Activist Alert

• Yes for Healthcare, the campaign to protect health care for vulnerable Oregonians such as seniors, people with disabilities and 400,000 children, is holding a Yes on Measure 101 Rally and Canvass Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza. The rally begins at noon and features Rep. Nancy Nathanson and other community leaders. Organizers say that at 1 pm, volunteers will begin knocking on doors to tell voters to vote yes on Measure 101 on Jan. 23.

• Burrito Brigade, a grassroots nonprofit organization serving hot vegan meals to the hungry in Eugene/Springfield, says it served its 100,000th nutritious meal since it started three years ago. If you want to help out, you can join the Brigade at the First Christian Church at 1166 Oak Street Dec. 3 and 10. Burrito prep starts at 11 am, burrito rolling is at 1 pm, and distribution and clean up after making about 500 burritos kicks off at 1:45 pm. Burrito Brigade asks you join its Facebook event so they know you are coming. Search “Sunday Burrito Brigade” on Facebook.

• On Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 8 pm, in First Christian Church parlor at 1166 Oak Street there will be an Egan Warming Center volunteer training. Organizers say to use the south door to enter the parlor, and the pay-to-park lot across the alley from the church is open 24 hours, seven days a week. Fill out and submit the new volunteer application on the website. Go to eganwarmingcenter.com for more info.

• Oregon’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program seeks volunteers to “advocate for residents who are elderly and disabled living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult care homes to help ensure resident rights, dignity, safety and care.” According to the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, “the need for volunteer ombudsmen in Lane County is great. Currently, only 60 percent of the facilities have an ombudsman assigned to them, leaving many vulnerable residents without the advocacy and protection they need.” Volunteers work about four hours a week. Applications are due Dec. 15 and training will be held in Eugene January 2018. For more info call 800-522-2602 or go to www.oregon.gov/ltco.

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!