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Another one rides the bus

Police called

‘Bus Stop’: Clackamas’ current play production textures humor of a sexual nature, easily understood by college audience See page 5

student brawl

to instructor, A fight breaks out after instructor Marshall Dean Darris’ pregnant wife is allegedly almost hit by a student’s car John Hurlburt News Associate

John Shufelt Clackamas Print

Lying across the stools inside the “Bus Stop” diner, Grace cries to Elma about her sexual needs. Showings of “Bus Stop” start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the final show Sunday, June 1, at 2:30 p.m.

Mission accomplished, graduation on the horizon John Hurlburt News Associate

Much of life is about going forward and moving on to the next stage.

On June 12 and 13, a select group of Clackamas students will celebrate their advancement into a new phase of their education or career.

The first of the two ceremonies, to be held the evening of June 12, will honor students graduating from either the General Education Development (GED) or adult high school programs.

The second, scheduled for the following night, will recognize those who have earned a certificate or degree through the college.

Feature: New tai chi instructor brings experience from the backyard See page 7

Both events will begin at 7 p.m. and be roughly an hour in length, said Janis Rosenlof, executive assistant to dean of instruction. Students should meet in the Bill Brod Community Center before 6:30 p.m.

There is no cut-off for individuals to sign up for the ceremonies as long as they arrive before 6:30 p.m. with a cap and gown, which have a combined cost of $30 dollars. However, students looking to have their name printed in the program must register no later than Friday, May 23.

On both nights, the personal stories of a few graduates will be profiled in a speech given by College President Joanne Truesdell. The highlighted students, who are currently being nomi-

Arts: An inside look at ASG’s Battle of the Bands See page 5

nated by staff, will be chosen based on contributions they have made to the community and challenges they have conquered.

Along with the student profiles, Truesdell will give a commencement speech each evening.

Truesdell, a former CCC graduate herself, sees this time of year as important, symbolically.

In an e-mail addressed to faculty and staff, she commented on what graduation means to her.

“Commencement is the activity where we celebrate the cycle of our work, the fulfillment of our mission,” she said.

Please see GRADUATION, Page 2

Sports: After 18 years at Clackamas, Robin Robinson is a jack of all trades See page 7

Opinion: Oil prices, the environironment: Political problem-solving leads to more damage

On Thursday, Feb. 21, Clackamas’ normally peaceful environment was shattered by a physical confrontation between a teacher and a student in the Barlow Hall parking lot.

At 2:12 p.m., police responded to a call regarding a fight between Marshall Dean Darris, a social studies instructor on campus, and student Nathan Scott McCrary.

According to the police report, when the officers arrived on scene, both parties had separated from combat and each showed signs of minor bodily damage, but neither required medical attention.

Darris claimed in the report that McCrary had almost hit Tara Darris, his wife – who at the time was 18 weeks pregnant – with his truck while going between 40 and 50 miles per hour in the Barlow parking lot. McCrary denied Darris’ claim in the report.

“I was going 10 to 15 miles and did not (nearly) hit his wife,” McCrary told police in the report interview.

After the alleged near-hit, Darris approached McCrary’s vehicle to find the license plate number, according to Darris’ testimony in the police report. McCrary was still nearby.

“You owe my pregnant wife an apology,” Darris said during the police interview.

McCrary denied almost hitting Tara Darris and refused to apologize in the report.

The ensuing argument ballooned into an altercation, and the parties were soon cursing at one another.

“For about 30 seconds, both (Darris and McCrary) were cussing each other out, and they knew where this was going,” Robert Edge, a witness, said in the report.

In statements taken by officers Feb. 21, McCrary said that Darris pushed him during the verbal argument and that was when the fight started. Darris told officers that McCrary approached him and he pushed him back, and then after McCrary advanced a second time, he again pushed him away, triggering the fight.

Please see INCIDENT, Page 2

See page 3

2 News

The

Clackamas Print

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Incident: Statements changed as events about on-campus fight unfold

Graduation: Ceremony symbolizes a new beginning for many students

Campus Security Committee had not discussed the issue, and Committee Chair Bill Leach and ViceEach changed their state- chair Dick Ashbaugh were ments slightly Feb. 25 in the unavailable for comment. report.

