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VOL. 53 EDITION 22
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MARTIN LUTHER
BLENDING AND BUILDING Artist and LBCC Educator Laura Butler Hughes Gives Final Art Talk of the School Year STORY BY LEAH BIESACK
product looking like it was made from a large block of clay that has been shaped and whittled down, Hughes took the opposite approach in that she built her pots and creations with small, often thin, almost always non-uniform pieces. And not just a few bits here and there — many bits. So many bits. Layers on layers of all the bits. The seams aren’t smoothed over. The craters aren’t hidden. While the majority of the work of “Good and Great” is made of clay, Hughes says she wouldn’t classify herself as a ceramicist. It’s obvious her pieces haven’t been thrown on a wheel, so to answer Magratten’s burning question of ‘how?’ Butler said she thinks of those little pieces as brush strokes or marks to the piece. And on clay sculpting itself, she said “I think about it like drawing or painting.” Hughes’ noted that some of the artists who have inspired her for years are those who haven’t adhered to one specific medium. She works with clay, but isn’t a ceramicist. While she studied sculpture, she turned to drawing when she felt she couldn’t sculpt all the things she wanted to sculpt. She drew how she wanted to sculpt. It is this premise of, not necessarily mixedmediums, but rather, mixed artistry, that resonated so loudly from this talk. The idea of approaching our modes of operation, our chosen identities, with the mindset of our other identities, allows for there to be room for fluidity, which then gives ourselves permission to create and work in a new and surprising way, making space for new and surprising output. If you attended the prior two art talks of this school year, you know firsthand how each one has been completely unique and crowd-pleasing. With all of her poetic yet down-to-earth wisdom, Laura Butler Hughes’ was no exception.
LBCC hosted Laura Butler Hughes for the final art
talk of this school year. Along with being one of our
very own LBCC visual arts educators, Hughes is an artist who wades in and out of the pools of drawing, writing, book-making, garbagearchiving, butter-sculpting (arguably the richest of all mediums), and, as of late, digital designing. Laura Butler Hughes shed some light on her journey from student to artist to educator, why she gravitated towards specific mediums, and how her techniques in each have blended to create the mixed-artistry magic she brings to the table. For almost the entire month of April, Laura Butler Hughes had her latest exhibition, “Good and Great,” displayed in South Santiam Gallery. Her uniquely built and crafted ceramics lined the walls, owned a display pedestal, and stole their own art show. Her work begs for a closer look, and largely asks the question of ‘How did this come to be?’ As Hughes gave us a virtual tour of her latest work, Professor and art talk host Anne Magratten voiced said question, with the same befuddlement most of us were likely experiencing; “It feels like they’re all made out of little tiny pieces that you magically adhered to each other!” Magratten was exactly right — these were works of clay, but the kind that challenged our default-thinking of ceramic work. Instead of a solid, smooth final
JR.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY: LAURA BUTLER HUGHES
One of Hughes' sculptures.
GOOD AND GREAT GRAPHICS FREEPIK.COM
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
SEE PAGES 2-4
INSIDE THIS EDITION
NEW STUDENT GOVERNMENT
SEE PAGE 5
MAJESTIC FUNDING
SEE PAGE 6
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CAMPUS NEWS
MAY 13, 2022
LBCOMMUTER.COM
wellness wednesday Resources for Mental Health Awareness 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 Dakota Gange Layout Designer Kailyn McQuisten Marketing/Advertising Sean Ramos ‑ Director Alicen Arsenault - Asst. Marketing Director Naomi Thomas - AD Designer
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Student Leadership Council has planned a series of events this week (May 9-13) to shed light on this important topic. Mental health is an important aspect of health that all of us need to care for. Mental health impacts each of us in different ways as individuals and throughout our lives. Together, we can create a more supportive environment for everyone. What can you do to support Mental Health Awareness Week? • Do something kind for yourself. Taking care of your own mental health is a great first step. Bonus: it also encourages others to do the same. • Learn more. Take a look at the Mental Health Wellness and Resources Guide is available through the LBCC Library to provide wellness tips along with
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local information and resources. Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website. Be aware of 24/7 resources. Save the phone number for the LBCC Mental Health Crisis Line (541) 917-4666 and other 24/7 supports (see below) into your phone - you never know when you or someone you know may need to access immediate support. Do something kind for someone else. We may never know the struggles others are facing and a little extra grace, kindness, and compassion can go a long way.
Many of us benefit from sharing our experiences and telling our story with individuals who have earned our trust. If you don’t already have someone like this in your life, counseling is a great place to start in talking about challenging circumstances in a structured and supportive environment.
