Wise up Magazine
APRIL 2007 WISEYOUTH IN FLUX UPPremiere Issue
Which Way?
Your post-college journey starts here
St. Louis: Best of the Midwest? Joining the Rat Race at NASCAR
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Contents
Features
On the Rise: Changing Lanes Brad Klein moved into the fast 16 track immediately after college, finding a job with the quickest- rising sports organization in the United States: NASCAR. Read about Klein’s work at NASCAR New York headquarters as he picks up speed toward a career in communications. 18
City Limits: St. Louis St. Louis had a tumultuous year in 18 the public eye: a World Series title for the city’s beloved Cardinals and the title of “Most Dangerous City” in a national survey. As the city tries to clean up its image, its fate is tied to a new baseball 16 stadium and to the passionate fans who flock there. Departments
Wallet Watch Water Cooler Credit Score 101 Silver Screen Summer 8 12 If you don’t know what a credit This summer’s movie offerings score is, don’t panic. We lay it all provide some great reasons out so it’s easier than that course to retreat from the heat into you took to get out of your math air-conditioned comfort. For requirement. everything from thrillers and comedies to cartoons, we outline Pulse the biggest and best for the upcoming movie season. Entry Level 18 10 It’s hard to stay fit when you sit at Different Strokes your desk all day, which is probably XX Your boss wants to play a round stocked with bags of chips of golf with you, and you’ve never and candy bars. We have some even picked up a club before. We suggestions for staying healthy show you how to look competent so you don’t gain any unwanted out on the links. pounds.
4 WISE UP April 2007 Photographs by Jason Levy and nytimes.com
Contents
Workin’ It Homebase The Brew Flu Wonder Walls XX XX So, you went out last night for “one When you decorate your new drink” and it turned into a few apartment, retire those old posters more. With our five ways to survive from college and pick out some a hangover at work, you’ll be able artwork. We guide you in finding to get through the day. a piece that will complement your Surf’s Up space and fit into your budget. XX It’s hard to concentrate when you haven’t checked your e-mail or Spinning Your Wheels XX looked into what crazy situation For city dwellers with cars, there’s Britney Spears has gotten herself more to worry about than just into in a few hours. These tips will traffic and parking tickets. From allow you to surf the web from security devices to mechanic the comfort of your desk without check-ups, we show you how to anyone being the wiser. keep your automobile safe in the stop-and-go city environment. After 5 Nostalgia Never 23 Tasted So Good Your mom always told you not to play with your food. You may not be a kid anymore, but these restaurants will let you eat like one. High Culture, Low Cost 24 See how the other half lives with these helpful tips on how to attend elite events on a student budget.
This One’s On You XX XX Going out with friends from the office is tricky, especially when it comes to the bill. Here are five Threads ways to ditch the bar tab, without From Business Smart to looking like a cheapskate. XX On the Town Sometimes you don’t have to time Low Down to go home after work to change before you meet someone for Inside Merrill Lynch drinks at happy hour. We take one 26 Wise Up gets the scoop on landing outfit and show you how it can be a job and making an impression at changed multiple times to make one of the biggest financial firms in it appropriate for work and any unexpected events afterwards. the world. Photographs by Adobe S tock Photos
6 WISE UP April 2007 Declaration
You know that “real world” you kept hearing about in college? You’re living in it now. Wise Up exists to help you adapt to it, live in it and make it your own. from the Wise Up editors: We want to shake you up and make you aware: the priorities here are different. Meetings are longer. Deadlines are firmer. If you want Dave Allen to stay out until 3 a.m., that 9 o’clock meeting Adriane Bradberry probably can’t be moved or postponed. The bills Linda Buchwald are in your name, and you don’t have a meal card to swipe for dinner. Jason Levy You’re young, ambitious, and energetic, and so is our staff: we’re in the same group of post- college 20-somethings. So we’re in it— the real world and the struggles to adapt to it— together. Our regular departments offer advice: taking care of your finances, making your apartment into a place you call home, and dressing for both the workplace and the nightlife. We feature young professionals who are making their mark in their fields and life in prominent cities across the country. All of this goes toward getting you started on writing the first chapter of your own success story. This is the declaration of your independence.
