Opinion:SixPSU-Inspired HalloweenCostumes
A&C:Cruises,BarCrawlsandmore: HalloweenEventsNearCampus
South Waterfront residents sound off on what it’s like living near the
ICE facility
Respond to Advising Accessibility as PSU Faces Faculty Cuts
Printing System Launches on the Park Blocks
Adyan
ADVISING
COORDINATOR
Reaz Mahmood
SALP
Maria Dominguez
STUDENT
Rae Fickle
STUDENT
Kaylee Hynes
WEB DESIGNER
Owen Cook
Haley Hsu
DESIGN CONTRIBUTORS
Karli Schwartz
Arielle Chhunkeo
To
MISSION STATEMENT
PSU Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market.
ABOUT Vanguard, established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us online at psuvanguard.com.
Monday, October 27, 2025 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2025 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
As protests outside the ICE facility continue, and federal troops presence ramps up, those living near the area have had enough
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility sits at South Macadam Avenue, over in the South Waterfront neighbourhood of Portland. Police and protester presence in front of the facility has increased since early June 2025, with a significant jump occurring after President Donald Trump threatened to send the National Guard to quell protesters. Both groups can be found in varying numbers outside the facility day and night.
But that’s not the only building operating in that area. There are multiple businesses—and residential areas—in its direct vicinity. And some of the area’s residents have been feeling the effects of the activity.
There have been both peaceful and violent displays on both sides of the protests. However, the City of Portland has increasingly spoken out about multiple violent and unnecessary displays of aggression on the part of federal troops stationed at the facility. In a press release published on Oct. 8, the City’s press office recalled a conversation between Portland mayor Keith Wilson and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in which Wilson urged Noem to force federal troops to stop using force against peaceful protestors. He also asked that the agents identify themselves, and use body cameras.
“Over the past week federal agents have escalated their response to protests, increasingly using tear gas and force against protesters – the majority of whom are peaceful,” the statement read.
Tear gas used at the facility has wafted as far as the Tilikum Bridge, a mile away from the facility. That’s what was happening
when Teresa Metcalf’s immunocompromised husband, David Metcalf, was walking home one day.
“He was walking back from the east side to come home across the Tilikum… so he was getting it in his eyes,” said Teresa Metcalf. “And he has compromised lungs, so that was his biggest thingnot the eyes, but what was it going to do to his lungs.”
Teresa Metcalf is a senior auditor at Portland State University. She and her husband have lived in the South Waterfront area for over four years, and their apartment is around three blocks away from the ICE facility. Her husband could not be reached for comment.
Aside from the incident with the tear gas, Teresa Metcalf says that the biggest disturbance for her has been the helicopters. Reports of helicopters circling the facility have grown over the past few weeks, resulting in noise complaints from other South Waterfront residents.
“Theyre quite loud, and they can be at any time of day or night… They keep an eye on things, mostly during the evening hours, and sometimes starting at 11 o’ clock we’ll hear them when we’re trying to go to bed. They’re noisy and they’re prevalent,” said Teresa Metcalf.
Living by the ICE facility has also affected Teresa Metcalf and her husband’s commute, with the pair going out of their way to not get caught in the middle of police and protesters.
“We avoid turning on the street we normally turn on, because it goes right past ICE on Bancroft… We totally drive right on by and take a different street to get into this area,” said Teresa Metcalf.
Two blocks closer to the ICE facility, artist and graduate student Indi Foerster speaks of a more violent scene. Their apart-
ment window has a partial view of the ICE facility, but it’s not enough to cover what’s happening outside.
“I’ve seen it go from a couple [ICE] agents maybe throwing some tear gas out if people got too close, to absolute mayhemdozens of masked agents coming out in droves to brutally beat and attack people peacefully standing on the sidewalk,” wrote Foerster in a statement.
Similar to Teresa Metcalf’s husband, Foerster has also had runins with tear gas. While they haven’t been affected personally, there was so much tear gas in their area that their apartment complex had to send an email to tenants encouraging them to close their windows at night.
“I’ve seen them light off so much tear gas it encircles the building. Some nights I can’t even see out my window it’s so much,” wrote Foerster in a statement.
And it’s not only Foerster and their husband who have felt the emotional effects of living by the facility.
“My dog doesn’t even want to go out at night anymore,” wrote Foerster in a statement. “Whatever ICE is shooting off is so loud it echoes throughout the neighborhood. The minute it gets dark or he starts to hear sounds outside he’ll cower in his crate and start shaking. Anxiety meds barely even work for him.”
There is no telling when the protests and police presence will end outside of the ICE facility, as conversations, and threats, from the Trump administration regarding Portland continue. Until then, Teresa Metcalf, Foerster and other South Waterfront residents will have to adjust to a new, sometimes frightening, normal in their neighborhood.
SAGE LAMOTT
Portland State University (PSU) serves an enrollment population of approximately 20,000 students. Each of these students are ingrained within the larger institution of PSU in their own unique ways, pursuing various degree pathways and course offerings. When navigating their academic journeys, most students rely on utilizing the Degree Auditing Report System (DARS).
