Mount Hood

AppleTV+ presents Billie Eilish’s latest artistic creation

Billie Eilish’s debut documentary is an instant hit with fans

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

It’s no doubt that Billie Eilish continues to dominate the music industry with her creative and haunting music, but this time she took a new approach in highlighting her journey to fame with her debut documentary, “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry.” Released in select theaters and on AppleTV+ as of Feb. 26, the two-and-a-half-hour-long documentary covers everything that fans could want to know about the latest year in Eilish’s life. 

Director R.J. Cutler provides an exclusive look at key moments from the crafting of her latest album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” to her subsequent winning of the Big Four awards at the Grammys. 

In the documentary’s trailer, which is available on YouTube, the audience can hear Eilish steadily saying, “I look into the crowd, and I see that every single person in there is going through something, and I have the same problems. I was like, ‘Why don’t I turn this into art, instead of just living with it?’”

The film covers Eilish in a way the public hasn’t seen before, showcasing her personal relationships and creative process, along with the quick-paced world of the music industry and the pressure of staying authentic while in a position of superstardom. Viewers can gain a better understanding of her personal life, with the documentary containing vulnerable scenes and conversations with her family, and the toll that fame took on young Eilish’s mental and physical health. The film takes time to address her mental health struggles and battle with self-harm, and how she turns to her music and creative process to combat her depression and suicidal thoughts. 

Diving further into her private life, Eilish speaks more on her relationship and breakup with rapper Brandon Adams, also known as 7:AMP, who is nicknamed “Q” through the film. There’s also plenty of footage from her concerts, tours and behind-the-scenes clips in her childhood bedroom turned music studio. At one point in the film, Eilish delves into her creative process with her brother Finneas O’Connell when forming the album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” 

By the end of “Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry,” fans can fully appreciate the way director Cutler showcases Eilish’s journey of being an authentic and grounded person, while also being one of the most talked about and heavily awarded music artists in the industry. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, reach out to friends, family or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. 

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Grab some popcorn and catch these latest local plays

Western presents “Little Prisons: A Series of Short Plays by Portland Playwrights”

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

There are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the performing arts from home, and local theater events are still happening throughout the year to provide some much needed entertainment. Beginning Mar. 6 Western’s theater students will be live streaming their upcoming event, “Little Prisons: A Series of Short Plays by Portland Playwrights,” which is directed by Jessica Wallenfels. This performance highlights four plays written by local playwrights, all of which will be free to watch. There will also be various streaming methods to accommodate different schedules — some will be pre-recorded, while others will be streamed live. 

The plays featured will have a wide range of topics and themes, the titles being: “The Third Prisoner” by EM Lewis, “A Wing and a Prayer” by Josie Seid, “Three Love Songs” by Anya Pearson and “Joy Fricken Hates her Stupid Dumb Room” by Sara Jean Accuardi. 

These local art performances can be found on WOUTV and will be available to stream at 7 p.m. on Mar. 6, and will be available on demand until Mar. 8 at midnight. To learn more about the event and to support the local arts, check out the theater department’s Instagram, @woutheatredepartment, or their Facebook page, @WOU Theatre Department.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

No oven required: two microwavable desserts

Simple and sweet treats to make in the microwave

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Looking for a decadent dessert without the oven and the mess? Simply use a coffee mug and a microwave to serve up a delicious sweet treat. Try these chocolate cake and apple crisp microwave recipes for dessert for one in minutes.


MOLTEN CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

Start to finish: 6 minutes

Yields: 1 serving

¼ cup all purpose flour

¼ cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

½ teaspoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3 tablespoons whole milk

1 small egg

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ounce chocolate of choice, lightly broken up

1 tablespoon water

In a two cup capacity mug, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Add in melted butter, milk, egg and vanilla. Whisk well to combine. Place the chocolate pieces in the center of the mug, then drizzle water on top of the batter. 

Cook in the microwave on full power for one minute and 15 seconds to one minute and 30 seconds. The center of the cake will look wet and shiny while the edges will look set. The cake will fall after it comes out of the microwave.

Let cool for about five minutes, and top with whipped cream, berries or ice cream if desired.

Recipe from cleobuttera.com

APPLE CRISP IN A MUG

Start to finish: 8 minutes

Yields: 1 serving

APPLE FILLING

1 apple, peeled and sliced thin

½ tablespoon melted butter

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon flour

CRISP TOPPING

2 tablespoons softened butter

1 tablespoon flour

3 tablespoons old fashioned oats

1 tablespoon brown sugar

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

In a small bowl, mix apple filling ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together crisp ingredients, working the softened butter in with a fork.

