Vol. 18, Issue 14 (February 14, 2018)

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 VOLUME 18 ISSUE 14

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ENTERTAINMENT

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By Zoë Strickland Editor-in-Chief

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Galentine’s Day, a day made popular by “Parks and Recreation,” isn’t just for single people. It’s a day where the focus is put on the more platonic relationships in one’s life. Though the official day is Feb. 13, Galentine’s Day can be celebrated whenever you see fit.

The makeshift holiday was initially coined by Leslie Knope as the day wherein “ladies celebrate ladies.” In the show, Knope celebrates by going to brunch with a group of her friends, though that may not be everyone’s ideal version of celebration. While some people prefer to go out with their friends, some may prefer to stay inside.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, here are six TV shows that celebrate friendship and fit the bill for a good binge-watch.

Notable mentions include: “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” for people who want zany hijinks; “Scrubs,” for a comedic duo that will most likely make viewers smile; “She’s Gotta Have It,” for a fiercely independent woman who’s kind of a mess.

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” is good because it’s binge-worthy. The musical show follows successful lawyer Rebecca Bunch after she drops everything to move across the country in hopes of rekindling a relationship with a crush she had at camp in her youth. Though the Rebecca can be difficult to get used to, her eccentricities end up making “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” enthralling passed the first few episodes. Those who watch are bound to get at least one song stuck in their head. This show is the perfect match for people who like musicals and bubbly performances.

“Golden Girls”

Internally, I think everyone’s a bit of a grandmother. Children or not, “Golden Girls” is the perfect series to help viewers get in touch with their fun, elderly side. The show centers around four extremely different older women — Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia — who all live together in a beachfront house in Miami, Florida. Like a lot of shows that center around female friendships, “Golden Girls” shows the dynamic ways that women of all personality-types can fit together. It’s sassy, the characters are unrelenting and the writing is incredibly quick-witted.

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ZOË STRICKLAND

Six shows to bingewatch while celebrating your friendships

“The Bold Type” “The Bold Type” is less than a year old, but the first season contains enough episodes to keep you satiated. The show follows three young women who work in different positions at a magazine geared toward young people, à la Teen Vogue.

This show isn’t great for people who want substance; the one character who actually has a clear line of character development is arguably the most forgettable of the trio.

However, it’s ideal for people who are looking for a light show about three go-getters who are trying to do productive things post-college.

“Broad City” This show is a mess — it’s about two girls who don’t know what they’re doing, but do it anyway. Abbi and Ilana are broke, angry and not great at keeping their lives afloat while living in New York. They make it work by taking on odd jobs, like cleaning for an adult dressed in a baby costume, and looking out for each other. “Broad City” definitely won’t appeal to everyone. However, it’s the perfect Galentine’s pick for people who want a funny, off-kilter show about 20-somethings just trying to survive in a city that doesn’t make it easy.

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galentine’s night in

“Sex and the City” This show is talked about too much, but it’s talked about for a reason. Despite “Sex and the City’s” many flaws, it makes the perfect Galentine’s Day drinking game. The four main characters are a match made in hell — it’s honestly difficult to see how they all remain friends, but they do. Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte spend their time talking trash, dating people who are horrible for them and spending too much money. The show is in no way serious, so watch it if you’re looking to relax. “Sex and the City” is perfect for a night-in of hanging out with your closest friends.

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“Being Mary Jane” The friendships shown in “Being Mary Jane” are more subtle. There isn’t a huge group like in “Golden Girls” or “The Bold Type,” but the titular character does have a strong support system behind her. Heading the group is Kara, producer of her nightly news show, followers by members of Mary Jane’s dysfunctional family.

“Being Mary Jane” is at times overly dramatic. However, it does an amazing job of emphasizing the idea that strong relationships are strong because you work to make them so, not because they start out that way.

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THE WESTERN JOURNAL

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The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

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Review:

What looked to be a study of friendship ended up being a non-inclusive book of anecdotes

By Zoë Strickland | Editor-in-Chief

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

“Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship” is a title that seemingly holds a lot of weight — it takes up a lot of physical space and uses words that denote heavy meaning.

However, the title seems to be the only part of this novel that consistently does so. I had higher hopes for Kayleen Schaefer’s print debut.

One of my favorite parts about Schaefer’s book is that it relies on quotes in the same way it talks about friendship — every piece used from a book, article or person works together to support Schaefer’s encompassing claim that the cultivation of friendship should be as important, if not more important, as the cultivation of romantic relationships.

The stories about other women, namely Schaefer’s mother, provided some depth to how friendships have changed over time, and how they may look different to people of different ages. However, I had problems with the overall amount of representation in the book. Seemingly, most of the quotes and stories being offered were from middle-class white women.

Though the insights added to what Schaefer was trying to say, including

Review:

“Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life” The Wombats’s fourth album has its ups and downs, but spends most of its time down

By Ashton Newton | Freelancer

Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM

Tord Øverlund Knudsen, Matthew Murphy and Dan Haggis of The Wombats

The Wombats first made a name for themselves with their 2007 single “Let’s Dance to the Joy Division,” unafraid to blend high energy music and vocals with dark, real themes. Through their first three albums, they set themselves

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people from a variety of different races and classes would’ve presented a wellrounded look at how the dynamics of female friendship may change when presented with different struggles.

While “Text Me When You Get Home” had points that were relatable, I found that it often boxed-in readers by primarily showing only Schaefer’s viewpoint or promoting intangible ideas of friendship like the ones shown on TV. The book uses large amounts of external quotations, but the stories themselves are primarily centered around the author’s own experiences.

As someone who couldn’t relate to a lot of Schaefer’s experiences — most notably of which is an entire chapter devoted to her joining a sorority and leaving it once she found a significant other — I immediately felt closed off from the narrative of the book.

