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Slant: Short opinion pieces and rumor-chasing notes. News: HOLIDAY MARKET REPORTS GOOD SALES Saturday Market's Annual Holiday Market is cooking along in its final days and will be open from 10 am to 4 pm Christmas Eve for last-minute shopping, food and live music. The free event is held at the Lane County Fairgrounds on 13th Avenue.
"Things are going great," says Holiday Market Manager Beth Little. "We did get off to a slow start, which is not unusual for us since we operate on more of a public marketplace model, but then it really has been moving pretty well." Little says the market is not able to track dollar sales or attendance accurately from year to year, but she figures vendors are doing better than 2001 and 2002, but perhaps not as good as 2000. Hundreds of vendors are represented at the Holiday Market and the Farmers Market next door at the Fairgrounds. Booths include everything from original art to clothing, toys and games, herbs and massage. "We have a community that really appreciates both spending their money locally and supporting local, one-of-a-kind crafted items," she says. "We thank our core supporters — the folks who come every week, the folks who enjoy having a meal in the food court, who enjoy the free music and a place that's welcoming." Little says the Fairgrounds location near downtown has served the Holiday Market well over the years, and she appreciates Lane County commissioners who have rejected the idea of selling the Fairgrounds for a hospital site and relocating to the outskirts. "Goshen Holiday Market would not be quite the same thing," she says with a laugh. — Ted Taylor
CITY PONDERS STREET DIRECTIONS, GARAGE A new Central Area Transportation Study (CATS) for downtown Eugene proposes making Willamette and five other street segments two-way and building a parking garage costing up to $16 million. Eugene made many of its streets one way a half century ago in an effort to make traffic flow more efficiently. But now city planners have found that one-way streets may force people to drive farther, increase congestion in some areas and make it hard to gain access to downtown businesses. To address the problem, the city has proposed re-opening six street segments downtown to two-way traffic. The proposal includes Willamette Street from 13th to 20th avenues. Making the street two-way would also make it easier on fire trucks deployed at the new fire station at Willamette and 13th. The street could be reconfigured next year at a cost of about $169,000 in changing stripes, lights and signs. The plan also proposes to add a bike lane on Willamette from 11th to 19th avenues. Other sections to be converted to two-way traffic include 8th Avenue from Jefferson to Oak streets, Lawrence Street from 6th to 13th avenues, Lincoln Street from 5th to 11th avenues, Charnelton Street from 6th to Broadway and 11th to 13th and 10th Avenue from Olive to High streets. The CATS plan also includes a study of opening the last remaining pedestrian-only street in downtown — the block of Willamette between the Hult Center and Hilton Hotel — to Breeze bus traffic. Another proposed study would focus on a pedestrian way from Willamette to the top of Skinner Butte. Language in the CATS study promotes alternative transportation but also describes the possible construction of another huge, 400- to 500-space parking garage downtown to serve development near the train station and new federal courthouse with convenient parking. City staff have advocated building a new garage across from City Hall to serve a new $34 million police station they hope to build. CATS estimates that structured parking will cost the city $21,000 to $31,000 to build. That puts the cost of the police garage at up to $16 million. With millions already spent on eight city garages downtown, the need for the pricey new garage is unclear. A study by a city consultant last year found that the downtown area had a demand of 12,450 spaces and supply of 15,394, for a parking space surplus of 2,944 spaces. The CATS study notes, "The high cost of providing parking downtown puts pressure on the city and private developers to not 'over supply' available parking. As demand and price for parking spaces increases, so might alternative modes of transportation use." A public hearing on the Central Area Trans-portation Study is scheduled for Jan. 26 followed by a City Council vote on Feb. 9. — Alan Pittman
