A ROBBER AT THE PORTLAND ART MUSEUM
DON'T STOP AT THE FIRST STEP
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Washington County gives $2 million to aid homeless
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH, 2011
QRC hosts Queer Health Fair today Fair participants hope to raise awareness about queer health issues Katrina Petrovich Vanguard staff
VOL. 65 NO. 37
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INSIDE THIS EDITION: THE ANNUAL HEALTH & SEX GUIDE
Tough questions, uncertain answers at restructuring forum Senate Bill 242 may provide a road map to an uncertain future
The Queer Resource Center is hosting the first annual Queer Health Fair, which began yesterday, for students and faculty at Portland State. The fair takes place from noon to 5 p.m. in 236 Smith Memorial Student Union. Cody LaRue, education and outreach coordinator for the QRC, said that the health fair aims to educate people about the specific health challenges that the queer community face.
Joshua Hunt Vanguard staff
QRC ON PAGE 9
Security of 1098-T forms in question Bursar’s Office reconsiders mailing envelopes, urges students to use online option Miranda Schmidt Vanguard staff
At the end of January, Amanda Conrad, an arts practices major at Portland State, was surprised to receive her 1098-T form from the university in what she deemed to be a non-secure envelope. According to Conrad, her social security number, tax identification number, address and full name could be seen through the envelope. “Everything you need for identity theft,” she said. “I think the Bursar’s Office should pay for identity theft insurance for everyone they mailed these out to.” 1098-T ON PAGE 9
Hybrid driving for students There are 10 Toyota plug-in hybrids at PSU for evaluation and feedback Ryan Deming Vanguard staff
Those walking through Portland State’s Parking Structure One may have noticed an addition to the four Toyota RAV 4 electric vehicles: a silver Toyota Prius Hybrid Plug-In (PHV) vehicle. In partnership with Portland General Electric (PGE) and Toyota, PSU has been given 10 PHVs to evaluate, and should have them until June this year. PGE Economic Development Director Charlie Allcock said that Toyota has a list of topics about which it is interested in finding out more PRIUS ON PAGE 9
Restructuring: Representative Chris Harker, ASPSU President Katie Markey and OUS Chancellor George Pernsteiner (from left to right) were panelists at Tuesday's forum.
Karl kuchs/VANGUARD STAFF
Portland State and the Oregon University System held a campus-wide forum on Tuesday evening about the future of higher education in Oregon that featured PSU President Wim Wiewel, OUS Chancellor George Pernsteiner, ASPSU President Wim Wiewel, Professor Maude Hines and Representative Chris Harker. The panelists discussed the current state of the OUS, as well as the restructuring proposals being heard by the Legislature. “We spend as much on education as we spent 20 years ago, but now the student pays two-thirds of the cost and the state one-third,” Wiewel said when making his case for reform. Of the questions asked, students were largely concerned with how restructuring would affect tuition. “How will Senate Bill 242 give faculty and students greater control over tuition setting?” ASPSU Student Senator Karen Albright asked Wiewel. RESTRUCTURING ON PAGE 9
Shooting pain for PSU-TV University is tuning out Portland State TV Vinh Tran Vanguard Staff
After nearly three years of existence, Portland State Television has managed to survive without any institutional support. However, unless the organization finds a department in which to house itself soon, it faces shutting down altogether. To qualify as a student group, Student Activities and Leadership Program—which oversees 178 student groups and services—must officially recognize it. According to PSU-TV Manager Lucila Epple, the mission of the group is to provide original video segments that inform students on all things related to PSU that the campus community would find interesting. Notable examples include segments introducing Party in the Park, sustainable projects on campus and a video about the resignation of for-
mer PSU football coach Jerry Glanville. SALP Director Aimee Shattuck said that the reason PSU-TV no longer qualifies as a student group is because it is more fitting to be managed by the Publications Board, which oversees ADAM WICKhAM/VANGUARD STAFF groups such as PSU-TV in jeopardy: Justin Haynes is PSU-TV's assistant editor. KPSU, the Vanguard and the Portland Review. According to Shattuck, what PSU-TV currently “The Publications Board is the body that does is very tantamount to other student publicaestablishes guidelines for all campus publica- tions in the sense that the group is involved in metions,” Shattuck said. “They provide publica- dia production, with the intention of distributing tions with lots of expertise regarding libel laws the product to the wider student population. and free speech, which [SALP] would not be PSU-TV ON PAGE 8 able to.”
OPINION ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 3
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Washington County gives $2 million to aid homeless
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A homeless person is in a constant struggle for survival. However, with Washington County nabbing $2 million for homelessness, it could be just the start needed to combat homelessness in Oregon. Not only is there a large homeless population in Washington County, but there is also a large homeless student population. In September, the MEAGHAN Beaverton School DANIELS District was on top with 1,580 students identified as homeless. The Medford and Portland School Districts followed. As of Jan. 11, there are 1,059 students who identify as homeless in the Beaverton School District. Clearly, something needs to be done about student homelessness as well as homelessness in general. One way to address homelessness could be to focus on a specific homeless population. With Beaverton School District having a higher rate of student homelessness than any other school district, it was fortuitous timing that Washington County received funding to help fight the homelessness throughout the county, which includes the Beaverton School District. Another problem among students facing homelessness is the difficulty of identifying those students who need help. Homeless students can appear just as their peers do and all too often, they do not approach people for help. Faculty and staff at schools need to realize the prominence of the homeless student problem. If this problem is acknowledged, it can help aid in getting resources for those homeless students. The fight to end homelessness just got a muchneeded kick in the ass with nearly $2 million that will help to provide services and shelter for people in need.
While this is a fantastic start and it cannot be argued that $2 million won’t do a lot for many people and programs, it is important to not get complacent. There is another prominent problem that lies within the definition of a homeless student. A homeless student is one who lacks a “fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence,” as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Act. This could mean a multitude of things, including, but not limited to, students living in shelters, motels or a shared house doubled up with family or friends, regardless of whether a parent or guardian is present or not. The definition of a homeless student excludes many students who actually do have a stable home, but because of the amount of people that might be living there, their situation would be considered homeless. While it is important to realize that the definition of a homeless student is something that needs to be worked on, we cannot ignore those who still need help, and that is why the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s decision to put up $2 million is a really big deal, and a step in the right direction. Some of the programs to which the funds will go include The Boys and Girls Aid Transitional Living Program for runaway and homeless youth ages 18 to 23 years, HopeSpring Transitional Living Program, Hillsboro Graduated Independent Living Program and the mental health outreach provided by Open Door Counseling Center. Along with all of these programs are several others that will help provide support services and shelter for those homeless who are struggling.
