Kay M Roth | Staff Writer

Gilkey Bridge, two miles from Scio, has a train bridge that runs beside it as they cross Thomas Creek. The Gilkey family farm was located nearby. by Kay Roth

There are ten covered bridges in Linn County, five of which are within a few miles of Scio. All of these spans from the past feature the Howe truss type design, a relatively rare design patented in 1840 by William Howe.

A total of 50 covered bridges are located throughout the state, giving Oregon one of the largest number of covered bridges in the United States. In Howe’s design, diagonal beams supply compression to keep the bridge stable while the vertical beams supply the tension.

This unique design and the fact that no federal tax dollars are used for their upkeep are just two of the things that make the Linn County bridges special. The other factor is their beauty.

All of the bridges in the Scio area were built around a place of commerce or to provide easier access to area residents wishing to go into town for supplies. Today, the covered bridges have become more than that. They draw tourists from throughout the world to view the beauty and splendor that makes these bridges so special.

Larwood covered bridge, located within seven miles of Scio, is one of ten covered bridges in Linn County. by Kay Roth

While all were built using the Howe truss, each has their own personal flavor. For example, Shimanek Bridge, just a couple of miles east of Scio on Highway 226, is the only one painted red- the rest are white. Shimanek Bridge was rebuilt for the last time in 1966 but a covered bridge has stood in that location since the mid 1860s.

Larwood Bridge, approximately seven miles from Scio, is probably the most notable because of the wayside where summer visitors swim and barbecue. It was originally built in 1939 and has served the area well over the years.

Other covered bridges in the area include Gilkey Bridge, which was almost destroyed several years ago when it was heavily damaged by a truck. A train bridge crosses Thomas Creek right next to Gilkey Bridge. Hoffman Bridge, located on Hungry Hill Road, was actually built on the site in 1936 and has Gothic style window opening.

People who want to visit these historical bridges will have an easy time finding and accessing them, thanks to the Covered Bridges tour signs located near each bridge. The covered bridges of Linn County are not only beautiful, they are also a very strong connection with the county’s past and the people who settled here.

Kendal Waters | Contributing Writer

Poetry is a way of painting with words. Art is a way of visually expressing ideas. When you combine the two, the result is both stunning and magical.

The exhibit that currently resides on the walls of the South Santiam Hall Gallery, titled “Nine by Nine,” is both profound and beautiful. The poems produced by nine members of the Poetry Club are on the walls next to the pieces of magnificent art produced by nine Advanced Illustration students. Each piece of art was created in response to the poems written by the Poetry Club and visually expresses the thoughts and feelings behind the words.

This exhibit will be on display from now through June 8, and is open to the public 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It features poems by Eliot Kurfman, Alison Ruch, Chris Riseley, J.D. Mackenzie, Neil Davidson, Patrick Misiti, Dan Simmons, student poet laureate Ruth Krueger, and the adviser for the Poetry Club, Robin Havenick. The illustrations featured were produced by Morgan Gregory, John Kruskamp, Jerral Murphey, Keith Folsom, Rosanna Russell, Daniel Quirk, Joanna Rosinska, Laura Megedanz, and Adam Elveback, all of whom are second year Graphic Design students taught by John Aikman, the Graphic Arts Department Chair.

Creating the pieces of art for the exhibit was about a three week process, with the artists and poets working together to create the best possible visual representation of the poem.

Alison Ruch, a contributing poet, said, “It was really magical. We got to walk in and select work by any artist that appealed to us, we didn’t know who was who. We picked one off the way and the artist stood up and said ‘that’s mine’ and we started working together. It was just a fantastic experience and we really connected artistically.”

Each duo worked differently. Some poets were very involved in the process, like Krueger, whose artist asked many questions and wanted as much input as possible. Some poets were not involved at all, and left it up to the artist to create the work.

“It was kind of hard because I didn’t have any input from my poet … That’s what makes us different from an artist is we usually have input from someone,” Morgan Gregory said. Gregory’s piece depicts a dream-like event, and is extremely creative and portrays “one reality and then you’re looking through a person to another reality” in a gorgeous array of colors.

All of the pieces of art are beautiful and interpret the words they represent in a unique way. They bring life and a new dimension to the poems.

