On Being Left-Handed

What being a "Southpaw" is really like.

nito100 via Getty Images

 Though we are only 10 percent of the population, we pack a mean left hook.

 Being left-handed. It's one of those daily difficulties I face any time I unlock a door, or, parish the thought, use scissors. Why, I ask, must everything be made for right-handers?

 Scissors, as I mentioned earlier, are made to provide torture to our small community. Even "left-handed" scissors are made for right-handers, because someone usually forgets that not only the handle, but also the blades must be reversed.

 We were disliked in most history, often accused for being evil, in fact, we get our word sinister from the Latin for left-handed.

 The struggle is real, so let me enlighten you.

 A typical day's fight begins like this: I jump in the car, put my coffee cup in the holder, and get ready for take off. But wait a second! The ignition is on the right side. Oh well, I'll just use the right-hand brain converter to fix it (hopefully it's working today).

 Okay, made it to school, now off to class. Now I'm in class, time for notes. Writing with my favourite blue pen. Ah! The dreaded giant smudge mark is all over my hand. It will go away soon, won't it? Writing, teacher talking, more notes. Bump! "Sorry, I didn't see your elbow there. Yes I'm left-handed. No I'm not more creative, please just let me take notes."

 I need water. Oh! I brought my water bottle today. Now is it lefty loosey righty tighty, but whose left is it? I'm turning it left, it's not budging. Must be the other direction. Finally, it's open! I wonder if right-handers have troubles with that one? Wait! Why are you writting like that! It looks so unnatural. Never mind, that's your dominant hand.

 Wow, I just found another lefty in my class! Why didn't I sit next to them the first day of class, then I wouldn't be bumping into this guy. Oh no! I have to use scissors now! Right-handed, right. Well, here it goes. This isn't so bad, at least I'm on the lines. Why is everyone else done already, oh that's why. It would be so much easier if I was right-handed. What I'm saying, I love being left-handed, don't I? Well, maybe not all the time but most the time.

 This is what runs through my head almost every day.

  It does have it's pros. For instance, according to Dr.Christian Jarrett of Psychology Today, there does seem to be a greater advantage in sports, mainly because it disorients right-handed opponents. There is also an instant connection between lefties that I have experienced nowhere else. When you discover another lefty, you know that they have been through the same struggles as you have.
 I now possess this strange habit of scanning my general area for fellow left-handers. If there is one, I feel pride. Sometimes I even go over to talk with them about the great struggle and advantage of being left-handed.

 I apologize to the right-handers of the world, because it probably seems like us left-handers do nothing but complain, or try to make excuses for why we're better. We're not better, but sometimes to get through the difficult things we need to take our spoon of sugar.

 We are not alone though. There are many celebrities who are lefties, including Angelina Jolie, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, just to name a few. Not to mention the eight U.S. presidents that bore this badge of honour.

 For those lefies reading this now, we're all in this together. I mean it; we'll get through. Resist the urge to try right-handedness. Be who you are, for you are amazing the way you write.

It's tough being a southpaw, but I wouldn't change it for the world.


At a Glance:
MTV: 23 Left-handed Celebs Who Know How To Live In a Right-Handed World.

Psychology Today: Three Myths and Three Facts About Left-Handers

Thoughtco: Left Handed U.S. Presidents

LBCC Earth Day Photos JN 134

Kim Kagelaris (right orange) tells a LBCC Earth Day
attendant about the Willamette River, and what they
can do to keep it clean.

LBCC Earth Day Fair on April 19, 2017.
Clubs and Local businesses set up booths
 to raise awareness for Earth Day.

LBCC Space Exploration Club makes nitrogen ice cream 
for $2 a cup at LBCC Earth Day Fair.

Fun and Games

LB athletics department puts on play day for kids at the gym.

Gabriel Guzman tries pitching at the
 LBCC Play Day on April 8, 2017.

The baseball made contact with Gabriel Guzman’s bat. Gabriel ran to first, second, then third base, but would he make home? The ball sped towards Gabriel, but he slid across the LBCC gym floor into home. Safe!

Gabriel, the ash blonde 3-foot wonder, was one of many children attending the LB play day this past Saturday.

Linn-Benton’s Athletics Department hosted their third annual LB Play Day on April 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Albany campus, in the LB Athletics Building.

The event was well attended with a circus of children and volunteers running around.

Michael Winder coordinator of the event, said the point of this event was to "be active, be healthy, and beyond being healthy, just having fun."

