The Alchemist Weekly June 28th, 2011

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WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM • VOLUME 4 NUMBER 182:51 • JUNE 28, 2011

A L S O

From Zero to Hero

by Stanley Tollett | p. 5

The Culture of Corvallis

by Craig Wiroll | p. 6

VOICE

OPINION

The Free Speech Movement and education reform Albany ● Corvallis ● Lebanon ● Philomath VOLUME 4 NUMBER 182:51 ● JUNE 28, 2011

VOICE

Opinions and Editorials, be they ours or yours, this is where they be.

2 | FSM & Education 3 | Shreds of Wisdom

WORD

Journalists call them features; we say it’s the word.

5 | From Zero to Hero 6 | The Culture of Corvallis

BUMP

It’s the calendar of all things Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, and Philomath.

8 | Alchy Picks

FUN BITS

As if your smart phone wasn’t distracting enough.

11 | Crossword and Sudoku 13 | Weekly Horoscope

L I T E R AT I

This is the home for local fiction, poetry and prose.

14 | Sour Cream, 50 Cents Extra 15 | Detective Siempre

by RICKY ZIPP

“E

ducation is the most powerful weapon in which to change the world.” Nelson Mandela “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.” Malcolm X On December 7, 1964 16,000 students and faculty filled Berkeley’s Greek Theatre as Mario Savio (leader of the Free Speech Movement) was pulled from the stage and drug away by police in an attempt to address the Berkeley student body. Students took the stage screaming “this is an example of what has been happening on campus” and what was supposed to be an administrative address to inspire an opposition to student groups on campus who were “interested in fomenting a crisis merely for the sake of crisis” became the last straw to an already fragile situation. John Searle, a student who participated in the movement, said “there was a power vacuum, who the hell was in charge? No one knew.”

The motivation of the movement came out of the activism of the Bay Area Civil Rights organizations and the movements of the South now spreading across the country.

The youth who could see a little deeper than the older citizens of society understood that

Editorial Editor: Courtney Clenney Staff Writers: Courtney Clenney, Noah Stroup, Stanley Tollett Bump Editor: Noah Stroup Contributors: T. Clarence, Compere, Brandon Cook, Jimbo Ivy, Craig Wiroll, Ricky Zipp Art Art Tag Team: Ney Ney/So Stro Layout Tag Team Coco/Nono Cover by Courtney Clenney Advertising Director of Marketing Stanley Tollett Account Executive Noah Stroup Business Publisher Noah Stroup The Alchemist Weekly is published by: CorvAlcheMedia LLC PO Box 1591 Corvallis, OR 97339 541.224.6873 Alchemist Mission

As a publication, our goal is to facilitate greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse social and cultural groups found in the area. In doing so, we hope to create a greater sense of community between Oregon State University and Corvallis, between Albany and Corvallis, and between Philomath, Lebanon and Corvallis/Albany. The Alchemist recognizes the various interests of these groups and is dedicated to being as fluid as the community it serves. *The Alchemist is available to you for free. Please limit yourself to one copy. If your picture is in it, you are welcome to take enough copies for your family.

PREVIOUS ISSUES: Subject to availability, back issues can be purchased by mail for $5. Send your request with specific issue date to PO Box 1591, Corvallis, OR 97339 and include a check or money order payable to The Alchemist Weekly.

All content copyright 2011 The Alchemist Weekly

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2 • JUNE 28, 2011 • WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM

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America was operating within bigoted and racist customs. And while being involved in many different campaigns and struggles the baptism of the FSM came from the Mississippi Freedom Summer.

This was a campaign that aimed at getting African Americans within the state of Mississippi registered to vote. However after years of trying and trying and violence being thrown down upon every effort Robert Moses (member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the leader of the Mississippi Campaign) came up with a new strategy. By following the footsteps of the sit-ins Moses utilized the youth but by bringing down white youth, the ones society cared about. By bringing down these students you would also bring down the attention of society. 1,000 students entered into the state of Mississippi as the police armed themselves as if they were being invaded by a militant revolution group and the media followed.

However on August 11 the idea of romanticized power fighting came to a close.

Three civil rights workers had been killed and now the murders were not just left for

continued on p. 4

SHREDS OF WISDOM Punctual Rock

Everyone has times when getting places exactly on time is just a nightmare. You hit every red light, traffic and arrive 10 minutes late, even though you left an hour early to drive 10 miles. Everyone makes mistakes.

The human in us makes it impossible to be perfect all the time. Some hold everyone to an impossible standard of perfection in regard to punctuality. But, I have some basic things you can do to keep your gigs and keep your reputation for being a prompt responsible musician.

Call Ahead One thing no one will stand for, in this day of communications technology, is arriving late without a text, call or email letting everyone know you will be late. Even children have cell phones to let their parents know where they are, where they’ll be and when they’ll be home. Musicians have a reputation for being flakey, so we always have to spend a little time planning our lives a little better than most to avoid being stereotyped and keep getting work. I agree, it’s difficult to teach lessons in one city, then get to a studio session that is in another city on time. But the call ahead, relieves some pressure on everyone. The bassist on the session might arrive early and be able to cut his tracks before you arrive.

But if they’re waiting for you, that wastes time. Even in music, time is money. This is a business and people remember that guy who was late all the time.

Be Awesome When You Arrive Whatever the situation that causes your tardiness, no one cares. They’ve all been in those situations and any list of excuses (short of a medical emergency or a relative dying) will get you no sympathy. So, plan to have things go wrong. One of those plans is solid preparation for your job. If it’s lessons, a studio session or a performance, be well-oiled, warmed up and ready to rock when you show up.

People are always more forgiving when it’s too good for words.

CORVALLIS VANITIES

Make a Checklist for Your Jobs Before you leave make sure you have everything. A mental checklist helps, but an actual check list for the gig makes sure you have everything before you leave the house.

I used a physical checklist for years before leaving for my gigs with Appetite for Deception because I forgot my guitar on a church gig. I had an Appetite gig the night before, arrived home at 3am, left for the Sunday morning church gig at 6:30 am. I didn’t even realize that I took my guitar inside the house, until I was 5 minutes away from the 7am pre-service rehearsal. I had to borrow my friend’s guitar. But, I played perfectly when I arrived, I had practiced thoroughly for the performance and the show went off really well.

Keep a schedule Take your mode of transportation(feet, bike, car, bus, train) to Office Depot and get yourself a calendar right now. Use your phone, sync your calendar on your computer....whatever. Get organized and do it now. A musician’s lifestyle is hectic, messy and just plain confusing. Most people cannot handle the constant changes, late nights and early mornings required to be good at this craft. I suggest getting a regular job if this doesn’t sound appealing to you. If you’re not on top of scheduling, professional and personal relationships will suffer and possible dry up and go away.

Compassion for People If you’ve been late, give people a break. If you’ve never been late, educate. Get people on task. Berating someone for being late isn’t going to change the fact that the schedule has changed.

Don’t waste 2 minutes reading the riot act, get ‘em into the planned situation quickly, efficiently and get to work. Odds are the person arriving late is embarrassed. Giving them hell for being so will often make the situation worse by creating animosity and unnecessary tension. Wait until a time when you’ve calmed down and the moment is passed to talk about the problem behavior. Listen to the tardy person’s reasoning for being late, then depending on the behavior, set up boundaries for future planning and make suggestions for your employee.

The bottom line here is Communication works in the music biz too.

The better you learn to communicate with others, the better your team for creating becomes.

-Brandon Cook

www[dot]facebook [dot]com [slash]thealchemistweekly WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM • JUNE 28, 2011 • 3

VOICE continued from p. 2

OPINION

those of color. White workers had been murdered by local police and there was no more interest in dividing the lines upon race but now by affiliation and support. This was a turning point because by going you were not just sacrificing for the cause you now had the chance of being killed.

And many Berkeley students found their strength in this summer. Mario Savio included, “This [Mississippi Freedom Summer]…is the seminal event of the twentieth century. When you get past the Second World War, this is it. This is what determines the rest of the history of the country in this century…this particular event…created the cadre of student activists for the whole country.”

After early attempts of protest and sitins the students hadn’t even gotten back to campus before the university set out to hold them off. However their attempts at ending the power of the students only gave them more.

the following fall term. Their idea of shutting these students down was the very idea the students were fighting against. After a few weeks of ban’s on political tables and then ignoring this ban one student was arrested and gave the movement its strength.

