Sharknado 2 Review

"Sharknado" left viewers pining for more ways to effectively waste time until we die. "Sharknado 2", gave viewers exactly what they wanted, another hour and 35 minutes of shark flavored trash to speed us on our way to oblivion.

The movie starts off with Fin and April flying to New York for a book signing after their divorce. In a scene completely ripping off "Twilight Zone"'s "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," Fin has a long, drawn out awkward moment with April briefly re-hashing "Sharknado." As if we could forget the amazing experience that was. Surprise, surprise, not one, but two sharknados get rolling very quickly, and only Fin, April, and their family can save the Big Apple.

"Sharknado 2" was only taken seriously by Ian Ziering, who played the main character Fin. There were clearly jokes written into his script, yet somehow the bluntest of jokes seem to fall from his lips the leaden way words do when you're explaining to a 3-year-old why Fluffy isn't waking up.

Tara Reid played April Wexler who, spoiler alert, has her hand eaten off in the first ten minutes. Wexler, being a regenerative skin care line as well as April’s last name really makes sense, as she is stunned in the hospital for about 20 minutes, and then jets up again to save the world with only one hand. Despite most of the movie being CGI, they couldn't find it in their wallets to cover up her stump that has clearly outlined fingers in the bandage the entire time.

Vivica A. Fox of “Cool Cat Saves The Kids” played Skye, a hastily thrown in character that created an asymmetrical love triangle. Skye does drive the plot forward, as she runs around New York, trying to win stone-faced Fin.

The writer and director of "Sharknado" and "Sharknado 2", Thunder Levin, was interviewed by Laura Keeny from The Denver Post. He is clearly having fun with "Sharknado 2," "It’s exactly what fans of the first one are going to want to see: the same sense of ridiculous fun and over-the-top action."

In another interview with Huffington Post "7 Glaring Sharknado Plot Holes Explained" Levin continues to have fun saying, “I think the sharks damaged the airplane to a point the masks couldn’t deploy because, obviously, that is something we would’ve had happen if we wanted to. I hope,” in response to the glaring plot hole of no oxygen masks falling during the initial plane crash scene.

Somehow, the movie’s ending was gratuitous enough to make me enjoy it somewhat. I won't spoil it for you, but it was a chainsaw chuckin’ good time.

At A Glance:

Director: Thunder Levin

Main Actors: Ian Zeiring, Tara Reid, Vivica A. Fox

"Sharknado 2"'s IMBd

Vote OR Vote Told to Quiet Down

You know the Vote OR Vote volunteers whether you think you do or not. Or, at least, you will know them soon enough. Fueled by last year's successes, Vote OR Vote aims to get over 3,000 students registered to vote again. The volunteers do this in their neon shirts and tidy clipboards by walking around campus and asking everyone they see to register.

School policy at LBCC dictates that groups cannot pressure students to conform to a political belief, religious standpoint or similar activities. 'Similar activities' is where things start to get muddy.

 Vote OR Vote's rules state that they will only ask students to register in public spaces. What defines a public space, and whether or not Vote OR Vote can walk up to you and ask to have you register to vote remains up to interpretation.

Recently, school security has told Vote OR Vote to back off, as students have been feeling harassed because the volunteers keep walking up and asking them to register.

Eric Slyter, the Vice President of the Student Leadership Council said that he understands, as "It's an academic environment...I wouldn't like it if people came up to me and asked me to register to vote repeatedly." Slyter continued, "We have done this like this for two years, and I don't know why it suddenly changed two days ago." They can only ask people in Takena Hall, the courtyard, and the Commons currently.

Students around campus have their own view on the matter as well.

"It really doesn't bother me, I tell them I've registered and they're fine with that." said Quinton Bigknife.

"I don't mind, they're just trying to get people to vote, it's such an important year." said Catherine Burroughs.

Some even appreciate the fact the Vote OR Vote walks around and asks students to register through them. "A lot of people don't know where to go, and they hand it to you and even offer to take it back...I think we should definitely encourage people to vote especially now with the people who are running," said Sarah Johnston.

The final decision on whether or not Vote OR Vote will be restricted to certain areas, or even to their desk will be made Monday. Slyter sums it up, saying, "We're trying to find our niche."


