2014
Venture MAGAZINE
Venture Magazine is a Mt. Hood Community College student publication produced by students in the journalism department. The articles and materials present in Venture do not necessarily represent the views of Mt. Hood Community College. None of these materials may be reproduced without written permission from Venture.
Mt. Hood Community College 26000 S.E. Stark St. Gresham, Oregon 97030 503-491-7250
This issue of Venture Magazine is printed on 15% post-consumer fiber recycled paper.
Our team Co-editors Rebecca Gaulke Katelyn Hilsenbeck
Writers
Rebecca Gaulke Katelyn Hilsenbeck Greg Leonov Carole Riggs Emily Wintringham
Designers Rebecca Gaulke Heather Golan Katelyn Hilsenbeck
Photographer Carole Riggs
Contributors Jim Ouchida Edward Woods Howard Buck
Advisers Howard Buck Dan Ernst
Venture into new territory
Photo contributed by Jim Ouchida
Editor’s note To us, Venture means never being afraid of trying something new... taking risks, and hoping it will pay off. We think the idea of Venture is captured in the above photo of the Green Sand Beach on Hawaii’s Big Island. This isn’t just any beach; you have to trek over rocky terrain and hike your way for two and a half miles to the green sand, where you are then rewarded with the natural beauty of the place, which is the result of volcanic eruptions. As second-year students in our final months at Mt. Hood Community College, we proudly bring you an array of topics that we think you will enjoy: an action sports photographer with a true passion for what he does; a talented artist working with bronze to create unique pieces of art in the heart of downtown Troutdale; the poor student’s guide to paying for school; a list of beautiful Columbia Gorge hikes that offer scenery and challenge just a short drive away; the true differences between age groups; and a story on the everlasting legacy that black-and-white film photography passes on to students at MHCC. We hope you enjoy reading our magazine as much as we enjoyed producing it for you.
| | | Rebecca Gaulke & Katelyn Hilsenbeck
What’s Inside Food cart Age group Mt. Hood Catching Sculpting Affording heaven gaps saves film air creations college On the hunt for the best food carts in PDX and a peek behind the scenes
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What’s the biggest difference between age groups?
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Black and white photography on a mission to preserve the importance of film
Mt. Hood student captures moments through action sports photography
A young artist making bronze sculptures for local and national venues
Learn how to pay for college with loans, scholarships and waivers
Hidden gems The best hiking spots in the area
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You can’t escape it. You can’t deny it. It’s our most fervent primal instinct: the intake of food. Tailored to the urban lifestyle, Portland’s street food scene is expansive. Nearly 500 food carts dwell in pods scattered throughout the Portland metropolitan area. According to an article by Jetsetter, Portland is ranked third for the best food truck city in America. The reason why? Portland takes the cake for being the most ethnically diverse.
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THE COOP
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PJ McDaniel serves his chicken and waffles out of his family-run food cart, The Coop.
e d i s n i k e e For a p p i fl , s t r a c d PDX foo the page
or Lisa McDaniel, co-owner of The Coop at Cartlandia, her family’s cart is more than just a business. It’s a lifestyle. McDaniel runs The Coop along with her husband, PJ, brother, Brandon, and son, Cody. Lisa and PJ are both experienced chefs who feature Chicken and Waffles at The Coop. PJ McDaniel, a native of Roscoe, Calif., carried his inspiration from the distinguished flavor of Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles, a California-based chain, up to Portland. The couple spent four months perfecting their own recipe before bringing it to Cartlandia in July 2013. According to Lisa McDaniel, owning a restaurant is a full-on commitment; running a food cart is more reasonable. “It’s a lot smaller scale,” she said. “It gives us more freedom.” Owning a food cart gives the McDaniels the liberty to do other activities. They also run a catering business, for which business is slow during the summer. They compensate by working at The Coop year-round. Though running a food cart isn’t as time consuming as a restaurant, owners still must follow the same regulations as any large food corporation. Lisa McDaniel said that Multnomah County food services officials run surprise inspections at least twice a year. Inspectors make sure that food is labeled and dated, the work conditions are safe and sanitary, and there is the right ratio of clean water to dirty water in the gray tank (one that holds waste water that can be used for things, like toilets). She said The Coop has earned 100 percent scores each time for meeting the criteria. McDaniel mentioned other important accommodations a food cart owner must consider. “You have to keep your prices low and you have to have a simple menu,” she said. “We’re not allowed to park (our personal cars) in the lot; we save that room for our customers.” It turns out that food carts offer a unique experience for both customers and owners. “It brings our family together because we are all a part of it constantly,” McDaniel said. “We hope to grow and have another cart by next year.” The Coop is located at 8145 S.E. 82nd Ave. in Portland.
Written by Emily Wintringham Photos by Carole Riggs
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Emily’s
PDX Food Cart Adventures
I find that there’s a certain chemistry when dining at a food cart pod. It’s just an organic, easy-going experience. It doesn’t consist of modestly picking at my salad at an upscale restaurant; I’m compelled to indulge.
Written by Emily Wintringham Photos by Carole Riggs
2 The Coop After making my own visit to The Coop, I fondly remember a handsome amount of crispy chicken on top of golden brown, meltin-your- mouth waffles. I wasn’t expecting this sort of combination to work, but it did. It was one of those dishes so unique, I couldn’t help but be amazed at how complete it truly was. A simple menu often wins me over, because I know what to expect every time I visit.
