AS Review - May 21, 2012

asreview It’s our last issue!

Team, p. 7 BHAMFF Film Festival, p. 9 Beyond Photos of theBorders year, p. 6review, p. 10 Thanks for a great year Western’s Climbing

Ladies at the Lake, p. 10 Cinnamon pancakes, p. 12

Vol. 27 #31 5.21.12

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WORK FOR THE WOMEN’S CENTER AS Board approves new Vagina Memoirs coordinator position

Cade Schmidt • AS Review

A DAY AT THE LAKE

AS Women’s Center will host free sailing lessons and activities at Western’s Lakewood facility Kylie Wade • AS Review

On May 15, The Associated Students Board To apply fo r of Directors Associated passed a measure Students jo to add a posivisit as.ww bs, tion to the AS u.ed employme u/ Women’s Center nt. with a 5-2 vote.

The new position is responsible for facilitating the “Vagina Memoirs,” the Women’s Center’s annual spoken-word event that brings in 2,000 attendees yearly.

“Because the production is so large and everything it takes to facilitate it, we worked through the AS Assessment process to bring about this new position, which is someone who’d be paid to facilitate the process of the Memoirs,” said Women’s Center Assistant Coordinator Sasha Parsley.

The “Vagina Memoirs” is one of the largest events on campus, and spans four nights of empowerment through truth-telling. In 2011, the program won a national award as StudentDriven Program of the Year from Association of College Unions International for its 2010 production.

“What we’re looking for with this position is someone who has experience with facilitation, processing, managing safe-spaces for talking about trauma and helping people explore their identities,” said Parsley.

The position is set to begin the second week of September for AS fall training and continue through winter quarter.

“Having this position is showing that the Associated Students and Western as a whole appreciates what the Vagina Memoirs is for our community,” said Parsley.

Applications are now being accepted at as.wwu.edu/employment until May 30. the

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This Memorial Day weekend, the Associated Students Women’s Center is hosting “Ladies at the Lake,” an event offering free sailing, canoeing and kayaking at Western’s Lakewood facility. The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 26 and is free to students.

Lakewood is located on Lake Whatcom Boulevard, approximately seven miles from Western’s campus.

The women’s crew team will be at the event to help instruct students on how to kayak, canoe and sail.

Women’s Center Coordinator Kimberly Absher said the event is a great opportunity to take advantage of Lakewood’s services without having to pay.

“Whatever Lakewood offers, basically, besides the E.D.G.E. course, you are welcome to use and it’s all free,” Absher said.

In addition to free rentals of all Lakewood equipment, free sailing and windsurfing lessons will also be provided at the event. Typically, the student rate for these lessons at Lakewood is $50 for eight hours of instruction.

Absher also said that despite the event’s name, anybody is welcome to attend.

“It’s called ‘Ladies at the Lake’ but we have a firm stance that everybody is welcome,” Absher said.

Women’s Center Assistant Coordinator Sasha Parsley said the event will have a “come as you are” nature. She said the Women’s Center wants to provide a safe space where no matter what body someone holds or identity they have, they will be validated and respected.

“So often, we go to sports things or water events and it’s like ‘Oh, I’m trying to look really hot in this bikini’ and that sort of thing and this is just like, come as you are in whatever clothing you want to wear and whatever identity you have and just have fun,” Parsley said.

The event will also offer a free catered lunch and dessert.

“Free food and free boats, what else do you want in Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review life?” Absher said.

Absher said the event will also give the Women’s Center the opportunity to thank the volunteers who have helped them over the course of the year. Both Absher and Parsley said the event is a great way to cap off the school year.

“If you’re in town, it’s bound to be a beautiful weekend and what a better way to spend the day than trying out new activities with a really awesome group of people,” Parsley said. the

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CREATIVE CONDOMS ON THE CATWALK Condom Fashion Show educates students about safe sex

Anna Atkinson • AS Review Creative Western students will have the opportunity to educate people about safe sex this week at the Associated Students Sexual Awareness Center’s Condom Fashion Show. Models will grace the runway in student-designed condom outfits at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 24 in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room. The show is free.

The outfits are created entirely out of expired condoms that are provided to the designers by the SAC at no cost. They were designed by students, made by students and will be modeled by students.

“The Condom Fashion Show is just a really great opportunity for people to educate themselves in a fun and interactive way,” said Danny Canham, SAC assistant coordinator. “One of the things [the SAC] wanted to do this year was move away from just the condom focus and educate people about other safe sex [methods].”

