Mount Hood

Throwing a Cat Birthday Part

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

I’ve had a few cats in my lifetime, but one constant was that they were all rescued and adult-aged, meaning I had no idea when their actual birthdays were. When I adopted a kitten this summer who was born in-shelter and I saw her date of birth written on her paperwork, I knew instantly that I was going to be celebrating every birthday with her. 

It sounds kind of crazy right? Who throws a birthday party for their cat? Me. I do. As someone who loves to divert attention from myself onto other people — or I guess, animals — I could not think of a better way to gather my friends in a format in which I didn’t have to be the center of attention. 

The steps listed below are the ones that I took to throw my cat’s first birthday party. Use these tips if one finds themselves in a similar situation — all aspects of our lives deserve to be celebrated, especially the lives and relationships of our pets. 

Make invitations — When I knew I was going to have a birthday party for my cat, I knew invitations would be important. One should choose whether they would like to have a digital invitation in the form of a pdf, printed invitations or both options to choose from. I ended up printing my invitations because I wanted my friends to be able to have a physical picture of my cat to display in their homes on their refrigerators or walls. It also made it seem like more of a solidified deal, getting the partygoers thinking “Oh, wow, there are actual invitations. She is taking this very seriously.” 

There are many ways to design both digital and printed invitations. If one is printing invitations, stores like Walmart or Walgreens print invitations for pretty cheap and have a plethora of different invitation designs to choose from and individualize. I ended up making my own custom invitation on a drawing software called ProCreate, where I drew over a pre-existing picture of my cat, including the party’s day, time and place. I then got them printed through Walmart and distributed them amongst my friends. 

Decorations and supplies — When I started researching decorations for pet birthday parties, I was pleasantly surprised by how much variety there was to choose from in the pet party realm. There were a lot of different packages on Amazon, many of which included balloons and banners spelling out things like “Meow” and “Let’s Pawty.” At first, I thought these were pretty cheesy, and don’t get me wrong, a lot of them were not the aesthetic that I was going for, but I ended up picking up a “Let’s Pawty” banner from Target, of all places. I picked up some other miscellaneous supplies like a flower garland and small paper plates from there as well. The star of the show, however, was the cat birthday outfit I bought off of Amazon — a party hat and skirt decorated with polka-dotted tulle resembling confetti. I do not think I will get her to tolerate it for even a second, especially not in front of our guests, but I couldn’t not buy it. 

Pick out party favors — When it comes to a cat party, party favors had me kind of stumped. My guests are all college-aged and older, so traditional goodie bags were out the window. I wanted to have something to offer as thanks for coming to my super extra cat birthday party, and everyone knows college students love free stuff, especially if it’s cute. After scouring the depths of Amazon, I found some cute cat keychains that were all in the same sort of cute, minimalist style that came with cute mesh gift bags. This was great, but it didn’t feel like quite enough, so I ordered a few sticker packs in a similar style and paired them with the keychains. 

Food and drinks — Running on a college budget, trying to figure out food and drinks was difficult. I wanted to be able to allow people to choose what they want to snack on, without having to cook anything on my own and accommodating a large variety of food allergies. I ended up going with a charcuterie board, which allowed me to be able to cover all of those bases. I did a majority of my shopping at Trader Joe’s and supplemented missing pieces at other stores like Roth’s. 

Happy celebrating!

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu 

Under the Sea

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Disney has been making live-action remakes of all their classics for years, but they have been very hit or miss with audiences. While movies like “Cinderella,” “Cruella” and “Maleficent” have been quite popular with fans, others, like “The Lion King,” “Dumbo” and “Pinocchio” have been ridiculed for their atrocious attempts at matching their classic counterparts. So, when “The Little Mermaid” was released last month, it is safe to say that fans were skeptical. 

As soon as the teaser dropped in Sept. 2022, there was already controversy surrounding this remake. Overtly racist or not, fans criticized the casting choice of Halle Bailey as the Little Mermaid. Once the official trailer came out this March, people were quick to tear apart other aspects of the film as well — particularly in regards to Sebastion being portrayed as a crab instead of a lobster. 

However, I still had high hopes that the film would far surpass everyone’s negative expectations. Unfortunately, Disney did not rise to the occasion. 

