The Commuter: November 2022

VOL. 54 EDITION 3

CURE OF CONNECTION A Wellness Weigh-In

MEET THE TEAM

Introducing The Commuter Crew

MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT A Mother-Daughter Boxing Story

NOVEMBER 2022

LETTER EDITOR FROM THE

I

have always been a bit of a lone wolf.

As a little midwest kid who wasn’t an only child, who got invited to birthday parties, who attended the sleepovers, my default, my inclination was still often “ticket for one, please.” It felt comfier. It felt like something I knew how to do, something I liked to do, something I was good at doing.

Bring me to a gathering of friends and family, and I would be ready to go home before curtain call. Drop me in a big city with no one to show me around? I will come alive.

I moved from Brooklyn to Corvallis a decade ago with a chip on my shoulder the size of the tri-state area itself. That hard hustle of a city is full of folks determined to do everything the harder way. On their own.

In part, just so they can wear the badge to prove that they did it. I arrived to this town that’s built on moss and community-driven ideals ready to show my badge to everyone, while keeping an arm’s length from anyone.

I thought it would be easier. Comfier. I knew how to do it. Spoiler alert: that’s a really tiring way to live.

That tire turned into an anchor weight, leading me and keeping me into a deep, dark abyss in those beginning years of my Oregon era. My doing-it-on-my-own credo, to which I’d always subscribed, was no longer

cutting it. It took many [failed] attempts to claw out by myself before my brain finally allowed for a new concept to click into place.

I realized that, in fact, there is another route.

And, in fact, it is through connection.

Who knew?

So I reached out. I said yes, when no was a little more natural. I made choices that led me to being more settled here, instead of always having one foot comfortably out the door. And ever so slowly but certainly (my preferred pace), I began to find my community. Some of those members had been here all along, waiting patiently and sweetly for me to just stick around. Open up.

Share my spark, and offer theirs in return.

There is a way to siphon the sugar from the hard-cut stone life creates — building relationships can be that method.

Here’s the thing. Once you make those connections and build those communities, you’re not done. Relationships (the good and healthy ones) are actual treasure. I’m talking way beyond the cereal box kind.

When this world inevitably burns to a crisp, crumbles to dust, then disperses out into the ether, what’ll matter most is who you laughed with. What will count for every marble is all the people you gave yourself to, the ones who got to know your grittiest sides and loved every bit of them. So build those communities, Roadrunners. Make those connections. And then keep them watered and fed.

Leah Biesack Editor-in-Chief

STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LEAH BIESACK

DESIGN EDITOR KAILYN MCQUISTEN

SPORTS EDITOR CARSYN MEYERS

ARTS & LIT EDITOR CODI WOOD

WEB EDITOR CAROLINA SALLES

REVIEWS

STEVEN PRYOR

MARKETING DIRECTOR RYAN JANOWITZ

ADVISOR

ROB PRIEWE

CONTRIBUTORS BRENDA AUTRY ELIJAH BENSON REBEKAH BOND JOSH CANDÉ LISA HOOGESTEGER KAILEY LEGIER SARAH PRIETO

CONTENTS 04 MEET THE TEAM

CAMPUS

Introducing The Commuter Crew

06 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM With Matt Rush

09 CURE OF CONNECTION A Wellness Weigh-In

FEATURED

WRITING ON THE WALL

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT ABOUT US

10 MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT A Mother-Daughter Boxing Story

12 I WANT TO BE THE MOON Student Poetry

13 SEE, HEAR AND SPEAK SOME EVIL Between Two Fires

15 STEVEN’S REVIEWS Wet & Wild Fun

THE COMMUTER IS THE STUDENT-

run magazine for LBCC, financed by student fees and advertising. Opinions expressed in The Commuter do not necessarily reflect those of the LBCC administration, faculty and students of LBCC. Editorials, columns, letters, and cartoons reflect the opinions of the authors. LBCC is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

LETTERS WELCOME

The Commuter encourages readers to use its “Opinion” section to express their views on campus, community, regional and national issues. The Commuter attempts to print all submissions received, but reserves the right to edit for grammar, length, libel, privacy concerns and taste. Opinions expressed by letter submitters do not represent the views of the Commuter staff or the College.

