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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (July 10, 2014)
6/26). As tons of these functional glass pipes are being produced, what environmental effects take place during processing? What ecological impacts occur when they’re lost, broken, garbage-canned or tossed out the windows of vehicles before crossing borders? What chemical solvents are used to clean the marijuana residues from these works of art? Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I’ll stick with making my own pipes from natural materials like pipestone and exotic hardwoods. Robert Simms Eugene GLASS FOR ADULTS Thank you for mentioning us [Glass Prodigy] in your cover story [6/26] on Eugene’s functional glass industry! However, I’m afraid your report misrepresented our company, for though we do sell locally made glass sex toys on glassprodigy.com, we do not manufacture them — in fact they’re a small part of our business. We sell and distribute functional glass — mainly glass pipes and waterpipes, most made either right here in Eugene or just a few miles up or down I-5. We’re proud to support some great artists and their families in town and just wanted to make sure people know what we do as we continue to provide our unique mix of locally made adult glass — sex toys and smoking glass — around the country and the world! Rafael Dwan, president, glassprodigy.com Eugene BIKE CONGESTION I’ve lived along the Riverbank Path System for 23 years and use it about as much as anyone, both as a pedestrian and a cyclist. I’m on the path at least every other day for exercise, and can even see it from my kitchen window or when I’m working in my garden, so I speak with considerable experience. In my opinion the solution to most of the problems is simple and inexpensive: A stripe painted down the center along with some instructional stenciling and directional arrows. Regular users have a tacit understanding of the rule: Keep to the right, pass on the left. Problems arise with infrequent users, and often it’s not their fault. They are simply unfamiliar with bike-path etiquette. A stripe down the center clearly defi nes where you belong. Small children or toddlers, especially those learning to ride bicycles, are particularly at risk, and they inherently have a very short attention span. I hear parents continually chastising little bikers to “keep to the right,” but that’s not an easy concept for a small child to grasp. How about “Don’t cross the line”? Isn’t that an easier idea? I once glanced a pedestrian with my bicycle, hitting his wrist with my handlebars. He was walking with a group while looking or texting on his cell phone, and although the group was keeping to the right, he strayed into me at the last second. People with dogs are all over the path. It should be illegal for an owner to allow their animal to cross the stripe. Another suggestion is to put a 4-foot- wide bark-dust trail right along the pavement, on either side. I’m sure most runners would much rather be on a soft surface, many pedestrians might, and I think dogs would prefer it. I’ve sent letters to various city employees suggesting a center line. I got a reply once stating that it wouldn’t work. I imagine someday someone will be seriously injured and the lawyers will have a fi eld day determining liability. After that, some city employee will come up with the idea of making the path safer by painting a center line, and probably get a raise as well as a testimonial dinner for their acute observation. Online banking, mobile deposits and so much s’more! Keep your branch within reach this summer with SELCO’s eServices. Use your smartphone, tablet or computer to get easy access to your accounts, deposit checks, arrange bill payments and transfer funds—all without stepping foot in a branch. You can bank anywhere you want, giving you more time for the people and activities you enjoy. Download SELCO’s mobile banking app today or visit selco.org/eServices to learn more about all of our eServices options. selco.org • 541-686-8000 Several locations in Eugene and Springfield Ted Chudy Eugene SPRINGFIELD HISTORY As a member of the Springfi eld Historic Commission, I am writing to invite residents, business people, workers, Membership requirements apply. See SELCO for details. Banking | Mortgages | Insurance | Retirement | Business Lending eugeneweekly.com • July 10, 2014 5
