Event of the day
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009 • PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY • VOLUME 64, ISSUE 11
Are you ready to get involved at Portland State? Want to meet new friends and have some fun? Only in it for the free food? Join Campus Rec and SALP—along with a host of student-run organizations—at Party in the Park. When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: South Park Blocks
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INSIDE NEWS Funding for law enforcement Oregon communities receive grants for additional police officers PAGE 2 Kiwanis Capstone receives award Community service is a continued tradition PAGE 3
Arts
Hail
to the chief
New chief of staff says Portland State poised for leaps and bounds
Liana Shewey/Portland State Vanguard
Lois Davis
some additional responsibilities ranging from government relations to student advising and cooperation.
Lindsay Bing
Dirty, filthy swine Local bands meet beer, skate ramps and bacon PAGE 4
Losing consciousness FlashForward presents a new take on televised metaphysical inquiries PAGE 5
Vanguard staff
The job
Portland State welcomed Lois Lindsay Davis as the new chief of staff at the president’s office on Aug. 2. Davis joined the Office of the President after serving Oregon Health and Science University for over 23 years. Davis takes on the new position with nearly 30 years of experience in public affairs, press and government relations at both OHSU and in Washington, D.C., for then-U.S. Rep. Ron Wyden. Davis’ position as chief of staff essentially replaces the special assistant to the president position, formerly held by Roderic Dimand, who is retiring. The new position also takes on
The new post has three main functions, Davis explained, including project initiatives, stakeholder consulting and prioritizing for President Wim Wiewel.
1. Project initiatives “First, [my job is] to make sure the multiplicity of projects the president has initiated are actually getting done,” Davis said. The projects, she said, range from P-20—the education program focused on student success from pre-kindergarten to postgraduate education—to increasing Portland
State’s presence in the Middle East. The list is long, Davis said, and she will gauge her success by the progress of these projects. “I will feel I have done my job if the president’s priorities for projects, such as P-20 and sustainability partnerships … advance by the end of the year,” she said.
2. Stakeholder consulting Davis said the second aspect of her job is contacting the organizations or individuals involved in the projects and discussing the different aspects of the initiatives. She explained that the various projects have both internal and external stakeholders—or members of both the Portland State community and the community at large—deeply involved or affected.
In the case of P-20, this includes students, teachers, parents and community members, as well as advisors and outreach leaders within Portland State. In other circumstances, she said, it is “making sure that if there are people [Wiewel] hasn’t had the opportunity to meet yet in the community, that he gets to do that.”
3. Prioritizing for the president Her third focus as chief of staff, Davis said, is helping President Wiewel prioritize his time. “It’s to make sure the president’s time is being used strategically,” she said. President Wiewel, as both a relatively new president and the leader
DAVIS continued on page two
SFC deemed legitimate
Soul food The Damon Castillo Band talks the talk PAGE 8
SFC met quorum during summer months despite possible legal snag Virginia Vickery
Sports
Vanguard staff
Run Viks, run Vikings head out to meet the call PAGE 6
Rodrigo Melgarejo/Portland State Vanguard
SFC summer work saved: Ozimkowski and members don’t need full-time status in summer.
The Student Fee Committee spent the summer training and planning and feels ready for the coming year, said SFC Chair Johnnie Ozimkowski. “Every group of people goes through an evolution to be productive and efficient. This summer helped us hash out who brings what to the table,” Ozimkowski said. His assessment came at the end of a summer in which the SFC faced the possibility of not being able to conduct official business because of the enrollment status of some of its members. According to an Oregon Administrative Rule requiring all members remain at at least half-time status, the committee would not have been able to reach quorum. With only one committee member enrolled in summer classes, the SFC would not have had the minimum number of
members needed to function. However, Portland State Legal Council worked with the Chancellor’s Office and other Oregon University System institutions to reach an understanding on the issue, said Student Activities and Leadership Assistant Director, Domanic Thomas. The SFC was able to meet officially because the rule regarding enrollment was interpreted to apply only to the traditional school year, which does not include summer term. “It was really a small issue to work out,” Ozimkowski said. “We just didn’t want to do anything that would call the committee’s legitimacy into question.” He said that the summer was valuable time that the SFC used to determine its identity and to prepare members for the budgeting process, which begins this fall with student groups and departments submitting information regarding budget overages. “Our theme this year is stewardship,” Ozimkowski said. “What we really have to focus on is public service—how would every student want their money best spent?”
Vanguard 2 | News October 1, 2009
NEWS
Sarah Christensen Editor-in-Chief Danielle Kulczyk News Editor Theodora Karatzas Arts & Culture Editor Richard D. Oxley Opinion Editor Robert Britt Sports Editor Shannon Vincent Production Manager Marni Cohen Photo Editor Shane Danaher Online Editor Jennifer Wolff Chief Copy Editor Jennifer Wolff Calendar Editor Matthew Kirtley Advertising Manager Judson Randall Adviser Ann Roman Advertising Adviser Illustrator Kira Meyrick Marketing Manager Kelsey Chinen Associate News Editor Virginia Vickery Production Assistants Bryan Morgan, Charles Cooper Williams
Rodrigo Melgarejo/Portland State Vanguard
Funding for law enforcement Oregon communities receive grants for additional police officers Vinh Tran Vanguard staff
Over $5 million in funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go toward the hiring and rehiring of Oregon law enforcement officers, according to the offices of Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden. In a press release dated July 28, Merkley announced that the funding would pay the salary and benefits for 21 full-time police officers in Oregon for three years. The only requirement is that all police departments receiving grants must retain the grant-funded position for a fourth year. “We’re continuing to see the Recovery Act create jobs in Oregon,” Merkley said on his Web site. “In
these tough economic times, it is critical that we support local governments’ efforts to protect our communities. By adding police officers to the streets, we’re putting Oregonians to work and looking out for our families and our children.” Approved by Congress in February, the 2009 Recovery Act includes federal tax cuts and funding in education, health care and infrastructure. The act is worth $787 billion, $1 billion of which goes to fund the hiring and rehiring of police officers across the country. The U.S. Department of Justice, which administered the grants, received over 7,200 applications for more than 39,000 officer positions. The nine communities in Oregon receiving the grants include Astoria, Grants Pass, Gresham, Klamath Falls, Lane County, Oregon City, Redmond, Springfield and Sutherlin.
