Mount Hood

Deals available to Western students

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

College is a wonderful but financially painful time for many students. When all of the bills are released and the bank accounts become borderline empty, it’s nice to be able to go to a location that gives students a little break. Maybe a discount?

Two locations in Monmouth and the neighboring town Independence offer students a deal at their places. The Tap Station in Independence offers a dollar discount to Western students who have their school ID, while Main Street Ice Cream Parlor has a double punch card deal.

The Tap Station is located at 87 S Main Street in Independence, the establishment being an old gas station turned restaurant and bar. Wednesday is known as “Western Wednesdays,” which involves an all-day happy hour with $1 off of the final tab if students come in with their Western ID. 

The deal applies to not only drinks at the bar, but also works with non-alcoholic beverages for underage students as well. The “Western Wednesday” deal also applies to cowboys. Students of all ages are welcome in the establishment, and the folks running the Tap Station hope to see more students come to grab a bite or drink.

Main Street Ice Cream Parlor is also located off of Main Street but in Monmouth ⏤ 109 Main Street E, within walking distance of campus. The business offers a punch card program, and gives two stamps for the price of one on Mondays. This is applicable to Western students and others from surrounding universities. Once the punch card is full, the holder gets their ice cream for free and the option to start the cycle over again. This offer was made for students to get a benefit for being at the ice cream parlor⏤ along with a chance to get free ice cream quicker.

Main Street Ice Cream Parlor also offers other deals for those that follow their Instagram page.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo by Caity Healy

WOU-Hoo: Getting pumped for Homecoming

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

This year’s homecoming game is readily approaching, and with it comes Homecoming week, filled with fun events and activities for students to participate in every day.

The Kickoff Carnival is filled with fun games and prizes to win, including this year’s Homecoming t-shirts. At this time, students have an opportunity to take part in the “Paint the Wolf” event, a tradition that has gone on for years, as another way to leave their mark.

Students can get pumped up with the “Paint the Town Red” event, which involves partnering with local participating businesses to make Monmouth more festive for the week.

The decorating continues with various offices being wildly decorated around campus. While checking those out, students will have a chance to win prizes if they show their spirit by decking out in Western gear.

The hoedown allows students to fully participate in this year’s theme – Wild Wild Western. Students have a chance again to get a free t-shirt and have a fun time at the themed dance.

The Bonfire Pep Rally gathers Western’s students around to chat and have a good time before the “W” burns, a tradition that happens the night before the Homecoming game that most students enjoy being a part of.

The energy continues right before the Homecoming game with the All Student Tailgate, where students get pumped up and spirited before entering the stadium. 

Get prepped for the big game throughout the week by attending events and gaining prizes. Students can get ready for the game by decking out in Wolf gear from the WolfStore ⏤ take advantage of the 30-70% off sale. If students choose to really go all out and paint their faces, be sure to use paint that can go on skin.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo by Paul F. Davis

Get to know Associate Professor Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner and learn about her beliefs on social justice in relation to dance

Never Retallack  | Entertainment Editor

Can you tell me your name and your position here at Western?

Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner, and I’m an associate professor of Dance here in the Theater and Dance Program.

Can you tell me a little bit about your dance background?

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, so my initial dance training was in Ballet Folklorico which is Mexican folk dance. So that really established for me a sense of not only a deeper understanding of my cultural background as a Mexican American, but also in a sense that dance can create a real experience of community. It was a real family experience; it had a major impact on me. Once I got to a studio I started studying the typical things: ballet, jazz, tap. It wasn’t really until in college getting my undergrad that I studied modern dance.

 

Why do you think dance is important?

I think dance is important because it allows the participant —  whether they’re just doing it for fun, or whether they’re pursuing it more professionally — the connection of the mind, body and spirit. Dance really is a vehicle for more exploration, for emotional expression, creative expression and just using your imagination. Connection to other humans makes my life so rich, and dance allows that to happen. Dance can also be used as a form of social justice and is more than just entertainment. It also opens other doors of opportunity, dance will never be a waste of a degree, do what you love and make it count.

