• The political film Merchants of Doubt will be shown at 6 pm Thursday, Jan. 7, at Bijou Art Cinemas on 13th Avenue. The film looks at the secretive group of pundits-for-hire who dispute the science of climate change and toxic chemicals. 

• A Lane County town hall on human rights, equity and access is planned for 5:30 to 7:30 pm Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Baker Center, 975 High Street. The county is looking at how a new advisory board can improve the county’s “long-term efforts to implement its new human rights and equity plan.”

• Neighborhood activist Paul Conte will speak on “An Introduction to Community-Based Planning” at a gathering from 7 to 10 pm Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette Street. The event is free but donations will be accepted for Community Supported Shelters. Conte will talk about citizen involvement in practical terms and how it applies to South Willamette Street plans, Envision Eugene and other local issues. 

• Springfield Alliance for Equality and Respect (SAfER) is inviting nominations for a Human Rights Leadership Award to be presented during Springfield’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Jan. 18. Nominees must be someone who lives and/or works in Springfield and is actively involved in human rights issues. Deadline for submitting nominations is 5 pm Monday, Jan. 11. Email safer1214@gmail.com.

• 350 Eugene is having a New Year’s meet-up from 7 to 9 pm Thursday, Jan. 14, at the First United Methodist Church, 1367 Olive Street. The agenda includes an expert panel on Oregon’s Healthy Climate Bill, Puppet Brigade organizing and updates on climate campaigns and activities. 

• A rally for raising the minimum wage to $15 will be at 2 pm Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Oregon State Capitol. A public hearing will be at 4 pm that day with opportunities to sign up to testify. Carpooling is planned from Eugene and elsewhere in Oregon. See 15noworegon.org to get on the mailing list.