AudgePodge

  It is 9:30 a.m. on a Friday in Corvallis, Oregon. Downtown bustles with lively crowds — mostly college students — who are here to explore, study, and socialize with the community. Conversations are held, coffee is sipped, and smiles are exchanged as these people walk around town. But lying on these streets, in between corners and alleyways, are the people who have been bested by society. They sit with their backpacks, signs and dogs — their entire life carried with them. These are the people who are ignored by the crowds walking by.  They have become nameless and faceless identities, just simply existing amongst us. Houseless, homeless, forgotten by themselves and society. But, there is a person out there who is advocating for them. Someone who is passionate about these humans, regardless of their circumstances. Someone who believes in protecting these people and supporting them. A champion. This person is Grace Robinson, a student at Linn-Benton Community College, who was f...

In South Santiam Hall, Room 211, six students meet to express their artistic creativity. Four of these students remain invested in their individual projects, while two of them ponder an upcoming school project with diligence.  These two students happen to be Art Club’s co-leaders at LBCC, Ryder LeBlanc and Mei Yung CwmCwlamare. The Art Club typically meets every Tuesday and Thursday. at 4:30 p.m., with hours subject to change. Currently, the club’s meeting times have been hectic because of the approaching Spring Festival — held on May 12 in the LBCC Courtyard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — but will return to normal after the event.  The Art Club’s main focus recently has been making Alice in Wonderland-themed decorations with other clubs for the fest, as well as preparing their own booth. This will consist of face playing cards, cheshire cat stickers, and a large trellis.  Toward the end of April there stood a giant paper maché pencil in the room, courtesy of club member Jay Un...

  CORVALLIS – Walking downtown Corvallis always has its charm, especially when stopping in on local businesses. Many stop to gaze at the historical Whiteside Theatre , to buy a book in Grass Roots , or to try some decadent coffee at Coffee Culture . But searching for that “groovy” record store is always a struggle. A couple of stores away, nestled at the corner of Southwest Monroe Avenue and Third Street, is Happy Trails Records ; Corvallis’ grooviest record store. The moment you step through their door, you are struck with a serene — yet boisterous — energy, one that makes you feel like dancing. The store is small, yet lined strategically with a variety of records and CDs alike, new and used. Music plays from above…and varies; anything from hard rock to rhythmic funk. Memorabilia, posters, and action figures are also splayed around the perimeter for sale. A sign behind the counter reads: “Beware of Doug.” Who is Doug? At the heart and soul of Happy Trails (specifically, on weekda...