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Government Delegation from Mexico Tours Eugene’s Urban Forestry Program Government representatives from the State of Durango, Mexico, spent the week with City of Eugene Urban Forestry staff to learn more about how Eugene manages its urban forestry program and cares for its more than 75,000 city trees. In an effort to build a healthier, more sustainable urban environment, the governor of Durango is looking to create in the capital city of Durango a model urban forestry program that can be replicated throughout the state, the fourth largest in the country. The governor discovered Eugene’s expansive urban forestry program and asked if the City would be willing to share best practices. The delegation toured Eugene’s parks and natural areas, looked at all aspects of tree maintenance operations, observed the City’s use of GIS to inventory trees for management decisions, and met with community partners such as the Eugene Tree Foundation. A field trip to the largest production shade tree nursery in the state helped them understand how to Delegation meets with City Tree Specialist John Luther for a demonstration of the set up their own tree nursery in Durango, and a tour of the World Forestry City’s hazard tree assessment process. Left Center in Portland by the Center’s Education and Research Directors gave to right: Manuel Galindo, Adan Alvarez, Miguel Villada, Roberto Ramirez, John them ideas and materials to help start a public education program. Luther The four representatives of Governor Ismael Hernández met formally with Mayor Piercy on Wednesday, May 3. Mayor Piercy, Councilor Ortiz and others met with the group for breakfast earlier that day, and a reception and farewell dinner was held Saturday. Eugene’s Urban Forestry program is responsible for th the planting, care, and removal of city street trees. In 2006, Eugene was awarded its 27 consecutive Tree City USA award by the National Arbor Day Foundation. For more information, contact Eugene Urban Forester, Mark Snyder, at 682-4819. Writers Read Live: Windfall at Eugene Public Library May 16 The Windfall Reading Series wraps up its successful2005 - 2006 season on Tuesday, May 16, with poet Lynn Lyman Trombetta and novelist Marisela Rizik, writers whose contemporary works draw on the rhythms and flavors of their heritages. The authors read at the Downtown Library at 7 p.m. Trombetta credits her Irish Catholic upbringing—her father’s family stories, Bible stories read aloud by her mother, and the incantations of the Latin Mass—for her love of narrative and language. A third-generation Sonoma County native, her award- winning poetry is also inspired by the rolling hills of that landscape. Trombetta is a member of the Sixteen Rivers Press collective whose work has appeared in journals including The Sun and CALYX, as well as in her own collection, Falling World. Marisela Rizik’s novel Of Forgotten Times, originally published in Spanish, is now available in English as well. The novel portrays the dramatic lives of generations of women in two families on an unnamed Caribbean island. One mother and daughter seek to escape the poverty of urban life, while others live in a village so remote that modern times have barely reached it. The families have only one thing in common - the dictator, whose ruthless power affects everyone. Of Forgotten Times has been well-received by critics and is frequently assigned to Latin American studies classes. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Rizik has lived in Eugene since 1982. She holds degrees from the University of Oregon in Telecommunication and Film, and in Spanish. In addition to writing, Rizik teaches Spanish—and Argentine tango. She is also professionally involved with the local educational film and video industry. The Windfall Reading Series is sponsored by Eugene Public Library, Lane Literary Guild, Friends of the Library, Eugene Public Library Foundation, and the Cultural Services Division of Lane Arts Council. For more information, call the Eugene Public Library at 682-5450. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 May 11, 2006