The Commuter: May 6, 2022

C

T H E

L I N N - B E N T O N

C O M M U N I T Y

VOL. 53 EDITION 21

C O L L E G E

M AY 6 , 2 0 2 2

MARTIN LUTHER

free

JR.

PHOTO: BRENDA AUTRY

Bella Autry swinging the sledge hammer at the Demolition Zone in Eugene.

GRAPHICS FREEPIK.COM

DANCE YOUR HEART OUT

SEE PAGE 3

INSIDE THIS EDITION

PHOTOJOURNALISM

SEE PAGE 5

REVIEW MANIA

SEE PAGES 7–8

2

CAMPUS NEWS

MAY 6, 2022

LBCOMMUTER.COM 

wellness wednesday Is Positivity Possible to Learn?

STORY BY

LISA HOOGESTEGER

The Commuter is the weekly student-run newspaper for LBCC, financed by student fees and advertising. Opinions expressed in The Commuter do not necessarily reflect those of the LBCC administration, faculty and students of LBCC. Editorials, columns, letters, and cartoons reflect the opinions of the authors.

LBCC is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Letters Welcome The Commuter encourages readers to use its “Opinion” pages to express their views on campus, community, regional and national issues. The Commuter attempts to print all submissions received, but reserves the right to edit for grammar, length, libel, privacy concerns and taste. Opinions expressed by letter submitters do not represent the views of the Commuter staff or the College.

Deliver letters to: Address: The Commuter Forum 222 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW Albany, OR 97321 Web Address: LBCommuter.com Phone: 541-917-4451, 4452 or 4449 Email: commuter@linnbenton.edu

Philosophically, if your nature is to be negative or critical, can you really change to look at things more positively? This will not be a scientific debate. I’ve got some science to quote, some insight to share and an opinion or two along the way.

The research says ­— In surveys, psychologists have found that hope and optimism are related —more hopeful people also tend to be more optimistic—but the two concepts also have important differences.

Optimism doesn’t need to mean denying or avoiding negative events.

Optimism is a mindset that we can cultivate and empower us to cope with life’s challenges. (healthpsych.com/thescience-of optimism) The major difference between hope and optimism is hope’s focus on agency. As professor Utpal Dholakia explains in a blog post for Psychology Today, “hopeful people believe that

their actions can bring about their desired goals. Because of this, hope may be especially beneficial for people in stressful or challenging situations— in situations where a good outcome doesn’t necessarily seem like a given.” (healthpsych.com/psychology-of-hope) Hope has two components: pathways thinking and agency. Pathways thinking involves being able to think of many different ways of achieving something.

Agency involves being motivated and feeling confident that one can achieve their goals.

“Hope is not Pollyannaish optimism — the assumption that a positive outcome is inevitable. Instead, hope is a motivation to persevere toward a goal or end state, even if we’re skeptical that a positive outcome is likely.”

— Professor Everett Worthington You can cultivate optimism. A quote that I heard long ago that is part of my internal mantra is “hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and accept whatever happens”. It works for me because I have decided I want to hope.

I want to believe things are possible.

Feeling Wary of the Willamette?

Is the Willamette River Safe to Swim In?

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 Photo Editor Sabrina Dedek A&E Editor Leah Biesack 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

ICONS:FREEPIK.COM

I want to see the sunny side and the silver linings. I know (the realist side of me) that things don’t always work out, but I found myself in a real funk one year in always expecting doom and gloom. I realized I was avoiding feeling bad if things didn’t happen, however I also immediately dampened any joy because of always expecting things would soon fall apart. So I chose hope, knowing that I’d be often disappointed yet wanting to allow for joy. I would rather deeply feel things, even if it was hurtful, than not feel things and stay sheltered.

I still prepare for the “what if ’s” of things going awry; I just also try not to “dread ahead” of what could, might possibly happen.

We, I can only control the process. What I put into it, what I plan and prepare for, what I am thinking or saying. The outcomes?

Not up to me. But when I manage my piece of something and let go, I can feel good about my effort. Period.

Deep breath.

PHOTO: DAKOTA GANGE

Willamette River as it passes through Willamette Park in South Corvallis.

STORY BY JESSICA DOVER With summer just around the corner, a common topic among LBCC students has been summer plans.

With a river running through the Willamette Valley, floating the river with friends is a popular choice which begs the question: Is it safe to play in the waters of the Willamette River or, are levels of toxins considered unsafe for long periods of human contact?

Depending on where you get your information, the answer to safety concerns may be conflicting.

A quick Google search turns up a link to a Q&A article published on Oregon.gov. The answer they have provided to the question “Is it Safe to Swim on the Willamette River in Portland?” is that yes, it’s safe to swim in the Willamette, “most times of the year,” however noting that it was not always safe and that only after a sewer overflow

control project, spanning twenty years, is the water safe to swim in.

Conflicting this answer, however, is a report published in 2020 by Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality, that clearly shows that the surface water does contain toxic pollutants that in large quantities are harmful to humans, pets, and our environment.

While the report offers a lengthy analysis of pollutants found in the Willamette in varying locations, the most concerning are legacy pesticides, industrial chemicals and ammonia, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs.) Legacy pesticides are pesticides that have been banned in the United States after being found hazardous to human health and found in concentrations that exceed the human health criterion in locations where the Willamette intersects Lake Creek, Luckiamute River and the Long Tom River.

