The Advocate Vol. 50 Issue 7 - October 31, 2014

The Independent Student Voice of Mt. Hood Community College

Oct. 31, 2014

Volume 50, Issue 7

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Real talk, real issues PAGE 4

Meet Pinocchio’s pa PAGE 6

MHCC keeps running strong PAGE 12

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You Tube

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OPINION

October 31, 2014

Editorial | The action we’re taking for designated smoking areas

Graphic by Heather Golan - the

MHCC’s dazzling new sign on the corner of 257th and Stark is sure to turn heads, but a little farther down by the bus stop, there is an instant turn-off.

You’ve seen it; we’ve seen it … Everyone has seen smokers dangling right off the edge of Mt. Hood’s property, puffing their cigarettes.

We don’t want to hash people out for smoking, but they do make our institution look unprofessional.

What’s really shocking about this? It’s not so much the smokers, but the fact that this issue has been smoldering on the back burner for many years. People have wanted to change the “no smoking” policy for a while, and it’s time we at Mt. Hood took action. The Advocate has written numerous editorials about this subject and yet we haven’t provided a well-thought-out solution.

The problem, we believe, is writing the

editorial and then taking little-to-no action.

That’s why we are currently coordinating with ASG to promote a new policy. Today, MHCC stands as a tobacco-free campus. We need to work on that policy first, and then provide the alternative destinations for students to legally smoke, although we have a few ideas.

They include on the far side of Parking Lot W (away from the Child Development Center), and near the fenced areas by the gymnasium between the track and parking lots.

Do not expect the college to designate smoking shelters in the next two weeks. Policies are put in place by committees and administrations, and later approved by the MHCC Board of Directors. One reason why we haven’t seen a change in the no-smoking mandate is because it is difficult to reverse a fairly recent rule that Mt. Hood has worked hard to enforce since 2010.

The no smoking policy is black-and-white for a reason. Black-and-white rules are the most efficient, but there’s a problem here: The gray area just won’t go away. People smoke on campus anyway, and they smoke all along the perimeter, choking up the sidewalks and entrances to the school. People get away with smoking their e-cigs, too, because they aren’t technically “smoking” tobacco.

Portland Community College established “Good Neighbor Zones” in 2009 due to complaints of students smoking and disposing butts in the neighborhoods surrounding the Sylvania campus. Kate Chester, public relations manager at the time of the policy change at PCC, said the zones “have been a good investment because they are used effectively.”

We at the Advocate support taking on the issue at Mt. Hood head-on.

To start the process of changing the no-smoking rule, ASG will run a survey through the SurveyMonkey website to get input from students and faculty. On-campus smoking is an issue that affects every single soul to set foot on campus. Our opinion at the Advocate remains consistent: We prefer designated smoking areas, although we understand that when it comes to policies, they should be designed to protect the health and interest of all those on campus.

Do us a favor: Whether you’re a brand new student, a returning student, a faculty member, a custodian, an instructor, or President Derr yourself, we need you to take the upcoming survey in mid-November.

Teal pumpkins can make all the difference Emily Wintringham the advocate

I remember complaining about not being able to trick-or-treat past 9 p.m. I also remember complaining that my bag was 30 percent chocolate and 70 percent Lifesavers.

I recently came to realize I didn’t have much to complain about. Halloween isn’t the greatest time of the year for children with severe food allergies. Depending on what

the advocate Editor-in-Chief Greg Leonov Lifestyle Editor Jon Fuccillo News Editor Hayden Hunter

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allergies they have, they don’t get to enjoy a Kit-Kat bar or a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Some kids with food allergies don’t even go trick-or-treating because, seriously, what’s the point? And yet, a kind person in the Student Union enlightened me that there is hope for kids with food allergies this year.

The hope is a teal pumpkin. Teal pumpkins indicate which households hand out non-edible goodies. These include stickers, temporary tattoos, glow-sticks, plastic rings,

Sports Editor Brandon Raleigh

Opinion Editor Emily Wintringham

Copy Editor Hayden Hunter

Video Editor Aurora Angeles

Ad Manager Greg Leonov Photo Editor Beka Haugen

Graphic Designer Heather Golan

and other fun trinkets. If you read this article in time, I encourage you this Halloween to do something genuine and out-of-thebox. Head to the Dollar Tree and pick up some small treasures. Also, find a pumpkin and paint it blue. I have a new suggestion, as well: Take a picture of your pumpkin and post it on social media. Share it with your friends so they know exactly where to go if they have a kid, or know someone else, with food allergies.

Reporters David Ahlson Adam Elwell Isaiah Ishman Daphne Martin Jacob Swindell Que Quarterman Jacob Young

Advisers Howard Buck, Dan Ernst Bob Watkins E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Phone: 503-491-7250 www.advocate-online.net #mhccadvocate Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030

Chat with Barney What are your Halloween plans?

“I’m moving my friend on Halloween. I’m also dressing up as Tony Stark.”

