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We can have it, if we want it. . .
With time and commitment, we can build a publicly-funded universal health care system for all Oregon residents that will serve as a precedent for the rest of the country.
    That was the message carried to Oregon by three members of the Vermont Workers' Center who toured the state in early December. From far Eastern Oregon to the Coast, from Portland and the Valley to Southern Oregon, Mary Gerisch, Sarah Weintraub and Kate Kanelstein brought their “how-to” story to eleven cities and more than 850 attendees around the state. They were accompanied by members of Jobs with Justice and the Oregon Single Payer Campaign, sponsors of the tour. Members of Mad As Hell Doctors, Health Care for All-Oregon and Physicians for a National Health Program also hosted and accompanied the Vermont visitors.
    The speakers told of their successful three-year campaign, culminating with legislation last May that authorized their state to design and implement a system of publicly-funded privately-delivered health care. The new law utilizes principles of universality (quality health care as a basic human right), equity (people get the care they need when they need it and pay according to their ability), accountability (government is accountable to the needs of its people), transparency (access to clear and understandable information), and participation.
    The VWC People's Team organized Vermonters, circulated petitions, and lobbied their governor and skeptical legislators, convincing them through public pressure to enact enabling legislation for universal health care in Vermont. Weintraub observed that we have the passion and expertise here in Oregon to accomplish a similarly successful campaign. We just have to believe we can.
    Inspired by the Vermont story, local activists are organizing around the state, circulating petitions, writing letters to the editor, and planning future events for our own grassroots campaign.Oregon's success in passing Vermont-style health care legislation could become a catalyst for a state-by-state transition to a national universal health care system. It may be a hard struggle against corporate interests, but Vermont has shown us it can be done.
Links:
KLCC will be broadcasting an audio version of the Eugene/Vermont meeting on January 18 from 6:30 to 7:70 p.m. (From outside their broadcast area, listen at that time on their website, KLCC.org., or later in their archives.)
Videos of the Eugene event are available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hApc44Bs9tg&feature=youtu.be.
Here’s a link to a video of the presentation at PCC Cascade in Portland: http://vimeo.com/34767652.
See also “Health Care for All Oregonians” 12-20-11 on The Rogue Valley Imdependent Media Center: http://www.rogueimc.org/en/2011/12/17818.shtml;
 the Baker City Herald, 12-19-11: http://www.bakercityherald.com/Local-News/Health-care-for-all-is-feasible-group-says; and “Could Oregon Have Health Care for All?” cover story 12-9-11 in The Eugene Weekly: http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2011/12/08/coverstory.html
“A 'how-to' for changing health care” front-page story in The Siuslaw News 12-17-11 is available to subscribers only; contact Rand Dawson for a copy at rdawson@oregonfast.net.
    For more information, visit www.singlepayeroregon.org.

Newport High School Literary and Photography Student Review
The Yachats Academy of Arts and Sciences is proud to present an evening featuring Newport High School students in a review of their literary and photography projects. The event takes place on Friday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. at the Yachats Commons, 4th Street and Highway 101, Yachats. The Academy is supported by the Friends of the Yachats Commons Foundation.
    The hour-long event will feature musical and spoken words by Newport High School students who perform at the Friday Lunch Jam, weekly open mic event held on campus every Friday at noon. The school’s photography class will also present their work at the event.
    “We’ve got some unbelievably gifted students,” said Newport High School teacher Matt Love. Love holds the open mic sessions in his room. “We began it three years ago, and it’s become a sensation with over 600 individual or group performances.”
    Love also serves as the advisor to the review, rock festival and teaches photography. “You will not believe the quality of the talent, musical and spoken word,” he added. “We’ve got rock, blues, pop, folk, country and some real beatnik poets. Our photographers are very accomplished also.”
    Matt Love and his students also present a summer literary review and rock festival called “Cubstock”. It takes place in June and is held at the Lincoln County Fair Grounds. There will be an opportunity to make donations to help support this effort.
       Featured performers include Flannel Wolf, Nakaia Brogran, Hocoontas, Sedative Soup, Super Rock Cluster, Brie Staunton, Preston Cahall, Logan Cummings and many others. Newport High Senior Elana Sutton will emcee the event.
    For several years now, Matt Love and his students have produced a literary review of the students work. The approximately 200-page bound review will showcase fiction, poetry, memoirs, essays and photographs. Past volumes have included a CD with the students reading their own material. Private donations, grants and sales of the review have made this publication possible.
    There is no admission charge for this presentation, but the Academy appreciates a $5 donation to help cover our publicity expenses. The Academy also asks that you be prepared and generous in your support for these student activities and exciting projects.
    For more information, go to GoYachats.com or call 541-961-6695.

