AS Review - February 22, 2011

2. 22. 11

V. 26, # 18

SPJ to host panel on publicly funded media, p. 5 Elect Her advises future female leaders, p. 6

Feb. 23-26, more on p. 4

10 • Check us out online @ asreview.as.wwu.edu

Alternatives from page 8 They also provide regional trip planning, a useful and free resource that may not be known to most students. If you’re looking to get somewhere cheaply, Kraft and the STO will create a personalized trip planner to get you where you need to go.

“We try to get as much info out to students as possible, and make sure that bus passes and schedules are always available,” said Sustainable Transportation Program Assistant Wendy Crandall.

While students might too often choose convenience over price and environmental efficiency, it won’t stop Western from doing everything it can to help change their minds.

Western’s STO recently created the “Picture My Commute” photo contest, an opportunity for those who choose options besides drive-alone commutes (walk, bike, carpool, etc.) to work or school to be rewarded. Interested parties can submit their pictures online at www.wwu.edu/ transportation/picture for a chance to win a $25 or $50 gift card to the AS bookstore.

Going even further, by choosing to utilize the alternative transportation resources available, students can impact the community in even more positive ways than they might think.

“When you look at the bigger picture, you can talk about how alternative transportation is good for the planet, but everybody knows that. It’s also really beneficial to the community as a whole,” said Kraft. “Having a campus that encourages alternative transportation also encourages students to live closer to campus if there’s a good transit system. It helps maintain Western as a community.”

Senate from page 9 For Student Senator Rachel Bowers, a lack of leadership experience in high school did not prevent her from joining the senate last year.

“I came to college wanting to get involved in student government because it’s in my major,” she said. “I think it’s really important to get students involved in the process of what goes on in the university.”

Bourne echoed her statements, saying, “I got involved in the senate because I have a real passion for the university and I basically wanted to lend that to helping make decisions that will impact students.”

diets is only negative and discouraging in the end.

Just because something feels dramatic, she said, doesn’t mean it’s positive.

“I always find I have more energy afterwards “I fail to understand the appeal of causing extreme and my system feels really clear, especially after diarrhea or a ketotic state from fasting,” Gibson Christmas and getting all that gunk out of your said. “These have never been proven beneficial or system,” she said. healthful in any kind of credible study. They are Wright, who is currently studying health and stressful to the gut lining and to the individual.” nutrition, said she compiles different detoxes and Since her freshman year, senior Iris Craig has blood-type diets together to customize one that suits done countless detox diets, including the lemonade. her and her lifestyle. Her detox includes drinking Similar to Wright, Craig does not use the detoxes as only fresh fruit juices or smoothies and eating only raw fruits or vegetables. She cuts out all wheat, dairy a form of weight loss, but rather as a way to cleanse her body. Some have varied from one week to and meat entirely, as well as any processed foods several months, but through them all Craig said she and alcohol for a week. has learned what works and doesn’t work for her.

“There are a lot of detox diets out there that are What works, she said, is learning what to very extreme and can be harmful to your body,” specifically cut out, but never cutting out everything.

Wright said. “The same detox won’t work for “One of the biggest everyone, so you really problems about detoxes have to personalize it “The purpose of a detox shouldn’t is that you’re supposed for yourself.” be to get rid of everything; it’s to to cut out so much. But As for side effects, Wright said she only heal your body that you have been your brain can’t function on that little, especially suffers from low energy abusing.

[Starving yourself ] isn’t a living a student lifestyle,” the first few days, but good answer.”

Craig said. “The purpose says that’s common of a detox shouldn’t be because she’s not eating Iris Craig to get rid of everything; her normal amounts of Western senior it’s to heal your body sugars and fats. In the that you have been end, she said her body abusing.

[Starving yourself] isn’t a good answer.” feels restored and refreshed without the help of any Wright said she was first introduced to medicine. detoxes through her mom, who works as a sales “I’m kind of a nutrition nut and I am really into representative for a nutritional company. For several natural medicine and natural health in general. I cleanses she has focused on nutritional shakes, really don’t like taking medications and antibiotics, mixing whey powder and powdered greens and so it’s really important to me to keep my body berries. functioning well so I can avoid that,” Wright said.

“I think, especially being a student, I feel like Wright currently works at Avenue Bread and said my body becomes toxic. I feel like someone could the hardest part about the detox process is fighting just touch me and my skin would hurt,” she said. yourself because healthy detoxes require a lot of “Detoxes are all about trying to normalize. I can’t mental discipline and stamina. necessarily control my academics that are inherently “It’s definitely a lot of mental control because I stressful, but I can control what I put into my body.” work at Avenue, so I can’t really eat a pastry here Craig said she focuses more today on cutting out and there or take a little nibble on something,” she dairy, gluten and sugar from her daily diet. Rather said. “But your body eventually learns to work off than consuming squeezed lemons and maple syrup, of what you are eating and learns how to re-operate she challenges herself by going a week or two itself.” without meat, or a week or two without dairy.