Jack Weinberg sat in the back of a cop car, arrested for refusing to identify himself at a peaceful rally, as hundreds of students circled around not allowing the car to move an inch. A microphone was placed at the top and a slam of ideas was given out to the audience that grew to 6,000 and the spirit, which was born early, now became legitimate. Suspensions, arrests and expulsions wouldn’t fear these students into giving up.

And that determination, hard work and serious attitude were going to be needed for the administration of the University was not going to give up either.

This is what made the movement so inspiring. Jackie Goldberg, one of many leaders inside the FSM, talked of how the students would have 12-15 hour meetings discussing and hammering out school

freedoms being limited and still saw the need to fight.

This was a powerful uprising and lead to the Anti-Vietnam Movement and the counter culture of the sixties and radical movements of the seventies. I am not here saying you go to college to get into radical politics. I am saying you go to college to grow as a human being, participate actively in society even if that action is against society.

These students and this movement were the product of an environment that saw educational institutions as a factory for intellectual production. You would produce knowledge and then send that off to the highest bidder. No longer was the community facilitating the idea of an educated citizen, community was demanding an educated worker and Universities stepped up to the plate. The need for knowledge as we entered the cold war restructured what we held as importance within the education system. Math and Science would get us to space so this is what was pushed. Arms and

ciety. Where college has been the goal and place for expansion of the individual today we demand the attendance of the youth for the real goal, work. Which is important, but as I have participated in discussions of needed budgets and funding, for specifically community colleges, I have even received support from those in positions to give it but maybe support that is a little skewed.

Along with four other students I traveled to Newport to testify on the last stop of Oregon Legislatures Academic Ways and Means committee tour around the state. They were listening to community members on needs for budget and taking public account into the decision making process. I felt that while we are taking a larger interest in Oregon education we may have missed the step of learning for the sake of learning. College needs to be a temporary end point in which students have the chance to discover who they are as an individual before what job position they need to fill. And this I believe in

Their idea was to squash organizations that practiced the ideas of civil disobedience which, as students who were interviewed stated, were the left and the civil rights movements. The university banned everybody, now creating an alliance that they wouldn’t be able to hold back.

Rewind to the spring term of 1964.

Berkeley students had protested the bigoted practices of hotel hiring in California and after a demonstration at the Sheraton Hotel in San Francisco they began to see that their efforts can actually create some type of effect. California law changed and required equal opportunity hiring at all levels and positions within the hotel industry. Causing this change lead to a confidence that wasn’t able to be kept down, Jackie Goldberg, in the film Berkeley in the Sixties, said that “It was the first major victory of anything I have ever been involved in…we could have an effect on lives of people we would never know and we would never meet.”

However the University of California at Berkeley made sure to put the fire out before it had a chance to spread and decided to implement their ideas of control during

policy. Students were sleeping at the table, waking up and then coming back. The work is the fight while the protests are the output. And they understood the importance of what they were doing. The strength they were able to obtain by the unity of the student body needed to stay together and since they came from all walks of life with many different ideologies attempting to reach the same goal any decision “…had to be by consensus”.

And as I was watching the clips in black and white of the microphone being pulled onto the cop car, students eagerly surrounding the vehicle ready to sacrifice for their right to intervene in the unlawful arrest of Weinberg and sitting there for 36 hours before being released I couldn’t help but think that this is why you went to college.

What was being fought for were civil rights. First those pertaining to treatment of human beings based upon race but now this was starting an idea that indecencies could be challenged everywhere and at every position within society. Berkeley was not the usual face of oppression. They were not the usual poor and mistreated but the educated middle class who still saw their

defense would keep us strong against the communists and newly developed power of atomic explosions so we would create this hole and then fill it accordingly.

And this was actually the main fight on part of the students of the FSM. Mario Savio is known for his speech about throwing yourself onto the gears of the machine and the cries against “odious operations” but before this much quoted piece he discusses the idea of each student being spit out as a product for industry, government or whoever may be purchasing. And here is where I see a connection to our current actions with the education system today.

As Oregon continues to struggle with unemployment calls of “put Oregon back to work” and “we need an educated workforce” has graced the minds of any politician at any simple level be that local or national.

And we have looked to college (whether technical schools, community colleges or universities) to fill the unemployment gap.

Education has always been a matter of foundation within our country. And as time has gone on the hope for participation has now been deemed requirement for any attempts at suitable survival within our so-

whole heartedly.

Our culture has used this push for an educated people as means for production of a product. That product? Educated workers. As we slowly push this idea the need for an educated people slowly drifts off. Now I do not mean that we have no motivation for an educated population but the truth is that while we appreciate one, we would rather have the other.

The cuts, the tuition raises, faculty and teacher fires, schools shutting down and programs that help in the development of sound human beings are faded out for the production of good test scores. And all this with the population of students rising each year, obviously there’s a problem.

As Mario Savio screamed atop the police car, “The only reason I participated in this is because I like Cal very much, I would like to see it better.” The system is lacking, good but lacking, and the activism comes in the motivation of improvement not destruction and revolution. This quote comes from passion for a cause but dedication and sacrifice as well.

As I have begun to participate with a

4 • JUNE 28, 2011 • WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM

continued on p. 12

WORD

From Zero to Hero

New club, Sub-Zero promises to be all about you.

by Stanley Tollett

T

he 21st century is descending on downtown Corvallis in the form of a nightclub, called Sub-Zero.

The lead man behind the project is cautious about releasing the details, but not shy about saying that even he, an industry insider for nearly 30 years, is going to be blown away by the finished product. The anticipated throbbing multimedia cavern of delight will suck guests into a vortex of audio-visual ecstasy the moment they slide down the wide staircase into the basement space on 4th street. Corvallis is about to get a whole lot cooler this summer.

George Kokolakis, a DJ and club promoter with New York City ties that go back to the glory days of American club culture, is one of three men behind Sub-Zero, a cutting edge video dance club slated to open its doors to the public this summer.

Kokolakis and his partners Keith Barnes and Barley Wood are a dream team of nightclub development, with decades of experience each. George as a DJ/promoter, Keith as a bartender/bar manager, and Barley as the lighting designer/nightclub builder. Barley in fact, left country music artist Josh Turner’s tour to work on the Sub-Zero nightclub project.

The three hope to create a nightclub that will appeal to every community member, regardless of background, but especially those who may feel alienated by the current nightclub scene in Corvallis and Albany.

“You will not hear dub-step in here,” said Kokolakis. “We don’t want to compete with The Peacock, or do their format. We feel the people who want to hear that format can go to The Peacock... We want those people that don’t go out who feel like there is nowhere to go. People who like Depeche Mode, The

Cure, The Smiths, Cut Copy...those people, I don’t see them out.”

It’s those people, the crowd that eschews places like The Peacock, a local bar and dance club, that Kokolakis hopes will dust off their dancing shoes and feel at home at Sub-Zero.

“We just feel like there should be a place for people to go and dance and have a good time and not have to worry about if someone’s 40 years old feeling uncomfortable because it’s a room filled with frat kids and everybody’s between 21-24 and they’re all getting stupid...they would like to have something to do but often feel awkward,” said Kokolakis.

For Kokolakis, nightclubs are more than just a place to dance. They are a hang-out where anyone from any background imaginable can come, relax and mingle without barriers or restrictions.

One night when he was in his twenties, Kokolakis recalled dancing at the Cat Club in New York City when he looked over and saw Malcolm Forbes, the famous billionaire who was in his 70’s at the time, dancing casually with drink in hand. It struck George, in that moment, that everyone likes to party in a place where they feel comfortable.

“That was the one thing [about nightclubs] in New York City: there was boundaries, or ‘I’m too old.’ There was no such thing as being too old,” Kololakis said. “It didn’t matter how old you were.”

This experience stuck with Kololakis and he said he hopes to bring that same atmosphere into downtown Corvallis. He says he’s received a lot of feedback from local residents who feel there just isn’t anywhere for people to go at night that isn’t completely geared towards college students. “If someone in their 60s wants to come out, they should feel comfortable,” said Kololakis.

So what exactly will Sub-Zero look like?

While Kokolakis is keeping some of the more spectacular details under wraps, he did tell me that the DJ booth control monitors would look like “The Starship Enterprise” and the walls of the club were crafted in a specific way to display high definition images in panorama. The theme of the club is the concept of being able to constantly change the appearance of the entire space.

