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