Ted's Blog

Longtime local civil libertarian and pundit Paul Prensky was found dead in his Blair Avenue apartment Sunday, March 6. He had been in deteriorating health for some time, and suffered from congestive heart failure. He appears to have died in his sleep Saturday night. He was 69.

He is remembered by his family as “a brilliant poet, activist, actor, playwright, newsletter publisher, events organizer, lover of humanity, true friend to his friends, loving father to his sons, to his daughter, brother to his brothers, son to his mother, proud grandfather, spirit-filled drummer, wearer of buttons upon buttons upon buttons, registered nurse, elder companion, accurate reader of I Ching, and so, so, so much more.”

A memorial celebration of life is being planned for 3 pm Saturday, March 13, at the Deadwood Community Center on Deadwood Creek Road, five miles north of Highway 36. For directions call 964-5691. To carpool, contact Joan Dobbie at dobbiejoan@yahoo.com

Prensky had “some of his happiest years” in Deadwood, says his son, Reuben, who can be contacted at rprensky@sd43.bc.ca or through Facebook at http://wkly.ws/es A second memorial gathering is being planned at Growers Market in Eugene. Call 484-6145 for updated information.

Paul Prensky, Paul Harrison and Ruth Duemler founded The OTHER Paper that published progressive news and opinion for several years in Lane County. Presnsky also published a monthly Calendar of Days and an illustrated newsletter called This Week With Teeth. In one issue in 1998 he called for the formation of a Civilian Review Board to oversee complaints against police, a change that would not happen for another decade. He produced a play about Ben Linder, and wrote many letters and commentaries about local and national politics for area newspapers. His more recent pieces can be found by searching for his name in the EW website archives. A videotaped KWVA interview featuring him can be found at http://wkly.ws/ep

In his prose and poetry about homelessness, labor rights, the environment and other issues, he “showed his concerns for those often ignored,” says Ruth Duemler. “He was always on target and never afraid to speak up for justice, and he will be sorely missed.”

Fellow activist Carol Berg Caldwell remembers him as a “bongo player by candlelight” who helped form the Homeless Action Coalition and was a strong supporter of the police auditor Dawn Reynolds.

“He was a colorful and smart man,” she says, “and he knew how to live cheaply, and share what he had.”
In one of his newsletters in 1998, Prensky wrote, “Nature is benign and indomitable. We take our cues from her. As for civilization, it sounds like it’d be a good idea.”

Just a reminder:

Lane County Commissioners Pete Sorenson, Rob Handy and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy are holding a second town hall forum regarding food security from 6:30 to 8 pm Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Harris Hall, 125 E Eighth Ave., Eugene.

Speakers will include Lynne Fessenden, executive director of Willamette Farm and Food Coalition; Mary Wood, faculty director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program at the UO School of Law; Jabrila Via, co-owner of Winter Green Farm; and Jason Bradford, managing director of Vital Farmland LP. They will discuss sustainable agriculture, climate change and peak oil and how they impact food security in Lane County.

“Our ability to protect Lane County’s prime farmland and support local farmers, markets and distribution infrastructure is critical to expanding our job base in the new economy,” says Commissioner Handy. “Continued movement to a sustainable, relocalized economy has these components among key elements to a successful plan.”

Lane County Commissioners Pete Sorenson, Rob Handy and Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy are holding a second town hall forum regarding food security. This one will be from 6:30 to 8 pm Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Harris Hall, Lane County Courthouse and Public Service Building. 125 E Eighth Ave., Eugene.

Speakers will include Lynne Fessenden, executive director of Willamette Farm and Food Coalition; Mary Wood, faculty director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program at the UO School of Law; Jabrila Via, co-owner of Winter Green Farm; and Jason Bradford, managing director of Vital Farmland LP. They will discuss sustainable agriculture, climate change and peak oil and how they impact food security in Lane County.

“Our ability to protect Lane County’s prime farmland and support local farmers, markets and distribution infrastructure is critical to expanding our job base in the new economy,” says Commissioner Handy. “Continued movement to a sustainable, relocalized economy has these components among key elements to a successful plan.”

In the past two years two Oregon blues bands have made it to the finals at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. Last year The Ty Curtis Band from Eugene and Salem took second place. This year the Karen Lovely Band from Ashland also came in second place at the IBC Jan. 20-23. Congrats!

