Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A Night With The Fine & Performing Arts of LBCC

With lines out the door at the Russell Tripp Performance Center, located next to Takena Hall at LBCC, people were ready for music! 

All five of the choirs LBCC has to offer were prepared to sing for a sold out show on Tuesday night.  James Reddan, an LBCC music Instructor and the conductor of the show, was hustling around the theatre finalizing details for the show.

The five choirs that LBCC offers are Concert Choir, Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir, Women's Ensemble, Blue Light Special, and The Sirens. 

Students are required to try out for the desired choir they wish to participate in and depending on skill are chosen accordingly.  Most participants are students majoring in the music field. 


The show for the night was called, "Light: The Sun, Moon & Stars."  Many of the songs were not performed in English, but the sounds and emotions from the songs portrayed a perfect image of the title of the show. 

Songs were done in languages from Hebrew to Latin, and everything in between which shows how talented and serious Reddan is about his work.  He loves music. 

Reddan said, "The most important part of this night is the synchronization with choirs and staff for the event."

Reddan has many coveted achievements in his career.  One of the most honorable that he spoke of on Tuesday night was the announcement that his Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir, of 30 people, would be performing in London, England for the 2012 Summer Olympics

With Concert Choir, Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir, Women's Ensemble, Blue Light Special, and The Sirens, he had his hands full. 

The audience for the performance was eager for the show to start, some people showing up almost an hour and a half before the doors opened to get the best seats in the house.  Although tickets cost seven dollars in advance and at the door, it is general seating at the Russell Tripp Performance Center, first come first served.

For people who were not able to attend the performance there are DVDs of the concert for sale at $15.  All orders received by December 9 will be processed and mailed for Christmas.  Orders take at the information desk in Takena Hall. 

During the intermission after the newest choir for LBCC, the Women's Ensemble, people were able to indulge in refreshments provided by the Red Apron Catering Co.  As well as visit with Reddan, who loves to hear feedback of the choir's performance. 

One of the show stoppers of the night was the Blue Light Special, an all male acapella group.  They used voice percussion, or "beat boxing", to keep on pace with each other, and put on a great performance. 

A crowd favorite was the performance of the song Apologize, sang in acapella by the Blue Light Special. 


Ricky Banales, an attendee of the concert said, "The way they stay on beat with each other and harmonize is truly amazing."


With all five choirs performing each choir brought something unique and different to the audience.  The Music Department loves providing amazing experiences for the audience and is always in the making for their next magical performance.


A Christmas Carol is next up on the list for the choirs, which Patti Ball says "should be an awesome show, we would love to have everyone come back."

A Christmas Carol will be performed a total of six separate times, Decmeber 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10.


Ball is the Program Coordinator for LBCC and does a huge part in putting on the performances and making sure everything runs smoothly.  She is a behind the scenes person and many of the things she does go unnoticed by audiences. 


Ball said, "The hardest part of organizing the shows starts an hour before doors open, set up, and getting staff prepped and in place.  Other than that it's tons of fun!" 

Hard work from students and staff goes into this night, but the smiles and satisfaction that everyone receives far outweighs the hours put into it. 

Who: James Reddan and the LBCC Choirs
What: Light: the Sun, Moon, & Stars
Where: The Russell Tripp Performance Center
When: Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Up Next: A Christmas Carol
When: Various dates, see LBCC event calendar

Judge Egan, Then and Now


Judge Egan grew up in Tangent, Oregon, and thus far has lived an inspiring and action packed life.

Long time family friend and Attorney at law Sarah Castleton said, "Jim has a great life story and does his job with passion." 