HOLIDAY WISH LISTS FOR LOCAL NON-PROFITS The season of giving and receiving in our consumer culture means many will be getting newer versions of stuff they already have. Instead of shoving the old computer, microwave or TV into the back of the closet or garage to gather dust, however, there's an alternative: making it a tax-deductible donation to the non-profit of your choice. Many local, small groups that work for truth and justice, engage in humanitarian efforts, or support artistic expression can use what you can't, so connect with your favorite cause, charity or venue and see if you can help each other out. Here are some examples to get your wheels turning: Women's Action for New Directions (WAND) is a national organization with a chapter in Eugene. Its mission is to empower women to act politically to reduce violence and militarism, and redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs. WAND's wish list includes an office computer that is at least 500 MHz and is Windows compatible. 344-6443. www.wand.org Shelter Animal Resources Alliance (SARA) rescues, assists and advocates for shelter animals. In the past three years, 569 dogs and 97 cats have been rescued from Lane County Animal Regulation and other local animal control shelters — where they would have been put to death — and placed in loving homes. SARA needs clothing, books, jewelry, CDs, knick-knacks and other small household items for its fund-raising store, SARA's Treasures Gift and Thrift Shop, located at 871 River Rd. Donations of cat and dog food and pet supplies are always needed and appreciated, as are volunteers for the shop and foster programs. 607-8892. Lord Leebrick Theatre Company has for several years been voted "Best Live Theater" by EW readers. Despite its popularity, like most local arts organizations, it operates on a shoestring. LLTC's wishlist includes items for its office: a laser printer, microwave, space heater and water cooler. These are just a few ideas. For a comprehensive list of local organizations and their phone numbers, see www.heliosnetwork.orgCall them and ask what they need. If you want the tax deduction, make sure the organization is a non-profit and can give you a receipt. If it's not, it still feels good to give. May the returning light bring you peace. — Aria Seligmann
EW's contest to name a slogan for the city of Eugene is drawing to an end (see News Briefs, Dec. 11) and Dec. 24 is the last chance to submit entries. The contest is in response to the state's new tourism slogan, "Oregon. We Love Dreamers." Send your Eugene slogans to editor@eugeneweekly.com and please put "slogans" in the subject line, or drop off at EW offices, 1251 Lincoln St. Prizes will be awarded for the best slogans.
Munir Katul tells us he provided a wrong contact number in his letter last week regarding the local Howard Dean campaign. The correct number is 242-0639.
Companions Lillian Wagner and Dave Jones are doting pet owners. The pair beams when the sleek, gentle doberman pincer they call Maggie May Jones thrusts out a paw to "shake," while Gizmo Dozer Jones, a tiny black ball of energy and fur, shimmies between their feet. "They are always doing something new," Wagner says with a loving glance toward Maggie. "It's like watching kids grow up."
One look at the dogs reveals that the two are indeed as pampered and well looked after as the most beloved children. Maggie's light brown fur shimmers on top of well-defined muscles, and chubby Gizmo almost appears to be smiling. What is not immediately evident is that Jones, Wagner and both pets are homeless. This small family drifts from one temporary shelter to another — a situation Jones describes as "the middle of nowhere." But today, Wagner, Jones, and especially Maggie and Gizmo, have found a small pocket of warmth in the heart of Eugene. Along with more than 20 other homeless pet owners, they gather at Pro-Bone-O, a non-profit animal clinic which provides free veterinary services for the pets of homeless people in the Lane County area. Pro-Bone-O secretary and treasurer Lyn Gilman-Garrick says the clinic began back in 1997 when she and local veterinarian Doreen Hock became inspired by the devotion of pet owners like Jones and Wagner. "What Doreen saw was how much pets meant to people and how they would do just about anything for them," Gilman-Garrick says. She adds that the organization modeled its services after similar clinics that were in operation in Seattle and Davis, Calif. The organization operates out of a space donated from St. Vincent de Paul at their Lindholm Service Center on Highway 99 North. This rainy Sunday, the small, warm waiting area is stacked with donated dog and cat food, vitamins, toys, and even tiny hand-made Christmas T-shirts. The room is a flurry of activity as volunteers hustle to care for more than 31 pets within the clinic's designated four-hour time period. Homeless people hoping to find care for their pets arrive at these clinics in droves — by car, bus, bike, foot and just about any other mode of transportation available — and they often wait more than three hours to see the veterinarian. "There are usually at least 20 people on the list each clinic, and we usually have to turn people away," board of directors member Jeannie Peterson says. In order to qualify for assistance, Peterson says clients must match a "federal definition of homelessness," meaning they lack