The Commuter: December 1, 2021

T H E

L I N N - B E N T O N

C O M M U N I T Y

C O L L E G E

RING

VOL. 53 EDITION 9

DEC. 1, 2021

in the

SEASON

ILLUSTRATION: KAILYN MCQUISTEN

GRAPHICS FREEPIK.COM

CHANGE MAKERS

SEE PAGE 2

Inside this Edition

LIVING TWICE

SEE PAGE 5

HOLIDAY GLOW

SEE PAGE 6

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CAMPUS NEWS

DECEMBER 1, 2021

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Unite, Serve, Change Co-Curricular Change Makers Are of the Students, Whole-heartedly for the Students STORY BY LEAH BIESACK Week’ in Spring 2021, hosting listening

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

Uniting to create positive changes in the LBCC school system, ones that benefit students’ and members’ alike, is the mission.

Change Makers is the crew to carry it out. What started as a club founded by students in the Human Services department, quickly advanced into the co-curricular it is today. Built on a foundation of equity and accessibility, LB’s inclusive co-curricular is leading the charge at cultivating the positive, forwardthinking environment we all deserve.

One example of this is their most recent adventure to the virtual, three day National Organization for Human Services conference. There, students were able to attend professional development sessions, as well as network with professionals and professors from all over the country. The words fulfilling, refreshing, and inspiring, were all used by student attendees to describe this experience.

Interested in joining the cause?

Change Makers warmly welcomes all LBCC students no matter the major or year. If you have a desire to help others in our college community, this might be just the co-curricular for you. If interested, or even just a tiny bit curious, contact advisor Liz Pearce at pearcel@linnbenton.edu.

She’ll be thrilled to hear from you and will answer all your wildest questions. The next meeting for Change Makers will be at the start of Winter Term, date and time TBA. Change Makers also played a key role in the SLC’s ‘Mental Health Awareness

The co-curricular is currently workshopping a variety of upcoming projects; a Human Services advising session for Winter, a professional networking event in Spring, as well as running a self-care series for both terms.

There may even be a possible name change in the group’s future. As these plans aren’t yet set in stone, keep your eyes wide and ears open for any and all upcoming projects and offerings from this group. They’re leading the way for LBCC students to have a more positive, inclusive, and connective experience through their college, professional, and personal lives.

rooms intended to promote active listening skills for students. The group also penned a grant proposal for LBCC to purchase the Calm App for the entire student body, allowing students to have easy access to meditation and self-care. In other words, Change Makers has our backs.

When speaking on her motivation for starting Change Makers, Co-Curricular Advisor and Professor Liz Pearce said she “Wants students to have a bridge between the classroom and the real world. It gives them so many more chances to keep playing out how to connect what we’re learning to the real world.”

Change Makers and Friends sharing their best selves while making a better world.

Adviser Rob Priewe

Editor-in-Chief Dakota Gange Layout Designer Kailyn McQuisten Rebecca Fewless Marketing/Advertising Sean Ramos ‑­ Director Isaieh Heiken - Asst. Marketing Director Naomi Thomas - Ad Designer

ROADRUNNER CONNECTIONS Do you want free swag? learn about social events and activities? find out about resources for you? earn tuition in the process?

Roadrunner Connections is for you!

Photo Editor Sabrina Dedek A&E Editor Leah Biesack A&E Steven Pryor

Example Events:

LBCC Explorers Presents A New Trip:

Learn about clubs at LBCC

Sports Editor Logan Hannigan-Downs

Where: Silverton Christmas Market

Student Voice Editor Avery Leon-Castillo

When: Friday December 10th 2021

Web Master Marci Sischo

Time: 5 – 6:00pm

Contributors Chrissy Veach Brenda Autry Kolby France Sabrina Dedek Arianna Stahlbaum Logan Utter Brady Magers Kari Shaw Ashlee Luehring Carsyn Meyers Nora Grace Baumgart Bowen Orcutt Amber Flamand

ICONS:FREEPIK.COM

Go bowling with other LB Students Attend an athletic event Volunteer in your community Play Trivia or go to a campus event

Beep ! p e e B

So how do you get to participate in this opportunity?

Simple! Log into your webrunner account - Click student - Registration add/Drop - select winter term 2022 Scan the QR Code to sign up!

in a box under CRN enter 35116 - click submit! This course does not cost you anything and there are no set meeting times.

Engage your inner Roadrunner!

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DECEMBER 1, 2021

CAMPUS NEWS

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Drugs & Safe Use Centers Civil Discourse Program Debate: Are Safe Use Centers a Positive Addition to Our Communities?

