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I am a mom of two students who just found out that their school (Parker Elementary in Eugene) is closing.  Our school fell victim to this closure because of several factors.  Though we have been consistently rated as "outstanding" and many students choose to come to our school who live outside the boundary, our school is being mothballed. 

Several years ago, our district redrew boundaries to put more low SES students into the "wealthy people's" schools.  Our boundary was not redrawn.  Subsequently, we have been drawing from a smaller pool of students.  This resulted in our school having fewer students.  The board made the decision to close schools with "low enrollment".  But, they created the problem to begin with!

Our school was also slated to close because the board had wanted to move an alternative immersion program into it.  The immersion program has been criticized because of it's location and the fact that if parents can't drive the kids to school, they're not going to go there.  They wanted our building (only a few miles from their current site) to allow more access.  This was really setting up a class warfare.  Neighborhood school (caters to low SES) vs. alternative school (caters to higher SES).

The board ultimately decided NOT to move this school into ours.  Instead, they are just mothballing our school - a perfectly good building that has lower operating costs.   It is VERY expensive to simply mothball a school. 

Shame on Eugene's school board!

posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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The hoopla surrounding the 100th anniversary of this event overshadows the fact that rodeos are cruel.  All of the animals used in the spectacle are treated poorly.  Whether the treatment rises to the definition of abuse or not, it is cruel to transport animals long distances in horrible conditions just to watch a "sport" involving them.

I've seen rodeo horses (those used by the cowboys) standing on concrete floors with no food and no water for hours on end.  I've seen saddle sores on these same horses.  I've never seen anyone brushing them or giving them any kind of affection.

Bulls are not meant to be ridden.  Not even for a few seconds. 

Wild cows are not meant to be milked.  That milk is for their babies.

And, calfs are not meant to be roped.

Also, a TRUE cowboy removes his hat when entering a room.

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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I just saw this article about a new housing facility being built in Springfield:

http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/New-apartment-complex-will-house-and-help/V0fri7DMKkOzII5WFm1YCg.cspx?rss=191

Timely, I must say.

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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My great grandmother was a hoarder.  I never actually saw her home, but I remember seeing her car when I was younger and even it was full of stuff. 

Her favorite thing to collect in her home (according to my aunts) was newspaper.  When my grandmother died, the aunts and a few cousins went to the house and went through things, took out what had sentimental value and then sold the property as-is.  The man who bought it knocked it over and then got permission from the city to burn it. 

Unfortunately, I've seen some of the same hoarding behavior in one of my aunts and in my sister.  My sister's hoarding isn't to a level that is terribly noticeable, but I fear it will get worse.

posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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