Locally made organic food has been quite the craze in Eugene, a city known for its mom and pop style businesses. What’s even better is when a local company dedicates its work to a good cause.

GloryBee is a family owned, ingredient-production business that has dedicated its work to a Save the Bee initiative.

Honey bees are responsible for pollinating $15 billion worth of crops, and over 100 essential food crops for human consumption. The drastic decline in the numbers of bees has become a large concern for farmers across the nation.

GloryBee’s Save the Bee initiative began in 2012, and aims to directly impact organizations that are dedicated to saving the bee. One percent of their annual retail and bulk sales goes towards this initiative. GloryBee supports the Oregon State University Honey Bee Labs and Oregon Master Beekeeping Program, a company devoted to using service and education to improve the health of honey bee colonies.

Many local businesses have chosen to partner with GloryBee for their Save the Bee campaign. The list includes Attune Foods, Oakshire Brewing Company, Hot Cakes, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream Shops, Eugene Barre 3, Cupcake Royale and Pane D’amore.

GloryBee posts annual reports on their Save the Bee project on their website. You can go check out their 2014-2015 report here. On it, GloryBee has featured their financial goals for the initiative, a plan on how they want to achieve it and who they hope to sponsor.

GloryBee also has a separate “sustainability report” on their website, for other environmental related issues.

As described by founder Dick Turanski, GloryBee began as, “a simple family honey stand, farming honey in the backyard and processing it in the back of the garage,” Forty years later, the company is still family run with locally grown products.

At GloryBee, individuals can purchase honey, sweeteners, spices, dried fruits, nuts, oils, bee pollen and other ingredients. They also sell their own “HoneyStix” and “AgaveStix”, a perfect sweet energy boost that one can enjoy as a snack, a mix in for tea, or a yogurt or cereal topper.

GloryBee is located at 120 N Seneca Rd, Eugene, OR 97402. Make sure to check them out the next time you are in need of some sweet products. Buying locally grown food is a great way to support the city of Eugene, and while you are at GloryBee, you will also be doing your part in saving the bees.

Oregonians are all about getting back to nature. It’s no surprise why– we are home to some of the most lush forests and gorgeous scenery in the entire country. Although it sounds like great fun to jump in your car with some friends and head out into the deep of the woods, it is important to remember that safety is crucial when dealing with the wilderness.

If you feel like you want to sharpen your skills before heading out on your next adventure, the Outdoor Pursuits Program at University of Oregon might be for you. This department offers courses in various activities, including mountaineering, snow camping, swift water safety and more. If you earn 26-28 credits in the OPP, students will receive a “leadership certificate” that resembles a earning a minor.

“We have twelve students earning a leadership certificate this year,” said OPP professor Michael Strong. “That just speaks volumes on how successful the program has been.” Students must take the gateway course “Wilderness Survival” before enrolling in any of the other courses offered by the OPP. All courses are on a pass/no pass system.

Often times, beginners can feel a bit intimidated when looking at all of the great courses that are offered. But, according to Professor Strong, there is no need to worry. The courses are designed to teach you the skills that you need, and prepare you for whatever you will have to face in the wilderness.

“We want to provide (students) with curiosity,” he said. “There is a tendency to go underprepared into the woods. We teach them the safest way possible to face their environment.”

Most courses will cover weather and environment safety methods, what supplies to bring or not bring on certain voyages, and what to do in case of various emergencies.

The “Backcountry Survival” course, led by Strong, just completed their final out of the classroom excursion last weekend. They traveled to the western Cascades, near the McKenzie Bridge, to practice their newly acquired skills. Lessons taught in the classroom preceding this excursion prepared students to be safe “lone hikers” in the wilderness. Students could practice using their gear to protect them against cold weather and other rough conditions.

The Outdoor Pursuits Program has been at the university since 1979, and is still thriving to this day. Strong said that it “absolutely” blends in with the outdoorsy vibe of Eugene.

“Our courses fill up,” he said excitedly.

So, if you are looking to earn credits while having a good time learning about wilderness safety, look into the Outdoor Pursuits Program. It is a great way to meet peers who share your same thirst for adventure. And remember, when you are heading out on your next exploration, be mentally and physically prepared– safety is everything.

Eugene boasts a local store for almost every good you could want — and books are not exception. We’ve profiled four locally-run bookstores in the area to satisfy your reading needs.

J. Michaels Books

If you’re searching for a bookstore with a real hometown presence, check out J. Michaels Books on 160 E Broadway. It has been in Eugene for 40 years. It is currently holding a sale through June 6 to celebrate this milestone.

