5-3, Baneulos’ blast bailed out the Dirtbags from a potentially embarrassing defeat. The game was ugly on both sides as each team gave up three errors and conceded several unnecessary scoring opportunities. “Last year we would be happy for a win”,
Sophomore guard Justin Bibbins fell short in the final minutes of the championship game against Hawaii. (Jesus Hernandez/ Union Weekly)
that saw a repetition of mistakes. Low-percentage shots and bad time management were once again the usual suspects as the Beach finished the second half shoot-
added Hampson. “We did not play a best, especially offensively, but it was exciting to know we can grind out wins”. Though it was sloppy success for the Beach, there was much to gain from the night. “Mc-K-aughan” remained perfect on the season, flashing his patented pitching prowess in allowing only four hits and recording six strikeouts yet again this season. Stotler and fellow freshman outfielder Domenic Colacchio both saw extended playing time in one of the more difficult fielding positions out in center. In this surreal game of walks and uncharacteristic play, slow and steady still prevailed in the end of game. Just don’t expect the national ranked Dirtbags from finishing the season race slow.
ing 47.4 percent from the field while 33.3 percent from beyond the arc—attempting 10 more three-point shots then they did in the first half. Senior forward Nick Faust once again led the team in scoring as he dropped 26 points to go along with five rebounds and two steals. Also chipping into the team’s triple-digit effort was sophomore guard Justin Bibbins as he totaled 17 points and four assists. The game was the first time since 2000 that the NIT has had a game in which both teams scored 100 points. The 102 points by the Beach are the most they’ve scored in a game since its 2006-2007 season. The Beach finished the season 20-15 and by historical accounts, is considered a success as it’s the LBSU’s 16th 20-win season in school history and their trip to the NIT was only eighth time the program had qualified. Capping his ninth season as head coach in successful fashion, Dan Monson will have an interesting offseason as next year’s team would have already been battle tested in big game situations.
FEATURE
By Elizabeth Campos It’s always right before midterms that the chaos starts. You look at your syllabus aiming to properly schedule study sessions for multiple classes and still have time to have a social life, work and maybe attempt to work out. Well, it never really works that way. Midterm season is almost like a warning notice that the end of the semester is near. With this warning comes stress, procrastination, sleep deprivation, less time to eat and for some reason— becoming distracted with every little thing happening around me. I know I can avoid all of this if I organize myself, but I don’t know why it gets so difficult. I like Cal State Long Beach because there’s so many things that I can get involved in. There’s just one little thing though—think all this “getting involved” is somehow messing me up. Yeah, it’s good to have those extra skills and belong to a group with your same interests. But at least for me, a “I want it all” type of girl, I get so involved in my groups and organizations that I pay less attention to my classes. I started the semester taking five classes, one of them was a one unit class that lasted only five weeks so I thought “I got this.” Thank God that one class was short because I don’t know if I would have been able to handle five classes. I’m trying to play Superwoman here and while I do my best, it can be overwhelming. I’m not the type of student that gets mad over a B grade. But there have been several times when
I compare how some students have it all together. I’m over here juggling four classes, writing for one publication and trying to write for one more all the while being active in a socio-cultural association and running for president for another organization. Every day I walk into campus, I am hit in the face with things that I should do, things that I shouldn’t do, and things that I forgot to do and things that I shouldn’t even pay attention to. In addition to it all, I think I place high standards as far as my career goes. In my journalism classes there are some people who almost already have a guaranteed spot in the field. Why not me? What am I doing wrong? Yes, I write for the Union Weekly and I enjoy it, but it can get so hectic! For one, there were a couple of weeks that were full of drama and it did not feel like a Union at all; the tension was real! I guess I shouldn’t be talking though, because once I get into the REAL world, I’m not going to have a choice. Aside from all of that I also want to change my minor. I want to write more. I want to be part of all media communications opportunities on campus. I want to promote social justice, I want to know what the hell is going to happen with this knife incident! I just want to change the world to be honest. I know I can’t do all this in one semester and but I also know that I’m capable of achieving my goals. This burnt out feeling will go away…once I finish a presentation, re-write an essay, write three stories, interview an ASI candidate and read.
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FEATURE
By Lauren Hunter I am so sick of being tired. Coffee is all that is running through my veins right now. I don’t remember a day where I didn’t have at least three cups of coffee, sometimes more. My last semester in college was supposed to be easier. In less than two months I am out of here. I should be celebrating, but instead I am sitting on my floor surrounded by books, articles, highlighters, stickynotes, pens and a thousand tears. I just want to chuck everything in the trash, relax and watch Netflix or read a book I actually want to read. It’s midterms and I just want to give up. But it’s not just midterms that is killing me slowly inside it is also just my weekly assignments. Whether it is reading a novel or writing an essay I am just straight up burnt out. The other night I had 32 pages to read for one class, 37 in another and then an entire novel to finish, which ended up being about 140 pages. Over 200 pages in just one night made me just burst out into tears. This made me want to again just throw everything across the room. I am so sick of people telling me that because I am an English major that reading for homework isn’t hard. Listen here pal, I am reading Edmund Spenser and Geoffrey Chaucer so back off. I am basically translating from another language. Not only that, but do you even understand how hard annotating is? It is a constant struggle to be like is this part even worth wasting highlighter ink or would that quote really work for a paper I am going to have to eventually write? Not only is the anxiety there, but it takes twice, sometimes three times
as long to finish reading what I need to finish. Not only do I have classes to worry about, but I also have the Long Beach Union Weekly stuff to finish. It is a constant battle between which should take priority. No matter what I do one or both will not be up to my ridiculous standard of perfection. On top of all of this, when the hell am I supposed to eat and sleep. I honestly cannot tell you the last time I had three meals a day. And I also can’t tell you when the last time I ate a healthy, wellbalanced meal was. I don’t have time for breakfast since I’m sleeping until the last possible moment since I was up until 1a.m. or 2a.m. the previous night doing work. Lunch is whenever I can fit it in my day. Dinner is most likely just the nearest drive thru because I am beat. Sleep—how I miss thee. I forgot what a good night’s sleep truly is. I am either not getting any or when I do sleep I am restless since I’m worrying about all the work I need to do. I am in a constant state of anxiety and stress. I just want May to get here so I can get my diploma (if I pass all my classes) and then I plan on being in a coma for a week. Especially since I know Spring Break means more research and work. Put a fork in me, I am done.
