LBCC Student Nia Alvarado Reflects on SLC Vice Presidency.

With only one term left before leaving Linn-Benton Community College, here is a light shone on our SLC Vice President, Nia Alvarado. 

She is a computer science major at Linn-Benton Community College, and is dual-enrolled at OSU as a computer science major with an option in artificial intelligence. She’s been at LBCC for two years now, and is about to graduate. She will continue on with OSU, and take some summer classes at Chemeketa Community College. 

She has been a Roadrunner for two years, and for five terms she’s been our SLC V.P. Spring term will be her last one in student government. 

What inspired you to study computer science with an option in artificial intelligence?

Oh, it’s actually really interesting. I had to write an essay my senior year about artificial intelligence, and originally I was against it. But I actually found myself loving it and falling in love with computer science. I always thought I’d be a politician, which is crazy because I hate politics now. So that essay inspired me to explore engineering as an entire field. I really didn’t know much about it, and I hated math, and didn’t really like science until that year.

What is it about A.I. that you love so much? 

I love the connection to the human brain that it has with it, and it’s connection to machinery. I really like how we can take simple everyday things, like my Google Home that I can’t live without, and apply it to make our lives easier. I also really like future technology, and so I wanted to be a part of that push into the future.

What are your plans for after college and your future career?

Interestingly enough, I will probably never touch computer science again, unless it’s for my own personal gain or use. After LB I’ll be finishing up at OSU next year, and after that I’m not sure if I’ll be working full time, going to school, or both. But, I’m actually going to be pursuing a different degree in a career field I want -- I’ll be doing aerospace engineering.

I don’t want to be a part of space exploration, I want to start off by working on smaller projects like satellites.

Unfortunately, nowhere in Oregon has this program, and so I’ve actually checked out a program in Florida. I’m also looking into Boulder University in Colorado. I wanted to be closer to home and go to USC, but I don’t want to pay that price; they’re expensive and living in California is super expensive.

 

Switching gears, talk about your your position as V.P.: 

I really like it. It was more than I thought it was going to be, not workload wise, but it has been a great experience. I went in thinking that this is something that will be great for my resume; I would get letters of recommendation, I get to work with staff, and I know how staff connections have always helped me personally. 

It’s been a really great experience because my team are amazing people, with all different types of majors and personality types. We also have a guide [Rob Camp] who helps us with a ton of things, classes or any department. 

What kind of things do you do in SLC?

We do quite a bit [in SLC] that goes unnoticed. With the elections, we just got our results back from people that voted and their feedback for what we need to do, and a lot of stuff we already do, so just getting that out there next year I think is going to be huge. We help out with graduation, we pay for a pretty big amount of it, and help with and pay for pretty much all of the events you used to see on campus -- hopefully, we’ll get black to normal life soon. We hold tuition hearings, also talk with faculty and make sure they are not overstepping students. I personally have a judiciary board that I run, and we go through all the documents, by-laws, and the [SLC] constitution that we all voted for, and make sure it stays updated. We keep track of all the money that is allocated to the clubs, making sure that they are staying updated and engaged. We also have open Zoom meeting times for students, Monday through Friday.

Why is SLC important, and what made you want to become a part of it? 

I believe SLC is important because we are the voice for the students. Students can reach out to faculty themselves, but it’s not always so easy for them to get into contact with them, like we can. Angie Geno [SLC president] and I meet every month with President Lisa Avery, and we are also able to talk with representatives, and lobby for students for whatever cause it may be. [This year, they’re lobbying for financial support for the school.]

What’s been the greatest challenge being in SLC? 

The biggest challenge would be for me personally, managing our time. Right now, I don’t have to worry about too much currently, and usually we’d be doing things like events, and things that we can’t really do this year. Almost all of our activities have been cut this year, and we’ve lost a few members.

What’s your biggest accomplishment in SLC?

