Sites to see in Salem, Oregon

Union Street Railroad bridge connects downtown Salem to West Salem. It crosses over the Willamette River. It was initially used by trains until being sold to the City of Salem for one dollar in 2003. 

Kevon Sterling is here from New York City, New York promoting the new free line skates. You can catch him skating around downtown on these neat free line skates.  

Here you have the State Capital and it's beautiful sculptural fountain. These fountains are on during the summer. Closer to the Capital there is fountains that shot straight up into the air and children and adults can play there all summer long.  

Word Mob

The "Word Mob" was part of National Poetry Month. It was a showcase of poetry from several different poets, including myself. The poetry was filled with deep thought and emotions. I didn't only hear the words, but I felt them too. 

On April 25, 2014 English instructor Jed Wyman reads some of his poetry at the Benton "Word Mob." 

Audience listens on while Conor McCoy plays his guitar at the beginning of the show at the Benton Center.  

Poet Laureate Kiera Lynn skims through her poetry book searching for poems to share at the Benton Center.

 

Linn-Benton Gender Sexuality Alliance Meeting

This GSA, Gender Sexuality Alliance meeting was called upon because a name change was underway. Members felt that Gay Straight Alliance wasn't as broad. Gay Straight Alliance didn't include everyone, it seemed two sided. A couple meetings later, and the club officially changed their name to Gender Sexuality Alliance.  

This club is place for students to come for support and a better understanding of the world we live in. Sexuality is everywhere and is unavoidable. 

From left to right: Club Adviser Tim Black, Gender Sexuality Alliance President Jordan Hagle, Jordan Hubbard, and Wyatt Zuber finish watching a clip online while waiting for members to show up. Meeting held in the D.A.C. (Diversity Achievement Center) Friday at 2 p.m.

Meeting is in gear and the topic is name change.
Members at meeting from left to right: Wyatt Zuber, Jordan Hagle, Jordan Hubbard, Kamran Ahmed Mirza, and Club Adviser Tim Black.  

President of the Linn-Benton Gender Sexuality Alliance,  Jordan Hagle writes a list of potential name changes on the white board. 

Profile: Hollis Duncan = Mathematics + Soccer Dad

Traveling along I-5, a Linn-Benton Community College sign came into view. Forty-two year old Hollis Duncan said to his wife, "Maybe I will work there someday."

Hollis Duncan 

Duncan isn't your typical mathematics instructor, he is a "soccer mom". He has three children and a wife. Every soccer game Duncan can be spotted on the side lines cheering his children to victory.

Eleven years and counting is how long Duncan has been an instructor at Linn-Benton Community College. He didn't always aspire to be a mathematics instructor. Aspirations of a being a zoologist early on with one slight dilemma...penguins or wolves?

Duncan couldn't decide which animal he liked more, so he went in a different direction with his education and career.

"Even when he's being serious he's funny" said, Bethany Pratt.

Wearing a tie dye shirt with mathematics printed on it, he walks in with teaching in mind. Casually approaching the front of the class with a wit leading us to believe he's a joker and not a thinker. Then out of nowhere comes this knowledge of sorts.

Sheri Rogers said, "He is quietly friendly and often times hilarious."

Reserved, Duncan begins his lesson. Filling out minds with algebra and doing it in a way only he could. Psst! And then the look...you've been caught having a side conversation. Psst! An eyebrow raise and a point, then you know you've been caught red handed in the cookie jar.

Strolling through the aisles of students, Duncan makes sure everyone understands. Strict lectures aren't like Duncan. He's a laid back kind of guy.

"Math can be fun" said, Duncan.

Zoologist or not, Duncan is a success in his own right. Mathematics instructors instruct, observe, and study students; looks like Hollis Duncan became a zoologist after-all. The only difference is the subject.

Links to hobbies:
Kayaking
Hiking
Mountain Climbing
Camping

At a glance:

Subject: Hollis Duncan

Age: Forty-two years young

Career: Mathematics Instructor

Location: Linn-Benton Community College

Hours: Monday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to noon; Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday by appointment. 

Phone: (541) 917-4758

Email: hollis.duncan@linnbenton.edu

Hobbies: Camping, kayaking, and climbing

Organizations: ORMATYC (Oregon Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges) and AMATYC 

(American Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges)

Education: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chattanooga State, and Oregon State University just to name a few.

"Word Mob" at the Benton Center, Linn-Benton

Poet Laureate, Kiera Lynn and musician for the "Word Mob" event, Conor McCoy greet guests and fellow poets while they walk in at the Benton Center. 

Crash and Kiera Lynn show excitement before "Word Mob" begins.

English instructor at the Benton Center, Kasey Johnson reads her poetry to the audience. 

English instructor Jed Wyman reads his poetry to the audience at the Benton Center for the "Word Mob."

Kent Elliott reads his poetry to the audience and glances up to gaze into my camera lens for a quick shot. 

Review: Fit with Fitness Experience in Albany

Fitness is a must, but where can we find it? Look no further, Fitness Experience is just around the corner.

Fitness Experience is a gym located at 1715 SE Hill St Albany. The building with the custom logo FE colored in a vivid lime green. It has several tinted windows on the front of the building. Definitely hard to miss it. Come work up a sweat any day of the week, however hours vary day to day.

