Catholic San Francisco

Today Dan Morris-Young, editor of the Catholic San Francisco newspaper, came to talk to my feature writing class about what he does, feature writing, and of course the newspaper. Well, I’m not Catholic at all so I figured that this newspaper would be boring and this guy would have nothing interesting to say. I was completely wrong because he was totally not the kind of person I thought would be editor of a Catholic newspaper. He said "damn," he talked about controversial issues, his other job/passion is diving, and he offered the students in my class the opportunity to write for the newspaper without questioning our own religious backgrounds. I think he’s pretty cool actually.

Morris-Young has got 40+ years of experience behind him and was the first editor of Catholic San Francisco, formally known as the Monitor (the newspaper was recreated in 1998). He says that the newspaper is half straight news and half feature writing. The paper goes out to about 70,000-85,000 homes in San Mateo, Marin, and San Francisco according to Morris-Young. He believes that a good feature story should have good narration, content, syntax, grammar, accuracy, and no fluff.

He was enthused by our interest in the paper and encouraged our involvement with writing feature articles for him in the future. In fact, USF graduate Michael Vick is a writer for Catholic San Francisco, and just recently wrote a feature story about his visit to Haiti. Though the paper is based on the Catholic religion I felt that it took a pretty neutral stance on a lot of issues. Anything offensive is not tolerated, and articles about intense issues such as stem cell research, abortion, celibacy, and pornography are possible stories according to Morris-Young. I was no longer discouraged about possible involvement with the newspaper after his visit. Even though I’m not Catholic I would read this newspaper- it’s got some good stuff.

View from the Heavens

Driving through a residential neighborhood and up a windy hill, the city of San Francisco will unsuspectingly emerge before your eyes. Tourist attraction during the day and make-out spot at night, Twin Peaks is the one-stop tour of San Francisco. Located in the heart of the city, Twin Peaks provides one of the most beautiful views San Francisco has to offer.

Elevated about 922 feet above the city, Twin Peaks is the only location where one can admire the vast majority of San Francisco city, and overlook Alameda, Oakland, and Berkley. Once you make it up the hill you are greeted by a small parking lot with a big view. Moving from left to right you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, the University of San Francisco, St. Ignatius church, the Palace of Fine Arts, Alcatraz, downtown, Market Street, the Bay Bridge, and the residential areas throughout the Bay. Looking out at the crowded city you are reminded that Twin Peaks is one of the only places that has not been developed into a shopping center or residential area. It is a beautiful view you don’t have to pay for.

During the day one can expect to find groups of tourists, families, and photographers enjoying the panoramic landscape. On this sunny day, a daring little girl strays away from her family and stands on the edge of the peak demanding that a nearby photographer take a picture of her. He ignores her request when she notices the camera in my hands and starts to pose. “This is my favorite place in the whole entire city because I can see my house,” said the little girl named Katie. In the corner far away from other sightseers sits a group of teenage boys quietly looking out into the sky. “We come up here as a family to relax and clear our minds ya know? We’re from here, the Bay Area. It’s good to take the time to appreciate what you got,” said 17-year-old Carlos, the oldest of his brothers.

However, at night Twin Peaks is a completely different scene. “My boyfriend took me to Twin Peaks when he asked me out, it was so romantic,” said Ashley Jones. At night Twin Peaks overlooks the city but instead of seeing landmarks you see bright lights, downtown buildings, and the outline of the Bay Bridge. Many people refer to it as the “make-out spot” of San Francisco. Foggy car windows and cuddling couples are not a rare sight during the PM hours at Twin Peaks. “When I was a freshman this guy took me on my first college date. We ended up at Twin Peaks and the view was amazing. I hate to say it, but we made out in his car,” admitted sophomore student from San Francisco State University, Jessica Stevenson. But others have found a different reason to travel to Twin Peaks at night. “To be honest, I smoke before I go up there. It’s the craziest thing ever to see. The lights are super intensified and it literally blows your mind,” said 19-year-old student Carly.

Day or night, this location is definitely a destination for tourists, visitors, and San Francisco natives. Jessica Perry describes it as, “Super relaxing and beautiful.” Whether it’s to relax, make-out, smoke, take pictures, or spend time with your family, Twin Peaks is the place to do it.

The Untreatable Epidemic

You can find them on the runway, you can see them worn on the streets, you can find them on the racks at most retail department stores, and you can even stumble upon them in the children section at stores like Target. Fashion icons, celebrities, adults, teens, and even children have fallen victim to the recurring trend of skinny jeans. It seems that this “must have” item has taken over and is here to stay.

Once considered a trend for “hipsters,” skinny jeans have integrated into many different styles. The slim pants conform to the shape of your legs, becoming slimmer the further down your leg they go. This style of pants that once filled the racks at stores like Hot Topic and Urban Outfitters can now be seen in high fashion stores like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom’s, Armani Exchange, Gucci, and Dolce and Gabbana. Trendy stores like Forever 21, H&M, Macy’s, and Charlotte Russe also carry skinny jeans at a much lower price. They can range anywhere from $20-$300.

These pants are worn by not only females, but males too. They come in denim, neon, khaki, corduroy, and almost every color thinkable. “I see skinny style pants everywhere. Everyone’s wearing them like they’re gonna go out of style,” said USF student Corinne Aparis. “Skinnys,” as people call them made their comeback in 2006 and have been spreading like an epidemic every since. “I wear skinny jeans because they compliment my figure and they’re comfortable. It’s a plus that they happen to be fashionable and I can wear them with my boots,” said Ashley Jones. Another reason that “skinnys” attract a wide range of people is because they accommodate people of all sizes. Skinny pants are offered in sizes 00-20/plus size, depending on the brand.

Ann Valdez, a 43-year-old mom of three admits that she too has given in to the “skinny jean craze.” “I remember when skinny jeans were popular in the 80’s, so I felt that they more of a ‘my era’ thing,” Valdez said. She confessed that she owns two pairs of skinny jeans and doesn’t mind that her 19-year-old daughter wears them too. “I saw my daughter wearing them and thought they were cute. A week later I saw other moms wearing them too, so I went out and bought a pair,” said Valdez.

It seems that everyone’s wearing skinnys these days right? “I don’t wear skinny jeans because they are too tight and reveal too much about my body, they are not flattering,” said student Olivia Washington. Washington is not alone, actress Liv Tyler reportedly told British magazine Cosmopolitan that, “I'm not into the skinny grey jeans look. I mean, KATE MOSS looks amazing, but everyone seems to be wearing skinny jeans, no matter what their size.” Despite the opposition, skinny jeans are still a popular trend. According to Forbes.com, “The latest luxury item comes in straight leg or boot…,” a reference to skinny pants.

Perhaps the popularity of skinny jeans can be accredited to their recent breakthrough into children’s fashion. Popular stores like Old Navy, Limited Too, Gap Kids, Abercrombie and Fitch, Babystyle, and The Children’s Place carry skinny jeans for children and even babies. This trend has reached out to most of the population including today’s youth, as young as babies. “The other day I was on the Muni and I saw a toddler wearing dark denim skinny jeans! I couldn’t believe it,” said Brittany Rien. It seems that skinny jeans are a trend that has taken almost everyone captive, babies included.