One week after the enactment of Eugene’s indoor smoking ban, the area’s newly smoke-free bars report the ban hasn’t stamped out business.
Bar owners and employees mentioned somewhat of a slowdown, but said it’s possible more people were drawn to Fourth of July celebrations and Eugene’s Art & the Vineyard festival than to Springfield taverns.
They say the real test will come this winter.
The city granted many Eugene bars six-month extensions to build outdoor smoking areas. So, smokers will continue filling ashtrays in most bars until December.

Budget yet to be determined
After a marathon final day that lasted until dawn, the Oregon Legislature adjourned on Saturday, but Gov. John Kitzhaber has yet to sign or veto the Oregon University System budget legislatures sent him last week. Once the budget is signed, University administrators will begin to calculate how large fall term’s tuition increase will be. The hike is suspected to be around 4 percent.

Emeralds baseball on a roll
In minor league baseball, one game is all that’s needed to turn a season around.
That’s what Eugene Emeralds manager Jeff Gardner said after his team blew out Yakima 13-0 last Monday at Civic Stadium.
He was right. That win preceded two more home victories over Yakima, including a 5-4 battle on July Fourth. The Ems opened up a five game road trip with two losses at Spokane, then turned around for two victories by a combined total of nine runs. The spurt improved Eugene’s record to 8-11 on the season.
The Ems play at Spokane again on Tuesday, then take on Spokane in five-straight home games starting Wednesday.