Culture: Page 247

A Very Lion Engagement

In which the author finds family under African skies

Travel

We awake to the colossal, bone-shaking roar of 35 lions bellowing in concert. Tucked into our bed, zipped up in a tent, we find each other’s gaze in the dim moonlight — raised eyebrows melt into wide-eyed glee. The nearest beast, a 22-year old lioness named Simba, lies 15 feet from our heads. She, however, saves her snarls for the sun and currently enjoys a deep, guttural snore. We laugh. We have been engaged for eight hours. Continue reading →

Hot Times

Travel

Endless overcast days and damp cold just aren’t sexy. And we’ve got how many months of the same to look forward to?  There is, however, something romantic about soaking in a geothermal spring on the edge of a verdant forest while deer browse in a snow-covered field next to a mountain creek in high spate. It’s almost cliché. And even better after dark in a rock-lined pool with only your partner for company and a private cabin in the woods close by. Continue reading →

Head East to Go West

Travel

“For their anniversary I got my parents a room for a couple nights at the hotel in Prairie City,” my friend James told me last summer. I thought he was kidding. “Oh, so they are going to stay at the ‘Little Hotel on the Prairie’?” I joked. Continue reading →

Packets of Promise

Tips on what bulbs to plant and when

Gardening

It’s time to plant garlic and shallots — and other kinds of bulbs, as well. It’s inspiring, tucking those little bulbs in the ground with thoughts of future good eating and so is tucking bulbs in the ground amidst visions of spring flowers. I’ve enjoyed the ritual of fall bulb planting as long as I can remember and look forward to it every year. If you are not in the habit, though, the window for buying and planting spring-flowering bulbs is easy to miss. Continue reading →

Students on the Street

Culture

Alex Monthie , 21 Major: General social science  Year in School: Senior  Hometown: Olympia, Wash.   Who is the new football coach? What’s his name? I don’t know his name. I know he was the offensive coach before.    Who is the president of the UO? Judy…? I don’t know. Is he new?  Continue reading →

Get Out

Culture

When it comes to density of fun per square foot, your best bet for entertainment is walking, biking or riding the EmX to Eugene’s downtown (free with your student ID). Explore the fun bubble that stretches from Pearl to Charnelton and 7th to 11th, where you’ll find some of the city’s best places to eat, drink, consume culture and shake it into the night. Continue reading →

Community Boom

‘Free tuition’ proposal affects more than just budget concerns

Culture

As the school year starts up, the Oregon Legislature is discussing an idea that could swell the average Oregon community college classroom size and make higher education accessible for more students. Senator Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, has been championing a proposal that would make two years of community college free for many high school graduates. “We want to give access to every high schooler in Oregon, either as trade training or college courses,” he says. Continue reading →