Safe Use Centers Do More Good Than Harm STORY BY BY MORIAH RIVERA-LAWRENCE, NICK MAY, CHEYANNE RIDER, AND THE CIVIL DISCOURSE PROGRAM Per the CDC’s latest report, drug overdose deaths are up by 30% in the past year. Over 100,000 people in the USA have died. Oregon is a hotspot, with a 45.1% increase in fatalities between April 2020 and 2021. Safe use centers are a way we can save lives. Safe use centers do more good than harm because they reduce needle sharing, provide accessible resources, and can help turn the tide against the increase in deaths.

Needle exchange programs, like the ones in Linn and Benton counties promote public safety by collecting used needles and swapping them for new ones. This prevents people from sharing old needles, preventing the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis. Safe use centers make access easy. The more access there is, the more lives can be saved by preventing disease. The side effect of saving lives is cost savings for Medicare and more. Per the CDC, if the USA were to invest just ten million dollars annually into needle

sharing programs, the taxpayer could expect to see a $7.58 return on each

dollar spent.

Walking into a treatment facility is daunting for a user, especially if it could result in criminal charges. According to Police Department Chief Bill Hollingsed,

“The current criminal justice system does not provide treatment and rehab, in its current form. … [These centers] may be the only opportunity for addicts to get the necessary treatment they need to get away from drugs.” Numerous studies show that supervised injection sites can reduce overdoses and increase access to healthcare.

loneliness to general anxiety about the virus, is a major driver for this increase.

Safe use centers can reduce isolation and are able to test drugs for fentanyl.

Considering that an average of five Oregonians die every week from opioid overdose, it’s clear our state would

benefit from these centers.

Safe use centers and the harm reduction programs they provide a space for are essential resources for people in

need. By reducing needle sharing and providing additional resources, safe use centers do more good than harm and can help save lives. Those in Linn County interested in harm reduction services can direct their questions to rpetersen@co.linn.or.us. Benton County residents can call 541-766-6314 or email harm.reduction@co.benton.or.us.

According to a study that examined one of the first safe injection sites in Canada, “those who used Insite

were more likely to initiate detoxing from drugs and access treatment like methadone, compared to those who weren't using the facility.”

Linn County Harm Reduction offers referrals for mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, and more. Those that access safe injection sites want to protect their health but often don’t know how to quit. These services remove many of the road blocks on the path to recovery and offer help along the way.

Last year, a record 93,000 American died from an overdose. According to the American Psychological Association,

the growing prevalence of fentanyl in conjunction with pandemic-related strains, from economic stress and

Safe Use Centers Do More Harm Than Good STORY BY CHRISTOPHER the community. While there are HARRIS AND THE CIVIL communities that view these sites as DISCOURSE PROGRAM a welcome upgrade to the intravenous With

Oregon’s recent decriminalization of drug possession

becoming the new reality, there is another trend that is slowly gathering steam - safe injection sites. On the surface, these sites seem like a safe space for one to do their drug of choice with free testing, needles, and medical staff readily available. However, they do little to address the underlying problem of addiction, and may in fact prolong the addiction process. As some of us with addicts in our inner circles know, it is often an extreme event, such as overdosing, that sets addicts on the road to recovery. By providing them a relatively risk free environment to do what they plan on doing anyway, safe injection sites may be encouraging addicts to continue using drugs.

Another fear that surrounds safe injection sites is the idea of bringing “unsavory” individuals to

drug use in the streets, parks, and public restrooms, there are also communities

that feel that they can increase crime and disorder. What proponents of safe

injection sites argue is that it is not the drug use that causes this increase, but it is the unsafe environments in which this drug use occurs. There is little data to prove or disprove this claim as crime statistics are generally correlational.

The problem is that there is still much data that needs to be collected on the long term effects of these sites to say one way or the other. You can say that both sides have their points, but it is hard to disagree with the historical data

surrounding drug use and crime in the United States. It is worth noting that a recent study examining “safe consumption sites” by government officials in Alberta

suggests that these sites may contribute to an increase in crime, needle debris, and aggressive and erratic behavior by

PHOTO: PEXELS

individuals who visit the sites.

Drug use is a complex problem that needs to be addressed, but there are better ways to fight the root causes of addiction. We could start by increasing the availability of health care, mental health systems, and treatment centers.

There is much more to this topic, but safe use centers are merely a band-aid on a bullet wound. They may hide the bleeding, however, the hole is still there.

There are legitimate arguments for both sides of this controversy. However, more data is needed to understand the

long term effects, both positive and negative, of safe injection sites. We need answers to the following questions: Is this [safe use centers] the next step in fighting the drug use epidemic that is plaguing the United States and our communities? Or is it just another attempt to simply do something about the problem that may never work or may make the problem much larger?

Only time will tell, but would you be willing to have one of these sites next to your home, business, or community park before we find out?

