T H E
L I N N - B E N T O N
C O M M U N I T Y
VOL. 52 EDITION 10
C O L L E G E
JAN. 13, 2021
Homeless Amid
the
Virus Corvallis Homeless Men Speak Out About Their Situation Amid the Pandemic
STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAKOTA GANGE “If you really want to help these people, go get them some firewood, they’re freezing,” says a Corvallis citizen as he uses sticks, twigs, and branches to build a small fire in front of a medium-sized tent, in which sits a rosy-cheeked blonde woman, swaddled in blankets. She does not speak to strangers on this almost freezing Saturday afternoon, at the official Corvallis homeless camp sites, underneath the downtown Highway 34 bridge. Many residents of this area are resistant to talk, and ask to remain anonymous. The property is owned by the City of Corvallis, in which this land is provided to those who are homeless and wish to stay, as long as they keep it clean. There is a large blue dumpster that is provided at the edge of the northwest sidewalk along the property, near the skatepark; “As long as we keep it clean, we can stay here,” says local homeless tenant Vern Jones. Jones is a Corvallis local, who has been homeless in the area for 10 years. When asked if he’s seen an increase in the homeless since the pandemic, Jones says, “There used to be maybe ten tents here, now there are forty.” Jones is an alcoholic, which “helps keep him warm.” He has no family, and the locals here
Locally known as “The Keyboard Kid,” Damian Scott plays self written melodies among the streets of Corvallis. He’s been playing the keyboard for 11 years, and taught himself without ever learning to read music. This is his only means of survival.
only “tolerate him,” says the anonymous good citizen. This portion of the campsite is quite large, containing at least 15 tents in the main area. There are piles of clothes, trash that’s been bagged up, bikes, tables, and everyone is
Long-time Corvallis local Vern Jones says he’s seen an increase of about 30 tents since the official homeless camp opened up among the pandemic. “If you really want to help these people, go get them some firewood, they’re freezing,” says a citizen who stopped to help build a fire for a young homeless woman.
walking around anymore,” says Scott. He taught himself how to play music, without ever learning to read it. Playing his keyboard is his only means of survival, and with the pandemic keeping musicians at bay, Scott has been facing basic survival needs. He travels around the city with his almost four-foot keyboard, a blanket and sleeping bag equally as large, and a backpack. These are his only belongings, and he sleeps on cardboard to “keep the cement from sucking out the cold.” If you are a student at Linn-Benton Community College and are struggling with housing, food, utilities, education costs, and more, know there are resources out there easily accessible for you. You can access these resources through Roadrunner Resources, on the LB official website, where you will find a quick questionnaire to help LB determine the best way to help you and get resources to you quickly. There’s no doubt that the homeless crisis has indeed increased in the last nine months, and with that comes people from all walks of life.
Inside this Edition
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Dear Colleagues,
bundled up and blatantly cold, trying to make a fire in front of their tent. To the south side of the camp there are other tents that have spread out individually, nestled in the base of trees and grassy fields. They seem to have means other than fire to keep warm, such as heat lamps aglow in their tents. What they are doing to get electricity to power these lamps is still not clear. Another young man who chooses not to reside among the camp is 23-year-old “Piano Man” or “KeyBoard Kid” Damian Scott. “I don’t like the energy of it all [the downtown camp], so that’s why I sleep in the doorway [of a Corvallis store front].” Scott has been a street performer for 11 years, where he plays unknown, unheard of and unwritten music on his keyboard for the public. He’s been living in Portland and Corvallis for “a couple of months'' after coming here from Kansas. He plans to stay here “at least throughout the winter.” “What’s different [among the pandemic] is I’ve had to figure out where most of the people are, like the places that most people go to, to play music outside to earn my way. Like at maybe the post office or grocery stores. That’s something different. Downtown drags aren’t usually alive with people just
A tent sits a little further south from the main group, standing alone in the base of a few trees. Inside the tent is a glow with a small lantern, and outside is a large bin full of dog food, with a silver dog bowl on top.