Tony Pemberton Student, English major

“I’m going to two different parties … One of them is my friend’s birthday party. She’s a sweetie.”

Sydney Hope Student, Assoc. of Science, General degree and Theater of Arts transfer degree

chatwithbarney@gmail.com

The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication. All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission.

Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board.

The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length.

Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print.

Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC. Cover graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate

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OPINION

October 31, 2014

Column | Declaring war on Ebola: Why we should be concerned “I’m going to be a unicorn… ’cause I am a unicorn.”

Danisa Golden Student, Psychology major.

“Me and my sister and our friends are going to be trolling the neighborhood with cosplay.

I’m dressing as America from Hetalia. I’ll be wearing an H2 bomber jacket, khakis, safari jacket, and blond hair.”

Ariel Williams Student, General Studies “Hope it doesn’t rain, so my niece can go trickor-treating.”

Kenzie Gage Student, Pre-med major “I’m working, then going to a Halloween party.”

Andrew Pearson Student, General Studies

Correction: In the news article, “Potential new language for gender equality” on Page 5, the writer did not attribute a source to back up the statement: “Also, those opposed to abortion fear the amendment could be “twisted” in a way where private medical centers will be forced to perform medical abortions.” The sources for this statement include the online websites of the City Club of Portland; Oregon Catalyst; and a statement from state Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls, taken from Newsregister.com. The Advocate does not endorse this particular viewpoint but was trying to inform readers about the arguments for and against Measure 89.

David Ahlson the advocate

We all remember the Swine Flu panic caused by H1N1 Influenza in 2008, and before that, the Bird Flu that was sure to cause a “pandemic.” The ongoing Ebola outbreak was met with an eerily quiet, even subdued, initial response, however. No major alarms or warnings, nor extreme or decisive actions; then, the crisis seemingly exploded upon the American people with little or no warning that the infected were in our midst.

The world has largely ignored experts’ warnings about the danger of the Ebola virus. A measured, calm and logical response by properly trained personnel would have been the best course of action to take, especially the U.S. response. Instead, the Obama Administration failed, woefully, to issue decisive instructions or warnings through the bureaucratic filtration system of the Public Health Service. (Especially interesting, considering that according to Surgeongeneral.gov, the acting surgeon general is a bioterrorism expert.)

This is no small matter for me, personally: I studied Ebola extensively in the course of my service with the U.S.. Air Force as an Independent Duty Medical Technician, while specializing in emergency medicine and nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and earning a Master of Physician Assistant Science degree, before I eventually returned to MHCC, working towards becoming an English and philosophy professor.

Zaire Ebolavirus (EBOV) was first reported in 1976 during a simultaneous outbreak in (what is now) South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire. The virus was found to be remarkably contagious and incredibly lethal. Since discovery, the disease has killed 83 percent of those infected in all reported cases. During this current outbreak, which started in March, there have been nearly 8,400 reported or suspected cases. Of these, nearly 4,100 of the people infected have already perished, the World Health Organization reports.

EBOV is found in all body fluids of the infected patient: blood, sweat, tears, vomit, saliva, breast milk, vaginal fluids, seminal fluids, diarrhea, and even urine. All pose an extreme biohazard threat and are highly infectious.

The incubation period, the time between exposure and the onset of symptoms, is between two days and three weeks with the av-

erage being eight to ten days after infection – and infectiousness is attained as soon as the first symptoms appear!

Early symptoms manifest themselves very similarly to influenza and other tropical fevers and include: High fever, muscle pains, cough, headache, fatigue, and joint pains. Not until the bleeding or hemorrhagic phase does this disease distinguish itself from other illnesses. Between five and seven days after the onset of symptoms, nearly 50 percent of the reported victims begin to bleed from mucous membranes (e.g. gastrointestinal tract, gums), puncture sites, eyes, and also into and under the skin. Death follows eight to 16 days after initial onset of symptoms. The danger does not end there, sadly. The deceased remain contagious after death and even in the case of recovery, the patient may still be infectious.

For instance, semen in a “healthy” recovered male patient will remain infectious for another seven weeks!

The Dallas nurse who flew on Frontier Airlines Flight 1143, who was believed “low risk” just because her fever was 99.5 degrees instead of the trite 100.4 and she wasn’t vomiting or bleeding, still may have exposed 132 other people. The federal government’s response was, “It’s all under control. Don’t worry, we are taking care of it.” So, the states involved acted: New York and New Jersey quickly ordered the mandatory quarantine of a nurse-epidemiologist who had definite exposure to Ebola. But at the mere threat of a federal lawsuit, that nurse has been released from quarantine and set free to travel to her home in Maine.

What happens if she becomes ill on her way back to Maine? She has already shown a disregard for public safety and has unapologetically said she will continue to do so. What’s to keep her from doing it again and exposing more people, this time while ill? Perhaps we should Google “Typhoid Mary” and see what results are produced. Are 21 days really such an inconvenience for her, to ensure life for even just one person, let alone potentially millions?

