Mount Hood

Bird flu outbreak enters its second year

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

It has been a year since the outbreak of the avian influenza, which rocked egg inventories and raised wholesale egg prices. In January 2023, Oregonians saw the prices of eggs spike higher in percentage than any other food item, such as chicken or turkey.

The avian flu, also known as the bird flu, had a devastating effect on flocks of hens across the country, forcing farms to kill more than 43 million hens by the end of December 2022 to limit the spread of the disease and costing the government roughly $660 million. The outbreak hit in two separate waves, from February to June and from September to December.

The avian flu is a highly contagious virus, spread easily through wild bird droppings and nasal discharges, making it incredibly difficult for farmers to contain the spread of the disease. 

Though this specific virus does not significantly pose a threat to human health, as a reminder, poultry should be cooked to 165℉ to ensure any present viruses are eliminated.

The outbreak, combined with soaring inflation, fuel and labor costs are grounds for havoc from consumers. Amid a national supply shortage, grocery stores in and around Oregon are continuing to face struggles with meeting the market demand for eggs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Investigation, the consumer price of eggs rose 8.5% to an average price of $4.82 per dozen this past January.

The limited supply of eggs is prevalent for many individuals, including college students. 

At Western, Valsetz Dining Hall — students’ main source for easy, on-campus dining — had to resort to charging diners for the difference in supply and demand. At their registers, a sign has been put on display informing diners of the raised prices for meals containing eggs.

Currently, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately for consumers, there is no guarantee that egg prices will go back to being one of the cheaper, more nutritious food options.

However, new flocks of hens have begun repopulating farms, which may indicate a significant advancement toward replenishing the United State’s egg supply.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

New buisness opens on Monmouth Ave. in Monmouth

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Last October, a new business opened in Monmouth’s downtown area. La Uvita Feliz, a Mexican restaurant also dishing out classic American cuisine, is now serving the Monmouth community.

Some of the dishes at La Uvita Feliz are heavily influenced by the style of Michoacán cuisine — the birthplace of its owner, Dulce Galvan. Galvan has 20 years of experience working in the food industry. 

According to Galvan, the name “La Uvita Feliz” was taken as inspiration from the restaurant chain in Apatzingán, Michoacán called “La Uvita.” 

“I consider myself a good cook, and from there, the idea of the restaurant arose,” said Galvan.

At La Uvita Feliz, there is something for everyone. Aside from the Mexican dishes, which range from pozole to quesabirria tacos, the menu offers American fare such as burgers and hot dogs, and beverages such as milkshakes and fresh fruit juices. Additionally, to cater to a broader audience, La Uvita Feliz offers both authentic handmade flour and corn tortillas.

For first time customers, Galvan highly recommends the Michoacán dish, chavindecas — a type of quesadilla consisting of two tortillas over cheese and meat. In Michoacán, chavindecas are incredibly popular, with the most popular choice of meat being roast beef.

“If you like handmade tortillas, I always recommend chavindecas (if) it’s your first time,” said Galvan. “Green enchiladas are sold a lot, as well as the enchiladas made out of mole (and) the Michaucán enchiladas, (which is) another dish typical of (Michuacán).” 

La Uvita Feliz prides itself on offering the best of homemade ingredients and service. They are willing to take orders for dishes not currently offered on the menu, such as red enchiladas — made with red chillies rather than green chillies and jalapeños — and more traditional American soups. Additionally, Galvan will happily cater to vegetarian diets by substituting or removing certain ingredients from a dish, if requested.

For students, La Uvita Feliz offers a 10% discount off any item on WOU Wednesdays. However, Galvan is happy to provide students with a discount any time, provided they can show their student ID.

For the time being, Galvan is focusing on garnering a loyal group of clientele and cementing her business in the Monmouth community. She hopes she can amass enough to where she can remodel the restaurant to exhibit more traditional Mexican design elements.

La Uvita Feliz is currently open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m, and is located at 145 Monmouth Avenue. Find their menu and stay updated on Instagram at @lauvi.tafeliz or Facebook at @La Uvita Feliz.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Sampling or Stealing?

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

Rapper Matthew Raymond Hauri, infamously known by fans as Yung Gravy, has been releasing music since 2016. Hauri began releasing music for fun on SoundCloud while attending college. Since then, Yung Gravy has become a memorable name around college campuses, encapsulating a carefree, laidback attitude often paired with college life and encouraging its audience to not take life too seriously. 