A&E Steven Pryor Sports Editor Logan Hannigan-Downs Student Voice Editor Avery Leon-Castillo Web Master Marci Sischo Contributors Chrissy Veach Brenda Autry Arianna Stahlbaum Carsyn Meyers Hathai Sangsupan Rebecca Sturm Jessica Dover Vedis Frick
Counseling for Employees: LBCC has an Employee Assistance Program that covers ALL Employees, including Work Study, CWE, and Learn & Earn student employees. Contact Human Resources for details. 24/7 Resources:
Linn County Mental Health Crisis Line:
800-304-7468
Benton County Mental Health Crisis Line: 888-232-7192 National Suicide Prevention Line:
800-273-8255 Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV): 541-754-0110 24/7 Confidential Crisis Counseling Text Line: Text OREGON to 741741
SLC Spring Term Bowling Bash On Thursday, May 19, you are invited to join the Student Leadership Council at Lake Shore Lanes for the Spring Bowling Bash! The event will happen from 4 pm to 6:30 pm. All LBCC students will be able to bowl for free, meet new people, and enjoy free food and drinks. Last winter, students had a blast with the Bowling Bash event. Students in attendance were asked the question: “What does it mean to be a part of an event like this?” The following replies illustrate how exciting the first in-person event in a while was: Kearney Smith said: “The feeling of friendship and the community is amazing!” John Smith said: “You get to hang out with the community and get to be
more interactive instead of staring at a screen with all the little boxes.” Tim Chadd said: “It means that you have a true sense of camaraderie.” Wyatt Vanloo said: “Humans DO NOT live with only two senses. You have got to eat some pizza!” Aleid said: “It’s nice to have a reason to go bowling. Plus, math friends = antidepressant plus fun!” MSo, what are you waiting for, Roadrunners? Come join us for FREE bowling, food, drinks, hang out with your classmates and make new friends!
LBCCStudentLeaders
@slc.connect
Photo Editor Sabrina Dedek A&E Editor Leah Biesack
LBCC Counseling for Students: The LBCC Advising Center offers free, short-term counseling for students and can provide referral to community resources for longer term or specialized needs. 541-917-4780.
Need help? Call the LBCC Mental Health Crisis Line. 24/7 Crisis Support
541-917-4666
TUESDAYS at the Co-op
15% off produce FOR STUDENTS
with valid student ID from an Oregon college
2 Corvallis locations open 7am-9pm daily
North: 2855 NW Grant Ave. South: 1007 SE Third St. @firstaltcoop
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Mental Health Awareness How Students Experience and Handle Mental Health Differently GRAPHICS: FREEPIK
STORY BY AVERY LEÓNCASTILLO May showers bring spring flowers; And perhaps a little more seasonal affective disorder.
In addition to cold sunny days, showers and flowers, May also brings with it Mental Health Awareness Month. More than 50 percent of American citizens will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime, and one in five will experience mental health issues in a given year. Equally as shocking, 45 percent of Americans with clinical-level mental illness do not seek professional help. But in a seemingly hopeless abyss of disorders, and in search of advice, students, Student Leadership Council members, and student ambassadors would like to remind us that in fact, we are not alone. Below you will find their answers to mental health based questions. If you or someone you know is suffering from mental health, there is hospital and community based help and support available. Is there a personal experience with mental health you’d like to share? “I personally don’t really struggle with my mental health. I am incredibly fortunate (and seemingly rare) in that way. Mental health isn’t really something that is discussed in my family. I have had friends with anxiety and depression. But I don’t have anything specific worth sharing in that regard.” — Riley Coleman, a student ambassador of the Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “I suffer a lot from Imposter Syndrome. I have doubted myself and my ability to succeed countless times. Even now, I feel like I’m failing everything and everyone I respect. Only recently I learned this was an issue people suffer with. I feel having the people in my life right now has helped me grow as a person. I’m able to recognize I am capable of achieving anything because I have their support and guidance. I’m not alone in the world.” - Morgan Sylvia, clubs engagement director of the Student Leadership Council. If the college were to provide a more hands-on clinic situation, would you use it? Would you advertise it to people you know, and how could the college best support you and others if the idea doesn’t work or isn’t your cup of tea?
“I don’t think I would use a clinic that is provided by the college. Not because I don’t think it is a great idea, because I do. But this service isn’t exactly something I would need to use personally. I would definity advertise to people I know to use it, if it would benefit them.” - Riley Coleman, a student ambassador of the Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “I would. Having access to a resource is a great boon if I ever needed it. I would also share information about it with everyone, either in casual conversation or if someone is in need. Spreading awareness of such a clinic may change the life of anybody. In the event the clinic couldn’t help me, it could still help others, so I would still let others know about it. By the way, every cup of tea is my cup of tea. I just had something called “vanilla chai” and it’s delicious. It warms up my day and my stomach.” - Morgan Sylvia, Clubs Engagement Director of the Student Leadership Council. “I personally don’t struggle with mental health a lot but I would probably check it out to see how I could help others. It would be a good place to go with friends who are struggling because they could probably help them better than I could.” - Emilee Cole, outgoing event planner of the Student Leadership Council. “I'd use the clinic and I would bring it up if it helped me. I feel like regardless of whether or not it helps me there are many that it would help.” Student Zeph Portukalian. How do you help others who are experiencing mental health issues? Have you had to specifically help somebody cope through a really rough patch? How so? “I try to be as supportive as I can. I acknowledge that I am not a professional, therefore not qualified to force advice onto anyone. The best thing anyone can do in this situation is be a good listener. Sometimes people just need to vent in order to feel a little bit better rather than sharing their emotions then getting a lecture about it. I have definitely had to help a friend through a hard time. You do anything for the people you love, and in this situation that means being by their side and listening to them. I also try to be as available as possible. For example: You are sad and you need
ice cream, to go on a drive and scream your favorite music, someone to watch your favorite movie with? I'm there. Early morning, late night, after work. Whenever. Whatever you need, I’ve got you. I make sure my friends know this, because a lot of people who struggle with their mental health feel like they are alone. That is why it is so important to let them know that they will alway have you and they are not alone.” - Riley Coleman, a student ambassador of the Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “I've had several friends who struggle with their mental health. Personally, I think that sometimes the best help you can give someone struggling with their mental health is to listen to them. Acknowledge them and make them feel heard. Don’t be so quick to judge or give advice. I also just check up on my loved ones often because I think it’s important to stay in touch. Regardless of how they are doing, good or bad, I still check up on them. I don’t want to wait until one of my loved ones is struggling, to finally reach out and check up on them.” - Rosario Romero, a student ambassador of the Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “I don’t know if I have helped someone with their challenges, but I would without question. It isn’t easy to face challenges alone, so even a little kindness would have a great impact. I would provide information about resources, be someone to talk to, or even someone just to listen if needed. I would also reach out to others who may have a better impact than I.” - Morgan Sylvia, clubs engagement director of the Student Leadership Council.
atleast vent helps lessen the burden of bad circumstances. It also helps to know you're not crazy in being beaten down by said circumstances.” - Student Zeph Portukalian. What do you do to benefit your mental health? What do you think affects it in a negative way? “The only time I feel like my metal health is being negatively impacted is when I am around negative people. Behaviors of the people I am around can really affect my mood. I try to surround myself with people who do not portray negative behaviors and opinions, but in certain situations it can be unavoidable. So after such an encounter I just need to be by myself and away from social media, because if I don’t step away, any small behavior will be heightened and my mood will just get worse.” - Riley Coleman, a student ambassador of the Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “To benefit my mental health, I try to take one day at a time and not stress too much about the future. When I’m feeling stressed or feel like there’s too much going on I like going on walks with my dog to clear my mind. I also enjoy listening to music a lot, it’s a way to distract myself from the outside world. I think stress greatly affects my mental health, but becoming better at managing it has positively impacted my mental health.” - Rosario Romero, a student ambassador of the Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
“I try to be patient and ask them to explain what they need or how I can help. I remember one time I had a friend tell me they were having a panic attack and I’d never had any sort of experience with them. I tried to be patient and asked them to explain what was going on because I didn’t understand but they were too overwhelmed to explain it. I got frustrated because I was trying to help them but didn’t know how. Afterwards, I had another friend explain to me that I just needed to be calm and be there.” Emilee Cole, outgoing Event Planner of the Student Leadership Council.
“Learning is the first step. Many things affect my mental health and I do my best to maintain good health, from regular exercise and sleep, to a balanced, nutritious diet, to the people who I surround myself with and what is in my environment. If I discover something negatively impacts my mental health, I develop a plan and try to resolve the issue. Consulting with others is also vital towards success. Finally, taking a break once in a while and recognizing my efforts, rather than results, is also important. This prevents overload and mental exhaustion, which is its own issue. I cannot stress enough how important it is to not overload yourself with work. You can say “no.” Even though I still struggle with my own advice, that
“I listen and lend a shoulder to cry on. Often being able to relate or
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CAMPUS NEWS
MAY 13, 2022
LBCOMMUTER.COM
Stress Perception Stress is Healthy in Many Ways, But How?
STORY BY JESSICA DOVER Have you ever had butterflies in your stomach before a first date or sweaty palms during an interview? Felt a little unnerved at the thought of someone unexpectedly popping by while the house is a mess? Chances are, you’ve probably felt just a bit stressed out. Whether it’s triggered by daily responsibilities such as school, family and work, or caused by dramatic changes such as major illness, job loss or death of a loved one; To one degree or another everyone experiences stress. And while associating symptoms of stress such as muscle tension, restlessness, stomach upset and fatigue with feeling healthy might seem like an oxymoron, just the right amount of stress can be healthy. But what is stress, and how is it healthy? Stress is our biological survival response that when prompted by life-threatening situations or the perception of a threat, releases hormones that tell our bodies it is time to fight through it or flee from it. Whether it is physical, psychological or simply imagined, it elicits the same biological response, but only if we perceive the scenario in front of us as a threat. When we perceive a threat such as an abnormal noise or shadow at night, this instructs the adrenal glands to release a stress hormone called epinephrine, or adrenaline. Epinephrine dilates the bronchial tubes, the blood vessels leaving the heart, and boosts our heart rate. This creates higher oxygen levels in our blood, sending it to where it is needed most – our brain and muscles, physically preparing us to fight or flee. The nerve endings in the sympathetic nervous system also kick into high gear, sending the hormone norepinephrine out to constrict both the blood vessels leading into the heart and arteries that lead to our skin.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 is besides the point. You must also take good care of yourself. Treat yourself with the love and respect you deserve.” - Morgan Sylvia, clubs engagement director of the Student Leadership Council. “I try to take my dog on a walk at least once a day. It helps me to take a moment and not have to worry about anything plus I get to enjoy some time where I don’t have to do anything. I also do crafts to just enjoy me-time where I don’t have to think. If I spend too much time inside, I definitely realize that my mood declines and I start to dwell on unhappy things.” - Emilee Cole, outgoing Event Planner of the Student Leadership Council. Is there anything you want to add regarding mental health awareness? “Fortunately, mental health isn't something I have to think about often. But I think it is important
Think about it like a preservation mechanism; in the event we sustain injury from the scenario that triggered this response, to preserve life, epinephrine will cause any bleeding to be slowed. Though our biological response is triggered by anything we perceive as a threat, an article from The American Institute of Stress titled “42 Worrying Workplace Stress Statistics” cites research from Everyday Health’s project “United States of Health,” claiming that “57% of those who experience stress are paralyzed by it. On the other hand, the other 43% stated that stress invigorates them.” While individual responses to stress vary greatly, for some, stress can be motivational, helping us to achieve goals and go beyond our comfort zone. It regulates our flight or fight response, and according to the article “The Surprising Benefits of Stress” in which Peter Jaret interviews Daniela Kaufer, an associate professor at UC Berkeley who studies the biology of stress at the molecular level, Kaufer says “moderate amounts of stress have powerful benefits.” Kaufer’s research has shown that stress, under certain circumstances, can even stimulate brain cell growth in the hippocampus. She claims that “manageable stress increases alertness and performance. And, by encouraging the growth of stem cells that become brain cells, stress improves memory.” Considering that stress is a biological response to a scenario in which we perceive a threat, this makes sense. If you unexpectedly experience or are faced with something difficult or hostile, it’s crucial to remember what, where, and why so we can attempt to avoid similar circumstances. In the Psychology Today article “The Perfect Amount of Stress” author Thea Singer calls stress “a wellspring of life” saying “without stress, we’d be as good as dead. We wouldn’t have the gumption to slalom down Whistler’s mountains to Olympic gold, to play Juliet or Romeo, to ask the boss for a raise, or even to get out of bed.” And she’s right; regardless of our biological response, it’s our sense of control over the situation that defines this as “good stress.” Singer explains “no matter how your body may respond in the moment, you know you’re going to come out fine on the other side – and perhaps even better for the experience.” There are factors other than our sense of control that determine why, when faced with the same situation, one person may feel challenged and motivated by the stress, and another may feel hindered and crippled by it. According to Kaufer “people who feel resilient and confident that they can manage stress are much more likely to be overwhelmed by it – and more likely to have a healthy response – than people who think of
stress as bad” This sense of control and confidence that both Kaufer and Singer mention defines how we instinctively cope with stress; It is dependent on innate personality traits such as optimism and pessimism. Our early life experiences may also shape our response to stress and determine how vulnerable we are to its harmful effects. Research on Holocaust survivors done by Rachel Yehuda, a scientist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New York, shows that not only do Holocaust Survivors have increased levels of stress hormones, but that their offspring, who have had not experienced significant trauma, do as well. This consistent perception of threat can not only be a lifestyle hindrance; It can be damaging to your health, causing you to become physically and mentally ill. If our perception of stress is based on circumstances beyond our control such as innate personality traits and genetic experience, how do we cope? If you’re among those who are not able to brush off that frazzled feeling of stress with an optimistic shrug, you know that changing your perception of stress isn’t as easy as it sounds. But the good news is that there are a few easy ways to minimize the effects of stress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “feeling emotional and nervous or having trouble sleeping and eating can all be normal reactions to stress.” They also list a variety of healthy ways to deal with these reactions such as a healthy diet, regular exercise and activity, ensuring a full night’s sleep and finally “giving yourself a break if you feel stressed out.” Because really, while waking up every morning feeling resilient and full of self-confidence sounds like a dream, we still all do experience stress at some point or another.