I for one think that quarantining all people simply exposed to the disease for 21 days is perfectly acceptable in the interest of the national public health – as is stopping all direct and indirect traffic from those countries immediately. We can’t help anyone or anything if we become victims, too! Immigration officials used to screen everyone coming into the country by ship, at Ellis Island and elsewhere. Diseases such as Ebola don’t care about politics, borders, or rights. Meanwhile, we in the U.S. have many enemies currently in the world who do care about those things, and with them having access to something like Eb-

ola, all it takes is literally one single individual to infect hundreds of people, which can easily turn into thousands. Which is way more dangerous than any assault rifle or active shooter scenario I’ve ever heard of.

Close down the travel to these places. Step up on the federal level, declare a national emergency, and enforce mandatory quarantines.

Our military does have training that can help. Send them out into the hospitals and start educating the civilian population. Use the military medical establishment to fix what is wrong here at home (and stop fighting senseless wars that are thousands of miles away from ever affecting us), and help the desperate African people who need our humanitarian aid. Declare war on this germ and the desperate conditions under which it thrives in West Africa. Appeal to the rest of the world. Since we are so eager to go to wars that kill people, shouldn’t we be more eager to go to war to kill a germ, saving millions of people? Let’s try that, and see if it doesn’t start fixing some real problems.

Further information is readily available on the WHO website, www.who.int/en, and the CDC website www.cdc.gov.

David Ahlson, an MHCC student, holds a Master of Physician Assistant Science degree. While serving in the U.S. Air Force, he specialized in emergency medicine and nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

Graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate

Ebola and Us, Weds. 11/5 12:10-1:00 in room 1508.

Janet Campbell, political science instructor, will facilitate a group discussion about Ebola’s social, economic, and political effects.

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NEWS

October 31, 2014

Politicians come to Mt. Hood to talk real issues

Greg Leonov and Adam Elwell

the advocate

On Monday, 12 candidates and incumbent elected officials from East County sat down to talk with MHCC students in a roundtable-style discussion of issues and concerns that ranged from education to gang-related problems.

The event was called “Real Talk, Real Issues,” and was organized by Skye Troy, Mt. Hood’s Associated Student Government (ASG) director of state and federal affairs.

Regarding the Oregon Opportunity Initiative (Measure 86) came up, Carla Piluso, former Gresham police chief and candidate for the Oregon House of Representatives District 50 position, spoke of her worry about her daughter’s college tuition debt. She compared that debt to her own, which was considerably lower when she finished her studies.

“It is concerning to me that she is going to be starting her life after college with that much debt,” said Piluso. “Most important to me is that we do not (essentially deny) people to (earn a college degree) because of the cost of tuition.”

Ted Tosterud, the candidate for Fairview mayor, said that students must actively seek finances for college, and that resources are often available but remain unused.

Tosterud, currently a board member of the MHCC Foundation who oversees scholarships, said, “At the end of the year, we have a lot of scholarships left over because we didn’t get enough student participation.” He said there are scholarships available and students just need to take the time to fill out the re-

quired requests.

As for gangs’ continuing lure, Lori Stegmann, a Gresham City Council member, said she believes gang involvement, poverty, and homelessness are symptoms that all stem from “either having, or not having, access to good mental health.” She mentioned last week’s Marysville, Wash., high school shooter, saying he may have not “fit the mold of somebody we think of as a troubled youth.”

Stegmann said that middle-class people such as herself have access to counseling for depression through insurance, but young people “may or may not.” She said it’s great that students are being taught to read and write, but it’s also important to teach them to have a sense of belonging. She wants to give young people “basic necessities and frame of mind so that they can go to college, so they can learn to read and write,” she said.

Piluso said one of her top achievements during her law enforcement career was establishing the East Metro Gang Enforcement team, helping serve all of Multnomah County.

“One thing we know is that prevention is far less expensive than incarceration,” Piluso said. The anti-gang team works to help individuals caught up in gangs to break their cycles of poverty and gang involvement and to make the right choices, she said.

Troutdale City Council candidate Larry Morgan (and former MHCC student body president) said residents have a direct role in preserving public safety. He said they should look after each other. more than they often do: “We keep up with the Kardashians, but not with our neighbors.”

Other officials shared similar approaches.

Coping with Depression: Hayden Hunter the advocate

Last Tuesday, Mt. Hood counselor Malcolm McCord spoke about ways in which depressed students can handle their issues in a talk called “Coping with Depression.”

McCord began with a fact that is not commonly known: “Twenty to thirty percent of the U.S. population’s diagnosed with depression,” he said. He then delved into how important it is for individuals to have a support group. McCord suggests that everybody should have a close-knit circle of friends, or at the very least, join a support group.

“Having a caring group of people who can be there to listen to you and support you is perhaps the most important thing you can do outside of medical treatment to help you with your depression,” he said.

McCord then moved on to the topic of stress, which he called a huge deal when it comes to depression. When the body is under stress, the adrenal gland increases the amount of cortisol it secretes. Clinical studies suggest

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that chronically elevated cortisol levels may induce clinical depression by affecting the neurotransmitter serotonin.