JOIN THE TEAM

WANNA

GET

together? We’re really nice and fairly cool and we’d love to hear what you have to say. Not big on journalism but love to journal? Perfect. Are you a STEM major with major opinions? Let’s hear ’em. Like writing about ’80s film? Local animals? Snack hacks? Maybe you have a hefty folder of flash fiction on your laptop, just dying to be published and printed. Drop us a line. We’d love to meet you, read you, and support you. Think your ideas might be too weird or too niche for submission? Even better. The Commuter is an award-winning publication because of our wide range of contributions and our unique contributors. So reach out. We’ll be staring at our email inbox in the meantime, not an ounce of chill to be had.

@LBCommuter LBCC The Commuter @LBCommuter

cover photo by BRENDA AUTRY Find past issues of the Commuter at issuu.com/lbcccommuter or lbcommuter.com

here has been all sorts of newness for The Commuter this school year. Along with a format switch from newspaper to magazine, a triumphant shift to glossy paper, and the just as triumphant addition of bold candy varieties to the newsroom snack area, we also have a bright and shiny new crew. With varying backgrounds, ages, areas of study, and skill-sets, we’ve come together for the common goal: telling the stories, and reaching the readers. (The aforementioned candy is really a unifier, though, as well.) Each one of these crackerjack team members has been working oh so hard to bring you meaningful words and art and news, it’s only fitting you get to know us all a little bit better. Without further ado, allow me to introduce the illustrious Commuter team.

Here’s what we asked our team to get them to spill the tea: 1. What are you studying?

2. What do you say to the claim that ‘Print media is dead’?

3. Best thing you’ve read this year?

4. Favorite way to spend a Sunday?

5. Comfort food?

6. Secret talent/useless skill?

— I’m studying Creative Writing. I hear it’s lucrative.

— If print media is dead, then buckle up – I’ll be beating that dead horse into oblivion with all my paper caper dreams.

— I loved Very Cold People, by Sarah Manguso.

— Ideally I’ll lay in bed with my pup for awhile before going for a walk, making a hot breakfast, then cozying in to write letters, do homework, wash the 46 dishes that have piled up all week, bake something, read something, watch something.

— Popcorn is my comfort food. It is my life, my love, my blood.

— I can make a perfect soft-boiled egg using mere gut instinct in replace of a timer. It’s gotten me far.

— I am a recent graduate from LBCC. Last June I earned my AA in Visual Communications (emphasizing on Graphic Design), as well as certificates in Prepress Technology and Digital Imaging.

— I love print media, but I think that today print thrives more in artistic formats, such as magazines with fun, engaging graphics and stories. Books are a separate matter - you’ll have to pry my hardcovers out of my cold, dead hands.

— This would either be the Stormlight Archive books (really, anything by Brandon Sanderson) or the Expanse series.

— It depends! I usually spend Sundays with my partner and we try to dedicate the morning to cleaning up our home. Otherwise we find something fun to do or relax at home and play some video games together!

— I love char siu bao! I can usually find some frozen ones at the HK market in Corvallis.

They’re a quick, delicious treat.

— I can crack eggs with one hand!

— I’m currently studying New Media Communications(fancy slang for journalism) and dual-enrolled at Oregon State University and Linn-Benton.

— To those who believe print media is dead, what exactly are you doing in any waiting room in existence?

Checkmate.

— I have two. The best article I’ve read this year would be the Pulitzer Prize-winning article What Bobby McIlvaine Left Behind from The Atlantic. The best book I read this year would be Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner.

— On Sundays I attend the Church of NFL RedZone. Non-stop Football, no commercials, and peak entertainment.

— My comfort food would definitely be grilled cheese and tomato soup. Brings me back to my childhood. It’s like that scene from Ratatouille — I like to think of my useless talent as being a walking sports encyclopedia.

—

— I’m studying Psychology and Pre-Med. I’m hoping to transfer to OSU and then go to OHSU for Med school. Hopefully I’ll end up as a neonatologist, working with infants in the NICU or as an OB/GYN. — Claiming that ‘print media is dead’ is ridiculous, words have fueled humanity forever. We look for information, reassurance and inspiration through words. Print media will continue to fuel humanity just as it always has, even if it’s in a different form than we’re used to.

