Finding exceptional pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan meals can be a challenging task. Stumbling upon a tasty dish that also contains substantial amounts of protein is nearly impossible. When simply substituting beans becomes bland, check out these hidden gems for the herbivores of Eugene:

For Pescatarians:

Black Widow Sushi Burrito from Unami ($13.95 or ½ order for $8.95)

When you’re in the mood for a unique and delicious lunch, a sushi burrito will certainly hit the spot. The Black Widow is a popular choice, but you can’t go wrong at Unami (4205 Main St in Springfield). This roll is stuffed with tuna, shrimp and crab, so it will provide you with plenty of protein to fill your belly and combat the midday slump. Ask for a side of their sweet wasabi sauce to add a mild kick to your burrito.

Pescado Tacos from Tacovore ($3.75 each)

If you’re tired of your typical meatless bean and cheese tacos, these fish tacos from Tacovore (530 Blair Blvd) are a must try. The crunchy and salty breaded cod is sure to please any pescatarian or seagan. Delicious fish cradled by a corn tortilla and topped with cabbage, radish, cilantro, onion and house-made crema. These tacos are quite the crowd pleaser.

For Vegetarians:

Marge Pizza from Mezza Luna ($3-4 for a single slice)

Caprese is an essential part of a vegetarian’s diet. The Marge Pizza from Mezza Luna (933 Pearl St) is caprese on pizza! You’ll drool when you see the fresh mozzarella, sliced roma tomatoes, basil and roasted garlic/olive oil piled on thin pizza crust. While you’re there, try their Caesar salad. The croutons are legendary.

Thai Peanut Tempeh Wings from Hot Mama’s Wings (7 wings for $8)

Next time your omnivore friends are craving chicken wings, suggest Hot Mama’s (420 W 13th Ave). They serve outstanding cut tempeh “wings” with your choice of any of the 14 sauces. The Thai Peanut sauce is mild and pairs perfectly with the tempeh flavor. Make sure you don’t leave without trying their deep fried pickles; it is an unforgettable experience. This is a great spot where meat eaters and vegetarians can unite in victory and satisfaction.

For Vegans:

Cornbread Café (Build Your Own Meal for $11.50)

If you’re a vegan Eugenian, you better know about Cornbread Café (1290 W 7th Ave). Everything on the menu is vegan. Whatever you’re in the mood for, whether it’s chicken fried tempeh or phish phillet, you’re sure to find it here. For just $11.50, you can select a main dish and two sides. Try the mac uncheese! This is a vegan paradise. And good news, they deliver!

Che Burrito from Laughing Planet Cafe ($6.50)

If you are an adventurous eater, you may have just struck gold. The Laughing Planet (with two locations – 760 Blair Blvd and 2864 Willamette St) has dozens of top-notch vegan dishes. The Che burrito is an unlikely winner among a tasty bunch. This burrito is packed with black beans, brown rice, pico de galo, plantains, sweet potatoes and a yummy chipotle barbeque sauce. It might sound unusual, but it is a sweet and savory classic.

It was no surprise that the Hozier/Little Green Cars double-feature concert began and ended in harmonized hums.

Last night, Tuesday, Oct. 20, Irish indie band Little Green Cars and Irish singer-songwriter Andrew Hozier-Byrne, who goes by the stage name Hozier, took the stage at the Moda Center’s Theatre of the Clouds in Portland and left a crowded house grinning ear to ear.

The severely under-appreciated Little Green Cars hit the stage promptly at 8 p.m. The group began the show with an a cappella rendition of “Red.” The band is heavy on harmonies and this song set the tone for what would be a vocally outstanding performance.

You have probably heard of Hozier after the massive radio hit “Take Me to Church.” In 2014, you would have heard it on the radio every half-hour and on two stations at once. Like most Top 40 hits played ad infinitum, just about everyone in the human race was burnt out on this song before long, but nearly everyone in the crowd had their phone in the air to record his most popular or infamous song. Nonetheless, Hozier’s self-titled album is contagious with its blues-rock sound.

Most artists that play shows in arenas like the Moda Center, are too self-inflated for my taste. It’s much easier to enjoy and support artists who are genuine, interact with their audience and put on a good show. Surprisingly, Hozier did exactly that.

