Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 5, 2003)
F eature 4 • T he C lackamas P rint N ovember 5, 2003 Former student finds niche in teaching Karlin Johnson T he C lackamas P rint Former student Michael Gerber has returned to lend a hand in the the atre arts program as Clackamas’ Artist in Residence. Theatre Department Head David Smith-English asked Gerber to come to the college this year after he received his bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Western Oregon University In his time at Clackamas, Gerber was very involved with the theatre department. His contributions ranged from performing in main stage productions to directing one- act plays. “David [Smith-English] and I worked with each other quite exten sively [when I was here] and he and I stayed in touch and remained friends,” said Gerber. “He thought it would be fun for me to come here and get experience.” Smith-English enjoys what the Artist in Residence program gives to the college. “It brings a richness to the pro gram from experience we wouldn’t get otherwise,” he said. Gerber says the knowledge that he will get from helping teach at the college will be priceless. He wishes to become a teacher himself one day. “I definitely want to teach drama at a college level,” said Gerber. “I would maybe want to direct or act on a professional stage, but my main interest is teaching drama.” ates with students as well. The aspiring drama teacher and / “He is the kind of person who actor has been working with the the attracts and inspires other students,” atre department since the beginning notes Smith-English. of the term, mainly aiding Smith- Gerber is looking forward to sev English in teaching. eral things this schpol year, such as Aside from assisting with the the performances. Acting 1 class, Gerber is performing The one-act plays will be per in the fall main stage play, “Uncle formed Dec. 2-4, and “Uncle Vanya” Vanya.” Not only is he acting him will be performed Nov. 13-16 and self, but he is helping guide his fel Nov. 20-23. low actors. He is also assisting with ‘“Uncle Vanya’ will be fantastic, the coordination of the one-act plays and we are doing the ‘Odd Couple’ by giving the student directors input next term,” said Gerber. and being involved.in the technical Gerber is most excited, however, side of the acts. about seeing the students he is work Living out a little of his fantasy, ing with develop. Gerber is teaching his own Comedy “It’s watching each person blos Improvisation class this term, which som and bloom into something big he will continue to teach throughout ger and better and knowing that I the year. might have played a part in that,” he “What isn’t fun? The whole job, said. this is my dream job,” said Gerber. “I Outside of the college, Gerber has work with people here, and can been applying to different schools watch them do what they do best.” where he hopes to earn his Master’s Gerber has obviously found his Degree in directing. niche in teaching. Rather than He is also writing plays, includ instructing students on how to do ing a one-act he describes as “The things a different way, Gerber Practice meets the Dating Game.” helps students expand on their own Gerber would like to direct his one- ideas. act at Clackamas.’ “It’s great. He’s like an Smith-English could not be hap advanced advance student!” said pier with what Gerber has brought to student Holly Lewis. “He allows the department. you to explore by giving you “He has such leadership in the guidelines, and not being overbear department. In the main stage pro ing or judgemental. He’s just cool duction, he’s a strong anchor,” said about it.” Smith-English, “He brings new ener Smith-English has seen this gy, new insight and a new perspec strong relationship that Gerber cre- tive to what we do.” CORY PRICE C lackamas P rint Michael Gerber acts beside student Kelsey Bales, rehearsing for “Big Mistake,” a one-act directed by Bekah Finch. Fear of water hasn't stopped Misley from diving in head first Jessica Le Claire T he C lackamas P rint INTERNET PHOTO Total eclipse of moon, visible to naked eye Jadon Triplett C ontributing writer Anyone looking up into the sky on the evening of Nov. 8 will see a sight to behold, the second lunar eclipse of the year. Imagine, the moon is blood red in the sky. It is 1200 BC, and you, a citizen of the Sheng Dynasty in ancient China, are out tonight and have no other light to rely on. but that of the sky. Looking up at that moon, what would you think the sky was trying to tell you? We know now that this sight in the sky is a lunar eclipse. Not just any eclipse, but a total lunar eclipse. “No enthusiastic sky watcher ever misses a total eclipse of the moon. And the spectacle is often more beautiful and interesting than one would think,” writes night sky columnist Joe Rao of Space.com. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth is between the full moon and the sun, and the moon passes into the planet’s shadow. A total eclipse is different from other eclipses because it passes directly into Earth’s umbral shad ow, and our atmosphere reflects onto the moon and can produce a variety of colors, such as yellow, orange, brown or red. The other two types of lunar eclipses are the penumbral eclipse, which are extremely difficult to see even with the aid of a telescope because the shadow is so dark; and the partial eclipse, which is easy to see with the naked eye because the moon is only partially orbiting in the earth’s shadow. Anyone should be able to see the beginning of eclipse, weather permitting. For those with more interest in the eclipse, OMSI will be holding a “star party” in their east parking lot at the time of the moon’s rise, and they will have experts and enthusiasts on hand. They will also have equipment (telescopes, binoculars etc.) on hand to make viewing easier. The lunar eclipse will take place Saturday, Nov 8, around 5 p.m. Those in the Pacific Northwest will only be able to see the beginning of the lunar eclipse, but according to enthusiasts, it is still a sight to behold. The moon will rise at 4:46 p.m. PST, the total eclipse will peak at 5:16 p.m. and the total eclipse will end at 5:30 p.m., though a partial eclipse will still be visible until 7:04 p.m. For more information regarding this phenomenon, check out http://www.omsi.edu/visit/plane- tarium/starparties.cfm. Life Science Instructor Bob Misley is known by many other titles, such as a taxonomist, botanist or biologist, but rarely do people know him as Bob Misley, the scuba diver. Misley has dove in many areas including Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Caribbean, Belize, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Grand Camions, Florida Keyes and Galapagos. “I’ve always been active in out door activities,” said Misley. “I was looking for a new sport that would allow me to pursue both my biology background and my love for travel.” Misley found scuba diving not only a way to incorporate biology and travel but also a way to confront his fear of water. “I wouldn’t call myself a chick en,” said Misley. “I have no death wish. I got into scuba diving with the idea to be able to float weightless. I like to say [scuba diving] is the clos est I will ever get to either being an astronaut or an angel.” Misley is a recreational diver, which means that he doesn’t dive more than 120 feet deep in water. One does not have to dive deep in water in order to stumble upon scary experiences. Misley had a close encounter while diving on a wreck in British Columbia.' “I take a lot of underwater pic- “[Scuba diving] is the closest I'll get to being an astronaut or an angel.” Bob Misley Life Science Instructor tures and was focused in on my pho tography. I apparently had not checked my gauges for awhile,” said Misley. “When I checked my gauges, I was close to being in a bad situation. I was out of air by the time I reached the surface.” Checking equipment is very necessary in the sport of scuba div ing. According to Misley, he has learned from his near-death experi ence and will not ever forget it. “Every time I go into the water, you could say there is a little bit of anxiety,” said Misley. “Trust your knowledge, trust your training, trust your equipment and especially trust your buddy. Once you are in the •water, you think to yourself, ‘Relax and breathe,’ because you are enter ing a truly alien environment.” Once everything is in check, Misley can focus on the one part of scuba diving he loves most: under water photography. “To me, being able to capture photographic images that show and reflect some of what, we see when we are underwater is very interest ing, very challenging, very hard and artistically rewarding,” said Misley. Someday Misley hopes to dive in the Say Shell Islands, which is the only other place that giant tor toises live besides Galapagos. “The Say Shells are on the other side of the world from Galapagos,” said Misley. “To a biologist that is really interesting.” Misley is currently a volunteer diver at the Newport Aquarium. “I am happy to be a teacher,” said Misley. “I’m happy to have scuba diving be another activity that allows me to travel, to bring back information, to further enrich and enhance my teaching and my classroom experiences.” Life science Instructor Bob Misley is a volunteer scuba diver at Newport Aquarium.
