Daily Vanguard April 21, 2010

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2010 • PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY • VOLUME 64, ISSUE 94

Event of the day Come help replant ecoroof boxes and participate in a demonstration by Don Carter of Columbia Green Technologies’ AVRS Systems. Part of PSU Earth Week

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Look Up and See Green Terrace, Urban Center Building

WWW.DAILYVANGUARD.COM • FREE

INSIDE NEWS Smoke-free urban plaza Ban welcomed by non-smokers, ignored by smokers PAGE 2 Beyond physical wellness Sustainable health magazine addresses variety of issues PAGE 2

ARTS

New Droni Mitchell takes the stage

The band teams up with on-the-rise folksters St. Frankie Lee PAGE 4

Sustainable living on campus

Earth Day Festival promises fun and education for all PAGE 5

OPINION The good tax Washington state’s smart move to tax unhealthy products PAGE 6 The rant and rage The kids aren’t all right PAGE 6

Student housing rates to rise One of the lowest rate hikes in several years Sara M. Kemple Vanguard staff

Throughout the Oregon University System, housing rates climb higher nearly every year, though Portland State has one of the lowest recommended increases in the Oregon University System for next year.­ PSU is faced with a proposed 2.8 to 3.5 percent increase in housing costs for the 2010–11 school years. These rates do not affect students this year.

Under a 3.5 percent increase next year, students could expect to pay up to $136.45 more for room and board annually. However, this is one of the lowest proposed housing hikes in several years. Between the 2007–08 and 2008–09 school years there was a 9.28 percent increase in room and board rates.

PSU is only facing a proposed 3.5 percent increase, compared to 6 percent at University of Oregon and 4.5 percent at Oregon State University and Western Oregon University.

“These universities run on a different system, so the rates are not really comparable,” said Corey Ray, director of Student Housing and Residence Life.

PSU is expected to grow in population from its current 27,000 students to approximately 36,000 to 52,200 students, as

reported on OregonLive.com.

PSU Student Housing is trying to accommodate the future increase by not only fixing the old buildings, but also by constructing new ones.

“Student housing is self-funded, meaning that all of the fees are paid by the residents, and does not receive income from the university general fund,” Ray said. “We only have so much money to work with, and we receive no financial aid or help in fixing these problems.”

In the past, a company called Student Housing Northwest ran campus housing. This is the same company that still owns the Goose Hollow apartments, which are located near campus. Under its control and maintenance, many of the buildings were left neglected and structurally deteriorated. The older buildings were the ones hit hardest by this lack of maintenance, some needing new piping throughout, new roofs and new boilers.

Marni Cohen/Portland State Vanguard

Ondine: Students in all forms of housing are expected to see a relatively small increase in costs.

“Students are seeing a rise in rates due to reconstruction and maintenance costs from 10 years of neglect,” Ray said.

The Stratford, King Albert Hall, St. Helen’s Court, Blackstone, Parkway Manor and Montgomery Court are all at least 70 years old.

When the management of the buildings was changed, it became apparent how much work the buildings needed.

Blackstone needed some remodeling and a new boiler and Montgomery Court needed remodeling and had a community

kitchen installed. Parkway Manor is a family housing building, so it needed to be made safe for children.

All of the older buildings needed to be outfitted with Internet and telephone lines.

“Even if a lot of people move out because of the increases, there are always many more waiting to move in. The convenience of living so close to campus, of melding your rent with your tuition and even not having to use the shower in the Stott Center or ASRC after a workout is quite alluring,” said a current resident of university housing.

History University Housing FY05–FY11 Room and Board

FY05–06 to FY06–07

FY06–07 to FY07–08

FY07–08 to FY08–09

FY08–09 to FY09–10

FY09–10 to FY10–11

Room Rate Change Range

3.7–13.22%

3–8%

6.25–9.25%

6.92%

2.84–3.76%

Average Room and Board Rate Change

9.90%

5.50%

9.28%

6.31%

3.53%

Five year inflation of $100.00 $109.90

$115.94

$126.70

$134.70

$139.45

Car crimes Theft from vehicles common at PSU Courtney Graham Vanguard staff

Since the start of 2010 there have been 13 reports of theft from vehicles on Portland State University’s campus, as well as nine reports of damage being done to vehicles, according to a monthly report generated by the Campus Public Safety Office.

The CPSO defines motor vehicle theft as “the theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.” In PSU’s campus reports, motor vehicle crimes are broken down into two categories: theft from a motor vehicle and damage to a motor vehicle.

The on-campus crimes included theft of personal property, removal of PSU parking permits and vandalism or severe damage to the vehicle’s structure. There has only been one reported attempted theft

of a vehicle itself, which occurred on April 12 in Parking Structure 1.

PSU is required to generate an annual crime statistics report for submission to the federal government, as defined by the Clergy Act of 1990.

As per regulation, CPSO generates a report of a list of 15 index crimes with varying subdivisions. The most focused on are the categories pertaining to sex offenses, bias or hate crimes against the PSU community.

However, the most frequent crimes are related to burglary, motor vehicle theft and drug and liquor law violations. These crimes are reported on campus, in residence halls, off campus and on public property.

The CPSO crime statistics from 2008 estimated that there were 336 on-campus crimes. A total of 31 motor vehicle thefts for all locations were also reported, which is a significant decrease from the 57 reports in 2007.

