Mount Hood

Brasil Band Brings Powerhouse of Sound

By: Rachael Jackson
Staff Writer

Dr. Tom Bergeron hit the stage with his saxophone in hand and friends at his back. Drummer Art Lillard was the featured artist of the night. Together with six other members of the Brasil Band, they performed an array of soulful bossa novae on the night of Jan. 26.

Dr. Bergeron met Lillard over 40 years ago when he was a member of a band living in a small town.

“We were in the best damned jazz band in Wilton, New Hampshire,” joked Bergeron. “We needed a drummer so we put an ad in the Boston Phoenix. Art answered the call.”

Friends ever since, the chemistry between Dr. Bergeron and Lillard was energetic and fun. The feeling carried throughout the concert as they gave a rousing renditions of works by composers Tom Jobim, Jacob do Bandolim, and others.

The bossa nova is stylistically similar to the samba. A Jobim composition titled “Por Causa de Voce” was an example of a slower bossa nova that spoke of heartbreak (the title translates to “Because of You”). The sorrowful song showed the possible depth of the music.

A brighter song, “Assanhado” composed by do Bandolim, was a departure from the bossa nova. The song had stops that were sudden and seemed uncontrolled, yet it didn’t disrupt the music. On the contrary, it added to it. The funky sound left the audience bobbing and dancing in their seats.

The night was one of light-hearted music played by good friends.

Title: Upcoming Campus Events

Name: Independent film showing: “Misfortune County”
Date: Jan. 29
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Location: HL 106
Name: Triangle Alliance: Out and Proud week
Date: Feb. 1st – 4th
Times & locations of events vary; see posters for more information

Name: Winter Term Blood Drive
Dates: Feb. 2-3
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. both days
Location: WUC, Pacific Room

Name: SLCD Health Career Event
Date: Feb. 4
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: WUC, Columbia Room

Name: The Diamond and the Wolf – Master’s Recital
Date: Feb. 5
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Smith Recital Hall
Note: Free to everyone

Art Lillard’s Recreated Heavenly Band

By: Amanda Clarke
Staff Writer

“The Artistry of Art Lillard,” is an event sponsored by the WOU Music Department, featuring drummer, bandleader, and composer Art Lillard, along with WOU students and staff who will play his tunes.

According to his website, Art Lillard has been playing music professionally since 1970 and his nine-horn Heavenly Big Band has been playing in concert venues since 1987.

They play a variety of music, from old jazz standards to samba, bossa nova, and swing styles.

The WOU Heavenly Band will be covering Art Lillard’s music. The band is composed of mostly Western students and some faculty, and is “recreating a Heavenly Band performance,” said Bergeron.

The event is part of the Guest Artist Series, as stated on the WOU music homepage. The Guest Artist Series is “sponsored by IFC funds,” said Bergeron, so students can make use of their incidental fees through music.

Art Lillard also appears as a guest drummer in Tom Bergeron’s Brasil Band, which performed at Western on Jan. 26 in Smith Music Hall, and will play in Eugene, OR, on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Jazz Station.

This event will take place on Friday, Jan. 29, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., there will be a performance by the WOU Heavenly Band in the Smith Music Hall, room 121 on campus. It is open to the public. Admission is $8 for general and $5 for students and senior citizens. WOU students with student ID get in free.

My Mom’s Basement

By: Rachael Jackson
 Staff Writer

My Mom’s Basement lies on the outskirts of downtown Monmouth in a quiet looking blue building. Enter inside the building and you’ll find yourself in a surprisingly open venue set up specifically for tabletop gaming.

The store was opened six years ago by Michael Haynes with the vision to provide a place to play good games with sociable people.

My Mom’s Basement is modeled to resemble just that: your mom’s basement. Electrical boxes are left bare to full view and faux bricks are painted on the walls to mimic a childhood of playing games in the basement with friends and family. The store was decorated with a relaxed and low-key vibe in mind.

My Mom’s Basement is an open space to players of any age and experience. For example, card games like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh draw in middle and high school students on Thursdays.

Gregory Grimes, senior education major, compares the atmosphere of My Mom’s Basement to competitive places he has visited in Salem.

“People are a bit more respectful,” Grimes said. “The owners understand the games themselves and are willing to help you if you have questions.”

One local patron, Andrew Pratt, suggested that those interested in learning the popular tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons can come by at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays to create a character with the help of more skilled players. At 6:00 p.m. a group that sometimes reaches over 30 people embarks on a night of socializing through games.

With all the rules and possible storylines, tabletop gaming may seem intimidating to get into. My Mom’s Basement provides a welcoming setting with helpful people willing to show you the ropes. The games played here are geared towards recreation, not competition.

