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The Teen Circuit Webzine is created under the Teen Circuit program of I AM not the MEdia, Inc. The webzine is an Online Magazine targeted towards teens with stories and articles written by teen journalists as well as photos and graphics created by teen photographers and graphic designers.
Citation preview
Webzine
SPRING 2014
ECO-TEENS ECO-TEENS ECO-TEENS ECO-TEENS ECO-TEENS
THE 2014
#NAKED FACES
CHALLENGE
THE 2014
#NAKED FACES
CHALLENGE
THE 2014
#NAKED FACES
CHALLENGE
THE 2014
#NAKED FACES
CHALLENGE
THE 2014
#NAKED FACES
CHALLENGE
THE 2014
#NAKED FACES
CHALLENGE
ECO-TEENS “I AM ECO-FRIENDLY”
The Spring 2014 Issue of the Teen Circuit focuses on empowering teens to become conscious consumers of the environment’s resources.
TEENS & HEALTHY LIVING
4 The Junk Food Epidemic: What’s really in your food?
BODY IMAGE & STEREOTYPES
7 Cosmetics: Do we need them? And how to GREEN it Up!
BULLYING & TEEN VIOLENCE
11 Interview with the “Bullied”
SEX & HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
12 Eco Friendly Dating Ideas
TEENS AS CONSUMERS
14 eCycle Secure: Harvesting Parts
EDUCATION & ENTERTAINMENT
16 Behailu Academy: A school for the creative
INSIDE THE SPRING 2014 ISSUE:
IN EVERY ISSUE IN THIS ISSUE
ON THE SCENE
6 I AM not the MEdia, Inc. in the Community Photos
THE 2014 #NAKED FACES CHALLENGE
10 Mixing Natural Beauty with Social Media
MY “PROM”ISE MAKEOVER CONTEST
15 Prom Challenge for teenage girls in Charlotte, NC
POETRY APPRECIATION MONTH
18 Poems written by teens
OPEN MIC NIGHT W/THE EVENING
MUSE
19 Article that looks at a haven of self expression in NODA
Fast Food: Bane of Civilization? By Brandon Kathman
Over the past several years the
fast food industry has faced a
crusade of lawsuits, protests,
and general public outrage over
the so called “childhood obesity
epidemic,” but some doubt
whether or not these chains are
truly liable to take fault for the
full “weight” of the matter.
“I think these types of lawsuits
give the term frivolous a bad
name,” said Steven C.
Anderson, president of the
National Restaurant
Association. “And I think the
idea of everyone being a victim
and wanting to blame someone
else for their difficulties really is
the basis for this lawsuit --- and
I think it’s patently absurd.”
America currently holds 23.4
million children considered by
medical professionals to be
overweight or obese. Right
now, we seem to want to blame
this solely on fast food giants
like McDonalds, Burger King,
and Wendy’s. Lawsuits against
these companies range from
allegations of falsely
advertising, claims that a list of
each meal’s ingredients should
be readily accessible, and
charges that the food is simply
too dangerous to sell in its
present fattening state.
Stephen Gardner, litigation
director for the Center for
Science in the Public Interest,
has repeatedly criticized fast
food advertising, stating,
“McDonalds undercuts parental
authority and exploits young
children’s developmental
maturity through their
advertising campaigns.”
There may be grounds to claim
that the advertisements of fast
food corporations are unlawful,
given that they target young
children too naïve to realize that
some facts are being
downplayed or omitted entirely.
It might not occur to a young
boy that what is advertised as a
“Veggie-Lover’s Burrito” doesn’t
necessarily contain nutritious
ingredients. Most companies
hide certain information in
advertising; to not do so would
be catastrophic for their
businesses. Understandably,
most lawsuits related to
advertising have been
unsuccessful thus far.
With regards to the demand
that ingredients be posted,
there are several flaws. For
one, we don’t require this of any
other restaurants. To ask that a
list of ingredients be available
to the public probably isn’t too
much to ask, but to demand
that it be posted at the location
takes matters a little farther.
….Continued on the next
page
TEENS & HEALTHY LIVING
4
Perhaps, given its standing as a
cause of obesity, the industry
should be forced through
government action to make its
food healthier. The initial
problem of course, is that the
industry hasn’t engaged in
many illegal activities to begin
with, thus government
intervention is difficult.
