Eugene Weekly : Calendar : 12.07.06

Another week, another round of cops unloading lethal force on unarmed civilians across this beautiful, disturbed nation. In our undergraduate daysdown in the relatively peaceful village of Ashland, we saw police officers taser a suicidal college student after he consumed an overdose of sleeping pills. He died on the way to the hospital. The student's bout with clinical depression, a form of mental illness, clouded the situation, making the officers' duties extremely difficult and sensitive. In response to incidences like these, including the death of a mentally ill 19-year-old Eugene man last month, the Lane County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness recently initiated the ASSERT (Approved Steps to Strengthen Emergency Responder Training) Project for Eugene-Springfield. This Saturday, NAMI marks its kickoff fundraiser for supplemental emergency responder training specific to mental health crises. Portland blues band The Strange Tones (pictured) will provide entertainment and donate proceeds to the ASSERT Project. See Saturday Calendar.

Ah, candlelight. Ah, Baroque music. It's oh-so-holidays to get dressed up in Hanukkah, solstice or Christmas colors and trip down chilled sidewalks in chunky heels or boots, listening to the strains of the players tuning, wondering if you'll tear up because of the peace and joy and love that comes from listening to a harpsichord solo. OK, maybe that's not precisely the plan, but the soft glow of tiny flames beckons us to the Oregon Mozart Players' Baroque for the Holidays concerts, and in that gentle light, we all look better (which is vital after everyone's Thanksgiving feasting). Bathed in the aural warmth of Bach, Torelli, Handel and Galuppi, we'll feel better as well. That's key during the time when SAD affects just about everyone in Oregon, so get to one of the OMP's three concerts and enjoy the calm happiness that comes from music, friends, candles and the holidays. Soloists Jill Pauls (flute), John Jantzi (harpsichord) and Yvonne Hsueh (violin) are pictured at right. See Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Calendars.

Giving toys to little tykes has got to be one of the most rewarding experiences during the holidays. Sure, some go a little overboard with the toy-giving, but on the other side of that coin are kids living in low-income households unable to afford toys — much less food, rent and heating. To remedy this, three events are accepting toy donations in lieu of admission this weekend. Toys for Tots benefit events include the family friendly Skating the Yellow Brick Road ice show at the Lane County Ice Center as well as the more adult friendly Stone Cold Funk and Blues Machine show at the Four Corners Hop House, featuring Kenny Reed, Paul Biondi and EW's own Bill Shreve. If you're not up for ice capades or bluesy funk machines, warm up your funny bone at The Comedy Workout's Pre-Holiday Stress show at Peabody's Pub, part of the Comedians R Us Christmas Comedy Toy Drive. Can't make it out to one of these three superb events but still want to donate toys? Go to www.toysfortots.orgfor local drop-off locations. See Friday and Saturday Calendars.