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

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!