AS Review - November 03, 2014

What has the AS Board been up to? p. 4 Get the giggles at Last Comic Standing, p. 6 Rock, rock, rock the vote baby! p. 12

Vol. 30 #7 11.3.14

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Puddles and bricks, two things that represent Western. Photo

by Trevor Grimm // AS Review

MAKING YOUR LIFE BETTER, ONE PAGE AT A TIME Viking Union 411 516 High St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: 360.650.6126 Fax: 360.650.6507 Email: as.review@wwu.edu as.wwu.edu/asreview @TheASReview facebook.com/theasreview © 2014. Published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University.

The AS Review is an alternative weekly that provides coverage of student interests such as the AS government, activities and student life. The Review seeks to enhance the student experience by shedding light on underrepresented issues, inclusive coverage, informing readers and promoting dialogue.

IN THIS ISSUE NEWS 4 AS Board Update What has the Associated Student Board of Directors been up to this quarter?

8 No football? No problem

Find out why Western doesn’t have a football team

STUDENT LIFE 6 Get the giggles at Last Comic Standing

Looking for some funnies? Look no further than Last Comic Standing

12 Rock the Vote A photo recap of Rock the Vote, an event hosted by the REP office

FEATURES 7 Ride along with Western’s PoPo

Our writer takes a ride with a Western Police officer for a night

9 Circle K One of Western’s oldest clubs on campus shares its volunteer experience

We welcome reader submissions, including news articles, literary pieces, photography, artwork or anything else physically printable. Email submissions to as.review@wwu.edu.

We welcome letters to the editor. Please limit your letter to 300 words, include your name, phone number and year in school, if you’re a student.

Send them to as.review@wwu.edu. Published letters may have minor edits made to their length or grammar.

THE AS

REVIEW

Abigail Ramos Kelly Mason Trevor Grimm C Hayley Halstead Auzin Ahmadi Ian Sanquist Nontawat Thammawan Designer Keghouhi Bedoyan Adviser Jeff Bates

Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Writers

KUGS 89.3 celebrates their 40th anniversary with an adorable staff photoshoot. Photo by Trevor Grimm // AS Review

11. 3, 2014 • 3

EVENTS Wednesday Night Concert Series: Saint Claire

AS Productions presents: Last Comic Standing

Nov. 5 // 8 p.m. // UGCH // Free

Nov. 6 // 7 p.m. // VU MPR // $2 w/ WWU ID, $3 general

Enjoy a free concert by Saint Claire at the Underground Coffeehouse as part of the fall Wednesday Night Concert Series.

Open Your Mind: Mental Health Resource Fair Nov. 5 // 11 a.m. // VU MPR // Free Free massages and therapy pups, what more could you ask for? You can find all that and more at BRAVE’s Mental Health Resource Fair.

Have a night of laughs as Western’s comedians try to be the last comic standing. For more information about this event, check out p. 6

Top Ten: October 24-30 1

Every Other Freckle Alt-J

2

Rent I Pay Spoon

3

Bloom Odesza

4

Moments of Hesitation Flying Lotus

5

Temporary View SBTRK ft. Sampha

6

Archie, Marry Me Alvvays

7

Still Life Slow Magic

8

Platoon Jungle

9

Sons and Daughters The Tropics

Veteran’s Day Ceremony Nov. 7 // 12 p.m. // VU MPR // Free Join the Veteran’s Outreach Center in honoring those who served. There will be guest speakers along with free refreshments.

10

Vagina Memoirs poster by Amelia Barlow, Drawing Jam poster by Megan Lees

Bad Attitude Wampire KUGS is the Associated Students’ student-run radio station. Listen online at kugs.org. If you’re interested in getting on the waves, pick up a volunteer application in the station’s office on the seventh floor of the VU.

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What has the AS Board been up to?

We check in with the Associated Student Board of Directors to see what changes they’re making to improve Western.

By Auzin Ahmadi

AS President Annika Wolters What changes have you implemented or are you planning to implement in your position?

