The Vancougar: January 26, 2009

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MLK Jr. Service Day

From the President

WSU-V students spent the day doing community service projects around Vancouver

Cougs at the capitol and budget cuts among topics discussed

Washington State University Vancouver

By Kati Hughes The VanCougar

After a considerable hiatus, KOUG radio has “broken radio silence.” The VanCougar spoke with Spring Atkinson, Program Manager of KOUG, on Wednesday January 21 regarding the current activities of the station. Lately, progress has been kicked into high gear. Zane Wagner and several other enthusiastic students have taken a lively interest in the progress of KOUG since last fall. “[Wagner] has really stepped into a leadership role at KOUG,” says Atkinson. “Right now, we are all contributing in order for our re-launch to be a success.” Wagner applied for the position of Station Manager last Fall, but was not confirmed by the Student Media Board (SMB) during the December meeting because members of the Board felt that the position was inadequately advertised. “It is extremely important to establish good leadership for KOUG,” says Atkinson, “Without it, recruitment and keeping students involved at KOUG will be ineffective.” Atkinson said that after Wagner was confirmed as Station Manager at the January 23 SMB meeting, the station will take applications for Music Director, Technical Director, Promotions Director, and Programming Director. “Where we are with KOUG at this point in time,” says Atkinson, “lack of experience is no problem since we are all trying something new.” According to Atkinson, “just this week we have returned to broadcasting in conjunction with our training after a long series of planning meetings.”

WSU-V Band Concert Local bands play free concert for students at ‘Get to Know You Tuesdays’

Former WSU employee displays her artwork in Vancouver galleries

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New surge of interest sparks advancement

Jodi Tripp’s Digital Photography

January 26, 2009

“We will be heavily advertising our ‘official’ air date around campus,” says Atkinson, “so I hope that everyone will take the opportunity to listen to KOUG.” The planning meetings Atkinson mentions are open to all students, and those interested in attending can contact the station via e-mail at kougradio@gmail. com. At the time of writing, the radio station may only be streamed via an on-campus internet address, according to Michael Hatch, one of KOUG’s DJs. Students interested in applying for a job with KOUG can contact the station at the same e-mail address. “Also,” says Atkinson, “keep a look out for flyers in regards to applications, training sessions, and other KOUG sponsored events.”

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Issue 10

www.vancougar.com

KOUG

Radio gets a fresh start

Zane Wagner, recently confirmed Station Manager of KOUG Radio, hopes to have the station on the air waves within the next couple months. “I’m excited to see so much interest in the radio station. We have 14 DJs right now, and we’re looking to add more.” Zane says KOUG Radio will be available as an offcampus stream from the KOUG website within the next couple weeks.

The VanCougar

2 The VanCougar www.vancougar.com

The VanCougar is a student-run newspaper serving the students, faculty and staff of WSU Vancouver. Copies of The VanCougar are available, free of charge, every other Monday during the school year.

Editor-in-Chief Katie Wells Managing Editor Michael Hatch Advisor Dean Baker Assistant Editor Collin Rickman Ad Manager Dan Rauchenstein Copy Editor Kati Hughes ACE Editor Jake Kleinschmidt Sports & Rec Editor Position open. Apply today! Staff Writers & Photographers Rosann Bartel, Matt Hunter, Collin Rickman, Louise Wynn, Jason Garcia, Hannah Walker, Shane Monroe, Danielle Mosier, Kyle Ralston, Isaac Madsen, Matthew Wright, Gregory Zschomler, Lori Fischer, Mark Medina, Christina Frye, Matthew South, Charis Jensen, Perry Miller, Adam Fox, Dale Flamm, Joseph Creager, and Erik Jutila

Voice of the Cougs: Letters to the Editors A ‘thank you’ from the Student Business Organization Regarding Giving Tree participation

Dear WSU-V Students, Staff, and Faculty! Student Business Organization (SBO) would like to start the New Year off by thanking the WSUV community for participating in our first annual Giving Tree co-hosted by YWCA. With your generous help we were able to provide local families with gifts to brighten their holiday season. On behalf of the families and the YWCA, we extend a warm thank you! This year SBO is dedicated to providing its members with networking opportunities to further connect its members to the business community. Join SBO today to learn about how you can benefit from being a member! For club information please contact Ashley Cormican at ashley_cormican@yahoo. com. Sincerely, Student Business Organization KOUG Radio streaming broadcast work of many; pays off. KOUG Radio breaks radio silence.

To the members of KOUG Radio, and the student and faculty members of the Media Board:

Today, all of our work on KOUG Radio began to pay off. Today is the day that we broke radio silence and began streaming live music to our campus. Luis Larios, who joined our team after hearing about us at ROAR, opened the morning with an hour of Latin Jazz. Then in the afternoon, we were broadcasting live for three straight hours: Sara Newton-Neis DJ’ed an hour of mood music (her mood, she said, was random!), Robert Thach DJ’ed an hour of Top 40 tunes, and Cara Cottingham hosted an hour of beat music and excellent commentary. These four DJ’s hosted the first of 14 hours of live DJ shows that we have scheduled for this week. As we continue to work on the radio station, we will add additional hours of live and pre-recorded content, and we will invite more and more students to join us. And when we are not live, we will stream automated music drawn from the library of songs imported by us and those staff members who have come before us. Today’s achievements are the result of the work of many people, and we acknowledge those who have made this radio station a reality: We must recognize everyone who has graciously offered to host an hourlong show this week. Your continuing commitment to this radio station is the

The VanCougar, VCLS 212 14024 NE Salmon Creek Ave. Vancouver, WA 98686 Phone: (360) 546-9524 Fax: (360) 546-9072

Advertising Inquiries [email protected] We are hiring! We are always hiring. No experience is necessary; we will provide all the training you need in journalistic style, photography, and digital printmaking. E-mail us at vancouged@vancouver. wsu.edu or visit our office in VCLS 212 for more information. Letters to the Editor We encourage letters to the editor. Please include your full name as part of the letter, and a phone number or email address for confirmation follow-up. Letters must be by a student, faculty, or staff member. Guest Columns & Comics The VanCougar accepts guest columns and comics from current students of WSU Vancouver. Interested students should e-mail us at vancouged@ vancouver.wsu.edu. Corrections policy It is our policy to correct errors. Please contact the editors by e-mail at [email protected]. Advertise with us The VanCougar directly reaches 3,000 students, faculty, and staff at WSU-V. There is no better way to advertise to the Vancouver area university crowd than with us. For more information, advertising rates and policies, please visit vancougar.com or contact our advertising manager.

