The Advocate - January 29, 2010, Issue 15

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SAB hosts rare 'country night' in Vista Wednesday

dvocate Mt. Hood Community College Gresham, Oregon

News p. 6

www.advocate-online.net

JANUARY 29, 2010

Volume 45, Issue 15

Astronomy Domine MHCC’s 27-year astronomy instructor and planetarium director is calling it quits, but his journey has just begun.

Page 5 College budget still in trouble despite passage of tax measures Brett Stanley The Advocate

Although two Oregon tax measures were approved this week by state voters, MHCC’s budget is still not out of the woods.

The success of Ballot Measures 66 and 67 does not bring any new money to MHCC — these were funds already allocated by the Legislature in the 2009 session — athough it does provide more stability for the college budget, according to JoAnn Zahn, vice president of finance and administrative services.

“It doesn’t have any impact as far as additional money,” said Zahn.

“What we adopted the budget at was $23 million; we’re actually receiving slightly less than that.

“It allows for some stability with what we’ve already been allocated (from the state budget),” said Zahn.

Had measures 66 and 67 failed, the department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development had projected cuts of $1.2 million to $2.8 million from this year’s budget and $925,386 to $1.8 million from the 2010-11 school year.

Both measures were approved statewide by a 54-46 margin. More than 70 percent of Multnomah County voters were in favor of the two tax increases. Measure 66 increases taxes on households earning more than $250,000 and Measure 67 increase taxes on corporations. (Let’s update these figures Thrusday afternoon.)

More cuts to the MHCC budget are already in the works. In an all staff e-mail sent Wednesday by college President John Sygielski, new measures will be proposed to the MHCC District board to balance

MHCC’s budget, including “modest” course fee increases and by adding “some or all” of the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) reserve, totaling $1.3 million, to the general fund.

Sygielski said no tuition increases are planned or proposed for spring term.

“The college has taken measures to bring expenditures in line with actual revenues, including immediate strategic one-time expense reductions of approximately $1 million,” Sygielski said in the e-mail.

“At this time, immediate cuts are designed JoAnn Zahn to minimize the impact to students (no recommended tuition increases for spring) and employees (no across the board reductions, layoffs, etc.),” said Sygielski “In order to meet current year goals, we will be recommending that some or all of the PERS reserve ($1,328,000) be transferred to the general fund to serve as operating revenue and operating reserve. This onetime allocation may be replenished in the 2010-11 budget cycle,” said Sygielski.

A special board meeting to discuss financial strategy had been scheduled for Thursday night, but was cancelled due to passage of the ballot measures, and because a quorum could not be reached, according to June Jacobs, (put her title here). The regular monthly board meeting is still planned for Feb. 10.

Genesis to perform at Visual Arts Theater Tuesday night

Saints out-rebounded, outscored in last of three road games Sports p. 3

ASG selects replacements for open positions News p. 6

What this means - You will pay no additional taxes if you make less than $125,000 a year individually or less than $250,000 a year jointly.

- If your individual income is, for example, $130,000 a year, you would pay an additional $90.

- Businesses will pay a minimum tax of $150 a year, depending upon income of the corporation, business, or partnership.

- Raises $255 million for health care, education and public services budget.

Tax information used from tax calculator on oregonlive.com

Index

Music p. 4

Brothers in arms: Jazz becomes the family sound Music p. 4

Opinion

p. 2

Sports

p. 3

Music

p. 4

A&E

p. 5

News

p. 6-7

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OPINION

The Advocate

Editorial

MHCC follows Congress’s path While the recession has put MHCC in a tough financial situation, the college is taking a page out of Congress’s playbook and borrowing from the future.

Although Measures 66 and 67 have passed, helping the college avoid cutting even more from an already slim budget, MHCC President John Sygielski said in an e-mail Wednesday morning his cabinet would be “recommending that some or all of the PERS reserve ($1,328,000) be transferred to the general fund to serve as operating revenue and operating reserve.” In essence, the college would be borrowing from the future to balance the budget today.

This is a bad idea on many levels. First and foremost, PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) operates as an employer lump-sum and contingency reserve for the college. Sygielski, in the e-mail, said, “This onetime allocation may be replenished in the 2010-2011 budget cycle.” But there is no guarantee the economic climate or state of the school will be better next year. What is the likelihood that “next year” becomes “in two years” or “by 2015, we hope to replenish the PERS reserve”?

Perhaps a scarier thought is what the college would be scrambling to do right now if Measures 66 & 67 had not passed.

There has been no mention of layoffs or tuition increases to help make up additional funds, but starting spring term, “modest” course fees and “other” fee increases have been proposed.

This is being done to mask the negative-sounding nature of a tuition increase, but it’s really doing the same thing – increasing the cost of college.

Much like the federal budget deficit, there appears to be no way out of the problems that the college faces without cutting spending and increasing costs to the students. But borrowing from the future is a dangerous idea when the view of the horizon is unclear, and no sunshine can be seen through the clouds.

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Sanne Godfrey Editor-in-Chief Ron J. Rambo Jr. Executive Editor, Design Jake Fray Sports Editor Brett Stanley Photo Editor Chelsea Van Baalen A&E, Web Editor M. Michael Rose Music Editor Advertising Manager

JANUARY 29, 2010

Sexting corrupts no matter how old you are Jen Ashenberner The Advocate

For those who don’t know, sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit text messages or images via cell phone.

