The Advocate - October 8,2010 - Issue 4

Belshe twins keep MHCC volleyball in the family

Volume 46, Issue 4

october 8, 2010

Pages 6-7

3

Sister campus gets new additions

4

Cross country runs with the crowd in Salem

8

Drummer gives Genesis a steady beat

2 OPINION

THE ADVOCATE

OCTOBER 8, 2010

Editorial Editors-in-Chief

Jen ashenberner & Jordan tichenor

Sports Editor Jon Fuccillo

Advertising Manager Copy Editor David Guida

Living Arts Editor David Gambill

Assistant Living Arts Editor Anevay Torrez

Photo Editor

Devin Courtright

Opinion Editor L. John King

Reporters Joseph Baird Jill-Marie Gavin Chanel Hill Riley Hinds Laura Knudson Yuca Kosugi David Lopez Mike Mata Jess Peterman Kylie Rogers Mario Rubio Shelby Schwartz John Tkebuchava

Community college study appears flawed

A survey done by Norton/Norris (a company specializing in public relations, media production & placement, variable data printing and mystery shopping) on Oct. 4 claims community colleges are not being honest with recruits.

The main areas of concern include community college graduation rates, employment rates of graduates, and pass rates on certification exams.

The Advocate is concerned about the information given in the report and at the same time relay some information uncovered since the report was released.

MHCC President John Sygielski said in an email Tuesday he was “struck by how the underlying research for this report is incomplete, at best.”

Apparently, the report was paid for by the Coalition for Education which is a for-profit group.

That means they are in the business of college in order to make money, whereas, community colleges are in the business of providing education.

An example of a for-profit college would be Apollo College.

Why would a survey commissioned by a for-

Another side of coping with Oregon weather

Jessica Winters

Adviser

Bob Watkins

Assistant Adviser Dan Ernst

E-mail advocatt@mhcc.edu 503-491-7250 (Main) 503-491-7413 (Office) 503-591-6064 (Fax) www.advocate-online.net

Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030

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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.

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Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC.

Front-page photo

by Devin Courtright

profit organization on community colleges (nonprofit organizations) be credible? The Advocate would have to say it’s because the students who provided their input are or were community college students, according to Norton/Norris’s website.

However, Sygielski said those who were surveyed were selected by a group consisting of many of the nation’s leading for-profit colleges and the response rate was 10 percent, which is “a value far below any suitable standard.” Ten percent? The Advocate would have to agree and ask 10 percent of what?

By coincidence the report was released on the eve of the first ever national community college summit in Washington, D.C. The summit was held Tuesday, and our president was an attendee. In an email sent Tuesday after the summit, he said most community college professionals, including some members of the Obama Administration, “dismissed the study as incomplete and unscientific.” The Advocate just hopes the U.S. Secretary of Education wasn’t too hard on those community college professionals.

By L. John King The Advocate I have a S.A.D. story to tell you.

As the Portland rainy season approaches I get apprehensive the way I did walking home from grade school.

The neighborhood bully often hid behind a tree ready to pummel me.

In the same way, in the weeks ahead; dark, dismal days of drizzle are also lying in wait promising me a pretty severe butt kicking.

The bully eventually got called home to dinner but sunless, gray skies and incessant rain will be around for months to taunt and torment me.

As you might have guessed, I am talking about living with S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) Commonly called “the wintertime blues”, S.A.D. is characterized by a lack of energy, an increased need for sleep, difficulty finishing tasks and feelings of hopelessness during winter months.

I usually can make it to Halloween but it started early this year. It seems that last stretch of rainy days really set me back.

However two weeks of Welbutrin and a few days of sunshine are pulling me out of the ditch.

When I get depressed ordinary tasks seem insurmountable.

Depression is like golfing with three sumo wrestlers using a golf cart with four flat tires. There is still movement,

but not real fast or very far.

I wanted to avoid taking meds this year because I felt so good this past summer, but it was not to be. There was either flunking out and feeling sorry for myself or taking the medicine.

There are natural treatments for seasonal depression like phototherapy where you use a special light every day to compensate for reduced available sunlight. At $250-300 I will wait for now.

Studies show that taking melatonin (found in the vitamin section) at a specific time every day helps.

Meanwhile, everyday get as much sunlight as you can everyday because every bit helps. Force yourself to take a walk even when you don’t want to.

If you have these kinds of problems every time the sun says

sayonara, get help. If it is mild, try the natural treatments. If it is debilitating, then see your doctor. Research S.A.D. for your self.

To friends of the depressed; sending out sympathy cards filled with kittens and bunnies can only do so much.

Encourage your friend to get help.

Antidepressants are not “happy pills”.

