asreview SUMMERSTART EDITION
Spice Up Your Ramen, p. 6 All-Ages Music Venue, p. 7
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“Cause & Effect” by Do Ho Suh was installed in Academic West in June 2012. The sculpture is based on Suh’s childhood memories in Korea. Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review
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©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
Megan Thompson
Cade Schmidt
Adviser
Jeff Bates
Spencer Pederson
Kylie Wade Nick Markman Lauren Simmons
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Welcome to Western Washington University! For some of you, this is your first time visiting campus. For others, it is one trip among many. But for all of you, this is the last time you will set foot on this campus before you become official, real-live Western students. The year ahead will be filled with forming friendships, making memories and exploring in every sense of the word. Let me be the first to tell you that Western is a grand playground. The university has so much to offer outside of our phenomenal academic departments. There are many ways to get involved including joining clubs, becoming involved with the Associated Students or your residence hall (I got my start on Hall Council in Fairhaven), joining a sports team, participating in intramurals, exploring Bellingham and the surrounding area with other nature enthusiasts, creating and sharing art, and the list goes on. One of my favorite past times is biking down to Boulevard Park and having a picnic with friends in the grass. Western is amazing, to say the least, and over the past few years, it has nestled its way into a very special place in my heart. My hope for each and every one of you is that Ethan Glemaker, the 2012-2013 AS president you take the time to try something new. My biggest piece Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review of advice is to put yourself out there and go to an event you may not normally attend. If you would like to talk to me directly, or if you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me. I would love to meet you! These next few years are going to be years full of exploration and discovery, and the only way to ensure optimum take-away is to put yourself out there—you won’t regret it. It is our responsibility to take full advantage of our time here since attending a university is a privilege not afforded by many. Explore, approach everything with an open mind, reach out to as many people as you can, and make your experience the best it can possibly be. The university has a lot to offer, but you have to remember that you are here because you also have a lot to offer the university. It is with great pride and gratitude that we welcome you to be a part of our community. Sincerely, Ethan Glemaker AS President AS.President@wwu.edu
SCULPTURE INSTALLED IN ACADEMIC WEST Kylie Wade • AS Review
In June 2012, Western completed the installation of the “Cause & Effect” sculpture, a 19 ft. high piece of work created by internationally renowned artist Do Ho Suh. The piece hangs from the ceiling of the Academic Instructional Center West building, passing through the well of the third floor and extending onto the well of the second floor. At the top of the sculpture there is a stainless steel plate from which strands of red figures made of acrylic resin hang down. Suh described the piece as “a physical realization of existence, suggesting strength in the presence of numerous individuals.” According to Western Today, the piece is based on Suh’s memory of his childhood in Korea. “‘Cause & Effect’ evokes a vicious tornado. This vast ceiling installation is a composition of densely hung
strands that anchor thousands of figures clad in colors resembling a Doppler reading stacked atop one another,” Suh said in a press release. Suh was born in Seoul, Korea in 1962 and is best known for sculptures that “defy conventional notions of scale and site-specificity,” according to PBS.org. His work can be found in major museum collections across the United States, including the Seattle Art Museum and The Museum of Modern Art in New York. The piece is the latest addition to Western’s collection of art, which has been named one of the top 10 acclaimed university collections in the United States. The sculpture was funded by Washington state’s Percent-for-Art program, which requires that one half of one percent of public building construction is set aside for art allocation.
Summerstart Edition 2012• 3
EVENTS Summer 2012
June 1 to September 7
August 18
6 p.m., first Friday of every month Free
12 to 4 p.m., 1300 block of Cornwall Avenue Prices vary
Downtown Art Walks
Downtown Art Walks showcase visiting and local artists’ work in many venues around downtown. The venues include galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Art Walk maps are avaliable at the Downtown Visitor Center and participating venues.
June 1 to August 25 Sin & Gin Tour
6:45 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, Time in Play Cafe: 311 E. Holly St $20 A 21 and older walking tour of Bellingham’s historic Red Light District and skid row. The tour covers about a mile of Bellingham and includes a free cocktail at Bayou’s Oster Bar.
Bite of Bellingham
An annual festival for the community to sample local restaurants’ food. Participants compete for “Best Bite.” For ticket information visit http://downtownbellingham.com/bite/.
August 10 to 12
Flomotion Summer Meltdown
Whitehorse Mountain Amphitheater, Darrington $50 to $140
The 12th annual is a weekend music festival. Line-up includes Beats Antique, Blitzen Trappe, Pickwick and The Moondoggies. Visuals by Slick Lasers and The Root System. Visit summermeltdown.com for more information.