“We want this to be not just another nightclub, we really want to impress people,” Kokolakis said. “We want people to come in here and say ‘Wow, these guys actually took some time and effort and spent some money and are really taking this seriously.’”

With all the lighting, video, and sound extravagance, one might ask why Kokolakis and his partners chose Corvallis as the site for Sub-Zero instead of Portland. Kololakis is quick to answer, as this question has been posed to him by more than a few of his peers and colleagues.

“We feel like people here deserve somewhere for the older crowd to go,” said Kololakis.

He came out to see the town last summer and fell in love. In Corvallis, he and his partners have found a place to make tangible their creative vision for a nightclub. Kololakis says he wants people to know they are here to stay. That’s why, he explains, that they aren’t playing strict hip-hop and going with trends to bring in the kids and rake in the cash for a quick turn-around.

And the proof of this is his extensive involvement with the local community. Kololakis has partnered with local artist Patricia Smith to create a mural for the club as well as some yet to be disclosed other projects.

But the real involvement has come from Kololakis getting out and listening to the

community’s needs for a nightclub that caters to them.

“My neighbor, I don’t know how she heard about it, but she started asking us about [Sub-Zero]. She is in her 50s and said, ‘You know, I really wish there was somewhere to go here for people like me. Is this place going to be strictly for kids?’ and I told her, ‘No, we’re planning on doing a shake and bake night where it’s all 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music, where anything goes, from Led Zeppelin to James Brown to Casey and the Sunshine Band, Chuck Berry, and The Beatles.’”

The three nightclub gurus from the East coast have ventured West to create something for themselves and the local community. Kololakis knows it’s going to be good because it’s a place he would be proud to invite his industry friends from all over the world to come and visit. But the most important thing, more important than all of the bells and whistles, is the atmosphere.

“This club is for everyone,” Kokolakis said. “No one’s going to be made to feel like they don’t belong.”

Sub-Zero’s owners are busy bringing in gear and putting the finishing touches on what may become a staple of Corvallis nightlife for years to come. But they can only do so much. It’s the locals, those who constantly lament the fact that there isn’t anything to do at night in Corvallis, who will decide what kind of club Sub-Zero will become.

I heard in a movie once, ‘If you build it, they will come.’ Well, Corvallis... come out and support Sub-Zero. Make it your own and enjoy it. Because after this summer, you won’t be able to say there isn’t a place to go and trip the light fantastic.

WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM • JUNE 28, 2011 • 5

WORD

The culture of Corvallis Our little petri dish of art... science...music...family... community...and everything else.

by Craig Wiroll

Editor's Note: If you are a friend of The Alchemist Weekly on Facebook then you are more than likely already aware of this conversation topic. (If you're not a friend, then by-golly head over there and join in on the convo: www.facebook.com/thealchemistweekly.) We've decided to take the conversation beyond the interwebs and sent writer, Craig out on the streets to find out more about the culture of Corvallis. To further the discussion feel free to hop on board the group Facebook page as well: www.facebook.com/corvallisculture.

W

sure Corvallis would even be on the map.” e categorize the places in It is true that college towns are more likewhich we live. We stereoly to lean to the left politically, as it is also type ourselves and those true that in 2011, democrats tend to live around us in order to describe our idennear democrats and republicans want to live tity and our culture. Where we have come near other like-minded republicans. Is Corfrom, what we like, how we work, who we vallis that cut and dry though, can we just are; that is our culture. Now more than claim to live in a liberal-minded town, or is ever people are relocating to places that the town trending toward more conservaalign with their own values, creating a tive viewpoints as the permanent residents more dichotomous society than ever be(non-students) become older? fore. So why are we here in Corvallis?

I will admit that in my attempt to uncovPortland is very laid back home of the er the culture of Corvallis, I spoke to many young professional hipsters with college people. My goal was to speak to someone of degrees, most of whom don’t actually have every demographic: young, old, rich, poor, a job. Eugene is the place where former white, minority, migrant and native. Only, hippies go to start businesses and retire. one problem arose from my quest to find Other notorious cities: New York: the culthese people. I found people of different tural melting pot of the U.S., Beverly Hills: ages, incomes, and ethnic backgrounds, but land of the rich and excessive, Chicago: the I could not find anyone who was a Corvalbusiness hub of the midwest, and Detroit: a lis native. They exist, of course I know they great city if you decide you no longer want exist, but I did not bump into a single one. your wallet, and yeah, cars are made there Perhaps that is the culture of Corvallis, a too. city of migrants, all with completely differAll these cities are so identifiable but ent cultural backgrounds hailing from difwhen we sit back and try to label the culture ferent places. But,does the lack of a large of Corvallis, nothing comes out. What is it? number of natives actually translate into Obviously, if you say it is a college town, more diversity? “The town is very, very you’re right. But that could be anyone of white and could use a huge influx of dia couple hundred cities around the United versity in every sense of the word,” Nikolay States. Beyond the University, what is Corsaid, “the city is dominated by upper middle vallis, does Oregon State University sum to upper class white people who talk the up the city as a whole, and what about the talk of being accepting to the lower-income other half that makes up the population? and homeless populations and to the LG“As a recent transplant to Corvallis, I BTQQ communities, but I really don’t see am rather confused about the culture,” said arms being opened to diverse populations.”

Courtney Nikolay, a current OSU grad A lot of the people I spoke with called out student. “Oregon State University clearly Corvallis as having false pretenses, saying dominates the town, and without it I’m not 6 • JUNE 28, 2011 • WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM

Surely, this isn't all we are.

WORD

Is this the culture of Corvallis?

Is this the culture of Corvallis? the city boasts itself as far more innovative, accepting, and open-minded than it even comes close to actually being. Alan Calvert, a Corvallis resident for 16 years, stated that Corvallis, “wants to be a small town version of Portland.” The comparisons to Portland are inevitable, but nobody I talked with agreed they are actually anything alike.

Many of the people I spoke with complained about the amount of things to do in Corvallis, especially for youth, that did not involve drinking or partying. Although known for its beauty, many residents said they were disappointed with the dedication to outdoor activity development outside of possibly hiking Bald Hill.

“Besides the beautiful scenery, there really isn’t much to do here besides eat mediocre tasting food after shopping at WinCo or Fred Meyer,” Nikolay said.

Like-minded people are migrating together now more than ever in the history of America. Author Bill Bishop refers to this phenomenon as “The Big Sort” and states that it is, “not simply about political partisanship, about how Americans vote every couple of years. It is a division in what they value, in how they worship, and in what

they expect out of life.”

In Corvallis, this division seems to be happening within the community, as evidenced by the recent backlash against the geographical expansion of student housing around the OSU area. A recent GazetteTimes article explained how record enrollment rates at OSU meant more students would be sprawling out into once solely residential parts of Corvallis. This article generated many comments and opinions about how this was causing many permanent Corvallis residents anguish by driving up rental rates and severely limiting housing opportunities. One quote in the story even stated that students are “chasing” out non-students and long-term residents. This along with the stereotype of college students as incessant party animals tends to create a dichotomy between the two major residents of Corvallis, described by a new resident who has been here for 3 weeks as a, “mixture that combines college students with retirees but little in between.”

Although Corvallis relies on OSU economically, the students are often treated as visitors rather than members of the com-

continued on p. 12

WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM • JUNE 28, 2011 • 7

ALCHY PICKS

[week of June 28th]

‘Vette took off into the night. The highway patrolman sped past to catch him. I assured myself that he must be happy with only getting one of us and whipped the car around to go pick up my buddy. In panic mode, I didn’t stop for my friend. I just kept going. I looked down at my speedometer. It read 50 mph. Not an exciting get away attempt. The highway patrolman had directed the Corvette to meet him at the police station in 20 minutes prior to catching up with me. Expecting a field sobriety test, I was instead handcuffed and placed in the back of the cruiser for “attempting to flee or elude an officer in a motor vehicle.” Oh, the glory days.

The dream of American muscle lives on this coming weekend during the Fourth of July celebrations in the area. On Saturday, July 2nd, Philomath hosts a classic car show at their City Park and Albany follows suit on Sunday at Timber Linn Park with the Dare to Cruz Car Show. Both of the events start at 9:00 am and go to the afternoon.

