AS Review - February 13, 2012 by ASWWU

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Slam poetry event at Western, pg. 5 Human Rights Film Festival, pg. 8 Cheesecake Cupcakes, pg. 12

2.13.12 Vol. 27 #18

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COUNT IT ON THE COURT

Women’s scoring rules differ from men’s in basketball rec leagues Lauren Simmons • AS Review

Basketball is a game of offense and defense, rebounds and steals, fast breaks and no-look passes. No matter who plays the game, men or women, young or old, the same rules apply - except during intramural co-ed basketball games at Western.

ticipation among a broader range of students, said Pete Lockhart, Campus Recreation Services assistant director of programming and services. Western’s intramural program, like many other schools, is a member of the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association, Lockhart said. The national association helps guide many aspects of intramurals on campus. Western’s program uses rules from the National Federation of State High School Associations,

them use the same point rule as Western. Aleeta Summers, a senior and intramural player, said she felt the rule was not belittling to women. “I feel like [the rule] is equal because it’s co-ed, and guys have an advantage over women anyways, physically,” Summers said. “So, it’s justified.” Senior Philip Kohnken, another player, said the rule helps give all co-ed intramural athletes a fair opportunity to compete. “I feel [the rule] proIn a standard game of basketball, vides girls with more of a shots count for one, two or three chance to play,” Kohnken points, depending on where the shot said. was made from. Lockhart said one reaIn typical pick-up games, such son for implementing the as ones at the Wade King Student rule was to encourage Recreation Center, shots are worth more women to sign up one or two points, no matter who is for intramural sports. playing. - Pete Lockhart, Campus Recreation Services assistant director of Similar gender-oriCo-ed intramural games at programming and services ented rules are used in Western have gender-specific co-ed volleyball and flag rules. with some modifications such as rules involving time football leagues. A foul shot made by a woman is worth two points, constraints. In volleyball, the nets are at a lower height to prevent not one. A standard shot or lay-up is worth three points, Since there is no specific rulebook for co-ed recmen from blocking women’s shots. In flag football, as opposed to the normal two points, and a shot from reational sports such as basketball, the NIRSA put teams cannot run a certain amount of plays without a behind the three-point line counts for four. together a set of guidelines. Six different member woman actively involved. The point rules, which are an industry standard in institutions created their own set of rules in connection “What it kind of comes down to is as soon as they get co-ed recreational leagues, help promote sports parwith NIRSA’s, which are featured on NIRSA.org. Half of to college, and out of the high school structure system, a

In order to ensure participation works, and that everyone gets a fair shot, certain rules are applied to make sure everyone is included on the court.

see GAMES on page 11 Poster by Brian Ralphs and Adam Volkman//AS Publicity Center

February 13, 2012• 11

The Buried Life:

Left: Jonnie Penn reads a letter from a fan who was inspired by the mission of MTV’s The Buried Life on Feb. 6 in the Performing Arts Center. Right: The cast takes a deep breath before meeting with a long line of fans in the VU Gallery’s Fear’s Vs. Dreams exhibition. Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

POETRY from page 5 “I was so intrigued. I didn’t know what it was,” Espinoza-Gonzalez said. “I didn’t know that form of expression existed, so to me it was very mysterious, and I liked it.” After that experience, Espinoza-Gonzalez started writing, drawing and finding different forms of expression. In college, he went through a couple of bad experi-

FILMS from page 8 who contribute to our well-being through products that they grow or make or through the labor that they provide us.” The education provided by the Film Festival expands beyond the big screen. For most films, facilitators are invited to table during the movie and conclude the film with a discussion on the topic.

GAMES from page 10 lot of people—not just women, but women more so than men—don’t necessarily have any interest in being ultracompetitive,” Lockhart said. “The female population tends to devote their time to fitness classes,” Lockhart said. Lockhart said the point rule should not be thought of as just an incentive for women to participate in intramurals, but also as a way to ensure players of all genders

ences but found comfort in writing, he said. “My writing somewhat healed me, and it was my space to get out everything I needed to get out,” Espinoza-Gonzalez said. “And that continues to this day.” Tautua, a Western junior, has been writing ever since a teacher once showed him a video of slam poetry a few years back. He did not think much of it until he got older, Tautua said. “I picked up a pencil and started writing because of

what I was going through in my life,” Tautua said. “I just kept writing, and people started liking what I was saying.” Spoken word poetry has been an outlet of expression for these students, and their talents will be showcased alongside others who embrace the art form. “If you’re a Western student and just want to be completely blown away by the power of words and the way it can be expressed on stage, come to this event,” Espinoza-Gonzalez said.

