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Food & Drink
Making your way around the grind Coffee to explore in Seattle
By Christine McManigal The Daily While it is noble to burrow yourself in Odegaard and study your little heart away, sometimes the library scene is suffocating. Also, let’s be honest, finding a table at a library can be a nightmare. So, take a little stroll into our local coffee scene and indulge in a cup of well-brewed coffee, and maybe a pastry as well, and only sort of study. Little Oddfellows
also make an excellent Mayan mocha. The stars of its food menu are the grilled cheese, made with pepper jack and Swiss with tomatoes and olive tapenade, and its Korean-derived bulgogi steak sandwich. If you head here on the weekend, be sure to order the Eggs Purgatory, only available then. Ugly Mug is very keen on the perfect roast, preferring a light to medium roast, however it alters the roast depending on what beans have been purchased. While Ugly Mug is a place to go, due to its size, it is difficult to find a empty seat most days.
Personally, this is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon. Located inside Capitol Hill’s Elliot Bay Book Company is a quaint and peaceful coffee shop, Little Oddfellows. Once you’ve explored the shelves and purchased one of the many recommended books, settle down in the coffee shop and enjoy the quaint white tables and chairs. Little Oddfellows serves Cafe Vita, which is just around the block, and its roast is quite good. Order a cup to enjoy there and it comes in a cute porcelain cup. If you’re a tea person, Little Oddfellows has an excellent selection of leaves and its baristas know how to make a solid cup of London Fog. Sit back and enjoy your book, along with the other book lovers, and listen to the sound of turning pages that fills the air.
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If the environment and sustainability is important to you, head to Herkimer Coffee on Northeast 56th Street and University Way Northeast. It believes that the best quality coffee comes from beans that are harvested via traditional old world cultivation methods, and most of its beans come from small-scale farms. Like feminism, coffee has its own waves and the third wave we’re currently in is micro-roasting. Starbucks is no longer the place to go, and coffee enthusiasts are Case Tanaka
Ugly Mug Cafe On a side street off the Ave, hidden behind the construction on Brooklyn Avenue Northeast is the perfect getaway to study. Ugly Mug is a small coffee shop with an amazing selection of food. If you’re a mocha lover, head here, as the cocoa they use isn’t as bitter as some places and they
Herkimer Coffee
Ugly Mug Cafe
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Taylor Bayly
Cafe Allegro
Courtesy of Herkimer Coffee
choosing local roasters like Herkimer. However, if you’re looking for an extravagant cup of coffee, this isn’t the place to go. Herkimer is all about simplicity, serving espresso drinks and drip coffee with local bakes like Mighty-O Donuts. Cafe Allegro There’s a little piece of history in the alley behind Magus Books. One of the first
espresso shops in Seattle, Cafe Allegro has stood the test of time and even played a role in coffee history. Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, often remarked on Cafe Allegro, saying that it was a prototype for what Starbucks later became. Cafe Allegro’s espresso roast became Starbucks’ standard, especially when original Allegro owner, Dave Olsen, became the head buyer and roaster of Starbucks in the late 1980s. While most coffee shops in the U-District
are cramped, Cafe Allegro is much more spacious with multiple rooms to study in as well as a quiet rooftop to bring your cup of brew to. Reach Managing Editor Christine McManigal at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @clmcman
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A guide on local grocery and produce shopping By Christine Lee The Daily I will be the first one to admit that I enjoy fried and fast food just as much as the next stressed-out college student. Late night Aladdin’s Greek fries and Just Burgers’ mozzarella sticks provide a satisfaction like no other after long study sessions and nights out. However, constantly eating greasy takeout can leave me feeling tired and heavy, not to mention with a lighter wallet. Avoid the feeling of guilt forking over $11 for teriyaki or a burrito bowl (don’t get me started on adding $2 for a side of guacamole) and instead buy groceries and
local produce to make your own meals and snacks. Not only does this make it easier to control what you put in your body and save money, but it also strengthens and supports small family farm businesses. While grocery and produce shopping may sound daunting, there are many local grocery and convenience stores, farmers markets, and programs around campus that can make the task simple, easy, and frankly fun. Grocery and convenience stores
There are numerous grocery and convenience stores around the U-District that offer groceries and local produce. For conventional groceries, check out the QFC at 2746 NE 45th St. in University Village or the Safeway at 4732 Brooklyn Ave NE, a few blocks from the Ave. For the more healthy and ethically conscious, the U-District Trader Joe’s at 4555 Roosevelt Way NE provides a wide selection of innovative and unconventional foods at a great price. The District Market in Alder Hall offers a wide array of fresh TECHNICAL/ENTREPRENEURIAL POSITIONS produce, a full-service deli, and AVAILABLE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: ready-to-eat food. The local grocery store accepts cash, Husky Cards, and credit cards. Those with Bicycle Apply online, or visit us Benefits receive 10 percent off for more information at purchases. uwseal.org The UW has a variety of convenience stores on campus too. Etc in the HUB and Magnuson Health Sciences and The Nook in McMahon Hall have ready-made sandwiches, sushi, and a variety of miscellaneous necessities. H Mart located at 4216 University Way NE is a Korean grocery store that carries a variety of Asian snacks, produce, and ready-to-go meals. In the International District, Uwajimaya at 600 Fifth Ave S offers an even wider selection
