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Nick Thomas

Get Lit! 2016: Garth Stein Races to Sunny Spokane

04/25/2016 by Nick Thomas Leave a Comment


Get Lit! 2016: EWU Hosts Week-long Literary Festival

Garth Stein came to the Fox Theater as part of Get Lit! 2016. EWU’s annual one-week literary festival. The author of New York Times bestselling novel “The Art of Racing in the Rain” talked about growing up in Seattle in the ‘80’s, going to college in NYC, making documentary films, writing plays, racing cars, and finally becoming a wildly successful novelist.

Garth Stein with his dog named Comet
Stein with Comet, the Labrapoodle he adopted from Spangle, a farm town near EWU (photo: Frank Huster)

Stein explained the challenge of putting pen to paper, taking this weird idea and actually writing the thing that became the first draft that became the novel that has now spawned other siblings such as a young adult version, and a children’s book. While on book tour for his first novel, his wife made him write forty pages of the dog book before she would let him back in the house. He credits her as an essential part of his career as a novelist. The two met while studying film at Columbia University.

And Stein spoke passionately about the need for discourse on literature in American culture, and implored us to support our public library, check out books, give books away, something he does with the philanthropy group “Seattle 7 Writers.” And, he says, keep going to readings and events like Get Lit!

Garth Stein at Get Lit Spokane
Garth Stein speaks at Get Lit! Festival of literature hosted by EWU (photo: Nick Thomas)

He fielded questions about Comet, the beloved Labra-poodle his family adopted from a farm near Spangle, a town 15 miles south of EWU. The idea for his “Dog Book” (what he calls it) occurred to him when he learned about the Buddhist belief that dogs are are reborn next as humans (versus some other creature).
His newest book, A Sudden Light, deals with family history and legacy. It spans multiple generations of a once-prominent Pacific Northwest lumber family, and features a house that may or may not be alive.

Filed Under: EWU Tagged With: EWU book festival, EWU literary festival, Garth Stein, Get Lit Spokane, Get Lit!, Get Lit! EWU

EWU Promises EPIC Adventures

04/19/2016 by Nick Thomas Leave a Comment

“Hanging out around a campsite is a natural way to socialize and meet people.” – Brent Goodson

When you walk up to the EPIC climbing wall most mornings, you will see a group of students learning the ropes, usually there is a actual class. But any student can climb, starting with bouldering, which requires no ropes. Simply walk up, sign a waiver, watch a short safety video, and pick a route on the short wall design to challenge you without being dangerous.

EWU students take EPIC adventure to hotsprings (Austin Marvel photo, Instagram @austinmarvels)
EWU students take EPIC adventure to hotsprings (Austin Marvel photo, Instagram @austinmarvels)

EWU EPIC Adventures offers way more than a climbing wall. It’s a way to experience pretty much all of the Northwest, have fun, and make new friends. If you’ve never been camping before, jump aboard one of EPIC’s year-round adventures.

They get a lot of students brand new to outdoor recreation. Especially for weekend trips like to hot springs, or dog sledding. Ice-climbing is a popular trip, too.

FlowerLapse-54
EPIC Climbing at Leavenworth (Photo courtesy Austin Marvel. Instagram @austinmarvels)

Bernt Goodson, a senior Environmental Science/Geology major, started going on EPIC trips his freshman year, now this is his third year leading them. He says EPIC is perfect for freshmen college students. And it brings together students from different cultural backgrounds and experience levels.  “International students love our weekend trips; they often come as a group. We have a ton of fun.”

Upcoming trips include Methow Valley and Wenatchee Raft and Climb trips. Bouldering and climbing day trips trips are coming up to McLellen and Minnehaha, close to Spokane. On the Spokane River, rafting, kayaking and even river surfing is popular.

Service Learning trips involve giving back. EWU Climbing Club recently returned from a Service Learning trip to Dry Falls, an ancient dried up waterfall 2 hours east of EWU. They hiked around the vast canyon, picked up litter, and checked climbing holds for safety.

As Goodson says, “just try it out!”

Click here to view the 2016 EPIC trip schedule.

