The L asso On the scene since 1914
Student-run newspaper | Never a dull moment
WEDNESDAY, January 28, 2015 | Vol. 102, No. 2
Denton campus
Union’s future in students’ hands Lauren Meyer discusses pros and costs of a new ‘U’
Opinions:
Matt Olson Reporter molson3@twu.edu Next Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 3 and 4, all TWU students are encouraged to vote in the Student Union Referendum. If students vote yea, then the three-and-a-half year process of finding and hiring an architect, planning and eventually renovating Hubbard Hall — or a yet undecided Denton campus building — to fit a new Student Union will begin. Current plans suggest that the new union would be ready Fall 2018. If students vote nay, then the matter will be dropped, and the current Student Union will be maintained until student demand prompts a future referendum. Students have raised several concerns with the Student Union Office, including funding for the forthcoming parking garage, current housing issues and the student fee increase. Student Union Program Coordinator Lauren Meyer addressed these concerns, noting that the parking garage and housing programs fall under separate
Editor-in-Chief Shelby Baker discusses parents that watch too closely.
Community: Copy Editor Savannah Peer outlines Banter Bistro’s closing.
Lifestyle: Photo by Tammi Paul
Above: A crowd of students gather daily in the Student Union’s small purple lounge at lunchtime.
departments with separate funding. She stated: “Both [the parking garage and housing plans] are moving forward, as well as a new Union. Those things have separate processes, and the ball has already started rolling for them.” In response to concerns about the student fee increase, Meyer said: “It is a continual process of paying it forward as students at TWU. Students, about seven years ago, approved
a student fee increase for the Fitness and Recreation Center, which was previously on the first floor of Jones Hall. That is obviously something our students right now are beneficiaries of because of students who came before them. This is another opportunity for our students right now to really pay it forward to the next generation of TWU students and to make this campus better than when they found it.”
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Gymnasts host at home First home meet sees TWU finish in 2nd against NC State Alex Ancira Managing Editor aancira@twu.edu
Nadiyah Suleiman Page Editor nsuleiman@twu.edu
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Currently, the Student Union fee is $38 per student each semester. If students vote in favor of a new Student Union, then the fee will increase to $150 each semester. Meyer elaborated: “It is a flat fee. It’s not incremental based on credit hours or anything like that. It is an increase of $112 per semester, to be prorated in the summer.
Page Editor Emily Nickles shares a few tips and tricks for thrift shopping in Denton.
Sports
Student finance in focus Spring semester marks the time to start thinking about what help financial aid can offer to students continuing in the summer or fall semesters. To aid students in this sometimes tedious process, the Financial Aid Department has set up Financial Aid Awareness Week to assist students in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid application process. The purpose of this Awareness Week is to encourage students to apply early and promote awareness of the financial aid process. Financial Aid Awareness Week will take place on all TWU campuses. For the Denton campus, it will be Feb. 2-5. For the Houston campus it will be Feb. 2-3, and for the Dallas campus it will take place from Jan. 26-30. Trained staff members will be at varying locations throughout the campuses to conduct the awareness sessions. The sessions will be very informal and students are free to ask any questions they may have. ...
Inside The Lasso this week:
Photo by Tammi Paul
TWU’s Pioneer gymnastics team placed second of two teams against visiting NC State on Sunday, Jan. 25, with a 193.275 score, compared to NC State’s 196.175 score. Led by senior gymnast Courtney Cochefski, the team finished strong in the meet after having early trouble on the balance beam. In 2015’s first home meet, TWU opened with vault scores led by senior Kayla Jones with a 9.775, followed by first-year students Mallory Moredock with a 9.650 and Schyler Jones with a 9.625. The team score for that event was a 48.175, according to TWU’s press release. TWU’s second rotation, the uneven bars, was
a strong outing for the team as five gymnasts scored at least a 9.700. The following rotation on balance beam was where the team seemed to have trouble for the second straight meet, according to the TWU press release. With two falls tallied and a total score of 47.525 for that rotation, the Pioneers quickly moved to the floor routine to help make up for lost ground. On the floor, the team posted a 48.625 score, with Junior Spencer Jones leading the team with a 9.850 contribution. This was the final rotation for the meet. Senior Stephanie Repp and Schyler Jones both competed in the all-around event, according to the ...