LBCC'S PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
SEE PAGE 2
YOUR LOCAL ARBORIST
SEE PAGE 4
HBO MAX SUGGESTIONS
SEE PAGE 11
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CAMPUS NEWS
JANUARY 13, 2021
LBCOMMUTER.COM
Wellness Wednesday Is Positivity Possible to Learn?
STORY BY
LISA HOOGESTEGER
The Commuter is the weekly student-run newspaper for LBCC, financed by student fees and advertising. Opinions expressed in The Commuter do not necessarily reflect those of the LBCC administration, faculty and students of LBCC. Editorials, columns, letters, and cartoons reflect the opinions of the authors. LBCC is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Letters Welcome The Commuter encourages readers to use its “Opinion” pages to express their views on campus, community, regional and national issues. The Commuter attempts to print all submissions received, but reserves the right to edit for grammar, length, libel, privacy concerns and taste. Opinions expressed by letter submitters do not represent the views of the Commuter staff or the College. Deliver letters to: Address: The Commuter Forum 222 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW Albany, OR 97321 Web Address: LBCommuter.com Phone: 541-917-4451, 4452 or 4449 Email: commuter@linnbenton.edu Twitter @LBCommuter Facebook LBCC The Commuter Instagram @LBCommuter
Our Staff Adviser Rob Priewe Editor-in-Chief Katie Littlefield Layout Designer Rebecca Fewless Marketing/Advertising Isaieh Heiken Sean Ramos A&E Steven Pryor Joshua Bloedel Photography Editors Hikari Kawai Student Voice Editor Dakota Gange Web Master Marci Sischo Copy Editor Bowen Orcutt Contributors Karen Canan Brenda Autry David Shaughnessy Megan Oliver Tanner Johnson Natalie Pelc Abby Johnson Leah Biesack
Philosophically, if your nature is to be negative or critical, can you really change to look at things more positively? This will not be a scientific debate. I’ve got some science to quote, some insight to share and an opinion or two along the way. The research says In surveys, psychologists have found that hope and optimism are related—more hopeful people also tend to be more optimistic—but the two concepts also have important differences. Optimism doesn’t need to mean denying or avoiding negative events. Optimism is a mindset that we can cultivate and empower us to cope with life’s challenges. (healthpsych.com/thescience-of optimism) The major difference between hope and optimism is hope’s focus on agency. As professor Utpal Dholakia explains in a blog post for Psychology Today, “hopeful people believe that their
actions can bring about their desired goals. Because of this, hope may be especially beneficial for people in stressful or challenging situations—in situations where a good outcome doesn’t necessarily seem like a given.” (healthpsych.com/ psychology-of-hope) Hope has two components: pathways thinking and agency. Pathways thinking involves being able to think of many different ways of achieving something. Agency involves being motivated and feeling confident that one can achieve their goals. “Hope is not Pollyannaish optimism – the assumption that a positive outcome is inevitable. Instead, hope is a motivation to persevere toward a goal or end state, even if we’re skeptical that a positive outcome is likely.” – Professor Everett Worthington You CAN cultivate optimism. A quote that I heard long ago that is part of my internal mantra is “hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and accept whatever happens”. It works for me because I have decided I want to hope. I want to believe things are possible. I want to see the sunny side and the silver
linings. I know (the realist side of me) that things don’t always work out, but I found myself in a real funk one year in always expecting doom and gloom. I realized I was avoiding feeling bad if things didn’t happen, however I also immediately dampened any joy because of always expecting things would soon fall apart. So I chose hope, knowing that I’d be often disappointed yet wanting to allow for joy. I would rather deeply feel things, even if it was hurtful, than not feel things and stay sheltered. I still prepare for the “what if’s” of things going awry (daily occurrence during COVID, have several back up plans and go light on expectation that things will work as you think); I just also try not to “dread ahead” of what could happen. We, I can only control the process. What I put into it, what I plan and prepare for, what I am thinking or saying. The outcomes? Not up to me. But when I manage my piece of something and let go, I can feel good about my effort. Period.
