Mount Hood

‌Five online game sites to get lost in

Five websites with online games to help with boredom 

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌

Online games have long been a staple of the internet ⏤ with dress-up and makeover flash games, car racing, cooking competitions and many that come from shows like “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” “Spongebob” and “Tom and Jerry.” Online games such as these can be a good way to burn some time alone; or, if the kids are bored at home and need something new to do, let them explore early internet games. 

There used to be many other options for playing these types of games, but because of security threats in the Flash Player, Adobe heavily suggests that it be uninstalled. As of Jan.12, Adobe blocked Flash content from running the Flash Player, since the program is at the end of its life. It’s always smart to play it safe and be cautious of clicking weird ads, links or installing unknown things onto the computer. All things considered, here are some sites that will let anyone play some fun games:

  1. Right off the bat, igrezadecu.com has ones like “Zack and Cody Pizza Party Pickup Game,” “Tom and Jerry Cheese Swipe,” “Spongebob Mini Golf” and “Spongebob Rock Collector.” 
  2. httml5games.com has “Smarty Bubbles,” “Badland,” “8 Ball Billiards Classic,” “Crazy Caves,” “Jungle Run,” “Archery World Tour,” “Solitaire Klondike,” “Diamond Rush” and pages worth of other choices. 
  3. Over at funnygames.org, there’s “Fireboy and Watergirl 5,” “Tiles,” “Phase 10,” “Gold Strike” and “Master Chess.” Check this site out for other games too under categories such as adventure and platform, action and fighting, brain and cards, skills and multiplayer and cards. 
  4. gameforge.com holds browser and free games, plus plenty of MMORPG’s (massively multiplayer online role-playing games). There are many alternative categories such as bowling, scary, strategy and memory games.
  5. Finally, gamesheep.com is home to “Garden Bloom,” “My Little City,” “Mad Racer,” “Yeti Sensation” and my personal favorite, “Super Onion Boy.” 

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Grammy Awards rescheduled until March

The Grammy Awards has been delayed to March 

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

Due to concerns surrounding COVID-19, the 2021 Grammy Awards has been rescheduled to Sunday, March 14. Thankfully, there will still be ways to tune into the 63rd Grammy Awards. The Premiere Ceremony will be streamed live on Grammy.com; tune in to watch the majority of the various categories of awards be handed out, and some live performances too. 

The 63rd annual award ceremony can be watched on CBS and CBS All Access; it will be interesting to see who comes out on top out of their 83 categories in the completed nominee list. Some categories include Pop, General Field, Rock, Alternative and a list chock-full of talented artists. Some nominees under the General Field for Record Of The Year include: “Black Parade” by Beyoncé, “everything i wanted” by Billie Eilish, “Rockstar” by DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch, “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa and “Circles” by Post Malone. This Grammy is a cross-genre award given to the song’s recording artist, the producers, recording engineers and mixers as well as the mastering engineers.

Explaining in-depth about the postponement on their official website, a joint statement was released from Harvey Mason Jr., Chair & Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy; Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music, Live Events and Alternative Programming, CBS; and Ben Winston, Grammy Awards Executive Producer, Fulwell 73 Productions:

“The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show.”

Although fans have to wait a bit for the highly anticipated event to take place, people can spend time exploring the ranging categories and nominated artists. When the ceremony rolls around, there will be plenty of safe ways to enjoy it with friends and family ⏤ such as a virtual viewing party, share prediction lists on who will win or make a playlist featuring nominated artists.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Review: “Bridgerton”

Released on Netflix, upper-class society in “Bridgerton” gets saucy 

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌

Netflix’s latest hit “Bridgerton” follows the peculiar family of the same name, showcasing the adventures of the eight siblings and their search for love and happiness. Inspired by Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels, this romantic drama was released Dec. 25, 2020. Starring Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor as main leads Simon Basset and Daphne Bridgerton respectfully, the debut season ranked in Netflix’s Top 10 for good reason — imagine Gossip Girl meets Pride and Prejudice. 

Bridgerton showcases life in London’s high-society in a fictional post-racial Regency era. Audiences can find elaborate sets and costumes, quick-witted characters and steamy scenes which make it a quintessential romance drama. One of the biggest puzzles in this show is in discovering the identity of Lady Whistledown ⏤ the character narrated by Julie Andrews ⏤ who acts as the town’s anonymous author of a scandalous tabloid. 

Most of the themes present in the show were paired with fairly historic views of status and class, gender roles, marriage and love. There was plenty of humor throughout the show that kept the episodes well-paced, but there is a larger discussion to be had with certain themes that come up, and some parts where viewer discretion is advised. For example, episode six contains scenes of sexual assault and rape. 

With their high-class lifestyle comes murder and mystery ⏤ all displayed in elegant ballrooms, sprawling gardens and quaint drawing room parlors. Netflix goes one extra step by taking these details of elite life in London and pairs modern music made classical by the Vitamin String Quartet — like Billie Eilish’s “the bad guy,” Shawn Mendes’s “In My Blood” and Maroon 5’s “Girl Like You.” 

The storyline is developed enough to hold the audience’s attention while leaving wiggle room for a possible next season, and has enough gossip to keep the viewer intrigued. The big reveal of Lady Bridgerton could have been saved for future seasons, as it apparently was in the books, but it was worth it to know in the end. 