OFFICES AWARDED
AGENCY NAME
AWARD AMOUNT
Astoria Police Department
1
$187,048
Grants Pass Department of Public Safety
2
$270,104
Gresham Police Department
6
$1,565.874
Klamath Falls
2
$508,492
Lane County
3
$763,782
Oregon City
2
$576,598
Redmond Police Department
2
$503,390
Springfield Police Department
2
$531,168
Sutherlin Police Department
1
$243,649
Online Assistant Zach Chastaine Writers Kate Alexander, Lindsay Bing, William Blackford, Bianca Blankenship, Meaghan Daniels, Erica DeCouteau, Mariah Frye-Keele, Joel Gaddis, Natalia Grozina, Rosemary Hanson, Steve Haske, Ed Johnson, Carrie Johnston, Mark Johnston, Tamara Kennedy, Anita Kinney, Katie Kotsovos, J. Logue, James MacKenzie, Holly Millar, Daniel Newman, Nilesh Tendolkar, Gogul Krishnan Shenbagalashmi Janakiraman, Wendy Shortman, Robin Tinker, Vinh Tran, Virginia Vickery, Allison Whited, Carlee Winsor Photographers Aaron Leopold, Rodrigo Melgarejo, Liana Shewey, Adam Wickham Copy Editors Rebecca Hartness, Robert Seitzinger Advertising Sales Matthew Kirtley, Ana SanRoman, Jae Specht, Wesley Van Der Veen Advertising Designer Matthew Vu Contact Editor-in-Chief 503-725-5691 editor@dailyvanguard.com Advertising Manager 503-725-5686 ads@dailyvanguard.com The Vanguard is chartered to publish four days a week as an independent student newspaper by the PSU Publications Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers, and do not necessarily represent those of the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. One copy of the Vanguard is provided free of charge to all community members, additional copies or subcription issues may incur a 25 cent charge. The Vanguard is printed on 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper. Copyright © 2009 Portland State University Vanguard 1825 S.W. Broadway, Smith Memorial Student Union, Rm. S-26, Portland, Ore., 97201
DAVIS |
from page one
New chief of staff has high hopes for Portland State
crimeBlotter (Times and dates are when incidents were reported.)
of Oregon’s largest public university, is in high demand at community meetings, events and discussions. Davis enters the equation by providing Wiewel information to help best prioritize each of these demands. “I’m making sure day-to-day activities of the president are taken care of so he can focus on leading the university,” Davis said. She reports directly to President Wiewel. “I’m a second pair of eyes and ears, in a sense,” she said. Davis also helps lighten the load for Wiewel by working with college deans, leaders and students. She has recently worked with Christopher Proudfoot, legislative affairs director for ASPSU.
On the economy In light of the current economic situation, she remains confident but pragmatic. “Clearly, if you look at public higher education in Oregon and nationwide, it’s sort of shocking how much less public funding goes into higher education than in the past,” Davis said. “The legislature, higher education system and the public really need to engage in a vigorous discussion over the future of public higher education.” Davis identified key questions the stakeholders need to ask, highlighting the search for new financial resources and balancing funds and quality in the classroom. “There aren’t clear answers, but it’s clear that we need to find answers,” she said. Some projects in the works—
which Davis hopes will both advance the university’s goals while using funds prudently—include increased partnerships with OHSU and working with the state. This incorporates housing projects, a recently approved life sciences research facility to be shared by OHSU and Portland State and the possibility of a 501(c)(3) shared research institute between the two schools.
A fresh pair of eyes Davis, brand new to the Portland State community, shared her insights about her new home. “What has struck me about PSU is how optimistic everyone is,” she said. “There is really a sense of hope, a really can-do sort of spirit, very friendly and very collaborative.” She related to her experience at OHSU—watching it transition from a state agency to a public corporation—which she said created a good foundation for change. “In 1995, OHSU was poised to take an exponential leap forward. Now PSU is poised for that,” Davis said. “It’s an extremely exciting time for the institution and to be at the institution.” Davis said she immediately felt at home at Portland State, and sits in awe of the generation she serves at the university. “I really admire how your generation is much more global in your experience,” she said. Davis’ immediate impression from the community, she said, is that Portland State is on the rise. It’s going places and it’s very ambitious.
