The Commuter: June 2, 2021

T H E

L I N N - B E N T O N

VOL. 52 EDITION 27

C O M M U N I T Y

C O L L E G E

JUNE 2, 2021

Relax, Unwind

and

Log OFF! 12:36 PM

Inside this Edition

GRAPHICS FREEPIK.COM

ARTIST ACHIEVEMENTS

SEE PAGES 3-5

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

SEE PAGE 9

ILLUSTRATION REBECCA FEWLESS

ALOHA MAUI

SEE PAGES 10-11

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Message From The Editor

Editor of The Commuter Reflects on the Year and Looks to the Future 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

COLUMN BY KATIE LITTLEFIELD

For the past year I’ve worked as the Editor of The Commuter. Reflecting on the year I am reminded how it has turned out to be more challenging and rewarding than I originally expected.

I had a year's worth of experience during my freshman year of college when I worked as a reporter, photographer, and managing editor at The Commuter, so I felt confident that I could handle being the Editor. I didn’t consider how different and difficult things would be during a worldwide pandemic.

Working from home quickly proved to be a challenge. I was taking full time online classes, working as Editor from home and upholding a part-time job.

Though this was mentally and physically tolling, I learned and gained a lot from my experience.

Working at the Commuter is easily the best accomplishment I’ve achieved in my life. I’ve grown and have learned so much from my team. They’ve

shown me compassion, patience, hard work, and how to remain upbeat during trying times.

Having a strong team was important to me and I think we’ve proved successful in that department. We put together a weekly newsletter and have improved our website and social media.

I’m very proud of what The Commuter has accomplished during this challenging and unprecedented school year.

Dakota Gange will be my successor and I couldn’t be happier. During the beginning of winter term, 2020/21, she became The Commuter’s Student Voice Editor. This was a new position created just for her to suit her skills. Gange flourishes in the journalism environment. She’s a joy to work and communicate with, she’s an excellent writer and journalist. I have full confidence in her capabilities to work as the Editor and I’m excited to see what she and her team creates.

Web Address: LBCommuter.com Phone: 541-917-4451, 4452 or 4449 Email: commuter@linnbenton.edu Twitter @LBCommuter Facebook LBCC The Commuter

Wellness Wednesday

Instagram @LBCommuter

Our Staff Adviser Rob Priewe

Editor-in-Chief Katie Littlefield Layout Designer Rebecca Fewless Marketing/Advertising Isaieh Heiken Sean Ramos A&E Steven Pryor Joshua Bloedel Photography Editor Hikari Kawai Student Voice Editor Dakota Gange Web Master Marci Sischo Copy Editor Bowen Orcutt Contributors Karen Canan Brenda Autry Tanner Johnson Leah Biesack Alistair Woods Sydney Greene Aidan Arthur Mattea Hellman Blaine Larsen Carlie Cari Ethan Phifer MacKayla Tokar Sadie Beam Si Matta

June Swoon STORY BY

LISA HOOGESTEGER

You may be graduating. Or if you’re on semesters instead of quarters, you may already be a graduate. Congrats!

You may be looking forward to actual summer (solstice) and not just for hot weather. It’s possible your school year is coming to an end. And just maybe you have actual plans for summer vacation that could include travel. Is that all vague enough?

All definitions from Dictionary.com Swoon - to enter a state of hysterical rapture or ecstasy: Remembrancer - a reminder; memento; souvenir.

Pièce de résistance - the most noteworthy or prized feature, aspect, event, article, etc., of a series or group; special item or attraction.

What sort of noteworthy thing happened to you in this past year? Is there a COVID moment that stands out to you? I don’t have a moment. I have a bunch of moments. None are particularly spectacular. I wonder 5-10 years from now what will be the big “takeaway” from this time. Especially since “time” as a concept has become amorphous. Our usual markers of time are just not there.

Even the seasons don’t have the same markers as hurricanes come earlier, heat

waves start sooner, snow keeps falling and fire/earthquake preparation seems like a rationale prepper thing to do.

Peradventure - it may be; maybe; possibly; perhaps.

Skylark - to frolic; sport.

Wellness - the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort.

For your personal wellness, including social, emotional, community and environmental wellness - note that the definition above states it is “the result of deliberate effort”. Take charge, take a moment, get outside, get in tents (intense).

Wishing you all a great summer, whatever it brings, and whatever new words you learn. Enjoy the journey.

GRAPHIC: FREEPIK.COM

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JUNE 2, 2021

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Cheers to a Great Year!

An Inspiring Message to Students

STORY BY TANNER JOHNSON As Spring Term 2021 comes to a close, many students are gearing up for one last push through finals. Amidst all of the studying, flashcards, and final projects, it’s easy to lose sight of the many other lessons college has taught us.

I reached out to my fellow LBCC students to find out what this school year has taught them outside of their textbooks.

For many, they learned how to overcome obstacles such as procrastination and burnout, crafting a new mindset for themselves along the way.

In the spirit of Mental Health Awareness Month, student Danae Fouts took to the LB Live app to share her daily mindset. The daily posts featured her struggles with motivation, and her victories with overcoming it. When asked about how she overcame her struggles, she credited reaching out to her instructors and the advising center.

“I hope to make more connections next year and experience life on campus. I also hope to see more of LBCC’s resources used by students and lots of participation at events.”

Sarah Fraser had similar experiences as well. “I think my biggest struggle

was getting everything done in a timely manner,” stated Sarah, “I just took it one day at a time.”

After reflecting on this past school year, Sarah also noted, “my advice to new and/or struggling students is to have fun, experience college as best as you can, take deep breaths, use the resources provided, and ask as many questions as possible.

That is what our instructors are here for!”