and is only a short light rail or bus ride away. Farmers markets The Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets provide a direct sales site for local farmers and food vendors. There are seven farmers markets in the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, one of which takes place in the U-District. Every Saturday of the year, the U-District Market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on University Way Northeast and Northeast 50th Street. Programs to take advantage of Imperfect Produce More than 20 percent of fruits and vegetables never make it off farms as they are deemed “ugly,” are rejected from grocery stores, and end up in landfills. The subscription service Imperfect Produce works to combat this food waste by sourcing irregularly sized, shaped, or colored, or surplus produce and delivering them directly to your door at a price 30 to 50 percent less than what grocery stores offer. Started on a college campus, the company strives to build a more sustainable and effective food system. Bean Basket Check out the Bean Basket, a bulk buying store for sustainably sourced nonperishable foods. Located in HUB 131K, the store is volunteer-run and focused on offering the lowest prices they can on beans, grains, nuts, spices, and teas. UW Campus Food Pantry While nearly half of the food in the United States is thrown away, one in eight Americans struggle to put food on the table and nearly 22 percent of college students have low levels of food security. Once a month during the academic year, any UW student, staff, or faculty with a Husky ID may be supplied with nonperishable items and select produce free of cost. Food may be received at pop-up locations in HUB 214 and the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center. University District Food Bank Northeast Seattle residents may come to the University District Food Bank once a week during open hours to receive food and toiletries, baby formula and diapers, pet food, and connections to resources. Reach writer Christine Lee at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @christinelee072
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Five meals under $5 As a fellow broke college student, I know that food can be expensive. After searching for cheap, filling eats on the Ave for three years, here are some of my recommendations. MEE SUM PASTRY The restaurant version of the Pike Place classic, Mee Sum offers the very same hum baos that the original is well-known for. There’s a variety of flavors (I usually switch between the pineapple bun, and the BBQ pork bun), and they’re just as massive as the ones at Pike Place. One hum bao gets me through a couple hours, plus it’s usually under $3. THANH VI Although the restaurant offers a variety of Vietnamese food for a relatively good price, its banh mis, Vietnamese sandwiches, are where it’s at. The crunchy baguette filled with your choice of meat and savory vegetables will easily fill you up. They also offer a vegetarian version, supplementing it with tofu. Prices for the sandwiches range from $3.97 to $4.97. H MART When this Korean grocery market opened up on the Ave, I was ecstatic. In my hometown,
By Danette Kha The Daily
I used to go to H Mart to pick up my groceries all the time. What makes this H Mart different from the other H Marts is that it caters toward college students. The entire back wall is filled with a variety of Korean noodle cups and it has tons of snacks. But if you get to the market early enough, it offers packaged meals like katsu curry rice and bulgogi rice. All you have to do is microwave it. U:DON As you may guess by the name, this restaurant specializes in udon. Its noodles are made in-house and service is quick. However, the restaurant has been increasing its price, so it’s not an under-$5 meal like when I first started at the UW. The true cheap meal is the gyudon that they offer. Since it’s considered a side meal, it’s priced under $5 and consists of a bowl of rice, topped with beef and onions. It might not fill you up, but if you get the cheaper tempura pieces (prices range from $0.10 to $4), your stomach will be full. RANCHO BRAVO If you’re looking for some good, authentic Mexican food on the Ave, Rancho Bravo is the place to go. For under $3, you can get a chicken tamale, two soft tacos, or a hard-
shell taco. The chicken tamale is usually my go-to, as I find the masa and chicken a perfectly flavorful combination. It’s also a fun place to go with friends for lunch with its bright teal interior and colorful furniture.
Shahbaz Khan HONORARY MENTION: MOTOSURF Specializing in Hawaiian-style cuisine, this place offers the best deal in my opinion. The small plates of its kalua or chicken teriyaki come with a side of rice and macaroni salad and costs $4.75. It also offers fried rice for $3, and you can add spam for $1. It’s also conveniently located in Red Square as well as in the HUB. Be forewarned, though, the food is hit-or-miss, and there’s usually a long line. But, it is a cheap, filling meal that I felt deserved to be mentioned. Reach writer Danette Kha at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @hellodanette
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The Daily — Back to School
Entertainment Drag has a home in Seattle
th al a ca th to ab ju an id h re fe ow
Photos by Kevin Li
By Caean Couto The Daily For over a hundred years in Seattle, drag performances have been boldly shattering the concept of gender norms and inspiring members of the LGBTQIA+ community to embrace and love their identities. Beginning in the days of vaudeville, drag shows solidified their place in Seattle when the cabaret “The Garden of Allah” opened in 1946. Located on First Avenue between University and Seneca Streets, “The Garden of Allah” nurtured the city’s LGBTQIA+ community for a decade until it’s closure in 1956. The cabaret’s famous drag performances attracted diverse visitors, as performers both entertained with musical and comedy shows and provided commentary on the subjects of sexuality
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and gender. By tackling these issues through the medium of performance, the concepts and ideas presented within were made to be digestible to a strictly heteronormative society. Slowly and surely, drag shows began to carve their niche in mainstream culture while maintaining staunch in their mission of self-acceptance and dismantling gender norms. As the years went by, drag shows have become increasingly popular and their performers, such as RuPaul, have even been able to achieve mainstream celebrity. Naturally, the growing mainstream acceptance of drag shows took them to the UW, where the Queer Student Commission has hosted the annual UW Drag Competition for the past 16 years. The competition allows UW students
to experience and participate in a drag performance in a safe and familiar environment, with the show taking place in one of the HUB ballrooms. Access to these shows on their college campus can help LGBTQIA+ students feel empowered and secure in their gender and sexual identities, as well as give a platform for students to dress up and perform in front of their peers. For Jonathan Nguyen, a lifelong musician, it was a way for him to use his talent and unabashedly express himself. “I got a standing ovation which I normally don’t get — a standing ovation that lasted a pretty decent amount of time,” Nguyen said. “Like, wow, people are receptive to this. Then I thought, ‘Why, you know, this means so much to people.’” Drag performances are not only for
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the performers onstage, they also impact the audience. In a heteronormative culture, it can be difficult for people of the LGBTQIA+ community to find role models. Being able to see people who are not just unashamed, but proud and emboldened by their own identities, is crucial. Drag can help its audience members realize their own identities and feel strong and safe in their own skin.
