Story by Allie Seibel
Photo by Cait Mckinzie
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Benjamin Morningstar, the president of the Colorado State University Unicycle Club, performs tricks on his unicycle during the club’s table session on the Lory Student Center Plaza Sept. 25. Benjamin has been unicycling for 10 years, starting at age 11 when his parents bought him one for Christmas after discovering he could ride his bike without handlebars. He became serious about the sport three years ago, taking a gap year to save up to compete in the downhill mountain unicycling competition in France. Once he was in college, he started the Unicycle Club. “This has always been a passion of mine,” Morningstar said. “I just wanted to be able to teach people. I love teaching people.” This is the club’s first official semester. They meet 5-7 p.m. every Wednesday on The Plaza. He is super excited to finally have an official club at Colorado State University to share his passion with the campus. PHOTO BY AVA PUGLISI THE COLLEGIAN
Student Center, Suite 118 Fort Collins, CO 80523
This publication is not an official publication of Colorado State University, but is published by an independent corporation using the name ‘The Rocky Mountain Collegian’ pursuant to a license granted by CSU. Approximately 59% of Rocky Mountain Student Media Corp’s income is provided by the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) for the purpose of fostering student careers post-college and greater campus awareness and engagement. The Rocky Mountain Collegian is a 3,000-circulation student-run newspaper intended as a public forum and is printed on paper made of 30% post-consumer waste. It publishes every Thursday during the regular fall and spring semesters. The Collegian publishes online Monday through Thursday. Corrections may be submitted to the editor in chief and will be printed as necessary on page two. The Collegian is a complimentary publication for the Fort Collins community. The first copy is free. Additional copies are 25 cents each.
Allie Seibel | Editor in Chief editor@collegian.com
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TOP STORIES
NEWS: County, city officials discuss voting, student engagement PAGE 6
LIFE: FoCo bar crawlers celebrate Oktoberfest PAGE 8
SCIENCE: CSU’s new ag sciences dean shares her unique interdisciplinary background PAGE 10
SPORTS: Wide receiver Armani Winfield reinforces trust earned from CSU football PAGE 15
ARTS: Avogadro’s Number hosts bluegrass jam nights PAGE 18
OPINION: It’s time to close the WebMD tab PAGE 21
GALLERY: FoCo farmers gather fall harvest PAGES 12-13
FOCO EVENTS
First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Fort Collins 6-9 p.m. Oct. 4
Tour de Corgi at Civic Center Park 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 5
Humans 2.0 at The Lincoln Center 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6
EDITORIAL STAFF
Aubree Miller | News Editor news@collegian.com
Sam Hutton | News Editor news@collegian.com
Christian Arndt | L&C Editor life@collegian.com
Jenn Dawson | Science Editor science@collegian.com
Ruby Secrest | A&E Editor entertainment@collegian.com
Damon Cook | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com
Michael Hovey | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com
Dominique Lopez | Opinion Editor letters@collegian.com
Garrett Mogel | Photo Director photo@collegian.com
Cait Mckinzie | Photo Director photo@collegian.com
Gigi Young | Digital & Social Director social@collegian.com
Anna Shikuma | Social Media Coordinator social@collegian.com
STUDENT COMMUTING
Bus Rapid Transit project seeks to modernize West Elizabeth corridor
By Rebekah Barry @rebekahb24708
For students and Fort Collins residents who frequent the West Elizabeth corridor, which stems from Colorado State University’s main campus and extends toward Horsetooth Reservoir, changes are on the horizon.
“The planned connection to the existing MAX line will be a game changer, especially for people who rely on transit for getting around Fort Collins.”
MELINA DEMPSEY FC MOVES SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER
Transfort is making plans to add a Bus Rapid Transit system, ranging from Mason Street and the CSU campus to the intersection of Overland Trail and West Elizabeth Street. Transfort routes 2, 3, 31 and 32, those most used by CSU students, will be most affected by the project.
“Right now, at this stage we’re in, it’s hard to give much detail (about the project),” said Spencer Smith, the civil engineering manager for the project. “The final design should be done around 2025. Transfort will come up with alternate plans for their bus routes, but we’ll work hard with them to keep their schedules.”
This project was first brought to the public in 2016, being taken on by the Fort Collins City Council that same year. The city then decided to start the design process, publishing the 30% plan in 2022.
“I’ve been leading this project from a planning perspective since I started with the city in 2017,” said Melina Dempsey, the senior transportation planner of FC Moves. “The project has gained a lot of support and momentum in the past handful of years since receiving funding for design. As a planner, it’s
exciting to see a project evolve from an idea to reality, especially when it’s in the community you live in and love.”
The new BRT corridor will be 3 miles long and includes some major updates, resembling the MAX BRT that runs along Mason Street.
“This project will bring the BRT to the corridor,” Smith said. “This will help address a lot of transit needs and issues, ... (and) improved bike lanes and sidewalks will be brought up to current standards. It’s not comfortable in some places, and some people don’t enjoy riding their bike or walking there. The bike lanes will be raised and protected. They’ll be up at curb level and away from the roadway.”
Dempsey echoed Smith, saying there will also be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalks, protected bike lanes and protected intersections.
“The planned connection to the existing MAX line will be a game changer, especially for people who rely on transit for getting around Fort Collins,” Dempsey said. “I think we will see even more people riding transit along the corridor, with high-frequency service planned every seven and a half minutes during peak hours and more people using active modes because it will be and feel safer with the protected facilities.”
While the project has yet to be finalized, the funding for parts of it was given to the City
of Fort Collins for the very west end of construction.
“We are applying for some federal grant money to cover the bulk of those costs (with) the Federal Transit Administration for (a) Small Starts grant,” Smith said. “We should hear back by early next year, sometime in the first quarter.”
Smith also said local businesses will be impacted, but they will work with business owners to come up with a plan that will minimize the impacts of construction.
“We would have a contractor on board that would look at phasing a project in such a way that we don’t have too onerous a closure,” said Brad Buckman, engineering department director
for the City of Fort Collins. “So that means while we’re doing the construction, businesses would remain open, and so would access to those businesses.”
While plenty of planning and finalizing remains for Transfort and the City of Fort Collins, Smith said construction will start at the west end.
“We’re really excited about this project because our business is to try to create a safer transit infrastructure system,” Buckman said. “We’re trying to move towards what we call vision zero, which is no serious injuries or no death on the road as a result of inadequate infrastructure.”
Reach Rebekah Barry at news@collegian.com.
Road closure signage on South Overland Trail where it intersects with Pleasant Valley Road Sept. 25. Construction is part of the Western Backbone pipeline project from the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District, involving the replacement of transmission mains.
PHOTO BY ARIA PAUL THE COLLEGIAN
Voter registration table outside Eddy Hall helps CSU prepare for election
PHOTO BY JULIA PERCY THE COLLEGIAN
By Claire VanDeventer @csucollegian
For the past five weeks, in between Willard O. Eddy Hall and the Education Building on Colorado State University’s campus, passersby may have noticed a table set up most days, typically between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Maria Moya, who is with a nonprofit Latinx community voter registration drive based in Fort Collins, occupies a table where students are given the opportunity to register to vote in Colorado.
“Our focus is on registering voters who are traditionally underrepresented in elections, which is why I am here on campus because this age group is traditionally underrepresented,” Moya
said. “I think I’m in the sweet spot here because I’m averaging about eight to 10 registrations an hour.”
While Moya is not directly employed or brought to CSU’s campus by the university, her occupancy comes during CSU’s thematic Year of Democracy and Civic Engagement, in which students are encouraged to participate in civil discourse and related events ahead of the upcoming 2024 election. Information about how and where to register to vote is also made accessible for students, and Moya said she wants to make the process as easy as possible.
“So many of them say, ‘Oh, I’ve been meaning to do it; how long will it take?’” Moya said. “Two minutes, here you go. Let me know if you have any questions. Students
are busy. Why make it hard for them?”
Registering to vote, especially for students who have never participated in an election before, can be daunting. Moya makes it quick and easy for students running low on time. CSU student Jack Olson was pleased with the convenience of registering to vote with Moya.
“It’s good mainly just (having) the reminder,” Olson said. “I know how to vote. I know that it’s easy to register, but it’s literally on the way to lunch — it’s so helpful. I probably wasn’t going to do it until like two days before if it wasn’t in transit.”
Fellow CSU student Marcus Webster was surprised by how simple registering to vote with Moya ended up being.
“I was a little intimidated
by it just because it seems complicated, but I came up to this table, and I did it in about five minutes,” Webster said.
“It was really quick.”
The challenge for many students is that this will be the first election they can participate in. For students like Webster, voter registration can be especially difficult for those coming from out of state. Moya said questions about absentee voting and the process of registering were a commonality in her visitors.
“Probably as many students who sign up, I get an equal if not (higher) number asking about absentee balloting (and) that they’re registered in another state,” Moya said.
