If you happen to find yourself in the small town of Corvallis, Or., on a Monday night, then you might be wondering what there is to do. It just so happens that every Monday night there is an open mic night at Fireworks bar and grill on the South side of town. The music starts up around 8 p.m. and kicks off with a non competitive round. Anyone is able to sign up, yet after 10 p.m. the doors are closed for those under 21 years of age.

This particular Monday night had a few different musical styles on showcase. In fact, according to Janelle Hall this was the first open mic night where someone “pulled out a track and began to rap from hip hop.” Janelle is a Fireworks regular who actually just started her first night of work there as the door monitor. She says that she spends most of her Monday nights at the bar, and usually plays and sings acoustic guitar in the open mic showcase. She was the one who informed me how the event actually works. After the first round, the competition begins. Each participant is allowed to perform one act, whether it be poetry, singing, playing an instrument, or any bit of talent. At the end of each performance the crowds response is measured on a decibel reader and the loudest act wins a small cash prize along with the right to perform their own personal half hour showcase the following Monday.

Fireworks has a wonderful outdoor gazebo like area set up that features stone furniture and a hut style roof. “I really enjoy the atmosphere, it is very relaxing and peaceful with a comforting ambiance.” commented Kiaha Rasmussen, an OSU college student who came out to enjoy the show. “I came out to support the local artists and see the raw talent of Corvallis.” Kiaha added. If you would like to experience beautiful outdoor seating, neat lighting at Fireworks be sure to grab a jacket before you head to the show.

One highlight of the night was a first time Fireworks visitor who went under the stage name of Brainstorm and considered himself a lyrical entrepreneur. Joshua Cantlon-Bruce “felt anxious before his name was called, and was waiting in anticipation for his time to come.” The crowd seemed to really enjoy his unique style of hip hop and refreshing new beats. In fact when his song started it attracted some attention from the inside guests. After the performance Joshua seemed to have a relaxed glow; happy to not feel anxious but a little sad that it was all over. The other performances during my hour featured a pair of guitar playing lovers and a few other singing talents.

Overall, this was a wonderful way to spend a Monday night and I hope that if you are in the area you too might enjoy some of Corvallis’ local talent.

Visit the Fireworks website Here!

Check out some other events that feature Local musicians!

See some other Corvallis news….

NOTES:

Day: Friday October 16th

place: watched on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVnfyradCPY&feature=PlayList&p=4E2F4E527AB54C79&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2

time: 11:2

“these days you have to watch your back, danger may be lurking where you least expect it. You may find a friend, relative or neighbor coming after one thing: Your brain!”

Zombies in Plain English

Zombies are after one thing: your brain!

This is high season for zombie attacks. So you must know three things in order to survive;

1.How to identify a zombie.

For example, take your Uncle Dan. (a sketch is pulled up)

See the unnatural mouth position, shoulders off kilter, the crazed look on his face and pale skin.

Don’t be fooled during Halloween, be aware that zombies don’t eat candy and don’t dance.

“Zombies don’t eat candy, only brains”

2. How to survive a zombie attack:

Your first reaction may be to retreat to a home or business,

but don’t stop there because zombies will never stop.

You need to head to a Costco for rations.

zombies are quick

go to high altitudes     “Studies have shown that zombies react poorly to cold weather, causing them to slow down and become brittle”

they can’t swim

counterattack

3. how to kill undead

kill the brain, stop the zombie

bullets to head

“As starting points, we suggest large caliber bullets to the head or decapitation via machete, axe, or chainsaw.”

4. if bitten:

turn into a zombie for certain

“Kill them with dignity before they become the undead too”

…. Be prepared

Zombies sighted in Southern British Columbia, may be moving south!

attribution: lee and Sachi LeFever and the Commoncraft show

Zombies in Plain English

At a glance:

who: Everyone should be concerned with this report!

when: This season the danger is high

where: This could happen at any place

what: Zombies attacking live humans

A little Zombie Boy

If there is one life saving important message you should not skip this season, this is it. The folks down at Common Craft have graciously created a ‘how to’ or rather a ‘how to not’ die via zombia attack this halloween season. “These days you have to watch your back, danger may be lurking where you least expect it. You may find a relative, friend, or neighbor coming after one thing: Your brain!” reports Lee LeFever of Commoncraft.com. “This Halloween is fore casted to be a high season for zombie attacks.” But don’t fear, LeFever and his mates have created a three minute instructional video available to all on youtube.com which will tell you exactly how to save your brain and avoid being attacked by the undead.

The video claims that only three steps are needed to protect yourself; how to identify a zombie,  how to survive a zombie attack, and how to kill a zombie. The quickest way to identify a zombie is to take notice of the obvious features which set them apart from humans, such as “the unnatural mouth position and dark circles under the eyes, the shoulders will be off kilter, arms reaching and grabbing, legs limpy, skin pale. This is a zombie.” LeFever also makes a special note to mention how important it is to “be careful this Halloween, you may see people that resemble zombies.” Here too they offer a helpful hint that will help you distinguish between humans dressed up in zombie costumes and the real threatening undead.  Just remember that zombies do not eat candy, nor do they dance!