Homelessness is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed. The nearly $2 million being funneled through a variety of different programs to help combat homelessness is truly an amazing start. The programs that are receiving this funding are truly phenomenal and can help so many people. There is one particular program that is specifically directed toward youth, and that is The Boys and Girls Aid Transitional Living Program for runaway and homeless youth ages 18 to 23 years. While it is not specifically directed to those who are in high school or below, it is important to realize that this population is still in need because many students get kicked out of their homes once they leave high school. The fact that this is occuring in a county that contains the school district (Beaverton) with the highest number of homeless students is also another step in the right direction. It is still important to recognize that while this is a great step, it is still just the beginning and should be viewed as a first step. More needs to be done to tackle such a huge issue. ■
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Elections for next year’s student government are already getting into motion here at Portland State. Last month, the election board was established to oversee the next round of elections, but with the troubles and overall low studentvoter turnout of IAN years past, it may BELLAMY be beneficial to look at how we can work out the kinks in our own student democracy. Experimental as it may be, Portland State should take a stab at e-democracy, refine the voting system and stake a claim on what could be an ideological overthrow of past sensibilities that govern democratic rule, starting with ASPSU. Standardized bids, I say. What’s that, you may ask? It is democracy, the most misinterpreted subject in contemporary American politics. It’s a method to reach the best deal for everyone. We currently view democracy as one vote, one person. But I argue that Portland State should take up an “x candidates, x votes” per person method, in order of preference. So, in other words, you get as many votes as there are candidates,
Between the vomiting homeless guy, the stench and the cramped sweaty atmosphere, it is obvious that men find the Portland Streetcar to be a perfect place for a romantic rendezvous. Here’s a tip: it’s not. One of my many personal experiences with “love” on TriMet seemed straight out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. A ravishing man, clad in his finest layers of rags, perspiration and excrement, approached me and began to discuss my “wonderful smile” and my “charms.” In my humbled state, I was unable to respond to such flattery from such a well-presented individual, and instead exited the streetcar with my companions. Afterwards, my friends informed me that prior to my joining the group, this same upstanding gentleman had been discussing his multiple felony convictions and his urge to get arrested so he “had somewhere warm to sleep.” I came away from this interaction with a new outlook on romance—that TriMet is definitely not the place to find it. Regardless of whether you are a clean-cut businessman or a dirty sweaty hobo, women aren’t going to be seduced by you when they’re someplace where they can’t tell whether the urine smell is just the streetcar, or whether it’s you. ■
Just this past week, standing on the MAX and heading back to campus with my friend, I was texting and therefore looking down at my phone. When I looked up, four inches from my face was a man making a kissy face. I walked away. Two minutes later, the same guy was now two inches from my face doing the same thing. This time I vocally protested, and again walked away. Looking like you are 16 and smelling of alcohol is not attractive. When you throw in a not-so-subtle pick-up attempt, that is even worse. Hitting on a girl riding the MAX, or at a MAX station, is not okay. Maybe girls are just different, and dim fluorescent lighting with the faint smell of urine and vomit do not put us the mood the same way it does for guys. What’s worse about getting hit on while riding the MAX is that there is no escape. The best defense is pretending the next stop is ours, and hope that it’s not yours. If we are trying to get away from you, that means we do not like you. If we have to take a detour to do so, then we really do not like you. ■
Rant RAGE
I fondly remember the last time I rode the bus without mace. It had been a long, rainy day, and I was eager to get to a party at a friend’s house. I scored a seat for the 30-minute ride, which I considered a victory. I was warm, dry and comfortable. Promptly, this lovely bus ride was ruined. A rather hairy fellow in a letterman jacket took the seat next to me, effectively trapping me between him and the wall. He reached over and plucked at one of my curls. “Is this a perm, or is your hair naturally curly?” he asked. I shot him my most bewildered look, batted his hand away, and plugged into my mp3 player. I thought that was that. Nope. The man spent the next 20 minutes hitting on me. I lied about my stop and got off the bus. Walking the rest of the way in the rain was better than dealing with him. Men, take my advice: Don’t hit on girls on the bus, especially if you’ve strategically blocked their escape. You wouldn’t trap a girl for 20 minutes to hit on her in a café, would you? Don’t do it on the bus, either. ■
QUOTE FOR THOUGHT
BY DICK RICHARDS
Love is a special kind of stupid
Illustration by colby brooks/vanguard staff
placing them in order of favorite to least favored. Mathematics aside, it may be worth the read. Although the concept has been ridiculed across the board for perhaps decades, now we have the technology to handle it. A recent publication by Pintér and Veszteg, titled “Minority Versus Majority: An Experimental Study on Standardized Bids,” remarks that the plurality voting system—the one held from ASPSU to the highest government entities such as the executive branch—“may fail to provide a socially efficient decision as a majority can outvote any minority even if the majority’s gain does not compensate the loss suffered by the minority.” In simple terms, the demographic that votes and forms a majority may in fact dissuade the minority from participating in voting in general, due to the perceived fact that they will win no matter what. It’s called Duverger’s Law. That is to say, when one candidate must get a plurality or majority of votes, those vying for the position will naturally synthesize into two, separate and polarizing ideological spectrums. Standardized bids offer an alternative formulation of competition. Unlike the simple paper ballot system, we have computers. A program could easily handle such a proposition, and perhaps we should take our voting to Blackboard, Desire 2 Learn or whatever the hell we are using nowadays. Imagine if instead of placing a paper ballot stocked full with ultimatums, one could simply log in, insert a pdx.edu e-mail and choose our
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Why public transportation is not the ideal setting to ask a girl out…so stop doing it!
localized power-holders by preferential order. Would that lead to a more “general consensus” ideal of elected officials, rather than an intense dichotomy? According to Pintér and Vezteg, the answer is yes, provided that enough people participate in regards to both elections and votes. Mind you, the idea of standardized bids is purely experimental, but the idea of e-democracy has been under development for some time. Perhaps we live in a political bubble, like San Francisco, but our young generation of habitual bloggers and meme-fanatics have one thing in common: social networks. However much I am adverse to the idea of Facebook (I deleted mine as a New Year’s resolution due to the lack of privacy), social media is a powerful unifying force. Even if it is considered subversive in certain North-African countries, such as Tunisia, Egypt and soon Lybia, its values underlie a movement of anonymous, secret ballots of viewing choices on the Internet, innovative pragmatics and, potentially, a hive for an e-democratic revolution, at least outside the bounds of Portland State. But why not within? So why don’t we make fundamental changes to the way we perceive democracy and how it should really work? Perhaps some dank patriotism holds us hostage with the ideals of our forebears, a two and a half-century old method of communicating electoral preference. The modern world is upon us, and with it we have the means to carry out greater methods of elections. We can do it here at PSU. ■
Here comes Valentine’s Day—which is, behind Christmas, the most useless holiday to mar the calendar. It’s a day to celebrate…love. Now, it’s been said that love is a special kind of stupid. And Valentine’s Day brings out the stupid in a large number of people, and those dolts will be taking their parade of idiocy out for a night on the town this weekend. There will be a mass of couples lined up, hand-in-hand, heading out on dates and basking in the glowing light of sweet love and communal adoration. Oh, and the romance flicks will flood the theaters—a few tearjerkers, feel-good rom-coms and one or two slightly-raunchy-yet-cute ones for the men too insecure in their masculinity but still want/have to do something for the holiday. Here, let me save you the ticket money: They’re either opposites or so much alike yet they can’t see it—like childhood friends or something. Some event will throw them together, and there will be a few moments where they notice a thing or two rather sweet about the other. But oh no, something comes along and causes quite a rough patch—usually the man’s fault. But no worries, the guy will do something daring and so fuck-off romantic, and said daring event will most likely involve scenes of frantically running about—set to the tune of whatever pop song paid enough to get the extra promotion. This will cause the gal to run into his arms and move on to some scene where they drive, walk or fly away into a happy ending. For the record, John Cusack did it the best, and with only a boom box. Then there’s the dinner, which won’t be at the place you want to go to, because everyone smarter than you already made reservations a year in advance. So you either have to get creative, or go to the insanely expensive place. Don’t bother brainstorming; you’re going to pick the latter. You’ll both order salads, but you will still have to take a loan out just to pay for them.
