2020-01-16 Eugene Weekly

11.2 MB·English

by  Eugene Weekly

FAMILY SPONSORED OBITUARY
3 Days! 9 Bands!
Penny Park
March 28, 1962 - December 22, 2019

Enita Penelope “Penny” Park passed away peacefully on December
22 at home with family by her side. At age 57, she left us too soon
after an unexpected battle with cancer.
Born in Sumter, South Carolina, Penny is preceded in death by her
Winter Music Festival
parents Enita Terry Park and Michael Park. She is survived by her partner
of 10 years, Chris Nordeen, son Kyle Duyck, daughter Cassy Weatherby,
2020 Florence, Oregon granddaughter Luella Rose Weatherby, sister Jessica Chanay, niece &
nephew Raven and Nigel Chanay, step-father Robert Dannemiller, and
#FlorenceWinterMusic
uncles Jamie & Mark Hartley.
Penny’s earliest memories were of playing on the beach in front of
FLORENCE EVENTS CENTER ~ JANUARY 24, 25, 26 her home on Whidbey Island, WA where she lived until age 11 when her
family moved to Eugene, OR. She had an adventurous spirit and left home after graduating early
from South Eugene High School. She headed to Catalina Island, CA with a friend and a few dollars.
BLUEGRASS Friday
She loved to travel and over the years she visited Canada, Mexico, Guatemala and Thailand but loved
Kathy Kallick Band • John Reischman and the Jaybirds Snakelum Point and the Oregon coast the most, spending many vacations on the beach.
She often chose the path less traveled and held an open
AMERICANA Saturday mind about many things, enjoying conversations about
politics, UFOs, and reincarnation. She believed death was
HEADLINER: Livingston Taylor a transformation, not an ending. Throughout her life she
was concerned about our planet’s health and believed
Circus No. 9 • Jim Hurst • Greg Blake Band
that if we took care of the earth and each other, we
Mr & Mrs Something would make the world a better place. She fulfilled
that commitment through cultivating her garden and
FOLK Sunday through her gift of time and love to family and friends.
She wished for more time with granddaughter Luella but
Tyler Stenson • True North Duo
took comfort in knowing she would be looking out for her
on the other side.
FRAA Winter Arts Festival • Jam Sessions • Pie Sale • Workshops
Penny was a wonderful and loving mom, sister,
niece, daughter, grandmother, lover, friend, and
Tickets/info: WinterMusicFestival.org or 541-997-1994 so much more. She will be greatly missed.

PRESENTING SPONSOR: SEA LION CAVES A Celebration of Life will be held
Saturday, January 18th at the Oregon
Bodega Wine Parlor • Elks Lodge #1858 • Kiwanis International
Electric Station at 4:00pm.
Jean Koning in Memory of Art Koning • Lighthouse Inn • Old Town Inn
Donations in lieu of flowers to the
Oregon Pacific Bank • The River House Inn • Waterfront Depot
Nature Conservancy in Oregon
Support.nature.org
Presented by The Friends of the Florence Events Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization • WinterMusicFestival.org
City Club Super Week
Community Spotlight:
Oregon 4th Congressional District Representative
Peter DeFazio – Tsunami Books
Speaker: Congressman Peter DeFazio,
Oregon Congressional District 4
Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Time: 6pm to 7:15 pm
Location: Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette, Eugene
Concert Music Scene in Eugene
Speakers: Diane Retallack - Artistic Director, Eugene Concert Choir
Sabrina Madison-Cannon - Dean, UO School of Music and Dance
Francesco Lecce-Chong - Music Director and Conductor,
Eugene Symphony
Date: Friday, January 24, 2020
Time & Location: Noon, University of Oregon Continuing &
Professional Education, at the Baker Center, 975 High St.
Governor Kate Brown:
Legislative Session Preview - Harris Hall
Speaker: Oregon Governor Kate Brown
Date: January 24, 2020
Different Time and location, 3pm @ Harris Hall 125 E 8th Ave
www.CityClubofEugene.org 541.485.7433
2 JANUARY 16, 2020 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM
contents
JANUARY 16 - 23, 2020
4 Letters
10 News
13 Slant
14 I Dream Eugene
16 Calendar
19 Visual Arts
20 Movie
21 Music
24 Outdoors
24 Classifieds
27 Savage Love
1917
New To-go Menu
AAssiiaann FFoooodd
Happy Hour
MMaarrkkeett
2 - 5 Mon. - Thurs.
Largest Selection $1 Off Beers, $2 off Sake Flights
$1 Off Izakaya (Small Plate) Menu
of Asian Groceries
Seaweed, rice, noodles, frozen products,
editorial deli, snacks, drinks, sauces, spices,
EDITOR Camilla Mortensen produce, housewares, and more.
ARTS EDITOR Bob Keefer We carry groceries from Holland,
SENIOR STAFF WRITER Rick Levin
STAFF WRITERS Henry Houston, Taylor Perse India, Pakistan and Polynesia
CALENDAR EDITOR / COPY EDITOR Dan Buckwalter Sushi & Asian deli take-out
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Anita Johnson
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Blake Andrews, Ester CHINESE NEW
Barkai, Brett Campbell, Rachael Carnes, Tony
Corcoran, Jerry Diethelm, Rachel Foster, Colin YEAR SPECIAL
Houck, William Kennedy, Paul Neevel Alexis
Reid, Molly Templeton, David Wagner, Robert
OPEN REGULAR HOURS
Warren
HAPPENING PEOPLE Paul Neevel 10%
OFF EVERYTHING
INTERNS Corrin Avchin, Donny Morrison, Gina
Scalpone, Jade Yamazaki Stewart IN THE STORE!

art department * Excluding rice over 10lbs.
and case prices.