April 2007 WISE UP 7 Wallet Watch
Credit Score 101 Credit Score Cocktail
You used to worry about your A credit score is determined GPA, but now your credit score by a formula based on certain is a far more important number. factors. Think of it like mixing a Long Island Iced Tea. This Unfortunately, it is easier to cocktail is one parts vodka, screw up than failing a class. The tequila, rum, gin, triple sec, more you understand how your and sour mix with a splash of cola. Likewise, a credit score credit score adds up and why consists of several parts of your it matters, the better off your credit report, which describes your financial history. A long financial future will be. So, here is history of credit provides more the CliffsNotes version. information for a more accurate representation. by Adriane Bradberry According to howstuffworks. com, a credit score’s parts involve payment history (35 percent), outstanding balances (30 percent), inquiries (10 percent), current accounts in use (10 percent) and the length First, let’s dispel a rumor. A credit of time since you established score is not the same thing as credit card credit (15 percent). debt. Credit card debt is the total amount charged on a card, which you need to pay back. A credit score is a three-digit number that lenders of credit, loans, or other services use to determine the risk of lending to you. Lenders include those who provide car, school, home, or small business loans. However, lenders are not the only people who can see your score. Landlords, merchants, utility providers, and insurance companies look at credit scores to determine rates and terms of the services they will provide you. Employers, with your permission, can view your score to help them judge how responsible you are. Even cell phone providers may look at your credit score to Credit Score Breakdown establish the conditions of your contract. A bad credit score means you are a risk A credit score typically ranges from 850 to 300, and it breaks down to lenders because you may have difficulty like this: paying off your loans or paying bills on time. Very Good = 700 or above Fair = 619 to 580 In turn, you often receive higher interest rates and other fees, or at the very worst, you Good = 680 to 699 Bad = 579 to 500 can be denied a new line of credit—a credit OK = 620 to 679 Very Bad = 499 to 350 card or loan—altogether. You have a legal right to get your credit You should not have problems getting new lines of credit if you fall in the range of 620 or higher. The problems begin to rear their ugly head at score. Once you know your score, you will 619 or below. The average score usually falls in the 700s. know where you stand. Photographs by Adobe S tock Photos
8 WISE UP April 2007 There are several companies that may calculate your score, and each of them produces a slightly different number. Fico is often viewed as the most popular source for lenders to obtain your score, but this Uppers company requires a small fee. In addition to Fico, most lenders average the scores from Make payments on time! these three credit bureaus: Equifax, Trans Union, Experian. These bureaus often Do not open up new credit card advertise a free credit score, but read the accounts that you do not need. fine print. They usually require temporary enrollment in some other service to get Do not close all of the old accounts you are not using. This it. These additional services may require only closes the gap between the payment up front or a monthly fee after one amount owed and the amount of month. For example, freecreditreport.com available credit. The smaller that is associated with Experian and requires a gap, the more risky you look. service membership of $12.95 after the Also, keeping accounts open first month. lengthens your credit history. Because of recent law changes, however, Unfortunately, there is no magic you may obtain your credit report for free. combination for the number or types current accounts you annualcreditreport.com is the official site should have in use. run by Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian. You can request a copy of your credit report Keep your account balances as via Internet, phone or mail once every low as possible. As a general twelve months. rule, your credit card balance Keep in mind that changes in your score should be about 25%-30% of will not happen at the drop of a hat. Many your available credit. attempts to improve your score, like making Check your credit report for any payments on time, will take time to show up errors, and correct on your report. them immediately. If you are turned down for a new line of credit because your score is too low, ask why. Often, the lender will provide you a list of reasons, which will help you know where you need to make improvements.
A bad credit score means you are a risk to lenders because you may have difficulty paying off your loans or paying bills on time.
Downers
Late payments or bills sent out for collection muck up your payment history, which lower your score.
Loans for school, cars or housing, as well as the balances on credit cards, sum up your total outstanding balance; a higher outstanding balance lowers your score.
Applying for a bunch of credit cards or loans at the same time increases the number of inquiries on your credit report; a high number of inquiries lower your score.
April 2007 WISE UP 9 Pulse
Entry Level 18
In college, you experienced the Freshman 15, Tips and now that you work in an office all day, you still Replace whole milk with might be susceptible to gaining weight. nonfat milk or water. by Linda Buchwald Replace milk chocolate with dark, which is a good source of anti-oxidants.