I’d say probably getting out of my comfort zone. I originally was going to be the legislative affairs director, but then our initial V.P. didn’t meet one of the requirements, so that’s how I fell into the position; I didn’t get elected. So I didn’t expect to be in this position at all, so having to talk to all the faculty and go to all these meetings, and having to speak when I’m normally a quiet person in class, really forced me out of my comfort zone.

What’s one thing SLC has done that you feel has made a big difference? 

We donated $5000 to the LB Thanksgiving Food Drive, and so students could come get money for groceries. Which was nice because people saw that we donated money, and so they donated money. 

Another one that I feel will be really great [once it’s up and running] is that we created a volunteer website, where you can see volunteer opportunities, and there’s a chance that some of that volunteer work will equate to a certain dollar amount that will be applied to the student’s LB account or debt. 

Who have you found at LB to be really helpful?

(Student Leadership Coordinator) Rob (Camp) is a huge one, he helps me with absolutely everything. He goes out of his way to make sure his students will not fail.

At a Glance: 

Nia Alvarado

Position: Student and LBCC SLC V.P. 

Age: 21

Hometown: Independence, Oregon. 

Education: Working on associate and bachelor’s in computer science with an option for artificial intelligence at LBCC and OSU. 

Dream: To work as an aerospace engineer, working on technologies that launch us forward into the future. 

Other Interests: Everything fashion, snowboarding, hiking, traveling, and almost anything science (except chemistry!).

A Peaceful Inauguration Protest in the Salem Capitol

 

Salem Peaceful Protest on President Joe Biden's Inauguration Day.

Man who would not provide his name prays for peace from sunup to sundown in front of the Salem Oregon Capitol. 

SALEM -- After the Capitol in Washington, D.C., was stormed by protesters, rumors circled the nation that more protests could happen at all state capitals on President Joe Biden's inauguration day. The rumors filled social media platforms, and both the City of Salem and local and state police informed the public of the potential for a violent protest. 

However, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, it was a quiet and rather calm day at the Capitol in Salem. 

Across the street from the Capitol a small crowd formed, not exceeding 25 people at any time. 

Protester across from the Capitol Building. 

One woman flew an American and a Biden flag, and one man held up a cardboard sign criticizing those on the left, another man held two signs against President Trump, and two men calling themselves the “gospel guys” shared their message of Jesus and Christianity. This was the entirety of the protest, where journalists with cameras expecting a story outnumbered protesters. 

Fox News 12 interviews a protester who flew flags of the U.S.A. and President Biden.

Many civilians walked by with camera phones, while the police circled the block, and cars honked their horns in support or disapproval. 

The front of the Capitol was bare of people, however, in front of the gates that surrounded the building knelt a man with a folded up flag and a lit candle, praying. His face and eyes were covered, and he declined to state his name. 

The man did not move from his position throughout the protest. 

“I committed to God that I would be here no matter what. I got here just as the sun was going up, and I plan on being here until sunset,” he said. 

“I’m just praying today that people who walk on this ground will feel peace.”

“To me it’s energetics. … You don’t need to speak to get the energy out there, you can feel it. … Just the energy of me out here is doing something, and I’m trusting that God has asked me to be here for a purpose.

“Whatever we do, it doesn’t matter if people see it or not, because it’s the energy that follows that matters.”

He spoke about how we are all one body here in the world, and in the United States, and that “we cannot cut off one body part,” and the division between the two political parties is causing that to happen. 

“It’s not about the left or the right, it’s a cultural issue.” 

“My ancestors came over on the Mayflower, and they’ve been here ever since. That blood is in me. One of my Irish ancestors married a Cherokee, and so I have Cherokee blood. There is Catholicism in my family, and some of the first Mormons are in my blood line, as well as the Oregon settlers, and Montana cowboys; it’s just all in there!” 

“You can’t pick and choose, that’s my history. It’s the same with this country and its people, we don’t get to pick and choose, we have to learn to live with us all. We have to find a way to get along, cause we can’t divide off any one part,” he said. 

