Volume 46, Issue 8
NoVember 5, 2010
Taking a paTh less Traveled To vicTory page 5
3
Classified Employee Association votes on contract proposal
There will be no school on Thursday, nov. 11, in observance of veTerans day
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Children's theater to open Monday
2 OPINION Editors-in-Chief
Jen ashenberner & Jordan tichenor
Sports Editor Jon Fuccillo
Advertising Manager Copy Editor David Guida
Living Arts Editor David Gambill
Assistant Living Arts Editor Anevay Torrez
Photo Editor
Devin Courtright
Opinion Editor L. John King
Reporters Joseph Baird Jill-Marie Gavin Chanel Hill Riley Hinds Laura Knudson Yuca Kosugi David Lopez Mike Mata Jess Peterman Kylie Rogers Mario Rubio Shelby Schwartz John Tkebuchava Jessica Winters
Adviser
Bob Watkins
Assistant Adviser Dan Ernst
E-mail advocatt@mhcc.edu 503-491-7250 (Main) 503-491-7413 (Office) 503-591-6064 (Fax) www.advocate-online.net
Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030
Submissions
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.
Front-page photo by David Gambill
THE ADVOCATE
NOVEMBER 5, 2010
Editorial Veterans - We owe them our freedom
Many holidays barely scratch the surface of our awareness. Veterans Day, however, is a little different. The United States Armed Forces is a unique organization. Despite the diversity of beliefs we have, and they are numerous, the military is a place where differences and biases are set aside for a common goal. “Service before self,” as they say. Sadly, peace among nations continues to elude us. The world has yet to find a way to live without war or amassing vast military forces. However, one must consider that if it were not for veterans, our world would likely be very different. If not for the patriots of the Revolutionary War, those living between our shores might still be subject to tyrant kings, leaving mere colonies being bled of all our resources. If America had not tipped the balance in World War I,
generations of men might still be dying in trenches from bullet wounds, gangrene and the terrors of chemical warfare. What might the world look like if Hitler successfully fulfilled his master plan and took over the world? How would the majority of us have fared because we do not match the profile of his contrived Aryan master race? If no one said “No” to the Soviet Union, would we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion or freedom of the press? Likely, we would spend great portions of our lives standing in lines that are blocks long, hoping for a loaf of bread. Across the globe, democracy would not exist if the men and women of the U.S. military had not fought to secure or preserve freedoms both in their country and ours. Most veterans will openly tell you about the terrible food, 20mile marches or the loneliness
of separation from loved ones half a world away. However, very few will elaborate about the unspeakable horrors of actual combat. Without fail, all wish they had not experienced what they had to undergo. Every veteran, during wartime or not, wonders whether they will return on their own two feet or in a box draped in an American flag. While in the military they are truly property of the U.S. government. They are sent to strange places at a moment’s notice. As a result, marriages, families and finances suffer. Plans to build a brighter future are put on hold. For all these reasons and more, these men and women deserve our utmost respect and honor this Veterans Day. The Advocate would like to take a moment to thank all of the men and women who have served in the U.S. military and their families — past, present and future — for their sacrifice.
Does the administration really want to negotiate?
As we start the month of November, The Advocate would like to remind our readers that much of MHCC’s staff has been working without a contract since late last spring. Both the full-time faculty and the classified employees association have been under contract negotiations and neither dispute has been resolved. The full-time faculty negotiations have passed the 150-day period and further negotiations have been halted until a state-appointed mediator can be brought in. There is no date set for this mediator and no indication of how long the full-time faculty will have to wait until their contract is no longer up in the air. The Advocate has to ask: If the administration is truly interested in negotiating with the full-time faculty, why would they refuse to continue negotiations? In the Oct. 22 issue of The Advocate, it was reported that Randy Stedman, the administration’s chief negotiator, said, “There’s been no substantial progress on any of the economic issues,” and this was the reason that the administration feels a mediator is necessary. While that may be their decision, it is worth mentioning that in 2008, during the last round of full-time faculty contract negotiations, both sides continued to negotiate after a mediator had been called to come in. It was reported in the Oct. 24, 2008, issue of The Advocate that a state mediation session was scheduled for Oct. 29, but that the two sides were working to resolve as many issues as possible prior to that date. Just about a month before that, in the Sept. 26,
2008, issue of The Advocate, it was reported that disagreements “on health care benefits, summerteach pay, retiree pay and other economic issues continue to be an impediment to significant progress.” In other words, a mediator was required by law, but in that instance, ended up being completely unnecessary because both sides continued to meet and they made significant progress and ultimately reached agreement with outside help. Yes, the administration may feel that no progress has been made up until this point. However, if negotiations are stopped entirely, then obviously no progress will be made. The classified association’s vote on whether to accept the administration’s package proposal ends today, and if they vote no, “The college has not agreed to extend negotiations, and there are none scheduled,” said MHCC President John Sygielski in an all-staff email sent Tuesday. A mediator is scheduled to come in if that proposal is not ratified. In both cases, after a state-mandated 15-day mediation period, either side may declare impasse if they believe there is no progress. Seven days after that, both parties must submit their final offers to the mediator. There is then a 30-day cooling off period, after which the administration may implement their last best offer without agreement from the other side. At this point, after a 10-day notice, the associations may choose to strike. The Advocate asks the administration to continue negotiation sessions as soon as possible if they are truly interested in negotiating.