“Doing drag is kind of understanding that you’re helping people, that you’re doing a service,” Nguyen said. As for the performers, stepping out on stage with theatrical makeup and lavishly loud outfits can be a both nervewracking and empowering experience. “[Performers have] made me realize that there is a bravery to you that has always been there but was summoned
in the moment of being able to do drag on stage,” Nguyen said. ”Because not everybody can go on stage in a dress and a breastplate or hips and be comfortable.” An experience that is powerful for both performer and spectator, the UW’s annual Drag Competition is generally in spring quarter and put on by the Queer Student Commission. Outside of campus, drag events can be found all over Seattle,
with a large concentration in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. “The singular drag queen is not going to represent everybody, but drag in itself is something that we all benefit from,” Nguyen said. “We all do — not even just queer people but straight people too. It’s a f--- you to gender stereotypes.” Reach Photo Editor Caean Couto at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @CaeanCouto
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The Daily — Back to School
SPF 30: A history of Seattle’s Sub Pop Records The moments and people behind the movement that shaped Seattle sound
By Andreas Redd The Daily You can’t talk Seattle sound without mentioning one of the greatest local record labels that has launched grunge’s best artists: Sub Pop Records. This summer marked its 30th anniversary, celebrated with a free music festival set on the banks of Alki Beach. There, concert-goers took in a few of the label’s more recent successes like Father John Misty and Beach House, along with one Seattle grunge legend, Mudhoney. Sub Pop has signed this city’s most iconic rock bands and key players in the grunge movement –– Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, and Tad –– as well as other reputable indie talents like Fleet Foxes, The Postal Service, and Foals. The label has been accredited with kick-starting the grunge era of rock, but it took a long and bumpy road to get to the level of success that it sees today. Started by Bruce Pavitt who was a junior at Evergreen State College in Olympia looking to earn course credit –– something not unfamiliar to students here –– Sub Pop Records began as a fanzine called “Subterranean Pop” dedicated to independent record labels and underground bands. Though the first issue was hand-crafted and crayoned, the publication turned into a series, frequently featured a cassette that compiled music from the underground rock scene, and was shortened to “Sub Pop” after the fourth installation. After a move to Seattle in 1983, Pavitt found a new home for the publication in a column for the local music newspaper “The Rocket.” Sub Pop Records would be formally
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founded in 1988 after establishing itself selling releases starting in 1986 like “Sub Pop 100,” which showcased acts like Sonic Youth and Naked Raygun, the record “Dry as a Bone” by Green River, and “Screaming Life” by a young Soundgarden. Partner in crime and co-founder Jonathan Poneman would help establish the label after cashing in $19,000 worth of savings bonds. Pavitt and Poneman scraped together $43,000 to incorporate and start the company off, and then enlisted a new business model in the music industry with the Sub Pop Singles Club. Listeners would subscribe to the club in advance and receive music on a month-to-month basis through the mail. Among the first songs released to club members was Nirvana’s debut single, “Love Buzz.” This strategy made Sub Pop a big player in the Seattle music industry and it got the attention of Sony Music, the largest record label in the world at the time. The co-founders were brought to its offices unbeknownst to Sony’s intentions. In 1990, Pavitt and Poneman were met by Sony Music’s chief executive, Don Ienner, and his board of executives. “And [Ienner] goes, ‘Alright you guys, how did you do it? How did you convince people to send you money in advance for records that haven’t been made yet? This business model has never been seen before in the record industry and it’s just kind of tripping us out.’ I’ll never forget that moment,” Pavitt told Fast Company in 2012. The previous year, Sub Pop saw another bout of financial success following Nirvana’s debut album “Bleach,” which set the standard for Seattle grunge and
nationalized its sound. At nearly 2 million copies sold, it remains the record’s highest selling album. On June 9, 1989, only days before the release of the album was Lame Fest, a three-act Sub Pop show at the Moore Theatre which hosted Nirvana, Mudhoney, and Tad that, along with the subsequent success of Nirvana’s debut, forced the movement into the local spotlight. “The local media really started taking the music a lot more seriously,” Pavitt told Seattle Magazine about the result of Lame Fest. Despite this initial success, this would be followed by a long series of financial and political misfortunes. After all, “Going out of business since 1988!” is one of its slogans that matches the label’s cheeky, oftentimes teasing, style. Sub Pop Records has flown close to the sun too many times, spending money on new, unneeded office buildings and signing bands that wouldn’t prove successful, only a few of the decisions that inched the label closer and closer to bankruptcy. Then, in 1995, the label would make a decision that would change its direction for years to come, by selling 49 percent of its shares to Warner Music Group. This move caused Pavitt, a father of Sub Pop and grunge, to step away from his company after a wide-reaching feeling that the label lost its independent feel, and he didn’t end up talking to Poneman for seven years. The turmoil didn’t end there; in 1997, while Poneman was at the helm, a group of Sub Pop employees attempted to dethrone him because of the rapid growth and perceived mismanagement, although unsuc-
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Courtesy of Seth Sommerfeld Seattle Weekly cessfully. In 2003, Mark Arm, the frontman for Mudhoney, recalled the company’s consciousness of the period. “I work at Sub Pop and there’s a poster for the 15th anniversary in 2003. This is at a time when they had the Shins and Iron and Wine and the Postal Service, so they were back on the upswing. The poster reads: ‘Sub Pop’s 15th anniversary –– celebrating 10 years of great music!’ ‘Cos there were some … not-so-great years,” he told The Guardian in 2013. The label opened offices worldwide, but
never reached a large amount of success on the commercial music stage. It would eventually scale back down and refocus on the Seattle community, signing local talents across the indie spectrum like indie-folk band Fleet Foxes, artist Father John Misty, indie rock group Beach House, and even hip-hop group Shabazz Palaces. But, if one thing has stayed the same through it all, its Sub Pop’s sense of humor. The record label has been known to pull pranks on its fans, though the description of its mission from its website
captures its rebellious, middle-finger-inthe-air culture well enough: “We mean to represent these artists as faithfully and diligently as possible and hold out hope that this is enough for us to remain solvent in the face of the well-documented collapse of the music industry at large.” Reach Editor-in-Chief Andreas Redd at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @Aredd44
MAKE TIME TO PLAY Info and audition sign-ups: www.music.washington.edu/ensemble-auditions
You don't have to be a music major to join one of the School of Music's performance ensembles. Membership in all groups is open to all UW students regardless of major. So make time to play… in a band, an orchestra, a jazz or chamber ensemble, or sing in one of our choirs, and earn VPLA credits toward your degree.
FALL QUARTER ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS Bands/Orchestra Brass, Woodwinds & Percussion Auditions
Choral Auditions
Monday, Sept. 24, 2018 9:00 - 10:30 Horn 10:30 - 11:30 Bassoon 11:30 - 12:30 Trumpet 12:30 - 1:30 Trombone 1:30 - 2:30 Tuba/Euphonium
Mon., Sept. 24 & Tues., Sept. 25: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Meany Hall, Room 268
2:30 - 3:30 Oboe 3:30 - 5:00 Clarinet Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 9:30 - 11:45 Flute 12:00 - 1:30 Percussion 1:30 - 2:45 Saxophone
Orchestral Strings Auditions Meany Hall, Room 268
UW Symphony Orchestra: Monday, Sept. 24, 2018 - 5:30 to 9 pm Campus Philharmonia Orchestras: Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018 - 5:30 to 9 pm UW Symphony Orchestra: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018 - 3:30 to 6:30 pm
Music Building, Room 213
Jazz Division Auditions Music Building, Room 35
Studio Jazz Ensemble (UW Big Band) Sept. 27 & 28, 4 – 6 pm (Trumpet, Trombone, Sax) Tues., Oct. 2, 4 – 6 pm (Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums)
Can I play without an audition? Yes! Several of our band and choral ensembles are open to all performers. Follow the link below to find detailed information about each area of performance. www.music.washington.edu/ensembles
Modern Band Thursday, Sept. 27, 12:30 - 2:20 pm Small Jazz Combos Thursday, Sept. 27, 2:30 - 3:20 pm
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Navigating Seattle’s music scene Go-to venues in and around the U-District Courtesy of Neumos By Christine McManigal The Daily
Paramount Theatre To experience one of Seattle’s oldest and most attractive venues, hop on the light rail and exit at the Westlake stop. The Paramount is your destination for those once-in-a-lifetime shows. While it takes some planning in advance, you can see performers and speakers such as John Mulaney, Hillary Clinton, or Joe Biden. While the shows are certainly the focus of the evening, be sure to appreciate the architecture and ambience of the theater, such as the frescoes, the art deco moulding, and crystal chandeliers.
in the spring. The Neptune features Renaissance Revival architecture, perfect for this fall’s upcoming revival shows such as Mudhoney, a famous Seattle band from our stint in grunge; The Scientists; and 3OH!3.
