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February 09, 2022
Vol. 121 NO. 5
CWU activists sound a call to action threats. Despite all the rage and resistance, the community came together to support the movement.
Photo by Katherine Camarata/The Observer, Calls to Action exhibit in the Museum of Culture and Environment.
By Katherine Camarata Senior Reporter Signs sporting phrases like “Stop funding violence” and “Why is ending racism a debate?” decorate the glaring, white walls of the Museum of Culture and Environment this quarter as part of the Calls to Action exhibit. The exhibit features protest signs donated by local activist and law and justice lecturer Todd Mildon. The signs have been added to the CWU Archives and Special Collections to forever mark this pivotal era in history. “Bringing people together is really what my goal is,” Director of the Museum of Culture and Environment Hope Amason said. “There’s a group of really committed people in Ellensburg who are making us aware of injustice … and they are committed also to the call for change.” The exhibit is “calling for an end to anti-Black and anti-immigrant policies, institutions, attitudes and practices,” according to the display. Journals and pencils are provided with prompt questions posted above booths cut into the wall, so attendees can share their thoughts about the social justice uprising in recent years.
“People really like the interactivity,” junior in anthropology and front desk staff at the museum Caleb Aal said. “I feel like everyone has been affected by the contents within this exhibit … but you don’t know how they’ve been affected. So the notebooks really add to that ‘how?’” According to Amason, the museum will feature signs from the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement this quarter and next quarter’s display will focus on immigrant rights. Meaningful moments in the local movement Many CWU community members participate regularly in activism and feel it’s important to share the message of their past, present and future work on campus. Mildon and English senior lecturer Ruthi Erdman cited the BLM demonstrations in 2020 as some of the most moving activism they have participated in. “The very first local BLM march, organized by two EHS girls, was massive,” Erdman said. “It was exhilarating to be marching with so many local families, including a lot of children.” According to law and justice lecturer Teresa Divine, students taking abuse for holding
Black Lives Matter signs and the solidarity of the Ellensburg community in 2020 were some impactful moments during the recent wave of activism in the community. “That really moved me,” Divine said. “The fact that the school came out, all the students came out right after George Floyd died.” Divine said campus police were “incredible” and helpful to her during the marches. “The teach-in I put on was so grief stricken. It was just so painful, but it was beautiful,” Divine said. “I found out who my true friends were and who were true allies.” According to Erdman, the resistance to the BLM movement was shocking. Erdman said it was, “Shocking to see people take up the opposite street corner with Confederate flags and rifles. Shocking to get … flipped off for holding a sign that says ‘Liberty and Justice for ALL.’ Shocking to see Nazi salutes and White Supremacist hand signals. Shocking to hear racist slurs shouted at us. Shocking to hear that ‘Hitler should come back and exterminate you all.’” According to Erdman, leaders in the movement were slandered, attacked and given death
Organizations to look out for Those interviewed encouraged students to get involved in activism, and they offered some options for participation. “I’m one of the founders of the Ellensburg Bail Fund,” Divine said. “The Bail Fund came about after the George Floyd teach-ins.” According to Divine, the Ellensburg Bail Fund is working to get off the ground and hoping to expand. Students can learn more by visiting www.ellensburgbailfund.org or finding them on Facebook. “If you find somebody who needs to be bailed out, you can call on the website and we can figure it out and gather the money from other people,” Divine said. Mildon also volunteers for the Ellensburg Bail Fund and advocates for fair treatment of incarcerated individuals. “We don’t want to treat people so badly just because they can’t afford bail,” Mildon said. Mildon also volunteers for local nonprofit Central Washington Justice For Our Neighbors (CWJFON). “I’ve been involved in Central Washington Justice For Our Neighbors which is … a nonprofit, free immigration legal clinic here in Ellensburg,” Mildon said. “Part of our work at CWJFON is to be advocates and activists on behalf of immigrant rights.” Students can find out more information about CWJFON and get involved by visiting www.CWJFON.com. Mildon invited students to the CWJFON weekly silent vigil every Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. in front of the court house. “I think we’ve been able to get the word out about the need for immigration reform,” Mildon said. “We’ve been on the street … every single Wednesday from 2018 ‘til last night. As long as it takes to ensure that immigrants have the rights they deserve, we’re going to be getting that message out.”
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Professor Anne Egger recognized as Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science By Morgana Carroll Staff Reporter A landscape tells an untold story and writes a record of its history, if the viewer knows how to read it. By looking at a landscape with an observant eye and asking questions about what is seen, a grasp of what happened can be seen there through the soil, the sediment and the slope of the land. “I think of science as a way of looking at the world, making observations and trying to understand what’s going on,” Anne Egger said, who is executive director of the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) and professor of Geological Sciences and Science Education. Award and Achievements Egger has been teaching and contributing to the geoscience community for over 20 years and has recently been awarded the title of fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in acknowledgement of her contributions. Contributions she has made in the past included her work in the NAGT, becoming the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Geoscience Education and later becoming the president of the journal.