To keep students engaged and informed ahead of the upcoming election, Moya said she wants to ensure students are given an equal opportunity by
providing valuable information about voter registration and absentee ballots.
“I’m getting a lot of 18-, 19and 20-year-olds — this is the first election that they’ve been able to participate in, and they don’t understand how it works,” Moya said. “It’s been a delight. I see a lot of hope in this age group because there is a level of engagement that gives me hope.”
For students who still need to register to vote, Moya said she will generally be on the Eddy Lawn between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. most days leading up to the election Nov. 5. Further information on voter registration can also be found on the #RamsVote section on the Associated Students of CSU website.
Reach Claire VanDeventer at news@collegian.com.
Maria Moya tables outside Willard O. Eddy Hall on Colorado State University’s campus to help students register to vote, get their absentee ballot and check their voting status, giving information about election processes Oct. 1.
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE
Drinking, posting: Campus officials discuss social media, student conduct code
By Ella Dorpinghaus @csucollegian
Colorado State University’s Student Conduct Code is used to uphold a standard of behavior for students, which includes a ban on the common occurrence of underage drinking and possession of alcohol. The code states that the use or possession of alcohol as prohibited by law or university policy constitutes a violation of CSU’s code.
However, in order enforce the code, the university must provide proof of the violation. This requirement for proof is increasingly clashing with the publicity social media gives college students. Students live public lives, and campus officials must find ways to both uphold the Student Conduct Code and the burden of proof.
Mike Katz, director of the Student Resolution Center, is familiar with social media at the university.
“We recognize social media is certainly a part of many people’s daily lives in lots of different ways,” Katz said.
However, when asked about policies pertaining specifically to social media, Katz discussed the gray area that exists.
“As it relates specifically to policy, we don’t have any policy that’s specific to social media either in our office or, really, at the university,” Katz said.
Campus officials must have indisputable, clear evidence that a student has violated the conduct code. Images posted on social media alone often do not provide enough evidence.
“It’s the university’s responsibility and not a student’s to demonstrate whether there is a preponderance of information contained in the record,” Katz said.
Even so, CSU resident assistant and orientation leader Sienna Tobler said she feels like students fail to understand the potential consequences of posting their behaviors online.
“I fear that they don’t have a lot of apprehension,” Tobler said. “It’s just kind of like, ‘I’m just going to put it out there,’ and I don’t think they realize that it does stay on the internet.”
According to the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, underage consumption and possession of alcohol is punishable by 24-36 hours of community service, a substance abuse education program, a $100 to $200 fine and a revoked driver’s license.
Public Student Conduct Code infractions have consequences if the university is able to provide a strong enough body of evidence. While social media posts are often not reliable sources of evidence, they contain information that allows the university to take action.
This lack of policy can be attributed to the standard of proof CSU is held to. Even if students post images of underage drinking on social media, the university is still responsible for presenting strong evidence to prove the students were engaging in that behavior.
“One might look at that (picture) and say, ‘This person’s clearly drinking underage,’” Katz said. “But if it’s beyond public opinion about what’s happening, and it relies on a system like our student conduct process that has a burden of proof, then it becomes different, right?” Katz said.
“If the university saw something dangerous on social media, we might go check it out, but we don’t actively review people’s social media accounts for behavior that’s not in line with the Code of Conduct,” said Nik Olsen, director for crisis communications and public information officer.
Katz echoed a similar sentiment when asked about general attitudes toward social media.
“We don’t have time or capacity to be going through student social media looking for violations,” Katz said. “That’s just not really our philosophy in general.”
Reach Ella Dorpinghaus at news @collegian.com.
ELECTIONS
County, city officials discuss voting, student engagement
By Robert Sides @csucollegian
Colorado State University and City of Fort Collins representatives visited the Lory Student Center Sept. 25 to speak with interested students and faculty about getting involved in the electoral process ahead of November’s national presidential election.
The seminar, Civics and Voting 101, was presented by the Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership in conjunction with representatives of the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County. Larimer County Clerk and Recorder Tina Harris spoke to attendees about how to vote and the importance of voting and getting politically involved, both nationally and locally.
“This past year, I have really been focused on community outreach and
JACE
talking about the life of the ballot and how you can get involved,” Harris said. “It is very important.”
“This year, we have a really unique opportunity — because it’s a presidential election — to get a lot of students involved and kind of build on that momentum that we’re seeing.”
AVA WILKINS ASCSU DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Joining Harris was Fort Collins City Clerk Delynn Coldiron. Coldiron’s speech
emphasized local shifts in civics, disclosed issues that are on the upcoming ballot and suggested ways to get involved in city and county affairs.
Coldiron announced that next year’s local elections will be the first to implement ranked choice voting instead of plurality voting. This comes with an effort to educate voters on ranked choice voting and how it will change future elections.
“We’re implementing something called ranked choice voting, which will be brand new for all of us,” Coldiron said. “And so we’re anxious to start educating people about ranked choice voting and getting that training in place.”
Associated Students of CSU Director of Governmental Affairs Ava Wilkins also spoke at the seminar. Wilkins drew attention to the power local governments have over citizens versus national governments and encouraged students to get their voices heard at all levels of government.
“This year, we have a really unique opportunity — because it’s a presidential election — to get a lot of students involved and kind of build on that momentum that we’re seeing,” Wilkins said.
“Something I’m really trying to encourage (in) students is to really connect at the city and the state level.”
Among CSU students and statewide, youth voting is on the rise. Youth voter turnout in Colorado reached 33% in the 2022 midterm elections, surpassing the 2014 midterms’ 27.6% but falling short to 2018’s 40.8%.
ASCSU is also making an effort to get CSU students to register to vote. As part of the rivalry with the University of Colorado Boulder, ASCSU and the CU Student Government engaged in a competition to engage students by getting them to register. ASCSU registered 209 new student voters, falling short of CUSG by about 140.
Fort Collins and Larimer County offer several ways for
community members to engage in local elections. One of these opportunities is a new process called the civic assembly. The civic assembly was approved by city council to discuss topical affairs. This is one effort to get community members to engage with local politics, which the speakers contend are more impactful than those on the national stage.
“So much of our attention and focus is on national elections,” said Sam Houghteling, Straayer Center program manager. “My experience has always been that the most impactful places for students to engage are at the state and local level. You have the biggest ability to change (and) to impact your communities.”
County clerks will send out election ballots to domestic voters starting Oct. 11. Election day is Nov. 5.
Reach Robert Sides at news @collegian.com.
Larimer County Clerk and Recorder Tina Harris and Fort Collins City Clerk Delynn Coldiron answer questions about civics and voting at the Lory Student Center Sept. 25. “Poll watchers are a very important roll during the voting process,” Harris said. “It is also a paid position if you are interested.”
PHOTO BY
CARLTON THE COLLEGIAN
Crocheting joy: Octopi of CSU spread small acts of kindness around campus
By Allie Seibel
@allie_seibel_
A small bright green crocheted octopus peeked out from behind a plant on the Warner College of Natural Resources’ living plant wall, waiting to be found by either a lucky passerby or an avid collector.
Since August 2022, crocheted octopi have been popping up around campus thanks to Octopi of Colorado State University, a small group of students dedicated to random acts of kindness.
The group, a fully anonymous effort composed of about 10 students, wished to be referred to by their initials.
M.M., the director of octopi operations for Octopi of CSU, finished hiding the bright green octopus in Warner’s living plant wall before snapping a photo of the octopus, which was accompanied by a note wishing the finder a good day.
“I’ve seen people running to look for (the octopi),” M.M. said. “We’ve been followed on campus while hiding them because people are so excited. I’ve seen people jump up and down and hug their friends when they find them and take pictures with their friends
when they all get an octopus.”
M.M. said that usually, it takes finders 30 seconds to four hours to find each octopi.
“I think the anonymous part of it (is special). People don’t really know who’s behind it, (and) I think it’s kind of a special fun thing about it. But I also think it’s just that it’s, like, this free thing that just appears and people find them. It’s just something small that can bring joy to people.”
find) a location that has a good balance of (where) someone will find this but not being to be too easy for someone, and (we) drop it, take a quick picture and run because you never know how fast they’re going to go.”
In addition to crocheting, some Octopi of CSU members work more on the administrative and organizational side of operations, including E.M., a member who does not crochet but works on stuffing
the octopi, cutting out notes and felt embellishments and hiding octopi.
“Mostly it’s me just kind of ... trying and find those little moments where (campus) is kind of empty,” E.M. said. “I’m looking around and if anyone’s there, and I’ll just try and find a good spot, but then I have to squat and take the photo and everything, so it’s a little odd.”
M.M. said each octopi takes — on average — 20 minutes to make for experienced crocheters and 45 minutes for people new to the hobby. The group, which has collaborated with over 10 organizations on campus thus far, does not charge for their materials or services.
L.T., a member of Octopi of CSU, got involved working on an upcoming college collaboration. One of the group’s hopes for the future is increased collaborations between Octopi of CSU and academic departments, student organizations and other groups on campus.
