Culture Archives - Page 4 of 21

“O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”

December 8, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

Gone. Romeo’s gone–at least the PVS version of Romeo is gone. If you missed last week’s PVS Drama Department enactment of Romeo and Juliet, here’s guest blogger Lily Jones with the recap.

By Junior Lily Jones

This play really exceeded my expectations. I thought it was really good. Abby, Anais, Mirabelle, and I went on Saturday night, and it was a really nice night to hang out with friends and watch some good Shakespeare. I like the idea of having the play in the little amphitheater outside; it has a nice atmosphere (even if I was freezing to death). I kind’ve felt like I was at a drive-in movie with my friends on a Friday night, so the vibes were really nice. The set looked really, really cool. The shading on the columns was on point (shoutout Rylie Conway). I liked the ladder as Juliet’s window, I thought that was very creative.

I also thought it was cool that the art classes helped create the sets; I liked the collaboration and sense of community. Anais, Abby, and Mirabelle pointed out which parts of the set they had helped paint, which was fun. I also think it’s fun that they collaborate with outside companies for food; it makes it feel like a really nice event. The tacos were really, really good.

I remember a critique I had from last year’s play was that I could barely hear anything. This time, that wasn’t a problem. There were microphones, and I could hear everyone perfectly!

The costumes were beautiful. I especially liked Mel’s dress; it looked really pretty. Shayan’s costume was also really cool. I thought that the fight scenes were super cool, and the choreography looked very realistic. Zander did an amazing job. His emotions and the way he said his lines was just amazing. I thought his death scene was super good. Lorelai’s death scene was also crazy. She actually just face-planted into the floor, and Anais, Abby, Mirabelle, and I were very impressed with her commitment to the scene (but we were also a little scared because it looked like it hurt.) Matteo and Emerson did a really great job as Romeo and Juliet. There were a lot of sweet and cute scenes. Indy also did an amazing job as the friar. I loved the passion and emotion that he said his lines with. I also think Shayan did a great job. Mel did a good job with her emotions when Emerson “died.” Even though Abby, Anais, Mirabelle, and I know what happens in Romeo and Juliet, we still found ourselves being sad and gasping when someone died. Alex was amazing as the nurse. We all noticed his makeup, and it looked really good, so whoever was on hair and makeup absolutely slayed his makeup.

Overall, the play was a great community event. I was really happy to see so many people in the audience. This play was amazing, and I think it’s definitely something for the drama students to be proud of because it was really good.

Indy’s Favorite Christmas Songs

December 6, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

By Senior Indiana Behr

It’s December, so it’s the holiday season! Or, it’s been the holiday season for months if you shop at Costco. Some people think starting the celebration in November is too early, but I disagree. I mean, Mariah Carey said “It’s time,” and she is the Queen of Christmas. Here at thebirdonfire.org, we decided to direct our creative energies toward our “Favorite” something. I was feeling festive, so I decided to write about what I think are the best Christmas songs. I am gonna rank the top 8, and I will add a couple honorable mentions. There will be some classics like the very popular “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love but also more modern tunes like “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson. Here we go, . . . in reverse order, #8 on the Indy Scale all the way to #1.

8. “Silver Bells” – Stevie Wonder

This song was originally written in 1950 for Bing Crosby, but my favorite version of this song is Stevie Wonder’s 1967 rendition. This song is about Christmas decorations and, of course, silver bells being put up throughout a city. Wonder sings about anticipating Christmas day’s arrival as it gets closer and closer. His voice is so powerful and a great fit for this song, and it has become one of my favorites over the last few years.

7. “Cozy Little Christmas” — Katy Perry

You might not be familiar with this one, but I really like it. It’s not a very emotional, powerful song about the past. It’s just about enjoying present time with family on Christmas. It was released in November 2018 only on Amazon Music, which I, as well as many others, do not subscribe to, so I had not heard of this song until she re-published it everywhere the following year. I wish this had a wider release earlier because it’s so catchy and pleasant, and it is one of my favorite songs when I don’t want something that is super intense.

