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wwu:17147
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Western Front - 2004 December 3
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Date
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2004-12-03
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Digital Collection
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Western Front Historical Collection
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Text
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Object custodian
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Special Collections
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Related Collection
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Western Front Historical Collection
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wfhc_2004_1203
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2004_1203 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 1 ---------- RAISED VOICES Western's choirs warm up for the holiday season. Accent, Page 11 DAMN THE DEFICIT Government should not leave huge debt to future generations. Opinions, Page 18 * CONQUERED The Viking men vanquish Crusaders in GNAC
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Transcript text preview (might not show all results)
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2004_1203 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 1 ---------- RAISED VOICES Western's choirs warm up for the holiday season. Accent, Page 11 DAMN THE DEFICIT Government should not leave huge
Show more2004_1203 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 1 ---------- RAISED VOICES Western's choirs warm up for the holiday season. Accent, Page 11 DAMN THE DEFICIT Government should not leave huge debt to future generations. Opinions, Page 18 * CONQUERED The Viking men vanquish Crusaders in GNAC opener. Sports, Page 14 Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington ISSUE 21 Volume 131 The Western Front Friday Dec. 3, 2004 The next generatipn|whatcom ? skagit sheriffs begin DUI campaign today By Michael Murray The Western Front A head-on collision on South Bay Drive left two drivers alive, yet one had permanent injuries. Sgt. Steve Gatterman of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office responded to the crash scene on Thanksgiving Day 1998. The driver of the other vehicle, who was not injured, was drunk. The holidays are a time of increased driving under the influence of alcohol, said Julie Furlong, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission public-relations consultant. This is why law-enforcement officers throughout Washington are joining forces Friday night for the 14th annual "Night of 1,000 Stars," which symbolizes all the officers who will be patrolling for drunken drivers. It is the first event of the "Drive Hammered, Get Nailed" campaign that focuses on drunken drivers, which starts today and ends Jan. 3. This past year, the "Night of 1,000 Stars" removed 318 impaired drivers SEE DUI, PAGE 6 Chris Taylor/The Western Front Western senior Chris Pilkey, left, and his grandmother, Lillian Dickerson, display a 1918 family portrait of Bert "Bull" Jones, pictured at left in the portrait. Jones, Dickerson's father, graduated in 1914, beginning a 90-year family tradition of graduating from Western. Western student to graduate 90 years after relative By Nick Schmidt The Western Front When Western senior Chris Pilkey accepts his diploma Dec. 11 at fall quarter commencement, he will be following in familiar family footsteps. Pilkey, a political-science major with a minor in history, will be the fourth generation of his family to graduate from Western. The family tradition started with Pilkey's great-grandfather, Bert Jones, who graduated in 1914 with a degree in sports from what was then Whatcom Normal School, with some of his immediate family graduating as early as 1900. His daughter, Lillian Jones Dickerson, 88, graduated 22 years later in 1936 from Whatcom Normal School, which was renamed a year later to Western Washington College of Education. Pilkey's mother continued the tradition when she graduated from Western Washington College in 1967. Ten years later, it became Western Washington University. In addition to breaking the family practice by not graduating with a degree in education, like most of his family, Pilkey almost broke with family tradition completely when choosing what college to attend. "I originally planned on going to Santa Clara (University)," Pilkey said. "But Western was better in proximity to my house (in Fairhaven) so I could go home once in a while because of the short drive. Also, both my grandmas live in Bellingham, which made it nice because I could get some home-cooked food once in awhile." Chris Pilkey's mother, Marilee Dickerson Pilkey, said she almost did the same when the time came to choose her college. Both her brother and sister decided to "spread their wings," as she put it. But she carried on the family tradition because of Western's reputable education program. Despite his family's long association with Western, Pilkey said he did not know much about the school until he actually decided to come here — but he is glad he came. "I've met a lot of awesome people here," Pilkey said, "The professors and classes are wonderful, an the area is beautiful — except for the weather in the winter." Pilkey said that despite not receiving any pressure to go to Western, "When I did decide to come and I told.my grandma, she was really proud. She has always been a career student at Western and has sat in on many different classes." SEE Legacy, PAGE 4 Chris Taylor/The Western Front Sgt. Steve Gatterman of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office displays a driving-under-the-influence citation. Courtesy of University Communications Moheb Ghali will serve on the Council of Graduate Schools board of directors. Dean to serve on international council By Salina Greig The Western Front The worldwide Council of Graduate Schools elected Moheb Ghali, Western's dean of the graduate school department and vice provost for research, to serve a three-year term on its board of directors. "As a board-of-directors member, I look at issues that affect graduate schools in the United States," Ghali said. - The Council, of Graduate Schools is a worldwide organization of more than .450 higher-learning institutions committed to improving and advancing graduate education, according to the Council of Graduate Schools Web site. The council, which represents master's and doctoral-degree programs, is the only national organization committed solely to the advancement of graduate education and research, according to the Web site. "It's a great honor for SEE Board, PAGE 4 For news tips, call (360) 650- 3162 or e-mail The Western Front at thewesternfronteditor@yahoo.com www.westernfrontonline.com Please recycle ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 2 ---------- 2 • The Western Front NEWS December 3,2004 COPS BOX a report of a man i^a^gitijSiil^c j|fiear gt;ciain^^ responded to a report of child sexual :;bf/w:afM[^^ ^bsseSsion^ ;:an^;^|Wa^^ following a traffic pursuit that began :::6nT|^ jtoa lt;i^ :j^oline;fo^^ :"ajrMsbda^ V TOl iking oices "When do you do your Christmas shopping and why?" Compiled by Salina Greig. Douglas Zwick Senior, linguistics Jon Parsinen Senior, environmental science Alexandria Skagen Freshman, education "I usually do itQk ( | "A couple days over a week-and- / y before the holidays a-half period that because I usually ends on Christmas Eve. It forget, goes like this — Christmas Eve, I do half... it's an exponential decay. 55 "The day after Thanksgiving because it's cheaper and fun. 99 APWire news briefs STATE NEWS "Mo^^ed^M00Bj^^^c^i: St. Helens is Washington's biggest air polluter Since it began erupting in October, Mount St. Helens has been Washington's worst air polluter. The volcano spews 50 to 250 tons of sulfur dioxide into the air each day. That compares with approximately 120 tons a day from all the state's industries combined. A coal-fired power plant in Centralia had been on top of the list — still producing 27 tons a day after spending $250 million on pollution controls. Sulfur dioxide is the gas that causes acid rain and contributes to haze. Bob Elliott of the Southwest Clean Air Agency in Vancouver, Wash., said it is fortunate for people that the volcano is a remote location. U. S. Geological Survey scientist The Western Front online presents... cGet to know your editors' Name: David "Nubby G" Wray Title: News editor. Sign: Virgo Hometown: Oh shoot! I forgot Turn-ons: Nubby kisses, Yanii yogurt, Fine Ass K. Silk, sexual harassment, reclaiment calls, marriage proposals through e-postcards, lowering purity, plaid shirts Turn-offs: Sexual harassment lawsuits, bloody-puke pants Quotable: "Oh weird. My pants just got, like, huge." www.westernfrontonline.com The Western Front is published twice weekly in fall, winter and spring; once a week in summer session. Address: The Western Front, Western Washington University, CF 251, Bellingham, WA 98225. The Western Front is the official newspaper of Western Washington University, published by the Student Publications Council, and is mainly supported by advertising. Opinions and stories in the newspaper have no connection with advertising. News content is determined by student editors. Staff reporters are enrolled in a course in the Department of Journalism, but any student enrolled at Western may offer stories to the editors. Advertising inquiries should be directed to the business office in CF 230, or by phone to (360) 650-3161. Members of the Western community are entitled to a single free copy of each issue of The Western Front. Terry Gerlach said Mount St. Helens also produces 500 to 1,000 tons, of carbon dioxide a day, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. That is about a tenth of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by all the cars, homes and businesses in Washington. Three charged in theft of Rembrandt piece King County prosecutors have charged two men and one teen with stealing a Rembrandt etching from a Bellevue gallery. The three Tacoma residents are charged with the September theft of the $7,500 print, titled "Self Portrait in a Cap and Scarf with Face Dark." Police officers tracked down a fleeing suspect because an employee saw the license number of the car. Officers found the print located safely in the trunk. NATIONAL NEWS Basketball fan's attorney denounces ban The attorney for one of the men banned from The Palace of Auburn HillsO in suburban Detroit over this past month's NBA brawl said his client is being unfairly targeted. Shawn Smith represents John Green, who is accused of throwing a drink at Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest during the Nov. 19 Pacers-Pistons game When the drink hit Artest, he jumped into the stands and attacked onlooking fans. Smith said arena officials are "picking on the little guy" and should ban Artest instead and the other Pacers who ran into the stands. No criminal charges have been filed yet in the brawl. Prosecutors say police need to complete their investigation first, but Pacers players are expected to be charged eventually. INTERNATIONAL NEWS Cereal grain found in Australia is a hot item on eBay First the grilled-cheese sandwich with the Virgin Mary image appeared, now a grain of cereal is fetching big bucks on eBay. The grain of cereal looks like the movie alien E.T. Chris Doyle from Sydney, Australia, said he was about to pour milk over his cereal when he noticed the E.T. look-alike in his bowl. He remembered hearing about the cheese sandwich with a likeness of the Virgin Mary that sold for $28,000 on eBay. The cereal grain sold for more than $800 this week on eBay. The grain is lacquered to preserve it. Compiled by Porfirio Pena. AP Wire courtesy KUGS 89.3-FM. WWU Official Announcements - PLEASE POST Deadline for announcements in this sp ivhen otherwise noted. Announcement' sent to FAST lt;S\vwu.edu —• in the sub|( Hems also may be sent to "Official An toy for the. luesdav edition and noon Wednesday for the Friday edition, except ted to 50 words and be typewritten or legibly printed. Announcements may be :i one-word topic and clearly note that the item is lor Official Announcements. •MS-91 1 7, taxed to X 4'i4i, or brouoht to Commissary 11 3F-. DO NOT SEND ANNOUNCEMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE WESTERN FRONT. Phoned announcements will nc SPRING QUARTER DEGREE APPLICANTS: All students expecting to graduate at the close of spring quarter must have a degree application on file in the Registrar's Office by Friday, Dec. 3. Students planning to graduate summer quarter must have an application on file by March 11. Degree applications and instructions are available in OM 230. MILLER ANALOGIES TEST (MAT). The computer-based MAT is by appointment only. The Testing Center, OM 120, reserves one computer at 3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday for the MAT. Make appointments in OM 120 or call X/3080. A $42 fee is payable at test time. Testing takes about 1 Vi hours; preliminary scores are available immediately. Official results are mailed within 15 days. MATH PLACEMENT TEST (MPT). Registration is not required. Students must bring picture identification, student number, Social Security number, and a No. 2 pencil. A $15 fee is payable in exact amount at test time. Allow 90 minutes. Testing: 3 p.m. Mondays on Dec. 6, and 9 a.m. Thursdays on Dec. 2 and 9. BIOLOGY SEMINAR, Peter Vitousek (Stanford University), "Agriculture, Soils, and Society in Pre-Contact Hawaii." 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, SL130. WEST-E PRAXIS. Washington requires individuals seeking teacher certification and teachers seeking additional endorsements to pass a subject knowledge assessment in the chosen endorsement area beginning Sept. 1, 2005. Seewww.ets.org/praxis/prxwa.html to register. Registration bulletins are available in MH 216. Test dates: |an. 8, March 5, April 16, June 11 (see the Praxis Web site for the location of the June 11 test). READMISSION. Students who interrupt studies at Western other than for summer quarter must apply for readmission. Students pursuing a first bachelor's degree are generally assured readmission if they follow application instructions and apply by priority deadline (summer, continuing into fall and fall quarter, April 1; spring quarter, Jan. 15). Post-baccalaureate readmission is more stringent. Applications available in OM 200 or call X/3440. WEST-B TEST. Applicants for admission to state-approved educator preparation programs and those from other states applying for a Washington residency teaching certificate must have a minimum passing score on the basic skills assessment test. Residency teaching certificate applicants who have completed an educator preparation program outside Washington and have not passed WEST-B may be granted additional time. See www.west.nesinc.com to register. Test dates: Jan. 22, March 12, May 14, July 9. ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 3 ---------- December 3, 2004 The Western Front • 3 Attention Faculty, Staff and Students! Use Western Card To Get 10 lt;t Off Gas (excluding Tuesdays) expires 12/10/04 Along with 5% off any In-store Purchase! Powerade 32oz for 99$ Rock Star or Monster Power Drinks 2/$3.00! Try High Rev Coffee! High Rev = High Caffine! 1 /2 Price Coffee (Dates) ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 4 ---------- 4 • The Western Front NEWS December 3, 2004 Board: Ghali says he wants colleges to promote master's degrees iSSiiftiiiiiMl^H v v v v w ^ ^ Continued from Page 1 Western to have a graduate dean on the board of directors for the Council of Graduate Schools," said Kirsti Charlton, Western's assistant dean of the graduate school department. "The Council of Graduate Schools is one of the largest and most influential lobbying groups in Washington, D.C." The Council of Graduate Schools board of directors looks for funding opportunities from foundations to fund innovative graduate programs, Ghali said. "The board of directors essentially sets policies regarding admission and financial aid," Ghali said. Ghali said 90 percent of graduate students in the United States are pursuing master's degrees rather than doctorates. He said this is why it is important to promote and improve master's education. Charlton said the lobbying for funding that the Council of Graduate Schools does to advance and improve graduate education can sometimes require a political push. "Anytime you have someone you respect on the board of directors, it can help that political process," she said. Ghali studied at Cairo University in Egypt and earned his master's from the University of California, Berkeley. He came to Western in 1993 after 23 years at the University of Hawaii, he said. In addition to his position on the council's board of directors, Ghali also serves on the master's focused institutions committee and the master's advisory committee. Ghali is a professor in the economics department at Western. His colleagues said they are proud of his most recent accomplishment. "I think it's great and a well-deserved honor and recognition," associate professor of economics Steven Henson said. "It's a really great deal." Legacy: 1936 graduate, 88, will watch grandson walk Saturday Continued from Page 1 Dickerson, Pilkey's grandmother, has received at least three more degrees while holding her three-year degree in education from 1936. ________ "I have one in French, one in Spanish, and I think one in history, but I've lost track," she said. While being active in the classroom, Dickerson, like her dad, also was active in sports. She played basketball and baseball at Western, lettering in baseball for the Vikings like her father. With graduation tickets limited to only five tickets per graduate, not all of Chris Pilkey's family will be able to attend his graduation. "I'm planning on it and am pretty determined to get there," Dickerson said. Neither the Western Alumni Association nor the Office of the Registrar • has kept any long-term Tm planning on (attending records on families graduation) andampretty that have had m u l t iPle determined to get there.' Lillian Jones Dickerson 1936 Western graduate and grandmother of fall 2004 graduate generations attend Western. Donna Le Blonde, manager of information systems for the Western foundation, said 1,014 students enrolled have had either one or both of their parents graduate from Western. With no Pilkey children waiting in the wings, for a while at least, Pilkey said he hopes the tradition will continue. "I will try and persuade my kids to come to Western — but I won't make them," he said. g§|l§||^^ Holiday Gift Guide x Ata lt;f lt;f?nf* Sale! Select l+etos On Sale Thru bee %*fth ¥17 W tfottv Su b*T-00bb r gt; $m$mmmmmmm tp8im ~\ Featured Artist dralohfly tine gifts 7802 -Silver Lake Road -Maple Falls •599-9657 [ROSSW'ROADS GROCERY I VIDEO Look for us on your way to the Mt. Baker Ski Area " On the left going up and on the right coming down-" BEER-WINE- SNACKS- POP Organic Selections and Catering also available BEADS Goblets Jewelry Gallery Walk Nov. 26/27 5-10pm Historic Fairhaven, B'ham. . (360)671-5655 I M)J Oommer Downlo ? lt;S0 Open "i.il Si 'Ki gt;\t f( \n Bcllingli.ii 7 38.7600 oveiY das! c;,nv- ) p||a|blsP|s# Well Well Well! Wellness... naturally BiliiillS FooKooP Beilingham f$ Natural Grocer 1220 N . Forest St. O p e n e^ery d a y 8 am—9 p.m.- ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 5 ---------- December 3, 2004 NEWS The Western Front • 5 Alumnus sells boring lectures as sleep aid "Sleep By Gig Schlich The Western Front Andrew Hu said his business idea came to him while struggling to stay awake in classes this past spring. The 2004 Western graduate decided that if the lectures were boring enough to put him to sleep in the middle of the day, perhaps they might work for people who had trouble sleeping at night. Enter Hu's compact audio disc 101 Volume 1: Magna Cum Boring," a compilation of five recorded university lectures that he has been selling all week on Vendors Row. Hu said he chose each for their ability to induce lethargy and unconsciousness in listeners as Western professors sonorously drone on about academic minutiae. Hu said he thought the idea might sell when he and others joked about it. A quick Internet search showed that nobody had capitalized on the idea, so Hu went to work. The first few dozen Western professors Hu asked to be subjects of his experimental audio tranquilizer were not exactly flattered. "When you tell them that you'd like to use their lecture because it's incredibly boring and would work as a sleeping aid, they don't take it that well," Hu said. But he eventually found several instructors who were willing to go along with the tongue-in-cheek idea. After three months of recording classes, Hu compiled his. favorites into the first volume, "Magna Cum Boring." According to the back of the CD cover, the content is "Real professors! Real lectures! Feutz said. Real boring!" And to take a bit of the heat off the professors, "Now featuring graduate assistants." David Curley, a professor of liberal studies at Western, laughed heartily upon hearing about Hu's scheme. "I would say he's a brilliant entrepreneur," he said. "I hope I'm not on there." "Sleep 101" is approximately 64 minutes longanddividedintofivetracks:Mathematics 106, Psychology 219, Forensics 101, English 285 and Math 108. Hu said - === he changed the names of the 1 think 1 m certified actual classes to protect the on the Billboard (album sales) chart at probably "aluminum foil. " But we 're not at zero.' Andrew Hu 2004 Western graduate innocently dull. He said he has received many recommendations for future material. "Whenever I tell students about 'Sleep 101,' they're like, 'Oh! You know what class you should go to?' " Hu said. Hu set up shop this week in Vendors Row for a trial run to see what the response would be among students. Passers-by stop to look, laugh and chat about the novel CD, and Hu has even set up a stereo so students can sample the contents. But Hu said sales have not been strong. "Dead week really is dead — they're not kidding," Hu said. "I think I'm certified on the Billboard (album sales) chart at probably 'aluminum foil.' But we're not at zero." Graduate student Brady Feutz said he could relate to the joke CD. "I remember some of the regular undergrad classes with 500 people in them — at times, it was hard to stay awake," Gig SchUch/The Western Front Western alumnus Andrew Hu sells his audio CD, "Sleep 101" on Vendors Row Wednesday. The disc is a compilation of class lectures that Hu said he hopes will help people battle insomnia. Although he said he would not personally Hu said his last day of sales at the campus need the CD, Feutz thought it might be valuable if the lecture material covered an area in which he needed some help: a sort of high-tech replacement for the old book- under- the-pillow learning system. stand will be Friday night, but people also can order the CD on his Web site, www. sleepl01.net. The recording sells for $7.99, and Hu does not charge for shipping or sales tax. December l-n i i l p i r buyback prices: Buying 140 copies # 4 5 . 0 0 etralc Methods |43.00 quarter; Calculator Buyback T I - 8 3 PlUS: $ 4 8 . 5 0 (Buying i5: 11-89* $71*00 (Buying 5) To quality for buyback, calculators must be in working order and include: fpf Unit-to-Unit Link Cable mmmmmm Fri 8:00am * 5:00 pm Phone: (360) 650-3 lt;S55 Fix: (360)650-2888 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 6 ---------- 6 • The Western Front NEWS December 3, 2004 DUI: Whatcom, Skagit county sheriffs team up today for first time to curb drunken driving Continued from Page 1 from the roads statewide, Furlong said. For the first time, Whatcom and Skagit counties' law-enforcement agencies have teamed up .to give "seamless wall-to-wall coverage" of both counties because of the added patrols. "There will be at least 10 extra patrols for each county," Furlong said. "Given that it's a two-county coverage, the entire area of both counties will be covered." According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 37,661 driving-under-the- influence cases were filed in Washington in 2000. The 10 law-enforcement agencies in Whatcom County collectively receive $14,000 for the additional patrols. The money is disbursed based on the size of the department, Gatterman said. Larger departments will receive approximately $3,500 and smaller departments $2,000, he said. The money is part of a grant the Washington Traffic Safety Commission gave for joint DUI patrols. "There will probably be a higher density (of patrols) around the local bars," Furlong said. "But accidents happen in the county as well — drivers crossing center lines and so on." This is the first direct effort between Whatcom and Skagit counties to attempt to curtail drunken driving, said Deborah Kent, the traffic-safety coordinator for the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. "We've had collaborative efforts in other areas before," Kent said. "But each county wants to highlight the holidays." Different groups of law enforcement will target different areas of the county, such as drinking establishments with prior history, Kent said. But she also said more than one group may be necessary for larger events. Different departments have made agreements between one another to make sure all the events that may have an added risk of drunken driving are adequately covered. Gatterman said he has been to more than 60 crash sites in which drinking played a factor in his career. He said the most difficult part about responding to accidents is not the crash scene but the aftermath and consequences that victims and families have to endure. "It's hard seeing kids who are victims," Gatterman said. "They really have no say when they get into a car." Gatterman said his mother was a victim in a drunken-driving crash. She was at Har-borview Medical Center in Seattle for five weeks, and when she got out of the hospital, Chris Taylor/The Western Front Sgt. Steve Gatterman sits in his patrol car as he prepares to participate in the extensive holiday DUI patrolling. she went through four to five months of rehabilitation. But Gatterman said her medical bills were so high that even though she won a settlement, the hospital put a lien on her house as a form of collateral until the settlement went through. "Many times, people do not realize they are as intoxicated as they are," Kent said. "Many times people say they do not 'feel' drunk." According to a pamphlet by the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, a 140-pound female reaches the legal blood-alcohol limit of .08 percent after having three drinks in an hour. A 170-pound male will be legally drunk after four drinks in an hour. During a two-hour period, the same woman would be legally drunk after four drinks, and the same man would be legally drunk after five. "According to an office report, the first DUI Consequences for the first DUI ^ ^ • • J I I ^B^ |ll|l|IiI|lB| ^M* jiiH^Uill|l IIIIMjJIIIIIIIII conviction §l|j^B|i|l|g |j|||||S| |g|||llll!|l|:|:SI conviction can result in penalties of a minimum jail time of 24 consecutive hours or 15 days of electronic home monitoring, which costs between $10 and $15 per day for the driver. The maximum jail sentence is one year. The fees and tickets for the driver can range from $685 to $8,125, with a license suspension of 90 days to a year. The driver also may be subject to Ignition Interlock, which attaches a breath-alcohol device to the ignition of the car. The driver must blow into the device and have a clear reading for the car to start. The driver pays for the rental and service fees that cost from $730 to $2,800. If the driver has a BAC of more that .15 percent, the law requires Ignition Interlock for one year after the driver's license suspension. The driver also is put on a five-year probation period. The costs can vary depending on the type of legal aid the driver receives and punishments the judge issues. Treatment alone can cost $10,000, according to the sheriff's office pamphlet. "You definitely don't want to have to see families go through everything during the holidays," Gatterman said. ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 7 ---------- December 3, 2004 NEWS The Western Front • 7 Dining Services sells food gift cards for the holiday season By Jonathan Bradley The Western Front Students with a hunger for on-campus food can add a new item to their Christmas wish lists. University Dining Services is selling gift cards for the end of the quarter, in time for the holiday season. Dining Services began selling the cards in spring 2004, said Lisa North, director of business development for University Dining Services. "It's more to do with the end of the quarter than the holiday season," she said. "But holidays could factor in." North said Dining Services is starting to promote the cards to coincide with the end of the quarter. "We think it's (a better) time for the gift cards," North said. "People may want to recognize a specific colleague or friend." Card sales, however, have not been high, she said. "We just haven't had a lot of activity on it in fall quarter because we haven't had a lot of marketing on it," she said. "We are just putting out a lot of awareness on it." Dining Services sells the cards at the Arntzen Atrium, Miller Market, Viking Union Market, Ridgeway Commons, Ridgeway Market and The Haven Market Lounge and have $10, $15 or $20 values. The cost is the face value of the card plus sales tax and people can pay only with cash, North said. "To be honest, we were just guesstimating what values people want," she said. "Certainly the $10, so far, has been the most popular." North said the $10 card had sold approximately twice the amount sold of the $15 and $20 cards, although she did not have exact sales figures. Students and staff can use the cards at both retail and residential University Dining Services locations, she said. Nick Bronsema, a supervisor at Miller Market, said the cards were not selling particularly fast at the market. "(It will) probably pick up around Christmas time, I imagine," he said. "A lot of professors buy them for students." Despite the slow sales, people still are buying the cards, Bronsema said. "I'd probably sell three or four a month," he said. Afia Agyei, a student manager at the Viking Union Market, said the cards were selling but to people other than students. "I haven't had any students buy them from me," she said. "But the (faculty) on campus (and) the full-time employees buy them." Agyei said students, however, are using the cards. She said the convenience of the cards is an advantage. "I wouldn't say a lot, but I regularly see them," she said. "We don't have a system here where you can use your credit card. This is another option if you don't have any cash on you." Ed Wissing, a Western graduate student and a women's basketball assistant, said he often eats at the VU and that he did not know about the gift cards, but he probably would not buy one. "I can't say there's anyone I would give it to as a gift," he said. Wissing said he was also not likely to purchase a gift card for personal use. "I don't really have a call for it — $15 now or $15 later is pretty much the same thing," he said. Western students walk to class Wednesday morning as the sun breaks through the blanket of fog that had settled over campus. Sehome village to New Hours: Mon-Fri: 10-7 Sat Sun: 10 5 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 8 ---------- 8 • The Western Front NEWS December 3,2004 UW professor lectures on cultural, ethnic diversity in education By Elana Bean The Western Front Teachers need to employ cultural and ethnic examples in education to help students learn to adapt to diversity, said Geneva Gay, University of Washington professor of curriculum and instruction. Gay spoke to Western students and community members Thursday in Miller Hall on culturally responsive teaching, which means recognizing and incorporating diversity in education. The Ethnic Student Center and Woodring College of Education sponsored the event. "Culturally responsive teaching is transformative," Gay said. "It is where we need to go in education." The lecture was part ofWoodring College's yearlong series recognizing the importance of Brown v. Board of Education, said Lorraine Kasprisin, the director of Western's Center for Educational Pluralism. The series includes films, workshops, a distinguished scholars lecture and an annual forum on educational law and justice, she said. Gay introduced the topic and discussed the definition of culturally responsive teaching, which has many aspects and is difficult to characterize, Gay said. "Culturally responsive teaching is to give meaning to diversity without hierarchy," Gay said. Gay discussed the importance of recognizing the way cultural experiences shape learning and the importance for teachers to use those experiences in teaching. She said other methods of teaching could be a stumbling block for students because children of color are continually seen as examples of their cultures or even the authorities on it, even when those children may not know how to articulate their cultures. "Teachers have to be the bridgers, the brokers," Gay said. "We have got to get to know more about the cultural aspects of these students' ethnicity." Gay said she experienced some obstacles while pursuing her extended education. Trying to fit in at college and appear as Elana Bean/The Western Front Geneva Gay, University of Washington professor of curriculum and instruction, lectures about culturally responsive teaching as part of Woodring College's lecture series. Culturally responsive teaching acknowledges cultural and ethical diversity into education curricula. inoffensive as possible, Gay said that many times, the chance tcr speak would be gone by the time she decided what to say. "Mostofmyundergrad years, I was silent," Gay said. "I spoke, but I did not speak publicly." If one is not teaching in the same language the students are speaking, a miscommunication can occur, Gay said. The same applies to cultural languages. This lecture gave real-life insight to many 'Culturally responsive teaching is to give meaning to diversity without hierarchy.' Geneva Gay University of Washington professor of curriculum and instruction of the Woodring students who attended the lecture, said Kelly Button, a Woodring graduate student. Button said she recognized Gay's name from a class textbook and decided to attend the lecture. "I am really interested in culturally responsible teaching," Button said. "I am writing a paper on centric-oriented education and culturally responsive education." Michael Vendiola, the Ethnic Student Center coordinator, helped organize the event and attended the lecture with his children, Michaela, 9, and Melchor, 7. His children said they agreed with Gay about using other children as. examples in teaching instead of adults. Melchor said he could relate the lecture to his experiences. "When I was in kindergarten, the fourth-graders came and helped us with a project," Melchor Vendiola said. Vendiola said his children had experienced "tokenization" at school, being looked to as the example of their ethnic group even when they did not know what that meant. HE SAYS it's no sweat running the latest software. WE SAY what about a mile? Encourage your kids to get up, get out, and get moving. New orthopaedic research reveals that just 35 minutes of walking per day can help kids fortify skeletal tissue, which leads to stronger bones as adults. For more information on the benefits of keeping kids active, visit aaos.org. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS The most moving advances in medicine. 1-800-824-BONES www.aaos.org Fresh Healthy! Mongolian Grill Create Your Own Dish from a Wide Selection of FRESH Vegetables, Meats Seasonings: LOW FAT ft LOW CARS. Choices! 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Sponsored by Wilson Engineering LLC SATURDAY DEC. 18 All ages, Bar (with ID) $20.00 Mt Baker Theatre Box Office 360.734.6080 www.mountbakertheatre.com ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 9 ---------- Accent www.westernfrontonline.com The Western Front December 3,2004 • 9 In the Friday, Dec. 3 Blues Wild Buffalo House of Music; 752-0848; $15 in advance, $20 at the door Grammy winner Roy Rogers and The Delta Rhythm Kings will perform at 9 p.m. Theater Old Main Theatre; 650-2829; free New Playwrights' Theatre performs works of new student playwrights with experienced actors and directors at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 Symphony Performing Arts Center; 650-6146; donation North Sound Youth Symphony featuring violinist Grant Donnellan will perform at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6 Symphony Mount Baker Theatre; 733-1119; $6 Sharyn Peterson will conduct the Mount Baker Youth Symphony at 7:30 p.m. Jazz Tuesday, Dec. 7 Performing Arts Center Concert Hall; 650-6146;free Western's Chuck Israels will direct jazz ensembles Art exhibit at 8 p.m. „ Viking Union gallery; 650- 6534; free Western art students show their work in "The Slow Saturday, Dec. 4 Show to China" exhibition from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ballet Wednesday, Dec. 8 Mount Baker Theatre; 734-6080; $15 adults, $13 students, seniors and children Art exhibit Nancy Whyte School of Ballet and Mount Baker Nightlight Lounge; 650-3436; free Ballet will perform the traditional holiday ballet Western seniors display art in the "Exit Strategy" "The Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. exhibition with a reception at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 Benefit concert Wild Buffalo House of Music; 752-0848; $12 suggested donation Mary Gauthier will perform alternative country for an Evergreen AIDS Foundation benefit at 7:30 p.m. Theater iDiOM Theater; 201- 5464; $8 in advance, $10 at the door Edward Albee's dark satire "The Play About the Baby," directed by Bryce Hamilton, will open at 8 p.m. The play about a baby-stealing couple will run until Dec. 18. Friday, Dec. 10 Choir Performing Arts Center; 650-6146; free Conductor Tim Fitzpatrick will lead the Bellingham Chamber Choir in the performance "Winter Metaphors and Bach's 'Magnificat' " starting at 8 p.m. Compiled by Jonathan Bradley. ^g, ap^ ^^^ B9 T* The Snow is Falling and so are Resport Prices! literally Hundreds of Bargain Priced Skis Boards and Boots An entire Truekload f rom the Mt. Baker Ski Shop We have Performance Skis, Shaped Skis, and Snowboards (rnu, k2, Sims, Furton, Pynastar, Rossignol and others. ie f rom *20 - *?00 for equipment originally costing op to $900. J^SS^S^Km^mmSKsSSB^^iK^I^^^^^^^^^^W^^^iAmmi ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 10 ---------- 10 • The Western Front December 3,2004 Portrait ot an artist from a yoitngf man Western senior Kris Orlowski reflects on his busy life as a student and a dedicated singer ByCaraShaw The Western Front Nineteen years after his first performance, Western senior Kris Orlowski fondly recalled one of his earliest memories of his music career. He was dressed in his Sunday best and radiated the Christmas spirit in a sweater any mother would be proud of, penny loafers a father would be jealous of and pleated slacks for a touch of sophistication. He remembered the moment when he started to sing as his voice echoed for all to hear. Little did the congregation know that this boy would grow up to be a man whose voice would make women swoon, lovers dance and emotions come alive. When most students are studying for finals, Orlowski will be packing his suitcase and heading for Los Angeles. Orlowski said he expects to perform his songs at the Roxie in the City of Angels on Dec. 8 or 9. He said this trip comes after weeks of promotion for his first album, "Progression from a Child," which reached record stores Nov. 20. "There is nothing like the interaction that is created between you and individuals in the audience when you play," Orlowski said. "It is that instant emotion that music creates that really fuels my passion for playing, singing and composing." Orlowski said his music is a message that can positively affect people's lives as it has affected his life. He said a lot of music right now does not help anyone, but through his music, he hopes to make a difference. "I play because it evokes emotion from another person," Orlowski said. "When people can connect to my music, I might not be healing the sick, but I can help them Cara Shaw/The Western Front Western senior Kris Orlowski performs songs from his new album, "Progression from a Child," for friends, family and supporters Nov. 20 at his first CD release party. Cara Shaw/The Western Front Orlowski performs Oct. 16 in the 2004 Pacific Idol competition, in which he made it to the final three. spiritually." Orlowski described his music as a mixture of musicians: Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, who he called acoustic pop. In addition to those artists, he said Coldplay, Jimmy Eat World and Nirvana also influence his music. Orlowski has an almost seductive style of singing, accompanied by a smirk that makes it seem like he is flirting with everyone he meets, said Casey Curtis, who manages artists