Physicians for Social Responsibility to award cash prizes to three winning students
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility announces its fourth annual Greenfield Peace Writing Contest for 11th or 12th grade students in Oregon. Students may enter by submitting an original piece of fiction, poem, or essay (maximum 600 words) reflecting on the  following question:
    "In 1953, U. S. President and World War II Supreme Allied Commander  Dwight Eisenhower said, 'Every gun that is         made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are         not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.' How is this statement relevant today?"
    The Oregon chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) is the U.S. affiliate of International Physicians for the Prevention of  Nuclear War, the recipient of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. Part of its mission is to educate the public on the grave threats posed by the health effects of war and nuclear weapons. PSR sponsors the writing contest to encourage Oregon's youth to consider their role in promoting a peaceful and just world for all.
    Entry forms, a flyer, and all peace writing contest details can be found on our website:  www.oregonpsr.org. Submissions may be sent by email or US mail and are due by February 3, 2012.
    A panel of judges consisting of distinguished writers and community leaders will select the three winning entries. The first prize winner will receive an award of $1,000, the second $750 and the third $500.
    Oregon PSR will host an awards dinner on March 31 at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, at which the three winners will be honored and the winning entry will be read. This awards ceremony will feature keynote speaker Dr. Helen Caldicott, internationally recognized physician, author and anti-nuclear activist.
    Contact: Kelly Campbell, 503-274-2720, kelly@oregonpsr.org
Executive Director, Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility

Interfaith Peace and Justice meeting
The Interfaith Peace and Justice committee will meet on Wed. Jan 18 at the Newport Lutheran Church.

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } We hope the change to Wed. will allow more people to attend, and help us develop a plan for the next several months. ICPJ members are encouraged to attend PFLAG's Bully Prevention presentation at the Lincoln County Commissioner's meeting at 9:20 that same morning.
--Earnie Bell, Jim Lynn and Jeanne St.John for Interfaith Peace and Justice pflagocc@gmail.com

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Florence's 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration!
Celebrate a great civil rights hero with us this Saturday Jan. 14, Noon to 3 p.m., at the Siuslaw Public Library. (doors open at 11.) Signs available or bring your own for the traditional march for civil and human rights traveling along Highway 101.
    Featuring: keynote speaker Eugene Weekly Editor Ted Taylor on "Media Bias-- the Struggle for Justice." Discussion, live music, video, refreshments! Free and open to the public.
    Sponsored by Citizens Democracy Watch. For more Information: 541 997-7573

On Ending Corporate Rule
Paul Cienfuegos, workshop leader, lecturer, writer, bookseller, engaged citizen will be leading a 2-hour introductory workshop on dismantling corporate rule on Sunday, Jan. 22, from 3-6 p.m. on the 2nd floor meeting room of the Newport Visual Arts Center. Donations for Paul's time and room rental will be greatly appreciated but not required.     
    * First Steps in Dismantling Corporate Rule: We the People Are More Powerful Than We Dare to Believe
"For more than a century now, since large corporations won the "rights" of persons under the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, We the People have been slowly forgetting who We are. If we relearn our history, if we understand again that corporations were designed to serve us, not to rule us in this democratic republic, then we can reclaim our sovereignty. Once we understand this, the sky's the limit. We can rein in corporate constitutional "rights" as have more than 100 communities in PA, NH, ME, and VI. We can get back to governing ourselves, collectively determining what a majority of us wants....
      "What would this look like at the county level? What do the majority of county residents want regarding water policy, land use policy, cell phone tower policy, economic development policy, etc? And is the Board of Supervisors [County Commissioners] in your county prepared to stand tall with that majority when push comes to shove?" -Paul Cienfuegos
Details;
3-3:30 p.m. munch and mingle (snacks and beverages provided)
3:30-6 p.m. Paul Cienfuegos introductory workshop with extra time for questions and comments
66:30 Clean up and informal discussion
    For more information about Paul Cienfuegos, please go to his website at paulcienfuegos.com For information about this event please contact Makalea Napoleon at nalu_tita_2@hotmail.com

541-265-9195, mcwc@midcoastwatershedscouncil.org

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Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction for MidCoast Watersheds Council
A Fun-Raiser to support salmon habitat restoration with dinner, entertainment by Fisher Poet, Moe Bowstern, and silent auction will benefit the MidCoast Watersheds Council at Local Ocean Seafoods on Saturday, Feb. 4. Laura Anderson of Local Ocean will conduct a dock walk highlighting the salmon fishery before the dinner at 4 p.m. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. Tickets ($60) are available at the MCWC/Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District offices (541-265-2631) 23 N. Coast Hwy, Newport, near JC Thriftway or by contacting Lisa Mulcahy at yaquinawatershedcouncil@gmail.com.
     Local Ocean Seafoods is located (upstairs) at 213 Southeast Bay Boulevard in Newport on the Baayfront.
 --Lisa Mulcahy, Yaquina Basin Planning Team Coordinator, Mid Coast Watersheds Councilhttp://www.midcoastwatershedscouncil.org/