that we all take the time to recognize and identify what is hurting us or affecting our mental health. I feel like this is a good daily practice aside from getting professional help when needed. Rather than stewing in your own anger/sadness/hurt (which probably feels easier sometimes), identify what made you feel that way, then decide whether or not there is something you can do about it.” - Riley Coleman, a student ambassador of the Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
People who suffered their own problems and overcame them, or are still striving to improve themselves, could point you in the right direction. You need to take care of yourself first before you try to tackle other peoples’ challenges. Start off the morning right! Look into developing a routine to get started. That includes recognizing what you have survived and achieved. Reflect on the past to give your direction for the future, but also stop to drink some tea here and there. Seriously, vanilla chai is something else, let me tell ya. AND if you pair it with a delicious, light breakfast, you’ll face the day brimming with energy and with a good meal in your stomach!” - Morgan Sylvia, clubs engagement director of the Student Leadership Council.
“Never hesitate to seek the health you deserve. Please don’t wait until your metal health is in critical condition to seek help. Also if someone trusts you with their feelings, etc. don’t make them feel like they are a burden, oftentimes, it just worsens their mental health.” - Rosario Romero, a student ambassador of the Office of Institutional Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. “It’s very tempting to take on the world alone. You can do this, but you can also reach out to others.
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A New Year, A New Government Meet the New SLC Team STORY BY AVERY LEÓN-CASTILLO As Linn-Benton approaches the end of spring term, it is time to introduce the incoming Student Leadership Council team of the 22/23 school year, who will be representing the student voice on campus. The Student Leadership Council is responsible for a multitude of tasks, from attending board budget meetings which discuss tuition changes, to setting up various events, such as volunteer based park and beach clean-ups, bowling bashes, and inside campus events such as movies in the courtyard. You can find all scheduled events on their event calendar. They also bring awareness to important topics by holding informational awareness booths; Sexual Assualt Awarness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, for example, are always paid attention to. Without further ado, meet your up and coming student government.
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A Drama to Challenge South Albany High School Puts On Play to Honor Holocaust and WWII Survivors STORY AND PHOTOS BY War II was really important, and what the ALICEN ARSENAULT people went through is horrific.” She also
Abigail Hobson playing young Eva speaks about Birkenau concentration camp where Eva Schloss was held.
Jewel DeVyldere, playing Anne Frank, gives a monologue about her new diary while a photo of a young Frank is projected behind her.
Aliyah Foote plays a Hitler youth. The multimedia production includes video and photos that play behind the performers.
The South Albany High School Advanced Acting class presents And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank by James Still, this weekend. The play will be held at Elizabeth Bentley Theater at South Albany High School May 12-14 at 7pm and May 15 at 2pm. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students and are available at the door. Live-stream is also available for the performances on May 13 and 14 for $10. The play is a unique theatrical experience; Multimedia production combines videotaped interviews with Holocaust survivors Ed Silverberg and Eva Schloss, with live actors recreating scenes from their lives during World War II. Silverberg was Anne Frank's first boyfriend, and she wrote about him in the beginning of her now-famous diary. Schloss was the same age as Anne Frank and lived in the same apartment building in Amsterdam. Christy Anderson, director and acting instructor, chose the play because she wanted a really heavy drama to challenge the students. South Albany actors are traditionally known for doing comedies and sticking to lighter material. Anderson said, “I feel that it's important to stretch those skills as actors and have a challenge that you can really sink your teeth into.” Despite the heavy subject matter, she and the students want to pay tribute to victims of the Holocaust and what they went through. Honoring World War II ventrans and Holocaust survivors is especially important now since many people from that generation are passing away. She read through the script multiple times before she pitched it to the students. She told them, “Let's watch it, and tell me how you feel about it. I won't be offended if you don't want to do it.” It turned out that they were excited for the challenge, and it was the students’ decision to put on the production. Anderson commented, “I don't want history to be erased, and I feel like World
lamented that students only get a general overview of World War II history because it is so horrendous. Her students have gotten the unique opportunity to explore these topics and talk about them despite the difficulty of the conversation. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Christy Anderson at (541) 967-4522 or christy. anderson@albany.k12.or.us.
