• We wish we weren’t exaggerating when we say “Vote as if your life depended on it,” but it’s 2020 and we have COVID-19 and Donald Trump in the White House. It’s not a bad movie; it’s real life, but we can change the channel if we get out and vote.
• File under COVID ruins everything: Oregon Health Authority is now suggesting we violate our unspoken Oregon rule against carrying umbrellas because rain reduces the effectiveness of masks. Well, Oregonians, take one for the team, or find a good rain hat or wear a coat with a hood because not everyone has the access to the medical resources Trump has had in his bout with the coronavirus. Also, those paper masks get slimy when they are wet.
• Rep. Peter DeFazio and his opponent Alek Skarlatos will face off in what will probably be the City Club of Eugene’s most exciting virtual candidate forum noon Friday, Oct. 16, on the City Club Facebook page. Or it will be exciting if Skarlatos actually shows up, given he’s dodged talking to any outlet that’s not right wing. Other upcoming forums include: Oct. 23, Rep. Nancy Nathanson and David Smith will meet to compete for House District 13, and Rich Cunningham and Rep. Julie Fahey for House District 14. Big bravo to the City Club for putting these forums together in this difficult time.
• It’s curious that a show about the dead should be so full of life (then again, that’s why we all watched The Good Place). But life is why Maude Kerns Art Center’s annual Day of the Dead exhibit is back for the 27th time. All those happy skeletons make quite a show. The altars, carefully constructed by family and friends, are especially fascinating. Marion Malcolm, Hannah Goldrich and Carol VanHouten spent countless hours building the altar to tell the story of social justice activist Steven Deutsch’s life. Up through Nov. 3, the exhibit is available to view in person (socially distanced) during regular gallery hours and online at MKArtcenter.org.
• Yet another book about Nike is hot off the presses: Win at all Costs: Inside Nike Running and Its Culture of Deception by Matt Hart. The New York Times writes, “A new exhaustive chronicle includes echoes of scandals past” including mistreatment of women. The Times also points out that the value of Nike stock went up 10 percent last month. Scandals don’t seem to affect the bottom line or change what happens when Phil Knight wants to build something new — or tear something down — on the University of Oregon campus.
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
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