I set out to discover what I thought were the best of the best food carts in the Portland area. This task threatened to be an elusive one because there is a seemingly infinite amount of exquisite food carts around the city. It can be a hassle to travel all the way downtown, to Portland State University territory or elsewhere, to discover great food. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, I found a great variety of multicultural foods east of the Willamette River. There are many factors that constitute a great food cart, such as taste, convenience, friendly service and organization. I will organize my list with most enjoyable taste being the No. 1 factor. Here are five sensational food carts I found when venturing out:
Aybla Grill
3 Herb’s Mac And Cheese
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Teepee’s
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Teepee’s When I’m craving Middle Eastern, my goto place is Aybla Grill. Aybla Grill is one of the longest standing food carts in Portland, according to Yelp.com, and my hope is that it stays here forever. One of the reasons why I prefer Aybala over some of the other carts at “Good Food Here” is because its menu is clear and practical. That makes it easy for me to analyze the enticing pictures of all the items and take my pick. The owner, Saied Samaiel, was extremely friendly. Samaiel also owns traditional sit-down restaurants (Aybla Mediterranean Grill) in four other Portland locations. I found the food reasonably priced. A decent sized falafel sandwich – sporting crispy tomatoes, quality feta cheese, fresh spinach and dressed in tahini sauce — is only five bucks. You can supersize your order for only $8. Aybla Grill has a simple but diverse menu comprised of Gyros, Kafta Kabobs, Falafel sandwich, Veggie Mezza plate, Baba Ganouj, and dolmades. A customer said, “You can’t get any closer to Greece than Aybla Grill.” For some killer gyros, or a Falafel sandwich, head to the corner of Southeast 43rd Avenue and Belmont Street.
1 Thai Garden
This is mac ’n cheese at its finest — at a food cart, at least. It’s not some mansypansy boxed mac and cheese; this stuff is the real deal. The portions look small, but don’t be deceived: a $5 regular size filled me up, good and plenty. Unlike many carts, Herb sticks to one dish: mac and cheese. However, there are endless ways you can upgrade your plate. As one customer said, “It’s mac ’n cheese, fully loaded!” My favorite is the pepper jack combo, but there also are cheddar, parmesan, asiago, bleu cheese and feta cheese offered, to customize your order. They also have a good variety of meats: bacon, chicken, pepperoni and hot dog. Herb has a retro cart unlike any other, and it’s a treat to see what goes on behind the scenes. It will catch your eye because you can see inside the cart, as the cart is basically one giant window and looks like a spacecraft. Herb’s Mac And Cheese is located at “Good Food Here,” at Southeast 43rd Avenue and Belmont Street.
I dig the fry bread at Teepee’s. What I love about this food is that it’s basic and delicious. I really appreciate the simplicity of the popovers – just a Hebrew National hot dog and melted cheese in a fry bread case. The fry bread has a one-of-a-kind flavor. Teepee’s uses real local ingredients, like Tillamook Cheese, and many of the dessert items on the menu relate to the owner’s tribal family. “I make fry bread to honor my heritage,” said Teepee’s owner, Rod Thompson. The Yellow Bird, which is a part of the Teepee’s logo and a fry bread dessert with apple filling, represents Thompson’s grandmother. Chief Joe (Sloppy Joe) represents the famous Chief Joseph from the Wallowa Valley area of Northeastern Oregon. Teepee’s supports the Pine Ridge tribal reservation in South Dakota, one of the nation’s poorest. A woman from the reservation makes bead crafts and Thompson sells them, with all the profits going to her. Everything is so cultural here, and I like the fact that I don’t have to travel all the way to the reservations in order to dig into some quality fry bread or Indian tacos. Teepee’s is located at 4926 S.E. Division St.
The best Thai food I’ve ever had was at Thai Garden at Ala Carts. I’m convinced this cart dropped down from heaven. Freshness, quality, flavor, huge portions and quick and friendly service sums up Thai Garden. For $6, you can get a mountain of divine pad Thai. Thai Garden knows when to bring on the heat when you’re in the mood for spice. I believe their curry is what drives me there. Its rich, earthy texture keeps me glued to my fork. According to my friends from Thailand, Thai Garden’s authentic cuisine is hard to find in the vast majority of other Thai food outlets in Portland. I’m also amazed how often Thai Garden is open. The cart stays open late, and apparently even in harsh weather conditions. My friend and I were impressed to find the cart still open during a hectic snow storm. We waited less than five minutes before getting our container of pad Thai, warm against our frozen fingers. For delicious Thai, Thai Garden is found at the corner of Southeast 102nd Avenue and Stark Street.
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Generational gaps... Demographics We surveyed 156 people of varying age groups to find out if generational gaps are present
11.6% 30.97%
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e set out to identify if there were differences in how age groups perceive various issues, from something as trivial as social media to hot topics such as gay marriage and marijuana. What we found, however, is that we are not all that different after all.
13-19 20-30 31-45 46-55 56+
20.65% 7.10% 29.68%
72.22%
96% use social media
What do you use social media for?