Canham said they will discuss safe sex methods such as condoms, proper use of dams and communication between partners.

“It’s important to teach people about safer sex practices because sex isn’t just something that you do

for yourself,” he said. “It involves other people and so responsible and safe practices on your part help protect yourself and anyone you might be with. It’s about awareness and making informed decisions.”

The fashion show will feature 12 students who will show their original, hand-crafted designs, Canham said.

There will also be five performances, including spoken-word, drag shows and music. A local band, Specters, will also play before and after the show, as well as during intermission, he said.

Participating designers submitted applications in April and have been working on their designs ever since.

The designers will be allowed to keep their outfits after the show.

This year, the SAC’s Condom Fashion Show will benefit the Evergreen AIDS Foundation. The local foundation aims to raise awareness and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, according to its website.

The foundation supported the SAC this year by providing services when it helped with the “HIV Testing” event, which took place during winter quarter, said Canham. the

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May 21, 2012• 11

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

WWU Wildlife Conservation Corps. is a new club dedicated to protecting and preserving wildlife around the world Kylie Wade • AS Review

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ina Olivier, a Western freshman and aspiring wildlife biologist, has big dreams for her one-month old club, WWU Wildlife Conservation Corps. One of her dreams, to bring Western its first club focused on wildlife, has already come true.

“Western’s never really had an animal club on campus, to be honest,” Olivier said. “It was something new, something that was kind of pushed aside, and it’s something I’m extremely passionate about.”

Last quarter, Olivier began the process of founding WWU Wildlife Conservation Corps. The club held its first meeting this spring and has been around for a little more than a month. Club meetings are held on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., in Bond Hall 111. Each meeting focuses on a different endangered species.

So far, the club has looked at frogs, grizzly bears, jaguars and wolves. The meetings feature snacks and activities related to the week’s endangered animal, as well as information about ways to get involved both on campus and in the Bellingham community.

Olivier also shows a documentary about the challenges facing the animal of the week. Olivier said the meetings are typically attended by about 20 students but there is a core group of around 15 club members who

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regularly attend each meeting.

Olivier said the club is focused on providing educational resources and opportunities to get involved in a way that is still fun and entertaining.

“We have a lot of fun and we enjoy what we’re doing.

It’s not really work or volunteer work for us, it’s a passion,” Olivier said.

The group also aims to foster relationships with community partners. They have already worked with Whatcom Land Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting wildlife habitat. Briana Berkowitz, the Volunteer Coordinator for Whatcom Land Trust, said she reached out to Olivier after a colleague told her about WWU Wildlife Conservation Corps. Olivier invited Berkowitz to speak at the club’s first meeting and arranged for club members to help Whatcom Land Trust put on an event for Save the Frogs Day, an international event geared at fighting against frog habitat destruction.

“It was a really great thing for both of us, because they’re a new club and they’re looking for organizations to get involved with and ways that they can be involved with the community and it’s also a way for us to get help from students,” Berkowitz said.

The club has already begun to plan for next year.

Olivier will be stepping down as president in order to take a position with the Associated Students Environmental and Sustainability Programs. She has already appointed her successor, club member and Western sophomore, Kiley Thomas.

“I know she will do phenomenally,” Olivier said. “The reason why I chose her is she will have that time and she will still have that passion for it.”

Thomas has big dreams for the club. She said she plans on expanding what the club already does, but also said she wanted to try to raise enough money to finance a club trip to Costa Rica to explore the numerous conservation opportunities there.

“That’s what the club is really all about, doing local stuff but also branching out and doing global stuff as well,” Thomas said.

Olivier also added that the club will focus on fundraising for smaller trips as well, such as a trip to a zoo or conservatory in Seattle.

She said the club is also looking at doing some work with the Humane Society, and encourages animal lovers of all kinds to get involved with the club. She said those who want to know more about the club should come to one of the weekly meetings, or follow the club on OrgSync or Facebook. the

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DO MORE ON MEMORIAL DAY

The AS Veteran’s Outreach Center will host a week of activities in honor of Memorial Day Lauren Simmons • AS Review

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s true with most holidays that give students a day off, many Western students are gearing up to prepare for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend festivities. Whether it’s a road trip to the Sasquatch Music Festival in George, Wash. or a camping trip in Lake Chelan, the true meaning of the three-day weekend of May 26 through 28 is often ignored.