This man said he hopes for accountability among the hearts of the people in this country. 

“If we all as citizens take personal accountability for our own lives, never feeling like a victim, things will be better. If there's a challenge to hate, think: ‘How do I solve this and what do I do to make my life better? … It starts with personal accountability.”

As seen on social media, opinions over what happened at the nation’s Capitol included many who were scared, and that the Capitol invasion instilled fears over safety and personal rights, or an attack on America itself.

Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee tweeted during the D.C. protest: “I am in the House Chambers. We have been instructed to lie down on the floor and put on our gas masks. Chamber security and Capitol Police have their guns drawn as protesters bang on the front door of the chamber. This is not a protest. This is an attack on America.”

The praying man at the Salem Capitol said, “The thing that happened at the Capitol, all those people, they said, ‘President Trump told me to do this,’ and that’s not personal accountability. It’s destructive, and just perpetuates the same things. I just feel like I have to pray for peace.” 

He talked about our freedom: “We come here and we get to choose. That’s why accountability is so important, no matter whether you're a homeless person or the POTUS” 

“People need to feel peace in their hearts. There’s just so many people who have been terrorized by Donald Trump...By Trump saying, ‘If I am not the president, this country will cease to exist,’ well that's terrorizing people because it’s not true. He’s been so good at scaring people.”

“We have to remind people that they are part of our family, that we don’t hate or disapprove of them, we have to reach out to them. We all suffer from the human condition … we have a short amount of time that we’re alive, and so we have to learn the same lessons. … But that’s why we're here, to experience these lessons, and that’s why freedom is so important,” he said. 

“There’s an energetic balance to the world, and our prayers, energy, and thoughts all matter.”

The man sat in silent protest for the remainder of the day, praying for peace among the masses. Nobody else talked to him for the remainder of the protest. 

Was it the fear of getting arrested that kept the State Capitol at peace that day? Or was it a realization that what happened in D.C. was not good? Perhaps it was the thought and wishes of peace among many. Regardless, there was one lone man out there that day, who seemed to have all our best interests in mind.

Roadrunner Resources - Get the Help You Need Right Now

Are you struggling with purchasing your textbooks, or maybe you’re feeling deterred because you don’t have a good computer, or internet? Maybe you just need some food to fuel you. Let Linn-Benton help.

Maybe you need help with utilities, a down payment for an apartment, back rent to keep you from getting evicted, or perhaps you are in need of housing overall. 

Perhaps it’s all of these issues. Linn-Benton Community College, as well as Benton and Linn counties have put systems in place to help combat student homelessness.

Times are tough in these uncharted pandemic territories, and it's easy to say that it has affected the world drastically. Service industry closures and limitations have swept through the nation, leaving many faced with unemployment in 2020, and it’s spilling over into 2021. On Dec. 26, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program ended (via Oregon Employment Department), and now many are left without unemployment compensation as well. While there is another program coming out to extend these benefits, in the meantime, people are left vulnerable. 

“Students have probably been hit the hardest, and that’s all the analysis of the Oregon Employment Department, showing that the people making under that $40,000 a year are the people being largely impacted at this time. That's our student demographic. They don’t have that extra income or jobs in the restaurant or service industry,” said Linn-Benton Foundation Coordinator Linnea Everts. 

“Our goal is to keep students in school. We want students to stay in school, we want them to stay focused and get the education they’re seeking, despite everything going on in their lives."

Everts is in charge of the scholarship programs as well as stewardship and donor relations, supporting fundraising events, and is responsible for supporting the Roadrunner Resources with emergency funds. 

“I haven’t seen a single application (among our emergency fund applicants) where somebody has not mentioned that Covid directly or indirectly affected their life,” said Everts.

Everts encourages all students with any resource barrier to contact resources@linnbenton.edu. From there, a coordinator will be able to help them get the resources they need, whether it’s through various programs within the community, or emergency funds via Linn-Benton. 