“I’ve had some of the same customers since the beginning,” said owner Jeremy Nissel, who has now opened three different locations in downtown Eugene.

Nissel uses “service and selection” as his main ideal when running the bookstore.

“I refine my selection so that my store looks different than others,” he said.

At J. Michaels, you might just find that rare book that has been sitting patiently on your wish list. The store carries a wide variety of genres, with copies that range from vintage to brand new, while the staff is constantly on the search for more great books.

“I look for books of lasting quality,” said Nissel, who is hands on when buying merchandise for his store.

J. Michaels Books is a true Eugene classic, that is here to stay.

Smith Family Bookstore

Smith Family Bookstore is known for a lot more than providing a reasonable price range on used books for your course load. Located both on campus, 768 13th Ave, and in downtown Eugene, 525 Willamette St., Smith Family has been sharing the love and education of reading for 35 years.

Smith Family buys and sells used books that are reasonably priced, and is known to be one of Eugene’s “oldest independent bookstore.”

“Our bookstores are big, well organized, and cover all subjects. We buy thousands of used books every week, and our inventory constantly grows and changes. We depend on our knowledgeable staff to help customers find books and to keep our stores in good shape. We are a bit messy, but most of our customers appreciate the huge selection of books to browse and the diverse sections to explore,” states a welcoming ‘About’ tab on Smith Family’s website.

With a helpful staff and prices that are easy on anyone’s budget, Smith Family plans to open a third store in Springfield, Oregon.

As unique as Eugene itself, it’s “a bookstore for everyone, and our inventory reflects this identity. Our bookstores offer vast choices, good prices, and a sense of the open-minded community we live in.”

Tsunami Books

This bookstore may sell used and new books, but it has far more to offer than its smart selection of left-field novels you didn’t know existed. It is home to the Eugene Poetry Slam, book release parties, jam sessions and spoken word performances.

Located on Willamette, they boast a wonderful environment to sit down and browse through books or records. The store, opened by Scott Landfield in 1985, is currently celebrating its 20th year. It is no surprise that records and books go hand in hand, and Tsunami takes full advantage of this. The store’s overwhelming record collection holds treasures from The Doors to Bossanova.

In the past, Tsunami Books has hosted a classical guitar session with Craig Einhorn, a concert with Brian Cutean and a comedy showcase. If the performance area wasn’t in the bookstore, it would be right out of your living room. The cozy seating and wooden shelves are sure to inspire creativity or a long nap. On June 13, the store will host the Eugene Poetry Slam’s last show of the year, called the Sex Slam. Tsunami hosts it every year, and it is open to all participants.

For event updates and book releases look at the Tsunami Books’ Facebook page or visit the store on 25th Avenue and Willamette Street. The store is currently in the process of crowd fundraising to cover its new rent cost.

Black Sun Books

Teeming with new, used and out-of-print books, Black Sun Books is a quaint 900-square-foot store located at 2467 Hilyard St. It has been open since 1992 and features an impressive selection of hardcover and paperback books, carefully packed into every available nook, cranny and crack available. Classical music plays over the speakers, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere fit for hours of browsing.

The diagonal shelving in the middle provides clear walkways, making the space inside the small store feel much more expansive than it actually is, while remaining easily navigable. The staff is polite and willing to assist when needed, but also allows customers to peruse the aisles in peace if desired.

Black Sun features a strong literature collection, as well as academic texts, a children’s section and just about every other section vital to bookstores. While the inventory is large, the size of the store prevents Black Sun from stocking every hot title under the sun. If a specific title isn’t available in store, simply ask for the store to order it and it will arrive in a matter of days.

For an added bonus, the mystery section is hidden in a back alcove, and is a bit difficult to find.

Get ready Eugene, because rain or shine, the First Friday ArtWalk is coming to town on June 5.

Lane Arts Council, who puts on the event, will be representing a long list of art galleries and studios from Eugene. In addition, they will host “Artist Alley,” where unrepresented artists can display and sell their work.

“Think of it as a small Saturday market,” said Jessica Watson, who is the coordinator of the ArtWalk.

In addition to still art, the First Friday ArtWalk will host events that celebrate dance, music and interpretive art. At 6pm, “Arts Alive” will take place, a free event for all ages to come out and participate with local musicians, dancers and artists. This will take place at Kesey Square in downtown Eugene.