6. “Christmas Tree Farm (Old Tymey Version)” – Taylor Swift

“Christmas Tree Farm” by Taylor Swift was released only five days after it was written. It was 2019; her album Lover had been released just a couple months before, and it was December 1. She decided she wanted to write a Christmas song. She chose to write about growing up on what became a Christmas tree farm during the holidays, and how those are her best memories of Christmas. She talks about how now she is experiencing “Stress and holiday shopping traffic \ But I close my eyes and I’m somewhere else \ Just like magic.” She sings about mistakes being forgiven and “kids dreaming of sleighs.” I think it’s a very fun song, and the Old Tymey Version she released with more traditional instrumentals in 2021 is even better in my opinion.

5. “Winter Wonderland” — Darlene Love

Darlene Love is the only artist to appear on this list twice, and it shouldn’t be a surprise. This song originally came from legendary music producer Phil Spector’s Christmas album A Christmas Gift for You, which contains so many classics. Unfortunately, Phil Spector was convicted of murder in 2009 and died in prison two years ago, but that album is nevertheless perfect. Some of today’s most iconic songs, like the Ronnettes’s renditions of “Sleigh Ride” and “Frosty the Snowman,” and another song coming up are from this album. Darlene Love performs four songs on this album, and this is my second favorite from it. This song was not originally written to be a Christmas song, but it has become a staple. There are many renditions of this song, and I think this is the best. The instrumentals are amazing, and the vocal performance is great, too.

4. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” — Mariah Carey

I don’t even need to recommend this song, because of course you know it. No other modern Christmas song’s success even comes close to “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” I bet that when you hear those first 13 chimes in the intro, you know what’s coming, and that is one of the best Christmas songs ever made. Even though Carey laments that it won’t be Christmas without “you,” I think it isn’t Christmas without this song. Carey and co-writer Walter Afanasieff have stated that the song only took 15 minutes to both write and compose, which is truly insane considering how well put together this song is.

3. “Santa Tell Me” — Ariana Grande

“Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande was only released nine years ago, but became a pop Christmas hit almost immediately, and for good reason. It has a nice blend of Ariana Grande’s usual style with a touch of Christmas. In the song, Grande addresses Santa about how she feels like those she falls in love with never reciprocate fully. The lyrics, though, are not sad, and actually pretty fun. The chorus of “Santa, tell me if you’re really there \ Don’t make me fall in love again \ If he won’t be here next year” is super catchy, and I am a big fan. As per usual with Grande, the vocal performance is very impressive. I highly recommend giving this song a listen.

2. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” — Darlene Love

In my opinion, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is the best song from Phil Spector’s 1963 Christmas album. This song is sad, but it is so good. I can never help but sing along. The “Please, please, please” in the outro is heartbreaking, but so well done. She describes being alone on Christmas, and states that in spite of the “pretty lights on the tree” and the “town all ringing in song,” “it’s not like Christmas at all.” The lyrics are certainly sad, and yet the song is made in a way that never makes me sad. This might be the first Christmas song I became familiar with, as it’s always been a favorite in my family.

1. “Underneath the Tree” — Kelly Clarkson

Finally, my favorite Christmas song. This song is perfect. The twinkling instrumentals in the intro are incredible. It holds the same power as the intro to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” The lyrics are almost like the opposite of Darlene Love’s classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” Clarkson reflects on previous Christmases, and even if there is snow and presents, “It just wasn’t the same \ Alone on Christmas day.” Later in the song, however, she is not alone and commits that “Tonight, I’m gonna hold you close \ Make sure that you know \ I was lost before you.” This song has been compared to Mariah Carey’s modern classic and has been called one of the best modern Christmas songs, but I genuinely think it is the best one of all time. I don’t think Christmas is Christmas without it.

A Couple Honorable Mentions in No Particular Order

“Carol of the Bells” — John Williams

Fellow thebirdonfire.org writer Gil mentioned this song when we were discussing my article. This song is great, but always has been kinda eerie in my opinion. I think the John Williams version from classic Christmas movie Home Alone makes this song even more haunting, and it is my favorite.

“Sleigh Ride” — The Ronnettes

Once again from Phil Spector’s Christmas album rears its festive head; this is my favorite take on this song. The background “Ring-a-ling-a-ling-a-ding-dong-ding” makes this take on the song very special, and it has the same magic that so many of the other songs on this album have.

If there was a song on this list you haven’t heard of, I encourage you to give it a listen. If you disagree with one of my selections or think I left an important piece off this list, leave a comment. Even better, let me know of a song that doesn’t get much as much attention as it deserves. Happy holidays.