— A biography of Lorraine Hansberry by Charles J. Shields entitled, Lorraine Hansberry: The Life Behind A Raisin In The Sun is by far the best book and biography I have ever read, which is saying A LOT. — This is an easy question. My favorite way to spend a Sunday is by watching historical documentaries, and chilling with my dog while gardening.

— Toast and jam. Spread some butter on good ol’ gluten-free toast and add in some raspberry jam, that’s my perfect breakfast. I could eat it any day, all day.

— I can wiggle my ears back and forth without moving the rest of my face. It won me clout in elementary school and has failed to serve me since.

Communication and Journalism Associate at LBCC and B.S. New Media Communications at OSU. — We are here to innovate and create user experience online as another tool for our fast-paced lifestyle needs, while preserving the credibility and tailored cognitive experience of printed media, which, while not time-sensitive, is just as important.

— How to Be Animal by Melanie Challenger — If it’s sunny, catch me playing golf outside or getting lost in nature. Otherwise, I am a serious advocate for a chill day with good company, cozy food, creating something and/or playing games.

— Nothing like a Panera pick-two with a soup and sandwich. And a lemon drop cookie, obviously.

— Jumping with horses. I’m also a haiku enthusiast.

— I’m majoring in Visual Communications with an emphasis on Graphic Design. I’ve always been the creative type, but I also wanted to study something practical that would help me get a job once I graduate. Graphic design seemed to be the perfect medium between art and business.

— Print media isn’t as popular as it used to be, but to say ‘print media is dead’ is an exaggeration. It has a certain aesthetic that you simply can’t get in a digital medium. It isn’t going anywhere.

— Best thing I’ve read this year would have to be Dune

by Frank Herbert. The storytelling and worldbuilding is unlike anything else I’ve read. It also touches on interesting topics regarding philosophy, politics, religion, and ethics.

— Favorite way to spend a Sunday would be going out to the coast. Love to go to the beach to read and/or draw and the coast has great roads for skateboarding.

— That’s an easy one – baked tortellini or a burrito from Chipotle, if my bank account can handle it.

— Feel like I’m tempting fate by mentioning this, but I’m good at falling without getting injured. It usually happens when I’m skateboarding, but I’m also a little clumsy.

— I work at LB full-time, but I’m studying journalism.

— I don’t think it’s dead just yet, but those of us creating it need to be prepared to stay flexible in the years to come and adapt to the way people consume media.

— Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook by Anthony Bourdain.

— If the weather is bad, then drinking coffee curled up on the couch planning trips – real or dream ones. Or if it’s nice, being on a trail, or on the water in my kayak.

— Burritos.

— I can change the lyrics of songs to fit any situation.

— I am studying photojournalism and I intend to write short fiction as well. I hope to do sports journalism.

— Whenever I hear the claim that print media is dead, I retort with “Then why do I enjoy holding books?”

— Good News from the Vatican by Robert Silverberg. One of the top 10 science fiction stories ever written.

— Walking around and listening to music.

— Chocolate chip cookies.

— I can name every state and capital in the United States, every country in the world, and every president of the United States, and all in song form.

photo by SHANNA CHESS

6

SECTION TITLE

beyond the

classroom: Matt Rush

i

words by CODI WOOD

t is easy to forget that our instructors are human; we go to class and see them for only an hour or an hour and a half each week. Maybe they give us that lessthan-desirable mark on the quiz that we studied for, for an entire week – forcing us to ditch our cousin’s party and forgo the gym – all to then receive a “see me after class” note next to the percentage. (No, I definitely don’t have a specific instance in mind.) It often slips our minds, as students, that our instructors lead rich, complex, and instrumental lives. They have people who are relying on them, people they love, people who know them not as we do.

Not as “Mr.Rush,” but as Matt. As Dad.

and trick-or-treating “chaos.” And still, it’s a schedule he readily loves.

As someone who gets tired after helping my sister with her math homework for two hours, I was blown away to hear the phrase Rush uttered on this note of time and tight schedules: “I’ve yet to end a school year (or term) without looking forward to the next one.” An impressive statement from someone who truly sees the potential in every one of his students.