27.78%
Other Games Keeping up with family/ friends
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n Our sources, across almost all age categories, agree — they are in favor of gay marriage
Networking for business
n The main difference lies here: the oldest age range thinks it’s acceptable to post as many times as they want on social media, while the younger groups tone it down
do they exist? How do you feel about the recreational use of marijuana?
43. 48%
32.61%
26.09%
45.45%
18.18%
74
Undecided 41.67%
22%
%
% .30 41
4%
9%
9.0
Undecided 14.58%
Will Oregon legalize marijuana in the next five years?
.42
%
8%
No
4.17%
2 78%
% 16.13%
2 2.2
27% 27.
72.73%
Yes 62.5%
16.67%
77
84.
11%
61.
9.6
Maybe
13.04%
45.65%
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47.92%
n Turns out our sample group was opposed to marijuana use evenly across all ages
3.23%
% .11
2.17%
%
37.5%
13.0
72.
Should recreational marijuana be legalized?
.19
No
.45
How many times is it acceptable to post a status on Facebook per day?
% .45 45
22% 25%
22.
%
45
∞0
41.67%
16.67
67% 22.58%
45.45%
1 2 3
For
%
Against
9 11% .38%
16.
Yes
.63
16
11.
n The youngsters and the oldies agree, 65-66% of both ages are against recreational marijuana use
65
% .67
33%
33.
n Even if they are against it, each age group doesn’t doubt Oregon will take that next step
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film
a ih te er m w a c d ss e n a cla th n k y i c t h h a l p ig b r a t r i ’s g g d o n t o i t t o ho e H g p t. of
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One aspect of technology that may shortchange individuals in the long run is the ability to correct mistakes as if they never happened, something one Mt. Hood photography teacher believes is a detriment to his field.
Written by Rebecca Gaulke
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ith extensive amounts of technology at your fingertips at all times, it’s only natural to want to reach out and touch it. The possibilities of what can be accomplished seem endless, as the world is fast moving toward a mainly digitalized society. More newsprint has vanished in favor of online reading, CDs have declined to make way for iTunes, and the insanely popular Netflix expands to dwarf the DVD market. However, one aspect that may shortchange individuals in the long run is the ability to correct mistakes as if they never happened, something one Mt. Hood photography teacher believes is a detriment to his field. As the world pushes beyond the physical, “permanent” era, it seems sustaining the art of film photography may be more important than ever. While so many of Mt. Hood’s specialized programs embrace new technology, the black-and-white film classes Mt. Hood offers are a beacon of hope for preserving the past. The classes, ART261/262, are the beginning and advanced sequences of a three-credit course that overlap completely and take place at the same time. “I think you are literally more intimate with what you’re doing when you’re doing it in three dimensions,” said Michael Henley, MHCC instructor, about the experience of shooting and
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developing film. Henley has taught at MHCC for 17 years. A photographer himself, he has a large amount of experience — at one point shooting portraits of as many as 600 high school seniors per year. At that time, Henley said that with the magnitude of the job, everything had to be correct in the camera: “I had to know what I was doing and do it properly.” Henley uses this experience in the classroom and the lab to teach students the importance of proper film lab etiquette, responsibility and the ins and outs of film photography. While digital editing programs such as Photoshop and LightRoom have made even the most abstract ideas possible, there is still value to be found in little-to-no editing – the classes place emphasis on the importance of developing one-of-a kind prints, and aims to teach students the usefulness of values that come along with doing it properly the first time. “If you’re good at doing film, you probably will be even better at digital photography because you’re forced to not use the preview on the back of the camera… you’re forced to do a lot of things,” said Henley. The medium being solely black-and-white adds a new sense of depth to the class, making the product more of an art form, as well as more of a challenge to the photographers. “A strong composition is really important in every image and
Photo by Carole Riggs
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black and white
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e Above: Andrew Kreps, MHCC student, photographed breaking glass as a part of an assignment in the black-and-white film class. Page 10: Student work samples from the class display a variety of compositions and subjects.