The Portland City Crime Mapper, which compiles crime data for

Drew Martig/Portland State Vanguard

Auto responsibility: CPSO not responsible for theft from or of vehicles.

geographic grid locations around Portland, cites the area around PSU as having experienced a monthly average of six to 15 vehicle thefts—successful or otherwise— from April 2009 to March 2010. In addition, there were also seven to 12 counts of vehicle property theft during that same time span.

Since the start of 2010 there were also an estimated 50 counts of theft from a vehicle in the area surrounding PSU, according to the map.

However, the map indicates that PSU is a relatively safe place to park one’s vehicle. As one follows the

interactive map further north, it is clear that crime—and specifically auto-related crimes—drastically increases in frequency in the main downtown area. For example, the area surrounding Pioneer Place experienced anywhere from 39 to 1,000 auto thefts over the past year.

It is difficult to determine any one cause of the frequency of auto theft from the area surrounding PSU, in part because the majority of vehicles are secured and parked in PSU-monitored areas.

CPSO continued on page three

Vanguard 2 | News April 21, 2010

Sarah J. Christensen Editor-in-Chief Virginia Vickery News Editor Theodora Karatzas Arts & Culture Editor Richard D. Oxley Opinion Editor Robert Britt Sports Editor Bryan Morgan Production Manager Marni Cohen Photo Editor Zach Chastaine Online Editor Kristin Pugmire Copy Chief Kristin Pugmire Calendar Editor Jae Specht Advertising Manager William Prior Marketing Manager Judson Randall Adviser Ann Roman Advertising Adviser Illustrator Kira Meyrick Associate News Editor Corie Charnley Production Assistants Stephanie Case, Justin Flood, Shannon Vincent Post-production Assistant Adiana Lazarraga Contributors Stacy Austin, Will Blackford, Bianca Blankenship, Leah Bodenhamer, Meaghan Daniels, Sarah Engels, Sarah Esterman, Amy Fylan, Courtney Graham, Natalia Grozina, Patrick Guild, Joe Hannan, Rosemary Hanson, Steve Haske, Nadya Ighani, Carrie Johnston, Sara M. Kemple, Tamara K. Kennedy, Ebonee Lee, J. Logue, James MacKenzie, Natalie McClintock, Daniel Ostlund, Sharon Rhodes, Tanya Shiffer, Wendy Shortman, Robert Seitzinger, Catrice Stanley, Amy Staples, Nilesh Tendolkar, Robin Tinker, Vinh Tran, Andrea Vedder, Katherine Vetrano, Allison Whited, Roger Wightman Photographers Drew Martig, Michael Pascual, Liana Shewey, Adam Wickham Copy Editors Noah Emmet, Amanda Gordon Advertising Sales Sam Gressett, Iris Meyers, Ana SanRoman, Wesley Van Der Veen Advertising Designer Beth Hansen Distributor Cody Bakken The Vanguard is chartered to publish four days a week as an independent student newspaper by the PSU Publications Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers, and do not necessarily represent those of the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. One copy of the Vanguard is provided free of charge to all community members, additional copies or subcription issues may incur a 25 cent charge. The Vanguard is printed on 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper.

Copyright © 2010 Portland State University Vanguard 1825 SW Broadway, Smith Memorial Student Union, Rm. S-26, Portland, Ore., 97201

NEWS Ban welcomed by non-smokers, ignored by smokers

Smoke-free urban plaza

Catrice Stanley Vanguard staff

Portland State’s Urban Plaza is a smoke-free zone, though many can still be seen lighting up in the area.

Beginning in Jan. 2010, a smoking ban went into effect in Urban Plaza, coinciding with the opening of the new Academic & Student Recreation Center.

However, enforcement of this new ban is lacking. There is not any strict enforcement of the rule, and many students may not even know that this area is now smoke-free.

According to PSU’s smoking/ tobacco use policy, the smoke-free area includes “all open space” between the College of Urban and Public Affairs and the Academic and Student Recreation Center.

The brick area next to the PSU Bookstore technically went smoke-free over a year ago when PSU’s smoking policy was updated, but due to construction in the area the ban was pushed back.

The decision to make Urban Plaza smoke-free was also based on the intention to mirror Pioneer Square, the “living room of Portland,” which is also smoke-free.

The university policy was restructured after a campus-wide tobacco survey circulated in 2006 that gleaned insight from PSU students and faculty regarding smoking and tobacco use.

“We did a survey about the entire campus community, everyone got the survey in 2006 via Web, and we had over 2,000 people reply,” said Gwyn Ashcom, outreach coordinator for Student Health and Counseling.

Photo courtesy of Michael Pascual

Ban ignored: Though Urban Plaza is smoke-free, many ignore the ban, which is rarely enforced.

Ashcom was part of a committee that compiled an evaluation report that was a large factor in the policy changes. This evaluation contained the results of the tobacco survey, as well as input from a vast range of committee members from different disciplines and departments.

“The feedback that we were getting in regards to smoking on campus was that there was no outdoor area for folks that wanted to be in a non-smoking environment,” Ashcom said.

According to Ashcom, there were both smokers and non-smokers on the committee. Input from outside community resources, like the American Lung Association and the Native American Rehabilitation Association, was also taken into consideration.