AW: I’d really love students to know about the President’s Taskforce on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Basically, President Bruce Shepard has a taskforce dedicated to talking about making our curriculum and the environment [at Western] more inclusive, equitable and diverse.

ASVP for Diversity Cristina Rodriguez and I are the only students on the taskforce and we can’t represent the interests and concerns of 15,000 students. So we’ve created a President’s taskforce for students, and that committee is open for applications.

What are your primary goals for this year?

AW: Expanding the ways in which we talk about diversity.

Oftentimes, we use it almost as a code word for people of color. When we do that, we’re leaving out a lot of people: those with disabilities, veterans, so-called “non-traditional” students, people of different socio-economic backgrounds. So that’s something I have been chiming in every meeting —when you say diversity who are you talking about?

Another new goal of mine: we were recently invited to participate in the City of Bellingham’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration and they’ve never asked students to participate before. I’m happy to help the City plan their MLK Day celebration, but it would look weird if Western didn’t have an institutionalized MLK Day celebration itself.

So my goal—I don’t know if it’ll happen or not—is to at least put in plans to have an MLK Day celebration this year.

ASVP for Student Life Zach Dugovich What is the function of your particular position?

ZD: I am a liaison between the Associated Students, University Housing and Dining, campus health and safety entities and transportation and sustainability efforts. I am a resource for all students on campus and in the community needing support for any concerns related to the areas listed above.

What changes have you implemented or are planning to implement in your position?

ZD: After much planning and dialogue between the AS, Western and Happy Valley Residents, the Late Night Shuttle will run through

the Happy Valley neighborhood from the beginning of winter quarter.

There will be a public forum about the extension of the bus line on Nov. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in VU 552. The pilot phase of the new bus line will begin in January.

Another change I hope to implement is the betterment of Western’s infrastructure. There are several areas on campus where lighting and pathways need improvement so students feel safer and can travel from their dormitories to main campus. I plan on working with the Transportation Advisory committee as well as the University Central Health and Safety Committee to find an efficient and effective solution to this problem.

ASVP for Business and Operations Chelsea Ghant What is the function of your particular position?

CG: I look closely at our operating budget. I personally oversee four offices: the Business, Communications, Assessment and Personnel offices. I foster success and compliance with policies and goals set within the AS and also financial recommendations to the Board.

I sit on about 14 committees and councils, I chair the Facilities and Services Council and the Management Council and I’m the budget authority for the AS Supplemental Fund.

What changes have you implemented or are planning to implement in your position?

CG: I’ve implemented the change of not printing paper for the councils that I chair, going in the direction of having sustainable practices. There’s been a lot of talk within the organization about people feeling overworked sometimes, so the question is: how do we restructure the organization that allows student employees to be held accountable as students first? I want to make sure that the responsibilities and passion of the people working at the AS match the hours and the pay we are given.

11. 3, 2014 • 5

ASVP for Diversity Cristina Rodriguez What changes have you implemented or are planning to implement in your position?

CR: I’m trying to take seven students with me to the Oregon Students of Color Conference. That’ll be in Eugene, Oregon and I want to make it as inclusive as possible so I want to take 3 students from the ESC, 2 students who work for the AS and two students at large. Students can apply online.

I look for opportunities to help enhance students’ experience here at Western. We have to acknowledge the identities who are not in the room and we still have to consider them

because we are helping the university as a whole.

What do you see for the future of the AS Board and/or your position?

CR: Well I feel like we’re already making history with the diversity on the board itself—it’s the first time that there are five women of color and six women on the board. And within that we have our own intersecting identities and perspectives. We’re ready to talk about racism, sexism and ableism on campus and we are breaking stereotypes by holding these positions.

ASVP for Governmental Affairs Sarah Kohout What is the function of your particular position?

SK: Giving students the ability to have their voice be heard, increasing capacity of our legislative work on the local state and federal level, making students know that their voice can be heard politically.

What are your primary goals for this year?

SK: To have 100+ students go down to Viking Lobby Day, I think it’ll build an even better reputation for Western with the capitol and would really show how awesome Western is!