Admittedly, I knew I wasn’t going to truly enjoy “Text Me When You Get Home” after I read part of the introduction. It proclaimed both that female friendships are superior to friendships between people of different gender identities, and that women who prefer to be friends with men do so because they feel threatened by other women. While I agree that this

sometimes be the case, it fundamentally doesn’t align with the majority of my belief system.

Claims like these made it so I never fully felt comfortable with the narrative that was being presented. If the writer’s goal is to highlight the bond that exists in female friendships, one of the primary ways of conveying that bond shouldn’t be through the bashing of other types of relationships. Similarly, the binary way in which she refers to relationships immediately leaves out an entire facet of the way in which other people experience them.

“Text Me When You Get Home” starts out with a strong point that one of the larger ways to differentiate “female friendships” it that they oftentimes use more external ways of showing affection, like telling friends to “text me when you get home.” I was expecting this to be the basis of what would inevitably be a comprehensive look at how friendships have changed and progressed over time.

While there was a little bit of discussion around that topic, Schaefer instead focused on personal anecdotes and recounting how female friendships have

up as a band that’s relatable and great fun to listen to.

Their newly released fourth album, “Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life” is a bit of a disappointment compared to their previous work. The high energy that The Wombats are known for is still there, but their lyrics and themes fall flat.

The first two singles that The Wombats released off of the album, “Turn” and “Lemon to a Knife Fight” were met with positive critical and fan response, so they generated a lot of buzz for the album, but those two songs are the two most memorable on the entire album. “Lemon to a Knife Fight” is catchy, fast-paced and was an exciting release over the summer.

“Turn” takes things a little slower, a song about enjoying the little things.

Both songs represented everything great about The Wombats.

The rest of the album still sounds like The Wombats, but I was left feeling like something was missing. They innovated a bit with their sound, this album being much more bass-heavy than their previous work, but I still felt like I’d heard all the themes already in previous songs.

The song “Lethal Combination” simply adds to the growing list of Wombats lyrics about getting blackout

drunk. “I Only Wear Black” had me spending the entire three minutes anticipating the end. The imagery of melting ice cream in “Ice Cream” was distracting and took away from the meaning.

There are some positives to the album too. Their bass-heavy songs sound fresh and new with the same energy they’ve had in previous work. “White Eyes” is a fun song that, although the lyrics are a bit cheesy, is catchy and replayable. “Out of My Head” can only be described as groovy, it’s hard not to start moving with the beat.

“I Don’t Know Why I Like You but I Do” is the best mix of meaningful lyrics and catchy music. Being the final song on the album, they definitely end it on a high note, but it’s not enough to make up for the mediocrity that fills most of the album.

There’s something in this album for everybody. If you like The Wombats already, chances are you’ll enjoy the album. If this is the first time you’ve heard of The Wombats, please don’t start here.

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Contact the author at anewton15@wou. edu

SPORTS

GNAC defending champions can’t draw one in season opener

By Simson Garcia | Sports Editor Despite the winless start, Western is second in the GNAC with 50 strikeouts

scored the first home-run, RBI singled in the seventh and then tied it up after scoring himself off a single from firstyear outfielder Griffey Hall.

After three more innings, the score was nil and the game went into extras.

Going three and out in two extra innings, Western gave up a double to Azusa in the final frame.

Game three finished off the series in what was a game of five lead changes.

With a bit of trickery in the first, the Wolves got the first run via an attempted steal from first to second base, which abled senior outfielder Jacob Martinez to score from third.

After falling behind 4-2, the Wolves got back in front, 5-4, with back-to-back homers by Nygaard and junior catcher Jared McDonald.

The Cougars got a two run homer of their own to nudge ahead again but the Wolves resiliently fought back to tie it again and 6-6. But it was a home run by Azusa’s outfielder Sean Aspinall to end matters and get the sweep.

Martinez had a batting average of .417 in 16 at-bats in the four games while McDonald hit 6/16 in the contests.

Next up is two games at California State-Monterey Bay from Feb. 16-17.

Opening pitch for the first game is set for 2 p.m.

Contact the author at journalsports@ wou.edu

Men’s team extends streak to 16

Wolves beat two more conference opponents

By Morgan Swaim | Staff Writer

This past week was another showing of why the Wolves’s men’s basketball team is one of the premier groups across the country, as they picked up another two wins on Feb. 8 and 10 to add to their streak.

On Thursday, Feb. 8, Seattle Pacific was the next team tasked with the challenge of stopping the Wolves’s winning streak. Although the game was tied at halftime, the Wolves were able to capture a 95-81 victory.

During the first half, the Wolves received an offensive explosion from senior forward Tanner Omlid, who dropped 22 points in the opening 20 minutes. With Omlid shouldering the load in the first half, the Wolves started off the second half tied, 48-48.

Seattle Pacific showed that this game was not going to be easy in the first half, but the Wolves were able to make adjustments. During the first two quarters, both teams were shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.

The second half was a different story defensively, as the Wolves locked down and forced a 34.6 field goal percentage.

Offensively, the team was lead by another outburst, this time by the

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The Wolves’s baseball action commenced as the team started out their 2018 season with four games. The Wolves were left 0-4 after three days of cross-conference play from Feb. 8-10 in Azusa, California. Having lost 8-1 to the Biola University Eagles to start, they followed that up with a three game slide against the Azusa Pacific University Cougars, 7-1, 4-3 and 7-6.

The Wolves versus Eagles game on Feb. 8 was slow to begin as both teams were left scoreless after two innings.

