Local music fans under 21 flock to house shows, p. 4 AS Outdoor Center prepares for snow season, p. 6 What representative demographics mean for Western, p. 11
Vol. 29 #8 11.12.13
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AS Outdoor Center employee Ben Firth waxes skis in preparation for the upcoming ski season. Isaac Martin // 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 Online: as.wwu.edu/asreview @TheASReview facebook.com/theasreview © 2013. 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.
IN THIS ISSUE NEWS 6 Winter is Coming The AS Outdoor Center prepares for snow season
11 Shifting Numbers Western welcomes its most ethnically diverse class, demographics begin to reflect state population
STUDENT LIFE 4 House Shows Local music fans under 21 flock to concerts in homes throughout Bellingham
9 Red Cross Club The club returns to its feet after a hiatus, prepares to educate about disaster relief
FEATURES 10 (Un)bound The AS Women’s Center opens submission period for Labyrinth: Communities (Un) bound
12 Mushrooming How to identify edible mushrooms in your backyard
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 welcome letters to the editor. Please limit your letter to 300 words and include your name and phone number. Send them to as.review@wwu.edu. Published letters may have minor edits made to their length or grammar.
Cade Schmidt Kylie Wade Isaac Martin Annika Wolters C Hayley Halstead Dominic D’Angelo Designer Kristina Huynh Adviser Jeff Bates
Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Writers
AS Outdoor Center Bike Tech Meagan Howard, who is a senior at Western works on a bike on Nov, 6. The Outdoor Center offers $2 bike repairs for all students. For more on the OC, check pg. 6. Photo by Isaac Martin // AS Review
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EVENTS Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Info Session Nov. 12 // 5:30 p.m. // MH 239 Find out if Western’s TESOL program is right for you and how to start earning your certificate to teach English.
Red Cross Club Meeting Nov. 12 // 6-7 p.m. // AW 406 Join Western’s Red Cross Club for one of their bi-weekly meetings. For more on the Red Cross Club, see p. 9.
Law School Info Fair Nov. 13 // 10 a.m.-2 p.m. // VU MPR // Free Ever dreamed of ruling the courtroom? Check out this opportunity to learn more about the law school admissions process and meet and network with representatives from over 50 law schools. This event is co-sponsored by the Legal Information Center and Career Services.
Yoga Nov. 13 // 4-6 p.m. // VU // Free Every Wednesday evening, join the Outdoor Center for a free yoga session. Mats are not required and no experience is necessary. Rooms vary from week to week and will be posted online the week of each class. For more information, contact as.oc.ex.coord@wwu.edu.
Survivor Story: Noemi Ban Nov. 13 // 6 p.m. // AH 100 // Free Hear local award-winning teacher and Holocaust survivor Noemi Ban tell her
story of loss, tragedy, resiliency and hope. After the talk, Ban will stay for a Q&A session and a book signing. Preregistration is required. Register at wce. wwu.ed/NWCHGE.
Tough Guise 2: The Ongoing Crisis of Violent Masculinity Nov. 13 // 7 p.m. // MH 138 // Free The Masculinity Outreach and Violence Education group of Prevention and Wellness Services presents this showing of Tough Guise 2, a film by leading antiviolence advocate Jackson Katz. The film explores violence in society and challenges existing beliefs behind what causes violent behavior.
Wednesday Night Concert Series: Shelby Earl w/ Debbie Neigher Nov. 13 // 8 p.m. // UGCH // Free In this week’s concert series, catch singer/songwriter Shelby Earl with Debbie Neigher at the Underground Coffeehouse.
Environmental Club Summit Nov. 14 // 6 p.m. // UGCH // Free Learn about all things environmental at the Environmental Club Summit this week. Western’s environmentally-centered clubs will be at the event to speak to students. The event will also feature a talk from guest speaker Jean Melious on what it means to be an environmental hero, as well as activities and free food and beverages.
Waste Land Nov. 15 // 4 p.m. // CF 125 // Free Join the AS Recycle Center for a showing of Waste Land, an Academy Award nominee for Best Feature Documentary and winner of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for Best World Cinema Documentary. The film explores what happens in the world’s largest trash city. The event is honor of America Recycles Day.
Last Comic Standing Nov. 15 // 7 p.m. // Concert Hall // $2 w/ Western ID, $3 GA Get ready for a comedic showdown as Last Comic Standing pitches student comics against each other for a night that promises to bring the laughs.