By Alejandro Ramos It’s 12:14 a.m. My head is killing me and my neck is stiff because I slept in the office last night. I didn’t sleep well then and I didn’t sleep well the night before. I probably won’t sleep well tonight, either. I have a couple of stories I need to work on but I’m putting them off to relax, or at least attempt to do so. I’m falling apart on all fronts, which can only mean one thing. I’m burning out, or I would be if I wasn’t used to this. Before, my reaction would’ve been to feel sorry for myself. I would’ve forced myself to grind out any assignments I had to finish, no matter how I felt mentally and physically. I would’ve gone on social media and made posts talking about how I’m grinding to be successful and basically blown a lot of smoke. Things are a little different now. See, I used to dread burning out, and I think that was just cause I didn’t know how to
deal with the stress and exhaustion that brings it about. Over the years, though, I’ve learned how to deal with it and take care of myself. I slow down now and make sure I’m alright. This isn’t because I want to avoid working. It’s because I know my work suffers when I try to grind things out once I’m at the point of burning out. I would rather take a second to recollect myself instead of putting out bad work. T h a t wasn’t always the case. I remember the sophomore year was rough. I was carrying a heavy weight. I was under pressure to transfer out of community college, and as a result I was under a lot of stress. I turned to vices to get by. Smoking.
Drinking. I lost a lot of sleep. I gained a lot of weight. I was depressed and regularly experienced panic attacks. Yeah, sophomore year was rough and it’s a miracle I made it through. I thought that was it, though. I thought could never get any lower. Then I got kicked out of school. I somehow held it t o g e t h e r, but I still got low. It was a different kind of low. I was a l w a y s tired and apathetic, despite having all the time in the world to do whatever I wanted (it’s not like I was taking class). Believe it or not, it is possible to burn out without doing anything. Here’s the thing. In both of these
“I’m burning out, or I would be if I wasn’t used to this.”
occasions, things didn’t get better until I stopped and took care of myself. I started eating right. I got more sleep. I worked out occasionally. I drank a lot of water. I felt great soon enough and was able to pick myself up and get right back to doing well in school. I know this isn’t always possible, but it’s worth looking yourself in the mirror and telling yourself you matter enough to yourself to make a change. That change could be dropping a class or taking less hours at your job or just plain taking a day just to let yourself recharge. You’re worth it. I know you were probably expecting a sob story. I’m sorry I couldn’t deliver that. I just know how to stay cool when I start to burn out. Anyway, I’m going to sleep. I have a lot to take care of tomorrow and I need the rest. Good night.
FEATURE
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By Sylvana Uribe I finally caved and ordered a coffee. Bring on the regret. As it is, I’m constantly stifling the desire to disappear and not deal with my responsibilities. Now that I’ve roped caffeine into the mix, the pressure intensifies to convey what I’m feeling into words. It’s as if I’m trying to recall a word that’s on the tip of my tongue, but nothing comes out. I’m stuck. I wrack my brain for a reason to not retreat from it all, but it’s like searching in the dark. Hello, burn out. Moments of peace are rare and exist in 10 second bursts. My mind is only at ease right after I wake up. It’s a time when I’m peeling myself away from my dreams and I’m unsure of whether the sun is out or has yet to rise. It’s a sliver of tranquility where I don’t have control over anything. And then the weight of assignments and responses yet to be drafted falls on my chest and I wince at tackling yet another day feeling lost. A part of me mourns who I used to be at the start of the semester, and I haven’t been able to gather the energy to get back to that state. I’m referring to the person who wrote new story pitches every day in her notebook. The person who could flip her planner open and know
when deadlines were approaching. Instead I’m the person taping together remnants of a creased reporter’s notebook, the person with broken pens at the bottom of her backpack. I’m the person who can’t shake off the frustration of not having anything creative to offer, someone uncertain of what to jot down on blank pages.
“I hate feeling as if I don’t know what step to take next. I hate feeling as if everything around me keeps moving forward and I’m nowhere near matching its pace.” Whenever I have a day riddled with blank screens and untouched to-do lists, I’m quick to shred myself apart. I’m tempted to brand myself with words like failure and incapable. Nothing about it is healthy, rather, it screams
toxic. But this is what the burnout realm entails, it just comes with relative ease to give into pessimistic thoughts. To give into feeling inadequate. Tired. Detached. Empty. In the back of my mind, I know my anxiety is scrambling to find a way out of this burn out. Whenever I contemplate letting myself get tangled into the emotions of this phase, my anxiety urges me to look away. It comprehends something that I’ve understood since I was a kid—I hate feeling stuck. I hate feeling as if I don’t know what step to take next. I hate feeling as if everything around me keeps moving forward and I’m nowhere near matching its pace. I hate it but I’ve also never taken much time to get fully acquainted with it. This phase, like any other slump, has an expiration date. When that’ll be, I’m not entirely sure. And to my surprise, at least for the present moment, I don’t really care to know either. So why not roam in this uneasiness? My anxiety will just have to wait it out. It’s only temporary anyway.
