Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (March 12, 2008)
ulture Clackamas Pn Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Fewer young adults driven to obtain license As gasoline prices have skyrocketed, the number of young drivers on the road has decreased and public transportation has gainedpopularity . Emily Walters 11 Arts & Cultifre Editor Obtaining a driver’s license is a ritual in the United States, marking a time when teens ate able to gain more independence from their par ents - if they so choose, that is. It may seem strange that the number of people who decide to get their license soon after turning die legal age has been dropping, but upon examining stale law, the rea son becomes obvious: the rules of the road for young drivers are much stricter than they used to be. Combined with the rising cost of automobiles, insurance and gaso line, it is no wonder that the newest generation of potential drivers has largely chosen public transportation and being chauffeured by their par ents over spending a few thousand dollars each year to sustain a car. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, the number of people driving in Oregon between the ages of 1 and 21 decreased from 256,736 in 1999 to 242,044 in 2006 - toe last report year - which is a drop of over 14,000 young people. Drivers of issuance are individu als who have had driving privileges or activity within toe report year. It is unsurprising that there has been such a large decline in toe number of newer drivers because toe license restrictions for those below 18 years of age have become rigidly stem, especially over toe past several years. The social aspect of driving, such as going out with friends, has been blocked by toe law that drivers under 18 cannot have any passen gers below toe age of 20 in their car for toe first six months, unless they are part of their immediate family. The second six months are not much better; only three passengers under 20 are allowed. Another major restriction on teenage drivers’ freedom is that, for the entire first year, they cannot drive between toe hours of midnight and 5 a.m. except in certain situa tions, usually pertaining to school and work. In addition, toe high financial costs of owning and maintaining a car - not to mention filling it up at toe pump - are a significant issue for many high school and college students. Clackamas student Aaron Hide said that he spends only $50 on transportation each month because he does not drive. “It is a lot cheaper to ride toe bus than to pay for gas and insurance and all that,” Hide said. The Oregon Department of Transportation shows that the price to maintain, run and make pay ments on a new, small-sized car, is approximately $8,400 annually, or about $700 a month. Students typi cally do not work enough hours or at a high-enough-paying job to be able to afford to drive on a regular basis. Oregon is one of toe leading states in sustainability awareness; “going green” has recently become a huge trend in toe Portland Metro area. A means of being more envi- ronmentally friendly - while also spending less money for toe daily commute to work or school - is public transportation. While using public transporta tion is less convenient than driv ing an automobile, toe savings is remarkable. For instance, the South Clackamas Transportation District, a small bus service that in a line from Molalla directly i coUege, costs only a dollar way. Its Web site states that “[j compare toe cost of gas, p and auto maintenance to the < riding a bus, you will probabl that riding toe bus is much economical.” “I just ride toe bus beca is cheaper than riding in my said student Kent Hall, who st driving to school because of gasprices. TriMet also has a larg service that runs frequent toe Clackamas, Washingtoi Multnomah counties. An adt zones annual pass for TriMei only $836 - contrast Z/rat w cost of owning a car. Musical festival jazzes up the week at Clackam Several musical events bring much-needed harmony to the col lege on the last week of winter term before finals take place Jess Sheppard j | The Clackamas Print March is the time for music at Clackamas, espe cially jazz. 'v . The Chamber Choir performed at the Unistus Winter Concert, held at Milwaukie Lutheran Church, March 9. March 11 marked the Third Annual Northwest Invitational High School Concert Band Contest. Oregon high school bands competed at the Niemeyer Center for qualification in the Oregon School Activities Association State Band Championship. The main musical event of the month is the Jazz Festival, which will take place over the span of three days. The first component of the festival is the 25th Annual Vocal Jazz Festival. On March 13, talented high school jazz’groups from all over the Northwest will meet in the Niemeyer Center from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. “We’re really happy to be celebrating the 25th Annual Vocal Jazz Festival,” said Classical Choral Music Director and Conductor Lonnie Cline. “It’s a quarter of a century of jazz.” The second and third day of the festival will cover the 37th Annual Instrumental Jazz Festival. Musicians in the second group range from middle to high school in age. Geographically, they range even farther. Some participants are from Oregon and nearby Washington; others will travel from as far away as California, Idaho and Canada to compete at Clackamas. As with the vocal festival, admission is $5 The competition begins at 8 a.m. on boti and continues until 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. each Clackamas’ jazz ensemble will perform, andt three winners of the day will engage in a play 7:30 p.m. to decide who will claim the first trophy. Afterward will be a performance by menit the Bridge Quartet, a band of local jazz mus including Music Department Chair Tom Waki March 17 will see the Chamber Ensemble1 Concert in the Niemeyer Center. The conce feature the Chamber Ensemble student g directed by Gary Nelson. The performance will be held in room Niemeyer Center at 7:30 p.m. Unlike the shows happening this month, no admissi charged, but a donation is requested. ^EzPUBLI F ormerly TAN RIO TODAY - TOMORROW: Student-Directed One-Act Plays, Comedy Improv and Stand- up Comedy performances take place in the McLoughlin Auditorium at noon, with an evening performance Thursday at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call ext. 2356. TOMORROW: Top high school vocal jazz ensembles from around the Northwest gather at the 25th Annual Vocal Jazz Festival from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the Niemeyer Center. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, call the music department at ext. 2434. FRIDA Y - SATURDAY: Young musicians from middle, junior high and high schools in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho and Canada\will compete during the 37th An nual Instrumental Jazz Festival from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the Niemeyer Center. Admis sion is $5 per person. For more information, call the music department at ext. 2434. BRINO IN YOUR STUDENT I FOR A 20% DISCOUNT ON REGULARLY PRICED PACKAi COME CHECK OUT OUR ~ NEW LOOK ~ NEW OWNER ~ ~ NEW HOURS** MON-FRI 9 AM-9 PM S at 9 am -8 pm SUN 1 1AM-7 PM 2050 S. BEAVERCRri FRED MEYER PARKIN« 503.557.0158 t
