From the east to the west!
readers of Lane County who decide who are the peak picks of Eugene, year Some of us peaked in high school, some of us are still peaking, but it’s the after year. Read along with the Weekly as we induce some high school flash-backs in our yearbook-themed Best of issue. Congrats to the winners — and the voters, who had their voices heard (yes, that is veiled political commentary in an otherwise non-political poll).
Best of Eugene is a Eugene Weekly readers poll. We open nominations in August (typically) and ask our readers for feedback.
We take the top nominees for each category and have a runoff round of voting.
If you would like to to be notified when nominations open and receive tools to help with the process, sign up below.
1. Jennifer Denson, Burrito Brigade.
2. Cary Lieberman, Greenhill Humane Society.
3. Antonio Huerta, Comunidad y Herencia Cultural.
This category could also be called Best Community Hero. From Jennifer Denson’s tireless work feeding the hungry, Cary Lieberman’s leadership on the area’s adoptable animals to Antonio Huerta’s tireless efforts to showcase Latino culture, the nonprofit leaders in this town shine.
1. Kiva Grocery Store, 125 W. 11th Ave., 541-342-8666, KivaGrocery.com.
2. Sundance Natural Foods, 748 E. 24th Ave., 541-343-9142, SundanceNaturalFoods.com.
3. Capella Market, 2489 Willamette St., 541-345-1014, CapellaMarket.com.
Eugene’s lucky for its relative abundance of walkable local markets. Some cities are food deserts and others are limited to big chain groceries, but here, we have locally owned stores full of locally grown, organic and specialty foods. Eugene Weekly doesn’t decide who wins — this is a readers poll — but we do confess to having the deli offerings at first-place winner Kiva memorized!
1. Yosuke Shibata, South Eugene High School, track and field.
2. (tie) Bryce Boettcher, University of Oregon football,
Dante Moore, University of Oregon football.
3. Eric Rosenfeld, Ultimate Frisbee.
It’s not often that a 17-year-old runner stands with Duck football players for grit, athleticism, achievement and value in the community.
Yet, in this competition, the votes for Yosuke Shibata outnumbered not one, but two professional sportsballers: Duck quarterback Dante Moore and linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who both tied for second place. Shibata is a long-distance runner from South Eugene High who has been competing in track and field and cross country since he was in middle school. He is currently the third fastest high school cross country runner in Oregon, and the 32nd fastest in the United States with a 5k time of 14:38.
In June of this year, he took home first place at the Nike Outdoor Nationals race by running a (far too fast) 4:12 mile. His secret, he says, is self motivation. Before winning in June, he suffered from shin splints and pneumonia over the winter. “I love running a lot, and I really want to get better,” Shibata says. “It was a tough start, but I was really proud of myself to push through until the end of the season and be as consistent as I could and end up with a win.” His advice to other athletes “is to be consistent, not to slam your workouts or run too hard. And focus on recovery as well, because that’s where you reap the benefits,” he says. Shibata hopes to continue running in college, and pursue a degree in either environmental systems or marine biology. Another fun fact about him: not only did he not campaign at all for Best of Eugene, but he didn’t even know what Best of Eugene was until Eugene Weekly reached out to him to tell him that he had been nominated.
1. FOOD For Lane County, 770 Bailey Hill Rd., 541-343-2822, FoodforLaneCounty.org.
2. Burrito Brigade, 1775 W. 6th Ave., 541-632-3239, BurritoBrigade.org.
3. Food Not Bombs, Instagram @foodnotbombs_eugene/?hl=en.
1. Ashley Newport, Anomaly Hair Collective, 837 Monroe St., AnomalyHairCollective.com.
2. Jordin McDowell, Anomaly Hair Collective, 837 Monroe St., AnomalyHairCollective.com.
3. Gretchen Costello, @fetchwithgretch
1. Tiger Mama, 1080 W. 3rd Ave., 458-273-3166, Instagram @tigermamautrecht.
2. Seoul K-Food, 2870 Willamette St., 458-210-2945, Seoulk-food.com.
3. Kkoki Korean BBQ, 65 Division Ave., 541-844-1398, Kkokibbq.com.
Some of us peaked in high school, some of us are still peaking, but it’s the readers of Lane County who decide who are the peak picks of Eugene, year after year. Read along with the Weekly as we induce some high school flashbacks in our yearbook-themed Best of issue. Congrats to the winners — and the voters, who had their voices heard (yes, that is veiled political commentary in an otherwise non-political poll). Stay tuned next week for staff picks — the fun, weird and quirky things in Lane County we want to shout out. Got a suggestion for a staff pick or a Best of category for next year? Send it to Editor@EugeneWeekly.com.
1. McKenzie River Trust, 725 W. 1st Ave., 541-345-2799, McKenzieRiver.org.
2. Cascadia Wildlands, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., ste. 250, 541-434-1463, CascWild.org.
3. Beyond Toxics, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., ste. 280, 541-465-8860, BeyondToxics.org.
1. St. Vincent de Paul, 2890 Chad Dr., 541-687-5820, Svdp.us.
2. Burrito Brigade, 1775 W. 6th Ave., 541-632-3239, BurritoBrigade.org.
3. Black Thistle Street Aid, 541-232-8546, BlackThistleStreetAid.org.
1. Cascades Raptor Center, 32275 Fox Hollow Rd., 541-485-1320, CascadesRaptorCenter.org.
2. Greenhill Humane Society, 88530 Greenhill Rd., 541-689-1503, Green-Hill.org.
3. S.A.R.A.’s Treasures, 871 River Rd., 541-607-8892, SarasTreasures.org.
Cascades Raptor Center is saving lives, one bird at a time. Founded in 1987, the Raptor Center has grown to be a nationally recognized wildlife rehabilitation and education center. It has a full-fledged animal hospital where volunteers and medical staff help injured or sick birds get back on their feet, or in this case, back in the sky. “It’s always a thrill,” says senior rehabilitation technician Jesse Pline. “We always get huge joy from seeing those birds that we worked so hard on getting them back to the wild.” Besides the hospital, the Raptor Center is heavily involved in education. “When you are able to put a bird in front of a child, that child can look at that bird and be like, ‘Whoa, this bird is here, and they’re real,’” says trainer and educator Carrie Lorenz, “they get a deeper appreciation for it.” Cascades Raptor Center receives around 4,000 calls per year from members of the public who are concerned for a bird’s wellbeing. “Anyone can call with questions or concerns about local wildlife,” Pline says.
1. All of them, Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., 541-682-5450, 1566 Coburg Rd., 1990 Echo Hollow Rd., Eugene-or.gov.
2. Julie Vignoul, South Eugene High School, 400 E. 19th Ave., 541-790-8000, Sehs.4j.lane.edu/.
3. Ben Farrell, University of Oregon Law School Library, 1515 Agate St., 541-346-3088, Library.uoregon.edu/law.
1. Andrea Herrera, University of Oregon Faculty Director, LGBTQIA+ Scholars, AndreaPHerrera.com.
2. Brian Haimbach, Lane Community College Theater.
3. Hayden Harker, University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences.
1. Leah Dunbar, Churchill High School.
2. Deon Saraceno, Eugene International High School.
3. India John, Wellsprings Friends.
1. Canceling CAHOOTS
2. No Kings Protest
3. ICE protests
1. Eugene Weekly
2. Scott Landfield, Tsunami Books
3. Sarah Pishioneri, Labor Organizer
Damn kids, it says a lot about the Weekly, or a lot about being journalists in this current political climate, or perhaps a lot about surviving an embezzlement because the community rose up to save us, but here we are, a hellraising commie rag!
1. Ron Wyden, U.S. senator.
2. Val Hoyle, U.S. representative.
3. Kaarin Knudson, Eugene mayor.
1. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, 1430 Johnson Lane, University of Oregon, 541-346-3027, Jsma.Uoregon.edu.
2. The Hybrid Gallery, 941 W. 3rd Ave., 541-321-6977, TheHybridEugene.com.
3. New Zone Gallery, 110 E. 11th Ave., 541-683-0759, NewZoneGallery.org.
It isn’t exactly a “gallery,” but the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on campus at the University of Oregon has several art galleries that it regularly fills with some of the best regional, national and occasionally international art you’re going to find anywhere near Eugene.
Right now, the JSMA — as it’s lovingly called by supporters, when they don’t call it the Schnitz — is showing paintings by James Lavadour, perhaps the greatest living artist in Oregon. A creator of large abstract landscapes from the eastern part of the state, paintings and prints whose splashy color might remind you of the 19th century British painter J.M.W Turner, Lavadour is also the founder of Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts near Pendleton.
James Lavadour: Land of Origin runs through Jan. 11 at the museum’s large Barker Gallery.
Shows like that make up for the Schnitz’s occasional forays into arid academic art that only a professor could love, and for the fact that it’s more or less impossible to park anywhere close to the museum.
It’s worth making the effort to go. Thanks to a weird loophole in tax law, through its Shared Visions program, the Schnitz also regularly displays individual works on loan from the collections of anonymous members of the 1 percent. Think names like Picasso, Dali, Magritte, Rivera and Basquiat.Admission is $5, but the budget conscious can pay as you wish after 5 pm on Wednesdays, and first Friday admission is free all day.
1. Emily Poole, EPooleArt.com, Instagram.com/epooleart/.
2. Shanna Trumbly, ShannaTrumbly.com, Instagram.com/shanna_trumbly_art/.
3. Jud Turner, JudTurner.com.
1. Luke N. Good, Facebook and Instagram.com/luke.n.good/.
2. Heavy Cream, Facebook and Instagram @heavy_creammm.
3. Edd Zackly, Instagram @eddZackly.
Fabulousness runs in the family. 2024’s Best Drag King is Heavy Cream (Mel Funke), who just happens to be Luke N. Good’s (Sarah Majercin’s) “Drag Dad” (the equivalent of a “big” in college Greek life). “When I was first starting out, the prospect of even finding makeup tutorials of how to present as a drag king was really difficult, so it was really invaluable to have [Cream] and others in the community who could give me tips,” Majercin says. “He was definitely somebody in the community who gave me a lot of guidance. So if you see photos of us, people say there’s family resemblance.”
Though these two kings have a lot in common, along with both being the best, Luke N. Good has his own brand of charismatic glimmer. He’s “the handsomest man in the world. He’s very dapper. He’s very self-assured. He’s a bit of a playboy. He’s definitely a huge flirt, and he likes to take off his pants,” Majercin says. “There’s also the PG side, where he’s very goofy, he’s very silly and he’s definitely got a big nerdy side, too.” Luke N. Good has produced a number of sexy nerd drag shows in and around Eugene, including ones that revolve around The Muppets, the band Queen, Nicolas Cage, and even a Jimmy Buffett show which drew in a much older crowd. Aside from that, Good is a member of Heavy Cream’s Haus of Creme drag house, The Muse Collective Cabaret and a 2025 SLUG queen runner up.
His favorite song to lip sync is “Boyfriend” by Lou Bega “because it talks about stealing somebody’s girl, which I think is a very Luke N. Good move,” Majercin says.
1. Athena Delene, Delene & Co., 541-515-9442, Delene.Co.
2. Tyler Price, Ty’s Eye Photography, Tyseye.com/photography.
3. Talon Aleister, Dean Photography, Instagram.com/talonaleisterphotography.
1. Mitra Gruwell, DiscardUpcycling.com.
2. Sweet Skins Hemp, 850 W. 2nd Ave., 541-393-6925, SweetSkins.com.
3. Sierah, “SEW Fresh,” @sierahsewfresh.
“One thing we give ourselves permission to have as our own is our style,” Mitra Gruwell says. Gruwell has had a fashion passion for well over 20 years, and her designs have been all over Eugene. In her career, she has designed for St. Vinnie’s, Ballet Fantastique and MECCA, she’s owned her own store, and she’s thrown a number of local fashion shows since 2007 to benefit her nonprofit that teaches industrial sewing to people recovering from homelessness.
Her latest project is Discard Upcycling, which has been her sustainable “anti-brand” since 2020. “You know how some fashion brands are just really all about their name?” she says, referring to how the name “Gucci” is as important as the article of clothing that dons it. “I was fantasizing about a time in the future when being proud of wearing something that’s upcycled or discarded would be on the same level as wearing a really fancy brand.” She envisioned people wearing her shirts with the word “Discard” scrawled across, as if to say, “I’m proud and it’s cool to wear something that was trash or discarded.” Discard Upcycling’s slogan is “Waste Alchemy,” she says, because “I’m transmuting waste into something of value.” She has recently shifted her focus heavily to holding classes and teaching people how to upcycle their own items. “A mindset that I’m trying to spread and encourage with all my teaching and all my work, is just showing people the value of old things,” she says. Whether it’s through her lessons, fix-it fairs or fashion shows, her favorite part of her craft is “repairing something old and watching it become usable again and valued again.”
1. Eugene Symphony, EugeneSymphony.org.
2. Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestra, EsyOrchestras.org.
3. Chamber Music Amici, ChamberMusicAmici.org.
1. The Sugar Beets, Facebook.com/TheSugarBeets.
2. Soul Vibrator, Instagram @soulvibrator.
3. BabySmooth, Instagram @babysmoothsincebirth.
1. Very Little Theatre, 2350 Hilyard St., 541-344-7751, TheVlt.com.
2. Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W. Broadway, 541-465-1506, OCTheatre.org.
3. Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Dr., Cottage Grove, 541-942-8001, CottageTheatre.org.
Local theater in and around Eugene is so good that this is a tight race. Very Little Theatre may have an edge because its roots go deeper into local history than anyone else’s. It was founded in 1929, right before the stock market crashed, launching the Great Depression, and has been bringing serious drama and bright comedy into people’s lives ever since.
1. Lyta Blunt, @lytablunt.
2. Karress Ann Slaughter (Cornel Hardiman), Facebook.com/GlamazonsEugene.
3. Shirley Mental, instagram.com/shirley_mental.
For nearly a decade, Lyta Blunt has been the local life of the party — a drag queen, actress and DJ who turned every stage in Eugene into her runway. About two months ago, the Lane Community College alum took her talents north to Portland’s drag scene, but not before sweeping Eugene’s Best Of awards for Best Drag Queen, Best Actress and Best Club DJ, leaving behind a trail of green glitter and love. “I’m still a drag queen in Eugene — I’m just not sleeping here at night,” she says with a laugh.
For Blunt, DJing, acting and drag all flow from the same creative energy. “I was able to start DJing pretty much right after I was out of college, and that wasn’t necessarily what I expected,” she says. What began as spinning tracks at drag shows soon became a passion — and shaped her start in drag. “It’s the best job ever,” she says. Blunt is also the creator of Baddies Night, a QTBIPOC-centered dance party she launched in Eugene to fill a gap in the local nightlife scene. “I’m super excited to be nominated for DJ this year. When I started Baddies Night, there wasn’t really anything like it,” she says. “Creating a space where people can be not just represented but celebrated really means so so much to me.” — Kat Tabor
1. Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.
2. Kali Kardas, Instagram @kaliekardas.
3. Molly McCarthy, no information available locally.
1. DJ Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.
2. DJ Smuve, Instagram @djsmuve1.
3. DJ Sapphire Strange, Instagram @sapphire.is.strange.
1. Love Cross, KLCC, 89.7 FM.
2. Deb Trist, Downtown Deb, KLCC, 89.7 FM, Dead Air on Facebook, KLCC.org.
3. Reverend Marc Time, KWVA, 88.1 FM.
When Eugene wakes up, many start their day by tuning in to their favorite morning host. For countless listeners — whether on the dial or through their smart speakers — that familiar voice on KLCC 89.7 FM belongs to Love Cross, on air each morning from 6 am to 9 am.
Cross joined KLCC in 2017, beginning her public radio career as a graduate student hosting Morning Edition for Boise State Public Radio in the late 1990s, according to her profile on KLCC.org. Although she has earned multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best Newscast and honors from the Public Media Journalists Association, Cross says this was her first time being nominated in a Best of category in Eugene Weekly. “This is the first time I’ve even been nominated for something like this, so it’s super fun,” Cross says. “I just feel so grateful that I get to have such a wonderful job in our community.”
1. Matt Templeman, KEZI, ABC Channel 9, KEZI.com.
2. Gold Meadows, KMTR, NBC Channel 16, NBC16.com.
3. Clare Brennan, FOX34, Fox Channel 34, OregonsFox.com.
1. Camilla Mortensen, editor, Eugene Weekly, bestofeugene.com/.
2. Brian Bull, reporter, KLCC & Buffalo’s Fire, Klcc.org, BuffalosFire.com.
3. Tiffany Lewis, KVAL, CBS Channel 13, Kval.com.
For Eugene Weekly’s own Camilla Mortensen, love of story has been a driving force. With a background in folklore, her background in interviewing and analyzing information gave her the courage to apply for a position at Eugene Weekly in 2007, “because on some level, journalism is always, in the end, telling the story,” according to Mortensen. When the Weekly’s embezzlement was discovered nearly two years ago, a disheartening moment of co-worker betrayal became a heartwarming experience of local and national outreach. “We thought we were done for at the newspaper, and the community and people across the country came back and fundraised and supported and offered help,” Mortensen says. “It tells you that you’re doing something right as a news source, and it tells you that people value a community newspaper in this day and age, despite all the things that newspapers and journalists are up against.”
Brian Bull took second place. “I am from a Native American background, and when I grew up in rural Idaho, there was so much prejudice and bigotry that I encountered growing up that I was trying to find ways to address it,” he says. “I eventually reasoned that people who are bigoted or prejudiced have misconceptions that they’ve been fed since birth.” Bull adds, “I think journalism is a great way to share and uplift voices from underrepresented communities.” A journalist for only a couple of years, Tiffany Lewis has already learned a lot about working in media and herself from her bosses at KVAL, whom she has come to see as mentors. Completely new to the field when she started at KVAL in fall 2022, her reporting has included coverage of CAHOOTS’s closure, homeless encampment sweeps and the experiences of Jewish students on the University of Oregon campus. Though still early in her career, she’s “learned that it’s really important to remember that you’re representing the station that you work for, and you’re kind of representing journalism as a whole when you cover certain things.”
1. Eugene SLUG Queens, Instagram @slugqueens.
2. Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.
3. Hazel Jae, Instagram @hazeldaez.
1. Jorah LaFleur, spoken word poetry, JorahLaFleur.com.
2. Jalen Thompson, performance poetry. jalenthompsonmedia.com.
3. Miriam Gershow, fiction, MiriamGershow.com.
1. Eugene Saturday Market.
2. Springfield Block Party.
3. Whiteaker Block Party.
1. Blairally, 245 Blair Blvd., Blairally.com.
2. WOW Hall, 291 W. 8th Ave., WOWHall.org.
3. Cowfish Cafe and Lounge, 62 W. Broadway, Facebook.com/cowfish.danceclub, Instagram @cowfishdanceclub_cafe.
1. Betty Jaeger/Peaches Von Killingsworth, Instagram @peaches_von_killingsworth.
2. Bebe Boudoir, Instagram @bebeboudoir.
3. Katana DeVille, Instagram @katanadevillex.
1. Baroque Betty (Bettreena Jaeger), Instagram.com/baroque_betty.
2. Halie Loren, HalieLoren.com.
3. Amiia Nectar, Instagram.com/amiianectar.
After landing in the top three for many years, Bettreena “Betty” Jaeger takes first place in the Best Singer-Songwriter category, and if you’ve ever heard her darkly beautiful indie folk songs, you know the honor is a long time coming. Over the years, she’s lent her haunting voice to several projects in town, mostly recently Baroque Betty, featuring Jaeger’s singing voice against acoustic guitar and luxuriant string arrangements. Jaeger’s lyrics, she says, “are written with the whimsy of literary antiquity, with themes of grief, grit and dreamlike dissociation from a sordid reality.” And she describes her sound ranging from “organic minimalism” to “swooping orchestral ballads.” Baroque Betty aside, Jaeger sometimes performs solo under her own name or with The Wax Poetry Revue burlesque and variety show, which she produces at various venues in town and around the state. To stay up to date, search Baroque Betty on social media or email BaroqueBetty@gmail.com. On winning Best Singer-Songwriter, Jaeger says, “I feel honored by our community for recognizing me for the title in the category!”
1. PLAY Eugene, 232 W. 5th Ave., 541-357-5010, PlayEugene.com.
2. Bingo at Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Blvd., 541-431-6603, SamBonds.com.
3. Trivia at beergarden, 777 W. 6th Ave., 541-505-9432, BeergardenMe.com.
1. Slice Pizzeria, 325 Blair Blvd., 541-653-9937, SlicePizzeriaBar.com.
2. The Barn Light, 924 Willamette St., 541-726-0313, Instagram @thebarnlightbar.
3. Karaoke Cabaret, The Sparrow & Serpent Pub, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, SparrowandSerpent.com.
1. Hazel Jae, Instagram @hazeldaez.
2. Seth Milstein, Facebook.com/sethmilstein and Instagram @sethmils.
3. Jen Jay, Facebook.com/JentotheJay and Instagram @jen_to_the_jay.
Raunchy and ready to rumble, Hazel Jae calls herself an “observational, queer and sex positive comedian” — sex positive, or as she puts it in one of her colorful bits, that’s just what you’d call being a slut on a job application. Impressing audiences in Eugene for about three years now, she says she draws from personal experience to “explore themes like sexuality, mental illness, family dynamics and societal norms.”
Beyond Eugene, she’s performed as far away as the Savage Henry Comedy Festival in Eureka, California. She says the best way to stay up to date on her shows, follow her or Eugene-based production company Hysterical Light Entertainment is on social media. Or instead, catch her twice-monthly show, Slay Hazel, at Starlight Lounge downtown on the second and third Thursday of each month. On winning Best Comedian, she says, “I’m overwhelmed at the sense of community I’ve had the honor to experience in my hometown of Eugene.” Coming in first place in the Best of Eugene contest, she says, “has proved to me, as if there ever was a doubt, that this community has an astounding appreciation for performers that are ‘too much.’”
1. It’s the trenches out here!
2. Blairally Vintage Arcade, 245 Blair Blvd., 541-683-1721, Blairally.com.
3. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
1. The Sparrow & Serpent, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, SparrowandSerpent.com.
2. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
3. Jameson’s Bar, 115 W. Broadway, 541-485-9913, Jamesonsbar.com.
Emily Chappell, owner of The Sparrow & Serpent, Eugene Weekly readers pick for the Best Queer Gathering spot in Eugene, says her establishment is many things for many people. “Our events are always geared towards our various communities,” she says, adding that drag queen Maliena is the force behind the brunch. According to Chappell, “People ask me, are we a goth bar, or a D&D bar, or a queer bar? And I say —YES!” EW readers also chose The Sparrow & Serpent, formerly Old Nick’s, as Best Drag Brunch, so its queer-themed events are especially popular with the community. “We are so honored to receive this award,” Chappell adds of Sparrow & Serpent’s Best Queer Gathering Spot win. “For years we have attempted to support and go to bat for our community against growing hate and fascist bullshit,” she says, “and it feels like we must be doing something right to receive the recognition. I always wanted to create a space where everyone felt safe being themselves.”
1. The Sparrow & Serpent Pub, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, SparrowandSerpent.com.
2. Mascara and Mimosas w/ Karess Ann Slaughter, Facebook.com/GlamazonsEugene.
3. Haus of Brunch, The Barn Light, Instagram @hausofblunt.
1. Geo Carcamo, beergarden and The PublicHouse, Instagram @geocarcamo.
2. FWD Trivia (Forest Walker Davis), Claim 52 and Gratitude, Instagram @fwdtrivia and Facebook.com/fwdtrivia.
3. Max’s Tavern, 550 E. 13th Ave., 541-349-8986, MaxsEugene.com.
1. Cuthbert Amphitheater, 601 Day Island Rd., 541-762-8099, TheCuthbert.com.
2. WOW Hall, 291 W. 8th Ave., 541-687-2746, WowHall.org.
3. Hult Center, 1 Eugene Ctr., 541-682-5000, HultCenter.org.
1. Mount Pisgah Arboretum, 34901 Frank Parrish Rd., 541-747-3817, MountPisgahArboretum.org.
2. Sweet Cheeks Winery, 27007 Briggs Hill Rd., 541-349-9463, SweetCheeksWinery.com.
3. Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., 541-852-7608, Eugene-or.gov/5061/Farmers-Market-Pavilion-and-Plaza.