NEWS 3
NOVEMBER 5, 2010
Dome installed; Classified employees voting pool to re-open to on 3-year contract proposal public this weekend By Jordan Tichenor The Advocate
By Devin Courtright The Advocate
After three weeks of preparation and construction, MHCC’s 50-meter pool, located at the Aquatic Center, will be fully operational with its dome cover this weekend for students and the community. Director of Facilities Management Dick Byers said, “It’s come together. By the end of the week we should have it ready for them (the Aquatic Center) this weekend.” As of Wednesday, Byers was waiting for the Gresham Fire Marshal to grant an official permit once he finishes the inspection, then they will be able to install fire extinguishers inside the dome. He said there would need to be an air sampling, to make sure the air is clean, then lastly put up the handrails. The dome has to come down each year because it can only be up for six months due to the City of Gresham’s restrictions on temporary structures according to Byers. Putting up and taking down the dome costs roughly $30-40,000 said Byers. “The varying factor (in the
final cost) has everything to do with the weather. The longer you have to work on it (the dome) the more it’s going to cost you,” said Byers. “You’re really fighting the weather on either end of the process.” Byers said the Facilities department hired 30 temporary workers from Vancouver, Wash. based staffing agency Labor Works, to assist MHCC employees in constructing the dome in late October. As the dome neared completion, they reduced the amount of temporary workers needed and there were no injuries this year. While the dome is up, Byers said the only thing the Facilities department will need to maintain is the air systems for safety precautions. They will take down the dome sometime in April, and it will be another three-week process. They store the equipment in a warehouse located between the aquatic center and the tennis courts, Byers said. Next year, Byers plans to possibly have a hydraulic system installed on the score board to make the dome process easier and less expensive.
Voting to ratify a tentative contract proposal for the MHCC Classified Employees Association will end today at 5 p.m. Negotiations began April 9 and bargaining sessions were held once a week until Sept. 23. The 150-day period, which begins when proposals have been exchanged by both parties, started May 6. According to Jennie Burlingame, the president of the classified association, in a Thursday email, classified employees include custodians, grounds, maintenance, public safety, administrative assistants, advisers and computer programmers. “There are classified employees working in every department/division of the college with the exception of the President’s Office, Human Resources and the Vice President’s Office,” she said. There are approximately 237 classified members, Burlingame said. Burlingame said the CEA proposals have focused on increasing vacation accrual, increasing bereavement leave, and eliminating fees for employees who enroll in PE10 classes. The administration’s proposals focused on increasing employee contribution to health care benefits and decreasing health care benefits for future retirees, said Burlingame. According to an all-staff email sent Tuesday by MHCC President John Sygielski, under these proposals the “classified employees would also contribute in a significant way to helping stabilize the eollege’s financial situation.” This email also noted that it is a threeyear proposal. Randy Stedman, the labor relations consultant hired by the board to bargain the contract for the administration, met with Kevin Keaney, the labor relations consultant hired
by the association to bargain on their behalf, on Sept. 14 and gave him the administration’s package proposal. The CEA had until Sept. 23 to accept or decline the offer. The CEA bargaining team accepted the offer, pending a vote by the entire association. Burlingame said there was a general membership meeting Oct 15 to discuss the proposal, and during that meeting the association decided to have the vote Nov. 1-5. She said some members “wanted time to network with members on all of the campuses.” The state-mandated 150-day negotiation period ended Oct. 5. If the association votes no on the proposal, a state-appointed mediator is scheduled to meet with both parties on Nov. 29. Sygielski stated in his Tuesday email a number of posters have been seen around the Gresham campus “that make false representations about the CEA tentative agreement.” He said the posters are false in a number of ways. “First, they say a ‘No’ vote on ratification means negotiations will continue. In truth, the 150-day period for negotiations expired on Oct. 3. The college has not agreed to extend negotiations, and there are none scheduled,” said Sygielski. Sygielski said, “The posters say a ‘No’ means wages and benefits stay the same and retiree benefits are maintained.” After a mandatory 15-day mediation period, either party may declare impasse. Thirty days after impasse, “the college may implement its final offer without agreement by the association’s members,” said Sygielski. Burlingame said that the association leadership did not authorize or distribute the posters referenced in Sygielski’s email.
