Portland State Vanguard

VOLUME 68 | ISSUE 22 | FEBRUARY 4, 2014

HEA

LTH

and

E D I U G X SE

NEWS

OPINION

ARTS & CULTURE

SPORTS

Tia Gomez-Zeller elected as new vice president of the Associated Students of Portland State University. pg. 4

Does Portland think more about itself than any city in America? Why natives should get over it. pg. 7

Take a look back at Wizard World Portland, where fans united to celebrate comics and costumes. pg.25

Men’s basketball puts on a great show at the Stott Center, and oh yeah, they keep winning there too. pg.30

CONTENT NEWS OPINION HEALTH & SEX GUIDE ARTS & CULTURE CALENDAR SPORTS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

COPY EDITORS

EDITOR@PSUVANGUARD.COM Whitney Beyer

Allie Clark Margo Pecha

MANAGING EDITOR

ADVERTISING MANAGER

MANAGINGEDITOR@PSUVANGUARD.COM Jordan Molnar

JGEKELER@PDX.EDU Jordan Gekeler

NEWS EDITOR

ADVERTISING DESIGNER

NEWS@PSUVANGUARD.COM Coby Hutzler

Michelle Leigh

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Reaz Mahmood

ARTS@PSUVANGUARD.COM Turner Lobey

OPINION EDITOR

4 7 10 24 27 29

ADVISER

ADVERTISING ADVISER Ann Roman

OPINION@PSUVANGUARD.COM Breana Harris

SPECIAL SECTION ART DIRECTION

SPORTS EDITOR

DESIGNERS

SPORTS@PSUVANGUARD.COM Jesse Tomaino

ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR ASSOCIATENEWS@PSUVANGUARD.COM Ashley Rask

PRODUCTION MANAGER PRODUCTION@PSUVANGUARD.COM Sean Bucknam

PHOTO EDITORS PHOTO@PSUVANGUARD.COM Miles Sanguinetti Corinna Scott

Rachael Bentz

Alan Hernandez-Aguilar, Rachael Bentz, Brendan Mulligan, Christopher Peralta

WRITERS

Claude Akins, Joshua Benson, Karisa Cleary, Andrew Echeverria, Joel Gunderson, Sharon Jackson, Morgan Knorr, Adam LaMascus, Alex Moore, Jay Pengelly, Kerry Politzer, Gwen Shaw, Brandon Staley, Derek Sun, Sara Swetzoff, Stephanie Tshappat, Drea Vick

PHOTOGRAPHERS

ONLINE@PSUVANGUARD.COM Claudette Raynor

Alex Hernandez, Morgan Knorr, Jennifer Mikkelson, Tyler Spencer, Helena Wolfe

COPY CHIEF

ADVERTISING SALES

ONLINE EDITOR

COPY@PSUVANGUARD.COM Chelsea Lobey

Lisa Bauman, Robin Crowell, Muhsinah Jaddoo, Casey Jin

The Vanguard is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed 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 subscription issues may incur a 25 cent charge.

The Vanguard is printed on 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper.

Cover: Rachael Bentz ©2013 PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY VANGUARD 1825 S.W. BROADWAY SMITH MEMORIAL STUDENT UNION, RM. S-26 PORTLAND, OR 97201

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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NEWS

New ASPSU vice president elected at senate meeting President Harris Foster’s decision aided by student input at open forum MORGAN KNORR

On Jan. 27, the Associated Students of Portland State University senate met to deliberate on the approval of a new vice presidential candidate to fill the shoes of Yesenia Silva-Hernandez, who resigned due to personal reasons Jan. 1.

The candidate, Tia GomezZeller, was approved with a vote of 16 in favor, none opposed and three abstaining.

Gomez-Zeller was one of three candidates who was in the running to be nominated for the position. She was given the final nomination by ASPSU President Harris Foster after hearing candidate statements, feedback from students and deliberation with Shaymaa Taha, ASPSU chief of staff, at an open forum held on Jan. 22 in Smith Memorial Student Union.

Applications for SilvaHernandez’s position were accepted from those already employed in ASPSU. Foster said in an interview that this

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decision was based on ASPSU’s “need for someone who [could] jump into the position.” Someone who had never worked in ASPSU, he said, would require too much training time.

The other two candidates were Steven Balogh and Linda Hoppes.

Foster said that the role of vice president is redefined every year, and that whomever assumes that role can take any direction. The forum on Jan. 22 provided a place to hear what the candidates planned to do if elected, as well as to find out what the students wanted to see done by them.

The candidates were questioned by Foster and Taha, prompting them to speak about their qualifications and why they wanted the position, what they hoped to do if elected, how they would represent the students and what they thought the role of vice president should be.

“I believe in ASPSU. I believe in student issues,” Balogh said.

He said that this is his “last chance to make a mark,” and listed some of his goals as vice president: to achieve cultural competency across PSU, instate an “effective [and] efficient student government,” build better relationships with unions and to be an “active voice in what happens on our campus.”

Gomez-Zeller voiced her goal of achieving and maintaining cultural competency as well. “We need to keep in mind and understand that PSU is really diverse,” she said. She stressed that this applies to everyone, adding that we “need to understand that [cultural competency] is not only about professors and faculty, [but] also about international and domestic students.”

“There is a voice missing in the governing body of the student government,” Hoppes said. “I want to continue to bring [that] voice to the table.” She said the position of vice president would allow her to grow, to be a leader within ASPSU internally and

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“a liaison between different groups across campus.”

After hearing the candidates’ responses to Foster and Taha’s questions, the floor was opened up to students.

“What [I] really care about when it comes to who has these positions [is] community involvement [on] campus,” said Phoenix Singer, equal rights

advocacy director for ASPSU. Erika Molina Rodriguez, academic affairs director, shared her thoughts about what qualities are important in a vice president. She said that the role should be taken by someone who is friendly and approachable to students and that it is important to ask, “what

[have they] been working on this past year [and] how can their projects connect ASPSU?” With this input from students, alongside statements from the candidates about what vice presidency would mean for them, the decision for nomination was put in the hands of Foster.

TIA GOMEZ-ZELLER was voted in as vice president at a senate meeting on Jan. 27.

MORGAN KNORR/PSU VANGUARD

NEWS

PSU hosts a Wikipedia ‘Edit-A-Thon’

PSU STUDENTS and faculty meet in NH 293 to create new Wikipedia articles and edit existing entries on feminism and art.

TYLER SPENCER/PSU VANGUARD

KARISA CLEARY

This weekend, portland State students and members of the community were invited to increase the presence of female figures on Wikipedia.

The Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon took place in Neuburger Hall on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In particular, this event focused on art and feminism, bringing light to important female figures in society, as well as female artists. This was done by creating articles about them and editing existing articles to add more information. Attendees were allowed to create and edit any Wikipedia page they wanted at the event.

“I hope that a more accurate picture of the world is portrayed on Wikipedia be-

cause of this event and others like it—one that includes the contributions of women to society,” said Julie Perini, a professor in PSU’s art and design program.

Perini was one of three tech-savvy women who hosted this event, along with Krystal South, a PSU graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Lisa Radon, a Portland artist and writer.

This event was held not only to inspire women to share their knowledge, but to change the male-dominated cyber culture that often leaves women out of the picture in Wikipedia articles.

In a survey done by Wikipedia in 2010, it was reported that less than 13 percent of the Wikipedia editing community were female.

Dorthy Howard, Wikipedianin-Residence at the Metropolitan New York Library Council, said these Edit-A-Thon events first took place three years ago in London at the British Museum.

Since then, the movement to get more women involved in Wikipedia has spread throughout the U.S., from New York City to Portland, with the help of Eyebeam, a nonprofit arts and technology center.

Many of the events have taken place in museums and other schools like PSU. As it turns out, hosting an event can be done by almost anybody.

“Eyebeam tipped me off on it on Facebook and within a couple of hours me, Krystal and Lisa had set up [our event] on Facebook. It was that fast,” Perini said. “This

was a big Facebook promotional event, but we blasted it out to students and are welcoming the entire Portland community.”

Howard explained that their events have been prominent in social media and that other organizations are fighting for the same cause.

“We have a lot of people signing up online through different social media. There’s also other groups that have formed for this cause, including the Wikimedia Cascade Group in Portland who have had over ten smaller scale events and the Global Women’s Wikipedia Write-In,” Howard said.

One female PSU student, who asked the Vanguard not to print her name, explained her motivation for attend-

ing the event and bringing more female editors into Wikipedia.

“Our professor told us in class that most of the editors of Wikipedia are male, and I thought that was interesting,” the student said. “So after I heard that, I went and edited Wikipedia—I took the time to add in a little citation that was needed.

“I think there should be more women editing Wikipedia and representing the knowledge that we have, because it’s our collective knowledge we’re putting out for future generations,” she added.

South said she felt it was important to make people comfortable with technology and that no matter how little experience attendees

had, they were still invited to learn.

“I just want people to not be afraid of technology and to have the skills to do this,” South said.

“I am beginning as well, but I’m really excited about technology and don’t want that to be the barrier that stops people from doing this.”

South works in technology and has noticed an increase in the number of women in technology fields. “[Technology] is a man’s industry, but that’s changing really rapidly. Half of the people at my company are women, and it is much more acceptable for women to be in technology now even from 10 years ago.

I think it will continue going this way”, and I think anyone can feel comfortable learning how to do this," she said.

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NEWS New city ordinance mandates protected sick time SARA SWETZOFF

A new sick time law that was passed by the City Council back in the spring came into effect on the first of January.

Voted in unanimously by City Council members, the law gives everyone working in Portland the right to take time off work when they are sick. It also protects the right to time off when a worker needs to recover, take care of a family member, prioritize preventative care or address a domestic violence situation.

“The spirit of the new law is pretty simple: Employers must allow all employees who work within the city of Portland to accrue and use up to 40 hours of protected sick time a year,” explained Diana Bartlett, the sick leave specialist at the office of

CRIME BLOTTER

Commissioner Amanda Fritz.

“National data tell us that 40 percent of private-sector workers and 80 percent of low-income workers have no paid sick days from their job.

This law will help ensure that more people get the time they need to recover when they get sick or need to care for sick family members,” she said.

“Protected sick time means that employees will no longer risk losing their job if they are unable to work for health-related reasons.”

The law affects all those who are employed within the physical boundaries of the city of Portland for at least 240 hours per calendar year. For every 30 hours worked, employees will accrue one hour of protected sick time, up to a maximum of 40 hours accrued annually.

Protected sick time can

be either paid or unpaid, depending on the employer.

“If you work for an employer with six or more employees, your sick time should be paid. If you work for an employer with five or fewer employees, you are guaranteed unpaid, job-protected time,” Bartlett said.

Employers with five or fewer employees may also use a paid time off system and/or paid vacation days, as long as one of these options is available for employees to utilize without notice as part of their guaranteed sick time.

However, the new law sets no ceiling. Employers are encouraged to offer more sick time if they are able. Larger employers will be able to afford to give employees more accrued hours and allow more hours to be used per year.

Week of Jan. 28–Feb. 3

STEPHANIE TSHAPPAT

Jan. 29

Jan. 30

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

Smith Memorial Student Union, second floor At 12:59 p.m. Officer Gary Smeltzer took a report involving damage done by a serial human feces spreader.

Smith Memorial Student Union, second floor Officer Smeltzer received another report of human feces defiling unusual areas of the men’s restroom at 2:24 p.m. DNA collected for submission to the Oregon State Police crime lab.

Read the full Crime Blotter at psuvanguard.com

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Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

CORINNA SCOTT/PSU VANGUARD

It is the responsibility of the employer to state and publicize a clear policy for the use of sick time, such as when documentation from a medical professional is required.

It also falls on the employer to keep track of the accrual and usage of sick days.

Workers who suspect that their employer is not meeting these standards are able to lodge a complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.

All in all, Bartlett said, response to the ordinance among employers has varied.

“There are certainly employers who are not thrilled with any new regulations, but we have been surprised by the positive response from employers who support the spirit of the law and see the benefit in taking care of their employees in this way.”

While the new law may generate increased expense for some employers in the

short term, the office of the commissioner sees the ordinance as improving productivity over the long term.

The informational website for the new sick time ordinance summarizes the benefit of the law: “Employers in turn will have a healthier and more productive workforce due to reduced contagion and turnover.”

For more information, visit portlandoregon.gov/sickt ime/63898

SO PORTLAND

OPINION

STOP DEFINING THE CITY AND START LIVING IN IT The Pop Culture Ephebe

by Joshua Benson A lot of bar encounters in this town inevitably turn to the subject of whence you came, where you’re going and how long you’ve been in Portland. If the person with whom you’re conversing has lived here for more than five years and you haven’t, forget it. They either cast a suspicious eye on you or bemoan the heavy influx of newbies. “I wish Portlandia had never gone on the air,” they’ll usually say.

Then there’s the idea of things that are “so Portland.” You may not know it, but apparently Portland has cornered the frame of reference of everything from bridges and Doug Firs to strip clubs and donuts.

Finally, there’s the idea of Portland as Neverland. When my friend moved to Alaska recently and we were parting in front of a strip club, he rather dramatically brushed his mouth to my ear to whisper, “Don’t get stuck here,” leaving me nonplussed on the sidewalk, finally to snap-to with the sobering fact that I just got here nine months ago.

I never thought any place I moved to would think as much about itself as I thought about it before I moved there. Something’s happened as a result of all of this talk about what Portland is. Portland became an idea instead of an actual place. Portland is this symbolic monolith that apparently maintains exclusivity, keeps people from leaving and stands alone for young hipsters, organic parents, junkies, student posers and environmentalists.

I moved here from Boston, where there is a fair amount of all those kinds of people, and they don’t really question how much of them make up the city in which they live or exactly what their city stands for. It’s a place where many different people live and perform many different activities. It just houses people, and the resources at one’s disposal are used to create a life that’s more important than the place. There are certainly trends, but they’re boundary-free and in constant flux.

With that said, I moved to Portland because I visited and fell in love with an uncommon quality of life. The care that goes into a lot of the products consumed here is through the roof, and the prices are through the floor. But I’m having a problem socially, and I think that has to do with Portland’s behavioral parameters.

You have to act in a very specific way to fit the bill in Portland.

The problem is, these parameters have no ideological center and are really just a means for people to maintain subcultural (or conversational, at least) authority.