Memorial Day, once called “Decoration Day” for the popular practice of decorating soldier’s gravestones, was originally observed during the American Civil War to remember and respect fallen soldiers, said Joel Swenson, Western’s Veteran’s Services representative.

By the 20th century, Memorial Day had become a national holiday to remember all who had lost their lives while protecting their country, and also memorializing those who have served our country and have since passed away, said Janelle Marshall, Associated Students Veterans Outreach Center work-study student and next

year’s VOC coordinator.

The first Memorial Day was observed on May 1, 1865.

The VOC is holding Patriot Week starting on Sunday, May 20 and ending Thursday, May 24 in recognition of Memorial Day. The first event of Patriot Week was a hike up to the Oyster Dome at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 20. On Monday, May 21, the VOC will hold a bake sale on Vendor’s Row from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. That night, the documentary “The Invisible Ones” will be shown from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Viking Union 552. The documentary is about homeless veterans in America. On Tuesday, May 22, a social panel lunch with Doris Kent and Liz Wikowski will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Viking Union 552.

That night, the documentary “Corporal’s Diary” will be shown at 6 p.m. in VU 552.

On Wednesday, May 23, a social panel lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in VU 462. This event aims to

take a lighter outlook on serving in the military.

“It’s kind of a light-hearts military thing where everybody gets to come together – [anyone] can come, these are events that are open for everybody, not just veterans,” said Paul Nicholls, VOC coordinator. “It’s more [about] the light-hearted stories of the military, like the fun times [people] had.” On the last day of Patriot Week, a barbeque will be held at the Performing Arts Center plaza.

“It will be kind of neat to bring people together about the actual things that I feel should be going on on Memorial Day rather than just a three-day party weekend,” Marshall said. Aside from getting some sun and sleeping in, Western students should take a minute to remember why they have the day off, Swenson said.

“If you know someone who has fought for our country, just a simple thanks means more than people think,” Swenson said. the

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SIMPLY DELICIOUS This week: cinnamon pancakes

Megan Thompson • AS Review

It’s the final Simply Delicious column and because of this, I challenge you to put your food-making skills to the test. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes will test your baking skills, but will still be mostly easy and fun.

If your first pancake’s appearance leaves something to be desired, do not fret. The first pancake always turns out the worst. Keep trying. To be honest, my first pancake looked

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 Minutes Makes: about 5 pancakes Ingredients: 1 cup flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 large egg, lightly beaten

horrible. It was perfect because I was able to “test” how it tasted.

I’m not a breakfast-food person, but I really enjoy cinnamon rolls. With that taste plus a pancake, these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are an unstoppable flavor combination. They are very sweet, which is fantastic if you only eat one. Eat two, and you might be sick to your stomach. To prevent that, invite a friend over

Cinnamon filling ½ cup butter ¾ cup brown sugar, packed 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon Prepare the cinnamon filling first.

Melt butter and mix with brown sugar and cinnamon. Put the mixture in a pastry bag (I use a freezer bag with one corner cut about a quarter of an inch in) and place in the refrigerator. When it is the consistency of toothpaste, it is ready to use.

to eat with you.

The most difficult part of this recipe is the placement of the cinnamon sugar on the pancake. The “swirl” pattern you want to make on the pancake. Follow the edge of the pancake, about half an inch in, and gradually go in until the middle. If your flow of cinnamon-sugar paste breaks, it’s ok. Your pancake will survive.

Next move on to the batter.

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl, and whisk together. Add milk, oil and egg. Beat until smooth. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Put a ½ cup of batter into the pan.

When it sets, put cinnamon-sugar mixture onto the pancake in a large swirl. When the pancake starts to bubble, carefully flip.

Wait until pancake is brown.

Transfer to a plate and enjoy! the

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Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

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Yellow balloons advertise the Associated Students Productions Pop Music show featuring Metric.

The show is May 24. Photo

by Cade Schmidt//AS Review.

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Viking Union 411 516 High St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360.650.6126 Fax: 360.650.6507 Email: as.review@wwu.edu Online: as.wwu.edu/asreview @theasreview facebook.com/theasreview

©2012. 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 board 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.

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

Adviser

Jeff Bates

Adrienne Woods

Anna Atkinson Nick Markman Lauren Simmons Megan Thompson Kylie Wade

From the bottom of our hearts, we’d like to thank YOU. As we finish up another year at the AS Review, we’d like to take a minute to thank you, our readers.