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A LOOK BEYOND
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February 09, 2022
Editorial: It’s okay to not be okay It’s hard to digest the news in today’s climate. Being born in the late 1990s to early 2000s, we have watched or grown up being taught about the Sep. 11, 2001 attacks, the War on Terrorism, the Great Recession, the housing crisis, the conflicts in the Middle East, political unrest, a few global pandemics (SARS, Swine Flu, COVID-19), a few natural disasters, a few bombings and now the Russia-Ukraine crisis and North Korea weapons testing. Of course, a coping method many of us rely on is to joke about it all and reply with, “This is fine. We’re fine.” It’s okay to not be okay. The Observer wants to recognize the general feeling of disorder and stress that comes with living through a time in history where one thing happens after another, and nothing seems to get better. It is absolutely inspiring to us that we are all here, in this together and doing this thing called life. And what a life we all have, that we can collectively as a society say we’ve lived through some crazy and sometimes terrifying situations. Please remember: you are important, you are amazing and you are worthy.
If you need help or need someone to talk to, here is a list of resources you can reach out to: Student Counseling Services – 509-963-1391 – www.cwu.edu/medical-counseling/counseling-clinic Mental health crisis support outside of normal business hours – 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741 Wellness Center– 509-963-3213 – www.cwu.edu/wecare, www.cwu.edu/path Disability Services – 509-963-2214 – www.cwu.edu/disability-services Case Management– 509-963-1515 – www.cwu.edu/case-management/ In case of life-threatening emergencies, including mental health emergencies, call 911 immediately.
Beyond Our Coverage Local
National
A new bill was proposed in the state Legislature which would give Washington State tenants six months notice for rent hikes of more than 7.5% of rent, according to The Seattle Times. The current state law calls for two months’ notice of all rent increases. CWU’s music department held the annual Over-the-TOPera last Friday after a year hiatus, according to The Daily Record. Students in the voice program performed songs and arias they’ve been practicing for months during the event, which is used to raise funds for the annual opera production. Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) announced Monday it would provide local COVID-19 data via its Facebook page or press releases as of Feb. 14, according to a press release. The data dashboard currently available on the KCPHD’s website will be removed. According to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 dashboard, Kittitas county’s seven-day infection rate increased from the previous week to 1,408 cases per 100,000. The state-wide seven-day infection rate is 1,496 cases per 100,000 with 28% of hospital beds occupied, a decrease from the previous week.
World
Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines announced a merger between the two companies, which would create the fifth-largest airline in the U.S., according to NBC News. The deal is valued at $6.6 billion, with Frontier Airlines carrying the controlling share of 51.5%. The name, CEO and location of headquarters is yet to be determined. The U.S. and Japan are set to enter an agreement which would cut the 25% tariff on importing a limited amount of Japanese steel, according to CNN. As the U.S. contends with inflation and supply chain issues, lifting tariffs is something “that could ease the problem,” according to the article. The U.S. surpassed 900,000 COVID-19 related deaths Friday, according to NPR. The milestone comes as the daily seven-day average death rate continues to stay above 2,000 since Jan. 23, three times higher than in November.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Russian President Vladimir Putin told him Moscow would not further escalate the Ukraine crisis on Tuesday, according to AP News. Macron met with Putin in a five-hour session Monday as he aims to find a diplomatic solution to the rising tensions as more than 100,000 Russian troops have amassed near Ukraine’s border. President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan created a task force to study the Russia-Ukraine crisis and its effects on the longstanding conflict between Taiwan and China, according to The New York Times. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Beijing last week and met with China’s leader Ci Jinping, and made a statement remarking “Russia’s recognition of Taiwan as ‘an inalienable part of China,’” according to the article. Stories compiled by Addie Adkins
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in which student editors make policy and content decisions. The mission of The Observer is two-fold: to serve Central Washington University as a newspaper and to provide training for students who are seeking a career in journalism. The Observer seeks to provide complete, accurate, dependable information to the campus and community; to provide a public forum for the free debate of issues, ideas and problems facing the community at large; and to be the best source of information, education and entertainment news. As a training program, The Observer is the practical application of the theories and principles of journalism. It teaches students to analyze and communicate information that is vital to the decision making of the community at large. It provides a forum for students to learn the ethics, values and skills needed to succeed in their chosen career. If you have questions or concerns, email us at cwuobserver@gmail.com.