The fact is, each day that I experience here pushes me further away from a clean idea of what Portland means. There are plenty of people who have no plans of going anywhere or professionally progressing anytime soon, but there are also some of the most active people I’ve ever met. I sometimes engage in prolonged conversations at the counter with super-chill West

Coast baristas, but I’m mostly shuffled out the door by someone who would rather see me dead than make my latte. Homegrown is definitely big here, but all of my favorite corporate chains are also located downtown.

I think this place has a lot more to offer than people like to think. What it comes down to is choice. One can either perpetuate some amorphous Portland stereotype, or partake in what he or she likes and let that stand for itself. If you want to follow up your Buffalo Wild Wings with a Coava coffee, feel free. Don’t get stuck in the behavioral limits set by this idea of Portland that chooses to ignore or decry the many different things it actually is.

Those homegrown chasers still have all of their homegrown stuff. The hipsters still have their dive bars with plenty of space to hunch at a table and talk about how “hipsters” are dead. The hikers still have Forest Park. The party boys and girls still have the Pearl. Everyone can live his or her own life here, and it can be as much Portland as anything else, because in the end, Portland, just like everywhere else, is just a location.

Nobody has the right to claim sole ownership, and what you do with your life is far more important than your environment, anyway. If you truly feel like your relationship with the city has been stolen from you, there’s always a plane and a new destination that you can pretend to let define who you are.

JENNIFER MIKKELSON/PSU VANGUARD

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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OPINION

NOTES ON THE LAND OF THE SETTING SUN Global Thinking

by Derek Sun

I visited Japan for the first time in the summer of 2009, when for the first time in nearly 50 years the Liberal Democratic Party had lost its majority in the Japanese government, and Yukio Hatoyama of the Democratic Party of Japan became prime minister. This marked the first time the DPJ had ever won the office of prime minister. These political tidbits already sound obscure and dated, and I highly doubt many readers know or care about these facts.

Unfortunately, I would have to agree.

Several decades ago it was fashionable to declare that Japan was going to replace the United States as the world’s superpower. Japanese business, language and culture were being eagerly gobbled up by anyone interested in preparing for the future, or who at least thought they could predict the future.

The boom times ended years ago, and now pessimism is the dominant trend among pundits, journalists, historians and other Japan watchers. Those who want to guarantee wealth and prestige in the future now cite China as the nation that will usurp America’s position.

It is monumentally difficult for Americans to invest time and energy into learning anything about other countries unless we are invading them, or unless some catastrophe occurred in the country of interest. But Japan’s grappling with manifold social, economic and political problems is a useful portent of what America may have to deal with. It is also an example of how Japan failed to deal with festering racism, sexism and social immobility in time, and how these problems are snowballing out of control.

The inability of the Japanese government to govern and keep the trust of its people is one suitable place to start.

Hatoyama’s election came with initial high hopes that he could repair Japan’s economy, remove the American military base of Futenma at Okinawa and repair Japan’s strained relations with neighbors China and South Korea. Hatoyama left office after less than a year, continuing a trend of Japanese prime ministers being replaced each year. Perhaps current PM Shinzo Abe can reverse this trend; he currently has an impressive approval rating of 56 percent. But the past decade of Japanese politics has featured low voter turnout, high cynicism against the government from citizens and an ossified government where nepotism and corruption are not uncommon.

Our nation’s stagnant economy, unresolvable conflicts between Republicans and Democrats and do-nothing Congress are eerily similar to what Japan endures. The recent passage of

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a state-secrets bill in Japan is designed to silence whistleblowers and protect politicians from being exposed for crimes, ensuring that Japan will never produce its own Edward Snowden or Julian Assange.

Since becoming prime minister for the second time, Abe appears to be a more hands-on leader, focused on making Japan more assertive in every way possible. His Abenomics plans and provocative foreign policy decisions about visiting the Yasukuni Shrine and controlling the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands, may stir up patriotism and cause Japanese to shake off pacifism and lethargy. Conversely, they may backfire and worsen already tense relations Japan has with its neighbors, risking war, economic sanctions and riots.

The long history of misunderstandings between nations, refusals to compromise or admit weakness and Japan’s spotty treatment of minorities and immigrants are adding fuel to the fire. With its rapidly aging and shrinking population that is acknowledged by everyone but addressed by no one, Japan could benefit from accepting more immigrants. But a multiracial and multicultural Japan is still anathema for many Japanese, some of whom go so far as to favor building robot elder-care workers instead of hiring immigrant workers. Abe has demanded that Japan work to combat sexism and increase female participation in politics and the workforce, but how much can Japan do to lift itself from its abysmal position as 105th out of 136 nations in the Global Gender Gap Report? Unresolved inequality is surfacing to wreak havoc.

Socially, Japan is becoming smaller, less cosmopolitan and more resistant to change. The New York Times noted in 2011 that “Young and Global Need Not Apply in Japan,” as many Japanese employers even reject Japanese graduates of Ivy League and Oxbridge universities. There is much discussion and hand-wringing over the rise of social shut-ins called

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hikikomori, metrosexuals known as “herbivores,” the parasite singles and various other fragmented demographics uninterested in conventional lifestyles. When the Guardian published an article last fall asking “Why Have Young People in Japan Stopped Having Sex?”, it provoked further examination of Japan’s scarily low birthrate and indications of a country where open communication and warmth are waning.

Japan has yet to formulate any workable plan to ameliorate aging; all of its previous schemes—from inviting South Americans of Japanese descent known as dekasegi to return to Japan, or enacting a points-based immigration system based on that of Canada’s in 2012—have produced underwhelming results.

The future most commonly envisioned now is that Japan’s expanding senior population will face costs of care that a shrinking work force and economy cannot afford, and that Japan will withdraw and weaken more, fueling a vicious cycle.

Recession continues to plague Japanese business, which is losing ground to Chinese and Korean competitors, and the 2011 Fukushima disaster is still far from being resolved. On the contrary, it exposed corruption, incompetence and widespread organized crime activity.

These developments remind us that nothing in life is permanent or guaranteed. In the last century, none of these problems seemed apparent, and it seemed that both Japan and America would prosper with no obstacles in sight. Now with the rise of China, it is possible that America’s role as superpower may also be jeopardized and could disappear in the next few decades.

Japan still possesses enviable businesses, cultural exports and living standards. We have to remember that just as predictions of Japan’s rise failed to bear fruit, declarations of decline may proceed slowly or not at all. At the very least, it is important to note how quickly the world can change and how essential it is to resolve problems now instead of later.

CHRISTOPHER PERALTA/PSU VANGUARD

The sex habits, they are a-changin’

OPINION

How relationships can make you kinkier

The Cuddlefish

by Adam LaMascus It is undeniable that any long-term—and sometimes short-term—relationship will alter you a bit. You rub off on your partner, and they rub off on you. You both pick up habits, quirks, tastes and sometimes opinions that the other person holds. This is also completely true for sexual tastes, and it is important to remember that.

My girlfriend and I enjoy reading advice columns for fun. We give our own responses and often complain about the actual response the columnist gave. One of the most common questions, especially among some of the kinkier columns like Dan Savage’s “Savage Love”, goes along the lines of “my partner has a kink I think is weird or doesn’t turn me on. Help!”

Concern about different or seemingly incompatible tastes is perfectly valid. However, don’t panic or make snap judgements about your partner because of their kinks or sexual preferences. Unless, of course, those preferences are illegal, extremely unsanitary or hurt other people. Then feel free to be squicked out.

Shy of that though, it’s important to keep an open mind and be willing to try what your partner wants. A caveat there—you don’t have to try everything. It’s fine to say, “Your fetish turns me off, and I don’t want to do it.” In case that sounds contradictory: Keep an open mind and try to be indulgent, but it is perfectly fine to say no. Even when saying no it is vital to keep an open mind, be kind and don’t be judgemental. It’s pretty obvious that there is a tremendous difference between “I’m sorry, but that actively turns me off, let’s do other things,” and “ew, you freak!” Although I suppose some people are probably into being told they are freaks.

Assuming you say yes, I think it is important to try to be indulgent for a couple of reasons. First, working together to please each other is what loving and caring partners do. Second, you may discover things you didn’t realize you would enjoy.

I spoke to a person who was a submissive in bed, and he began dating a woman who was also a submissive. He was eager to please and did enjoy being dominant periodically, so he became the dom much more often than he would have chosen to initially. During the conversation he laughed and said “After a few years, she’s turned me into quite the top.

She still is dom periodically, but it’s almost always me, and I really enjoy and prefer that now.”

Another example came up with a different person—we have interesting conversations during the weekly art night with my Oregon State University friends. This friend had only been a tad kinky when he started dating. He really did not get much more intense than leather handcuffs. He began dating somebody else who was

ALAN HERNANDEZ-AGUILAR/PSU VANGUARD

“It’s pretty obvious that there is a tremendous difference between ‘I’m sorry, but that actively turns me off, let’s do other things,’ and ‘ew, you freak!’” comparably kinky, which is to say, barely. However, within a year of them dating they achieved a kinky resonance, and together inspired each other to become increasingly kinky. Now they use handcuffs, floggers, blindfolds, gags, non-consent scenes, choking, spanking and more intensity.

While obviously far from the kinkiest people out there, they are now much higher up on the scale than they were originally. At the start, neither would’ve ever imagined they would have done these things, and some of the ideas would have actively turned them off. But they kept open and accommodative minds and discovered a lot of new things they enjoy, while having fun in the process. I asked them about the common idea in pop culture that kink only comes up

when “vanilla” sex becomes boring. She responded, “I would hardly say that sex becomes boring in a relationship. In fact, I would actively argue against that. But, you do become more open to novelty as time goes on. Vanilla sex is still our main course, we’ve just incorporated side dishes.”

At this same art night discussion, one point upon which everybody agreed was that it was really fun to have their sexual tastes evolve with their partner, and that this was itself intensely romantic. Everybody I asked said that it was a wonderful bonding experience to develop and grow each other’s sexual tastes.

Keep all of these things in that open and accommodating mind of yours, and have fun!

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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health and sex guide

H T L A HE and

SEX GUI

DE

Hey sexy,

Shhh. Take it easy, now. You know what time it is? That’s right. It's sexy time. Right now is all about you. Shhh.

That’s right. You’ve been working so hard. Now it’s play time. God knows you’ve earned it. So dim the lights and fire up the candles. Bust out the record player and put on something slow and groovy. Follow the path of rose petals and get between the sheets. It’s about to get hot in here.

RACHAEL BENTZ/PSU VANGUARD

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You in bed yet? Good. I’ve got something to give you. Oh, that's right, baby. It’s the Vanguard’s Health and Sex Guide. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, this is exactly what you want—and need.

With some passion and some oh-sotender loving care, the Vanguard has whipped up a sexy surprise, just for you. What’s your thing, baby? We got it. Interested in strippers, porn, or the circumcision debate? Oh, we got plenty of that.

Maybe you're more into the health thing. That’s cool, too. We got that. We

got information on the health care debate, a guide to beat brain drain, and plenty of tips to keep that body rockin’ all night long.

Feelin’ wild? Good. After this, anything goes. The only taboo is if you don't find some pleasure in this sexy guide. So don’t fret, this is your free pass to get a little weird. Now’s the time. Burrow into those sheets and spread this paper open.

Much love, The Vanguard editorial staff

health and sex guide

Drink up (responsibly)!

DREA VICK

Just what you want to hear: Alcohol can actually be good for you. It sounds like a mixed message, but it’s true. Alcohol gets bad press most of the time, but it’s mostly in regard to drinking too much—which can often be a problem with college students. Moderate drinking is beneficial, but be aware of the slippery slope that can lead to drinking excessively.

There’s a fine line between moderate drinking and binge drinking, and it’s lower than you might think. Women should generally not drink more than two drinks a day, and men should not drink more than four. This is each standalone day, not an average over several days. Light alcohol consumption can reduce and sometimes eliminate the risk of life-threatening diseases and conditions.

reduce your risk of heart disease Currently the numberone cause of death in the

U.S., heart disease claims upwards of 1 million lives a year. A study done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) found that there was a sharp decrease in the risk of developing heart disease, upward of 40–60 percent.

A Harvard University study found similar results: Moderate drinking increases the amount of HDL cholesterol in your system.

This is good cholesterol that reduces your risk of plaque buildup and potential heart attacks. Don’t think that because you’re young, you’re immune to heart attacks; it happens to young people and old people alike.

reduce risk of stroke and high blood pressure The natural anti-clotting qualities of alcohol lets your blood flow through your veins without getting stuck.

reduce risk of diabetes

stresses down the road that could cause dementia.

Diabetes is caused when your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or your body isn’t sensitive enough to insulin to transfer glucose to your cells to use for energy. Excess glucose in your bloodstream is dangerous and toxic. Alcohol is found to make the body more sensitive to insulin, therefore reducing the risk of your body developing this chronic and dangerous condition.

you’re less likely to get sick

reduce risk of dementia later in life

Alcohol makes you relaxed and more open to creative possibilities. A study done on a group of 40 men found that after two pints of beer, they performed better on creative exams than their sober counterparts.

Alcohol helps keep our brains sharp. Small amounts of alcohol make brain cells more fit, and ethanol helps the neurons in the brain resist wear and tear that can lead to dementia later in life.

Alcohol in moderate amounts stresses cells and toughens them up to cope with major

The antioxidant properties in wine reduce the risk of developing the common cold by as much as 60 percent. This was found in people who consumed between eight and 14 drinks a week— that’s one to two a day, for those keeping track.

levels and combat signs of aging. The NIAA also found that moderate drinkers had the greatest longevity, even over non-drinkers. When adjusted for other factors, moderate drinkers died young 50 percent less often than heavy drinkers or those who abstained.

Wine, by far, is the most beneficial of all alcoholic beverages out there, mainly due to its antioxidant prop-

erties, but all alcoholic beverages provide most of the same upside. Just make sure you drink only in moderation. A serving of wine is five ounces, beer is 12 ounces, and liquor is one and a half ounces. Bear in mind that a standard pint in a bar is 16 ounces, which is 1.3 servings.

Even with the restrictions, it’s good news for all that alcohol isn’t as bad for you as some previously believed.

be creative

look younger and live longer The antioxidants found in wine increase energy

JENNIFER MIKKELSON/PSU VANGUARD

Eat good food, make brain happy DREA VICK

It’s a common trend among college students to live a “grab and go” lifestyle, eating when they feel incredibly hungry, and eating whatever is available.

Not only is this not economically sustainable, but it also wreaks havoc on the brain’s ability to run at optimal speed.

If you want to be the best student you can be, it starts with the fuel you put in your body.

Think of the body like a car; if the oil is changed regularly and has a clean tank, it’s going to run more smoothly and more efficiently. Your body is just like that; feed it clean energy and it will perform better.