The project was started because the graphic arts department had planned to skip their normally annual graphic design show, which they typically display during this month, and have for thirty one years. John Aikman and Robin Havenick thought up the project during during one of their many idea-bouncing conversations, and both liked the idea enough to follow through.

“It was really good for both the poets and the illustrators,” Aikman said, “so I can see us doing this year after year.”

Each year, Havenick comes up with some way to intertwine poetry and art, and works with the art department to create some new hybrid project. Last year they worked with photographers, but in the opposite way. The photographers took pictures and gave them to the poets to write about the picture, and most years it is a similar process. This project is the first in many years where the process was flipped, and the artist interpreted the poem.

“It’s really fun to be on this side of the collaboration, it’s wonderful to do collaborative work with all the artists,” Havenick said. “This year we got to be the ones that said, ‘Here’s my poem. Let me see what you do with it.’ It’s just really magical to have somebody visually interpret ink on a page.”

Magical is exactly what it is. Normally, when reading a poem, you are left to your own devices and are left to stew on the words and interpret them as you wish, but when the poem is accompanied by an original piece of art, the words take on a completely new meaning.

The exhibit was christened by an opening reception on Tuesday, May 22, and it was the first time that some had seen the final product of the artwork. Krueger was one of those lucky few that were able to experience the wonder of seeing it with fresh eyes like the rest of us.

“To come in today and see it and walk in the door and know which one was mine by what I spotted across the room and to see how she understood what I was saying in my poem was really meaningful,” Krueger said.

Every artist and every poet is from the Valley area. It’s surprising and wonderful that the community that surrounds us is so full of talented people, and each new art installment leaves one with an insatiable urge to see more and more art, and some to even produce it.

So come by South Santiam Hall, the lower level, and get inspired. See what those around you can create, and get the itch to create alongside them.

It’s a good thing that Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg is worth well over $105 billion dollars, because his newest Facebook scheme isn’t panning out quite how he thought. The new Facebook IPO was created and made public on May 17.

The Facebook IPO has been called many things, and a success is not one of the words used to describe it. In fact, it has been called the “Gigli” of IPOs (meaning that it is a huge flop.)

Why didn’t Facebook do as well as they originally thought?

One of the main reasons that ruined the IPO is the price. It was priced way too high, at around $42 per share. Since the first day of the IPO being made pubic, shares have dropped to about $31 per share, with an initial lose of $17.16 billion. Originally investors were told that the initial value was around $104 billion.

Apparently, the company is only worth about $7.50 per share, according to moneymorning.com. Revenue is already slowing and the company does not and cannot possibly dominate the mobile markets that are becoming the preferred channel for millions of people.

Not only is Facebook getting hit hard with the IPO debacle, but companies have started pulling their advertisements. Companies like General Motors (GM) are deciding not to renew their advertising. This is going to hit Facebook to the tune of $10 million a year for the loss of GM alone.

That’s not all that is going on with Facebook. They’re also being sued over their IPO.

According to techradar.com, Facebook is being sued by their shareholders over inconsistent IPO forecasts.

The shareholders are claiming that Facebook, along with the company’s key underwriters, mislead investors about the company’s growth forecasts.

The lawsuit addresses the fact that just before Facebook went public, the principal underwriters reduced their estimates for the company’s second quarter growth without telling some investors about new key information. The lack of that information, the suit claims, inflated Facebook’s IPO price and caused losses from investors not “preferred” by Facebook.

The lawsuit specifically targets Facebook and their principal underwriter Morgan Stanley, as well as underwriters Barclays Capital, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Merrill Lynch.

Zuckerberg doesn’t seem too concerned over these allegations, as he has been seen out and about in his normal jeans, flip-flops, and his hoodie.

In fact, a Facebook spokesperson has been quoted as saying “We believe the lawsuit is without merit and will defend ourselves vigorously.”

So, who knows what will happen to Zuckerberg and the future of Facebook in the next upcoming months.

Michelle Strachan | Contributing Writer

Math instructor Brittney Humphrey. by Michelle Strachan

As if being a college instructor isn’t impressive enough, Brittany Humphrey is also a full-time student and the proud mother of a six-year-old boy. She teaches Math 20 and Math 60 at two different campuses, four days a week and is enrolled in the Master of Arts & Teaching program at Western Oregon University, with only four terms remaining before she earns her master’s degree in teaching.

