• Eugene PeaceWorks/Eugene Media Action will host a reception with refreshments from 6 to 8 pm Thursday, Sept. 11, upstairs in the Growers Market, 454 Willamette, celebrating its new office space and an FCC-approved, low-power FM radio station. The group is working to “get progressive voices on the air focusing on environmental sustainability, economic justice and music made in the Northwest.” Call Craig at 505-2564.
• “Ballot Measure Speed Dating” will be the topic at City Club of Eugene at noon Friday, Sept. 12, at the Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St. Various speakers will address four of the measures on the November statewide ballot: GMO labeling, driver’s licenses for undocumented residents, gender equality and legalized marijuana. $5 for non-members. The Sept. 19 program will feature 4J Superintendent Sheldon Berman talking on ”What Will Move Oregon Education Forward?” See cityclubofeugene.org or call 485-7433. City Club programs are recorded for broadcast on KLCC at 6:30 the following Mondays.
• Opportunity Village Eugene is inviting the public to a “Make Shift” event from 1 to 4 pm Saturday, Sept. 13, at 111 N. Garfield St. The mobile workshop project is a “celebration of the end of a design and construction process, and the beginning of a new culture of use and production at OVE,” according to organizers. The project is a collaboration between the UO designBridge program, OVE and unhoused Eugeneans, supported by a grant from the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics.
• Peace Week in Lane County begins Sept. 14 leading up to the International Day of Peace Sept. 21. A Kenny Reed concert at 6 pm Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Jazz Station, 124 W. Broadway, kicks off the week’s events. A peace walk is planned for 6 pm Tuesday, Sept. 16, beginning at Owen Rose Garden. More music, dance, workshops, films and tours are planned. See the full schedule at wkly.ws/1t8. Sponsored by the Eugene Peace Team.
• GMO expert Jeffrey Smith of the Institute for Responsible Technology will be speaking around Oregon next week and his Eugene talk will be in a gathering from 6 to 9 pm Monday, Sept. 15, at First Christian Church, 1166 Oak St. Childcare will be provided. Hosted by GMO Free Oregon.
• The proposed Local Food System Ordinance of Lane County will go before Judge Charles Carlson at 2 pm Monday, Sept. 15, at Lane County Circuit Court, 125 E. 8th Ave. Chief petitioner Lynn Bowers is challenging Lane County’s determination that the initiative fails to comply with election rules. See localfoodrights.com.
• Community Rights Action will gather from 6:30 to 8 pm Monday, Sept. 15, at the First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive. Free and open to the public.
• A free program on exploring the Willamette River Water Trail with Kate Ross of Willamette Riverkeeper will be at 7 pm Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Eugene REI store and at 7 pm Tuesday, Sept. 23, at the Salem REI. See willamette-riverkeeper.org for information about this and other upcoming events, such as the Great Willamette Clean Up Oct. 4.
• Sen. Jeff Merkley opened his new Eugene campaign office last week at 224 E. 11th Ave., Suite A. To volunteer or otherwise get involved, stop by the office or email the campaign at lindsey@jeffmerkley.com.