Without a doubt, this school year has been one like no other. Despite the many challenges LBCC students have encountered along the way, they have risen to the occasion and taken control of their own education. Through the trials,

they have learned valuable lessons about themselves, and hope that future students will learn from their experiences.

Other Quotes: “I’m learning to be more confident and capable by challenging myself more. I’m not there yet, but I’m trying.” -Danae Fouts “I feel like I learned to be more positive and to be a more go with the flow type of person. I hope to continue taking it one day at a time and go with the flow a bit more than before.” -Sarah Fraser

Commuter Accomplishments The Commuter Snags 13 Awards in This Year's Oregon Collegiate Newspaper Contest

STORY BY emphasizing online classes ►Best Writing, second place, Brenda THE COMMUTER STAFF Autry

The Commuter earned 13 awards -- including seven first-place awards -- in this year's Oregon Collegiate Newspaper Contest sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.

The awards were announced May 7 during the annual Collegiate Day journalism workshop and awards program, which were held virtually this year.

The winners were: ►Headline Writing, first place, Commuter staff ►Best Sports Story, first place, Brenda Autry, focusing on boxing ►Best Columnist, first place, Ericka Donner ►Best Spot News, first place, Jakob Jones, for coverage of an Albany Black Lives Matter protest ►Best Photography, first place, Jakob Jones ►Best Design, first place, Rebecca Fewless/Jakob Jones ►Best Graphic, first place, Rebecca Fewless, for a Commuter cover

►Best Special Section, second place, Staff ►Best Special Section, third place, Staff ►Best Sports Photo, third place, Brenda Autry, for a boxing photo ►Best Graphic, third place, Jakob Jones, for a front-page image of a spotted owl ►Best House Ad, third place, Rebecca Fewless, urging people to vote

The work of the Commuter staff was judged against other community college newspapers around the state of Oregon. All work was published in the newspaper or online during the 2020 calendar year.

Collegiate Day is an annual journalism workshop that typically involves more than 100 college journalists from community colleges and universities around the state each spring. LBCC has hosted the event a half dozen times over the past decade.

In addition to earning awards for their work, the students get the opportunity to learn from

professional journalists about topics such as digital journalism, interviewing, photojournalism, graphic design and editing. This year’s event featured Tennessee journalist and writer Kevin

Slimp, who shared design tips and discussed entrepreneurial journalism, featuring the work of several successful young journalists.

Student Artist Achievements Linn-Benton Congratulates the Winners of the 2021 Student Art Show Awards

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ENTIRE SHOW

Buchele Creative Risk Award went to Rose Pond for Walking with my ancestors to school

Creative Clay Awards went to Jessica Hitzman for Hex, Drugs, and Rock’n’Roll and to Gabrielle Williams for Fire & Ice Bowl

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Award for Artistic Excellence went to Madoc Riseley for Brain Clip

Jay C. Thomas Memorial Award went to Liam Lee for Creation of Steven

ASSH Division Award went to Susannah Cray for Wounded and Silenced

President’s Purchase Award went to Jennie Link for The Morning.

The Photography Award, and the Willamette Valley Photo Arts Guild Awards went to Jennie Link for Fallen and to Susannah Cray for Sea Spray 4

Best in Graphic Media went to Liam Lee for Fried Egg Jellyfish

New Emerging Mainstream Award went to Jamie Villarreal for The Power Within Me.

Best in Show went to Isabeau Mandelkow for The Orange Orchard.

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Art Faculty Award of Merit went to Meredith Love for Barn Swallow

Best in 3D & 4D went to Jessica Hitzman for It’s Uter-I, not Uter-us.

Best in 2D went to Carly Szedlak for Early Summer Trompe L’oeil

Blick’s Art Store Award went to Rebecca Fewless for Weekend Getaway.

Printmaking & Printing went to Kacey Montgomery for California Quail.

Best in Drawing and Artistic Innovation Award went to Jamie Villarreal for Disoriented.

Digital Art Award went to Taylor Prosa for Fuck Gender Lets Eat Pop Rocks.

Freedom of Expression Award went to Lillian Carman for Illusion.

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Civil Discourse — Engage in it!

From Students to Students: Why You Should Engage in Civil Discourse Christopher Harris Hometown: Mill City Major: Psychology and Philosophy Transferring to University of Oregon

COLUMN BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS

An unfortunate series of events in our country has led to large perception gaps. This has all but eliminated communication between many people.

College students who once felt free to express their views and be exposed to other’s ideas, are now self-censoring and avoiding engagement. The Civil Discourse Program here at LBCC is attempting to do the right things and get people to engage with one another; a fact that drew me in and helped me become a student leader in the program. Being an older member of the LBCC community (sometimes older than my professors), I have a unique perspective on our current state of affairs. Compared to my first time being in college back in 2001, I have seen a vast difference in the way people engage

(or are willing to engage) outside of their own echo chambers

As a firm believer in the sanctity of free expression, this is something that I’ve had a hard time adjusting to.

Eventually, I decided not to adjust the way I am to fit into a world that, let us

COLUMN BY SUSANNAH CRAY

I initially heard about the Civil Discourse Program last Fall before starting my first term at LBCC. As a Political Science major who is interested in law and debate, I was drawn to the idea of helping combat the uncivil and polarizing rhetoric that fills the political arena. My goal in college and beyond is to help restore civility to political discourse so people can actually consider each other’s opinions without being alienated by a person’s party affiliation.

Recently, I’ve noticed that there are some issues where I disagree with the position of the political party I typically vote for. It seems there are no viable candidates that have mixed ideologies. Engaging in civil discourse is necessary if we are to find ways to combat the political system in which

be honest, wants you to agree with it or does not want you to speak your mind.