“I think the anonymous part of it (is special),” L.T. said. “People don’t really know who’s behind it, (and) I think it’s kind of a special fun thing about it. But I also think it’s just that it’s, like, this free thing that just appears and people find them. It’s just something small that can bring joy to people.”
Octopi of CSU has been shared by CSU parent Facebook pages and other family groups, saying the random act of kindness helped a first-year student
struggling to adjust to college.
“Especially within a large public university setting, there are just so many people on campus, and it’s sometimes hard to feel like you’re part of a community,” M.M. said. “For so many, you see a new face every 30 seconds, and so having groups like this that work to ... spread kindness helps build that community.”
With over 2,400 followers on Instagram, Octopi of CSU has quickly grown a following of avid octopi finders.
“I was hiding one in the Engineering Building, and we heard a group of girls walking down the stairs, and they found it,” E.M. said. “And people were like, ‘What the heck is this?’ And the friend was like, ‘You haven’t heard of Octopi (of) CSU?’ ... They were all so excited.”
In addition to further collaborations, the group is hoping to hide 500 octopi around campus this year, building on the 270 hidden last semester.
“It’s just it’s so great to see the visual happiness that people have,” M.M. said. “I’ve given them to people walking around when they’re crying or having a hard day on campus. And online, we get a lot of those similar comments as well, talking about how people have found them on tough days, and it made them smile and just made them know that there’s someone there for them.”
Reach Allie Seibel at life@collegian.com.
“When it comes time to hiding, it’s very ‘Mission: Impossible,’” M.M. said. “So (we have to
L.T. OCTOPI OF CSU MEMBER
M.M, director of octopi operations for Octopi of CSU, hides a crocheted octopi in the flower beds near the Administration Building Sept. 17. PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN
A small green crocheted octopus from Octopi of Colorado State University sits on a ledge, waiting to be found on the living wall in Warner College of Natural Resources Sept. 17. All octopi from Octopi of CSU are posted on the group’s Instagram page for finders to discover and keep. PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN
PROST!
FoCo bar crawlers celebrate Oktoberfest
By Sophia Masia @csucollegian
Fort Collins got a festive upgrade this fall as the annual Oktoberfest Bar Crawl, hosted by PubCrawls, took the town by storm.
Kicking off at 4 p.m. Sept. 28 at the popular The Yeti Bar and Grill, the event saw hundreds of locals and visitors don lederhosen and festive Bavarian crawl T-shirts to celebrate the event.
“This was my first bar crawl in Fort Collins, and it totally exceeded my expectations,” said Sarah Mitchell, a local crawl participant. “I’m a beer person and think the selection was fantastic. I already can’t wait for next year.”
The excitement surrounding the crawl was contagious, drawing a diverse crowd that included college students, young professionals and families eager to experience the spirit of Oktoberfest. The crawl featured over four participating bars, including favorites like The Crown Pub and Prost Brewing Company.
Each venue had its own unique spin on the festivities, offering specialty drinks, Oktoberfestthemed games, beer cheese pretzels and live music throughout the night. From traditional German lagers to innovative craft brews, there was something to satisfy every palate.
As the evening progressed, laughter and cheers filled the air, and groups of friends participated in lively drinking games, toasting the arrival of fall.
The Oktoberfest celebrations didn’t stop with the bar crawl. Just days before on Sept. 22, Horse & Dragon Brewing Company hosted All About Oktoberfest, a trivia night organized by the Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures.
This engaging event attracted trivia enthusiasts and casual beer lovers alike, providing an opportunity to learn more about the rich history of Oktoberfest while enjoying a relaxing evening out.
The event featured German beer, snacks and music, which all led up to a fun-filled trivia contest that focused on the 214-year history of Munich’s Oktoberfest. With tickets priced at $40 per
person, attendees were treated to refreshments, a beverage of choice and a chance to win exciting prizes and surprises.
In addition to the beer and trivia, the event served as a platform for the Global Village Museum to connect with the community, promoting cultural understanding and appreciation through a shared love of Oktoberfest traditions.
“We wanted to bring people together for a fun evening of socializing and learning,” the Global Village Museum wrote in an email.
Many people come up to Fort Collins from all over Colorado to enjoy and participate in Oktoberfest.
“We came up from Denver, and it was so worth it,” said Erin Malloy, a Colorado State University alumna who attended both weekends of festivities.
“I’m not really a Yeti girl, but we ended up at Lucky Joe’s (Sidewalk Saloon), and it was just the perfect balance of fun and chill for drinking all day from 4 p.m. on.”
As the night wore on, the laughter and camaraderie continued to flow, proving the Oktoberfest Bar Crawl was more
than just a drinking event; it was a celebration of community, culture and the changing seasons. With the event becoming a fall tradition, the City of Fort Collins demonstrated it knows how to raise a glass and embrace the season in true Bavarian style.
For both seasoned crawl veterans and first-time participants, Oktoberfest festivities offer an unforgettable experience filled with good cheer and great company. Fort Collins continues to prove it’s the perfect place to raise a glass and celebrate the season, one pint at a time.
Reach Sophia Masia at life @collegian.com.
Celia Neuman, Caleb Brlecic, Emily Norbury, Donovan Bayuga, Catalina Perez and Jaden Camilletti pose outside The Yeti Bar and Grill Sept. 28. The group participated in the Oktoberfest Bar Crawl, in which Fort Collins locals went to bars and got deals on beers.
PHOTO BY AVERY COATES THE COLLEGIAN
Fort Collins Farmers Market brings joy to customers, vendors
By Riley Paling @rileypaling
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday and Sunday at the southeast corner of East Harmony Road and South Lemay Avenue, there is a farmers market full of locally sourced goods, from flowers to fudge.
Farmers markets are the perfect way to spend the fall, as they display vibrant colors, fresh harvests, cozy vibes, seasonal flavors and a community spirit that celebrates nature’s bounty.
The Fort Collins Farmers Market is a beloved staple in the heart of Northern Colorado. Residents come to connect with local farmers and artisans while enjoying the fall weather. This year, the market has expanded its offerings, featuring about 60 total vendors, many of whom are local farmers dedicated to sustainable, organic practices. From farm-fresh vegetables to handmade crafts, visitors can
find everything from heirloom tomatoes to artisanal bread.
Details about the vendors who appear at the Farmers Market can be found on the Fort Collins Farmers Market website.
“The part that I’ve enjoyed the most is that it’s allowed me to continue to learn. My kids have gone off to college, so this has given me another purpose.”
KRISTI BODE
KC’S FRESH CUT FLOWERS OWNER
Among the vendors is Denise Hicks, otherwise known as the Jelly Lady. She makes a large selection of jams and jellies, some
of which have a very nostalgic taste to them.
“I love it when people come and tell me how much they enjoyed my jam, how good it made them feel, especially when they see a flavor that their grandmother used to make,” Denise said. “‘I haven’t seen this since my grandma made it!’ It’s right here!”
The vendors at the farmers market are joyful to be where they are. Some even see their business as a way to relax. All products are grown, made or curated with love and passion.
“The part that I’ve enjoyed the most is that it’s allowed me to continue to learn,” said Kristi Bode, KC’s Fresh Cut Flowers owner. “My kids have gone off to college, so this has given me another purpose.”
KC’s Fresh Cut Flowers is a one-woman show. Bode grows and picks the flowers and sets up the stand all on her own. Thanks to KC’s Fresh Cut Flowers, visitors have the opportunity to make a bouquet of their own from home-grown wildflowers.
Not every stand is family owned and operated, but that does not diminish the quality, love or motivation of the businesses.
What The Fudge Co. is a family-owned cottage foods business that makes all of its products from scratch.
Jenn Behrmann, the owner of this business, makes all the fudge herself.
“I thought this was too good to be true, and then it wasn’t,” said Gwen Healer, an employee of What The Fudge Co. “They’re just amazing people — they’re so sweet. I feel good working for them.”
Shopping at local farmers markets strengthens community ties, supports local farmers, reduces negative environmental impacts, ensures fresher produce and boosts the local economy.
Whether a business is family owned and operated, a onewoman show or an employeerun company, smiling faces are always happy to serve and help others at the Fort Collins Farmers Market.
Reach Riley Paling at entertainment@collegian.com.
Fort Collins residents shop and browse at the Fort Collins Farmers Market in the Ace Hardware parking lot off Harmony Road and Lemay Avenue Sept. 29. The Farmers Market occurs every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. between the months of May and November.
PHOTO BY SAMANTHA NORDSTROM THE COLLEGIAN
SCIENCE
AGGIE ADMIN
CSU’s new ag sciences dean shares her
By Hayley Bisant @csucollegian
Many students at Colorado State University are unaware of just how much agriculture unites the institution. The school started out as a college dedicated to the subject and continues to maintain strong ties to this day, having one of the best agriculture programs in the country. Even students in seemingly unrelated majors hold importance within the discipline.