A Message From Our President
Lisa Avery Shares Her Thoughts on the Recent Events at Our Nation's Capitol Many in our community watched with intense feelings of sorrow, anger and even fear as the riots at the United States Capitol (and in our own Capitol) unfolded recently, and you may have experienced those same emotions yourself. I know that I did. The violence and lawlessness that we witnessed is an affront to the values of our country, and to the values of our institution. Just as both political parties condemned these brutal actions, I want to add my voice. In the Lyceum Address, Abraham Lincoln reminded Americans that “there is no grievance that is a fit object of redress by mob law,” and those words remain relevant today. Likewise, there is no place for violence and hate at LBCC -- and it is our responsibility as an educational community to speak out against it. It is also our responsibility to model the tenets of civil discourse in our classrooms and in our offices, and it is our great charge to rise above hatred and division and thoughtfully engage with those we disagree. That is why the work we do at LBCC matters so much. It is why every single student, employee, and community member who supports our mission has a critical role to play. Through education, we actively empower each other to think critically, promote empathy, and make contributions that protect and encourage the worth and dignity of ALL people, even if we wildly disagree. The recent chaos was deeply troubling, but I want to encourage you now. Regardless of your role, the work you do with LBCC has the power to change the world. As a reminder, if you are experiencing extreme stress or anxiety, LBCC resources are available. Whether you are a student, an employee or a community member, I encourage you to visit our website and speak with our office contacts to receive formal assistance. Please engage in the self-care you need to continue to bring your best to our community. In closing, please join me in remembering how
much hope we have in our midst -- our students are a testament to that, and their education is central to our community’s well-being. Lincoln also opined, “Upon the subject of education . . . . I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in.” I wholeheartedly agree, and today I want to thank you for continuing to support LBCC’s educational mission. Thanks, Lisa Lisa Avery, Ph.D. President Linn-Benton Community College
COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU
JANUARY 13, 2021
LOCAL NEWS
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Small Business Thriving The Freckled Bee Creates a Welcoming Community
Established in 2019, The Freckled Bee carries shirt sizes from newborn all the way up to 5X, including other boutique garments as well. Located on the corner of Liberty and State street, they can make most anything while you wait, which is very convenient for the out of town shoppers and impatient people alike. The Freckled Bee also makes custom engraved cups, cutting boards, wooden signs, jewelry, car decals, UV printed cups, baseball hats, beanies, and much more. Almost everything in the store is made by the owners, Diana and Brandy. They have something for everyone and any occasion. Open from 10-6 MondaySaturday and 10-4 Sunday's, The Freckled Bee is a great place to find one of a kind pieces and keep our communities small businesses thriving. This small business is not backing down and their stance is clear. With calls on their business line with death threats and nasty remarks, both owners have decided to keep their business a safe place for minority groups and continue to support different progressive movements. Both Diana and Brandy chose to paint the inside of the store windows after people kept wiping it off. Brandy shares, "We've gotten trolled a ton, we've had one of our employee's called the "N"
The Freckled Bee showing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement that has caused quite the national uproar this year.
The Freckled Bee in Salem, November 25. Despite the winter weather, and the pandemic, people are still out and about supporting and shopping small businesses downtown.
word by someone walking by, and that is just something we will not tolerate." On the other end, they have seen so much support and they constantly have people thanking them for making it a place of inclusivity. The business owners decided to keep their controversial human rights printed shirts visible in the windows at all times. All people are welcome in, but they have no room for hate. Not only do they do custom walk-in orders, The Freckled Bee utilizes a secondary company created by Brandy Decker, called Spill the Beans. You will find this brands insignia on the left hand corner of all the shirts made here. Brandy started her t-shirt brand back in 2007. As she made shirts for her sons, her friends soon started wanting to order. Spill the Shaiann Helton organizes and gets ready to print custom shirts in the back room on December 3. She says, "I've been working here for about a month, and I am still getting the hang of things." This time of year is extremely busy for the business, especially the holiday t-shirt orders.