One of the most continuous shortcomings that Disney has when it comes to their live-action remakes is their changes to the original films’ soundtracks — “The Little Mermaid” was no different. However, in comparison to the classics such as “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” the new songs added to the film were absolute garbage. One moment I was watching “The Little Mermaid,” and the next I was transported to a Harry Styles music video. To be clear, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with Harry Styles, it just stuck out like a sore thumb.

Besides this, the CGI was horrible. For the enormous budget that Disney had to make this film, they could have at least put some of it into making it look good. The green screens used in the film were obvious — come on Disney, you’re one of the biggest names in the film industry and it’s 2023. At least add shadows.
On top of this, the movie should have come with a sensory warning. I am particularly sensitive to sounds and the sloshing of the water every time one of the characters moved was too much for me — it sounded like an infant playing in yogurt. 

However, one of the film’s saving graces was its acting crew. Bailey put on a wonderful performance — beautifully pulling off facial expressions even after Ariel lost her voice — and overall, the acting was phenomenal.

Unfortunately, this film had the opportunity to put haters in their place — or at the bare minimum not give them any ammo — but, with no fault to the cast, Disney failed miserably. What could have been a stellar, empowering remake of a classic was turned into a meh-movie with little to no heart behind it at all.

6.5/10.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Western’s Theatre Department Presents “The Wolves”

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Western’s Theatre Department debuted “The Wolves” on May 31 which was performed consecutively for the following three days. Written by Sarah DeLappe and directed by Raissa Fleming, the opening night performance was a smashing success that captivated audiences with the drama and theatrics of a high school soccer team. 

The cast of Western students included Mere Butler as Soccer Mom, Katie Newbury as No. 25, Lexy Bolsinger as No. 11, Lucy Garcia as No. 8, Cody Reece as No. 7, Maddie Blanchard as No. 14, Savannah King as No. 13, Mariam Anderson-Taha as No. 2, Loki Cockrill as No. 00 and Jeneba Diane King as No. 46. 

This production was phenomenal. 

I grew up playing soccer and have a lot of experience playing on teams. Not only have I been in the position of the new girl — No. 46 — but I have also been on a team that was together since kindergarten. The accuracy of the team and their interactions was on point. 

Fleming noted that one of the most impressive things about Delappe’s play was its ability to “capture the nuances of teenage girls’ dialog. The sometimes-lyrical lifts and falls in dialog.”

Each of the characters not only portrays — with seamless accuracy — the perils of being a teenager, but they each do it in their own unique way. Additionally, each one of these individuals perfectly fits into the team as a whole. 

The audience was completely hooked and enthralled with all of the typical teenage drama presented by the team, which made it all that more devastating when one of them was tragically taken before her time. 

The process of dealing with grief is a difficult one and one that all of us will experience in our lifetimes. No matter how young or old, any member of the audience could sympathize with the grief-stricken team as they struggled to pick themselves up after the loss of their teammate. 

Congratulations to the cast of “The Wolves.” Be sure to check out the Theatre Department’s upcoming performances in Fall 2023.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Proper etiquette for the aspiring gym-bros

Written by:Gretchen Sims

Going to the gym for the first time can be scary. After jumping that first hurdle, the question of how one should behave in the gym emerges. Learning proper gym etiquette is crucial to establish the safe space it has become for many people today. 

When I started going to the gym a little over a year ago, I was confused by the environments’ exclusive feeling; I had to learn everything I currently know about gym etiquette from Instagram. I was confused about the offended looks I was receiving, but was annoyed because I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. 

I was scared to even use any of the equipment because I could feel people’s eyes on my every move. So, with the knowledge that I have learned over the past year or so, I have gathered some points that I wish I would have known when I first started as well as some things I wish some experienced gym bros would remember. 

So, whether one is a new gym-goer or a seasoned veteran, here is an insightful list of the ins and outs of proper gym etiquette.  

Wiping equipment — While this may seem rather obvious, this is one of the most frequently overlooked aspects of proper gym etiquette. When a piece of equipment is used, one transfers skin cells, germs and sweat onto it. Wiping down the equipment is not only respectful to the person who uses the equipment after, but is also a necessity to stop the spread of bacterial skin infections that can occur from coming in contact with another’s body excretions. 