What Happened in France Doesn’t Always Stay in France . . .

May 19, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

. . . not if ace reporter Indiana was there. Indy gives us the inside scoop of what was eaten, who paid, and who missed the boat on the PVS France trip.

By Junior Indy Behr

On April 6, nine Palm Valley students arrived at Palm Springs International Airport at 4 a.m. to begin a week-long journey through France. Levi, a fellow writer for the Bird on Fire, as well as myself, were part of these nine. Levi had several… incidents… during our trip. Despite their inconvenience, I knew all of them would help make a more interesting blog article, even if Levi had to sacrifice a terrarium, jar of jam, a river cruise in front of the Eiffel Tower as the sun set, and most importantly, our time. Just wait until you hear about flam.

For our trip, we were chaperoned by MUS Assistant Head Mr. Killeen as well former Palm Valley Head of Middle School and French teacher Mrs. Mule. We got to the airport, and after not too long, before the sun had even risen, we were off to Salt Lake City, Utah. In Salt Lake, I got Starbucks for myself and three others, including Levi. Levi promptly judged me for ordering a small drink for myself despite me paying for his much larger beverage. I then reminded him his sizable drink and two sous-vide egg bites were more expensive than the rest of our order combined, which I covered, and yet he still had the audacity to judge my drink size. This sentiment would be repeated throughout the trip.

Then, we left Salt Lake City for Minneapolis, Minnesota. When we got to the Minneapolis airport, we were all hungry, and I took these same people to the Smack Shack and got several baskets of fried shrimp. Levi, of course, while enjoying the food I generously gave to him, mocked me for only drinking water. Then, we finished up and went to the gate and began by far our longest flight to Paris. Frankly, this was the best flight of my life. My section was in the middle where there were four seats, yet only one other person on the aisle joined me. So, I got to take my pillow out and lie down for almost the whole flight. I slept as we crossed the Atlantic. When we arrived, it was around 8 a.m., and we met our tour guide as soon as we exited the airport after going through customs (where Levi, of course, was stopped by French authorities and questioned).

Our tour guide introduced himself as Froggie, which feels offensive in France, but I was not going to argue with him. We got on a bus where we first went to our hotel and dropped off our luggage, and then went back into Paris and to a cafe where we had coffee, which we certainly needed since we were already so jetlagged. Then we walked… and walked… and kept walking. We were exhausted by the end of this. We went to the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa, but we were jetlagged and miserable. None of us were happy by this point.

Eventually, we made our way to Versailles where four of us, including Levi again, dined on beef tartare, duck confit, and escargot. We were taking our time before we had to return to the palace. Mr. Killeen found us and told us to hurry up. So we never got dessert…. The Versailles palace, to be quite honest, was not particularly fun because of how tired we were. The gardens were a little better. We walked some more, had some more coffee, and then, as soon as we reached the hotel, we slept.

The next day we walked more and went to the one and only Flam’s. Try approaching anyone who went to France and just say “flam.” They will roll their eyes and probably tell you a horrifying story. Long story short, flam is a flatbread style pizza with cheese, a savory cream sauce, and ham. It is sickening. Seriously, it is the worst thing I have ever tasted. They promised a mushroom variation, that actually was the same thing but with a couple slices of canned mushrooms. Then dessert. I didn’t even taste it, and, based on others’ opinions, I made the right call. It was the same thing, but instead it had melted chocolate and caramel, but still the savory cream sauce. We were on the metro towards the Eiffel Tower station when Levi realized he left his bag at Flam’s. Mrs. Mule and he both missed our river cruise and the Eiffel Tower as a result.

The next day, we got up at around 5 a.m. and went to the train station to take the TGV high-speed train. I was excited, as I like high-speed rail so much I even wrote an article about it (See thebirdonfire.org). The TGV felt like a typical train until I looked out the window and saw how much faster we were going compared to a normal train. It was pretty cool to see, and unlike a lot of trains I have been on in the US, we did not stop once all the way from the top of France in Paris to the very south along the Mediterranean Sea. We were there in just over three hours.