The facilitators have expertise on the issue they are presenting and are usually either community or university-based organizations. Throughout its 10 day period, the film festival has many showings at different locations. While most take place in the Fairhaven auditorium, the Festival also shows at the Pickford Film Center, Sehome High School, Bellingham High School and Northwest Indian College.

A program with all show times can be found at bhrff. webs.com. The Film Festival’s website also provides a list of every movie shown in the past 12 years, as well as information on which local library has the film. “We’re just so proud of [the film festival] because it’s so grassroots, so community-based and so communitysupported,” Osterhaus said. “We just want it to be a powerful educational experience and hopefully move some people to take action.”

have a chance to be competitive. “In order to ensure participation works, and that everyone gets a fair shot, certain rules are applied to make sure everyone is included on the court,” he said. The point rule can have downsides, particularly when it is used for the wrong reason. In the past, teams have been known to pass the ball to female players in order to take advantage of the point rule when games are close. Lockhart said such strategies are not what the point

rule was instituted to do. “It’s a double-edged sword,” Lockhart said. Currently, the intramural program at Western offers co-ed teams in recreational and competitive leagues. Co-ed basketball was only offered in recreational leagues, since not enough participants signed up this year to organize a competitive league. “We’d always be open to looking at changes, if it were to continue to promote fair play and promote the idea of inclusion,” Lockhart said.

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SIMPLY DELICIOUS This week: cheesecake cupcakes

Megan Thompson • AS Review Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

f a food exists that I love as much as bread, it is cheesecake. I discovered cheesecake around the age of 9 after my mom played the, ”you’re not going to like this” trick at a restaurant to keep her dessert from me. I tried it despite her warning and discovered the best dessert in the world, in my opinion. What I love about cheesecake is the creamy texture, the rich flavors and its ability to transform it with simple ingredients. By mixing in raspberries and raspberry puree, it becomes raspberry cheesecake. (I also love raspberries, but I’ll save that rant for another column). The pairing of the crust with the filling of the cake brings flavors and textures together that make my taste buds explode with happiness. Since the fourth grade, I can’t get enough of cheesecake. I forced my mom to make a cheesecake birthday cake for my 11th birthday, something that my less adventurous foodie friends didn’t enjoy. Cheesecake is something most people enjoy now: look at the popularity of The Cheesecake Factory.

(If you do go to there, I recommend devouring the white chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake). So, with cheesecake in mind, what could be better than your own personal mini cheesecake? These little cupcakes are addictive and delicious, and you will want to share them with your friends. I had trouble with ridding myself of cheesecake cupcakes with a full batch (I ate probably half of all the cupcakes), so this recipe is a half batch. If you are up to the challenge of making a full batch, be my guest. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Ingredients:

Cook time: 30 minutes Prep time: about 30 minutes Servings: 15 to 20, depending on how much filling is used in each cupcake 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted 6 graham crackers, crushed 8 oz package cream cheese, room temperature ½ cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon almond extract 2 large egg whites ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and insert cupcake liners into a muffin tin. Combine graham crackers and butter in a small bowl to create the crust. Evenly cover the cupcake liners with the crust mixture (about 1 teaspoon each). In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla extract and almond extract. Mix until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine egg whites and cream of tartar. Mix with beaters until eggs are fluffy. Combine egg white mixture and cream cheese mixture. Fill cupcake liners with batter until three-quarters full and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges of cupcakes are puffed and centers are moist. Chill cupcakes in the refrigerator until cool. the

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A community member performs as part of the South Asian Student Association dinner on Feb 4. Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

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©2011. Published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University. We are a student-produced, alternative campus weekly covering news and events that are of interest to the Western community. We support all programs, offices and clubs affiliated with the AS. We have a direct connection to the AS Borard of Directors, and although we report on board actions objectively, our relationship should be made clear. Submissions: We welcome reader submissions, including news articles, literary pieces, photography, artwork or anything else physically printable. Email submissions, or send them to the mailing address above. They will be returned as long as you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

In This Issue:

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TRIVIA AROUND TOWN

POETRY SLAM

HAPPY VDAY!

