Activist Alert 2-25-2016

• The Coalition to Reduce Elementary Level Class Size is hosting an organizing meeting from 6:30 to 8 pm Thursday, Feb. 25, at Edison Elementary School, 1328 E. 22nd Ave. Oscar Loureiro, director of research and planning at 4J, and Anne Marie Levis, 4J school board member, will join the meeting for a question and answer session. Find the event on Facebook.

• Save Endangered Animals Oregon, working to pass a ballot measure to ban the trafficking in the parts and products of critically endangered animals, will be holding campaign rallies in Oregon. The Eugene rally will be at 6:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 25, at the LCC main campus, Building 4.

• “Protest Art and the Art of Protest is an event from 7 to 9 pm Friday, Feb. 26, at the UO Global Scholars Hall, Room 130 on campus. The event focuses on the history and philosophy of protest art and includes group singing, theater, games, poetry and stencil making. Find more on Facebook.

• Eugene City Council candidate Chris Wig will hold a “Coffee with Chris” informal gathering from 9 to 10:30 am Saturday, Feb. 27, at Friendly Street Cafe, 2757 Friendly Street. Supporters for the Ward 1 candidate will canvass the Friendly neighborhood after the gathering.

• A free showing of the documentary Udita (Arise) will be at 7 pm Wednesday, March 2, at the McNail-Riley House, 601 W. 13th Ave. The film tracks women garment workers in Bangladesh. Sponsored by local labor organizations.

• A mayoral candidate forum will be at 6 pm Thursday, March 3, at First Christian Church, 1166 Oak Street. Sponsored by Community Alliance of Lane County and other organizations. CALC will also hold a County Commission District 4 (North Eugene) candidate forum at 6 pm March 24, and a Eugene City Council Ward 1 candidate forum at 6 pm March 31, also at First Christian Church.

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!