Linn-Benton Community College

Mary Mayfield Dee Curwen Kamran Mirza Staff, students and community members whose work promotes diversity, inclusion and social justice were honored at Linn-Benton Community College's Unity Celebration held Feb. 25 at the college. The annual event recognizes individuals and organizations whose work establishes unity and inclusivity while promoting diversity and social justice on the college campus and in our communities. Awards given at the celebration include the Analee Fuentes Unity Award, presented to LBCC student Kamran Ahmed Mirza, LBCC staff member Kim Sullivan, and LBCC faculty member Mary Mayfield, and the Gary Westford Community Connection award, presented to community member and former LBCC Multicultural Center Director Dee Curwen. Mirza, an Associate of Arts transfer student from Albany, is an outspoken social justice advocate. Her work includes securing inclusive signage for gender-neutral restrooms on the college campus, and bringing awa...

An exhibit by artist William Shumway entitled River Painting will be on display March 2 through April 24 in the North Santiam Hall Gallery of Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd SW, Albany. A reception and gallery talk will be held Wednesday, March 11, from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. in NSH Gallery. River Painting depicts the scenic beauty of Oregon Rivers, including the Metolius, the Rowe, the John Day, the Mary’s and the Willamette. Shumway’s acrylic paintings were created over a period of several years, sometimes painted from a canoe or the air. An artist and teacher, Shumway has taught many landscape painting workshops with fellow painter, Mark Allison, along the Metolius River banks. “Painting moving, transparent water has always been intriguing to me,” said Shumway. “It is as close, metaphorically, to the illusive nature of the creative act itself that I can imagine. Capturing an ever-moving, transparent and reflective set of overlapping images with opaque paint can be a mi...

An exhibit by artist Kathryn Cellerini Moore entitled Ruby Boots will on display March 2-20 in the South Santiam Hall Gallery of Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd SW. A reception and gallery talk will be held Thursday, March 5, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the gallery. The works in this exhibit question how early life experiences effect the artist’s daily interactions and ongoing health complications. Ruby Boots collectively speaks to the woven qualities of emotion, memory, place and time.  “During the process of creating the artworks in the series Ruby Boots I visited the farmland in rural Oregon where I grew up,” reflected Moore. “Dressed as Dorothy with blue and white gingham and magical ruby boots, I pulled a wagon of yellow bricks along the property to pay homage to the place I consider as the foundation of my yellow brick road. Images of this gesture were captured by photograph in key places on the property where I could recall a specific memory and where I fel...

Linn-Benton Community College winter choral concert “Wander in Song” will be held Thursday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the LBCC Russell Tripp Performance Center, Takena Hall, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany. Conducted by Dr. James Reddan, LBCC Director of Choral Activities, the performance includes the award-winning Concert Choir, Re-Choired Element Chamber Choir, and the vocal a cappella groups Blue Light Special and The Sirens. Penny Bazanele will accompany on piano. The concert will feature different choral works celebrating a breadth of music from across the choral repertoire including: Lebenslust (Schubert), The Wind that Shakes the Barley (Betts), Gloria (from Haydn’s Harmoniemesse), Skip to My Lou (Busselberg), The Conversion of Saul (Stroope), The Sweetheart of the Sun (Barnum), Pange Lingua (Orban), and Ngana (Leek).  In addition, the ensemble will present many works from around the world, including a piece for piano four-hands and choir featuring Bazanele and guest pianist Ju...

The Black-Jew Dialogues, a social justice theatrical comedy, will bring its unique blend of education and entertainment to Linn-Benton Community College Wednesday, March 4 at Noon in the Forum Building lecture hall, room-104, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany.  Featuring Emmy-award winner Ron Jones and seasoned actor Simon Pringle-Wallace, this two-man show tackles the often-difficult issues of diversity and multiculturalism, speaking to the need for an ongoing cross-generational commitment to social conscience. Praised by the Boston Globe for its ability to “get to the heart of what divides people,” the comedy pushes audiences toward a vital conversation about the changing face of America through its effective use of provocative satire and social commentary. “Given many of the recent events we’re dealing with in America right now, the need for a healthy and open conversation about our differences and human dignity has taken on a heightened importance” says Jones. The comedy team of ...

Free Phlebotomy Program information sessions will be offered through Linn-Benton Community College for those interested in training to become a phlebotomist. Sessions will be held Tuesday, March 3, from noon to 2 p.m., or Monday, March 9, from 1 to 3 p.m. All sessions will be held at the LBCC Albany campus, Calapooia Center, CC 210, 6500 SW Pacific Blvd. No pre-registration is required to attend. Attendance at one of the information sessions is mandatory to register for the program. The 16-week Phlebotomy Program training starts July 27 and runs through Nov. 13, 2015 at the Lebanon Community Hospital Health Careers Training Center and the LBCC Lebanon Center. Skill areas covered in the training include medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology, customer service, medical law and ethics, and phlebotomy theory and technique.  Cost for the program is $5,500. The program is eligible for financial aid. Check the LBCC web site for course prerequisites at www.linnbenton.edu/bulleti...