With popular songs such as “Mr.Clean,” “Gravy Train” and “C’est la Vie,” Yung Gravy’s music combines modern trap music with callbacks to older, well-known soul songs, creating a  unique and fun sound that captivates young audiences today. These borrowed, older songs, while being a pillar of what makes Yung Gravy’s music charming and recognizable, have landed Yung Gravy into some treacherous waters, namely, being sued by “Never Gonna Give You Up” singer, Rick Astley. 

The song in question is Yung Gravy’s newest single, “Betty (Get Money),” released in June 2022. Included within the song is a brief hook including a vocal replication that sounds similar to the voice of Rick Astley, as well as an instrumental recreation of Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” 

Astley alleges that Yung Gravy and the studio engineers involved in the song’s creation impersonated Astley’s voice and falsely stated Astley’s approval of the project.

To avoid having to jump through the hoops of getting the song licensed for sampling within “Betty (Get Money),” Yung Gravy and studio engineers involved in the song’s creation attempted to recreate the instrumental. 

Yung Gravy explained this thought process in an interview with Billboard in August 2022, “My boy Nick, who does a lot of sample replays and recreating original samples, we basically remade the whole song. Had a different singer and instruments, but it was all really close because it makes it easier legally.” 

Unfortunately, Yung Gravy’s understanding of this system may have been mistaken. Astley is seeking an unspecified amount of money for damages, including all gains and profits of their violation and attorney’s fees. It is expected that the lawsuit will amount to millions. 

The ruling of this case will set the precedent for artists that use sampled music or recreations within their work, a fairly common practice, especially in less popular music circles. 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

The Inspiration Behind Blink-182’s reunion

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

When it comes to the pop-punk genre, few artists have had a more recent significant impact than Machine Gun Kelly. The American rapper and singer songwriter has been instrumental in the recent resurgence of the genre, and his influence is felt in the music of countless up-and-coming bands. Perhaps the most notable example of this is his role in reuniting the legendary punk rock trio Blink-182, who recently announced their first tour in four years.

Machine Gun Kelly, known by fans as MGK, is a Cleveland-born rapper and singer songwriter who has been making waves in the music industry since the release of his debut album, “Lace Up” in 2012. His music, which blends elements of hip-hop and punk rock, has been praised by critics and fans alike. MGK has been an outspoken advocate of the pop-punk genre and has become both an icon and a villain for the new generation of punk rockers.

In recent years, MGK has become increasingly popular with mainstream audiences and has achieved considerable commercial success. His latest albums, “Tickets to My Downfall” and “Mainstream Sellout” peaked at number one on the Billboard 200. These albums are credited with igniting the pop-punk revival and have helped to bring the genre to a broader, younger audience.

MGK’s rise to mainstream success has been met with a certain degree of criticism from fans of the genre. Some have argued that his increasing popularity has led to the genre becoming too commercialized and diluted. This has left some fans feeling alienated by the genre and has caused tension between fans of the genre and those who are more open to its mainstream appeal.

While there is certainly an element of truth to these criticisms, it is important to remember that MGK is still very much true to his roots. He has always been passionate about the genre and has collaborated with a number of punk bands including Fall Out Boy, Sleeping with Sirens, The All-American Rejects and Blink-182.

Travis Barker, Blink-182’s drummer, co-produced both of MGK’s latest albums and has stated on numerous occasions that MGK has sparked a new excitement for music and touring. In addition to the album production, the pair have also performed live together, including the last few dates of the Mainstream Sellout Tour, and at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, where they played a medley of songs from the album. MGK’s revival of the pop-punk genre made it the perfect time for Blink-182 to capitalize on the “wave” and announce a revival tour.

Blink-182 has always been known for its catchy pop-punk sound, humorous lyrics and energetic live performances. Many of the band’s fans have followed their journey since the band’s creation in Poway, California in 1992. These “day one” fans, combined with the newest audience of pop-punk fans, led to their “2023 World Tour” selling out within the first five minutes of tickets going on sale.

The closest show for Western students to attend is in Seattle, Washington, on Sunday, June 25, for a minimum resale price of $148 before fees.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

For the Love of Entertainment

Written by: Gretchen Sims

The Western Howl wants help catering content to students. After this edition, the Entertainment Editor will be taking submissions via email to be considered for inclusion in the Entertainment section. Anything from an article suggestion to a freelanced piece is very appreciated.