I want to reform the student Senate because it was one of the ways that I got involved in the AS, it’s on hiatus and going through a reform process right now. Student Senate reform is something I really want to do—trying to find a really unique way to fit it into the structure of the student government at Western. My main goal is to increase student representation in the Senate so that if we do recreate it, it will represent the interests of all students and will be a place where students feel like they can speak freely. I want to make sure it’s consistent, stable, long-lasting and has a definite purpose.

ASVP for Academic Affairs Jaleesa Smiley What changes have you implemented or are planning to implement in your position?

JS: Last year, my predecessor was working on an inclusivity resolution regarding classroom climate which basically deals with problems of inclusivity in the classroom and making the classroom a more accommodating and safer place for students. That is something I hope to continue improving. I’m thinking of adding the faculty perspective into the resolution, because they do play a large part in the classroom climate on Western’s campus as well.

How do you plan to make a difference in the Western Washington University community as a part of the AS Board?

JS: I definitely want to address issues that are affecting students, and I’ll need students’ help for that so I can be informed of what is really going on and what needs to be fixed. So I’m really just looking for any problems that happen with students. Something that I mainly want to focus on is making Western a more welcoming and more inclusive campus than it already is right now.

ASVP for Activities Giselle Alcantar Soto What changes have you implemented or are planning to implement in your position?

GA: I am working on a composite calendar which encompasses AS Events, ResLife, athletic events, Changemaker events and is a physical copy which was given to all students living on-campus this year.

I have also strengthened the relationship with Athletics by going to meetings and spending time with athletes to learn what they personally need.

What do you see for the future of the AS Board and/or your position?

GA: A continued effort on reaching out to students and promoting more inclusiveness. As [AS President] Annika says, “we’re not important people; we have important jobs.”

Making sure we realize this, so as not to be victims of a powerhungry mindset that tends to take ahold of people in high-up positions. Students as a priority—always!

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Get the giggles at Last Comic Standing

By Ian Sanquist Poster by Megan

lees

AS Productions Special Events will host Last Comic Standing Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room.

This is the seventh year that Last Comic Standing has been held at Western. With the vast array of comedic talent at Western, this event is sure to be fun.

As in previous years, comedians will have five minutes to perform their sets. Audience members will be able to vote for their favorite comedians, and these votes will be taken into consideration by judges from the Upfront Theater in Bellingham when determining the first, second and third place comedian.

ASP Special Events Coordinator Danielle Oyama has been working with the comedians who have applied to perform, finding judges from the Upfront and organizing entertainment between the standup sets.

“I thought it would be more fun if we could have a host that’s kind of funny and does comedy stuff rather than just someone from AS Productions,” Oyama said. “[And] some judges that know somewhat about comedy.”

There will be members from Jazz Jams playing live music as comedians take the stage, and two members of the Dead Parrots Society Jon Ramsey and Katie Heath will host the event.

DPS Artistic Director Ramsey has not hosted Last Comic Standing

before, but said he is very excited to do so.

“Katie and I will be preparing standup for the next set...working as the transition from one standup into the next,” Ramsey said. “To keep the energy going and to make sure the comedians are coming in to a warm positive environment, so that the audience is not biased...if one comedian does very well then the next standup could use that.”

In past years, the winning comedian from Last Comic Standing has been given the opportunity to perform an opening set of standup for a well-known comedian who’s been brought to campus.

“It’s not just an open mic comedy night,” Oyama said. “It’s not that they’re just showing their stuff; they’re showing their stuff to see who they think is the best.”

“A lot of comedians will try experimental standup when they just have an open mic to do, but when they come to Last Comic Standing this is the set that [they’re] most proud of,” Ramsey said. “It’s really fun to see all the comedians showcasing that.”

Between the Stand-Up Comedy open mic at the Underground Coffeehouse and the Stand-Up Comedy Klub, there are more venues than ever on campus for aspiring stand-up comedians to sharpen their acts.

Now more than ever, Last Comic Standing is a kind of proving ground for the talented comedians at Western.

The vent costs $2 with Student ID and $3 for general admission.

Oyama expects the event to last two to two and a half hours. Fifteen comedians will perform.

