Culture: Page 215

Chardonnay Rising

Move over pinot, Oregon’s chardonnays are having a moment in the sun

Drink
Alan Mitchell of Territorial Vineyards. Photo by Trask Bedortha.

Oregon’s best wine? Seems a silly question, at first. Pinot noir? Pinot gris? Nah. One very wine-savvy professional is ready to offer a rather shocking response: chardonnay. Say what?  If it’s even partly true that chardonnay rates as one of Oregon’s best wines, the phenomenon could be called a renaissance, a revival, even a re-birth, because Oregon chardonnay had effectively died in the ’80s. And it wasn’t a pretty demise. Continue reading →

Label Love

Nothing says ‘drink me’ like a puppy or pony

Drink

I’m no oenephile. Don’t get me wrong, I like wine, but its niceties are lost on me, perhaps because in my college years my idea of “good wine” was strawberry Boones Farm, preferably after it had sat in the freezer long enough to give it a certain Slurpee-like texture.  I’m still that chick who, when asked what I’d like to drink at an elegant restaurant, responds, “Give me your cheap red.”  Continue reading →

Fish-Friendly Flow

From King Estate to Pfeiffer Vineyards, sustainable practices in Lane County winemaking

Drink
Illustration by Nolan & Trask Bedortha

A logo with two salmon on your wine bottle doesn’t mean the wine pairs well with salmon — it means the wine came from a vineyard certified salmon-safe. Vineyards in the Willamette Valley can have an impact on the water quality of nearby streams, but salmon-safe vineyards go through an extensive certification process that ensures winemakers preserve riparian areas, protect water quality and prevent erosion.  Continue reading →

Resale store Plato’s Closet to open in Eugene

Culture

A new resale clothing store is headed to Eugene: Plato's Closet. The store will share the former Blockbuster space at 1711 Willamette with Oregon Medical. "We split it into two," Plato's Closet owner Ken Livingston says of the space. "I think it’s going to be a great location, near the college and South Eugene High. The local demographic there should be pretty good for it." Continue reading →

The Original Birdman

An interview with Sesame Street puppeteer Caroll Spinney, the man behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch

Culture

Like so many of us, I grew up on Sesame Street, that magical Manhattan block where fuzzy puppets and real people cooperate and collaborate and teach the ABCs of life. Seated before the television in my pajamas, laughing at Ernie’s antics and wondering what it was like inside Oscar’s garbage can, I was gifted the rudiments of an education that was at once practical and deeply moral. Big Bird still breaks my heart. Oscar still makes me giggle. Continue reading →

The Red Tide

Lane United kicks off the 2015 season with new players and a growing fan base

Sports
Lane United’s Rolando Velazquez in May 2014. Photo: John D. Sperry.

When Lane United soccer club returns to Willamalane Center to kick off their sophomore season with an exhibition game on May 8, expect the team to build off the momentum they created in 2014. During the inaugural season for Lane’s local soccer club last year, the team secured a home venue at Willamalane, a title sponsor with Oakshire Brewing, a developing fan base as well as a devoted supporter’s group in the Red Aces.  Continue reading →

Beer Steward Aaron Brussat and Party Downtown pair up with local food and Belgian beers

ChowDrink

We have some great locally grown food here in the Willamette valley. Paired with some top notch innovative chefs and a thriving fermentation culture it an exciting time to be a food lover in Eugene. Here is a look at a fantastic dinner that took place Monday at Party Downtown with wonderful German and Belgian beer chosen by Beer Steward and friendly Bier Stein bottle librarian Aaron Brussat. Continue reading →

Touch and Go!

Eugenean Erika Farias will join first U.S. women’s team heading to the touch rugby world cup

Sports
Erika Farias playing touch after Nationals in 2013 as a part of a USA Touch training camp.

For the first time ever, the United States is sending a women’s team to the “touch rugby” world championships.  UO club rugby player and Eugene resident Erika Farias is one of the women who will represent the nation at the Federation of International Touch’s 8th annual World Cup in Coffs Harbour, Australia. In the past, the U.S. has sent only men’s and mixed teams to the world championship.  Continue reading →

4/20 Means Weed, Thanks To The Dead

But as of July 1, every day will be weed day in Oregon

Cannabis

The date 4/20 might mean weed day across the world, but as of July 1, every day will be weed day in Oregon. Given the long history of the association with 420 and weed, it’s doubtful that 7/1 will take over as a code for “Let’s go light up.”  But thanks to Measure 91, if you are over 21 and you partake (privately) on 4/20 next year, you will be doing so legally. For this year, if you don’t have a medical marijuana card, there are other activities you can legally engage in. Continue reading →