“We also looked at all the other schools in Oregon, all the other

colleges and universities, [and with] every school we did a comparison to see what their policies were. [We] looked at about five urban sister schools to see what they were doing.

And then we looked at academic literature as far as what secondhand smoke is and all of that. And then we came up with, after all that gathering, a recommendation for policy change,” Ashcom said.

Those recommendations went into effect last March, and included changes that not many students have heeded.

“It’s pretty restrictive, and I don’t think a lot of folks know how restrictive it is,” Ashcom said.

Since the policy change, there have been additional “no smoking” signs on the sky bridges, the balconies, the patios between buildings and under awnings. Also, there is a restriction of smoking

within 25 feet of PSU buildings.

While this may seem excessive, Ashcom points out that these are pretty mild restrictions for a university. Because much of PSU is sitting on city-owned land, like the Park Blocks, it has little control over the smoking regulations outside of the buildings. Tobacco use in the Park Blocks and city streets is governed by city regulations.

“We really only have control between our buildings,” Ashcom said.

Since Urban Plaza is completely owned by PSU, it is one of the few places in which a smoking ban is possible.

“What we are asking is for people to be courteous and to self-police, basically,” Ashcom said. “Know where you are at and be respectful of others, on both sides of it. For smokers and non-smokers, we want respect from both sides.”

To read the current Smoking/ Tobacco Policy for Portland State University, please go to: http://www.pdx.edu/hr/policies_ contracts_forms#POL To read the Smoking/Tobacco Use Policy Evaluation Report, please go to: http://www.pdx.edu/sites/www. pdx.edu.healthycampus/files/ media_assets/SmokingPolicy_ Report.pdf

Beyond physical wellness Sustainable health magazine addresses variety of issues Tamara K. Kennedy Vanguard staff

Student Health 101 isn’t a class.

Instead, it is a paperless online health magazine for students that addresses more than just preventative health procedures.

Designed to encompass emotional, social, occupational and physical health, it is written by peer health educators and reviewed by a board that includes doctors and nurses.

Past editions have featured articles on dating health, body art safety, dealing with credit cards, beating stress during finals and a personal profile on social success, according to its website.

Although it is both a national and local publication, the first issue released at Portland State was in December 2009, according to Gwyn Ashcom, outreach coordinator for Student Health and Counseling.

“It’s encouraging, interactive, fun and informational—all rolled into one,” said Ashcom, who is excited about the interactive format, which includes informational videos.

In addition, PSU students can participate in real-time comments,

as well as see and hear what other students from across the nation are saying.

PSU contributes some of its articles, while others come from national sources, according to Ashcom.

Comments are definitely considered when creating the publication, Ashcom said.

“It is important that students like what they see,” she said.

At PSU, Student Health 101 is a joint venture between SHAC and Campus Recreation. While the work is divided jointly, Campus Rec supports about 70 percent of the costs, Ashcom said.

According to Alex Accetta, director of Campus Rec, the department wants to support students in more ways than just working out on a treadmill. Accetta wants to reach a broader student population by utilizing multimedia approaches like Student Health 101.

He said he hopes providing this service to students will help “students be inspired to make healthy choices,” and that they will utilize the Rec Center and SHAC services.

During the week of April 26, a national college health assessment survey will be conducted at PSU using a random sampling of students, Ashcom said. These surveys will be used to determine content for Student Health 101, as

will ideas from about 1,000 students nationwide.

One of the goals of Student Health 101 at PSU is to teach students all of the aspects of wellness, said Erin Orndorf, fitness and health coordinator for Campus Rec. In addition, the magazine encourages students to develop lifelong skills that will help them stay healthy outside of the classroom.

The possibility of using PSU students as eyes and ears to report to the Student Health 101 board, internships and PSU health educators has been discussed but is not yet a reality, Ashcom said.

To sign up for Student Health 101, visit www.pdx.edu/healthycampus/ student-health-101.

Contributing to Student Health 101 PSU students can submit event information or student organizations for use in Student Health 101 by video or written means. To submit, contact: Gwen Ashcom at gwyn@pdx.edu or Erin Orndorf at orndorf@pdx.edu

All photos courtesy of SHAC

Health 101: A free, online publication dedi-

cated to all aspects of student health.

CPSO |

from page one

CPSO relies on patrols and education; liability on students “Security in the parking garages and lots is facilitated through both Campus Public Safety and Transportation & Parking Services,” said Sarah Renkens, the manager of Transportation & Parking Services at PSU. While there is no closed-circuit system that monitors parking on campus, “CPSO officers patrol the parking facilities as they do buildings and other areas on campus,” Renkens said.

“Additionally, when our Parking Enforcement officers patrol the lots and garages they help to report any suspicious behavior or situations that they encounter.”

According to Renkens, the lack of automated security systems is due to the prohibitive cost of installation and maintenance, as well as monitoring the footage that would be recorded.

“In order to install a comprehensive camera system that would be useful for investigating vehicle break-ins, there would need to be hundreds of cameras in each facility to monitor each angle and get each parking space within view of the camera,” she said. “Another barrier to installing a camera system in the parking garages is the availability of staff to monitor them or tend to requests for video footage from the cameras. For these reasons we have focused efforts on patrols and education.”