Bike insurance might be wise … 09/21/09
09/24/09
Sidewalk, Southwest Broadway and Mill – 9:24 p.m. Bike stolen
Smith Memorial Student Union – 4:09 p.m. Camera stolen
Peter W. Stott Center – 5:35 p.m. Purse with contents was taken from victim’s unlocked office
09/26/09
King Albert Residence Hall – 1:45 a.m. Bike stolen from covered bike rack
Smith Memorial Student Union – 1:03 a.m. Suspect cited for Criminal Trespass II
Graduate School of Education – 10:09 a.m. Attempted entry into office by damage to door handle and lock
09/22/09
09/27/09 Lincoln Hall – 1:33 a.m. Male urinated in the dirt next to Lincoln Hall
St. Helen’s Court Residence Hall – 2:34 p.m. Bike stolen from south side of Blumel Hall bike storage
Sidewalk, Southwest Sixth and Montgomery – 1:57 a.m. Suspect cited for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana within 1,000 feet of school
Sidewalk, Southwest 12th and Market – 3:53 p.m. Bike stolen
09/28/09
09/23/09 King Albert Residence Hall – 7:49 a.m. Bike stolen
Millar Library – 7:43 p.m. iPod stolen School of Extended Studies – 4:05 p.m. Bike stolen
—Information from Campus Public Safety Office campus crime log—
Vanguard News | 3 October 1, 2009
The YourDaily Cut world in brief Nation: In 16 states, drug deaths overtake traffic fatals ATLANTA (AP)—In 16 states and counting, drugs now kill more people than auto accidents do, the government said Wednesday. Experts said the startling shift reflects two opposite trends: Driving is becoming safer, and the legal and illegal use of powerful prescription painkillers is on the rise. For decades, traffic accidents have been the biggest cause of injury-related death in the U.S., and they are still No. 1. But drug overdoses are pulling ahead in one state after another. “People see a car accident as something that might happen to them,” said Margaret Warner, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But as for death from a drug overdose, “maybe they see it as something that’s not going happen to them.” The drug-related death rate roughly doubled from the late 1990s to 2006, according to the most recent CDC data. The number of states in which drug-related deaths have overtaken traffic fatalities has gone from eight in 2003 to 12 in 2005, and 16 in 2006. They are: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois,
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. It’s not clear why those states have seen such a shift, but experts said certain drugs may be more of a problem in some states than in others. While cocaine and heroin continue to be significant killers, most of the increase is attributed to prescription opiates such as the painkillers methadone, Oxycontin and Vicodin. About half of the opiate medication deaths in King County, Wash., which includes Seattle, involved people who got their drugs through legal prescriptions, said Caleb Banta-Green, a University of Washington research scientist. “There has been a dramatic change in how doctors prescribe opiates,” Banta-Green said. Using death certificate data, CDC researchers counted more than 45,000 U.S. deaths nationwide from traffic accidents in 2006, and about 39,000 from drug-induced causes. About 90 percent of those drug fatalities are sudden deaths from overdoses, but the count includes people who died from organ damage from long-term drug use or abuse. The decline in road fatalities is “considered one of the great public health triumphs” of the past few decades, the CDC’s Warner said. —Mike Stobbe
World: Saudi king’s university slammed for coed classes RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP)—A prominent Muslim cleric has criticized a new Saudi university launched by King Abdullah for allowing men and women to take classes together. Sheik Saad Bin Naser al-Shethri, who is a member of the powerful government-sanctioned Supreme Committee of (Islamic) Scholars, was quoted Wednesday in the Al Watan Daily as demanding an end to coed classes at the newly opened King Abdullah Science and Technology University. “Mixing is a great sin and a great evil,” al-Shethri was quoted as saying. “When men mix with women, their hearts burn and they will be diverted from their main goal [which is] ... education.” Al-Shethri’s comments indicate there may be significant opposition to the country’s first fully integrated coed university among the kingdom’s powerful religious establishment. The multibillion-dollar postgraduate institution, which officially opened its doors to students last week, has been touted by King Abdullah as a “beacon of tolerance.” The school boasts state-of-the-art labs, the world’s 14th fastest supercomputer and one of the biggest endowments worldwide. Saudi officials have envisaged the
News Editor: university as a key part of the kingdom’s plans to transform itself into a global scientific hub—its latest efforts to diversify its oil-reliant economy. Al-Watan, which is owned by members of the royal family, accused al-Shethri of trying to undermine Abdullah’s reforms and suggested such criticism breeds terrorism. “This is what al-Qaida awaits as a pretext and justification” for its actions, the paper’s editor-in-chief, Jamal Kashukshi, said in an editorial. Another pro-government daily, AlRiyadh, also rejected al-Shethri’s comments, describing them as “a creed which puts us behind the rest of the Muslim world.” More than 800 students from 61 different countries have enrolled at the school so far. The university aims to expand to around 2,000 students within eight to 10 years. Of that total, 15 percent will be Saudi, university officials have said. The Saudi government hopes that the school will succeed in promoting scientific freedom in a country where strict implementation of Islamic teachings has often been blamed for stifling innovation. Abdullah has encouraged reforms in the oil-rich kingdom since becoming crown prince in 1982, and has intensified his efforts since assuming the thrown upon the death of his half brother, King Fahad, in 2005.
Danielle Kulczyk 503-725-5690 news@dailyvanguard.com
5th Avenue Cinema holds new Michael Moore film sneak peek today The student-run 5th Avenue Cinema will be holding a sneak peek of the new Michael Moore film Capitalism: A Love Story. The movie, which will be released nationwide tomorrow, is a detailed look into the impact that corporations and capitalism have on American society. 5th Avenue cinema will be receiving the film late today, and will tweet the runtime on its Twitter page at www.twitter. com/5thAveCinema. Employees say the film will likely run at 10 p.m. Admission: free to Portland State students
Community service is a continued tradition
Kiwanis Capstone receives award
Sarah J. Christensen Vanguard staff
The Kiwanis Camp 2009 Largest community-based Capstone course on campus Directed and administered by the Graduate School of Education 148 enrolled students participated in the program More than 3,000 Portland State students have been involved over the years 6 year-round administrative staff members 70 summer staff members and volunteers
Photo courtesy of Mt. Hood Camp Kiwanis
Giving credit where credit’s due: Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp and the Portland State University Capstone program received the Best Credit Program Award.
In a cooperative program with Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp and the Portland State University Capstone program, students can spend their summers helping youth with disabilities enjoy their summers at camp. This program helps Portland State students learn more than what they would at a desk job about teaching and outdoor recreation. Students in this Capstone program are directly involved in the care and recreation of camp members, and the School of Extended Studies calls it a “life-changing experience.” The students are live-in camp counselors during the summer, creating an all encompassing learning experience. Due to the dedication of the members of the program, and the continued involvement of Portland State in the community, the Western Association of Summer Session Administrators (WASSA) awarded the program their Best Credit Program Award. The award was presented during the 63rd Annual Conference of WASSA, which took place September 21–24. Holly Campbell, coordinator for the School of Extended Studies Summer Session, was present to receive the award at the conference in Saskatchewan, Canada. “The Department of Special Education and our community partner, the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, are deeply grateful for the many years of support from Portland State’s Summer Session so that we can offer this unique Capstone,” said Ann Fullerton, program coordinator at Portland State. This is not the first time that Portland State has been recognized for its continued efforts in summer sessions. In 2000, Maggie Herrington was awarded a Distinguished Service Award from WASSA. Portland State’s involvement will continue with WASSA at its hosting of the 2011 conference.
