One of the most anticipated events of the summer is just around the corner. On Monday, Aug. 21, the first total solar eclipse to cross the United States since 1979 will be visible to Eugene residents. The eclipse’s totality will be most visible north of Eugene in cities like Albany, Corvallis and Salem.

However, if braving the eclipse traffic isn’t an option, Eugene and Springfield both have some great places to watch.

The Erb Memorial Union is having a gathering on the EMU lawn from 9 to 11:30 a.m. It will provide music, cake, punch, coffee and yard games to everyone there. Eclipse glasses will also be provided, but get there early before they run out. The EMU also recommends bringing your own lawn chairs or blankets.

The Lane County Medical Society, the Eugene Family YMCA and Oregon Eye Consultants will also be co-hosting their own event at the YMCA field on 2055 Patterson St. The event will run from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The groups will provide free eclipse glasses and welcome residents of all ages to come learn about the science behind the eclipse.

The Science Factory will be delaying its opening hour to 11 a.m. to let people come watch the eclipse. Although the museum is not providing eclipse glasses, it invites people to view partial phases of the eclipse through on-site telescopes which use solar filters.

Eugene is also known for its buttes and many hiking spots. Skinner’s Butte, Spencer’s Butte, Gillespie Butte and Mount Pisgah are the perfect places to go for a hike Monday morning.

Although Eugene is just south of the total eclipse zone, Lane County’s view will be extremely close to totality. Local stores such as Fred Meyers are currently selling eclipse glasses, which are a necessary eclipse accessory. It is important to use the glasses when looking at the sky, so the sun won’t damage your eyes.

Eugene and Springfield expect a large number of visitors, so make your eclipse plans and try to find a spot early. Gather friends, buy some glasses and find the perfect view in Eugene. Don’t miss out on the stellar sight because another eclipse won’t cross North America until 2024.

The post Where to watch the solar eclipse in Eugene appeared first on Emerald Media.

Driving down Springfield’s Main Street, visitors pass historic buildings that were once the heart of the town. Although the city spread out, the street maintains a nostalgic feel. Among its modern restaurants, fabric stores and coffee shops sits the Washburne Cafe.

The Washburne’s yellow brickwork stands out among the rest of the quaint street. An archway interrupts the golden facade, leading to the front entrance. A sheet of printer paper, which reads “I like you” in a child’s handwriting, hangs on the left door.

“We really wanted to be a community space where people could meet,” cafe co-owner Charlie Hester said. After 11 years in the Portland coffee business, Hester — a Springfield native — wanted to open his own coffee shop. “It felt really nice to come home,” he said. 

He partnered with two of his high school friends, Derek and Mindy Weber, to open their own cafe. Hester was somewhat nervous to go into business with such good friends, but it has been easier than expected. “I was worried we’d argue more, but it’s been pretty easy. I got to design the bar and Derek gets his kitchen,” said Hester. 

Hester said that Weber keeps the menu simple to accommodate the current size of the cafe’s kitchen. Eventually, Weber would like to bake their own breads. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

Hester and the Webers bought the Washburne from previous management last September. After a month of renovations, the cafe reopened on Oct. 24, 2016. To maintain the authentic Springfield atmosphere, the owners focused their interior design on the building’s original 1911 brick walls and hardwood floors.

Inside the cafe’s doors, one can find a combination of a modern, tasteful aesthetic with undertones of Springfield’s history. Exposed brick, crisp white walls and minimalist design encompass the cafe. Community members can enjoy a cup of coffee at a variety of benches, bars and couches.

The combination of vintage decorations, clean lines and an abundance of greenery create a comfortable space for the Springfield community. The single brick wall displays a variety of merchandise and a menu composed of marquee lettering.

“It’s very hipster and minimalistic — the drink menu, too,” cafe regular Jessica Rez said. “Honestly, I just really like it here.” The food menu contains variations of classic breakfast and lunch foods, like eggs and toast, sandwiches, oatmeal and pastries.

The Washburne’s commitment to selling local goods helps the cafe embody its community. The merchandise wall features goods from local vendors and artists, and the coffee is from the closest producer the owners could find without sacrificing taste. Derek Weber uses bread from the Hideaway Bakery in South Eugene and dairy products from Umpqua Dairy to create items for the Washburne menu.

The light bulb lamps were created by an artist whose studio is on the other side of the Washburn’s back wall. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

The Washburne’s owners try to use local vendors because they believe promoting other people’s passions is important. “We try to keep it as Springfield as possible. It’s all about supporting other people,” Hester said. In the future, Hester and Weber would like to start roasting their own coffee and selling their own bread.

