Mount Hood

Favorite season for a reason

Western students answer the question: “What is your favorite season and why?”

James Fowlkes | Freelancer

Contact the author at jfowlkes18@wou.edu

 

Name: Will Ollenbrook 

Age: 23 

Class Standing: Junior 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Major: Computer Science 

Favorite Season: Spring 

Reason(s): 

“I think it’s probably due to, just like a lot of personal reasons. I’m Irish so, included in Spring usually comes like Saint Patrick’s Day and things like that. Also, I had my birthday recently. That’s another thing that happens around Spring. It’s relatively chilly but not like super cold weather around Spring. It’s a bit more rainy around here in the Pacific Northwest but I don’t really tend to have an issue with that.” 

Name: Xavier Glenn 

Age: 20 

Class Standing: Sophomore 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Major: Physical Education 

Favorite Season: Winter 

Reason(s): 

“Probably winter just because I like to go out and play in the snow and stuff, and it’s probably the best season for dressing, like layers and things like that. Also, I just like the holidays too, so like Christmas time. I guess Thanksgiving kind of counts in winter too, maybe like fall, but holiday family time as well. I think winter is also good because there’s just a stronger, like, sense of community I think and people are trying to get through the hard winter as a family or things like that.”

 

Name: Cedar Davis-Frankfort 

Age: 21 

Class Standing: Junior 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Major: Elementary Education 

Favorite Season: Summer 

 

Reason(s):

“I just enjoy the warm weather and I’m a distance runner so I like running during the summer ‘cause it’s warm out and I don’t worry much about school so I can just run whenever. I enjoy traveling and there’s more time to travel and explore new places.” 

Name: Brittany Waligroski 

Age: 21 

Class Standing: Junior 

Pronouns: She/her 

Major: ASL Interpreting 

Favorite Season: Fall 

 

Reason(s):

“I really like when the leaves on all the trees change colors. It’s just super pretty and then it also has my favorite kind of days that are (sunny) but cold.” 

 

Name: James Ceciliani 

Age: 22 

Class Standing: Senior 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Major: Criminal Justice 

Favorite Season: Spring

 

Reason(s):

“It’s always good to look forward to summer. Sun starts to come out again and we can start going outside a lot more. It’s not super hot and I’m not a big fan of blistering heat but I usually go out and go on hikes and such. (It’s) just sunny, and the days get longer, that’s a big one. And seasonal depression starts going away. I’m an umpire, so baseball starts up again and it’s just gonna be outside.”

 

Take the hassle out of moving with these hacks

Simplify the moving process with these seven handy tips

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

For many college students, summertime means moving season — which can be a highly stressful time, especially if moving during finals week. Though moving certainly takes a lot of effort, there are plenty of tips and tricks to make the process that much easier. Follow these packing, unpacking and moving hacks that will keep moving day running smoothly. 

Before moving, get rid of stuff: From clothes, to furniture, to unused food, getting rid of unneeded items means less stuff to pack. Donate or throw out unwanted things before starting to pack, or hold a garage sale. 

Pack an essentials bag or box: Group items needed from day one — things like medication, chargers, trash bags, box knives, toilet paper, hand soap and paper towels — altogether in one container so that day one at the new place is easier. Keep this separate and easy to access so that it doesn’t get lost among all the other boxes. 

Color code boxes: Use stickers or colored tape to label which room each box belongs in. This is especially useful if using plastic containers that cannot be written on like cardboard can. Hang up cheat sheets with each color and room name all over the house so that movers know where to take the containers. 

Keep boxes light but full: Use up every inch of boxes and totes for less total boxes, but be sure they’re not so heavy that someone can’t carry them. Pack heavy items like books, large dishes and tools in smaller boxes, or utilize a suitcase with wheels so that the items don’t have to be carried. 

Pack clothes with trash bags: Keep clothes on their hangers and simply slide a plastic trash bag over about a dozen clothing items at a time to make transportation quick and simple. 

Use items around the house as packing material: Save money on packing material by being resourceful; use soft items such as newspapers, towels, wash cloths, linens and clothes to protect breakable items. 

Prioritize what to unpack first: Many people will find bedding, bathroom items and kitchenware to be the most imperative things to unpack, though everyone is different. Determine what needs to be unpacked first, make a to do list and stick to it. 

