• GOP lawmakers and anti-government
pundits have been blasting PERS as an
extravagance draining state coffers, but
relatively few state employees do well
under the retirement system. Only about
9 percent of retirees since 1995 make
more retired than working. But retirees
with less than 20 years of service who
retired after 1997 average only a third of
what they made while working. Let’s not
blame PERS and state system retirees for
our state budget woes.
• KLCC’s Morning
Edition host
Jenny
Newtson has
confirmed
that she is
leaving the
public radio
station after
15 years. She
plans to go back to
school at Lewis & Clark to take advan-
tage of a new family education trust. She
says her last day will be Aug. 20 “with a
few week-long time-outs for the Country
Fair and the glass bead business.”
Jenny’s bright voice and wit enliven our
moldy town more than she knows. Tune
her in while you can at 89.7 FM.
Live Here.
Work There?
• Rumsfeld is denying it, but The New
York Times says Bush and Cheney are
planning for long-term U.S. military pres-
ence in Iraq. We still have bases in Japan,
Germany and elsewhere leftover from
previous wars, but the best way to occu-
py, influence and “protect” other nations
is not with troops and airplanes, but
rather with diplomats, exchange stu-
dents, aid workers and fair trade busi-
nesses.
• The Eugene Planning Commission
meets this week (April 22) to talk about
renaming a city street after MLK. King’s
legacy deserves renaming a roadway of
prominence, such as Centennial
Boulevard, which serves both Eugene and
Springfield. Renaming Ferry Street
Bridge would be a cheap compromise,
and the new name would likely not stick.
• We’re thinking ahead to November
2004, not so far away. Secretary of State
Bill Bradbury and former Gov. Barbara
Roberts are Oregon co-chairs for Howard
Dean, Democratic presidential candidate
and former governor of Vermont who
has taken a lonely political stand against
our policy of preemptive war. Some sug-
gest a ticket of Dean and Dick Gephardt,
outsider-insider, Vermont-Missouri, anti-
war-pro-war. We’re not so sure.
Make It Easy!
• Save up to $1,000/year on your commuting costs.
• Reduce air pollution in our community.
• Guaranteed emergency ride home.
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the office door.
EXISTING CONNECTIONS TO CORVALLIS,
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CALL FOR FREE TRIAL INFO.
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1-877-VAN-GOGO
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Lithia Springs Inn
Two Nights, Two Breakfasts & A Dinner for Two for only $229!
Wow
Ashland Getaway Package!!!
You get 2 nights of basic lodging at Lithia Springs Inn
(upgrades available with mineral spring whirlpool in-room)
Hot gourmet breakfast for two each day at the Inn
Complimentary dinner for two at a featured
Ashland area restaurant
$229
per couple
Bonus: Stay
Stay Sunday
Sunday thru
thru Thursday
Monday &
Bonus:
& get:
get:
• Spa Massage Package-incuding massage,
beverage and bonus treatment
featuring nationally known storytellers . . .
ESTHER ACOSTA (Tales from a Chicano Life)
CATHY SPAGNOLI & SIVAM (Tales from India)
GERALD FIERST (Tales from Jewish Folklore)
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• Winetasting Tour and lunch for 2 at Bella
Union Restaurant in Historic Jacksonville.
expires May 31, 2003
Call today...1-800-482-7128 and ask for the “Ashland Getaway Package!”
Tickets: $8.00 per person OR
$20.00 for a family of four
(cash or check only)
Available at The Actors Cabaret
& at the door.
**Also: CDs, tapes, shirts and books for
Robert Rubinstein • Producer/Director sale**
SaTuRdAy, ApRiL
or
www.ashlandinn.com
Multicultural
Storytelling Festival
ThE
26 st @ 7 :3 0 pm
V ERy L iTtLe T hEaTrE
2350 Hilyard St. • 344-7751/344-8176
Sponsored by: Lane Arts Council, Springfield Education Association / Oregon Education Association,
City of Eugene, U-Lane-O, Very Little Theatre, & Selco Credit Union
APRIL 24, 2003 9