Sitting in her classroom, she doesn’t give the impression of being overloaded, overwhelmed, or even preoccupied. She has a smile on her face from start to finish, and really takes the time to make sure everyone understands and participates. “I really appreciate that she’ll stay after class and help us when we need it,” says Corina Cummings, a student enrolled in her Math 60 class at the Benton Center. “She’s nice and very patient.”

I caught up with Brittney after class to find out how she does it.

Commuter: You have a lot on your plate being a teacher, a tutor, a mother, and a student. How do you keep up on homework with such a busy schedule?
Brittney Humphrey: Some times are harder than others. A lot of times I have to take my homework with me to my son’s T-Ball practice. I take my reading and read my textbook while he practices. I also work at the help desks at Albany and at Benton Center so I get some reading done and some of my homework done there, so that helps.

C: Have you always wanted to teach math?
BH: Originally, I was an elementary education major. I started tutoring math and actually taught math for my elementary ed. class. I was even tutoring some of my mom’s co-worker’s kids. At that point, I decided to start taking more math and see if that’s where I wanted to go. I decided it was and then switched majors. So it took me a little longer to get my bachelor’s than I had planned.

C: Where do you see yourself in 5 years, professionally?
BH: Hopefully done with two master’s. Right now I can only teach Math 20-95 and I’m part time. If I have my master’s, I can get hired as a full-time faculty and I can teach up through calculus. And I want to teach at a community college. I’ll teach high school if I can’t but I would prefer to be at a community college.

C: What’s your idea of a perfect day off, or do you even get days off?
BH: (Laughs) Well, you know… just being able to spend it with my son. If I can spend the majority of the day without doing homework or grading and just spend time with my son, then that to me, is a good day off.

C: Do you have any advice for students trying to find balance with going to school and working while also raising children?
BH: Prioritize. I’ve had to sacrifice a grade level on an assignment just because I couldn’t get there that day. You have to understand that those things will happen. And sometimes full-time isn’t the way to go. I spent some time going part-time just because I had other responsibilities. It may take you a little longer but you can still do it. Even if I was part-time, I just kept going. I made sure I always had some time for my son, and if it meant doing my homework at ten o’clock at night, then that’s what I did. But to me, my son is my highest priority.

Wayne Bricco, a fellow math instructor at LBCC, chimes in with a smile and says to Brittney, “I like your priorities.” He enjoys working with her, calling her a “happy camper” and strongly agreeing that prioritizing is very important. “Before you start anything, you want to set priorities like when this comes up, this is first. If this comes up, this is second and so on. Like when she has a son’s birthday but she has a paper due; her son’s birthday gets first choice, then you do the best you can on the rest of it.”

So what’s next for Brittney? The fall term after earning her master’s degree at Western, she plans to enroll in the Masters in Math program at Oregon State. They say, “Nothing good comes easy,” and I’m sure Miss Humphrey would agree.

William Tatum | Contributing Writer

Eric Coker, a member of the Occupy Corvallis movement. by William Tatum

We have all seen them on the nightly news, on YouTube, Twitter, and of course Facebook. The amorphous, but vocal Occupy Movement that started back in 2011 in Zuccotti Park. The movement is still active globally, and Occupiers of all colors and nationalities can be found everywhere from Spain to right here in Corvallis. But who exactly are these occupiers, what do they want, and why are they here?

I sat down with one such occupier, Eric Coker, at the local Interzone campus coffee shop to see exactly what it was that motivated him to join the Occupation over other social justice movements or political movements. He arrived on time and dressed like a normal adult college students in cargo shorts and a t-shirt.

An educated and articulate man Eric isn’t the picture of the Occupation most of us are use to seeing on our screens. Absent are the Guy Fawkes masks, dreadlocks,protest language, and gauged earrings while the passion for social justice, social equality, and pragmatism remains.

When asked about almost any social or economic issue Eric had a ready and articulate answer. When asked about how some have pointed out that many of the occupiers are from a privileged class and that protesting economic inequality from one’s IPAD was inherently hypocritical, Eric strongly disagreed. “We are all part of the privileged class and being a part of the privleged class does not prevent one from commenting on social inequalities”, he said.