Attorney general to visit MHCC for drug talk By Shelby Schwartz The Advocate
FREE 12 oz. latte or mocha for Veterans! To all MHCC Veterans, In honor of your service to our country, the Mt. Hood Community College Bookstore would like to invite all Veterans who are students, faculty and staff to our coffee bar on Wednesday, Nov. 10 to receive a FREE 12 OZ. LATTE or MOCHA beverage.
Happy Veterans Day and thank you for your service! MHCC Bookstore
safe and make the right decisions.” GGAPP will host the event in the Visual Arts Theater. Individuals requiring accommodations at an MHCC event due to a disability may contact the MHCC Disability Services Office at 503-4916923 or 503-491-7670 (TDD). Please call at least two weeks prior to the event to ensure availability.
District board to discuss student success CA1204
MHCC VETERANS
MHCC will receive another visit from a major political figure as Oregon Attorney General John Kroger will be on campus today to lead a panel discussion on drugs and alcohol from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The discussion will include topics ranging from drug and alcohol prevention
to treatment and recovery. Joining Kroger will be Max Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Corrections, and Dr. Bruce Goldberg, director of the Oregon Department of Human Services. Cathy Sherick, project manager for the Greater Gresham Area Prevention Partnership (GGAPP), said, “We want young people to be
By John Tkebuchava The Advocate
The MHCC District board will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the board room to approve a call to action to accept the College Completion Challenge. The topics to be discussed include the importance of increasing the number of
students who complete degrees, certificates and other educational credentials and joining national organizations and other educational institutions to show MHCC’s commitment to student success. At 6 p.m. there will be an informational session regarding the Head Start program. The meeting is open to the public.
4 SPORTS Saints only drop one game on way to tournament victory NOVEMBER 5, 2010
competitive tournament. Thanks to a band Things went acof grind-it-out freshcording to plan for the men and a handful of Saints volleyball team sophomore leaders, during the Dorian Harthe 2010 women capris Halloween Classic: tured the double prize pure domination, five that had eluded past matches, five wins, and Saint teams – best cosa championship trophy. tumes of the tournaHead Coach Chelment along with winsie Speer, who can be ning the title. a tough critic when “I don’t think we it comes to breaking have ever won a cosdown her team, was untume contest,” said abashedly proud of her Coach Speer, who team and the way they along with assistant went out and “handled coach Stephanie Altheir business” during leman dressed up as the tournament last blood-sucking vamFriday and Saturday. pires. Speer made it no seMHCC has two cret that she and her matches left in region team were hungry to play before heading win the tournament contributed photo by paul kester into NWAACC play, they were hosting last and although Speer weekend. The Saints gather around after the team beat the Highline Thunderbirds in three straight games to capture the championship trophy during the Dorian likes her team’s chanc“To me, winning Harris Halloween Classic last weekend in a two-day tournament at Mt. Hood’s gymnasium. es, she also knows the wasn’t the most imporins and outs of the tant part. It was the The Dorian Harris tournament traditionally in- tournament and that anyone can walk away victoriway we won that was the most important,” Speer said about only dropping one game out of 16 over volves players, coaches and even referees getting ous. “Almost anything can happen and anyone can the two days. “They were doing the little things that dressed in Halloween garb, and this year was no different. Getting past the distractions of the cos- win,” the coach said looking ahead into NWAACC we have been talking about. “It’s funny,” said Speer. “I don’t think about it tumes and playing in front of a home crowd was a play. “It’s a clean slate for all teams. That’s why I during the moment (winning or losing). But when big test for the Saints, who in less than three weeks never underestimate any teams. Look at what the I got home, I was like ‘wow’ we only lost one game.” will host the NWAACC Championship (Nov. 18-21) softball team did two years ago when they won On Friday, they took down the Olympic Rangers in the same gym. (The championships will feature NWAACC.” Speer was referring to the Saints 2009 softball (25-13, 25-17, 25-10), then defeated the Lower Co- two matches played at a time instead of the four that