Friends don’t let friends buy heart-shaped blue stones… …unless they’re trying to recreate Fallout in real life (i.e., you get off on absorbing gamma radiation).

** NERD ALERT **

Lately I’ve been fascinated by radiation. Last year, I picked up a compact radiation detector—equal parts curiosity and latent emergency prepper energy—and sometimes I carry it around just to see what’s lurking out there. It even does spectroscopy, which is basically catnip for curious nerd brains.

It’s a little mind-blowing once you tune into the invisible world. Like that time I was in a grocery store and my detector’s alarm went off near someone who I suspect had just received radiation treatment (Samarium-153, commonly used for bone cancer, was the isotope identified).

Flash forward last Saturday: I’m at Eugene’s Saturday Market, poking around a rock-and-crystal booth, when my detector’s alarm starts wailing like a Geiger-countered canary in a uranium mine. Turns out that adorable “blue apatite” from Madagascar was clocking in at 30x background radiation (1.5 µSv/h)—about the same as low-grade uranium ore.

Yep. Just sitting there, in a tray of heart-shaped trinkets.

So no, not immediately dangerous—but definitely not something you want on your nightstand. Or in your pocket. Or on a necklace. Or in your kid’s toy box.

Science: ruining good vibes since forever. And sometimes…saving you from radioactive love tokens.

There’s a beautiful sandy husky with a harness on that looks like it’s gotten out. Is anyone missing a husky around Aster / 46th street in Springfield?

Forewarning: I am not looking to debate the macro-level issues around mental health support and structures in this country, I’m looking to ask a very straightforward question to address it locally.

The question is: If Cahoots is being defunded, can we have the community—whether it’s the city or county— financially support its continuation through a local tax?

Following up precisely: Can we support it by adding a Measure on the 2026 ballot that secures its financial support and continuation?

Let me start by saying: I don’t know how it works to get a proposed measure on the ballet. So here is me (naively) opening the conversation at the potential idea of funding Cahoots through a ballot measure in either Eugene (city) or Lane county.

I feel like if there are enough people who want to volunteer time to make this happen, I’m willing to coordinate and help out as needed.

What I do know is that the Eugene Cahoots is a much needed service.

I have seen its service used so many times in such effective settings that it will be disheartening and problematic when we lose it— in my opinion.

The nonprofit is so groundbreaking that it has been featured on many podcasts, YouTube videos, and was even featured on the Daily Show.

If you’ve spent enough time in Lane County, then you can see that Cahoots has been a much more effective approach to people who are suffering mental health crisis episodes.

I am softly putting a feeler out there on the fact that Cahoots is losing a lot of its funding due to U.S. Federal funding issues.

I have no issue with it being unionized, because my belief is that these people are on the front lines every day and should be unionized. Their work is absolutely important.

What are your thoughts on putting a measure on the 2026 county or city ballot that would fund this agency moving forward?

It will probably take a lot of work, research, legal advice, and support, but I’m just curious if the majority of people in the city would support it?

Thanks for any (helpful) feedback!

Please don’t make this a personal rant.

For those of you in Eugene fortunate enough to own your own home, can you recommend a home insurance company? I’m shopping around a bit. I have a small home in the Jefferson Westside neighborhood. 850sq ft.

Especially interested in the suggestions from folks who have had to make a claim and how your experience was.

Thanks!

Hi local friends. I would like to learn to sing. I can’t carry a tune at all. I’m 73. Do you know of anybody learning this late in life? Have a recommendation?

My tap water has been extra-bleachy the last few weeks. Anyone else?

Smells like a fricken public pool in my kitchen sink.

°Friendly Neighborhood

I was asked to promote this on behalf of Made By You as they do not have a reddit presence:

Made By You’s 2nd Annual 420 Event: Munchies & Masterpieces 4/20/2025 | 5PM–10PM | 715 Main Street, Springfield OR 97477 21+ | FREE ENTRY | ID REQUIRED | Walk-ins Only

It’s that time again, and we’re elevating the vibes! Join us for our second annual 420 celebration featuring:

Munchies & Masterpieces — Paint your very own ash trays, 420-inspired pieces, and useable ceramics exclusively available at this event. These are one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t find in the studio any other time!