McCord highlighted ways that people can reduce stress, noting, “meditation could be helpful.”

Students can fight off depression by improving their “sleep hygiene,” McCord said, which is a fancy way to say: Make sure you are getting the correct amount of hours of sleep.

One of the students present said it is hard to be a student, with a job and responsibilities, and still find time for sleep. McCord replied, “Students tend to not put out much consideration for their sleep schedule, but it affects a lot of (their) day-to-day lives.” According to studies, insomnia may be a cause of depression, rather than just a symptom, he said. “Not sleeping well enough will make things worse, regardless of the situation.”

Dieting and fitness tips came next. McCord started by asking, “How often do you guys eat out?” The students at the event squirmed slightly. In today’s fast-paced society, not a lot of people find the time to make and eat home-

Photo by Aurora Angeles - the advocate

On Monday, 12 candidates met in the Town and Gown room to talk about important issues and what they hope to accomplish if elected. Pictured from left: Tamie Arnold, Laurie Monnes Anderson, Lori Stegmann, Carla Piluso, Stephanie Nystrom, Ray Eppley, Josh Moriarty, Larry Morgan, Rich Allen, and Kirk French.

Fairview city councilor Tamie Arnold supported revitalizing Neighborhood Watch programs, which she said are very cost-effective compared to adding police patrols. “If we keep dipping into (city reserve funds) like this, eventually there won’t be any reserves left,” she said about epanding police patrols. Morgan echoed her concern, saying that 60 percent of Troutdale’s city budget goes to the fire and public safety departments.

Stephanie Nystrom, state representative candidate for District 52, had a unique view on how to improve the community, “We need to improve our infrastructure system - roads, community colleges, schools, our energy systems, some of which are, locally, inadequate,” she said.

Gresham’s Stegmann called for better representation on a federal level, saying that, “We need people who will get us (Oregon) atten-

tion.”

Troutdale city council member Rich Allen, seeking re-election, said it makes sense to merge that city’s police force with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s department. If ratified, a new contract for Sheriff’s patrols would save the city $800,000 in the first year, he said.

“Personally, as far as public safety goes, the only thing I care about is that someone qualified shows up quickly,” Allen said. “It may not seem like much, but $50,000 to $100,000 is quite a bit.”

Students and other attendees at the event were encouraged to ask questions. Troy, the ASG organizer, said she hoped that students would feel more connected to decision makers in their cities and counties, and that the politicians “learned some needs of students and community members to effectively serve everyone.”

where it comes from and how to deal with it made meals throughout the day, he said.

Then he added, “the greatest thing you can do for yourself is exercise 10-20 minutes a day.” For this, people will get more “bang for their buck,” he said.

McCord also shed a light on how thought processes can lead to depression a lot faster than most students believe. He said students need to learn to stop negative thoughts. He said habitually thinking negative thoughts can lead to depression. There is a method to counteract negative thoughts called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT works to change common patterns of negative thinking, called cognitive distortions, in order to eliminate depression.

“It’s hard to change emotions. Each thought has a negative effect on our body,” he said. This leads to a feeling of “awfulness” and, in turn, to what McCord called a “negative self-talk” – meaning that people degrade themselves, making themselves feel worse, instead of focusing on the positives of life. “Life happens, but our interpretation of that is what causes depression,” he said.

Depression Continued on page 5

Graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate

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NEWS

October 31, 2014

Women’s strength classes Hayden Hunter the advocate

Starting Saturday, the Portland Police Bureau will host its WomenStrength classes in the Mt. Hood gymnasium.

At the request of Cherilyn Nederhiser, MHCC lead public safety officer, the Police Bureau is reaching outside city limits to give students a chance to take this class. “I just wanted to help raise awareness of public safety, both on campus and in students’ dayto-day lives,” she said.

Nederhiser also invited the Portland Police Bureau to host a class early last spring, which she called a success.

The upcoming class will be held in the

Athletic Center, Room PE 139. Sessions will run on Saturday and continue on Nov. 8 and Nov. 15. It is free and open to anyone who has pre-registered, with no experience necessary.

Nederhiser said this particular class “filled up in a day and a half.”

The class will go over simple blocks, holds, escapes, and other tactics, as well as helping women to be assertive and deal with confrontation in a safer manner.

Volunteers, past class members, and police officers will do the teaching.

To date, the Portland Police Bureau has taught self defense skills to more than 30,000 area women and hosted personal safety workshops to reach 100,000 men and women, officials said.

Vets to perform one-act plays MHCC writing instructor and Iraq war vereran Sean Davis will be reading from his book, “The Wax Bullet War,” in the Studio Theater from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

The reading will be followed by a one-act performance of “A Chaos of Stars,” which is acted and directed by combat veterans.

This event is part of Mt. Hood’s Interdisciplinary Reader’s Series, which features authors from across the nation. Featured guests usually go around various classes on campus to answer questions for students.

All Interdisciplinary Reader’s Series events are free.