Overall Review: A strong 3.8/5 because of the wardrobe choices and the treats they eat look ridiculously good, but there’s always room for improvement.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Get swole without the gym

Campus Recreation offers fitness services during COVID-19

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Since COVID-19 regulations began last April, many fitness facilities have had to find alternative ways to serve patrons. Western’s Campus Recreation currently offers a number of services to help keep Western students fit through the pandemic ⏤ including equipment rentals, Instagram Live workouts and monthly fitness challenges.

Through a new program called Rec Where U Room, Campus Recreation is letting students rent fitness equipment for free from the Health and Wellness Center. Plus, they’re giving away a free resistance band with every pickup. Schedule a pickup time on imleagues.com/wou to rent items such as jump ropes, hand weights and yoga blocks for two-week periods or balls and other outdoor equipment for the day. Madalyn Olson, a student facility advisor for Campus Recreation and a 2020 Western alumna, assured that the equipment is well sanitized and safely handled.

“There’s no direct interaction between staff and patrons,” Oslon added, “and staff touches everything with gloves.”

In addition, Campus Recreation has been hosting live workout sessions on their Instagram page @woucampusrecreation. Yoga sessions happen every Monday and Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. and pilates is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. Added on this winter term is circuit training on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m., where viewers can utilize equipment rented through Rec Where U Room. Don’t worry about missing a live session — all of their streams are posted on their IGTV page.

Campus Recreation also presented Run for the Dream on Jan. 18. Through Feb. 1, students are challenged to walk or run 54 miles in remembrance of the 54 miles Martin Luther King Jr. walked to Montgomery, Alabama. Any student who sends in a photo of their participation to @woucampusrecreation on Instagram or hammerlez@wou.edu will be entered into a raffle for a free T-shirt, and anyone who completes the 54 miles automatically gets a free T-shirt.

Virtual intramurals, in the form of esports, are also being hosted by Campus Recreation. Sign up on IMLeagues to participate in the NFL Playoff Pick’em, or join a “Super Smash Bros.” or “Call of Duty: Black Ops – Cold War” league.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Super simple slow cooker soups

 Two slow cooker soup recipes for the winter months

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Combat the cold weather with a hearty soup recipe, like ham and potato or taco soup. Set it and forget it in a slow cooker for maximum convenience, and freeze some for later to enjoy a hot, easy meal for chilly days to come. 

HAM AND POTATO SOUP

Start to finish: 8 hours 5 minutes

Servings: 8

3 ½ cups potatoes, peeled and diced

⅓ cup celery, chopped

⅓ cup onion, finely chopped

1 cup ham, diced

3 ¼ cups water

6 chicken bouillon cubes

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

5 tablespoons flour

5 tablespoons butter

2 cups milk

Stir all but flour, butter and milk into a slow cooker. Cook on low for six to eight hours; check the tenderness of the potatoes.

Minutes before serving, melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour then gradually add milk, stirring constantly over medium heat until thick. Stir this mixture into the slow cooker.

Let cook for 15 to 20 minutes more. Serve and top with optional toppings like bacon, green onions, cheese or sour cream.

Recipe from momswithcrockpots.com

TACO SOUP

Start to finish: 7 hours

Servings: 4 to 6

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound lean ground beef

1 ½ cups yellow or red onions, diced

2 to 3 cups chicken or beef broth

One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes

One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

One 4-ounce can chopped green chiles

1 ¼ cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen

2 ½ teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onions and cook for two to three minutes, until the beef is browned and the onions look soft around the edges. Use a spatula to break up the ground beef into smaller pieces as it cooks. Remove from heat and drain some grease if desired.

Combine the beef, onions and remaining soup ingredients in a slow cooker and stir. Cook on low for six to seven hours. Upon serving, top with toppings such as crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, cilantro, red onion and lime juice.

Recipe from simplyrecipes.com

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

The signs vote on the best form of chicken

The Western Howl Staff

Chicken Nuggets or Tenders?

Aries ⏤ 69 cents for chicken nuggets. 

Taurus ⏤ Yes.

Gemini ⏤ One of each obviously

Cancer ⏤ Nuggets

Leo ⏤ Why, are you buying?

Virgo ⏤ What Scorpio said.

Libra ⏤ The ones from Lunchables

Scorpio ⏤ Nuggets, dino ones specifically. Anything else is subpar.

Sagittarius ⏤ raw????? uwu

Capricorn ⏤ Tenders FTW

Aquarius ⏤ b r e a s t

Pisces ⏤ nuggets with honey mustard 10/10

This week in completely made up horoscopes

The Western Howl Staff

Theme: Things Joe Biden would say

Aries 3/21-4/19  

That’s what I love about highschoolers. I get older, they stay the same age.

Taurus 4/20-5/20

I’m not racist because I’m friends with the Obama’s. They’re very clean.

Gemini 5/21-6/20 

Catch me on the YouTube livestreaming the inauguration

Cancer 6/21-7/22

I would say

Leo 7/23-8/22

That’s all folks

Virgo 8/23-9/22

Don’t play games with me, kid.

Libra 9/23-10/22

Just Biden tings uwu rawr XD

Scorpio 10/23-11/21 

Finally, my dogs can live like royalty

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

HI OBAMA I MADE IT

Capricorn 12/22-1/19

Forgetting is the greatest ability we have

Aquarius 1/20 – 2/18

We did it, folks

Pisces 2/19 – 3/20

I’m getting teary eyed at the possibilities.

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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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