If you’re looking to break out your Sunday driver for the show, remember the most important thing about your entry: Fire Extinguisher and First Aid Kit. ~Noah Stroup

Sunday and Monday Riverfront Park, Corvallis RED, WHITE, BLUE, and YOU!

Even in this age of stalwart skepticism and political unrest, the rocket’s red glare and the bombs bursting in air still call out to the disgruntled and downcast every 4th of July and direct their attention to the anniversary of our country’s heady beginning towards the perfection of a democratic nation. No matter how you judge our progress, this day is a day for Americans to remember and celebrate with pride that first step onto the road of setting humanity free from tyranny and oppression. Two hundred and thirty-five years later we’re still fighting the fight that our forebears set upon, in arenas both foreign and domestic, and that alone is a reason for celebration.

In Corvallis, that celebration takes shape in the Red, White and Blue Festival, held on the downtown banks of the Willamette River. The Downtown Corvallis Association will be providing two days of fun for friends and family featuring live music, food and beverage vendors showcasing the bounty of the Willamette Valley, craft booths of every persuasion, and tons of fun activities for kids and adults alike.

CLASSIC CAR SHOWS Albany and Philomath

Saturday and Sunday | 9:00 am Philomath and Albany AS AMERICAN AS MUSCLE

In high school, I was fortunate enough to own a ’66 Ford Mustang, cherry red with a hopped up 289 small block. Over a two-month period, I binged on octane and drag racing. The party ended the night of my ex-girlfriend’s senior prom. I left her at the dance to race an orange ’77 Corvette. “I’ll be right back,” I assured her.

Long story short, a highway patrolman had followed us to the racing spot, parked a couple hundred behind us at the starting line, headlights off.

We lined up and my buddy got out to start us off. As his arms went down, I had some tire spin that put the Mustang into dark horse standing right away. There was only one person at the finish line, but he claims I was able to edge the Corvette just at the end. The celebration was short lived as the gut wrenching red and blue lights lit up my review mirror. As I pulled over, the

What is more American than talking about the heydays? “I remember when I was your age, gasoline was around $1.00 per gallon. In fact, back then, they used to make cars out of good ol’ American manufactured steel. Today, you car is built out of synthetic plastic and composites.”

It’s true. The purity of the past certainly defines an age of innocence. Getting less than 10 miles per gallon was acceptable because you had your four-barrel-carburetor wide open spraying BF Goodrich 50 feet behind your cherry red chick magnet. As the smoke from the tires and rumble of your large block consume your vehicle, you thought, “I doesn’t get much better than this.” You were right.

8 • JUNE 28, 2011 • WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM

NORMAN cometh Riverfront Park, Corvallis, Sundau

2010 Alchemist Winner FAVORITE MUSIC VENUE

FAVORITE APPETIZER

FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND $10 FAVORITE PLACE TO GET PICKED UP

– LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEK –

Go Big. Go Outside. Go Big Outside.

Dani Paige Band

FRIDAY

JULY 1

Riverfront Park, Corvallis, Monday

Opening Sunday July 3rd at 1230 PM and Monday July 4th at 11AM the event runs until 11PM both nights and will feature local live music throughout. On Sunday from 230PM until 1030PM, you can hear the musical talents of Ben Rice, Norman, and Fate 55. On Monday starting at 11AM, you can hear Ordinance, the Deluxe Bros, Caught In The Act, and end the night with the Dani Paige Band.

Oregonians love their food and drink, and the Red, White and Blue Festival will shwocase much of what the valley has to offer. From Philly Cheesesteaks to Umpqua icecream as well as the traditional sno-cones, funnel cakes and hot dogs, the vendors along 1st Street will satisfy your palette. Also available to those of age will be a variety of those Oregon wines and microbrews that everyone loves.

For those seeking the wares and crafts of Oregon, all manner of styling will be available during the Festival; tie-dyed clothing, caricature art, unique beaded items, elegant hair braiding, handcrafted fantasy items and many more things with which to celebrate our time honored capitalist joys.

And what festival would be complete without a parade? The Red, White and Blue Festival sports the somewhat prolixly dubbed “All American Everyone-Can-Join Fabulous Fantastic 4th of July Parade”

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Thurs. June 30th. 6pm Creed Acoustic

Sat. July 2nd. 6pm Mike McLaren Acoustic

on Monday. Participants should gather at 10:00 am on 8th St. between Monroe and Jefferson. Parade begins around 10:30 noon with walkers 1st, animals 2nd and vehicles last. Parade should finish around 11:30 pm.

If you prefer running to parading then the 2011 Red White & Blue Riverfront Festival 5K Fun Run/Walk is just what you need. Occurring on Monday, the Walk starts promptly at 8:40 am; Run starts promptly at 9:00 am. Pre-registration up to July 3, 5 pm: $4. Race day, until 8:30 am: $6. Register at 5 Star Sports, 219 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis OR. The 5,000 meter course (3.1 miles) start line is near the intersection of 1st & Monroe, proceeds to 2nd Street to pathway alongside Corvallis Skate Park, onto walkway overpass heading to Avery Park, left into Avery Park, following bike path around the park, turns right at four-way stop sign into parking area, follows parking lot to dead end and turns around at dead end, heading back on same path back to start/finish line.

Come help Corvallis celebrate 235 years of freedom and the pursuit of happiness with the Red, White and Blue Festival!

More information, registration forms, and additional vendor details available at http://www.downtowncorvallis.org. ~Jimbo Ivy

9p | FREE STRANGE DICHOTOMY

“Where the back alley meets the high road.” www.adpizza.com

214 SW 2nd Street Behind the Downtown American Dream Pizza 753-7373

WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM • JUNE 28, 2011 • 9

tuesday28

livemusic

Corvallis

CENTRAL PARK Community Band Concert: Patriotic Favorite, 8:00 pm, FREE [BAND] CLOUD 9 OneWub Dubstep Night with DJ Heartburn, 9:30 pm [DUB] CHS MAIN STAGE Chintimini Chamber Music Festival Final Concert: Respighi and Stravinsk, 7:30 pm, $20 [CLASSICAL] FIREWORKS James Wilson, 8:00 pm [CELTIC] SUNNYSIDE UP CAFÉ Celtic Jam, 7:00 pm, FREE [LISTEN/PLAY]

thursday30

livemusic

Albany

CALAPOOIA BREWING Wild Hog in the Woods, 7:30 pm [STRINGBAND]

Corvallis

CLOUD 9 Ideal Nerve Tonic, 7:00 pm [JAZZ] CROWBAR ROOFTOP Creed and Deschutes Promo, 6:00 pm, FREE [ACOUSTIC ROCK]FIREWORKS Performers Spotlight: Erika Gabonay and Shilpi hosted by Gabriel Surley, 8:00 pm [SHOWCASE]

Lebanon

DOWNTOWN DOG Country Jam, 6:00 pm, FREE [COUNTRY] PEACOCK BAR & GRILL EAST Blues Jam, 7:00 pm, FREE [BLUES]

Tangent

DIXIE CREEK SALOON Jake Payne and Dixie Creek, 7:00 pm [AMERICANA]

sing&dance

Albany

EAGLES LODGE Line dance, 7:00 pm, $4 [DANCE]

Corvallis

PEACOCK BAR & GRILL Main Stage: Karaoke, 9:00 pm [SING]; On the Top: DJ Mike, 9:00 pm [DANCE]

Lebanon [CELTIC] Tuesday | June 28th | 8:00 pm

James Wilson Fireworks

Corvallis

sing&dance

MERLIN'S BAR & GRILL Karaoke, 9:00 pm [SING]

stuff

Albany

ALBANY CIVIC THEATER Oliver! 8:00 pm, $13 [MUSICAL]

Corvallis

ENOTECA WINE BAR Chocolate Truffle Thursdays, 6:00 pm, FREE [YUMMERS] FIRST ALT COOP NORTH BeerTasting, 5:00 pm [BEER ME] LIVE WELL STUDIO Free Teen Yoga by Reach Out Yoga, 4:00 pm, FREE [YOGA] OSU GOSS STADIUM Corvallis Knights vs. Walla Walla Sweets, 6:40 pm [BASEBALL] WINESTYLES Blind Tasting, 5:30 pm, $5 [WINE ME]