Beans gained popularity quickly with it's forward thinking prints, and slogans that are unforgivably honest. Now, Spill the Beans has over 32k followers on Instagram. From an online Etsy store, to now, Brandy brought her company front and center to this downtown Salem storefront. Diana is part owner of The Freckled Bee and specializes in all the garments in need of a sewing expert. She even makes embroidered logos for other small businesses in the area, including On Any Sundae ice cream shop in Salem. This business owner and mother of five discusses how it's been owning a small business in the middle of a global pandemic. "The small business relief funding has definitely kept us afloat. And our landlords here that own the building have been a huge, huge, help." She continued, "They didn't have to do as much as they did, and that goes for all their tenants." Diana describes the whole downtown area joining forces during this time. "One of the positive things that has happened to the downtown area, is that the small shops and business owners have really come together in support for one another and we have gotten closer. It's really going to build a much stronger community"... "I'm really proud to be apart of it, I wouldn't want to do anything else."
Diana Cureton gets ready to make her signature cape and mask outfits she sews for children, and adults alike. These make great gifts for young kids and those young at heart.
Brandy Decker is part owner of The Freckled Bee and poses proudly for a portrait on December 3.
Alec worked on a project with the owners that included him making an original design for custom engraved cups for the Trans Lives Matter movement. Along with their mission, The Freckled Bee has a wide array of toys and activities for newborn to school age children. Melissa and Doug is one of their featured brands that align with the stores vision of equality for all and standing together against racial Brandy is a mother of four a boys and proud business owner of The Freckled Bee. Balancing family life and work seems to come naturally. She has overcome nursing one son through grad school, holding her teaching job, and working her side business, turned full time job, all simultaneously. She knows her dedicated time is precious and well spent. Brandy explains, "I work hard here so I can be home on time for dinner and to see my kids." Decker continues, "There will be weeks where I don't come home at night, at one point I was up to 800 open orders, and that is just part of the sacrifice to pursue my dream and support my family." In a time of national division, and a global pandemic, The Freckled Bee strives to dedicate their time and efforts to having a diverse work crew, a diverse selection of goods, and a diverse vision of our world to share with those willing to listen.
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LOCAL NEWS
JANUARY 13, 2021
LBCOMMUTER.COM
Your Local Arborist You See Them All the Time, But What’s The Job Really Like?
COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU
JANUARY 13, 2021
LOCAL NEWS
5
1ST HAND SECONDS An Upscale Resale Shop Survives Through Shutdown
STORY AND PHOTOS: DAKOTA GANGE
STORY AND PHOTOS: MEGAN OLIVER
“It feels good to overcome a difficult task, and I really like working outside, even in the rain or snow,” explains Thomas Miller when asked what he loves about his job.
1st Hand Seconds Unique Boutique is an upscale resale shop located on 2nd Ave SW in Downtown Albany, Oregon, founded by Deborah Boulanger. The boutique has been in business for about two months. Shortly after the boutique opened, it was shut down due to COVID-19. This women's clothing, shoes, accessories, gowns, and jewelry boutique is open Monday through Friday from 10AM5:30PM and Saturday from 10AM-5PM. They offer a wide selection of designer names at discounted prices. From shoes to dresses, every item is received by donation, and those that do not sell in the boutique are donated to other stores. The bridal boutique, Chic-ee Chic-ee Bridal Boutiqee, is upstairs above the boutique. Several bridal gowns are all donated from Adorned in Grace, a non-profit bridal boutique in Portland, Oregon, and Shabby Chic Bride Consignment Shop in Salem, Oregon. The gowns also mostly designer names, and they have many accessory options. Proceeds from customers benefit Mercy House International Incorporation, helping women and children victims of domestic abuse. Mercy House is a biblicallybased non-profit ministry that was founded in 2010 then opened 1st Hand Seconds. Both Chicee Chic-ee Bridal Boutiquee, located within this boutique, and 1st Hand Seconds financially support the ministry and the several assistant programs. These programs include a safe home for women and children victims of domestic abuse, coping classes, the Benevolence Fund, supporting women with food, clothing, assistance, and many others.
When asked what the scariest part of working as an arborist is Thomas Miller states, “Definitely when I’ve taken all the branches off of a tree and its just a stick left, it’s kind of nerve racking cause there’s nothing to hang on to -- it's just you the rope and the tree.”
