CWU Pulse Magazine

Don't Fear the Beard

The men of CWU's Facial Hair Club Meet

UESL Students from around the globe

pg. 8

DIY

Holidays:

Pulse shows you how pg. 24

Unharnessed:

Extreme rock climbing video pg. 46

pg. 30

DEPARTMENTS Editor's Note Staff Page

4 6

After Dark

Our Town CWU's UESL Program Students travel the globe to hone their English skills.

Got Hops?

Pulse spotlights Pacific Northwest Breweries.

8 16

Life Hacks Fly the Coop

Learn the ins and outs of getting your own place.

22

DIY Holiday Treats

24

Box Subscriptions

26

DIY Gifts

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Easy gifts delivered right to your door.

Personal homemade presents for your friends and family.

Spotlight Don't Fear the Beard 30 Meet CWU's Facial Hair Club through photos and a video.

Behind the Scenes

36

Unharnessed

46

Sharks with Legs

52

Happiness Club

58

Go backstage at CWU's Theatre Department.

CWU's most extreme rock climbers. Check out the rock wall video.

Students get wacky with their own improv group.

If you're happy and you know it join this club.

Check out the scoop on the latest tunes.

64

Food & Drink Energy Drinks

66

Bar Calendar

72

PULSE New Year's Resolutions

74

Learn the good and the bad about your favorite caffeinated drinks.

Check out the local drink deals in our back of the book feature.

Holiday New yummy treats to get you in the spirit.

Music Review

Editor-in-Chief

Chloe Ramberg Assistant Editor

Lindsey Wisniewski Assistant Editor

Max Bayern Graphic Designer

Carli Seaman Graphic Designer

Sarah Sexton Faculty Adviser

Jennifer Green Student Media Adviser

Kristen Gaskill Special thanks to

Check us out Online!

Jordan Watts

Fall 2013 Issue 2 Central Washington University’s policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and in employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, material status, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The person responsible for CWU’s institutional compliance with various federal and state laws and institutional policies dealing with discrimination is Staci Sleigh-Layman, Interim Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Barge Hall 221, -509-9632205 TTD 509-963-2207. CWU is an AA/EEO/ Title IX institution. Upon request, this document is available in accessible formats (Braille, large print or audio cassette). Contact Disability Support Services at 509-963-2171 TDD 509-963-2146. Pulse falls under the auspices of the Student Media Board at Central Washington University. For more information, contact the Communication Department at http://www.cwu.edu/~comm/

On Our Cover: Jeremy Johnson Photo by Tamra Pontow

Advertising Inquiries

509-963-1095

Photo Courtesy of: i heart naptime

EDITOR’S NOTE When I was a kid, I was always on the fast track to growing up.

I couldn’t wait to turn 16 and get my driver’s license, become a legal adult at 18, and order my first drink when I turned 21.

People were always telling me to enjoy being a kid while I could because it was going to fly by. My common reaction to was to roll my eyes and think, “Yeah right.” I never really believed them until it was my turn to grow up.

The time I spent as Editor-in-Chief at Pulse may have been short-lived, but it was an experience I will never forget and the perfect way to spend my last quarter at college. I worked with an incredibly creative and talented staff and an adviser who guided me throughout the entire process. You can see the Pulse staff’s own version of an awkward family holiday card on page 6.

My years as a student may be coming to an end, but there are foreign exchange students whose education in a different country is just beginning. The University English as a Second Language Program at Central Washington University provides students from all over the globe the chance to come to Ellensburg and learn about American culture. Pulse showcases some of these students and their journeys on page 8.

Have you ever wondered about what goes on behind the scenes at the CWU Theatre Department? Get an inside look at the elements that create the final production before the curtain rises. You can read about the chaos of flying wigs and props, make-up, scenery, and sound techniques on page 36.

November is commonly known as “No Shave November” and members of the Facial Hair Club at CWU take this month very seriously. Not only are they working on growing their own impressive facial hair, they’ve dedicated the month to bringing awareness to men’s health. Take a look at the men behind the beards through pictures and a video on page 30.

I would not even be close to graduating if it weren’t for my supportive parents, loving grandparents, my big brother, and everyone else who have always been there for me. It’s true what they say, it goes by much faster than you would expect.

So I have some very simple advice for all of you who can’t wait to graduate. Enjoy yourselves, because it will be over before you know it.

Chloe Ramberg Editor-in-Chief

Front Row: Megan Burch, Max Bayern, Chloe Ramberg, Evan Pappas, Carli Seaman Back Row: Lindsey Wisniewski, Chelsea Bronn, Bobbie Black, Darby Cox, Courtney Vasquez Not Pictured: Sarah Sexton

m o r f s y a d i l o Happy H ! y l i m a F e s the Pul December 2013

Photos by: Alma Arevalo

Our Town International Students Travel to Ellensburg UESL Program Welcomes Students of all Cultures Story & Photos by: Alejandra Hamann Moreno

Alejandra, the author, is a 24-year-old exchange student from Colombia, and is a part of the ESL program at Central Washington University. English is her second language, and she works for Pulse as both a writer and photographer.

Students from all around the world travel to Ellensburg each year to live out one of the most important experiences of their lives.

Looking to hone their English skills and learn about American people and their culture, students come to Ellensburg through the University English as a Second Language (UESL) program at CWU. Most of these young people hail from Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Japan, France, Venezuela, China, and Mexico. They travel to the United States to pursue their professional dreams and learn a language that will allow them to better communicate with the rest of the world.

Each quarter, the UESL program welcomes students of all nationalities. After completing the program, many of these students go on to take undergraduate classes at CWU and graduate with a BA or BS degree.

Pulse interviewed six international students about their experiences studying abroad.

Though they left their family and own cultures behind, they all say they are enjoying the American lifestyle.

Victoria Levillageois 19 years old

Victoria traveled from Paris, the City of Lights, to Ellensburg so she could improve her English skills. Later in life she hopes to become a professional auctioneer. Although she sees many aspects that are different in Ellensburg as compared to Paris, she is focusing on the positive things she has discovered since coming here.

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In France, people are very stressed and everyone is on their own.

Victoria chose to come to Ellensburg because her mother’s best friend lives in Seattle. She felt CWU was the perfect place for her to study English.

For Victoria, the biggest difference between Paris and Ellensburg is that here, everyone is like a big family.

Favorite American snack: Hershey's Cookies and Creme.

Favorite American artist: Andy Warhol.

Rayan

24 years old Rayan came to Ellensburg from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He made the decision to leave home because he loved the tranquility of this town and the kindness of its people.

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People are kind when you ask for help, always they are willing to help you.

He heard about the UESL program because a friend came to CWU before him and spoke about the great memories he had made here. After that conversation, Rayan applied to participate in the UESL program, which takes up to 10 months of study time. In the future, he plans to launch an engineering career and move back to Saudi Arabia to work.

For Rayan, the biggest difference between Arabic and American cultures is that people in Saudi Arabia work together and are very close-knit, while Americans seem more independent.

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People should come to Ellensburg in order to have a good experience. Not only can you learn a new language, but also learn about American culture.

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Favorite place in Ellensburg: Yakima River.

