Vol. IV, Issue 26
May 11, 2022
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The Western Howl
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
News
345 N. Monmouth Ave. Monmouth, OR 97361 Student Media Department TERRY HOUSE
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Make your
Photo by Camille Lenning
NEWSROOM 503-838-8347
voice heard
Managing Editors
MIKAYLA COLEMAN RYLIE HORRALL
howlmanagingeditor@wou.edu
Copy Editor
COLE BOECK
Oregon primary elections are on May 17, cast your votes before it’s too late
howlcopyeditor@wou.edu
News Editor
MOLLIE HERRON howlnews@wou.edu
Lifestyle Editor
JUDE BOKOVOY
howllifestyle@wou.edu
Entertainment Editor CAMILLE LENNING
howlentertainment@wou.edu
Staff Writer
MIRELLA BARRERA-BETANCOURT howlstaffwriter@wou.edu
Designer
JULIANNA TINKER howldesigner@wou.edu
Designer
ADDIE FLOYD
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Digital Media Manager SEAN SULLIVAN
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Photo Editor
CAITLIN QUIRK
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Student Media Adviser WILLIAM MCDONALD-NEWMAN mcdonaldnewmanw@wou.edu
SUBMISSIONS
THE WESTERN HOWL encourages readers to share their opinion through letters to the editor and guest columns. Submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name. Contact information will not be published unless requested. Unsigned submissions will not be printed and original copies will not be returned. Letters to the editor may be up to 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 500 words. THE WESTERN HOWL does not guarantee the publication of all letters or columns. THE WESTERN HOWL reserves the right to edit for punctuation, grammar, and spelling, but never for content. Please bring submissions to THE WESTERN HOWL at Terry House or email to howleditor@ wou.edu. Submissions must be received by Monday at 5 p.m. to be considered for print. All opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of THE WESTERN HOWL or Western Oregon University.
Make sure to mail your ballots by May 17th at 8 p.m.
The Oregon primary elections have begun, and those who are over 18-years-old and are registered to vote should have already received their voters’ pamphlets and ballots in the mail. This round of voting will determine who will be on the ballots in the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Oregon is one of nine states that hold “closed primaries.” This means that whichever party the voter is registered to will be the only party they can vote for in the primary. In short, Democrats vote for
Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor howlentertainment@wou.edu
the Democratic nominees, and Republicans vote for the Republican nominees. Those who are unaffiliated with a political party will only be able to vote for the nonpartisan nominees. One does not have to vote in the primaries to receive a ballot for the general election in November. However, neglecting to cast an informed vote can hurt the chances of candidates who may be wellsuited for office. Those living in Polk county wanting to participate
will be able to vote for the gubernatorial and the newlydrawn sixth congressional district nominees, the nominee for the 23rd legislative district and a variety of nonpartisan and county offices, including Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries and Polk County Commissioners. In terms of legislation, Polk county voters will also be able to vote “yes” or “no” on the matter of granting the Dallas School District “Bonds to Improve Facilities and Allowing for State Matching Grant.”
School bonds are essentially an investment by voters into said school district. In this particular case, the approval of the bond in question would allow a state grant of $4 million to be awarded to the district. Voting is a great way for anyone to take action if the political landscape isn’t serving their needs. The primary elections make all the difference when it comes to picking a suitable candidate for the general elections in fall. Voters must mail in their ballots by May 17 at 8 p.m.
Celebrating a sweet 15th SafeZone celebrate 15th year as a Western organization
Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer | howlstaffwriter@wou.edu Photo by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt
Former SafeZone chair Dana Schowalter accepts the faculty Advocate of the Year award.
On May 6, SafeZone celebrated its 15th year anniversary as an LGBTQ+ organization at Western. This celebration, which was held in the Willamette room of the Werner University Center, marked the first SafeZone birthday party celebration since 2019. During this celebration, SafeZone commemorated the work of their volunteer training staff, as well as announced their faculty, staff and student winners for the Advocate of the Year award.