It also provides a sanctuary for the weary college student looking for a quiet time. Howard Haynes, Mike Haynes’ father, shared a story about two girls that came in during finals week. They rushed in and grabbed a game, sitting together to play privately. After an hour and a half of playing they put the game away and rushed back out to the next final.

For those not interested in tabletop gaming may find something more enticing to play on one of the computers, Xbox 360s, or an older console offered.

Stop by the shop after 12:00 p.m. on any day besides Monday to check it out or join in a game.

Thriving with Asperger’s in the College Setting

By: Rachael Jackson
Staff writer

On Jan. 20, the Human Resources and Student Health & Counseling Center (SHCC) put on an informational presentation on students with Asperger’s Syndrome on campus. Director of the SHCC, Jaime Silva, and Director of Counseling Services, Scott Perfect, led the presentation and discussion.

The presentation began with characteristics that professors and college staff can look for when approaching students that may have Asperger’s. They explained that it is considered a hidden disability, a disability that that is not identifiable based on physical attributes.

“College can be a very challenging time,” explained Perfect. “Some students come with Asperger’s Syndrome, and they are seeking help to do things like keeping a sleep schedule, doing laundry, making friends.”

For the past six years, Silva has run the Asperger’s Support Group on campus. Students come to the group for therapy, training for social situations, and for a place to meet friends.

Silva read from “Aquamarine Blue 5,” a poem book that was written completely by college students that have autism. The poems reflected difficulties that students often go to the SHCC for. One poem detailed the sensory overload that can come from light sensitivity connected to Asperger’s.

The SHCC offers other resources to help students plan days, to prioritize assignments, training to ask professors for help, and how to create deadlines.

Perfect and Silva were quick to point out that there are many strengths associated with Asperger’s. Strong vocabulary skills and average or above-average intellectual ability is prevalent. They are usually skilled in fields that apply a lot of logic or problem solving.

“Liberal arts curriculum is not typically their friend,” said Perfect, half in jest.

Combating depression on campus

By: Megan Clark
Campus Life Editor

Amassing piles of homework, the absence of family and friends, and Oregon’s constantly dreary skies combine to make a delicious cocktail of depression for college students, resulting in a case of the downy dumps, or much worse.

According to the BBC News, Jan. 18 was the most depressing day of the year thus far.

Psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall has stated that “Blue Monday,” usually the third Monday in January, is depressing due to poor weather, debt incurred and not paid off since Christmas, time elapsed since the holidays, and low level of motivation in completing New Year’s resolutions.

While most scientists dub this formulation as nonsensical, the general public may find some truth in Dr. Arnall’s reasons why the post-holiday season is filled with so much woe.

Having to return to school after a lovely holiday at home only to face assignments, tests, loneliness, and gray weather– which can result in a serious case of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — may make some students feel morose, unmotivated, and anxious.

Luckily, there are ways to combat the gloom and doom that follow the holiday high.

According to Psychology Today’s Lisa Firestone, a PhD holder and Director of Research and Education for the Glendon Association, some of the best ways to combat depression include staying active and socializing, even when you really don’t want to.

Avoiding negative thoughts and preoccupying the mind with something enjoyable, like a funny movie or a favorite hobby, are other ways to bring some cheer into your life.

On campus events are an easy way to get out of the house and potentially meet new people. These events can inspire creative thoughts, encourage community building, and act as a respite from the stress caused by schoolwork.

While it would be nice if going to a concert or hanging out with friends could cure all woes, this may not be the reality for some.

If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or SAD, there are WOU counsellors just a phone call away and can be reached through 503-838-8396. Students in crises are seen immediately.

Weekend Wolfpack brings laser tag to campus

By: Amanda Clarke
Staff Writer

Despite the rain, WOU students lined up outside the old PE building last Friday for a chance to play laser tag. Students had to fill out waivers in order to play. The event was put on by Weekend Wolfpack and Western Housing.

This fun and laser-filled event was held on Jan. 15, and was free. Luke Etherton, a sophomore psychology major, helped to run the event.

“I think we were at about a hundred,” Etherton said, when asked about how many people had attended the event.

“I liked the obstacles you got to hide behind,” said Erin Heaberlin, a first year biology education major.

Accompanied by bumping music, students were split into teams of 12 and maneuvered around obstacles on the course, located in the old PE gymnasium. They were given 28 lives on their weapons, and if they were hit, the headbands connected to the weapons flashed red.

Michael Carrol, Resident Director of Heritage Hall, said that the laser tag event has been held for around eight years on the Western campus.

“Weekend Wolfpack is essentially our weekend program we do through Housing. The mission of Weekend Wolfpack is to bring in events for students on the weekends,” said Carol.

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

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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.

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