Neumos For those 21 and over, there’s more to Capitol Hill than savvy bars like Neighbors. On Pike Street is Neumos, a small and cozy music venue for today’s current music. This month, Neumos will be hosting STRFKR and Chief Keef. For something a little quieter and not so mainstream, head downstairs to Barboza to listen to up-and-coming musicians.
Neptune Theatre
Showbox SoDo
For music that’s close to home, the Neptune is your easiest trip with the venue on Northeast 45th Street, one block off of the the Ave. Feel free to grab some boba from ShareTea as you wait in line for your show. Use the Neptune for two different occasions: watching concerts or showings for the Seattle International Film Festival
While the Showbox SoDo is a bit of a journey from our U-District estuary, it’s a refreshing change of scenery to experience the backstreets of Seattle, with the gorgeous skyline always in sight. The Showbox SoDo has no theme, the venue simply hosts talented artists. Some of which are household names, and some of
which are somewhat up and coming. In the past, the venue has hosted Bleachers and Charlie XCX. This fall, you can catch Yaeji and Hobo Johnson & the Lovemakers. While you’ll be a bit far from home, you can walk to Krispy Kreme for a doughnut while you wait for your Uber back home.
The Crocodile Experience a new side of downtown Seattle by heading to Belltown. You have Under the Needle Tattoo, Hookah lounges, FOB Poke, and The Crocodile. Honestly, Belltown is basically everything but the kitchen sink and The Crocodile reflects that in its music. But one thing is consistent, this funny little music venue is your go to spot for fresh local music. Hop on the Lightrail, get off at Westlake, and go for a little stroll. See what you like and try out some new music in one of Seattle’s newest neighborhoods. Reach Managing Editor Christine McManigal at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @clmcman
Intro to dancing in Seattle Illustrations Editor Taylor Hammes By Nicole Atmadja The Daily Dance in Seattle has slowly progressed to incorporate a wide range of styles, from Cuban Latin dancing to hip-hop originating from the working class of New York. Dance is a universal expression of communication, art, and emotion, which creates a story that transcends through time and language to be interpreted by both performer and viewer. Whether its theatrical, performance, or social dancing, there is a diverse collection of dance scenes in Seattle that will appeal to your inner (and experimental) dancer. Salsa Club at UW With its evolution from early Cuban dance and its influence from Latin American communities, salsa dancing has gained a large social following and emerged as a prevalent dance scene in Seattle. The Salsa Club at UW embodies this colorful style of social dancing at its weekly, two-hour meetings. The first hour is dedicated to an officer-led lesson, starting at the beginner level and increasing difficulty as the quarter progresses, and the second hour allows for social dancing practice with fellow members of the club. Although the focus is on salsa dancing most weeks, some weeks showcase other types of Latin dances like bachata. Membership is $10 for the quarter and includes discounts to quarterly social events. Club members also frequently organize outings to local clubs,
dance studios, and outdoor festivals to practice and improve their salsa dancing skills, and just have fun. Little Red Hen Located in the beautifully forested Green Lake neighborhood, Little Red Hen is a glimpse of the current South. Little Red Hen is a country-western bar that encourages various country dancing like the two-step, cowboy cha-cha, and East Coast swing. Little Red Hen is an inviting, beginner-friendly country bar with free country dance lessons at 8 p.m. Sundays through Tuesdays, positioned directly in front of a performance stage. Once lessons are over, that performance stage is occupied by a live band that enthusiastically carries the remainder of the night as an open social dance. Depending on the day, the cover charge ranges from no cover to $5 Friday and Saturday nights. There is never a dull night at Little Red Hen because aside from dancing, they have an alternating live music lineup and even karaoke nights. UW Hip Hop Student Association Hip-hop grew from a political and cultural movement by the working class of New York City in the 1970s. Open to all students, Hip Hop Student Association (HHSA) has created a community of students who have an interest in hip-hop or anything related, including culture, lifestyle, and fashion. They host performanc-
es, workshops, and the popular b-boying and b-girling battle competitions. With a growing hip-hop dance scene in Seattle, becoming involved with HHSA is a great way to practice and learn from a community of passionate dancers. No auditions are necessary, as its members encourage participation from anyone who is interested. All that is needed is a filled-out application before the deadline and an excitement for hip-hop.
Century Ballroom Built in 1908, the historic Oddfellows Hall in Capitol Hill houses Century Ballroom on its second floor. The dance hall is located in one venue and a restaurant in the venue across the hall, making this is a great place to dine and dance. At Century Ballroom, there are social dance nights with a wide variety of styles, including waltz, swing, kizomba, and tap. Ballroom dancing is encouraged for all experience levels and ages by providing lessons, priced at $65 per person for a five-week series or $55 per person for a four-week series. Alternatively, it offers drop-in classes, generally priced at $15 per one-hour class or $20 per one-and-a-halfhour class. With its vintage, elegant dĂŠcor and large, wooden dance floor, this venue looks and feels like a classic ballroom. Reach writer Nicole Atmadja at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @AtmadjaNicole
An intro to comedy in Seattle Jayna Milan By Chase Farley The Daily After a hard day’s work, a cathartic fit of laughter is the best medicine to de-stress from being boundless, failing forward, or whatever else our slogan writers say we are doing this year. Seattle is home to great venues which showcase stand-up and improvisational theater. Live comedy is perfect for getting out of the house whether it’s for a date, a night out with friends, or because you need a couple of drinks and a reason to laugh. STAND-UP The common picture of live comedy that comes to mind is stand-up comedy, with one performer standing on stage telling jokes. While larger names will stop by one of Seattle’s larger theaters like The Neptune Theatre or The Showbox, underneath the surface of the mainstream are the comedy clubs which feature lesser known talents and nurture future stars. Comedy clubs offer an intimate setting putting you right up close to the performer. These clubs will have open mics where anyone can sign up to do a short set and you will see veterans testing new material and newbies giving stand up a shot. If you’re interested in seeing what Seattle comedians have to offer, want to see some fantastic touring comedians, or give stand up a shot yourself, I recommend these clubs. Comedy Underground Comedy Underground fits the image of a classic comedy club. It is submerged beneath the historic buildings of Pioneer Square and features classic brick walls in an intimate atmosphere you would see in a “Seinfeld” opening. This is fitting because they have hosted an impressive amount of notable comics since opening their doors in 1981.
