Mount Hood

Simple DIY valentines that anyone can make

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Making a valentine is a cute, old school way of symbolizing appreciation, admiration and adoration for another person — not to mention, it’s easy and cheap to do. For anyone looking to do something simple for Valentine’s Day, try making this DIY Valentine for that special someone. Happy crafting.

Firstly, grab some paper; colorful construction paper is easiest, however painting a piece of paper or using white paper works just as well. Trace a heart lightly on the paper using a pencil as a guide for cutting it out later. If desired, trace another smaller heart on a different colored piece of paper and cut it out. Glue it to the center of the large heart to give a cute outline and more dimension.

Take a black sharpie — or one that is colored, if preferred — and write the person’s name on the back of the heart. Flip the heart over to the other side with the smaller heart, and write a message to the person. It can be something classic like ‘Be Mine’ or something cheesy with a pun like ‘I love you a latte.’ Next, add a cute illustration, which is perfect for those who go with a pun, or add a little message expressing appreciation and love for the person.

To add something extra, there are many different things someone could do. Try cutting out little hearts and gluing them all over, or drawing along the outline to bring more attention to what’s written on the front. Another option is to put clear glue along the edge of the heart and sprinkle glitter on top of it to make it glimmer.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Rylie Horrall

Bouquets and flowers with meaning for your loved ones

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Flowers are a common way to convey love or appreciation on Valentine’s Day, whether it’s for a significant other, a friend or guardian. The most common flowers to use are roses, however, there are other flower options out there for those that want to do something different from the classic route. Peonies, chrysanthemums, lilies, alstroemeria and tulips — just to name a few — can signify love, and can be arranged together into a bouquet to make a loved one feel special.

Roses are known to symbolize love and romance, and are a cliché that’s used in many different fictional and real life scenarios. When they’re paired with gerbera daisies and alstroemeria — which can signify beauty and devotion, according to womansday.com — they can create a beautiful arrangement filled with red and white, or other preferred colors. Gerbera daisies are a flower with a large head, and can brighten the bouquet up with vibrancy and cheerfulness, while alstroemeria brings it all together with symbolism of loyalty and bright blooms.

A bouquet of red tulips is a simple yet pretty arrangement that means “perfect or everlasting love,” according to FTD Flowers (ftd.com). They come in a variety of colors; pink generally means happiness or confidence, and yellow focuses on cheerful thoughts. A combination of colors can illustrate just how important someone is and make them feel special. Orchids are a more exotic option to convey elegance, admiration and even friendship. They’ve been known to have many meanings — for example, during the Victorian age, a rare orchid was symbolic of how deep someone’s love was when it was given as a gift.

According to FTD Flowers, carnations are most associated with motherly love, and have many other meanings based on the hue of the petals. Luck and gratitude were indicated by white and pink, respectively, while various shades of red meant admiration and love. Pairing with red roses and white alstroemeria brings a bouquet of adoration and devotion fully to life. 

Lilies are another flower related to devotion, but also have a variety of interpretations based on the type chosen. Calla lilies, for instance, are connected to beauty based on the meaning of the word ‘calla,’ which is defined as beautiful according to FTD Flowers. Calla lilies are commonly used to symbolize someone’s faithfulness or appreciation for another person. Another type of lily is a stargazer, which goes in hand with abundance and prosperity. A bundle of many lilies shows just how much someone cares for another, or can be used to amplify the feelings of another bouquet of mixed flowers.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photos courtesy of Amber Horrall

This week in completely made up horoscopes

[fruitful_tabs type=”accordion” width=”100%” fit=”false”]

[fruitful_tab title=”Aries 3/21-4/19″] The stars have a message for Leo : you’re not my dad. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Taurus 4/20-5/20″] Oh, you know, just checking if gravity still works… [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Gemini 5/21-6/20″] Did you see that fight last week? Put 20 bucks on Pisces winning this week if you feel like making bank Gemini. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Cancer 6/21-7/22″] “Does anyone have any orange slices?” [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Leo 7/23-8/22″] Capricorns like to think they’re spicy, but their words hold no weight. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Virgo 8/23-9/22″] Sometimes your S/O has to stop drunk you from jumping out of the car to pet deer and you know what? I love that for you. [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Libra 9/23-10/22″] Spell “attic” lmaoooooo

Kyle stfu don’t judge me

Can we leave this

Of course [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Scorpio 10/23-11/21″] Did you hear what Taurus said about you? [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Sagittarius 11/22-12/21″] Pisces: ¿It’s my birthday?