And what is Valentine’s Day without the gift? You guys do know you’re supposed to give a gift, right? Even if the significant other says it’s not a big deal. Here’s a tip—the gift really has nothing to do with how intimate or relevant it is to your significant other. Rather, it basically comes down to how expensive it is. Of course, expensive gifts that can be worn, such as necklaces or earrings, go over especially well, as they can be shown off a lot easier. Now, I know I told you that intimate knowledge of your partner doesn’t really matter for gifts, but it can help you know what kind of necklace or expensive something-orother to get. Believe me, you don’t want to deal with the conversation about how thoughtless you are for forking over all that cash and time into a gold necklace when you should know she only wears white gold—you insensitive bastard. In the end, just know that the more money you lose, the happier they will be. Chocolates are okay, but be aware that this sweet and cute gift is more of a supplemental gift to a bigger one, and can’t stand on its own. Maybe if someone comes out with a box of chocolates where everything inside doesn’t taste like shit, this rule could be amended. It’s sad, but it all basically comes down to recreating a romantic Kay Jewelers commercial. You know, the commercials that actually shatter any sense of gender equality while shamelessly setting back any feminist progress a few decades. Kay Jewelers apparently believes that all women are pitifully dependant upon men, and are also terrified of thunder. Their commercials might as well just say, “Every kiss begins with ‘K’…and so does kitchen, so get her a new diamond necklace to thank her for all the work she does in there. It ain’t easy being a baby-maker, after all.” What? It’s Valentine’s Day—a consumer holiday. So don’t kid yourself thinking it was going to hold some sort of affectionate connotation. If there ever was a holiday that illustrates that love equals nothing more than money, this is it. ■
“ One should always be in love. That is the reason one should never marry.” Oscar Wilde
Photo courtesy of theatrocity.com
4 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ OPINION VANGUARD EDITORIAL
We can’t breathe down here Thousands of students at Portland State have worked for and read our student publications for nearly 65 years. Despite having no or limited academic programs strictly dedicated to supporting campus media, students have nonetheless succeeded in founding and growing a variety of media to educate themselves and gain experience in their fields. But with such significant interest on campus, publications currently have little space to meet their needs. The establishment of a student media center is greatly needed for the students of PSU. With the acquisition of the Market Center Building, PSU will be transitioning most of its administrative offices to that location. This will, in turn, free up various spaces within the core PSU buildings around the South Park Blocks, creating the perfect opportunity for the establishment of a campus media center. The Vanguard is, and has been, grateful for the space it currently occupies in the subbasement of Smith Memorial Student Union. It has served us well—along with publications such as the Rearguard, the Spectator and others—in carrying out the various tasks and duties we oversee in producing news, commentary and art for the campus community. It has also served to help the many students spending countless hours in the great depths of the sub-basement garner appreciation for a number of qualities associated with working and educational life that many may take for granted—qualities such as light or air. As those who have experienced the luxuries of the sub-basement can testify, time down here is much like taking a 12-hour overnight flight— poor air quality and complete darkness if not for the glow of radiating florescent light. However, unlike the trappings of an airplane, the sub-basement lacks other accoutrements such as plumbing. In the late hours of the day and stretching on into the evening, the doors are locked and the air is turned off, creating a hotbox of stale, stagnant air and crushing humidity. Indeed, life in the sub-basement of Smith carries the threat of vitamin D deficiency, and looks like the defunded lab used to program
and service Robocop. But aside from such minor inconveniences, publications find it difficult to attain visibility at this current location of over 10 years. When the Vanguard was moved from the fourth floor of SMSU to the sub-basement in 1999, there was far more space for the publications to work or invite students to engage and contribute. Now, the space has been spliced significantly while Pathos, a literary magazine, is even relegated to a cramped corner of the Vanguard office and operates from a single desk—nearly impossible for most students to find. Students find it simple to locate other services and groups on campus, such as ASPSU, which are highly visible and accessible. Campus publications are a service that require constant input and information from the students in order to function. But, many students do not know that a sub-basement exists in Smith, and in turn, have no idea that there are several publications down here that serve them. PSU’s student media needs to be accessible and visible to the community it serves. As the shuffle of offices and administrative services at PSU begins, the university needs to acknowledge the tradition of, and fervor for, publications here on campus. A Portland State center for student media needs to be firmly established. Additionally, many student groups are left without a place to meet or store equipment. The sub-basement may not be a suitable environment in which to work nearly 40 hours per week, but it is appropriate and large enough to establish a shared meeting space and storage area for student groups, such as the space on the Smith mezzanine. While this editorial may bear a sense of personal gain for the Vanguard, it is but one of a number of student media groups that would benefit from a change of scenery and the creation of a student media center. We would like to further recommend, if not beg for, at least one window at any possible new location for publications staff to congregate around.
EDITORIAL BOARD Virginia Vickery Editor-in-Chief Corie Charnley News Editor Nicholas Kula Arts & Culture Editor Richard Oxley Opinion Editor Robert Britt Sports Editor Kristin Pugmire Copy Chief
ARTS & CULTURE ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 5
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR In Defense of Student Government: In the February 8 edition of The Vanguard two editorials criticized Katie Markey’s Presidency and the entire ASPSU network. First of all, the ASPSU Presidential Office carries enormous responsibilities; Markey has consistently given ASPSU and the students her best effort. I disagree with some of her policies just as others do [“Vanguard Online Comments: “Better off?” and “Now that’s a bit harsh”]. However, that being said, Markey and ASPSU have accomplished noteworthy feats this year that we can all be pleased with. For example, just recently the SFC acted on recommendations put forth by the Senate Finance Committee and accordingly brought $40,000 back into to the Student Fee Fund, freeing this money from unjust use and redirecting it to student activities. ASPSU also expanded protection of PSU students by mandating that Cyber Harassment clauses be included in the PSU Student Code of Conduct. We can be confident
that ASPSU, the Senate, and its leaders will produce more results as countless issues continue to surface. Student Government is the only advocate for all students here at Portland State. What other student organization on campus is better suited to address monumental tasks such as Restructuring? There are none, so push for positive change! The two letters to the editor in the Vanguard last week lacked any constructive criticism. Not happy with our current administration? Good, elections are coming up! This is the perfect time to get involved. If you think ASPSU needs a new direction, tell us where you would like to see it go, support a candidate, or run for an office. This next year may be the most decisive year in PSU history, if ever there was a time to participate that time is now.
Adam Rahmlow Senate Finance Committee Chair
A&C
EDITOR: NICHOLAS KULA ARTS@DAILYVANGUARD.COM 503-725-5694
Booze, books and biochemistry Anatomy of OMSI’s Science Pub Candace Opper Vanguard staff
It’s 6:30 on a Monday night, and I’m crammed into the lobby of the Bagdad Theater, standing in a line of people that snakes out the door and down the sidewalk. We’re waiting patiently to get into OMSI’s Science Pub, and even though organizer Amanda Thomas and OMSI’s website warned me to get there early, I’m still surprised at the turnout. “We’re too popular for our own good,” said Thomas. OMSI started doing Science Pubs in 2006, after Thomas read an article about science cafes in The New York Times. “I thought they were a great idea, and Portland seemed a natural fit,” she said. Science Pubs are not a new phenomenon. Denver’s Café Scientifique claims theirs is the oldest in North America, dating back to 2003. Sciencecafes.org suggests that many American cafés draw inspiration from the original cafés scientifiques around the UK, which date back to Leeds in 1998. One might even be tempted to trace these cafés back to the salons of the 17th and 18th centuries—social gatherings focused on inspiring philosophical conversation—albeit much less exclusive. Sciencecafes.org describes the modern science café’s “casual meeting place, plain language, and inclusive conversation” as the factors that create a welcoming atmosphere and draw people who don’t necessarily have backgrounds in science. “The average age is about 42 years old and typically there are more women (60 percent) than men (40 percent),” says Thomas. “While many people in the audience are interested in science,
you definitely do NOT have to be a scientist to understand.” The basic equation: science + beer = science fans. Portland hosts two Science Pubs, one at the Bagdad typically on the first Monday of every month, and another at the Mission Theater closer to the middle of the month. There are also four more regular Pubs in the surrounding area: Corvallis, Eugene, Hillsboro and Salem. McMenamins kindly donates its local venues, and the $3 suggested cover charge goes right back into OMSI. The Science Pub I attended at the Bagdad featured author and game designer Jane McGonigal, who discusssed her book “Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World.” As the theater fills up (science pub attendance often allows for standing-room only) witty science trivia questions flash on the silver screen, warming the audience up for the pub’s actual trivia, which Thomas hosts as part of the event’s introduction. The trivia part of the pub engages both your brain and your social skills, as you are encouraged to swap answer sheets and grade your neighbor’s expertise. Top scorers receive prizes like pub glasses and free passes to the museum and its events. The heart of the pub is an interactive lecture and slideshow that operates much like a TED talk. McGonigal’s lecture was engaging and enlightening, and despite the fact that I am not a scientist—or a gamer—I remained engrossed for its entirety. With a Ph.D. and years of experience in game development and design, she knows her stuff, but she didn’t bog down her talk with theory. She addressed the science and research in an accessible way, and related it back to the social concerns at the heart of her project. When seeking out potential speakers, Thomas is conscious of finding people who are a good fit for the casual Pub atmosphere.
Drew martig/VANGUARD STAFF
Ridin' nerdy: Amanda Thomas brings out the nerds in droves.
“I usually tell them they can have a microphone in one hand and a beer in the other,” she says. McGonigal’s Pub was co-sponsored by Powell’s Books as part of her book tour, but most of the speakers are local professionals who volunteer their time and knowledge.
