Activist Alert 3-10-2016

• The NAACP of Lane County’s “Community Conversations: Building Unity in our Community” series of public meetings on race, privilege and equity continues from 5:30 to 8 pm Thursday, March 10, at the EWEB Community Room, North Building, 500 E. 4th Ave. The meeting begins with a light dinner at 5:30. Additional meetings in the series will be at the same time and place on the second Thursday of each month through May. Reservations are requested through naacplanecounty.org or the Facebook page. Call 682-5619.

• A special evening City Club of Eugene meeting on the outcome of the 2016 Oregon Legislature short session will be from 7 to 8:30 pm Friday, March 11, at 145 Straub Hall on the UO campus. Speakers will include Reps. Lee Beyer and Nancy Nathanson. Free and open to the public. Find links to directions and parking at cityclubofeugene.org. CANCELED DUE TO A SCHEDULING CONFLICT.

• A public forum on “The Federal Budget: Crisis and Opportunity: Congress’s 10-Year Plan to Impoverish Working People” will be from 9 am to 4 pm Saturday, March 12, at the First Christian Church, 1166 Oak Street. The purpose of the event is “to develop a statewide progressive coalition of peace and justice activists to take on Congress and change federal budget priorities so that the Pentagon budget is cut, the rich and corporations will pay their fair share of taxes and services that working families depend on will be protected,” organizers say. The event is free and lunch will be provided. RSVP required. Call CALC at 485-1755 or visit calclane.org.

• Friends of Trees will be planting nearly 100 trees downtown and around town in partnership with Lane Transit District. The plantings will be March 12 and March 19. Volunteers are needed. Call 632-3683 or visit friendsoftrees.org to get on the “Treemail” email list.

• The Lane County Parks Advisory Committee public hearing on the draft Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for County Parks projects from 2017 to 2021 will be at 6 pm Monday, March 14, at Lane County Public Works Goodpasture Conference Room, 3050 N. Delta Hwy. More information available at lanecounty.org. Search for Parks under the Departments menu.

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!