The First Friday ArtWalk also features “art talks” – presentations from successful artists from in or around Oregon. Christopher Acebo will be speaking about the art of theater set design. Doors open at 5 at the Oregon Contemporary Theatre (194 W. Broadway). Seating is limited, so get there early.

“We bring in speakers quarterly, and they’re professionals who are just outstanding in their field,” said Watson.

Though some are under the impression that these art walks occur only in the summertime, they actually take place year-round. Each month, Lane Arts Council brings in a new host and new venues. So locals can go enjoy art walks all year long without getting bored. The First Friday ArtWalk is completely free and great for the whole family. Of course, you might want to bring some pocket money so that you can take an original piece of artwork home for yourself.

If you are planning on joining the guided tour of the art walk hosted by artist Jud Turner, meet at 5:30 at the MODERN venue (207 E 5th Ave, Suite 105.) For more information about the First Friday ArtWalk, visit http://lanearts.org/first-friday-artwalk/.

If you are studying abroad in Europe, chances are you will want to jump on a train with your friends and discover new and exciting places. We all know the obvious ones: Paris, London and Rome — but there are a lot of lesser known European cities that are well worth the train ride to see.

Here are eight hidden gems of Europe that you won’t want to miss:

1. Hallstatt, Austria

(Creative Commons Photo)

Hallstatt is a quiet and quaint city, with only about 1,000 inhabitants. In exchange for liveliness, you will find incredibly scenic walking paths that lie between the Eastern Alps and the Hallstätter See. There are virtually no cars in Hallstatt — instead you can expect great hiking, skiing and water activities. It is home to 250-year-old salt mines, which you are allowed to tour. Hallstatt is a peaceful city, with unbeatable beauty and charm.

2. Budapest, Hungary

(Creative Commons Photo)

Budapest is a thriving city with nearly 2 million inhabitants and a rich history. “Buda” and “Pest” were formerly two cities that were divided by the Danube river. Now, the Budapest Bridge connects the two. Tons of cafes line the Danube river, while homes are in the hills above the water. Budapest’s parliament building — built in 1904 — is one of the most beautiful in the world. In addition, Budapest is home to thermal springs nicknamed the “baths of Budapest” which are open to the public for a fee. They often host “bath parties”— events for the nightlife lover in you.

3. Freiburg, Germany

(Creative Commons Photo)

This city is covered with cobblestone paths and organized gutters called bächles. These features, along with the romanesque and gothic architecture, make for a charming atmosphere. There is a university and a town center, along with great shopping boutiques.

“Most small university cities in Germany are a hub,” said Austrian local Karin Obermayr. “This is where famous philosophers and writers lived and taught.”

Also in Freiburg is the Black Forest, a great hiking and viewing deck destination. There are great restaurants at the top of the hills, where you can sip a beer with a view of the entire city.

4. Hvar Island, Croatia

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Hvar Island is located between Italy and the mainland of Croatia, and has a rich mediterranean culture with a mild climate year round. There is incredible nightlife on the island, while there is also great nature (including vineyards!)

5. Segovia, Spain

(Creative Commons Photo)

Segovia has the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in Europe, along with having medieval streets and beautiful rivers.

“I loved walking from the (central) aqueduct to the castle (Alcazar of Segovia) because I could see a variety of restaurants, boutiques, and houses in a five minute time span,” said Amy Bussell, a University of Oregon student. “During the summer, there was always a festival going on with soccer games, dances, or performances in the plaza.”

6. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

(Creative Commons Photo)

The “Grand Duchy of Luxembourg” is the financial hub of Europe, with a rich history from World War II. It is a clean city with rivers, hills, and pedestrian promenades. The old town drapes around the gorges of the rivers.

7. Turku, Finland

(Creative Commons Photo)

Turku is home to tons of experimental art and vibrant festivals. There is a university there, so there is a big nightlife scene.

“There are plenty of sculptures,” said University of Oregon student Olivia Determan. “And a building with a light fixture that changes color during the time of day. The locals use it to tell time at night.”

8. Kraków, Poland

(Creative Commons Photo)

Kraków is full of castles, cathedrals, and museums. There is a medieval style old town center. Kraków has a mythical atmosphere, with an old legend that it was founded upon the defeat of a dragon.

Get ready, Eugene, there is a new magazine in town. Oregon Outdoor, or O2, officially released its first issue on Thursday May 7, at a launch party held at Oakshire Brewing Public House.