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION MANAGER Todd Cooper Offer expires 1/29/20
SENIOR DESIGNER Sarah Decker
GRAPHIC ARTIST Chelsea Lovejoy www.sunriseasianfood.com instagram.com/obaramen • obaramen.net • facebook.com/obaramenshop.com
TECHNOLOGY/WEBMASTER James Bateman M-Th 9am-7pm•F 9am-8pm•Sa 9am-7pm•Su 10am-6pm Sun. - Thurs. : 11-8 • Fri. - Sat. : 11-9
1043 OR-99, Unit C, Cottage Grove • 541-649-1250
advertising 70 W. 29th Ave. Eugene • 541-343-3295
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Rob Weiss
DISPLAY MARKETING CONSULTANTS David Fried,
Lori Rarey
CLASSIFIED MANAGER Elisha Young
business
BUSINESS MANAGER Marjorie Bridges
CIRCULATION MANAGER Liz Levin
FIELD MAINTENANCE Trey Longstreth
DISTRIBUTORS Bob Becker, Matthew Erdmann,
Mike Goodwin, Derek Ingram, Mary McCoy,
Wally Moon, Pedaler’s Express, Janet Peitz, 15-35% OFF CBD*
playing in the mountain snow?
Profile in Delivery, Ginger Ruckes
PRINTING Signature Graphics
IN JANUARY
HOW TO REACH US BY EMAIL
(editor): [email protected] HUGELY EXPANDED
(letters): [email protected]
(nitpicking): [email protected] SELECTION OF CBD & HEMP
(advertising): [email protected]
(classifieds): [email protected] We have several NEW brands
(I saw you): [email protected]
(calendar listings): [email protected] including Non-Cannabis CBD
(music/clubs/special shows): [email protected]
(art/openings/galleries): [email protected] Capsules v Liquids v Topicals v Edibles
((pliteerrfaorrym aarntsc/ere/tahdeiantgesr)):: bpoeorfkosr@[email protected] FOR PEOPLE & PETS jumping puddles in town?
(movies/film screenings): [email protected]
Our Well-Informed Staff
(EW red boxes): [email protected]
(food): [email protected] Can Help You Choose
(bizbeat): [email protected] we’ve got your feet covered!
The Right One For You
EUGENE WEEKLY OFFICE
1524511- 4L8in4c-o0ln5 1S9t .•, FEauxg e5n4e1-, 4O8R4 9-47400414 *CV SCIENCES, IRWIN NATURALS, BARLEAN’S, Burch’s has a wide selection of women’s and men’s Bogs at our
TERRY NATURALLY, GARDEN OF LIFE, GAIA,
Oakway Center and Outlet stores. Sizes and widths to fit any foot.
SOLARAY LEAF THERAPEUTICS, & more!
________________________________________________
EW SUBSCRIPTIONS: SEND NAME, ADDRESS AND CHECK TO 1653 Willamette Street
$25/3 MOS. $14255/16 L MINOCSO. L$N85 S/T12., MEUOGSE. NPER,I ONTRE 9D7 4O0N1 -R3E4C18Y. CLED PAPER. M-F 9-6 • Sat 10-5 • Sun 11-5 Our Outlet store has Bogs for kids!
Eugene Weekly is published every Thursday by What’s Happening Inc. FREE OFF-STREET PARKING
Five free copies maximum per person from newsrack.
POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO EUGENE WEEKLY, 541-485-5100 burch’s shoes burch’s shoe outlet
1251 LINCOLN ST., EUGENE, OR 97401-3418. www.evergreennutrition.com 541.683.4115
©2020 WHAT’S HAPPENING INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 16 Oakway Center 1 Club Road
EUGENEWEEKLY.COM JANUARY 16, 2020 3
letters
POOR SOLUTIONS
moved here 10 years ago, not feeling logue, it curtails it.
Taylor Perse’s “poor farm” story was particularly political. Frankly, the city’s Letters published by EW last week
an insightful and interesting look into abuse of power has radicalized me. (Letters, 1/9) insulted me personally
the past (“The Poor Among Us,” 1/9). I became aware with the manipula- and grossly misrepresented my com-
While the “poor farm” concept is ex- tive “green stamping” of our road bond mentary on the serious problems with
tremely outdated, the willingness of lo- in 2017. Now I shake my head at the false House Bill 2001 (Letters, 12/26). It is
cal people to come together to solve the logic of MUPTE, or the privatization of disappointing the paper allows writers
problems of today is stronger than ever. tax dollars flowing into River Front, or to attack the messenger, rather than
As Terry McDonald states, “Home- the fact that underserved communities address the issues (a la Trump, Re-
lessness isn’t static.” continue on a downward spiral while publicans and FOX News). It’s a disser-
Yet it feels like Eugene City Council, tax dollars benefit landowners in the vice to readers that EW editor Camilla
some of the more conservative mem- “Urban Renewal District,” also a Trump Mortensen prints falsehoods that can
bers of the Lane County Board of Coun- “Opportunity” Zone. easily be verified by reading her own pa-
ty Commissioners (BCC) and the execu- The majority in Eugene doesn’t sup- per!
tive director (Jacob Fox) of Homes for port the persecution and eradication of Perhaps the EW could add a dis-
Good (HFG) are paralyzed by a static the poor. They don’t support empty en- claimer to the Letters section: “We’ll
and outdated “business-as-usual” ap- vironmental rhetoric. print just about anything. Readers and
proach to the issues of homelessness In fact, the foundational assump- writers beware!”
