Activist Alert 1-31-2013

• A meeting with the LaurelRidge PUD planning consultant is planned for 6 pm Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Comfort Suites Hotel at the I-5 Glenwood interchange. This meeting is to view the current development plans for the 126 acres southwest of Laurel Hill Valley adjacent to 30th Avenue near Spring Boulevard.

• The Oregon State Aviation Board will be holding a public hearing regarding Waldo Lake and seaplanes from 6 to 8 pm Thursday, Jan. 31, in the Ken Long Room at the Willamalane Center, 250 S. 32nd St., Springfield. Board members’ contact information can be found at http://wkly.ws/1f4

• BLM workshops on current Resource Management Planning are being held around the state and the Lane County meeting will be from 4:30 to 8:30 pm Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Springfield Public Library, 225 N. 5th St. Surveys can also be found online at http://wkly.ws/1f2

• The third annual Black History Month Banquet will be from 7 pm to 8:30 pm Friday, Feb. 1, at the Valley River Inn with a social hour beginning at 5:30 pm. Rudy Crew, Oregon’s chief education officer, will speak on “Why Inclusion Matters in Education.” The other keynote speaker will be Nate Miles, vice president for strategic initiatives at Eli Lilly and Company. Tickets are $75. For reservations, call 852-9782.

• A neighborhood open house on Willamette Street options has been scheduled for 7 pm Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Washington Park Cottage, 2025 Washington St. The meeting will include a formal presentation followed by a discussion of design options which may include removing on-street parking, adding bike lanes, and making other changes to improve transportation on this section. Email reed.c.dunbar@ci.eugene.or.us for more information.

• Friends of Trees is organizing tree planting around the valley this winter. The next planting dates are Feb. 9 and March 2. See friendsoftrees.org for details or to donate.

• A gathering led by community organizer Chrissy Peirsol will look at ideas for Creative Maladjustment Week coming up in July. The free forum will be from 5:30 to 7 pm Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Growers Market, 454 Willamette. Sponsored by MindFreedom International. Call 345-9106.

• The Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) is now accepting nominations for its first-ever Community Hero Award, launched on Jan. 10. The award aims to honor individuals across the Northwest who are leading innovative efforts to reduce pesticide use in their communities. Deadline for nominations is March 1. See pedsticide.org or email kkis@pesticide.org

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.

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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!