If you are a newer resident of Eugene, you no doubt have some important questions about our area. An important one might be, “Why doesn’t a city this size have a hospital?”

Or perhaps, “Why are we building so much luxury housing for University of Oregon students when the university is always building new dorms?”

Others could be, “Why is there so much traffic at all times of day?” “Why do almost all drivers seem to be in a real hurry even when driving in residential areas?” “Why do so many drivers run red lights? Isn’t that illegal?” “Why are there street-side memorials on Amazon Parkway, 18th, 13th and 11th avenues?”

I know why the street memorials are where they are. They mark where pedestrians and bicyclists were killed by drivers. Some of those other questions, though, even befuddle me, and I’ve lived here for decades.

Or maybe as a new arrival to Eugene, you just wonder where to find your favorite style of pizza or ethnic food. 

Hal Huestis
Eugene