Layer half the apples in a microwave safe mug. Top with half the crisp mixture. Add another layer of apples then the remaining crisp mixture. Place in microwave and cook for three minutes.

Serve warm with optional whipped topping or vanilla ice cream.

Recipe from yellowblissroad.com

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Flapjacks food truck now open for breakfast

New Monmouth food truck serves up flippin’ good pancakes and more

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

The Annex food truck lot is finally full, thanks to the brand new Flapjacks truck that opened on Feb. 15. Owner Karna Reynolds cooks up delicious and unique breakfast foods for the Monmouth community.

Originally from Medford, Reynolds moved to Monmouth for a change of scenery.

“I’ve had my food cart for 10 years,” Reynolds said. “Down there, I did tacos.” 

Reynolds said it was time for her to venture out. She flipped her menu upside down to serve up something special for her new community in Monmouth.

Flapjacks has something for everyone — from specialty pancakes, to hearty biscuits and gravy, to hot oatmeal, to fruity smoothies, every entree is made to order. Already, the biscuits and gravy and the birthday cake pancakes are their best sellers, Reynolds said. Her homemade biscuits are topped with gravy loaded with sausage, bacon and tons of flavor; it’s her personal recommendation.

Fresh and creative food is what Reynolds prides herself in. Her menu promises high quality ingredients and food “made with love,” and she enjoys experimenting with a variety of fruits, seasonings and other ingredients to give customers something one of a kind. 

“We like different as human beings,” Reynolds said. 

Reynolds will even throw something new together on a whim, meaning each day may offer a unique menu.

“Today I made a … cinnamon banana swirl pancake,” Reynolds said in regards to her menu that day. “The other day, I came up … (with) a walnut pear pancake.”

For now, Reynolds hopes to grow her business at The Annex. Several years from now, Reynolds has dreams of opening a sister location in Independence — providing the community with the breakfast food truck they want, but small and local enough that she can still run her business independently.

Flapjacks is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit the food truck at The Annex, 191 Monmouth Ave. N, and stay up to date with Flapjacks on their Facebook page, @Flapjacks.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

College students: let’s talk about burnout

What to do when overwhelmed by school stress

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

The late nights, assignment overload and financial strain of college can feel normalized, but chronic stress and anxiety can cause students to break down and get severely burnt out. According to the World Health Organization, burnout results from unmanaged long term stress that leads to such negative outcomes as constant exhaustion, social detachment and suffering grades or work performance. Towards the end of a term when stress runs higher than usual, it is especially important to know how to recognize and address burnout.

Burnout can appear in a number of ways ⏤ ranging from a lack of motivation to unending fatigue to severe frustration. In conjunction, when grades start slipping no matter how hard one works and motivation to start or finish responsibilities falls away, it is time to take steps to recover from burnout. 

First, step back and look at the entire situation. Think of every obligation, including ones outside of school, like family and extracurriculars, then order the items based on importance. Getting a degree has been instilled in us as absolutely necessary to a successful career, but taking on more than what is manageable all at once does more harm than good. If college is lower on the priority list, consider taking fewer classes or withdrawing for some time. There is no shame in taking longer than originally planned to finish a degree, especially when mental and physical well-being are at stake. 

Even if college is one of the only obligations on one’s plate, it is important to have an outlet. Clubs or online groups provide socialization with like minded people, and exercising can curb stress and frustration. Creative interests and media like books and TV shows support inspiration and relaxation. It is important to give ample time to these stress relievers; try allotting one day per week to doing nothing but enjoyable pastimes, or fit one hour of relaxation into every day. 

Take breaks from school responsibilities as often as necessary. Go for a walk in the middle of studying, or take a mental health day. Only check and answer emails once or twice a day, and turn off notifications during the night so that sleep is prioritized. Nap to catch up on sleep and power through the rest of the day. 

Making school more enjoyable can also help with burnout so that it feels less straining. Choose a field of study and classes that are most interesting, even if this means changing a major. Forming good relationships with classmates and professors can make the days less monotonous.

Asking for help may be challenging, but if burnout has taken over one’s day-to-day life, it may be necessary. Confide in someone trusted and ask them for support in whatever way is needed. If feeling depressed, talk to a professional, such as a counselor at the Student Health and Wellness Center.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Zoomed out from Zoom lectures

Tips for staying awake during online classes

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

After a full year of classes through Zoom, a lucky few have mastered schooling from home. For the rest of us, the simple task of staying awake for the entire lecture is still daunting. Try these tips for staying awake during online classes.

