Following the Fowlers, TOP GUN 2013

Welcome to Washougal MX Park, the premier motocross track of the Northwest. Where Nationals are held, dreams are made and hearts are broken. The Fowlers traveled a short two hours to arrive at the main gate Friday afternoon, May 31st, for the sixth annual DEVOL Top Gun team race. 

Saturday brought early morning practice. A hard charging Wyatt Fowler killed it abord his Kawasaki KX450F, making it immediately obvious that he would be a force to be reckoned with in the 450 intermediate class.  

After a hard day of riding, and a camp full of racers anxiously awaiting the starting line tomorrow, a feast was only appropriate. Jon Fowler had everyone's mouth watering while slow roasting the pig for a full 4 hours. Team POWER wouldn't have it any other way.

The day winding to an end, the feast consumed, and the bikes washed. Bed comes early for those planning to win. The team POWER pit was entirely empty by nine o'clock, race day comes early.

Wyatt proved his superhero like performance in practice on Saturday wasn't just a fluke. The entire 450B field saw nothing but his rear tire for the entirety of Sunday. His Team POWER Kawasaki 450 showed no remorse, piloted by an ever charging Fowler.

He came, he dominated, he succeeded. Wyatt goes home with the piece of plastic everyone was hunting for all weekend, the number one plate in the most competitive class of the weekend, 450 intermediate. The rumor is Wyatt will be back for 2014 as a PRO rider, Top Gun 2014!

My Neighborhood: Sisters Oregon

Sisters best known landmark, the very mountains the town was named after, the Three Sisters Mountains. The tallest of which standing just over 10,000 feet tall.

Melissa Smith enjoys one of several parks that Sisters has to offer, Sisters State Park. While trying her luck at catching the famous Rainbow Trout, she sits along the bank of Whychus creek, flowing right through town.

The small town of only 2,038 people surely exhibits its small town pride. A large part of the the High Schools Mascot, the Outlaws, a rearing stallion proudly stands at the east end of mainstreet.

Sports: Jet Ski's

Jet ski rider and LBCC student Josh Panzica buries his stand up Kawasaki into a wall of water, on the Willamette River in Albany Oregon.

Josh Panzica watches onward after helping Hillary Scheler get started on the Jet Ski.

Hillary Scheler shows the guys how it's done, in water throwing fashion.

Friday Post: Free Shoot! What else other than moto?

Chris Alldredge gets sideways off the jump deemed "Cycle Country" at Albany Motorsports park during evening practice.

 Pro-rider Tommy Weeck had mud stuck on his handlebars from this bar dragging corner, lap after lap.

Chris Alldredge fly's by lapped rider Jack Fowler just before the finish line tower at Albany Motorsports park.

Portrait: Jason Ancell

Jason Ancell, of the LBCC forestry program stands among the trees of his senior project with his trusty chainsaw.

Jason showed the forest who's boss in his 2013 senior capstone project!

The aforementioned mugshot.

Motorcycles in the Quad

As part of the 2013 LBCC Health & Safety Fair, motorcycles congregate in the center courtyard. 

Motorcycles of all different types, colors, and sizes on display in the LBCC courtyard, as part of the 2013 Health & Safety Fair.

Safety first! A motorcyclists helmet hangs from his handlebars, proper safety attire is paramount to motorcycle safety.

Sarah Buell: Portrait

LBCC environmental studies student Sarah Buell catches the last bit of sun on another beautiful day.

Honor roll student Sarah Buell has everything to smile about, graduating at the top of her class.

EDIT: Required Mug

LBCC at the Motocross track

 LBCC student Josh Panzica pushes the limits at the local Albany Motorsports Park track.

Nothing but smiles from this student after rolling off the track. 

Albany MX Park knows how to prep a track for a great day of racing!

Donn Maeda

Donn Maeda is the lead editor and photographer for the nations number one rated motocross magazine, Transworld Motocross.

Maeda got his start in journalism in 1991 when he was hired on as an assistant editor for a weekly motocross newspaper, Cycle News. After six years, he left for another assistant editor position at Dirt Rider Magazine, where he worked, as he would describe for one hellish year. After leaving to start up his own magazine MX Racer, and taking it as far as he thought possible, he joined the Transworld team as chief editor.