11. 3, 2014 • 7

Ride along with Western’s PoPo

By C Hayley Halstead Illustration by Keghouhi Bedoyan I think I pee myself a little every time a cop pulls up behind me while I’m driving down the road. I think police officers have always been intimidating to me, but when AS President Annika Wolters tweeted about the chance to ride along with a university cop, I had to take the opportunity.

Let’s get something straight: I know absolutely nothing about law enforcement, the extent of my knowledge goes as far as what I’ve seen in crime shows on television.

The process to request an officer ride along was pretty daunting in itself. I had to fill out a form with a ton of personal information and sign off to agree to a rather extensive list of rules and agreements. The fun part, however, was when the form allowed for you to request your desired officer. Not really familiarized with any of the police officers at Western, I decided to pick the officer I thought had the coolest name: Wolf Lipson.

I rode along with Officer Lipson on a Tuesday afternoon. The process began with a check-in at Campus Services where the police station is located. When I met Lipson, we ventured around the building and into the basement where his gear was located. I was really impressed with the extent of equipment that he carries when on duty, namely the weapons.

Then it was on to the cruiser. Apparently each cruiser is equipped with an assault rifle for really serious situations. There’s also technology to run license plates through a machine without cause. At the beginning of the shift, we also tested the sirens, which were used a few times throughout my ride along.

I was checked in at 4:30 p.m. and by 4:50 p.m., we had already pulled someone over for speeding. One of the things Lipson shared was that I should unbuckle my seatbelt and be prepared to run in the event of an emergency every time he pulled someone over.

One of the most common reasons people get pulled over around Western is because they drive through the gated area on High Street in front of the Viking Union.

The gates used to be open at some points of the day, but they now will remain closed at all times. Just like speeding or running a stop sign, driving through the restricted area will result in a $124 citation, which also gets reported to insurance.

One key thing to note about Western’s police is that they are just like Bellingham police.

They go through the same training academies, take the same tests and even respond to some of the same crime calls that Bellingham police do. Lipson said it was like working for a small town police department.

After pulling someone over, we stopped at Western’s Armory building, the building that looks like a castle on North State Street. What was built by the Washington National Guard in 1910, was transformed into a roller skating rink, and now is Western’s miscellaneous building that I had the privilege to explore with Lipson. I felt like I was in a scene from a scary movie, as we explored this old building with only a flashlight guiding our path. All I saw was a bunch of dusty old furniture, but Lipson warned me that there was a high possibility to run into rodents.

After our adventure through the Armory, we proceeded on with the patrol. We drove down Samish, through Lincoln Creek and past Happy Valley.

An interesting learning piece I took away was that cops aren’t going to make an arrest if a friend calls 911 because someone has overdosed on heroin or is passed out drunk.

They don’t want to discourage calling for help if they need it. In fact, Lipson estimates that he’s only made about 150 arrests in the span of eight years.

Near the end of our ride, I asked Lipson about police brutality after the heavy media coverage of Ferguson. He said that we live in a liberal area where people are used to being videotaped and confronted.

Western police are constantly working to protect the community, and not everything they do gets released to the public. For example, there was a murderer who had fled from California and somehow made their way to Western’s campus. The police were trying to track this criminal down, and in the process, Lipson was mocked by one of the students.

Lipson said that he’s happy to do the job, but he’d like to be respected as an officer and not thought of just security. He wants people to realize that police do more than what they may realize. They are out working late into the night, on weekends and holidays to ensure people are not victimized.

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No football? No problem

By Nontawat Thammawan Illustration by Keghouhi Bedoyan In January 2009, Western announced an end to its football program after top administrators believed it was the best decision for the overall quality of Western’s Athletics Program. However, without a traditional college football team, Western’s athletics still remain strong.

It’s no surprise the amount of money needed to run a football program is huge. Back when the decision was made, Western Athletics expenditures outgrew its revenue, and with additional budget cuts and insufficient amount of donation dollars, Western found itself in a position to eliminate football to meet budget reduction targets.