Eat before you leave for work, or drink a yogurt smoothie while you are on your way. High-fat foods not only lead to weight gain, but they can also contribute to high Keep oatmeal packets or blood pressure, heartburn, and acid reflux nutrition bars in your desk. disease. When buying food, don’t just look at the calorie and fat content; look at Prepare your lunches the the ingredients as well. Avoid foods with night before. partially hydrogenated oils because they contain trans fats. Also, take note of the Avoid fast food restaurants. amount of saturated fat; both of these types Bring fruit or veggies of fat increase your cholesterol and the risk to munch on between meals. of heart disease. Foods that are high in sugar and caffeine Only eat chips that are baked may increase your energy in the short or kettle-cooked. term, but that high fades quickly. You will constantly feel like you need more caffeine or sugar to keep your energy up. Instead of sodas or coffee, drink fruit juice. Once you start a nutritious diet with the vitamins you need, you will feel healthier and more Butt crunches energized for the whole day. Of course, no healthy diet is complete are a great way without exercise. This may sound silly, but in addition to walking to work or joining a gym, you can exercise from your desk. to tighten your Stretch periodically at your desk for a quick break and some rejuvenation. Butt crunches are a great way to tighten your posterior, posterior, and You’re hungry. You’re stressed. and nobody will notice you’re doing them. You don’t have time to go outside and the Squeeze your butt cheeks and hold for about nobody will vending machine is only five feet away, so you 5 seconds. Repeat as many times as you like. grab a bag of Doritos. Sure, it’ll stop your If you exercise once in a while, it’s OK to stomach from growling, but you’re not going indulge yourself. If your office is having cake notice you’re to burn any of those calories by sitting at for someone’s birthday, by all means, take a your desk. piece. Just don’t overdo it. doing them.
Nutritional information provided by calorie-count.com, Photographs by Adobe Stock Photos and marions-kochbuch.com 10 WISE UP April 2007 Breakfast Breakfast void Glazed Donut Special K A 350 Calories, 19 g Fat 117 Calories, .5 g Fat Replace
Blueberry Muffin Fresh Fruit 380 Calories, 19 g Fat 40-70 Calories
Yogurt Fat-Free Yogurt 190 Calories, 2 g Fat 130 Calories
Breakfast Sandwich Oatmeal (with bacon and cheese) 157 Calories, 2 g Fat 520 Calories, 33 g Fat
Candy Bar Nutritional Bar 235 Calories, 13.2 g Fat 170 Calories, 6 g Fat
Lunch Lunch
Hamburger Home-Made Sandwich 260 Calories, 9 g Fat with Whole Wheat Bread
Fast-Food Salad Home-Made Salad 220 Calories, 6 g Fat 33 Calories
French Fries Vegetable Soup 330 Calories, 16 g Fat 72 Calories, 1.9 g Fat
Chicken Stir-Fry Baked Potato 190 Calories, 4 g Fat 281 Calories, .4 g Fat Water Cooler
Silver Screen Summer
Summer isn’t the time for movie studios to jockey for Oscar nods. It’s the season of big box-office draws and wild, mindless romps. This selection of summer flicks offers chances to laugh yourself sick, brace for fiery explosions and cheer on heroes against the forces of evil. Hold on tight, and pass the popcorn. by Dave Allen
Beyond the Valley of the Sequels Guys in Capes Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Spider-Man 3 May 25th May 4th The end of the last movie was a blatant three-quel set-up, but see this one for Keith Spidey swings again, Richards’ guest appearance and for one last dose of woozy, flamboyant piracy by Johnny this time in a film Depp’s indelible Captain Jack Sparrow. that splices together an old nemesis with Ocean’s Thirteen two new ones. Even June 8th faced with three No Catherine Zeta-Jones or Julia Roberts in this one, but Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin enter foes and his own the mix. Look for a return to the snappy dialogue and complex-but-coherent plotline that inner demons, the made Eleven a slick success. web-slinger should still triumph. Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer June 15th This Marvel Comics franchise has received less attention than its genetically mutated and radioactive spider-bitten brethren, but the enigmatic Surfer makes for a mysterious, intriguing adversary.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Live Free or Die Hard July 13th The Cloak of June 29th Invisibility counts as Long before Jack Bauer faced long odds and cheated death on 24, there was John McClane. a cape, right? British Let’s hope this movie’s questionable pairings (Justin Long from the Apple commercials?) director David Yates don’t wreck the resurrection of a venerable action hero. continues to play up the dark and The Bourne Ultimatum disturbing elements August 3rd of the past two films After so many chases, deceptions and assassination attempts, Matt Damon’s superspy dives as the young wizards back into action. It’s still hard to top the Mini Cooper chase from the first film, but Paul grow up and
Greengrass, who directed Supremacy, will give it a shot. get angsty. Photographs by canmag.com, themovieblog.com, movie.moldova.org, quentintarantino.online.tr and joblo.com and quentintarantino.online.tr movie.moldova.org, themovieblog.com, canmag.com, by Photographs
12 WISE UP April 2007 Guilty Pleasures
YOU Grindhouse April 6th A double-feature KNOW ode to underground horror flicks of YOU the ‘60s and ‘70s with fake movie trailers in between. WANT Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof has Kurt Russell behind TO... the wheel of a killer car, and Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror pits a woman with a machine- gun artificial leg against an army of diseased zombies.
