Mount Hood

Guest Opinion : Thinking honestly about waste at western

Nicholas Prazniak  | Guest Contributor

Let us for a minute assume that the world is perfect. No poverty, no war, no hate. This could be the truth, but greed has led us down the other path. It seems no matter what we do, we are living in an ever faster dying world. It is a crime to the planet we have committed — the guilt we must face — and the honesty we must accept of ourselves. We have become the last generation. More people, more problems. How to live with this has become the task we are all working on. It is not impossible, as nothing is, but it is very hard. 

Look at this planet: garbage has reached the deepest part of the ocean, our atmosphere is choked by smog, diesel fumes and pure ignorance for the air that keeps us alive. I write this in response to the waste that I see produced by this institution on a daily basis. There is definitely something we can do, but we have resorted to focus on distractions rather than this problem. 

We let the dumpsters fill up without any regard; we don’t look for a second chance at the things thrown away. I crawl through the dumpsters at the end of every year and find car loads of unused journals, unopened ramen packs, laptops, printers, chairs, laundry baskets and textbooks. It scares me that I find textbooks. We are literally throwing away knowledge that we have paid thousands of dollars for. 

I have formed the basis for this opinion piece by finding these physical things. There is no explanation for this wasteful habit except for the one and only reason that we are lazy. I have asked what solution there is to this and the scripted answer I get is “we are finding a solution.”

I’m shocked that for a school that has been around for so long, we have not found a solution for this problem, and instead turned our backs on it. We are wasting knowledge.  

 

Contact the author at nprazniak17@mail.wou.edu

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in guest opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Western Howl.

Easy homemade microwave meals for people that live in the residence halls

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

One of the biggest struggles many college students face is having access to home cooked food. Often the residence halls do not have access to a kitchen, only access to microwaves. Luckily, there are many residence hall-friendly recipes that are easy to make for all of those living off of dining hall food and crackers.

 

MUGARONI

Start to finish: 5 minutes

½ cup macaroni (or pasta of your choice)

½ cup water

¼ cup cheese

Splash of milk

Pinch of salt

Pinch of pepper

In a mug, add in the macaroni, water and salt. Mix it all together and place in the microwave for 2–3 minutes. 

Remove from the microwave and add in the milk, cheese and pepper. Mix again and microwave for another 30 seconds. Take it out, stir one last time and enjoy.

Recipe from Buzzfeed Tasty

 

MUG OMELETTE

Start to finish: 2 minutes

2 eggs

1 tablespoon water

Optional ingredients:

½ bell pepper

¼ cup spinach

Shredded cheese

Hame, turkey or bacon

Pinch of salt and pepper

Spray a microwave-safe mug with nonstick cooking spray. 

Crack two eggs into the mug. Add one tablespoon of water. Stir well with a fork. 

Season eggs with salt and pepper. Add in desired fillings. Microwave for 1-2 minutes (until eggs are cooked through and fluffy.)

Recipe from thecountrycook.net

 

BAKED POTATO

Start to finish: 12 minutes

1 russet potato

1 tablespoon butter (or margarine)

3 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese

3 teaspoons sour cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Scrub the potato and prick several times with the tines of a fork. Place on a plate.

Cook in the microwave for five minutes. Turn over and continue to cook for five more minutes. When the potato is soft, remove from the microwave and cut in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper, and mash up the inside a little using a fork. Top the open sides with butter and two tablespoons of cheese. Return to the microwave, and cook for about one minute to melt the cheese.

Top with remaining cheese and sour cream, then serve.

Recipe from allrecipes.com

 

EGG “FRIED” RICE

Start to finish: 10 minutes

½ cup rice

1 cup water

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

2 strips of bacon

½ cup frozen peas and carrots

2 eggs

Pinch of salt

Add rice, water, soy sauce, sesame oil and chopped bacon into bowl and stir. Place a small plate over the top of the bowl and microwave for 6–8 minutes.

Stir once done, and add in the frozen peas and carrots. In a separate mug, whisk two eggs and salt together. Place both the bowl and mug into the microwave for 1 minute.

Break up the cooked eggs by stirring with a fork and add to the bowl. Mix it all together and enjoy.

Recipe from Buzzfeed Tasty

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photos by Rylie Horrall

Ways to stay warm and cozy for the winter season

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Winter can be a beautiful season: the snow falling and crunching beneath footsteps, icicles hanging from the rooftops and not to mention the aesthetic pictures that come with it. Unfortunately, being in Oregon means that the snow doesn’t happen too often, but the winter still brings cold temperatures and potential sickness. Staying bundled up during this frosty season is simple, easy and cozy.