Thomas Miller does a full removal of a Red Maple tree at a private residence in Albany, Ore. “It had a big branch break out of it, and the home owners were worried about more falling their house and property,” said Thomas Miller.
On Tuesday, November 17 Thomas Miller and trusty right hand partner work together in Albany.
Thomas Miller and Scout Beckwith, Monday, November 23rd, at Trimble Navigation, Corvallis. This arborist, Thomas (Tom) Miller, a 27 year old Corvallis native. Tom spends many of his work days up in trees, removing and pruning them, among lots of other major and minor landscaping. I was lucky enough to spend a couple afternoons capturing Tom from way up high, to way down low.
The old building, located on 1st Ave in Albany, Oregon, shut down in September of last year. The new building on 2nd Ave wasn't ready until September of this year, but the Mercy House ministry continued to accept donations and help women while they were closed. Mercy House International Inc. still had plenty of food and clothing donations to serve women and children victims. Once COVID 19 hit, the new boutique contractor struggled to get the construction work done from March to September, which prolonged the reopening of 1st Hand Seconds. Sharon Cray, 1st Hand Seconds employee, helping unload unused donations from the boutique to a local thrift store, Albany Helping Hands, on November 25.
Colleen Anderson, the boutique manager of 1st Hand Seconds, and Sharon Cray, making a weekly round of picking up donations from local supporting stores. Restyle Upscale Resale, located within the North Albany Village on NW Hickory St, donates women's upscale clothing that they don't sell to 1st Hand Seconds to sell in their boutique. Several local businesses like Restyle, Arauco, North Albany Supermarket, SouthPaws Perfect Pizza and Sports Club, and many others are valued donors of clothing, services, food, volunteers, and much more. Due to COVID-19, access was not permitted in the store because of wanting to abide by social distancing guidelines and a limited number of customers at one time.
1st Hand Seconds Unique Boutique donating to a local thrift store, Albany Helping Hands, located on 1st Ave in Albany, Oregon, on November 25. Emily Congrobe, receiving cart fulls of clothes, accessories, books, and other donations from 1st Hand Seconds employee, Sharon Cray. 1st Hand Seconds sets aside all things that don't sell, or they don't hold in the boutique and donates them to local thrift stores and shops to be sold. The boutique tries to donate items weekly when they have lots of donations to help others.
Colleen Anderson spreads the Christmas cheer to other local stores through donations of items the boutique cannot sell. She brings a truckload of materials, clothes, showed, accessories, decorations, and more after sorting the boutique items. "God's good; he has really blessed this ministry," Colleen Anderson, 1st Hand Seconds Unique Boutique manager. She explains how grateful and blessed they are for receiving so much support from the community, their customers, and God.
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LOCAL NEWS
JANUARY 13, 2021
LBCOMMUTER.COM
The Process of Walmart Online Pickup Orders Are on the Rise Due to the Pandemic
COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU
JANUARY 13, 2021
LOCAL NEWS
Far from Normal
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Schools Go from In-person to Online
PHOTO: ABBY JOHNSON
STORY AND PHOTOS: JOSHUA BLOEDEL
This is Mandy Ipson, a first grade teacher at Meadowridge Elementary School. She has her own little classroom set up in her home, turning the spare room into a place to keep her lessons and conduct her zoom classes with her students. This is her 6th year teaching, and the main difference she finds with this year compared to the past, besides the obvious, is that it is harder for her to help her students. She explains that she can only see their faces and can't see their work to see if they're comprohending.
Once the order is prepped the associate takes the order to the car and puts the groceries into it. It's a pretty easy process. (This is Jonah)
PHOTO: DAVID SHAUGHNESSY
While the crew is on their break, Terry McCool makes sure the painters have the tools they need to carry on in yet another bathroom repaint. Possibly the heaviest used rooms in any school building, it isn't often that time, access and budget allow anything beyond patching to be done. Some of the other bus drivers have opted to take on this work. Terry recognizes and appreciates the win-win situation. There's no way this could be done in a normal school schedule and maintenance budget. Buildings around the district are getting this update.
