Activist Alert 5-5-2016

• Four Ladies in Tennis Shoes: The Story of How Four Determined Women Convinced the Forest Service and Saved Limpy Rock, a free presentation by Jeanne Moore is at the Douglas County Museum 2 pm Saturday, May 7. Moore is a self-taught botanist and one of the founders of the regionally popular Annual Glide Wildflower Show. Moore, wife of legendary Frank Moore, will share with the audience how she and her friends, Yvonne Knouse, Mary Powell and Alice Parker, discovered rare plants in the Limpy Rock area and used their discoveries to convince the Forest Service to put down the chain saws and give special protected allocations to an area of such rich and rare plant species. For more information call 541-672-7065.

• Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum will join members of the Public Records Law Reform Task Force 4:30 pm Monday, May 9, in Eugene for the task force’s second public hearing to give Oregonians a chance to provide input on Oregon’s Public Records Laws and the work of the task force. The meeting is in room 141 Allen Hall at the UO’s School of Journalism and Communication. The task force was formed as a way to promote greater transparency in government and review and recommend specific improvements to Oregon’s public records laws. Issues include establishing deadlines, examining fees and addressing the more than 500 exemptions from public disclosure. Open to members of the media and the public. Comments can also be emailed to the task force at publicreocrdstaskforce@doj.stat.or.us. For more info contact Kristina Edmunson at the AG’s office, 503-378-6002

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!