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Culture
I Wish I Was a Writer An original short story about dreams clashing with reality By Elizabeth Weinberger Contributor I wish I was a writer. With a thirst for words, I would unlock the gate to the bottom of my soul, where every emotion ever submerged was, and I would dig in to find just what I needed. I would let go of all inhibitions and write until my heart gave out. Of course, all of this would be done while sitting eloquently on my perfectly shaded patio with a typewriter in my direct line of tunnel-vision. But I would look sophisticated and poised in front of this magical mechanism instead of trying to be a part of the latest fad - like I was somehow transported back to the days where a typewriter was an author’s only means of living. And everything would be in black and white. I would grasp the beautiful instrument in my hands and I would make the most alluring music with every determined stroke. Songs of heartache. Songs of love. Songs of friendship and family. And maybe even one about an old woman lost at sea who finds herself instead
of being found. You’d laugh and cry as you listened to her story come to life. And you would relate to her in some way. Maybe the way she thought about life. Or maybe the way she ended up not wanting to be found, because she liked being lost. Fiction and real life would blend together to make the most amazing melody, ears bursting at the very sound. Unleashing the fear of the unknown, I would write away. My fingers would bleed, but I would trudge on. I wouldn’t be able to stop. It would be as if someone’s hands were my hands and their thoughts were my thoughts. They would control the uncontrollable movement my hands would make on the qwerty. It was almost as if I was in a cartoon, my hands flailing dramatically, papers flying in every direction, as my fingers pounded into each letter. I would have published countless books, and enough articles to fill another
Illustration by John Mueller Graphics Illustrator book. I would line my expensive mahogany bookshelves with everything I had ever written, and then I would have more bookshelves built to make room for all the other works I would go on to write. And I would write so much more. My life would begin to look like I was in the movie “Groundhog Day,” where every morning the same thing started all over again. But it wouldn’t be as overplayed and frustrating as it seemed. It would be romantic. Unable to stop the continuous momentum of my mind whispering thoughts to my hands, it would be an amazing love affair, emotional, passionate, and endless. Wake up. Write. Sleep. Repeat. There wouldn’t be a single day my thoughts would be jumbled, unable to say a word. There would always be something there, in the back of my mind or the bottom of my soul. A story unfolding right before my eyes as I placed my calloused
fingertips onto the keys of my favorite instrument. I wish I was a writer. But I don’t have a perfectly shaded patio. Or a typewriter.
Luxuriate in the Tub When life gets you down, buy some Lush and immerse Illustration by John Mueller Graphics Illustrator By Jack Villalba Contributor
Being a hippie, I hate giving up sexy glitter lotion from Victoria’s Secret and the fresh scents of Bath and body works. Thank god for Lush. Lush is a cruelty free and handmade cosmetic/ bubble bath line. When I first checked out their website I thought everything looked great but the price was way too much for my broke ass. Exploring better cosmetics for myself and the earth paying a lot out of pocket is a must, sometimes for things that don’t look that luxurious. Lush’s price was worth paying considering everything is freshly handmade and looked fun. If I’m going to pay a decent amount I want to have fun. I purchased their Valentine’s Day gift set which contained a body wash called, Price Charming, a unicorn horn bubble bar, and a lip balm lip gloss. Everything sounds a little odd but after bathing with Price Charming…I
have no complains. The body is pink! Pink bubbles doesn’t sound like a big deal but it was so much more fun than any other body wash that I’ve used. Best part, my sensitive skin did not have an allergic reaction. The unicorn horn bubble bar was absolutely incredibly. I heard reviews of
massive amounts of bubbles, almost a “Hollywood” like experience. Bull shit turned into holy shit when the bubbles kept growing and growing to the point there were more bubbles than water! The bubbles were also sturdy. I fizzed and died down way before these bubbles did. The water was also a very light pink with glitter swirling around
it making it a bath time dream come true! The lip balm lip gloss seemed like a myth from the beauty jungle only found deep with the savannas of Sephora’s store. When I tried it on what I believed to be just a normal lip balm was actually sweet! It applied on like a lip balm but looked like a lip gloss minus the gross yuck feeling. My mother who normally doesn’t favor my choice of lip balms absolutely raved it and even snakes it from every once in a while. My first experience was so much fun and worth the dollar bills I slave for that I’m going back to try their other products! I recommend Lush as a treat! Before doing an all nighter the bubble bar was the best thing to relieve my stress and was even an incentive to use it. Every time I pull an all nighter I allow myself to use it! Keeps me more motivated. Lush is definitely a fun treat
Culture
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Not Just Desserts The Think Tank Gallery transforms confections into the unconventional By Sylvana Uribe Staff Writer
(Sylvana Uribe/ Union Weekly)
Think Tank Gallery overlooks the chaos of scrambling shoppers in the Los Angeles Fashion District. Its latest exhibit came to a close in early March, but the fortunate people who did see it before the close had lengthy conversations sparked by sugary consumer
goods. With the “Break Bread”exhibit, the gallery housed what some might regard as bizarre. However, what Think Tank Gallery managed to do was incorporate works that incite reactions that linger long after visitors
leave the building. Think Tank Gallery is located on the second floor of 939 Maple Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. Details regarding upcoming exhibits are available by visiting thinktankgallery.org.
