Currents Magazine, Spring 2011 - Seaver College - Pepperdine ...

CURRENTS
Off campus:
Where three students
are making their mark
Exploring L.A.’s
hidden treasures
a look at five secret
spots buried in the
urban jungle
Dine and
Discover:
two restaurants rising in popularity
&
Loud Clear:
one athlete’s determination to
speak for a muted community

2 | CURRENTS
CURRENTS MAGAZINE
ISSUE 96 | SPRING 2011
Pepperdine University, Seaver College
24255 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90263
Questions & Comments?
email us at currentsmagpep@gmail.com
or heather.manes@pepperdine.edu
a letter
from the
Today is the day to discover something new. Or perhaps, to rediscover something lost.
It’s all too easy to lose our keys or ID card or even what we’re passionate about. Small
aspects of our lives and aspirations become buried over the years, hidden underneath the
monotony of routine. So, it’s time to grab your shovel and dig.
What exactly are we looking for? Well, hidden treasure of course. It’s time to dig underneath
the surface of the urban jungle and treat it for what it truly is: an adventure. We’re
surrounded with beautiful gems just out of sight and untold stories just one more layer
deep. They’re not easy to uncover, but the adventure is what makes buried treasure so fun
to find.
The captivating beauty of the bright city lights and miles of sandy shoreline are not
all that this city offers. It’s time to diverge from PCH and forge a road not yet traveled.
Google maps can’t take you where we’re going — only a hand-crafted treasure map can.
Lucky for you, it’s in your hand. And what better guide than Indiana Jones?
College is more than four years behind a desk; it’s a journey. So we might as well make it
interesting. For this issue of Currents, we want to encourage you to discover or rediscover
something you love, and maybe it’ll start with this magazine.
We’d like to extend a special thanks to each of our contributors and for your wonderful
dedication to the production of this magazine. Thank you to Houston Costa for bringing
Indiana Jones to life, to Tim Nguyen for teaching us what we very much needed to know
and to Elizabeth Smith for helping us with every bump along the way. And of course, to
our beautiful assistant, Giulia Scotti. We can’t thank you enough for all the hours, ideas
and cupcakes we so desperately needed.
We hope you enjoy this semester’s Currents. It was worth every dollar we spent at Starbucks
and every hour in the newsroom. Each of us invested every ounce of our hearts in
the production of this magazine, re-editing and redesigning to make sure every reader can
find something new within its pages.
Editor Co-Editor
editors
CURRENTS | 3

4 | CURRENTS
CURRENTS
Contents
Spring 2011
ON CAMPUS
The Heroes of Social Justice...................8
Finding a Dream Internship..................12
Spotlight to Candlelight:
A class with Randall Wallace................16
TECHNOLOGY
Tech Central: Best Technology
For College Students...............................18
SPORTS
An Overshadowed Nation.....................22
Behind the Stats:
Maurice Torres........................................24
Trends: Hot Yoga....................................27
OFF CAMPUS
L.A.’s (Secret) Spots................................30
Living Off Campus..................................36
FOOD
Hemingway Getaway..............................39
Villa Blanca Beverly Hills.....................40
Ladyface Ale & Brassiere.......................41
Koreatown’s Café Scent.........................42
CURRENTS | 5

Giulia
Scotti
assistant
editor
Giulia is
a Journalism
major from Milan,
Italy. She
left the fashion capital to try out a new
trend: late nights in the CCB. Currents
got her addicted to caramel macchiatos,
cupcakes and Pandora. In five years,
you’ll find her somewhere between Paris
and New York editing fashion magazines,
planning weddings and publishing
cookbooks.
Ashton
Bowles
photo
editor
Ashton is a motivatedsophomore
and an aspiring
creative,
expressing himself through the channel
of photography. He hopes to succeed in
his passions as well as strive to better
those around him by continuing to allow
his relationship with God to lead the way.
6 | CURRENTS
Houston
Costa
art
photographer
Houston is a
third year Film
Studies major,
and founder of
PFM, a movement
created to bring stories to life
through the art of photography. If there
is anything Houston has learned through
his growth with PFM is, “There is only
one thing worse than being talked about,
and that is not being talked about.”
contributors
EDITORS
EDITOR Heather Manes
CO EDITOR Haley Odorizzi
ASSISTANT EDITOR Giulia Scotti
ON CAMPUS
Haley Odorizzi
Heather Manes
Stan Parker
Sonya Singh
OFF CAMPUS
Niles Jeran
Sarah Attar
Stephanie Nelson
Giulia Scotti
FOOD
Derek Jech
Eunice Kim
Hayley Decker
Owen Lloyd
MODELS
Tucker Alleborn
Joelle Takahashi
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Tim Nguyen
Graphic staff
Starbucks
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ashton Bowles PHOTO EDITOR
Houston Costa ART PHOTOGRAPHER
Harrison Yager
Genevieve Smith
Stephanie Nelson
Eunice Kim
ADVISORS
Elizabeth Smith
Jennifer Gardner
TECHNOLOGY
Tech Central
SPORTS
Kayla Ferguson
Karley Osborn
Anna Kennedy
DESIGN
Heather Manes
Haley Odorizzi
Giulia Scotti
Danielle Kim
COPY EDITOR
Aubrey Hoeppner
ONLINE
Kayla Ferguson
on our cover
The inspiration for our Spring
2011 photo shoot is Indiana
Jones. Tucker Alleborn models
as Indiana and Joelle Takahashi
as our damselle. Photographer
Houston Costa shot the
photos at the Old L.A. Zoo at
Griffith park. Jewelry provided
by Rochelle Gordon.

An adventure
in your own backyard
Adventures always start somewhere. Usually, it’s right where
we’re standing. Finding that small, golden clue can be enough
to point us in the right direction. Here on campus, we have
real-life heroes and other students forging their own paths to
serve as our hints to venture off the grid.
Photos by Houston Costa
Jewelry courtesy of Era Jewelry by Rochelle Gordon
Models: Joelle Takahashi & Tucker Alleborn
on campus life>

They walk among us: average citizens who
don capes of compassion and sacrifice
during the day and night to battle injustice,
hunger, poverty, illiteracy and sickness. They call themselves Volunteers.
By Haley Odorizzi
These are the unpaid heroes of our time. And at Pepperdine University, they come in the
form of students. Some build houses for the homeless or teach English to non-English speakers. Others can
be found teaching the undereducated, and still more are spotted providing food and comfort to the hungry.
Emily McNally’s volunteer work
comes in the form of yoga with kids.
This is her second semester directing
the Yogacore program at Pepperdine.
Emily, a junior Public Relations major –
with no previous yoga experience – provides
lessons to more than two-dozen 3
and 6 year olds in need of role models.
Yogacore works with low-income
schools where physical education classes
have been cut from the California budget.
On Wednesdays, the volunteers
go to John Muir Elementary School in
Santa Monica, and Friday classes are at
Westside Children’s Center in Culver
City.
This program targets both physical
and health education, is a nonprofit that
has only been in existence for two years
and is in its first year as a Pepperdine
volunteer program.
When Emily applied to work with
Pepperdine’s Volunteer Center, she
didn’t expect to be asked to direct a program
right off the bat, but she stepped
up to the plate with a willing spirit.
“It was difficult having to learn the
yoga at the same time as the volunteers,”
Emily admitted. “But this semester it’s
easier.”
Yoga for young children may seem a
little unusual, but these physical movements
are specially geared for a young
audience. Emily described the typical
order of events.
“We start out with a high energy
workout – such as an interpretive ‘pizza
party.’ It is a creative, fun activity that
engages them in the beginning.
“Then we go into actual yoga poses
– some real, like ‘Downward Dog’, and
some kid-friendly originals, like ‘Lion.’
The moves are meant to help them learn
balance and focus.”
The last segment of the session is a
8 | on campus
Volunteers: Real-Life Superheroes
relaxation time where the volunteers
read a story to the kids. This gives the
youngsters a chance to calm down and
“center” themselves.
Yoga is not the only activity the kids
enjoy during their weekly sessions with
the volunteers. They also love to share.
And that’s one of the best parts of the
experience, according to Emily.
“You can see how in need the kids are
of someone to share with, begging to tell
us what had gone on in their day. The
other day, one kid had to tell me their
name and that they went to Disneyland.
They are so eager to share because their
parents aren’t always around.”
This type of intangible reward is what
draws Emily to volunteer. She has been
involved in various volunteer activities
since she was a young kid, such as working
in her church’s café. With a passion
for non-profit work, Emily realized Pepperdine
University would be a perfect fit
in her journey to accomplish her dreams.
She has even chosen to minor in Non-
Profit Management.
“Volunteering is strong at Pepperdine,
so it’s the perfect place for me,”
Emily says. “It set me on the path to
work with nonprofits and has given me
experience.”
Emily’s experience has impacted her
personal life, as well.
“The Yogacore experience, and being
around kids in general, brings me back to
reality,” she explained. “Usually college
students don’t have access to small children.
This lightens my day and brings
me back to what life is really about – it’s
not all studying and hard work.”
Emily hopes that other students, too,
will take time away from their studying
and busy lives to make a difference
in the life of a child, who is in need of
someone to look up to and give them at-
photo by Harrison Yager
tention and encouragement.
Since coming to Pepperdine and immersing
herself in the world of volunteering,
she already knows where she
wants her passion to lead her. Emily’s
dream, after graduating, is to work at
the Los Angeles branch for the Make-
A-Wish Foundation and work directly
with the families.
Volunteering, Emily says, has given
her a great deal of fulfillment. And little
do people know that as they walk past
her every day, this girl is making the
world a better place as she helps to make
children healthy and happy.
Interacting with children might not
be everybody’s forte. Take Al Lai, for
example, who has ventured a different
route on the path of volunteerism. He
has a special passion for people with
disabilities and spends every Saturday
morning at two group homes in Westlake
Village that care for adults with Cerebral
Palsy and Down syndrome.
Al, Program Coordinator for “United
Friends” — a program that works
with United Cerebral Palsy – is only a
sophomore. He volunteered with UF as
a freshman, and decided to take on the
leader responsibilities this year.
“Being a leader involves more research
and trying to understand why clients
have their disabilities
so I can choose certain
activities to do with
them,” Al explained.
“There are so many
levels of disabilities,
so I’ve learned to separate
the disabilities and create activities
geared toward that specific one.”
Each week, Al creates and prepares
an activity for his clients, ranging from
crafts and board games, to themed days
where they carve pumpkins for Halloween,
make ornaments for Christmas, or
write cards for Valentine’s Day. Sometimes,
the volunteers can attend field
trips where they go to the movie theatre
or to a Pepperdine basketball game.
Al’s gift for creativity has come in
handy. When he first began leading the
program, he thought that coming up
with a fresh activity each week would
be his biggest challenge. But instead, he
discovered that creating something new
is his forte. And he makes sure to tie
“If you treat them with
a special love, they will
remember.
each activity with a theme that teaches
a lesson or purpose.
But Al said he finds inspiration in the
hard work and tenacity the clients have
within them.
“Initially, it might be hard, but the
whole experience changes how you see
life,” Al said. “There are a lot of small
things we complain
about, but being
there and seeing all
”
the barriers and obstacles
clients have
to face and how they
overcome is so encouraging.
I admire their fight.”
Al’s admiration and compassion for
the disabled developed at a young age.
Born in Brazil, Al wasn’t introduced
to traditional volunteering until he began
high school in the United States
and participated in mandatory community
service. He became involved in
Best Buddies — a program that creates
opportunities to establish one-on-one
photo courtesy of United Friends
friendships with people who have mental
disabilities.
After completing his required community
service, Al discovered his passion
for non-profit work. At the end of his
sophomore year, he organized “House
our Art,” which provided a space for all
types of artists to display their pieces.
The money received from fundraisers
was used to send supplies for schools in
Ghana and Brazil.
“Service is a part of me,” Al said.
He is majoring in Integrated Marketing
Communication and Media Productions,
which he hopes will aid him in
pursuing his passion to own a non-profit
organization.
“I want to help kids who have a passion
for entertainment,” Al said. “My
non-profit will provide free lessons for
underprivileged kids.”
And it won’t end there.
“I would love to fund their first work.
So I would give them support and get
them started, not just teach them and
say goodbye.”
This type of attitude is what keeps Al
volunteering.
“I know [this program] is tough because
it’s people with disabilities and it
can be awkward,” Al explained. “The
first time can be challenging, but when
they come back, they feel rewarded. A
lot of volunteers have created connections
and the clients teach volunteers
lessons too.”
United Friends is a special experience
that Al says he hopes other students will
try out.
“I think the biggest rumor that people
believe is that people with Cerebral
Palsy don’t remember. But they have
feelings and they do remember.”
Al recalls one of his favorite memories
while working with United Friends.
It was when he heard one client named
Sharon say these simple words: “I love
you, Al.” She is the only client that remembers
his name, rather than calling
him “Friend,” like the other clients.
“If you treat them with a special love,
they will remember.”
Chloe Smith, a senior, also works to
express a special love: a love for the misunderstood
and the disregarded.
She spends about 15 hours a week mentoring
and tutoring juvenile criminals
at Camp David Gonzales. Chloe began
on campus | 9