were contested last weekend). team who came into the NWAACC tournament at lumbia Red Devils (25-18, 25-21, 24-26, 25-15). Speer understands that such distractions could Delta Park with a record below .500 in region play Saturday was even more successful. The Saints took down the competition by sweeping the Co- have easily gotten in the heads of her players, but (9-10 and 27-12 overall), which was good for fourth place in the South. They went on to win the title. lumbia Basin Hawks (25-16, 25-14, 25-19) and the her team reacted as she expected. “When they stepped on the court, it was Mt. Hood Today the Saints travel to Oregon City to face the Whatcom Orcas (25-23, 25-14, 25-21) before polishing off Highline Thunderbirds (25-17, 25-14, 25-15) volleyball and nothing else,” said coach Speer. “They Clackamas Community College Cougars in a 7 p.m. had been talking about it all week. They wanted to match. in the championship match. Next week the Saints play their last region “I think we all responded well,” said sophomore walk away with a win.” The Saints dressed as zombies. Scary, right? The match Wednesday against the Chemeketa Commuoutside hitter Kyra Speer. “We got to work on things that we needed to get better at – playing as a team judges (referees) thought so as they voted the Saints nity College Storm in Salem at 7 p.m. Both matches are key for the Saints, who still and sticking together even when we’re not execut- as having the best costumes for the first time since Speer can remember in the history of this fun but have the goal of going 10-0 in conference action. ing as we should be. Simple, fundamental stuff.”
By Jon Fuccillo The Advocate
contributed photo by paul kester
photo by devin courtright/The advocate
Freshman setter Rylie Engelson (top left) helped the Saints win the Dorian Harris Halloween Classic along with the best costumes during the two-day tournament that took place Oct. 29-30 at MHCC’s gymnasium. Co-captain outside hitters Haley Leithem (right) and Kyra Speer take a breather during their match against the Columbia Basin Hawks Saturday afternoon.
SPORTS 5
NOVEMBER 5, 2010
"Today the pace was really slow. I was trying to go a little forward and push the guys." Tahir Chakisso, Saints runner and Southern Region champion
Cross country earns individual success at regional championships By David Gambill The Advocate
MHCC freshman Tahir Chakisso won the men’s individual title Saturday at the Southern Region Cross Country Championships at Southwestern Community College in Coos Bay. Chakisso, an Ethiopian native, finished first in the 8K race with a time of 26 minutes, 42 seconds, just edging two freshmen from Clark Community College – Cameron Falker (26:47) and Nathan Richards (26:56). Chakisso led for most of the race, which is not his Tahir Chakisso usual style. “Today the pace was really slow. I was trying to go a little forward and push the guys,” he said. Chakisso said his time wasn’t that good and the course caused difficulties. “The course was bad, but I’m glad (about) winning,” he said Head coach Matt Hart added that Chakisso’s performance was one to remember although his time was a bit slower than expected. “Tahir ran a very smart race,” Hart said. “Though his time was a little slow, his effort was exceptional and worked hard to win.” The next Saint to cross the finish line was Chris
Newell with a time of 28:47, which was good for middle of the pack (18th place) in a field of 32 runners. The Clark team won the regional championships for both the men and women. The Saints men placed fourth place behind Clark, Lane and Clackamas. The women finished third, trailing Clark and Lane. As a whole, the two teams combined for third place behind Clark and Lane. Sophomore runner Amanda Faggard finished third in the women’s 5K race with a time of 19:10 (new PR), just 30 seconds behind the winner from Lane Community College, sophomore MaCayla Claver (18:40). Hart saw an effort from Faggard that he hadn’t seen from her all season long. “Amanda got out more aggressively than I have ever seen her get out,” Hart said. “I was a little worried that she might overrun the first half of the race then get in energy debt. This was not the case as she ran with her heart and had fun. On a slow course, she set a lifetime PR by over 20 seconds.” Freshman Gabriel Diaz came in 16 seconds later in fifth place out of 31 women runners. Team scores are determined by adding the finishing place of the top five runners from each team and the lowest total wins. The coach for Southwestern Oregon Community College, Dan Neal, said there were challenges with the meet location that was originally to be run on one of the nearby coastal golf courses. “First of all,