For people who have grown up in underserved communities, these images tapped into their childhood experience. It’s the type of community where children chase after ice cream trucks, but also the kind where some fell due to violence gone awry. The darker undertones of the paintings touched on the emotions attached to consumer goods, while also highlighted problems continuing to plague disadvantaged populations. Think Tank Gallery’s “Break Bread” exhibit featured cake and other sweets presented in ways that made eyebrows arch and heads tilt. Scott Hove’s “Cakeland” drew inspiration from Zumanity, an adult-themed Cirque du Soleil show centered around erotic songs and acrobatics. Hove’s animalistic approach to sensuality intended to convey the dual nature of vices as both soothing and distasteful.
Hove’s layered cakes protruded from the gallery walls, with intricate decorations frosted in acrylic. However, what made the cakes difficult to look away from where the sharp fangs and horns that pierced it, because the fangs and tongues were frozen as if in an eternal scream. Stilettos were used as cake toppers and had the same scream carved into them. Surrounding these works were people wearing confused looks on their faces as they steadied the phones in their hands to take a picture.
Another key part of the “Break Bread” exhibit were the watercolor paintings by Baker’s Son. In one room, paintings of sweets were mounted on the wall in a collage style and encompassed by people tiptoeing for a better view. On one side of the room was a wooden frame of an ice cream truck with a drawing of cartoons as popsicles. On the opposite side of the room was what appeared to be a vigil with flowers and stuffed animals. A pair of shoes dangled above it from a netless basketball hoop.
Walking through the gallery, visitors were also exhibiting peculiar sights of their own. In the mirrored rooms, people pointed at their reflections and contorted their faces into ridiculous expressions. Parents yelled at children running around with outstretched hands trying to touch the frosted works. Women in “Lolita” dresses wore head pieces ranging from tiny top hats to unicorn horns, eyes drawn to their ensembles. Gallery staff members took short breaks to shyly approach the women and request a group photo.
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Well Done, Sister Suffragette “Suffragette” highlights past and present struggles for women’s equality By Jordan Daniels Staff Writer The women’s suffrage movement was a big part of U.S. growth in the early 1900s, culminating in women securing their right to vote in 1920. It’s almost been 100 years since then and we’re left to think how far have we come and how much farther we have to go for equality. On Tuesday night, the Women’s Gender & Equity Center, along with the USU Program Council, hosted a screening of the film “Suffragette” and a subsequent panel on the struggle for womens’ rights. Starring Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep, the film highlighted the womens’s suffrage movement in the 19th century United Kingdom. The panel presented questions
ranging from what was the struggle like to where have we advanced in our movements now. “We haven’t gone far enough,” said Interim Assistant Director of Student Involvement and Leadership, Lindsay San Miguel. In relation to “Suffragette”, the panelists discussed how the issues of women’s rights still play a pivotal role in world history today, especially in America where we face gender wage-gap issues, abortion issues and rape culture. Gerrie Schipske, a California State University, Long Beach, adjunct professor and author of “Rosie the Riveter in Long Beach,” mentioned that whoever ends up in presidential office will
be elected the same year of the 100th anniversary of the suffrage movement in America. The panelists agreed that the suffragette movement of the 20th century is synonymous with that of the modern day feminist movement, with both being necessary and vital movements to world history. There were several moments within the film where the following question was posed: Why shouldn’t a woman have the same rights as a man and why should it be a man who controls the fate of those rights? This question parallels a lot of sentiment today, considering our continuous battle for women’s rights and equality in society.
With March being Women’s History Month, we find ourselves still divided on this question of gender equality, still wondering how far have we truly come, and still wondering how much further we must go to achieve equality. “You’ll see how far we’ve gone when you see me making as much as a man and I don’t have to look behind me walking home at night,” San Miguel said.
The March of the Irish
When March arrives on the scene, most of us are quick to remember comradery, Irish jigs, and pints of beer all in a vibrant green. Most of us are quick to celebrate our Irish-American heritage and Long Beach locals recently had the chance to do it. Downtown Long Beach held its 16th annual Irish Heritage Parade and Festival on Mar. 12. The event was presented by The Red Leprachaun, an IrishAmerican pub and bar located in Long Beach on East Anaheim Street and specializing in Irish themed food and drinks. The parade was made up of drummers from the Long Beach
Royal Syncopated Regiment Drum Corps, the Long Beach Roller Derby Girls, Long Beach Firefighters, and others. Various organizations walked down Pine Street throwing t-shirts, beaded necklaces, and stickers. Irish spirit seemed to spread down Pine Street like pints of Guinness in a pub. The parade concluded at Promenade Park, where the festival was held. Corn beef and hash, Irish bangers (large sausages), and mashed potatoes were served. Pints of Red Trolley and Carl Strauss were poured while everyone talked about the parade
and enjoyed the music of local bands “The Humble Hooligans” and “Sportive Tricks”. The Irish parade and festival seemed to impact people’s perception of Irish heritage. The community was able to see that the Irish have a deep rooted history and were willing to share that history with the people around them. They are an interesting people with passionate hearts who aspire to share their heritage with the citizens of Long Beach every year. So if you missed the shimmering green, white, and orange brightening the day, the parade and festival will be back next year.