-Greg Leonov

Depression Continued from page 4

The topic was so content-heavy that McCord couldn’t get through his entire talk as planned, but gave attendees a sheet of what would have been covered to take with them.

He did not have the time to talk about beating procrastination, which is mostly how to deal with the fatigue and laziness that comes along with depression. He said it is easy to fall into a cycle of putting things off until we feel better, but with deadlines, that creates even more stress and guilt for students.

Another topic skipped was a clean living environment. McCord said, “a dirty living environment only serves to make us feel more worthless and discouraged.

McCord planned on ending the discussion talking about how important it is for people to embrace forgiveness “Forgiving these wrongs can help you heal and move forward with your life,” he said.

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LIFESTYLE

October 31, 2014

THIRD OF A FOUR PART SERIES See next week’s feature on Lorenzo

I heard actors say that the first moment of getting up on stage in front of a crowd never really goes away.

Lewis Hill

Photo byJon Fuccillo - the advocate

Student actor Lewis Hill takes on the role of Gepetto in the upcoming play “Pinocchio” which has a sole public performance on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.

Hill plays ‘papa to Pinocchio’ in upcoming play Adam Elwell the advocate

Mt. Hood student Lewis Hill, 25, spends his free time swimming, studying, and when in the mood, dressing up like a 50-year-old Italian puppeteer and crafting wooden characters.

Hill plays Geppetto in the upcoming MHCC production of “Pinocchio.” Not only is Pinocchio Hill’s first acting performance, but his first audition, as well.

“Oh yeah, I’m nervous,” she said. “I’ve heard actors say that first moment of getting up on stage in front of a crowd never really goes away, either.”

Theater teacher Mace Archer complimented Hill’s work in playing Geppetto: “Lewis is a man among men. He’s great. He has this sensitivity on stage and he really lends himself well towards a father-type

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makes throughout this play,” character like Geppetto.”

Hill said. But, he said, GepAnd yet, for a father-figure petto is a bit of a softie. “He’s character in a children’s play, Gepdefinitely more of a friend petto is strangely dark. “He’s defito Pinocchio, he loves him nitely a very lonely old man,” said so much he could never get Hill, discussing his character. “But I mad at him. He’s just not godefinitely like that he’s a papa to Piing to discipline him.” nocchio; it’s interesting playing an If there is one moment older character.” to watch in Pinocchio, it is As if the emotional requireStudent actor Lewis Hill when the puppet becomes a real ments aren’t enough, the role is a physical challenge, also, as Hill has to carry boy “That’s actually an interesting scene bePinocchio (not a puppet, but his fellow actor, Ezra Vervin) across the stage during one cause I’m waking up next to Pinocchio in that scene, and it’s all nonverbal, so the audience scene. He said he has yet to drop her.

Although Geppetto is over 50, he is defi- gets to watch as I wake up, look at Pinocchio, and then I do this double-take where I sit nitely a new parent, said Hill.

“There is one point in the play where I straight up and then I jump onto the work say ‘Pinocchio, oh, where could you be my bench and yell ‘Pinocchio! You’re a real boy!’ little puppet? Please come home to papa!’ and then run over and hug him,” Hill said.

There’s definitely a lot of mistakes Geppetto While his first performance, the play is not

Hill’s whole story concerning theater. He first came to Mt. Hood with hopes of becoming a certified public accountant. Everything went pretty much according to plan until he took a theater appreciation course here. He said that there was one moment in the class, in particular, that caught his attention. “There was a play called ‘Betty’s Summer Vacation’ and it’s really designed to make you think, which interested me - using theater to get people to think,” he said.

Hill is now an art transfer major, with no further interest in accounting.

He doesn’t plan on pursuing a career in acting, however. “I enjoy it too much,” he said. Instead, he plans on pursuing a career in the food service industry, where here’s got some experience.

Hill even joked about merging the two career fields: “Maybe I could be on ‘Iron Chef.”

the advocate

NEWS

October 31, 2014

Spooky slice of life: MHCC at night

1 Concrete couch located at the Visual Arts Center.

Photos by Beka Haugen - the advocate

Web photos - Dead Man’s Bones

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The Honey Brothers

Freaky plastic heads located in the cosmetology department.

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30 Seconds To Mars

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She & Him

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Spider web located in one of the tunnels leading to the lower parking lots.

Tenacious D

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the advocate

LIFESTYLE

October 31, 2014 Web photo - Blitzen Trapper

Blitzen Trapper makes “Harvest” hit of their own Jon Fuccillo the advocate

Had Neil Young himself stumbled into the Doug Fir Lounge two Fridays ago, he might have left smiling, like the rest of the sellout crowd.

Portland’s very own Blitzen Trapper played Neil Young’s famous 1972 album “Harvest” along with some tunes of their own, including their hit solo from 2006, “Furr,” which seemed only appropriate given the venue’s name.

According to bass player Michael Van Pelt, the alternative-country-meets-jam band’s front man, Eric Earley, came up with the idea of paying tribute to Neil Young by covering his classic album.