Following her weeklong detox, Wright said she “This is more of a natural detox, and that I can slowly incorporates whole grains and foods back do,” Craig said. “And in the end my body feels so into her diet, to be sure that her body does not go much better. It moves better and it thinks better. into shock.

I feel like my body is thanking me for being more Student Health Director Emily Gibson said what respectful towards it.” appears to be positive and appealing about detox

Detox from page 8

February 22, 2011 • 11

Elect Her from page 6 problems they have, discussing why they had tried to solve it, or why they had not.

Following the various activities, the participants were welcomed to a luncheon provided by University Catering, during which State Representative Kristine Lytton spoke about her experiences before, during and after her political campaign. She specifically spoke about the challenges she had to overcome and her experiences with gender discrimination, something she warned attendees they may unfortunately have to face.

“Define yourself before someone else does,” she said, recalling a moment during her campaign when her gender overshadowed her qualifications.

The second portion of the event focused on student elections, including campaign strategies, building a campaign team and the importance of having a message. The panel “The Nuts and Bolts of Running for SGA and Elect Her,” connected students to current and former Associated Students officers, such as current Vice President for Activities Alisha Beck and former Vice President for Diversity Kayla Britt. The panel offered students a chance to hear advice and words of wisdom from previous campaigns, and become familiar with the new election rules.

During one activity called “Elevator Speech,” participants gave a mock two or three-sentence speech they could carry through a real campaign.

The group voted on a winner and held a staged election. Participants also learned how to properly shake someone’s hand, how to represent themselves in online media, as well how to find a key message and the importance of sticking with it.

McGowan said while some women in the room might be considering running for a position next quarter, there was no tension or competitive feelings in the room. She said she knew this when several girls confessed that they knew they needed to make a change with their lack of knowledge of current events, such as the BP oil spill.

McGowan said this is a key example of why women should not only be well-versed in what’s going on in the world, but they should have an opinion about current events as well. More than anything, she said Elect Her reminded her that confidence plays a significant role.

“Even if you don’t want to go into politics, it’s special to be able to have the confidence to tell people how you feel about things. I gained that

confidence by working hard and deciding that I wanted to reach my goals for me and no one else,” she said. “When I believed that I could hold roles in important things, just putting myself out there, I found that confidence. All women should feel like that.”

Beyond Elect Her, the AAUW also hosts leadership workshops, councils, campus action projects and an annual conference emphasizing women’s leadership roles through education, philanthropy and research.

Gwen Parker, a member of the organization’s Bellingham branch and a communications professional, said events such as Elect Her are special ways to not only talk about important issues, but also bring like-minded people together.

“Even if you are just exploring the idea of running for an office on campus or eventually later in life, you get to see that you are not alone. There are people thinking along the same lines, you can exchange ideas,” Parker said. “It’s a very special thing.”

Following college, Parker worked as a reporter for The Bellingham Herald and admired the AAUW from afar. She said was inspired by their events in the community she would cover, and she looked up to the women who had such active voices.

“Whenever I look at something and I don’t know whether I can do it or not, I think, ‘If all these people are doing it, why can’t I?’” she said.

Parker, now retired, moved back to the Bellingham area and got involved in the organization. Now working as their communications liaison, she said she enjoys coming to events like Elect Her and seeing the organization in action.

Lamb said that Elect Her was a great opportunity for students interested in running for a position next quarter, and offered them unique resources they normally would not find elsewhere. At the end of the five-hour day, she said she felt the event’s success and hoped that even those not interested in politics could take away something too.

“I really hope that participants take away real life skills. These are things you can use to run a campaign but they are also tools to get yourself a job, communicate with other people or present yourself in a way that people will listen to you and understand you,” Lamb said. “And ultimately, the biggest striving factor behind all those things is that self-confidence, and I’m really hoping that’s what people took away.”

Memoirs from page 4 buddy” who they would take on a “vagina date” and get to know one another.

Annie Jansen, editor of the Labyrinth literary journal, an annual publication published by the Women’s Center, said that after performing Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues” for a couple of years at Western, the WC came to the realization in 2005 that although the “Monologues” were a valuable piece of female empowerment, the Western community had many untold stories of its own. The WC then decided to create the “Vagina Memoirs” to provide a safe place where female and transidentified students could share their experiences.

Lamb said Western is the only place in the world that does the “Vagina Memoirs.” By telling the stories of our community members, it makes the experiences more personal and tangible, she said.

