May , vo l . 3 1 i s s u e 10
THE RETURN TO CAMPUS LIFE
r a g u o VanC TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Baumann
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ADVERTISING MANAGER
Cecilia Hoxeng
MANAGING EDITOR WEB MANAGER Brody Voge Austin Cari LAYOUT EDITOR Emily Baumann
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
COPY EDITOR Olivia Eldredge
REPORTER Tessa Hensley
PHOTOGRAPHER David Priymak
REPORTER Megan Bina
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Sydney Brower
Mission
The VanCougar, a student-run newsmagazine, informs and engages the WSU Vancouver community while practicing the highest standards of timely, ethical journalism.
Corrections s r e t t Le to the editor The VanCougar welcomes letters and commentary from members of the WSU Vancouver community on current issues. Letters must include the author’s full name, contact information and WSU affiliation: year and major for students, department for faculty and staff, degree and year graduated for alumni. The VanCougar does not publish anonymous letters. Send letters and commentary to van.vc.editor@ wsu.edu. Once received, letters become property of The VanCougar and are subject to editing for length, clarity and style.
The VanCougar is a source of honest, factual information. If you see an error, we want to address it. Please contact the editor-in-chief at van.vc.editor@wsu.edu for corrections.
A previous version of the story entitled “How AI proctoring is targeting marginalized students” stated Sam Buechler was a member of WSU Vancouver’s Accessibility Council. This statement is incorrect and the Accessibility Council is comprised of faculty, staff, administrators and students.
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Associated Students of WSU Vancouver President Armando Antonino discusses what to expect when VanCougs make their return to campus. (David Priymak / The VanCougar)
ISSUE
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Senior and psychology major, Jaina Tupikov, discusses
the art she has been creating during the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Jaina Tupikov)
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letters from leadership
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Return to in-person
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triplet grads
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alumni open bookstore
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artist spotlight
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Opinion: Killing Eve series
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cougar bites: Farmers market
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MAY 2021
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hi everyone, In light of our last issue for the 2020-2021 academic year shipping out to staff, students and faculty, I would like to congratulate you all for ultimately pushing through the chaos. As students, we were all faced with challenges and burdens that have impacted our academics, work and private lives. Being forced to constantly pivot into unknown territory, VanCougs have continued to solve problems with no past solutions, forging a new path for higher education. For The VanCougar team and other student organizations, transitioning to a remote environment was strenuous enough. While navigating adversities we were all presented with, we questioned the future of what our operations would look like, and the ability to sustain our promises to keep the student body engaged and informed. Speaking from personal experience, there were times where my team and I were pushed to an absolute breaking point while having no adviser to lead us through the year and facing trouble with staff retention. However, reporting on topics such as forest fires, racial injustice, loss of family members and more, we soon recognized the value of sharing your stories as you were experiencing them. Considering all the devastation and havoc I have witnessed my peers tolerate within this past year, the biggest lesson I have learned from you all is to grow through it. Mental health has been a critical topic among students and staff during this pandemic, and for good reason. By the end of this semester, I hope you all have the privilege to take time to recharge and reflect on what you have accomplished. We know this year has been unbearable for some, and with this, I encourage each of you to celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the challenges you overcame to get to where you are now.
If you have any thoughts, opinions, questions or a story to pitch to our publication, please feel free to email me at van.vc.editor@wsu.edu, my team and I would love to hear your feedback. Looking onwards to next year, I hope to take the lessons I have learned and apply them to better serve the student body during the 2021-2022 academic year. I’ll see you next time VanCougs. Sincerely, Emily Baumann Editor-in-Chief
MAY 2021
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LETTER FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR While many believe the word “unprecedented” became overused in 2020, we did our best to cover the stories that impacted your campus community the most. From articles about social justice marches in Vancouver, wildfires torching VanCougs’ homes, the modest but empowering representation of a hijab, to how the library is specifically designed to be the best study space for students, our team worked hard to investigate each of these stories during a time deemed truly unprecedented.
