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By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

By the students, for the students of Central Washington University

The Observer

Mary Park

Scene Editor - Fall 2019

Staff Reporter - Spring  2019

All content by Mary Park

Kittitas County hay exporters face decline in demand

Mary Park, Central News Watch
May 14, 2020

Local hay exporters are feeling the pandemic’s disruption of the global supply chain. As restaurants, schools, coffee shops and other businesses closed across the world, the demand for dairy products...

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What students should be doing to prepare for the job market

Mary Park, Central News Watch
May 5, 2020

With layoffs, hiring freezes, and rescinded internships, the current job market can look discouraging to college graduates. Jessey Allen, a counselor at CWU Career Services, hosted a workshop on...

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Gardening: A quarantine activity

Gardening: A quarantine activity

Mary Park, Central News Watch
April 28, 2020

  While many gatherings and activities have been cancelled or moved online, COVID-19 hasn’t shut down gardening. As the temperature grows warmer, home gardeners are pulling weeds, pruning...

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Teaching art virtually through COVID-19

Teaching art virtually through COVID-19

Mary Park, Central News Watch
April 21, 2020

From paper bag stars to yarn feathers, making art can help pass the time and keep kids busy. Gallery One had to close temporarily due to COVID-19, but it hasn’t stopped them from continuing its...

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Mary Park

Hay exporters face challenge of moving hay during virus outbreak

Mary Park, Staff Contributor
March 11, 2020

The coronavirus outbreak is not only impacting the healthcare system but the global supply chain as well. In Kittitas County, the loss is trickling down to hay farmers and exporters. China has the world’s...

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Home is more than holiday decor

Home is more than holiday decor

Mary Park, Scene Editor
December 4, 2019

Now that the turkey’s eaten (or stored in the fridge) and Plaid Friday shopping’s been done, you can find red and green Santa hats, candy canes, ribbons and strings of lights in just about any public...

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Courtesy of Garret Deffert

From Marines to theatre

Mary Park, Scene Editor
December 4, 2019

At the scene shop in McConnell Hall, you can smell sawdust, see pieces of wood scattered around the room and hear heavy footsteps on the paint-splotched floor. Oftentimes, the shrill grinding of an electric...

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‘If I were in college, I would learn Chinese’

‘If I were in college, I would learn Chinese’

Mary Park, Scene Editor
November 20, 2019

Kung fu, dim sum, a “Made in China” label are some things that might go through your mind when you think of China. Many people in the world consume Chinese goods, but learning the language can come...

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Stray cats neutered for new owners

Stray cats neutered for new owners

Jackson McMurray and Mary Park
November 13, 2019

Ellensburg, much like most cities in the United States, has a problem with stray pets.  Domesticated homeless animals, cats especially, are very often unhealthy in the wild, and they reproduce quickly...

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On top of Baldy Mountain

On top of Baldy Mountain

Mary Park, Scene Editor
November 13, 2019

If you want a panoramic view of the landscape around Ellensburg and the Yakima Valley, you can drive south on Canyon Road for 15 miles to Big Pines Campground next to the Yakima River. But to get that...

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Student veterans share memories of service

Mary Park, Scene Editor
November 7, 2019

Rows of the star-spangled banner waved along both sides of North Walnut Street. Starting from Nov. 4, CWU Veterans Center is hosting Veterans Week to remember the service of veterans and current military...

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Screen Shot 2019-10-31 at 1.51.37 PM

[Photo] The crawling dead

Jackson McMurray, Staff Reporter
October 31, 2019

We’re on a level playing field’

We’re on a level playing field’

Mary Park, Scene Editor
October 31, 2019

More than 10 chairs and tables were pulled close together for the Deaf Coffee Chat held on Oct. 11 at Starbucks on East University Way. Everyone sat around the island of tables in a circle and chatted...

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Zombie brains and more at CWU Psychology Club

Zombie brains and more at CWU Psychology Club

Mary Park, Scene Editor
October 23, 2019

If zombies were real, how would their brains work? As a Halloween special, the CWU Psychology Club will be hosting an event called Zombie Talk with Dr. Ralf Greenwald, neuroscientist and psychology...

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Local art on Ellensburg bus shelters

Local art on Ellensburg bus shelters

Mary Park, Scene Editor
October 23, 2019

  Your wait for the bus will soon be embellished with a taste of local art. Artwork by 10 artists with connections to Kittitas County, CWU or both, will be installed on new bus shelters around...

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Star Party explores time travel

Star Party explores time travel

Mary Park, Scene Editor
October 16, 2019

The CWU 0.6-meter research telescope droned loudly as the slit in its domed roof opened up to reveal the night sky. It was met with ooh’s and ah’s from the attendees of the Star Party event that took...

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From “Shower Shoes” to Joel McHale’s “monkey habitat”

Mary Park, Scene Editor
October 16, 2019

Talent in the Tropics Can you recite the first 200 digits of pi? How about doing that while solving a Rubik’s Cube?  Tyler Simpson from Alford-Montgomery Hall can. Well, only 140 digits, he admitted...

