Activist Alert 5-16-2013

• Some 4J Board members are holding informal conversations on a variety of topics around town from 4 to 5 pm on Fridays. The next will be May 17 at the Arts & Technology Academy, 1659 W. 22nd Ave. Last week’s Activist Alert blurb had outdated information about the locations for the May 10 and May 17 meetings.

• A free lecture on “Historical and Projected Patterns of Change in Pacific Northwest Streams: Implications for Persistence of Threatened Bull Trout” will be at 7:30 pm Friday, May 17, at 100 Willamette Hall on the UO campus. Speaker is Jason Dunham, aquatic ecologist with the U.S. Geological Service in Corvallis. Call 484-4477. Sponsored by the UO Department of Biology and the local Sierra Club.

• “Decolonize This!” is the annual Environmental Justice Conference starting at 10:30 am Saturday, May 18, at the Global Scholars Hall and East 15th and Moss behind Matt Arena. Features Latino/a and American Indian indigenous peoples panels, a performance and keynote speakers. Topics will include food justice, decolonization, free trade and fossil fuels. Free. Donations welcome.

• A special concert to welcome home David Oaks, a veteran mental health human rights activist, will be held from 6 to 9:30 pm Saturday, May 18, at the Eugene Hotel, 222 Broadway. Performers include Don Latarski, Walker T. Ryan, the Eugene Peace Choir and others. Sliding scale of $10 and up. Proceeds will go to help meet the major medical expenses Oaks faces because of a spinal cord injury. Call 484-9167 for more information.

• Tree-huggers will be in their element at the Wildflower and Music Festival from 10 am to 5 pm Sunday, May 19, at Mount Pisgah Arboretum. Lots of guided nature walks, live music, food, etc. See mountpisgaharboretum.org or call 747-3817.

• A free public forum on “Microwave Impacts and the Wireless Smart Meter Threat” regarding EWEB’s pending smart meter contract will be at 6:30 pm Wednesday, May 22, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 13th and Chambers. Email info@familiesforsafemeters.org or call Kathy Ging at 342-8461.

• Doulas of Lane County, in honor of International Doula Month (May), is hosting its third annual Bellies, Birth & Babies Fair from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Thursday, May 23, at First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive St. Features community resources and complimentary health practitioners such as bodyworkers, chiropractic, parenting and postpartum help. Call 515-5990 or email jannaslack@gmail.com.

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!