Mount Hood

Humans of Western: Bethany McWhorter, senior, English Literature major

By: Megan Clark
Campus Life Editor

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“I love writing, I love the power of words and how they can make an impact … I use poetry as a coping mechanism for a lot of things. My nephew recently died and he was two months old. And so I was able to dig really deep and find the beauty in this tragic situation, and kind of process my pain that way. And it helped a lot of people, because my family read it and it helped them kind of see things in a different perspective.”

“I was a sophomore in high school and my family was going through a really difficult time … I had no motivation, no drive to do anything. And I was sitting in my third period class, this is how well I remember this, I got a call, my teacher came back and said, ‘You need to go to the office right now.’ Like, I didn’t do anything, I’m a good kid. So, I go to the office and my dad is sitting there and my dad’s got tears in his eyes…He’s like, ‘We gotta go right now, we got to get to the hospital.’… So he rushes me out, we get down the stairs and he starts laughing. He goes, ‘I had to get you out, we’re going to the coast for the day … I had to throw in all the dramatics, because if this wasn’t Grammy award winning, I don’t know what is.’”

“I used to be really hardcore, just pro-life, anti-abortion, but then I started talking with people, people who have had abortions, who’ve been through this, who’ve lived it. We talked about regret, all of the emotional stuff that goes along with it. And I believe that they should have a choice. I’m still pro-life, just for the record. I still believe that, you know, if abortion can be avoided, it should be. But I understand the value of choice.”

Delectable delights at Urban Deli

By: Megan Clark
Campus Life Editor

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Urban Deli specializes in tortas, fresh squeezed juices, and natural milkshakes, which are akin to smoothies.

Tortas are a type of flatbread sandwich, which are piled high with a variety of fresh ingredients.

The tortas cost between $5 and $7 and include a choice of meat, tomato, avocado, refried beans, onion, mayo, and the option of added jalapenos or chipotle sauce. Their juices and milkshakes run between $4 and $6 and are made fresh to-order.

David Valencuela, one of the owners of Urban Deli, originally hailed from Los Angeles, California. He wanted to open a Mexican deli in Monmouth to get away from the hustle and bustle of LA.

In response to asking why he chose to make tortas, he responded, “I’ve never seen this kind of food in this place.”

I bought a chicken torta, for $5. The torta came with all of the previously listed ingredients, squeezed between two slices of rather fluffy flatbread, and breaded chicken breast.

It was tasty, if a bit rich, due to the fatty ingredients of avocado, beans, and mayonnaise. On another day, I purchased a tuna melt for $6, which was also hearty, filling and full of flavor.

If you are craving the ingredients present in Hispanic food, or want an alternative to Subway, this is definitely a good option. It certainly filled me up; I could have saved half of the sandwiches for another meal.

The restaurant itself is located close to campus, behind the picnic table by Koyotes.
Its decor is an interesting mashup of industrial and urban, featuring aluminum siding and parking meters. Right now, the restaurant is run by Valencuela’s family, though there are plans to eventually hire on local chefs and workers.

The service is quick and, while you’re waiting, you can watch the food being made.

Oregon’s Governor Replacement Race

By: Alvin Wilson 
Staff Writer

The presidential election isn’t the only election that will take place in 2016.

Next year, Oregon’s incumbent governor, Kate Brown, will run against some tough opposition to see who will fill ex-governor Kitzhaber’s place until 2018.

Elections will take place on Nov. 8, 2016. There are few who have declared their intention to run thus far, but much in Oregon’s political world can change in one year.

Among those who have declared their intention to run are: current governor Kate Brown (D), critical care specialist Julian Bell (D), business owner Bob Niemeyer (R), and experimental pathologist Bud Pierce (R).

Some background information about our candidates:

Kate Brown:

Katherine “Kate” Brown was born in Madrid, Spain in 1960 and raised in Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Colorado in 1981 with a degree in Environmental Conservation, and from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in 1985 with a degree in Environmental Law.