Winder's desire for the Play Day was working, with a variety of kids from different age groups playing baseball, basketball, bike racing, mini golf, soccer, volleyball, pound rockout, a combination of drumming and exercise, and even quidditch.

According to door greeter Randy Scout, this year was different, as he said "We usually do [the Play Day] on Friday when public schools have in-service."

Players representing all LB sports teams were also there helping out with the event.

"I see athletes as positive role models," said Heidi Officer, a friend of the Guzman family and LB student. "Gab[riel] seems to be having a really fun time."

As it was rainy throughout the day, the activities were held inside.

"This is so nice of them to do; my grandson's [in the gym], and having a great time," said Karen Cardosa, who brought her grandchildren to the event.

The LB Athletic Department aimed to encourage kids in doing healthy activities that are also a whole lot of fun.

At a Glance:

• LBCC Play Day April 8, 2017.
• Kids played with LB Athletes in the gym.
• Find out upcoming events on the LBCC website.
• Events are also on the LB Facebook.
• LB Twitter

Superdog Fenway to the Rescue!

Fenway the dog helps sooth stressed students and hospital patients. 

Fenway attentively waiting commands from Lisa Hoogesteger

A perfect catch! All eyes were on Fenway, as she caught the treat in her mouth.

The part Lab and Wire-haired Griffon loves people.

It's part of her job. She is a therapy dog at LB and at the hospital.

As the new Winter Term addition to the LB Advising Center, she helps students take a break from their lives through advising appointments and hanging around campus events. .

To let the students know about Fenway, Lisa Hoogesteger, one of Fenway's trainers, visited a Destination Graduation class in IA 224 at half past noon.

Hoogesteger explained how Fenway helps relieve stress for "Students who miss their dog from home, and who may be struggling [in college]."

Fenway also helps hospital patients who find it hard to connect with people by giving them a physical connection.

Crystal Garcia, a student attending the Destination Graduation class said "I would definitely go for therapy [with Fenway]"

When asked if she would consider training a therapy dog herself, Garcia said "I love dogs, so it's something to think about".

Rob Camp, the Destination Graduation teacher said "I work with Fenway often, because I work across the hall from Lisa [Hoogesteger]," and believes that "Fenway is an amazing addition to the advising staff"

Aside from helping, Fenway likes to do activities any dog enjoys, including learning tricks such as shake, roll over, and crawl.

"[Fenway] loves the dog day at the pool, and she's and incredible jumper" Hoogesteger said "She could be a dock diving dog"

Fenway is currently part of the Welcome Waggers who help people train their dogs to become therapy dogs. They are part of the national organization  Alliance of Therapy Dogs, ATD. These therapy dogs will go anywhere they're needed, including hospitals, campuses, and nursing homes.

Fenway makes a difference on campus. What a great dog!

JN134 first photos Blood Drive

Red Cross blood storing box at LBCC.

LB Advisor Lisa Hoogesteger holds here arm up after donating blood.

Blood Drive room in the Calapooia Center, Fireside Room CC-211.

The Hot Shot Racket

Constance Jones

Members started trickling in to the meeting.

After the beginning minutes of the Student Leadership Council meeting on March 15,  there was a discussion about the LB policy that states there must be no alcohol on school trips, even if you are 21 years or older.

The next item on the agenda was a discussion about the Hot Shot Cafe.

Ian Priestman, a business and supervision teacher at LB, started discussing the possibility about changing the administration to the business department, instead of the SLC.

"Most business classes are theoretical," said Priestman "the business classes will get to use the Hot Shot as a practical way to do business."

Though there will be changes to the Hot Shot if this idea is voted in, Priestman assures that the management won't.

"We want a seamless transition for the Hot Shot. The workers will stay the same and the supplies," said Priestman.

Priestman also pointed out that the workers will be able to put on their resumes that they have real world experience.

Some of the changes will possibly include installing very needed 120° security cameras, as the Hot Shot's tips have been stolen and other thefts have taken place.

It will cost around $1,500 to install the cameras, but as Kevin Peña said "It [the security camera cost] may seem expensive, but I think it's worth it."

The other change will be to paint the Hot Shot a neutral color, so that it can be used as an art galore. This will cost around $500.

The SLC plans on paying for the security cameras, and will have the Hot Shot pay for the painting.

The Hot Shot will have some changes to come, but it will still offer the same service to LB.



At a Glance:

Ian Priestman Intructor's Website
LBCC SLC Website

Gold Rush's Dave Turin LBCC Speech

Contributed by: Discovery Channel

With microphone in hand, Dave Turin advocated the need for associate degrees to replenish the workforce.