People of all ages do it without thinking twice about the consequences of pressing the send button. It’s so easy to convince yourself that you and the person you’re sending the message to are the only ones that will see the message.

In reality, once you send it, it’s out there and you can’t take it back no matter how much you scream, cry, or beat your phone against the wall.

There are examples everywhere. Oregon has an existing law for involving minors and teens are being prosecuted in states such as Indiana and Pennsylvania. According to some psychologists, some teens are using it as a method of abstinence.

Then there are the adults who engage in sexting, like our local Trailblazer Greg Oden. I’m not going to go into too much detail or berate him for what he did. However, he is a great example to prove to people (if after all of the articles about sexting they still aren’t convinced) that with one click of the send button you could end up the butt of a really bad joke. He made what was more than likely a snap decision, which

turned out to be a very bad decision personally and professionally.

What I don’t understand is why the government isn’t doing more to prevent sexting? The only law I could find in Oregon is based on the premise that a minor is involved.

Let’s say Oden’s “girl-toy” forwarded the nude photo of him to her three girlfriends and one of their teenage kids forwarded it to 50 of their friends. Who get’s prosecuted?

Oden? His “girl-toy?”

The teenager? All of them?

And so what if it doesn’t get into the hands of children?

What about all of the people who didn’t ask to see it in the first place? Aren’t they victims in a sense?

I understand what the law is intended to do: protect our kids.

I also understand the First Amendment and that this is probably covered under all of America’s freedoms.

But those freedoms are in place to protect

people from harm.

You can’t stop a message from being received. Unless a phone number is blocked or your messaging feature is turned off, anyone can send you a message. Maybe the person on the other end doesn’t want to see you naked.

Oden should be prosecuted even if it hasn’t been seen by children, just as any other adult who takes part in sexting should be prosecuted. The simple fact of it is that it could end up in the hands of kids.

I equate receiving an unwanted picture or message to harassment or at the very least indecent exposure. Those are both criminal offenses punishable by law. Sexting could be categorized as either of them.

Without regulation, as with porn, sexting should be against the law. The people who are using modern technology for this lewd act are just proving that the world wasn’t ready for such technology.

They are acting irresponsible and just like a child should be punished.

Eye on Nature

Change is a constant in ecology and life

By Wally Shriner MHCC biology instructor

With the weight of global tragedies and local politics on my mind, everything I see or think about takes on a new hue and meaning. In my Ecology of the Tropics course, a discussion of ecological succession becomes a timely and sensitive one with my students from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The text’s description of fires, volcanoes, and hurricanes as “ ecosystem change agents” strikes a hollow chord of euphemism. My once abstract statement that “destruction of one habitat and the death of resident individuals creates opportunities for others” suddenly is loaded with unintended significance. The application of the biological lesson to recent events is not lost on the class.

Yet as I look out onto the classroom I see that these students, like most of our students, are eager change agents themselves. They are

Corrections In the article “Computer lab hours cut; Saturdays eliminated” in the Jan. 22 issue of The Advocate, a comment from Becky Gish, technology services coordinator, was taken out of context. The Advocate story indicated that 11 lab monitors who lost their jobs due to budget cuts were let go for issues related to poor performance, attendance or poor grades. That was not universally the case.

Gish said this week: “I’m very concerned about the damage that could occur because a statement I made was taken out of context in your story about the reduction of hours in the computer labs. Your reporter asked me, “When students are hired, do they assume they’ll have a job for the rest of the year?” and I answered, “Yes, that’s the way it’s usually worked in the past, unless they do something wrong Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030 www.advocate-online.net

Jen Ashenberner Reporter Ollie Barker Reporter Ben Brady Reporter Nicholas Buell Reporter Richard Chauvet Reporter Devin Courtright Reporter Jon Fuccillo Reporter Riley Hinds Reporter L. John King Reporter Thelma M. Lucas Reporter Mario Rubio Reporter Corin Salnavé Reporter Reed Shackelford Reporter Jordan Tichenor Reporter

as resilient as the ecosystems we are discussing--ready to play a role in regeneration--like the seeds lying dormant in the soil of a newly burned forest, the roots and shoots left behind after volcanic lahars and pyroclastic flows, or the fruits in adjacent habitats tempting animal dispersers.

In ecological systems, as in socio-political ones, change is the only constant. The falling of a forest giant is as inevitable as it is necessary for the life of the seedling, striving for a taste of sun.

Small consolation, perhaps, for individuals impacted by small and large events, but a natural truth nonetheless. In the deep of winter, when cold rain mixes with tragedy, signs that life continues on are always welcome. And strength gained from the knowledge that we and our world are resilient can sooth us.

Wally Shriner has been an MHCC instructor since 1999 and writes a column each month on our connection to nature. like poor performance, attendance issues, or they aren’t good with students.” I NEVER said that was the reason these students lost their jobs this time, as the story states. I had some excellent student workers who I just didn’t have hours for and will be more than happy to hire again when I can, but unfortunately, your readership will have the impression they were all unsatisfactory workers, not to mention the embarrassment, dejection, and anger felt by the workers themselves.”

