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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 18, 2013)
The Shedd Institute www.theshedd.org - 541-434-7000 Lyle Lovett & His Large Band Mon, August 5 - Hult 682-5000 palms. Bananas seem to be especially useful for holding it all together. These grocery-carrying genies make it look easy, so serenely they walk. And the free piles. Nothing to do with hemorrhoids, it’s the Eugene practice of dumping your unwanted stuff, especially clothes, in the grass next to the street, maybe on some corner. Although kind of messy during the rainy season, the practice is awesome. Bypass the corporate used clothing infrastructure and give your stuff to people who want it. Yay, Eugene. And I’m impressed with the quirky implementations of Eugene’s non- snobbish bicycle culture: cyclists on every kind of contraption, in their underwear or polka-dot dresses, carrying camp stools, tents, pizzas, cases of beer. Skateboards are similarly integrated with life, used for serious transportation while eating and practicing drum solos. But the thing that’s really odd about Eugene: Cats everywhere in the world run away when strangers come down the sidewalk. But in Eugene, cats come up to strangers and request, sometimes even demand, an ear scratch and tummy rub. This can only happen in a town where the vibe has been raised so high that cats know you’re groovy whoever you are — and where dogs ride in bike trailers with smiles on their faces. Gayla Groom Eugene KEEP AMAZON FLOWING Regarding the “Trouble with Tributaries” cover story by Amy Schneider June 20: Some time ago I submitted an idea to various people regarding Amazon Creek. I still think it is a good idea — perhaps a little dingy — but worthy of some consideration, not only for here, but everywhere. During the dry months, pump water from the Willamette into Amazon Creek, using solar power to operate the pumps. We now have pumps that will make the Rhine River run backwards. If this is possible it would then be made a permanent installation with underground pipes, etc. Operating these small pumps 24/7 would only require a small amount of water to keep the creek fl owing at a good rate. The water used would be returned to the Willamette. This would accomplish a lot of things over the full length of the creek: mosquito control, better quality of life for the wild life, fl ush out all kinds of bad things, a better community, etc. Why doesn’t somebody analyze the creek at the end of the current dry spell? See what kind of shape it is in? I’m sure there are a lot more really good reasons, and there should be a government grant to see if it would work. Frank Skipton Springfi eld Shedd Theatricals 2013 presents T HE MUSIC MAN Augus 2-11 Hult Center - 541-682-5000 FROM DAVID OAKS Dear supporters of independent living in the Eugene-Springfi eld area: As you may know, I have been an activist all my life, especially for human rights in mental health. Seven months ago I broke my neck. I am now at home pursuing independent living, thanks to the many supporters who have participated in my rehab. I am writing to you today because I need a little more help. • Paid jobs. We have assembled a wonderful team of aids who are helping me to live independently. We still need to fi ll two openings on my team. (Michael, one of the folks on my team has told us: “I came to work for David because I was interested in his life-long pursuit of activism.”) While these positions will eventually require a provider number from DHS/Senior and Disabled Services, we encourage anyone to apply. If you don’t already have a provider number, we can help you attain one. For more information about these positions please email davidwoaks@gmail.com. • Free housing. We have one more special position where you would live free in our studio/garden cottage in exchange for helping out my wonderful wife, Debra. • There is a brand new two-minute video about me available at supportdavidoaks. org. This video is brief. Please view and share with your network. David W. Oaks Eugene Oregon Festival of American Music 2013 - Aug 2-11 HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD! The Songbook at the Movies, 1930-48 Oregon Festival of American Music 2013 Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy! Tue Aug 6 eugeneweekly.com • July 18, 2013 5