It can be difficult to articulate exactly what agriculture is, as it encompasses so much as a discipline. In fact, new College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Carolyn Lawrence-Dill herself had quite a long journey identifying with it.
“As an undergraduate, I really didn’t realize that what I was interested in was agricultural sciences,” Lawrence-Dill said. “In fact, early on, I was interested in veterinary medicine.”
Growing up in a small town in Texas, Lawrence-Dill said the closest thing she saw to a scientist back then was the local vet. This was what inspired her to pursue biology for her undergraduate degree at Hendrix College, with the hope of getting into veterinary school afterward.
Wanting to gain additional research experience outside the classroom, Lawrence-Dill applied for a summer internship at Texas Tech University that happened to be focused on studying cotton plants. It was this experience that got the dean interested in plant sciences.
“It showed me that research was something I was interested in, and plants were something that — my whole life — I had been interested in, but I didn’t realize it was even a career path,” Lawrence-Dill said.
Participating in the internship again the following summer, Lawrence-Dill realized her future was in plant physiology.
This internship prompted Lawrence-Dill to complete her master’s degree in biology from Texas Tech based on the data she collected on cotton over the previous summers. Looking at the metabolism of the plants, she researched how cool nightly temperatures affected their productivity, discovering the cold had a negative effect.
While completing her master’s, Lawrence-Dill discovered her passion for genetics, cell and molecular biology. Following this, she began her Ph.D. in botany at the University of Georgia. There she studied under Kelly Dawe, a CSU alumnus who earned his bachelor’s from the department of horticulture and landscape
architecture. This time, her research centered on maize genetics, looking at how chromosomes move.
“Even at that point, everything I was working on probably related more to cancer research than it did to agriculture because the molecular mechanisms for how chromosomes move are fairly conserved,” Lawrence-Dill said in relation to her work with microbiology. During this time, she also focused on computing sequenced-based data, strategically using computers to design her experiments.
This paved the way for her future career in data management, in which she was employed as a bioinformatics analyst at Iowa State University. She later went on to
become the lead scientist with the United States Department of Agriculture, running their Maize Genetics and Genomics Database for 10 years. Following this, she was hired as an associate professor at ISU.
“Working for the USDA, you start to get a real view into what agriculture is and the fact (is) that this really basic biology gets translated into things that become useful to people in production agriculture,” Lawrence-Dill said.
In the end, she discovered she was part of agricultural science all along. As for what exactly agricultural science is, the dean defined it like this: “It’s all about what you’re trying to accomplish for growers and for producers. … Agriculture is special in that it is not about the discipline; it’s about the purpose. And the purpose is to improve the planet and improve the human condition.”
“Agriculture is special in that it is not about the discipline; it’s about the purpose.”
CAROLYN
LAWRENCE-DILL COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL
Reach Hayley Bisant at letters@collegian.com.
CSU students search for antibiotics amid global health crisis
By Hana Pavelko & Jenn Dawson @csucollegian
The discovery of the first modern antibiotic treatment was actually an accident.
The drug penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928 when a culture of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus was accidentally contaminated with a mold called Penicillium notatum. Fleming found the mold inhibited the growth of the bacteria.
When Flemming isolated the mold, he found a substance he named “penicillin” that could kill the various bacteria causing serious — often fatal — infections. In 1941, an injectable version was made to treat diseases like pneumonia, syphilis, meningitis and other recognizable infections. Since then, antibiotics like penicillin have been a staple of modern medicine.
However, recently, scientists have seen tried and true antibiotic treatments become less and less effective against evolving bacteria. The struggle to treat antibiotic-resistant infections is a global concern colloquially
referred to as the antibiotic resistance crisis.
Health care workers are concerned about humans’ behavioral contributions to the crisis, including chronic overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
A surprising percentage of people believe antibiotics can treat viral infections, but viruses are unaffected by bacteria-killing medicine, and antibiotics are completely ineffective against viral infections like influenza and COVID-19. These drugs kill an extraordinary number of bacteria the body needs to combat harmful viruses, making recovery more difficult and extending the life of contagious illnesses.
The other main concern about the dwindling efficacy of antibiotics is misuse. It’s far easier to misuse these drugs than most people are aware of. Completing an entire prescription as instructed is essential.
Prescriptions are carefully dosed to fight infections. Missing doses or not completing a full prescription not only leaves infectious bacteria alive in the body, but it trains the surviving bacteria to become resistant to
the unfinished drug. From there, the bacteria continues to spread from person to person as a drugresistant superbug, leaving those in close proximity to an infected person vulnerable to contracting dangerous, untreatable infections.
Unfinished prescriptions over the last 80 years have bred an entirely new era of bacterial infections that are increasingly difficult — and in some cases impossible — to treat. Unfortunately, research and development of new treatments are underfunded and largely unsuccessful.
However, efforts are growing, even at Colorado State University.
MIP 150 Introduction to Research Methods is a course offered by CSU’s microbiology, immunology and pathology department that gives students a chance to learn basic laboratory techniques as part of a semesterlong project focused on discovering novel antibiotics.
Chloe Rojas, a biomedical sciences student who took the class during the fall 2023 semester, said the course is part of the Small World Initiative, which aims to support and encourage careers
in scientific fields and combat antibiotic resistance. Students in this intro course cultivate bacteria found in soil samples to determine if they have antibiotic properties.
“Until taking this class, I had no idea what antibiotic resistance was or how it can lead to especially virulent disease,” Rojas said. Many antibiotics currently in use originated in soil. Those at the Small World Initiative hope that by crowdsourcing a solution, the antibiotic crisis can be overcome.
“Soil is an amazing source for antibiotics since each ecosystem creates a unique microbial tapestry,” said Via Lawson, a current undergraduate learning assistant for the Introduction to Research Methods course.
“It’s hard to imagine that when you go for a hike, there’s potential prescriptions just beneath your feet.”
Read the full version of this article at collegian.com.
Reach Hana Pavelko and Jenn Dawson at science @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN
FoCo farmers gather fall harvest
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1. Northern Colorado residents browse and shop at the Fort Collins Farmers Market in the Ace Hardware parking lot off East Harmony Road and South Lemay Avenue Sept. 29. The Farmers Market is held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday between May and November.
2. Part-time Miller Farms worker Shawn Jewett grabs a crate of vegetables from Jacques Vandersteen. On Saturdays, Jewett works inside the truck, transferring vegetables into crates to be sold. “I’m not really a social person,” Jewett said. “(Working at the Farmers Market on Sundays) is about as social as it gets.”
3. Northern Colorado residents shop and browse at the Miller Farms booth. Miller Farms is family owned and operated, owner Joe Miller said. “When you see a kid come to the farm and dig a carrot, and they’re, like, overwhelmed with joy,” Miller said. “That’s what keeps me going.”
4. Vegetables pour out of crates and are piled on tables at the Miller Farms booth. Following the Market, 80% to 90% of the remaining vegetables at Miller Farms will be donated to a Veteran Affairs Hospital in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jewett said.
5. Gwen Healer, who works for the small family-owned business What the Fudge Co. sells fudge to a customer. “My favorite part (of working at the market) is probably how happy the kids get when they try the fudge,” Healer said. “It’s so cute, and they get so excited when they learn we have samples.”
6. Kyle Hartman sells kettle corn while his son, Kris Hartman, makes more kettle corn. They’ve been coming to the Farmers Market for about 20 years. “I like meeting people, and you get to learn how to do business in general,” Kris Hartman said. “I’ve been doing this since I was a little kid, and moving up, I get to do it now.”
7. Amy Hill sells tortillas, chips and salsa for Agustina’s Mexican Foods.
ALL PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA NORDSTROM THE COLLEGIAN 3 5 6 7
CSU football braces for week 5 road clash against Oregon State
By Michael Hovey @michaelfhovey
Colorado State football has seen continued improvement each week.
In week five, CSU football will face off with Oregon State, whose only loss this season came against No. 6 Oregon. On the other hand, the Rams currently sit at 2-2 as inconsistency continues to cloud their long-term prospects.
CSU has instead decided to focus on bettering themselves one matchup at a time.
A week five bye for the Rams came at an opportune moment, as three key players had extra time to recuperate. In a press conference
Monday, coach Jay Norvell said he expects wide receiver Tory Horton and safety Jack Howell to be available for the matchup against Oregon State, while defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuoth remains day to day.
“(We) want to get back on the practice field and emphasize
some areas where we want to improve,” Norvell said. “We felt like we made improvement before the UTEP game, and we want to continue on that pace. (I’m) just proud of our guys.”
Following a week four win and a bye, CSU will have an advantage in recovery, as the Beavers played in their usual physical style last week. Oregon State’s three-headed backfield of dual-threat quarterback Gevani McCoy and running backs Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson have combined for 907 rushing yards thus far.
The Beavers currently lead all college football teams in time of offensive possession, with an average of 38 minutes and 4 seconds per game. Their rushing prowess combined with sound defense have created a stingy playstyle most of their opponents have failed to break through.