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very so often, if you’re lucky enough, you might come across a job that you know won’t be like any other job you will have ever again. For me, that job was with The VanCougar. At the start of my senior year, I found myself in a new role as managing editor, tasked with assisting a firsttime editor-in-chief during the middle of a global pandemic. The team I have helped lead over this past year has been socially distant, but strong, even while there was no end to uncertainty in sight. Having to adapt to new circumstances, everything felt new and strange, but we still pushed forward to deliver you the most incredible stories. Before the start of the fall semester, we held plenty of meetings to organize our commitment toward publishing our print magazine. With no students on campus and low numbers of faculty and staff, it presented new challenges, but I sincerely believe The VanCougar adapted ethically, and efficiently.
Working for The VanCougar Newsmagazine was special to me. Now looking back, just a week away from graduation, I know the time I had with the organization was a fundamental cog in my professional development wheelhouse. WSU Vancouver prides itself as an institution for the non-traditional student, and as a non-traditional student myself, I never knew what my college experience was supposed to look like. Now I know that for two years, I had the privilege of covering many of the most important and unprecedented historical events with a dedicated team that overcame every challenge time and time again. From a leadership role perspective, I’m really proud of the work our organization was able to publish this entire year. From a student perspective, I would say I am completely grateful that my non-traditional path led me to The VanCougar. As an alum, I’ll also say “Go Cougs” and thank you for an unforgettable experience. Sincerely, Brody Voge Managing Editor
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MAY 2021
After a year of experiencing restrictions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, WSU Vancouver administration and ASWSUV student government teamed up to influence the university’s decision to hold more in-person classes this fall.
THE RETURN TO IN-PERSON
Olivia Eldredge | Copy Editor
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hile surpassing a challenging year of remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WSU Vancouver has officially announced students, faculty and staff can safely return to campus during the fall semester of 2021. Accompanying an abrupt decision, students were promptly notified on April 5 with an email sent out by Domanic Thomas, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment, stating “As the COVID-19 vaccination rate climbs in our state, WSU Vancouver is planning for more in-person classes this fall.” Between 2020 and 2021, WSU Vancouver’s return to campus committee was tasked with making significant changes on behalf of public safety and COVID-19 protocol. The committee is co-chaired by Thomas, and Renny Christopher, vice chancellor for academic affairs. Christopher has played a major role in promoting the health of all students, staff and faculty and says it has been difficult trying to predict and plan for a safe return to campus when there are plenty of unknown variables to consider. “We’re not planning based on what the situation is right now today, we’re always trying to predict what the situation will be at the start of next semester. … We’re predicting because of the rapid increase in the vaccination rate, it will be much safer in the fall. That’s also [four] months from now, so we’re kind of trying to gaze into a crystal ball,” Christopher said. Christopher states the WSU Vancouver return to campus committee worked with Colleen Kerr, vice president for external affairs and government relations and chief legislative officer with WSU Government Relations. Based on Kerr’s conclusions and an emergency proclamation signed by Governor Jay Inslee on March 15, the state requires all public K-12 schools to be equipped with in-person education opportunities. Christopher is optimistic that the return to in-person instruction for higher education is expected to be safe by the start of the term. According to Thomas’s email, and based on current safety restrictions, students can expect to see classrooms of 30 or fewer enrolled offered 100% in person, classes of 31-50 having an in-person component and classes with more than 50 students remaining remote.
With these designations, Christopher also says students, staff and faculty will be provided with facial coverings deemed protective by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those on campus are expected to follow a 3-foot social distancing guideline, and classrooms will also be configured with taped boundaries and fixed seating. Additionally, those who are not comfortable with physically attending campus have the option to request accommodations through WSU Vancouver’s Access Center. “We’re dealing with this unprecedented situation, this is something that none of us have ever dealt with before. So we’re always trying to put safety first, but also, pay attention to the needs of the students and try to enable students to make it through their educational journeys,” Christopher said.