$2 for other students and senior citizens $3 general admission 510 SW Hall St. 503-725-3551
Vanguard 4 | Arts & Culture October 1, 2009
Arts Editor: Theodora Karatzas 503-725-5694 arts@dailyvanguard.com
The Weekend Starts on Thursday: Killer shows for the student who has already checked out Shaky Hands/Panther dual CD release with Joe Van Appen and DJ Magic Beans From solo projects, to weirdo punk-influenced electropop to the spastic pop rock that can be heard on their new release Entropy, Panther’s music is constantly evolving. Despite the changes, the duo always seems to stay true to what it does best: putting on consistently engaging and entertaining live shows. Berbati’s Pan, 8:30 p.m., $8 advance or $10 door, all ages Pony Village, Veltsin, Aan Remember when Death Cab for Cutie was actually good? I miss those days. Fortunately, it looks like the Ben Gibbard torch has been passed on to local outfit Pony Village. The four-piece ensemble mixes notes of mellow indie rock with upbeat pop and the occasional horn section to create something not all that original, but none-theless enjoyable. Ella St. Social Club, 9 p.m., $3, 21+ The Blakes, Nucular Aminals, The Monarques Nucular Aminals’ leadsinger’s voice is low and monotone, complementing the lyrical quality in their music. The finished product is a perfectly balanced rock and roll treat littered with snappy guitar hooks, catchy harmonies and plenty of keyboards. Rotture, 9 p.m., $8 advance or $10 door, 21+
ARTS & CULTURE
Dirty, filthy swine Local bands meet beer, skate ramps and bacon Stephanie Fine Sasse Vanguard staff
In a city iconic for its vegan cuisine and health-obsessed canvassers on every low-cholesterol street corner, a small group of dedicated, equal-opportunity eaters remains unscathed. This time around, the carnivores are taking a stand with Baconfest, a shameless festival as bad for you as it is good. If you think you have already discovered all of the worthwhile uses for bacon, think again. The brilliantly demented minds of The Meat Show and PDX.FM have revolutionized the beloved hangover indulgence with everything from bacon dance contests to bacon jewelry to a half pipe with bacon skateboards. Not to be outdone, the event will also feature a five-round eating contest in which eight very adventurous contestants will chow down on BLTs, Voodoo Doughnut’s renowned Bacon Maple Bars, bacon-wrapped bananas, bacon-salted Peeps, and bacon ice cream sundaes. Prizes for the night include a Traeger grill and an iPod touch loaded with bacon-themed applications. For those herbivores interested in partying in a sea of meaty madness, “facon” will be available as well. For reasons both ethical and medical, this is not exactly an event for the faint of heart. In an email to the Daily Vanguard, Emily Gibson, pork belly connoisseur and emcee for the night, summed up the event’s target
Big sustainability in little China Seven Planet fills the sustainable living gap in Old Town Mark Johnston Vanguard staff
Shopping isn’t always fun. Aside from the lines, prices and pimplefaced teens who can’t figure out how to scan a barcode, people nowadays are becoming more concerned about their purchase’s impact on the environment around them. Words such as “fair trade,” “carbon offset” and “recycled fabric” have become part of the collective Portland consciousness. People care about how their purchases affect the world around them. It was for this reason that I was happy to see a new store move into the Chinatown area—a store that specializes in eco-conscious shopping and promoting sustainable living. Welcome to Seven Planet. Primarily focused on the seven facets of shopping—apparel, energy, food, health, shelter, household and travel—Seven Planet provides consumer goods, fairly traded and harvested from recycled and low impact materials, at reasonable prices. The building itself is low-impact as well, sourcing the building materials for their fixtures from wood and scrap
audience. “The Meat Show is for people who drink a lot, make bacon, fall asleep, wake up with bacon on their back, and eat it for breakfast,” she said. Not exactly into obsessive meat worship or last night’s cured pork? Rest assured, there’s also a slightly less greasy side to the event. The night has a handpicked lineup of local bands including Ether Circus, Blood Eagle, The Dry County Crooks and Neapolitan Beard. The Vanguard recently caught up with local high-key act and special Baconfest guests, Target for Tomorrow, to chat about their love of dance, beer and, naturally, bacon.
Daily Vanguard: How would you categorize your music? Target for Tomorrow: We can’t pi-
geonhole ourselves. I love that. We don’t have a formula that we go by. We don’t have a set of rules. We blend 80 years of music—ska, big band, contemporary rock. It’s music people can dance to. That’s what we’re really about. We’re about the energy.
DV: When do you feel a show is successful? TFT: When people are really grooving
to it. Nothing gets you more pumped than looking into the crowd and seeing heads bob. Even the people who try not to dance can’t help but move. And we really love doing house shows. It’s all about staying intimate with the fans and friends. Putting on a house show? Call us.
Baconfest: You may be smiling now piggy, but wait till your snarky little head is on the chopping
block this weekend.
called pdxsucks.com. They talk about what they do and don’t like in Portland. Good thing they like us. They have been great and approached us about Baconfest.
DV: Are you excited? TFT: Come on, seriously? Who doesn’t love bacon?
DV: What do you think makes Target for Tomorrow distinct among all the other bands out there? TFT: We’re not just a ska band. Ska
music in general disappeared near the turn of the century and there just haven’t been many bands since with any good horns in them. We’ve got the horns, but we’re also progressive rock. We’re really just a good-time band.
