To Wash or Not to Wash

Hand washing can save lives

Throughout the Linn-Benton campus there are 18 separate buildings. Among these buildings are restrooms.

Located inside all the restrooms are sinks, soap, paper towels, or hand dryers. There is even a friendly reminder posted to wash your hands after using the restroom.

A survey conducted on campus by The Commuter, 15 percent of staff and students do not wash their hands.

Honestly, how many of you remember to wash your hands after using the restroom? How to properly wash your hands? These are questions that every person should be asking themselves.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness.”

Hand washing is as simple as tying your shoe. It is most effective in all settings if done properly.

Keeping your hands clean can stop germs from spreading person to person and through the community. This is very important as Linn-Benton is a community college with thousands on campus daily.

There are times a minimum of four times before activities and five times after activities in which hand washing is necessary to help prevent the spread of infection and illness. When in doubt, a good hand wash never hurt anyone.  

The most important part is how simple it really is: wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry. These five steps are easy, but just remember that while performing these steps to scrub for at least 20 seconds. It is very important to scrub the germs away.  

The CDC suggests humming the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.

When asked how long you should wash your hands for, student Brittney Holder said, “Counting the ABC’s.”

If water and soap are not available then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

According to the CDC, “Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of microbes on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.” “Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.”

When should you wash your hands?

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After touching garbage

What is the right way to wash your hands?

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

How do you use hand sanitizers?

• Apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
• Rub your hands together.
• Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

State Representative, Dan Rayfield visits LB

History instructor Scott McAleer and his History of Western Civilization classes welcomed the sixteenth House of Representatives, Dan Rayfield on Tuesday, Jan. 19 to discuss several important topics.

Rayfield discussed refinancing loans, state budgets, expenditures, fafsa issues, lobbyists, ballot measures, and internships.

There are Legislative Internship Opportunity and a Political Campaign Internship Opportunity during winter, spring and summer 2016.

Positions available are field intern, fundraising intern, and legislative intern.

Application deadline for internships will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Anyone interested should send a resume and cover letter discussing their interest in the position, qualifications for the position, and availability to Zach Baker at zach.baker@state.or.us.

The Forest Movie Review

Identical twins have a connection stronger than average siblings; so when Sara Price’s (Natalie Dormer) twin sister Jess Price (also played by Dormer) goes missing she knows something isn’t right.

The scene is set; Japan, a secluded forest, a missing person, and a potential suicide.

Despite its lackluster performance on screen, “The Forest” brought in over $13 million opening weekend.

This movie had a few good scares. The scariest was the scene with the elderly woman in the hallway. There is a long dark hallway where Sara is walking. The lights are barely flickering on and then BAM! there is an elderly asian woman who looks blind and she is right in Sara’s face. It makes you jump out of your seat.

Throughout the movie the forest plays tricks on Sara’s sadness, which makes her turn against Aiden (Taylor Kinney).

Once Sara feels betrayed by Aiden, she begins to run frantically through the Aokigahara forest without knowing which direction to go, or if Aiden is close behind.

In the movie Aokigahara forest is said to play on your fears. Earlier in the movie Sara had seen a suicide victim, which was very traumatic for her. After running away from Aiden she starts hearing voices and then the “victim” appears and scares Sara into another sporadic run.

A scene that caused a lot of screams in the theater was in a cave. Sara falls into the cave while running away. A girl appears and tells her that miss Jess wants to see her. It seemed like Sara was going to be reunited with her missing sister at last, but it was too good to be true. Dead creatures start appearing and yelling at Sara. They chase her through the cave to the opening. And there at the opening Aiden is waiting to rescue her.

The maggot scene by the river was also a real stomach turner. Nothing screams disgusting like a bunch of maggots crawling in human flesh.

One aspect of the movie that didn’t work was the scene where Sara was by herself, the scare to come was obvious. Of course something scary was about to happen.

The final downfall was the ending. It was a major letdown. Just when all seemed to be going in one direction it went the opposite. It wasn’t the ending I expected, and it definitely didn’t work.

If a semi-jump out of your seat horror flick is your thing, then head over to the nearest cinema and check out “The Forest.” It’ll do the job.

STARRING: Natalie Dormer and Taylor Kinney

DIRECTOR: Jason Zada

PRODUCTION: AI-Film and Lava Bear Films

GENRE: Horror

RATED: PG-13

OVERALL RATING:  2.5 out of 5

Sisters Movie Review

When sisters Maura Ellis (Amy Poehler) and Kate Ellis (Tina Fey) are hell bent on wrecking their parents plans for selling their childhood home; nothing will stop them, or so they thought.

This film had several well known actors and actresses including Maya Rudolph (Brinda), James Brolin (Bucky Ellis), Dianne Wiest (Deana Ellis), John Cena (Pazuzu), and John Leguizamo (Dave).

“Sisters” is definitely a movie for friends to check out or sisters who want to relive those days together growing up.