The student handbook states In the Feb. 25 statements, that issues between students Darris told and instructors officers that are addressed he stuck his by the Problem “I don’t want left hand up to Resolution to go back and McCrary’s neck Procedure. to keep him Within this relive anything. back. McCrary process, those It’s all over; no told officers on involved are charges were the 25th that urged to remain Darris tried to confidential as pressed, and the choke him with to the nature school and all both hands and of the discuspush him to the sions. involved have ground.

D a r r i s moved on.”

E v e n t u a l l y, refused to comboth parties ment on the were separated incident aside Dean Darris by bystanders, from saying, Social Science Instructor and no charges “I don’t want were filed at the to go back scene. Charges and relive were filed later anything. It’s but dropped by the attorney all over; no charges were general’s office, according to pressed, and the school and McCrary’s lawyer. all involved have moved on.”

Neither Darris nor McCrary McCrary was unavailable have a record of violent for comment, but his attorney, behavior. However, McCrary Christopher Hardman, says was cited in 2005 for careless that his client does not comdriving. pletely agree with the police School officials would not report issued. comment on how the situation “There is information not is being handled, referencing in the report,” Hardman said. privacy issues.

As of press time, the

The e-mail also noted the ceremonies’ meaning for those involved.

“For students, these two days signal the beginning of something,” Truesdell stated, “(whether it be) the beginning of a new career, better job, acceptance into private and public universities, the completion of a high school credential, being a role model for their children (or) fulfilling their life-

Continued from INCIDENT, Page 1

Continued from GRADUATION, Page 1

long dream.”

The number of graduates this year is unknown because the sign-up will remain open until the last minute, but a total of 380 students took part in the two graduation days for the 2006-2007 academic year.

The ceremonies would not be possible if it weren’t for the people working behind the scenes. Each night requires approximately 50 to 75 volunteers, Rosenlof says.

The gap for volunteers

has not yet been filled, and individuals who are interested may still apply.

This year, a different photographer will cover the events than in years past.

Graduates will now be given the option of having their graduation pictures sent to them via e-mail within 24 hours of the ceremony.

For more information concerning the ceremonies or to volunteer, contact Rosenlof at ext. 2205 or Tamera Davis at ext. 2060.

Events

Speaker May 29: Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury will share the message of global warming in a multimedia presentation based on “An Inconvenient Truth.” The presentation will include the effects of global warming in the Northwest. The event will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. in McLoughlin Auditorium. All Sustainability Project events are free.

May 29 through 31: The spring term theatre production “Bus Stop,” directed by David Smith-English, will have performances in CCC’s Osterman Theatre. Showings are scheduled Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. A matinee is scheduled at 2:30 p.m.

June 1. For ticket information, call Jennifer Schwartzman at 503657-6958, ext. 2356.

June 3 through 5: Student-directed one-act plays will be performed at noon each day and at 7:30 p.m. June 5. All performances take place in the McLoughlin Auditorium; they will be free and open to the public. For information, call 503-657-6958, ext. 2356.

Opinion 3

The

Clackamas Print Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, To Michael Vu, I have to say, your victory in the ASG election is an extremely hollow and rather embarrassing one. What kind of win is that? Certainly nothing to brag about!

“I won the election to be president of ASG. Yea, I was the only choice offered, but I won.”

If you really wanted to prove yourself to even be worthy, you would have fought for the other candidate’s right (that candidate being Jayc Izso) to run against you.

But just sitting back and winning the way you did – shame on you!

– E. Lefebvre

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

The never-ending search for someone to blame

Bikes bite back Dear Andrea, I picked up the latest issue of The Clackamas Print (v41, Issue 22). On page 2, I saw your byline and picture on the “Sound-off” column, and I marveled at what I found there.

I’m still trying to decide which is more amazing – that one of the editors of the newspaper would hijack the public forum column or that the editor in chief of the paper would print your juvenile insult: “a bag of douche.”

Not only is it inappropriate for you to commandeer this column for your personal use, but to do so in such a shrill, unprofessional manner really begs the question: “Who the hell let her on staff?”

Moreover, there is the issue that you are simply flat wrong.

I’m not currently a motorcyclist, but I have been in the past, and I can assure you that a motorcycle is no different than a car when it comes to parking privileges at CCC or anywhere else As for the (very few) designated spaces, if you look closely, you will see that they are for motorcycles only.