not being able to rely on color forces a person to really work on content. It’s all about the light and how it creates the illusion of form and depth,” Henley said. The three-credit course, scheduled for one evening each week during fall and winter term, is very hands-on, with students working on the equipment during the second week of the term, and processing film in the third week. During the fourth week, they actually print images. All of the work in the class entails students working on images they shoot themselves. “(The) first two classes are really about controlling how to print and controlling how to work your camera,” Henley said. In addition to class time, there are open labs three times per week where students can come in and do things on their own. “It’s very hands-on.” One student took his black-and-white photos to the next level when he photographed glass breaking. “We were given a directive to choose a project, an overall arcing project, and I chose ‘fall,’ ” said Andrew Kreps, a current MHCC student who also works as a software engineer. “I took a lot of photos of things falling, mostly people, and I got a bunch of glass from Goodwill and had an assistant drop it from the ceiling and took a photo at the moment of impact. That was probably the most fun,” he said of capturing his personal favorite film still. The black-and-white film class is not a required course in Mt. Hood’s photography program, and so many students take the class for more of a personal purpose, rather than an academic one. “I just thought that it’s a different aspect of photography and I feel I’m an artist and not a photographer. I kind of look at it as more of a lifetime experience and something to continue on after I’m done here,” said one of Henley’s students, Scott Krohn, who took a break from developing film before one class began to share some insight. Inside the film loading rooms, all activity is touch-based, as zero light can be used when rolling the film on the reels. “The film is coiled up inside of the rolls. In the dark, you literally pop the cap off, take the film out in total darkness – you would align things out where you need them – that’s why everything in the darkroom is attached to chains,” Henley said, describing the process. “If you were processing color film, you would load it onto a reel the same way.” The black-and-white film developing labs house 20 enlarger units, which governs the class size, and seven film loading rooms. One of the hidden benefits of using film, says Henley, is that in some ways, it is cheaper than digital photography. “There’s a myth that digital is cheaper; it really isn’t,” he said. “The
cost of replacing the cameras and all of the software and all the other things that we have is actually considerably more expensive than film. Film cameras don’t wear out… there’s nothing to upgrade. There’s no software upgrades, there’s no new magic technology.” He added that some of the film cameras he still uses today were built in the ’70s. Kreps, a budget-minded student, thinks of film in a different way. “Every time you click the shutter it costs money. And going from digital where you can shoot hundreds… to going from only having 12 shots on a roll of film, really focuses you. “You do it right, you do it well, and you do it accurately, because you don’t wanna spend money to develop a roll of film if they all suck,” Kreps said. “It slows me down so I can get more good shots per session.” Another former Mt. Hood student’s experience in the film classes continues to help him today. Nicholas Hernandez took the blackand-white film class sequence last year for personal reward, he said. “It started with me looking for ways to push my photography into a new and different direction,” Hernandez said. “Photography has been a hobby of mine for over a decade and the world of digital photography was starting to get mundane to me. Many photographers I’ve admired started their careers with black/white film photography and this was also a way for me to pay homage to them.” Currently, Hernandez works designing electrical substations for the Bonneville Power Administration. While his profession is in no way related to the field of photography, he said his photography background helps him frequently. “In my experience, people are generally visual thinkers, and nothing helps more than to take photos of projects to convey ideas to others. Of course, this is quite different than a creative photography project, but all the techniques and principles apply across the board,” he said. Hernandez believes there is a unique art to the creation of film photographs. “To me, film has always had an extra layer of creativity and soul to it. Similar to a handcrafted item you buy at a local artisan’s shop, black-and-white film photography has that handcrafted feel that you just can’t reproduce with digital photography,” he said. “With film, it forces you to slow down and deliberately instill discipline and photographic techniques to produce a well-exposed photograph… There are many ways to manipulate your photographs in the darkroom, but it requires a good amount of patience and perseverance.”
Above photos contributed by Andrew Kreps. On page 10, clockwise from left, contributed by Nicholas Hernandez, Alyssa Applegate and Christopher Mullens.
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Catching air, preserving mom
Written by Katelyn Hilsenbeck Photos by Josh Snelling
ments
A fascination with cameras and roots with nature led Mt. Hood Community College student Josh Snelling, 27, to venture out into the wilderness and preserve moments in time with his photography, whether they be carving out the mountain or skating the concrete jungle. “I’m really just an adventurer. I like the adventure of life — going places, experiencing things, finding new places,” said the second-year Integrated Media photography student. “I see something and I have to save that image – somewhere that I can look at it – not just in my head,” said Snelling, describing how the emotions come back when looking at photos years later. “It started with the inspiration of seeking out nature and going places where most people don’t see and haven’t been and bringing those images back and sharing them with people. Showing them what else is out there, besides the well known. From there it just kind of expanded to my other passions in life — outdoor sports, extreme sports.” And nowhere does that enthusiasm shine brighter than on the snowboarding slopes, a place he now calls his “zen.” Snelling embarked on his mission to master photography when his mother passed down her Pentax digital 45-millimeter camera when he was 9. For the next ten years he would shun digital photography: “I used that for a little bit and switched to film right away. I didn’t like the early digital; it was really pixelated,” he explained. “I also didn’t really understand the technology and how to tweak it and adjust everything.”
