The Advocate, Issue 15 - Jan. 29, 2016

January 29, 2016

the

advocate Independent Student Voice of MHCC

Volume 51 Issue 15

Housing Issue

HOUSE OF

MHCC instructor runs for mayor PAGE 5

Chat with the Advo-Cat PAGE 8

“The Fab Five”

Pearl District Properties

For Rent: $2,030

CARDS?

The housing climate in the Portland metro area has been tense at best for a while. Read how MHCC’s staff and students react.

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PAGE 12

“Community colleges are the gateway to the middle class”

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OPINION

advocate-online.net

How long before the housing crisis hits home?

New project seeks to help low-income students’ housing needs

I

t’s no secret that housing – its soaring demand and prices – has been an ugly, growing problem in the Portland area for a while now. And while it also might seem like a problem that would more likely affect Portland Community College, it directly affects MHCC. Roughly 40 percent of Mt. Hood’s students come from Portland, as opposed to more immediate areas like Gresham and Troutdale, both also impacted by the housing crisis.

It’s a pretty simple equation, actually. The more housing costs, the longer potential low-income students have to work, and the less time in the day they would have for school, which has a negative effect on enrollment.

For context, the housing crisis in Portland was initially triggered by the removal of inclusionary zoning laws, which in effect require private builders to set aside a portion of units in new complexes

built to be sold to clients below the poverty line for less than the going market rate. The other major factors at play are the influx of new people moving to the Northwest, and the urban sprawl limit, which is basically a line around the city that restricts housing to prevent deforestation and extensive new suburbs.

Clearly, a multifaceted problem requires just as comprehensive an answer, but the first steps have to be taken somewhere. Like at Mt. Hood, for example, a 50-year old institution that has 30,000 students in one of the areas hit hardest by the housing crisis, and also happens to have an unused 40-acre lot on its 212-acre property.

Enter the Upward Mobility Center, the brainchild of MHCC Board of Education member Michael Calcagno. The UMC, at the moment, is only theory – a 20-page conceptual white paper detailing the plans for an on campus housing center at MHCC.

(FOR NEWS COVERAGE, See PAGE 6).

The Advocate staff acknowledges that, yes, this is definitely a tall order. But, as Calcagno said, “It does not hurt anybody or anything to start presenting innovative concepts that could transform our community.”

And the plan certainly aims to do that. If students had more affordable housing, then low-income families could spend less time working, which improves enrollment, a trend that was clearly visible as Mt. Hood’s enrollment skyrocketed after the Great Recession began in late 2007, and then steadily tapered off as the economy got back on track.

“The old adage is that community colleges are the greatest gateway to the middle

class. So community colleges are the best way in terms of affordability for students to move from low-income lifestyles to real family-wage jobs, and that’s what the housing concept is attempting to do – upward mobility,” said Calcagno, a self-admitted idealist.

But idealism is exactly what community colleges are all about.

Every student in attendance comes here to carve out a better life for themselves and their families, and the cost of housing has stood in the way for too long.

“We’ve got to figure out ways to return upward mobility in our area, at least,” Calcagno said. “So that kids who are growing up in poverty can see a way out. People who are in poverty now, who are working their butts off, are not able to get out of poverty, and that’s wrong,” he concluded.

The last time the white paper was addressed by the board of education was in the “pre-meet-

ing” session before the November board meeting. Calcagno’s concept was tabled in favor of putting the majority of the board’s effort into getting MHCC’s proposed general obligation bond to pass this May, which is an understandable move. Mt. Hood defnitely could use the $125 million from the bond; let’s just not forget longterm ideas in the fray, especially the grander ideas that could benefit students.

Life hits hard: The choices homelessness forces Sometimes, life can hit so hard that the only choices are the ones we are the most reluctant to make.

Never in a million years did I ever imagine my husband and I would be forced to sleep in a hospital, not because of sickness or pain, but for the sole purpose of having a place to rest for the night.

Everything started after my husband lost his management position unexpectedly in 2009. I can still remember the sadness on his face when he came home from work that evening. When I asked him what was bothering him, he stated that he had been laid off. That was not the news I was expecting to hear after a long

Konah Nimo the advocate

Left Homeless and Broke.

day at the hospital with my daughter for injuries we had endured from a car accident six months earlier that year. As parents, we had to stay calm and be strong for our children.

After three months without steady income the bills began to pile up and things went downhill. At that point, we were given 30 days to vacate our apartment. The thought of possibly being homeless with our children was difficult for my husband and I to bear. Things could not have gotten any worse; without a home, we were forced to separate as family. The children stayed with my oldest brother and his family, while we decided it was better to sleep

in our truck until we got back on our feet, hoping that our condition would be temporary and not add more burden on my brother.

Our expectation was far from the truth. Things got harder and overstretched for one year. We turned to churches and food pantries for assistance, and over time we resorted to selling our truck for whatever we could get to help sustain us in a one-bedroom motel.

Although we had some income from plasma donations and side jobs like labor ready and hair dressing, it was still not enough to cover our expenses so the children had to stay with my brother longer than we

predicted.

One night we had nowhere to sleep and we were tired of asking our family and friends for help, so we decided that we would walk until the next morning. Let me just say, this was not an easy thing to do. As the night got colder, our hands and feet started tingling, so we had to do something for shelter immediately.

My husband and I walked over five miles to St. Vincent Hospital and that night we slept in the lobby area. That was a humbling experience that we would never forget.

I am now happy to say that things are normal again and my family is back together in our new home.

the advocate Editor-in-Chief Adam Elwell

Sports Editor Clay Vitale

Associate Editor Hayden Hunter

Graphic Designers Ayla Buckner Cody Holcombe

Arts+Entertainment Editor Ivy Davis News Editor Gloria Saepharn

Photo Editor Nick Pelster Opinion Editor Adam Elwell

Public Relations Manager Emily Wintringham Features Editor Jon Fuccillo Video Editor Chuck Masi

Video Team Members Ben Baxter Thomas Stewart Ad Manager Joseph Frantz Copy Editor Quincy Smith Staff Writers Lena Simon

Nicole Kaadi Monique Mallari Joshua Mc Laughlin Konah Nimo Candice Sandland Beau Blunck Web Editor Matana McIntire Advisers Howard Buck Dan Ernst

Front cover by Cody Holcombe E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Phone: 503-491-7250 www.advocate-online.net #mhccadvocate Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030

The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication.

All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission. Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board. The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length. Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print. Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC.

OPINION

January 29, 2016

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Smile, count your blessings, and don’t forget to breathe

Candice Sandland the advocate

If you are looking for ways to enhance your time, here start by looking in the mirror. Your responsibility is to be mindful of the energy you exude. Cultivating the following practices can pave the way for positive changes.

Number one: Smile. Smiling is notoriously contagious. People gravitate towards pleasurable experiences and the easiest way of

relaying a message of pleasure is displaying a smile. If you feel happy, smiling comes naturally. Practice smiling even if you don’t feel happy; your brain will be tricked into thinking you are. Plus, you’ll appear youthful and there’s everything right with that!

Number two: Count your blessings. Practicing gratitude enables awareness of the positives while also putting things into perspective. Robert A. Emmons, research expert on gratitude, states that gratitude “strengthens relationships, reduces stress, improves health, [and] in general makes us happier.” Brene Brown, a popular “vulnerability researcher,” declares that “Even if you’re just grateful the day is over, that’s still practicing gratitude!”

Number three: Stand up straight.

Maintaining proper posture reduces the risk for back and shoulder pain, joint injury, arthritis and osteoporosis (yes,

aging happens to everyone) while improving both physical appearance and muscle memory response. The more consistent you are, the easier and natural remaining upright becomes. Hauling a “stuffed” backpack or shoulder bag around campus regularly isn’t doing your spine any favors; hence, practicing this one seems extra important!