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Hitler Youth: Aliyah Foote Young Ed: Logan Smith Young Eva: Abigail Hobson Ed's Mother: Emily Hobson Ed's Father/Pappy/Otto Frank: Aayden Smith Heinz: Carson Mack Mutti: Genevieve Arsenault Anne Frank: Jewel DeVyldere Stage Manager: Megan Harnden Assistant Stage Manager: Jazmynne Way-Carico Crew: Kaydence Gregory, Cloee Hewes, and Georgia Rogers
Abigail Hobson (left) playing young Eva, Genevieve Arsenault playing Mutti, Eva's mother, and Carson Mack playing Heinz, Eva's brother, wear the Star of David badge that Jews were forced to wear under the Nazi regime.
Arts and Culture Budget Cut A Proposed Budget to Leave Majestic Theatre With Less than $35K COLUMN BY VEDIS FRICK If you’ve lived in Corvallis for even just a few short months, chances are that you’ve heard of the various theatres that populate downtown Corvallis. The Whiteside, and it's supposed Ghosts, can be found on Madison Ave., where this November it will celebrate its centennial! Across the street from it, above the Corvallis Book Bin, is The Darkside Cinema. The Darkside is the only independently owned and operated theatre in Corvallis. With its cheeky name, it stays alive in the hearts of the Corvallis community by playing hard to find movies, sci-fi classics with live music, and a number of indie films enough to make any film buff weep with joy. The theatre we’re focusing on today, however, is The Majestic Theatre. The Majestic is The Whiteside’s big sister, coming in at just over 109 years old. It’s
a community staple, hosting community acting and dancing classes, workshops for kids, teens, and adults, and providing needed entertainment throughout the whole of the COVID pandemic. Yet, despite the culture and community that The Majestic helps to support and create in our community, it might still suffer a slashed budget. The Majestic Theatre puts on its shows and runs its classes and events with only one, single full time employee. Beyond him, a small myriad of part time employees do their best to recruit and maintain volunteers, many of whom have to be specially trained to provide the Corvallis community with the shows and memorable moments that have kept The Majestic running for over one hundred years. Slashing the budget down to the city council, City Manager Mark Sheppard’s suggested $34,000 would result in the
cutting of several employees from the cast line up. "With the proposed $34,000 budget, The Majestic would only be able to do one show on the main stage, one musical, and would cut the reader's theatre in half. The Majestic Piece Theatre would be completely destroyed,” said Director Sarah Sheldrick. Calling it curtains for these employees would mean that there are fewer people to run the Majestic programs, to train volunteers to assist in the building, and to keep the art’s community in Corvallis as alive and thriving as it is. It also means that the single full time employee at Majestic might have to take on more and more responsibilities than a theatre administrator should have to handle. When speaking with employees and volunteers of The Majestic, it was said
that there are often times when employees and volunteers have to work overtime to make ends meet for the shows. According to one employee who wishes to remain anonymous, said that it is common for people in the office to take on additional duties, without the benefit of additional pay that you would see at private businesses. Why does The Majestic have to take the full brunt of a cut budget; What other ways is the budgeting being dealt with to protect the city’s cultural interest and history? These are questions that we need to be asking the city council and city manager. The theatre is asking for help from the community to keep the shows alive; Attend a City Council meeting and have your voice heard. Column written by student and art and culture enthusiast Vedis Frick.
Roadrunners Take Care of Business
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MAY 13, 2022
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EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
7 PHOTO: AGBO
STORY BY CARSYN MEYERS The Linn-Benton Baseball team defeated Mt.Hood Community College in both of their games on Monday, May. 9. The Saints played both games today as the designated home team. The Roadrunners improved to 17-7 in the NWAC South Region, and 30-11 on the season. The Saints fell to 13-11 in the NWAC South Region, and 27-14 on the season. In game one the Roadrunners defeated the Saints, 4-1. Beaks Kian Hogan picked up the win, improving to 6-1 on the year. Hogan went 6 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 6 hits while walking 1. Brady Baltus picked up the save, going 3 strong innings in relief of Hogan, allowing only 3 hits. Baltus has allowed only two runs in his last 6 appearances. The Beaks offense took advantage of a plethora of errors from the Saints Defense. The Roadrunners scored two runs on an error and wild pitch. Roadrunners Michael Soper went 3-4 with a walk, and scored 2 runs. During game one the press box also received an unexpected furry visitor. In the second inning he walked in on four legs, a smile on his face, tail wagging, and soaking wet from the recent rain showers. He was a golden retriever, who we later found out was named Apollo. He had gotten away from his house in the nearby neighborhood. We want to assure everyone that after getting his zoomies out running back and forth between the dugouts, he was treated with lots of love and scratches in the press box. The multitalented Apollo did a great job assisting the play-by-play announcer, scorekeeper, and live stats crew. After spending a couple innings in the box, Apollo was eventually reunited with his owners. Apollo was a very good boy. In game two the Roadrunners defeated the Saints 7-3. It took an extra inning of work to get this one done for the Beaks. Roadrunner Kaden Miller started the game on the mound for the beaks. Miller went 5 ⅔ innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 while walking 2. Dylan Rush picked up the win for the beaks, Rush went 1 ⅓ innings allowing 1 unearned run on no hits. A pair of unforced errors by the Beaks allowed the Saints to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh. In extra innings the Beaks offense lit up the Saints bullpen, scoring 4 runs. Ethan Lindstrom led the Roadrunners with 2 RBI going 2-4, including an RBI-single in the extra inning. Chase Reynolds closed the door for the Roadrunners, striking out 2 in the bottom of the eighth. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Mt.Hood C.C., but weather did not allow for this, therefore the Saints were allowed to be the designated home team and batted in the bottom of the inning.