Be it a summer wedding with a ceremony under the trees, the Mushroom Festival or the Wildflower Festival, Mount Pisgah Arboretum offers a scenic spot to gather with loved ones or everyone. And if the gathering gets to be too much, it’s a short stroll to the river or a longer hike to Swing Hill to enjoy nature in peace before heading back to the party.
1. Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., 1566 Coburg Rd., 1990 Echo Hollow Rd., 541-682-5450, Eugene-or.gov/4422/Eugene-Public-Library.
2. Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, 541-682-7888, EugeneScienceCenter.org.
3. Amazon Pool, 2600 Hilyard St., 541-682-5350, Eugene-or.gov/3223/Amazon-Pool.
Nothing on this planet is more powerful than the written word, and because of that, librarians are some of the world’s most important soldiers. As an army, the librarians of the Eugene Public Library work hard to keep Eugene’s heart beating. It’s no surprise that when faced to choose the Best Librarian out there, our readers just chose “all of them.” Megan Prehm, the teens services librarian at the Downtown Eugene Public Library, says that being a good librarian means having a collective “focus on the community and making resources accessible and broad and comprehensive.” Prehm says that above all, what makes the librarians the best is that “we all just care a lot about the people who live here and live around here.”
Aside from containing almost all of the knowledge and power you can find, the librarians have also made the libraries safe, welcoming and exciting environments for all ages. Serving weekly activities for all young people, from baby and toddler storytimes, to kid crafts, to Dungeons and Dragons for teens, the Eugene Public Libraries are by far and wide the Best Place to Take Your Kids. And the library wouldn’t have it any other way. “Kids are the best part of the library,” says Rob Foltz, the youth services librarian. He adds, “Kids understand that learning is fun, so we have lots of great things that they get to do that are just a blast.” Library director Angela Ocaña summarizes exactly why the library is the perfect spot for children. “The library is a place where you can learn but you can also be silly and be yourself. That makes it a very magical space,” Ocaña says.
1. Amazon Trail, starts at the intersection of Amazon Parkway and 24th Ave.
2. Pre’s Trail, Alton Baker Park, 200 Day Island Rd.
3. Mount Pisgah, 34901 Frank Parrish Rd.
Don’t let Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks football team or the growing number of pickleball courts mislead you. Eugene is — and will always be — a running town first. And if any trail can be considered the crown jewel of Track Town, voters aren’t wrong when they say the Amazon Trail in south Eugene. The 1-mile loop (with a 1 kilometer cutoff option) is the perfect spot for runners, whether it’s an easy pace to check out the dogs at the dog park or you’re huffing a workout and you need precision in your distance. And when it comes to running, it’s all about location. Need to add a few more miles? Run over to the 3.5 mile Rexius Trail loop that takes you to Frank Kinney Park. Need to do sprints and you don’t want to be a menace to those just trying to stroll the Amazon trail? South Eugene’s track awaits. It’s a shame not every trail in Eugene — or around the world for that matter — has a running/walking trail as great as the Amazon Trail.
1. Wayne Morse Ranch Family Farm, 595 Crest Dr., 541-682-5373, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.
2. Amazon Park, 22 Amazon Pkwy., 541-682-4800, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.
3. Alton Baker Park, 200 Day Island Rd., 541-682-4800, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.
1. Yardy Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564,YardyRumBar.com.
2. Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com.
3. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.net.
It’s been quite a year for Yardy Rum Bar, a casual-style restaurant — Yardy was named one of 50 best restaurants in the U.S. by The New York Times in September.
Yardy started as a pop-up in 2020 before becoming a food cart. It then moved into its current location in January 2024.
Isaiah Martinez, chef and owner of Yardy, uses ingredients from the Pacific Northwest to cultivate dishes inspired by his Caribbean culture.
The menu ranges from salads to fish and chicken dishes and to vegan and gluten free options. Martinez says there’s recently been buzz about its jerked beet salad.
“We get really good local beets,” he says. “We roast them then we peel them. Then we smoke them for four hours then we make a spiced beet salad and that’s become on Reddit this insane conversation about a beet salad that we make.”
Martinez says Yardy is focused on trying to create food that is healthy and impressive. But the most popular dish, he says, is the chicken.
Martinez says he hopes to open another restaurant that he can do “virtually anything in.” “So (a) more modulated kitchen,” he says. “Then I can cook from island to island everyday. Right now we are focusing on what we’re focusing on because of our space.”
1. Isaiah Martinez, Yardy Caribbean Restaurant & Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com.
2. Ibrahim Hamide, Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com.
3. Nelson Lopez: Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.com.
Isaiah Martinez, chef and owner of Yardy Rum Bar, is a third-generation American. He was raised in New York and moved to Eugene in 2019 where he worked at Marché, a French-inspired restaurant.
Martinez has been in the hospitality and culinary industry for 16 years. Over the years, he’s worked at multiple restaurants to gain challenging experiences.
Martinez says his goal as a chef is to find talent and “hone them into being great workers and great chefs.”
“I’ve learned in the kitchen, my job is to scare people out of a job,” he says. “And once they get the job, my job is to train them and teach them how to keep the job. I don’t have a firing policy at the restaurant. If you somehow convince me… my goal is to have you set for the next restaurant you work at.”
1. (tie) Poppi’s Anatolia (Greek), 296 E. 5th Ave., ste. 220, 541-343-9661, Poppi’sAnatolia.com and Yardy Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com.
2. Arekie Indian Fusion Cuisine, 207 Madison St., 541-797-3741, Arekie.com.
3. Evergreen Indian, 906 W. 7th Ave., 541-343-7944, EvergreenIndianRestaurant.com.
1. Yardy Caribbean Restaurant & Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com.
2. Hot Mama’s Wings, 420 W. 13th Ave., 541-653-9999, HotMammasWings.com.
3. Hot Honey, 207 Madison St., Instagram @hothoneyandco.
It’s not Yardy Rum Bar’s first rodeo winning Best Chicken Joint. They first won in 2022, placed second against Hot Mamas Wings in 2023 then won again in 2024.
“It’s cool,” Isaiah Martinez, chef and owner of Yardy, says. “A chicken joint? Why not.” While chicken plays a major part of the restaurant’s image, he says he views chicken as “this delicious comforting-thing that’s whatever.”
He says he gets more excited about vegetables.
“I get more excited for perfectly cooked vegetables and really well done things that are harder to do,” he says. “But chicken is easy. So in my mind, I don’t get as impressed with myself or any of our items that are chicken because it’s like ‘we figured it out.’ We’re more focused on consistency and training then we are impressing people with chicken.”
Martinez says his goal is to impress people with vegetables. “Anyone… can impress me with a chicken dish. But you can impress me with vegetables,” he says. “The goal is to impress a person who doesn’t like vegetables with vegetables.”
1. Creswell Bakery, 182 S. 2nd, Creswell, 541-895-5885, CreswellBakery.com.
2. Dueling Spoons, 39074 Jasper Lowell Road, Fall Creek, 541-398-8929, DuelingSpoons.net.
3. Alesong Brewing and Blending, 80848 Territorial Hwy., 541-844-9925, AlesongBrewing.com.
1. Abilities Diner and Bakery, 790 Blair Blvd., 541-603-9888, AbilitiesdinerandBakery.com.
2. El Napolito, 1203 Willamette St., 541-357-1016, Elnopalito541.com.
3. Domek, 454 Willamette St., 458-544-1312, DomekeEugene.com.
A new restaurant setting itself apart, turning disabilities into abilities, Abilities Diner and Bakery is bringing a unique spin to serving comforting diner food and heart-warming staples to the community of Eugene.
In its second year of operation, Abilities sets itself apart by hiring workers with disabilities, providing an opportunity for those neglected by society to show how vital they can be to a successful business.
“Everyone who works here has either a mental or physical disability, but we focus on their abilities,” says owner Juliann Fitzgerald.
“This place gives people with varying abilities a chance to shine,” she adds.
Considered an “old school diner” by Fitzgerald, staples like eggs Benedict, chicken fried steak and French toast are fan favorites at the new diner on Blair Boulevard. As a fully equipped diner and bakery, a full bar adds something for everyone. Heartwarming comfort meals, community connection and “fresh-made flavor” is why the community voted Abilities Diner and Bakery as Best New Restaurant in Eugene. “We cater to everyone; we want everyone to feel welcome here,” Fitzgerald says.
1. Mucho Gusto, 67 Oakway Ctr., 541-343-1481, MuchoGustoMex.com.
2. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Dr., Spfd., CafeYumm.com.
3. ALMA Catering (FOOD For Lane County), 7780 Bailey Hill Rd., 541-513-2253, AlmaCatering.net.
1. beergarden, 777 W. 6th Ave., 541-505-9432, BeerGardenme.com.
2. The Garden on Friendly, 2760 Friendly St., TheGardenonFriendly.com.
3. Oakshire Brewing, 1055 Madera St., 541-688-4555, Oakbrew.com.
1. Nelson’s Taqueria, permanently closed.
2. Arekie — Indian Fusion Cuisine, 2758 Friendly St., 458-273-7810, Arekie.com.
3. Yabai Nikkei, 263 Mill St., 541-393-4721, Yabainikkei.com.
1. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
2. El Nopalito, 1203 Willamette St., 541-357-1016, Elnopalito541.com.
3. Tacovore, 530 Blair Blvd., 541-735-3518, TacoVorepnw.com.
1. Jon Biglow, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
2. Baylee Hamlow, PLAY Eugene, 232 W. 5th Ave., 541-357-5010, PlayEugene.com.
3. Matt Kravitz, Domek, 454 Willamette St., 458-544-1312, DomekEugene.com.
1. Kristian Taylor, Mandy’s Family Restaurant, 1491 Willamette St., Mandys-Restaurant.com.
2. Jordan Phillips, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
3. Thunder Bloomer, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
1. Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com.
2. Bar Purlieu, 1530 Willamette St., 458-201-7044, BarPurlieu.com.
3. Marché, 296 E. 5th Ave., 541-342-3612, MarcheRestaurant.com.
1. Gotcha Burger, 1702 W. 7th Ave., 541-653-9077, Facebook/GotchaBurgers.
2. Burrito Boy, Eugene, 510 E. Broadway, 541-344-8070, 2511 W. 11th Ave., 541-338-4219, 1060 River Rd., 541-689-7970, 1840 Chambers St., 541-246-8775, 1071 Valley River Dr., 541-343-8089,1889 Olympic St., Spfd., 541-747-7775, BurritoBoy.com.
3. El Super Burrito, 2566 Willamette St., 541-485-0619, ElSuperBurrito.com.
1. Ta Ra Rin, 1200 Oak St., 541-343-1230, TararinThai.com.
2. Ume Grill Skewer House, 1733 Pearl St., 458-544-1377, Umegrillmenu.com, Hilyard St. & 24th Ave., 541-930-9392, Umegrillmenu.com, 2600 Hilyard St., Facebook.com/umegrillandcafe.
3. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Dr., Spfd., CafeYumm.com.
1. Heritage Distilling, 110 Madison St., 541-357-4431, HeritageDistilling.com.
2. 4 Spirits Distillery, 3405 SW Deschutes St., Corvallis, 541-368-3195, 4spiritsDistillery.com.
3. Wolf Spirit, permanently closed.
In a city with so many options, curating a unique environment can be difficult. Heritage Distillery is a full production distillery in the Whiteaker District in Eugene with an immersive experience, allowing customers to hand-make and taste their own concoction, bringing liquor education and enjoyment to life. Voted by the community as the Best Distillery, Heritage has served Eugene since 2016.
Program Manager Walter Wakeman says “When a customer comes in, it starts with us; we make a lot of recommendations and create interactivity, which is attractive to people.” The state-of-the-art Whiteaker location features a tasting room, retail space and an internal mezzanine overlooking the operations, allowing customers to feel a part of the production space. And the Cast Club, a year-long membership, that allows customers to create their own liquor barrel to taste-test as the flavor develops.
1. Sweet Cheeks Winery, 27007 Briggs Hill Rd., 541-349-9463, SweetCheeksWinery.com.
2. Sarver Winery, 25600 Mayola Lane, 541-935-2979, SarverWinery.com.
3. King Estate Winery, 80854 Territorial Hwy., 541-942-9874, KingEstate.com.
Having taken the top spot last year, Sweet Cheeks Winery is a mainstay on the Best of list for a reason. Opening 20 years ago as a winery after operating as a vineyard since 1989, Sweet Cheeks focuses on “hospitality in our tasting room,” according to Katie Brown, Sweet Cheeks’s director of consumer sales and marketing. Dispelling the upturned-nose wine snob image that can haunt wineries, Sweet Cheeks takes a casual approach to wine. For Sweet Cheeks, hospitality is “getting to know our guests on an individual basis how wine fits into their life, and then talking about wine and giving them an experience with wine that matches what they’re looking for,” Brown says. With a “wine for every palate” approach, Sweet Cheeks prides itself on curating a flight of wine that’s just right for you.
1. Czech Pils, ColdFire Brewing Company, 263 Mill St., 541-636-3889, ColdfireBrewing.com.
2. Perfect Storm, Oakshire Brewing, 1055 Madera St., 541-688-4555, Oakbrew.com.
3. Rhino Suit, Alesong Brewing, 80848 Territorial Hwy., 541-844-9925, AlesongBrewing.com.
1. BNF Kombucha & Jun, 2495 Prairie Rd., 541-653-9816,Bnfkombucha.com.
2. High Street Tonics, 267 W. 8th Ave., 458-215-4814, HighStreetTonics.com.
3. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
1. The Monkey’s Paw, 420 Main St., Spfd., 541-505-7975, Facebook.com/themonkeyspawtikibar.
2. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com.
3. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
Some people have neighborhood bars where sports highlights light up the TV screens and the hoppy beer flows all night from the taps. But that’s not for me. Give me a night of mixed drinks from Monkey’s Paw Tiki Bar anytime.
The Monkey’s Paw is one of the few places in the area that celebrates the art of tiki drinks while diving deep into gimmick. The bar has the tried and true classics like the Blue Hawaiian and the Mai Tai 1944. But it’s also willing to don pomp and circumstance, especially when it lights up the Scorpion Bowl as a sort of high mass incense burn for the tiki bar patrons. The Monkey’s Paw can be a place for a brief getaway, a blackout curtain for day drinking if you will. But it’s also providing much needed free or cheap nightlife options for downtown Springfield. With weekly karaoke, frequent live music and a no cost pool table, don’t expect any curses when you wish for a good time with this Monkey Paw.
1. Jackalope Lounge, 453 Willamette St., 541-485-1519, JackalopeLounge.com.
2. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com.
3. Izakaya Meiji Co., 345 Van Buren St., 541-505-8804, IzakayaMeiji.com.
1. Sweet Life Patisserie, 755 Monroe St., 541-683-5676, SweetLifeDesserts.com.
2. Noisette Pastry Kitchen, 200 W. Broadway, 541-654-5257, NoisettePK.com.
3. Hideaway Bakery, 3377 E. Amazon Dr., 541-868-1982, HideawayBakery.com.
In 1993, sisters Catherine and Cheryl Reinhart created a patisserie so good that the community has voted them as the best in Eugene with 36 first place awards, one second place, one third place, and one lifetime achievement award. The neighborhood staple continues to capture the hearts of the community, serving handmade pastries and desserts.
“Local and organic is important to us; we make all of our own products in-house,” Catherine Reinhart says. Seasonal desserts and monthly specials offer a unique variety for customers. Sweet Life Patisserie has 14 new desserts every month, bridging customer staples with creative twists for delicious flavor explosions. Sweet Life Patisserie’s “homemade flavor bleeds through,” she says, adding, “Desserts of the month give our customers something to look forward to each time.”
1. Sweet Life Patisserie, 755 Monroe St., 541-683-5676, SweetLifeDesserts.com.
2. Prince Pückler’s, 1605 E. 19th Ave., 541-344-4418, PrincePucklers.com.
3. Noisette Pastry Kitchen, 200 W. Broadway, 541-654-5257, NoisettePK.com.
1. Three Sisters, Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Biscuits and Gravy, Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com.
3. Tempeh Reuben, Viva! Vegetarian Grill, 1171 Willamette St., 541-636-5826, EugeneCooks.com.
1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., Ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Dr., Spfd., CafeYumm.com.
3. Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com.
1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Brail’s Restaurant, 395 W. 5th Ave., 541-342-2075, 1689 Willamette St., 541-343-1542, BrailsRestaurant.com.
3. Lion and Owl, 60 E. 11th Ave., 541-606-0626, LionAndOwl.com.
1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Brail’s Restaurant, 395 W. 5th Ave., 541-342-2075, 1689 Willamette St., 541-343-1542, BrailsRestaurant.com.
3. The Glenwood, 2588 Willamette St., 541-687-8201, GlenwoodRestaurants.com.
Morning Glory has made a guest appearance in more than one novel about environmental activism, been host to more than one group of people trying to change the world and is the proud winner of more than one Best of award! This year it’s Best Breakfast, Best Brunch, Best Vegetarian and Best Vegan dish, which is fitting as Morning Glory is also Eugene’s oldest vegetarian restaurant and a cozy place to fork up some vegan comfort food with its Three Sisters mountain of potatoes with veggies, nutritional yeast sauce and pico de gallo and more, coming in vegan and gluten-free options.
1. Wandering Goat, 268 Madison St., 541-344-5161, WanderingGoat.com.
2. Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com.
3. Vero Espresso House, 205 E. 14th Ave., 541-654-0504, VeroEspressoHouse.com.
The Wandering Goat, aka “The Goat” is Eugene’s go-to spot for a cup of joe during the day and moshpits during the night.
As a coffee shop, the Wandering Goat values itself on its dedication to quality, organic coffee that can be enjoyed for its flavor profile without being subdued by sugars or sweeteners. “We want the coffee to cut through,” says Goat General Manager Aaron Maltz. Besides the coffee, Wandering Goat is known for routinely hosting live music. Maltz guesses they’ve hosted over 1,000 shows since the shop opened in 2006. “Music is central. It’s integral to who we are as people, but at The Goat in particular, music plays a huge role,” he says.Maltz says in the early ’90s, a coffee shop that served high-quality coffee during the day and hosted shows during the night was, “not that wild of a concept.” But today, those kinds of spaces are just not as common. The Goat is an exception. “We have a space where you can go make friends, meet other people and experience different forms of expression that may inspire you to express yourself,” Maltz says.
1. Lox, Stocks & Bagels, 368 E. 40th Ave., 541-692-2435, LoxStocksandBagels.com.
2. Bagel Sphere, 4089 W 11th Ave., 541-868-1072, BagelSphere.com.
3. Hideaway Bakery, 3377 E. Amazon Dr., 541-868-1982, HideawayBakery.com.
Tucked into southeast Eugene’s business park on 40th Avenue between Bo’s Wine Depot and, of course, a bodyweight interval training studio, lies a hidden gem far from downtown. Lox, Stocks & Bagels promises the only boiled bagels in Eugene. A boiled bagel, like the ones at Lox, Stocks & Bagels, ensures a crunchy exterior and a pillowy interior — plus, it’s how it’s done in New York City. The folks at Lox are a handful of bagel lovers who, according to their website, prioritize craftsmanship and take pride in a hardworking night crew that brings a fresh batch of bagels to fruition each morning. Though the bagel bakery has changed hands, they’ve never touched the recipe. Whether you’re there for breakfast or lunch, take your pick from 14 bagel varieties, a handful of lunch sandwiches or the soup du jour. There’s something for everyone at Lox, even if you’re just swinging by on your way out of Safeway.
1. Hey, Neighbor! Pizza House, 605 W. 19th Ave. & 1621 E. 19th Ave., 541-505-9302, H-n-p-h.com.
2. The Wheel Apizza Pub, 390 Lincoln St., #101, 541-735-3860, TheWheelApizzaPub.com.
3. (tie) Mezza Luna Pizzeria, 933 Pearl St., 541-684-8900, 115 S. 5th St., Spfd, 541-653-8661, MezzalunaPizzeria.com and
Osteria DOP, 1122 Oak St., 541-913-6460, OsteriaDop.com.
Since 2023, Hey Neighbor! has reigned supreme at the number one spot on Eugene Weekly’s Best of in the pizza category. Whether it’s their adored corgi mascots or the consistency of a wood fired crust, clearly EW readers can’t get enough. The restaurant emphasizes keeping a pie focused — letting a star ingredient shine. A fan favorite, the Bombo, adds a touch of sweetness through hot honey that compliments the otherwise meaty pie. A commitment to fresh ingredients helps Hey Neighbor! stand out, and inviting atmospheres at both locations transforms pizza night into a neighborhood gathering.
1. Paper Plate BBQ, 232 West 5th Ave, 541-606-2130, PaperPlateBbq.com.
2. Bill & Tim’s Barbecue and Tap House, 201 E. 13th Ave., 541-654-0578, BillandTims.com.
3. Hole in the Wall Barbecue, 3200 W. 11th Ave., 541-683-7378, HoleintheWallbbq.com.
As the smoky aroma drifts onto 5th Avenue, the owner and chef of Paper Plate BBQ, Isaiah Watson, begins smoking brisket to start his day. “I wanted to bring good BBQ to Oregon; my purpose is to share soul food with the community,” Watson says.
After a recent move to West 5th, nothing has changed for the beloved food cart. Now serving breakfast items like brisket breakfast tacos and biscuits and gravy with sweet and spicy sausage at an affordable price. Watson began serving breakfast because he wanted to give back to the people who had continued to support his journey. “I wanted to create something unique and give back to my amazing clients in an affordable way,” he says.
Watson hopes to open a brick-and-mortar as Paper Plate BBQ hopes to be a community space unlike any other. “I want a space where people can gather together with music, dancing and really good food,” Watson says.
1. McMenamins, North Bank, 22 Club Rd., 541-343-5622, High Street Brewery, 1243 High St., 541-345-4905, East 19th Café, 1485 E. 19th Ave., 541-342-4025, McMenamins.com.
2. Texas Roadhouse, 1060 Valley River Way, 541-345-7427, TexasRoadHouse.com.
3. Red Robin, 1221 Executive Pkwy., 541-484-9588, RedRobin.com.
Bring your party of five and celebrate your birthday at McMenamins, the place of beer, Cajun tots and burgers. The atmosphere inside this favorite chain restaurant is campy, casual and outdoorsy. There are three locations in Eugene — East 19th Avenue, High Street and Club Road — and the one located on Club Road feels like you’re in a tree hut overlooking the Willamette River.
Interestingly enough, none of the locations say they do something special for birthdays, not a free dessert nor pastry. Brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin opened its first location as we know it today in 1983. Since then, the company has rehabilitated multiple historic properties into pubs and restaurants across the state.
1. Ta Ra Rin, 1200 Oak St., 541-343-1230, TararinThai.com.
2. Krob Krua Thai Kitchen, 1313 Pearl St., 541-636-6267, KrobKrua.com.
3. Sabai, 27 Oakway Ctr., 541-654-5424, SabaiCafe.com.
1. Jade Dumpling & Noodle House, 2560 Willamette St., 541-968-9258, JadeDumplingor.com.
2. Bao Bao House, 868 W Park St., 541-799-1088, and 3342 Gateway St., Spfd., 541-600-8868, BaobaoHouseor.com.
3. Spice N’ Steam, 1655 W. 11th Ave., 541-654-0338, SpicenSteam.com.
1. Izakaya Meiji, 345 Van Buren St., 541-505-8804, IzakayaMeiji.com.
2. Akira, 359 Mill St., 458-205-8288, AkiraEugene.com.
3. Sushi Pure, 259 E. 5th Ave., 541-654-0608, SushiPureEugene.com.
1. Osteria DOP, 1122 Oak St., 541-913-6460, OsteriaDop.com.
2. Beppe and Gianni’s Trattoria, 1646 E. 19th Ave., 541-683-6661, BeppeandGiannis.net.
3. Placido’s Pasta Shop, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., #110, 458-205-8092, Placidos.com.
1. Toshi’s Ramen, 1520 Pearl St., 541-683-7833, ToshisRamen.com.
2. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
3. Mandy’s Family Restaurant, 1491 Willamette St., 541-654-0382, Mandys-Restaurant.com.
1. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com.
