LBCC Equestrian

Linn-Benton Community College is one of few community colleges in the U.S. to have an equestrian team. Since 2000, the team has given students the opportunity to compete in the region with the potential to go on to Nationals.

This year the team has 16 riders and is second overall in both Hunt Seat Equitation and Western Horsemanship regionally. Three riders qualified for Nationals, which were held in Tennessee at the end of April. "This is a diverse and really hard working group of students," Coach Jenny Strooband says. "I think they're fabulous."

The first meeting for next year's team will be in the second week of fall term 2009. Check http://www.linnbenton.edu/go/horse-center/equestrian-team for updates.

• Who: LBCC Equestrian team/Coaches
• What: Competitions
• When: October-April
• Where: Local region, nationally
• Quote: "This is a diverse and really hard working group of students."

Windows Vista

When I first got my computer over a year ago, I was thrilled that it had Windows Vista. Not knowing anything about the progam, I was excited over the fact that I got the new version of wo=indows that I had seen and liked on all my friends' computers. I heard that Vista had certain issues but until recently, I never had any problems.

About a month ago, my computer started acting up and when I took it in, it was supposedly repaired and my virus protection was updated. Yes, the computer works now but my virus protection is outdated and doesn't even work. Trying to uninstall it, Vista keeps telling me that I do not have sufficient access to uninstall the program and to get administrator approval. I am the administrator on my computer, there are no other accounts. After wrestling with my computer all day Saturday and trying to get the administrator access that I should already have, I am quite frustrated. I drove three hours to come home and get my freshly repaired computer and take it back up to school. Now I am out $200 for repairs and I can't go online. I've heard that this is a Vista problem and that quite a few people have had similar problems. I am quite frustrated because if the person that fixed my computer had updated the virus protection like he said, I would not be having this problem and I wouldn't have to try to uninstall my old, defective virus protection to install new protection.

Here are some statistics about Windows Vista. I do not necessarily agree with the positive aspects right now, but it's good to know that people like it.
http://blogs.msdn.com/usisvde/archive/2008/06/06/windows-vista-facts-speak-to-many-advantages.aspx

Williams

As I sit on the balcony of my parents strawbale-hybrid house in the small town of Williams, Ore., and lose myself in the beauty of the mountains, I can't help but think of how lucky I am to have the opportunity to live in (now only part-time) this gorgeous, quirky little town.

Williams is a small town full of nature freaks and hippies. It's the kind of town where everyone knows everyone else. Williams is a very envoronmentally friendly town. Driving down the roads, you run into several strawbale and solar-powered houses nestled between luscious trees.

While it's not a tourist town, Williams is a part of the Rogue Valley, a major tourist attraction in Southern Oregon. If you're ever in the area, come out and visit us in Williams an enjoy the quiet life.

Idea for my next story

My next story will be on the equestrian team at LBCC. LB is one of the few community colleges in the U.S. to have an equestrian team.

Economy causes hazy future for the Sport of Kings

Today’s poor economy leaves none untouched. Even “The Sport of Kings,” horse racing is struggling to make ends meet.

The sport receives much of its income through wagers placed on races. This year, according to dallasnews.com, betting is down 10 to 15 percent around the country. MSNBC reports that “casinos, lottery agencies and racetracks are losing tons of money as gamblers play it safe.”

Trainers, grooms and riders put in long hours seven days a week at tracks around the country. If the sport is not able to pull through, workers will lose not only their income, but their lifestyle.

Local track Portland Meadows is doing better than most tracks around the country. Even though betting is up, owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms are under more financial pressure than ever reports Nichelle Milner, Racing Secretary at Portland Meadows.

Teri Beckner, co-owner and manager of Beckner Farms in Jefferson, Oregon, says that with money so tight many owners are “dumping their horses” at the farm “without looking back,” creating more bills and less income. Although Beckner hasn’t had to lay off any employees, other trainers have. “The barns are full of speculators,” Beckner states. “It’s almost as though they are hoping for a miracle.”

In the current economic recession one can only hope that the great sport pulls through and continues to engross future generations.

• Who: Local and national trainers, jockeys and grooms struggling.
• What: Economy harming horse racing industry.
• Where: Portland Meadows, Oregon, across the country.
• Quote: “Casinos, lottery agencies and racetracks are losing tons of money as gamblers play it safe.”
• When: Past 12 months.