ASWSUV President Armando Antonino presented a letter to WSU Vancouver urging for more in-person classes based off survey data collected from students. (David Priymak / The VanCougar)
“We started to learn quickly that all campuses are unique. … All the other four-year institutions in the state of Washington declared in-person classes, and then we were sort of, I think the expression is, the ‘black sheep.’ We were the only ones who hadn’t done that. Multiple factors contributed to the letter, one of the driving forces being the [ASWSUV] senate,” Antonino said. According to Evans Kaame, vice president of ASWSUV and junior political science major, sending the letter was a team effort. He says the compromise to have choices of a hybrid version with in-person learning and the option for students to continue learning online was a great agreement between the administration and ASWSUV. “It’s community-oriented, that was our specific intent, to make sure our community mission is being in place here. … The second intent of the letter was to get consideration, it wasn’t a demand, we were only appealing to faculty, trying to get them to understand how we as student representatives and students collectively feel about online learning versus in person,” Kaame said.
As for the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver’s influence on the in-person decision, student government took initiative and acted on the voices of the student body. Armando Antonino, ASWSUV’s president and junior majoring in integrated strategic communication, says he and his team have high expectations for next fall, and presented a letter to WSU Vancouver faculty urging for more in-person instruction opportunities on campus. Originally only offering a 10% capacity for in-person classes, ASWSUV highlighted that this percentage is comparably low to other WSU campuses across the state.
Additionally, Antonino explains ASWSUV’s plans consist of encouraging students to get their COVID-19 vaccines and work with the Access Center to promote a safe campus experience throughout the semester. “We will connect students with information and encourage them to do their part, because ultimately it’s up to us students to do our part of maintaining social distancing, wearing protective [personal equipment] and getting vaccinated if we’re eligible,” Antonino said. As WSU Vancouver plans to reopen in August, Chancellor Mel Netzhammer is also looking forward to having the WSU Vancouver community back together on campus if safety precautions prevail. “We get a lot of information every day, and we need to make decisions based on what’s likely to be the situation next August, not where we were in January or today. That’s hard to do because things change so quickly, but the evidence we have indicates that we will be able to bring students, faculty and staff back to campus with a focus on safety,” Netzhammer said. Editor’s note: All WSU campuses will be requiring students and staff to be fully vaccinated in order to attend in-person classes in the fall semester of 2021.
Triplet grads: Saba siblings embark on new beginnings Tessa Hensley | Reporter
Each graduating this May with three majors, one minor and zero student debt, the Saba triplets are unstoppable. Kathryn, Kristen and Michael Saba are dedicated WSU Vancouver students, all graduating with a triple degree in finance, management and entrepreneurship, with a minor in communication. While the triplets have been in every class together since elementary school (with the exception of fourth grade), they reflected on family history and their accomplishments within higher education. “We are pretty close. We follow each other around, normally people see us kind of as a unit, but we are just so used to it. I forget we are triplets sometimes. We all kind of take our roles, it is so interesting,” Kathryn Saba said. Being the oldest of the group, Kathryn Saba was followed by Kristen Saba and Michael Saba, who were born at the exact same minute.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saba triplets are unable to celebrate their graduation with family members living in their hometown of Montreal, Canada. Nevertheless, this year they are still looking forward to graduating from WSU Vancouver together. “Our family from Montreal was going to come to our graduation, so it is obviously sad to not have family and friends experience you graduating. It is a big thing, you know? I think there is something about having people and family around that makes it more exciting than just grabbing your diploma from a car. It is the people that make it special,” Kathryn Saba said. Though their academic journey is one for the books, their drive to do well in school is just a small aspect of their exciting lives. Drawing inspiration from their family achievements, the Sabas were encouraged to make the most of their time spent at WSU Vancouver. “Our family is very entrepreneurial. All of our aunts, great grandparents who came from Lebanon, are very entrepreneurial, so it’s kind of in our blood. Our great grandparents did not know English at all and they didn’t have money, but they started a business and they provided for their family. And our grandpa started a shop in Montreal called Le Petit Château and it was a clothing store,” Kristen Saba said. The Sabas’ great grandfather ventured to Portland from Lebanon after he was denied passage to New York on the Titanic back in 1912. Fortunately, luck was on his side, and after arriving in the U.S. on a different ship, he started a house-building business and established his family roots.