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Bellingham is a trivia town

Slam poetry event at Western The origins of Valentine’s Day

SWORDS AND SORCERY

Western alumnus talks about his self-published novel

ON THE COURT

PHOTO RECAP

SIMPLY DELICIOUS

LIONESS

Scoring for women differs for men in intramural basketball

Photos of MTV’s “The Buried Life” from Feb. 6

Females in combat

10 DAYS, 21 MOVIES Human Rights Film Festival

This week: cheesecake cupcakes

Letters: We also welcome letters to the editor. Please limit your letter to 300 words and include your name and phone number. Published letters may have minor edits made to their length or grammar, if necessary. Calendar/Ads: We don’t sell ad space. Sorry. Email as.review@ wwu.edu to have an event listed in the calendar.

Editor in Chief

Assistant Editor

Lead Photographer

Staff Writers

Kirsten O’Brien

Cade Schmidt

Copy Editor

Evan Marczynski

Adrienne Woods

Anna Atkinson Eriver Eugenio Nick Markman Lauren Simmons Megan Thompson

Adviser

Jeff Bates

Jona Bechtolt, YACHT vocalist, warms up before performing at Western on Feb. 7. Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

February 13, 2012• 3

EVENTS

FEB 13 - FEB 17 Monday Feb 13

Thursday Feb 16

6 p.m., Viking Union 552 Free

Films will be shown Feb. 16 through Feb. 25 at various times and locations.

AS Women’s Center screening of “Lioness” The Associated Students Women’s Center will host a screening of “Lioness,” a 2009 documentary about female verterans. A discussion will be held afterward.

“Labyrinth: Beyond the Body” gallery exhibit Feb 13 - March 2, VU Gallery Free

Labyrinth is an annual literary and art journal about gender experience and identify compiled and edited by the AS Women’s Center. The VU Gallery will display the artwork from the journal.

Tuesday Feb 14

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Learn about the origins of the holiday on page 6

Wednesday Feb 15 Speak Now: Spoken Word Poetry Night

7:30 p.m., VU MPR $4 with student ID, $7 without

ASP Special Events is hosting an evening of spoken word poetry featuring Western students and Anis Mojgani & Jared Paul, two nationally-recognized spoken word artists.

SEX: Redux

7 to 9 p.m., Academic West 304 Free

The Campus Christian Fellowship is hosting “SEX: Redux,” a panel discussion on the possible negative consequences of sex. The presentation will be followed by a Q & A period and discussion.

Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival

Now in its 12th year, the Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival fosters dialogue about important issues. Themes of this year’s festival include child labor, coroporate responsibility, energy and the environment. See bhrff.webs. com for specific details.

Viking Union Rummage Sale 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., VU 565 Free

Take some time to rummage through items that have been left at the Viking Union Lost & Found. Items for sale include USB drives, miscellaneous electronics, headphones, general clothing, books, backpacks, gloves, hats, jewelry, watches, waterbottles, coffee cups and skateboards. There will be a silent auction with iPods, graphing calculators and more.

“The Big Lebowski” 6 to 10 pm., VU MPR Free

ASP Films will host a screening of the cult comedy, “The Big Lebowski.” Wii Bowling will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m. and the film will begin afterward. There is also a costume contest and a prize for the winner.

Friday Feb 17

TaeUn Kim//AS Publicity Center

New Music, New Dance

7 to 9 p.m., Old Main Theatre $5 for students with ID

The Western Dance Department will showcase student choreography and student composed music in the 12th annual performance of “New Music, New Dance.”

Find the AS Review on Facebook, Twitter and at as.wwu.edu/asreview

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TEST YOUR TRIVIA TALENT Bellingham has a lively trivia scene

Anna Atkinson • AS Review

Trivia nights are popping up all over the place, both in Bellingham and statewide. The popular competitive activity is hosted in restaurants, bars and other social settings. They usually cost a dollar or two and can result in cash prizes. But what makes trivia so enticing? A lot of people enjoy themed trivia, said Carly Roberts, Underground Coffeehouse coordinator. Starting spring quarter, the coffeehouse will host themed trivia nights every week, she said. “Our most attended trivia night to date was the Harry Potter-themed night,” she said. “About 300 people attended, which is twice the capacity for the Underground Coffeehouse, so we had to do some quick thinking and move half of the group up to another room in the VU and ask the questions simultaneously.” The trivia night at Uisce Irish Pub in downtown Bellingham is popular among college students who are 21 and older, as well as community members of all ages. It is the only year-round weekly trivia event in a Bellingham bar. Some people go for the free pretzels and mustard, others go to be social—but some groups go to win. Poster by Adam Volkman//AS Publicity Center

