Activist Alert 5-21-2015

• Community Rights Lane County will host a free workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Friday, May 22, at the LCC Downtown campus, Room 105. The workshop will “explore provocative issues around democracy, the power of the corporate state and communities’ rightful role in local decision-making.” Speakers include advocates Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin from Washington, Cliff Willmeng from Colorado and Ann Kneeland, a local attorney working to get community rights initiatives onto the ballot in Oregon.

• The annual March Against Monsanto will begin with a gathering at 1 pm Saturday, May 23, at Kesey Square on Broadway followed by a march to Alton Baker Park. Bring signs and banners. The local march is in solidarity with protests against Monsanto being held around the world. Contact Aaron at 606-7773 or find the event on Facebook.

• A benefit for Nepal earthquake survivors will be from 4 to 6 pm Sunday, May 24, at First Christian Church, 1166 Oak St. Speakers include Mayor Kitty Piercy, Pastor Dan Bryant and Swamini Svatmavidyananda. Music will be by Forrest McDowell, Jeffery Dufty, Priscilla Dantas, Jessica Mendoza y el Taller de Son Jarocho, and classical Indian dance by Uma Goswami. Admission is free, and refreshments and fellowship will follow the program. For more information, email arun@skippingstones.org or call CALC at 485-1755.

• The annual NAACP Memorial Day Celebration and BBQ will be from noon to 5 pm Monday, May 25, at Washington Park, 21st and Washington Street. The event will include a reading of President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Speech, a kid’s corner with the HONEY organization, a basketball ultimate bump tournament and a free barbeque lunch provided by Papa’s Soul Food Kitchen.

• The proposed Crossfire Church cell tower at 4060 W. Amazon goes to a city of Eugene public hearing on the conditional use permit from 5:30 to 7:30 pm Wednesday, May 27, at Harris Hall, 125 E. 8th Ave.

• Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy and Ward 2 City Councilor Betty Taylor will be at the Mayor’s One-on-One community outreach meeting from 5 to 6 pm Thursday, May 28, at Haggen at 30th and Hilyard Street.

• The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency Board has an opening for a Springfield position and the deadline to apply is May 29. Applications are available at Springfield City Hall or online at wkly.ws/20r.

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!