“He raised five kids and they worked hard. … They were overcomers and no matter the situation they were just going to work hard and make it happen,” Kristen Saba said. That hard work has carried over through generations in the Saba family, whether it be focusing on their education, or actively maintaining “Saba Productions”, a production company Kristen Saba developed with the help of her siblings.
“All of our aunts, great grandparents who came from Lebanon, are very entrepreneurial, so it’s kind of in our blood.”
- Kristen Saba
“I am a videographer, and we do videos for businesses and corporations and stuff like that,” Kristen Saba said. “Being able to tell people’s stories is what I love doing most. With music and visuals, you can make people cry and you can make people laugh, and that is what I enjoy doing.” While the triplets usually work together as a team, they also have their own passions. Michael Saba explains he is more interested in finance, while Kristen Saba is interested in marketing and digital media and Kathryn Saba enjoys planning and research. Though Saba Productions is their current project, it will not be their last, as Kathryn Saba highlights they are always looking for new opportunities. “I think we are open to other ideas too. We are not only about video and photography, even though that is one aspect. We see ourselves doing other things as well, starting other businesses, whatever that may be. We are still trying to figure it out,” Kathryn Saba said. The Sabas are excited to rejoice and reflect on their achievements together. Being living proof of how hard work pays off, the siblings showcase how beneficial it can be to have help and let family lift you higher. “I think the quote that stands out to us the most is, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go further, go together,’” Kristen Saba said.
From left to right: Michael Saba, Kristen Saba and Kathryn Saba are ready to pursue new endeavors after graduating from WSU Vancouver. (Photo courtesy of Kristen Saba)
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MAY 2021
Alumni open
Birdhouse Bookstore Olivia Eldredge | Copy Editor
Local bookstores are community epicenters, serving as places of inspiration within the crevices of every shelf. WSU Vancouver alumni, Sarah Summerhill and Lucas Gubala, have recently established Birdhouse Bookstore, a new shop opening in downtown Vancouver dedicated to handpicking special collections of antique, affordable, best sellers for their soon-to-be customers. The two recent 2020 graduates have made their dream of opening a bookstore into a reality. Summerhill, a former English major, and Gubala, a computer science major, collaborated in the creation of Birdhouse Bookstore, sure to be a true gem and treasured success within the community. “We’ve kind of always talked about it, like when we’re old we would like to have a bookstore. But, we found a space that we’re going to be in, and it was perfect, and so beautiful. So we decided this is the moment to do it while we’re young. We have our whole lives ahead of us to fail or succeed,” Summerhill said. “We want to be a part of a community and culture of book lovers,” Gubala said.
In conjuction with the Phoenix Rising Art Gallery, Birdhouse Bookstore will be opening mid-May on 1001 Main Street. (Photo courtesy of the Phoenix Rising Art Gallery)
Finding themselves with a surplus of books, Summerhill and Gubala built upon their passion for buying and collecting vintage novels, which served as a great contributor to establishing Birdhouse Books. They have since visited Goodwill, various garage sales and obtained new books from others to build a collection that will soon sit together on the quaint shelves of their ma and pa shop. Although they currently have an online inventory available, Summerhill says they are planning to open the store’s physical location on 1001 Main Street in mid-May. As of now, Summerhill and Gubala are in the process of preparing Birdhouse Books for a grand opening, and are gradually adding new custom bookshelves for the whole room. “We will have double-sided bookshelves to try to maintain maximum natural light, while also giving us the most amount of space to display our products. In preparation, the thing we have enjoyed the most is collecting, at least me, I certainly collect more books than I read. I like working through them, and the thrill of the hunt to find a cool copy, the process is really enjoyable,” Gubala said.