“Eric just came in one day and said, ‘Let’s do “Harvest” at the Doug Fir,’ ” Van Pelt said. “We were all like, ‘Yeah!’ ” Earley’s voice was fading in and out after playing an earlier all-ages show. “I swear this

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never happens,” he told the sweaty crowd, puzzled by losing his voice. But like any good rock star, along with the help of his girlfriend getting him tea and water, Earley pressed on and hit the notes like no one’s business.

All five members stepped up their A-game and had a fun, with a twist of their own.

Drummer Brian Adrian Koch may have stolen the show with his rendition of “Needle and the Damage Done.” His voice and stage presence took over the crowd.

“He’s always been a good singer,” said a not-so-surprised Van Pelt after the show.

Asked what Young’s influence had on the band, Van Pelt said, “All of us have disparate tastes which comes out in our own stuff, but Neil Young is a common thread that’s run through all of our lives.

“I remember listening to ‘Harvest’ on cassette in Eric’s mom’s car back in high school as we trolled around the countryside surrounding Salem (where the band began),”

he said. “It’s a special record, and it gets pretty dark in spots, too. Darker than I remember.”

Van Pelt said playing at the Doug Fir Lounge is always special because the size of the room and the sound.

“Doug Fir has to be in my top five or ten venues in the country,” he confirmed. “It’s intimate. More importantly, it’s a place where people seem to like to go. So, pair a good band with a comfy place and you’ll always have a good show. I’d rather do two or three Doug Fir shows than one Crystal Ballroom show – sounds better and it’s intimate.”

I was hoping this would become a tradition, but Van Pelt hinted that the fellas haven’t quite committed to making this an annual event.

“We’ve talked about playing ‘Abbey Road’ (the Beatles’ epic album) front to back,” Van Pelt said. “Or Neil Young’s, ‘Tonight’s the Night.’ But we don’t want it to be gimmicky – if it’s not fun for us, then we won’t do it.”

Web photo - Neil Young

Pair a good band with a comfy place and you’ll always have a good show.

-Michael Van Pelt Blitzen Trapper

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NEWS

October 31, 2014

Chris Gorsek performing his day job, teaching geography to Mt. Hood students, before devoting time to his night job as a member of the Oregon House of Representatives.

Photo by Emily Wintringham - the advocate

Chris Gorsek: teacher by day, politician by night Jon Fuccillo the advocate

Chris Gorsek is a guy who, you could say, wears a lot of different hats.

The 56-year-old geography and criminal justice instructor at Mt. Hood also serves as a state representative in the Oregon Legislature.

And get this: He’s a retired cop who supports marijuana legalization, though he hasn’t dabbled with the flower. “I am supportive of Measure 91,” he said.

While grading papers and teaching fulltime, Gorsek also finds time to serve as a politician.

He began teaching at MHCC in 2006 as a part-time instructor and then took a full-time position in 2007.

Gorsek took some time from his busy schedule to answer some questions from the Advocate via email.

What can you tell folks about your elected position who might not understand it, since there are lots of first-time voters at MHCC? Gorsek: I am a representative in the Oregon House. There are 60 of us from around the state. There is also the Oregon Senate (with 30 members). I serve on three committees: education, higher education and transportation/economic development. Any bills that make it from a committee, to the floor of one body (House or Senate) and gets approved, has to also be passed by the other body. If that happens then the governor must sign the bill. However, he or she may also veto it. If he or she kills the bill, the full legislature can overturn the veto but it takes two-thirds of the members to make that happen. For-

tunately, vetoes are rare and while we have our differences, both parties (Republican and Democratic) usually agree on many of the bills that come before us on the House and Senate floors.

How is it working as a state legislator and an instructor, at the same time? Pretty hectic life for you?

Gorsek: It is, but it is worth it. There are so many important things going on in the state right now and I am honored to be able to participate in those decisions.

Do you feel like students at MHCC are involved enough in voting and politics?

And what does teaching here bring to your legislative role?

Gorsek: I see a lot of political activity here on campus. While I hope more students will get involved in politics in the near future I know that many of them are swamped with school work, families, jobs, and so on, which makes it hard to find that extra time for political activities. I bring a perspective supportive of students and educators, which means I do get a chance to be the voice for many of our students who are unable to participate themselves because of the reasons I described above.

How long have you been involved in politics?

Gorsek: I first ran for office back in the 2000 election. I ran for the state Senate out here in East County. I did pretty well but my opponent was a well-known incumbent (John Minnis) and I ended up losing that race. I then successfully ran for a Troutdale city council position and won that race. My term ran from

January 2003 to December 2006. I enjoyed my time on the council but in the end I wanted to be involved at a broader policy level, so I chose not to run for re-election. I ran for the Metro councilor position in East County in 2010 but lost that race. In 2012 I ran in one of the most competitive state races against Matt Wand for the House District 49 legislative seat, and won.

What are your thoughts on domestic violence and how can we as a community make efforts to get things on a better path?