DV: So how did you get involved with Baconfest? TFT: There is an awesome Web site
DV: So what’s next for you? TFT: (laughs) We’re headed for some
found in the building’s basement, as well as acquiring materials from nonprofit renewal centers. The building is located right in the middle of Chinatown, where the neighborhood association has been fervently attempting to build up the area. Seven Planet came at an opportune time, as this area is at the pinnacle of renewal with the new MAX Green Line running through it as of this fall. At this one-stop shop, you can pick up reusable sandwich bags, organic cotton t-shirts, reclaimed wood furniture, water-saving shower heads and tasty vegan treats to snack on while you’re looking at all of the other treasures within. Seven Planet also offers personal transport vehicles that go 25 miles on a single charge and move at a top speed of 16 miles per hour. The Greenloop—an eco-friendly
Web store and wholesaler that produces recycled, organic cotton clothes and environmentally sound apparel and cosmetics—provides clothing for sale in the store. Their furniture is built from salvaged and recycled hardwoods, complementing the fresh, organic food stocked on their shelves. Currently, they are in the process of installing an organic juice bar as well. Seven Planet also provides a few other valuable services. They offer an environmentally non-toxic dry cleaning service that uses a silicon spray to remove harsh toxic chemicals used in the commercial dry cleaning process. There is a building service that will showcase environmentally sound choices for flooring, as well as an outsourcing green construction service. In addition, they offer a roadside service alternative to
Rogue Ales and Laurelwood Public House and Brewery will be supplying the night’s alcoholic libations to help wash down plates of bacon’s best friend from Parker’s Waffles. And if you’re still not convinced then—aside from reassessing your priorities— consider it may be the only opportunity you will ever have to visit a “Bacon Confessional,” watch others dance with bacon or sample a baconinspired brew. Your vegan roommate never has to know. Target for Tomorrow at Baconfest 2009
EastBurn, 1800 E Burnside Oct. 3, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. $5 plus 2 cans of food 21+
beer.
AAA—the Better World Club—which provides all of the same roadside services, but from a more eco-conscious, lower-impact company. Seven Planet aims to be an ecological general store that provides for a new breed of consumer. Stores like Seven Planet are popping up all over the country, socially and ecologically conscious havens that provide consumers with green alternatives to the things in their lives that, while enjoyable and useful, harm the world around them. Little by little, stores like this are able to provide consumers with the means to lessen their carbon impact and even undo the damage they have done to the earth and themselves. Seven Planet even has a backpack that contains solar panels on the outer shell that will charge your iPod and phone—saving you money and saving the environment. Thankfully, we have people that are passionate about the environment and are able to provide a service to their community and the world at large. As the world changes and evolves—for worse or for better—people will continue to realize the need to offset their impact on the environment and embrace their inner hippies, and Seven Planet will meet their needs. Seven Planet
Seven Planet: Just remember, buying more stuff does not mean
you’re saving the planet.
Aaron Leopold/Portland State Vanguard
412 NW Couch St. Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Losing consciousness FlashForward presents a new take on televised metaphysical inquiries Katie Kotsovos Vanguard staff
ABC may have a big hit on its hands with the new show FlashForward, airing Thursday nights at 8 p.m. Or it may just be trying to pawn off a poor man’s version of Lost onto fans of the soon-tobe-ending series. The show, which premiered last week, is a sci-fi drama set in the present day, starring Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) as FBI agent Mark Banford. The pilot opens on a close-up of Mark regaining consciousness. He has been in a car accident and, as he slowly crawls out of
the wreckage, becomes aware of a major catastrophe around him. Mark wakes up to mass casualties on a Los Angeles interstate. Meanwhile, his surgeon wife Olivia, played by Sonya Walger (Penny from Lost), wakes up on the floor of her operating room. Throughout the rest of the episode, the characters try to figure out what the hell happened. What happened was this—for two minutes and 17 seconds, everyone in the world blacked out at the same time. The result was a grand-scale disaster as cars crashed everywhere and planes fell out of the sky. But it wasn’t just that people lost consciousness. As Mark first proposes to a room full of FBI elite, their consciousnesses “went somewhere else.” People compare stories to find that everyone’s mind “flashed for-
FlashForward: A philosophical account of walking on walls and leaning towards windows.
Vanguard Arts & Culture | 5 October 1, 2009
Get in the loop with Project Green Search
FlashForward: Further proof that there is no dignified way to take a press photo.
ward” to the same point in time about six months into the future, a date in April 2010. Most of the characters are disturbed by what they saw—attackers, adultery, nothing. The premise of the show is utterly original. It also poses the age-old literary conundrum about destiny: If you knew your fate, could you change it, or would your attempts to alter the future just lead you on the same path? But what’s really surprising is that in the last seconds of the show, a security camera reveals that, somewhere in the U.S., there was at least one person up and walking around during the global blackout. If the episode wasn’t gripping enough, the two-minute teaser of things to come was absolutely thrilling, promising a lot of action and surprises. It looks like the rest of the season, if not the series, will deal with why the “flash forwards” happened. And it looks like Mark is just the man for the job. The acting is really solid, with veterans of film and television rounding out the cast, most with unfamiliar names but dozens of bit parts to their credit. And the drama is TV-good, if a little unbelievable. John Cho (Harold and Kumar) also stars as Mark’s FBI partner, Demetri. And, though he didn’t appear in the pilot episode, Dominic Monaghan (Lost, Lord of the
Rings) will be playing Simon, someone who appears to play an integral role in demystifying the flash forwards. FlashForward’s writing isn’t particularly clever. Then again, the pilot was really all business, focusing on exposition rather than character development. The special effects, which included a few gratuitous explosions and the disturbing image of a helicopter sliding down a skyscraper, were the quality of CGI to which we’ve become accustomed. The show seems to be off to a good start, with a total 12.4 million viewers tuning in last week, making it the most-watched show in its time slot and beating the second episode of Survivor: Samoa on CBS. Its marketing plan, no doubt, had a lot to do with that. ABC has been hyping the show for weeks, with ads pimping it as the drama event of the year. FlashForward has a lot going for it and the potential to be a very smart, gripping drama. What the creative people involved have to be wary of is pandering too directly to Lost fans, or they risk alienating other viewers.
FlashForward ABC Thursday, 8 p.m.