Are you working on anything else outside of Western right now?

Yeah, so I have a company based in Eugene. It’s called Company Movimiento, and we had our debut concert last summer. We have a show coming up Oct. 18 and 19 at the Oregon Contemporary Theater, and it is called LatinX Voices, and it is work centered around themes of cultural identity and social justice issues. Some of the pieces are responses to headlines, things that are happening in the world right now, and others are more personal things from my own life. It will include both modern and jazz dance, and I have a cast of about 16, and some of them are current (Western) students, and some of them are (Western) alumni and some are professional dancers in Eugene. 

Why do you direct?

As a person of color you are always aware if you are the only person of color in a room, and as an artist that becomes even more highlighted because there is privilege in art and privilege in dance if you are able to take classes and continue training, and I was always the only one that looked like me in the room. And there wasn’t a problem with that, but I always wondered, why isn’t there more diversity? It’s 2019 and it’s still a problem, so producing for me also feels like I’m doing my part to contribute to that representation, because it’s bigger than me.

 

If you have any questions for Professor Gutierrez-Garner, her phone number is (503) 838-9513, her email is garnerc@wou.edu and her office is located in OPE room 210.

 

Contact the author at Howlentertainment@wou.edu 

Photo courtesy of  V. Paul Virtucio (Head Shot)

Photo courtesy of Jennifer James- Long (group shot)

Hobo Johnson’s newest album breaking barriers for typical rap

Never Retallack  | Entertainment Editor

Leave behind any expectations of what music should be — Hobo Johnson’s album “The Fall of Hobo Johnson,” released on Sep. 13, delivers unique songs that go against the idea of what musicians should create. 

Johnson is often perceived as a rapper, despite saying in his song “Peach Scone” on his previous album “The Rise of Hobo Johnson” that, “people like to say I’m a rapper, I’m actually not.”

The thing about Johnson is that his music is so different from what is popular that people struggle to define who he is — I’d argue that his music is essentially spoken poetry with back up vocals and instruments. 

In his new album, Johnson cleverly incorporates a broad scheme of themes into his songs, from jabbing at the shallowness of media, the vicious cycle of mankind, an anthem of how ugly he is and even a song all about the Subaru Crosstrek XV.

Beginning his album with “Typical Story” was a shock to many fans, myself included, as it was a lot different than the music he had previously released. It felt almost too put together to relate to his usually chaotic music.

His album transitions into a more humorous and chaotic style. His song “You & the Cockroach” essentially picks apart how humans are scared of dying and that leads to problematic solutions, and he even discusses — without naming names — that President Donald Trump will cause Supreme Leader Kim Jung-Un to launch missiles.

His song “Ode to Justin Bieber,” featuring Jmsey and Jack Shoot, took a stab at how superficial the world is, and his frustrations with not being as popular as Bieber, saying that it doesn’t make sense how horribly Bieber can treat others and still thrive in society.

Johnson’s last song on the 12 song album, “I Want a Dog,” is an interesting play on the American Dream of wanting a happy family, but also the unrealistic expectation for every aspect of life to be exceptional. He sings that he just wants a dog and a family, but that he also wishes his dog could talk and his son would be a prodigy.

 

An interesting detail arose when comparing his two albums. Johnson’s 2017 album cover for “The Rise of Hobo Johnson” features a drawing of him looking upwards, but in black and white. His 2019 album cover, “The Fall of Hobo Johnson” depicts him staring down, but he is awash in blues and his hair is sprouting colorful flowers. I am unsure if this was meant to contradict the name of his albums, because the cover for his second album somehow speaks of a more positive idea, while his first album cover seems devoid of emotion and empty.

Overall rating: Johnson’s new album was a rollercoaster of emotion; it did not simply keep one tone throughout. Instead, it switched tones from upbeat to humorous to introspective, all delivered with interesting beats and passionate spoken word. I highly recommend this album to anyone needing pump up music and craving music that’s a little different.