volunteering there during her first year
at Pepperdine. As the blonde-haired girl
with a prevalent Texan accent spoke her
first “Hey y’all!” as she entered the cold
cafeteria with the goal of helping minors
learn how to read better, she had no idea
how that place would end up changing
her own life.
For about an hour each week, Chloe,
along with several other student volunteers,
would sit at a frigid, metal table
across from a young man who had a
drastically different past from her own.
The purpose of the Monday night program
was to help the boys increase their
reading levels so they would be better
prepared when they are released, and
hopefully continue their education.
But her one-on-one experience was
different. Rather than spending the hour
reading, Chloe couldn’t help but just talk
to the boy she was assigned. She showed
an interest in his life and in his future
– something not many people had ever
done for him. And that’s where it began
for Chloe. She had found a place where
10 | on campus
she could make a difference.
After interning at Camp David
throughout her junior year, Chloe had
discovered her passion. The psychology
major, who had originally planned on
becoming a marriage counselor, decided
that her new dream was to work in a
juvenile correctional facility as either a
probation officer or
“
mental health counselor.
Chloe, now a senior
and the coordinator
for Camp
David’s volunteer program, still works
four days a week at the facility. She plans
to attend the University of North Texas
and obtain a Master’s degree in Criminal
Justice.
“After being exposed to that population,
I believe this is a group of society
that people have forgotten,” Chloe said.
“It may not be intentional, but it’s happening.”
She has taken it upon herself to give
attention to this “forgotten” group. “Af-
I wasn’t kidding in
there, Chloe. You really
are changing my life.
ter going there, I can’t not go there now,”
Chloe explained. “I can’t go there and
witness what is going on and then not go
back every day and do something – even
if I get one kid to do math that day.”
Chloe acts as a tutor, mentor and
friend to the incarcerated young men
at Camp David. With her help, numerous
boys have passed the
GED. With her encouragement,
many boys have
”
applied and been accepted
to attend junior colleges
after their release.
Because of her ability to listen, countless
more have been able to open up about
their lives and future goals. And thanks
to Chloe, several boys have eaten their
first Christmas cookies that were baked
especially for them.
“I ain’t never had a cookie with a scarf
on it,” said one boy as he bit into his
snowman-decorated sugar cookie that
Chloe had stayed up late baking.
“Nobody ever made me a cookie before,”
another admitted quietly under
photo by Haley Odorizzi
his breath.
“People like him don’t know how to
accept this kind of love and care,” Chloe
explained. “Many don’t feel deserving of
it, or worth it.”
Chloe described another boy who sat
in the back of the classroom with an expression
of brokenness. At 6-foot-five, he
appeared intimidating, but never spoke a
word. His teachers saw his silence as disrespect,
but Chloe saw beyond his wall.
She knew something was wrong.
One day, she walked up to him and
asked if he was interested in taking the
GED test. Then he spoke the first word
she had ever heard him say.
“Yes.”
It didn’t take long for him to begin
opening up to Chloe and sharing the story
of his past. He had just needed someone
to take the initiative – and that’s
what Chloe was born to do.
During a session where the boys were
able to give feedback to the administration,
tears streamed down this boy’s face
as he told Chloe in front of the class,
“You’re the first person who still wanted
to get to know me after knowing what
I’ve done.”
That’s because Chloe lives by this
motto: “We are a whole lot bigger than
the worst thing we’ve ever done.” She
got this phrase from Father Gregory
Boyle, author of the book “Tattoos on
the Heart.”
“Gregory Boyle is my hero,” says
Chloe. Boyle is the creator of Homeboy
Industries – an organization that provides
jobs, training and encouragement
to young people in a neighborhood with
the highest concentration of gang activity
in Los Angeles. She was able to meet
her hero a couple months ago, which was
a dream of hers. She has used his experience
as inspiration and guidance in her
own work with juveniles.
When others would freeze and become
speechless as a boy describes the
day his “homie” was shot right in front of
his eyes, Chloe always knows the right
thing to say. In fact, the young men will
often walk in the door and head straight
to the back table where Chloe is waiting.
When that happens, she knows he has
had a rough week and just needs to talk.
“I just ask if they are OK. I make an
effort. I always remember that as much
as they look and act so different, and
even seem intimidating at times, we are
all the same.
“All of us – white, black, Mexican,
poor, rich – want to be validated. Everybody
wants to be heard and given respect.
In gangs, you have to prove that
you are worthy and do certain things to
earn their respect. They are so receptive
to someone who – without any expectation
– wants to hear about their day. And
once you get on common ground, you
can say anything.”
The connection Chloe has made with
the boys at Camp David is very special
to her. She describes, with tears in her
eyes, how difficult it will be to leave the
facility for the last time when she graduates
at the end of April. It has become
such a huge part of her life.
“Camp David has brought me fullcircle,”
Chloe explains. During high
school, she had volunteered with Impact,
a church in her hometown of Houston,
and also participated in inner-city
mission trips to New Orleans and Pensacola,
Florida.
“I always have felt this connection to
inner-city but I never knew where this
would take me,” said Chloe. “But when
I came to Camp David, all that started
to resonate. I knew this is what I was
meant to do.”
One day, a minor asked Chloe if it
ever bothered her “to be around all these
criminals.” But before she had a chance
to answer, one of the other boys answered
for her.
“Naw man, she don’t think we’re
criminals. She loves us. She just thinks
we’re good kids who made a bad choice.”
It’s those moments in which Chloe
knows she is making a difference in their
lives. After helping one kid with his
scholarship letter for “Beat the Odds,”
he told her, “I was thinking that I don’t
know how I could have gotten through
all this scholarship stuff without you.”
Then, a while later when Chloe was
leaving for the day, the same kid stopped
her and said, “I wasn’t kidding in there,
Chloe. You really are changing my life.”
The hardest part of her experiences,
Chloe shares, is that “Unless they get
killed or come back or get sent to another
jail, we may never hear from them
again.”
“A lot of hope is involved,” she explained.
“We just have to keep hoping
that they stay on the right path.”
Chloe has gained the respect of these
young criminals and receives numerous
letters each month, in which boys express
their sincere gratitude for all she
has done and promise to begin a more
productive future.
Over the past few years volunteering
at Camp David, Chloe has seen many
boys come and go. Some boys return to
jail or get sent to state prison. But others
are doing well. One was just accepted to
Pierce College with a scholarship. Another
is working as a chef at a restaurant.
“The sad truth,” Chloe says, “is that I
know most of them are not going to fall
into the path I would hope for. But just
knowing that one kid is going to college
or quit a gang makes it all worth it.”
So Chloe returns each day with a
bright smile and looks forward to those
moments that make it all “worth it.”
These volunteers know firsthand that
what they do is worth every second. And
they represent many other students who
are quietly changing lives in powerful
ways.
They don’t do it for the glory or money
or fame. These heroes go about their
lives, fighting social injustices, serving
the underprivileged, teaching the undereducated,
and mending the broken
spirits. Emily makes children happy and
fit, while Al does fun activities with disabled
adults, and Chloe sits in a classroom
and explains the Pythagorean theorem
so juvies can pass their GED. All
three, by their actions, are convincing
their fellow-humans they are valuable to
this world.
"Knowledge calls ultimately for a life of service."
on campus | 11