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CAMPUS NEWS

DECEMBER 1, 2021

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AMALGAM Art Exhibit at SSH Advanced Painting Students from OSU Share Their Works in an Exhibition on our Campus STORY BY AVERY LEON-CASTILLO

ARTIST: ASHLEY MACERIA, PHOTO: AVERY LEON-CASTILLO

“Home?“ by Ashley Maceira. The short story for this piece is shared in the Google Slide presentation as well. “Moving into a small trailer our buns collide and we dance happily in the small space' I am no longer homeless. An old rustic chair sits waiting in the attic to tell another story. The idea of home is what I am exploring in this series. it could be a place or a hot meal, or perhaps you feel most at home within yourself. What is home to you?“ -Maceira

ARTIST: TESSA COFFEY, PHOTO: AVERY LEON-CASTILLO

“If not you, then who?“ by Tessa Coffey is a part of a series of work revolving around the idea of feeling invisible. “For me, the feeling of being invisible stems from experiences such as underachieving, rejection, aging, deceit and heartbreak. This piece pertains to the feeling of invisibility I had after a recent breakup and the process of relearning how to have a sense of self without the validation of a partner. The main figure in this piece is sprawled on the sheets of a bed, her body out for the viewer to observe. However, her face is covered by her hands and the blue tones are meant to add a sense of loneliness to the painting. Although young women are visible to the public eye because society values youth and beauty, we are often objectified and not truly seen beyond our physical selves. This temporary validation and attention leaves a feeling of being alone and undervalued, lending itself to the feeling of invisibility.

Ivy represents fidelity and loyalty, contradictory to the deceit that has ended many of my relationships. The ivy creeping in from the sunny window in this piece signifies healing and hope for the future.” -Coffey

ARTIST: MADDIE HAUGEN, PHOTO: AVERY LEON-CASTILLO

“Self” by Maddie Haugen. She explains that art has allowed her to heal, especially from traumatic experiences where she has experienced continuous discomfort and dysmorphia and a disconnect between mind and body. She attempts to close the gap with her art. She wants to continue to depict the female form in vulnerable states because she hopes it will help her to heal and wants to create a safe space for those who want to do the same.

ARTIST: WILL COPE, PHOTO: AVERY LEON-CASTILLO

"The Farm Home" by Will Cope. He was not at the art talk, but Anne Magratten says it’s really impressive in scale and has an immersive feeling. He has layered the text in a way that’s very sophisticated where it allows you to engage over a longer period of time. It is a very confrontational piece to show in our area and it’s very brave to show it at this time and in a school environment. It’s not super inflammatory, the whole thing is covered in actual newspaper articles because they’ve happened and people try to pretend it hasn’t. Will as an artist is able to show that he is able to advocate through it and as a journalist by-proxy and it’s hard to feel the real impact of the piece remotely.

ARTIST: KATIE LE, PHOTO: AVERY LEON-CASTILLO

Katie Le displayed the first three pages of her current comic book project, "Welcome to the Golden Fin." It is about a cafe owner in a place called Goldie who loves goldfish and her cafe is themed around them. The whole comic is based on her interactions with her customers, coworkers and herself. The story will progress to show why goldfish are so important to her. She is currently working on page four of the comic.

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DECEMBER 1, 2021

Living Twice

LOCAL NEWS

5

10 Questions with Audrey Ewing: Her Journey of Open Heart Surgery at 25 STORY BY DAKOTA GANGE “I had lived in Corvallis my whole up interviewing me for, and offering, a

We all know how temporarily precious life is. Perhaps we’re even lucky enough to go about our daily lives forgetting that every day is a gift on the ever spinning wheel of fate and fortune.

For Audrey Ewing, the wheel only spun faster when she found out at a mere 24 years old that she had a ticking time bomb in her chest.

life, I’d never been anywhere else. So I wanted to go and experience something different, and this [college] was the perfect opportunity to do that without feeling like I was completely alone. So I applied to six different colleges, to which then I was actually told by our high school ‘career teacher’ that, because of my not-so-good SAT and ACT scores, I wouldn’t get into any of these colleges;

position as a personal trainer.”

What was one of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome? Tell me about your journey into this career path.

“Heart Surgery at 25. It was a lifechanging challenge that complicated my work. I went from always exercising and all of a sudden had to quit cold turkey, and had to rethink my entire life path.

I feel very fortunate for the experience though, not that I would suggest people go through something like this. But it was a traumatic experience for me at a very young age, and it gave me a new appreciation for a lot of different things, like having an able body, because I could be in a totally different situation. I’m really grateful for that every day, just being able to do the things I do.”

How did you feel when you first found out that you were going to need open heart surgery?

“What did this mean? Was this meant to send me on a different path? It was very devastating, heartbreaking, and shocking, and unreal in the moment. I was anticipating this to happen at 60, not 25. I still sometimes question it. I could have waited two years for the surgery, but I would’ve been living in fear the whole time, so having the surgery as soon as possible was a given. I knew they would have to stop my heart for a couple of hours, and I just kept thinking ‘what if they can’t get it to restart?’ Just the thought of that was super scary.”