Until then, they are happy with where they are.

“Growing up I couldn’t wait to leave, but when I came back I found people who were so fiercely Springfield,” said Hester. He feels more connected to the people here and hopes the Washburne connects its patrons to the wider community. With a deep appreciation for home, Hester and the Webers don’t see the Washburne going anywhere.

You can visit the Washburne Café at 326 Main St., Springfield or check out its website here.

Follow Julia on Twitter @juliataylor1289.

The post The Washburne Cafe represents a mix of the historic and modern Springfield community appeared first on Emerald Media.

Driving down Springfield’s Main Street, visitors pass historic buildings that were once the heart of the town. Although the city has spread, the street maintains a nostalgic feel. Its modern restaurants, fabric stores and coffee shops include the Washburne Cafe.

The Washburne’s yellow brickwork stands out among the rest of the quaint street. An archway interrupts the golden facade, leading to the front entrance. A sheet of printer paper, which reads “I like you” in a child’s handwriting, hangs on the left door.

“We really wanted to be a community space where people could meet,” cafe co-owner Charlie Hester said. After 11 years in the Portland coffee business, Hester — a Springfield native — wanted to open his own coffee shop. “It felt really nice to come home,” he said. 

He partnered with two of his high school friends, Derek and Mindy Weber, to open their own cafe. Hester was somewhat nervous to go into business with such good friends, but it has been easier than expected. “I was worried we’d argue more, but it’s been pretty easy. I got to design the bar and Derek gets his kitchen,” Hester said. 

Hester said that Weber keeps the menu simple to accommodate the current size of the cafe’s kitchen. Eventually, Weber would like to bake their own breads. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

Hester and the Webers bought the Washburne from previous management last September. After a month of renovations, the cafe reopened on Oct. 24, 2016. To maintain the authentic Springfield atmosphere, the owners focused their interior design on the building’s original 1911 brick walls and hardwood floors.

Inside the cafe’s doors, one can find a combination of a modern, tasteful aesthetic with undertones of Springfield’s history. Exposed brick, crisp white walls and minimalist design encompass the cafe. Community members can enjoy a cup of coffee at a variety of benches, bars and couches.

The combination of vintage decorations, clean lines and an abundance of greenery create a comfortable space for the Springfield community. The single brick wall displays a variety of merchandise and a menu composed of marquee lettering.

“It’s very hipster and minimalistic — the drink menu, too,” cafe regular Jessica Rez said. “Honestly, I just really like it here.” The food menu contains variations of classic breakfast and lunch foods, like eggs and toast, sandwiches, oatmeal and pastries.

The Washburne’s commitment to selling local goods helps the cafe embody its community. The merchandise wall features goods from local vendors and artists, and the coffee is from the closest producer the owners could find without sacrificing taste. Derek Weber uses bread from the Hideaway Bakery in South Eugene and dairy products from Umpqua Dairy to create items for the Washburne menu.

The light bulb lamps were created by an artist whose studio is on the other side of the Washburn’s back wall. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

The Washburne’s owners try to use local vendors because they believe promoting other people’s passions is important. “We try to keep it as Springfield as possible. It’s all about supporting other people,” Hester said. In the future, Hester and Weber would like to start roasting their own coffee and selling their own bread.

Until then, they are happy with where they are.

“Growing up I couldn’t wait to leave, but I when I came back I found people who were so fiercely Springfield,” Hester said. He feels more connected to the people here and hopes the Washburne connects its patrons to the wider community. With a deep appreciation for home, Hester and the Webers don’t see the Washburne going anywhere.

You can visit the Washburne Café at 326 Main St., Springfield or check out its website here.

Follow Julia on Twitter @juliataylor1289.

The post The Washburne Cafe represents a mix of the historic and modern Springfield community appeared first on Emerald Media.

The air is filled with sounds of basketball shoes screeching across hardwood floors and table tennis balls clacking against paddles. “Make sure you get this down: ‘Movement is life,’” said Herb Chereck. For Chereck, a retired registrar at the University of Oregon, movement became a big part of his life when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2009.

Chereck displays tremors in his hands and limbs, a symptom of Parkinson’s. According to him, one known method to slow the progression of the disease is exercise. He found the perfect place to do just that.

Along with three other players around the table, he laughs, lunges, smiles and swings during a game of doubles table tennis. When Chereck plays with Blazing Paddles, his tremors are less noticeable.