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Windfall Cider Fest

Windfall Cider Fest

Mary Park, Scene Editor
October 9, 2019

Sweet, fruity, dry, tart, hoppy, herbal: whether you’re a beer drinker or a wine drinker, there’s a cider for everyone. On Oct. 6, locals and visitors from all over Washington and other neighboring...

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Graphic designers made you look

Graphic designers made you look

Mary Park, Scene Editor
October 9, 2019

On Oct. 3, Sarah Spurgeon Gallery in Randall Hall opened an exhibit. The Poster Show features the works of 15 nationally and internationally known graphic designers and design educators. Curated by...

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Wildcat Neighborhood kicks off fall

Wildcat Neighborhood kicks off fall

Mary Park, Scene Editor
October 2, 2019

This summer, food grew right out of CWU’s backyard and was served on plates, fresh as a farm-to-table meal can be. At Wildcat Neighborhood Farm, located on East Dean Nicholson Boulevard across from...

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Protect yourself from seasonal blues

Mary Park, Scene Editor
October 2, 2019

It’s exciting to be on campus after summer break, meeting old and new friends and going to welcome events. But fall quarter can also bring another set of emotions for some people.  As we roll into...

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Review of The Hunchback of Notre Dame – What makes faith and what makes a hypocrite

Review of The Hunchback of Notre Dame – What makes faith and what makes a hypocrite

Mary Park, Columnist
May 30, 2019

Recently, I went to see the musical, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” performed by CWU’s Central Theatre Ensemble. I found it to be a thought-provoking performance that posed questions on the idea of...

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Oren Hilligso works on her garments for the upcoming 23rd Annual Fashion Show. Students will be presenting their original designs at show, which will take place June
1 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Milo Smith Tower Theatre.

‘Fuego’ fashion to be showcased

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
May 29, 2019

Whether you follow the most recent trends, throw on whatever is not in the laundry basket or you just really enjoyed watching “The Devil Wears Prada,” fashion is something we all deal with every day....

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The colors on the pride flag are meant to reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ community. The use of
the flag originated in San Francisco in 1978, but is now used worldwide.

Pride Week to represent all students

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
May 22, 2019

In 1996, CWU held its first Pride Week. Fast forward 20 years to 2016, when CWU President James L. Gaudino helped raise a rainbow flag for the first time on Barge Hall, the oldest and one of the tallest...

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Vang Garden sold large and
medium sized floral arrangements
at the farmers market. Many people
bought flower bouquets for their moth-
ers and grandmothers for Mother’s Day
on May 12th.

Ellensburg Farmers Market brings community together

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
May 16, 2019

Buy fresh produce, sample a wine or cider, indulge in a macaron or two, watch musicians perform and you would still only be halfway through the list of things you can do at the farmers market. On Saturday,...

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The CWU Theatre Ensemble performs a scene in its production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” during practice on April 30. The theatre production will
run May 10-12 and May 16-19 in the McConnell Auditorium. Special events such as dinners beforehand will be held on specific days.

Central Theatre Ensemble Performs ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
May 8, 2019

The majestic gothic arches and buttresses, mesmerizing rose windows, bells ringing and stone gargoyles peering over Paris highlight the beauty of Notre Dame Cathedral. Starting on May 10, the Central...

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Wildcat Neighborhood Farm prepares for first season

Wildcat Neighborhood Farm prepares for first season

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
May 2, 2019

What used to be an empty plot of land located at the corner of North Alder Street and East 14th Ave. is now a farm ready to yield its first produce this spring and summer. Carrots, radishes, beets and...

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At Sakura Matsuri, Japanese students showed students attending some traditional cooking as well as how it was traditionally made

Haru Matsuri celebrates Japanese culture

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
April 24, 2019

The smell of takoyaki (a savory octopus snack), the loud rumbling of taiko drums and students wearing kimono and yukata were only a small slice of Japanese culture that was on display on Monday, April...

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Functional Junk Salvage is located at 400 W Fifth Ave. They specialize in turning old and otherwise useless items into functional pieces of art or furniture for people to purchase. The store is co-owned by Daniel Morton and
Jaque Stanley.

Upcycling store gives old items new purpose

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
April 24, 2019

A steam tractor sculpture built out of rusty barrels, corrugated roofing panels and steel wagon wheels stand outside the front door of Functional Junk Salvage. It is a sample of the collection that...

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The Diversity and Equity Center is located in room 101 in Black Hall. One of the purposes for the center is to create a safe space for
students to socialize and relax before, after and between classes.

Volunteer opportunities tie students to community

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
April 17, 2019

Making new friends, learning a new skill and giving back to the community are some of the benefits that CWU students say they received from volunteering, either on campus or in their hometowns. Harry...

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FIFA tournament brings virtual soccer to the SURC

FIFA tournament brings virtual soccer to the SURC

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
April 12, 2019

Correction 4/19/19: This story originally said "last night" with regards to when the tournament took place. It has been changed to April 11. Laughter and groans were heard late at night in the Student...

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Students compete for prizes in esports tournament

Students compete for prizes in esports tournament

Mary Park, Staff Reporter
April 10, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo’s face on posters around campus announced a call for gamers. The call was for FIFA 19 players and for Rocket League players, the newest addition to the esports events that have been...

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