Activist Alert 12-17-2015

• Kesey Square will be the replacement program at City Club of Eugene at noon Friday, Dec. 18, at the Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette Street. (UO President Michael Schill canceled his scheduled talk Dec. 11.) The title of the program is “Distinctive, Creative and Active Uses for Broadway Plaza,” and speakers include landscape architect David Dougherty and Brittany Quick-Warner of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. Other informed advocates on different sides of the issue have been invited to join the discussion. See cityclubofeugene.org. $5 for non-members. The next City Club meeting will be on Black Lives Matter Jan. 8.

• A “Yule Fire, Feast and Ritual” is planned for 5:30 to 8 pm Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Kesey Square downtown. “We intend to bring the warmth of the sacred Yule fire to those who need it most, and share in food and friendship with our community both housed and homeless alike,” organizers say. Find the event on Facebook.

• The Democratic Party of Lane County is hosting its annual holiday party starting at 6:30 pm Friday, Dec. 18, at Old Nick’s Pub, 211 Washington Street. Jamaican reggae singer/songwriter Norma Fraser will perform at 9 pm.

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!