The connection that Matt has to his students, the way he prizes their individuality and spirit is clear, as his philosophy to teaching is similar to that of his parenting. “You try to teach everyone the way you want your own children to be

“it takes work. ”

You try to teach everyone the way you want your own children to be taught…

The life of Matt Rush is one dedicated to his children. Professor Rush is a part-time staff member of the English Department, here at LBCC, teaching classes such as English Composition and Intro to College Writing. He balances his time between teaching multiple inperson and hybrid classes, and being a husband and father. Matt and his wife Natalie have two daughters, Rosalie and Lorelei. Having a 9-yearold and 7-year-old is challenging for anyone, but especially as a teacher, when time is a prizedcommodity – there’s never enough of it.

After exchanging common cordialities, Professor Rush and I immediately jumped into a philosophical discussion. He spoke about what a gift teaching is to him. His warm personality was apparent even through a Zoom call, even while he was wading through a time-consuming schedule of Girl Scout meetings, soccer games

taught… It takes work,” he said. But the work is worth it, according to Rush. “I’m lucky to be in the position I am in [a teacher]... I’m lucky to be their dad.”

The pride Matt has for his two kids is glaring – in the best way. His adoration for them was apparent even in the midst of a global pandemic. Even through the airwaves of Zoom, I could see the love circulating – his Zoom background is full of drawings done by his daughters. There is no doubt about it, he has an inordinate amount of dedication and adoration for teaching, and for his students – quite like his outpour of love for his daughters.

Our teachers lead intricate lives outside of the classroom, just as it is easy to forget that our classmates have more to their lives than a shared noon math class. Take a moment to recognize the human beings behind the faces!

COMMUTER

7

Scan for more info:

8

CAMPUS

the CURE of

CONNECTION A Wellness Weigh-in from LB Advisor Lisa Hoogesteger

words by LISA HOOGESTEGER

“C

ontrary to what many people believe, well-being isn’t just about being happy. Well-being is about the combination of our love for what we do each day, the quality of our relationships . . . and the pride we take in what we have contributed to our communities. Most importantly, it’s about how these five elements interact.”

(Rath & Harter, 2010) You can argue all you want about how many “dimensions of wellness” there are, but that doesn’t change the fact that we as a world need measurable factors to consider when discussing the topic.

the five elements: 1. Career Well-being: Being appreciated

and respected for your work (or volunteer efforts!).

2. Social Well-being: Having strong and

healthy relationships, and a support system you can rely on is very important.

3. Financial Well-being: Without enough

money for basics, the rest of wellness is more difficult.

4. Physical Well-being: Getting rest,

eating well, being active – this is the stuff that gets most of the attention because it’s an easy message to say “just do it.”

5. Community Well-being: Your community involvement influences your state of well-being. Being engaged in your neighborhood, church or school is a great way to boost your sense of well-being.

Community well-being also comprises the environment in which

we live – both the built and physical environment, along with the emotional and social structure in which we take part.

Does your community have safe spaces to walk and play? Are there grocery stores that have the kinds of food that fit your needs? Is there clean air and water?

Do people demonstrate care for one another? Are the neighbors respectful and open to communication?

LBCC is one level of community.

Family is another. The town in which you live, the places where you work and the school you attend are also different levels of community.

Human beings are not at their best when isolated. Social isolation has been linked with less restful sleep and greater difficulty paying attention or doing complex tasks. Of course, you can feel lonely even with a group so it’s important to find a way to connect with folks or share an activity – it doesn’t have to be a deep involved conversation or a commitment to taking a dance, film, ceramics or yodeling class.

LBCC has a plethora of ways to get involved, interact and be a part of the community. A few examples may be student clubs, student leadership, work experience or being a tutor. You don’t need to be on stage, or take on leadership of a group. I do suggest you critically look around and, with an open mind, challenge yourself to connect with something new, interesting or just plain fun.

It will make a difference for your well-being, and also for the well-being of the community.

Matchai Designs @matchaidesigns

Corvallis 425 SW Madison Ave, Suite H-3

A local shop with original art, jewelry, stickers, art prints, postcards, tote bags, and more!