This is why extracurriculars like the Civil Discourse Program are of such great importance. People need to know it is okay to speak your mind and to disagree with each other. The world is not black and white. If you look closely, there is a lot of grey where your beliefs align with the people you disagree with. If you think about this in the political world, there is a lot more purple than red or blue.

Why should a student participate in civil discourse? Because others will benefit from hearing your honest point of view. Be that person who changes the way

Susannah Cray Hometown: Sweet Home Major: Political Science Transferring to Columbia University

only those who fit within the ideological molds of one of the two major parties can be truly represented in government. Civil discourse promotes respect and friendship across divides and brings people with diverse opinions together. This is a vital practice to engage in for anyone who wishes to reform a political system that increasingly panders to the extremes.

Through being a student leader in the Civil Discourse Program, I realized my desire to challenge the dominant ideologies that control the political sphere. I also learned how to better engage with those with whom I disagree. During our Fall debate on the Portland protests, I acquired a better

understanding of the reasoning behind views that differed from my own and gained awareness on how nuanced many of these subjects are. Each of our events has helped me discover how meaningful spending time discussing important and controversial issues with kindness can be; I never thought

people think about the group they assign you to! Be that person who is willing to cross those small bridges and find common ground with those you disagree with! Stop and think before you hastily engage someone. Don’t allow yourself to be full of anger, fear, or pride. Engage, actively listen, talk, and see where you end up. If you do, you can get rid of a lot of unnecessary stress that self censoring causes.

I’d like to end with a quotation from the late Supreme Court Justice, Louis Brandeis, that I hope will ring as true to you as it has for me: “If there be time to expose through discussion, the falsehoods and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.” Do not silence yourself or others for comfort. If you do, we may never see an unhappier place. that an hour on Zoom could mean so much and be so encouraging for people!

Overall, our program has further developed my communication and leadership skills and prepared me to transfer to Columbia University in New York City this coming Fall.

I believe all students should regularly engage in civil discourse during their time at LBCC. The practice will help you gain new insights and skills that help you grow as a person. It also seems that if we all don’t make an effort to engage with those who think differently, our democracy will continue to devolve into two competing tribes that fail to cooperate with each other.

I’m very thankful that I have been involved with the Civil Discourse Program this year. My only disappointment is that the pandemic prevented me from standing on street corners while holding a sign that says Free Intelligent Conversation.

COLUMN BY MARK MUNOZ

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In 2019 I entered my first year of college here at LBCC in search of numerous things: a fresh start, new friends, a degree, and growth. But when I first stepped in that door on day one, I was not looking for real growth. My focus was set on keeping my head down and simply grinding through school. I kept this attitude for the entirety of freshman year, and it actually went relatively well. However, I didn’t really find any of the things I was truly searching for, as there was no self-improvement to be found by clinging to a past version of myself. That all changed after the Fall term of this year when I became a student leader for LBCC’s Civil Discourse Program.

I remember sitting in the same exact spot as I am right now, as I read Urista’s email offering me a role as a student leader.

Although I was nervous, the program was an opportunity to try something new and challenging during my college experience.

Yet I couldn’t help but ask myself, “why should I engage in civil discourse?” I didn’t know the answer at the time, but I took the leap anyway; regardless of how uncomfortable it might have been initially.

These last two terms have shown me the answers I was looking for. Being a member of the Civil Discourse Program has created unmatched opportunities for growth as a student, communicator, and human

Mark Munoz Hometown: Medford Major: Speech Communication Transferring to Oregon State University

being. Taking on the role of a student leader put me in a position of responsibility that I had never known before. During Winter term, I took the lead in organizing a discussion on a short film called Purple. This experience involved facilitating a daring, yet honest conversation between people with very different political perspectives who might not have had a reason to speak otherwise. I also participated in a few Braver Angels debates, co-authored op-eds, and so much more.

By taking a leap of faith and trying something new, I found good friends, a fresh start, and developed skills that directly apply to my degree. Most importantly, I experienced real growth. The same could be true for you.

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JUNE 2, 2021

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 Moriah Rivera-Lawrence Hometown: Albany Graduated with an Associate of Science, Communication emphasis

COLUMN BY MORIAH RIVERA-LAWRENCE

When I started college at LBCC in 2015, I wanted to get a degree, make friends, and learn more about the world.

I became a student leader when the Civil Discourse Program started off as the Civil Discourse Club in 2017. Now I am an Alumni Volunteer for LBCC and a member of Braver Angels.

Joining the Civil Discourse Program has helped me learn how to work with groups full of differing perspectives, make meaningful connections, and listen to what others have to say about their lived experiences. It also has helped me find my own voice.

Civil discourse allows for space where people can develop communication skills and practice them in an environment where learning is encouraged and mistakes are part of the journey. This space has shown me how to respectfully and openly speak my mind

on issues I care about in a way no other learning experience has. I’ve developed the ability to constructively discuss and debate a variety of difficult topics from controversial artwork on campus to mandatory vaccination.

The skills I’ve built here haven’t just made my resume a little more interesting, they’ve also helped me advocate for myself outside of

COLUMN BY here at LBCC. I can not stress enough how having your views challenged in a BRANDON CALHOUN respectful environment can not only help

I hail from a community in rural Southern Oregon with strong conservative values that were instilled at a very young age. When I started college at LBCC, my father warned me to keep my head down and avoid being targeted for my conservative beliefs. After my first term, I realized that there was no reason to hide. Through the practice of civil discourse, I realized that I had never branched out from my early beliefs and that “the other” is not my enemy but merely a person that has been brought up in a different way.