Number four: Say your prayers.

Spirituality is unique to everyone, where one size fits one. Your spiritual duty (pun intended) is to find ways of connecting with forces unbound by three-dimensional space. Get outside; take a walk; breathe deeply; explore nature; meditate; try yoga; plant a tree, then hug it. Practice spending time doing whatever it takes to find meaningful, external connections throughout the universe.

Number five and six: Do unto others and be nice. I linked the last two because they are of utmost importance and work

well together. Treat others with the respect, compassion, open mindedness, cooperation, patience and understanding you would want to receive. Have the willingness to be helpful, hold doors open (literally and figuratively) for others, value common courtesy, remain nonjudgmental and don’t give harsh criticism. Practice self kindness, self empathy, self love, self admiration, self validation, radical acceptance and critical awareness; undoubtedly, this means seeing that beauty belongs to the beholder.

Remember to breathe: All things take time, practice makes progress, sharing is caring, listening is loving; the point is the journey and the journey leads us back home, so let’s travel together.

Positive quotes on change: “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ~Dr. Wayne Dyer, motivational author-speaker.

“You must make the choice to

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take the chance, if you want anything in life to change.” ~Unknown.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~Gandhi Books to read: “Opening The Door of Your Heart,” by Ajahn Brahm “Daring Greatly,” by Brene Brown “The Gifts of Imperfection Let Go Of Who You Think You’re Supposed To Be And Embrace Who You Are,” by Brene Brown Movies to watch: “Hector and the Search for Happiness” - starring Simon Pegg “Happy” (2011 movie, Netflix Documentary) Sources: en.wikipidea.org/wiki/smile unstuck.com/gratitude.html sg-fitclub.com/importancealways-sitting-standing-straight zenhabits.net/18practical-tipsfor-living-the-golden-rule inc.com/steve-tobak/why-youshould-be-nice-to-people.html

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NEWS

Ongoing coverage

advocate-online.net

Friends of MHCC scramble for funds Hayden Hunter the advocate

Now that MHCC’s general obligation bond campaign is in full motion, the biggest question on a lot of minds is, does Mt. Hood have enough time before the May 17 ballot to get the measure passed by voters?

A win will require a lot of voter education, outreach – and money.

With just over three months to go, some doubt the campaign.

Mt. Hood District board member Mike Calcagno said, before he voted Jan. 13 against going for the bond in the May election, ”I sincerely believe that we need a longer runway to get this effort off of the ground.”

Paige Richardson, hired by MHCC to run the bond campaign, said she understands Calcagno’s worries. But she feels that as long as the Friends of Mt. Hood Community College committee – the independent booster group formed to support the bond – can raise the funds in time, the wheels will raise and this bond will have liftoff.

Doug Walker, co-chair of the Friends committee and owner of the Walker Travel & Cruises agency, said he is confident that there is ample time to raise enough money and have a decent showing that gets

the campaign’s message out by May. “We are already doing it, we are going out to over 100 groups – Rotary clubs, Chamber of Commerce, flower clubs, retirement associations, banks, groups of employees, neighborhood associations and giving them information about how the bond is going to help the college and help them directly,” said Walker.

Since it was formally created in mid-December, the bond committee has raised just over $60,600 (according to Oregon state campaign finance records, as of Thursday).

That includes $50,000 contributed by the MHCC Foundation.

Calcagno himself has donated $1,000 to the campaign, one of several contributions from Mt. Hood administrators and supporters.

According to Walker, the committee has budgeted for raising $300,000 dollars. “Let’s say we only get $250,000 dollars. We are going to spend the $250,000 towards the bond, just as well if we got $350,000,” he said.

Walker said that to raise these funds he has to go out to the community with his fellow Friends boosters to promote the bond measure. This can be a little difficult, or “taxing,” the co-chair said.

“I am going out to people and telling them that ‘Your property

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taxes are going to go up if you vote yes for this,’ ” he said. The more property individuals hold, the more their tax is going to go up (since the estimated annual property tax rate is 30 cents for each $1,000 of assessed value – that’s $60 a year for a home valued at $200,000).

There is an upside, though, Walker explains.

If the bond is passed it, will have a trickle effect that allows the Photo by Nick Pelster community to flourish as the college The Friends of MHCC campaign office located off of Stark Street behind the college. flourishes. For example, the bond is If the bond measure passes, Walker noted that another passed, and property owners start hurdle that the campaign will have MHCC will also be completely paying this new tax. The money to clear is that all private donations renovating the Maywood Park allows MHCC to build a its proposed to the Bond Committee cannot be campus, as well as upgrading the new Applied Technology Center seismic safety of the main Gresham used as a tax write-off. (workforce training center). Now To raise these funds, the Friends campus and paying off millions of individuals can attain a better degree group first has to educate the dollars in outstanding debt. in the technology field. Because of None of this should come as community about just what the $125 that degree, they would have the million raised by the proposed bond much of a surprise to the greater potential to make more money in community East Portland-Gresham would be used for. their careers. And with more money “We just need to talk to (voters community, Walker said. in their pockets, they will be able For the past 18 months, bond or donors) for a few minutes,” said to buy more goods and services Richardson. “Say, ‘Hey, we need this, organizers, along with Richardson, from local businesses, helping the this, and this; here is where we are have been surveying area residents community to flourish, Walker said. about what they would like to see in going to get the money.’

Another example, he said, “…

Richardson said she would then a bond proposal. would be Jim Riegelmann, (owner) This has produced a sharpened elaborate. “If I have longer than of Riegelmann’s Appliances. He thirty seconds to talk to you... (I message to voters, Walker said: “We figures that well, okay, say we pass would say) ‘We are going to use this can ask for things that help people the bond, that means more people money to build a workforce training improve their skills, thus, giving can go to Mt. Hood, more people center so people get better jobs, and them a better job or a new job. So, it get educated, and can buy washers be fully accountable to the public,’ ” boils down to jobs and skills.” and dryers eventually from him in she said.

Gresham.”

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Inside tips on a successful transfer to a four-year

-Taylor Bacci, Admissions Adviser, Oregon State University *

Try to transfer on a high note. If the most recent term you did shows really poor grades, then try to take one more term.

-Grace Fisher, Admissions Counselor, The Evergreen State College

Did you miss the Oregon Transfer Day? It’s not too late to get some inside tips on how to make your transfer to a university successful.

Thursday marked Mt Hood’s most recent Transfer Day. With 36 different four-year institutions scheduled to attend, this event was a must for any Saints working towards transferring. From religiousbased institutions such as George Fox University to polytechnics such as Oregon Tech, to The College of Idaho to the University of AlaskaAnchorage, four-years from all over the Pacific Northwest converged on MHCC seeking your business.

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Contact the four-year university you plan on transferring to, to ensure you meet all admission requirements.

Join Phi Theta Kappa.

-Maya Hoffman, Admissions Counselor, Pacific University of Oregon

Explore all different options. Make sure you have options, so you can compare and contrast schools.

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-Michael Flores, Enrollment Counselor, Warner Pacific College

The essay – having it proofread, that’s what will set you apart when there’s hundreds of papers.

-Edward Gutierrez, Family Economic Opportunity Program Manager, CASA of Oregon

NEWS

January 29, 2016

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Teacher aims to change community An MHCC instructor sets forth on his first run for political office: Mayor of Portland Joseph Frantz the advocate

O

n the 17th of May, Portlanders will cast their vote for a new mayor.

Who are you going to vote for? With incumbent mayor Charlie Hales opting out of re-election, the office is up for grabs during the May nonpartisan primary.

