Eugene Weekly: Special Features

What you are
VLT's Working explores day-to-day life
BY SHARLEEN NELSON

"You become your job; what you do is what you are" is one of the numerous sentiments expressed in Very Little Theatre's production of Working, a musical based on Studs Terkel's best-selling book of interviews with American workers.

Terkel's "Celebration of the 'ordinary' people," which opened on Broadway in 1978, combines dynamic narration and spirited song to explore the ups and downs — the challenges, the disillusionment, the gratification, and the humor found in the everyday lives of real working people. The multi-talented cast brings to the stage an inspired and thought-provoking representation of the diverse legion of America's workforce — from a top-level executive and his cube-dwelling office workers to grocery store checkers and waitresses, construction workers, firemen, and factory employees, as well as immigrant farm laborers, housewives, and call girls.

The opening number "Hey Somebody," lays the foundation for the show, which asks the question, "Hey, ya wanna hear the story of my life?" The stage is set to explore the average and not so average worker's day from the Monday morning commute and everything in between to that last, long hour before quitting time.

Playing multiple roles, the majority of the cast is on stage most of the time and each segment segues effortlessly into the next. With a cityscape backdrop and simple props, chairs for cars and boxes for seats and podiums, the stage easily accommodates the change from office space to construction site to factory. Costumes are minimal and interchangeable and the simple addition of a scarf, a jacket, or a hat reflects a completely different occupation.

Because the profiles are of real individuals with whom we can all identify, the play's direct and down-to-earth message is universal. Through their eyes, the audience catches an honest glimpse of who we are and who we wish to be; how we begin our working lives with youthful idealism; how dreams can be waylaid by the painful realities of life; and how retirement is sometimes bittersweet.

Each worker presents an array of contrasting sentiment about their chosen profession — ranging from achievement and pride to embarrassment, apathy, and drudgery. But in the final acts, we realize that despite what we do for a living, our greatest hopes are for our children and, of course, to leave our mark — no matter how small.

Director Melina Neal has assembled a fine cast of gifted vocalists, including Hilary Gorsegner Heinz as both the singing and dancing waitress, Deloris ("It's An Art"), and as the indifferent call girl who poses the compelling question, "How many of you make $100 in 20 minutes?" Larry Maltz' background with the Eugene Opera is evident in his poignant portrayal of a downtrodden Latino worker singing "Un Mejor Dia Vendora."

In addition, Peg Major ("Cleaning Woman"), Marcia Callis ("Nobody Tells Me How"), and Ann Tracey (Just a Housewife") each provide a stellar performance.

Supplying some comic relief in the production are Carol Lichtenstein, who plays Babe, the "not-so-bright" grocery checker among several other roles, including a socialite fund-raiser and a receptionist with a distinct nasal intonation; Michael Scott as Al, the parking attendant king ("Lovin' Al"), and Claude Offenbacher as the easily amused gas man. Overall, the production is energetic, heart-warming, and funny.

Sweetwaters Nursery of Creswell has a farm stand in the Southtowne Shoppes on Tuesdays and Saturdays with all kinds of interesting veggies. The farm specializes in open-pollinated and heirloom varieties of vegetables, like Romanesco cauliflower, nutty smelling, delicate green-purple and geometric shaped, and Red Long Tropea, which looks like a pink leek. It also offers whatever is in season: kohlrabi in green and violet, squash, golden yellow wax beans and 12 varieties of heirloom tomatoes.

Actually, by the time I finally made it there, almost all the tomatoes were gone. There are also recipes for some of the more exotic veggies. I tried the kohlrabi fritters with sage, and I'm a convert. The stand is open 9 am-2 pm Saturdays and noon-2 pm Tuesdays.

There is a movement in Eugene to enjoy the fruits of our own valley, and the more farmers bring in from the fields the more we seem to buy it. Sweetwaters Nursery taps that need, and brings fresh produce right into the neighborhood. If you look around, more and more farms stands seem to be popping up.

There's a market in the Meridian building on 18th serving produce by Haybales, berries and fresh flowers on Thursdays, noon-5 pm. Farther out River Loop #2 are the fields and orchards of Lively Organic Farm. Its stand is open Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 am-5 pm. Fresh peaches and nectarines are in season there. The Community Market west of Cheshire on Hwy. 36 at Goldson Grange is open with fresh produce from 10 am-3 pm Saturdays, and the Jubilee Organic Farm stand in Veneta is open Thursdays 1-6 pm at 88267 Territorial Hwy. Cottage Grove has a market on Saturdays from 9 am-4 pm in Coiner Park and Corvallis has one on Wednesdays from 8 am-1 pm in the Benton County fairgrounds, to name a few.