Previously, Brown served as Oregon Secretary of State and majority leader of the Oregon State Senate. She became Oregon’s governor in February of 2015 in the wake of Kitzhaber’s resignation. For more information about Kate Brown, visit her website at: www.katebrownfororegon.com.

Julian Bell:

44-year-old Julian Bell is a medical doctor for an intensive care unit in Medford, Oregon. He received his medical degree from New York Medical College.

According to his campaign website, Bell’s priorities are promoting clean energy and combating climate change. He has volunteered for environmental organizations such as Southern Oregon Climate Action Now and Rogue Climate, and helped found a group called Hair On Fire Oregon, which helps advertise possible solutions for climate change. This is Bell’s first time running for public office. For more information about Julian Bell, visit his website at www.julianbellforgovernor2016.com.

Bob Niemeyer:

Bob Niemeyer is the owner of an engineering company. Niemeyer graduated from the University of Oregon in 1978 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1987, Niemeyer received his Professional Engineering License in Mechanical Engineering.

According to his campaign website, Niemeyer is running on the ideas of rebuilding Oregon’s independence, not living in fear, and new ways of looking at government action. Niemeyer is described as being fiscally and socially conservative. Some of Niemeyer’s campaign promises include: not being a politician, but a representative; issuing a pardon to the Oregon couple who refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding; and rewriting the state constitution within two years of taking office. This is not Niemeyer’s first attempt at running for public office. In 2014, he ran for Representative of Oregon’s first congressional district. For more information about Bob Niemeyer, visit his website at www.bobniemeyer.com.

Bud Pierce:

William “Bud” Pierce is an experimental pathologist who was raised in Southern California. Pierce graduated with a Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology from UCLA in 1985, where he later returned to receive his M.D. in 1987.

Pierce spent six years of his life as a U.S. Marine. After leaving the Marines, he served as a doctor for the United States Naval Reserve. This is Pierce’s first time running for public office. According to the Statesman Journal, Pierce’s main focus is economic prosperity. Pierce’s positions are generally fiscally conservative and socially liberal. For more information about Bud Pierce, visit his website at www.budpierce.com.

There are more potential candidates who have yet to declare their intentions to run, but it is unclear how drastically the campaign field will change in the next year.

2016 is a very busy year for Oregon voters. Not only are we voting for a new president and governor, but seats in Oregon’s House of Representatives, Oregon’s State Senate and Oregon’s state-level-courts are up for election as well.

The Journal will have continued coverage of Oregon’s 2016 elections.

Goosebumps: frights, delights, pretty alright

By: Declan Hertel
Entertainment Editor

When I was a kid, I was a wimp. As such, I only read a few of R.L. Stine’s bestselling “Goosebumps” stories. They were “2spooky4me,” as the joke goes.

That said, the ones I did read, I really loved, especially “Night of the Living Dummy.” They were spooky, fun reads starring kids just like me! And with 350 million copies sold as of 2014 and a further two million copies a year according to Scholastic, there are far more people who are far more invested in the series than I ever was.

The new film, starring Jack Black (“School of Rock”) as R.L. Stine himself, is clearly meant for that dedicated fan base, right down to the story following the same formula as many of the books: kid moves to new town, many spooky things happen, and the spooky things are eventually triumphed over.

This may sound disparaging, but I think keeping the formula intact helped the movie achieve its purpose: a healthy dose of nostalgia for the older viewers, while introducing the younger generation to these old tales of terror.

I expected three things out of this movie: scares, heart, and laughs; what I consider the three pillars of children’s horror cinema.
While the movie was lacking in the first and decent in the second, it definitely had plenty of the third.

The lack of any appreciable frights is easily the biggest disappointment of the movie. Even though the source material was kid lit, it was called “Goosebumps” for a reason.

While the visual rendering of virtually every monster from the book series is really cool, none of it ever approaches frightening, and the “greatest hits” parade of monsters unfortunately feels rushed. However, the inclusion of Slappy the Dummy (also Jack Black) as the main antagonist of the story was pretty darn freaky.