Frenchman’s Bar: A long stretch of beach following just a short drive Two miles west of Vancouver Lake is a lengthy beach on the Columbia River known as Frenchman’s Bar. Frenchman’s Bar has been a popular hang out with locals for years. Even in the 70s and 80s, high school students would drive down to the river and relax all day. The beach not only has great river access for swimming and fishing, but also provides users with a place to picnic. There is something for everyone to do at Frenchman’s. The play equipment is a great source of entertainment for those

who aren’t a fan of the water. If outdoor sports are your thing, don’t hesitate to get a group of friends together to play on one of the eight beach volleyball courts. A 2.5-mile long trail connects the Vancouver Lake park to Frenchman’s Bar. Between Vancouver Lake and Frenchman’s Bar is the notorious Lower River Road. This street, in 1983, was a popular back road for my mom and her friends to race car on. I’m sure she burned up a few sets of tires on her Ford Pinto. Anyway, back to Frenchman’s. With cheap parking ($2/car), amazing views and exciting activities, Frenchman Bar is definitely a place you’ll need to check out as the spring and summer seasons draw near.

Photo: http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/parks-recreation/parks_trails/images/frenchmans.gif

CAR + HOME = BIG SAVINGS 071808R2933076

General E-mail [email protected]

EDITORIAL

HARRY HOFFMAN, Agent

360-574-5222

1307 B NE 78th St., Ste 1 Vancouver, WA 98665 www.harryhoffman.net

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Co. – Bloomington, IL

real reason we are moving forward. Special thanks must also be given to everyone who offered their time and opinions at the meetings we held over the last few months. We would not be broadcasting today if it were not for the dedication of the people who showed up to those meetings week after week, each in their own way shaping the path the radio station will take over this semester. We must offer the greatest thanks to our advisor, Brian Blair, and Dr. John Barber of the DTC program. We must also thank our own Spring Atkinson, who was instrumental in getting the ball rolling with this radio station. These three have supported us and encouraged us in countless ways, and we would not be where we are today without them. Today was a great step forward, and although we have a long way to go, we will meet the challenges that face this radio station and surmount them as we become a place where students can get involved, a voice for our students and our community, and above all, a great radio station that will serve our campus and the greater area of Vancouver. Thank you for your continued support of KOUG! - Zane Wagner

“There’s no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you’ll enjoy the rest of your flight.” “By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?” asked Elaine Dickinson in the classic comedy “Airplane!” Our favorite television shows and movies cater to our fear of flying, often portraying weeping passengers uttering their final oaths before the fateful crash. The miraculous deliverance of US Airways Flight 1549 out of the frigid waters of The Hudsen River made a national hero out of pilot Chesley Sullenberger III. The airline safety expert is supposedly stirring rumors of book and movie deals after saving the lives of his crew and passengers, his aircraft disabled after encountering a flock of birds shortly after takeoff. The drama that unfolded was the inspirational story of the day and a stark contrast from what many come to expect after a major airline disaster. What nobody talks about is the thousands of routine, uneventful flights undertaken around the world, day and night. The act of flying is testament to the human desire to explore, our refusal to be bound by laws of gravity. While our minds work furiously trying to place each whir and clunk,

KOUG Radio

imagining small yet important parts falling to the earth below, experts say there is little reason to worry about your next plane trip. A 2006 Time article said that more than 500 times as many people die in car crashes than in airplane disasters. While this is partly because there are a lot more cars on the road than planes in the sky in any given area, a major factor is the general lack of training that’s required to get a driver’s license compared to receiving a license to fly and be hired by a trustworthy airline. You’re in your own hands or that of your friends while driving a vehicle, which is maintained by a local Jiffy Lube. When flying, you’re in that of professionals and inside a wonder of technology maintained by mandate and governed by a large set of federal laws. Not to scare you into walking home at the end of the day, but here is something extra to think about the next time you say you would rather drive to Disneyland than fly: On the highway, you’re driving on the same road with anywhere between one and a hundred perfect strangers--you have no idea if they took a driving class, if they’re drunk, or if they’re even watching the road. Your wheels are on the ground, rolling along at 60 miles per hour and narrowly miss a potential tireflattening object approximately every 2.5 minutes.

January 26, 2009

OPINION

The Sluice Box Is free market to blame? By Matt Hunter The VanCougar

As the economy continues to look grimmer by the day, more and more people are looking back at the last year and asking a reasonable question: what happened? A common opinion in the mainstream media that was shared by President Obama during the campaign was that the collapse was due to a laissez faire economy that had little or no governmental oversight. But was the present crisis really caused by the free market? While there is an element of truth to the narrative, the real story is much more complicated and comes to a very different conclusion. The story of the market collapse must begin with two government-chartered businesses- Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac. Fannie Mae was created during the New Deal to increase the amount of money available for mortgages so that mortgage companies would be willing to take more risks and loan to less qualified applicants. To do this, the company would borrow funds from the capital market and buy mortgages from mortgage firms. This removed the mortgage and the risk from that

Why Do You Ask?

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company and allowed it to sell more lions and eventually trillions of dolmortgages. lars to increase home ownership The company worked in this among less fortunate Americans. capacity until 1968 when it was During the 90’s, Congress continprivatized. However, the compa- ued to remove oversight from Fanny retained its government char- nie and Freddie and the mortgage ter and continued to have many of market as a whole to promote lendthe advantages it had as a govern- ing to less qualified buyers. Add in ment agency. The company was that Freddie and Fannie spent milperceived by its stockholders to lions on lobbyists, and the resulting still be backed by the government poor oversight is perfectly predictif anything went wrong. Freddie able. Mac eventually joined Fannie Mae Another piece of the puzzle is as a nearly identical organization to the Community Reinvestment Act add diversity to (CRA) the secondary “The fact is that many people saw in 1977 mortgage marthe crisis coming, but the wealth of that reket. quired the moment was more alluring.” m o r t In 1991, Fannie Mae’s g a g e CEO James A. Johnson proposed to companies to do business in the enCongress that the company be al- tire geographical area that they oplowed to borrow essentially unlim- erated. The intention was to force ited money at just slightly higher companies to give loans to the inner rates than the U.S. Treasury. Mem- city as well as the suburbs. In the bers of Congress went with the 90’s, it was discovered that there deal because it would allow Fannie was a higher rejection rate for miMae and Freddie Mac to increase nority loan applicants. This had the number of mortgages available nothing to do with racism and was to their constituents and would in- the result of the creditworthiness of crease their chances in the next elec- the individuals, but legislation betion. Congress added an affordable gan to put stress on lenders to lend housing “mission” to the charter of equally to all ethnic groups, despite Fannie, which led to the “implicit creditworthiness. guarantee” that the government The result of all this was that would back the firm if it had finan- loans were made to applicants who cial troubles. could not pay. The dubious mortImmediately, both companies gages were then bought by Freddie began making commitments of mil- and Fannie and repackaged as secu-