Western Athletics: Men’s Basketball Nov. 15 // 7 p.m. // Carver Gym // $3 w/ Western ID, $8 GA Watch the men’s basketball team take on Notre Dame De Namur this Friday at 7 p.m. The game will also be broadcast on KBAI Radio (930 AM) and online at wwuvikings.com.
Mountain Biking Nov. 16 // Galbraith Trails // $30 Join the AS Outdoor Center for a mountain biking daytrip on the local Galbraith trails. All experience levels are welcome and bikes, helmets and transportation are included in the cost.
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Local groups Specters (left) and Candysound are active in Bellingham’s house show scene. Photos courtesy Tommy Calderon.
UNDER 21’S TURN TO HOUSE SHOWS FOR LOCAL SOUNDS By Dominic D’Angelo It’s hot, stuffy and the sound of bass is permeating the room. You’re sitting on an amplifier – or maybe someone’s couch inches away from the band – and surrounded by happy people. People are dancing, and you might feel like doing so too, because you’ve just entered a Bellingham house show. Grant Eadie, the brains behind local experimental electro-pop sensation Manatee Commune said, “[House shows are] all-ages events and something that all people can go to… [The house show scene] is around so that people can enjoy local music.” These dens, basements and living rooms cater to those seeking local music where it originates: the homes of Bellingham, with colorful names like the Turtle on Myrtle Street, Lavender House and Red Czar. The benefit of these shows is that they are open to people under 21, a rarity in a town where most popular music is played at venues that drive revenue from serving alcohol and restrict minors. According to local musicians, finding people who host, go to or play at house shows is the best way to get into the house show loop. Local bands also often post on their Facebook pages about upcoming concerts. “In my experience there is a lot of alternative rock [at house shows], because [alternative rock can have] a huge variety,” said senior Charlie Walentiny, bassist of The Fire Oregon. “What you get is a lot of Pacific Northwest sweater-rock. You know,
Death Cab for Cutie kind of thing. You get a lot of one-time stuff from groups that aren’t super-serious. A lot of electronic side-projects. A lot of bigger local bands that play stuff they normally wouldn’t play, or maybe go under a different name. It’s either going to be your normal setup: guitar player, drummer, bass player and keyboard player, or weird stuff,” said Walentiny. But even in this diverse arena of sound, the type of music generally played at house shows transcends popular genres. “The general vibe is a sense of camaraderie, because you naturally want to keep great artists and music going,” Eadie said. “There’s a huge sense of respect.” Normally bands that play at house shows also do it on their own dime, perhaps collecting small amounts of money after their shows in donations for purchases to cover recording or equipment costs. “It’s a very supportive community,” said Make.Shift Director Cat Sieh. Make.Shift, located on Flora St., is Bellingham’s only all-ages arts and music venue. Like guardians of a treasure, members of the house show community have tried to protect their events by keeping it a secret from people who might otherwise turn their house concert into a house party. Yet most members of the community keep in mind that while the concerts are social, the true purpose is to enjoy the sound and the vibe. “I don’t think that police try to bust house shows because they believe it’s a very constructive a way of partying. It’s not about being a crazy twenty-year-old, it’s about appreciating the music,” said Eadie.
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TOP TEN: OCT. 29 - NOV. 4 1
Melophobia Cage the Elephant
2
Heart of Nowhere Noah and the Whale
3
Adding Up the Wasted Hours The Lonely Forest
4
Innocents Moby
5
More Is Than Isn’t RJD2
6
Nocturnal Yuna
7
“Chamakay” [single] Slow Magic
8
Wise Up Ghost Elvis Costello and The Roots
9
New Paul McCartney
10
River Fleischner of Noise Toys playing a show in "Joey's Basement" on March 29. Photo courtesy Tommy Calderon.
Let’s Be Still The Head and The Heart
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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WINTER IS COMING OUTDOOR CENTER PREPS FOR SNOW SEASON By Dominic D’Angelo Brace yourselves, winter is coming. Whether you’re thinking of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or have another winter activity in mind, the AS Outdoor Center is prepared to get you ready for the upcoming snow season. The Outdoor Center offers equipment rentals and learning opportunities designed to get students outside. Students can rent a variety of gear including ski and snowboard equipment, ice climbing boots, snowshoeing equipment, camping equipment and snow safety equipment.
