Best Style

Hottest band around

Jacob Butcher can't really be considered a "band," as most of his compositions have up till now been one-man productions. But that's all about to change, says the EWU freshman. While he'll continue crafting his signature folk with acoustic guitar and wavering vocals, he said it will be in his "personal time." His public voice (and guitar) will potentially be devoted to an as yet unnamed rock n roll band he's forming with a close friend on drums. While details are hazy, he divulged it will be "fun" and "loud." As far as his reasons for leaving the folk scene, Butcher said, "There's just not enough local support for it. It's not really worth my time if nobody shows up."

His first "fantastic" year at EWU was spent starting a chess club, riding a new bike and discovering the many amenities available to students on campus. "I advise everyone to go to the pool," he said. For a look at what he's doing these days, visit jacobbutcher.blogspot.com/.

Best local place to shop

The winner, Cheney's Ben Franklin store, may not exactly be "stylish," but what it may lack in panache is made up for in small town warmth. The store has been located at 6 Cheney Spokane Rd since '92, but has been in business for 28 years. Since the chain went bankrupt in 1996, there are only a few hundred independently owned Ben Franklin stores left in the country. In a recent e-mail, owner W.J. Nation said, "Our real strength rests in our key employees. Several have been with us for over 20 years and one came with the store."

While big box stores are making it a bigger challenge to keep profits up, store manager Brian Lynch said loyal customers keep things moving. He said every fall during the first week of school Ben Franklin offers specials for Eastern students as a welcome back. "It gives them the chance to get to know us better and offers another chance for us to connect with the community," he said.

Runner up - "Spokane."

Most stylin' event you've attended this year

A tie! Both Africa Night and the annual EWU Drag Show garnered the bulk of votes. Helen Arega, Vice president of African Alliance, said African Night was the result of a lot of hard work by many hands. "The night was hectic yet amazing and very rewarding to see the look on everyone's faces, wondering how in the world did we put this show together."

Sam Nieland, co-president of Eagle Pride, said the drag show was a resounding success. "It's always so interesting to see such a large turnout for a normally considered 'odd' kind of event, said. "I think it displayed how truly open minded the student body can be; even parents who came up to visit for parent's weekend came and enjoyed the show."

Both events showed very different sides of an increasingly diverse campus, and judging by the numbers of attendees, were quite stylin' indeed.

Best new fashion trend Say it ain't so Easterner voters say skinny jeans are out; suction to the legs prevents mobility, plus some people have them there chicken legs. Scarves, however, are a total fashion trend at EWU. Scarves are a fun item to add to any attire, and in Washington State they are a must due to Jack Frost-like temperatures. Scarves have become a popular trend all around the country and remain a staple in men and women's closets. Needless to say, some may feel different, but until America's pop tarts, R&B stars and rappers stop the "not so cool to EWU trend," it looks like skinny jeans (though out at EWU, remember) and scarves may be around for awhile yet.