Love Love Teriyaki v. Tokyo Steakhouse and Sushi Bar: A look inside

Many people love the exotic foods of other countries, the tastes and smells of places we could only dream of visiting. There are our Middle Eastern foods, of tangy flavors, spices that seem like they engulf your lungs in pure spicy delight. We have our multiple Spanish restaurants, with the zesty sauces and sizzling piping hot cuisines.

One popular franchise of restaurants in both Benton County and Linn County are Japanese restaurants. There are approximately four Japanese restaurants in Albany and four in Corvallis.

In Albany, one of the most talked about Japanese restaurants is one called, Love Love Teriyaki and then in Corvallis, there is a one called, Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar.

Both of these restaurants involve Japanese cuisine in their own unique style, ranging from the taste of the food, the setting and environment, and finally the prices. However, Love Love Teriyaki seems to have a little bit more advantage when it comes to these qualities and services.

Right when you walk into the Love Love restaurant you can already smell the steaming white rice, and the smell of soy sauce and the tangy teriyaki sauce. Every once in a while you hear the ding of bell signaling a fresh plate is ready.

Caroline Patton, a resident of Corvallis, enjoys eating at Love Love not only for the setting but for the food.

"I just love to hang out here, it's always usually quiet, nothing too hectic or overzealous," said Patton while waiting for her spicy Teriyaki Chicken, "it's just a nice place to come and sit and talk with the greatest food on the planet."

It's almost like one of those cliché cartoons where you see the smell and your nose follows then the rest of your body floats toward the source.

"The only problem I have with the place is that I live in Corvallis and have to wait till I get to school in Albany in order to have it," said Patton.

The environment of the place is completely calm and serene. There's not a lot of chaos and people, soft Christian rock music playing in the background, framed pictures of Japanese scenery and symbols are lined up along the wall create a familiar feel of Japan might feel like.

The food is portioned so well that no matter what someone may order, they always leave nice and full. The menu has an assortment of dishes ranging from Orange Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken to vegetarian dishes. The prices for most dishes of any sort range from $7-$8. Considering the portions they give, the prices are a pretty good deal.

Nathan Chan, an employee at Love Love Teriyaki has been working at the restaurant for about 6 months.

"I think our food has a very unique taste about it," said Chan, "I wouldn't say that it tastes exactly like regular Japanese food, because in Japan their cuisine is a little more crazy and unexpected."

As it turns out Love Love Teriyaki is one of two well-known restaurants in the area, Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar is located in Corvallis. However the reasons for why these two restaurants are known are for opposite reasons.

While Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar has a nice setting and environment, low tables, quiet atmosphere, it does not seem as comfortable as the other restaurant.

"I have eaten at both Love Love and the Steakhouse and I enjoy the food equally at both places, and the settings are similar in some ways," Ian Spaeth, 20, who lives in Corvallis, has always loved exotic tasting foods one including Japanese.

"They have Japanese fixtures and pictures everywhere, but it just feels different at the Tokyo Steakhouse, less relaxed it feels like," said Spaeth.

At Tokyo Steakhouse when you walk in, the first thing you expect to smell is some sort of authentic Japanese fragrance, however the first thing that hits your nose is incense burning. Not a bad smell, but it's not exactly a restaurant smell.

There are Japanese symbols and pictures hanging around the place, just like that of Love Love. However, the setting of the tables are different from Love Love. At Tokyo Steakhouse, all the tables and chairs are very close together. Most tables are set up next to the windows as close as possible, which is nice, but not everyone likes a window seat.

Not only are the settings slightly different between the two restaurants, the service that includes the host and hostesses are different in the behavioral aspect.

When it comes to any restaurant, food is not the only thing that plays a part in first impressions. If a customer comes to a restaurant and isn't greeted friendly and striking up a casual conversation while being seated, it can leave a bad after taste of the place in the back of your mind.

"The people who work at Love Love in Albany are always super friendly, they always ask about my day and then talk about their day," said Patton. "It's just a very upbeat and friendly place to eat at.