This doesn’t mean that you’ll

instantly get A’s if you start eating a more healthy and balanced diet, but your focus and cognition will improve dramatically to increase your potential to earn those A’s.

The cornerstone to avoiding brain drain is to eat breakfast every day. Students who eat breakfast on a regular basis have better memory and attention over students who tend to skip. Breakfast jump-starts your metabolism and sets the pace for the rest of the day. Focus on eating a whole-grain cereal with some fruit. Don’t eat too much though; if you weigh yourself down, especially with carbs, it hinders more than it

helps you. Skip the pancakes and go for the oatmeal.

Eat five to six small meals a day. If you stick to the big three, your body devotes too much energy to digesting and not enough to your brain. Eating at regular intervals helps keep nutrient and energy levels more stable, curbing the temptation of empty-calorie snacks.

Prepare small meals to have on hand ahead of time. Designate one day a week where you cook two to three entrees that will last you a couple days each. If you don’t know what to cook, look up healthy and fast recipes.

If you don’t like to cook, you can stock up on bean soups

and pre-made sandwiches along the lines of peanut butter, tuna, chicken salad or cold-cuts. Avoid eating snack foods or convenience foods all the time. They have little nutritional value, and do very little for brain power beyond a very short burst of energy.

With that said, snacking goes a long way. Snacking helps you study. If you’re smart while you snack, you may find that you retain more information. Try to get two food groups, like both protein and complex carbs, into your snacks to balance the nutrients and keep your blood sugar level stable.

Some smart snacks include a banana or other fresh fruit with peanut butter, cheese and whole-grain crackers, veggies with hummus, a handful of nuts with some cranberries or raisins, a hard-boiled egg, or a protein-rich nutrition bar.

Coffee gets a bad reputation, but in reality is a natural antioxidant that boosts brain power and enhances focus.

Studies have shown that up to four cups a day is beneficial. If coffee isn’t your thing, green tea is also an excellent choice for a caffeine boost with the added benefit of antioxidants.

Blueberries and other fruit are absolutely fantastic. They

are made up of clean energy, so you don’t get the spike and crash that follows eating refined sugar like in a candy bar.

Chocolate can actually play a significant role in boosting brain power as well. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, which improves focus and concentration.

Don’t overdo it though; your body still needs a vast array of other nutrients.

If you follow this advice, along with getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and sleeping eight hours a night, you will find that your brain will work better for longer. At least give it the ol’ college try; you have nothing to lose.

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health and sex guide

Bedroom body image:

Love the skin you're in BREANA HARRIS

I was working an office job a few years ago when there was a minor excitement over two co-workers openly lusting after each other. She played hard to get, and he pursued her in a kind of endearing but mostly entertaining way. My female co-worker was a very pretty girl and not at all skinny. My male co-worker obviously didn’t mind, but I did hear him say something along the lines of how he shouldn’t get his hopes up because “she’s probably one of those girls who keeps her shirt on during sex.”

It struck me as fairly interesting at the time that he was less concerned with the size of her stomach and more concerned that she would go out of her way to cover it up.

And apparently, many women do these kinds of things, from keeping the lights off to minimizing the positions they’re willing to be seen in.

In 2011, a British study found that over half of women postpone or avoid sex altogether because they think of themselves as fat, and studies report that a woman’s body image affects her sex life more than any other factor, even menopause. Sadly, I don’t think women or men would be too shocked to hear that.

It’s easy to fall into a black hole on the internet when you’re looking for general opinions and viewpoints on modern-day “fat-shaming” issues, especially when it comes to sex and dating. There are a number of so-called “athletic” men who complain that it simply wouldn’t look right for them to date a larger woman, men who make assumptions

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about what a larger body can and cannot do as far as sexual flexibility, and what I think are the worst of all: men who genuinely believe large women are miserable, unmotivated, lazy or even stupid.

As a lifelong fat girl, I’ve learned to shrug off people’s physical preferences and assumptions, even when they are gross, but under the umbrella of America’s so-called obesity epidemic, we’ve now turned “fat” into a character issue. How can you expect women to be confident about themselves when they are not only told their bodies are unattractive, but now they’re bad people as well?

And yet, we have started to see a shift in recent years toward a greater awareness of these issues, and women have started to value their curves again. A 2013 study

by British retail store Littlewoods showed that women are most comfortable at size 16—an American size 12.

Even more importantly, the study showed that over half of women would rather be curvier than thinner, which I highly doubt would have been the case 10 years ago.

In the UK especially, it’s become much more common to see plus-sized models in advertisements and store windows. While progress has been incredibly slow, there are now more plus-sized female celebrities and more of a push for different body types to be represented in the media. In the 1990s, it was all about looking like Kate Moss, but now it’s much better to be Scarlett Johansson.

Theoretically, this should be a good thing. But what if you were born looking like Kate Moss?

In that same Littlewoods study, 35 percent of size six women (an American size two) said they want a curvier body because they believe it is considered sexier. And indeed, it’s considered common knowledge that men like curvy figures more than athletic or super skinny ones— just not too curvy, you know.

But honestly, it is difficult to make generalizations about what men like because it’s all over the spectrum. And shouldn’t thin women have the right to feel sexy just as they are, too?

The acceptance of larger sizes shouldn’t come at the expense of smaller ones.

Many women are surprised to hear I’m such a fan of Keira Knightley, who has often had horrible things said about her body and actually successfully sued a tabloid in 2007 for suggesting she was responsible for a girl dying of anorexia. Though we are at opposite ends of the scale, figuratively and literally, I find that I can relate to much of what Knightley says about body image and self image, which has always been kind of fascinating to me.

The larger point is we shouldn’t have to live in a world where women are genuinely afraid to have sex because of what they look like. Tuning out the complicated opinions of society and the voices of judgment that follow all women as they grow up is difficult, but it’s not impossible. While my former male co-worker proves the old adage that “men like confidence,” there is also a lot to be said for not letting what other people like get in the way of you liking yourself.

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

RACHAEL BENTZ/PSU VANGUARD

health and sex guide

Why 'ho' should be a no-no ASHLEY RASK

If you’ve ever been on that little known thing called the internet, you’ve probably heard the term “slut-shaming” once or twice. For those unfamiliar with the term, slut-shaming is the act of making someone feel guilty for having sexual desires, engaging in sexual behaviors or dressing in a way that’s deemed inappropriate based on traditional standards of society.

The usage of the term has exploded in recent years, earning itself its own Wikipedia page and thousands of posts on various social media sites. However, slut-shaming isn’t exactly a new concept; in fact, society has been making people feel bad about having sex for centuries.

Here are a few noteworthy slut-shaming events throughout history. While these three events focus mainly on female slut-shaming, I would like to note that slut-shaming happens to men as well.

birth control

The use of contraceptives has always been a hotly debated issue, and that holds true even today. Several opponents considered the use of birth control unnatural, thus leading to restrictions like the Comstock laws (1873) which, among other things, prevented contraceptive information and devices from being sent in the mail.

Many women felt shame surrounding sex and unwanted pregnancies, but had nowhere to turn. Enter Emma Goldman and Margaret Sanger—two women who advocated for birth control and sexual education.

Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the U.S. and helped legalize contraception, hoping to prevent unsafe abortions and give women the opportunity to choose when to have children.

An anarchist and advocate for women’s rights, Goldman illegally gave out birth control and openly spoke on free love.

Both women devoted their lives to breaking down unjust laws created by the fear of female sexuality.

bathing suits

Sure, picking out a bathing suit can be nerve-wracking, but can you imagine being arrested for wearing the wrong one?

This was a problem for both men and women in the 1920s and ‘30s, when the rules of fashion were strict but modesty laws were even stricter.

Women were prohibited from wearing swimsuits that were more than six inches above the knee and were banned from showing their navel to the point where any navel present in magazine photographs was airbrushed out.

Men also had laws restricting their attire in public. Men were forbidden from being shirtless in public, even on the beach.

Anyone violating these laws was promptly arrested for indecent exposure.

However, as the decades went on, style evolved, as did laws regarding modesty, and eventually the bans were lifted.

miley cyrus

Looking at more recent examples of slut-shaming, Miley Cyrus’ performance at the Video Music Awards in 2013 spun people into a flurry across America. It should come as no surprise that a woman’s display of sexuality while twerking on stage gained more criticism than other celebrities who were doing things like getting into fights at a nightclub (I’m looking at you, Justin Bieber).

People across the country were quick to brand the actress and recording artist with names like “slut” and “whore.” Many even made comments like “What happened to Hannah Montana?” The thing that’s so wrong with that question is that Cyrus is no longer a 14-year-old acting on the Disney channel— she’s a fully grown woman capable of making her own choices, which includes how she embraces her sexuality.

However, one good thing that did come from this firestorm was that talking about slut-shaming became less of a taboo; people began to contribute to a larger conversation regarding the shaming of sexuality.

'Women on Weights' STEPHANIE TSHAPPAT

As someone who’s been active most of my life, I’ve always enjoyed pushing my limits where fitness is concerned. For example, since I turned 30 this year, I decided to celebrate by signing up to run the Tough Mudder race with a team of family and friends in Lebanon, Ore. in August. Signing up for the race was a way to make a commitment to myself to prioritize fitness in my life again, and it’s a pretty hardcore race—based on the training the British Special Forces teams use—so my training for it will have to be equally intense: cardio, weights, running, the works.

That being said, lifting weights is an area of fitness that has always been intimidating to me. This is due to both my lack of knowledge about it, and to injuring my shoulder one of the first times I used weights. But when I heard the Academic and Student Rec Center was offering a class for women to learn more about using weights, it sounded exactly like what I needed.

ASRC personal trainer Katie Gowell, a grad student with a focus on education, said that the Rec Center has had this program for a while, but that it’s been less structured in the past.

“I’m a Group [Exercise] certified instructor, and I really wanted to make this opportunity more like one of those classes,” she said. “I had lots of clients who had never been on the third floor of the Rec Center before, who were [too] intimidated or afraid of injury,” to want to use weights in their routine.

ALEX HERNANDEZ/PSU VANGUARD

In particular, many people came to Cyrus’ defense, like feminist blogger Kate Dries who wrote in an article on Jezebel that “It was jarring because, as opposed to the random, half-nude models we’re used to seeing prance around Robin Thicke, we were watching a 20-year-old woman—a household name, someone we ‘know’—play the object in Thicke’s sexy sex dream…the focus has been on Miley’s performance choices and not Thicke’s compliance in them.”

While things have changed for women over the last century, there is still a long way to go. Maybe instead of trying to change the performer, we should be changing the audience.

KATIE GOWELL (FRONT), a Rec Center personal trainer, leads the Women on Weights group.

“After working with several clients in the weight room and seeing how it empowered them, I wanted to take the mystery away from weight programs,” she said.

The class is called Women on Weights, and is offered every Monday and Wednesday from 9–9:45 a.m. During that time, Gowell is on hand to help women learn how to use the different machines and equipment, and to learn what, when and how to lift. The free class is in a drop-in format, and all levels of experience in regard to weights are encouraged to attend.

Gowell explained that in each session she chooses a focus to go over—generally certain machines to work out certain muscles—then demonstrates the basic form of each exercise, how to set up the machine, and what it will accomplish for the muscle group being worked. She then allows time for those attending to rotate through each machine she’s demonstrated.

Gowell is positive and encouraging, monitoring the form of the students when using the machines, giving positive feedback and making corrections and adjustments when necessary.

“I want to get people to feel comfortable using the weights,” she said, adding that questions about exercises are also encouraged.

Gowell became certified to teach Group Exercise last year, and earned her personal trainer certification last June as well, both through ASRC. “The class has really flourished and I hope it continues to,” Gowell said. “We’re trying to attract a community of women to occupy this space, and to create a community of

HELENA WOLFE/PSU VANGUARD

strong women to set aside this time to feel like they’re a part of something. It’s about finding something fun that works for you.”

For questions about Women on Weights, you can contact Gowell via email at kgowell@pdx.edu

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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health and sex guide

Finding beauty and truth in a Portland strip club VIVA LAS VEGAS BARES BODY AND SOUL ON STAGE WHITNEY BEYER

The city of Portland loves its strip clubs, as it is home to more strip clubs per capita than any other major city in the U.S. Viva Las Vegas is arguably the most famous of Portland’s many dancers, and her achievements can be measured both on and off the stage.

An accomplished writer, Viva’s published works include two book titles— Magic Gardens: The Memoirs of Viva Las Vegas and The Gospel According to Viva Las Vegas: Best of the Exotic Years—as well as articles in Portland Monthly, The New York Times and Village Voice.

As the daughter of a Minnesotan preacher, it may not

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surprise you to learn that Viva considers the stage her pulpit. “I love ministering,” she says in a tone that is both confident and sultry.

With 17 years of stripping under her belt, Viva feels fortunate to have found an art form that resonates with her, and says she would do it for free. “Art can be very inspiring, and I’ve always called this art,” she said.

Viva came to dancing for intellectual reasons. “I studied anthropology at Williams College, and I thought the way sex workers were considered wasn’t very thorough,” she said. “I wondered, ‘Why aren’t these people getting intellectual treatment?’”

“We treat sex workers like second-class citizens,” she

added. “It’s actually very anti-feminist.”

While a senior in college, Viva took a trip to New Orleans with some friends. It was there she encountered her first exotic dancer, and it was then she decided it was what she had been searching for.

“It was anthropology, economics, art, body, sex and culture,” she said. “It was everything I was interested in.”

Believing it inappropriate to dance in her hometown where her father had established himself as a religious figure in the community, Viva found home in the rainy city.

Viva thinks Portland is a good place for sex work because the climate is gener-

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ally more accepting. “It’s not all good, and we hear about trafficking that takes place, but I think women feel more comfortable choosing that work here.”

These days she’s dancing at Mary’s downtown, and she’s grateful for the amazing people she’s met there.

“I love my coworkers. They are some very independent and innovative thinkers,” she said.

While Viva acknowledges that not all sex workers are fortunate enough to be in the industry on their own terms, she thinks it’s important to respect the decisions of the women and men who are.

“If sex work is legalized and respected, we’ll have a better sex industry. Right now it’s corrupted by greed and vice,” she said. “Women stand most to benefit from its legalization.”

Viva sees her work as being more about empathy than eroticism. “Most girls will tell you it’s not about sex, it’s about connection,” she said.

“Nobody ever asks for your phone number and nobody expects to get laid. Sometimes people just want to talk as humans.”