Putting equipment away — Please, for the love of God, unrack the weights when finished. As someone who started out barely being able to curl 10 pounds, I want to remind all the super strong gym bros out there to please put weights back where they go. It is much appreciated. Also be sure, if one uses extremely heavy weights on a machine, to put the pin back to a reasonable weight. It can be dangerous for the next person to use the machine if they attempt to use it and forget to change the weight.

Do not take unconsenting pictures — I feel like this could seem self-explanatory, but I’m not talking about simply not being a creep. Be sure to only take pictures when others are not around and, if necessary, edit people out of pictures before posting. Remember, these people are not consenting to have their picture taken and that should not be taken for granted. 

Do not stare at other gym-goers — It’s easy to think that spacing out in someone’s general direction is harmless, but this can make others feel uncomfortable — even if it is not intentional. Try to be conscious about where one’s eyes are at. 

Do not judge people or correct their form — One might think that helping someone correct their form is going to prevent the other person from injuring themself, but it actually is quite disparaging or even offensive to some gym-goers. Unless an individual is putting themselves in imminent danger, do not approach them. Allow them to figure out their mistakes on their own — it will happen. 

Do not approach people — Read the room. It’s okay to converse with friends in the gym, but many people see the gym as their safe place. People often work out for themselves — they are not there for you. Period. Be sensitive towards those who want to work out uninterrupted and respect their space. 

Personal hygiene — Please be courteous to others in the space. Put on deodorant before sweating it up in the gym. 

Spatial location — One thing that many gym-goers do not think about is the physical space one chooses to occupy. Being cracked out on pre-workout makes it easy to just saunter up and plant oneself on the closest open bench on the mat, but one should take a look at their surroundings beforehand. It is polite to fill in the benches, squat racks or mat spaces like one would choose a urinal. Give space to other people unless no other option is presented — every other is preferred. 

Limit time on equipment — Be sure to only occupy a piece of equipment for the bare minimum of time one needs it, particularly when the gym is busy. I am not a huge fan of working in — taking turns and sharing the equipment — but this is an option if another person is wanting to use the equipment. 

Be respectful to workers — Gym employees do not get paid enough to put up with s–t. Please be kind and courteous to these individuals. If a worker says to do something, do it. Do not linger right up until closing, always leave with five to ten minutes left until closing. 

Now that one is equipped with the knowledge of how to be a respectful gym-goer, go out, be fruitful and multiply. 



Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu




The Language of Etiquette

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

The fork goes on the left and the dessert spoon goes at the top. Moreover, do not forget to start on the outside and work inward towards the plate. The cutlery resting directly on the plate indicates the end of the meal to the catering team.

These were only some of the many dining etiquette tips provided to the 150+ students and professionals by the special guest speaker of the Etiquette Dinner, Sabra Jewell. Jewell is the Communications Coordinator for the City of Monmouth, with a background in communications and experience in hospitality and catering. This made Jewell the perfect candidate for guiding guests of the event toward a professional dining experience.

“I’ve done it all,” explained Jewell. “I have served every kind of level of practice and style of dining on every kind of budget. I have seen it all from that perspective.”

The Center for Professional Pathways is the on-campus organization that brings the Etiquette Dinner together for students every year. However, the event — despite being a student favorite for many years — was absent from campus tradition for some time due to a brief hiatus. 

This year, the Center for Professional Pathways partnered with the Stitch Closet to provide students with a double event through both dinner and a fashion show. The purpose of the culmination of the two events was to teach students about professional and business communication, as well as the importance of nonverbal cues and fashion etiquette — whilst still encouraging an environment where guests can have fun and dress in formal attire. 

The fashion show took place prior to the dinner, which presented guests with eight categories of attire — including interview attire, sports attire and formal work attire — and encouraged guests to make an educated guess on which attire corresponded with which category. The Stitch Closet rewarded the individuals with the highest number of correct answers with flowers from the event.