Its Monday night open mics and Tuesday call back night, which feature the best of the Monday comics, are both under $10 and you can witness comics working out unpolished material. Wednesdays showcase the best of Seattle’s comics for a $10 cover. Check the calendar on its website for the latest comics coming into town and other specials events. Laughs Comedy Club Laughs Comedy Club brings stand-up right to our area, as it is just a short walk or shorter bus ride away on Roosevelt Way Northeast and Northeast 52nd Street. With backgrounds in comedy and the restaurant business, owners Dave and Angela Dennison and Terry Taylor have worked to create a comedy club where everyone gets the best experience possible. With seating that gives each person an unobstructed view and a state of the art soundsystem projecting the jokes, everyone is guaranteed a good time. Laughs is open Wednesday through Sunday and has one or two shows per night. Wednesdays are open mic night which have no cover charge. Thursday night events depend on the week. Weekends feature headliners who often perform two shows: an early show at 8 p.m. which is 18 and over and a late show at 10 p.m. which is 21 and over. Though the age range is different, there are no content rules, so if the comedian doesn’t change it, the shows should be mostly the same. Headliner shows usually range from $15 to $20 and feature some big names in comedy, including Hannibal Buress, who came last April. Laughs serves American fare for a good price, most dishes being $10 or less. For drinks they have a great selection of beer and wine as well as a great specialty cocktail menu. Laughs is great for a weeknight out or catching some of the best names in
comedy on the weekend. IMPROV Along with stand-up, Seattle has a wealth of options for improv. Improvisational theater is exactly what it sounds like, theater that is made up on the spot. If you have seen “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” you have seen improv. If you haven’t, think “Saturday Night Live” but without scripts and you get to tell them what to do. Improv comes in many forms but, for the most part it, can be summed up as an art form in which performers create humorous scenes, often within the structure of a game or form and with suggestions from the audience. Improv has been around for a long time, but many of Seattle’s improv troupes got their start in the ‘90s and have seen increased popularity over the years. Jet City Improv It is hard to miss Jet City Improv’s giant yellow theatre on the northern end of the Ave. Jet City has been around since 1992 performing all around Seattle until it found its current home in 2003. For the 26 years the troupes have been performing they’ve had one mission: “To educate, enlighten, and entertain audiences through the art of improvisation.” Its flagship show, which has been going strong for all 26 years, features short form with a mix of classic improv games and brand new creations, all fueled by audience participation. They also have their “Twisted Flicks” series once a month, where performers improvise dialogue over muted terrible movies. Another show is its “27th season,” in which performers do long-form improvised plays. September is Indie Month, when all 35plus improv groups are invited to perform on Jet City’s stage. There will be four to
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five groups every Thursday and Friday night, and it is a great opportunity to see what Jet City and Improv is all about. Tickets are usually $18 at the door but are cheaper if you buy in advance. Jet City also gives discounts for large groups and students. In addition, it partners with many local charities and will sometimes give discounts on concessions to people who can donate. If you are looking to get more involved with Seattle’s improv community, or ticket prices are still a little steep for you, you can sign up to be a volunteer for Jet City. Volunteers are expected to volunteer for three shows a month. With that you get a seat to watch the show after your shift is done, free admission for you and a guest to any show you are not working, and discounted tuition on its improv classes. Unexpected Productions If you are looking to get out of the University District for some improv fun, I recommend checking out Unexpected Productions. Founded in 1988 after years of performing with Seattle TheatreSports at The Comedy Underground, it is Seattle’s longest running Improv theater. Unexpected Productions moved into its current home at the Market Theater in Pike Place Market in 1991. Rumor has it that it was
patrons of the troupe that began the gum wall when they started sticking coins to the wall while waiting in line to get in. Featuring both improv shows and classes, Unexpected Productions is a great place to immerse yourself in improv culture. Being the longest running improv theater in Seattle, going to a show here is getting the opportunity to be a part of Seattle’s rich theater history. It is the perfect destination for a special night out. You can get a nice dinner at one of Pike Place’s many restaurants, catch an improv show, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the waterfront at night. The Collective The Collective is our very own, student-run UW improv troupe. Its mission is “to bring the community together through laughter,” as AJ Sherman, the co-director of The Collective, said. “[We want to] create a welcoming environment for people to relax, let loose, and enjoy a shared experience.” The Collective performs at the Ethnic Cultural Center Theater about every other Friday, although shows can vary. Shows are typically $5 and content will vary depending on the show’s theme. You can see short-form improv, long-form narrative improv, and more. One year they even did a UW-themed musical.
Radiating the Joy of the Gospel from the Heart of Seattle Since 1908
What makes The Collective truly special among Seattle comedy is that it is made up of and for students. The performers on stage are not professionals but fellow huskies that go through the same academic struggles we go through. Inside jokes that the rest of the world may not understand will get a huge laugh, like the struggles of CHEM 142 or getting a computer at Odegaard. Beyond inside jokes, being part of the UW community means “being conscientious of avoiding offensive humor” Sherman said, while “creating an inclusive environment.” Like the broader improv community, The Collective has a cast from diverse backgrounds. While some come from a theater background and are part of the UW School of Drama, they represent many majors across the UW spectrum. If you are interested in joining The Collective auditions are going to be October 15-16. No experience is necessary, and the audition will be a fun experience for all. Reach writer Chase Farley at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @GChaseFarley
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The Daily — Back to School
Seeking cinema A brief tour of Seattle’s arthouse movie theaters
By Sophie Aanerud The Daily Seattle is a city in flux. Anyone who has ever stolen a glance at the crane-choked skyline can tell you that. And sadly, much of this transformation seems to be occuring at the expense of the historic, the underground, and the weird as the city transforms into a place that caters to tech boys and rich investors seeking easy returns instead. While many, including yours truly, will bemoan the apparent washing over of the city’s rich and complex history with Hardie panels and millenial-catered chains, one can’t lose faith. The artistic soul of strange Seattle, which fostered grunge, the Solstice Parade, the pink toe truck, and the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, perseveres. Be you a long-term Seattleite in mourning or a recent transfer trying to understand the historic cultural heart of this special city, a good place to start, believe it or not, is a night out at the movies. Yes, Seattle’s once thriving independent cinema scene is not what it once was. The abrupt 2017 closure of the Seven Gables and Guild 45th Theaters left many independent cinema connoisseurs in despair, and there remains concern that other independent local theaters will follow suit. However, the independent Seattle arthouse theater remains, just make sure to visit soon because who knows what the future may hold.