such as Korby Lenker of the local musical group Barbed Wire Cutters. Curtis said she has known Orlowski for eight months and advises Orlowski from time to time about his music and helps him promote his album. "One thing about Kris — if you know Kris and interact with him often, you know he's just kind of a dork," Curtis said. "But the minute he starts playing, you're like — 'Wow. He has a great voice.'" Orlowski also is involved in a number of extracurricular activities. He is a member of Will Act for Change, a program offered through Western's lifestyle advisory program. He travels around campus and performs about how to deal with real-life situations regarding sexual health, sexual assault, alcohol, drugs and pressures that students face on a daily basis. Orlowski spends every Monday night co-leading XL, a bible-study class at the Shalom Center. In the past month alone, Orlowski has attended the Ethnic Student Center conference, the Western Men Against Violence conference and the Newman Catholic Campus Ministry retreat. Kris' mother, Nancy Orlowski, said one of her main concerns is that her son is too busy. She said some parts of her son's life have suffered because of all the activities. Kris Orlowski said it was all worth it, but he is relieved the CD is finished so he will not have to worry about completing it anymore. He said that now he can focus his attention on school and relationships. Many past experiences have led Orlowski to where he is. Nancy met her husband Paul Orlowski when they used to sing together at the Shalom Center. She said their voices blended well together, and they started to sing at weddings together as well as church. "Kris was always with us at church, singing," Nancy 'When people can connect to my music, I might not be healing the sick, but I can help them spiritually.' Kris Orlowski Western senior Orlowski said. Nancy Orlowski recalled a memory of her son as a child that she said demonstrated the type of compassion he has for people. When they watched movies together, Orlowski cared so much for people that when there was some injustice in the movie, his heart would just break, his mom said. Junior high was a time of musical exploration when Orlowski began taking piano lessons and joined his school's band. "I originally joined band in junior high because the group got to go to Disneyland and because my dad would buy me a $500 saxophone," Orlowski said. "But it ended up being a lot more involved later on during high school." Orlowski played alto saxophone for two years in his high school's marching band and in his school's jazz and concert band for four years, he said. In high school, Orlowski formed a band — Stikker — with his friends and performed for their parents and high-school talent shows. After graduating from high school, the members of Stikker began to go their separate ways, and Orlowski headed to college. Fall quarter 2003!, Orlowski went to London to study abroad. He said London was where he realized a few things about himself, including a passion for music. "London was one of the main turning points for me in many ways, spiritually, emotionally, personally and musically," Orlowski said. When Orlowski returned to Western after studying abroad, he began to play at open mics in local bars and clubs. In May 2004, he began recording "Progression from a Child." Now that Orlowski's album is behind him and as he expects to graduate in spring with a degree in communications, he said his attentions are focused on the future. Nancy Orlowski said she can see her son working with people, but whatever he decides to do, she sees him doing something with music. "I can never see music not being a part of my life," Orlowski said. "But there is so much I want to do with my life." ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 11 ---------- December 3,2004 ACCENT The Western Front • 11 The Whatcom Symphony Orchestra and Western's choirs reunite to bring joy to the ears of the audience for their annual holiday concert (Sift Wife HI Wm^mmsm sum j^^tBflRMtHtoMfr *y * ' Ruth Wetzel/The Western Front Roger Briggs, Western music professor and Whatcom Symphony Orchestra artistic director, conducts the symphony and two of Western's choirs Nov. 30. S§SSE «iiS$5g?a% m ^TBy; Ruth Wetzel The l^^erirFront Every year, Western's choirs enter the theater in two single-file lines, each member holding a candle and walking five steps behind the next, then down two inner aisles through the audience. The Whatcom Symphony Orchestra and two of Western's choirs have performed together annually at holiday concerts for the past 10 to 11 years, each year bringing a variety of new music to incorporate into the traditional processional style, program manager Mary Passmore said. This year at 3 p.m. on Sunday, they will enter the Mount Baker Theatre. The beginning and ending ceremonies have remained the same throughout the years. Every time, they have made the same entrance as the sound of their combined voices has echoed through the theater from the acoustics as they made their way up the stairs and onto the stage, said Annie McNamara, a Western senior and choral librarian. "Bim, bum, bim, bum, bim, b u m . . . " McNamara said, demonstrating the upbeat pace of the music. The opening music for the choirs, the Western Concert Choir and Western Voices varies from year to year, Passmore said. This year, the choir will enter the theater to the bouncy beat of a traditional Jewish Hanukkah piece, titled "Hanerot Halalu," which is written in Ruth Wetzel/The Western Front Western's Concert Choir and Western Voices practice together to prepare for their performance in the upcoming holiday concert. Hebrew, Choir president Gabriel Nochlin said. "Flowing from one piece of music to another is very different from what we usually do," Passmore said. She said the concert will play seamlessly with no applause during the entire program. "Once we stop, they begin, and once they stop, we immediately begin," Nochlin said, referring to the way Western's choirs flow together with the Symphony Orchestra. Passmore said the pieces are short, which is different from past years. The 20-minute piano concerto, which Western associate professor of piano Jeffrey Gilliam will play, is the longest, she said. The symphony and choirs will perform "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" with a solo from music department assistant professor David Meyer. Roger Briggs, a music department professor and Whatcom Symphony Orchestra artistic director, and Leslie Guelker-Cone, director of choral activities at Western, will conduct Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and pieces by Bach and Irving Berlin. Passmore said this year's theme is divided into four parts — the gift of the season, the gift of celebration, the gift of music and the gift of hope. The Whatcom Symphony Orchestra will pay a fee, generated from a substantial portion of the ticket sales for this concert, to Western, Passmore said. The funds will go toward music scholarships for Western students. McNamara, who sings alto, said she has been in the concert choir for three years. She said she sees many families and older couples in the audience at the holiday concert. "You could go up there and sing horribly, and they would still clap," she said. The lighthearted holiday concert has a different feel for the choir, which will perform in February at an American Choral Directors Association national convention, where the music they perform must be technically perfect, McNamara said. But the two choirs have been practicing everything from notes and dynamics to facial expression and emoting the music to the audience for this concert. "(Emoting is about) knowing what the music and text are saying so you can be genuine about it," McNamara said. "How the (meaning of the text) makes you feel helps you give a physical representation of the music (to the audience)." People can express joy in a reminiscent way, with softened eyes as they recall a memory of a good time, or they can be happy with surprise when they get something they were not expecting, McNamara said. "People think there's only a couple ways to look happy, but there's thousands," McNamara said. "There are so many different nappies." For example, "Hanerot Halalu" is about the joy of the lights of menorah, McNamara said. At the end of the concert, the choirs will move into a circle around the auditorium, walking down the stairs of the stage and filling the two outer aisles around either side of the audience. Once there, they will hold candles and sing "Silent Night." With the lights, they will begin the first verse in German, then switch to English for the next two verses. "When we switch to English, people will start singing along with us," McNamara said. When the choir stands so close to the audience, some audience members will look up and make eye contact with members of the choir, she said. "Even though you don't know the person, you share something with them," she said. Nochlin said hearing the music might change a person's mood, especially when it contains text. "You never know what someone in the audience might be going through," Nochlin said. ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 12 ---------- 12 • The Western Front ACCENT December 3,2004 Rocking in the basement A Fairhaven senior's project brings local sound to rock the underground By Eric Sanford The Western Front The basement at 2117 New St. will be rather loud this Saturday because of Fairhaven senior Ryan Soukkala's independent-study project. The Seattle hardcore band Akimbo will play a show in the basement at 7 p.m. for $2. Local bands Ancille and The Mark also will perform. "I'm booking three all-ages shows this quarter for my Fairhaven ISP," Soukkala said. "I'm basically working on my own and keeping a journal for each show." The fact that Bellingham has no legitimate all-ages venues was part of the motivation behind this show, Soukkala said. Bradley Lockhart, the guitarist and vocalist for The Mark, said his band's involvement was by chance. "Ryan Soukkala set up this show with Future City Fear because he had just started dramming for them," Lockhart said. "But a few weeks back, Future City Fear decided to call it quits and they didn't want to cancel the show. So Josh Holland from Future City Fear asked if The Mark wanted to fill in and we were like,'Hellyeah.'" Lockhart said he is ecstatic to play a show with Akimbo. "They are a killer band," Lockhart said. "I have never seen them play, but I own some of their records." Lockhart described The Mark's sound as mix of garage-punk and aggressive rock. "Basically, we like to keep our music dynamic, but with an ever-present, aggressive edge," Lockhart said. "The guitars are riff- tastic, the rhythm spastic and the vocals preachy and forward. We sound like a more rock 'n' roll version of the Refused, with howling vocals." Ancille vocalist Kelly Aiken said he also is stoked for the show. "Akimbo is always really loud," Aiken said. "I'm excited to see The Mark, too, because they are one of my favorite Bellingham bands." Aiken said that describing Ancille's sound is difficult because all the band members listen to a variety of music. "We play screamy rock, basically," Aiken said. "We all like the Pixies a lot, and The Blood Brothers and The Red Light Sting. But, really, all the band members listen to a lot of different stuff." Soukkala said he hopes the show goes well and the police do not become involved. "The last time I did a show at this house, police showed up because it started after 9 p.m.," Soukkala said. "Hopefully, this show will start around 7 p.m., so we won't have any problems." Eric Sanford/The Western Front Ancille vocalist Kelly Aiken lets loose at the Viking Union Multipurpose Room on Nov. 19. 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I mav not be coxBbined with other discounts I Expires 12/15/04 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 13 ---------- December 3,2004 ACCENT The Western Front • 13 Vmce through ioylmd By Jonathan Bradley The Western Front The rehearsal studio at Nancy y Whyte's School of Ballet seemed eerily silent this past Wednesday despite the crescendoing of Tchaikovsky and the soft thud and squeak of ballet shoes filling the room. The dancers were rehearsing ' for a performance of "The Nutcracker," sponsored by the School of Ballet and Mt. Baker Ballet, which produces "The Nutcracker" each year. The one-night- only performance will t take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Mount Baker Theatre. Nancy Whyte, the director of the school and the artistic coordinator of Mt. Baker Ballet, is producing and directing the show. She described "The Nutcracker" as a holiday classic, saying dance choreographer George Balanchine was responsible for its popularity. "Mr. Balanchine choreographed a Nutcracker long ago in the '50s," she said. "It was in New York, but it... captured the American imagination." She said audiences usually respond well to the production. "People always want to go to a 'Nutcracker,' " she said. "Thanks to Mr. Balanchine, 'The Nutcracker' is obligatory for a ballet." 7 Whyte said audiences, on one level or another, recognize a deeper theme in the performance of "The Nutcracker." "The story of 'TheNutcracker,' like all fairy tales, has a really deep meaning to it, and in this case, it's love — this little girl who is so taken up by her love of 'The Nutcracker,'" she said. She said audiences at some level wholly understand and assimilate the ballet's meaning. "Through self-sacrifice comes redemption and sacrifice," Whyte said. Bellingham resident Laura Tucker, who is playing the part of Sugarplum, one of the lead roles, said the show is definitely an audience favorite. "(It's) probably the most well-known story ballet," she said. Whyte said the show, which features approximately 60 performers, has a wide range of ages involved, from young . children to a performer who she estimated to be 60. "We have children aged 3 1/2, and the oldest person in the cast — I've never asked him his age — but I'd guess he's about my age," she said. Tucker said she enjoyed her part despite the complexity of the performance. "It's definitely the most difficult I've done," she said. "It's really fast and requires a lot of precision." Tucker said the cast started rehearsals in October. "It takes a long time to put it all together," she said. "We've got to learn all the dances and put them en pointe." En pointe refers to the dancers being on the tip of the toe, using hard ballet shoes, Tucker said. On this rehearsal night, the cast was working to overcome one obstacle. Whyte said one dancer, Jessica Dill, had injured her toe earlier in the week, requiring some adjustment to the performance. "(We're) redoing and re-choreographing a whole seven-minute piece," she said. Ferndale resident Allison Constantin, who plays the Snow Queen, said that although her changes were minor, the two new dancers brought in had to learn entirely new parts. "We startedre-choreographing on Monday, so it's been crazy," she said. Whyte said the new dancers, Bellingham residents Nina Deacon and Annie, Brinson, have risen to the occasion. "They're tickled to death to be part of it* of course — it's a big dance," Whyte said. Although the performance will only run one time before the public this Saturday, the company will perform at a number of local elementary schools, Whyte said. These performances use a smaller cast, the ballet is one hour in length rather than two, and Whyte narrates the action, she said. "(The school performances are) always so much fun because they're so unpredictable," Whyte said. She said some school audiences found parts of the ballet comical. "The children will start laughing hysterically," Whyte said. "And then sometimes you'll see humor that I'll have not realized was there." Tucker said the school performance was different because of the age of the children. "They get a bit restless in it," she said. "Many of them have never seen dance before, so they get a bit of a glimpse of something else." Jonathan Bradley/The Western Front Bellingham resident Allison Constantin, the Snow Queen, rehearses for her performance in the Nutcracker this past Wednesday at the Nancy Whyte School of Ballet. W E S T E R N B A S K E T B A LL ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 14 ---------- 14 • December 3, 2004 Sports The Western Front www.westernfrontonline.com Western defeats Nazarene Amaya scores 16, pulls down 11 rebounds as second-half surge helps the Vikings recover after an early stumble Banff film festival invades campus By Adam Rudnick The Western Front The Western men's basketball team stormed back in the second half to defeat Northwest Nazarene University Thursday night — its second come-from-behind victory in as many games. "We had the same thing happen to us this past Saturday," Western junior guard Grant Dykstra said. "We came out lackadaisical, and. in the second half, we really started playing with a lot more energy. We stopped their inside game, and I think that was the key." Although Western won 81-68, the team needed a strong second-half effort to overcome Nazarene's first-half lead. Nazarene jumped to a 17-5 lead in the first five minutes of play, but the Vikings stayed with the Crusaders and managed to pull within six points by half time, despite shooting only 37 percent. Western head coach Brad Jackson said a lull in defensive pressure caused Western's first-half deficit. "(Nazarene) came out hot and got it going, and I think we were very non-aggressive on the post defense early," Jackson said. "I thought we did a good job in the latter part of the first half, getting (the lead) down, just kind of chipping away at it, keeping it cool." Hot shooting, hustle plays and a running game helped Western catch Nazarene in the second half. Western junior guard Kyle Jackson's 3-pointer three minutes into the second half gave Western its first lead of the game at 44-43. The Vikings continued to force turnovers and pick the Crusaders apart. Dykstra led Western's defense with five steals. Western scored 27 points in the first Chris Taylor/The Western Front Western junior guard Grant Dykstra shoots a 3-pointer over Northwest Nazarene University senior guard David Lehrschall during the Vikings' win Thursday at Carver Gym. seven minutes of the second half, compared to 32 points it scored in the entire first half. Western kept Nazarene to 10 points during the first seven minutes. Western junior guard Ryan Diggs jokingly said he attributed Western's comeback to Jackson's halftime lecture. "(Jackson) just started yelling at us. If he starts yelling at us, we know we have to play," Diggs said. "We know we've made Coach J mad." Western junior forward Tyler Amaya added 16 points and 11 SEE Basketball, PAGE 16 BREWERY BISTRO Student Speciel! 15% off Hoodies w/ student ID www.bbaybrewery.com II07 Railroad f)ii# f gt;47-T gt;9.5 Are you looking for a place where you can make a difference and enjoy real community? Then come be a part of a new Christian Community starting in Fairhaven South Hill Christian Community Sundays 10:30 at the Fairhaven Library For more info call 360-752-0136 or E-mail Pastor Steve @ fishypsteve@msn.com By Salina Greig The Western Front TheBanffMountainFilmFestival made a stop at the Performing Arts Center Tuesday to show extreme sports and outdoor films. "It's inspiring," said Gabriel Prestella, the Associated Students Productions film coordinator. "We are in an excellent location for people to go out and do these things. Plus there's just the pure entertainment value and adrenaline rush." Demetri Galaxidas, a road warrior and on-site coordinator of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, said contestants submitted more than 330 films to this year's festival. The best films were carefully screened and taken on a worldwide tour, which visits 30 countries and 185 cities in North America. "It brings like-minded people together that share a certain passion for the mountains," Galaxidas said. The films included "Heavy Fork," a film about a 12-year-old mountain biker, "Psicobloc," which featured coastal rock climbing on the island of Mallorca, Spain, and other films about extreme skiing, kayaking, ice climbing and avalanches in Colorado. "It's, very diverse," Prestella said. "From hiking to kayaking to parasailing to freebase jumping. There's also culture intertwined with that." He said that because the films featured many parts of the world, the audience at the film festival will receive a taste of culture for a cheap price. The first film, "Soul Purpose," featured extreme skiing. The skiers said they would fly over a mountain and be dropped off in "virgin territories" if the place looked worthwhile. They were equipped with skis and a parachute and often skied off cliffs. The highlight film, "Alone Across Australia," featured Jon Muir, an Australian man who trekked approximately 1,600 miles across Australia, from Port Augusta to Burketown, in 128 days with no outside assistance. According to the film, that is approximately the same distance as walking across Europe or the United States. In the film, Muir said, he walked 20 kilometers each day to succeed. Muir planned the epic trek for 14 years. His dog, Seraphine, accompanied him but died roughly two weeks before the end of the trip. Muir said he hunted and gathered all of his food and water. Muir said in the film that he did not feel lonely on his trek, but he SEE Films, PAGE 16 ! mSSSmSBELmimSS^ avaia CUISINE OF INDIA^ For authentic Indian food. House of exotic food Belly Dancing Every Saturday Starting at 6pm Open 7 days a week: Lunch 11- 2:30pm Dinner 2:30'10pm Take out • Catering • Free Delivery 647-1589 • 3930 Meridian St. Next To Circuit City Lunch Buffet 16 items All y$ou can eat 5.95 Buy 2 Beverages, 1 Buffet, Get 2nd Buffet 1/2 OFF Dinner Special Buy One Entree (mild, medium, or hot) i Get One Free Up to $8.00 Value *w/coupon only one coupoon per party exp. 12/31/04 ! ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 15 ---------- December 3,2004 SPORTS The Western Front•••• 15 Women's basketball starts GNAC play versus Seattle U « gt;' By Nick Schmidt The Western Front Riding a three-game winning streak, the Western women's basketball team (3-1 overall) will open Great Northwest Athletic Conference play Saturday, when it faces Seattle University (2-2). Western swept the season series this past year and has won the previous 16 meetings against Seattle University. The Vikings hold a 41-14 edge in its series record, last losing to the Redhawks in the '93- '94 season. "They are a very much improved team from last year. They have some good guard and wing players and a new coach," Western women's head basketball coach Carmen Dolfo said. "When they ___________ come up here the pressure is all on us to perform." This season the Vikings are led by junior forward Tina Donahue who has the team's highest scoring average come ready to play.' Courtney Clapp Western junior center Chris Taylor/The Western Front Western junior center Stephanie Dressel drives on Western junior forward Tina Donahue during practice at Carver Gym. 'Any team on any given night —from top to bottom — can win in our league, at 18.8 points a game. Donahue set a especially if you don't cnaHe nSe new career high with 31 points in the «*— - team's last game against Warner Pacific University Nov. 27. "Tina has a ton of confidence right now," Dolfo said. "She is very athletic and hard to guard." Players and coaches are optimistic for the season as the team tries to extend its national tournament appearance streak to seven years. Dolfo said. "We were all really excited about this year. Each team we face this year will be a good match up," Western senior forward/guard Jodi Gerald said. "The team chemistry has kept getting better and better oyer my last four years, and we all feel this team has a lot of good potential." Gerald leads the Vikings in rebounds, averaging 7.5 rebounds a game this season. She ranks second on the team in three-pointers made, and field goals attempted and made. "As long as we stick to our strengths — defense — we should do well," Western junior center Courtney Clapp said. Not only is Seattle University better, but the entire GNAC league is as well, Dolfo said. "The league is a lot stronger than last year," she said. "We are a young team but have lots of potential and just have to take it one game at a time, and we can't overlook anyone.". Seattle Pacific University, despite already having its 62-regular season game winning streak snapped, was the unanimous preseason favorite for league champion, with Western picked second. Dolfo said she was not surprised by the coaches picking Seattle Pacific to claim their third- straight league title, but she said she thinks Western is not far away from giving the Falcon's recent league dominance a serious Any team on any given night — from top to bottom — can win in our league, especially if you don't come ready to play," Clapp said. Western edged rival Central. Washington University by only eight points to take second in the preseason coaches' poll. While losing all of the its starters except two, Central added a couple of key transfer players that will make the Wildcats competitive this season in the playoff hunt and in their season series against the Vikings. Western will tip-off against Seattle University Saturday at 7 p.m. After playing the Redhawks, the Vikings will travel to California for a two-game road trip; Western will return home to face The Evergreen State College at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13. Having trouble getting your GURs? (General University Requirements) Worried about taking too long to finish your degree? Can't fit GUR classes into your schedule? CHECK your Distance EdlBtion lourse options at WWU's partner: Skagit Valley College offers affordable, transferable GUR courses like Psychology/ English, History and Math through Distance Education or on-campus!... Internet-based courses are offered every quarter. OPEN ENROLLMENT for Winter Quarter starts Monday, December 6 Skagit Valley Where Learnmg****"^™^ ComcstoLifc www.skagjt.edu Distance Education (360)416-7770 Counseling (360)416-7654 mmmmmmmmirmmMmMhmmm^MkMmm r654 mmmsm * * Open House Sat, December 4th 12-2pm** ^ ^ ^ Sehome View Apartments 501 Voltaire Court (off Ferry Ave, behind Sehome High School) Studios / One Bedrooms / Two Bedrooms All units include washer / dryer / dishwasher WaiktoWWU Gome to Open house, turn in. an application we will waive the application fee and you'll recieve 1/2 off first months rent!! Call Apex for details at 527-9829 taW lt;j,UWl.iJl^|l^lliM«WWI»..»'»M'K*lWtl6W»IM'..,'.l..'lfl') wiioi,iii»a^8w^^«- !BS!g»y7?^r^aiwag^g?'" ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 16 ---------- 16 •• The Western Front SPORTS December 3,2004 Sonics are better than advertised Dan Johnson COMMENTARY At 13-3, it is time for so-called NBA experts to stop calling the Seattle SuperSonics a fake playoff contender. While the Sonics may not end the season hoisting the NBA championship trophy, now is the time to talk about the Sonics as a legitimate playoff team. Most critics believe this season will be the same as the previous two years, when the Sonics started off hot only to fade from the picture by the end of the year. league last year being out-rebounded by its opponents by 3.3 rebounds per game. The key in the improved rebounding was the trade general manager Rick Sund made in the offseason, shipping center Calvin Booth to the Dallas Mavericks for forward Danny Fortson. While averaging almost the same minutes per game as Booth did this past year for the Sonics, Fortson is bringing down 6.6 rebounds per game as opposed to Booth's 3.9 rebounds per game last year. Fortson also has provided a physical presence inside the paint the Sonics have lacked the past few seasons. Fortson sets a lot of tough screens that open shooters and is able to bang around the top- notch power forwards that play in the West —- leading the NBA in fouls per game and flagrant fouls. = = His pphnyyssiiccaall presence This season feels different But (the Sonics nave) has helped push the Sonics because it finally appears proved it can play wih through games where its the team has bought into the ffae 0jg boys in the offense has an off-night— system of Sonics head coach r ^ defeating Minne- for e x a mPl e gt;a 7 9^68 ™tory xT„*~*,r~A gt;r.ii~_ against the Nets on Nov. 17 sota, San Antonio and Sacramento all three of which are considered to be top-flight contenders' Nate McMillan, As a player, McMillan was tough, intense and unselfish, yet the past two seasons, the Sonics have been a lackluster team that seemed to care more about how many points it scored as opposed to how many games it won. But this year feels different. This is ho longer a team that wins with just its offense anymore. As of Monday, the Sonics were second in the league in rebounding margin, averaging 4.6 rebounds more than opponents per game, whereas the team was 26th in the in which Fortson seemed to spark the team by nearly getting into a fight with Alonzo Mourning. He also pulled down six rebounds — which allowed the team to win a game it would have lost in previous years. The Sonics' improved defensive play is the other major difference between this team and the teams of the past couple of seasons. And NBA experts say defense is what carries a team to the playoffs and further. McMillan was known as a defensive stopper during his time as a Sonics player, leading the league in steals at 2.96 per game during the '93-'94 season. He has finally seemed to have convinced his top-caliber players of the importance of playing defense. The effort of the team's top two offensive players, forward Rashard Lewis and guard Ray Allen, on the defensive end is the major difference between a flailing team last year and an upper-echelon team this year. Both players, qonsidered defensively weak in previous seasons, have contributed effort defensively which has flowed over to the rest of the team. The increased defensive effort has moved the Sonics defense from a ranking of 24th, giving up 97.8 points per game this past season, to 5th, giving up 91.2 points per game this year, NBA experts continue to say Seattle cannot make the playoffs because it lacks any inside presence offensively. But the team has proved it can play with the big boys in the West, defeating Minnesota, San Antonio and Sacramento all three of which are considered top contenders to win the Western Conference and all of which have big men considered among the best in the NBA. The team's big men, while not scorers, do other things needed to win. They are defending, rebounding and hustling more than the Sonic big men of previous seasons, which is what a team with plenty of perimeter scoring needed. The improved rebounding and defense, mixed in with a strong offense will keep the Sonics playing basketball in April for the first time in three seasons. Basketball: Western cannot rest with first conference victory Continued from Page 14 rebounds in the win. The game was the first Great Northwest Athletic Conference contest this year for both teams. Dykstra, who led Western with 19 points, said winning the first conference game is crucial. "We don't want to go 5-0 and lose the first conference game because then we've just backtracked a lot," Dykstra said. "Winning this first GNAC game is a huge lift for us." Although the first GNAC game is important, Western cannot be content with its win because another conference 11th in the most recent NABC/NCAA - Division II National Coaches Poll .With the game looms in the near future, coach Jackson said. - "When you have two early tTIT , T 77 , • r. We don t want to go . ,Tr . ,. c home games in conference, a win, Western improved to 6- given how difficult it is -*"*" anc* ^ose the first Q for m e gr s t t j m e s m c e m e to play on the road in this conference game be- '93-'94 season ... Western league, (the games) are really cause then we 'vejust and Northwest Nazarene important," he said. "We have to get right back after it against Seattle University on Saturday." Western plays host to Seattle University (3-2, 0-1 GNAC) at 7 p.m. Saturday. Game notes: Western is backtracked a lot. Grant Dykstra Western junior guard ranked combined for 43 free throws attempted Thursday night -Western hit 11 of 19 free throws (58 percent) while Northwest Nazarene hit 17 of 27 (63 percent) ... Western's free-throw percentage is 72 percent this year. Films: Festival inspires outdoor patrons' interest Continued from Page 14 felt a strong .sense of being alone. He said food, water, shelter and companionship are the most important aspects of human life but also are the most overlooked. Muir was so isolated from the rest of the world that he did not know about the Sept." 11 attacks, which occurred while he was on his journey. At the end of the trip, he had lost one-third of his body weight and was malnourished. Four months later, he walked to the North Pole. Kimberly Holt, who works for ASP Films Production, said the films have beautiful cinematography and do not just appeal to athletes. "There's a lot of things that don't only satisfy the adventure, outdoor enthusiasts," Holt said. Prestella said he hoped the film festival would inspire people who do not take advantage of the outdoor activities that are available in Bellingham. "It will be a boost for people who aren't really outdoorsy people," he said. "Plus, it's just really cool." The Banff Mountain Film Festival will be in Seattle on Friday and then will move on to Olympia and British Columbia. Photo courtesy of Banff Mountain Film Festival From the movie "Gordon Wiltsie — View from Above and Beyond," which played during the Banff Mountain Film Festival Saturday at the Performing Arts Center. ^MSSiiittlSilllBiilBiBll Whatcom LvteNOt 1531 Has the film ''l^omai^a-; ^sure" peake^y^^ihterfeslihi the fraternity of set many of - bur Founding Fathers? George Washington* Thomas; Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Paul Revere, John Paul Jones Whatcom Lodge NO. 151 invites your enquiry into the world's oldest Fraternity. Contact: Lodge Secretary John F. Browne (WWU- 1970) Email: jbrowne@telcomplus.net WEB: www.WhatcomMasonicLodge.org You deserve a heavy hitter on your team. That's our stand. leanhelpLyouvvith your chanQingT' •'•'• ,- - • insurance or financial needs. ;•'•:!•.- gt;•'..• (360) 6?f-2311 Bruce Prince /instate Are Your BRAKES making noise? We have a FREE brake inspection that you •\ should get every 30,000 miles. 1 0% discount with Student ID Prime Tune Brakes in Sunset Square 671-2277 PREGNANT? CONSIDER YOUR CHOICES We can help... Medical Care Referral Confidentially Assured • Free Counseling * Complete Adoption Services Open Adoption -A Loving Choice Choose meet your child's family BeifMhv Your Needs Come Firbt! 5E2£S^i« call Rebecca at (360) 733-6042 Belinjham.WA 98226 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 17 ---------- www.westernfrontonline.com Opinions The Western Front December 3,2004 • 17 Medical marijuana helps terminally ill Houston Flores COMMENTARY Angel McClary Raich is a mess. Her personal Web site describes her struggle with an inoperable brain tumor, a uterine tumor, chronic pain disorders and several other conditions that require immediate medical attention. She is also highly allergic to most medications. The federal government should allow people like Raich to use alternative medicines, such as medicinal cannabis, to ease their pain and relieve their symptoms. According to Duke University's law Web site, the federal government has proposed to strictly enforce its anti-drug laws by making all use and possession of marijuana illegal. While California and 11 other states have passed laws legalizing medical marijuana, the U.S. government sees nothing wrong in denying the states their individual power. The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing the case of Ashcroft v. Raich after two years of legal battles in the Ninth Circuit Court. The Supreme Court will look at this case from two different perspectives. The first and most obvious is its decision on whether medical marijuana should be legal. As part of the federal Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is a Schedule I drug, which defines it as a drug with no legitimate medical use. The court will learn through Raich's testimony and through further research that marijuana does in fact have legitimate medical use. According to the National Academy of Sciences Web site, a 1999 study funded by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy concluded that marijuana did have many therapeutic applications. People suffering from conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy and chronic pain can find relief in marijuana. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, for example, will feel a reduction in nausea and have an increased appetite. The other decision the Supreme Court has to make is whether it wants to allow the federal government to bully the states. According to court documents, the government says the California law that allows the use of medical marijuana, the Compassionate Use Act, is indirect conflict with the Controlled Substances Act. According to the government, the Substances Act should take precedence over California's laws. But this decision should be a simple one because, four years ago in United States v. Morrison, the Supreme Court decided that issues dealing with matters not related to interstate commerce were not within the federal government's jurisdiction. Since the sale of marijuana is not regulated, it would be impossible for the government to have a case against California's law. Opponents to medical marijuana say that it will hurt the war on drugs and will encourage more drug legalizations. But controling the transactions of medical marijuana is not difficult. According to the Medical Board of California's Web site, California's law requires a doctor's prescription to possess marijuana, so illegally obtaining marijuana would be no different than people illegally obtaining other prescription drugs. Opponents also say the high associated with marijuana diminishes its value as a medicine. They say the user will become lazy and remain just as unproductive as they were before taking the medicine. But the side effects of using marijuana, which include mood enhancement, anxiety reduction and sedation, are the side effects of many pain killers already on the market. According to the Internet drug index found at rxlist.com, Vicodin has many of the same side effects as marijuana and also is habit forming. This issue is not about a 13-year-old hanging out with the wrong crowd, smoking pot and getting into trouble. It is about people who have no other alternative and simply want to live in less pain than they already are. To make people live in pain by denying them medical treatment is simply immoral. Scandals do not affect worth of United Nations ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^§^^^^ §|p||^ Shoddy accounting practices in Iraq? What about the lflf§l^^ Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management Bachelor of Science in the College of Business and Economics www.cbe.wwu.edu/mm Scholarships Awarded 2004-2005: $44,500 Your Degree: *Priceless * To get involved, contact: The Educational Society for Resource Management M «*' gt;•" '# infer**4- APICS would like to congratulate the following graduating students and wish them luck in their futures: Matt Kline- FASTENAL John Wilson-AEROTECH SPORTS Phil Johnson- interviews with Paccar, Starbucks, and Barclays North Todd Albright- hoping to retain a position with the Seattle Sonics and Storm Mathew Lynch- Milgard Windows Sale Shull-JH Kelly, LLC Levi Rundell- Project Specialist lined up with Starbucks Corporate, in Seattle lease visit our website at: htto://www.ac. wwu.edu/~aoicswwu/or email us at: apicswwu@cc.wwu.edu. WESTERN FRONT CLASSIFIEDS SELL! 4£50-316 gt;l ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 18 ---------- 18 •• The Western Front OPINIONS December 3,2004 Communications Facility technologically advanced, but lacks necessities As the first foil quarter in the Communications Facility comes to a close, students should not be too caught up with the bells and whistles or they will forget that with new technology and surroundings comes new problems and frustrations. • From little problems, such as a lack of proper drainage in the front of the building, to larger mishaps such as an inability to effectively control the climate inside the building, the facility is at least nice to look at. The Communications Facility was built in such a way that it is practically impossible to receive or send cell-phone calls. The ability to communicate is a basic feature that almost any building named after the concept of communication needs. To make a successful cell-phone call, one must walk away from all walkways around or near the black hole of reception that is the Communications Facility. .,. ; Not all the problems are so easy to identify. , Thereh^notbeenanoticeablechangemmebuilding'sheatingsystem, though the weather has changed from the warmer days of September to the below-freezing temperatures of December. There are no physical . temperature controls in individual classrooms for public use. One would think that a opening a window