Scan the QR code for our website, hours, social media, and more info Matchaidesigns@gmail.com

Tuesdays at the Co-op

15% off produce

FOR STUDENTS

with valid student ID from an Oregon college

2 Corvallis locations open 7am-9pm daily

North: 2855 NW Grant Ave. South: 1007 SE Third St. @firstaltcoop

graphic by FREEPIK

COMMUTER

9

words and photos by BRENDA AUTRY

W

hen you think about mother daughter activities, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). But mother daughter duo, Joy and Jordyn Edewards, are challenging the norm and kicking butt along the way.

Jordyn Edewards, 22 of Albany, is just rounding off her first year of fighting in amateur MMA. “I started training about a year and a half ago,” Jordyn Edewards said. “I ran track in college, but my senior year I decided it just wasn’t for me. I needed another athletic outlet and my mom encouraged me to try boxing.”

Edewards’ mom, Joy Edewards, owns and operates Ramox Boxing Club in Albany.

“I encouraged Jordy to train because I thought she needed a change,” Joy Edewards said.

More than just an athletic outlet, Jordyn Edewards needed something she hadn’t found in track, she needed somewhere she belonged.

“I saw the community [my mom] had there and I was struggling a lot in life, and didn’t really have a lot of people, so I tried it.”

Jordyn Edewards raved about the community she found at Ramos Boxing Club and the renewed self-worth the sport had given her. “The thing I love most about boxing is the community,” she said. “I’ve never found a more welcoming group of people, and our gym is probably the most welcoming place I’ve ever found.”

Having run track for so long, Jordyn really missed the connections she had doing team sports in the past. “Yes, [boxing] is an individual sport, but the team aspect of it, and finding people with the same goals is amazing,” she remarked. “We were all a little lost before we found fighting, and our fight group is like a group of misfits who became friends.”

Neither Jordyn nor Joy thought Jordyn would ever take the sport further than training, but it had a bigger impact on Jordyn than either of them realized it would. “I came to the gym just to work out and swore I’d never fight,” Jordyn Edewards remembers.

“But here I am.”

10

SECTION TITLE

▲ Jordyn Edewards helps train young boxers during the beginners class at Ramos Boxing Club ▼ Jordyn Edewards trains mitts with mom, Joy Edewards at Ramos Boxing Gym in Albany.

⊲ Jordyn Edewards trains with mom, Joy Edewards, at Ramos Boxing Gym in Albany.

Joy Edewards has had her fair share of experience with fighting. Though the mother of five didn’t discover her love for mixed martial arts until her mid-thirties, she had a fighting career that consisted of five MMA fights.

“We watched UFC all the time, and my husband was always like, ‘You can do this,’” said Joy Edewards. “Then, one day, he said, ‘Come on, I got you a present!’ He dropped me off at the jiu jitsu gym in Corvallis, and that was it. I fell in love with it.”

So when Jordyn made the decision to fight, Joy Edwards was surprised, but ecstatic.

She said, “I totally encouraged it.”

When injuries forced Joy Edewards to stop competing, she took over Victory Gym, now Ramos Boxing Club, and began her career as a coach and trainer. Joy Edewards co-coaches the competition team, and Jordyn Edewards helps with some of the younger kids.

Growing up the oldest of five children, Jordyn found a love for helping kids. She graduated from Bushnell University with a degree in education and she says, “my main career goal, after I pursue my fighting career, is to become an eighth-grade teacher.”

“I have a huge heart for kids and for teaching,” Jordyn Edewards continued. “I don’t think my teaching goal is too far off, but I’m taking a couple of years to pursue fighting while I’m young.”

Jordyn currently trains full-time; practicing three or four times a day, six or seven days a week.

In the last year, she has had 10 amateur fights, and likes to stay in fighting shape.

“Boxing is my base and my main one, but I also train in jiu jitsu, MMA, wrestling, a big mixture of everything,” Jordyn Edewards said.

“But as a girl, I’m usually the only, or one of maybe two girls in a gym, and finding sparring partners can be really hard. I train with the guys a lot, but they have to bring their power down to my level because I’m so much smaller.”