Varsity Theatre Passing down the Ave, it is hard to miss the flashing bulbs and twisting neon lights that announce the Varsity Theatre. Located in the historic Meister Building, the Varsity has been in operation since 1940, when it was a single-screen theater. A renovation in the 1980s expanded the theater to house three screens.
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Owned since 2015 by the local, Bainbridge Island-based theater operating company, Far Away Entertainment, which emphasizes the importance of historic preservation, the Varsity Theatre feels very much in touch with its past. While this respect for originality does result in a few inconveniences (the air conditioning has been known to fail on hot summer days), the Varsity’s 1940s charm is sure to add to any cinematic excursion.
Historic Admiral While a bit of a commute from the U-District, West Seattle’s Historic Admiral movie theater is well worth the journey. Opened first in 1919 as the Portola, it then expanded and was renamed in 1942. This marine-themed theater has held official status as a Seattle city landmark since the 1990s. The moviehouse additionally underwent a $1.7 million renovation in 2016. Originally two screens, the Historic Admiral now features four screens, but maintains its iconic nautical murals and seahorse cutouts over the exit signs. Like the Varsity Theatre, the Historic Admiral also is operated by Far Away Entertainment.
Ark Lodge Cinemas This independently-owned moviehouse could be considered young as it celebrated its grand reopening in 2012 and the building has, in fact, only served as a moviehouse since 2002. This isn’t to say, however, that Ark Lodge Cinemas lacks character and whispers from decades past. Constructed in 1921 as a Masonic lodge, the basic organizational unit of the
Jordan Pickett Freemasons, the Ark Lodge building not only lends itself perfectly to the needs of moviegoers, but in fact feels as if it has never been anything but a quirky moviehouse. This independently-operated neighborhood staple even features an intimate “Prestige Room,” dedicated exclusively to art film viewings. Very Seattle, no? The Grand Illusion If there exists a space which truly embodies the concept of arthouse cinema in Seattle, it has to be The Grand Illusion, which is conveniently located within a few blocks of the UW campus. Self-titled the “longest-running independent cinema in the city,” The Grand Illusion has been operated independently since 1968. And though it was scheduled for closure in 1997, this gem was saved by the Northwest Film Forum, and boy are we grateful. After passing through a delightfully quirky foyer complete with colorful concessions and a charming mannequin, visitors enter the intimate screening room. While a thing of strange beauty in and of itself, don’t let the auditorium’s rich velvet curtains and textured tin ceiling distract you from the movie for, if it is playing at The Grand Illusion, it is sure to be independent, weird, and wonderful.
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SIFF Cinema Egyptian Perhaps the Freemasons were actually cinema aficionados dedicated to the establishment of glamorous buildings constructed for the purpose of someday housing unique independent theaters. OK, maybe not, but it does seem that former Masonic quarters prove ideal homes for Seattle cinema. Case-in-point is the SIFF Cinema Egyptian which, similar to Ark Lodge Cinemas, inhabits a former Masonic Temple built in 1915. The SIFF Cinema Egyptian began its cinematic history in 1980 when founders of the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) turned one of the building’s auditoriums into a grandiose, ancient Egyptian-themed moviehouse, complete with golden columns adorned with hieroglyphic-inspired patterns. While the theater has changed hands various times since its inception (since 2015 it has been again under SIFF’s jurisdiction), it maintains its iconic facade and propensity toward the artistic and indie. SIFF Cinema Uptown The SIFF Cinema Uptown is, along with the SIFF Cinema Egyptian, one of SIFF’s
The Grand Illusion
Taylor Bayly
three year-round locations. Opened in 1926 as a single-screen silent moviehouse, the SIFF Cinema Uptown, in addition to two more screening rooms added in 1984, still maintains that original 1926 auditorium. Allow the SIFF Cinema Uptown’s brilliant and vintage neon marquee to draw you in, then stay for its array of
independent films. Just don’t forget to admire the space. Moviegoers have been doing just this since before films had sound. Reach writer Sophie Aanerud at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @thesraanerud
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The Daily — Back to School
WELLNESS
The little student that could How you can balance work and school and jumpstart your career Christine Lee By Hannah Pickering The Daily Work is fun. I get to make money, develop life skills that I can use in any variety of situations, develop relationships with colleagues that often extend outside of the workplace, and get a better of a sense of what I want to do in my career postgraduation. That’s the silver lining to what can be a tricky life to navigate, especially once classes are in full swing and I am juggling deadlines, shifts at work, and a lagging social life into a very limited calendar. Yikes, right? That being said, I don’t want to leave my fellow students with the impression that working outside of school can’t be done or done well. I know many students who are doing amazing jobs accomplishing both. As a student entering my final quarters of college, I’ve had a bit of time to look both over the past four years of my life and reflect on what skills are really critical to successfully balancing school and work responsibilities, as well as identifying the benefits of being a working student. If you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, or even a senior who is curious about how to navigate the professional world after you walk in your cap and gown next June, you’re in the right place. And
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don’t just take it from me; other students and a UW career coach have some insights to add. In a nutshell, the coaching team at the UW Career Center helps students connect their skills with the next job, career coach Daniel Poux said in a phone interview. It’s normal not to have a sharp idea of what your career path is going to be, and if you end up changing this path like your major, you’re not alone. “You always have to start early when you’re looking for internships,” Poux said. Poux admitted that it can be hard to juggle jobs with school. But what may be hard is certainly not impossible, so let’s hear what wisdom people in the UW community can share.
Develop skills Skills that both universities (this applies to graduate school) and future employers will look for don’t only include stellar grades (especially for the latter). What’s important is that you demonstrate you have skills that are directly applicable to that specific position. Showing that you were able to work while attending school proves that you possess valuable time management skills. “I think one difficulty is finding the motivation to do both,” UW senior Isabel
Knox said. “On days I have tests or need to study, it is difficult to have a drive to go to work or even hard to give up my time to work as opposed to preparing for a test.” Focus on developing organization skills and time management, Poux said. These are both skills that have saved me a lot of heartache over the last few years. During those weeks when you’re juggling three finals, a couple essays to write out of thin air, and some shifts to cover at work, you may feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions. “Organization: you need to be able to know where to be and when, as well as how to prioritize your time in order to be at work when needed, but accomplish school tasks as well,” Knox said. But it isn’t an impossible situation. What it requires is that you use every minute wisely and learn to prioritize what is most important to you. Stamina was the word that Anna Sitta, who graduated from the UW in June, used to describe a skill that you’ll need to develop in order to best navigate a schoolwork-life balance. “When things get hectic and you’re more stressed out than usual (finals, anyone?), all while having deadlines and expectations to meet both at school and work, it’s easy to want to give up,” Sitta said in an email.