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Denton | Business
New coffee bar opens on Oak West Oak Coffee Bar adds another option for your daily cup of joe on The Square Nadiyah Suleiman Page Editor nsuleiman@twu.edu West Oak Coffee Bar opened Dec. 3, 2014, on The Square and it is already becoming a town favorite. Co-owners Clay Rozell and Matt Fisher are both firefighters in the DFW area. Fisher visited the West Coast and found some coffee shops he loved, but when he returned, he noticed there wasn’t anything quite like it on The Square, inspiring the opening of West Oak.
All of the coffee served at West Oak comes from Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea, a coffee roasting company that is consistently rated one of the top coffee roasters in the country. Besides serving old time favorites, such as a Macchiato, Cappuccino and a Latte, West Oak offers their own signature drink: the Chocolate Cold Brew. It’s a unique combination of Cold Brew Coffee and Chocolate Milk. Cold brew coffee is made by using about 5 pounds of coffee beans and brewing it for 12-14 hours in room temperature water;
Photo by Tammi Paul
Above: Customers crowd the long bar space with laptops as they sip their drinks at the newly opened West Oak Coffee Bar.
it has about five to six times more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee. The smooth, creamy consistency and high dose of
caffeine should make it very popular during finals.
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Opinions
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Bigger’s not better Government
Business
How do we justify Governor Abbott’s actions? Matt Olson Reporter molson3@twu.edu On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Texas’ new governor Republican Greg Abbott took office. To celebrate, an inaugural ball was held that Monday and Tuesday in the state capitol, with a Young Texans Celebration on Monday and a prayer service, swearing-in speeches, a barbecue lunch catered by state-famous Eddie Deen, and a downtown parade, followed by the Future of Texas Ball, featuring musical performances from Lady Antebellum and Pat Green. The events cost over four million dollars and was paid for by private donors and ticket sales. Though taxpayers were not responsible for footing the bill, one has to wonder whether Abbott will participate in the sort of wasteful spending his party often decries. According to a Houston Chronicle article, Abbott’s staff largely overestimated the amount of individuals who would be in attendance, predicting 17,000, while between 3,000 (reporters’ count) and 4,000 (Abbott’s staff’s count) people showed up, and much of the uneaten food — five tons of barbecued meats, 3 1/2 tons of potato salad and cole
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slaw, 340 gallons of pinto beans, 170 gallons of sauce, and 17,000 dinner rolls were ordered — was given away. Had this been an event celebrating a democratic governor’s victory, conservative pundits would jump on the opportunity to criticize such literal “government handouts.” The governor’s full list of donors has not been disclosed, but Abbott has appointed numerous donors to important positions throughout the state. Local businessman Robert Albritton donated $500,000 to Abbott and was appointed to Texas A&M System Board of Regents. Houston lawyer David Beck was similarly appointed as a University of Texas System Regent. The coming months will only reveal additional appointments to high positions from Abbott’s list of donors. When the republican party calls for transparency in government and one of its prominent gubernatorial figures refuses to implement such transparency in regards to his funding, one has to wonder whether transparency is something conservatives ultimately want or whether they claim so in order to get votes while ushering in under-the-table funding.
Crowdfunding brings opportunity
Online sites and average people explore new business models Alex Ancira Managing Editor aancira@twu.edu Did you know that you can go to the Union right now and, with enough students, charter a new organization? With enough helping hands, you can build it and they will come. That simple. In the “real world” it’s not quite that easy. First you would need an agreed upon meeting place and get the business to approve of meetings. Next you would need to pay out of pocket to rent the location for the meeting time. After that you would finally need to get enough people willing to pay a nominal membership charge to offset the cost of that rental fee. What if the world allowed for the entire market to be as open-minded and friendly as a campus’ faculty and staff is toward students? Imagine the different organizations that would be established and the different businesses that would exist to give consumers products they don’t even know they need yet. This is where
Parenting
crowdsourcing and public backing comes in. I won’t suggest that things like Kickstarter, Indiegogo and Patreon are changing the world in the blink of an eye, but it might be the beginning of a big change in industry. Online crowdfunding platform Kickstarter has brought a number of well-known products to marketplace, from successful games to art supplies and much more. As of last week, Matthew Inman’s (of “The Oatmeal” fame) collaboration, the card game Exploding Kittens, opened to a massively positive fanfare. A game with this type of crude and humorous art and with the rules of Russian roulette would probably not be made without the public’s demands. Artists are making a living on sites like Patreon, which offers different monthly backing amounts to give to the content creator in exchange for exclusive patron content. Now, patronage is nothing new. Museums have relied on this for a long time, and classical artists relied on patrons to make their living. What is new is to rely
on the general public to act as a large patron pool. Prestige of your product or service does not matter. What matters is the demand above all else, just like in college. When students decide they want an archery club, they bring members together and get it chartered and then vie for money to have equipment. Crowdfunding extends this premise to the larger market, where dreams wilt because of corporations day-in and day-out. When a student has a dream, they must pursue it because college is when you try things you may never have a chance to do again. With the internet and public funding, it is becoming easier and easier to keep that freedom to try and make something new and different. So if you have that business idea or product pitch you’ve been sitting on in your back pocket, go ahead and make that leap. Because I promise that times are changing and all of us in the crowd will be there to catch you if you’re willing to jump.