2. The Bier Stein Bottleshop & Pub, 1591 Willamette St., 541-485-2437, ThebierStein.com.
3. Jackalope Lounge, 453 Willamette St., 541-485-1519, JackalopeLounge.com.
1. Gotcha Burger, 1702 W. 7th Ave., 541-653-9077, Facebook/GotchaBurgers.
2. Cornucopia, 521 Main St., Spfd., 207 E. 5th Ave., 295 W. 17th Ave., 541-485-2879, CornucopiaEugene.com.
3. Toxic Burger, 2866 Willamette St., 541-930-3355, 2766 W. 11th Ave., 541-255-4345, 943 River Rd., 541-689-9464, 4175 Main St., Spfd., 541-650-6165, 285 E. Oregon Ave., Creswell, 541-658-5251, ToxicBurger.com.
1. Portal Tea, 41 W. Broadway, 541-636-3021, PortalTea.co.
2. Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com.
3. J-Tea, 2778 Friendly St., 541-357-5492, JteaInternational.com.
1. Aaron (Sully) Sullivan, Wandering Goat, 268 Madison St., 541-344-5161, WanderingGoat.com.
2. Lily Frazee, Glasshouse Coffee & Kitchen, 520 Blair Blvd., 458-210-8357, RadiantCoffeeRoasters.com.
3. Jaci Bothman, Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com.
1. (tie) Home and Jazzy Ladies, 560 Oak St., 541-636-9923, JazzyLadiesCafe.com.
2. Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com.
3. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
Yeah, if you’ve got a food allergy, maybe it’s best to eat at home. But cooking at home gets old, real quick. Nothing is more of a drag than remembering after a day of work to go in the kitchen and cook — and then wash dishes. So celiacs of the world unite, because Jazzy Ladies Cafe and Club is a gluten-free space to run away from the never-ending question, “What’s for dinner?”
Jazzy Ladies’ menu has something for a groggy morning brunch, casual dinner before a show at the Hult Center, or fine dining for a special occasion. And it’s the special occasions that the celiacs can savor dishes that would otherwise be a roll of the dice in wheat-infested kitchens. The restaurant has several dishes to list that warrant this place better than home — the Diablo Shrimp Pasta, patatas bravas, chicken marsala — but nothing beats a safe place where you can enjoy a slice of bread and dip it in oil and balsamic without worry of cross contamination.
Living up to its name, on Thursdays, the restaurant hosts live jazz, often bringing in the Jazz Ambassadors, three legendary fixtures of Eugene’s jazz scene: bassist Steve Mosher, pianist Gus Russell and drummer Georges Bouhey. Maybe eating at home is the safest bet for those with food allergies, but if you’ve got celiac, Jazzy Ladies will always beat laboring in the kitchen.
1. Tiff Smith, Electric Lettuce, 1201 W. 11th Ave., 541-735-3813, ElectricLettuce.com.
2. Kris Stapleton, Going Green Eugene, 439 W. 1st Ave., 541-735-3521, Dutchie.com.
3. Michael Harris, TJ’s on Willamette, 1027 Willamette St., 541-246-8835, Tjsoregon.com.
1. Moss Crossing, 2751 Friendly St., 541-636-3724, MossCrossing.com.
2. Spacebuds the Dispensary, 741 Lincoln St., 541-505-9834, SpacebudstheDispensary.com.
3. (tie) TJ’s on Willamette, 1027 Willamette St., 541-246-8835, Tjsoregon.com and Sweet Tree Farms, 4097 W. 11th Ave., 541-246-8075, StfEugene.com.
1. The Crypt, 226 7th St., Springfield, Instagram @thecrypt541.
2. Passionflower Design, 128 E. Broadway, 541-344-3857, PassionFloweDesign.com.
3. Harlequin Beads & Jewelry, 2833 Willamette St., Harlequinbeads.com.
1. Calvin Orlando Smith, Albertsons on Hilyard, 3075 Hilyard St., 541-687-1742, Local.albertsons.com.
2. Steph Roemer, Hodgepodge Books and Taps, 158 E. 14th Ave., 541-525-1718, Booksandtaps.com.
3. Janet, Bi-Mart on 18th & Chambers, 1680 W. 18th Ave., 541-342-2687, Bimart.com.
1. Schapiro CPA, PO Box 11233, Schapirocpa.com.
2. Accountants on the Go, 1850 Oak St., 541-342-1040, Accountants-on-the-go.com.
3. Bean Counters, 1293 18th St., Spfd., 541-726-0908, BeanCounterTax.com.
1. Amanda Nicole, 4247 Loft, 390 Lincoln St., 541-515-6422, 4247Loft.com.
2. Elena Leona Carbajal, I Run With Scissors, the salon, 1849 Oak St., 541-357-5421, IrunwithScissorstheSalon.com.
3. Tina Thornley, Amethyst Hair Studio, 1631 Oak St., 541-520-2268, Linktr.ee/amethysthairstudio541.
1. Jodi Wiktorowski, Eugene Animal Hospital, 1432 Orchard St. 541-342-1178, EugeneAnimal.com.
2. Cameron Jones, Amazon Park Animal Clinic, 725 E. 25th Ave. 541-485-0161, AmazonParkVet.com.
3. Patricia Shea, Cat Care Eugene, 1400 Willamette St., 541-302-5824, CatCareEugene.com.
1. Geo Bitgood, Whole Woman Psychotherapy LLC, 541-632-4243 (text), WholeWomanPsychotherapy.com.
2. Leslie Prieto, Lane County Mobile Crisis Service, text 988 or call 541-682-1001, Eugene-or.gov/5389/Mobile-Crisis-Services.
3. Aimee Goglia, private practice, 541-361-5112.
1. Morgan Hawk, Orb Weaver Healing Arts, 201 Blair Blvd., 828-620-6097, OrbWeaverHealing.com.
2. Lily Brunner, Tigerlily Massage, 740 Main St., Springfield, Massagebook.com/therapists/tigerlilymassagellc.
3. Five Bodies Collective, 2485 W. 7th Place, ste. 1, 541-344-4788, FiveBodiesCollective.com.
Taking first last year as well in EW’s Best of readers poll, Morgan Hawk initially wasn’t interested in being a massage therapist, a career that they viewed as monotonous. But tiring of bartending in North Carolina, Hawk, by their own relocation, “cast a spell, and I put all of the intentions and like qualities I wanted in a job into it” on a new moon. On a full moon, a man walked into the bar where they were working at, telling them he was celebrating transitioning into a massage therapy career. Intrigued by what he was saying, Hawk learned the program he was joining was low-cost and taking only 13 people. “I cannot just turn up my nose at this gift that’s being handed to me. So I just took a shot,” Hawk says of taking the leap. What’s stood out to Hawk over their career is how “touch-starved” people are and the need for “platonic intimacy.” Hawk feels a special connection with clients who have experienced loss, something Hawk is no stranger to. “I think there’s something so special about getting to hold space for people who are also traversing the depths of what that feels like,” Hawk says. Settling in the Eugene area in 2017 when their truck broke down and needed to find work immediately, Hawk feels loved by the community. “I’ve just felt so supported by the community through all of, like, my big traumas and loss, and this is just another way they always show up for me. And I just feel like it’s so special.”
1. Courtney Stroming, Queen Bee Tattoo & Salon, 226 Main St., Springfield, 541-747-9573, QueenBeeTattoos.com.
2. Samantha Houston, Dream House Piercing, 114 E. 16th Ave., 541-321-0112, DreamHousePiercing.com.
3. Summer Shield, Dirt Nap Tattoo, 247 W. 10th Ave., Instagram @dirtnaptattoostudio.
1. Kendall Value Lot, 20 Coburg Rd., 844-376-9175, KendallValuelotEugene.com.
2. St. Vinnies on 99, 456 Hwy 99 N, 541-461-4688, Svdp.us/services.
3. Lithia Nissan, 2060 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., 541-658-1126, LithiaNissanEugene.com.
1. Joe’s Garage, 888 W. 1st Ave., 541-507-8788, JoesGarageEugene.com.
2. Sun Automotive, 1905 Agate St. (541-344-0869), 391 Rustic Place (541-344-2219), 255 S. A St., Springfield (541-746-6430), 490 Ivy St., Junction City (541-746-6430), SunAutomotive.com.
3. City View Imports, 251 W. 7th Ave., 541-484-5555, CityViewImport.com.
1. Bicycle Way of Life, 556 Charnelton St., 541-344-4105, 2480 Alder St., 541-342-6155, Bicycleway.com.
2. Shift Community Cycles, 811 W. 6th Ave., 541-728-2453, Shiftcc.org.
3. Hutch’s Bicycle Store, 960 Charnelton St., 541-345-7521, Facebook/HutchsBicycles.
1. Down To Earth Home, Garden & Gift, 532 Olive St., 541-342-6820, DowntoEarthEugene.com.
2. Gray’s Garden Center, 737 W. 6th Ave., 541-345-1569, GraysGardens.com.
3. Eugene Backyard Farmer, 501 Washington St., 541-485-3276, EugeneBackyardFarmer.com.
1. Lane County Farmers Market on Saturday, Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., LaneCountyFarmersMarket.org.
2. Tuesday Market at Farmers Market Pavilion, Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., LaneCountyFarmersMarket.org.
3. Whiteaker Community Market, 1180 W. 4th Ave., WhiteakerCommunityMarket.com.
1. Art of War MMA, 164 W. Broadway, 541-870-6954, ArtofWar-mma.com.
2. Queer Eugene Grappling Club, Beginner Jiu Jitsu, The Lavender Network, 440 Maxwell Rd., Instagram @queer.eugene.grappling.club.
3. RMA Martial Arts, 2709 Willamette St., 541-344-0404, RightMentalAttitude.com.
1. Everyday People Yoga, 352 W. 12th Ave., 541-782-8678, EpyogaEugene.com.
2. Eugene Yoga, 3575 Donald St., 541-520-8771; 199 E. 5th Ave., 541-520-8771, EugeneYoga.us.
3. The Yoga Place, 4730 Village Plaza Loop, ste. 130, 541-654-4475, YogaPlaceEugene.com.
1. Eugene YMCA, 600 East 24th Ave., 541-686-9622, EugeneYmca.org.
2. Elevation Bouldering Gym, 348 Lincoln St., 541-972-3595, ElevationGym.com.
3. Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St., 541-484-4011, DowntownAC.com.
1. Oregon Community Credit Union, 488 E. 11th Ave., 3065 W. 11th Ave., 2890 Willamette St., 800-265-1111, MyOccu.org.
2. SELCO Community Credit Union, 299 E. 11th Ave., 3630 W 11th Ave., 221 Division Ave., 925 Harlow Rd., Spfd., 5251 Main St., Spfd., 800-445-4483, Selco.org.
3. OnPoint Community Credit Union, 207 Coburg Rd., 60 Division Ave., 650 Q St., Spfd., 503-228-7077, Onpointcu.com.
1. Ghost Town Outfitters, 1040 Tyinn St. and 365 E. 13th Ave., 541-654-6876. Instagram @ghost.town.outfitters.
2. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117 and 199 Q St., Spfd., 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
3. Wild Paisley Vintage, 37 W. 13th Ave., 828-242-2961, Instagram @wildpaisleyvintage.
1. Sperry Tree Care, 29978 E. Enid Rd., 541-461-1737, SperryTreeCare.com.
2. GreenTree Arborists, 4075 Aerial Way, 541-735-2499, EugeneArborists.com.
3. (tie) Chandler’s Tree Service, 541-953-7120, ChandlersTrees.com and Kyle King Tree Service, 85192 S. Willamette St., no social media available.
1. Eugene Gear Traders, 505 Willamette St., ste. 110, 541-515-6764, EugeneGearTraders.com.
2. Berg’s Ski Shop, 367 W. 13th Ave., 541-683-1300, BergsSkiShop.com.
3. Oregon Paddle Sports, 520 Commercial St., 541-505-9020, OregonPaddleSports.com.
1. Wizard Custom Builders, 865 Conger St., 541-799-6123, WizardCustomBuilders.com.
2. Stonewood Construction, 935 Oak St., 541-485-6638, StonewoodConstruction.com.
3. Justin Chitwood, Cascadia Construction, 3341 Videra Dr.
1. Cambria Trent, Hybrid Real Estate, 701 High St., 541-343-0322, Hybridrealestate.org.
2. Kevin Levy, Hybrid Real Estate, 701 High St., 541-343-0322, Hybridrealestate.org.
3. Ashley Jorgensen, Windermere Real Estate, 1600 Oak St., 541-484-2022, 3011 N. Delta Hwy, 541-465-8103, Windermerelaneco.com.
1. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117, and 199 Q St., Spfd., 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
2. BRING Recycling, 4446 Franklin Blvd., 541-746-3023, Bringrecycling.org.
3. Oak Street Vintage, 500 Olive St., 541-345-1883, OakStreetVintage.com.
1. Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., 541-345-8986, TsunamiBooks.org.
2. Smith Family Bookstore, 525 Willamette St., 541-343-4717, SmithFamilyBookstore.com.
3. HodgePodge Books and Taproom, 158 E. 14th Ave., 541-525-1718, Booksandtaps.com.
1. HodgePodge Books and Taproom, 158 E. 14th Ave., 541-525-1718, BooksandTaps.com.
2. Peek-A-Boo Delight, 861 Willamette St., 541-393-1151, Instagram @peekaboodelight.
3. Dream House Piercing, 114 E. 16th Ave., 541-321-0112, DreamHousePiercing.com.
1. The Duck Store, 895 E. 13th Ave., 541-255-0700, 2735 Leo Harris Pkwy, 541-255-0831, 293 Valley River Ctr., 541-255-0835, Uoduckstore.com.
2. Hirons, 185 E. 18th Ave., 541-344-4832, and 1950 Franklin Blvd., 541-344-5268, Hironsdrug.com.
3. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Dr., 541-743-7117, and 199 Q St., Spfd, 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
1. Hirons, 185 E. 18th Ave., 541-344-4832, 1950 Franklin Blvd., 541-344-5268, Hironsdrug.com.
2. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117, 199 Q St., Spfd, 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
3. Time Traveler’s Antique Mall, 2020 Main St., Spfd., 541-357-5468, TimeTravelersAntiqueMall.com.
1. University of Oregon dorms, Housing.uoregon.edu.
2. The Hayward, 1180 Willamette St., 541-762-9127, HaywardStudentLiving.com.
3. Chase Courtyard, 275 S. Garden Way, 541-359-3540, ChaseCourtyard.com.
1. Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., 541-682-5318, Eugene-or.gov/campbellcenter.
2. Eugene Hotel, 222 E. Broadway, 541-862-6388, EugeneHotelRetirement.com.
3. Willamette Oaks Retirement Community, 455 Alexander Lp., 541-343-2688, Willametteoaks.com.
1. Lauren Regan, Civil Liberties Defense Center, 1711 Willamette St., 541-687-9180, Cldc.org.
2. Cassie Peters, Cassie Peters Legal, 132 E. Broadway, 541-972-2769, CassiePeters.com.
3. Matt Watkins, Matt Watkins Law, 795 W. 7th Ave., 541-228-9777, MattWatkinsLaw.com.
Lauren Regan is on the forefront of activist legal defense. In 2003, Regan founded the Civil Liberties Defense Center as a response to the implementation of post-9/11 policies such as the USA PATRIOT Act, which brought increased scrutiny on activists across the country. Since the CLDC’s founding, Regan and her team have been instrumental in cases that shaped how activists are treated in the justice system. One example is her work on the Green Scare prosecutions during the early 2000s where Regan and her team defended environmental activists — often helping them avoid a life behind bars for political acts. “Often it’s a matter of ensuring that political activists get to remain political activists,” Regan says.Today, activists are facing some of the same threats seen during the early 2000s. “Repression comes in waves, and we are certainly seeing a heightened phase of it, probably the most severe that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Regan says. She stresses that young activists should know their rights and be aware that they’re a part of a broader movement. “The choice is, are you going to fight for this better world, or are you going to give up,” Regan says.
Best of Eugene is a Eugene Weekly readers poll. We open nominations in August (typically) and ask our readers for feedback.
We take the top nominees for each category and have a runoff round of voting.
If you would like to to be notified when nominations open and receive tools to help with the process, sign up below.
1. Jennifer Denson, Burrito Brigade.
2. Cary Lieberman, Greenhill Humane Society.
3. Antonio Huerta, Comunidad y Herencia Cultural.
This category could also be called Best Community Hero. From Jennifer Denson’s tireless work feeding the hungry, Cary Lieberman’s leadership on the area’s adoptable animals to Antonio Huerta’s tireless efforts to showcase Latino culture, the nonprofit leaders in this town shine.
1. Kiva Grocery Store, 125 W. 11th Ave., 541-342-8666, KivaGrocery.com.
2. Sundance Natural Foods, 748 E. 24th Ave., 541-343-9142, SundanceNaturalFoods.com.
3. Capella Market, 2489 Willamette St., 541-345-1014, CapellaMarket.com.
Eugene’s lucky for its relative abundance of walkable local markets. Some cities are food deserts and others are limited to big chain groceries, but here, we have locally owned stores full of locally grown, organic and specialty foods. Eugene Weekly doesn’t decide who wins — this is a readers poll — but we do confess to having the deli offerings at first-place winner Kiva memorized!
1. Yosuke Shibata, South Eugene High School, track and field.
2. (tie) Bryce Boettcher, University of Oregon football,
Dante Moore, University of Oregon football.
3. Eric Rosenfeld, Ultimate Frisbee.
It’s not often that a 17-year-old runner stands with Duck football players for grit, athleticism, achievement and value in the community.
Yet, in this competition, the votes for Yosuke Shibata outnumbered not one, but two professional sportsballers: Duck quarterback Dante Moore and linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who both tied for second place. Shibata is a long-distance runner from South Eugene High who has been competing in track and field and cross country since he was in middle school. He is currently the third fastest high school cross country runner in Oregon, and the 32nd fastest in the United States with a 5k time of 14:38.
In June of this year, he took home first place at the Nike Outdoor Nationals race by running a (far too fast) 4:12 mile. His secret, he says, is self motivation. Before winning in June, he suffered from shin splints and pneumonia over the winter. “I love running a lot, and I really want to get better,” Shibata says. “It was a tough start, but I was really proud of myself to push through until the end of the season and be as consistent as I could and end up with a win.” His advice to other athletes “is to be consistent, not to slam your workouts or run too hard. And focus on recovery as well, because that’s where you reap the benefits,” he says. Shibata hopes to continue running in college, and pursue a degree in either environmental systems or marine biology. Another fun fact about him: not only did he not campaign at all for Best of Eugene, but he didn’t even know what Best of Eugene was until Eugene Weekly reached out to him to tell him that he had been nominated.
1. FOOD For Lane County, 770 Bailey Hill Rd., 541-343-2822, FoodforLaneCounty.org.
2. Burrito Brigade, 1775 W. 6th Ave., 541-632-3239, BurritoBrigade.org.
3. Food Not Bombs, Instagram @foodnotbombs_eugene/?hl=en.
1. Ashley Newport, Anomaly Hair Collective, 837 Monroe St., AnomalyHairCollective.com.
2. Jordin McDowell, Anomaly Hair Collective, 837 Monroe St., AnomalyHairCollective.com.
3. Gretchen Costello, @fetchwithgretch
1. Tiger Mama, 1080 W. 3rd Ave., 458-273-3166, Instagram @tigermamautrecht.
2. Seoul K-Food, 2870 Willamette St., 458-210-2945, Seoulk-food.com.
3. Kkoki Korean BBQ, 65 Division Ave., 541-844-1398, Kkokibbq.com.
Some of us peaked in high school, some of us are still peaking, but it’s the readers of Lane County who decide who are the peak picks of Eugene, year after year. Read along with the Weekly as we induce some high school flashbacks in our yearbook-themed Best of issue. Congrats to the winners — and the voters, who had their voices heard (yes, that is veiled political commentary in an otherwise non-political poll). Stay tuned next week for staff picks — the fun, weird and quirky things in Lane County we want to shout out. Got a suggestion for a staff pick or a Best of category for next year? Send it to Editor@EugeneWeekly.com.
1. McKenzie River Trust, 725 W. 1st Ave., 541-345-2799, McKenzieRiver.org.
2. Cascadia Wildlands, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., ste. 250, 541-434-1463, CascWild.org.
3. Beyond Toxics, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., ste. 280, 541-465-8860, BeyondToxics.org.
1. St. Vincent de Paul, 2890 Chad Dr., 541-687-5820, Svdp.us.
2. Burrito Brigade, 1775 W. 6th Ave., 541-632-3239, BurritoBrigade.org.
3. Black Thistle Street Aid, 541-232-8546, BlackThistleStreetAid.org.
1. Cascades Raptor Center, 32275 Fox Hollow Rd., 541-485-1320, CascadesRaptorCenter.org.
2. Greenhill Humane Society, 88530 Greenhill Rd., 541-689-1503, Green-Hill.org.
3. S.A.R.A.’s Treasures, 871 River Rd., 541-607-8892, SarasTreasures.org.
Cascades Raptor Center is saving lives, one bird at a time. Founded in 1987, the Raptor Center has grown to be a nationally recognized wildlife rehabilitation and education center. It has a full-fledged animal hospital where volunteers and medical staff help injured or sick birds get back on their feet, or in this case, back in the sky. “It’s always a thrill,” says senior rehabilitation technician Jesse Pline. “We always get huge joy from seeing those birds that we worked so hard on getting them back to the wild.” Besides the hospital, the Raptor Center is heavily involved in education. “When you are able to put a bird in front of a child, that child can look at that bird and be like, ‘Whoa, this bird is here, and they’re real,’” says trainer and educator Carrie Lorenz, “they get a deeper appreciation for it.” Cascades Raptor Center receives around 4,000 calls per year from members of the public who are concerned for a bird’s wellbeing. “Anyone can call with questions or concerns about local wildlife,” Pline says.
1. All of them, Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., 541-682-5450, 1566 Coburg Rd., 1990 Echo Hollow Rd., Eugene-or.gov.
2. Julie Vignoul, South Eugene High School, 400 E. 19th Ave., 541-790-8000, Sehs.4j.lane.edu/.
3. Ben Farrell, University of Oregon Law School Library, 1515 Agate St., 541-346-3088, Library.uoregon.edu/law.
1. Andrea Herrera, University of Oregon Faculty Director, LGBTQIA+ Scholars, AndreaPHerrera.com.
2. Brian Haimbach, Lane Community College Theater.
3. Hayden Harker, University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences.
1. Leah Dunbar, Churchill High School.
2. Deon Saraceno, Eugene International High School.
3. India John, Wellsprings Friends.
1. Canceling CAHOOTS
2. No Kings Protest
3. ICE protests
1. Eugene Weekly
2. Scott Landfield, Tsunami Books
3. Sarah Pishioneri, Labor Organizer
Damn kids, it says a lot about the Weekly, or a lot about being journalists in this current political climate, or perhaps a lot about surviving an embezzlement because the community rose up to save us, but here we are, a hellraising commie rag!
1. Ron Wyden, U.S. senator.
2. Val Hoyle, U.S. representative.
3. Kaarin Knudson, Eugene mayor.
1. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, 1430 Johnson Lane, University of Oregon, 541-346-3027, Jsma.Uoregon.edu.
2. The Hybrid Gallery, 941 W. 3rd Ave., 541-321-6977, TheHybridEugene.com.
3. New Zone Gallery, 110 E. 11th Ave., 541-683-0759, NewZoneGallery.org.
It isn’t exactly a “gallery,” but the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on campus at the University of Oregon has several art galleries that it regularly fills with some of the best regional, national and occasionally international art you’re going to find anywhere near Eugene.