But it was the Eagles who finally got things going in the third and kept it going from there. Western found themselves in a bevy of defensive mistakes that cost them three runs in the frame. The Wolves got familiar with Biola’s Colton Worthington, a senior infielder, who run batted in two to score, off a single up the middle, and then ran himself in off of junior outfielder Jerron Largusa’s RBI to make it 4-0.

After two innings, the score was 8-0 following Worthington’s score off a Largusa RBI. The Wolves got their only score of the game from senior infielder Jay Leverett in the eighth, to avoid a shutout.

Western forwarded to a three game series with the Cougars on Feb. 9 that concluded on Feb. 10.

Azusa kicked things off in game one, home running to put up three in the first and looked to defend the homefield throughout the weekend.

The adversarial Wolves fought back by scoring two, but a succession of two more homers from Azusa followed by two more runs tacked on by hit-bypitches put the game in jeopardy for Western.

Western was serviced by three pitchers but couldn’t get by the Cougars’s offense, who locked in on the strike zone. Sophomore Wolf pitcher Connor McCord was dealt the loss following five innings while allowing two earned runs.

Game two switched gears and was tightly contested until extra innings.

Both teams home-runned by the sixth, putting the score at 1-1. Azusa followed up with another homer propelling them up by two at the home-half.

Senior infielder Nyles Nygaard made sure the Wolves didn’t go quietly. He

a slow start for baseball at 0-4

Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS

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The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

hands of senior Ali Faruq-Bey. Scoring 17 points in the second half, FaruqBey was able to push his total to 25, and along with Omlid’s 32 points, the combo’s firepower proved too much to overcome.

During Saturday’s game against Saint Martin’s on Feb. 10, the Wolves were able to grab their 16th straight win.

After jumping out to a 45-37 halftime lead, the lead extended to 25 just ten minutes later.

Saint Martins cut the deficit nearly in half as the game went on, but nothing close to what was needed to get the upset. Faruq-Bey had another high scoring game, this time netting 24 points.

On Thursday, Feb. 15, Western travels to Idaho to take on Northwest Nazarene.

And on Feb. 17, Central Washington will get a chance took take on the Wolves as their win streak looks to continue. Both games are set to begin at 7 p.m.

Contact the author at mswaim16@wou. edu

SPORTS

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Wolves’s track and field continue to break personal records, NCAA-DII marks and GNAC

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By Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

Wolves played to high standard while hosting Alaska conference foes Women’s team wins one game big, plays conference leader tough in loss

By Morgan Swaim | Staff Writer

Wolves drop one, but prevail to three wins

Softball team gets an upset of the top-ranked Lady Buffs and improve to 6-3

By Simson Garcia | Sports Editor Western softball started the season on a positive note, winning three of four games at the West Texas A&M University on Feb. 9 and 11. They attached two wins versus Southwestern Oklahoma, 15-7 and 5-3, and split against the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs, 7-4 and 8-2.

Multiple Wolf track and field athletes set new personal bests and division marks at the Husky Classic/Open at the University of Washington from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11. Seniors David Ribich and Kennedy Rufener finished first in their distances on Feb. 9 and 10 in the Husky Classic while three milers ran under times of 4:20 at the Husky Open on Feb. 11.

Sprinters and sophomores Devon Fortier and Grayson Burke got out quick in their heats. Fortier finished second in his heat of the men’s 60-meter dash with a time of 7.09, a season best.

Burke won her heat in the women’s 400-meter, clocking in at 58.56, and recorded the fifth best time in Wolves’s history.

Moving to the 800-meter, junior Olivia Woods placed fourth with a time of 2:11.38, just shy of her personal best set two weeks prior.

The milers also ran two personal records as sophomore Justin Crosswhite and senior Parker Marson finished first and second, with times of 4:15.02 and 4:16.48.

While seniors Nicole Maurmann and Suzanne Van de Grift got out and ran in their mile run, Van De Grift barely missed the school record, but nabbed a provisional qualifying time of 4:48.95.

Maurmann won her heat with a time of 5:04.40, also a personal record.

Going further to the men’s 3k, senior David Ribich broke not only the school mark by more than 20 seconds, but the all time Division-II mark by six seconds. Right behind him and also reordering the school record book were juniors Dustin Nading with 8:10.92 and Tyler Jones with 8:21.2.

Going just a bit further to the 5k, senior Kennedy Rufener took charge since the gun in her heat and earned

a provisional qualifier mark while obliterating the school record with a time of 16:53.96. “I had to set the pace early ... if I wanted to run around the time I was thinking that I would,” said Rufener.

Moving from track to field, first-year Nick Seiber achieved two personal records when he was measured at 14.40 meters in the shot put and 15.45 meters in the weight throw.

An accomplished personal record of 15.16 meters by sophomore Mariah Gronbach in the women’s weight throw placed her at eighth in school history.

Next stop for Wolves’s track and field are the GNAC championships that are to be ran from Feb.17-18 in Nampa, Idaho.

On Feb. 8, the women’s basketball team captured one of the largest wins of the season, dismantling the Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, 76-49.

During the first half, the team played airtight defense. The Nanooks were only allowed to score 21 points while shooting 25 percent. The Wolves not only made scoring the basketball difficult, but the defense made keeping the ball a challenge, forcing Alaska Fairbanks into 10 turnovers in the first half.

Offensively, the first half was lead by junior guard Kaylie Boschma, who scored 11 points in just 12 minutes off the bench, shooting 80 percent. The team went into the second half having a 37-21 lead, and the gap only increased.

The second half was much of the

same, as the Wolves eventually pushed the lead to 34 with seven minutes left in the game. The Nanooks had no response, allowing six Wolves players to score eight or more points.