In other words, they are reserved preferentially, both as a way of saying thanks for using a lower-impact transportation and in recognition that riders may be arriving in inclement weather, which they would like to get out of quickly.

Probably the most disturbing part of your tirade was the ad hominem attack on someone you don’t even know. Well, that and posting a picture of their bike, so at least some of us will figure out who is “compensating for a low self esteem” that makes “your hand itch for a baseball bat.”

According to the goals stated in the masthead, The Clackamas Print “aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner.” And while The Print disclaims any responsibility for the opinions expressed therein, that disclaimer cannot, by definition, extend to the staff who publish it.

Like I said, I’m not expecting the New York Times, but I’m not expecting a junior high school poop sheet, either. Save it for your MySpace page.

– Bryan Constable Dear Editor, I was starting to think that you had turned your paper around; the writing has become much more professional and well-written in the past couple of terms than it has ever been.

When you reviewed the presidential race and gave opinions and editorials on recycling and tuition and other big issues, I thought your opinion page was finally starting to cover subjects that I care about and explain them to me in a way that I can understand.

However, your stupid opinion columnist trashing my bike and insulting me, calling me “a bag of douche” and threatening me with a baseball bat and a mob attack just goes to show how unprofessional and crappy your rag can really be.

People like me who ride are passionate about our wheels. How dare you put a picture of my bike without my permission in your paper and then insult me without ever once talking to me.

Maybe your stupid columnist should look around next time and see how badly you car people park. Maybe we riders don’t want to park in the “designated spots” because you idiots with your big cars have run into our bikes in the designated spots more than once that I can recall.

If I had an issue with my self-esteem, I’d be driving a huge gas-guzzling 4x4 truck jacked up on a 12-inch lift.

Instead, I drive a motorcycle that is four times as gas-efficient as your car, emits less than a tenth as much pollution and, unlike your other opinion columnist says, I can’t text-message or afford to have road rage like you apparently do on a daily basis.

Newsflash for you, darlin: The next time you have a question about what people are thinking, maybe you should ask them instead of just making stuff up about them.

But maybe that is why you are such a terrible writer, because you don’t know how to do your own job and instead you pull stuff out of your butt to fill a page. I’d say to go back to writing about sports, but you aren’t that good about sports, either.

Your paper owes me an apology, and I expect one.

– Mathew Celtics

The

Clackamas Print

The Clackamas Print 19600 S. Molalla Ave. Oregon City, OR 97045 503-657-6958, ext. 2309

Kayla Berge Clackamas Print

Armondo Borboa Opinion Editor Global warming, illegal immigration, celebrity feuds on TV, fat school kids out of control, spoiled pets eating their owners, aliens controlling government ... it never stops.

You know what I mean.

No matter how serious or totally ridiculous the cause, everyday scientists and researchers, celebrities and rock stars and any number of talking heads are all saying a whole lot of nothing and never really fixing anything.

In most cases, these high-functioning idiots actually make things worse the more they try to “fix” what they think is wrong.

An issue of my very own My favorite cause I love to hate is the high price of gas at the pump and all the morons who blame everything under the sun, yet never quite manage to figure it out.

You would have to be hiding under a rock to not have noticed the nearly quadrupling increase in gas prices the past few years.

At more than $4 a gallon already, the price of fuel is going higher on a daily basis without any signs of abating any time soon.

At the same time, you can’t turn on a TV or radio without some pundit screaming about the imminent collapse of America and our need to start riding bicycles to work.

Oh, please.

Presidential candidate Barack Obama, in a speech reminiscent of one given in the late 1970s by the unknown Marx brother Jimmy Carter, recently suggested Americans need to start turning

Editor in Chief: Megan Koler Copy Editor: Colleen Watkins News Editor: Lydia E. Bashaw A&C Editor: Emily Walters Sports Editor: Andrea Simpson Feature Editor: Kyle Steele Photo Editor: Kayla Berge Opinion Editor: Armondo Borboa Photo Associate : John Shufelt News Associate: John Hurlburt

down their thermostats and learn to live without their big gas-guzzling SUV’s and fancy-shmancy air conditioners.

Are you kidding me? Seriously?

I don’t think so.

Don’t get me wrong – the high price of oil is a serious problem, and our dependence on foreign sources of supply is a critical national security issue.