Engaging in civil discourse is essential for the development of students

you strengthen where you stand, but also give you a chance to step into another person’s shoes and see an issue from their perspective. I personally have had many of my beliefs challenged (and sometimes changed) through actively going out and trying to understand other people. My favorite example of this was a discussion the Civil Discourse Program had about firearms. During this conversation, there were multiple people who brought up how their lives have been negatively affected by guns. Although these points did not change my stance on the issue (I’m a strong believer in the Second Amendment), it allowed me to empathize

school. During much of my time postgraduation, I have been battling chronic illness. Getting through the medical system to find help when you have a mystery illness requires hours of research, the ability to compress ideas into a short, persuasive speech, and the confidence to speak clearly just to get from your family doctor to a specialist. Thanks to all of my hard work with our program, I was able to convince my doctors to send me to a specialist with a binder of research and some persuasion. There, I finally found a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

This has significantly changed my life for the better. I wouldn’t have been able to advocate for myself like that without the skills I developed while debating.

The time I’ve spent working on

civil discourse has created relationships with others who are looking to change the world for the better and who want to connect with others. Learning to listen to them well has been one of the most valuable parts of this experience for me.

Civil discourse offers an opportunity for listeners to build bridges and engage with “the other side.” It encourages a group to reach for genuine solutions rather than simply returning to gridlock. In our Braver Angel’s debate, “Do Online College Classes Do More Harm Than Good?”, by the end, it felt like rather than focusing on differences, participants wanted to find solutions to common issues and figure out how to implement them realistically.

Engaging in civil discourse will help you develop valuable life skills, connections, and the ability to listen to different perspectives. The skills you learn might help you in all kinds of unexpected ways!

Brandon Calhoun Hometown: Medford Graduate with an Associate of Science, Communication emphasis

with their concerns and not view them as someone who doesn’t understand firearms. I learned that there is a reason why they stand where they do and gained a new respect for their beliefs. This is what I truly think the college experience is about; learning more about the world and those around you through dialogue.

During my time as a student leader in the Civil Discourse Program, other students and I have been able to bring people together that you would likely never see actually sitting down and having a conversation with one another.

These experiences have helped me grow and better myself as a person. They can also do the same for you.

Roadrunner

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JUNE 2, 2021

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Imagination Comes to Life Trip to Hollywood's Universal Studios Brings Forth New Inspiration

COLUMN BY KATIE LITTLEFIELD

My eyes slowly opened with a light knock on my door. As I glanced out the window, I noticed the sun had yet to rise. And the door opened.

“Get dressed, we’re leaving in 30 minutes,” my mom said as she flipped on my bedroom lights.

I hopped out of bed in my Hello Kitty onesie and began to change. After getting dressed I grabbed my backpack, stuffed bunny and ran down the stairs. My parents rustled through their bags, double-checked their packing list, and started to bring our luggage to our gray 2001 minivan. I grabbed Eggo waffles out of the toaster and glanced at the microwave clock. It read 4:30 a.m.

Driving from Oakridge, Oregon to Los Angeles, California adds up to a 12-and-ahalf hour road trip. Luckily for me I had grown out of my carsick phase. Well, for the most part. Any nauseous moments I would face on this trip were worth it. I was on my way to my favorite place in the world -- Universal Studios Hollywood.

My brother, Sam, and I curiously explore Universal Studios' many sights.

My brother, dad and I outside of Universal Studios.

I’ve only been there a few times, but every time it left an amazing impression on me. As a kid with an overactive imagination, this place was everything I needed to keep me entertained. Every time my parents brought home a movie that opened with the iconic Universal Studios orchestra I would get excited by just being reminded of my favorite place.

After a couple hours listening to my parents bickering over the traffic, we finally found ourselves on Universal’s City Walk.

Large crowds made their way to and from Universal Studios just up ahead. The City Walk At Universal Studios you can find an abundance of characters such as Spider-man, Shrek, Spongebob, and Dora.

SAFETY SUGGESTION BOX LBCC has a Safety Committee whose goal is to identify and eliminate risks on our campus, and to prevent accidents and illnesses through the involvement of employees, managers, and students in an effort to provide a safe and healthy place to both work and learn.

A "Safety Suggestion Box" is available to provide a way for you to communicate your safety concerns, hazards spotted, and suggestions for promoting safety.

Please email your suggestions, comments, concerns to: safetycommittee@linnbenton.edu

Safety Tip of the Week: Whether you are at work, at home or at play, being safe will save the day. ► 8 Workplace Safety Tips Every Employee Should Know ► 7 Easy to Follow Home Safety Tips ► Summer Safety and Extreme Heat Safety

slowly immersed us in the world of cinema. We saw a blue-tinted King Kong hung off of a City Walk sign, Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Sweets and Treats. King Kong was my favorite.

While we walked through the busy bricked road, we heard bands playing all around. There was an official stage, but that didn’t stop common folk from sharing their talents elsewhere. A lonely man playing acoustic guitar with a hat lying in front of him and a woman cosplaying as Marilynn Monroe looking to make a few bucks for photo cameos.

I impatiently tugged at my mom's arm in an effort to get through the City Walk faster, with little success. Finally, we made it to the gates. After we had our picture taken in front of the iconic Universal Studios logo, we got inside.

Being inside was an absolute thrill.

All of my favorite characters -- Scooby Doo, Spongebob Squarepants, Dora The Explorer -- came up and greeted me. With the biggest smile on my face I asked them all of my dying questions about their shows. Maybe I just wanted to pretend they were real or maybe I was really convinced. My brother was almost as excited as me when he met Spider-Man, his favorite superhero.

I loved visiting Universal Studios for a lot of reasons, but my number-one reason was the rides. My mom calls me an “adrenaline junkie,” so it only made sense that I wanted to go on every ride as many times as possible.