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Turn up the volume on these albums in May

Upgrade your summer playlist with these artists 

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

Summer is all about taking a load off and relaxing with a playlist that sets the mood, which is why it’s so important to find the latest jams. New music is released constantly on multiple platforms, and it can be difficult to stay up to date with all of the latest up-and-coming artists. Ranging from old favorites like Aly & AJ, twenty one pilots and St. Vincent, there’s more than one artist to add to the summertime playlist. Between Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, music lovers everywhere can enjoy these albums released in May. 

May 6: 

  • “Convocations” — Sufjan Stevens 

May 7:

  • “Ashlyn” — Ashe
  • “a touch of the beat gets you up on your feet gets you out and then into the sun” — Aly & AJ
  • “Better Mistakes” — Bebe Rexha
  • “Blood Bunny” — Chloe Moriondo
  • “Here And Now” — Kenny Chesney
  • “Latest Record Project: Volume 1” — Van Morrison
  • “The Marfa Tapes” — Miranda Lambert, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall
  • “Tuck Me In EP” — boy pablo  
  • “Van Weezer” — Weezer

May 14: 

  • “Be Right Back” — Jorja Smith 
  • “Daddy’s Home” — St. Vincent 
  • “Delta Kream” — The Black Keys
  • “High Dive” — Shaed 
  • “The Off-Season” — J. Cole 
  • “parallel universe pt.1” — Alania Castillo
  • “Unbothered” — Lil Skies 
  • “Why No Why” — Mob Rich 

May 21:

  • “All I Know So Far: Setlist” — P!nk
  • “Amidst the Chaos: Live at the Hollywood Bowl” — Sara Bareilles
  • “Body Language” — Blake Shelton 
  • “Circle of Days” — Hippy Death Cult
  • “Harmony House” — Dayglow
  • “Long Lost” — Lord Huron  
  • “Nightmare on Elmfield Road” — CLOVES
  • “Scaled and Icy” — twenty one pilots  
  • “Sour” — Olivia Rodrigo 
  • “WINK” — CHAI 

May 28:

  • “Are You Kidding?” — Nicole Millar 
  • “Bloom EP” — Of Mice and Men 
  • “Cavalcade” — black midi
  • “Drinking With My Smoking Friends” — Allday
  • “Hi” — Texas 
  • “Reprise” — Moby 
  • “The Resurrection” — Bugzy Malone 
  • “The Voice of the Heroes” — Lil Baby and Lil Durk 
  • “You Hear Georgia” — Blackberry Smoke

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu

Splashing swim spots to beat the heat

Dive into these eight swimming holes all around Oregon

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor  

With the warming weather of spring and summer on the horizon, a day trip to cool off somewhere is enticing. Check out these swimming holes all around Oregon and take a dip. 

Deschutes River State Recreation Area (Wasco): Located in the Columbia River Gorge where the Deschutes meets the Columbia, visitors to the Deschutes River State Recreation Area can not only swim in the river but also camp. Plan an overnight trip and enjoy all the Deschutes River has to offer. 

Fall Creek (Fall Creek): 30 miles east of Eugene is an abundance of swimming holes along Fall Creek. A 13.7-mile trail passes seven notable pools, each offering stunning and refreshing swim spots, but don’t worry — some pools are just a quick walk from the parking lot. 

High Rocks (Gladstone): Just a quick trip from Portland is this popular swimming hole and cliff jumping spot along the Clackamas River. While this spot is tempting for escaping the city, take extra caution at this spot, as strong currents and unpredictable ledges have been known to spell trouble for cliff divers and swimmers alike.

Illinois River (Selma): About 30 miles southwest of Grants Pass is the very clear, very beautiful Illinois River. The most notable swimming hole is at the Six Mile day use area which offers plenty of rock jumping opportunities in the not too frigid waters. 

Opal Creek Pools (Lyons): Looking for a day full of recreation? These beautiful aquamarine pools are accompanied by a seven mile hike, and less crowded pools follow after Opal Pool. Each provides plenty of places to jump right in. 