Should a candidate receive at least 50 percent of the vote, he or she is “in.”

When taking into account all the issues facing the Rose City this becomes a very important election. Some in town have called for a state of emergency regarding our homeless population; we are in the grips of a housing crisis throughout the metro Portland area; and police are drastically understaffed, which isn’t helping an already strained police-community relationship. Considering that more MHCC students live in Portland – about 40 percent – than anywhere else, including Gresham, this becomes a pivotal election for our student body, as well.

Interestingly enough, we have an MHCC staff member who feels he has what it takes to address these issues. Sean Davis is an adjunct writing professor who splits his class time between Clackamas Community College and Mt. Hood, where he works with the veterans COHORT program. He’s an Iraq War veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, a firefighter, author, artist, community activist, and he’s running for mayor of Portland.

Communities are ‘cornerstones’ When you consider the divisive state of politics today, one has to wonder: What would drive a seemingly normal person (by Portland standards) who has never held or wanted to hold public office before now, suddenly run for mayor of America’s 28th-largest city?

In Davis’s words, “We need some clear-thinking people governing us; people with the ability to think independently and use common sense; people with the same priorities as the majority of the population.”

To that point, Davis identifies

“Portland is one of America’s great cities, but the communities that’ve grown this city into what it is today are being pushed out. The writers and artists and teachers and all the average people (who) built this city can’t afford to live here,” -Sean Davis, Adjunct instructor and mayoral candidate himself as a political Independent, choosing not to align with the pre-established political agendas of the Democratic or Republican hierarchy. In fact, when asked he had little to say about party politics and loyalties except that he’s “registered as a Democrat for now, so I can vote for the independent (Sen. Bernie Sanders) running in their primary.”

Rather than partaking in the vast array of party differences, he sees one underlying issue behind many of the problems facing Portland.

The cornerstone of his campaign, his reason for running in the first place, even his answer for addressing the major issues facing Portland all center around one thing: community.

“We need to fix our local communities. Portland is one of America’s great cities, but the communities that’ve grown this city into what it is today are being pushed out. The writers and artists and teachers and all the average people (who) built this city can’t afford to live here,” Davis said.

Many of our MHCC students can attest to that. Rent has been rising uncontrollably and the threat of no-cause evictions looms over anyone living in a cheap rental. Sean laid out a two-pronged plan to combat this housing crisis by addressing both wages and housing.

His plan, as he explained it, entails working with developers to encourage and “incentivize” them to build more affordable housing. He mentioned possible tax breaks and retooling the inspection and zoning processes in the city to promote responsible and timely growth. As he put it, these “developers are part of the community, too. They should be willing to help solve this crisis with us.”

At the same time Davis also wants to re-introduce the inclusionary zoning legislation the Oregon state senate failed to pass last July. This bill would repeal ORS 91.225, which prohibits any form of rent control in the state of Oregon.

Couple that change with a higher minimum wage in the area of $15 an hour, and he paints a rough exit strategy from our current housing crisis.

Davis also references the community pretty heavily with his solutions for police relations around Portland. He envisions a day, he said, where Portland police are looked at as “community builders rather than cops.” To achieve this, he wants to increase the size of the police force to avoid the commonplace 60-plus hours a week many Portland officers now work. He said the money saved by not paying as much overtime will offset the money needed to hire and train more officers. He also wants to implement a “community liaison” program to keep citizens “heavily involved in policing their own communities.”

No invitation Without major financial backing, Davis is undoubtedly facing an

uphill battle and he’s already experiencing the debauchery that is the American democratic process.

Case in point, a group called “Emerging Leaders” held an event titled “Meet Your Next Mayor of Portland.” Davis was not invited, nor were his requests to join the event even acknowledged by the organizers. So, he crashed the event and after a lengthy conversation with event organizers he was told he would be allotted 15 minutes near the end to address the crowd. As the event wore on, the two career politicians who were actually invited to the event – Ted Wheeler and Jules Bailey – both went over their allotted time limit. As a result Davis and the other “fringe” candidates’ time was cut from 15 minutes to a mere one minute, each.

Another sour spot for Davis is the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), who held a “Candidates Forum for Arts & Culture” at the Gerding Theater in downtown Portland on Tuesday. This would seem like the perfect opportunity for Davis, a Portland author and artist, to address a like-minded group of artisans regarding the election.

But, again, Sean was shunned – only the two career politicians, Wheeler and Bailey, were represented in the mayor’s race discussion A tall order With such a formidable challenge ahead, one again has to wonder, why? Why go through all this?

For Davis, it’s worth it if he can affect a positive change in our community, he said. “(I’m) not running for mayor because of money or fame or power.

I am running for mayor because I believe this is the best town on the planet and the reason for that is the type of people who live here. I mean the weirdos, the dreamers, the unique, the people who live in our communities,” he said.

To learn more about Davis and his campaign, visit www.seandavisforpdx.com, check out his articles at TheBigSmoke.com, reach him on Facebook, or swing by his American Legion Post-turned-community center/campaign headquarters at 2104 N.E. Alberta St. in Portland.

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2016 mayoral candidates

Sarah Iannorone, Assistant Program Director of Fist Stop Portland

(D) Ted Wheeler, state treasurer of Oregon

Bim Ditson, drummer.

David Schor, attorney

(R) Jules Bailey, Moultnomah County Commissioner and former State Representative

Jessie Sponberg, community activist

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NEWS Housing crisis knocking at Mt. Hood’s door Situation disproportionately MHCC students, staff and area residents share common concerns affects students of color advocate-online.net

Gloria Saepharn the advocate

Residents across the Portland metro area, including Gresham, are noticing sharp increases in housing prices and sudden eviction notices, as the housing market churns.

Between rent increases and evictions, the share of “native” Portlanders is dropping at a sudden rate as they get displaced. Often, losing their housing means they have to find another place within 30 days.

The most direct impact has been on Northeast and Southeast Portland – and, increasingly, the issue has affected Mt. Hood students, faculty and staff and families in the MHCC area.

The problem isn’t ending soon.

According to Zillow.com, a housing search website, average monthly rents in the metro area are estimated to grow another 3.8 percent during 2016. Behind the surge is an annual wave of new residents, more than 40,000 in 2014 alone, Oregon state statistics show.

A large amount of well-educated newcomers are coming to Portland, in turn, pushing up housing demand and prices.

In an email circulated among Mt. Hood staff and faculty that has gathered several comments, titled “Housing crisis spreads east,” an MHCC student counselor voiced his alarm.

MHCC affected: Malcolm McCord, counselor with the MHCC Career Planning and Counseling Center, passionately wrote he has been “hearing more from students displaced by evictions without cause and other housing challenges. This is a human tragedy on a vast scale that is happening around us with communities being ripped apart and families separated.”

Those connected with Mt. Hood worry the housing crisis is already hurting student enrollment, which has been declining. Students barely

able to pay for housing can’t afford college, they note.

Proposed solutions range from rethinking the Mt. Hood campus, to short-term reforms in housing law.

Michael Calcagno, a recent addition to the MHCC board of education, said he thinks Gresham will continue to see “more and more families” moving here, pushed by housing prices. That can only worsen things for lowincome students, many who seek out community college as a way to improve their economic status, he predicts.

Possible solution: His proposed response: a concept he calls the Upward Mobility Center, which he explains in his own 20page white paper. His vision, which would require partnerships with surrounding city, state, and federal agencies and some private partnerships, “would offer public subsidized student housing coupled with enrollment and support in Career and Technical Education and vocational skills training programs at MHCC,” according to the document.

Student housing could be built on the undeveloped east border of the Gresham campus, the proposal says.