Right now, the JSMA — as it’s lovingly called by supporters, when they don’t call it the Schnitz — is showing paintings by James Lavadour, perhaps the greatest living artist in Oregon. A creator of large abstract landscapes from the eastern part of the state, paintings and prints whose splashy color might remind you of the 19th century British painter J.M.W Turner, Lavadour is also the founder of Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts near Pendleton.
James Lavadour: Land of Origin runs through Jan. 11 at the museum’s large Barker Gallery.
Shows like that make up for the Schnitz’s occasional forays into arid academic art that only a professor could love, and for the fact that it’s more or less impossible to park anywhere close to the museum.
It’s worth making the effort to go. Thanks to a weird loophole in tax law, through its Shared Visions program, the Schnitz also regularly displays individual works on loan from the collections of anonymous members of the 1 percent. Think names like Picasso, Dali, Magritte, Rivera and Basquiat.Admission is $5, but the budget conscious can pay as you wish after 5 pm on Wednesdays, and first Friday admission is free all day.
1. Emily Poole, EPooleArt.com, Instagram.com/epooleart/.
2. Shanna Trumbly, ShannaTrumbly.com, Instagram.com/shanna_trumbly_art/.
3. Jud Turner, JudTurner.com.
1. Luke N. Good, Facebook and Instagram.com/luke.n.good/.
2. Heavy Cream, Facebook and Instagram @heavy_creammm.
3. Edd Zackly, Instagram @eddZackly.
Fabulousness runs in the family. 2024’s Best Drag King is Heavy Cream (Mel Funke), who just happens to be Luke N. Good’s (Sarah Majercin’s) “Drag Dad” (the equivalent of a “big” in college Greek life). “When I was first starting out, the prospect of even finding makeup tutorials of how to present as a drag king was really difficult, so it was really invaluable to have [Cream] and others in the community who could give me tips,” Majercin says. “He was definitely somebody in the community who gave me a lot of guidance. So if you see photos of us, people say there’s family resemblance.”
Though these two kings have a lot in common, along with both being the best, Luke N. Good has his own brand of charismatic glimmer. He’s “the handsomest man in the world. He’s very dapper. He’s very self-assured. He’s a bit of a playboy. He’s definitely a huge flirt, and he likes to take off his pants,” Majercin says. “There’s also the PG side, where he’s very goofy, he’s very silly and he’s definitely got a big nerdy side, too.” Luke N. Good has produced a number of sexy nerd drag shows in and around Eugene, including ones that revolve around The Muppets, the band Queen, Nicolas Cage, and even a Jimmy Buffett show which drew in a much older crowd. Aside from that, Good is a member of Heavy Cream’s Haus of Creme drag house, The Muse Collective Cabaret and a 2025 SLUG queen runner up.
His favorite song to lip sync is “Boyfriend” by Lou Bega “because it talks about stealing somebody’s girl, which I think is a very Luke N. Good move,” Majercin says.
1. Athena Delene, Delene & Co., 541-515-9442, Delene.Co.
2. Tyler Price, Ty’s Eye Photography, Tyseye.com/photography.
3. Talon Aleister, Dean Photography, Instagram.com/talonaleisterphotography.
1. Mitra Gruwell, DiscardUpcycling.com.
2. Sweet Skins Hemp, 850 W. 2nd Ave., 541-393-6925, SweetSkins.com.
3. Sierah, “SEW Fresh,” @sierahsewfresh.
“One thing we give ourselves permission to have as our own is our style,” Mitra Gruwell says. Gruwell has had a fashion passion for well over 20 years, and her designs have been all over Eugene. In her career, she has designed for St. Vinnie’s, Ballet Fantastique and MECCA, she’s owned her own store, and she’s thrown a number of local fashion shows since 2007 to benefit her nonprofit that teaches industrial sewing to people recovering from homelessness.
Her latest project is Discard Upcycling, which has been her sustainable “anti-brand” since 2020. “You know how some fashion brands are just really all about their name?” she says, referring to how the name “Gucci” is as important as the article of clothing that dons it. “I was fantasizing about a time in the future when being proud of wearing something that’s upcycled or discarded would be on the same level as wearing a really fancy brand.” She envisioned people wearing her shirts with the word “Discard” scrawled across, as if to say, “I’m proud and it’s cool to wear something that was trash or discarded.” Discard Upcycling’s slogan is “Waste Alchemy,” she says, because “I’m transmuting waste into something of value.” She has recently shifted her focus heavily to holding classes and teaching people how to upcycle their own items. “A mindset that I’m trying to spread and encourage with all my teaching and all my work, is just showing people the value of old things,” she says. Whether it’s through her lessons, fix-it fairs or fashion shows, her favorite part of her craft is “repairing something old and watching it become usable again and valued again.”
1. Eugene Symphony, EugeneSymphony.org.
2. Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestra, EsyOrchestras.org.
3. Chamber Music Amici, ChamberMusicAmici.org.
1. The Sugar Beets, Facebook.com/TheSugarBeets.
2. Soul Vibrator, Instagram @soulvibrator.
3. BabySmooth, Instagram @babysmoothsincebirth.
1. Very Little Theatre, 2350 Hilyard St., 541-344-7751, TheVlt.com.
2. Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W. Broadway, 541-465-1506, OCTheatre.org.
3. Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Dr., Cottage Grove, 541-942-8001, CottageTheatre.org.
Local theater in and around Eugene is so good that this is a tight race. Very Little Theatre may have an edge because its roots go deeper into local history than anyone else’s. It was founded in 1929, right before the stock market crashed, launching the Great Depression, and has been bringing serious drama and bright comedy into people’s lives ever since.
1. Lyta Blunt, @lytablunt.
2. Karress Ann Slaughter (Cornel Hardiman), Facebook.com/GlamazonsEugene.
3. Shirley Mental, instagram.com/shirley_mental.
For nearly a decade, Lyta Blunt has been the local life of the party — a drag queen, actress and DJ who turned every stage in Eugene into her runway. About two months ago, the Lane Community College alum took her talents north to Portland’s drag scene, but not before sweeping Eugene’s Best Of awards for Best Drag Queen, Best Actress and Best Club DJ, leaving behind a trail of green glitter and love. “I’m still a drag queen in Eugene — I’m just not sleeping here at night,” she says with a laugh.
For Blunt, DJing, acting and drag all flow from the same creative energy. “I was able to start DJing pretty much right after I was out of college, and that wasn’t necessarily what I expected,” she says. What began as spinning tracks at drag shows soon became a passion — and shaped her start in drag. “It’s the best job ever,” she says. Blunt is also the creator of Baddies Night, a QTBIPOC-centered dance party she launched in Eugene to fill a gap in the local nightlife scene. “I’m super excited to be nominated for DJ this year. When I started Baddies Night, there wasn’t really anything like it,” she says. “Creating a space where people can be not just represented but celebrated really means so so much to me.” — Kat Tabor
1. Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.
2. Kali Kardas, Instagram @kaliekardas.
3. Molly McCarthy, no information available locally.
1. DJ Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.
2. DJ Smuve, Instagram @djsmuve1.
3. DJ Sapphire Strange, Instagram @sapphire.is.strange.
1. Love Cross, KLCC, 89.7 FM.
2. Deb Trist, Downtown Deb, KLCC, 89.7 FM, Dead Air on Facebook, KLCC.org.
3. Reverend Marc Time, KWVA, 88.1 FM.
When Eugene wakes up, many start their day by tuning in to their favorite morning host. For countless listeners — whether on the dial or through their smart speakers — that familiar voice on KLCC 89.7 FM belongs to Love Cross, on air each morning from 6 am to 9 am.
Cross joined KLCC in 2017, beginning her public radio career as a graduate student hosting Morning Edition for Boise State Public Radio in the late 1990s, according to her profile on KLCC.org. Although she has earned multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best Newscast and honors from the Public Media Journalists Association, Cross says this was her first time being nominated in a Best of category in Eugene Weekly. “This is the first time I’ve even been nominated for something like this, so it’s super fun,” Cross says. “I just feel so grateful that I get to have such a wonderful job in our community.”
1. Matt Templeman, KEZI, ABC Channel 9, KEZI.com.
2. Gold Meadows, KMTR, NBC Channel 16, NBC16.com.
3. Clare Brennan, FOX34, Fox Channel 34, OregonsFox.com.
1. Camilla Mortensen, editor, Eugene Weekly, bestofeugene.com/.
2. Brian Bull, reporter, KLCC & Buffalo’s Fire, Klcc.org, BuffalosFire.com.
3. Tiffany Lewis, KVAL, CBS Channel 13, Kval.com.
For Eugene Weekly’s own Camilla Mortensen, love of story has been a driving force. With a background in folklore, her background in interviewing and analyzing information gave her the courage to apply for a position at Eugene Weekly in 2007, “because on some level, journalism is always, in the end, telling the story,” according to Mortensen. When the Weekly’s embezzlement was discovered nearly two years ago, a disheartening moment of co-worker betrayal became a heartwarming experience of local and national outreach. “We thought we were done for at the newspaper, and the community and people across the country came back and fundraised and supported and offered help,” Mortensen says. “It tells you that you’re doing something right as a news source, and it tells you that people value a community newspaper in this day and age, despite all the things that newspapers and journalists are up against.”
Brian Bull took second place. “I am from a Native American background, and when I grew up in rural Idaho, there was so much prejudice and bigotry that I encountered growing up that I was trying to find ways to address it,” he says. “I eventually reasoned that people who are bigoted or prejudiced have misconceptions that they’ve been fed since birth.” Bull adds, “I think journalism is a great way to share and uplift voices from underrepresented communities.” A journalist for only a couple of years, Tiffany Lewis has already learned a lot about working in media and herself from her bosses at KVAL, whom she has come to see as mentors. Completely new to the field when she started at KVAL in fall 2022, her reporting has included coverage of CAHOOTS’s closure, homeless encampment sweeps and the experiences of Jewish students on the University of Oregon campus. Though still early in her career, she’s “learned that it’s really important to remember that you’re representing the station that you work for, and you’re kind of representing journalism as a whole when you cover certain things.”
1. Eugene SLUG Queens, Instagram @slugqueens.
2. Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.
3. Hazel Jae, Instagram @hazeldaez.
1. Jorah LaFleur, spoken word poetry, JorahLaFleur.com.
2. Jalen Thompson, performance poetry. jalenthompsonmedia.com.
3. Miriam Gershow, fiction, MiriamGershow.com.
1. Eugene Saturday Market.
2. Springfield Block Party.
3. Whiteaker Block Party.
1. Blairally, 245 Blair Blvd., Blairally.com.
2. WOW Hall, 291 W. 8th Ave., WOWHall.org.
3. Cowfish Cafe and Lounge, 62 W. Broadway, Facebook.com/cowfish.danceclub, Instagram @cowfishdanceclub_cafe.
1. Betty Jaeger/Peaches Von Killingsworth, Instagram @peaches_von_killingsworth.
2. Bebe Boudoir, Instagram @bebeboudoir.
3. Katana DeVille, Instagram @katanadevillex.
1. Baroque Betty (Bettreena Jaeger), Instagram.com/baroque_betty.
2. Halie Loren, HalieLoren.com.
3. Amiia Nectar, Instagram.com/amiianectar.
After landing in the top three for many years, Bettreena “Betty” Jaeger takes first place in the Best Singer-Songwriter category, and if you’ve ever heard her darkly beautiful indie folk songs, you know the honor is a long time coming. Over the years, she’s lent her haunting voice to several projects in town, mostly recently Baroque Betty, featuring Jaeger’s singing voice against acoustic guitar and luxuriant string arrangements. Jaeger’s lyrics, she says, “are written with the whimsy of literary antiquity, with themes of grief, grit and dreamlike dissociation from a sordid reality.” And she describes her sound ranging from “organic minimalism” to “swooping orchestral ballads.” Baroque Betty aside, Jaeger sometimes performs solo under her own name or with The Wax Poetry Revue burlesque and variety show, which she produces at various venues in town and around the state. To stay up to date, search Baroque Betty on social media or email BaroqueBetty@gmail.com. On winning Best Singer-Songwriter, Jaeger says, “I feel honored by our community for recognizing me for the title in the category!”
1. PLAY Eugene, 232 W. 5th Ave., 541-357-5010, PlayEugene.com.
2. Bingo at Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Blvd., 541-431-6603, SamBonds.com.
3. Trivia at beergarden, 777 W. 6th Ave., 541-505-9432, BeergardenMe.com.
1. Slice Pizzeria, 325 Blair Blvd., 541-653-9937, SlicePizzeriaBar.com.
2. The Barn Light, 924 Willamette St., 541-726-0313, Instagram @thebarnlightbar.
3. Karaoke Cabaret, The Sparrow & Serpent Pub, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, SparrowandSerpent.com.
1. Hazel Jae, Instagram @hazeldaez.
2. Seth Milstein, Facebook.com/sethmilstein and Instagram @sethmils.
3. Jen Jay, Facebook.com/JentotheJay and Instagram @jen_to_the_jay.
Raunchy and ready to rumble, Hazel Jae calls herself an “observational, queer and sex positive comedian” — sex positive, or as she puts it in one of her colorful bits, that’s just what you’d call being a slut on a job application. Impressing audiences in Eugene for about three years now, she says she draws from personal experience to “explore themes like sexuality, mental illness, family dynamics and societal norms.”
Beyond Eugene, she’s performed as far away as the Savage Henry Comedy Festival in Eureka, California. She says the best way to stay up to date on her shows, follow her or Eugene-based production company Hysterical Light Entertainment is on social media. Or instead, catch her twice-monthly show, Slay Hazel, at Starlight Lounge downtown on the second and third Thursday of each month. On winning Best Comedian, she says, “I’m overwhelmed at the sense of community I’ve had the honor to experience in my hometown of Eugene.” Coming in first place in the Best of Eugene contest, she says, “has proved to me, as if there ever was a doubt, that this community has an astounding appreciation for performers that are ‘too much.’”
1. It’s the trenches out here!
2. Blairally Vintage Arcade, 245 Blair Blvd., 541-683-1721, Blairally.com.
3. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
1. The Sparrow & Serpent, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, SparrowandSerpent.com.
2. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
3. Jameson’s Bar, 115 W. Broadway, 541-485-9913, Jamesonsbar.com.
Emily Chappell, owner of The Sparrow & Serpent, Eugene Weekly readers pick for the Best Queer Gathering spot in Eugene, says her establishment is many things for many people. “Our events are always geared towards our various communities,” she says, adding that drag queen Maliena is the force behind the brunch. According to Chappell, “People ask me, are we a goth bar, or a D&D bar, or a queer bar? And I say —YES!” EW readers also chose The Sparrow & Serpent, formerly Old Nick’s, as Best Drag Brunch, so its queer-themed events are especially popular with the community. “We are so honored to receive this award,” Chappell adds of Sparrow & Serpent’s Best Queer Gathering Spot win. “For years we have attempted to support and go to bat for our community against growing hate and fascist bullshit,” she says, “and it feels like we must be doing something right to receive the recognition. I always wanted to create a space where everyone felt safe being themselves.”
1. The Sparrow & Serpent Pub, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, SparrowandSerpent.com.
2. Mascara and Mimosas w/ Karess Ann Slaughter, Facebook.com/GlamazonsEugene.
3. Haus of Brunch, The Barn Light, Instagram @hausofblunt.
1. Geo Carcamo, beergarden and The PublicHouse, Instagram @geocarcamo.
2. FWD Trivia (Forest Walker Davis), Claim 52 and Gratitude, Instagram @fwdtrivia and Facebook.com/fwdtrivia.
3. Max’s Tavern, 550 E. 13th Ave., 541-349-8986, MaxsEugene.com.
1. Cuthbert Amphitheater, 601 Day Island Rd., 541-762-8099, TheCuthbert.com.
2. WOW Hall, 291 W. 8th Ave., 541-687-2746, WowHall.org.
3. Hult Center, 1 Eugene Ctr., 541-682-5000, HultCenter.org.
1. Mount Pisgah Arboretum, 34901 Frank Parrish Rd., 541-747-3817, MountPisgahArboretum.org.
2. Sweet Cheeks Winery, 27007 Briggs Hill Rd., 541-349-9463, SweetCheeksWinery.com.
3. Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., 541-852-7608, Eugene-or.gov/5061/Farmers-Market-Pavilion-and-Plaza.
Be it a summer wedding with a ceremony under the trees, the Mushroom Festival or the Wildflower Festival, Mount Pisgah Arboretum offers a scenic spot to gather with loved ones or everyone. And if the gathering gets to be too much, it’s a short stroll to the river or a longer hike to Swing Hill to enjoy nature in peace before heading back to the party.
1. Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., 1566 Coburg Rd., 1990 Echo Hollow Rd., 541-682-5450, Eugene-or.gov/4422/Eugene-Public-Library.
2. Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, 541-682-7888, EugeneScienceCenter.org.
3. Amazon Pool, 2600 Hilyard St., 541-682-5350, Eugene-or.gov/3223/Amazon-Pool.
Nothing on this planet is more powerful than the written word, and because of that, librarians are some of the world’s most important soldiers. As an army, the librarians of the Eugene Public Library work hard to keep Eugene’s heart beating. It’s no surprise that when faced to choose the Best Librarian out there, our readers just chose “all of them.” Megan Prehm, the teens services librarian at the Downtown Eugene Public Library, says that being a good librarian means having a collective “focus on the community and making resources accessible and broad and comprehensive.” Prehm says that above all, what makes the librarians the best is that “we all just care a lot about the people who live here and live around here.”
Aside from containing almost all of the knowledge and power you can find, the librarians have also made the libraries safe, welcoming and exciting environments for all ages. Serving weekly activities for all young people, from baby and toddler storytimes, to kid crafts, to Dungeons and Dragons for teens, the Eugene Public Libraries are by far and wide the Best Place to Take Your Kids. And the library wouldn’t have it any other way. “Kids are the best part of the library,” says Rob Foltz, the youth services librarian. He adds, “Kids understand that learning is fun, so we have lots of great things that they get to do that are just a blast.” Library director Angela Ocaña summarizes exactly why the library is the perfect spot for children. “The library is a place where you can learn but you can also be silly and be yourself. That makes it a very magical space,” Ocaña says.
1. Amazon Trail, starts at the intersection of Amazon Parkway and 24th Ave.
2. Pre’s Trail, Alton Baker Park, 200 Day Island Rd.
3. Mount Pisgah, 34901 Frank Parrish Rd.
Don’t let Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks football team or the growing number of pickleball courts mislead you. Eugene is — and will always be — a running town first. And if any trail can be considered the crown jewel of Track Town, voters aren’t wrong when they say the Amazon Trail in south Eugene. The 1-mile loop (with a 1 kilometer cutoff option) is the perfect spot for runners, whether it’s an easy pace to check out the dogs at the dog park or you’re huffing a workout and you need precision in your distance. And when it comes to running, it’s all about location. Need to add a few more miles? Run over to the 3.5 mile Rexius Trail loop that takes you to Frank Kinney Park. Need to do sprints and you don’t want to be a menace to those just trying to stroll the Amazon trail? South Eugene’s track awaits. It’s a shame not every trail in Eugene — or around the world for that matter — has a running/walking trail as great as the Amazon Trail.
1. Wayne Morse Ranch Family Farm, 595 Crest Dr., 541-682-5373, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.
2. Amazon Park, 22 Amazon Pkwy., 541-682-4800, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.
3. Alton Baker Park, 200 Day Island Rd., 541-682-4800, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.
1. Yardy Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564,YardyRumBar.com.
2. Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com.
3. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.net.
It’s been quite a year for Yardy Rum Bar, a casual-style restaurant — Yardy was named one of 50 best restaurants in the U.S. by The New York Times in September.
Yardy started as a pop-up in 2020 before becoming a food cart. It then moved into its current location in January 2024.
Isaiah Martinez, chef and owner of Yardy, uses ingredients from the Pacific Northwest to cultivate dishes inspired by his Caribbean culture.
The menu ranges from salads to fish and chicken dishes and to vegan and gluten free options. Martinez says there’s recently been buzz about its jerked beet salad.
“We get really good local beets,” he says. “We roast them then we peel them. Then we smoke them for four hours then we make a spiced beet salad and that’s become on Reddit this insane conversation about a beet salad that we make.”
Martinez says Yardy is focused on trying to create food that is healthy and impressive. But the most popular dish, he says, is the chicken.
Martinez says he hopes to open another restaurant that he can do “virtually anything in.” “So (a) more modulated kitchen,” he says. “Then I can cook from island to island everyday. Right now we are focusing on what we’re focusing on because of our space.”
1. Isaiah Martinez, Yardy Caribbean Restaurant & Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com.
2. Ibrahim Hamide, Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com.
3. Nelson Lopez: Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.com.
Isaiah Martinez, chef and owner of Yardy Rum Bar, is a third-generation American. He was raised in New York and moved to Eugene in 2019 where he worked at Marché, a French-inspired restaurant.
Martinez has been in the hospitality and culinary industry for 16 years. Over the years, he’s worked at multiple restaurants to gain challenging experiences.
Martinez says his goal as a chef is to find talent and “hone them into being great workers and great chefs.”
“I’ve learned in the kitchen, my job is to scare people out of a job,” he says. “And once they get the job, my job is to train them and teach them how to keep the job. I don’t have a firing policy at the restaurant. If you somehow convince me… my goal is to have you set for the next restaurant you work at.”
1. (tie) Poppi’s Anatolia (Greek), 296 E. 5th Ave., ste. 220, 541-343-9661, Poppi’sAnatolia.com and Yardy Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com.
2. Arekie Indian Fusion Cuisine, 207 Madison St., 541-797-3741, Arekie.com.
3. Evergreen Indian, 906 W. 7th Ave., 541-343-7944, EvergreenIndianRestaurant.com.
1. Yardy Caribbean Restaurant & Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com.
2. Hot Mama’s Wings, 420 W. 13th Ave., 541-653-9999, HotMammasWings.com.
3. Hot Honey, 207 Madison St., Instagram @hothoneyandco.
It’s not Yardy Rum Bar’s first rodeo winning Best Chicken Joint. They first won in 2022, placed second against Hot Mamas Wings in 2023 then won again in 2024.
“It’s cool,” Isaiah Martinez, chef and owner of Yardy, says. “A chicken joint? Why not.” While chicken plays a major part of the restaurant’s image, he says he views chicken as “this delicious comforting-thing that’s whatever.”
He says he gets more excited about vegetables.
“I get more excited for perfectly cooked vegetables and really well done things that are harder to do,” he says. “But chicken is easy. So in my mind, I don’t get as impressed with myself or any of our items that are chicken because it’s like ‘we figured it out.’ We’re more focused on consistency and training then we are impressing people with chicken.”
Martinez says his goal is to impress people with vegetables. “Anyone… can impress me with a chicken dish. But you can impress me with vegetables,” he says. “The goal is to impress a person who doesn’t like vegetables with vegetables.”
1. Creswell Bakery, 182 S. 2nd, Creswell, 541-895-5885, CreswellBakery.com.
2. Dueling Spoons, 39074 Jasper Lowell Road, Fall Creek, 541-398-8929, DuelingSpoons.net.
3. Alesong Brewing and Blending, 80848 Territorial Hwy., 541-844-9925, AlesongBrewing.com.
1. Abilities Diner and Bakery, 790 Blair Blvd., 541-603-9888, AbilitiesdinerandBakery.com.
2. El Napolito, 1203 Willamette St., 541-357-1016, Elnopalito541.com.
3. Domek, 454 Willamette St., 458-544-1312, DomekeEugene.com.
A new restaurant setting itself apart, turning disabilities into abilities, Abilities Diner and Bakery is bringing a unique spin to serving comforting diner food and heart-warming staples to the community of Eugene.
In its second year of operation, Abilities sets itself apart by hiring workers with disabilities, providing an opportunity for those neglected by society to show how vital they can be to a successful business.
“Everyone who works here has either a mental or physical disability, but we focus on their abilities,” says owner Juliann Fitzgerald.
“This place gives people with varying abilities a chance to shine,” she adds.