Gorsek: I was a Portland police officer for a number of years and dealt with this problem on an almost daily basis. It is a very serious issue that needs much more discussion/attention in our society. That is why I do a major campuswide presentation on it every October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

I fully believe that education helps with this problem but I also feel that the state needs to invest a lot more resources in order to address this problem adequately, especially in the area of emergency shelter beds.

What are your thoughts on Measure 91? Are you for or against legalizing weed?

Have you ever dabbled? It’s a hot topic around the country?

Gorsek: I am supportive of Measure 91.

While I have never used it myself, I know lots of people who have. As a police officer, I never felt that marijuana users were a significant contributor to the problems in my patrol district. Nor have I had any violent encounters with such users, so it seems to me if alcohol – where we do see a lot of problems including violent encounters with the police – is legal, marijuana should be, as well.

What are your thoughts on Measures 89 and 90? Where do you stand with these two?

Gorsek: I fully support Measure 89. Women should have the exact same rights as men!

Measure 90, I do not support. I know that our voting system is flawed but I do not think that this will solve anything and in fact I think it will make things worse. We already have a system where the two major party candidates face off in the general election. Why would we want two people from the same party facing off in the general election? I want to see more parties, beyond just Democrats and Republicans, have an active role in Oregon elections but I think that this approach would make that less likely to happen than it is (now). If the problem is really that nonaffiliated voters want to vote in primary elections, then why not simply allow them do that instead? We could create a system where (voters) would apply before the election to vote in whichever primary they wanted to vote in, through the Secretary of State’s office. This would be better than the changes proposed in Measure 90.

What’s the most important thing you would like to tell folks about the re-election campaign? Are you excited this time of year, or is it overwhelming?

Gorsek: This is an exciting time of the year for me as I campaign for re-election. I truly enjoy talking with voters about the issues that are important to them. As for the most important thing for me, I want people to know that I am a hard worker and that I believe in standing up for the poor and the middle class – two groups that don’t seem to have much of a voice in our society.

9

the advocate

SPORTS

October 31, 2014

Giants take World Series:

Cinderella loses a lot more than just a shoe Hayden Hunter the advocate

Cinderella left more than a shoe on the field after Wednesday night’s Game 7 of the World Series.

The Kansas City Royals, a team that was seemingly never meant to escape the first playoff round, duked it out with the San Francisco Giants for a week, battling all the way to the bottom of the ninth inning. The Royals managed to get a runner on third, Alex Gordon, with two out, but the Giants’ pitching ace, Madison Baumgarner, grooved a fat one down the middle that KC catcher Salvador Perez somehow popped up for a foul fly ball, caught by Buster Posey and Madison Baumgarner celebrate the Giants’ title.

Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval.

The Royals had a good run. They lost Game 1, but came back to take Games 2 and 3. San Francisco retaliated by winning Games 4 and 5, but Kansas City wasn’t ready to throw the towel in Game 6, pounding San Francisco, 10-0. That forced a seventh game, where San Fransisco had the lead for the majority of the game. The Royals never stopped trying, but just could not seem to contend with the Giants’ experience in the World Series.

So, the Giants took their third championship trophy in five years with Wednesday’s win.

Whoop-de-do. We all know it would have been way cooler to see Kansas City get its glass slipper.

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the advocate

SPORTS

October 31, 2014

Photo contributed by Luke Lowe

Sophomore Devin Saucy (14) and freshman Ashton Smedley (11) go up for block against SW Oregon CC last Saturday.

Saints sputter, still seeking consistency Brandon Raleigh the advocate

This past week had ups and downs for the Saints volleyball team. Mt. Hood went 1-2, including a loss Wednesday to the South Region’s second-place team, the Linn-Benton Community College Roadrunners.

The Roadrunners outplayed the Saints in most facets, winning 25-19, 2517, and 25-12 in Albany.

“We fought hard, but did not play our cleanest game. We have been working on our fight and we brought that, but we need to build on that for the tournament this weekend,” said head coach Andrew Clifton, on the loss to Linn-Benton.

Last Saturday, the Saints played a four-set match against Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC).

The Saints captured the first set, 25-17, but SW Oregon was able to change the momentum, taking the second set 25-12.

Sets three and four were hard-fought but the Lakers were able to edge the Saints, taking both the final two sets by a 25-23 score.

“We started off good, but made a number of unforced errors in a row and it gave SWOCC life in the (second) game,” Clifton said. “Then we had to battle in the third and fourth game.

SWOCC played well and we just didn’t bring our A-game that night.”

The Saints did get strong play out of sophomore right-side hitter Devin Saucy, who recorded 19 kills. Freshman outside hitter Jessica Pedro stepped up big on the defensive end, with 18 defensive digs. Sophomore setter Shea Lindsey and Freshman outside hitter Trisha Johnson both provided 20 sets for the Saints.

One night earlier, on Oct. 24, the Saints took on the Umpqua Riverhawks in a match that was all Saints (25-16, 2512, 26-24).