19 years old

Mohammad came to Ellensburg a year ago from Saudi Arabia. He found CWU by searching on the Internet for foreign exchange programs. Mohammad wanted the opportunity to get to know people from different countries and see what the UESL program had to offer. When he arrived in Ellensburg, he noticed that unlike in Saudi Arabia, he was studying with the opposite gender.

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Mohammad Al-anzi

In Saudi Arabia, girls and boys can’t study together in the same school. This is one of the most important things of why I like to study in America.

After mastering English, Mohammad hopes to start a career as a paramedic. He describes the American culture as "very open to other people,” an aspect of this culture he admires and respects.

Favorite place in Ellensburg: The SURC in CWU. Favorite American food: Hamburgers.

Kasumi Matsumoto 23 years old

A month ago, Kasumi traveled to Ellensburg from Japan. For her, it was essential to live in a different country and learn another language. She wanted to experience a different kind of culture, beliefs, and people. She hopes to use these experiences to become a successful flight attendant.

At CWU, Kasumi found the opportunity to make American friends. She is also meeting people through the classes she is taking, CWU events, and the Conversation Partner program that is organized by the UESL program.

Kasumi describes CWU as “the perfect place to study," because it is a calm and secure site.

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I love the classes, my classmates, and my teachers. They are dedicated to their labor to teach us.

As she spends more time in Ellensburg, she is finding that the biggest difference between Japanese and American cultures is that you can be yourself, no matter what other people think.

Favorite American musician: Taylor Swift.

Favorite place in Ellensburg: New York Teriyaki & Burger Restaurant.

Aya Oshima 20 years old

Aya comes from the big city of Tokyo. Since she landed in little Ellensburg nine months ago, Aya has been constantly surprised at the kindness and generosity of people. "They know who you are,” Aya says.

For Aya, coming to Ellensburg was her first experience outside of her country. She wanted to come here and learn English so that she could become a bilingual tour guide in Japan. Aya loves the relationships that exist between students and teachers in the UESL program.

Favorite place in Ellensburg: Her friends' houses.

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Favorite American artist: Alicia Keys.

I am constantly surprised at the kindness and generosity of people. They know who you are.

Yannan Zheng 24 years old

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I don’t like noisy cities. Here I can cook Chinese and American dishes every day. I love the fresh air; I can go walk outside.

This is Yannan’s first quarter at CWU since she left her homeland of China. She wants to finish the last level in the UESL program and major in accounting. Yannan says she is surprised at the difference in lifestyle of this area.

"In Ellensburg, I started going to parties where we all eat pizza and drink coke and have nice conversations.”

Favorite American food: Cheesecake.

Favorite place in Ellensburg: Downtown.

Got hops?

Pulse showcases Pacific Northwest Breweries Story by: Lindsey Wisniewski

Raise a pint to the Pacific Northwest! With Washington ranking eighth and Oregon ranking third nationally in craft breweries per capita, it's safe to say the Pacific Northwest has some of the best microbrews in the world.

With WinterHop Brewfest's 10th anniversary right around the corner, Pulse is highlighting some of the best craft breweries around.

Iron Horse Brewery Ellensburg, Washington ironhorsebrewery.com Located in the hometown of Central Washington University, Iron Horse Brewery is a local favorite. According to Iron Horse's website, this brewery was created by a "semi-lost 20 something year old with a young family, who fell in love with the art and science of brewing beer." Established by a father-son duo of Gary and Greg Parker. With seven rotating beers on tap, Iron Horse just opened their new location at 412 N. Main Street.

Cozy Sweater Vanilla Stout 4.50% ABV This soft mellow stout built on a chocolately foundation with hints of vanilla is a great beer for the winter months. Pouring dark brown with a dark tan head, this stout boasts a dark coffee and roasted malt aroma while hinting creamy and nutty flavors.

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Created by a semi-lost 20 something year old with a young family, who fell in love with the art and science of brewing beer.

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Brookside Pale Lager 5.4% ABV Named after the Brookside neighborhood of Roslyn, this pale lager is reminiscent of German Oktoberfest.

With a sweetcitrusy aroma, this beer is equally balanced with a mild hoppiness.

Larimer says that the Brookside Lager is extremely popular during the summer time. He added, "we sell out of everything we have, this beer is the next step in the evolution of beer drinking from your typical beers like Bud and Coors Lite." Well balanced and smooth, this beer can be consumed year round from the Roslyn Brewing Company tap.

Roslyn Brewing Company Roslyn, Washington roslynbrewery.com Bringing back the full-bodied flavors that have been missing since the Prohibition, Roslyn Brewing Company creates German-style lagers using hops grown in the Yakima Valley. The original Roslyn brewery, known as the Roslyn Brewing and Malt Company, opened its doors in 1889 and closed in 1913. The new brewery, located just three blocks up the road from the original location, has been open for nearly 23 years.

Kent Larimer, owner and brewer, says one of the things that makes Roslyn Brewing Company unique is "the fact that we do mainly lagers." According to Larimer, the two original brewers were German brothers and the new brewery has since "carried the torch by staying with German-style malts." When asked which of the Roslyn beers was his favorite, he says it had to be the Roslyn Dark Lager. "The dark lager was our attempt to make what was made in the late 1800's, early 1900's. It's more complex and more flavorful than any of our other beers."

Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) Portland, Oregon hopworksbeer.com Hopworks is Portland's first eco-brewpub. An eco-brewpub is essentially a brewery that takes sustainable steps to benefit the environment and the people consuming it. Since opening in 2007, this 20-barrel brewery produces around 10,000 barrels a year in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.

Organic Abominable Winter Ale 7.30% ABV This complex, citrusy ale is one not to be forgotten.

Produced seasonally, this amber colored ale is high in orange and grapefruit notes with a malty finish.

Similarly tasting to that of red ale, this beer is solid with a touch of seasonal spice, likely to leave a sweetness lingering from start to finish.

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The dark lager was our attempt to make what was made in the late 1800's, early 1900's. It's more complex and more flavorful than any of our other beers.

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- Kent Larimer

Fremont Brewing Company Seattle, Washington fremontbrewing.com Founded in 2008, Fremont Brewing Company is located in the historic Fremont area of Seattle. This family owned microbrewery prides themselves on creating delicious beers, using the best local ingredients. Matthew Jepson, a Wallingford neighborhood local, says he has been coming to Fremont Brewing Company since they first opened their doors.

"Fremont's IPA's are the best and there are a lot in the area.

Not to mention the brewery is really low-key. I can go walk down there with my dog, grab an inexpensive, tasty brew, and chill with friends," Jepson says.

Interurban IPA 6.2% ABV Apricot with a hazy orange appearance, this IPA is spicy with light citrus hops. Differing significantly from the smell, the taste of this beer is light on the palate, yet earthy and full bodied.

This very drinkable beer is flavorful with nice aromas, a must try IPA.

Ninkasi Brewing Company Eugene, Oregon ninkasibrewing.com Home to the Oregon Ducks is also home of Ninkasi Brewing Company. Ninkasi Brewing, established in 2006, is a craft brewery created by two friends, Nikos Ridge and Jamie Floyd. With an idea to create something different than before, Ninkasi strives to "improve the lives of its customers, the residents of its communities, its employees, and business partners," according to their website. Showcasing a variety of beers, Ninkasi produces stouts, lagers, pale ales, IPA's, and a variety of other styles of beer.