“It brings it a lot closer to home,” Lamb said. “It is home.”

Lafeen’s from page 7

Justin Born, who has worked at Lafeen’s for two years, said that the doughnuts are made from a secret recipe that the Lafeen family passed down to the shop’s new owners, the Samuth family, when the shop was sold in 2003. He said that new batches of doughnuts are made fresh every day.

At Lafeen’s, the service is the just as important as the food. Born, who works most days at the shop, greets everyone who walks through the doors as if they are old friends.

“When I’m holding down the shop, I want you to feel good about ordering doughnuts,” Born said. “I feel privileged to work here.”

With every sincere “Hey, what up man!” greeting and “Later dude!” goodbye, Born gives one the sense that he is not just up putting on a plastic front, but that he truly cares about Lafeen’s customers. This makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

If you haven’t heard of Lafeen’s, it may be because the shop does not do much advertising. Born said that the store relies on word-of-mouth promotion, although he is in the process of setting up a Lafeen’s Facebook page. Born said that Lafeen’s T-shirts, which are sold for $15, are also effective forms of promotion.

Not much has changed at Lafeen’s since its beginnings. From the décor to the doughnuts, it is almost frozen in time. For those that know about the reclusive shop, there is no better place in Bellingham to get a doughnut.

12 • Check us out online @ asreview.as.wwu.edu

The Om(nom)nivore’s Dilemma

College Budget Cooking

Column and photo by Lindsay Kucera/The AS Review

Tortilla Casserole

E

nchiladas are one of my favorite entrées in this whole wide world and I simply cannot get enough of them. So, when I was introduced to this dish—tortilla casserole—I was more than a little excited. Let’s face it. I was giddy, overjoyed even. Corn tortillas are layered like lasagna noodles over rice, beans and spiced vegetables, filled with delicious enchilada sauce and cheese. To me, this dish seemed to say “Lasagna, meet enchiladas. Enchiladas, meet lasagna. Be friends forever!” and so it was. It’s pretty hard to resist, though I would never challenge you to try.

But it’s futile, just so you know.

Costs: $15.50 Makes: Four to six servings Ingredients: 6 cloves garlic 1/2 red onion One bell pepper, red or orange 1/2 to one small yellow squash 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder 1 12 oz. can refried beans 1 12 oz. can enchilada sauce 1-2 cups instant brown rice, cooked 1-2 tomatoes, diced 2 cups grated cheddar cheese 6-8 corn tortillas Vegetable oil Sour cream, avocado for garnish On Feb. 16, the Viking men’s basketball team defeated the Central Washington University Wildcats 66-62 in Carver Gym. The Viking men are on the hunt for a third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Viking women’s team has seen tremendous success this season as well, recently clinching first place in the GNAC regular season standings.

Directions: In a medium skillet, heat a few tablespoons of vegetable oil. Roughly chop garlic, onion, bell pepper and squash.

Sauté the vegetables with the cumin and chili powder over medium-high heat until cooked through, between seven and 10 minutes.

Remove the vegetables from the heat, and then set aside in a bowl. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, careful not to burn yourself. Coat the bottom of the pan with more vegetable oil and heat to high. Cook the corn tortillas for between five and seven seconds on each side, setting on paper towels to remove excess oil. In a small bowl, mix the brown rice with about one quarter of the enchilada sauce and all of the diced tomatoes, adding spices to taste.

In a greased casserole dish, put down a layer of tortillas, a layer of refried beans, rice and then a layer of vegetables. Drizzle some enchilada sauce over the veggies, and then top with a layer of cheese. Cover with another layer of tortillas. Repeat this process once more, topping again with tortillas.

Finally, coat the top layer liberally with enchilada sauce, and more spice if you wish.

Bake for 15-17 minutes at 350 F. Remove and top with the rest of the cheese, then bake for an additional five minutes. Serve with sour cream or avocado, with a side of rice and beans or salad.

Western fans celebrating after the Viking men’s victory.

Photos by Daniel Berman/ The AS Review

Western junior Zach Henifin (34) shoots a lay-up in the first quarter.

2 • Check us out online @ asreview.as.wwu.edu

Volume 26 Number 18 ▪ February 22, 2011

NEWS / FEATURES

12 OM NOM: BACK IN PRINT WITH

DELICIOUS VENGEANCE!

Tortilla Casserole.

6

ELECT HER Campus women win.

8

DETOX DIETS Cleansing or starvation?

3 AS EVENTS CALENDAR

Look to your right

ALTERNATIVES TO CARS Other ways to transport yourself.

4

VAGINA MEMOIRS AS Women’s Center presents annual adaptation of Ensler’s popular “Vagina Monologues.”