Considered an “old school diner” by Fitzgerald, staples like eggs Benedict, chicken fried steak and French toast are fan favorites at the new diner on Blair Boulevard. As a fully equipped diner and bakery, a full bar adds something for everyone. Heartwarming comfort meals, community connection and “fresh-made flavor” is why the community voted Abilities Diner and Bakery as Best New Restaurant in Eugene. “We cater to everyone; we want everyone to feel welcome here,” Fitzgerald says.
1. Mucho Gusto, 67 Oakway Ctr., 541-343-1481, MuchoGustoMex.com.
2. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Dr., Spfd., CafeYumm.com.
3. ALMA Catering (FOOD For Lane County), 7780 Bailey Hill Rd., 541-513-2253, AlmaCatering.net.
1. beergarden, 777 W. 6th Ave., 541-505-9432, BeerGardenme.com.
2. The Garden on Friendly, 2760 Friendly St., TheGardenonFriendly.com.
3. Oakshire Brewing, 1055 Madera St., 541-688-4555, Oakbrew.com.
1. Nelson’s Taqueria, permanently closed.
2. Arekie — Indian Fusion Cuisine, 2758 Friendly St., 458-273-7810, Arekie.com.
3. Yabai Nikkei, 263 Mill St., 541-393-4721, Yabainikkei.com.
1. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
2. El Nopalito, 1203 Willamette St., 541-357-1016, Elnopalito541.com.
3. Tacovore, 530 Blair Blvd., 541-735-3518, TacoVorepnw.com.
1. Jon Biglow, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
2. Baylee Hamlow, PLAY Eugene, 232 W. 5th Ave., 541-357-5010, PlayEugene.com.
3. Matt Kravitz, Domek, 454 Willamette St., 458-544-1312, DomekEugene.com.
1. Kristian Taylor, Mandy’s Family Restaurant, 1491 Willamette St., Mandys-Restaurant.com.
2. Jordan Phillips, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
3. Thunder Bloomer, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
1. Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com.
2. Bar Purlieu, 1530 Willamette St., 458-201-7044, BarPurlieu.com.
3. Marché, 296 E. 5th Ave., 541-342-3612, MarcheRestaurant.com.
1. Gotcha Burger, 1702 W. 7th Ave., 541-653-9077, Facebook/GotchaBurgers.
2. Burrito Boy, Eugene, 510 E. Broadway, 541-344-8070, 2511 W. 11th Ave., 541-338-4219, 1060 River Rd., 541-689-7970, 1840 Chambers St., 541-246-8775, 1071 Valley River Dr., 541-343-8089,1889 Olympic St., Spfd., 541-747-7775, BurritoBoy.com.
3. El Super Burrito, 2566 Willamette St., 541-485-0619, ElSuperBurrito.com.
1. Ta Ra Rin, 1200 Oak St., 541-343-1230, TararinThai.com.
2. Ume Grill Skewer House, 1733 Pearl St., 458-544-1377, Umegrillmenu.com, Hilyard St. & 24th Ave., 541-930-9392, Umegrillmenu.com, 2600 Hilyard St., Facebook.com/umegrillandcafe.
3. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Dr., Spfd., CafeYumm.com.
1. Heritage Distilling, 110 Madison St., 541-357-4431, HeritageDistilling.com.
2. 4 Spirits Distillery, 3405 SW Deschutes St., Corvallis, 541-368-3195, 4spiritsDistillery.com.
3. Wolf Spirit, permanently closed.
In a city with so many options, curating a unique environment can be difficult. Heritage Distillery is a full production distillery in the Whiteaker District in Eugene with an immersive experience, allowing customers to hand-make and taste their own concoction, bringing liquor education and enjoyment to life. Voted by the community as the Best Distillery, Heritage has served Eugene since 2016.
Program Manager Walter Wakeman says “When a customer comes in, it starts with us; we make a lot of recommendations and create interactivity, which is attractive to people.” The state-of-the-art Whiteaker location features a tasting room, retail space and an internal mezzanine overlooking the operations, allowing customers to feel a part of the production space. And the Cast Club, a year-long membership, that allows customers to create their own liquor barrel to taste-test as the flavor develops.
1. Sweet Cheeks Winery, 27007 Briggs Hill Rd., 541-349-9463, SweetCheeksWinery.com.
2. Sarver Winery, 25600 Mayola Lane, 541-935-2979, SarverWinery.com.
3. King Estate Winery, 80854 Territorial Hwy., 541-942-9874, KingEstate.com.
Having taken the top spot last year, Sweet Cheeks Winery is a mainstay on the Best of list for a reason. Opening 20 years ago as a winery after operating as a vineyard since 1989, Sweet Cheeks focuses on “hospitality in our tasting room,” according to Katie Brown, Sweet Cheeks’s director of consumer sales and marketing. Dispelling the upturned-nose wine snob image that can haunt wineries, Sweet Cheeks takes a casual approach to wine. For Sweet Cheeks, hospitality is “getting to know our guests on an individual basis how wine fits into their life, and then talking about wine and giving them an experience with wine that matches what they’re looking for,” Brown says. With a “wine for every palate” approach, Sweet Cheeks prides itself on curating a flight of wine that’s just right for you.
1. Czech Pils, ColdFire Brewing Company, 263 Mill St., 541-636-3889, ColdfireBrewing.com.
2. Perfect Storm, Oakshire Brewing, 1055 Madera St., 541-688-4555, Oakbrew.com.
3. Rhino Suit, Alesong Brewing, 80848 Territorial Hwy., 541-844-9925, AlesongBrewing.com.
1. BNF Kombucha & Jun, 2495 Prairie Rd., 541-653-9816,Bnfkombucha.com.
2. High Street Tonics, 267 W. 8th Ave., 458-215-4814, HighStreetTonics.com.
3. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
1. The Monkey’s Paw, 420 Main St., Spfd., 541-505-7975, Facebook.com/themonkeyspawtikibar.
2. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com.
3. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
Some people have neighborhood bars where sports highlights light up the TV screens and the hoppy beer flows all night from the taps. But that’s not for me. Give me a night of mixed drinks from Monkey’s Paw Tiki Bar anytime.
The Monkey’s Paw is one of the few places in the area that celebrates the art of tiki drinks while diving deep into gimmick. The bar has the tried and true classics like the Blue Hawaiian and the Mai Tai 1944. But it’s also willing to don pomp and circumstance, especially when it lights up the Scorpion Bowl as a sort of high mass incense burn for the tiki bar patrons. The Monkey’s Paw can be a place for a brief getaway, a blackout curtain for day drinking if you will. But it’s also providing much needed free or cheap nightlife options for downtown Springfield. With weekly karaoke, frequent live music and a no cost pool table, don’t expect any curses when you wish for a good time with this Monkey Paw.
1. Jackalope Lounge, 453 Willamette St., 541-485-1519, JackalopeLounge.com.
2. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com.
3. Izakaya Meiji Co., 345 Van Buren St., 541-505-8804, IzakayaMeiji.com.
1. Sweet Life Patisserie, 755 Monroe St., 541-683-5676, SweetLifeDesserts.com.
2. Noisette Pastry Kitchen, 200 W. Broadway, 541-654-5257, NoisettePK.com.
3. Hideaway Bakery, 3377 E. Amazon Dr., 541-868-1982, HideawayBakery.com.
In 1993, sisters Catherine and Cheryl Reinhart created a patisserie so good that the community has voted them as the best in Eugene with 36 first place awards, one second place, one third place, and one lifetime achievement award. The neighborhood staple continues to capture the hearts of the community, serving handmade pastries and desserts.
“Local and organic is important to us; we make all of our own products in-house,” Catherine Reinhart says. Seasonal desserts and monthly specials offer a unique variety for customers. Sweet Life Patisserie has 14 new desserts every month, bridging customer staples with creative twists for delicious flavor explosions. Sweet Life Patisserie’s “homemade flavor bleeds through,” she says, adding, “Desserts of the month give our customers something to look forward to each time.”
1. Sweet Life Patisserie, 755 Monroe St., 541-683-5676, SweetLifeDesserts.com.
2. Prince Pückler’s, 1605 E. 19th Ave., 541-344-4418, PrincePucklers.com.
3. Noisette Pastry Kitchen, 200 W. Broadway, 541-654-5257, NoisettePK.com.
1. Three Sisters, Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Biscuits and Gravy, Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com.
3. Tempeh Reuben, Viva! Vegetarian Grill, 1171 Willamette St., 541-636-5826, EugeneCooks.com.
1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., Ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Dr., Spfd., CafeYumm.com.
3. Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com.
1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Brail’s Restaurant, 395 W. 5th Ave., 541-342-2075, 1689 Willamette St., 541-343-1542, BrailsRestaurant.com.
3. Lion and Owl, 60 E. 11th Ave., 541-606-0626, LionAndOwl.com.
1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Brail’s Restaurant, 395 W. 5th Ave., 541-342-2075, 1689 Willamette St., 541-343-1542, BrailsRestaurant.com.
3. The Glenwood, 2588 Willamette St., 541-687-8201, GlenwoodRestaurants.com.
Morning Glory has made a guest appearance in more than one novel about environmental activism, been host to more than one group of people trying to change the world and is the proud winner of more than one Best of award! This year it’s Best Breakfast, Best Brunch, Best Vegetarian and Best Vegan dish, which is fitting as Morning Glory is also Eugene’s oldest vegetarian restaurant and a cozy place to fork up some vegan comfort food with its Three Sisters mountain of potatoes with veggies, nutritional yeast sauce and pico de gallo and more, coming in vegan and gluten-free options.
1. Wandering Goat, 268 Madison St., 541-344-5161, WanderingGoat.com.
2. Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com.
3. Vero Espresso House, 205 E. 14th Ave., 541-654-0504, VeroEspressoHouse.com.
The Wandering Goat, aka “The Goat” is Eugene’s go-to spot for a cup of joe during the day and moshpits during the night.
As a coffee shop, the Wandering Goat values itself on its dedication to quality, organic coffee that can be enjoyed for its flavor profile without being subdued by sugars or sweeteners. “We want the coffee to cut through,” says Goat General Manager Aaron Maltz. Besides the coffee, Wandering Goat is known for routinely hosting live music. Maltz guesses they’ve hosted over 1,000 shows since the shop opened in 2006. “Music is central. It’s integral to who we are as people, but at The Goat in particular, music plays a huge role,” he says.Maltz says in the early ’90s, a coffee shop that served high-quality coffee during the day and hosted shows during the night was, “not that wild of a concept.” But today, those kinds of spaces are just not as common. The Goat is an exception. “We have a space where you can go make friends, meet other people and experience different forms of expression that may inspire you to express yourself,” Maltz says.
1. Lox, Stocks & Bagels, 368 E. 40th Ave., 541-692-2435, LoxStocksandBagels.com.
2. Bagel Sphere, 4089 W 11th Ave., 541-868-1072, BagelSphere.com.
3. Hideaway Bakery, 3377 E. Amazon Dr., 541-868-1982, HideawayBakery.com.
Tucked into southeast Eugene’s business park on 40th Avenue between Bo’s Wine Depot and, of course, a bodyweight interval training studio, lies a hidden gem far from downtown. Lox, Stocks & Bagels promises the only boiled bagels in Eugene. A boiled bagel, like the ones at Lox, Stocks & Bagels, ensures a crunchy exterior and a pillowy interior — plus, it’s how it’s done in New York City. The folks at Lox are a handful of bagel lovers who, according to their website, prioritize craftsmanship and take pride in a hardworking night crew that brings a fresh batch of bagels to fruition each morning. Though the bagel bakery has changed hands, they’ve never touched the recipe. Whether you’re there for breakfast or lunch, take your pick from 14 bagel varieties, a handful of lunch sandwiches or the soup du jour. There’s something for everyone at Lox, even if you’re just swinging by on your way out of Safeway.
1. Hey, Neighbor! Pizza House, 605 W. 19th Ave. & 1621 E. 19th Ave., 541-505-9302, H-n-p-h.com.
2. The Wheel Apizza Pub, 390 Lincoln St., #101, 541-735-3860, TheWheelApizzaPub.com.
3. (tie) Mezza Luna Pizzeria, 933 Pearl St., 541-684-8900, 115 S. 5th St., Spfd, 541-653-8661, MezzalunaPizzeria.com and
Osteria DOP, 1122 Oak St., 541-913-6460, OsteriaDop.com.
Since 2023, Hey Neighbor! has reigned supreme at the number one spot on Eugene Weekly’s Best of in the pizza category. Whether it’s their adored corgi mascots or the consistency of a wood fired crust, clearly EW readers can’t get enough. The restaurant emphasizes keeping a pie focused — letting a star ingredient shine. A fan favorite, the Bombo, adds a touch of sweetness through hot honey that compliments the otherwise meaty pie. A commitment to fresh ingredients helps Hey Neighbor! stand out, and inviting atmospheres at both locations transforms pizza night into a neighborhood gathering.
1. Paper Plate BBQ, 232 West 5th Ave, 541-606-2130, PaperPlateBbq.com.
2. Bill & Tim’s Barbecue and Tap House, 201 E. 13th Ave., 541-654-0578, BillandTims.com.
3. Hole in the Wall Barbecue, 3200 W. 11th Ave., 541-683-7378, HoleintheWallbbq.com.
As the smoky aroma drifts onto 5th Avenue, the owner and chef of Paper Plate BBQ, Isaiah Watson, begins smoking brisket to start his day. “I wanted to bring good BBQ to Oregon; my purpose is to share soul food with the community,” Watson says.
After a recent move to West 5th, nothing has changed for the beloved food cart. Now serving breakfast items like brisket breakfast tacos and biscuits and gravy with sweet and spicy sausage at an affordable price. Watson began serving breakfast because he wanted to give back to the people who had continued to support his journey. “I wanted to create something unique and give back to my amazing clients in an affordable way,” he says.
Watson hopes to open a brick-and-mortar as Paper Plate BBQ hopes to be a community space unlike any other. “I want a space where people can gather together with music, dancing and really good food,” Watson says.
1. McMenamins, North Bank, 22 Club Rd., 541-343-5622, High Street Brewery, 1243 High St., 541-345-4905, East 19th Café, 1485 E. 19th Ave., 541-342-4025, McMenamins.com.
2. Texas Roadhouse, 1060 Valley River Way, 541-345-7427, TexasRoadHouse.com.
3. Red Robin, 1221 Executive Pkwy., 541-484-9588, RedRobin.com.
Bring your party of five and celebrate your birthday at McMenamins, the place of beer, Cajun tots and burgers. The atmosphere inside this favorite chain restaurant is campy, casual and outdoorsy. There are three locations in Eugene — East 19th Avenue, High Street and Club Road — and the one located on Club Road feels like you’re in a tree hut overlooking the Willamette River.
Interestingly enough, none of the locations say they do something special for birthdays, not a free dessert nor pastry. Brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin opened its first location as we know it today in 1983. Since then, the company has rehabilitated multiple historic properties into pubs and restaurants across the state.
1. Ta Ra Rin, 1200 Oak St., 541-343-1230, TararinThai.com.
2. Krob Krua Thai Kitchen, 1313 Pearl St., 541-636-6267, KrobKrua.com.
3. Sabai, 27 Oakway Ctr., 541-654-5424, SabaiCafe.com.
1. Jade Dumpling & Noodle House, 2560 Willamette St., 541-968-9258, JadeDumplingor.com.
2. Bao Bao House, 868 W Park St., 541-799-1088, and 3342 Gateway St., Spfd., 541-600-8868, BaobaoHouseor.com.
3. Spice N’ Steam, 1655 W. 11th Ave., 541-654-0338, SpicenSteam.com.
1. Izakaya Meiji, 345 Van Buren St., 541-505-8804, IzakayaMeiji.com.
2. Akira, 359 Mill St., 458-205-8288, AkiraEugene.com.
3. Sushi Pure, 259 E. 5th Ave., 541-654-0608, SushiPureEugene.com.
1. Osteria DOP, 1122 Oak St., 541-913-6460, OsteriaDop.com.
2. Beppe and Gianni’s Trattoria, 1646 E. 19th Ave., 541-683-6661, BeppeandGiannis.net.
3. Placido’s Pasta Shop, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., #110, 458-205-8092, Placidos.com.
1. Toshi’s Ramen, 1520 Pearl St., 541-683-7833, ToshisRamen.com.
2. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
3. Mandy’s Family Restaurant, 1491 Willamette St., 541-654-0382, Mandys-Restaurant.com.
1. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com.
2. The Bier Stein Bottleshop & Pub, 1591 Willamette St., 541-485-2437, ThebierStein.com.
3. Jackalope Lounge, 453 Willamette St., 541-485-1519, JackalopeLounge.com.
1. Gotcha Burger, 1702 W. 7th Ave., 541-653-9077, Facebook/GotchaBurgers.
2. Cornucopia, 521 Main St., Spfd., 207 E. 5th Ave., 295 W. 17th Ave., 541-485-2879, CornucopiaEugene.com.
3. Toxic Burger, 2866 Willamette St., 541-930-3355, 2766 W. 11th Ave., 541-255-4345, 943 River Rd., 541-689-9464, 4175 Main St., Spfd., 541-650-6165, 285 E. Oregon Ave., Creswell, 541-658-5251, ToxicBurger.com.
1. Portal Tea, 41 W. Broadway, 541-636-3021, PortalTea.co.
2. Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com.
3. J-Tea, 2778 Friendly St., 541-357-5492, JteaInternational.com.
1. Aaron (Sully) Sullivan, Wandering Goat, 268 Madison St., 541-344-5161, WanderingGoat.com.
2. Lily Frazee, Glasshouse Coffee & Kitchen, 520 Blair Blvd., 458-210-8357, RadiantCoffeeRoasters.com.
3. Jaci Bothman, Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com.
1. (tie) Home and Jazzy Ladies, 560 Oak St., 541-636-9923, JazzyLadiesCafe.com.
2. Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com.
3. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
Yeah, if you’ve got a food allergy, maybe it’s best to eat at home. But cooking at home gets old, real quick. Nothing is more of a drag than remembering after a day of work to go in the kitchen and cook — and then wash dishes. So celiacs of the world unite, because Jazzy Ladies Cafe and Club is a gluten-free space to run away from the never-ending question, “What’s for dinner?”
Jazzy Ladies’ menu has something for a groggy morning brunch, casual dinner before a show at the Hult Center, or fine dining for a special occasion. And it’s the special occasions that the celiacs can savor dishes that would otherwise be a roll of the dice in wheat-infested kitchens. The restaurant has several dishes to list that warrant this place better than home — the Diablo Shrimp Pasta, patatas bravas, chicken marsala — but nothing beats a safe place where you can enjoy a slice of bread and dip it in oil and balsamic without worry of cross contamination.
Living up to its name, on Thursdays, the restaurant hosts live jazz, often bringing in the Jazz Ambassadors, three legendary fixtures of Eugene’s jazz scene: bassist Steve Mosher, pianist Gus Russell and drummer Georges Bouhey. Maybe eating at home is the safest bet for those with food allergies, but if you’ve got celiac, Jazzy Ladies will always beat laboring in the kitchen.
1. Tiff Smith, Electric Lettuce, 1201 W. 11th Ave., 541-735-3813, ElectricLettuce.com.
2. Kris Stapleton, Going Green Eugene, 439 W. 1st Ave., 541-735-3521, Dutchie.com.
3. Michael Harris, TJ’s on Willamette, 1027 Willamette St., 541-246-8835, Tjsoregon.com.
1. Moss Crossing, 2751 Friendly St., 541-636-3724, MossCrossing.com.
2. Spacebuds the Dispensary, 741 Lincoln St., 541-505-9834, SpacebudstheDispensary.com.
3. (tie) TJ’s on Willamette, 1027 Willamette St., 541-246-8835, Tjsoregon.com and Sweet Tree Farms, 4097 W. 11th Ave., 541-246-8075, StfEugene.com.
1. The Crypt, 226 7th St., Springfield, Instagram @thecrypt541.
2. Passionflower Design, 128 E. Broadway, 541-344-3857, PassionFloweDesign.com.
3. Harlequin Beads & Jewelry, 2833 Willamette St., Harlequinbeads.com.
1. Calvin Orlando Smith, Albertsons on Hilyard, 3075 Hilyard St., 541-687-1742, Local.albertsons.com.
2. Steph Roemer, Hodgepodge Books and Taps, 158 E. 14th Ave., 541-525-1718, Booksandtaps.com.
3. Janet, Bi-Mart on 18th & Chambers, 1680 W. 18th Ave., 541-342-2687, Bimart.com.
1. Schapiro CPA, PO Box 11233, Schapirocpa.com.
2. Accountants on the Go, 1850 Oak St., 541-342-1040, Accountants-on-the-go.com.
3. Bean Counters, 1293 18th St., Spfd., 541-726-0908, BeanCounterTax.com.
1. Amanda Nicole, 4247 Loft, 390 Lincoln St., 541-515-6422, 4247Loft.com.
2. Elena Leona Carbajal, I Run With Scissors, the salon, 1849 Oak St., 541-357-5421, IrunwithScissorstheSalon.com.
3. Tina Thornley, Amethyst Hair Studio, 1631 Oak St., 541-520-2268, Linktr.ee/amethysthairstudio541.
1. Jodi Wiktorowski, Eugene Animal Hospital, 1432 Orchard St. 541-342-1178, EugeneAnimal.com.
2. Cameron Jones, Amazon Park Animal Clinic, 725 E. 25th Ave. 541-485-0161, AmazonParkVet.com.
3. Patricia Shea, Cat Care Eugene, 1400 Willamette St., 541-302-5824, CatCareEugene.com.
1. Geo Bitgood, Whole Woman Psychotherapy LLC, 541-632-4243 (text), WholeWomanPsychotherapy.com.
2. Leslie Prieto, Lane County Mobile Crisis Service, text 988 or call 541-682-1001, Eugene-or.gov/5389/Mobile-Crisis-Services.
3. Aimee Goglia, private practice, 541-361-5112.
1. Morgan Hawk, Orb Weaver Healing Arts, 201 Blair Blvd., 828-620-6097, OrbWeaverHealing.com.
2. Lily Brunner, Tigerlily Massage, 740 Main St., Springfield, Massagebook.com/therapists/tigerlilymassagellc.
3. Five Bodies Collective, 2485 W. 7th Place, ste. 1, 541-344-4788, FiveBodiesCollective.com.
Taking first last year as well in EW’s Best of readers poll, Morgan Hawk initially wasn’t interested in being a massage therapist, a career that they viewed as monotonous. But tiring of bartending in North Carolina, Hawk, by their own relocation, “cast a spell, and I put all of the intentions and like qualities I wanted in a job into it” on a new moon. On a full moon, a man walked into the bar where they were working at, telling them he was celebrating transitioning into a massage therapy career. Intrigued by what he was saying, Hawk learned the program he was joining was low-cost and taking only 13 people. “I cannot just turn up my nose at this gift that’s being handed to me. So I just took a shot,” Hawk says of taking the leap. What’s stood out to Hawk over their career is how “touch-starved” people are and the need for “platonic intimacy.” Hawk feels a special connection with clients who have experienced loss, something Hawk is no stranger to. “I think there’s something so special about getting to hold space for people who are also traversing the depths of what that feels like,” Hawk says. Settling in the Eugene area in 2017 when their truck broke down and needed to find work immediately, Hawk feels loved by the community. “I’ve just felt so supported by the community through all of, like, my big traumas and loss, and this is just another way they always show up for me. And I just feel like it’s so special.”
1. Courtney Stroming, Queen Bee Tattoo & Salon, 226 Main St., Springfield, 541-747-9573, QueenBeeTattoos.com.
2. Samantha Houston, Dream House Piercing, 114 E. 16th Ave., 541-321-0112, DreamHousePiercing.com.
3. Summer Shield, Dirt Nap Tattoo, 247 W. 10th Ave., Instagram @dirtnaptattoostudio.
1. Kendall Value Lot, 20 Coburg Rd., 844-376-9175, KendallValuelotEugene.com.
2. St. Vinnies on 99, 456 Hwy 99 N, 541-461-4688, Svdp.us/services.
3. Lithia Nissan, 2060 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., 541-658-1126, LithiaNissanEugene.com.
1. Joe’s Garage, 888 W. 1st Ave., 541-507-8788, JoesGarageEugene.com.
2. Sun Automotive, 1905 Agate St. (541-344-0869), 391 Rustic Place (541-344-2219), 255 S. A St., Springfield (541-746-6430), 490 Ivy St., Junction City (541-746-6430), SunAutomotive.com.