No one would ever argue that
fast food is healthy or nutritious.
Fast food is unhealthy, but then
again so is nearly everything
else we put in our bodies
nowadays.
It’s perfectly clear that
Americans consume odiously
fattening food with every visit to
McDonalds, but we ignore the
fact that we consume too much
everywhere we go. Little known
issues like serving size inflation
and continual snacking
constitute a much larger cause
behind the problem.
Restaurants of every kind have
come to realize that as
American’s get bigger so do
their appetites. As a result, the
portion size that a restaurant is
likely to serve an individual
goes up as well. With larger
portions, Americans tend to eat
more regardless of where they
are eating.
Another part of the problem is
how children in America snack.
Most other nations around the
world base their lifestyle on
three large meals, or in some
case six smaller meals. Here in
America the snacks alone that
our children consume on
average each day contain a
calorie count exceeding that of
multiple meals in other
countries.
According to a study by the
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, “From 1997 to 2006
American children have added
168 snack calories per day to
their diets. This equates to
snack food comprising
27% of their average daily
calories.”
As you read this article new
studies and experiments are
being performed across the
nation as to possible addictive
qualities in the food we
consume. The net has
expanded to cover many foods
and drinks we ingest.
Several years ago a scandal
broke in Nicaragua around the
local Coca Cola factories. It
was discovered that the
company was selling
Nicaraguans cola with nearly
double the sugar that we
receive in our Cokes in the
United States. The effect on
Nicaraguans was nothing short
of addictive, giving the factories
a steady clientele.
What’s to say that a wide
variety of foods in the US aren’t
intentionally amped up with
sugar? Perhaps Cinnabons,
Pop Tarts, or Cocoa Puffs are
packaged to make us want
more, and more, and more.
Americans are not widely
overweight due to the fact that
fast food is unhealthy; we are
widely overweight because
American food in general is
unhealthy. Fast food is the
whipping boy of America, the
corporate leviathans we blame
to rationalize our own faults. ~
5
ON THE SCENE
1 2
3 4
1) Teen Dating Violence Film Screening
Feb 2014 (Cassandra & Erica working
the booth)
2) Career Fair at Vance High School
Feb 2014 (Anthony talking with teens)
3) Teen Dating Violence Film Screening
Feb 2014 (Anthony and Oscar having
fun for a good cause)
4) Project Lift and Communities & Schools
Workshop
March 2014 (Jimmeka presenting to
educators)
5) At Power WPEG Power 98 for Teen
Power Talk with Danny Diaz
March 2014 (Jimmeka and Leyana)
6) At Power WPEG Power 98 for Teen
Power Talk with Danny Diaz
March 2014 (IANTM and teens
discussing Social Media Do’s &
Don’t’s)
6
6
5
BODY IMAGE & STEREO-TYPES
Cosmetics: Do we need them? By Leyana Casey
Cosmetics! Cosmetics! Cosmetics! That’s all we
see from magazine ads to billboards. Cosmetics
are a $160 billion industry and it’s not hard to
understand, because the average women uses
up to 12 beauty products a day if not more, and
men six. Why are cosmetics so popular and
especially for women?
Cosmetics didn’t start off this way. The first
record of cosmetic use was during ancient
Egyptian times. Some products were used to
protect the Egyptians’ harsh environment.
For example, they would use scented oils and
ointments to clean and soften skin and mask
odors. Not only were these ointments used to
mask odors but it was also used to protect
workers and slaves from the hot sun. Wigs
existed back then and they were also used to
protect Egyptians from the heat.
The sun brought heat to the people of Egypt and
it affected their eyes as well.
They used a natural object, Khol, like eyeliner,
which protected their eyes from the glare of the
sun and it was said to restore eyesight.
These beauty products seemed to have a
purpose in the Egyptian community, but what
about the other things such as hair pieces, dyes
and paints, for the nails hair and body, and
rouged cheeks and lips? Maybe it was to prevent
them from looking sickly or to enhance their
features.
The Egyptians took great pride in their hygiene
and cleanliness and the products they used
carried over into modern days, but our main
purpose doesn’t seem to stay clean.
We still see people trying to enhance their
features today, which are the main reason
women use make-up and beauty products.
