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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 18, 2015)
The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts “Empathy Tent” will be open from 10 am to 4 pm this weekend at Saturday Market. Come by to be listened to, to be heard in a deep, non-judgemental way. It is free and sessions last approximately 20 to 40 minutes. Look for us in the west block of Saturday Market on the fi rst aisle in from the south. It’s a tent and there will be a sign-up sheet outside. We’ll hear whatever you bring, from troubles or mourning to celebrations and joy. Mark Roberts Eugene MORONIC ACCOUNTING I read recently that our “thrifty” city government is thinking of another levy to help, amongst others, our public library stay open longer hours. I like that idea. I am a truck driver and use the audio book section a good deal on my sojourns up and down I-5. Sometimes I am a day or two late returning items, but what does that matter as those fees go to the library I enjoy supporting. But wait — what do you mean those fees don’t go to the library? The general fund?! I get it — just like the feds, you raise “easy come” funds, then spend them on anything other than where they came from, then expect us to bail you out because you are bad at math. Well sorry, but I’ve had enough of this crazy accounting. It’s moronic. Oh and by the way, for the record, I’m a liberal. Peter Tildesley Eugene TOXIC ZIP CODE Smoking tobacco is hazardous. It causes lung cancer and mouth disease, and it aggravates pre-existing respiratory conditions. To breathe secondhand smoke is to breathe in a large number of known carcinogens. Exhaust fumes from gas motor vehicles are dangerous, too. They expel nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and fi ne air particulates — all of which contribute to asthma, heart disease, chronic bronchitis and cancer. Acute effects include nausea, light-headedness, cough and phlegm congestion. Diesel exhaust, such as that from commercial trucks and trains, is particularly detrimental to health. Residents living in Eugene's Trainsong neighborhood have suffered a disproportionate accumulation of fi ne air particulates due to their proximity to the train yard, for example. They have a higher rate of cancer than is considered normal. Their schools and parks are located near the train yard. Industrial emissions in Eugene also pollute our air. According to a 2010-2011 study by Eugene Toxics Right-To-Know, our industries emit zinc compounds, acetone, methanol, xylene and toluene, among other things, into the air. In its research, 99.9 percent of all emissions came from industries located in the 97402 zip code. I can agree that secondhand cigarette smoke is harmful. But I cannot agree that it is so harmful that we need to ban smoking in public areas. Standing on the sidewalk downtown, the thin line of smoke circling out of a cigarette has little repercussion in comparison to the toxins emitted from the exhaust pipes of passing and idling vehicles. And just imagine how diffi cult breathing would be if you lived near industry. So let the smokers smoke. We fi xed the air pollution problem they created by pushing them outdoors. For those worried about the mal effects of smoke on public health, push for real legislation on behalf of people living in at-risk Eugene neighborhoods. Or protect air quality for everyone — cap carbon and protect forests. Nicole Medema Eugene SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and most suicides are a result of untreated mental illness. We know today that more research, advocacy and education can help prevent these needless deaths. Like so many others, I know about this personally because I have lost a Shedd Theatricals 2015 proudly presents Frank Loesser & Abe Burrow’s hilarious 1961 musical comedy paean to dog-eat-dog corporate America Music and lyrics by FRANK LOESSER Book by ABE BURROWS, JACK WINSTOCK & WILLIE GILBERT Based on the 1952 book by SHEPHERD MEAD Starring DYLAN STASACK - STEPHANIE HAWKINS - RON DAUM - LYNNEA BARRY - MATTHEW LEACH KAITLYN SAGE -PEG MAJOR ROBERT ASHENS CAITLIN CHRISTOPHER Director, Music Director, Choreographer June 19, 20, 26 & 27 at 7:30 pm June 21 & 28 at 2:00 pm matinee The Shedd Institute 868 High Street, Eugene 541.434.7000 - theshedd.org/HowToSucceed Larry Holbrook EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • JUNE 18, 2015 5