Opening weekend “Sisters” brought in $13.9 million.

“Sisters” isn’t the first time Poehler and Fey worked together cohesively and hilariously. They starred together in “Baby Mama” in 2008. Also in 2004 they appeared in “Mean Girls”.

Compared to “Baby Mama” “Sisters” is amusing in its own sense. It has its own humor. Poehler and Fey play two different characters in each movie and bring to life two individual personalities.

The movie was full of laughs. Especially the scene where Maura (Poehler) is completely wasted and basically tells off an officer and gets away with it. I’m not condoning her behavior by any means, but it was just too damn hilarious not to mention. She spells out S-H-I-T, flips the bird and makes a reference about a particular pastry. Let’s just say it was hilarious and I couldn’t hold back the laughter.

I really liked that the movie showed the real side of being sisters, and what it is like when siblings are dead set on destroying their parents plans no matter the circumstances.

After a seriously awesome house party and a few lessons learned, Maura and Kate realized that the house was just a building and that a home is a feeling.

If you like sisterly love and a walk down memory lane, then this movie is the one for you.

STARRING: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Dianne Wiest, James Brolin, John Leguizamo, Maya Rudolph

DIRECTOR: Jason Moore

PRODUCTION: Little Stranger

GENRE: Comedy

RATED: R

OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5

Not-so-hot White Chocolate Mocha

A cup of joe to go

Coffee has been a staple in the American kitchen since the 18th century. It is no wonder that a Starbucks or Dutch Bros. can be spotted on nearly every corner of every town.

According to a study done by Google, “More than 50 percent of Americans (or about 150 million people) drink coffee every day.” “That amounts to a daily consumption of more than 330 million cups! This makes the United States the most coffee dependent country on Earth.”

More and more coffee is making an appearance in the classrooms. Students rely on the caffeine to keep them going to make it through class.

Linn-Benton has two coffee shops: Hot Shot Café and the Courtyard Café, and in the bookstore they have Boyd’s coffee available.

“I go to a coffee shop at least three times a week,” said Taylor Beecher, a Linn-Benton psychology major.

In the Hot Shot Café they have a variety of coffee concoctions to fulfill any caffeine fanatics craving. The most popular drink they serve is their white chocolate mocha with raspberry sauce.

“It is good and sweet,” said David Harold, LB student and barista.

Being from the Bay area Beecher didn’t grow up around Dutch Bros. She had Starbucks and she preferred an iced caramel macchiato because it has a real coffee flavor.

If a coffee isn’t your thing then Karla Ledesma, LB student and barista at Hot Shot Café has a personal favorite: a dirty chai. Ledesma recommends a white chocolate mocha for the coffee lovers out there.

According to National Coffee Association, “Great coffee starts with great beans.”

Stay warm with a cup of joe this holiday season while on campus or on the go.

The Written Language

Sarah Mosser: Breaking the English barrier one student at a time

Linn-Benton lives up to its name as a community college. It does so by welcoming students from all walks of life.

The English Language Learner Instructional Assistant, Sarah Mosser, came to Linn-Benton in September 2014. She is also a part-time instructor teaching a course fall term: Applied Learning Strategies. ELL stands for English Language Learner. Students who don’t speak English as their primary language at home come to Mosser for assistance.

In the Writing Center Mosser is available Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Mosser’s education began at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pa. She then moved to Oregon to receive her Master of Rhetoric and Composition at Oregon State University.

There is a wide variety of languages Mosser experiences on a daily basis: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.

“The languages are more diverse than we realize,” said Mosser.

Mosser focuses on the writing process: brainstorming, content, organization, and grammar. Her goal is to take the instructions the instructors have given to the students and help them make sense to the students who might not comprehend them because of a potential language barrier.

Repetition and feedback is an important factor in Mosser’s work. It is imperative that each student receive assistance that is helpful to them specifically. Being able to help them and make it easier for them to understand is all in a day’s work for Mosser.

“Sarah loves working with ELL students, and I think they feel her interest and support. Because of her training, she is better able to explain complex issues of grammar like the many rules guiding article and preposition use,” said Victoria Fridley, writing center coordinator. “She is also aware of some of the specific struggles that may stem from the differences between English and the ELL student's native language, as well as some of the cultural differences regarding composition styles and structure.”

Mosser expressed fulfillment in being available to help students achieve a better understanding of the English language. She doesn’t like to see students struggle by themselves in a foreign language such as English.

“Students have been really eager and willing to learn,” said Mosser.

Hotel Transylvania 2 Movie Review

Three years after the first frightful thrills, Sony Pictures Animation brought the “Hotel Transylvania” crew to the big screen for more laughs.

Mavis (Selena Gomez) and Jonathan (Andy Samberg) zinged in the first “Hotel Transylvania.” It is only natural for Sony Pictures Animation to create a wedding scene in the beginning of the second film. Soon after the marriage scene between Mavis and Jonathan comes baby Dennis (Asher Blinkoff). The film has a decision to be made: is he going to be a monster or a human? Mavis has to make a decision, and it will affect her son Dennis’ life drastically.

