` The Western Howl, Author at The Western Howl - Page 89 of 235
Mount Hood

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

Western Oregon University

Facebook   Instagram   Twitter  YouTube

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

Tools

Campus Maps
Canvas
Find People
Portal
Virtual Tour
WOU Email
Technical Support

Resources

A-Z Index
Accessibility
Academic Calendar
Class Schedule
Jobs at WOU
Partnerships
Student Services

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
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.

Accessibility    Public Records    Privacy    Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.