COVID Numbers Drop, CDC Data Delay
The occurrence of COVID-19 seems to be dwindling in the state and in Lane County. Over the past two weeks the number of cases have been on a steep decline reaching a low yesterday of 127 cases statewide and only 5 for Lane County. Although cases of hospitalized individuals continues to be steady. There were 11 more admissions yesterday across the state and 21 total cases in Lane County with 9 people in ICU. The Oregon Health Authority is reporting a separate problem with their data tracker dashboard that records the number of total vaccinations in Oregon. There is a error in the data that the Centers for Disease control compiles and releases. This data effects the tracking of the states progress towards the goal of 70%. A spokesperson for the CDC says it hopes to have the problem fixed by end of day today. According to information on the state’s site today there is about 2% left to reach the goal. The OHA is still reporting a daily average vaccination count of 16,766 vaccinations of that number 11,430 were new doses.
Paint and Fluorescent Event
Lane county government is holding a free household paint and fluorescent lamp collection from 10 am until 2 pm this Friday, in Florence. All community members are welcome to bring in up to 35 gallons of household paint and 20 fluorescent lamps per household. Businesses, Schools, Churches and other government agencies or non-profits may be asked to pay a disposal fees and such organizations must pre-register for the event. The county asks that you place materials in an SUV cargo area or truck bed. Materials will not be collected from vehicle passenger compartments. If materials are in the passenger compartment drivers will be asked to leave the line and move materials on their own. The county asks that you do not bring aerosol spray cans, household cleaners, garden chemicals, car care products of other household hazardous waste.
Oregon to Celebrate Juneteenth
Oregon lawmakers have passed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday. Celebrated on June 19th, the holiday marks the day in 1865 when Union troops landed in Galveston, Texas and informed people enslaved in the state that they were free. That was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Rawle Andrews Junior is regional vice president with A-A-R-P.
| “So, from that harsh reality of not only enslavement but prolonged enslavement after freedom’s bell had rang, we now celebrate Juneteenth as one of the great pillars of freedom in the United States.” |
Andrews says the holiday is a time for people to reflect on our history and the work that still needs to be done towards racial justice. Juneteenth will become a paid state holiday in Oregon starting in 2022.
Vagina Monologues Returns
The Last Resort Players are presenting Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues” at City Lights Cinema June 24th through 27th. The New York Times called this off-Broadway classic “probably the most important piece of political theater of the last decade.” The Monologues began in 1996 using interviews Ensler conducted with 200 women about sex, relationships and violence against women. Director Jim Wellington says,
“The Author, Eve Ensler, decided to go around and interview women about their, as she put it, ‘down there region’ because she thought it had never been done and it was about time women got a chance to talk about their vaginas and how they felt about it and all of that good stuff .”[0:23]
Assistant Director and actor Annie Schmidt says the upcoming show will feature 10 different actors, “one playing a woman in her 70s, a number of younger women, women who have had wonderful relationships with men, and one woman who has had no relationship with a man.” Here’s Schmidt giving playgoers an idea of what they’ll encounter during The Monologues,
“I used to have dreams. Oh, they were crazy dreams! Why? Burt Reynolds! I don’t know why, he never did much for me in life–But in my dreams!”
Wellington says the surprising thing might be that it’s not just a show for women–there’s something in it for everyone. The play runs June 24th thru 27th, Thursday thru Saturday nights at 7 PM with a Sunday Matinee at 2. Tickets are available for $15 online or at City Lights box office.
This show contains adult subject matter which may not be suitable to all ages.