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For Snelling, being in the wild is where he feels most relaxed, and it provides the perfect canvas for his art. “I definitely feel more comfortable when I’m out secluded in the elements compared to being combined in the hustle and bustle of the city. I feel like my artistic juices flow a little bit better when I have room to breathe,” he said. Before entering the photography program at MHCC, his main focus was skateboard photography, which kindled a fire to become multi-faceted. “I was always really inspired by watching videos to see what images I wanted to take. Once I started getting familiar with that, then I started taking video and found how much I really enjoy capturing the movement instead of just a still image. “With the music and the sound and all that put together, you can really create an environment, whereas a photograph is more the person looking at it interprets what they want to feel and see,” he said. MHCC has provided him with the tools to grow. “I’ve learned a lot of technical aspects and that was kind of the reason I came here, to gain some knowledge about the business of photography and also the technical aspects of equipment and what kind of lightning and cameras and lenses I want to use, and eventually purchase. It really gave me a good, solid overview of the industry,” he said. Snelling describes his photography as “high contrast, very dramatic, vivid. I really like to showcase the emotion of the action being performed” by remarkable athletes, he said. “Not just showing the action, but showing it with emotion and giving it the feel of who is performing — if it’s snowboarding, skateboarding, what have you — capturing who they are and also what they’re doing and combining those things together.” When he treks out to a shoot, it requires extra work to land the perfect shot. Being quite some distance from civilization in most cases, he has to plan just how to get himself and his gear to the location. “From there, I just kind of let it go with the flow. Once I have a thought in my head of what I want, and the locations picked out, and all my little points picked out where I want to stand — I just let it go natural and bond with the athlete I’m shooting,” he said. “I have a real strong root with nature, and
the forest, and mountains. And from there, the sports kind of intrigue me, because they’re sports (snowboarding, mountain biking, kayaking) that happen in the forest and the mountains.” Snowboarding is a thread that helps hold his life together. Not only is it Snelling’s true passion, but also one for his soon-to-be wife, Sarah, whom he met on the slopes. However, they will experience a dramatic climate change when they head to tropical Belize for their honeymoon in November, following their planned wedding along the Sandy River. The sport is “my zen,” Snelling said. “It’s where I go to release everything, all stresses all life, and build up my energy and happiness and Vitamin D levels. “Snowboarding is the one thing that kind of keeps me sane. I feel like if I’m not up there once a week, I’m kind of going crazy.” Snelling has shot a little bit of everything, but aims to steer clear of the “flowery-girly” things such as babies and weddings, he said. He still has ties to the skateboarding scene. He was part of the founding crew of Burnside Board Co. in downtown Portland. “The Burnside Skate Park has a whole bunch of legends who helped start it and are still around and support the local skate community,” he said. Until the business recently moved, it was very near the Burnside Skate Park and “was basically started to support the skaters” who go there, he said. Video is Snelling’s next great quest, though. He is currently working on a documentary titled “Mountains They Call.” “It’s basically a documentary that explores why the people in the Pacific Northwest, why they have such a calling to get out in nature. It seems like it’s a passion of all people in the Pacific Northwest to go out and do some sort of outdoors activity,” he said. To make the video, he will roam the backwoods and backroads, probably with his fiancé in tow, to find the reason why “everyone is called to the mountains and the forests,” he said. “I really enjoy doing video; it kind of goes hand in hand with photography, lining up the image and seeing what you want to capture. From there, it’s just capturing the movement.” To keep up with Snelling, visit his website at wildcaptionphoto.com. Burnside Board Co. is located at 1971 W. Burnside St. in Portland.
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- Information contributed by Edward Woods
Snelling photographs action sports, such as snowboarding. Above,
Background: MHCC student Josh Snelling photographs action sports, such as snowboarding. Side bar: Snelling’s work captures movement, and he describes his photography as “high contrast” and “vivid.”
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Bronze beginnings At the heart of downtown Troutdale lies the Caswell Gallery, an art studio where a father and son work together to create intricate bronze sculptures, among other fine artworks, full of detail and original touches that portray anything from everyday items to prominent historical figures. Written and photographed by Carole Riggs Chad Caswell, 20, is the son of renowned Oregon bronze sculptor, Rip Caswell, and the two recently worked side-by-side in their studio on a national monument piece in 2013 commissioned for display at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii. The duo crafted a sculpture of U.S. Navy five-star Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II. Chad worked closely with his father to add detail and refinements to the largerthan-life sculpture. His handiwork includes the emblem and “scrambled eggs” braiding on Nimitz’s hat; the admiral’s submarine belt and its intricate buckle; the stitches in his hat, pants, shirt and shoes, and the shoelaces themselves; and the four stars and wood-simulated base of the statue. The eight-foot sculpture was unveiled at Pearl Harbor on Sept. 2, coinciding with the anniversary of the Allied victory over Japan in the Pacific Ocean theater (V-J Day) in 1945. A second copy was placed in Nimitz’s hometown of Fredericksberg, Texas, home to the National Museum of the Pacific War and the Admiral Nimitz Museum. “I can’t believe my name is on a national monument that is seen by half a million visitors per year,” Chad said of the Pearl Harbor site, with a smile. “And, my whole family was there for the unveiling. That was the most fantastic event to be a part of.” Chad’s early exposure and training by his father has greatly expanded his abilities. “Chad has
been working closely with me the past two years,” said Rip. “He began playing with clay and showed interest at a young age. At 7 years old, he was creating small dinosaurs and a few frog figures, at 10 he began selling some of his artwork to friends, and by 11, they were sold at one of my shows. “Since then, he’s continued to refine his skills and has developed into quite a talented artist in his own right,” Rip said. “I’m very proud of him.” Chad has been happy to contribute. “I’m thrilled to say that I had a small part of almost every sculpture that has been created here for the past two years – mainly detail work – but still, a small part of me is in everything my dad has done in that time,” he said. He was 18 when his father offered him the job as assistant sculptor on several commissioned monument works. Chad has since teamed with his father on multiple projects that include seven life-sized geese erupting in flight from the entryway monument to the City of Tualatin; the sevenfoot tall sculptures of Mary and Joseph and of the crucifixion, commissioned for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita, Kans., and the Nimitz statue. Chad attends
Left: Chad Caswell works on his sculpture of Leonard DeWitt.
Clark College, located in Vancouver, Wash., where he’s earning a business degree. He plans to transfer to Washington State University in 2015. “I want to learn the business side of my dad’s profession, so when I open my own studio, I’ll be able to handle the business side as well as the artistic aspects,’’ he said. The young artist has studied production at his father’s fine-art foundry, learning hands-on the ancient “lost wax casting” process. He will take his father’s own portrait sculpture class in late May, then attend another portrait sculpture class in New York City in the fall. This spring, he has balanced college classes at Clark with his job at the Troutdale gallery and studio. When not partnering with Rip, Chad works on a joyful series inspired by his youth, creating a whimsical line of frogs, toads, turtles and salamanders. These colorful and unique creations are cast in bronze and available in resin.