we were going to be at a golf course and we had to change that and move to here on campus,” he said. The next challenge was to create a 5K and 8K course on campus, Neal said. “We tried GPS first. That was very easy and we ran our first race off those measurements and everybody’s time was really slow. We found out we were 600 meters too long. So much for GPS.” In addition to school property, the meet used North Bend soccer fields. In related news, the NWAACC website has named John Scholl of the Lane Community College women’s team and Ryan Hovde of the Clark Community College men’s team as coaches of the year for the Southern Region. The Saints will face their final challenge Nov.13 when they head to Clackamas Community College in Oregon City for the NWAACC Championship. The men will compete at 11 a.m. and the women follow them with a noon start. Hart had a strong message for his student athletes with preparing for the final test of the season - NWAACCs. “Everyone develops different lessons from their experience throughout the course of the season,” Hart said. “I hope everyone remembers that we have control of our own performances, which is determined be preparation, experience, fortitude and ability to express ourselves through our performances in athletics and in life.”
Saints can't dig out of early hole against Warner Pacific By Jon Fuccillo The Advocate
photo by devin courtright/The Advocate
Freshman point guard Marcus Moore drives to the basket in acrobatic fashion attempting a lay up during a scrimmage Tuesday night against the Warner Pacific Knights.
The Saints men’s basketball team needed a GPS system to find the basket after missing its first eight out of ten shots from the floor in the first six minutes of a scrimmage Tuesday night. It was a completely different story for their opponents, the Warner Pacific Knights, who made scoring look easy right from the tipoff in Mt. Hood’s gymnasium. The Saints dropped all three 20-minute halves (48-30, 50-30, 2320). That’s 121-70 if you add the three mini-games together. Not the style of play head coach Geoff Gibor was expecting from his squad. The word “wow” was easily read on Gibor’s lips Tuesday, and not the good type of wow. It was the kind of wow that left the coach scratching his head periodically through the evening. Afterward, Gibor made no excuses for his young and “very talented” but “inexperienced” team. “I wasn’t happy with the effort,” Gibor said. “Our energy level was low, guys were hanging their heads and no one acted like they wanted to play. It’s tough since last year we had such a sophomore-oriented
team. “At the end of the day, I have to remember they’re all new and it’s early. Not worried about it. This is a good time to have this happen. I understand that these guys are going to grow. We have a long time to figure some things out.” Warner Pacific’s 6-foot-6 senior guard Webster Moreland put on a clinic. You name it, he did it on both sides of the court, including a one-hand power dunk driving to the hoop in traffic at the end of the first mini-game that sent the Saints a real message: “We aren’t messing around.” Credit the offense of the Knights but also blame the lackluster performance of the Saints offense for settling on poor shot selections and rushing one-pass shots. “We weren’t together in any shape or form,” Gibor said. “Their way got them beat by 38 (referencing the first two halves as if it were one 40-minute game). Guys tried to venture outside the box. Our biggest problem right now is leadership.” With that said Gibor believes that things will click sooner than later. “People make mistakes, so what,” Gibor said. Trust more and trust the system that we have here.”
For the second week in a row, the Saints haven’t heard any news about their starting point guard Drew Johnson, who is sidelined with a stress fracture in his left foot. His future is still up in the air. But Gibor has found some encouragement from Marcus Moore, his quick and feisty backup point guard. The 5-8 freshman from Spring Valley, Nev., hasn’t played organized basketball for the last couple of years. “He’s done a good job,” Gibor said. “He has a lot on his shoulders. We don’t really have other point guards. Otho (Lesure) can play it but he is stronger at the two (shooting guard).” Gibor went out of his way to thank the fans Tuesday night for supporting his team through thick and thin — although mainly thick. “The crowd cheered us on until the end. They didn’t waver,” Gibor said. “I was impressed. They were excited. Imagine when we get more mature. Guys are going to grow and get better.” Next up for the Saints is a jamboree scrimmage Saturday in Oregon City at Clackamas Community College starting at 10 a.m. where the Saints will play five mini-games.