Standing just 5-foot-3, and weighing 115 pounds, finding other females her size to train with can be a challenge. She and her mom often have to travel to California, and even as far away as Miami for weeks at a time to train with other female fighters.

“Because my mom has fought before, having her knowledge and connections has really helped me out,” said Jordyn Edewards.

“And having her with me all the time, like when we travel, has been really special.”

Jordyn concedes that, “There are days where it’s difficult having my mom, who I’m so close with, train me.” But overall she sees the immense benefits of having her mom as her trainer. “She gets me and understands what I’m going through which has been really helpful as a fighter because our mental state is so important and that is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

Joy Edewards is also enjoying their arrangement. “Being Jordy’s coach makes me pretty proud,” she said. “Maybe I’m living vicariously through her a little bit because I was older when I started [fighting], so I didn’t have the same opportunity because I was too old to be a successful pro or anything. But knowing that she has the talent to make it to the next level if she wants to… It’s going to be fun just to walk beside her.”

Along with being Jordyn’s main trainer, Joy Edewards also corners her daughter during fights.

“Being a mom in the corner is hard and it took me a long time, and I still haven’t completely done it, but I’m working on separating the mom from the coach,” Joy Edewards said. “I’ve talked to dads who do it and they’ve helped me to turn off the parent side when I’m coaching.”

“Having my mom in my corner has been huge,” Jordyn Edewards said. “I know there’s a lot of fighters who have their dad in their corner, but I think a mother-daughter deal is something the world hasn’t really seen before, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Jordyn Edewards is currently booked to fight at ‘Arena Wars’ on Nov. 12 in Klamath Falls.

Tickets are available at Aftontickets.com.

If you’d like more information about Ramos Boxing Club, you can find them on Facebook.

COMMUTER

11

I Want to be the Moon words by SARAH PRIETO

I have always been compared to the sun I am bright, the light in people’s darkness So why can I not see the light in my reflection I see a shadow of someone whose innocence got ripped from their hands I see half of a whole person trapped in a box of mirrors The person who trapped me is forcing me to see my every flaw until I lose my mind Now every mirror is covered in blood because I’m killing every version of myself I don’t like Its mass murder perfect of the self degree All that is left is a shell of who I used to be and the whole of everything everyone wants me to be I wish I could see the version of me that they see The one who always smiles and never has a bad day The girl who loves her body and never has to change a million times to feel comfortable in her own skin I will act like the jokes don’t hurt I’ll pretend that I belong here I want to be the version of myself I convinced myself I am The one who doesn’t need a little orange bottle to stabilize my mood or fall asleep on time I will blend into the sea of people I want to be If I’m quiet enough maybe people will pretend they don’t see me But if I am the sun I won’t be able to hide at all So instead I’ll stand straight and tall I’ll pretend nothing hurts me at all

12 SECTION graphic

by KAILYNTITLE MCQUISTEN

SEE, HEAR, AND SPEAK

SOME EVIL A Monthly Horror Media Review

words by KAILEY LEGIER

C

hristopher Beuhlman delivers a breathtaking tale of redemption, love, and perseverance in his 2012 historical horror novel Between Two Fires.

“Love is always harder. Love means weathering blows for another’s sake and not counting them. Love is loss of self, loss of other, and faith in the death of loss.”

The year is 1348. Deep in the belly of the Earth, Lucifer, Prince of Darkness, has a prenotation that the Heavenly Father has perhaps forgotten His little playground on the surface. He tests his theory deftly: a short,

crushing famine that begets no help from Above, sends the mortals reeling and begging for assistance. None comes. If God has turned His face from the world of men, this is Lucifer’s chance to snatch it up. In what seems like an instant, the mortal world is flooded with a plague that sweeps across the countryside of France, destroying all in its path with no hesitation – a plague that will soon be called Black Death.