“I feel strongly that we need to offer a high-quality program of intercollegiate athletics that is commensurate with our status as a premier university. It’s the focus on maintaining overall intercollegiate program quality and doing so at a time when we and all universities are being challenged financially that drives the recommendation of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and my decision to accept that recommendation,” said Western President Bruce Shepard in a 2009 press release.

Western’s top administrators claimed the decision, under any circumstances, cannot be reversed. Given the variable economic situation, it’s foreseeably impossible to consistently sustain a football program at present and in the years to come, according to Western Viking’s website.

Despite that, Western follows its original plan to ensure other intercollegiate sports have the facility and the supports they need to be successful.

Western’s intramural sport games, especially volleyball, has been growing bigger in the number of attendees over the past few years, as Western Athletic Marketing has been doing a good job of creating an exciting atmosphere for the games, Card said.

Unforgettable, Western Men’s Basketball program successfully won a NCAA Championship two years ago. In addition, Western Women’s Rowing program won seven NCAA Championship and has never been outside the top three within the last 13 years, Card said.

“What we have going here is the significant point of pride for our institution, for our alumni and for our current students,” Card said.

In 2012, Western initiated a huge field development project building Robert S. Harrington Field, which is used as a multi-purpose area for several sports including soccer, flag football, lacrosse and even ultimate Frisbee. The field is a huge success for Western Athletics especially because it’s considered the best facility in the West Coast in terms of soccer, said Western Director of Athletic Steven Card.

“Obviously, facilities are very important in the overall development of the program,” Card said. “It’s going to make our program much more attractive to prospective student athletes and provide a much more pleasurable experience for the fans that come to the games” In 2014, Harrington Field successfully brought soccer back to campus after nearly 15 years. It’s now the new home of Western’s NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams. Previously, Western’s Soccer teams have been forced to practice at Whatcom Community College due to lack of space.

Another big parts of the field project included renovation of softball field on south campus, adding a scoreboard, team benches, scorer’s tables, storage, spectator seating, restrooms and locker rooms.

Western first baseman Jordan Walley of the softball team said she is very grateful of the new softball field the university provided.

Walley and her teammates finally own the space to practice and hold competitions.

“Four years ago, they had nothing like this,” Walley said. “We’re very happy to have this field, and we treat it like it is our child, like it is the best thing for us.”

Football was a big sacrifice to build a good foundation for Western athletic program. Considering the current supports from the community and the quality of Western athletes, the program is only expected to grow bigger in the future, Card said.

11. 3, 2014 • 9

Circle K: Bringing smiles to Western since ‘82

By C Hayley Halstead Access to scholarships, conventions and international opportunities are just a few of the perks of being a member of one of Western’s oldest clubs on campus, Circle K International. CKI is the world’s largest collegiate volunteer organization with chapters on over 500 college campuses.

CKI landed a spot on Western’s campus in 1982 and is part of the mother organization known as Kiwanis, with four different levels. Kiwanis starts with Key Club in high school, followed by CKI at the college level, leading to Young Professionals and eventually Kiwanis. Kiwanis’s main focus revolves around servicing children around the world.

This includes working with organizations such as UNICEF and Red Cross.

“Some people have been involved in Kiwanis longer than I’ve been alive,” said Circle K’s Vice President of Service Priscilla Wong. “When you meet people like that, it inspires you to do more.”

On a weekly basis, Western’s Circle K chapter participates in local volunteer events and organizes events with other chapters in the Pacific Northwest.

“There are all sorts of volunteer events, whether it’s helping out here on campus through extended education or going down to Mount Hood for leadership camps,” said CKI’s president Micah McCally.

In addition, CKI partakes in volunteer work parties as well as Bellingham-specific events, such as Ski to Sea, working at Little Cheerful soup kitchen to help prepare food for the homeless and trail cleanups.

In fact, being a member of Circle K opens up doors for many networking opportunities among the over 13,770 members in 17 different nations.

“Being part of this organization in particular, you have a lot of diversity with people

Circle K International has been a part of Western’s campus for over 32 years, where they participate in local volunteer events and organizing with other chapters in the Pacific Northwest.