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February 09, 2022
NEWS
You’re listening to 88.1 the ‘Burg By Joshua Kornfeld Staff Reporter With many streaming services available, students are flooded with options when it comes to what music they listen to, when and where. Students can listen to several programs on 88.1 the ‘Burg Monday through Friday, including News Central and the Five at Five among others. These programs provide a breakdown of daily news and a poll with five items of a certain category such as favorite fast foods, conducted via social media. These segments can be viewed on their website alongside their radio broadcasts. Gracen Bayer, a sophomore in film production, works as a social media manager for 88.1 the ‘Burg. Bayer estimates that the majority of 88.1 the ‘Burg listeners are tuning in from their cars. According to Bayer, the key demographic for 88.1 the ‘Burg is between 18 to 24-year-old college students. In the past they were more of a top 40 station, but now aim for a larger variety due to changing consumer demand and a new program director. Kody Phoxay is a senior marketing major, and the student program director at 88.1 the ‘Burg. “I’m kind of in charge of on-air content, talent checking, giving time slots and telling them where to go,” Phoxay said. “Making sure everything sounds smooth on the air. I also
Photo by Joshua Kornfeld/The Observer, 88.1 the ‘Burg DJ Austin Smith on the second floor of the SURC.
have the music scheduler side where I listen to music, and then schedule the music.” Phoxay said he picks the music by the time of day. The 5-11 a.m. time slot is more top 40 with some throwbacks and slower songs. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. is still top 40 with more hip hop and country. In the evening they play more R&B, hip hop and rap. This is typically when the majority of college kids will be listening. In terms of complaints, Phoxay said their primary complaint is people don’t want to hear the same songs over and over again. His theory behind the current complaints would be that people tune in at the same time within the cycle and likely hear the same song. “We have a clock called the wide orbit clock that runs on a 24 hour basis. I got to keep an eye on the clock, to not schedule the same song every time,” Phoxay said.
Daizie Jones, a junior business administration major, said she listens to a wide variety of music. Every time she’s in her car driving around, she said her favorite radio station is 88.1 the ‘Burg. “Any alternative stuff on the radio is good, except when it’s overplayed,” Jones said when asked about her favorite type of music. “I like old school stuff, as well. I’m really into everything, anything anybody wants to send me I’ll listen to.” Jones discussed her favorite segment of 88.1 the ‘Burg. “I love what they have in the mornings and Lunchtime Rewind,” Jones said. For the overall demographic of the radio, Phoxay estimated that most people are interested in the station’s additional content beyond just the music that they can’t find anywhere else. Phoxay envisions that the future of radio will be centered around content such as radio shows.
Photo courtesy of Anne Egger.
Continued from Pg 1 According to the AAAS website, “Fellows are a distinguished group of scientists, engineers and innovators who have been recognized for their achievements across disciplines, from research, teaching and technology, to administration in academia, industry and government, to excellence in communicating and interpreting science to the public.” Egger has been recognized for her excellence in science education by her peers who nominated her for the fellow title. Egger’s View of Geology STEM fields are full of challenges and obstacles, and one way that Egger conquers all the obstacles that she comes across is by keeping a positive outlook. “I tend to think of challenges as opportunities,” Egger said. “What am I struggling with that I can either use that to shift my focus or figure out a path through or around it?” A time she needs a positive outlook is when acknowledging the connection between analyzing nature and climate change. Rather than thinking of it as a scientific issue to solve, she likes to keep positive by acknowledging that people everywhere are finally becoming aware of the climate change issue so they can finally take more steps to mitigate it. Egger said she is glad the lack of diversity is finally being acknowledged in the field of geology. Along with lack of diversity, she said there were issues with lack of recognition for those who made contributions in the field. She said she is glad to see these matters changing as more people are starting to enter the field and more people are starting to have their work recognized. Discovering the Love for Teaching When Egger first started college, she studied music. She took classes for music theory, singing and piano and composition, but soon changed her focus to biology after discovering that her passion for music was better fit as a personal hobby than an occupation. Egger took a job as a river guide in the Desert Southwest, and she fell in love with
the landscape of the area. Desert Southwest has little vegetation, so this spurred her to change her focus from biology to geology. It was also during this time as a river guide that Egger discovered how much she liked teaching. “Being with people out in a place where they have plenty of time to kind of stare at things and begin to ask questions,” Egger said. “It’s what got me really excited at the idea of being a teacher.” This passion continued to grow as she went back to graduate school, according to Egger.She witnessed curiosity and passion while in school, and felt the joys of teaching really start to manifest when being asked questions by those who really want to learn. A memory Egger has of being astounded by the beauty of science was during an astrology class she took in college, while looking at Saturn. “I had this idea in my head that it would be either a pinprick or it would be a beautiful, colorful image,” Egger said. But Egger said what she saw was even cooler than what she had expected. “It was that big and had two little teacup handles on it because we were viewing it on its side, but you could see the rings, and it was bright,” Egger said. According to Egger, seeing this planet’s existence was made even better as it symbolized the fruit of her labor, as she had to calculate where it would be and what settings the telescope would need in order to see it. Egger said, “It was using math and using geometry to then, oh my gosh, see this amazing thing in the sky.” Egger wants to see others be curious about the beauty of nature. “Everyone should have an understanding of this amazing planet that we live on, and be able to ask questions about it, be curious and ask questions,” Egger said. “I think people might be afraid to ask questions, that they might look stupid. I get inspired by seeing people get into science, and become teachers of science so they can help other people become interested and inspired.”