The Advocate regrets the error.

In the Jan. 22 issue of the Advocate, there was an error in the article titled “Finance Council submits budget for Senate approval.”

The proposed budget does include a 50-cents per credit increase in student fees. The Advocate regrets the error.

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

Adviser

Bob Watkins Assistant Adviser

Dan Ernst

Submissions The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication. All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission.

Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board.

The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length.

Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@ mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print.

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

SPORTS

JANUARY 29, 2010

The Advocate 3

Saints fall short to Titans but beat Umpqua, SWOCC Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

The Saints men’s basketball team ended their three-game road trip 2-1, with victories over Umpqua and Southwestern Oregon before dropping their game against Lane Wednesday night in Eugene.

The Saints are now in third place in the Southern Region (4-2 in conference, 12-4 overall).

Head Coach Geoff Gibor took blame for the 82-76 loss against the Lane Community College Titans.

“I’ll take the heat on that one,” Gibor said. “We didn’t go real hard on Monday and Tuesday (in practice). That turned out to be a mistake. I was concerned even before we played the game. I knew that Lane was a much better team than their record.”

After posting a 39-37 halftime lead, the Saints ran out of gas in the second half and were outscored by eight points. The Titans converted 27 of 36 shots (75 percent) from the free throw stripe, more than double of the Saints’ 13 of 15 (87 percent) from the line.

“They made more (free throws) than we shot,” said Gibor. “They shot twice as many free throws than us. That can’t happen. That’s a cardinal rule.”

The Saints were out-rebounded 47 to 28. Gibor thought his team’s defense and ability to not rebound the ball was the factor in the loss.

“We could have won the game pretty easily,” said Gibor. “Getting out-rebounded is a big pet peeve of mine. I preach defense and rebounds every single game.”

The Saints were without sophomore forward Jeremy Jones, who twisted his ankle in the previous game. In 15 games, Jones is averaging 13.2 points and 5.3 rebounds.

“Missing Jeremy obviously hurts,” said Gibor. “But guys have

Photo by Brett Stanley/ The Advocate

Freshman forward Dustin Jones goes up for a lay-up earlier in the year at home against Chemeketa Community College. Jones has been averaging 4.31 points per game and one assisst per game for the Saints.

to step up. That didn’t happen in the Lane game.”

Sophomore point guard Earl Jones led the Saints with 20 points and seven assists in the loss. Three other Saints ended the game in double figures: Jamar Johnson 16,

Chris Weitzel 14 and Garrett Strasburg 10.

“We needed to get the ball into Weitzel’s hands,” said Gibor. “He needed more touches. He’s down there (in the post) working hard, working hard and working hard.

Eventually he’s not going to work so hard if he’s not getting the ball.

We just need to get the ball to him more often. He’s shooting so well from the field (51 percent).”

The Titans were led on offense by sophomore Dominique Watson,

a Las Vegas native who finished with a game-high 32 points and nine rebounds, including 11 of 21 from the field and 10 of 14 from the stripe.

“Watson is a phenomenal player,” said Gibor. “This was a wakeup call for our team. I look at it as a blessing in disguise. We just need to refocus and put an emphasis on doing what we do.”

On Saturday, the Saints edged the South Western Community College Lakers 80-77 in Coos Bay in what Gibor calls a hostile environment because of the home crowd factor. Jeremy Jones (19 points on 8 of 16 from the field) and Earl Jones (18 points on 7 of 12 from the field) led the way on offense.

In Friday night’s action, the Saints defeated the Umpqua Riverhawks in Roseburg 88-81. The Saints shot a season’s best 67 percent from the field, 32 of 50, and a season’s worst 15 percent from behind the arc (3 of 16).

Weitzel ended the contest with a double-double, including a gamehigh 17 points and 12 rebounds in the winning effort.

Jeremy Jones and Earl Jones each scored 14 points while Nate Gepford and Garrett Strasburg piled on 10 points apiece.

The Saints will host Linn-Benton Saturday in a 6 p.m. game. The Roadrunners are in first place in the Southern Region with a half-game lead over Clackamas Community College (5-1 record in conference and 10-7 overall). The Roadrunners are led by freshman guard Taylor Roos, who averages 16.8 points per game.

Gibor said Jeremy Jones could rejoin the team as soon as Saturday against the Linn-Benton. It will be a gametime decision, as Gibor said he wants to wait until his ankle has healed and is ready to go at game speed again.

Women struggle at Lane, sit fourth in Southern Region Sanne Godfrey The Advocate

The Lady Saints basketball team won once and lost twice in three road games over the past week, dropping games to Lane and Umpqua but notching a win over SWOCC. Wednesday night’s game against Lane Community College in Eugene ended in a 71-59 loss for

the Saints, despite being tied 31-31 at halftime. The Saints managed to only score 28 points in the second half while the Titans poured in 40 points to seal the victory.

“It was a little disappointing for us,” said Head Coach Larry Davis. “We started the game with six straight turnovers, which is not like us. We could have easily opened the game up 14-0 if we didn’t have

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all of those turnovers.”

Towards the end of the game, Davis said his team was right there and could have won if not for missed free throws and rebounds.