Knocked Up Animation Sensations June 1st Most of the 40 Year-Old Virgin crew Aquateen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters shows up for this tale of a one-night- April 13th stand turned worst-case scenario. Its take on relationships and parenting Already responsible for a publicity stunt gone wrong in Boston, ATHF is best kept should add a high “aww!” factor to the confined to fifteen-minute shorts on late-night TV. Don’t count on the show’s strange non raunchy humor. sequiturs and lo-fi production to translate well to the big screen.
Shrek the Third Hostel 2 May 18th June 8th This sequel reverses the genders of the All the voices and characters of the first two 2005 first installment. Expect much of installments return, while new guest voice Justin the same Americans-behaving-badly- Timberlake joins the animated cast as a moody, abroad that set up the original, with the reluctant King Arthur. ensuing bloodbath and body count just a notch or two higher. Surf’s Up June 8th I Now Pronounce You Another year, another penguin movie, but instead Chuck and Larry of marching or dancing, these birds are surfing. Some rising stars provide the voices behind July 20th these flightless birds, including Jon Heder and This Adam Sandler movie about two this summer’s “it” guy, Shia LeBeouf. The clever firefighters posing as a gay couple documentary style of this film makes it more than for marriage benefits uses comedy to just a kid-friendly romp. defuse a hot-button issue. Will it have the same combination of gross-out The Simpsons Movie humor and surprising maturity that made Big Daddy such a success? July 27th The plot for this one has been carefully guarded, but expect more of the multiple plotlines and spotlights on obscure characters that have dominated the last several years of the cartoon giant’s episodes.
April 2007 WISE UP 13
On the Rise CHANGING LANES
He commutes to New York City every day and works to promote the South’s favorite sport, NASCAR. Brad Klein has been out of college less than a year, and he’s already on the fast track. By Jason Levy
t’s a quarter after seven in the a summer internship in the public relations morning.I The eastern sky glows orange department, Klein was offered a full time with the rising sun. Dozens of early morning position as a communications assistant. commuters gather on the westbound Considering he was a self-described platform at the Syosset Long Island Railroad “NASCAR novice” before he started at the station. Brad Klein may not know any of them fastest growing and second-highest rated personally, but most of them take the morning sports league in America, Klein has been on trip together every day into Manhattan. For a pretty quick rise. 22-year-old Klein, who graduated from “I mostly watched hockey and baseball Quinnipiac University (Hamden, Conn.) in before I started the internship,” he said. May of 2006, it’s a far cry from sleeping till “That didn’t worry me though. I’ve learned noon and only two days of classes during a tremendous amount about racing since I his final semester. started.” After arriving at Penn Station shortly after Klein first heard of the job opportunity 8 a.m., Klein rides the E train to 53rd and like many other college students, at a Lexington, and heads over to Park Avenue career fair. Tower, where on the top two floors reside “I went with a friend to a sports career fair NASCAR’s New York offices. After landing at the Meadowlands in New Jersey during
16 WISE UP April 2007 Photographs by Jason Levy and equityoffice.com my senior year,” he said. “NASCAR was the The biggest thrill Klein had in his brief And as most recent grads find out, last booth I visited. I got a call from them a NASCAR tenure was standing guard of the his group of friends from high school and couple months later for a phone interview, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Trophy during college is getting smaller, from both growing and then had a face-to-face interview a Champions Week in New York at the end of apart, moving to different regions, and just week later. I found out I got the job while on November. Klein was one of the guards in being busy with work. But Klein still finds vacation in Barcelona.” white gloves that watched the trophy when time to relax and have fun. He goes out on Klein’s job consists of gathering it made the talk show rounds. the weekends and spent this past weekend information and pitching stories about Like every other working college celebrating the birthday of one of his NASCAR to various media outlets in the graduate, Klein is in a transitional phase of college friends. northeast. His stories have appeared in his life. More of his expenditures are coming Klein’s favorite pastime is his on-going papers such as Newsday, Long Island out of his own pocket. He currently lives in love affair with the NHL’s New York Islanders. Press, and the Wilkes-Barre (PA) Times- the house he grew up in with his parents in He is constantly checking various Islanders Reader. But he remembers one story he Plainview, New York. He would like to move message boards and fan sites. He said pitched over the summer to the Syracuse to Manhattan, but it’s a money issue his greatest moment as a sports fan came (NY) Post-Standard. right now. during the Islanders playoff run in 2002. “I pitched Jason Murray, one of the “When Sean Bates took that penalty shot in sports editors, a story of how the Watkins game 4 against the Maple Leafs, I thought Glen race helps local economy,” he said. the Coliseum was going to explode. It was “The wineries are really helped by the extra “I was wondering if the loudest I ever heard it. Everyone was tourism. I was really happy with the story. It going insane!” Klein says he has been to at was great to see it in print.” all the hard work least 10 games this season, the last being a After being an intern for over six weeks, March 10th victory against the Washington Klein was offered a full-time position with would pay off.” Capitals. Klein says he hopes to buy a NASCAR. He said it made him reflect back season ticket package with a few friends in on the past four years, and everything he the near future. learned along the way. Standing in the LIRR concourse at Penn “I was wondering if all the work would “Living at home isn’t the ideal, but right Station, Brad Klein waits to see what track pay off. Even though I didn’t take any public now I can’t afford to live anywhere else,” he the eastbound train back to Syosset will relations classes at Quinnipiac, my internship said. “It’s very expensive to live in Manhattan. depart from. He makes his way among the at College Sports Television gave me some I’m not really interested in living in Brooklyn crowd to the appropriate platform, probably PR experience. It helps to understand all or Queens or the other boroughs. I’ve been with some of the same people he rode the aspects of the communications industry,” away from home for the past four year, so I train with in the morning. He’s just another he said. don’t mind coming back home.” face in the crowd, trying to rise up above it.