Academic advising at PSU has a history of being mired in quality concerns. With faculty cuts and continued budget deficits, students are maneuvering through a university constrained by resources.
In spite of this, Vice Provost of Academic Advising Randi Harris feels optimistic about the future of advising.
“I would say, I think operations are going well and smoothly, and our advisors are working really hard to support students and try to meet the needs and the holistic sort of nature of students, of where they're at right now,” said Harris.
According to Harris, the advising structure is designed to give students flexibility but with an uncertain staffing future, operations could become more difficult to manage.
“We could always use more staffing, and you'll hear that everywhere,” said Harris.
In response to student feedback, Harris said the office has made efforts to expand availability.
“We've worked really hard to ensure that we're increasing our availability, ways in which students can access advising, enhancing our drop in hours, to make sure that if there's time sensitive
questions, you can come in any day and get those answered,” said Petrauskas Harris. “And so I would say most of the feedback we hear about is availability.”
Arts Practice major Ava Nakasone described the system as inconsistent.
“I think that most people just take what they can get,” Nakasone said.
“Generally advising is not very accessible, or there's a lot of hoops that you have to jump through to get an appointment,” Nakasone said. “You have to use their appointment site, and then you can only have this zoom period to meet with them.”
The advising office offers drop in appointments for students, with no guarantee that students can meet with an advisor within their specific pathway.
“The only time I’ve met with my pathway specific or major specific advisor was outside of the advising appointment framework,” Nakasone said.
Student collaboration with an advisor is only required for the first two terms at PSU, with encouragement from the office to return in following terms. Nakasone adds that most students rarely meet with advising after that.
“You’re only required to meet with a faculty advisor once at the beginning of your first term. You don’t really hear of too many people meeting with them past then. I have never met with a pathway advisor in a formal setting, not for a lack of trying,” Nakasone said.
Geneva Wright, a student majoring in Bachelor’s of Science in English, has struggled to navigate advising through pathway changes.
“My experience has been pretty unique,” Wright said. “I started as a biology major, and I did my freshman year as that and got little to no help from advising, it was only through talking to other biology majors that I realized that I was not on the right path to actually getting a bio degree.”
PSU requires students to declare a major after 90 credits worth of coursework, a sharp contrast to institutions such as the University of Oregon which requires students to declare by their sixth term.
Certain pathways at PSU, such as the Biology track, require students to be enrolled in an overwhelming amount of prerequisites, according to Wright.
Wright emphasized the value they’ve found in navigating course selection with resources outside of the advising office.
“I hate to say it, [but] the most successful advising and help that I've gotten is from my peers or my professor,” said Wright.
Harris acknowledged that access to advising is crucial and that the department is taking further steps to remedy the process.
“I do think it's an area we could grow, and I'm really excited. We're partnering with [the Associated Students of Portland State University] to try to help gain more knowledge about what we do in advising and how to access advising, and making sure that people know that advisors are here to help,” said Harris.
and white pages per academic year, a change from the previous allotment of 500 pages per term.
According to Jerrod Thomas, the Senior Director of the Academic and Technology Services Unit at OIT, the entire process of implementing the new printing system took approximately two and a half years. One aspect of the process was garnering campus feedback from various pockets of the community.
“So we first went to academic leadership … [we] asked them for their input [and] got a bunch of good questions and feedback from them,” Thomas said. “We went to ASPSU [Associated Students of Portland State University] … and we brought them a presentation and a survey because we wanted to get their input on some of the ways in which we would look at the cost modeling and allowance systems.”
One of the main goals of the project was to provide more printers around campus and make personal printing at PSU more accessible. According to Thomas, the old printing system was in use for approximately 15 years, and he foresees this system lasting at least a decade.
The Wēpa system introduces mobile access to users through the Wēpa application. This also enables students to directly connect cloud storage accounts and their Google Drive to their PSU Google accounts, according to the May 14 press release.
“Downloading an app is a step that some folks don't want to do, [but] that’s the easiest way to login because it adds a tap to login functionality,” Thomas said. “I’d say that it’s just really that first time you use it that has been a barrier … So this year, because we knew this was launching, we added a new function to surge support where we stationed full time staff at the busiest printers.”
One of the most notable upgrades to the system is the amount of printers physically installed on campus.
“With the last system we were at four printers in three physical locations,” Thomas said. “We now have 11 printers in eight locations … and if you get the app, there’s a little map [that will] geolocate you to the nearest printer as well.”
According to Thomas, PSU housing agreed to collaborate with OIT in the launch of the new system. Printers are now found at three housing complexes on campus: Epler, Broadway and Ondine.
Although the system provides more access to printing, Tianna Donham, a Graphic Design Student, found difficulty with the new printing system’s reduced credits.
“I used those free credits pretty often because you have to do so much printing, especially when you’re working with posters or booklets,” Donham said. “Having the option to have those free print credits saved me a lot of money, and now that it’s cut back pretty significantly, it’s gonna affect how often I can print.”
The funding model surrounding the Wēpa system is a compromise between a “pay as you go” model with subsidies available and a “general allowance” model that the old system functioned with.
