Slant

In checking out the bars for this week’s Swizzle issue we did some hanging out in downtown Springfield. Tavern on Main, Public House, Planktown, Monkey’s Paw, Swallowtail Spirits Distillery, Gryffs Pub — and we are sure there are more we are missing — make for a fun and delicious night on the town. We know some folks in Springfield have not forgiven or forgotten a certain hamfisted comic making fun of the area’s nightlife back in 2016, but Springfielders knew better back then, and continue to prove Main Street’s vibrancy. Go check it out!

• The capital campaign doesn’t kick off until this summer, but preparations are well underway for the new O’Brien Memorial Library in Blue River, to be located on the corner of Blue River Drive and Dexter Street. Beverly Braun, vice president of the library, tells EW that donations from Lane County residents came in immediately after the Holiday Farm Fire in 2020. The state, through the efforts of state Sen. Floyd Prozanski, earmarked more than $1 million for a new library, and a local architectural firm will be selected soon to design the building with the goal of opening in 2024. “It’s exciting times,” Braun says. Still, additional money will be needed. More than 27,000 books as well as hundreds of videos and audio books were lost to the fire, and the library operates entirely with financial donations and donated services. If you wish to contribute to the O’Brien Memorial Library, mail a check to P.O. Box 291, Blue River, OR, 97413. More information is at ObrienLibrary.org.

• It makes us proud that more than four pickup truck loads of blankets, sleeping bags, coats, sweaters and even hand-knit winter caps have gone from the reception area of Eugene Weekly to White Bird Clinic’s work to help folks in need through their annual Stay Warm Drive. You, our readers, have dropped these items off at our handy red home at 1251 Lincoln Street. We’ll take more. Winter weather is probably not all done.

• What we’re reading: Quimby’s Quandary, A Psychiatrist’s Journey by Jerome Vergamini, a prominent Eugene psychiatrist who looks at 50 years in the life of a psychiatrist. David Diethelm of Eugene-based Eco-Justice Press did the cover illustration and published the book. It’s a fine read told through a series of vignettes about Quimby’s family life as well as his experiences with patients in his journey.

• It’s awards season! And one of our favorite programs is the nearly two-decade-old 4J ACE — A Champion in Education — awards. Community members have until March 31 to nominate candidates in four categories: teachers and licensed specialists; classified staff; administrators and supervisors; and volunteers. One nominee may also be recognized with a special lifetime achievement award. One person in each category will be named the ACE award champion and receive a $250 grant from the Eugene Education Foundation for a school or program of their choice. Go to 4j.Lane.edu/2022-ace for more information.

• “Redistricting Oregon Style” is the City Club of Eugene topic for March 11. Jim Moore, independent analyst and political outreach director at Pacific University, will speak. The club will meet at noon at the First United Methodist Church,1375 Olive Street. Proof of vaccination, booster and mask wearing will be required and no lunch will be served. The program airs on the City Club’s YouTube page at the conclusion of the event.

• Big news in the Oregon sports journalism world. John Canzano, known for his blunt and honest assessment of Oregon sports, has left The Oregonian to start his own online newsletter: “The Bald Faced Truth.” Canzano isn’t the first sports writer to leave a publication to establish his own. Oregon sports writer Tyson Alger left The Athletic last year to create the subscriber-only I-5 Corridor, which posts sports related podcasts and stories.

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!