3. City View Imports, 251 W. 7th Ave., 541-484-5555, CityViewImport.com.
1. Bicycle Way of Life, 556 Charnelton St., 541-344-4105, 2480 Alder St., 541-342-6155, Bicycleway.com.
2. Shift Community Cycles, 811 W. 6th Ave., 541-728-2453, Shiftcc.org.
3. Hutch’s Bicycle Store, 960 Charnelton St., 541-345-7521, Facebook/HutchsBicycles.
1. Down To Earth Home, Garden & Gift, 532 Olive St., 541-342-6820, DowntoEarthEugene.com.
2. Gray’s Garden Center, 737 W. 6th Ave., 541-345-1569, GraysGardens.com.
3. Eugene Backyard Farmer, 501 Washington St., 541-485-3276, EugeneBackyardFarmer.com.
1. Lane County Farmers Market on Saturday, Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., LaneCountyFarmersMarket.org.
2. Tuesday Market at Farmers Market Pavilion, Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., LaneCountyFarmersMarket.org.
3. Whiteaker Community Market, 1180 W. 4th Ave., WhiteakerCommunityMarket.com.
1. Art of War MMA, 164 W. Broadway, 541-870-6954, ArtofWar-mma.com.
2. Queer Eugene Grappling Club, Beginner Jiu Jitsu, The Lavender Network, 440 Maxwell Rd., Instagram @queer.eugene.grappling.club.
3. RMA Martial Arts, 2709 Willamette St., 541-344-0404, RightMentalAttitude.com.
1. Everyday People Yoga, 352 W. 12th Ave., 541-782-8678, EpyogaEugene.com.
2. Eugene Yoga, 3575 Donald St., 541-520-8771; 199 E. 5th Ave., 541-520-8771, EugeneYoga.us.
3. The Yoga Place, 4730 Village Plaza Loop, ste. 130, 541-654-4475, YogaPlaceEugene.com.
1. Eugene YMCA, 600 East 24th Ave., 541-686-9622, EugeneYmca.org.
2. Elevation Bouldering Gym, 348 Lincoln St., 541-972-3595, ElevationGym.com.
3. Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St., 541-484-4011, DowntownAC.com.
1. Oregon Community Credit Union, 488 E. 11th Ave., 3065 W. 11th Ave., 2890 Willamette St., 800-265-1111, MyOccu.org.
2. SELCO Community Credit Union, 299 E. 11th Ave., 3630 W 11th Ave., 221 Division Ave., 925 Harlow Rd., Spfd., 5251 Main St., Spfd., 800-445-4483, Selco.org.
3. OnPoint Community Credit Union, 207 Coburg Rd., 60 Division Ave., 650 Q St., Spfd., 503-228-7077, Onpointcu.com.
1. Ghost Town Outfitters, 1040 Tyinn St. and 365 E. 13th Ave., 541-654-6876. Instagram @ghost.town.outfitters.
2. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117 and 199 Q St., Spfd., 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
3. Wild Paisley Vintage, 37 W. 13th Ave., 828-242-2961, Instagram @wildpaisleyvintage.
1. Sperry Tree Care, 29978 E. Enid Rd., 541-461-1737, SperryTreeCare.com.
2. GreenTree Arborists, 4075 Aerial Way, 541-735-2499, EugeneArborists.com.
3. (tie) Chandler’s Tree Service, 541-953-7120, ChandlersTrees.com and Kyle King Tree Service, 85192 S. Willamette St., no social media available.
1. Eugene Gear Traders, 505 Willamette St., ste. 110, 541-515-6764, EugeneGearTraders.com.
2. Berg’s Ski Shop, 367 W. 13th Ave., 541-683-1300, BergsSkiShop.com.
3. Oregon Paddle Sports, 520 Commercial St., 541-505-9020, OregonPaddleSports.com.
1. Wizard Custom Builders, 865 Conger St., 541-799-6123, WizardCustomBuilders.com.
2. Stonewood Construction, 935 Oak St., 541-485-6638, StonewoodConstruction.com.
3. Justin Chitwood, Cascadia Construction, 3341 Videra Dr.
1. Cambria Trent, Hybrid Real Estate, 701 High St., 541-343-0322, Hybridrealestate.org.
2. Kevin Levy, Hybrid Real Estate, 701 High St., 541-343-0322, Hybridrealestate.org.
3. Ashley Jorgensen, Windermere Real Estate, 1600 Oak St., 541-484-2022, 3011 N. Delta Hwy, 541-465-8103, Windermerelaneco.com.
1. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117, and 199 Q St., Spfd., 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
2. BRING Recycling, 4446 Franklin Blvd., 541-746-3023, Bringrecycling.org.
3. Oak Street Vintage, 500 Olive St., 541-345-1883, OakStreetVintage.com.
1. Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., 541-345-8986, TsunamiBooks.org.
2. Smith Family Bookstore, 525 Willamette St., 541-343-4717, SmithFamilyBookstore.com.
3. HodgePodge Books and Taproom, 158 E. 14th Ave., 541-525-1718, Booksandtaps.com.
1. HodgePodge Books and Taproom, 158 E. 14th Ave., 541-525-1718, BooksandTaps.com.
2. Peek-A-Boo Delight, 861 Willamette St., 541-393-1151, Instagram @peekaboodelight.
3. Dream House Piercing, 114 E. 16th Ave., 541-321-0112, DreamHousePiercing.com.
1. The Duck Store, 895 E. 13th Ave., 541-255-0700, 2735 Leo Harris Pkwy, 541-255-0831, 293 Valley River Ctr., 541-255-0835, Uoduckstore.com.
2. Hirons, 185 E. 18th Ave., 541-344-4832, and 1950 Franklin Blvd., 541-344-5268, Hironsdrug.com.
3. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Dr., 541-743-7117, and 199 Q St., Spfd, 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
1. Hirons, 185 E. 18th Ave., 541-344-4832, 1950 Franklin Blvd., 541-344-5268, Hironsdrug.com.
2. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117, 199 Q St., Spfd, 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
3. Time Traveler’s Antique Mall, 2020 Main St., Spfd., 541-357-5468, TimeTravelersAntiqueMall.com.
1. University of Oregon dorms, Housing.uoregon.edu.
2. The Hayward, 1180 Willamette St., 541-762-9127, HaywardStudentLiving.com.
3. Chase Courtyard, 275 S. Garden Way, 541-359-3540, ChaseCourtyard.com.
1. Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., 541-682-5318, Eugene-or.gov/campbellcenter.
2. Eugene Hotel, 222 E. Broadway, 541-862-6388, EugeneHotelRetirement.com.
3. Willamette Oaks Retirement Community, 455 Alexander Lp., 541-343-2688, Willametteoaks.com.
1. Lauren Regan, Civil Liberties Defense Center, 1711 Willamette St., 541-687-9180, Cldc.org.
2. Cassie Peters, Cassie Peters Legal, 132 E. Broadway, 541-972-2769, CassiePeters.com.
3. Matt Watkins, Matt Watkins Law, 795 W. 7th Ave., 541-228-9777, MattWatkinsLaw.com.
Lauren Regan is on the forefront of activist legal defense. In 2003, Regan founded the Civil Liberties Defense Center as a response to the implementation of post-9/11 policies such as the USA PATRIOT Act, which brought increased scrutiny on activists across the country. Since the CLDC’s founding, Regan and her team have been instrumental in cases that shaped how activists are treated in the justice system. One example is her work on the Green Scare prosecutions during the early 2000s where Regan and her team defended environmental activists — often helping them avoid a life behind bars for political acts. “Often it’s a matter of ensuring that political activists get to remain political activists,” Regan says.Today, activists are facing some of the same threats seen during the early 2000s. “Repression comes in waves, and we are certainly seeing a heightened phase of it, probably the most severe that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Regan says. She stresses that young activists should know their rights and be aware that they’re a part of a broader movement. “The choice is, are you going to fight for this better world, or are you going to give up,” Regan says.
Best of Eugene is a Eugene Weekly readers poll. We open nominations in August (typically) and ask our readers for feedback.
We take the top nominees for each category and have a runoff round of voting.
If you would like to to be notified when nominations open and receive tools to help with the process, sign up below.
1. Jennifer Denson, Burrito Brigade.
2. Cary Lieberman, Greenhill Humane Society.
3. Antonio Huerta, Comunidad y Herencia Cultural.
This category could also be called Best Community Hero. From Jennifer Denson’s tireless work feeding the hungry, Cary Lieberman’s leadership on the area’s adoptable animals to Antonio Huerta’s tireless efforts to showcase Latino culture, the nonprofit leaders in this town shine.
1. Kiva Grocery Store, 125 W. 11th Ave., 541-342-8666, KivaGrocery.com.
2. Sundance Natural Foods, 748 E. 24th Ave., 541-343-9142, SundanceNaturalFoods.com.
3. Capella Market, 2489 Willamette St., 541-345-1014, CapellaMarket.com.
Eugene’s lucky for its relative abundance of walkable local markets. Some cities are food deserts and others are limited to big chain groceries, but here, we have locally owned stores full of locally grown, organic and specialty foods. Eugene Weekly doesn’t decide who wins — this is a readers poll — but we do confess to having the deli offerings at first-place winner Kiva memorized!
1. Yosuke Shibata, South Eugene High School, track and field.
2. (tie) Bryce Boettcher, University of Oregon football,
Dante Moore, University of Oregon football.
3. Eric Rosenfeld, Ultimate Frisbee.
It’s not often that a 17-year-old runner stands with Duck football players for grit, athleticism, achievement and value in the community.
Yet, in this competition, the votes for Yosuke Shibata outnumbered not one, but two professional sportsballers: Duck quarterback Dante Moore and linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who both tied for second place. Shibata is a long-distance runner from South Eugene High who has been competing in track and field and cross country since he was in middle school. He is currently the third fastest high school cross country runner in Oregon, and the 32nd fastest in the United States with a 5k time of 14:38.
In June of this year, he took home first place at the Nike Outdoor Nationals race by running a (far too fast) 4:12 mile. His secret, he says, is self motivation. Before winning in June, he suffered from shin splints and pneumonia over the winter. “I love running a lot, and I really want to get better,” Shibata says. “It was a tough start, but I was really proud of myself to push through until the end of the season and be as consistent as I could and end up with a win.” His advice to other athletes “is to be consistent, not to slam your workouts or run too hard. And focus on recovery as well, because that’s where you reap the benefits,” he says. Shibata hopes to continue running in college, and pursue a degree in either environmental systems or marine biology. Another fun fact about him: not only did he not campaign at all for Best of Eugene, but he didn’t even know what Best of Eugene was until Eugene Weekly reached out to him to tell him that he had been nominated.
1. FOOD For Lane County, 770 Bailey Hill Rd., 541-343-2822, FoodforLaneCounty.org.
2. Burrito Brigade, 1775 W. 6th Ave., 541-632-3239, BurritoBrigade.org.
3. Food Not Bombs, Instagram @foodnotbombs_eugene/?hl=en.
1. Ashley Newport, Anomaly Hair Collective, 837 Monroe St., AnomalyHairCollective.com.
2. Jordin McDowell, Anomaly Hair Collective, 837 Monroe St., AnomalyHairCollective.com.
3. Gretchen Costello, @fetchwithgretch
1. Tiger Mama, 1080 W. 3rd Ave., 458-273-3166, Instagram @tigermamautrecht.
2. Seoul K-Food, 2870 Willamette St., 458-210-2945, Seoulk-food.com.
3. Kkoki Korean BBQ, 65 Division Ave., 541-844-1398, Kkokibbq.com.
Some of us peaked in high school, some of us are still peaking, but it’s the readers of Lane County who decide who are the peak picks of Eugene, year after year. Read along with the Weekly as we induce some high school flashbacks in our yearbook-themed Best of issue. Congrats to the winners — and the voters, who had their voices heard (yes, that is veiled political commentary in an otherwise non-political poll). Stay tuned next week for staff picks — the fun, weird and quirky things in Lane County we want to shout out. Got a suggestion for a staff pick or a Best of category for next year? Send it to Editor@EugeneWeekly.com.
1. McKenzie River Trust, 725 W. 1st Ave., 541-345-2799, McKenzieRiver.org.
2. Cascadia Wildlands, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., ste. 250, 541-434-1463, CascWild.org.
3. Beyond Toxics, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., ste. 280, 541-465-8860, BeyondToxics.org.
1. St. Vincent de Paul, 2890 Chad Dr., 541-687-5820, Svdp.us.
2. Burrito Brigade, 1775 W. 6th Ave., 541-632-3239, BurritoBrigade.org.
3. Black Thistle Street Aid, 541-232-8546, BlackThistleStreetAid.org.
1. Cascades Raptor Center, 32275 Fox Hollow Rd., 541-485-1320, CascadesRaptorCenter.org.
2. Greenhill Humane Society, 88530 Greenhill Rd., 541-689-1503, Green-Hill.org.
3. S.A.R.A.’s Treasures, 871 River Rd., 541-607-8892, SarasTreasures.org.
Cascades Raptor Center is saving lives, one bird at a time. Founded in 1987, the Raptor Center has grown to be a nationally recognized wildlife rehabilitation and education center. It has a full-fledged animal hospital where volunteers and medical staff help injured or sick birds get back on their feet, or in this case, back in the sky. “It’s always a thrill,” says senior rehabilitation technician Jesse Pline. “We always get huge joy from seeing those birds that we worked so hard on getting them back to the wild.” Besides the hospital, the Raptor Center is heavily involved in education. “When you are able to put a bird in front of a child, that child can look at that bird and be like, ‘Whoa, this bird is here, and they’re real,’” says trainer and educator Carrie Lorenz, “they get a deeper appreciation for it.” Cascades Raptor Center receives around 4,000 calls per year from members of the public who are concerned for a bird’s wellbeing. “Anyone can call with questions or concerns about local wildlife,” Pline says.
1. All of them, Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., 541-682-5450, 1566 Coburg Rd., 1990 Echo Hollow Rd., Eugene-or.gov.
2. Julie Vignoul, South Eugene High School, 400 E. 19th Ave., 541-790-8000, Sehs.4j.lane.edu/.
3. Ben Farrell, University of Oregon Law School Library, 1515 Agate St., 541-346-3088, Library.uoregon.edu/law.
1. Andrea Herrera, University of Oregon Faculty Director, LGBTQIA+ Scholars, AndreaPHerrera.com.
2. Brian Haimbach, Lane Community College Theater.
3. Hayden Harker, University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences.
1. Leah Dunbar, Churchill High School.
2. Deon Saraceno, Eugene International High School.
3. India John, Wellsprings Friends.
1. Canceling CAHOOTS
2. No Kings Protest
3. ICE protests
1. Eugene Weekly
2. Scott Landfield, Tsunami Books
3. Sarah Pishioneri, Labor Organizer
Damn kids, it says a lot about the Weekly, or a lot about being journalists in this current political climate, or perhaps a lot about surviving an embezzlement because the community rose up to save us, but here we are, a hellraising commie rag!
1. Ron Wyden, U.S. senator.
2. Val Hoyle, U.S. representative.
3. Kaarin Knudson, Eugene mayor.
1. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, 1430 Johnson Lane, University of Oregon, 541-346-3027, Jsma.Uoregon.edu.
2. The Hybrid Gallery, 941 W. 3rd Ave., 541-321-6977, TheHybridEugene.com.
3. New Zone Gallery, 110 E. 11th Ave., 541-683-0759, NewZoneGallery.org.
It isn’t exactly a “gallery,” but the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on campus at the University of Oregon has several art galleries that it regularly fills with some of the best regional, national and occasionally international art you’re going to find anywhere near Eugene.
Right now, the JSMA — as it’s lovingly called by supporters, when they don’t call it the Schnitz — is showing paintings by James Lavadour, perhaps the greatest living artist in Oregon. A creator of large abstract landscapes from the eastern part of the state, paintings and prints whose splashy color might remind you of the 19th century British painter J.M.W Turner, Lavadour is also the founder of Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts near Pendleton.
James Lavadour: Land of Origin runs through Jan. 11 at the museum’s large Barker Gallery.
Shows like that make up for the Schnitz’s occasional forays into arid academic art that only a professor could love, and for the fact that it’s more or less impossible to park anywhere close to the museum.
It’s worth making the effort to go. Thanks to a weird loophole in tax law, through its Shared Visions program, the Schnitz also regularly displays individual works on loan from the collections of anonymous members of the 1 percent. Think names like Picasso, Dali, Magritte, Rivera and Basquiat.Admission is $5, but the budget conscious can pay as you wish after 5 pm on Wednesdays, and first Friday admission is free all day.
1. Emily Poole, EPooleArt.com, Instagram.com/epooleart/.
2. Shanna Trumbly, ShannaTrumbly.com, Instagram.com/shanna_trumbly_art/.
3. Jud Turner, JudTurner.com.
1. Luke N. Good, Facebook and Instagram.com/luke.n.good/.
2. Heavy Cream, Facebook and Instagram @heavy_creammm.
3. Edd Zackly, Instagram @eddZackly.
Fabulousness runs in the family. 2024’s Best Drag King is Heavy Cream (Mel Funke), who just happens to be Luke N. Good’s (Sarah Majercin’s) “Drag Dad” (the equivalent of a “big” in college Greek life). “When I was first starting out, the prospect of even finding makeup tutorials of how to present as a drag king was really difficult, so it was really invaluable to have [Cream] and others in the community who could give me tips,” Majercin says. “He was definitely somebody in the community who gave me a lot of guidance. So if you see photos of us, people say there’s family resemblance.”
Though these two kings have a lot in common, along with both being the best, Luke N. Good has his own brand of charismatic glimmer. He’s “the handsomest man in the world. He’s very dapper. He’s very self-assured. He’s a bit of a playboy. He’s definitely a huge flirt, and he likes to take off his pants,” Majercin says. “There’s also the PG side, where he’s very goofy, he’s very silly and he’s definitely got a big nerdy side, too.” Luke N. Good has produced a number of sexy nerd drag shows in and around Eugene, including ones that revolve around The Muppets, the band Queen, Nicolas Cage, and even a Jimmy Buffett show which drew in a much older crowd. Aside from that, Good is a member of Heavy Cream’s Haus of Creme drag house, The Muse Collective Cabaret and a 2025 SLUG queen runner up.
His favorite song to lip sync is “Boyfriend” by Lou Bega “because it talks about stealing somebody’s girl, which I think is a very Luke N. Good move,” Majercin says.
1. Athena Delene, Delene & Co., 541-515-9442, Delene.Co.
2. Tyler Price, Ty’s Eye Photography, Tyseye.com/photography.
3. Talon Aleister, Dean Photography, Instagram.com/talonaleisterphotography.
1. Mitra Gruwell, DiscardUpcycling.com.
2. Sweet Skins Hemp, 850 W. 2nd Ave., 541-393-6925, SweetSkins.com.
3. Sierah, “SEW Fresh,” @sierahsewfresh.
“One thing we give ourselves permission to have as our own is our style,” Mitra Gruwell says. Gruwell has had a fashion passion for well over 20 years, and her designs have been all over Eugene. In her career, she has designed for St. Vinnie’s, Ballet Fantastique and MECCA, she’s owned her own store, and she’s thrown a number of local fashion shows since 2007 to benefit her nonprofit that teaches industrial sewing to people recovering from homelessness.
Her latest project is Discard Upcycling, which has been her sustainable “anti-brand” since 2020. “You know how some fashion brands are just really all about their name?” she says, referring to how the name “Gucci” is as important as the article of clothing that dons it. “I was fantasizing about a time in the future when being proud of wearing something that’s upcycled or discarded would be on the same level as wearing a really fancy brand.” She envisioned people wearing her shirts with the word “Discard” scrawled across, as if to say, “I’m proud and it’s cool to wear something that was trash or discarded.” Discard Upcycling’s slogan is “Waste Alchemy,” she says, because “I’m transmuting waste into something of value.” She has recently shifted her focus heavily to holding classes and teaching people how to upcycle their own items. “A mindset that I’m trying to spread and encourage with all my teaching and all my work, is just showing people the value of old things,” she says. Whether it’s through her lessons, fix-it fairs or fashion shows, her favorite part of her craft is “repairing something old and watching it become usable again and valued again.”
1. Eugene Symphony, EugeneSymphony.org.
2. Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestra, EsyOrchestras.org.
3. Chamber Music Amici, ChamberMusicAmici.org.
1. The Sugar Beets, Facebook.com/TheSugarBeets.
2. Soul Vibrator, Instagram @soulvibrator.
3. BabySmooth, Instagram @babysmoothsincebirth.
1. Very Little Theatre, 2350 Hilyard St., 541-344-7751, TheVlt.com.
2. Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W. Broadway, 541-465-1506, OCTheatre.org.
3. Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Dr., Cottage Grove, 541-942-8001, CottageTheatre.org.
Local theater in and around Eugene is so good that this is a tight race. Very Little Theatre may have an edge because its roots go deeper into local history than anyone else’s. It was founded in 1929, right before the stock market crashed, launching the Great Depression, and has been bringing serious drama and bright comedy into people’s lives ever since.
1. Lyta Blunt, @lytablunt.
2. Karress Ann Slaughter (Cornel Hardiman), Facebook.com/GlamazonsEugene.
3. Shirley Mental, instagram.com/shirley_mental.
For nearly a decade, Lyta Blunt has been the local life of the party — a drag queen, actress and DJ who turned every stage in Eugene into her runway. About two months ago, the Lane Community College alum took her talents north to Portland’s drag scene, but not before sweeping Eugene’s Best Of awards for Best Drag Queen, Best Actress and Best Club DJ, leaving behind a trail of green glitter and love. “I’m still a drag queen in Eugene — I’m just not sleeping here at night,” she says with a laugh.
For Blunt, DJing, acting and drag all flow from the same creative energy. “I was able to start DJing pretty much right after I was out of college, and that wasn’t necessarily what I expected,” she says. What began as spinning tracks at drag shows soon became a passion — and shaped her start in drag. “It’s the best job ever,” she says. Blunt is also the creator of Baddies Night, a QTBIPOC-centered dance party she launched in Eugene to fill a gap in the local nightlife scene. “I’m super excited to be nominated for DJ this year. When I started Baddies Night, there wasn’t really anything like it,” she says. “Creating a space where people can be not just represented but celebrated really means so so much to me.” — Kat Tabor
1. Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.
2. Kali Kardas, Instagram @kaliekardas.
3. Molly McCarthy, no information available locally.
1. DJ Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.
2. DJ Smuve, Instagram @djsmuve1.
3. DJ Sapphire Strange, Instagram @sapphire.is.strange.
1. Love Cross, KLCC, 89.7 FM.
2. Deb Trist, Downtown Deb, KLCC, 89.7 FM, Dead Air on Facebook, KLCC.org.
3. Reverend Marc Time, KWVA, 88.1 FM.
When Eugene wakes up, many start their day by tuning in to their favorite morning host. For countless listeners — whether on the dial or through their smart speakers — that familiar voice on KLCC 89.7 FM belongs to Love Cross, on air each morning from 6 am to 9 am.
Cross joined KLCC in 2017, beginning her public radio career as a graduate student hosting Morning Edition for Boise State Public Radio in the late 1990s, according to her profile on KLCC.org. Although she has earned multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best Newscast and honors from the Public Media Journalists Association, Cross says this was her first time being nominated in a Best of category in Eugene Weekly. “This is the first time I’ve even been nominated for something like this, so it’s super fun,” Cross says. “I just feel so grateful that I get to have such a wonderful job in our community.”