This sequel had plenty of relatability to today’s parental issues in society. With so many decisions to be made, it is no wonder this film was created as it was.

The film featured a mother’s wariness about leaving her child with a grandparent or anyone else for that matter. Being able to leave a child with someone isn’t easy, regardless of the trust factor. Parents experience all kinds of emotions from the moment of finding a sitter to the moment they leave the child with the sitter. It can stir up feelings some didn’t even know existed. “Hotel Transylvania 2” did a good job depicting this between the anxious mother Mavis and the relaxed “vampa” Dracula (Adam Sandler).

“Hotel Transylvania 2” also had some seriously funny moments throughout. Those who have seen the first film will remember Dracula repeatedly saying that he doesn’t say blah, blah, blah. In a scene in “Hotel Transylvania 2,” Mavis calls to Dracula and Jonathan to come quickly to find out that Dennis has said his first words: blah, blah, blah. Dracula isn’t pleased by this one bit. Mavis and Jonathan deny teaching Dennis this word.

Another memorable scene is Dennis’ delivery. Dracula wasn’t allowed in the delivery room, but of course he wouldn’t allow that to stop him. He dressed up as nurse Francine and in the room he went. Mavis knew his true identity the whole time. The funniest part of that scene was when a male zombie nurse came up, sprayed mint breath spray in the mouth, and tapped “Francine” on the butt. Dracula turned so quickly toward the zombie and that poor zombie nurse didn’t stand a chance. He said, “My bad.”

Another scene that can’t go without mention was when Mavis insisted that her father Dracula have the hotel baby-proofed. There were witches with corks on their noses, knights with corks on the tips of their swords, and a baby gate at the bottom of a staircase that leads to an abyss of darkness. Then the construction guy who just put in the baby gate stood there in shock. It was some seriously twisted humor.

The film really brought family life into perspective. Dracula was consumed by keeping his daughter Mavis and grandson Dennis at Hotel Transylvania. While Mavis and Jonathan went to California to find a potential location to live, Dracula took Dennis on a journey to find his inner monster. Along the way they have adventures, and in the end, Dennis finds his monster.  

For a ghoulish delight checkout “Hotel Transylvania 2.” It will definitely bring out the laughs in a family night out.

DIRECTOR: Genndy Tartakovsky

STARRING: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, and David Spade.

PRODUCTION: Sony Pictures Animation

GENRE: Fantasy/Action

RATED: PG

OVERALL RATING: 3.5 stars out of 5  

Halloween Office Contest

Linn-Benton faculty in the spirit of Halloween

Across the campus offices could be seen decorated in the spirit of Halloween.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Linn-Benton faculty participated in a Halloween office-decorating contest.

There were multiple offices across campus competing for the win, such as Albany Community Education, Admission and Registration, College Advancement Foundation, Human Resources, and Healthcare, LB iLearn, and Business Employer Service.

Each office had a theme: The Body Shop, pirates, circus, retired superheroes, and a haunted office.

Albany Community Education was The Body Shop. Holding down the shop were Melissa Richey as the evil clown, Chris Nystrom wearing a chest full of knives, and Emily Jerderlinich as Dracula.

The Community Education office welcomed guests with the sound of haunting music and a body hanging from the ceiling in the center of the office. On the counter sat three boxes with mysterious concoctions inside. If guests dared to place their hands into the boxes, they possibly found out what lay inside.

Admissions and Registration were ready to set sail with Captain Jack Sparrow.

Located in Willamette Hall was a mini circus. Beyond the front desk there was a tight rope, balloon animals, a fortune teller, a Barbie doll missing a limb, and a shadow wall with dark creatures.

The Calapooia Center was transformed into The Faded Powers Rest Home for Tired and Retired Super Heroes. These folks were too kind to haunt anyone. There was Bat Woman, Hulk, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, Flash, Catwoman, Super Old Girl, Auntie Biotic, and the Nurse.

Just beyond the brightly lit hall lay the dark and spooky human resources office. At the counter was the previous Diana Ward. She wasn’t herself -- she was a zombie now. Off in the distance were skeletons, DJ Kronstiner and Tess Cox. Even further back, in the dark office lit only by a monitor, sat dressed as Dracula, Deana Culbertson. Out from the shadows stepped Hannibal Lecter, Scott Rolen. Spiderwebs hung from the ceiling. Bloody hand prints painted the wall above a row of graves. There was even a gelatin brain with a scoop to serve up the tasty treat.

This year’s winner of the Halloween office decorating contest, drum roll please: Human Resources. The prize is a headless RoadRunner trophy which will remain with them for a year. The trophy carries the responsibility of being next year’s judges. This year’s runner up is the office of Admissions and Registration.