Babes at Campus Rec Rec Center swim classes are for Vikings of all ages Rian Evans Vanguard staff
As it turns out, Campus Rec isn’t just for grown-ups. Understanding that PSU students come from a wide variety of age groups and backgrounds, Campus Rec offers fun and healthy activities for entire families, not just individual students. Students with children or other young family members are encouraged to bring their little ones out to Campus Rec’s Winter Youth Swim Lessons and Family Swim sessions. The swim lessons cover all ages and experience levels, from six-month-old babies up to high-schoolers. The cost is $20 per session, with Campus Rec providing wetsuits and other equipment if and when necessary. The obvious benefits of spending more time together and building confidence in swimming ability aside, swimming is a fantastic
Adam wickham/VANGUARD STAFF
Lake placid: In just minutes, this serene urban landscape will be teeming with life of all ages.
form of exercise. As we’re all too aware, childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years, with nearly 20 percent of children currently considered obese. While there are numerous factors that contribute to obesity, the direct cause is caloric imbalance—that is, consuming more calories than one expends. The excess calories wind
up being stored as body fat. Assuming a child is eating a nutritious diet (which is a big assumption to make, admittedly), the most likely reason for a caloric imbalance is inadequate physical activity. Now, we can blame computers, video games, the disappearance of physical education in many schools and so on, but at the end of the day it is our responsibility as adults to look out for our youth. There are legitimate obstacles standing in the way, but only action is going to make a difference.
Overall, the event was educational, inspiring and entertaining. It was refreshing to see such a large crowd come out for an industrious cause. Of course, there was also pizza and beer, which didn’t discourage anyone, but we all left the Bagdad a little brighter. ■
We need to get our youth active again, in spite of these obstacles. Getting back to swimming—it’s an excellent form of exercise for children. First off, it’s fun! Kids aren’t like adults. They aren’t particularly keen on hopping on a treadmill; instead, they want to enjoy what they’re doing. (For the record, I can’t blame them. The way most of us adults exercise is a real snore). Since the dawn of time, most children have found swimming to be a blast, especially with other children and fun water toys thrown in the mix. Secondly, swimming utilizes the large amounts of muscle mass, thereby burning more calories than some other forms of exercise. Of course, intensity is always a factor, but the more muscle mass one has to utilize, the more calories they’ll expend. In layman’s terms, swimming offers a very big bang for the buck. For more information on the various aquatic programs offered through Campus Rec, visit pdx.edu/recreation/aquatics. ■ The Family Swim sessions are held every weekend. This is a great opportunity to have fun, bond and get some exercise. The sessions are free for Campus Rec members and their youngsters. The current schedule for winter is as follows: Friday: 5–8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday: Noon–5 p.m.
ARTS & CULTURE ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 7
6 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ ARTS & CULTURE
all photos courtesy oF bumpinnastys/reverbnation.com
Steady ghosting: That photographic effect is so nasty!
Ladies and gentlemen, The Bumpin Nastys Get nasty tonight at the Alberta Street Pub Jake Stevens Vanguard staff
Straying away from the normally unspoken guidelines that many songwriters follow and seem to understand these days, The Bumpin Nastys brings new light to the way in which a band can push the boundaries of lyrics. How-
ever, The Bumpin Nastys’ lyrics aren’t what they should be entirely known for. Behind the neo-seductive vocals is a three-piece power trio that has the ability to get you out of your seat dancing, which is something to which the group is already accustomed. Having gotten together toward the end of summer last year, this alternative rock trio was formed by using the classic northeast Portland method of starting your very own band—just grabbing your neighbor—which is exactly
what they did. Debuting their first show in the basement of one of their houses in Northeast, the Nastys immediately gained prestige. From there, the group has been putting in tons of time and hard work by playing a show nearly every two weeks around Portland, furthering its experience from its emergence as a new band. The power trio consists of the classic setup—a guitar, bass and drums arrangement, and prospectively adding in a synth to the mix soon. Adam Daugherty from Phoenix, Ariz., who is also part of the bands Lady Elaine and Bye Heart, leads the group on vocals and guitar and serves as the band’s “nasty” songwriter. Behind the drums is Portland native Ron Hernandez, who got his start with his previous band Window Seat. To be fair, the guitar and drums would be (respectfully) nothing without the extraordinary efforts of their bassist, Archie Heald. Archie, who is one of PSU’s very own, hails from a small town which is known for producing great bassists: Roseburg. His talents can be heard from his selection of former local favorite groups such as Burning Down Brooklyn, Bubble Rebellion and Sitting Duck. This is a bass player that deserves to be a local celebrity for both his willingness to help out bands in the area and his immense passion to just go out and slap the bass.
The group’s catchiest song, “One Wish,” starts off with the drums and bass crashing in with every intention to pick you up out of your seat while the guitar plays a melodic finger-picking riff. The combination is simultaneously shadowed by the provocative lyrics that help assist in the explanation of their nastiness: “I have but one wish / to kiss your delicious lips / under your belt…” If these lyrics raise an eyebrow in a good way, then you will be happy to hear the band’s latest news. Tonight, the band is holding its album-release party for its very first self-titled LP at the Alberta Street Pub at 8 p.m. The CD was recorded right here in downtown Portland at Green Light Studios and was produced by Jake Hummel. It will be available for purchase on iTunes today as well. If you are still wondering why you should catch The Bumpin Nastys’ gig, you’re just plain prude. Get out and support this talented group as it quickly makes its way onto the list of local favorites. ■
The Bumpin Nastys and Mangfald Alberta Street Pub Tonight, Friday, Feb. 11 8 p.m. Free 21+
Roasted pork with cherry love sauce A restaurant-worthy Valentine’s Day dish Kat Vetrano Vanguard staff
A Robber at the Portland Art Museum The film delivers the best of both worlds. The chase scenes are so heightened that they employ a Hollywood-like thrill; yet the film also Ines Kuna maintains the beautiful realism associated with Vanguard staff independent filmmaking. This includes all the Audiences are introduced to Johann Kasten- overtly silent interactions between Johann and berger (Andreas Lust), an Austrian marathon Erika, a fumbled heist and an overall slower champion who also has a knack for and addic- mood indicative of actuality. The combination tion to bank robbery. As Johann continues a life of realism and thrill allows “The Robber” to reof crime despite a pressing parole officer, things ally penetrate the observer’s distance from the truly get out of control. Once Johann’s behavior film’s quasi-reality. turns violent, his only The realism is esfriend Erika (Franzis- One moment audiences tablished not only ka Weisz) must de- follow the fleeing Johann, through its acting cide whether she will but also through its running from a militia of fake an alibi or turn various cinematic elpolice, and the next they him in. ements. The camera’s “The Robber” is see Erika...on the line movement as it folmagnificent. It is a lows Johann’s races— combination of ev- between the call of duty both on the track erything that makes and personal interference. and on the run— a great movie: It is puts viewers right at thrilling, sensual, provoking and cinematically the scene. The camera vantage points pull the beautiful. Director Benjamin Heisenberg neatly movie together from various views. Heisenberg folds this true story along with all of its qualities convinces audience members that his work into an hour and a half, which in and of itself is unconstructed, emphasized by the natural is quite a feat. lighting that dominates most of the film. One of the greatest accomplishments of the “The Robber” models several ethical dilemfilm is the genuine performance by Andreas mas. The perspective shifts. One moment audiLust. Lust does an extraordinary job channeling ences follow the fleeing Johann, running from the persona of an utterly indifferent man who a militia of police, and the next they see Erika nonetheless captivates the audience in vicarious reaping the consequences of a pivotal decision, sympathy. on the line between the call of duty and per“The Robber” gives an authentic feel to a dra- sonal interference. The film examines several matic plot. Even the robberies appear complete- issues, including inexplicitly the irony of symly real. One scene illustrates a genuinely shocked pathizing and hero-izing criminal protagonists. teller who cannot move. This is nothing like a At the end of the film, it is hard to know Hollywood heist in which all actors expectantly whether to feel sorrow, justice or just confuexpress extreme and immediate terror. sion. In many ways, the film alludes to healthi-
NWFC screens a modern classic
HELLO OUT THERE! Like what you see? Head on over to www.psuvanguard.com for exclusive online arts content, a compact show guide and a chance to read everything from the comfort of your home and underwear. Check it out!