In the event that theft still does occur at PSU, CPSO will generate a report of the incident.

Students are responsible for the costs of any damage done or property stolen. However,, if a student’s parking pass is stolen from campus property, the Transportation Parking Services office will supposedly replace it at no charge.

“The campus is located in an urban environment and unfortunately vehicle break-ins are often part of that environment,” Renkens said. “We do our best to patrol the facilities… but the best way to avoid a vehicle break-in is to remove anything valuable from your vehicle.”

As it stands, the consequences of auto theft or damage largely lie with the students who choose to park their vehicles on or near PSU property, and their choosing to do so makes the implicit commitment not to hold the university liable in any event.

For one PSU student, this hit close to home.

On March 4, senior Gabriela Dominguez parked her car in Parking Structure 1 so that she could attend her classes. Dominguez is a first generation student at PSU, on a scholarship, who has a young daughter in daycare.

According to Dominguez, her car was left in the parking structure from approximately 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

When she returned to the fourth floor, where the car was parked, she discovered that it was missing. “[It was the] only car my husband and I had to move around,” Dominguez said. “It was an old

car, but it worked for us. We had to work hard to pay insurance, gas and maintenance for it while both of us are at school trying to get an education.”

Dominguez said she called CPSO, where she was told that it did not handle cases pertaining to stolen vehicles. After calling back, the operator transferred her to the Portland Police. However, according to Dominguez, the number was out of service.

“I called [CPSO] again and…[the operator] didn’t answer,” she said.

Dominguez then called the Portland Police’s non-emergency line, and submitted information so that they could process a theft report and begin searching for her car, Dominguez said. She also called her insurance company, who offered her use of a rental car for a two-week period while she weighed her options.

In addition, Dominguez went to the TAPS office in an attempt to refund her lost parking permit.

“They told me I had to pay a fee for a parking permit replacement as long I could bring them the police report number, which I did,” Dominguez said. “I paid $300 for the permit and [TAPS] didn’t want to refund me for it. Maybe they will do something when a professor’s car gets stolen.

“I believe they should at least have one camera at each entrance and exit of each parking building,” she said.

According to Dominguez, when she spoke with a representative at the TAPS office she was told that at least nine cars had been stolen from campus in the last year.

“I never signed anything that stated that I was responsible for whatever happens to my car,” she said.

As of today, the Portland Police have not recovered Dominguez’s car. In addition, her insurance only provided her with a valuation of the stolen car with which to buy another.

Rodrigo Melgarejo/Portland State Vanguard

On patrol: CPSO tried to prevent car theft by patrolling because there are no cameras.

Vanguard News | 3 April 21, 2010

News Editor: Virginia Vickery 503-725-5690 news@dailyvanguard.com

Free screening of “Green Education” In commemoration of Earth Day, Portland State’s Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices will sponsor a screening of Sustainable Today TV’s “Green Education” episode.

The episode features interviews with PSU faculty and staff “dedicated to furthering sustainability at the university.”

The screening will be followed by a Q-and-A session with the host and producer of Sustainable Today, Cheri Stuller.

Special guests will include David Senten, Heather Spaulding and Noelle Studer Spevak.

The event will take place today from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in 298 Smith Memorial Student Union. It is free to the public.

For more information about Sustainable Today, visit www. sustainabletoday.org.

—sustainabletoday.org

ASPSU election station

Liana Shewey/Portland State Vanguard

Senate Pro Tempore Daniel Lyons is staffing a voting station located on the second floor of the Student Athletic & Recreation Center. It was set up to allow students a location to vote in the Associated Students of PSU student government elections.

However, every student can vote at any time by logging in to Banweb.

Voting continues until Thursday, April 22 at 5 p.m.

Election results will not be released until all campaign materials have been

removed from around campus, which must be done within 24 hours of the end of voting.

The positions for which students are running include ASPSU president/ vice president, Student Fee Committee chair, SFC members and Student Senate members.

Information about candidates is available at http://aspsu.pdx.edu/ upload/eboard/candidates.pdf

Vanguard 4 | Arts & Culture April 21, 2010

Arts Editor: Theodora Karatzas 503-725-5694 arts@dailyvanguard.com

What’s up with curry?

Southeastern Asian cultures have always mixed a number of spices to flavor their dishes. In India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, housewives, according to recipes handed down from generation to generation, often blend curries.

Contrary to common western belief, curries are not always “hot.”

They can be mild, medium and hot. To make a “hot” curry mild, all one must do is add coconut milk.

Essentially, the term “curry” was invented by the English administrators of the East Indian Trading Co. and later continued

by British government employees. In India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Maldives, practically all curries (there called garam masala) were mixed just before use.

Some of the spices are dry roasted, blended and ground, or pounded with a mortar and pestle.

ARTS & CULTURE NEW DRONI MITCHELL TAKES THE STAGE The band teams up with on-the-rise folksters St. Frankie Lee Scott Ostlund Vanguard staff

In a video called “Freak Out” on the band Droni Mitchell’s MySpace page, you will see abstract moving images with dense audio and unexplainable sensory overload.

This project put together by the local band is, in a way, a direct correlation to the group’s music.

All photos courtesy of Droni Mitchell

Though Droni Mitchell shows much musicality in each of their tracks, no song is expected and no two sounds are alike. With so many ways to mold an independent creation, Droni Mitchell wastes no time in finding out how to do it their way.