They help restore chemical balance to the brain.

In the future I will definitely look into natural treatments for S.A.D. A natural solution beats spending over $60 every month for a medication only to later find out that long term side effects include “blurred vision, seizures, perpetual diarrhea, growth of hair on the tongue and in some rare cases death.”

So, just how rare and how much hair are we talking about here?

OCTOBER 8, 2010

Sister campus experiences growth Maywood Park expands services offered to students



By Mike Mata The Advocate

Maywood Park, MHCC’s satellite campus, sits nestled amid a bustling neighborhood in Northeast Portland, on the corner of Prescott and 102nd Avenue.

It serves as a center for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, English as a Non-Native Language (ENL) classes and community education classes. They recently added a library for students.

“We’re enhancing services there all the time,” said Kim Freeman, dean of economic and workforce development. “We’re really reaching out to Mt. Hood’s western community,” she added.

Branch coordinator Sergio Lopez said the library is “the size of a normal classroom. We have several hundred titles, ranging from adult education, popular reading, kids and reference. We try to adjust to the needs of the campus.”

The classroom size is no impediment to the library’s productivity. Lopez said it has been successful since it opened its doors on Sept. 20.

“We’ve had a very warm welcome from students, staff and instructors. We’re operating as normal library, even two weeks after opening.

We look to our populace’s needs,” said Lopez.

The library serves around 60 to 100 students a day, he said, depending on the class schedules and how often Lopez invites classes to the library.

Freeman said, “They (students) no longer have to go to Gresham (campus) to check out books.

They can check them out here and they’ll be shipped out a day later.”

Currently featured in the library is a display for Banned Books Week, highlightPhotos By Mike mata/ the advocate ing books that were Student Evan Mullen (left) begins work while branch coordinator Sergio Lopez, right, supervises at banned for their conthe new Maywood Park campus library tent. Titles include “Charlotte’s Web,” “Fahrenheit 451,” “Of Mice Wednesdays. Students can add and drop courses here. For the main campus, if they live closer to and Men” and “Catcher in the Rye.” Lopez, a University of Oklahoma graduate, us, it is a major convenience,” said Bray.

There is a full-service bookstore on site where keeps in contact with other librarians at the Gresham campus through e-mail and instant students can purchase any books or supplies remessaging, especially when he is not around quired for classes taken at the Maywood campus, with other librarians and student workers need- Bray said.

The Community Skills Center, another sering guidance.

The library is open seven days a week: Mon- vice offered, is a place for students to hone their day-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from computer skills, and beef up their resumes with 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a 10-week, self-paced course designed to augment their skills.

Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Kimberly Murray, the head of the CommuniWhile the primary courses offered at Mayty Skills Center, said, ”They (community skills wood are ESL and ENL classes, site coordinator classes) are at your own pace, even if it takes you Dorothy Bray said they also offer college placement testing on Tuesdays on a drop-in basis and two or three days, or the whole 10 weeks. And will soon offer GED testing. There have been lots you can start at any time of the year.”

Bray said people from all walks of life attend of additions besides the library, she said. classes at Maywood.

“There is now a student services represen“We have a huge diverse group here,” she said. tative available for students on Mondays and

Sygielski returns from D.C. summit low up on the discussion points made during the breakout sessions. “Eventually there will MHCC President John Sygielski said the be changes that will impact students,” said first national community college summit held Sygielski, but “not in the near term.”

Although the summit was headed up by Dr. Tuesday in Washington, D.C., provided opJill Biden, the U.S. vice president’s wife, portunities for constructive discussions about Sygielski said he had an opporhow to remove barriers for current tunity to meet and have a and future community college one-on-one conversation students. with Vice President Joe “The summit achieved Biden himself. what it was intended to On a related topdo,” Sygielski said. ic, Sygielski said “a As chairman of the poorly-constructed Board of American Asstudy was unveiled sociation of Community on Monday funded by Colleges, Sygielski atthe proprietary collegtended the summit with es and it provided some the expectation it would alchatter within the higher low time to focus attention on Image courtesy of sunsentinel.com education communities.” The the challenges U.S. community colstudy said respondents to a survey leges face, according to his e-mail Monday.

At the meeting, several topics were dis- about community colleges reported recruiters cussed including the challenges the commu- are not being entirely up front with recruits nity colleges face, enhancing or changing na- about graduation rates, employment rates of tional and state policies and evaluating the graduates, and pass rates on certification exams. teaching and learning systems.

“Most community college professionals, inSygielski said Thursday all of the discussions covered are being summarized and will cluding some members of the Administration, be sent to the 100 participants and at that dismissed the study as incomplete and unscitime the group will create action to take to fol- entific.”

By John Tkebuchava The Advocate

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4 SPORTS

OCTOBER 8, 2010

"Our guys went out very, very fast. Too fast. They had to back off in the middle (of the race)."

Matt Hart, Saints men's and women's head coach

Saints women finish strong, while men run too fast, too soon

By Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

The vibration of runners’ feet ricocheted off the ground Saturday as if a herd of cattle was stampeding through Bush Park during the 36th annual Charles Bowles Invitational in Salem at Willamette University.

MHCC team members agreed they couldn’t have asked for a better day — “not too hot and not too cold,” with a tint of grey overcast in the sky.

“It was perfect,” freshman Donnie Coulson said.

Both the men’s and women’s teams competed in a division that was a combination of NAIA schools, community colleges, clubs and unattached runners.

Unattached means that as long as you’re enrolled in college, you can enter certain collegiate races as an “opener runner.”

Twenty-six teams competed in the women’s 5K run and 25 teams in the men’s 8K run.

The Saints women grabbed 18th place.

Sophomore Amanda Faggard led the way, finishing in 19:36.34, which was good for 94th out of 239 runners. Among community college runners, she took 6th place out of 46 competitors.

Freshman Gabriella Diaz started the race even with Faggard, but finished shortly behind with a time of 19:47.81, which was good for 101st, (9th out of community college runners).

“We did really well against the other community colleges,” Coach Matt Hart said of the women’s team. He also said the women’s team is going to make its mark in the meets to come. “We are challenging for a trophy this year; it’s a work in progress. We have a couple of rookies and a few secondyear girls. It’s a pretty good mix. We are ready to break through, and we’re kind of

excited about that,” said Hart.

Hart continued to emphasize that his athletes are using these meets to better their times, gain more strength and to prepare for the Southern Region Championship and NWAACC Championship.

Coulson came into the meet with a mindset of breaking 28 minutes, which he fell barely short of as the Saints’ top male finisher: He posted a time of 28:00.64. “If I knew this course a little bit better, I would have finished in the high 27s (minutes),” he said just after the race.

“They told us it was going to be a fast course but it wasn’t as fast as I thought it was going to be. I didn’t think we checked out the course well enough during the warm up.”

Matt Hart Coulson finHead coach ished 202nd in a field of 290 runners, which was good for 21st out of 48 community college racers.

Why couldn’t Coulson break 28-minutes?

“We got stuck in the first mile going too fast,” he said.

A very satisfied Hart agreed with Coulson that his men came out of the gates too aggressively.

“Our guys went out very, very fast. Too fast,” Hart said. “They had to back off in the middle (of the race). They rebounded well at the end.

“That’s the disadvantage of having a young team. They made a rookie mistake.”

Next week Oct. 15 the Saints women and men travel to Oregon City to compete in the annual Mike Hodges Invite at Clackamas Community College. Teams competing are: Clark Penguins, Clackamas Cougars, Everett Trojans, Green River Gators, Olympic Rangers, SW Oregon Lakers and the Treasure Valley Chukars.

"That's the disadvantage of having a young team. They made rookie mistakes."

Photo by Devin courtright/The Advocate

Sophomore Amanda Faggard (above) finished with a time of 19:36.34 during the Charles Bowles Invitational in Salem Saturday. (Below) Donnie Coulson, left, just fell short of breaking his goal of 28-minutes (28:00.64) during the men’s 8K run Saturday in Salem.

Finishing times at the Charles Bowles Invitational Women

Place

Time

Amanda Faggard

94th

19:36.34

Gabriella Diaz

101st

19:47.81

Amanda Smith

125th

20:17.92

Stacy Bird

127th

20:19.77

Jennifer Tina

205th

22:28.32

Holli Davis

206th

22:28.36

Jessica Davis

232nd

24:43.37

Men

Place

Time

Donnie Coulson

202nd

28:00.64

Chris Newell

207th

28:05.52

Jonathan Butcher

221st

28:36.51

Troy Prettyman

253rd

30:25.28

Markus Hunter

265th

31:21.46 Photo by Devin courtright/The Advocate

SPORTS 5 Saints keep on rolling through competition in the South OCTOBER 8, 2010

Freshman Devan Belshe had her way with the Linn-Benton Roadrunners Friday, Oct. 1, in a home match. Belshe finished the evening with a match high 16 kills for the Saints.

The Saints can't be stopped in Southern Region action, including 14 straight match victories dating back to last year

By Chanel Hill The Advocate

The Saints volleyball team continued to dominate the Southern Region with another victory Oct. 1 against the Linn-Benton Roadrunners at home.

