News Flash: Talking Leaves Voted Best Local 'Zine!

With readers in all fifty states and on at least six continents, Talking Leaves has expanded its reach greatly since its early days as a freely-distributed regional tabloid. But we apparently haven't lost our local popularity.

In a "Best of Eugene" readers poll conducted by Eugene Weekly, and published in their first "Annual Manual," Talking Leaves won first place in the Best Local 'Zine category, honoring the best locally-produced, independent magazine. Other winners included "The environment" (Best Local Cause), Oregon Country Fair (Best Local Celebration), Saturday Market (Best Place to Meet People), Olympic silver medalist Lance Deal (Best Athlete), "It's a secret" and "I'm not telling" (Best Fishing Hole and Best Place to Pick Mushrooms, respectively), and "I live here" (Best Proof Eugene is the Center of the Universe)--so we consider ourselves in good company.

At a gala awards ceremony on October 12 at the Downtown Athletic Club ballroom, winners were honored with framed certificates, copious applause, and finger food. It was a thrill. Thank you to all of you who voted for us!