1. Matt Templeman, KEZI, ABC Channel 9, KEZI.com.
2. Gold Meadows, KMTR, NBC Channel 16, NBC16.com.
3. Clare Brennan, FOX34, Fox Channel 34, OregonsFox.com.
1. Camilla Mortensen, editor, Eugene Weekly, bestofeugene.com/.
2. Brian Bull, reporter, KLCC & Buffalo’s Fire, Klcc.org, BuffalosFire.com.
3. Tiffany Lewis, KVAL, CBS Channel 13, Kval.com.
For Eugene Weekly’s own Camilla Mortensen, love of story has been a driving force. With a background in folklore, her background in interviewing and analyzing information gave her the courage to apply for a position at Eugene Weekly in 2007, “because on some level, journalism is always, in the end, telling the story,” according to Mortensen. When the Weekly’s embezzlement was discovered nearly two years ago, a disheartening moment of co-worker betrayal became a heartwarming experience of local and national outreach. “We thought we were done for at the newspaper, and the community and people across the country came back and fundraised and supported and offered help,” Mortensen says. “It tells you that you’re doing something right as a news source, and it tells you that people value a community newspaper in this day and age, despite all the things that newspapers and journalists are up against.”
Brian Bull took second place. “I am from a Native American background, and when I grew up in rural Idaho, there was so much prejudice and bigotry that I encountered growing up that I was trying to find ways to address it,” he says. “I eventually reasoned that people who are bigoted or prejudiced have misconceptions that they’ve been fed since birth.” Bull adds, “I think journalism is a great way to share and uplift voices from underrepresented communities.” A journalist for only a couple of years, Tiffany Lewis has already learned a lot about working in media and herself from her bosses at KVAL, whom she has come to see as mentors. Completely new to the field when she started at KVAL in fall 2022, her reporting has included coverage of CAHOOTS’s closure, homeless encampment sweeps and the experiences of Jewish students on the University of Oregon campus. Though still early in her career, she’s “learned that it’s really important to remember that you’re representing the station that you work for, and you’re kind of representing journalism as a whole when you cover certain things.”
1. Eugene SLUG Queens, Instagram @slugqueens.
2. Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.
3. Hazel Jae, Instagram @hazeldaez.
1. Jorah LaFleur, spoken word poetry, JorahLaFleur.com.
2. Jalen Thompson, performance poetry. jalenthompsonmedia.com.
3. Miriam Gershow, fiction, MiriamGershow.com.
1. Eugene Saturday Market.
2. Springfield Block Party.
3. Whiteaker Block Party.
1. Blairally, 245 Blair Blvd., Blairally.com.
2. WOW Hall, 291 W. 8th Ave., WOWHall.org.
3. Cowfish Cafe and Lounge, 62 W. Broadway, Facebook.com/cowfish.danceclub, Instagram @cowfishdanceclub_cafe.
1. Betty Jaeger/Peaches Von Killingsworth, Instagram @peaches_von_killingsworth.
2. Bebe Boudoir, Instagram @bebeboudoir.
3. Katana DeVille, Instagram @katanadevillex.
1. Baroque Betty (Bettreena Jaeger), Instagram.com/baroque_betty.
2. Halie Loren, HalieLoren.com.
3. Amiia Nectar, Instagram.com/amiianectar.
After landing in the top three for many years, Bettreena “Betty” Jaeger takes first place in the Best Singer-Songwriter category, and if you’ve ever heard her darkly beautiful indie folk songs, you know the honor is a long time coming. Over the years, she’s lent her haunting voice to several projects in town, mostly recently Baroque Betty, featuring Jaeger’s singing voice against acoustic guitar and luxuriant string arrangements. Jaeger’s lyrics, she says, “are written with the whimsy of literary antiquity, with themes of grief, grit and dreamlike dissociation from a sordid reality.” And she describes her sound ranging from “organic minimalism” to “swooping orchestral ballads.” Baroque Betty aside, Jaeger sometimes performs solo under her own name or with The Wax Poetry Revue burlesque and variety show, which she produces at various venues in town and around the state. To stay up to date, search Baroque Betty on social media or email BaroqueBetty@gmail.com. On winning Best Singer-Songwriter, Jaeger says, “I feel honored by our community for recognizing me for the title in the category!”
1. PLAY Eugene, 232 W. 5th Ave., 541-357-5010, PlayEugene.com.
2. Bingo at Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Blvd., 541-431-6603, SamBonds.com.
3. Trivia at beergarden, 777 W. 6th Ave., 541-505-9432, BeergardenMe.com.
1. Slice Pizzeria, 325 Blair Blvd., 541-653-9937, SlicePizzeriaBar.com.
2. The Barn Light, 924 Willamette St., 541-726-0313, Instagram @thebarnlightbar.
3. Karaoke Cabaret, The Sparrow & Serpent Pub, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, SparrowandSerpent.com.
1. Hazel Jae, Instagram @hazeldaez.
2. Seth Milstein, Facebook.com/sethmilstein and Instagram @sethmils.
3. Jen Jay, Facebook.com/JentotheJay and Instagram @jen_to_the_jay.
Raunchy and ready to rumble, Hazel Jae calls herself an “observational, queer and sex positive comedian” — sex positive, or as she puts it in one of her colorful bits, that’s just what you’d call being a slut on a job application. Impressing audiences in Eugene for about three years now, she says she draws from personal experience to “explore themes like sexuality, mental illness, family dynamics and societal norms.”
Beyond Eugene, she’s performed as far away as the Savage Henry Comedy Festival in Eureka, California. She says the best way to stay up to date on her shows, follow her or Eugene-based production company Hysterical Light Entertainment is on social media. Or instead, catch her twice-monthly show, Slay Hazel, at Starlight Lounge downtown on the second and third Thursday of each month. On winning Best Comedian, she says, “I’m overwhelmed at the sense of community I’ve had the honor to experience in my hometown of Eugene.” Coming in first place in the Best of Eugene contest, she says, “has proved to me, as if there ever was a doubt, that this community has an astounding appreciation for performers that are ‘too much.’”
1. It’s the trenches out here!
2. Blairally Vintage Arcade, 245 Blair Blvd., 541-683-1721, Blairally.com.
3. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
1. The Sparrow & Serpent, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, SparrowandSerpent.com.
2. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
3. Jameson’s Bar, 115 W. Broadway, 541-485-9913, Jamesonsbar.com.
Emily Chappell, owner of The Sparrow & Serpent, Eugene Weekly readers pick for the Best Queer Gathering spot in Eugene, says her establishment is many things for many people. “Our events are always geared towards our various communities,” she says, adding that drag queen Maliena is the force behind the brunch. According to Chappell, “People ask me, are we a goth bar, or a D&D bar, or a queer bar? And I say —YES!” EW readers also chose The Sparrow & Serpent, formerly Old Nick’s, as Best Drag Brunch, so its queer-themed events are especially popular with the community. “We are so honored to receive this award,” Chappell adds of Sparrow & Serpent’s Best Queer Gathering Spot win. “For years we have attempted to support and go to bat for our community against growing hate and fascist bullshit,” she says, “and it feels like we must be doing something right to receive the recognition. I always wanted to create a space where everyone felt safe being themselves.”
1. The Sparrow & Serpent Pub, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, SparrowandSerpent.com.
2. Mascara and Mimosas w/ Karess Ann Slaughter, Facebook.com/GlamazonsEugene.
3. Haus of Brunch, The Barn Light, Instagram @hausofblunt.
1. Geo Carcamo, beergarden and The PublicHouse, Instagram @geocarcamo.
2. FWD Trivia (Forest Walker Davis), Claim 52 and Gratitude, Instagram @fwdtrivia and Facebook.com/fwdtrivia.
3. Max’s Tavern, 550 E. 13th Ave., 541-349-8986, MaxsEugene.com.
1. Cuthbert Amphitheater, 601 Day Island Rd., 541-762-8099, TheCuthbert.com.
2. WOW Hall, 291 W. 8th Ave., 541-687-2746, WowHall.org.
3. Hult Center, 1 Eugene Ctr., 541-682-5000, HultCenter.org.
1. Mount Pisgah Arboretum, 34901 Frank Parrish Rd., 541-747-3817, MountPisgahArboretum.org.
2. Sweet Cheeks Winery, 27007 Briggs Hill Rd., 541-349-9463, SweetCheeksWinery.com.
3. Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., 541-852-7608, Eugene-or.gov/5061/Farmers-Market-Pavilion-and-Plaza.
Be it a summer wedding with a ceremony under the trees, the Mushroom Festival or the Wildflower Festival, Mount Pisgah Arboretum offers a scenic spot to gather with loved ones or everyone. And if the gathering gets to be too much, it’s a short stroll to the river or a longer hike to Swing Hill to enjoy nature in peace before heading back to the party.
1. Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th Ave., 1566 Coburg Rd., 1990 Echo Hollow Rd., 541-682-5450, Eugene-or.gov/4422/Eugene-Public-Library.
2. Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, 541-682-7888, EugeneScienceCenter.org.
3. Amazon Pool, 2600 Hilyard St., 541-682-5350, Eugene-or.gov/3223/Amazon-Pool.
Nothing on this planet is more powerful than the written word, and because of that, librarians are some of the world’s most important soldiers. As an army, the librarians of the Eugene Public Library work hard to keep Eugene’s heart beating. It’s no surprise that when faced to choose the Best Librarian out there, our readers just chose “all of them.” Megan Prehm, the teens services librarian at the Downtown Eugene Public Library, says that being a good librarian means having a collective “focus on the community and making resources accessible and broad and comprehensive.” Prehm says that above all, what makes the librarians the best is that “we all just care a lot about the people who live here and live around here.”
Aside from containing almost all of the knowledge and power you can find, the librarians have also made the libraries safe, welcoming and exciting environments for all ages. Serving weekly activities for all young people, from baby and toddler storytimes, to kid crafts, to Dungeons and Dragons for teens, the Eugene Public Libraries are by far and wide the Best Place to Take Your Kids. And the library wouldn’t have it any other way. “Kids are the best part of the library,” says Rob Foltz, the youth services librarian. He adds, “Kids understand that learning is fun, so we have lots of great things that they get to do that are just a blast.” Library director Angela Ocaña summarizes exactly why the library is the perfect spot for children. “The library is a place where you can learn but you can also be silly and be yourself. That makes it a very magical space,” Ocaña says.
1. Amazon Trail, starts at the intersection of Amazon Parkway and 24th Ave.
2. Pre’s Trail, Alton Baker Park, 200 Day Island Rd.
3. Mount Pisgah, 34901 Frank Parrish Rd.
Don’t let Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks football team or the growing number of pickleball courts mislead you. Eugene is — and will always be — a running town first. And if any trail can be considered the crown jewel of Track Town, voters aren’t wrong when they say the Amazon Trail in south Eugene. The 1-mile loop (with a 1 kilometer cutoff option) is the perfect spot for runners, whether it’s an easy pace to check out the dogs at the dog park or you’re huffing a workout and you need precision in your distance. And when it comes to running, it’s all about location. Need to add a few more miles? Run over to the 3.5 mile Rexius Trail loop that takes you to Frank Kinney Park. Need to do sprints and you don’t want to be a menace to those just trying to stroll the Amazon trail? South Eugene’s track awaits. It’s a shame not every trail in Eugene — or around the world for that matter — has a running/walking trail as great as the Amazon Trail.
1. Wayne Morse Ranch Family Farm, 595 Crest Dr., 541-682-5373, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.
2. Amazon Park, 22 Amazon Pkwy., 541-682-4800, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.
3. Alton Baker Park, 200 Day Island Rd., 541-682-4800, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.
1. Yardy Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564,YardyRumBar.com.
2. Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com.
3. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.net.
It’s been quite a year for Yardy Rum Bar, a casual-style restaurant — Yardy was named one of 50 best restaurants in the U.S. by The New York Times in September.
Yardy started as a pop-up in 2020 before becoming a food cart. It then moved into its current location in January 2024.
Isaiah Martinez, chef and owner of Yardy, uses ingredients from the Pacific Northwest to cultivate dishes inspired by his Caribbean culture.
The menu ranges from salads to fish and chicken dishes and to vegan and gluten free options. Martinez says there’s recently been buzz about its jerked beet salad.
“We get really good local beets,” he says. “We roast them then we peel them. Then we smoke them for four hours then we make a spiced beet salad and that’s become on Reddit this insane conversation about a beet salad that we make.”
Martinez says Yardy is focused on trying to create food that is healthy and impressive. But the most popular dish, he says, is the chicken.
Martinez says he hopes to open another restaurant that he can do “virtually anything in.” “So (a) more modulated kitchen,” he says. “Then I can cook from island to island everyday. Right now we are focusing on what we’re focusing on because of our space.”
1. Isaiah Martinez, Yardy Caribbean Restaurant & Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com.
2. Ibrahim Hamide, Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com.
3. Nelson Lopez: Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.com.
Isaiah Martinez, chef and owner of Yardy Rum Bar, is a third-generation American. He was raised in New York and moved to Eugene in 2019 where he worked at Marché, a French-inspired restaurant.
Martinez has been in the hospitality and culinary industry for 16 years. Over the years, he’s worked at multiple restaurants to gain challenging experiences.
Martinez says his goal as a chef is to find talent and “hone them into being great workers and great chefs.”
“I’ve learned in the kitchen, my job is to scare people out of a job,” he says. “And once they get the job, my job is to train them and teach them how to keep the job. I don’t have a firing policy at the restaurant. If you somehow convince me… my goal is to have you set for the next restaurant you work at.”
1. (tie) Poppi’s Anatolia (Greek), 296 E. 5th Ave., ste. 220, 541-343-9661, Poppi’sAnatolia.com and Yardy Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com.
2. Arekie Indian Fusion Cuisine, 207 Madison St., 541-797-3741, Arekie.com.
3. Evergreen Indian, 906 W. 7th Ave., 541-343-7944, EvergreenIndianRestaurant.com.
1. Yardy Caribbean Restaurant & Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com.
2. Hot Mama’s Wings, 420 W. 13th Ave., 541-653-9999, HotMammasWings.com.
3. Hot Honey, 207 Madison St., Instagram @hothoneyandco.
It’s not Yardy Rum Bar’s first rodeo winning Best Chicken Joint. They first won in 2022, placed second against Hot Mamas Wings in 2023 then won again in 2024.
“It’s cool,” Isaiah Martinez, chef and owner of Yardy, says. “A chicken joint? Why not.” While chicken plays a major part of the restaurant’s image, he says he views chicken as “this delicious comforting-thing that’s whatever.”
He says he gets more excited about vegetables.
“I get more excited for perfectly cooked vegetables and really well done things that are harder to do,” he says. “But chicken is easy. So in my mind, I don’t get as impressed with myself or any of our items that are chicken because it’s like ‘we figured it out.’ We’re more focused on consistency and training then we are impressing people with chicken.”
Martinez says his goal is to impress people with vegetables. “Anyone… can impress me with a chicken dish. But you can impress me with vegetables,” he says. “The goal is to impress a person who doesn’t like vegetables with vegetables.”
1. Creswell Bakery, 182 S. 2nd, Creswell, 541-895-5885, CreswellBakery.com.
2. Dueling Spoons, 39074 Jasper Lowell Road, Fall Creek, 541-398-8929, DuelingSpoons.net.
3. Alesong Brewing and Blending, 80848 Territorial Hwy., 541-844-9925, AlesongBrewing.com.
1. Abilities Diner and Bakery, 790 Blair Blvd., 541-603-9888, AbilitiesdinerandBakery.com.
2. El Napolito, 1203 Willamette St., 541-357-1016, Elnopalito541.com.
3. Domek, 454 Willamette St., 458-544-1312, DomekeEugene.com.
A new restaurant setting itself apart, turning disabilities into abilities, Abilities Diner and Bakery is bringing a unique spin to serving comforting diner food and heart-warming staples to the community of Eugene.
In its second year of operation, Abilities sets itself apart by hiring workers with disabilities, providing an opportunity for those neglected by society to show how vital they can be to a successful business.
“Everyone who works here has either a mental or physical disability, but we focus on their abilities,” says owner Juliann Fitzgerald.
“This place gives people with varying abilities a chance to shine,” she adds.
Considered an “old school diner” by Fitzgerald, staples like eggs Benedict, chicken fried steak and French toast are fan favorites at the new diner on Blair Boulevard. As a fully equipped diner and bakery, a full bar adds something for everyone. Heartwarming comfort meals, community connection and “fresh-made flavor” is why the community voted Abilities Diner and Bakery as Best New Restaurant in Eugene. “We cater to everyone; we want everyone to feel welcome here,” Fitzgerald says.
1. Mucho Gusto, 67 Oakway Ctr., 541-343-1481, MuchoGustoMex.com.
2. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Dr., Spfd., CafeYumm.com.
3. ALMA Catering (FOOD For Lane County), 7780 Bailey Hill Rd., 541-513-2253, AlmaCatering.net.
1. beergarden, 777 W. 6th Ave., 541-505-9432, BeerGardenme.com.
2. The Garden on Friendly, 2760 Friendly St., TheGardenonFriendly.com.
3. Oakshire Brewing, 1055 Madera St., 541-688-4555, Oakbrew.com.
1. Nelson’s Taqueria, permanently closed.
2. Arekie — Indian Fusion Cuisine, 2758 Friendly St., 458-273-7810, Arekie.com.
3. Yabai Nikkei, 263 Mill St., 541-393-4721, Yabainikkei.com.
1. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
2. El Nopalito, 1203 Willamette St., 541-357-1016, Elnopalito541.com.
3. Tacovore, 530 Blair Blvd., 541-735-3518, TacoVorepnw.com.
1. Jon Biglow, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
2. Baylee Hamlow, PLAY Eugene, 232 W. 5th Ave., 541-357-5010, PlayEugene.com.
3. Matt Kravitz, Domek, 454 Willamette St., 458-544-1312, DomekEugene.com.
1. Kristian Taylor, Mandy’s Family Restaurant, 1491 Willamette St., Mandys-Restaurant.com.
2. Jordan Phillips, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
3. Thunder Bloomer, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
1. Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com.
2. Bar Purlieu, 1530 Willamette St., 458-201-7044, BarPurlieu.com.
3. Marché, 296 E. 5th Ave., 541-342-3612, MarcheRestaurant.com.
1. Gotcha Burger, 1702 W. 7th Ave., 541-653-9077, Facebook/GotchaBurgers.
2. Burrito Boy, Eugene, 510 E. Broadway, 541-344-8070, 2511 W. 11th Ave., 541-338-4219, 1060 River Rd., 541-689-7970, 1840 Chambers St., 541-246-8775, 1071 Valley River Dr., 541-343-8089,1889 Olympic St., Spfd., 541-747-7775, BurritoBoy.com.
3. El Super Burrito, 2566 Willamette St., 541-485-0619, ElSuperBurrito.com.
1. Ta Ra Rin, 1200 Oak St., 541-343-1230, TararinThai.com.
2. Ume Grill Skewer House, 1733 Pearl St., 458-544-1377, Umegrillmenu.com, Hilyard St. & 24th Ave., 541-930-9392, Umegrillmenu.com, 2600 Hilyard St., Facebook.com/umegrillandcafe.
3. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Dr., Spfd., CafeYumm.com.
1. Heritage Distilling, 110 Madison St., 541-357-4431, HeritageDistilling.com.
2. 4 Spirits Distillery, 3405 SW Deschutes St., Corvallis, 541-368-3195, 4spiritsDistillery.com.
3. Wolf Spirit, permanently closed.
In a city with so many options, curating a unique environment can be difficult. Heritage Distillery is a full production distillery in the Whiteaker District in Eugene with an immersive experience, allowing customers to hand-make and taste their own concoction, bringing liquor education and enjoyment to life. Voted by the community as the Best Distillery, Heritage has served Eugene since 2016.
Program Manager Walter Wakeman says “When a customer comes in, it starts with us; we make a lot of recommendations and create interactivity, which is attractive to people.” The state-of-the-art Whiteaker location features a tasting room, retail space and an internal mezzanine overlooking the operations, allowing customers to feel a part of the production space. And the Cast Club, a year-long membership, that allows customers to create their own liquor barrel to taste-test as the flavor develops.
1. Sweet Cheeks Winery, 27007 Briggs Hill Rd., 541-349-9463, SweetCheeksWinery.com.
2. Sarver Winery, 25600 Mayola Lane, 541-935-2979, SarverWinery.com.
3. King Estate Winery, 80854 Territorial Hwy., 541-942-9874, KingEstate.com.
Having taken the top spot last year, Sweet Cheeks Winery is a mainstay on the Best of list for a reason. Opening 20 years ago as a winery after operating as a vineyard since 1989, Sweet Cheeks focuses on “hospitality in our tasting room,” according to Katie Brown, Sweet Cheeks’s director of consumer sales and marketing. Dispelling the upturned-nose wine snob image that can haunt wineries, Sweet Cheeks takes a casual approach to wine. For Sweet Cheeks, hospitality is “getting to know our guests on an individual basis how wine fits into their life, and then talking about wine and giving them an experience with wine that matches what they’re looking for,” Brown says. With a “wine for every palate” approach, Sweet Cheeks prides itself on curating a flight of wine that’s just right for you.
1. Czech Pils, ColdFire Brewing Company, 263 Mill St., 541-636-3889, ColdfireBrewing.com.
2. Perfect Storm, Oakshire Brewing, 1055 Madera St., 541-688-4555, Oakbrew.com.
3. Rhino Suit, Alesong Brewing, 80848 Territorial Hwy., 541-844-9925, AlesongBrewing.com.
1. BNF Kombucha & Jun, 2495 Prairie Rd., 541-653-9816,Bnfkombucha.com.
2. High Street Tonics, 267 W. 8th Ave., 458-215-4814, HighStreetTonics.com.
3. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
1. The Monkey’s Paw, 420 Main St., Spfd., 541-505-7975, Facebook.com/themonkeyspawtikibar.
2. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com.
3. Crow & Cart, 543 Blair Blvd., 541-505-7240, CrowandCart.com.
Some people have neighborhood bars where sports highlights light up the TV screens and the hoppy beer flows all night from the taps. But that’s not for me. Give me a night of mixed drinks from Monkey’s Paw Tiki Bar anytime.
The Monkey’s Paw is one of the few places in the area that celebrates the art of tiki drinks while diving deep into gimmick. The bar has the tried and true classics like the Blue Hawaiian and the Mai Tai 1944. But it’s also willing to don pomp and circumstance, especially when it lights up the Scorpion Bowl as a sort of high mass incense burn for the tiki bar patrons. The Monkey’s Paw can be a place for a brief getaway, a blackout curtain for day drinking if you will. But it’s also providing much needed free or cheap nightlife options for downtown Springfield. With weekly karaoke, frequent live music and a no cost pool table, don’t expect any curses when you wish for a good time with this Monkey Paw.
1. Jackalope Lounge, 453 Willamette St., 541-485-1519, JackalopeLounge.com.
2. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com.
3. Izakaya Meiji Co., 345 Van Buren St., 541-505-8804, IzakayaMeiji.com.
1. Sweet Life Patisserie, 755 Monroe St., 541-683-5676, SweetLifeDesserts.com.
2. Noisette Pastry Kitchen, 200 W. Broadway, 541-654-5257, NoisettePK.com.
3. Hideaway Bakery, 3377 E. Amazon Dr., 541-868-1982, HideawayBakery.com.
In 1993, sisters Catherine and Cheryl Reinhart created a patisserie so good that the community has voted them as the best in Eugene with 36 first place awards, one second place, one third place, and one lifetime achievement award. The neighborhood staple continues to capture the hearts of the community, serving handmade pastries and desserts.
“Local and organic is important to us; we make all of our own products in-house,” Catherine Reinhart says. Seasonal desserts and monthly specials offer a unique variety for customers. Sweet Life Patisserie has 14 new desserts every month, bridging customer staples with creative twists for delicious flavor explosions. Sweet Life Patisserie’s “homemade flavor bleeds through,” she says, adding, “Desserts of the month give our customers something to look forward to each time.”
1. Sweet Life Patisserie, 755 Monroe St., 541-683-5676, SweetLifeDesserts.com.
2. Prince Pückler’s, 1605 E. 19th Ave., 541-344-4418, PrincePucklers.com.
3. Noisette Pastry Kitchen, 200 W. Broadway, 541-654-5257, NoisettePK.com.
1. Three Sisters, Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Biscuits and Gravy, Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com.