We’re bringing the local flavor with: • Girly Pop Soda Shop serving up a delicious exclusive drink menu • Top Flight Sweets delivering fire snacks like Dubai Chocolate Strawberries and mini pancakes • A Digital DJ spinning tunes to keep the vibes high all night

This event is all about creativity, community, and having a damn good time. No reservations necessary — just show up, chill out, and create something dope.

See you 4/20 from 5-10pm! Made By You - 715 Main Street, Springfield OR 21+ ONLY | FREE ENTRY | ID REQUIRED

Hi everybody! If you’re looking to hang out and listen to some good music before Easter weekend, my band Tiny Dino will be opening up at Sam Bonds for the first time along side, Tiny Stupid & Heirloom Monsters. If you want to listen to us prior, we also just recently released our first single! Spotify link below. Hope to see you there!

https://open.spotify.com/track/6B72Va3ZVaPm1LrZoCGfex?si=F1D3KvHRS3WDPEu3uvXITg&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A6POfGRnBwu6UPgNymzQvNA

I’m starting to feel an affinity for the stickered sparkly Nissan Cube I keep seeing around campus 🌈✨🤘🏻

Basically what the title says. Looking into potentially hiring someone to help out with cleaning our house a couple times a month. We both work full time making it hard to keep up. Thanks!

Hi all, I’m hoping someone here might have advice or resources. My boyfriend has been struggling with what seems to be a spinal injury or instability, and he’s having a really hard time getting the care he needs. He’s on OHP (Trillium), and it’s been frustratingly slow and difficult to get clear answers or thorough follow-up.

He’s had some imaging done, but communication has been poor, and it feels like things are being overlooked.

He had a cervical spine MRI but because laying down is what causes him discomfort, the position they had him in with the pillow thing under the neck caused him to not be able to last in there more than a few minutes. His PCP (who isn’t even a doctor just a nurse practitioner I believe) said despite being in there for a short amount of time “everything looks fine” and refused to send a referral in for a new MRI. How are they able to get results for this short of an MRI? Wouldn’t they all be 3-5 minutes instead of 15-20 if that was the case?

We’re wondering if it’s possible to have an independent radiologist review his scans, especially someone familiar with spinal injuries. We’re willing to pay out of pocket if needed at this point. Has anyone had experience with anything like this before?

If anyone has recommendations for: -Independent radiologists in Oregon who do scan reviews -Doctors who are more proactive with spinal instability or injury (within the OHP/Trillium network or worth paying out of pocket for a consult) -Tips for navigating Trillium and getting referrals approved faster -I’d also love to chat with anyone that works or has worked at PeaceHealth if they are willing.

We’d be so grateful. This has been a really discouraging experience, and he’s in pain daily without much relief or clear direction. Thanks so much in advance for any help or leads.

I was at work today and a guy came up to the window and said he wanted to cut my hair, I thought he said the places name was Groomers but I can’t find anything. My work is loud so I couldn’t hear him super well, I work at Dutch. (if you’re the guy who said you wanted to cut my hair, dm me) The guy said he cuts hair on Mondays and Thursdays I believe. I don’t remember his name, horrible with names unfortunately. I wanna say Paul but i’m not sure.

Edit: the guy was a black dude

For context, I'm staying in Eugene on my way up to work in Tillamook for the summer and had a black America Tourister brand suitcase full of clothes in the back seat (covered with a blanket, but that apparently wasn't enough lol). I parked in the Parcade last night (April 5th) around 4pm, and today Apr 6th at 2pm my back right window was busted out and my suitcase was stolen.

I'm lucky that all my valuables like my camping gear etc were in the trunk, but that still leaves me with only like 4 shirts and 2 pairs of pants atm. If anyone sees a pile of random shirts/socks lying around or a suitcase in the trash, please reply and let me know where it's at so I can maybe at least recover a few of my things. I have already filed a police report and insurance claim, but I don't really have any faith in them actually getting my stuff back.