Tonight’s show with St. Frankie Lee may be a concert many indie music audience members have heard about or planned on attending, but what many music fans may be unaware of is the band who will share the stage with the quickly rising St. Frankie Lee. Droni Mitchell, the psychedelic alternative crew from Portland, started in December and has jumped on show tickets quickly in a way common with many successful Portland indie bands.

Having been called punk by some, psychedelic by others and experimental by many, Droni Mitchell is prone to comparisons in a critical effort to categorize an undefined style. On the blog Crappy Indie Music, musician and contributing writer Ben Meyercord

referred to Droni Mitchell as drug and punk rock.

“I will not argue that it doesn’t sound like drugs. Because it kinda does,” wrote Meyercord. “It also sounds like punk rock. Drugged out punk rock at times just blissed out in others, I would imagine it would be ‘a trip’ to see them play live.”

The four-person band has developed independent sounds and artistic creations in every facet of its productions with tracks such as “Crunk Floyd” showing the band’s instrumental prowess and diversity of sounds. Taking it a step further, they incorporate anything from a bagpipe to complex guitar riffs into their songs, weaving a rich tapestry of sound.

Droni Mitchell doesn’t allow itself to be pinned down by labels, which shows in its consistent use of heavy guitars, diverse synth sounds and an underground hip-hop style.

As many audience members will come to Goodfoot tonight looking forward to St. Frankie Lee and their less electronic sound, attendees will

be pleasantly surprised by the talented performances from both bands.

St. Frankie Lee has been a steady presence in the Portland indie scene for the last few years.

Their sound has folk tendencies but their depth will be proven as they perform at the Goodfoot.

St. Frankie Lee is looking towards a Doug Fir show on April 24 where they will be sharing the stage with local mainstays Blue Horns and Oh Captain My Captain.

Goodfoot Pub and Lounge is located in Southeast Portland and is known for hosting both great concerts and art shows which feature local artists.

Droni Mitchell Goodfoot 2845 SE Stark St. Tonight, 9 p.m.

21+

ART AND SOCIAL PRACTICE

In Western Europe and the U.K., curry powders contain more turmeric than anything else, and tend to be toned down for palates used to bland food.

Here is a curry recipe you might want to try: In a small skillet, toast spices separately as follows over medium-low heat, shaking pan, until slightly darkened and fragrant: coriander seeds, 5–6 minutes; white cassia barks, cloves and nutmeg 2–3 minutes; fennel, cumin and aniseeds 1–2 minutes; fenugreek seeds, 30 seconds; turmeric and cayenne, just until a shade darker, about 10 seconds.

In a clean coffee grinder, grind toasted spices (except turmeric and cayenne) and black and green cardamom to a fine powder. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Return coarse bits to grinder and grind until fine; add to bowl. Mix in turmeric and cayenne. Let cool completely. Make ahead and keep in an airtight container in cool, dark, dry place for up to a month.

Makes 1/2 cup.

All photos by Marni Cohen/PSU Vanguard, Polaroids courtesy of Laura Jones

—foodreference.com

Last Friday, Portland State’s Contemporary Design Projects class invaded campus to exhibit its projects. The group, made up of three class sections, proposed ideas earlier in the term for social practice-themed projects, eight of which were chosen to be performed.

The projects included “Robot Escort,” featuring a group of students dressed up as robots, and “Naptime.” The robots were

aimed at promoting safety and doing things with a buddy, while the napping area encouraged students to nap in places other than their classes.

The three class sections are led by professors Kate Bingman-Burt, Lis Charman and Frank Chimero. The goal, according to an e-mail from Bingman-Burt was to “make someone happy, make someone question, make someone think, make strangers interact and more.”

Vanguard Arts & Culture | 5 April 21, 2010

Post-420 tunes: Albums out yesterday that you may have missed

Earth Day Festival promises fun and education for all Wendy Shortman Vanguard staff

Whether you live a sustainable lifestyle now or not, the upcoming Portland State University Earth Day Festival will surely be a motivator to make some changes. Not only that, the whole week will give you a chance to see what PSU has to offer when it comes to preserving the earth, and what our school is actually doing to keep that practice alive.

The Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture and Learning and Environmental Club began their weeklong Earth Week celebration on Monday, and will continue to hold events throughout the week that encourage sustainability.

“There will be events like gardening, a bicycle ride, service projects at elementary schools, an open mic night sponsored by the Spiritual Life Center, and an eco-documentaries series Friday and Saturday at Fifth Avenue [Cinema],” said Lauriel Shuman, one of the main coordinators for the Earth Week events and the Earth Day festival on Thursday.

The week will end with a culminating festival of live music, art and food vendors, and sustainable projects and demonstrations.

“There’s been a few Earth Day fairs in the past,” Shuman said, “but they were usually just the Environmental Club, and now it’s student leadership groups too. So it was cool to have student group partnerships working on it.”

Shuman explained that one of the reasons they chose to hold the event specifically here at Portland State was to celebrate all the ways in which groups on campus and school initiatives are working towards sustainability.