Sleigh'r Dark Double Alt Ale 7.2% ABV Amber in color with a tan, creamy head, this winter seasonal beer boasts dark malty flavors paired with a chocolate aroma.

Sleigh'r has a medium body that is nutty from start to finish. This is an excellent beer to try during the holidays!

Icicle Brewing Company Leavenworth, Washington iciclebrewing.com Located in the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Icicle Brewing Company has been producing fresh, delicious brews since 2011. Reflective of the Germanic town, Icicle has created many German inspired beers using local hops from the Yakima Valley, water from Icicle Creek, barley from Okanagan Valley, and yeast from the Columbia River Gorge.

Khaos Kolsch 5.0% ABV Clear and blonde in color, Khaos is a light bodied, crisp Kolsch beer. Kolsch, a beer ideal for summer weather, is an extremely pale German beer.

Flavorful with honey and apple accents, this beer has a delicious tang and well-balanced finish, which makes it a very drinkable beer.

WinterHop Brewfest January 18, 2014 12-5 p.m.

December 5,6, and 7 at 7:30 p.m.

$30 including tasting glass and 5 tasting scrips.

Winterhop Brewfest confirmed breweries: Colockum Craft Brewing, Diamond Knot Craft Brewing, Iron Horse Brewery, Laht Neppur Brewing Company, Ice Harbor Brewing Company, Yakima Craft Brewing Company, Ninkasi Brewing, Bale Breaker Brewing Company, Icicle Brewing Company, Lake Chelan Brewery, Kulshan Brewing Company, Boundary Bay Brewery, St. Brigid's Brewery, Whitstran Brewing Company, and Snipes Mountain Brewing.

December 5,6, and 7 at 7:30 p.m.

December 8 at 2:00 p.m.

December 8 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at cwu.edu.theatre/tickets and by phone at (509) 963-1 4 2 Central Washington University

AA/EEO/Title IX Institution.

For accommodation: CDS@cwu.edu PA10010813

Life Hacks

Fly the Coop

After a year of sharing a cramped room, many freshmen are hungry for a bigger living space. However, stepping into the world of off-campus living can be daunting. Alicia House, assistant property manager of the Meadows apartment complex, offers tips for students looking to strike out on their own.

Tips for Moving off Campus

Story by: Derek Shuck

Nuts and Bolts When signing a lease for an apartment, make sure to take the time to read all the fine print. With so much information included in the lease, it can be hard for students to get a grasp of what the document actually says.

“A hard part of living on your own for the first time is going through all the lease documents and paperwork by yourself,” says David Reavill, a senior who has lived on his own for three years says.

“Landlords kind of expect you to know how to go through the motions, and for someone who has never done it before it can be stressful.”

Knowing how responsible you are for utilities is also a big deal. In many cases, you will have to set up, pay, and cancel your utilities all your own.

Sometimes you get no help from the management and this can add to your monthly expenses greatly.

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You have to be a lot more responsible if you live in the dorms. There is so much stuff you don’t have to deal with, you don’t have to deal with figuring out food, bills or transportation.

- Emily Gross

Despite the amount of advice a new tenant receives, managing a living situation can be confusing. It’s important to remember that your landlord is there to make things go smoothly. Don’t be afraid to ask them for help if elements of your home break down.

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Regaining Your Deposit

It is legally required to do a walkthrough of your apartment when you move in. Make sure to be thorough, so you can find any damage that was already there, which means you wont have to pay for it later When it comes time to move out, a thorough cleaning can help you reclaim hundreds from your deposit.

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Clean everything, even the nooks and crannies that you don’t think about. The windows, the windowsill, underneath the hood vent, and above the stove, which gets grease on it.

- Alicia House

Ask for Help

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One of the biggest ways to save money is to understand security deposits. A security deposit is a fee paid when a tenant moves into a new apartment or house. This money goes towards covering repairs that need to be made to your home after you move out.

Don’t be afraid to ask your management for help. Management is there to help the tenant, that’s their job and that’s what you are paying them for.

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Renting a house can be a different beast than renting an apartment. These landlords are often times not a part of a bigger business, and rent houses on the side. However, this means they can be less experienced and not as professional. You need to be aware of the type of person you are actually dealing with.

A landlord that presents themselves in a more professional manner is more likely to be reliable and straightforward about the requirements.

-David Reavill

Don’t let the aspect of moving out on your own be a terrifying idea. It is a chance to gain some independence and insight on the world we live in. We all have to grow up sometime, and learning the basic tools to understanding off-campus living is essential. Use these simple tips to make living on your own a fun and educational experience.

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Holiday Holiday treats Story by: Lindsey Wisniewski

The holidays are right around the corner and you know what that means- holiday parties! With many presents to buy for your friends and family, the holidays can be spendy. Don't fret, Pulse has the perfect DIY treats that will save you money.

The perfect Christmas cocktail: White Christmas 5 ounces vanilla vodka 2 ounces white creme de menthe .5 ounces peppermint schnapps garnish with a candy cane Photo courtesy of: randolphmarket

Team Eggnog Cupcakes Photo courtesy of: i heart naptime

Candy Cane Muddy Buddies A holiday spin on muddy buddies Photo courtesy of: six sisters stuff

Christmas Crack Toffee in only 15 minutes

Photo from: i heart naptime

Sweet Potato Cornbread Cupcakes

Grasshopper Mint Cookies Photo courtesy of: your cup of cake

Delicious Fall Pumpkin Macaroons

Photo from:

familyfreshcooking

Reindeer Antler Treats Photo courtesy of: faithful provisions

Photo courtesy of: get creative juice

DIY Hot Chocolate Bar Photo courtesy of: hostess with the mostess

Chocolate Covered Snowflake Oreo's Photo courtesy of: get creative juice

Click the site names for links to the recipes!

6 Must-Have Box Subscriptions Story by: Lindsey Wisniewski

You know how the saying goes: some of the best things in life come in small packages. Instead of waiting for a birthday or a holiday to come around, you can get a customized gift sent right to your doorstep. These one-of-a-kind boxes, made to fit your specific interests, are constantly changing.

With so many different box subscriptions to choose from, Pulse is showcasing some of the best out there.

For Fido: Barkbox barkbox.com Do you enjoy spoiling your dog? Barkbox does! A monthly subscription service featuring all-natural treats, toys, bones and more, Barkbox lets you choose what items you would like to include in your box each month. Unlike many other subscription boxes, there is no obligation to a monthly subscription and you can end your membership at any time. Best of all, 10% of your Barkbox purchase goes toward supporting a rescue group.

For the coffee lover: Mistobox mistobox.com Helping you find the perfect cup, Mistobox delivers a monthly coffee subscription to your doorstep. Featuring coffees from some of the most popular roasters, Mistobox makes it easy to subscribe and enjoy delicious coffees every month.

For $19/month you can get four, 1.7 ounce bags of whole bean coffee.

For $30/month you can get four, 3.4 ounce bags of whole bean coffee.

For him and her: Birchbox birchbox.com Do you enjoy trying out the newest beauty products before they hit the shelves? With high end samples, such as Laura Mercier and Nars, Birchbox helps you find the products you love. They even ship them to your door once a month.

Women's subscription is $10/month.

Men's subscription is $20/month.