Since its establishment in 2007, SafeZone has inspired changes to the Western campus that would have been uncommon to find back a few years ago, such as the WolfPride network available for faculty and staff, the LGBTQ+ library resource center and even a scholarship for students who identify as LGBTQ+. In the 2020–21 academic year alone, SafeZone contributed to the training of over 600 members of the Western community in factors
related to the LGBTQ+ community, including the ASWOU cabinet, the Health and Counseling Center and the PLUS team. “All these things are signs of marked progress,” said CM Hall, founder of SafeZone, during their speech. “(These) are just more signs that say Western as a campus is going to double down on how we demonstrate our celebration, our validation, our affirmation for (LGBTQ+) students, prospective students, faculty, staff, family of students and Continued on back
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Wednesday, May 11, 2022
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Take from the
Entertainment
wou.edu/westernhowl
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dead to life
James Fowlkes Freelancer | jfowlkes18@mail.wou.edu
How “The Walking Dead” teaches valuable life lessons for real life “The Walking Dead” is a postapocalyptic survival horror TV show on the AMC network based on a comic book series of the same name. It features a group of people fighting to survive a zombie apocalypse while facing a variety of internal and external challenges. As outlandish as the show is, there are still some lessons viewers could learn. This article contains spoilers. Lesson 1: Learn to forgive and (maybe) forget In life, we are surrounded by others that hold value in our lives, such as our friends and family. The unfortunate reality is that these cherished people can be the ones that hurt us the most. That path is a two-way street, as it’s also easy to harm the people that
are close to you. After that pain, one can only control theirself and their actions, then when face to face with that person, what happens next is their decision. Forgiving a person who has caused harm can be tough to do — and at times, one might not have to — but it’s important to do so if wanting to move forward, and choosing to either forget their actions or not. Lesson 2: Adapt to change, because change is inevitable The world is changing — so much and so quickly that it’s often unexpected. Technology, politics, social media and social trends all follow suit, and are impacted by change in the real world. We see this mirrored in “The Walking Dead”; Rick wakes up from a coma at the hospital to find the world in ruin, with zombies,
Photo courtesy of netflix.com
“The Walking Dead” is available to stream on Netflix.
which they call walkers, taking over. A discovery that leaves him in shock. With the realization that the world is not what it used to be anymore, laws, habits and personalities begin to
A modern take on Shakespeare The Pentacle Theatre in Salem hosts a variety of fantastical shows during each yearlong season. Their most recent production, Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” has been entertaining audiences since April and will continue until May 14. The classic tale features Viola, who — after surviving a shipwreck that separated them from their brother — takes on the identity of a man named Cesario. Forging a new life for themselves in Illyria, Viola/Cesario is given a job in the court of Duke Orsino and very quickly finds themselves caught in a love triangle between the Duke and his unrequited love, Lady Olivia. Director Isaac Joyce-Shaw’s modern take on this iconic story is
Continued on back
Pentacle Theatre’s production of “Twelfth Night” was a marvelous sight to behold Camille Lenning | Entertainment Editor howlentertainment@wou.edu Photo by Camille Lenning
Images from “Twelfth Night” hang in the lobby area of the Pentacle Theatre.
to be admired. The tale was already a pioneer for sexuality and gender exploration, and Joyce-Shaw’s interpretation only improved the storyline. The stagecraft for this production
was just as incredible. With moving sets and colorful lighting, everything that happened onstage was a feast for the eyes. Modern music and costumes paired with the words of Shakespeare to create a uniquely beautiful
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change. Lesson 3: Choose your friends and allies carefully In the show, many of the people that Rick interacted with became his closest
composition. The actors gave this performance their all. Each performer owned their roles with a mastery of the Shakespearean language that was, quite frankly, beyond me at points. While the language was somewhat hard to comprehend, the actors seemed to have no trouble portraying the emotions behind the words. This Pentacle production was a fantastic way to spend a night out. 9/10. For those wishing to see other shows, tickets for performances are $25 for the general public and $12.50 for students. The Pentacle will host three more showings of “Twelfth Night” before this play cycle ends, on May 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m.
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The Western Howl
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Lifestyle
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ACTIVE APPROACH
Learn accessible self defense methods from a trained black belt
Jude Bokovoy Lifestyle Editor | howllifestyle@wou.edu
The world is dangerous. No matter how ‘safe’ a neighborhood is, crime can always emerge. With this being said, it is important for everyone to know basic self defense. Below are three self defense tips that are effective, easy and accessible to most.
Eye jab: With one flat hand, bend and slide back the middle finger. Aim for the eyes, then jab. By having the middle finger curled, it won’t be rammed into the offender’s nose. This also allows full access to each eye for the index and ring finger.
V-neck: Form a “V” with one’s entire hand by opening the hand with just the thumb, leaving the rest of the fingers together. With full force, grab the esophagus and yank. Just like the bearclaw method above, if the action isn’t fully completed, it will still stun the person.