permanent shelter. Many of the clinic's visitors are pet owners living in their cars or at camp sites. For these people, Pro-Bone-O offers a full spectrum of basic veterinary services, including vaccines, de-worming, flea medication, skin, ear and wound care, along with occasional emergency assistance. Clients can also pick up free bags of dog food and other pet accessories. In addition, the clinic gives out four spay and neuter vouchers each month. All of this is brought together by 15 local veterinarians and their staffs who volunteer for the organization, 15 volunteers from the community, donations from local veterinary clinics and individuals, as well as fund-raisers. Several clinics provide free used, returned or out-of-date supplies. Pro-Bone-O mostly cares for dogs and cats, but they accept many types of animals, from rabbits to rats, and even a chicken. The clinic's volunteers and clients alike sing the praises of Pro-Bone-O. "I volunteer because I see the need and I have the skills to help," veterinarian Roberta Boyden says. "It's very rewarding. The improvement in animal health is paramount and wonderful." "Ryha owes her life to the kindness of this clinic," one client says, pointing to a huge, tan-colored mastiff. "I'm glad they have this, because I really don't have the money to take him to a vet," client Dee Lay echoes, patting a fluffy black dog she laughingly calls Butthead.
There are some pets here who aren't as healthy as Ryha, Butthead, or Maggie and Gizmo. Their ailments range from uncontrollable diarrhea to a fox trap wound. But, Boyden says, the clinic rarely encounters neglected pets. "We don't seem to see starving animals," she says. "Their
basic needs are being The volunteers also say they see just as many or more neglected pets who live in stable homes. Boyden points out that the animals of homeless people are often better socialized than regular pets as well. "Their families spend a lot of time with them," she says. Peterson agrees. "They are typically not put on a chain and left," she says. "It's harder for [the homeless] to take care of their pets, but I think it's just like anyone if they make it their priority." However, Peterson says she still encounters individuals who say homeless people should not have pets at all. "But all they have to do is volunteer here once, and they will change their minds," she says. "[The clients] provide a home for a lot of animals that wouldn't have homes or would be killed in the shelters." Board member Vicki Bockes says many of Pro-Bone-O's clients rescued their pets. One man found a litter of puppies in a dumpster, another saved the Boston terrier he saw being tossed from a moving car, and another found a dog abandoned behind a local grocery store. Bockes says homelessness — for people and animals — is a result of society's throw-away attitude. "We live in a cast-off society," she says. "We cast off our pets and our people as well. It's disgusting. By taking in these animals, homeless people are stopping a pretty ugly circle in their own way." Peterson adds that pets provide rare comfort and companionship for the homeless community. "It's their sanity and their lifeline," she says. Bockes agrees. "Simply because they don't have a home doesn't mean they should be denied the unconditional love that pets give." Lay, a regular client who lives at a camp site, says her dog has been the difference between life and death. "I decided I needed somebody, because I'm by myself." She adds that most of her family members have died in the past couple of years. "He's my life," she says, holding Butthead on a red leash, "He's the only family I've got. If I didn't have him, I probably would have committed suicide already." Wagner says she feels a similar connection to Maggie and Gizmo. "Pets are a comfort to people," she says, looking around. "They love you no matter what." Bockes says Pro-Bone-O is imperative to the lives of not only the animals, but also the people the organization touches. "With the clients that we serve, we are 'it,' and this makes it even more incumbent on us to do more," she says. "These people have very few resources, and without us, even for a moment in time, they might fall further into the cracks."
More About Pro-Bone-O Pro-Bone-O operates on the second and fourth Sunday of every month, from 9 am to 1 pm at the St. Vincent De Paul Lindholm Service Station, located on Highway 99 North. (The office will, however, be closed Dec. 28.) The clinic's goals are to improve the health and well-being of pets and people who are homeless and cannot afford veterinary care, to prevent unwanted litters through education and, when possible, offer financial assistance for spaying and neutering, and to stop the spread of infectious diseases and parasites in the community. To donate or volunteer, contact Pro-Bone-O at P.O. Box 1823, Eugene 97440, 607-8089. |
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