We arrived in Avignon and took a bus into the city before we went to some big church. We then had some olives from a local market and strolled around the area. We were then given some free time. Levi, I, and some others went to a small cafe, and we ordered coffee and a plate of beef carpaccio (thinly pounded raw beef). It was very good, and then Jerry showed up after visiting the church, and ordered coffee and steak tartare (minced raw beef). Jerry ate a lot of tartare throughout the trip. After the cafe we went to our new hotel, and, because it was Easter Monday, everything around was closed, so the end of the day was not particularly exciting.

By the next day, we were once again on our bus continuing our tour. We continued exploring this new less urban part of France. We got to visit a lot of cool places that were way more laid back than the more populated areas we had seen previously. Visiting Monaco was pretty fun, though in hindsight I would’ve explored more rather than just visiting the aquarium. We spent our final day in Nice. We got to eat ice cream and have lunch, and then before dinner we went to the beach.

The next morning, we got up at around 3 a.m. to get to the airport in Nice. On the first flight, which was only about an hour, we went from Nice to Amsterdam. Once we boarded, we could not take off for a long time because of some mechanical issues. Unfortunately, many pictures of me sleeping were taken. Once we got to Amsterdam, we had no time between flights. We jolted to the Customs line. Because people who are neither American nor EU Citizens like Jerry have to wait on a much longer queue than us, we had to wait a while, and then Levi got stopped because of how suspicious he appeared with a jar of jam that had way more liquid than is allowed. We finished going through Customs, and we ran, and I mean ran, to our gate. We just made it. They were already almost done with boarding by the time we got there. We returned to Salt Lake City for a couple hours, and flew to Palm Springs. It was a really fun trip, and I am glad I chose to go.

The Most Successful Unemployed Political Commentator in The History of Television News

May 18, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

If you’ve been asking, “Where’s Tucker Carlson?” Luke has something to say about that.

By Junior Luke Sonderman

“Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson is an American television host, conservative political commentator and author who has hosted the nightly political talk show Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News since 2016” (imdb.com). On Monday, April 24th, Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News, fired Tucker Carlson from Fox News only one week after the Dominion Voting System settlement which made Fox News responsible for over $700 million in damages (latimes.com). So who is Tucker Carlson? Why did he get fired? And, why is he in the news headlines?

Tucker Carlson Tonight averaged over 3.25 million views per night in 2023 (thehill.com). That is over double CNN’s total nightly viewership (forbes.com). According to Britannica, “Carlson was known for his extreme positions on a range of political and social issues” (britannica.com). Time Magazine refers to Tucker Carlson’s style of journalism as “Tuckerism,” saying that he “sanitizes and legitimizes right-wing conspiratorial thinking, dodges when you try to nail him down on the specifics, then wraps it all in an argument about censorship and free speech” (time.com). His massive fanbase is full of millions of Americans “who are already suspicious of everything he questions” (time.com). Carlson gained traction amongst the far right by televising theories that challenged mainstream media reports on subjects as varied as immigration, George Floyd, and masks (time.com). After Carlson and Fox parted ways on April 21st, Fox’s market value dropped by a whopping 800 million dollars (cbsnews.com).

Although Carlson’s removal coincidentally came a week after the 700-million-dollar Dominion lawsuit, The Guardian attributes his removal from the company to “a lawsuit filed by his former senior booking producer Abby Grossberg, who claimed she faced sexism and a hostile work environment” (theguardian.com).

Personally, I attribute his removal to a more long-term plan for credibility on Fox’s part. There is no doubt that Carlson’s removal has hurt the finances of Fox, but removing extreme far-right commentators on Fox News will only help their long-term credibility, especially once conspiracy-theory breeders fall out of the limelight. I think Fox wants to leave the conspiracy theories to sources like Newsmax and Info Wars. It suits them better.

Ignite me~

May 16, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

We end the year with Post-of-the-Blogger’s-Choice. One day, in American Lit, we were talking candles and churches and candles lit in churches, and Jess had a recollection of being a child in church witnessing the extinguishing of candles. And, she remembers being overcome by sadness at the sight. On the spot, she penned this beautiful poem. She shares it with us.
Blog Advisor Zachik

By Junior Jessica Billimore

Once again they put out the candles,

And with that they rob me of my hope,

They steal the fire from my eyes,

Yet I’m still blinded by the forspoken lies,

My heart you cannot mend, I ask is this the end?