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Think late nights when you’re coming home from work and still have several hours of studying to do under the increasingly harsh glare of your desk lamp. “To avoid quitting and/or compromising your long-term success, you’ve got to constantly remind yourself why all that you’re doing is (or will be) worth it,” Sitta said. “Motivation, perspective, and selfcare will get you there.”
in the long run or was even related to my career interest, I found that the customer service skills that I developed, as well as leadership abilities, time management, and relationship building have been valuable both personally and professionally.
What if your part-time job is just a money machine and not a career engine?
So, what’s the value that we can glean and that will make the stress and loss of sleep worth it? “For me personally, it helps me mature as I learn a work-life-school balance. It also allows me to have money to buy groceries, … splurge on a trip or treat every so often, treat my friends to a birthday gift, and much more.” According to Sitta, having that prior work experience before graduating distinguished her as she went out to navigate the professional world and apply for jobs. “Going into interviews for post-grad jobs with a healthy resume made me feel like I had an advantage and one less thing to worry about,” Sitta said. “And ultimately, beyond what recruiters and
Maybe your job is just that: a job, a way to get some cash flowing your way. Maybe it doesn’t relate to your major or future career. You can still get value out of that experience. Poux suggests that students in this case translate their work experience to apply to a new position. What skills did you get out of that part-time job at Starbucks or Safeway that makes you a good candidate for an internship or your first job after you graduate? I worked in retail sales for about four and a half years, and while it wasn’t a position that I anticipated keeping
Tell me this job has benefits (literally)
interviewers think, I was able to count on what I learned during my internships and the act of balancing, managing, and prioritizing tasks.”
What can you jumpstart today? The benefit of having access to the Career Center and working part time is that you have the opportunity develop the skills you will need when you graduate (and that day will come) and start looking for your first “official” full-time job. Whatever that kind of job will look like, there are skills that you can develop now that will benefit your future career. If you are a UW student and looking for career coaching or on the hunt for a job, you can check out the UW Career Center’s service hours at careers.uw.edu, or visit Handshake, the UW’s online job and internship database, to browse open positions and schedule appointments with career coaches. Reach writer Hannah Pickering at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @Hannah_Pick95
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Saunas in Seattle By Alyson Podesta The Daily
Taylor Hammes The academic year is beginning, and this means over the coming months the weather will get grayer, the temperature will begin to drop, and stress levels will start to rise. One inevitable byproduct of the changing seasons combining with the typical school-year sleep deficiency is getting sick: the flu, the common cold, or at least general exhaustion. If you’re anything like me, as your health gets a little shaky, you’ll start investigating any new wellness trends you can find in an effort to be your best self during the school year. The traditional practice of saunaing, while by no means a new trend, is gaining traction as a way to improve general health. As urban saunas, spas, and sweat lodges begin popping up in most cities, there’s no doubt that more and more people will incorporate sweating into their self-care routines. My mom’s DIY cure for congestion, whether it was from allergies or something contagious, was always steam. Whenever I
When a condom doesn’t catch it Who should get tested for STIs and what to know By Grace Harmon The Daily Everyone approaches sex a little differently, but not everyone who is sexually active is educated on how to safely approach sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are a lot of potential diseases out there with complicated names like trichomoniasis and silly myths like the ability to get an STI from a toilet seat (you can’t, by the way). Nearly all STIs can only be spread by contact with blood, semen, or vaginal discharge. Whether you are just becoming sexually
started to sniff, she insisted I take longer, hotter showers every day while sick, and sit in the bathroom after until the steam had cleared. This (admittedly lo-fi) method never fails, as steam thins and clears mucus. An additional benefit is that the heat relaxes your muscles, and the entire experience is calming. However, you can take the benefits of steam and heat further. Nowadays, my go-to antidote for congestion is a visit to a real steam room and sauna. This combination has become a favorite remedy for many other ailments, as well. In many cultures, household saunas or regular trips to sweat lodges are commonplace, and recent studies have found an impressive number and range of health benefits that support the longevity of this practice. Many of the more impressive benefits of saunaing are connected to its effect on blood flow. It has been shown to decrease blood pressure and positively affect artery and blood vessel health. It also can lower inflammation in blood, leading to a number of positive health impacts. The feeling of relaxation you experience after a sauna may be more than a passing feeling, too. Regular usage of sauna heat therapy can have positive impacts on your overall mental health, raising your relaxation level and lowering your stress. Seattle has a number of available saunas. If you go to a gym or fitness studio, chance are that it has at least a dry sauna, if not a steam room and hot tub. These are always great for recovery after exercising, but if in a pinch you can always head to the IMA to use the sauna alone. If you have the time to make your sauna experience into more of a venture, though, a great place to start is Capitol Hill’s Hothouse
Sauna & Spa. This spa is women only, though other saunas in Seattle are co-ed. This location is tiny, but this adds to its coziness. It’s tucked away under a building, so look for a stairway down from the street. For the day rate of $18, you can access the sauna, steam room, hot tub, cold plunge, and small meditation area. Hothouse is open from noon to midnight Wednesday through Monday, with last entry allowed at 11 p.m. Inside, it’s dim and quiet, with only a limited amount of bathers allowed at one time. This minimalist, hidden sauna is perfect if you’ve never gone to a sauna or spa before. If you are looking for more of a full-on spa day, try Ladywell’s Vitality Spa & Sauna in Greenwood. To use the saunas, it’s more expensive at $39 for a day pass. Ladywell’s definitely has more options, though; with a dry sauna (at 180 degrees), steam room, infrared sauna, and hot, cool, and cold soak pools, you could spend all day here. This is another women-only spa, and like Hothouse, it also offers traditional day spa services like massages. The interior is cute and colorful, and it has a silent meditation room for in between sweat sessions. If you’re looking for a co-ed spa and sauna space, check out Banya 5. This is a bathhouse, with similar amenities to Ladywell’s. If you’re specifically interested in using infrared saunas, which are being explored as a possible treatment for chronic pain, City Sweats has locations in Madison Park and Wallingford.
active or want to start being safer, the two big questions on your mind may be what kind of STI testing do I need and how often should I be screened? The answers to these questions depend on your age, risk level, and sexual behavior. The two most common STIs are gonorrhea and chlamydia. You should get tested for these two diseases at least annually if you’re: a sexually active female, a sexually active female with a new sexual partner or multiple partners, a man who has sex with other men, have HIV, or if you have been forced to have intercourse or any sexual activity against your own consent. No matter how sexually active you are, you should know that birth control methods such as the pill or an IUD may protect against pregnancy but give no protection at all against STIs.