6 LIVING ARTS
NOVEMBER 5, 2010
The 'Emperor's' new director Part-time instructor brings experience to the stage
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By David Gambill The Advocate
ennifer Hunter, MHCC’s parttime theater instructor, will have her directorial debut Monday in the Studio Theater with the 10:30 a.m. opening of the children’s play “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”
Photo by Devin Courtright/The Advocate
Part-time theater instructor Jennifer Hunter’s MHCC directing debut will be Monday with the production of The Emperor’s New Clothes.
"We are ready to perform." Part-time theater instructor Jennifer Hunter
This is Hunter’s first time directing a community college production. She previously worked for University High School in Spokane, Wash., where she grew up. Hunter said the MHCC stage is wider than the Spokane stage she has used. “It’s like a giant barn and filling it with an interesting stage picture has been the biggest challenge,” she said. Hunter said she had no difficulties finding actors for the first show. “I felt like I had more than enough people and they’re all really go-get-em actors that took on the challenge,” she said. “We are ready to perform,” Hunter said. A performer throughout her high school and college years, Hunter received her bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Montana. Hunter said she then toured with the Missoula Children’s Theater throughout the Southeast. “It
was on that tour that I discovered I enjoy teaching children and came home to Spokane and got my masters in education and teaching certificate at Eastern Washington,” she said. After challenging herself to take it to the next level, Hunter sold her house, came to the University of Portland and got her masters of fine arts in directing which allows her to teach at the college level. “I am very, very thankful because nobody’s getting jobs right now,” said Hunter. “I’m lucky I’m working in the job that I want.” Besides directing at MHCC, Hunter is active in the Portland theater scene. She works with Vertigo, Comedy Sportz Portland, the Brody Theater and Curious Comedy, all improvisation groups except Vertigo. “Improv is so accessible because you can come and go as you’re available. As a working actor, as a working director, I can come to improv and perform as many weeks as possible. Then when I’m doing a show, like I will be with ‘Rocky Horror,’ the improv group knows that I’ll be gone for about eight weeks and then I’ll come back,” she said. Looking forward, Hunter has high hopes for the MHCC winter production of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” “I want to top whatever this (college) has seen,” Hunter said. “I want to pack the house every night. I want to create an experience for the audience that they haven’t had at this college before.
I want to create an experience for the actors that they haven’t had before. “I want to create a very healthy collaboration with the music department. I want to start a reputation that will continue here at this campus.” When Hunter relaxes at home, she watches reality television. “I think it’s because my job is based in great theater and great literature that when I come home and I watch TV, it is all about terrible entertainment,” she said. What would Hunter be doing if she weren’t a theater director? “I would love to do one of two things; photography or advertising,” she said. “If the (Indianapolis) Colts aren’t playing in the Super Bowl, the only reason I watch the Super Bowl is for the comedic commercials,” she said. Hunter said she’s been a Colts fan since the late ’90s and is also a soccer fan. Seventeen students will act in this year’s Children’s Theater performance. The play will be performed seven times, Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two weeks, starting Nov. 8 and including a Saturday show Nov. 20. MHCC students and staff are encouraged to see the Nov. 20 showing of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” at 2 p.m. in the College Theater. All other performances are reserved for school age children. Tickets are $2. For more info. or to purchase tickets, call the box office 503-491-7154.
Concert Review: Kate Nash brings pop and sarcasm to Portland
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By Kylie Rogers The Advocate
Photo by Kylie Rogers/The Advocate
Kate Nash performed Nov. 1 at the Wonder Ballroom.