My favorites are the Jurassic Park themed ride that is an immersive tour of the dinosaurs in captivity until a few minutes into the ride the dinosaurs break out of their cages and interfere with the ride. Another great one is Revenge of the Mummy, an indoor ride that is in a pitch-black room and that features glowup mummies and skeletons that popped up to scare riders. And the Bus Tour, a seemingly ordinary bus tour that shows the behind-thescenes of all things Universal and features a realistic interactive scene with King Kong

My brother is not as big of a fan of rides as I am.

throwing the bus around. This stuff blew my mind. I couldn’t get enough of it.

After wearing ourselves out from walking in the beaming sun all day, we decided to stop for some food. I insisted on staying fully immersed in the cinematic universe, so Taco Bell was not an option. Instead we waltzed into Simpson’s town and treated ourselves to their giant pink donut. It was exactly how one would expect it to be, too sweet and too big. We voted to break the immersion with the good ol’ reliable corn dogs.

We returned to our hotel to sleep off the day. Still on cloud nine, I ended the trip with a dip in the hot tub. I would later find out this decision caused a staph infection to cover my entire body.

Whoops.

I slept the entire way home and slept some more once we arrived. As I lay in my bed with sleepy eyes, I looked around my room and saw a Dora stuffed doll, Scooby Doo board game, Spongebob rain boots, and dinosaur figurines. I smiled knowing that I had brought home new life to put into them.

Universal was the place that allowed my imagination to come to life.

My brother, dad and I are regaining our energy after a long day.

 COMMUTER@LINNBENTON.EDU

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Oregon Summer Bucket List LBCC Staffer Shares Her Summer Bucket List

COLUMN BY BRENDA AUTRY Summer is here! And if you’re anything like me, that means you’ll be spending the majority of your time outdoors for the next three months. After all, we Oregonians have to soak up all the sun we can in the summer, right?

Luckily, Oregon is beautiful and diverse, giving us lots of options for outdoor activities.

Hiking, kayaking, camping, exploring the Oregon coast… the list goes on and on. Usually, I find myself with a list of activities too long to fit into one summer - but I do my best anyway.

If you’re looking for some ideas for things to do this summer, here’s the top 5 things from my summer bucket list:

WEBSITES ► Painted Hills ► Wallowa Lake ► Joseph Branch Railriders ► Alvord Desert ► Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

Painted Hills

Wallowa Lake

Location: Wheeler County, Eastern Oregon Distance from LB: 192 miles, about 4 hours

Location: Joseph, Oregon Distance from LB: 402 miles, 6 ½ hours A beautiful glacial lake at the base of the majestic Wallowa Mountains, Wallowa Lake looks like someone transported a scene from the Bavarian Alps to the northeast corner of Oregon. The lake’s day use area features a beach, spots for fishing, picnics, moorage and watercraft rentals. The park also has a campground with tent and RV sites, and yurts.

One of the three units of the John Day Fossil Beds, and listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon, the Painted Hills is a geological site named after the colorful layers of red, tan, orange and black, which correspond to the various geological areas.

There are five trails ranging in length from .25 miles to 1.3 miles. There are vaulted toilets, but no water available so make sure you bring plenty as the desert can be very hot. It is very important to stay on the trails when visiting as walking on the dirt can destroy it.

PHOTO: HIKARI KAWAI

Nearby are several hiking trails and you can take a tram from the village to the top of Mt. Howard (8,200 ft elevation) where you’ll be able to hike around in unspoiled forest and get unmatchable views of Wallowa Lake and the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

PHOTO: BY INSTAGRAM USER @KITTENSANDKEYS

Joseph Branch Railriders

Location: Joseph, Oregon Distance from LB: 399 miles, 6 ½ hours

Peddle a rail cart up to 20 miles on one of five different scenic trails - including a night-time Bigfoot hunt! This guided rail cart tour has been on my bucket list for years! Tandem cars run from $70-$100 and quad cars run from $130 - $180 and run Thursday through Sunday.

Visit their website https://jbrailriders.com/ for more information.

PHOTO: JBRAILRIDERS.COM

Alvord Desert

Location: Harney County, Oregon Distance from LB: 360 miles, 6 ½ hours The Alvord Desert is unlike any other landscape in Oregon. The salt flats lay in the shadows of the Steens Mountains and along the tectonic fault which are responsible for the uplift of the Steens Mountains and still causes geothermal activity in the area - including the Alvord Hotsprings. One popular - and free - activity is camping right on the salt flats. Just be aware that another popular activity is driving at high speeds so it's best to camp towards the edges of the flats and keep a light on all night to prevent any accidents. Also, the desert gets cold at night, so be sure and bring enough layers to stay warm.

PHOTO: LOCALADVENTURER.COM

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Location: Between Brooking and Gold Beach, Oregon Distance from LB: 264 miles, 5 hours

This 12 mile stretch of Hwy 101 between Brookings, Oregon and Gold Beach, Oregon is one of the most scenic places in Oregon. Competing with giant rock formations, craggy bluffs, and secret beaches, there is so much to explore on this relatively tiny stretch of coastline.

You can drive on 101 and stop at each marked viewpoint, trails and picnic areas, or you can hike all, or part of the 18-mile Oregon Coast Trail that runs the same stretch of land. Either way you’re sure to find some beautiful sites.

PHOTO: ANDREW WOJTANIK

Hopefully this inspires you to make a summer bucket list of your own and get outside and explore!

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COLUMN

JUNE 2, 2021

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Aloha Is a State of Mind A Seemingly Ironic Pandemic-free Escape; My Sporadic Trip to Maui

COLUMN BY DAKOTA GANGE

Finding myself 10,000 feet above sea level on top of Haleakala, the highest (dormant) volcano in Maui, in the middle of spring term, was definitely not what I expected. And as wonderfully playful and peaceful as the beaches are, there was something so majestic about watching the sunset reflect off the ocean through a peak in the sea of clouds I was above. “Wow, just wow,” I caught myself in a long, dragged out whisper to the wind as the blues, pinks, and oranges spilled across the sky ahead.

