Activist Alert

• Over the past three months, after launching in the UK, Extinction Rebellion has established groups in more than 35 countries and 32 U.S. cities, while also gaining the endorsements of leaders like Noam Chomsky, Bill McKibben and hundreds of climate scientists. On Saturday, Jan. 26, at Whirled Pies (199 W. 8th) Extinction Rebellion will be introduced in Eugene. At 1 pm Valve Turner Leonard Higgins will present “Why we are heading for extinction and what to do about it” followed by an XR art build at 2 pm. Cyclists are meeting at noon at Amazon Pool (2600 Hilyard) to ride to Whirled Pies. Info at Rebellion.Earth.

• Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is holding a Climate Advocate Training 12 -3 pm Sunday, Jan. 27, at the downtown Eugene Public Library in the Singer Room. “CCL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization,” organizers say, “with hundreds of chapters worldwide, which is working to build the
political will to respond to climate change.” CCL is working on proposed legislation called Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act that it says will reduce America’s emissions by at least 40 percent within 12 years. To RSVP: Carol Yarbrough, Lane County Chapter, 541-520-5010, lanecounty@citizensclimatelobby.org. More at CitizensClimateLobby.org.

• A Franklin Boulevard Design Workshop kickoff meeting is 6 pm Jan. 28 at the Ford Alumni Center, 1720 E.13th Avenue. The city is launching a redesign of the “auto-oriented” Franklin Blvd between Alder St and I-5 and is “asking the community to help shape Franklin into a modern multi-modal urban street.” For more info, go to Eugene-or.gov/Franklin.

• Solidarity Share Fair is 3 to 6:30 pm Jan. 29 at the First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive Street. There will be free resources such as clothes, gear, etc. and “food, services and music for unhoused and working-class folk.”

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!