It’s About Time – July 2020

In a normal year, July is the month that Oregon nature lovers turn their energy to tending their gardens and getting ready for hiking deeper into the mountains. Sugar snap peas have been harvested to be replaced by pole beans. We maintain attention to the flower beds now that our favorites have settled into their pattern of blooming until the frosts arrive in the fall. Annuals like marigolds and zinnias are getting established, while early lilies have their leaves withering and their bulbs enter summer dormancy. The alstroemerias are special: they give us cut flowers for long lasting, colorful bouquets while keeping the garden overflowing with abundance.

There are some dark strands of anxiety that enter our appreciation of nature. In the past, our main worry was backpacking into the high country too early, before the mosquito level dropped off. Droughts have added terrible fire seasons, restricting where we can go camping. Forest trees are dying. Now a virus pandemic clamps a hold on what we can do.

We are cursed by the failure of our government leaders (particularly the evil imbecile who is our president) to deal with multiple crises. We are facing unchecked climate change, uncontrolled COVID-19 spread, gutting of environmental protection policies and social unrest brought on by an explosion of anger over civil injustice. Naturalists cannot in good conscience withdraw quietly into the woods. Future naturalists depend on us being politically vociferous in every way we can.

We need to write, march, donate. Kneel to worship flowers.

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!