Teams can have no more than six people and must have a name. Teams sometimes have creative names, such as “People Without Mustaches” or “Uiscebibl,” and write their 15 answers on the answer sheet for each round and hope for the best. iPhones and other cellular and computer devices are discouraged. People are expected to be honest and not cheat. Uisce trivia nights feature movie, music and other themes. When the theme of the night is general trivia, questions focus on arts, entertainment, sports, popculture, politics and current events. Underground Coffeehouse trivia was designed to provide an option for students younger than 21, Roberts said. “We saw a gap in accessibility to trivia nights for underage students,” she said. “Trivia nights in the Underground provide an age-inclusive space for students and community members to participate in this activity.”

Trivia night options Boundary Bay Brewery and Bistro hosts trivia nights in the beer garden every day during the summer for $1. The winners keep the money as a prize. The Shakedown will be hosting a one-time trivia night on Feb. 16. the

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Valentine’s Day Triviao

1. What does the name Valentine mean? D 2. When do Valentines and Valentinas in the Orthodox Church celebrate their A “ name day? 3. How many calories do you burn whilei a kissing? W 4. Everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet. What was Juliet’s last name? P W 5. People of which profession receive T the most cards on St. Valentine’s day? G 6. What is Jack Valentine? 7. What is St. Valentine’s Day known as v t in Finland? 8. Who is the Roman goddess of love a and beauty? t w 9. Who was Cupid’s father? E 10. Romans believed that roses grew only in specific places. Where? w

Find the answers on page 6

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February 13, 2012• 5

SYLLABLE SLAMMIN’ Night of spoken word poetry on Feb. 15

Lauren Simmons • AS Review

“It’s really weird for me to think of myself as a poet,” Western senior Daniel Espinoza-Gonzalez said. Espinoza-Gonzalez will be one of the featured poets when Associated Students Productions Special Events presents “Speak Now: An evening of spoken word poetry.” The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room. Tickets are available at the Performing Arts Center Box Office. They cost $4 with a Western ID, and $7 without. Doors open at 7 p.m. “Speak Now” features Anis Mojgani, a two-time National Poetry Slam champion, and Jared Paul, a two-time Individual World Poetry Slam finalist. Student poets Y-Not and Christian Tautua will also perform. The event encourages any type of vocal expression, EspinozaGonzalez said. It is important to take pride in our expression, especially voice, and to understand that these performers are all coming together from different backgrounds and experiences, he said. “We’re coming together to encourage spoken word poetry as a form of expression that not only shows the expression of the individual, but can have so much beauty in the power of words and the way it’s depicted on stage when it’s performed,” Espinoza-Gonzalez said. Spoken-word poetry, also known as slam poetry, is somewhat hard to describe, said Jordan Renshaw, Special Events coordinator. Typical poetry is thought of as rhyming, structured syllables and rhyme schemes, but spoken-word poetry can be fast or slow, almost rap-like, Renshaw said. “Sometimes it can come out like hip-hop, other times it can come out as observations and musings,” Renshaw said. “But anyway you experience it, it’s so genuine and unconstrained. There’s no structure to the poet form, so it’s a great way to express yourself, and it’s different from poet to poet.” Mojgani and Paul have both been featured at Western before, Renshaw said. Mojgani was a part of the Night Kite Revival tour that came to Western last year. He was also recently featured in the Heavy and Light, an event put on by the group To Write Love On Her Arms. Paul was featured at the Underground Coffeehouse a few years back. He loved Bellingham when he was here and is excited to come back, Renshaw said. Espinoza-Gonzalez, an English literature major with a Fairhaven concentration titled “Understanding Identity and Gaining Self-Empowerment Through Creative Writing,” began writing when he was younger, influenced by his older sister and her friends who had been doing some spoken poetry at a conference.

see POETRY on page 11

Poster oster by Brett Flora//AS Publicity Center P by Brett Flora//AS Publicity Center

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VALENTINE’S DAY

The history behind the lovey-dovey holiday Eriver Eugenio • AS Review

alentine’s Day is Feb. 14, and with all the commercials, advertisements and flowers, it is easy to wonder how and why it became a celebrated holiday. Diane Johnson, associate professor of classical studies, said the origins of Valentine’s Day go back to the 3rd century A.D. During the reformation, many wanted verify the accuracy of the Saints, which are holy individuals and religious heroes. Pope Gregory V convinced the churches that instead of getting rid of Saint’s day, the church should reevaluate and fix the martyrology, the schedule of Saints, Johnson said. Essentially, the churches went through each Saint and decided whether they got to keep their Sainthood based on evidence from stories and folk talks.