June 16 to August 11
September 24 and 25
7 p.m. Saturdays, Boulevard Park Free
Red Square Free
Boulevard Park Concert Series Bellingham Parks and Recreation hosts the outdoor concerts. The line up starts with Tubaluba, a funky New Orleans brass band.
Red Square Info Fair
Western showcases the organizations and clubs on campus. Incoming and returning students are encouraged to come see the organizations on campus.
June 28 to August 30
Elizabeth Park Concert Series 6 p.m. Thursdays, Elizabeth Park Free
Bellingham Parks and Recreation hosts the outdoor concerts. The line up starts with Witherow and Gibson Band, a foot-stomping contemporary folk band.
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WHERE TO TAKE MOM AND DAD Kylie Wade • AS Review
Are you new to Bellingham with your parents in town and unsure of the best places to visit? We polled four Western upperclassmen to see what local restaurants and activities they recommended.
BEST PLACE TO EAT
Boundary Bay (1107 Railroad Ave.) A favorite Bellingham spot both for locals and those new to town, Boundary Bay offers delicious dishes at reasonable prices. Most of their entrees are priced at $10-$20, and they serve an award-winning selection of beer in addition to a menu that all sounds so good, you’ll have difficulty deciding what to order. Recommended by: junior Emily Kelleigh, senior Mariah Stevens and junior Alison Leake. Kelleigh said her parents love Boundary Bay because of its overall atmosphere and extensive beer selection.
BEST PLACE TO EXPLORE
Fairhaven (Harris Avenue & 12th Street) Fairhaven is a historic and vibrant area of Bellingham. The district offers some of Bellingham’s best dining and every restaurant is locally owned. Fairhaven also features tons of locally owned and eclectic shops, making it a great place to wander through. Recommended by: junior Emily Kelleigh and senior Mariah Stevens.
BEST PLACES TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS
Boulevard Park (470 Bayview Dr.) Located on Bellingham Bay, Boulevard Park is a popular destination any time the sun is in the sky. The park offers barbecue grills, an overwater boardwalk, picnic tables and a great view of the bay. Stop in at The Woods Coffee, located in the park, for something to drink. Recommended by: senior Scott Hill and junior Alison Leake. Hill and Leake both said Boulevard Park is the best destination to enjoy a sunny day in Bellingham. Lakewood (2410 Lake Whatcom Blvd.) Only 7 miles from campus, Lakewood is Western’s waterfront sports facility. Lakewood offers kayak, canoe, windsurfer and sailboat rentals to Western students for $3-$5. Even if you don’t get out on the water, Lakewood offers a picnic area and scenic views of Lake Whatcom. Recommended by: senior Mariah Stevens, who said her parents loved kayaking at Lakewood. the
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WELCOME TO THE AS; WE
An introduction to the
Nick Markman • AS Review The Associated Students, an organizational core of Western, is bursting with student programming, services, facilities, clubs and organizations. There are groups such as AS Productions, who coordinate concerts, movies and other student events throughout the year; facilities such as the AS Bookstore and Recycling Center accommodate different student and university needs; social programs such as the Ethnic Student Center and Environmental and Sustainability Programs; and the student-elected Board of Directors that represents the student voice in university administrations. While some sections of the AS specialize in outreach, networking, or programming, the offices within the Resource and Outreach Programs encompass all of these facets. Formed in 1981, the ROP and its comprising offices have undergone many structural and name changes, but have remained consistent in providing a safe place for students to access information on various topics and network with community, university organizations and individuals. Currently, the ROP consists of seven offices: the Sexual Awareness Center, Women’s Center, Social Issues Resource Center, Legal Information Center, Veteran’s Outreach Center, Queer Resource Center, and the Disability Outreach Center. All the ROP offices are located in the Viking Union fifth floor—down the stairs from the main VU lobby and past the Post Office. Students run each office within the ROP with a par-
ticular interest in the issues of their office. Armed with resource libraries and connections within the university, the student coordinators of the ROP offices provide advice, information and a comfortable place to meet fellow students. “The ROP has such a diverse group of students that you’re really guaranteed to meet someone that you can connect to and relate with,” said ROP Director Brandi Ball. Lisa Rosenberg, assistant director of student activities and nine-year advisor of the ROP, said that the connections that both new and current students can establish through the offices play a critical role in the transition to college. “I think that point of connection in becoming a part of a community early on in [a student’s] time at Western is really important,” Rosenberg said. “In addition, the events that the offices put on provide students with great opportunities to broaden their knowledge, and broaden their horizons and their awareness of a plethora of issues.” All ROP employees undergo safe space training. Throughout this time, they learn how to provide students with unbiased information and advice. Ball said that all information shared within the ROP offices is confidential unless it involves life-threatening circumstances. “Safe space can be so up to individual interpretation, but we try to just make it really inclusive and welcoming environment for all students and at the same time, allow