Tacoma-based artist Rising Fire stands next to her heritage artwork.
First Friday Art Wa perspectives across d By Katherine Camarata Senior Reporter
Joyful Enriquez stands next to her rainbow trout painting at the 420 Loft Art Gallery
The streets of Ellensburg were alive with the spirit of creativity as community members enjoyed a variety of art exhibits and live musicians during the February’s First Friday Art Walk. Attendees were eagerly greeted by artists sharing details about their work, painting and performing live. The Ellensburg Arts Commission holds the event from 5-7 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, and locations this month included Gallery One Visual Arts Center, the 420 Loft Art Gallery, Dark Moon Craft Beer & Wine, the Clymer Museum, the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, the Ellensburg Public Library, Gard Vintners, the Kittitas County Historical Museum, The Mule, the Kittitas County Recovery Community Organization and Hotel Windrow. “First Friday is a fun way to experience downtown Ellensburg,” Gallery One Executive Director Monica Miller said. “Access to all venues [is] free and there is something to see for everyone.” The current exhibit on display at Gallery One features over 80 artists including CWU alumni Samantha Birks Fisher and Will Bow, according to Miller.
420 Loft Art Gallery The 420 Loft Art Gallery, located in the historic building at 420 N. Pearl St. above Pretty Fair Beer, hosted marine life artist
Joyful Enriquez who recently moved to Ellensburg. The First Friday Art Walk marked Enriquez’s first time showing her work at a gallery in town, and she performed a live painting demonstration during the event. Enriquez’s exhibit depicts turtles, whales, sharks, manatees and various types of saltwater and freshwater fish, including her painting of a rainbow trout. This was the first piece she created locally based on underwater footage she took of the Yakima River. Taylor Munson, a community member attending the Art Walk, was quite receptive to Enriquez’s work. “I come here every time that the event is happening, mainly just to mingle and admire the art,” Munson said. “Right now, my favorite part of the exhibit is that turtle over there. I am quite impressed, I wish I had the art skills to successfully create paintings like this.” Enriquez said that being underwater is a sacred space. She said she hopes her work provides a moment where viewers can relax and escape, and hopes to bring the underwater experience to people who have not had the chance to do things like snorkeling much before. “I think that there is something about being underwater and watching the way that the light kind of dances … that is very peaceful,” Enriquez said. “It’s an environment that is surprisingly quiet for how much activity and life is going on.”
Enriquez said her work will be available to view in the 420 Loft for one month, and is available to view on her website www. joyfulfineart.com or on her social media @JoyfulFineArt.
Clymer Museum Next door from the 420 Loft leads to the Clymer Museum, home to the art of Ellensburg-born John F. Clymer, whose pieces frequently feature scenes depicting Western history. The Clymer Museum held space for two new exhibits, created by artists Rising Fire and Whitney E. McMillin. Rising Fire is a mixed heritage artist based in Tacoma and originally from South Dakota. “A lot of my work is influenced by the indigenous side of my family,” Rising Fire said. “It was actually a lifelong dream of mine to have my art displayed in a museum. I did some work with some MMIW [Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman] shows in the Yakama Nation area, and through that I came to learn of the Clymer museum.” Rising Fire said all the people from the Clymer Museum “were super supportive and believed in my work, and … encouraged me to keep going.” According to Rising Fire, the greatest honor an artist can have is to be a storyteller. “From my mind to my paintbrush, there’s one story that’s told. But once it hits the canvas, and it’s on display for someone else to
Photos by Dylan Hanson and Katherine Camarata/The Observer
alk displays unique downtown Ellensburg see, it’s up to the onlookers to see their own story in that,” Rising Fire said. “Whether you see and understand the story that I’m trying to tell, or you see a different story, that’s all I really want … for someone to not just look at something and say, ‘oh that’s pretty,’ or ‘those are pretty colors,’ but to really feel it.” Rising Fire said it is an honor to be displayed at the Clymer Museum to represent all aspects of history. “I really feel like if you’re going to do anything cowboy, you need to accurately represent the indigenous community as well,” Rising Fire said. The other exhibit featured art by reverse glass artist McMillin from Bellevue. McMillin said the idea to use glass was something she discovered by accident. “I painted on the other side of glass, and I turned it over and I thought I like the way that it looks, that clear look that it has,” McMillin said. “I really try to put my all into my stuff. I’m not the typical category, it’s not like a house or realism, but my work is really technical to me. I just really enjoy the process.” McMillin’s art is available to view at her website, www.reverseglasswork.com. Rhythmic thuds echoed out from a drum circle in the middle of the venue, while associate professor of marketing Terry Wilson admired both exhibits. “A lot of this [Rising Fire’s work] is really rooted in nature, but you look at the art at the other side of the exhibit [McMillin’s
work] and some of it is very industrial,” Wilson said. “In a world where algorithms try to give you the same thing over and over and over again, this art exhibit gives you completely different things which is really very stimulating.”