When leaving the house, make sure to wear layers; they can be fashionable and keep in warmth, serving as a double positive. Layer up with an undershirt, a sweater and a scarf, and pair it with a cute set of leggings or jeans. For shoes, some fashionable fuzzy boots will be warm and cozy, or even some sneakers could complete the outfit. Throw a coat on top of the finished outfit to prevent from freezing while out and about.

On the days where it’s particularly rainy — or even snowy — a pair of gloves will keep hands nice and toasty for frigid days, afternoons or mornings. Match the gloves and scarf with a stylish beanie, or even downy earmuffs or a fleece headband; all three options can be mixed and matched with various outfits.

For a quiet night at home, toss on some comfortable pajamas — whether that’s a t-shirt and some shorts, fluffy pajama pants with a matching top and socks, or even a full-on onesie with an animal hood. Snuggle up with a favorite warm blanket and lounge on the couch for those nights that are way too cold to go out.

Both of these options can also be paired with a warm beverage, and there’s a variety to choose from. A cup of coffee can wake up the brain and keep hands warm on morning walks to class. A mug full of tea is perfect for winding down the night with a good book. Apple cider can provide a cozy feeling of warmth during a study break, or hot chocolate can be the perfect sweet treat after afternoon classes.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

Ways to save electricity, water and money

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

It can be easy to forget to turn off the lights in the house, or even to turn the water off when answering a text while doing the dishes. While little things like these don’t seem too big at the time, they can unfortunately add up to a larger bill — and ecological footprint. However, it’s easy to keep track of a few simple things to save electricity and water.

  • Keep unused appliances unplugged. When the coffee is done brewing or the toaster is no longer in use, make sure it’s unplugged. Even when the contraption isn’t being utilized, it will still use up electricity just from being plugged in. This also applies to extension cords, chargers and similar plugins.
  • Turn off the lights when leaving a room. While some people may have heard this multiple times from parents and guardians growing up, it does have its benefits. By remembering to switch off the lights, up to $15 can be saved on an energy bill, according to bchydro.com. If it’s daylight, open the curtains or blinds and bask in some natural light until it’s necessary to turn on the lights inside. On another note, switch to LED bulbs if possible, as they use over 75% less energy.
  • Air-dry clothes when it’s possible to do so; dryers can consume a lot of energy, so try hanging clothes on a rack or in the bedroom to air-dry. Avoid putting clothes on a radiator, as it restricts the heat from warming up the room and causes it to work harder, according to goodenergy.co.uk.
  • For those who own a dishwasher, only run it when it’s completely full. According to sustainability.ncsu.edu, the dishwasher only uses about four gallons of water during its cycle, but handwashing can use up to 20 when there’s a large load of dishes. Alternatively, shutting off the water in between rinses or filling up one side of the sink with water also work for those who don’t have a dishwasher.
  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. It’s recommended that brushing your teeth for two minutes is best, but by shutting off the water while doing so, up to 200 gallons of water can be saved per month.
  • Shower instead of taking a bath; while baths can be relaxing for some, they can also use much more water than is necessary to get clean. Now that doesn’t mean that baths should be completely cut out — especially for those who use them to relax. That just means maybe limit the amount of baths taken each month, or just get the most out of one when it’s used.
  • Use cold or warm water when washing clothes, and make sure the setting size is correct for the load. Continuing from that, try to do laundry when there’s a full load like the dishwasher. Running one large load can save more water than multiple small loads. Flip off the ‘extra rinse’ option if there is one as well.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

How to get involved in dance within Monmouth

Never Retallack  | Entertainment Editor

Western has a great number of dance classes available, but for those who have never taken the plunge and are still interested in dancing, there are opportunities in Monmouth.

The “Swing Dance Club” is a free opportunity on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. in room 212 in the Old P.E. Building. On wou.campuslabs.com it says, “The purpose of this organization is to encourage students to participate in swing dancing, an easy-to-learn high energy social dance.” 

Beginner lessons start at 6 p.m. and the regular dancing starts at 7 p.m. This is a great way to get involved with the Western community and have some fun.

The Health and Wellness Center provides many free exercise classes throughout the week, one of which is Zumba. The Zumba class is available in room 253 from 12:05-12:50 p.m. on Fridays. On wou.edu, the activity mentions that “Zumba classes feature exotic rhythms set to high-energy Latin and international beats … It’s easy to do, effective and totally exhilarating, often building a deep-rooted community among returning participants.” 