Another thing some people note is the dramatic price difference. At Love Love teriyaki, all dishes, depending on if you get extra sides, cost roughly around $7-8, whereas at Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse, most dishes are doubled that price, most dishes range from $15-2o and the portions are relatively the same.

Tokyo Steakhouse has a wide range of cuisine that includes, meat on meat such as Salmon and Chicken or Chicken and Steak, they also service the popular Ramen Noodle Soup, along with a variety of Sushi and unique seafood.

"The food at both places have a difference taste that's for sure," said Spaeth.

"Love Love has a little more sweet tangy taste to their food, and at the steakhouse their food seems to be a bit bolder and not as sweet," he said.

The choice is ultimately yours, if you prefer a sweet and sour tasting experience, visit Love Love Teriyaki in Albany, and if you don't mind putting a whole in your pocket, Tokyo Steakhouse would be your best bet.

At a glance:

_____________________________________________________

Love Love Teriyaki

Location:

2195 14th Ave. S.E. Suite 102

Albany, Oregon, 97322

Phone: 541.926.4142

Business Hours:

Monday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Sunday 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

_______________________________

Tokyo Steahouse and Sushi Bar

250 S.W. 3rd St.

Corvallis, Oregon 97330

Phone: 541.754.7508

Business Hours:

Sunday - Thursday Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Dinner: 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Friday - Saturday Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Dinner: 4:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Shine Bright, dance auditions take place at LBCC

"Dance like no one is watching" is a motto that many people try to stick to when it comes to performing in front of an audience. Add a few judges and some butterflies in your stomach, and it can be hard to think like that.

The dance studio at LBCC had dancers all over the floor stretching every inch of their bodies, practicing their turns. Many dancers were going over previous routines, there was noise all around from dancers talking and gossiping to music being played in the background.

Each year the LBCC Dance Club, hosts dance auditions for their spring dance showcase. Auditions were Saturday, Jan. 21, in the Activities Center Building.

There were dancers of every shape, size and experience. There were a couple male dancers along with a multitude of female dancers.

There were a range of dance experience among them going from dancing all of some of their lives to just beginning. Most of the dancers that auditioned ranged from ages of 17 to 30 or older.

This was their third annual dance auditions. The auditions were conducted by the club's advisers Katherine Sanders and Liz Pearce along with choreographers who are also part of the club.

"We are planning to have a great show planned for spring term," said Pearce.

"A lot of the dancers that auditioned showed a lot of great qualities for each dance our choreographers are bringing to the table," she said.

The auditions were split up into two parts. The first half of auditions was for dancers interested in modern/lyrical/contemporary styles and then the second half were for Hip-Hop dancers. The audition was free and is open to the general public.

They were held in the Activities Center in the dance studio to provide an appropriate dance environment.

This is where most of the dance department is located at on campus.

The dance studio floor had dancers of every style of dance, from hip-hop to ballet, stretching, asking questions and all in excitement for the auditions and joining the club.

Alyssa Blythe, a local resident of Albany, is a new member of the dance club at LBCC.

Blythe is 20 years old and has been dancing for roughly seven years. She started dancing when she was 13.

"I like that even though everyone dances with different purpose and style," said Blythe while packing her stuff up after auditions, "everyone's gifts and talents were welcomed and everyone rocked it in their own way."

Once the auditions finished, the dancers departed and the choreographers congregated to evaluate the dancers and where dancers were going to be placed. The process usually takes a while, for it takes some time to figure out which dancers fit with the style of dance the choreographers are doing.

"I am very excited for this year's showcase, it seems like it might be a little smaller than last year," said Pearce, "a smaller group might make it easier to polish some of our dances and keep it organized."

There is always a big hope from the club members that they will have a big turnout of people who want to tryout. The greater number of people auditioning means a bigger showcase in the spring.

Unfortunately for this year the turn out for auditions were a little bit of a disappointment.

"Normally we have about 40 people auditioning, this year we had about half of that," said Sanders.