and environmental protections neces- tion of Eugene’s policies seems to be Eben Fodor
sary to curb climate change. “trickle down economics,” a self-serving Eugene
Greenway Guardians and the people theory concocted by the conservative
DOWNWARD YOGA POSE
of Eugene and Lane County are working ideologue Milton Friedman. This en-
to change the future of homelessness richment process is led domestically Stress-reducing exercise and stress-
while protecting the Willamette Green- by victimizing the poor through Broken relieving animals make a great combo
way. Windows Policing, designed by another and a lucrative one, apparently, as Origi-
The open-space located on River conservative ideologue, James Q. Wil- nal Goat Yoga reportedly has “licensed
Road and the Willamette Greenway was son. For a deeper understanding of this locations all around the U.S.” (“Upward
purchased with public funding to build control mechanism, read into Terror Goat Yoga,” 1/2).
affordable housing. HFG and their BCC Management Theory (Solomon, Green- But when progenitor Lainey Morse
directing board have since decided to berg, Pyszczynski). and her boyfriend came to Oregon, they
sell it to an out-of-state developer who What we experience in Eugene is were stressed by land use restrictions
plans to cut down all of the trees on the a vertical system, not the false frame that reporter Taylor Perse refers to as
lot, pave the greenspace with concrete of “left” and “right.” City Council, the “outdated zoning laws.” Clearly Perse
and build 93 market-rate (expensive) mayor and the city manager are nice is blissfully unaware of the work of Tom
units. enough, but an “in-group” who duti- McCall and why there’s any agricultural
Meanwhile, neighbors hold a higher fully serve their masters, either willfully, land left to exploit.
vision in which the Greenway is pro- through silence or ignorance. Oregon’s zoning laws are not outdat-
tected and an appropriate development I hope we will demand democracy in ed; rather, they’ve been overrun since
of affordable housing (similar to Emer- 2020 and elect the next Alexandria Oca- their inception by copious amendments
ald Village) can be implemented to help sio-Cortez or Kshama Sawant. and exceptions that acre by acre have
those who are unhoused. Otis Haschemeyer urbanized our farmland and rural areas.
You cannot solve the dynamic prob- Eugene Land zoned for farming has for decades
lems of today by using unsuccessful been sprouting golf courses, schools,
CURTAILING DIALOGUE
and unimaginative techniques of the churches, shooting ranges, wedding
past. Why does the community under- It would be great if the Eugene Week- venues, dog kennels and, if Morse has
stand this, but our leadership has yet to ly had some standards for the letters it her way, goat-hugging yoga classes.
evolve? publishes. Ideally, letters are a format I’ve had goats for 25 years, and most
Jacqueline L. McClure for the thoughtful exchange of credible of the time they amuse and relax me. But
Eugene ideas and opinions, not a venue for lies, if I added yoga classes to their meadows
insults, personal attacks and foul lan- with the potential to attract, as Morse
TRICKLE-DOWN EUGENE
guage. did, “hundreds of people willing to drive
Thanks to Paul Nicholson’s View- Perhaps engaging in hate-monger- from all over” — and pay a pretty penny
point on the lack of democracy in Eu- ing is EW’s way to bolster circulation. for the experience — I’d be complicit
gene (“Voters Should Matter,” 1/2). I However, rather than fostering civil dia- in the imposition of numbers, traffic
4 JANUARY 16, 2020 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENEWEEKLY.COM JANUARY 16, 2020 5
letters
The Shedd Institute
www.theshedd.org - 541.434.7000
Chris Walton
Beth Sheehan
Big Head Todd w/ special guest
Hazel Miller
and the Monsters
Thursday Jan 16
Diana Gardener
microphilharmonic
microphilharmonic
Title Sponsor
Harmoniemuisik III
and activities that belong within urban enants, conditions and restrictions)
Sunday, January 19th – 3:00 pm
growth boundaries, not outside them. limiting lots to one single-family home.
If numbers of clients and the days These are safe from HB 2001.
and times for classes were strictly regu- Only those of us in “lower-class” Juan de Marcos’
lated and enforced, well, goats and yoga neighborhoods face a radical upzoning.
beat out guns and barking dogs any- More practically, Sens. Ron Wyden Afro-Cuban
time. But enforcement, at least in Lane and Jeff Merkley are working on the
County, has proven largely nonexistent, housing crisis at the federal level. That’s
All Stars
so that activities that may lead to a re- the place to address problems national
duction of stress in Morse’s customers in scope, and a worthy focus for sincere
can result in increased stress on the ru- housing advocates.
Jan 23
ral environment. Robert Roth
Robert Emmons, president Eugene
LandWatch Lane County
EXTINCTION IS
Fall Creek Next at The Shedd
INCONVENIENT | full schedule: theshedd.org |
AT LEAST THINK ONCE
In his letter (EW, 1/2), Charlie Loeb
1.20 NAACP Martin Luther King 2.6-9 The Jazz Kings: It’s All Right
Many thanks for Eben Fodor’s infor- suggests that it’s unreasonable to point
March Celebration With Me - Ella Fitzgerald
mative Viewpoint on a potentially disas- out the environmental impact of electric
trous new law (“Think Again,” 12/26), cars because many people — especially 1.23 Afro-Cuban All Stars 2.12 Ehud Asherie - Gershwin
the giant can of worms called House Bill those with children — won’t want to be 1.25 John Pizzarelli 2.16 Mark & Maggie O’Connor
2001. inconvenienced by having to walk, bike
Most striking, for a bill pitched as a or take the bus. Regretfully, though, the
housing measure, is that it’s much more laws of physics don’t care about how in- Give Music
likely to destroy affordable housing convenienced someone might be.
than to create any. It’s worth reviewing What is commonly called “sustain-
Fodor’s explanation of this and other di- ability” isn’t truly sustainable. When
Shedd Institute Gift Certificates for the Holidays
sasters likely to occur unless the bill is examined through the lens of a more
repealed. rigorous set of criteria, you discover 541.434.7000 | www.theshedd.org
Thanks to local legislators who voted that genuine, meaningful sustainabil-
against HB2001: Sen. Floyd Prozanski, ity is a dauntingly complex, remote, far-
and Reps. Paul Holvey, Nancy Nathan- flung ideal.