Dark Moon Craft Beer & Wine Located down the block from the museum, Dark Moon Craft Beer & Wine has also been involved in the Art Walk since the business opened nearly five years ago according to the owner, Matt Armstrong. “I think it’s a great thing for the businesses and the artists because it gives more art more gallery space in town, where it can be a little while to get a good space,” Armstrong said. “And every business that does it gets nice art on their walls for a while.” Local guitarist, singer and songwriter Birdie Fenn Cent performed primarily original songs on stage at Dark Moon throughout the evening. Birdie classifies her music as “folk, americana, songwriter, a little country-ish sometimes.” Birdie has published an album and has written hundreds of songs in her lifetime, including “My Heart is a Lonely Lonesome Old Dog,” a song she performed at the event. “I have only one album out, and I’m working on another one right now,” Birdie said. “I have lots of different sets of songs I’d love to record … The one that’s
out is on Soundcloud and Bandcamp, called Gold from Rust.” As Birdie’s music floated through the venue, vibrant oil paintings adorned the walls of Dark Moon. The work was created by abstract realist and CWU alumna Tarra Hall-Ward, who combines her love of chemistry with her love of art. “A lot of people are always really surprised when I tell them I double majored in art and chemistry,” Hall-Ward said. “They’re like, ‘Woah, how do you get those two to go together?’ And this is one of the more artistic ways that those two fields can overlap.” According to Hall-Ward, the world of scientific illustration usually depicts biology, animals, cells and matter that can be viewed under a magnifying glass. “With chemistry, we’re talking about matter that’s actually so small you can’t actually visualize it,” Hall-Ward said. Hall-Ward has more art available to view on her website, www. tarrahallward.com. Community members and artists have been looking forward to events like this after an isolating couple of years. “It gets people out of their houses talking to each other … especially at the end of the pandemic when everybody is a little tired. It brings a little light,” Wilson said. “In a small town, where things tend to be homogenized, it shows different perspectives on the world and it shows us how connected we all are through the medium of art.”
CWU alumna Tarra Hall-Ward displayed her paintings at Dark Moon Craft Beer & Wine
OPINION
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Edith and Ethel: Ask the Aunties By ‘Edith and Ethel’ Columnists
Dear Aunties, “How do I deal with a judgy family friend?” Sincerely, Annoyed Andy Edith: Coming from somebody who has a lot of judgy family members and people who snoop around from outside my immediate circle, my true advice is to outright ignore them. Point blank, no frills advice. Just ignore them. Ethel: I have to say I agree 1000%. They are most likely acting that way for attention anyway, so if you deprive them of that, they will get bored and move on. Edith: If you want to be petty, I would say to simply act like you don’t know them. “Who are you? Sorry, I truly don’t remember you.” Even at social functions, don’t give them the satisfaction. Ethel: I like to ask judgy people one question. “Do you want to pay my bills?” If they say no, I tell them they have no say in the rest of my life then. If they aren’t financially contributing to my life, they have no say in how I decide to live my life. Edith: People who never have something nice to say, especially blood family, are just struggling to cope with the fact you are doing what you’re doing. Even if you’re realistically doing a mediocre job, you’re still doing it. They just can’t handle it. Ethel: Let’s be honest, they’re just jealous. They want to have the freedom or courage to make the decisions you are making, and since they don’t seem to be able to, they act out. Talk smack if you will. Edith: That distant cousin and their friend who never talks to you except to talk smack? Irrelevant. Who cares if they already started their family or have a high paying job? It doesn’t matter to you and how you live, so why stress? Everybody goes through life at their own pace - let them be. Ethel: So Annoyed Andy, if you want to deal with a judgy person, best bet is to ignore it and keep on living your life. Alternatively, you can tell them to shove it or tell them point blank to stop judging you and see if that works, but usually, it’s just better to move on with your life.
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February 09, 2022
Opinion: Let’s talk about love… Self-love By Addie Adkins Columnist Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, which means romance, dating and relationships are taking center stage for the next couple of weeks. While giving flowers or chocolates to your favorite person is always nice, there’s another person you should concentrate on this Valentine’s Day. Yourself. Here are three ways to ensure you are giving yourself the best self-love. Give Yourself a Break Just take one day and do anything except what’s on your to-do list. Need to take the garbage out? Need to run to the store? Clean the house? Cool, it can wait until tomorrow. Instead of doing those things, try slowing down. Take some time to hydrate, eat some fresh nutrient dense foods, take a walk outside and be nice to yourself. Remember, we are just house plants with feelings. Maybe have a conversation with yourself about something that has been bothering you. Self-reflection is always a great way to relieve some stress and give you a moment to solve some problems.