Week after week, you choose to read our paper for coverage on everything from Associated Students events to the latest news and everything inbetween.

We are proud to represent student voices and opinions, and we could not exist without our readers, contributors and supporters.

To commemorate another great year, we’ve highlighted our favorite events, concerts, photos and interviews in this issue.

As you read through these pages, remember that your classmates, friends and peers have worked hard to put on awesome, inclusive programming all year long.

Thanks for allowing us to make your life better one page at a time, and remember: when in doubt, put a Brony on it.

Flitterheart ,a made an ap My Little Pony, our cover fo pearance on sue. To read r the Jan. 17 isBronies (m our story about ale fans), or ot My Little Pony he past issues r stories from , visit our w eb at as.wwu. edu/asrevi site ew.

May 21, 2012• 3

EVENTS MAY 21 - MAY 24

Monday May 21

Patriot Week: Bake Sale

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Vendor’s Row Free

Support the Associated Students Veteran’s Outreach Center by buying a tasty treat or two at their bake sale. The sale is part of Patriot Week, which honors all those who have served in the armed forces.

Tuesday May 22

Patriot Week: “The Corporal’s Diary” film screening 5 p.m., Viking Union 552 Free

As part of Patriot Week, the VOC will host a screening of “The Corporal’s Diary,” a film detailing a young soldier’s tour in Iraq.

WHAT THE POP?

Wednesday May 23

Void Walker and Fourth Wall Films premiere 6:30 p.m., VU 552 Free

Join KVIK for an evening of student-produced films.

Thursday May 24

ASP Pop Music presents: Metric 7:30 p.m., PAC Main Stage $16 with student ID, $23 without

Metric, the Toronto-based quartet, will bring their pop sound to Western following the release of their new single, “Youth Without Youth.”

WHAT THE POP?: A RESPONSE

A letter in response to May 14 “What the Pop?” column about YouTube

Once again, I write in to Brett Flora, this time in response to his YouTube article. I’m primarily surprised by the short-sightedness that is becoming at the columns I read; perhaps the writers have gone dry in this heat. At the very least, this time around Flora has landed himself on an interesting topic – just missing the real issue.

The Internet (short attention span or not) represents the greatest socialistic change our society has experienced in the last hundred years, and YouTube is a key player in this – even if some of us only use it to see cats.

No longer are the five media giants spoon-feeding us, like our parents and their parents before them. We have learned to feed ourselves.

The top-down hegemony is ending, and the peer to peer is the new way to talk. The big five media titans want to take hold of something that is now slipping between their fingers. Something so new and growing so fast, they are still trying to find a way to get a grasp on it.

YouTube represents everyone’s dream to be a movie star, their own film maker, broadcaster, critic, news anchor and anything else, and makes it reality – people broadcast how they please. This is not some one-hit wonder, while certainly one may find one-hit wonders on it in plenty, as in any other medium of entertainment, but this title doesn’t even begin to represent it.

YouTube is so diverse that my dad single-handedly did a complex repair on his 1994 Mazda Miata, simply with a series of videos. I ask what kind of TV could give you that? YouTube is fundamentally changing peoples’ lives, and it is going to stick.

Now more people are turning to the internet for news from the people, and not the cable TV barons. As for the non-one-hit-wonders, Brett, look a little deeper and you will find people having more than one hit video.

Check out the ever popular Philip DeFranco (News) or Bo Burnham (Satire/comedy).

-Submitted by Alex Ruhsenberger, Western junior

THE END IS NIGH Brett Flora • Post-apocolyptic-columnist

Readers. Readers! READERS! REEAADDEERRS! The end. The end of this column. Oh dear! How a quarter just flies by at warp speed! It seems like just yesterday that we were introduced to one another.

We’ve discussed so much, a proverbial pop overload; we’ll call it a pop-verload. Ke$ha was slammed for her general horribleness. Madonna told the kiddies ecstasy was cool. Then, lol, she didn’t say that. She was just referring to a song.

Oh, Madonna, you so cray, with your references and hipnitude!

The ever-hot-button topic of dubstep graced the hallowed pages of the AS Review. Just a reminder: dubstep is not dead. Whomp away kids! I detailed my dislike of anatomy-revealing clothing.