Although the concept hasn’t been seriously discussed by the

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MHCC’ board, Calcagno continues to support his idea. “The idea is that we help with the housing crisis a little bit, provide some support for students and as soon as they’re out of Mt. Hood and they obtain a higherincome job -- (it) enables families to afford higher rents,” he said.

In the meantime, state legislators and other local officials held a conference in the Gateway area of Portland in mid-January that drew hundreds of people demanding action.

Several legislators – among them Chris Gorsek, MHCC criminal

justice and geography instructor and Democratic state representative from Troutdale – said they plan to tackle the crisis in Salem when the 2016 Oregon Legislature session opens on Monday.

They said they will seek a change in no-cause eviction rules, trying to push advance notice from 30 days to 90 days; try to re-instate inclusionary zoning, which requires low-income housing in new developments, but is currently banned in most Oregon cities; and to allocate more money for emergency shelters and other housing assistance.

“This will not fix the housing shortage but it will give (residents) some breathing room in terms of trying to find alternatives to their present housing situation,” Gorsek said of the eviction rule proposal.

“I too have had homeless students in my classes and I believe that it is unacceptable that our students/ neighbors/friends frequently find themselves in these sorts of circumstances.”

Gorsek urged anyone interested in the changes to try to come to Salem to testify in support of the reform bills.

Matana McIntire the advocate

The housing crisis in Portland has been on many people’s minds. Also discussed often is gentrification.

Both are impacting MHCC students and staff, especially minority students.

These two issues have a connection: They amplify each other. Skyrocketing rental rates, nonotice evictions (in which tenants are evicted without cause), and a lack of affordable housing are the symptoms of gentrification in the city, and the cause of what Portland is calling a housing crisis. And affected families and individuals are being pushed out of Portland and into East Multnomah County, into Gresham.

Among those most affected by the housing crisis are black communities.

According to Gresham’s U.S. Census data from the year 2000, only 1.9 percent of the community identified as black or African American. By 2010, that percentage had nearly doubled to 3.5 percent (which translates to 3,732 people). In the years since, there’s no question that the percentage has continued to rise.

During this time, Mt. Hood’s been seeing the residual effects of this gentrification. More students of color have been enrolling.

“If you just look at our student population, it’s definitely changing,” says Sydney Frost, manager of Student Union recruitment, orientation and testing.

Mt. Hood’s enrollment numbers don’t quite match the surrounding community trends: Black or African American students made up 6.3 percent of the MHCC enrollment in the 2014-15 year. Comparatively, white students made up 67 percent of the student body.

When it comes to completion of a degree or certificate, however, Black or African American students wound up at a rate lower than half of where they started, coming out at 2.9 percent – which is a concern for the college.

“Having diverse students and staff improves the learning environment by bringing diverse

perspectives into the classroom,” says Nikki Gillis, Officer for Access, Equity and Inclusion at Mt Hood.

It’s clear the college wants its student body to reflect the surrounding demographics.

The question is how that goal is achieved.

The youth of color living in East County, who are prospective Mt. Hood students, have “a lot on their plate,” as Frost puts it.

Gentrification is impacting black youths in harsh ways, causing psychological and situational stress.

They lose a connection to culture and community that they once had, moving to a region of the Portland area that has in the past been predominantly white. They’re finding themselves in environments in which they have fewer people who share their ethnicity and culture.

Students reaching success: Creating that sense of community within the college, and having it available, is crucial.

When Kymon Robbs, chairman-elect of Mt. Hood’s Black Student Union, first came to the college in early 2015, he sought that sense of community.

“I was looking for people who look like me, and, as you know, it’s very scarce here,” Robbs said. To him, organizations such as the BSU are critical. “It’s important because we need a space where we can come and talk about these issues, safely.”

With an established, welcoming community for African American students at Mt. Hood, the chance for success and graduation completion is more likely.

Other organizations within the school, such as the Diversity Resource Center, Trio Student Support Service (SSS), AVID center and the Learning Success Center, all play a part in supporting students.

The tricky part, as Frost points out, is making students aware that these resources are available to them – especially as prospective students.

Looking forward, Mt. Hood handling more diversity lies with the recruitment of both students and faculty, and giving them support.

For video coverage of this story and interviews, visit our website at: advocate-online.net SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel at: Youtube.com/MHCCAdvocate

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

January 29, 2016

PAGE

Star Wars: Does the force really awaken?

Honestly, my brother was obsessed with the series growing up and because we would butt heads on a regular basis, I wrote o f f Star

Matana McIntire the advocate

I’ve held off on reviewing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” since it’s been released.

Honestly, with all the frenzy surrounding the movie and huge fuss about spoilers, I figured it best to let it rest for a while.

Now, I’m not a Star Wars OG fan, if you will (hint: OG is used to say original, coming from ‘Original Gangster’).

Wars.

I couldn’t consider it good, or in my taste, because it had been something my brother would

watch. As an adult with developed interests and tastes, though, I’ve come to realize that I probably would flip for these movies. I could have been an OG if I had given the original trilogy a chance. Thus, I was pumped for The Force Awakens; I was behind it 100 percent.

So, I’m going to come right out and say it: The movie was fan service. I mean, many people have been pointing this out for a while, but it’s really the truth with The Force Awakens. It’s a regurgitated retelling of “A New Hope,” the first Star Wars movie released in 1977.

That’s not to say the movie wasn’t good, because it was, rest assured.

It’s worth the see even if it’s only to say you’ve seen it. A throwback isn’t always a bad thing. Sure, Han Solo’s one-liners (such as “I like this girl” or “I’ve got a bad feeling about this”) got annoying after a bit, despite making me begrudgingly chuckle here and there. However, if the movie was made for fans, then it’s logical that fans would enjoy it. So, it’s truly a gray area when analyzing the

movie in the way of a review.

I don’t know about you, but when I deal with gray areas in life, I try for an accepting approach while still holding the other party accountable for faults. I like the movie, a lot even.

But it will never win a full rating from me. I wish I could give it a full 5 out of 5, but it’s coming out to be more of a 3 out of 5.

Highlights such as the character Poe Dameron make me want to give the movie that extra star. The performance by Oscar Isaac was kinetic and attracting. I know he was presented as a character with no visible faults, and can be argued as not yet being a full character in the series, but I’m definitely as interested to see where he goes as I am about the main character, Rey. Alas, my rating stays where it is, firmly. The Force Awakens is what I like to call a ‘popcorn movie’; created to entertain, make money, and get a laugh. A snack among full-course meals such as “The Revenant,” or “Room.” Because of that, I give it a 3 out of 5 on the lightsaber scale.

TSongsPfrom5 the grave

The best songs us here at The Advocate could round up that came that were written by 2pac before he died in 1996 but produced after his death in 2005. From the album Loyal to The Game here are our top 5 picks we think you will enjoy.

Soldier Like Me

Phto from web

Backyard bites, 4 of 4

Reheated gyros prove disgusting

Emily Wintringham the advocate

Sometimes, I get a real craving for gyros. When I’m blasted with the desire for a Greek taco, chances are I’m stuck at my house in Troutdale,

4

or at MHCC. The only place nearby that boasts a promising gyro is this little café called Stark Street Espresso. It humbly sits in a small shopping promenade on Stark, down the hill just east of the Mt. Hood campus, by Dairy Queen and

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7

1 2 6 1 4 2 6 9 8 1 5 7 4 3 8 9 8 6 4 5 9 2 6 3 7 1 4 6 1 3 7 6 2

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*Check out next weeks paper for the finished sudoku puzzle

Paws and Claws.

The service is very friendly and the Greek coffee is to die for.

However, I’m not quite sure about the gyro. This puppy, despite its less-than- attractive physique, looked promising, laden with a generous amount of Tzatziki sauce.