Photo by Trevor Grimm // AS Review

through helping other people,” said Katherine Moore one of CKI’s members. “We are all different and from different areas of study, and we are doing things to help other people with their goals.”

CKI follows the slogan of leadership, fellowship and service.

“All of those are equally important, and we try to help members expand leadership, friendship and service opportunities,” McCally said. “We are very proud, happy and pleased to be a part of that.”

Service is a huge component of this organization, but for CKI Treasurer Esmeralda Hernandez other valuable outcomes have emerged from CKI, such as joy from helping members of the community “We go out and help out people in the area,” Hernandez said. “Friends and doing

service projects is what I really like about CKI.” Members have access to conventions and leadership retreats. At the end of the year, there is an international convention where all CKI members are able to join and celebrate service.

Though there is a fee to be a member of CKI to be eligible for conventions and scholarships, there is no fee to participate in local service events.

Meetings are Mondays at 7:15 p.m. in Academic West. More information can be found on their Facebook page @WWUCKI. “You usually see people in your major or dorms, but when you do community service, that’s community. It’s everyone at school wanting to help out and do the same thing.”

Wong said.

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Wait, how do you pronounce that?

By Nontawat Thammawan Most people like their names. Some people hate their birth names and change them later in life. Either way, you’ll eventually end up with a name you’re satisfied with, and you’ll want to make sure people pronounce it correctly. Or, you just don’t really care much about it and you just think perfect pronunciation is overrated. Which one are you? For me, I’m one of those people who like my name, but don’t really care about the pronunciation.

First of all, I have three different names people usually call me with.

The first one is “Nontawat Thammawan,” which is my full birth name in Thai language. People definitely have a hard time pronouncing this one, but it doesn’t matter because even my parents or my friends in Thailand don’t call me this name—it’s only for formality.

The second one is “Taey,” which is my Thai nickname. In Thailand, parents will always give a nickname to their children when they’re born because our first names are way too long. Everyone calls me “Taey” in Thailand, but most English speakers will have a really hard time saying it correctly—because it’s not English.

The third one is “Terry,” which is my English name. I’ll always introduce myself as “Terry” if the person I’m talking with can speak English and isn’t Thai.

Now, I’m not calling myself “Terry” because I hate when people pronounce my nickname wrong, but for a more important reason.

I don’t care what people call me as long as they’re not intentionally being disrespectful. The most important thing is that people feel comfortable enough saying my name out loud without having to worry about mispronouncing it.

As a second language speaker, I prefer when people give me an alternative name instead of forcing me to say the name I can’t pronounce.

Not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t. You’ll probably understand what I’m saying if you’re currently learning a second language. Pronunciation is NOT easy.

I have an American friend named Linnea. Even today, I still can’t pronounce her name correctly. If she were to ask that I say her name right, then it would mean pronouncing it wrong would upset her.

If that were the case, I would have tried to avoid saying her name as much as possible even if that means pretending I don’t recognize her when we pass each other on campus, for example. Luckily, she doesn’t force me to pronounce it correctly and told me to call her “Lin” instead.

Don’t misunderstand, though. It’s two different things to have a name that is unusually pronounce and a name that is difficult to pronounce.

For example, I’ve known a guy named “Rhys.” According to a few

“I don’t care what people call me as long as they’re not intentionally being disrespectful.

The most important thing is that people feel comfortable enough saying my name out loud without having to worry about mispronouncing it.”

-- Nontawat Thammawan conversations on the Internet, this name can be pronounced as “Reese,” “Riss,” “Rise,” or even “Rice,” depending on family backgrounds or personal preference. Nevertheless, none of these options is difficult to pronounce. As long as it’s clear which one to say, there is no problem.

If your name is difficult to pronounce then you should just tell people the way it should be said because it’s not difficult, it’s just unusual.

Unlike my name “Taey,” there is only one way to pronounce it correctly. If people say it wrong, it could sound like “Toes,” “Toys,” “Tied,” or “Ti,” and you bet I won’t respond to it because I won’t recognize it.

