It's that time of year again, boys and girls ...

John Attig - An author, games designer and retired history teacher whose latest project is to establish a Eugene Peace Park recognizing the achievements of the American winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Alan Beck - Alan's crammed two professional careers into his brief 63 years: first as a set designer and stage director in NYC; second as a TV News Director in NYC, Minneapolis and here in Eugene where he took over the news room at KEZI-TV in 2001. This year he's come back to the theatre full-time as Director of Development and Marketing for Willamette Repertory Theatre at the Hult Center.

George Evano - George is the director of communications for the Oregon Bach Festival, the University of Oregon's Grammy-winning musical event, a position he has held since 1992. During his tenure, the Festival has set its highest marks for attendance and ticket sales, and has had its concerts broadcast on 250 radio stations coast to coast. His personal Oregon Trail took him from his native New Jersey through stops in West Virginia, New Mexico, Arizona and California before he arrived in his beloved Eugene.

Felicity Fahy - She is the sustainability manager for the City of Eugene, a new position created to coordinate and advance sustainability programs throughout the city and community. She also staffs the recently appointed sustainability commission. Felicity has 20 years experience in the field of environmental education, policy development, planning and research.

Alder Fuller - Alder earned BS and MS degrees in biology, an MS in probability theory and statistics, and a PhD in ecology & evolution (UNM, 1990). At Euglena Academy - his independent, college-level school in Eugene - he teaches the principles of systems sciences or "complexity", chaos theory and geophysiology (a.k.a. Gaia theory) as they apply to living systems (cells, organisms, ecosystems and Gaia), their health, and the greatest challenge that our species has ever faced: global heating and climate change.

David Funk - David is 5'9" and shrinking, due to gravitational forces. He is the creative director, which is a real job, at Funk/Levis & Associates, which is a real place. When writing, he puts too many commas in his sentences, or so he claims.

Scott Landfield - Scott moved to Lane County from Illinois in 1978. Over the next 22 years, he personally planted approximately 2 million trees in the mountains of the Great Northwest; approximately 1 million of them in Lane County alone. For the last 11 years, he has been co-owner of Tsunami Books on Willamette Street. He once scored a perfect 30 at a Eugene Poetry Slam Final.

Ev Marcel - Ev has been an involved community member since 1985. For the last nine years she has been an Argentine Tango student and educator, which has taught her the importance of connection. Tango led to her current passion for teaching at-risk youth the skills necessary to connect with themselves and their community.

Frank Nearing - Since 1986, Frank Nearing has dutifully attended the meetings of downtown government, reporting the people's business on KLCC-FM. He holds an Associates Degree of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Lane Community College. Before his second career, he served the public for 27 years in social work with Catholic Charities. One of 16 children in his family in Nova Scotia, Frank earned his US Citizenship in 1966--from whence comes his deep respect for American civic discourse.

Tulku Jigme Thrinley Rinpoche - He serves as a teacher and spiritual director of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy and psychology at NGSCL (Nyen-Gyud Samten Choe Ling) Institute for wisdom and compassion. He was recognized at an early age by both His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and His Eminence Trulshik Rinpoche as a reincarnate master from the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism. He travels and teaches widely, conducting numerous courses on important works in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Betty Taylor - Betty is currently in her third term representing Ward 2 on the Eugene City Council. During her time on the council, she has focused on issues such as urban growth boundaries, regulation of big-box stores, and methods of funding street maintenance. Betty is a long-time City Club member and frequent meeting attendee.

Be ready for a few surprises along the way. Don Kahle will emcee.