Parents: give us space Can we ground Editorial cartoon
Parents are holding their students back when they should be letting go Shelby Baker Editor-in-Chief sbaker3@twu.edu I had a friend in high school whose parents were constantly around. They supported her activities, but they were always telling her what to do, watching where she went and gave her rules that kept her from even leaving the house. She was homeschooled for a while, and her mother’s parting words the day she headed off for college were “come home every weekend.” This, ladies and gentlemen, is one example of helicopter parenting. It’s easy to spot them. They’re the parents that call a professor to discuss a test grade for their child. It’s the mom who comes by the student’s dorm once a week and does the laundry. They are the parents that have a hard time letting go of their baby, holding them back from making mistakes and learning about life. Theories abound as to why there is a sudden rise in helicopter parents. In truth,
why it’s happening doesn’t even matter as long as it stops. Horror stories from around the internet can be found where the parents moved to the student’s college town to stay close to them. Most are unwelcomed. Parents have been known to track their students through their cell phones, not just as teenagers, but as 20-year -0lds. Helicopter parents are one of the reasons Family Education Rights and Privacy Act exists. FERPA protects a student’s educational records, and once he or she is 18 or has moved on to college, the parents are not allowed access. However, this protection can be removed if a student files that the school may release these records to parents. In some cases, parents ask or tell their child to do so, removing that freedom. Parents who pay for their child’s education will claim that fact allows them the information, regardless of government and institution policies. Part of growing up is moving out — it’s part of the
developmental process. Parents who insist on maintaining a relationship in which nothing has virtually changed for the students are suffocating the need and experience of freedom. We are not meant to be with our parents or guardians forever, so helicopter parents are holding their students back when they want them to succeed. When a student is finally freed from their parents grasp, they have trouble adjusting to their new lives. Mommy and Daddy aren’t there anymore to make decisions for them, to tell them what to buy or eat, how to fix a leaky sink. The 20s are an important time in a student’s life: a journey of self discovery, a newfound understanding of freedom and, yes, a slew of bad decisions. I get it — parents want to protect their children from everything bad in the world. But that’s not realistic. It’s time for students to grow up, even if that means flying away.
The Lasso editorial staff Editor-in-Chief
Design Intern
Managing Editor
Page Editors
Shelby Baker • sbaker3@twu.edu Alexander Ancira • aancira@twu.edu
Reporters
Brian Chetoni • bchetoni@twu.edu Matt Olson • molson3@twu.edu
Photographer
Tammi Paul • tpaul1@twu.edu
Designer
Toi Ferguson • lferguson2@twu.edu
Carla Benitez Davila • cbenitezdavila@twu.edu Emily Nickles • enickles@twu.edu Nadiyah Suleiman • nsuleiman@twu.edu
Copy Editors
a new Union?
Illustration by Carla Benitez Davila
Students cling to a Union that is ballooning because of an expanding population.
All rights reserved. The Lasso is a weekly student publication of Texas Woman’s University, written and produced by students and printed at DFW Printing. Editors develop their own editorial and news policies.The presentation of news and editorials and the personal opinions expressed in The Lasso are those of Lasso staff and writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, staff, students, administration or the Regents of Texas Woman’s University.