How were you able to cope with this sudden change, and who was there to support you?

PHOTO: AUDREY EWING

Audrey Ewing stands in front of Corvallis downtown artwork.

Ewing, now 27, finds her passion in the world of fitness, where she has made a lifelong career out of her love for health and exercise. After graduating with her Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Exercise Science from Pacific Lutheran University, she continued on her road to better herself and the fitness world around her.

But her career and life were abruptly put on hold when she found out she had a deadly heart aneurysm.

She was faced with something unknown to many, and rare to a young woman in her 20’s; open-heart surgery at Stanford General Cardiology where she would lie clinically dead with a cracked and open sternum for a minimum of two hours. Only then was she given “the opportunity to live twice.”

Ewing speaks about her journey, both prior to and after surgery, and how she has been able to use this burden as a means of inspiration amid her career, where she recently was a contracted health and fitness specialist at SamFit in Corvallis, and a Health and Fitness Coordinator and Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor, at the YMCA in Albany.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

“Fitness has been my life. I love movement, exercise, and weight training.

I danced my whole adolescent life. But I also really like being outside. I love being in nature and spending time with friends and family. I really value my time with the people that I love.”

Tell me about your hometown, and why you chose Pacific Lutheran University.

I got into all six. So to her, I was like ‘F’ you! It just really goes to show that numbers aren’t everything, and that it’s the personality behind the person. I then auditioned for an orchestra scholarship at PLU ‘cause I had played the violin for nine years; I didn’t end up getting anything. But ultimately it was my experience at that audition that sold it for me, 100. Everyone was so nice and gave really good feedback, vs. my experience at another school I auditioned for.”

Did you always know you wanted to do something in health and fitness?

What inspired you?

“No, not at all. I thought I wanted to be a physician's assistant! So I was studying biology, but after taking a public health class that I loved and found so interesting with Dr. P, I decided I wanted to switch majors. So I asked him [Dr. P.] to be my advisor, and I transferred to the kinesiology department. During that time in college I joined the rowing team and started weight training for the first time. With this I found a power in myself that I had never fulfilled before; I found this other potential or strength in me that I never knew I had. Additionally, in an internship I had for one of my classes, I had this really unique experience working with a parapaligic, where I had to be creative with exercises and utilize gravity in a different way. I really enjoyed the challenges and experience of that.”

But then when I graduated, I still had no idea what I wanted to do. So I moved back to Oregon, and applied at the YMCA for a position where I’d be just cleaning equipment, and things like that. They called me and were really impressed with my resume and ended

“I struggled so much within the six months prior to the surgery, dealing with so many internal thoughts as well as concern for my physical health. I became strong mentally within that wait time though, and got through it with meditating all the time and crying a lot.

The unknown is a very scary feeling.

If I could have known what it was like coming out the other side, it would have been easier. But my whole family -- mom, dad, and brother -- they were my biggest supporters for sure. I remember I had my mom's friend document the experience [surgery at Stanford], and there was one video of my mom, where you could see how exhausted she was, and that video said everything to me. Just how trying this experience was not just on me, but her too -- she was so worried. But now I realize that I do technically have the opportunity to live twice, you could say, because I’ve already been clinically dead.”

verbally when I was working with a blind guy. Normally you show people with your bodies what things [exercises] are supposed to look like, and I obviously couldn’t do that with him. I had to learn to better use my words to explain to him what we were doing, and how it was supposed to be. This was an extremely growthful situation.”

What is the most difficult part?

“Diet culture. Weight loss is the only thing that sells. I danced and exercised out of love, but now it seems that through diet culture we have become a society that is so ingrained in fixing ourselves from the moment we are born to the moment we die, and where’s the fun in that? It’s very toxic, and it’s hard not to get wrapped up in it when you work in the health and fitness field. I, too, had an eating disorder, which I am still in recovery for. Genetics play such a huge role on your body composition, and it’s really sad when a majority of my clients come in and just want to change the way they look. There’s so much more to life than wanting to be in a smaller body and changing the way you look. We are so much more than our bodies.”

If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?

“If I didn't have to worry about a job, I would just go and travel and try different jobs and things. I’d be more impulsive, and would enjoy just my body moving.”

Audrey Ewing Most Recent Occupation: Contracted Health and Fitness Specialist at SamFit of Corvallis and Health and Fitness Coordinator (as well as Professional Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor) at the YMCA of Albany.

Age: 27 Hometown: Corvallis, Oregon Education: Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Exercise Science from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.

Passions: Exercising; moving her body, and spending time in nature and with people she loves.

Biggest Life Challenge: Overcoming the removal of a deadly aneurysm in openheart surgery at the age of 25.

Other Interests: Traveling, and her beloved dog, Athena.

Tell me about the recovery.

“Physically, it’s an interesting thing recovering from heart surgery when you know you’re in pretty good shape. I was an athlete my entire life, but after leaving the hospital, I could barely walk four minutes at a time without being out of breath. It’s been two years now, and it still comes up that I don't feel like I’m good or worthy enough for my job, which is so ridiculous if you think about it, because I’m still getting stronger. I just sometimes still compare myself to what I used to be able to do; this my new normal, and that takes some getting used to.”

What is your favorite part about your job(s)?

“I love working with people, and love to hear people's success stories of fixing their health. But I also love the fun challenges, and the treasured learning.

I had to learn how to communicate

PHOTO: AUDREY EWING

Ewing weightlifts, not afraid to show her scar.

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LOCAL NEWS

DECEMBER 1, 2021

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Glow of the Holiday Capturing Some of the First Lights of the Holiday Season in Corvallis

PHOTOS BY SABRINA DEDEK

Sarabia Christmas Lights Display on the corner of Lewisburg Road and Sulphur Springs Road in north Corvallis.

A glowing Christmas tree stands firm in front of a Corvallis home.

Vibrancy surrounds this decked out home.

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Soft and white waiting for Santa's delight.

GRAPHIC: NAOMI THOMAS

A holiday Dragon guards a South Corvallis home.

Graff family Hanukkah celebration decorations.

LOCAL NEWS

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COLUMN

DECEMBER 1, 2021

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Hanukkah Sameach! (Happy Hanukkah) The Miracle of Burning Oil Now Celebrated Through Feasts, Lighting Candles, and Traditional Readings STORY BY ARIANNA back with the treasures Nebuchadrezzar pancakes) and sufganiyot (donuts) cooked STAHLBAUM II had stolen and supplies to help them in olive oil, and gifts for children, such

My great-grandparents were Ashkenazic Jewish refugees in Shanghai during WWII and found themselves in Bolivia, then California, after the war.

Coming down the family tree, I am a quarter Jewish, and being my largest ethnic percentage and the family history I know best, I value it dearly.

Jewish history is one of migration and misfortune, followed by ‘blessings’ that the Jewish people referred to as God’s deliverance and miracles. One of these miracle moments is the story behind Hanukkah, consisting of conquest, scarcity, hope, and praise.

Judea, known today as Israel, was taken control of by Antiochus III around 200 B.C., though Jews were allowed to freely practice their religion. However, his son, Antiochus IV, came to power and wanted the Temple to be a place of worship to Zeus. Upon push-back from the Jews, he sent an army into Jerusalem in 168 B.C., slaughtering thousands and destroying the Second Temple built by the Jews.

For context, in early Jewish history, the Ark of the Covenant, which held the 10 Commandments, was carried from city to city until Jewish King David conquered Jerusalem. Construction of the first temple began during the reign of his son, King Solomon, to which then the Ark of the Covenant found its home within its walls.

In 604 B.C. Babylonian ruler, Nebuchadrezzar II, destroyed the Second Temple and stole its valuables. The Jewish people were then sent into exile and deported to Babylon.

Cyrus II conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. and issued an order allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. He also sent them

rebuild. You can read more about this story in the book of Nehemiah from the Hebrew and Christian Bibles.

Circling back to the destruction of the Second Temple, when Antiochus IV invaded, Jewish priest Matthias and his sons organized a rebellion against the invasion. When he passed, his son Judah Maccabee drove out the Syrians over a two-year period.

The Jewish people were then called to rebuild the altar and re-light its menorah.

The menorah is a candelabrum-- a candle holder with several branches-- that represents knowledge and creation. The Jewish Menorah burned oil to stay lit every night.

The Jews found that the olive oil used to light their Menorah was stolen, though enough for a single day was recovered.

Upon their surprise and delight, the olive oil flickered for eight days, providing the Jews enough time to find more oil. The Jews were then able to rededicate the Temple.

This occurrence presented itself as a miracle to the Jews, inspiring the celebration of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah is also referred to as the Feast of Dedication or the Festival of Lights. It takes place during the Hebrew month of Kislev, which is late November or early December according to our modern calendar year, and the celebration lasts eight days in remembrance of the eight days the oil brought light.

This year, Hanukkah began the evening of Nov. 28 and lasts through the evening of Dec. 6.

It’s tradition to light a candle on a menorah each night of Hanukkah, read Scripture daily, recite Psalms, and sing special hymns of praise.

Non-religious traditions relating to Hanukkah include making latkes (potato

as Hanukkah crackers full of goodies, dreidels, and chocolate coins.

Every Hanukkah, my family brings out our menorahs. One for each of us, and we light candles together each night.

My mom makes latkes, topped with

labneh and zaatar, and we get the pleasure of unwrapping chocolate coins.