With a 76-49 win to their name, the team tried to ride that momentum on Feb. 10, while taking on GNAC conference leaders, Alaska Anchorage.

The game ended in a 86-78 loss.

The Wolves jumped to an early 2319 first quarter lead, giving the 22-2 Seawolves troubles offensively and defensively. Only two starters scored for the Seawolves in the second half, as the Wolves were able to minimize the impact from key players. Heading into the second half, the team was hanging on to a 38-36 lead.

In the second half, the defense was

not able to replicate the same amount of success. The Seawolves came out hot in the third quarter, erasing the deficit and jumping out to a four point lead heading into the fourth.

From there, the Wolves failed to recover and secure a lead, falling in the end by eight.

After playing well during both home games this past week, the team will look to do more of the same on the road.

On Feb. 17, the team will be traveling to face off against the Montana State University Billings Yellow Jackets.

Day one provided a sweep, with the first victim being the Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs. A left-field homer by junior catcher Nicole Miller brought in two to score, making it 3-0 in the third inning.

Up 3-1 at the bottom of the fifth, the Wolves continued to fill the scoreboard adding two more, one off a single and one off a wild pitch by Oklahoma.

With the Wolves defense only allowing two more runs to finish the game, senior pitcher Lizzet Dominguez also completed the game, earning her a win to move her pitching campaign to 3-0.

The day’s sweep and wind gusts up to 20 mph didn’t prevent the Wolves from opening the second game with the bases loaded against No. 13 ranked West Texas A&M. Western scored two from there, and continued their route at

the top of the fourth, scoring five runs off of six hits, making it 7-0. The Lady Buffs loaded the bases in the fifth and managed to score one but the Wolves defense locked down minimizing the Buffs from ever getting too close in the upset. First-year Wolf pitcher Maddie McClelland earned the win before retiring in the fifth.

A rematch with Southwestern Oklahoma ended the day. Western’s 17 hits allowed for 15 total runs. At 4-3 in the fourth, a triple by first-year infielder Sydney Bowers strung in two runs to go up three.

The Bulldogs hit back in the next inning on a 3-run homer to tie.

But the back-and-forth action concluded after the Wolves scored nine straight to end the day.

Western faced off against the Lady Buffs for a second time the next day.

A different theme played out as the Buffs limited the Wolves to two runs by the sixth inning. Up 3-2 in that frame, a WTAM grand-slam and a single homer soon after ended the Wolves’s weekend.

Keeping with the road schedule, seven games at the Tucson Invitational await the Wolves. The games will be played from Feb. 16-18.

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Contact the author at journalsports@ wou.edu

Contact the author at mswaim16@wou. edu

Contact the author at journalsports@ wou.edu Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM

Ribich and Rufener outrun school records

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and

identity

Out and Proud events recognize queer people of color at Western

By Sam Dunaway | News Editor

art as a metaphor for life Sculpture “Wreckreational Fishing” by student Eric Frey displayed on campus

By Sam Dunaway | News Editor What humans leave behind can tell a story of their lives. It can impact future generations, either positively or negatively, for years to come. Senior Eric Frey captured this

concept in a multi-media sculpture displayed behind Bellamy Hall named “Wreckreational Fishing.”

Frey, an art major focusing in 3D design, was approached by Western professor Dr. Henry Hughes to design a piece centered around an old rusted motor from the 1940s. The sculpture features a small boat, River Wolf, in front of a silhouette of the Cascades.

The river bed on which the boat lies has a tangle of fishing line, beer bottles, old clothes and shoes, as well as a soccer ball.

Frey described his childhood days on the river with his stepdad as inspiration for this piece. “For me, it was really looking at fishing in general and how fishing relates to life. So the inspiration was — how do you make an impactful statement about fishing and life? So I went back to my days as a kid.”

Most of the debris featured in the piece was taken from the Clackamas River that Frey frequented as a child.

Multicultural Student Union, one of the longest running clubs on Western’s campus, demonstrated their mission of promoting diversity and cultural awareness through their most recent event, Out and Proud.

The weeklong celebration focused on informing people about the LGBTQ community and opening up discussions on the topic. Gabbie Acevedo-Solis, sophomore and Social Membership Director of MSU, explained that the club aims to be as inclusive as possible.

“When we plan our events, we try to focus not specifically on one certain group,” Acevedo-Solis commented.

“We try to be very inclusive, and we are a multicultural organization …

Really, the Out and Proud is not only to recognize the LGBTQ community, but specifically people of color within that community. We want to recognize their achievements and success and also educate people.”

Events for the week included a Queer People of Color student panel, a formal dinner with keynote speaker Mia Vargas and educational presentations on LGBTQ topics.

A presentation led by Stonewall Coordinator Sam Fennel and ASWOU Director of Public Relations Sophie Gilbert focused on providing definitions for terms like queer, intersex, cisgender and transgender.

This was an opportunity for students to ask questions about sexual and gender identities that they might not feel

comfortable doing otherwise.

A term that can cause confusion is “queer.” Once used as a slur, the term queer has been reclaimed by many in the LGBTQ community to refer to anyone whose sexual orientation, gender identity or expression is not standard in society. Gilbert explained that she identifies as queer, noting, “To me, queer means that I don’t require gender to play into who I’m attracted to or who I’d romantically be interested in.”

Fennel commented on the importance of non-queer individuals in the community. “We’re not separate.

We’re all people and we all work together. LGBTQQIAAP, that long entire acronym, it has an “A” for allies.

Those are our straight allies … I cannot accomplish what I accomplish without my straight allies.”

The Queer People of Color Panel consisted of six Western students that identify within the LGBTQ community as people of color. Questions were asked about coming out stories, religion playing a part in their background and the representation of LGBTQ individuals in the media.