son and Marty Wilde. The good news is that in spite of the
Homelessness results from the mal- difficulty, the human family will achieve
distribution of wealth and income, the sustainability because we have no
shortage of living-wage jobs, the failure choice in the matter. Whatever we fail to
of governments to tax business inter- do voluntarily, we will do involuntarily.
ests equitably and a shortage of afford- Sustainability is not optional.
able housing, unlikely to be fixed with- Even if climate change is a hoax, we
out direct government action. Allowing still need to get off of fossil fuels be-
speculators to build and sell or rent ad- cause they are finite, non-renewable The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts
ditional housing on lots now zoned for resources that will soon be pain-
Music School
single-family homes won’t help. fully running out. (The same is true
HB 2001 places the whole burden of of lithium and copper.) Electric cars
the housing crisis on the backs of less- are dependent on fossil fuels for al-
Winter Term begins January 5
well-off Oregon homeowners, because most all of their manufacturing,
most “upper class” developments in distribution and charging, and are Contact the registrar at 541.434.7000 / [email protected]
Oregon have in their deeds CC&Rs (cov- therefore unsustainable.
4 JANUARY 16, 2020 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENEWEEKLY.COM JANUARY 16, 2020 5
Local letters
Vocandal
VIEWPOINT BY M. REZA BEHNAM
Big changes approach as civilization the potential to make a difference. That
collides with reality. Get ready to be in- night, Indivisible managed to make its
About Iran convenienced. own name divisive, tanking its credibil-
Robert Bolman ity in my mind.
Eugene If this was indeed because of three
people in the group, all three need to go
SUPPORTING SUPPORT PROS
now, and the group’s supporters need to
and Suleimani
As co-chair of the Joint Ways and know what happened. If they are going
Means Subcommittee on Human Ser- to live up to their mission statement “to
vices, Sen. Lee Beyer understands the build a local, inclusive resistance move-
value of Direct Support Professionals ment to oppose regressive policies,”
AMERICA KNOWS LITTLE ABOUT
(DSPs) in our community, and he played there can be no more bullshit circular
THE MAN TRUMP KILLED a crucial role securing funding for them. firing squad tactics.
In 2019 legislators took a step forward, A follow up story would be much ap-
making a $30 million investment in Or- preciated.
O
nly the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Islamic egon’s DSPs to bring the profession Brian QTN
State rejoiced in the illegal and immoral targeted killing of closer to needed funding. Eugene
Iranian general Qassem Suleimani. No compelling evidence There is still a long road ahead to
WHAT WHITE PEOPLE LIKE
for his extrajudicial murder has been forthcoming. ensure livable wages. DSPs provide sup-
Americans knew little about Suleimani. They continue port to more than 30,000 Oregonians I was born and grew up in the U.S.
to be denied accuracy, depth and context about a man who live with intellectual and develop- Half my ancestors were forcibly brought
whose death has taken the U.S. and Iran to the brink of war. mental disabilities (IDD) — many here in here as African slaves. My remaining an-
Politicians, corporate media parrots and instant Iran experts have por- our own community. cestors were indigenous people living
trayed Suleimani in mainly negatives — a bad actor, murderous monster Oregon Supported Living Program here when the colonists arrived. In all
with blood on his hands. For Iranians, however, Suleimani was the people’s and Pearl Buck Center employ nearly my 50-plus years, I’ve been extremely
soldier, a revered and significant military leader.
300 DSPs. These employees are dedi- happy not to be white. (The concept
The son of peasants from the mountains of Kerman, he put his 8-year-
cated and loyal professionals currently of “white” is a social, not a racial, con-
old body to work to help support his family. Suleimani, in his teens, volun-
overtaxed from low wages and a short- struct, but that’s a conversation for
teered to serve his country after Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in 1980.
age of workers. They diligently work to later.)
He was wounded and
ensure people with IDD are respected My joy in not being white has acquired
nearly suffocated by
and empowered. new energy lately due to a bizarre trend
chemical weapons that Americans knew little
Being a DSP requires a person with that I’ve noticed: The frequency that I
President Ronald Rea-
a special heart and extensive training overhear conversations, among whites,
gan provided Iraq dur- about Suleimani. They
that is costly. DSPs are worth the invest- regarding their properties’ “amenities.”
ing that eight-year-long
ment! These professionals are required They loudly and with great detail boast
brutal war.
continue to be denied to demonstrate patience, compas- about their houses as financial assets
Suleimani’s calling
in life was soldiering, sion and high levels of attention to de- rather than homes.
just like his American accuracy, depth and tail, providing services and support to News flash, white people: You have
counterparts: Gener- achieve the highest quality of life. They these “assets” because your ancestors
als Douglas MacArthur, context about a man deserve to feel valued for the incredible exploited mine through genocide, en-
Dwight Eisenhower, work they do. slavement and theft. And, if you’re a
George C. Patton, Wil- Thanks to the support of Sen. Beyer white person whose ancestors weren’t
whose death has taken
liam Westmoreland, Co- and the Lane County delegation, there the actual “ring leaders,” you rode their
lin Powell, David Petrae- is hope for the future. coattails and also benefited by condi-
us, Stanley McChrystal the U.S. and Iran to the The Lane County delegation listened tion of white skin.
and James “Mad Dog” when we advocated and agreed the time It’s usually Baby Boomer progres-
Mattis, among others. brink of war. to invest was now. Thank you for sup- sives having these money-oriented,
At his death, Sulei- porting HB 5026 and giving Oregon’s egocentric dialogues. It’s revealing that
mani was 62 years old.
