The City Club of Eugene Podcast

Oregon's 2024 legislative short session starts soon, and Rep. Charlie Conrad (R) and Sen. Floyd Prozanski (D) gave City Club of Eugene attendees a preview. Learn about their goals for the session, how the legislative system works, and more! Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 7:40). This program was recorded on Jan. 26, 2024.

Karl Scholz PhD has been the University of Oregon's president for more than six months, and he came to City Club of Eugene this month to outline his first impressions and his goals. Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (audio only; starts at 4:17). This program was recorded on Jan. 19, 2024.

Oregon's legislature will meet in a short session in February, and a major topic will be Measure 110. It was passed in 2020 by a solid majority of Oregon voters and decriminalized most small-scale drug possession and encouraged treatment. However, perceived problems with Measure 110 may lead the legislature to make course corrections. Learn more about possible legislative amendments to Measure 110...

In this City Club of Eugene podcast episode, nine area residents were asked to give gifts to the city of Eugene, and they responded with a wide range of presents! Speakers included emcee Dan Bryant, who introduced Ibrahim Coulibaly, Ib Hamide, Slug Queen Jubilee Hedonisto, Alma Fumiko Hesus, DeLeesa Meashintubby, Melinda Preciado, Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Motzkin Rubenstein, Nick Sixkiller and Karrie Wal...

With PeaceHealth's closure of Eugene's only emergency department, City Club of Eugene takes a look at the impact of the closure and the steps to take to serve the city's residents. Our speakers include Dana Petersen-Crabb, senior director of housing services, ShelterCare; Lynda Pond, ADN/RN, formerly with Oregon Nurses Association and a semi-retired former PeaceHealth employee; and Jocelyn Wensel,...

Is Oregon's education system working for the students it serves? Do our future educators agree with the direction of the state's policies? To find out, City Club of Eugene sought the perspectives of University of Oregon students. Speakers include Olga Burlay, Jonathan Moses, Ivan Moncure, Noah Thompson, and Ellie White. Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 6...

Bethel is a community within the City of Eugene. In this podcast episode, City Club of Eugene looks at its past, present, and future. Speakers include Pat Farr, Lane County Commissioner and Bethel resident; Tai Pruce-Zimmerman, co-chair of Active Bethel Citizens; and Kraig Sproles, superintendent of Bethel School District. Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts a...

#Recalls are an option for #voters , but is the process misused? When is it appropriate to organize a recall election? Joshua Spivak, @recallelections, gives us the big picture; then listen to Michael Borke, who is leading the effort to recall three city councilors in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 6:48). This program was recorde...

Attacks on journalists are attacks on democracy because the First Amendment protects the freedom of the press. In this City Club of Eugene program, three journalists explain what journalists are facing while reporting stories. Peter Laufer is a journalist, journalism professor and author; Micah Loewinger is a reporter for WNYC's On The Media; and Camilla Mortensen is the editor of Eugene Weekly. W...

In Eugene, we have twice as many cultural activities than is typical for a city of our size. Still, we struggle to provide arts education and opportunities for our children. Ben Minnis, arts education program coordinator for Lane Arts Council, and Katy Vizdal, education and community engagement director for the Eugene Symphony, discuss the issues with Stacey Ray, executive director of Lane Arts Co...

Being outdoors is good for people and good for our economy. In this episode, City Club of Eugene looks at the positive impacts of Oregon's abundant nature. Speakers include Daniella Crowder, owner and director of Mountain Bike Oregon; Ben Hansen, University of Oregon economics professor and outdoor enthusiast; Ariel Lissman, executive director of Eugene Parks Foundation; and Jared Tarr, volunteer...

Oregon is a so-called blue state, but does that mean residents don't have to worry about their civil liberties? City Club of Eugene asked three speakers to share their observations: Garrett Epps, professor of practice at the University of Oregon School of Law; Bethany Grace Howe, communications consultant and communications specialist for the Oregon Department of Human Services, plus Transhealth D...