Quartzville Creek (Linn County): East of Sweet Home is a chilly creek that hosts four turnouts perfect for cooling off. The Yellowbottom Recreation Site, also along the Quartzville Creek, has another swimming hole option plus a campground if looking for a multi-day trip. 

Tumalo State Park (Tumalo): A short drive north of Bend offers another swimming spot along the Deschutes River. Wade in the water, enjoy a picnic or stay a night or two at the year round campsite. 

Wilson River (Tillamook State Forest): This serene location offers an array of swim spots right off of Highway 6. Enjoy the babbling of the slow moving Wilson River amid the towering Douglas-firs. 

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

Time to revitalize those resumes

Tips for updating the resume in 2021

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Summer time, for some, means summer jobs. Though we aren’t quite to summer break, now is the perfect time to start preparing for job hunting, including updating the resume. The resume is the ticket to an interview, meaning it can make or break one’s chance at getting hired. Follow these tips for creating a resume that will stand out among the rest this year.

Start by choosing a desirable format. According to indeed.com, the two most popular resume formats are chronological, which focuses on consistent employment history, and functional, which focuses on relevant skills. Whichever layout is chosen, be sure to organize the information using clear headers above each section and a readable font.

Some resume tips learned back in high school could be outdated by now. For example, in most cases, it is no longer necessary to include a mailing address since everything is digital nowadays. Objective statements have also gone out of style — after all, employers know what an applicants’ goal is. Additionally, be careful to not overload the resume with too many items; pick and choose relevant work, volunteer and education experiences based on the job.

2021 has been eye opening, including for employers. According to writingguru.net, some common skills jobs will be looking for in 2021 include adaptability, versatility and innovation ⏤ especially in the face of COVID-19. Technological literacy is also increasingly important, as are strong online and in person communication skills.

Keep in mind, however, that each job will value different skill sets. Study the specific job description being applied for, and include relevant keywords and skills on the resume. This is also important in the face of applicant tracking systems, which are pieces of software that automatically filter through resumes based on keywords. Many companies rely on ATS technology to sift through the dozens of applications they receive. Be sure to include some keywords from the job description, but be honest: make sure all included skills are demonstrable when it comes time for an interview.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

‌Give a big green thumbs up for gardening

These five YouTube channels make gardening easy-peasy 

Natalie‌ ‌Dean‌ ‌|‌ ‌Entertainment‌ ‌Editor‌ ‌ ‌

The saying that “April showers bring May flowers” is especially true in Oregon, with the sunny spring weather being pretty touch and go. In between the rainy days, gardening at home can be an explorative and rewarding hobby; anyone can cultivate their own garden, even if they have no green thumb or outdoor space. There are YouTube channels dedicated to all things indoor horticulture, and ones that teach the very basics of planting, harvesting and tending to a garden. Poking around on YouTube can help anyone feel prepared for the upcoming planting season, and these channels are some great go-to’s: 

  • AnOregonCottage

Brian and Jami share their experience running a country cottage in Oregon, with their videos focusing on enjoying a homemade life. They started the channel over ten years ago, and their videos include recipes, garden tours, plant maintenance and the transformation of their 100-year-old farmhouse. 

  • EpicGardening

Kevin Espiritu has a goal of teaching over 10 million people how to grow their green thumb and reconnect with nature, no matter where they live. He has specific plant guides for urban and organic gardening, tips for prepping plants, DIY projects on a budget and countless other tutorials on his channel. 

  • GardenAnswer

Laura has everything that an urban gardener could need, with her videos covering proper care for succulents, which fertilizer to use for specific plants, lighting options and how to get the most out of one’s garden. Along with tutorials, she shows the process of growing from seed, and how she made a fairy house out of homegrown materials. 

  • LearnToGrow

Misilla demonstrates the perfect tricks for indoor and outdoor gardening, sowing seeds, propagating and pruning ⏤ all while being beginner friendly. Many folks can gain inspiration from her outdoor space and setup, and since she’s located in the Pacific Northwest, her videos are great for learning about which plants work best for the area. 

  • TheRustedGarden

Gary Pilarchik provides an in-depth look at all the nuanced parts of growing a garden, such as which bugs can harm the plants, planning an outdoor space, preventing damage, repurposing supplies and advice for saving money on supplies.

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu