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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 5, 2004)
An independent newspaper http://wwv7.dailyemerald.com Monday, April 5,2004 Since 1900 University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon Volume 105, Issue 126 Ducks begin training Page 7 SATURDAY at the MARKET Eugene’s Saturday Market had a successful opening day, welcoming several thousand eager customers this weekend By Moriah Balingit News Reporter The aroma of international cuisine and the sound of accordions filled the air once again as the "eclectic" population of Eu gene gathered at 8th Avenue and Oak Street for the Eugene Saturday Market's 35th-year opener this weekend. . Beth Little, the market's general manag er, said between 5,000 and 7,000 people turned out to tour the 300 arts and crafts booths, which featured products ranging from copper jewelry and candles to duct tape wallets and purses made from old record covers. All items were hand-crafted. "The market is always new. It's always changing," Little said. In addition to the arts and crafts, a di verse array of food was available in the In ternational Food Court. The food was the most appealing part of the market for Uni versity freshman Tara McGraw. "The tofu cheesecake is pretty good," she said. The food court featured cuisine from all over the world, including chicken curry, yakisoba noodles, crepes, tamales and a wide selection of other culinary treats. Junior biology major Astra Lashbaugh, one of the employees working at Renais sance Pizza's booth, said she has "one of the best jobs around." "All of the people that go to the Satur day Market are generally really nice and friendly and want to talk," she said. "Working there is really nice. It's a differ ent experience." Lashbaugh added that she enjoyed the market's music. The main stage was posi tioned right in front of the food court, and a number of arts including a polka-dot clad group named "Accordions Anony mous" performed. Additionally, a string Erik R. Bishoff Photographer Eugene Saturday Market jewelry vendor Angela Lees said she felt that Saturday was the "best day ever. It's just such a beautiful day and business is really good.” Saturday marked the beginning of the season for the market. It runs through mid-November at East Eighth Avenue and Oak Street. quartet treated attendees to a bit of Mozart on the lawn. The Farmers' Market section featured or ganic produce and a number of other items, including homemade jams, honey and home-brewed sodas. Junior architecture major Adam Di Benedetto was at the farmers' market selling organic fruit trees for his unde's farm, Earth Rising Co-Op Farm. Business was go ing well, according to Di Benedetto. "I think it's been pretty good," he said. "I had one guy buy half of all one species we had." Turn to MARKET, page 6 MEChA event showcases local talent Friday’s Xicano Xplosion had more than 40 people dancing, acting and reciting poetry By Peter Sur Freelance Reporter More than 40 singers, dancers and ac tors performed Friday night for MEChA's annual talent show, Xicano Xplosion. The 16 acts featured choreographed dances, poem readings, songs and plays, and a double-jointed "comedic contor tionist" whose monologue made audience members laugh and cringe. "Our goal was to get talent from here in the University and also go out to the com munity, Eugene and Springfield," MEChA "We want to make it as diverse as possible." Denisse Guadarrama MEChA talent recruiter Program Director Jose Pena said. Pena added that despite the talent show's name, participation was not limited to Chi canos. "We want to make it as diverse as possi ble," said Denisse Guadarrama, who recruit ed the performers. This year's Xicano Xplosion — pro nounced "Chicano explosion" — attracted more than 150 people to the Fir Room. Per formers alternately stood, danced and contorted themselves on a stage near the back of the room. Springfield High School students per formed "Los Vendidos," or "The Sellouts," which addressed how popular culture pigeonholes Mexican-Americans into stereotypes, SHS multicultural liaison Juan Carlos said. Twelve students from Jefferson Middle School performed "Fulanito," a hip-swivel ing, twisting merengue dance. "Our group is called Ganas," eighth-grade student Alma Reyes said, referring to the middle school club for Chicano students. Students of the Indian Subcontinent members Jessica Nair and Edwin Prasad per formed "Nao Nao," an Indian dance Turn to XICANO, page 12 Law students help community with pro bono service event Saturday’s event allowed members of Oregon Law’s Public Interest Public Service Program to reach beyond the legal issues they study By Joe Boyd Freelance Reporter Eleven local nonprofit organizations received volunteer help from more than 70 University law students during Public Service Day on Saturday. The event was organized by Oregon Law's Public Interest Public Service Program. Currently in its first year, PIPS has been responsible for hosting service-based workshops and prominent speakers. According to its Web site, PIPS is a fac ulty-approved group that seeks to "develop understanding of the value of public-interest and service work nationally and globally; promote public interest and service activities and knowledge through lectures and discussions," among other goals. Lauren Sommers, first-year law student and service pro gram secretary, said it is important for law students to realize Turn to PRO BONO, page 4 West University joins coalition for tenant rights The West University Neighborhood Association joined Eugene Citizens for Housing Standards in pursuit of a local housing code for renters By Parker Howell News Reporter The West University Neighborhood Association Executive Board unanimously agreed Thursday to become part of a growing coalition of housing-standards supporters. The board's decision made it the second Eugene neighbor hood organization to join the Eugene Citizens for 1 lousing Standards coalition, which includes the Jefferson West Neigh borhood Association, along with the University and Lane Community College student governments. ECUS staff member Brett Rowlett said 98 percent of the housing units in the neighborhood are rentals. Rowlett and ASUO President Maddy Melton presented the request for sup port to the neighborhood association. Melton said Eugene, with more than 54,000 renters, re mains the largest city in Oregon without a locally enforceable housing code. Instead, residents rely on the Oregon Landlord Tenant Act, which requires that tenants go through small claims court if they have grievances against their landlords. Melton said the current process is inefficient and costly. "The problem we're finding is that this both takes a lot of time to go through small claims court and also it costs folks money," Melton said. "I think that we can all agree that our Turn to CODE, page 6 WEATHER INSIDE NEXT ISSUE LOW 38 HIGH 58 Campus buzz. Classifieds. Commentary. ..3 Crossword.11 10 Horoscope.11 ..2 Sports.7 ASUO elections coverage begins