The tryouts had a count of about 24 people this year.

"It's possible if needed that we might have a second round of auditions but it's still up in the air." said Sanders.

The first rehearsal was Saturday, Jan. 28. The spring dance showcase will take place during the spring term on Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21 at 7:30p.m. in the Russell Tripp Center.

If you would like to get involved with the LBCC dance club, make donations or even help organize contact:

Katherine Sanders
Downtown Dance Studio
541.829.0070

At a glance:
_______________________________________________
LBCC Dance Club

Phone: 541.754.7097
Activities Center: LBCC Campus

Rehearsals: Every Saturday

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spring Dance Showcase:

Friday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.

Russell Tripp Center

Music class with Dan Johnson

The band room is always abuzz with students, everyone is talking, running around trying to get stuff done, or practicing for an upcoming event. There is never a dull moment with Dan Johnson as a teacher. He commends the students on exemplary behavior at a recent band trip to a competition. As Johnson puts it, "this is how you give back to the community, and you make me look good."

Dan Johnson is the director/instructor for the music program at Philomath High School. He teaches the choir, the symphonic band and the theater class. He also directs the plays that students put on for the school as well.

Johnson worked for the Corvallis School District for more than 20 years. When Johnson started teaching at Philomath High School seven years ago, there were only 17 band students and 13 choir students. Today there are around 85 band students and 30 choir students.

The band and choir have been involved in multiple competitions ranging around Oregon, California and Seattle. They have received multiple awards for first place, second place for excellence and performance.

He has spent thousands of dollars and numerous hours creating a multiple award winning music program. The students always enjoy being around Johnson, not just for his humor but also for his generosity.

"He is very helpful and knowledgeable about anything musical," says Brianna Brouwer, a senior band member at Philomath High School this year. "He is always funny but knows when to be serious and get down to business. He does everything to make sure we succeed."

Debbie Johnson, Dan's wife, agrees that Johnson is a generous person when it comes to his job and his students. "He'll even take instruments down to Gracewinds and get them fixed as soon as possible," she said, "he doesn't want to turn anyone away."

Johnson's teaching methods always seem to have certain uniqueness to them. He likes to take the students around the campus to different areas to test out different sounds and acoustics.

For the choir, he usually takes them to the pool area where the sound resonates like a church cathedral atmosphere. He likes to call them mini field trips just to get the students of the classroom once in a while. The students always look forward to showing off the music they have been working on too.

"Do I have to do this?" Johnson said, "No. We can live with what we have, but it sure limits what we can do. For me, it's important for the kids to be able to do what they need to be successful."

While directing the band and choir at Philomath High School, Johnson also makes large contributions to the music program. His latest contribution could have the biggest impact on the music program.

Last November in 2010, Johnson and many of his students had come together to renovate the school’s small music room, adding about 440 square feet of space, unfortunately the renovation did not last long. This year the whole school is being torn down and remodeled due to a voter-approved construction bond.

Johnson also applied for and received several grants that helped with the cost of the project. He likes to joke that he does not want his wife, Debbie Johnson, to know exactly how much money he has poured into the PHS program throughout the years, or that he has simply lost track.

Truthfully Johnson does not like to take all the credit for the renovations because a lot of the students had helped with the project.

"He's always so dedicated to everything in his life," says Kyle Thrall, a 2010 graduate of Philomath High School. "His wife, his kids, his students. This is just the latest example, he's put so much time into the program."

Q&A with Dan Johnson:

• What made you get involved with both music and the high school?

My old band teacher had actually been on my back a lot about being a musician. He saw I had a lot of potential as a tenor vocalist. I have always found music to be a joy. I got my degree at George Fox University and I knew that I wanted to be a director. And here I am now.

• I understand a new school is being built with a bigger music department, what are your feelings about this?

Yes, we finally are getting a bigger music division at school. I'm excited for it, however the process is a little slow, with students being in one place or another, it’s hard to get things done whenever thing is not in one place. However once it’s done I have a feeling things will be smoother and we will be back to being loud.

