When Lane County Farmers' Market opens next week, will we flock to buy our fruits, vegetables, plants, honey and bread regardless of the weather? Or if it rains, will we stay snug at home? And do the vendors enjoy being out in the cold and putting up and taking down booths? Or would a permanent, covered market improve their lives and ours? In fact, could we then have a market 12 months of the year?

YES, we need a covered market, says Richard Wilen. He drives 50 minutes each way from Yoncalla to bring vegetable starts, herbs, lettuce greens and seasonal vegetables to market. He's tired of losing hundreds of dollars each time it pours, and dreams of a state-of-the-art market building. It could become the social center of Eugene, he says.

NO, says Lotte Streisinger, who founded the Saturday Market in 1970 and nurtured the Farmers' Market. She wants to keep both markets en plein air. We've already tried an indoor market, and it failed, she points out. The Farmers' Market is a success, so don't mess. If you want to make changes, think small.

Our first question will be asked by Noa O'Hare, Market Director of Lane County Farmers' Market.