Comments for dkSez : : : : : : Don Kahle's blog http://www.dksez.com Quips, queries, and querulous quibbles from the quirky mind of Don Kahle Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:40:27 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 Comment on Mac Court’s Future Second Life by Laura Minnick http://www.dksez.com/?p=796&cpage=1#comment-2477 Laura Minnick Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:40:27 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=796#comment-2477 from Queen Carmen: Waitaminnit... AIA? You? I thought you were a mild-mannered comic geek? AIA? Is there a contract somewhere that is signed with your blood? (My dad is an architect. I _know_.) I also wondered why Mac Court needed a second wife... maybe I need some sleep? Not sure how I feel about AAA moving over there. Hadn't thought about it. I guess I'd just assumed that the AD would find something to do with it. However, I'm just so mad about how things were handled on the overall for the new arena that I'm not exactly objective about the matter. (I will NEVER forgive Dave Frohnmeyer for the Westmoreland Housing debacle.) Not that I'm especially impartial about anything having to do with UO sports. But that is an argument for another day. :-) from Queen Carmen:

Waitaminnit… AIA? You? I thought you were a mild-mannered comic geek? AIA? Is there a contract somewhere that is signed with your blood? (My dad is an architect. I _know_.)

I also wondered why Mac Court needed a second wife… maybe I need some sleep?

Not sure how I feel about AAA moving over there. Hadn’t thought about it. I guess I’d just assumed that the AD would find something to do with it. However, I’m just so mad about how things were handled on the overall for the new arena that I’m not exactly objective about the matter. (I will NEVER forgive Dave Frohnmeyer for the Westmoreland Housing debacle.) Not that I’m especially impartial about anything having to do with UO sports. But that is an argument for another day. :-)

]]> Comment on Overheated Health Care Debates by Pat Frishkoff http://www.dksez.com/?p=717&cpage=1#comment-2469 Pat Frishkoff Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:57:25 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=717#comment-2469 next part ON THE OUTSIDE, but not furnished. A house but not a home. We lack $400,000 of rhe $4.5 million for the project. And we lack the "family" things like stuffed animals and board games for the girls. Our bigger problem is that our country and government provide vastly more funding for boys at risk than girls, by multiples. That's because when boys get angry, or in trouble, the evidence is very public. Witness the hit-and-run on the front pages. Girls hide. Prostitute themselves. Cut. Commit suicide. Most of the clients of PGP have been abused so many times it is almost impossible for them to talk about it. Volunteer Dr. Lynn Negus goes in once a week for "What you always wanted to ask a doctor but were afraid..." I visit and role model when I can, but mostly I raise money in the background. I just spent my entire first Social Security check buying 16 blankets. 32 setss of sheets, and 32 sets of towels, so that when we get mattrresses we can make them up. My birthday party, on Mar 13 from 11:30 until 2:00, is a shower for this home. Needs (things) are registered at Target; what we need most is checks, big ones, so that we can get the girls moved back in, from the soon-to-be-vacant space at Serbu. Everyone is invited to the party at 550 River Rd. And, yes, we still need toilet paper. next part
ON THE OUTSIDE, but not furnished. A house but not a home. We lack $400,000 of rhe $4.5 million for the project. And we lack the “family” things like stuffed animals and board games for the girls. Our bigger problem is that our country and government provide vastly more funding for boys at risk than girls, by multiples. That’s because when boys get angry, or in trouble, the evidence is very public. Witness the hit-and-run on the front pages. Girls hide. Prostitute themselves. Cut. Commit suicide. Most of the clients of PGP have been abused so many times it is almost impossible for them to talk about it. Volunteer Dr. Lynn Negus goes in once a week for “What you always wanted to ask a doctor but were afraid…” I visit and role model when I can, but mostly I raise money in the background. I just spent my entire first Social Security check buying 16 blankets. 32 setss of sheets, and 32 sets of towels, so that when we get mattrresses we can make them up. My birthday party, on Mar 13 from 11:30 until 2:00, is a shower for this home. Needs (things) are registered at Target; what we need most is checks, big ones, so that we can get the girls moved back in, from the soon-to-be-vacant space at Serbu. Everyone is invited to the party at 550 River Rd. And, yes, we still need toilet paper.