“We thought about doing it in the community, but we decided on PSU because its goals and mission are around sustainability,” Shuman

The Apples in Stereo: Travellers in Time and Space (Yep Roc/Simian/ Elephant 6)

said. “They don’t do much that’s open and accessible to everyone at the school though, so we wanted to highlight what PSU has done over the course of this year.”

The Students for Leadership in Ecology, Culture and Learning and Environmental Club modeled the upcoming Earth Day Festival 2010 after the guide and principles of the 2012 London Olympics. They worked hard to meet their goals of creating an event with little impact on the environment. Those principles were: biodiversity, waste, social inclusion, climate change and healthy living.

“We wanted to address these components and educate around them,” Shuman said. “We also wanted to bring as many people together as we can. We don’t want just the kids that like the environment already, but also the people that don’t think of it as their thing.”

Shuman is excited to see the festival come together tomorrow.

With countless art vendors, the musical guests and about 30 nonprofit organizations coming to set up tables, the event should be beneficial for both students, student groups and the community.

“I’m hoping they’ll get to network and see what each other are doing,” Shuman said.

Although it has been a challenge for Shuman to be one of the head coordinators of such a big event, she says she has learned a lot about how to navigate the bureaucracy of PSU and that has helped her gain confidence in her ability to lead.

“It’s been really empowering to see it work,” Shuman said. “Even though it has been hard, I think we all worked hard. Everyone has been really excited to be involved, and we just can’t wait to see it happen. And to sleep again.”

Baby Dee: Book of Songs for Anne Marie (Drag City) Bruner: Songs for a Friend (Numero Group) Caribou: Swim (Merge/City Slang) Cornershop: Judy Sucks a Lemon for Breakfast (Ample Play) (U.S. release) Cypress Hill: Rise Up (Priority/EMI) The Delta Mirror: Machines That Listen (Lefse) Streethawk: A Seduction (Merge) (reissue) Devin the Dude: Suite #420 (E1) Doves: The Places Between: The Best of Doves (Astralwerks/ Heavenly) Horse Feathers: Thistled Spring (Kill Rock Stars) Inlets: Inter Arbiter (Two Syllable) Kurupt: Streetlights (Penagon Entertainment) Little Brother: LeftBack (Hall of Justus) Medications: Completely Removed (Dischord) Kate Nash: My Best Friend Is You (Fiction/Geffen)

PSU Earth Day Festival 2010

Willie Nelson: Country Music (Rounder)

PSU Park Blocks Thu, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Free

Ninjasonik: Art School Girls (Green Owl) All photos by Marni Cohen/PSU Vanguard

THE DAILY VANGUARD

Hiring for the following positions:

Online Editor

Features Editor

News Editor

Copy Chief/Calendar Editor

Arts & Culture Editor

Distribution manager

Opinion Editor

Production manager

Sports Editor

Advertising Manager

Photo Editor

Ozomatli: Fire Away (Mercer Street/ Downtown) Plants and Animals: La La Land (Secret City) The Radio Dept.: Clinging to a Scheme (Labrador) Roky Erickson With Okkervil River: True Love Cast Out All Evil (Anti-) (U.S. release) Solvent: Loss For Words (Ghostly International) Trans Am: Thing (Thrill Jockey)

Submit formal applications in hard copy form to the Vanguard office by 12:00 PM Wednesday May 5, 2010.

Rufus Wainwright: All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu (Decca) (U.S. release) Wye Oak: My Neighor/My Creator (Merge) (digital release) —pitchfork.com

Vanguard 6 | Opinion April 21, 2010

OPINION

Opinion Editor: Richard D. Oxley 503-725-5692 opinion@dailyvanguard.com

What Do You

?

Think

It is not uncommon for taxes to be issued on unhealthy or undesirable behaviors or purchases.

But should the government tax bad choices? Should the government tax unhealthy behaviors?

There certainly is an argument that unhealthy behaviors could be taxed in order to help curb them and to pay for the inevitable public costs of those behaviors.

But there is another argument to be made for public officials and laws serving more as nannies than a government.

No one can really dispute that cigarettes and sodas are unhealthy, but are they really a choice when they can be addictive?

Would we be making a bad situation worse by taxing negative behaviors when those behaviors are not willingly engaged in?

What do you think?

Write us a letter at opinion@ dailyvanguard.com.

Or to make things even easier on you, use the Letter to the Editor option on our website at dailyvanguard.com

Washington state’s smart move to tax unhealthy products Natalia Grozina Vanguard staff

Do you know where it just got a lot more expensive to buy bottled water, beer, soda, candy and cigarettes? The home of our neighbors just over the river— Washington state.

On April 13, Washington’s lawmakers signed off on a set of taxes, one of which will raise the cost of cigarettes by $1. This was due to the state trying to close a $2.8 billion deficit.

Of course many are outraged because cigarettes are already expensive. A pack of Marlboro’s just went up from about $5 to $6. So why is this a good thing?

Increasing the price of cigarettes will reduce health risks by drawing people away from spending so much money on cigarettes. There is evidence from University of Wyoming’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Evaluation program that shows that higher cigarette costs drive down consumption. They also found similar results with alcohol. This may be why all the tobacco companies are against this price increase.

Aside from cigarettes, increasing the price of water will reduce the amount of bottled water people will buy and ultimately it will be a huge benefit to the planet because of everything that happens to plastic bottles after they are recycled.