“We missed two big rebounds which they converted into threepointers, and we were 9 of 16 from the foul line so we could have won.”

Freshman forward Lauren Codling was the high scorer for the Saints with 16 points, followed by sophomore guard Brooklyn Bahme, who scored 15 points, including three of her five 3-point attempts.

The Saints shot 27.78 percent from three-point range, compared to 22.73 percent for the Titans, but the crucial difference came from the free throw line. The Saints went to the line 18 times and scored 10 of those, while the Titans scored 34 of their 43 from the stripe.

MHCC is in fourth place in the Southern Region, behind Lane, Clackamas and Umpqua. The Lady Saints are 3-3 in the region and 11-7 overall.

Lane is undefeated in the region and has a record of 17-1 overall. The Titans were recently featured on foxsports.com for their 71-game home winning streak, the nation’s longest active winning streak.

MHCC decisively beat SWOCC 73-44 Saturday in Coos Bay. The Saints were up 42-17 during halftime, but the Lakers did not give up in the second half.

The Saints scored 39 point off turnovers during the game and

the Lakers stepped up to the free throw line just twice more than the Saints.

Bahme and sophomore guard Brittney Yates were the high scorers for the Saints with 14 points each.

“We have a unique ability to shut teams down,” said Davis. “We hold opponents under their season averages and we are a defensive-oriented team. We expect to win.”

In the game Friday against the Umpqua Riverhawks, sophomore point guard Shawnelle Campbell was the game’s top scorer with 21 points, but it was not enough to beat the number three-ranked team in the Southern Region. The Saints lost 71-65.

The Saints trailed 35-30 at the half. They shot 41 percent from the field for the game, compared to 30 percent for the Riverhawks but that wasn’t enough for the win.

The Riverhawks had four players in double figures. For the Saints, in addition to Campbell, Codling scored 16 while Katie Smith added 11.

The Lady Saints will be at home Saturday at 4 p.m. against Linn-Benton. The Roadrunners are in seventh place in the Southern Region with a 1-5 record (3-13 overall). The Saints met Linn-Benton in the Skagit Valley Crossover Tournament Dec. 20

and won 61-46.

“We have been working hard.

We are the hardest-working team in the NWAACCs and if we play our game, we will be fine,” said Davis.

Brittney Yates Sophomore Guard

MUSIC

4 The Advocate previews

New music releases for Tuesday

january 29, 2010

Brothers find common ground in MHCC Jazz Band Different goals, same love of music Devin Courtright The Advocate

Rob Zombie Hellbilly Deluxe II Rob Zombie is trying to get back to his horror-metal roots with his long- awaited followup to his debut solo album “Hellbilly Deluxe.” Having met mixed reviews with his 2008 album “Educated Horses,” Zombie hopes to recapture the heavy, horror-themed style he is so well known for. He has also stated that this may be his last physical album release, noting the popularity of the digital format, specifically iTunes.

Chris Meyer and JJ Meyer may end up going different directions in their lives but what they both have in common, besides being brothers, is their love for jazz.

The brothers are part of the MHCC Jazz Band, directed by Susie Jones, and soon will be heading to perform in Taiwan Feb. 17-23. It will be Chris’s first time performing in Taiwan and the second time for JJ. JJ has been playing trombone in the Jazz Band for a year, while his younger brother Chris joined the band this school year, playing tenor saxophone. JJ said Chris worked hard to get in the band but is not pursuing music as a career.

Chris said, “I was actually planning on doing it (joining the Jazz Band). I did band all the way through high school. Music is his kind of thing while I kind of do it for fun. He’s the one who wants to pursue it.”

The Meyer brothers were both born in Portland. JJ, who’s major is music, is 20 and Chris, majoring in general studies, is 18. They started getting into music and playing musical instruments at a young age, playing in their school bands in both elementary and high school.

JJ said, “I started in fifth grade, all the way through high school. I liked music and I just wanted to be in band. I didn’t start getting serious about it until probably late freshman/early sophomore year. That was when I started building a deep passion for it. I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life and ever since then I knew that’s what I want to do.”

Asked if playing music at a young age was difficult, JJ said, “When you start in 5th grade, you don’t have that many concerts; you just kind of get warmed up and by the time you’re in middle school and high school, you start having more concerts.

Midlake The Courage of Others Indie rockers hailing from Denton, Texas, Midlake derive their inspiration from a diverse selection of artists such as Bjork, Radiohead, Jethro Tull and Grandaddy. With each of their albums progressing further into the experimental, “The Courage Of Others,” their third studio album, will undoubtedly hold a few pleasant surprises for fans.

Photo by Devin Courtright/The Advocate

JJ Meyer (center) plays trombone alongside fellow band mates in the MHCC Jazz Band

Genesis to perform Feb. 2 Mario Rubio The Advocate

Genesis, in its 42nd year, will perform Tuesday in the Vocal Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Visual Arts Theater.

MHCC’s vocal jazz ensemble will perform familiar songs and showcase some new material. Also performing will be the vocal jazz bands from West Salem High School in Salem and Prairie High School in Vancouver.

General admission is $5; MHCC students get in for $3.

Photo by Devin Courtright/The Advocate

Chris Meyer (center-right) plays tenor-sax with the MHCC Jazz Band.