To my dissatisfaction, though, it tasted processed – indeed, a bummer. I found out the cause: It was reheated... dun dun DUN!!!!

Gyros, my friends, should be fresh cooked, not reheated. Even if they are Kronos gyros, which are a reputable brand, serious gyro addicts are not going to settle for precooked, unless they are truly desperate.

While it had a satisfyingly spicy flavor, it lacked the authentic texture of thoroughly cooked lamb. I felt that the gyro was the lamb version of, I hate to say it, but, bologna.

Good meat in a gyro is tender and a little tough at the initial bite but juicy afterwards. Unfortunately, what I ate was overall mushy from start to finish. Nonetheless, it was decent. Still, I could barely stomach it after having had top-notch gyros before. I know, I’m stuck up, aren’t I? Here’s the kicker: If you’re an amateur with gyros, Stark Street Espresso is a very convenient way to get introduced. It’s perfect for discovering if you like the general taste. If you’re a gyro connoisseur, I wouldn’t pay the six dollars. I would say though, the macaroni salad on the side was pure genius. That was a level of originality I haven’t come across before. It was extra mustard-y – just how I like it. The gyro itself, however, left much to be desired.

I give mad props to the owner though, because it’s a family business. That’s hard to do these days when developments bring in big chain restaurants to replace the mom-and-pops.

Presentation was slightly disturbing to the writer - who had to eat this.

3/5 of the gyro scale

7

Out On Bail

Loyal To The Game

Hennessey

Crooked N***a Too

8 PAGE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

When you eat too much chocolate Ivy Davis, Gloria Saepharn, and Quincy Smith the advocate

4/5 on the chocolate scale

None. I’ve never really been into TV series.

- David Boedigheimer, Videogame Design

“X-Files.” I like that it’s Sci-Fi orientated and it gets into supernatural conspiracies. I’m super into that.

- Cole Shaw, Childhood Development “Gossip Girl,” it’s relatable. There’s a lot of diverse

range situations.

- Makenna Reinke, Business Management

“The 100.” It explores moral ambiguity in survival

situations.

- Keri Michalski, Computer Science

“Dark Matter,” “Red Dwarf,” and “Cowboy Bebop.”

- Lør Brulé, History major

“Master of None.” It is a must-see, good music, good story, funny, and pulls at the heart strings. Pasta.

- Stephen Hanson, Natural Resources

The weekend of Jan. 22-24 brought the ChocolateFest to the Portland Convention Center. ChocolateFest showed off the work of a large number of bakeries, wine and beer companies, and chocolate makers. The event was basically a PMSing girl’s dream.

Walking into the event, our group went straight for a stand called Decadent Creations.

“Immediately we tried their free samples of deliciously chocolate-y cake. The spongy cake mixed so well with the melting chocolate in my mouth that I went for a second free sample. At this stand they had more than just chocolate and cake, though; they had a plethora of baked goods and priced at 6-for-$12 which was way too good of an offer. Deciding between brownies, bars, pies, and doughnuts was hard but in the end I came up with two macaroons

A

“The Boy” not scary enough Brandon Cunningham the advocate

Alright, I’m going to try and make this review spoiler-free and informative. First off, my name’s Brandon and I’m new to the Advocate. This being my first movie review, I intended to pick what I thought would be a terrible movie, but it turns out I was wrong.

“The Boy” is not a fantastic movie, but is not a bad one, either.

I wouldn’t say it was ‘meah’, though, because if I could describe it in one word, I would say “fun.” The movie had me stressed out, wigged out, and to me it didn’t seem to have too many dull moments. The plot was meah, but the way they told the story was fun. However, most people in the audience, including me, were laughing at things the movie’s mak-

advocate-online.net

ers probably didn’t want us laughing at. It wasn’t campy, but people talking to a doll, like it’s alive, can not only be creepy but sometimes comical.

There was a ton of mystery in the movie, but some questions didn’t get answered. Like, how did the house fire twenty years ago happen? That’s the only one I can currently think of without giving any spoilers. . .but the twist in the movie was freaking fantastic.

Generally when I watch horror movies, I’m usually cracking jokes in my head. I wasn’t doing that as often as I normally do during this film. There was one great part in the movie when I felt completely satisfied and off my seat, along with a few members in the audience.

How I can describe that I knew the audience felt that way too, was

that the group of high school girls giggling and making noise throughout the movie went silent. Another guy excitedly shouted “Oh…my god!” as soon as that awesome thing came in. From then on, everybody was just shutting up and watching and I remembered at that point in the movie why I like horror.

“The Boy” of course would not inspire me to stay up late stressing out over stuff, but it did cause my adrenaline to rise. If I would give this movie a rating, I would say a 2.5/5. The plot was bleah, towards the beginning; the ending scene of the movie was stupid; but the movie was fun and interesting and it reminded me why I love horror movies… even though I would consider this more of a thriller.

Photo from web

and a bacon mole hand pie, which was the same combo my friend and Advocate editor Quincy got. The only differences we made in our purchases was that I got one passion fruit macaroon, while she got a mint one. Biting into the macaroons was weird, as per usual. Macaroons look similar in form to an Oreo – two cookies sandwiched together with goop in the middle. The cookies look solid but once you bite into them they become almost liquid-y and soft. My passion fruit macaroon exploded with flavor. If not for the texture, I would’ve thought I was eating the real fruit. As for the bacon pie – I will pay anyone who can bring me 50 more of them. I give them a 4/5 for their perfect pies and macaroons!” - Ivy Davis We had to move on after buying our treats. We swerved back and forth through the rows of chocolates. Our next stop (that had me coming back for more) was Cocotutti.

“When offered a strawberry balsamic chocolate, I was all in. My mind first went to Salt & Straw’s famous Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper ice cream (one of my favorites). This chocolate was the Fourth of July in my mouth. I have never had a chocolate so rich and fruity in flavor. At this point I had to eat more of their flavors. Ginger Caramel with Thai Chili Peanuts, Blood Orange, and Lavender Lemon were among the other chocolates I ate from here.” - Ivy Davis At one point we had eaten so many chocolates and rich in flavors food that we needed something salty. So, we ate crepes.

“Because I am a carbon copy of my father, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. But, because I am a woman, I do love chocolate. After a swarm of free chocolate samples, macaroons, and red velvet cakes, I was ready for something savory.

Crepe Chalet was tucked away in the corner of the large room, with a ham and cheese crepe option on the

C

B

menu that was calling my name. I shared it with one other person, and it was the perfect amount of food to fill me up and offset the onslaught of sweetness that attacked my palatte all day. This crepe, covered in sriracha (sauce), gave me the strength I needed to eat about 30 more kinds of chocolate after that.” - Quincy Smith After our crepes, we scoped the room for more delights. Our stomachs grumbled as we stuffed more chocolate into them. We ended up trying out chip dips, tea, coffee, potpourri, and caramels.

“I cautiously held the caramel that was carefully wrapped as it softly squished between my light touch.

The vanilla cream-flavored caramel burst with flavor as I let it melt in my mouth – it had a buttery, light flavor, with a hint of vanilla. This caramel is the softest caramel I’ve probably ever had and honestly, it surprised me. The wrapper was even a bit oily – most likely to prevent the candy from sticking to the wrapper.

The flavor reminds me of caramel popcorn, except for the crunchiness.

The softness may drive people away from the candy, but plenty of people said it was great when I was at ChocolateFest. Would I recommend this? Definitely. If only Goldfinch Caramel had a website and shipped this stuff, but they don’t (they’re on Facebook, though). I’m going to give the vanilla cream caramel a 4 out of 5, because while it’s good, I can only eat a little at a time (due to the sweetness).” - Gloria Saepharn A, Gourmet chocolates purchased from Cocotutti including two strawberry balsamic’s! B, Lil Miss’ prepackaged marshmallows. C, The display for all of Decadent Creations’ sweets!

