Eugene and the $4-Billion Portland Freeway Bridge

The 12-lane freeway bridge urban sprawl proponents are pushing in Portland isn’t in Eugene, but the $4-billion project threatens to suck all the transportation funding out of the entire state and local Congressman Peter DeFazio could play a key role in killing it. Columbia River Crossing (CRC) opponents have produced a series of clear, quick videos on the freeway project. Here’s an overview: Continue reading 

Sidewalk Protester to Sue City

An anti-logging protester has filed an intent to sue the city, alleging police falsely arrested, jailed and injured him and violated his free speech rights. According to a press release, Josh Schlossberg and his attorney Lauren Regan of the Civil liberties Defense Center, filed a tort claim notice this month regarding the March 13, 2009 incident. Continue reading 

City to use border collies to chase geese

The City of Eugene plans to use border collies to chase Canada geese out of cement ponds in Alton Baker Park, according to a press release. The city says it will also relocate the domestic white geese in the pond to an undisclosed, “more suitable habitat.” The press release states: “Waterfowl management activities practiced by the City of Eugene will follow protocols approved by the Humane Society.” Continue reading 

R-G Layoffs

The Oregon Media Central blog got the scoop on the Register-Guard layoffs of 16 staffers this week. OMC posts comments from a reporter with an inside view of the layoffs (apparently eight newsroom plus eight other): Continue reading 

Read, Read Revolution

This press release just in from the City of Springfield: “On Wednesday, August 26 from 3-4:30 pm, teens ages 13-18 are invited to play video games in the Library Meeting Room at Springfield Public Library. Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution and Wii Sports will be available to play. Free refreshments will be provided.” Maybe someone should invent a virtual Wii Book page turner, a Literature Hero or a Read, Read Revolution? Continue reading 

Local Bike Projects

While billions of taxpayer dollars go into unlivable freeways that throttle livability and the planet, there’s a few million being spent on greener transportation. Here’s a look at some upcoming bike projects based on documents from the Metropolitan Policy Commission. The MPC is the less-known, less-democratic interjurisdictional committee that supposedly oversees all the billions in local transportation spending. Here’s the bike projects: Continue reading 

‘Legion’: God is Tired of Your Bullshit, Man. Plus: ‘Battlestar Galactica’ 3.0?

I’m not afraid to admit that I think Constantine is totally underrated. I might go so far as to say it’s one of my top three favorite Keanu Reeves movies. There’s something fascinating about stories that take certain supernatural elements of the Christian Bible REALLY literally — without any lions or elves or metaphorical Jesus creatures. I’m talking demons in the streets of L.A., but not in the Left Behind sense (these stories are only interesting when religion is key to the worldbuilding, but not part of the lesson plan). Continue reading