Other reasons they use makeup is be more
physically appealing, gain confidence, cover
scars, and to look younger. Younger girls want to
look older and lastly some people want to look
like someone else for a period of time, but when
is enough, enough? Nowadays you don’t see
simple, natural looking make-up, the cosmetic
user cakes it on. Women are trying to be better
than the next. Living in a world run by men and
them having the final say, women are out to
impress and appeal to men. Shanta Bailey who is
a professional esthetician, a person with special
training in administering facials, aromatherapy,
hair and skin care, and makeup has her own
opinion about makeup.
Image by Feer Arroyo at flickr.com
7
Q: How do you feel about
cosmetics in general?
A: “I love them. Makeup
shouldn’t be the go to item for
cover-ups. Makeup should be
looked at as clothes, it is a
cover up and accessory but
you still have to exercise and
take care of your body, that’s
how you should look at skin.
Makeup is just the icing on the
cake; you still have to make
sure your skin is healthy.”
Q: What types of products
do you suggest to your
clients?
A: “More makeup lines have
created mineral makeup,
which are the best and most
benefited.” Her two favorite
and the ones she usually
suggest are Jane Iredaland
Bare Minerals by Bare
Escentuals
Q: What are the problems
with today’s conventional
makeup?
A: “Conventional makeups
usually have too many
chemicals so the users are
being over exposed to
chemicals and chemical
procedures, to where the skin
has become too sensitive,
especially to the environment.
The pollution in the
environment has made it even
worse. Mineral makeup
doesn’t hold bacteria, it
actually aids in protecting and
restoring sensitive skin.”
During the 20th century
makeup started becoming
safer, which isn’t saying too
much. Today’s makeup has
so many chemicals that are
extremely harmful. The
makeups have carcinogens,
which cause cancer and
neurotoxins and reproductive
toxics that harm the brain
cells of animal including
humans.
Many of the products that we
use daily are toxic and when
we constantly use them they
build up in our body. The
main harmful ingredients in
products are called the Dirty
Dozen*.
These products include:
1.BHA and BHT
Used mainly in moisturizers
and makeup as preservatives.
2.Coal tar dyes:
In hair dyes and in other
products colours listed as "CI"
followed by five digits.1
3.DEA-related ingredients
Used in creamy and foaming
products, such as
moisturizers and shampoos
4.Dibutyl phthalate
Used as a plasticizer in some
nail care products.
5.Formaldehyde-releasing
preservatives
Used in a variety of
cosmetics
6.Parabens
Used in a variety of cosmetics
as preservatives
7.Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance)
Any mixture of fragrance
ingredients used in a variety
of cosmetics — even in some
products marketed as
"unscented."
8.PEG compounds
Used in many cosmetic cream
bases.
9.Petrolatum
Used in some hair products
for shine and as a moisture
barrier in some lip balms, lip
sticks and moisturizers.
10.Siloxanes
Used in a variety of cosmetics
to soften, smooth and
moisten.
11.Sodium laureth sulfate
Used in foaming cosmetics,
such as shampoos, cleansers
and bubble bath.
12.Triclosan
Used in antibacterial
cosmetics, such as
toothpastes, cleansers and
antiperspirants.
Some of these products are
even in products that say that
their “organic, natural, or
herbal”, because in the
cosmetics world those words
have no legal definition, so
companies can put any
ingredients in a bottle and call
it organic, herbal, or natural.
The next time you go
shopping for cosmetics
whether its shampoo or
lipstick check its ingredients is
it worth the risk. Or try
something different and
natural that will help you and
the Earth in the long run.
*For more information on the
Dirty Dozen and how they
affect humans visit
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/iss
ues/health/science/toxics/dirty
-dozen-cosmetic-chemical
8
THE 2014 #NAKED FACES CAMPAIGN
THE 2014 #NAKED FACES CAMPAIGN
THE 2014 #NAKED FACES CAMPAIGN
Photo shoot with last year’s winner Ariel Murchison Provided by Eve Lloyd
TAKING IT ALL OFF!
The #Naked Faces Campaign with I AM not the
MEdia launched for the second year this past
March during Women’s Empowerment Month.