At A Glance:

You can register to vote at LBCC here.

Contact the SLC if you'd like to talk about this issue here.

"Cat In The Hat" Goes To Bat

Students nominated by Kennedy Center for Irene Ryan Scholarship

Photo credit: Dan Stone; From left: Paige Kosa, Nicolette Pullen, Alison Cannell, Sullivan Macintosh

 “Cat In The Hat” is getting more attention than originally anticipated. On Feb. 13, Judges of the Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACT) Festival attended “Cat In The Hat,” a play formed from the works of the late Dr. Suess, and chose to give several students awards. Jacob Lucas-Quick was awarded a Meritorious Achievement Award for Sound Design, as Cat In The Hat had hundreds of well timed sound effects.

 Nicolette Pullen, played Conrad; Kristy Speed, played Thing 2; and Alyssa Cannell, the fish. All three were nominated by The KCACT Festival for the Irene Ryan Scholarship Acting Competition.

  “I was really surprised,” said Speed. “Thing 1 and Thing 2 come together, I thought if we got it, we’d get it together.”

 These awards will allow them to compete for a full ride scholarship next spring in Denver, Colo.

 “This is a call to be working hard on my passion. Hearing that I was nominated helped me remember to keep my eyes on the prize,” said Nicolette Pullen.

 These awards also mean new opportunities beyond scholarships.

 “These awards demonstrate experience in a resume, whether it’s in an application for a university, or for work,” said LBCC Drama Instructor Tinamarie Ivey.

 The Black Curtain Society, LBCC’s theater club will find out in December 2016 if the play itself will be nominated to attend the KCACT Festival in Denver. With a nomination for the play or not, The Black Curtain Society has already began auditions for “Eurydice” and “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” that will begin showing in repertory in mid-May, 2016.  

At A Glance:

Nominees: Nicolette Pullen, Kristy Speed, Alyssa Cannell

Meritorious Achievement Award Winner: Jacob Lucas-Quick

 

National CTE Signing Day

LBCC participates in National CTE Signing Day for first time

On Feb.18, 31 high school students signed letters of intent at LBCC. Unlike traditional letters of intent, these were not for athletics.

LBCC participated in the National Career and Technical Education Letter of Intent Signing Day, where future trade students are broadcasted live along with about a dozen other schools nationwide.

“These programs are all competitive. Last fall, our welding class was filled, with 30 kids not getting in,” David Bird, the event organizer said.

Luckily for these high school students, by committing early and signing letters of intent, they are guaranteed a spot in the technical class of their choice come fall term.

The event had multiple speakers, including Snap On Tools representative Bill Overall, and International Technical Training Manager of Fiat Willie Daniels Jr.

“The careers that you are looking into can’t be outsourced I cant ship a car to Rio and get a guy to fix it. I need you,” said Daniels Jr.

The city of Albany is also invested in the event as they have donated $2.9 million to LBCC’s technical programs.

“Spend the funds on a future,” said Albany Mayor Sharon Konopa.

National CTE Signing Day impacted students, offering them the chance of a lifetime. This rang true for one student in particular.

“I’ve been working with metals since I was 11. It’s my passion,” said Jonathan Sattler, a future Welding and Fabrication Tech student.  

Sattlers family moved from upstate New York eight months prior to the event so that he would have more opportunities to chase his dreams. Thanks to LBCC and the city of Albany, it looks like the Sattler’s and many other students and their families have brighter futures ahead of them.  

“You don’t have to limit yourself the opportunities are endless,” said Overall.

Want to find out more?

LBCC's Welding Program

LBCC's Signing Day Page

More LBCC Trades Info

The Democrat Herald was there, too!

Judi Madarus: Linn Benton Community College's 'Lunch Lady'

 If one were to think of the classic grumpy lunch lady stereotype, Judi Ann Madarus would shatter the mold. Friendly, talkative, and cheerful, Madarus loves working in the Courtyard Cafe.

The Courtyard Cafe sits snugly behind Takena Hall, a roof of windows providing soft light throughout. Madarus sits in the center of the bustling cafe, checking students out and offering a smile, easily remembering each one's name.