Throughout his junior high and high school years he was constantly getting in trouble with the law, skipping school, lying to parents and school teachers, and taking the easy way out. 
Judge Egan called himself a “Juvenile delinquent”, saying he would have his friends call his name for role in 1st period and then proceed with his friends to the coast to participate in illegal activities.  Realizing that he was on a tough and long road to disappointment he turned his life around staying clean and sober during his senior year of high school. 
 At this point he had an instinct for politics but didn’t know if he would pursue it.  Working as a field leveler in Tangent, Judge Egan had thoughts of attending LBCC for his college education.   
His boss at the time had a close friend in the Oregon State University registration office and told Judge Egan to go talk to him about attending OSU.  Judge Egan was given a free pass into the University and started his college experience.   
While working as a sanitizer at the Smoke Shack in Albany and attending classes, Judge Egan and his girlfriend had a baby.  Realizing the hardships from the past and responsibilities that lay ahead, Judge Egan had an “epiphany” and got the notion he should be attending a better academic University.   
Applying to Reed College and Willamette University for further education, he received financial aid at Willamette and made the switch from OSU.   
Judge Egan spent 5 years in college to finish his undergrad, although he did not really have a clear idea of what he would like to do career-wise.   
At a job fair he ran into Captain Mack, a recruiter from the marine corp.  The two talked for quite some time and Judge Egan decided to join the OCS, Officer Candidate School.  Serving in the Marines from 1978 to 1984 Judge Egan really grew up.  He said he “learned how to learn.”    
After his time spent in the Marines, Judge Egan attended the University of Oregon Law School for three years.  With many different directions one can go with a law degree, he chose to take it slow and practiced general law as an attorney for 23 years.   
He always had a desire for public service, indicated from his years in the Marine Corp, and never settled for a job that did not perfectly fit his desires.   
Judge Egan was then called back into active duty for the Marines and served in Kuwait from 2008 to 2009. 
With the retirement of Judge Rick McCormick, an opening came about for a new Judge in Albany.  Judge Egan did not think he would receive this coveted position but decided to throw his name in the ring to Governor Kulongoski.  
He called his relationship with the Governor a “healthy battle” from their interactions over the years, with Judge Egan being Republican and the Governor a Democrat.  The two had been working against each other previously on opposing sides of the court but did not harbor bad feelings.
    
With this job he felt he could really serve and protect the public with all his many skills and passions.     
15 candidates had applied for the job and within a week it was reduced to five, with Judge Egan as one of them.  Each went into the Governor’s office and interviewed with the Governor’s Committee.   
Governor Kulongoski asked Judge Egan to take this position, “because his politics were honest and he served in the Marines.”  Judge Egan said, “Not everybody knows this about Governor Kulongoski but he was raised as an orphan and served in the Marines himself.” 

Paul Keubrich, a former associate and Defense Attorney said lightheartedly, "Jim is still Jim."

Judge Egan is now in a perfect position to continue his public service. 



Who: Judge Jim Egan
What: Profile, Accomplishments
Where: Albany, Oregon


Monday, October 31, 2011

Ready For Ski Season?

When the annual Warren Miller documentary arrives in Corvallis everyone knows winter is coming.  There is a rich ski history here in the valley.  “We may not be close, but I definitely love to ski every single week!” said Makenna Becker. 
With the LaSells Stewart Center nearly sold out, the crowd was hyped and responded with loud cheers when the MC took the stage.  Throwing free ski paraphernalia into the crowd immediately caught the crowds attention, everyone also put their information card into a raffle for a brand new snowboard.  

Every person in attendance also received a free day pass to Mt. Bachelor, in Bend, Oregon. 

The Warren Miller Entertainment Company puts together a documentary of the previous seasons’ adventures.  In these annual films, there are superstars from big mountain skiing to freestyle snowboarding. 
This season’s film lasted about two hours and included footage from India, South America, Alaska, British Colombia, Utah, and many other great ski locations.   

The film was called “Like There’s No Tomorrow”.  Leif Miller said, “I love watching the professionals do their thing in the film, gives me ideas for this season.” 
This film is an attempt to give the crowd something to look forward to in the weeks leading up to the first snowfall. 

First Ascent is a company involved in this film and they travel around to each showing and put the presentation on.  These people are usually ski “bums” who in one way or another are connected to the film, if not in it. 
There was a packed LaSells Stewart Center for this event full of people eager to get on the slopes.  Some of the most popular resorts in Oregon being Timberline and Meadows on Mt. Hood, Mt. Bachelor in Bend, and Hoodoo in the Santiam Pass. 

Warren Miller Entertainment Co. is all about the dynamic camera angles and stunning imagery for their films, it makes people feel part of it.  
With ski teams at Corvallis High School and Cresent Valley High School, and the Campus Rail Jam Tour which stops at OSU each year, there are plenty of people interested to make it happen.   

Corvallis also just had their annual Ski Swap which is a great event for the community in that there is marked down ski and snowboard equipment for sale. 
People love this event because it brings the ski community together and really gets everyone excited. Brady Webster said, "It gives everyone something to look forward to."  

If you did not attend this event the Documentary can be purchased online at, http://www.skinet.com/warrenmiller/.  
This motion picture is the last major event in preparing for winter, it is a must see for someone who loves snow!