In picking, we go around the store to grab the items the customer ordered. In order to find the location, we use a device as you can see in Jorge's right hand.
After picking is done, the totes are taken to the backroom to be organized by time and order number.
With certain items such as produce, we have to weigh them before putting them in the assigned tote.
News For You
Once the person who made the order arrives, we take the specified order and grab other items from the cooler and freezer to prepare it for dispense. (This is Chase by the way)
PHOTO: ABBY JOHNSON
An empty hallway of an empty school. The only students coming to the school at the moment are the STAR students, which are the kids on the autistic spectrum. PHOTO: DAVID SHAUGHNESSY
PHOTO: DAVID SHAUGHNESSY
Chase delivers an order to a customer's open vicheal to avoid contact during the ongoing pandemic.
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The LCSD Superintendent Bo Yates and the School Board are making an effort to keep staff employed. Here Jessica Collins, a bus driver, is spending part of her morning in the cafeteria making sandwiches to be added to the rest of the meals being assembled back in the kitchen.
Brady Blair has worked for the school district for 2 years. His current tasking is repairing the huge backlog of damaged ChromeBooks that have been collected from classrooms. The closure of the schools has allowed him to build a shopping list of parts to order. Almost every horizontal surface in the networking support office is covered with a layer of these laptops being tested, their damages noted and software updated to make them ready for classes to resume.
PHOTO: ABBY JOHNSON
Jefferson High School, a school that usually has multiple people in the school at most times because of sport events, classes, and clubs, has an empty parking lot these days. This is due to all events being cancelled in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. Almost every school in Oregon has the same situation at the moment, not having anyone there due to Covid-19.
Find local events, campus news, school updates, and more every week Join the Community @lbcommuter or follow this link: http://eepurl.com/heeMtv
SAFETY SUGGESTION BOX
LBCC has a Safety Committee whose goal is to identify and eliminate risks on our campus, and to prevent accidents and illnesses through the involvement of employees, managers, and students in an effort to provide a safe and healthy place to both work and learn. A "Safety Suggestion Box" is available to provide a way for you to communicate your safety concerns, hazards spotted, and suggestions for promoting safety. Please email your suggestions, comments, concerns to: safetycommittee@linnbenton.edu
Safety is Everybody’s Business 4 Good Reasons Why Safety is Everybody's Business College Student Safety Guide
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Top 10 Reasons Workplace Safety is Important
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BY LEAH BIESACK
A Clock Without Hands, Carson McCullers: Built with complex, layered characters. In Cold Blood, Truman Capote: Carefully crafted. Some long parts. Pastoralia, George Saunders: Weirdly refreshing. Content trumps structure. Not That Kind of Girl, Lena Dunham: I never laughed out loud.
More than twenty-five years have passed since Pixar released the very first feature-length CG animated film with the first “Toy Story.” Now, they have released their latest film with “Soul.” Coming out at the tail end of a less-thanstellar year; it’s not only their best film since “Inside Out,” it’s an uplifting mustsee for everyone. The story follows middle school band teacher and aspiring jazz musician Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx), who must find his way back to Earth after an accident lands him in purgatory; in between life and death. Forming an unlikely bond with a new soul known only as the number 22 (voice of Tina Fey); Joe must not only fulfill his own purpose, but help 22 fend theirs as well. This film not only depicts a journey that sees Joe grow into his role as a mentor while still pursuing his passions; it shows how sometimes the smallest experiences can have the biggest impact on someone’s life. Joe and 22’s bond is the
STARRING: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Alice Braga, Richard
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Ayoade, Rachel House, Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashad and Wes Studi with Questlove and John Ratzenberger DIRECTOR: Pete Docter RATED: PG MY RATING: ★★★★★ AVAILABLE ON DISNEY PLUS PHOTO COURTESY : IMDB.COM emotional center of the movie; showing that Pixar still excels at hitting all the right notes for their stories. It also helps that the journey they take in the movie is a hilarious one, with both Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey showing fantastic chemistry in bouncing comedic dialogues off each other. The animation manages to render the earthbound setting of New
York City and purgatory with vivid attention to detail in every frame. One standout includes a series of 2D-animated teachers collectively known as “Jerry” interacting with new three-dimensional souls. The music, done by the gifted team of Nine Inch Nails alumni Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross captures both the inspirational effects of jazz music on Joe’s character arc and the otherworldly nature
of purgatory. With the film being another great exclusive for Disney Plus (in lieu of a theatrical release due to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic); Pixar’s “Soul” is exactly the uplifting film that people are looking for in a time where it’s needed the most. It’s a must-see modern classic that is highly recommended.
