A plan of action that works

A plan of action that works

Written by: Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor I truly believe that there is no better source for good advice than someone who has already made all of the wrong decisions. I’ve been through more than enough academic overtime to share what worked for me, what not to do and how to go about surviving school. The first word of advice — it is normal to get overwhelmed, feeling like chores, homework and everything else slowly pile up. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it is that even the smallest steps towards a goal can make a world of difference. Here are five tips, a few of which have psychological and scientific evidence backing them, that will help one get out of an academic slump. The Five-Minute Rule — The five-minute rule is a lifesaver for many people who struggle with ADHD and other psychological roadblocks when getting simple tasks done. It is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique that only requires one to spend five minutes doing the task they are dreading. After that five minutes is done, if the task is really that horrible, they are free to stop. However, after five minutes pass, most people find themselves still performing the task and continuing until completion. Take it from someone who used this rule to finish dishes and laundry last night — it works.  My favorite: The To-Do List — The To-Do List is a marvelous invention that decreases anxiety, provides structure and keeps the writer accountable for their day-to-day life. It’s versatile; anything from a “boring Sunday morning” schedule to a “seven due assignment” schedule will benefit from the To-Do...

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Giving the play-by-play

Giving the play-by-play

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor The Gate River Run, the US National 15k championship, is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, in Jacksonville, Florida with at least one Western student in attendance. Wyatt Smith will graduate from Western at the end of the Spring term of 2024 as a Political Science major. Commentating for the upcoming event is another huge step in Smith’s future. “Commentating is what I’ve always wanted to do,” said Smith. “I’ll be in the back filming the race, and then every mile we’ll be checking in. I’ll be discussing main storylines of the race, the prize money, the USATF pool, who’s in the lead, who’s falling off, expected winners — that sort of thing.” Listed on gateriverrun.com, the website boasting the event alongside Smith’s employer Runnerspace, is a prize fund of $58,000. 2024 will be the 30th year of Gate River Run hosting the event — which Smith will be in attendance for thanks to Runnerspace. Smith, with a history of directing race events, will still be jumping headfirst into new territory with his first commentary ever on the world-class event. “I’m pretty invested in the sport,” said Smith. Smith himself is a track athlete — running the 15 and 8. The first pro athlete to win first place in either the women’s race or the men’s race will win a grand prize of  $12,000, decreasing in funds until tenth place at a prize of $500. All finishers in the 15k will receive a medal. The event will not be hosted live, but snippets will be uploaded afterward to www.usatf.tv. Contact the author at...

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Oregon coast hot spots for beach babes

Oregon coast hot spots for beach babes

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer One of the best things about living in Oregon is living in a coastal state and having access to beautiful beaches. Along with the sandy seasides come delicious restaurants, nifty thrift stores, crystal shops and loads of locally owned businesses. Next time one feels like being a beach babe, check out some of these beachside hot spots.  Visions Rock Shop — Visions is located in Lincoln City in an extremely adorable barn-type building, amongst other stores and shops. They have a variety of crystals, rocks, towers, spheres, fossils, thundereggs and gems. Visions even provides classes on how to make your own pendant to wear as a necklace.  Garibaldi Portside Bistro — Garibaldi is only 10 minutes away from Rockaway Beach and stands as an excellent family-owned portside bistro right next to the water. The bistro offers a cozy environment with live music, welcoming beach decor and a variety of food items perfect for anyone. It is an excellent place to stop and fill bellies with delicious food, along with fast and efficient service.  Pick of the Litter — Pick of the Litter is a thrift and consignment store located in Newport. They provide a variety of vintage clothes, movies, furniture, cookware, accessories and more. The best part is that Pick of the Litter is run completely by volunteers from the community, and the money raised at the thrift store goes directly to the Lincoln County Animal Center. Visiting their store will ensure high-quality products and contribute to helping with the care and love for animals in the community.  Eleanor’s Undertow Cafe —...

