It’s not the polar vortex
Here are some insights into our weird weather from the Union of Concerned Scientists and the blog of Roberto Mera. See http://wkly.ws/1uk Continue reading
News: Page 340
Activist Alert 11-20-2014
• 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
Biz Beat 11-20-2014
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
Lane County Steps Up To Help Homeless Survive Winter
Ryan, who sleeps in a tent at the new Whoville homeless protest camp north of the U.S. Courthouse, says that he and his fellow campers are “managing” through the recent freezing nights. “It was cold last night,” Ryan says, declining to give his last name for fear of repercussions. “It was really cold last night. We could always use more blankets.” Continue reading
State Pesticide Spray Investigation Wraps Up
For years rural residents along Highway 36 near Triangle Lake in Oregon’s Coast Range have been asking, even demanding, that someone look into the chemicals drifting from airplanes and onto their farms, and into their homes and drinking water. They’ve complained of the health effects on themselves and their children. They’ve had their own urine tested for the herbicides atrazine and 2,4-D. Continue reading
Celebrate Gender Diversity Awareness Week
On the evening of Nov. 17, a group gathered at Lane Independent Living Alliance (LILA) in downtown Eugene for a panel of six people, who identify as trans*, sharing stories and answering questions, which included everything from dating to experiences with Eugene’s healthcare system. Trans* is a term that refers to trans and gender non-conforming people. It encompasses all identities within the gender spectrum. Continue reading
Write-Ins Not Counted In Soil And Water Race
Running for elected office can be a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but local green alley advocate Jeff Luers had a ride that was shorter and more abrupt than most. In the end, despite more than 6,000 write-in votes in the race, the votes for Upper Willamette Conservation Soil and Water District (SWCD) will not be tallied for reasons that Luers say “certainly contradict our understanding of democracy in this country.” Continue reading
Pollution Update 11-20-14
Christopher John Bartels (doing business as Bartels Packing) has been cited for violations once again by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Continue reading
War Dead 11-20-2014
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
Was Your Oregon Ballot Counted? Care About GMO labeling? Check the Database
According to the Oregon Secretary of State's Office there are 13,000 contested ballots in the November election because voters either forgot to sign, or their signatures didn't match. That's more ballots than it took to win some of the races — and that GMO labeling measure is darn close 49.83 for and 50.17 no according to the most recent election results. Lane County voters liked the GMO measure, by the way, with 57.6 in gavor and 42.4 against. Continue reading