The emergency funds program at LBCC is there when it’s been determined that outside community resources can’t help. You can apply via the email above, or through Roadrunner Resources at www.linnbenton.edu/student-services/other-resources/roadrunner-resource-center.php.

“I really want students to know that they should apply for scholarships, especially because in this particular instance, there are a number of students who had scholarships to be paid out for winter term, and are no longer here. We need to re-assign that money, and we can’t do that if students don’t apply.” 

The next LBCC scholarship program applications open up Feb. 22.

Their online scholarship application allows you to be considered for close to 200 scholarships at once. To check it out and apply, see LBCC Scholarships | LBCC. 

LBCC has been working closely with the Community Services Consortium, which is a resource that has been around for more than 40 years now. They provide emergency resources to those in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties, as well as some select services in Polk county. CSC is available to the whole community, not just students! Visit them at https://communityservices.us.

In addition to Roadrunner Resources (which includes various community outreach programs), Jackson Street Youth Services of Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties have reached out to Linn-Benton to let their support be known. In an email from Barbara Brooks, an Education Outreach Worker for Jackson Street Youth Services, stated they are providing support in the following areas: 

• Educational advocate

• Fees for books/testing/sports/clubs/applications/graduations

• School supplies

• Homeless verification letters for FAFSA

• Support with scholarships

• FAFSA/college or vocational applications

• Academic coaching 

• Support groups 

• Basic needs documents (birth certificates, ID, SSID). 

For those that are between the ages of 10-24, they will provide snacks and meals, food boxes, laundry and showers at limited sites, and mental health and case management referrals.  

“We’re also finding that work study has been affected a lot. A lot of our students depend on work study both at OSU and Linn-Benton, and with the closure that’s gone away," said Everts.

Since April 2020, Linn-Benton has been contacted by close to 200 students who have been experiencing an emergency or need assistance to cover basic needs. 

Roadrunner Resources works closely with various community organizations, which include Corvallis Services Consortium, Department of Human Services, utility assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP benefits), and Oregon Health Plan. Forty percent of students who reach out to LBCC are helped via these outside resources. About 30% of students who reach out will receive help from the Roadrunner Resource Center, which leverages Foundation funds to help cover things not covered by community agencies, according to Everts. 

“When it comes to housing almost half of the requests that we have are on housing, or related to concerns on housing, and they’ll [students] contact us not knowing whether they can take a class or not. We’ll find out they’re couch surfing, but have an opportunity to get an apartment, but can’t come up with the deposit, and that’s where the Community Services Consortium has really been able to step in. As an institution, we’re trying to help with that immediate barrier that is hindering a student to get education,” said Everts. 

“We see so many students without access to the internet,” said Everts. “Students who don’t have access to proper internet have reported sitting outside Starbucks (for internet) only to be harassed for loitering. The impact of this pandemic is like a rolling snowball.” 

She “loves working with the students, but some of these stories are really heavy. … Not having half the resources many of us had in school, I think this really shows the resilience of our students," said Everts.

There is help out there, for the smallest of barriers to the largest, Everts said. With thoughts of “somebody else needs this more than me, so I’m not going to apply,” she fears those who could use the help won’t reach out.

At a Glance: 

What: Roadrunner Student Resources through LBCC and the community for immediate aid amid the pandemic.

When: Winter Term 2021

Where: Linn and Benton Counties.

Website: resources@linnbenton.edu., https://www.jacksonstreet.org/services/, https://communityservices.us

For More Information: LBCC Foundation Coordinator Linnea Everts, evertsl@linnbenton.edu.

Cold and Homeless Amid the Virus in Corvallis

Homeless Amid the Virus

“If you really want to help these people, go get them some firewood, they’re freezing,” say’s a Corvallis citizen as he uses sticks, twigs, and branches to build a small fire in front of a medium sized tent, in which sits a rosey checked blonde women, swaddled in blankets. She does not speak to strangers on this almost freezing Saturday afternoon, at the official Corvallis homeless camp sites, underneath the downtown hwy. 34 bridge. Many of residents of this area are resistant to talk, and decline to give their name.