Maeda attended Cal State, seeking a degree in Journalism. Two years into classes he was placed on academic probation. A day later he dropped out to pursue his opportunity at Cycle News. To this day Maeda doesn’t regret his decision, and maintains that he loves his job, and “Absolutely looks forward to waking up for work every day!” (http://ads.bonniercorp.com/, 2010)

Maeda was first noticed for his writing style and editorial abilities, which paired with his incredible abilities behind the camera, brought him to where he is today. Although many would argue Maeda doesn’t have a particularly unique style, everyone agrees he has a knack for perfect timing, and opportune placement. He just seems to always be in the right place at the right time, for those incredible action shots.

Donn Maeda has reached the peak in his career, a place nearly every motocross oriented journalist only dreams of, a place I dream of! 

Photo Credit: Donn Maeda, Transworld Motocross

More of his work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/max713photography/

The Dirty Dozen Run 2013

LBCC student Julia Zhukov careful scales a log over one of several mud pits.

Alaina Horton holds on to the bars above a mud pit.

The Dirty Dozen Run 2013 had a great turnout, with near perfect weather all day.

LBCC motorcycle rider, taking advantage of the warm spring weather.

LBCC Volleyball

Advanced Volleyball instructor Jamie Frazier oversees her students practice drills.

Spring brings great weather for sand volleyball!

Student, Joe Unnamed stretches out for the ball.

Moto in the sand!

Profile: Cal Hooley

Profile: Cal Hooley

Cal Hooley was a 19-year-old high school graduate living in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Working as a bartender at the local pub, while playing his passion, baseball.

Cal now lives 8,000 miles away from home here in Albany, as a starting pitcher for the LBCC Road Runners.

Hooley decided to he wanted to travel to follow his dream of professional baseball, “After moving to southern Australia to play baseball for two years, livin’ two thousand miles from home, I got a passion for traveling for baseball.” Since moving out of his parents at age 16, Hooley has spent a total of eight months actually living in his home territory. “It became more than going places to play, it started being about meeting new people, and experiencing new places.” After four years of traveling, it became obvious that there was one place he needed to go, “America was an easy choice, the main hub for baseball in the world, I figured I’d have the best opportunity here to take advantage of coaching and play in the major leagues.”

After playing in Guam for a little over a month, Hooley’s coach asked him to come play for the team in the U.S., in Kansas. Three months before he was planning to be in Kansas, the coach changed teams and states. “After talking to another coach I’ve known my whole life, he said that Linn Benton had a good program, and would be a good way to get my feet wet with American baseball.” Hooley made it to the U.S. for his first stay in Fall of 2011.

Being an exchange student, and an athlete presented its challenges. “The scariest part was crossing the street, you blokes drive on the wrong side of the street!” (Laughs) “My financial situation was always a concern, not being able to work on my visa makes it hard.” With no financial aid available, Hooley pays his own way with money he saved from working back home. Finances weren’t the only concern, “I always have to be full time, and obviously pass all my classes.” With 14 credit hours, and an additional 25 hours of baseball a week, his schedule is a busy one. “I’ve invested a lot being here, there’s a lot of pressure to do good,” he says. Beyond wanting to make his parents proud, Hooley wants to both succeed in school with his degree in biological science, and his dreams of professional baseball.

Hooley is a starting pitcher for the LBCC baseball team, it seems all his hard work and dedication has paid off. His visa expires in summer of this year, but he has plans in place when moving back home, "I'm going to try out for the Australia Professional League when I get home, there's a good chance I'll make it in." 

“It’s definitely been an interesting experience, not nearly as many of you wear cowboy hats as I thought.” Hooley leaves for Australia in June of this year, after two years in the U.S. Hooley plans to come at some point. “If I could do it over again, I would have saved up some more money, it’s expensive over here.” Hooley’s happy with experience here, “I’ve met a lot of new people, and made a lot of new really good friends, the whole experience has just been pretty ******* awesome!”