That human interaction is what Viva cites as her favorite part of the job. “I love that every day is different and I can connect with the patrons on a very deep level,” she said.

“Everything is a part of the human experience. I’m not there to judge you, I’m there to find that common ground.”

To illustrate the level of empathy the women at Mary’s bring to their work, Viva shared a story about one of her co-workers, Beth.

RACHAEL BENTZ/PSU VANGUARD

“We have a regular customer, an older man with pretty severe autism, and Beth makes him feel like a part of the family,” she said.

“One day he came in after his father passed away and he was really distraught,” she explained, adding that the man was living with his father when he died.

“Beth took him to the humane society, got him a kitten so he wouldn’t be lonely, and made sure he was connected to any resources he might need. Within a week this guy went from suicidal

to totally okay, and now he brings the cat in for a visit once a month.”

Stories like this aren’t exceptional, Viva says. She and her co-workers have made deep connections with many lonely patrons that have wandered into Mary’s, and it’s that connection that inspires passion in her work.

“I’ve always been looking for beauty and truth, and I feel really lucky to have found that,” she said. “And well, it’s awesome to just dance around to music on stage.”

health and sex guide

Great boobs of fire ‘What do I do with my hands?’ and other timid strip club insecurities TURNER LOBEY

Before writing this story, I had never been to a strip club. It’s not like I had anything against it, and I am certainly pro-boob, but it had never really been on my to-do list. For some reason, it just felt a little foreign and intimidating. Being timid, I tried to think of a way to write about this without actually going, but that would have been cheating. The only way to write about strip clubs in Portland is to go to strip clubs in Portland. So I did.

Being new to the experience, I was flooded with questions. How does the whole tipping thing work? What do I do when someone makes eye contact with me? Smile?

Stare timidly at my feet? And my hands. Oh, Lord. What do I do with my hands? I never figured that out.

A friend was kind enough to show me some key spots among Portland’s strip joints.

This was our night.

1. MARY’S The place was a little divey and the bathroom looked (and smelled) like it had been pressure washed with piss.

Other than that, my nervous expectations were shattered. Devoid of weirdos or trench-coat masturbators, the bar was filled with mostly normal people drinking beer while a naked woman danced to some classy jazz.

Wafts of tacos came in waves from the Mexican restaurant in the back, which was a little weird.

Seeing someone strip for the first time was an odd experience. I mean, it’s a naked person. I usually only see that on the internet.

I was nervous and a little bashful, but the whole thing was much more relaxed than I had imagined it. But for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what to do with my damn hands.

2. MAGIC GARDEN We moved on to Magic Garden but noped out of there after walking in to an empty building. Standing in the doorway, the employees of the vacant building stared down at us like something out of Children of the Corn. My uneasiness grew exponentially.

3. UNION JACK’S The beer was cheap and the music was good. Next to the stage, Mr. Clean was transcending this plane of existence, practicing T’ai Chi Ch’uan, belting out incomprehensible phrases and praying to the dancers’ booties. He later came up to us and tried to take our jackets, but other than that, he wasn’t too bad.

Later on, some guy was being a little too rowdy and got tossed out by the bouncers.

When he refused to leave, he was dragged out by the foot by security. He sat outside the bar screaming “knuckle draggers!” and “brain over brawn, motherfuckers!”

I wasn’t brave enough to sit at the stage, but I did suck up the courage to walk over and tip. When I put the money on the stage, the dancer and I made eye contact. Shit. What do I do? I hadn’t thought this through.

I awkwardly grinned like the Cheshire Cat and slowly backed up until I got back to our table. Nice save on my part.

All in all, I was able to get Coors Banquet by the bottle and saw a few too many buttholes. Not too bad, really.

4. SASSY’S Great boobs of fire! Walking into Sassy’s was like stepping into a Cirque du Soleil show.

I swear to God, the acrobatics were damn impressive.

At the table in front of us, a group of guys were highfiving to boobs and feeling each other’s biceps. One guy on the other side of the bar made it rain with a handful of ones like a douchebag.

Oh, and someone lit her nipples ON FIRE. With flames.

When we left, it was midnight. My ears hurt, and I felt exhausted and old. At some point I realized that I had actually had a really good time painting the town red with a friend. I don’t see myself spending a lot of time at strip clubs in the future, but that night was a step toward breaking down barriers and deconstructing taboos.

Plus, I saw someone set their nipples on fire. That’s something you don’t see every day.

HELENA WOLFE/PSU VANGUARD

HELENA WOLFE/PSU VANGUARD

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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health and sex guide

Confessions of a porn clerk BRANDON STALEY

James Willig worked as a porn clerk for nearly three years.

He’s out of the business now, but it was a part of his life he’ll never forget. I sat down with Willig and we chatted about the crazies, how taboo becomes commonplace and some of the misconceptions about porn clerks.

vg: I think a lot of people consider working in a porn shop to be one of those jobs where you just naturally accrue weird stories. Do you find that to be true?

jw: Ab-so-lutely.

There was this one particular night when this guy opens the door, and as soon as the door opens up you can smell booze on him from, like, ten feet away. This guy was well-and-truly drunk. And he had a pair of pants on that had written all over them: STATE OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. So I assume this guy had been in jail recently, you know, that day. And so he comes over to me and he’s carrying a bindle—a handkerchief that has something in it that’s all tied up.

And he’s like, “Hey, man. My girlfriend works at Nordstrom.

And she’s got a bunch of these. I was wondering if I could sell you a couple?”

He opens up the bindle and it’s filled with used thongs.

I don’t know if he had got them from the laundromat, but these clearly were not brand new. You know, they were well worn and he was selling them for $3 each, or two for $5.

And I’m like, “Nah, dude, we have an entire rack behind you.”

And he looks over his shoulder at the rack and then drunkenly looks back at me and says, “Oh, I see how it is.” You know, as if it was this personable affront to him.

So he goes to leave, and just as he’s about to go out, he turns back and he looks at me and says, “But you gotta admit: I’m a player.”

And then he just left.

vg:

Does the weirdness of working in a porn shop ever become an everyday thing? Does it lose its bite after a while?

jw:

A lot of those things that you sort of hold as taboos are commonplace there. And so, you know, there would be people that come in and rent what I call “nightmare porn,” which is just some of the more graphic and really just disturbing stuff.

And they would look like just any other person out and about, going to the Redbox or whatever.

At first I was just taken aback very, very much. It’s hard to not look at the DVD they just handed you. But after that second year you just go find the code and pull the movie. You aren’t gonna look at it after a while.

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ALEX HERNANDEZ/PSU VANGUARD

vg: What’s one misconception about working in a porn shop vg: Do you think working in a porn shop has changed your that you would like to see cleared up?

jw:

That a lot of us are skeevy or sexual deviants in some way. A lot of the people I worked with were just younger people, in their late-teens to early-20s. For a lot of people it was their first job, their first introduction to the workforce.

They were just young people with open minds and healthy attitudes towards sex.

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perspective on anything?

jw:

Yeah, actually. I’ve joked that there should be a reprogramming of all porn clerks trying to re-enter normal society, because you get so accustomed to these, you know, bizarre and taboo things on the regular.

It took a while to get out of that mindset and, kind of reenter a world where that stuff isn’t just constantly hitting you over the head.

health and sex guide

Is it still dating when you don’t leave your room?

SEAN BUCKNAM

This isn’t my first foray into the realm of dating on the internet. Five years ago, after the end of a long-term relationship, I started a Match.com profile. I was fairly new to Portland; most of my friends were in committed relationships, and were not interested in going out on the town on a Friday night.

I had low expectations which were easily exceeded.

I quickly had a few dates starting to pile up, and within two months I had found someone. Obviously that didn’t last, because here I am on OkCupid, looking for a match made in cyberspace.

Online dating was supposed to make dating easier.

You answered some questions and a dating super computer would work its magic, churn out some percentages and find you a person that shared similar interests and values. Based on all this information the computer gathers, you find someone who complements you and you live happily ever after. Instead you sit up at 2 a.m., combing through profiles trying to find something clever to say.

The problem with online dating isn’t the people, but their profiles. I know we live in the Pacific Northwest and everyone likes hiking, floating rivers, riding bikes, drinking craft beer or going to wine tastings and running in ridiculously-themed 5Ks—so can we please move past listing that stuff? I want to know something that makes you unique.

Tell me how you got into the things you’re into, or a funny story that happened at an event. What makes you different from the other 500 people on OkCupid that all like this same stuff?

Besides that, it helps when you give questions for people to answer. This takes the pressure off the other person to find something to message you about. If you say, “You should message me if you think you want to,” this leads me to believe that you have no intention of meeting people on this site. In which case, why are you on this site?

Above all, you should be yourself and let your personality shine through your profile. When we finally meet in person, I don’t want to be lead to believe you’re outgoing and adventurous, only to find out that you’re shy and have nothing to add to a conversation.

Another problem is that women get bombarded with messages by guys who have no class saying, “you’re hot,” or “let’s fuck.” These are the same guys that are taking mirror pictures of themselves holding their shirts up to show off their six-pack. So when a nice, normal guy like me messages someone I’m truly interested in, it gets lost among the piles of insensitive come-ons.

In a sense, it’s about the same as meeting random strangers in a bar. I have to fight my way through guys who wear Affliction or Ed Hardy shirts to walk up to a girl who’s been hit on all night long. I have no idea what her interests are, besides assuming the generic Northwest stuff, and I have to come up with something clever to say to get her attention.

Finally, I broke through to a few people and started a conversation. After a week or so of messaging back and forth, the ones that weren’t offended when I asked them to meet for coffee or drinks were an eccentric bunch.

MILES SANGUINETTI/PSU VANGUARD

One girl I met up with launched into her long list of fetishes. Another bragged about sleeping with over 120 men and women.

Last month I went out with someone who was in town visiting a friend for the holidays. We met up for drinks, played some darts and giant Jenga and had long conversations that took the night from N.E. Fremont to S.E. Belmont.

She returned back to grad school in Bellingham, Wash. and we kept in touch. That lasted a week before she told me she was dating someone in Bellingham. Then why are you on a dating site?

Why does OkCupid even have an option “Looking for Friends?” I didn’t realize that Cupid was the god of friendship. There are other sites like Meetup.com where peo-

ple can get together and share mutual interests.

In a recent study conducted by Spark Networks (the parent company of sites like ChristianMingle.com and JDate.com), no one really knew what a “date” actually was.

“While 80 percent agreed that a date is a ‘one-on-one hangout,’ 24 percent defined dating as ‘a planned hangout with friends,’ while 22 percent defined it simply as one person asking another person out. When it comes to defining what constitutes a ‘date,’ a good percentage of singles appear to have just thrown up their hands and admitted defeat. At least 69 percent of the survey’s respondents said they’re at least somewhat confused about whether an outing with someone they’re interested in is a date or not.”

I really don’t understand the confusion. You’re on a dating site, not a friendship site.

A date should just imply that you’re interested in another person; interested in learning more about them. It doesn’t have to imply that you plan on spending the next 20 years with them. We get hung up on terms and implications of what titles like “date” mean.

Can’t we just meet and see how things develop?

Then there’s Tindr. I’ve heard from some people that this app is used strictly for hook-ups. However, I’ve read a lot of profiles that say the opposite. Tindr is basically window-shopping for people you find attractive.

The one positive thing I can say about Tindr is that it links to your Facebook profile to show your shared interests and friends. It makes it a little com-

forting to know that we know the same people. You could even reach out to that shared friend to see if they would vouch for the other person before you meet in person.

Even though I’ve never turned my profile off, I’ve slowly returned to trying to date in the real world. I’ve come to realize that online dating has deteriorated my skills when it comes to meeting people naturally. It has become a crutch.

I’ve thought about deleting my profile, but why limit my options? Maybe I will finally have success in cyberspace. Maybe there are others out there holding the same crutch, so when I approach them in a bar they pay no attention to me because they’re waiting to find that person who matches them 99 percent.

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health and sex guide

Getting to know Cover Oregon GWEN SHAW

Sometimes people get confused and think that Cover Oregon is an insurance plan, but it’s not—it’s a place where you go to purchase health insurance plans. There are many insurance companies that participate in Cover Oregon, and each of those offer a multitude of insurance plans that can then be customized.

Looking at Cover Oregon and the student health insurance plan at Portland State, it’s impossible to compare the two because there are so many different variations of health insurance that Cover Oregon provides.

The student health insurance plan would fall under the Platinum level, but that doesn’t mean that lower level plans won’t be comparable. This means that you can still waive out of the student health insurance plan, even on a Silver plan.

There will be two workshops on Cover Oregon and the student health insurance plan in February: Wednesday, Feb. 5—SMSU 298 from 1–2 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 6—SMSU 236 from 1–2 p.m.

Cover Oregon has four levels of coverage: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. Below is the waiver eligibility for students to opt out of the student health insurance plan. The Cover Oregon plan must cover all of these requirements: Q1: “Does your health insurance plan pay 80 percent or greater for Inpatient Hospitalization?”

Q2: “Does your plan have inpatient and outpatient mental health benefits?”

Q3: “What is your plan’s individual annual deductible? (If you have a family deductible, divide that family deductible by the number of family members on the plan).”

Q4: “Does your plan provide prescription drug coverage?”

examples of possible plans at each level: bronze plan:

Connect 6200 Bronze— Providence—from $103 monthly premium

silver plan:

Connect 3000 Silver— Providence—from $116 monthly premium

gold plan:

KP OR Gold 1000/20 for Oregon—Kaiser Permanente– from $236 monthly premium

platinum plan:

Health Net CommunityCare Platinum 15/500/1500—from $265 monthly premium

getting to know the insurance lingo: Co-pays: What you pay when you go in for the actual visit.

Co-insurance: The percentage that the health insurance plan pays (usually in hospitalization or surgeries).

Deductible: amount that must be paid out of pocket before insurance will pay any expenses.

student health insurance plan:

•$500,000 medical maximum per academic year •No deductible if using an Aetna provider •Aetna Provider Network •$3,500 out of pocket max for In-Network/$7,000 out of pocket max for Out-of-Network •Emergency, hospital, and surgery coverage •Outpatient physician benefits paid at 100% if In-Network with $20 co-pay •Outpatient counseling visits paid at 100% if In-Network with $15 copay •80% In-Network/60% Out-of-Network coverage for most other services (may a have separate co-pay) •Diagnostic X-ray/lab/MRI coverage •Physical therapy and chiropractic coverage •Prescription coverage up to $500,000 (includes birth control) •Maternity expense •No referrals required to see a specialist •Impacted wisdom teeth expense

Deductible–$6200 Co-insurance–50% Out-of-pocket limit– $6200 Q1–No Q2–No Q3–Exceeds $2500 Q4–Yes ($25 co-pay before deductible)

Deductible–$3000 Co-insurance–30% Out-of-pocket limit– $5000 Q1–No Q2–No Q3–Exceeds $2500 Q4–Yes ($15 co-pay before deductible)

Birth Control 101 KARISA CLEARY

From the most effective to the least, here is a rundown of some of the most common forms of birth control.