For the college student: Pijon pijonbox.com Many college students spend time away from home.

Pijon may be the perfect box for you. Just like mom's care packages, Pijon sends around 5-6 items each month of essential items designed just for you.

From $25 a month for males, females, or gender-neutral.

For the gamer: Loot Crate lootcrate.com Loot crate is a monthly subscription that contains 6-8 hand-picked products that are perfect for the gamer or geek. With this nerd gear, every month is different!

Subscriptions $13.37/monthly.

For the health conscious: Conscious Box consciousbox.com Delivering pure and sustainable products to your door step each month, Conscious box is for those who are focused on using organic and natural products. Vegan or gluten free, Conscious box has a box for you too! $19.95 a month for class, vegan, or gluten free box.

DIY

Holiday Gifts Story by: Max Bayern

This time of year can be the most joyous, and also the most stressful. Do you find yourself struggling with what to give your friends and family for the holidays? Sometimes, a personalized gift made by hand can make the best present of all. Plus, it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg to pull these off. Pulse has all the Do It Yourself holiday gift ideas for you.

Custom Candles Everyone likes to have fresh scents throughout their home during the holidays. Candles are always a great gift, and there are ways to make them even more personal. One way to spice up a lame candle is to customize it. An easy thing to do is find a branch, break it into even pieces in length (about 2-4 inches). Glue the twigs you’ve just created around the candle’s glass holder. This will leave you with a custom candle that is different, new and looks really cool. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/369787819375086580/

Custom Cutting Boards I know, I know, how exciting could a cutting board get?

But a home cooked meal is always something that everyone loves. In order to make cooking a bit more fun, give your friends or family a cutting board with a special recipe written on it. Of course, you’ll have to find a non-toxic waterproof pen, but it is a fun, easy gift that means a bit more than just buying a plain old cutting board and putting a bow around it. http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/awesome-diygifts-you-can-make-in-under-an-hour

Holiday Christmas Cookie Container If you’re a baker and like to deliver delectable treats to your friends and family, this gift is a great idea for you. Once you’ve consumed (or inhaled) all the potato chips from the Pringle container, simply wash it out. Make sure it is clean because the container is made up of cardboard coated with a light layer of wax. Lightly rise out the container and let it dry.

Once that process is completed, find a holiday wrapping paper and wrap it around the newly cleaned tube.

Voilà! You now have a festive holiday cookie container.

You can add your homemade or store bought cookies to your container. To make it even more festive, add bows, lace, etc. to make your own custom container. Just make sure your cookies will fit and you’ll have an easy gift all ages will appreciate! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/255579347577538283/

Holiday Christmas Cocoa Mix+Mug A fun, meaningful gift can be a personalized mug with a festive holiday cocoa mix. Your first step is to find a holiday inspired mug, which can be bought at most department stores.

To create a hot chocolate mix, you’ll need to buy cocoa along with whatever your gift recipient likes in their warm drink. Put all the ingredients into a zip-lock bag. Then, place that bag in the mug of your choice. Write a note or anything you’d like and decorate the mug. Wrap it up, tie a bow, or leave it as is. If the gift is for a person of legal drinking age, tie a single shot of Bailey’s liquor to the package. Cheers! http://hip2save.com/2012/12/20/hip2save-this-holidayhot-chocolate-cone-gift/

These are just a few ideas to spark your imagination for gift giving. Adapt them anyway you would like, and remember: putting some thought behind your gifts shows your true holiday spirit.

Spotlight

Don't Fear the Beard Story by: Courtney Vasquez Photos Courtesy of: Facial Hair Club members Video by:Justin Coyne and Aaron Amort Photo of Andrew Wright

Some are long and burley. Others are short and trim. Some begin at the chin and some stem straight from the sideburns. They come in all different colors: brown, black, blond and more. With a little maintenance some can be braided and some can even be sculpted. A beard is not to be feared, and the Central Washington University Facial Hair Club tells us why.

“There are a lot of negative stereotypes about facial hair and we want to show people that facial hair isn’t bad,” says the Secretary of the Facial Hair Club, Ben Clierly. They became an official club at the end of spring quarter. This fall marks the beginning of their first year of good deeds and activities.

The club was created with the intent of eliminating the bad rap facial hair’s been given. For instance, the President of the

Photo of Owen Baird

Facial Hair Club members

Facial Hair Club, Andrew members shaved their Wright says, “ I was standing mustaches at the beginning underneath a tree at of November and are my favorite fishing dock, letting them grow back for waiting for my grandma to the remainder of the month. bring the bait, and a little girl said to her In the future, family, “Look Wright says We do our best to it's a big old the Facial help our community.

If we do help our lazy,” as they Hair Club community, we walked by. hopes to hope they'll see that Little did she host its own men with facial hair know I was in c a m p u s aren't so bad. my junior year b e a r d -Owen Baird of college.” competition.

“It's full grown men with truly When some people see a epic beards dressing up in beard, they tend to think their favorite costumes. I've homeless, unprofessional, or seen Alaskan fishermen, a like the little girl that Wright couple Amish guys and a came across, as lazy. It’s yodeler that had an octopus their goal to trim down the misconceptions society has about the faces behind the beards.

“We do our best to help the community. If we do help our community, we hope they’ll see that men with facial hair aren’t so bad,” says the Facial Hair Club treasurer, Owen Baird. In October, the Facial Hair Club trick-or-treated for the United Nations Children’s Fund, collecting canned food and donations.

They’ve dedicated the month of November to the “Movember” cause which is intended to bring awareness to men’s health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer. In honor of “Movember,” club

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style beard,” Wright says. He encourages any facial hair fanatics to let their beards and moustaches grow as they hope to host the competition soon.

The Facial Hair Club not only puts thought and effort into community oriented activities, they also promote facial hair maintenance.

“People always ask me if I have to use shampoo on my beard. It's no different than the hair on top of our head,” says Senator of the Facial Hair Club, Jeremy Johnson.

According to members of the facial hair club, shampooing, brushing,

Photo of Ben Clierly

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It's full grown men with truly epic beards dressing up in their favorite costumes. I've seen Alaskan fisherman, a couple Amish guys and a yodeler that had an octopus style beard.

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-Andrew Wright

Photo of Jeremy Johnson Courtesy of Tamra Pontow

Photo of Jeremy Johnson and trimming are all needed to maintain dapper facial hair.

It’s not always fun and games when having a hefty beard although it is somewhat comical.

Members of the club discuss the hairy situations they get themselves into from time to time.

Condiments are sometimes a beards worst enemy. Eating a hotdog or a burger can be cruel as ketchup and mustard gets weaved

into their beards. Occasionally, members are tortured by the tickle of their own beards and mustaches.

Yes, with a great beard comes minor complications, but the Facial Hair Club has found that their love for their beards defies all problems. Members of the club feel that their beards are a way of expressing themselves.

They can get creative with their hair by

trimming and sculpting it to their liking.

Many of them have allowed their beards to grow long but some of them admit to trying to braid them. It’s all about the art of manliness for many of the members.

As winter nears, they have no need for scarves or face masks. Club members express great appreciation for the warmth their facial hair provides for them during the harsh winter days. Johnson adds that another perk to having a long, thick beard is that it serves as armor for his clothes. If a little water is spilt while taking a swig, Johnson says his beard is right there to protect his shirt.

