TCP; Reptile expo slithers to Wilsonville

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, Associate Sports Editor
Wednesday, Feb. 06, 2013
Volume 46, Issue 11
Arts & Culture

Broods of reptiles, amphibians and insects infested the Portland Metro Reptile Expo, slithering and crawling into the Wilsonville Holiday Inn last Saturday. Following the reptilian rampage was a horde of lizard enthusiasts and connoisseurs. Treated to exotic sights and experiences, the expo crowd had their hands full with excitement and an eagerness to see amazing creatures around every table corner.

The Northwest Reptile Expo runs three times a year. The Jan. 26 Portland Metro meet up marked the 13th presentation since the semi-annual event began. This installment seemed to be packed with more vendors, using twice as much of the hotel’s space compared to prior events. More people were present than in expos past as well, extending a giant anaconda of a ‘hand-stamp’ line through the hotel.

The parking lot was crammed with visitors’ vehicles. No spots remained open for long. Lining the curbs that surrounded resident trees and bushes were cars squeezed bumper to bumper. Trucks pulling trailers loaded and unloaded equipment and creatures in the back entrance lot.

Snakes wove through the crowd, wrapped around their owners’ necks, getting an up close and personal view of the event. Despite the advertising specifically instructing that all personal pets be left at home, brave expo goers brandished their reptilian friends proudly. No one seemed to mind toting the creatures, as they produced positive and sometimes timid reactions from each encounter.

Inside, the loud and bustling atmosphere was kept lighthearted and comfortable by the cheerful vendors. They helpfully educated the masses about their scaly companions, cautioning them of dangers and specifications while also showcasing the beauty of the different species. One helpful vendor even taught a mother and daughter how to handle and take care of their soon-to-be new pet snake.

“It does seem like a lot of responsibility,” said Tanya Wellbrook, mother of three. The duties of owning an exotic pet can be very daunting and require keen attention to habitat, food and general health of the animal. The expo experts were well versed in explaining scaly precautions, unfamiliar from needs of furry companions.

Reptile-inspired jewelry was available for purchase at a handful of tables across the venue. Pet food ranging from crickets, worms and mice were being doled out for hungry critters.

At a table selling insects and spiders, a game of Plinko was offered. For the price of a dollar, contestants had the opportunity to drop a ball in the game board and win candy, or if they were really lucky, roaches! Yes, people buy pet roaches. While not everyone can appreciate such an odd pet, some find the durable bugs quite fascinating.

“Yeah, they can survive a nuclear war but not a water dish,” said Mark Foster, a young vendor at the spider table.

Don’t forget, even lizards need doctors. A vet offering free checkups was posted at the event. Different supplies, lights and decorations were stocked at various vendors. Heat rocks, heat pads heat lamps were displayed, available for purchase. Terrariums of every size, food dishes and boxes of merchandise decorated the tables. On a few table tops were beautifully sinister looking carnivorous plants. The only thing missing from the meat- eating jungle scene, was a sign reading: “Feed me, Seymour!”

Flocks of children ran around with their parents close behind. Peering inside cages and terrariums, they soaked up the information. The temperature inside the hotel was very warm, it seemed the heat was turned up for the cold blooded reptiles, or all the heat lamps mixed with body heat resonated the warmth.

After 2 p.m. some of the vendors began marking down prices by 10 to 20 percent. It was an obviously successful day for the Expo and the vendors. With so many attendees and available products at Saturday’s expo, future events are likely to have similar success. Speaking of which, they’ll be back in Wilsonville this year on Aug. 17.

The Clackamas Print; Mainstreaming Consciousness *WEB EXCLUSIVE*

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, The Clackamas Print
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
WEB EXCLUSIVE
Arts & Culture

They've got rhythm, they've got soul. They are talented and know how to put on a great show. They are Mainstream! Following a 30-year tradition of choral jazz at CCC, this year's ensemble is a tireless group of musical warriors, dedicated to refining their craft and expressing themselves. It takes a certain breed of eccentric musician to put the type of energy and focus into something as demanding as vocal jazz. "We started recording last summer and it was a really long process of mixing: We spent two days working on 21 songs—one 10 hour day and one 15 hour day recording. The band room is wired to the recording studio, it's the biggest recording studio in the northwest," said vocalist Billy Botieff.

It's especially impressive when the end product is so stunningly immaculate. Following a performance at Clackamas High School on Monday, May 7th, Mainstream's most recent project the double CD album: "Imagine: It's easy if you try" was released Thursday May 10th. The same night Mainstream performed in celebration of the CD release at CCC in Niemeyer Center. A Mainstream performance is something wonderful to experience, the variety speaks to many generations and demographics.

Director of vocal activities, Lonnie Cline (co-founder) is CCC's only full time choral conductor, which he has been for over 30 years. He has great energy and a fun attitude while directing the jazz ensemble. Cline is a great motivator, he makes music a party rather than a task. He relates motivation and philosophy to improving specific aspects of each part of the songs and he gives emotional examples to explain how to improve aspects of lyrics.

"Mainstream is produced entirely by students, there's nobody else involved in it, so that makes it a little bit unique. The title "Imagine: It's easy if you try" is very important, it's a tribute to people who were here in the early years, like Jason Womack, and all of the students who came before last year's group that laid the groundwork for projects like this. It's also an archive of what happened that year," said Cline.

Mainstream began with Cline and Womack in the Summer of 1991. They introduced new variety for the existing vocal jazz ensemble.

"We started doing more progressive jazz, more modern stuff, as opposed to more traditional, like some ballads, R&B, even reggae. In the early years of Mainstream, there was a pianist named Chris Azorr, and he's one of the founding members of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies. Another past member, Paul Creighton [is the] lead vocalist for the local band Intervision," said Womack.

The CD production was completed in the choir room studio by Sacha Muller who performed in the rhythm section. He was the tracking engineer, along with the mixing and mastering engineer.

"Sacha did all the mixing and hands-on stuff, he is kind of like a master chef who takes all the ingredients and puts them together and makes a beautiful meal. The CD artwork by Diane Angelo is consummate, she's done the artwork for almost every one of our CDs over the years," said Cline.

The photography for the album release was done by a friend of Cline's named Page Baker. Since he spent so much time on it, Cline wishes to thank his wife as well.

The original arrangements on the album are mostly by Womack, with others by John Ward, Alan Yankee, Dave Cazier, Dave Barduhn and Theo Newton. The amazing rhythm section includes Paul Paresa on piano/keyboard, Wesley Mason-Schaffer on guitar, Bryan Edmiston on bass, Ryan Antoine on drums and Sacha Muller on percussion and effects.

Some interesting songs of note on the album are "Shining Star," "Night Train" and "Cruella Deville." The whimsical, lyrical, toe tapping journey through genres of the double CD leads listeners to a tranquil state of bliss. The soul and depth of the performance is a taste of the power this group has to exhibit. A live performance renders a much richer experience. If you can't make it to one of various upcoming performances such as the jazz nights at CCC on June 8 and 9, consider purchasing the elegantly mastered double CD album for $15 from any member of Mainstream or Cline himself. They are also available in the music office in Niemeyer.