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humanity will face dramatic repercussions
like extreme heat, drought and floods.
The future is scary, and the climate crisis
affects many people already. We must act
now before it is too late.
If we are to overcome the challenges we
face, we must fundamentally transform
our society. It will be no small feat, but
young people know that our very futures
depend on it.
This is why I am voting for Doyle
Canning. Canning understands that
moderate approaches to tackling the
climate crisis — like toying with economic
incentives and trading schemes to cut
carbon — are not enough.
While establishment politicians are
invested in upholding the status quo,
Canning has the conviction and energy
to fight for bold, transformative policies
like the Green New Deal. She will protect
Oregon’s forests and rivers and shake up
the old boys-and-girls network that is
leading us to climate disaster.
I want to live in a healthy, just society.
Let’s elect politicians that will fight for a
future we can all believe in.
Doyle Canning is Oregon’s candidate
for change.
Siena Polk
Sunrise Eugene
Eugene
NO LEADERS
On paper at least, I support the Green
New Deal because I view it as a strong
effort by a few visionary new congress-
people to address serious environmental
issues. Having said that, I agree with
virtually every point made by Shannon
Wilson (Letters 2/6).
I feel that we should be building solar
panels and wind turbines but only because
we will continue to need some electricity
throughout the coming decline and
downsizing of civilization. That decline
and downsizing may be voluntary or
involuntary — the choice is ours. But the
point remains that there are only so many
fossil fuels, metals and minerals in the
Earths’ crust. As the fossil fuels dwindle,
mining of the metals and minerals will
become ever more untenable. So it is an
irrefutable matter of physics that the
economy and physically built environment
cannot keep growing.
Regretfully, instead of leaders (people
who lead), we have delusional clowns and
narcissistic sociopaths, so I expect that
this inevitable transition will entail a lot
of kicking and screaming as humankind
gets humiliatingly slapped around by the
cold and uncompromising hand of reality.
Robert Bolman
Eugene
Local
Vocal
and
VIEWPOINT BY MELISSA PADGETT
Insider Advice
NAVIGATING THE SEX TOY STORE
S
o Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and
you may be tempted to buy your sweetheart
something sexy — but what? Chocolates?
Massage Oils? Lingerie? Sex toys? All are
excellent choices. But while some are easy
to shop for, some are more of a challenge
— especially if you want to surprise your
sweetheart.
My suggestion, especially if you’re leaning toward toys, is
to surprise your lover with a gift certificate to your favorite
locally owned sexual health resource as part of a date night
to go shopping and pick something out together. That way
you can take in all the decadent delights and decide as a
team what seems most sexy to you both.
Lingerie can be an exciting option, as most items can be
tried on to ensure a perfect fit. From silken slips and robes
to latex and leather, the wares are a tactile dreamland.
Touch everything to find out which materials you like
best. Think about whether the lingerie is the wrapping
or the main event. Plenty of items are designed to be
worn before and during the action. Plus, since lingerie is
designed to delight and excite both the wearer and the
viewer, you will both appreciate this gift choice!
The more challenging arena is the toys themselves:
What goes where? And why? And for how much? A good
retailer will have an array of questions for you to ponder.
The first thing to consider is materials. Always insist on
all body-safe and nontoxic materials. These are intimate
items being used in delicate places, and not all adult toys
on the market are actually body-safe.
The top three body-safe materials are medical grade
silicone, glass and stainless steel. They all share the
incredibly important property of being nonporous.
There is literally nowhere for bacteria to hide and grow
with these materials, making them not only safe for your
body, but also easy to clean and care for.
Silicone is possibly the least intimidating and most
versatile, because it can be molded into so many shapes
E U G E N E W E E K LY . C O M
and come with so many different densities and finishes.
It is also the most likely to be motorized.
Glass and stainless steel share the stage in terms
of being smooth and almost frictionless. This makes
these materials in particular very popular for butt play.
They also hold temperature well, making them great for
sensation play. Using hot or cold water, you can heat up
or cool down your toy. Just remember to test it against
your cheek or wrist first.
Next, think about whether you want to use your new
device internally or externally. Most external devices have
motors that will provide a wide variation of sensations.
The bestl known is the vibrating bullet, most often using
a higher frequency for a buzzy effect. For a long time, that
was the standard for all vibrating toys. But some folks
prefer the rumbly or thuddy sensations created at a lower
frequency, so be sure to test out your vibes before you buy.
The newcomer to the race is the air-pulse technology,
aka “air sucklers,” that don’t vibrate or use suction at all.
Those little “sucklers” actually pulse a controlled burst of
air across your skin through a small mouthpiece nestled
snugly against your (soon to be) tingly bits.
On the other hand, internal devices come with or
without motors, and with or without a flared base. If you
are contemplating any toys for anal play there is one hard
and fast rule: flared base. The same rules for vibration
apply to internal toys as external toys, but the shapes and
sizes vary wildly. There really is something for everybody
and every body! Slender and smooth, girthy and textured,
egg shaped or phallic, or the famous “rabbit style.”
Think about your anatomy and whether you will be
using the toy on or with each other. Since toys don’t give
us biofeedback like our own parts do it is important to
consider all of your wants and needs. And those are all
up to you and your partner!
Toys can be reasonably priced, anywhere from $25 for
the most basic basic to $200 for some serious bells and
whistles. The best toys also come with one- to five-year
warranties when purchased from an authorized retailer.
Finally, the last and possibly most important item to
round out that gift certificate fueled shopping spree is
lubricant.
There are infinite variations, but the most popular
and versatile is water-based. Water-based lube is safe
to use on all toys and with condoms. The best water-
based lubes were actually created with post-menopausal
vaginal rehydration in mind. They actually help keep
those mucous membranes in good working order and
your PH balanced.
The one drawback to water-based lubricant is that it
tends to soak into your skin after prolonged exposure.
The good news is a little spritz of water will refresh the
slippery factor.
Not far behind in popularity is silicone lubricant, which
is particularly helpful for anal play. Silicone molecules
are physically too big to absorb through our skin, so the
lube lasts a lot longer and stays slippery the whole time.
Because the butt doesn’t self-lubricate, silicone lube can
help make anal play go a lot smoother.
One thing that you do need to watch out for is using
toys with silicone lube. Those molecules do an interesting
thing when they run into more silicone molecules, like
your silicone toys: they try to rebond together. The only
way to safely use silicone lube with your silicone toy is to
put a condom on the toy to protect it.
If you can’t decide, there are also hybrid lubes, designed
with just enough silicone in them to provide extra cushion
and longevity. The rest of the formula is water based,
keeping your toys in perfect shape. Hybrid lubes are
kind of the best of both lube worlds.
Lastly, coconut oil is a wonderful lubricant because
it is antimicrobial, it is organic and it will not go rancid.
It will however, like any oil-based lube, break down a
condom. You should also never use an oil-based lube on
a motorized toy, as it could damage the mechanics of the
toy, or even void the manufacturer’s warranty.
That was a lot of information, but don’t worry: Any
community sexual health resource will be happy to help
you break it down.
So with all of these things in mind, you are now ready
to scout out a safe space, get your gift certificate and
make the Valentine’s date night the most exciting one yet.
Melissa Padgett is a certified sexual health resource working in Eugene with
a background in sales, botany and biology. EugeneIntimateHealthCenter.org
F E B R U A R Y
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