However, in most locations local to the Corvallis/Albany area, these toxins are reported to be found in low enough concentrations that Oregon’s government website’s answer to swimming safety should make potential swimmers feel a bit more confident dipping their toes in the Willamette this summer.

Although they do warn potential swimmers that because pollutants vary by location and water source that this may not always be the case and that potential swimmers should be aware of the harmful toxins produced by blue-green algae and to stay out of the water if it looks bright green, scummy or thick like blue green paint.

It is also noted that it is best to avoid swimming after heavy rainfall as it may cause bacteria levels to increase.

If you’re an LBCC student that is lucky enough to spend your summer in the Willamette Valley and are planning on enjoying the waters of the Willamette, do so safely and with confidence knowing that the toxins locally are low enough that the Department of Environmental Quality has given the green light for water activities! And, if you are still feeling a bit wary of the Willamette, know that there are a lot of great alternatives: • South Santiam River; Houserock, Cascadia, Trout Creek, Fernview • Calapooia River; Mckercher Park • Alsea River River; Clemens Park • Foster Lake • Luckiamute River; Sarah Helmick State Park

 COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU

MAY 6, 2022

CAMPUS NEWS

Dance Your Heart Out

3

Dance Club Welcomes All STORY AND PHOTOS BY SABRINA DEDEK Can you dance? You can, and should. Better coordination, stronger bones, and supportive club members to cheer you on. Joining the LBCC Dance CLub couldn’t be easier; You just show up, and the club is free and is for all levels of dance, and is fully inclusive.

Dance Club, who is advised by Carol Raymundo, meets at Legacy Ballet in Albany on Sunday evenings.

They accept students and community members who have a passion for dance.

Zinobia Rogers has been with the club four years, in those years she has watched the membership become consistent. Bryanna Kostelnik, the choreographer, has facilitated a membership. The club works towards a performance, one or two a year, but it is not mandatory.

Performances are funded by the clubs participation in welcome day, concessions, 50/50 raffle, and fundraisers. A club car wash is in the works but not yet on the calendar.

The next weekend performance, “Collisions,” can be found in Salem at IKE Box Cafe, May 28 - 29 at 7pm.

Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets are available at thecollisionsproject.com and at the door.

Dance members include Fiona Sprague, Alyssa Riley, Bryaunna Kostelnik, Allie Fiscus, Zinobia Rogers, Kaylee Ficsus, and Joline Vallejo.

For more information, you can reach

(Back) Alyssa Riley, Joline Vallejo, Kaylee Ficsus, Zinobia Rogers, Allie Fiscus, (Front) Fiona Sprague, and Bryaunna Kostelnik ­­— all members of the LBCC Dance Club.

out to club President Zenobia Rogers at zenobia.rogers.3664@mail.linnbenton.edu.

Sprague started at LBCC in the fall and didn’t have a space to dance anymore, and found the dance club after checking out a “workshop of creatives.”

She finds the club “affordable, where I’m constantly learning, expanding, and getting new movement with people you can connect with.”

Dancer Riley said she enjoys “the feeling of just like performing in front of people again.

On zoom it doesn't feel like people are there. Now with the mask mandate lifted we (the performers) can see the faces of the crowd. Seeing their smiles lets us know we are doing a good job.”

“Our bodies are meant to move and dancing is an innate thing for everyone

from a two-year-old to someone in their 60’s. When music plays something happens within us; Moving our bodies and our feet. Sometimes we just tap or move our shoulders,” said Kostelnik.

According to Kostelnik, once you come to the club to dance you’ll be hooked and coing back for more.

Grab your jazz shoes or half soles and come dance.

Show Support for SAAM’s Denim Day The Significance of Denim Day STORY AND PHOTOS BY AVERY LEÓN-CASTILLO

Victoria Aguas, Jason Dorsette, Hannah Briggs, Angie Geno, and Ciera Hilkey pose outside of the Student Union on their way to the Denim Day Booth.

Sarah's place, a clinic for survivors of sex crimes, participate during the Denim Day event on April 27.

Ciera Hilkey, Hannah Briggs, and Angie Geno listen to volunteers from Sarah's Place.

April is the month to acknowledge, educate, and advocate for survivors of sexual assault (SAAM.) In 1999, an 18 year old girl was raped by a 45 year old man who was her driver’s instructor. He took her to an abandoned road and took advantage of her there. He was sent to jail after she had reported him but later appealed it claiming it was “consensual.” The case was accepted by the Italian Supreme Court and they overturned the man’s conviction based on their assumption that the girl had “helped” him pull down her jeans because they were apparently too tight and he couldn’t have possibly removed them by himself. The next day, all of the women who were part of the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work.

This protest caught the attention of the international media, and influenced the California Senate and Assembly to do the same protest on the steps of the Capitol in Sacramento.

In support of sexual assault victims, LB held a booth in the courtyard for Denim Day last week to raise awareness to the story behind Denim Day, and to further the awareness of sexual assault, centering around the idea that clothes worn is not an excuse for sexual assault. The day is observed on the last Wednesday of April every year.

4

CAMPUS NEWS

MAY 6, 2022

LBCOMMUTER.COM 

Civil Discourse Op-Ed The Federal Government Should Regulate Social Media

Social Media Companies Should Regulate Themselves

STORY BY EAGLE HUNT, ELIANA ORTEGA, JACOB PACHECO AND THE CIVIL DISCOURSE PROGRAM

STORY BY MORIAH RIVERALAWRENCE, CHEYANN RIDER, YAHAIRA SUAREZ AND THE CIVIL DISCOURSE PROGRAM

Social media is a significant part of our lives. We use it to share our thoughts, opinions and experiences with other people.