“Behind every great beard, there’s a better man” is the Facial Hair Club’s motto. This group of men work hard to prove their motto to be true. Behind their beards, they are a group of friendly, kind-hearted men eager to make a difference for all men sporting dashing beards and moustaches.

Click the motto to see the video!

"Behind every great beard, there's a better man."

Behind the Scenes Pulse takes a backstage tour of the CWU Theatre Department

Story by :Megan Burch Pictures by: Daniel Baldwin

Lights. Camera. Action! On stage, we see the hair, make-up, and actors in costume putting on a performance. Behind the scenes it can be chaos of wigs and dresses flying, people running all over the place, and props being thrown every which way. Most people don't realize the amount of work that's put into these shows. It takes weeks of planning, preparation and hard work to be able to raise the curtain on a final production. Here are the four main departments that make a play more than just actors on a stage.

Costumes, Wigs, and Make-up These are the people who have to be jacks of all trades, in costumes, wigs, and make-up. Even though students each have a specialization, they have to take classes and become proficient in other areas as well. Each area has a designer who works out designs for an individual character on stage. The ideas for costumes and wigs go to the Costume Shop, where they come to life.

For the costumes, ideas turn to patterns, and patterns turn to garments. Wigs have to be made, dyed and styled. With make-up, if it’s more of an everyday look, the costume designer applies that.

If the make-up is fantastical or

special effects, then another designer is brought in to draw up templates.

“I make people pretty,” says Rae Hengst, costuming major and assistant wig designer for Christmas Carol.

“And sometimes I make them look ugly and that’s a lot of fun.” Making sure costumes can withstand being on stage can make their jobs tough.

Once during a production, one of the actors stepped on an actress’ dress and the whole bottom came off. “We had to safety pin it back together back stage,” says Caitlin Cardinale, wig designer for Christmas Carol and costume shop employee.

Scenery “We create a world for the characters,” says Cayla Raymaker, scenic designer and artist. That world starts with a drawing done by the scenic designer which is approved by the director. The artwork is sent out to the scene shop so that the drawing can be pulled off of the paper and onto the stage. The technical director and students are the ones who build the sets. With each step of the way, there is collaboration between the scenic designer, the director, and the scene shop. “We need to work with and trust each other and each other’s opinions,” Raymaker says.

Raymaker was a scenic artist for CWU’s production of Nanawatai and did a majority of the painting. Raymaker's job is to supervise the backstage crew as they do the scene shifts as quickly and as proficiently as possible. She will also be scenic designer for Polaroid Stories in March. “The best part of what I do is watching it all come together,” Raymaker says. “The most awesome thing about scenery is seeing it with the lights and costumes and actors.”

“

“

We create a world for the characters.

- Cayla Raymaker

“

That's why you never see theatre people outside of the theatre. We're almost constantly turning over new shows.

“

-Amanda Lehr

Lighting Besides the brilliant glare, some of us might not even notice the amount of lighting that goes into a production.

Lighting helps add to the mood being portrayed on stage, whether it’s happy, sad, or mournful. This starts with a drawing called a plot. The plot maps out where lights need to be hung and which colors need to be used. The lighting designer passes on the plot to the master electrician, who has about two days to look over it before the lights need to be hung and the gels put into place. The light designer works with the light board operator to set up the cues, which say what lights need to be on when. Then it’s tech rehearsal, dress rehearsal, and the show opens. When the curtains close there is strike, tear down, and they set up for the next show. “That’s why you never see theatre people outside of the theater,” says Amanda Lehr, lighting designer and technician. “We’re almost constantly turning over new shows.”

Putting lights into place is a dangerous job. While hanging lights, it’s possible for a light to explode. If a light get human oils on them they can explode and so

each light has to be cleaned with rubbing alcohol if it is touched. “No matter how many headaches or hang-ups, shows are always fun,” Lehr says. “I don’t think there has been a show I haven’t liked.”

Sound The sinister music and happy melodies you hear throughout a show can drastically impact the viewer’s emotions.

Sound Design adds to the atmosphere and mood of the stage. The soundscape, or sounds used in a production, lends emotion but also realism. The sound designer has a similar job as the scenic and lighting designer but obviously, with sound. The sound engineer takes the sound plot and makes it aurally possible by placing speakers where they need to be and figuring out what equipment is needed. The sound engineer also outfits the actors with mic packs, which are often covered in non lubricated condoms to protect them from sweat.

For CWU Production Nanawatai, Avril Martinez, sound designer and sound engineer, went out with new professor Jason Tucholke and recorded the sound of AK-47 assault rifles. This is the first production where Martinez has had a sound professor to work with. “I’ve been teaching myself but I’m really excited to work with Jason and learn the proper way of doing things,” Martinez says.

“That’s really important to me right now.”

Martinez has worked on Tempest, the Radio Show, Afghan Women, and was assistant sound designer for Nanawatai, as well as designing and engineering the sounds in Zombie Zone.

Save the Date the 6thAnnual

WINTERWedding & EventExpo January 12, 2014

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

CWU Student Union Ballroom $3 per Person $5 per Couple Open to the public Free for ages 12 and under Free parking

Info from Vendors Wine Tasting Fashion Show

AA/EEO/Title IX Institution.

Accommodations: 509-963-1321 or CDS@cwu.edu

Photo of Maika Matalomani Photographer: Nick Terrel

Click Here

S BONU Video

Unharnessed:

Extreme Climbing Story by: Margaux Massey

Totaling a height of 50 feet, the climbing wall in the Central Washington University Recreation Center can be a daunting giant for anyone who wishes to give it a try. Some of the highest points of the brightly colored rocks call out to a select group of people, those who love climbing more than any other physical activity.

While all climbers share the love of the sport, there are some that take it beyond climbing in the CWU gym. Climbers can be from many different walks of life. The second they get together at the wall, their differences melt away and they are always willing to give a fellow climber some tips on grabbing that tricky next rock.

Despite the diversity that can be seen at the climbing wall, some of the climbers have amazing personal stories to share. Whether its a feeling of accomplishment after finishing a difficult route or climbing somewhere they never thought possible.

These are just two of the stories that have been told by climbers who frequent the CWU climbing wall.

Cole (Ziggy) Ziegler While not on a rock wall, Cole (Ziggy) Ziegler says he has been climbing since before he could walk. He started off like any mischievous kid, climbing bookshelves, trees, couches and people, but after a while it became more than just fun and games to him.

He doesn’t remember the experience himself, but when he was younger his brother had his birthday party at Vertical World, a climbing gym in Redmond. His parents told him that when he was there he absolutely loved climbing, so they would take him back every so often. For Ziggy, that’s how it all started.

“As I got older, it was more than fun, it started becoming an addiction,” Ziegler says.

The now 21-year-old says he has been climbing since he was ten, but it is only in the past four years that he has been actively climbing, going multiple times a week when his schedule allows.

His favorite feeling is sending, or completing, a route on the wall. The routes for bouldering, which is climbing up to 15 ft without ropes or harnesses, are measured by a system that ranges from V0, being the easiest, to V16 being the hardest.

“The first V7 I ever sent was over the summer and it was at Stone Gardens,” Ziegler says about one of his most memorable climbs.