Filed Under: EWU Tagged With: climbing college, epic adventure, epic adventures, ewu climbing, ewu climbing club, ewu climbing wall, ewu epic, ewu hiking, ewu outdoors, EWU outdoors clubs, ewu rafting, outdoors adventure, schools with outdoor clubs

Pinball Hackers

04/12/2016 by Nick Thomas Leave a Comment

EWU Computer Science students hack vintage pinball machine, win bonus points.

Each Fall quarter, energetic Computer Science professor Paul Schimpf shares his love for old pinball games in a course entitled “Embedded Real-Time Control,” aka “Pinball Class.”

Using a colorful “early digital” pinball machine called Mata Hara ( from 1978!), STEM students learn the basics of programming software and build skills in hacking retro games, “real-time control,” skills they can extend to other projects and products.

Prof. Paul Schimpf reveals CPU of EWU retro pinball machine
Prof. Schimpf explains EWU students’ modified retro pinball machine (Nick Thomas photo)

Students plug in laptops to update the CPU with their custom code. When the ball rolls around, switches are thrown; they figure out how the machine works on their own. They use the coin and credit buttons to scroll the playfield lamps, then create digital maps of how the game responds.

“The ‘80’s pinball games actually present the biggest challenges,” he says. “They have limited capabilities. For instance, it puts out only 190 volts, which is only enough to light up one digit at a time. Students write code that makes the numbers light up so fast it tricks the eye into thinking its seeing a full display.”if you take a photo, you will only see one digit.”

They also control game logic like scoring and Bonus Points. They trigger updated sound and music via the SD card slot and ATTiny microcontroller. Schimpf also upgraded the CPU. “I took out the original CPU and put in an Arduino Mega 2560,” which he says is easier to modify.

Pinball Class presents challenges they aren’t used to with modern computer games. The many software tasks, from the solenoid-fired bumpers to controlling the lights, make Pinball Class a popular class at EWU Computer Science. Schimpf hopes to increase the number of machines they use.

The professor has a bigger idea he’s toying with: he hopes to collaborate with the VCD Students (Visual Communication Design) to create an EWU branded game. “EWU Football,” he says, his eyes growing wide with excitement. “We could have the red-turf field.” They could sell the game to alumni and fund more student-made games like the pinball machine.

Click here to explore STEM programs and careers.

 

Filed Under: EWU Tagged With: arduino, computer science, cool games, embedded real-time, EWU, ewu computer science, ewu cs, EWU STEM, paul schimpf, pinball hacking, programming, real-time, retro pinball, STEM, vintage pinball

The EWU Learning Commons: Success is a Group Effort

03/17/2016 by Nick Thomas Leave a Comment

The Learning Common's promise is to "Provide a collaborative intellectual setting that inspires excellence in learning." And they deliver on this promise.

Gone are the days when college students hide away all around campus (though quiet areas to study still abound). EWU's drop-in group-study area is filled with tables and whiteboards, the Multimedia Lab, and the Writing Center, where you can get help on everything from research papers to resumes.

Students put heads together at Learning Commons PLUS groups in JFK Library

Located on the main floor of the JFK library, popular study groups, known as PLUS Groups (Program Leading to University Success), gather daily in small groups around dry erase tables and tackle whatever questions you arrive with.

Popular subjects include math, science, and foreign languages.

PLUS groups are led by advanced students at the top of their class who are specially chosen by professors. PLUS tutors attend regular tutor training sessions led by Learning Commons Staff.

Also, a limited number of one-on-one tutors in all subjects are available, but you must commit to a certain number of sessions per quarter.

Learn more at the Learning Commons Homepage

 

 

Filed Under: EWU Tagged With: ewu Learning Commons, EWU library, EWU plus groups, ewu study groups, EWU tutoring, jfk library, student success

The Happy Hobbit Houses of Cheney

03/08/2016 by Nick Thomas Leave a Comment

A cluster of hobbit houses exists in peace and quiet a few minutes away from EWU's busy main campus. Since Bilbo and his kind left for the Shire thirty years, the hobbit houses are filled with Eastern students. Their feet all appear to be normal sizes, and most wear shoes. They are a rather secretive bunch, though, so please don't disturb the tenants. Do swing by and take a selfie! #hobbithouse

The hobbit houses are tucked away at 6th and Clay St, near Centennial Park. (601 Clay St.)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rustblue/5859502326/in/photolist-9VMtUb

Filed Under: EWU Tagged With: alternative house, cheney hobbit houses, dome house, ewu hobbits, hobbit house, tiny houses, underground homes

The 12 Best Coffee Shops for Studying

03/04/2016 by Nick Thomas 1 Comment

At EWU we take our coffee seriously.

