Neat and Native
Evergreen companions for those native shrubs

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The folks at Midtown MMA are at it again with their third in a series of mixed martial arts shows, highlighting local fighters and local gyms. Midtown Throwdown III will present a 16-fight card starting at 6 pm Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Lane Events Center. Each match will consists of three three-minute rounds, where fighters may win by way of knockout, submission, technical knockout or decision. Continue reading
The place looks like a dojo. It is clean, well lit and spartan. No frills. On the front door is a sign that warning not to enter unless they are willing to commit 100 percent to the workout. Inside are signs that say things like, “it’s suppose to be brutal,” “pain is inevitable, suffering is optional,” and, perhaps most foreboding, hanging in the bathroom: “Adapt or perish.” Continue reading
Jerry Smith’s quiet corner of the universe lies down Willamette Street between Cappella Market and Tsunami Books. Like many Eugene hippie-folk, Smith is a private man; he doesn’t reveal much and, until now, has never granted an interview. Even now he tells me he’s been having second thoughts about this. Continue reading
How many times do I get reminded that every year is different from the year before? This year is proving to be a strange one, leap year and politics aside. Momentous times are heralded as we enter the Year of the Water Dragon. Here we are in rainfall recovery, finally catching up on years of below average rainfall. But now we gripe because so much fell all at once that our streams and rivers overflow their banks. Continue reading
Several years ago, entrepreneur Ginger Johnson said to herself, “Self, it’s time to find out what beer is about.” Now, after delving into the intricacies of the beer industry, Johnson owns and operates Women Enjoying Beer, a business that works to help breweries market to the female craft beer enthusiast. Women Enjoying Beer is based in Ashland, but Johnson is excited to appear in Eugene this week for Brew Fest, KLCC’s annual beer-tasting benefit. Continue reading
In a bout marked by blood-splattering hits, a revolving-door penalty box, five ejections, and an appearance by Miss Oregon USA; our hometown men’s roller derby team lost a testosterone-filled event. The Lane County Concussion hosted the Deep Valley Belligerents of Mendocino County, Calif., Jan. 15 at the Willamalane Center in Springfield. The 198-154 score does not accurately represent how close this bout was. Continue reading
Sports reporters have long been blasted for pursuing homerism that roots for the home team rather than journalism. So it's interesting to look at the alternative realities of a Register-Guard v. Milwaukee, Wisconsin Journal Sentinel Rose Bowl match up. Here's the game-ending spike that the "reporters" largely covered by watching on TV like everyone else: Continue reading
If you read our Spring 2011 Chow and want to share recipes or tips for finding ingredients for local baking, add them in the comments. Here are a few recipes we tried out, adapted for local ingredients: English-ish Muffins makes 10 big muffins Continue reading