Method: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Rinse the pork tenderloin and pat it dry with paper towels. Let it come to room temperature, then season the pork generously with sea salt, freshly ground pepper and rosemary on all sides. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the butter to pan, and stir until melted. Add the
A few years ago, I was out to a French restaurant in another city with my parents. It was near Valentine’s Day, and my father asked if a lot of people liked to celebrate the special day at their restaurant. The waiter rolled his eyes and laughed, “Oh yes. We like to call it amateur day.” Whether or not that specific waiter is representative of Portland’s restaurants’ mindsets, I have never found myself eating out on the 14th since. Paying for overpriced prix fixe menus is hardly romantic and, quite frankly, overphoto courtesy oF EMPERLEY/FLICKR rated. Pork: If you cook this for your partner on Valentine's day, you will both be porking. The following dish is special without being too complicated, and pork tenderloin to the butter and brown it on all makes enough that it could serve your best sides (it doesn’t need to be cooked in the middle friends or just your loved one. Round out the at this point), and remove from heat. Place the pork in a roasting pan or on an oiled meal with sautéed green beans, creamy mashed baking sheet and roast at 375 degrees. The pork potatoes and your favorite wine. will be ready when a meat thermometer reads Ingredients: 160 degrees, about 35–45 minutes. When the pork is done cooking, cover with foil and let it Pork Tenderloin rest in its juices for about 10 minutes so it can Sea salt and freshly ground pepper absorb some flavor. 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary (dried is fine) While the tenderloin is roasting, place the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter cherry preserves in a small saucepan with the 1 lb of pork tenderloin vinegar. Bring the pan to medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture reduces, about Cherry Love Sauce 1 jar of cherry preserves 10–15 minutes. 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar Slice the pork tenderloin and serve with the preserves on warmed plates. Serves two to three people. ■
NOW HIRING SPORTS EDITOR a p p ly o n li n e at w w w. dai ly va n g ua r d.c o m
photo courtesy of nikolaus geyrhalter filmproduktion
Robber: It must be hard to hand your valuables over to a guy in such a gross mask.
ness of such a response. Heisenberg constantly jerks the viewer between criminal and emotional scenes. This back-and-forth order plays with the mind, distorting any solid view one may have anticipated of the characters. This overall cinematic technique is beautiful and engaging, but most importantly, provocative. Ethics are challenged. In essence, “The Robber” does its job in entertaining the thrill-seeker and
provoking the philosopher. This is a fantastic film overall, both in its acting, plot and cinematic execution. ■
"The Robber" Screens Feb. 15, 16 and 18 Various times nwfilm.org
NEWS ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 9
8 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ NEWS
NEWS
EDITOR: CORIE CHARNLEY NEWS@DAILYVANGUARD.COM 503-725-5690
QRC FROM PAGE 1
Health fair will feature AIDS testing and stress management workshops
PSU-TV FROM PAGE 1
The group will once again appeal to the Publications Board later this month Currently, the group utilizes both its website at www.psutv.groups.pdx.edu and its YouTube channel to distribute videos. PSU-TV, under the management of Epple, applied to join the Publications Board in early 2010. However, the group was rejected. “We are basically in a situation where the school doesn’t want anything to do with us,” Epple said. “We have been working for a year without any money and I just don’t know what we’re going to do now.” According to Judson Randall, the adviser for all student publications at PSU and the executive secretary for the Publications Board, the reason PSU-TV did not qualify as a publication is that the group lacks ongoing production. In order to be considered, it must produce a certain number of videos per week. “If you’re going to be a legitimate publication, you need to turn out content regularly,” he said. Epple admitted that PSUTV does not publish its con-
tent regularly. However, she said that is due to the unique nature of its line of work, which does not fall in the same vein as the campus’ other publications. “Video production takes a lot of work and requires hours upon hours of editing,” Epple said. “We believe in quality over quantity and our main goal is to produce visually appealing, entertaining and informative pieces.” According to Epple, the group does not consider itself to be a news organization. “We think of ourselves as visual storytellers,” she said. However, its 2010 mission statement, which states that PSU-TV seeks “to provide news and special interest stories relating to PSU,” suggests otherwise to administrators. According to Shattuck, the group’s current mission statement is a departure from its 2007–08 statement, which emphasized the “service” aspect of the group to provide job skills to its members and video services to the campus community. With the shift in
mission statement and purpose, Shattuck said it seems appropriate that they should look for a home under the Publication Board. “Right now, they have to decide if they’re into providing news, marketing or service…[this] would determine whether they’ll get recognized or not,” Shattuck said. Epple plans to re-appeal to the Publications Board at its meeting this month. For now, she is hopeful that it will get the recognition from the university. “We’re just asking for guidance and support,” Epple said. “We believe in what we do, which is to provide film students a unique opportunity to gain skills without having to pay for a class.” Originally developed in 2004 as a project to document homelessness in Portland by several graduate students, the group transitioned into Viking Vision the following year, which followed a televised news program format. Since then, it has undergone two more transformations; it became the Motion Picture Film Club in 2008 before officially becoming PSU-TV in 2009. ■
ADAM WICKHAM/VANGUARD STAFF
Group in crisis: Kailin Lawrence is one of PSU-TV's reporters. If the organization does not find institutional support, it will have to return its cameras to the university. RESTRUCTURING FROM PAGE 1
Students pose questions about tuition, student voice forum
Pernsteiner commented on the timeline for implementation, should SB242 pass, as well as the possibility of institutional boards. Institutional boards would give each university their own say in budget issues and overall university system policy. “The board has a committee that will see how institutional boards might make sense in raising educational efforts,” he said.
According to Wiewel, the tu- and in raising wages for faculty. ition process would not change if Additionally, having greater conSenate Bill 242 (SB242) passes. trol over tuition dollars would “But it will become more provide the OUS with a greater formalized and involve greater capacity for facilities repair and student participation,” Wiewel maintenance, something that has said. been a well-publicized concern While the restructuring proposed in SB242 would grant the OUS greater control over how tuition dollars are spent, it would in no way impact the amount of tuition that Oregon university students pay. A proposed 9.4 percent increase in resident undergraduate tuition for the 2011–12 academic year at PSU, if passed, would not be affected by SB242. What would change is that the OUS would not have to seek approval from the Legislature when deciding how those tuition dollars are spent. “In and of itself, the restructuring bill does not Karl kuchs/VANGUARD STAFF by itself change Campus concerns: About 15 audience members, including faculty the budget issues and students, posed questions to the panelists. at all,” Wiewel said. “It will make us more effi- at both Oregon State University While audience members cient, but it won’t fix anything.” and PSU in the recent past. expressed great interest and Pernsteiner and Wiewel reiterAnother concern addressed concern over the potential ated that while SB242 proposes by students and faculty was the restructuring of OUS, the sweeping changes to the way that potential for a lowering of stan- overwhelming majority of OUS operates, and who operates dards in order to meet perfor- questions posed by the pubit, the changes for students and mance requirements and gradu- lic related to issues concernfaculty will only be reflected in ation rates required under the ing tuition, student voice areas such as class size and facili- restructuring proposal. While and mechanisms for the proties management. there was much discussion on tection of minority student It is claimed that under the the issue amongst panel mem- groups. new system institutions would bers, there were no proposals According to Pernsteiner, have more freedom in hiring of for an empirical measure of the the bill would take effect on staff to meet rising enrollments, quality of university education. Jan. 1, 2012. ■
These challenges include under- or misrepresentation of queer people by health institutions, especially for those who do not necessarily identify with one gender or another, LaRue said. A second focus of the health fair is raising awareness about safe sexual health practices. LaRue said that while sexual health is important for all people, it is a particularly big factor for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer (LGBTQ) community. According to LaRue, the HIV/ AIDS crisis is one of the most pressing issues. Today, the health fair will feature on-site rapid AIDS testing services provided by the Cascade AIDS Project. These confidential AIDS tests only require a swab of the cheek and yield results in as little as 20 minutes.