Coffee shops are the perfect places to gossip with friends, and, if you have time, study. As many will attest, college is made possible thanks to an endless supply of caffeine; that’s no exception at EWU.

Great coffee shops abound both on and off campus, in Cheney and in Spokane. That means you never have an excuse not to study! Cheney and Spokane offer great coffee shops within walking distance and close to public transportation.

coffee shop study session

On campus:

1. Thirsty Minds is located in the JFK Library. They serve Cravens Coffee, a Spokane roaster. Plenty of big tables for group study, and the library has designated quiet zones, as well as private study rooms, and food and drinks are allowed anywhere in the library. And the library is open until midnight (except Friday and Saturday).

2. Main Street Dining in Tawanka Hall is located smack dab in the center of campus. With fresh coffee, smoothies and to-go menu on ground level, the cafeteria upstairs doubles as a study area that boasts lots of natural light.

In Downtown Cheney:

Cheney’s historic main street is a short walk from campus.

3.  The Mason Jar – This quaint cafe is a local favorite, students and community members constantly fill this bright and cozy cafe. They host the popular Open Mic organized by NW BLVD, the student run lit journal.

4. The Marketplace is up the street. They are a great new place to sip and study. Hungry? Grab a fresh, locally sourced meal. As the name suggest, they are also a year round farmers market.

In Spokane:

Great study spots abound in Spokane, a scenic twenty minute bus ride away from Cheney.

5. Rocket Bakery on Cedar St. is just a few blocks from the EWU Jefferson Street Park and Ride. This is their biggest location, but other Rocket’s, like the Howard Street cafe, are great too. Try their bagels, and made to order deli sandwiches.

6. Coeur Coffee is across the graceful arch of Monroe Street Bridge which overlooks the stunning cascades of Spokane Falls. These guys are serious coffee nerds, weighing out the coffee on a scale. They have Stumptown coffee beans from Portland, and local favorites Roast House.

7. Indaba is on Broadway, just west of Coeur Coffee. They operate their own micro-roaster, and have a large seating area. They have a downtown location, too, near Atticus.

8. Atticus Coffee is a downtown Spokane favorite. It doubles as an amazing, unique gift shop and bookstore. If the weather is nice, consider taking your study session across the street to the beautiful Riverfront Park.

9. Boots – Boots is a vegan, gluten-free bakery and cafe that serves excellent coffee, craft cocktails, fresh baked goods. Their affordable food is so delicious you won’t notice that its meatless and wheatless.

10. Fresh Plate is a delicious cafe at EWU Spokane campus. Located in the Academic Building, they serve local food, fresh baked goods, and Roast House coffee. There’s tons of seating, and the amazing shared campus library is right upstairs if you need a quiet zone. The sun drenched seating area by the library entrance is a great place to study, with views of the Tower Mountain, and the spires of St. John’s Cathedral nestled among the forested South Hill.

11. Rockwood Bakery is next to beautiful Manito Park, the jewel of Spokane’s parks. It boasts tons of seating, big tables, a great patio, and scratch made baked goods and famous lattes. They might be the only cafe in Spokane with no wifi access, which means you might actually get some studying done. Weekend mornings can be crowded and loud. Bring earbuds!

12. Rocket Market – Looking for a late night spot? Located on the south hill, this cafe and market is open until 11pm every day of the year.

Happy studying, and may the caffeine be with you!

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: EWU Tagged With: best coffee shops, best spokane cheney coffee shops, cafes, cheney coffee shops, cheney study spots, coffee shops, ewu coffee, ewu coffee shops, spokane study spots, study spots

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