Social media has become a tool for mass communication in workplace and academic environments.

For example, many people are required to use a social media platform like Facebook or Discord to exchange information about their clubs, sports teams, classes, and workplace projects. Social media also provides a forum to communicate with others about politics and current events.

Because it is so widely used and has become so necessary that it could be seen as a public utility, social media should be regulated by the government to protect our constitutional rights. While social media platforms claim to regulate content, there are many users that question the companies' biases and ability to regulate these platforms effectively and fairly.

Having the federal government regulate social media will allow the platforms to be held constitutionally liable. This means that the First Amendment would be applied in practice. The agency tasked with regulating social media would be compelled to respect the concept of free speech.

With this policy, social media could become an open discussion platform where people can share their personal viewpoints.

The platform would not be able to censor viewpoints it disagrees with. Currently, social media companies operate as a private platform without any First Amendment regulation.

Federally run, the platform will be held accountable to The US Constitution and any company that violates our civil liberties can be prosecuted.

Social media has a huge impact on political bias and perception. Social media

Social media companies regulating themselves is more beneficial compared to the federal government regulations. As a result of self-regulation, Social Media companies would be able to make necessary interventions more quickly and prevent issues that may arise from such close government oversight.

Posted content and interactions on social media occur in a dynamic, fluid, fast changing environment. The federal government is simply not capable of keeping up with this rapid pace of activities.

An example of this is nonconsensual pornography.

Facebook, for example, has a dedicated team of people specifically montering and developing AI to counteract the devastating effects of “revenge porn.” There are currently four states that lack any laws about posting illicit content without the subject's consent and there is no federal law. The laws that do exist are fairly recent while social media platforms have been taking these things down for years on their own.

There are many things that are kept off or taken down from social media that violate their terms of agreement that are harmful but not illegal. If the government were in charge of regulating social media, much of this content would stay up longer and have more time to spread farther, causing increased devastation. Every reported post would be subjected to First Arguments versus community standards, creating a much more hostile environment.

Other problems with the government regulating social media include politics and censorship. It was recently announced that President Biden ordered the Department of Homeland Security to form a board to combat disinformation. If you think this is

has changed how information is consumed and spread, how political views are formulated, and how the public learns about politics. With

how much influence social media has on the public’s perception of politics, is it best to regulate these platforms in the hands of a company that may have an agenda it's trying to push?

Platforms like Facebook regularly censor content. The power is in Mark Zuckerberg's hands; what he decides to allow or censor on the platform can affect millions of people’s perceptions. To some, Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter seems like great news, as he claims he wants an uncensored platform that favors freedom of speech. However, is it an individual’s responsibility to promote a constitutional right amongst the world’s largest social media platforms? Government regulation would be the simplest and most efficient way to keep social media rules consistent with the Constitution.

Social media platforms should be regulated by the government to allow for freedom of expression. In the United States, this is a constitutional right that should be upheld in all aspects of life, including social media. Social media has become a necessary means of communication and a public forum for more serious topics of conversation like politics or current events. This marketplace of ideas must be protected.

PHOTO: NATANAELGINTING

a good idea, would you be as supportive if Donald Trump did the same thing under his presidency? How about Barack Obama?

George W. Bush? Chances are personal politics influence your thoughts and answers to these questions. We should all be wary of the federal government having the ability to control what information we have access to.

The power to censor and control a political narrative is a dangerous impulse that must be checked. We might be supportive of it when “our side” is in power. However, history shows that the pendulum will eventually swing the other way. You may be supportive of “the voice of disinformation” being censored today, but tomorrow that voice could be yours.

In conclusion, social media companies should not be regulated by the federal government. The potential for abuse is too great. These companies should have the power to regulate themselves and we, as users, should provide them with input on how to best do that. This approach, while not perfect, will allow companies to keep up with the rapid changes in internet technology and current events. It will also ensure that these decisions aren’t made by politicians who are heavily influenced by political agendas.

 COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU

MAY 6, 2022

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Look Around

5

Photojournalism Students Set Out to Capture the Community and Their Environments PHOTOS AND STORY BY SPENCER WEATHERLY

Brenden Weatherly has worked as a janitor for medical institutions in Corvallis and Albany. While his favorite job was working at Salem’s Enchanted Forest, he currently works as a janitor at Riverview Elementary in Lebanon.

Brenden’s true interest lies in drumming. He started drumming when he was ten and got his first drum kit when he was sixteen. He tries to expand his drum kit as much as he can, and enjoys drumming at his parents house whenever he gets the chance. During his high school years, Brenden spent time as a member of various independent bands, among which were The Guttones and #30.

PHOTOS AND STORY BY ALICEN ARSENAULT

Alex Clarke began riding motorcycles on his grandfather's property in eastern Oregon at five years old. He began on a little 50cc pull-start mini bike that his grandpa had built from spare parts, and bought for himself his first “street legal” bike, a 2005 Honda CBR600RR, when he was 19.

Clarke started racing in 2018 by participating in New Racer School on track days with Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association (OMRRA), which are held at either the Portland International Raceway or the Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. The classes were for fun, not competition, but riders were grouped by skill level to practice and learn.

He now teaches at New Racer School to help pay for his entry fees.

Clarke laughed when asked how much he spends on racing. “I prefer not to say.”