]]> Comment on Overheated Health Care Debates by Pat Frishkoff http://www.dksez.com/?p=717&cpage=1#comment-2468 Pat Frishkoff Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:50:59 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=717#comment-2468 Don, We've met. I think that you were at a Non-Violent Communications Workshop in PDX, sitting right behind us. Anyway, I am very frustrated, so I am taking lots of action, including writing to you. Looking Glass Youth and Family Services has a brand new, state-of-the-art facility, 24 beds and a cradle, finished, Don,
We’ve met. I think that you were at a Non-Violent Communications Workshop in PDX, sitting right behind us.

Anyway, I am very frustrated, so I am taking lots of action, including writing to you. Looking Glass Youth and Family Services has a brand new, state-of-the-art facility, 24 beds and a cradle, finished,

]]> Comment on Mascot for Thinkers & Drinkers by Sarah http://www.dksez.com/?p=790&cpage=1#comment-2467 Sarah Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:08:50 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=790#comment-2467 I think a lot about Robb Hankins - because I work for him here in Canton, Ohio. Great blog/column! I laughed right out loud at the Umbrage image my brain conjured up to match your description. The "Think and Drink" idea is excellent, and I hope it continues to bring new ideas and new energy to Oregon. I think a lot about Robb Hankins – because I work for him here in Canton, Ohio.

Great blog/column! I laughed right out loud at the Umbrage image my brain conjured up to match your description.

The “Think and Drink” idea is excellent, and I hope it continues to bring new ideas and new energy to Oregon.

]]> Comment on Rebuild Downtown’s Credibility First by Kate http://www.dksez.com/?p=780&cpage=1#comment-2437 Kate Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:15:10 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=780#comment-2437 It's nice to know there are people out there who are trying to make downtown eugene something. :) It’s nice to know there are people out there who are trying to make downtown eugene something. :)

]]> Comment on Fripperies R Us by B Beiser http://www.dksez.com/?p=785&cpage=1#comment-2419 B Beiser Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:36:26 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=785#comment-2419 I'd like to talk to you about an article idea. I'd like to start an after schoool music appreciation program and put together a music resources ctr. I've got a world class music collection with lots of records but also tape, video, dvd, books, mags, posters etc. I'm 60 yrs and sick of paying storage unit rents. What do you think? Bob 541 606 three one 65. givacall I’d like to talk to you about an article idea. I’d like to start an after schoool music appreciation program and put together a music resources ctr. I’ve got a world class music collection with lots of records but also tape, video, dvd, books, mags, posters etc. I’m 60 yrs and sick of paying storage unit rents. What do you think? Bob 541 606 three one 65. givacall