Besides, if you think about it, it is not the end of the world if people have to buy a filter and drink tap water.

Living in Portland, we are lucky that our tap water does not even have to be filtered. It is not like you have to walk five miles to get a week’s supply of water like some less fortunate people in the world have to do.

For those who complain about not being able to drink bottled water because they think it tastes better or is better for you, you should know that in 2007 the city of Cleveland

Rant Rage The

and

By Dick Richards

The kids aren’t all right I won’t beat around the bush here. Parents of the world, get your brats under control. I know kids can be a handful, but damn it, get some common sense and realize that your little runt running around a restaurant, screaming its head off, is not OK. This also includes making noise in a theater, being left to run aimlessly around the mall, or just being left unattended in general so they can impose upon the rest of our lives.

I used to think I hated kids.

I was wrong. Kids can be great.

Who I actually hate is all you sad excuses for parents. It’s been said before, but we really should require a license for parenting. We do for drivers and I firmly believe that bad parents cause far more social ills than bad drivers.

The good tax proved that its water was actually healthier than Fiji bottled water. After Fiji water declared their bottled water brand was better than Cleveland’s tap water, the city ran a series of tests and not only determined their water to be just fine, but also found that the Fiji water contained 6.0 ppm (parts per million) of arsenic. The controversy proved that bottled water is no better or tastier than regular tap water.

The same thing can be seen with soda, an addictive and highly unhealthy beverage. Not only does it contain caffeine and up to ten

teaspoons of sugar per can, but it also contains phosphoric acid. Ten teaspoons of sugar per can may not shock you, but that does not include the extra cans of soda you drink with dinner, and all the sugar that comes in processed food already. Why shouldn’t we increase the prices to benefit everyone from getting health problems in the future?

And if you want to pull the “it is an individual choice” card then you should know that addiction is an attachment and dependency on some thing or

some place. Therefore, addiction does not necessarily mean “a choice.” That is only a general explanation but the risks of being addicted to something are so vital to consider when we are talking about increasing prices for the benefits of others.

Ultimately, although Washington had to increase prices of products to close an unfortunate $2.8 billion deficit, at least they chose the right things to tax.

Illustration by Kira Meyrick/Portland State Vanguard

When I was a kid and I caused a scene in the midst of a public place, I was promptly removed and scolded. In our modern world, I doubt this would happen. Instead, that little shit offspring of yours is more likely to be allowed to run amuck with no consequences.

Let’s get another thing straight here—“scolded” can certainly mean spanked. Spanking is not bad. Beating your kid is bad.

Spanking is an educational tool

of my head, called the “oh shit” switch, that causes an unpleasant sensation when ill-mannered notions enter my mind. I got that from being spanked as a child.

In fact, when I am trying to enjoy an evening out despite some little screaming head, I turn to the parent and say, “You know, go ahead. It’s OK to spank that kid.

Fear not public scrutiny, I give you permission and will fend off any bastards who argue otherwise.”

Some of you out there might be thinking. “Well Mr. Richards, you probably don’t have children so you just don’t understand.” And you would be correct. I don’t have any kids—or at least any I am aware of. Just because I don’t have any kids doesn’t mean I can’t try to sympathize or exercise common sense.

Common sense such as knowing that when you have a kid, say goodbye to your life as you know it. It is all about raising that kid

Spanking is an educational tool that instills your little one with a sense of “oh shit” that instills your little one with a sense of “oh shit” when they run out into a busy street, play with fire, get into the liquor cabinet or any other incident that can harm them or others (annoying the public counts as harming others). In other words, a kid figures there will be consequences for their actions.

I could go out and rob someone, treat people with disrespect, or I could run across a busy street.

I could behave in any number of distasteful and dangerous ways.

But I don’t. You know why? Because there is a little switch in the back

Even though most of the time the parent who is clearly displaying their inadequacy just screams back, “Don’t tell me how to raise my child!” which is miserably funny when you think about it. I hear folks say that there isn’t a class or instruction booklet for being a parent. But when others try to give advice, or a little help, parents get defensive and insist that everyone shouldn’t tell them how to be a parent. There are instructions out there—they are provided by the rest of us telling you what’s up, if not just glaring at you while you’re making a mistake.

now, which means strapping them in front of a TV doesn’t substitute for your presence. Or that handing out rewards to a brat in order to bribe them to behave is beyond stupid. Bad behavior means a bad response. Good behavior means a good response. My experience as a dog owner would make me more qualified as a parent than you, if not for my desire to kennel train children.

Be aware, miscreant parents.

Dick Richards is out there and I am calling on the rest of us around you to break our silence.

etc.

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Sustainability Bike Tour 2 p.m.

Meet in front of Millar library A fun bike tour of sustainability features of Portland

Thursday Transfeminist Insights on Trauma and Community 10:30 a.m.

SMSU Multicultural Center The featured presentation is part of a lecture series on Sex, Gender and Queer Identity.

Presented by Diana Courvant and hosted by the department of Women’s Studies Lecture: “Gawking, Gaping, Staring: Living in Marked Bodies” 7 p.m.

SMSU, room 236 A free lecture by Eli Clare as part of the Disability Pride Art and Culture Festival.

Sponsored by the Queer Resource Center.

For a complete listing of events, visit www.dacphome.org

The Vanguard Rolling back prices to nothing!