City Club of Eugene explored the state of manufacturing in Lane County with three speakers: Chris Dawson, CEO of Arcimoto; Courtney Griesel, Oregon community relations manager for Sierra Pacific Industries; and Avril Watt, general manager of Astec. Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 7:13). This program was recorded on Sept. 22, 2023.

"I do progressive work with children and remedial work with adults." How do race, culture and ethnicity influence us, whether it is our own history or how we view others? Dr. Johnny Lake, diversity and equity administrator for 4J School District, uses his own experiences and those of the children he works with, to help us understand where we are and where we are going. He says, "I do progressive w...

City Club of Eugene examines the state of foster care in Lane County during a time when the number of foster parent homes has decreased and child mental health issues have increased. Speakers include Kendra Jones, executive director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Lane County; Judge Valeri Love, Lane County Circuit Court; and Chuck Nyby, program manager of the Child Welfare Division...

Sixty years ago, African Americans and allies marched on Washington DC for jobs and freedom. They made a difference, but has the progress continued? Listen to the perspectives of University of Oregon Prof. David Frank and President of the Eugene-Springfield NAACP Chapter/City Club of Eugene board member Miles Pendleton. You can watch James Blue's award-winning documentary on the March, too (begins...

With adjournment of the Oregon Legislature, City Club of Eugene invited two locally elected representatives to review what lawmakers accomplished - or didn't. Listen to Rep. Charlie Conrad (R) and Rep. Julie Fahey (D) give their perspectives on the recent session. Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 2:51). This program was recorded on July 14, 2023.

A child's online experience should be uneventful, but predators are waiting. In this City Club of Eugene program, learn more about how to protect children when they are on the internet. Resources include the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children , and Netsmartz Speakers include Ryan Dwyer, supervisory special agent for the FBI; Carrie Skinner, director of safety for 4J School District...

Faced with a $15 million budget shortfall for 2023-24, Eugene City Manager Sarah Medary balanced people's needs with fiscal needs. Listen to this episode to learn more about what guides her decisions as well as Q&A on other city issues. Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 3:32). This program was recorded on June 23, 2023.

On June 26, the City of Eugene will hear views on proposed Phase 2 tenant protections, which is why City Club of Eugene hosted representatives of renters and owners for a debate. UO economics professor Tim Duy provided background and context; Tim Morris, executive director of the Springfield-Eugene Tenant Association and Tia Politi, executive director of the Rental Housing Association of Lane Coun...

Can we talk? Even if we disagree? In this City Club of Eugene podcast episode, listen to people with experience in encouraging civil discussions as they offer ideas for conversations with those with different opinions. Our speakers include Luke Grossmiller and Grant Johnson with Braver Angels; Dr. Vipul Lakhani with the Bahai's Meaningful Conversations Eugene; and hannah white with the University...

At its May 19, 2023 meeting, City Club of Eugene added three new Turtle Award winners to its roster: Dr. Johnny Lake, Brian Obie and Bev Smith. In addition, Lawanda Joyce Manning was posthumously awarded the Order of the Turtle. Learn more about the accomplishments of the honorees - and how they stuck their necks out - in this podcast episode. Read the entire list of Turtle Award honorees since 19...

Dr. Stephanie Bulger, the eighth president of Lane Community College, joined the college in 2022. She spoke to City Club of Eugene's audience about the college's enrollment, fiscal responsibilities and institutional culture, and the current bond-financed work being done. She also answered questions. Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at about 6:30). This program wa...

Oregon's changing ecosystems provide opportunities and challenges for wildlife conservation, habitat preservation and animal welfare. City Club of Eugene asked three speakers to describe their work, including Kit Lacey, Cascades Raptor Center; Joe Moll, McKenzie River Trust; and Jon Nelson, High Desert Museum. Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at about 4:40). This...

Mayor Lucy Vinis updates City Club of Eugene on actions the city is taking to address climate change. She discusses implementing the 2020 Climate Action Plan 2.0, aligning the city's priorities with the state's, opportunities available through the federal Inflation Reduction Act, and the ballot measure that proposes to stop city attempts to discourage use of fossil fuels. Watch this episode on Cit...