This week’s issue Vol. 102 No. 2
Letters from Readers The Lasso Stoddard Hall Rm 311
Email lasso@twu.edu Website twulasso.com
Tiffany Lam • tlam6@twu.edu Savannah Peer • speer@twu.edu
Advisor
Rhonda Ross• rross7@twu.edu
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News
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Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Proposed Student Union
Financial Aid Awareness Week
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Specific information will be included on the vote [using] formal language.” She related that TWU’s Student Union fee would still be lower than most other Texas universities’; in comparison, UNT’s fee for its new Student Union is $167 per student each semester. Meyer addressed the current Student Union’s shortcomings: the building fails to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and has numerous fire safety issues, limited space, and poor Wi-Fi signals. While the Student Union can be modified to address the ADA and fire concerns, its size cannot be increased to fit the student population. Meyer stressed the importance of a Student Union building on campus: “A student union is supposed to be the heart of a college campus; it’s where people eat, where they hang out, where they have meetings. It should be a living room of campus, regardless of whether you’re a residential student or a commuter. It’s not serving that function right now, but a new Student Union could. It could be the living space that you lack if you live on campus and need to get out of your room or if you are needing space to hang out between classes, study, do a group project or something like
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Rendering provided by the Student Union
Above: Possible night view of campus side of Union.
that if you’re a commuter.” She added: “[The current Student Union] is not shown off currently on any kind of tour when people visit the campus.” The Student Union Office has not made any definite plans in regards to a new Student Union prior to the vote. If students vote yea, then numerous possibilities are open in regards to what the new location can house. Meyer shared: “Some things that would be up for consideration would be more dining options, more dining space, potentially a small theater that could be used as classroom
space during the day and student org or entertainment space in the evening, additional quiet space, and lounge areas. We’re certainly excited about the prospect of having a central information desk in the Student Union. That’s something our campus lacks right now, somewhere that we could have students, visitors, faculty and staff come for information about what’s going on on campus, where they can find it, campus maps, and union maps. Even in the current facility, we don’t have a centralized desk.” She ensured that Redbud Theater would not be affected by the move. On Monday, Feb. 2, the Student Union Office will hold a Backstage Tour and Party from 4-7 p.m. Meyer said: “We want to help students understand what’s going on with the vote and to get them excited about voting, and so we will have food, prizes and giveaways, and we’re bringing in a gaming truck to the visitor lot for some entertainment. We’ll do tours of the Student Union, kind of behind-the-scenes. You get to see all the really fun areas of the building that you wouldn’t see every day, like the kitchen and office areas. You’d get to know this facility and get to see why we think it’s important to renovate Hubbard Hall as a new space.” Meyers concluded: “This vote is for the students, and we will respect the vote.”
*Blacked out icons represent 2,500 students
Pedestrian safety on campus Tiffany Lam Copy Editor tlam6@twu.edu Following the death of TWU student Brenna Taylor, concerns regarding pedestrian safety have been expressed in the Denton community. Taylor was struck by a vehicle last Thursday, Jan. 19. In response to the tragedy, Denton Councilman Kevin Roden held a pedestrian safety assessment meeting at his home the night following the accident. The meeting primarily focused on unsafe pedestrian routes around The Square and connecting to UNT and
TWU. Problems ranged from blocked sidewalks to inadequate crosswalks. TWU Professor Dr. Dan Krutka rarely takes his car and chooses instead to bike and walk everywhere, including to and from the university and his home. He attended Roden’s meeting. “A lot of people at the meeting were cyclists, but there were also people that just wanted to make sure Denton was a safe place to walk and ride bikes. One mother was there because her child was almost hit by a car,” Krutka said. There is currently no formal
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follow-up meeting, but the attendees are communicating through a Facebook group in order to address the situation further. “I hope everyone is concerned about this issue because when pedestrians are killed or endangered by vehicles, it’s not an isolated incident,” Krutka said. “We create an environment that is walkable or bikable as a community.” A memorial service for Taylor hosted by the Department of Teacher Education will occur Feb. 3 in the Student Union Room 207, noon-1 p.m.