He humbly recognized every member of the band, from the back-up singers to the cellist, as well as his tech and backstage crew. He even took the time to introduce “In A Week” by telling the audience about his hometown, Wicklow. He painted a picture of two lovers lying on the Wicklow Hills together. Hozier turned an arena into a coffee house with a cup of tea in hand.

As the show came to a close and Hozier returned to the stage for an encore, we all anticipated he would finish the night with “Work Song.” But Hozier said “Now Portland, I know you’re too smart for this and this next one is decidedly, not my song.” Suddenly, he began playing his own unique rendition of Ariana Grande’s “Problem.” The radio hit was hardly recognizable on Hozier’s voice, but arguably superior to the original.

Listening to Hozier’s eponymous album on CD is simply not a comparable experience to seeing the man live on stage. The songs didn’t sound as varied or in-depth, and it seemed clouded in comparison to the live performance.

Hozier’s set was stunning because each song was imperfect. During the show, you could hear the genuine sounds that become buried in production, but it made the show better. It was raw and that cannot be beat.

This Tuesday, Oct. 27, Tacovore and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon (PPAO) are teaming up to host Trick or Tacos for Planned Parenthood.

Seven percent of all food purchases from Tacovore on Tuesday will go directly to PPAO’s Lane County Leadership and Advocacy Team. From 5-8 p.m., Lane County volunteers will demonstrate at Tacovore in support of Planned Parenthood.

“We’re working on landmark legislation that will ensure that abortion in Oregon not only remains safe and legal, but affordable and accessible,” said Nichi Masters Linder, Field Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon. “Expanding access to reproductive health care will have the greatest impact on young women, women of color, low-income women, immigrant women and survivors of domestic abuse.”

Trick or Tacos will also award a $25 Tacovore gift card to the person who receives the most Facebook likes for their Halloween costume. As an added bonus, Tacovore will create a Pink Taco Special for this event. “What could be scarier than a ‘gynotician’ who wants to come between a woman and her doctor?” asks the event’s Facebook page.

Planned Parenthood acts as a valuable health care resource to women who are unable to access certain medical services. Currently, Oregon is in the frontline of reproductive freedom in the US and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon assists in sustaining that title.

Planned Parenthood has been a particularly contentious issue during the 2016 presidential campaign. Pro-life advocates are skewering the organization for providing women extensive access to health care and contraceptives; Republican legislators are working to pass a bill to halt all government funding to the organization for a year.

According to The Guardian, the organization receives $500 million a year in government finances, through Medicare reimbursements and grants, and none of this money goes to abortion services – a mere three percent of the services that Planned Parenthood provides.

The organization also provides STD testing, counseling and treatment, emergency contraception, permanent birth control, breast exams, free pregnancy testing, among several other beneficial services to its visitors.

At the first GOP debate, Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina mentioned a Planned Parenthood video that she claimed showed “a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking while someone says we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.”

Rather than pedal back on this statement, which references a patently non-existent video, Fiorina’s deputy campaign manager Sarah Isgur Flores stated, “Planned Parenthood doesn’t and can’t deny they are butchering babies and selling their organs. This is about the character of our nation.”

PPAO’s Leadership and Advocacy Team works to maintain accessible reproductive care in Lane County as well as actively promoting Planned Parenthood in Eugene. Whenever Planned Parenthood is being scrutinized, these are the people who step in.

Tacovore (530 Blair Blvd) is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Neighbourhood bring a creative edge to alternative music with its second full-length album, Wiped Out! Considering that the band is young, having been formed in 2011, it has quickly earned a name for itself. Most will recognize the band for the hit single “Sweater Weather” that topped the charts in 2013.

The Neighbourhood’s debut album I Love You may have been successful, but it was time the band moved on to a more mature and individualized sound. While I Love You sounds similar to the noir style of Lana Del Rey, the new album sounds closer to the Weeknd.

Much of the album was produced on the road and, at times, it shows. The name Wiped Out! could be a testament to the exhaustion of being in a touring band. While it shares the deep tones and tragic vibe of I Love You, it has many stark differences. An array of genres is displayed throughout the album with some songs more closely resembling R&B or hip-hop than alternative rock. The Neighbourhood seems to be experimenting with (and perfecting, maybe) its sound.

