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The Independent Student Voice of Mt. Hood Community College
March 14, 2014
MHCC students visit
Today is the last day to withdraw from college
Athletics, activities budgets win final ASG approval
Hai i
by Katelyn Hilsenbeck The Advocate
Graphic by Heather Golan - The Advocate
by Greg Leonov The Advocate Seven MHCC nursing students will leave Oregon for Haiti on Saturday to assist caregivers in a clinic for eight days, gaining valuable experience providing healthcare on an international level. The group will head to a village called Gramothe, about 12 miles south of Portau-Prince, and near the epicenter of the Caribbean island country’s devastating January 2010 earthquake, said Ida Jefsen, president of Mt. Hood’s Student Nurses Association (SNA). The earthquake killed as many as 300,000 people and displaced another 1.5 million, many of whom became homeless, said Christina Elford, SNA vice president. The traveling party consists of volunteers who have teamed up with Mountaintop Ministries. “It is a faith-based organization, but (it doesn’t) require the people who come and volunteer to adhere to any kind of religious doctrine,” Jefsen said. The students plan to provide health-
care and other services to as many Haitians as possible. They will need to be prepared to deal with a very high level of poverty. “Haiti is one of the top 10 poorest countries in the world, and (inhabitants) live, literally, right off the coast of Florida,” said Elford. “It’s hard to understand when you’re the richest country in the world, and even the poorest of our poor are in some ways richer than people in Haiti.” Haitians lack day-to-day basic healthcare necessities. “(If) you live in a country where if you need a Band-Aid and you don’t have any, and nobody has any BandAids, that puts things into a different perspective,” said Jefsen. The students have prepared for their trip by watching YouTube videos and reading books. “I’m reading a book called ‘Mountains Beyond Mountains’ that gives you at least a bit of a political background regarding how Haiti is now,” said Katie Stevens. “There’s only so much you can do.” Reading and hearing stories about
Profile of the month:
working in poverty stricken countries overseas doesn’t prepare students as much as prior experience, which the students lack. “I feel like emotionally preparing yourself for the trip is impossible,” said Jefsen. “You can watch as many videos and movies — accounts from people that have been there — I just don’t think any of that’s gonna do anything, until we go there ourselves.” MHCC instructors have mentored the group, warning that due to lack of needed supplies, they will be unable to fully treat many people. “They need scans or imaging services that are not available,” Jefsen said. “So, sometimes what you have to do is give someone ibuprofen and tell them to go home, but in the back of your head, you know that they have maybe a few months to live.”
Haiti
Continued on page 6
Recognizing deserving students at the recommendation of MHCC staff
Public safety officer ‘dedicated’ by Danny Perez-Crouse The Advocate “There is not a more dedicated, supportive and admirable student.” These words from Cherilyn Nederhiser, MHCC lead Public Safety Officer, describe a student who works to keep the school safe while pursuing his education. Nathan Long was a Public Safety volunteer since Winter Term 2012, on top of being a fulltime student. In the most recent fall term, he became a full-fledged Public Safety officer. “I’ve been really honored to be asked to do it,” he said. As a volunteer for Public Safety, Long’s duty was to patrol the campus and keep an eye
out for anything strange. He said the work was pretty fun — most of the time. He got a lot of good exercise during his shifts and met a lot of new people. He also found it rewarding to help make sure the campus was safe. Long said that he is rarely afraid to lay down the law. “There were instances where I had to tell people that they couldn’t smoke, and some would get upset. I have to let them know that I don’t make the rules, I just enforce them,” he said. He made sure to choose his words carefully, so he didn’t upset anyone.
POTM
Continued on page 6
Nathan Long
Volume 49 Issue 21
After much deliberation, the 2014-15 MHCC student activities and athletics budget has been finalized. The ASG Senate voted unanimously Thursday to adopt the budget, after ASG administrators gave their unanimous approval on Tuesday. The votes capped a difficult process this winter. Each student program was asked to decrease its proposed budget by 17 percent to reflect the anticipated (and ongoing) decrease in MHCC enrollment and the resulting drop in student fees that pay for athletics and activities. ASG hosted two budget forums on March 3 and 6 to present the budget package that student groups had submitted to the Student Finance Council. The Council approved the athletics budget on Feb. 13 and the activities budget on Feb. 20. The forums offered community members – including Mt. Hood students, faculty and staff – the opportunity to comment on the collective decisions made by students who represented their programs. ASG retains the right to alter the budget based on those public comments, but no changes were made at the Tuesday or Thursday meetings. The budget will be reviewed by Robert Cox, MHCC dean of Student Success and Enrollment Management, and the school’s budget office before being presented to the MHCC District board. Jonathan Beaman, ASG director of finance and Student Finance Council facilitator, said most questions asked at last week’s forums were focused on policy. However, 48 students asked why the budget for the Forensics program (speech and debate) was not reduced more drastically, since the program’s funding has mostly held steady since the 2008-09 school year, while others have suffered larger cutbacks. The Forensics budget for 2014-15 is currently $31,760, down just $4,214 from the current year. Beaman explained that when Mt. Hood’s enrollment spiked (following the economic downturn in 2007-08), the Forensics budget did not swell at the same rate as those for other programs. Meantime, nine students protested the impact of the mandated reductions on ASG itself, Beaman said. They complained it was “not fair that ASG had to cut so much,” he said. The ASG administration decreased its budget by $52,000 for the 2014-15 school year, a decline of nearly 29 percent. When ASG was reviewing its budget proposal, Beaman asked the group to not dwell on the “number shock.” He said Laura Aguon, current ASG president who represented ASG during the Finance Council review, knew what she was doing and that ASG can function on the budget amount approved. Elsie Praeger, ASG chief of staff and junior representative during the process, explained the significant cuts to student government were intended to ease the burden on other activities. Four students at the forum questioned why the student Senate retained a large sum of money. Aguon explained the Senate funds are made available to various activities and clubs who might request assistance. As student activity groups see cutbacks, they have the opportunity to offset them with money from Senate, she said. Beaman said it “took a little bit of convincing” to reassure students at the forum the Senate’s budget is “available to them.” The athletics budget did not receive unanimous approval during Finance Council review, Beaman noted. After cutbacks were adopted, an additional $2,700 surfaced that was to be returned to the budget. Debate arose on whether the money should be folded into individual sports’ budgets or into the Assigned Athletics account managed by Kim Hyatt, MHCC athletics director. Ultimately, the funds were placed in the Assigned Athletics account. Softball representatives voted against the budget plan. David Sussman, MHCC manager of Student Union and specialized student services and the administrator who oversees the annual Finance Council proceedings, said the team did not oppose final athletics allocations but believed the overall budget-balancing process had been rushed. Sussman said that athletics representatives were “much more involved this year” than during previous Finance Council deliberations.