The Saints, who hold a perfect record in conference play (4-0, 20-4 overall), swept the Roadrunners in three straight games (25-16, 25-17, 28-26).

Game three in the match proved to be a fight. The Roadrunners, down two games, came out determined.

“I told the girls they would come out strong because they had nothing to lose. In that game, they got off to a great start,” said Coach Chelsie Speer. “Like I’ve said before, you never know, so we were on our toes.”

For the second game in a row, co-captain Kyra Speer and freshmen Devan Belshe

had double-digit kills (Speer with 10, Belshe 16). The cocaptain said this accomplishment is not because of one or two players, but rather a team effort.

“Without Chelsie (coaching us) in the (background) or Rylie (Engelson) and Jenny (Gruelle) in the middle setting us up, we couldn’t have those kills. Everyone on the court does their job,” said the cocaptain.

The Saints, who have been playing without their other cocaptain, Haley Leithem, since her ankle injury at the Walla Walla Tournament this year (Sept. 17), continue to receive support from Leithem even though she’s unable to play alongside them.

“Haley is very vocal and loud,” laughed Kyra Speer.

“We can always count on her playing a big role. She’s someone we all feed off.”

With a perfect record in the South Region, the team prepares to play their rivals, the Clackamas Community College Cougars, tonight at home.

The team’s goal of going undefeated in the region makes tonight’s match a marquee game. The Saints, who have already beaten every other team in their conference, must

photo by devin courtright/the advocate

get the victory tonight to keep their record perfect.

“Our goal is still there. We have to play all the teams we’ve played again, but first we’ve got to get through Clackamas,” said Kyra Speer. “We are working everyday and still giving 100 percent. There’s still a lot of season for us.”

In the past, coach Speer worried about her team being too hard on themselves and mentally losing focus. Now she is confident in her team and all they continue to do.

“We’ve never lost our confidence. The girls set a goal to go undefeated — by no means are they comfortable,” the coach said, “But we are definitely excited about our record overall.”

Next weekend (Oct. 1516) the Saints travel to Vancouver, Wash., for the Clark Crossover tournament where they will compete against teams from all four regions.

They are first scheduled to play the Tacoma Titans, the number one seed from the West, in a 1 p.m. Friday start.

Later that afternoon, they play the Spokane Sasquatch (East) at 3:20 p.m. followed by a final match at 7:40 p.m against the Bellevue Bulldogs of the North.

6 SPORTS

OCTOBER 8, 2010

MHCC MHCC VOLLEYBALL VOLLEYBALL TWINS TWINS: : MIRROR MIRROR IMAGES IMAGES

BY LAURA KNUDSON THE ADVOCATE

Devan

Demi

SPORTS 7

OCTOBER 8, 2010

OF OF SUCCESS SUCCESS

Photos by Devin Courtright/The Advocate

keeps the team alive,” said Speer. Devan, on the other hand, maintains composure and leads by example. She is “quiet and to the point. She gets the job done,” Speer said.

According to Speer, the team’s biggest weakness is losing confidence. Nevertheless, their impressive record of 22-4 allows the girls to hold their heads high. Speer hat’s better than one talented says that although the girls have the right to be confident freshman volleyball recruit in their record so far, it does not guarantee an NWAACC joining a team in the runtitle and they work on their skills everyday. When facing ning for an NWAACC chammistakes, Speer said, “I want to see us respond with our pionship? Two, of course – the heads up and not get down.”

Belshe twins.

So far the team has spent the season working on that.

Roseburg twins Demi, Demi points out that they are coming together on the a 5-foot-10 middle blocker, court and focused on staying constructive, rather than and her twin sister Devan, a the “lapses” in their play. De5-foot-8 van said that one of the team’s outside goals is to have a “good mental hitter, joined the Saints this season. perspective.” “We don’t play They’re not the first Belshes to down to another team’s level,” attend Mt. Hood and play volleyball.

Demi added.