Students are also invited to use the tool bench at the Outdoor Center. Access to the bench costs only $2 and includes wax and other tools for students who need to repair, wax or edge their skis and snowboards. The center will also be offering avalanche safety trainings taught by the American Alpine Institute at the beginning of winter quarter. Students who have completed a certified avalanche safety course can check out pieces of avalanche safety gear, including transceivers and probes, for free. The office will also offer Wilderness First Responder training throughout the month of December.
Junior and Outdoor Center employee Ben Firth waxes skis in preparation for the upcoming ski season. The AS Outdoor Center’s equipment shop rents out skis to students at $22 a pair on the weekends. The next Outdoor Center event will be “International Mountain Day” at Vital Rock Gym on N. State Street, hosted by the American Alpine Institute. Attendees will learn the basics of climbing and rescue skills. Photos by Isaac Martin // Graphic by Kristina Huynh // AS Review
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TOP 3 MOST RENTED GEAR AT THE OC
GEAR AT SKIS
SNOWSHOES
XC SKIS
RATE DAY
WEEKEND
$16
$ 22
$5
$12
$6
$ 13
Right now, the Outdoor Center is buzzing with activity as staff members work to get all the gear ready to go. They are ordering new equipment, waxing snowboards and prepping skis with skins. Equipment Shop Coordinator Brian Bates recommended that students stop by early to reserve their equipment for the weekend, since there is a limited supply of popular items like skis and snowboards. “Snowshoes are our most popular equipment, they typically sell out before the weekend,” said Brian Bates, the AS Outdoor Center Equipment Shop Coordinator. “We’ll be buying more of those in preparation for this season.” All of the equipment is offered at low prices so students can afford the gear they need to get out and enjoy the local wilderness. “Our goals here are to get you outdoors, not to make money,” said Bates. “$22 for a weekend ski rental is a Monday price… This is a really good deal.” Bates recommended that for those looking for an even better deal, rentals are even cheaper on the weekdays.
In addition to offering every piece of equipment you need before you head into the snow, the center also boasts a knowledgeable staff who can answer questions, offer advice and help with equipment rentals or trip planning. “Everyone who works at the Outdoor Center wants to be here, but
“Our goals here are to get you outdoors, not to make money. $22 for a weekend ski rental is a Monday price... This is a really good deal.” they also love being outdoors, so they know their stuff,” said Bates. If you’re ready to have a day with Jack Frost, head down to the Outdoor Center on the first floor of the Viking Union. More information including events, excursions and equipment, visit as.wwu.edu/ outdoor.
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CONNECTIONS & EXPRESSIONS
Clockwise from top left: Leona Oliveros and Nick Wees craft buttons at Connections and Expressions, the AS Sexual Awareness Center’s annual kick-off event. // Attendees make buttons from magazine clippings. // Chelsea Hultz demonstrates proper condom use. Photos by Isaac Martin // AS Review
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RED CROSS CLUB BACK FROM HIATUS, CLUB PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE By Annika Wolters The WWU Red Cross Club, which provides students with training and volunteer opportunities, is slowly coming back to life. To get back on its feet, the Red Cross Club is working to put more effort into fewer events. “We want to not plan so many events,” said Blake Bishop, a student adviser to the club. “But we want to make sure those few that we do [plan] are great.” The Red Cross club will be hosting an event called Holidays for Heroes toward the beginning of December. The club will table on Vendor’s Row and invite students to create holiday cards for U.S. soldiers. “That will be the main thing we focus on this quarter, along with membership,” Bishop said. Bishop said he hopes the club will expand exponentially if every
ing goes with them.” Giles said there are positions for everyone, student or otherwise, at the Mount Baker chapter. In particular, volunteers are needed for the on-call disaster action team. The team responds to smaller local emergencies to provide support for the victims. The training is free and no experience is necessary, Giles said. Bishop volunteers on the disaster action team for six weeks out of the year, tending to people who have been the victims of events such as house fires. The club works to educate the community on disaster preparedness and ways to volunteer in the Bellingham community. They also spread knowledge of how to create a disaster kit and plan meet-up spots in case of emergencies. Bishop wanted to see the club continue so students can employ their passions for helping people and staying prepared. Without the club on campus, students would have had limited access to recourses on how to
“The club works to educate the community on disaster preparedness and ways to volunteer in the Bellingham Community. They also spread knowledge of how to create a disaster kit and plans meet-up spots in case of emergencies.” member brings at least one friend to every meeting. By the end of the quarter, Bishop hopes consistent attendance will be in the 20s. The Red Cross is a non-governmental organization and takes no stances on political issues. Though the club isn’t connected with the nursing program at Western, it’s connected with the Mount Baker chapter of the Red Cross, located on James Street. There are a variety of internships and business opportunities to be found with the Red Cross. Because it’s a national organization, people have no trouble finding work when they need to relocate, said Linda Giles, the Volunteer Services Director at the Mount Baker Red Cross chapter. “If a student working here decides to leave Bellingham, their record can be transferred to another location,” Giles said. “Their train-
be prepared during a disaster. No education or experience is needed to join the club, Bishop said. “There were not good mechanisms in place in order to hand [the club] off to the next group of students coming up who have a passion for volunteering for the Red Cross,” Bishop said. Bishop said he didn’t intend on holding any position for the club, but didn’t want to see it go under because there is something there for almost any student. “[The Red Cross] can fit almost any skill set that you can bring to the table,” Bishop said. Those interested in joining the club can check out the Facebook page for the WWU Red Cross Club. The club’s next meeting will be 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 in AW 406. They meet every other Tuesday.