messages to Obama’s staff, just as we did at the change.gov site. The link is http://www.whitehouse.gov/administraWhat’s your issue? tion/eop/opl/ (Office of Public Liaison), and the OPL promises that more opporBy Louise Wynn tunities will become available shortly The VanCougar for further participation. Even more interesting is the list “Our goal is to submit 5,000 emails of issues Obama will be addressing, by midnight today. That number will with our input, in the coming weeks put us ahead of every other grassroots and months. The “agenda” page (http:// movement that has submitted comments www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/) proto the Obama administration and will vides links from each issue to pages ensure that our issue…gets the attention of detailed information about Obama’s it deserves.” proposals for addressing them. There’s This quote comes from an e-mail no link for “Science” on that page, but message from a friend, who received it there are links to “Technology” and from a friend of another friend. These “Energy & Environment,” which covwomen are all concerned about letting er many of the issues of scientific reCertified Professional Midwives contin- search. ue to deliver babies in women’s homes. Additionally, if you follow the (In case you’re interested, the group has “Additional Issues” link, you’ll find a a Web site, www.TheBigPushForMid- “Science” paragraph which points out wives.org, and its motthat we must apto is “Envisioning a “Many people have ply new creativsafer, less-costly issues and they all ity to solving model of maternity seem to want first current problems care in the U.S.”) consideration by the of energy, HIV/ But it doesn’t Obama administration.” AIDS, and climatter what the ismate change. The sue is. Many people concluding parahave issues [sic], and they all seem to graph gives hope for science teachers want first consideration by the Obama and researchers: “President Obama and administration. Up until Jan. 20, around Vice President Biden believe federally 2:00 pm Eastern Time (right after funded scientific research should play Obama’s inauguration), the official an important role in advancing science Obama transition Web site encouraged and technology in the classroom and in comments about every issue. After the the lab.” inauguration, a visit to the www.change. Also hopeful is the paragraph on gov Web site gave me this message: “Sportsmen,” which acknowledges the “The transition has ended and the new contributions of hunters and anglers to administration has begun. Please join the preservation of wildlife reserves, President Obama at whitehouse.gov.” wilderness areas, and clean waters in Because a former job required the U.S. That paragraph allows that me to visit the www.whitehouse.gov “America’s hunters and anglers are a site---and many other government Web key constituency that must take an acsites---fairly often, I can compare the tive role and have a powerful voice in Obama and Bush versions of the site. this coalition.” The new site is more inviting, informaI went to the whitehouse.gov Web tive, and user friendly. It includes Mi- site to post a message to the administrachelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden as part tion about my own pet science issue, but of the administration, with brief bios after reading the Obama-Biden agenda, I about the two women as accomplished realized they have all my bases covered. individuals rather than dutiful adjuncts Likewise, my friend’s friend’s friends to accomplished men. And it allows for who want more freedom for women’s participation: Just as Candidate Obama health-care choices may find hope on promised, President Obama promises to the “Women” page. If not, all they have post non-emergency legislation publicly to do is send their message directly to for five days so everyone can comment the Obama administration. I hope you’ll on it before he signs it. do the same, whatever your issue. More importantly, we can still send

rities and sold to investors. When the housing bubble finally did pop, the damage was far more widespread than it would have been had it not been for extreme government regulation. This said, there was a lot of stupidity in the business sector as well. The mortgage companies should have seen that the bubble created by artificially low mortgage rates and requirements could not last, and that when the bubble did pop the government would be unable to patch up the damage. Also, there were those who unethically used the market to their advantage: buying houses, using the equity, and foreclosing with little or no consequences. And it is surprising just how many very intelligent Wall Street types had their blinders on. The fact is that when the mortgage crash did happen, no one was really surprised. What did surprise people was the extent to which it affected the world market. The fact is that many people saw the crisis coming but the wealth of the moment was more alluring. So they continued to gobble up the profits and pray that they would be unaffected when the end did come. So while there is much that can be blamed on human nature, it is ultimately the interference of government in the mortgage market that bears the brunt of the blame for the present economic crisis.

Man on the Street

How do you feel about the 44th President? By Jake Kleinschmidt The VanCougar

Natalya Gruntkovskiy

Jeremie Harget

“I don’t think it will make much of a difference with Obama, I don’t mean that in a bad way.. just the whole controversy with him being the first black president. I’m curious to see what this will mean for later.”

“I’m hoping he can deliver the change he promised the last two years. But I still am skeptical because just like any other politician he has his own agendas.”

Gina Bacon

Brandi Le

“It’s a big day for America. I’m interested to see what changes are actually made since Obama is all about change.”

“I feel good, I think its a good thing, I’m excited to see what he does, how he can help our country go in the right direction. So I’m excited.”

Accounting

Undeclared

DTC

English

Nick Ferderer

English/Public Affairs/Human Development

“It was hard not just to sit and stare with a blank face inspired and awestruck. He doesn’t try to say he is going to try to do everything, which makes his goals seem realistic. In turn he puts some of those goals on me and it makes me want to set myself realistic goals and accomplish them. And make a lasting change for the positive, and try to serve something larger than myself.”

The VanCougar

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From the President: Fellow Students,

As you may know from reading campus or community media, public institutions of higher learning in Washington State— including Washington State University—are facing extraordinarily large budget cuts this year. Specific numbers aside, the proposed cuts to the institution and to state-sponsored financial aid pose a very real, very significant threat to students seeking higher education. These

ASWSUV

cuts come at a time when the state is experiencing incredible budget shortfalls, but as our Chancellor, Hal Dengerink, observed, “This is not the time to be cutting the solution to our problems.” In this climate, nothing is more important than voicing our concerns, our fears, and our worries. Our administrators will listen! Our Board of Regents will listen! Our legislators will listen! But it remains our civic duty to speak—a fundamental right and responsibility that is not often exercised by college students. ASWSUV will be launching a letter-writing campaign over the next several months, in which we will make it as easy as possible for you to contact your legislators to urge them to protect accessibility to higher education. Please join us in telling our legislators that students will not balance the budget with high tuition increases. Look for

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Just $5 for a fifty word love note. Email us at [email protected] with your letter!

flyers and more detailed advertisements in the near future. Additionally, we will be attending Coug Day at the Capitol on February 16th. This is an event in which Cougs from all over the state will join hands in Olympia, meeting with legislators and representing WSU. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this event! If you are interested, please contact the ASWSUV Director of Legislative Affairs, Sommer Knight, at [email protected]. If you have questions about the state budget and how it will affect students, or wonder wwhat else ASWSUV is doing to represent student needs in Olympia, please contact me at sg-pres@ vancouver.wsu.edu. -Peter Sterr