“There was honestly a pretty even split in that some folks really love the full subsidy model [and] try to focus any resources we have on need. And some folks [wanted] to make sure that everybody has access and that it's fair,” Thomas said. “It landed roughly in the middle.”
Due to the change from a term by term model to an annual allowance, Donham noted that the 200 page limit was adding to personal printing costs throughout the year.
“In terms of limiting my ability to print it just costs a lot of money over time if you already use the 200 credits within the first term,” Donham said.“If I have a class where I have to print a booklet, that just uses up so much paper.”
With the community acclimating to the new printing reality on campus, help is available from OIT staff and Wēpa in navigating any obstacles that may arise.
Surge support staff, along with help desk attendants, are available to help students with getting logged in and set up on the app, along with any other challenges users may face. Users can also contact the support email for help at wepa-help-group@ pdx.edu
Screams, treats and Halloween spirit are being offered by ScareGrounds PDX at Oaks Amusement Park this October. Within four weeks, a segment of Oaks Park is transformed into a place of winding haunted houses and various Halloween themed food and merchandise vendors. According to Lilith Erion, the timeline of preparing for ScareGrounds PDX extends well beyond the four weeks it takes to physically build the space.
“We do tend to work on [ScareGrounds PDX] on and off throughout the year,” Erion said. “Usually by July is when we would like to get everything [starting] traction, moving and rolling with vendors … and we do casting auditions in August.”
There is particular emphasis placed on casting the right actors for the scare roles within the process. Actors dressed from scary clowns to prison wardens to Beetlejuice can be found roaming the grounds interacting with visitors.
“We’re not like other haunts … [we make] sure that we have some of the best cast, the best performances [and] we have some of the best scares, sets, decor [and] facades,” Erion said. “[We] also have a food aspect, we have escape rooms [and] we have a vendor market. So it’s like kind of the next step from other haunts in the area.”
Walking around the grounds, visitors of all ages could be seen enjoying the frights of the evening. Some people decided to dress in costumes while others bundled up in the October cold.
“We’re a very family friendly attraction,” said Taylor Leggett, one of the costumed ScareGrounds PDX actors. “We scare for all ages. We have a lot of fun doing it. We love meeting people and just having a good time with everybody.”
Trevor Overton has been with ScareGrounds PDX for 11 years. Between him and an assistant, the majority of the costumes seen within the haunts are created by hand or augmented store bought masks.
“It’s not rocket science what we do here,” said Overton. “A lot of the time it’s add a little slime, add a little bit of blood, and a lot of safety pins and hot glue.”
Along with designing costumes, Overton walks the grounds as the titular character Beetlejuice from the 1988 Tim Burton film “Beetlejuice.”
“If you are on the fence about going to the haunted house, it doesn’t cost you anything to go to our midway and enjoy all of the cool rides and Halloween atmosphere that you have there,” said Overton.
PSU Vanguard was provided with complimentary tickets to experience the ScareGrounds PDX event firsthand. Olivia Young, Vanguard’s Managing Editor, found the event to be a great balance of spookiness and fun.
ScareGrounds PDX was a really enjoyable and spooky attraction that got me into the Halloween spirit. The haunted houses were definitely a highlight, with the last one we went through, Silver Scream, being the scariest of them all. There were times in the haunted houses where I felt super disoriented, with the flashing lights, draping fabrics and scare actors who would pop out without warning. Those instances were super scary, and affected me more than walking through a faux butcher shop. Aside from the scares, the preparation that went into the houses
was really interesting to see. The sets were intricate with tons of details, and the rooms really felt like you were walking through a spooky castle or arena. Also, seeing the different scare actor’s makeup looks was really cool to see. I found myself walking through a room and going “I really like your makeup!” or “This is a really cool room! I like the decor, the bloody crown was a nice touch!” Outside of the haunted attractions, the scare actors walking around added a fun anxiety to the entire experience. And, they were also very nice people! Getting to talk to the actors about why they work at Scaregrounds PDX, and the work that goes into putting this attraction on, was very eye opening. It takes a little bit of the scariness out of them popping up behind you, when you see them a few minutes later talking about their high school drama classes and the homework they still have to get done. Nonetheless, all the scare actors we talked to were very spooky, very fun and brought a really cool element to the night. After you converse with the scare actors and scream your head off at the haunted houses, you can cool off by checking out the different Halloween vendors around the attraction. And if you’re hungry, you can finish the night at one of their food carts. They had dirty sodas, which made my former Utahn heart very happy. Overall, I would absolutely recommend Scaregrounds PDX if you’re looking for a scary activity this Halloween season. Tell them the Vanguard sent you!
The thrill of Halloween in Portland is only heightened by its grey clouds, rainy nights and autumnal splendor. Well, lest we forget ScareGrounds PDX coming to town for the month of October. I would recommend gathering a crew of your most courageous friends and experiencing the event at night. The decorations, sounds and atmosphere of the entire park transforms into an otherworldly mishmash of Halloween characters and regular Portlanders roaming about Oaks Park.
You’ll know you’ve entered the event when you’re greeted by the looming skeleton at its entrance. I was able to attend three of the haunted houses, and I am happy to say that although I did not scream, much to the chagrin of Vanguard’s Social Media Editor Liam Schmitt, I did enjoy every second of the haunts. Traversing the Silver Scream haunt was a particular highlight for me. How could you not enjoy being chased by Ghost Face through cobwebs and strobe lights?