5

SPJ PUBLIC MEDIA PANEL Discussing the importance and future of publicly funded media.

EVENTS

COLUMNS 4

7

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR LAFEEN’S DONUTS & ICE CREAM Restaurant review.

EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE @ ASREVIEW.AS.WWU.EDU: Looking back on V-Week.

Photo by Joe Rudko/ The AS Review

9 THE AS STUDENT SENATE

Getting to know your student leaders.

Lafeen’s Donuts will make you happy -review on page 7

Cover design by Austin Jansen/ AS Publicity Center

Assistant Editor

Events Editor

Lead Photographer

Lindsay Kucera

Olena Rypich

Daniel Berman

Staff Writers

Photographer

Adviser

Matt Crowley • Kirsten O’Brien Chelsea Asplund • Kelly Sullivan

Joe Rudko

Jeff Bates

©2011 The AS Review is published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University.

Submissions/Letters: The AS Review welcomes submissions and letters to the editor. Submissions include news stories, literary pieces, photography, visual art and anything else physically printable. E-mail material to as.review@wwu.edu, drop it off in the Viking Union at VU 411 or mail it to the address below. Submissions will be returned if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Letters to the editor need to be no more than 300 words and need to include your name and phone number. We reserve the right to make minor edits to the length and content of letters.

Ads/Calendar: The AS Review does not sell advertising space. Sorry. E-mail the Events Editor at as.pr@wwu.edu to get your event in the calendar.

taoofjournalism.com wanewscouncil.org

The AS Review: VU 411, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360.650.6126 • Fax: 360.650.6507 • E-mail: as.review@wwu.edu Online: asreview.as.wwu.edu.

Making your life better, one page at a time.

Photo by Daniel Berman/ The AS Review

Editor in Chief

Evan Marczynski

Men’s b-ball takes down Central -pictures on page 12

Check us out online and also on Facebook!

EVENTS

February 22, 2011 • 3

February 21-27, 2010

MONDAY Feb. 21

WEDNESDAY Feb. 23

SATURDAY Feb. 26

No school! Appreciate your national leaders!

Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop 3:30-5:30 p.m., the Outback Farm Free

Black & White Dance 8 p.m.-midnight, Viking Union 565 $6 with Western ID; $8 general.

Workshop with Tom Thorton, owner of Cloud Moutain Farm and Nursery, will give a workshop on the basics of fruit tree pruning. This will be a hands-on workshop addressing issues of old fruit tree revival and young fruit tree pruning. For more information, visit http://www.wwu.edu/ fairhaven/studentlife/outback/.

This will be a semi-formal event. Dress up in black and white, but minor deviations from that will not be held against you. Advanced ticket sales will be in the PAC box office and at the door.

TUESDAY Feb. 22 Outdoor Center Wall of Fame Submit a picture of yourself wearing an Outdoor Center T-shirt, sweatshirt or hat while doing an outdoor activity, and win a 15 percent-off coupon for any OC merchandise! Your photo will be posted in the Outdoor Center on the Wall of Fame. Submissions are ongoing through spring quarter.

Drag Workshop 7-9 p.m., Viking Union 464B Free Do you like to dress up? Do you need help putting together an outfit for the Drag Show?

We’ll Have veteran drag performers available to educate you on what it means to dress in drag and advise on makeup, hair, clothes and attitude.

Labyrinth Release Party Viking Union Gallery Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free Gallery showing runs from Feb. 22 to March 11.

Labyrinth is the annual literary and art journal sponsored by the Women’s Center and Viking Union Gallery. The release party will feature original art and spoken word performances, as well as performance art, including dance. Copies of the new Labyrinth will be available! The release party is 6-8 p.m. on March 3.

Open mic 7-10 p.m., Underground Coffeehouse Free

Condom Fashion Show call for performers Sexual Awareness Center, Viking Union 518 Free Condom Fashion Show call for performers and those who want to volunteer at the show. First come, first serve. Contact the Sexual Awareness Center at as.rop.sac@wwu.edu or (360) 650-6117 for more information.

Vagina Memoirs 7-9 p.m., Viking Union Multipurpose Room Free The Vagina Memoirs are the true stories and experiences of female-identified students and community members. The dates for the Memoirs are Feb. 23 - 26. On Feb. 26, the performance will be in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.

Sea Shorts w/ Chelsey Weber-Smith 8 p.m., Underground Coffeehouse Free

FRIDAY Feb. 25 Jared Mees and the Grown Children 8 p.m., Underground Coffeehouse Free

Vagina Memoirs 7-9 p.m., Performance Arts Center Free The Vagina Memoirs are the true stories and experiences of female-identified students and community members.

On Feb. 26, the performance will be in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall.