Lebanon

ELKS LODGE Beginner Line Dance 7:00 pm, $3 [DANCE] IMPULSE BAR Cuban Salsa 7:30 pm FREE [DANCE] PEACOCK BAR & GRILL Main Stage: Karaoke with Sqwig-e-okie, 9:00 pm, FREE [SING]

DOWNTOWN LEBANON Farmer’s Market, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm [MARKET]

Lebanon

MERLIN'S BAR & GRILL Karaoke, 9:00 pm [SING]

Halsey

WOODY'S BAR & GRILL “Terry-oke” Karaoke with Terry Geil, 9:00 pm, FREE [SING]

stuff

Albany

[ACOUSTIC] Friday | July 1st | 8:00 pm

Santino Cadiz

CARNEGIE LIBRARY Jason Ropp’s Dragon Theatre Puppets [PUPPET]

Corvallis

APPLEBEE'S National Trivia Association Night, 9:00 pm, FREE [TRIVIA] ENOTECA WINE BAR Girls night out! Knit night, 7:00 pm [SHE'S CRAFTY] WINESTYLES Trivia Night Summer League Match #1, 6:00 pm, $10 per team [TRIVIA]

2nd St Beanery

wednesday29

livemusic

Corvallis

FARMER’S MARKET Jesse Meade, 9:30 am, FREE [BLUES] FIREWORKS Boreas, 8:00 pm [INDIE FOLK] DIXIE CREEK SALOON Blues Jam with Wild Bill, 7:00 pm [BLUES]

Lebanon

RHYTHM and BREWS CAFÉ Tyler Fortier, 8:00 pm, FREE [ACOUSTIC]

Corvallis

Lebanon

DOWNTOWN DOG Bluegrass Jam, 6:00 pm [BLUEGRASS]

DOWNTOWN DOG The Lucky Pups, 6:00 pm [JAZZ]

sing&dance

Albany

Corvallis

Corvallis

Lebanon

Albany

APPLEBEE’S DJ Stoltz Dance Party, 9:00 pm, FREE [DANCE] PETER GYSEGEM’S STUDIO Argentine tango classes, 7:15 pm, $5 [DANCE] PEACOCK BAR & GRILL Main Stage: Karaoke, 9:00 pm, FREE [SING]; On the Top: Western Wed 9:00 pm, [DANCE] MERLIN'S BAR & GRILL Karaoke, 9:00 pm [SING]

Albany

ALBANY CIVIC THEATER Oliver! 8:00 pm, $13 [MUSICAL] BENTON LIBRARY MEETING ROOM City Manager Retirement Reception, 4:00 pm, RSVP [MEET] CORVALLIS HYDROPONICS HydroLogic, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm [GARDEN] ENOTECA WINE Troon Vineyards Wine Tasting, 7:00 pm, $10 [WINE] FIRST STREET DOWNTOWN Corvallis Farmer’s Market, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, FREE [MARKET]

10 • JUNE 28, 2011 • WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM

sing&dance

RILEY'S BAR & GRILL Cutting Edge Production presents Ladies Night with Dj Tray, FREE [DANCE]

EAGLES LODGE Albany Senior Dance, 1:30 - 3:30 pm, $3 [DANCE]

Corvallis

livemusic

Albany

BEANERY ON 2ND Santino Cadiz, 8:00 pm, FREE [REGGAE] BOMBS AWAY CAFÉ Strange Dichotomy, 9:00 pm, FREE [GROOVE ROCK] CLOUD 9 Rainbow in the Clouds: Gaytriotic, 10:00 pm, $3 [DANCE PARTY] DEL ALMA Jazz First Trio, 7:30 pm [JAZZ] FIREWORKS Burning Truth Tribe Fire Dance Theater with SOLAR, 8:00 pm [FIRE]

Tangent

Albany

friday01

stuff

CLOUD 9 Rainbow in the Clouds, 10:00 pm [DANCE] CORVALLIS SENIOR CENTER Friday Night Dance by The Syncopators, 7:00 pm, $4 [DANCE] PEACOCK BAR & GRILL Main Stage: Karaoke, 9:00 pm [SING]; On the Top: DJ Heartburn, 9:00 pm [DANCE] ALBANY CIVIC THEATER Oliver! 8:00 pm, $13 [MUSICAL]

Corvallis

ASHBROOK THEATRE Adventures in Acting: The Mirth of July! 7:30 pm [STAGE] CHS MAIN STAGE Sole Expressions Dance Studio: “Toy Story,” 7:00 pm [DANCE] FIRST ALT COOP SOUTH Wine tasting, 5:00 pm [WINE ME] OSU GOSS STADIUM Corvallis Knights vs. Wenatchee Applesox, 6:40 pm, $5 [BASEBALL] WINESTYLES Friday Flights, 5:00 pm [WINE]

Philomath

13TH ST Downtown Association Street Party Celebration, 4:00 – 8:00 pm [PARTY!]

stuff

Albany

livemusic

CALAPOOIA BREWING Formerly Hines, 8:00 pm, FREE [ROCK FUSION] FARMER’S MARKET Tom Houser, 9:30 am, FREE [BLUES]

Corvallis

BEANERY ON 2nd Kalvin Ellis Benefit with Summit Underground, Hallucinogenic Toreador, Low Ground, Lucky Strangers, Inebriated//Tortoise, ALL AGES, 2:00 pm, $5 donation [FUNDRAISER] CROWBAR ROOFTOP Mike McLaren, 6:00 pm, FREE [OLD TIME] FARMER’S MARKET Cooper Hollow, 9:30 am, FREE [STRINGBAND] FIREWORKS Van Meyers Jazz, 8:00 pm [JAZZ] WESTMINSTER HOUSE Community Rhythm Circle, 7:00 pm, FREE [weDRUM]

Albany

sing&dance

RILEY'S BAR & GRILL Cutting Edge Production presents DJ Tray, FREE [DANCE]

Corvallis

CORVALLIS DANCE CENTER CENTER Beginning Ballroom Lessons, 3:00 pm, Intermediate West Coast Swing Lessons, 4:00 pm, Beginning West Coast Swing, 6:00 pm [DANCE] ODDFELLOWS HALL Swing, 7:00 pm, Blues, 10:00 pm, $5 [DANCE] PEACOCK BAR & GRILL On the Top: DJ Heartburn, 9:00 pm [DANCE]

Lebanon

DUFFY'S IRISH PUB Karaoke, 10:00 pm, FREE [SING] MERLIN'S BAR & GRILL Karaoke, 9:00 pm [SING]

stuff

Albany

ALBANY CIVIC THEATER Oliver! 8:00 pm, $13 [MUSICAL] CITY HALL Albany Farmer’s Market, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, FREE [MARKET]

Corvallis

ASHBROOK THEATRE Adventures in Acting: The Mirth of July! 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm [STAGE] AVALON WINE Wine tasting, 12:00 – 3:00 pm [WINE-IN] DOWNTOWN FIRST ST Corvallis Farmer’s Market, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, FREE [MARKET] Corvallis Artisan’s Market, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm [CRAFTS] ENOTECA WINE BAR Saketini Saturdays, 3:00 pm [SAKE-TO-ME] OSU GOSS STADIUM Corvallis Knights vs. Wenatchee Applesox, 6:40 pm, $5 [BASEBALL] WINESTYLES Wine Tasting, 4:00 pm, $10 [WINE TIME]

Lebanon

WILLAMETTE SPEEDWAY Operation Homefront Night at the Races, Dirt Car Super Late Models, Modified, Sportsman, Classic 6:00 pm, $14 [RACE DAY]

Philomath

CITY PARK Classic Car Show, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

sunday03 Albany

livemusic

CALAPOOIA BREWING Blues Jam, 4:00 pm, FREE [BLUES]

Corvallis

RIVERFRONT PARK Red, White, and Blue Festival with Ben Rice (2:30 pm) Norman (5:00 pm) and Fate 55 (8:00 pm) FREE [FESTIVAL]

Tangent

DIXIE CREEK SALOON Acoustic Jam, 7:00 pm, Bluegrass Jam, 7:00 pm, FREE [iPlay]

Corvallis

sing&dance

PEACOCK BAR & GRILL Main Stage: Karaoke with Sqwig-e-okie, 9:00 pm [SING]

Lebanon

MERLIN'S BAR & GRILL Karaoke, 9:00 pm [SING]

Albany

stuff

ALBANY CIVIC THEATER Oliver! 8:00 pm, $13 [MUSICAL] TIMBER LINN PARK Dare to Cruz 2011 Car Show, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, FREE [CARS]

Across 1. BlackBerry entry: Abbr.