An audience member asked the panel if their identity as a queer person clashed with their identity as a person of color. Senior Shanna Thomas replied, “I think the hardest part for

“All kinds of stuff gets left on the river,” Frey commented. “And going back to when I was a kid, all this junk gets left behind by fishermen. And as recreational fisherman, that’s our responsibility to keep the areas clean … I’ve got kids who are probably soon going to have kids of their own, and I’d like my grandkids to be able to go out fishing and not have a polluted landscape to go to.”

Along with the important environmental message of this piece, an underlying meaning was revealed.

“The piece kind of evolved into a metaphor for life,” Frey explained. “The stuff that we leave behind kind of junks up our life, and the longer you live, the more junk you acquire … if you leave things alone, things just kind of decay.”

The plaque next to the sculpture reads, “As you look through this piece, think of what your forgot; think of what you have left behind, both memories and items. What will you do to conserve natural areas so that future generations can go fishing with family and friends?

... What legacy do you leave for them?

It need not be wreckreactional fishing.”

Visit the sculpture behind Bellamy Hall and view more of Frey’s work in the Werner University Center gallery beginning Feb. 22.

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Contact the author at journalnews@ wou.edu Photos by PAUL F. DAVIS After 10 years in the army, Frey first came to Western as a business major

celebrating culture

Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS

NEWS

Keynote speaker Mia Vargas talks about her experiences as a person of color in the LGBTQ community

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The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

NEWS

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

New developments revealed in annual State of the Cities Address New businesses, Highway 99 renovations and parking enforcement shifts among changes announced

By Byron Kimball | Freelancer

Independence mayor John McArdle discusses plans for the city Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS

Contact the author at bkimball16@wou. edu

Flower sculpture springs to life in front of education center Taking a closer look at Western’s latest work of art

By Katelynn Bliven | Freelancer

Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS

On Feb. 7, community members, city council representatives and members of the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce came together in Smith Music Hall. Details about new city developments and 2017 milestones were revealed during this year’s State of Cities Address.

Among these new developments coming to Monmouth and Independence? A plan to revitalize Highway 99, changes to parking enforcement around Monmouth and a variety of new businesses in both downtown Independence and Monmouth. “We (at Western) look forward to working together with Monmouth and Independence,” said Western President Rex Fuller, who provided opening remarks.

The event, which was co-sponsored by the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce and ASWOU, was presented by Independence mayor John McArdle and Monmouth mayor Steve Milligan.

For both mayors, 2017 was a year full of accomplishments and milestones.

The high turnout for events during the August Solar Eclipse was cited by both mayors as a strong sign of renewed tourist interest in both cities.

McArdle unveiled a new renovation initiative, charged with reviving downtown Independence. “We want a place that feels like home,” he explained.

New renovations for the Independence airport are planned as

well as an extensive urban renewal project. Independence Station and the old city hall were both recently sold to developers, who plan on leasing the newly acquired space to tenants.

One of whom may be an independent brewery, though McArdle’s remarks on the subject were brief.

He cited new business growth, including a chocolatier, which was said to open Feb. 10 according to McArdle. He also expressed plans for Independence to become a new training zone for World Track and Field, bringing in new business and faces.

A new strategic plan for the city was also announced, one which McArdle hopes will help boost economic and technological development in the city.

“We’re helping Independence become a smarter rural city,” said McArdle.

Though mayor Steve Milligan claimed more modest growth in Monmouth over the course of 2017 and coming into 2018, he remained hopeful that Monmouth would grow strong over the coming years. A new Monmouth Electric building is planned, as well as additional street renovations.

But one of the more shocking changes to Monmouth city policy in 2018 just might have to do with parking. Milligan, along with President Fuller, expressed a wish to revisit downtown parking enforcement, deterring unpermitted Western parking at independent businesses.

Two new cannabis businesses are moving into Monmouth, a move which required Monmouth city council to revise legislation in order to allow both businesses to come in. Also on the books? A Domino’s Pizza, though no opening date was declared.

Overall, Milligan emphasized his goal for the city of Monmouth: to continue to remain a reliable home for residents. “We care about everybody,” said Milligan, citing a continued effort toward last year’s addition of an ‘inclusivity resolution’, which emphasized the city of Monmouth’s commitment to support diversity.

Miriam Haugen, director of the Monmouth-Independence Chamber of Commerce, explained, “We may be two cities, but we are one community.”

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Over 2,500 pieces of public art are displayed in Oregon as a result of the Percent for Art program

Seemingly out of nowhere, large metal flowers have blossomed to life in front of the Richard Woodcock Education Center. The artwork, titled “Growth”, was the result of an Oregon Arts Commission program to provide high quality, accessible and permanent art in public spaces.

While many students are delighted and intrigued by this latest addition to Western’s outdoor art collection, some are very confused by their spontaneous appearance.

“It’s very cool, I really like the design they made.” said Stephen D., “I don’t know why they’re there, but it doesn’t surprise me because there are a lot of outdoor sculptures around campus.”

Mike Elliot, Western’s construction manager, helped clear up some of the confusion surrounding the sculpture.

Elliot explained that it was the result of a program that began in 1975 called Percent for Art. According to the Oregon Arts Commission website, all state building construction plans in Oregon with budgets over $100,000 must set aside no less than 1 percent of their funds for public art. This is why, nearly a year a half after the official

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opening of the Richard Woodcock Education Center, the artwork seemed to spring up from nowhere.

The theme of “Growth” was decided by the Oregon Arts Commission. After much discussion, the commission decided on the flowers. “Because it was an education building, it needed to speak to growth,” said Elliot.