Big Pink Charity Tournament (Two-day event continues on Sunday, Feb. 27.)

Check-in at 10 a.m.; competition starts at 11 a.m.

Wade King Recreation Center $5 per player A volleyball tournament with a giant pink ball.

Teams can participate in two divisions: 1. Residence Hall: There are no restrictions for gender for this division.

2. Co-ed: All teams must have a minimum of one player of each gender on the court at all times.

All registration fees will be donated to a charity to be chosen by the tournament host.

Deadline to sign up is Feb. 25.

Environmental Health Day 7 a.m., Mount Baker; meet at the Outdoor Center $22 Students, faculty and staff; $32 Guests Take a trip up to Mount Baker! Explore and learn about the natural history of the North Cascades, environmental issues such as climate change and deforestation that are drastically affecting the region, and bask in the beauty that surrounds us.

For more information, visit http://outdoor.as.wwu. edu/excursions.php.

4 • Check us out online @ asreview.as.wwu.edu

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

I

n a Feb. 14 story titled “Laying it down and mixing it up in the Fairhaven Recording Studio,” the headline was virtually identical to the headline in a Klipsun Magazine article written by Klipsun staff writer Gina Cole. The content of the article also had a number of similarities to Cole’s.

Due to the fact that I am a staff writer on Klipsun this quarter, and I had prior knowledge of Cole’s article and headline, I should have recognized this and our story should have been altered to minimize any similarities. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen. I deeply regret this oversight and apologize to Cole and the rest of the Klipsun staff.

Credit for this headline should go to Klipsun Magazine and Gina Cole. I invite everyone to check out her article in the upcoming issue of Klipsun, which hits stands during the first week of March.

Evan Marczynski

Editor in Chief

Fifth annual presentation of “Memoirs” starts Wednesday Organizers focusing on broadening scope of popular performance piece Kelly Sullivan/ The AS Review

The “Vagina Memoirs,” an adaptation of Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues,” will be performed for four nights from Feb. 23 through Feb. 26. The free events, presented by the Associated Students Women’s Center, will take place in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room Feb. 23 through Feb. 25, and in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall on Feb. 26. All shows start at 7 p.m., and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

This will be the fifth year the “Memoirs” have been performed on campus. The event showcases the personal stories of female and female-identified students. Each performer takes five minutes to tell their stories of hope and tragedy.

“Go into the performances and expect your heart to break a little,” Women’s Center Coordinator Lizzie Lamb said.

Lamb said this year a large focus has been put toward making sure the event is trans-inclusive, and two cast members identify as being transgender.

She said the goal is to alter the view of the feminism by including people who identify as queer or transgender, who have traditionally been excluded from the movement.

“Women’s experience is so much more than what

we look like and what’s between our legs,” Lamb said.

About 50 people showed up for the casting call in November. It was a challenge to select the 15 cast members that would be part of the show, Lamb said.

Everyone who identifies with female experience deserves the chance to tell their story.

“The Vagina Memoirs” Women’s Center WHEN: 7 p.m. Feb. 23-26 Assistant Coordinator WHERE: VU MPR (Feb. Tanesha Tekola said 23-25), PAC Concert Hall the goal was to cast (Feb. 26) a multitude of voices COST: Free with an array of different experiences.

Although the performance is free, Tekola said that last year she was turned away from two performances because the venue was too full.

“Be sure to get there early,” she said.

This year’s show is directed by student-volunteers Robin Marquis and Saraswati Noel, who both performed in last year’s “Memoirs.”

“It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever done,” Marquis said. “It’s one of the most revolutionary acts one can do to tell their truths.”

Marquis said that the experience of working and bonding with the other cast members and telling her story was so cathartic for her that she shifted her focus of study in school from environmental education to youth community empowerment, with a special focus on victims of trauma. Marquis even designed her Fairhaven senior project around directing this year’s performance.

The most important part of the process is creating a safe space for everyone at the very beginning, Marquis said. Nobody’s story or information will be leaked before the very first performance, she said. Topics of the performance will include sexual assault, body image, gender identity, racism and classism, she said.

The preparation for the performances started with discussions and writing workshops, Marquis said.

Sometimes there are many layers to break through before the real experience or source of conflict can be identified and narrowed into a five-minute presentation, she said.

The cast has met every week for the past three months. Each week everyone was assigned a “vagina

Please see Memoirs on page 11

February 22, 2011 • 5

The role of publicly funded media Western’s SPJ student chapter to host panel with local journalists and radio station directors Kirsten O’Brien/ The AS Review

The way in which people receive news is rapidly changing. People have gone from listening to radio programs, reading newspapers and watching events unfold on small black and white television screens to checking Internet news sites on their iPad and scanning Twitter for the latest gossip. However, one thing that has not changed is the role of publicly funded media outlets and their commitment to providing unbiased and informative news.