ChocolateFest photos by Ivy Davis

January 29, 2016

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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9

The Advocates predictions for this years Oscars Ivy Davis and Matana McIntire the advocate

Best Picture

Did you know that Leo ate real raw meat and was actually in freezing cold water in “The Revenant”?

He was, because the director was, -Ivy and is, crazy.

Everyone I’ve talked to has raved about “The Revenant”, and I agree. The movie is nominated in over 10 categories at this year’s Oscars, so it’s clear that the movie is remarkable. Plus, everything they put Dicaprio through – that’s com-Matana mitment.

Best Director

I’m totally choosing “The Revenant” again – I mean Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu just had such a vision and to actually put your actors through real scenes to get the right emotion is both cruel and visionary.

Because he was the one that insisted Dicaprio suffer throughout the entire duration of production.

And that’s awesome. Creative vision of the director, right? In all seriousness, though, “The Revenant” would not be the same movie with-Matana out Iñárritu.

Best Actor

Once again, “The Revenant,” because Leonardo DiCaprio has deserved this award since he died in the “Titanic.” Again though, raw meat.

-Ivy Okay, guys - we gotta give it to him this time. No, he actually deserves it this time. I think he’s going to win. I mean, if you look at the men he’s up against, it’s blatantly clear who’s the front runner. Leo literally killed his role in “The Revenant”.

-Matana

Best Actress

I mean, Jennifer Lawrence is hot, but she really is a great actress in “Joy.” She’s an overall badass in -Ivy this film and in life.

Ivy and I agree (though, I know she may be a bit more passionate than me). J. Law is a badass in general, but even more so in “Joy”.

You knew it the instant you saw the trailer ) – this movie was going to be good. And it totally was: Jennifer Lawrence is very likely to win for -Matana Best Actress.

Best Supporting Actor

From “Spotlight” we choose Mark Ruffalo. He may not be super hot, but he’s a great actor and always plays the perfect man.

-Ivy

Mark Ruffalo. Because… Mark -Matana Ruffalo. Need I say more?

Best Supporting Actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh takes this one for “The Hateful Eight.” As Matana pointed out, she gets beat up so much! On a side note though, Rachel McAdams is a runner up; she’s -Ivy just way too beautiful.

Best supporting actress is definitely Jennifer Jason Leigh, simply for the amount of punches she takes in the movie. A way of challenging your patriarchal ideals with laughter and a little bit of horror. Take it all in stride and give that woman an -Matana award!

Best Original Screenplay

First I want to say “Straight Outta Compton” and “Spotlight” aren’t exactly true original screenplays.

Just because this is the first screenplay written and filmed doesn’t mean it’s original. Those events were real, sorry, you didn’t film them while they happened. Now, “Inside Out” is an original. Though “Osmosis Jones” was done on white blood cells(!), this movie is about five little emotions in -Ivy your head running your life!

Ivy and I agree - both “Spotlight” and “Straight Outta Compton” aren’t technically original screenplays.

They’re based on real-life events.

Comparing, and pitting them against, works such as “Inside Out” is just unfair. That being said, “Inside Out” totally takes the cake. Who doesn’t like that movie? Kudos to the -Matana writers.

Best Adapted Screenplay

I say “The Martian” for this. Not only was this story a great book, it was a awesome movie. Matt Damon played his character Mark so well and the overall story of a man left on Mars surviving off poop potatoes is ingenious.

-Ivy “The Martian” is an obvious choice. It’s nominated for a lot of awards, and I think this is the one where it’s likely to win. And it was a great movie; I wouldn’t have thought that it came from an original book.

Best Foreign Film

We picked “Son of Saul,” and I honestly don’t know why because I have never seen this movie, or the other movies that were nominated for this award. So, are any of them really worth it?

-Ivy So, “Son of Saul” won the Golden Globes for best foreign film. It

was the first win for the country of Hungary. So, that’s something to -Matana consider.

Best Documentary Feature

Following the life of Amy Winehouse, a famous singer with an iconic eyeliner fashion, “Amy” was the documentary we choose. The film explains a lot about the late star’s life.

Okay, “Amy” was hands-down amazing. In part because it shows the innate beauty in her talent, but also tragic because of the way she was manipulated and, inevitably, destroyed, due to her fame. Highly recommended, and very likely to be -Matana awarded.

Best Animated Feature

I personally think that the Oscars should encourage movies for all generations, meaning that when I hear “animated feature” I think movies for children. Once again “Inside Out” should win this one. The number of children, parents, and other adults who have seen this particular film is most likely so much larger than the number of people who have seen the other movies nominated for these movies.

-Ivy “Inside Out” takes the cake once again. Though, I will say that “Anomalisa” looks like a stunning movie - claymation animation used to depict a drama about mental illness? Piques my interest, for sure.

Best Film Editing.

This was a tough choice between “Mad Max,” “Star Wars,” and “The Revenant.” In the end we chose “Mad Max.” This film is so fast-paced that it needs the perfect editing and that’s -Ivy just what it got.

Oh, “Mad Max,” how you surprised us all with your excellence. In all honesty, Fury Road was an editing masterpiece, mainly because the director and editors worked together from the start to execute a fresh, innovative technique that launched this movie into the nominations.

-Matana Here’s to hoping you win!

Best Song

I’m just saying real quick – “Spectre” was absolutely terrible. When the music video came on in the beginning of the movie all I could do was laugh, it was so bad! For real though, “Fifty Shades of Gray” should win this, its song set the tone -Ivy for the entire movie.

Oh goodness me. “Spectre” is out of the running right off the bat - Ivy is right. We saw the movie together, and for the life of us, could not keep

our laughter in. “Fifty Shades,” in comparison, creates a tone and had radio singles from the movie.

Best Original Score

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” There should be no other -Ivy words needed.

I conceded on this one. (Is the “Star Wars” score considered original? But it is iconic - and it probably has been nipped and tucked to fit the new movie.) It has a good chance of winning.

-Matana

Best Digital Effects

This one was hard! The nominations were “Ex Machina,” “The Martian,” “The Revenant,” and “Star Wars.” In the end I had to go with “Star Wars.” The creators have been making some of the best digital effects movies since the beginning and they’ve only gotten better. I choose this film because every second and scene of this show is done with CGI. This Star Wars nomination I am behind. Nearly the whole movie is digital effects. Not only is it full on digital effects, it’s dependent on them to tell the story in its full authenticity. That level of need created amazing standards, and amazing results.

-Matana

Best Cinematography

“The Revenant” takes this one again. Cinematography is the art of making a movie and the work that went into this one was far greater than the other movies nominated.

Leonardo ate raw meat for this movie, and it was shot in a forest with a lot of natural light. These facts just -Ivy prove it’s worthiness more.

Just the level of dealing with nature, dealing with all natural conditions – lighting, temp, frame obstructions – that requires a great deal of skill as far as cinematography. “The Revenant” required that level of skill to accomplish Iñárri-Matana tu’s vision.

Best Costume Design

Can I just say, Leo was dressed in shreds of fabric in “The Revenant,” and everything in “Mad Max” is rags and clothes you could find today made dirty to look post-apocalyptic. So, when I saw “Cinderella” nominated I jumped

for joy. As a seamstress, I can tell you the work that went into designing and creating tailored suits and gigantic ball gowns. Even the fabrics are more expensive, and don’t even get me started on the embroidery they put on the Prince’s suit.

Definitely “Cinderella.” Big, corseted wardrobes like that (it seems) always win, and this is the only film nominated like that. And like Ivy said, all the other nominations seem to pale in comparison as to skill.