Who: Every Skier or Snowboarder
Where: LaSells Stewart Center, OSU
What: Annual Warren MIller film, "Like There's No Tomorrow"
When: October, 26 2011

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

LBCC student employment.

Are you finding it impossible to find a job that can accommodate your school schedule and still pay well?  The answer for you lies within the LBCC student employment program

To use this tool one must be associated or attending LBCC and also prepared to work hard and learn on the job.  An account has to be made for each individual, and once that is done LBCC will immediately start emailing you job titles which fit your qualifications. 

"This program is one of the best, my last two job experiences have came from the student employment program, highly recommend it!" said Austin Bayne, a student of LBCC.   

This program starts with an online application which involves all the personal information that a normal job application would.  The system will then take your inputted information and compare you to the job listings that they have.  You may also scroll through all of the job listings on your own and apply to any position you could be eligible for. 

For some of the jobs listed you may be required to add additional information about yourself, such as a cover letter, references, transcript, or a resume.

This tool is awesome because you are allowed to access the site in order to track your application status.  Many of these jobs are considered to be internships.  Don't let that scare you, that just means that there will be on the job training for you that will pertain to your major as well as preparing your for your future career.

If you cannot complete the application process through a computer or you are in need of assistance please contact the human resources department via email, phone, or just visiting!

Some of the posted jobs on the website are considered internships. For instance, there are internships available right now for people with an agricultural, engineering, or science related majors and so on.

"I have many LBCC students working part time for me, and it is a huge help" said Frank Hamilton, supervisor of solid waste at Wah Chang. 

These jobs are great for students in that they allow to get a certain number of hours each week for that employee, but it can be on your own time or on days where you do not have as much class going on. 

"I love this about the program, because i can block my classes in the morning and work in the afternoons, or vice verse" said Patrick Baker, also a LBCC student.  This is great for students in need and is definitely worth your time to look into.

Don't be intimidated by the process, it works and many students have found jobs that will support them in the long run.

Who: Any LBCC student.
What: The LBCC student employment program.
Where: Located in Takena Hall at the Information desk.
Why: Jobs may be hard to come by these days, they can help you out!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Roadrunners All The Way?

With a new number one ranking in the NWACC, the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, the Roadrunners are midway through a promising season. 

The Roadrunners are sitting comfortably atop the NWACC conference, going 3-0 in conference play thus far this season.  In all three of those matches the roadrunners have dominated the matches winning in straights sets. 

The team has also won all of their preseason games, with a couple losses coming from non-conference tournaments in Washington. 

From the get go the coaches and players have been very optimistic and they’ve been practicing hard.

Coach Jayme Frazier said, “The Roadrunners will be a good mix of experience and youth. We have added twelve new freshmen to the team, returning two starting sophomores from last year's squad and bringing in two transfer sophomores from Division two level volleyball programs.” 

Despite having two sophomore transfer players there have been two freshmen taking lead roles in this year’s team, being Setter Lindsey Verboort and Libero Whitney Hightower.

Having a mix in their starting line-up will give them flexibility throughout the season in being able to mix up rotations and give teams a look they haven’t prepared for.  

After being put up to the test early in a couple of tournaments on the road, where the team was handed their first losses of the season, the teammates are excited and confident starting their regular season.

In the Spokane C.C. tournament there were a handful of good teams from all over the northwest, and the roadrunners were able to give the Spokane volleyball their first loss of the season.

The win was, “huge for the team’s confidence building going into the season” said Mona Goudarzian, the team's promising transfer from California State University East Bay

The Roadrunners have much more to accomplish throughout this season despite the early success.

“We have been excited about this season for a long time and now that it’s here it’s time to play hard” said Goudarzian.

When asked about the team’s goals as a whole for this season the answer was very obvious for an upcoming team such as this one.  Goudarzian answered with this, “Firstly we want to qualify for the NWACC tournament, and to do that we have to finish first in our conference.”  

The Roadrunners are already proving that goal to be feasible sitting atop the conference with an undefeated record.  Goudarzian finished by saying, “And after achieving that go on to win the NWACC tournament.”

Although these goals may be hard the team believes they are up to the challenge.     
        
What: The LBCC Volleyball Team
Against: Umpqua C.C.
When: 6 p.m.
Key Players: Julianna Evola, Mona Goudarzian