As for experiences outside of Western’s campus, Monmouth Dance Studio offers a wide variety of dance classes every week, and has a monthly charge depending on the length of the class. The cheapest option is $45 per month for a 30-minute class once a week, in addition to the nonrefundable $30 deposit. For many college students, this is a steep price, but this may be a good option for those who are interested in cultivating their dance skills outside of Western.

While getting involved in dance can be intimidating for those who have never danced before, the dance community is not only inviting, but an amazing opportunity to combine exercise and friendship.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Art that tells a story: On Western Campus

Never Retallack  | Entertainment Editor

Campbell Hall currently has an exhibit up, called, “Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts: Selections from the Permanent Collection” featuring 26 artists. 

The artists shown are Rick Bartow, Marwin Begaye, Pat Boas, Joe Cantrell, Corwin Clairmont, Jim Denomie, Demian DineYahi’, Vanessa Enos, Joe Feodorov, George Flett, Ric Gendron, Jeffrey Gibson, Don Gray, James Lavadour, James Luna, Brenda Mallory, Larry McNeil, Whitney Monthorn, Lillian Pitt, Wendy Red Star, Sara Siestreem, Kay Walking Stick, Marie Watt and Shirod Younker.

According to the “Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts at 25” by heather ahtone, Rebecca J. Dobkins and Prudence F. Roberts, the art institute in Pendleton, Oregon was founded by the Oregon painter and printmaker, James Lavadour (Walla Walla), who “envisioned a Native printmaking atelier on the Umatilla Reservation … that would provide a creative conduit for educational, social, and economic opportunities for Native Americans through artistic development.”

The company started out small in 1992 and has now grown into one of the most important printmaking locations in the country that brings together Native and non-Native artists to create with the guidance of master printer Frank Janzen.

Entering the Campbell Hall gallery, the first piece is colorful and bold, featuring two young girls dressed in Native American dresses.

All of the art pieces are either lithograpic or monotype — both are forms of printmaking. The interesting factor of having a collection of different artists all doing the same form of art is the diversity in style and color. Some pieces are neutral colors while others are more bright; all of the pieces are bold in their imagery and meaning.

It is apparent that the connection to Native American roots plays a large role for the artists, showing landscapes, traditional dress and more.

The flow of the gallery is easy to follow and provides a nice contrast between each piece as a viewer walks through.

This gallery is an opportunity for people to learn about Native American culture. The art is expressive and a book is provided that gives background information about the Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts, which can be found on the windowsill in the gallery.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photos by Never Retallack

Wolves have good luck in first indoor meet of season

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

Friday, Jan. 17, the Wolves Track and Field team headed up to Seattle for the start of their indoor season. After settling into their hotel, the Wolves were able to get some solid shuteye before their individual events on Saturday, Jan. 18.

University of Washington held all the events in their indoor facility, keeping runners warm and out of any harsh weather that may have appeared. The Wolves had multiple athletes competing in a range of events, from the 60-meter dash to highjump. 

Below are the results of the events that Wolves finished in the top-10.

In the men’s 400-meter dash, Gabe Arce-Torres, a sophomore, placed ninth overall with a time of 49.91, a split second from eighth place.

The 600-meter dash, a race only ran during the indoor season, came next with Wolves’ sophomore (indoor), Max Carmona, placing first in his heat and eighth overall — with a time of 1:22.37, a personal best from last year’s indoor season.

The men’s 800-meter dash was quite the competition, with four Wolves placing in the top 10 and taking the 11th spot as well. Derek Holdsworth, a junior, placed first with a time of 1:50.02 making it the third on the “WOU All-Time” list, followed by Adam Alnazer, a sophomore, Trey Reed, a junior, and Hunter Hutton, a sophomore, taking eighth through 10th.

Skipping to the relays, the Wolves placed fourth overall in the men’s 4×400 meter relay — a combined time of 3:19.47 — with a squad consisting of Arce-Torres, Lashaun Emile, a sophomore, Carmona and Holdsworth.

Two Wolves, Kalulusno Ngaido, a junior, and Jenelle Hurley, a first-year, tied for 10th place in the women’s high jump with heights of 1.60 meters.

Overall, the Wolves set their standards high for the rest of the indoor season. Next weekend, the Wolves will be competing closer to home — on Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26, at the University of Portland.

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Photos courtesy of wouwolves.com

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