“Goosebumps” was better at delivering on the heart, though it took some time to get around to it.

While the lack of scares was disappointing, the biggest problem with the movie is that it takes far too long to get off the ground. Though once it does, it starts to pick up speed admirably with the introduction of Hannah (Odeya Rush, “The Giver”) to our handsome, witty protagonist Zach (Dylan Minnette).
I was initially skeptical of the impending romantic subplot, but I was pleasantly surprised by the chemistry and charm the two brought.
Speaking of pleasant surprises, “Goosebumps” is really, really funny, mostly thanks to Jack Black devouring the scenery. Black dominates every scene he’s in, carrying with him his trademark high-energy antics, a complete embrace of how ridiculous this entire exercise is, and a very conspicuous and utterly made-up accent (seriously, his exclamation of “Slappeh!” during the climax of the film made me double over with laughter).
If I am being honest, “Goosebumps” was nothing special, but if you like the books, want to see promising young actors deliver solid performances, or just can’t get enough Jack Black, you can’t go wrong.
3 out of 4 Paws.

Gory and Groovy: The Triumphant Return of “Fargo”

By: Declan Hertel
Entertainment Editor

When my father asked me several years ago if I had ever seen “Fargo,” the Coen Brothers’ 1996 cinematic masterpiece, I told him I hadn’t. Without saying another word, he went into our living room and turned it on.

There was no question about it: “Fargo” immediately became one of my top three films of all time.

It was sometime in 2012 when I heard that a television show was to be made, also called “Fargo,” that continued to build on the setting and themes of the film: somewhere in the frozen Midwest, in or around Fargo, ND, there are people too desperate and ambitious for their own good, ruthless-yet-quirky criminals who would gut a man for a buck, and good-hearted, innocent police officers forced to come face to face with the darkest face of mankind.

The news filled me with a delight and anticipation I had never felt for pop culture before.

Much to my delight, the first season was unbelievable. It was near-perfect in every facet. “Fargo” ran to nearly universal acclaim, and though it was initially touted as only a miniseries, it seemed like FX, and creator/show-runner Noah Hawley would have been insane to not make another season.

That is precisely what they did. The new season premiered on Oct. 12.

Early reviews stated that it was even better than the almost flawless season one, and I am pleased to announce that two episodes into the second season, it looks like they were right: “Fargo” round two is absolutely killer.

Centering on the “Sioux Falls Incident,” an event oft-mentioned but never explained in season one, season two takes us to Luverne, Minnesota and Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1979.

The nation is reeling from Watergate and the end of the Vietnam War; and as is the way in the “Fargo” universe, someone with too much ambition and too little brain creates a huge problem in a small town for both the local police and criminal populace.

This season stars Patrick Wilson (“Watchmen”) as Lou Solverson, a State Trooper recently returned from combat in Vietnam, Kirsten Dunst (“On the Road”) as Peggy Blomquist, a hair stylist with a creeping obsession with having a better life, and Jesse Plemons (“Breaking Bad”) as Ed Blomquist, Peggy’s dutiful husband and local butcher.

All their performances thus far are pitch perfect, especially Kirsten Dunst as one of the most compelling characters I’ve ever seen in any medium. The aforementioned are just scratching the surface of an amazing cast, which includes Ted Danson (“Damages”), Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation”), Jean Smart (“24”), and Bruce Campbell (“Evil Dead”) as Ronald Reagan on the campaign trail.

Thus far, season two’s most promising aspect is that while it’s retained the dark charm, murder, and mayhem that is the essence of all things “Fargo,” it is absolutely coming into its own as a piece of television.

If I have but one real criticism of season one, it’s that it stuck too closely to the movie in terms of plotting and characterization, at least early on. Not so with season two, which takes place almost ten years before the movie, and almost twenty before season one.

The only thing this season needs to do is make the “Sioux Falls Incident” something worth remembering, and with a vehicular mansla
ughter cover-up, two crime syndicates facing off, and a brutal triple murder already, I can’t wait to see how this season escalates.