The best forms of birth control range from IUDs to implants. With the highest level of effectiveness, these methods will allow fewer than one out of 100 pregnancies each year if used correctly.

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iud

An IUD, or intrauterine device, is exactly what the name says. In a little T-shaped form, a physician must insert an IUD into the uterus.

Depending on the brand, you can use it anywhere between three and 10 years.

This method can even be used as a morning-after pill if

inserted within 120 hours. The initial insertion can cause abdominal cramps, but after that it’s out of sight and out of mind.

implants

Next are implants, which are little matchstick-rods that get implanted into the arm and release the hormone progestin, which prevents ovulation.

These last up to three years.

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More common but shorter lasting birth control methods are the pill, NuvaRing and the shot. These methods must be taken care of on your own, making it easier to forget to change them or forget to take a pill. If not used as directed, these three methods would fail to prevent nine out of 100 pregnancies per year.

Deductible–$1000 Co-insurance–20% Out-of-pocket limit– $6350 Q1–No Q2–No Q3–Yes—$1000 < $2500 Q4–Yes ($10 co-pay before deductible)

Deductible–$500 Co-insurance–n/a Out-of-pocket limit– $1500 Q1–[not listed] Q2–[not listed] Q3–[not listed] Q4–[not listed]

RACHAEL BENTZ/PSU VANGUARD

the shot The shot gets injected into the arm by a doctor or nurse, and similar to other forms of birth control, releases progestin into the body. It prevents ovulation and makes cervical mucus thicker, which keeps sperm from reaching the eggs. The shot lasts for three months.

nuvaring

The ring—a commonly seen one is the NuvaRing—is inserted into the vagina at home and releases both progestin

and estrogen over a period of three weeks. It must be replaced once a month.

the pill

One pill is taken every day for a month or for three weeks every month, depending on the brand. The pill is usually either a combination pill (including both estrogen and progestin), or is progestin only. The problem with most women and the pill is that they can be easy to forget, and missing a pill or taking one late can render them ineffective.

health and sex guide

My so-called medical emergency: the big pros of Medicaid expansion It was the middle of the night on Wednesday, week one of the term. I was dreaming that a stranger was giving me advice on how to make my heartbeat slower, such as unbuttoning a top button or lying down, the way you might dream of hearing the phone ring or hearing people on the television you left on when you fell asleep.

I woke up very suddenly, and my heart really was beating out of control. It felt like a major anxiety attack, or like I drank 20 cups of coffee. After a few minutes, it wasn’t so noticeable and I went back to sleep.

On Thursday and Friday, I went to classes feeling generally off and like there was something wrong with me, but I didn’t know what it was.

On Saturday morning, my chest started to hurt, and I went to the emergency room.

I ended up in the hospital for nearly three days.

It turns out I had rapid atrial fibrillation caused by a pulmonary embolism. That’s

the fancy way of saying I have a clot in my lung which caused my heart to beat irregularly and much too fast. Pulmonary embolisms cause 15 percent of all sudden deaths, so it’s pretty obvious to say I was lucky.

I went from feeling sure I was being a hypochondriac to being hooked up to monitors, stuck with nine different needles (I have tiny veins) and wheeled under a claustrophobic CT scanner. At least six different people touched my boobs in a single weekend, which is a record for me.

This is the obligatory part, where I urge you to go to the emergency room if anything like this ever happens to you.

But you know what’s amazing? None of us want to face the massive inconvenience of being hospitalized in the beginning of term, missing classes and unable to get to a laptop to do homework, all the while thinking about filling prescriptions and making sure you don’t inadvertently die.

Worrying about how intimidating the bill might be would add a mountain of stress to that pile. Yet since

condoms

‘pulling out’

If used properly, condoms will prevent 98 out of 100 pregnancies per year. With how easily they can break or malfunction, 18 out of 100 women will risk pregnancy if the condom isn’t working right.

Condoms do include one thing that other forms of birth control do not, and that’s that they prevent most STIs. Keep in mind this does not mean they prevent all STIs. It is suggested that they be used with other contraceptives for backup.

The withdrawal method— also known as pulling out—is the act of pulling the penis out of the vagina prior to ejaculation. Pulling out is one of the least effective forms of contraception and is often done incorrectly. Each year, 27 out of 100 women risk pregnancy while using this method.

BREANA HARRIS

the Affordable Care Act took affect Jan. 1, a struggling, independent college student like myself qualifies for Medicaid. I don’t have to worry that I can’t afford my very expensive blood thinners. I don’t have to worry that I’ve just gone into a massive amount of debt as the price for staying alive. The rest of the world has enjoyed that luxury for a while, and the U.S. is finally starting to catch up.

Thus far, half the states in the U.S. have expanded Medicaid, while half are resistant, showing that split down the middle in America we’re so used to seeing these days.

But many states that have exercised their right not to expand are starting to reconsider when they see that providing health coverage to poor people helps the economy, businesses and hospitals.

It’s also really hard to explain to the people in these states why their politicians are turning down billions of dollars in money from the federal government, which has elected to pay 100 per-

cent of expansion costs for four years. For many conservatives, fighting Medicaid expansion is the last real way to protest Obamacare.

When I was in the hospital, many of the nurses told me about the homeless patients they treat and how the hospital relies on donations and other funds to pay for them. A 2012 report by The New York Times said New York’s hospitals lose at least $1.5 billion annually through treatment of the uninsured. This federal money is going to them, to help them provide better care to people, no matter what income level they are.

If you have yet to look into CareOregon or find out what your options are under healthcare reform, I urge you to figure it out. It can be confusing, but you really never know when you’ll end up grateful that you did.

I feel incredibly grateful to be from California and to be living in Oregon, where we don’t have to deal with the kind of politics that happen in places like Florida and Texas. I have lived without

ing the cervix so that sperm cannot reach an egg. The gel is usually inserted into the vagina shortly before vaginal intercourse.

Spermicide is often used with a diaphram, which is

a barrier placed over the cervix. Used alone, spermicide prevents 75 out of 100 pregnancies per year.

OREGON is among the states that have recently expanded Medicaid.

MILES SANGUINETTI/PSU VANGUARD

health insurance before, and there was a time when the looming specter of dollar signs would have prevented me from ever going to the emergency room. I’d hate to be a poor college student in the other 25 states.

Full disclosure, I voted for Obama three times: once in the California primary and twice in the general election. I

think a lot of the criticisms of his time in office are valid, and I wouldn’t say he’s lived up to all his promises. But I will say that healthcare reform may end up directly saving lives, which is kind of a big deal for an American president. That may sound naive, but I have an irregular heartbeat and a bunch of very expensive classes to catch up on.

spermicide

Spermicide is a gel that works to prevent pregnancy by killing sperm and block-

MORGAN KNORR/PSU VANGUARD

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health and sex guide

The ugly truths about sex trafficking in Portland DEREK SUN

A few months after I first moved to Portland, I read a headline article in the Portland Tribune that discussed the high prevalence of sex offenders living in Portland.

The article “Portland: Sex offender magnet?” revealed that Portland is home to a relatively high number of people on sex offender registries, and many people have arrived to the city because they are attracted by Portland’s lax laws on regulating and punishing sex offenders who refuse to register and report their activities.

The article was the first indication to me that Portland might have a problem dealing with these issues.

Along with its noted sustainability policies and tolerance of subcultures, alternative lifestyles and hipster fashions, Portland also possesses an ugly reputation as a city where little attention is paid to people who have committed sex crimes.

The Oregonian reported last August that the Portland metropolitan area is “a major hub for the sexual exploitation of underage girls,” and that the officially recorded numbers of children forced to become sex workers are most likely much higher. These sobering findings, which include studies conducted by Portland State Associate Professor Christopher Carey, reveal that the overwhelming majority (96 percent) of victims are girls, a significant percentage (27 percent) of sexually exploited children are black, and many victims also suffer from drug abuse,

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teenage pregnancy and gang affiliations. Many have relatives who also are sex workers.

In the face of these discoveries, it makes it more crucial than ever that the public’s image of Portland as an admirably green, peaceful paradise where the 1990s live on be altered. Organizations such as Oregon’s Department of Human Services and nonprofit groups such as Youth Ending Slavery and Oregonians Against Trafficking of Humans are working to combat the exploitation of child sex workers.

The Polaris Project, an international organization that studies and fights slavery and human trafficking, studies all 50 states and rates each on how well it handles sex trafficking. Oregon receives praise for possessing laws that prohibit sex trafficking and labor trafficking, but according to YES, more progress is needed to crack down on exploitation of children.

Oregon received a Tier 2 rating from the Polaris Project for its efforts against sex trafficking, indicating that “it [Oregon] passed numerous laws to combat human trafficking, and should take more steps to improve and implement its laws." The YES website states, "Although we have positively progressed over the years, this area still requires more attention and action.”

YES observes that “In recent months, Portland has made headlines as a hub for juvenile sex trafficking—the second worst city

in the entire nation. Due to the proximity of two major highways, a large and legal sex industry (Portland has the most strip clubs per capita in America), and a large population of street kids, juvenile human trafficking in Portland has the ability to thrive.”

Unfortunately, Portland’s culture of tolerance for unconventional behavior, coupled with the prevalence of strip clubs and sex industries, may encourage the growth and acceptance of sex trafficking of adults and children.

The popular media shields Portland from a more honest vision and understanding of crime and other issues in the city. We rarely ever hear about the disturbingly high numbers of children being exploited and sold, or any other problems with crime, yet we are inundated with images of a city where nothing wrong ever occurs ad nauseam.

For YES, the main goal currently is to amend legislation that will squarely prosecute pimps and people who hire prostitutes, rather than punishing people who are forced into prostitution.

According to YES, “When adult men solicit minors for sex, the teenage girls are not to blame. Laws need to reflect that; the age of the prostitute matters. However, not only do our laws need to change, but our culture as well. Society needs to view prostitutes as the victims, rather than the perpetrators.” Too often, we pay no attention to problems

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RACHAEL BENTZ/PSU VANGUARD

that do not concern us, and quickly view the prostitute as the guilty party, while it is abundantly clear that many sex workers are in their positions because they cannot find any other profession, or are being enslaved and controlled by others to work against their will.

In spite of all these horrors, there are actions one can take to fight sex trafficking that are not overly difficult or time consuming. By exploring YES’s website, one can find concerts, speeches and other activities that YES plans that spread information about sex trafficking and how to stop it.

The Polaris Project runs investigations in all states, provides telephone hotlines and reports on progress made toward ending sex trafficking. Greater awareness and interest in sex trafficking can go a long way to ending the practice once and for all.

health and sex guide

Alternative routes to health and wellness MORGAN KNORR

Western medicine is great for treating acure illness and injury, but when it comes to wellness and preventative measures, many turn to alternative practices. Here are a few of the resources available to Portland State students with the Aetna Student health insurance plan at the Center for Student Health and Counseling as well as various locations throughout the city.

nutrition counseling

Eating right is not always easy, but it’s an important feat to master. It's also a key component to staying healthy, and students have resources available that can help with this.

SHAC provides group counseling, called “intuitive eating groups,” as well as individual nutrition counseling.

Individual counseling consists of a 50 minute appointment with a registered dietitian who is there to help students assess their nutrition status, and to help them modify their eating habits if need be.

This might take place in two appointments or potentially more, depending on the individual’s needs.

Before scheduling an appointment with a SHAC dietitian, there is paperwork to be filled out online, including a nutrition counseling intake form and a three day food record form, both of which can be found at pdx.edu/shac/nutritionforms.

Intuitive eating groups meet weekly at SHAC for an hour and a half and are assigned nutrition-related reading at each meeting, along with two or three questions to be discussed between the group and group leaders.

If you are interested in joining an intuitive eating group, you are asked to fill out an interest form online, which can be found at psuiegroups.com.

acupuncture

Based in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture

was historically used to restore balance to one’s life force and energy, known as the qi (pronounced “chee”).

Acupuncture is seen as being particularly effective for relieving pain and improving overall health. It is used as a part of many treatment plans for various illnesses, some of which include addiction, fibromyalgia, headaches, back pain and menstrual cramps.

It is not completely clear how acupuncture works, but one theory suggests that the nerves stimulated by the needles send signals to the spinal cord and brain, which release hormones that help to reduce pain and improve health.

Both group and individual acupuncture appointments are available to students at SHAC and are offered every Monday. Group appointments ($12 for students) are 30 minutes long and individual appointments ($50) are scheduled for one hour.

To schedule an appointment, call the main SHAC phone line at (503) 725‑2800.

chiropractic care

Another alternative health option available to students is through Clearwater Chiropractic Clinic, which has a walk-in express location right on campus at 1717 S.W. Park Ave., Suite E. Their full service clinic is located at 1201 S.E. 12th Ave., Suite 205, where, in addition to chiropractic services, they offer natural medicine and acupuncture.

The primary goal of chiropractic treatment is to relieve pain from muscles, joints, bones and tissue. Many chiropractors also incorporate nutrition and exercise components into their treatment plans, with the goal of restoring normal function and preventing injury, as well as providing relief from pain.

massage therapy

As a complementary and alternative medicine, mas-

sage has been shown to be an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. Some studies have found other benefits, including coping with anxiety, digestive disorders, stress-related insomnia and headaches.

Massage therapy is offered to students at three locations around Portland.

Bridgetown Body Work (8638 N. Lombard, Suite 7) offers hour-long massages to PSU students, faculty and staff for $45.

East West College (525 N.E. Oregon St.) has a student-run clinic, where a 50 minute massage costs $25.

They also have a professional clinic where you can get a 60 minute massage for $50, or a 90 minute session for $70.

Finally, you can bring your PSU student ID to Midnight Sun Massage (4020 N.E. Fremont St.) for a $45 hour-long session.

naturopathic medicine

Another resource available to students is the National College of Natural Medicine Clinic, located at 3025 S.W. Corbett Ave. Physicians at the NCNM Clinic include medical doctors, as well as those who specialize in Chinese medicine and chiropractic care. They offer a medicinary that provides supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies, tinctures and other products.