Leo: I’m your dad.

The Northwest Passage Editor-in-Chief: hi

The REAL Northwest Passage Editor-in-Chief: Why [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Capricorn 12/22-1/19″] Watch out for Pisces and Leo, now they’re on the chopping block this week [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Aquarius 1/20-2/18″] Aquarius, today is a good day to bet on a fight Double down, all in, push it to the max! [/fruitful_tab]

[fruitful_tab title=”Pisces 2/19-3/20″] THat’s one a sPICy a meatball [/fruitful_tab]

[/fruitful_tabs]

Opinion: Why abortions should only be left to the pregnant person

Hannah Greene  | Sports Editor

Content Warning: This certain opinion piece covers the topics of terminating pregnancies and rape, as well as views that may be against religious parties or the ideology of our national government.

 

Why is it that the topic of pregnant people and their rights are always front and center in governmental policy or “rule-making?” History shows this has been a long battle with consistent changes, changes only benefiting the medical professionals, i.e. doctors, or government — never the pregnant person.

The criminalization of abortion has never actually put a hault to abortions, but actually made it more difficult for pregnant people to be able to have safe access to this human right. Before 1973, women — of privileged higher classes were able to get safe abortions from private medical professionals. This still did not put an end to back alley abortions — an abortion perfomed by a non-medical professional — or the mortality rate of pregant people. 

By the time 1973, Roe vs. Wade, rolled around, pregnant people were able to seek out legal abortions. Unfortunately, this caused an uproar amongst people who thought they should have a say in the private lives of pregnant people and their bodies, bringing the issue to federal and state levels to take away funding towards abortions.

In 1976, the Hyde Amendment was passed, which allowed states to deny funding to low-income people who wanted an abortion — which was then revised to allow funding in cases of rape, incest or damage to the pregnant person’s health.

Fast forward to the year 2020, and we are still fighting for this right. The separation of church and state most definitely does not exist when it comes to the rights of women and those who are pregnant. Politicians with religious agendas continue to make decisions and pass laws on the basis of their beliefs and not the basis of humanity. They choose to take away this “god-given right” and on top of that, take away access to birth control… what the hell are we supposed to do? 

We have a constitutional right to abortion, no matter the case — it is our fundamental right to health and being able to control when or if we want a child or not. 

For too long now, our world has put the health of the fetus before the health of the pregnant person. In 38 states — including Alabama, Florida, Nebraska, Texas and Utah — pregnant people have been charged with manslaughter due to giving birth to a stillborn or by losing the child due to an accident. It’s time to let the person who is pregnant decide. 

Women need access to birth control, pregnant people need access to safe and legal abortions and the energy going towards ending these fundamental, human rights needs to stop.

Let’s all start minding our own business and accept the decisions made by other people, especially decisions that have no impact or effect in our own lives.

 

Planned Parenthood is a safe place for those seeking to terminate a pregnancy or confide in a medical professional, on your terms and without parental consent. There are currently 11 Planned Parenthoods in the state of Oregon, for more information follow the link: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/or

 

Contact the author at hgreene18@wou.edu

Sweet heart cookies to try baking this Valentine’s day

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so why not take the opportunity to try out some fun Valentine’s desserts? An easy one to try is cookies — dive into this recipe to make something sweet for that special someone in mind.

 

LINZER COOKIES

Start to finish: ~1 hour and 40 minutes

Serving size: 40 cookies

1 ½ cups butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon kosher salt

3 ½ cups all purpose flour

¾ cup raspberry or strawberry preserves

½ cup powdered sugar

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the butter and sugar together on medium speed for two minutes. Add in the vanilla and salt and mix until combined.

Turn mixer to low and add in the flour, mixing until combined.