Fitness Experience--Albany, Ore. 

Unlike most gym's, Fitness Experience has multiple workout equipment and rooms. They even have many machines for any one particular body part your working on. Basically it is a one-stop-exercise shop.

Brad Garrett said, "I joined Fitness Experience because of it's location, size, and available equipment."

Other services offered include group spinning, Zumba, and Crossfit. Fitness Experience even has colorful child care center for you little one's for practically nothing; it's $2 per hour. Where else are you going to find a deal like this for child care? Nowhere should be your answer.

At Fitness Experience prices are far more affordable than most gym's, especially considering all the helpful and wonderful services provided. Prices starting at $55 and goes all the way up $300. Affordability is a must and for a part-time worker, full-time student, and a mother like myself. These days who has the extra funds just laying around? I know that I don't. They have couple discounts, as well as bundles.

Brent Riley has been a member for over a year. When asked, "What does the gym offer you?" Riley said, "It offers me a place to lift." Staying healthy and fit is his goal at Fitness Experience.

Twenty-six year old Riley is married, a college student at Linn-Benton, and veteran of the U.S. Army. He currently works at Applebee's serving tables in Albany.

"Exercise makes me happy," said Riley.

Exercise should make everyone happy. Just knowing that I am doing something productive and improving my health only drives me to pursue the ultimate finish.

The staff at Fitness Experience are very helpful. The first day of my workout regimen my trainer made me laugh and feel comfortable. She made me believe that I can be that size 12 that I so desperately want to be. Her few words of encouragement remains in my mind. When I am getting my sweat on her words play in my head like a song on replay.

I would most certainly recommend Fitness Experience to friends, family, and anyone in general seeking a gym to join. It is a gym with a friendly atmosphere. Every member is there with one goal in mind, and we're all using the equipment to get there. One machine, many goals, and individual results.

Compared to other gym's, Fitness Experience is in the top four. They have multiple exercise machines for any given body part your working on. They have three separate ab machines, each one is operated differently, and does the same thing. It's an all over workout.

"I'm a member, so I have a place I can go everyday to train" said, Brad Garrett.

At a glance
Facility: Fitness Experience
What: Gym
Where: 1715 SE Hill St in Albany
Hours: Monday to Thursday 4:45 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 4:45 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone: 541-917-3488
Email: FitnessExperience@comcast.net

Edward Henry Weston

"I ask nothing more than to be able to grow in strength, and achieve the ultimate from my possibilities." Edward Henry Weston

Edward Henry Weston 

Edward Henry Weston was born March 24, 1886, in Highland Park, Illinois. Weston received his first camera in 1902, when he was only 16-years-old. It came from his father.

Weston's claim to fame included Natural Forms, 1930 -- Pepper No. 30, Landscapes, 1936 -- Oceano, and Nudes, 1936 -- Nude. Most of his nude models were female.

Weston studied at Illinois College of Photography.

When Weston was only 21-years-old he moved to California to pursue his photography career, and spent most of his life there.

On January 30, 1909 Weston married Flora May Chandler. It has been said that Weston only married Chandler because she was a fairly well-off school teacher. He saw dollar signs and a way to pursue his photography career full-time. 

After a little over a year, on April 26, 1910, Flora and Edward welcomed their first of four sons, Edward Chandler Weston. Second son, Theodore Brett Weston was born on December 16, 1911. Third son, Lawrence Neil Weston was born on December 6, 1916. The Weston's fourth son, Cole Weston was born on their 10 year wedding anniversary, January 30, 1919.

Three of the Weston boys followed their father's foot steps and became well-known photographer's.

The Weston boys helped their father develop and print photograph's.

Weston was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and stopped photographing soon after. He had a very successful 40 year career. His career took him all over, and he met many "inspirational" people.

During Weston's career he was the first photographer to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1937. The fellowship allotted him funds and time to take over one thousand photograph's that were 8 x 10 and with negatives. 

His work influenced a generation of American photographer's. 

Edward Henry Weston died on January 1, 1958 in California. He was only 71-years-old. 

Edward Weston photograph's 

My Favorite Image:

Oceano, 1936
Photography by Edward Weston 

This image is my favorite because of the details in the lines. When I look at this photograph I am transported to the sand scene.

What stood out for me was the reality of all the photograph's. Everything was in it's natural element and beauty.

Weston's photography is distinctive in that it isn't like any I have ever seen before. His photograph's tell a story without divulging the location.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Edward Weston Photography
Google

8 Prime Examples of Edward Weston's Photography:
Johan on couch, 1925
Guadalupe de Rivera, 1924
Artichoke, 1930
Cypress, Point Lobos, 1930
Mammy, 1941
Abandoned Piano, 1941
Nude, 1934
Iceburg Lake, 1937

Jimmy Bledsoe, Horticulture student at Linn-Benton

Jimmy Bledsoe is a Horticulture student at Linn-Benton. He is a former Marine for the United States. He is married and has two wonderful little boys. On his free time he likes to play computer games and be outside. Jimmy is a one of a kind guy with a genuine heart.

In the greenhouse, Jimmy "Jim" Bledsoe and classmate Rachel Gerber are transplanting tomatoes from the tray of plugs to individual pots.

Jimmy Bledsoe --  Horticulture student at LBCC