In 2013 nearly 100 women braved the pages of
Facebook and Instagram by posting a makeup
free photo and embracing their natural beauty
with the initiation of the Naked Faces movement
on Social Media. The buzz brought much
needed attention to one of the amazing initiatives
presented by the organization and received
retweets and reposts on other social media sites
such as The Charlotte Woman Magazine and
Share Charlotte. But there could only be one
winner and that young lady was Miss Ariel
Murchison who bravely took the challenge and
campaigned for her family and friends to support
her efforts in embracing her natural beauty with
over 180 likes on instagram and facebook
combined. This year Ariel has passed along her
crown of Natural Beauty with the Naked Faces
Campaign to Instagram winner @Schatzischatzi.
She will receive a Free Facial Gift Card donated
by Aveda Institute, a Free Photo shoot with
professional photographer, Robert Christopher,
and a free I AM not the MEdia Shirt and Bag.
Stay tuned to I AM not the MEdia’s social media
pages for the 2014 #NakedFaces photo shoot.
Pictured Left:
2014 #NakedFaces
Challenge Winner
10
11
“From A Bullied Heart” By Kain X. A study by Yale University shows that victims of
bullying are 2 to 9 times more prone to consider
suicide than other non-victims. Bullying has by far
been one of the largest growing problems of the 21st
century. School boards, principals, teachers, parents,
and even law enforcement can't put a complete spot
to bullying. As we see suicide rates rise and statistics
grow, its only a matter of time before bullying is the
new normal.
Q: What do you think makes someone a bully?
A: A bully is someone either sadistic enough or
mentally self harming enough to put another person
down in an attempt to feel joy and happiness.
Q: Why do you think the bully/bullies decided to
make you a victim?
A: Bullies choose targets they believe are also
unstable but on the other end of the spectrum. They
choose people who they know it will deeply affect.
Q: Did you ever feel powerless? - If so explain why.
A: I did feel powerless. The school I was in had a
rather aggressive nature that saw nothing wrong in
bullying. The school administrators did nothing to
improve my situation or the similar situations of
others.
Q: Did you ever bully or feel like bullying someone
else, maybe younger or altogether weaker than
yourself?
A: Yeah, there was a time in sixth grade where i
bullied another kid for about 2 months. I will regret
that for the foreseeable future I’m afraid.
Q: What did you do to stop being the victim, or ignore
what happened?
A: The bullying didnt stop until I moved to another
school.
Q: Did being the victim ever begin effect your
everyday life?
A: It did indeed affect my everyday life. I was very
anti-social and started judging a certain group of
people preemptively without have spoken a word to
them.
Q: Do you appreciate the feeling of life? Where there
ever times that you didn't?
A: I have always loved life. Just because i didn't
particularly like human interaction didn't mean i hated
life. Bullying would never do that to me.
Q: What would you professionally tell the former bully
today, or years from now?
A: I would ask him how it made him feel when i
bullied him, and what it has done for him.
Q: What have you personally learned from the
bullying experience?
A: There are terrible people in this world and if you
let them get you down they won’t stop.
Q: What would you say to thank your loved ones or
someone that helped you get passed this obstacle in
life?
A: I would thank them for keeping me positive.
The American Justice Department bullying statistics
confirm that one out of every four kids will be bullied
sometime during their adolescence. If you are a
victim of bullying stay strong and know that there are
others. What can you do to stop this in your
community?
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to
be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your
life; define yourself. - Harvey Fierstein
BULLYING
& TEEN VIOLENCE
Image from guardianlv.com
SEX & HEALTHY RELATION-SHIPS
ECO
DATING By Leyana Casey
First dates are always the
scariest and most nerve racking.
With so many things to do and
think about; such as what to
wear, where to go, what to do,
when to do it, how to act, and if
the other person will enjoy it,
everything would be less stressful
if the daters were given ideas on
what to do an where to go. With
the new trend of going green and
saving the environment, who
could go wrong with an
environmentally friendly date?
Here are some ideas to make
your date go from litterer to tree
hugger.
Green Volunteerism: Spend
time searching for local
organizations who are doing
beautification projects, feeding
the homeless or walking dogs for
the Humane Society.
Bike or walk to a community
festival or fair: Go back to
childhood and paint each other's
faces with plant-based paints.
Spend the day enjoying local
music, food and fun!
Plan a green camping trip:
Leave the city, phones,
computers, and iPods behind and
embrace nature. Quiet time spent
in the woods promotes deep
conversation and getting to know
one another. Don't use plastic or
paper throw-away products and
do dishes together out of a sudsy
bucket using green dishwashing
soap. Play a game by candle light
or try some star-gazing and bring
a musical instrument to play at
night.