“It’s nerve racking at first but it’s one of those things where the more you do it, the less nervous you are. I’d rather play in front of people than try public speaking,” said JJ. “Unlike him (Chris), I’m a music major and I want to be a school band director,” said JJ. Chris said, “We both went through the same thing really. I started in fifth grade, we both played (in the) lead-top band in our high school; and our high school had a really good jazz program,” said Chris.

Jennifer Muller, the band director at David Douglas High School, inspired the Meyer brothers to take music to the next level. The band director especially struck a chord with JJ. “The band director was just amazing. That’s what probably inspired us both,” said JJ. “She’s the real reason I want to do it (be a band director). She’s able to push you so hard but still make it always be fun. It was great, it was a blast,” said JJ. As for other musical inspirations, Chris cites bandleaders John Coltrane Buddy Rich, and Gordon Goodwin. Other than that, Chris is into the overall big band sound. For the most part, he doesn’t idolize any one particular musician.

JJ, on the other hand, is more inspired by individual musicians, including trombone players such as local musician and teacher Jeff Uusitalo and famous trombonist J.J. Johnson.

“People say I have a good trombone name,” says JJ. “He (J.J. Johnson) really revolutionized how to play jazz trombone. He was like Charlie Parker but on trombone.”

Both JJ and Chris agree that playing live in front of a crowd is much more exciting than recording music.

“I like playing live more. It’s more energy, adrenalin. In recording you play a little piece, pick it apart, play a little piece, pick it apart,” said JJ. Chris added, “Recording is more just a rehearsal really. I’ve never done it before but that’s kind of the environment.”

JJ said, “It’s a much more rehearsal environment and it’s a recording, so you don’t have the audience to feed off of. It’s a lot more fun (playing) live.”

Asked how many instruments he’s played in his life, Chris said, “I started on clarinet in the fifth grade because my mom had a clarinet and it was a nice one — and I liked it. And then for jazz, I played alto saxophone because I wanted to play in the MHCC Jazz Band. This year is my first year playing tenor (saxophone),” said Chris.

In contrast, JJ has committed to playing the trombone for about 10 years and when asked if he would ever change instruments, he said, “I don’t think so. I’m pretty stuck on it. I like it a lot, it’s cool. I think it’s my one and only.”

Editors third album, groudbreaking new sound Priestess Prior to the Fire Canadian metal band Priestess looks to surpass the breakout success they enjoyed after the release of their first album.

With advance copies of “Prior to the Fire” already receiving high marks from several music sources such as Canadian web site chartattack.com, the second Priestess album may prove to be as successful as the first.

If you are in a band, or know someone in a band, and would like to send in a CD or be considered for a feature, contact The Advocate at: 503-491-7250 or advocatt@mhcc.edu

Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

The Editors, a quartet from Birmingham, UK, released their third full-fledged album in America on Jan. 19 called “In This Light and on This Evening.”

The group went away from their traditional indie-goth/post-punk style seen in their previous two albums (“The Back Room” and “An End Has a Start”) and ditched the guitars for drum machines and synthetic tones that sound like an ’80s dance party.

The album consists of two hit singles: “You Don’t Know Love” and “Papillion.”

At times, it feels as though the group stuck to a sound similar to albums past and held back from their roots in each of the nine songs, which is true on the surface. But with that said, each song brings more and more excitement and in the end you are left thinking, “I want more of this happy, feel-good dance music.”

The album gains faster-paced beats with different electronic sounds that come together beautifully for a wholesome sound that works to their advantage. Tough music critics agree that this is the start of a new chapter for the foursome and the best sound of their

three albums.

The four members in the band met in college while studying music technology at Staffordshire University.

In the album you will see that college paid of quite well for the group, with the measure of difficulty and diverse lyrics that apply to do the everyday person dealing with struggle in their pursuit of success.

It is nice to see the band take risks after great success in their first two albums. They found themselves in an unknown territory of dark tracks that consisted of only three guitardominated songs (“You Don’t Know Love,” “The Big Exit” and “The Boxer”).

They have taken a step toward progressive indie-rock and have taken a new direction in their musical careers with a sound that touches bands such as Joy Division, Bloc Party, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Strokes, R.E.M. and other groups in that genre. It may not be completely original in its sound but at the same time these guys jumped the gun with this album and have made it quite clear that they are very talented in the music department and the way they express it.

A&E

JANUARY 29, 2010

Fabric becomes art

The Advocate 5

Cheryl L. Brown brings her quilts to the MHCC Fireplace Gallery

Thelma M. Lucas The Advocate

Mt. Hood Community College will host an exhibit by quilting artist Cheryl L. Brown, “Fabric . . . as an art form,” in the Fireplace Gallery of the College Center starting Tuesday through Feb. 25.

“There is something therapeutic about cutting a beautiful piece of fabric into tiny pieces and then sewing them back together, and I love African art the best,” Brown said. “I have approx 20 pieces to hang, depending on space.”

Nothing is for sale yet, she said. “Maybe after I go through everything, I might decide to sell something, but not right now.

“I am a ‘commissioned artist’ for the most part. If someone has an idea of what they might want, I’ll draft it out and take it from there,” said Brown.

