Germans line up over here, Americans line up over there.

[October 8th, 2003] WINNERS

Homeless Portlanders chalked up an extremely rare victory this week, as various local governments and social services landed a whopping $7.5 million in federal grants to work on homelessness issues. The news should provide some solace as autumnal chill sets in.

Fans of the oft-overshadowed Oregon State University football program thumped their mammalian tails with joy this weekend, as it watched archrival Oregon continue its plunge into the depths of mediocrity with a loss to Utah. Meanwhile, the Beavs surged into the AP Top 25, leaving the Ducks warbling with envy. Unfortunately, Corvallis still blows.

Portland women have a new opportunity to act as guinea pigs. Oregon Health & Science University landed a $1.5 million federal grant to study women's health issues. In addition to paying for expanded health-care programs for women on Pill Hill, the cash will open new clinical trials to more than half the population.

LOSERS

Safeway customers found themselves feeling queasy when the supermarket chain yanked egg salad from Oregon stores last week. State health workers linked 11 salmonella cases to Safeway's yolky concoction, including some sold in Washington County. Safeway flacks claim the salads were probably contaminated before reaching Oregon stores.

Portland heard a banjo behind that famous giant sucking sound last week, as building-products behemoth Louisiana-Pacific announced it's moving its corporate headquarters--and 80 jobs--to Nashville.

California Raisins animator Will Vinton saw his lawsuit against Nike kingpin Phil Knight tossed this week--a judge ruled Vinton had no proof Knight violated his rights in firing the cartoon whiz from the animation firm he founded. Many think Knight booted Vinton to clear a path for his up-and-coming son, Travis.