What makes Birdhouse Books so special, is the uniqueness of its novel collection. Customers are sure to find a new novel where they least expect it, within a variety of vintage books spanning between fiction, mythology, fairy tales, poetry and graphic novels to the most obscure children’s books. “Being an English major, [Sarah] has a good background in book names that I don’t know, or some of the less influential ones. Me being a sci-fi head, I know some of the old school sci-fi writers,” Gubala said. “Between the two of us, we get a fair deal of names that aren’t like cover names like Shakespeare or Dickens, but some of the lesser-known authors that people may stop and say ‘oh, I’ve heard of this name but I’ve never read that,’ so we keep an eye out for those.” Summerhill and Gubala originally wanted to create a small literary pamphlet as an initial point to turn their passions for reading, writing and literature into a published booklet. However, when the opportunity arose to open their store, Summerhill’s love for birds became the basis of the theme. While the pair threw around alternatives for the store name, after asking family and friends opinions, everyone agreed Birdhouse Books would be the perfect fit. “We’re in a loft space, so that was part of it, that it felt a little bit like a birdhouse,” Summerhill said. The pair say that finding the physical location for their store was meant to be. After searching extensively for a space to establish the shop, they came across a spot above the charming Rosemary Cafe placed right on Main Street. Summerhill says their business will also work with Phoenix Rising Art Gallery, which already occupies the loft, creating an art gallery and bookstore partnership. As for the official opening, customers can expect to visit Birdhouse Bookstore in mid-May. Based on COVID-19 restrictions and preserving community safety, Summerhill says they will likely have a grand opening event with proper pandemic precautions. Gubala is also optimistic they will make the event a success, providing welcome packets and allowing a certain number of customers in at a time to browse through their collection.
“We will have it organized well enough so people can find something they like quickly, and hopefully we can have some sort of event where we can be safe,” Gubala said. As the previous president of WSU Vancouver’s Creative Writing Club, Summerhill is looking forward to hosting poetry readings, discussions and book clubs at the store. She hopes to provide other events that create an all-encompassing space for writers of all backgrounds and interests to collaborate. “Hopefully, we will end up having poetry slams and other events like that in the space. It would be nice to have a space for writers and creatives in the area,” Summerhill said. Additionally, Birdhouse Bookstore is accepting donations for those who might have one too many books on their hands. Donors can email birdhousebookstore@gmail.com to inquire, and those who live in the Portland area are also eligible for book pickups as well. “We’re accepting all book donations. We’ll come pick them up in our big green van, and we’ll be accepting drop-offs at the store location too,” Gubala said. Independent bookstores resemble places of knowledge and wonder. Summerhill and Gubala are new but passionate members of the bookselling business and hope their new shop will bring joy to those looking to unearth their next favorite novel.
14 MAY 2021
VANCOUGS REVISIT LOVE FOR ART �
Transparency: The Blues Underpainting By Lori Anderson
Megan Bina | Reporter
Artistic exploration can be found in many forms, but for some, it serves as a reflection of one’s perspective and life experience. As WSU Vancouver’s fine arts department encourages students to enhance themselves within their creative works, two VanCougs discuss the message and inspirations behind each of their favorite paintings. Lori Anderson, senior and integrated strategic communication major, says her love for doodling started when she was a child. As a high school student, Anderson took art classes where she began delving into her love for the craft. However, since getting married and having a child after graduating high school, she had no choice but to put off her artistic endeavors. When she enrolled at WSU Vancouver years later, Anderson was given a reason to revisit her artistic passions Currently, Anderson is working on a series of once again when taking the university’s fine arts courses. paintings inspired by the time she spends with her granddaughters exploring the outdoors. “I am actually back at school fulfilling a promise to myself, and now that I have to get some electives after 30 plus “My granddaughter just had a fifth birthday, and years that I’ve been away from art … I’m getting my hands she and her little sister have a room that isn’t comdirty, I’m getting the paintbrushes out again,” Anderson said. pletely decorated yet, so I thought ‘What if I made them [something].’ Because we go and we look When asked what compels her to create art, Anderson discuss- at bugs, watch birds and plant things. We exes that one of her main sources of inspiration is her environ- amine and explore together,” Anderson said. mental surroundings. She also finds inspiration via the works of Thomas Moran, an American painter and printmaker. Fellow Fine Arts student, Jaina Tupikov, a psychology major graduating this semester, also “Just the world around me. Whenever I see something, I’m has an extensive background in making art. just blown away by it and [think] ‘oh, I want to paint that,’ or ‘I want to draw that.’ It’s just what we see around us. … Similar to Anderson, Tupikov’s interest in art is [Moran] is an artist that I first found on postage stamps. rooted in her childhood drawings. ComparaI saw his art and thought to myself ‘oh my goodness, that bly, it was not until high school where she beis amazing.’ Basically what inspired me was that he, too, gan taking art more seriously. When asked what was impressed by what was around him,” Anderson said. sparked her passion for creativity, Tupikov recounts a self-portrait she drew at a young age.
