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• As Tom Wolf once wrote, “a grand jury would indict a ham sandwich.” But apparently a grand jury won’t indict a cop. On Nov. 24, a grand jury in Missouri did not indict police officer Darren Wilson for shooting and killing Michael Brown, an 18-year-old unarmed black man. As riots erupt in Ferguson again and across the country, we support both the anger of the protesters and the calls for peace. Continue reading
• Black Friday, Nov. 28, will bring a protest outside Walmart on West 11th Ave. beginning around noon. Organizers say the Walton family that owns the mega-chain is the richest family in the country, yet they pay the majority of their employees less than $25,000 a year and manipulate employee hours so many don’t qualify for benefits. Sponsored by Raging Grannies, UFCW, ESSN and others. For more information, email essn@efn.org or call 736-9041. Continue reading
• The fundraising effort to save historic Civic Stadium as a community center for kids’ sports, soccer and other activities is close to a Dec. 1 deadline and we urge everyone to contribute financially or volunteer to help raise money. USL Pro and W-League soccer at Civic would be a big economic boost for Eugene and Lane County. Soccer is popular across the economic divide, filling stadiums in the Northwest, and Eugene could be next. Continue reading
• Ramón Ramírez , founding member and current president of farmworker’s rights organization PCUN, will speak on “Equitable Food Initiative: Why it is a Game Changer in the Agriculture Business,” at 5:30 pm Thursday, Nov. 20, in Knight Law Room 175 at the UO; and “Forming Coalitions and Grassroots Organizing,” at 6 pm on Friday Nov. 21, in the Global Scholars Hall Great Room 123. Gabino Palomares will perform after Friday’s presentation. Both presentations are free and open to the public. Continue reading
Tsunami Books on south Willamette was given notice earlier this fall that the building was going on the market and the longtime independent book store and performance venue would likely need to find a new home (see Biz Beat, 9/25). But we heard from store owner Scott Landfield that the building is now in the process of being sold to someone who supports the store staying put for at least a couple of years. Continue reading
Friday, Nov. 21 Fern Ridge & Veneta Annual Holiday Bazaar, food and crafts by local artisans, 10am-7pm today and 10am-4pm Nov. 22, 541-935-8443. Maude Kerns presents “Art for All Seasons” exhibit, Nov. 21 – Dec. 19, Opening Reception Nov. 21, 6-8pm, Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E. 15th Ave., 345-1571. FREE. Annie, 7:30pm, Nov. 21, 22, 28, 29 & Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20; 2pm brunch matinees, Nov. 30 & Dec. 7, Actors Cabaret of Eugene, 996 Willamette St., 683-4368. $16-$42.95. Saturday, Nov. 22 Continue reading
In Afghanistan • 2,351 U.S. troops killed (2,349 last month) • 20,040 U.S. troops wounded in action (20,023) • 1,559 U.S. contractors killed (1,530) • 16,179 civilians killed (updates NA) • $763.1 billion cost of war ($747.9 billion) • $300.6 million cost to Eugene taxpayers ($294.6 million) Against ISIS • $1.2 billion cost of military action ($909.8 million) • $478,795 cost to Eugene taxpayers ($358,352) In Iraq Continue reading
• What happens if the kicker kicks next year? Our news brief this week talks about how the Constitution-mandated tax rebate could be a big problem for the state budget. What we hear through the English ivy vine (Eugene’s equivalent to the grapevine) is that Phil Knight might be holding back on giving the UO big challenge bucks this year because it could trigger the kicker and the state could lose up to $300 million in the next biennium, hurting education. Crazy scenario. Continue reading
• Eugene author and LCC English instructor Steve McQuiddy will give a reading, discussion and book signing at 7 pm Thursday, Nov. 13, at Tsunami Books, 25th and Willamette. McQuiddy is author of Here On the Edge: World War II, Conscientious Objectors On the Oregon Coast, and Seeds of the Sixties. Free. Continue reading
Congrats to NextStep Recycling founder Lorraine Kerwood McKenzie who was given the Toyota Standing O-Vation, a recognition of extraordinary people in communities around the country, during Oprah Winfrey’s “The Life You Want Weekend” in Seattle Nov. 8. The award was given by Winfrey and Paralympic bronze medalist snowboarder Amy Purdy. Continue reading