could aid in climate control. The problem, however, is that most of the windows do not open. It is difficult to believe that in a building for which Western shelled out $36.4 million, the school neglected to spare the extra $20 at Home Depot for at least one hinge and latch per classroom. The lack of after-hours access to the building is also a problem. The 24-hour computer labs on the first floor of the south side of the building may appear to be open because the lights are on. The doors to the building are locked at 11 p.m., however, and the entire south side of the building is sealed off. Not only is this lock-up an inconvenience to those trying to use computers but also to students who need to turn in assignments during the late evening. Professors' offices are located in the southern section of the building, so slipping a paper under a professor's door after hours is no longer possible. The building also is too high-tech for its own good. With millions of dollars spent on technology, it lacks basic amenities such as pencil sharpeners, a lounge area for all students or paper towels in the bathroom. The only way to dry hands after washing them is to use a hot-air dryer. This may seem like a more eco-friendly way to do things, but it may not be as sanitary. According to a 1998 study by the University of Westminster in Great Britain, air circulation in an area with toilets leads to the spreading of fecal germs. This building is quite an improvement over some of the structural relics on campus, but it lacks the insight into the everyday needs of students. Someday in the distant future, these problems may be solved after an explosion in the nuclear/condensed material lab traps students who tried to open windows to escape or call for help. These needs will definitely present themselves when the fire department finds out afterward that the explosion could have been quelled by a few damp paper towels. , Frontlines are the opinion of The Western Front editorial board: Matt DeVeau, Cari Lyle, Mugs Scherer, Kaitlin King, Jelena Washington, Chris Taylor, Anna Sowa, David Wray, Zoe Fraley, Amanda Woolley, Travis Sherer, Caleb Heeringa, Aaron Apple, Lauren Miller and Jessica Evans. The Western Front Editor in Chief: Matt DeVeau; Managing Editor: Cari Lyle; Head Copy Editor: Mugs Scherer; Copy Editors: Kaitlin King, Jelena Washington; Photo Editor: Chris Taylor; News Editors: Anna Sowa, David Wray; Accent Editor: Zoe Fraley; Features Editor: Amanda Woolley; Sports Editor: Travis Sherer; Opinions Editor: Caleb Heeringa; Online Editors: Aaron Apple, Lauren Miller; Community Liaison: Jessica Evans; Photo Assistant: Lauren Miller; Columnist: Matt McDonald; Cartoonists: Matt Haver, Terrence No-wicki; Adviser: John Harris; Business Manager: Alethea Macomber; Advertising Manager: Joel Hall. Staff Reporters: Elizabeth Adamack, Matthew Anderson, Mary Andom, Jamie Badilla, Elana Bean, Mari Bergstrom, Jonathan Bradley, Houston Flores, Krissy Gochnour, Laura Greaby, Salina Greig, Lauren Hardin, Stefani Har-rey, Marissa Harshman, Dan Johnson, Kara Johnson, Kara Lundberg, Laura McVicker, Michael Murray, Crystal Oberholtzer, Porfirio Pena, Tera Randall, Tanya Rozeboom, Adam Rudnick, Eric Sanford, Gig Schlich, Nick Schmidt, Cara Shaw, Byron Sherry, Anastasia Tietje, Ruth Wetzel and Timory Wilson. Editor's note: The views expressed on The Western Front opinion pages are the views of the authors or cartoonists and are not necessarily the views of The Western Front staff, managers or adviser. And we quote "I'm a philosophy major. That means I can think deep thoughts about being unemployed." —martial artist Bruce Lee Government debt out of hand Laura Greaby COMMENTARY As of Dec. 3, the United States' outstanding public debt was $7,529,419,005,333.07, or approximately 7.5 trillion, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Web site. Even with this astronomical amount, President George W. Bush signed a bill Nov. 19 to increase the government's debt limit by $800 billion to $8.8 trillion, according to a Nov. 19 Boston Globe article. Bush and Congress should not be able to increase the government debt and should instead work to decrease it. When America is in debt, it devalues the American dollar, potentially causing financial instability. The reason for the increase in the debt cap was to pay for a $388 billion bill that Congress will send to the Department of the Treasury to fund important federal programs such as social security, according to a Nov. 19 CBS News article. The federal government should have planned ahead and budgeted the money so that it would have enough funding to cover these necessary programs. It should not be a surprise that it has to pay for federal programs. Democrats generally were against this increase and said GOP tax cuts were the cause for the increase in debt. They also said the recently passed bill should have required budget cuts to pay for tax cuts or spending increases in order to keep the debt lower, according to the CBS News article. The bill passed through the House with voting fairly consistent along party lines. The final count was 208-204, with most Republicans voting in favor of the bill, according to the CBS News article. This enormous amount of debt is putting the American economy in peril and will cause the American dollar value to decrease even more compared to other countries. According to a Nov. 21 USA Today article, market analysts and investors are concerned that SEE Debt, PAGE 19 Columnist reflects on Western life Matt McDonald LIFE'S A WAVE, BRAH Thursday was my last day of class at Western. Now I will own a piece of paper that says I know stuff about journalism and computer science for the low price of years of debt. Accompanying this debt, I am able to choose either a life of poverty that I like to call writing or a life as a dorky computer programmer. Who cares about the future, though? Instead of talking about my lame career choices for my final, pointless rant, I think I should look into the past and do some reflecting on my 17 years at Western. Here are the high- and low- lights of my college career. My best college experience was two weeks before I turned 21. I was inebriated at a party and the cops surrounded the house. Then, during what seemed to be a terrorist lockdown, I was loaded on the party bus and took a Breathalyzer. I blew a 0.00, even though I was wasted. It was sweet. My worst college experience was one week later. I was intoxicated walking down Potter Street at midnight when a cop flew out of a tree on a bike and gave me a minor in possession. It was just like the television show "Pacific Blue" that Mario Lopez, otherwise known as A.C. Slater, was on. Except replace the warm climate and hot girls with disgruntled cops who don't catch criminals but hide in the dark and give out MIPs. What is with the artwork on Western's campus? This is something I never figured out. A fallen Soviet satellite, a man humping a bear and little gnomes holding giant crack rocks — what does it all mean? Western's best class was Math 102. It was so good I took it twice. Biggest myth at Western is the freshman 15. Seriously, you have to be kidding me that freshmen come in and gain 15 pounds. Look around, it's the freshman 30. My dorm experience was horrible. I lived with a member of the Republican club who played with LEGOs. My resident adviser was nothing more than a disgruntled camp counselor, and I was sick the whole year because all I ate was grilled-cheese sandwiches. My advice to Western freshmen is that if you don't drink, try drinking. If you do drink, try not drinking. It's amazing how much you learn about yourself when you try something different. The same goes for pot, red meat and toad. My ex-girlfriend would say I SEE Western, PAGE 19 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 19 ---------- December 3, 2004 OPINIONS The Western Front • 19 Debt: Huge deficits may harm U.S. economic future Continued from Page 18 foreign banks will stop supporting the American dollar by lending the U.S. government money to help against the national debt. If other countries do stop this support, American finances could be in deep trouble because the dollar would have _______ less value. '(Future generations) durinS t h e C l i n t o n; The money spent administration of paying off the interest are the ones that will e i g h t y e a r s gt; m e d e bt on America's debts have to pay money to climbed only $1.4 could be spent in get the economy out trillion, according to other areas, such as of this huge mess.' me Globe article. With this increase in money the government can the national debt was at $5.8 trillion and Congress projected a surplus of $5.6 trillion in 10 years, according to a Nov. 18 Boston Globe article. Instead the debt has grown by more than $2 trillion to approximately $7.5 trillion with no forecast of it going down. ________ To compare, education or better health care. The net outcome of having so much debt in the American economy will greatly impact future generations. They are the ones that will have to pay money to get the economy out of this huge mess. When Bush took office in 2001, now spend, it will be spending on programs such as a 2 percent increase in biomedical spending, but it will cut grants for local water improvements and research supported by the National Science Foundation, according to the CBS News article. The Department of the Treasury Web site lists an address and a way for people to write a check directly to the debt fund to help decrease it. But it would cost every American citizen approximately $25,539.17, according to the site. According to the CBS News article, a statement released by the White House argued that the bill was necessary to ensure financial stability and accountability for the American economy. But by putting America further in debt, this will harm the economy more than it will help it in the long term. America needs to work out a plan to decrease the debt because the money to fix this financial mess will be going to future generations. This is a major problem that should be dealt with now instead of just borrowing more money to put America deeper into debt. Western: Following high hippies can make any evening enjoyable Continued from Page 18 have expertise regarding the subject of the best bar in Bellingham. I'd have to say The Royal. Not. The World Famous Up Up Tavern is the best, followed by the Rogue Hero at a close second. Journey, Pabst and a one-to-400 girl-guy ratio makes for a real good time. A highly entertaining activity at Western is finding hippies on mushrooms and following them. What I hope changes at Western is get rid of those "seven out of 10 Western students drink three or fewer drinks" advertisements. I have known many people who have been pictured in those advertisements and they drink more than 10 students put together. Also, those stats are bogus. I had to fill out one of those when I got my MIR I thought if I was honest they would have put me in alcohol counseling. So, of course I wrote that I barely drink. Oh yeah, parking sucks. People I would like to thank while I was at Western are former Vice President Al Gore for inventing the Internet because that is. where I got all of my sources for my opinion articles. Western, for turning me into a hardcore liberal and making me hate America. And girls because without them college would have sucked and my life would have no meaning. Well, my education is finished with this final paragraph. Now it is off to the real world of gloom and doom. The next time you hear anything from me it will most likely be, "What kind of dipping sauce would you like with your Wendy's nuggets?" 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Musicians And Dancers Also Needed! No Speaking/Experience Required! Have Fun While Being a Movie Extra! Local/State/Nationwide Work! Variety Of Looks Needed! Earn Up To $300 A Day! Call 1(877) CAST- DIRECT GET PAH) to drive a brand new car! Now paying drivers $800-$3200 a month. Pick up your free car key today! www. freecarkey.com GET PAID for your opinions! Earn $ 15-$ 125 and more per survey! www.moneyforsurveys. com SERVICES STORAGE UNITS. Fairhaven Storage 733-5553. FEMALE ROOMATE ROOMATE WATNTED 3BDR/2 Bath house. Internet/ cable/piano. All utilities. $375. First/last, 6 month lease. 360- 319-7270. iiiiiPil lllliil (|#65tf-3l6b 9 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - Page 20 ---------- 20 • The Western Front December 3, 2004 CHALLENGE YOUR siiiiiiii" PAPER. SCISSORS Sehorne Village New Hours Mon-Fri: 10 7 Sat Sun: 10-5 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - New Whatcom page 1 ---------- Western Washington Universiiittyy,, BBeellllminganha m, Washington Friday December 3,2004 AspecialinsertonaspectsofgrowthinWhatcomCounty Whatcom County growth: evolving issues By Kate Koch For thousands of years, the Nooksack River has carved a wide lazy path through the rolling foothills and rich soil of Whatcom County. Today, the icy fingers of the river still weave a watery web across the land but, as the years pass, another entity is consuming the county's soil — growth. Population growth, economic growth and physical growth all shape the landscape of Whatcom County. As the population grows, more homes and apartments must be built to accommodate the newcomers. Construction creates jobs and contributes to the economy. But the impacts of growth are much harder to identify and measure. In March 2004, the Whatcom County Council calculated the number of people that they believed the county can expect to relocate here by 2022 — 59,728 people. That^would increase Whatcom County's population to more man 200,000 people. In this issue of New Whatcom, students in an advanced reporting class at Western reported on the many facets of this ever-evolving issue. Covering everything from water rights to retirees, they traveled from Kendall to Fairhaven, and from Happy Valley to Birch Bay. Our reporters spoke with planners and politicians, nurses and neighborhood watch groups to tell the story of this growing county. Will county planners, developers and politicians be able to handle population growth while maintaining the quality of life that residents told us they enjoy? What will Whatcom County look like in 20 years? Photo by Connor Clark-Lindh These questions will be answered in time. But, for now, we have provided you with a snapshot of the county's growth in 2004. Historic Fairhaven sprouts new housing, businesses By Evan Mc Lean Window shoppers share praises of progress while passing in front of the newly constructed Village Books building in historic Fairhaven. But at the foot of the area's oldest structure, the Terminal Building of 1888, worried words come from onlookers who, from the corner of 11th Street and Harris Street, can watch the conjunction of three large looming buildings. An elaborate walkway hovering from Taylor Dock over Bellingham Bay, summertime outdoor cinemas in the park and an increase in local commerce has attracted higher numbers of visitors to Fairhaven's corner of Whatcom County. The old-town atmosphere of Fairhaven has proven a comfort for some locals, from the more metropolitan feel of its neighbor, downtown Bellingham. Fairhaven's draw has caused attention; investors are advancing growth, while city planners regulate construction style and impact, in response to the community's concern of losing Fairhaven's charm. Village Books owner Chuck Robinson has watched this community grow for almost 25 years. He celebrated moving his business and home into a new building on 11th Street on Nov. 14. The three-level brick building fits in with the style of buildings in the area, which is mandatory for development or renovation in Fairhaven. "Oveiwhelmingly, people are loving the new building," he said. But, Robinson said, the community feels unease toward additional development. His friends and customers are happy about some of the aspects that produce more of a neighborhood atmosphere, while being timid toward taller and larger buildings. "There is a nervousness; change is a difficult thing for people," he said. "A place becoming something different conjures vague fears." Conversations along most of Fairhaven's cozy walkways sound of a resigned appreciation. Tourists sitting in the Village Green pointing with "oohs" and "awes" are often passed by joggers from the South Bay Trail grumbling over yet another construction crane contrasting against turn-of-the-century architecture. Robinson said he feels generally comfortable with the way Fairhaven is developing. There are two large buildings being constructed on Harris Street that integrate commercial and residential uses with three other apartment complexes under construction within a few blocks. Ron Mueller, president of Wayland Marine Photo by Evan McLean The new Village Books opened in Fairhaven on Nov. 14. Ltd. in Fairhaven, frequents many local up the run-down store fronts. shops to participate in what he identifies as a tight-knit community. Sitting with a laptop at the window of Tony's Coffeehouse in the Terminal Building, he said the addition of over 300 living units within one year is greedy. He described a new trend of growth in the area, different from that which fixed "This new growth is giving way to a new breed of developer," he said. "I could see one of these buildings going up a year, but not SEE Fairhaven, PAGE 3 ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - New whatcom page 2 ---------- Page 2 NEW WHATCOM December 3,2004 Retirees flock to Whatcom County By Jeanna Barrett When Marsha Riek moved to Bellingham and introduced herself at a Bellingham's Newcomer's Club meeting as a former resident of Illinois, everybody laughed. "Is there anybody left?" someone asked her. Within a six-month period, everyone the Newcomer's Club welcomed was from Illinois, and the numbers keep growing, said Grace Bruseth, club president. Given the flood of media attention Bellingham has received about being a retirement Mecca, the city has experienced an increase in people moving here to retire or with plans of retiring. These two groups fall within the age range of approximately 50 - 65 years. According to the Whatcom County Council of Governments, the retirement-aged population is expected to increase 30 percent by 2005 and another 20 percent by 2010. This growth surpasses the percentages of all other age groups including the college ages of 18 to 24. Bellingham resident Len Hansen, 72, is an author and journalist who specializes in the topic of mature adults. Hansen said mature adults comprise the fastest growing demographic in the United States and will continue at the same rate for the next 30 years. "There's a way to have growth that is quality, and it happens to be if you can attract retirees," Hansen said. He said that mature adults improve communities because they are the only group that pays more in taxes than they take out in resources. They also do not put children in schools and they do not take jobs, but rather create them by contributing on average, $35,000 per couple to the community, he said. Mature adults also do not commit crime, and it is predicted that if one or two mature adults live on a block in a neighborhood, the crime rate will drop, Hansen said. Hansen said while some people say "We don't want growth," growth of the retirement age can only benefit Bellingham. Due to the press Bellingham is receiving as being a great place to retire, the retired population will most likely continue to grow. In September 2001, "Outside" magazine named Bellingham one of 10 "Dream Towns" and in May 2003, "Men's Journal" named Bellingham one of the 50 best small towns to live in. "AARP The Magazine" listed Bellingham in its spring 2003 issue among 15 "dream towns" for boomers looking to settle down in a new locale. In addition, Bellingham was mentioned in "CNN and Money" as one of the eight best places to retire and in September 2004 "National Geographic Adventure" magazine rated Bellingham in its top 10 "Adventure Towns" in the nation. According to The Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau's Web site, some of the benefits of Bellingham these magazines list are affordable housing, and its close access to shorelines, rivers, the San Juan Islands and the Cascade Mountains. "CNN and Money" magazine praised Bellingham's city trails and natural beauty, Western's Theatre Arts Department, the Fairhaven district and the close access of snow skiing. The magazine said Bellingham offers "the great outdoors and a sophisticated community all at your doorstep," and has "metropolitan ambitions without big-city hassle." Riek, 59, and her husband moved to Bellingham in 2002 from the Chicago area. Riek said some of the