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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2012)
BEST ALT SPORTS TEAM 1. Eugene Reign Women’s Rugby eugenewomensrugby.com 2. Andromedolls www.emeraldcityrollergirls.net 3. Church of Sk8in www.emeraldcityrollergirls.net The Eugene Reign, the women’s rugby club team that believes blood makes the grass grow, is in the midst of another enjoyable season. The team, which recruits every summer, requires no experience to suit up for fierce, bruise-inducing battles against foes in Portland, Bend, Boise and Tacoma, among other cities. It is not surprising that the all-encompassing Reign’s mottos include “Live hard, play rugby, die ugly” and “Rugby. All sizes fit.” PHOTOS BY TR ASK BEDORTHA EVERYTHING UNDER THE RAINBOW BEST MALE ATHLETE 1. Ashton Eaton Oregon Track Club Elite 2. De’Anthony Thomas UO football 3. Galen Rupp Oregon Track Club Elite Ashton Eaton, a 24-year-old decathlete who competes for Oregon Track Club Elite, is a former Oregon Duck who finished his collegiate career as one of the more decorated athletes in school history. This past August, the incredibly versatile Eaton added more medals and trophies to his mantle on the biggest of stages. He solidified his standing as one of the best all-around athletes in the world, winning the decathlon at the London Olympics, placing first in the long jump, 100m, and 400m, while also finishing in the top three in four other events. Before winning gold at the Olympics, he set the world record with 9,039 points in the decathlon at the Olympic Trials. BEST FEMALE ATHLETE 1. Brianne Theisen 2. Bullet Brains Andromedolls 3. Frankie Facebreaker Skatesaphrenics Brianne Theisen, a 23-year-old heptathlete, is another former Oregon Duck but she represented Canada rather than the U.S. in the London Olympics this summer. She won the heptathlon’s 800m and finished in the top 10 in four other events. After completing her college career as a five-time NCAA champion, she finished 11th overall in the Olympics. BEST TV PERSONALITY 1. Marc Mullins, KMTR 2. Rick Dancer, Rick Dancer Media Services 3. Justin Stapleton, KEZI So they say that one of the things that sucks about being a TV news anchor is that viewers comment more often on wardrobe and hair-dos than they do on the news the anchor is reporting on. So we feel kind of bad saying right off the bat that we think Marc Mullins is cute. But there you go. We’re shallow. Mullins tells us KMTR once got an email from a viewer that said, ”You guys work well together and play well together.” He says that people like the balance that he and the rest of the morning team strike at KMTR: “They know we have a job to do … and they know we’re people. And they know they’re getting genuine folks in the morning. That email meant a lot to me.” Mullins says one of his favorite stories was the time he reported on a woman who had used stolen identities and credit cards to buy cars and such. When she was arrested, she was at a salon and had just had her eyebrows shaven off in prep to have new ones tattooed on as permanent makeup. Karma got her in the end, Mullins says, and she only had one eyebrow done before she got hauled in for a mugshot. But while that made him laugh, the news anchor says he has to say, “I’ve told a lot of stories about triumph and pain, loss and heroism. And I just appreciate when the stories can make a difference or provide an outlet for others to sing the praises of their loved ones.” Also in our top three are Rick Dancer and meteorologist Justin Stapleton, who we remember, correctly or no, as being the only person to accurately predict this year’s spring snowstorm. BEST PLACE TO BIKE 1. River paths 2. Everywhere!!!!eleventy! 3. Fern Ridge Trail The bike paths that surround the Willamette River have been frequently used for exercise and as a way to bask in the riverside scenery. Sam Bollag, 23, rides the paths on a daily basis, and loves the feeling he gets being in the great outdoors. “Every day I get to see ducks, squirrels, geese and so many other animals,” he says. “Who wouldn’t appreciate that? It’s a great place for me to clear my mind and take in Eugene’s beauty.” BEST ANNUAL EVENT BEST PLACE TO WALK YOUR DOG 1. Oregon Country Fair www.oregoncountryfair.org 2. Eugene Celebration www.eugenecelebration.com 3. Whiteaker Block Party whiteakerblockparty.com Seeking a three-day marathon of music, crazy costumes and magical, fantastical festivities? Look no further than the Oregon Country Fair, where the spirit of fun resonates in a forest setting near Veneta. No matter what your interests, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. 1. Alton Baker Park 2. Amazon Park 3. River paths BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO EUGENE BEST VIEW 1. Spencer’s Butte 2. Skinner Butte 3. Mount Pisgah BEST PLACE TO HIKE 1. Spencer’s Butte 2. Mount Pisgah 3. Ridgeline Trail When it comes to hikes in Eugene, Spencer’s Butte is clearly tops (err no pun intended). Viewed from the crest of Skinner Butte, it tantalizes you with its endearing, lumpy shape and decidedly more impressive elevation. That’s why you should go climb Spencer’s Butte. As in, right now. The view from the top is unrivaled in the fall, giving a breath-taking panorama of Eugene, speckled with brightly colored red and orange trees. The poison oak is pretty, too. 1. Downtown revitalization 2. More jobs 3. More EmX BEST THING ABOUT EW 1. Savage Love 2. What’s Happening calendar 3. It’s free We love it, too! WORST THING ABOUT EW 1. Ads 2. Bias 3. Letters Hey man, newsprint ain’t free. Neither is editors. BEST EW COVER ART/PHOTO IN THE PAST YEAR 1. Phoinix Players, “The Hardest Working Troupe in Eugene” 2. Volifonix 3. Oregon Country Fair eugeneweekly.com • November 1, 2012 35