They’ve followed in the footsteps Individually, both girls have of their older sister, Brittney, who areas they are working to implayed during the 2005-06 season prove. Serious weight training for assistant coach Chelsie Freeis new to them. Despite this, man (now Chelsie Speer), the curthey are embracing the dedirent head volleyball coach. Speer cated atmosphere and workoften experiences “deja vu” because ing on getting stronger. Demi of the similarities between Devan plans to improve on her vertiand Brittney. Speer has known the cal jump and Devan is working Belshe family for a long time. She’s on a stronger block and “learnwatched the girls grow up and deing all I can about the game,” velop into young women with a great she said. work ethic brought on by their abilPlans to continue playing ity to “push each other without takvolleyball are evident in both of ing it personally,” said Speer. their lives. Demi plans to coach The transition from high school one day and both women are to college has been relatively easy eager to move to the next level. for the two. However, living with For now, they are just working one another certainly lessens the on improving their skills and homesickness factor after leaving enjoying the team. Demi said the nest. The twins are also room they are attempting to “soak ing with Natalie Dwight, a 5-foot-8 everything in while we can.” outside hitter who, like the twins, As for their educational fuattended Roseburg High and has played with the girls since seventh Twins Devan (left) and Demi Belshe lean on one another for ture, Demi would like to attend Oregon State, Hawaii Pacific grade. Dwight was encouraged by support after a Linn-Benton match Oct. 1. or a California university to the twins to contact Speer; from follow her dream of becoming there, everything fell into place. a high school health and P.E. Both sisters earned hardware "(they) push each other instructor. during their reign at Roseburg, a Devan is taking core classes team that traditionally has success without taking it plans to attend beauty school to at the 6A level of competition. personally." become a hairdresser. She was In high school, Devan received unable to get involved with the first team all-league honors during Hood cosmetology program her junior and senior campaigns, Chelsie Speer Mt. due to the demanding volleywhile Demi was second team allvolleyball head coach ball schedule. The sport conleague her junior year, and first sumes her focus for now. She is team all-league her senior year. unsure about where she wants On top of receiving scholarships, to transfer and said, “It all depends on what opportunities Mt. Hood was overall appealing to the duo. They have come my way.” “the best team chemistry” and “they (athletics) come toThe Belshe sisters know that one day they will have gether as a family,” said Demi. Both sisters stress how to take different paths in life. The very thought saddens privileged they are to get the opportunity to play for a them as Demi said she has never been without her sister. college team, especially since it means they can stay toBoth plan to pursue volleyball for as long as they can. Degether. van summed it up for both of them when she said, “I love Among the perks of having someone there who always volleyball. It’s never going to be out of my life.” has your back, Devan explained how it’s “normal” and also “annoying” to always be compared to one another.

Contrary to Devan’s pet peeve, Speer pointed out how different the girls are, especially in their style of play.

Speer describes Demi’s strengths as being passionate and outgoing, which helps to lift the team’s spirits. “She

W

8 LIVING ARTS

OCTOBER 8, 2010

A drummer among vocalists Taryn Zickefoose started playing drums in fourth grade and is entering her third year as the beat behind Mt Hood's vocal jazz group Genesis Genesis drummer Taryn Zickefoose rehearses in the performing arts center on Wednesday.

By Jessica Winters The Advocate

As the sounds of numerous instruments and voices spill from the classrooms of the Performing Arts Department, Taryn Zickefoose makes her way down the hall, softly singing a vocal warm-up as she approaches Room 2138 to set up her drums.

Zickefoose is the drummer for Genesis, MHCC’s vocal jazz ensemble. Genesis has won numerous awards through the years performing at many jazz festivals and conventions.

“This year we are going to New Orleans, which will be fun. We are going in January, so we have been getting ready for that,” Zickefoose said.

“We’ve been working really hard.” They started practicing Sept. 7, two weeks prior to the start of fall term classes. They practice five days a week for two hours per day.

REVIEW: Autumn Sky The MHCC planetarium lights up the first Monday of each month

Photo by Devin Courtright/The Advocate

Hailing from Edmonds, Wash., Zickefoose started playing the drums when she was in fourth grade. “This will be my 12th year,” she said. This is the start of her third year playing for Genesis.

Two years ago she heard that Genesis had a spot open for a drummer. She auditioned and joined the ensemble. She then moved to Oregon to become a student at MHCC. Zickefoose said, “I am getting my general studies with music emphasis, and then I am going to do pre-med. Totally switching, but I like two areas.”

Though she may intend to switch fields of study, she doesn’t plan on leaving music behind. “I’ll probably keep playing for fun and playing for church,” she said.

Zickefoose has a few students to whom she gives drum lessons. “I teach,” she said. At this point, she gives lessons at MHCC.

By Jessica Peterman The Advocate “Wonders of the Autumn Sky” displayed Monday what is seen in our galaxy this time of year in a virtual walk through at the MHCC planetarium.

The planetarium just looks like a classroom, with auditorium style seating for 70 people.

But as the viewers look up, they observe a high spherical ceiling. This vaulted ceiling is used to emulate the sky by projecting stars, planets, and galaxies realistically for the audience.

She enjoys classic jazz, vocal music and Ella Fitzgerald. Of her biggest musical influences, she said, “I really like Jeff Hamilton. He is probably my favorite.” Hamilton is an American jazz drummer who has played with many famous musical figures in jazz. He also co-formed the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and plays in the Jeff Hamilton Trio.