Photos by Jude Bokovoy
Bearclaw: Curl each finger leaving an empty palm to form a “bear claw” with each hand. While facing the offender, use both hands simultaneously to quickly whip and land both hands over the attacker’s ears. If this doesn’t burst their eardrums or give them a concussion, it will at least startle them. If further engagement is necessary, know that it only takes three pounds of pressure to take someone’s ear off. So, while one’s hand is already there, tug away.
After using any of these methods to escape from a dangerous situation, make sure to file a police report. If an instance occurs on campus, contact Public Safety by calling (503) 838-8000 or email safety@wou.edu Need somebody to talk to about the event? Make an appointment with the Student Health and Counseling Center by calling (503) 838-8313.
Good eats at Grain Station Grain Station Brew Works excels with their wide variety
Mollie Herron News Editor | howlnews@wou.edu Photo by Rylie Horrall
Grain Station brews their beers on site at their McMinnville location.
On the corner of Jackson Street and Pacific Avenue sits Grain Station Brew Works. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a variety of cocktails, ciders and beers. I have only eaten there a handful of times, but I have never been disappointed in a meal that I have been served. Their staff is extremely friendly and treat first-time customers as if they have been regulars for years. They have a very family friendly atmosphere, so much so that I would feel comfortable taking my hypothetical children out to eat at Grain Station. The menu has a variety of options and their breakfast foods are probably my favorite. Too often, I order bacon at a diner and it shows up soggy and 70 percent fat that just makes me feel gross. @thewesternhowl
Their bacon was perfectly crispy and paired wonderfully with the sweet crisp of the waffles I also ordered. While most of the breakfast foods came in good portions, they could probably tone down the french toast. I don’t know anyone who could eat that much in one sitting. The Marionberry Mimosa was delicious, but I personally am not a fan of pulp in my juice. Every restaurant I have ordered a mimosa from has always had pulp, so it was expected. The Country Cooler offered a refreshing glass of what is basically an Arnold Palmer with vodka. While simple, the taste was crisp and offered a lighter option compared to a cider or beer. The appetizers offered could potentially serve as a stand alone meal. The tater tots came out
piping hot and stayed warm throughout the course of my meal and were perfectly seasoned. The mozzarella sticks were the biggest I have ever seen and could easily be ordered for a picky child to eat as their entire meal. The grilled chicken wrap is a good basic meal and could easily become a go-to order. I have never had a chicken wrap with bacon, so that was a nice twist and added to the overall texture. It is served with a side of fries and coleslaw to round out the meal. I recommend Grain Station to anyone looking for a good meal and friendly service in Monmouth. I have yet to experience anything negative in Grain Station which is why it gets my rating of 9.5/10.
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
The Western Howl
Lifestyle
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Early to rise Feeling rushed? Waking up early adds time to the clock Jude Bokovoy Lifestyle Editor | howllifestyle@wou.edu
Photos by Jude Bokovoy
Gain some extra time by waking up before 8am each day.
There are many benefits to waking up early — such as having more time to complete tasks for the day. It may be hard to start waking up early at first, but eventually it will become an instinct. Below are some reasons to persuade one to transition into an early bird. Staying up late — This is one of the most common excuses given for not being able to wake up early. Why stay up late in the first place? If it’s because of work that’s completely understandable, but if it’s just to watch more television or scroll through social media, go to bed. It will be there tomorrow. Taking time back — Days feel 10 times longer when one’s day starts before 8 a.m.
There is so much that can be accomplished with this extra time. Fuel up — By waking up early, one has time to set aside to make fulfilling meals. No need to grab a protein bar while rushing out the door. Now there is enough time to make pancakes, an omelet or a smoothie; this goes for all of the meals throughout the day. Clean atmosphere — This could be as simple as making the bed when one wakes up, or even deep cleaning the entire living space. When surrounded by a clean atmosphere, it can help one to gain a clearer headspace. Homework — By eating a nutritious breakfast and having even more time before class, one can spend this extra time doing homework. By doing assignments early in the day versus the night, there can be a dramatic shift in the quality
Springtime sip
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of the assignment and mood. When pushing the assignment to the end of one’s day, the assignments can easily weigh over them until it is complete. Workout — Working out in the morning hits different. Typically there are less people outside or at the gym so one doesn’t feel the need to rush, and it helps to clear the mind for the day ahead. By getting blood flowing, pushing oneself and taking a shower afterwards, the day starts off with a feeling of accomplishment. When it starts warming up, going on runs in the morning is a huge advantage. Quality time — With the spare time one has because of an early start, they now have time to spend with loved ones or even just on their own. This time could be spent on a date, hanging out with friends or on self-care. Vacations — When on vacation, it is highly recommended to wake up early. Most vacations only last a few days. To be able to see all there is to see, it is very useful to get out of the house as soon as possible.
