2020 – Page 30 – The Western Howl

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

Painting my nails has always been a fun activity for me to do; I think it’s relaxing and gives me an opportunity to explore my creativity. Generally, the most common thing that I do is just paint them a solid color and maybe use two alternating different shades. However, there are times that I want to do something more, but don’t want to spend money to get them done. Here’s a few DIY nail art styles that I do that others can feel free to try.

Note: I recommend throwing a clear coat on top of all the final looks to smooth them out.

Ombré

Be forewarned, nail polish remover is going to be needed to clean up the final look. Pick at least two different colors of nail polish — to go more drastic, use colors that aren’t similar in shade and/or hue. Take a square makeup sponge and paint the thicker end with both of the colors. The two colors don’t need to touch, but make sure there’s a plentiful amount on the sponge. Dab the makeup sponge onto the nail, adjusting the placement slightly to emphasize the ombré and get the colors to mix. Repeat this — adding a bit more nail polish each time — until it’s as pigmented as desired.

Multi-toned

I’m going to suggest using two colors, but feel free to use more. For the base color that will go on the entire nail, I would recommend using something lighter, because it’ll be easier to put a darker tone on top of it. Depending on the brand, shade, etc., it could take a couple of coats. Let the first color dry completely. Using the second color, try to draw a straight line of nail polish horizontally across the nail. Using nail tape, scotch tape or drawing lightly with a pencil can help keep the line straight and clean. If tape was used, wait until the second color is dry before removing it. This can also be done vertically or diagonally, depending on preference. Try layering it up as well or swapping colors for different fingernails.

Small flowers

Multiple colors can be used for this one, so don’t be afraid to go crazy or just stick with something simple. Firstly, just paint the nails a base color of some sort. Next, take the next color that’s going to be used for the flowers and dab some of it onto a sandwich bag. Dip the end of a bobby pin into the polish and place a dot onto the dried nail. Repeat this process, placing dots close together to create a five petaled flower. Let it dry, then take another color — preferably something lighter, such as white or a pastel — and dab some of it on the sandwich bag as well. Repeat the step with the bobby pin, but only use it to dot the center of the flower.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photos by Rylie Horrall

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Trading out books for bills

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

After finals are all finished, many students may be excited because of two things: one, spring break is around the corner, and two, they can get rid of their textbooks. Most classes on campus have textbooks that require students to pay potentially large sums of money for them. If, once the term is over, that textbook no longer has a purpose, there’s a few things that can be done.

The WolfStore, located in the Werner University Center, will generally buy back books during the last two to three weeks of the term. While some books won’t be bought back, it’s a chance for someone to get a little bit of their money back. If the textbook is in ‘high demand,’ meaning if the book will be utilized during the following term, it can be worth more. Currently, students can sell their books until March 20.

There’s also the alternative of selling textbooks on Amazon using their buyback/trade-in program. Like the WolfStore, selling won’t always work — depending on the condition or whether the book qualifies for the trade-in. If a student chooses this route, their money would only be available as an Amazon gift card. On the other hand, there are a few used bookstores and thrift stores in the IndyMo area that could be interested in purchasing used textbooks.

Many students take the route of just selling their used books to their friends, should their friends need them for next term. A person may not make money this way, if they choose not to charge somebody that’s interested, but the one who’s receiving the book could be saving a lot of money, especially if the textbook is expensive.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

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Tips to follow for raising your credit score

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

For those who aren’t sure what a credit score really is, it’s something that “reflects credit payment patterns over time,” according to experian.com. It’s an important financial consideration in someone’s life, as it is the deciding factor in multiple scenarios — such as taking out loans or getting additional credit cards later in life. A credit score is found using an algorithm on a person’s credit report, and it takes into account certain factors like account types, how long an account has been open and payment history. Because a good credit score is highly sought after and makes the user look responsible, it’s important to know how to raise it.

One of the simplest things to do is to pay bills when they are due. That repayment history can be used to predict how someone will take care of future settlements. This applies to credit cards, student loans, phone bills, rent, utilities and so on. By missing payments or getting charged a late fee, a negative mark can appear on an individual’s credit score for around seven years. However, according to experian.com, a negative mark’s prominence declines over time as newer payments are more relevant.

Specifically with credit cards, keeping a low balance is vital for a credit utilization ratio. A credit utilization ratio is calculated on the amount incurred on a credit card divided by the total credit limit across all credit cards owned, not just the one that is used. By keeping the ratio below 30%, it shows that the user isn’t maxing out credit cards every single month. It’s also an indicator of how well money and credit is being managed. Furthermore, if a credit card is no longer being used, don’t close it — if it isn’t costing any fees, it can increase the ratio since there is more total credit.