Start off the day as if classes were in person; get dressed, sit down for a cup of coffee and perform the usual morning routine. Getting up a bit early to do some light exercise can also jumpstart the mind and body so that by class time, they will be ready and alert. 

Though taking class in a cozy bed sounds tempting, it can make one drowsy in a hurry. Instead, work at a designated space, such as a desk or dining table. If still nodding off in this workspace, try standing up for parts of or all of class. 

Active participation contributes to learning and also keeps one alert. Take thorough notes and write down questions to ask when the opportunity arises. Alternatively, contribute to the discussion by answering questions and presenting personal thoughts on the subject. This will keep the brain working and fight off fatigue. 

My personal favorite tip is to eat food or drink something during class. When starting to doze off, give the body something to do by reaching for a snack or drink. Eventually the body will get a boost of energy as well, especially from foods like oatmeal, nuts and fruits. 

If these quick tips aren’t doing the trick, it may be time to re-examine one’s daily routine. Combat drowsiness at the source by getting more and better sleep at night — check out our tips for better sleep article on our website, wou.edu/westernhowl. 

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

This week in completely made up horoscopes

The Western Howl Staff

Theme: What’s driving the signs mad?

Aries 3/21-4/19  

Beets.

Taurus 4/20-5/20

When there aren’t any Uber Eats couriers in the area. 

Gemini 5/21-6/20 

a s—-y wifi connection 

Cancer 6/21-7/22

A milkshake, it’s bringing all these boys to my yard and idk why

Leo 7/23-8/22

existing

Virgo 8/23-9/22

My plants keep dying and I don’t know what to do anymore

Libra 9/23-10/22

The fact that it’s March again?? Disgusting

Scorpio 10/23-11/21 

Shoes that look like rats

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

Waiting for the WandaVision finale….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Capricorn 12/22-1/19

ya know, life

Aquarius 1/20 – 2/18

Potatoes that aren’t baked to perfection

Pisces 2/19 – 3/20

Most times I find the end of the term bittersweet. Not this time.

Q&A with ODS’ Assistant Director for Accessibility and Inclusion Rian Gayle

Learning all there is to know about the Office of Disability Services with Rian Gayle

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

There are a variety of services on campus dedicated to providing students with a more supportive college experience. The Office of Disability Services is no exception, providing students with academic accommodations and connecting them to a community that cares. ODS’ Assistant Director, Access & Inclusion Rian Gayle answered some questions through a sign language interpreter, Benjamin Cavaletto.

What is ODS?

The Office of Disability Services, commonly referred to as ODS, is here on campus to provide accommodations and also disability awareness building for the campus. We make the university compliant with federal laws that require us to provide accommodations. 

What are some services ODS offers?

We offer a variety of services; these are not services that are based on what we assume a student should have. We actually have conversations with students based on documentation they provide. Some examples of accommodations would be extra time for exams, interpreting services, note taking services, transcriptions and furniture accommodations in classrooms. Now during COVID, we’ve noticed an increase of students being in online courses, so there’s been a strong reliance on extra need for extended test time and services that can be provided online.

What is proper paperwork for students to be able to use the services provided by ODS?

Typically we require students to have some form of documentation to receive services. That documentation can be a 504 plan from high school, or it can be an Individualized Education Program that they had from K-12 education. If a student does not have a 504 plan or an IEP, they can go to any medical provider and have a diagnosis written. 

Can students use the services on campus to get a diagnosis?

You could go to the Student Health and Counseling Center, but they would not be able to serve all diagnoses. They may refer you to another place for other kinds of treatment if it’s not within their capabilities.

What are some examples of what they (SHCC) cover?

From my experience, I have seen that they have diagnosed students with ADHD. I think that’s the most prevalent I’ve seen. It’s possible that they could do other diagnoses but I don’t want to give you false information.

Have you seen grades improve after students enter ODS?

Yeah we have seen grades improve and students be able to graduate. We know that because we’ve been emailed. We get thank yous and people have said “If it weren’t for you I’m not sure how I would have done.” At the same time, I want to make sure that people are aware that if you do get accommodations, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to solve all of your problems. 

What’s one thing you’ve grown to love about Western?