onday was a rainy evening filled with delightful accents of individuals from the United Kingdom and a wig that sent my brain rushing to remember Cruella De Vil with some poppy piano thrown in. Kate Nash has crossed the pond to promote her new album, “My Best Friend Is You,” kicking off a stateside tour in San Diego in late October. Nash’s opening act, Peggy Sue, was surprisingly good. I mean surprisingly, as in I forgot that there would be an opener and the few I have seen recently haven’t been good. The three-man group (really two ladies and a man) reminded me of Regina Spektor meets the Shins and Johnny Cash. I was impressed with the fact they incorporated a ukulele and an accordion into their act. They were amused with the fact that the Wonder Ballroom separated the attendees by who can and can’t drink. Once the lights started flashing, Nash and her musicians made their way out and opened with “I
Just Love You More” from her newest album. Her set list was a fantastic mix of “My Best Friend Is You” and songs from her debut album, “Made of Bricks.” I was quite pleased she managed to fit in all of my favorites from her first album. After spending quite some time with her debut album and a fair amount with her newest, I felt I knew her music. I haven’t found it to get old but it is an album and the music doesn’t change. Nash breathed a whole new life into each and every song by taking them at a higher tempo and adding her artist’s improv flair. Her witty banter with the crowd provided extra entertainment, ranging from her decision to buy a wig (which made a visit to her musician’s heads as well) instead of a hat to combat the rain of the evening and finding a bug in her drink. Nash’s stage presence increased over the span of the show. The night ended with an energetic stomp attack on her piano and a crowd requested encore pick, “Pumpkin Soup.” With her heart-on-her-sleeve, sarcastic lyrics and powerfully fun stage presence, Kate Nash had a fantastic show.
LIVING ARTS 7
NOVEMBER 5, 2010
MEChA students celebrate Dia de los Muertos By Kylie Rogers The Advocate
photo by Kylie Rogers/The Advocate
During Day of the Dead festivities students from SEED dance alongside a traditional Latin dancer.
MEChA —Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (formerly the Latino Club) — brought the Day of the Dead celebration to MHCC in the College Center Monday and Tuesday amid twirling skirts, food, dancing, an altar and a table of sugar skulls. Students for Education Empowerment and Direct Service (SEED) dressed in bright costumes and performed three Day of the Dead dances from different regions in Latin America. The Day of the Dead – or Dia de los Muertos – is a ritual practiced by the indigenous people of Latin America for at least 3,000 years. The ritual today maintains the basic Aztec rituals but includes Catholic theology. “It’s a joyous occasion respecting dead relatives,” said MEChA student Jackie Altamirano. “It really celebrates the life and the passing,”
Salmon to be viewed in Gorge
JAZZ BAND PREVIEW:
MHCC students to perform tribute By David Lopez The Advocate
The Mt. Hood Community College Jazz Band will perform at Veterans Memorial Coliseum Sunday as part of a Veterans Day tribute. Remembering America’s Heroes (RAH), a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring veterans and the value of freedom, is teaming with the Portland Trail Blaz-
ers to host “A Tribute To Veterans” and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the coliseum. The official Facebook page describes the event as “a patriotic, musical journey from the Revolutionary War to the present.” The MHCC Jazz Band is scheduled to perform two songs, “In the Mood” and “American Patrol,” during the World War II
segment, as well as two other songs to be performed with other artists. In addition to the MHCC Jazz Band, the show will feature groups from Oregon high schools as well as other groups, including The Kingsmen, best known for their hit “Louie Louie.” The event will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is free of charge. Parking is also available at no cost.
Genes s Preview: Vocal jazz group to perform on campus for first time this year By Anevay Torrez The Advocate
Genesis, MHCC’s vocal jazz ensemble, will appear for the first time on campus this year when they perform an opening set at 5 p.m. Thursday for Louise Rose, an internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist who will perform at 6 p.m. The Thursday series of performances — no MHCC classes will be held that day because it is Veterans Day — begins at 8 a.m. in the Visual Arts Theater. There will be high school performances by Prairie, West Linn, Summit, Mark Morris, Garfield, Bend, Meadowdale,
Fellow MEChA student David Martinez said, “It’s not meant to be scary like Halloween,” The tradition of Dia de los Muertos can last a few days, according to Altamirano and Martinez. It’s common to honor certain spirits on certain days, they said. Children and adults can come on different nights. The deceased’s favorite foods are brought to an altar. Candles are lit to help guide the spirits. “In Mexico, some people stay the night in the cemetery and have parties,” said Altamirano. After the celebration, families clean the altars and throw out the food. Some families eat the food if it doesn’t go bad, said Altamirano, but most just throw it away.
and Fife leading up to the Genesis performance. Admission for students is $5 and everyone else is $10. Rose is a composer and arranger, performer, choral conductor and coach as well as an accompanist. She received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from the University of Victoria. In recognition for her contribution to music, The Heritage Rose Window in the Alix Goalden Performance Hall of the Victoria Conservatory of Music was dedicated in her name. To learn more about Rose and her performance schedule, visit her website at www.lrose.com.