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LABYRINTH: COMMUNITIES (UN)BOUND By C Hayley Halstead This year’s theme of the AS Women’s Center’s literary journal, Labyrinth, is “Communities (Un)bound.” Submissions will be accepted until January 10. Labyrinth has been published annually since the 1970’s to allow those with marginalized identities have a chance to have their voices heard. Submissions may include writing, images of visual art, photography or any printable mediums. Last year, the theme was “Bodies in Motion,” with about approximately 700 printed copies. There were 26 written works and 28 visual pieces. With regards to the theme of “Communities (Un)bound, the focus will be concepts like privilege and oppression, acceptance and rejection from communities and intersecting identities. “This year we’re trying to open it up so that it’s inclusive to everyone,” said Women’s Center Coordinator for Creative Programming Logan Brouelette.
In the past, only those who identified as women were published in the journal, but it’s now more accessible to all identities. A community may be defined in a number of ways, said Brouelette. Visible or invisible identities – which may include gender identity, class or how people interact such as sports and religion – can impact one’s sense of community. “I want people to reflect on what kind of community they are part of,” said Brouelette. He added that people can write about what communities they aren’t a part of either. He sees the theme as broad and open-ended. Once Labyrinth is printed, selected visual pieces will be displayed in the Viking Union Gallery. The journal will be distributed during a release party in the gallery, where authors may also read or perform their works. To submit a piece to Labyrinth, visit Labyrinth’s OrgSynch page at orgsync.com/56663/forms/86732, contact Brouelette at as.wc.creative.programming@wwu.edu, visit the AS Women’s Center in VU 514 or call at (360) 650-6114.
Banner Design By Jesi Maakad, AS Publicity Center
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FRESHMAN CLASS USHERS IN MORE REPRESENTATIVE DEMOGRAPHICS American is monolingual and mono-cultured, said Pratt. “When they have a 99 percent white elementary [school], 99 perFreshman and transfer students of color made Western history this cent white middle school, 99 percent white high school and maybe a fall, enrolling at a record number of 25.4 percent. 12 percent white world, then we fail them if they think that they can Out of 2,795 freshmen, 711 are students of color, which amounts to go out [into the world] and operate the same way that they’ve always 25.4 percent, a 2 percent increase from fall 2012. operated,” Pratt said. Transfer students follow suit, with 231 students of color out of 1,045, Junior Teena Thach, public relations coordinator for the Ethnic totaling 22 percent students of Students Center, said she has nocolor, which is eight more inditiced a definite difference in the vidual students than fall 2012 amount of students of color on “We’re under-preparing our white transfers. campus since her freshman year. Dean of Students Ted Pratt she began her work in the students, to have them think that they’re Since said the increasing numbers are ESC, more young faces have better reflecting the state’s popbeen visiting. going out into a world that looks like ulation. With a lack of multicul“Ever since the ESC [Western].” - Dean of Students Ted Pratt tural students, Pratt said white Conference a lot of students students are at a disadvantage. have been able to feel com“We’re under-preparing our fortable enough coming to the white students, to have them Ethnic Students Center,” Thach think that they’re going out into a world that looks like [Western],” Pratt said. “And because they’re freshmen, they bring their friends.” said. Thach emphasized that the ESC is for every student on campus. No Washington’s population is about 84 percent white, according to the ethnic background or club affiliation is needed. Anyone can eat, sleep, 2010 census. Students who arrive at Western may be surprised if com- watch the big screen or study in the ESC. ing from more mixed cities such as Seattle, Tacoma or others, Pratt said. Twenty-six years ago, Pratt was hired to boost the number of ethnic In the big picture, Washington is not so multicultural. minorities at Western. Now that he has opened the pipeline, Pratt said “You’ll look at a campus and say, ‘there aren’t that many people of he works to retain the population of students of color on campus. color,’” Pratt said. “But if you look at the state of Washington, there Western enjoys a higher retention rate than most universities. aren’t that many people of color.” Western’s retention rate is about 82 percent, while the rate for stuAssociate