Activist Alert 9-22-2016

• Eric Richardson, the president of the local NAACP, invites the community to “A Love Supreme,” sponsored in part by Oregon Humanities. The presentation and forum that follows will be an examination of African legacies and the black diaspora. The event starts with a light meal from 5:30-6:30 pm Sept 23, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene on 13th and Chambers. The forum following Richardson’s presentation will allow for questions and discussion. Richardson will also honor the 90th birthday of John Coltrane by reading the prayer “Psalms” written by Coltrane for his Love Supreme album. For more information contact info@naacplanecounty.org.

• “A Night at the Races,” a fundraising benefit supporting RideAble, is 5 pm, Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Attendees can pick their horse, place a “bet” and win great prizes, the nonprofit says. The evening includes six real videotaped races, a silent auction, dinner, wine and beer. According to RideAble board member Jane Kramer, “RideAble has provided horsemanship instruction and essential life skills for the special needs community in Lane County for more than 20 years,” and depends heavily upon fundraisers. “A Night at the Races” tickets are $60 for adults, $20 for youth and children under 12 are free. All proceeds go to RideAble and its student assistance program. Go to RideAble.org or Facebook.com/RideAble, or call 541-684-4623 for more information.

• Eugene Sunday Streets rolls into the south university neighborhood noon to 4 pm Sunday, Sept. 25. The city will shut down traffic on parts of Hilyard, 24th and Agate, making the streets free for bicyclists and pedestrians to roam at will. Expect live music, informational booths and a celebration of all things car-free. Also, don’t miss your last chance to enter the Beautiful Bikes Pageant. Just show up with your bike, have your photo taken, and you’ll be entered to win a prize for Eugene’s most beautiful bike.

• The Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial comes to Eugene’s Skinner Butte Park Thursday, Sept. 29. The wall arrives by truck at 8:15 am, organizers say, escorted by members of the Oregon and Combat Veterans’ Motorcycle Associations. The Moving Wall will be officially opened for viewing by the public, free of charge, immediately after the opening ceremony an noon that same day. The Moving Wall is a 250-foot long, half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. It is being hosted in Eugene by the Emerald Empire Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

• The Native Women Unity Association has launched a fundraising campaign to support Rowena Jackson of the Klamath Tribes to travel to, and participate in, the protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline in Cannon Ball, North Dakota. While there, NWUA says Jackson will learn community action, nonviolent civil disobedience and other techniques to aid in efforts to defeat the Pacifica Connector natural gas pipeline here in Oregon. Sale of an “Honor the Treaties 1851 #NODAPL” T-shirt will got to travel funds. For more info go to gofundme.com/nativewomenunity.

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!