When I applied for the job, one of my concerns was how communication would happen. My first language is not English. It’s often that communication barriers will occur in the workplace, but Western was able to support me using my first language. The people around me are able to sign and understand me, and that is something that really attracted me to the position.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Campus Dining opens new cafe at Valsetz

Valsetz Dining Hall to begin serving Starbucks coffee

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

As of Feb. 22, Valsetz Dining Hall has officially opened their new Valsetz Café located in the backstage section of the hall. Prior to Valsetz Café, Campus Dining re-opened Caffè Allegro during fall term, but the campus coffee shop was closed due to low popularity. 

“When we decided to open again we thought a coffee shop would be more successful in Valsetz because it is closer to the residence halls for students and we already receive a lot of traffic due to students picking up their meals at Valsetz throughout the day,” said Campus Dining Marketing Program Assistant Tatianna Brock. “This will be a permanent installment. When we are able to open The Press and Caffè Allegro again, The Valsetz Café will turn into a late night cafe. We will still serve Starbucks beverages, but we will also open our convenient store and offer individual pizza, calzones and more.”

In preparation for the cafe opening, Valsetz has prioritized staff training.

“Some of our Valsetz staff members that will be working in the Café received barista training and our new student employees hired on also received barista training,” said Brock. “A Starbucks representative stopped by Valsetz to train our staff on preparing Starbucks coffee and gave us training materials.”

In addition to staff training, Brock also explains the cafe has been designed to ensure student and staff safety.

“We have floor stickers throughout the Café area limiting the amount of spots available for customers,” said Brock. “There are three floor stickers for the ordering line and then other customers will be directed to wait outside Valsetz for the next available floor sticker.”

At this time, the cafe has a mask mandate and has sanitizer dispensers available for customers to use. Additionally, Valsetz has four floor stickers placed in the pickup line to help customers stay six feet apart when waiting in line.

According to Brock, the cafe will function similarly to The Press — a coffee shop found in Hamersly Library. On the ordering menu, students can choose from espresso drinks ⏤ including lattes and mochas ⏤ chai tea, refreshers, shaken iced tea, lemonade and other items. The full menu is accessible to students on the Campus Dining website on the “Menus” tab or “Campus Coffee” page.

For additional questions, students can email brockt@mail.wou.edu.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

Dungeon Delving for Dummies: “Volo’s Guide to Monsters”

“Volo’s Guide to Monsters” is Wizards of the Coast’s most detailed sourcebook 

Stephanie Moschella |‌ ‌Digital Media Manager

Imagine this scenario: a mother has two kids, one’s name is Combat and the other’s name is Roleplay. No matter how hard they try, the mother just can’t help but love Roleplay more. But she can’t just let Combat sit there and die ⏤ they need food, water, shelter and the base level of love so that they don’t simply just perish away. But Combat is ugly, slow, tedious, hard work and overall, a pain in her a-s. The thing is, with the right parenting, Combat can grow up into an exceptional adult. “Volo’s Guide to Monsters” might be the element missing to turn the combat hating players excited to roll initiative. 

This sourcebook is jam packed with information and in depth lore surrounding Dungeons & Dragons’ most notable enemies such as beholders, hags, mind flayers and much more. There are plenty of additional resources for dungeon masters including tables, lairs with maps, historical backgrounds and even some creature psychology that can help add an extra layer to games. 

Along with this, the book includes tons of extensions for player characters as well ⏤ with 13 new and interesting races in order to keep away from any standard or traditional races. There are tips on how to roleplay certain races, which I will always and forever ignore because they’re really just full of primitive racist stereotypes. Most of the time, these “tips” are problematic amalgamations of real life racism and DM’s should be aware of this in order to avoid any pitfalls. 

New races are always a plus, as they can expand worldbuilding and character creation, but it falls flat with the racially steered tips. Avoiding this section is quite easy, as Wizards of the Coast has done some careful, albeit minimal, backtracking in order to avoid this issue present day. 

The most important section of the sourcebook is the extensive bestiary that is dedicated to a variety of new creatures ⏤ some that weren’t even included in the Monster Manual. There is an excellent range of monsters with an easy to gauge balance for DM’s to recognize what they should or shouldn’t be using against their 5th level players. 

Content wise, any DM will benefit in buying and subsequently using this sourcebook. It is extremely detailed as stated by Volothamp Geddarm himself, “I wonder what a mind flayer’s brain tastes like.” 