Western’s student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is hosting a discussion panel focused on publicly funded outlets, such as Corporation for Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio, and the role they play within society.

The panel will take place Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. in Communications Facility 125. Jamie Hoover, station manager at KUGS 89.3; Jennifer Karchmer, editor of Whatcom Watch and communication professor at Western; and Arvid Hokanson, assistant program director at KUOW 94.9, will speak about their experiences with publicly funded media outlets as well as answer audience questions. The event is free and open to the public.

CJ Huxford, Western’s SPJ coordinator, said via e-mail that both publicly and privately funded media outlets are essential to provide citizens with the news they need to be informed members of society. He added that discussing publicly funded media is particularly important because independent news outlets are disappearing.

“It is important to discuss the role of publicly funded media because it is a dying breed that is struggling to find a foothold market that can keep them economically solvent,” Huxford said. “All media is biased, but a healthy, diverse amount of media outlets, both public and private, is the only way to truly support an informed citizenry.”

He said that privately funded media outlets and media corporations that distribute news for profit have been largely consolidated, resulting in a loss of independent voices and viewpoints. He said that publicly funded media is a way to spread alternative viewpoints.

“Having another model of journalism was what the founders of the United States deemed essential to a thriving democracy,” he said.

Hokanson said that publicly funded outlets do not have to operate on time constraints due to commercial breaks like privately funded outlets do. This allows for more in-depth and investigative stories.

“Our goal is not to make a profit. We provide folks with in-depth journalism that should be asking tough questions,” he said. “We don’t have the time constraints as far as commercial breaks per hour, and because we don’t deal with ratings, we offer more of a venue for programming that wouldn’t be commercially viable.”

The topic is especially timely because of a bill proposed Rep. Doug Lamborn, which was presented to the House of Representatives on Jan. 5. If passed, the bill would amend the Communications Act of 1934 and would prohibit federal funding for public news and radio outlets after 2013.

“There has been talk recently about de-funding public media, and I think a lot of people who support that don’t understand what publicly funded media really is,” said Gina Cole, a member of SPJ’s Western chapter. “It seems to me that it’s important to have as diverse a media landscape as possible, and personally, I would rather we have both kinds of media, public and private. The more information that’s out there, the better.”

Cole said that people sometimes believe that publicly funded media is controlled by the government. While public media outlets do receive funding from the federal government, Cole said their source of funding does not limit the topics publicly funded media outlets can cover. “[Publicly funded] doesn’t mean that the First Amendment just goes away, and that the government can exercise prior restraint on what is broadcast or published,” she said. “There’s a difference between publicly funded and government-controlled. We have free press, and the

Design by Liz Leo/ AS Publicity Center

government can’t pass a law saying what media can or cannot say or cover.”

Cole said that privately funded media has a slight advantage because it does not receive government funds, which allows it to act as a political watchdog without being fearful of repercussions. However, she said that publicly funded media can provide the same function: to inform citizens.

“If you get your money from the public, your loyalty is to the public,” she said.

Elect Her 6 • Check us out online @ asreview.as.wwu.edu

AS Women’s Center-sponsored training program empowers future female leaders Story by Chelsea Asplund/ The AS Review Photos by Daniel Berman/ The AS Review

Hilary McGowan can still remember when she was told she could never become a lawyer because she was a woman. She was 10 years old.

“Within recent years I’ve come to realize on my own that I am a woman, and that doesn’t mean I can’t be restricted from this. Being in politics means you have to be out there and be aggressive and be very sure of your ideas. And many women are either afraid of that, don’t think they can handle it or they simply don’t care about it,” she said.

On Sat. Feb. 12, McGowan and more than 30 other students took part in Elect Her, a training program designed for Western women interested in learning about women’s roles in politics and how to run for student government.

Hosted by the Associated Students Women’s Center, the program was awarded to Western by the American Association of University Women,

a national organization focused on advancing women’s equity through activism that sponsors events, workshops and conferences all over the country.

Elect Her is specifically designed for empowering college-aged women to get involved in politics.

The AAUW hosts only 10 of these conferences throughout the year and Western was one of two colleges in Washington state that were chosen.

Women’s Center Coordinator Lizzie Lamb said Western was the perfect candidate for the event, and while some people may not realize it, women are severely underrepresented on campus. While 55 percent of Western students are female-identified, only 14 percent are elected officials. This disconnect

Danielle Howard from the AAUW speaking during the event.

was the force driving the event from beginning to end, she said.

“There is so much scrutiny that women receive that men don’t [in politics],” said Lamb. “So it was really important for us to have a program to encourage women on campus with that kind of a confidence booster.”