PUBLIC NOTICE Hearing on Proposed Amendment to the Washington Administrative Code— WSU Student Organization Policies and Regulations Washington State University will conduct a public hearing on revision of WAC 504-28 – Policies and Regulations Applying to All Student Organizations on February 5, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in Lighty Student Services Building, Room 405, Pullman, WA 99164. Notice of this public hearing is hereby given in accordance with provisions of RCW 34.05.320(4). The University intends to amend the WAC rules and language regarding registered student organizations, to accommodate a multi-campus system, and to clarify requirements for participation and membership in such organizations. The University will adopt the amendment based on the statutory authority found in RCW 28B.30.150. You may review the proposed amendments in the Office of Procedures, Records, and Forms, Information Technology Building, Room 3089, or by going to the website at http://www.wsu.edu/~forms/ProposedWAC.html. You may testify at this meeting. You may also direct written comments to Ralph Jenks, Director of Procedures, Records, and Forms, Rules Coordinator, mail code 1225, Pullman, WA 99164; e-mail forms@mail. wsu.edu; fax 335-3969. Submit all written comments by 5:00 p.m., February 5, 2009.

FEATURES

January 26, 2009

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Spring lecture series begins Racing to theaters to see ‘Gran Torino’ WSU-V offers family advice to the public on Mondays Vancouver, Wash. - The Center for Social and Environmental Justice at Washington State University Vancouver presents its third annual Spring Research Colloquium, which includes faculty, graduate student and undergraduate presenters. The Spring Research Colloquium also includes presentations by staff of the YWCA Clark County, and by members of the Cowlitz Tribal Council, who will speak about their ongoing research, as well as research needs and interests. All of the presentations are free and open to the public, at 12:00 p.m. in the Multimedia Classroom building, room 6. Parking is available in metered spaces or in the Blue Lot for $3 per day. For more information on the CSEJ, visit http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ programs/csejustice/. Jan 22: Kathy Kniep, Executive Director of the YWCA Clark County, will provide an overview of the YWCA’s programs, research needs and other opportunities for collaboration with WSU Vancouver faculty, staff and students. Feb. 18: Taylor Aalvik, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, member of the Cowlitz Tribal Council, director of Natural Resources, biologist and history researcher, and master’s student in environmental science and regional planning; and Steve Kutz, R.N.,

M.P.H., member of the Cowlitz Tribal Council and manager, Cowlitz Indian Tribal Health Clinic, speaking on the ongoing research and research needs and interests of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. March 5: Thabiti Lewis, assistant professor of English, WSU Vancouver, “Sam Greenlee: Re-articulation of Revolt in Ellison’s Invisible Man.” Sky Wilson, Ph.D. candidate in American studies, “The U.S. War of Terror Has Gotten Yo Mama: Talkin B(l)ack to Critique, Confront and Combat Racism and U.S. Imperialism.” March 24: Clare Wilkinson Weber, assistant professor of anthropology, WSU Vancouver, “From Commodity to Costume: Productive Consumption in the Making of Bollywood Film Costumes.” Sue Peabody, professor of history, “Race and Free Soil in Comparative Perspective: Furcy and Dred Scott.” April 8: Gretchen RollwagenBollens, clinical assistant professor of marine ecology, “Assessing the Factors Influencing Cynobacteria Blooms in Vancouver Lake, Wash.” Brian Tissot, associate professor of marine ecology, “Deep Impacts: Effects of Fishing on Pacific Continental Shelf Ecosystems.” April 28: Adam Carpinelli, Ph.D. candidate in world history, “Historical Reflections on the Globalization of Dams.” Steve Fountain, assistant professor of history, WSU Vancouver, “Symbols of a Bad Land: Horses, Humanity and History.”

Honors program lectures WSU-V offers family advice to the public on Mondays Vancouver, Wash. - In conjunction with the University Honors program, WSU-V offers a series of lectures Monday nights from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the Administration building, room 110. Parking is available in the Blue Lot for $3. Jan. 26: William Guilford, University of Virginia, “Engineering a Safer Pregnancy in the Developing World” Feb. 9: Barry Hewett, WSU Vancouver, “What Pediatricians Can Learn from a Cross-Cultural Perspective on Infancy”

Feb. 23: Suzanne Smith, WSU Vancouver, “Discipline among the Hutterites” March 9: Pavan John Anthony, WSU Pullman, “Family, Culture and Perceptions of Disability in India” March 23: Marcelo Diversi, WSU Vancouver, “Brazilian Street Youth: A Systems Theory Perspective” April 6: Denise Lewis, University of Georgia, “Culture, Aging, and Intergenerational Relations: Rethinking Meanings of Exchanges across Generations” April 13: Michele Gamburd, Portland State University, “Care Crisis in the Global South: Demographics, Transnational Migration and the State”

Magenta Theater premiere Downtown Vancouver is full of small activities for locals By Greg Zschomler The VanCougar

ComedySportz premiered the new Magenta Theater on Main Street last week with their first public performance in Vancouver. The improv troop performs every week in their own venue in Portland, but last week’s shows marks the first time they have provided their brand of interactive comedy for a non-private Vancouver audience. “I’d seen them before,” said WSU-V’s Dr. Sue Peabody who attended the sold out 7 p.m. show, “they’re great.” The 9:15 p.m. show, added when 7 p.m. sold out, also filled rapidly making it clear there is an audience on the north bank for uproarious comedy. ComedySportz has the track record to bring it on; they have over 15 years experience in Portland, offering shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. ComedySportz is a unique blend

of competition and improve— similar to Drew Carey’s “Who’s Line Is It Anyway”—that gets downright wild and wacky. At the Vancouver shows two teams of three actors each battled for points by acting out situations or improving on words provided by the spectators. Sometimes audience members were included on stage. The two teams performing at Magenta, red (representing Portland) and blue (representing Vancouver), ran in close contest for the duration of the show. A referee (quite funny himself) judged the improve and the audience voted with red and blue flyswatters after each game. In the end the Vancouver team won. Might ComedySportz be great entertainment at WSU-V? “I was thinking it would be a totally excellent thing,” said Peabody. They also provide teambuilding activities for groups. For more information and Portland location and show times check out ComedySportz at www.portlandcomedy.com.