Stand out from the crowd:
The real world looms right
outside of Pepperdine’s
heavily fortified gates,
safely held at bay by our
rugged security guards.
It’s daunting to think about, especially
knowing that it’s T minus 4 years until
we’re kicked out into its cold, apathetic
hands.
Luckily, there’s a process to ease us
out into the working world. It’s called an
internship.
However, finding an internship can be
just as daunting. Scaling the CCB stairs
on a Saturday morning in 90 degree heat
sounds more appealing. But with a little
work (well OK, a lot of work), finding an
internship — even a dream internship —
may not be as out of reach as it seems.
“It’s something that can be the highlight
of your undergrad experience,” said
Nancy Shatzer, Career Center internship
coordinator regarding internships.
And here at Pepperdine, students inherently
have two very important factors
that other students across the nation
don’t: location and reputation. Los
Angeles is right in Pepperdine’s backyard,
providing students with an excess
of internship options across a variety of
fields. In addition, Pepperdine’s reputa-
12 | on campus
tion within Los Angeles and its major
corporations is well-established.
According to Shatzer, the average student
completes between one and three
internships during his or her undergraduate
career.
“Students offered spots at highly
competitive internships are probably
not first-time interns,” Shatzer said. For
the dream internship, starting small
and working your way up through connections
in the industry and with other
students is how to end up with the big
companies.
Shatzer also suggests starting with
the Career Center, “I really think there
are so many pieces and facets to the internship
experience that students really
need to get help with that process. We
can help them with how to best present
yourself to different employers, resume
building, and we cold-call firms on behalf
of students.”
CBS and Disney are two firms that
have had conversations with Shatzer
about what they look for most in internship
candidates. First, a “killer cover
letter,” will help a student stand out.
Second, passion for the company and
knowledge about the company adds to a
candidate’s likelihood of an offer. Third,
photo by Harrison Yager
Your dream internship doesn’t have to be in your resume’s hands. Three successful
students share their advice on how to stand out and, ultimately, land that perfect
internship. By Heather Manes
they look for what qualifies the student
for the position and what academic preparation
they can tie into the experience.
So, what’s the best way to get started?
Well, Shatzer suggests seven key tips:
1. Start preparing your first and
second year at Pepperdine by getting
involved in clubs and campus
organizations, particularly volunteer
work.
2. Start earlier rather than later—
don’t put it off.
3. Look thoroughly at all the options.
4. Change your phone message to
sound professional.
5. Be aware of what can be seen
on your Facebook or other social
media.
6. Be well-prepared for an interview.
7. Write a thank you note after an
interview.
Three students in particular have
been successful in landing enviable internships.
Take a look at what they do
now, and how they got there:
After interning with two jewelry companies, a public relations firm in London and Mandate pictures,
fashion guru Lucia Valerio decided to apply to be a style ambassador for Marie Claire
magazine. The Italian native now works as an official “advice-giver” for Marie Claire.
How did you get the position at
Marie Claire?
“Last January, I was on the website
and there was a link that said if you
are interested in fashion, apply to be a
style counsel member for the magazine.
I clicked on it... I went through and
submitted it, and after a month I got
another email that said I passed to the
second round which was short answer... I
was just really honest...
What we feel like we
should answer might
not be what they’re always
looking for.
About a month later,
I made it to the third
round, which was making a video. It
and it had to be 30 seconds where you
basically disclose who you are as an individual…
I did that on iMovie. I didn’t
hear from them for about two months,
and then they said I had made it to the
last round, which was a phone interview.
About a month and a half later, I found
out I was selected.”
What do you do for Marie Claire?
“It’s a virtual internship, which is
cool, because it gives me the freedom to
go out and do internships here in L.A.
and be able to work at home. It’s a new
program they just launched; it’s not too
time consuming, they just email you and
ask you to come to local events… They
email you from time to time to fill out
surveys to see whether what they are
forecasting fashion-wise months prior is
actually following through...
The cool part is they also really motivate
us to journal what we observe
around us fashion-wise; beauty products,
restaurants, places to visit, things
you like to do, ideas you have, blogs you
see that interest you, job opportunities
you find, contacts you make at events…
It allows you to open up your eyes and
really live through your passion.
They’ll also send us the covers to the
magazine before they print to ask us
which we like best and give us issues for
free... Really we just report back to them
“It’s created a habit in
me... in terms of dedicating
time every day to live
out my passion.
about ourselves and what we observe
about the people around us.
What about you do you think
stood out?
“Honesty. For Mandate pictures, I
had a production major friend who had
applied there and didn’t get it. So I was
just about not to go, I thought they
probably won’t want me, but I just went;
I figured it was good interview practice.
And as it turned out,
everything just clicked
and worked out. I was
really honest with her,
”
and that I didn’t really
know movies all that
well, but I wanted to
test the waters and see what this field
was like. It was the same with Marie
Claire; I was just really honest. You really
don’t know unless you try.”
What do you like best about your
position?
“The fact that it has created a habit
in me. A positive habit in terms of dedicating
time every day to live out my
passion… It’s made me a lot more open
with people, going to different places I
wouldn’t have gone to before; it’s made
me more embracing of what we’re surrounded
with…
And every internship has made me
feel more and more confident about myself
and more valued for what I do... I
know that my work is valued and I am
valued. It helps me really feel for myself
that I am a valuable person because it all
comes down to how you see yourself…
And knowing what’s genuine and natural
is beautiful.”
What’s your biggest advice to
students searching for an internship?
“Look on the internet, it has everything
now a days, but you really have to
look daily. And when you see an opportunity,
don’t be scared. If worst comes
to worst, it won’t happen. Dream big,
be humble, keep it personal… Believe
in your abilities and who you are. Also,
confidence, for sure, and willingness...
I’ve been raised to do thing self-sufficiently.
If [my parents] catered to me all
the time, I’d be scared to go out there
and try to do anything myself… You can
succeed no matter what you set your
mind to as long as you are honest and
you are passionate.”
Lucia Valerio
Senior, Marie Claire intern
Advertising major and
Industrial Organization
Psychology minor
photo by Houston Costa
on campus | 13

photo courtesy of Amir Mohamadzadeh
Amir
Mohamadzadeh
Senior, Lakers intern
Business major,
Marketing minor
For Amir Mohamadzadeh, landing an internship with the Lakers
was simply a matter of confidence. After interning with Kauffman
Sports Management and L.A. Sports Commission, and as
the president and founder of Pepperdine Sports Business Association,
he knew he had the skills necessary for the job. All that
was missing was a simple introduction.
How did you get your internship?
“Well, I am the president and founder
of Pepperdine Sports Business Association
(SBA) and we work with West
Coast Sports Associates, which is a nonprofit
organization that helps intercity
children get involved with sports. One
time, we were at a dinner they were hosting.
This one guy was there and it just
so happened he worked for the Lakers.
I went up and introduced myself and I
told him about my passions my interests
and career path and asked him if there
were any internships available... He told
me to keep in contact and send him a resume
and we’ll go from there.
About every month or two I’d send an
email updating him on what I was doing…
It came by July and I sent him my
14 | on campus
most updated resume and he forwarded
it to my current boss... I sent that person
my cover letter, and told them all of
the qualities that I have that can make
a positive impact on the Lakers. It’s all
about adding value. You get picked as an
intern if you’re the one they believe can
add the most value to the organization.”
What do you do as an intern?
“I am the corporate partnership intern.
So I support all the corporate
partnerships. The Lakers have a certain
number of sponsors: there’s Toyota, Verizon,
Nike, Gatorade. So we put together
proposals and our sales team actually
presents to [the sponsors] the benefits of
sponsoring the Lakers. I do a lot of background
marketing research... It involves
a lot of the marketing strategy so basi-
cally coming up with different proposals
for sponsors.
I also help organize events. Say we do
a half court shot at half-time at a select
number of games; one of our strategies
was having a sponsor like Mirage Casino
sponsor the half court shot where someone
can win $100,000. That’s attracting
all the attention from the audience...
so it’s great publicity… Or, a lot of time
there is post game player appearances.
So I’ll take a reception of Mirage executives
and bring them down to the court,
have them meet the players and shoot
around with them. But it changes from
day to day.”
What do you like most about
your internship?
“I really love the energy. In the office,
everyone is really energetic and ambitious…
And the Lakers are committed to
excellence; committed to being the best.
And I align perfectly to that mission. So,
I like that our goals are the same. The
Lakers want to be excellent and I want
to be excellent in everything I do.”
What’s your biggest advice to
students searching for an internship?
“I would say that you must be passionate
about what you do. You have to really
want it. You have to be confident and
willing to always be improving. If I’m
passionate about marketing strategy for
the Lakers, then I am going to be consistently
learning and improving.
Also, there’s this quote I tell a lot of
people. It goes: ‘If you’re not improving
every single day, you’re wasting your
most valuable asset, which is time.’ It’s a
motto I go by and its gotten me places.
It’s allowed me to reach my goals.”
How can you become a successful
intern?
“Going above and beyond what’s
asked of you. At the Lakers for example,
when I first started, a lot of the assignments
I got were simple at first… So I
started asking everyone in my department
to give me more responsibilities
because I wanted to be challenged. Since
I’ve done that I’ve gotten way more responsibilities,
and I’ve met a lot more
people not only in my department, but
also in other parts of the business.”
Currently working as an intern for E! Entertainment Television, Gerilyn Manago started her first of six
internships at home in Hawaii for Hawai’i Red Magazine. She moved on to World Telecom Group
that fall, then to 944 magazine, then Bravo, then Tiger Beat and Bop magazine during last fall.
Though unpaid, she’s still found ample worth in each internship experience.
What motivated you to get started
early?
“Well, I applied for a couple on-campus
jobs freshman year, which didn’t really
turn into anything. I was looking to
get more involved because in high school
I was always doing extracurricular activities...
so I was looking for something
to do besides school. It wasn’t until my
sophomore year that a lot of my friends
started to go through the recruiting process
[for internships] as business majors,
so I figured it was a good time to start.”
How did you find your internships?
“For my Hawai’i Red internship… I
started by looking in magazines, online,
and for specific email addresses or phone
numbers. It was a lot of searching.
For World Telecom Group, I found
through the Pepperdine internship website…
I actually found most of my internships
through the website. But I did have
a supervisor at World Telecom Group
who connected me to someone she had
known from her previous job to an editor
at Tiger Beat and Bop magazine. It
didn’t directly turn into an internship,
but she told me to keep in touch and
maybe something will come up in the
future, which it did.
For this semester at E!, I actually met
one of my current bosses through my supervisor
at Bravo… and I ended up at E!.”
What was your favorite internship?
“I really liked the fast paced environment
of working at 944, although it was
challenging at first because there was
not a lot of direction... The low level
of direction gave me more trust and allowed
me to be more creative. From that
experience, I learned how to adapt to
different situations really quickly and be
more of an observer… I really got a sense
of ‘oh I really like this industry and I really
like these people.’”
How do you think doing six internships
has helped you?
“I think that the one thing beneficial
Gerilyn Manago
Senior, E! intern
English major, Professional and
Academic Writing minor
from internships is you really figure out
what you like and what you don’t like
from an internship, which is really valuable.
When you graduate and go into the
work force, you don’t have that flexibility
to decide after you sign the papers
and take your first paycheck ‘oh it isn’t
for me, I don’t really like this environment,
and I don’t care for people here.’ It
provides you opportunity to make mistakes
early on and see what you like and
don’t like.”
What’s your biggest piece of advice
to students looking for an internship?
“For one, you have to be willing to do
anything almost. I feel like the things
you think might not mean a lot, might
actually be helping out someone else in
the company a lot, and might be the one
photo by Ashton Bowles
determining factor that makes you stand
out among all the other interns. So, for
instance, when you go to lunch, asking
your boss ‘do you need anything, or can
I pick you up coffee?’ and taking the
initiative to go above and beyond. I feel
like it’s really important to be willing.
Also, definitely go in with an open
mind... It’s not until you are in the actual
company that you learn maybe this industry
or environment is not for me. It’ll
help you not be susceptible to getting
down on yourself if it doesn’t work out.
It’s also really important to maintain
connections with the people you meet.
It really is the backbone behind a career.
So every three months, sending an email
to a former supervisor updating them on
what you’re doing… it can lead to future
employment opportunities.”
on campus | 15