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Opinion
March 14, 2014
Editorial: Newspapers are still relevant In this ever-evolving digital age, physical media are constantly being questioned, especially newspapers. Why, for example, should you still be reading this editorial in a standard newspaper, and not just online? We’ll tell you exactly why newspapers are still relevant, and will remain relevant for years. Print newspapers have a more communal appeal. The Oregonian is special to us because of the way it looks and feels in our hands, as opposed the New York Times or any newspaper outside the region. Very few people take pride in their state’s top local website, meanwhile. With a printed paper, there is a greater adherence to weeding out errors. When things are being reported and directly uploaded to the Internet, they are normally rushed, to get the news out as fast as possible. And, that rushed agenda encourages errors to seep into the articles. The benefit of news producers being able to correct online errors is fine and good, but, by the time errors are pointed out, the damage has already been done. Readers will ream writers and editors in the comment section for what might be a tiny little error. Unlike websites, papers are intricately designed so that photos complement the articles, and it’s presented in a digestible and sleek package. The web is just a nonstop stream of articles that rarely have any connection to each other. Websites undoubtedly have their own look and design that are no small effort, but newspapers are a whole different ball game. Websites will only
change their look and format every year or so, while papers take on different structures every issue. Papers have more character. There is more care in how a page is designed in a print edition than on a website. When something has a true physical representation, it feels like a product. A paper is something we can hold, cherish and show to others. There is something special and somewhat brave about creating something that is finalized and cannot be altered. Part of that finality and craft of a newspaper is a conduit to professional respect. If we, at The Advocate, were simply the Mt. Hood Community College website, we probably wouldn’t be taken as seriously. We’re not saying that papers are better in any way to other forms of news consumption. Many people prefer having a constant stream of news that can be easily accessed. And that is how must of us get our news these days. We fully acknowledge the shortcomings of a newspaper, as well. Each has its limits, such as word counts and page space that can inhibit creativity. A writer may have needed an extra one or two hundred words to flesh out his or her article, but just didn’t have the space. Or, possibly a great news story couldn’t be reported because it surfaced too late in the (more complex) production cycle. However, having limits in what and how much can be placed in the paper also has its benefits. Word counts can force writers to streamline their articles and trim the fat. And, most of the
Graphic by Heather Golan - The Advocate
time, you have a paper packed with interesting topics and stories, the cream rising due to competition over limited space in a set number of pages. If print were to die, it would be a heartbreaking loss of a historical mainstay. Since 59 B.C., when Ro-
mans produced Acta Diurna – the “Daily Acts” in Latin, considered the first “newspaper” (in tablet form) – we have learned the world’s trials and tribulations mostly through ground-up tree-sheets. Some of us at The Advocate thought
that newspapers were antiquated, until we actually took part in creating one. It’s a lovely and pleasing arrangement that provides a plethora of reading material in one convenient location. And that type of sentiment just can’t be equaled, online.
Why are textbooks so gosh-darn expensive? by Danny Perez-Crouse The Advocate
It’s a frustration that has plagued college students for years: How come a novel that is cherished for years only costs $20, when a textbook that will be skimmed for three months, and then rendered useless, can cost $90 or more? There are a few legitimate reasons for the high price tag, but many are just asinine cash-grabs and examples of flawed logic. Textbooks have a more rigid publishing cycle than does a typical novel. Since new editions of textbooks are being churned out constantly, and those editions will be serving a niche audi-
ence and lose their relevance quickly, the few editions printed need to have a high enough price to produce any sort of profit for the publisher. J.K. Rowling can churn out Harry Potter books that can be mass-produced well past her lifespan because it has a huge, varied audience and the books never change. The material in these books also partially determines the price. Rather than fiction writers making up stories, many textbooks are crafted by professors who must add updated information on a very specific topic. And, there are typically more than a few professors collaborating to create one book. These people need to be appropriately paid for their services, which helps boost the cost. These reasons may be valid, but they are among the few. One dubious claim by publishers is that the increasing popularity of used books has forced them to raise their prices to make up the difference. The
We asked students about the Oregon Promise Initiative, and here is what they had to say:
constant stream of “new editions” is largely meant to combat the used market. This is just unintelligible economic logic. The reason people buy used books and turn to alternative sources is because the books are so expensive to begin with. If those prices keep going up, people will continue to be further dissuaded from purchasing the new copies. People don’t love the idea of buying used books, and only do so because costs are so high. While students seek alternative paths, many can lead to dead ends. Students have conceded to the possibility of lower grades (by using outdated versions) in favor of saving some dough. If the prices were more manageable, people would be more inclined to buy them. The rate at which prices have increased, and how these fees are implemented, are also ridiculous. A study by the U.S. Government Accountability
Tenesha Tinker
“I don’t think your
Office showed an 82 percent increase in textbook prices from 2002 to 2012. These are not simply routine price hikes to break even; these are increases certain to ensure an egregious profit. Bundling has also become an irritatingly popular business venture for major publishers. All of the recent extras that textbooks include, such as CDs and other digital items, add to the overall cost. And we are not given the choice, normally, to buy the book as just “vanilla.” There’s also a problem in the manner in which instructors choose books, making it woefully inconvenient for students. Many instructors don’t really look at the price of a textbook; they just pick the ones they like. I know that there are plenty of instructors who try to work around this by not requiring a textbook for their course, but many simply don’t care. For a while, the publishers didn’t even tell instructors how much the books were. In 2008, Congress passed a bill requiring
Dustin Hobbs
average or below-average student should be rewarded.”
“I think it’s a good
idea to get kids out of school and straight into college.”
Victoria Cowd
Katelyn Hilsenbeck Hilsenbeck
Living Living Arts ArtsEditor Editor Rebecca Rebecca Gaulke Gaulke
Opinion News Editor Editor Danny KatelynPerez-Crouse Hilsenbeck
News Assistant Editor News Editor Katelyn Greg Leonov Hilsenbeck
Sports SportsEditor Editor Aaron AaronMarshall Marshall
Copy CopyEditor Editor
Danny Perez-Crouse
Reporters
Advisers Advisers Howard BuckBuck Howard Bob Bob Watkins Watkins
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Cameron CameronMiller Miller
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E-mail: E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu advocatt@mhcc.edu 503-491-7250 Phone : 503-491-7250
Dan Dan ErnstErnst
Lindsay Frost
Ad AdManager Manager
To see student reactions to The Oregon Promise Initiative, go to our website, www.advocateonline.net
Submissions Submissions Opinion Editor
Rebecca RebeccaGaulke Gaulke
Carole CaroleRiggs Riggs
“I don’t know
where they get the money for it.”
the Advocate Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-ChiefKatelyn
publishers to better telegraph the costs of their books to instructors. However, the GAO has found this law has had a limited effect on how teachers choose books. Lowering the prices on new books would be beneficial to students, teachers and publishers alike. Publishers would make up the difference with higher sales volume, more than by constant price increases. They would make less profit from each book, but far more books will be bought, in total. There is no greater way to rebel against a product than by not buying it. Students have had the right idea with chasing down used books, sharing and the purchasing of e-books. Keep doing it! Publishers and instructors will eventually catch on. If instructors want a more cohesive class environment, they need to better tailor their choice in books. And publishers will, in turn, have to tailor their prices for what those instructors want.