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“
I can’t believe my name is on a national monument that is seen by half a million visitors per year - Chad Caswell
Chad Caswell poses with the sculpture of Leonard DeWitt for the City of McMinnville.
Already showing hints of a great entrepreneurial future, Chad said he’s begun to cast one of his favorite sculptures, a large toad, into chocolate, which he wants to sell at the gallery and at any local stores interested in carrying a very unique piece of edible art. “I’d love it if someone in Battle Ground and Vancouver sold them,” he said. “They’re going to be fun and I’m testing them out” with prototypes for gifts for his mother and grandmother on Mother’s Day, he said. The son is well on his way to becoming a respected sculptor in his own right. Several months ago he was contacted by the City of McMinnville, where plans have been laid for a new monument to honor Leonard DeWitt and all the Oregon Army National Guard soldiers who fought in WWII and “distinguished themselves in battle,” but were never awarded the Medal of Honor, according to officials. It’s believed U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur, who led the Allied troops in the Pacific theater, denied the nomination by Dewitt’s commanders because DeWitt was
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not enlisted at the time. To help create a sense of the man, Chad met with Dewitt, now 92 and living in McMinnville with his wife. Dewitt supplied old photos and the complete version of the dramatic battle that earned his tribute. (He did receive a Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest honor, for his bravery.) Working as a communications officer in New Guinea for the 41st Army Division, Dewitt jumped when his camp came under Japanese attack. Fighting mostly alone, he found himself firing guns, tossing hand grenades and then fighting Japanese soldiers with his hands and bayonet, before he finally flung his helmet at his foes to scatter them and to escape. Funding for the McMinnville statue, which shows DeWitt throwing his helmet, is still being secured. Support has been provided in part by REAL (Recognizing Excellence And Leadership) Heroes US and those survivors who served under the 41st Sunset Infantry banner. Co-founder of REAL, Chris
McLaran, said, “When we met Leonard DeWitt, we really fell in love with the idea of bringing recognition to those in WWII,” and so the fundraising began. “Chad is extremely talented and I don’t think the apple falls far from the tree,” said McLaran about the Caswell family. Meanwhile, Chad and Rip Caswell’s work can be viewed at the Caswell Gallery, where the pair can be found sculpting at various times throughout the week and during First Friday Art Walks, which take place 5 to 9 p.m. in Troutdale on the first Friday of each month. The gallery is located at 201 W. Historic Columbia River Highway, in downtown Troutdale. Its website – caswellsculptures.com – contains dozens of images of the Caswell’s works, as well as watercolor, pastel, oil and acrylic paintings, photography, blown glass, fine and “whimsy” jewelry, created by artists represented by the gallery. Chad’s work can also be viewed at chadcaswell.com.
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Written by Greg Leonov
THE INS AND OUTS OF
WAIVERS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND FAFSA
Avoiding the accumulation of crushing student debt can be a hassle for students who pursue higher education in hopes of a career and future that provide comfort and a decent standard of living. Many students have figured a way to fund their college education without running up such debts. It takes a lot of work and close attention, however. “I don’t have 100 percent from my GI Bill (benefits), so I have to pay the rest of it with student loans,” said U.S. Army veteran and MHCC mechanical engineering student Ethan Janssen. “Hopefully, I could take the time to actually start looking for scholarships and other stuff.”
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Americans owe over one trillion dollars in student loans As of this year, approximately half of the students at Mt. Hood Community College are using some form of financial aid to pay for their education Mt. Hood offers three types of waivers: Instructional waivers are given to students fresh out of high school and current students Co-curricular waivers are offered to students involved in programs The athletic department also offers waivers to student athletes
“I’m not getting financial aid because of my
mom’s work. Sometimes you’ve got to find your own way. Eligibility shouldn’t be based on parents’ income.”
Alan Serrano “I’m getting full grants from FAFSA, no loans. I’m getting a $1,500 scholarship.”
Eddie Rodriguez “I’m not struggling, getting full grants.”
Pearly Walton
“I’m paying out of pocket this term. I was getting financial aid last term. I’m paying bills and live at home; my family isn’t always willing to help.”