16 | on campus
to
spotlight candlelight:
He’s an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, written seven New York Times
bestsellers, had a cameo on “Entourage” (as himself), and has a black
belt: Who wouldn’t want to take a class with Randall Wallace?
Desks lie empty and forgotten,
scattered around
the edges of the classroom.
The darkness is
broken only by the flickering
candlelight, revealing a class seated
on the floor in a circle, listening to the
wisdom and stories of their instructor.
Believe it or not, this is a pretty typical
Monday evening in CAC 301, where wizened
Hollywood veteran Randall Wallace
transforms a boring classroom into a
laboratory for creativity and imagination.
Wallace, the Oscar-nominated writer
behind “Braveheart,” “Pearl Harbor” and
“The Man in the Iron Mask,” taught his
popular screenwriting class at Pepperdine
for the third time this semester.
Having a household name as a teacher
is cool enough as it is, but Wallace backs
up his fame by giving his students not a
lecture, but an interactive experience.
By Stan Parker & Sonya Singh | Photo by Genevieve Smith
“He’s a very dynamic teacher,” senior
Kaylani Esparza said, “unlike any I’ve
ever had ... He’s really passionate about
his students.”
Wallace’s stories-by-candlelight method,
which he introduced spontaneously
in his first semester here, breaks up the
monotony in students’ busy lives and multiple-hour
blocks of class, he says.
“It seemed to me that students were
finding the Q&A a little bit formal, like
sitting there under the fluorescent lights
seemed to make them feel self-conscious
about their questions,” Wallace said. “I
wanted to get at the internal process of
writing. The mechanics you can find anywhere,
but to learn through an experience
of creativity, to give yourself permission
to fail... is a crucial part of the process.”
And as a passionate storyteller, Wallace
says this is the closest he can get to
simulating the atmosphere of the first
storytellers — ancient tribes that would
sit around their campfires at night and
tell the stories that formed their very
identities.
“The thought of the candles and sitting
in a circle is that that’s where movies
really came from,” Wallace explained.
“Tribal people would tell stories around
a campfire, and they didn’t tell stories
except when they felt safe and together.
And stories evolve based on how the audience
is reacting. There’s interplay between
the storyteller and the audience;
the audience is creating the story too.”
Wallace realizes the chances of his
students becoming professional storytellers
are low, but hopes that his instruction
will carry on in other ways: “[I hope]
no matter what they do … they will all
have a different relationship to hearing
their own muse and testing their own
hearts.”

Finding
a hidden navigator
An extraordinary adventurer must find a handy way to decipher the treasure
map in order to finally reach X-marks-the-spot. What good is an explorer
without a compass? College students, like any good thrill-seeker, need to be
equipped with the best tools and technology to accomplish their academic
journey with ease and success.
technology >

18 | technology
best technology
In the wide world of
technology, it's easy to
get lost in the coded
clutter. With a little
help from the experts,
however, finding the best
piece of technology for
a college student can be
as easy as pi.
’s
for college students
laptop: macbook pro
For realistic buyers, Apple is making
amazing products right now. Their laptops
are top of the line and lead consumer-satisfaction
ratings, along with customer
support across the board for both
desktops and laptops. Our hands-down
recommendation for a laptop today is the
Apple MacBook Pro (pick your own size
— 13, 15 or 17 inches). These computers
are built with superior quality, superior
support and friendly software (speed, efficiency
and security). If you really want
By Tech Central | Photos courtesy of Apple, Canon & Sony
to run Windows, there’s nothing stopping
you from doing so; we certainly run
both operating systems on our Macs. If
you’re a Pepperdine student thinking
about buying a Mac, check with your
academic program’s office to make sure
that using a Mac will not interfere with
your classes. Regardless of your brand of
laptop, you should check with Tech Central/The
Computer Store before buying
Microsoft software. We sell Office and
Windows for super-cheap prices.
cell
phone:
iphone 4
Of all of the phones currently on
the market, we cannot recommend the
iPhone 4 highly enough. Now that it is
available on both AT&T and Verizon,
users have access to the two strongest
cell phone signals on campus. The
App Store is second to none in providing
users with the best in mobile
apps, both free and paid. Syncing with
computers allows for quick updating
and merging of information, apps
and music. The iPhone is an excellent
all-in-one electronic device, allowing
you to receive emails, play music and
videos, take pictures and video, keep
a calendar, IM and, of course, make
phone calls. With a new contract, the
iPhone 4 runs for about $200 for the
16GB model, but you must purchase
a data plan on either of
the networks. If possible,
we suggest that you wait
to see what Apple unveils
this summer; they have
released a new version of
the iPhone every summer
since 2007.
tablet: ipad
Just to be clear, this
recommendation concerns
tablet devices such as the iPad and the Motorola Xoom — not netbooks, which are
essentially small, less powerful laptops. In our opinion, the best tablet on the market
is the iPad because of its huge App Store, amazing hardware and smooth interface.
Apple is on the forefront of innovating technology and delivering a uniform product
from day one. An iPad can supplement a laptop, not replace one. Buying an iPad is
only encouraged if you really can make good use of it. If you end up deciding to get
a tablet, the iPad is the one to get.
camera: canon rebel t2i
For those looking for a quality camera
we recommend Canon’s Rebel T2i. It
has an 18-megapixel APS-C image sensor
that’s similar to the Canon 7D and
has the same 1080p/full video capabilities.
The T2i has a great screen that allows
for a 3:2 aspect ratio, letting you see
your picture uncropped. There is enough
brightness to use in daylight along with
a near-180-degree viewing angle, allowing
you to see the screen in real time
when shooting video in Live View. It
has the same mode dial as the standard
Canon point-and-shoot, and shortcut
buttons to allow you to change any parameters
you need to. This camera has
some heavy-duty photography specs that
include 18-megapixel resolution, flexible
shutter speeds, Red Eye Reduction and
optical stabilization. It also comes with
a good selection of lenses and sells for
about $850 on Amazon.com.
technology | 19

web
browser:
google chrome
In this category, we have another
awesome Google product: Chrome.
While you’re upgrading your e-mail, go
ahead and switch to this as well. Chrome
is extremely lean, enabling it to run
quickly. Consistent with its functionality,
Chrome’s aesthetic is clean and minimal,
leaving lots of room for the actual
webpage to take center stage.
Gmail offers incredible strength with
the ability to sync to all of your personal
devices. Furthermore, when you create
a Google account, you gain access to
Google Docs (a web-based MS Office
substitute), Google Voice (for managing
services related to your phone), Google
Calendar and all of the other free Google
products. So, go ahead and forward your
e-mails to Gmail and upgrade.
20 | technology
email:
game system: ps3
Ah yes, the more luxurious portion
of technology. This was a highly contended
issue among us, with still some
filing dissenting opinions, but we came
down to recommending a PlayStation
3. The Wii does have its purposes and is
a great deal of fun for watching friends
and family humiliate themselves at
a get-together. Unfortunately, its inability
to play DVDs still bewilders
many of us, and its lack of processing
power and non-HD graphics is, by this
point, downright annoying. Of course,
these drawbacks haven’t kept it from
becoming the best-selling console in
the United States. The Xbox 360 has
the most reliable servers for online play
and a massive user base. The Xbox-exclusive
titles don’t pack as much punch
as the PS3, but the Xbox is still a great
system; and Microsoft’s new add-on,
the Kinect, is by far the best motionbased
gaming utility, though it is still
new and in need of improvement. That
brings us to our decision on the PS3.
With literally twice the processing
power of the 360, much better media
support and that beautiful thing called
Blu-ray, the PS3 is quite the machine.
The kicker is that it’s also the best deal
— for the time being — with a 320GB
hard drive, Sony’s motion detection ...
thing (PlayStation Move) and a game
for $399.
gmail These recommendations are the personal opinions of the Tech Central
staff, not official guidelines for student purchases. Of course, there will be
plenty of disagreement among techies about these types of devices (especially
regarding game consoles), and we welcome the discussion that comes along
with that. As you may have noticed, Apple products were featured prominently
in our reviews. We thought about changing our recommendations to
spice things up, but when it came down to it, we had to agree that our honest
opinions led us unanimously to select those devices. At the moment, some of
the best hardware out there is Apple, hands-down. If you have questions
about these recommendations or anything technology-related, feel free to
come visit us on the second floor of the Payson Library.

Climbing
above &
beyond
Any journey requires inner and outter
strength and skill. To overcome
barriers larger than ourselves, we
need steadfast teammates to lean on.
And it’s surprising just how strong
they can be. There’s much more
worth to a player or a team than just
simple statistics.
sports >
off campus | 321