Now as far as surviving a zombie attack, there are a few facts you should know about zombies themselves and their capabilities. “Zombies may move quickly in the first stages of their infection, don’t underestimate their speed.” Because of this speed and the relentless chase causing zombies to never cease attack it will not be sufficient to seek shelter within a home or business, instead you need to head for a costco in order to secure rations. Zombies will never stop, so be prepared with ample supplies of food and drink. If you are unable to gather rations, the video reveals a few zombie weaknesses which can aid in your flee. Seek out high altitudes because “studies have shown that zombies react poorly to cold weather, causing them to become brittle and slow”. In addition, many people may be unaware that zombies can’t swim. This means that retreat via boat would be a great idea.

If in case you would rather fight a zombie instead of retreating then this video has a guide to that method as well. The main goal here is to sever the zombie brain from it’s body. Doing so will result in final death of the undead zombie. This is the only way! LeFever provides some sure fire methods to achieve this, “As starting points, we suggest large caliber bullets to the head or decapitation via machete, axe, or chainsaw.” Be extremely careful when attempting to kill a zombie, remember that they won’t stop until either you kill them or they kill you, so please ensure that you have properly removed the zombie head from the body.

A final word of caution found in this video concerns the prognosis of a zombie bite (even if your best friend is the one bitten). “Unfortunately there is only one outcome; Infection is absolutely irreversible. ….Your friend is not your friend anymore, face the inevitable and save your brain, kill them with dignity before they become undead too”.

Please don’t delay this Halloween season, the undead are a fact of life. Check out this video and see for yourself how to save your brain!

Check out the video on youtube

More Information on Zombies

Take a Quiz: Can you survive a zombie attack now?

The following are events I am considering as the focus of my second story:

Southtown open mic talent search
10/12/2009
Time: 8pm
Location: FireWorks
Corvallis, Oregon 97330

Acoustic Roots music jam
10/12/2009
Time: 7pm
Location: Block 15
Corvallis, Oregon 97330

Sleeping Beauty,’ Eugene Ballet company
10/17/2009
Time: 7:30pm
Location: LaSells Stewart Center
26th & Western   Corvallis, Oregon 97331
541-682-5000
website
World class dancing, lavish sets and gorgeous costumes set to Tchaikovsky’s memorable music.  A Fairy Tale Come True! Tickets: Gracewinds Music, Sid Stevens Jewelers in Albany and the Hult Center and 1 hour… read more

*All of the above events were found on http://www.visitcorvallis.com/index.php?action=events

Three sources which can be used when covering the third event (Sleeping Beauty,’ Eugene Ballet company) listed above are;

1. Leading actors in the play
2. Director of play/choreographer/music director
3. Play goers

LBCC Students and Staff say goodbye to Blackboard; Hello Moodle.

At a glance:

what: LBCC switches from Blackboard to Moodle

what is that?: Moodle is the new online educational tool replacing Blackboard. Check it out here!

when: Summer 2010 will be the last term for Blackboard

Having Problems?:  visit the LBCC elearning blog

Have any Questions?: Paul Tannahil in the media servies office is happy to help; call (541) 917-4604

Were you finally beginning to master Blackboard? Have you been hearing the word ‘Moodle’ around campus? Does the idea of switching sound scary? Well, rest assured.  This is one topic where you, as an LBCC student or instructor, may ease your worries. Linn Benton Community College is adopting a new online media resource program; enter Moodle, exit blackboard. In fact this switch has been slowly happening since last September. Due to the rising costs and various program ‘glitches’ LBCC, as well as many other community colleges nationwide, have been seeking an alternative to blackboard.

The main reasons LBCC is discontinuing blackboard and beginning Moodle are; Moodle is a better tool for online education combined with the rising costs of blackboard according to Paul Tannahil of the LBCC media services department. In fact when blackboard began to increase its costs about a year ago, LBCC began its search for an alternative online tool, even running a trial in the fall of 2008 testing out both Moodle and another alternate program called angel against blackboard. The results came back in tremendous favor of Moodle. Professor Terrance Millet added that, “Moodle is more open source and collaborative than blackboard…I feel positive about the switch, Moodle is much more user friendly and open to creativity.”

In order to make the changeover as swift and as painless as possible LBCC has even hired a part time ‘course conversion specialist’ whose primary goal is to assist both students and professors during the transition process.