DSPs an overdue wage increase. these people are so identified with the
His entire adult life was
We look forward to your continued materialism of their structures. And
spent defending Iran from Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, the Islamic State and
support in the upcoming legislative ses- their boastful tones infer that they
other hostile forces threatening Iran’s sovereignty as well as the sover-
sion. equate their property’s market value
eignty of other countries in the region. Risking one’s life for his country is
Gretchen Dubie, executive director with their own worth. It reinforces the
the role of a soldier. America’s generals have fought wars in foreign lands to
Oregon Supported Living Program soulless, empty reality of being white.
keep America safe, or so we have been told. They were never demonized or
Margaret Theisen, executive director Ramona Wise
accused of having blood on their hands.
Pearl Buck Center Eugene
Because of George W. Bush’s 2003 invasion of Iraq — one of the most ca-
lamitous foreign policy blunders in U.S. history — hundreds of thousands
FIRING SQUAD TACTICS CONNECTING THE DOTS
of Iraqis have died or been made refugees. Today, because of the war, many
Iraqis are without electricity and clean water. America’s invasion and con- Thank you Nancy Curran for speak- The newest evaluation by federal
tinued presence have yet to produce good governance — providing public ing up in regards to the Impeachment regulators operating under the Trump
services that make people secure, healthy, educated and prosperous. Eve rally (“A Sad End to the Evening,” Administration’s new streamlined
Suleimani’s Quds Force has never invaded or caused so much destruc- 1/2). I was there, too, and I along with a guidelines for fossil fuel projects has
tion and instability in another country. Instead, he has been credited with large contingent of folks left the event found that the Jordan Cove project will
helping defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and weakening it in Syria, at times disgusted as soon as the “endorsement not significantly harm whales, fish and
working in concert with the U.S. on both fronts. announcement” happened. It was not other protected species.
Donald Trump’s decision to murder a senior government official of a the venue for this kind of announce- The elephant in the room is that this
country with which we are not at war was not only unconstitutional, it vio- ment, was in extremely bad form and project will be the largest carbon emit-
lates international law and moral norms. By ordering the drone attack on made it seem like this organization is on ter in the state and that it will, in fact,
Suleimani, Iraqi general Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and 10 others, Trump has the wrong track and clueless. impact all species from whales and fish,
shown his willingness to act violently. He has fueled a preventable crisis in I wrote directly to Indivisible Eugene to everything else. Unfortunately, this
which the blood of many is on his hands. ■ that same evening and still have not re- is the reality of current science that is
ceived acknowledgement or a reply. friendly to industry from the very begin-
M. Reza Behnam, Ph.D., is a cultural political scientist whose specialties include history,
governments and politics of the Middle East. Many hands and hearts have worked ning posed to favor such projects.
hard to make a name and a nonprofit You would think that these tactics are
legal 501c4 status for this group with becoming obvious by now: data is con-
6 JANUARY 16, 2020 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENEWEEKLY.COM JANUARY 16, 2020 7
Hold on tight.
Download speeds just got faster.
That’s right—now there are faster speeds on our Internet tiers. And for power users, there’s Gig speed. Plus, for no
additional cost you can add Xfinity Flex, a 4K streaming device that puts all your favorites in one place so you can
search less and watch more. Unleash the power of Xfinity and get more value than ever. Simple. Easy. Awesome.
Get started with
GGeett XXfifinniittyy AAdddd
Xfinity Internet 25 Mbps
IInntteerrnneett ffoorr
$2999 aaAd FFd llaee Fxxle x44 4KKK
Enjoy the
$$2299 99 99 streaming device
/ month ssttrreeaammiinngg
for 12 best Internet

months for no additional
// mmoonntthh
ffoorr 1122 experience ddeevviiccee
mmoonntthhss cost
with 1-year agreement
WWiitthh 11--yyeeaarr aaggrreeeemmeenntt..
EEqquuiippEqmmueeipnnmtt,,e tntaat,xx teeasxse aasn naddn d oo otththheeerrr ccchhhaaarrrgggeeess se exetxxrattrr aa oonn uuss
aanndd assnuudbb sjj..u ttbooj. tccohh caahnnaggngeee.. .SS Seeeeee dddeeetttaaailiisllss b bbeeleollwoow.w..
Go to xfinity.com, call 1-800-xfinity or visit an Xfinity Store today.
Offer ends 3/31/20. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Limited to Performance Starter Plus Internet for new customers. Early termination fee applies. Equipment, installation, taxes and other fees extra, and subject to change during and after
term agreement. After agreement term, regular rates apply. Comcast’s service charge for Performance Starter Plus is $50/mo. (subj. to change). Limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. Internet: Speed increase does not apply to
Gig-speed Internet. Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. Flex: Requires a post-pay subscription to Xfinity Internet service and compatible modem or xFi Gateway and Xfinity
Flex device. 1 device included at no extra charge. Additional devices @ $5 per device/mo. Pricing subj. to change. Limited to 3 devices. All devices must be returned when service ends. © 2020 Comcast. All rights reserved. NPA229587-0002
6 JANUARY 16, 2020 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EU1G36E02N2E_NWPAE2E29K58L7Y-0.0C02O_WMest Repackaging $29Offer_Eugene_9.75x13.5.indd 1 JANUARY 161,/2 /2200 23:034 PM7
Local
Vocandal
VIEWPOINT BY VICTORIA KOCH
Embracing Immigrants
ACKNOWLEDGE THE TREASURE THAT IS DIVERSE CULTURE
O
n a recent visit to my daughter’s, Then this Guatemalan father stood up and pulled
while we were walking around the The hatred, the fear, the out his cell phone. We gathered round him. While at his
suburban streets of Portland, I sponsor’s house, he had gone into the bathroom with its
noticed one home’s flag pole flying a blind misunderstandings good acoustics to make a video for his 16-year-old son. I
Confederate flag. These days, whenever stood behind him with my hand on his shoulder. In the
I see our American flag in front of a video he carefully ran his hand through his hair, stood up
about people of color,
home, I immediately think of the false straight and started movingly talking to his son.