Overall Review: This book is an absolute must-have for DMs as it is a treasure trove of monster lore. It’s an amazing addition to 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons with charming banter from Volo and Elminster sprinkled throughout. 9/10 would recommend to DM’s and players alike!

Contact the author at smoschella20@mail.wou.edu

27 animes to procrastinate with

As midterms roll around, ignore responsibilities and immerse in fantasy

Stephanie Moschella |‌ ‌Digital Media Manager

In the midst of studying and being jam packed with homework, it’s nice to take a break, sit back and start a new show. Popular streaming services such as Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime, Hulu and even Netflix have adapted themselves to be more diverse in genre. With the availability of all different genres, the anime industry has prospered rapidly internationally. 

Originating as animated works from Japan, anime is a visual medium that garners a great deal of attention. Though originally voiced in Japanese, many of these shows have both subtitles in multiple different languages as well as English dubs, depending on the watcher’s preferences. 

Being stuck at home in this pandemic leaves a lot of people craving something fresh in order to distract themselves from daily stresses. 

In the list below, there are shows that have come out within the last two decades, a wide variety of classic and modern. No matter if the viewer enjoys old school or recent media, anime has historically never been bigger with the various affordable options. 

In no particular order, have some fun watching or rewatching these anime shows to ignore the anxiety of the piling assignments and impending due dates. 

“Black Clover” (2017) (Crunchyroll)

“Blue Exorcist” (2011) (Crunchyroll)

“Bungo Stray Dogs” (2016) (Crunchyroll) 

“Death Note” (2006) (Crunchyroll)

“Death Parade” (2015) (Crunchyroll) 

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” (2019) (Netflix) 

“Durarara!!” (2016) (Netflix) 

“Erased” (2016) (Netflix) 

“Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma” (2015) (Crunchyroll)

“Fruits Basket” (2019) (Crunchyroll) 

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009) (Crunchyroll) 

“Great Pretender” (2020) (Netflix) 

“Haikyuu!!” (2014) (Crunchyroll)

“Horimiya” (2021) (Hulu)

“Hunter x Hunter” (2013) (Netflix)

“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (2012) (Netflix) 

“Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020) (Crunchyroll) 

“Little Witch Academia” (2017) (Netflix) 

“Mob Psycho 100” (2016) (Crunchyroll) 

“My Hero Academia” (2016) (Crunchyroll) 

“Psycho Pass” (2012) (Hulu) 

“Seven Deadly Sins” (2014) (Netflix) 

“SK8 the Infinity” (2021) (Funimation) 

“The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.” (2018) (Netflix) 

“The Promised Neverland” (2019) (Netflix) 

“Tokyo Ghoul” (2014) (Crunchyroll) 

“Your Name” (2016) (Amazon Prime) 

Contact the author at howldigitalmediamanager@mail.wou.edu

How to write a winning story

Five tips to help aspiring authors refine their writing

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Writing is a learned and actively practiced skill, just like playing an instrument or sport. For writers who have dreams of being published in the future, completing a working manuscript is the imperative first step. Here are some tips for aspiring writers to kick their stories up a notch. 

  • Find an original voice. Gathering inspiration from other authors and stories is great; they are professionals, so there is much to be gained from reading lots of material. But in the end, nobody else can write the exact story that is in one’s own mind. Tell a brand new story in a unique way, and let the passion and enthusiasm shine through in every page. 
  • Put aside anything distracting when sitting down to write. Do a favor for the story: give it full attention until it reaches an ending. If writing a novel, try to finish a full chapter or scene all at once. Conversely, try timed writing: write anything that comes to mind without stopping for, say, twenty minutes. It will be much less intimidating to continue working on it in the future if the pages aren’t blank.
  • Learn the rules, but don’t follow the rules. What this means is that the rules of writing can’t be broken, twisted or meddled with if the rules aren’t known to begin with. Take the time to master formatting, grammar and a standard plot structure, then play around with them to make the story unique. 
  • The best advice I ever received was from my high school English teacher: “Kill your darlings.” It is all too easy to get attached to one’s own characters, scenes, settings or piece as a whole — I know from experience. However, readers and editors will have a different perspective than the author. Keep this in mind when editors suggest revisions: they are trying to help the story come across better to the audience, which sometimes means changing or completely deleting the author’s favorite parts. 
  • Keep writing and don’t give up hope. Building and completing a manuscript is just the first step to getting work published, and it can be a very difficult process trying to get a story accepted at a publishing house. Let passion and commitment to the story drive the journey, and always keep working to present the best possible piece. 