However, thinking that Americans can significantly make a difference cutting back on their use of fuel by wearing sweaters and driving less is not only unrealistic, it also shows a complete lack of understanding of the root cause of our national problem.

Not really a disaster The last time America had a fuel crisis, it was way back in the early ’70’s, and that crisis makes the current one look like a joke in comparison.

Gas prices would have to get to well over $9 a gallon in order to be as expensive in today’s dollars as it was back then when you take inflation into account.

Even the most inefficient road beast SUV of today, the GM Hummer 2.0, has a better gas mileage and overall emissions standards than the average family station wagon did 30-something years ago.

They also have more safety features, a longer useful road life and use fewer non-renewable resources in their construction.

We just happen to drive an exponentially larger number of cars now versus back then.

Our home appliances, refrigerators, TVs, microwaves, etc. are more than twice as electricity efficient as they were in the ’70s.

Again, we just happen to own a lot more of them in each house now than we did then.

I don’t know about you, but I happen to like my air conditioner.

I like having a TV in each room,

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a dishwasher and microwave, a second fridge just to keep my sodas cold, an X-box in my office and owning all the other electronic junk cluttering up my house.

It is unlimited access to energy that has made American the envy of the world.

I enjoy my comforts, and I feel no shame in admitting it.

Call me what you will, but being an American means having a higher standard of living than everybody else and I am simply not ready to give up my luxuries.

However, oil is a finite resource no matter how you look at it. The answer to the energy crunch lies not in consuming less oil, because eventually we will run out of oil no matter how efficiently it is used.

“OK, Mr. Smarty-pants,” you might say, “that is a no-brainer. So what is the solution?”

Consequences The answer is not just the development of alternative energy sources, but the proper implementation that will not cause more problems than it solves.

Right now, the developments of ethanol or cellulose fuels are considered to be promising technologies capable of someday completely replacing oil.

The problem with using corn for ethanol is utilizing a food crop as a fuel source is creating a domino effect on other commodity prices such as milk, cheese and bread, which are dependent on corn.

A devastating long-term effect of developing ethanol is the massive damage caused to the environment by nations such as Brazil clear-cutting the rain forest to create farmable land for corn.

Any solutions our science can come up with will always carry their own price.

We need to be sure we properly identify what our problems are.

More importantly, we must be willing to pay the price.

G����: The Clackamas Print aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner.

The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the student body, college administration, its faculty or The Print. E-mail comments to chiefed@clackamas.edu.

4 Clackamas Print Feature New tai chi instructor finds zen at Clackamas The

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Nick Hancock has filled a void left in the tai chi class, but brings his own flavor to the ancient martial art Matt Garrison The Clackamas Print

Instructor Nick Hancock may be able to calm people down with tai chi, but he can also kick ass with kung fu.

In the gym in Randall three mornings a week, students can be found flowing from one position to another in slow and quiet movement. Some appear tranquil as they listen to their master.

Hancock has been teaching tai chi for eight years and started at Clackamas toward the end of winter term.

“Nick first started his foundation in martial arts (kung fu) when he was five years old,” said Hancock’s father, Pat Hancock, who is the master and owner of Body Balance Healing Arts in Clarksburg, Md. For his involvement in kung fu, Hancock has won international medals.

“By the age of 10 to 12 years, he started teaching kung fu,” his father recalled.

Raised in Maryland, he moved to Oregon in his early 20s. As a young teenager, he had developed an interest in tai chi, a series of fluid postures that promote both bodily fitness and relaxation.

“Tai chi started in China, dating back all the way to the Yellow Emperor (beginning in 2697 BC),” he said. “Much of the tai chi we see in the United States is either Yang or Chen style, while both are a martial art. Yang style is most well-known for its physical benefits.”

Tai chi and kung fu are similar; the main difference is that tai chi is an internal exercise, whereas kung fu is an external exercise.

“The biggest difference is that it’s a slowmoving form and that it’s relaxing and restorative,” Hancock said of tai chi. “The martial applications focus on redirecting the opponent’s energy while conserving your own.”

“The tai chi class on campus starts out with a chi kung (energy work) and breathing exercises, as well as stretches and basic warmups,” he added. “After warm-ups, the class begins the Yang style form.”