A movie with action, comedy, drama and relationships By Rosie Bartel The VanCougar

Gran Torino solidifies one thing for certain: Clint Eastwood is the master of the hilariously crotchety old man. One well placed close up of his ominously narrowed eyes can dissolve an audience into laughter; but he can also emanate an unparalleled malice, creating a portraiture of a man no sane person would mess with. Eastwood stars as the acidic Walt Kowalski, a tortured Korean war vet, recently widowed. He lives in a run down and gang ridden neighborhood with his loyal dog and a collection of guns. His family, particularly his petulant granddaughter, are nearly satirical in their insensitive, condescending, greed driven meddling. Walt dismisses them with venomous ease, seemingly content with his prickly isolation. Walt does love one thing: his 1972 Gran Torino, which he keeps cloistered away in the garage. The car ultimately prompts a chain of events that introduces him to his neighbors, teenaged siblings Thao and Sue Lor (newcomers Bee Vang and Ahney Her), who must contend with a volatile Hmong gang. Sue serenely ignores Walt’s snarling hostility and racist remarks, dismissing this unfriendliness as old man bravado, and even affectionately nicknames him Wally. Meanwhile, Walt purposely butchers the pronunciation of Hmong

names, stubbornly calling Thao “Toad.” While Sue is feisty and domineering, Thao is passive and reserved, inducing funny scenes where Walt teaches him to be a “man.” The content grows progressively darker as the film proceeds, and the ending isn’t too difficult to guess, but it’s engrossing from beginning to end, mostly due to the subtle complexities of Eastwood’s performance. Walt isn’t actually racist nor as hateful as he pretends, but is rather weighted down by an unbearable guilt. His angry, profane demeanor is a façade and a shield, which inevitably wilts when he winds up unexpectedly caring about something. The performances from the young newcomers have been lambasted in other reviews, but they shoulder some incredibly difficult material with care and conviction, and have great chemistry with Eastwood, who wanted a cast of unknowns. Another standout is the dutiful Father Janovich (Christopher Carley), who promised Walt’s wife that he’d get the contemptuous old grouch to attend at least one confession. Often funny, occasionally touching, and always entertaining, Gran Torino is a fantastic movie that masterfully untangles the psychological nuances of a difficult man. It portrays the relationships with the refreshing honesty expected with a protagonist like Walt. No smarmy, saccharine sweetness. No nonsense. The movie is 116 minutes long and rated R for language and violence.

The VanCougar

CAMPUS NEWS

Martin Luther King, Jr. service day

CAMPUS NEWS

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Over 250 people spent the entire day completing community service projects By Eric Bahnmiller thE VAnCoUGAr

Kathleen Denlinger, a WSU-V student, found herself writing cards to patients in hospitals on Martin Luther King Jr.. Day and quite a few other WSU students went to work that day, too. The occasion was the first WSUV sponsored Martin Luther King Jr. service day which drew 250 participants and seven different service activities. Volunteers started arriving at 9 a.m. and were ushered in by staff at every corner on their way to the Firstenburg Student Commons. Once inside, volunteers signed waivers, registered for an activity, and were treated to donuts, coffee and juice. “I came because it is the nice thing to do,” said Kathleen Denlinger. When asked why she chose to help with comfort cards that are going to people in hospitals she replied, “I brought my boots for tree planting and was prepared for quilting, but comfort cards was the place where they needed the most help.” The activities that volunteers could choose from included quilting for the needy, elementary school beautification,

landscaping with Habitat for Humanity in yards and along roads, sorting canned goods at a food bank, planting trees in watersheds and creating comfort cards. The presentation that followed registration was powerful and full of moving language. Arianna Gouveia, a singer from LA. who happened to be in town, sang acappella, ‘Lift Every Voice & Sing’, which ended “let us march on ‘till victory is won.” Professor Jorge Lizarraga from WSUV then told a powerful story of growing up in East LA as a minority, and what Dr. King meant to his family and the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. The day after Dr. King was shot, his single mother dropped him and his brother off at a local doughnut shop before school as she had often done before. He recalled the racist comment, in the type of language that this paper can not print, made by of one of his favorite employees. His high opinion of that person diminished that day. Lizarraga’s overall point was that young people today take for granted what Dr. King did and meant and what President Barrack Obama’s election means, especially here in the Northwest where racism is not as prevalent as in the South. His presentation was followed by a video clip of Dr. King’s famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. After that was over, volunteers headed

UPCOMING EVENTS The Arts @ WSU Vancouver Who: All WSU Vancouver students who would like to showcase their art or craft When: Event held April 10, 2009 3:30 p.m. What: Local arts and crafts vendors, including community, students, staff and faculty.

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This event hopes to bring awareness to the community of the campus’ rotating galleries and permanent art pieces.

Contact: Lea Pfau in the office of Development and Alumni relations 360-546-9600 or e-hmail [email protected]

Photos by: Crystal and David Walk

We plan to use this event to raise funds to support the WSU Vancouver Art galleries, DTC Program and Fine Arts department.

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out to their service activities. Volunteers whose activities required them to leave campus received a water bottle and granola bar before leaving. Two activities stayed in the student commons: quilting for the needy and comfort cards. The Clark County Quilters Guild sponsored the quilting event; they brought all of the material, supplies and sewing machines. Volunteers helped by picking out square pieces of cloth and putting them together, which were then sewn and ironed before finally being put together with the other layers of the quilt. People making comfort cards had a large selection of materials to work with which included colorful paper, colored pencils, markers and foam stickers. The service day was a great success to staff that planned it and participated. “Someone posted information on facebook about the event, I received emails from the Move On Organization, and we even had an article written in The Columbian,” Carol Lopez-Gustin said, one involved student. “We originally were hoping that 50 people would sign up. We had 200 people signed up the day before [the event] and 250 people show up,” said Bola Majekobaje who was in charge of coordinating the event along with Derence Walk. The success of the event was due in part to the 2 months of planning and the publicity it received.

CAMPUS NEWS

January 26, 2009 3.

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CSA event held on campus Local farmers display crops for Vancouver residents Story and Photo by Katie Wells Editor in Chief

WSU Clark County Extension, a large association that helps to inform local communities about their research, held a “Meet the Farmers” event on the WSU-V campus on Wednesday, January 21. Using this event to educate citizens about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), farmers from all over the Vancouver area displayed their agricultural goods in the Firstenburg Student Commons. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Community Supported Agriculture consists of individuals purchasing shares of a farm or garden. These individuals agree to support the farms and share both the risks and benefits of natural food production. Spending, on average, $500-$600 a season for a full share of the crops, CSA members receive a box of goods each week from their farms. The

shareholders do not necessarily know which crops they will receive, nor do they know the exact amount that will be produced. According to a brochure from WSU Clark County Extension, citizens should buy local farm products because it ‘provides fresh, nutritious food, keeps small farms in business and supports the local economy, conserves resources, and protects the environment through responsible land stewardship.’ As for Extension itself, WSU’s has been since 1913. The association provides opportunities for uncredited education and degree opportunities to individuals and communities statewide. With programs in categories like 4-H, agriculture, nutrition, food safety and quality, national resources, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality, there are many areas where locals can become involved. There are also three additional family and youth programs. For more information on WSU Clark County Extension, visit http:// clark.wsu.edu. If you’re interested in locating a CSA near you, visit http:// farmfinder.wsu.edu/.