“A lot of saints got thrown out; people who we think are important, but don’t have a lot of evidence for,” Johnson said. “For some reason they kept Saint Valentine even though there wasn’t much evidence.” While there was more than one Saint Valentine, Johnson said there are folk tales of a Saint Valentine who was martyred, or killed, on Feb. 14 by Emperor Claudius, who murdered numerous Christians at the time. This particular Saint Valentine was very active in marrying couples in the church, so Christians associated him with being the saint for Christian marriage, Johnson said. “He is the one known for looking over appropriate marriage, that’s about all we know,” Johnson said. Although the origin of Valentine’s Day started many centuries ago, the way it has been celebrated has evolved

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Photo illustration by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

Valentine’s Day trivia answers (from page 4) 1. Strong, worthy. There are several saints in the Catholic Church known as Saint Valentine. 2. Feb. 14. In the Orthodox Church, it is celebrated on July 5th and 30th. 3. One to two per minute. The number of burned calories can increase if you kiss more passionately. 4. Capulet. The city of Verona

over time. The holiday has been celebrated as a day for love, remembrance and eroticism, Johnson said. o The day was originally used to celebrate Saint Valentine and then evolved into a celebration of eroti- o cism and intimacy, but currently Valentine’s Day has c become a day to express love and appreciation, Johnson said. c “The modern Valentine’s day you give valentines to l your teachers,” Johnson said. “I mean is that erotic?” Even with the various meanings and messages associated with Valentine’s Day, Johnson said she has no a problem with the holiday as long as couple’s don’t d go overboard. t “I think to the extent that Valentine’s Day has become for just roses and chocolate is great,” Johnson said. “A I day for roses and chocolate is fine by me.” a c

receives more than 1,000 valentine cards every year addressed for Juliet. 5. Teachers. About 1 billion cards are sent on that day every year. 6. Character who leaves sweets for kids. Jack Valentine originates from Norfolk in the U.K. 7. Friend’s day. Estonians also call it a Friend’s day.

8. Venus. Venus is the Roman version of Greek goddess Aphrodite. 9. Mars. Cupid was the son of Mars and Venus. 10. Where Cupid spilled the nectar. It is thought that with his arrows, Cupid could inspire love just as much as hate.

February 13, 2012• 7

WOMEN IN SERVICE

AS Women’s Center looks at the female military experience Anna Atkinson • AS Review

The female experience in the military is one that’s not often explored or discussed on a regular basis. Many veterans have complex, meaningful and sometimes difficult experiences — but what does that look like from a woman’s perspective?

The Associated Students Veterans Outreach Center and the AS Women’s Center will host a screening of the documentary, “Lioness” at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13, in the Viking Union 552. The documentary tells the story of a group of female Iraq veterans, known as “the lionesses,” who were among the first group of female soldiers to be sent into combat. Kimberly Absher, Women’s Center coordinator, said the documentary shows the special role a specific group

of women plays inside and outside of war. The veterans profiled in the 2008 movie, directed by Meg McLagan and Daria Sommers, were deployed to Iraq as service personnel, fulfilling roles such as mechanics and engineers, but wound up being sent into direct ground combat. Following the screening, the Women’s Center and VOC will facilitate a discussion on the issues and difficulties facing female veterans. Western junior Janelle Marshall currently serves in the U.S. Air Force as an E-4 senior airman. She said the adversity she has faced as a woman in the military has been no different than the adversity she has faced in civilian life. Marshall said she thought women are treated differently than men regardless of whether it happens in a military or civilian setting. “It’s not a military thing,” she said. “It’s a society thing.” Casi Meyers, a senior and a Navy E-5 aviation elec-

tronic technician, had a different experience. She said she occasionally dealt with difficult military supervisors. “[Before going on my first deployment], my first supervisor told me I would come back [home] an alcoholic and pregnant,” she said. Marshall said many jobs in the military are dominated by men, and there are not as many women. When she was overseas in the Arabian Peninsula, she said there were very few women compared to men. Both male and female service members go through the same basic training, but living situations are separated by gender, Marshall said. Marshall works in the Veterans Services Office in Old Main. The office is a resource for veterans who are using GI bill benefits. It is also a place for veterans to gather, get support and ask questions, she said. She said she hopes that veterans will attend the event and that there will be many different perspectives to contribute to the discussion. the