Downtown Long Beach holds 16th annual Irish festival By Carissa Pope Copy Editor
Photo (from left to right): Panelists Lindsay San Miguel, Alex Bellenger, Patricia Cleary, and Gerrie Schipske. (Jordan Daniels/Union Weekly)
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Shamrockin’ and Rollin’ Celebrating Irish heritage on the Queen Mary with drinks, songs, and dancing By Bailey Mount Community Editor The McKintree Boys start their set. (Julia Velasco-Aguilar/Contributor) It’s 6 p.m. on a Friday night. The city of Long Beach is waking up from a day of repose, stretching its sleepy limbs and yawning with the breath of thousands. Saint Patrick’s Day was yesterday and for many, drinking on a Thursday doesn’t excuse them from work on a Friday.
Day, the Queen Mary hosted its annual Shamrock ‘n’ Roll celebration on March 18 in its Queen’s and Royal Salons. The festivities lasted from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. and consisted of a lineup of live entertainment from Irish bands and dancers. From Renaissance faire
Dancers perform for the crowd. (Julia Velasco-Aguilar/Contributor) Instead, they sit in their cubicles or stand behind their counters and wait for the night to come. At last, the sun sinks down below the oil refineries. The lights over the Pike come on. The traffic starts flowing and the people of Long Beach head to the Queen Mary to celebrate what it truly means to be an Irish-American. In honor of Saint Patrick’s
performers like The Belles of Bedlam to modern Irish rock bands like the McKintree Boys, the performers served as an homage to the old Celtic ways and a celebration of traditions to come. Other bands in the night’s entertainment were Radio Domingo, California Celts, Craic Haus, Hoist the Colors, and the McNulty Irish dancers. Couples twirled, fiddles trilled,
and less than three hours into the event, a patron exclaimed, “They’re out of Guinness.” Despite advertising itself as an “18 and over event,” it was clear that the night could not truly be celebrated unless you were at least 21. With three bars and two stages, everyone had a drink in their hand
and a slur in their speech. For the patrons able to “truly” celebrate, it was a night of loving embraces and questionable dancing with their partners. And although being IrishAmerican doesn’t always mean being drunk when you celebrate your heritage, it helps sometimes.
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Music
Going All Out on a Monday in Westwood I, The Breather plays one last show at the Whisky By Roberto Hererra Contributor
On March 7, melancholy and sadness filled the air at the Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood, CA. as it was I, The Breather’s last time in The Golden State. But for the same reason, as soon as the band came out on stage for their opening song “Setting: Sun,” the crowd became excited and were reminded to take advantage of the last
Vocalist Shawn Spann gets up close and personal with the audience. (Roberto Hererra/Contributor)
opportunity to head bang, dance, and jump to I, The Breather’s heavy and energetic songs. “It’s one of those situations where you know it’s your last tour and it’s not going to hit you until like six months after,” said I, The Breather’s vocalist, Shawn Spann. “I’ve just been soaking it all in every day and making sure I remember everything.” The band gave a huge amount of energy to the crowd. They played a variety of songs ranging from their latest album “Life Reaper” to their earliest a l b u m “These Are My Sins.” Their opening s o n g “Set ting: S u n , ” off of the album “Life Reaper,” started off with Aaron Ovecka playing a constant introductory beat on the drums to a sound clip playing in the background. Guitarist Kyle Bowman and bassist Conor Hesse came onto the stage
and strummed their way into the song to join Spann felt that their goals as a band Ovecka on the opening that made the were met “1000 percent” after touring with crowd eager for Spann to come on stage. major bands such as Slipknot. He also stated Finally, Spann joined the band and that the major opportunities that were yelled “how’re we doing, Hollywood!” into given to them are the microphone and immediately began something chanting the opening lyrics to the song. that they It immediately led into a slow, but will be heavy breakdown that made the able crowd rhythmically jump up to and down. The band continued the night with constant energy and passion until the very end. When I, The Breather played their last song, Spann urged the crowd to get as crazy and excited as they possibly could. “Monday in Hollywood; It was amazing,” Spann said. I, The Breather Shawn look announced their S p a n n back departure and final tour and bassist on and dates Sep. 3, 2015. “We Conor Hesse laugh about. have accomplished our getting passionate “Everybody is goals as a band,” wrote mid-song. very humbling of the experiences I, The Breather in a (Roberto Hererra/ Contributor) we’ve had together,” said Spann. departure statement. “With this being the end, it’s not “Some of us will continue to carve out our really hitting (the band) yet but, it will. But paths in the music industry and some of us it’s going to be one of those things where we have placed our focus elsewhere.” can look back and be happy.” “I want to focus on being a father to my son; he’s ten months old,” said Spann. “When we started as a band, it was nothing serious. We weren’t expecting it to be.”
Can’t Swim, So they Drowned New Jersey-based band started with great potential, only to go downhill By Peter R. Clark Travel Editor Can’t Swim is a rock band from Keansburg, New Jersey. Late last year they released their first song called “Your Clothes.” It’s a great song that shows inspiration from melodic hardcore bands, post-hardcore, and a bit of pop-punk. It has a driving bass line, vocals that have an impact, and lyrics that I tend to agree with. It is what you might call “a perfect song,” and because it is such a great song, I was really amped for their EP to be released. When their EP, “Death Deserves a Name,” was released on Feb. 27, I listened to it as soon as possible, excited to see what the other four songs were like. After listening to the EP, I was disappointed because none of the songs are like “Your Clothes.” They don’t employ the same intensity or melodic hardcore influence that “Your Clothes” has, because it’s all standard
rock fare with emo-like vocals. It was a huge let down. I still like “Your Clothes,” but I really don’t see the point of listening to the remainder of the album. I t ’ s disappointing to see a band with such a good song and potential fall apart. It’s a shame that “Your Clothes” seems like a completely different band, and it seems from the album,
there is really no sign that they will have any other similar songs. From listening to the album, odds are against that notion, 4-to-1. The rest of the four songs on the album sound as if they were written and performed by completely different people. At one point, I had to stop and to see if this was a split EP. It wasn’t,
it just sucked. My suggestion to future bands is: if you’re going to release a song and have a certain style, stick with it. Don’t release your EP and have your strongest song be the “teaser” song because it’s a letdown for everyone involved: you, your fans, and your stakeholders. Can’t Swim is a band that had so much going for them, but they blew it. Perhaps in the future I won’t get so excited for a band. Maybe it isn’t just me though, maybe bands should adhere to a certain standard. But who I am to make such claims? I’m just a fan.
