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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2004)
BEST OF EUGENE 2004 voted said it was the best. It’s a democratic process. More people than not said we did. What is the oldest item in your wardrobe? I inherited my grandfather’s Marines shirt from WWII. I used to wear it but now I’m afraid that something will happen to it. BEST DRAMATIC THEATER: LORD LEEBRICK 2nd: Very Little Theater 3rd: Actors Cabaret When EW told Director Craig Willis that Lord Leebrick won (for the seventh year running) he gave a sigh of relief. He took over as director in July of 2003 and said, “Since we’d won it so many years in a row, when I took over I felt this tremendous pressure. So I feel somewhat relieved. Excited, but also relieved.” Do you think you really deserve to win? Yes, definitely. The artists who work at Lord Leebrick are fully committed to engaging the audience at each and every performance. And the inti- macy of the space makes that interaction even more electric. What’s the oldest thing in your closet? There is this book I made in third grade for my mother that told my life story. It’s on that faded yellow construction paper with that newsprint-lined paper with my scrawling handwriting describing where I was born, my family and other things like that. Someday I hope to finish it. with families. Screaming kids, lounging parents, sound like paradise? It is –– at least, that’s what you all say. So next time the sun is ready to shine, you know where to find the fun. paper. Actually last spring I came upon a couple, and how should I say this … They were definitely having a good time. Did they invite you to join them? Oh no, the woman never even saw me. They had chosen a quiet corner in our world history section where they assumed nobody ever came. cretion, you can wear a mask. If you don’t, you can walk around in your birthday suit. The fair is what you make of it, be it glittery make-up or unabashed make-outs. BEST PARK: ALTON BAKER BEST PUBLIC BATHROOM: EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY 2nd: Hendricks Park 3rd: Amazon Park The first time I saw Alton Baker Park I floated there, as in floated up to the bank of the park in a kayak. It was a gorgeous, sunny day. People were playing Frisbee with their dogs, tag with their kids and sprawled out on picnic blankets reading good books. I instantly loved it and so it was no surprise to me that when all the bal- lots were counted, it was number one. Created in 1959 it sits on top of what was once an old quarry turned landfill. Now the 400-acre park, named after one of the R-G’s 2nd: The Hult Center 3rd: The Hilton Opened in December of 2002 and costing around $25 million, the Eugene Public Library is now known for more than the wide selection of books it offers. Perhaps its central location rocketed its restrooms to the heights of “Best in Eugene” because squatting in a stall at the library seems to be no different than anywhere else. It hasn’t had much time to accrue a montage of graffiti wisdom on the walls, and it is rather clean and well lit. On my first visit to this now-famous bathroom, I BEST LOCAL FARM: LONE PINE 2nd: Sweet Leaf Farm 3rd: Hay Bayles EW talked to Lori Jensen, one of the owners: Why does the Lone Pine deserve to win? We appreciate the honor of being named the best of Eugene. The Lone Pine team strives to give five-star quality service and produce as well as a flare of “agri-tain- ment.” Our goal is to offer a family farm experience on a working farm to allow this generation to experience what we were able to experience as kids. If you were an animal or a vegetable, which one would you be and why? I would be a Lone Pine goat because they are the best taken care of goats I’ve ever seen. And the kids spoil them rotten. BEST LOCAL CLOTHING SHOP: SWEET POTATO PIE 2nd: Zona 3rd: Buffalo Exchange EW talked to Elizabeth, the owner: Do you think you deserve to win? Yes, because I think we really represent Eugene. We have a little bit to offer every- one, from hemp to organic products. What is the oldest item in your wardrobe? Oh God, you don’t want to know! I still have a dress that I made when I was in high school. I was 19, and I made the dress out of