And with that my dreams disappear,

I am in dismay for what can I say?

My thoughts are dark,

So bring light to my life,

Now I’m alone,

This loss I can’t condone,

Yearning for a love I secretly loathe,

Burning is my soul,

Until next time my life will be dull,

So set me on fire,

For the light makes me a liar,

So I ask you to ignite me forevermore.

Harli’s Senior Spotlight

May 11, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Alyna Rei

This week, the seniors are being showcased for their success in getting through high school. I interviewed longtime Firebird Harliana Otto and asked questions about her high school career.

Harli and her mother, Gina Otto, after Harli won this year’s Riverside County Poetry Out Loud competition

How would you describe yourself?: “I am ambitious. I like to think of myself as someone who takes on more than I can handle.”

What was your favorite memory in school?: “My favorite memory in school is Scarefest in 9th grade. We spent the night watching movies, playing board games, a 12 am game of glow-in-the-dark basketball, a 2 am game of tag, a 4 am game of twister, and falling asleep around 5 am.”

What was your least favorite memory in school? “My least favorite memory happened in 7th grade watching someone, who shall not be named, drink from the water fountain as the water turned from clear to brown.”

Are you excited to graduate? Nervous? Scared?: “I am excited to graduate. I feel like I am ready for this next chapter of my life. I am however nervous as well ’cause I am saying goodbye to my childhood and friends and the safety/comfort of my home.”

What are your plans for the future?: “My plans for the future… well, I don’t really got it figured out at the moment. All I know is that I am going to UCI in the fall and gonna continue the hobbies that I have.”

Where/what is your dream school?: “My favorite hobby is competing on my horse and I enjoy completing puzzles. It’s cringe but my dream school is somewhere in California where I can drive home, a place that will set me up well for future jobs, and where I can explore many interests with many opportunities. So according to that UCI fits into my dream school.”

How was your high school experience?: “My high school experience was good but stressful.”

Do you have a favorite subject? Why or why not?: “My favorite subject is science. I enjoy Chemistry and physics. I like being able to constantly be discovering more and more.”

What are you planning on majoring in?: “I will be majoring in Engineering. I am going into the School of Engineering undecided, with hopes of going into Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.”

Any advice for students right now?: “My advice to students is to never lose your sense of humor. It can get you through the toughest of times.”

Good luck, Harliana!

Pros and Cons of Uniforms: Are they really benefiting us?

May 4, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Middle-School Blogger Penny Andreas

Here at Palm Valley School, we are required to wear uniforms: specifically (quoting from Mr. Winter in an email home to students) “white, grey, red, or black polo with the PVS logo on it, and khaki or black shorts or khaki or black pants; khaki or black skirts may also be worn, as well as the PVS plaid skirt or jumper.” There are numerous ways that these uniforms benefit us, but there are quite a few things that make these uniforms not likable, or material to protest against. I personally do not like these uniforms, but that’s my opinion on it. Here are some pros and cons of school uniforms.

First, we have pros. The first thing that comes to mind is probably the idea that students will not be worried about their clothes and more about education. There is a con to this but that’s later. Another pro is listed in Pro and Con: School Uniforms | Britannica: kids are more likely not to get peer pressured or bullied. I’m not completely sure why that would be related to uniforms, but, according to Greatschools.org, it does lower the percentage to 30-50% (School Uniforms And Bullying Statistics ). One more pro for uniforms is that school uniforms do prevent gang colors or insignia, which could be a way to “protect” students.

Now, we have cons. Circling back to worrying about education and not their clothes, students will be most probably thinking about their clothing. In fact, I can tell you that many students will be frustrated about not being able to express individuality. The National Youth Rights Association says that “Uniforms restrict students’ individuality, expression, and creativity” (youthrights.org). Lots of students believe that uniforms restrict self-expression. So, overall, yes, students WILL think about their clothing. Our second con is uniforms may cause a bad effect on students’ self image, thinking that they’re not different, or everybody’s the same, or that they look like everybody else, which, yes, very much affects their self image. An article on school uniforms in Britannica agrees: “Uniforms may have a detrimental effect on students’ self-image” (britannica.com). Another con is that most schools with uniforms are private, but some are public. In private schools, most of them require tuition, and uniforms also cost money. For example, one Palm Valley shirt that is required costs $24.99. Multiply that by four or five. Depending on the school, the uniform prices will vary. Some parents or guardians might not be able to afford these clothing items. This can be a definite con, possibly resulting in the student not being able to attend the school, or being limited to a few outfits for everyday wearing.