Photos by Jude Bokovoy
Try this perfect picturesque cocktail for spring Jude Bokovoy Lifestyle Editor | howllifestyle@wou.edu It’s starting to heat up here in Monmouth and for some this is the ideal time to scout out a Spring go-to cocktail. The recipe below is a spin on the classic Moscow mule that provides subtle notes of basil with a fresh and fruity taste. This delightful drink masks the taste of alcohol well with a strong strawberry flavor.
STRAWBERRY BASIL MOSCOW MULE Start to finish: 5 minutes Yields: 1 cocktail 2 ounces vodka 5 medium strawberries 5 basil leaves ¾ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed 7 ice cubes 2 ½ ounces ginger beer
Add strawberries and basil to a cocktail shaker. Muddle with lime juice. Add vodka and the majority of ice to the shaker. Cover and shake for half a minute. Strain into a copper mug over ice. Top off the remainder of the mug with ginger beer. Garnish with a sliced strawberry, basil leaf or reusable drink accessory. Recipe from Simply Recipes by Nancy Mitchell
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Swap basil for mint for an even more refreshing taste.
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The Western Howl
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Humor
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THIS WEEK
IN COMPLETELY MADE UP
HOROSCOPES Compiled by The Western Howl staff
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
Have a relaxing bubble bath, you deserve it
I just wanna eat pie and sleep
You can do anyone you put your mind to.
Need a serotonin boost? Rewatch your favorite cartoons from when you were a kid.
3/21–4/19
4/20–5/20
5/21–6/20
6/21–7/22
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
F–k. F–k. F–k.
Wake up early this week, you can do it!
Subarus are a good family car
A e i o u, why?
7/23–8/22
8/23–9/22
9/23–10/22
10/23–11/21
SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
BRB gonna go binge watch ABC Studio’s “Galavant” and forget my troubles
Everything will work out in the end.
Fight compliment a leo that you see today
11/22–12/21
12/22–1/19
If you haven’t seen Spy Kids... don’t get married.
1/20–2/18
Grad lib You’ve found your dream job. Now what?
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2/19–3/20
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
The Western Howl
Opinion
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Just say no to gym bro
It’s time for the feminist revolution to make its way into gyms Since the suffrage movement one hundred years ago, women have made great strides to establish themselves within many male dominated spaces. From the workplace to housework, gender roles and stereotypes have been overturned and overcome in most aspects of life. However, there are still some spaces that women consistently avoid. Let’s talk about the gym. It has only been recently that women have started to move away from cardio equipment and towards the free weight section — the Kardasians, believe it or not, may be able to take some credit for this. With big booties on the rise, some… less than endowed women have turned to lifting in order to grow their glutes. However, despite squats and deadlifts being some of the best exercises to grow glutes, many women choose to do so while using dumbbells on the mats instead of turning to the power racks.
Gretchen Sims Freelancer | gsims20@mail.wou.edu
Photo courtesy of Kamryn Bolan
A spotter’s job is to keep the person lifting safe.
I have been to the gym many times and heard comments about how the power racks are just “too scary” or how there is “too much pressure” in those areas. Unfortunately, this phenomenon also exists around the bench presses as well. It is time for a revolution ladies. I hate to break it to you, but you will not get an hourglass figure from doing
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Chloe Ting ab workouts — trust me I’ve been there. You have to build your shoulders and grow your legs and the most efficient way to accomplish this is by benching, squatting and deadlifting. First of all, you are not taking up space. It is important to understand that you belong in every area of the gym. I’m tired of hearing my girl friends tell me that “those pieces of equipment are
for guys” or “I’ll look stupid trying to do that” pointing to a guy benching multiple plates. Second, it is okay to just bench or squat the bar. Everyone starts somewhere. I remember when I first started benching. I was so afraid that everyone was watching me struggling to press five pounds on each side, but you have to remember that even this is an accomplishment. The only person you are in competition with is yourself. Lastly, when you decide to try out new equipment for the first time, go with a friend. Bring someone who is at your level so you can support each other. Just remember to keep things fun and lighthearted and be the bad b---h you are no matter how big of weights you are lifting — leave worrying about size to the self proclaimed alpha males. If you ever want support or tips please feel free to reach out to me. I am always looking for gym partners!