It has taken years to accrue the tables the club currently owns. Blazing Paddle used to buy broken tables, fix them and resell them to save money for future club investments. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

Don’t confuse table tennis with ping pong, though. Blazing Paddles, a table tennis club that meets daily in Springfield, appreciates the game for being more than just ping pong. “The difference between the two? We change our shoes before we play,” said Mike Pittman, a club board member.

Decades ago, Blazing Paddles wasn’t more than a few guys playing the sport in their spare time, said Dave Combs, the current club president. He and the other founding members recall pulling a trailer filled with table tennis equipment around trying to find a place to set up and play. They finally established a time and space with the Bob Keefer Center at Willamalane and the Willamalane Adult Activity Center.

Today, about 90 members play table tennis with the Blazing Paddles. Combs has one philosophy to manage the group.

“We are building a club where the people like each other and respect each other,” said Combs. His focus is to keep people smiling and laughing by “only structuring the club enough that play is fair.”

Although table tennis helps Chereck’s Parkinson’s, most other members play simply because they believe the sport offers good, fun exercise. Members smile between serves and laugh as they chase stray balls. However, the lighthearted atmosphere in this Bob Keefer Center basketball court is not lacking in competitive spirit.

“We have fun here, but everybody wants to win,” said Grace Fowler-Gore, a Blazing Paddles member, while teaching two players doubles table tennis rules. Although she is a patient teacher, the desire to win showed as she practiced adding spin to her backhand serve.

The competition isn’t slowing down anytime soon. On July 22, the club hosted a casual, in-house doubles tournament, and on August 5 to 6, the annual Table Tennis State Games of Oregon will be at the Bob Keefer Center. Eugene will host the games for the first time, which Combs believes will be good publicity for the club. He also said that playing in a clean space and building the credibility of table tennis serve as important changes for the sport.

The Blazing Paddles hosts small tournaments every couple months but also has an annual in-house tournament where players compete to have their names etched into the first place trophy. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

Combs hopes to grow the club in the future and said he would like to see a younger crowd join. Fowler-Gore also encourages more women to join. “Don’t let all the boys intimidate you,” she said.

Blazing Paddles is open to players of all skill levels and enjoy teaching the game to new players.  Members of the club pay $15 per month to play as much as they can at either location. The state games will be played at one Blazing Paddles meeting location: 250 S 32nd St., Springfield. Another location is 215 W C St., Springfield. Weekly schedules are online at www.lanetabletennis.net.

The post Blazing Paddles unites local table tennis enthusiasts appeared first on Emerald Media.

The air is filled with sounds of basketball shoes screeching across hardwood floors and table tennis balls clacking against paddles. “Make sure you get this down: ‘Movement is life,’” said Herb Chereck. For Chereck, a retired registrar at the University of Oregon, movement became a big part of his life when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2009.

Chereck displays tremors in his hands and limbs, a symptom of Parkinson’s. According to him, one known method to slow the progression of the disease is exercise. He found the perfect place to do just that.

Along with three other players around the table, he laughs, lunges, smiles and swings during a game of doubles table tennis. When Chereck plays with Blazing Paddles, his tremors are less noticeable.

It has taken years to accrue the tables the club currently owns. Blazing Paddle used to buy broken tables, fix them and resell them to save money for future club investments. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

Don’t confuse table tennis with ping pong, though. Blazing Paddles, a table tennis club that meets daily in Springfield, appreciates the game for being more than just ping pong. “The difference between the two? We change our shoes before we play,” said Mike Pittman, a club board member.

Decades ago, Blazing Paddles wasn’t more than a few guys playing the sport in their spare time, said Dave Combs, the current club president. He and the other founding members recall pulling a trailer filled with table tennis equipment around trying to find a place to set up and play. They finally established a time and space with the Bob Keefer Center at Willamalane and the Willamalane Adult Activity Center.

Today, about 90 members play table tennis with the Blazing Paddles. Combs has one philosophy to manage the group.

“We are building a club where the people like each other and respect each other,” said Combs. His focus is to keep people smiling and laughing by “only structuring the club enough that play is fair.”

Although table tennis helps Chereck’s Parkinson’s, most other members play simply because they believe the sport offers good, fun exercise. Members smile between serves and laugh as they chase stray balls. However, the lighthearted atmosphere in this Bob Keefer Center basketball court is not lacking in competitive spirit.

“We have fun here, but everybody wants to win,” said Grace Fowler-Gore, a Blazing Paddles member, while teaching two players doubles table tennis rules. Although she is a patient teacher, the desire to win showed as she practiced adding spin to her backhand serve.