Director of Admissions Jeanne Gaffney said there has dents of color is in the 70s. All students transfer for different reabeen an increase in the number of students of color applying to Western. sons, said Pratt. A third of the fall freshman applicants were students of color, a slight With the rising enrollment rate, Thach said the ESC needs to grow rise from the 32.5 percent fall of 2012. with it. The maximum capacity of the room is not listed in the facility, “The larger freshman class is not related to any specific targets but Thach and ESC Program Coordinator Danielle Smith agrees that related to diversity,” Gaffney said in an email. “Enrollment planning the room can’t hold more than 200 people. takes into consideration a variety of factors including the balance of “I feel like we have gone over the capacity so many times,” Thach Western’s students to a class standing (balancing freshman, sopho- said. “We can’t help which students come down here and we’re not gomores, juniors and seniors).” ing to kick them out.” Pratt said he would rather have a campus which better reflects Pratt said with the numbers growing, a larger Ethnic Student Center the global community. The average European speaks three languages. may be expected in the next two to five years. An adequate space is The average African speaks three to five languages. The average white needed to show the commitment of support, Pratt said. By Annika Wolters
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FORAGING FOR FUNGI By C Hayley Halstead With what AS Outdoor Center Excursions Coordinator Kelsey Ball referred to as “a super-storm of mushrooms this year,” a hype and excitement is swelling for local mushroom hunting. Ball organized an Outdoor Center excursion to go mushroom hunting in the Chuckanuts in late October. Following the trip, Monica Tonty, the AS Environmental Center Coordinator, designed a mushroom identification workshop this past week with local mycologist, Christine Roberts in the Chuckanut Community Forest. “I know folks in the Pacific Northwest love mushrooming and foraging for their own food, so I wanted to provide an opportunity for students like me who don’t have much experience but want to learn,” said Tonty. Although the mushroom season is coming to an end, there still are mushrooms around that can be of use. During the mushroom identification workshop, most of the mushrooms found were chanterelles and honey mushrooms. Chanterelles have a golden or apricot color with a fragrant odor and gill-like ridges down the sides. On the other hand mushrooms with a honey-like color that are spore gilled are honey mushrooms. They are small, rounded and can appear in groups, growing on both dead wood and living plants. “I like the idea you can pick and eat wild mushrooms,” said Breanne Bartok, an AS Environmental Center intern. “The Environmental and Sustainability Programs is offering that chance to move past the notion everything is poisonous.” Foraging for mushrooms requires a trained eye. Some mushrooms are poisonous and can be fatal. On the other end of the spectrum, other mushrooms can actually stimulate the immune system. Experts recommend only consuming mushrooms you find in the wild
Mushrooms sprout in the Sehome Hill Arboretum. Photo by Isaac Martin // AS Review
once you can confidently identify them. One tip is to make identifications based on descriptions, instead of trying to match mushrooms to pictures. If you’re trying a new mushroom, try only a small amount and wait 24 hours before digesting any more to be sure you won’t have a negative reaction. As a liability, on the Outdoor Center hunt in the Chuckanuts, no mushroom consumption was permitted. It can be easy to make a dangerous mistake as some mushrooms can appear very similar. For example, the oyster mushroom is a cream to a light brown color with a fanlike convex shape with a fruity odor. A poisonous look-alike, the angel wings mushroom, is white and has no odor and grows on dead wood. After collection and identification, the mushroom must be cooked before consumption. Mushrooms have a cell wall that is crafted
from the same material that crab shells have been formed from, known as chitin. By cooking the mushroom, the chitin will be broken down to allow for easier consumption. “I’m excited to sauté and eat what I collect,” said Tonty. In order to sustain the mushrooms for the future, it’s suggested by a Washington state mushroom harvesting guide that only two-thirds of the mushroom found should be picked. When removing a mushroom from the ground, use a rock and twist, pop or cut above the ground level to minimize destruction. “I think learning about our local natural environment is important for new students, especially if they don’t know the flora and fauna from around here,” said Ball.