Students can also receive help filling out the application for FAFSA and information on the application process. In addition to helping students complete all the necessary forms to receive financial aid, staff members will also have information about how to apply for academic scholarships. Although the deadline for grants, on-campus work study and student loans is March 15, Director of Financial Aid Governor Jackson said: “Students should plan for FAFSA to be complete by March 1 so that the deadline is met.” The priority deadline for all state scholarships and grants is March 15 which indicates that the students who have successfully completed their FAFSA application by March 15 receive priority for the financial aid awards. Students who apply after the deadline receive awards on a funds available basis. Applications for individual scholarships can be found by clicking the TWU Pioneer Scholarship System link located on all TWU websites. During Financial Aid Awareness Week, there is also an opportunity to register for a chance to win a $100 scholarship. Jackson strongly encourages students and parents to authorize the IRS Data Retrieval process when completing the FAFSA, which allows the Internal Revenue Service to download the student’s income information
directly into the online FAFSA form. The benefit of the retrieval process is to eliminate errors and delays when receiving financial aid awards. It also reduces the probability of having to complete the verification process that can delay the processing of financial aid awards by three to six weeks. The Awareness sessions will also be able to help students fill out the 2015-16 Certification and Information Form located on the student’s TWU Pioneer Portal. This form contains federal certifications and authorizations needed for financial aid to disburse any financial aid awards to the student and should be completed after filing the FAFSA application. Financial Aid Awareness Week is an opportunity for students who are struggling with the financial aid process and could use the guidance of trained professionals. The Financial Aid Department is also going to provide Financial Aid Literacy Workshops that will focus on increasing student knowledge about budgeting, protecting credit histories, managing student loans and more. The dates for those workshops should be released at the end of this month. For more information regarding financial aid, visit http://www.twu.edu/finaid/.
Drama sells tickets Brian Chetoni Reporter bchetoni@twu.edu From Feb. 18-22, the Drama Department will be presenting two productions written by Samuel Beckett and directed by Director of the Drama Program Dr. Patrick Bynane: “Play” and “Endgame.” This production features absurdist fiction stageplays popular among 1950s playwrights. The opener, “Play,” is paralleled to Dante’s Inferno and is Beckett’s own take on hell. Bynane said: “The Drama Department hasn’t done any absurdity plays yet, or at least
in the eight years I’ve been here. It will be something great to see.” “Endgame” is the headliner for the night and focuses on the reality of needing someone you do not like. Bynane described these plays as “experimental modern and fresh.” Students, children, and senior citizens can purchase tickets for $5. Adults can purchase tickets for $10. The Feb. 21 2 p.m. showing is “pay what you can.” For more information or to reserve tickets, go to http://www. twu.edu/drama/box-office.asp.
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Community
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
twulasso.com
West Oak Coffee Bar 940’s to replace Banter Community | Store opening
off the historic square
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Banter Bistro to close its doors in two months, property already claimed by new 940’s bar. Savannah Peer Copy Editor speer@twu.edu
Photo by Tammi Paul
West Oak opens doors to coffee lovers in Denton. The style of the West Oak is modern retro meets vintage, and the atmosphere has that calm, soothing feel essential to a good coffee shop. Everything in West Oak has been fashioned using reclaimed materials, giving everything an eclectic vibe. The tables are made out of old train boxcars, and the doors used to belong to a post office. General Manager Joel Upton said: “There’s a strong culture on The Square, and we want to contribute to it.” Upton thinks out of all the old downtown areas and squares in the metroplex, The Square in Denton is one of the most vibrant. Besides coffee, West Oak provides wine, beer and a variety of food and different vegetarian options. They serve breakfast and lunch from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with dessert available all day right up until closing time at 11:30 p.m. Chef and Assistant Manager Phillip Bleecker wholeheartedly stands behind making numerous items from the menu from scratch. Bleecker said: “It’s better for you, and I like knowing what’s in food.” According to Bleecker, Denton is a city where more and more people are getting interested in understanding what their food contains. West Oak is interested in making food with high quality and no secrets.