an
overshadowed
22 | sports
NATION
The Lakers have long been a source of pride for Los
ATION
Angelenos. However, one team long hidden behind
the Lakers shadow is taking the city by surprise.
By Kayla Ferguson | Photo by Harrison Yager
For sports fans everywhere, Los Angeles is “Laker Nation.”
And — who are we kidding? — it probably always will be. But that doesn’t
mean there’s not another team worth following, a team that has gone virtually
unnoticed in a basketball-crazed city (no, I don’t think L.A. should
get an NFL team) that bleeds purple and yellow. That team is the Los
Angeles Clippers. Ever heard of ’em?
Thanks to rookie Blake Griffin — whom you may remember from his
dunk over the Kia in the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, if nothing else
— the Clippers have managed to put
themselves on the NBA map this year.
That’s not to say they weren’t there before.
They were just a lot smaller “nation.”
At the close of the 2009–2010 season,
the Clippers “boasted” a dismal
29-53 record. It doesn’t take a mathematician
to figure out that is way below
.500, which ultimately means the fan
base was lacking, at best. (And I would
be remiss if I didn’t mention that the
Clippers also lacked a player of Kobe’s
caliber, both status- and skill-wise.)
In March of the 2010–2011 season,
the Clippers still had a losing record
(28-44) and were eliminated from playoff
contention. But they did beat the
Lakers. And they do have Blake Griffin.
This means they have fans now, even if
they are of the bandwagon sort and only
know the team from “SportsCenter”
highlights of Griffin’s dunks. Again,
you have to start somewhere.
After a simple look at these afore-
mentioned facts, I will make the bold
assertion that the Clippers are the
NBA’s “hidden treasure,” so to speak.
And they play right here in our own
backyard.
You used to be able to get Clippers
tickets for less than $10. They practically
gave them away for free. But Clippers
tickets have seen a significant increase
since the team
“
has made itself a
force to be reckoned
with. I (along with
most of you) am not a
fan of expensive outings,
but let’s be honest:
Here in America,
expensive is quasi-synonymous with
high quality. So the fact that Clippers
tickets cost nearly triple what they did
last season must mean the Clippers are,
well, good.
Griffin deserves most of the credit
for this turnaround, but even though
the Clippers are better referred to as
“the Blake Griffin team and his sidekicks”
at this point in the game (pun
intended), numerous other players on
the team are worthy of recognition.
Three other rookies, Al-Farouq
Aminu, Eric Bledsoe and Willie Warren,
are all contributors to the “rebuilding
phase” the Clippers are currently experiencing.
They may not be averaging
22.4 points per game like Griffin is, but
basketball is a team sport, right? Rookies
and rebuilding go hand in hand.
And we can’t forget about guard Eric
Gordon, who is averaging 23.7 points
and 4.4 assists per game this season,
despite sustaining a wrist injury late
in January. Forwards, like Griffin, are
nothing without a successful guard,
like Gordon. Before being dealt to the
Cleveland Cavaliers at the Feb. 24 trade
deadline, 11-year veteran guard Baron
Davis was contributing an average of
10 points and 8.1 assists in the 10-game
stretch before the trade. His stats were
all right, but were they worth a $14 million
contract? The Clippers obviously
didn’t think so, which must mean one
thing: The Clippers have a lot of faith
in their future as a young team.
The fact that Clippers
tickets cost nearly triple
what they did last season
must mean the Clippers
are, well, good.
In Davis’ (and a first-round draft
pick’s) place, the Clippers acquired Mo
Williams and Jamario Moon from the
Cavs, whose “veteran” experience cumulatively
equates to less than that of
Davis.
So if the Clippers are indeed looking
younger, they need look no further. And
it’s probably safe to say that the cumulative
salaries of Wil-
liams and Moon, who
aren’t at the top of
the list of recognized
names, also equate to
”
less than that of Davis.
Seems like a winwin.
In the short term, Davis’ departure
could have minor negative consequences.
But in the long term, the Clippers
have the ability to turn into a young,
refurbished team with a lot of potential
and minimal salary cap restrictions,
something they couldn’t flaunt with
Davis on the roster.
The Clippers have acquired a lot of
talent over the past two seasons. So
why don’t they have more fans? That is
a question for the ages and one that is
difficult to answer.
If anyone can recall the 1998–1999
Nuggets roster, stacked with Nick Van
Exel, Chauncey Billups and Antonio
McDyess, you will also be able to recall
their embarrassingly bad 14-36 record
(the season was shortened from 82 to 50
games due to a lockout). The Clippers
this season are the revamped (and more
than slightly better) Nuggets of 1999.
Talented, but not superior. Statusworthy,
but not popular. That doesn’t
mean they aren’t worth watching.
It would be tough to argue that the
Clippers will ever reach the level of
popularity the Lakers have sustained
for more than a decade.
We can argue, though, that the Clippers
have made a comeback this season
and have turned into a team worth
talking about. Thanks to Griffin and
his sidekicks, the Clippers are arguably
the NBA’s — and L.A.’s — great “hidden
treasure.” Next season, we should
expect great things from them.
sports | 23

setting
the pace
Sign language isn’t
exactly a team sport.
But for sophomore Maurice
Torres, it’s as much
a part of his life as volleyball,
allowing him
to become a role model
across both spectrums.
By Karley Osborn
Photos by Ashton Bowles
If you walk into a sports bar and grill in
a few years and find a menu based mainly
on Philly cheese steaks and carefully
drizzled chocolate-covered strawberries,
you’ll know you’ve found Maurice Torres’
restaurant. And if he’s working the
front of the house that evening, he may
brag a little about his Philly sandwich,
a creation he first put together at age 16
— his family members swear it compares
to genuine Philadelphia fare. But don’t
worry. That’s the only time you would
catch this member of the junior national
volleyball team, who’s also been playing
the USA pipeline for the past five years,
in a little bit of self promotion. Though
his restaurant may still be in the works,
his career in volleyball is already plenty
established.
While most rising athletes are eager
to discuss their road to ESPN’s top 10
plays of the day, Maurice seems almost
24 | sports
uncomfortable acknowledging the astounding
levels of success he’s claimed
in volleyball in only a few short years —
five, to be exact. Instead, he prefers to
deflect any accolades he’s received onto
the people who have shaped him.
In short, Maurice isn’t the typical
world-class athlete. Sure, he wants to
make it as a professional volleyball player
after college. And yes, he’d like to play
on the Olympic team. But ultimately, he
wants people to know about the support
system that gives his accomplishments
and dreams all of their worth: his family.
Even though his parents divorced when
we was younger, he still has a strong support
system from the women in his life.
“I’m a huge family guy,” Maurice said,
citing his mom, Shelly, as his “biggest
idol.” Though she’s busy with her job
as a high school principal in Riverside,
she tries to make it to as many of Maurice’s
games as she can. She cheers him
on in the bleachers alongside his sisters
and nephews. When she can’t physically
make it to a game, she always makes sure
to follow his sets online or on television,
an effort Maurice feels is intrinsic to his
success. “It’s fun to have such a big fan
base as my family is,” he said.
When he’s playing internationally (as
he did in Italy while a member of the
USA youth national team that took 10th
place in 2009), he keeps in touch and
shares victories with his mother through
a constant flow of text messages, Skype
chats and e-mail threads. The only way
they don’t keep in touch? Over the telephone.
Though Maurice was born hearing,
both his mother and father became
deaf in their early childhood, making
overseas communication an exercise in
creativity.
“
Nowadays, we can just pick up a phone and call whoever we want. But
in the deaf community, you can’t do that. It’s kind of a slower process.
For this reason, Maurice appreciates
how far technology has come. Video chat
has been especially helpful, “because it’s
like they get to share that moment with
me, where it’s like just fresh off a win,
they get to share that excitement,” Maurice
said.
“Nowadays, we can just pick up a
phone and call whoever we want. But in
the deaf community, you can’t do that.
It’s kind of a slower process.”
When his mom and sisters do get a
hold of Maurice after catching a livestream
of one of his games, however,
they don’t go easy on him.
“My mom’s biggest pointer is I need
to serve in and play better defense,”
Maurice said. “My mom played volleyball
… in the deaf Olympics, and all my
sisters played volleyball, so they’re very
particular about my game. And they love
to pick me up and they’ll break me down
just so I can be better.”
In addition to his immediate family,
Maurice has another inspiration that has
lately followed him onto the court: his
5-year-old nephew, Carter.
Though he’s hesitant to say it outright,
it’s easy to imagine that in the eyes
of his littlest fan, his 6-foot-7 uncle must
look like a power-hitting hero in orange
and blue.
“My sister told me he really looks up
to me, so it’s a real passionate thing … I
kind of want to make him proud. I know
he’s only 5, but he’s like my best friend,”
Maurice said.
“He’s a funny kid and I love spending
time with him, and I want to do good
things to be an idol for him.”
”
An idol, perhaps, that his nephew can
look to in the same way Maurice looks
to his mother.
“Where she’s come from is awe-inspiring
to me,” Maurice said of her. For this
reason, whenever interviewers attempt
to glorify the noteworthy successes he’s
had in volleyball, “I try to give the credit
to my mom and my sisters, because they
really have made me who I am.”
His successes in the competitive
volleyball world are nothing to shortchange,
however. Recently, Maurice
was a member of the 2010 Men’s Junior
National Team, which won the North,
Central America and Caribbean Volleyball
Confederation (NORCECA) Men’s
Junior Continental Championship in
Canada. His earlier accomplishments in-
sports | 25

clude winning a gold medal at the Junior
Olympics in 2009, as well as bringing
home the gold in the 2008 NORCECA
Championship.
“Yes, it’s me playing volleyball,” he
acknowledges. “But thanks to my sisters
and my mom, they have really taught me
how to be a better person and how to be
a better volleyball player, and I would be
nowhere without the women in my family.”
Because of the inseparable link Maurice
sees between his passion for volleyball
and the strength of his family’s
support, he has made an effort to use his
rising position in the athletic world in
advocacy of the deaf community.
“It’s kind of cool because [through my
success] I get to be an advocate both for
volleyball and the deaf world,” Maurice
said. “Whenever I can, I share about my
family [and] try to get people to know
more about the deaf community, that
there is one and that these are just normal
people.”
“Nothing is wrong with them. They
just can’t hear. I think interpreting helps
that, and playing volleyball at a high level
kind of helps that as well.”
Maurice, who learned to sign before
he could speak, is currently listed as an
interpreter with two different agencies
in California. While his commitment
to volleyball limits his availability, he
makes an effort to do interpretive work
during the summers and on breaks
to maintain the link between his two
worlds. In particular, Maurice hopes to
be able to inspire and develop the athletic
talent of deaf children.
“A lot of deaf kids come from a hard
place. A lot of them are the only deaf
people in their family and [their] parents
don’t even speak sign language,” Maurice
said. “It’s kind of hard that people
don’t take the time to realize or get to
know these kids.”
26 | sports
“Deaf people are a lot deeper than
people think; they are just hesitant to
get to know people because that’s the
way they’ve been taught … to put their
guard up because they don’t want to get
attacked for being different.”
Because of the many misunderstandings
between deaf and hearing communities,
taking an active role in the deaf
community is something Maurice finds
invaluable.
“I try to do whatever I can. I try to inspire
kids when I go work. I do lessons,
I do all sorts of things to help people out
wherever I can,” Maurice said.
“I’m a big competitor. I want to be the
best out on the court, and in volleyball I
had the opportunity to do that. It kind
of pushed me off and on the court to be
a better person, be a better volleyball
player, brother, son.”
More than his talent, more than his
height, more than his knack for grilling,
more than the passion pushing him to
serve volleyballs on an Olympic court,
Maurice is an authentic servant-leader
who wants nothing more than to give
due credit to those who have surrounded
him in unwavering support. Except,
maybe, for you to stop by and try his famous
Philly cheese steak sandwich.
“Deaf people are a lot deeper than people think; they
are just hesitant to get to know people because that’s the
way they’ve been taught … to put their guard up because
”
they don’t want to get attacked for being different.