I hold these traditions and this holiday close to my heart because it’s a tie to my family history with which I feel I can truly identify.

PHOTO: SABRINA DEDEK

A Hanukkah menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday; on each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until on the final night all eight branches are ignited.

Holiday Event Checklist

GRAPHIC: SABRINA DEDEK

DECEMBER 1, 2021

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Free From Comparisons

COLUMN

9

Using Perspective, Restrictions, and Creativity to Avoid Comparison

Taking night photography with game. As I battled my own, I told her, “Stop PHOTOS & STORY BY anything but a low aperture is not the comparing yourself to him. I’m doing it. It ARIANNA STAHLBAUM

most thrilling activity. A friend visiting from Canada called for a casual occasion of a downtown Corvallis nighttime photo shoot with some of our other photographer friends. I, without my 1.4 nifty-fifty, grabbed my 24-70 4.0 lens, hoping I’d get something, anything, half decent.

Rather than letting a long day of inconveniences, bad moods, and isolating thoughts kill my creativity, I submitted to the restriction and took it as a challenge.

I was unhappy with my lens choice but decided to use its macro settings the whole night, hoping my gloom could shine through my photos.

Why force something that isn’t there?

No dancing lights from shop windows or portrait-style silhouettes. Instead, a new perspective to outlet depression and selfhatred.

Maybe allowing myself to grieve and express through this photo restriction will help bring me peace.

Boxing up grief and pain, wrapping Reflection from the Tokyo Steakhouse in them in cute wrapping paper and selecting Downtown Corvallis. a matching bow to complete the look, brings peace only temporarily. We have to stop ourselves from packaging these things.

Rather than unwrapping each nightmare that stays tucked away in drawers we keep locked within our imaginations, we tell ourselves to “forget and move forward” and not to “mind the gap between reality and the ability to mask it.”

I untied a bow of comparison, which then led to the self-hatred. During this evening out, I let people know I was hurting. I had them around just for the company and a distraction. But I was able to talk, reflect, and wallow in the emotions linked to that dreaded “He did it this way”; ‘He’ is an individual who worked a multimedia position at my place of work, prior to my hire.

‘He,’ a constant stick in my back being brought up time and time again.

‘He’ is good, making me feel small and insignificant in comparison.

‘He’ is good, but I am different.

Gold ornaments hang in the window of Ironically, one of my friends that night Many Hands Trading. I was drawn to was also stuck in the same comparison the light reflection off the ornaments.

sucks. Escape while you can. You can be better, develop your own style, work with what you have, and love what you do. His work should not define yours.”

I never believe myself when these words echo in my head, but by identifying my disbelief and encouraging myself with my truth, I will escape.

We are not others before us and we are not those we look up to -- we are us. Us are in the experiences, the ideas, the drive, us is me. Me is my own person. Me is a person who has a different vision and is learning in a unique manner from those before me.

This is I. I am me.

I am not ‘He’, and I should never be, because I can be better if I truly believe.

And you should not be ‘He’, for ‘He’ is his own, and you are your own. You should be free.

Free from comparison; free to be you.

Gummy Bear stuck on a window, Downtown Corvallis. One of the first photos of the night. It's stuck and dirty, often like our perspectives of ourselves- stuck on the negativity.

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$15

Possible Advancement within

Minimum Requirements: Currently Pursuing A College Degree Grade Point Average of 2.0 or Higher Pass A Background Check and Drug Screening

I saw this angel in a shop window and loved the mood the light hitting its wings created. We are angels mourning in our own darkness.

3 months Responsibilities Differ According to Job Posting Click here to learn more!

10

A&E

DECEMBER 1, 2021

LBCOMMUTER.COM 

“Always Jane” Will Always Resonate “Always Jane” Showcases Young Transgender Woman Navigating Life Chapters Through Self-Acceptance and Support REVIEW BY LEAH BIESACK confirmation surgery. Supervising Story Amazon Original “Always Jane”, streaming on Amazon Prime, weaves through a 2 year timespan of 18 year old Jane Noury’s life. We see her prepare for adulthood, sift through bullying and selfdoubt of the past, and make the decision of gender confirmation surgery. Ultimately, though, this series, this story, is one of sincerity, support, and love. It is a spotlight on family, with a backdrop of humor.

Transgender Awareness Week was technically observed November 13 - 19, but all weeks are the perfect weeks to be aware. And right now is the perfect time to meet Jane Noury.

The four-part docuseries, directed

by Jonathan C. Hyde, is mainly shot in Noury’s hometown of Sparta, NJ, where we watch her navigate the challenges of late-adolescence. We get to know Jane as a daughter, a sister, a friend, a model, a transgender woman, and foremost, a human. When we meet her in this series, she is preparing for major milestones, such as high school graduation, weighing potential college options, and going through a gender

Producer Kait McLaughlin has woven together the rich, found-art that is the Noury family; a unit of warm and undeniably hilarious individuals who adamantly stand for all that is good and right. The one-on-one interviews with family members are laden with honesty, raw moments rippling in and out as easy as water adapts and flows. Water always finds a way, and the Nourys follow suit.