Dark, sexual violence in the theater
Your last chance to catch Ursula before it heads out on the road Wendy Shortman Vanguard staff
Who can’t resist a story about forbidden love? Ursula encompasses all the ingredients needed for a fascinating tale about love with sexuality, violence and dark humor. The play, a production of Our Shoes Are Red/The Performance
Lab and TASO Productions, tests the limits of most theater productions and brings a provocative 10th-century story about Mother Placida and her young female pupils as they discover the consequences of temptation and desire. Eleven virgins—including Saint Ursula, the star pupil—witness their headmistress, Placida, as she sacrifices her reputation to pursue her new love. Placida instantly falls for the young and powerful Prince Lucas and his feelings are mutual. Their strong attraction to each other causes Placida to question her life of purity and devotion to her students, despite the ensuing dissatisfaction of her pupils and the town. The group of young women is determined to bring Placida back to her senses. Placida and Lucas must find a way to continue seeing each other, but learn they must take violent measures to ensure they will be together. Ursula, written by Howard Barker, opened in Portland to kick off the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center’s 2009–10 season and has been show-
ing for the last four weeks. Closing weekend will be this week. After this weekend, the production will be heading to 21 for 21—an international festival celebrating Barker’s works—on Oct. 21. Barker is a well-known playwright whose stories have been known to expand the limitations of theater. He presents his texts in a way that allows room for interpretation throughout the performance and leaves the message to be determined by the viewer. Among the many aspects addressed in his work, Barker’s focus tends to address human nature, sexuality and power, with the language of the theater and bits of comedic relief to make it go down easier. The producers have combined their efforts to allow younger, less experienced theater participants to work with seasoned professionals to learn tools of the trade that will no doubt prove invaluable in years to come. Our Shoes Are Red/The Performance Lab was established in 1993 and seeks to create an emphasis on the actual creation of artis-
tic works through unique rehearsal techniques. The cast is made up of 11 women and one man, all established actors. Devon Allen plays Placida, Sarah McGregor portrays Ursula and Matthew DiBiasio takes on the role of Lucas. Allen has worked for the La Jolla Playhouse and the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. McGregor has acted in Lanford Wilson’s Burn This, and DiBiasio was recently in the show Thom Pain.
Ursula Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate Ave. Oct. 1–3, 8 p.m. $10 general admission, $5 students
The Greenloop, an internet-based eco-apparel company, along with 29 other sponsors, has created Project Green Search— an online search for the next “it-girl of the green revolution.” Girls from around the globe can submit photos to be viewed by a panel of judges, which will hold preliminary finals during Portland Fashion Week. From there, the finalists will be voted on via www. projectgreensearch. com. The top models will be flown to Los Angeles to compete for the crown of Miss Project Green Search. The winner will receive a slew of prizes, including: top-tier modeling and talent agency representation, a photo shoot with fashion photographer Courtney Dailey, a 20-piece ecofashion wardrobe and photo spreads in at least eight magazines. The winner will be honored as the face of Project Green Search for one year. Girls must be dedicated to professionalism, environmental awareness and social responsibility, be 17 years of age or older and they must be available from Nov. 2–8. No previous experience is necessary and there are no restrictions on height. If you are interested, photos may be submitted at www. projectgreensearch. com. Entry submission ends Oct. 11 and will be judged that evening. Instead of taking those self-shot bathroom pictures to promote yourself on the Internet, you can use that same charm to make an impact and promote “green” living. —Mark Johnston
Vanguard 6 | Sports October 1, 2009
Sports Editor: Robert Britt 503-725-4538 sports@dailyvanguard.com
Campus Recreation Drop-in/Pickup Games All locations in the Stott small gym unless otherwise noted.
Volleyball: Mon/Wed 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sat 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Basketball: Tue/Thu (Main Gym) 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sun 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Indoor Soccer: Tue/Thu 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Flag Football: Mon (Stott Community Field) 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Outdoor Soccer:
SPORTS Vikings head out to meet the call Dan Newman Vanguard staff
The Portland State cross country team is moving into full stride as they prepare for their next competition this weekend. The Willamette Invitational, held at Salem’s Bush Park, presents a chance for the Portland State runners to continue their season of impressive finishes and personal bests. Both the men’s and women’s squads have shown an exciting deal of potential, given the flurry of personal bests that accompanied their initial meets in Eugene and Seattle. After the team’s performance at the Sundodger Invitational in Seattle earlier this month, assistant coach Kevin Jeffers is optimistic. “I personally believe we are going to have a clean slate of personal records again at Will amette. At Sundodger, everyone PRed and I think we are going to have the same thing again,” he said. The team has steadily prepared for this weekend’s meet. “We had a really tough week of training last week. This week we were doing a little bit of lower resting, and we’re getting ready to run fast at Willamette,” Jeffers said. “We’re getting some easy days, we’re getting our legs underneath us and we’re starting to recover,” he said. “We have been hammering away and beating our bodies up, but it will pay off once we get our legs underneath us. We’ll be ready.” Jeffers says that, as always, there is potential for mistakes. “Going out way too fast. There are a lot of good people there, and we need to be in control of our own race, our own rhythm. And going out too fast can jeopardize that.” Tensions can grow heavy before the third race of a season. With
Run Viks, RUN
Running and Gunning : The Cross Country team continues to improve their personal records.
the team settling into a consistent rhythm, the race presents an indicator as to how the season will progress. But Jeffers is not worried. “This one, in particular, is great,” he said, “because it can give us a rough estimate of how well we can run at the end of the season. We can estimate our time, what we’re capable of running there and convert that to what we think we can do with another month and a half.” In Portland State’s first meet, the Pre’s Trail Pre-View in Eugene, junior John Lawrence’s sixth-place time of 23 minutes and 10 seconds in the men’s 6800-meter was a minute and a half improvement over last year,
Wed
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
participation
Badminton: Tue/Thu 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fri 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Upcoming Leagues: Begins Oct. 13 6-on-6 Speed Soccer Begin Oct. 14
petition of the season, the team finished with even more improvements. Lawrence established himself as a frontrunner on the team by again leading the pack and setting a personal best. Despite a muddy trail, the team set down a total of nine personal bests that day, with seven of them coming from the women’s team, which finished in sixth place. Junior Stephanie Deever finished strong with a 17-second improvement from last year, but was bested by Pederson. The Willamette Invitational begins Friday at 3 p.m. and runs through Saturday.