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

‌Bringing back the classics, one game at a time

Be on the lookout for these retro and affordable gaming systems

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌

Gaming systems have come a long way from their original clunky shapes, and have increasingly become more advanced in their programming and sophisticated designs. New games and systems are constantly being released, but the prices aren’t always the most accessible. To still have fun gaming the rainy days away, folks can look to some of the more affordable options. Older models, like the Game Boy and Nintendo DS, can usually be found at a cheaper price at electronic stores or online sellers. Not only that, revisiting these old school systems can provide a distinctly nostalgic feeling of easier days. 

  • Nintendo Game Boy 

The model I have is from 1989, and using this one comes with pros and cons. One con is that it requires four AA batteries, and the games that fit inside have to be specific to this model to work properly. Thankfully, batteries aren’t super expensive, and the system itself isn’t in high demand anymore, so the device and its games can be found fairly easily. One pro tip for finding these older models is to ask around to friends or family, as sometimes items like these end up forgotten about in the attic or donation pile. 

  • Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP

This is personally my favorite system, just because the satisfying startup noise and colorful screen bring me right back to my childhood. Not only that, but the games and accessories for these can be commonly found in thrift stores or for cheap at electronic stores. This makes it easy to build a large collection of games with a smaller budget, but it also means it’s easier to splurge.

  • Nintendo DS Lite

Finally, the DS brings in the best of both worlds with the ability to take both Game Boy games and smaller, updated DS games with clearer graphics. Don’t forget about the chat option, which is way more entertaining than Zoom meetings. One con for this is the stylus; it can be easy to lose through the years, but they’re cheap and easy to hunt down at a store. It’s convenient to have a device that has two slots for different games, but some DS games can be upward of $15 or so at certain stores. 

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

The latest talked-about documentary on Hulu

Hulu’s hottest documentary: “Framing Britney Spears” available now

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

Released on Feb 5., “Framing Britney Spears” is a highly anticipated documentary episode of “The New York Times Presents.” The hour and 14 minute long documentary begins with the story of Britney Spears before her stardom — her life in Kentwood, Louisiana. Through compelling narratives laid out in interviews, the audience can gain an understanding of her humble beginnings, and how she went from performing in small town malls to gaining instant stardom. 

The documentary shows behind the scenes clips of Spears performing for music videos and in interviews and commercials, but also touches on topics like the struggles in her family. Not only does it showcase unseen details from Spears’ life, but the documentary also highlights how scrutinized she was from early in her career. 

The audience can see the ways in which the paparazzi’s involvement ended up fueling the drama surrounding her decisions, relationships and her parenting. Not only that, it goes into detail about the conservatorship her father has held for the last 12 years — which includes control over her person (for medications, medical records, etc.), finances and for her estate. The battle of her conservatorship has reignited people’s concern for Spears, and the show explores the #FreeBritney movement. Viewers can gain a better understanding of the pressure Spears faces from being under the spotlight, and how all of these issues have taken a toll on her mental health, also leading to why she should be freed from her current conservatorship. Find the full documentary on Hulu to learn more about Britney Spears’ conservatorship and details on the #FreeBritney movement. 

Overall review: 9/10 because I’m a Britney stan, but also because they went very in-depth and provided useful information toward her situation.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Taste test these five kombuchas

Try out these flavors and brands of kombucha

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

Kombucha is a fermented and lightly effervescent drink, made out of either black tea or green tea, and is usually consumed to improve gut health due to certain probiotics and antioxidants they contain. It also provides benefits from the tea that is included, and some kombuchas are crafted to have higher caffeine content as well. In order to sift through all the brands and types, here’s a list that is ranked from the most approachable types of kombucha to the stronger and more intense flavors. 

  1. Brand and flavor: Health-ade Kombucha, Bubbly Rose

Review: True to the name, this drink is very bubbly and has just a hint of rose in it. For kombucha newbies, I would recommend this drink to start off with, because of the delicate floral taste created from the hawthorn berries, mangosteen and rose petals. 

  1. Brand and flavor: Kevita, Lavender Melon

Review: It has a very light flavor, and the tang from the kombucha isn’t overwhelming because of the lavender and melon. Personally, I could take a stronger lavender flavor but the scent is really there, and the melon still has a crisp and refreshing taste. 