Besides playing the drums, Zickefoose also plays the piano, sings, and is teaching herself how to play the guitar. She likes to travel and go on road trips, especially back to her hometown of Edmonds to see family and friends. She also volunteers at Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital.

“I like to read. I am really involved at church,” she said. Zickefoose goes to Solid Rock, a rapidly growing church in Portland, where she often plays the drums for musical worship.

Pat Hanrahan, the planetarium director and astronomy instructor at MHCC, shows spectators the constellations of the night sky. He displays upclose pictures of planets, some of which he took from his own telescope.

Hanrahan also includes many facts and stories related to astronomy to get your mind wandering; he also encourages questions. The show is intimate and interactive; the audience can ask questions whenever the need arises.

Asked whom the shows are geared toward, Hanrahan replied, “We try to have it so (the

shows) cover all age groups.

You’ll notice when I talk about the stars I use very general terms so everyone can understand.”

Many fifth-grade classes take field trips to the planetarium to get energized about studying astronomy. “There are people that come in here that have fond memories of coming here when they were little,” Hanrahan said.

There is a different show playing at the beginning of each month. Next month’s show is about the lifetime of a star. Admission is free for all students and $2 for non-students.

LIVING ARTS 9

OCTOBER 8, 2010

Photos by Mario Rubio/The Advocate

Of flocks

Southern Oregon artist depicts nature in the Fireside Gallery

By Kylie Rogers

“

The Advocate

Of Flocks & Solitude,” a collection of paintings by Oregon native S.L. Donaldson, is on display at the Fireside Gallery in the College Center through Oct. 28.

Stephanie Donaldson, who signs her work as S.L. Donaldson, hails from Coquille, located approximately five hours southwest of MHCC. Donaldson contributed to several group exhibits throughout this year.

Her newest solo exhibit was mostly inspired from a book called, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach.

“I had been working on some paintings for a local art show featuring coastal birds and as I began one of the gull paintings the book came to mind. I hadn’t read it in a long time and was struck by its metaphorical significance,” said Donaldson via email.

This is only the second time she’s shown her work in the Portland metro area.

“Compared to the Southern Oregon Coast, the venues tend to be larger, frequented by a greater number of people, and more accepting of cutting-edge, experimental art,” she said.

“This is a full-time career. I am quite realistic about being an artist; very few artists ever end up being the next Cezanne or Picasso, but I would

like to create art that is shared, appreciated, and provokes thought and discussion,” she said.

The pieces on display at the Fireside Gallery were based from a group of paintings originally picked to submit to MHCC as part of the application process.

“I built upon the core group by adding paintings that reflected a similar style and were still true to the direction of the show,” said Donaldson.

As well as working with acrylic and ink, Donaldson also works with watercolor, pastels and pencil.

“As an artist, you hope that the work resonates with the audience.

By nature, we are fickle about what appeals to us, but I also know what it is like to be looking at a painting and have it absolutely captivate you,” Donaldson said.

10 LIVING ARTS

OCTOBER 8, 2010

Hailing from Wales, writers ignite creativity Award-winning novelists visit MHCC campus

By John Tkebuchava The Advocate

Niall Griffiths, one of two Welsh writers to speak Wednesday on the MHCC campus, said a highlight of his work is seeing his work published. “Acceptance is so exciting,” said Griffiths.

Griffiths and Chris Keil spoke in the Town and Gown Room Wednesday. Keil was third to take the stage after two short introductions by author Ceri Shaw and MHCC’s English instructor Jonathon Morrow, who are also natives of Wales.

Keil talked about his second novel, “Liminal,” which tells the tale of an archeologist in search of his son who disappears when traveling abroad to Greece.

As Keil read an excerpt from his book, his knack with the English language became increasingly apparent as he described in beautiful detail the landscapes and hubbub of Corinth, Greece.

Award-winning novelist Griffiths took the podium to talk of his sixth book, “Runt.”

It’s an at times chaotic story that paints the portrait of a troubled teen who, accompanied by a broken speech

and “spiritual” visions, endures the violence and grief that surrounds him.

Griffiths, who spoke in the likeness of the protagonist to capture his character, read speedily through the piece, displaying his ability to create and immerse the audience into the depths of his unique and intense characters.

After the readings, the audience was invited to ask questions and offer any thoughts they had for the authors.

Asked about influences, Griffiths (despite “never having any books in the house”) graciously mentioned his grandparents and “second wave” punk as key influences.

Keil also mentioned both music and film as Niall Griffiths significant influences for his works.

Asked what elements from their homeland they incorporate into their works, Griffiths remarked with a chuckle, “The gloominess, the depression and the misery.”

