Activist Alert 5-23-2013

• The city of Eugene budget for FY 2014 is now available on the city’s website, Eugene-or.gov/budget. The city Budget Committee will meet and discuss the budget at 6 pm Thursday, May 23, at the downtown library, but no public input will be taken at this meeting. See the city website for feedback and schedule of public hearings.

• Cascadia Forest Defenders are planning a free evening of fun, music and trivia beginning at 7:30 pm Thursday, May 23, at Tiny Tavern, 394 Blair Blvd. Local funk/latin/rock band Maca Rey will play. “Meet your local frontline forest defenders and dance your ass off,” organizers say.

• The Lane Community Bill of Rights group is showing the latest Jeffrey Smith movie Genetic Roulette at 7 pm Thursday, May 24, at EWEB, with a potluck on the EWEB Plaza beginning at 6. The gathering is leading up to the March against Monsanto on Saturday. See letters this week.

• A MoveOn.org petition originating from Sen. Jeff Merkeley calls for repealing the “Monsanto Protection Act” in Congress that restricts regulating GMO seeds. See wkly.ws/1ha.

• A free Veterans Summit will be from 9 am to noon Wednesday, May 29, at the Salem Convention Center, sponsored by the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. The event will connect providers that serve vets who face homelessness, mental health issues, transporation, employment, education and more. See oregondva.com or call (503) 373-2390 for more information.

• The 2013 Village Building Convergence with a theme of “Urban Succession: Shift and Sprout” will be happening May 24 to June 2 in Portland. The 10-day conference on urban permaculture involves more than 30 local communities “creating community gathering places and generating prototypes of sustainability,” organizers say. Sponsored by City Repair. See vbc.cityrepair.org or call (503) 235-8946, or email vbc@cityrepair.org.

• A town hall on immigration reform called “Realizing the Dream” is planned for 11 am Saturday, May 25, at the ORI building, 1776 Millrace Dr. Speakers include Thomas A. Saenz, noted civil rights attorney. Free, but space is limited. RSVP to smogart@lulaclanecounty.org

• A town hall on the state budget with Lane County’s state lawmakers will be from 6 to 8 pm Tuesday, May 28, at the LCC Downtown Campus building, Rooms 112-114. Planning to attend are Reps. Peter Buckley, Phil Barnhart, Paul Holvey, John Lively and Nancy Nathanson; and Sens. Lee Beyer and Chris Edwards. Email rep.philbarnhart@state.or.us or call (503) 986-1411.

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!