The Action-Packed Comedy That Rocked Our Multiverse: Spoilers Ahead DIRECTOR: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Sheinert STARRING: Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis and James Hong. RATED: R
OVERALL RATING: ★★★★★ REVIEW BY
AVERY LEÓN-CASTILLO
The movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was released this year on March 11. It was written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert who are both known for their mind-bogglingly eccentric shorts and music videos. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” features an Asian-American family, the Wangs, who are preparing to be audited by the IRS at the same time as their Chinese New Year’s party. Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh) is the timid mom of Joy (Stephanie Hsu), the ever-defiant teenager. Joy's girlfriend Becky (Tallie Medel) is trying to get accepted by Evelyn and Joy's grandpa Gong Gong (James Hong). Evelyn's husband Waymond (Ke Huy Quan) is the sort of silly peace-keeper of the Wang family. He lightens the mood around the laundromat with little googly eyes, dancing music, and jokes. The movie starts with a scene in the Wang’s cramped apartment, which is attached to the laundromat they operate. Evelyn has stacks of receipts and papers on her dining table while preparing for her tax auditing appointment with Deirdre Beaubeirdre (Jamie Lee Curtis). Soon after arriving at this appointment, weird stuff begins happening. Evelyn learns that her universe and the other universes are in danger of being destroyed by the villainous Jobu Tupaki, and this Earth’s Evelyn is the only one who can save it. Along with the help of other Earth’s Waymond, she learns how to “verse jump,” which is where someone has to do something so incredibly bizarre that they’re able to jump into another universe’s version of them. This brings many scenes where, in order to get another universe’s skills and knowledge, characters have to do things like eat an entire stick of chapstick, papercut between every finger, and even jump, ass down, on a trophy. Jobu Tupaki’s goal, at least to the knowledge of other Earth’s Waymond, is to find and kill this Earth’s
Evelyn because she’s the only one who can stop her plans. However, we learn later that Evelyn is the reason for her hatred and motivation for destroying the multiverse. “Everything Everywhere” has a lot of goofy and unusual imagery like a fighting scene where swords turn into dildos, two grown men fighting with statues in their butts, and a universe where, instead of hands, everybody has hotdog fingers! The movie does, however, bring up many more mundane and meaningful storylines. The whole movie gives off a coming-of-age feel as Evelyn discovers that she doesn’t need any purpose. After verse-jumping into all different types and versions of herself – one a kung-fu fighting movie star, another a talented chef, and even one where she had hotdog hands and was in a romantic relationship with her tax auditor, Deirdre – Evelyn learned that she doesn’t have to be extraordinary to have everything she wants. She also learns to come to terms with her daughter’s identity and instead of further growing apart, she and Joy come closer together. Before the final fight, Waymond from this Earth’s universe reminds her that the reason the other Waymond chose her is because “You’re capable of everything because you’re bad at everything!” This motivates her to win the fight by being kind. She uses her newfound power to see what her opponents want most in the world and gives it to them. The battle ends with her and Joy at the edge of the black hole “Everything Bagel” which was Jobu Tupaki’s creation to suck everything in existence away into oblivion. Evelyn comes to the realization that in order to get her daughter back, she needs to let go of her image of Joy. They let each other go and the scene moves to their original universe where the Wangs still own a laundromat. The scene is tear-jerking and moving in every way, and gives a peek into what a real motherdaughter relationship may be like for some. Back to the scene in the IRS office where the battle was, the completely-engulfed Joy comes back to reality with the help of Evelyn, Gong Gong, Waymond, and everyone else involved in the fight. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” appears at first glance as an ostentatious film, with shocking scenes, and well-placed profanity, but giving it a closer look, it is really a story about how sometimes parents aren’t always right and even when you think you’re “too old” or already established as one thing, you always have choices. Life isn’t linear and this movie highlights all of the faults and eccentricities of being a person.