So, with some pros and many cons, do you think uniforms are a good thing, or a bad thing?

The Largest Health Crisis in the History of the World

April 6, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Luke is serious. While the rest of us explored food from around the world–British biscuits, New York’s French restaurants, sushi, Luke considered the health of our relationship with the food we eat.

By Upper-School Blogger Luke Sonderman

“Obesity is the leading cause of death in the United States,” declares The Big Think (bigthink.com). Obesity contributes to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and gallbladder disease (cdc.gov). In a day and age where acknowledging the dangers of obesity creates labels such as “fatphobic” and “fat shaming,” the rate of obesity exponentially and tragically increases (bluezones.com).

What is obesity?

According to the World Health Organization, obesity is defined as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health” (who.int). Obesity is measured through the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is measured by taking a person’s body weight in kilograms, and dividing it by their height squared (cdc.gov). According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), people with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese (cdc.gov ).

Weight gain is “caused [by] extra calories . . . being stored in the body as fat” (nhs.uk). This being said, the most effective way to lose weight for people with a fast or slow metabolism is eating less food and exercising more, says Harvard Medical School (harvard.edu). With a caloric deficit and more calories burned, weight can be lost and a normal BMI can be maintained (nhlbi.nih.gov). However, sources like England’s National Health Service says the causes and solutions can be complicated by the particulars of diet, exercise, genetics, and underlying medical conditions (nhs.uk).

Dangers of Obesity

As of 2020, 41.9% of Americans are obese (cdc.gov). There is a difference between being overweight and obese. On the BMI scale, one must be between 25-30 BMI to be overweight, and 30+ to be obese (who.int). Being overweight simply means that someone weighs more than what is medically recommended for their weight and to get back to their recommended weight it is recommended that they reduce their food intake (as advised by their physician) and exercise more (diffen.com). Obesity is actually a disease which comes with the major health risks mentioned above. Recently, we saw 50.2 percent of hospitalized Covid patients suffered from obesity (beckershospitalreview.com).

2.8 million people die every year because of obesity (who.int 2021). That is more deaths than four and a half US Civil Wars (nps.gov). According to the World Health Organization, 46% of abdominal obesity in the world could be caused by fast food (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). In the United States on any given day, ⅓ of adults eat fast food (cdc.gov). According to Harvard University, some common causes of obesity are “the ready availability of food at all hours of the day and in places that once did not sell food, such as gas stations, pharmacies, and office supply stores; a dramatic decrease in physical activity during work, domestic activities, and leisure time, especially among children; increased time spent watching television, using computers, and performing other sedentary activities; the influx of highly processed foods, fast food, and sugar-sweetened beverages, along with the ubiquitous marketing campaigns that promote them” (harvard.edu).

How does culture in the United States influence the growth of obesity?

According to Dr. Nancy Trout, “[O]ur American culture promotes obesity. Environmental influences steer us to choose unhealthy foods and eat portion sizes that are far too large” (advancingkids.org). Recent “Robert Wood Johnson State of Childhood Obesity data shows that 19.3% of children between the ages of 2-19 in the United States have obesity” (advancingkids.org). Dr. Trout goes on to say that staples of many of her child patients include “hot ranch Cheetos or Doritos, Oreos, sugary cereals such as Frosted Flakes or Fruit Loops, Lunchables, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, . . . pizza, . . . sweetened iced teas, juices, sports drinks, sodas and chocolate milk” and even says that since the Covid-19 pandemic, many child patients reported that they are “not engaging in any physical activity” (advancingkids.org). Unlike other countries, in the United States, high fructose corn syrup is used in many products such as Heinz Ketchup, Quaker Oatmeal, and soda (ronproject.com). Obesity is affecting children, adults, and senior citizens.

Conclusion

It has become apparent that the Obesity Crisis in the United States is being fueled by American Culture. Physical well being needs to be taught in schools, and parents need to be held accountable for what they feed their children. If people don’t know how to combat the problem, then how are we as a nation supposed to fight the epidemic? We, as a nation, need to educate ourselves on the dangers of being obese and how to maintain a healthy body weight.