The goal of the naturopathic physician is to identify and eliminate the root causes of an illness, emphasizing prevention, treatment and optimization of health.

Some common conditions that can benefit from natural health care include anxiety, depression, back pain, fatigue and allergies. The NCNM Clinic offers wellness exams, homeopathy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, nutritional counseling and even minor surgery.

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health and sex guide

To cut, or not to cut German army helmets

Snail in a turtleneck

The debate about whether to circumcise or not rages on. The ever-amazing Robin Williams once compared the appearances of the two types of penises as “a German army helmet” versus “a snail in a turtleneck.” In the interest of full disclosure, I am, and enjoy being, a German army helmet. On a side note, I’m a huge history geek and own an actual German army helmet as well.

Firstly, I would like to address two of the most common arguments against circumcision, and in my opinion, by far the weakest: circumcisions make sex feel less good, and it is traumatizing for babies.

The first argument states that the lack of foreskin reduces the sensitivity of the penis. Frankly, this is silly.

Any reduction of sensitivity is miniscule at most, and as a circumcised male, I can say with complete certainty that sex feels amazing. As for the second argument, I am in no way traumatized, nor are any of the circumcised males I’ve asked. Now that that's out of the way, on to topics more worthy of discussion.

The biggest criticism of circumcision is the circumcision of babies, as opposed to adult circumcision. The main issue here is one of consent, because the baby obviously cannot give consent.

This is a valid ethical concern that I feel is the single strongest argument against neonatal circumcision.

The largest argument in response to that is one of parental control. There is a strong precedent of parents being able to make unilateral decisions for the baby’s health. While some parental choices are clearly more necessary than others, parents legally and ethically have the

I don’t have brothers or sons, and I certainly don’t have a penis, so I recognize that I may not be the world’s foremost authority on circumcision. But I’d like to make an air-tight argument for the uncut penis, which the vast majority of men in the world possess.

Michael Fassbender in Shame.

Wait, I’m serious. Fassbender was born in Germany, where the circumcision rate is less than 10 percent, and over 60 percent of parents equate the procedure with genital mutilation.

Efforts to ban non-medically necessary circumcision have gained traction in Germany, Denmark, England and even California, though advocates for parental and religious rights have

ADAM LAMASCUS

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right to make decisions for the betterment of the baby.

There are a number of valid health concerns that are addressed by circumcision.

The smallest problem is that uncircumcised penises are harder to clean. I am told by uncircumcised people that it just takes a little bit of extra effort in the shower to make sure it is clean. That may very well be true; however, the numbers still show a notably higher rate of yeast infections, urinary tract infections, skin disorders and other fungal infections among the uncircumcised population.

More seriously, circumcision dramatically reduces the rates of STD infections.

Four studies conducted between 2009 and 2011 and published in respected journals found that in certain cases, the removal of the foreskin reduced rates of AIDS and HIV infection by as much as 38–66 percent. Similarly, in five different studies conducted between 2010–2012, circumcised men show a lower rate of infection for HPV, as do their sexual partners.

This is especially important for women, as HPV can cause cervical cancer and other health complications.

There are more medical conditions that circumcision prevents. Children and the elderly are both vulnerable to an extremely painful condition where the foreskin cannot retract over the head of the penis. Among the elderly, this has the lovely name “strangulated foreskin.”

I am told by my girlfriend’s mother, who works in geriatric care, that it is extremely unpleasant to deal with. Circumcision is the way to cure strangulated foreskin, and being circumcised at age 80 is much more mentally adverse and also more prone to com-

plications than being circumcised as a baby.

There is also a recurring condition known as balanoposthitis where the head of the penis swells a bit and therefore the foreskin cannot retract. The Scientific World Journal reports that 4–11 percent of the uncircumcised population suffers this at least once.

Beyond the health benefits, there remains personal preference, which is a nebulous area. As it stands, the majority of males in the U.S. are circumcised, with the highest rates being on the Eastern Seaboard and the lowest rates among majority Hispanic and Asian populations on the West Coast.

The issue is complicated due to the fact that circumcision is often done as part of religious ceremonies, most notably among Jews, Muslims and various Orthodox Christian denominations. When anecdotal evidence is combined with hard data regarding circumcision rates, it indicates that the majority of Americans still prefer circumcised penises.

Regardless of aesthetics and cultural preferences, it seems to me that the health benefits make circumcision a net positive operation.

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BREANA HARRIS

managed to keep them at bay.

Still, circumcision rates are down in the U.S., and the tide is turning. Like the death penalty, universal healthcare and the metric system, this is yet another issue where our country is the slowest to leave the dark ages.

Adult circumcised men tend to take arguments against circumcision very personally, simply because it implies that what their parents did to them was unnecessary and even wrong. I can understand this. But the discussion of this archaic and very brutal procedure should not be about adult men.

Guys have what they have, and many of them, as well as arguably most women, are happy with cut penises due to the preconceived notion that they are cleaner and look better. The desire to make sure a son “looks just like Dad” is one of the most prevalent reasons for circumcision.

The circumcision rate has been declining since 1979, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association and more have been saying it’s not medically necessary for nearly four decades. Currently, circumcision is not covered by medical insurance for this reason. It persists because of the Jewish and Muslim religions and various other halftruths and old wives’ tales that

ALEX HERNANDEZ/PSU VANGUARD

have often been compared to Chinese foot-binding.

I get the problems that arise with interfering with someone’s religious beliefs, but at some point, children deserve to be protected from harm. Oregon has been a leader in convicting parents who cause injury and death to their children by rejecting modern medicine because of religious beliefs, and is this issue really that far off?

Circumcision is extremely painful. Trust me, if you find a video of it online, don’t watch.

Sure, your baby probably won’t be traumatized for life, but over half of circumcisions are performed without anesthesia as the foreskin is separated from the glans and then crushed.

Why would you do this to a baby with no decent reason?

These days, more and more people are saying circumcision can prevent the spread of HIV, which was a discovery made in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This holds water because the foreskin, like the anus, is fragile and tears more easily. The foreskin also contains Langerhans cells, which can more easily transmit the disease, and which are also present in the mouth and vagina. We’re not amputating those, are we?

Plus, if you look at the increase in condom use and AIDS activism in Africa, you see that the number of HIV-related deaths decreases as Africans receive the kind of education we take for granted in the U.S. without genital mutilation.

The foreskin is not an expendable part of the anatomy. For my part, I don’t think any grown man should be stigmatized for how his penis looks. But when it comes to chopping off bits that boys were born with, it makes sense to think again.

If you're queer, go here!

health and sex guide PATRONS at Crush sip on drinks and enjoy each other's company.

HELENA WOLFE/PSU VANGUARD

CC SLAUGHTERS is one of Portland's most popular gay bars.

Gay-friendly bars for any occasion WHITNEY BEYER

Portland isn’t the most prominent of gay meccas but it’s certainly on the map.

As the state’s gayest city, there’s surely no shortage of gay-friendly businesses here.

Whether you’re looking to bro down with some sports, see some heli-penis in action or channel your inner Britney (praise be unto Her), there’s a little something for everyone.

joq’s tavern

2512 N.E. Broadway St. I’ve always envisioned myself opening a gay sports bar called Balls. That being said, you can imagine how my dreams were shattered when I found out about Portland’s premier gay sports bar, Joq’s. Lucky for me, it was the best sports bar I’ve ever set foot in!

This is mostly because it was full of sassy bears, but also because there wasn’t a single game on one of the three televisions (we were watching Comedy Central and the Food Network). If you need condoms, they’ve got a whole dispenser in the

bathroom. And more importantly, if you need corndogs they’re only $1.

crush

1400 S.E. Morrison St. Rumor has it the food here is bomb dot com, and while I’ve never actually eaten here, I’d be willing to vouch for it on account of drinks and environment alone.

Crush is right in the heart of trendy inner Southeast, so if cruising to the bar by bike in Doc Martens is your jam, this place is for you. Feeling inadequately cool for hipster central? Don’t sweat it; every interaction I’ve had at Crush has been a level of friendly that is generally uncharacteristic of the neighborhood.

That and the art on the walls is killer.

cc slaughters 219 N.W. Davis St.

Walking into CC’s can easily go one of two ways: You’re either immediately carried off by a party train into meat market oblivion or you’re forced to make a mad dash

for the bar because, well, you just aren’t drunk enough.

Whether it’s the former or the latter, the drinks are usually as strong as the studs who pour ‘em and the fabulous drag queens will have you asking, “Where the hell did she put it?” The bouncers at CC’s have a reputation for putting the kibosh on tomfoolery, so try not to act like an idiot if you don’t want to be tossed on the street by a really beefy bald dude.

silverado

318 S.W. 3rd Ave. I’ve never had a penis, but I’ve always said that if I ever magically grew one I’d probably do the helicopter for a week straight. For this and other reasons, Silverado is nothing short of inspirational.

Stage boobs not your bag?

Grab a stiff one (I’m talking about a beverage, you perv) and prepare to see a few things that you won’t be able to unsee. Be mindful on your way out of the bar, that part of the city tends to get a little seedy after hours.

HELENA WOLFE/PSU VANGUARD

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ARTS & CULTURE

PSU PROFESSOR UP FOR 2014 OREGON BOOK AWARD PAUL COLLINS IS NOMINATED FOR HIS LATEST WORK, 'DUEL WITH THE DEVIL'

PAUL COLLINS, a PSU professor, was announced a finalist in the General Nonfiction category of the Oregon Book Awards.

SHARON JACKSON

Idle hands are the tools of the devil—unless you keep them occupied by writing an award-nominated book.

Paul Collins, an associate professor for the English department at Portland State, is a writer of history who specializes in antiquarian literature. You may know him as the Literary Detective on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday, but he also freelances for The New York Times, Slate and New Scientist. Collins has published eight books that have been translated into 11 languages.

Collins’ latest book, Duel with the Devil: The True Story of How Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr Teamed Up to take on America’s First Sensational Murder Mystery, has been selected as a finalist for the 2014 Oregon Book Awards: Frances Fuller Victor Award for General Nonfiction.

The Oregon Book Awards and Fellowships is the annual celebration of the state’s most accomplished writers in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young readers and graphic literature. The program also produces the Oregon Book Awards Author Tour, which connects writers and readers throughout the state with readings, classroom visits and workshops.

The awards are part of Literary Arts, a Portland-based nonprofit literary center with a focus on community.

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“The Oregon Book Awards bring more attention to the writing of Oregon authors.

The judges are asked to make their selections based on literary merit, but it is up to them how they interpret that,” said Susan Denning, director of programs and events for Literary Arts.

'Duel with the Devil' “Criminal trials are like catnip because you’ve got so much to work with,” Collins said.

In Duel with the Devil, this narrative nonfiction involves readers in the true account of a fascinating early 19th-century murder and the trial that follows.

“The trial has a couple of things to make it notable besides from Hamilton and Burr being a defense team. It was the first murder trial that had a full transcript, so you could actually read through.

[It is] technically the first fully recorded murder trial in U.S. history,” Collins said.

“This book highlights what rofessor Collins does best, which is to discover a fascinating hidden story and bring it to light,” said Hildy Miller, professor and chair of the English Department at PSU. Collins stumbled across the antique transcript of the trial when finishing his previous book, The Murder of the Century: The Gilded Age Crime That Scandalized a

City & Sparked The Tabloid Wars. Duel with the Devil enlightens the first substantial break in over 200 years of our nation’s longest running cold case, in which Levi Weeks was wrongfully accused.

“When I was reading through the transcript, I had a hunch, which was, ‘I wonder if anyone else in that boarding house Weeks was in had a criminal record,’ because at that time you could just move to a different city or state and no one would know who you were.

They couldn’t look you up on Facebook. Criminals could just change towns and commit the same kind of crimes all over again,” Collins said.

“Historical crime for the same reason that it is interesting to write it, to read it gives a really specific sense of the time. The crime itself in a weird way is only an eighth of the iceberg that is showing, and the rest of it is getting a sense of what it is like to actually live day to day in a very sort of ordinary life and what happens when that gets disrupted,” Collins said.

Collins' work and experience in the realm of literature also translates into the classroom. “I am constantly drawing on my own experience while teaching,” he said. “Going over magazine or essay writing with students, I mention something

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

MORGAN KNORR/PSU VANGUARD

I just worked on with an editor myself. It informs and gives a very pragmatic kind of emphasis to my classes that also demystifies it a bit, not some great secret process involved, just people working and thinking about how to make a piece of art work. Something students can learn to do themselves.”

“He has a national reputation for his writing, but what many people don’t know is that his students also praise his work highly. And for good reason—he brings the same passion to his teaching that he does his writing,” Miller said.

Down the line Winners will be announced at the Oregon Book Awards Ceremony at the Gerding Theater on March 17. The awards will be hosted by the award-winning author Luis Alberto Urrea.

In the meantime, Collins is hard at work on his next projects. Collins’ next book, a biography called Edgar Allan Poe: The Fever Called Living, is due to release Aug. 26.

“The next one after that is tentatively titled Blood and Ivy, about a professor at Harvard Medical School in

mid-19th century that murdered one of their biggest donors and hid it. A very different scene from the rough-and-tumble of 1800s New York, but the same idea [as Duel with the Devil], trying to really put the reader into that place and time,” Collins said.

Published by Crown Publishing, Duel with the Devil: The True Story of How Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr Teamed Up to take on America’s First Sensational Murder Mystery is available for purchase online and in bookstores now.

ARTS & CULTURE

NO COMICS FOR COMIC CON WIZARD WORLD 2014 CELEBRATES FANDOM IN PORTLAND ANDREW ECHEVERRIA

“Take that, Comic Con!” said Jennifer Kent, motioning emphatically at the chocolate majesty before us.

Kent, event coordinator for Portland’s annual Chocolate Fest convention, leads me through the large entry doors into the Fest’s main showroom. In this chocolate-lover’s mecca, stalls and vendors lined the alleys hawking an assortment of sweets and wines. The roads were full of pilgrims seeking enlightenment through the tastiest treat. And in the middle of this chocolaty paradise, Batman was savoring a truffle.

“We’ve had some people coming in with costumes, so we’re assuming they’re coming from Comic Con, but it’s been a great mix,” said Kent. “This is the first time [Chocolate Fest and Comic Con] have both been here at the same time. I was a little nervous at first, but now I definitely think it’s beneficial.”

The integration of human and superhero at the Wizard World Comic Convention in Portland wasn’t only enjoyed by Chocolate Fest, as hundreds of people discovered while lining up across the Portland Convention Center waiting to gain entry. Several characters from The Muppets caravanned around, stopping every so often to pose for photos with fans. Creatures from The Dark Crystal scared a group of children. A giant Totoro dressed in a Batman suit loomed with adorable menace over all he surveyed. Comic Con was in full swing even before walking through the showroom doors.