Doran Jensen, a tai chi student, describes Hancock as a quality instructor.

“It’s amazing to watch him,” she said. “He has the form like second nature.”

His seemingly effortless abilities may, in part, be the result of having been around tai chi his entire life.

“My father taught tai chi for a living,” he said. “I was born with a tai chi school in the backyard.”

RIGHT: Nick Hancock, second from the left, teaches the finer points of tai chi to his class. During the year, the class is held indoors in the gym and dance studios, as well as outdoors in the area in front of the Community Center.

Robert Crawford Clackamas Print

Robert Crawford Clackamas Print

Matt Garrison Clackamas Print

Business law classes to litigate mock trial in McLoughlin Hall The two BA 226 classes, taught by different instructors, will demonstrate the law Kyle Steele Feature Editor

The McLoughlin Hall auditorium: perhaps the perfect place for a courtroom battle to determine which business class is a superior legal team.

On June 3 at 1 p.m., two teams from each of the business law, or BA 226, classes, taught by instructors Joan Ryan and Mike Moiso, will participate in a mock trial. It will test the groups’ understanding of the subject matter covered throughout the term, and will be open to the public.

“It was Mr. Moiso’s idea,” Ryan said. “His class has challenged our

class to the mock trial.” viduals who are not enrolled in the Three students from Ryan’s class class as well as other students. will represent the This is Clackamas’ defense, while Moiso’s first business law mock three will play the trial, but Moiso has high part of the plaintiff. hopes for the teaching “We are very The entire proceedings exercise. confident in should last one hour.

“In the fall, we’ll do According to Moiso, a bigger case, but still our defense. both sides began planinterschool,” he said.

The plaintiff ning for the event at In fact, he would like the start of the term. to someday challenge has a very The trial will be based other community colweak case.” on the real whistleleges to the same type blower case, Cleary of trial. vs. US Steel, and will “The ultimate goal Joan Ryan try the teams’ knowlthe following quarter Business Law edge of business whis(winter) is to take on Instructor tleblower laws.

Mt. Hood Community Moiso, a practicing College,” he said. lawyer of 15 years, For now, the primary will be presiding over the case as concern is presenting a strong case to judge. The jury, on the other hand, the at-home court. will be made up of the first 12 people Still with some time to prepare, to arrive at the event, including indi- both teachers are already ensuring

their team’s victory.

“We are very confident in our defense,” Ryan said. “The plaintiff has a very weak case.”

In contrast, Moiso said, “We’re going to trounce the other class.”

One of the possible outcomes of the event would be the accomplishment of reaching more students and creating a greater interest in the business law class offered at the college.

“Everybody is invited to watch the trial and find out more on business law classes,” Moiso said. “We’re trying to make it (BA 226) more entertaining.”

Mock Trial June 3 at 1 p.m. in the McLoughlin Hall auditorium. The first 12 attendees can become members of the jury.

Photo illustration by Kayla Berge Clackamas Print

The

Clackamas Print

&

Arts Culture

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Loneliness overcome at the ‘Bus Stop’

5

Emily Walters Arts & Culture Editor

On one treacherously blustery night, a long hiatus of the bus at a worn street-corner diner in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Kansas town is caused by blocked roads.

The outcome is a relieving of lonesomeness of the heart – and groin in a couple other cases.

Such is the central theme of Clackamas’ current theatre production “Bus Stop,” the myriad of differing desires, including sex, infatuation and, I dare say, even love.

Owned by a jaded 40-something woman named Grace – who is almost never at a loss for words or sexual appetite – the diner normally serves as a 20-minute pit stop for the bus from Kansas City. It’s a place of employment for naïve, yet quickwitted, local girl Elma Duckworth.

It also is the sole backdrop for the play.

“Bus Stop” specifically focuses on the few hours of the night spent at Grace’s Diner by the bus riders, plus the driver and town sheriff.

The sheriff, Will Masters, is a staunch man with a deep sense of morality, and has never been licked in a fight, except

Craig Crockett Doghouse Bass/ Singer

Influences: Stray Cats and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies

Contributed by The Dicers

t s

1

The Dicers

Photos by John Shufelt Clackamas Print

TOP: Elma, a young waitress at Grace’s Diner, listens in raptureous intent to bus passenger Cherie talk about sex, her job as a nightclub singer and cowboy Bo Decker.