Once artwork is submitted, the committee then chooses the artist that best represents the initial idea with their concept and design. With the theme of flowers in mind, project manager Kate Ali selected from a state roster of artists that might be interested in creating the piece. For this piece, the Oregon Arts Committee chose Washington artist, Paul Sorey.

Sorey has experience with public works of art. His portfolio consists of “Salmon Waves,” located at the Ballard Locks in Seattle, Washington and “Flow & Flower” at Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, Washington. Many of his previous pieces share a common theme — growth and change.

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LIFESTYLE

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Lowering your electric bill made easy Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS

How being aware of your energy consumption can save you each month

By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor A milestone in the lives of many students comes after living on your own for the first full month- receiving

and paying your very first electric bill.

Typically, that one is easy enough to pay.

But suddenly, you find yourself in the winter months. The heat is coming on more frequently, the lights are coming on earlier and staying on longer, and your bill is increasing dramatically.

Luckily for you, there are ways to save other than opting for keeping the heat off and freezing. Little tricks can keep you from paying an arm and a leg

each month, and you’ll still be able to live happily in your home — just with a smaller bill.

The first spot to look into is your dishwasher, if you have one. Think about how you load your washer before running it. If you find yourself having to rewash things, you’re likely loading your washer too full. Or, if you find yourself running the dishwasher constantly because the loads are too small, you’ll also run into problems.

Running your dishwasher repeatedly can get expensive, so save yourself the trouble and do it efficiently. Load your dishes in correctly, wash it all once it’s full enough to run, but not too full, and do it less frequently. Or, you can even opt to just washing things by hand if you only have a few dishes.

In response to ways she chooses to save, sophomore Maria Krueger commented that “little things help. Just keeping appliances off, turning off the lights and heat before I leave. Things like that.”

According to lifehacker.com, “appliances and electronics account for about 17 percent of energy use in the average American household.”

However, they also mention that some appliances do use more energy, such as gaming systems, electric kettles, desktop computers and television

sets. While remembering to constantly turn off and unplug everything can get annoying, you can easily fix this by using power strips. Then, instead of having to turn off every device everyday, you can just turn off the power strip when you don’t need it on.

Do you have a washer and dryer in your home? Using the dryer will crank up your bill an incredible amount. If you can, air drying is the way to go.

However, this isn’t always easy to do. So if you want to keep using your washer/ dryer, measure your loads well. Similar to the dishwasher, doing too many loads or doing ones that are simply too large will just end up getting expensive. So save yourself the time and money, and measure how you wash your clothes efficiently.

While these tips may seem small, I’ve managed to use many of them to save me a ton each month. The biggest thing to remember is to be aware of the energy you are using. Keep the lights off when you don’t need them, use blankets before you crank up the heat, turn off appliances you aren’t using. Make some small changes in your daily habits to save yourself the pain of a sky-high bill at the end of the month.

Contact the author at chealy16@mail. wou.edu

Offering exceptional customer service, Delicious Combinations dishes up each meal with a smile Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS

By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Food truck off of Main Street gives customers a fresh, exciting option for their dining experiences

A problem that I tend to come across when trying to find something to eat around Western is that it’s all the same. I’ve become so tired of eating the same things every time I go out that it started to feel like I was just wasting my money. When I noticed the food truck “Delicious Combinations” sitting off of Main Street, I was instantly intrigued.

On a beautiful, warm sunny day, my boyfriend and I decided we should go ahead and give it a try. So we made our way over without knowing anything about any of their dishes. Luckily, the woman who was taking our order was incredibly kind and willing to answer all of my many questions, and even gave me free samples when I asked which of two items she recommended.

At first, I was a little disappointed because even having only two types of meat on their menu, chicken and lamb, they had already run out of chicken.

However, I figured I should probably try something new anyways and I ordered the lamb shawarma entree, which came

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with hummus and tabouleh, a salad with ingredients such as parsley, mint, onion and tomatoes. My boyfriend ordered the lamb shawarma wrap.

I found my meal to be pretty good. I wasn’t super impressed, but I enjoyed what I ate and never found myself disliking anything on my plate. Perhaps it just wasn’t my thing; my entree didn’t have a ton of flavor and felt kind of boring. The sides were more flavorful, yet I simply didn’t love the taste. Though my boyfriend enjoyed his meal more than I enjoyed mine, both of us were satisfied. However, I wouldn’t really say anything more than that. It was good, not great. The servings aren’t super large, but it also really isn’t expensive so I wouldn’t expect them to be. You definitely get what you pay for.

Overall, I would say that everything was cooked well, and the presentation was pleasing which I enjoyed. But I don’t think it’s somewhere I’ll be returning to frequently. The best part about it was the customer service, as the person who took my order was always bearing a smile and wanted to make sure we were Continued on the back

LIFESTYLE

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

GETTING CREATIVE WITH YOUR DATES

9

Date alternatives offer cheap ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day

By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor as special without breaking the bank.

There are other options than high-end restaurants. Think about a food that might be special to you and your date specifically. Maybe you bonded over a milkshake somewhere; take them back to that spot and replay that date.

Perhaps you know they’ve wanted to try a restaurant out for awhile. Use this day as an opportunity to go try it out.

Both of these will mean a lot more than taking your date to a random restaurant that has absolutely no meaning. But also, don’t be afraid to change it up. If you and your partner visit the same places frequently, I can almost guarantee they will appreciate something new.

If you want to win some bonus points, you can also cook for your date.

A well-made, home-cooked meal isn’t something that many college students get to enjoy often. Your date will recognize the hard-work and effort that went into the planning, cooking and presentation of the meal. To kick it up

a notch, set up the table with a candle and tell them to dress nicely to make it feel like you’re at a five-star restaurant.