• Is there anything else you would like to pursue besides teaching that involves music?

Right now, no, I enjoy teaching and I enjoy the students. Aside from retiring I don't see myself doing anything else and I am completely fine with that. I have my hands full with these little hooligans as is.

• Who is one musician/composer/director that inspires or has inspired you?

I have a lot of musicians I enjoy to hear occasionally. I find it hard to just listen to music without critiquing it to death. That's just how I evaluate music in general, I hear the different intervals in notes, and notice different phrasing that the composer uses.

• What is the greatest thing about teaching music?

I think watching how the students grow with what they learn each year. It’s always interesting to see how the students interact with each other. Over the years I see that there are always one or two students that take charge of their own sections and lay down the law.

_________________________

At A Glance:

Come support the PHS music department:

Who: Philomath High School Symphony

What: OWC Band Showcase

Where: Cascade High School

When: November 16th, 1:00pm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Dan Johnson was born Daniel Johnson but is known to his students as "Dan," "Johnson," or "Dr. J."

2. Three degrees in music: BA Music - Willamette University, M.Ed. - Western Oregon University, Ed.D - George Fox University

3. Favorite Disney character: Mickey Mouse

4. Lives in Philomath, Oregon with his three kids and wife.

So You Think We Can Dance?

How many people do you think like to dance? A couple maybe, thousands, millions of people? Maybe not out in public, or out in the club, maybe home alone in your room blasting 80's music in boxers and a tank top like Tom Cruise.

The students at LBCC are finding ways to express themselves through dance at the LBCC dance program. Though it may be smaller than dance other programs, students get to experience dance with unique instructors and talented peers.

Rachael Lehman-Arana, who is 19 years old of Albany, is in her second term at LBCC. She has only taken one term of dance at the college, but once was enough to get her even more interested in the experience.

“It was fun,” says Lehman-Arana, “The warm ups were relaxed, and the instructor always pushed you to do more.”

Lehman-Arana has had some previous dance/cheer leading experience so she took some Hip-Hop classes. She mentioned to me that she had wished there were a few more offered classes in a wider range of levels with different dances. She also commented on the instructor of the dance program.

“She's a very fun instructor and very unique. She always gave you positive encouragement," says Lehman-Arana.

Another addition to the dance classes is the head instructor at LBCC. Katherine Sanders (Above) of Albany, is the the main instructor of the dance classes at LBCC. Katherine mentioned how she loved every aspect of dance. She talked about what dance meant to her and why she enjoys it so much.

She has been teaching dance for about 21 years. It will be her 5^th year teaching dance at Linn-Benton in January. She did mention that one thing that she wishes the campus had was an actual program for dance.

“It's not exactly a program, just activities like a P.E. Class. You can't really move forward, you can have the opportunity but its hard to move forward and advance on.” says Sanders.

There are a lot of students here who enjoy dance and love taking the classes. However the budget for another program is not available at the moment.

According to the LBCC activites database the fall term of last year, the enrollment count was about 85-90 students in the class, this fall with less dance classes offered, the enrollment count is now around 50 students.

In 2012 during the fall and winter terms there will be dance classes offered such as Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Jazz.

Fortunately, Sanders has made a dance club for LBCC for anyone that enjoys dancing to come and join. She started the club as an instructor and did the choreography and organization.

This year she is”passing the torch” as she says to the students, and have it more student run. Many students feel that there needs to be a more official dance program offered at Linn-Benton Community College

Most people that know about dance find it to be a passion, an escape and a way to let your emotions go crazy. Dance is the type of art and activity, that lets people express themselves in a such way that the passion is overwhelming.

The students say dance classes are fun and everyone is around people who share the same respect for the art. People can be themselves and just do what they love and dance and express themselves in one big emotion.

According to an article by the Fired Up Dance Academy, dancing is also a great way to build up strength and also provides insight to the appreciation for dance. It also offers different links to find colleges and univerisities that offer dance to the students.