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“Untitled” but Better Than “Unmastered” Compilation album by Kendrick Lamar is fire, despite it not being a mixtape By Alejandro Ramos Athletics Editor It takes a certain kind of artist to get people to listen without demanding them to do so, and Kendrick has slowly become that artist with each release. His latest “Untitled Unmastered” was quietly and unceremoniously presented to the world. It
showed up on the Internet late one night, and that was it. Almost fittingly, the reception from fans was just as quiet as they kind of took it in for what it was. And what it was was a collection of notes and rough drafts that exist within the same space as “To Pimp A Butterfly.” The dates listed within the track titles tell us that these were all recorded around the same time that Kendrick would have been working on “TPAB.” It’s hard to say whether they were stepping on stones that led up to the album or if they just didn’t make it into it. Whatever the case may be, the sound and style of his previous album is there. Speaking of which, the lyricism and production value of “Untitled Unmastered” is top-notch. The
instrumentals are amazing and go through a variety of genres. “Untitled 02” and “Untitled 07” stand out as bangers that sneak in a couple of brooding and thoughtful lyrics. “Untitled 06” and “Untitled 08” push the other way, delving further into jazz and funk than hip-hop. Overall, this project sounds a lot better than most “mastered” albums or EPs that other artists put out, making it a misnomer to say that it’s “unmastered.” Despite the quality of the project, it exists in limbo between being a mixtape and an album. The simple fact that it was packaged and sold for ten dollars disqualifies it from being a mixtape. And even though it’s quite polished, it doesn’t quite reach the level of an album, especially when you consider the fact that all of these tracks are B-sides from “TPAB” sessions. If anything, I would consider this an extension to “TPAB” the same way that director’s cuts of cult movies get released months after the fact.
I’m not saying this to take anything away from “Untitled Unmastered.” I loved “TPAB” and I will always welcome another serving of it. It’s an album with a lot of depth that can be picked apart endlessly, and the same can be said for “Untitled Unmastered.” Why does Kendrick open up “Untitled 02” with a call out of “Pimp, pimp! Hooray?” What’s the significance of an almost four minute unedited jam session at the end of “Untitled 07?” I have a lot of questions for this album and I’m sure I’ll have good time finding the answers myself. “Untitled Unmastered” might just be an afterthought to TPAB, but it offers a good look into the process Kendrick went through in making his Grammy-winning album. It’ll definitely hold fans over until Kendrick finishes another full-length, genre bending album.
“...the lyricism and production value of “Untitled Unmastered” is top notch.”
State Of the Beef: G.O.A.T Versus Icon A look back into the powerful effects following Jay-Z and Nas’ early-2000s feud By Richard Mejia Managing Editor The playfulness and buffoonery of today’s mainstream rap artists is a distant cry from the hardened, real life stories told towards the end of the 21st century. In only a short time span, there is a new champion of the rap world—self-proclaimed “Greatest Ever,” Drake who boasts lyrics like “Ever since I left the city, you, you, you, You and me we just don’t get along, You make me feel like I did you wrong, Going places where you don’t belong…” These are lyrics to a song under the Rap/Hip-Hop category in Spotify, ladies and gentlemen. It is quite the change from the words of lyrical geniuses such as Talib Kweli and Mos Def, however, the poor quality of lyrics isn’t the only thing hurting the rap game, it’s a lack of ambition. It’s not enough to want to become wildly famous and make ungodly amounts of money—what separated the artists from the 1990’s is the aggressiveness and focus made in songs to propel “just rappers” to modern day philosophers.
2016 marks the 15-year anniversary of the last great rap feud and to some— the greatest rap feud of all time. In late-2001, legendary rapper Jay-Z released his highly anticipated album “The Blueprint,” in which songs like “Izzo ( H . O .V. A . ) , ” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” and “Renegade” made the album an instant classic and is considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. In the Kanye West produced track “Takeover,” Jay-Z attempted to cement his status as a living legend and took aim at several other artists. Most notably, he took aim at longtime associate and arguably the greatest
lyricist of all time—Nasir “Nas” Jones. Calling Nas out by name throughout the song, Jay-Z controversy said “Nigga switch up your flow, your shit is garbage, What you trying to kick knowledge? (Get the fuck outta here).” This track sparked one of the largest beefs in hiphop history, as very rarely had there been a public feud between two solidified and idolized artists. In the early-1990’s beefs were used to establish dominance between emerging artists, with the victor usually seeing a boast in record sales and success (i.e. Ice Cube). From “Takeover” came one of the
“The Jay-Z Feud changed the game for the better— one can only hope we’re due for another generational feud.”
greatest diss tracks of all time, Nas’ “Ether.” “Ether” pulled no punches as Nas’ opening lyrics clearly state “Fuck Jay-Z,” and followed with “… heard it when I was sleep, that this Gay-Z and Cock-a-Fella Records wanted beef, started cocking up my weapon, slowly loading up this ammo to explode it on a camel and his soldiers…” From this feud came classic albums like Jay-Z’s “Blueprint 2” and Nas’ criticallyacclaimed “Stillmatic” and “God’s Son.” These men had no legitimate reason to start this feud and carry it for over two years. Since then both men have settled their differences and collaborated on many occasions throughout the last 10 years. The Jay-Z-Nas Feud changed the game for the better— one can only hope we’re due for another generational feud.