them to feel comfortable to say if they do not feel safe comfortable,” Ball said. “If you want something certain when you come into the office, let us know.” For freshmen and incoming transfer students, the of fices in the ROP can be a great place to meet new peop Ball said. The student coordinators can connect studen with clubs they may be interested in as well as inform them of upcoming events. The ROP offices will be pre at the AS Info Fair held on Sept. 24 and 25 in Red Squ “A lot of the students working in the ROP aren’t freshmen,” Ball said. “Therefore, that gives the aspect getting advice from someone who has been through th scary stuff and can give you someone to relate to.” Ball, who began working in the ROP during her fres man year, said it opened up the door for her in terms o job and employment opportunities. Aside from emplo ment in coordinator positions, most of the ROP office offer volunteer opportunities and even unpaid interns for students with a great interest in a particular office a its encompassing issues. “I think coming to the ROP really gives you the chan to find your niche and help you discover who you are and what you’re doing with college,” Ball said. “Being involved in all this my freshman year drastically chang my experience because it gave me the reassurance tha there are actually people on campus who care about m and that there are people who will listen and support m without judging.” the
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Being involved in all this my freshman year drastically changed my experienc -Brandi Ball, 2012-2013 AS ROP Director
May 14, 2012• 7
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LEFT PAGE, BOTTOM LEFT: On Oct. 20, 2011, mayoral incumbent Dan Pike and former state representative Kelli Linville debated in the Performing Arts Center in front of students and community members. The debate was hosted by the Associated Students Representation and Engagement Programs, and was moderated by state Democratic Rep. Kristine Lytton and Mario Orallo-Molinaro, the former AS vice president for activities. RED SQUARE: A group of AS employees break out into a spontaneous flash mob dance party during the 2011 Red Square Info Fair. The fair features music, games, food, prizes and opportunities to connect with various on-campus clubs and groups. RIGHT PAGE, BLUE SCHOLARS: Students cheer in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room as Seattle hip-hop group Blue Scholars take the stage. The AS Productions Pop Music brought the scholars to Western on Nov. 19 along with Scribes, Dyno Jamz and Brothers From Another. VAGINA MEMOIRS: A student speaks during the “Vagina Memoirs,” a production put on by the Associated Students Women’s Center. The “Vagina Memoirs” is an original production that features Western students telling their own stories, speaking their truths and educating the community as a whole about a variety of issues surrounding identity. It is one of the most popular AS events of the year. YACHT: YACHT, a Portland, Ore.-based electronic duo, rocked Western on Feb. 7. ASP Pop Music brings a variety of music acts to campus throughout the year, and ticket prices range from $5 to $20, depending on the show. Photos by Cade Schmidt//AS Review
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COLLEGE EATING Top five ways to spice up Top Ramen
Nick Markman • AS Review
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ne of the biggest college stereotypes may involve student consumption of Top Ramen. This stereotype goes hand-in-hand with the widely recognized fact that many college students are strapped for cash. Not only is this sodium-packed noodle soup cheap—a Costco pack of 48 Nissin Top Ramen costs about $9—it is also easy and quick to make. While the affordable, timefriendly allure of Top Ramen may drive some students to devote bigger and bigger portions of their diet to the dish, it does not mean that one should not venture outside the realm of traditional Top Ramen and mix it up a bit. Here are five different ways you can kick your Top Ramen up to the next level without breaking your budget.
1: Spicy Ramen
Sure, Top Ramen may be an Asian-inspired meal, but so many flavors lack a traditional staple of the genre: spice. Sriracha, more commonly known as “cock sauce,” is a hot Thai sauce that should kick up the heat perfectly. Be careful not to apply the Sriracha too over-zealously. Spicy Ramen will not burn a hole in your wallet, but the same cannot be said for your tongue.
2: Egg drop soup
One drawback to Top Ramen is the lack of meat. Adding an egg to your ramen will not only provide you with some solid protein, it is also an easy replication of a classic Asian soup. The recipe is pretty much in the name. Crack an egg into the pot right after the noodles have softened. In the boiling water, the egg should take less than a minute to cook. Stir vigorously to break up
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Above: No. 1 Spice Ramen with Sriracha sauce. Photo by Cade Schmidt//AS Review
the yolk and if you are feeling adventurous, add veggies to the mix.
3: Noodle dish substitutes
So far, we have talked about ways to change up the soup form of Top Ramen. However, the noodles are very versatile in other dishes. Substitute ramen noodles in place of linguini, fettuccini or spaghetti for an easier, faster pasta dish. Add Top Ramen noodles into a stir-fry for a meal reminiscent of Mongolian Grill. You can even save the flavor pack and use it in the water to cook rice if that is your thing.