April 2007 WISE UP 17 City Limits
The River City may have been named the most dangerous city, but plenty of young people find reasons to move to and stay in T
SLbyouis Dave Allen
n a cold October night in including murders, and property crime nationwide, head-shaking “there they St. Louis, summer and within the city limits in 2005 lead to St. go again.” everything that goes Louis’ ignominious placement in the poll’s Pearson couldn’t have foreseen the mix with it—sunscreen, top spot. After days of elation following the of glory and ignominy that would befall his barbecues, and World Series win, a black shroud is thrown newfound home when he moved there in b a s e b a l l — f e e l over the sea of Cardinals red that covered January 2006. He grew up as a Cards fan incredibly distant. the “Gateway to the West.” in St. Peters, a suburb west of the city in It’s the 27th of On April 1, season two at Busch Stadium St. Charles County. He works as computer the month, nearly begins, and there’s more at stake than just software engineer for Westar Display November, and fall holding onto the title of World Champions. Technologies, a company he started with on seems to be edging The city of St. Louis made tremendous a semester-long internship during his junior prematurely into winter. It no longer feels investments in its downtown area, and a year at the University of Missouri at Rolla. Olike baseball season, but still two teams play $100 million development called Ballpark After graduating in 2004, he returned on at Busch Stadium, a brand-new gem of Village is being erected on the site of the home to the St. Charles County suburbs. a ballpark located in the heart of downtown old baseball stadium, just a long fly ball from After living with his parents for his first St. Louis. The seven-month-long Major the new park. With riverboat casinos on the two years at Westar, he was looking for a League Baseball season comes to end banks of the Mississippi River and attractions change of scenery, and moved to the city in tonight in game five of the World Series, as a in the suburbs drawing city residents and January 2006. His commute—from the city pitch thrown by St. Louis out to St. Charles, across Cardinals closer Adam the Missouri River—is the Wainwright breezes by the reverse of most in the St. flailing bat of the Detroit Louis and the opposite of Tigers’ Brandon Inge. the white-flight migration Inge has struck that hollowed out the inner out, and this single, city’s foundations. fateful swing sets off He settled in a wild celebrations not neighborhood called only inside the stadium, Dogtown, around Clayton but also in the blocks and Tamm Avenues surrounding it. Rabid, red- west of downtown. The clad Cardinals fans spill neighborhood is close to onto the streets out of bars Forest Park, the massive and restaurants and flock greenspace—larger than toward the stadium. For New York’s Central Park— the first time in a quarter that stands at the western century, the Cardinals boundary of the city limits. are champions. The St. Louis Zoo and Amid the charging Botanical Garden, as well crowds is city resident as the Missouri History Ryan Pearson, who moved Planning for Ballpark Village Museum and the outdoor to St. Louis only a few months before Busch their money away from downtown, this city, Municipal Theatre, are all inside Forest Park Stadium opened on April 1, 2006. Pearson once on the edge of the Old West and the and are within walking distance of Pearson’s was in attendance opening day, and now he massive tract of land from the Louisiana apartment on Louisville Avenue. charges out of Paddy O’s, a popular Cards Purchase, is on the edge once again. The neighborhood attracts a mix of fan bar on 7th Street, with hundreds of other The news of late October wasn’t the first young professionals and graduate students fans to the gates of stadium. Surprisingly, they time that St. Louis achieved the undesirable at nearby universities, but is also home to are allowed inside to watch the presentation title of “America’s Most Dangerous City.” It many longtime residents. Pearson remarked of the World Series trophy to their beloved held the top spot in 2002 as well. But the that the rents in the area are some of the team. The Cardinals are on top of the world, timing of the news, on the heels of the city’s lowest in the metro area. and their devoted fans are there with them. first sports championship since the NFL’s “It’s a pretty safe area,” he said. “You Only days later, the city will attract even Rams won the Super Bowl in 2000, packed don’t have to worry about your car.” more national attention, but there is no a deflating punch. After the new ballpark Growing up, Pearson made the 40- celebration for this bit of news. The city lands won raves with its retro design and sharp minute highway trek into the city to see atop the list of America’s Most Dangerous capturing of the city’s most recognizable one or two games each season. During his Cities, as calculated and released by feature—the Gateway Arch—over its first year as a city dweller, the excitement Morgan Quitno, a Kansas-based national outfield fence, the crime and poverty in this surrounding the team was palpable. polling company. Increases in violent crime, city of roughly 350,000 were held up to a “You go anywhere and everyone’s Photogrpahs by http://home.att.net/~t.deangelo2/photos/newbusch.jpg