Keil and Griffiths, as well as other well-known writers, will participate in various Wordstock events that run Wednesday through Sunday in Portland.

For more information, go to www.wordstockfestival.

How is Wales reflected in your work? "The gloominess, the depression and the misery."

photo by mike mata /The Advocate

From left, Chris Keil and Niall Griffiths pose outside the Town and Gown Room after telling their stories to MHCC faculty and students Wednesday.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Family owned restaurant makes good in downtown Gresham filling.

The service is great and as their sign says, “Come as guests, leave as family.”

Nicholas Restaurant, a famIt’s a reflection of their service because ily owned and operated eatery in you are treated like family: greeted downtown Gresham, is romanwith a smile from the time you enter tic, scenic, and quaint enough for the doorway until the moment you a candle lit dinner or a friendly leave. This definitely has to do with the lunch. restaurant’s atmosphere being relaxed, Lebanese food, gyros and vegan inviting and chill. You’re not rushed to food is served at this restaurant eat your food so someone else can take that’s been open since March. If your table; instead you’re welcomed to falafel is a favorite of yours, go order more food, sit and visit. there and have it covered with It’s clean, convenient and cultural tzatziki as an appetizer. from top to bottom. The restaurant may The food is decorated and prebe small but the decoration and creativsented in a manner that doesn’t photo by jon fuccillo/The Advocate deceive you. The food is just as de- Chicken shawarma sandwich plate fresh out of ity of the inside causes people passing by to walk in and see what it has to oflicious as it looks. What you see is the kitchen. fer. what you get.

Try Nicholas’ — it’s a great way to surprise your A great way to try this authentic type of food for the first time is to just go there and try it. There’s nothing tastebuds with something out of their comfort zone.

The chain of establishments have been around since to lose, but everything to gain when it comes to getting June,1986 by Nicholas and Linda Dibe with one located your moneys’ worth.

Students watching their wallet empty every day in downtown Gresham on 323 N Main Ave. Also located from eating out for lunch should try Lebanese cheese in Portland on 3223 NE Broadway as well as 318 SE pizza for $5. It is 100 percent mozzarella cheese baked Grand Ave. All three locations are open Monday–Saturon dough and layered with sesame seeds, and it’s really day 11 a.m.–9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

By Anevay Torrez The Advocate

photo by Anevay Torrez/The Advocate

Nicholas Restaurant is located in downtown Gresham.

NEWS 11 MHCC offers online tutoring to accommodate students OCTOBER 8, 2010

Ease of access expected to help those who may not be able to go to Learning Success Center on campus Shelby Schwartz The Advocate

The MHCC Learning Success Center has evolved with online tutoring, joining more than 30 Oregon and Washington colleges.

Lance Lannigan Lab coordinator and technology skills specialist said, “We are really excited because we don’t offer tutoring on the weekends, we have lots of drop-in tutoring, but there are specific tutors that are only there on certain days,” Students can access the online tutoring website, titled Northwest ETutoring, from any computer at any time, though the tutoring website does have specific times when tutors are available.

To access the website: first go to the Mt. Hood website, then find ‘Quicklinks’, once you find that scroll down to ‘online tutoring’ this will take you to Mt. hood’s page for NW eTutoring.

The first time you visit you’ll be required to use your student ID for the login and password. Once you login you will be required to change your password.

According to Lannigan, the eTutoring offers another level of tutoring, with more options. It also offers subjects online that aren’t available in the Learning success center.

The tutoring site offers three different types of tutoring, the online writing lab, Live tutoring and offline questions.

“The online writing lab is one of the main features of the site,” Lannigan said.

In the online writing lab students fill out a form telling about the assignment and attach their writing assignment through a message on the website.

When tutors log on, they take a file from the top of the list to make edits and give the student help. Students should get a response in 24 to 48 hours.

The live tutoring is chatting back and forth through messages on the site, like an instant message. When no tutors are available, or a specific tutor is not online, students can leave a specific offline questions and get a response within 48 hours.

“There are some subjects we don’t offer in the Learning Success Center or certain tutors are busy when students need help, so this is a great option where someone can go online and connect with a tutor,” Lannigan said.

Some subjects the site offers that the Learning Success Center does not are Medical Coding and Web development.

“Anybody can do this (online tutoring) from home, but if they have questions they can come in the lab and I can walk them through it if it’s their first time using the program,” said Lannigan.

The Learning Success Center is located in the upper level of the library.

They offer many tutoring subjects and also have a lab where students can receive help on assignments, or work on computers. The hours are Mon – Thurs 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. The center is not open on weekends.