“I worked on it for four days straight piecing it together, falling, and getting hurt and struggling with it. When I finally pieced all the moves together and finished the route, I was in so much pain because I was so exhausted and tense.”

Photo of Cole "Ziggy" Ziegler Photographer: Margaux Massey

Ziegler recalls making his last move up the wall, hitting the finish and screaming at the top of his lungs, all the emotion, frustration an energy caused by the climb “exploding out of [him] in a roar that echoed throughout the entire gym.”

When he made it to the ground, his coworkers and people all around him were cheering and applauding him, excited that he finally accomplished that feat.

The thrill of the accomplishment isn’t the only reason Ziegler loves climbing however, he has a much deeper love of the sport than just that.

“Mentally, when I’m climbing nothing else matters,” Ziegler says. “It’s me and the wall and these moves. Me and the route. I climb because it clears my headspace, it centers me. There is nothing in the world like being centered.”

Andrew Mason When senior pre-med biology major Andrew Mason isn’t hitting the books he can most likely be found at the rock wall. While he has only been climbing since Dec. 2012, he has experience that some climbers could only ever dream of.

He started climbing simply because his older brother Edgar Mason was into it and took him to a climbing gym down in Olympia.

Over this past summer, Andrew went to Ghana, Africa to work with his brother Edgar at a local hospital. While there, Andrew had the opportunity to climb real mountains on routes that he says were nothing more than holes in the rock.

“Someone always has to put the routes down,” Andrew says. “Someone has to be

the first person to actually climb it. I got to meet some of these people.”

Andrew says that the differences between climbing in a gym and outside are great.

When in a climbing gym, there are colored rocks and sometimes a path that will lead a climber in the right direction, in real life, there is nothing telling you which way to go.

Andrew does say that one thing he prefers to gym climbing over climbing outside is the fact that you are willing to take more risks.

“When you go to a gym and boulder, you can try more techniques and you’re more willing to take risks,” Andrew says. “You’re going to fall on a padded surface and you’re sure that your plastic rock isn’t going to cut your hand up or break.”

Some of the places he climbed in Africa were dangerous, to say the least. Andrew says that there are no regulations placed on the climbing, and in some places if you died while climbing no one would know for a week because no one goes looking for you.

While his climbing experience in Africa was dangerous, and he does prefer going to a climbing gym, there is one thing he says can’t be beat about climbing a mountain.

“Real climbing is more satisfying when you get to the top and can see out into the distance,” Andrew says. “You can see the entire savannah, the plains of Africa.”

So while rock climbing can be suitable for all ages and all types of people, there are certain individuals who can take it to the next level. These people see rock climbing as much more than just a sport, it’s a way of life.

“

When you go to a gym and boulder, you can try more techniques and you're more willing to take risks. You're going to fall on a padded surface and you're sure that your plastic rock isn't going to cut your hand up or break.

-Andrew Mason

“

Photo of Alec George Photographer: Nick Terrel

Photo of Andrew and Edgar Mason Photo Courtesy of Andrew Mason

Free climb hours

Every day 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Tuesday/Thursday 6:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.

Sunday-Friday 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Family Climb hours

Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Climbing wall classes

PE 115- Beginning Climbing PE 116- Intermediate Climbing PE 220- Climbing Wall Instructor For information on Clinics go to http://www.cwu.edu/climbing-wall/ climbing-clinics-events-0 For more information on registering for climbing PE class contact Emily Wright at wrighte@cwu.edu

Sharks With Legs

CWU Improv group makes a splash on campus Story by: Evan Pappas Photos Courtesy of: Sharks With Legs Reminiscent of "Whose Line Is It Anyway", CWU’s Sharks With Legs put their own spin on improv comedy. With a wacky name that matches their style, this highly entertaining and energized group isn’t focused on being serious.

Before jumping into practice, Sharks start with energy boosting warm up games at their weekly meetings. Tyler Ward, current president, says Sharks does not try to stay realistic, instead they pursue more outlandish skits and games for a high energy show.

“In Sharks it's wacky, we try not to be anchored. We do gimmick focused games like 'Sit Stand, Kneel' a game where one person has to be in each position and try to have a coherent narrative while switching between positions,” Ward says.

Jordan-Michael Whidbey, a senior theatre performance BFA candidate, found Sharks with Legs in his freshman year when he spotted a poster in McConnell hall advertising the group.

He had done improv in high school, loved it, and wanted to do more.

Because of the group’s fun-loving personality, it is easy to get excited about performing and practicing skits.

Sharks with Legs resonated with Whidbey because of the group’s passion and entertaining atmosphere.

the members and some great memories.

“It's a chance to get together with Whidbey recalls the rehearsal of a people that share one of my passions and have a great time. There just aren't completely silent scene as his all time favorite memory. many places where you can go and do or be literally “We were just anything and It's a chance to get rehearsing, we had no matter what happens, together with people that an entire scene where no one spoke, and everyone that share one of my passions I swear it was the is a part of it is doing the same and have a great time. hardest I have ever laughed in my life. It thing and wants - Jordan Michael Whidbey was like watching an you to do your old silent film, but live,” best because then they can do Whidbey says. their best,” Whidbey says.

Ward was also in a theatre class in high school which, along with his love of the While the skits are hilarious and fun to act show “Whose line is it anyway?” led out, they also create bonding between

“

“

him to join an improv club in community college. After performing in a play, the director of Wenatchee’s Apple City Improv asked Ward to join them. When Ward came to CWU he was eager to find a similar group on campus.

“When I came here I asked a friend if there was a group up here and there was,” Ward says. That was all it took for him to get involved with the group.

Sean McGehee, a senior in theater performance, says the freedom and fun the members of Sharks with Legs get is enough for most shows. The group isn’t in it for the money, but for the excitement and experience.

“We only got paid a couple times but most of the time we do it for fun,” McGehee says.

McGehee wants more people to come try improv with Sharks with legs, but thinks people need to know that being shy or nervous doesn’t mean you can’t do it. The group is very welcoming to everyone.

“I know a lot of people are afraid because they are nervous or shy,” McGehee says. “There’s a lot of freedom to do whatever you want and we are all really good friends.”

“Holidays at the Improv” Milo Smith Tower Theatre, Ellensburg December 14 Catered by Ellensburg Pasta Company Sponsored by Kelleher Motor Company Tickets available at Yakima Federal Savings and Loan for $25.

Stay Happy!

If you’re happy and you know it, join this club!

Story by: Chloe Ramberg Photos Courtesy of: Happiness Club

Have y o u e v e r had a stranger pay for your latte? Can you remember the last time someone held the door open for you?

Sometimes, a simple act of kindness is all it takes to brighten another person’s day. The Students in Pursuit of Happiness Club (SIPOH) at Central Washington University have one simple slogan: Stay Happy!

Random acts of kindness and achieving and spreading happiness are the mainstays of the CWU Happiness Club. SIPOH began after students were inspired when they took a “What is Happiness Class,” offered by Associate Professor of Information Technology and Administrative Management, Natalie Lupton. Twelve students in the class started a project known as Happiness Day, which is an entire day event that impacted over 2,000 CWU students and is centered on spreading joy.

“I think the club has great potential to spread positive feelings, a vibe if you will, across both the campus and community,” Natalie says.