Students from TWU and UNT make up a majority of the West Oak staff. While it is a challenge to schedule the student’s work hours around their classes, the managing staff are understanding and try to accommodate each student’s individual schedule. They put education first and hope to be a stepping stone that helps students reach their life goals. With a diverse clientele that includes students, elderly couples and parents, West Oak tries to cater to everyone. Bleecker designed the kid’s menu to be a nostalgic memory from his own childhood, making it good, simple food. Bleecker said: “As a parent of a small girl, it can be an Olympic event to sit in a coffee shop.” He wants to help parents enjoy a quiet cup of coffee without having to worry about their children getting hungry or bored. West Oak is also providing live music every Monday night to add to their uptown atmosphere by hosting more of a softer, acoustic variety of local musicians. West Oak tries to keep their customers updated on the events by reaching out through social media including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Look out Denton, a new Coffee King has entered the city.
At the end of March, Banter Bistro, a small restaurant on West Oak Street, will be closing their doors. New owners Mckenzie Smith and Chef Patrick Stark, plus five other partners, will be opening a restaurant and bar called 940’s, which will take the place of Banter Bistro. Smith is currently one of the owners of Paschall Bar, which is located near The Square, and Chef Patrick Stark will be bringing his experience of vegan and non-GMO products to this new atmosphere. Banter Bistro’s last weekend will be March 27-29,
Photo by Tammi Paul
TWU alumnus Matt Gibson takes a fellow student’s order while working at the Bistro. and during the summer of this year, the new 940’s restaurant will be opening its doors to customers. Banter Bistro will continue to stay busy until their doors close. They will remain open and book music up until that last weekend in March.
The Lasso reached out to Banter, who declined to comment for this story. For further information, please refer to Banter Denton’s Facebook page for music bookings, closing information, and more.
Trying to find the best way to sweeten your Valentine’s Day?
Let The Lasso deliver your special message in the most romantic gesture. For $5 or $10 cash, craft a heartfelt note and select your style. Contact us at 940-898-2185 or find us at the Union Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
T E X A S WO M A N ’ S U N I V E R S I T Y
On February 3rd and 4th, 2015, all TWU students will have the opportunity to vote in a campus-wide referendum for a new student union. A new union will provide larger facilities, meeting rooms, additional dining and retail options, a larger game room, and technology-enriched areas.
www.twustudentunion.com
Lifestyle
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Denton | Shopping
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Column | Sex
Thrifting in Denton Penny-pinching options for poor students
Monthly advice for readers’ more discreet extracurriculars. This month: Shelby Baker lends a helping hand with finding and purchasing adult toys
Photo by Alex Ancira
Photo by Tammi Paul
Shopper enters Circa 77 Vintage, which specializes in era clothing.
Emily Nickles Page Editor enickles@twu.edu In my quest to explore the different dynamics among the local thrift stores, I’ve been able to pinpoint where the best places are to stop for household goods, bags, shoes, clothes, electronics, sheets and blankets, and miscellaneous items. Denton, as a thriving college town, offers plenty of different options to shop for discounted clothing and decently priced items for typical/daily uses. Not to mention the occasional vintage shops and antique mini malls located on or close to the The Square. You can tell the difference between a thrift store that is run completely by volunteers and that which is run by (probably) poorly paid employees. The retail business has no glory, whether it be Goodwill or Forever 21; it always involves crazy sales, cuckoo customers and long hours. But the quality of the management doesn’t necessarily affect the services a store provides. Many of the donations that volunteer-run thrift shops utilize are just as good if not better than the mass donations that thrift stores like Goodwill or the Salvation Army uses. Hopefully, the following list, hints and tips help guide you on your thrifting adventures in search of affordable products that won’t break your bank or rip holes in your pockets. Denton Thrift: As it is named after the town, naturally Denton Thrift is the first place to start when looking for affordable goods. Denton Thrift has an open layout, with a significant lack of signs designating sections, but despite its failings it’s easy to navigate the rows of racks. The store is a little dingy, revealing the age of the building, but they make up for it with great sales every week on certain clothing, decent organization of goods and a mix-match array of interesting things. I wouldn’t recommend getting shoes here, or really thrifting any shoes, unless you are certain of the condition they are in and do not fear anything toe nasty. However, Denton Thrift has a fantastic selection of winter coats and jackets for
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women, and unlike most thrift stores, a good 3-6 clothing racks half a football field long filled with men’s clothes, which is a rarity in thrift stores. The women’s section will typically offer more options than the men’s section, which is also the reason why flannels go so fast in thrift stores, so once you find one that fits — jump on it. Overall, it’s not the best place to shop for bags, backpacks, housewares, sheets or electronics, but it does offer a fair selection of VHS’ and children’s DVDs and a small section of books. It’s worth perusing around the store. The great thing about thrifting is you never know what gem you might stumble upon while on a mission for something else. The greatest things in life are very often accidents, after all. Twice as Nice Resale: Twice as Nice is located off The Square next to the TWU campus, despite its unassuming appearance and miniscule entrance, the store is actually quite large. This is one location that is manned completely by volunteers where the mission is to provide affordable products for families. Twice as Nice is usually very tidy and the displays are always clean. There isn’t a large section for men’s clothing, but it’s a great place to look for books, CDs, DVDs, sewing and craft supplies, patterns, and housewares. The women’s and men’s section is perfect for discovering vintage pieces, especially suits for the men. As far as a thrift store goes, it’s a good place to visit if you’re looking for unique pieces to jazz up your wardrobe. The nice thing about thrift shops that are smaller and sell by donations is that it is easy to find pieces that go as far back as the ‘70s rather than get stuck with dingy outfits from the ‘90s with brands from Wal-Mart or Target. It all depends on preference, but I’d highly recommend Twice as Nice for decently priced vintage clothing.