-Matana

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

I personally don’t know what to choose here… nominated were “Mad Max,” “The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared,” and “The Revenant.” In the end, I guess I’ll go with “Mad Max,” but only because of the -Ivy cool metal mask.

Well, if I’m being honest, none of these seem that grand. I suppose there isn’t much to choose from, because there are only three nominations in the category. But, yes, I agree with Ivy on “Mad Max” – they had a whole cultural image to create, so that’s saying something.

Skill? Maybe not so much.

-Matana

Best Production Design

I don’t even know. … “The Martian,” maybe?

-Ivy -Matana

Best Sound Editing

I want to say “Star Wars,” because for decades I’ve been wondering how they came up with the sound for the lightsabers, and the spaceships, and the racing, and like everything action in this movie.

I agree – “Star Wars” deals with a lot of sound effects and looping in post-production editing (it seems).

Like digital effects, it’s a crucial part -Matana of making it Star Wars.

Best Short Film, Live Action, Best Short Film, Animated, and Best Documentary Short Subject

Going to be honest, I haven’t watched a single one of these short films that were nominated – they’re not worth anyone’s time.

-Ivy

10PAGE

SPORTS

advocate-online.net

The champions of Rose City revamp in preparation of title defense

The Timbers show off their championship pose at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio after defeating the Crew on their own turf. This roster will look much different come opening day.

Clay Vitale

the advocate As all Major League Soccer clubs face a retooling offseason, the spotlight is shining brightly on the champion Portland Timbers. After besting the Columbus Crew a short seven weeks ago, Portland owner Merritt Paulson had to rein in the celebratory break and pull an abrupt “about-face”, shifting focus to team needs going into next season.

When the Timbers entered the league in 2011, its roster consisted of players such as newly acquired Jack “The Bean” Jewsbury, first franchise draft pick Darlington Nagbe, and midfielder Rodney Wallace, the

man responsible for Portland’s cupwinning goal on Dec. 6. As with the clubs left behind in the wake of their historic postseason run, the roster must keep advancing, phasing out aged contracts with fresh draft picks and new chemistry. The Timbers’ interest in Wallace, as an example, extended beyond last season; however, he thought it best to allow his contract to expire and explore international options.

Instrumental outside defender Jorge Villafana’s rights were sold to Santos Laguna of Liga MX, briefly creating another hole to fill.

Paulson didn’t sit idly by, trading for Villafana’s replacement, Chris Klute, that same day. The 25 year-old Klute

Web Photos

Portland’s first overall pick, Ben Polk, poses with a Timbers scarf after MLS announced his selection. Polk said he was “very grateful and excited” to join the Portland franchise.

came over from Columbus, the very club the Timbers dispatched in the title game, for allocation money.

Zarek Valentin, 24, was then acquired from the Montreal Impact in exchange for an international roster slot the club can use next season.

Other notable team subtractions are former captain Will Johnson (traded to Toronto FC) and forward Maximiliano Urutti (whose option was declined, and who consequently was selected first overall by FC Dallas in the 2015 MLS Re-Entry Draft). Perhaps the biggest free agent splash the Timbers made was signing Jack McInerney away from – you guessed it – Columbus, having

spent only half a season with the Crew. “Jack Mac” entered the league straight out of high school in 2010 and ranks second in MLS history in scoring by the age of 23, with 36 goals. A gifted offensive talent like McInerney should pair well with the Timbers’ top striker, Fanendo Adi, next year.

Portland didn’t limit its overhaul to trades and free agent signings.

The Timbers had the No. 20 overall pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, and with it selected Ben Polk out of Syracuse University. Polk tallied 12 goals in 22 games with the Orange last season, and should provide immediate depth for the reigning champs. Twenty picks later, the

The Timbers will wear the championshipdenoting star on their kits in 2016.

Timbers drafted another forward, Neco Brett out of Robert Morris University, with the feeling that he was the best player on the board at the time, according to head coach Caleb Porter. Portland plans on sending Brett to its T2 squad in 2016, its “younger brother” team of sorts in the United Soccer League, where he’ll play the wing and compete for a potential spot with the big club.

The Timbers are banking on this revamped squad meshing well and carrying on the torch from last season. If the team chemistry plays like the Oregon Symphony at downtown’s Schnitzer Hall, they just might have a shot at a successful 2016 title defense.

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SPORTS

January 29, 2016

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11

Pac-12: Who will rise above the rest? A battle with balance

Coach John Hawley looking in during the Saints’ home loss Wednesday night.

Web Photos

given a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game. The foul gave Utah a free throw, which was made, and the Utes had their first lead while regaining possession of the ball. OSU ultimately lost the contest, only scoring one after the incident, and some could argue that foul ultimately cost them the game. The university issued a sanction against Reid for violating code of conduct, and he is currently in the middle of serving a four game suspension.

Meantime, there are four teams, including the Ducks, that are still undefeated at home. This paints a picture of a collective group that needs to pull off a few key road victories over the remaining 11 games to decide the front-runner. Oregon, at 16-4 overall, specifically needs to

Early on in 2015-16 conference play, it is fairly apparent that the Pac-12 imitates the rest of the nation by not having any one dominant program.

The national consensus is that the Arizona Wildcats will defend their Pac-12 title from last year, despite already having three conference road losses, which were decided by an average of two points and included four overtimes. Even with these early woes, they remain tied for second with a slew of five other teams, all at 4-3 in conference play.

Entering Thursday’s action, the Oregon Ducks were tied atop the standings with the Washington

OSU stands at 12-6 (3-4 in conference play) with the victory over USC snapping a three-game skid.

The younger Payton was recently selected to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) mid-season watch list for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, given to the men’s national player of the year.

Only 20 players were selected for the honors nationwide and he was the only Pac-12 player named. Through his leadership and the monster win against the Trojans, the Beavers find themselves two games back in the division, trying to move up. The trend will hopefully continue and maybe even help sway the school’s national outlook into a more positive light after the referee tripping debacle last week...

The Oregon Duck gets its very own statue outside of Autzen Stadium.

Oregon State forward Jarmal Reid “accidentally” trips referee Tommy Nunez after a non-call foul. Reid was ejected from the game and suspended four more.

Huskies, at 5-2 in conference play.

The Ducks managed to crack the national polls this week, earning a No. 23 ranking, after consecutively defending its home court from then21st-ranked USC, and a good UCLA team.

The Trojans’ loss to the Ducks, followed by another defeat at the hands of Oregon State, bumped USC out of the Top 25 this week.

Speaking of the Beavers, they are playing pretty good ball under head coach Wayne Tinkle. Lead by Gary Payton II, son of nine-time NBA All-Star Gary “the Glove” Payton,

For those who haven’t heard, it helps to digest the incident with the stage set, first: It’s the final three minutes of a tied ballgame when OSU forward Jarmal Reid creates a turnover, stealing the ball from his Utah counterpart. During the theft, he gets bumped to the ground, but still manages to pass the ball off to a teammate. When there was no foul called on the play, Reid became upset as he picked himself up off the floor, sticking out his leg in the process and tripping the ref, who fell flat on his face. Consequently, Reid was

Beau Blunck the advocate

improve its game away from Matthew Knight Arena in order to be crowned this year’s Pac-12 champions. With Arizona and USC stumbling on the road, right now that slight edge goes to USC and Colorado, both with 3-1 road records.

The Ducks are among a bunch of teams that follow with 2 road wins.

If they can beat Arizona (results from Thursday night not available at press time) or Arizona State this week on the road, that would be a big step toward earning Oregon a league title this year.

The Mt. Hood Saints men’s basketball team has had a difficult time balancing cohesive, team-style play when trailing in games all season long.