He is sponsored by Gray Area KTM located in Eugene, Hot and Hazardous Performance in Newberg, and the Gore Electric Company in Beaverton, Oregon. Depending on the level of sponsorship, he gets parts at discounted prices or at cost. “They also feed me while I'm at the track,” he said, “which is really nice.”

He recently participated in the 50th anniversary race of the Stumpjumper Desert 100, an offroad dirt bike endurance race that occurs in Odessa, Washington. He was one of 963 riders to attempt the 100 mile race, and he placed 364.

In the last 8 years, he has ridden 35,000 miles, and he can’t wait to ride thousands more.

PHOTOS AND STORY BY KAIONA MENGUITA

Boss Hoss motorcycle dealer, rider and mechanic, Ron Tangsrud revs the engine of his Boss Hoss motorcycle.

He enjoys bringing the bikes to shows all over the country because it allows him to meet people of many different ages from many different backgrounds. He loves to share his testimony and listen to the stories of everyone he meets on the road.

"Everyone has many God given talents, but one or two will start to show as dominant strengths. Do what you love and get really good at it! When you get really good at something people will be willing to pay for your services.

Dream big!"

PHOTOS AND STORY BY CARLOS TORRES

Mithril Ajootian is a Corvallis based artist.

While their favorite medium is acrylic paint, they also do drag performances, sing, play guitar, sculpt, embroider, carve linoleum prints, among other art forms. Ajootian’s main inspirations is found in nature, people, botanicals, as well as drawing from their experiences as a queer POC. They see art as a form of self expression and believe that it's important to display their art so that other people can see that there isn't just one type of person that should be represented in art, and everyone should feel beautiful. "It makes some people a little uncomfortable, there's a lot of backlash, but it's something I try not to be afraid of,” said Ajootian.

Their interest in painting began with an art class that they took their freshman year of high school, "I didn't think I was very good, so I didn't paint much before. It's easy to get overwhelmed when a piece isn't going the way you wanted it to." They soon found that the hard work in the beginning led to an outlet to express themselves and a way to share their experience with the world.

6

LOCAL NEWS

MAY 6, 2022

LBCOMMUTER.COM 

Ready, Set, Rage!

Local Rage Room Provides a Safe Space to Break Things STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRENDA AUTRY Have you ever had such a bad day, or been so angry that you just wanted to smash something? But you stopped yourself because as adults we can’t just throw a tantrum and smash something.

Or, can we?

Rage rooms, also known as smash rooms, have become increasingly popular in recent years. With the pressures of work, school, and especially with COVID, people, now more than ever, are looking for a way to blow off some steam — and a rage room may be the perfect solution!

My daughter, Bella, 14, and I recently visited Demolition Zone, one of just three rage rooms in Oregon, to check it out for ourselves.

Located at 4075 Franklin Blvd in Eugene, Demolition Zone is celebrating their four-year anniversary this year.

“My husband came up with the idea,” said Helen Urban, who co-owns Demolition Zone with her husband, Jeremy Urban. “I was tired of my day job and one night we were just looking at videos and saw a rage room in Japan.

It was an ‘aha’ moment.”

A Rage Room session for two people costs $60 and lasts up to an hour.

When you enter the building, it looks more like a thrift shop than what you’d imagine a rage room to look like.

The “shop” at the front is filled with shelves full of old china, glassware, electronics and knick-knacks. But unlike the wares at a traditional thrift store, these items will never make it out of the building intact.

Urban greeted us from behind her desk in the front of the shop, helped us fill out our waivers, asked what type of music we’d like played (my daughter chose Eminem, but heavy metal is the

The "wall of weaponry" for visitors to utilize in their smashing.

Rage room full of debris after the smash session.

most popular), and asked if we’d like to purchase any add-on items for our session. Each session comes with a set number of items for participants to smash. A two person session includes: • One large electronic • One medium electronic • Misc. small electronic • Misc. other small items like clay pigeons, VHS tapes, Christmas ornaments, and more.

“My absolute favorite thing to smash is VHS tapes,” Urban said. “If you hit them just right they explode and make a big mess with the tape inside.”

In addition to the included items, participants can choose to purchase addons from anything on display in the store.

Things like TV’s, keyboards, and even more VHS tapes. My personal favorite were the glass items. (Once you hear the sound of smashing glass, you’ll get it.)

Once we’d chosen our add-ons, Urban led us to the back of the shop and went over the rules with us. We each removed our loose articles and secured them in a locker before selecting a pair of coveralls, a face shield, and a pair of gloves to wear for protection in the rage room.

The room was small with walls covered in bright graffiti. On the back wall where we entered was a shelf containing our smashable items, and a rack which held our smashing

instruments — lead pipes, metal bats, and pipe wrenches, among other things.

In the center of the room were two platforms constructed of old tires with plywood squared on top, and beyond them was a piece of plywood on the floor.

“Smash things towards the far wall,” Urban instructed us. “And if you want to use the sledge hammer, place your item on the board on the floor and smash it there, not on the platforms.

Have fun!”

Urban left the room and a few minutes later the voice of Eminem erupted loudly from the speakers. Then the smashing began.

If you’re like me, and most people according to Urban, who do this not for the possible therapeutic benefits, but just for the fun experience, the act of smashing something may seem extremely foreign and even kind of wrong. But as soon as I heard the first cracking sound of glass hitting the wall followed by the tinkling of a million small shards cascading to the floor as it shattered, I was hooked.