Attend a local game with your
date: Take public transportation
or walk to the stadium. Bring your
own food and drink, preferably
organic, as you cheer on your
favorite team.
Put on a green summer party:
Introduce your special someone
to your friends and family, and
show them what you stand for by
being green. Buy organic foods
and meats to grill and cook for
your guest. Also buy reusable or
regular dished to show that you
support the environment.
Go on a hike and picnic: Pack a
couple of backpacks with an
organic gourmet lunch for two.
When you reach your destination,
find a nice rock to sit on and whip
out the picnic. If there is a lake,
ocean or stream, take a dip and
lie in the sun.
Plant a garden: Get your hands
dirty together, and then spend the
spring and summer watching your
garden grow.
Pick fruit: Don't want to wait for
your garden to grow? Go fruit
picking instead. Pick a bucket or
two together, and then go home
and turn them into something
sweet. Have berry-picking
locations near you? Check out
your local farmers' market
instead.
Enjoy some eco-tourism:
Whether it's an afternoon in your
local botanical garden, a
kayaking trip down a green
waterway or a weekend away at
an earth-friendly resort, eco-
tourism is a great way to see the
world, spend some time together
and maybe even learn a little
something about the planet.
Eat A Green Dinner: No, your
food doesn't have to be all
green — although that would be
pretty impressive! Stop at the
farmers' market to pick up fresh
produce and cook a meal filled
with local eats together. Then,
head to the patio to eat outside or
head to the nearest park with a
picnic blanket. Or, if you're dining
out, go to a local, organic
restaurant nearby. hopefully you
have gained some ideas and can
use them on your next date and
also impress your date with some
eco-friendly and resource savvy.
…Continued pg.13
Image from rollingout.com
12
Eco Dating Continued…
Interview with teens on
their opinion of Eco
Dating
Sophie Sipprell: I think going on
picnics and doing more local things
than driving around and travelling would
be really fun, because its more simple.
I would do the previously listed ideas,
and the one I would most likely do
would be a camping trip, hike, or a
picnics. I would rather do these,
because I like going outside and
embracing nature. I also enjoy looking
and laying under the stars, and when
you go on picnics you can people
watch. My least favorite is planting a
garden or tourism. Tourism isn’t always
fun, it can be really boring. Lastly when
I planted a garden all the animals came
and ate my food.
James Cornett: My favorite activity to
do would be going to a local game,
because I love sports.
0
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Camping trip
camping trip
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6
8
10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Hike and picnic
hike and picnic
SURVEY ON MOST POPULAR ECO-DATES WITH TEENS
0
1
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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Volunteerism
Volunteerism
0
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Bike or walking
Bike or walking
SURVEY ON LEAST POPULAR ECO-DATES WITH TEENS
13
eCycle Secure: A
New Era of
Recycling By Brandon Kathman
Recycling has become a growing
phenomenon of the 21st century.
As our planet’s resources dwindle
away, it becomes increasingly
necessary to recycle and
conserve everything from soda
cans to batteries. Now, thanks to
state of the art technology, North
Carolinians can even recycle their
computers, televisions, and smart
phones through the revolutionary
new company, eCycle Secure.
Today it seems we change our
devices more than we change our
socks. As new laptops, tablets
and phones are produced every
month, we are forced to leave
behind the old and embrace the
new just to remain competitive in
the modern world. Until now, our
devices were destined only for
the local landfill, the precious
circuits and wires inside buried
forever.
eCycle Secure gives us another
option. Founded in 1995, this
company has spent nearly two
decades perfecting a method of
seamlessly repurposing the end
of life and out of use equipment
discarded by America. In doing
so, valuable and nonrenewable
metals are recovered as well as
circuits that can still be of use in
more current technology.
eCycle Secure also takes
customer security very seriously.
Our computers and smart phones
often contain sensitive or
confidential information, and
represent a risk for those looking
to recycle their devices.
“Our procedures for data
sanitizing, purging, and
destruction conform to the
National Institute of Standards
and Technology,” said executive
Brett Rhineheardt. “At eCycle
Secure, we are committed to the
absolute preservation of
confidentiality of any information
stored on any customer’s device
in our custody.”