Melissa Casey
Jared Lichtenberg
Graphic Designer Heather Golan
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News
March 14, 2014
What to wear to the job fair
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Foundation is ready to ‘shake, rattle, and roll’ MHCC is gearing up for its annual auction on April 26 by Greg Leonov The Advocate
Graphic by Heather Golan - The Advocate
Ready for a job? Mt. Hood’s Career Planning and Counseling Center (CPCC) is collaborating with the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce and Worksource Portland Metro East to host the Diversity Career and Job Fair on Tuesday, April 1. The fair runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the gym. It presents a prime opportunity for MHCC students, high school students and other community members to meet with employers hiring for parttime and full-time positions and careers. Students should bring a copy of their resume. Participants also should dress appropriately, depending on their motive for attending the event. Those curious about their options or perhaps only looking for internship should wear normal school attire – but no pajamas, clothes with holes or worn-out shoes – said Bhaktirose Dawdy, Career and Academic Group Advising coordinator. Students who seek a full-blown career in the
next few months or after graduation should wear nicer clothes, such as a full suit with solid colors, for men; for women, a nice skirt and blouse will do, she said. The idea is to come prepared, just as if applying for a job. Dawdy noted the fair offers a particular chance to shine. “Employers will be especially interested in diverse candidates that are bilingual, bicultural, veterans, all ages and (are) experienced or have completed coursework in diverse career fields,” she said. Verizon Wireless is sponsoring the event. Employers scheduled to attend include Tri-Met, Portland General Electric, the City of Gresham, Grocery Markets, US Bank, Verizon, OHSU, MHCC, plus several and more.
- Emily Wintringham
Finals Schedule M/W/F class Start Time
Exam
7 to 7:59 a.m. 8 to 8:59 a.m. 9 to 9:59 a.m. 10 to 10:59 a.m. 11 to 11:59 a.m. noon to 12:59 p.m. 1 to 1:59 p.m. 2 to 2:59 p.m. 3 to 3:59 p.m. 4 to 4:59 p.m. 5 to 5:59 p.m.
8 to 9:45 a.m. Monday 8 to 9:45 a.m. Monday 8 to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday 10 to 11:45 a.m. Monday 10 to 11:45 Wednesday noon to 1:45 p.m. Monday noon to 1:45 Wednesday 2 to 3:45 p.m. Monday 2 to 3:45 p.m. Wednesday 4 to 5:45 p.m. Monday 4 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesday
T/Th class Start Time
Exam
7 to 7:59 a.m. 8 to 8:59 a.m. 9 to 9:59 a.m. 10 to 10:59 a.m. 11 to 11:59 a.m. noon to 12:59 p.m. 1 to 1:59 p.m. 2 to 2:59 p.m. 3 to 3:59 p.m. 4 to 4:59 p.m. 5 to 5:59 p.m.
Preparations continue for the Mt. Hood Community College Foundation Annual Auction, Dinner and Dance, an event organizers hope will generate plenty of fun and financial support. The chosen theme for the April 26 event at the Red Lion Hotel on the River, located at Jantzen Beach, is “Shake Rattle & Roll,” with a bow to the 1950s. The auction is one of the biggest fundraisers the MHCC Foundation holds, with money raised going toward student scholarships, said Al Sigala, Foundation executive director. The goal this year is to raise about $25,000. “The scholarships are really important because, as everyone knows, state funding is not increasing for the college,” he said. Auction proceeds also will help to update classrooms and classroom materials, he said. “The college is working on an effort to redo the science labs,” he said. “One of the things the college didn’t have was the funds to make those classrooms ‘smart’ classrooms (with wired technology), so the Foundation is coming in and saying, ‘Let’s help the college accomplish that goal.’ ” The Foundation volunteer board decided to go with a ’50s theme to help promote the auction event. The volunteers’ work doesn’t stop there, Sigala said. “It’s coming up with who’s going to be our sponsors, talking to the different possible sponsors out there, getting those sponsorships,” he said. The volunteer committee also lines up the items to be
auctioned. The evening of “Shake, Rattle & Roll” will consist of two auctions. It kicks off at 5 p.m., with a silent auction where items such as gift baskets and coupons will be up for grabs. Dinner follows at 6:30, then a live auction at 7:30. Among items for the live auction are trips to Cannon Beach, another to Orcas Island, a week in Mexico, a trip to Disneyland and great seats to the Oregon State University versus Stanford football game this fall. The night ends with dancing, to music by the group Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts. Reservations for dinner are $100 for one person, and $200 for a couple. Sigala said his wish is that guests truly enjoy Mt. Hood fundraising events. “If we can have them really have a great time, then they’ll continue to come back year after year and be glad to do this for the bigger cause of helping students,” he said. “It’s gonna be a fun year, and the Foundation board is excited about it — the fact that we’re looking at different ways of creating more community,” he said. “What I call it is really ‘friend-raising,’ as well. ‘Friend-raising’ is key. We have to create those friendships, those partnerships out there before you can really fundraise.” The Red Lion Hotel on the River is at 909 N. Hayden Island Drive, in north Portland. To make a reservation, offer a donation, or sponsor the event or a Foundation visit, see mhcc.edu/foundation or call 503491-7206.
8 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday 8 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday 8 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday 10 to 11:59 a.m. Thursday 10 to 11:45 Tuesday noon to 1:45 p.m. Thursday noon to 1:45 p.m. Tuesday 2 to 3:45 p.m. Thursday 2 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesday 4 to 5:45 p.m. Thursday 4 to 5:45 Tuesday
News Briefs Have coffee and treats while listening to a musical performance next term Have “Coffee with Coffey” in the Main Mall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 2. A musical performance by Coffey Anderson, Christian and gospel singer, will be paired with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, scones and biscotti.
Have spare bras? Donate them to women in developing countries ASG and Soroptimist International of Gresham are collecting gently used bras. They are given to women in developing countries around the world where secondhand clothing is a profitable. Women can make up to 5-times the minimum wage selling these bras. Some of the women were sold into prostitution, even as young children. There are bins inside the Student Union and the Diversity Resource Center.