The competition isn’t slowing down anytime soon. On July 22, the club hosted a casual, in-house doubles tournament, and on August 5 to 6, the annual Table Tennis State Games of Oregon will be at the Bob Keefer Center. Eugene will host the games for the first time, which Combs believes will be good publicity for the club. He also said that playing in a clean space and building the credibility of table tennis serve as important changes for the sport.

The Blazing Paddles hosts small tournaments every couple months but also has an annual in-house tournament where players compete to have their names etched into the first place trophy. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

Combs hopes to grow the club in the future and said he would like to see a younger crowd join. Fowler-Gore also encourages more women to join. “Don’t let all the boys intimidate you,” she said.

Blazing Paddles is open to players of all skill levels and enjoy teaching the game to new players.  Members of the club pay $15 per month to play as much as they can at either location. The state games will be played at one Blazing Paddles meeting location: 250 S 32nd St., Springfield. Another location is 215 W C St., Springfield. Weekly schedules are online at www.lanetabletennis.net.

The post Blazing Paddles unites local table tennis enthusiasts appeared first on Emerald Media.

Located in Oakway Center’s newest shopping and dining structure, Eugene’s second Barre3 studio opened its doors June 23. Its windows greet customers with the slogan “Ballet barre meets yoga and Pilates.”

Barre workouts have a reputation for being difficult because they’re aimed at toning and lengthening muscles that most people never use. With inspiration from ballet, barre classes focus on frequent repetitions of small movements at low weights.

“The first time I did this I thought I was going to throw up and pass out,” a woman said in the studio. She then glanced away to focus on draping a small sweat towel over the wooden railing and placing a water bottle and small, black dumbbells below it. The room’s most notable feature is the wooden railing, the barre.

By combining the barre use and aspects of Pilates and yoga, Barre3 is different than other barre classes.

The room is inspired by a ballet studio. Students watch their form in the mirror and balance movements on the barre. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

This fusion adds larger movements and more cardio than other studios, which “is good for the whole body,” said Jessica Neely, the Oakway location’s owner. Not only does the workout set the studio apart, its values try to be different, Neely said. Barre3 attempts to be “accepting and supportive” by offering variations on movements to accommodate different bodies. The studio also caps classes at 24 students to give everyone plenty of attention.

Smiling instructors greet students and introduce themselves to new faces. Throughout the class, they provide adjustments to each student’s form as needed, and encourage them to adapt workouts if they don’t feel right. They reassure students that they can and will finish each movement through the “quakes and the shakes,” as one instructor described students’ trembling muscles.

Neely, a mother herself, said that assuring parents can get to class without worrying about childcare is important.
(Julia Taylor/Emerald)

Skipping class is hard because workouts aren’t the only enticing aspect of the studio. The entire facility is accommodating, especially to women and parents. The Play Lounge is Barre3’s childcare area where parents can leave their children during class time. Walking further back into the facility, women can enjoy the restroom’s amenities which include a shower, toiletries, a hairdryer, lockers and towels.

Barre3 is a welcoming place. The natural lighting and clean space make for a comfortable atmosphere. It feels good to be part of an environment that encourages every student regardless of age, size and skill level to work hard and understand his or her body. “It’s a place “for everybody — and that means everyone and every body,” said Neely.

Barre3’s address is 301 Oakway Rd. A single class is $23 or the new client package is three classes for $30. Find Barre3 online at www.barre3.com/studio-locations/oakway or call directly at 541-653-9099. The other studio is downtown at 224 West Broadway Ave.

The post Review: Barre3 studio offers ballet, yoga and pilates fusion appeared first on Emerald Media.

Located in Oakway Center’s newest shopping and dining structure, Eugene’s second Barre3 studio opened its doors June 23. Its windows greet customers with the slogan “Ballet barre meets yoga and Pilates.”

Barre workouts have a reputation for being difficult because they’re aimed at toning and lengthening muscles that most people never use. With inspiration from ballet, barre classes focus on frequent repetitions of small movements at low weights.

“The first time I did this I thought I was going to throw up and pass out,” a woman said in the studio. She then glanced away to focus on draping a small sweat towel over the wooden railing and placing a water bottle and small, black dumbbells below it. The room’s most notable feature is the wooden railing, the barre.

By combining the barre use and aspects of Pilates and yoga, Barre3 is different than other barre classes.

The room is inspired by a ballet studio. Students watch their form in the mirror and balance movements on the barre. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

This fusion adds larger movements and more cardio than other studios, which “is good for the whole body,” said Jessica Neely, the Oakway location’s owner. Not only does the workout set the studio apart, its values try to be different, Neely said. Barre3 attempts to be “accepting and supportive” by offering variations on movements to accommodate different bodies. The studio also caps classes at 24 students to give everyone plenty of attention.

