Activist Alert 8-4-2016

• A Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration honoring those who died when the U.S. dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is 7:30 pm Saturday, Aug. 6, at Alton Baker Park’s small shelter, near the duck pond and park entrance. There will be a talk by Mayor Kitty Piercy, drumming by Eugene Taiko, traditional Japanese Obon dancing and music by the Yujin Gakuen Children’s Peace Choir. The event will close at dusk with the floating of candle lanterns on the duck pond while Koto master Mitsuki Dazai plays traditional Japanese music. Contact: Michael Carrigan at CALC, 541-485-1755 or calcpeace@efn.org.

• The Third Annual Interfaith Peace Walk is 6 to 8 pm Sunday, Aug. 7, in Springfield. Meet at the Ebbert United Methodist Church Community Garden at 6th and D Street, walk to the fountain at Springfield City Hall and end at The Learning Garden at Brattain on C Street for refreshments. Organizers say, “The purpose of this walk is to forge relationships and understanding through the sharing of personal stories. Opportunities will abound for prayer/reflection, getting to know each other and participating in planting goodwill. People of all ages, faiths and backgrounds are invited to join in this walk for peace in our hearts and world. While differences between us are real, we all share a common humanity and need to care for our planet.” For more information call 541-603-8706.

• The Lane County Equity and Access Advisory Board extends membership application deadline to 5 pm Aug. 19. This board was created in April to guide and advise the county administrator on “policies and practices surrounding equity, inclusion and access in both internal and external matters,” Lane County says. And the board “is interested in having diverse representation that includes people of different racial and/or ethnic backgrounds, identities, abilities and perspectives.” Members must live within the county. Applications are available online at lanecounty.org/volunteer and in the Board of Commissioners Office located at the Lane County Public Service Building, 125 E. 8th Avenue, or email equity@co.lane.or.us

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!