Through eCycleSecure’s
protected data eradication
process clients are guaranteed
that any sensitive information will
be destroyed with the system
itself. Anyone interested in using
eCycle Secure can rest easy
knowing that they are in good
hands.
If you’re interested in recycling
something more unconventional
than a computer or phone eCycle
Secure has the facilities to
accommodate many different
kinds of equipment. These
include conventional computers
and phones, televisions,
telecommunications, medical
equipment, and even non-
electronic equipment.
Many organizations have been
using eCycle Secure for years.
Some of these entities include the
local, state, and even federal
governments, as well as school
systems and hospitals. At the
same time, eCycle Secure can
accommodate even the smallest
business, making them one of the
most versatile venues on the
market.
Regardless of who you are you
can employ eCycle Secure to
help mankind step towards a
more sustainable tomorrow.
These people do great work, and
have helped the United States
take at least some of its waste out
of the equation forever.
If you want to find out more about
eCycle Secure and their
operations visit their website at
www.ecyclesecure.com or call at
1-855-508-9722
TEENS AS CONSUMERS
14
EDUCATION
AND ENTER- TAINMENT
Behailu
Academy
Behailu Academy is a very friendly non-profit, that
strives to help youth from ages 12 to 18 find
themselves throughout various forms of art
including performing arts, digital media arts, and
visual arts all while providing an atmosphere that
ultimately encourages creativity and teaches
youth the basic skills and mindset to build a
successful future for themselves.
After my interview with Lexis, a day by day Behailu
Academy student, I learned that Behailu Academy
has helped her to grow as an individual artist and
stopped her from wasting any degree of talent
sitting around at home. Behailu Academy gives
students everything they need to set educational
goals in life and become working members of the
community.
" It feels just like home. " - Lexis (Behailu Student)
I found Behailu Academy to be a place like no
other, it was very comfortable, full of fine art, and
incredibly open for creative growth. I certainly wish
there were more places like Behailu Academy
around the country, because they have truly
created a great place for you to find your voice and
nurture your art.
16
POEMS WRITTEN BY THE TEEN CIRCUIT WEBZINE TEAM I Am Poem By Brandon Kathman I am the blackbird I want to break free I am the sledgehammer Don’t stand so close to me I am the Eye of the Tiger The eternal flame I am the King of Pain You give love a bad name I am the Superfreak Who can it be now? I am La Bamba The Shakedown I am livin on a prayer Don’t you want me? I am down under I am me I Am I am a stone I am reserved, displaying no emotion I look upon the world with indifference I hear the sounds of nature around me I am unmoved Yet, even stones can be broken As such, I am awoken I now hear the beauty of nature I now see the majestic, awe-inspiring power of life I am excitable, buzzing with energy and passion I am Josh Kayani
I Am Me I see beyond the trees, I feel the cold breeze and water wash over my knees as I dream and believe Of life with thoughts so free. - Kain Xavier I AM POEM By Leyana Casey If I’m what I eat from my head to the soles of my feet Then am I what I wear from the paint on my toes to my hair Or am I my peers that I say what is what I hear Or the TV because what monkey see is what monkey do and monkey fools you Everything around me causes my thoughts My thoughts become words And my words become actions And my actions become habitats And my character is my destiny And my destiny is me, right? I am not a product of influence I am the influence I chose my path and my destiny I know who I am Do you? I am ME By Luna I am ME I am not what the media tells me to be I am ME The most beautiful creation I could ever be I am ME I am not a collection of images on TV I am not an object of obsession in a bad comedy I am ME As I was created As I was conceived My beauty shines from the inside Manifest into what you see I am ME Who are you? Take a moment to breath Take a moment to see
Look inside Your mind, your heart, your soul, That's what matters, that's what's you Forget the superficiality, that's not YOU Be YOU Not what the media tells you to be You are the most beautiful creation you could ever be Be YOU The perfect being you were born to be You see, being YOU is what YOU were meant to be Say it loud, say it proud, I AM ME Not an image on your plasma TV I am ME I am not what the media tells me to be I am ME The most beautiful creation I could ever be I am ME As I was created As I was conceived My beauty shines from the inside Manifest into what you see I am ME I AM reethinkers, Rethinking past decisions. Frustration, In their eyes. Clothed, Torn jean shorts, ragged flannel shirts, and ripped Nikes. This is me Gracious, For every meal. Aroma, Of Afro Caribbean, coconut, rice and chicken. Revitalizing, Pineapple juice that takes away every worry. This is me Ordinary, Yet so meaningful. Natural, Memories made. Traditional, Celebrations with family. This is me ~ Oscar Arc 18
PRO-ME
BIZ
Image from fredphotog.wordpress.com
Finding Your Muse Brandon Kathman
The Evening Muse is the perfect place to celebrate
Poetry Month this March. Whether you seek
philosophical thought, beautiful and mellifluous
music, or just want to add some culture to your life
the Evening Muse has it all.