Take Yourself on a Date When was the last time you went to a restaurant alone, saw a movie alone or went on a grand adventure alone? Some people do this all the time, but for others, this can be a challenge. Sometimes, it’s just necessary to stop, “Reflect, re-center, [and] recharge,” in order to “reconnect with yourself, remind yourself of how great you are and just care for yourself,” according to Marelisa Fabrega, author of the blog “Daring to Live Fully.” Oh, and running errands doesn’t count. You wouldn’t call it a date if you went grocery shopping with your significant other, would you? Do something fun and adventurous. Some things Fabrega thinks you should consider are taking a cooking class, being a tourist in your own town or going on a bucket list date. Another suggestion she made was to go “street combing,” where you take a walk down a street where you live with a camera in hand taking photos of anything that piques your interest. Have a Purge Day One of my favorite self-love activities is purging. I hold on to things much longer than I should, be this material things, relationships, grudges or emotions. So every once in a while, I will have what I call a purge day.
Visual created by Addie Adkins/The Observer.
What I do first is sit down with a hot beverage, a notebook and a fancy pen. Then I do some deep self-reflection. I outline my recent moods, what I feel is dragging me down and ways I can actively change my moods. Then, the real work begins. I start with my material things. I clean my spaces and separate what no longer serves me from the things I need to keep. I move on to my relationships. This could be my relationships with people or things. If I need a change in one of my relationships, I make the moves necessary to do that. For example, I recently found I needed to work on my relationship with food. It was too negative, and I found I would beat myself up about having sweets or eating
something I would once deem “bad.” I made some changes, got a food tracking app and found ways to change my thinking. Last, I take care of grudges and emotions. These usually go hand in hand for me as forgiveness isn’t my strong suit. I do a lot of writing in order to take care of this, so it helps to save it for last, so I can end my purge day curled up in bed with a notebook or laptop. Self-love: The Best Romance Oscar Wilde said it best, “To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance.” After all, you are only required to live with one person your entire life, and you look at them every morning in the mirror. It’s better to fall in love with yourself sooner rather than later.
Opinion: NFL No Fun League
The NFL uniform policies are atrocious By Evan Couch Columnist The NFL’s uniform policies are atrocious and nothing but a cash grab for the league. The individuality and expression of the leagues athletes suffer as a result of the unnecessary and harsh regulations. When I started watching the NFL and getting into football many years ago, one thing that always stood out to me was what players were wearing on the field. There was a point in time where I could tell you what game was being played by just looking at a specific player’s on-field attire. Cleats, gloves, sleeves and visors are all ways that players add personal flair to stand out from one another while still representing the unity of a team. The NFL, however, has so many ridiculous rules and policies that restrict players when it comes to what they can and can’t wear. According to the NFL’s Game Operations Manual, “A player’s appearance on the field conveys a message regarding the image of the league and directly affects the league’s reputation and success.” Essentially, the league thinks that
if all players dress the same, they will look professional and as if they are held to a high standard by the league, like they are interchangeable. How would I ever tell that these are professional athletes if they aren’t wearing the right socks or tucking their jerseys in? There are some rules that serve to benefit players as they apply to “safety.” For example, rules regarding knees being covered by the pants and knee pads as well as illegal tinted helmet visors are some that the league sees as safety precautions. They are adults getting paid millions to play and entertain, let them make their own decisions. They are running their faces into each other at full speed, they don’t care about knee pads. If you look at any player out there, chances are their knees are uncovered. Players are fined substantial amounts of money when failing to comply with these ridiculous policies. According to nfl.com, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $14,000 in 2020 for having his pants rolled up above the knee. This is nothing new for Beckham as he has done this his entire career. Similar to the thoughts I expressed about this ridiculous rule,
Beckham noted that a knee pad won’t protect him from anything. Other rules regarding the uniform policy in the NFL have no effect on player safety and just add to the mantra of the “No Fun League”. Wide receiver JuJu SmithSchuster was fined $5,000 for “showing too much skin” by failing to pull his socks all the way up his leg. What kind of rule is that? Are these professional athletes or high schoolers under a dress code? According to the NFL Rulebook, a player’s “stockings must cover the entire area from the shoe to the bottom of the pants, and must meet the pants below the knee.” Why? It looks “professional.” The biggest rule that gets me is the NFL’s policy on custom cleats and gloves. In 2017, the league made a rule that allows players to wear whatever cleats and gloves they want during pregame warmups as a way of allowing expression. Anything goes in terms of colors and designs, as long as they are appropriate. As soon as that whistle blows and the ball is kicked off, if your cleats and gloves don’t match the team’s uniform in some way, pay up.