The first album certainly had a more consistent sound, but Wiped Out! is one of a kind. It’s risky and that fits the band’s persona. Like a teen that can’t fit into any one crowd, this album simply doesn’t fit into any one genre.

The album does, however, have a personal element that the first album was lacking. The lyrics are poetic. Each song on Wiped Out contains meaning and emotion. There was no need to create a certain image since it’s established who it is as a band. The songs are genuine.

The first track on the album is titled “A Moment of Silence,” which is literally thirty seconds of silence. It serves as a memoir to lead singer Jesse Rutherford’s late father, while also forcing its listeners to take a rare moment to be still.

But the personalization of the album goes far beyond a single track. The token single is a testament to moving forward in life. “R.I.P. 2 My Youth” pays homage to the past and signifies the stylistic changes The Neighbourhood is making with its newer music.

“R.I.P. 2 My Youth” is a final farewell and a standout track on the album. It is less ambient than the other songs and has a more angsty rock vibe. Although “The Beach” and “Single” are more similar to the theme of the album, these two songs are chilling and catchy. The sharp sound of Rutherford’s voice in “The Beach” will give you goosebumps, while “Single” is more upbeat. Both have a sense of heartbreak and ambiance, but will please fans of the noir sound.

The Neighbourhood has a unique sound, but the band hasn’t quite yet chosen a genre. Wiped Out! may be the bridge between the young band that created I Love You and a fully developed band. Though the album is great overall, it can seem disorganized and experimental. The Neighbourhood is still working towards greatness, but Wiped Out! is a step in the right direction.

Listen to “The Beach” from Wiped Out! below.

Dearest Taylor,

I have been hanging out with a guy I met on Tinder for the past week. The first day we watched a movie, the second we just laid together for a while and the third we just talked for hours until he read me a poem and held my hand as he walked me back to my dorm room.

We had communicated that we would hang out this weekend. I gave him his space and didn’t text him or communicate with him until I texted him Saturday night.

He hasn’t responded. I know he is busy, as am I, but I find it troubling that he didn’t tell me that we couldn’t hang out this weekend and isn’t making any move to hang out any time soon.

I just don’t know what to do, Taylor. I have listened to Joshua Radin’s “I’d Rather Be With You” probably a million times over, wishing his hand was tangled with mine again. What would you recommend I do? Should I wait in this empty silence until his voice fills it again?

-Lolita Van Dyne

Dear Lolita,

Meeting truly worthwhile people on Tinder is nearly impossible, since almost every user is on there for a slightly different reason. If you are hoping for more than a hook-up, you may be looking in the wrong place. Tinder is used for three things: booty calls, party invites and free dinners. Nonetheless, you have succeeded in finding a match that suits your needs. Or so it seems.

Keep in mind, this guy is still a stranger. How you initially judged his character might not be fair, and you shouldn’t get too attached to the idolized version of him that you found on an app. Tinder is the perfect place to hide your flaws and you may be seeing him through rose-tinted lenses.

Kudos, though! You actually went on a Tinder date. And that takes guts. It comes with an expectation that there will be more than just talking and holding hands. Your persistence in taking things slow with a Tinder boy is admirable to say the least.

If you haven’t misjudged him, you scored in the scheme of swiping right. Aside from his recent absence, you seem to have stumbled upon someone who isn’t entirely a waste of time. If you went on multiple dates without succumbing to the urge of Tinder’s intended purpose, he probably actually likes you for you, which – again – is hard to come by on Tinder.

Don’t doubt your connection so quickly. You may be over-analyzing the situation. It’s a busy time of year and he’s only been off the grid for a weekend. In terms of a new relationship, that’s nothing to be worried about. He may have been preoccupied. Aren’t we all suffering through the tail end of the term?

New relationships require a lot of patience. Don’t give up on him yet. Try following up with fairly immediate plans. Send him a text offering company for an evening study session or to buy him coffee at Common Grounds. No one could resist that!

If you get no response, don’t get too worked up about it. The relationship is too new for so much worry and heartache. Keep yourself busy if it bothers you often and don’t dwell on it if it doesn’t work out.

Besides, you have plenty of other matches to choose from.

Best,

T