Extended online Check out more Denton thrift online at twulasso.com.
“It’s not our disability, it’s our ABILITY that counts.”
Shelby Baker Editor-in-Chief sbaker3@twu.edu
Disclaimer: This is a column about sex and sexy things. This is meant to entertain, inform and answer those questions you’ve been too embarrassed to ask. No one wants to talk about sex, so learning about the optional *ahem* accoutrements for the bedroom. Ball gag? Rabbit? I know my mom didn’t mention these in our “talk.” Sex toys can open up a new world of fun for someone with or without a partner. According to the New York Times, the majority of women under the age of 44 have not used an enhancement, so you are not alone. Never feel bad about getting a little adventurous, especially when it can help you orgasmically. Be warned: there are
lots of phallic items, toys that don’t look practical and toys for men. This is something for everybody. So where does one start in this sea of pleasure helpers? Start with what turns you on. There are a variety of options to stimulate different erogenous zones. The most popular toy for women is often the rabbit, which is used for the clitoris. If a partner wants to buy you something, make sure they know what you like. The options are endless. When it comes to B.O.B.s, they have both realistic looking models and sleek, multi-colored designs. There are games made for the bedroom, one that determines sex position and toy. Since “Fifty Shades of Grey” exploded, bondage play has increased in popularity, giving the power to either partner. Do me a favor — use silicone based toys. These are easier to clean, more comfortable than steel (unless you’re into that), and are less likely to have problems. Seriously, boil them for three minutes and you’re good. The problem with jelly, a popular option, is that it is porous, which means no boiling, and bacteria can develop between uses in those pockets.
The best part about the internet is you can order these novelty items without walking into an actual store, which works out well for those of us more inclined to embarrassment. However, this prevents the exchange of questions and answers and bragging rights among your friends. What is scary is if someone buys you a sex toy, or you purchase for someone else. It’s really important that you have a close relationship, or else you have just walked into creepville. The giver has to know the receiver’s preferences and be prepared for an unforgettable look of shock. If someone gifted you a special toy this past holiday season or you took the plunge, you are probably out of luck in returning it. Priscilla McCall’s only accepts unopened toys for the first 14 days after purchase. Most places follow a similar policy, with only the online retailer Adam and Eve accepting opened packages. Remember: relax. The only people who will definitely know you visited these places are you and an employee. Sex toys are just another level in intimacy — with partners or with yourself.
Music | Review
Music round-up
Indie legends offer new listening opportunities
Matt Olson Reporter molson3@twu.edu
rarely has one’s own personal existential dread sounded so effortlessly relaxed. Occasionally an eeriness creeps into the songs through discordant sonics, lending the impression of lurking apprehensions and contributing to the album’s atmosphere. Highlights include the sunny “Mr. Noah” and the tropicalsounding “Crosswords,” though the album is best experienced as a whole.