“What To Wear?”

April 4, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Upper-School Blogger Alyna Rei

Fashion has had many trends through the years. Some people prefer accessories. Some care about shoes. And some just don’t care what they put on their body. Many in school have different viewpoints about the apparel they wear. You can see through this survey that people have different ideas of style. I reached out to people who I felt cared about fashion and some who did not care as much. This way we can see people’s opinions.

I asked members of our Palm Valley community:

“What piece of apparel do you prefer to wear and why?

Is there a least favorite thing to wear?”

Personally, I like to put more effort in my shoes than regular clothing. The same goes for my family. I prefer to wear cool shoes (in my opinion) more than a cool outfit. I can wear a simple outfit and have nice shoes. My favorite shoes would be the brand “Converse”–which to many people is basic. The reason why I love “Converse” is because the shoes fit my feet and they go with every outfit I wear. My go-to outfit would be a pair of black flare leggings with a comfy sweater on top. On my feet, I wear “Converse” (obviously). I am aware that this outfit is for colder days, but this one is a favorite of mine.

The flare leggings aren’t obvious but I swear I am wearing them.

Ms. Maguire (teacher): “ Favorite apparel: I have many favorites! My favorite shoes are a pair of super-high platform clogs with a wood wedge (not clunky! It’s kind of narrow) that’s stained black. The tops are black, fur-lined suede. The fur shows along the edge, and it’s nice and soft. The suede is attached to the wood platform with brass tacks. They are snazzy and casual at the same time. These shoes elevate me quite a bit, and since I am height-challenged, I enjoy that. They are also surprisingly comfortable. The drawback is that I could possibly break my neck if I fall off them, so you will never see me wear them at school.

“I have a white hoodie that I really like even though it is not actually that white anymore. It’s very soft and warm, so I feel cozy in it. In the cold weather I change into it when I get home from school. The ends of the sleeves are not so tight that I cannot push them up my arm to wash my hands, and they are not so loose that wind blows up them when I walk the dog. The sweatshirt is big enough that it can accommodate layers underneath, but not so big that I’m swimming in it. It’s a Goldilocks sweatshirt.

“My least favorite apparel is this blouse that is attractive (to me), but soooo annoying. It’s dark gray with taupe polka dots on it. The problem is that the sleeves are bell sleeves. This means that I cannot push up the sleeves when I want to wash my hands, so the sleeves always end up getting wet. It drives me nuts because I wash my hands frequently. I go for months without wearing this blouse, and then I forget how much it bothers me. I see it and think, ‘That’s a cute blouse. I’ll wear it today.’ And then the annoyance begins and I remember why it was sitting in my closet unworn for so long. But it is attractive, so I can’t bring myself to donate it.

“Under no circumstances will I buy apparel that must be ironed. I have no time for that ridiculousness.”

Mr. Griffin (teacher): “My favorite piece of apparel are my t-shirts. I buy them specifically from one company – because they fit me well and the material is soft, feels especially good and cool and loose against my skin.”

Ms. Castellano (teacher):

Like to wear “Dresses.”

Doesn’t much like “Shorts.”

And, “Earrings should always be worn (:”

Ms. Zachik (teacher): “Favorite? Shoes, shirts, pants–all of them WHEN they are good fitting, comfortable, when they make me look good and feel good.

“Least Favorite? I don’t love glasses (sunglasses, reading, corrective). I don’t love nose slippage, headache-inducing pinches behind the ears, the reflective glare. I also dislike dressing alike. As one of three sisters, I’m still getting over all the times my mother dressed us as a matching trio.”

Jocelynn Montoya (12th grade): “My favorite piece of apparel is probably shoes or shirts because there are so many types of designs and colors to choose from. I wouldn’t say I have a least favorite apparel but something I would never wear are crocs. I hate them. I think they are really ugly, gross, stinky, etc. Especially if you don’t wear them with socks.”

Cole Robinson (11th grade): “I love a good amount of layers, usually a good sweater with something underneath. I really hate weird sunglasses (yk what im talking about) some are cool but a lot are ick. I don’t like wearing anything too revealing because it makes me uncomfortable :(“

Christina Lam (11th grade): “My favorite piece of apparel is a hoodie because they are very comfortable. My least favorite is shorts because I usually am cold so it’s not a good thing to wear.”

