CC Newsletter - 01/27/05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Recreation Division began using the new system this week with an Aquatics survey. PDA's are at Echo Hollow and Sheldon Pools, allowing patrons to use the handheld devices, or fill out a paper survey. All of Recreation's customer evaluations will soon be converted to Survey Solutions. When the three LRCS divisions begin using the system, data from any standardized questions about patron demographics, marketing information, assessment of satisfaction and more will now be easily merged for department-wide comprehensive comparison and cross- tabulation. Special thanks to Sharon Edwards for the research, acquisition and implementation of this amazing new system; to the DAT Team for supporting the product; and to Barb Bertsch, Tim Patrick and Sarah Rankin for taking the lead in the Recreation rollout. For more information, contact Youth and Family Services Manager Tim Patrick at 682-6347. Business Development Fund Supports Local Sweet Shop Sweet Life Patisserie recently received a $160,000 loan from the Business Development Fund program to expand their current retail operation located at 755 Monroe Street. City of Eugene funds were used to purchase equipment and inventory, and for additional working capital. The expanded and updated retail outlet began serving a wider selection of sweet treats in December 2004. Sweet Life Patisserie was founded as a home- based wholesale bakery in 1993 by sisters Catherine and Cheryl Reinhart. Demand for the wonderful pastries created a market for retail sales. In 1999, Sweet Life moved into their Monroe Street location and began serving the community directly. Shortly thereafter, the patisserie became a popular spot for community members to meet and socialize while satisfying their sweet tooth with one of the many specialty pastries, pies, and cakes. With elbow room only and lines out the door, it was time for the Reinhart sisters to expand again. The production portion of the business was moved to a new facility nearby in the summer of 2004 allowing for the expansion and remodel of the retail space. The City's Business Development Loans are funded by federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and are tied to job creation. The expansion of the retail location is expected to create 5 new jobs. For more information regarding the Planning and Development Department's Business Development Loan Fund, contact either Ramona Mitchell at 682-5535 (ramona.j.mitchell@ci.eugene.or. us) or Denny Braud at 682-5536 (denny.braud@ci.eugene.or. us). Readin' in the Rain 2005! Eugene-Springfield's community reading celebration, Readin' in the Rain, has announced its book for 2005: The Jump-Off Creek by Molly Gloss. The novel, a story of a widow il who homesteads on her own, explores frontier Oregon from a refreshing point of view. The book has been widely praised, was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, and won the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award. The season kicks off at the "Umbrella Opening," Tuesday, February 1, 7 p.m., at the UO Bookstore. During February, all of Eugene Public Library's drop-in adult book groups will discuss the novel. On Saturday, February 12, at 2:00 p.m., enjoy a storytelling performance, "Two-Way Seeing: Pioneers and Native Oregonians," at Eugene Public Library, Downtown. Author Gloss will visit to read and talk about her work on Friday, February 18, 7:00, at First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 January 28, 2005