“Wow,” a gentle bystander whispered back in between his breaths as he played a triballike flutte.

With a baby due this September, my honey and I were lucky enough to have a baby-moon before his arrival. Expecting this to be the last big travel excursion for a while, I soaked in every breathtaking detail I could. My dreams, both day and night, are still penetrated by the sunsets, blue ocean, warm sand, tropical fish, and lush greenery.

We met some close friends there who joined us for half of the trip. We spun fire together on the dark beaches at night, and enjoyed an adventurous week together.

There’s something about the island vibe -- people are not in a rush. They take their time, stopping to smell the hibiscus flowers. It’s peaceful there, the way the locals do things. I had to constantly remind myself to not be upset that I didn’t get up as early as I wanted to, and to not be in such a rush to get to our next destination. Maui is truly about the journey upon the island, as the whole thing is saturated with beauty.

Sometimes while there it was like the pandemic didn’t exist. Everyone entering Maui by plane had to have a Covid test within 72 hours before their arrival.

One had to provide proof of a negative test result to roam free around the island or to check into a hotel, and if it was positive, a strict government ten day quarantine was Beach fun is abuzz at Makena Beach.

Rushing waters in the jungle create a waterfall off the road to Hana.

A scary road, but worth it for this sunset at Haleakala.

enforced. However, the hotels made it very clear that if your test was positive, they would not let you check in. Due to these requirements, the majority of people, locals included, were much more lax about the current state of Covid affairs. It was rare to find someone wearing a mask on the beach; smiles were dominant.

After we arrived and checked into the Kaanapali Villas, the first thing we did was head down to one of Maui’s best beaches, Kaanapali Beach for a cool dip in the ocean. It was hot and humid, but nothing short of “worth it.” Our cute little Villa, perfect for two, lining the Kaanapali Beach, also had one of the most adorable little cafe’s; Castaway Cafe. With a beach front open concept, and prices that won't gouge you, it was perfect after a long plane ride or day of exploring.

Waking up early to find some good local island coffee, we headed down to the old historic whaling town of Lahaina to catch our snorkel boat excursion. This town has an abundant history and is one the oldest towns on Maui, dating back to the 1820s. It beholds the oldest Banyan tree on Maui as well -- standing tall and wide at 150 years old. Lahaina is now a tourist and local hot spot, with restaurants, shops, and activities alike. The buildings and structures still seem to represent their age well -- seemingly old.

We boarded our boat to take us to the island of Lanai, with Pacific Whale Foundation.

This eco-conscientious company has nearly four decades of marine research and ecotourism experiences… you know, an excursion you don’t feel guilty about. Our trip was led by certified Marine Naturalists, who could not lay off the overhead speaker. The information was great, but the headache was real. But breakfast was provided!

The ocean was a gorgeous royal blue, with flying fish streaming from the waves of the boat. We stopped twice to watch a mamma grey whale and her baby calf play. We even got the ‘fluke!’

Once we arrived at Lanai, the boat hoisted an anchor and we were off to snorkel for a while. We saw an array of tropical fish, including an almost two foot long rainbow parrot fish that I followed for some time.

On the way back to Maui, a little BBQ and refreshments were included. While I couldn’t indulge in the Mai-Tais and Blue Hawaiians, it was a grand five-hour adventure that only cost $117 per person!

I highly recommend it. Additionally, this company has many other excursion options available, at prices more competitive than what we find on the cold Oregon coast.

The road to Hana was next. This is an extremely popular drive, and getting up at 5 a.m. to avoid the tourist traffic of the day is a must. This road lines the majority of the backside of the island, which is the lush tropical jungle part. It gets a considerable amount of more rainfall than the rest of the island, and it’s very apparent. This road is curvy and lines many cliff edges, and has over 600 bridges! Some of the bridges are one way only; one must drive carefully. The road to Hana is the definition of “it’s all about the journey.” It’s filled with bamboo forests, waterfalls, black sand and red sand beaches, tropical flowers, unique little small local towns, and dense jungle, all alive with a very rich history.

The idea is to make many quicker stops along the way to catch the sights, as this is an all day event. For the first half of the day, we were caught in a downpour. After inevitably getting soaked, a swimsuit became the proper attire. If you ever find yourself on this adventure, I highly recommend using the Gypsy

Island of Lanai snorkel boat adventure. Smooth waters ahead!

Here we are on the road to Hana, on this black sand beach, feeling our baby’s kicks and heartbeat.

Mike Ewing and myself.

Guide application to guide you. I’ve done this trip twice, once on our own and once with this app, and it’s like night and day.

Using the app provides an almost error free experience, where you can relax and enjoy the ride that much more.

Much of the rest of our trip was filled with exploration of the island, different beaches, and restaurants. The hawaiian waters are a deep royal blue with inconsistent streams of turquoise along the yellow-sand beaches. The water was warmer than expected, but cool enough to take the edge of the day-heat off. I found tropical fish at every beach, and some coral reefs were bleached and dead, while some were mountainous, colorful, and teeming with life.

I was lucky enough to swim with one sea turtle at Kapalua Bay Beach.

Getting to this stunning beach early is crucial, as after about 9:00 a.m. it begins to become flocked with tourists. My other must-see-beach-choices are Kaanapali Beach (see link above), Napili Bay, and the gemstone of them all (in my opinion), Makena Beach (both big and little). My favorite snorkeling spot was the all rock and large boulder bay, Honolua Bay. While this bay can appear a little dark and murky at first, you quickly come across mountains of alive and colorful coral reefs -- purple, oranges and yellows -- which are home to lots of colorful complimentary fish.