He felt that the Occupy movement recognized the privilege of race, gender, and economic status by virtue of birth, and that other groups by not recognizing these things could never solve the problems that are besetting our nation.

He also stressed that being part of the privileged class does not preclude one from pointing out the inherent social injustice of the society in which one lives. If anything he felt that it was the civic responsibility of the privileged classes to come to the aid of those who were either less fortunate by virtue of their birth or by virtue of the baked in inequality of our current consumption based economic system.

Unlike what has been primarily distributed over the web Eric was quick to emphasize the need for cooperation and bridge building between faith groups, political groups, and social justice groups versus the need for more protesting. “While it might get me in trouble i do recognize that there is certain amount of overlap between the Tea party and Occupy.” Eric pointed out however that the Occupy chapter in Salem had tried to have a group meeting with the Tea Party but that it had broken down because of the wide differences of opinion on basic terms and on social wedge issues.

Wedge issues and social rights issues were the primary reason that Eric became involved with the Occupy movement. While both of the movements are populist in rhetoric, they differ very widely on the social issues from women’s rights and homosexuality, to the death penalty and other social rights issues. The one thing Eric was vehement about was that Occupy and he were not bound to any one party or ideology, “I support whatever works, it is not about ideology it is about practicality” he said.

While he and the greater Occupy movement do see political protest as a viable means of civic engagement, it clearly isn’t the only methodology they are following.

At the recent city council meeting where they gave a presentation on why the city of Corvallis should be moving their money. Instead of playing the Code Pink obstruction game of distraction and disturbance the occupiers, almost ironically, waited their turn, gave articulate speeches when called upon, and only during a natural lull in the meeting did they quickly chant, “Move Our Money” and link arms with “duct tape” chains.

Aside from actions against the banking industry Occupy and occupiers like Eric are interested in social justice and social equality.

One of the main drivers of Eric and Occupy is a passion for social justice, and this is something that is not just rhetorical. Occupy Corvallis is actively working to try and improve the living conditions of the homeless by helping to bridge communication gaps between City hall and main street and by networking with existing social justice groups. One such action is going to be a meeting with the chief of police and the mayor where suggestions will be made to try and discourage police from abusing and profiling the homeless while also offering solutions to help in transferring homeless individuals back into productive society.

Contact Eric Coker at escoker@gmail.com
Or visit the Occupy Covallis Facebook page

Dale Hummel | Contributing Writer

To honor the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, several re-enactment groups, including LBCC’s Robert Harrison’s, “fought it out” on May 19 and 20 at Cheadle Lake in Lebanon. Among the groups in battle were the 116th Pennsylvania reenactment group, the 19th Indiana volunteer infantry, the Texas 4th, and numerous others from Virginia, Maryland, and New York.

If you would like to participate in reenactments like these, no matter what side you want to be on, please visit www.nwcwc.org.

Dale Hummel | Contributing Writer

The original plan for the Liberty Tree Fair was to be in the court yard on a sunny day complete with Old Glory and our own “Liberty Tree”. Perhaps that was part of the problem on Thursday when the weather did not cooperate and just a few organization appeared in Takena Hall.

The original Liberty Tree is where the patriots of the American Revolution met to plan their strategy for dealing with the British tyranny. The LBCC democracy club, Democracy in Action, hosted the fair in the spirit of the Liberty Tree. This is the third year for the club.

The Democracy Club invited any and all political, civil and community parties and groups in the area to make an appearance and spread the word of their views and ideologies to students and the general public. Exercising our 1st Amendment rights of freedom of speech is the key to our democratic republic.

Hannah DeVyldere with Oregon2012.org booth. by Dale Hummel

A few of the groups that made the appearance was Hannah DeVyldere with Oregon2012.org. They were collecting signatures to put on the ballot a measure to make it illegal to use public money for abortions. Hannah noticed that even people who are pro-choice signed the petition in their understanding that not everyone is for abortions, and the public shouldn’t have to pay for it.

A representative from Americans for Prosperity was there. He was explaining that the group is non-partisan with conservative values. Jim Clausen, the representative, suggested visiting www.AmericansforPosperity.org for more information

The Republican and Democratic Parties sat nearly across from each other and seemed to be “fishing” as potential supporters walked by. Josh Carper of the Linn County Democrats provided some lively and challenging debates.