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[Before going on my first deployment], my first supervisor told me I would come back [home] an alcoholic and pregnant. - Casi Meyers, female veteran and Western senior

LEFT: “Lioness” film poster, courtesy of lionessthefilm.com. TOP RIGHT: Lionesses Cynthia Espinoza, Ranie Ruthig, Shannon Morgan and Michelle Perry in Ramadi, Iraq in July 2004. Photograph by Lloyd Francis Jr. BOTTOM RIGHT: Shannon Morgan on her parents’ porch in Mena, Ark. Photograph by Stephen T. Maing

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HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE BIG SCREEN Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival now in its 12th year

Nick Markman • AS Review

or 12 years, the Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival has provided the community with hard-hitting films and documentaries dealing with social, global and environmental issues. This year is no different. You may never look at chocolate, your cell phone, food, the justice system or coal the same way again. The 2012 Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival is a 10 day event that will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Pickford Film Center on 1318 Bay St., and conclude in the evening on Saturday Feb. 25, at the Fairhaven College auditorium. All 21 films shown this year will be free to the public. “The films that we have lined up for this year highlight a lot of really important human rights issues that people don’t always hear about or have a lot of access to information about,” BHRFF volunteer Emily Flory said. “It really raises awareness and lets people sort of know what’s going on outside of Bellingham.” Fairhaven World Issues Coordinator Shirley Osterhaus said that although all the films deal with diverse issues such as child labor, immigration and domestic violence, they are all relevant issues in a global and local sense and are all interconnected in some way. Western anthropology professor James Loucky said that there are three genres that encompass a good amount of the subject matter in the films this year: energy, food and contamination, and corporate responsibility. “There are films in this that pertain to virtually every class on campus,” Loucky said. “Any major, any class, I’d

think students would be able to go to their professors and say, ‘Hey did you hear about this film?’ And can we talk about it in class. We get really excited about how people make those connections.” BHRFF’s all-volunteer committee of community members chose some of the films for this year’s festival because of their relevance to issues going on in Bellingham. Two films, “Dirty Business” and “Power Paths,” deal with the implications and human impact of mining and using coal. “It gives you a lot of information that is absolutely critical when we are debating what we are going to do about our coal and the coal trains and the Luis Argueta’s documentary, “AbUSed: The Postville Raid,” is one of the films in the terminal,” Loucky said. “That’s festival. It focuses on the effects of U.S. Enforcement of immigration policies on coma local connection certainly.” “Blood in the Mobile” and munities, families and children. Photo courtesy of james Loucky. “The Dark Side of Chocolate” “The human rights are very broad,” Loucky said. provide insights to the unsavory situations in which “They involve the health of our earth. They involve peosome of our more common consumer products, such as ple in other places that we’ve never heard about but who chocolate and cell phones, originate from, the unethical labor practices involved in the process as well as the see FILMS on page 11 producing of them.

The film festival runs from Feb. 16 through Feb. 25. Twenty-one films are part of this year’s festival and all are free to the public. Shirley Osterhaus, Fairhaven World Issues coordinator, and James Loucky, Western anthropology professor, weigh in on some festival highlights.

Shirley Osterhaus: “Crime After Crime”

[The film]] is about domestic violence and how women have been accused of killingtheir husbands because of having been in a domestic violence situation and imprisoned. We will have the domestic violence and sexual awareness group in the community and here on campus invited to table there and invited to give a few words before the film starts and say that we are a local group that you can become involved in if this is an issue that you’d want to pursue.

“The Harvest”

[A film] which is on the life of migrant children and

families here in the united states and how many children in this country are working in the fields in parts of the us and so we’re going to have the local organization called community to community, which is in town working with a lot of migrant families. They will have a table and introduce themselves as to what it is with the work that they do.

tively affecting families and children, both in communities in the United States, as well as their home countries.