Professor Theirs was one of the many that attended the CSA “Meet the Farmers” event held at WSU Vancouver.

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1. Planting trees was one of the most popular projects worked on. 2. During the clip of ‘I Have a Dream,’ participants silently watched the screen. 3. The watershed received a much needed facelift at the event. 4. Children were eager to help out the community and even learned to sew in the process. 5. Evergreen Habitat for Humanity assisted WSU-V in finding projects to work on. 6. ‘Get Well Soon’ cards were created for hospital patients in need of support.

The VanCougar

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

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ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Bissom, Red Spades and Gebular perform Student ambassador event featured local bands By Hannah Walker The VanCougar

The ASWSUV ambassadors hosted a series of musical artists as their January event for “Get To Know You Tuesdays.” The architects of the affair were ambassadors Rachel Haseman and Mason O’Lennick. Headlining the event was Gebular, an up and coming band from Olympia. Warming up the stage for Gebular was local band, The Red Spades, and solo artist, Ryan Bissom, opened the event. Bissom serenaded the audience with a series of original acoustic tunes, his sound somewhat reminiscent of

Dashboard Confessional. Playing mostly original songs, he found his stride through open chords that made use of the entire fretboard. The resonant sound was rich with hammered and acute rhythm, accompanying with vocals. Bissom concluded with a

cover of “Free Fallin,’” encouraging a sing-a-long chorus, which was under participated in. Bone up on your Tom Petty people, he is a national treasure. The afternoon took a funky turn as The Red Spades stepped into the performance space. Combining the exploratory sound of the Grateful Dead with the melodic sensibilities of Paul McCartney, The Red Spades took the audience to a groovier place. A phenomenal bass player, who had too few chances to stretch his legs and show off for the audience, grounded their musical creations soundly. Making the most of the surf beat, this band blew the top off the Student Commons. Closing down the event was Gebular. This band crafted a slightly harder sound than the previous musicians. Their employment of a driving rhythm contrasted nicely with the laid-back beat of The Red Spades. A high level of musicianship was evident in the tightness of the sound. Cody Reed, the lead guitarist and a student at WSU-V, was the strength of the performance with articulate and expressive leads.

This event was well-organized and reasonably well attended. Get To Know You Tuesdays are monthly events on campus. The next event scheduled by the ambassadors is “Love Fest.” This affair is planned in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, is meant to provide students with the opportunity to meet other students with whom they may want to celebrate this day, and is scheduled for February 2nd.

featured in WSU-V gallery UPCOMING Photography Former WSU-V staff EVENTS member displays abstract Club fair hosted in the FSC

January 27 - WSU-V from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Firstenburg Student Commons. Food will be provided.

WSU Vancouver Displays Wayne Herndon’s Colorful Paintings January 12 - March 13 in the Engineering Life Sciences gallery.

Snow camping at Mt. St. Helens January 31 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. camping trip at Mt. St. Helens. Costs $10.00 per person. Limited space Sign up at the recreation office FSC 136.

a tear in the sky allowing light to slip through and warm the lone structure.. Tripp says that “Laundry Barn” is among the most popular photographs in her barn series. In this photo,

photography

By Mark Medina The VanCougar

In 2005, WSU-V Professor of Management and Operations, Dr. Tom Tripp moved with his wife Jodi and their two children to Switzerland, where Dr. Tripp began teaching Negotiation and Strategies courses. Jodi took the opportunity to explore the countryside and world famous mountains. Inspired by the Swiss landscape, Jodi found a renewed passion for photography. When the Tripps returned to the United States, she set out to discover the beauty in her own back yard. Her landscapes are full of life and express a cornucopia of emotion a vivacious style that is colorful and bold. (Tripps series on barns illustrates her ability to command emotion through imagery; to have a mood given to them by lighting and color. and to capture energy and distill it into a single image.) In “Red Barn Corn” a single barn beams under the ever present dark-gray clouds of the Pacific Northwest. The power of the clouds is revealed through

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WSU Vancouver Library 

during WSU-V’s fledgeling days. Jodi says the market for local art has diminished along with the slowing economy. But she says “do what you love and the money will follow.” Jodi

www.vancouver.wsu.edu/library

Jodi Tripp, who is originally from urban California, says she is inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

laundry wafts in a cool summer breeze as a sun bathed white barn rests under the warmth of the sun. The crisp blue sky and lazy rolling lawn inspires restful ease. Tripp has been taking pictures most of her life. She started working at a school newspaper and became interested in children’s portraits, and then later, party photography. Her passions allowed her to travel in the Southwest United States, taking portraits and learning. Nowadays, she tends to keep her of photography a bit closer to  joy home. Tripp says she enjoys showing her artwork just a few feet down the hall from where she used to works the cafeteria manager,

offered words of encouragement to students and graduates saying “get out there and meet people-network.” She says knowing people can make all the difference, so it’s important make yourself known. Persistence is the key. WSU-V’s art gallery is on the first floor of the Administration Building (VADM) a short walk down the hall from the cafeteria. In the board room on the second floor, Jodi is featuring selected works of abstract digital photography. Her work is also on display at the Aurora Art Gallery in downtown Vancouver, the new Firstenberg Tower at Southwest Washington Medical Center and at the Vancouver Clinic. Her digital gallery can be found at www.JodiTripp.com.

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

January 26, 2009

Strange stones stay silent

An investigative pursuit leads to a new mystery By Jake Kleinschmidt aCe eDITor

Apparently, the keys to the secrets of the universe are right under our noses. They are contained in a collection of stones and rods lying in the courtyard outside the library. They don’t seem to serve a purpose, but a closer look shows they have a reason for being there after all. Some are aware that it is Braille. However, knowledge beyond that has been left to the imagination. This ACE editor set out to find some answers as to the true nature of these stones. The VanCougar spoke with Erin Dengerink Madarang, the campus gallery director, about the stones outside the Library. “It’s great public art and my favorite piece,” said Madarang, “You can walk on it, sit on it, or interact with it in any way you wish.” The name of the stone art is “Opening the Secret.” The name itself leaves an impression that the art is supposed to be discovered. However, it may be more difficult to figure out the answer. Madarang said, “Opening the Secret is more about the things that few people will ever know.” This means that the chances of finding the secret are near impossible. The problem would be that the art is actually Chinese Braille. To decipher the art you need at least two people to figure out what is written on the

One woman show 9 Secret Lives of Women coming to WSU-V By Kayla Page The VanCougar