20 WISE UP April 2007 excited,” he said. “There’s a lot of energy.” Cardinals, in partnership with the city the city—not all of them baseball-related. Starting with the very first game played at government, want to lure people like him Though the title of “America’s Most the new Busch Stadium, Pearson attended downtown even when the Cardinals are on Dangerous City” doesn’t deter Pearson, an ten games during the 2006 season with the road or out of season. upcoming highway construction project on his sister and brother-in-law, who live in the Even with the Cardinals projected to U.S. Route 40 may cause him to reconsider St. Charles County suburbs, and with his have another winning season, Pearson is staying in St. Louis. girlfriend, a recent graduate of Washington sticking with just a ten-game pack of tickets. Miles and miles of interstate surround University in St. Louis. He’ll also have the opportunity to watch from the city and cut straight through its middle; When the playoff time came around, the ballpark’s luxury suites on an outing with Interstate 70 runs so close to downtown ticket prices for home games became his company. He might not live and die with that it had to be closed for the demolition elevated out of Pearson’s price range. He every game they play, but he still puts the of the old Busch Stadium in 2005, as dust watched many of the playoff games at Cardinals, and St. Louis’ sports teams in and debris would have obscured traffic. St. Applebee’s, but made sure to be downtown general, at the top of his list for living in—and Louis is, foremost, a driving city, and a car at Paddy O’s, which is open only on days staying in—the city. is a necessity for newcomers. Even though of Cardinals home games, for the potentially The new stadium isn’t the only attraction Pearson’s commute goes against the grain decisive game five. downtown, though. The Fox Theatre attracts of the bulk of the St. Louis metro area’s He also attended the celebratory parade touring theater companies and big-name commuters, a major project on Route 40 that rolled through the downtown streets musical performers. Just up North Grand would force him to take a different route. several days later. The Cardinals’ players Avenue from the self-styled “Fabulous Fox” is The Ballpark Village development, along soaked up the praise and greeted fans. Powell Hall, home to the St. Louis Symphony, with other downtown projects including a loft Pearson even met star pitcher Jeff Weaver. a top-tier orchestra. While performing arts development on Washington Avenue, might Games three, four and five took place in organizations elsewhere are branching out help to keep young graduates from the St. Louis during a cold snap marked with toward their suburban neighbors, St. Louis area’s colleges and universities. Washington rain (game four was even postponed due to remains committed to keeping the arts and University in St. Louis, a highly regarded “There’s bad areas, but there’s a lot of good areas, too. It doesn’t mean you’re going to get mugged going to a Cards game.” poor weather), but the temperature rose to culture at the heart of the city. liberal arts college, is located west of unseasonably warm heights for the parade. Having had such positive experiences downtown, while the private, Jesuit-affiliated The hive of downtown activity that since January 2006, a period in which Saint Louis University (known as “sloo”) and accompanied the parade, though, is out of crime rose considerably in the city, Pearson the public University of Missouri at St. Louis the ordinary for the non-baseball season. If is skeptical about the rating in the Morgan (called “um-sill”) are near the city’s center. it’s not a game night, the streets surrounding Quitno book. Opening night of the 2007 baseball the ballpark are typically empty. Downtown “I think it’s one of those weighted stories. season will be a great day for St. Louis and seems to lack a sustained nightlife, with foot What does it mean? There’s bad areas, but its beloved baseball team. The Cardinals traffic on only a few streets after the workday there’s a lot of good areas, too. It doesn’t will hoist the banner from their World Series ends. Bars and restaurants on Broadway mean you’re going to get mugged going to a championship and will begin their title defense and Grand Avenue draw mixed-age crowds, Cards game. It’s just a sensational story.” against last year’s playoff foes, the New York while post-game crowds of families flock to The city’s alternative-weekly newspaper, Mets, in front of the hometown fans that are Ted Drewes’ Frozen Custard, a local treat the Riverfront Times, scarcely batted an eye. frequently hailed as the most knowledgeable with stands in two city neighborhoods. An amusing graphic in a November 2006 and most devoted in the country. Pearson Ballpark Village is being constructed issue pitted the attractions of St. Louis won’t be there for opening day as he was in the hopes of increasing interest and against those of Camden, New Jersey, the in 2006, but he has bought another ten- activity in the downtown area. The Cardinals city that won notoriety with the top spot in the game pack of tickets for this season and franchise even put up some of the money rankings the previous two years. Editorials in has high hopes for another postseason run for this multi-use complex, with plans for the city’s daily, the Post-Dispatch, decried by his favorite team. His hopes for the future office space, rental apartments, and a the company’s statistical practices (the crime of the city remain high as well. In February, Cardinals museum. statistics for cities with small inner-city areas, he renewed the lease on his apartment for Pearson says he’s happy with his like St. Louis, are weighed evenly against another year, so he’ll be staying well into neighborhood in Dogtown and his proximity those for cities with large inner-city areas) 2008 to see how things shake out for the to the attractions of Forest Park, but the and tried to emphasize other positives for River City.