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Entertainment
Not Yer Toy Anymore By Bailey Mount Community Editor
The birth and evolution of Harley Quinn Women form the cornerstone of every society. From the little girl who befriends the class outcast to the grandmother who impacts generations, we possess the ability to sympathize with and change those around us with our presence. Our emotions make us influencers. Our passions make us leaders. And when we get pushed to our breaking points, our challenges make us powerful adversaries. Over the years, DC Comics has presented women who prove that you don’t have to be “one of the boys” to be competent. It’s our femininity that gives us our true strength, and the two are far from mutually exclusive. In 1992, “Batman: The Animated Series” introduced this idea in Harley Quinn. Intended to be a one episode character, she was never supposed to be more than a punchline. She was silly, ditzy, and utterly obsessed with the Joker. Yet from the beginning, she posed an interesting question: how could someone get that close to the Clown Prince of Crime? This quandary stuck and Harley became a recurring antagonist in the series and a
“Sisters” By Amanda Del Cid Social Media Manager
“Sisters” Run time: 1 hr 58 mins Directed by: Jason Moore Starring: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, James Brolin, Dianne Wiest
major part of the Batman universe. Bisexual, Jewish-American, and an eventual survivor of domestic abuse, Harley showed more growth and complexity in a character than most of Batman’s foes. The 1994 graphic novel “The Batman Adventures: Mad Love” revealed her origins. A psychiatric intern at Arkham Asylum, Dr. Harleen Quinzel became fascinated with the Joker. Wanting to understand his psychosis, she held countless sessions with him in which he fabricated stories about an abusive father to garner her sympathy. Harleen never realized how out of her depth she was. It was this misguided attempt at ambition and her inherent compassion for others that led her to fall in love with and break him out of Arkham. This compassion – despite her initial status as a supervillain and the Joker’s “girlfriend” – never went away. Harley never became the stereotypical femme fatale. She was never sexy with a smoky voice, smooth one-liner, and ruthless attitude: she was sexy with a New
Sprinkled with slapstick and a dash of romance, “Sisters” is exactly what you might expect from Tina Fey and Amy Poehler: a good laugh with your regular dose of middle-aged drug use and drinking. “Sisters” is a film about two sisters living their lives and still managing to keep the tight bond in a way only sisters can, despite being polar opposites. Starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, the duo well-known for their work together on Saturday Night Live and in films like “Baby Mama” and “Mean Girls,” the film brings the familiar SNL skit vibe with the help of familiar faces like Maya Rudolph, Bobby Moynihan,
York accent, bad puns, and kindness. But like many women in her situation, this compassion kept Harley in the Joker’s vicious cycle of abuse – both mental, physical, and heavily implied sexual as the comics went on. It was her partnership with then fellow supervillain Poison Ivy that was a major turning point in her character development. Meeting in 1993’s “Batman: The Animated Series” episode “Harley and Ivy,” Harley found a friend outside her abuser. For the first time, she found acceptance and encouragement of who she was and someone who recognized her strength Her involvement in the 2009 “Gotham City Sirens” publication paired her up with Poison Ivy and Catwoman. Wreaking havoc across the city, the trio moved in together to – according to Ivy – give Harley “some positive female reinforcement”. Harley became the smart, capable, and kind psychopath that she was always intended to be. She was no longer just a victim or a villain: she was human. Despite blatant disregard for established canon in the New 52, Harley’s character cut all ties with the Joker and even beat him half to death. Receiving a reboot of her own solo publication, she became an important member of the Suicide Squad and the landlord of a series of apartments. She and Poison Ivy are now in an open bisexual relationship, the first in known Batman chronology. Harley has come a long way in the 24 years since her conception. Compared to most of Batman’s foes and allies, she is still quite young, but she has grown faster and better than most of them. In honor of International Women’s Month, we celebrate everything it is to be
Rachel Dratch, and more. The film was directed by Jason Moore (“Pitch Perfect”) and written by Paula Pell (“Saturday Night Live”, “The Oscars”, “30 Rock”), known for their work in comedy. If you are a fan of Fey and Poehler, you will enjoy their sisterly antics of reading each other’s diaries and bringing up embarassing stories. They represent the true sister dynamic that is found in most households, though it is a bit exaggerated in this comedy. At its core, “Sisters” is a reflection of reality in a funny, but ultimately heartwarming film.
female. To be strong. To be weak. To be able to ask for help. We celebrate the ability to hold on to our compassion and kindness when the world tells us we don’t deserve to. To refuse to fight a pregnant superhero or to blow up a car of catcalling men to earn some respect, depending on how we feel that day. And we celebrate the importance of strong female relationships and the ability to—one day—be able to walk away from the people who abuse us.
Movies on the House are hosted twice a month on Wednesday and Thursday. Each movie is screened for 2 days at 3:30 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm in the USU Beach Auditorium. All screenings are free for students and $5 for non-students. Snacks are available for purchase. “Sisters” will be screened Mar. 23 and 24 The next Movie on the House will be “Dirty Grandpa” on Apr. 13 and 14.
