Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I read the February cover story today, with much disappointment. I understand the concept behind the book and I think it is noble and worth the work it takes to complete such a task. However, this cover story sounded more like propaganda than an actual reporting of the news. I say this because you only talked about one side of this story. I am writing this email to shed some light on what I have found while using this book.

THEATRE: “Pride, Prejudice”… go!

By Mig Windows

Byline Contributor

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of the most famous female authors of all time. Of the handful of novels that she completed in her lifetime — and one that she came near to completing — Pride and Prejudice endures as a classroom favorite. Frequently adapted by Hollywood and the BBC, it has inspired spinoffs, knockoffs, urban retellings, and even a Bollywood musical.

So it was only a matter of time before Ashland’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival, now in its 75th season, would eventually bring this literary classic to the stage.

COMIC: “Food” by Kathleen Hayes

"Food," by Kathleen Hayes

Portrait class will “give back”

RCC student Ian Thirkil demonstrates his art. (Photo by Amanda Adams.)

By Amanda Adams

Byline Staff

Pravina McClure, a long-time Rogue Valley resident, knows her life has been blessed with many advantages and wants to give something back to the local community.

McClure, a part-time art instructor at Rogue Community College, will teach a “portrait intensive class,” as she calls it, that will be devoted to giving back.

Medford will improve crosswalk safety

One of the concerning crosswalks on Riverside in Medford. (Photo by Amanda Adams.)

By Joshua Reynolds

Byline Staff

Matt Vorderstrasse, student body president of Rogue Community College at Riverside, found out one day before a late February City of Medford meeting that the nearby crosswalk on Riverside Avenue was going to be a topic of discussion.

Vorderstrasse right then took action, sending out emails and Facebook petitions to sign request forms urging the city to increase safety measures at the crosswalk. Due in part to Vorderstrasse’s efforts and pressure from RCC administration, the city will install new precautions to make the area more safe.

What I learned at RCC

By Amanda Adams

Byline Staff

When I was in high school, I had every intention of going to college.

I joined all the clubs and got good grades. That all changed my senior year over a stupid guy, of all things. I had a good job and when things with him didn’t work out, I stayed behind in Nowhereville, Oregon while my friends took off to universities in places like New York and Boston.

I had my son when I was barely 20 and my priorities changed. I found work in the medical field and made a decent living with medical benefits and a 401k, but felt stagnant and wanted to figure out what was missing.

Guest Editorial: “Better future ahead?”

 

Left to right: Curtis Longo introduces candidates Derek Graden, Leah Kurz, Grant Walker, Kris Woodburn, Darin Fowler, Alan Koebrick, Lilly Morgan, Roy Lindsey, Dan De Young. (Photo by Brice Helm.)

By Curtis Longo

Publicity Director

ASGRCC-RWC

 

As long as I can remember, I’ve always made it a purpose to familiarize myself with where I live. The reasoning, of course, varied from knowing the location of the nearest liquor store, to having programmed my speed dial for the best delivery joint in town. Now that I have a family, that scope has widened tremendously and priorities have changed.

Q+A with Gwen Overland, director of “Moon Over Buffalo”

RCC instructor talks about the play she is currently directing

By Amanda Adams

Byline Staff

Q:  What inspired you to direct this particular show?
A: When given the script, I could not stop laughing. Even after the 30th time through, I was still chuckling.

Cinema: “Shutter Island” is fine kamikaze filmmaking

BY ELIJAH SULLIVAN
BYLINE STAFF

There are certain plot twists that should have been retired a long time ago — and yet here is Martin Scorsese directing his first film since the Oscar victor “The Departed,” centered around a just such a twist. Based on a pulpy best-seller by Dennis Lehane (“Mystic River”), and featuring a star-studded cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, “Shutter Island” is anything but boring. But the requisite twist ending has divided audiences who can’t agree on whether the film is brilliant or a new standard for absurdity.

Tax measures demystified

The Byline’s Marissa Woltanski explains why she believes the Rogue Valley should be celebrating the passing of tax measures 66 and 67

BY MARISSA WOLTANSKI
BYLINE STAFF

Measures 66 and 67 passed in the state of Oregon on January 26. While I voted yes on both measures, my fellow Southern Oregon residents, for the most part, did not agree with me. Looking at the map county by county, the measures more or less only passed in the Willamette Valley-Multnomah County part of the state.

Our legislature worked very hard to create a fair budget, and measures 66 and 67 were the best option to fulfill the revenue needs of the state.