BOTTOM LEFT: Grace, the owner of the diner, pours a mug of hot coffee for Sheriff Will Masters as they wait for the bus to arrive.

Cherie soon communicates to Bo that she doesn’t want to go for once.

Will waits for the bus to arrive with the diner women so with him.

Hiding under a mask of brutish manners and seemingly that he can inform the driver that night, Carl, that he can go no cocky exterior, Bo refuses to take no for an answer. further until the weather and roads clear up.

Throughout the rest of the three-act play, Bo is gently The first passenger to enter is a 19-year-old, glitzy-dressed advised by the calm Virgil to be “tender” to Cherie rather than nightclub singer from Kansas City who calls herself Cherie.

Immediately following the bus’ screeching halt outside, maul her, and Will is ever-ready to stand in between the cowboy Cherie rushes in with a battered suitcase to seek refuge and asks and “his woman” when Bo’s temper flares.

In the meantime, Dr. Will for his protection.

Lyman spouts sonnets from The object of her fear is Shakespeare and regales Elma wealthy cowboy Bo Decker, with tales of his three ex-wives who she claims abducted her Blending dirty humor, underlying and past as a professor, staring to bring to his Montana ranch tones of realism and the smalllecherously all the while and as a wife. town mentality into an intriguing producing a flask to fuel his Bo and his father figure, penchant for alcohol.

Virgil Blessing, are asleep cocktail, William Inge’s “Bus Blending dirty humor, on the bus, and Cherie uses Stop” can easily be understood by underlying tones of realism the opportunity to attempt an and the small-town mentalescape. the modern college audience. ity into an intriguing cocktail, The only other passenWilliam Inge’s “Bus Stop” can ger, grey-haired Dr. Gerald easily be understood by the Lyman, soon follows. He fixates with pedophilic delight on Elma behind the counter and sit- modern college audience.

Clackamas’ rendition is well worth the price of a ticket uates himself close by in order to engage her in conversation.

Carl enters and, after passing on a couple suspicious com- because of the commendable acting by members of the colments about his passengers to Will and arousing the cowboys, lege’s student body – both veterans and newcomers alike.

Showings of “Bus Stop” start at 7:30 p.m. May 29, 30 and excuses himself to go for a “walk.”

A couple of minutes later, suddenly stricken with a “head- 31, with the final show Sunday, June 1, at 2:30 p.m.

Ticket cost is $12 for general admission and staff, and $10 ache,” Grace retires to her upstairs apartment.

Neither of the two are seen again for quite awhile, which for seniors or students with a college ID card.

For further information, contact Theatre Department leaves the diner’s operations in the capable hands of young Secretary Jennifer Schwartzman at ext. 2356 or by e-mail at Elma.

With Will prompting her and keeping a watchful eye, jens@clackamas.edu.

Battle of the Bands Two bands competed in the Battle of the Bands at Clackamas on Wednesday, May 21.

VS. – Compiled by Robert Crawford

Kyle Jones Lead Singer

2n d Ensign Easychord

Influences: Bob Dylan, Paul Revere and the Raiders

Robert Crawford Clackamas Print

The

Clackamas Print

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

How to win a

Eyebrows:

drag show:

A comprehensive how-to guide for the brave souls competing to win Clackamas’ drag show - Compiled by Megan Koler Where: Bill Brod Community Center When: Today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Who: Three professional drag queens, including Portland’s very own Sable Scities, will be judging and performing alongside the amateurs.

What: First prize is a $50 gift certificate to Bugatti’s Restaurant. All participants will receive prizes. There will also be a raffle where half the proceeds will be going to the charity SMYRC. About the charity: The Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center (SMYRC) is a recreational and mental health counseling center for LGBTQQ youth in Oregon.

No one is asking you to shave off your eyebrows for a drag show, but at least give them a trim for the big day. If you have light-colored eyebrows, you could camouflage them with nude cover-up and colorful eye shadow while drawing in new ones. It worked for Frank’n’furter from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and he had huge, bushy black ones.

Dress: Don’t steal your sister’s prom dress or break the bank buying a new one.

The thrift store is your best friend.

Find something with an ‘A’ frame and a full, fluffy bottom. This will do two things: hide your junk and make it look like you have hips.