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Kylie Dunlap
Janssen attended Mt. Hood prior to his Army service and was fully funded with a federal Pell Grant, “but after doing the FAFSA (student financial aid request), apparently I wasn’t eligible” anymore, he said. He now covers his remaining tuition balance with a loan. He’s far from alone. About half of the current students at MHCC are using some form of financial aid to pay for their education, said Christi Hart, Mt. Hood’s manager of financial aid. In total, Americans owe more than one trillion dollars – that’s $1,000,000,000,000 – in student loans, according to the Federal Reserve Bank in New York. Unfortunately, more than 600,000 students in the U.S. who started repaying their loans in 2010 defaulted on their loans by 2012, according to The Institute for College Access and Success (www. ticas.com): They stopped making payments, or failed to arrange a payment plan after a specified length of time. Repaying college loans is a tedious, but necessary process one must go through after graduating. “It’s not like the day you graduate you have to start making payments,” Hart said. “Usually you do have a bit of a grace period, but on the federal loans, they give you about 120 days.” When a student accepts a federal loan, he or she can choose either a subsidized or unsubsidized loan. The main difference is “whether the (charged) interest is accruing or not,” said Hart. “With the subsidized loans, the interest is being paid by the government while you’re in school (taking) at least six credits or more. (With) the unsubsidized, the interest does accrue and you either have the option of paying it while you’re in school or you can defer that and it’ll be capitalized onto your principle.” It can take much time and effort to make sure that the loan money actually comes through, however. “Last term it was really hard for any of my financial aid paperwork to go through,” said Janssen. “It was a good almost month into the entire term before I saw a single cent of any of my — whether it be the loan that I took out, or my GI Bill.” His advice to fellow students is concise. “I would tell students to go in every single day before the term starts and just badger the hell out of Financial Aid,” Janssen said about making sure that everything required of a student to obtain assistance is in order. “Just keep going in every single day, until you get your financial aid. Otherwise, if you sit there thinking, ‘I’ll wait a couple extra days, just in case,’ that’s not gonna happen. “Go in there every single day.” Before resorting to loans that must be repaid, students usually have the opportunity to get federal grants. It’s smart to fully explore that option. “I made a decision in the beginning that I did not want to go into debt,” said Mt. Hood student Ken Ramsey, who was awarded a full federal grant instead. “I have filed my FAFSA on January 2nd for two years now, and I have no need of loans.” There’s another debt-free path available to many students who might not realize it: scholarships. “I want to encourage students to look for scholarships, but they need to be taken seriously,” said Hart. “You have to look at it as almost a part-time job” when seeking out scholarships, which are just about the best way to pay for an education, he said. “There is an abundance of options for scholarships.” One popular resource Hart recommends to students is “The
Ultimate Scholarship Book” by Gen and Kelly Tanabe. It explains out of high school with no idea of what to do and during that to win scholarships, students can meet numerous criteria orientation, I heard about the opportunities that Mt. Hood other than high grades, participation and extracurricular activities. could provide to a student with student involvement, student The authors tell students it is risky to depend solely on financial activities.” aid; it’s much better to track down any scholarship opportunity. Delgado’s dedication and involvement with the program earned “Scholarships represent free cash that does not need to be paid him tuition waivers worth hundreds of dollars each term. back and which you can use at any school,” the Tanabes write. Mt. Hood offers three types of tuition waivers, according to “The Ultimate Scholarship Book” is updated yearly so that Robert Cox, the dean of student enrollment. students can stay on top of their options. Instructional waivers are given to students fresh out of high Scholarships may come from private or public sources. school. Surrounding area high school officials select a deserving In 1959, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Student student eligible for a waiver, then award it to the student. Access Commission, or OSAC, which “continues to provide Instructional waivers also can be awarded by MHCC faculty innovative programs to thousands of Oregon students and families members to current Mt. Hood students. “Each of our academic to ensure access to postsecondary education,” according to its disciplines that are under our deans have a pot of waivers they can website. OSAC awards college scholarships of more than $15 give to students that are discipline-specific waivers,” Cox said. million to thousands of Oregon students each year, the website Instructional waivers may also be offered to students with says. disabilities, which are similar to scholarships. “It’s one application that you go through and look Co-curricular waivers are offered to students involved in at the individual criteria, and then you can mark those types of programs. They can range from one credit off which ones you are eligible for,” said Hart to 12 credits per term, said Cox. about the OSAC application. Mt. Hood also operates leadership programs The MHCC Foundation also offers with side benefits, said Cox. “We have Oregon numerous scholarships to Mt. Hood Leadership Institute, SOAR. These are programs students, or high school students who that are peer mentor programs, peer mentor plan to attend the school. Students leadership programs.” can find Mt. Hood’s scholarship Delgado has received waivers for his applications on the MHCC website, participation with SOAR and ASG (Associated clicking on “financial aid,” and then Student Government). clicking on “scholarships.” “That basically is your financial aid,” “There’s one application to apply Delgado said. “Coming up with roughly twelvefor all of them: You just mark the ones hundred bucks for every term, not including - Christi Hart you feel qualified for,” said Sunny Klever, fees and books, for someone who is just working manager of the MHCC Foundation. part-time or full-time — it may be difficult” without MHCC manager Opportunities for a Foundation the helpful waivers, he said. of financial aid scholarship are available every term, with The payback of participating in leadership the greatest number available the first couple of organizations is not only financial, he said. weeks of spring term, said Klever. “You’re getting your tuition paid for, so you don’t have to worry Al Sigala, MHCC Foundation executive director, said that about that, as well as you’re getting the leadership experience,” successful candidates should apply for scholarships well in Delgado said. advance. The Mt. Hood athletic department also offers waivers to student “You really need to be planning ahead for financial aid as a athletes. Each team at any community college has a certain whole,” Sigala said. “You just don’t show up here spring term and amount of waivers it can offer, governed by rules of the NWAACC just expect that you’re going to find something available. Usually it’s Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) done way in the past because there has to be a committee that’s that MHCC belongs to. reviewing these applications.” Team sports grant the same amount of waivers from college Sometimes, a student can be eligible for a scholarship through to college. “Whether you’re PCC, with a huge campus, or you’re their workplace, or that of a parent or guardian, said Hart. Students Southwest Oregon Community College, with a small campus, you should investigate that possibility. can get the same amount of waivers,” said Cox about student Getting more involved in the community or campus can also athletes. “That’s so nobody gets a competitive advantage or earn important financial advantages. disadvantage” in athletic competition. Many programs at Mt. Hood offer tuition waivers to students During the 2013-2014 school year, Mt. Hood awarded $689,000 who participate in co-curricular activities, or athletics. “It’s a way in total tuition waivers, said Cox. to get involved in the school, give back to both the school and Cox encourages students to seek waivers, because he other students,” said Hart about joining a group activity, outside personally completed college without paying out of pocket. of class. “I got through six years of education, got a master’s degree, Luis Delgado enjoys the payoff, literally, of getting involved in and I never had to pay a penny of tuition,” he said. “And it was Mt. Hood’s SOAR (Student Outreach and Recruitment) team. because I (was in) student leadership and there were waivers that “I started just like any college student,” Delgado said. “Right paid my tuition,” he said.