Checking credit reports is another key factor in maintaining good credit scores. If there’s an inaccuracy on a report, it can have drastic negative impacts if it goes unchecked. It could decide if someone can take out a loan or not, or even affect their lending terms and interest rates. According to myfico.com, contacting the credit bureau and organization that sends the credit bureau information can help fix the problem that’s been noticed.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

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Locations in the pacific northwest to travel to for Spring Break

Rylie Horrall | Lifestyle Editor

The end of the term is just a stone’s throw away, which means that it’s almost time for Spring Break. Western’s Spring Break is happening towards the end of March, which could likely mean that the weather won’t be ideal for bikinis on the beach — for those who haven’t been to the Oregon coast, it’s pretty cold 90% of the time. On that note, Spring Break doesn’t have to solely consist of a trip to the beach. Around the Pacific Northwest, there are quite a few options for people to partake in.

The Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful, green spot here in Oregon that’s great for sightseeing and hikes. Spring is when the wildflowers in the Gorge begin to bloom, which “happens to overlap with peak waterfall season,” as stated on oregonlive.com. There’s a multitude of hikes available to choose from — perfect for nature lovers or those that want to photograph some beautiful scenery.

There are a couple of choices available for those that are thinking of going whale watching. According to oregonstateparks.com, this year’s Spring Whale Watching will last from the 21 of March to the 29 and is an opportunity to watch as the gray whales migrate to Alaska. There’s a map on their website filled with the many destinations that people can travel to in order to see them. There’s also the San Juan Islands, located in Washington, which is home to a few pods of orca whales year-round. While it is also possible to see other species around the islands — such as humpback whales, porpoise and sea lions — their website, visitsanjuans.com, claims that “this is the best place in the world to see (orcas) in the wild.”

Olympic National Park, located in Washington, gives visitors a variety of things to do during their Spring Break. There’s various options for hikes and chances to see diverse wildlife, many campgrounds to stay in and numerous options for different water-related activities.

Hopping from city to city is another way to spend Spring Break. If someone has never been to Portland, take them for a day trip or stay somewhere for a couple of days to go sightseeing. Favorite play or band in concert happening in Seattle? Take a road trip with roommates and check it out. Feeling the need to go on a shopping spree in Vancouver, WA? Grab some best buds and take to the road.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

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Theater department welcomes Western to “Urinetown” with winter production

Never Retallack | Entertainment Editor

“Urinetown,” — a satirical musical, opened at Western on Feb. 28 with Michael Phillips as the director. The play was entertaining and interactive, and the opening act had about two minutes of uninterrupted silence while the actors laid on the ground, “asleep.” This made many audience members giggle nervously as the silence drew out. Laughter was a key element of the show.

The story covers a drab town in the mid 1900s where a water shortage has led an evil man, Cladwell, to start Urine Good Company which now charges the poor pay-per-use public bathrooms. If anyone disobeys these rules, they face the threat of being sent to the mysterious and dreaded Urinetown.

This outlandish tale is packed with humor, love, violence and catchy songs. It was also full of jokes that tease elements of theater; Little Sally— a poor young girl— has conversations with Officer Lockstock where he explains how they’re covering basic elements in the first act so as not to overwhelm the audience. It mocks the “rules” that are typically followed in plays in a way that had the audience bursting into laughter.

The Western students who acted in the play did a phenomenal job, from the larger roles such as Hope Cladwell and Bobby Strong, all the way to the peppy assistant of Cladwell. The dedication and effort to the roles was apparent, and with the thorough costumes as well — everyone was able to shine in their own ways.

The live band was a great addition to the play, adding “necessary” drama to each scene, when someone made a surprise entrance, the other actors would gasp dramatically or exclaim “What?!” and the music would peak. At certain sad moments, the music would remain happy and upbeat, which Little Sally would comment on, earning more chuckles.

All the actors sang wonderfully, or sang as their characters were supposed to, which ended up being hilarious, and the dances were also well done. Overall, Western’s theater department delivered a hilarious and clever rendition of “Urinetown.”

Those who are interested in seeing the show themselves, can watch more performances Mar. 4-8 with the box office opening at 6 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free for students with ID.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photos by Never Retallack

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The West Of Us show camaraderie in Smith Hall

Sean Martinez | Copy Editor

On Feb. 26, The West Of Us held their Winter Term Acapella Concert in Smith Hall, proving once again that instruments are not needed to make music. When the lights dimmed and the pitch pipe sounded off, The West Of Us kept the audience engaged as everyone listened to some well-known songs with unique twists.