Once out of each haunt, you are spit out into an alley that leads into the vendor market. Merchandise highlights for me included some old horror VHS tapes and an idiosyncratically placed “London Calling” poster next to a “Jaws” film poster. The entire spirit of the event was fun, innocent and quintessentially Halloween. The actors weaving through the haunts and grounds added to the charm of it all. Yes, the fall foliage in Portland accentuates autumn, but interacting with the actors gave me early access to the Halloween ambiance that is the peak of October. The staff, actors and employees at ScareGrounds PDX succeed at giving Portlanders an experience that balances the proper amount of fright and fun.
ScareGrounds PDX tickets can be purchased on their website at scaregroundspdx.com through Nov. 1.
André Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) demonstrate that ballet and boring should not coexist within the same sentence. Previn’s prolific career as a pianist, composer and conductor would be a gift to any world in which ears exist. With accolades spanning from multiple Academy Awards and Grammy Awards, I find the work I most often revisit is his 1976 recordings of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.”
“Swan Lake” is a ballet surrounding the love between Prince Siegfried and the Princess Odette, who has been cursed by an evil sorcerer to take the form of a swan by day. Living up to its romantic reputation, the only way to break this curse is a vow of fidelity by one’s true love. Sound Disneyesque? Think again, because this is traditionally considered a tragic ballet.
Previn’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s emotionally rich and musically lavish composition brings to surface the most universal human emotions: love, loss and wonder. From the introduction of the score, the oboe’s solo plunges you into an otherworldly state of being. Strings begin to swell, pluck and carry your ears from the slow pace of the first notes to the crashing clamor of instrumentation that culminates in the motif of those premier sounds from the oboe.
Although the 2 hour and 36 minute runtime of the score may seem daunting, each song flows seamlessly into the next, ultimately forcing you to dive into the lake Previn and the LSO have been carefully and painstakingly preparing for you.
Personal highlights from the score include “No. 5, Pas de deux - Coda,” a whirling song that embodies the party energy of Act I, while “No. 13, Danses des cygnes - Allegro moderato,” accompanies four dancers performing in sync with timid playfulness and expert precision. The final song, “No. 29, Adante,” resolves the ballet with a spiritual and musical rapture that one must simply give oneself up to.
This is an experience that is best both seen and heard, but in lieu of a live performance, Previn and the LSO provide the listener a musical odyssey upon the elegant yet tragic waters of “Swan Lake.”
Whether you’re looking for a PSU club movie night, or a party down the street from campus, Portland (and the Vanguard) have you covered to make your Halloweekends one to remember.
Do you and your friends have a meticulously planned group costume, but nowhere to show it off? Or do you and your partner want to connect with others who will understand your niche couples costume? Or, are you riding solo, and want to spend your time in a fun, fall themed atmosphere during the last days of October? No matter your situation, Portland has a variety of Halloween events going on over the next two weeks, whether you’re looking for a bar crawl or something more family friendly. Don’t have too much fun, Vikings!
TAU SIGMA NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY
HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT
Date: Oct. 24 / Price: Free / On campus
Looking to connect with an on campus club for Halloween? Head over to Tau Sigma National Honors Society’s Halloween Movie Night! The club will be showing “A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night," a 2014 film about a skateboarding vampire in an Iranian ghost town. You do not have to be a member of Tau Sigma to enjoy this spooky movie night. Popcorn will be provided, and costumes are encouraged. If you plan to attend this event, please RSVP by signing up through the Connect platform.
HALLOWEEN DRAG BRUNCH
Date. Oct. 25 / Price: $15.71 / Nine minutes from campus
Come watch Portland based drag queens Angelique Devil, Harlow Quinzel and Jayla Rose perform at Freeland Spirit’s Halloween drag brunch on Oct. 25. Enjoy seasonal beverages and watch the queens dance for their lives, all while enjoying a delicious brunch. The venue is also partnering with Sara’s Tamales, overall making this a great event to support local talent. Costumes are encouraged, with all costume wearers receiving an exclusive treat from the bar during their stay.
Dates: Oct. 26 & 29 / Price: $29.95 per person / Five minutes from campus
Island Style Charters is offering a family-friendly spooky cruise, giving all passengers Halloween fun while checking out beautiful sights along the Willamette River. This activity is for anyone who wants to soak up the sights around town, while also engaging in some Halloween fun. The one hour cruise will feature Halloween games and activities, photo opportunities, spooky decorations, and more. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. For more information, visit the Island Style Charters website under the “Day Cruise” tab and “Family Fun Boat Tour” subsection.
Date: Oct. 31 / Price: $12 / Eight minutes from campus
Kickstart Comedy has two options for comedy shows to attend on Halloween. The first, titled “Brain Rot: Hallow-Meme Show” is described on their website as a “hilarious, fast paced, playfully overstimulating, tiktok-inspired improv show,” encompassing the best (and worst) that internet brain rot has to offer. The second, “Mosh Pit - Heavy Metal Halloween” is a comedy show that brings elements of heavy metal to the improv stage. Costumes are encouraged at both shows, with Brain Rot hosting a “Chronically Online Costume Contest” during theirs. For more information, visit the Kickstand Comedy website under the “Shows” tab.