I studied in New Zealand for a year in 2010. I didn’t have the name “Terry” at that time and most of my high school friends just called me “Ti,” which means kidney in my language… After I told them what it means, they began to make fun of it—you know what high school is like.

“Hey Ti! I should donate you and get like $10,000! Hahahaha!”

“Hey Ti! Do you wanna drink some urine? I heard you like it!

Hahahaha!”

I have people call me “Terry” not mainly because I don’t like people making fun of my name, but because I understand that it’s difficult to force people to say a name that’s difficult and is not their native languages.

In my opinion, if you have a difficult or foreign name and don’t like it when people pronounce it incorrectly, you should consider creating an alternative nickname for yourself because you need something for people to call you without upsetting you.

If I have to choose between a perfect pronunciation of my name and a better relationship with my friends, I would definitely go for the relationship.

11. 3, 2014 • 11

Great food with a side of happiness

By Ian Sanquist Santok Tumber has had his India Grill stand on Vendor’s Row since 2012. We sat down in his restaurant on Cornwall Avenue to talk over cups of delicious chai tea, made from a blend of fresh cloves, cardamom and cinnamon.

“The key part is we don’t buy powder,” Tumber said. “We have our own mixture. We don’t use any market mixture.”

How long have you owned the India Grill?

We started in 1996, Christmas. So that means this Christmas it will be 19 years.

You started it yourself?

I’m from New York City, I used to manage one of the world’s best Indian restaurants

in Manhattan. It was 58th Street, Park Avenue.

Gaylord, the name of that place, but it’s not there anymore. That’s where I started in the restaurant business. I was a waiter and I was promoted very fast. I learned everything.

What do you like about having the stand on Vendor’s Row? It’s kind of my retirement. I don’t want to sit all idle at home. My age if I sit at home, it may be hard for me. I want to keep my body moving. You know in India, people hardly get to retire, they’re doing something when they’re old. Not really for a living, but to keep their body working properly.

I like being [at Western], I talk to the kids, a lot of times they come and ask me few things, some people ask me about India and I even try to help them sometimes. If somebody doesn’t

have money I say don’t worry, if you have it bring it, if you don’t have it don’t.

What part of India are you from? Do you ever go back and visit?

I go on and off every four, five years. Last time I think I was there was 2007 or something like that. I don’t have much family there so I go for visits to holy places. I am a Sikh, see the people with the turban, I go to Sikh temples around there. [I’m from] Punjab. Punjab is a state of India, it’s next to Pakistan.

Did you like New York? How long did you live there?

From 1974 to almost 1995, about 21 years.

New York was a great city, but it’s not too good with the family. For bachelors that’s the best.

It’s like how they say, the city never sleep. Any time of the day, anything you’re looking for, you may find it there.

Why did you move to Bellingham?

I’ve lot of relative across the border, in Vancouver, so I used to visit them...and they were always asking me to come around here...I knew that this is a slow [town], but it’s very comfortable, especially for my age. I’m not looking really for too busy. But I like to keep moving. Up at Western, I really like it because most of the heavy work is done in my kitchen, so I just go there and try to serve them the best I can.

What’s your favorite thing about Bellingham?

The weather. Sometimes it’s boring, like this rain, but the air is so clean, that’s the best...

I don’t like too much rain now, but see rain doesn’t bother me when it makes everything fresh. I never get stuck in traffic. That’s number one bad thing in New York.

Santok Tumber, owner of India Grill, began serving food on Vender’s Row in 2012. Photo by Trevor Grimm // AS Review

What’s your favorite food besides Indian?

Pizza and sushi.

12 • as.wwu.edu/asreview

Rock, rock, rock the vote baby!

Top Left: Polecat was featured as the secret headliner for AS Representation and Engagment Program’s Rock the Vote on Thursday, Oct. 30. Top Right: Richard Reeves, member of Polecat plays the double bass. Bottom Left: Snug Harbor opened the Rock the Vote event.

Bottom Right: Justin Smith plays along to the funk-soul band Snug Harbor. Photo by Trevor Grimm // AS Review