The house was packed. As soon as I walked in, I was surrounded by a constant murmur of excited conversation over the rhythmic sound of a live band performing. Ready to greet me with a copy of the issue, along with other giveaways, was the editor of Oregon Outdoor, Kyle Hentschel.

“The turnout has been bigger than I thought it would be,” Hentschel said.

Though the entire staff of the magazine is a part of the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon, the publication is not associated with the university. Therefore, the staff chose to have their launch event at a location where they could draw in both students and outdoor activists from the greater Eugene area.

“We figured the microbrew culture is the place to be to reach (our key demographic),” Hentschel explained. “We were able to get Oregon Paddle Sports and Simply Cycle to come in and table (the event). It just seemed like a web of the same type of person who would enjoy the magazine.”

Outside of the restaurant, I ventured over to the Oregon Paddle Sports table. Owner Ken Rodgers was there because he believed that Oregon Outdoor was a perfect fit with his company.

“Just look at the cover,” he said, pointing to a copy of the pilot issue. “There’s a kayak on it.”

Oregon Paddle Sports is conveniently located near Fern Ridge Lake, so they are able to allow customers to take their equipment for a test run. They have a “demo day” coming up on May 17, at Fern Ridge, where the public can try out their equipment for free. “We’re going to have about forty canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards out there,” Rodgers said.

The Oregon Outdoor launch party was definitely a success. Manager of Oakshire Brewing public house, Meridy Wheeler, was extremely impressed.

“Most of the people I see here are new faces,” she said. “Good job to Kyle and Megan [from Oregon Outdoor] for getting the word out.”

Wheeler also mentioned that both Oakshire Brewing and Oregon Outdoor are community businesses, and she enjoyed having the two support one another.

Eugene residents can expect to find the publication all over town.

“We’re going to put them in the hubs of campus,” Hentschel said. “Another one of our goals is to have it be a community thing. So, (they will be) in local outdoor retailers, yoga studios, gyms, rock walls and that kind of thing.”

The staff is comprised of storytellers and outdoor enthusiasts, who are looking to share tales and photographs of adventure, whether it be Oregon based or international. Hentschel explained, “It’s Pacific Northwest and beyond.”

The sun is out, and for some people, summer bodies are on the mind. But don’t get stuck in the gym for countless hours while the gorgeous weather is upon us. Here are just a few free or almost free ways to get your workout in, while enjoying the sunny outdoors.

REI yoga and other classes

The Eugene REI store holds free classes for whoever wants to join their team of experts. On April 30, Eugene REI is hosting an outdoor yoga class — but hurry, spots are almost gone! If spots run out, there is a wait list.

“We don’t really turn anyone away,” Wayne Beckwith, market coordinator for REI Eugene outdoor programs said. “But it is important that everyone registers and at least gets on the wait list, so we have an idea of how many to expect.”

Check its website to see all upcoming events.

Join an intramural team

This option is not free, but is quite cheap. Joining an intramural team is a great way to try a new sport or relive your high school glory days. Teams usually meet once a week, so it is not a huge time commitment. You must be a UO student and must have the appropriate amount of players per team, depending on the sport. If you need more players or want to join as an individual, you can become a free agent, and you will be matched with other players. There are a few simple steps to join, find them here.

Tennis at the Rec

The Student Recreation Center has tons of equipment for free daily rental. One great way to get outside is by grabbing a tennis racquet and hitting the court! You can also rent volleyballs and check out the sand volleyball courts on campus. Spring term is a great time for a little outdoor friendly competition.

Kayaking the Willamette

The Willamette River runs right in the backyard of UO students. The river is open to recreational activities, including kayaking, canoeing, rafting and floating. For this option, make sure that you are familiar with current river conditions and approach the activity with caution. Perhaps go with a friend who is experienced with the Willamette. Kayaks and other gear can be rented for a small fee from the UO Outdoor Program. Check out a guide to river activities here, as well as a guide for river conditions.

Go for a run

It’s called Track Town for a reason: Eugene loves running. And there are tons of gorgeous trails to choose from. If you want to stay close to campus, choose Hendricks Park or Alton Baker Park trails. Here is a site that lists many options. If you are a competitive runner or trying to improve, you might consider joining the UO Running Club, which holds practices and competes in many track events. You can find them here.

This past week, students and film buffs alike gathered in Eugene for the sixth annual Cinema Pacific Film Festival, put on by the University of Oregon. The festival spanned from April 27 to May 3, and featured a variety of Filipino films. Each year, the festival focuses on the culture of a different country that borders the Pacific Ocean. This event is meant to promote filmmakers from such nations, including the United States. Tickets were between five to 10 dollars per film, and the showings were open to all ages.