Freelanced pieces should be between 350 and 400 words. The author does not have to adhere to AP style editing — editing will be provided by Howl staff to make sure it fits into our house style, with the permission of the author. 

Entertainment articles typically cover music, art, social media, new movie releases and performances both on and off campus. Articles and idea submissions can be sent to gsims20@mail.wou.edu and made out to Gretchen Sims. 

Submit to see one’s favorite topics in the Howl today!

Jammin’ at the Gym

Written by: Gretchen Sims

“No Excuses” — NF

“So What” — P!nk

“Me Enamoré” — Shakira

“La La La” — Shakira

“Any Way You Want It” — Journey 

“Separate Ways” — Journey

“Fine By Me” — Andy Grammer

“Alone” — Nico Collins

“Cheap Thrills (feat. Sean Paul)” — Sia, Sean Paul

“Centuries” — Fall Out Boy

“Call Me Tonight” — Ava Max

“Epiphany” — Dvicio, Nil Moliner

“Bones” — Imagine Dragons

“Locked out of Heaven” — Bruno Mars

“I Ain’t Worried” — OneRepublic

“Gospel (with Eminem)” — Dr. Dre, Eminem

“Remember the Name (feat. Styles Of Beyond)” — Fort Minor, Styles Of Beyond

“One More Night” — Maroon 5

Student Print Exhibit

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Western Galleries continue to feature student artists by displaying class projects in the Instructional Technology Center. This month’s exhibit followed the Cannon Art Gallery’s lead and showed off the student printmaking class. 

The show titled “Creativity in Copper” shows off Western students’ exemplary artistic ability.

The prints are created by first etching an image on a slab of copper — if the pieces are in color, they may require multiple layers. 

Many students’ works are currently on display in the ITC building. Artists and their perspective prints included:

“Pond Side” by Violet Babbitt, “Ball Python” by Leo Bazemore, “Eye of the Storm” by Annabelle Bullock, “The Forest Savior” by Ashlee Ellis, “Aphrodite” by Domminik Griffith, “Cove Sun Reflection” by Jake Hampson, “ Lotus Flower” by Xiaomi He, “Dinner and a Show” by Abi Lowther, “Raindrops” by Becca McCannell, “Held” by Ressi Miller-McKinney, “Untitled” by Lucas Montpart, “El Bosque del Conejo” by Maria Ortega Osorno, “Allure” by Annabella Ramey, “Untitled” by Jackie Ramos Garibay, “Gentle Assassin” by Carrie Visuaño, “Lovely View” by Yuxin Xiao and “Cat and Flowers” by Qiao Zhang.

Similar to the previous watercolor exhibit, the works displayed in the exhibit are the result of an entire term of hard work. Though the prints began as a class assignment, each piece grew to be extremely individualistic and beautiful.

The students perfectly exhibited how one assignment can be interpreted in so many different ways — each perfectly resembling their maker. 

There was an artist reception on Saturday Feb. 11 where artists shared about the class and chatted with attendees regarding the pieces that they made. Although this show has wrapped, be sure to check out pictures from it on Instagram @wougalleries and support fellow student artists. 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Love Local

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

To support small businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Monmouth is renewing the Love Local Utility Credit Program this year. For the entire month of February, residential utility customers in Monmouth can receive credit towards their electricity bill for shopping and dining at eligible local small businesses. Participation is free and no additional sign-up is needed to get the credit. 

To participate, customers must make a purchase of $20 or more at a participating business. For each $20 spent at a local business a $10 credit will be granted to use toward one’s electricity bill. One is able to email their receipt with their utility account information, business name and date of purchase to lovelocal@ci.monmouth.or.us by March 3, 2022 to receive the credits. The receipts can also be dropped off physically in a sealed envelope at the drop box or front desk of the Monmouth Power and Light Building, located at 780 Ecols St. Customers can earn up to three credits, or $30, when they make purchases during the month of February. 

Businesses not eligible for credit include big box stores, convenience stores, franchise businesses, grocery stores, supermarkets, drug stores or fueling and gas stations. 

Participating businesses are listed below. 

Health and fitness — Curves, Firehouse Fitness, Monmouth Fitness Club and The Dance & Fitness Studio.