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SOUL
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Pixar has Soul STEVEN PRYOR
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A&E
JANUARY 13, 2021
STORY BY
5-W9ord Book 3 8
COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU
Do you know what I don’t like about retro games during the NES era? You would have to start ALL OVER once you get a game over. To go through the same slow levels over and over again feels just dull and repetitive sometimes. This is how Yuji Naka felt when playing Super Mario Bros. He wanted the game to be faster and Sega wanted a mascot. So after a lot of brainstorming including a rabbit, an armadillo, and a certain man who is later used as Dr. Eggman. But the character they stuck with was Mr. Needlemouse who was a hedgehog. On June 23, 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog was released bundled with the Sega Genesis. Thanks to this, the Genesis sold about 15 million copies. The game also received a ton of praise. So, is this game way past cool? Or is it no good? The evil Dr. Ivo Robotnik has been kidnapping animals and trapping them into robots. As Sonic the Hedgehog, you must stop Robotnik’s scheme and save the animals. That is basically the story. Quite lacking but at least there is a story in the game. I give it a C+. Sonic’s gameplay is quite simple. As you run, you go faster and faster and the only other thing Sonic can do is jump. This simplicity of controls makes it quite easy to learn. I love running around very
fast through the game and saving f lickies by destroying robots on your way. If you reach the goal of the act/ level with at least 50 rings, you will see a giant ring. Go through it and it takes you to a bonus level where you need to get the chaos emerald. These bonus levels aren’t really fun as it is very easy for you to accidentally exit them. Basically, you are in this little maze where Sonic is falling in his ball form. You need to rotate the maze and get him to the Chaos Emerald. If you fall into the exits, the bonus level is over. I’m not a fan of the bonus levels in this game. One of the main problems with this game, however, is the level design. While Green Hill Zone (the first level) is one of the best stages in the entire game, the levels afterward are quite sub-par. Green Hill Zone allows you to roam freely and test your speed skills but the other levels are very restrictive and linear. I really wish the game allowed you to experiment with your speed just like the first level. Overall, I think the game had the right idea but executed it poorly. I give it a B-. I really like the soundtrack for this game. From Green Hill Zone to the Star Light Zone, the songs in this game are great. I give it a solid A. To conclude, this game is fine. It had a good idea of what it was trying to accomplish but, after the first level, it was poorly executed. What saves this game is its amazing music. I give it a 6.8/10.
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG DEVELOPER: Sonic Team PUBLISHER: Sega PLATFORM: Sega Genesis, Arcade, Game Boy Advance, Windows, Nintendo 3DS,iOS,Android, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Nintendo Switch PHOTO COURTESY: SEGA
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CAMPUS NEWS
JANUARY 13, 2021
LBCOMMUTER.COM
COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU
A Friendly Welcome
Back from the SLC LBCC Student Leadership Council Provides Information on Upcoming Events
STORY BY MARISSA S. MILES Firstly, we would like to welcome everyone back for another amazing term here at LBCC! The student leadership council is here for you as well as to promote the wellbeing and leadership on campus or remotely during these times. With that being said, we will continue to do online trivia zoom events every other week, contests as well be active on the LB Live app. Winter break was eventful, and the team was active to make sure winter term is even better for all of us students, even if that means working remotely. Some SLC members volunteered at the annual LBCC Thanksgiving food drive hosted by AAWCC for LBCC students. SLC members helped greet and direct NCIL HI P COUeveryone ER Ssure cars, check make is safe and was in S T U Dto ENT LEAD possession of a mask as well as hand out potatoes and
SHIP S T U DENT LEADER
COUNCIL
gift cards Now our focus shifts to preparing for student elections. If you are interested in running for Student body President or Vice-President please find the election packet to fill out attached. What’s Next? • Red Cross Blood Drive- January 12-13 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. • Student Elections- Fed 5- Feb 19 (Voting dates) • Winter Carnival- Date TBD Link to run for Student President or Vice https://trello-attachments.s3.amazonaws. President:
STUDENT LEADERSHIP UPDATE
ARE YOU STRUGGLING
AT LBCC?