April 2007 WISE UP 21
After 5
Nostalgia Never Tasted So Good New restaurants dish out familiar childhood favorites. by Linda Buchwald Dessert blogger tries one of Peanut Butter & Co.’s specialties
With the success of shows like VH1’s I Love Peanut Butter & Co., according to the restaurant’s website. They the `80s, nostalgia has never been trendier, or more saw a hole in the comfort food market and the opportunity for a profitable. Maybe that’s why restaurants specializing in macaroni and cheese joint. childhood favorites like peanut butter sandwiches are all You don’t have to be in New York to dine like a kid. Cereality the rage around the country. In many ways, when you is a cereal bar with locations first enter the adult world, you resort back to childlike in Chicago, Tempe, Newark, eating habits because all you can afford is macaroni and Philadelphia, and one soon cheese. Plus, it’s hard to find the time (or skill) to cook to open in Charleston. anything more elaborate. Some brilliant restaurateurs Remember the endless have figured out how to market this tendency, so now possibilities of cereal you can eat these affordable foods with some original combinations in the dining twists. All of these restaurants offer meals for hall? Cereality expands that under $10. concept. You pick brand- Peanut butter sandwiches are a tried and true name cereals, milk (including culinary staple, not just for picky children, but for anyone soy or lactose-free), and on a budget. Peanut Butter & Co. in Greenwich Village a topping. Cereality serves up some classics like the Fluffernutter, as well Perhaps the most as some new variations on old standards including the popular food item right Peanut Butter BLT. Each sandwich comes with potato now is the cupcake. In New chips and carrot sticks, just like mom used to serve it. York City, hungry dessert Lee Zalben, a self-described peanut butter enthusiast, fans eagerly wait in line in founded the restaurant shortly after graduating college. the cold at Magnolia Bakery. Even if you don’t live in New York City, the peanut butter But the craze is expanding jars are available around the country in flavors like The nationwide. Sprinkles Heat Is On and White Chocolate Wonderful. You can Cupcakes, started by even buy the cookbook to master the art of sandwich- Candace Nelson in Beverly making at home. Hills, also has locations in Sprinkles S’MAC (Sarita’s Mac and Cheese), located in Dallas and Phoenix opening Manhattan’s East Village, specializes in macaroni and soon, with plans to expand to cheese. But instead of using processed American cheese, 15 locations around the world. Sprinkles offers your basic cupcakes, the dishes contain anything from mozzarella to goat as well as some unusual flavors like pumpkin, banana, and peanut cheese to brie. They also have vegetables like spinach butter chocolate. and shitake mushrooms, taking the meal to a new level Being an adult is hard, and sometimes you long for those bygone of sophistication. Husband and wife team Sarita and days of childhood. Comfort food won’t take you back in time, but it Photographs by http://blog.1800dessert.com, cereality.com and sprinklescupcakes.com Photographs by http://blog.1800dessert.com, cereality.com Caesar Ekya were actually inspired while dining at can definitely help you feel like a kid again while being an adult.
