Reefer Festival Madness
Did cannabigotry kill HempFest 2016?
The funny thing is, this time last year Emerald Empire HempFest founder Dan “DanK” Koozer was ready to call it quits. Continue reading
Culture: Page 191
Too Legit To Quit
Black Market Pot After Legalization
After the fireworks, there’s still the smoke. The legalization of retail weed in Oregon — a real Fourth of July moment for potheads — has left in its wake an enduring fug of legal, political and commercial questions that can make prohibition look like a cheerful stroll to the neighborhood dealer in comparison. Continue reading
Follow the Money
Unanswered questions hang in the air around Eugene's proposed pot sales tax
Contrary to Oregon’s generally retail-tax-free-and-proud lifestyle, Eugeneans pay sales tax on four common purchases: alcohol, tobacco, gasoline and pot. Since recreational pot sales went legit last year, Oregonians pay a whopping 25 percent state sales tax on recreational marijuana. Continue reading
The Secrets of Successful Stoners
An interview with Weed author David Schmader
If renowned astrophysicist and admitted pot smoker Carl Sagan could toke up before expanding our grasp of the known universe, who’s to say you can’t lead a successful career while relishing the latest indica strain? Continue reading
Eug Pride 2016
Photos from Eugene/Springfield's 2016 Pride Festival
Parasol Queens staying cool on a sunny day, (from left) Mardee Hansen, Julie Weismann and Victoria Smithweiland. Continue reading
It’s About Time
The mosquitoes have returned
The mosquito fern that covered the eastside Delta Ponds’ surfaces with dramatic purple the past two winters had nearly disappeared by late spring of this year. The duckweed family overtook the mosquito fern and turned the ponds green, much to the gustatory delight of the waterfowl. Suddenly, in July, the mosquito fern has made a resurgence and may regain dominance; observations to come. Even the green is different. Instead of common duckweed, the green is dominated by the tiny water meal (Wolffia) of the flowering duckweed family. Continue reading
Bring on the Waves
Transitioning in troubling times
It would be cliché to say that transitioning is no day at the beach. It would also be wrong. I went to Maui once. What I remember most was the sand, the finest I’d ever encountered. I remember it most in the breaking surf. Omnipresent, it surrounded me, pummeled me, though I refused to acknowledge it. I love the surf, and I was having fun. Continue reading
Taste the Rainbow
A roundup of Pride events
Pride 2016 is slated to be bigger than ever. “Both the Wayward Lamb and the Pride festival are working together to expand events around Pride,” says Vincent Mays, an organizer for the Eugene/Springfield Pride Festival that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year at Alton Baker Park. The Wayward Lamb kicks off the celebration early with a 21-plus block party 5 to 10 pm Friday, Aug. 12, on Broadway between Olive and Charnelton. Continue reading
Journey Through 4J
Brianna Stiller shaped the school district’s progressive LGBTQA policies, all while transitioning herself
For most, a morning ritual consists of brushing one’s teeth, eating breakfast, maybe a cup of coffee or two and, of course, getting dressed before heading out the door. But imagine not being able to put on clothing that expresses who you really are. For Dr. Brianna Stiller, age 61, a transgender woman and coordinator for positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) in the Eugene 4J School District, it wasn’t until she was 53 when she decided to publicly dress as a woman. Continue reading
Mischief Mistress’ Daily Defiance
Jane Andres makes tunes under the moniker Mischief Mistress
Jane Andres isn’t religious, but she has a lot of what she calls “woo-woo ideas.” She’s really into astrology, for one. And she’s fascinated by Norse mythology — especially the goddess Freyja. “Most people don’t know this,” Andres explains, “but only half of the warriors went to Valhalla, the realm ruled by Odin. The other half went to Freyja.” Continue reading