Lane County Area Spray Schedule 5-30-13

• Walton Hylomorphia plans to ground spray 175 acres near the Siuslaw River with Glyphosate, Triclopyr Ester and Glyphosate Amine. • ODOT spring spraying plan: the week of May 13, the Veneta section including 126 west of Eugene, Hwy. 36 and Territorial Highway; the week of May 20, the Florence section of Hwys. 126 West, 36 and 101. Spraying began at the beginning of May, call Tony Kilmer at ODOT District 5 (Lane County area) at 744-8080 or call (888) 996-8080 for herbicide application information.  Continue reading 

War Dead 5-30-2013

In Afghanistan • 2,221 U.S. troops killed (2,199) • 18,584 U.S. troops wounded in action (18,429) • 1,353 U.S. contractors killed (1,353) • 16,179 civilians killed (updates NA) • $632.1 billion cost of war ($632 billion) • $190 million cost to Eugene taxpayers ($189.8 million)   In Iraq • 4,422 U.S. troops killed, 31,926 wounded • 1,594 U.S. contractors killed (1,594) • 123,421 to 1.2 million civilians killed* (122,757) Continue reading 

Put Out the Damn Fire

A philosopher on climate change

Climate experts insist we’d better reduce carbon emissions by 6 percent a year if we hope for a livable planet, but politicians continue to greenlight coal mining, fracking, oil drilling and a Keystone pipeline expansion that former NASA climatologist James Hansen says means “game over” for the atmosphere.   Most of my friends, if they discuss the politics of global warming at all, shake their heads in disgust, then in despair and, finally, with a statement of resignation along the lines of, “We are so screwed.” Continue reading 

Genetically Engineered, Glyphosate-Resistant Wheat Found in a Field in Oregon

A genetically engineered (GE) variety of glyphosate-resistant wheat linked to Monsanto was found growing in an Oregon wheat field. The U.S. Department of Agrigculture announced today that it launched a "formal investigation after being notified by an Oregon State University scientist that initial tests of wheat samples from an Oregon farm indicated the possible presence of GE glyphosate-resistant wheat plants." Continue reading 

Activist Alert 5-23-2013

• The city of Eugene budget for FY 2014 is now available on the city’s website, Eugene-or.gov/budget. The city Budget Committee will meet and discuss the budget at 6 pm Thursday, May 23, at the downtown library, but no public input will be taken at this meeting. See the city website for feedback and schedule of public hearings. Continue reading 

Biz Beat 5-23-2013

Soubise Restaurant opened May 12 at 50 W. Broadway, the redeveloped Broadway Commerce Center downtown. Restaurateur Cory Stamp and chef Gabriel Gil previously ran the Rabbit Bistro with a French theme, but their new restaurant is expanding its menu to serve a “modern Northwestern cuisine” with local and seasonal ingredients. Portland architect Mark Annen designed the layout and bar, and the granite tabletops and terrazzo floors at Sousbise were part of the original historic building. Local art and handmade furniture are also featured in the design. Continue reading 

Denise Thomas-Morrow

An Army brat and the eighth of 11 kids, Denise Thomas-Morrow was born in England and raised in Baker City, Ore., where her dad retired after serving at a nearby radar post. A four-year three-sport letterman athlete at Baker HS, she spent two years as a PE major at Oregon College of Education in Monmouth. Inspired by a jazz dance class, she transfered to the UO dance program, earned a BS in 1985, and moved to New York City for further study. Continue reading 

Changes In Store For Farmers Market

Move, grow or stagnate. That’s the choice the bustling Lane County Farmers Market has been looking at for years. Its members vetoed a big July 2013 move to the Fifth Street Public Market, but they approved a couple of smaller experiments. When the Thursday market opens June 6, it will move from Amazon Park to Fifth Street Public Market. The Farmers Market is also negotiating to close one block of 8th Avenue during the Saturday market. Continue reading 

Web 2.0 Manifesto Author At LCC

Jaron Lanier is known as “the father of virtual reality.” Smithsonian Magazine calls him “the spy who came in from the cold 2.0” for his criticisms of the digital world that he helped create. Lanier is coming to Lane Community College May 23 and 24 to speak as part of the school’s “Reading Together” effort that creates cross-campus conversations over books in common. Continue reading