5. Thomas Hardy’s fictitious ___ Heath 10. Movie media 14. Show with the New Directions 15. Gross accumulation?

16. Oscar-winning Kazan 17. B-movie actress Peters 18. Silicon Valley fish farm product?

20. Recognition from the Academy, as it were 22. “We Got the Beat” band, with “the” 23. Prince song about the effects of low tide?

26. Put on 27. Raspberry Award winner and Travolta wife Kelly 31. Keeps from congealing, perhaps 33. Insect repellent ingredient 34. Kind words of a sort 35. Sluggish 36. Personalized album, and this puzzle’s theme 38. Bust’s opposite 39. Barack’s mother 40. Highway behemoth 41. Back in again 42. Contest once hosted by Bob Barker and Dick Clark 44. Heavens 46. What a budding preschool artist feels?

50. Retired golf star Lorena 53. ‘’Carmen’’ dance 54. Wheat fields?

57. ___ the crack of dawn 58. Luxury hotel company 59. Fill anew 60. Plenty of volume?

61. “Six Feet Under” brother 62. Oozing 63. Bridge Down 1. Postcoital, perhaps 2. Like thick carpets 3. They may be flashed at hippie gatherings

To submit a calendar listing, notice of events must be received in writing by noon on Tuesday, one week before publication.

Send to calendar @ thealchemistweekly.com.

For photo consideration please attach high resolution images with proper photo credit.

Inkwell Crosswords by Ben Tausig

saturday02

Music Swap

6

9

5

7

4

9

8 8

5

8

1 7

2 1

9 3 3

5 2

9

7

Difficulty: Medium

Corvallis

32. Morrison who turned 80 in 2011 33. Sixth-century death year of Clovis I 36. Landform in the western U.S. 37. Machine running OSX 38. They’re supposed to drive you to drinking 40. Qur’an chapter 41. “Mom, Inc.” star 43. Cheap smoke 44. Buy greedily 45. Putin, once, maybe 47. “If all goes well ...”

48. High schooler’s problem 49. Devoured 50. Get too high from 51. Time out?

52. Participate in a one-sided sport 55. Cadillac luxury model 56. Salmon roll topper

4. Renter’s association 5. Thick, sweet Christmas goop 6. Sense of confidence, as it were 7. Electronics tube 8. 2010 Usher single 9. “___ Blu, Dipinto Di Blu” 10. Fake ducks, e.g.

11. Site with many YouTube embeds, probably 12. One-named singer sampled on Eminem’s “Stan” 13. Lip 19. Everglades bird 21. Some HDTVs 24. On ___ (without a contract) 25. Scott in 1857 news 28. Treat with an apparently unsolvable licking paradox 29. Pit problem 30. Disney fish 31. Lambaste

7

2

5

9

1

6 6

3 sudoku-puzzles.net

ENOTECA Saketini Sundays, 3:00 pm [SAKE-TO-ME] OSU GOSS STADIUM Corvallis Knights vs. Bend Elks, 7:15 pm, $5 [BASEBALL]

monday04

Corvallis

stuff

AVERY PARK THOMPSON SHELTER Blood on the Banjo/ HiHo Silver Away/ JTT/ Quick Attack, 5 pm [MUSIC!] DOWNTOWN Festival 5k Fun Run/Walk, 8:40 am start [FUN RUN] DOWNTOWN All American Everyone-Can-Join Fab-Fantastic 4th of July Parade, 11:30 am [PARADE] FIREWORKS Southtown Open Mic, 8:00 pm [LISTEN/PLAY] PEACOCK BAR & GRILL Main Stage: Karaoke with Sqwig-e-okie, 9:00 pm [SING] RIVERFRONT PARK Red, White and Blue Festival with Ordinance (11:00 am) Deluxe Bros (1:30 pm) Caught in the Act (4:30) and Dani Paige Band (7:30 pm) FREE [FESTIVAL]

Lebanon

CHEADLE LAKE COMMUNITY PARK Star Spangled Celebration, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm, $10 per car, $3 for walk-in [CELEBRATE!] MERLIN'S BAR AND GRILL Karaoke, FREE [SING] STARLITE SPORTS BAR Willamette Poker Tour, 7:00 pm [POKER] WILLAMETTE SPEEDWAY Bump to Pass Trash Cars, Demolition Derby, School Bus Races, 6:00 pm, $14 [SMASH ‘EM]

[BASEBALL] Thursday through Sunday | 6:40 pm

Corvallis Knights vs.

OSU GOSS STADIUM

WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM • JUNE 28, 2011 • 11

VOICE

OPINION

continued from p. 4 small group of students and attempted to recruit more I have seen this same dedication but also the lack. The reason why the FSM worked was because of the truth and motivation that went behind it. The work put in was the fight, not just the marches and rallies, there was an idea of need and the unity inspired at first by the administration of Berkeley but held together by the dedication of the student body.

In Oregon we have hundreds of thousands of college students and the need for a properly funded education is a universal affect that all can become united around.

When I participated in a march on the state capital there were around 500 students from many different universities and community colleges. And while this is much appreciated and powerful, being in the middle of this march was amazing but more is needed. Actively participating in education is the only way to become properly educated and I believe this both as a student and a future teacher. You must practice the knowledge that is being taught and ques-

tion that knowledge at the same time. Experience is key and new experience at that.

We have been going to class for 12 years as we move into college and seeking out those aspects that are available, and a little beyond just drinking, is something that is breaking from the routine that the educational system establishes in an individual.

The very functions of school are attempts at creating an individual trained for a culture of work not a culture of intellect. Bells in schools were established for a smooth transfer to a factory, assignments on time and no later, competition and grading systems also keep the fire of a cutthroat business world right behind us as we move down the timeline of life. And to some extent this is necessary. But at some point schools needed to be used for the growth of human beings not just students who are soon to be workers.

And there are two sides. Go to school to search and wander in who you may want to become. Find a path that is going to benefit you while also serving others and do not

WORD

mittee in Newport saw many different people advocating for their particular cause and their own reasons why they should be given attention. I know of the need for sacrifice when times switch to become harder but I also feel education is very good at sacrificing and have already been doing this for many years and at some point it needs to be stopped and allowed to find a foundation as it continues to grow.

B&J Bookbinding New Binding - Restoration Repairs - Bibles 108 SW 3rd St • Corvallis • 541.757.9861

Robnett’s Hardware

Family owned & operated since 1893

continued from p. 7 munity. They pay a hefty premium to live and study in this city and help the economy flourish, they pay for rents that are ridiculously marked-up, and they work jobs around the city that would otherwise go unworked, yet often are not treated with the same amount of respect as permanent not-student residents.

On the other hand, the city of Corvallis relies heavily on its long-term residents.

Although students are becoming the majority in the city, the turnover rate of those students is far too high to create any sustainable programs or long-term projects to better the city and community. A common opinion is that perhaps the university is getting too big, to the point where all culture that Corvallis did have at one time is being overshadowed. Many feel the small-town mentality that appealed to them several years ago no longer exists, with the expanding enrollment only making it worse.

Beyond all of the negative feedback, there is a glimmer of hope in the collective optimism of Corvallis residents. One thing that can be agreed upon in Corvallis is the safety.

It is a very safe place to live, and it definitely feels like it. Some people may say this is due to the education of the residents while others will point to how it seems as if Corvallis has 5,000 police per capita. Whatever the city is doing, it’s working.

Rachel Karasick moved to Corvallis to work as an AmeriCorps*VISTA, and what started off as a 1 year job commitment has turned into 2 years and she sees no end in sight. “I keep running into folks who came to Corvallis on accident and stayed on because it was too easy to live here to ever consider leaving,” Karasick said. She concedes that her commitment, “may just turn to 3, 4, 5, or 60 more years.”

So what does it mean that Corvallis is

just enroll based off the common motivating tool of increased pay when entered into the workforce. A responsibility lies with the students attending just as much as the schools. But you must cultivate an environment that wishes this to be the goal.