patriotism of “Make America Great.” Though I have seen Whether or not I understood the Spanish, I felt the
especially immigrants has
other Confederate flags flying from trucks in Oregon, this emotion from this dear young man. After his words, he
particular flag in front of someone’s home disturbs me. started singing to his son and as he sang, I continued to
Why am I surprised? visibly surfaced. Is this my gently hug him and to cry. In my kitchen that evening,
The hatred, the fear, the blind misunderstandings his earnest love for his son was palpable. He didn’t want
about people of color, especially immigrants has vis- America now? to leave his son. He didn’t want to leave his country. His
ibly surfaced. Is this my America now? No doubt it has experienced abuse there forced him to seek safety. His
always been so, but to me it is a bleeding sore, that in- country’s poverty made him want a better life for his
stead of being attended to, is getting worse and worse. family. His singing, his walking for months, his deter-
Rather than flags flying outside, I have chosen to bring What I truly love as a sponsor is having many of these mined belief in a more humane world got him to walk
an asylum seeker inside my home. The seeker who I young people over for a good meal. Sitting around the into my living room and into my heart.
will call M, from El Salvador, has enriched my life be- kitchen table with the Spanish and English flowing, eat- The sign in front of my house says:
yond measure. Oregon Community Asylum Network ing and laughing, truly warms my heart. I deeply love In our America all people are equal
(OCAN) has brought 12 asylum seekers to Eugene. being in a diverse world. When M and her friends are Love wins
Every one of them has spent months and overcome here, I pinch myself because I believe I have gone to an Black lives matter
tremendous obstacles to get here. Did they want to enriching multicultural heaven. Immigrants and refugees are welcome
leave their home countries? Not really. Are they leaving Ordinarily, after finishing dinner, M’s Guatemalan Disabilities are respected
mothers, fathers, siblings, partners, sons, daughters, friend gets out my husband’s guitar and plays a few of Women are in charge of their bodies
friends, their culture behind? With deep regret, yes. his own songs, and then M joins him for a rousing num- People and planet are valued over profit
All of the above was brought home to me one eve- ber of “Caravan Songs.” When they first told me about Diversity is celebrated
ning. M is outgoing and extremely compassionate. She these songs, which the people on the Caravan wrote Let us make it so! Let us not ask for refugees and im-
is a loyal friend and has befriended several of the other and sang while literally walking across the entire coun- migrants to give up their cultures and languages but to
refugees. try of Mexico, I could feel my tears rising to the surface. acknowledge these added treasures. Let us understand
One day she was late coming back from her Lane Our president’s fear-inducing portrait of the Caravan that refugees and immigrants enrich rather than take
Community College English classes. She sent me a text as hordes of thugs and thieves just doesn’t gel with a away from our American lives. We are not a pot that
saying one of her friends was sad. His Guatemalan son large group of trekking, singing people. melts but a pot that blends all into a delicious soup! ■
was graduating from high school that day, and he wasn’t But this night, instead of singing, we all sat longer at
BOCAN (Oregon Community Asylum Network) is having a fundraiser
there to congratulate and be with him. Naturally I told the kitchen table with our Guatemalan friend. We all lis- with musician Chico Scwall plus Songs from the Caravan and an
her to bring him home for dinner. They met up with an- tened to his words of despair. We all looked at pictures Asylum Seeker’s Testimony at the UU Church 7 pm Saturday, Jan. 25.
All proceeds will go to benefit lawyer/bail/cost of living fees for the 12
other asylum seeker, and they all came and hung out in of his son dressed in his graduating gown, holding his
asylum refugees brought from a Colorado detention center to Eugene.
M’s room while I prepared the evening meal. certificate, standing proudly next to his mother. Victoria Koch has been a teacher working with at-risk youth and is
currently a sponsor of a young Salvadoran asylum seeker.
America’s 1st Sustainable Home & Garden Show�
imbibe with friends old and new at the
Fresh Truffle Marketplace
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Graduate Eugene • 66 E. 6th Avenue
Sample and purchase fresh Oregon truffles,
artisan foods, regional wine, and spirits,
attend lectures, truffle cooking demo’s with tastings,
and even a truffle dog demonstration!
Enjoy tastings from:
Alesong Brewing & Blending, Antiquum Farm Wines, Brigadoon Wine Co.,
Elixir Craft Spirits, Foon Estate Vineyard, Illahe Vineyards, Iris Vineyards,
Left Coast Cellars, Pfeiffer Winery, and Wildcraft Cider Works
oregontrufflefestival.org
advance $12/$20 + wine tasting | door $15/$25 + wine tasting
Visit Eugene Delta Rotary exhibit & learn how ShelterBox USA serves families who lost everything.�
1859 & 1889 • eugene cascades & coast • graduate eugene • new world truffieres Fairgrounds~Eugene Fri 5-9pm Sat 10am-8pm Sun 10am-5pm�
sabatino tartufi • travel oregon • willamette valley visitors association Admission with Canned Food Donations EugeneHomeShow.com�
8 JANUARY 16, 2020 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENEWEEKLY.COM JANUARY 16, 2020 9
letters
sidered in isolated contexts cut off from will be essential to mitigating the worst Minutes scheduled for 6:30. proven, many times over, that he can win
the reality of current times (such as wa- impacts of the climate crisis. Currently, But when I tuned in, for a half hour, election in our tough electoral district.