]]> Comment on Rebuild Downtown’s Credibility First by Jim Wilcox http://www.dksez.com/?p=780&cpage=1#comment-2291 Jim Wilcox Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:39:34 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=780#comment-2291 I've been interested in and worked toward the success of downtown Eugene since I arrived here to attend the U of O in 1973. I realized the mall was not working, but did not expect opening the downtown to streets was the answer as promised. In a letter to the R-G Editor published around '88 I noted the real problem: Other competing areas like VRC and Oakway can control the social experience. People who visit downtown have to face the color of our culture, and too many of our society can't handle that. The poor, the dirty, the vulgar. Hate to say it, but we need behavior expectations downtown and the ability to enforce them like any private mall. But defenders of civil rights will protest that. I say, there is no freedom when one does not feel free from danger downtown. So I have seen promises that street openings would solve things, (Which came out better than I expected), Broadway Place would solve things, promised new development (where are the people who were against the bond measure?), the failure of leadership in managing the mall, and numerous meetings with well paid staff and consultants that promise one more solution. A group of us offered our own ideas, as outlined in a letter sent to the City, only to have other competing "visions" adopted due to promised money that never materialized. While people want to back a winner, there is a cost when we keep promising a winning solution that is never fulfilled. That's what creates the "credibility gap" Kahle refers to. My recent experience is indicative of the problem: While attending a meeting (volunteer time) held by city staffers to offer options that would make downtown more vibrant and secure, I had the most meaningless item stolen from my bike. When I expressed frustration, I was told: "That's why I never ride my bike downtown unless I can keep it inside". Keeping it inside that night was not offered as an option, but it should have been. I've tried to offer solutions, with our proposal for a Housing-Transit Center, a successful Solar Fest I organized years ago, numerous meetings with the committed business owners and Russ Brink, who seemed to slowly withdraw from the failure for which he was well paid but not made accountable for. Who was his supervisor? I am glad to see the Chamber work to fix things to make downtown successful for business. But we need social change, not free parking. In the 80's the section of Willamette was called the gut, and it meant a parade of cars each Friday night, with neighborhoods like mine bearing the consequences of trash, fights, public urination, and the beauty of used condoms in the streets Saturday mornings. A law was passed making continued driving on the gut illegal, and it worked. We need something like that approach for downtown. If people want to protest the erosion of civil liberty, go to VRC, Gateway Mall, or Oakway and protest. See how far you get. As it stands now, downtown Eugene is held hostage to uncivil citizens and civil libertarians who are helpful to a fault. When I saw large groups of unruly youth last night from the library, past LTD and to 10th and Willamette, I wondered, where are their parents? When I was underage, we had a curfew and if you were caught after that time, your parents found out. Fine the parents for these disruptive behaviors, and you will see a change. This will help reduce incidents like the one I saw and intervened: Two girls beating on an older developmentally delayed male. It is time to do some more social engineering if we are to expect any of the brick and mortar solutions to work. I said it in the late '80s, and it is still true 22 years later. I’ve been interested in and worked toward the success of downtown Eugene since I arrived here to attend the U of O in 1973. I realized the mall was not working, but did not expect opening the downtown to streets was the answer as promised. In a letter to the R-G Editor published around ‘88 I noted the real problem: Other competing areas like VRC and Oakway can control the social experience. People who visit downtown have to face the color of our culture, and too many of our society can’t handle that. The poor, the dirty, the vulgar. Hate to say it, but we need behavior expectations downtown and the ability to enforce them like any private mall. But defenders of civil rights will protest that. I say, there is no freedom when one does not feel free from danger downtown.
So I have seen promises that street openings would solve things, (Which came out better than I expected), Broadway Place would solve things, promised new development (where are the people who were against the bond measure?), the failure of leadership in managing the mall, and numerous meetings with well paid staff and consultants that promise one more solution. A group of us offered our own ideas, as outlined in a letter sent to the City, only to have other competing “visions” adopted due to promised money that never materialized. While people want to back a winner, there is a cost when we keep promising a winning solution that is never fulfilled. That’s what creates the “credibility gap” Kahle refers to.
My recent experience is indicative of the problem: While attending a meeting (volunteer time) held by city staffers to offer options that would make downtown more vibrant and secure, I had the most meaningless item stolen from my bike. When I expressed frustration, I was told: “That’s why I never ride my bike downtown unless I can keep it inside”. Keeping it inside that night was not offered as an option, but it should have been.
I’ve tried to offer solutions, with our proposal for a Housing-Transit Center, a successful Solar Fest I organized years ago, numerous meetings with the committed business owners and Russ Brink, who seemed to slowly withdraw from the failure for which he was well paid but not made accountable for. Who was his supervisor?
I am glad to see the Chamber work to fix things to make downtown successful for business. But we need social change, not free parking.
In the 80’s the section of Willamette was called the gut, and it meant a parade of cars each Friday night, with neighborhoods like mine bearing the consequences of trash, fights, public urination, and the beauty of used condoms in the streets Saturday mornings. A law was passed making continued driving on the gut illegal, and it worked.
We need something like that approach for downtown. If people want to protest the erosion of civil liberty, go to VRC, Gateway Mall, or Oakway and protest. See how far you get. As it stands now, downtown Eugene is held hostage to uncivil citizens and civil libertarians who are helpful to a fault. When I saw large groups of unruly youth last night from the library, past LTD and to 10th and Willamette, I wondered, where are their parents? When I was underage, we had a curfew and if you were caught after that time, your parents found out. Fine the parents for these disruptive behaviors, and you will see a change. This will help reduce incidents like the one I saw and intervened: Two girls beating on an older developmentally delayed male.
It is time to do some more social engineering if we are to expect any of the brick and mortar solutions to work. I said it in the late ’80s, and it is still true 22 years later.