The festival was very successful this year, having had certain films sell out and fill the theater. One of the most exciting evenings was on Thursday, for the showing of Tall as the Baobab Tree by Jeremy Teicher, Alexi Pappas and Jay Smith. All three creators were in attendance and had a lengthy interaction with the audience. Most films did, in fact, have their director in the crowd, ready to perform a question and answer segment post screening.

The director of the festival, Richard Herskowitz, is confident that it will be back next year. “I’m already thinking about what the country focus (for next year) is going to be,” he said.

The Cinema Pacific Film Festival is almost fully student run. Herskowitz, also a UO professor, teaches the course “Cinema Pacific.”  The course is available to about a dozen students at a time, both undergraduate and graduate. “We conceive this event, and we put on this event together,”Herskowitz said.

The festival was kicked off with the Adrenaline Film Project, an event in which filmmakers have three days to create their submission. It is an intense and exhilarating portion of Cinema Pacific. Then, the week of films began.

Cinema Pacific closed with an authentic Filipino film, Balikbayan #1 (Memories of Overdevelopment), by Kidlat Tahimik. “I tried to pick a film (to end with) that we could accompany with some international delicacies,” Herskowitz said. “I wanted it to be the latest film by (Tahimik).” He explained that there was a warmth in the audience towards Tahimik because his film “Purfumed Nightmare” was presented the night before.

After the film was played, the audience was treated to traditional Filipino refreshments.

Tahimik agreed that he felt very welcomed by the Eugene audience. “I am really happy with today,” he said. “You get different reactions in different places. The Eugene crowd was laughing consistently. They were with this voyage, totally”. He will now head to Seattle to complete his west coast tour.

Tahimik’s film took thirty-five years to complete, and premiered earlier this year at the Berlin International Film Festival. There, it won the Caligari Prize.

“For films like mine, where you don’t have big name stars, you don’t have a lot of crashing cars or sex and violence, to get the film launched, indie filmmakers hope to get invited to a major festival, and get a good review”.

Cinema Pacific was very well received this year, pulling in a large amount of viewers throughout the week, as well as recruiting many successful filmmakers for the event. Its culturally rich nature fits in perfectly with Eugene’s atmosphere of diversity. As long as locals continue to support the program, the Cinema Pacific Film Festival will likely live on.

“Adventure is in every direction.”  That is the motto behind University of Oregon students Will Phelan, Finn Foster, Gunnar Hanson and Nick Clark’s new project, Adventure Friday — and it couldn’t be more true for residents of Eugene.  The state of Oregon is brimming with natural wonders: West of Eugene is the Oregon coast, east are the Cascades, north is home to countless waterfalls and south holds multiple lakes. It is no wonder why this place provokes so many outdoor enthusiasts.

The founders of Adventure Friday are no exception. Phelan, Foster, Hanson and Clark hold a mission to inspire people to get outside and experience the world around them. They created a website, an Instagram and Twitter account in hopes of connecting fellow explorers and called it Adventure Friday.

Currently, the sites involve a lot of photo sharing, but the founders are planning on expansion. Adventurers can soon plan on turning to Adventure Friday on social media to share stories and rate specific hikes and other activities.

The idea for the project came to be when the four friends embarked on a long hike that resulted in them getting lost and failing to find a waterfall that was supposedly on the trail.

Foster remembers that the friends thought, “Wouldn’t it be awesome if someone had said something about this hike?” With proper feedback and advice from previous hikers, they could have been well-informed and comfortable with the route.

Now, thanks to the new age of media, the project has become worldwide. Explorers can submit personal photographs from around the globe to Adventure Friday’s social media sites and become featured on their main website.  A cartographer has worked to get Geographic Information Systems for the website, so that the material featured is displayed on a large map. The founders have contacts in both Finland and Siberia who contribute to their material. In addition, they look to students who travel abroad to contribute footage and insight about where they have been.

Students can look to this site to get study abroad ideas. Many have posted photos and information about where they have traveled in order to study through the university.

Adventure Friday also has an environmental mission to inspire others to spend time in nature sustainability. According to Foster, Patagonia is responsible for many of the laws that have been put in place to protect the environment and preserve certain regions.

“You can’t have the desire to change something unless you experience it”, he said. “That is why both Patagonia and Adventure Friday urges young people to go out and adventure. We have an intense passion for getting people outside.” And in Oregon especially, outside is an incredible place to be.