“We looked good that night and did not make too many unforced errors,” Clifton said.

Pedro and Lindsey sparked the Saints’ offensive attack. Pedro recorded 15 kills, while Lindsey contributed 29 sets. Sophomore libero Kiana Miller added eight defensive digs in the match.

This week, the Saints could celebrate a South Region defensive player of the week award, which went to Pedro. She has made a big impact this season on the offensive end, and her recent play has shown her ability on both sides of the net.

“Jessica’s great defensive play has just started to come together in the last week or so,” Clifton said. “It has been a nice bonus to have her turn it on in the back row this late in the season.”

Next up for the Saints is the two-day Dorian Harris Tournament, which they host in the Mt. Hood gym today and Saturday. Participants, all NWAC community college teams, include Columbia Basin, Centralia, Chemeketa, Clackamas, Everett, Highline, Lower Columbia, Skagit Valley, Tacoma, Umpqua, and Wenatchee Valley.

The Saints, now in fourth place in the South with a 3-5 record (13-22 overall), open the two-day tourney against Centrailia at 2 p.m. today, before taking on Columbia Basin at 6 p.m.

Photo contributed by Luke Lowe

Saints huddle up prior to Saturday’s match against SW Oregon CC.

Up Next: Dorian HarrisTournament Today 2 p.m. @ MHCC 11

the advocate

SPORTS

October 31, 2014

Photo contributed by Doug Bowman

The saints celebrate their second-place finish at the Southern Region Championships last Saturday. Head coach Jim Satterfield was voted women’s coach of the year by his peers in the Southern Region.

Photo contributed by Luke Lowe

Michael Francy (63) and Brandon Raleigh (66) running at the front of the pack of Saturday’s championship.

Saints run strong at Southern Championships Jon Fuccillo the advocate

It wasn’t even really close for first-year Saints runner Georgia Glovatsky.

Glovatsky claimed the women’s Southern Region Individual Cross-Country Championship last Saturday at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, helping Mt. Hood’s women’s team finish in second place with 56 points. That compared to the 39 points (lowest score wins) of Lane Community College, who saw runners finish 2-3-4 in the 5K run – but couldn’t quite keep up.

Glovatsky won easily with a time of 18:42, 23 seconds ahead of runner-up Nicole Maurmann, who finished in 19:05. “(Glovatsky) is doing great,” head coach Jim Satterfield said of his 26 year-old leader. “She’s a tremendously hard worker. She’s at a fitness level that our competitors can’t hang with. It was basically two different races.”

After the race, Satterfield was named Southern Region Women’s Coach of the Year, thanks in part to a strong season by his phenom runner, Glovatsky.

“That was great,” Satterfield said of the selection by all the Southern Region coaches. “It’s

a testament to the girls (for) having a great day.

It wasn’t just about Georgia. All of our girls matched up well down the line, and the other coaches recognized that.”

Other top finisher for the Saints were Emily Trosino(sixth place, 19:43),Leah Norquist(10th place, 20:20) and Haley McDonald (17th place, 20:59). There were 45 women competing from six different schools.

“They all ran great,” Satterfield said of his Mt. Hood squad. “(Our No.) 5, 6, 7 and 8 girls maybe ran the best races for them all year,” he said.

Satterfield said he wasn’t too concerned with the times logged, since the weather conditions were so awful.

“There was a downpour and the course had just been used for high school district meets.

The times were indicative” of the sloppy footing, he said.

On the men’s side, sophomore Brandon Raleigh helped push Mt. Hood into contention with a third-place finish in the 8K run. He finished with a time of 26:29, trailing only Lane runners Jonathan Cornish (26:15) and Ben Harter (26:24).

“Brandon was racing with the lead pack and Cornish took off with 2,500 meters to go,” Sat-

terfield said. “That’s quite a ways, at a mile and a half left. (Cornish) took the lead rather early and made a bold move and didn’t back off.

“Brandon was able to pull away from everyone else but the two Lane kids. “But he (also) beat some people who beat him earlier in the NWAC Preview,” meet last month, the coach noted.

Raleigh was impressed with his performance and likes how things are progressing.

“I’m pretty happy with the race,” Raleigh said. “The course was a little sloppy and it was quite windy, but it was something that each and every runner had to deal with. It was an old fashioned cross-country race.”

Freshman Michael Francy was the next Saints finisher, taking 12th place with a time of 27:23. The MHCC men’s team finished in the middle of a five-team pack with 69 points, while Lane’s men joined their women as Southern Region champions, scoring 38 points.

The Saints are next slated to take to the course on Nov. 8 for the NWAC Championships, held in Lewisville Park outside Battle Ground, Wash., at 11 a.m.

“It’s going to be real tight at (the) NWACs,” Satterfield said.

It’s a testament to the girls (for) having a great day. It wasn’t just about Georgia. All of our girls matched up well down the line, and the other coaches recognized that.

-Jim Satterfield Head Cross Country Coach

Tune in next week, as we preview the NWAC cross country championship 12