Eugene Weekly 25th Anniversary Issue
What are We Doing Here?
An introspective look at our unique publication
Starting the Paper
Silver linings in cloudy times
Getting Readers Excited
Your editor reflects on nearly a decade of reader response
EW Enviro
Self-Study
And time goes on, and on, and…
Eugene Weekly Timeline
Thanks for the Memories
Special thanks to the generosity of Dave and Vicki Clouse, who rented their studio cottage to be our first office on West 20th Avenue, and whose beautiful raised-bed garden made our time there lovely. Our typesetters Connie and Karimu Kudura were invaluable partners for many years. Before the very first paper, Linda Dugan taught us how to use a light table and do layout, and Palmer Parker let us use his computer to write the calendar, which was the front page. And big thanks to our kids, who had to sacrifice when we weren’t making any money.
Muchas gracias to all the early advertisers, mostly very small businesses run by people like us, who believed in what we were doing and told others that our ads really helped their businesses grow. Even the smallest of the small classified advertisers were able to get the word out about their work, products and services. And the calendar, which was free, was a lifesaver to local musicians, performers, artists, writers, event planners and non-profit groups.
Heartfelt thanks to the Keystone Café tuna melts and chili every Wednesday (paper layout day) and Stephanie Pearl at the Excelsior, who hosted some great sales meetings, with Lance Sparks‘ able assistance. Thanks also to Ibrahim Hamide of Casablanca, Paul Nicholson of Paul’s Bikes, Alpine Import, The Kiva, Sy’s Pizza, Dr. Tom Kopriva DDS and all the other advertisers who stuck with us from the start.
Thanks to all the unemployed artists, writers, actors, dancers, activists and politicos who wrote,
proofed, did layout, sold ads, distributed the paper and brought us ice cream (you know who you are). A few names from the early days include Deb McGee, Garde Welles, Sheri Longbardo, Sue Brokaw, David Koteen, Cary Groner, Martha Wagoner, Kate Garnhart, Shelly Singer, Tim Volem, Larry Deckman, Jim Carpenter, Robert Wolfe, Alan Siporin, Rich Glauber, Jack Craig, and the Production Company (Steven, Wanda, Vicki), Ken Hoff and John Bauguess.
Special places in our hearts for: Jim Stiak, who died in 1995, our beloved friend and a stunningly good writer whose wit, clarity, warmth and sexy charm will always be missed. Jim provided our first hard-hitting environmental reporting and helped turn the paper into a newspaper. David Johnson, who died in February 2006, was our first real writer. He became a close family friend we miss dearly. We couldn’t believe our luck when we realized who Dave was and what he brought to the paper — a wealth of alternative news experience colored by his deep Oregon roots and poetic sensibilities. And Stephen Hancock, who died in April 2006, was an old friend, ex-lover of three of us women and the father of one of our children. Stephen reappeared one day long before desktop publishing was commonplace. He settled down in the backyard with a six-pack and taught himself how to run our newly acquired Apple II-E. A unique soul, Stephen is truly loved and missed.
Readers: We’d be nowhere if not for you. Maybe by now you’ve forgiven us for changing the name of the paper from What’s Happening to Eugene Weekly. Hope so. Thanks for your loyalty over the decades. And do show up for the 25th Anniversary party Oct. 25 to celebrate!
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519