Even with all this competition, the market seems far from saturated. The Farmer's Market in Eugene's park blocks still hops every Tuesday from 10 am-3 pm and Saturdays from 9 am-5 pm. Summer is waning, now is the time to get your fresh local produce. — MT

The Kielbasa dogs in this new deli are all named for law. The most expensive ($4.95) and decadent one is called "The Judge," with the plainest titled "Alimony." The lunch prices are great, Caesar salad with chicken or tuna for $4.50, sandwiches $4.95 for half and $5.95 for a full. They all come with potato or pasta salad. The sandwich I ate looked a little bread heavy and bland, but looks turned out to be deceiving. The flavors were rich and fresh.

The restaurant has been massively redecorated since it was Pasticci, (and D. Bub's before that) and now the color scheme is all black, warm gray, and light wood. The space is still one of the best downtown, and it will be wonderful to have a stable business in there.

Soriah's courtyard in the summer can be like an oven, but it's also beautiful and urban-private. Recently at lunch, almost every table outside was filled, with only a few seated in the elegant and air-conditioned interior.

Café Soriah has great standing in the community of food here in Eugene. It consistently wins awards and customers with its high quality foods. The menu has a Middle Eastern foundation: lamb and chicken, warm rich spices and flavors. If it's your first time there, try the Baby Trio for lunch: baba ganouj, hummos and olives.

In the daily specials you can find a little international variety: Cajun catfish, salmon with pineapple salsa. Even with these tempting offerings, the chicken salad decorated almost every table. It's the staples that bring success.

This place is the latest rage in ice cream. It's actually a chain that started in the '80s in Arizona, and has since expanded all the way to Eugene (and beyond).

The concept is there are about 16 basic ice cream flavors, and countless garnishes you can choose to add. For example, coffee ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and pineapple, or sweet cream with black cherries and Heath bars. The employees then scoop the ice cream out with big metal paddles, slap it onto a cooled slab of marble (the cold stone) and mix in the flavors while you watch. While we watched they even sang little Cold Stone ditties as they worked. Very entertaining. The web site claims this is a place where "people can create their own happiness." Who knew the recipe was so simple!

Morsels is a revolving feature that tries to capture the atmosphere as well as the cuisine of some of our favorite places to eat in and around Eugene, along with food news. Suggestions? Call Ben or Marina at 484-0519 or e-mail marina@eugeneweekly.com

McKenzie River Rafting
Lane County's signature outdoor experience.
BY JAMES JOHNSTON

The McKenzie is probably the most popular river in Oregon, and a float trip is the perfect escape from the summer heat waves — a fast, exciting ride, gorgeous scenery — and whitewater air conditioning.

The McKenzie River begins as rainfall and snow melt on the flanks of the Three Sisters. Water percolates through porous volcanic soil and emerges out of a giant lava tube at Great Springs near Clear Lake. From Clear Lake, the river runs for 90 miles to its confluence with the Willamette north of Eugene/Springfield. Most of the river is easily accessible from Highway 126.

The most popular section of river for rafters and kayakers is the 36 miles between Olallie Camp-ground (approximately 45 miles east of Eugene/ Springfield on Hwy. 126) and Leaburg dam.

The first run — 9 miles from Olallie Campground to Paradise Campground — is a bouncy ride down a fast shallow stretch of almost continuous Class 2 and 3 rapids. The most interesting part of this run is just upstream of the big northern bend of the river near the junction of Hwy. 126 and 242. Look for an eddy and plumes of steam rising from the outflow of Belknap Springs.

A more popular and longer summer run with lots of fast water is the 18 miles from Paradise Campground to Finn Rock.

When most people think of a McKenzie float, they're thinking of the stretch between Finn Rock and Prince Helfrich Boat Landing. To make this trip a little longer, put in at the Blue River Boat Landing. Downstream of Blue River, the McKenzie takes on more of a pool and drop character, with dozens of fast rapids broken up by slower sections where you can relax and catch your breath. The last portion of this run features two of the more challenging stretches of whitewater on the river.

Browns Hole is a tricky drop over a rocky lip that can easily flip a raft or kayak, located downstream of Rennie Public Boat Landing. You can avoid Browns Hole entirely by staying on the right side of the river.

