Activist Alert 5-2-2013

• The Nightingale Public Advocacy Collective is a new nonprofit “dedicated to advocating for the civil rights and well-being of those who experience harassment, discrimination and criminalization due to homelessness and poverty,” says Alley Valkyrie of the group. “We believe that everyone has a right to exist in public space regardless of socioeconomic status, and that the basic rights of individuals in public space outweigh the economic interests of business and government.” See respectexistence.org or email nightingalecollective@gmail.com for more information.

Sen. Jeff Merkley will speak at Springfield City Club at noon Thursday, May 2, at the Willamalane Center, 250 S. 32nd St., Spfd. His topic will be “Reversing the Decline of the Middle Class: Saving the American Dream.” Free for members, $10 for admission, lunch is extra. See springfieldcityclub.org.

• The Eugene city services fee on the May ballot will be the topic at the City Club of Eugene at 11:45 am Friday, May 3, at the Hilton Ballroom on the 12th floor. Speaking in favor will be Steve Johnson and Councilor Alan Zelenka. Speaking in opposition will be Councilor George Brown and former councilor Bonny Bettman McCornack. A candidates forum will be May 10. Free for members, $5 for visitors. Lunch or beverages extra.

• A BBQ fundraiser for Pink Prom (for LGBTQ and friends high school students) and UO TeachOUT conference will be from 3:30 to 6:30 pm Monday, May 6, at the South Eugene High School parking lot. Food by Pork-N-Stein, music by DJ FastLayne. $5 per person or $20 per family of four or more.

Friends of Trees is having an event from 5 to 7 pm Monday, May 6, at Cozmic, to honor volunteers and also to release a Canopy Cover Study done of trees in Eugene, Eugene neighborhoods and Springfield. See wkly.ws/1go or find Friends of Trees on Facebook.

Sheldon High School’s Green Club students are raising money for new bike racks for their school using the Citizenvestor website at wkly.ws/1gl. The project calls for 70 new racks, each with a two-bike capacity, in a covered area in front of the school. A video produced by the students is on the website.

Lane County Area Spray Schedule

• The Coos Bay rail line which follows the Siuslaw River and Lake Creek was sprayed with unknown chemicals recently. You may try to contact the owner through the Port of Coos Bay for more information, our efforts have not been successful.

• ODOT has begun spring spraying. Call Tony Kilmer at ODOT District 5 (Lane County area) at 744-8080 or call (888) 996-8080 for herbicide application information.