And if you thought that was controversial…you’d be wrong. Tosh.0 fell under the gun, albeit his offenses are much more obvious and detrimental. To quote no one in particular, “He’s not good people.”

But, as if that was not enough for one column, YouTube’s one-hit-wonder-ness was explored. Is it true? Am I full of it? Are these facts or opinions?

Do those adorable cats see any of that ad money they generated? What do cats think about?

SO MANY QUESTIONS! I hope you enjoyed reading. I know not many of y’all sent in letters to the editor (except for you, Alex. Thanks for those!), but I hope these roman characters strung together into words rattled around in your head and got ya thinking or talking with your school chums or whatever. Maybe you just laughed. And that’s cool. (Burns calories, too.)

But, if I may leave you with one thing: pop culture is sugary sweet food for the soul and mind.

Remember to eat some mental veggies and steak from time to time. All that sugar will rot your brain. the

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The end is nigh, as is the end of this column.

The end of this column is now.

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STAFF FAVORITE: EVENT

The AS in review Lauren Simmons • AS Review

Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

the show and how they go about tackling the dreams of others.

The “Fears vs. Dreams” exhibition began in late January, three weeks before “The Buried Life” cast came to Western. The exhibit displayed cards with community members’ biggest fears or dreams, and was open to anyone who wanted to fill out a card with his or her thoughts, VU Gallery Director Ashley Hollender said.

“By filling the gallery with our fears and dreams, we hope to provide a safe, welcoming atmosphere where people can be comforted and inspired by the words of others,” Hollender said.

Carrying on TWLOHA’s mission to spread hope and awareness of depression and conveying to Western’s campus that no one is alone in the issues they deal with on a day-to-day basis, Renshaw said. The two events working in conjunction with each other sought a universal goal. the

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An excerpt from the original story

By Eriver Eugenio. The story originally appeared in the Jan. 30 issue.

THE BURIED LIFE

The cast of popular MTV show visited Western on Feb. 6 and brought an important message

MTV made its way to Bellingham this year when the stars of the show “The Buried Life” came to Western’s campus in early February. The cast shared their experiences and helped showcase the “Fears vs. Dreams” exhibit in the Viking Union Gallery.

Hosted by the Associated Students Productions Special Events, The Buried Life cast was brought to campus with the help of the Western chapter of To Write Love on Her Arms and the VU Gallery. TWLOHA is an organization that helps people struggling with addiction, depression, self-injury and suicide.

“The Buried Life” is not just for fans of the show, but

for anyone and everyone to come and have a good time, said Jordan Renshaw, ASP Special Events coordinator.

“You don’t need to be a fan of the show to enjoy ‘The Buried Life’ live,” Renshaw said. “They’re hilarious guys on stage as well, and their passion for what they do it blatantly genuine.”

The MTV show depicts Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn and Jonnie Penn traveling across North America completing their own bucket list, and helping strangers fulfill their dreams. During their presentation in the Performing Arts Center, they told the audience of never-before-seen adventures they went on as a part of

The cast of “The Buried Life” – Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn and Jonnie Penn will be sharing stories and video footage, and interacting with the audience throughout the event, said AS Productions Special Events Coordinator Jordan Renshaw. The entire event will be based on The Buried Life’s adventures not seen on television, as well as how how they complete their own dreams as long as the dreams of other’s.

“The guys will be sharing stories from their experiences crossing the nation, as well as showing never-before-seen footage,” Renshaw said. “The Buried Life will host a large, interactive period during the show, where students can get up and talk about their own experiences or ask questions.”

The event is also tied in to the “Fears vs. Dreams” art exhibit currently taking place in the Viking Union Gallery as both events share similar themes of hope and awareness of the need for compassion, Renshaw said. At the end of the Buried Life event, the guys will move to the gallery for a meet-and-greet session for the “Fears vs. Dreams” reception.

“The Buried Life” is not just for fans of the show, Renshaw said, but for anyone and everyone to come and have a good time.

“You don’t need to be a fan of the show to enjoy The Buried Life live,” Renshaw said. “They’re hilarious guys on stage as well, and their passion for what they do is blatantly genuine.” the

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May 21, 2012• 5

STAFF FAVORITE: CONCERT

The AS in review Megan Thompson • AS Review

Photo by Joe Rudko//AS Review

Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

YOUNG THE GIANT Young the Giant and Kithkin took the stage in front of a packed house on Oct. 11 A month into fall quarter, Associated Students Productions Pop Music put on their second concert of the year, and welcomed “the big band on campus,” Young the Giant. Along with the popular alternativerock band, the concert featured the Seattle-based band Kithkin on Oct. 11, 2011 in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room with 800 attendees.