A couple of representatives from the Occupy movement had positioned themselves at the event. Unfortunately, they didn’t seem to be in much of a mood to debate or discuss their views when confronted by people with opposing views and opinions.

At the north end of Takena Hall was a table with a prize wheel. An individual would spin the wheel and answer a question about our rights and the Amendments to the Constitution. Anyone who spun the wheel, correct answer or not, won a small prize. A correct answer would earn a pen or key chain. Three correct answers would earn a t-shirt.

Even though the 3rd Annual Liberty Tree Fair at Takena Hall wasn’t quite the success it was meant to be, it was successful nonetheless. For more on Democracy in Action, the LBCC democracy club, please contact Dr. Robert Harrison by email at harrisr@linnbenton.edu, and don’t forget to exercise your 1st Amendment rights.

Related articles

• Liberty Tree Fair(lbcommuter.com)

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Dustin Nash | Contributing Writer

Low priced drinks will grease your creative wheels as you draw, paint, fold, laugh, and share your way through Makers’ Space Drink and Draw in Corvallis.

Every first Tuesday of the month all are welcome to come to the Majestic Theatre to explore your artistic side with fellow artists or art enthusiasts.

Makers’ Space program director Josephine Zarkovich organized the first Corvallis Drink and Draw in January 2012. It started with a bang, the night’s hosts scrambling to set up additional seating to accommodate the unexpected number of attendants.

“It was crazy, we had over 70 people on the first day.” explains Zarkovich.

Craft supplies are provided if you don’t have your own, and those that bring their own supplies from home seem more than happy to share with whomever is interested. The sense of camaraderie among patrons is somewhat daunting at first, but for many it’s a refreshing alternative to loud bars, or sweaty clubs. Somewhere instead where you can sit, create, and have a conversation with friends new and old.

Related Articles:

• Makers’ Space Holds Drink & Draw (majestic.org)
• Markers’ Space Reviving the Majestic Theatre (corvallisadvocate.com)

A few weeks ago, I was in the middle of my microeconomics midterm. All of a sudden, I had the distinct realization that many of my classmates were sniffing. It seemed to get louder, like a crescendo, as more people joined in. I doubt that they were crying about the contents of the test, chopping onions, or all suffering from the same cold. As distracting as it was, I found myself joining in chorus. Not only that, but I forgot my Kleenex.

If you’re like me (and 20% of all Americans), you suffer from some type of allergy. No wonder so many of us sounded like a bunch of bawling babies during that test.

Allergies aren’t a communicable disease, but an immune response to environmental substances. White blood cells typically serve to protect the body from diseases, and in the case of allergens, they produce antigens called immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE encourages release of histamine and other mediators, which cause the actual allergic reactions we know and love (not!).

Now that you’ve had your physiology lesson for the day, let’s talk about what that looks like in the real world, and how to deal with it.

Aside from the annoying sniffles, you might have allergy symptoms in the form of: itchy eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, wheezing, rash, itchy skin, hives, and sometimes a general tired feeling.

There are some helpful ways to prevent and treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies, and I speak from years of experience. The first line of defense is to stay inside with air conditioning 24 hours a day. Since you probably can’t do that, try to avoid too much exposure to pollen between 5am and 10am, when pollen counts are at their height for the day. Also watch pollen counts for days when the count is particularly high. It is even better if you can get tested for your allergies, so you know which specific pollens to track.

There are skin tests, which expose sections of skin to various possible allergens, determining which is the offending pollen. Blood tests can also identify these triggers, by comparing results of IgE antibodies and specific antigens.

Standard treatment can include a daily dose of antihistamine, decongestants, steroid sprays, and sometimes regular immunotherapy treatments. Another effective treatment of allergy-related sinus symptoms is use of a neti pot or similar device. This temporarily solves some coughing, sneezing, and helps prevent infections as a result of long-term sinus congestion. Not only that, but the neti pot uses saline solution, which can be used by anyone and has no drug interactions.

Oh, and if you are a fellow allergy sufferer, do everyone a favor during your next test: bring some tissues (to wipe instead of sniff), some water (to loosen the offending mucus), and maybe even some cough drops (to ward off the throat tickle that just won’t go away).