Running back Alvin Kamara was forced to pay $5,000 after wearing custom red and green cleats which stood out from the team’s white and gold uniforms on Christmas day. Definitely a “No Fun League” moment. Other organizations such as the NBA have shifted their policies regarding uniforms. Before the start of the 2018-2019 season, the NBA changed their rules on color restrictions for players’ shoes. This was done as a way to allow players to express their own individual style as well as show their appreciation for the NBA’s rich history of sneaker culture. The NFL needs to take notes. There is no harm done to the reputation of the league when players lace up their favorite sneaker inspired cleats. Although the NFL has made some minor changes to their restrictions, until the oldheads who control the league and set the “standards” are out of power, players will still face these unnecessary policies. For the sake of the league’s future and the next generation of players, these rules need to be dropped and the NFL needs to rid themselves of the “No Fun League” title that has lingered for decades.
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February 09, 2022
SPORTS
Soccer is more than a game to CWU’s new head women’s soccer coach By Evan Couch Staff Reporter After searching through an extensive pool of candidates looking to fill the head coach spot for CWU women’s soccer, the athletic department landed on Lindsey Lee to lead the program on Dec. 31. “My biggest goal has always been to have my own program,” Lee said. “So it’s exciting I get to do it here at Central.” Although the task of leading a college program as a head coach may be new, Lee said the game and her knowledge comes naturally because soccer runs in her family. Lee explained that soccer has been a major part of her life. “I grew up going to the soccer field and watching my parents play co-ed, that’s what we did on Saturdays,” Lee said. Attending and participating in weekend games with family friends was a regular occurrence for Lee’s parents. As a family, soccer was their chosen sport. For Lee, soccer was also more than just something she grew up with; it is deeper than that. “Soccer is just in my blood,” Lee said. “My parents both played in college, and my mom played professionally.” Lee’s father, Randy Smith, played as a goalie for California Polytechnic State University (Cal
Poly) where Lee would eventually go on to coach as an assistant for seven years before coming to CWU. Lee’s mother, Karrie Keebler, played center back for Santa Clara University and the U.S. Women’s National Team. Keebler did a tour in China in the ‘80s with the U.S. National Team as well. Growing up, Lee played all over the field in terms of positions. Lee said she had a similar build to her father athletically, as well as the mannerisms of a goalie. However, she said she had the drive and competitiveness of her mother. “I have the fiery passion of my mom,” Lee said. That fiery passion for the game led her to play in college. Lee was a goalkeeper at Westmont College, where she would compete for a national championship her senior year. During the adversity of being down two goals in the semi-finals, Lee said there was a moment of realization she carries with her into coaching to this day. “It wasn’t about individuals, it wasn’t about the negative things that you did,” Lee said. “It was about how we are going to do it together.” Westmont went on to win in the semi-finals and advanced to the national championship, where they lost to Concordia University. Lee said no matter what the
outcome was, as a team she knew that her teammates would always have her back and she would have theirs. It was the community within the team that she cherished. “I see the game as so much more of a communal piece,” Lee said. “In all reality, we get to create an environment that we enjoy.” Creating a positive environment and being involved with a good culture is what Lee saw in CWU. “Culture is the biggest piece of coaching,” Lee said. “As a coach , you strive to have good culture and positive energy.” Lee explained that CWU is a great place to build and work with an already existing culture. A lot of what she saw at Cal Poly as an assistant coach is what she sees at CWU as the head coach. “Having the girls that have the attitude and have the backing of the athletic department and the backing of the school was a huge selling feature for me,” Lee said. Athletic Director Dennis Francois was involved in the hiring process of Lee. Francois explained that Lee’s previous success as a player and an assistant coach made a great impression on the Athletic Department. “She has experienced winning,” Francois said. “She knows what that feels like, she knows
Photo Courtesy of Lindsey Lee, New women’s head coach Lindsey Lee love for soccer goes all the way back to her childhood “Soccer is in my blood”.
what that looks like and what it takes to get there.” Francois said that her experience as a player at a high level is a great way to make connections with players currently in the program. Along with the player experience and connection Lee brings, Francois said that Lee’s goal to push players with a competitive edge in the program to be better students and better people also stood out during her interview. “She is going to push those student athletes,” Francois said.
“She’s highly competitive, she is going to push those student athletes beyond what they’re capable of and that’s where they are going to grow.” Francois said one thing that blew him away was Lee’s sense of confidence. “She had a sense of confidence in herself,” Francois said. “It wasn’t in a braggadocious way, it was a humble, confident way and she knows what it’s going to take. I am 100% confident she is going to do an outstanding job for us.”
Women’s basketball sweeps Alaska Fairbanks in double-header By Jake Hassebrock Staff Reporter
SERVICE. PURPOSE. OPPORTUNITY.
