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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 7, 2012)
wine Oregon’s Largest Selection Of Wine BY LANCE SPARKS S NDANCE Savoring the Pride w ne cellars Our own college, our own wines T his year, after decades as a teacher of writing and literature at Lane Community College, I’m fi nally retiring, takin’ off my chaps, hangin’ up my spurs, drapin’ my guns over the bedpost, kickin’ off my boots and slouchin’ to the rockin’ chair. And lest some tax- dodgin’ right-wingnut works up a froth about my becoming a PERS burden, I’d like to point out that I’ve paid my dues: I’m 69, started paying taxes when I was 16, taught my fi rst college-level class at UO in 1966, did 10 years at UO, fi ve years at PSU, taught my fi rst class for LCC in 1981. I’ve never had a summer off. So I’m not much inclined to listen to the whining of some stingy shill who got rich by gambling with other people’s money then, win or lose, charging fees for the privilege. I’m pretty clear here on who’s the host and who’s the parasite. But I’m not sure I really know how to stop. Lately, I’ve often found myself stopped, staring, especially at the gardens and grounds of LCC, at the hordes of students bustling to and from classes, at the dozens of staff and faculty who daily work in the minds. And I’ve wondered: Do the citizens of Lane County who make this place possible really get enough chances to savor the pride they so rightly deserve to feel? Public education at all levels has been under relentless attack, especially in the last 20 years. Budgets have been slashed repeatedly; then, when classes have swollen in size and days cut in number to the degree that teachers can no longer teach effectively, then the critics want teachers to carry the blame for schools’ decline. Some anti-tax twit pipes up: “Those kids aren’t learning, ’cause the teachers aren’t teaching. Cut their damn budgets and maybe they’ll start.” That kind of thinking, if it continues, will lead public education into a black hole. For now, LCC is holding its own, despite a decade of budget-cutting and soaring enrollments. Only rational cooperation between the college and the staff and faculty unions have prevented a group- melting disaster. Citizens of Lane County who seek a measure of civic sense should visit LCC — they’re always welcome — stroll the campus, see what their support has built: the beautifully tended fl owers and shrubs, many of them serving as laboratories for biology and botany classes; the state-of-the-art Health Sciences building, essential to developing — and employing — the next generation of nurses, medical offi ce assistants, lab techs and others; the newly completed Longhouse, a giant step toward restoring pride and recognition of Oregon’s Native peoples; the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program, a lean operation that nevertheless trains our future chefs, cooks, events planners and others; diesel tech, computer sciences, foreign languages, the Lane Aviation Academy. I can’t list them all, but the people of Lane County have together made this fi ne college possible and they deserve a little buzz of community pride, especially now when nasty negativists have tried to make “community” a dirty word. And when you get home, pull a cork on a nice little wine, also a product of our own community and neighbors. Try, for example, Territorial Vineyards 2011 Riesling ($12), such a pretty little white, just off-dry, its delicate touch of natural sweetness accenting the fl avors that mimic the essence of fresh pears. Whip up a stir- fry of our farmers’ spring veggies; make some music with this charming riesling. Or taste the pink in Stanton 2011 Pinot Noir Rosé ($13). This is no cloying, schlocky “blush”; fl avors trip across the palate — strawberries, rose petals, cherries, rhubarb — and just cry for another sip. Lane County’s own college, Lane County’s tasty wines: My heart swells with gratitude for being a part of you, and having you a large part of me. Thanks. ew World’s Largest Selection of Oregon Pinot Noir Ergo Tempranillo This Spanish red has berry and plum flavors with a touch of soft spice. Reg. $14.95 , NOW $10.95 Poema Cava This dry sparkler is rich, creamy and toasty. Great value!. Reg. $16.95 , NOW $9.95 Dom. de Callet 2008 Esprit de Blanc White Very little is made of this rare wine–fascinating, fresh, & floral. Reg. $12.95 , NOW $7.95 First Love White Blend “Refreshingly brisk and easygoing with subtle anise adding complexity. 88pts” Tanzer Reg. $10.95 , NOW $7.50 Offers good while supplies last These wines available for sampling – drop in and have a taste! Fridays:Mario’s picks! Free Tastings 6/08 Mario’s picks 6/15 Mario’s picks 6/22 Mario’s picks 6/29 Cow Horn, OR (Winery) Saturdays:Wineries! 5 to 7 pm 2441 Hilyard Street www.orwines.com 541.687.9463 6/09 Pyrenees, OR 6/16 Helioterra, OR 6/23 Gundlach-Bundschu, CA 6/30 Casa Bruno, Distributor Open daily until 7pm Local merchants, the heart of our community Freudian Slip Fine Lingerie & Gifts www.shopfreudianslip.com 870 Pearl Street WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM O Downtown Eugene O 541-345-7547 O Open Every Day 11 - 6 EUGENE WEEKLY JUNE 7, 2012 53