“In the happiness class we did many activities,

such as giving away flowers and cookies or opening doors for others on campus. We saw instant results and individuals would smile and engage.”

Danielle Brandli, junior at CWU and President of SIPOH, wanted to start the club this fall after taking Lupton’s course and being involved in last year’s Happiness Day. Danielle felt motivated by the class, along with BriAnne Pauley, junior and club senator, to start the new club.

“We want to create a positive atmosphere throughout CWU,” BriAnne says.

Both Danielle and BriAnne participated in last year’s Happiness Day at CWU and are planning another one for spring quarter. Last year's Happiness Day included free video games, bracelet making, raffles, and free food and drink. SIPOH will also sponsor a relaxation day before finals in December. The club focuses on activities that will not only bring a smile to their own faces, but more importantly to others.

“Reaching and spreading happiness was extremely important to us,” Danielle says.

Any student is welcome to join or participate in meetings. The club's most recent activity meeting included free pumpkin carving. The club gives people the opportunity to share their viewpoints on life and happiness in a safe environment.

However, in this day and age there are always bound to be pessimists. As a random act of kindness, students in the club gave out $1 bills on campus.

There were many students who were hesitant to take the free money, and some flat out refused. Danielle even put $1 on the ground to see if anyone would pick it up. The vast majority of people walked by it before someone actually picked it up. Danielle believes that today’s society has conditioned people to think that there’s a catch to everything.

“You don’t have to give and expect anything in return,” Danielle says.

Even with the skepticism, there were some acts of kindness that people were less suspicious of. SIPOH handed out over $200 worth of flowers to students, faculty, and staff. It seemed that people were more willing to take flowers than actual money. Both girls and boys were seeking out club members on campus so they could carry around a flower.

“In today’s society we don’t always see that selflessness,” BriAnne says.

“You don’t need to be conditioned by society.”

Sometimes as an incoming freshman or a new student on campus, it can be hard to find a place where you feel like part of a group or that you belong.

Danielle’s younger brother Connor

“

We want to create a positive atmosphere throughout CWU.

“

-BriAnne Pauley

“I like being apart of a club and coming to meetings to tell people what happiness is all about,” Connor says.

Members of SIPOH feel they can accomplish their goal by becoming involved on campus and in the community. Students in the club have plans to work in the kitchens at the FISH Food Bank and are hoping to raise enough funding to travel to Portland so they can work with homeless teens.

“I get my joy from helping others,” BriAnne says.

In a world w h e r e happiness is not always a first priority, when people become so concerned with school, work, or the trivial things in life, they can quickly lose their joy. Students in Pursuit of Happiness want to help those people rediscover what it means to be happy.

“One of the biggest benefits for students and anyone else is being able to spend time with a group of people who are, in essence, in the pursuit of happiness and enjoy spreading that happiness to others,” Natalie says.

“

“

Brandli is a freshman at CWU. Connor wanted to become more involved on campus and connect with his fellow students.

I get my joy from helping others.

-BriAnne Pauley

“

You don't have to give and expect anything in return.

“

-Danielle Brandli

After Dark

Music Review

By: Darby Cox

She and Him

A Very She and Him Christmas IT’S SO LOVELY. And that’s because Christmas music is right up their alley. Popular holiday songs are spiced up with cool, smooth guitar riffs and Zooey Deschanel’s signature voice. By keeping true to their 50s and 60s rock-style they transform regular Christmas tunes into upbeat and modern tracks. Any of these songs can be slipped into Volume 1 and Volume 2 and sound like they were meant to be there any time of the year. For example, “Baby it’s Cold Outside” is normally a slower song, but the duo added drums and guitar to pick up the beat and it works like a charm.

Listen to: "I'll Be Home for Christmas"

Lady Gaga True to her style Lady Gaga’s long-awaited 4th album is all about sex or being rich. Or just dreaming about sex and being rich. Either way it is all described in detail to the soundtrack of the 80s most popular beats. For example, “Sexxx”, “Aura” and “ARTPOP” sound like odes to Madonna’s greatest hits. Just when the album settles into a certain sound a rap song with T.I. titled “Jewels N’ Drugs” is dropped right into the middle. Shortly after, the 80s hits keep rolling until one last genre switch with “Dope” which is a piano ballad about needing someone over drugs. The album was released November 6, and immediately went to No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

Listen to: "Jewels N' Drugs"

Art Pop

Against Me!

Transgender Dysphoria Blues 2010 was a huge year for punk rock band Against Me! Their fan base was split into the diehard and the confused when lead singer Tom Gabel announced he was planning to become a woman.

Laura Jane Grace was introduced to the world a year later and her band began touring immediately. This high-anticipated album isn’t released until January but the track “F***MYLIFE666” was dropped this month on iTunes. The track is a fist-pumping fastpaced answer to how Grace feels about her new life and despite the title, she feels good: There's a brave new world that's raging inside of me/Never wanna say that I regret it.”

Listen to: "F***MYLIFE666"

The Uncluded Cross-genre artist collaborations are always interesting especially when the two artists make completely different music. Early this year, bunny suit-rocking folk singer Kimya Dawson and immensely popular indie rapper Aesop Rock decided to make beautiful music together. The finished product is Kimya’s kooky brand of music including acoustic guitar and xylophones backing Aesop’s unique rhymes. The most interesting thing about this album is neither artist changed their style, they just pushed them together and waited to see what happened. Their fans responded by selling out their tours at nearly every stop.

Hokey Fright

Listen to: "Delicate Cycle"

M.I.A

Matangi

Maya Arlupragasm, or M.I.A. took two years to release Matangi after the moderate success of MAYA in 2010. The Sri Lanka native hasn’t made a billboard-topping hit since “Paper Planes” in 2007, and made small waves during the 2012 Super Bowl when she flipped off the camera. Enter “Bad Girls”, which has been all over the radio as well as the movie trailer for The Heat. Her album sales have followed the song’s success and encouraged fans to enjoy the slew of other songs on Matangi that are very similar. For example, tracks “Double Bubble Trouble” and “Only 1 U” rock the same heavily-produced beats and hip-hop style.

Listen to: "Bring the Noize"

Food & Drink

Red Bull Gives You Wings But then you crash

51

and burn Story by: Bobbie Black Photos by: Alyssa Darby

It’s been said that in life, there are two things you can count on: death and taxes. In college it’s more like debt and an addiction to caffeine.

There are a chosen few who are able to succeed without the help of caffeine, but for the rest of us mere mortals, hardly a chapter is read or a paper is written without that extra jolt.

College athlete Adrianne DeLay admits she is currently supporting a Monster-aday habit. “I don’t even know if they do anything for me at this point, I just know I feel better when I have one,” DeLay says.

Ever since their debut in the late 1990s, energy drinks have become a billion dollar industry. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors to suite the taste and preferences of all different markets.

These energy boosters share a common trait with many other lucrative consumer products; they are addictive.

That surge of energy and sudden alertness you experience from energy drinks is due to the combination of caffeine and taurine. Taurine is an amino acid and is a main ingredient in the

“

I don’t even know if they do anything for me at this point, I just know I feel better when I have one.