At LBCC (Linn-Benton Community College) many students participate in the dance program. There are some thoughts on the fact that dance classes are only offered twice a year. Many students here on campus take the dance classes that are offered here.

The following classes are offered here: Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and all of them range from beginning level techniques to advanced techniques.

“There's so much to say with dance, its something that makes you feel connected mentally, emotionally and spiritually. There's just a lot of joy," says Sanders.

If you would like to become part of the dance program and/or the dance club at LBCC, visit Sanders's instructor website or email her for more information about the dance programs.

Sanders also owns her own dance studio in Corvallis, Oregon, called Downtown Dance Corvallis.She offers dance classes of all types ranging from hip hop, to contemporary, and jazz. More information can be found on the website or give her a call to find out about the offered classes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At a glance:

Become a dancer!

Downtown Dance Corvallis

223 NW 2nd St.

Corvallis, OR 97330

Phone. 541.829.0070

If interested at all, come and dance your heart out.

LBCC Dance Program

LBCC Activities Center

To bring more attention to the offered dance classes and dance clubs at Linn-Benton Community College.

Websites involved: linnbenton.edu, firedupdanceacademy.com, downtowndancecorvallis.com

Setting a Foundation

After nearly four decades at LBCC, assisting the Nursing Program and being part of the Foundation on campus, Paulette Myers will be retiring at the end of November.

Paulette Myers, is the Coordinator of the LBCC foundation at Linn-Benton Community College. She has been a working staff member for 37 year.

The Foundation is an organization that coordinates donations to the college that include money, property, instructional equipment and materials that in turn provides more for the students. It has been a working establishment since 1972.

The Foundation also manages student scholarships, grants and loans, it has also helped with new installments on campus and remodeling of buildings such as White Oak hall.

"It really is like a full circle," says Myers, "you put the event on, raise the money and then give it out to the students and the college."

After graduating high school, Myers had been a secretary work study at LBCC for one year where she got a glance at what she wanted for a future career.

Myers worked for about 6 months before finding an open position available at the college and in 1974 Myers became Secretary for Nursing which then evolved into being the Health Occupations Program Assistant for which she had been for 27 years.

In 2000, Myers was referred to a job opening at the Foundation by the former president of Administration at LBCC, Jon Carnahan. Her job at the foundation now is planning events, parties, dinners and fundraising events.

"I was sort of known as the party giver" says Myers, "it was just the perfect job to move to, I love to put on parties.

Ann Adams, the Director for Information services has been working with Myers for quite some time now.

"She is an excellent employee," says Adams, "She is the heart and soul of the foundation, and she's always positive."

Adams says that Myers always knows who to check with for information, and always follows through with what she says she's going to do. Adams says that they call her the "party planner."

Adams has been a working staff member for 24 years, she started working at Linn-Benton Community College in 1974.

Myers received the Mario Pastega Outstanding Classified Employee Award in 2007. An award that is given out every year in the fall to one outstanding faculty member and one classified staff member. She had received the award which was a check for $1,000. Myers says that it was quite an honor.

Myers said that the best way to help out with the Foundation and to get involved is to participate in the Annual Fund Drive on campus for the staff and students to get involved. There is also an off-campus Fund Drive as well.

"Just from the staff we get over $60,000 a year towards the Foundation," says Myers. "It’s one of the best ways to get involved."

At the end of November of 2011, Myers will be retiring. She says that she plans to work part time for the college until they can find a new person to fill her spot in the Foundation.

"This really is a great place to be," says Myers, "it’s like one big family."

______________________________________________

At a glance:

Paulette Myers

Coordinator for the Foundation

Worked at LBCC for 37 years

Email: myersp@linnbenton.edu

Want to make a donation? Contact the Foundation:

The Foundation

6500 Pacific Boulevard SW

Albany, OR 97321

Phone: 541.917.4209

Website links:

www.linnbenton.edu/go/foundation
http://www.linnbenton.edu/go/foundation/paver-project

Related articles:
http://po.linnbenton.edu/communicator/0510Insider.pdf