The City Club of Eugene Podcast

The Library in the Community

Eugene's public library has enough card holders to fill Autzen Stadium twice. How have its services grown so popular, and what's planned for the library's future? Find out and hear about the May 2026 levy measure in this City Club of Eugene program.

Speakers include Angela Ocana, the library's director; and Dana Fleming, executive director of the Eugene Library Foundation.

You may also view the program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel.

This program was recorded on May 15, 2026.

Arts and Youth in Eugene

The arts reach youth. In this City Club of Eugene program, learn about two local arts groups moving beyond enrichment to make art with youth as examples of lifelines for well-being.

The speakers are Miranda Atkinson, executive director of #instaballet; and Wynter Eddins, executive director of Simply Youth Institute.

You may also view the program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel.

This program was recorded on May 8, 2026.

 

Cahoots

In this September 2025 City Club of Eugene program, speakers address the status of mobile crisis response in Eugene. CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) became a nationally recognized mobile crisis response program. When service hours were cut by White Bird Clinic, the Eugene City Council allocated funding and directed the City Manager to prepare a proposal to restore some of the services. Meanwhile, a group of former CAHOOTS employees established a nonprofit, Willamette Valley Crisis Care.

This program's speakers include Alese "Dandy" Colehour, OMHA, NREMT, and Laurel Lisovskis, LCSW, both from Willamette Valley Crisis Care; and Jacob Trewe, founder of Friends of CAHOOTS.

A video of this program is available on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel.

The program was recorded on Sept. 12, 2025.

Law Day

May 1 is celebrated as Law Day. Speakers in this podcast episode discuss the role of civics education in creating informed citizens.

Speakers include Nikki Darling, Southwest Oregon regional program manager for Civics Learning Project; Jenny Jonak, attorney; Martha Walters, retired chief justice, Oregon Supreme Court; Marty Wilde, attorney; and Elizabeth-Yvette Williams, student.

You may also view the program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel.

This program was recorded on May 1, 2026.

2026 County Commissioner Candidates

In this City Club of Eugene podcast episode, candidates for District 1 and District 5 of the Lane County Board of Commissioners responded to questions from KLCC's Rebecca Hansen-White.

Speakers included Heather Buch and Bob Zybach, vying to represent District 5 (their opponent, candidate Jake Pelroy, did not respond to the invitation to speak); and Thomas Hiura, who wants to represent District 1 (his opponent, candidate Ryan Ceniga, had a scheduling conflict).

You may view the meeting on the club's YouTube channel.

This program occurred on April 10, 2026

ACT Eugene

A broad coalition has developed ACT (Advancing Community Together) Now Lane to address homelessness issues in our area. Learn about its role in this City Club of Eugene podcast episode.

Speakers include Larissa Ennis, chair of the Homes For Good board; Brittany Quick-Warner, executive director of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce; and Karen Saxe, director of policy, advocacy and strategic relationships at Dev NW.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel.

This program was recorded on January 9, 2026.

 

DEI's Imperfect Allies

With new DEI directives from the federal government, how can people and institutions remain allies of DEI compliance, community and culture? And what is an imperfect ally?

Our speakers are Remi Calalang, PhD, assistant superintendent of Bethel School District; and Anna Lardner, mental health therapist and community organizer.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 10:57).

This program was recorded on July 25, 2025.

Deportation, Due Process and Democracy

Deportation actions by the federal government raise questions about due process and the threat to our democracy. Four speakers provide the history of immigration  and update us on the current situation.

Speakers include Tobin Hansen PhD, University of Oregon's Robert D. Clark Honors College; Katrina Kilgren JD, Kilgren Law; Benjamin Wang JD, Benjamin Beijing Wang PC; and Christine Zeller-Powell, JD, Director of Refugee and Immigration Services at Catholic Community Services.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 7:14).

This program was recorded on July 18, 2025.                                                                               

Deflection: What is it, and does it work?

Lane County offers a deflection program, which moves people to programs and treatment. Is it working? Learn about this project in this City Club of Eugene podcast episode.

Speakers include Chris Parosa, Lane County's district attorney; Clint Riley, Lane County's Deflection Program coordinator; and Art Zamudio, navigation team supervisor for Ideal Option.

You may watch the entire program on City Club of Eugene's YouTube channel (starts at 21:02).

This program was recorded on July 11, 2025.

Powering Oregon

What is the state's plan for meeting Oregon's future energy needs? An Oregon Energy Strategy is being developed, and City Club of Eugene attendees got a sneak peek. They also heard about "Beyonce" - bring your own new clean energy!

The Oregon Department of Energy speakers were Edith Bayer, Energy Policy Team Lead, and Alan Zelenka, Assistant Director of Planning and Innovation.

Due to technical difficulties, most of the Q&A was lost and no video is available.

This program was recorded on June 27, 2025.