As Jane’s mother, Laura Noury, said, “Jane didn’t transition alone, we all transitioned with her.”

“Always Jane” is a coming of age tale, a coming to acceptance journey, and the warm tingly feeling of a family coming together, resulting in a timeless and genuine human interest story. It is laden with the universal truths that will live on for eons and eras and lightyears.

Jane, her family, and the incredible team behind this docuseries have crafted a sweet and real beam of light.

GRAPHIC: NAOMI THOMAS

5-Word Book

reviews

BY LEAH BIESACK

The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett Identity — both rooted and chosen.

The Little Match Girl, Hans Christian Andersen Perfect for amplifying holiday depression.

A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens Timeless. Seasonal. Lacking in subtlety.

GRAPHIC: NAOMI THOMAS

Thomas created handrendered holiday graphic for Lewis Franklin's Typography II class representing the Yuletide spirit.

 COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU

A&E

DECEMBER 1, 2021

CLICK HERE FOR CROSSWORD

11

CLICK HERE FOR SUDOKU

Complete the grid so each row, column, and 3x3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit.

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48)

7

1

9

7 1

8

2

4

6

9 3

2

7

3

1

8 5

6

5

2 7

4 2

4

8

9

4 1

8

3

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Mon Nov 29 18:52:54 2021 GMT. Enjoy!

A Tribute: ”Ghostbusters Afterlife“ Director Jason Reitman Honors the Work of his Father, Bringing “Ghostbusters” to Another Generation REVIEW BY

STEVEN PRYOR

@STEVENPRR2PRYOR

“Ghostbusters Afterlife” is the latest film in the long-running “Ghostbusters” franchise, and the fourth film overall. As a tribute to the late Harold Ramis and the original films in the franchise, director Jason Reitman (son of original director Ivan Reitman) has crafted an otherworldly followup that’s as impressive as it is emotionally resonant.

The story revolves around the descendants of Egon Spengler, who has passed away since the events of the first two films (reflecting the real-life passing of Harold Ramis in 2014). As his daughter (Carrie Coon) and grandchildren (Finn Wolfhard and Grace McKenna) inherit his old farm in the small town of Summerville, Oklahoma; they’re pulled into a final conflict with Gozer that sees both the return of old fan favorite characters and the introduction of new ones (Paul Rudd is a standout as a quirky science teacher).

On top of the film being rife with Easter eggs for longtime fans of the

franchise, it also puts fun new spins on the existing material (the miniature marshallow versions of Stay-Puft are easily the movie’s answer to Grogu from “The Mandalorian” and the younger liveaction “Sonic the Hedgehog”). Though Jason Reitman is more known for offbeat comedy fare such as “Juno” and “Thank You For Smoking,” his approach to the film’s action on a $75 million budget does a great job at honoring the work of his father and bringing it to a new generation.

Much like “Mad Max: Fury Road” and the recent run of “Star Wars” films, CGI subtly coexists with more practical special effects; with the visual style of the movie fitting right in with the original 1984 classic and its 1989 sequel. Alongside cowriter Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman’s script is the ideal blend of tribute, humor and heart. By the time the final credits roll, don’t be surprised if you end up leaving the theater misty-eyed.

While the franchise’s future could go in any direction from here, for now; “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is well worth the time for both old and new fans alike.

"GHOSTBUSTERS AFTERLIFE” (2021)

STARRING: Grace McKenna, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd with Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts DIRECTOR: Directed by Jason Reitman (Based on characters created by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis) RATED: PG-13 MY RATING: ★★★★★

12

SPORTS

DECEMBER 1, 2021

LBCOMMUTER.COM 

Roadrunners Win Championship!

LBCC Defeats Skagit Valley for First NWAC Title PHOTOS & STORY BY LOGAN HANNIGAN-DOWNS PUYALLUP WA - After 182 points played, Sydnie Johnson set Alicia Vandervoort-Walters who pushed the ball to the back of Skagit Valleys court. The return ball from the Cardinals danced on top of the net before dropping on their side. Let the festivities begin. Linn-Benton defeated Skagit Valley 3-1 (25-23, 23-2525-22, 25-15) to win their first NWAC Championship in their 51 year history.

It was also the first NWAC Women’s Championship for LBCC, and the first championship for the school since 1991 (Baseball).

The Roadrunners finished the season with an overall record of 32-2 and finished perfect in the NWAC South at 16-0.

The last time the Beaks lost was Sep. 10, which was followed by a 25 game, 73 day winning streak. During that time, they only dropped nine sets and didn’t drop one in the month of October.