Barbers and beauty salons — The Guys Barber Co., University Barber Shop, Aesthetic Studio, Beauty Lounge, Glam Salon 130, His and Hers Salon, Salon Republic and MANA Salon. 

Services — Fee Mail Depot, Haughen’s Galleri Portrait Studio, New Leaf Tattoo, Doggy Dreams and Tan Republic.

Retail — Petals & Vines, Monmouth Hardware, Prisms Gallery and The Find. 

Restaurants, coffee and bars — Aaron & Jack’s Snack Shack, Bugles Espresso, Casa Burrito, Crush Wine Bar, Dry Town Tap Station, Grain Station Brew Works, Greece Lightning, Habebah Mediterranean Cuisine, Jack’s Pub & Grub, Koyote’s Mexican Food, Maui Melts, Papa Milson’s Soul Shack, Main Street Ice Cream, Mink’s Pad Thai, Muchas, Papa Milson’s Soul Shack, Rick’s Place Coffee House, Rookies Pub, Sing Fay Chinese Cuisines, Sushi Roll’n, The Donut Bar, The Sippery, Yang’s Teriyaki Plus and Yeasty Beasty. 

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

Valentine’s activities on campus

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

In honor of Valentine’s Day, several Western clubs and organizations are hosting events for the student community.

Non-Traditional Student Services are celebrating by arranging some Valentine’s Day themed activities, such as craft making and cookie decorating. Cookie decorating will be taking place on Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Werner University Center Summit Room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Meanwhile, other organizations took advantage of Valentine’s Day by spreading an important message. 

As Western’s official Center for Equity and Gender Justice, Abby’s House used Valentine’s Day to inform and remind individuals of the concept of consent. 

From Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, students could visit Abby’s House at a tabling area, featuring a photo booth. Students could receive a safety accessory — a scrunchie that doubles as an anti-spiking drink cover — by following Abby’s House on Instagram. The tabling area also provided hand-held signs illustrating expressions related to consent, such as “Cat against catcalls” and “Limits, respect them.”

Additionally, as a way to spread kindness and ensure no individual is left out, the Student Activities Board were providing Valentine’s cards and goodies to students in the WUC on Valentine’s Day. 

Many campus organizations will continue hosting Valentine’s Day themed events leading up to and after Valentine’s Day. Some of the larger organizations, such as the Residence Hall Association, are responsible for a wider multitude of on-campus events. 

Similar to last year, all residence halls participated in the distribution of Valegrams. Students could sign up to have Valegrams delivered — either for themselves, friends or partners — for no charge. Additionally, on Friday, Feb. 17, RHA — alongside the Arbor and Landers Hall Committee — will also be hosting a Valentine’s Day dance in the Pacific Room from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is no fee to attend the dance; however, RSVP is encouraged.

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Puss and Boots: in it’s last life?

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Content warning: this article contains spoilers 

When “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” came to theaters on Dec. 21, 2022, most people glanced over it — not expecting much from a children’s movie. It has been eleven years since the first spinoff of the Shrek franchise was released, but once the Netflix adaptation became popular, DreamWorks went for that cash cow. 

Starring Antonio Banderas as the voice of Puss in Boots, Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws and Harvey Guillén as Perrito, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” became a smash hit not only for its nostalgia, but also for its revolutionary animation. 

Because of a perceived cash grab, expectations were low for the film, but as soon as audiences were met with the opening scene — a blossoming flower — eyes and ears perked up. The animation style of “The Last Wish” is uncharacteristic of anything we have seen from the Shrek franchise, or even DreamWorks itself, thus far. 

Reminiscent of an Americanized adaptation of the Japanese animation style, the film was filled with action-packed scenes and bright colors that wowed the spectators. 

As is characteristic of a DreamWorks film, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” had the audience roaring in laughter at its witty humor and bawling their eyes out at its touching, heartfelt moments. 

However, art and nostalgia aside, there was one aspect of this film that made it stand out above all others — it’s “better than life” villain. While the main villain of the show, Big Jack Horner, is terrifying in his own right, the secondary villain, Death, is enough to send chills down the spine of a hardened horror veteran — his eerie whistle piercing through the theater like a winter’s wind. 

This movie had the perfect balance between nostalgia, humor, beauty and horror. People of all ages, not just children, should add “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” to their movie watch list. 

8.5/10

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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