- Katelyn Hilsenbeck
MHCC student reaches top 32 of competition
For a second straight year, an MHCC student is among the 32 student contenders in the Clinton Global Initiative University Commitments Challenge. Created in 2005, the program promotes innovative solutions to global problems. Ariel Rodriguez, a Mt. Hood international student from Honduras, has developed a project using mango trees to reduce the heat in his hometown of Agua Caliente Choluteca. Selection of the round of 16 contestants was due Thursday (after press deadline for The Advocate). They will compete in head-to-head matchups, with winners advancing in successive rounds, until 3 p.m. Monday. The ultimate winner will be announced March 22 in Phoenix, Ariz., by former President Bill Clinton. Last year, a composting project designed by Glenda Maribel Alfaro Salmeron propelled the Mt. Hood SEED (Scholarships for Education and Economic Development) student to the finals. The El Salvador native met personally with Clinton. This year, nine MHCC SEED students, each of who have developed their own projects, will be present in Phoenix. To track Rodriguez’s progress or donate to his project, visit http://www.crowdrise. com/MtHoodCommunityCollege-CGIU.
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March 14, 2014
Living Arts
‘Foster The People’ album worth the wait, sure to please fans by Rebecca Gaulke The Advocate
“Supermodel” available on iTunes and in stores Tuesday
Foster The People’s newest album, “Supermodel,” is just what fans of the band have anxiously awaited for three long years. The wait seems to have been a very good thing, for clearly the band took the time to put out a high-quality product. “Supermodel” is the group’s second studio album and will be released Tuesday. Their first album, “Torches,” was released in 2011, and they are mostly known for their classic summer anthem, “Pumped Up Kicks.” Bandleader Mark Foster’s talent and sound are what really make them unique and one of the reasons they seem to keep piquing my interest. I approached this album as a casual fan of the group. I sing along on the radio, but in no way am I a stalker
fan-girl. Of course, I loved “Pumped Up Kicks” (it’s SO catchy) and have a few more of their individual songs here and there that I really enjoy, but not a complete album. However, after listening to “Supermodel” extensively, I have to say this album is worth adding to your collection in its entirety and has me possibly reconsidering that fan-girl thing. Thanks to the goodness that is iTunes radio (basically Netflix for music lovers, with massive amounts of variety at the touch of a mouse), I was able to listen to the entire album prior to its release. iTunes radio has revolutionized the concept of previewing new music. You can listen to albums you may be interested in buying, generally a week in advance, and decide for yourself whether or not to support the artist. If you absolutely hate it, you won’t be wasting your money on over-processed crap. This has me very excited over upcoming albums I just can’t wait another week to listen to. After I purchased “Coming of Age,” the first single off the “Supermodel” album, I was convinced that I needed to give the album a serious listen. That single sets the tone; if you enjoyed it, you will certainly like the rest of the album, too. Listening to the album, I felt good and light-hearted. The uplifting beats, tempo, and uniqueness gave me a feeling of relaxed happiness. With all the sunny weather we’ve been having lately, this album would be amazing to play in a car on a warm day, with all the windows down. I also found this album to be an ample study soundtrack. You don’t get super-caught up on the lyrics in most songs, just the relaxing harmonies and diverse sound within each number. “Nevermind” was one of my favorites
for focusing, and from the album in general. It is a must-add to your finals week study playlist. Another track I fell in love with is “Fire Escape.” The sound is vulnerable and believable, and includes acoustical guitar and Foster’s singing in a purer and less synthesized form. For me, it was one of those songs that I am immediately attracted to when hearing for the first time, and I think it adds a lot of depth to the album. While “Fire Escape” is one of the slowest songs of the album, most of the songs are fast-paced and happy. Two other singles released off of the album, “Pseudologia Fantastica” and “Best Friend,” show off a more upbeat pace, and most of the others follow a similar suit. If you enjoy the sound of one, you will enjoy the sound of them all. My least favorite song off the album has to be “Are You What You Want To Be?” I found it to be obnoxious and overdone. You can hardly understand the lyrics because it’s so awkwardly paced (which I think is the point), with a poor combination of a relatively good chorus and annoying bridges in between. I feel the lyrics and title of “Coming of Age” are very suited to this album — the band certainly has come of age and matured their sound over the past few years, and stayed true to their original vibe in the process. Overall, “Supermodel” is a thoroughly enjoyable, great album that is ideal for studying or blasting in your car. The bar will always be set very high for Foster The People after the highly favored “Pumped Up Kicks,” but the band has created a very worthy and satisfying album that fans will find pleasing to the core.
HHHHI
Album Review
Web photo
Looking for something to do? Check out our TO BE revamped weekly calendar for some fun DETERMINED ideas!
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First Thursday
April Planetarium show
Tuesday, April 1, 6, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m. MHCC Planetarium April’s Planetarium show will focus on Mars, and is titled “Mars Up Close and a Lunar Eclipse.” The show is free for students and staff and is $2 for the general public. Come take a ride in the night sky and see the wonders Mt. Hood’s digital projection system has to offer.
Thursday, April 3, noon to 1 p.m. Student Union The Damian Erskine Trio will be playing at next month’s show. Erskine brings his compositions in a trio, with Mt. Hood alumni Reinhardt Melz and pianist Greg Goebel. This monthly concert is free for all and is a great opportunity to enjoy some music while eating lunch or studying. For more information, visit damianerskine.com.
Viral Vid of the Week
St. Patrick’s Day with McMenamins Monday, hours vary
All McMenamins locations in the county (Edgefield, Kennedy School, etc.) Can’t wait to celebrate St. Patty’s Day on Monday? Plan on visiting a McMenamins location and enjoy live music, bagpipers, McMenamins Irish Stout, Irish Coffee cocktails, Irish food specials and more. Edgefield’s celebrations will include live music by The Dolomites and more, plus a golf tournament. For more information, visit mcmenamins.com.
First Kiss In the mood for a laugh? As part of our weekly feature, we will show you one awesome video and tell you why you should watch it. This viral video is sweeping the Internet and has over 40 million views in just four days. It has been the subject of much controversy, but also much praise. All the hype is due to the adorable awkwardness that ensues when 20 random strangers are asked to kiss for the first time on camera. It’s full of giggles, pauses and a whole lot of giddiness. If you love seeing humans in uncomfortable situations and raw emotion, this surprisingly sweet video is one you have to see for yourself.