Smiling instructors greet students and introduce themselves to new faces. Throughout the class, they provide adjustments to each student’s form as needed, and encourage them to adapt workouts if they don’t feel right. They reassure students that they can and will finish each movement through the “quakes and the shakes,” as one instructor described students’ trembling muscles.

Neely, a mother herself, said that assuring parents can get to class without worrying about childcare is important.
(Julia Taylor/Emerald)

Skipping class is hard because workouts aren’t the only enticing aspect of the studio. The entire facility is accommodating, especially to women and parents. The Play Lounge is Barre3’s childcare area where parents can leave their children during class time. Walking further back into the facility, women can enjoy the restroom’s amenities which include a shower, toiletries, a hairdryer, lockers and towels.

Barre3 is a welcoming place. The natural lighting and clean space make for a comfortable atmosphere. It feels good to be part of an environment that encourages every student regardless of age, size and skill level to work hard and understand his or her body. “It’s a place “for everybody — and that means everyone and every body,” said Neely.

Barre3’s address is 301 Oakway Rd. A single class is $23 or the new client package is three classes for $30. Find Barre3 online at www.barre3.com/studio-locations/oakway or call directly at 541-653-9099. The other studio is downtown at 224 West Broadway Ave.

The post Review: Barre3 studio offers ballet, yoga and pilates fusion appeared first on Emerald Media.

To the community at the University of Oregon, Steve Prefontaine will always be a great runner. But only a few remember him as a bartender. During his time at UO, Prefontaine spent many nights behind the bar of The Paddock, a South Eugene bar and grill that thrived as a student hotspot through the ‘70s and ‘80s. But in the late 1980s, the beer taps ran dry and the bar and grill closed for three years.

Shaun Gavin, an extra in the 1998 Prefontaine movie “Without Limits,” recalls learning about who Prefontaine, or Pre, was when he wasn’t on the track.

“Pre bartended at the Pad. I know he liked to party with all his friends,” Gavin said.

Pre wasn’t the only student fond of The Paddock.

“The original Pad was kind of a landmark on campus for a while during the ’70s. That’s where all the athletes used to go,” Gavin said. “Gary, the owner, kind of catered to them. He would hire them as bartenders.”

Students filled the dance floor on weekend nights and helped give the Pad its popular reputation.

Brass railings separate dining from the bar. This railing is unoriginal, therefore the Old Pad could not be used in the filming of any Prefontaine movie because they did not resemble the original Paddock where Pre worked. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

In 1991, Don and Cheryl McCabe revived The Paddock after its three-year dormancy. They changed the name to the Old Pad to pay homage to the original moniker and legacy of the building. Current owner LaMonte Cherrick took over in 2005. He said his appreciation for the history of the location grew after obtaining the sports bar, and patrons of the original Paddock still come through to “just bring up fond memory after fond memory of the time they spent here.”  

Although the inside has been renovated over the last couple of decades, UO and Prefontaine memorabilia that cover the walls make it a welcoming nest for any Ducks fan. Neon signs glowing over the bar give off a classic sport bar vibe, while green booths and tile floors provide a comfortable atmosphere to enjoy the company of friends over food and drink.

The South Eugene sports bar welcomes customers daily from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., for breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour.

Cherrick enjoys ensuring a good time for multiple generations.

“We are constantly getting new people in here — rediscovering us, or discovering us for the first time. That is always fun to watch, when you see a young person come in for the first time and then you see them start to come in on a regular basis,” he said. “That is probably the most gratifying thing to watch — the people having a good time.”  

Cherrick tries to maintain those vibes and said they consistently try not to be “just a bar.” Most days the Old Pad offers deals on food and drinks, including discounted tabs on Miser Monday, Taco Tuesday and several other days posted on their website. During the summer, corn hole tournaments are hosted on the patio.

Customers hanging out on the Old Pad’s patio, where corn hole tournaments are held in the summer and a fire pit sits in the fall. (Julia Taylor/Emerald)

Several bars, like Taylor’s, Webfoot and Max’s have taken over as student hot spots in the last couple of decades, but Cherrick believes the Old Pad stands apart because of the camaraderie it creates. “It really is your ‘Cheers’ type of bar,” he said.”If you come down here you become a friend of the Paddock.”

Cherrick plans to pass the bar to a new owner one day. For now, he’s content.

“I’m just its custodian for this period of time. Someday I’ll hand it over to somebody else, and hopefully they’ll be a good custodian for its legacy and reputation.”

The post The Old Pad serves new memories to customers in South Eugene appeared first on Emerald Media.