Travel
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Union Weekly Does New York Tips to avoid getting lost By Alejandro Ramos Athletics Editor Oh, public transportation. At one point or another we’ve all had to struggle and deal with it. It can be a little difficult to decipher those maps and figure out if you’re getting on the right line. It’s even worse when you’re visiting a city for the first time. Especially a city like New York City, cause the last thing you want is to out yourself as a tourist. Which is exactly what Katie Cortez, Andrew Linde and I almost did; fortunately, we managed to keep our cool and faked it ‘til we made it. There is a slight learning curve to riding the subway, though. We got lost our first time riding the train and ended up in Queens instead of Brooklyn. After some trial and error, we figured out how to navigate New York City’s infamous transportation system and had a good ol’ weekend. And so, I feel confident enough to share my newfound knowledge with the rest of you so you may enjoy New York City the way we did. First, take some time to get acquainted with New York City before you go anywhere. Go ahead and Google yourself a map with the five boroughs and their neighborhoods. Next, depending on how long your visit is, it might be worthwhile to buy a 7-day Metro pass for $31. That sounds expensive, but it’ll give you plenty of flexibility to ride as much as you want. Trust me it’s better than paying $2.75 a ride. Finally, make sure you prepare for the unexpected. It was cold and there
Andrew Linde looks back at a street sign in SoHo. (Alejandro Ramos/Union Weekly) was a chance of rain during our trip, so we maps are always an option and you can buy a packed light jackets and an umbrella inside a foldable map for a couple of bucks at a tourist backpack. shop. They’re easy enough to understand but The big thing will be having a way to you’ll definitely stand out if you stare at one find your bearings and look up directions for too long with a confused look on your once you’re out and about. Old-fashioned face. Plus you could end up walking around
aimlessly trying to figure out where you are. My suggestion is to download a public transportation app before you visit New York City, as they will save you a lot of time and embarrassment. You’ll know exactly where to go beforehand and not look as obvious if you have to look up directions in the middle of a train. It’s how Andrew, Katie and I managed to go undetected as tourists. There’s a lot of options to choose from, so it really comes down to personal preference. I used Moovit, an app that uses time and location along with public transit information to give users directions. What I liked about it is the fact that it navigated us from point to point with a live map that showed us which way we were facing, which came in handy when we were walking around looking for the right subway station. Andrew, on the other hand, chose to use NYC Subway by Mapway. It’s basically an interactive map that lets you get directions with a couple of taps of your phone’s screen. NYC Subway got us out of a pinch more than a few times just because it comes with a built in map. Both of these apps worked great for us. Whatever you do, though, do not use Google Maps. You will get lost, because it sucks. Ultimately, just focus on having a good time and don’t fret if you don’t make it to whatever tourist spot you wanted to see. It’s New York! The whole city is fun so live it up.
Chairs for sale, or an aimless romp through New York By Andrew Linde Entertainment Editor Over 56 million people visited New York City in 2014, according to NYCgo.com. That’s an average of just under 5 million visitors every month. But not every visitor is a tourist. If you don’t want to visit the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty, there are plenty of other great places to see. It was not my first time in New York City. I’d been twice before, so I didn’t need to see everything on the checklist of “What to do
in NYC.” In fact, I wanted to actively avoid these places, except the ones I really liked. I’ve recently taken to the belief that when travelling, I shouldn’t go anywhere that is available where I live. I want to see the local stores and restaurants. I want to have experiences I haven’t had before and that I can’t have at home. One morning we had breakfast at the Cosmic Diner. Not only was the price nice, the food came out fast and hot. The server and wait staff provided an extremely memorable experience and we returned another morning just because it was so good the first time. What set this place apart was that it was a few blocks away from the major hotels. Everything within a block of a major hotel has a tourist markup, guaranteed. Why else would I have paid $12 for a bagel and Snapple? It was a big bagel, sure, Looking towards Minetta Playground near Washington but we were being ripped off Square Park. (Andrew Linde/Union Weekly) because they knew we were
Various chairs for sale on Norman Avenue in Brooklyn. (Andrew Linde/Union Weekly)
just visiting. Wandering the streets of the city provided plenty of unique experiences. In Brooklyn we found a record shop, a real vintage clothing store, and a local coffee and tea shop. We never would have found these places in guides or on a top ten list. We made our own experience. Across the street from the tea place we found a real yard sale with old cameras, chairs, and hats. I would have bought one of the hats, but they were too small for my big head. That would have been a true souvenir. While walking through Washington
Square Park in a light rain we received proof that we didn’t look like tourists. Two women reading from guidebooks approached us asking where Sixth Avenue is. We had no idea, and we tried to help them, but it didn’t matter. They would be following wherever their book said to go. And we would be blazing our own path, blending in with the locals. So the next time you go traveling, consider the road less traveled by tourists.
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Travel
Union Weekly Photographs New York
(Top) Times Square shines brightest at night (From Left) Buildings in New York have stood the test of time lasting a hundred years or more, A quiet street in SoHo where the trees wait to recover from winter, Pizzerias dot the streets of New York City but new boutique food shops like Popbar are not just as likely to be found (Alejandro Ramos/Union Weekly)
(Bottom, from left) Pairs of shoes dot the power line near Brooklyn Brewery, An officer directing traffic is a common sight on the constantly shifting streets, Beneath the streets a subway passes by on the opposite tracks (Katie Cortez/Union Weekly)