Avoid the sombrero
What Cinco de Mayo really looks like, from a Mexican-American perspective Mirella Barrera-Betancourt | Staff Writer | howlstaffwriter@wou.edu Photo by Rylie Horrall
If you’re going to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, make sure to celebrate with authentic food.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of a small town in Mexico called Puebla against the French in the Franco-Mexican War. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, contrary to popular belief. Although Cinco de Mayo has its roots in Mexico, it has become more widely associated with Americans. According to alcohol companies, Cinco de Mayo is one of the highest reported drinking holidays in America, with many taking advantage of the holiday to get hammered with tequila, beer or margaritas. In Puebla, Cinco de Mayo may not look drastically different
from the celebrations people have in America. You can still find the Mexican sombreros and colorful displays, but the energy is vibrant and authentic. Cinco de Mayo becomes more a day of remembrance than a fiesta or celebration, comparable to Veterans Day or Memorial Day in the United States. I hope you don’t get drunk to celebrate Memorial Day. Outside of Puebla, and to most Mexicans, Cinco de Mayo is a different story. It’s still an important day, but not one worthy of celebration. This is why, as a MexicanAmerican, I could never understand why white folks loved
to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It’s not a national holiday and it doesn’t apply to you, regardless of the number of excuses you make. Growing up, I never celebrated Cinco de Mayo as my family never recognized it. In fact, my first exposure to the holiday was in middle school, when white boys and girls thought it would be funny to walk around wearing sombreros and fake mustaches. My biggest problem with Cinco de Mayo, however, is not just the cultural appropriation, but the hypocrisy in which such a beautiful commemoration has become commercially white-washed, even after decades of racism and systemic Continued on back
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Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Tail-End
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Continued from page 2
Safezone alumni.” In the last year, SafeZone has undergone a few major changes as an organization. In Jan. of 2022, Dana Schowalter stepped down as chair of SafeZone and Elizabeth Brookbank — associate professor and instruction librarian at Western — took over. Additionally, SafeZone was able to secure funding from the Western administration that would help serve as a stipend for the SafeZone chair and board members, which was just the push members needed to keep going. Brookbank said, “This has grown in such a way that we will
Photo by Mirella Barrera-Betancourt
not be able to continue doing it purely with just volunteers and out of the goodness of their hearts.” SafeZone also recently held their annual Gay-Straight Alliance Day on April 22, which was made possible by a grant of $1,000 received from the WOU Foundation board. The event was also their first since 2019. SafeZone holds three training sessions each term over Zoom, with the next occurring on May 13. Signing up is required to attend. For more information on SafeZone, email them at safezone@ wou.edu or find them on their website at wou.edu/wp/safezone/.
CM Hall (left) and Elizabeth Brookbank (right).
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Cinco De Mayo discrimination against Mexicans. How can you love to celebrate my culture, eat what I eat, yet discriminate against the color of my people’s skin or the tongue that my family speaks? I don’t want to say that Americans have no right to celebrate Mexican culture because that’s not the truth. White folks are allowed to chug down on some beer and devour tacos on Cinco de Mayo without having to worry
TWD
about culturally appropriating Mexican culture, so long as they’re doing it respectfully. Do I understand it? Perhaps not. But if you really want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, I want you to do it right. Take off that sombrero and fake mustache. Instead of Taco Bell, go to an authentic Mexican restaurant. And if you really want to celebrate some Mexican culture, you are better off doing so on Sep. 16.
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friends, allies and even family. It is important to be aware of who one’s friends really are, because even the closest friends can commit an act of betrayal if they are only ever viewed with rose-tinted glasses — whether it’s in a post-apocalyptic world or the real world. Lesson 4: Be a good leader for your people Rick’s leadership has gotten his group through a lot of tough
times during the apocalypse. He’s known for having good negotiating skills, conflict-resolution and communication skills while maintaining caution and readiness at all times. This goes to show that in the real world, any working group or company needs a good leader or a person in charge, otherwise things would run out of order. Even in family situations, it’s important to be a leader and help people. Cover photo by Jude Bokovoy
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