By Mario Rubio The Advocate
Salmon are expected to enter Multnomah Creek to spawn near the base of Multnomah Falls as part of the Salmon Festival sponsored by the MHCC Geography Department and the U.S Forest Service Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Geography instructor Chris Gorsek will lead the event and said it’s a great way for people to connect with the environment. Multnomah Falls is an ideal location because of its pristine surroundings, and proximity to MHCC, Gorsek said. He said a variety of fish stream through
this channel every day and beavers can be seen as well. The purpose of the event is to provide a deeper look at salmon while they’re in their natural habitat. Forest service guides will be positioned along Multnomah Creek to answer questions about the salmon. Young children may also attend and a number of events will be available for their entertainment. The creek is handicap accessible and a restaurant, gift shop and bathrooms are also available. For more information, contact Gorsek at 503-491-7321 or chris.gorsek@mhcc.edu.
C a l e n d a r Sunday, November 7 Jazz Band playing at the Memorial Collesium. 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Free admission. Monday, November 8 37th Northwest Film and Video Festival at the Portland Art Museum Tuesday, November 9 OMSI: T-Rex to be put on display at the Earth Science Hall Wednesday, November 10
Volleyball at Linn-Benton C.C. 7 p.m.– 9 p.m.
Thursday, November 11
No Classes-Veterans Day Holiday Genesis Invitational Festival and Concert all day in Visual Arts Theater
Friday, November 12 Pick up the new issue of The Advocate
8 THE FLIPSIDE
THE ADVOCATE
NOVEMBER 5, 2010
Photo Pick of theWeek
7
Day Forecast Saturday Showers 59o F
For an in-depth look at calaveras, cumbias, and the cultural dead, turn to Page 7
Sunday Rain 53o F Monday Showers 50o F Tuesday Showers 49o F Wednesday Showers 51o F Thursday Few Showers 50o F Friday Showers 49o F Forecast gathered from www.weather.com
Photo By John Tkebuchava/The Advocate
2008 sculpture titled Blue Bird by Dan McCann on display at the Visual Arts Gallery.
Lady Saints take the Dorian Halloween Classic. See page 5 volleyball story for more details.
Student Success Seminars
EE R F
Nov. 8
Your Learning Style: The Key to Better Study (2:10- 3 p.m. at AC3313)
Nov. 9
Overcoming Procrastination (12:10-1 p.m. at AC2307) Choosing a Major (2:10-3 p.m. at AC1152)
Nov. 17
Visual & Hands-on Learning: a Secret Weapon (2:10-3 p.m. at AC2307)
Time to reset your clocks back an hour on Sunday. Cherish it!
NEWS BRIEFS 'Spirit Fridays' offer begins in the bookstore The Associated Student Government is offering a special deal in the bookstore called “Spirit Fridays.” Students are offered 20 percent off all MHCC insignia merchandise if they are wearing college colors — red/ black — or an item of clothing with the MHCC logo on it. To receive the discount, students must also donate a can or box of non-perishable food. There is a box where students can put the food after they make their purchase and all of the food will go toward Barney’s Pantry, an on-campus service in the College Center that mainly benefits students. “Spirit Fridays” started Oct. 29 and will continue every Friday without an expiration date.
Book sale to benefit scholarship A book sale Wednesday in the Vista Dining Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will benefit the Shelie Macias Memorial Scholarship at MHCC. The sale is sponsored by the Mt. Hood Community College chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. The scholarship was first offered in 2001, following the death of Macias in 1998. Macias was a graduate of MHCC who was later employed as a coordinator of the tutorial program and the literacy coalition on campus. The scholarship was made to continue her work in helping students whose native language is not English. The scholarship is made for students who complete the English as a Second Language (ESL) program and plan on going through English as a Non-Native Language (ENL) program to get their degree. Proceeds from the book sale goes to the scholarship fund. The book sale is the scholarship's main fundraiser. Environmental Health and Safety Manager Victoria Flagg said, "The book sales are the most consistent funds. We do about two a year." To make a donation, contact Barbara Howell in the Office of College Advancement, Room 2398, or contact Karen Reynolds or Victoria Flagg. Video, science fiction, popular fiction, and children's books are accepted.
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