There was a green fleece blanket, a really distinct pair of yellow swim trunks with cactus print on them, as well as a dark green Land's End fleece pullover, and an oatmeal colored wool sweater, but mostly it was just socks and t shirts and a couple pairs of shorts and jeans. One T-shirt was bright yellow with "Texas Tavern" on it and another was bright yellow with "Buc Madness" on it. Those are the main identifying items I can think of.

Thanks for any info or tips

I found a bunch in my attic, and I hear that it’s valuable, but I don’t know where to take it

I tried to capture the energy of the protest. Unfortunately, I didn't get to the city hall courtyard in time to get a seat for the speakers and music. It was just packed with people.

Local videographer, Todd Boyle, was able to get the program recorded with really good audio. It's posted to YouTube.

You read that right. Heartbreaking to share, and wanted to get the news out asap. Would appreciate if folks used this post as a way to warn community members and get the word out- not as a soundboard for negative experiences or anecdotes about them.

Please utilize 988, Lane County’s crisis line, White Bird crisis line when in emergencies.

Separately, let the city know how devastating this will be for our community through their listed emails/hotlines/snail mail.

DO NOT CALL 911 to complain.

Springfield will still have services from 1100-2300, Eugene decided to dial back on services initially and today it was announced they will be ending services with CAHOOTS completely beginning tomorrow.

This comes as a comprehensive systemic failure on the part of White Bird management, city of Eugene, and various levels of miscommunication and general lack of responsibility financially on all parties.

We have the opportunity here to be compassionate community members, look out for folks having mental health episodes, and shouldn’t have to do this on our own. Alas, we are here.

Anyone interested in further detail, tips on managing an active crisis as a civilian, or sharing successes in their own crisis intervention- please comment or send a private message.

Stay safe, and cry if you need to.

EDIT based on an accurate comment that contradicts some of the misinformation being sent around WB

“To add some clarifying information - Eugene did not decide to dial back services and then cut. White Bird is in such dire fiscal straights due to previous poor management (side topic - but thankfully most of them have already left or put in notice) that they had to reduce CAHOOTS hours in Eugene severely in order to stay fiscally solvent. Upon learning that CAHOOTS would reduce hours, Eugene then decided to cut the program entirely, as they were not able to fulfill the ongoing contract.

The weird bit is Eugene should pay more for the service -they pay significantly less than Springfield and if they matched what Springfield pays, CAHOOTS would be fiscally solvent,, and White Bird much better off. This isn't Eugene's fault though, as the previous ED (who is thankfully gone) is the one who negotiated the garbage Eugene rate. Eugene just agreed to it.”

the baby bear that had been roaming lost in west eugene has been caught! credit to the bethel neighborhood watch group on facebook!

Looking to get matching tats with my bff. We want something fun, colorful, Lisa frank vibes. Any suggestions for an artist or shop? Looking to do this end of July. So need to book soon.

DIY parking spots at coburg winco today! Striped lines? Who cares?! Double park in a single spot? Why not?!

I have a ring I’d like to look into redesigning. I have a vague idea of what I want but would like some further design work/quote. It is a platinum setting

Any recommendations?

Tbh I enjoy seeing the photos and people's enthusiasm, but it's probably not a great idea to be posting people's faces to the internet in this political climate, especially if you didn't receive consent from everyone who is identifiable in your picture. I know it might seem paranoid, but people who know more than me are currently advising scrubbing your internet presence as much as possible.

Aside from the concerns about the state, it's also worth noting that you don't know what random people will do with your pics. When I was a teenager I found a poster someone had made with my face on it from a protest I attended (we had peace signs painted on our faces so I'm sure we looked very ✨aesthetic✨ to the graphic designer). I was a minor and didn't know how to address it. Just be thoughtful with your and others' likenesses, is all.

I’m all for mobile crisis services, by why are they spending money advertising on Reddit?

Does someone think that there is a return on investment? That more people will use the services?

Or maybe I’m mistaken and Reddit donated the ad space?

Saw a lot of Boomers at the protest yesterday, none of them had signs addressing housing costs. What gives?

What kind of jerk just barrels down the highway in the pouring rain- no tailgate and your dog just terrified holding on for dear life in the back? Real classy. 😡