reasons they like Bellingham are the mild weather, access to boating, hiking, mountains and its proximity to big cities such as Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., and also because it is a college town. Riek said during the first year she lived in Bellingham, she had 11 houseguests from Illinois and this year she has had six. Her friends back in Illinois also contacted her when Bellingham was listed in "Outside" magazine as one of the top 10 dream towns. "I'm sure people here don't want that to get out," she said. "I don't know if we would have found Bellingham if our nephew didn't live here. It's kind of tucked up here. J think more people will know about it now because of the press." Riek said she hopes as the community continues to grow and more retirees move here, that the city will ensure proper urban planning, such as improving infrastructure and protecting from sprawl. "It would be hard for me to say 'I don't want [new retirees] to come' because we were new," Riek said. "But I just hope it doesn't change the town." Len Hansen Bellingham resident Jess Cook moved here with his wife in early 2002 from the Los Angeles area. He has similar reasons as Riek for enjoying Bellingham, but he said moving here was a compromise with his wife, and Bellingham would not have been his first choice. He said that all the magazines that list Bellingham as a top place to live don't mention Bellingham's downfalls, which he considers important. "I think there are some things about Bellingham that are negative that all the magazines that put Bellingham at the top of the list to retire don't mention," Cook said. "The healthcare system here is shaky." Cook said that Bellingham has a limited amount of facilities that accept Medicare patients and mature adults here have trouble finding primary healthcare. He said housing prices could be too high for people arriving from other parts of the country, yet, he still thinks it's inevitable that Bellingham will see k^MWmmMim even more of an increase in people moving here to retire. "One of the things that happens when places become attractive retirement places is that more people do move [to the location]," Cook said. "Friends and family travel by word-of-mouth. I think that in the future, unless there is a community push to help change the healthcare issue, that's going to become a limiting factor." Bellingham resident Charla King, 54, agreed with Bruseth that a lot of retirees move to Bellingham because of family or word-of-mouth. Bruseth, 60, has been involved with the Newcomer's Club since it began in 1997. The Newcomer's Club is designed as a club for people to meet each other and partake in activities with other iliiillisiiil |^:ie|iingEam| ;i;r|ii||p;iE^it)tl :,,,,,,,, ,,ll8iiiBiiiil llllH|ll|i^||i51^^||| from the cities and had them |SeJfiffi^af^a|ijSffi|fflm]g||| f ^ ^ ^ i | © r s ^ | ^ i r e | | | l J new people moving to Bellingham. Bruseth said when it was first started in 1997, 23 households were involved and now more than 170 households are involved. She said the majority of members are between the ages of 40 and 80. King has been amember of theNewcomer 's Club since her move here approximately two years ago. "In the two years and four months I've been here, the [club] has doubled," King said. "That shows you how much (the city has) grown. "We're really taking over — what do you think Grace?" King said as she turned to Bruseth. Grace just smiled. Fairhaven: Developers face height, material restrictions when building in the neighborhood Continued from Page 1 five expected to fill with residents flooding an area not planned to take them." Robinson expressed concern for the number of buildings being built but pointed out the restrictions developers have to work through to be able to build in Fairhaven. The new Village Books location was built within height, material and visual design requirements, among others. The City of Bellingham Planning Department is in charge of reviewing bidders' applications to build or renovate in the area. The city's associate planner Jackie Lynch has jurisdiction over Fairhaven. Blotting maps with highlighters, she explained that the core area of Fairhaven, a few city blocks, and its periphery are regulated through building size, style and materials used. "There are legitimate concerns over the infill in Fairhaven," she said. "Like, what happens to the sparkling store fronts and entertaining walks." Lynch said she feels confident in the aesthetic aspects architects are including in their designs because the designs must be up to the city's standards. "I have difficulty believing that if we keep doing this kind of development things can go drastically bad," she said. Lynch said she feels that with more residents and tenants entering the area with an appreciative mindset, there will be more structures. Imus said he believes that developers in the area have been straining to be conscious of the artistry that . is necessary 'I have difficulty be- t0 maintain lieving that if we keep . F a i r h a v e n 's doing this kind of charm. He also development things can said that the trend go bad.' was changing with some larger companies' bids Jackie Lynch forming on the people looking out for City of Bellingham associate horizon. He said the community's well- planner he is a proponent being. She said that there is no way of limiting which tenants enter the community, but pointed out an unwritten tendency of not allowing chain stores to occupy core business spaces. The Imus family has been attributed with the initial push for Fairhaven's re-gentrification. Ken Imus began buying up buildings for renovation two decades ago. Now, he and his son Brad with their company, Jacaranda, have, constructed five buildings and have fixed up many of the historic for additional housing in the area. "I'm pleased that with the growth we're having will come more residential sites to keep the community more legitimate around here," Imus said. Imus and other long- time Fairhaven investors are excited to see the town becoming more of a community than a tourist location. "If we build things with the community in mind, giving special interest to detail," he said. "Success will come locally and then will bring outside tourism along with it." Lynch said that with nearly 100,000 square feet of retail and offices built within the past two years, visitors have indeed been flocking to Fairhaven. Usually they bring a car with them, she said. Fairhaven locals seem to agree on what resource is stressed the most — parking. Residents, employees and service providers are competing daily for free parking with temporary contractors and visitors. Many admit that free parking may not last long. The city, however, has made no move toward adding meters. Five years ago Robinson said he would have fought hard against parking meters. Today, he says it makes sense to push daylong parking toward a free perimeter area while maintaining metered spots within the core. The trend of circling cars vying for parking will likely continue unless additional public transportation and parking services are included in the community. Bellingham city planners recently held a public forum on growth in its area. Planners seem set on additional infill where public services are already provided with few allocations for single houses. Fairhaven is one of the urban centers named to accommodate part of the 31,600-person growth expected in Bellingham between 2002 and 2022. Robinson said that traffic and congestion is not a problem of outsiders coming in and that he, like most, is not native to the area. Robinson said he believes the degree of involvement from citizens parallels an increasing number of people in the area with concern for its preservation. Mueller said he misses the diversity Fairhaven had 20 years ago. Also not from the area, he isn't against people moving to Fairhaven; he said he is simply against such a huge influx within a small amount of time. "There is a style of living around here," he said. "With this many new people moving, in trying to live in that style, it gets diluted." ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - New whatcom page 3 ---------- December 3,2004 NEW WHATCOM Page 3 Nurse shortage causes college expansion By Connor Clark- Lindh Hospital gowns and stethoscopes may become more common at some local colleges as soon as fall quarter 2005. In response to a growing nursing shortage, Bellingham Technical College, Whatcom Community College and Skagit Valley Community College are expanding their nursing programs. "We develop programs in response to local needs," said Susan Parkar, coordinator of admissions and worker retraining at BTC. Right now, one of the strongest needs is for health workers. In Whatcom County, advances in medical technology, and an aging population mixed with intense population growth are pushing that demand. Yet the real need may be stronger because many doctors can no longer afford to treat new patients in Washington. "Nursing is a caring .field, but also a diverse field," said Mary Curran, a nursing instructor at BTC. "If you get burned-out in one area, you can go into another." Expansion of the- program will affect Licensed Practical Nursing Certification, which requires one year of college study, and Registered Nursing Degrees, which requires two years of study or one year in addition to LPN certification. BTC is trying to expand its nursing program to include Registered Nursing. Currently, BTC enrolls 164 LPN students each year. The expanded program could enroll as many as 20 new students every year. A little more than a mile away, WCC program directors also plan to produce more nurses. 72 "For the last 12 years, WCC's nursing program was a satellite of Skagit (Valley Community College)," said Connie Rockstad, director of nursing programs at WCC. The new program, independent of SCC, will enroll 30 LPN students every year, instead of the same number every other year. Skagit Valley is also trying to expand its programs to enroll almost twice as many students. "In 1988, we enrolled students," said Flora Adams, Skagit Community College's nursing program chair. "This fall, we will have the potential for 150 students. We could have expanded earlier with the demand, but expansion is limited by funding and practical training." Starting in December of 2002, Terry Brennan, regional vice-president of St. Joseph Hospital, began examining the growing shortage of health care workers. "Every one of our [growth] expectations was exceeded," he said. "We found ourselves in a business of catch-up." In 2002, Northwest Washington — including Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties — had an annual shortage of 27 RNs, Brennan said. Whatcom County alone had a demand of 36 RNs that same year. Because of Brennan's work with the Northwest Workforce Development Council, college expansion is expected to fill that gap by 2006, according to data from the Northwest Alliance for Health Care. The additional expansion of BTC is not included in these figures, but any program BTC develops will not graduate students until at least 2006. "The concern was, was there even enough (nurses) in the state," Brennan said. "The type of patients we saw started being sicker, requiring more intense (treatments) and more skilled people. It was very hard to be on top of the whole thing." Any local expansion, however, is unlikely to reduce the overall demand for RNs. In 2003, RNs the state. Local colleges said they wanted to expand their programs even more, but state and local deficits prevent rapid expansion. Both WCC and BTC have waiting lists with more than 200 people, and SVCC has a 2 to 3 year waiting list to get into its RN program. "Right now, we serve twice as many students than the state pays us to," said Harold Heiner, president of WCC. The college makes up the difference through tuition increase and a balancing act between part-time and full-time professors, he said. "Twenty years ago, we used to open our doors and teach anyone who came," Heiner said. But now budget restrictions make it difficult to teach more students, he said. The real demand for nursing may be higher still. Many doctors can no longer afford to treat new Medicare and Medicaid patients. While college expansion may meet the demand Connor Clark-Lindh/New Whatcom f o r n u r s e s m me Mary Curran teaches practical nursing at the n e x t f e w ye a r s gt; me Bellingham Technical College, demand for care will continue to grow. were the most unfilled position in Washington State. According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, there were 2,056 RN vacancies throughout "Our population as a whole is aging, increasing the need for health care," Parkar said. Between 1990 and 2000, the county gained more than 8,000 people older than 65. This population growth mimics a general graying of the United States population. "Then the wildcard is providers in this community; physicians make unusual changes," said Brennan. "For instance, in the last few years they are, in general, taking no more new Medicare or Medicaid patients because they are having trouble financially surviving." When a doctor or care facility treats someone who is retired and receives Medicare or has no health insurance and is on Medicaid, they have to treat the patient and file for reimbursement. The average Medicare patient reimbursement for 2000 was $2,251 in Washington state. "There is definitely a shortage of patient access in Washington," said Pat Tidmarsh, patient accounts manager at Madrona Medical Group, regarding the affects of low Medicare reimbursement. The center is a 70-bed long-term care facility with a 2-to 3-month waiting list. The wait depends on what service the patient wants, she said. "We are getting people now who are harder to care for and sicker, and we need more staff," she said. "But it is a very difficult thing to have more staff when reimbursement is so low." As the colleges gear up to produce more healthcare workers, it is difficult to say that they will solve the problem. "As long as I can staff the building, I will be fine," Kreindl said. "But, will Whatcom County be able to treat all the people? I don't know. I am a nurse, and I want to take care of these people, but I can't afford to." Rapid Birch Bay growth difficult to predict By Seamus Burke "I don't have too many memories from before the second World War," said Gerald Larson, 70, whose family has been vacationing in Birch Bay since 1929. "It used to be the same families and the same group of kids year after year, vacationing at the beach. But as time went on, (the developers) started taking out the cabins and putting in condos." Birch Bay is 20 miles north of Bellingham and is home to some incredible natural scenery and numerous outdoor activities. It is, however, beginning to feel the strain from population increases. Since 1990, the population of the surrounding community of Birch Bay has nearly doubled to 4,961 people, according to 2000 census data. The population is expected to double again to nearly 10,000 people by 2022, creating challenges for planners, developers, residents and environmental advocates who are trying to accommodate the growth while maintaining a healthy bay. Birch Bay is a recreation town. In a recent survey conducted by the Birch Bay Plan Steering Committee, most of the people who live there said recreation was one of their main reasons for living in the area, and those that visit agree. The town sprang up as a summer vacation spot for Seattle-area residents after World War II and has developed an economy based on recreation and tourism. Despite having nearly 5,000 current residents, only 1,200 people are employed in the area. Of those that are employed, nearly half of the population works in the retail or services industries, according to the Washington State Department of Employment Security. The town boasts a golf course, a water park, hiking, biking, fishing, clamming, swimming, bird watching and the bay itself. "Every time I go out (of the Birch Bay area), when I come back I invariably go by the water," said Kathy Berg, vice chair of the Birch Bay Plan Steering Committee. "I just like to see what the bay's doing." This recreation comes at a price that is not easy to calculate. In 2003, the Washington State Department of Health put Birch Bay on its list of threatened shellfish areas due to high amounts of fecal coliform. That is the department's warning, that if conditions do not improve ,harvesting will be limited. Fecal coliform — a bacteria that survives on human and animal feces — is possibly a result of old septic systems and local agriculture. "The bay used to be pretty clear,, but now it's a lot murkier," Larson said. "When it's windy, it seems like there is a river (of silt) coming in there." Birch Bay residents, like Berg, have developed their own community plan aimed at guiding and influencing the Whatcom County Council's decisions regarding the area. After four years of pressure, the group convinced council members last September to adopt that community plan into the county's comprehensive plan. It addresses the desires of the county and the needs of Birch Bay residents. Though most of the provisions address economic and recreation development issues, there is one underlying commonality. "They want to protect the bay, that's one thing that everybody can agree upon," Berg said. Most Birch Bay residents express concern over the health of the bay and the immediate shoreline. But perhaps the most significant impacts to the residents quiet and tranquil lifestyles are increased noise, overcrowding and traffic. "There's just a lot more people," Berg said. "We're growing at a rate that seems like it is getting little concern from the County (Council)." Birch Bay area residents face three choices for managing its growth and growth-related issues in the future, Berg said. The residents can annex to Blaine, and become part of the already existing city. This would give the Blaine City Council the authority to govern the area and decide how tax payer's money should be spent. "(Annexing to Blaine) is not only no, but hell no in my opinion," Berg said. "And, I think that's a general consensus." The second option is to stay as an unincorporated part of the county, as they are now, leaving the Whatcom County Council as the governing body. This would not change much, Berg said, and since residents feel that they are not getting much support or attention from the county, this is not a favorable option. "We're used to being ignored out here," Larson said. "But we're trying to work around some of the bad changes." The third option, and one that has failed before, is for Birch Bay to become a city. This option would give the residents a much stronger say in how their tax money is spent, since they would have their own city council, Berg said. This development would also allow for a closer and more immediate examination into the services that residents need for further growth. In 1992, however, this same plan failed when residents voted down becoming incorporated because it would have raised taxes to pay for services. Providing sufficient utilities and services for urbanization would cost more, Berg said, but it would be better managed because of the close representation in city council. "The advantage of becoming incorporated is that more of the money stays here," Berg said. "We're urbanizing so we need urban services." Though the issue appears straightforward it is by no means settled. Birch Bay is growing, according to 2000 Census data, and may soon need more services to accommodate the swell. Getting everyone, or just the majority, to agree to incorporate, however, still stands as a very difficult task. Uncontrolled growth is a problem, that if ignored, will only get bigger, Berg said. "If you're going to grow, you might as well be responsible and manage it," Berg said. ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - New whatcom page 4 ---------- Page 4 NEW WHATCOM December 3,2004 Families on the fringe Populations in rural schools experience more growth than Bellingham schools By Anna Sowa Natasha is a smiley, talkative Mount Baker High School senior who is organized and ambitious about her career plans after high school. Her upbeat attitude is contagious, but when she talks about the nightmares she experienced as a child in Russia, her voice quivers a little, signs of the traumatic life she left behind. The 18-year-old emigrated from Moscow with her family nine years ago, escaping the cruel and relentless religious persecution they endured for being Christian in a communist country. "We couldn't have the freedom that we have here," she said. "We couldn't have the ability to study a certain career and reach your goal." Natasha is one part of a growing demographic of new students in the Mount Baker School District — students from Slavic families emigrating from Europe. Kris Stopperan, who has worked as a counselor for Mount Baker High School for 11 years, said that although the majority of students in the school are Caucasian, some do not speak English and require special care. "We have a large Ukrainian and Slavic population," Stopperan said. "The difference is that those students that don't speak English pose a communication problem, so we have hired additional staff to help with English language learners." As the population of Whatcom County grows, the Mount Baker School District sees enrollment increases, whereas Bellingham, the largest city5 in Whatcom County, experiences little enrollment growth. While the number of people moving to the Mount Baker area is not necessarily more than those moving near Bellingham, the trend in school enrollment suggest that more families with primary and secondary education-aged children are moving to areas outside the Bellingham area. "We see (growth) by needing to hire additional teachers," Stopperan said. "Last year, the graduating class was too big to fit on the stage (for the graduation ceremony). We have those same kinds of issues all year long, finding a place to have classrooms so the teachers can go somewhere." Mount Baker assistant principal Steve King said that when student enrollments at Mount Baker are high, the school faces a facilities crunch. "The facilities we have aren't made for all the students we have," King said. "In the next five to 10 years, we will have to spend a lot of money on facilities. That means increasing staffing, which is a big financial change for us." King said the district might have to build a new primary school in anticipation of additional housing developments in the district, such as Kendall, which is northwest of Mount Baker High School. Full-Time enrollment funding from the state would help pay for development additions to school facilities, so additional developments will not disrupt the stable school population, he said. = = = == "All we want to say is there's 'Last year, the rising numbers. Change is not equal among the Whatcom County school districts, however, and all are monitoring growth to prepare for future enrollment. Jim Stevens, assistant superintendent of business and operations for the Bellingham School District, said that although the school district, as a whole, has experienced minor growth, the increased student numbers are not shocking. This is unusual, considering growth rates experienced throughout Whatcom County. The numbers, however, point to apolarized spectrum of demographic growth; most Bellingham growth is coming from college-age students and people who no longer have school-age children, such as retirees. School enrollment in the Bellingham School _ _ _ _ District is 10,534 kindergarten through high-school students, a possibility of more housing graduating class was comV2i![z to 10,288 students in gomg in at Kendall that is likely to have families with K- 12 children," King said. "The Slavic community continues to grow and east of here, we're seeing mostly families." According to the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, population growth in the county since the first Euro-American immigrants in the 1850s has been driven by in-migration of people from other regions in the state and country. Approximately 73 percent of the people moving into the county between 1960 and 2000 were from other places in the United States. In the past 10 years, the total population of Whatcom County has grown at an average rate of 2.25 percent per year, prompting county planners to devise a growth plan to ensure an adequate land supply and resources to accommodate the growth, according to the plan. The net growth of cities in Whatcom County is projected at 68,103 between 2000 and 2022. In 2000, Whatcom County residents under the age of 15 numbered 33,229. With growth continuing at the projected rate, the number of elementary and secondary education students will continue to inflate, prompting Whatcom County schools to discuss ways to accommodate the too big to fit on the stage.' Kris Stopperan Counselor for Mount Baker High School September 2003. This change is small, Stevens said, and does not require growth management. "It might surprise you, but (growth increases) have been relatively flat," Stevens said. "We are having some growth — we are up 246 kids over a year ago — but it's not happening at the rate we seem to be seeing the community growing." Bellingham Public School class sizes are measured each year on Oct. 1 and Feb. 1. The 2003 report showed that, in general, class sizes have decreased over the past 10 years. They reduced most dramatically during the 2000-2001 school year, with the introduction of the state-funded Better Schools Program, which provided incentives for reduced class sizes. Since 2001, the Better Schools Program funding was reduced, but Initiative 728 funds became available for many of the same purposes. In 2004, increases in class size existed at some instructional levels, Stevens said, but this was largely due to enrollment fluctuations that came in above budgeted levels. Stevens said that as the city of Bellingham grows, the northwest section of the city is developing more quickly than the rest of the city, so the school district is working with growth planners to analyze a potential need for more schools. "We are seeing growth (in the city) and we have projected further growth," Stevens said. "We just need to make sure we have the facilities to accommodate it. That is why we are working with local planners to understand where the growth will occur and use consultants to review that information and give us input." It seems almost counter-intuitive to believe that population growth would not affect the public schools in the most populous city in a county. But as the situation in Whatcom County suggests, Bellingham is the exception to the increases- in-school-enrollment rule. Whereas cities near Bellingham, with considerably smaller populations and lower costs of living, are experiencing noticeable growth, Bellingham school officials report no such thing. The rule of population increases affecting Whatcom County school enrollment is that increases are only happening outside the major metropolitan areas. That makes sense with current housing costs rising in Bellingham, a factor that may keep younger families moving to districts close to Bellingham but away from housing expenses. Growth brings diversity to Whatcom County, which poses problems like language and communication barriers. But school administrators, such as Stopperan, said Mount Baker schools are already preparing for the situation by implementing special programs for students learning English as a second language. Klein also said Western is preparing more teachers who can speak a second language. Predicting growth means predicting who is living where and why. When applying growth to public schools, the study of demographics is more important than flat figures. When it comes to schools, those schools that lie in areas of Whatcom County with more affordable housing will experience the most growth, and soon school districts will have to face a squeeze in budgeting to keep up with the tides of children, while somehow maintaining the best possible learning environment. Lynden has long wait for water By Darcey Maher With the Puget Sound to the west and the interlace of the Nooksack River throughout, water supply appears ample in Whatcom County. Even though everyday life in the Northwest is saturated by the abundance of water, the resource is not without limits. The City of Lynden learned this the hard way by exceeding its water allowance. When the Growth Management Act required certain cities and counties in Washington to formulate a plan to accommodate future population growth, Whatcom County complied. In 1999, however, after a two-year effort to plan for existing and future water supply needs, the Department of Ecology found that Lynden was drawing more water from the Nooksack River than it legally had a right to. As a result, the city imposed a moratorium on development that lasted until April of 2004. "Water permits hadn't been examined for so long. When they finally were, there was a difference in the interpretation of the volume of the permits," Lynden Mayor Jack Louws Photo courtesy of The Planet Magazine Lake Whatcom provides drinking water to Bellingham. Lynden is trying to purchase some water for its own use. said. continuous, withdrawal of 5 cubic feet per This is true of Lynden's 1956 water second from the Nooksack River but does right that allows for the instantaneous, or not specify an annual limit. The DOE's current interpretation of Lynden's water right authorizes the withdrawal of approximately 584 million gallons per year from the Nooksack River. Between 1996 and 2001, Lynden exceeded its water right volume by an average of 32 percent per year. "There was no Volume attached to the original permits," Louws said. "We ran off an instantaneous withdrawal basis." Lynden's population increased by 63 percent from 1990 to 2000, according to the U.S. census, and this caused an increased demand for water. The city has attempted to conserve water use by increasing water and sewer fees and is examining the possibility of reusing deepwater wells, Louws said. In addition, Lynden increased development fees to deter population growth and created the Water Task Force to study the feasibility of purchasing water rights from Bellingham. Bellingham used only 9.9 percent of its water right allotment in 2003, according to the Bellingham Public Works department. At 65,984 million gallons per year, SEE Lynden, NEXT PAGE ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - New whatcom page 5 ---------- December 3,2004 NEW WHATCOM Page 5 Small businesses stand firm as big box stores move in By Chrystal Doucette Bellingham is a mixture of businesses, small and large, from local shops to the big corporations. Bellis Fair Mall pulled in large corporations, establishing their current presence in Bellingham, said Hart Hodges, director of the Center for Economic and Business Research at Western. Some local businesses are finding ways to survive and even compete alongside corporations, while others have been pushed out of Bellingham. Hardware Sales, located on James Street, opened in 1961. It began as a store called "Powder Sales," and sold dynamite and blasting caps. Today it is a fully- stocked hardware store housed in six buildings. It survived the opening of Ernst Hardware and Home Base, both of which eventually went out of business. Home Depot came next and was bought out by Lowe's Home Improvement in 2001. Ty McClellan, one of four co-owners of Hardware Sales and grandson of one of the original founders, 88-year-old Alta McClellan, said the store is accustomed to competing with corporations due to their continued presence over the years and was prepared for survival when Lowe's came in. "Our preparation had already taken place years earlier," McClellan said. He said Lowe's often employs college students who do not have hands-on experience Chrystal Doucette/New Whatcom Bellingham resident Melissa Lukeris pays for her dinner at Pizzazz, upstairs in the new Village Books building. in trades such as construction, carpentry and finishing. Hardware Sales competes by keeping a knowledgeable staff, many of whom have trade experience. Owners at Hardware Sales are on-site and accessible. He said they try to retain employees, since refraining costs $35,000 for each new employee. He said the store's medical benefits are rated in the top 5 percent in the state. Business growth slowed for a few months after Lowe's opened, he said, and the loss in profit can be traced to curiosity on the part of the community. The U.S. Department of Labor defines a small business as having fewer than 500 employees. A 2003 presentation by Tom Dorr, director of Western's Small Business Development Center, said more than 99 percent of businesses in Whatcom County fit the small business definition. Nationwide, small businesses represent more than 99 percent of all employers, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Elody Samuelson, graduate student and research assistant at Western's College of Business and Economics, said businesses that are considered the best foster competition, and smaller businesses can find ways to survive through niches. For example, the local company Ryzex reuses old barcode readers and sells them, she said. The company now has offices in Canada, the United Kingdom and Bellingham. She said Bellingham is good at creating business by reusing items. "That's never going to be a business that Wal- Mart goes into," Samuelson said. Some businesses grow out of the realm of small business and expand into a corporation. "Wal-Mart was a local business," she said. Wal-Mart succeeded because it had superior inventory control, Samuelson said. "They just changed the face of retail," she said. Despite the opening of Barnes and Noble on Meridian Street in 1995, Village Books in downtown Fairhaven has grown steadily in business since 1980 and underwent its sixth expansion in October. "The original space in 1980 was just under 1,500 square feet," said Chuck Robinson, who co-founded the business with his wife, Dee. "The current space, not counting Paper Dreams, which is about 4,000 (square feet), is about 10,000 — this also does not count the cafe spaces." Robinson helped found a group called Sustainable Connections, which started the "Buy Local campaign." The Sustainable Connections Web site lists 339 businesses participating in the Buy Local campaign in Whatcom County. Sustainable Connections encourages businesses to "protect the environment, create a good workplace, and to improve the community," - Robinson said. He described the campaign as "a pro-local campaign." He said they are not against corporations. "We realize everything we purchase will not be from local companies," he said. "There is not a local check printer, for example, but if we think local first and try to obtain products we need locally, more of the dollars stay in the community. "While there have been several studies that show this, the logic of it is self-evident. If a company makes a profit and that company is located in Bellingham, more of those dollars stay here. If it's located in New York City the profits, a lot of the other dollars for services such as accounting, advertising, administration, etc., are wired out of town nightly." Hodges said the Buy Local campaign is a marketing tool. "There's no economic truth to Buy Local," he said. Local businesses buy the same items from the same supply houses as bigger businesses, but they are unable to buy in the same quantities and end up paying more for the item, and Hodges said the cost is passed to the consumer. The money for the item is still going to the supply house outside the county. Hodges said that if government bought exclusively from local businesses, the money to pay for the items comes from tax dollars, he said, and the items would likely cost more than buying elsewhere. He said the Buy Local campaign is looking after the well-being of the environment, and he is not going to find any fault with that. Local businesses remind people of who they are buying from, Hodges said. "I applaudpeople like Chuck Robinson because we forget there is a face with transactions," he said. He said in order to survive, local businesses need to be able to compete, and competition fosters community strength. Bellingham resident John Wade said he prefers Village Books to Barnes and Noble because it has become familiar to him over the years. "I feel a lot more comfortable at this store than I would at Barnes and Noble," Wade said. "It's not as mainstream; it's not on Meridian." He said he has shopped at the bookstore almost from the beginning of its construction and has gotten to know employees. "I am not sure how it works here but Barnes and Noble, it seems like they are more (delivering) the top New York Best Seller," Wade said. "It's got that kind of thing about it. It is too damn big." M iiiiifeiMiiiiiiiiiiiii^w ISIiiiSiHSiiS^^fcilB IBiiBii^ifciiSi^Hil^B Lynden: City preparing for future growth and putting water issue first Continued from previous page Bellingham's water right is six times more than its projected water demand for 2015. That estimate was made before the closure of Georgia Pacific's pulp plant, which had a contract for almost 28 percent of Bellingham's water. "Bellingham has an excess of a finite resource," Lynden City Administrator Bill Verwolf said. "(Bellingham) has a financial interest in selling its water." Transferring water rights in Washington, however, involves careful navigation through complex legal issues. Lynden does not want to apply for a new water right because it may take years for the DOE to process, Verwolf said. If Bellingham agrees, however, to sell some of its water rights to Lynden, it will open the door for third party evaluation of Bellingham's water claims. Lummi Nation, which has been battling over limited groundwater rights, may have seniority rights to Bellingham's water claims, Anderson said. Lummi Nation's water claims may be validated by the fact that they are a reservation with inherent land and water rights and the Boldt Decision, which ruled Native tribes in Washington have a right to fish, thus a right to enough water to support the fish. Likewise, the DOE could review Bellingham's water claims to see if they are in accordance with minimum flow regulations, which apply to the health of the Nooksack River's ecology. In both cases, a challenge to Bellingham's water claims could alter the city's water volume allotment. Despite the probability of water claims, reviews have postponed the purchase of water rights from Bellingham, Lynden has other options. In its feasibility study, Lynden proposed seven alternatives for acquiring an additional water supply. These included purchasing water from Bellingham, transferring existing water rights, conservation and reuse, and finally, revising Lynden's Urban Growth Area. Ultimately Lynden chose to purchase water rights from Bellingham. Lynden's preferred alternative is one that would speed up the DOE's application process if the Department of Health could determine that a Lynden-Bellingham transfer proposal is necessary to address emergent health and safety concerns under a section of Washington law, according to the City of Lynden Water Resource Options Feasibility Report. Meanwhile, Lynden continues to plan for future growth regardless of water right purchasing agreements, Verwolf said. "(Lynden) is able to develop and allow building to continue under a memorandum of understanding between the DOE, the City of Lynden and the Department of Health, recognizing that we have explored a number of alternatives for resolving our water rights issues," Lynden Planning Director Amy Harxel said. "They have agreed not to close us down," The water issue is atop priority of Lynden's planning assessment, Mayor Louws said. "Growth is needed to maintain our economy," he said. "We don't want to become a bedroom community for Bellingham over the next 20 years." Although the GMA does not plainly state that growth may only occur when and where water is legally and physically available, it does specify that availability should be a fundamental element in planning for development. Whatcom County Planning Director Hal Hart said the surplus of water in Whatcom County should allow even areas without current water rights to develop. Water availability should not limit growth to only those areas with current legal permits, he said. ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - New whatcom page 6 ---------- Page 6 NEW WHATCOM December 3,2004 Happy Valley residents deal with quick growth By David Stone Happy Valley is a 627-acre neighborhood, located south of Western and east of Fairhaven and has been a hotbed of growth in Bellingham. Since 1970, the area has developed rapidly at a rate peaking at 36 percent compared to 14 percent for the rest of Bellingham during the 1980s. Happy Valley is now one of the top three densest neighborhoods in the city, according to City of Bellingham's Planning and Community Development department. Happy Valley differs from the rest of Bellingham because of its age. It was one of the original neighborhoods in the city and continues to show some of the traditional design ideas. All the houses are on a grid system and there are no dead ends or cul-de-sacs. Many of the houses are connected to alleys, with the house's front porch facing the street rather than a garage. "These are actually, the quaint, attractive neighborhoods everyone refers to when they talk about building better, houses, more attractive houses, friendlier neighborhoods," said Christopher Koch, planner for the City of Bellingham Planning and Community Development Department. For many, these neighborhoods of single-family homes are the anchor of the community, but in the north end of Happy Valley a different approach to design has taken hold. "We gave, the north area of the neighborhood over to apartments," said Wendy Scherrer, a 30-year resident of Happy Valley. This area is largely covered with rental units in apartment buildings and duplexes developed throughout the years to support the Western's growing population. To Scherrer, the decision to allow multi-residential growth in the north end was a compromise between maintaining the neighborhood's traditional characteristics and to allow for the large student population in need of housing. Western's influence, however, has caused conflicts between residents. Throughout Bellingham there are common complaints wherever students rent in large numbers. Jeff Sawyer, neighborhood representative on the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Board, said he understands it is students' first time away from home and that they want to party, however, he wishes they would participate in other aspects of the neighborhood as well. Growth in the north end of the neighborhood has also caused other conflicts. Complaints include ugly architecture, a lack of sidewalks and an increase in traffic, Koch said. To maintain a better visual characteristic, the planning department is reviewing design guidelines that specify requirements for architecture and other visual aspects of new developments. Sidewalks and traffic are a more complicated issue. "We have really gotten ourselves into a very tight little corner, and to try to correct that is going to cost a lot of money," Koch said. The problem was caused by a lack of planning when development was slow and traffic was not a problem, Koch said. Many of the larger apartment buildings were built Connor Clark-Lindh/New Whatcom Most streets in Happy Valley, including this neighborhood road, do not have sidewalks. without sidewalks. Traffic increased because of the denser population. Today, installing sidewalks or widening the roads is largely cost prohibitive, Koch said. Bellingham is requiring that 80 percent to 90 percent of new developments have pedestrian facilities, such as sidewalks. To alleviate traffic problems, the city is also trying to incorporate mixed use in the multi-family areas. "Mixed use puts those uses that you typically have to drive to, the everyday activities, such as going to the store to pick up the milk you forgot, and puts it within walking distance of where you live," Koch said. The Happy Valley Neighborhood Association has worked with the planning department to develop many of these solutions for growth but only represents a small part of the community. John Hymas, the Happy Valley Neighborhood Association president, said the neighborhood association consists of a bunch of middle-aged radicals who have settled down and raised kids, he said. Recently, the association has tried to incorporate many of the isolated groups that make up Happy Valley, with a special focus on involving students. They are currently finalizing an agreement with the City Municipal Court to allow students who receive Minor in Possession or other misdemeanor party related charges to do community service in their local neighborhood rather than pay large fines, Hymas said. Convicted students would participate in garbage cleanup and other neighborhood restoration as well as other more technical jobs, such as helping with the neighborhood newsletter or e-mail lists. Part of the.service would, also, require students to attend association meetings. "It would give them an opportunity to see what real neighborhood life will be like in the future," Hymas said. The association would like everyone to participate, not just students in trouble, but for some, this seems unlikely. "There is very little incentive or reason for students to participate in the neighborhood association," Scherrer said. "They need a reason; there is no gain." The neighborhood association continues to involve more of its community as it looks for solutions to growth. Members say despite everything, when a neighborhood feels impeded by growth, a strong voice is their most powerful tool. "The only thing anyone can do is whenever there is a meeting, attend . . ." Sawyer said. "You have to write letters, stay active and get involved." New deputy, watch group in Kendall slows crime By Porfirio Pena The Mount Baker Highway sprawls east into the county, lined with barns and old farms. Along this highway the unincorporated county and its residents are learning to adapt to the strains of poverty and to endure the pains of growth. One of these unincorporated areas, Kendall, first developed as a community of Canadian vacation homes, but when the Canadian dollar depreciated in the 1980s, many of the owners sold their homes at low prices. Since then, lots in Kendall have become more affordable than other parts of the county. Developers have proposed building 500 new homes in the area, Matt Aamot, senior planner for Whatcom County said. Residents, however, worry about future growth because Kendall does not have the necessary services for the residents that already live there, said Norma Kirchen, a member of Kendall Watch, the community's neighborhood association. Georgina Head, founding member of the Northfork Community Resource Center said the area has only one patrol officer, a volunteer fire department and no place for the elderly or child care services. "I think our problems are not so much connected to growth as much as they are to poverty," Kirchen says. "Paradise has a very high percentage of people living below the poverty line." Kendall residents also deal with the highest crime rates _ _ _ _ _ ^ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ per capita in the county, 7 think our problems are Whatcom County Sheriff not so much connected to Department Sergeant , T , Jim Langley said. growth so much as they A p p r o x i m a t e l y 3 gt;000 are to poverty.' pe0pie iive in the area, and while Kendall accounts for Norma Kirchen onty 3 percent of Whatcom Member of the community County's population, neighborhood association 1° percent of all crimes Kendall Watch recorded in the county in 2004 happened in the Kendall area, Kirchen said. In response to this, the department relocated Langley to Kendall, where he now serves as a resident deputy. Residents have seen a decrease in noticeable crime since Langley moved in, Kirchen said. "Manufacturing of meth has decreased," Kirchen said. "We don't smell it as much as we used to. It used to be that you could smell it quite often here." Growth brings more services and patrols into the area because more permanent, higher-priced houses mean more tax revenue for the department. The distance between houses and low number of patrols in the past have contributed to the high crime rate. Along with a resident deputy, members of Kendall Watch have also begun helping to solve the crime problems, Kirchen said. "As people look past themselves and start looking out for other people, the whole area is going to see an improvement," Langley said. Kendall is an isolated community, she said. Neighbors do not know one another. Most Kendall residents work in Bellingham and commute 40 miles every day and want to be left alone, she said. Kendall Watch encourages neighbors to get out and do something together that helps them to get to know one another, Kirchen said. Once people become less isolated and form more community bonds, it creates a less hospitable place for criminals, she said. "There are people here that move here from the city and don't want to live in the trappings of society," she said. "They want to do whatever they want without any legal repercussions." ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - New whatcom page 7 ---------- December 3,2004 Opinions New Whatcom Page 7 Western students have Whatcom County can't make me leave effect on community Porfirio Pena COMMENTARY This past summer, I walked through the alley between High Street and Indian Street in search of new acquisitions to my home furnishings. Furniture including sofas, stereos and other electronic devices, many of which were in nearly perfect condition lined the alley for disposal. The mass exodus out of Bellingham, which ritualistically repeats each June, had finished, and I prepared to stick around for summer school. Many of the students who left had done their four years at Western and returned to their parents' house until the fickle finger of fate, also known as the job market, sealed their destiny elsewhere. They had no intrinsic interest in community issues, the future of the city or how they contributed to Bellingham's development. Perhaps to the best of their knowledge, these students made no lasting impact on the city. However, their very presence — the existence of a college culture, although transitory, has consistently shaped Bellingham and will continue to do so in the future. The idealism that comes with a liberal university's emphasis on critical thinking, expression and criticism lends itself to transform the community as a whole, building an art scene, and a downtown core of service industry. Prior to the expansion of Western as a liberal arts university, Bellingham survived as an industrial community. Jobs at Georgia Pacific, Intalco as well as logging and mining provided most of the income within the community. Bellingham's face has changed, owing much of its development to students who consider their presence impactful. When next June rolls around and I pack my Malibu with all the items that it can hold, I hope that the sofa on the curb is not the only evidence left behind that I had ever been in Bellingham • - ••- - -•- •-• • And we quote,.. "There are no great limits to growth becausetherearenolimitsofhuman intelligence/imaginationandwonder" —Ronald Reagan 1911-2004 Chrystal Doucette COMMENTARY At the northern edge of Western Washington, I found the state's greenest trees. In that same place, I discovered cultural richness and diversity. I discovered waterfront access, environmentalists, hippies and a flavorful selection of local businesses. I love Bellingham. When I graduate, I am going to find a job, get married and live here permanently. Some long-time residents think they are the only people who have a right to live in this town. To them I say, growth is unstoppable. Deal with it. In 1960, Whatcom County had a population of 70,317. By 1970, that figure had risen by 11,000 people. Bellingham is an attractive city. Who has a right to live here? Is it limited to those who moved to Bellingham in the 1960s, or to those who settled the town in 1852? Citizens of the United States hold to the idea that everyone has a right to the pursuit of happiness. Anyone with enough willpower and money can pack up and move to whatever city they choose. If people in Whatcom County want to stop population growth they should refrain from having children. It sounds ridiculous, but new families do contribute to population growth. Just as it is unfair to ask past immigrants to leave Bellingham or to forbid residents from having children, forcing prospective residents to look at another city is also unfeasible and unfair. The population of Whatcom County in 2000 was 166,814. The numbers for next year's population will include me. I have the right to pursue my happiness. I will surround myself with the greenest trees in Washington state, enjoy Lake Whatcom and shop at local businesses. I will live here permanently, thankful for my right to live where I choose. Just try and stop me. Guide-Meridian's growth is out of control Darcey Maher COMMENTARY As a high school senior, I flew to Southern California to visit prospective colleges. I had romanticized California as the hip eternal sunshine and surf state glorified in The Beach Boys songs and "Gidget" reruns — until I landed in Ontario, Calif. For three hours before leaving California and my youthful misconceptions, I drove through development sprawl. The city (if you could call it that) is designed in a character which commands: "Live here! Work there! Watch movies at the colossal 30 screen mega-plex over there!" When I drive north on Meridian Street I encounter the same "Spend here!" environment of Bellis Fair Mall and every other giant retailer that ever graced the doorstep of Bellingham. Infamous for its traffic congestion, Meridian is a land of strip malls, shopping plazas, restaurants and hotels. A classic example of growth in American cities, the large retail stores that once occupied downtown Bellingham collectively relocated to Bellis Fair Mall when it opened in 1987. While Fairhaven has found empty lots to develop and downtown has reinvigorated itself with a new art deco look, growth on Meridian has been all but creative. There has been no mixed-use development to allow multiple compatible uses in close proximity to one another; the kind that minimizes infrastructure impact and creates compact, efficient neighborhoods where residential, commercial and industrial uses are located close to each other. Instead, Meridian has cast itself into the land of Wal-Marts and Barnes and Nobles; it has proclaimed "Shop here! Eat there!" Meridian's growth should not mimic Ontario's cyborg communities. Instead, city planners should examine different development options id avoid ever-popular American strip mall crazes and urban sprawl symptoms. It is not too late to save Meridian from itself and the rest of us. No more than a couple of miles east on Bakerview Road is the long-forgotten countryside, where sometimes bewildered holiday shoppers remember a time before the lights of Christ the King mega-church and Toys R Us. Bellingham's "live here, breathe here, be here" quality is still on the outskirts. Protect the West's untamed places Seamus Burke COMMENTARY I remember my first bus ride from Sea-Tac airport to Fairhaven very clearly. I stared out the dirty window the entire way, amazed by how many car dealerships and storage units lined the freeway. It was 2001 and I was finally "out West" as New Englanders put it, so where did all the open spaces go? I moved to Bellingham four years ago to go to Western. I had grown up in a small farming town in New Hampshire and wanted to see the "Wild West." With images of skiers bombing down 14,000- foot mountains, and fishermen pulling trout bigger than raccoons out of the great western rivers, I came more for the environment than the education. My first impression of this area may be contrary to the popular opinion that the East Coast is overcrowded and the West is full of wide-open spaces. It may even be true that the East Coast is more densely populated than the West Coast. But the population of my entire hometown is smaller than the population of Western alone, and it hasn't changed in 20 years. It has taken me just about four years to get used to seeing the kind of rapid development that Whatcom County is experiencing now. Perhaps it's just that the East Coast has already developed as much as it could and I grew up in an area reserved for agriculture and outdoor recreation. Certainly the West has plenty of undeveloped space, including Whatcom County. I have always been able to get relief from the crowds by heading out into the country, whether it's clamming at Birch Bay, cycling on Mosquito Lake Road or having a beer in Glacier on my way back from Mount Baker. I'm graduating this spring and heading back to Littleton, NH to do some long awaited fishing. I know I'll be back, to ski and to visit friends, but mostly just to come back, and I hope there will still be some untamed places left where I can get away from the crowds and explore. ---------- Western Front 2004-12-03 - New whatcom page 8 ---------- Page 8 NEW WHATCOM December 3,2004 Student survey gets residents' thoughts on growth= The Affect of Growth Of the following what will be the most negatively affected by growth in Whatcom County? Traffic Affordable Housing Jobs Environment Education Area Attitudes seepopulati 12.2% Generally how do you see population growth in Whatcom County? Other Residents Residents in Bellingham 24.8% 0 7 14 21 28 Percentage likely to see growth as negative 35 Growth Strains In light of future population growth, what infrastructure do you think will be most strained? B Transportation §§ Police Services/Jails H Education B Emergency Care - • Utilites By Christina Twu As Whatcom County's population increases, 64- year-old retiree Fred Aalpoel expresses the county's claustrophobia. "There's only so much room and that's it," Fred Aalpoel said, a 64-year-old retiree. "The squeeze is on." Aalpoel is one of 220 county residents who participated in a 15-question survey the advanced reporting students conducted between Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, in which surveyors phoned randomly selected residents from the Whatcom County white pages. Most people — 64.2 percent — thought the county population was growing fast, and 60.5 percent of those surveyed perceived the counly population as growing more rapidly than the rest of the Puget Sound area. Survey results revealed how people living in the county interpreted population growth, what aspect of life they believed to be threatened in light of future population growth and what aspects of the county should be preserved. For Melody Plumb, a 29- year-old customer service representative, "the amount of jobs that people have and the ability to get from point 'A' to point 'B' in a quick amount of time" were both important aspects to maintain in the future. Overall, transportation is a high concern for Whatcom County residents. Most county survey respondents — 37.8 percent—perceived transportation to be more strained than police services and jails at 19.9 percent, education at 17.3 percent, emergency care at 12.8 percent and utilities at 12.2 percent. When county residents were asked what they felt was most negatively affected by population growth, traffic was the most popular response at 42.3 percent. Those who lived outside of Bellingham consisted of 53.1 percent of the results while 46.9 percent of responses were Bellingham residents. More than twice the percentage of people who lived in Bellingham said they perceived population growth as negative than people who lived outside city limits. In response to the future of the county's population growth, Lynden resident and former Bellingham resident Bree Prosser, 32, said land preservation was a priority for her. "(It is important) to preserve the quality of living (in the county), meaning the environment that we have and the safety of natural resources," Prosser said. Prosser, a Variety Haggen Food and Pharmacy manager, lived in Bellingham for seven years before she decided to move to Lynden, which she perceived as having a smaller population. "(Lynden) still has the small town feel," she said. "People still say 'hi' to you on the street. It seems to be more family friendly." Prosser attended Western when she first moved to Bellingham in 1991. "Back then, I didn't care about (population growth) as much as I do now," Prosser said. "Now I worry there's not going to be enough resources for my kids when they get bigger." She cited the lack of land, trees, transportation, clean water and clean air as her main concerns for the future of Whatcom Counly. Prosser said she observed a shift of land use on Woburn Street in Bellingham since she moved to Lynden. "All of Barkley Hill used to be woods and now it's not," Prosser said. "It's all houses. You see a lot more deer on the road now." Despite the AalpoePs big "squeeze" theory and impending county crunch residents will experience with population growth, Prosser plans to stay. "The population density in Whatcom County isn't as big here as in ... Seattle," Prosser said. "(There is) more green, more parks and wilderness. Mt. Baker is a 45-minute drive. I don't have to travel so far to find quiet." * Additional reporting by advanced reporting students. Does Money Matter? Are there sufficient opportunities for public input on decisions affecting population growth in Whatcom County? ^i'reater^EarilSjOG^ Less than 25,000 48.6% 73% 20 40 60 80 Percentage answering negatively 100 Homeowners vs. Renters Percentage of respondents who replied as homeowners or renters. Homeowner Renter my% 68.3% PPPPP
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