Brown, who is from Los Angeles, learned to quilt when she was a little girl.

“I was introduced to the world of quilting many, many years ago by my grandmother. I think it is safe to say that during those times quilting was not the art form it is today,” she said.

Brown is from Los Angeles, Calif.

“In 2000, I discovered quilting as an art form. Before then, it was pretty much for bed clothes and things like that.”

The exhibit is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Brown will be on campus at the exhibit during the first day of the show.

For more information on the Fireplace Gallery, contact Pam Kuretich at 503-491-7260. Brown said people interested in her work may contact her at granchipma@ comcast.net, and her phone is 360-882-9757.

"There is something therapeutic about cutting a beautiful piece of fabric into tiny pieces and then sewing them back together."

Cheryl L. Brown

Cheryl L. Brown, quilting artist

Sky's the limit as astronomy instructor plans retirement Ron J. Rambo Jr.

and just sort of play whatever. I’d love to be able to perform at some open mics, doing some really fun, old-school blues.”

Aside from continuing to teach astronomy at MHCC and PSU, McCarty said he’d like to Doug McCarty knows it’s over – but not in the way he once foresaw it.

The MHCC astronomy instructor, who is retiring this spring after 27 years at the college, get back to teaching philosophy, which he majored in at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

“I’d love to get back into teaching at some point,” said McCarty. “It’s the said when he was younger, he always saw retirement as a worse thing than as noblest profession. So maybe I will.” he sees it now: liberating.

How McCarty ended up teach“When I was younger, I thought it’s over on some level when you retire,” ing in the first place, he said, is still McCarty said. “But this is a time when I am really excited about the future "This is a time when I something of a mystery to him.

– more so than I’ve ever been.” am really excited for McCarty said that as a young McCarty said he doesn’t have it in his genes to sit back and do nothing, boy, “I would never have believed which is something he thinks most people feel is the case when retirement is the future."

I would have been an astronomy brought up. professor. But when I was 11, I re“It’s a good feeling to be able to wake up and say, ‘Well, I don’t have to go Doug McCarty, ally started getting into it. I’ve alto work today,’ but there is so much I want to do,” said McCarty. “When I ways thought the secret of life is reannounced my decision to retire, I knew I’d have a lot of options for keeping astronomy instructor ally just ‘follow your bliss.’ I teach busy. Although I’ll be retired full-time, I’ll still be teaching through summer my lifelong hobby, so I’m really of next year (2010) as a retired faculty.” lucky to have been able to do this.

Teaching astronomy part-time at MHCC is only a small part of McCar“I was just talking to my neighbor, who’s 82 years old and just retired, ty’s future. He plans on teaching courses at Portland State University with a and he was commenting on how I used to be a really different person,” said fellow astronomy instructor, an astro-physicist.

McCarty. “I was telling him how I’m excited about the opportunity to grow “We’re going to be creating a course called astro-history, which talks spiritually, mentally, in all ways, really. I now consider retirement more of a about how the universe and everything in it has come about,” said McCarty.

Doug McCarty ‘change of course.’ Being able to go on trips with my wife to India and focus “It’s sort of a big picture overview of everything. A lot of history courses are on consciousness studies is something I’m really looking forward to as well.” very narrow.”

McCarty said he’d also like to take courses on cinema, adding that McCarty said he’s also been asked to work on a project for the Oregon Arts Commission; it will turn out being a non-narrative video, the title of which is “The MHCC has a “great instructor” for film studies.

“Jonathan Morrow is a guy I would love to take cinema classes from because he knows Intellectual Eco-System.”

“I’ve got a number of multimedia projects I’m working on,” McCarty said. “I’m doing so much that I want to know. I just want to keep learning when I’m done teaching. I’m just a project at a high school in Beaverton called Cosmic Perspective. I’ll be as busy when I’m a curious guy.”

After all is said and done, McCarty said, there will still not be much that can top staring retired as I am now, that’s for sure, and if not because of projects, because of my own hobup at the sky, as he did when he was 11. bies.”

“I’m looking forward to being able to jump into my van, drive out somewhere, stay up all One hobby McCarty said he really wants to work on is his musical interests.

“I’ve played guitar my whole life, and would like to get back to taking lessons for percus- night, and just observe the sky,” said McCarty. “That will be hard to beat, no matter where sion,” said McCarty. “I’ve got a friend that lives in the West Hills that I love to jam with my retirement takes me. I’ll always have the cosmos.”

The Advocate

6

NEWS

The Advocate

JANUARY 29, 2010

Student Activities Board hosts

hoedown Throwdown Jordan Tichenor The Advocate

People came to the Vista Dining Center Wednesday night for live country music and poker at the Hoedown Throwdown.

The event was sponsored by the Student Activities Board and put together by Kate Crabbe, receptions coordinator.

“We have never done a country night, and we saw a country band at the (National Association of Campus Activities) and got the idea for one,” said Crabbe.

The live music was provided by local country band Pristine Blue. They played country songs throughout the evening, with some people dancing throughout their set.

“They actually practice just a block away from Mt Hood,” said Crabbe.

Crabbe also asked Club 257 from the Professional Photography Program to do portraits at the event. Matthew Houck, club president, said they were asked by Crabbe to do western-themed portraits for the event.