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Spring term is upon us

Spring term is upon us

Written by: Taylor Duff | Staff Writer Spring term is upon us, and many of us have so many choices for courses offered in the new term. There are a few hidden courses that many don’t know about because they may be unconventional or not talked about. Here are some ideas if one is exploring their options for the Spring Term.  A 210-Art for Health — This course investigates the known connections between various creative pursuits and their positive effects on health. The curriculum includes journaling and assessment of art-making activities and other habits, goal-setting for art-making as a physical exercise and good mental health habits and stress-reduction strategies through art-making. BA 310-Consumer Behavior — This course investigates the conduct associated with finding, purchasing and using goods and services. Analysis and discussion are held regarding the behavioral concepts’ significance for both strategic and tactical marketing activities (e.g., personality, motivation, perception, cultural effects, decision-making process, satisfaction, learning, persuasion, etc.). BI 425-Ornithology — This course examines the biology, ecology, diversity, behavior, anatomy, physiology and conservation of birds. The curriculum focuses on the ecology and avian evolutionary links. The focus of the lab will be on fieldwork techniques and bird research methodologies, as well as observations of both preserved and living species. COM 410-Communication and Event Planning — Students will create, plan, organize and execute a significant event for the chosen organization in collaboration with a school or non-profit community group liaison. At the end of the term, students will turn in a portfolio showing the assignments they have completed. CSE 469-“Hey U Up?”: Tech, Culture, and Maybe Love — This course...

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Upcoming concerts in Oregon

Upcoming concerts in Oregon

Written by: Jaylin Hardin | Sports Editor Many consider concerts to be a lifestyle. Images  brought to mind consist of Woodstock, Coachella and the Warped Tour — places where people camp out and spend their days. Some follow their favorite artist religiously, while some watch for a ticket price to drop, but no matter what kind of fan one is, concerts are an enjoyable experience. Here are some upcoming concerts set to come to Oregon. March 3 — Grace Potter, 7:30 p.m., Portland, OR, Roseland Theater March 7 — Bad Bunny, 7 p.m., Portland, OR, Moda Center at the Rose Quarter March 16 — Blake Shelton, 7 p.m., Portland OR, Moda Center at the Rose Quarter May 10 — Pearl Jam, 7:30 p.m., Portland, OR, Moda Center at the Rose Quarter May 10 — X Ambassadors, 8 p.m., Portland, OR, Hawthorne Theatre May 13 — Lizzy McAlpine, 8 p.m., Portland, OR, Moda Center at the Rose Quarter May 26 — Avril Lavigne, 7 p.m., Ridgefield, WA, RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater May 28 — Red Hot Chili Peppers, 7 p.m., Ridgefield, WA, RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater June 7 — Madison Beer, 7:30 p.m., Portland, OR, McMenamins Crystal Ballroom June 14 — Cavetown and Mother Mother, 6, Troutdale, OR, McMenamins Historic Edgefield Arena June 26 — Hollow Coves, 8 p.m., Portland, OR, Aladdin Theater July 1 — Noah Kahan, 8 p.m. Ridgefield, WA, RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater July 13 — Blink 182 and Pierce the Veil, 7 p.m., Portland, OR, Moda Center at the Rose Quarter Aug. 13 — Ethel Cain, 7 p.m., Pioneer Courthouse Square Contact the...

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Long-running businesses are going bankrupt

Long-running businesses are going bankrupt

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer This year has been extremely hard on businesses; the large corporate businesses we are used to seeing on every street corner have not been exempt. The pandemic and quarantine inflicted lasting effects on these businesses, and the debt that racked up is too much to handle. High costs and growing debt are not the only setbacks these businesses are facing; competition with online retailers is taking them out completely. Some of these well-known businesses have been in the game for over 50 years, and by the end of 2024, they may be gone completely.  Rite Aid — After almost 60 years, Rite Aid is losing its battle of fighting a long chain of problems including lawsuits and debt from COVID-19. Similar to other pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, Rite Aid faced several lawsuits of filling unlawful opioid prescriptions for customers — adding to the tremendous debt they were already facing. Competition from other pharmacy chains like Amazon, Costco, Walmart and Target was also another huge setback. From March to May of 2023 alone, the company losses added up to $307 million — creating an ultimate 3.5 billion dollar debt. Rite Aid has now filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy — a form of bankruptcy that allows a company to stay in business in an attempt to restructure obligations — and many of its stores have been shut down.  Bed Bath & Beyond — Bed Bath & Beyond is known for having designer furniture, home goods and good quality houseware — now they are known for accounting for one of the largest retail bankruptcies...