“
I want to encourage students to look for scholarships, but they need to be taken seriously. You have to look at it as almost a part-time job
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Historic Columbia River Highway
Angels Rest
Dog Eagle Mountain Creek
Dog Mountain
G
Visit the
orge
Getting there:
The Gorge is surprisingly easy to get to and many of the waterfalls are right off the highway. To get there from Portland, simply take Exit 17 off I-84 east and follow the signs over the Sandy River to the historic scenic highway
Bottom photos by Howard Buck Top photo by Carole Riggs
One of the best things about living in Oregon is the stunning views across the state. No matter where you go, you are never far from forest greens, beautiful bodies of water and glowing mountaintops seen from afar.
Some of the best hiking spots lie meal, take a swim or camp there. along the Columbia River, complete with To get there, take I-84 east of views that leave a mark on nature lovers Cascade Locks and go 10 miles until everywhere. If you are looking to escape you arrive at Starvation Creek Trailhead the city lights and head out into the at Exit 55. fresh spring air, here is our brief version Angels Rest—This is a moderate hike, of some of the best and perhaps lesser a 4.5-mile roundtrip lasting about 2.5 known treasures in the Gorge. hours, and is open all year. The total elevation gained is 1,450 feet and if you follow the cliffs out, you’ll be rewarded Hikes and Sites at the Gorge with some stunning views. For those wishing for a longer hike, you can extend Mount Defiance—It’s called Mount it farther by delving into the adjacent Defiance for a reason – it’s one of the plateau. This hike has gentler grades and most physically demanding trails in the great views of the Gorge toward Portland state. Gaining more than 5,000 feet in and Vancouver. elevation up to the summit and continuing To get there, take I-84 to Bridal Veil Exit on for nearly 12 miles in a loop, this is a 28 and park a few hundred yards later very difficult climb and for only the more at the Historic Columbia River Highway experienced hikers. This hike includes junction. waterfalls, viewpoints, and creek valleys Latourell Falls—A short, one-hour and for all the nature-lovers out there, but just over 2-mile hike will take you to the you’ll need a full day, or approximately closest waterfall in location to Portland. 10 hours to do it, sometime during mid- Latourell Falls is beautiful in all seasons June through October. and has an elevation of about 520 feet. In If you would still like to take in the the summer, the low water flow creates sights but are not up for the difficulty misty conditions that are a great way to that going up to the summit entails, you cool off. can still try the more meager 2.5-mile To get there from Portland, take I-84 loop, which is a 600-foot elevation gain east to Exit 28 and turn right on the and open all year. Nearer to the summit, Historic Columbia River Highway, driving you can stop at Warren Lake and enjoy a 2.8 miles to a lot on the left.
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Mt. Defiance
Latourell Falls
Dog Mountain
Dog Mountain—This steep, 3.7-mile hike leads to luscious wildflower meadows in the summer and stunning Gorge and mountain views. It’s family friendly, and dog friendly, but still quite a workout. You can choose to stick with the more moderate hike to the lower viewpoint, or go all the way up the summit for a more difficult hike and a 2,820-foot elevation gain. To get there, take I-84 to Cascade Locks Exit 44 and take the Bridge of the Gods across the Columbia River (don’t forget your $1 to pay the bridge toll). Turn right on Washington Highway 14, drive east for 12 miles and then park between mileposts 53 and 54 at the sign for Dog Mountain Trailhead. (You’ll need a daily/annual NW Forest Pass, $5/$30, to park here.)
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Eagle Creek | Punchbowl Falls—The journey to Punchbowl Falls is only a 2-mile hike, and is very gentle but with some steep drop-offs. A short side trail leads down to water, great for wading just beneath the iconic falls on a warm summer day. It generally attracts huge crowds, so it’s best to aim for a weekday, as the parking lot can get jammed. If you want to continue on, there are more falls and sights, like Tunnel Falls at just past 7 miles, where the trail goes through a rock tunnel behind a thundering falls. To get there, take I-84 to Eagle Creek Exit 41, turn right, and keep along the creek for half a mile to road’s end – or wherever there’s an open parking spot. (A NW Forest Pass is also required here.) The Eagle Creek exit is only accessible from I-84 eastbound.
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Top left, bottom right photos by Howard Buck Top right, bottom left photos by Carole Riggs