Living Arts
March 14, 2014
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An overview of the show that has the world zombie obsessed, and where it should go from here by Danny Perez-Crouse The Advocate “The Walking Dead” has always been pretty solid, but in order to reach the caliber of other AMC television shows such as “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad,” there are some things that need to be addressed. Many of the character, pacing and dialogue issues that have plagued the show could be easily remedied by following its terrific source material (comics of the same name) more closely. I get the reasoning behind straying from the comics. It makes the show more suspenseful to those who have already read the comics; otherwise, they would see everything coming a mile away. However, the series’ writing has not been strong enough to go this route. The only successful character, created solely for the series, is everybody’s favorite butt-kicking redneck, Daryl. He is a very likable character who has been evolving realistically from season to season. Rick, Shane, Hershel, Maggie, Carol and The Governor have been competently adapted from the comics. However, they don’t make up for the unholy butchering of the great original characters Michonne, Andrea, Dale, Carl, Lori and Glen. The current roster of characters is overloaded (as usual for the show). The writers don’t know how to juggle so many different characters, leaving many relegated as background noise or
cannon fodder. The comic is drenched with outstanding and fully fleshed-out characters. And, because it is so ruthless with killing off these amazing characters, I hold my breath each issue, worrying about someone getting his or her face chewed off. The AMC show does kill off a lot of characters, but they are mostly unimportant. The events and tempo also pale in comparison to the comics, which (most of the time) follow a snappy pace and offer a looming narrative thread into which we can sink our teeth. The show drags things out to the point of tedium, without any indication of where it’s headed. The entire second season had the group piddling away at the farm, looking for Sophia (a character nobody cared about). Rick’s bout of crazy lasted too long, and he has been significantly less badass (what happened to the Ricktatorship?). And, so far, Season Four has been a structural mess. It started off establishing a pretty cohesive community at the prison. But, in an effort to right the wrongs of the anti-climactic Season Three finale, The Governor was awkwardly re-introduced to give us closure with the character. And now, the group is disbanded into four or five different clusters that aren’t going anywhere, except the heavy-handedly ominous “Terminus” city everyone is headed to.
The dialogue is also an issue. It’s not terrible, but can be occasionally jilted, awkward and unrealistic (“I’m doing stuff... things.”). In contrast, the comics feature colorful and believable dialogue that manages to balance humor and drama incredibly well. The show’s writers have been very naughty. From a narrative perspective, they need to be put in a time-out. Once they demonstrate that they can competently adapt story lines and characters from the comics, they can write original content again. I understand the challenges with the differences in character rosters, but the writers could at least follow the general structure of the comic’s progression. First, we need a cleansing of that roster: Kill off Tyrese, Sasha, Bob, Beth, the girls and, maybe, Carol. This would shock the
audience and leave a nice core group of interesting characters to round out. Please, follow the character dynamics of the comics, and don’t add any more characters! Also, the Hunters storyline from the comics would provide some terrific dark and claustrophobic material to supply a good half-season. Despite my complaints, there have been some great original moments in the AMC show. The Rick-and-Shane rivalry was the most dynamic and intriguing plot the show ever had. And Season Three got off to an awesome and wellpaced start. While the lapses I mention are detrimental, they never make the show unwatchable. And, the dumb fun of seeing zombies killed in creative ways never disappoints. And yet, the show is at its best when it closely follows the comics. The Governor’s second attack on the prison is now considered one of the best episodes because it echoed similar events from the original. The pilot remains a highlight, too, as it was nearly a shot-for-shot remake of the first comic issue. I’m tough, because I see such potential for a show I once loved but, as of late, have become increasingly aware of its flaws. If the show’s creators just follow the comics, hardcore and regular fans would be delighted, and the show will be remembered for more than just its high ratings and gore.
Instructor’s novel being developed for the big screen
by Katelyn Hilsenbeck The Advocate
Lidia Yuknavitch Mt. Hood humanities instructor could soon see her novel transformed into a motion picture. Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2012 debut novel, “Dora: A Headcase,” has been optioned by Katherine Brooks, a veteran writer-director who operates her own Big Easy Pictures production company. The book was optioned earlier this
year. Brooks has one year to begin producing the movie or she must discontinue work or repurchase the rights. “I don’t completely believe it’s going to happen... But more and more it seems like it’s kind of real,” said Yuknavitch, warming to the notion. She describes the novel as: “A coming of age story about a girl who refuses to be told who she should be, and instead invents a self on her own terms. And that turns out to mean she wants to be an artist and she wants to communicate through art.” Besides “Dora,” Yuknavitch has authored “The Chronology of Water: A Memoir,” which was awarded the 2012 Reader’s Choice Oregon Book Award and the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award. The MHCC literature and composition instructor also has authored three works of short fiction, “Her Other Mouths,” “Liberty’s Excess,” and “Real to Reel,” and “Allegories of Violence,” a book of literary criticism. She said she’s not greatly concerned whether the new movie follows her newest book exactly. “I’m not very territorial about my
work. It just seems to me like another kind of artist adapting something I did and making her own thing,”Yuknavitch said. “So, it doesn’t matter to me if it’s perfectly like the book. It’s just exciting to me, because somebody’s translating what I did into art.” She said she’s pleased the novel’s message could get broader exposure through a full-length movie. “I would just like to see a young woman who’s breaking rules, cultural rules, and (is) strong and creative and not afraid to do those things in public,” she said. “We get strong male characters all the time — we think they’re cool in movies and books — and there aren’t as many women like that.” Brooks has finished the first draft of the screenplay and after some revisions, will pass it on to Yuknavitch for her input. Yuknavitch described this as unusual, and does not expect to have any further chance for feedback. “If I could ever go on set and watch some of it… I would love that,” she said. “I would stay quiet and everything, but I would love to see it in process.” She said Brooks told her that she
understood the main character, Dora, who is inspired by the case study written by Sigmund Freud, known as the founder of psychoanalysis. Freud had studied and treated an 18-year-old woman with hysteria, whom he identified as “Dora.” The director “talked a lot about what it’s like to be a smart young woman that people think of as a trouble maker, but really no one’s offered them good forms of expression yet,” Yuknavitch said. “She had to research and read some Freud... because I wanted her to see what had agitated me when I first read Freud, especially in the famous case study about Dora.” Brooks is now working on casting actors for the film, Yuknavitch said. The list of potential leads is intriguing; “They’re all people you’ve heard of and they’re on a spectrum of young women you’ve seen in movies who you would be surprised (to see play Dora) because they’re usually good girls in movies, all the way up to a young woman singer who you’ve heard of who gets in trouble a lot who may be interested,” she said. Whom exactly, does Yuknavitch
Graphic by Heather Golan - The Advocate
herself picture as Dora? She received an e-mail from a woman in France soon after her book was released there, who also was named Dora and did the same things as Yuknavitch’s character. There was a photo of the woman at 17, with bright pink punk hair, a lot of piercings and a leather jacket. Yuknavitch said it perfectly matched her vision of the character. “I was just like, ‘That’s her, that’s her!’ ” As an independent film, the movie doesn’t stand to produce a big box office return if it actually is produced, Yuknavitch said, but that’s not her objective. “It’s not so much about money as about getting more art and voices into the world. “I believe in art, passionately,” she said. “I believe in women and men making more and more art because I think art is a language that has a chance of interrupting all of the other cultural garbage messages we get. “My hopes are always that more people will make art, more women will make art, more people of color will make art, more gay people will make art, that there will be as many voices as possible.”
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News
March 14, 2014
Classmate shares memories of deceased graphic design student On Feb. 26, first-year MHCC graphic design student Ismael Sanchez, 30, died after leaving the main campus that day. No further details on his death are available. Word came as a shock to his fellow Mt. Hood students, and to instructors. MHCC student Caren Calderón reflected on getting to know Sanchez after they met while in a study group for an Integrated Media test in November. “After a couple laughs and talks in our mother tongue (we both spoke Spanish) we decided to study together,” Calderón said. After studying, they went to get lunch and she found the two had many things in common, including their love for Mexican beers and salsa dancing. They agreed to go dancing one night, but were never able to do so, as their schedules did not line up. “Oh, well: ‘There are plenty of days in the year!’ Is what I always thought,” Calderón told The Advocate. She was excited when she received a new text message from Sanchez’s phone number two weeks ago, only to find it was a text from his brother informing her of his passing. “I wanted to share more time, life and stories with Ismael. I wanted to make him laugh more. “It is breaking my heart, knowing a person for (such) little (time), but bonding so much, I cannot imagine how his family is, and will miss such a beautiful person like Ismael,” Calderón said. A funeral service was held for Sanchez at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Gresham on March 7.
POTM
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Public safety officer pursuing career in criminal justice Nederhiser praised Long’s diplomatic skills. “I have observed Nathan’s skill in handling some tense and sometimes volatile situations involving some overwrought students with calm respect, safety and care,” she said. Long says that the big difference with his new position as an officer is that he is the one responding to calls, rather than just tipping off other officers of an incident. While pleased with the new position, there are some things he misses about being a volunteer. “(It) was more flexible. I was able to do more hours because I wasn’t getting paid,” he said. He also preferred working at the main Gresham campus, rather than at Maywood Park campus where he is now stationed. As an officer, Long has been asked to train other volunteers. “Eventually, I became the go-to guy to show them around campus,” he said. He said he has yet to respond to any emergencies or major situations, some-
thing of a fluke. “It seems like when I was on duty, nothing was happening. But when I was off duty, everything was going wrong,” he said. He prefers a quiet shift because it means everything is going smoothly, “but in some ways it can get a little boring,” he said. His new duties don’t too much into school, he said: “Sometimes I have to leave class a little early. Luckily, it hasn’t been too hard.” Long speaks highly of working for Public Safety. “It’s great experience. You’ll be able to get to know awesome people and also learn the laws and what it takes to become an officer,” he said. He notes it’s also great on a resumé. Long does describe issues for Public Safety officers students may not realize. “We are under a lot of scrutiny. Often in situations we have to think of the solution right then and there,” he said. “We have to be very careful with our ac-
tions. We have to make sure we provide the necessary care to the situation. And we have to respond to all sorts of calls, so the officers are pretty busy.” Those calls might be anything from irate students, to jumping a dead car battery. Long has another passion, in music. He plays many instruments, including the tuba, trumpet and bass guitar – the latter his favorite. In fact, he was previously pursuing a music degree. Now, his target is a degree in criminal justice, the decision influenced by his Public Safety work, he said: “It’s a great profession that I was made to do.” Long said he needs only one more term to complete his Associate of Arts Degree and hopes to transfer to Portland State University. The job experience has truly impacted him, Long said. “It made me appreciate security personnel and police personnel a lot more. Now I see what they go through. They often have a bad rep,” he said.
- Katelyn Hilsenbeck
Haiti
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Nursing students thankful for support The village of Gramothe does have clean water, a school, church, orphanage and clinic and a shelter for people waiting for treatment. All of these projects were undertaken by Mountaintop Ministries, the students said. The short-term mission has attracted some unwarranted criticism from outside the group, but students say they have been able to get past it. “People ask, ‘How much can you do in eight days?’ What I tell them is a really short answer,” Jefsen said. “I tell them, take 285 patients and times that by eight — that’s how much we can do in eight days.” Such crises are a motivation for students. “One of the reasons we all got into nursing is because we care about global healthcare,” Stevens said. “That is something that we want to tie into our careers throughout our lifetimes.” The Haiti-bound students raised money to fund their trip, and found donors eager to help. “It’s been really humbling to us. When I started fundraising, I thought I might get a few hundred bucks. But I had almost a quarter of my goal in two days, so it’s very eye-opening for us,” said a grateful Elford. “We have all these people that are backing us up, and we are their hands and they are willing to pay so that we can go and do these things that they can’t do,” she said.
Classified contract approved, bond timeline presented by Greg Leonov The Advocate Wednesday’s board meeting saw the signing of the classified contract, seven instructors receiving tenure, and the bond timeline being presented. The classified contract was passed with one recusal by James Zordich who said he might pose a potential conflict of interest. The contract was finally ratified after a “thirteen month journey,” said Cathy Nichols, President of the Classified Employees Association. “I know it was a long journey and an arduous journey, but the commitment to reaching agreements was just very collaborative,” said Diane Noriega, Board chair. “We could not be more pleased that this has been resolved and we’re moving forward.” Seven faculty members received tenure. Nicholas Chura, mathematics instructor, Jon Delifus, ABE/GED instructor, Kristen Kjensrud, physical
therapy instructor, Jason Pinkerton, biology/natural resources instructor, Regina Shankland , mathematics instructor, Laird Sheldahl, anatomy, physiology and biology instructor, Mark Thomas, machine tool instructor, and Julie Hutchins, ABE/GED instructor, who was not able to attend the meeting due to an injury. Bill Becker, fiscal adviser to MHCC President Debbie Derr presented the bond timeline stating that PR campaigning for the bond starts now – at the board meeting. “It is an interesting process (and) a process that we need to accomplish,” said Becker. Mt. Hood’s new aquatic director Tanya Richardson gave a presentation about her plans to bring the cost of running the aquatic center to a manageable level. Eight instructors were approved to take sabbatical during 2014-15 school year, Jack Schommer from the Integrated Media department; Michael McAfee, from mathematics; Javid Mohtasham,
from the Environmental Health and Safety Program; Daryl Harrison Carson, from the theater division; David Garlington, from the business division; Richard Walters, from the welding and Industrial technology division; Elizabeth Cohen from science; and Teri Tong from Dental Hygiene. In her presidential report, Derr recognized Sule Whitlock, Rho Theta honor society president, on her achievement as the 2014 New Century Scholar, and she mentioned that there will be a “Freedom Fighter’s” exhibit in the Diversity Resource Center on April 2. She also said that Mt. Hood signed a reverse transfer agreement with Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) at Flying Pie Pizzeria on Feb. 2. On Monday, Derr attended a meeting with Gov. Kitzhaber to discuss expectations of employees in the manufacturing industry. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for April 9.