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Introspective planning for V-day

Introspective planning for V-day

Written by: Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor I’ve always questioned the validity and purpose of Valentine’s Day. Why does it matter so much to dedicate one day to a loved one? A devoted partner should be doing that every day. I attribute the existence of Valentine’s Day to consumerist culture and societal pressure to not be single.  So, I started thinking about what else I could do on Valentine’s Day to make it special, but not like how society has designed it. The stereotypical Valentine’s Day event consists of buying flowers or chocolate and planning a date or elaborate escapade with a partner. My version of Valentine’s Day shifts the focus from partners and romantic interests back to oneself.  Instead of buying roses, find a local flower shop and buy a bouquet. Give the bouquet to a family member or friend, or simply keep it in a noticeable place for the next week to brighten the day. Buying locally is a great way to give back to the community and keep some good feelings for oneself. This goes for any product, but with the overstated emphasis on roses at this time of the year, giving more love and attention to some lesser-loved flowers will be a nice change of pace.  Instead of falling into the consumerist scheme of buying ten different heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, make some baked goods at home. The calming ritualistic nature of taking the time to bake will add fulfillment and purpose to the day. Giving baked goods to someone is also a great way to show that time was put into that person’s gift....

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Dating in a small town

Dating in a small town

Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor Finding romantic places to take one’s sweetheart in a small town is a difficult task. This Valentine’s Day, refer to this list for date ideas close to Western. Monmouth The Sippery — This independent coffee shop is a favorite hang out and study spot for Western students, and it can make for a cute date as well. Curl up in a soft chair or on a couch, and grab a tasty drink. The Red Poppy Studio — The Red Poppy Studio offers craft classes at a low price for those who are artistically inclined, or for those who are just starting out. Otherwise, come shop for beautiful art pieces created by local artists to hang up at home. Momijis — On the corner of Monmouth Avenue and Main, a quaint sushi restaurant sits waiting for couples to dine in. Or, if eating a relaxing dinner at home is preferable, their delicious sushi is available for take-out as well. Sundew Tattoo — Go get matching tattoos with one’s beau or bae at this local Monmouth tattoo parlor. Phoebe, the owner, creates magic on the skin with designs including flowers, animals and bugs for all skin colors. Main Street Ice Cream Parlor — Want a sweet treat? Look no further than this local ice cream parlor, within walking distance of Western. They provide many delicious flavors of ice cream and milkshakes with dozens of toppings to choose from. Independence Witches’ Vine — For those who are in touch with their spiritual side, this plant and crystal store provides all kinds of witchy needs. Don’t...

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Getting personal with Rylie Cader

Getting personal with Rylie Cader

Written by: Hannah Field | News Editor Rylie Cader is many things: a cheerleader, a Disney fan and a hopeless romantic. One of those passions — cheerleading — began in early elementary school. She signed up for a day camp during second grade — led by the local high school cheerleaders who would steer Cader toward her future.  Cader is now cheerleading in her second year at Western. This February, the cheerleading team will be attending the annual competition in Anaheim, California, reminding Cader of her second passion — Disneyland. “I come from a very big Disney family. And the reason why is because my grandfather — he passed away when I was ten — he came from a super poor family. He grew up in poverty. He had to grow up pretty quickly because of that. And he loved Disney because it made him feel like a kid again,” Cader said. “He always made sure we could go, and because of that, my mom loves Disney.” Cader has been to Disneyland countless times. She knows when ticket prices are high — and in February, they are — and what old rides used to stand and where. She believes that Disney is something that changes and evolves with its fans. Her grandfather traversed Disneyland in the first year of its opening — something that inevitably changed the trajectory of Cader’s family line. Cader graduated from high school in 2022. That year, her mother wanted to take her to London to celebrate — but Cader had other plans.  “I actually told her I wanted to go to Disney. She was...

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Sleep tips that will benefit ones life greatly

Sleep tips that will benefit ones life greatly

Written by: Sierra Porter | Staff Writer In the United States alone, 50 million people suffer from sleep disorders, while more than 100 million report getting an inadequate amount of sleep. The recommended amount of sleep for adults is 7-9 hours, which can seem virtually impossible for many of us.  One may not realize it, but lack of sleep or an inconsistent sleep schedule, can lead to a variety of health risks. It can have daily effects such as trouble with concentration, mood changes, irritability, weight gain and lack of motivation. Long-term sleep deprivation can also lead to being at a higher risk of more serious health issues. This includes an increased risk of heart disease, anxiety, depression and a much higher likelihood of injury — such as car accidents.  So what can one do to get a full night’s rest? Here are some helpful sleep tips: Disconnect from electronic devices and give oneself 30 minutes of relaxation — Studies have shown that being on one’s phone or other devices before bed suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that assists with sleep. Getting into this routine of a clear mind before bed will slowly help build back one’s melatonin.  Invest in blackout curtains or a sleep mask — It seems obvious that, for most people, it needs to be dark to fall asleep, but there’s more to it than just that. The brain’s response to darkness is to produce more melatonin, encouraging the body to sleep. This can help one take naps as well — bonus tip, naps should never be longer than 20 minutes.  Physical activity —...

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