The Evening Muse celebrates original songwriting,
and has been giving literally thousands of
independent music acts a place to perform since
they first opened their doors in 2001. The Muse has
hosted all genres of music in its thirteen years, from
reggae to full electric, and in that time many locals
have come to love it for its unique and artistic
atmosphere. The Evening Muse is also open to all
ages, unless specified by the evening’s musician in
advance. Children are more than welcome, and an
evening at the Muse can be a great experience for
them.
When you walk through the front door you are
instantly greeted by beautiful original artwork lining
the walls. These stunning pieces alone provoke
quiet contemplation, and add to the overall
atmosphere of the location.
But the environment of the building pales when
compared to the spectacular performances put on
by the musicians who perform. It is rare that artists
as diverse as these perform under the same roof. In
a given week one can see folk music, country, hip-
hop, rap, rock, or jazz and experience the fusion of
many cultures.
Ann Schmitt, a patron of the Muse, said “The Muse
has fabulous new talent every month, and is a very
affordable, very unique little corner bar that has
become a cornerstone of the entire neighborhood.”
Perhaps even more impressive is knowing that you
are experiencing only original music, not cover
songs. Any music you hear was written by that
musician, a product of his or her own thoughts and
feelings. You truly, if only for a moment, catch a
glimpse at another’s emotions.
The Muse also has something for the performer in
all of us. Amidst the various artists it plays host to,
the Muse has regularly scheduled Open-Mic Nights,
where anyone can perform if they so desire. In a
given night, you might have the opportunity to
entertain nearly a hundred people. There are few
places in Charlotte with this kind of opportunity, and
if you feel this is up your alley I would highly
recommend giving it a shot.
“You can’t go wrong with The Evening Muse,” said
Benjamin Goins, a regular at the Muse. “What a
great place for music, poetry, and a general
assembly of friendly people.”
Regardless of whether you go as a performer or
observer The Evening Muse is an incredible place to
spend a Friday Night. Tickets are on sale at
www.eveningmuse.com, or they can be purchased
at the door.
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What’s Happening: Events for Teens March 20-June 20 Q
Queen City Ghost Tours
Friday and Saturday Nights September 12 through October 4, 2014, and Nightly Wednesday October 8,
2014 thru Friday October 31, 2014.
See more at: http://queencityghosttours.com
101 Inventions That Changed The World
Presented by Discovery Place
April 21, 2014
See more at: http://101inventions.discoveryplace.org/
Repticon Charlotte Reptile & Exotic Animal Show
Apr 5, 2014: 10 am - 4 pm (Sat)
Apr 6, 2014: 10 am - 4 pm (Sun)
Aug 23, 2014: 10 am - 4 pm (Sat)
Aug 24, 2014: 10 am - 4 pm (Sun)
See more at: http://www.repticon.com/charlotte.html
Interactive Improv Comedy Show
Ongoing event 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Call 803-548-6824 for reservations in advance
See more at: http://www.charlottecomedytheater.com/
Summer Food Truck Rally
September 27th
4431 Neck Road Huntersville, N. C.
704.875.3113
See more: http://www.ruralhill.net/FoodTruckRally.asp
Charlotte Motor Speedway AutoFair Hosted by OldRide.com
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy S Concord, NC 28027
704-455-3209
See more: http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/autofair/
Arts & Culture Guide
"Changing the Face of Informational & Entertainment Media For Teens and by Teens!" TEEN CIRCUIT WEBZINE Our New Quarterly Online Magazine targeted towards teens with stories and articles written by teen journalists as well as photos and graphics created by teen photographers and graphic designers.
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