Halfway between Ben and Kay Dorris State Park and Prince Helfrich is Marten Rapids, a fairly violent Class III rapid that careens through a boulder garden. The preferred route through Marten is just to the right of the largest boulder in the center of the channel.

All of these runs are doable by amateur paddlers, or you can make the trip with any number of professional guide services. If you're guiding yourself, go with someone who's been on the river before, scout out fast water, and ALWAYS wear a life jacket.

Whatever run you choose, you'll see some spectacular sights and sounds — craggy rock faces, river banks lined with giant old-growth Douglas fir, picturesque riverside cabins, the shrill cries of osprey and bald eagles, crystal clear water whipped to white foam, and the throaty roar of fast water.

You do not want to let this summer pass you by without at least one float down the Mac.

Burning Down the House
The flaming EV and the supermodel.
BY JIM MOTAVALLI

"Hell-Car Burns Model's Home," screamed the "Page 6" headline in the New York Post. "Veronica Webb's eco-friendly electric car turned into a fire-spewing death machine the other night, burning down her Key West house and killing her beloved dog, Hercules." What a lurid story, too bad a lot of it wasn't true!

The ramped-up piece said that deadly fires are par for the course with eco-cars. "Firefighters who rushed to the scene [in Key West, Florida] told Webb that good intentions often [italics added] turn lovely homes into blazing death zones. 'They say they see this kind of thing with electric cars all the time,' she said. "Electric cars and golf carts are always overloading their chargers and burning up, but no one knows about it.'" Gossip columnist Adam Curry, who ran the story on his website next to a video clip of Kylie Minogue riding a mechanical bull in her underwear, says he's sure of it, too. "Apparently this happens all too often with electronic (sic) vehicles," he wrote.

When anything happens to a supermodel, it's news, so Webb was soon telling her story to national TV. I saw her on with Diane Sawyer, who offered a shoulder to cry on. Webb has a flair for the dramatic. When her Azzedine jacket wore out, she described it as a "big loss."

There are more than a few holes in the story. Webb was actually in New York when the fire broke out, so it's unlikely she talked to "firefighters who rushed to the scene," except maybe by phone. The house was damaged by smoke; only the garage "burned down.." And, most significantly, electric vehicle (EV) fires are very uncommon, and are previously unknown in Key West.

The invaluable EV World (www.EVWorld.com) spoke to Key West Fire Captain Bob Goodreau, who was first on the scene. According to reporter Josh Landess, Goodreau said "that in his 25 years with the department, 15 as captain, this is the first time he'd seen an electric car fire, that it would surprise him greatly if anyone in the department had made such a statement about frequent EV-related fires, and that the department is small enough so that they all would know about such a fire, even if it did not occur on their shift."

Webb, who says she's "through" with EVs ("no one warns you how dangerous they are"), owned a DaimlerChrysler GEM, a tiny neighborhood EV that looks like a golf cart and competes as an in-town runabout with the Ford Th!nk Neighbor. Reminiscent of microcars of the '50s like the BMW Isetta and Messerschmitt Tiger (but with clean battery power compared to their dirty two-stroke gas motors), neighborhood EVs reach heady speeds of 25 miles an hour, but that's OK because they're restricted to 35-mile-per-hour zones in many states. You certainly wouldn't want to take one on an interstate.

DaimlerChrysler purchased the assets of Fargo, N. Dak.-based Global Electric MotorCars (or GEM) to give it a vehicle that would help meet California's 2003 low-emission mandates. Chrysler itself has managed to produce only a very expensive battery-powered minivan, so it needed a "zero-emission" entry. The GEM is designed for gated communities, retirement homes and other enclosed uses.

I drove a GEM in Petoskey, a northern Michigan resort town where an amazing 100 of the beasts are in regular use. I found the GEM fairly crude compared to the more solidly engineered Th!nk Neighbor. I'm an EV enthusiast, obviously, but not the biggest fan of battery vehicles, because I think hybrids (and, eventually fuel cells) do the job much better. Though the blaze is still being investigated, batteries are nasty things and indeed could have caused Webb's no doubt traumatic fire.

GEM itself doesn't have much to say about the matter. I called the North Dakota office and got this comment, "We are still investigating, and all the facts aren't in yet." GEM did apologize to Webb and her family. The Webb incident will set back the EV cause, but it's ultimately a minor blip in an increasingly large radar screen.