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Sports
March 14, 2014
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Upcoming Spring Sports schedules Baseball and Softball
Track and Field
Baseball
Softball
Western Nevada College
Grays Harbor CC
Carson City, Nev. Friday - Noon
Western Nevada College
Saints Open
Earl Klapstein Stadium
Oregon Preview
Hayward Field (U of O) March 22
(Qualified Athletes Only)
Mt. Hood Multi Meet
March 15
Centralia CC
Carson City, Nev.
Centralia, Wash.
Everett
South Interregion Tournament
Saturday - Noon
Saturday
Centralia, Wash.
Tacoma, Wash.
Earl Klapstein Stadium
March 22
March 16
March 27-28
Portland, Ore. March 21-23
Photos by Carole Riggs - The Advocate
Portland Thunder brings football to Oregon (again) by Q Quarterman The Advocate They say when it rains, it pours. That seems to be the case for the buzz about professional football in Portland this month. First, there’s a new Arena Football League team in town, the Portland Thunder. The new indoor football franchise will host a kickoff party tonight and plays its first home game and AFL season debut at the Moda Center on Monday. Feeding some local fan interest, the Thunder has five players on its roster who played college football in Oregon – including quarterback Darron Thomas, who led the Oregon Ducks to the NCAA
title game just three years ago. The Thunder’s coaching staff includes head coach Matthew Sauk; offensive/defensive line coach Clay Harrell and defensive coordinator William Mulder. Game tickets can be purchased, in the range of $15 to $200 based on location. The first game Monday is versus San Jose at 7 p.m. It’s a second go-round for the AFL in Portland. The Forest Dragons played in the (former) Rose Garden in 199799. Before that, Portland was home to two major-league pro football franchises: the Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL) for one
season in 1985 before the team, then the league, folded financially; and, a decade earlier, the Storm (then Thunder) of the World Football League, in 1974-75 before the WFL collapsed in mid-season 1975. Now, prospects for an actual National Football League team relocating here has football fever again rising in the area. The unknown future of the Oakland Raiders, for one example, has many observers pointing out that Portland should be considered seriously as a landing site. Recent success of the Ducks, and even the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks, has spiked interest in that possibility. And, Portland remains the largest U.S. mar-
ket with only one “major league” sport (MLS soccer not included). There’s an official website, titled “NFL to Portland”: nfltoportland.com. By Thursday, more than 2,650 people had signed an online petition to Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber asking him to “actively explore bringing an NFL team to Oregon.” Football supporters want the state and local governments to study the feasibility of stadium development, which probably would require significant public funding. At least one local mayor has expressed interest in a stadium project. Lou Ogden is mayor of the Portland suburb of Tualatin, home to the practice facility for the National Basketball Association Trail Blazers.
Ogden told KXTG-AM radio on Monday that local leaders should, and likely would, welcome the possibility of bringing an NFL team to Oregon. What community wouldn’t want to say we’ve got the Portland, or whatever they are, NFL football team in our community?” Ogden said. “That’s a great feather, that’s a great national attraction. It promotes your economic development with companies wanting to locate in the area. It’s name recognition — I mean, what has Nike done for Portland in terms of name recognition?” he said, with regards to Nike’s impact on the metro area. As the Thunder kick off their AFL season, could real lightning strike for Portland football fans?
Timbers look for better result against Chicago by Edgar Valencia The Advocate After falling one game short of playing for the MLS title last season, the Portland Timbers are hungry for revenge and looking for another sensational season in 2014 under head coach Caleb Porter’s guidance. Those hopes stumbled just a bit last Saturday, after a 1-1 draw against the Philadephia Union in a seasonopening contest played in Portland. Expectations couldn’t be higher for the Timbers entering the new season, as they have the pressure of surpassing last year’s success. They started No.
2 in the weekly MLS power rankings and are considered by many to have the best team in the league — and also maybe the best fans. New players acquired by the team include two Argentinians: defender Norberto Paparatto and forward Gaston Fernandez. Fernandez, who has played for several clubs around the world, will bring experience to the young team and should link well with another Argentina native on the team, Diego Valeri, who is sure to be a strong MVP contender. Finishing atop the Western Conference won’t be easy for the Timbers, best in the West last season, since tak-
ing the top spot has usually come down to the last regular-season game. Not only is making the playoffs the team’s priority, but also regaining the Cascadia Cup, won by the Vancouver Whitecaps last season (the trophy is fought for by bitter Pacific Northwest rivals Portland, Seattle and Vancouver). Success will require focus for each game, as became clear last Saturday. Portland scrambled to earn a dramatic draw against a young and remodeled Union team that took the lead in the 62nd minute, silencing the soldout Providence Park crowd. After the goal, Portland pushed
its lines up and desperately looked for the equalizer before newcomer Fernandez saved the night. He made the fans erupt when he found the back of the net for the Timbers off a header, thanks to a corner kick delivered in the dying seconds of the match. It was not the type of opener the fans and players were hoping for, as the Timbers struggled to find rhythm until they were forced to look for the tie. Portland outshot Philadelphia, 1510, but only put two of those shots on target. They were surprised by a wellorganized and quick Union team that seemed superior at times in the first
half and most of the second. Porter and the players know what went wrong and are sure to work on needed improvements. The poor performance shouldn’t set off alarms, because the team is just beginning a new season and these types of games are common around the league in the first weeks of the season. It takes a couple games together for a team to be at its highest level. The Timbers will aim for a much better showing, and their first win, against the Chicago Fire (a 3-2 loser to Chivas USA last weekend), in a Rose City matchup set for 12 p.m. on Sunday.