“This type of portrait is not typical of what we do. We usually provide professional portraits, but we were asked to provide something a little more entertaining for this event,” said Houck.

The SAB paid for the first 50 photographs of the night; after that, portraits were $6 for a five-by-seven photograph.

Forty to 50 people had shown up by 6:45 p.m. and more showed up as the night went on.

Crabbe said she started coordinating the event in November.

For more information on Pristine Blue, visit their website at www.pristinebluemusic.com or www.myspace.com/ pristineblue.

Rob Ertley (right) of Pristine Blue (above) performs at Wednesday’s Hoedown Throwdown.

Below: Students play Texas Hold ‘Em. Photos by Brett Stanley/The Advocate

Associated Student Government fills four vacant positions Chelsea Van Baalen The Advocate

The Associated Student Government Senate Wednesday confirmed four new members for ASG and the Student Activities Board.

Dee Hawes will now serve as director of Student Organizations and Clubs (S.O.C.), Angela Alegretto (formerly on the Senate) is now director of state and federal affairs, Prima Zacchaeus will serve as marketing coordinator and administrative assistant, and Jedidiah Lee will replace Alegretto on Senate.

“We had about 25 applications,” said Meadow McWhorter, student events and center coordinator. “We deliberated for quite awhile.

We had several candidates who were qualified. It’s always difficult choosing four out of 25 students when you see so much potential in all of them.”

However, McWhorter said that among the candidates that were chosen there were some distinguishing traits.

“They were all team players,” McWhorter said. “One thing we look for in those interviews are people who listen.”

When it comes to personal recommendations, ASG President Bradley Best said each had traits that would make them an asset to ASG and SAB. “She just really knew how to take charge,” Best said of Alegretto.

“She had a good working relationship with OSA (Oregon Student Association).”

With Lee, Best felt he is “very outgoing, very good communicator.

He knew what the issues were on campus already.”

Best said that Zacchaeus is a good fit for her position as well.

“She’s (Zacchaeus) actually a marketing major so she was a perfect fit for the job,” Best said. He added that she is “very upbeat.”

At the senate meeting, the candidates were asked to speak before their confirmation and respond to questions posed by the Senate.

“I am passionate about reaching as many students as I can and being of help to them (as much) as I can,” Alegretto said in respond to why she wanted to be director of state and federal affairs.

Lee said he wanted to be involved in senate “because I’ve always been interested in government and I’m social.”

New Associated Student Government staff members Dee Hawes - Director of Student Organizations and clubs Angela Alegretto - Director of State and Federal Affairs Prima Zacchaeus - Marketing Coordinator and Administrative Assistant Jedidiah Lee - Replaces Alegretto in the Senate

MHCC to host College Goal Oregon Riley Hinds The Advocate

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College Goal Oregon is coming to the MHCC main campus Saturday to help students with financial aid issues, and facilitators will be in the tutoring center above the library (Room 3333) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students applying for financial aid can “bring in their income information and we help them fill out the FASFA and take them over to the computer lab and help them fill it out there online. That way, it’s done and over with,” said Jill Beller from the Financial Aid Office.

The program is meant to introduce students to the financial aid system and give them the help they may need with their FASFA paperwork.

“A lot of times, students are intimidated by the whole FASFA process, so here they have an opportu-

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nity to sit down with a financial aid person in the computer lab who will help them answer the questions as they go through the process,” said Beller.

According to the College Goal website — www. collegegoaloregon.org/faqs — students expecting to attend the session should bring a parent if possible, most recent completed federal tax return, current value of assets, Social Security number of students and parents, and their driver’s license (if they have one).

For about three and a half years, the college has been hosting College Goal Oregon through the Financial Aid office. Volunteers for the event are to be spotted in red shirts and/or hats.

From Pendleton to Medford in Oregon and across the United States, high schools, community colleges and universities are holding sessions similar to the one being held at MHCC.

Miss an issue? visit

www.advocate-online.net

NEWS

JANUARY 29, 2010

The Advocate 7

Geology presents ten-week internship opportunity 'UCORE' L. John King

Photo by Ollie Barker/The Advocate

Rick, a Red Cross nurse, takes blood from MHCC employee Graham Phillips.

Phillips said of giving blood, “I feel it’s important. Something to do on a regular basis.”

American Red Cross comes for MHCC blood Nicholas Buell The Advocate

Between 65 and 70 donors participated in a Mt. Hood Community College blood drive Tuesday and Wednesday in the College Center.

The blood drive occurs every term and donations support the American Red Cross. Participants will receive cards stating their blood type, which may come be helpful if in an accident.

The Red Cross set a goal of 64 donors for this drive. “We set up the time and date with the Red Cross and then they tell us how many they can take blood from in the given amount of time,” said Collin Miller, Seasonal Events Coordinator for the Student Activities Board. “Just like our last blood drive last term, we exceeded that [64 donors].”

People interested in giving blood can contact Student Activities Board Director Holly Corbitt at asgdsab@mhcc.edu.

aspect of geology she wanted to pursue and that the internship The Advocate The MHCC Geology depart- gave her the confidence to pursue ment held a presentation Jan. 21 a graduate degree.