There will also be a workshop about transitioning from college to the workplace, for which there will be two sessions. The first one will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and the second from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Other fair events include a workshop given by a social worker from the Student Health and Counseling Center (SHAC) about managing stress and anxiety. Both the QRC and SHAC will have tables available at the fair where people can learn more about the services and support they offer. The health fair is open to everyone, including people from the greater Portland area. LaRue said that there has been off-campus advertising for the event, so people beyond the PSU community may be in attendance.
The theme—just in time for the Valentine’s holiday—is “Love Yourself,” an idea that LaRue believes promotes responsibility and self-worth. “Healthy students have an easier time getting good grades and completing their education,” he said. SHAC Health Educator Gwyn Ashcome said that the Queer Health Fair is a joint venture with SHAC’s “Take Heart” program, which also focuses on educating students about healthy sexual relationships. According to Ashcom, SHAC is using the “Take Heart” program to reach mainly first-year students who live on campus. The program seeks to inform students about methods for fostering healthy relationships with or without sex. Safe sex kits are being distributed around PSU’s residence halls with information about SHAC's services and the QRC, as well as brochures about healthy relationship practices. ■
According to Beard, while many manufacturers are coming out with electric vehicles and extended-range electric vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt, the Prius uses a different stratthrough this study. Toyota “We have [Priuses] in Corval- egy to lower vehicle emissions. wants to see how certain indi- lis, Salem, Eugene and even in As an example, Beard reviduals, in certain situations, Ashland,” Beard said. “I’ve got a ferred to a large semi-truck. use the cars. car about to be assigned to Wil- According to Beard, these Allcock said that from PGE’s lamette University.” trucks use a large amount of perspective, this study will help According to Beard, the ve- gas to accelerate from a dead the company analyze what hicles are assigned to different stop. The normal Prius uses its battery to get the car from a dead stop to up to four or five miles per hour; at this point, the vehicle’s combustible engine kicks in. Moreover, the vehicle recaptures electric energy from its wheels and braking system to recharge the battery. The PHV, however, takes this strategy a step further, Karl kuchs/VANGUARD STAFF Beard said. Plugging in green vehicles: Hybrids have been given to ZipCar for Portlanders to test out. “In addition to...this norneeds to be done to build an in- people and rotated every couple mal Prius advantage, [Toyota frastructure for electric vehicles. of months. said] let’s add a lithium batThis includes being able to anDavid Utzinger, the Port- tery to the back of the car that ticipate and answer customer land ZipCar fleet manager, can be charged in a normal concerns, such as the effects of said that ZipCar also received 110v [volt] charging socket,” charging the car at one’s house. two PHVs on Jan. 27. he said. “From our standpoint, it’s a One of ZipCar's PHVs is Beard said that when he great example of the benefits of located in Parking Structure takes the car down to Salem, a collaboration of a utility and One, while the other is lo- the car seamlessly switches the local university,” Allcock cated outside of the Shaver over from the lithium-ion batsaid. “We’re really happy to be Green Apartments in north- tery to combustible engine doing this.” east Portland. when the electric charge runs George Beard, alliance manHe said that the only way out. In testing the vehicle, ager in the Research and Stra- the PHVs differ in use from Beard said that he got almost tegic Partnerships Office and other cars in the fleet is that 150 miles to the gallon. the administrator of the PHV they are only allowed to be PSU is one of eight instiprogram, said that he assigns reserved for hourly use by tutions and organizations to the cars to various people members. The main reason receive the evaluation PHVs, throughout the entire state. His for this is that the vehicle’s including Syracuse Univergoal is to expose the vehicles to lithium-ion battery takes up sity, San Diego Gas & Electric as many people and different so much room, spare tires are and the California Center for communities as he possibly can. not included with each Prius. Sustainable Energy, according Beard wants “not just the po- Without this safety net for to Toyota’s website. The Prius litical and corporate elite, but drivers, ZipCar doesn’t feel it PHV will be available for retail real people to have a chance to is safe for members to take the purchase at the beginning of participate in this.” cars on long trips. next year. ■ PRIUS FROM PAGE 1
New plug-in hybrids can be charged with regular electrical outlets
1098-T FROM PAGE 1
University says electronic 1098-T forms are more secure PSU delivers 1098-T forms to all of its students by mail unless a student opts to get the document online. The 1098-T details a student’s tuition and education expenses for the year. These documents are sent by the Bursar’s Office. Though the office’s address is listed on the envelope, Conrad said that she still had difficulty finding the right person to speak with. “I tried to contact the Bursar’s Office, but trying to find their number is almost impossible,” Conrad said. “On the PSU website, it’s not listed.” When Conrad contacted the Cashier’s Office, a representative told her that the information would be passed along to the Bursar’s Office. However, as of Feb. 4, the office had not received the information. “We haven’t gotten one single complaint,” said Eric Blumenthal, director of business affairs. According to Blumenthal, the mailing process for 1098Ts has not changed within the three and a half years he has been in the position, nor have the envelopes the office uses or the vendor from which they are purchased. “It’s been the stock of envelopes we’ve always used, unless they’ve changed it over time, and it’s become a cheaper stock,” he
said. “We were ordering those, probably, since the 1970s.” Conrad has been a student at PSU for the last three years, and says this is the first year she has received her 1098-T in such an envelope. As a student at Portland Community College, she says she received her 1098-T forms in an envelope made of heavier paper, which could not be seen through. “If it’s not held up to the light, you can’t see through it,” Blumenthal said of the envelopes sent by the Bursar’s Office. According to Bursar Amanda Nguyen, around 30,000 1098-T forms were mailed to PSU students this year. Around 10,000 students got their forms online. This is Nguyens’s first year in the position. PSU ran a campaign in January to encourage students to sign up to get their 1098-T forms online. “The ultimate thing is not to have it mailed at all,” Blumenthal said. “It’s better for the environment. It’s cheaper. It’s more secure.” Electronic forms are password-protected and can be viewed and printed out online. PSU uses the same online system for employee W2 forms. It is not necessary, for tax filing purposes, to have
a paper copy of the 1098-T form because these forms do not need to be sent to the Internal Revenue Service, according to Blumenthal. The IRS, however, still requires schools to offer a mailing option for 1098-T forms and the Bursar’s Office is currently reconsidering the envelopes in which it mails the forms. “It’s fine for just general correspondence,” Blumenthal said, “Maybe we just shouldn’t be using it for other sensitive things.” Blumenthal speculates that the decision about which envelopes to use at the office was made before awareness of identity theft was as common as it is now. Conrad has been fighting a previous and unrelated case of identity theft for the last five or six years. She said that it could take as much as one or two years for identity theft to become known to the victim. “People just need to be aware of what’s going on with this type of stuff…and how little information it takes,” she said. ■
Instructions to sign up for electronic 1098-T form 1. Visit www.banweb.pdx.edu and click the "Student Services" tab. 2. Click on the "Student Accounts" link. 3. Click on the "Sign up for electronic 1098-T" link.
ETC. ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ VANGUARD 11
10 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ SPORTS
SPORTS
ETC.
EDITOR: ROBERT BRITT SPORTS@DAILYVANGUARD.COM 503-725-4538
The talented Mr. Odum The Vikings’ leading scorer is an artistic person intrigued by the world around him Kevin Fong Vanguard staff
C
life” but says the decision to stick it out was what helped “make him a man.” “I wanted to learn the importance of education by myself,” he said. “I felt if I went back to a school at home then I’d always have my mom whispering in my ear to do my homework. I wanted to learn to motivate myself.” After getting things turned around and achieving All-Region 18 honors as a sophomore, Odum was recruited by schools all over the country, including Ohio University, Creighton, San Diego, UC Riverside and TCU. But once he visited Portland State, he knew he’d found his new home. “When I came to Portland State, the shoe fit,” Odum said. “It was just my style of shoe.” Today, Odum enjoys life around the South Park Blocks. Aside from the weather, he loves the fact that the city is busy, full of culture and there are plenty of new people to meet. When he’s not in the gym or in class, he’s often in Lincoln Hall “messing around” on the piano, something he started doing his freshman year at Idaho. Although he’s never taken lessons, he says playing the piano just “feels natural.”