  1. Brand and flavor: Brew Dr. Kombucha, Pineapple Guava

Review: This one has a fun design and a very fruity flavor profile, which makes it easy to sip on and enjoy. The pineapple flavor comes in strong right off the bat, and the guava helps cut down on the slight acidity from the pineapple, which creates a nice balance between the flavors. 

  1. Brand and flavor: humm, Pomegranate Lemonade

Review: Humm is another safe choice as it is pretty popular and can be found a bit more regularly in convenience stores than some of the other brands out there. The pomegranate and lemonade make it a smooth and citrusy drink, but come together for a surprisingly good flavor combination. 

  1. Brand and flavor: Synergy, Trilogy

Review: This is my personal favorite brand, mostly because of the strong and tart kombucha flavor. Trilogy is a combination of kiwi, raspberry and lemon juice with both green and black tea — which all pack quite the punch when fermented together.  

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

How to hack your makeup routine

Hacks and tips to make applying makeup easier

Rylie Horrall | Managing Editor

Makeup can be a fun and creative way for a person to express themself, however some may find it difficult to do — I personally still struggle to make my winged eyeliner even on each side, and I’ve been practicing for months. For anyone that has grappled with their own makeup skills or wants to shorten their daily routine, try out some of these tips.

Love the winged eyeliner but can’t seem to make it work? One option is to take a bobby pin, and draw on one end with a liquid eyeliner pen. Line up the end of the bobby pin with the curve of the eyelid and gently press to transfer the line onto the eyelid. Take the eyeliner pen and trace over the line to darken, then drag down across the eyelid to complete the wing.

An alternative and potentially easier option for winged eyeliner is to first take some tape — I recommend body tape for easier removal — and place it on the side of the eye, where the bottom of the wing would be. Line the eye with the pen as normal. For the wing, swipe down at an angle towards the lid ⏤ drawing on the tape if necessary ⏤ to fill the entire wing, then remove the tape.

For quick and easy contouring around the face, first apply foundation as usual. Take a contour stick and draw a “3” from the top of the forehead down to the jaw. The middle section of the shape should fall on one’s cheekbone. Blend away the harsh lines with a makeup brush or beauty blender.

To make one’s lashes look longer without feeling as if there’s a ton of mascara coating, try taking the mascara wand and gently dabbing at it with a tissue before use. This can remove any excess that may cause clumping when applying. Alternatively, scrape the wand against the lip of the container, if worried about wasting the mascara. Apply as usual; the lashes will still have the elongated look mascara gives, but with a lighter amount covering the lashes.

Want bold and colorful eyeshadow? To make the pigment really pop, first apply white eyeshadow or other light color to the entire lid before applying desired color. Apply and blend eyeshadow as normal, and the color should stand out more.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

This week in completely made up horoscopes

The Western Howl Staff

Theme: The signs as trending twitter hashtags

Aries 3/21-4/19  

#ballsdeep

Taurus 4/20-5/20

#gamersforgod

Gemini 5/21-6/20 

#babysfirstlawsuit

Cancer 6/21-7/22

#jarjarbinkssithlord

Leo 7/23-8/22

#BettyWhite

Virgo 8/23-9/22

#mydearestcop

Libra 9/23-10/22

#itsajokechill

Scorpio 10/23-11/21 

#pogchamp

Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

#howlaboutit

Capricorn 12/22-1/19

#taylorlautnersback

Aquarius 1/20 – 2/18

#freebritney

Pisces 2/19 – 3/20

#cry

Veteran Resource Center’s director accepts teaching position with the DoD

Vetertan Center director Colin Haines leaves Western

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

After three and a half years of serving student veterans attending Western, Veteran Resource Center director Colin Haines has resigned.

The announcement came after Haines accepted a teaching position with the Department of Defense’s Science and Technology Academies Reinforcing Basic Aviation and Space Exploration program. Founded in 1991, the program was tailored to provide 25 hours of military personnel demonstrating science, technology, engineering and math in “real world” scenarios to fifth grade minority students.

“The DoD Starbase program combines everything I strive to be as a professional educator,” said Haines. “(Western), along with its students, faculty and staff, will always hold a place in my heart, but I felt the time was right to progress my career and make an impact on young students who need me the most.”

Haines reported that his time serving students at Western had been impactful ⏤ personally and professionally. He went on to say the student leaders of Peer Advisers for Veteran Education program have always provided student veterans or veteran-dependents with quality information regarding Veteran Affair benefits and academic life on campus.

“The fact that I have such an outstanding student staff who are more than able to help their peers during the period between directors allows me to leave with a bit of (peace) of mind that our student veterans will not be left hanging,” said Haines. 