fabric that matched the curtains on my VW bus! BEST POLITICALLY CHARGED HANG- OUT: COZMIC PIZZA/THE STRAND 2nd: Growers Market 3rd: Saturday Market EW talked to Jules, the booking agent: Cozmic Pizza isn’t just a great place to eat organic pizza, it’s rife with progressive political events. All four presidential and vice presidential debates will be aired on Cozmic’s movie-sized screen at The Strand. Cozmic also hosted viewings of politico films like There’s Something About W and Uncovered: The Truth About the Iraq War. A theater troupe performed the political satire piece “The Wizard of All,” local can- didate Floyd Prozanski held a benefit, and fair trade advocates demonstrated sweat shop-free products at The Strand. The venue’s next big political event is “Bands Against Bush” Oct. 23. BEST SECONDHAND STORE: BUFFALO EXCHANGE 2nd: Goodwill 3rd. St. Vincent De Paul Buffalo Exchange at 131 E 5th Ave. pro- vides the perfect fix for used-clothes junkies (you know who you are). “It’s like one stop shopping,” says manager Mary Kolego. “You can get mall brands and vin- tage one-of-a-kinds here. We do our best to provide excellent merchandise.” BEST COMMUNITY GARDEN: AMAZON GARDEN BEST PLACE TO HANG OUT WITH THE KIDS: AMAZON POOL 2nd: Alton Baker Park Is there anything better than a slide into water to occupy the kids for endless hours? On the very rare occasion that the sun comes out in Eugene, this place is packed BEST POLITICAL COUP: KITTY PIERCY The babes of Buffalo Exchange BEST SECOND- HAND STORE founders, is Eugene’s largest developed park, a much better use for the space. It has spots for fishing, picnicking, a garden and even an off-leash dog area. Two resident peacocks roam the grounds as well. BEST PLACE FOR PUBLIC TRYST- ING: OREGON COUNTRY FAIR 2nd: Saturday Market 3rd: Skinner Butte Some people go to the Oregon Country Fair for the music; some go for the local crafts and food. But let’s be honest: a lot of folks go to the OCF for booty. It takes place mid- summer, when the sun is blazing and hor- mones are raging. Throngs of thongs and angel wings flit through the sweaty crowds. Girls wearing flower garlands dance around scantily clad boys on stilts. If you like dis- TODD COOPER 2nd: Rose Garden 3rd: Alton Baker Park Garden EW talked to Alice Aikens, volunteer manager: Why do you think that the Amazon Garden deserves to win? One only has to look at the garden. We have wonderful gardeners. There are people who come back every year to grow vegetables for family and friends. There is a plot where a few of us just grow vegetables for Food for Lane County. It is very much of a community garden. If you were an animal or vegetable, what would you be and why? A kabocha — it’s a Japanese pumpkin. It is a very healthy and you can eat it as a vegetable or turn it into a dessert. It is very versatile vegetable that most people have never heard of. expected a mosaic of colorful tile work or a personal bathroom attendant or some- thing. All I got was pale gray tiles from floor to ceiling and the option between paper towels or air hand-dryer. Stop by and see for yourself. BEST THINGS BEST BOOKSTORE: SMITH FAMILY BOOKS 2nd: Borders 2nd: Tsunami EW talked to Evon, an employee: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve ever come upon in the stacks? I’m not going to answer that truthfully, ‘cause it will only play into the criticism you always get in the (See Best of the Best p. 16) 2nd: “Run Jim Run” 3rd: Andrea Ortiz BEST CONCERT OF THE YEAR: THE PIXIES 2nd: Bach Festival 3rd: NOFX It’s true, I’m biased. The Pixies a favorite band and yes, I voted for them. But you, dear readers, joined me, which just goes to show that Eugeneans have excellent taste in music. Rarely does a band put on a kick- ass show that totally brings down the house when they get together for a reunion almost a decade after their break-up. Sure there were a few rough moments but we were so incredibly amped to see the ’80s indie darlings and honored that they would grace our fair city with their legendary presence that we barely noticed. What we did notice was the fact that both Frank Black and Kim Deal can still sing and pulled off all the classics we love with a modern twist. Rock on. OCTOBER 21, 2004 21