My daughter and I spent an hour throwing clay birds at the wall, beating stereo equipment with a sledge hammer, and smashing VHS tapes, small glass bottles, and old records to oblivion.

When the last item had been destroyed, I looked around at the room strewn

with bits and pieces of broken junk and felt strangely satisfied.

If you’re interested in trying a Rage Room, you can book an appointment with Demolition Zone for one to six people. They’re open Friday through Sunday from Noon to 8PM. Happy smashing!

Bella Autry, 14, winding up to smash a VHS tape.

Feature Writing Students Share Their Loves

Review Mania

 COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU

MAY 6, 2022

A&E

Ruins and Butterflies Living Up Book Review: The Fallen Stones ­

STORY BY HATHAI SANGSUPAN “Hey love, you’ve been saying you miss traveling,” ventured my husband one evening. “Looks like tickets to Belize are pretty cheap next month.”

“Let’s go!” I responded. “Where’s Belize?”

Not long afterward my family and I arrived at the Central American nation’s only international airport knowing little more than: 1) it is slightly smaller than Massachusetts; 2) the official language is English; and 3) it has both Maya ruins and tropical rainforests.

We told ourselves that the thrill of traveling was in the adventure of discovery.

Happily, Belize did not disappoint. For three days we were the only visitors lodging in a rainforest conservation area that sometimes doubles as a base camp for archeologists studying Maya ruins.

We giddily climbed unexcavated ruins and then marveled at the rainforest that had reclaimed the land around it. The forest pulsed with life. Deafening cicadas, fork-tailed hummingbirds, leaf-cutter ants, mango-stealing foxes, and red-eyed tree frogs were just a few of the many animals we encountered.

The forest was magical, but also terrifyingly fragile. Surrounded on all sides by treeless farmland, it felt like a green jewel in a sea of sand. I worried that a direct hit from a hurricane or a wildfire would wipe it away.

In the five years since that Belizean adventure, news of record-breaking environmental disasters have become a weekly and sometimes daily occurrence.

Lately, it’s hard not to feel like the entire planet is a desert, strewn with a few green trinkets, as fragile as glass.

Los Angeles Times journalist Diana Marcum is well-acquainted with this feeling. In 2015 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her reporting on the experience of agricultural workers during drought in California’s Central Valley. She describes being struck with “eco-anxiety” as if “the environmental threat had seeped into my very cells over the years of drought and fires.”

Rather than give into despair, however, Marcum and her partner, Jack Moody, moved to a rainforest in Belize to spend a year learning and writing about one of the world’s first live butterfly farms, The Fallen Stones.

When asked why, she says her first thought was, “I liked stories about miracles.”

What resulted was Marcum’s recently released book, “The Fallen Stones: Chasing Butterflies, Discovering Mayan Secrets, and Looking for Hope Along the Way.” It is a book full of miracles, starting with its description of improbable existence and survival of butterflies. According to Marcum, butterflies are “the celebratory confetti tossed in the air when the plants and air and water and the rest of the insect world are healthy. If you get it right for butterflies, you have it right for the rest of the ecosystem.”

Marcum’s evocative descriptions of the butterflies and the forest community surrounding the farm transported me back to my brief time in Belize. But the stories that seemed at least as compellingly miraculous were the stories of the people who love the butterflies. This is Marcum’s specialty. In an interview with Zócalo Public Square, Marcum said, “I want to introduce people to each other. As a writer, that’s my main thing.”

Marcum introduces us to the people of Fallen Stones by telling another miraculous tale, the story of how Clive, whose passion for beautiful, fragile insects lead to the creation of the farm and a global live butterfly industry that incentivizes conservation rather than destruction of rainforest.

Into this story, Marcum warmly weaves the story of the Maya men whose devotion to the Fallen Stones’ butterflies keeps the farm afloat in the face of hurricanes, fire, and even a global pandemic. They include Sebastian, the farm’s serious but kind-hearted manager, ebullient poetphilosopher-groundskeeper, Profilio, and butterfly caretaker and romantic family man, Sammy.

Marcum’s story, though, is the thread that holds the book together. She opens up her life and reveals the emotional legacy of her adolescence and the challenges of a new relationship with Moody when they are both middle aged. But these things are all leavened with self-deprecating and humorous descriptions of the joys and trials she and Moody experience living and working on a butterfly farm in Belizean rainforest.

Like the first time Marcum opened the door to the house they would be staying in and just managed to stifle a scream when a bat swooped out. According to Marcum, these bats “were not cute. They had rodent ears, mini pig snouts, and vampire wings.

They were furry, not like a dog but like mold on peaches.” Or when her hopes for a romantic birthday breakfast were dashed by Moody’s offering of a plain bowl of oatmeal, without even the benefit of a heart made from raisins. She mourns, “this was my life.

No romantic highs. No raisin hearts. Just a bowl of nourishing gruel served from a pot.

This is what happens when you get old.”

The many miraculous stories, all told with Marcum’s compelling voice, creates what Publisher’s Weekly calls, “A deeply human story, and one filled with plenty of hope.”

I have to agree. “Fallen Stones” reminds us that despite the challenges our world faces, we can still take joy from everyday miracles - like butterflies. By telling us about the real people who are dedicated to keeping these miracles alive, the book provides us with inspiration and a template for us to follow. It gives hope that working together, we can make miracles happen too.

