UO E-clips, Nov. 26

A light at the end of the tunnel (Business Lexington): The new storm sewer tax Lexington property owners will have to pay is one that many communities around the country have had in place for years. That source of revenue has allowed them to keep their storm sewer systems in much better repair. Other cities, like Lexington, are playing catch-up. But one silver lining in this dark cloud is that Lexington doesn't have to reinvent the wheel. We can copy techniques from successful storm-water management projects in Chicago, Portland, and elsewhere. ... The University of Oregon found this out the hard way when workers punctured the waterproof membrane under the new green roof at the state-of-the-art Lillis Building, part of the university's School of Business. Finding and repairing the leak meant removing the soil.

A heaping plate of news (Willamette Week): A tantalizing rumor percolating has U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith as a candidate to replace retiring University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer, a fellow Republican who got his job after losing the 1990 gubernatorial race. A person close to Smith says high-level Ducks have encouraged the defeated senator to consider the post but adds the job’s fundraising and campus politics don’t interest him.

Exploring the Civil War (The Oregonian): Hard to believe as it is today, there was a time in this country when sportswriters had power and influence. This was back when they wore hats. Stylish ones they wore with panache, and they cussed and smoked in the press box and kept a bottle of rye in their desks and used their power and influence for the good of the people. They made nicknames. ... "From the very start, the very first game, it was a grudge match," retired University of Oregon archivist Keith Richard said. "I don't know why. It was definitely an intrastate battle. The war part spins out of the student bodies of both schools getting involved in various things prior to the game, and the night of the game when they played in the afternoon."

October hits 23-year high jobless rate (Register-Guard): Lane County’s jobless rate climbed to 7.5 percent in October, compared with 4.9 percent a year ago, with most industries in the county losing jobs. It was the highest October unemployment rate since 1985 -- although October 2003 came close, at 7.4 percent. And it was a bigger increase than normally seen at this time of the year, according to the state Employment Department. ... The twin beacons of job growth have continued to be health care and government, including the University of Oregon. Compared with a year ago, health care has added 400 jobs. Local government has added 200, and the UO has added 100.

Economist predicts recession for Oregon (Trading Markets): The stage has been set for a painful recession in Central Oregon, according to a University of Oregon economist who compiles a quarterly snapshot of the region's economy. With a national credit crunch on top of a cold housing market, third-quarter economic data continued to point to signs of sluggish wage and job growth, an increasing pace of layoffs, a struggling housing market and weak tourism activity, said Timothy Duy, an adjunct professor at the university who authors the Central Oregon Business Index.

The power of giving (ArkankasMatters.com): Does the economy have you in a slump? There could be a cure to make your holiday more cheerful. When you're pinching pennies, the last thing on your mind would be to give away the little bit you have. But according to psychologists, just the simple act of dropping change into a red kettle can do more for you than you ever imagined. The act of giving of course helps others in need, but did you know how much it can actually help you? "Giving is an expansion of affection, so that helps your mental well being," therapist Dr. Howard Turney said. Research done by the University of Oregon shows when people donated one hundred dollars to a charity, the pleasure area of the brain is activated.