Adding a nice big belt will also help create the feminine illusion.

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Arts Culture

Makeup: This is where you have the best chance of convincing anyone you are not a male. First, you will need a close shave and plenty of concealer. After that, the eyes need to be the most dramatic thing on your face. Lots of eyeliner simulating long, thick lashes and lots of color is a must. A dash of red and gloss on your lips to pout them out should do the job.

Hair: Unless you are sporting some long locks already, you are going to need a wig. In either case … tease the crap out of it! Make it big, and make it fabulous!

Confidence:

Being a drag queen is not about pretending to be a woman – it is about wearing the dress and the makeup, and feeling fabulous and confident. If you don’t exude confidence, you have no chance of winning.

Boobs: Just go to your mother and say, “I need to borrow your bra ...” Just tell her it is for a charity.

Brass Balls: Drag queens may wear dresses, but they are anything but sissies. It takes a lot of guts to strut on stage in women’s clothes in a redneck state like this. Don’t make your voice high and act like a girly girl.

Body Hair: Just this one time, you should consider shaving your arms, back and legs if you plan on winning this show. Look on the bright side; it will grow back, and Olympic swimmers do it all the time.

6

Shoes: Unless you have plenty of experience walking in heels, you should probably not venture past a two- or three-inch heel. A kitten heel might be a wise decision, or a stylish sandal. A high heel might make your legs look more feminine, but falling on your ass or stumbling on stage looks much worse to the judges than some beefy calves.

Illustration by Megan Koler Clackamas Print

Slam poet teaches writing workshop The writer in residence at Clackamas, Turiya Autry, talks about her specific area of art, slam poetry Jess Sheppard The Clackamas Print

A measly two hours was nowhere near long enough to spend in Turiya Autry’s writing workshop Thursday, May 22.

Autry, a professor at Portland State University, spoke before an audience of 11 people on several topics, including self-expression through the arena of art, the hardships involved in being a writer and the encouragement individuals sometimes need before sharing their work.

She used the now-famous author J. K. Rowling as an example to support the idea that writing can be a successful career. No one starts out as a bestselling author, she said, and often a job is needed to support writing without hindering it.

“What’s the day job?” she asked her audience. “What pays the bills while you write your manuscript?”

Another topic Autry addressed was public speaking and why it is one of the top fears of today.

As an exercise in dealing with speaking, she had her audience write a few sentences

about themselves to be read out loud to the whole gathering.

She gave no rules for form, rhyme or rhythm. It didn’t even have to be a poem as long as it was about the writer.

While the audience scribbled, she instructed them not to edit or delete anything from their prompt. She went on to explain that writing shouldn’t be interrupted so it can be reworded or corrected.

“Cross things out later,” she said. “They aren’t going anywhere.”

After the group shared brief biographies aloud, Autry allowed a free-writing session.

Although she presented a number of topics, the participants were free to choose anything they wanted to write about. Afterward, pairs were formed, and the second exercise was thoroughly discussed and examined between the small groups.

Autry then introduced her third exercise: Renga.

Renga is a form of Japanese poetry. It begins with a single line – subject and sentence structure are irrelevant.

The second line is meant to relate directly back to the first line through repeating a word, theme or other such idea. The third line and every one after

continue to relate back to the previous line without directly repeating anything from the rest of the poem.

Again, Autry brushed away restrictions with only one exception: No one was allowed to negate someone else’s sentence.

Attendees worked to brainstorm a number of beginning sentences for the groups to use.

Each pair was asked to write a Renga together based on one of the two beginning thoughts chosen by the group: “No one prepared me for…” or “It’s already happening again…”

Too soon five o’clock arrived and the workshop ended.

“I thought the workshop was extremely successful,” said English Instructor Kate Gray, who participated alongside the students. “No matter how you define ‘successful,’ students came away with a number of pieces of writing and some refreshing ways to approach the craft.”

In addition to her extensive involvement in workshops, Autry also teaches Black Studies and Women’s Studies full-time at Portland State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in speech and a master’s in writing.

The

Clackamas Print

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Sports

7

Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson For the past 18 years, Clackamas has had an instructor who goes beyond the classroom and onto the field Kenton Benfield The Clackamas Print

Robin Robinson has a great life.