We spent half of our last day of this ten day memory chasing beaches, where I could snorkel my heart out while my honey laid in the sand under a beach umbrella enjoying a cold one. We squeezed in a two hour submarine excursion off the Lahaina harbor. At 130 feet deep into the ocean, we saw few fish, but did get to see a puffer fish!

A small reef shark was hidden in the darker corners of a (purposefully) sunken ship, and a spotted eagle ray roamed the empty, vast looking blue. This experience was too cool to not take kids on, however, looking back I would’ve spent the whole last day on the beach, or swimming with the fishes, enjoying the palm trees that hung overhead, with my honey.

In Hawaii, Aloha isn’t just a greeting, it’s a way of life. Aloha eases the mind, and soothes the soul. I will be dreaming of islands with every passing day, and the vividness of the water, which will wash your worries away.

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View from our table at Merrimans in Kapalua. The sunsets do not disappoint!

Elikamida Toran and Natalie Rose spin fire in the night on a beach in the town of Kihei.

Thomas Crevola crouches to capture the towering heights of the Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees.

Mike Ewing stares deeply into the blue at 130 feet down in the ocean on our Submarine adventure.

Thomas Crevola clenches the back of Mike Ewings shirt as he leans over an ocean cliff.

A luscious ivy filled jungle path on the way downn to a favorite snorkel spot; Honolua Bay. Mike Ewing enjoying the sun and sand at Makena Beach.

APPRENTICES ARE THE FUTURE The squad and I at a pitstop on the beautiful and curvy road to Hana.

News For You Sign up for The Commuter's new Newsletter, designed for the students, by the students of LBCC! Find local events, campus news, school updates, and more every week Join the Community @lbcommuter or follow this link: http://eepurl.com/heeMtv

Do you have a good work ethic?

An interest in low voltage electrical?

Want to work in varied locations and work environments?

This may be just the path for you!

Area II Limited Energy Electrical JATC

Is accepting applications for the ranked pool: ▸Limited Energy Tech A, starting at $17.74 p/h ▸Limited Energy Tech B, starting at $14.96 p/h

Requirements:

• Age 18 or older • High School Diploma or GED Certificate • Proof of High School Algebra or Equivalent Post-High School Algebra Course with a C or Better

Women, Minorities, and Veterans are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information, email: apprenticeship@linnbenton.edu To Apply, Fill Out Application on Webpage: linnbenton.edu/apprenticeship Graphic: Freepik.com

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SPORTS

JUNE 2, 2021

sports roundup:

LBCOMMUTER.COM 

Cooperative Work Experience for Students

Paid, part-time jobs open to degree-seeking students who are enrolled for six credits or more. Some benefits are available, and a background check and drug screen will be required.

COMPILED BY SYDNEY GREENE

🏀Women’s Basketball

Clackamas Tops Roadrunners 68-57 in South Region Grace Gaither scored 19 points but it wasn't enough as visiting Clackamas stopped Linn-Benton 68-57 in the South Region women's basketball tournament on May 27.

The Roadrunners ended the season 4-6 overall and 3-6 in the NWAC

South Region. Clackamas advances to the title game against Lane on June 2.

The Roadrunners also got 13 points, nine assists and six rebounds from Elizabeth Chavez and eight points and eight rebounds from Kaitlin Ensign.

Student Technician Positions: Analytical Lab - 2 positions open

Environmental Technician: CWE Summer Intern- 2 positions open

Environmental Student Technician - 1 position open Student Technician - Safety - 1 position open Safety Student Technician - 1 position open

Complete the CWE Application found at the bottom of this webpage the jobs are open until filled.

Congratulations class of 2020 and 2021 “CARmencement” LBCC graduates will drive through campus in a vehicle, get cheered on and celebrated by faculty and staff, hear commencement speeches and music, stop at photo stations, and more. Graduates will also be given an opportunity to safely exit the car, walk across the stage, and receive a diploma. Grads are encouraged to decorate their vehicles and join in the festivities!

Wednesday, June 9: Cohort Night From 4 to 8 p.m.

Open to students in Healthcare Occupations, Trades & Manufacturing, Transportation, and Culinary Arts.

Click here If you are Graduating and want to go to CARmencement

Thursday, June 10: General Grad Night from 4 to 8 p.m.

Open to all graduates.

Graduates of both the classes of 2020 and 2021 are invited to register for their preferred date and time slot to attend the celebration. Families and bubble buddies are invited to accompany graduates, within a one-car limit per graduate (no caravans). In addition, the event will be live-streamed for family members watching at home, and a video – including a roll call of graduates – will be posted the week following “CARmencement”.

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JUNE 2, 2021

13

EXPLORE

Oregon

5-Word Book

Reviews

BY LEAH BIESACK

Portland Hill Walks, Laura O. Foster Great for tourists, locals. Outdoors-lite.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare Complicated. The original summer romance.

Oregon’s Best Views: 50 Breathtaking Viewpoint Hikes, Franziska Weinheimer Many ideal third date options.

The Great Outdoors: 120 Recipes for Adventure Cooking, Markus Sämmer Goes way beyond trail mix.

GRAPHIC: FREEPIK.COM

A Stellar Spinoff

STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH

REVIEW BY

STEVEN PRYOR

@STEVENPRR2PRYOR

In the final season of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” a new group of characters was introduced: the team “Clone Force 99,” better known as “The Bad Batch” (collectively voiced by Dee Bradley Baker). Now, due to their popularity among the fanbase, they’ve been given their own spinoff series that’s already joined the ranks of the best animated “Star Wars” content to date.

Taking place directly after the events of “Revenge of the Sith” and before the events of “A New Hope,” the Clone Army of the Republic is set to be replaced by Stormtroopers conscripted by the Galactic Empire by the order of Emperor Sheev Palpatine (voice of Ian McDiarmid).