Friday

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Beatrice Morrow Cannady, Oregon civil rights activist 1:30 p.m.

SMSU, room 338 Author Kimberley Mangun will present the story of A Force for Change, a biography detailing the life and work of one of Oregon’s most dynamic civil rights activists, Beatrice Morrow Cannady “A Call Home: Rediscovering ourselves through restoration of community and place,” and “Community Wisdomology and Institutional Listening: A model for social sustainability” 1 p.m.

Student Rec Center, room 660 These presentations are part of the Social Sustainability Colloquium, presented

by Dave Hall of PSU Psychology and Aimee Samara Krouskop of Global Insight Arts To place an event: Contact vgcalendar@ gmail.com or pick up a calendar request form at the Vanguard advertising office, SMSU, room 115.

Vanguard 8 | Arts & Culture April 21, 2010

ART WEDNESDAY

Arts Editor: Theodora Karatzas 503-725-5694 arts@dailyvanguard.com

This week at the 5th Ave. Cinema

FOUR TRACK MAGIC

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus dir. Terry Gilliam, 123 min.

“Years ago Doctor Parnassus made a deal with the Devil, giving his daughter Valentina to the Devil in return for regaining his mortality. As the time comes near for Valentina to be taken away, however, Doctor Parnassus draws a new deal with the Devil in hopes of saving his daughter.

To win back Valentina, Valentina’s suitor Tony competes against the Devil in a series of bizarre and whimsical competitions in spectacular world of Doctor Parnassus’ imaginarium.

As the Devil and Tony enter the imaginarium Tony proves to be more tricky and cunning than the Devil or Doctor Parnassus thought.”

April 23–24 at 7 and 9:30 p.m., April 25 at 3 p.m.

Fifth Avenue Cinema, 510 SW Hall Free for PSU students. $2 all other students and seniors. $3 general admission. Admission includes free popcorn for all.

—5thavenuecinema.org

Grab a drink and meditate on some Wishyunu tonight Leah Bodenhamer Vanguard staff

Once upon a time, there lived a wandering musician, the quiet type who found the corporate world uninteresting and even paradoxical.

Having given up hope on all other musicians and most other people, Tony Bertaccini found camaraderie in his four-track recorder and nomadic lifestyle.

In another land, far, far away, there lived a young woman by the name of Bei Yan. Daughter and only child of two government workers, she dreamt away her days teetering her fingers back and forth on her piano.

One fateful day, Bertaccini was beckoned to the Blueridge Mountains in Virginia­where his friend was hosting and recording a five-piece alternative rock band from China. Carrying his aimlessness like bricks heavy on his shoulders, he quickly met the eyes of the young keyboardist, who was also shackled by her own unpromising conditions. Under the

leadership of an autocratic band mate, Yan found the dynamics and underlying problems in her current band a bit tragic. In the meeting of such foreign and captivating eyes, a great love was born, strong enough to overcome conniving immigration laws, homicidal cities and shady employment opportunities.

Years passed before the couple realized that they should unite forces, both through marriage and through music. The result of such a union came like a newborn babe, kicking and gooey, but too intriguingly smooth to cast aside.

They named it Wishyunu.

Like so many great musicians, Tony and Bei find momentary collisions of musical cohesion the most impressive and most rewarding. In those moments where the musicians understand each other’s ebb and flow intuitively is where Wishyunu truly prides itself.

Tony regretfully notes how neither live shows nor studio recordings can ever capture those fleeting jams.

“It’s like a soccer game, you know?” Bertacinni said, “There’s rules you have to follow—like dribbling and passing…but in the end, the ball can go off anywhere.”

To salvage these moments, they set up to record a whole month’s worth of free jams, in order to

condense and cut out the best, and compiled a cassette tape curiously doodled with Bertaccini’s artwork.

This tape contains probably the most impressive Wishyunu sound where one can hear, literally, the communication of a definite mood or spirit between the two.

Their most recent release, Age of Revealing, came out two years ago and contains hits like “Against the Grain” and “Humming Box,” the former perfectly exhibiting the delicate voice of Yan above ethereal synth melodies and gentle rhythms.

“Humming Box” is like an ambient soundtrack to some tragically beautiful slow-motion scene from the ’80s. When asked about the lyrics “the humming box that never stops, turn it on and turn yourself off,” Yan admitted that they were indeed about the modern abuses of television. After the lyrical break, there is a beautifully emotional piano solo that seems to speak louder than the words.

“We’re trying to make music that drives or compels people to stop their regular day-to-day thinking— to stop people from thinking about that constant chatter all the time,” Bertacinni said. “Sadly, it’s not always that way, but when it is and we’re high on that moment, great things can happen.” ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Wishyunu: Bei Yan and Tony Bertaccini make up this heavenly musical duo, cranking out dreamy, keyboard-laden indie pop.

Now living in the other half of the Wail, an artsy music hall in northeast Portland, Wishyunu is working on an EP to be released hopefully sometime this summer.

Leaving their apartment door open to the frequent Wail visitors and musicians, Bertacinni and Yan are trucking along, keeping the creation and promotion of music their number one priority.

Wishyunu Berbati’s Pan Restaurant 10 SW 3rd Avenue Tonight, 9 p.m.

Free, 21+

All photos courtesy of Wishyunu