Plan something creative for your date. Rather than simply saying you’re having a movie night, do it up like you’re in a theater. Make popcorn and go to Dollar Tree and purchase cheap candy and drinks. With the money you saved, you can even buy some comfortable fuzzy socks and a cheap, soft blanket that your date will undoubtedly appreciate during your movie night. To make it even more extravagant, buy some fun lights to put up around the room. Or, become kids again and set up your movie night in a blanket fort for an ultimate comfortable, cozy night.

If it’s your first date with someone, you want to make sure they’re comfortable. This can often mean doing something more public. The best way you can do this is by making an adventure out of it. Go somewhere neither of you have been before. Maybe

this means taking a bike ride together throughout Monmouth to enjoy the rare bits of sun we’ve been getting. Or, head to Independence and go to somewhere like Second Chance Books to get to know your partner a little more. If you purchase your date a cheap book with the note that something about it made you think of them, I guarantee they will cherish it and be far more flattered than if you just gave them chocolates.

While there’s nothing wrong with the basic Valentine’s Day dates of dinner, flowers and chocolate, sometimes you might find it beneficial to change it up a bit. But in the end, do whatever you think would make you and your date happiest. If that means going to an expensive restaurant, go for it. Just know that there are different ways to spend the holiday. Thinking outside of the box can often lead to the best date you’ve had yet.

Contact the author at chealy16@mail. wou.edu

For an unforgettable date, take your significant other on an adventure to watch the sunset

By Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Photo by PAUL F. DAVIS

Valentine’s Day, the one day a year where the main focus is simply “love.”

While for some, it means spending a day with that special someone and displaying your affection and passion for them through countless romantic gestures. For others, it means finding yourself on a date with someone you barely know, taking a leap of faith in the name of love simply for the fact that they are your “valentine” of the day. But when it comes down to it, however you choose to spend the day, one thing remains true: it does not have to involve spending a lot of money.

Taking somebody out on a date, or even taking yourself on a date doesn’t have to mean spending your savings on the night. There are plenty of other ways you can spend the day that will mean just as much; you just have to get creative.

An easy go-to for many when it comes to going out on a date is something that most everyone loves: food. But taking someone out for a bite can still be just

What is your opinion on Valentine’s Day? I personally don’t really care about it, never really have. I have a brother who was born on the 15th so that’s kind of taken over the holiday for my family.

ANDY AILA,

CHRIS ANGUS, SENIOR, COMMUNICATION MAJOR I like it. It’s a way to show someone you care about just how much they mean to you. And you can try to help those that don’t have that special someone and maybe just brighten their day. Just a single flower can go a long way.

I think it is way too commercialized. I prefer the Spanish holiday of St. Jordi Day where you exchange books and flowers with people you care about.

SOPHOMORE, EXERCISE SCIENCE MAJOR

JONAH HENDERSON, SOPHOMORE, VISUAL DESIGN MAJOR

I think it’s just a day of showing affection to not only your significant other, but in general it’s just a day full of love and if you’re not receiving it, you’re seeing it given.

RACHEL PIKE, SENIOR, EDUCATION MAJOR

Photos by CAITY HEALY

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10

HUMOR

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

ARIES | 3/21-4/19

TAURUS | 4/20-5/20

GEMINI | 5/21-6/20

You have died of dysentery.

The bus will run late, your friend won’t text you back and Snapchat’s newest update will continue to disappoint you.

On the bright side, you’ll find a cool rock and invite laughter into your life.

Breathe deep, Taurus.

Sticks and stones break bones, and words can hurt essays. The writing center will help with the last part, Gemini.

CANCER | 6/21-7/22

LEO | 7/23-8/22

VIRGO | 8/23-9/22

Hey don’t sweat it, Cancer. You know they say even Einstein failed math? I mean, that’s not true, of course. But I think you get my point. Einstein was actually pretty good at math, and you’re … not.

Look into the abyss Leo, see the nothingness and find comfort in the perspective of that meaninglessness.

This just isn’t your week, Virgo. On Friday you’ll be subject to a bad case of the hiccups — you better get used to drinking water and holding your breath.

LIBRA | 9/23-10/22

SCORPIO | 10/23-11/21

SAGITTARIUS | 11/22-12/21

Maybe you should rethink eating in bed, Libra. There are a lot of popcorn kernels in those sheets.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Scorpio. The stars know that you’ll always be No. 1 in your mom’s heart — the box of chocolate in your mailbox proves it.

Life hack: Set your alarm for an hour earlier than you plan to wake up so you can have the appearance of having your life together when, in reality, you’re hitting the snooze.

CAPRICORN | 12/22-1/19

AQUARIUS | 1/20-2/18

PISCES | 2/19-3/20

If Elon Musk can put a car in space, then you can probably get out of bed, Capricorn.

The stars would like to formally invite you to begin taking classes so you too can tell the future. This power can be yours for the low price of five payments of $65.

As graduation inches closer, remember that the piece of paper you’re working towards has feelings.

When you buy your diploma frame, remember to give it an endearing name.

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Compiled By The Western Journal Staff

EDITORIAL

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

11

HOW TO SPOT FAKE NEWS

By Tracy Scharn | Library

Imagine, you’re scanning social media and this news item pops up: Critically Ill Infant Stopped at Overseas Airport by Travel Ban You click over and read about an Iranian infant who was on her way to the United States for life-saving heart surgery, but was stopped at the airport because of recently implemented travel restrictions. Your cursor hovers over the “share” button …

Social media has made it easier than ever to share information with others far and wide. It has arguably played a significant role in social change movements, allowing anyone with an Internet connection to potentially have their voice heard on a large scale. This very quality has also made it very easy for misinformation to proliferate and be shared.