Judi Madarus took over the position of supervisor after her mother, Carolyn DeLaine retired.

"We used to work upstairs in the Commons together," said Madarus, smiling as she remembered.

Madarus has worked at LBCC for 36 years now, after trying to retire during year 28.

She started out working hot lines and making food for banquets, and when she took over for her mother, she moved downstairs to the Courtyard Cafe. She came back from a brief retirement because

"I like the students and faculty. I'm a people person."

Judi Madarus is a cashier at a kiosk in the doorway of the cozy Courtyard Cafe, and she cleans and restocks over half of the cafe every weekday starting at 8 a.m.

When she's not at work, she loves to garden. Madarus used to garden here at LBCC, growing sunflowers outside the Cafe. The sunflowers were banned because of the cleanup involved once the flowers died in late fall.

 Spending time with her three grandkids, Austin Carson, 18, Koby, 14, and the youngest, Caylee, 11 is also a favorite pastime.

 When asked about her grandkids, she beamed excitedly, saying "They play one sport after the other. I go drive up and watch their games."


Madarus said it herself when she said "The pins are my legacy."

Everyone knows about her pins. "It started with one angel, and people kept bringing me more!"

Judi Madarus is not just known for her pins, however.

 Paige Kosa, a student smiled when asked about her. "She's nice, and she chats with me." Justin Hammond, a Computer Lab Aid said that "She brightens my day when I get my coffee for work."

 At-A-Glance

Name: Judi Ann Madarus
Born: In New York, moved to Albany, Ore. at 9 months of age.
Hobbies: Gardening, and watching her grandkids play sports as well as collecting pins.
Family: Two daughters and her grandkids, Austin Carson, 18; Koby, 14; and Caylee, 11.

World Hijab Day Extends to Linn Benton Community College

   
LBCC gets involved with World Hijab Day More Than Ever

     World Hijab Day is worldwide event that was spurred by Nazma Khan in New York. The first one was in February 2013, and it has grown ever since. The event's purpose is to spread knowledge of the wearing of hijabs and why women choose to wear them, rather than being forced in most cases.
    LBCC participated this year due to the Human Civil Rights Club. They organized the event, and it meant a lot to them according to Sophia Metzler. "We've had a lot of cases of violence [toward Muslim women]...and there's been a recent spike. Hopefully this will create a peaceful environment on campus." Another member of the Human Civil Rights Club, Emily Carsen said that the event was intended to "Give a cool hands on experience." World Hijab Day was held in several seats in the library set up in front of a screen, showing a PowerPoint discussing the basics of Islam. Five women who wear hijabs were later asked questions through a mediator for the rest of the event. Ashwag Alamari said that the event was very important to her, "It means a lot, it is a great opportunity to make people understand. Our religion doesn't support killing." Flowers were later passed out, as well as people getting the chance to try on a hijab to be able to experience one. Hopefully, the event will occur next year as well.


At A Glance:

Who: The Human Rights Club
What: World Hijab Day
When February 1, 2016  at 12pm (And will occur in future years in the month of February)
Where: The LBCC Library

College Night is Bigger Than Ever at Linn Benton Community College

College Night expands to consume whole campus in 2016 

College Night is the biggest recruiting event of the year for Linn-Benton Community College. In the past, College Night has been in the Commons Cafeteria. However, this year’s event has expanded.

According to Danny Aynes, the director of enrollment services, the event used to be “...very crowded, making it hard to hear.”

College Night is now no longer just held in the cafeteria, but on the whole campus. Not only will there be a showcase in the much nicer Russell-Tripp Performance Center, but there will be open access to many other parts of campus, including the library, bookstore, nursing labs, welding shops, and much more.

Claudia Davila, an organizer said, “This year is expected to be very successful because of the full campus involvement.”

Students will get hands on experience with the classroom and the teachers they will be seeing in the fall, and gain a better understanding of what to expect.

Trista Ochoa, another organizer said this will “...give the community an idea of what really goes on at LBCC.”

All prospective students are welcome, and you can register for the event at www.linnbenton.edu/college-night

At a Glance:

Where: LBCC Campus
When: February 8 2016
Time: 4:30pm
How to Register: www.linnbenton.edu/college-night