Peer adviser emphasizes
(Stott Community Field)
5-on-5 Flag Football
and two other Vikings finished in the top 10 with him. Sophomore Tony Crisofulli finished 10th, also notching a 44-second improvement. Junior Andrew Salg, a newcomer to the team and former California Community College All-American, became a force to be reckoned with when he placed ninth, in front of Crisofulli. Freshmen Amber Rozcicha and Amelia Holcombe, newcomers to the women’s group, placed 13th and 14th respectively. Freshman Julie Pederson followed up strong with an 18th-place finish to put four Vikings in the top 20. At Sundodger, the second com-
Photo courtesy of PSU Athletics Department
Alan Brown/Portland State Vanguard
Get Rec-ed: Campus Rec offers a myriad of clubs to join. Or just create your own.
Vibrant rec clubs seek active student body James MacKenzie Vanguard staff
In leagues where fun and relaxation are emphasized over competition, it is participation that is important. The health of the recreational clubs at Portland State is dependent upon a vital and diverse collection of sports and other leisure activities. While the majority of clubs are formed along more traditional lines, for activities like rugby or lacrosse, other organizations like Medieval Combat and Random Select—the campus video game club—prove that if there is interest, they can thrive. The Rec Center, located in the Smith Memorial Student Union,
room 47, is where new clubs are born. Eddie Barnhart, peer advisor to both current and prospective club leaders explains that to form a club, the organization first must fit into a loose definition. “We’re recreational. So what we’ve defined that as is sports, games and physical activities. So there’s a lot of range of more recreational and fun stuff,” Barnhart said. The next steps, which can be found on the Rec Clubs Web site at www.pdx.edu/recreation, include the drafting of a constitution, completion of an online application, scheduling a meeting between three leaders from the new group and Rec Clubs Advisor and Coordinator Sami Faile and a short training session to learn the basics of group operations. Though the process may look intimidating, the effort is certainly worth it. The men’s Lacrosse Club, for example, has taken their club to
near-elite status. Created just three years ago, the Lacrosse Club “competes in a league and are competing on almost the highest level of competition for lacrosse … almost like a varsity sports program,” Barnhart says. Even if the Lacrosse Club is the exception rather than the norm, it certainly holds a standard for yetto-be-formed clubs to attain. One of Barnhart’s goals for the Rec Center this year is to encourage the formation of more women’s athletic clubs. He says interest in women’s athletic clubs, specifically soccer, has been high but few clubs have formed so far. “We tried to get some girls rallied to start a club but, because they’re student-run, we need to have at least three members who are going to take the reins. But that’s something that hasn’t happened yet,” he said. Certainly then, the potential for a women’s club—be it soccer or a women’s alternative to an already established male club—is strong. However, if leadership and organization are not a part of an individual’s pedigree, joining a club is certainly an easier process. Though some sports, such as the more traditional and competitive clubs like men’s soccer and lacrosse require tryouts or enrollment prior to league-play, most clubs are open to
members at any point of the year. “To join a club, the best thing to do is to come to a practice and meet the coordinators. Our Party in the Park event is great because pretty much all the clubs there will be signing up new members,” Barnhart said. The rest of the process is mere busy work, as outlined by the Rec Club’s Web site. To join, students simply fill out a code of conduct form and a liability form. For Barnhart, some of his most important moments at Portland State have come through participation with the clubs. “It’s kept me involved at this school. At a school like PSU, where a lot of people come to class and just go, and you don’t have a chance to meet many people, clubs are a great way to meet some friends,” he said. If creating or joining a club is still too intimidating, Barnhart says, simple participation and attendance at club events are still important to the vitality of the clubs. “We love it when people come,” Barnhart said. “It’s just as good as the sports programs [when] our lacrosse and rugby clubs play. It’s almost, I think, cooler because you don’t get to see rugby often.” “Come check it out if you can. Participate,” he said.
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Vanguard Etc. | 7 October 1, 2009
CALENDAR Today Chef Ron Paul Speaks on Portland Public Market 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Smith Memorial Student Union Multicultural Center (room 228) Archaeology First Thursday Lecture Series: “My Archaeology Summer” 4 p.m. Cramer Hall Room 41 Opening Reception: Dorothea Lange Historic Photograph Exhibit 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Smith Memorial Student Union Littman Gallery (room 250) Group X Class: Fitness Boot Camp 5 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Peter Stott Center Dance Room (room 207)
Friday Transportation Seminar: Creating a City of Cyclists Noon to 1 p.m. Urban Center Building Room 204 Film: When We Were Kings 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 5th Avenue Cinema Free with PSU ID
Saturday Football: Vikings vs. Sacramento State 1:05 p.m. PGE Park Film: When We Were Kings 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 5th Avenue Cinema Free with PSU ID KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. ©2009 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by UFS, Inc. www.kenken.com
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Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating.
numberswithintheheavily ● outlinedTheboxes, called cages, must combine using the given
9-28-09
operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. Fillinsingle-box ● cages Freebies: with the number in the top-left corner.
To place an event: Contact calendar@ dailyvanguard.com or pick up a calendar request form at the Vanguard advertising office, Smith Memorial Student Union, room 115.
POP CULTURE ARTS & CULTURE through a poet’s eyes, crafting rich metaphors and meaning around even the most unassuming of life’s nuances. After unveiling the beauty and humor in unexpected places, Castillo wraps it up in neat little packages for the rest of us to enjoy. The Daily Vanguard recently caught up with the self-effacing maestro of melody to discuss all things music.
Daily Vanguard: What has been the single biggest driving force behind your pursuits in the music industry? Damon Castillo: In “Claim to Fame” I sing, “I get high off chords and melody.” There’s no other driving force for me than that. I really think that if you are in the “music industry” for any other reason besides music, you are probably crazy or stupid—or both.
