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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 12, 2007)
growth forests and fish-bearing streams in forests from Eugene to Klamath Falls. The DVD and film is a project by local filmmaker Tim Lewis, Trip Jennings of Epicocity Productions and Eugene-based Cascadia’s Ecosystem Advocates. The film addresses the WOPR and what the filmmakers call the “dubious political wran- gling behind it.” It also contains sections on community and citizen interaction with the BLM from vole survey teams to rural landowners. The film is available on a DVD that also contains a citizen-action toolkit, showing viewers how to get involved with forest pro- tection issues. It seems the BLM is a little nervous about the film and its goal to stop the WOPR. Lewis alleges a BLM employee heading the WOPR team attended a preview of the film and pirated the documentary via a cell phone camera. The pirated clips were then shown to other BLM employees in violation of the film’s copyright, according to Lewis. “Mr. Lewis spent countless hours film- ing, editing and producing the film” said at- torney Ralph Bloemers, “only to have Dick Prather and Alan Hoffmeister of the BLM pirate his work and show it without his per- mission.” Lewis has demanded BLM return the pirated film clips, delete all illegal copies from BLM’s servers and issue an apology. The BLM has agreed to return the clips, but has not addressed Lewis’ other concerns. Boom, Bust and the BLM will be showing legally and free to the public Monday, July 16, at 6 pm at the Eugene Public Library and again Thursday, July 19, at 7 pm at Cozmic Pizza. Lewis and others involved in the project will be there to speak about the film and the WOPR. — Camilla Mortensen POISONOUS POP That soda you’re drinking may be giving you a lot more than a caffeine and sugar high; it may be causing serious cell damage, according to a recent study by a British scientist. Current research revealed that the preser- vative sodium benzoate, commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria, may accelerate the process of aging and contribute to a num- ber of diseases associated with old age. Sodium benzoate is found in a variety of soft drinks including Mountain Dew, Fanta, Dr. Pepper and Sprite. It’s also frequently used as a preservative in sauces and pickles. Molecular biologist Peter Piper of Sheffield University reported in May that sodium benzoate inactivates mitochondrial DNA, the part of cells that provide energy. “These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it: they knock it out altogether,” Piper said in the British paper The Independent. He added that damage to the DNA can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. According to Piper, the safety of sodium benzoate needs to be reevalu- ated, given the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s out of date research on the preserva- tive. Controversy over sodium benzoate erupted last year due to its production of benzene, a known carcinogen, when mixed with vitamin C. Several soft drink manufacturers, including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, faced benzene law- suits as a result. Coca Cola settled earlier this year, agreeing to reformulate two of its soft drinks, Fanta Pineapple and Vault Zero. PepsiCo still faces litigation for producing beverages containing benzene. Studies have shown that sodium benzoate consumption, along with other preservatives, presents an added risk for children who experi- ence behavioral problems when drinking large quantities. Many soft drinks also contain high fructose corn syrup, which some research has linked to increased obesity and type II diabetes among children. Eugene’s 4J school district is trying to pro- BY PAUL NEEVEL Lara Howe Roseburg native Lara Howe recalls her first visit to the Oregon Country Fair, when she and the fair were 5 years old. “My brother said the rides would make me puke,” says Howe, who was disap- pointed to find no rides but delighted to get a Monster Cookie. “That’s what turned me on to the fair.” In her teens, she hitched rides to the fair with a neigh- bor and hung out at the main stage for music and dancing. At age 18, she met her husband Kenny Howe. The following year, they moved to Eugene with their three-month-old son Dylan. For 14 years, she has sold home-sewn purses and done hair-wraps at the Saturday Market. In 1995, Kenny volunteered for the OCF recycling crew. “It’s the hardest work I’ve ever done,” says Lara, who likes the work well enough to have co-coordinat- ed the recycling crew since 2002. “I’ve never been so happy to be so filthy.” Howe’s pet project has been the use of washable cutlery by all food booths. “Last year, we rented a trailer with three triple sinks,” she says. “It took forever. This year we’ll pay to use the conveyor-belt dishwasher at Elmira High School.” JULY 12 2007 9