Date: Oct. 31 / Price: $12.09 / 12 minutes from campus
On Halloween night, Punch Bowl Social will be hosting their Halloween bash at their location in Pioneer Place. On
top of the regular games Punch Bowl Social has in their rotation, party goers can also get some Halloween flash tattoos, done by Portland artist SparkyzTattoos. There will also be a raffle, a DJ and various vendors ready to ring in the spookiest night of the year. Last but not least, the event will be hosting a costume contest, with the winner receiving a $250 giftcard. Will your costume win first place? Must be 21+ to attend.
Please drink responsibly.
Date: Oct. 31 / Price: starts at $10 / 20 minutes from campus Located on Southeast Hawthorne, the vintage arcade QuarterWorld will also be holding a Halloween Bash on Halloween night. Enjoy pinball machines and games galore as you listen to the music from DJ 313, and dance the night away in your best costume. QuarterWorld’s costume contest has $300 worth of cash and prizes in store for the winners, so get ready to split that prize money and sip on Halloween themed drinks all night long.
Please drink responsibly.
Dates: Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 / Price: $24.05 for single tickets, $18.41 for group tickets / Starts six minutes from campus
If you’re 21+ with a valid ID, Crawl With US is hosting a two day Halloween bar crawl, spanning across five different bars in Portland. Participants will wear their costumes and explore Portland’s pub scene, with exclusive merch and food/drink at certain venues. Tickets come with two to three free shots and no cover at all bars and mid/after parties. For more information, visit the Crawl With US website, and select Portland, Oregon.
Please drink responsibly.
Are you in dire need of a Halloween costume idea AND were cursed by a witch to only wear PSU-related costumes, lest your skin wither and fall off like a molting snake? No? Only the first part? Then you’re in luck: through a proprietary process involving alchemy, differential calculus, a wish on a peculiarly-shaped seashell (long story) and, at one point, the transfiguration of a goat, I’ve distilled the six empirically proven superestduperest Halloween costumes you could ever hope to wear — plus a handful of Pokemon-like exclamations to get you into character and really impress your fellow Halloweeners.
Real transit heads know what I’m talking about. Get yourself a few sheets of glass and a couple I-beams and you’re halfway there. (Losers and wimps can use cardboard and plexiglass.) For the full “streetcar stop” experience, you’ll need a durable LCD screen and at least a passable facsimile of the Portland Streetcar scheduling software — if you can’t recreate it yourself, ask a computer science student really nicely. Of course, a display of that size will need an external power supply; to keep it portable, I’d recommend the CNET Editor’s Choice Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station, which you can pick up for the low price of $2,199. If you wanted to dress up as one of the green metal benches to the side of the streetcar shelter (I’ll never pass up an opportunity to sit down, personally), you can buy your very own 4’ Contour Bench from Premier Polysteel for only $1,145. Just cut a head-shaped hole through the seat with a power saw (or tool of choice), crouch underneath and pop out to greet everyone at the Halloween party/industrial showcase you’re attending.
Suggested exclamations:
“Eyyy, I’m one of the benches at the Portland Streetcar stop at SW Park & Mill!”
“Quick, get under my shelter!” (Only applicable if raining.)
“The NS Loop is arriving in 7 minutes.”
I think we can all agree that Ann Cudd is a certified fashion icon. The bob, the glasses, the crossed arms, the slight head nod with a smile. Put on some business casual clothes and a pair of big, round glasses for le Cudd chic, and make sure to carry a couple volumes of analytical feminist philosophy under your arm to bolster your academic bonafides.
For the outdoors-inclined, you can take inspiration from Cudd’s mountain climbing escapades: all you need is an army green baseball cap, a fleece sweater (preferably Columbia), a hiking backpack, a pair of trekking poles and a sense of adventure.
Suggested exclamations:
“Hi, I’m PSU President Ann Cudd.”
“My maternal grandmother was born in the late nineteenth century in the upper Midwest of the United States.”
“I am overcome with a feeling of awe and wonder at the beauty and powerful enormity of the Colorado landscape and feel in community with the animals around me.”
Would you all mind if a quirked up white boy with a little swag busts it down academic style? That’s exactly what Stephen Epler did. Luckily for all of us, Epler — founder of the Vanport Extension Center, which later became Portland State — kept it clean and simple with a smart double-breasted suit, sleek wire frame glasses, pressed white shirt and goofy tie. Show off to your friends with the famous “Epler Point,” or impress nearby history nerds with an encyclopedic rundown of Epler’s life and career (This one requires some research).
Suggested exclamations:
“Yo, I’m Stephen Eplering over here!”
“Did you know I developed six-man football, a variant of gridiron football played in small high schools?”
“I have a residence hall named after me!”