harles Odum sees many similarities between playing basketball and creating art. “Players like Derrick Rose and John Wall—the way they move, the way they play is art,” Odum said. “Basketball is a way you can show yourself. There are so many things you can do in different situations, and what decisions you make is your art.” In his first year at Portland State since transferring from the College of Southern Idaho, Odum isn’t having much trouble expressing himself on the court. The junior guard leads the Vikings in scoring average (14.3 points), overall shooting (.529) and three-point shooting (.456), all while putting up 3.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. However, the basketball court isn’t the only place Odum chooses to explore his artistic nature. He likes to draw in his spare time, and his favorite things to sketch are portraits, specifically a person’s eyes. “You can tell a lot about a person by looking at their eyes,” Odum said. “People express so much emotion just through their eyes.” As Odum discusses his sketches, his own eyes light up with enthusiasm and it becomes clear that viewing the world through an artistic lens is part of what makes him happy. He enjoys exploring the world and the people in it and describes himself as a “left-brained” individual. “I love looking at a painting, or listening to a song, and breaking it down,” he says. “And trying to figure out what the artist was seeing, what [inspired] them to create that.” Odum derives his own inspiration from his family and says it’s something he “takes pride in.” His father, who works in the metal distribution industry, and his mother, a nurse, have been married for over 20 years. Odum’s sister, with whom he talks almost every day, is a senior at Cal State Bakersfield. Although his parents have worked hard to provide a stable life for their family, things weren’t always so easy. Growing up near Los Angeles, Calif., Odum remembers bouncing around a lot, moving from “I always wantLong Beach to Lakewood, and ed to play the jumping in and out of a few piano ever since different schools as his parents I was a little kid,” struggled to make ends meet. Odum said. “Any Since he was a boy, Odum found time I get a chance to be at his escape through basketball and Karl kuchs/VANGUARD STAFF a piano, I’m going to play.” when he got into high school, The ability to take the he started to stand out from the mind away from the stresses of the other kids. Despite drawing interest from scouts across world and the way music is soothing the nation, Odum said his poor grades made and relaxing is what Odum enjoys him academically ineligible for Division-I ball, most about the piano. “I can speak my thoughts and so he eventually found his way to the College of Southern Idaho, a small junior college in emotions through the keys of the Twin Falls. There, success came to him on the piano,” he said. After basketball, Odum plans to basketball court like it had in the past, but Odum found himself struggling outside of finish his degree in communication the gym. The move from life in the big city studies and then venture out into the to rural Idaho was a tough adjustment, and he world. He hopes to play professionally, possibly overseas if he has the thought about quitting. “I was homesick, but I didn’t want to just run opportunity, and says he will “take back home,” he recalled. “I knew I came out basketball as far is allows him to go.” Odum understands there is [there] for a reason, to grow up, to have to deal a whole world away from the with things by myself, so I ended up staying.” Odum calls Idaho the “toughest years of his basketball court, and also dreams
of having his own television show someday. He says it could be called “Real Talk with Charles Odum,” and that he would “travel the world and just meet everyone.” “I just like talking,” he explained. “Not just meeting people, but trying to understand why one person is different from the next. That’s why I really like talking to people; I like seeing each person’s ID, what makes each person the way they are.”
The idea of starting his own business or getting into real estate is also appealing, but the real goal would be to make money so he could someday start a charity foundation. “I just want to show people that there’s nothing wrong with giving another person a hug,” Odum said. “ I just want to go out into the world and help as many people as I can.” When asked what makes him the most proud in his life, he didn’t hesitate to respond. “I’m proud that I’m able to be me,” he said. “I want people to remember me for Charles. They might think I’m weird, strange or different, but that’s just how [Charles] is. I thank God that I can be myself in any situation.” ■
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: VIRGINIA VICKERY EDITOR@DAILYVANGUARD.COM 503-725-5691
CALENDAR Today Making the Most of Career Information Day and the Engineering Technology Fair 10 a.m. University Services Building, room 402
Learn how to take advantage of the annual Career Information Day and Engineering and Technology Fair. The workshop will discuss networking, resumes and how to gain career information. Social Sustainability Colloquium 1 p.m. PSU Academic and Student Rec Center, room 660
This week’s lecture, “Economics of Happiness…and Beyond,” will be presented by Angela Rodgers of the School of Social Work. Join for a viewing of the film “Economics of Happiness” and to discuss its implications and some possible next steps. “The Vagina Monologues” 6 p.m. Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom
“ I can speak my thoughts and emotions through the keys of the piano.” Charles Odum
drew martig/VANGUARD STAFF
Charles in charge: Junior guard Charles Odum has made a large impact in his first year as a Portland State Viking.
Indigenous Nations Studies at Portland State University. Growing up in Southwestern Oklahoma, as a member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, he followed the collective talents of the artists and musicians in his extended family. From this exposure, Cornellearned of his cultural ancestry and rich tribal background at an early age. He will take us ona journey in the traditional ways of his people by way of music, storytelling and an authentic insight that is drawn from many years of his connection to his people, their way of being and his heart.”
This year’s show will feature a spotlight on the women and girls of Haiti. Student and senior admission is $10, general admission is $12. The show runs on Saturday evening as well, and will have an ASL interpreter.
Saturday “Hidden Battles” free screening
in advance. Tickets are $25 at the door.
Monday Multicultural Film Festival: American Indian Short Films with Brooke Pepion Swaney 10 a.m. Multicultural Center, SMSU 228
This film is presented in collaboration with United Indian Students in Higher Education (UISHE). Brooke Pepion Swaney is a member of the Blackfeet tribe and a Salish descendent, and will be presenting this series of Native American short films.
4 p.m.
Black Women’s Film Festival: “Night Catches Us”
ASRC, room 001
4:30 p.m.
“Hidden Battles” is a documentary film that approaches the soldiers’ experience from a personal perspective, looking beyond political rhetoric and polemics to focus on the very real human cost of war.
Women’s Resource Center lounge
Sunday Tango Passion: Music and Dance concert
“After growing up during the tumultuous 1960s, ex-Black Panther Marcus returns to his home in Philadelphia in 1976 and reconnects with Pat, the widow of a Panther leader. Marcus befriends Pats young daughter and attempts to conquer his demons. Interfering with Marcuss good intentions are the neighborhoods continuing racial and social conflicts, as well as old enemies and friends -- both with scores to settle.”
3 p.m.
Ceremony and the Way of the Comanche Nation: An Evening With Professor Cornel Pewewardy 7 p.m. PSU Native American Student and Community Center
“Professor Cornel Pewewardy is a traditional Comanche-Kiowa elder and Director of
The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Ave.
Multicultural Film Festival: “Promises”
Featuring award-winning Joe Powers and his international tango band, special guest and Japan’s top tango pianist Naoko Aoki, and tango dance master Alex Krebs and partner. Student and senior tickets are $15 and general admission is $20 when tickets are purchased
4:30 p.m. Multicultural Center, SMSU 228
This film is presented in collaboration with the Jewish Student Union, and tells the story of seven Palestinian and Israeli children the filmmakers encountered in and around
Jerusalem. Though the children live no more than 20 minutes away from each other, they have grown up in very different worlds. This film tells the story of those that dared to cross the lines to meet their neighbors.
