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"The sheer scope of the information which she has sent out electronically, or copied and passed out at meetings astounds us mere mortals," says Jan Wostmann of CPA. "Her keen interest in public policy issues and how they play out in the everyday world admits no bounds. We will miss her up-beat spirit, amazing energy, and organizing skills. Cleveland won't know what hit them when Wanda arrives." Another fan is UO Prof. Paul Engleking, who says, "Wanda is like a cat with nine lives and she's living them all at the same time. She does more things than any human possible. I don't know what we're going to do. Is there life after Wanda? ... She's been a real force in the community." She manages to do her volunteer work while being a parent and holding down a full-time job as an administrative assistant at Oregon Research Institute.
Ballentine says she maintains her energy year after year and avoids the "burnout" associated with political activism by focusing on the positive, spiritual side of her work. She advocates a "clean activism" free of anger and hostility. "Being an activist is a service," she says. She has seen her share of setbacks and disappointments over the years, but doesn't let them get her down. "You can't be attached to outcomes in this work," she says. Engleking says activism for Ballentine is "more than just a liberal political interest. She also sees this in more of a global light of what are we doing to the world, and how can we function spiritually in it. She sees this as more of a redemption of the soul than just a political battle." Activist and designer Charlie Magee figures Eugene's loss is Cleveland's gain. "Chin up, folks!" he says. "Chaos theory says that the flapping of a butterfly's wings in China can affect the behavior of a hurricane in the Caribbean. Wanda's move means we'll lose the breeze of her daily efforts, but we'll still float on the tremendous updraft of her spirit as it travels across the land." Ballentine was honored by local activists at a potluck party Oct. 20 attended by a large crowd of progressive activists and elected officials. She plans to return to Eugene April 1 for an all-day workshop in her honor, entitled "Spirited Action." Meanwhile, Robert Liberty, executive director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, has already plugged Ballentine into a group called Eco-Cleveland. "There's lots of things to do everywhere," she says. "But maybe I'll take a little break for now." -- TJT Vicki Victorious Incumbent state Rep. Vicki Walker's shoe-in victory over Republican challenger Jeff Miller didn't start out so cut and dried. On election night, Miller had a strong lead. Walker left the Lane County Fairgrounds where she was watching returns, got in her car, burst into tears and went to bed feeling like a loser. All night she tossed and turned, thinking about the files she'd have to turn over of not just the broad social policies she'd been working hard on for two years, but also work on smaller matters for citizens who asked for help when they didn't know where else to turn. In the morning, Walker logged onto the Internet to see just how badly she had lost. Shocked, she discovered she was ahead by nearly 200 votes. "I ran through the house screaming," she says. Then she got on the phone and started calling people to tell them the good news. It was 6:30 am. A little while later, her husband suggested she check the numbers again. This time, the lead was clearer: up by more than 600. In the end, Walker's victory was clear at 53 to 46 percent of the vote. One of the bills Walker's working on that she wasn't ready to let go was a racial profiling bill; one that would uphold the law in how police departments track race and crime. Thinking she had lost the race, Walker says, "That one was hurting the most. I had my heart into it and was anxious to get busy on it again." The election had taken up much of her time in the previous weeks. Teen suicide is another area Walker has concentrated on. She was not planning on quitting that work even if she did lose to Miller. She has been working on a national level, with other states and with the surgeon general, on ways to address and prevent the problem. "I put all my soul, heart and energy into this job and I really work hard for people," says Walker. As for those constituents who ended up voting for Miller, Walker says she is "going to work to bridge this gap. I try to work with everyone. I've been doing that for two years and I anticipate doing that for another two." -- AS Salmon Get It On Watching wild salmon return to their native streams to spawn is one of the most awesome sights in nature, and it's happening now in the Coast Range. About 45 minutes from Eugene, wild Chinook salmon are completing their life cycle by returning to small streams to spawn and die. They were born in these streams roughly five years ago, made their way downstream to the Siuslaw and the ocean, where they lived for about three years. To watch salmon spawn, drive out West 11th Ave., which turns into Highway 126. About six miles past the town of Walton, look for a small BLM sign on the right side directing you to Wildcat Creek and Whittaker Creek campground. Take a left on this road and follow the signs. After about two miles, take a right and drive across a bridge. From there, follow the signs to Whittaker Creek campground. As you drive into the BLM campground, take a left and park near the creek. Get good views by walking through the campground and across the footbridge. Cross the creek, turn left, and walk upstream. Salmon were reported plentiful throughout the creek last weekend, but be prepared for the aroma of dead fish. Observers are asked not to crowd or bother the salmon, or remove dead carcasses, which feed young fish as they decompose. Fighting Measure 7 Staff members of 1000 Friends of Oregon are meeting with political leaders from across the state to strategize about a comprehensive response to Measure 7, the "takings" measure that passed Nov. 7 and is expected to deepy effect land use planning in the state. "We have not ruled any options out, nor have we committed to any specific strategy or action," says Evan Manvel of 1000 Friends. "Potential courses of action include legal challenges, legislative work, and initiatives. There are ongoing discussions about the various merits of these strategies, and we are trying to include a broad spectrum of people to ensure a large coalition working against Measure 7 and to make our response as effective as possible." The Secretary of State's office says Measure 7 takes effect 30 days after the election, which means Dec. 7. Several groups are working to analyze the potential effects of Measure 7 on a broad variety of regulations, from clean air rules to urban growth boundaries. "Obviously the courts will end up deciding some major underlying issues resulting from the poor drafting of the measure," says Manvel. To read about some potential effects of Measure 7, visit www.friends.org/m7.html Merry Mendocino In Mendocino, Calif., voters Nov. 7 passed a ballot measure to decriminalize the cultivation and personal use of marijuana. Under the newly passed Measure G, local authorities are ordered to make marijuana enforcement their lowest priority and to entirely stop prosecuting cases involving "25 or fewer adult female marijuana plants or the equivalent in dried marijuana." Thus, the measure effectively decriminalizes the personal use and cultivation of marijuana within the county. Selling marijuana, or growing more than 25 plants remains a felony offense. In a county where the sound of helicopters searching for hidden marijuana crops routinely breaks the rustle of wind in the trees, Measure G's passage appears to be a backlash against the government's war on marijuana. For the last two years, state and federal anti-drug agents have eradicated more marijuana plants in Mendocino County than in any other county in California. "The landslide victory for Measure G shows that the people are tired of misappropriating money away from schools in order to finance a military-style war on plants," said Richard Glen Boire, a lawyer well-known for defending marijuana cases. The full text of Measure G is online at: www.cognitiveliberty.org/lawlibrary/measureg.htm Early Deadlines Eugene Weekly will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23-24 for the Thanksgiving holiday, and deadlines for two issues will be effected. The paper will publish on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Early Calendar deadlines will be noon Wednesday, Nov. 15 for the Nov. 22 issue and noon Tuesday, Nov. 21 for the Nov. 30 issue. Advertising deadlines will be 5 pm Thursday, Nov. 16 for the Nov. 22 issue and 5 pm Wednesday, Nov. 22 for the Nov. 30 issue. For more information, call 484-0519.
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