Soul food
The Damon Castillo Band talks the talk Stephanie Fine Sasse Vanguard staff
This weekend, the romantic lights of Jimmy Mak’s will play host to the charming and able Damon Castillo Band. Castillo’s simple and insightful way of writing entire songs about those things the rest of us see every day—but never actually notice—will completely captivate you. Music enthusiasts of all kinds will appreciate the authenticity of the band’s vibrant presentation. The well-orchestrated
Photo courtesy of Barry Goyette
horns, keys and guitar punctuate the music in surprising and relevant ways, leaving you unsure whether to get up and dance or stay reverently seated, enjoying and digesting the truths behind the verse. The old saying, “it stirs your soul,” has a real home with this ensemble from San Luis Obispo, Calif. Each piece is theatrical in its ability to tell a story, not only through lyrical substance, but also through seamlessly timed pauses, builds and braided sounds. One moment pleasantly frames the next. Castillo, brother of musician Dominic Castillo and self-proclaimed “taskmaster” of the band, sees the world
DV: It seems a lot of your real life slips into your music. Do you agree? Is it a necessary form of release or a tool to enhance the authenticity of the music? DC: I firmly maintain that all my
songs are just stories that I make up! But if anything biographical sneaks into them, it wouldn’t be from a need to feel release. Songs take me closer to a feeling—they don’t liberate me from them. Writing is really my favorite thing. There’s no bigger thrill than chasing a song.
DV: Which is better inspiration for a song, love or loss? DC: Lost love! It’s a one-two punch to your heart.
DV: Is there anything about working in the music industry that has surprised you? DC: No big surprises. However, it
might be surprising for non-musicians to hear how little time a working musician has for music. With all the ancillary demands that come with the job, it’s always a joy to just sit down and write a song or play my guitar.
DV: Damon Castillo Band has worked with a very impressive roster of artists. Is there anyone you are dying to work with? How about someone you would like to perform for? DC: I’m a big fan of Harry Connick
Jr. I’ve been listening to his album Oh, My NOLA a lot lately. Prince is another hero of mine. Elvis Costello, too. Stevie Wonder. I’m not sure that I would have the courage to play around one of them, let alone play with them! I’m ready to duet with Feist or Norah Jones. If you read this, please call me.
DV: I’ve read that your latest album, Laurel Lane, was inspired by the studio your music was recorded in, which sounds like an honorary and essential member of the band. What impact do you think a personal venue like that can have on an artist’s work? Do you think physical environment plays a part in the creative process? DC: Very much so. Whether it’s the Rolling Stones in the south of France, Björk in Spain, or Phoenix renting out a swanky hotel suite for a month to write their last album, a lot of musicians have used location to inform their work. Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge for a different environment. I’ve been thinking about recording some tunes up in Portland.
DV: What’s next? DC: This week we’re premiering our
latest video for “One Life Stand.” It answers the question so many people have been asking, “How devilishly handsome does Damon look with a mustache?”
Damon Castillo Band Jimmy Mak’s, 221 NW 10th Ave. Oct. 3, 8 p.m. $10 21+
Dark was the night Batman: Arkham Asylum sets a new precedent for comic book games Steve Haske Vanguard staff
Remember the first time you saw The Dark Knight? You know, that feeling of anticipation and excitement over what was surely going to be the perfect combination of all involved factors, from direction to script to perfect casting (not to mention the sheer potential of beating the already amazing Batman Begins)? Arkham Asylum is video gaming’s Dark Knight. And, goddamn, is this good news. Rocksteady Studios hasn’t just created the perfect rendition of Batman—colored pitch black, just in case you were worried—but they’ve taken the grim essence of everything Batman can be, should be and has been in the comics for years, besting even Chris Nolan’s seminal film adaptation in some ways. By the same token, Arkham is so good that, once you play it, you’ll
probably never really be able to picture another Batman game not using some variation on its stellar mixture of stealth, combat and forensic work. Add in a great, mature script from Paul Dini, a regular writer for Batman: The Animated Series, as well as fantastic cast performances from Kevin Conroy and an irresistibly devilish Mark Hamill (reprising their television roles as the Caped Crusader and the Joker, respectively) and you’ve basically got the interactive version of the beloved cartoon we grew up with. What really makes Arkham sing, though, is that it absolutely nails the tone and feel of Batman, whether you’re talking attention to comic book details, brooding aesthetic or stirringly creepy art direction. At the opening of the game, Batman has taken the Joker into custody and is en route to Arkham Asylum. Of course, all hell breaks loose upon arrival and, suddenly, the Joker has escaped and let loose every so-called “super criminal” in the place. From there on, Batman has to explore the vast grounds of
Vanguard Arts & Culture | 8 October 1, 2009
Arts Editor: Theodora Karatzas 503-725-5694 arts@dailyvanguard.com
Fun facts about llamas Llamas communicate primarily with body language and soft humming sounds. Male llamas make a “clucking” noise when they think a female is nearby, and a louder “alarm call” to alert the herd when they feel threatened. Llamas are often used as guard animals to protect sheep and goats from coyotes. One llama in the pasture will “bond” with the sheep or goats and charge a coyote headfirst to chase it away. If the llama catches the coyote, it will roll it with its head, and try to trample it with its front feet. The llama’s large eyes can look different directions independently from one another, and can see at far distances. When petting a llama’s head, do not put your hand up in front of their eyes or they will jerk their head back. Always reach around and come up from behind. The luxurious hair of a llama has a hollow core, making it light weight for the warmth it provides. Most show llamas are shorn in the spring in a “barrelcut” style to maintain their beauty for public events. Llamas are “communal poopers.” They tend to poop in the same location, which is very helpful when walking in the pasture. Their droppings look like black jelly beans. And because llamas have three chambers in their stomachs, the food is very well digested, making it an excellent fertilizer for all types of plants.
—rojothellama.com
Batman: Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh, duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh BATMAN!
Arkham Island, take down the numerous villains now running loose and stop the Joker’s mad plot. Gameplay is then based around heavy exploration in an open map, where various paths and secrets will open up similarly to Metroid or Castlevania. As the game goes on, you gain new abilities. As Batman works to unravel the Joker’s true intentions, you’re given opportunities to pummel baddies with the game’s intuitive combat system—which allows for quick targeting changes and counters, as well as more stealthy methods of dispatch—and utilize an arsenal of Bat-gadgets with a detective mode reminiscent of Sega’s Condemned series.
In short, Arkham lets you be Batman more than any previous licensed title. Given just how dark and twisted the Batman universe is … Well, you should just drop what you’re doing now and start playing it. You won’t be disappointed.
Batman: Arkham Asylum Eidos/Warner Bros. Interactive PS3, Xbox 360 $59.99