tershed health, problems with salmon the timber industry makes up a majority there was Cheryl Atkinson’s Full Mea- DeFazio’s opponent is a capable
habitat) and the combined impact of of our state’s annual carbon emissions. sure instead. What is even more insidi- newcomer, possibly in the mold of the
numerous environmental stresses. This is why I’m excited to vote for ous, in my view, was “Copyright 2020 Full now famous “squad” of newcomers. The
The end result is meant to benefit con- Doyle Canning to represent Oregon's Measure LLC, a member of SINCLAIR squad politicians, however, all hail from
centrations of capital and industry while Fourth District in Congress. Canning is BROADCAST GROUP (emphasis mine).” very heavily Blue districts.
the burden on public health and our com- fighting for a Green New Deal that will The Cheryl Atkinson broadcast was In the 2016 presidential vote, here
mon spaces becomes increasingly heavy. protect our forests and our climate, and mildly sympathetic, in two of its seg- are the totals won by Democrat Hillary
In the next month, the Trump-ap- unlike her opponent, she is not accepting ments, to The Donald. Clinton in each of the four districts from
pointed Federal Energy Regulation Com- donations from the fossil fuel industry I say again: what the f--k? At the very which the squad members hail: Alexan-
mission will be making a final decision on and big timber — the industry that is the least, the R-G could have been honest, dria Ocassio Corez, 77 percent; Ilhan
the pipeline project. This is a window of leading cause of climate change in our as well as KVAL, in its broadcast sched- Omar, 73 percent; Rashida Tlaib, 79 per-
time to raise concerns and communi- region. It is time to take a stand for our ule, and listed Full Measure, for half an cent; and Ayanna Pressley, 84 percent.
cate with political figures such as Sen. forests, for our climate, and our future. hour, and 60 Minutes the next half hour. Here in Oregon’s 4th, Clinton got 46.1
Ron Wyden, Gov. Kate Brown and State Vote for Canning in the May 19 primary. As the old song goes: “There’s some- percent. Trump got 46 percent. Clinton
Lands Director Vicki Walker, who are not Dylan Plummer thin’ happenin’ here/ What it is, ain’t won our district by a total of 554 votes.
connecting the dots on what the passage Eugene exactly clear/ There’s a man with a gun I think DeFazio has a solid progres-
of this pipeline will mean to this state. over there/ Tellin’ me I got to beware…” sive record in Congress and am not
BUFFALOED BY THE GUARD
Kerstin Britz Mike Peterson ready to throw away this important in-
Eugene What the f--k happened? It’s now Eugene cumbency into the very unpredictable
Sunday (1/12) evening and The Register- politics of Oregon’s 4th.
DOYLE’S NEW DEAL PLAYING THE ODDS
Guard launched, in its T.V. Weekly, the I really doubt that DeFazio’s primary
A new study by Oregon State Uni- broadcast schedule for the evening. One reason I will vote for Peter De- challenger could win the district.
versity found that protecting our re- Unlike most times, when 60 Minutes is Fazio in the Oregon District 4 Demo- Stephen Amy
gion’s forests from commercial logging scheduled for 7 pm, this Sunday had 60 cratic Party primary is that DeFazio has Eugene
Local
Vocandal
VIEWPOINT BY PHIL BARNHART
Electric Company needs can be met by wind, water and solar based power
generation systems that we already know how to make,
together with the rapidly developing energy storage
systems coming on line now.
The plan challenges us to install millions of rooftop
A CURRENT PROPOSAL FOR SAVING THE PLANET
solar systems, and 30 or 40 times the wind, wave, tidal
and central solar capacity we how have. It will take a
N
ow that we know that human civilization’s study proposes strategies for 143 countries around the general mobilization to make it happen in the time we
use of fossil fuel is unsustainable yet world to do away with the use of fossil fuels, 80 percent have. You can personally be a part of this transition. 
growing more rapidly than ever before, by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. If you are one of the 25 percent who can afford a
now that we know that continuing Many published studies claim it cannot be done. All new car or truck, make your next purchase 100 percent
business as usual will destroy the lives of such studies leave out a critical part of the analysis, the electric plug in, and walk or ride your bike or the bus
most who are under 40 and nearly all of current wastefulness of burning fossil fuel for process- more often.
any future generations, what do we do? ing, heat, or motion versus high efficiency electric de- If you buy used, look around for the electric car that
Some have suggested we must abandon technol- vices. will do most of what you need. They are now inexpen-
ogy and return to village life of 1,000 years ago. That If we electrify everything, we will increase efficiency sive, cheap to fuel and very reliable. You will be happy
might, indeed, happen, but only after a catastrophe enough to reduce the total energy used by 57 percent, you did.
that reduces our population to a tiny fraction of what energy cost by 61 percent, and reduce costs of a worse Are you building or remodeling a house or replacing
it is now through death by fire, flood, wind or starva- environment and health by 91 percent worldwide. a worn-out system? Your contractor will probably rec-
tion. Humans 100 years, maybe even 50 years from now Without sacrificing our comforts and with greatly ommend gas for some part of space or water heating
may be so reduced that village life of a millennium ago improved health as a result of much lower pollution, and in the kitchen. Do not fall for it. The slightly more
is the most advanced and welcoming possible. None of less than half of the energy can do the entire job at low- expensive modern heat pumps for water and space
us want our grandchildren to face the horrors that ca- er direct cost. Essentially, that 57 percent is wasted, heating will be no more expensive to operate now than
tastrophe will bring.  some used expensively to mine, process, and transport the gas they replace, and gas prices will be much more
There is a better solution that can save our future oil, gas, and coal, but mostly from grossly inefficient volatile in the future as policy catches up with reality in
and bring prosperity to the entire planet. It is complex use in internal combustion engines (ICE), space and Salem and Washington, DC.