That boost was incorporated through a series of activities, all focused on empowering femaleidentified students. One exercise, titled “What’s Your Issue?” required attendees to fill out a questionnaire acknowledging issues they have with Western and then what they have personally done toward resolving those issues. The purpose of the exercise was to see what participants had done about

Please see Elect Her on page 11

Elect Her participants applaud speaker Danielle Howard during the event Saturday, Feb. 12.

February 22, 2011 • 7

Lafeen’s: A doughnut shop worth remembering

Review by Kirsten O’Brien/ The AS Review Photos by Joe Rudko/ The AS Review

T

ucked away on Electric Avenue, in close proximity to Whatcom Falls, Lafeen’s Donuts & Ice Cream is easy to miss. But for the loyal locals who visit the shop every day for fresh-baked bear claws, apple fritters, cream-filled Bismarcks and other tasty treats, the inconspicuous shop has become a beloved neighborhood fixture for the past 26 years.

Walking into Lafeen’s is like walking into a ‘90s era sitcom. It’s “Wayne’s World” meets the neighborhood bakery, and the time warp atmosphere only adds to its charm.

Wooden picnic tables covered with plastic snowflake tablecloths are surrounded by a combination of bright orange and wood-paneled walls. Cardboard love notes about Lafeen’s written by shop visitors cluster on a corner wall. A huge glass case full of all sorts of doughnut goodies greets you when you walk through the front door, and at the other end of the store sits an ice cream case where – if your sweet tooth still hasn’t been satisfied – you can choose from 16 different flavors.

Lafeen’s has been in business since 1983, and they have truly perfected the doughnut. I visited the shop on two occasions. On my first trip I got a

decadent cream-filled Bismarck, as well as a classic doughnut with pink frosting and sprinkles. Both were delicious and not overly dry or crumbly like the way grocery store-bought doughnuts can be.

The Bismarck was the size of my palm, had ample amounts of smooth cream and the chocolate on top looked fresh. Even the classic doughnut was delicious. It tasted fresh and was even better after being warmed in the microwave.

Perhaps the only drawback at Lafeen’s is that they do not allow items to be purchased on a credit or debit card if the total is under $5. Although I found this to be slightly inconvenient, it just meant that I had I buy one of Lafeen’s massive bear claws in order to use my card, and they are nothing to complain about.

The second time I went, I couldn’t help but order a generous amount of the doughnut holes that sat atop the doughnut counter when I walked in. The doughnut morsels had just the right amount of glaze on them, and when warmed they melt in your mouth. At a dollar per dozen, the price is definitely right.

Please see Lafeen’s on page 11

Brothers Justin (left) and Will Born behind the counter at Lafeen’s Donuts & Ice Cream.

8 • Check us out online @ asreview.as.wwu.edu

Cleansing to the extreme Being smart about detox diets

You don’t have to drive to get around No, the cool kids aren’t all doing it Matt Crowley/ The AS Review

With the myriad of alternative transportation options available to Western students, it’s hard to believe so many still use cars on a daily basis.

Chelsea Asplund/ The AS Review

The recipe calls for four simple ingredients: ice cold water, half of a large lemon freshly squeezed, two tablespoons of maple syrup and just a pinch of cayenne pepper. Now stir those ingredients with a spoon and let it settle before drinking. Now just drink this six to eight times a day for the next two weeks and nothing else.

This notorious diet is known as the “Lemonade Detox,” and is reportedly used by celebrities for rapid, extreme weight loss in a short amount of time.

The detox, which has also garnered attention as the “Master Cleanse,” dates back to the 1940s as a promotional detoxification program. The diet promises rapid weight loss as harmful toxins are released from the body, resulting in of the loss of diseased cells and fat tissue.

While the idea of purifying your body and losing weight sounds appealing, Western dietician Jill Kelly said detox diets are starvation diets, which almost guarantee a rebound weight gain.

“The most harmful part about starvation diets is the fact that they are low-calorie,” Kelly added. “Eating too little calories leads to muscle wasting and inadequate vitamin and mineral consumption, as well as a significantly lowered metabolism. Your body needs fuel; you can improve your health by choosing ‘clean’ fuel.’”

Kelly said the idea of cleansing your body is a great idea, but starving it is a whole other issue. She suggests other natural, healthy ways to cleanse the body, such as only drinking water or limiting sugar intake and processed foods. She also said exercising can help boost metabolism, which is nearly impossible to do on a detox.

For Whatcom Community College student Aimee Wright, doing detoxes once or twice a year helps her body start over and feel refreshed.