At A Glance:
Cal Hooley
Age: 22
Hometown: Darwin, Australia
Position: Pitcher
Goals: To play in the Australian Professional League
Area of Study: Biological Sciences
LBCC Baseball
Australia Professional League

Photo Credit: Unknown

What DSLR should I buy?

What DSLR should I buy?

A daunting question so many are faced with when deciding to take the leap in to the world of DSLRs, and photography. I'd like to attempt to ease the stress of that question for you new and or possibly future photographers. For the sake of keeping this short and somewhat simple, I will confine my recommendations to Nikon cameras, but don't let that stop you from investigating all the options out there: Canon, Sony, Pentax, Sigma, etc.

Those who buy and use DSLRs can really be broken into three groups: consumers, pro-sumers, and professionals.

The “consumer” being the average user, using the camera solely for personal enjoyment, and the enjoyment of others when looking through their dazzling photos. The consumer level purchaser is generally looking for a simple and easy to use camera that will provide high quality results, with little effort.

The D3100 is Nikon’s answer to the consumer’s demands. With very few easily decipherable buttons, the camera appeals to the “point and shoot” mentality of many consumers. Although simple, this camera is no slouch. With 14 megapixels, modest autofocus system, and modest 3 frames per second shooting speed, the little D3100 is bound to provide plenty of big smiles on the operators face when viewing their success on the three inch high definition screen. With several on the fly scene modes to choose from, such as sports, landscape, and low-light, choosing the right settings for the job is a cinch, and nearly dummy proof. "It's a solid entry-level DSLR, easily the best Nikon has made," says Thom Hogan of ByThom.com. At $499 MSRP, this modestly priced camera is well within in reach of many, college students and soccer moms alike.

Those a little more serious about photography, much more interested in the actual art of taking photographs, maybe even selling a couple pictures here and there, would be part of the “pro-sumer” market.

The go-to camera in Nikon’s lineup for many pro-sumers is the Nikon D7000, Nikon’s crop sensor flagship. With it’s largely magnesium alloy body, 16 megapixels, high performance autofocus system, and 6400 max ISO, this camera is ready to perform. A multitude of new features sit at the users finger tips: the ability to autofocus with every AF lens Nikon has ever produced, lens fine-tuning adjustment, auto-bracketing, among many more. Many more setting specific shortcut buttons appeal to the pro-sumers ability to dictate all of the cameras settings before clicking that shutter button. With an MSRP of $1199 body only, the D7000 is quite a jump in price, the old adage “you get what you pay for,” could be inserted here, Hogan goes as far to say "the performance you can obtain puts you in a different league!"

Professional shooters are just that, professional picture takers, or photographers. The people in this segment market their work, and sell it to make a living. Someone that depends on their camera, demands the best.

Nikon answered the call for professional equipment with their D700. An all out pro-body, with no sacrifices made. With it’s massive viewfinder, staggeringly accurate and fast autofocus system, 100% alloy body, massive 36x23.9mm full frame sensor, and ultra clean high-ISO abilities, the D700 is the definition of performance. All this comes at a steep price, with an original MSRP of $2999, one easily justified. The easy-to-use Nikon Scene Modes are gone, replaced with easy to reach ISO, File Quality, and White Balance buttons. Although easy to use, the D700 requires some skill and previous photographical knowledge to operate, no problem for the cameras target market. The D700 "No doubt it sets a benchmark in the 'compact' Pro bracket of the market," as stated by editors at DPReview.

What do you want out of your camera? What do you plan to use your camera for? How much camera can you handle? How much are you willing to spend? All great questions to ask yourself before settling with one for yourself. By no means are these your only three options, there are literally 100 of cameras to choose from, from more than a handful of DSLR manufacturers, but in general all manufacturers have a market that can be broken down into three main tiers. Which one do you fall into?

Don't know? That's a great indication that you should go do some more research! There is a plethora of information available online; DPReview, Photozone, ByThom, are all great sources.

Photo Credit: MING THEIN

At A Glance:

Nikon Imaging Products

-D3100

-D7000

-D700

A Slice of Life - Column

The sign on the side of the building says “Bronco Billys,” Cooper calls it the hotel. The town of Sisters is small but it was once even smaller. Locals remember when the town consisted of several buildings lining a small gravel road, the center of town marked by the old hotel.