As the Cougar baseball coach for 18 years running, he has found what few others have – namely, a job that doubles as his life’s passion.

When not directing the efforts of his athletes, Robinson teaches karate and swing dancing classes on campus as well as abroad.

“I have been here 18 years – that’s how much I love it here at Clackamas,” he said. “It is a great place to be; a lot of really good people (are here).

Very few people in life can get up in the morning and love what they do.

“To get up and teach a karate class, a dance class, maybe another karate class, go spend four or five hours doing baseball with some really good athletes and some good kids – it’s a pretty good life.”

Robinson has an extensive background in education, athletics and coaching, including two master’s degrees from Lewis and Clark College.

He is originally from Junction City, where he graduated from Junction City High School in 1975. He played baseball at Umpqua Community College for a year, followed by two years at Willamette University before graduating.

His coaching and teaching career began at North Salem High School, where he worked for five years. It continued at Oregon City High School on the heels of his successes in baseball and football, allowing him to land the positions of head baseball coach and assistant football coach.

Before he came to Clackamas, he would often use its sports facilities for games on behalf of OCHS, which lacked such resources at the time.

“What we did at OCHS was we moved our games up to play at the campus here, ‘cause we did not have a baseball field,” he said, “so I got to know a lot of the coaches and the athletic director.

The job opened up here, it happened to be timely … so I moved up here.”

Beyond baseball

Robert Crawford Clackamas Print

Robin Robinson instructs the baseball team on the field.

Robinson started coaching the team in 1990 after coaching baseball and football at North Salem High School and Oregon City High School.

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Robinson’s long history of coaching has touched more than one generation.

Tyler Waters, a former Cougar baseball player, was coached by him last year. In addition, Waters’ father was a player under Robinson back during their time at North Salem High.

“The way he sticks up for our team is pretty amazing,” Waters said. “Some coaches don’t do that; some coaches just sit back and watch everything. If he disagrees, he gets out there and lets them know and tries to get it figured out.”

Jim Hoppel has been the assistant coach for Cougar baseball for seven years, all of in which he has worked with Robinson.

“Robinson is the most knowledgeable guy I

know in baseball,” Hoppel said. “He knows all of its details. But he does not just teach it – he focuses on the life lessons learned from baseball that extend beyond baseball.”

Not simply committed to teaching these athletic arts, Robinson lives them outside of the classroom and field.

“I go to the Portland Beavers. I go to the Salem Keiser Volcanoes. I love those guys to watch the minor league, to see what we’re trying to get our guys to do one day,” he said. “I watch baseball and go watch high school kids play. When I really want to just be social and enjoy my life, I go dancing and have fun social dancing.”

While at the high school games, he always keeps an eye out for potential talent that he might like to recruit for the college baseball team.

A common thread It is not common to find a baseball coach who also loves karate, let alone someone who enjoys swing dancing as well. For Robinson, there is a common thread of interest in all of these seemingly disjoint athletics that appeals to him.

“My favorite free family time is with my three grandkids, and I go and spend time with them,” he said. “If you ever have kids or grandkids, it is fun to watch them crawl, then walk, then run – just make steps – and it is kind of fun to watch.

“You know, I will see a student come in, and for three weeks they can’t really figure out how to move their feet in a dance move. Then, it will click one day, and on the fourth week, it will hit and all of a sudden they are a dancer now. It is the success of the students you are looking at.”

Along the same lines, he has enjoyed numerous activities beyond the scope of campus athletics.

“I have worked for a couple of security companies,” he said. “… Bodyguard work, security at different concerts settings, is mainly what I have done.

“I also teach at a couple of different dance clubs. (With) my karate stuff, I mainly take lessons.”

His role as a teacher has not been limited – not to baseball, nor to dance.

“I have taught for police departments, the Coast Guard, the Portland Guides,” he said. “I have taught for many different organizations in hand-to-hand and self-defense for military people.”

“But I don’t do a lot of that,” he continued.

“I’ve done a few more lessons trying to expand my (skill) in the karate area, but dancing – I take lessons (and) teach at dance festivals.”

An entire 18 years at Clackamas has failed to bore him.

“I believe this place is really student-oriented,” he said of the college, “and that’s why I think I have been very happy here. I think I want to teach here till I can’t.”

The

Clackamas Print

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

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