“There’s two things when a team has all that time of possession,” Norvell said. “You have to do a good job offensively, but you got to get off the field. You got to put up a fight and put up a stand defensively and get off the field on third down.”
Barring any game plan adjustments, CSU’s defensive backs will be involved early and often. The Beavers have forced their opponents’ cornerbacks to tackle more with their physical run game this year, so the Rams’ perimeter defenders must hit.
CSU cornerback Dom Jones will be among the defenders testing out a new style of play.
“It’s still football at the end of the day,” Jones said. “It’s going to be physical this week. We already know what we (are) getting ourselves into. They (are) going to try to run the ball. (They’re a) very good team on first down. So that’s the main focus — is just making them play behind the chains.”
Players are mentally readying themselves for a tough bout, and offense is no exception. Tight end Vince Brown II is part of the unit up front that fights in the trenches, week in and week out.
“One of the biggest points that (Norvell) gave us last week was that we out-hit the opponent,” Brown said. “That’s probably one of the biggest things: being physical, playing the CSU Ram way —
just using our shoulder pads, bringing hits.”
The Rams came away with a win last game, mightily beating out UTEP on the ground. Running back Avery Morrow played at a high level and was even named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week. CSU didn’t get anything going in the air, but they didn’t necessarily have to at any point during the game.
The potential return of multiple star players bodes well for this squad. The Rams have yet to boast a record above .500 this season, so this will be their next attempt at a glimpse of a positive season. The Rams are coming off three straight home games, which makes an away game against a competent team a true test of their success.
“(It’ll be a) really big challenge for us to go on the road and play them there,” Norvell said. “We’re really excited about it with the progress that we’re making as a football team. (It) should be an old-school, physical football game we’re looking forward to.”
Reach Michael Hovey at sports@collegian.com.
Wide receiver Armani Winfield reinforces trust earned from CSU football
By Damon Cook @dwcook2001
As practice ended, off in the distance, the sound of the jug machine starting to whir crept over the field.
Armani Winfield was ready to go to work: 30 minutes on jugs to work on his hands and ensure the balls he dropped against UTEP won’t become a pattern and that he remains a trusted target in the Colorado State football offense.
The Baylor transfer had two crucial drops in that game: one on fourth down and one on third down, each ending the Rams’ drives. However, as quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi took the snap, standing on the Rams’ 10-yard line, Winfield’s name was called again.
Winfield faded toward the back corner of the end zone, and Fowler-Nicolosi floated him the ball — trusting that his receiver would atone for his earlier drops and go make a play. As the ball sailed over the defender, seemingly too high for anyone to grab, a streak of white jumped, snatched the ball and somehow managed to get a foot down.
“I’m looking through all these people, I throw it up, I’m
and then I see him,” Fowler-Nicolosi said. “And all I see is him come way up above two dudes, and then I look at the ref because I couldn’t see anything lower. And then the ref put (his hands) up, and I was ecstatic. I knew how much that moment meant to him, and we wanted to get him that first one.”
The dazzling play is not only a candidate thus far for the catch of the season by a CSU receiver but also Winfield’s first-ever collegiate receiving touchdown — one that is undoubtedly special but also one that allows for a sigh of relief.
“I really didn’t know what to feel,” Winfield said. “I just saw the ref throw up his hands and had the ball in my hands. It was a lot of excitement, a lot of joy. I also want to say a lot of relief.”
Despite the crucial drops, the trust in Winfield remained unwavering from his coaches. Having that trust through thick and thin is something that coach Jay Norvell has
couple of seasons.
So while those drops hurt, wide receivers coach Chad Savage never let doubt creep into his mind as the clock ticked on.
“He had a few drops on some critical downs, which we got to eliminate because he knows we’ve got to make those plays to keep the offense going,” Savage said. “But for him to respond the way he did, I was excited and happy for the kid.”
As one of the leaders of the offense and someone who has faced his fair share of struggles, Fowler-Nicolosi understands that those moments give an opportunity to build someone up.
He said that usually when errors like that happen, they’re mental. Fowler-Nicolosi told Winfield that he still trusted him and to be ready when his number was called.
“That goes a long way,” Fowler-Nicolosi said. “Especially for those guys, when mentally they’re thinking they
get a little nervous or jittery when they catch a ball. He’s got me; he’s got confidence in me.”
Confidence from his QB and coaches will help Winfield’s own confidence grow — something that could help the Rams as they continue to search for that bona fide No. 2 guy opposite Tory Horton.
Winfield, a former fourstar recruit, has the frame and clearly the intangibles to meet his potential — something that he’s on the right track to do.
“Armani still is a young player,” Savage said. “So it’s our job to keep developing him. He’s gotten better every single day, and now we’ve just got to keep building on that and stacking days so he can develop into his complete potential.”
Like much of the team has said, Winfield’s own goals, as well as the team’s, remain in front of him.
With eight more games on the schedule, Winfield is eyeing every single one of them.
“We still have everything in front of us; it’s still a long season,” Winfield said. “We can still go 10-2. That’s a really good season, so that’s what we’re looking for.”
Reach Damon Cook at sports@collegian.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
GRIDIRON TO TRACK
Two DII football players rebrand as Colorado State throwers
By Adam Gross
@agrose_22
The crashing of metal plates and labored grunts emit from where Cameron Kalaf and Leonardo Ramos lift at Colorado State track and field practice.
It’s enough to make even the most veteran lifters in the program stop and stare.
The former Division II athletes came to the Rams’ track and field program with parallel stories. Kalaf transferred as a quarterback and javelin thrower from Colorado Mesa University. Ramos edge-rushed for Colorado State University Pueblo and threw hammer.
They were only familiar with each other at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, in which they competed against each other in February. After they committed to CSU, a friendship born from common experience began.
“Leo and I definitely feed off each other’s energy and push each other — no doubt,” Kalaf said. “There is one goal when we enter the weight room, and it’s to be better than we were walking into it. That goes for (a) day-in, day-out mentality.”
No collaboration went into choosing CSU, but the transfer portal brought the RMAC boys
— as coach Brian Bedard calls them — together. Strength coach Adam Parsons recognized their similarities and paired them for lifts.
A spot is reserved for them at team lifts. Parsons named it the RMAC rack.
“The RMAC rack is not just any weightlifting rack,” Ramos said. “It’s a battleground forged from steel and grit; this rack is built for two athletes who live and breathe intensity.”
Despite javelin being an afterthought, Kalaf caught on quickly — so quickly he won the RMAC championship for javelin his first season. A concussion and three dislocated fingers in Kalaf’s nonthrowing hand during his second year of football convinced him to focus on track the following season.
2023 RMAC Track and Field Championships. Courtesy of Jameson Moore.
Kalaf said it was always his dream to play Division I football. No matter where he started, he would do everything possible to make it come true. When his injuries arose, that all changed.
“This track thing was so short founded and picked up so fast that the possibilities in my mind — I started getting very curious,” Kalaf said.
Ramos stepped away from football because of an electrolyte deficiency that started in high school. After long practices,
his muscles cramped, spasmed and deteriorated. A more competitive level of track and field suited Ramos better than continuing football.
Three hundred and sixteen miles apart, both Ramos and Kalaf decided football was no longer their dream.
“I didn’t want to be the bigger fish in a small pond,” Ramos said. “I wanted to be a decentsized fish in a big pond.”
Instinctive competitiveness and time on the gridiron developed the pair’s drive to push each other harder than most.
The RMAC boys push each other so hard; in fact, they had to learn when to stop. Football taught them everything about being tough; however, it did not teach grace. When their bodies demanded grace, they ignored it.
“As football players it’s like, ‘Get hit. Whatever. You’re good. Keep playing,’” Kalaf said.
Kalaf and Ramos learned to take time off to improve by listening to their coaches and teammates. In football, they had no trust in the stability of their roster position. If they were hurt hurt, weeks passed before earning their spot back.
“With track coaches, they have a different mindset,” Kalaf said. “If you’re not feeling good that day, maybe it’s good to take a day off. But they still know your value. They still know what
you’re capable of, and they will give you that grace.”
Bedard was the first coach to show Kalaf and Ramos grace. He often puts the brakes on his athletes’ training regimens. Otherwise, Bedard said, they would try going until their wheels fly off. His goal is to ensure each athlete knows their physical and mental limits.
“(Kalaf) tried to tough through a bicep injury; I was like, ‘How come I’m seeing that on the injury report, and you didn’t tell me about it?’” Bedard said. “Because that’s stuff that I can tweak in his training.”
Moving from the structure of football practice to track was an adjustment for Kalaf and Ramos. On a 100-person football roster, Ramos said there was little time for a coach to work individually with players.
Because of tailored advice from coaches and teammates at CSU, Kalaf and Ramos received something they never had: feedback.
“In football culture (and) in some areas, it’s like a military aspect, like, ‘Shut up. Let’s go. Let’s do it,’” Ramos said. “We love that. ... But on the track, there’s 10 of us out there we need to correlate, back and forth, like, ‘How do feel? What was that? What did you see?’”