The once old hotel now converted into the most popular restaurant and bar in town, looks no different than it did in the days of an unpaved main street save for a new coat of paint and a few other maintenance necessities. 

The dusty saloon smells of old leather, the lighting is yellow and dim. Even the door to the bar is nothing but a swinging piece of wood, hanging from the frame by two hinges in desperate need of a good oiling. They squeaked as Cooper pushed the door open and walked into the bar.

Although his head was nowhere near the ceiling he hunched over slightly when stepping through the doorway. At six foot five inches tall, Cooper is a tall man. His white hair, slow step and slightly labored breathing show his age, but once his gaze caught me at my high seated table the corners of his mouth turned and his eyes gleamed. I was reminded he is a young man at heart.

Cooper made his way to the chair across from mine, the bartender was already walking over with the old mans drink of choice, a cold Bud Light. I stood, reaching out with my right hand, his gripped mine for a firm enough handshake to take you off guard if you weren’t prepared.

I waited for him to talk, he would have a lot to say. Cooper likes to share stories, every one of his words demand attention. Like most born and raised in a small town he uses very few of them, but he can say more with 10 words than most can with 100. Before his empty glass could clang on the hardwood table top, the bartender had already sat down another.

It was getting late, Coopers wife gets uneasy coming into town after dark to give him a ride home. He knew I’d be leaving town the next day, and knew that I also had a weakness for cold barley beverages. He asked me what time I would be by Sunday, I told him 2 o’clock. He reminded me that the big Nascar race would be on, I knew I’d find him sitting in his recliner, the front door barely open.

The swinging bar door squeaked again as Cooper pushed through it, his head no closer to the ceiling than his first time through. It was barely above freezing outside, grumbling out loud Cooper made sure I was aware of that fact, his breath visible in the dry, cold high desert air. Before he got in his wife’s car, he reached for my hand again.

Cooper was a Chevy guy, his home built 1950’s dragster still sat in his garage collecting dust. My Ford came to a stop beside his Chevy pickup just before 2 p.m. From the driveway I could see the front door hanging open by just a few inches. I pulled open the screen and pushed through the open door into the house, it looked like C. Edwards was leading with 76 laps to go, the T.V. was easily audible over Coopers loud snoring.

I left the 6-pack on the welcome mat before walking back to my truck, I knew Cooper would give me a hard time for being late next weekend.

-Max Jacobsen

At A Glance:

Ron Cooper

Sisters, Oregon

Born August, 19th 1941

broncobillysranchgrill.com

Profile: Cal Hooley

For your viewing pleasure, I was kept busy over the weekend.

Review: South Park

South Park Review, No One is Safe!

Max Jacobsen

Crude, distasteful, inappropriate, disgusting: words your parents most likely used to describe "South Park" before forbidding you to watch the animated series in your youth.

For those new to these foul mouthed fourth graders portrayed, the show aired for the first time in early 1997, and it’s been a hit ever since. The show stands out from other animated comedies with its crude animation, paired with it’s equally crude humor, and “No one is Safe” writing style. The writers Matt Stone and Trey Parker are firm believers that either all is fair game or nothing is, and they are not afraid to push the limits!

Critiques hate it, Moms hate it even more, but the general public, especially 16 to 29 year old males. In 2004 "South Park" was voted the third greatest animated show of all time, and in the time since it's ratings have only increased.

In years past, just about everything imaginable has been made fun of in parody style somehow or another on the show. From abortion, AIDS, homosexual culture, very recent celebrity deaths, to extreme political views, any and all religions, and current world events, especially controversial ones. The show is made to offend, a large attribute to its huge success.

Even after several lawsuits, and an expected mixed set of reactions and reviews, the show pushes on in just as offensive a fashion as ever! The last season bringing such episode titles as Jewpacabra, Reverse Cowgirl, and Butterballs, among 11 other hilarious titles. With Season 16 coming to an end with 14 episodes in November of last year, viewers are anticipating a Season 17 premiere in late March of this year. Season 17 promises the same crude satirical style, and outright offensive content, in true "South Park" fashion.