7

to the Hype “The Batman” Delivers a Grounded Mystery

STORY BY JOSIAH GUNN Looking for an edge of your seat, mystery thriller? Maybe you're a die-hard fan of the comic books or you just can’t think of a better first date. Whatever the case, “The Batman” will serve you well with its daring, new take on the classic superhero. It’s got the suspense and crime to satisfy your inner detective, the breathtaking scenes ripped right from the comic books to impress the die-hard fans, and quality romance for the Pattison enthusiasts.

The newest Batman movie hit theaters a little over a month ago, 10 years after the conclusion of the last Batman trilogy. It hurdled its predecessor “The Dark Knight,” reaching the worldwide milestone of $600 million at the box office this month and remains the movie everyone is talking about. The big question of whether it lives up to the hype is a surprisingly easy one. Yes! “The Batman” delivers a grounded, entertaining mystery that has a tasteful sprinkle of social commentary. The story is based around the physiological battle between the story's two main characters, Batman, played

by Robert Pattinson, and the Riddler, played

by Paul Dano. These two actors give some of their best performances since Dano’s part in “Prisoners” and Pattison’s in “The Lighthouse.”

They are the heart of the movie, but are only standouts in a cast that goes all in.

Characters such as Catwomen, played by Zoe Kravitz, and Penguin, played by Colin Farrell, lose themselves in wonderful performances as well. Many actually didn’t know on first watch that Farrell was behind the masterpiece of makeup that was the face of the Penguin. They also both stay consistent to their characters’ comic book selves, helping and/or hurting Batman with his investigation throughout.

Other characters such as Commissioner Gorden, played by Jeffrey Wright, and Alfred, played by Andy Serkis, bring something new to their characters. New looks for beloved characters and memorable performances pave the way for this movie to set itself apart from other Batman films.

It’s a mix of murder mystery and action movie as Batman tries to figure out what secrets Riddler knows , doesn’t know, and who his next target is. The three-hour run time of “The Batman” is perfectly paced and climaxes in jaw-dropping, satisfying chaos of the villain’s making.

Since the release of the new Batman movie, critics and fans alike have been pouring in positive reviews. It is one of those movies that manages to satisfy the rabid fans and impress snobby critics. The website Rotten Tomatoes currently has it at a 85% critics score and a 87% audience rating.

One of the first things that is apparent with this movie is that the actors loved the process. You can tell they all are invested in their characters and the quality of the film.

Many who played parts in “The Batman” reflected on the project positively.

MORE ON PAGE 8

8

A&E

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 In an interview leading up to the release of the movie, Farrell said, “(‘The Batman’) … is a beautiful and immersive world where, at the heart of it all, there are fundamental, important questions being asked.”

A great example of this is the movie makes you ponder the difference between Batman and Riddler. With both resorting to violence so often and the movie's consistent mirror shots between them, the question “how much of a hero is Batman?” is a fair one.

Other actors from the movie besides Farrell also chipped in about their favorite parts of the film. In the book The Art of The Batman, there is a quote from actress Zoe Kravtiz about the movie as a whole and, more specifically, the relationship between her character and the Batman.

She claims it to be “scary, exciting, and sexy all at the same time,” and I have to agree with her. The tension she and Pattinson are able to put on the screen is palpable.

Their chemistry makes every interaction drip with charisma, while the well-written dialogue only adds to their relationship and gives their exchanges a natural feel.

This movie wasn’t perfect, though, and there is some room for improvement. Throughout the movie, there are action scenes that don’t quite hit the mark for me. Many aim for hectic and go for a disorienting feel, but end up falling more into the confusing category. The movie would have benefitted from simpler shots at times. I wish they would let their great fight choreography shine with an occasional smoother shot.

Beyond that, there was barely anything that didn’t keep me at the edge of my seat and even the messy action sequences had memorable moments. One car chase in particular was moving a little too fast for me, but also had one of the best shots I've seen in the last couple of years. I wish I could describe how hard my jaw dropped, but this freeze frame is best experienced in the theater.

This generation's Batman movie delivers a chilling mystery in the packaging of an action movie. The sound design grips you, the cinematography leaves you speechless, and the performances are so passionate, by the end you’ve forgotten any tiny nitpicks you may have had.

The Batman’s return had fans nervous with bold casting choices and self-induced high expectations, but now that it’s here I can say it exceeds those expectations.

Coping strategies for when a loved one is dealing with mental illness W E D N E S D A Y , M A Y 1 1 1 P M - 1 : 5 0 P M V I A Z O O M

HTTPS://LINNBENTON.ZOOM.US/J/95048387889 Workshop facilitated by LBCC Counselors, Sandra Shinkle, MA & Cait Morgan, MS LPC Request for Special Needs or Accommodations Direct questions about or requests for accommodations to the Center for Accessibility Resources, 541-917-4789 or cfar@linnbenton.edu at least three business days in advance for special events and as soon as possible for classroom or other emerging requests. LBCC will make every effort to honor requests. LBCC is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

MAY 6, 2022

LBCOMMUTER.COM 

Will I Be Your Favorite?

Where to Find the Best Local Biscuits and Gravy STORY AND PHOTOS BY SABRINA DEDEK What makes good biscuits and gravy?

Staring down at the laminated menu my eyes fixate on the few things I don’t want to make myself at home. The classic biscuits and gravy look back at me asking, “will I be your favorite?” I must know how this restaurant compares with the last. “I will have your biscuits and gravy please,” I say.