3. Tempeh Reuben, Viva! Vegetarian Grill, 1171 Willamette St., 541-636-5826, EugeneCooks.com.
1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., Ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Dr., Spfd., CafeYumm.com.
3. Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com.
1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Brail’s Restaurant, 395 W. 5th Ave., 541-342-2075, 1689 Willamette St., 541-343-1542, BrailsRestaurant.com.
3. Lion and Owl, 60 E. 11th Ave., 541-606-0626, LionAndOwl.com.
1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
2. Brail’s Restaurant, 395 W. 5th Ave., 541-342-2075, 1689 Willamette St., 541-343-1542, BrailsRestaurant.com.
3. The Glenwood, 2588 Willamette St., 541-687-8201, GlenwoodRestaurants.com.
Morning Glory has made a guest appearance in more than one novel about environmental activism, been host to more than one group of people trying to change the world and is the proud winner of more than one Best of award! This year it’s Best Breakfast, Best Brunch, Best Vegetarian and Best Vegan dish, which is fitting as Morning Glory is also Eugene’s oldest vegetarian restaurant and a cozy place to fork up some vegan comfort food with its Three Sisters mountain of potatoes with veggies, nutritional yeast sauce and pico de gallo and more, coming in vegan and gluten-free options.
1. Wandering Goat, 268 Madison St., 541-344-5161, WanderingGoat.com.
2. Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com.
3. Vero Espresso House, 205 E. 14th Ave., 541-654-0504, VeroEspressoHouse.com.
The Wandering Goat, aka “The Goat” is Eugene’s go-to spot for a cup of joe during the day and moshpits during the night.
As a coffee shop, the Wandering Goat values itself on its dedication to quality, organic coffee that can be enjoyed for its flavor profile without being subdued by sugars or sweeteners. “We want the coffee to cut through,” says Goat General Manager Aaron Maltz. Besides the coffee, Wandering Goat is known for routinely hosting live music. Maltz guesses they’ve hosted over 1,000 shows since the shop opened in 2006. “Music is central. It’s integral to who we are as people, but at The Goat in particular, music plays a huge role,” he says.Maltz says in the early ’90s, a coffee shop that served high-quality coffee during the day and hosted shows during the night was, “not that wild of a concept.” But today, those kinds of spaces are just not as common. The Goat is an exception. “We have a space where you can go make friends, meet other people and experience different forms of expression that may inspire you to express yourself,” Maltz says.
1. Lox, Stocks & Bagels, 368 E. 40th Ave., 541-692-2435, LoxStocksandBagels.com.
2. Bagel Sphere, 4089 W 11th Ave., 541-868-1072, BagelSphere.com.
3. Hideaway Bakery, 3377 E. Amazon Dr., 541-868-1982, HideawayBakery.com.
Tucked into southeast Eugene’s business park on 40th Avenue between Bo’s Wine Depot and, of course, a bodyweight interval training studio, lies a hidden gem far from downtown. Lox, Stocks & Bagels promises the only boiled bagels in Eugene. A boiled bagel, like the ones at Lox, Stocks & Bagels, ensures a crunchy exterior and a pillowy interior — plus, it’s how it’s done in New York City. The folks at Lox are a handful of bagel lovers who, according to their website, prioritize craftsmanship and take pride in a hardworking night crew that brings a fresh batch of bagels to fruition each morning. Though the bagel bakery has changed hands, they’ve never touched the recipe. Whether you’re there for breakfast or lunch, take your pick from 14 bagel varieties, a handful of lunch sandwiches or the soup du jour. There’s something for everyone at Lox, even if you’re just swinging by on your way out of Safeway.
1. Hey, Neighbor! Pizza House, 605 W. 19th Ave. & 1621 E. 19th Ave., 541-505-9302, H-n-p-h.com.
2. The Wheel Apizza Pub, 390 Lincoln St., #101, 541-735-3860, TheWheelApizzaPub.com.
3. (tie) Mezza Luna Pizzeria, 933 Pearl St., 541-684-8900, 115 S. 5th St., Spfd, 541-653-8661, MezzalunaPizzeria.com and
Osteria DOP, 1122 Oak St., 541-913-6460, OsteriaDop.com.
Since 2023, Hey Neighbor! has reigned supreme at the number one spot on Eugene Weekly’s Best of in the pizza category. Whether it’s their adored corgi mascots or the consistency of a wood fired crust, clearly EW readers can’t get enough. The restaurant emphasizes keeping a pie focused — letting a star ingredient shine. A fan favorite, the Bombo, adds a touch of sweetness through hot honey that compliments the otherwise meaty pie. A commitment to fresh ingredients helps Hey Neighbor! stand out, and inviting atmospheres at both locations transforms pizza night into a neighborhood gathering.
1. Paper Plate BBQ, 232 West 5th Ave, 541-606-2130, PaperPlateBbq.com.
2. Bill & Tim’s Barbecue and Tap House, 201 E. 13th Ave., 541-654-0578, BillandTims.com.
3. Hole in the Wall Barbecue, 3200 W. 11th Ave., 541-683-7378, HoleintheWallbbq.com.
As the smoky aroma drifts onto 5th Avenue, the owner and chef of Paper Plate BBQ, Isaiah Watson, begins smoking brisket to start his day. “I wanted to bring good BBQ to Oregon; my purpose is to share soul food with the community,” Watson says.
After a recent move to West 5th, nothing has changed for the beloved food cart. Now serving breakfast items like brisket breakfast tacos and biscuits and gravy with sweet and spicy sausage at an affordable price. Watson began serving breakfast because he wanted to give back to the people who had continued to support his journey. “I wanted to create something unique and give back to my amazing clients in an affordable way,” he says.
Watson hopes to open a brick-and-mortar as Paper Plate BBQ hopes to be a community space unlike any other. “I want a space where people can gather together with music, dancing and really good food,” Watson says.
1. McMenamins, North Bank, 22 Club Rd., 541-343-5622, High Street Brewery, 1243 High St., 541-345-4905, East 19th Café, 1485 E. 19th Ave., 541-342-4025, McMenamins.com.
2. Texas Roadhouse, 1060 Valley River Way, 541-345-7427, TexasRoadHouse.com.
3. Red Robin, 1221 Executive Pkwy., 541-484-9588, RedRobin.com.
Bring your party of five and celebrate your birthday at McMenamins, the place of beer, Cajun tots and burgers. The atmosphere inside this favorite chain restaurant is campy, casual and outdoorsy. There are three locations in Eugene — East 19th Avenue, High Street and Club Road — and the one located on Club Road feels like you’re in a tree hut overlooking the Willamette River.
Interestingly enough, none of the locations say they do something special for birthdays, not a free dessert nor pastry. Brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin opened its first location as we know it today in 1983. Since then, the company has rehabilitated multiple historic properties into pubs and restaurants across the state.
1. Ta Ra Rin, 1200 Oak St., 541-343-1230, TararinThai.com.
2. Krob Krua Thai Kitchen, 1313 Pearl St., 541-636-6267, KrobKrua.com.
3. Sabai, 27 Oakway Ctr., 541-654-5424, SabaiCafe.com.
1. Jade Dumpling & Noodle House, 2560 Willamette St., 541-968-9258, JadeDumplingor.com.
2. Bao Bao House, 868 W Park St., 541-799-1088, and 3342 Gateway St., Spfd., 541-600-8868, BaobaoHouseor.com.
3. Spice N’ Steam, 1655 W. 11th Ave., 541-654-0338, SpicenSteam.com.
1. Izakaya Meiji, 345 Van Buren St., 541-505-8804, IzakayaMeiji.com.
2. Akira, 359 Mill St., 458-205-8288, AkiraEugene.com.
3. Sushi Pure, 259 E. 5th Ave., 541-654-0608, SushiPureEugene.com.
1. Osteria DOP, 1122 Oak St., 541-913-6460, OsteriaDop.com.
2. Beppe and Gianni’s Trattoria, 1646 E. 19th Ave., 541-683-6661, BeppeandGiannis.net.
3. Placido’s Pasta Shop, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., #110, 458-205-8092, Placidos.com.
1. Toshi’s Ramen, 1520 Pearl St., 541-683-7833, ToshisRamen.com.
2. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com.
3. Mandy’s Family Restaurant, 1491 Willamette St., 541-654-0382, Mandys-Restaurant.com.
1. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com.
2. The Bier Stein Bottleshop & Pub, 1591 Willamette St., 541-485-2437, ThebierStein.com.
3. Jackalope Lounge, 453 Willamette St., 541-485-1519, JackalopeLounge.com.
1. Gotcha Burger, 1702 W. 7th Ave., 541-653-9077, Facebook/GotchaBurgers.
2. Cornucopia, 521 Main St., Spfd., 207 E. 5th Ave., 295 W. 17th Ave., 541-485-2879, CornucopiaEugene.com.
3. Toxic Burger, 2866 Willamette St., 541-930-3355, 2766 W. 11th Ave., 541-255-4345, 943 River Rd., 541-689-9464, 4175 Main St., Spfd., 541-650-6165, 285 E. Oregon Ave., Creswell, 541-658-5251, ToxicBurger.com.
1. Portal Tea, 41 W. Broadway, 541-636-3021, PortalTea.co.
2. Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com.
3. J-Tea, 2778 Friendly St., 541-357-5492, JteaInternational.com.
1. Aaron (Sully) Sullivan, Wandering Goat, 268 Madison St., 541-344-5161, WanderingGoat.com.
2. Lily Frazee, Glasshouse Coffee & Kitchen, 520 Blair Blvd., 458-210-8357, RadiantCoffeeRoasters.com.
3. Jaci Bothman, Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com.
1. (tie) Home and Jazzy Ladies, 560 Oak St., 541-636-9923, JazzyLadiesCafe.com.
2. Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com.
3. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com.
Yeah, if you’ve got a food allergy, maybe it’s best to eat at home. But cooking at home gets old, real quick. Nothing is more of a drag than remembering after a day of work to go in the kitchen and cook — and then wash dishes. So celiacs of the world unite, because Jazzy Ladies Cafe and Club is a gluten-free space to run away from the never-ending question, “What’s for dinner?”
Jazzy Ladies’ menu has something for a groggy morning brunch, casual dinner before a show at the Hult Center, or fine dining for a special occasion. And it’s the special occasions that the celiacs can savor dishes that would otherwise be a roll of the dice in wheat-infested kitchens. The restaurant has several dishes to list that warrant this place better than home — the Diablo Shrimp Pasta, patatas bravas, chicken marsala — but nothing beats a safe place where you can enjoy a slice of bread and dip it in oil and balsamic without worry of cross contamination.
Living up to its name, on Thursdays, the restaurant hosts live jazz, often bringing in the Jazz Ambassadors, three legendary fixtures of Eugene’s jazz scene: bassist Steve Mosher, pianist Gus Russell and drummer Georges Bouhey. Maybe eating at home is the safest bet for those with food allergies, but if you’ve got celiac, Jazzy Ladies will always beat laboring in the kitchen.
1. Tiff Smith, Electric Lettuce, 1201 W. 11th Ave., 541-735-3813, ElectricLettuce.com.
2. Kris Stapleton, Going Green Eugene, 439 W. 1st Ave., 541-735-3521, Dutchie.com.
3. Michael Harris, TJ’s on Willamette, 1027 Willamette St., 541-246-8835, Tjsoregon.com.
1. Moss Crossing, 2751 Friendly St., 541-636-3724, MossCrossing.com.
2. Spacebuds the Dispensary, 741 Lincoln St., 541-505-9834, SpacebudstheDispensary.com.
3. (tie) TJ’s on Willamette, 1027 Willamette St., 541-246-8835, Tjsoregon.com and Sweet Tree Farms, 4097 W. 11th Ave., 541-246-8075, StfEugene.com.
1. The Crypt, 226 7th St., Springfield, Instagram @thecrypt541.
2. Passionflower Design, 128 E. Broadway, 541-344-3857, PassionFloweDesign.com.
3. Harlequin Beads & Jewelry, 2833 Willamette St., Harlequinbeads.com.
1. Calvin Orlando Smith, Albertsons on Hilyard, 3075 Hilyard St., 541-687-1742, Local.albertsons.com.
2. Steph Roemer, Hodgepodge Books and Taps, 158 E. 14th Ave., 541-525-1718, Booksandtaps.com.
3. Janet, Bi-Mart on 18th & Chambers, 1680 W. 18th Ave., 541-342-2687, Bimart.com.
1. Schapiro CPA, PO Box 11233, Schapirocpa.com.
2. Accountants on the Go, 1850 Oak St., 541-342-1040, Accountants-on-the-go.com.
3. Bean Counters, 1293 18th St., Spfd., 541-726-0908, BeanCounterTax.com.
1. Amanda Nicole, 4247 Loft, 390 Lincoln St., 541-515-6422, 4247Loft.com.
2. Elena Leona Carbajal, I Run With Scissors, the salon, 1849 Oak St., 541-357-5421, IrunwithScissorstheSalon.com.
3. Tina Thornley, Amethyst Hair Studio, 1631 Oak St., 541-520-2268, Linktr.ee/amethysthairstudio541.
1. Jodi Wiktorowski, Eugene Animal Hospital, 1432 Orchard St. 541-342-1178, EugeneAnimal.com.
2. Cameron Jones, Amazon Park Animal Clinic, 725 E. 25th Ave. 541-485-0161, AmazonParkVet.com.
3. Patricia Shea, Cat Care Eugene, 1400 Willamette St., 541-302-5824, CatCareEugene.com.
1. Geo Bitgood, Whole Woman Psychotherapy LLC, 541-632-4243 (text), WholeWomanPsychotherapy.com.
2. Leslie Prieto, Lane County Mobile Crisis Service, text 988 or call 541-682-1001, Eugene-or.gov/5389/Mobile-Crisis-Services.
3. Aimee Goglia, private practice, 541-361-5112.
1. Morgan Hawk, Orb Weaver Healing Arts, 201 Blair Blvd., 828-620-6097, OrbWeaverHealing.com.
2. Lily Brunner, Tigerlily Massage, 740 Main St., Springfield, Massagebook.com/therapists/tigerlilymassagellc.
3. Five Bodies Collective, 2485 W. 7th Place, ste. 1, 541-344-4788, FiveBodiesCollective.com.
Taking first last year as well in EW’s Best of readers poll, Morgan Hawk initially wasn’t interested in being a massage therapist, a career that they viewed as monotonous. But tiring of bartending in North Carolina, Hawk, by their own relocation, “cast a spell, and I put all of the intentions and like qualities I wanted in a job into it” on a new moon. On a full moon, a man walked into the bar where they were working at, telling them he was celebrating transitioning into a massage therapy career. Intrigued by what he was saying, Hawk learned the program he was joining was low-cost and taking only 13 people. “I cannot just turn up my nose at this gift that’s being handed to me. So I just took a shot,” Hawk says of taking the leap. What’s stood out to Hawk over their career is how “touch-starved” people are and the need for “platonic intimacy.” Hawk feels a special connection with clients who have experienced loss, something Hawk is no stranger to. “I think there’s something so special about getting to hold space for people who are also traversing the depths of what that feels like,” Hawk says. Settling in the Eugene area in 2017 when their truck broke down and needed to find work immediately, Hawk feels loved by the community. “I’ve just felt so supported by the community through all of, like, my big traumas and loss, and this is just another way they always show up for me. And I just feel like it’s so special.”
1. Courtney Stroming, Queen Bee Tattoo & Salon, 226 Main St., Springfield, 541-747-9573, QueenBeeTattoos.com.
2. Samantha Houston, Dream House Piercing, 114 E. 16th Ave., 541-321-0112, DreamHousePiercing.com.
3. Summer Shield, Dirt Nap Tattoo, 247 W. 10th Ave., Instagram @dirtnaptattoostudio.
1. Kendall Value Lot, 20 Coburg Rd., 844-376-9175, KendallValuelotEugene.com.
2. St. Vinnies on 99, 456 Hwy 99 N, 541-461-4688, Svdp.us/services.
3. Lithia Nissan, 2060 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., 541-658-1126, LithiaNissanEugene.com.
1. Joe’s Garage, 888 W. 1st Ave., 541-507-8788, JoesGarageEugene.com.
2. Sun Automotive, 1905 Agate St. (541-344-0869), 391 Rustic Place (541-344-2219), 255 S. A St., Springfield (541-746-6430), 490 Ivy St., Junction City (541-746-6430), SunAutomotive.com.
3. City View Imports, 251 W. 7th Ave., 541-484-5555, CityViewImport.com.
1. Bicycle Way of Life, 556 Charnelton St., 541-344-4105, 2480 Alder St., 541-342-6155, Bicycleway.com.
2. Shift Community Cycles, 811 W. 6th Ave., 541-728-2453, Shiftcc.org.
3. Hutch’s Bicycle Store, 960 Charnelton St., 541-345-7521, Facebook/HutchsBicycles.
1. Down To Earth Home, Garden & Gift, 532 Olive St., 541-342-6820, DowntoEarthEugene.com.
2. Gray’s Garden Center, 737 W. 6th Ave., 541-345-1569, GraysGardens.com.
3. Eugene Backyard Farmer, 501 Washington St., 541-485-3276, EugeneBackyardFarmer.com.
1. Lane County Farmers Market on Saturday, Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., LaneCountyFarmersMarket.org.
2. Tuesday Market at Farmers Market Pavilion, Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., LaneCountyFarmersMarket.org.
3. Whiteaker Community Market, 1180 W. 4th Ave., WhiteakerCommunityMarket.com.
1. Art of War MMA, 164 W. Broadway, 541-870-6954, ArtofWar-mma.com.
2. Queer Eugene Grappling Club, Beginner Jiu Jitsu, The Lavender Network, 440 Maxwell Rd., Instagram @queer.eugene.grappling.club.
3. RMA Martial Arts, 2709 Willamette St., 541-344-0404, RightMentalAttitude.com.
1. Everyday People Yoga, 352 W. 12th Ave., 541-782-8678, EpyogaEugene.com.
2. Eugene Yoga, 3575 Donald St., 541-520-8771; 199 E. 5th Ave., 541-520-8771, EugeneYoga.us.
3. The Yoga Place, 4730 Village Plaza Loop, ste. 130, 541-654-4475, YogaPlaceEugene.com.
1. Eugene YMCA, 600 East 24th Ave., 541-686-9622, EugeneYmca.org.
2. Elevation Bouldering Gym, 348 Lincoln St., 541-972-3595, ElevationGym.com.
3. Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St., 541-484-4011, DowntownAC.com.
1. Oregon Community Credit Union, 488 E. 11th Ave., 3065 W. 11th Ave., 2890 Willamette St., 800-265-1111, MyOccu.org.
2. SELCO Community Credit Union, 299 E. 11th Ave., 3630 W 11th Ave., 221 Division Ave., 925 Harlow Rd., Spfd., 5251 Main St., Spfd., 800-445-4483, Selco.org.
3. OnPoint Community Credit Union, 207 Coburg Rd., 60 Division Ave., 650 Q St., Spfd., 503-228-7077, Onpointcu.com.
1. Ghost Town Outfitters, 1040 Tyinn St. and 365 E. 13th Ave., 541-654-6876. Instagram @ghost.town.outfitters.
2. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117 and 199 Q St., Spfd., 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
3. Wild Paisley Vintage, 37 W. 13th Ave., 828-242-2961, Instagram @wildpaisleyvintage.
1. Sperry Tree Care, 29978 E. Enid Rd., 541-461-1737, SperryTreeCare.com.
2. GreenTree Arborists, 4075 Aerial Way, 541-735-2499, EugeneArborists.com.
3. (tie) Chandler’s Tree Service, 541-953-7120, ChandlersTrees.com and Kyle King Tree Service, 85192 S. Willamette St., no social media available.
1. Eugene Gear Traders, 505 Willamette St., ste. 110, 541-515-6764, EugeneGearTraders.com.
2. Berg’s Ski Shop, 367 W. 13th Ave., 541-683-1300, BergsSkiShop.com.
3. Oregon Paddle Sports, 520 Commercial St., 541-505-9020, OregonPaddleSports.com.
1. Wizard Custom Builders, 865 Conger St., 541-799-6123, WizardCustomBuilders.com.
2. Stonewood Construction, 935 Oak St., 541-485-6638, StonewoodConstruction.com.
3. Justin Chitwood, Cascadia Construction, 3341 Videra Dr.
1. Cambria Trent, Hybrid Real Estate, 701 High St., 541-343-0322, Hybridrealestate.org.
2. Kevin Levy, Hybrid Real Estate, 701 High St., 541-343-0322, Hybridrealestate.org.
3. Ashley Jorgensen, Windermere Real Estate, 1600 Oak St., 541-484-2022, 3011 N. Delta Hwy, 541-465-8103, Windermerelaneco.com.
1. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117, and 199 Q St., Spfd., 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
2. BRING Recycling, 4446 Franklin Blvd., 541-746-3023, Bringrecycling.org.
3. Oak Street Vintage, 500 Olive St., 541-345-1883, OakStreetVintage.com.
1. Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., 541-345-8986, TsunamiBooks.org.
2. Smith Family Bookstore, 525 Willamette St., 541-343-4717, SmithFamilyBookstore.com.
3. HodgePodge Books and Taproom, 158 E. 14th Ave., 541-525-1718, Booksandtaps.com.
1. HodgePodge Books and Taproom, 158 E. 14th Ave., 541-525-1718, BooksandTaps.com.
2. Peek-A-Boo Delight, 861 Willamette St., 541-393-1151, Instagram @peekaboodelight.
3. Dream House Piercing, 114 E. 16th Ave., 541-321-0112, DreamHousePiercing.com.
1. The Duck Store, 895 E. 13th Ave., 541-255-0700, 2735 Leo Harris Pkwy, 541-255-0831, 293 Valley River Ctr., 541-255-0835, Uoduckstore.com.
2. Hirons, 185 E. 18th Ave., 541-344-4832, and 1950 Franklin Blvd., 541-344-5268, Hironsdrug.com.
3. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Dr., 541-743-7117, and 199 Q St., Spfd, 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
1. Hirons, 185 E. 18th Ave., 541-344-4832, 1950 Franklin Blvd., 541-344-5268, Hironsdrug.com.
2. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117, 199 Q St., Spfd, 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us.
3. Time Traveler’s Antique Mall, 2020 Main St., Spfd., 541-357-5468, TimeTravelersAntiqueMall.com.
1. University of Oregon dorms, Housing.uoregon.edu.
2. The Hayward, 1180 Willamette St., 541-762-9127, HaywardStudentLiving.com.
3. Chase Courtyard, 275 S. Garden Way, 541-359-3540, ChaseCourtyard.com.
1. Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., 541-682-5318, Eugene-or.gov/campbellcenter.
2. Eugene Hotel, 222 E. Broadway, 541-862-6388, EugeneHotelRetirement.com.
3. Willamette Oaks Retirement Community, 455 Alexander Lp., 541-343-2688, Willametteoaks.com.
1. Lauren Regan, Civil Liberties Defense Center, 1711 Willamette St., 541-687-9180, Cldc.org.
2. Cassie Peters, Cassie Peters Legal, 132 E. Broadway, 541-972-2769, CassiePeters.com.
3. Matt Watkins, Matt Watkins Law, 795 W. 7th Ave., 541-228-9777, MattWatkinsLaw.com.
Lauren Regan is on the forefront of activist legal defense. In 2003, Regan founded the Civil Liberties Defense Center as a response to the implementation of post-9/11 policies such as the USA PATRIOT Act, which brought increased scrutiny on activists across the country. Since the CLDC’s founding, Regan and her team have been instrumental in cases that shaped how activists are treated in the justice system. One example is her work on the Green Scare prosecutions during the early 2000s where Regan and her team defended environmental activists — often helping them avoid a life behind bars for political acts. “Often it’s a matter of ensuring that political activists get to remain political activists,” Regan says.Today, activists are facing some of the same threats seen during the early 2000s. “Repression comes in waves, and we are certainly seeing a heightened phase of it, probably the most severe that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Regan says. She stresses that young activists should know their rights and be aware that they’re a part of a broader movement. “The choice is, are you going to fight for this better world, or are you going to give up,” Regan says.