Indy Behr (11th grade): Says he likes his “glasses.”

You can see how some bring effort into dressing and some don’t. I personally don’t care what I wear on top, but I do put a little effort into what’s on my feet.

Feel free, in the comments, to share your go-to outfits along with those you wouldn’t be caught dead in.

Local Coffee: How Does It Stack Up?

February 2, 2023 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By a new blogging voice @ thebirdonfire.org: Jess Billimore

In the words of George from George of the Jungle, “Java, java, java, java.” Yes, we’re looking at more coffee. Blog Coffee Rater Jess took on the arduous task of going undercover to investigate three local coffee shops to determine which serves up the best iced-cold brew in a soothing atmosphere and pleasing locale.

Hi! It’s Jess, in today’s post I will be doing a coffee review of three different locations in the Coachella Valley in order to determine where serves the best coffee. So, how will I be ranking these locations? I will rank them according to location/atmosphere of the shop, the menu, price, and above all- the taste. Each of these categories will be rated out of 5, and the final rankings will be calculated at the end. At each location I will order a medium iced-cold brew to make this as fair as possible.

I’m going to begin with Starbucks. There are several locations around the area, but I chose the one on El Paseo at 73520 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260. To begin with, it is a very beautiful location. You get a nice view of the mountains if you choose to sit outside, and inside is lovely too. This is a smaller location than most Starbucks, which I personally really like. It had a great vibe–the majority of those dining in were working which really inspired me to come back sometime and do the same. Usually, I find the inside of Starbucks far too loud and hectic, but this one wasn’t, so I would return for that reason also. I would give them a total of 4/5 on location/atmosphere. The barista was also kind and even offered my dog a pup cup, so this location gains +1 bonus point for that. As for the menu, I personally really liked it. Starbucks has a very large menu, which means there’s bound to be something for everyone. I really can’t fault them on it, so they get a 5/5 for that. As for the price, a medium (grande) cold brew cost me $3.25, which in my opinion is a very fair price, so they also get a 5/5 for that! And, of course, the taste–honestly, it was only okay. I personally like my coffee on the stronger side; this was quite a strong roast, so it has the nice bitter coffee taste. It was just very, very diluted. Unfortunately, I would only give them a 2.5/5 on taste. Overall, Starbucks gets a 17.5.

Now, onto my second location: The Vintage Coffee House located at 49990 Jefferson St., Indio, CA 92201. As for the location, it’s lovely. It has indoor and outdoor seating and is so beautifully decorated it feels very homey. It is also a local, independent business, so it is great to support them. The staff is super friendly–definitely the sweetest workers I’ve ever met! They also offered my dog a pup cup and treat so they gain +1 bonus point for that. All the customers were super lovely, too. It’s clear they have a lot of regulars. This is a perfect place to come to work or hang out with friends. I could have seriously stayed there for hours. Overall atmosphere/location is 5/5. The menu was amazing; they had so many unique flavors: lavender, cinnamon roll, butter pecan, and tiramisu. They would also get a 5/5 for this. My medium iced-cold brew cost me $4.50, which, yes, is a little more than Starbucks but still low and totally worth it to support a local business. I give the pricing a 5/5. The coffee was absolutely delicious. It was the perfect level of strength. They get a 5/5 for this also. Overall, The Vintage Coffee House gets a whopping 21.

Finally, I visited IW Coffee, located at 74-995 CA-111, Indian Wells, CA 92210. The location is very pretty outside and the patio has a good amount of sun. I also liked the modern/minimalist vibe on the inside. This seems to be a very popular spot to go with friends, and everyone was super friendly. For atmosphere/location they get a 5/5. As for the menu, it was decent, not as much variation as the previous locations, but there was nothing wrong with it. I am giving them 4/5 for this. The price was $4.85, which isn’t bad at all, so a 5/5 for this, too. Honestly, the taste was disappointing. It was very watered down, similar to Starbucks, so they only get a 3/5 for taste. Overall, IW Coffee gets a 17 score.

All in all, The Vintage Coffee House is the clear winner. It is my new favorite spot for coffee, and I would definitely recommend going there.