Caught between the fires of Hell and the war for Heaven is Thomas de Givras, a disgraced knight that has been traveling across plague-ravaged France – surviving, but barely. He comes across a young girl, wide-eyed with fear but firm in her demand. Someone must take her from her home in Normandy to Avignon, a journey of over 500 miles. Thomas cannot say no to her strange, gray eyes and sweet voice. As he and the girl march across the obliterated landscape they come across horrors that they could have never imagined. Demonic forces move freely across the countryside. Sentient black clouds, abyssal creatures crawling up from the cracks of the ocean floor, kings and priests once kind and holy, turned to vessels of iniquity. At each turn, devils snatch and grab at Thomas and the girl, and each time they barely escape with their lives. They shelter wherever they can, seeking out the few still living and somehow earning trust enough to have a warm place to sleep that night. The girl has a strange way about her – something whispers to her, sweetly and softly in her ear, guiding her steps. She has an uncanny ability to see into the hearts of the people they encounter in the French countryside, to see deeply into their souls. She calls women she has never met by their childhood nicknames, she sings songs to men that their mother sang to them cradleside. Each person she meets falls

wholly in love with her, but why? Thomas has found himself the protector of a creature who could very easily be God-touched, but how?

Between Two Fires is part epic, part Biblical nightmare. I have absolutely no idea where to shelve this novel. Historical fiction or historical horror? Epic fantasy or Biblical fiction? No matter where I shelve it, it will live with me forever. Beuhlman wowed me with his 2011 novel Those Across the River, but he has rewired my brain with Between Two Fires. Yes, there is horror in this novel. Horror beyond comprehension. There is gore and blood and pain and torture that raised the hair on the back of my neck. But this book is so much more, too. My heart ached as Thomas traveled across the barren wasteland of the country he once served with pride. Each time he and the girl found sanctuary for the night, I breathed a sigh of relief. Time after time, they were able to lean on those around them for help in the most desperate and dark of times. As our cast traveled, I fell so deeply into camaraderie with them. They are flawed, difficult, and oftentimes awful, but that’s what brings them to life. Thomas is gruff and crass and murderous on a good day, but he is so full of love and so, so worthy of redemption.

When I finished this book, I cried. Deeply, heartily, and for a long time. I’ll come back to this book probably several times for the rest of my life. I’ll read it again and again until I’ve memorized it. I cannot say enough how profoundly I adored this novel. Creepy, yes.

Scary, yes. But so much more, too.

“Forgiveness, then, was possible even for

the worst.”

Abbott Elementary Brilliantly addictive, nothing like it.

graphic by FREEPIK

Station 19

Realistic. Playing the long game.

Only Murders in The Building

Comedic gold. Impeccable storytelling.

Gobsmacking.

COMMUTER

13

BBIINNGGOO

with Come play Bingo ership the Student Lead nce to Council for a cha win prizes!

Cascade View Room A&B

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Co

FRIE N FRID D'S AY

me han make g n and out w ew fr ien ith eat ds, t he yum SLC my foo d!

Stud ent U nion Foru 10:00 m 120 am 3:00 pm

student spotlight Hello Roadrunners, my name is Durham Sundberg and I am a student athlete studying business and playing baseball here at LBCC. This will be my third year at Linn-Benton and I will graduate with my AAOT this term! As one of the oldest students at LB my best advice is to stomp out procrastination, explore new things and make lasting connections.

Good luck this term, Runners!

14

Durham SECTION TITLE Sundberg

WET & WILD

FUN words by STEVEN PRYOR photo by IDGB

ACROSS 01 ) Killarney's isle 05) Desert Storm weapons 10 ) Date tree 14 ) Fruity flavored cereal for kids 15 ) Ike's bride 16 ) Double-reed woodwind 17 ) Gemini grp.

18 ) Country club set 20) Creates Looney Tunes 22) Kathy of country 23) Veto, slangily 24) Not zero, in binary 25) Thick creamy antacid 30) Like powdered milk 34) "If all ___ fails . . ."

35) Rash of adolescents 37) Vermont and Virginia, to Veronique 38) PC key beside the spacebar

PUBLISHED BY: Nintendo DEVELOPED BY: Nintendo EAD ESRB RATING: E OVERALL RATING: ★★★★

I

n August of 2022, “Wave Race 64” joined the playable titles on Nintendo 64 Online for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.

First seeing release as one of the initial two launch titles for the Nintendo 64 in 1996 alongside “Super Mario 64,” the game is another solid entry among the many racing games on the N64.

