Activist Alert 12-4-2014

• The Metropolitan Policy Committee meets 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Eugene Public Library. On the agenda is the Oregon Transportation Forum legislative priorities. Contact is Paul Thompson, 682-4405.

• A town hall on the VA Roseburg Healthcare System will be from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Elks Lodge, 2470 W. 11th Ave. Veterans, their families and other stakeholders are invited to an open dialog on VA health care issues locally and statewide.

• The future of Civic Stadium is the program at City Club of Eugene at noon Friday, Dec. 5, at the Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St. Speakers include Eugene attorney Derek Johnson, Travel Lane County President Kari Westlund and KidSports Executive Director Bev Smith.

• Cascadia Wildlands’ 12th Annual Wonderland Auction will be from 6 to 9 pm Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Center for Meeting and Learning on the LCC main campus. Live music, gourmet dinner and lots of exceptional auction items, including getaways to places as far away as Alaska. Tickets and more event information can be found at cascwild.org.

• The Oregon State Land Board is meeting at 9 am Monday, Dec. 9, in Salem to determine whether to privatize large tracts of the Elliott State Forest. Cascadia Forest Defenders is hosting a march from the Capitol to the meeting to protest the privatization of public lands. Meet at the Capitol steps at 8 am. For more information, see forestdefensenow.com.

• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is holding a week of hearings for public comments on the Jordan Cove Pacific Connector LNG pipeline export project and Lane County concerned citizens are renting a bus and carpooling to the hearing in Roseburg Dec. 9. Contact 350EUG at 343-5091 or email zap_oregon@msn.com for more information.

• Health Care for All Oregon advocates are gearing up for a rally at the Capitol Feb. 11 and state coalition trainers are bringing a lobbying workshop to Eugene from 1 to 5 pm Sunday, Dec. 7, at First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive St. Free to the public and lunch is provided. Call 343-5091 to RSVP.

• International Human Rights Day will be celebrated from 6 to 8 pm Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Hult Center Studio next to the Jacobs Gallery. The theme will be “Intersections Between Racism & Rights” with a talk “From Civil Rights to Human Rights: Raising the Bar Against Racism” by Ken Neubeck of the Eugene Human Rights Commission. Free.

• Looking ahead, a Benefit for Bees will be from noon to 4 pm Saturday, Dec. 13, at Cozmic, 199 W. 8th Ave., featuring a silent auction, bee education, honey tasting and music by Laura Kemp, Paul Biondi, members of the Sugar Beets and others. Donations are tax-deductible. See healthybeeshealthygardens.com or call 914-2225.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!