I know of the necessities that other programs advocate. Along with speakers from various schools around the state, and at every level from K-12 to college, the Com-

easy to live in? Often touted as a prime location: 50 minutes to the coast, 90 minutes to Portland, 40 minutes to Eugene. There is just one problem; none of those things are innate Corvallis attributes, but rather, mere geographical coordinates. When asked what makes the town so great, Karasick said, “Maybe it’s the cutesy downtown, the friendly strangers, the smiling 30-somethings with dogs and babies, the lure of the Willamette, the snug feeling in a valley... maybe it's just the beer at Block 15.”

A Facebook group has been created to explore the culture of Corvallis (www.facebook.com/corvallisculture). On that group site, after going on a rant about all of the things Corvallis lacks, such as thoughtful expression and artist support, and how compared to Eugene, Corvallis feels incredibly repressed, the message poster Dan Crall conceded: “I can't imagine living anywhere else.”

Maybe there are too many cops, maybe artists aren’t getting enough exposure, and maybe the very school this city relies on in order to educate its population and provide jobs is causing the city to collapse into an abyss, but every city has its problems. It is we the citizens who make it what it is regardless of who is pulling the strings at the top. If you don’t like something about Corvallis, change it. Make this city great.

While we may whine and moan about how Corvallis is not ideal, at the end of the day when we kick our feet up and look at the sun setting over the rolling valley, it’s really not so bad.

Karasick said it best, “I can't really put my finger on the sticking point, but it's here. I'll let you know when I figure it out.”

If any of you figure out why you live here, feel free to let us know: culture@thealchemistweekly.com

12 • JUNE 28, 2011 • WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM

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LOGER O R ST

by

Coyote Kate

01 1●

A WEEKLY

rapidly, then ouch. Also, if one eats too many, then ouch. If one runs at the mouth, then one could find thus.

Slow and easy energy does it for this week. Keep all rampancy to yourself, and watch.

,2 8 June 2

●

Aries (March 21-April 19): Roll me

over in the clover, I want to ride the wave of summer! Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, leads the way into Dog Days of Summer. In ancient Greece, the reappearance of Sirius begins the season of the lusting by women, weakened men, and wilted crops, but don’t let that phase you Aries. Being ‘star struck’ has its advantages. You can’t be held responsible for your actions, so whoop it up under the Summer Sun. We’ve plenty of water here in the Valley to quench your hot desires.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Independence, what does it means to you Taurus?

George Bernard Shaw said, “Independence? That’s middle class blasphemy. We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.” Voltaire: “The true character of liberty is independence, maintained by force.” Steve Schmidt (Republican campaign strategist): “The price for independence is often isolation and solitude.” Good old Walt Disney: “Mickey Mouse is, to me, a symbol of independence. He was a means to an end.” In light of creativity and nonmainstream fluidity of thought, David BenGurion (1886-1973, first Prime Minister of Israel) said, “Without moral and intellectual independence, there is no anchor for national independence.” Celebrate amalgamation, Bull.

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Your air energy leaves others reeling sometimes.

You can toss and turn others without realizing it, Gemini and they can’t find their own thoughts amidst the flow you generate. Grounding is difficult for you. Watch and learn from others. Really take their examples in so you will be less likely to cause tornados and hurricanes, windstorms, rapid evaporation, erosion, or firestorms.

Cancer ( June 21-July 22): You’ve been asked to be the healer. You’ve been asked to remain integral. With the new Moon on Friday as well as a solar eclipse, being both the healer and the integrator might prove to be difficult if you talk too much. Put on a happy face and the world will shine back at you, after filtering through you.

Leo ( July 23-Aug. 22): Leo, remember that the prune starts with a pit and grows from the inside towards the outside. If one forgets there is a pit and bites or chews too

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Plumes of pollen form dust banks of fertility above the grass crops in the Valley.

Virgo, they are like a storage unit for Truth--wavy, surreal, transparent, hovering. Too much Truth and we can’t breathe. Fantasize instead through the Dark Moon period at least until Venus moves into Cancer on Monday. Watery and sensual begets new adventure after this day.

Aquarius ( Jan. 20-Feb.18): Water Bearer you will be asked by the universe to be the douser when Mercury moves into Leo on Saturday. Most communications through Mercury will come from an egobased center. With your watery influence you will quell the bridge-burning fires that drive humankind, but not too much. Know the difference between drama and dramatized.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Sometimes you run like a river between all the humans you know, just listening to their rantings and ravings. They rely upon you for that and that makes you a great friend. When the rush of these doings gets too tough, however, speak your mind, but do so gently, like a babbling brook, just, with enough energy to get your point across.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): So you said your piece, not because you loved somebody more, but because you felt a lack of power. Maybe you were out of line. Maybe you weren’t so much, but at least you spoke up and started the kind of conversation that can lead to deep talk. We are all cosmically responsible and relevant in our actions. Your act will lead to a growth spurt unlike you’ve ever experienced. Pat yourself all over. Dynamic dialogue is headed your way.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Over cigars and coffee, my uncle would tell stories of past mining and other exploits. One time he and my grandfather extracted enough gold from a small pond of water—enough to sink their boat. Now the pond is a federal wildlife sanctuary (being the only watering hole for 100 miles). Scorpio, there is a hidden treasure in your life that needs to remain hidden. Just knowing about will suffice. And as you ponder the idiosyncrasies of others, their Yahoo-ness, revel in the joy that your aren’t like them. Maybe some of your special qualities could rub off on them.

Yahoo!

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Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): While pondering synchronicity, I rely upon the words of M.C. Richards who said, “An artist creates out of the materials of the moment, never again to be duplicated.” I see this as a moment where political fence-riders, with agendas, have no place. They should be off tending to their butt bunions, which means staying off the fence. Get rid of your butt bunions, Libra by staying away from the proverbial fence. Make some spirit choices.

Examine your agenda of power. The posts will thank you and you will find the path clearer and more enlightened.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Most times when humans smell odors on their tongue, we experience a gag reflex. Snakes use their tongues to smell and locate. Add their super sensitivity to motion and keen eye sight, you have the ultimate tracking unit. As we move into Summer, the very finest smell of summer is the odor of ditches drying in the sun—a sure sign warmer days are upon us. Every season has its distinctive odor. I suggest that you make like the snake, smelling and tracking down all the Summer things you can possibly do, Cappi. Breathe deeply. You are more than ready to change with the season. Stimulate all your senses; it’s time to come alive.

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and quickly between the knees and elbows of servers hustling plates of hot food. They were a world away from the young men at the counter who looked right through them. These young men with eyeglasses too modern for their hipster garb tracked the asses of the young women behind the counter like they are watching a parade. The guys were speaking of something else, but they are all looking at the same thing. The waitresses offered them no reaction—not on the menu.

The only timeout from the game was when one dark haired waitress brushed against the other.

That moment of electric stillness was only for them, and only for a moment. Then, like a well-placed rest in a bar of music, in one beat the tempo picked up and they were back.

The rain kicked up outside and the new arrivals brought with them rain drops pealing off their clothes. They stomped at the door, knocking loose a couple drops before coming all the way in—a meek gesture of consideration toward those who would have to navigate a wet floor. The hostess was in control. She rang out the names of those to be seated and the chosen fell forth to be led. And it didn’t stop—but, only for a moment, when two young women in aprons and name tags snuck a moment of intimacy through a passing touch that could only be seen from the counter seat, second from the end, across from the twin coffee makers and the new microwave.

14 • JUNE 28, 2011 • WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM

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he put her hands delicately on the other waitresses’ hips, when squeezing by her from behind.

It looked as though she was being careful to not let her pinkies touch—keeping them a slightly raised above the rest of their fingers, hovering over the convex curve of the young woman’s hips. Her arms moved fluidly, like a dance. Her partner’s hips shifted slightly when met—like a cat being stroked with a feather. Instead of the cultured sound of a studio piano they were dancing to the clattering of dishes.

Clattering of dishes—words that intone sounds that can arouse images of a busy diner: wait staff rushing to and fro; diners nosing newspapers; coffee poured on the fly; classic rock cranking from the kitchen.

The diner was awash with the Sunday morning breakfast crowd. The Formica playing field of tabletops and counters was buzzing with players.

Servers passed food to the customers, who passed money to the cashier. Amidst this activity, one waitress sweetly dragged her thin hands down the hips of another.

They might have been lovers— young enough to be undamaged by the consequences of mixing hormones and work. The way they touched was contrasted by the speed and din of what they were doing. They seemed to be surrounded by a bell of slow motion silence when they pressed past/into each other.