Teaming up with a young woman named “Omega” (voice of Michelle Ang), the Bad Batch then strikes out on their own as they try to adjust to

CREATOR: Dave Filoni (Based on characters created

by George Lucas) STARRING: Dee Bradley Baker, Michelle Ang, Matthew Wood, Sid O’Brien and Sam Riegel with Ming-Na, Rhea Perlman and Ian McDiarmid AVAILABLE ON: Disney Plus (New episodes streaming Fridays) RATED: TV-PG-V MY RATING: ★★★★★ the changes around them among a new order in the Galaxy.

One of the biggest strengths of the previous series set during the Clone Wars (both the versions

by Genndy Tartakovsky and Dave Filoni) was the close camaraderie of the heroes. That strength still shines through here; much as it has with the 2014 spinoff “Star Wars Rebels'' and the 2017 series “Star

Wars Resistance.” On top of doing a fantastic job of following up Filoni’s work on his Clone Wars series; the stories told by this series connect it to the original and sequel trilogies as well as other spin offs such as “The Mandalorian.” The animation is full of stylish action scenes; and the missions taken up by the Bad Batch see them visiting colorful, exotic

planets.

Even at this initial stretch of the story, “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” has already proven itself to be a worthy successor to both of the previous “Clone Wars” animated series and a stellar animated spinoff in its own right. With new episodes streaming Fridays on Disney Plus; now is the perfect time to get into it.

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A&E

JUNE 2, 2021

LBCOMMUTER.COM 

Wild, Weird and Wonderful

REVIEW BY

STEVEN PRYOR

@STEVENPRR2PRYOR

“Cruella” is the third liveaction adaptation of the novel “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” and the fourth theatrical Disney adaptation overall. Though the film is one of the more experimental live-action reversions of one of Disney’s animated classics; it’s also a surprisingly effective portrayal of one of their most well-known villains.

After being orphaned as a child, the story follows Estella (Emma Stone) as she works her way up from petty thief alongside Jasper ( Joel Fry) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser) to aspiring fashion designer. Partnering with the fashion-conscious Artie ( John McCrea), she adopts the persona of “Cruella” while clashing with a rival designer known as the Baroness (Emma Thompson) against the backdrop of 1970s London. Over the course of the film’s 137-minute runtime, the progression from simple cleaning staff to punk rock fashion queen is as unconventional as it is shockingly compelling.

Rather than relying on the humor that marked the 1961 animated classic and the previous live-action films that starred Gleen Close (who

DISNEY’S CRUELLA DIRECTOR: Craig Gillespie (Based on the novel “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” by Dodie Smith) STARRING: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, Paul Walter Hauser, Emily Beacham, Mark Strong, John McCrea, Kavyn Novak, Kirby-Howell Baptiste, Andrew Leung and Jamie Demetriou AVAILABLE: In theaters and on Disney Plus Premier Access (Streaming for all users this August) RATED: PG-13 MY RATING: ★★★★☆

has a cameo in the film’s finale at the Baroness’ estate); this film is easily Disney’s answer to the standalone “Joker” film from 2019 and the DC Extended Universe’s portrayal of Harley Quinn. Seeing Stone and Thompson’s clashing performances is one of the most engaging aspects of the film. The costume design from Jenny Beavan and Tom Davies is one of the most visually-stunning aspects of the film; and despite the runtime; the cinematography from Nicolas Karakastanis and editing from Tatiana S. Riegel helps keep the film’s pacing as quick as the Baroness’ prized dalmatians. The music is the perfect compliment to the period setting; with a score from Nicolas Britell combining seamlessly with tracks such as Queen’s “Stone Cold Crazy,” the Ohio Players’ “Fire” and Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made For Walking” (one of Cruella’s parties is set to a spirited cover of the Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog”).

Though the film could have been dry as a stale dog biscuit; Disney’s “Cruella” is a wild, weird and wonderful live-action reversion of a classic animated villain. Whether you’re viewing it theatrically or on Disney Plus, if it doesn’t thrill you; then no evil thing will.

U ER

C O R

ADVEN S ' T KY

FREE SUMMER CAMP AT LINN-BENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

FREE Campamento de Verano SUMMER CAMP GRATIS AT LINN-BENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

For all middle and high school students in Linn and Benton

Para todos los estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria en los

counties. LBCC will strictly follow local and state guidance

condados de Linn y Benton. LBCC seguirá estrictamente las

regarding COVID. All camps will be held at LBCC's campus

pautas locales y estatales con respecto a COVID. Todos los

in Albany at 6500 SW Pacific Boulevard.

campamentos se llevarán a cabo en el campus de LBCC en Albany en 6500 SW Pacific Boulevard.

¡COMIENZA EL 6 DE JULIO!

BEGINS JULY 6!

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Have fun with your friends online or in person Hurry and claim your spot

Diviértete con tus amigos en línea o en persona ¡Date prisa y reclama tu lugar!

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STUDENT LEADERSHIP UPDATE

STUDENT LIFE AND LEADERSHIP EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS: LBCC CAMP GUIDE:

► LBCC is running Summer camps on the Albany Campus and is looking for Student Guides to work with our middle school and high school campers. ► June 24th to August 1st. ► 16-29 hours a week.

WORK STUDY POSITIONS:

► We are looking for our student receptionists for next year.

► Not sure if you have work study available to you? Let us know and we can point you in the right direction.

EMAIL GETINVOLVED@LINNBENTON.EDU IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN EITHER POSITION.

VOLUNTEER LBCC HAS OPPORTUNITIES - IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO: ► Boost Resume and Improve Job Prospects ► Develop Skills

► Make Connections

► Lead More Balanced Lives ► Earn LBCC tuition (Must meet specific volunteer goal requirement)

CONNECT TO YOUR FELLOW STUDENTSJOIN US ON LBLIVE

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