B Y: N IC O L E BA S K IN A PR I L 1, 2 0 13 MESSAGE 1: Tattoo Safety Sometimes you have to ask, is it worth it? Research could mean the difference between THIS and That When you turn 18 the world is yours. In college you can finally get that tattoo you’ve been wanting! But before you rush out get drilled on, take a moment to think. Is it really worth it? Can you handle the pain? And more importantly ask yourself what career field are you trying to striving for? Employers hate seeing tattoos (unless you work in a tattoo shop of course!) Will you be able to hide this tattoo when needed? It’s important to know the risks and what questions to ask when you get there! Below are some important questions to ask when finding a credible tattoo parlor. Depending on where you go you could be in danger of getting severe rashes, staph infections, ink poisoning and even HIV and Hepatitis. Here are questions you will want to ask BEFORE getting your tattoo! 1. Do they clean the tools, if so how? 2. Are they FDA Approved? 3. Do they wear gloves? 4. What kind of ink are they using? -*This may seem like a dumb question, but some parlors have been found to be using automobile ink! 5. What is the artist’s experience? 6. Have YOU seen their work with your OWN eyes? 7. REVIEWS, REVIEWS, REVIEWS! Ask people and check online and see what they say about the shop you’re interested in! RED FLAGS! *If the person you are talking to seems to be annoyed about your questions or short with answers, LEAVE! Find somewhere else! IF they are doing what they should, they should be able to give you THOROUGH answers. *If you don’t feel comfortable you can leave! You’re not obligated to use that shop after asking questions. AND NO DRINKS BEFORE YOU INK! DO NOT GET A TATTOO IF YOU’RE INTOXICATED! After getting tatted! Tattoos are OPEN WOUNDS! TREAT IT ACCORDINGLY! Have disinfectant cream and keep area clean. Give it time to heal. No working out for a while, no swimming. MESSAGE 2: THE WEEKLY REVIEW! Weekly reviews by your first-year peers of local restaurants, shops, places to go and more! So check it out each week to see new reviews to help you choose! ENJOY! Hooper's By: Ashley Todd Hooper's Restaurant is a cozy family owned and operated restaurant located in the heart of downtown Sylva, NC. They are open from 6:30 am - 3:00 pm Monday through Wednesday, 6:30 am - 9:00 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 6:30 am – 3:00pm on Sunday. The food, atmosphere, and prices are all so wonderful that whenever my family is in town, Hooper’s is always the first place we want to go. The first time I went to Hooper’s was on a Sunday and there was such a large crowd that my family and I almost went somewhere else. We didn’t, however, and surprisingly we were sat quickly. The first thing I noticed was that the majority of the restaurant is composed of woodthe chairs, the tables, and the floor. This made the small space seem very warm and welcoming despite it being a fairly small place. We were there during brunch hour, so we had the option of choosing the buffet, breakfast menu, or lunch menu. Their breakfast menu is just as long as their lunch menu, consisting of everything from a small meal containing just an egg and bacon to larger meals that contain eggs, bacon, grits, and pancakes. The lunch menu is equally impressive consisting of burgers, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, kid selections, and deserts. I chose the hand breaded chicken tenders and fries, and they were great. The chicken arrived hot, crispy on the outside, and extremely tender on the inside. Definitely not like most typical chicken tenders you find. My dad ordered the buffet and I was surprised to see how much food they offer there. Many of the items that you see on the menu were also at the buffet, and all of it was hot and freshly made. The second time I visited Hooper's I again ordered the chicken tenders. After our waitress delivered them, she noticed that they seemed a little smaller and over cooked (even though I thought they were fine) and brought out an additional, fresh order at no cost. The staff at Hooper’s is wonderful- extremely friendly and always happy. Our waitress never forgot about us and was checking on us and refilling our drinks. She was also very knowledgeable and could answer any questions we had about items on the menu. To top off the whole experience, all the food on the menu was very reasonably priced. Everything, including the budget, was under $10. The only downside is that there is limited parking near the restaurant, but we have always been able to find places a few blocks away. As you are walking back to your car, there are many fun shops along the way to go through, which makes parking further away not so bad. Overall, Hooper’s is a fantastic restaurant and it’s easy to tell that they work hard to keep it that way. The place is always overflowing with wonderful food and people, which makes it great for families and people of all ages. Hooper’s has become a favorite in my family and we are all looking forward to when we get to go back. If you are curious to read more reviews, visit the wiki: http://roma.wcu.edu/groups/getlocal/ MESSAGE 3: Announcements! Check Out this Week’s Events! SPEACIAL EVENTS! NEW LENSE FILM SERIES! “WE WERE HERE” Tuesday April 2nd at 7-9 room Bardo Art Center 130 Film and discussion: "WE WERE HERE" is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco. Though a San Francisco-based story, "WE WERE HERE" extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself. First Thursday Concert and Jam! Bluegrass Featuring Phil and Gaye Johnson! Thursday April 4 at 7pm in the Mountain Heritage Center Auditorium. Concert from 7-8 Open Jam from 8-9! ‘ Friday April 5th @ 1pm – Saturday April 6 @12pm! SPORTS! Baseball Tuesday April 2 UNC Asheville at the Hennon Stadium at 5pm! Softball Gardner Webb Wednesday April 3 at 4pm and 6pm! *** For More Events this week visit, http://www.wcu.edu/11570.asp *** Want to be in an issue of the Message Board? A new section called “CUB’s Corner” IS NOW OPEN! This section is all about YOU! Show off your creativity! We need new cubs to submit their own works such as an original poem, video, drawing/ comic strip, short story, almost anything! There will also be a lucky cub featured in one week’s issue for getting involved on campus. Whether it’s through volunteer work, club/organization, or an event on campus! Simply send in a picture or short video and a short description of yourself and what you’re doing to stay involved on campus! Need advice? Cub’s Corner will also feature an Ask Mitten’s column! All submission types are to be sent to cubsaskmittens@yahoo.com! Discover College Adapt to new environments and responsibilities - discover and use the resources available to you! Be Involved Identify and act upon your role and responsibility as an engaged citizen - be an active participant in your learning experiences! Connect the Dots Connect your personal interests and abilities, academics, and co-curricular activities as you make sense of the world. Think First Identify complex issues or problems – evaluate your options to make an informed decision - reflect on the implications of your choice. Exchange Ideas Communicate appropriately and respectfully in a variety of formats and contexts. Calibrate Your Compass Examine your values and goals - take responsibility for your own learning and development - act with integrity