The masterminds behind this project are Ed Taylor and Cindy Kimball, two civic activists who met when destiny threw them together one year ago and who have since formed a dynamic and goal-oriented duo.

"We're like bookends," Taylor says of their partnership in civic awareness. Their camaraderie has been forged by a common goal: to motivate the surrounding community to civic interest and collaborative action.

Their nonprofit film series, set to launch September 13 at the Grand Theater and the second Thursday of every month thereafter, will feature a public forum of documentary films, keynote speakers and post-film discussions. Opportunities to network and get involved with community and civic organizations will be available as well.

Working with a volunteer team of four coordinators, Taylor and Kimball have selected four engaging, timely and relevant films that represent a wide spectrum of current issues ranging from propaganda campaigns and the sustainability of suburban lifestyle to crop seed monopolies and the growing menace of personal and national debt. Keynote speakers like Peter Bergel from Oregon Peace Works, representative Brian Clem, Thousand Friends of Oregon's Sid Friedman, Roger Kaye from Friends of Marion County and Dr. Rick North of Physicians for Social Responsibility will provide insight to the local relevance of each film and foster open dialogue among audience participants.

There is one thing that both Taylor and Kimball want to make clear before airing the show: this is not about pushing agendas.

"We want to reach as many people as possible," Kimball says, "Independents, Republicans and Democrats alike."

"This is not just for rabid activists," Taylor adds. "It's for people who until now have wanted to get involved but never quite knew how."

As the premiere draws near, Taylor and Kimball are already looking ahead. If all goes well, they hope to run the film series from September through May with summers off for vacation and continue the project into 2008, keeping entry fees at a low $3 with free entry for students to promote maximum accessibility. In order for the endeavor to be sustainable, they will need regular attendance and committed ongoing sponsors in local businesses, organizations and individuals.

Regardless of the long-term outcome, Kimball and Taylor await the impact of their progressive film series with eager anticipation.

As political compatriots hoping to foment a healthy exchange of opinion and stimulate interest in community and civic involvement, they both agree that "air dialoguing with your favorite commentator doesn't add much to public decision-making" and that "it's not enough to have strong convictions; you have to act."

Taylor speaks for both of them when he says, "The most meaningful thing is the public good that could come from greater personal involvement in politics." Now that's a great bookend.