Below the hwy. 34 ramp in downtown Corvallis, January 9th. 

The property is owned by the City of Corvallis, in which this land is provided to those who are homeless and wish to stay, as long as they keep it clean (more official information to come on this). There is a large blue dumpster that is provided at the edge of the northwest sidewalk along the property, near the skatepark; “as long as we keep it clean, we can stay here,” says local homeless tenant, Vern Jones. 

Jones is a Corvallis local, who has been homeless in the area for 10 years. When asked if he’s seen an increase in the homeless since the pandemic, Jones says, “There used to be maybe ten tents here, now there are forty.” Jones is “an alcoholic,” which “helps keep him warm.” He has no family, and the locals here only “tolerate him,” says the Corvallis citizen who doesn't disclose his name.

This portion of the campsite is quite large, containing at least 15 tents in the main area. There are piles of clothes, trash that’s been bagged up, bikes, tables, and everyone is bundled up and blatantly cold, trying to make a fire in front of their tent. 

Vern Jones and company attempt to build a fire underneath the hwy. 34 ramp in downtown Corvallis, Saturday, January 9th. 

To the south side of the camp there are other tents who’ve spread out individually, nestled in the base of trees and grassy fields. They seem to have means other than fire to keep warm, such heat lamps aglow in their tents. What they are doing to get electricity to power these lamps is still not clear. 

Tent to the south of the camp, build within the trees. Saturday, January 9th.  

Another young man who chooses not to reside among the camp, is 23-year-old “Piano Man” or “KeyBoard Kid” Damian Scott. “I don’t like the energy of it all [the downtown camp], so that’s why I sleep in the doorway [of a Corvallis store front].” 

Scott has been a street performer for 11 years, where he plays unknown, unheard, and unwritten music on his keyboard to the public. He’s been living in Portland and Corvallis for “a couple of months'' after coming here from Kansas. He plans to stay here “at least throughout the winter”. 

“What’s different [among the pandemic] is I’ve had to figure out where most of the people are, like the places that most people go to, to play music outside to earn my way. Like at maybe the post office or grocery stores. That’s something different. Downtown drags aren’t usually alive with people just walking around anymore,” says Scott. 

He taught himself how to play music, without ever learning to read it. Playing his keyboard is his only means of survival, and with the pandemic keeping musicians at bay, Scott has been facing basic survival needs. Traveling around the city and country with his almost four-foot keyboard, a blanket and sleeping bag equally as large, and a backpack; These are his only belongings, and he sleeps on cardboard to “keep the cement from sucking out the cold”. 

Damian Scott plays his own written music on the streets of downtown Corvallis, Saturday, January 9th. 

Editors Note: If you are a student at Linn-Benton Community College and are struggling with housing, food, utilities, education costs, and more, know there are resources out there easily accessible for you. You can access these resources through Roadrunner Resources, on the LB official website, where you will find a quick questionnaire to help LB determine the best way to help you and get resources to you quickly. Please visit https://www.linnbenton.edu/student-services/other-resources/roadrunner-resource-center.php to receive assistance with food, housing, bills, text books, electronics for school, and more.

Thomas Miller - Your Local Arborist

This arborist, Thomas (Tom) Miller, a 27 year old Corvallis native. Tom spends many of his work days up in trees, removing and pruning them, among lots of other major and minor landscaping.  I was lucky enough to spend a couple afternoons capturing Tom from way up high, to way down low. 

What do you love about being an arborist?

I love it [being up in a tree], it’s really satisfying. It feels good to overcome a difficult task, and I really like working outside, even in the rain or snow.

Miller graduated from Corvallis High School and studied psychology at Portland Community College.

How did you become an arborist?

I sort of fell into it...My mother had my now boss Sam over, to do on a bid on pruning a tree. I was a little inspired by Sam, and told him how much I love plants and gardening.