Kalaf and Ramos are ambitious throwers. Kalaf said he is looking to compete at the
NCAA national championship in javelin first, hammer second. Ramos said he wants to become an All-American athlete. Bedard said he is more of a pessimist about the two’s ambitions. Each athlete starts at a baseline where he sets realistic goals. Bedard identifies key qualities in each athlete before he considers their ability to compete at a higher level. It may seem negative, but that is how he improves them.
“There is kind of a running joke if someone’s having a big day at practice,” Bedard said. “I’ll say, ‘I’m putting a pair of socks in my travel bag for the NCAA championships, but just a pair of socks is all I’m committed to at this point.’ And then if they have a tough day, I say, ‘You know what? I’m taking my socks back out of the bag because I don’t know yet.’”
Still, Bedard said he is glad the RMAC boys are dreamers. Regardless of what Bedard says, Ramos and Kalaf probably can’t hear him when the weights are slamming down on the RMAC rack.
“It’s where the hardest workers on the planet collide, pushing each other to the absolute limit,” Ramos said.
Reach Adam Gross at sports @collegian.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES MOORE
TRENDING TUNES
TikTok molds how music industry moves forward
By Janaya Stafford @csucollegian
Social media sites have the ability to shed light on new artists, launching their careers and giving them a platform they may not have had before. Platforms such as TikTok can inform the public on the latest songs and newest artists. However, there is a stigma that accompanies those who use TikTok as their main source of audience engagement for their musical careers.
Musical.ly and TikTok merged in 2018 and quickly became one of the most popular social media sites. TikTok allows creators to post 15-second videos that feature quick and entertaining content. This design allows users to swipe and scroll through videos that only last up to 10 minutes at most for hours on end.
TikTok’s simplistic format ultimately impacts the music industry. Milena Trevino, a Colorado State University student, said she believes TikTok changes
the way we cycle through music. TikTok trends influence the rate at which we shuffle through music associated with fun and engaging dance trends.
“Music trends have definitely gone a lot faster than ever before,” Trevino said.
The TikTok algorithm chooses what videos appear on the For You Page based on an individual user’s interaction. This increases exposure and aids listeners in finding music best suited for them.
Arianna Dickerson, another CSU student, explained how someone might repeatedly hear a song and then start following the artist. She said the algorithm “does its work,” and more people use the audio for their videos, eventually encouraging more people to look into it. This format benefits small creators by getting their names out there. Almost everyone with an internet connection has access to a TikTok account, and one viral video can transform an artist’s career.
Not only does TikTok help listeners discover music, but it also helps established artists promote their work. Trevino said
she found out Omar Apollo was on tour and coming to Denver through clips of his performance posted on TikTok.
While contradicting the positives, discovering music through TikTok is frowned upon by some music lovers. People who use the platform as their main source of music discovery can be accused of having “TikTok music taste.”
“(TikTok music taste is) just telling someone their music is basic or overly popular,” Trevino said.
Many TikTok influencers become popular by making videos on the app and then diving into their music careers. They use their existing platform to attract new listeners, and from this, songs can go viral quickly and in ways that cater to mass audiences
“It’s more mainstream when I think of it (than when) I think of stuff you hear on the radio,” Dickerson said.
CSU student Nico Dempsey said the music isn’t always bad, but it seems like TikTok influencers make it not because they want to but because they feel it is the next step in their
career. It’s as though TikTok music creators dilute the social media music scene with inauthentic approaches.
Similarly, artists can be accused of pandering to TikTok. Artists might notice how beneficial it is to popularize a clip of a song and, as a result, change the way they style their music.
“They sound like they’re made for being an audio on TikTok,” Dempsey said. “And it all sounds the same.”
When things rise in popularity, hate usually follows. Hearing music on TikTok is very different from hearing it on the radio or in a store. TikTok allows songs to be interactive, including users in the conversation about music.
Because the app provides space for discussion, it often becomes a host for criticism. Dickerson said he feels like users bully those who write things that are outside of their personal style. She said it influences others to agree and express dislike for a song.
Ultimately, TikTok’s influence on the music industry is unlike any other platform. Its effect can be seen on and off CSU’s campus, with popular trending songs playing at events and dance moves from the app executed in real life. As time goes on, we will continue to see how it impacts both listeners and creators in the music industry.
Reach Janaya Stafford at entertainment @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN
MUSIC HUB
Avogadro’s Number hosts bluegrass jam nights
By Sananda Chandy @csucollegian
The lively sound of bluegrass music fills Avogadro’s Number, each instrument coming together in a flourish, with every pluck and swipe of the bow across the strings.
Every week, the local restaurant and bar opens its doors to the chill, wholesome genre, bringing people from across the Fort Collins community to enjoy and appreciate it.
Each Wednesday night, Avogadro’s Number holds an open bluegrass jam, welcoming a variety of musicians into their circle to play together and enjoy each other’s company through music. As the night progresses, the jam only grows louder and more energetic, with multiple jam sessions happening at the same time.
“The jam nights are not strictly structured; instead, they allow individuals to come in and out of the circle, playing alongside like-minded people regardless of their experience.
Lloyd Drust performs a cover song at Avogadro’s Number Sept. 27. “We like to get together and play for fun,” Drust said. “We love playing live music.”
JACE CARLTON THE
“It’s just fun to get to hang out with like-minded people I know and have this welcoming community. On a given night, there could be four or five different jams going on in this place. ... We’re not really performing for anyone but ourselves.”
CHAD TARKINSON JAM ATTENDEE
Chad Tarkinson has attended these jam nights since a little after the COVID-19 pandemic and plays the guitar. He really enjoys the community aspect of bluegrass music, which encourages musicians to play what feels right in the moment.
Tarkinson said instrumental, acoustic music and fiddle tunes primarily encompass the core of the bluegrass genre, especially instruments such as the guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass and mandolin. From rapid tempos to musical improvisation, this style has become very popular, particularly in Colorado.
“It’s just fun to get to hang out with like-minded people I know and have this welcoming community,” Tarkinson said.
“On a given night, there could be four or five different jams going on in this place. ... We’re not really performing for anyone but ourselves.”
Justin Hollis, a fellow guitar player, has been involved in Avogadro’s open jam nights since 2022 and said it was one of his first exposures to the genre. With the individuals who come and go, Hollis has found genuine connections with the tight-knit group that comes every week.
Hollis said he finds that Avogadro’s Number lends to the chill vibe of bluegrass music, allowing groups to encourage each other to learn new songs and share various
skills. Because these jam nights have been going on for nearly 30 years, Hollis said he believes the restaurant has created a solid foundation for bluegrass’ identity.
“Music makes us feel a certain way when we connect with those songs,” Hollis said.
“I think people who listen to any genre of music or a band end up coming together because everybody relates on that emotional level.”
Jo Buckley is Hollis’ partner and works for the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. She loves getting to come watch the members play whenever she can, making genuine connections in the process. Buckley said she sees Avogadro’s as a hub that is intentional in how they build community, presenting a diverse range of interests.
“It’s a music space where all of this practice, dedication and talent can shine through,” Buckley said. “By listening in to every type of person, you get to know their playing style, their interest or the way they like to represent it.”
Hollis deems bluegrass music to be a fairly inclusive environment, particularly with those who are not well versed in bluegrass music. Hollis started as someone who knew only a few songs in the bluegrass genre. By continuing to attend every week, that list has only grown.
Buckley said she finds bluegrass music in queer spaces and spaces with people of color. She appreciates how Avogadro’s implements these diverse spaces, bringing all identities together. She hopes that as more of the Fort Collins community learn about bluegrass music, they will begin to understand and listen to its sense of identity.
“The fact that a lot of people can see themselves in bluegrass is really cool,” Buckley said. “Bluegrass just seems to take all of us, like a big choir. ... It is pretty representative of (the identities) of Fort Collins in a lot of ways. I hope it continues to grow and be that way.”
Reach Sananda Chandy at entertainment@collegian.com
PHOTO BY
COLLEGIAN
LOCAL THEATER
Bas Bleu’s ‘School of Lies’ brings modern twist in rhythmic
By Jenna Landry @csucollegian
Fast-paced rhymes and riddles, satire and sexual innuendos will leave you exhausted from laughter. You might want to take your wig off if you have one.
Written by Davis Ives, “School of Lies” is a modern comedic adaption of the French playwright Molière’s play “Le Misanthrop.” The play is directed by Steve Keim in Bas Bleu Theatre’s production.
While the setting is 1666 Paris, the play has many nods to the past, including the set, stage and costumes. This aids in the audience getting lost in the quick wit and impish humor, with not a single slip in the tonguetying language.
An opening monologue is given by Philinte, played by Brett Schreiber, setting the stage with fast-paced chatter and whimsical body language.
The play follows several other characters but no one more crude and blunt than an aristocrat traveler dressed in all black: Frank, played by Jeffrey Bigger. The name seems off for a French man from the 17th century, but I digress. The play begins with Frank getting himself into some trouble with his quick wit and pompous attitude.