Contact the author at Howlentertainment@wou.edu 

Photo courtesy of Warner Records Press

Why go out this Halloween when we have a list of horror films to die for

Never Retallack  | Entertainment Editor

The month of October is the perfect time to delve into the world of horror. Not sure what to watch? The staff at The Western Howl have compiled a list of different horror movies to watch to get into the Halloween spirit.

 

For those who prefer a good laugh while watching horror: “Young Frankenstein” (1974), “Dracula: Dead and Loving It” (1995), “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” (2010),  and “Scary Movie” (2000).

If you have an itch for psychological torture: “Midsommar” (2019), “The Babadook” (2014), “Candyman” (1992), “Mama” (2013), “Us”(2019), “Goodnight Mommy” (2014), “Lunacy” (2005), “Saw” (2004), “Teeth” (2007),  “Donnie Darko” (2001), “Silent Hill” (2006) and “The Blair Witch Project” (1999).  

Those who enjoy spooky possession and haunting movies: “The Devil Inside” (2012), “Insidious” (2010), “The Conjuring” (2013), “The Others” (2001), “Sinister” (2012) and “Paranormal Activity” (2007).

Sometimes a good horror movie is also a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat: “Resident Evil” (2002), “House of Wax” (2005), “My Bloody Valentine” (1981), “A Quiet Place” (2018), “Get Out” (2017), “Creep” (2014), “The Boy” (2016), “From Dusk Till Dawn” (1996), “Gerald’s Game” (2017) and “You’re Next” (2011).

Don’t have time for a full movie? Check out these bone-chilling shows: “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018), “American Horror Story” (2011-2019), “Channel Zero” (2016-2019), “Two Sentence Horror Stories” (2019), “Another” (2012), “Corpse Party” (2013).

With so many recently released horror movies, it’s important to go back and watch the classics: “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974), “Halloween” (1978), “Silence of the Lambs” (1991), “The Lost Boys” (1987), “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992), “The Shining” (1980) and “Psycho” (1960).  

For those who aren’t into being terrified but don’t want to be left out: “Hocus Pocus” (1993), “Halloweentown” (1998), “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993), “Ghostbusters” (1984) and “Corpse Bride” (2005).

 

Contact the author at Howlentertainment@wou.edu 

Knock knock, Men’s Rugby team knocking down doors to reach new endgame, bringing home a win against Oregon State University

Hannah Greene | Sports Editor

Saturday morning called for misty skies, hot tea and the first home game for Men’s Rugby. Oct. 5, the Wolves played Oregon State University as their debut match for the 2019 season, bringing home a well-earned win.

Stepping onto the pitch, players and spectators could barely see 10 yards in front of them, as the mist circled each player as they warmed up. The fog continued to lay across the field, claiming its stake.

“This is great rugby weather!” exclaimed the sir of the match. 

Bernard Barber — a senior for the Wolves, studying business with a focus in marketing — felt confident in himself and his team to start this season on the right foot. 

“We’ve done a lot of preparation… watched a lot of film. I believe every guy is prepared today, I believe we’re more confident this year,” Barber said. 

With a lot of seniors from the previous team now gone and a tough playoff loss in the previous season, the Wolves have something to climb for. 

“We want to come back and prove ourselves this year and be better than we were last year,” said Barber. The Wolves got an early start to the season by beginning their practices during the summer, as well as adding an extra day, making practice five days a week.

The start of the game was filled with energy and consistenecy from both teams. Oregon State University, a rival, has been a difficult opponent for the Wolves in the past. Throughout the match, the Beavers put up great battles to stop scoring opportunities for the Wolves. Oregon State University won some rough tackles and completed two unanswered tries before Western could put one down. 

The Wolves continued to push on to get some points on the scoreboard. 

Breakthrough player — first-year on the team, Keegan Echevarria — scored a try after an intense run, being tackled into the point. This was followed by a conversion of two points from kicker and player — a returning sophomore, Braedon Eltagonde — leaving the Wolves hungry for more. 