Dave Turin, from Discovery Channel's "Gold Rush" series, spoke at LBCC on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., in the Forum room 104.

Turin was dubbed "Dozer Dave" in "Gold Rush," and about 80 to 100 people attended his speech.

Turin, talking with his hands like his true Italian self, said, "Our duty is to... give back to our communities and community colleges."

"We have a shortage in skilled people who will do the work [for trade jobs]," said Turin.

Turin is concerned that there is too much emphases on four-year college, and that too many end up in debt without jobs.

Turin graduated from Portland State University with a bachelor in Civil Engineering, and was a college football star.

Turin describes his education as the "School of Hard Knocks" and that he believed going to a two-year trade course might have done him more good than a four-year degree.

Turin got into the mining business because his father owned the business Mt. Hood Rock Jim Turin and Sons Inc. Turin and his three brothers, Dan, Dennis and Doug bought the business from their father because they didn't want their father to be their boss. Turin soon realized that the new company wasn't what he ultimately wanted. Turin met Todd Hoffman, the head of the "Gold Rush" team, before Hoffman went up to Alaska to find gold and start filming.
 

In June 2010, the year after meeting, Hoffman needed Turin to fix some of his mining equipment. Turin went to Alaska and joined the team.    

Turin explains that while on the job the men would pray.

"We're men of faith, we believe there's a God," said Turin. "The minute you say you're a Christian, you're marked for good or bad."

With this in mind, Turin was amazed that so many people had watched the series.

"We always put things back," Turin said, especially in the jungle of Guyana.

In Guyana, the crew was able to show the local miners how to mine without using mercury, so that the people wouldn't get poisoned.

After the 30-minute speech, Turin took questions from the audience. The audience asked Turin general questions about the TV show, and why he advocated for trade school.

In one of the questions about diminishing work ethic, Turin answered "I have faith in young people, then he shared his belief in the need to teach kids work ethic from day one.

Student Casey Hoff, one of the audience members, stated that they were at the speech, "Because we watched the series since it came out" and that he had "Found out about [the speech] on the LB website."

David Becker, the dean of Business Applied Technology and Industry, explained that the speech was a part of the Career Technical Education (CTE) signing day. The signing day allows students to sign up for the CTE program. During this two-year program, students will learn a trade, and most likely have a job as soon as they graduate.

"There is such a void in trained work force," said Becker.

This program aims to help to fill it, and the event was well-known.

"People flew here from all across the country," said Becker.

Turin is advocating programs like this all over the United States because he wants to solve the problem of the blue collar work force shortage.
 

As the former "Gold Rush" star advised: "You don't need a four-year education to make a lot of money."

At a Glance:

Topic: Dave Turin LBCC speech.
Who: Dave Turin and LBCC's CTE program administrators.
When: Feb. 16, 2017
Where: Forum room 104

All About the Wowzerwal

Constance Jones

Sunshine fills the room, and beautiful art pieces hang in a circle of creativity.

There are eight beautiful hanging glass art pieces in North Santiam Hall here at LBCC. They are collectively named the "Wowzerwall Chandelier." Wowzerwall is an acronym for "Walls of Wonder Zestfully Executed by Roy."

 The Roy in Wowzerwall is a retired Roy McFadden of Roy McFadden Design Inc.  Roy McFadden graduated from the Los Angeles Art College of Design in 1972. 

   Each chandelier piece is engraved with a quote and an artwork piece done by an LBCC student. McFadden and his company translated these students' artwork as a "computer-cut-transit," so that they could be etched into the angled 1/2" clear acrylic sheets. McFadden used a method called sand blasting which engraved the art pieces. 

  The famous quotes include one from Duke Ellington reading "I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues".   

   One faculty member, Karelia Stetz-Waters, whose office is just down the hall, said that "It has always been apart of the landscape".

   The artwork pieces were built in 2006 with the building.

The students who worked on this were Casey Tennant, Paul Richards, Jennifer Kretz, Jamie Brassfield, Mathew Zadwick, Vinessa Mayer, Christina Chase, Patrick Bettag, Alice Tetamare, Nicholas Kessi, Stephanie Wyant, Rachelle Swaney, Adam Schneider, Victoria Bottemiller, and John Redman.

Stetz-Waters said "Sometimes when you're alone in the room, you can hear it creaking like someone is walking. It has always creeped me out."


At a Glance:

What: Hanging Glass Artwork Pieces in NHS.
Members: Roy McFadden
McFadden's Email: rickert@newportnet.com
Phone:(541)265-2466
McFadden's Facebook