The first set was a back-and-forth clash with both teams taking the lead a handful of times before the Roadrunners got out to a 24-22 lead. Skaigt Valley held off for a point before a kill by Sydnie Johnson gave LB their first set win. The

Isabelle Wyss celebrates on the sideline during the fourth set of the NWAC Championship Game where Linn-Benton played Skagit Valley at Pierce College on Sunday, Nov. 21 at Pierce College. LB won their first championship in their 51 year history.

Roadrunners never led by more than two during the first set.

During the second set, the same picture started taking place; a back and forth game that will come down to the final few points. But LB was able to distance themselves with a 19-15 lead, which was ultimately erased by a five point run by the Cardinal. A combined hitting effort from Eva Buford and Shalyn Gray brought the roadrunners back to a 22-20 lead, but

The volleyball team celebrates their first NWAC Championship in the programs' 51 year history at Pierce College on Sunday, Nov. 21.

Linn-Benton's volleyball team celebrates their first ever NWAC Championship with head coach Jayme Frazier after they defeated Skagit Valley 3-1 on Sunday, Nov. 21 at Pierce College in Lakewood, WA.

ultimately the Beaks fell 23-25 in set two.

“I feel like there are points during each game where we start panicking and get frantic, but we are able to go back into the huddle and Jayme (Frazier) always knows what to do and helps us a lot,” said Taya Manibusan, the tournament MVP and true freshman at LB when asked about how they handle adversity and the ebbs and flows of the game.

Set three felt more comfortable with the Roadrunners finding their stride and mostly controlling the game. When asked about the team chemistry, Head Coach Jayme Frazier spoke highly about her players on the sideline because of injury — “They stepped up big with talking, cheering everybody on, and being super supportive, it’s a very tough role to take but they stepped up big time and had fun.”

The Roadrunners felt a little pressure at the end of the third set with Skaigt Valley not letting go. But LB persevered and won 25-22 and headed to the fourth set with their heads held high.

In the fourth set, the Roadrunners jumped out quickly to an 11-5 lead and never looked back. The joy of a championship was delayed a point after a Roadrunner service error, but with an attack error by the Cardinal, the Roadrunners stormed

Hot Start to Season Women's Basketball Starts Off with Three Wins

Elizabeth Chavez, the Beak’s star PHOTOS & STORY BY starting guard, is in her sophomore KOLBY FRANCE The Roadrunners women’s basketball team opened their season with three wins in three days.

It began Friday, Nov. 19 with a win against the Centralia Blazers, 63-58. On Saturday a dominating showing against Pierce, 58-39.

They finished with a victory against Columbia Basin, 68-48.

The Beaks are 3-0.

Jerod Gibson, Head Coach.

year. Chavez, a 21-year-old, 5-foot-4 point guard from Independence, is averaging 15.3 points per game along with 3.3 rebounds and 3 assists.

She hopes that the team can realize the potential they have and bring it together to play like a well-rounded team, improving their already outstanding play.

Jerod Gibson is in his fourth year as the head coach for this team. Elizabeth Chavez, the Beak’s He has hopped around the state, starting guard. coaching for many different teams in his 25-year career. He asserts the going to come back and bite you.” decisive factor for the roster is to get Over the weekend, the Roadrunners their priorities organized and act on improved their offensive skills, them. “We have got to do a better something that excites Gibson job at being physical, rebounding the given the fact that the season just ball.” The Roadrunners rank sixth in began. “We saw some progress in rebounds in the Northwest Athletic our motion offense, where we were reading the defense and making the Conference South.

“We’ve got to be a better team correct reads.”

The Roadrunners first home from the free-throw line, we shot 53 game is Friday, Dec. 3, when they percent from the free-throw line host Edmonds Tritons (1-2) at 7 p.m. this weekend. In close games that’s

the court in tears of joy.

Frazier felt the team was a little nervous heading into the championship game —“We were a little bit nervous; they know what was riding on this game, but we tried to keep the same game plan as we did all year, pay attention to the details, play good relentless defense and get the ball back to the opponent so they can make errors.”

The Roadrunners were certainly a force to be reckoned with on defense with Libero Jade Hayes having 21 of the Roadrunners’ 92 total digs. Setters Savannah Hutchins and Sydnie Johnson combined for 44 assists.

Taya Manibusan was named the Tournament MVP, Setter Sydnie Johnson and Libero Jade Hayes were selected to firstteam all-tournament. Alexis Chapman was named to the second team all-tournament.

Shalyn Gray was named the NWAC South MVP earlier in the season.

Shalyn Gray lead the roadrunners in kills during the championship match with 17, and added 13 digs and one service ace. Taya Manibusan had 12 kills, 11 digs, and three service aces. Alicia VandervoortWalters also had 7 kills and two digs.