A
HOT
workout
The sun isn't the only thing heating up Malibu
— hot yoga, a new fitness trend steaming
up SoCal, is burning more calories and toning
more muscles than ever before.
By Anna Kennedy | Photo by Ashton Bowles
Here at Pepperdine, it’s easy to feel
as though you’re getting a workout,
even if you haven’t been to the
gym in weeks. Just walking to class
is enough to get that post-workout glow.
That’s what can be so tricky about going
to school here: Though we get the (health)
benefit of having to hike to classes in the
CCB, many students often overlook the
fact that extra exercise is, in fact, necessary.
True, it is hard to find the time for
a jog around the campus or a do a weightlifting
session. Luckily, one exercise that
more and more people have picked up has
so many benefits it actually may be less
painful (in the figurative and literal sense)
to pursue: hot yoga.
What is hot yoga, you may ask? Hot
(or Bikram) yoga is a series of 26 “asanas”
(or postures) performed over 90 minutes.
A session begins with one warm-up
breathing exercise, leading into 24 asanas
intended to improve strength and flexibility,
and then concluding with one toxineliminating
breathing posture.
Sounds simple enough, right? Maybe
so, but there’s a catch: class is held in
a 100-degree room. The intense heat,
though intimidating, and its numerous
benfits are what makes Bikram yoga so
popular. First of all, the heat relaxes muscles
and joints, thus making it easier (and
safer) for even beginners to twist themselves
into pretzels. The heat also helps
release the lactic acid buildup after muscle
use, which decreases the typical postworkout
soreness. Also, an obvious result
of the intense heat is the sweat, which
contributes to quick weight loss, toxin
elimination and increased circulation.
This style of yoga was created by Bikram
Choudrey. Choudrey himself began
practicing yoga at age 4; he went on to win
the National India Yoga Contest at only
13. At age 20, however, he suffered a knee
injury so serious that European doctors
predicted that he would never be able to
walk again. Choudrey returned to India to
pay a visit to his yoga guru, Bishnu Ghosh,
who worked diligently with him for six
months until he had fully recovered. After
experiencing the incredible healing powers
of yoga for himself, he decided to open
his own school, first in India, then world-
wide. Choudrey incorporated some elements
from Ghosh’s healing regime into
what would become his own yoga style.
Though hot yoga has spread across the
globe, it is still somewhat low key, especially
among young people. Out of all the
students who were asked, only a handful
had actually heard of hot yoga, and only a
few had actually tried it.
“Hot yoga is so intense!” sophomore
Nadine Jang said. “You have to drink so
much water so you don’t get dehydrated.”
“I love hot yoga,” freshman Savannah
Holmes said. “My friend introduced me
to it. She brought me to this yoga class,
which actually turned out to be hot yoga.
It was so hard.”
Students at Pepperdine are fortunate
to live in an area where many local places
offer classes, namely Malibu Sun Yoga,
which is right down PCH.
Practicing hot yoga may be one of the
best things that stressed-out Pepperdine
students can do for themselves. Hot yoga
requires intense focus, which in turn
takes one’s mind off of the million and one
things on the ubiquitous “to do” list. The
only thing more satisfying than the psychological
benefits of practicing hot yoga
is the physical result: weight management
and detoxification.
As finals quickly approach, hot yoga
can be a perfect stress reliever to make it
through the semester.
sports | 27

Discovering
hidden treasures
New and fresh destinations lurk around every corner
on the road less travelled. Finding our way will be
tough, but the searching is often more exciting
than finding the buried treasure.
Take time to enjoy the
sights, drinking in every
minute before
arriving where
X-ma rksthe-spot.
off campus >

five
(secret)
spots
{ }
30 | off campus
to visit before you can call
yourself a true L.A. native.
Photos by Houston Costa & Stephanie Nelson
As Pepperdine students, we
are blessed to have an infinite
number of opportunities
within our grasp. Due to
Malibu’s countless ocean and
mountain activities, it is not
uncommon for the four-year
student to overlook many
possibilities for exploration in
Los Angeles. The city is stereotyped
by glamour, fame and
superficiality, but it also has
another face that is rarely
exposed. Within the walls of
the city lie hidden epicenters
of culture that are both irreplaceable
and authentic, including
the Watts Towers, the
abandoned zoo in Griffith
Park, Olvera Street, an underground
poetry lounge and
a little-known art gallery.
Olvera
Street
845 N. Alameda Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Olvera-street.com
photo by Houston Costa
By Niles Jeran
OLVERA STREET is one of the oldest
parts of the greater Los Angeles area
and is known for its culturally rich architecture
and layout. Olvera Street is an
alley that has 27 original Mexican buildings
and a Mexican- style plaza just outside.
To this day, the street serves as an
authentic Mexican market where crafted
Mexican souvenirs are sold, authentic
Mexican food can be eaten and the true
beginnings of Los Angeles can be found.
While walking among the ancient
buildings and vendors, it’s easy to get
lost in Olvera Street’s historical essence.
One cannot help but marvel at the old,
run-down buildings still standing so tall.
They linger over the passer-by, showing
their brilliant character.
It’s the small things that give this
place its true originality: the old bell
tower, the old restaurant and pub with
the cracked wood, the broken door with
the missing handle, the overhanging
Mexican decorations, the flowers, the
hats — all of which are evidence of the
real past of Los Angeles. Pepperdine
students are called to explore, learn and
grow. What better way to do that than
to explore the origins of one of the most
famous cities next door?
photo by Houston Costa

photo by Houston Costa
Old
LA Zoo
Griffith Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
By Niles Jeran
The site of the OLD LOS ANGE-
LES ZOO was once a thriving area that
housed bears, lions, monkeys, exotic
birds, elephants and various other animals.
Today, however, it remains a forgotten
relic. The zoo was founded in 1912
and was used until 1965, though many of
the walls, cage structures and enclosures
were constructed in the 1930s.
The zoo, once a city attraction and
family area, is now simply a part of L.A.
history. The cages are now rusted over
32 | off campus
with vines and other plants claiming
their dwelling. Puddles, dirt, graffiti and
trash now coat the old zoo’s once radiating
brilliance, but this new look gives
the zoo a sense of originality.
To walk through the old neglected
corridors, tunnels and cages evokes an
eerie feeling that is intoxicating. One
can’t help but be consumed by the mystery
and enchantment of such an odd
place. The Griffith Park zoo remains an
example of the fleeting existence of man.
What once was a family outing is now
a withering, dilapidated and haunting
place that has become a hidden secret
of Los Angeles. The Griffith Park zoo
is considered one of the most amazing
abandonments in the United States, and
is open to the public and accessible to
exploration throughout the entire area.
One can walk among the cages and
structures, freely strolling through the
winding hills and keeping an eye out for
anything that may lie hidden.
photo by Houston Costa
Da Poetry
Lounge
By Stephanie Nelson
Every morning, we awake to what
many consider the wonderful utopia of
Malibu. Yet many times it is easy to be
caught in a web of blissful ignorance —
a failure to maneuver outside of this city
and explore what’s around in the greater
Los Angeles area. I recently found myself
in this place a month ago. A bored
exhaustion stirred in me, and I knew I
needed a change of pace. It wasn’t until
one day that my roommate and I discovered
something different, and I was able
to see Los Angeles in a new light.
After driving into the deep roots of
Los Angeles, we reached our destination
and were met by a small crowd lined up
outside of a small brick building. Walking
inside, I glanced at the people who sat
beside me and it was obvious I was not in
Malibu. From the streets of Beverly Hills
to Compton, everyone had gathered tonight
to celebrate the art of spoken word.
A poet climbed on stage. He looked
rugged and worn with age. On his face
were creases and old scars from years
past. He began by highlighting the various
problems which accompany racial
discrimination, speaking out against social
class prejudices that he continually
must face on the streets of Skid Row. I
noticed the audience
nodding in agreement,
identifying with him like
he was speaking from
their own lives. It was in
this moment that I was
struck with a pivotal realization.
It didn’t matter
where these poets
came from. Deep down,
we all had a story to tell.
Following this man
was a poet by the name of “Poetri.” I
recognized him from when he spoke at
a convocation at Pepperdine two years
ago. His first poem was called “Monsters
in my Stomach,” which satirically alluded
toward his struggles of being overweight
and fighting food’s temptations. However,
between the laughs, an underlying
message was exposed, a message questioning
our own monsters, whether they
fester in our stomachs or, even worse, our
hearts. The spotlight started to feel like it
illuminated not just the poet but each of
us. A powerful movement of energy waded
through the room, and he walked off
stage with the audience’s loud approval.
Following Poetri was the highlight of
the night. His name was Rudi Francisco.
Every Tuesday night
GreenWay Court Theater
544 N. Fairfax Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
9 p.m. to midnight
Early arrival is a must
photo by Stephanie Nelson
photo by Stephanie Nelson
The images he painted were a bright collage
of feelings and raw emotions, causing
the audience to stare numbly down
at the ground in silence. Each word that
dripped from his lips seemed to hang on
our ears like sweet honey. In my opinion,
he was the most talented and well-versed
speaker that I’ve ever heard.
DA POETRY LOUNGE is truly a
diamond in the rough. Since 1998, it has
allowed the youth of today’s generation to
provoke the mind of the multitude. Here
is a place where people from all walks of
life can come together and use poetry as
a way of free expression and strong convictions.
Each speaker saw life through a
different lens, unclouded from perfection
or judgment, yet beautiful.
off campus | 33