The dinner portion of the event consisted of a three-course meal, featuring mocktails and the option for both vegan and gluten-free alternatives. Jewell taught attendees the intricacies of dining etiquette as the guests ate and conversed, such as where to place cutlery, how to correctly butter bread, the correct way to pass the pitcher of water — and most importantly — reminded attendees to keep elbows off the table and their posture straight.

Jewell explained the importance of an event such as this, stating “These events expand your network. You never know who you’re going to meet sitting at one of these tables. It could be your future mentor; your future boss. It could be somebody who’s gonna be a peer who’s gonna help connect you to things in your own career.”

The event was free of charge to any student or community member who wished to participate. It could not have occurred without the help of the sponsor, Ash Creek Animals Clinic, and the beautiful table decor donations from TL Celebrations and generous floral arrangements from Petal & Vines. Ultimately, the event culminated in a resounding success.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Monmouth Recognized Local AAPI Vendors

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

The City of Monmouth was teeming with enthusiastic residents of the community on the evening of Saturday, May 20, as a result of the sunshine and the grand number of local festivities to explore. 

The Asian-American and Pacific Islander Vendors Market was one of the many events brought to the community by the Hawai’i Club, in partnership with the City of Monmouth. The arrival of the vendors market occurred after the conclusion of the Peacock Festival and Fun Run on Main Street Park, which equally captivated and engrossed the community with a few hours of leisure and entertainment.

Taking place in the month of May, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is devoted to the celebration and recognition of the historical contributions of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders — a celebration that largely extends to including the community contributions of local pop-ups and business vendors.

The first of potentially more in the near future with the high number of attendees, the family-friendly vendors market featured a number of businesses owned by the AAPI community, many of which prioritize craftwork and artistry, as well as sustainability. There were food businesses at the market — some familiar to the community, some not — as well, including Da Hale, Yang’s Teriyaki, Sing Fay and Da Ayala Grindz.

Furthermore, the following vendors could be found at the market: Maganda Glassworks LLC, AJE Pottery, Haole Brand Clothing — Hawaii Clothing Brand — and Treats by Yap Trap. These businesses function in that they are either pop-ups or provide catering services through commissions to Monmouth-Independence and the surrounding community in which they are situated and based. For example, AJE Pottery is a pop-up business operating for and in established shops, selling pottery such as mugs, sauce dishes and plant vases, with a creative and adorable touch.

Meanwhile, Maganda Glassworks is a new business just beginning to sprout and make a physical mark in the community, offering art and stained-glass work — including necklaces, earrings and other custom and handcrafted jewelry — as well as courses in stained glass artwork. Maganda Glassworks can be found on Main Street in Independence, Oregon.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

It’s Time for Tea

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

Getting bogged down by doing repetitive activities with friends and loved ones? Looks like it’s time for a tea party. Creating a little event for those who one cherishes can be the perfect way to show appreciation for them. Hosting a tea party is ideal for people of all ages, for any season and gets people outdoors, dressed up and participating in something unique. 

Thrifting — Don’t break the bank by purchasing a full tea set from an antique store. Instead, buy the necessary items from a thrift store. This is more environmentally friendly and will give the party more personality for pennies on the dollar. To keep costs even lower, and provide an activity for guests, ask each of them to bring a thrifted tea cup and tea plate.

Cuisine — Simple finger sandwiches and little cookies will do just the trick. Grab some fun cookie cutters to dress up three ingredient cucumber and tomato twiddle sandwiches. This aspect could also be potluck-style if one is desiring a heartier meal along with the experience. Since iced drinks are more suited for the season, there is no need to go crazy with tea. It is more than okay to grab a jug of iced tea from the grocery store to serve from a decorative pot. 

Invitations — Make this a special occasion for guests to look forward to. Send out custom invitations with the date, time, location, attire and anything else that they may need to bring. This can be done digitally or through physical print by spending no more than 20 minutes on Canva for free. 

Location — A tea party can take place indoors or outdoors. If one desires outdoor seating, there is a great variety to choose from. The event could take place in one’s backyard, public park or even at the beach. 

Attire — Who doesn’t like dressing up? Figure out what is reasonable for guests to already own that would suit the event or keep things simple by asking to wear a sundress or a light-colored shirt and shorts. Create a mood board to give guests inspiration and make sure everyone gets the memo. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

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