While the term “fake news” is in the headlines a lot lately, most people don’t purposely create or share information that they know is false. Instead, a lot of “fake news” is created when people don’t take the time to verify the accuracy of information before clicking that “share” button. If you want to avoid being that person who shares information that isn’t quite accurate, read on.

The News Literacy Project suggests the following approach:

the news item you saw. Can you find multiple news outlets reporting the same thing? Are the news outlets you’ve found reputable? If you’ve never heard of them, go to the about us page and

to take a step back and evaluate the news with a critical eye. What proof is being presented to back-up claims made in the news item? Also ask yourself: Do you believe what you’re

While the term “fake news” is in the headlines a lot lately, most people don’t purposely create or share information that they know is false see what they say about themselves.

Then do a search online and see what other people are saying about them. Finally, are the news outlets reporting information independent of each other? If you see multiple news outlets saying something like, “’The Washington Post’ is reporting today … ” that means that the information hasn’t been verified by other news outlets yet.

You still only have one news outlet as your source.

You will also want to monitor your

reading because it conforms with what you already think? Challenge yourself to be as objective as you can.

Also keep an eye out for red flags, which can vary widely.

Some examples include: Broken links, or only linking to other articles within that same publication. Remember, you want multiple, reputable, independent sources.

Does the news item use neutral language or does it seem to have a bias? Look for language choices that convey particular attitudes or biases. Also be aware of your own biases. Just because we don’t agree with something doesn’t mean it’s biased.

Is the language over-thetop? (“Unbelievable Action from Congress Makes Your Taxes Go Up!!!”). It may be playing on your emotions and existing beliefs, or it may be satire.

Photo courtesy of THENEWSLITTERACYPROJECT.ORG

The first thing you should always do is check to see if multiple, reputable news outlets are reporting the same information independent of each other. Go to your favorite search engine and search for information related to

own reactions to the news item you’re seeing. Does it seem like the news item is tugging at your emotions — making you feel sad, angry, outraged, vindicated? Those reactions to news are normal, but it’s a clue that you need

What sources are cited in the article? Are they anonymous or named? Do they have specialized knowledge or training related to the topics being discussed, or just opinions?

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With time and practice, these techniques will become second nature to you and you’ll approach information with a critical eye. You’ll see a news item, quickly check to see what other sources are saying about the topic, check your own reactions and look for potential red flags. You’ll also become more familiar with which news outlets are more reputable than others and skim past those that have proven to be unreliable in the past. Apply these tips and you can feel confident in sharing information that is important to you with your family and friends on social media.

For more in-depth information about evaluating news sources, visit the library’s research guide, where you’ll also find links to reputable sources for news: http://research.wou.edu/news/ evaluation

Fact-checking Tools: Politifact.com focuses on claims made by political figures Factcheck.org is a non-profit, non-partisan fact-checker focused on politics and political figures Snopes.com investigates a variety of claims, from politics to urban legends

Have questions or want more information? Get in touch with your librarian!

Call us at the Reference Desk: ext. 88899 Or find the contact info for the librarian in your subject area here: http://research.wou.edu/librarians

Contact the editor at journaleditor@ wou.edu to publish a response.

12

The Western Journal Wednesday, February 14, 2018

TAIL-END

New food truck

Out and Proud

Flowers

Continued from page 8

Continued from page 6

Continued from page 7

enjoying every bite. She almost makes it worth returning again.

I think it’s something I would recommend to students in the area who want to give something new a try. It was definitely unlike anything else I’ve had around here, and I’m still glad that I decided to eat there.

me is when I’m constantly wanting to fight for my black community and I want awareness on police brutality and young black boys constantly being murdered, but yet my black community isn’t speaking up about black trans women who are constantly being murdered … When you are a black person and you also have another minority identity on top of that, it’s even worse. We need to start focusing on those other minority groups in the black community ...

I want my black family to recognize that their black sisters who are trans are getting murdered every day, and if they’re not going to speak up for them, who is?”

Acevedo-Solis encourages everyone to attend future MSU events. “We don’t limit our events to just people of color. It’s open to everybody.

Everybody is welcome, no matter who you are or where you come from.

It’s a way for them to understand and get to know about other cultures. It gives a space for people to get to know people and learn more and educate themselves.”

Search Multicultural Student Union on OrgSync for more information regarding upcoming events.

When asked, several students gave their thoughts on the newest campus monument. Senior Marie B. commented on the aesthetic of the sculpture, “They look cool and modern, especially when the LED lights are on.” “Growth” glows a blue and purple color at night, which makes this latest addition stand out Contact the author at kbliven14@wou. against the other outdoor art on edu campus.

Contact the author at chealy16@mail. wou.edu

“Text Me” Continued from page 3 been shown in popular culture.

At face value, this book is good. The writing is strong, the narrative is fairly insightful and it’s obvious that the writer is passionate about what she’s writing about. However, the writer’s meager attempts at inclusivity fails to represent a full-fledged view of what modern female friendship means to people of all identities.

Contact the author at journaleditor@ wou.edu

Contact the author at journalnews@ wou.edu

Junior Susie R. exclaims, “I love it, especially at night. I would love to see more of this around campus.”

Other pieces that came to Western as a result of this program include the stone sculpture in front of Rice Auditorium titled “Oregon Rivers”

by Thomas Rudd and the tapestry that hangs in Hamersly Library titled “Soliloquy” by Shelley Socolofsky.

We’re currently looking for an Entertainment Editor, Managing Editor, Copy Editor and Advertising Manager.

APPLY ON ORGSYNC Still want to work for us, but with less commitment?

We’re always looking for freelance writers and photographers.

Email journaleditor@wou.edu for more information.

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