Once through those doors however, even more costumed fans lay in wait amidst the clamoring stalls and booths. Superheroes, anime characters and cyborg soldiers roamed the aisles, evidencing that many Portlanders decided to come dressed as their favorite fictional persona while enjoying the festivities of the convention.

“We really liked Pokemon when we were kids,” said Ash Ketchum of Pallett Town.

“We also just thought about characters we look like already. I have red hair and he has black hair, so… this is how we naturally look,” said Misty of Cerulean City.

Hillsboro-natives Andrew and Kylie Alvarado, dressed as Ash and Misty respectively from the Pokemon television show, have been attending conventions for years and traveling as far as Hawaii to get their geek fix. But this year marks the couple’s first outing to a comic convention in Portland.

“Everything looks great, it’s been a lot of fun,” said Andrew.

“We haven’t been to any events yet, though,” said Kylie.

Panels, film screenings and photo opportunities were only a few of the many events scheduled to take place over the weekend, and an important part of enjoying the convention to its fullest. Elsewhere in the building, Stan Lee met and conversed with fans while a mob had gathered around several cast members from the hit television show The Walking Dead. Beyond the vendor stalls filled with Doctor Who shirts, signed movie posters and anime figurines, sev-

THE SWEDISH CHEF, Beaker and Bunsen (from left to right) delight attendees of the 2014 Portland Wizard World.

ANDREW ECHEVERRIA/PSU VANGUARD

eral rows of tables were set up with celebrity guests waiting to meet eager fans and sign autographs. In a matter of paces, one could see Adam West’s beaming visage next to Bruce Campbell eating a sandwich. Cassandra Peterson, in full Elvira regalia, laughed with fans while William Shatner excused himself to use the restroom.

With so much going on, how could there be any time for comics? But then, it could be noted that not once has there been any mention of comics up until now. It might also be of note to point out that the much tamer annual Stumptown Comics Fest is not taking place this year. So what might this mean for the future of comic conventions in Portland?

Brandon Seifert and Lukas Ketner, the Portland-based creative team behind the critically-acclaimed comic Witch Doctor, had a bit to say on the subject.

“They had been planning on doing Stumptown this year, but logistically they just weren’t able to set it up in time,” said Seifert. “I heard from the director of the festival that they want to take a year or two off and then come back. I think there’s been a lot of erroneous reporting about it. It’s not that Wizard World is replacing Stumptown, they’re just taking a break.”

“It’s more of an addition,” Ketner said. “It’s one more convention that we get to do in our hometown every year. We’re happy about it.”

“They’re very different shows with very different demographics,” Seifert said. “[Wizard World Comic Con] has the feel of a scaled-down version of the shows that I think should be called ‘Fan Expos’ rather than ‘Comic Cons’ because there’s very little focus on the comics. But in this case, I think it’s really helping. The fact that there are so many big-media guests here have brought a lot of people that wouldn’t have come out otherwise who are also interested in comics.”

Although the big-media fixation of Wizard World isn’t necessarily driving out the more independent comics-oriented air of Stumptown, many people seem to feel that way. Despite the ambiguity of Stumptown and Wizard World’s future relationship with one another and how people feel about it, the Portland Comic Con seemed to present an enjoyable and entertaining experience for the many people in attendance. So it can’t be all bad, can it?

“I’m having fun,” said Lando Calrissian of Cloud City.

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

25

ARTS & CULTURE

OPEN MICS FOR THE BUDDING SONGWRITER

A PAIR OF PERFORMERS take to the stage at PSU open mic night.

KERRY POLITZER

MORGAN KNORR/PSU VANGUARD

Do you like to write your own songs? If so, maybe you often break out the guitar and sing for friends. Perhaps you’ve always harbored a secret ambition to perform in front of crowds. In any event, you might want to share your musical creations with new listeners. Attending a friendly, nonjudgmental open mic is a surefire way to nurture your burgeoning talent. Although many of Portland’s open mics require that participants be 21 or over, the following venues welcome performers of all ages.

The Lehrer Pub & Eatery 8775 S.W. Canyon Ln. (503) 384-2442 If you’re not quite ready to be a soloist, but you still desire to make music with others, attend one of the acoustic jams at The Lehrer.

Portland Casual Jam s hosts minor-friendly jam sessions at the pub on Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. It’s easy to get out to the pub; just take the number 58 bus from SW Jefferson and Broadway. “Come on out and let’s jam,” said organizer Rob Bodhii Wolff.

Recognizing that musical events open to minors tend to be few and far between, Port-

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Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

land Casual Jams has plans to start a new, all-ages open mic and jam session at the Wolf Den Music Space at 5220 N.E. Sandy Blvd. Check out their website for updates.

Three Friends Coffee House 201 S.E. 12th Ave. (503) 236-6411 Do you want to be recorded for posterity? The Three Friends Coffee House in inner-Southeast records a podcast of its weekly open mics. Open mics are held every Monday at 8 p.m., and all ages are welcome. The cafe welcomes poetry, comedy and spoken word as well as music. Enjoy the diverse entertainment options as you dine on delicious sandwiches, salads and pastries.

There are plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

If you want to hear what’s going on, visit showandtellgallery.org, where all of the podcasts are archived.

Artichoke Music 3130 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.

(503) 232-8845 This cozy venue, which is attached to a music store and school, is a Portland institution. Folk and acoustic music lovers regularly flock here to

enjoy performers both young and old. "Kids are always welcome at everything we do," said Artichoke's Jim Morris.

The open mic is held every first and third Thursday night. Although there is a piano on site, most performers choose to bring their guitars. Get there early to sign up to play your song for a supportive, enthusiastic audience. Your name will be chosen at random. While you’re waiting to get called up, enjoy a small menu of light snacks and beverages.

Admission is $5.

PSU Open Mic Smith Memorial Student Union Building, 101 N.W. Corner of Main Floor Did you know that one of the best open mics is right under your nose? The Portland State Professional Sound Department holds the PSU Open Mic every Tuesday night from 7-9 p.m., with the exception of the first week of the term. PSU provides sound and lighting, but you need to bring your own instrument. Last year, the open mic was held at the underground Food For Thought Cafe; the new location should bring more visibility.

For more info, email psps@ pdx.edu or visit facebook.com/ psuprosound

ETC

EVENT CALENDAR Tuesday, Feb. 4

A Day in the Life: ‘Lipstick Jihad’ 6:15 p.m.

Multnomah County Library, U.S. Bank Room 810 S.W. 10th Ave., Portland, OR 97205 Lipstick Jihad is a book by Iranian-American journalist and author Azadeh Moaveni that chronicles her return to Tehran after a long absence and what she finds upon her return. Join Kimberly Brown, Portland State professor of applied linguistics, along with members of the local Iranian community for a discussion of the topics touched on in the book. FREE

Wednesday, Feb. 5 Cover Oregon Insurance Workshop 1–2 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, room 298 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 The Student Health and Counseling Center wants to make sure that you know everything there is to know about your insurance. Experts will be on hand at this event and ready to answer your questions. They will also offer basic information about Cover Oregon, as well as the student health insur-

ance plan offered through the university and how SHAC services work. This event also runs on Feb. 6 at the same time, but in room 236. FREE

Renting 101 1–2 p.m.

Ondine, lobby 1912 S.W. 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97201 Have questions about where and how to find affordable, off-campus housing? Renting 101 is a workshop that will help students find a place to live, and let them know what they need to understand before signing a lease. Light refreshments will be served.

FREE

Intercultural Coffee Hour 3:30–5:30 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, Multicultural Center (228) 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 The Multicultural Center invites students from any and all backgrounds to take part in Intercultural Coffee Hour every Wednesday afternoon. Come meet all sorts of people from diverse backgrounds and enjoy coffee and conversation. FREE

Thursday, Feb. 6

Friday, Feb. 7

Lunch and Learn: After the Arab Spring

Center for Public Interest Design: East of 205 Workshop

Noon Smith Memorial Student Union, room 296/8 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201

5–7:30 p.m.

Mercy Corp Action Center 45 S.W. Ankeny St., Portland, OR 97204

Marc Lynch, professor of political science and director of the Institute for Middle East Studies at George Washington University, will be at Portland State to talk about the future of democracy and inclusive politics in the Middle East. Bring your lunch and join the discussion at the Middle East Studies Center’s Lunch and Learn. FREE

The Center for Public Interest Design, a part of PSU’s School of Architecture, will be holding a workshop and reception to connect the residents of East Portland with designers and planners in an effort to facilitate conversation about the future of the neighborhoods on the east side of the city. This workshop is free and open to all who wish to attend. FREE

Portland International Film Festival Feb. 6–22 Various times and locations The Portland International Film Festival celebrates 37 years of bringing a wide variety of films to a Portland audience. Featuring over 120 films at various locations across the city, this festival is sure to have something for everyone to enjoy. For more information on ticket pricing and film schedules, visit www.festivals.nwfilm.org/ piff37

Sunday, Feb. 9 Worst Day Ride 8 a.m.

Various routes and locations The Worst Day of the Year ride is an annual tradition in Portland that draws bikers to the streets in spite of the weather. Riders will be treated to food and other perks, including a finishing line party at the Lucky Labrador Brew Pub, along with their registration fee. For more information about the ride, registration prices, and to

learn what comes alone with participating in the ride, visit www.worstdayride.com

Monday, Feb. 10 Professor Thomas Harvey Memorial 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, room 238 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 The PSU geography department will be holding a memorial service for recently passed faculty member Thomas Harvey. Harvey was with the department for 23 years and contributed to the community in a number of lasting ways, including acting as an adviser for undergraduate and graduate students.

His memory will be honored on Feb. 10 at the Smith Memorial Student Union.

Tuesday, Feb. 11

information that you need to know about the study abroad programs PSU has to offer. Come learn where you can go and what you can do when studying abroad through PSU and enjoy free food and prizes. FREE

Campus Conservation Nationals: Conservation Conversation 5–7 p.m.

Ondine Lobby 1912 S.W. 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97201 If you are interested in sustainability and learning how to conserve resources, this conversation was made for you. The PSU EcoReps are ready to discuss conservation with students. They hope to take place in the Campus Conservation Nationals, a competition to reduce the use of water and electricity in campus residence halls FREE across the country.

Education Abroad Fair 2–6 p.m.

Smith Memorial Student Union, Ballroom (355) 1825 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 If you are curious about studying abroad, the Education Abroad Fair is the perfect place to gain all of the

FREE

21+

PSU FREE OPEN TO PUBLIC 21 & OVER

WHAT THE...?!

FEATURED EVENT Pittock Mansion Free Admission Through Monday, Feb. 10 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Pittock Mansion 3229 N.W. Pittock Dr., Portland, OR 97210 Running now and through Feb. 10 the historic Pittock Mansion is offering free admission and tours during designated hours. Celebrate the 100th birthday of this Portland landmark and learn about some of the history that makes Portland such a great place to be. For more information, visit www.pittockmansion.org FREE

BRENDAN MULLIGAN/PSU VANGUARD CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTIONS TO PITTOCKBACK

“Didn't you get the memo? It's 2014...BALLS ARE IN!” Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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ETC

Aquarius Jan. 20â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Feb. 18

Aries Mar. 21â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Apr. 19

We all know Aquarius wants to play it cool, calm and collected, but maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to unleash your inner tiger. Want to act out like the crazy animal you are? Do it. Nobody is here to judge you.

If anything, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited to hear you roar.

Hey there, bossy pants, have you ever thought about shutting up and taking a little direction?

Sometimes you have to throw your hands up (so they can be cuffed) and relinquish control (let it happen). Who wants to call the shots all the time?

Taurus Apr. 20â&#x20AC;&#x201C;May 20

Pisces Feb. 19â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Mar. 20

Shit feeling a little crazy at the moment? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fret, dear Taurus! You can get through your massive to-do list with flying colorsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;you just have to do it in your underwear while drinking beer (responsibly, of course). Maybe next time you'll have time to get busy, if you know what I mean.

Remember that one time you decided you were doomed to be sexually vanilla and that was that? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d urge you to reconsider that label, dear Pisces, because it sounds like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting really freaky these days.

Gemini May 21â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Jun. 20

On a scale of one to sexy, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been off the charts.

Try and rein that sexiness in a bit, Gemini, because all of your zodiac friends are starting to feel really jealous. In fact, maybe you should just wear a chastity belt for the next week or so.

Cancer Jun. 21â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Jul. 22

Real talk, Cancer: The heart wants what the heart wants. Nachos over sexy time? Treat yoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;self!

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let anyone make you feel guilty for lovinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on them cheesy chips. This is about you, Moonchild.

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Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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Feelinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; like all the lovinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in your life comes from your extremity? Since when is self-pleasuring a bad thing?

No one knows how to love you like you do! Besides, they say you have to learn how to love yourself before someone else can love you.

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I tried to write you a sexy horoscope, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re too boring, Capricorn.

While itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one thing to curl up on the couch with a pint of Ben & Jerryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another thing to make a habit out of ignoring your nether region. Get out of your sweatpants and into the bedroom while you still can!

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SPORTS

BLAZERS HAVE TWO ALL STARS, POSSIBLY OLYMPIANS NBA All-Star reserves are announced while Team USA roster begins to take shape

SCORES

UPCOMING

PSU MEN’S BASKETBALL

PSU MEN’S BASKETBALL

NORTH DAKOTA PSU

68 PSU @ MONTANA 70 THURS. 2/6 6:05 p.m.

PSU @ MONTANA STATE

Top Performers: Gary Winston, 19 points

SAT. 2/8 6:05 p.m.

PSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

44 PSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 69 MONTANA vs. PSU

PSU NORTH DAKOTA

THURS. 2/6 7:00 p.m. | STOTT CENTER

Top Performers: Allie Brock, 18 points

The Portland Trail Blazers seem set in the third spot of the West, behind the Thunder and Spurs, after a rocketpropelled start to their season. Falling back to Earth means bad news comes along with the good.

The bad news is a pair of losses to the Warriors and Grizzlies, as well as continued defensive ineptitude—the offense wasn’t too good in those games either: 84.5 points, over 20 below the Blazers season scoring average.

The good news is praise and honors for the two players most responsible for the Blazers' winning ways: Lamarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard.

Portland’s dynamic duo were both selected for the initial 28-player pool from which Team USA basketball will choose it’s participants.