Clay Vitale and Jon Fuccillo the advocate

The Saints men’s squad has seen its bumps and bruises this year, but keeps plugging along under firstyear head coach John Hawley. With Hawley’s time constantly split, as he also coaches the women’s team, the Saints rely on assistant coach Jonn “Q” Quarterman to help guide them through a year of rebuilding.

After dropping Wednesday’s home game, 72-59, to Portland Community College, Mt. Hood sits in last place in the South Region of the NWAC with a 4-15 overall record, 1-7 in division play.

That’s not to say there aren’t some bright spots up and down the roster.

Kody Kennedy, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, had another great game against the Panthers, recording his fourth double-double of the year with 24 points, 10 rebounds, plus four assists. “We really moved the ball well, and that created a lot (of opportunities) for me”, he said.

“I was being more aggressive and getting to the free throw line where I was gaining more confidence in my shots.”

Though Kennedy came out strong for the Saints, the team wasn’t able to keep pace with Portland, who outscored Mt. Hood 3928 in the second half. The Saints trailed only 33-31 at the half, but lost momentum in the final 20 minutes.

Sophomore point guard Jamal

Photos by Jeff Hinds

Muhammad finished the game with 12 points, but struggled mightily from the field, shooting 3-for-14. Freshman Cody Thompson chipped in with 10 points in the losing effort.

Muhammad was already playing with a torn labrum. In the first half Wednesday, he was throwing an outlet pass to Kennedy and felt shooting pain in his right shoulder, and had to leave the game momentarily.

“My arm feels super weak and it was real numb (tonight),” said Muhammad. “But I’m not taking any time off. Naw, that isn’t me. I don’t miss games. I have too much heart. And as long as my arms, legs and fingers are working, and I’m not wearing a cast, I’m playing no matter what.”

As for the Saints’ current seven-game skid, Muhammad was quick to defend his teammates and second family, especially when talking about falling apart in the second half against the Panthers – something they have grown accustomed to this season.

“We played as a team in the first half, and once again we get down and then everyone wants to get the lead back by playing one-on-one instead of running through our plays. Everyone has to want to buy in” to the game plan, Muhammad said.

The Saints will next take the court Saturday, hosting division foe Umpqua CC. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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“Fab Five” plays through adversity, relishes the chance

WEDDLE

IMBLER

WEAVER

MARTIN

Game coverage of the recent Saints victory

Mt. Hood Saints women playing without a bench for rest of the season

by Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

When first-year women’s basketball coach John Hawley took over the Mt. Hood Saints program, he surely wasn’t anticipating the turn of events to come with his young and talented group of players.

Since Dec. 17, the Saints’ roster has dwindled down to just five players on the active roster, due mostly to injuries. This came even after starting the season shorthanded to begin with as Hawley arrived late on the scene after former coach Tyler Rose resigned last year, putting a dent in recruiting.

It has been quite the unique situation, but the “Fab Five,” as they’re calling themselves, remain hopeful and want to give it their all on the hardwood during their 40-minute games.

“I’ve never been a part of something like this, but the girls are really embracing it and playing with a lot of heart and these were the cards that we were dealt and I am just working with these five,” said Hawley. “I am so proud of these girls for their efforts, regardless of winning or losing.”

Madison Weaver, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, enjoys the thrill of each game, but also realizes what a toll it can take on the body, though you won’t hear any complaining from her or her teammates. “We all get tired, but it’s not as bad as people think it would be,” she said. “Coach has us well prepared to run the entire game. The best part is that we get to play the entire game and that we all know each other well enough

MORRIS

All photos by Jeff Hinds

“I’ve never been a part of something like this, but the girls are really embracing it and playing with a lot of heart and these were the cards that we were dealt,” said head coach John Hawley, regarding the lack of backup players on the women’s team.

that we mesh really well together.”

Weaver, along with 5-foot-10 sophomore teammate, Delanee Martin agree that it’s unfortunate to be in this position, but in the same token, love the idea that all five players are on the same page and they can leave their emotions and complaints off the court.

“We realized very early that these were our five players, and complaining won’t make us any better,” said Weaver. “Other opponents’ coaches are telling us that we are the hardest working team they have seen in a while.”

One of those coaches is veteran Clackamas Community College head coach Jim Marineau. “I have a ton of respect for John and especially the team,” he said. “To show up each night and play as hard as they have been, is a credit to them and the staff.”

“I have never seen a team that only had five and will finish (the season with five); very impressive,” Martineau said.

The Saints’ Martin said even with five players, the team can compete in the NWAC regardless of the unusual circumstances, though a substitution here and there would sure come in handy.

“We go out there with the intent to win every game,” said Martin, a Eugene native. “We don’t expect for anyone, including ourselves, to feel bad for us. It doesn’t change the way we play, we just have to be more cautious when it comes to fouling and chill out and back off some.”

Winning hasn’t come easy for the Saints this season. The team is currently 6-13 overall, 1-7 in conference play. Martin, along with Weaver and sophomore teammates Jesse Morris, Lacey Weddle and Alexis Imbler, want to turn things around in the second half of league action.

Morris noted how unusual it is, especially at the college level, to only have five players suit up each night.

But she’s as happy as anyone on the team in terms of playing time and learning through mistakes.

“I like getting to play so much and not have to worry about coming out,” said the 5-foot-3 Morris. “We always joke around with each other when one of us messes up, saying, ‘What’s (coach) going to do, sub you out or something?’ That’s how it is with only five – though you make a mistake, you can’t get your head out of the game.”

The team plans on putting up

some Ws in the Win-Loss column, but realizes it’s still a work in progress.

“It definitely sucks to lose,” said Martin. “But we don’t take it to heart. We’re good enough to beat any of these (teams). We just have to get it next time.”

Weddle, a 5-foot-8 guard, said she was expected to start this season, but wasn’t expecting these type of minutes. Now, she enjoys the opportunity to showcase her skills every game without any worry.

“I kind of look at it as a positive because I never have to worry about being taken out of the game,” said the Jefferson High School graduate.

“The most positive thing about this whole situation is that we have great chemistry and relationships, something we didn’t really have last year,” she said. “It has been a major turnaround and it really is feeling more and more like a family, which is great compared to before.”

Weddle is averaging 13.1 points per game, while gathering 5.0 rebounds per contest. Imbler, a 5-foot-8 Milwaukie native, might average only 5.7 points per game, but she backs that up by averaging almost eight rebounds per game, which leads the team.

With less than three seconds left on the game clock, and the Saints up 59-57, sophomore Lacey Weddle blocked Portland Panthers sophomore Angelique Williams’ shot to seal Mt. Hood’s first league victory of the season: Wednesday night in the Mt. Hood gymnasium, the shorthanded Saints finally got over the hump.

“It was a great block and I’m stoked for what else this team has in store,” said 5-foot-10 sophomore Madison Weaver, who finished the contest with a double-double (14 points and 11 rebounds). “It felt great to know that we came back from an 18-point deficit. It really shows how much heart we have and how resilient we are.”

Head coach John Hawley had his group well prepared and was yelling encouragement throughout the entire game to his “Fab Five.”

He couldn’t have left the gym any happier with the Saints’ first league victory. “(We) finally pulled it together,” said Hawley. “We didn’t play well for three quarters. We just weren’t playing as a whole and then started turning things around defensively in the second half and knocked down some big shots.”

Only down 24-22 at the half, the Saints (1-7 in the Southern Region, and 6-13 overall) came out flat on defense against the Panthers (3-5, 4-13) in the third quarter, but really turned things around in the fourth, again with only five players on the active roster. This was the team’s first victory since Dec. 18, when it beat Green River, 64-56.

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