On a mission to find the best biscuits and gravy in the heart of the Willamette Valley, I’ve narrowed down three restaurants with high praise for their dish in the Linn-Benton area; One restaurant in each of the connected towns of Corvallis, Albany, and Philomath.

There must be standards of a restaurant quality meal but also a blissful uniqueness to each plate. My personal taste has developed over a lifetime yet these three meals were invested with a review in mind and within a four month span.

I must know, ‘will they provide enough gravy for the size of a biscuit?’

‘Will the biscuit be crisp and fresh or will it suck in all the moisture from the surrounding gravy?’ It’s important to have fresh and flavorful breakfast, this isn’t SOS (shit on a shingle) this is a restaurant quality meal I’m paying for.

Brick and Mortar in Historic Downtown Albany is a local favorite.

I am seated by a hostess and given water in a short stemmed glass with ice; My beverage order is taken right away. I get a fantastic fresh cup of coffee and am provided with sugar and cream to fix it how I prefer.

Soon my meal is on the table in front of me, a dinner plate full of fresh thick biscuits and topped with white gravy speckled with hints of crumbled sausage, garnished with flat leaf parsley. This plate hides nothing, it’s an honest easy to palate breakfast, with not much spice. A sturdy base to start your day. The biscuits may be more than the gravy can handle, as this ratio is biscuit heavy. Nothing is overpowering and yet I have enough to eat before my plate is empty.

Dizzy Hen in Philomath on 13th and Main is a diner anyone can feel comfortable at. As I walked into the building, out of the rain, I witnessed staff helping an elderly couple get to a safe seat to avoid slick wet floors. I am greeted and offered a booth or a seat at the diner bar.

I opt for the bar as I’m alone and like to ‘people-watch.’

Once I’m comfortable on my stool a server takes my drink order, I get a house coffee and let her know I am here for their version of biscuits and gravy. Now I can’t be sure if they served me their finest plated breakfast, but when I report that my plate held the perfect proportions of biscuits and

gravy, it’s coming from a balanced opinion.

This plate of breakfast held another joy, potatoes. Homefries (red potatoes in eighths) seasoned and sautéed to a caramelized crispy at the edge. No ketchup required yet a perfect vehicle for it. Back to the biscuits, they were a refined smooth dough, baked and crispy on the exterior, and not too chewy on the inside.

Gold metal on the biscuits.

Good gravy with uneven chunks of slightly spicy sausage gave the smooth white gravy an interest when eating.

The seasonings were noticeable and pleasant.

Garnished with flat leaf parsley. I almost cleaned my plate and felt full for the majority of the day.

Walking into the Old World Deli has always reminded me of Tudor England, as if this is where a renaissance festival should be held. While no royalty greeted me, the whimsical surroundings of the old world village and murals above me did.

I ordered at the register. Breakfast is only served until noon here and I had missed it once before.

The chef JD Monroe took my order, giving two options, sausage or mushroom gravy. “I always cater to my veggie friends,” he said. For thorough assessment I asked for both and was handed a giant playing card for the server to find me.

I found my own seat and logged onto the WIFI to get my morning emails done. It wasn’t long until Chef Monroe let me know the mushroom gravy was just finishing up and they would be freshening up the biscuits for me. They are made fresh every morning at 7am, a time of day I am not.

My breakfast plate was a happy oval of 2/3rds biscuits and gravy and a side of scrambled eggs. Plus a side of mushroom gravy. The seasoned sausage gave a punch of flavor inside its thick soup of white peppered gravy, on top of warm fluffy topped biscuits with a thick crispy bottom.

The mushroom gravy held a savory flavor and excellent thickness.

The mushrooms were sliced lengthwise and happily identifiable. If they had been minced beyond recognition I could have sworn this gravy was fit for a carnivore. I will be craving Chef Monroe’s mushroom gravy once every two weeks, at least.

These three choices for biscuits and gravy are but a few selections in the search for the best. All three held their strengths and weaknesses.

Top: Brick and Mortar Middle: Dizzy Hen Bottom: Old World Deli

 COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU

9

A&E

MAY 6, 2022

PHOTO: IDGB

PUBLISHER: Nintendo DEVELOPER: Camelot Software, Inc.

PLATFORM: Nintendo Switch

MARIO GOLF Swinging into N64 Online

ESRB RATING: E OVERALL RATING:

★★★★★

REVIEW BY

STEVEN PRYOR

@STEVENPRR2PRYOR

More than 20 years after its original release on Nintendo 64, the first “Mario Golf” has joined the titles on Nintendo 64 Online for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. As the first of another spinoff series that would go on to become a beloved section of the “Mario” franchise in its own right, the game has made a great return to modern hardware.

Developed by Camelot Software, the game is a highly-engaging golf title featuring a wide variety of Mario characters alongside two golfers created for the game. Their names are Charlie and

Plum. Rather than the simulation style of golf defined by the likes of EA’s “Tiger Woods Golf” and 2K Games’ “PGA 2K” series, Camelot takes an approach that mixes arcade-style gameplay with role-playing game progression. Both features would become key fixtures of future “Mario Golf” games, with golfers

5-Word Book

and courses being unlocked through gaining experience points and completing challenges for “Birdie Badges” in each hole.

The visuals and sound are emulated in near-perfect quality, and the title still remains a deep and engaging experience long after its original release in 1999.

The variety of course designs, along with

CLICK HERE FOR CROSSWORD

reviews

a wide range of playstyles for each of the golfers makes for a large amount of replay value over 20 years since the game’s first release.