- Adrianne DeLay

“

Unlike cigarettes and alcohol, there are no FDA-required warning labels on energy drinks, which allows them to distance themselves from other vices. Before developing an opinion one way or the other, it seems only fair to look at all the information on the topic. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

“

Clever marketers claim that [consumers] are more likely to remember dreams because of the increased cognitive activity.

“

majority of energy drinks. It is found naturally in fish, meats, and breast milk according to the Mayo Clinic website. Some of the benefits of the added taurine to your diet are regulation of water and mineral salts in your blood and increased neurological development. Clever marketers claim that individuals who regularly consume energy drinks are more likely to remember dreams because of the increased cognitive activity. Some of these positive attributes are acknowledged by nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic website, however, they also state that taurine is not intended to be consumed in high doses and there is not yet enough information provided to say if there are harmful side effects from long term use.

Mayo Clinic website nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky recommends limiting energy drink consumption to no more than 16 oz. a day.

B-12 plays a key role in brain activity and cognitive functions. This vitamin is frequently found in energy drinks and is usually double the daily recommended value. In 2007 research surfaced that suggested that high doses of B-12 have the potential to decrease a person’s chances of getting Parkinson’s.

The downside to the amount of B-12 found in these drinks is your body struggles with the overload of vitamins. In this case, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. It takes more energy to sort out the over flow which is believed to slow down your body’s natural functions.

In an article posted in The Sports Journal, it was noted that the majority of studies show that having a beverage with caffeine does increase performance ability. This could be why energy drinks are especially popular amongst college athletes. The down side of caffeine is its tendency to increase a person’s heart rate and blood pressure. These strains on a person’s health, coupled with any high energy activity increases that person’s health risks and can cause potential damage to their heart.

Some health experts are concerned with the health benefits energy drinks claim to have,

fearing that the consumers will see it as more than just a marketing scheme. The energy drink Naugen promotes memory improvement right on the can.

Industry leader Red Bull has a separate section on their website claiming that there have been a number of third party studies proving the functional benefits of their products. Dr. Peter Miller recently published an article on freehealth.org expressing his concerns over these companies giving the wrong impression. “The public needs to be a critical consumer of research, especially research that is funded or quoted by parties with vested interests,” Miller writes.

Today, energy drinks and alcohol surround young adults. Countless studies, and just plain old common sense, show the danger of mixing energy drinks and alcohol. One of the most recent studies conducted on this issue, was by scientists from Northern Kentucky University. Researchers started with 56 college students and broke them into three groups. One group was given alcohol, one given energy drinks, and the last given alcohol and energy drinks mixed together.

The drinks were all made to taste the same.

The students who had the mix of energy drinks and alcohol did not feel impaired, while the students who had the same amount of alcohol with no energy drink were able to feel the effects much sooner. Being unaware of how intoxicated you are is extremely dangerous and increases the rsik of drinking and driving. It’s important to understand that energy drinks do not slow the effect of the alcohol in your system, but merely mask it.

While their reputation may be tarnished, there's no need to kick your caffeine habit just yet. The ingredients caffeine, taurine, and B-12 have been shown to have positive health benefits, and in the case of B-12, there is potential for future medical breakthroughs.

Like all good things, we will just have to learn to enjoy our caffeine in moderation.

Department of Communication Student Media

Ellensburg Sunday

The Tav Starlight Lounge

Club 301

Spurs Bar & Grill

Arnie's Horseshoe

Monday

Tuesday

happy hour 3-5:30

happy hour 3-5:30

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

CLOSED

industry night

tournament tuesday

happy hour all day

happy hour 2-6

happy hour 2-6

$4 bomb shots

happy hour 4-6

all day happy hour

$1.50 bottled Bud Light

half-off bomb shots

9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

$2 Wells

Mariner Monday

Tequila Tuesday

Iron Horse bring a can of food, Brewery get $2 off a pint or growler fill

Wing Central

Sunday Funday

The Palace Cafe happy hour 4-7pm Shooters 2.0

Bar Specials Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

happy hour 3-5:30

happy hour 3-5:30

happy hour 3-5:30

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

ladies night

$1/16 oz Rolling Rocks

$4 drink special

$4 drink special

happy hour 2-6

happy hour 2-6

happy hour 2-6

happy hour 2-6

happy hour 4-6

happy hour 4-6

happy hour 4-6

$4 jaegers

$2 off all growler fills $2 Coronas

$1 off all beers

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

happy hour 4-7pm 9pm-close

Whiskey Wednesday

Thor's Day

Frisky Friday

Sinister Saturday

PULSE Confessionsear's

New Y s n o i t u l o Res

Do you have a New Year's resolution? Read how others are planning on making a resolution for themselves.

Anthony Parker

Hannah Elledge

Becky Long

Madison McCausland

Next quarter I will have to really focus on school because my schedule is going to be really demanding. My New Year resolution is to get more homework done before the night before it’s due. I will try not to procrastinate by starting to work on assignments the day they are assigned.

For my New Year's resolution, I plan to start a cleanse and vegan diet for at least a month, and want to finish up my senior winter and spring quarter strong! I want to start 2014 in a healthy way while getting the most out of my education.

Cory Baker

Toby Staab

I don’t set resolutions. I have never been into doing that.

But I do choose to live a healthy active lifestyle, work hard to keep my grades up, and spend time with people I care about. I don’t see any reason that I need to make a resolution.

Since I’m out of school and working on the Westside I have a little more time on my hands so my resolution is to dedicate spending more time with people I care about, my family, my girlfriend, and my friends.

Those are relationship you should always be on top of by making them stronger.

My New Year's resolutions are doing what makes me happy as often as possible, reducing my responsibilities and unnecessary stress, focus on pursuing my passions, and living a more active and healthy lifestyle..

My resolution is to not make a resolution. Maybe back in the day I would have a resolution, but now I don’t see a real reason for it.

Justin Lipana

My New Year resolution is to get into the gym before New Year's to beat the rush at the beginning of January. Also to drink less alcohol; I think a lot of college kids could benefit from doing that as a resolution.

Madalyn Freeman First off I plan to continue my journey towards a healthier and organic lifestyle. I have been vegan for 5 months now and have seen a significant amount of weight loss by switching to a plant based diet. I have currently lost 16 pounds and most of it is from changing my diet. I have about 20 more pounds until I reach my goal weight, but changing what you consume is a lifelong journey and I am anxious to see how I feel in the future! Another New Year’s resolution is to read more self-improvement, social media, and public relations books. I recently read It’s Not About You, It's About Bacon a book written by Brian Basilico that's about relationship marketing in a social media world. It was enlightening and provided me with new knowledge about the importance of maintaining relationships through social media outlets. This book inspired me to read more books to better myself.

Send your confessions to: cwupulsemagazine@gmail.com Kelsea Payne

I’m sure I could go to the gym more often or try to eat healthier, but who wants to do that? I’m not a huge resolutions setter.

When people set resolutions it seems that they never follow through with them. I’m happy with how my life is right now so no resolutions for me this year.

Lauren Abrams

Keeping up my GPA is my main goal, I’m not sure it’s a New Year’s resolution it’s just something I’m working towards. As a sophomore I want to keep my GPA up so I have no issues with getting into my major.

Drew Nelson My New Year’s resolution is to be able to have the patience to play one video game all the way through before getting bored and buying a new one!

That’s actually true, I’m not making that up.

Collected by Chelsea Bronn