Gagosian
Gallery
By Sarah Attar
Nestled between the nooks and crannies
of Beverly Hills lies a little-known
art gallery called the GAGOSIAN
GALLERY. With only 10 locations
spanning the globe, the 40 minutes it
takes to get to Beverly Hills from school
is definitely worth the drive. Featuring
modern as well as contemporary works
of art, this gallery will surely produce
spectacular exhibits of incredible sculptures,
video displays, paintings, photography
and even jewelry to visitors.
The Gagosian has featured works
from a wide range of artists, such as
Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Robert
Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol and Roy
34 | off campus
Lichtenstein, just to
name a few. The everchanging
dynamic
will always keep visitors
on their toes.
The well-lit exhibition
space was created by architect
Richard M. Meier,
who also designed the
Getty Center in Los Angeles. The white
buildings are graced by many windows,
which help create the aesthetically pleasing
designs and shapes of the buildings.
For absolutely no cost, anyone can
view the imaginations of artists poured
out on a canvas and experience the captivating
emotions of the art. This gallery
is also a leading seller of art. With its
location in celebrity-congested Beverly
Hills, the gallery is a hot spot for highprofile
buyers to visit and purchase art.
Some of the celebrities sighted at receptions
include Cuba Gooding Jr., James
Franco, Nikki Hilton, Josie Maran and
Sasha Alexander.
Currently, the art of Ed Ruscha and a
456 North Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210-4507
Tel: (310) 271-9400
Open Tue-Sat 10am-5:30pm
ED RUSCHA “Psycho Spaghetti Western #7”, 2010-2011, acrylic on canvas, 70 x 138 inches (177.8 x 350.5 cm) RUSCH 2011.0001
ED RUSCHA “Psycho Spaghetti Western #5”, 2010, acrylic on canvas
48 x 110 inches (121.9 x 279.4 cm) RUSCH 2010.0037
Photos Courtesy of Gagosian Gallery
joint exhibit by Gus Van Sant and James
Franco flood the walls. Ruscha provides
a captivating series called Psycho Spaghetti
Westerns (pictured), which depicts
the effects of time on landscapes
that he describes as “waste and retrieval.”
These pieces reflect the transformation
and effects that nature or culture
can have. The striking horizontal landscapes
and jutting diagonals bring an
entrancing attention to the ordinary objects
depicted in a desolate fashion.
Van Sant and Franco fill the other
half of the gallery with two films: Endless
Idaho and My Own Private River,
accompanied by seven large works on
paper create an exhibition called “Unfinished.”
Franco creates two films using
behind-the-scenes footage and material
that didn’t make the final cut from Van
Sant’s “My Own Private Idaho”. The
pieces play on a loop on the wall in a
comfortable viewing setting. The large
pieces that accompany the video are
based on the characters in the 1991 film.
Thoroughly depicted, the young men
portrayed convey highly personalized
characteristics that provide an overpowering
presence.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming exhibits.
After the current Ruscha and Van
Sant/Franco exhibitions depart on April
9, Mark Tansey will fill the walls with
his deeply complex paintings that typify
the complexity of our age. The Gagosian
Gallery is a Beverly Hills treasure that
should not be overlooked. Don’t miss an
opportunity to explore the wonders that
fill those white walls.
Watts
Towers
1761-1765 East 107th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90002-3621
Tel: (213) 847-4646
Wattstowers.org
By Niles Jeran
WATTS TOWERS: On East 107th
Street in the Watts district, 17 towers
stand tall, dominating the local area.
The tallest tower measures 30 meters
tall, and all were constructed from
steel-covered mortar and adorned with
broken glass, seashells, pottery and
tile. The towers were built by an Italian
immigrant named Simon Rodia,
who bought the triangle-shaped land in
1921. Rodia worked on the towers for 34
years, only using simple tools, extensive
labor and his own genius. Rodia’s determination
in his craft is nothing less
than inspiring to the surrounding community
of Los Angeles, illustrating what
it means to create something original
and meaningful. It is a trace of artistic
beauty in an area so plagued by typical
city characteristics — billboards, traffic
lights and weathered homes and apartment
buildings.
As Rodia grew old, he decided to donate
the property to the neighborhood.
Shortly after, the city attempted to demolish
the site, deeming it unusable and
dilapidated. In response to the threat,
a group that called themselves “The
Committee for Simon Rodia’s Towers
in Watts” fought the city and developed
a test that would grade the stability of
the structures. The towers were then
given to the state and received a heavy
amount of restoration, and today are
used for “cultural enrichment.” In addition,
they are home to an annual jazz
concert and drum festival.
The towers are a wonder of the area,
but are rarely discussed outside a select
group of Los Angeles residents. As you
meander and climb through the structures,
it is impossible to overlook the true
brilliance of Rodia’s work. The magnificence
lies in his meticulous placement
of each adornment and his attention to
detail: each sea shell, each piece of glass,
each hand-shaped spire.
As young students, it
is critical that we venture
beyond the classroom,
especially in an area that is
so enriched with activities.
As Malibu inhabitants, we
should take advantage of
our close proximity to Los
Angeles, reaping the benefits
of such an amazing city
while not being consumed
by its paralleled insanity. It
is in our nature to explore,
so explore we must.
photo by Houston Costa
off campus | 35

The Off-Campus
vibe
Young, independent and
ambitious: Three students
find more than a home by
moving off campus — they
find a way of life.
By Giulia Scotti
Photos by Ashton Bowles
Willy Wonka used to sing: “Come with
me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination
...” So, let your mind wander.
Imagine breaking free of the bubble
on top of the hill. Imagine a place where
you can wake up and walk to the nearest
coffee shop for your morning latte.
Imagine a community bustling with life
and — oh dear — nightlife. Open your
eyes: Welcome to living off campus.
“If you want to see paradise simply look
around and view it …”
Moving outside of the ’Bu can be a big
step: The threat of traffic, increasing gas
prices and the hidden costs of living off
campus can deter even the most enthusiastic
Pepperdine neophyte. Yet, being
stuck on PCH for half an hour every day
and suffering the inconvenience of 14mile
long ocean views can bring its own
set of rewards.
“I love Malibu, but I appreciate it even
more now that I’m only there three times
a week,” joked junior Carson Radke, who
moved into a studio in Santa Monica at
the beginning of the year. “It’s phenomenal
because it’s literally right off of PCH,
so it’s door-to-door in 20 minutes.”
Carson has spent more time at the
office than on campus in the past two
years. He interns at the mayor’s office in
Los Angeles and shuffles through pieces
of national legislation, lists of ambassadors’
names and diplomatic reception
36 | off campus
invitations like they were the Sunday
sports section. He knows them inside
and out.
As an intern at the Office of Intergovernmental
Affairs, he needs to be aware
of what’s happening in the city as well as
keeping up with international news. “My
job is intuitive. I need to anticipate other
people’s needs and literally be two steps
ahead of them.”
Carson spent the summer of 2010
working at the American Embassy in
Buenos Aires and interned at the State
Department in Washington, D.C., the
previous semester. Business and politics
are his daily bread, spiced up with a little
dab of international relations.
“I helped organize a meeting with the
consuls-general from China, Indonesia
and Australia. And I met them all!” he
added.
Moving to Santa Monica was like
opening the door to a new world, Carson
said: morning runs on the boardwalks,
breathtaking views and endless places to
try out.
He interns two full days a week and
works on diplomatic events on occasional
nights. The rest of the time is spent
on exploring. A typical Saturday means
checking out the farmer’s market, enjoying
the pool or a good brunch at Shutters
on the Beach and walking around Palisades
Park for a light workout.
Wilshire Boulevard, Ocean Avenue
and Brentwood are Carson’s stomping
grounds.
“My favorite restaurant is Portofino,
an Italian locanda right off of Montana.
And you should definitely try the Tavern
in Brentwood!”
For dessert, he “steps on Azzurra’s
turf”: Venice. A delicious gelato on Abbot
Kinney and a quick stop for a drink
at The Otheroom are a perfect way to
end a weekend.
“If you want to see paradise simply look
around and view it …”
Meet Azzurra Alliata Di Montereale:
the youngest intern at Honor Fraser Gallery
in Culver City. After spending a
year in London, she discovered her passion:
the ever-changing world of art.
“Los Angeles is a rising art capital: For
the first time, it’s competing with New
York,” said the art major. “The city has
a broken identity. The art scene is not
congruent, but people are starting to embrace
it. It’s [as if they said], ‘We have no
label, accept it.’”
Azzurra’s fascination with all things
beautiful started with her frequent trips
to Europe and Italy. “I’m such a romantic,
but I look at a piece of art and … I
understand spending that much money
on a piece that truly moves you; it’s what
I want to dedicate my life to.”
The Italian native lives with her sister
in a condo on Main Street in Venice,
which she absolutely loves: “Venice is
extremely down-to-earth and casual, but
there’s a certain elegance to it, a sophistication,”
Azzurra said.
Thanks to her European roots, she
is culturally wired to walk around cities
and pace herself while enjoying the view.
A regular day unfolds through a bike ride
to the farmer’s market on Main Street,
lunch at organic hotspot Gjelina on Abbot
Kinney and a visit to L&M Arts Gallery
in Venice Beach.
Azzurra’s favorite spots are all within
walking distance: Lemonade for delicious
salads, The Tasting Kitchen for a
hip, Mediterranean feel and the more
upscale Ado for a candle-lit, intimate atmosphere.
The perks of living in Venice? Walking
everywhere.
“You want to meet a friend? You can
say, ‘Oh, let’s have coffee, I’ll meet you
there in five minutes,’” Azzurra said. So
long, PCH.
“If you want to see paradise simply look
around and view it …”
Finally, meet Rochelle Gordon. At 21,
she has taken over six Madison stores
Carson Radke
Azzurra Alliata Di Montereale
Rochelle Gordon
around Los Angeles with her namesake
jewelry line, Era.
It’s a family business. The name is
dedicated to her sisters Erin and Alison,
and the antique coins and semi-precious
stones that adorn her chain necklaces
and pendants are collected by her parents
in their trips around the world. Gold and
sterling silver are Rochelle’s signature
materials, with bracelets and necklaces
selling from $50 to $200 per piece.
“I first showcased my collection to the
Madison manager at the Palisades,” said
the junior public relations major. “She
liked it so much that she showed it to
the other managers, and now Era is sold
in Malibu, Melrose, Los Angeles, Westlake,
Brentwood and the Palisades.” She
couldn’t hide a smile.
Moving to Santa Monica was the natural
next step: the allure of more freedom,
a little workspace at the apartment and
the possibility to be close to downtown
wholesalers and manufacturers was hard
to resist.
“Santa Monica is very lively, that’s
what I love about it,” Rochelle said. “I
haven’t explored enough, but I definitely
have my little spots to go there.”
The beach city calls for an active lifestyle.
Rochelle is a regular at yoga studios
on Second Street and explores Main
Street, Montana Avenue and Abbot Kinney
Boulevard religiously.
Main Street is the girl’s true Mecca.
Caramel vanilla lattes at Groundwork
Coffee Company followed by a special
spa treatment at Deluxe Nails are Rochelle’s
treats after a long day at work.
Morning pastries and freshly squeezed
orange juice are a must at Café Montana
and Huckleberry Café on Wilshire Boulevard.
Wilshire Boulevard is also home to
Wilshire Restaurant, great for happy
hour before a girls’ night out. In Rochelle’s
words, “The vibe is gorgeous! It’s
the perfect setting for a first date.” Next
stop: club Voyeur in West Hollywood.
Whenever she needs a little “me
time,” she strolls down the beach to find
a quiet spot.
“If you want to see paradise simply look
around and view it …” Willy Wonka said it
well. Now it’s time to explore.
off campus | 37

Indulge
in the
journey
One destination is another’s beginning. Uncovering this lost
treasure is only one chapter in our adventure — there will always
be more to discover. Here, we embark on our last quest
to explore a few of Los Angeles’ unique restaurants, cafés and
bars and enjoy the most precious treasure of all: company.
food >