Keegan Echevarria scored the Wolves’s second try as well, catching them up to the Beavers. The Wolves kicker completed the second two-point conversion putting the team ahead of Oregon State University.

But the Beavers weren’t done yet. They answered the Wolves point with another completion, making their score 19. Unfortunately for the Wolves, Echevarria was unable to finish the game due to an injury sustained during play, leaving them a man down. That didn’t stop them, though, as they continued gaining momentum. 

Moments later, Trever Kahunahana — one of the Men’s Rugby team captains — left to the sideline after a strain in his right leg kept him from finishing the game, leaving the team to play two men down. 

This had no effect on the Wolves. They came back with another completion by Bernard Barber and a two-point completion by Braedon Eltagonde, making the score 19-21, Western. 

The last minutes of the game had everyone on the edge of their seats with the seconds ticking away. The final whistle blew as the Wolves rushed the field to celebrate their first season win. 

“We put it all together out on the field… makes me feel good, feel proud of everyone out here,” said Riley Bardes, a senior studying Exercise Science, in regards to their first win at home. “We have a pretty bright future — a lot to live up to — but we’re more than ready to do it.” 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Photos by Hannah Greene

Men’s Soccer has a rocky start to season with big loss to University of Oregon

Hannah Greene | Sports Editor

A perfectly sunny day welcomed the Men’s Soccer team to the pitch for their first home game. Oct. 6 our Wolves played the University of Oregon Ducks — the team that has showed no mercy to Western in the past. 

As warm ups began, nerves were shaken out. The Wolves brought a squad of only 12 men including one goalkeeper, meaning only one substitute was available during the game. 

In the first three minutes of the game, the Ducks scored their first goal from a slip pass to an unmarked forward, making the score 1-0. 

The Wolves’s goalkeeper — first-year Wyatt Haak — heightened the energy with a tackle against a Ducks’s forward, not only taking the ball but taking out the forward as well. 20 minutes into the game, Western’s own forward stepped off of the field due to an injury leaving 10 players on the field, giving the University of Oregon a huge advantage.

The Ducks took a corner kick bringing the goalkeeper out for a 50/50 ball, leaving the goal wide open. Wolves’s defender made the save and kicked the ball out of the goal before it could cross the white goal line.

An offensive attack from the Ducks created another opportunity, making the defense work hard and save yet another goal by clearing the ball out. At the 31 minute mark Wolves’s goalie made another save against an unmarked Ducks’s forward, tackling the player and hitting the ball out. Western’s defense continued to maintain the tempo of the game to keep University of Oregon at only one goal.

The Ducks connected a one-two pass to the goal and shot the ball with a fast spin; Wolves’s defender went to stop the ball and it came off his foot wrong and right into Western’s own goal, making the score 2-0 Ducks.

The Wolves got multiple breakaways and transitions towards the Ducks’s goal, but were unable to find a way to finish. The last five minutes of the first-half, the Ducks gave high pressure and continued to take chances at the goal, causing panic among the Wolves, but the Wolves kept pushing forward to keep the first half 2-0.

The Wolves started the second half on the wrong foot; only 10 minutes in and the University of Oregon scored two more times to make the score 4-0. 

Both teams continued to show perseverance and effort, with strong battles to every ball. Even though the Wolves had no luck to score, they created multiple chances and kept a cool head in the game. 

Towards the end of the game, the Wolves began to show frustration with each other, with the defense unable to find any offense. Then, out of nowhere, the Wolves hit a long ball over the Ducks’s defense, leaving Western’s forward to shoot the ball, only to have it hit the keeper. The forward didn’t stop and kicked the ball again to see it to the back of the net. Western Oregon University now had one point on the scoreboard. 

The final score: University of Oregon 6 and Western Oregon University 1.

Although the Wolves lost their first home match, they made for a game that kept the audience on the edge of their seat. While only having 10 men on the field for a portion of the game and no subs, the Wolves stayed strong and left every bit of energy on the field.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu 

Photos by Hannah Greene

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