Thumbs Up: Alder Street’s Facelift @@- Branden Andersen@@
Previously one of the most horrendous streets in Eugene, Alder Street was repaved with a new addition: a two-way bike lane. Not only is the street pothole-free, but also cars and bikes can ride alongside in harmony — separated, however, with the addition of a buffer track.
Thumbs Down: 13th Avenue’s Facelift @@- Branden Andersen@@
13th Avenue was seriously in need of repaving and after a summer of restricted access, the job is finally done. Possibly the busiest block is now equipped with back-in parking and a new “sharrow,” or shared lane marker. It sounds like a lot of rear-end crashes, and close encounters could be in store for bikers and drivers alike if the new lanes are not used correctly.
Thumbs Up: Repeal of DADT @@-McKenna Brown@@
The United States’ discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that banned gay and lesbian service members from openly serving in the military officially came to an end Sept. 20 after 17 years on the books@@http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/09/20/statement-president-repeal-dont-ask-dont-tell@@. Soldiers who were discharged under the policy will now be able to re-enlist without fear of retribution@@I have not been able to find where the source of this fact is coming from@@. It’s a small step, but an important one on the road to equality.
Thumbs Down: “Is Your Son Gay?” app hits market
A new app available in the Android market @@Just French market? see later links where app was discovered@@ claims to be able to definitively answer, through a series of 20 questions, whether your son is gay@@https://market.android.com/details?id=com.emmenemoi.monfilsestilgay&hl=fr&rdid=com.emmenemoi.monfilsestilgay&rdot=1@@. Questions include “Does he like football?,” “Does he like diva singers?” and “Does he like musical comedies?” @@http://www.rue89.com/2011/09/23/apres-lappli-juif-ou-pas-juif-lappli-mon-fils-est-il-gay-223358@@Gay activists slammed the app for promoting stereotypes — though, in the app’s defense, if it’s determined that your son is gay, the app exclaims: “No need to look the other way … He is gay! … ACCEPT IT!”