Old typewriters, shelves of dusty novels and
velvet couches provide the perfect cozy atmosphere
to spend a laid-back Saturday night.
By Hayley Decker | Photos courtesy of Hemingway’s Lounge
“L
ive the full life of the
mind, exhilarated by new
ideas, intoxicated by the
romance of the unusual.” This advice,
offered by American author and journalist
Ernest Hemingway, may have inspired
the concept behind Hollywood
Boulevard’s new hot spot, Hemingway’s
Lounge.
A time warp in comparison to the
overly trendy nightclubs that line the
Walk of Fame, Hemingway’s is characterized
by its dimly lit 1930s feel, towering
columns filled with hundreds of
hardcover books (all collected from estate
and yard sales) and burgundy velvet
booths. One wall holds more than 50
vintage typewriters, all feeding a sheet
of paper with one of the author’s witty
lines printed on it.
6356 Hollywood Blvd
1st Floor
Hollywood, CA 90028
323.469.0040
hemingwayslounge.com
L.A.’s
Hemingway
getaway
The tavern opens at 8 p.m. during
the week, but don’t plan on eating dinner
— the menu consists of purely liquids.
Ranging from $15 to $20, cocktails
such as “The Old Man and the Sea” and
“A Moveable Feast” are named after
Hemingway’s greatest works. These and
other novel aesthetics (pun unintended)
are perhaps what appeals to the Los
Angeles hipster crowd that flocks there
during the week.
Hemingway’s Lounge offers the boulevard
an escape from chaos and a great
place to end the day over drinks with
friends. The DJ mixes an eclectic blend
of ’80s pop, top 40 hits and indie rock;
however, the volume is kept at a subtle
level to encourage conversation. If
you are looking for a casual, yet trendy
place to mingle without much dancing,
Hemingway’s is the place to be.
Hollywood Boulevard is notorious for
the constant opening of hot clubs that
just as suddenly cool down or disappear
completely, but Hemingway’s has more
to offer with its effortless elegance and
charm. If the writer himself were still
alive, there is no doubt as to where he’d
hang out on a Saturday night.
food | 39

By Derek Jech | Photos courtesy of Villa Blanca
Frequented by celebrities and
socialites alike, Villa Blanca
is the hippest spot in town.
While the restaurant has been
around for a few years now, it wasn’t until
recently that I had the opportunity to
enjoy a meal here.
Lately, the restaurant has been receiving
much press due to the owner’s
starring role on the show “The Real
Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Lisa Vanderpump
is the brainchild behind this
elegant restaurant, and her attention to
detail as a designer and business owner
made it a truly memorable experience.
Located on the corner of North Camden
Drive and Brighton Way in the heart
of downtown Beverly Hills, Villa Blanca
has quickly become one of my favorite
restaurants in the city. I proceeded indoors
and was greeted by a friendly host
and wait staff. My eyes were entertained
by the white hues and pewter accents
that were artfully placed throughout the
restaurant. The installation of mirrors
throughout made the space seem much
larger than it was. Giant arrangements
of fresh flowers added a luxurious element
to the environment.
I was seated and handed a menu
with exciting selections that included
multiple seafood options, pasta, pizzas,
sandwiches, salads and entrees such as
Alehouse
Dine &discover
& Brasserie
By Owen Lloyd | Photos courtesy of Ladyface Ale Companie
Villa Blanca Restaurant
Italian & Asian Cuisine
marinated chicken skewers, drunken
battered fish and chips and Japanese
mushroom chicken. I was eating a late
lunch today, so I was impressed by the
variety of items available on their lunch
menu. Having a difficult time deciding,
my lunch date and I sought the recommendation
of our server. I picked the
seafood paella and my date the salmon
and vodka penne. Both were priced reasonably,
at $24 and $16 respectively.
The seafood paella was a filling dish
of risotto topped with calamari, mussels,
shrimp and scallops. The risotto, which
wasn’t dense, was lightly flavored and
paired with the stronger seafood flavors,
it provided an interesting balance.
In the salmon and vodka penne, there
was the perfect amount of the creamy
sauce, which complemented the flavorful
fish and pasta nicely. It was topped with
freshly grated parmesan that offered a
strong bite to complete the union.
My favorite part of our meal was the
dessert. Based on the recommendation
of our server, we ordered the English
Sticky Toffee Pudding.
When it arrived, it sat on the plate as
a less-than-appetizing-looking brick of
brown cake. Next to it was a scoop of vanilla
ice cream. I was unimpressed. But
the blend of warm and cold, solid and
liquid, and of rich and sweet was a flawless
ending to an extraordinary meal.
After hearing about Villa Blanca for
years through my Hollywood social circle,
I had high expectations. Fortunately,
my expectations were met and exceeded.
I highly recommend this Beverly Hills
restaurant for any meal, social gathering
or event. With its extensive lunch,
dinner, dessert and cocktail menus, this
venue provides an exemplary setting for
an enjoyable meal.
Villa Blanca Restaurant & Bar
Tel: (310) 859-7600
9601 Brighton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
http://www.villablancarestaurant.com/
Ladyface
While the name may conjure
unpleasant images of
a smoky bar with sticky
tables and unsavory characters, let’s just
say that this Belgian- and French-style
microbrewery and restaurant is nothing
short of a local culinary getaway.
Since their 2010 opening in Agoura
Hills, Ladyface has become something
like the Central Perk for my group of
friends, as we have visited the establishment
at least twice a week since last
March. Until then, finding that elusive
combination of appealing menu, atmosphere,
locality, beverage selection and
price was a formidable challenge. Ladyface
has these qualities in spades and
offers them at an affordable rate that enables
frequent patronage.
Ladyface’s burgeoning popularity is
partially due to its accommodation of
a diverse variety of cuisine and beverage
preferences, whether it’s a drop-in
visit for inexpensive sweet potato fries
or a dinner of succulent local-ingredient
burgers. (Try the burger on the pretzel
bun with Gruyère cheese.) The menu
changes semi-frequently owing to the
availability of local produce and a desire
to create dynamic and fresh culinary experiences,
so be adventurous and order
that ratatouille when zucchini and eggplant
is in season. Prices vary from the
medium to medium-high range, but a
basket of their aforementioned “pommes
frites” (easily split between two, if not
three, friends) can be a staple of any visit.
Seating varies from barstools along
a centrally located long table reminiscent
of a medieval feast, to many booths
and smaller tables along the walls and
in nooks. With spring weather fast approaching,
however, my favorite location
is the patio with a pleasant view of the
namesake Ladyface Mountain. I would
suggest arriving late in the afternoon,
grabbing a table on the patio and watching
the sun set on the mountain, which
settles into the evening as the softly lit
space evokes a scene from “A Midsummer
Night’s Dream.”
While the food and ambience are a
healthy component of the total Ladyface
experience, the pièce de résistance is the
plethora of in-house brewed ales and
beers — for all those over 21, of course.
Their central chalkboard ale menu with
its cryptic abbreviations and percentages
can be daunting for even many
beer fiends, but a helpful staff and the
fact that you simply cannot go wrong
with any choice reduces the potential
for disaster. At $5 per pint during normal
hours, why limit yourself to only one of
these intense and symphonic brews? During
the standard happy hour, prices are
knocked down to $3 per pint. If I told you
that there is a way to get an even lower
price, it would spoil the Ladyface mystique
that I have built up to this point. I’ll
let you discover this secret on your own
(Hint: Think prohibition-era culture).
The waiters and staff work hard to
keep Ladyface a charming and intimate
locale unspoiled by the often-pretentious
atmosphere rampant in many Los Ange-
les culinary hot spots. The waiters are human
and not robotic, and whether you are
just dropping in for a pint or for dinner,
they serve you quickly and proficiently.
So tip them well for this, and you will
continue to be surprised on return visits
with the consistent quality of service. So
if that also describes you, Ladyface Alehouse
and Brasserie is worth a visit.
Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie
Tel: (818) 477-4566
29281 Agoura Road
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
http://www.ladyfaceale.com/
The jug is called a growler and
available for purchase for $6. Fill
it up with any ale, usually for $12
(specialty ales are a little more).
Enjoy, resuse, enjoy, reuse.
Alehouse & Brasserie ®
40 | food food | 41

photo by Eunice Kim
ithin the heart
W
of the Los Angeles
jungle, lays a vivid,
cultural gem. Korea
town now has grown into a massive sector
within L.A., yielding with it a bounty
of hidden treasures to seize. One in
particular is the experience of a Korean
café. Café Scent, located at the intersection
of Serrano Avenue
and Wilshire Boulevard, is
one flowery treasure Pepperdine
and other L.A. students
can relish.
On the outside, Café
Scent blends within the
bustling buildings near the
Wiltern Theatre. Located
underneath the Aroma
golf shooting range, this
urban cave is a bit hard to
find. This flower shop café
has the ambience, décor,
and aura perfect for students.
The interior is furnished
with comfy chairs
and large couches that can
seat a large study group. Or
students flying solo can sit underneath
rows of beautiful lights that illuminate a
lengthy table with electrical outlets perfect
for studying without distractions.
Scent’s softly lit interior is adorned with
plants and flowers from their own flower
shop inside the café itself that brings a
calming environment perfect for study-
42 | food
The aromatic scent of
treasure
A cultured coffee shop nestled between
worlds offers students a relaxing spot
to study or, simply, hang out.
By Eunice Kim
ing, intimate chatter with close friends,
or even a romantic date.
While admiring the beautiful décor,
customers can sip on delicious lattes,
eat divine bingsoo (Korean shaved ice
dessert), and enjoy the atmosphere. The
café serves intriguing drinks such as
sweet pumpkin latte, mango sweet tea,
and green tea smoothie alongside an
order of their thin crust pizza or sweet
potato cake. Although the drinks are
on the sweeter side, there’s nothing like
a sugar high to help with the late night
studying. Ask for a glass of ice water, and
that should help balance the palate.
Café Scent is a treasure worth even
more than the drive to L.A. Here,
stressed students can escape the Pepperdine
bubble, unwind with a delightful
drink, and soak in the mesmerizing
ambience without feeling the pressure of
having to vacate the area. In this lovely
place, customers can hang out and linger
for hours, whether they are studying
with free Wi-Fi or catching up with
friends. On weekdays, this spot stays
open till midnight,
making it even more
ideal for late-night
study sessions. On
top of that is free
three-hour parking
with validation
Out of the many
hidden treasures in
Korea town, Café
Scent is one worth
hunting down and
exploring. Sip on
large cups of aromatic
lattes for $6, savor
delectable desserts
for about the same
photo by Eunice Kim price, and satisfy
those late night snack
cravings for $8. Students can break from
the mundane patterns at school and
take a part of the day to soak the relaxing
aura from this café that is worth the
extra costs. Come enjoy the cozy ambience,
break away from Pepperdine’s routines,
and delight in the popular Korean
café experience.
CURRENTS MAGAZINE
ISSUE 96 | SPRING 2011
pepperdine-graphic.com
CURRENTS | 43

“ ”
We do not follow maps to buried treasure and
X never, ever marks the spot.
- Indiana Jones