Activist Alert 1-14-2016

350 Eugene is having a New Year’s gathering 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 and updates on climate campaigns. 

• A rally for raising the minimum wage to $15 will be at 3:45 pm Thursday, Jan. 14, the Oregon State Capitol. A joint committee public hearing will be at 6 pm that day (not 4 pm as earlier announced) 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.  

• The NAACP of Lane County is presenting  “Community Conversations: Building Unity in our Community,” a series of five public meetings on race, privilege and equity. The first is from 5:30 to 8 pm Thursday, Jan. 14, at the EWEB Community Room, North Building, 500 E. 4th Ave. Additional meetings will be at the same time and place on the second Thursday of each month through May. Reservations requested through naacplanecounty.org or the Facebook page.

Eugene PeaceWorks’ general weekly meetings regarding KEPW Homegrown Community Radio have changed back to 6 pm Thursdays (task force meetings are at 5 pm) at Growers Market upstairs at 454 Willamette Street. Find KEPW on Facebook. 

• The Eugene Sustainability Commission Climate Change Committee meets at 2 pm Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Atrium Room 250, 99 W. 10th Ave. 

• The Eugene Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee meets at 5:30 pm Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Atrium Sloat Room, 99 W.  10th Ave. The Railroad Quiet Zone is on the agenda.

• The Eugene Police Commission meets at 5:30 pm Thursday, Jan. 14, at EPD Headquarters Kilcullen Room, 300 Country Club Road. Time is allowed for public comments.

• Artists and writers for Bernie Sanders will hold a “Bernie Readout and Exhibit” from 6:30 to 9:30 pm Thursday, Jan. 14, at Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette Street. Email pittore44@yahoo.com to participate.

• A public forum on the TransPacific Partnership will be at 1 pm Saturday, Jan. 16, at the UA Local 290 Plumbers and Steamfitters union training center at 2861 Pierce Parkway in Springfield. 

• A celebration of life for longtime activist Peg Morton will be from 2 to 4 pm Saturday, Jan. 16, at First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive Street. Morton died Dec. 19 at the age of 85 (see cover story last week). Music at the celebration will include the Raging Grannies and the Eugene Peace Choir. Morton’s autobiography will be for sale at the event. Call Community Alliance for Lane County at 485-1755 or email calcpeace@efn.org. 

• A volunteer training for the annual Homeless Point in Time Count will be from 3 to 5 pm Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 151 W. 7th Ave. RSVP to calcpeace@efn.org. The survey, done in collaboration with Lane County Human Services Division, will be conducted Wednesday, Jan. 27, and will include people sleeping on the streets, in cars, parks, shelters and other places not meant for human habitation. Information gathered will be used in multiple efforts to end homelessness in the county.