Scholarships. Leadership training. Over 100 career paths. Central Washington University
AFROTC Detachment 895 • www.cwu.edu/airforce • www.AFROTC.com • 509-963-2314
CWU women’s basketball added two more wins to their record last week against the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Nanooks. CWU (15-5) started their Alaska road trip on Wednesday, Feb. 2 with a 67-52 win against UAF (2-15). This game was originally scheduled for Jan. 8 but had to be postponed due to COVID-19 issues. CWU was out-rebounded by the Nanooks, but was able to capitalize on UAF’s lack of offensive production to take the win. Senior forward Kassidy Malcolm led CWU with 24 points. She shot 9 for 20 from the field including 3-4 from the three point line. Malcolm was also a perfect 9-9 on free-throws. Senior guard Kizzah Maltezo was second in points for CWU with 15, and junior center Samantha Bowman helped CWU with 14 points and 19 rebounds. Bowman leads the nation in the NCAA Division II in rebounds per game with 15.9. As a team, CWU shot 30.6% (19-62) from the field and 28% (7-25) from three-point range. Defensively, CWU allowed the Nanooks to convert on only 29.5% (23-78) of their shot attempts and 15% (3-20) from behind the three-point arc.
CWU returned to Patty Center in Fairbanks the next day, Feb. 3, to play UAF again, winning 80-67. Malcolm led the offense early on in the game, scoring 19 of the Wildcats’ 25 points in the first quarter. CWU led by only three points at the end of the first half but were able to pull away in the second half. Malcolm ended up as the points leader for the Wildcats, scoring a career-high 30 points shooting an efficient 11-16 from the field and 2-3 from three point range. In addition to leading the team in rebounds again with 19, Bowman was second in scoring for the Wildcats with 22 points on 9-21 shooting. CWU shot more efficiently than the previous day with 46.9% (30-64) from the field and 31.8% (7-22) on three-pointers. Defensively, CWU allowed UAF to shoot 45% (27-60) from the field and 31.6% (6-19) from three point range. With the pair of wins, CWU reached a ten game win streak which is the longest win streak for the Wildcats during their time in the NCAA Division II. CWU returns home to Nicholson Pavilion to play Simon Fraser University on Feb. 10.
EVENTS
Page 08
February 09, 2022
Wildcat Words: What’s your most controversial opinion?
Zoe Whittaker
Monet Hofmann
Kody Phoxay
Sr. Elementary Education
Sr. Russian Studies
Sr. Marketing
Rachel Schovajsa Fr. Special Education
Fr. Computer Science
“If you’re a professor you should have a degree related to education.”
“People are so quick to apathy and then they can go too far. There are sides to every issue and if we make quick judgements, that leads to more oppression.”
“Ranch sucks. White sauce in general sucks.”
“I hate ketchup.”
“I go with what I’m feeling and don’t overthink it.”
Miss Observer
Miss
bserver and the case of
the absent academic Created by Observer Staff Hey, open up! it’s important!
weekly events 9
WED in the dead of night, Somewhere in central...
10
Huh, that sounds like Cary. what does he want so late?
Rebecca is hard at work procrastinating...
Nancy? hm... No, I Suppose not!
THURS
Hm... Mine, too...
11
Yes, Sorry, but have you heard from nancy? She’s been ignoring my texts... I always welcome a break from work, but what’s got you so frantic?
...but listen to this Message she left me... ...*CRACKLE*
FRI
Normally I wouldn’t worry, but...
12
Of course, I’m sure i’m overreacting, I just wanted to know if--
SAT
HELP!!!
*CRACKLE* Hey, I... Sorry *crackle*
13 14
hey, What are you doing?
SUN
Grab a coat, cary, it looks like we have a case to solve!
but... Don’t you have important studying to be doing?
MON
15
Nevermind that, what’s more important than a good old-fashioned mystery?!
To be continued!
Christian Rho
TUES
12-4 p.m. Fresh Check Day @ SURC Tabling 3-4 p.m. Crafting Compassion-Dog Blanket Making @ SURC 135
10-11 p.m. Improv Night 4-5 Hot p.m.New Virtual Experience: The Jam @ Winter Wildcat Preview Day SURC Theater 210 5:15-7:15 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. University of Alaska Fairbanks @ Nicholson Pavilion 7-10:30 p.m. esports Tournament: Mario Kart 8 @ SURC Theater 210 7-9:30 p.m. Paint Social @ SURC Ballroom 4-6 p.m. Women’s Basketball National Day Univs. WesternPickle Washington versity @ Nicholson Pavilion 6-10 p.m. Valentine’s Day Soiree with Dancakes and Speed Dating @ SURC Ballroom Galentine’s Day Super Bowl LVI
Valentine’s Day 12-4 p.m. Healthy Relationships @ SURC Tabling 7-8 p.m. Composition Studio Recital @ McIntyre 4-5 p.m. Anthony White ArtHall 174 @ SURC Theater 210 ist Talk 8-9:30 p.m. Game Night ft. Jackbox @ SURC Pit (100C)
Visuals by Sarah Stewart Story by Meghan Salsbury and Sarah Stewart
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