New episodes can be seen every Wednesday at 10 p.m., on Comedy Central channel 60 for you local Comcast subscribers. Tune in if you dare.

-At a Glance-

What: "South Park" Season 17

When: Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

Who: Voices of Matt Stone, Trey Parker

Where: Comedy Central Channel 60
             www.southparkstudios.com

LBCC Active Shooter Response

Preparing ourselves for the unimaginable

Max Jacobsen

Shooters are out there. People with weapons and intent to use them to harm others are still among us. Here at Linn Benton Community College, we are taking the steps necessary to prepare ourselves for an active shooter event.

An email was recently circulated by Marcene Olson, Safety and Loss Prevention Manager. She reminds readers the importance of educating ourselves and planning for a shooter catastrophe, “The intent of this email is not to alarm you but to remind us all that these situations can happen anywhere at anytime.” Included in the email were links to the schools Active Shooter Protocols, and Lockdown Procedures.

With several very recent shootings at the front of everyone’s mind, the Dec. 17^th Clackamas Shooting, and the Sandy Hook Dec. 14^th shooting, among others, Marcene felt it necessary to remind everyone at LBCC the possibility of a similar event happening here. Stressed is the importance of educating yourself to the point of being able to make decisions to help protect you and those around you.

Run, hide, fight. The three words, the three tools that everyone should have ready and waiting in the event of another shooting tragedy nearby. Outlined in the Active Shooter Protocols, are the means by which to use these tools. Run, if you can get out safely. Hide, if running is not an option. Fight, if your other options are not available, if your life and the lives of those around you are in immediate danger, fight.

“I believe we are very well prepared,” says Bruce Thompson, Loss Prevention Coordinator here at LBCC. Through drills, active discussions and constant investigation, Bruce believes the school is well prepared for a possible shooting event.

LBCC has had two shooter scares in the past five years, both resulting in a school-wide lockdown, both resolved peacefully without incident. The last event being in late 2010, when two individuals in camouflage attire and assault rifles over shoulder were seen walking near campus. The threat was quickly dismissed when it was discovered the two individuals were actually young boys, whose parents had spray painted their toy guns black for them. Both these non-violent events have helped LBCC create the protocols in place today to help keep us safe.

             Rob Camp, a student at LBCC and the student leadership VP, thinks the protocols should be better known, "Students need to be better prepared and informed, not knowing could make a bad situation worse." Although Camp thinks the student body could be better prepared he also says "I feel pretty darn safe!" 

“The key is not just to educate, but to re-educate ourselves and others regularly, and to make a plan.” Thompson stresses, “Pay attention to new information… protocols are always evolving, always changing to better protect and prepare us.” Thompson clarifies that we should “…avoid tabloid views, instead focus on self education and proper preparation.”

Further information on Active Shooter Protocols can be found under the Public Safety section of LBCC website.

At A Glance:

LBCC's Active Shooter Protocols:

Run- If possible, get out and away, run.

Hide- If running is not an option. Barricade yourself in a room, find a secure hiding place.

Fight- As a last resort, if your life is in immediate danger, fight. Fight for your life!

More on LBCC's Active Shooter Protocol Page

Feature Story 1

Story Idea: A summary of the not necessarily new, but extremely relevant Active Shooter Response Protocols, reminding you to plan ahead for such an event.

Sources:
1. Marcene Olson - Safety and Loss Prevention Mgr.
2. Dean
3. Campus Security Office

Questions I want to answer in this story:
1. What is the Active Shooter Response Protocol?
2. What can you do to help during a shooter situation?
3. Why is it important you familiarize yourself with these protocols now?

Nut Graf:
With all the recent shootings, it's essential that we all consider our own safety and take the steps necessary to prepare ourselves for such an event. As Marcene Olson states, "These situations develop rapidly and have consequences before there is time for our Incident Command Team or Public Safety Officers to tell you what  to do. Decisions must be made... almost automatically for the your safety and those around you."

From my most recent shoot.

First Entry