12 VANGUARD ■ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2011 ■ SPORTS
SPORTS
Your weekend in sports
EDITOR: ROBERT BRITT SPORTS@DAILYVANGUARD.COM 503-725-4538
Friday Softball *
Monster Jam comes to Portland for Valentine’s Day weekend Kevin Fong Vanguard staff
C
harles Benns crushes cars for kids. Benns is one of eight monster truck drivers who will be battling it out at the Rose Garden this weekend in the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam, a high-flying, metal crunching competition that puts speed, power and destruction on display. Monster Jam will run three shows in Portland over the weekend, two on Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon. The shows are all part of the annual competitive season that runs for 12 weeks, touring the country January through March and culminating in the Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas. “It’s big on adrenaline, that’s for sure,” Benns said. For Benns, a real estate broker, six-year monster truck veteran and father of two teenage boys, climbing behind the wheel of a 12-foot-tall supercharged beast is about much more than a simple adrenaline rush. Benns donates 100 percent of his Monster Jam profits to Carrie Tingley Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M. “I get to live my dreams, act like a fool and help out kids,” Benns said with a smile. “I thank God every day.” “Although, it would be untruthful if I didn’t say I was out there to win every time,” Benns admits. “I want to be the fastest guy, and I want to show
that drivers are given 60 seconds to reach into their bag of tricks and do everything they can to impress the judges and fans. “Freestyle is why I would buy a ticket as a fan,” Benns said. “And the people in the crowd
Tennis teams split wins Men defeat Lewis & Clark and Gonzaga while women lose to Weber State and Utah State Nilesh Tendolkar Vanguard staff
The Portland State men’s tennis team hit winning form at just the right time. The Vikings made a clean sweep of city foes Lewis & Clark in Portland last Friday and Gonzaga at the Club Green Meadows the next day. The two wins came just before the men opened conference play against Sacramento State yesterday. On the other hand, the women’s tennis team started
in the nose if I met that person now.” Benns says he was introduced to a boy at the children’s hospital who had been paralyzed from the waist down from a car crash. Forced to be away from his
the country as he travels on tour. Benns works with Locks of Love, an organization that makes high-end hairpieces for kids recovering from chemotherapy. the crowd that I’m the craziThe organization takes est guy out there and willing donations of 10-inches of hair to to take risks that use for the wigs, other people won’t. so each year I take my own cauBenns grows out tion and throw it to his hair in order the wind.” to donate. The Monster Jam “My hair comprises three grows really events: timed racfast,” said Bening, a wheelie connes, whose hair test and freestyle currently hangs driving. halfway down For the racing his back. “So portion, trucks I’m just borrowcompete for the ing [the hair] for fastest time on a little kid somethe course, with where, that’s the speeds often reachway I see it.” ing 70 mph. The When asked 10,000-pound what motivates machines then fly him to invest all photos by adam wickham/VANGUARD archives into the air during so much of his the wheelie contest, Monster madness: The Rose Garden will again tranform into a venue for monster truck racing this weekend. time in others, using cars as their Benns responds launching pads. are the ones who really tell us family in order to get the medical quickly and with a chuckle: “I “Hitting the [gas] while if we win or not, or if we’re attention and rehabilitation that do it for the most selfish reatrying to get the best angle, line any good.” he needed, the boy was spending son in the world: It makes me and speed,” Benns explained. Benns says the whole reason most of his time alone, laid up in feel great.” “Literally, a perfect sky-wheelie he drives is for the people, and his hospital bed. On Saturday, fans can meet he understands what just a few After meeting the boy, who Benns and the other drivers as hours of fun and distraction he simply refers to as Mikey, well as get a chance to see the can be in someone’s life. Benns said his heart broke and monster trucks up close at the Before getting involved what began as a semester project Party in the Pit pre-show from with monster trucks, Benns became daily visits for the next 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday took a social science class 8 months. also features two Monster in college that, much to his “[Mikey] not only had to Jam shows, set for 2 p.m. and dismay at the time, required adjust to life in a wheelchair, 7 p.m., and Sunday the Monster students to volunteer at a but he also had to learn how to Jam weekend will come to charity for the semester. Benns deal with and manage pain at a crushing close after the reluctantly found his way to a an incredibly young age,” Benns 2 p.m. show. small children’s hospital close said. “It changed my entire Coming off his first win of A small truck for a big fan to campus, and it was there perspective. I tried to never the 2011 season, Benns reminds is an art of timing, power and that Benns says the lights complain about anything in my those who think of him as a everything coming together at were “turned on” for him as a life again.” humanitarian to not forget his the perfect moment.” young man. Today, Benns donates his passion for extreme sports and The event that most fans “I was such a complainer Monster Jam profits to charity monster trucks. come to see, however, is the [back then],” Benns admits. and does work at different “When I put that helmet on,” freestyle competition. It is here “I would punch myself children’s hospitals throughout Benns said. “I turn into a nut.” ■
Charles Benns, driver of the truck Monster Mutt Rottweiler, donates his profits to a New Mexico children's hospital
the conference proceedings on a disappointing note last weekend. The Viks lost to Weber State in Ogden, Utah on Friday and fell to Utah State in Logan on Saturday. For the men’s team, the weekend began with Friday’s comprehensive 7-0 rout of local rivals Lewis & Clark. The Viks kicked off the victories by winning all three doubles games and taking the doubles point. In the singles, sophomore Mitch Somach replaced senior Chris Rice at line one and defeated Lewis & Clark’s George Aleen for his 6-3, 6-3 straights-sets win. Next, Portland State freshman Roman Margoulis made easy work of Quinn Roth-Carter 6-1, 6-0 at line two.
In the remainder of the singles games, Portland State senior Vetu Mam, senior Matt Erickson, senior Jeff Cero and sophomore Zach Lubek all won their matches with convincing 6-0, 6-0 scores. Saturday’s game against Gonzaga was much more competitive for the Vikings. In the doubles contest, the game between Rice/Margoulis and Gonzaga’s Scott Sullivan and Zhia Hwa Chong was stretched to the tiebreaker, which the Viking pair eventually won 9-8 (4). This win was critical in securing the doubles point for Portland State as the teams split the remaining two doubles matches. The singles matches were just as closely fought. Lines
one to four all went into the deciding third set, but in each the Viking players prevailed over their opponents. At lines five and six, senior Matt Erickson and Mam each won in straight sets to secure the final 7-0 win for the Vikings. With these results, the Viks improve to 2-3 for the season and should have felt confident going into their first Big Sky matchup of the season, when they hosted Sacramento State yesterday at the Club Green Meadows in Vancouver, Wash. The results of that game were not available as of press time. The Viks will then take on non-conference opponent Seattle on Saturday at the same venue. The Portland State women’s tennis team started its conference schedule with a 1-6 defeat to Weber State in Ogden, Utah last Friday,
Feb. 4. The Viks lost all three doubles duels, and with them the doubles point. Playing at line one in the singles matches, PSU freshman Yuki Sugiyam was the only Viking player to win a singles match. Sugiyama defeated Naseem Eslami 6-3, 3-6, 10-1. The results against Utah State on Saturday were very similar. The Viks again lost all three doubles duels and the doubles point. And once again, Sugiyama was the only Viking to win a singles match. Sugiyama defeated Utah State’s Jaclyn West in straight sets 6-2, 6-0 at line one to advance her individual record to an impressive 4-1 when playing at line one in singles play. The women next play city rivals Portland today and then take on Willamette on Saturday in Salem. ■
Portland State vs. Brigham Young Tempe, Ariz. 8 a.m. Live stats/audio: GoViks.com Women’s tennis
Portland State (1-4, O-1 Big Sky) at Portland (2-3, 0-0 WCC) Louisiana-Pacific Tennis Center 9 a.m. Softball *
Portland State vs. Nevada Tempe, Ariz. 4 p.m. Live stats/audio: GoViks.com NBA
Portland Trail Blazers (28-24) at Toronto Raptors (14-39) Toronto, Canada 4 p.m. WHL hockey
Tri-City Americans (33-14-2-1) at Portland Winterhawks (37-15-0-3) Portland Memorial Coliseum 7 p.m.
Saturday Track & field Husky Classic Seattle, Wash. Softball *
Portland State vs. San Jose State Tempe, Ariz. 11 a.m. Live stats/audio: GoViks.com Men’s tennis
Seattle University (1-3) at Portland State (2-3) Club Green Meadows Vancouver, Wash. 4 p.m. Softball *
Portland State vs. Stanford Tempe, Ariz. 6 p.m. Live stats/audio: GoViks.com WHL hockey
Portland Winterhawks (37-15-0-3) at Seattle Thunderbirds (19-27-4-5) Kent, Wash. 7:05 p.m.
Sunday Softball *
Portland State vs. Cal State Northridge Phoenix, Ariz. 9:30 a.m. Live stats/audio: GoViks.com Women’s tennis
Portland State (1-4, 0-1 Big Sky) at Willamette (0-0) Salem 11 a.m. NBA
Portland Trailblazers (28-24) at Detroit Pistons (20-33) Detroit, Michigan 3 p.m.
Monday Women’s golf The Gold Rush hosted by Long Beach State Yorba Linda, Calif. Runs through Tues. NBA
Portland Trailblazers (28-24) at Minnesota Timberwolves (13-39) Minneapolis, Minn. 5 p.m.
* Part of the Kajikawa Classic, PSU’s season-opening tournament