If you have been forced or coerced to have intercourse or any sexual activity against your own consent, you can go to the Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress for STI screening, counseling, and crisis intervention. Even if you’ve only had sex with one partner and always use protection, you should still get tested at least once. The big reason for this is that many STIs can cause damage to your body but not show any symptoms initially, particularly for women. For example, chlamydia is one of the most common STIs for women under 25 and often has no symptoms. Unless you get tested, you may not know you have it and the resulting effects can cause serious damage to your reproductive system and could even cause infertility later in life.
Reach Special Sections Editor Alyson Podesta at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @alyson_podesta
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Generally, if you are sexually active with multiple partners, don’t or didn’t use a condom, or even if you just had sex with a new partner and want to be certain, you should get screened for at least chlamydia and gonorrhea and perhaps get a full screening that includes HIV, herpes, syphilis, and hepatitis C and B. Most STIs won’t be present on a test immediately after exposure, so read up to find out how long you may need to wait to get tested. High-risk behavior for STIs is defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as people who have anal, vaginal, or oral sex without a condom, have multiple sexual partners, have anonymous sexual partners, or have sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol which lower inhibitions and increase risk-taking behavior. You may notice that a lot of these factors are part of the lifestyles of many college students, meaning that a lot of young adults fall under the umbrella of being highrisk. It has been shown that young adults aged 15 to 24 account for nearly half of the 20 million STI cases that occur in the United States every year. An even scarier number? A survey showed that only 12 percent of this age group got tested in the last year. So even if you know that you are clean and get tested regularly, don’t be afraid to check in
with your sexual partners or ask them to get tested and show you their results. Individuals who are at a higher risk for catching an STI, as well as for contracting HIV, should get tested more frequently than other populations. All individuals aged 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once in their lives, so if you have never been tested for HIV this is a great time to do it. It has been shown that young adults aged 15 to 24 account for nearly half of the 20 million STI cases that occur in the United States every year.
High-risk groups for HIV should get tested more frequently. If you share drug use equipment such as needles or have unprotected sex, you should get tested at least once a year. Men who have sex with men, particularly those with multiple or anonymous sexual partners, benefit from HIV testing every three to six months as well as screening at least annually for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
While the focus of this article is being better informed on when to get tested and how to stay safe while sexually active, remember that even if you contract an STI it isn’t the end of the world and it isn’t a mark of who you are as a person. Half of all sexually active people under the age of 25 will contract an STI, and it doesn’t mean you are in any way a bad person. There is treatment for most STIs and even long-term infections like HIV and herpes have very effective medications you can take to live a happy, healthy, sex-filled life. The important thing is to take care of your body, continue getting regularly tested, and be honest with your partners. STI testing can be done at Hall Health on campus, any Planned Parenthood location, or at your local doctors office. If you are concerned about the cost that frequent STI testing can impose, places like Planned Parenthood can often provide testing for free or at a reduced price if you have insurance. To find more testing locations, check out GYTNOW.org to find testing locations near you or text your zip code to GYTNOW (498669) to get info on local testing locations. Reach writer Grace Harmon at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @grace_viv
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The Daily — Back to School
What to know before starting school: Vaccinations Carol Lee By Alyson Podesta The Daily In a college setting, the need for vaccinations is vital. With large groups of students living in tight quarters — such as dorms, sororities, fraternities, or community houses — sickness can spread like wildfire. However, getting vaccinated is a responsibility that students often neglect. Incoming UW students are required to show immunity to measles or rubella. Thus, the main vaccination most students at the UW receive is the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. “The gold standard in the U.S. is that people will get two MMR vaccines,” Patricia Atwater, director of health promotion at Hall Health, said. However, sometimes students will get only a measles vaccine, or only measles and rubella vaccine, but students within health sciences are generally required to show immunity to additional diseases, and this is done on an annual basis. According to a 2015 National College Health Assessment study that sampled an estimated 600 subjects at the UW, 41 percent of responders had not received a flu vaccination in the past 12 months. While many young people are very active in seeking out and learning about health care, many aren’t aware of the need for vaccinations until further into adulthood. It can be difficult to know where to begin with vaccinations. According to Atwater, a good first step is making sure you get the flu vaccine every year. This will improve the odds that you don’t get the flu, or at least get a lesser flu. “Often what I hear is, ‘I never get sick,’” Atwater said. “If you get the flu, your average duration of symptoms is one to two weeks, think about how that is a significant portion of the quarter that
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you’re looking at.” Even if you believe you are not sick, you can catch the flu and be infectious to others without displaying symptoms. Students can get flu shots at Hall Health on a drop-in basis, and they’ll be available at pharmacies by the end of the September or early October. Another very important step is completing the HPV vaccination series, which consists of three vaccines and protects against nine strains of HPV. Vaccination rates for this series are unfortunately fairly low nationwide. “I think HPV can feel really overwhelming to people as they learn more about it, that it’s so prevalent,” Atwater said. “The fact is that HPV can be passed just from skin-to-skin contact, and can cause cancer.” Hepatitis B and meningitis are also important to consider. “Hepatitis is unfortunately pretty common with people with Asian heritage,” Atwater said. “Getting vaccinated is really important with people in those communities.” Meningitis outbreaks have occurred on college campuses, and the disease can lead to permanent disability or death. There are two meningitis vaccinations, and one is recommended for college-aged students while the other, for meningitis B, is recommended that you talk with your health care provider about whether or not to get it. Symptoms of illness and disease often overlap with the experiences of students who may have temporarily lowered standards of health due to factors such as less sleep or academic stress. If you’re unsure whether or not something is a sign of a health problem, reach out to the consulting nurse at Hall Health via phone or in person. Make sure you have a thermometer
on hand — if you have an ongoing fever, it will help the nurses to know about the nature of the fever. With the mumps outbreaks on campus of recent years, avoiding this illness may be at the forefront of many students’ minds. Aside from receiving the MMR vaccine, there are simple prevention techniques that can help protect you. Make sure to wash your hands frequently and not to share things that have touched other people’s mouths, especially during winter and spring. Prioritize sleep, so your body is healthy enough to fight disease. There are many things you can do to protect yourself from disease, but the threat of sickness can be scary. If you are taking care of yourself and are proactive about protecting yourself, you are in good shape. If you’re looking to get vaccinated, start planning now. If you have insurance, any necessary preventative care should be covered in full with any contracted provider. If you don’t have insurance or are unsure about insurance, reach out to Atwater in Hall Health. Insurance is by no means a requirement for vaccination, and there are many other options. The beginning of the year is the ideal time to find a medical provider too, especially if your primary care physician is located out of state or far from campus. If you establish care practices before getting sick, it will be easier to deal with health problems as they arise. Check the Husky Guide for the Health Insurance Checklist to ensure that you’re prepared for the coming year. Reach Special Sections Editor Alyson Podesta at specials@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @alyson_podesta