With on-going American involvement in Iraq, many people only understand the country from a wartime perspective. This is one reason why the Marquee Diversity Event Committee decided to bring this production to Washington State UniversityVancouver (WSU-V). Bola Majekobaje, Assistant Director for Student Diversity, stated that, “Most Americans don’t know much about Iraqi culture and even less about Iraqi women. Hopefully this will give attendees a new perspective”. Playwright Heather Raffo has created a piece that “delves into the many conflicting aspects of what it means to be a woman in the age-old war zone that is Iraq. An unusually timely meditation on the ancient, the modern and the feminine in a country overshadowed by war” as described by local director Louanne Moldovan. Raffo was unable to provide further

stones. What we all want to know is if there are at least some hints as to what the bronze rods on those rocks are actually saying to us. If you go into the library and look straight ahead there are two white panels near a window facing the stones. That is the artist’s statement. The answers must be there, right? Not quite. The artist leaves only more intrigue as to what the stones must say. In 1998, Jo Hockenhull and Ann Christensen, both professors of the arts, traveled to China and were introduced to Li Xiu Qin, a sculptor. They took her back to the United States to create some art. The volcanic basalt stones were taken from the rock query and split for her to place the bronze rods into the rocks. Li Xiu Qin said that the rocks being split are to represent the opening of history of Vancouver and/or the release of energy. The shape of the “concave and convex” forms of the stones is to be seen as yin and yang. “The ‘secret messages’,” said Li Xiu Qin, “are found in American and Chinese Braille on the inner pages of the opened stones. When you open the pages from your sense of touch, it is my hope that the pages will open the universe of your heart and soul.” Li Xiu Qin says the art is to show that we are all equal, as we share the same place in the universe. The art is to honor emotion, community and cooperation. So that’s the secret of the stones. The translation of the braille remains hidden to the students of WSU-V. insight into her piece as she is nearing the due date of her first child. Although the play depicts a wide and numerous range of all female characters, each is performed by one woman, Luisa Sermol. As if this doesn’t provide enough incentive to see the piece, Majekobaje says “it has received amazing reviews and it is an award winning piece. Clearly, this is a unique play which depicts the images of a people rarely portrayed in the theatre or on film”. Awards and all, this play is still the utmost presentation of an insightful and timely theme. Majekobaje emphasized that “what most people know about Iraq, its culture and people, are what they see on the news or hear from our government. I think this will bring humanity and a face to the people and women of Iraq.” The performance is scheduled for January 28th in the VADM building room 110. Doors open at 5:30 and the play will start at 6:00. Admission is free and open to the public; however the seating is limited so arrive early! Majekobaje hopes that this piece will offer WSU-V students and community members “a new perspective and possibly an interest in learning more,” about Iraqi culture and experience.

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CougAr t

Jodi Tripp: “Laundry Barn” Former staff member at WSU-V Loves taking photographs of the Northwest.

Joe Creager:“Alex” Student: History Major Loves to take candid photographs of human behavior.

Tim Batchelor Student: Biology Major Held a photography business for 2 years, been shooting since age 11.

Want your art here? Tell us! Email the ACE Editor at [email protected]

10

The VanCougar

SPORTS & RECREATION

SPORTS & RECREATION

Flag football touches down at WSU-V

Flag football intramurals are now kicking off BY ERIC BAHNMILLER THE VANCOUGAR

With college football over and only two games left in the NFL season, the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl, I’m sure all of you football lovers are starting to get depressed. But cheer up! Flag football

intramurals start this Thursday the 29 at 3:30 p.m. Sign-ups will be on the sports field. All students, staff and faculty are welcome and it’s free. If your schedule is conflicting, no problem, show up when you can and stay as long as you like. “We will play as long as people want to stay. Previously we played till we couldn’t see the ball, the quarterback had to announce ‘I’m throwing the

ball’ and just hoped that the receivers could see it to catch,” said Denise Eyerly, who works for the Recreation Department. The team that’s going to play Clark Community College in the Vancouver Bowl will be put together from whoever shows up for intramurals. There hasn’t been a positive date set yet for that game; it is tentatively scheduled for March 7, during Clark’s spirit week.

City League

WSU-V’s volleyball team is already into league play

UPCOMING EVENTS Snow Camping January 31- Sign up in OSI by January 30

Campus Overnighter February 6 - Sign up in OSI by February 4

Snowboard/Ski Rent equipment from the OSI Recreation Office for your personal trip

Blazers vs Knicks March 8 - Tickets go on sale at 3 p.m. in the OSI January 27

Bowling Night January 29, 9:30-11:30 p.m. Free pizza, shoe rental and bowling

Winterhawks Tickets February 13- Tickets go on sale at 7:30 p.m. on February 2

BY KATIE WELLS EDITOR IN CHIEF

After the first league game at the Marshall Center on Wednesday, January 21, the WSU-V team is 01. Winning only the last of three games, the team took their first official loss. With a ten player team and special rules regulating the number of subs, the Cougs are left with only one option for court-time designation: rotation. “It’s better and more consistent. It’s better for now at least. I mean, each player gets a considerable amount of playing time. It worked pretty well last game and hopefully continues to help,” said player Kendal Mantzke. Following their match on Wednesday, the team spent the next hour working on serve receive and scrimmaging. The girls learned to play together and communicate better as a team according to Mantzke. Team captain, Sueann McWatters has been keeping in touch with the ten players, the team manager, Matt Rafano, and the staff members at the Marshall Center in an attempt to schedule more practices. The Marshall Center has scheduled gym times for events that they run so it has proved to be difficult to plan those practices. The girls’ team plays Wednesday and Thursday nights at times between 8:25 and 10 p.m. Some of the amenities offered at the Marshall Center on McLoughlin Blvd. include a fitness center with a 2,800 sq ft weight room, an aerobics dance room, arts and crafts with an outdoor work terrace, a public address sound system, a drop slide in the swimming pool, and a new teen lounge. There are also swimming lessons for adults, kids, and seniors, youth soccer programs, family sports, adult drop-in volleyball and basketball, softball, teen dodgeball nights and many other events. Check out their facility through the Parks and Recreation site at http://www.ci.vancouver. wa.us/parks-recreation/facilities_ locations/marshall.htm.

God created sexual desire in ten parts; then he gave nine parts to women and one to men. A portr ait of the extr aordinary (and ordinary) lives of a whole cross-section of Ir aqi women.

Washington State University Vancouver

January 28 at 6 P.M. Administr ation Bldg, Room 110 Free and Open to the Public

Heather R affo’s

9 Parts Starring

of

Desire

Luisa Sermol Louanne Moldovan

Directed by

Sponsored by Student Affairs & Diversity Council www.vancouver.wsu.edu/diversity

Journalism BOOTCAMP Saturday, February 7 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FREE Learn about journalism, media, reporting and more. Lunch provided. Guest Speaker: Michael Andersen Also Presenting: Dean Baker and Steve Lane All interested parties are invited to attend with RSVP. Contact the VanCougar to RSVP or for more info.