April 2007 WISE UP 23 After 5
High Culture, Low Cost Getting in to see theater, music, and art without going broke by Linda Buchwald
Check your local symphonies, operas, and ballets for You have to pay rent, bills, and student loans, similar deals. Every website we checked, including three but just because you’re poor doesn’t mean you have to of the best orchestras in the country—Boston Symphony live like it. Instead of another evening eating pizza and Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the watching Office Space, why not go to the theater, the Cleveland Orchestra—had some kind of rush, often for opera, or a museum? Trust us, you can afford it. as low as $10. Of course, there is always the risk that Remember your college I.D. with that awkward these performances will be sold out, so the best days freshman year picture you never want to see again? to go are weekdays and matinees. Many organizations Hopefully you didn’t throw it out, because that baby don’t advertise deals, so you should always ask at the box will come in handy. Many theaters around the country, office. from community to regional theaters, offer student rush Rent started the tradition of lotteries for front row tickets the day of the performance. The policy at each seats at the bargain price of $20 (these tickets tend to theater will vary. Sometimes the rush starts two hours cost $100 a pop). Now, many other theatres in New before the show and other times the rush starts when York and across the country are doing it (Wicked offers a the box office opens. Usually, you can get two tickets per lottery in all of its touring venues). You enter your name I.D. The hottest show on Broadway right now, Spring two-and-a-half hours before the show and names are Awakening, not only offers a student rush starting at drawn a half hour later. If your name is called you need 10 a.m. the day of a performance, but also $30 onstage to show any form of I.D. and pay in cash. Standing room seating (no I.D. required) for a very intimate tickets are also available for many shows, but it’s pretty theatre experience. uncomfortable to stand for a two-and-a-half hour show. Your college I.D. will work for classical music as Museums also offer student deals, and sometimes you well. The Metropolitan Opera offers a student rush ($25 can even get in for free. The Museum of Contemporary or $35, depending on the day), available from 10 a.m. Art in Chicago has $6 student tickets, but it’s free on the day of performances. The New York Philharmonic Tuesdays. Friday nights from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., admission and the New York City Ballet both offer student rush to the MOMA in New York City is free for all visitors. for the obscenely low price of $12. The Los Angeles The Getty Museum in Los Angeles is always free. If you Philharmonic can beat that—its student tickets are do your research ahead of time, you can be live the only $10. good life.
The Metropolitan Opera The Getty Museum Photographs by http://homepage.mac.com/swampy/wallpaper/images, columbia.edu and standford.edu 24 WISE UP April 2007
Low Down
Merrill Lynch Looking for that advantage to get your foot in the door of a major company? We talked to John Paul Gebbia, a director’s assistant at Merrill Lynch to find out what the company looks for in new applicants. by Jason Levy
Wise Up: What does Merrill Lynch WU: Describe the entry level position at look for in a potential hire? Merrill Lynch. What are the duties? The pay? Merrill Lynch John Paul Gebbia: We look for poise, the ability to communicate, and JPG: The pay ranges from $40,000 a year, Office Locations selling skills. You’re going to be selling to if you’re just out of college, to $100,000 people who you don’t know and never met a year if you have some experience, plus Global Headquarters: New York, NY before. You also have to have a business commission. It’s not likely you’d get hired plan, and know how to effectively run your straight out of college unless you could Human Resources and own business. show you have some serious contacts. You Training Facilities: have to make $5 million for the company Princeton, N.J. WU: How important is prior experience? in your first two years. You also have to Other offices located pass the Series 7 test to become a licensed throughout the country JPG: Prior experience is very important. broker, and the Series 66, which is an ethics But it’s not just confined to one area of and laws test. Most of the duties center on Corporate Snapshot (from www.ml.com) finance; it can be in a number of different yourself—how you can manage yourself fields in business. It’s important to have a and your business, who you work with and Founded: lot of contacts, people you can do sell to, and what you sell. There’s very little 1914 (Charles E. business with. micromanaging. There’s also some research Merrill & Co) and coordinating training. Employees: WU: What about resumes, cover letters, 56,200 and interviews? WU: How do you recruit people for jobs? Is there a lot of searching on the internet? Total Client Assets: Approx. $1.6 trillion JPG: The resume is important because Do you check an applicant’s Facebook or of the emphasis on experience and people MySpace page to check their personality Total Stockholders’ Equity: you know. The cover letter is not that and/or social life? $39 billion important. The interview is extremely Fortune 500: important. We need to see how you do face- JPG: There’s active recruiting on our Ranked No.34 to-face. Business is very appearance based. website, ML.com. We also have contacts Honestly, if you don’t make an effort to at many colleges, and take referrals from Stock Symbol: look nice, we won’t hire you. I had one guy financial advisors. We don’t look at the MER come in one time in a wrinkled suit. I knew social networks though. We’ve never felt a Global Markets: immediately he wasn’t going to get the job. need for it. But if there are rumors about 37 countries It’s a sign of disrespect. someone, we might look into it. Illustration by Adriane Bradberry
26 April 2007 WISE UP