4: Ramen salad
Maybe soup isn’t your cup of tea. Maybe you can’t even spare the 5 minutes it takes to prepare the traditional Top Ramen dish. Whatever the case may be, if
you are looking for a healthier, quicker alternative to the soup, crush up and add a pack of ramen noodles to your favorite salad for a nice texture change. Looking to retain the oriental appeal of Top Ramen? Add some mandarin oranges, peanuts, almonds, cabbage, vinaigrette and meat of your choice for an Asian salad.
5: Breakfast burrito
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. With this outlandish technique, you can apply Top Ramen to every meal of the day. Cook up the ramen as usual, and drain the water after the noodles have cooked. Adding the flavor packet is optional for this dish. Grab a warm tortilla and wrap up the noodles, some cheddar cheese, and ground beef or chicken to make a breakfast burrito unlike any other. For those who like it spicy, reread option one and incorporate some Sriracha for a little extra heat. the
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MUSIC FOR ANY AGE
Old Foundry music venue hosts concerts for all ages Lauren Simmons • AS Review
Kimya Dawson plays a show to benefit Bellingham Rock Girls Camp on May 13. Photos courtesy of Rachel Cotton
Once Western students reach the pivotal age of 21, the opportunities of downtown Bellingham bars and clubs are at their fingertips. Until then, the under-aged sector of Western’s student body have a venue where they can enjoy live music for a low price at: The Old Foundry. “It’s so enriching to be a part of [The Old Foundry], on every end of the spectrum,” said Shadi Garman, talent buyer for The Old Foundry. “As an audience member, to be able to go see a wide variety of genres that you can go to with your friends and [not be] restricted in any way. Especially in a college town, I think [it’s] really important to have an all ages place because there’s a lot of bars, but not everyone can go.” The Old Foundry is an all-ages, not-for-profit community stage and venue that holds entertainment, social activism, theater, dance and comedy events, Garman said. The venue is run solely by volunteers from local high schools, Western and the community, Garman said. This element of The Old Foundry creates a certain atmosphere for those who attend the shows. “Everyone who works at The Old Foundry is a volunteer, essentially,” Garman said. “So no one gets paid which is another special element to it because you know that everyone there really wants to be. They want to be there to provide this for the community.
Originally, The Old Foundry was established as an alternative learning center, Anything Grows Alternative School, said Laura Husbeck the Old Foundry executive director. The school focused on the business side of education, emphasizing sustainable living, developing resources, as well as using music, art, education and activism. In the last year and a half, The Endorphins, the house band at The Old Foundry, has been instrumental in developing all-ages music in a more intentional way at the venue. During the summer, The Old Foundry is taking a break from its consistent line up of shows and events because the volunteers needed to run the venue, Garman said. There will be a few smaller shows and events, but primarily, the venue’s volunteers are preparing for their Back to School Spectacular show, which takes place the first weekend of fall quarter, Sept. 28 and 29. The back-to-back concerts will feature local indie-music bands. An exact lineup will be available closer to the concerts, Garman said. This event, like all held at The Old Foundry, will be held at an affordable price so that students can easily attend and consider the venue’s event as something to do on the weekends. “With the coming school year, I’m looking forward to showcasing our partnerships with Western,” Husbeck
said. “We are so involved with the service-learning center, and they help us get our interns. So if we had more students helping on different teams, that will help us grow and develop with The Foundry and what it’s all about. I’m really excited to see that infusion of the students, [with] their ideas and skills.” Since The Old Foundry is volunteer-based, there are plenty of opportunities for Western students to volunteer their time. Whether interested in being a part of the street team volunteer option or the event team option, www.oldfoundry.org has information on how to become a volunteer. Garman, who has worked at The Old Foundry since June 2011, became interested in The Old Foundry when she first arrived at Western last year, she said. As soon as she got to Bellingham, she Google’d “all-age venues” in Bellingham, and came across The Old Foundry website. When she first started volunteering, the venue was not doing too much, but last year they really began to churn out shows and events on a consistent basis, she said. “You never have to feel like you have to be really cool,” Garman said. “In the past with places, [I’ve felt like] I’m not cool enough to go or maybe I don’t know the band or I feel uncomfortable—you never feel that with The Old Foundry because [you can] literally just walk in and see if you like it, and if you do, bring your friends.” the
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SASQUATCH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012 Photos By Kyle Wavra
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housands of dedicated music fans gathered at The Gorge Ampitheatre during Memorial Day Weekend to see their favorite artists perform during the four-day festival.
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