Frank then meets his match in Celimene, played by Julia Jones, who has an equally the satiric tongue. Celimene is an intelligent young widow who is involved in a lot of unwanted gossip and scandal — some even coming from the mouth of her closest friend Arsinoe, played by Kelly Foerster, who is very beautiful and desired.
Celimene comes along with three other unwelcome suitors. The first is Clitander, the rich one, played by Miles Horne. The second suitor is Oronte, the “romantic” one, played by Dimitri Balasopoulov. And the third suitor is Acaste, the simple one who comically and anxiously waits for her to choose one of them, played by Kaleb Hacker.
The play follows the trials and tribulations of these characters while getting themselves into some overtly and quite hysterical
sexual situations, leaving many of them at odds. An example of this is seen in the relationship between Celimene and her very demure but ultimately very loud and brash cousin Eliante.
The play progressively keeps you on your feet, and I doubt you’d be able to predict the ending. The acting was spectacularly hysterical all around, specifically that of Sashko Conrad, who plays both Dubois and Basque, two contrasting characters with frequent outfit changes.
This production comes at an interesting period of culture when overtly sexist or stereotypical jokes are often frowned upon for good reason. Not to feed into trendy pop culture phrases, but it’s not that deep. I personally viewed such jokes in this play — like how the woman characters fit the trope of being naive, clingy or superficial and the obvious gay jokes that poked fun at the straight male characters
— to have added to the ridiculousness and comedy of the play.
This play offered a playful break from reality, in which these tropes and stereotypes aren’t comedy and people live in real fear of being discriminated against, and I don’t think that we should take that lightly; however, I don’t think that this play was meant to completely combat the hypocrisies of society. I do believe
that satire can be an excellent use of exposing hypocrisy and preventing further negative stereotypes and tropes. I also believe it would be a disservice to discard the incredible acting in this play because of the satire done — and done well.
The performance went by surprisingly quickly for a twohour stint; losing track of time is easy when the persistent humor is so captivating. It will make you
question where the time went and make you question if you could also pull off a periwig as well as some of the actors did. This play is not something you’d want to miss. “School for Lies” runs from now until Oct. 13 with show times 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights and 2:30 p.m. Sunday nights. Reach Jenna Landry at entertainment @collegian.com
Brett Schreiber and Jeffrey Bigger perform as Philinte and Frank in Bas Bleu Theatre’s production of “The School for Lies” Sept. 19. Written in rhyme scheme, the show is running until Oct. 13 in Old Town Fort Collins. PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN
FALSE EXPECTATIONS
Syllabus week sets unrealistic standards for semester pacing
By Hayley Bisant @csucollegian
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
There’s probably at least a little bit of trepidation associated with starting classes again after a break, no matter how much a student likes their major. Fortunately, syllabus week is a welcomed relief to what would otherwise be a straight jump right back into the thick of things.
That being said, ignoring the love-hate relationship many students have with syllabus week may make things worse down the road.
There is a long period of time dedicated to exploring how a class is structured over the entire semester, and
PORNY PRELUDE
syllabus week does a poor job of preparing students for what’s to come. Ignoring the controversy about whether it’s necessary, the brief overviews provided make the entire semester seem like it could fit into the palm of your hand.
The beginning of a course reinforces this notion. It’s well known by now that the first couple weeks of the semester boast a light load. A syllabus quiz to complete or introductory chapter to read leaves plenty of time for students to experience life outside of the classroom.
Though additional assignments are sprinkled in along the way, things may stay this way for a while during the beginning of a class. This gradual increase does little to get students ready for future rigor.
Of course, a foundation needs to be built before higher-level content can be covered. There comes a time when course work seems to increase exponentially, though. This jump comes out
of left field for less experienced students. Even for those with a few semesters under their belt, it can creep in quickly. It’s almost as if the lack of stress early on comes back with a vengeance.
By the time the first round of unit exams roll in, students are left studying for several classes on top of completing weekly assignments. Though it’s realistically unavoidable, these tests all tend to occur within a very short timeframe. This gets overwhelming quickly. Pretty soon, it’s been one of those weeks for a month straight. Time doesn’t stop, and finding time to keep up with anything outside of academics gets tough.
The entire semester isn’t like this. There are breaks in between rounds of exams and other moments of reprieve. However, things never go back to being as relaxed as they were the first few weeks, and pretty soon, finals are on the horizon.
Of course, there are actions students can take to prevent
being hit quite so hard. Finishing up smaller assignments in advance would free up more time to study for higher-stakes exams, for example. Courses aren’t self-paced, though, and it’s only feasible to front-load so much. Additionally, this often doesn’t feel necessary early on.
Though the correlation between putting time into a subject and coming out with a higher grade is often emphasized during syllabus week, the hours that need to be put in are not
linear like they’re made out to be. Realistically, a couple quizzes will take a much shorter amount of time than larger projects. Hearing “15 hours a week” paints a picture much different from having a few assignments one week and over 20 assignments the next. Students do not get an accurate picture of what their semester is going to look like during syllabus week, and this bites them down the end.
Reach Hayley Bisant at letters@collegian.com.
Foreplay is most important part of sex
By Astrid Thorn @csucollegian
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
Sex can be a fast, exciting and overwhelming experience. When you enter a sexual situation, you may want to jump right into penetrative intercourse, as it is considered the main event of sex; however, penetration is just one aspect of the entire sexual encounter. To have a fulfilling and pleasurable sexual encounter, most people need a bit more than that.
This is where foreplay comes in. When it comes to sexual pleasure and satisfaction for all parties involved, foreplay is by far the most important part of sex.
Foreplay goes by many names. Some refer to it as a prelude to sex, some call it outercourse, but all of these names refer to the
same part of a sexual encounter. According to Merriam-Webster, foreplay is defined as any type of “erotic stimulation preceding sexual intercourse.”
It can include stimulation of genitalia, nipples or any other zones of the body that are pleasurable for a person and can be done using hands, the mouth, toys or other body parts or objects.
Aside from physical stimulation, foreplay can also involve verbal or mental exchanges as well as other nonsexual physical stimulation. This can include erotic language or dirty talk, dances, kissing, massaging, role-play or any other action you and your partners deem sexy.
The goal is simple: to ensure both — or all — sexual partners are turned on and prepared for sex, both in their body and mind. The more aroused the body becomes before penetration, the better the penetration will feel. This will lead to a more enjoyable overall sexual experience and deeper connection with your partner or partners.
Physically, foreplay essentially allows the body to warm up before actual intercourse. Introducing erotic stimulation before penetration gives the body time to begin its natural physical responses to arousal. These include increased blood flow to the genital region, natural lubrication of the genitals, increased heart rate and sweating.
While everyone — regardless of gender or sexuality — can have an enhanced sexual experience with foreplay involved, it is especially vital for femalebodied individuals, as it can take their bodies longer to prepare for intercourse and may be more difficult for them to climax from penetration alone.
More often than not, when you attempt to engage in intercourse without any physical prelude, it can feel extremely uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. Foreplay allows the body time to adapt to the sexual situation. This can be especially beneficial for folks who have difficulty with sex for a variety of reasons.
People who experience pain with sex, performance anxiety, orgasm difficulty or other issues that impact sexual satisfaction can greatly benefit from engaging in extensive foreplay before attempting penetration. Beyond preparing the physical body for sex, foreplay also creates a sense of intimacy, trust and emotional arousal for all parties. Taking the time to appreciate and care for your partner’s body will lead to greater arousal and better feelings surrounding the sexual encounter.
Feeling sexually cared for by your partner creates a greater level of comfort and a decreased level of sexual inhibition, which
allows for more intense pleasure. Sexual pleasure and orgasms are brain-based phenomena, so feeling emotionally connected and supported during sex is a vital part of sexual satisfaction. Sex is a very personal matter. Everyone’s sexual preferences are different, and foreplay is part of that.
Regardless of the type of sex you may be participating in, having some kind of prelude to sexual intercourse or penetration of any kind will likely lead to a more pleasurable, satisfying sexual encounter.
Reach Astrid Thorn at letters@collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN
By Aubree Miller @aubree.miller07
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
Locally owned Walrus Ice Cream is considered a Fort Collins staple, having been around since 1987, but it shouldn’t be. I had high hopes for a renowned ice cream shop, and they did not live up to that. Unfortunately, I have been let down by Walrus too many times, and I would much rather spend my $5 on a pint of Blue Bell or Häagen-Dazs than one scoop I don’t want to finish.