James Loucky:

[This is a] brand new film about human trafficking and child labor in the cocoa industry in Africa. It leads us to realize that we can make a difference through knowledge about where our food comes from, including buying chocolate that is not produced under conditions of oppression.

“AbUSed”

[This film] has to do with millions of people, including students on our campus, and how immigration policy deals with how immigration policy today is ineffective, illogical and inhumane. Deportation keeps the people in the shadows, nega-

“How to Start a Revolution”

It’s just a great film about the power of people to come together, non-violently, to change.

“The Dark Side of Chocolate”

February 13, 2012• 9

SWORDS AND SORCERY Western alumnus talks about his debut novel

Eriver Eugenio • AS Review

estern graduate John Hennessy, who graduated this past June with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, has recently authored and self-published his debut fantasy novel, “The Cry of Havoc: Life Descending.” The story focuses on Tom Navo, a man who loses his life only to gain a new one in another world. In this new world, he must fight dark forces and search for an ancient impermeable suit of armor: the lost enchanted armor of legend. The AS Review: What inspired you to write this book? John Hennessy: My sophomore year of high school, my family went on a cruise to Alaska. I was in the cabin reading a lot, and I bought this book, “Diablo: Legacy of Blood,” and I found this armor that was cursed. It got me thinking about cursed amour and it soared off from there. I started writing the book when I was a junior and senior and used the paper for my senior project. ASR: How would you describe your book without giving away too much to readers? Hennessy: The book is mainly about [Tom Navo’s] journey. In the first chapter, he’s thinking of committing suicide. He’s on the rooftop of a building and jumps, so he does end up dying in the first chapter, but he’s brought back to life on another planet. There [he] starts his epic journey where he gets new memories as a solider. He thinks he’s going to retire and go to his family, but he discovers his memories have been tampered with and that he has no family.

ASR: How did your education here at Western play a role in writing this book? Hennessy: In liberal studies classes we would learn about battle tactics. We would also learn about religion and culture from around the world. Most of the book is an eastern European, middle-age mindset. As the book goes on, each country has its own religion and culture. ASR: For those who haven’t been able to read the book yet, how would you describe it in a way to make them want to read it? Hennessy: If you like epic fantasy or epic fantasy mixed with other genres; If you like past and future mixed at the same time. For instance, most of the setting is swords and sorcery, but there’s a leprechaun in there that has a grenade launcher, so it’s a little different. ASR: How would you say your book separates itself from other books people might see on the shelves? Hennessy: Well for “Life Descending,” it has a futuristic part to it. For that, I would say it has the blends of medieval and magic with futuristic rockets and grenades. It brings the past and the future all into one. ASR: Anything else? Hennessy: The e-book is only $3 on Smashwords [an online and e-book self-publishing and distribution service.] I just released a sample for people to try it out and read the first four chapters. They don’t have to read it, but it’s there to give people a chance to see it. the

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LOST AND SOLD

Megan Thompson• AS Review

here do missing items at Western end up? With more than 1,000 lost items logged each quarter, everything from digital cameras to headphones finds its way into the Viking Union Information Desk lost and found. About half those items will be sold at the annual VU Rummage Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 16, in VU 565. The sale will feature items that have been in the lost and found for more than 60 days, information desk assistant Angela Hamilton said. The sale will include digital cameras, headphones, books, clothing, water bottles, cellphones, kitchenware, school supplies, jewelry and other accessories left behind all over campus. Some items are more than a year old. Hamilton said the lost and found has collected some particularly inter-

esting things. “We have a purse that’s shaped like a dog, and that will be up for sale,” Hamilton said while laughing. “I’m not sure on the price yet.” Western student Max Taylor bought items at a previous rummage sale. He found a laptop case and a North Face jacket, each for $4. He estimates the jacket sold at retail for $80 to $100. “I plan on going to raid the coat hangers again,” Taylor said. “Hopefully, I’ll find another $4 jacket.” Most items are tagged with low prices, but more Th expensive items, such as electronics, will be sold Sa e VU R le by silent auction. The sale does not include free on is h umm items. 10 Feb. appe age a.m 16 nin All proceeds from the event go into the AS fro g .t i n budget. All items not sold at the end of the sale VU o 4 p m 56 .m. are donated. 5 the

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