Overall, “Mario Golf” is well worth playing as part of the N64 Online service, sinking its shot in its new console and is an easy game to recommend.

CLICK HERE FOR SUDOKU

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

BY LEAH BIESACK

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.45)

Bad News, Margaret Atwood Solid case to not reproduce.

4 6 3 7

Southern Horrors, Ida B. Wells Historical accounts of American monsters.

6

3

1

8

7 1

PHOTO: MACROVECTOR

2 7

9

4

There Was Once, Margaret Atwood Quick and quippy and fun.

5

9

9 8

5

4

Attend Events Planned By the SLC Through Week 7 a $5 Dutch Bros gift card.

On Tuesday, there will be an online bullet journaling event. Dionna Camp, who works at LBCC’s Center for Accessibility Resources, will be hosting this event. It will be at 1pm via Zoom.

Wednesday will be dedicated to two Wellness Trail walks on the Albany Campus from 9 to 10am and 1 to 2pm. Meet at the Wellness Trail at either of those times to walk and talk with your peers!

On Thursday, come to the Spring Extravaganza in the Albany Courtyard! There will be a plethora of fun activities to help destress from the hustle of life. The event will also include a visit from local organizations, such as CARDV and

Sarah’s Place. We’ll also have other local mental health resources there as well.

At the end of the week, we are hosting a “Friendship Friday”, where everyone is encouraged (but not required to) post on LBLive about their mental health struggles, personal journey, or to just ask for advice and tips. In the Student Union from 11 am to 3 pm there will be coffee, tea, bagels, and donuts as well as board games for students to come in and enjoy spending time with each other.

Please stay tuned to the SLC’s social media accounts for national mental health resources and tips!

LBCCStudentLeaders

@slc.connect

3

1 6

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Thu May 5 20:36:47 2022 GMT. Enjoy!

Roadrunners, do you struggle with mental health issues that impact your life?

Well, the students have spoken.

Mental health awareness and resources are a major issue that needs to be addressed on our campus. To help spread support, the Student Leadership Council is hosting a Mental Health Awareness week from May 9 to May 13 to provide better resources and mental health tips on campus.

To start the week off, we will have a coloring event deemed “Mindful Monday”, which will be held at the library. The same coloring pages will also be posted on LBLive and will be a part of that week’s Roadrunner Rewards contest to be entered to win

2

2

9 5

8

3

4

10

SPORTS

MAY 6, 2022

LBCOMMUTER.COM 

Roadrunners win I-5 Showdown

Eugene Marathon

STORY BY CARSYN MEYERS

STORY AND PHOTOS BY LOGAN HANNIGAN-DOWNS

The Linn-Benton Baseball team won both of their games against Lane Community College on Sunday, May 1.

The Roadrunners improved to 14-6 in the NWAC South Region, and 27-10 on the season. The Titans fell to 13-7 in the NWAC South Region, and 28-12 on the season.

The Roadrunners took three of the four games in their series against the Lane Titans, giving them sole possession of first place in the NWAC South Region. The South Region race for first has been heating up. The Titans and Umpqua Riverhawks sit only game behind first, while the Mt. Hood Saints sit two games back.

In game one the Roadrunners won 7-2. In a game where the Beaks needed him most, Kian Hogan came out and delivered. Hogan went 8 innings, giving up 1 run on 5 hits, while striking out 7. Hogan has performed well all year, improving to 5-1 on the season with a 1.37 ERA. Roadrunners Michael Soper and JJ Hoover were the catalysts for the Beaks offense. Soper went 2-5 with 3 RBI. A two-out single by Soper in the bottom of the second brought in two runs and gave the Runners an early lead. A double

by Hoover in the bottom of the sixth brought in two more and extended the lead to 5.

“I just came in aggressive … sticking with our approach of hitting fastballs, and went out there with a whole lot of trust.” Soper said.

In game two the Roadrunners continued their offensive explosion, winning 11-2. Roadrunner Kaden Miller went 4 innings, giving up 2 runs on 8 hits. Roadrunner Brady Baltus picked up the win going 3 ⅔ innings in relief allowing no runs on 3 hits. Four different Roadrunners had at least 2 RBI. Most noticeably Soper, who combined for 5 RBI on the day. Roadrunner Ruben Cedillo went 4 for 5 with 2 RBI and 3 runs. Cedillo had a bases clearing 2-RBI double in the seventh inning.

The Roadrunners combined for the most runs they’ve scored in any fourgame series this year with 37.

“It just started to click a little bit. Guys are getting a little more comfortable, some of our top guys are setting the tone getting it going in the first inning,” Roadrunner Head Coach Andy Peterson said.

Need help?

Call the LBCC Mental Health Crisis Line.

24/7 Crisis Support

541-917-4666

Runners stream up Agate Street at the start of the Eugene Marathon held on Sunday, May 1. Approximately 7,500 runners took part in the event, which was held in person for the first time since 2019.

Marathon runners take the Autzen Stadium Path.

Two friends finish the half marathon race.

EUGENE — The Eugene marathon held its first in person race since 2019 on Sunday, May 1. The race attracted close to 7,500 participants in both the full marathon distance and the half marathon, run at the same time. Both races finished on Hayward Field and each

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

finisher medal contained wood from the grandstands of the old Hayward that was torn down in 2018. The event attracts people from all over the United States and some international runners as well.