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<br />For more information, contact Rob Inerfeld, Eugene Pubic Works Department, at 682-5343,
<br />rob.inerfeld@ci.eugene.or.us; or Allen Lowe, Eugene Planning and Development Department at 682-
<br />5113, allen.d.lowe@ci.eugene.or.us. More information about Gordon Price is available online at
<br />www.pricetags.ca.
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<br />"Diversity: From Idea to Practice"
<br />As Oregon grows increasingly diverse, the community is challenged to live up to deeply revered
<br />American values, such as the Pledge of Allegiance's promise of "liberty and justice for all.” Yet despite
<br />good intentions, many find it difficult to match real-life actions to the ideal of equal treatment.
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<br />On Saturday, February 11, from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Eugene Public Library, Downtown, community
<br />members are invited to join a facilitated discussion titled "Diversity: From Idea to Practice." The
<br />workshop explores three interrelated factors: the null curriculum (what is not taught); the power of
<br />stereotyping; and the unearned advantages enjoyed by members of a dominant culture. Drawing on
<br />both academic training and personal experience, Lani Roberts, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at
<br />Oregon State University and a fifth-generation Oregonian, delves into the meaning of diversity and the
<br />commitment to this most American of ideas. For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library at
<br />682-5450.
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<br />Kick Off Readin' in the Rain 2006 with Bellydancing and More
<br />Each winter, Readin’ in the Rain invites Eugene/Springfield residents to
<br />read, talk about, and celebrate a chosen book. Discover new ideas,
<br />flavors, and friends with the 2006 choice: Crescent, Diana Abu-Jaber’s
<br />award-winning love story set in L.A.’s Arab-American community.
<br />Crescent is a banquet of a storey filled with Arab foods and spices,
<br />traditional poetry and tales, and the budding relationship between an
<br />American chef and an Iraqi exile. Abu-Jaber deftly weaves together art,
<br />myth, history, and politics, enchanting readers with the richness of Middle
<br />Eastern culture and its vitality in the U.S.
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<br />Be dazzled by the free kick-off "Umbrella Opening" event on Friday, February 3, at the Downtown
<br />Eugene Public Library. At 6:30 p.m., international bellydancer Astryd deMichele performs to live Arabic
<br />and Turkic music by the band Ala Nar – whose name is Arabic for “on fire.”
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<br />At 7:30 p.m., enjoy a talk by Dr. Beth Aydelott, professor of English and writing at Northwest Christian
<br />College. Her presentation, “The Flavors of Crescent: Feeding the Exile,” explores questions raised by
<br />the novel, including: What does it mean to be an American? What and where is "home?” What does
<br />the conflict felt by immigrants torn between two cultures have to do with being American? And what
<br />does food have to do with all of it?
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<br />The public is invited to participate in gatherings throughout February, including a free reading at the Hult
<br />Center by the visiting author on Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m., a fundraising dinner, and many
<br />.
<br />drop-in book discussions
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<br />Now in its fifth year, Readin' in the Rain is organized and sponsored by a consortium of organizations
<br />including Eugene Public Library; Springfield Public Library; University of Oregon Libraries; Lane
<br />Community College Library; Fern Ridge Public Library; Northwest Christian College Kellenberger Library;
<br />Hult Center for the Performing Arts; Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association; UO Bookstore; Borders
<br />Books, Music, & Cafe; Eugene Barnes & Noble; Smith Family Bookstore; Tsunami Books; Café Soriah;
<br />Harold, Leahy and Kieran; and W. W. Norton & Company. For a complete Readin’ in the Rain calendar
<br />of events, visit www.read-rain.org, or call 682-5450.
<br />
<br />
<br />THIS WEEK
<br />
<br />NEXT WEEK
<br />02/06 M Noon JS Housing Policy Board McNutt Room **
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<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
<br />March 3, 2006
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