The Roadrunner Resource Center helps navigate or guide students over barriers that come up during the term that might prevent them from staying in college. Some resources we can get you connected to might be: • Connecting to resources for childcare • Helping purchase textbooks or other school related costs • Assistance with transportation • Help connecting to resources
that can assist with utility bills, internet and phone costs • Connecting to food resources within the community • Referrals to healthcare related assistance • Help with connecting to housing resources within the community • Access to emergency funds that could help assist over a barrier • Assistance accessing scholarships on campus as well as other forms We are here to assist you-please reach out with any questions you might have- we are here to help you be successful! Just send an email to resources@linnbenton.edu to connect with a Resource Navigator. Or, visit our campus Single Stop Resource Tool to complete a quick profile where we can then match you with many community resources and LBCC emergency funds that could help.
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
The Parents Club
The Parents Club was established to help advocate for and support parents who are in school. Members come together and share their experiences while finding resources they may not have known about. For information you can reach out to student lead Krista Fortenberry at krista. fortenberry.9913@mail.linnbenton.edu, or Club Advisor Aoife Magee at mageea@ linnbenton.edu
GRAPHICS: FREEPIK.COM
A&E
JANUARY 13, 2021
Overwhelmed by Choice? Start Here
11
HBO Max Viewer’s Guide for New Viewers, by a New Viewer
of offerings. From classic films to prestigious original STEVEN PRYOR series to simultaneous @STEVENPRR2PRYOR releases of the biggest Since the launch of blockbusters; here is a HBO Max, the streaming sample of what’s already service has had a wide range there and what’s coming STORY BY
next to help get started. Though this is just a small sample of the material that’s currently available and coming to HBO Max; this streaming platform has the same balance of big
hit movies and acclaimed original content their namesake TV network does, and now is a good time to check it out.
HBO MAX ORIGINALS: The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? This documentary biopic of the disco band details their rise to fame and their impact on pop music as well as pop culture overall.
His Dark Materials This adaptation of Philip Pullman’s dark fantasy novels manages to be a superior take on the material than the infamous 2007 “The Golden Compass,” and a far more faithful take on the books. Now is the perfect time to catch up before the third and final season of the show is set to release.
Close Enough JG Quintel’s follow-up to the hit “Regular Show” is a romp aimed towards its sizable older fanbase; following a young married couple, their 5-year-old daughter and their roommates as they try to navigate the insanity of everyday life in Los Angeles.
BLOCKBUSTER HITS: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Peter Jackson’s landmark adaptations of the JRR Tolkien fantasy books have lost none of their impact nearly two decades after their initial release.
Class Action Park Taking its title from the joking; yet affectionate fan nickname for the infamous New Jersey “Action Park,” this documentary details the insane experiences of the theme park as told by its fans and former employees.
The Dark Knight Trilogy This retelling of the Batman story still remains an excellent trilogy of DC films and great movies in their own right.
Pokémon Detective Pikachu The first liveaction Pokémon film proved to be a surprise critical and boxoffice success, and a strong foundation for future live-action adaptations.
COMING SOON: Justice League: Director’s Cut (March) The definitive version of Zack Snyder’s adaptation of the DC Comics team; this film will feature content and scenes not shown in the theatrical release in 2017.
The Boondocks (TBA) This revival/reboot of the groundbreaking Adult Swim animated series sees the return to the helm for Aaron McGruder, the creator of the original series and its comic strip source material.