]]> Comment on Thou Needest Not Nostalgia by Marat I. Kayumov http://www.dksez.com/?p=760&cpage=1#comment-2287 Marat I. Kayumov Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:02:57 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=760#comment-2287 I am a linguist and I have always been disappointed about the fact that the English language of today lacks this beautiful word "thou", whose precise delicacy we are now 'not allowed' to exercise. Teachers prohibit this word and say "it is the wrong usage (or merely archaic, which is BAD for them)". Very often I try to insert 'this word of lustful poetry' into my academic discourse to enliven the students' minds and souls, to make them more 'adjustable' to the language. But I am nearly always immediately disillusioned: I realize the students of now are only hunting for the slang and the 'sex-and-joint' vocabulary. Actually, I have thought that there are practically no people among the natives who do feel nostalgic for the good times of the language. Now I happily recognize you to be one. Thank you so much for your article. Marat I. Kayumov, Russia. I am a linguist and I have always been disappointed about the fact that the English language of today lacks this beautiful word “thou”, whose precise delicacy we are now ‘not allowed’ to exercise. Teachers prohibit this word and say “it is the wrong usage (or merely archaic, which is BAD for them)”. Very often I try to insert ‘this word of lustful poetry’ into my academic discourse to enliven the students’ minds and souls, to make them more ‘adjustable’ to the language. But I am nearly always immediately disillusioned: I realize the students of now are only hunting for the slang and the ’sex-and-joint’ vocabulary.

Actually, I have thought that there are practically no people among the natives who do feel nostalgic for the good times of the language. Now I happily recognize you to be one.

Thank you so much for your article.

Marat I. Kayumov, Russia.

]]> Comment on Confessions of a Paperboy by Charlie Sim http://www.dksez.com/?p=739&cpage=1#comment-2283 Charlie Sim Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:30:54 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=739#comment-2283 That's interesting. I never knew about that - a day when newspaper carriers get recognized. I also was a newspaper carrier for a short time, and there are a lot of adventures to be told for sure. I'm sure you've got some great stories. I can understand and relate to everything you're saying - about the cold, the physical demands, the mental demands and choices that carriers make on a day to day basis, and about challenging yourself to reach 'perfection' as a carrier. Everyone's experience is different and depending on the route, it can be a great deal different. Mine was in a suburban town in Central N.J. and I wrote about it in a collection of posts called The Route: Confessions of a Newspaper Delivery Carrier... you can check it out on any number of places (http://bit.ly/7NKRKK) or www.charliesim.com (http://bit.ly/7NLbHX) or http://bit.ly/4u1WMb. Thanks for the post! That’s interesting. I never knew about that – a day when newspaper carriers get recognized. I also was a newspaper carrier for a short time, and there are a lot of adventures to be told for sure. I’m sure you’ve got some great stories. I can understand and relate to everything you’re saying – about the cold, the physical demands, the mental demands and choices that carriers make on a day to day basis, and about challenging yourself to reach ‘perfection’ as a carrier. Everyone’s experience is different and depending on the route, it can be a great deal different. Mine was in a suburban town in Central N.J. and I wrote about it in a collection of posts called The Route: Confessions of a Newspaper Delivery Carrier… you can check it out on any number of places (http://bit.ly/7NKRKK) or http://www.charliesim.com (http://bit.ly/7NLbHX) or http://bit.ly/4u1WMb. Thanks for the post!

]]> Comment on Buying Local Celebrates Local by Brian Ford http://www.dksez.com/?p=764&cpage=1#comment-2280 Brian Ford Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:38:06 +0000 http://www.dksez.com/?p=764#comment-2280 Don- You truly are the Dave Barry of Eugene. I hope your column gets picked up by the NY Times and you make a mint. Merry Christmas! Don- You truly are the Dave Barry of Eugene. I hope your column gets picked up by the NY Times and you make a mint. Merry Christmas!

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