and involves many changes to the way we do things now. water heating, and industrial processes.  Insulate or replace that gas furnace or water heater
A part involves population, a part farm, forestry and The largest savings will be in transportation as high- with an electric heat pump, that gas stove with an elec-
fisheries, and a part the end of the use of fossil fuels. ly efficient vehicles run on electric motors replace ICE tric oven and induction cook top. Use an efficient elec-
That last has a simple slogan, “electrify everything.” for all or nearly all purposes. Much of the rest will come tric refrigerator, LED lights and the like. Remember
By now there are a number of scientific papers on the from using heat pumps for space and water heating. those solar panels. You will be ready for our 100 per-
topic. A recent one is by Mark Z. Jacobson from Stan- Modern heat pumps can operate down to -20 percent cent electric future. ■
ford University and his colleagues, called “Impacts of and are nearly four times more efficient that gas fur-
Phil Barnhart served in the Oregon State Legislature as a
Green New Deal Energy Plans on Grid Stability, Costs, naces and water heaters. 
representative from 2001 to 2019 and has worked as an attorney and
Jobs, Health, and Climate in 143 Countries.” Their Jacobson’s study makes it clear that all our energy psychologist. He began driving an electric vehicle in 2012 to help save
the planet only to discover it was the best car he had ever had.
8 JANUARY 16, 2020 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENEWEEKLY.COM JANUARY 16, 2020 9
news
THE BLACKBERRY PIE SOCIETY’S ENTRY IN THE
2018 BOHEMIA MINING DAYS PARADE IN COTTAGE GROVE
Photo by Greg Lee
Pie Any Means Necessary 
LOCAL PAC DEMANDS A SEAT AT THE TABLE
By Donny Morrison
I
t all started with a sticky note and a vague call “This is a mechanism for people to come together “You want to maintain a connection with your
to action. politically and realize they’re not alone,” says Cathy neighbors, even if you don’t agree,” Rubenstein says.
“It was just a small handwritten piece of paper Bellavita, who’s been a board member for more than five “The forums we run make that more possible.”
posted in the bookstore,” says Gail Hoelzle, owner years. “Part of our role is to help people feel less isolated. In the past, the Blackberry Pie Society has sponsored
of The Bookmine in Cottage Grove. “It was 2003, a To have a format to do some action.” election forums on everything from local school district
little before the presidential election was to start, After that first meeting, a group of participants elections to the Cottage Grove mayoral race. Over the
and it said, ‘If you don’t want to see another four wanted to start officially campaigning for 2004 presi- years members have learned how to run a forum without
years of Bush, meet here.’” dential candidate John Kerry — but they needed an getting off topic. 
Hoelzle went with her sister, expecting to see maybe organization. Cottage Grove’s former state senator, and “We’re more effective now,” says board member Julie
five or 10 people on someone’s front lawn. Nothing usu- occasional Eugene Weekly columnist, Tony Corcoran, Parker. “We had to learn how to put on a good public
ally came of small, handwritten notes in those days. Not helped to quickly organize the PAC, writing bylaws filled forum. You have to figure out how to make it fair to the
with America at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and public with sardonic wit and humor, much to the amusement candidates, collect questions, go through them. There’s a
opinion falling effortlessly to blind patriotic support. of the Oregon Secretary of State office staff. process. But the first step is getting people into the room.”
What she found was somewhere between 80 and 100 “He basically took evangelical church bylaws, very Everything the Blackberry Pie Society has accom-
people gathered in a single backyard. This impromptu patriarchal, and just adapted them,” says board member plished came from this need to bring people together;
gathering of progressives would become known as the Leslie Rubenstein. “It was hilarious.” to feel less alone in the sprawling countryside on the
Blackberry Pie Society, a nonprofit political action com- Since then, one of their biggest successes has been the outskirts of nearly every Oregon city, where it’s assumed
mittee serving Cottage Grove and the greater Lane THINK AGAIN speaker series. That’s a monthly event folks lean to the right and are less than friendly. It came
County area. that invites city and state officials to speak with com- from this desire for discourse, regardless of political be-
As a PAC with six current board members, includ- munity members about what’s important to them. Past liefs and class value, because part of what the Blackberry
ing Hoelzle, the Blackberry Pie Society can endorse speakers include County Commissioner Pete Sorenson Pie Society does is create a space where everyone feels
candidates on the local and federal levels, while sup- and Lane County Sheriff Byron Trapp.  comfortable speaking. 
plying voters with informed information regarding “But it’s not always political per se,” Rubenstein says. “In Cottage Grove, you know how to talk to people
upcoming elections. Over the years, volunteers have “We had an Oregon Humanities presentation called ‘Why that you fundamentally disagree with and still respect
hosted candidate forums and meet-and-greet events; Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon?’ which other each other as human beings,” Hoelzle says. “And I think
they’ve organized canvassing parties and sponsored communities have, but we were the appropriate group it’s the only hope for this country.” ■
civic presentations and election night parties.  to bring that here.”
The Blackberry Pie Society is hosting a Political Party 3-5 pm
But since its inception, the Blackberry Pie Society has Having been born out of a community’s desire to Saturday, Feb. 22, at The Cottage Events Venue, 2915 Row
acted as much more than a PAC for election seasons. prevent a Republican from being re-elected president, River Road, Cottage Grove. Described as 50 percent fun and 51
percent politics, the party will be a call to action and will offer an
It’s become a bastion of hope for progressives who feel the Blackberry Pie Society seems to have come full
opportunity for networking and mobilizing for the 2020 election
isolated in a rural Oregon town known for its political circle as members prepare to do their part in this year’s season with beer, wine and food.
divide. The PAC’s main goal isn’t fundraising — currently election. After four years of a Trump presidency, the Impeachment whistles in honor of whistleblowers everywhere are
only $240.61 sits in its account, according to the Oregon Blackberry Pie Society finds a nation more polarized available to donors at The Bookmine or online at BlackberryPie-
Society.org.
Secretary of State’s office. than ever before in 2020. 
10 JANUARY 16, 2020 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENEWEEKLY.COM JANUARY 16, 2020 11
The Rose