As a student my first question was; ‘how will this switch affect me?’ According to Mr. Tannahil the main differences students will notice are in “the way in which your account is obtained. Moodle is semi-automated; students will not have to self-enroll in their classes nor will they create their own account; these things will already be done for you through Moodle.”  Another area students will notice the change the most is in the forum discussions. Moodle offers a much more user friendly system which should make the forum discussions easier and more manageable.

Even though apprehensions towards this switch seem to be stirring around campus among instructors and students alike our own media service expert Paul Tannahil assures us that, “Moodle can do anything blackboard can and then some….Even if Moodle costed as much as blackboard, it would still be worth it!”

Considering an online course? Click here to find out the appropriate steps in order to enroll in one of LBCC’s many elearning classes.

Click Here for a full Synopsis of Across the Universe!

By far this movie is one of my favorites of all time! Add the fact that it is also a musical and I am just blown away. Then realize that it was basically one large cover album as well. Brilliant!

Any Ideas as of yet? Well click play below and allow your ears and your eyes a feast

Picture yourself in a boat on a river,

With tangerine trees and marmalade skies.

Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,

A girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

Cellophane flowers of yellow and green,

Towering over your head.

Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes,

And she’s gone.

Lucy in the sky with diamonds,

Lucy in the sky with diamonds,

Lucy in the sky with diamonds,

Ah… Ah…

Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain,

Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies.

Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers,

That grow so incredibly high.

Newspaper taxis appear on the shore,

Waiting to take you away.

Climb in the back with your head in the clouds,

And you’re gone.

Picture yourself on a train in a station,

With plasticine porters with looking glass ties.

Suddenly someone is there at the turnstile,

The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

Of course this magic was not made on a set in Hollywood, but this movie showed me the way of the beatles. Something I am forever grateful to have found.

Across the Universe is a fictional love story during the 1960’s in America. The entire movie is set to the backdrop of some of the most amazing Beatles tunes. The main character (Jude…Hey Jude!) is a British young man who travels across seas to attempt finding his Father in America. Jude meets new friends, falls in love with innocent beautiful Lucy, and experiences the turmoil of the 60’s in America.

Cocaine Helped Kill Billy Mays, Coroner Says

Mr. OxiClean. Enough said? Everyone knows who I am talking about already, right?

Billy Mays, the face of OxiClean died this past June. The biggest problem now: His death might have been caused by none other than an illegal drug (hush hush) cocaine! Considering how glamorous his stardom was does this surprise anyone? I am not sure if anyone famous these days doesn’t dabble in a few drugs here and there just to pass the time.

The more surprising thing to me is that this story has made so much headway. If you google search ‘Billy Mays’ story after story will come up, all pretty much offering the same concise idea. It seems not much more was known about this star than OxiClean and cocaine related death.

Read More about Billy Mays’ death:

Cocaine contributed to death at 50 of hyperactive

OxiClean salesman Billy Mays

Check out the Official Harry Potter Website!

A few weeks ago I managed to be treated to seeing a movie in a theater; something I rarely have the pleasure to enjoy anymore due to the rising costs and such. Harry Potter and the Half Blooded Prince was the chosen movie. I am not quite sure why I keep watching these movies after having read the books. Anyone who zoomed through all of J.K. Rowling’s series knows that a movie could just never live up to that legacy. However, the movies are entertaining enough and once you watch the first one, well it seems more excusable to keep up the tradition.

I found myself wondering a few things during the course of this 2 hour and 2o minute long movie;

1. Will Daniel Radcliffe look too old be playing Harry Potter before the next movie? Or is he already too old looking? hmm…
2. How come the trio was unable to perform magic? Haven’t they been enrolled in the school of wizardry for 6 years already?
3. Did the same exact events happen in previous Harry Potter movies?
4. Was I as distracted during the very first Harry Potter movie? DE JAVU!

Overall this was not a bad movie. It was just decent. The acting was a little better than decent, as it usually is in this series. The special effects always pack a fun punch. There was the typical love triangle, with much talk about “snogging”. The death eaters managed to infiltrate the castle once again and Draco Malfoy is still somehow fooling the Hogwarts staff into believing his innocence. For some reason though the plot line was WAY more exciting when I read it 5 years ago in the book. Maybe it’s just the power of reading and imagination that will always have the upper hand on Hollywood? I am not quite sure, but I am sure that if I had been the one to fork up $9.50 (outrageous for one movie! And somehow this price already includes the student discount!) I would be a little upset that I had not just waited for the DVD.

Read a New York Times Review of this movie!

Hi! I am 21 years old and a psychology student at Linn Benton Community College. My life changed dramatically since a minor car accident in February of this year. I used to love to dance, play sports, workout, and be really active. I still love those things now and my physical and massage therapists, acupuncturist, and my chiropractor all say that I will do those things again. But as for now my life is completely interrupted.

Right now, being young and relatively untied down I have only one goal in my life; to figure out who I am. Well actually, that’s not true. I have about 30 active goals, but this one perpetuates throughout every other goal.

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