Activist Alert 4-11-2013

• Glorybee’s 38th annual Bee Weekend is April 12-13 at the Factory Store, 29548 B Airport Road in Eugene, right off Highway 99. The free two-day event centers on beekeeping practices, demonstrations and activities such as honey tasting and children’s contests and crafts. Check out glorybeefoods.com or call 689-0913.

• The Yes for 4J Schools campaign is under way with Gerry Gaydos and Sabrina Parsons as co-chairs, joined by school board members and local students. Measure 20-210 on the May ballot is a $170 million bond that would cost the median Eugene homeowner about $42 dollars a year. Details at 4j.lane.edu or yesfor4jschools.com or email jwfrancois@comcast.net

Green Drinks, an informal monthly gathering of local progressives, will begin at 5 pm Friday, April 12, at World Café, 449 Blair Blvd. The free networking event happens every second Friday. See heliosnetwork.org

• The Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) will celebrate heroes who are working to reduce pesticide use in their communities during a fundraiser at 6 pm Tuesday, April 16, at Holy Cow Café, 2621 Willamette St. Holy Cow is also donating 25 percent of its daily profits to NCAP. The free event will feature speaker Colehour Bondera, member of the National Organics Standards Board, organic farmer and activist from Hawaii. The first-ever winner of NCAP’s Community Hero Award will be announced. Contact Katie Kis at kkis@pesticide.org for more information.

• A public comment period on nine plans for state-owned forests managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry began April 8 and ends at 5 pm May 23. The forests include several tracts in Lane, Benton, Polk, Coos and Curry counties. See wkly.ws/1g4 for a list of forests and the issues involved, and how to submit testimony. Comments can be also be emailed to sfaoplans@odf.state.or.us

• Three volunteers from Springfield are needed to serve on a citizen planning committee to help monitor the execution of a long-range plan for the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park, a 237-acre urban greenway connecting the communities of Eugene and Springfield. Completed applications are due by April 24. Visit willamalane.org or call Greg Hyde at 736-4050 or email gregh@willamalane.org

• Media activist and author Jean Kilbourne and World Pulse founder Jensine Larsen will speak at the Lane Peace Center’s sixth annual Peace Symposium, with the theme of  “Rise to End Gender Violence!” Friday, April 19, in the LCC main campus Building 19. Look for more information in EW next week or visit http://wkly.ws/1g6