LCC announced today (Jan. 19) that it has approved a project manager and a design team to conduct a feasibility study for its proposed new 80,000 sq. ft. building at the old Sears pit across from the Eugene Public Library at 10th and Charnelton downtown.

The architecture team combines the firm of Gerding Edlen of Portland and Robertson Sherwood Architects of Eugene.

The downtown campus project will proceed in three phases: Phase 1 will be a feasibility report; Phase 2 involves design and contract documents; and Phase 3 will be construction and move-in.

The feasibility report will assemble a project budget, identify occupants, and prepare a concept-level design. It is due by the March 10 LCC Board of Education meeting. If the board approves, the college then will begin the process to hire a construction design architect.

The initial budget estimate of $27 million will be updated after the feasibility study is completed, according to the announcement. The college has $9 million from a voter-approved bond and $8 million in state capital construction funds. The gap must be met through federal stimulus funds, energy or new market tax credits, or other public and private resources. President Obama's American Graduation Initiative includes $2.5 billion for community college infrastructure and favors projects with local support and green focus, which this project has.

The proposed building will house programs at LCC's existing Downtown Center at 11th and Willamette including continuing education and short-term training, and programs currently located at the Wildish Building at 14th and Willamette including business development and employee training, and senior programs. Some energy training programs on main campus will relocate to the new building. Other tenants and uses under discussion include city agencies or commercial ventures, or student housing, according to the announcement.

We hear that the UO has moved Friday's 3 pm Pacifica Forum meeting from the Walnut Room at the EMU on campus to Agate Hall,1787 Agate St., a much larger facility.

Protests are expected at the meeting. As of Thursday afternoon about 125 people have signed up on Facebook at http://wkly.ws/5c to protest the group and its speakers. This number does not include people on various email lists.

See Joseph A. Lieberman's story on the June 8 Pacifica Forum protests this week at http://wkly.ws/5d

Oregon AG John Kroger is warning Oregon consumers to be on the lookout for unfamiliar organizations soliciting funds for victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. Scammers exploit current events to defraud consumers. Scammers will seek to gain access to credit card numbers and bank accounts in order to commit identity theft. Unscrupulous charities may also seek donations, even though only a small percentage the money will actually be used to help earthquake victims.

Many legitimate organizations are seeking donations to aid victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. To confirm that a charity is registered, visit the Oregon Department of Justice web site: www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov. To help consumers distinguish worthy charities from con artists and unscrupulous non-profits, Kroger offers the following tips:

• Do not give out personal information such as credit card or bank account numbers over the phone. Legitimate charities will accept contributions by check, which should always be made payable to the organization not the person collecting the donation.

• Beware of callers who want your money fast. When solicited by phone, always ask the caller to send you written materials about the charity. No legitimate organization will insist that you donate immediately.Watch out for solicitors who employ dramatic, emotional or heart-tugging stories.

• Do not donate cash. Legitimate charities will be pleased to receive a contribution by check. Don’t send contributions with a “runner,” by wire or overnight parcel pick-up service.

• Be sure you are contributing to a legitimate organization registered with the AG's Office by searching the Department’s online database or by calling (971) 673-1880. You can also visit www.guidestar.org which is a national clearinghouse of information about charities and their performance.

A protest against Pacifica Forum is planned for 3 pm Friday, Jan. 8, in and outside the Walnut Room next to the post office in the EMU on the UO campus. At a recent Pacifica Forum event some of those in attendance participated in a Nazi salute and shouted "Zieg Heil" several times.See Joe Lieberman's commentary in EW at http://wkly.ws/3z

No group is claiming to sponsor the protest. Pacifica Forum meetings are open to the public, and this Friday’s meeting topic is “Everything You Wanted to Know About Pacifica Forum But Were Afraid to Ask.”

Members of Pacifica Forum say the group is not a racist or hate group, but is rather dedicated to First Amendment protections of free speech, including unpopular speech.

An email to EW this week by an unnamed organizer says, “The Pacifica Forum has been having almost weekly events on the UO campus, which helps to contribute to a climate of fear for many people in the community including but not limited to racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual, and gender minorities as well as the majority of people who don't want hate promoted in their community.”