Seminars available to students for extra help with classes

By Yuca Kosugi The Advocate

The Career Planning and Counseling Center (CPCC) and Learning for Success Center are joining forces to offer Student Success Seminars throughout the school year.

“The point of these seminars is to help students reduce their stress,” said Larry Gilius, Learning Success coordinator.

There are more than 40 seminars scheduled fall quarter, and the seminars vary from time management to career building skills.

Both career-based seminars and education-based seminars are offered.

Each session is 50 minutes long and is conducted at various times and places, by either staff from the Career Planning & Success Center or the Learning for Success Center. The seminars are informal and

people can drop in without prior arrangements.

“We try to make them bite-size,” said Malcolm McCord, CPCC counselor. “Students who can go out and find all the resources are the ones that are more successful,” said McCord.

Although these seminars are attended mostly by MHCC students, community members can also join the sessions.

“We highly encourage every student to try one of these seminars,” said Gilius, “I think most people who come usually come again.”

One seminar Gilius mentioned is the “Yes, You Can Do Math” open house, which takes place on Wednesday from 12:10 p.m. to 1 p.m. in AC 3300.

The entire tutor center (above the library) will be closed for the event. Free refreshments will be available.

Toward the end of the quarter, many seminars

are offered, such as “Understanding Test Anxiety” and “How to Succeed on Tests” (which usually get swamped by students who are gearing up for finals, McCord said).

Students may benefit the most from the seminars on how to study better, such as “Your Learning Style,” The Key to Better Study,” “Better Test Scores With Better Study” and “Study Smarter, Not Harder”.

There are some sessions like “Succeed in College While Raising a Family” and “Coping With Depression” that students, faculty and community members may find helpful, according to McCord.

“How to Write a Resume,” “Green Careers” and “Effective Interviewing” are seminars geared to help people with job hunting.

The full list and schedule of seminars can be found at www.mhcc.edu/lsc.

Learning Success Seminars Your learning style: The key to better study Mon.

Oct. 11

12:10-1 p.m.

Better test scores with better notes Tues.

Oct. 12

4:10-5 p.m.

Yes, you can do math (open house) Weds.

Green careers Weds.

AC3313

AC2307

Oct. 13

12:10-1 p.m.

AC3300

Oct. 13

12:10-1 p.m.

AC1152

4:10-5 p.m.

1:10-2 p.m.

AC2307 AC2307

How to succeed on tests Weds.

Thurs.

Oct. 13 Oct. 14

12 THE FLIPSIDE

THE ADVOCATE

OCTOBER 8, 2010

Dont forget to register to vote!

• You must be at least 17 years old to register and 18 to vote

• You can register online • Ballots will be mailed to if you have an Oregon registered voters driver's license, permit on Oct. 15 or ID number issued by the Oregon Dept. of Motor Vehicles.

NOW - OCT 29

Baltimore artist Doug Forrest has a showcase on display in the Visual Arts Gallery celebrating his 25 years as a graffiti artist. Forrest's interest in graffiti peaked when he was young as the result of discovering skateboarding, hiphop music and movies.

Plenty of references are made in his work towards his years as an "old skool" artist using his surroundings as his canvas and needing his skateboard as an escape from the graffiti police.

Political Forum Students, staff, faculty, administrators and community members are invited to attend a political forum Monday called ‘What’s up with the Tea Party?’ hosted by political science instructor Janet Campbell.

The forum will have a short overview and history of the movement and the rest of the time will be spent in open discussion with questions and answers. The event is 4 to 5 p.m. in Room 1005. To contact Campbell, call 503-491-7430.

Day Forecast

Look forward to more election updates and news in our next issue

Saturday Showers 60o F Sunday Showers 58o F Monday Sunny 61o F Tuesday Partly Cloudy 62o F Wednesday Partly Cloudy 59o F

Forensics starts season strong

• Oct. 12 is the registration deadline for first time Oregon registrants for the Nov. 2 General Election.

7

The MHCC forensics team won awards Monday in both of their debate categories at the Greater Portland Parliamentary League Tournament in Longview, Wash.

The categories were National Parliamentary Debate Association and International Public Debate Association and MHCC won a number of speaker awards.

In Open NPDA Debate, Jeff Lewis and Zach Nicholas won the title. In Open IPDA Debate, Rob Sepich earned the title; also competing were Ryan Rhodes, Dalton Hellman and Kevin Craig.

For speaker awards, Lewis took the gold as top speaker in NPDA Debate and in IPDA Debate. Sepich was first, Hellman 2nd, Rhodes was 5th, Craig was 8th and Jordan Bradford took 10th place.

www.advo

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ONLINE

cate-onl

ine.com

Get a taste of Gresham's Lebanese restaurant Page 10