Commonly described as “Mr. Rogers in a 21 year old Greek man’s body,” Vanguard’s EIC has a sense of style as timeless as it is geriatric. Get yourself some slacks, a light sweater with dress shirt sleeves rolled halfway up your forearms and a pair of Doc Martens, and you’re set. If you want to really snazz it up, add a blazer on top (preferably unstructured). Once you’re in character, come on down to the newsroom to show off the fit! Carandanis — and all of us here at Vanguard — would love to meet you.
Suggested exclamations:
“Franklin Delano Roosevelt!”
“I love Woody Allen.”
Editors Note: His movies. I love his movies. “*snaps fingers rapidly.*”
Any list of PSU-inspired costumes has to include Victor E. Viking, the school’s iconic mascot since before Portland State even existed. Adopted by the Vanport student body back in the ‘40s, Victor E. is the Viking to be. (As far as I can tell, the “E.” doesn’t stand for anything, like Harry S. Truman.) If you want to dress up on the cheap, all you need is a PSU jersey, a Viking helmet, a shield and a big wooden club. We all have spare clubs lying around, right?
Suggested exclamations:
“Aaaaaaaargh!”
“I’m Victor E. Viking!”
“No, the E doesn’t stand for anything! It’s ornamental!”
Have you ever wanted to be one of the squirrels that dart around campus digging for nuts and scrambling up and down trees? You can! Plenty of reasonably-priced costumes are available online at your convenience.
Suggested exclamations:
“*Chirrup.* *Chirrup*.”
“*Bark bark.* *Bark bark.*”
“*Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!*”
Quirky and classy, Foxtrot bar on Southeast Belmont street is a perfect spot for a witchy evening and some “vampire bites.” Blending ghostly Victorian elements and culinary flair, Foxtrot exemplifies Portland’s eccentric nature with elegance. Tasty bread plates decorate the vintage countertops and an outdoor space full of discovery welcomes Portlanders.
Built in 1893, the house itself is a stunning pale green with quirky purple pillars in the entryway. Formerly The Pied Cow, the space has been a Portland institution for decades. The red tinted wood floors remain in a pristine condition and all of the vintage furniture is well maintained. Operating on a model that combines elements of various dining traditions, the space is whimsical and entertaining.
I found myself entering the front door with an immediate sense of comfort. The ambience of the former Victorian house lingers in the air inside, filling the drinks and your belly with a familiar warmth. Carpeted walls and dim lighting give the space a gothic but cozy style. Soft rugs cover the floor and drapery tucks into corners with vintage frames and painted flowers. Eccentric shelves hold candelabras and animal skeletons, and your seat is tucked in a gothic wood. Art and memorabilia stand out, making it an ideal space for increasingly wacky conversation and memorable glances.
As you wander outside to observe the patio, the soft glow of the fairy lights paired with a brush of the crisp air reads as quintessentially witchy. This outdoor dining space and signature silver airstream make for a nice atmosphere shift. Beautiful stained glass elements adorn the silver truck. Cozy nooks with vintage chairs and rainbowed stained glass create a trippy lounge. I enjoyed the laughter echoing with the soft rain and hearing customers gently press questions of the intriguing drink menu. The patio space provides rain cover and heaters if needed, allowing it to be a cozy haven from the pouring rain.
Sitting and sipping makes for easy reminiscence, the artistic influence of antiquity allows the space to feel akin to another time. Subtle art nouveau inspiration twists into the boozy, more glamorous elements of the decor while complimenting a classy menu.
Focusing on Spanish and Western European culinary inspiration, a featured menu section is dedicated to their Pinchos. Originating in Spain, these dishes consist of a bread base with savory topping. The word Pincho refers to the skewer used to “pierce” the ingredients to gether. My personal favorite was the Gilda Pincho, bursting with anchovy and olive. Other bites include a tinned fish with pick led onion, another yummy, salty sounding appetizer.
With a unique drink menu re lying on similar influences, mar tini lovers like myself will feel right at home. The signa ture Foxtrot martini is punchy and fragrant, and the olive flavor pairs well with the unique herbal quality of the gin.
A small gazebo sits adjacent to the airstream, complete with a small bench. Perching to observe milling customers and overhear witty remarks, I allowed the dreaminess of Mazzy Star in my airpods to melt into the evening. Foxtrot holds the energy of a haunted living room, curious and antiquated, all while serving colorful platters and cocktails full of life. Or death.
“September 30th, 1998. It’s a day I’ll never forget.”
“Resident Evil” (RE) is a long-running Japanese horror game series and media franchise created by Capcom in 1996. The plot centers on a corrupt corporation called Umbrella, which is a powerful pharmaceutical company that is responsible for a deadly virus called the “T-Virus”; the T-Virus was responsible for the creation of zombies and other supernatural beings. It follows members of the S.T.A.R.S special forces unit as they investigate the effects of the virus, while also uncovering Umbrella’s illegal experiments and fighting the bio-weapons that are a result of them.
Caution, once you go down the “Resident Evil” rabbit hole, very few reported that they’ve made it back without a new hyperfixation that meticulously altered their brain chemistry.
A few main characters include Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield and Leon Kennedy. Through different perspectives, their mission is to survive the outbreak and find a way to stop the global spread of the T-virus and other issues that arise.