“I firmly believe that God created all things. For him to have made me want to also create things, I think is kind of cool. And how there’s something really moving about how things grow. … The growth process isn’t always easy,” Tupikov explained. Both Anderson and Tupikov have plans to continue creating new works of art in the future. For Anderson, she plans to develop her series of exploration-inspired paintings for her granddaughters and painting her interpretations of the human cell. Tupikov, on the other hand, plans to combine her love of art with her education in psychology via art therapy, a field she hopes to have a career in. Whether artistic expression is ignited by time spent with loved ones or tranquil treks through nature, it is clear that Anderson and Tupikov are perfect examples of how we can use art to tell our own unique stories.
Drawing of an olive branch By Jaina Tupikov “I was about eight years old, and I drew my first self-portrait. And I still have it. Of course, I mean an eightyear-old drew it, but I remember looking at it and going, ‘Wow, I’m so proud of myself.’ … Then in middle school, I was always drawing, but it was there that I got really into portraits and things like that,” Tupikov said. Since discovering pen and ink as one of her favorite mediums, Tupikov has been working on a series of botanical drawings that depict various plants she finds during her outdoor hikes. “Last year, I started a series of different plants and things that I found on my hikes, because I really enjoy hiking. … I’ve drawn a Douglas Iris, Solomon’s plume, an olive branch, although that’s not something I found on my hikes, I just branched out and started drawing plants. That’s all in that pointillism style,” Tupikov said. Additionally, two of Tupikov’s main sources of artistic inspiration come from the works of Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, and Tupikov’s own experiences as a Christian.
Drawing of peach blossoms By Jaina Tupikov
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MAY 2021
MAY 2021
opinion: how ‘killing eve’ has changed sapphic representation Megan Bina | Reporter Since it first hit home screens in 2018, the BBC comedy-drama spy thriller, “Killing Eve,” has provided audiences with sapphic representation in an otherwise sparse market. With LGBTQ+ women rarely being represented on screen, the spy genre has also been dominated by men for decades. “Killing Eve” places lesbian women in the spotlight, and continues to push all of the right boundaries in a male-dominated field. The show tells the story of an MI6 agent, Eve Polastri, played by Sandra Oh, tasked with identifying and capturing international assassin Villanelle, also known as Oksana Astankova, played by Jodie Comer. The two soon find themselves face to face, and as the series progresses, the narrative explores their mutual obsession-turned-love story.
