The City Club of Eugene Podcast

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 Council.

Read a report about the economic impact of arts and culture in Eugene.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at :29).

This program was recorded on Oct. 20, 2023.

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 and intern coordinator, Friends of Buford Park and Mt. Pisgah.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 5:30).

This program was recorded on Oct. 13, 2023.

1. 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 Data Collective and Transwers; Angela Ocana, acting director of the Eugene Public Library.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 4:04).

This program was recorded on Sept. 29, 2023.

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 work with children and remedial work with adults."

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 1:30).

This program was recorded on Sept. 8, 2023.

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 of the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 2:56).

This program was recorded on Sept. 15, 2023.

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 at about 9:40).

Watch the entire episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel.

This program was recorded on July 21, 2023.

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; and Sarah Stewart, executive director of KidsFIRST.

Watch this episode on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 1:38).

This program was recorded on July 7, 2023.

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.