I do appreciate and admire that Walrus is a local business. They make their ice cream in house, and The Foundry at Colorado State University serves a local product. I’m also not one to turn my nose at a good ghost story. But ultimately, all these great aspects don’t
SELF-DIAGNOSIS
By Emma Souza @_emmasouza
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
Although I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a hypochondriac, I am a selfdescribed WebMD warrior. Each night, I fall asleep thinking about a different ailment I might have, and each morning, I awake to a Google search history full of medical jargon. The rabbit holes I fall down are astonishingly deep, so if there’s any specific audience this article needs to reach, that audience would be me.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent quarantine period, America’s perception of the medical industry has permanently shifted. While COVID-19 brought a new sense of gratitude toward health care providers, it also made public spaces exponentially more health conscious than before. Social distancing and masking regulations rightfully normalized a concern about
Walrus Ice Cream isn’t very good
mean as much when I’ve had their products many times and haven’t liked it once.
What’s not to like? It’s ice cream, right? Not exactly. Ice cream is traditionally made with milk and cream to give it a smooth and creamy texture, plus
some kind of sweetener and often stabilizers of some kind. Many types of ice cream also contain eggs, as a custard-based ice cream is one of the most popular types. Eggs aren’t required, though; higher milk fat content can create a creamy texture without any eggs, which typically results in Philadelphia-style ice cream.
The biggest issue I have with Walrus is that the texture is not creamy. Every time I have Walrus Ice Cream, I wonder if it has been freezer burned. But after trying it so many times — I’d say at least 10 — it lends itself as an issue with the ice cream itself, not how it is stored. It is not a pleasant experience, and I have particular issues with textures of foods.
In terms of flavors, I’ve tried many, but only a handful stick out to me for various reasons: vanilla, for being the most flavorless ice cream I’ve ever had; a couple chocolate variations had a rich, complex flavor, but the texture ruined it; chai was OK, but the flavor was there for a moment and then disappeared; and Blue Moon was sad — it just didn’t taste right.
Blue Moon is a Wisconsin creation, and no one really knows what the flavor is exactly — but I do know that Walrus’ wasn’t it. Vanilla is a flavor I love in most foods and drinks, whether that be a cake or coffee creamer, and ice cream is no exception. Many people label it as simple and boring, but good vanilla is anything but. Vanilla is an incredibly finicky plant and deserves better recognition for the complexity and layers it adds.
That being said, Walrus vanilla ice cream had no flavor. I would consider myself a consumer of many vanilla ice creams, and my favorite thus far is Blue Bell, which you can get at most any grocery store. I’m still on the hunt for a good vanilla from a local business but haven’t yet found one. Considering vanilla is a base flavor for many ice cream variations with add-ins or other flavors, it shouldn’t be difficult to have a good vanilla ice cream. However, Walrus has apparently found that difficult. I had high hopes, and they were dashed very quickly.
It’s time to close the WebMD
health symptoms, especially regarding the spread of illnesses.
Even as we’ve moved away from the peak of COVID-19 and its effects, anxiety surrounding disease has continued to skyrocket. This is for understandable reasons — the pandemic inflicted indescribable amounts of pain, loss, suffering and loneliness on individuals and families across the globe. Fearing another pandemic is a normal and common reaction. But that concern has recently shifted into a behavior I recognize all too well: hypochondria.
Maybe it’s just the side of TikTok I’m on, but each time I open the app, without fail, videos of varying credibility pop up on my For You Page discussing countless diseases and ailments — both within the United States and around the world. Sometimes it’s the Lone Star tick, which has a bite that causes meat allergies; sometimes it’s the alleged brain-eating amoeba in Minnesota lakes.
No matter the topic, fears ranging from rational to irrational plague my mind until I’m absolutely convinced I have each and every symptom. TikTok most certainly doesn’t help. Many creators add horror movie
soundtracks or clickbait effects to boost their virality at the expense of accuracy. Although those creators may view their actions as spreading awareness or advocating on behalf of those affected, it only incites a deep spiral of public panic. The most recent instance I’ve seen is the discussion on mpox.
Mpox, a virus spread through direct contact with an already infected person or animal, has existed for a relatively long time. Discovered in 1958 Denmark in monkeys kept for research, mpox first transferred to a human in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then and up until 2022, most cases have been in central, east and west Africa. However, the United States had a small outbreak in 2003 associated with imported wild animals. In 2022, an outbreak spread the virus to Europe and the United States again. Although the World Health Organization declared mpox an international public health emergency in August 2024, it was predominantly directed toward the surge in the DRC and its neighboring countries — not the United States.
We should still treat the issue with legitimate concern,
As someone who hails from America’s Dairyland, I’ve had my fair share of frozen desserts, and I’ve had amazing ice cream from local businesses. I feel like my 11 years in Wisconsin give me some ground to stand on in the ice cream world. Furthermore, I don’t want to come off as a hater or negative person — I like to think I’m anything but. Through my experiences with Walrus, I’ve learned that I simply have higher ice cream standards, at a detriment to some businesses as well as my wallet.
I really wanted to like Walrus; I love finding a new favorite spot to visit, especially one with one of my favorite desserts, nestled in Old Town. However, I have been disappointed every time, and I say this all because I want it to be better.
I’ve heard Walrus used to be very good and has declined in recent years. If that is true, I have hopes for the quality and experience of Walrus to be better.
Reach Aubree Miller at letters@collegian.com.
tab
of course. The gravity of mpox is not minimized simply because the United States isn’t predominantly affected. With this being said, my TikTok has been blowing up with people in America self-diagnosing themselves, fear-mongering symptoms and, overall, freaking out over minimal outbreaks in the United States.
I cannot stress this more: Fearing a virus is completely normal. I’m basically the president of the Hypochondriac Club. However, talking on a highly influential platform about mpox like it’s the apocalypse has dangerous potential to spread misinformation rather than advocacy.
When discussing diseases and viruses in social spaces, it’s important to remember that fear should not be at the forefront of the discussion. It’s completely valid to worry about scary issues harming communities. But when anxiety has complete and total control of a conversation — anxiety without accuracy — the conversation is no longer productive and becomes misconstrued.
Let’s continue sharing our concern about the health of others. I appreciate knowing I am not alone in the way I feel, but next time, let’s maybe close that WebMD tab.
Reach Emma Souza at letters@collegian.com.
The outside of Walrus Ice Cream at 125 W. Mountain Ave. in Fort Collins Sept. 19. PHOTO BY AVA PUGLISI THE COLLEGIAN
MEDIA
Sudoku
WEEKLY HOROSCOPE
By Sophia Masia
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (10/03/24)
ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)
If you’ve been delaying a tough conversation with someone close, this week is forcing you to confront it head on — but don’t panic! This doesn’t mean it has to be a big fight or a major drama. Letting go is necessary for healing and can be a peaceful transition.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)
The solar eclipse will hit your daily routines hard this week, urging you to make necessary changes in how you approach work and health. Whether it’s a career shift, a new fitness regimen or setting healthy boundaries, now’s the time to revamp your habits.
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)
This eclipse is bringing new beginnings to how you express yourself, so if you’ve been stuck in unhealthy dating patterns or stagnant projects, this week allows you to wipe the slate clean. Open
yourself to new possibilities in your creative endeavors and romantic life.
CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)
This week’s solar eclipse wraps up a long-running story in your home and family life. Whether you’re considering a move or reorganizing family dynamics, the time has come to make a decision.
LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)
The eclipse is highlighting your friendships and community, so whether you’re experiencing an ending or beginning, make sure you’re staying true to your values when allowing others in your inner circle, Leo.
VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)
The solar eclipse is asking you to rethink how you spend your resources. Whether that be time, money or energy, you’re stretching yourself a bit too thin for little payoff. By letting go of things that no longer serve you — or your wallet — you’ll find more stability in your life.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)
With the solar eclipse in your sign, it’s time for a reset, as you’re going to be feeling it the most. You’ve been shedding layers of who you were to make space for who you’re becoming. Let go of old habits and relationships holding you back, Libra.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)
All signs should take it easy this week, but the cosmos are telling you to chill the hardest. You’ve been juggling a lot — work, school, social
life, emotions and more. Now is the time to put it all down to recharge and reflect on the bigger picture.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)
The solar eclipse prompts you to reevaluate your social circles and aspirations It’s time to focus on new dreams that align with who you are now. Don’t be afraid to part ways with people or projects that no longer fit.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)
Did you accidentally become the important person at your job, and now you have too much responsibility? Don’t fret — the eclipse brings a major shift in your career and public life. This is your opportunity to align with something more meaningful and sustainable.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)
This eclipse challenges you to question long-held beliefs and embrace new perspectives. You’ve been on a journey of growth, exploring education, travel or spirituality. Now it’s time to let go of ideas that no longer serve your evolution.
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20)
The solar eclipse brings closure to a long-running story around shared resources and loss. While this chapter has been bittersweet, you’re now emerging stronger with clearer boundaries and priorities. You’ve learned that having less doesn’t diminish your worth.
Last edition’s crossword solution
Last edition’s sudoku solution
OVERHEARD AROUND CAMPUS
“To bang or to not bang is the question I ask myself every day.”
“You seem like someone who would fall down the stairs.”
Have you overheard something funny on campus? Put your eavesdropping to good use. Tweet us @CSUCollegian and your submissions could be featured in our next paper!
