Western Oregon Journal

During the summer I had the opportunity to work with a bona-fide, professional newspaper. It was an alternative newsweekly based in Portland, and most of the employees were liberal hipsters. Needless to say, the experience was amazing.

My earliest memory of the small, downtown building was when the editor-in-chief came into the "Copy Cave" holding two six-packs of microbrews. Before I left, my boss told me that I should feel free to take some of the beer before I left.

I looked at her, unsure if she knew. "I'm only 20," I said cautiously.

And thus began the summer that I was labeled the 20-Year-Old Intern.

Because of my "label" (or my disability), I wasn't allowed to attend most of MusicFestNW or the Time-Based Art Festival, two events sponsored by the paper. Because I'm a minor, I was segregated at a Mandonna concert at the Crystal Ballroom, an all-ages venue where, in this instant, the bar section was drastically larger (and more fun) than the dry side. Because I am 20 years old, I missed out on a lot.

Now that I'm back at school, I realize that being 20 and living in Monmouth are scarily synonymous.

Even though Monmouth has been a wet town since 2002, it seems like most of the town is still stuck in its dry days. The nearest liquor store is in neighboring Independence, and there are no college-oriented bars to speak of in the entire college town. Like being 20 in Portland, when you live in Monmouth, the alcohol is always just out of reach.

Now, don't confuse what I'm trying to say: I'm not an alcoholic; I don't even enjoy parties. However, wouldn't it make sense that in a town that relies so much on student business, someone would want to take advantage of the lucrative bar or club scene? Would it not be actually safer to offer this sort of service within walking distance of much of the student population?

As I quickly approach 21, though, I have to remember that even after Dec. 16-after I'm no longer a minor-as long as I'm living in Monmouth, I'll be perpetually 20.

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