One of the performances that really resonated with the audience was the duet with “Build Me Up Buttercup.” My personal favorite was their unique take on Charlie Puth’s “Attention.” It was really cool to hear how each performer complemented each others’ voices. This was the first acapella concert I attended, and they did not disappoint.

Acapella at Western has undergone numerous changes; it wasn’t until 2018 when the acapella group became gender inclusive and took on a new name, The West Of Us.

The West Of Us strives to give audiences a great performance, but on top of that, co-presidents Olivia Martin and Austin Stewart are looking to recruit more students into the fold, students who will stick around long enough to bring the acapella group to new heights.

“This year, we’re just trying to leave a good impression on everyone so that they want to stay, they want to learn music and they still want to sing acapella,” Stewart said.

Olivia Martin added, “It’s kind of like leaving a legacy behind and ensuring that acapella is still going to be here for the years after we’re gone.”

For Martin and Stewart, acapella is more than just making music with their mouths and entertaining crowds: the camaraderie is what keeps them coming back each year. Stewart talked about his experience coming to Western from Hawaii. Miles away from home, he decided to open up to new opportunities, which is when he was introduced to acapella. Ever since he joined, he’s considered The West Of Us a second family.

Martin also went on to add, “It’s like a magnet that brings really compatible people together, and you just have the best time with them.”

Similar to team sports, Martin explained that acapella relies heavily on teamwork. “Everyone seems to be working on the same wavelength in order to collectively get better as a group,” Martin said. “It doesn’t ever feel like somebody’s trying to raise themselves up by lowering others. We either all go up or we don’t move at all.”

The West Of Us also aim to build a sense of community at Western. In recent years, they have performed for Western events such as the Cesar Chavez Conference, the Late-Night Breakfast, the Out of the Darkness Walk and their biggest performance, Acaparka — held at the Main Street Park at the amphitheater in spring.

“We bundle all of our songs together … and then we perform a really large setlist for everybody,” Stewart said.

Be on the lookout for updates regarding the date and time for Acaparka.

Contact the author at howlcopyeditor@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Lisa Martin

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Hear about WOU Jazz Combo’s performance with John Raymond

Never Retallack | Entertainment Editor

On Wednesday, Feb.19, John Raymond took to the Smith Hall stage alongside WOU Jazz Combo, for a night of jazz with a spin.

John Raymond is described by the WOU Jazz Combo pamphlet as, “One of the most promising, genre-bending musicians in jazz today. With a singular voice as a trumpeter, flugelhornist and composer…”

The interesting concept about Raymond’s idea of jazz is that he mixes genres such as, indie-rock, folk and electronic rhythms into his music, creating his own style.

Raymond studied in Wisconsin with Western professor and Director of Jazz Studies, Keith Karns. Since then, Raymond released six albums and is a professor of jazz as well as a sought after soloist at schools around the world.

The performance started with small solos from each member of the WOU Jazz combo, allowing the ivories, strings and drums to sing. Raymond took center stage while belting out the brass notes between two trumpets — a lively way to start, demonstrating just what the audience is in for.

They played a song from Raymond’s first album called “Onward,” which he composed himself. It began with soft piano, then the bass and drums joined, lastly a sorrowful trumpet, bringing a somber feel to the piece.

“The best part about performing music, especially in a jazz combo scenario is there is a lot of communication between the players…It’s just a big conversation,” said Kincaid Parsons, an Education Major, who plays the upright bass for WOU Jazz Combo.

Another song performed came from Raymond’s second album, recorded in New York with legendary drummer Billie Harp. Raymond explained with fondness that, “I was playing with someone who made the history of jazz.”

Similar to Raymond, Parsons also felt awestruck, “Getting to play with someone of that caliber was a very cool experience.”

The show was quite lively; Raymond even beckoned the pianist Clay Johnson for an improvised duet on stage.

Lastly, Raymond invited Karns onto the stage where they battled it out, trumpets singing back and forth powerfully, before ending the concert with a hug.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo by Cora McClain

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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Easy-to-do at home nail art

Trading out books for bills

Tips to follow for raising your credit score

Locations in the pacific northwest to travel to for Spring Break

Theater department welcomes Western to “Urinetown” with winter production

The West Of Us show camaraderie in Smith Hall

Hear about WOU Jazz Combo’s performance with John Raymond

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