A recommended start to the franchise and your decaying sleep schedule is “Resident Evil 2 Remake” (RE2 Remake) or “Resident Evil 4 Remake” (RE4 Remake). Both games are highly rated and modern with incredible graphics and easy controls. For a more classic horror game experience, “Resident Evil 1 Remake” (RE1 Remake) fleshes out the survival game experience brilliantly.
Almost every piece of RE media is set in the same universe, aside from non-canon spin-offs that were created to explore “what-if” scenarios. Shortly after releasing, it was further expanded into comics and then later into an animated series and even multiple films.
Although every game could be played as a standalone, the chronological order provides more clarity and connects events within the universe. Recurring characters like Jill Valentine and Leon Kennedy grow with the franchise while battling intense threats made by Umbrella Corporation.
RE0 is a prequel to the original game, and follows members of the Bravo Team, Rebbeca Chambers and Billy Coen as they get stranded on a train and discover the origins of the T-Virus experiments that were being conducted by Umbrella Corporation.
RE1 is the original game and takes place in a mansion where the Bravo Team was originally sent to investigate. They are hit with the discovery that the mansion is actually a front for Umbrella’s illegal research, and so they’re fighting for their life while being attacked by mutated beings.
RE2 is a sequel that follows the rookie cop (and one of the most iconic characters in gaming) Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Their objective is to escape Raccoon City while the zombie outbreak threatens their lives. This game explores multiple locations and introduces new characters into the franchise such as Ada Wong, Annette Birkin and Mr. X — who quite literally breathes down your neck the entire game.
RE3 takes place concurrently with RE 2 — which gives an interesting new perspective to the events that happened in the previous game. It follows the former S.T.A.R.S. member Jill Valentine as she teams up with Carlos Oliveira and his team to try and escape the now infested Raccoon city while simultaneously looking for a vaccine.
RE4, the most popular game in the franchise, follows the one
and only Leon Kennedy who is now a federal agent on a mission. He’s sent to rescue the president’s kidnapped daughter, Ashley Graham, as he discovers that the villagers have been infected by a mind controlling parasite. This game reinvolves a handful of past characters and brilliantly intertwines their stories.
RE5 follows Chris Redfield and his new partner, Sheva Alomar, who are sent to investigate a bio-threat which leads them to uncover the plot to release an even more dangerous virus.
RE6 follows multiple different protagonists including Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Jake Muller and Ada Wong. This story unravels a global conspiracy and the escalating bio-threat.
RE7 presents to us Ethan Winters, a man who is on the hunt to find his missing wife. While searching, he discovers a disturbing and isolated plantation and figures out the family living there has been mutated into monstrous creatures.
“Resident Evil Village,” which is widely considered to be the scariest game in the entire franchise, continues Ethan Winters story. He is drawn back into a mess of mutants when his daughter Rose is kidnapped. This causes him to travel to a remote village to try his best in rescuing her.
The upcoming release of “Resident Evil Requiem” is scheduled for early 2026 and has fans on the edge of their seat to jump back into this universe. It will revolve around Technical Analyst Grace Ashcroft, who investigates a disease outbreak in Wrenwood hotel — which is the same location where her mother died eight years prior.
After over 200 hours spent dissecting “Resident Evil” lore and avoiding social responsibilities, one may decide to get a job and write an article about said lore instead.
Grab a hot beverage and cozy up with these fall favorites
Duration: 7 episodes / Director: Martin Scorsese
Alright, I know what you’re thinking, ‘Isn’t this supposed to be a movie list?’ Yes, it is, but I met Fran Lebowitz last fall and she will forever be linked to this sublime season for me. Scorsese and Lebowitz have a friendship that oozes with fast paced New York City chatter and grace. The show, “Pretend It’s a City,” feels like putting a glass cup against the wall separating you from a dinner party your parents have told you to go upstairs for. Witty, charming and characteristically cosmopolitan, Scorsese and Lebowitz weave through conversations ranging from high brow cultural topics to the annoyances of living in a city of eight million people – many of whom, in Lebowitz’s opinion, aren’t quite aware of the fact that they live in a city. As we all begin to take our fall strolls through the Park Blocks and cozy up in Portland’s cafes, I hope that the voice of Lebowitz reminds you that yes, you live in a city, and thank God that you do.
OLIVIA YOUNG, MANAGING EDITOR: “THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS” (1991)
Duration: 1h, 58m / Director: Jonathan Demme
What do you get when you combine a cannibal, the FBI and Jodie Foster? My favorite horror film, that’s what. When Halloween’s right around the corner and I want to watch something spooky, this is what I turn on. “The Silence of Lambs” is a classic horror film that follows Clarice Starling, a standout student at the FBI’s training academy, as she works with the infamous serial killer Hannibal Lecter to catch another serial killer, “Buffalo Bill”. One of the reasons I love this movie so much is because of Anthony Hopkin’s portrayal of Lecter. In horror movies, I prefer when my villains are more unnerving than scary, and Lecter is just that. He’s creepy, unsettling, and fits perfectly in this film. And Foster’s performance as Starling is perfect, of course. “The Silence of the Lambs” is the right amount of creepy, thrilling, and entertaining, and is best enjoyed in the evenings leading up to Halloween.