Panda Bear: “Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper” On his fifth full-length, “Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper,” Noah Lennox, better known by his stage name Panda Bear, utilizes his trademark chanted vocals and watery textures to explore change brought on by the passage of time and its relation to mortality. While such a description may suggest a morbid affair, the resulting album is quite the opposite;
Sleater-Kinney: “No Cities To Love” Sleater-Kinney returns after a 10-year hiatus for their eighth proper release, “No Cities To Love.” In their years off, the band members worked on several other projects: singer and guitarist Corin Tucker formed The Corin Tucker Band while fellow singer and guitarist Carrie Brownstein worked on IFC’s “Portlandia” and formed Wild Flag with drummer Janet Weiss, who
Art courtesy of Domino
Art courtesy of Sub Pop
also worked with Stephen Malkmus and The Shins. “NCTL” marks a true return to form. Yet again, the band’s protest anthems are ever fitting, with rallying cries raised against abuses of power, consumerism, and cognitive dissonance within the modern ways of living, and their compositions are among the catchiest the band has ever produced.
Extended online Check out more reviews at twulasso.com.
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6
Sports
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
twulasso.com
Basketball
Pioneers continue to show Home opening promise in midseason Continued from pg. 1
Team bests No. 6, loses to No. 10 seed Brian Chetoni Reporter bchetoni@twu.edu If you haven’t been out to see the Pioneer basketball team play yet, now is the time. With the Pioneers’ current overall record being 12–7 and their conference record being 5–3, it is good to see our basketball team representing the school well. Only eight games of the regular season left. The basketball team has been on a roll. Against No. 6 Midwestern State at home, they scored 57–55, and a last minute three-pointer from sophomore forward Emily Spector won the game against Eastern New Mexico 63–6. Spector said: “We knew every play they were running, and it was just a matter of keeping up and defending well.” When asked how Spector felt in the last seconds of the game with her game-winning threepointer, she replied: “It was a big relief.” After a winning game, the team suffered a loss to No. 10 West Texas A&M 65–80. Sophomores Erin Maxwell and Kenesha Saygo scored a total of 24 points combines, with Spector leading with seven rebounds in the game. Wednesday, Jan. 28, the team will take on Texas A&M Commerce at the Kitty Magee Arena at 7 p.m. The Athletics Department and the Department of University Housing have partnered for Pack the House IV. They hope to break attendance records by offering free admission, free T-shirts and a free tailgate party in front of Pioneer Hall from
Photo by Tammi Paul
Above: The team cheers on as their teammate competes on the bars.
Photo by Tammi Paul
Sophomore Kenesha Saygo charges up the floor.
5:30-7p.m. These will be followed by a drawing for a full Spring 2015 housing scholarship, a $500 Spring 2015 grant and a drawing for $200 of store credit from the TWU Bookstore. Upcoming games to look forward to are rematches
with Tarleton on Feb. 1 at Stephenville, Texas, and Cameron at Lawton, Oaklahoma, on Feb. 5. The Pioneers will be back in town to play Texas A&M- Kingsville on Feb. 11.
TWU press release. The two scored a 38.825 and 38.675 each, according to the release. Gymnastics coach Lisa Bowerman said in an interview for TWU’s Athletics Department: “There were definitely improvements made today and we need to use them to build our confidence. I am pleased with our floor line-up. For the first time this season, they hit their routines and did their job. Schyler, Spencer and Stephanie have been picking up the team and carrying them on their backs right now. All three did their job, especially on beam.” Prior to the team’s home meet, TWU placed third of three teams at a meet against No. 1 nationally ranked Oklahoma University and Southeast Missouri State on Jan. 23. The OU Sooners, the reigning NCAA co-national champion, scored a 197.850 at the meet to earn the top spot with SEMO taking second place with 192.850 and TWU bowing
into third with 190.350 at the meet in Norman, Oklahoma. This followed the dual meet with Centenary in Shreveport, Louisiana where TWU won the meet with a score of 189.750 to Centenary’s 186.875. At the meet, the Pioneers won the balance beam, uneven bars and vault titles en route to their win. On the meet, Bowerman said in a press release from TWU’s Athletics Department: “This wasn’t our best performance as a team but we still had some highlights. We had four freshmen compete 10 of our 24 routines in their first collegiate meet. ... We were also excited to see Kayla Jones back in the lineup. She competed on beam for the first time in her career.” The Pioneers will next host Centenary alongside San Jose State and Towson in a quad meet on Feb. 1 at Kitty Magee Arena. The next meet will be a part of TWU’s annual “Think Pink” breast cancer awareness campaign.