Miller has found a passion for gardening and plants since 2011.

Sam Carter is the owner of Carter Tree Care, which Miller has been working for, for 1.5 years. 

I really like native plants, trees, and shrubs. I like how good they are for native pollinators, wildlife, insects. I also really like being self sustainable, growing fruits and vegetables in my own space. I dream about having my own property with fruit trees and a vegetable garden, and maybe a greenhouse, Miller says.

Albany, Oregon, Tuesday, November 17th.

Thomas Miller and trusty right hand partner, Scout Beckwith.

   Tell me about tree climbing, is it scary?

   If it’s a dead tree it can be scary cause you don’t know how strong it is sometimes!

What about this tree - was kind is is, and is it dead?

This particular tree was a Red Maple, and it was alive. It had a big branch break out of it, and the home owners were worried about more falling their house and property.

Was this particular job scary for you, even though it was an alive tree?

Yes, they all are. It's hard to predict where the branches are going to go when you cut it, cause the wood is really fragile and not very ‘hingy’, meaning it’s strong until it’s not. It can be more unpredictable, cause you can’t control when that moment happens. - Miller

Thomas Miller, Albany, OR, private residence. November 17th. 

Have you ever had any close calls? 

            I’ve had big branches come at my face, and had to jump off a few latter's. I've had branches hit my leg, and cut myself with the handsaw.

            I also dislocated my rib once! I was climbing down a tree with just the flip line (which is the one small line), and I spurred out of the tree and then slid down it and hit my rib on a branch nub that we already cut.

What is the scariest part about being an arborist?

    Definitely when I’ve taken all the branches off of a tree and its just a stick left, it’s kind of nerve racking cause there’s nothing to hang on to -- it's just you the rope and the tree.

Do you, or anyone else, get panic attacks, while up so high?

I’ve heard of other people having them, and I’ve had minor attacks maybe, but nothing that stops me from continuing.

But there are people who have panic attacks and don’t know what to do, and then you need to rescue them out of the tree.

You need to be able to go up there and get them fast, because the paramedics can’t do it, especially if that person is unconscious.

Thomas Miller does a full removal of a Red Maple tree at a private residence, Albany, OR, on Tuesday, November 17th. 

How long does it take to remove a tree, specifically the one pictured?

This removal was about 3 hours in total. Sometimes they can be more or less time consuming than that.

Are you super tired at the end of your days?

Sometimes, yeah... always on Fridays. Typically we work 6-7 hours a day. It's nice, but very labor intensive.

How long do you see yourself doing this for?

It’s pretty taxing on my body, so probably under 5 years.

What about after that? What would you like to do?

Something with my mind. Maybe running a business or something, that would be the next step. Something to do with tree care or plants, like a nursery or something. I’d like working with native plants.

Maybe I’d start planting trees instead of removing them.

Thomas Miller and Scout Beckwith, Monday, November 23rd, at Trimble Navigation, Corvallis, OR. 

What's the hardest part about your job?

How physically demanding it is. It took me a few months to even get used to dragging brush and stuff like that.

Do you ever get 'snow days'?

For the most part, the only day's we don't work are days when it's exceptionally windy.

How many trees do you remove in a weeks time? How many are in your crew?

About two trees a week, and we have a crew totaling 3 or 4. Although, in the past, I've worked alone while climbing trees, and that was much more freaky.

Once we get to fruit tree season I’ll do 20 trees a week, but with the latter, you don’t have to climb them.

Tom, what's your favorite memory? And what do you do in your time away from trees?

My mom owned a farm when I was little, and we [siblings] would run around and play imaginary games.

Plants are really my biggest hoppy, but aside from that, I do enjoy video games. After work I usually go home to play video games and spend time with my girlfriend Elikameda, and my cats; Pocket and Samson.

There you have it, the day in the world of the guy you might drive by on any given day, up in the trees of Corvallis, Albany, and surrounding areas.