“I went in not knowing exactly encouraging students to apply for a 10-week paid summer internship what I want to do,” Quimby said.

“I realize now that I would like to at the University of Oregon.

The internship program is participate in applied research and called UCORE (Undergraduate in educating the public to prepare Catalytic Outreach & Research them for natural geological disasters.”

Experiences) and is Oluloro, a held on the Universi"They come p re - p h a r m a c y ty of Oregon campus in Eugene. Funding is back with more student, worked studying platiprovided by a grant direction, more num-based canfrom the National treatment Science Foundation. confidence and cer drugs to help Interns particiimprove current pate in research being believe that a drugs and to deconducted by Ph.D. candidates at the U graduate degree is sign better future Oluloro of O. Interns will be within their grasp." ones. said, “There are paid a $3500 stipend Daina Hardisty many benefits to and provided with program. We housing on the U of Geology instructor the were provided O campus for the dufree housing, we ration of the internhad a stipend, and we received ships.

Geology instructor Daina free enrollment in a Physics 399 Hardisty, who hosted the meeting, class.” She said, “I am also much reported that about 40 students at- more confident speaking in front tended and that she was aware of of crowds now.”

Hardisty said the personal several geology students alone who were interested in applying. She growth she sees in the UCORE said, “I feel we had quite a turnout interns is phenomenal. “They with 40 students. I hear that PCC come back with more direction, had only 15 attend their meeting.” more confidence and believe that UCORE interns Isaac Hast- a graduate degree is within their ings Hauss, Tina Nguyen, Shade grasp. This is an opportunity of Oluloro, and Codi Quimby spoke a lifetime. If you are interested to interested MHCC science stu- in physics, chemistry or geology, dents about their experiences dur- don’t miss it.”

Information can be found ing the summer of 2009.

Quimby, a geology student outside Hardisty’s office in room who participated calibrating tide 2590. The deadline to apply is gauges used to study the Cascadia Feb. 26 and can be done at http:// subduction zone, said that the ex- www.uoregon.edu/~msiuo/unperience helped her decide which dergrad/ucore/application.html.

Miller Foundation returns to match foundation funds Corin Salnavé The Advocate

The Mt. Hood Community College Foundation has already raised more than $120,000 during the 2009-2010 academic year — and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation is going to contribute $120,000 in matching

funds to that total.

This will create at least 42 scholarships to be awarded this fall.

Oregon’s 17 community colleges were challenged to raise more than $100,000 for scholarships by the Miller Foundation, and a specific target amount was set for

each school, to be matched by the foundation.

The challenge for MHCC, as the fourth largest community college in the state, was to raise $120,000. That amount was determined based on the size of enrollment.

The MHCC Foundation is

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in charge of raising funds for the college, and arrived a little shy of that amount during the 2008-2009 school year, raising $106,707.

Despite not reaching the goal amount that year, the Miller Foundation matched the amount raised.

The Miller Foundation is a private, independent organization that was born from the desire to “enhance the quality of life of Oregonians through support of the arts and education,” according to its website.

Also, it was the hope of James F. and Marion L. Miller that their, “legacy would serve as an example of what is possible given commitment, hard work, and the gift of time.

Cassie McVeety, vice president of college advancement, said she wants students to know that “raising money for scholarships is an important aspect of what we do (at the foundation).”

The MHCC Foundation was established in 1969 as a non-profit organization responsible for receiving, holding and disbursing private funds in support of the students and educational programs at the college.

Students interested in eligibility of the Miller Foundation scholarship funds should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. They must seek an Oregon Opportunity Grant and must be working toward a certificate, professional license or associate degree.

You can make a tax-deductible gift to the MHCC Foundation by sending a check to Mt. Hood Community College Foundation, 26000 SE Stark, Gresham, OR 97030, or by contacting them at 503-491-7206.

Calendar Saturday, Jan. 30 Financial Aid Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in library, room 3333 Women's basketball vs. Linn-Benton 4 p.m. in Gresham Men's basketball vs. Linn-Benton 6 p.m. in Gresham CYO Championship Swim Meet from 8 a.m to 10 p.m. in Aquatics Center

Monday, Feb. 1 Getting the most from your textbooks student success seminar from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room 2307 “Planets beyond the solar system” at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m in Planetarium Nathan Orosco's "Fossil" exhibit begins in Visual Arts Gallery

Tuesday, Feb. 2 Steps to Successful TestTaking student success seminar from noon to 1 p.m. in room 2307 Study Abroad Kyoto, Japan Worldview Presentation from noon to 1 p.m. in room 1705 Political Forum "Is social networking antisocial?" in the Town and Gown Room from 3 p.m to 4:30 p.m.

Genesis concert in the Visual Arts Theatre starting at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 3 Research Bootcamp student success seminar from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in room 2307.

Thursday, Feb. 4 VA Reception for Nathan Orosco's Exhibit 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Visual Arts Gallery.

Improving Memory & Concentration Student success seminar from noon to 1 p.m. in room 2307 Beginner web search workshop from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in room 2307 Advanced web search workshop from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in room 2307

Friday, Feb. 5 Study Smarter not Harder student success seminar from noon to 1 p.m. in room 2307

8

The Advocate

JANUARY 29, 2010