HALEY HSU, CREATIVE DIRECTOR: “DEATH BECOMES HER” (1992)
Duration: 1h 44 m / Director: Robert Zemeckis
Another movie where the two female leads share a more convincing lesbian chemistry than the supposed heterosexual romance. What begins as a stereotypical fight over a man quickly turns into a twisted love triangle driven by the clearly-lesbians-but-we-say-we’refriends relationship between Madeline (Meryl Streep) and Helen (Goldie Hawn). The belittling fixation on women’s beauty is reflective of the male-centered culture driving the plot. Helen’s lifelong obsession with Madeleine symbolises the gendered social standards that perpetuate a system that undervalues feminism and female relationships. The all-consuming female
desire to conform to beauty standards makes for an entertaining, campy narrative, but becomes disturbingly shallow when compared to the male lead’s role. The story revolves around women’s insecurities as they compete for a man whose only redeeming qualities are his education, and the fact that he is played by Bruce Willis. Don’t get me wrong, “Death Becomes Her” is a perfect girls-night-in movie for a chilly fall evening. But it’s hard to ignore the entrenched misogyny within the film and how such portrayals subconsciously shape the way the audience views beauty, gender and humanity itself.
Duration: 1h 27m / Director: Santiago Menghini
As someone who only needs a B rated plot, eerie aesthetic, and an occasional cool monster to appreciate a horror film, “No One Gets Out Alive” checked all the boxes for an enjoyable time for me. This film follows Ambar, an undocumented immigrant who moves from Mexico to Ohio after the death of her mother. After struggling to support herself, she finds a rundown boarding house with a great deal. After moving in, she starts to notice unsettling things happening back to back — including a room with depictions of a ritual sacrifice. This leads to a number of events happening… including a giant Elden Ring-esque creature spawning. Throughout the film, themes such as guilt and the traditional “American dream” were represented in impressively unique ways. Oh yeah, and don’t forget to be on the look out for the crazy unboxing scene.
LIAM SCHMITT, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR: “THE STING” (1973)
Duration: 2h 9m Director: George Roy Hill
… all it takes is a little confidence. And it takes a little confidence for me to say that I am not a fan of horror movies. I don’t like getting scared! So if you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted film this fall, “The Sting” is the perfect pick. Starring two of my favorite actors, Paul Newman and Robert Redford, “The Sting” is a story of a street con artist teaming up with an expert to pull one long con to avenge the murder of their friend. The soundtrack singlehandedly got me back into playing the piano, with so many legendary hits by Scott Joplin. Aesthetically, “The Sting” has gorgeous scenery and colors that have the perfect fall vibe. It’s whimsical, funny, charming, and a great pick if you’re looking for something a little less spooky this fall.
NASH BENETT, MULTIMEDIA EDITOR: “PHENOMENA” (1985)
Duration: 1h 22m / Director: Dario Argento
An underrated gem in the Italian horror master’s filmography, “Phenomena” is chock-full of frightening fun and zany quirks. It’s got metaphysical bug communication, murder monkeys, and psychedelic-rock
fueled dream sequences. It’s got some genuine scares, but its flavor of campy 80’s aesthetics reel back some of the darker moments to a more palatable playing field. Even with its generally goofy atmosphere, there’s a lot of profound moments that’ll make you think about our relationship with nature in both a metaphysical and interpersonal way. Also to be noted, the star of the show happens to be a very charismatic fly.
NICK GATLIN, OPINIONS EDITOR: “WHEN HARRY MET SALLY” (1989)
Duration: 1h, 35m / Director: Rob Reiner
I don’t do horror — my fall movie list is more cozysweater-footie-pajamas than blood-and-gore-andbrains. 1989’s “When Harry Met Sally”, a lovely little Billy Crystal/Meg Ryan romcom set for the most part in autumnal New York, has everything you want in a hygge film: a will-they-won’t-they between an uptight snob and a “hey, at least he’s funny” knob, an absolutely banging, jazz standard-filled soundtrack from Harry Connick Jr. and a story that masterfully straddles the line between romantic and comedic. The ending is (no spoilers) genuinely heartwarming, and I say that as someone whose body temperature averages around 96 degrees. I’ll have what they’re having!
Duration: 1m, 37m / Director: Darren Lynn Bousman Halloween is for the freaks, and “Repo the Genetic Opera” is freaky. Edgy, theatrical, and bloody, this film is an experience one cannot take lightly. Set in a dystopian near future where organ loans fuels the economy, the subject matter is not everyone’s cup of zitrate tea. Threats of the “Repo Man” returning to “collect your debt” run rampant through the decrepit streets, Paris Hilton sings rock music, and Joan Jett makes an ap pearance. Debaucherous and campy, comparisons to “Rocky Horror” are com mon. An excellent movie to watch in the company of friends, specifically if they claim to be famil iar with the Rock Opera genre. Aesthetically the film aligns with the likes of early Panic! At the Disco, gothic me dia and other punk influences. Repo isn’t necessarily a coher ent, well thought out, mind-boggling piece of social commentary. It is, however, a great dysto pian horror musical that alludes to the dangers of late stage capitalism.