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Sports
March 14, 2014
Softball sweeps competition; busy upcoming weekend Saints stat leaders (Minimum 10 at-bats)
Batting Average - Kasidee Lemberger (.684) Hits - Kasidee Lemberger (13) Home Runs - Megan Reed and Mercedes Green (3) RBI’s - Chelsea Spanier (12)
Pitching:
Wins - Ann-Marie Guischer (4) ERA - Ann-Marie Guischer (0.00) Strikeouts - Ann-Marie Guischer (24)
Photo contributed by Jonathan Long
Sophomore Kristen Crawford earned two wins this past weekend in match-ups against Blue Mountain and Walla Walla. On the season, she is 3-0 with 14 strikeouts and a 2.33 ERA
Mt. Hood (8-0) heads to Washington this weekend for the ‘Blazer Classic’ hosted by Centralia College by Aaron Marshall The Advocate The Saints softball team continues to show dominance in the young 2014 season, as they now stand 8-0 (with one victory due to forfeit). The past weekend was a busy one for Mt. Hood: They were scheduled to play Blue Mountain Community College on Friday, Walla Walla Community College on Saturday, and Columbia Basin Community College on Sunday. Mt. Hood wound up facing only Blue Mountain and Walla Walla after the Columbia Basin match-up was cancelled due to rain, but easily took each of the four contests played. On Friday, the team went to work on Blue Mountain, taking back-to-back wins, 10-1 and 12-0. In the first game, the Saints’ offense took charge, posting five runs in the first inning. Mt. Hood added three more runs in the fourth inning, including a tworun home run by sophomore shortstop Teauna Hughes. The Timberwolves scored in the bottom of the fourth inning, but already trailed 8-1. In the fifth, Mt. Hood added two more runs, to produce the final score. Sophomore pitcher Kristen Crawford tossed a complete game for the Saints, finishing with four strikeouts while giving up three hits and the one run. MHCC finished with 12 hits and zero errors. The second game against Blue Mountain saw more of the same. Mt. Hood scored six runs in the third inning
to push its lead to 10-0, and the rout was on. Mt. Hood finished with 12 hits but what stood out most is that Blue Mountain failed to get a base hit during the shortened game (only 5 innings) off sophomore Saints pitchers Ann-Marie Guischer and Nicole Kellams. Freshman Ashlee Mueller hit her first home run of the season and added four RBI’s. Hughes and freshman Kasidee Lemberger each had three hits, including two doubles apiece and a triple for Hughes. Freshman third baseman Chelsea Spanier also hit a triple. On Saturday, Mt. Hood continued its hot play against Walla Walla, sweeping the games, 11-0 and 17-6. The Saints combined for eight home runs and 24 RBIs on the day. Freshman batters added the power surge against Walla Walla. Spanier, Kelsey Reams and Megan Reed hit home runs in the opener. In the second game, Reed added two more homers, and Lemberger and freshman Mercedes Green went deep also. Mt. Hood finished with 18 hits, continuing the consistent hitting it has shown all season. “We have tremendous depth in our offensive lineup,” said Saints head coach Meadow McWhorter. “Our hitters have done a great job of not letting one at-bat affect the next at-bat. They have showed poise, confidence and aggressiveness.” The veteran head coach won’t get carried away, though. “We know it is only the beginning,” McWhorter said, taking a long view of
the season. “It is not about how you start, but how you continue to grow and how you finish.” She said the Saints need to “continue to work on slowing the game down in tense situations — staying controlled.” Rainy weather has hindered Mt. Hood’s practice time, she noted. “We also need more repetitions on the dirt. This week will be the first time we have been able to practice on our field.” On Saturday the team heads into
We have tremendous depth in our offensive lineup. Our hitters have done a great job of not letting one at-bat affect the next at-bat. Meadow McWhorter Softball head coach
western Washington to take on Grays Harbor Community College. On Sunday they play Centralia College. Mt. Hood and Grays Harbor met on March 1, with Mt. Hood winning the first game, 15-7, and Grays Harbor forfeiting the second game. “Our goal is to improve each game,” McWhorter said. “We know teams will always play us tough; we need to play at our level and never take a game off.”
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2014 NFL Free Agency by Brandon Raleigh The Advocate
The free agency period in the NFL began on Tuesday, a chance for teams to add key pieces in hopes of reaching or maintaining prominence. Teams will also look to improve through the college player draft in early May. On Day 1 of the free agent frenzy, we saw big names get signed. They included former Oregon Duck safety Jairus Byrd with the Saints, defensive end Michael Johnson with the Buccaneers, safeties Donte Whitner with the Browns and Antoine Bethea with the 49ers, defensive tackle Linval Joseph with the Vikings, and cornerbacks Alterraun Verner with the Buccaneers and Aqib Talib with the Broncos. Eric Decker with the Jets, cornerback Darrelle Revis with the Patriots, quarterback Josh McCown with the Buccaneers, and former Seahawk wide receiver Golden Tate with the Lions. Ware, one of the best defensive players in the game, had surprisingly been released by the Cowboys. Denver, defeated by Seattle in last month’s Super Bowl, has greatly strengthened its defense by acquiring Ware and Talib. Some notable names still available (as of The Advocate’s press deadline on Thursday) are quarterback Michael Vick, defensive ends Jared Allen and Julius Peppers, and wide receivers Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks. Vick has received interest from the New York Jets, Buffalo Billls, and the Oakland Raiders. I’d like to see him land in Oakland, because he is a game changer who could help turn that struggling franchise around. Allen and Peppers are talented pass rush
ers, but are getting up there in age. I see them going to championship contending teams, like Denver or Seattle. Teams are also open to new trades this week. Saints running back Darren Sproles was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, and could make an instant impact within former University of Oregon coach Chip Kelly’s innovative offense. I’m a big fan of the Atlanta Falcons. Last season a long list of injuries plagued the Falcons, who finished with a dismal 4-12 record. They struggled running the ball and stopping their opponents on the ground, and also had major issues protecting quarterback Matt Ryan. Another issue for the Falcons is losing 14time Pro-Bowler tight end Tony Gonzalez to retirement. Atlanta has already made a splash in free agency, signing guard Jon Asomah, defensive tackle Paul Soliai and defensive end Tyson Jackson. Asomah will help protect Ryan and improve Atlanta’s ground game. Jackson and Soliai should help in stopping opposing rushing attacks. Atlanta also re-signed defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux. This year’s draft debate is headlined by quarterbacks Johhny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles, and freakishly talented defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney. With many teams in need of a franchise quarterback it’s likely we’ll see former Heisman Award winner Manziel, Bridgewater, and Bortles go early. One positive owing to Atlanta’s poor 2013 season is that they will be drafting 6th in May. It’s possible the Falcons will try to move up in the draft to select the coveted Clowney, out of South Carolina. If not, I see them selecting offensive tackles Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews, or outside linebacker Khalil Mack. I hope the Falcons continue their aggressive strategy. With some more moves, I believe they can get the right pieces to rebound and go far in the hunt for a title next year.
Sport
SC
Central
Timbers Schedule Chicago Fire At Portland Timbers, Sunday Noon, (Root Sports)
Upcoming Blazers Games Portland Trail Blazers At New Orleans Pelicans, tonight 5 p.m., (Comcast Sports Network)
Golden State Warriors At Portland Trail Blazers, Sunday 6 p.m., (KGW Network)