Highway 101 no-spray pilot project extended
Good news!  We heard from ODO that they will extend the pilot project for another two years. This is contingent on our group keeping up with the invasive weed removal and trimming our volunteers have been doing.       Thanks for all your support and contributions. We always have need for more volunteers to make the workload lighter.
   There will be two or three organized outings this coming year to pull scotchbroom seedlings around March and then Tansy ragwort in late summer.  If you are willing to be called about your availability for these outings, please get in touch with our lead volunteer, Diana Purdy, at 541 563-3651 so she can add you to the roster. --Maxine Centala for Citizens Committee for Clean Air
Yaquina Birders and Naturalists January events
On Thursday, Jan. 19, Roy Lowe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Leader for the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, presents "Tidal Marsh Restoration on Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge."
Over the past decade the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its many partners have pursued the goal of restoring the diked pastures of the Ni-les’tun Unit of Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge to the historic salt marsh habitat that occurred there more than 100 years ago. Following tens of years of planning and three years of construction, the 418-acre tidal marsh restoration was completed in September 2011. This project is the largest tidal marsh restoration
in Oregon to date and doubled the amount of tidal salt marsh habitat within the Coquille Estuary. This restoration will improve estuarine health, productivity, and restore habitats directly benefiting a wide array of fish, wildlife and invertebrate populations, including anadromous fish that spawn in freshwater but spend part of their lives in the ocean, waterfowl and shorebirds.
This Yaquina Birders and Naturalists meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Education Wing Room 30/32 in the
OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center. Please use the Staff Entrance (NOT the entrance to the Visitor's Center), follow the signs, and park near the Library. Cost: free. Everyone is welcome!
For more info, call 541-265-2965.
On Saturday, Jan. 21. Darrel Faxon will lead a Birders and Naturalists field trip, "Birding Field Trip to Ona Beach, Seal Rocks, Alsea Bay, Eckman Lake, and South Beaver Creek." Please wear or bring clothes for variable weather and meet at Ona Beach State Park at 7:15 a.m. The route will be to loop to Alsea Bay and return to Ona Beach by about noon.
This event is free and open to the public. Beginning birders are welcome. For more info, call 541-265-2965.
--Range Bayer, Yaquina Birders and Naturalists

Nye Beach Writers' Series Proudly Presents...AN EVENING with Peter Rock
Peter Rock is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Reed College in Portland. He has been with Reed College since 2001. Rock was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and is the author of the novels, My Abandonment, The Unsettling, The Bewildered, The Ambidextrist, This is the Place, and Carnival Wolves. Rock attended Deep Springs College, received a BA in English from Yale University, and held a Wallace Stegner Fellowship at Stanford University. He has taught fiction at the University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Deep Springs College, and in the MFA program at San Francisco State University. His stories and freelance writing have both appeared widely. He is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship.
Peter Rock will join us for the evening on Saturday, Jan. 21. The 3rd Saturday in January Nye Beach Visual Arts Center Show begins at 7 p.m, in the second floor meeting room of the Newport Visual Arts Center, located at 777 NW Beach Drive (across from the Nye Beach Turnaround). General admission is $6 at the door, students always admitted free. Light refreshments will be available
The Writers' Series open mic will take place following intermission. Audience members are encouraged to read, sing, or recite original work for up to five minutes. Open mic slots are available to the first 10 writers who sign up. No pre-registration required.
--Writers On The Edge events@writersontheedge.org | http://writersontheedge.org

Climate Hazards Risk Assessment
Are the nations densely populated coastal communities prepared for even modest scenarios for sea level rise? Grist interviews lead author, Christine Shepard, regarding a recently published journal article that looks at possible risk scenarios. The study was conducted by the Nature Conservancy's Global Marine Team and uses data for Long Island, NY to conduct scenarios and extrapolate to other coastal communities.
Are we prepared?
Get background info on the article and read the author interview at:
 http://www.grist.org/climate-change/2012-01-03-are-u.s.-coasts-ready-for-sea-level-rise
Read the journal article abstract, or download the full text at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/p85t032723506176/
--Paris Edwards, CCCAP coordinator

The Negro's greatest stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to order' than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice. --Martin Luther King,Jr. “Letter, From Birmingham Jail”