LET TERS
the Great Depression. Word is, many of
their grandchildren are doing a good job of
reversing that heritage. Would they support
a renaming of Lane County? Those most
supportive of one’s courage to change are
often equally willing.
The Southern Poverty Law Center
(www.splcenter.org) tracks hate groups
nationwide and has found 15 such groups
that are now active in Oregon. Hate crimes
have occurred here.
Given that those consumed with racial
hate are often equally misogynistic, is it
surprising Lane County has high rates
of domestic abuse, that its number of
children placed in protective foster care is
among the very highest, proportionate to
population, in the U.S.?
Eugene is very much a part of Lane
County. There is much terra-fi rma available
for planting the seeds of healing. Would an
effort to give this county a more apt name
bring together a large and diverse circle
of citizens, who could then underline their
commitment by helping to solve the many
other problems affecting this county? O,
look, there are scads of dedicated volunteers
already accomplishing good works here!
And they sure could use your help.
Charles F. Thielman
Eugene
BEYOND JAZZ
As we all know, jazz musicians do
not make a lot of money at it. Virtually
all jazz musicians are forced to hold day
jobs, maintain non-artisitc careers, or give
tons of lessons in order to supplement
an art form that struggles to sell itself to
wide enough audiences. The idea of health
care is even more of a stretch for these
performing artists, and many musicians are
caught without this essential protection.
When I heard this week about one such
instance of a musician needing fi nancial
support for a health issue, this idea was
born in me. I want to “pass a hat” to
provide one beloved musician-member of
our community with a little assistance in a
time of great need and worry.
It’s clearly one thing to pay the cover
price to hear music, and certainly quite
another to consider the needs of these
gifted, hard-working artists in their real
lives. Unfortunately, real life sometimes
rears its unforgiving head, and we are
forced to take extraordinary means to
“help a brother out.”
So I am setting up this little fund called
“Beyond Jazz” as “the hat,” and I am
asking supportive people I know to toss a
bill into the hat.
While the medical bills for the needed
procedures can reach into the thousands
of dollars, I’m hoping the hundreds we
may raise will act to help in the healing on
some palpable level. I have found that one
of the hardest things about getting sick is
feeling completely alone with the struggle,
isolated. Who knows, perhaps whatever
gift we can amass can alleviate a great deal
of the pain and anxiety that hopefully will
be for a very temporary period. I know our
community will benefi t from the caring
and the giving.
I will set up an account at Oregon Com-
munity Credit Union this week. You can
write checks to “Beyond Jazz.” All collec-
tions and all payments will be fully disclosed
to those who participate without being asked.
Names of donors will be fully protected un-
less otherwise stipulated. On behalf of our
worthy friend and the entire jazz community.
Thanks for your consideration.
Robert Sposato
Eugene
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It’s getting to be that time of year again...
Holiday party time!
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Employment First —
Success begins with you!
Darci has a very impressive work history! She has worked
the last eighteen years at both US Bank and PeaceHealth!
Responsibilities included microfilming the tellers’ daily
work, filing a variety of daily reports, and restocking. In addition to her filing
experience, her expertise lies in photocopying, shredding, delivery and collating
packets. Darci is currently seeking a part-time office assistant position in the
Eugene-Creswell area. She brings great work skills and a charming personality
that would enhance any office. Should you have any need for a motivated and
dependable employee, please contact us! awc@efn.org
For more information contact: Alternative Work Concepts at 541-345-3043
Employment First is a statewide initiative to help create opportunities for adults with
developmental disabilities to secure appropriate and meaningful employment.
Funded by a grant from the Oregon Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Services
EDGEWOOD
Animal Clinic
Compassionate Care. Exceptional Medicine.
Extraordinary dedication.
Dr. Sandra Smalley
& Dr. Jason Kimball
www.edgewoodanimalclinic.com
4010 Donald Street, Eugene | 541.341.6558
Monday – Friday 8-6pm
eugeneweekly.com • November 8, 2012
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