The Latino workers were careful to not make eye contact and stayed in perpetual motion—trading racks of washed mugs for bus bins full of dirty ones culled from the playing field. They could snake quietly

I don’t go flat!

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by Paul

What’s your favorite flavor of Oregon Trail’s Party Pig?

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LITERATI “dream; Imploding Star” - Part IV Chronicles of Detective Siempre

by T. Clarence

D

honey

let's go out

Corvallis

etective Candy Siempre made his way slowly down the street with his derby in hand, and his jacket draped over an arm. His long sleeve white shirt clung to him in several sweaty places and bore the marks of several football strikes.

Before the semi-collapse of a game with the local boys, he had been refereeing while Mario Xander, power forward of the local major league team, had coached for both sides. To keep things going, Candy had joined one side and tried not to be discouraged when every kid wanted to join Xander on the other team.

After an hour of what turned out to be a pretty even match, they'd called it quits and Xander went for a jog to burn off more energy.

Candy had resisted the urge to stop off for a drink on his way to the office and now arrived at the front door of his office just as Number 10 did.

"Here," Xander tossed him a canister baring the logo of the Cascadian 'Copias, ¨You look like you could use some water."

"Thanks."

The detective´s secretary Susan fixed a curiosity-filled stare on them as the two disheveled men crossed the lobby of Candy's office, but he waved the attention away as he sucked down some water.

"That was great fun," Xander said as he dropped into a chair and kicked off his shoes, "I'll have to do it more often."

"I'm sure the boys would love it," Candy replied as he got comfortable, "You'll have plenty of time to do it, too, if you keep getting suspended."

The detective chose not to go so far as quoting the coach's threat to drop Xander from the team if he got into another fight.

After an afternoon of watching Xander in full control of himself, though, Candy was eager to keep snooping in the man´s dreams.

After a long draught of water Candy coaxed Xander into sleep and followed after.

Ready for another silent beginning, the detective dropped to one knee on the

ground and nearly smacked himself in the head with a musket he didn't even realize was in his hand. Around him men fired at will across the battlefield. Xander was beside him looking as bewildered as Candy felt. A short distance away a line of men in grey coats returned fire.

"Civil war," Candy murmured to himself as he took aim.

He set his sight on a soldier and fired. As the man crumpled to the ground his uniform flickered green and yellow for a moment, then returned to normal. The detective's comrades were not so lucky with their shots and soon the enemy was advancing.

"What should we do?" shocked, Xander asked Candy.

"Fall back!" A voice yelled. Candy turned and recognized the face of Peel, team captain of the 'Copias, under his slouch hat.

Beyond him was a mass of reserves waiting behind the general on his horse; even from a distance Candy recognized 'The Wonder.'

Amidst a hail of musket fire Candy, Xander and the troops fell back. The detective tried to stay concentrated on the battle, but around him his comrades' uniforms flickered orange and black, a white midfield line appeared across their path, then disappeared, and for just an instant the forest beyond the reserves winked out and in its place Candy saw fan-filled stadium bleachers.

"You haven't studied the Civil War much, have you?" Candy called out to Xander.

He'd hoped to steady the man's confusing mix of Civil Wars, but a flash of the number '10' on Xander's back dashed the detective´s hopes.

With a glance back they saw the front man of the other side stumble, bringing men down around him.

"Now's our chance," Xander turned and dashed back towards the enemy with musket ready.

"Charge!" Peel yelled as 'The Wonder' raised his saber.

Candy followed Xander down the field to the sound of reserves advancing behind them.

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www.thealchemistweekly.com DISC SKATE GLASS

Independently Owned since 2006

1110 NW Van Buren Corvallis, OR 541.754.4257

Aqua Seafood Restaurant & Bar 151 NW Monroe Ave. 541.752.0262

Albany

The Beanery on 2nd

Albany Civic Theater

500 SW 2nd St 541.753.7442

Alleyoop Lounge

101 NW Jackson Ave. 541.757.0694

111 First Ave. SW 541.928.4603 901 Pacific Blvd 541.941.0977

Bogey’s Bar & Grill

129 W 1st Ave. 541.929.8900

Calapooia Brewing

140 Hill St. NE 541.928.1931

Cappies Brewhouse

211 1st Ave W 541.926.1710

Cascade Grill

110 Opal St. NW 541.926.3388

Chasers Bar & Grill

Big River Restaurant & Bar Block 15

300 SW Jefferson Ave. 541.758.2077

Bombs Away Café 2527 NW Monroe Ave. 541.757.7221

China Delight Restaurant 325 NW 2nd St. 541.753.3753

Clodfelter’s

435 SE 2nd Ave 541928.9634

1501 NW Monroe Ave. 541.758.4452

Dixie Creek Saloon

Cloud 9

32994 Hwy 99E, Tangent, OR 541.926.2767

Favorite Mistake Sports Bar

5420 Pacific Blvd. 541.903.0034

Front Street Bar

2300 Northeast Front Ave. 541.926.2739

GameTime Sports Bar & Grill 2211 Waverly Dr. SE 541.981.2376

Humpty’s Dump Bar & Grill

916 Old Salem Rd NE 541.926.3111

JP’s Restaurant & Lounge

220 2nd Ave. 541.926.5546

Lariat Lounge 901 Pacific Blvd SE 541.928.2606

Linger Longer Tavern

145 SW Main St. 541.926.2174

Lucky Larrys Lounge 1296 S Commercial Way SE 541.928.3654

Riley’s Billiards Bar & Grill 124 Broadalbin St SW 541.926.2838

Wilhelm’s Spirits & Eatery 1520 Pacific Blvd SE 541.926.7001

126 SW 1st St. 541.753.9900

Murphy’s Tavern

2740 SW 3rd St. 541.738. 7600

Papa’s Pizza

1030 S.W. Third St. 541.757.2727

Peacock Bar & Grill

125 SW 2nd St. 541.754.8522

Squirrel’s

100 SW 2nd St. 541.753.8057

Sunnyside Up Café

116 NW 3rd St 541.758.3353

Suds & Suds

1045 NW Kings Blvd.

541.758.5200

Troubadour

521 SW 2nd St. 541.752.7720

Tyee Wine Cellars 26335 Greenberry Rd. 541.753.8754

Wanted Saloon 140 NW 3rd St.

WineStyles

Crowbar

2333 N.W. Kings Blvd.

541.738.9463

Darrell’s Restaurant & Lounge

Artisian’s Well Lounge

DEL Alma

Cornerstone Café & Pub

214 SW 2nd St. 541.753.7373

2200 NW 9th St. 541.752.6364 136 SW Washington Ave, Ste. 102 - 541.753.2222

Downward Dog

130 SW 1st St. 541.753.9900

Enoteca Wine Bar

136 SW Washington Ave. 541.758.9095

Fireworks Restaurant & Bar 1115 SE 3rd 541.754.6958

Flat Tail Pub

202 SW 1st St. 541.758.2219

Greenberry Store & Tavern

29974 HWY 99W 541.752.3796

Harrison Bar & Grill 550 NW Harrison Blvd.

541.754.1017

Impulse

Lebanon

2250 South Main Rd. 541.451.3900

180 S 5th St. 541.847.6262

Duffy’s Irish Pub 679 South Main St. 541.259.2906

Fire Pit Lounge

2230 South Santiam Hwy 541.451.2010

GameTime Sports Bar & Grill

3130 South Santiam Hwy 541.570.1537

Merlin’s Bar & Grill 25 W. Sherman St. 541.258.6205

Peacock Bar & Grill East

76 E. Sherman St. 541.451.2027

Sports Shack & Deli

1250 Grant St. 541.259.0800

Philomath

1425 NW Monroe Ave. 541.230.1114

High 5 Sports Bar & Grill

La Bamba Mix Night Club

Meet’n Place Tavern

126 SW 4th St. 541.207.3593

Luc

134 SW 4th St. 541.753.4171

1644 Main St.-541.929.7529 1150 Mian St. 541.929.3130

Wine Vault

1301 Main St. 541.929.8496

Wing Sing Restaurant & Lounge 658 Main St. 541.929.6255

WWW.THEALCHEMISTWEEKLY.COM • JUNE 28, 2011 • 15

Three and half years of production One year of newsprint 184 consecutive weeks of community love

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THE A LC H E M I S T

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