SPORTS & RECREATION

January 26, 2009

SUPER BOWL XLIII

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By Will & Greg

Will: Well, here we are, back at the VanCougar. Our pre- and post-Super Bowl columns were always so popular, we were invited back—just for a couple guest appearances. Greg: Yeah, I’m back for more torture, dude. I have finished my degree requirements, but don’t walk until May, so I thought I’d take a couple classes—just six credits. Will: And that makes you eligible to contribute to the VanCougar, and take more well-deserved verbal abuse from me. Greg: I can’t wait. Hit me. Will: Fast and below the waist. Have you devoted any of your femtosecond attention span to football this year? Or did you just go to NFL.com and review the playoffs so you could fake the column like normal? Greg: What an accusation! I’ve watched a game or two, but quite frankly, Super Bowl 43: I’m underwhelmed. First off, I couldn’t care any less about the Cardinals. Or the Ravens for that matter. I might have found the clash between the Steelers and the Eagles interesting, that being a cross state rivalry. Will: First, Playoff games: Ravens vs Titans. Boring! A Punter Ping Pong Game. It was like two herds of mountain goats with football helmets. They’d butt heads three times and punt the ball. And it seemed every play there was an injury. This is a tough game, but I hate it when it turns brutal. One minor turn or twist, and a pro athlete receives a few more pounds of pressure on a critical joint. I was sad to see so many injury timeouts. However, I was pleased to see the outcome of the Carolina and Arizona game. 33 to 13, Cardinals on top! Greg: You’re a Cardinals fan? I thought you followed the Seahawks. Will: Yep. That’s why I wanted Kurt E. Warner and his Cardinals to make it. The early ‘Hawks had a running back named Curt E. Warner. Curt with a ‘C’ fumbled so often it was REALLY hard to be a Seahawks fan. So I wanted the Cardinals to make it to the Super Bowl just to watch Curt’s namesake take a pounding. Greg: That’s harsh, man! Will: Yeah. And I’m proud of it. I wanna see Kurt Warner go home with Some Assembly Required. The Steelers making it to the Super Bowl is icing on the cake. Greg: Does that mean you’ll be rooting for the Steelers? You DO have an official terrible towel, no? Will: Oh yeah! And I waved it with aerobic vigor as Pittsburgh made the Ravens eat crow. So now it’s Cardinals and Steelers. For the first time in ages, I’ve got an emotional attachment to the Super Bowl. I’d like to see a score of fifty to zero. I want Kurt Warner to get sacked so many times that the game ends up in a different time zone. I want long bombs that explode when caught.

2009

Greg: But we’ve got a problem. For only the second time in TAG history you and I agree on something. And for the first time in four Super Bowl columns we’ve picked the same team. This is a disaster! Call out the National Guard. Call out the Associated Press! Will: Call out for pizza! Or in your case chili dogs—you’re attending that monstrous bash again? In my case, I’m chillin’ without the chili at my friends’. Greg: Call George Pike!

er Team Tod v u o c n a a y!!! V Join WSU ou r

Will: Our friend and guest writer from last summer who lives in Pittsburgh? I’ll bet he’s totally jazzed, especially as he’s been a Bruce Springsteen fan since day one. Greg: So we’re both agreed then: The Cards must—yea, will be—tarred and de-feathered. Though I admit, I side with Pittsburgh only by default. Not my favorite team by any means, but better than most. I would have liked to see the Colts go all the way. It saddens me the Dungee has retired; my favorite coach as he did not swear or verbally abuse his players to get what he wanted. However, the Cards have a decent coach—youngest ever to go to the Super Bowl. Will: You have been paying attention! I’m impressed. And I DID say Springsteen? As in the half-time show? You’ve heard of him maybe? Greg: The Boss!? Are you kidding? I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck yesterday, I was BORN in the USA! Finally, a half-time show that could be more than sub-decent. They (the half-time show planning people) are not pairing him with someone like the Goo Goo Dolls are they? Will: Nope, some outfit called The E Street Band. So we have two of the key ingredients in place for an exciting game. Show me some worthy commercials and my joy will be out of bounds. Greg: I’m just glad the game isn’t between the Ravens and the Eagles or the Ravens and the Cardinals. That would make a Superbowl for the birds. Now there would be a nice half-time show. Are they still around? Will: Who, the E Street Band or the Goo Goo Dolls?

2008 Relay Team (Eighties Theme)

Greg: The Byrds, birdbrain! Okay, commercials—what we watch the Superbowls for: There’s bound to be a big bad Bud spot, and either Coke or Pepsi will have a good one. Most likely Pepsi as they are launching a new logo campaign. Hopefully, another trunk monkey will not pop up or I might take a wrench to my TV. My better than ever TV, now that I got the box.

Sign up at [email protected] by January 30

Will: I’ll keep track of the commercials as in times past, since you tend to miss so many with your trips to fetch chips. And by ‘box’ are you referring to the converter box for the digital conversion in February? You can count on a couple of ads on that topic. Greg: Yeah, the digital to analog converter box that will be needed by February 17 if you don’t have an HDTV or cable. By the way, the box really improved my reception and clarity on my old TV. AND there are several additional digital channels. For example OPB has three! But I digress.

Everyone is welcome!! The more the merrier!!

Will: It’s your specialty. Greg: The point I’m trying to make is that if you can’t convince the wife you need a new 50” LCD or Plasma HDTV (prices are way down) to see the Superbowl, you’ve got the eminent conversion as additional firepower. 1.5 million TVs will be sold in the weeks before SB XLII. Will: The commercials will look a lot better on that Plasma, too. See you in two weeks, dude.

The VanCougar

12 January / February

2009

Jan. 26: University Scholars Program Administration Building, 110 / 6:00 p.m. Dr. William Guilford, Free and open to the public Jan. 27: Club Fair and Pizza Feed Firstenburg Student Commons / 12:00 p.m. Free and open to all students Jan. 28: Nine Parts of Desire Administration Building, 110 / 6:00 p.m. Free and open to the public Jan. 29: Artist Talk & Reception Administration Building Art Gallery / 4:00 p.m. Free and open to the public Jan. 29: Asian Immigration to the US Administration Building, 110 / 12:00 p.m. Free and open to the public Jan. 29: Law in the Service of Evil Multimedia Building, Room 6 / 7:00 p.m. Free and open to the public Feb. 06: Campus Overnighter Firstenburg Student Commons / 7:00 p.m. Free and open to all students Feb. 06: Fine Arts Friday: Easy Drawing Techniques Multimedia Building, Room 107 / 12:00 p.m. Free and open to student, faculty, and staff Feb. 10: Ski Bowl Night Skiing Trip Carpool/Caravan leaving campus at 3:00 p.m. $15.00 for students, $20.00 for non-students

TAIL END