The professional development series “Developing World Class Employees” will be offered by Linn-Benton Community College Business and Employer Services. Spring workshops include: March 17, The Professional Strategies of Persuasion and Influence; April 21, Essential Skills for the New Supervisor; May 12, Guiding Employee Performance and Recognizing Positive Results; May 19, Creating a Respectful Workplace; June 16, Building a Self-Reliant Workplace. All workshops meet from 8 a.m. to noon in LBCC’s Fireside Room, Calapooia Center, room CC-211, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany. Cost for each workshop is $79 per person, or $69 for three or more from one company. For more information or to register, contact LBCC Business and Employer Services at 541-917-4923 or 541-917-4926.

A class for digital SLR camera users will be held at Linn-Benton Community College starting Feb. 18. “Enhance Your Digital SLR” will help you learn to use your new or older digital SLR camera, including maximizing your camera's features beyond full auto setting to get the affects you desire. Practice controlling exposure, stopping action, portraiture, landscape, and HDR (high dynamic range) using depth of field to your advantage. Work with Photoshop Elements for photo editing and enhancement. This five-week class meets Wednesdays from 6 to 8:20 p.m. starting Feb. 18 in LBCC’s McKenzie Hall, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany. Cost is $69.  For more information, see the LBCC online schedule at www.linnbenton.edu , call the LBCC Albany Community Education, 541-917-4840 or email corvallis@linnbenton.edu.

A free informational seminar on contracting with the State of Oregon will be held at Linn-Benton Community College Thursday, Feb. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Calapooia Center, room CC-203. Presenters from a cross-section of State of Oregon departments will provide information on how business owners can add government contracts to their revenue stream. In addition, a five-part series of sessions covering topics around contracting, marketing your business to state and federal agencies, finding and responding to solicitations, and subcontracting will begin after the free informational session. Session one, “Contracting with the Federal Government,” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 26 at the LBCC Albany campus, Luckiamute Center, room-130. Additional sessions include: April 2: How to Market Your Business to State and Federal Agencies; April 30: Finding Solicitations to Bid On; May 14: Responding to a Solicitation; and May 28: Post Award Debriefing and Sub-Contracting. Cost for ea...

A “Unity Celebration” recognizing individuals whose work promotes diversity and social justice will be held at Linn-Benton Community College Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Fireside Room, Calapooia Center, CC-211, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany. This annual event recognizes individuals and organizations whose work establishes unity and inclusivity while promoting diversity and social justice on the college campus and in our communities. The Analee Fuentes Unity award will be presented to one LBCC student, staff member and faculty member for their contributions to diversity and social justice. The Gary Westford Community Connection award will be presented to an individual or organization whose work with diversity, inclusion, social justice and equity contributes to the college and community. Guest speaker Turiya Autry will speak on addressing violence and hip-hop culture. Enjoy readings by LBCC Poetry Club members. Light refreshments served. This event is free and open to th...

The LBCC Benton Center will hold Word MOB VI, an evening of heartfelt slam and spoken word, Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in the center’s student lounge. This poetry reading and open mic event features the voices of LBCC students and local poets, with a special performance by guest poet Joaquin Zihuatanejo. A National Poetry Slam finalist, Grand Slam Spoken Word champion, and HBO Def Poet, Zihuatanejo has preformed his poetry at universities, conferences and poetry slams throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe. His work strives to capture the duality of Chicano culture. Open mic begins at 7 p.m., with a five-minute maximum time limit.  WordMOB is sponsored by the LBCC Benton Center, the LBCC Poetry Club, LBCC Student Leadership Council, and the LBCC English Scholarship Program Endowment. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the LBCC Benton Center at 541-757-8944. For disability accommodations, contact the Center for Accessibility Resources at ...

The film “The Anonymous People” will be shown at Linn-Benton Community College Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the Diversity Achievement Center, 2nd floor Forum building room 220, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany. This feature film by the Many Faces 1 Voice Campaign documents the lives of millions of Americans living in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Discussion will follow the film. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the LBCC Diversity Achievement Center and OSU’s Collegiate Recovery Community. For more information, contact the LBCC DAC at 541-917-4461. For disability accommodations, contact the Center for Accessibility Resources at 541-917-4789.