At this time, Western has hired a new director, and Haines said he has confidence in the hiring authorities’ ability to identify and nurture great talent. To learn more about the new director or learn more about veteran benefits on campus, email sva@mail.wou.edu.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou

Thoughts and Gifts Project invites community to grand opening

The Thoughts and Gifts Project welcomes Polk County residents to celebrate the move to their new permanent location 

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

On Feb. 20, the Thoughts and Gifts Project nonprofit organization will be commemorating their permanent move to 427 Main St. E from 1 to 3 p.m..

Established in 2018 by founder Jean Love, TAGP celebrates the birthdays of underserved youths and qualifying senior citizens by providing $30 worth of gifts, three books and two birthday cards. 

Prior to COVID-19, TAGP would host one large birthday party each month for all participants within their program. Adapting to COVID regulations, the nonprofit does not have large birthday parties, but now does monthly prize drawings with donations from the Dollar Tree in addition to their other gifts.

Love had the idea after listening to a Toys for Tots commercial on the radio during Christmas time.

“It’s great that there’s such an outpour of support for one day, but what about the other 365 days of the year?” explained Love.

When the organization first began providing services to the public, their original location was temporary. 

“We had a partnership with the Polk County Service Club … They allowed us to use their club house free of charge and we were there for three days a week,” said Love, “but we did not have on site storage.”

According to Love, they spent the next few years fundraising until they were able to purchase a storefront in Monmouth during the fall of 2020. 

“We thought about doing a grand opening in October, but at that point you’re getting into November and December where the main focus is Christmas,” Love explained. “We don’t want to compete with anything Christmas because there is too much good that happens then.”

For the event, TAGP is doing a ribbon cutting ceremony in front of the store at 1:30 p.m. in addition to three different game stations.

“They will be quick fast games and after they can win prizes,” said Love.

Participants will also be able to receive some TAGP swag bags that contain various branded items. At this time, food will not be provided due to COVID regulations. People interested in attending the event are required to wear a mask, but no RSVP is required.

“We’re really doing something positive for our community,” said TAGP volunteer Kathy Grudle. “It’s such a wonderful feeling to be able to say this something we’re giving you and because we care about you having a birthday.”

To learn more about qualifications or to donate to The Thoughts and Gifts Project, students can visit their website at thoughtsandgifts.org.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

IFC concludes spring term discussions and moves on to the next school year

The IFC has finalized spring term and are working on next year’s budget

Sydney Carpenter | News Editor

Western’s Incidental Fee Committee has completed their process for establishing fee and budgetary allocations for spring 2021.

During their Feb. 5 meeting, seven IFC members voted to approve the motion of allocating all budgetary requests from all 15 funded areas while one member abstained. For the money allocation, the committee supplied three areas with additional funding: Student Media received $2,750; the Creative Arts department, $1,500; ASWOU, $81.

For spring term, the committee opted to lower the $150 fee students saw on their bill this term due to lower budgetary requests, according to IFC chair Makana Waikiki. From the meeting transcript, it was revealed by IFC member Quentin Kanta that only one student voted on the fee preference option and voted for a $125 fee to be charged on student billing next term.

The operating costs for spring term total $585,886.67. Under the current proposed fee, the IFC anticipates collecting $502,750 and supplying the remaining funding using money from their $800,000 worth of reserves. The difference between winter and spring term’s operating budgets is approximately $330,000 less. The difference is due to the athletics department not making any budgetary requests for spring due to sufficient funding from their winter term requests.

The IFC is also working on drafting budgetary allocations and fee proposals for the 2021-2022 academic year. All funded areas have been asked to pitch 10%, 20% and 30% cuts. The reason for this request is due to the uncertainty of enrollment for the upcoming year and the unpredictability of COVID-19.

At this time, only 11 of the 15 areas have proposed their budgets for the upcoming school year. All areas were supposed to finish their proposals on Feb. 12, but the IFC chair cancelled the meeting because of the ice storm, and anticipate resuming proposals on Feb. 19.

For students that are interested in the IFC’s process, the committee holds their meetings via Zoom every Friday starting at 9 a.m. All committee meetings are open to the public and the link to the meeting can be found at their website wou.edu/ifc/. For all other inquiries regarding the IFC, students can email the IFC chair at ifcchair@mail.wou.edu.

Contact the author at scarpenter18@mail.wou.edu

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