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the Arts and Technology Academy to create a small version of an outdoor school. The goal of the program was to
<br />highlight both the behavior and emotional benefits young people experience when they spend a portion of their
<br />regular school day outside exploring natural areas. This is a pilot program, which includes three to four sessions
<br />throughout the school year. The first session included 40-minute nature
<br />excursions held once a week for five weeks. These excursions used the
<br />natural areas on and around school grounds, including Westmoreland
<br />Park. Each of these activities included unstructured time that allowed the
<br />students to explore areas free of any built environments. At the end of the
<br />first session, students were treated to an all-day field trip that included
<br />canoeing and nature education on a nearby lake. Students, parents, and
<br />school administration considered the program a success and the students
<br />are eagerly awaiting the start of the next session. With the Leave No Child
<br />Inside Act, waiting for formal approval at both the state and federal levels,
<br />policy-makers are looking at ways to ensure that youth have an
<br />opportunity to nurture their connection to nature as an integrated
<br />component of their school curriculum. In the meantime, Recreation
<br />Services is dedicated to making those opportunities available right here in Eugene’s backyard. For more
<br />information, contact Aimee Goglia at 682-6358.
<br />
<br />Demand for Energy Assistance Spikes
<br />Increased public awareness and the slow economy resulted in a record number of residents inquiring about energy
<br />assistance programs administered by Recreation Services’ Senior Program. More than 500 people called to get
<br />information or to apply for EWEB’s Customer Care, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and Oregon Low-
<br />Income Gas Assistance. The Senior Program screens applicants to determine if the household meets income
<br />eligibility of at least 60% of the Oregon poverty level and makes appointments for 50 customers to apply for
<br />EWEB’s Customer Care program, which provides $200 for each home. The great outpouring of calls this year
<br />resulted from an article in the Register-Guard about an anonymous gift of $300,000 to the program. Calls from
<br />people who could not be served through the City were referred to St. Vincent DePaul, which is responsible for
<br />disbursing the additional funding. The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is also available to customers of
<br />Blachley Lane, Central Lincoln PUD, EPUD, Lane Electric, Northwest Natural, PacifiCorp, SUB - and to those who
<br />make direct payments to landlords who cover their electrical charges. Another program is for weatherization and
<br />furnace referrals through the Housing and Community Services Agency of Lane County. In addition to
<br />Recreation’s Senior Program, other service agencies that identify low-income households for energy assistance
<br />are St. Vincent DePaul, Catholic Community Services, Siuslaw Outreach Services, Upper Willamette CDC,
<br />Community Sharing, Cottage Grove Senior Connections, Garcia Service Center, Oakridge Senior Connections,
<br />Willamalane Adult Activity Center, Veneta Senior Connections and Junction City Senior Connections. For
<br />additional information, contact Senior Services Energy Coordinator Rayna Luvert, at 682-6394.
<br />
<br />th
<br />Eugene Joins Others in Celebrating Oregon’s 150 Birthday
<br />On February 14, 1859, Oregon joined the union, and in 2009, communities all over the state are celebrating its
<br />150th birthday for the entire year. The celebration officially begins on February 14, with an event at the Salem
<br />Armory. Period costumes, music and food will be on display on one floor, and on another floor, a modern, formal
<br />dinner and dance will be held. In response to a request by Governor Kulongoski, Eugene City staff and
<br />representatives of other Lane County cities and organizations have teamed up to promote this historical milestone.
<br />Library, Recreation and Cultural Services is planning more than a dozen events and activities, including
<br />community reads for adults, youth and children, trips to historic sites, free family events that feature period
<br />costumes, a day of service to “Take Care of Oregon;” and a display of historic photographs. More City events are
<br />in the planning stage. For the entire list of LRCS events, go to: www.eugene-or.gov/rec. Eugene staff is also
<br />serving on a Lane County organizing committee with representatives from Springfield, Oakridge, Florence,
<br />Cottage Grove, Creswell and Veneta, as well as CVALCO, University of Oregon, Lane County Historical Society,
<br />Lane County Museum, Eugene Masonic Cemetery and more. The team has met several times to share program
<br />ideas and brainstorm methods to help Lane residents become aware of Oregon 150. A short list of some of those
<br />activities includes:
<br /> Creswell -- Youth Legacy Grant project - June; Garden Lake Park Educational Pavilion and its associated
<br />?
<br />dedication ceremony/celebration
<br /> Florence -- a very special Rhododendron Festival – May
<br />?
<br /> Oakridge -- an OR 150-themed Pioneer Picnic - July
<br />?
<br /> Springfield -- Dorris Ranch "At the Park" event planned for February 14
<br />?
<br />For more information about Oregon’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, go to http://www.oregon150.org or contact
<br />LRCS Project Manager, Tim Patrick, at 682-6347, or Lane County Oregon150 Chairperson, Phillip Carroll, at 870-
<br />2530.
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<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
<br />December 4, 2008
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