Do you take photos? Write poetry? Draw comics? If so, the Commuter would love to showcase your work. Artwork and writing of all kinds will be considered for publication. Email your questions and submissions to Dakota Gange, Editor-in-Chief, dakota.gange.2771@mail.linnbenton.edu Visit lbcommuter.com to see the full paper, read the latest articles, and subscribe to our newsletter
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A&E
DIRECTOR: Sam Raimi (Based on characters created by Marvel Comics)
STARRING: Benedict Cumberbatch, Xochitl Gomez, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong and Chiwetel Ejiofor
MAY 13, 2022
LBCOMMUTER.COM
PHOTO: DISNEY
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS
Great Start to the Summer Movie Season
RATED: PG-13
OVERALL RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW BY
STEVEN PRYOR
@STEVENPRR2PRYOR
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is the latest film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as a sequel to the first film in 2016. As a sequel to one of the series’ best standalone films, director Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man” trilogy, “Evil Dead”) has risen to the occasion to deliver a longawaited sequel and another entertaining film in the franchise. Taking place chronologically after the events of last year’s smash hit “SpiderMan: No Way Home”, Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) must deal with the consequences of unleashing the multiverse. Crossing paths with a young woman named America Chavez (franchise newcomer Xochitl Gomez) who
can pass through the many incarnations of the Marvel Universe (including a myriad of other characters who shall not be spoiled here), the two must contend with threats ranging from the Baron Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) to the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) across a mindbending 126 minutes. After previous director Scott Derrickson left the sequel’s development due to creative differences (though he still maintains executive producer credit),
Raimi has proven to be a worthy choice to approach the film. As someone who previously directed the blockbuster “Spider-Man” trilogy and horror films such as his “Evil Dead” trilogy, he’s able to further build on the blueprint for future films from Marvel Studios while also infusing this one with his own unique flavor. Raimi’s background in horror incorporates a mixture of nightmarish visuals and dark comedy with a script from Michael Waldron. A wide array
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition
of parallel universes are brought to life with music from accomplished composer Danny Elfman and camera work from award-nominated cinematographer John Mathieson. With the film making a record $187 million in its opening weekend alone, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is a great start to the summer movie season, and easily recommended in this universe and countless others.
5-Word Book
reviews
Landmark Games with a Flawed Remaster
BY LEAH BIESACK
A Worn Path, Eudora Welty Route of hope, brambles, loss. Land of the Spotted Eagle, Luther Standing Bear America’s under-the-rug history. Terrific Mother, Lorrie Moore Heaviness written in lighter lilt.
PHOTO: SQUARE ENIX GRAPHICS: FREEPIK
STORY BY STEVEN PRYOR Upon its release in the year 2000, the original Playstation title “Chrono Cross” proved to be a unique followup to the beloved 1995 role-playing game “Chrono Trigger,” later becoming a cult classic in its own right. Earlier this year, the title was given an HD remaster on modern systems known as “Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.” Though not without its flaws, it’s still a worthwhile way to revisit landmark games. In addition to the original “Chrono Cross” in its entirety, the collection also contains the first official English release of the 1996 interactive novel “Radical Dreamers,” which had only been released previously in Japan for the Satellaview service on the Super Famicom. While fan translations of the novel have circulated over the years, the inclusion in this collection is one of the best ways to play a game which had never previously been officially released in the United States before. That said, the remaster isn’t entirely without its flaws. An analysis of this version by Digital Foundry on their
YouTube channel has found that, in many respects, the game runs with more performance issues than the original Playstation version. Not just in the case of the Nintendo Switch port -- the release of the title on Playstation 4 introduces a litany of glitches on top of exacerbating issues from the original game. Though the games themselves are still worth playing, the problems caused this article to be reworked into an editorial rather than a full-on review. Hopefully, some of the problems with resolution and framerate can be fixed in potential updates. Even so, the fact that these games have been rereleased after all this time is a testament to their appeal and impact. Though not a perfect remaster, it’s still a way to re-experience a landmark game and to experience a title that had previously never seen release outside Japan. Though the remaster of these games may be flawed in presentation, “Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition” is still worth playing to experience two landmark RPG titles.
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Complete the grid so each row, column, and 3x3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit.
Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48)
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6 5
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7 4
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9
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3 1
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Thu May 12 20:16:27 2022 GMT. Enjoy!
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