The game features players racing on jet skis (with the game even being sponsored

by Kawasaki), and the fluid physics were revolutionary upon the original Nintendo 64 release of the game. While the learning curve of the controls and each racetrack may be a bit steeper than fellow N64 racing titles such as “Mario Kart 64,” the game still marks a satisfying experience to revisit among longtime fans.

While the visuals and design have admittedly aged since the original release of the game, it still marks a worthwhile inclusion among the other racing games on the N64 Online service (a Nintendo Direct presentation this past September revealed that “Pilotwings 64” and “Excitebike 64” will be joining the lineup in the near future).

Overall, “Wave Race 64” has made a splash on Nintendo 64 Online, an easy recommendation to join the existing racing games on the service for some wet and wild fun.

Available for Nintendo 64 Online for Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.

DOWN

01 ) Mediterranean peak 31 ) Has-been diva 02) Land where Farsi is 32) "Don't shed ___" 33) Russian emperors until spoken 1917 03) Emerging talent 36) Roof overhang 04) Scrutinize 39) Unselfish sort 05) Obscene material 06) Good Hope or Fear 40) Educators org.

43) Examination 07) Strike arbiters? administrators 08) Run out of gas 45) Clocks with sweepng 09) Oration from the Mount hands 10) Foreshadowing sign 47) Korean pickled cabbage 11 ) Touch 49) Eliminate 12) Misplace 13) Prefix with physics or 52) Tennis grand ___ 53) A quiet stretch? data 54) Exchange 19) Transports in "The Last of the Mohicans" 55) Club for shoppers 56) Brother of Jacob 21 ) Give the pink slip 57) Latin 101 word 25) Offerings on the 58) Nick's lady in "The Thin table 26) Dispense Man" 59) Eldest of the Brady 27) Actor Mineo 28) Religious symbol boys 61 ) Vegas opener 29) Haloed guardian

39) Madison Avenue catchphrases 41 ) Grazing spot 42) Unwilling (to) 44) Campbell of Hollywood 45) Winglike 46) DiMaggio's was 56 48) Kind of permit 50) Lanka leader?

51) First name in the James Bond series 52) Word with metric or nervous 55) Plant sprout 60) Hoi polloi 62) Foot problem 63) Gelling substance 64) Palestinian fundamentalist group 65) Big name in environmental activism 66) Plots a course 67) Campaign topic 68) Cast furnace refuse

“Culture Clash” by Terry Gergely

Complete the grid so each row, column, and 3x3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit.

Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.42)

8

6

6

2 2

1

7 5

5

9

3

8 7

7

6

8

4 2

1

▼ View last edition’s answers!

1

6

4

4

2 3

1

7 5

8

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Sat Nov 5 19:53:30 2022 GMT. Enjoy!

9

ACROSS 01 ) Killarney's isle 05) Desert Storm weapons 10 ) Date tree 14 ) Fruity flavored cereal for kids 15 ) Ike's bride 16 ) Double-reed woodwind 17 ) Gemini grp.

18 ) Country club set 20) Creates Looney Tunes 22) Kathy of country 23) Veto, slangily

39) Madison Avenue catchphrases 41 ) Grazing spot 42) Unwilling (to) 44) Campbell of Hollywood 45) Winglike 46) DiMaggio's was 56 48) Kind of permit 50) Lanka leader?

51) First name in the James Bond series 52) Word with metric or nervous 55) Plant sprout

DOWN

01 ) Mediterranean peak 02) Land where Farsi is spoken 03) Emerging talent 04) Scrutinize 05) Obscene material 06) Good Hope or Fear 07) Strike arbiters?

08) Run out of gas 09) Oration from the Mount 10) Foreshadowing sign 11 ) Touch 12) Misplace 13) Prefix with physics or

31 ) Has-been diva 32) "Don't shed ___" 33) Russian emperors until 1917 36) Roof overhang 39) Unselfish sort 40) Educators org.

43) Examination administrators 45) Clocks with sweepng hands 47) Korean pickled cabbage 49) Eliminate 52) Tennis grand ___

COMMUTER

15

STAY “UP TO DATE” sign up for the Commuter newsletter! ode, c prize!

R a Q n e i h scan t , + enter to w p sign u