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Both characters are prime examples of three-dimensional female characters, having been brought to life by renowned screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge. With a woman-led cast and crew, “Killing Eve” ultimately shows both sapphic leads in ways that do not objectify their sexual attraction to other women, and instead focuses on the evolution of the romantic relationship between the two women. Besides surface-level lesbian representation, “Killing Eve” explores experiences unique to sapphic women that are not seen enough in mainstream media. In addition to being sapphic, Eve is represented by a middle-aged woman and Person of Color. Being involved in a heterosexual marriage, throughout the show, Eve is shown struggling with understanding her own attraction towards another woman. Furthermore, the show explores Eve’s feelings for Villanelle and how it takes a toll on her relationship with her husband. Comparably, compulsory heterosexuality, or feeling as if being attracted to men is a societal requirement, is a common feeling many lesbians experience. Oftentimes this can continue well into adulthood, as implied through Eve’s marriage. Additionally, “Killing Eve” explores Villanelle’s unapologetic attraction and appreciation for women. Her character is seen having numerous relationships with other women, rather than just insinuating that she’s sapphic. The show contrasts these casual relationships with her unique feelings towards Eve. Villanelle also showcases an impeccable sense of fashion and a snarky attitude, making her a lovable lesbian icon, even if she has killed a few people. Having been postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fourth and final season of “Killing Eve” is set to shoot between May and June of 2021. In the meantime, the rest of the series is currently available to stream via Hulu. If you’re looking for a binge-worthy show that serves on the mark representation of LGBTQ+ experiences, now is the time to delve into a world of lesbian spy romance, international murders and incredibly dressed Russian assassins.
Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer star in “Killing Eve.” (Photo courtesy of AMC)
Nice And Neat X
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MAY 2021
Cougar Bites: A day at the farmers market Tessa Hensley | Reporter
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ooking for something exciting to fill up your free time after the end of the school year? With sights of gorgeous flower bouquets, the acoustics of local bands and home to more than 250 vendors, Vancouver’s Farmers Market located in Esther Short Park offers the perfect pastime to spend on a summer day.
It’s no secret the farmers market is a great place to have fun. To start on the right foot, we suggest you arrive early. Getting there by 9 a.m. offers first choice to produce or goods at vendors that tend to sell out quickly. Milk Money pies, Ziggy’s Kettle Corn and Small Eats Taiwan-style street food were out of some of their more popular items by midday on Sunday, and The Taco Dudes were sold out completely. If you’re interested in visiting any vendors like these, definitely do your best to beat the crowd. Fortunately, if the booths inside the market are running low on treats, the food trucks are a great substitute. Between The Mighty Bowl and the Hummus Hummus Middle Eastern Cuisine, you will have a list of healthy choices to help you recharge while walking around. Although each of these food trucks offers something different, Hummus Hummus is highly recommended. Paired with creamy hummus, and soft, chewy, pita bread, their menu items are sure to entice you. Another fan favorite are the falafel, which are incredibly flavorful, hearty and delicious with a crunchy outside and soft center. Additionally, other ready-to-eat food booths are available such as Getta Gyro, Foody Blues BBQ, Granny Fi’s Shortbread and Sabor Mexican Grill.
The farmers market also offers tons of drink venus, including Funky Fresh Juice Co., a front runner in flavors. Their Funkytown drink is a good choice for those who like beverages on the sweeter side as it consists of beets, carrots, oranges, lemon and ginger. Another fan favorite vendor is Portland Juice Co., which sells bottled juices, nut milk, juice shots and smoothies. The downtown market is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays at Esther and West Eighth streets. Expect to wait in line at the entrance, and remember to leave pets at home as only service dogs are allowed into the event area. Be sure to wear a mask, only eat in the designated areas and when finished strolling through the market, relax and enjoy your goodies at Esther Short Park. We hope you enjoy your time at the farmers market and have a wonderful summer, VanCougs.
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Flowers bloom in spring on WSU Vancouver’s campus. (Photo courtesy of Laura Dutelle)
Live virtual campus tour 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Admissions 201 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Online A-Z of Paying for College Workshop 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Live virtual campus tour 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. Final examinations end
Drive-thru graduation celebration 1 - 4:30 p.m. Mother’s Day
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Business Growth MAP Alliance: CRM Fundementals for Small Businesses 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
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Admissions 201 3:00 - 3:30 p.m.
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Creative Pedagogy to Engage, Motivate & Inspire Classroom Community 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
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Memorial Day
Re-Imagined Radio, “The Immortal Sherlock Holmes” 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER VANCOUGS!