This summer the International Basketball Federation World Championship will be held in Spain. The Spanish national team has been a fierce competitor of the US team in recent years. The two have

MONTANA STATE vs. PSU

PSU MEN’S TENNIS

JAY PENGELLY

played for the gold medal in two straight summer Olympics.

This summer’s World Championship has implications for the 2016 summer games, the winning team receives an automatic spot in the Olympics. Team USA is coached by Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski who has a record of 62–1 since taking the reins in 2005.

Aldridge has been invited to this larger group in past years—which has so many players for flexibility in case of injury or other unexpected circumstances—but has never made it to the Team USA Olympic roster. Playing on this prestigious forum is a double-edged sword. It would provide Aldridge and Lillard with notoriety as well as experience playing with and against the finest hoopers in the world. But it also means a long summer for the Blazers go-to guys and an increased risk of injury.

Additionally, Aldridge and Lillard were named Western Conference All-Star reserves last Thursday by the NBA

coaches. It was a move expected by many, but not a sure thing in the hotly contested West.

Some believe Aldridge should have been a starter due to his dominant play this year. The All-Star starters are determined by fan voting and because of this it is often more a popularity contest than a true determinant of the best players in each conference.

Aldridge was fifth in fan voting (609,172) for frontcourt players in the West behind Kevin Durant (1,396,294), Blake Griffin (688,466), Kevin Love (661,246), and Dwight Howard (653,318). With less than 50,000 votes separating Aldridge from a starting spot it is clear his popularity, or at least the respect he has earned, has risen noticeably this year.

Perhaps with a strong showing in the playoffs or World Championship, Aldridge will cement his status as the undisputed best power forward in the NBA. It will be Aldridge’s third All-Star appearance.

In his previous two games

LAMARCUS ALDRIGE takes it to the glass against the Timberwolves while Lillard watches the big man work.

CORINNA SCOTT/PSU VANGUARD

Aldridge was almost invisible, averaging 2 points and 2.5 rebounds. Aldridge’s game, which relies on team movement and taking his time to find a good shot, is not conducive to the style of play on hand at NBA All-Star games.

It is an exhibition to entertain the fans and the players know it. Dunking lanes are wide open and defensive principles are left back home.

For the patient and methodical approach of Aldridge, the All-Star game moves too fast.

This will be Lillard’s first All-Star selection, a reward for the 23-year-old sophomore from Oakland for his impressive play following last year’s Rookie of the Year award. Lillard was also chosen to be part of the 2014 Rising Stars Challenge, where NBA first and second year players put on a display of defensive negligence which rivals the main All-Star game itself.

For Lillard, who often is most effective when running and throwing up improbable shots, the style of play at All-Star weekend should suit him perfectly. Look for Dame to be a show-stealing opportunity waiting to go off.

Lillard becomes the 16th player in franchise history to be selected as an NBA AllStar. This is the first time since 1994 the Blazers have sent two players to the AllStar game. Clyde Drexler and Cliff Robinson represented Rip City back then.

One might expect to see some Blazers in other All-Star weekend events. Lillard won the 2013 Taco Bell Skills Challenge, it is likely he will defend this award. Both Lillard and Wes Matthews are among the league leaders in 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made; either could do well in the 3-point shootout.

SAT. 2/8 2:00 p.m. | STOTT CENTER

IDAHO PSU

6 1

Top Performers: Jonathan Pike, won 6–5, 6–3

PSU WOMEN’S TENNIS

PSU @ NORTHERN COLORADO SUN. 2/9 9 a.m.

PSU WOMEN’S TENNIS

PSU SOFTBALL

PSU OREGON

1 KAJIKAWA CLASSIC 6 FRI–SUN. 2/7–9 | TEMPE, AZ

Top Performers: Alexa McDonald, won 7–5, 2–6, 10–4

NBA

PORTLAND @ NEW YORK

PSU TRACK AND FIELD

WED. 2/5 5:00 p.m. | ESPN

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON WHL INVITATIONAL PORTLAND @ TRI-CITY Top Performers: Sarah Dean and Sheldon Price, each set new PSU records

FRI. 2/7 7:00 p.m. | KPAM 860

NBA

TORONTO PORTLAND

Top Performers: LaMarcus Aldridge, 27 points

103 106

PSU ALUMNI AMONG THE SEA GAL CHEERLEADERS WHO WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE STOTT CENTER DURING THE GAMES THIS THURSDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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SPORTS

MEN'S BASKETBALL DEFENDS STOTT CENTER GUARD TIM DOUGLAS looks for a seam in the Northern Colorado defense.

Stott Center atmosphere lives up to team JESSE TOMAINO

MORGAN KNORR/PSU VANGUARD

CLAUDE AKINS

On paper, Portland State should have lost that game Thursday night. They were mired in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Big Sky Conference, a middling 4–4 in conference play, and were playing the Northern Colorado Bears, who were not only first in the conference but had won eight of their last 10. But, fortunately for PSU and the rest of the world, basketball games are not won on paper. They’re won in gyms.

And one of the ways they’re won? Team chemistry: an oft-neglected facet of the game.

“Everybody talks talent and X’s and O’s,” coach Tyler Geving said.“I think you can have all the talent in the world, and if guys don’t get along or don’t buy into playing for each other or buy into a team concept, it doesn’t matter. I

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think that’s the biggest thing that I’ve seen…These guys are mature that way…and really want to play for each other.”

One indicator of team chemistry is, statistically speaking, a team’s assist rate. Assists, at the basic level, simply represent ball movement. But ball movement implies trust, a knowledge of the places on the court one’s teammates like to score from, and a confidence in the system and the sets that are being run. The Vikings out-assisted the Bears 21–9.

“Take the shot, don’t be scared to take a shot,” said Alyx Foster, a communications major and walk-on who chose to come to Portland from Phoenix, Ariz., in order to be with his family.

This team chemistry has the Vikings playing very well as of late. They have won six of their last seven, and the last three by a combined 37 points, a very impressive feat that points to PSU’s momen-

tum—their prior three wins were by a mere 10 combined points.

Another major reason PSU has been winning lately: They have been shooting the lights out from beyond the arc. In the win against Northern Colorado they shot 9–19 from three, a spectacular 47 percent. Junior Gary Winston is shooting a remarkable 46 percent from three this year, even better than his 44 percent 3-point career shooting percentage, which ranks second all-time in PSU history.

Marcus Hall is also shooting the long ball very well, making them at a 45 percent clip.

An explanation for this is the odd five-guard approach Geving sometimes employs.

In fact, it was this approach that turned a 10-point halftime deficit into a nine-point win last Tuesday against Eastern Washington.

At times, the tallest guy on the court was 6'4"—and more

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

often than not, that was either Hall or Foster.

This approach allows the Vikings to spread the floor and generate more open perimeter shots. Hall is oftentimes the beneficiary of this approach, because the bigs that are forced to guard him can’t always keep up with him on the perimeter. But while this style creates more open looks (especially the highly-efficient PSU three ball), there are some obvious inherent defensive deficiencies—namely rebounding and defending the post-up.

“When we go small, [Hall] plays the five,” Geving said.

“You know, he’s really guarding a position he’s not used to guarding. I think what he’s doing on the defensive end is remarkable. Never once have I heard him complain about it.”

Foster describes his method for guarding entirely out of his position this way. “It’s all about competing. Just

compete, honestly, give it everything you got.”

The goal, of course, is to get into the Big Sky tournament, which begins Mar. 13. As of right now, the Vikings are 11–8 overall (10–3 in the cozy confines of the Stott Center), and are tied for third place in the conference. Their chances of getting in, at this moment, seem very high. And considering every game PSU plays from now until the end of the season is a conference game, the opportunity to advance in the standings is theirs for the taking. At this juncture in the season, it is entirely possible a hot-handed team can leapfrog their way to a higher seed.

“That’s the goal,” said Geving, referring to reaching the Big Sky tournament. “I think once you get there, anybody can beat anybody in this league.”

Yes, anybody can beat anybody. PSU can beat anybody.

After all, games are never won on paper.

Not only is the PSU men’s basketball team on a tear—winning games that they aren’t “supposed to”—but the atmosphere at the Stott Center also isn’t what one would expect if you listen to the naysayers around campus. The ones who are circulating petitions trying to defund athletics claiming a lack of student interest weren’t at Stott for either of the Vikings games last week.

The Stott Center was sold out for Thursday night’s game against Northern Colorado and had another good crowd Saturday night for a close game against North Dakota.

In addition to winning basketball there was chainsaw juggling, little kids shooting free throws and competing in races for cash and prizes, and all the free food you can eat.

To date more than 10,000 free hot dogs have been eaten at Viks games this season. None of us need to make the hot dog a staple of our diet, but eating some free junk food while watching our classmates play an exciting brand of basketball should be on every PSU student’s list of things to do this month.

SPORTS

LEGACIES DEFINED RUSSEL WILSON, Seahawks quarterback, stole the Super Bowl.

CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTIONS TO LARRY MAURER

JOEL GUNDERSON

Well, this came out of left field.

It was supposed to be the upstart Seahawks taking on the legendary Peyton Manning, his legacy on the line, history to be made.

Instead, it turned into one of the biggest laughers the Super Bowl has ever produced. Seahawks 43–8.

Manning, who at 37 years old won his record fifth league MVP award earlier in the week, was looking to shed the label he has lumbered around with for so long—a dynamic regular season quarterback who can’t get over the hump and win the big one.

He failed miserably.

After setting numerous records throughout the season, including points and touchdowns, the Broncos were outclassed from the opening snap, an errant one that went over Manning’s head and into the end zone for a safety.

Led by their “Legion of Boom” secondary, Seattle’s defense was simply brilliant.

They gave up nothing early on in the game, some meaningless yards late, and were stifling in-between, jumping out to a 36–0 lead in the third quarter.

Taking advantage of uncharacteristic turnovers, the Seahawks picked off Manning twice, including a backbreaking 69-yarder returned

by Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith for a touchdown to make it 22–0.

After a season in which Seattle wide receiver Percy Harvin played in just two games and made zero impact, he let his star shine on the biggest stage.

With the game hovering dangerously close to the edge of disaster, Denver had one last chance: stop Seattle on the first possession of the third quarter and hope Manning and the offense get something going.

But Harvin had other ideas, and his opening kickoff for a touchdown was the proverbial nail in the Broncos coffin, making the game 29–0 and, essentially, over.

“He’s unusually aggressive and he’s such a versatile athlete, that you have a lot of opportunities to do different things with him,” said his head coach Pete Carroll, who nabbed his first Super Bowl title, joining a short list of coaches who have won titles at both the college and pro levels.

Harvin, to his credit, never let the struggles get him down.

“It’s been weird. It’s been frustrating. It’s been all the above, man,” Harvin said of his season. “I had a tough time and it wore on me a little bit. But like I told the reporters, my teammates have been A-plus-plus. This whole organization has been top of the line.”

Oh, and then there’s Russell Wilson. Perhaps you’ve heard of him? Already a star—bordering on “super”—Wilson

rocketed himself into the next echelon with his steady, understated, yet brilliant performance.

Two years in, he has already etched himself into the Mount Rushmore of Seattle sports, a city so used to heartbreak. Now, they have a leader they can truly call their own. The feelings are mutual, according to Wilson.

“I thank God for putting me in this place right here,” Wilson said. “This place is unbelievable. I love Seattle.”

The Seahawks entered the season as favorites, and led by their young quarterback, set out week after week to prove it.

In the celebration following the win, Wilson—nicknamed “The President” by teammates for his calm demeanor—told stories of his father, who often told him as a child, “Why not you, Russell?”

“He always said that…so we’ve been saying, ‘Why not us?’ all season long.”

Indeed, it appears that no one can question Seattle anymore. After taking Russell in the third round of the 2013 draft, the Seahawks and Carroll surprised many by giving the opening-game nod to Wilson, despite signing high-dollar free agent Matt Flynn.

Now, after 28 wins in his first two seasons (an NFL record) and the franchise's first Super Bowl, it appears no one can question Wilson—or the Seahawks—ever.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Dear Portland State, The other day I was perusing through my Facebook news feed—an action that always leaves me unsatisfied but for some reason I can’t stop doing it. Anyway, for as often as I don’t get anything out of Facebook, I do learn about how others like to portray themselves online.

That day, I saw that a high school friend of mine who attends Brigham Young University had posted pictures of herself at a school sporting event, with the hashtag #webleedblue. Man, if she bleeds blue, what do I bleed? What do we bleed, PSU? Saying green makes me cringe a bit.

I don’t bleed green. I go to PSU and the color scheme largely incorporates the color green, but I certainly do not bleed that color.

School pride is part of going to college. Everyone knows that. Obviously it is, or people would not spend the time putting hashtags like that on Facebook pictures. Even with that being the case, that’s not how it is in the middle of Portland for college students. We don’t bleed green. Or blue.

Pride is at an all-time low here. You know that. But you know what? This is an exciting time to be a Portland State Viking. Two athletes have shown that school pride is not what makes your college experience. Instead, they’ve shown that consistently working hard will get you to the top. They have shown that a small school like PSU, with a football program that is not famous or well known, can produce athletes worthy of the best game known to football: the Super Bowl.

If you haven’t heard, these two athletes are Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Deshawn Shead. Both attended the same school as you. Both walked in the Park Blocks on their way to class, and both were Vikings.

So you know what, we don’t care as much about sports as other schools, but that doesn’t mean this program isn’t producing high-caliber athletes. This Super Bowl proves that. In fact, Julius Thomas is one of the best tight ends in football. He’s out there catching 20-yard passes from Peyton Manning on third and long. And it was not that long ago that he was doing the same thing at Jeld-Wen Field. He went here. He played basketball here. Part of the reason he is so successful right now is because of this school.

Don’t tell me it wasn’t exciting that we got to see some alumni on the field Sunday. If you weren’t excited, or didn’t even know about this, then I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to the people that felt a little bit of excitement knowing that when Julius Thomas caught a pass, he was representing PSU. That feeling right there is pride. Even if we aren’t willing to admit it as Portland State Vikings, we bleed our colors more than we are willing to admit.

Sincerely, Alex Moore Vanguard Sports Deck Congratulations to both players for making it there, especially Super Bowl champion DeShawn Shead. Thanks to Julius Thomas for an incredibly exciting season—and a nice tackle on that first Manning interception.

Jesse Tomaino Sports Editor

CALLING ALL SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS THE VANGUARD IS LOOKING FOR Sports Writers Apply online @ psuvanguard.com

Vanguard | FEBRUARY 4, 2014 | psuvanguard.com

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