Less than a year after their self-titled debut studio album, Young the Giant soared to popularity with three hit singles and a tour with Incubus. Though they

are relatively new in the commercial music industry, they performed at the MTV Video Music Awards last August. Showing their popularity, the concert sold out a few days in advance, said ASP Pop Music Coordinator Megan Housekeeper.

Kithkin, who Housekeeper discovered at their Bellingham show, was the most fun local show Housekeeper had ever seen.

Even so, the popularity of the Young the Giant and Kithkin show surprised her.

“I booked the show over the summer and didn’t expect it to get too much attention,” Housekeeper said. “It was a risk.”

The concert turned out to be extremely popular in the younger crowd at Western. Demographic research of ticket purchasers showed that concert was most popular with freshmen, Housekeeper said.

Living up to her expectations, Housekeeper said the show was extremely energetic.

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A LOOK BACK THROUGH THE LENS

Performers strut their stuff on Feb. 10 at the 20th AnnualWestern Benefit Drag Show. Photo

From on-campus events to off-campus life, the AS Review was there to cover it all. Here are some of our favorite photos from this year.

Bellingham-based DJ Cedaa opens for Ghostland Observatory on May 13. Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

Actors mirror what’s happening on the screen at the annual showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show. “ Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

Students take in the sights at “Relevance is Fleeting,” a Viking Union Gallery exhibit that took place in April.

Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

oto by

May 21, 2012• 7

Cade Schmidt//AS Review

TJ Martin, a Western alum and Oscar-winning director, visited campus on March 1. Martin’s film, “Undefeated,” documents the struggles of a high school football team in Memphis, Tenn. Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

The Western Men’s basketball team returns to campus victorious after winning the NCAA Div. II national title on March 24. It was the team’s first national title. Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

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STAFF FAVORITE: INTERVIEW

The AS in review

An excerpt from the original story

Anna Atkinson • AS Review

By Lauren Simmons. The story originally appeared in the Feb. 27 issue.

Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

ERICKA HUGGINS Former Black Panther leader and social activist visited Western on Feb. 28 to share her experiences This article was more than just an event preview.

Yes, it focused on a subject who was coming to lecture on campus for the Associated Students Social Issues Resource Center’s “Activism Week.” But it also took a close look at some of the socially-constructed issues that people face on a day-to-day basis and explored how students can overcome socially-constructed barriers. It became a profile about a person who empowered herself and was attempting to empower other people.

Huggins, who was a member of the Black Panther party for 14 years, a notable amount of time considering the party lasted for 16, became one of the leading members.

The story discussed the social issues Huggins felt were not accurately covered, or covered at all by the media during the time of the party’s existence. She was

incarcerated for six months after the assassination of her husband and another member of the party. This powerful story outlined the way Huggins uses her experience to enlighten students and address social issues.

Ericka Huggins was a social-movement lecturer who came to campus to motivate students. But she was there for more than just motivational speaking. She hosted a workshop that was meant to give students the tools they needed to redefine themselves outside of the categories society uses to frame people, such as being a young student or not having power.

The workshop was also unique for Huggins, who typically does not speak informally. This made the event especially noteworthy.

It was a profile that invited readers to become part of the discussion about social constructs in our society. the

The celebration of African American history has expanded from a week in February, deemed “Negro History Week,” which started in 1926, to its current month-long celebration of “Black History Month.”

Besides the well-known Black History Month figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, there are other untold stories and points of view.

During Black History Month, society tends to think of the social constructs that separate everyone, said Ericka Huggins, former member of the Black Panther party and professor. For example, race, gender, sexual orientation, class, ability and citizenship status are all socially constructed things that divide society, impacting lives and defining the quality of one’s life.

Huggins will visit Western to give a lecture as part of “Activism Week” put on by the Associated Students Social Issues Resource Center and the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center.

“In terms of activism on a college campus, I think the biggest challenge is fighting apathy and concepts similar to, ‘Oh, I can’t do this because I’m too young, I’m not powerful enough, I don’t have this position, I’m just a student,’”said Heather Siddiqui, AS SIRC assistant coordinator. “But [Huggins] did all that.”