Please see Detox on page 10

According to data gathered by the Office of Survey living away from home, and having a car means Research, in 2010 two-thirds of students had a car you’re going home a lot and it impedes your ability available for use in Bellingham, while 17 percent to really feel comfortable at school and make friends of students said they drove alone to school at least and all that important stuff,” Kraft said. three times a week.

Of course, there are obvious reasons as well.

For students that own vehicles, the benefits seem For students taking more than six credits, the obvious: less hassle and more freedom to go where $25 Alternative Transportation Fee is included in you want, when you want. As for the drawbacks, tuition, meaning whether you use it or not, you’re Alternative Transportation Coordinator Emily Kraft paying for it. says having a car can really hurt your wallet.

“For the amount we pay I think it’s very valuable,” “Mainly I would say for students it’s cost. I think said Western sophomore Marcus Amundson. “Plus, students probably don’t even realize how much if we’re being forced to pay for it we might as well money it takes to maintain and drive a car,” Kraft get our money’s worth, right?” said. “When you think about money, I think the first While most students might think the Whatcom thing that comes to mind is gas and maintenance Transportation Authority only provides service costs, but you also have to take into consideration to local areas, the STO provides a number of things like insurance, parking tickets, tolls, all that guides to get you from Bellingham to places like different stuff. It’s really expensive for students and Seattle and Tacoma for around $5, all using public the second your car breaks down you’re looking at a transportation. ton of money and a lot of hassle.”

Please see Alternatives on page 10 Kraft, along with the Associated Students Sustainable Transportation Office, believes students shouldn’t have cars unless a vehicle is absolutely necessary.

Reasons range from the aforementioned cost issues to some of the more indirect effects having a car in college can have, especially if you’re still getting used to your new surroundings.

“I think it’s important for freshman to try being at Western without a car, because Photo by Joe Rudko/ The AS Review I think a big part of The risk of parking tickets is one downside to owning a car. going to college is

February 22, 2011 • 9

Meet your AS Student Senate An important part of balanced student representation

Matt Crowley/ The AS Review

While the members may not hold the power that is usually associated with the word “senate,” Western’s Student Senate is arguably one of the most important facets of Western’s student government, despite being relatively unknown.

Prior to 2001, a student government commission existed to provide the Associated Students Board of Directors advice on what students wanted out of their elected officials. That year, a general election referendum established the AS Student Senate, and since then the diverse group of students has been holding weekly meetings, discussing the issues that matter most to students.

While the senate does not have the power to make decisions that affect students (those are still left to the AS board), they provide a valuable service in informing the board what students want and why. Open meetings are held every week at 6 p.m. in Viking Union 567, where the senate hashes out issues and drafts resolutions. If the resolutions are passed, they are created into formal recommendations for the board and added to their agenda for further consideration. In the past, the senate has worked on resolutions that have significantly affected Western, including advising the university on separating the College of Arts and Sciences into two entities.

“As a senate, we’re essentially an advisory board for the board of directors so we’ve been helping them out on a couple of issues,” said Student Senate Chair Lucas Bourne. “For example, the legislative agenda when that was in here, the university strategic plan, and when there was a proposal to wrap the Western shuttles in a design, we took a look at that proposal.”

AS Vice President for Academic Affairs Ramon Rinonos-Diaz, who acts as an adviser to the senate from the AS board, says the senate is an invaluable liaison between the board and the student population.

“My position has so many meetings and so many things to do that it’s hard to contact and interact with students,” he said, adding that the board is

Photo by Daniel Berman/ The AS Review

AS Student Senate members in a meeting Tuesday, Feb. 15. (From left) Joe Meyer, Lucas Bourne and Rachel Bowers. not only good for discussing student interests, but the officers’ concerns as well.

The senate gathers student concerns and opinions either through tabling, where the senators provide a place for students to offer their thoughts in person, through the public forum section of the weekly senate meetings or by e-mailing the senators with issues.

“But then outside of that, a couple of our own projects we’ve been working on are a forum we did last quarter about safety in Bellingham, called ‘Is Bellingham Safe?’ where we cleared up some misconceptions about safety in Bellingham as well as letting the students voice their concerns,” said Bourne. “That’s one of our main goals, outreach to students on issues that are important to them.”

The senate also hosts an “issue of the month,”

focusing on a specific issue that affects students, setting up tables in the VU lobby to gather student responses in the hope they will eventually be able to issue a formal recommendation to the AS Board.

The issue for February, the new electronic waitlist system, is one that will likely draw plenty of student feedback, something the senators love to see.

To become a senator, one must simply be a Western student with a desire to represent student interests and enact change. Interested students can apply by visiting the board of directors’ office in VU 504. Senators are appointed by the VP for Academic Affairs. Senators are required to not only attend the weekly meetings, but also to serve on at least two councils or committees with the AS or through Western.

Please see Senate on page 10