Remove the dough, flatten it into a disk and wrap in cling wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Dust a clean counter with flour and using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to ¼ inch thick.

Cut out the dough using a round two-inch biscuit cutter or cookie cutter. In half of the rounds, cut out a circle (or shape) in the centers. You can use a small cookie cutter, or even the back of a piping tip.

Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet and place the baking sheet in the freezer.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. When the oven is preheated, remove the baking sheet from the freezer and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cooled, spread about one teaspoon of preserves on the bottoms of the solid cookies. Gently press the cut out cookies on top of the preserves.

Dust all the cookies with powdered sugar.

Recipe from cookiesandcups.com

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Amber Horrall

Committees that Western students can be involved in

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Getting involved on campus can mean a multitude of things — going to various sports games, participating in events, joining a club or a combination of all of them. Another way students can be involved is through committees. Western has a variety of committees that students can be a part of to make a difference on campus; here’s a few of them that students can partake in.

The Incidental Fee Committee, or IFC, deals with allocating funds to different areas on campus and deciding how much students pay for fees with their tuition. Students that are involved on this board vote to see where such funding goes, and are the only ones who vote — unless there is a tie. Students are picked via the Associated Students of Western Oregon University elections, the Student Body President and Western’s president. However, students can also give feedback during open hearings after preliminary decisions, so they can be included and make a difference without being on the committee itself. An open hearing will take place on Feb. 17 in the Werner University Center.

The Honors Committee is restricted to those in Western’s Honors Program, and is an opportunity for students within the program to become more involved with it. Only one student from each class can serve on the board; they assist with thesis proposals, course selections and overall each student serves as a representative for their grade level. For those that are interested, they advocate to their peers and a voting process takes place. The student can then give their thoughts and opinions on the Honors Program itself along with courses.

The General Education Committee reviews the general education program; students can assist the faculty on the board with ensuring that the curriculum is accessible and up-to-date for Western’s students. In addition to managing information and handling course details, the students in the committee coordinate functions with other committees as well.

The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees sends out emails frequently about meetings and such that students can attend to give their opinion. Recent meetings have been in regards to the Finance and Administration Committee, Academic & Student Affairs Committee (ASAC) — which involves reviewing and recommending actions that affect curriculum, enrollments and admission — and the Executive, Governance, & Trusteeship Committee (EGTC). The meetings themselves are public and those who are interested can feel free to contact the WOU Board of Trustees with questions.

 

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Community events happening in Monmouth and Independence

Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

  • Mon., Feb. 10 — Central Lions Club Meeting, a service club, meets at the Independence Elks Lodge from 12–1 p.m. 
  • Thurs., Feb. 13 — Mystery Book Club Meeting at the Independence Public Library from 6–7 p.m. A discussion group for book lovers, it meets the second Thursday of each month. Those who are interested can check the library’s website to see the title of the month.
  • Sat., Feb. 15 — “The General” silent film viewing at the Polk County Museum in the Polk County Fairgrounds. Showing takes place from 1:30–3 p.m. and costs $5. There are snacks available to purchase and viewers can have fun watching a ‘20s classic.
  • Fri., Feb. 28 — Deluxe Brewing Tap Takeover from 6–8 p.m. Hosted by Rookies Sports Tap, patrons have a chance to try free samples from the brewery.
  • Sun., Mar. 1 — Polk Flea Market at the Polk County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m–3 p.m. Admission is $1 and customers have a chance to shop for collectibles, antiques, furniture, jewelry and more. Event is recurring for the first Sunday of every month.
  • Sat., Mar. 14 — 2020 Rickreall Spring Gun Show at the Polk County Fairgrounds and Event Center from 9 a.m–3 p.m. A buy, sell, trade event for those in the community.
  • Sat., Mar. 14 — Seamus Egan Project at Rice Auditorium at Western. From 7:30–9:30 p.m, those interested can see Irish musician Seamus Egan perform.
  • Sat., Mar. 28 — 38th Annual Spring Doll Show & Sale held at the Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center. Admission is $5 and occurs from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Contact the author rhorrall17@wou.edu

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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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