Huggins’ lecture will focus on how society can move away from being defined by social constructs, and how to redefine oneself by way of one’s value, compassion and self-love, Huggins said.

While attending college outside of Philadelphia, Huggins left to join the Black Panther Party, a political group prevalent during the social reform movements of the ‘60s and ‘70s. “[It was] a human rights organization, not just a black organization, that had chapters throughout the United States and other parts of the world,” Huggins said. “It was an organization determined to bring about justice and peace for people who had been marginalized or oppressed.”

Huggins was a member from 1967 to 1981, and one of the women who joined and remained in the Black Panther Party the longest – 14 of the group’s 16 year existence.

Huggins is currently a professor in the Women and Gender Studies departments at San Francisco State University and California State University – East Bay, and also a professor of sociology at Laney College in Oakland. She has lectured across the United States. She previously lectured at Lewis and Clark College and Gonzaga University before coming to Western. the

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May 21, 2012• 9

STAFF FAVORITE: REVIEW

The AS in review Nick Markman • AS Review

WAFL STOP With affordable, plate-sized waffles combined with the consumer craze over food truck services, it is no surprise that our favorite review of the year was that of the traveling food truck, WAFL STOP. WAFL STOP owner and operator Brian Schultz named the food truck based on the acronym, “Waffles Are For Life.” This message came across to writer Eriver Eugenio as he watched Schultz prepare his waffle with peanut butter, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

He wrote, “Schultz paid close attention as the waffle was cooking, constantly checking on it to ensure it was properly made.”

Throughout the process of devouring an enormous waffle, Eugenio never once hinted to any shortcomings.

Satisfied with both the toppings and the waffle itself, Eugino described the mouth-watering interactions between the waffle’s fluffiness, the chocolate syrup’s bitter-sweetness, and the whipped cream’s soft and silky texture as he ate every last bit.

A variety of flavors, sauces and the option to customize made-to-order waffles for an affordable price not only makes the WAFL STOP a prime option for breakfast enthusiasts, it makes it our favorite review of the year. the

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Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review

An excerpt from the original story

By Eriver Eugenio. The story originally appeared in the Nov. 7 issue.

Walking toward the WAFL STOP, my attention is attracted to colorfully painted boys and girls enjoying waffles and assorted beverages on the side windows.

As you come closer to the food truck, which resembles a school bus combined with a SWAT car, the signs “SLOW, WAFLS AT PLAY” and “Gourmet Waffles” give you a great understanding of what this food truck’s specialty is.

The WAFL STOP, with WAFL being an acronym for “Waffles Are For Life,” offers low-priced, dinner platesized waffles made-to-order.

“What makes it gourmet is I make everything from scratch with the best stuff I can,” WAFL STOP owner and operator Brian Schultz said.

Schultz, a Bellingham resident, wanted the focus of his food truck to be waffles after researching and discovering the success of a waffle food truck in New York called Wafels and Dinges. He also wanted to separate himself from other food trucks in the state, which mainly sell meat-based items such as Philly cheesesteaks, Schultz said.

All waffles are made from Schultz’s own batter recipe for traditional Belgian waffles.

A fun and delightful option for customers is the ability to create your own waffle. Customers can either have a waffle on its own for $3.50 or add a large variety of top-

pings, including chocolate sauce and syrup.

For 50 cents, peanut butter, bananas, strawberries and blueberry sauce can cover your waffle. Warmed Nutella can be added for $1 and a shot of real maple syrup is offered for $2.

I ordered a waffle with peanut butter, chocolate syrup and whipped cream. I wanted to try something new and also see if the waffle could stand out even with all of these sweet, delicious toppings.

Once my waffle was ready, Schultz handed it to me on a paper plate, which could barely be seen as it was covered with my delicious looking waffle. The peanut butter was spread all over the top of my waffle with whipped cream circled on top of it. The entire waffle was also covered in chocolate sauce spread in a checkerboard pattern.

My first thought as I was about to take my first bite was I had no chance of finishing it, but the meal wasn’t heavy on the stomach so finishing the waffle and all its toppings were no problem. The texture of the waffle was chewy and fluffy while also maintaining a touch of crispiness. If you come across the WAFL STOP either driving by on the road or stationed at a nearby street, it might be a good idea to listen to the signs on the truck.

Slow down to read the menu and be sure to stop and enjoy a gourmet waffle. the

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