I feel the phrase “must-see TV” is a cliché, but I am using it here. “Fargo” is truly must-see TV. When “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men” ended, all of a sudden the honor of “Best Show on Television” was up for grabs.

I’m calling it now: “Fargo,” by midway through this season, will have one major entertainment news outlet declare it as such. And they will be right.

If you have any love in your heart for black comedy, for murder mysteries, for perfectly executed drama, for the art of the television show, the verdict is simple: if you are not watching “Fargo,” you are criminally misusing one hour of your time every week.

Casa Burrito brings the heat

By: Brianna Bonham
 Staff Writer

Casa Burrito is a bright orange building off Highway 99W, taking the place of Big Town Hero; it’s hard to miss it.

When walking up to the restaurant, the customer has two options: the faster option, in which you eat outside where burritos, tacos and quesadillas are served, or eating indoors for a sit down restaurant style service.

The building, on the whole, is colorful and filled with music.

For the outdoor option, there is a student discount. If a student shows his or her student ID, they can get $5 burritos or $1.50 tacos. Casa Burrito is working on implementing a senior special.

The service was fast, friendly and very helpful. They offer a wide variety of meats, toppings, sauces, and salsas. There are options for everyone. The restaurant was very clean, comfortable and accessible.

The food was excellent, truly authentic Mexican food.

I sampled five different tacos, shredded pork, marinated pork, steak, chicken, and carne asada. Each meat was grilled along with jalapenos and onions until they were caramelized.

The chef then dressed the tacos with sauces, onions and jalapenos. There were radishes and limes on the side to help cut the heat of some of the spicier salsas and sauces.

The meat was nicely seasoned, and cooked well. The marinated pork was my personal favorite. It was topped with lime juice, cilantro and fresh onions.

The manager, Miguel Garcia, said, “It’s a good location, good food, good service, reasonable prices and a student discount … [this] makes it good for college students.”

Across Borders: Reaching out to Refugees

By: Emily Pate
Staff Writer

This past summer, Eriqa Hermen backpacked across most of Europe, where she saw the Syrian refugee crisis first hand. On Oct. 19, 2015, she hosted a talk at Western entitled Across Borders: Europe and the Syrian Refugee.

Though originally Dutch and Finnish, Hermen has recently become a Swedish citizen. She spent the 2013-14 school year in an exchange program at Western.

While visiting this month, Hermen was asked by Dr. Gudrun Hoobler, a German professor Hermen met in her time at Western, to share her experiences of the refugee situation.

“I want people to see the other side of it, so to speak,” Hermen stated. “I want to show you these are the human beings who live there, who are not part of the [Islamic State], who are just trying to have a life.”

After listening to Hermen speak, Alyssa Chiampi, junior Public Policy Administration major said, “It was really eye-opening … to get information that was real and raw.” After hearing about first hand experiences, she said, “[It] made the issue a lot more real.”

Jena Liebscher, first-year and ASL Interpreting major, also stressed the importance of awareness. After listening to Hermen’s talk, she said that the best way to help is to “find out exactly the facts and information about the situation.”

Hermen showed Seeking Asylum, a “60 Minutes” clip that aired Oct. 18, 2015, which documents refugees’ experiences. The video can be found on CBS News’ website.

On the United Nations Refugee Agency’s website, it states that there are 4,180,631 registered Syrian refugees as of Oct. 19, 2015. The UN estimates the funding requirement for the refugee crisis at just over $4.5 billion, but states that they have only received 41% of what is needed.

Hermen shared her personal experiences of the refugees’ impact on Europe, largely seen in the growing presence of the police, the unreliability of transportation, and protests both for and against immigration.

On her travels, she met people who had given up their apartments or even entire hostels as housing for refugees.

One of the ways Western students can offer aid, Hermen says, is to find and spread knowledge about the refugee situation. Hermen also stated, “You can always give money. It’s cliché, but it’s true.”

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