The 38th annual Family Fun Day at Linn-Benton Community College will be held Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the LBCC Activities Center gym, Albany campus, 6500 Pacific Blvd.  Activities for children ages one to six include play dough, an obstacle course, crafts, bounce house, face painting, putt-putt golf, used book and toy sale, and more. Activity tickets are .25 cents each. Proceeds support parenting programs and tuition grants for the nearly 2,000 parents in Linn and Benton Counties who attend LBCC Parenting Education classes each year.  For more information, contact LBCC Family Connections at 541-917-4897. For special needs and accommodations, contact the Center for Accessibility Resources at 541-917-4789 or via Oregon Relay TDD at 1‑800‑735‑2900 at least 72 hours in advance of the event.

Learn how to make incredible sauces in the class Secrets of Sauce through Linn-Benton Community College Albany Community Education. Learn how to make a variety of sauces including butter sauces, wine sauces, tomato sauces, hollandaise, gravies, cream sauces, sauces thickened with roux, and elevate plain food to greatness. This one-day class meets Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. in the LBCC Calapooia Center, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany. Cost is $49.                                                                                        ...

Pesticide Private Applicator class will be held through the Small Business Development Center at Linn-Benton Community College. Designed to prepare senior agriculture workers to take the State of Oregon Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator exam, classes provide in-depth training, including extra coaching in math and calibration skills.  Pesticides Private Applicator, will be held Feb. 19, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Feb. 20, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at LBCC’s Calapooia Center, room CC-203/205, 6500 Pacific Blvd SW. Cost is $99. LBCC offers ODA exams at an additional cost of $58 each. For test dates, see the METRO web site at http://oregon.metrosignup.com or call 1-877-533-2900. The ODA pesticide applicators exam is optional and should be arranged with Metro. For more information or to register, contact LBCC’s Small Business Development Center at 541-917-4929.

Linn-Benton Community College writing instructor C. Lill Ahrens will host a reading of several LBCC student’s published works Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at Grass Roots Books and Music, 227 SW 2nd St, Corvallis. Since first being offered in 2004, several students from LBCC’s Community Education class “Writers' Workroom” have seen their writing become award-winning published works. LBCC student authors attending the reading are Jois Jean Bousquet, Lisa Burchett, Michael Coolen, Harry Demarest, Gary Gibson, Linda Elin Hamner, Ken Holt, Valerie Lake, Genny Lynch, Lois Rosen, Dee Roy, Patricia Smith, Nancy Weber and Dick Weinman.   Albany writer Lois Jean Bousquet writes fiction and nonfiction. Her essays have appeared in three anthologies, and her work in progress includes a mystery series whose protagonists are tenderly based on elders she’s known. Lisa Burchett is a fierce cookie-aholic, working her way through her first novel, Redeemable, one chocolate chip at a time. Her piec...

Green Transportation Summit and Expo April 21-22, Portland Expo Center The Green ​Transportation ​Summit ​and ​Expo will be held at the Portland Expo Center April 21-22. The summit ​offers ​private ​and ​public ​fleet ​operators ​education ​tracks on ​bio-fuels, ​CNG, ​LNG, ​RNG, ​LPG, ​EV’s ​and ​more ​presented by ​industry ​experts ​and ​government ​agencies. ​ Participants receive hands-on ​applications ​of ​alternative ​fuel ​infrastructure ​and ​ equipment ​demonstrations, including ​a one-​of-a-kind “Performance ​Ride ​and ​Drive” ​opportunity at ​the ​Portland ​International ​Raceway, where fleet ​managers can ​get behind ​the ​wheel ​of ​various ​alternative fuel ​vehicles. Explore the latest developments in alternative fuel technologies and learn...

Ekphrasis III, an exhibit of poetry and photography by mid-valley writers and artists, will be on view during February at the South Santiam Hall Gallery at Linn-Benton Community College, 6500 Pacific Blvd. SW, Albany. The exhibit features 26 photographs by members of the Willamette Valley PhotoArts Guild, accompanied by the poems they inspired from the student and faculty poets at LBCC. A reception and book release will be held in the gallery on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 12 to 1 p.m., when the poets will read from their work and be available to sign copies of the exhibit catalog. In his artist's statement for the exhibit, Crash, LBCC's one-named student poet laureate, explained that the word ekphrasis comes from the Ancient Greek for describing or explaining. “The beautiful images in this show were sent to the writers, and the writers went to work, speaking back to the photographs that spoke to us,” he said. Participating poets are: From Corvallis: Crash, Jane White, Matt ...

Jumpstart or accelerate your triathlon experience in this two-day Triathlon Training Clinic offered through Linn-Benton Community College Benton Center Community Education. Improve your technique and learn strategies to streamline your swim, boost your biking ability, run efficiently, and transition smoothly, all while meeting your nutrition and hydration needs. Learn about safety, sighting, gear, planning, realistic goal setting and more.  This two-day clinic will meet Friday, Feb. 27 from 7 to 8:50 p.m. at Osborn Aquatic Center and Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. at the LBCC Benton Center, 757 NW Polk Ave., Corvallis. Cost is $69.                                                           ...