10/08/09 - City Council Newsletter

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Guild, Friends of the Library, Eugene Public Library Foundation, and the Cultural Services Division of Lane Arts Council. For more information, go to www.eugene-or.gov/library or call 682-5450. Bilingual Family Fiesta Great Success!/¡Fiesta Bilingue Para La Familia Gran Éxito! A wonderful crowd of some 120 folks tapped their toes and clapped their hands to the lively rhythms of traditional dances of Mexico, brought to the Eugene Public Library by the enthusiastic and skilled dancers of “Los Niños de Bethel Ballet Folklórico” and their coordinator Mago Gilson. Participants enjoyed watching the dances and then were invited to join in dancing “La Raspa,” traditionally the last dance in their program. Tasty snacks, including galletas de México y chicharrones, rounded out the celebration of Mexican culture. The financial support of the Friends of the Library and Eugene Public Library Foundation made this program possible. For more information, contact Connie Bennett at 682-5363. Celebrate Day of Culture in Eugene The Hult Center is happy to celebrate with local arts groups Oregon’s 2nd Annual Day of Culture on Thursday, October 8, 2009. October is National Arts and Humanities Month and the October 8 marks the anniversary of Oregon’s unique cultural tax credit. There’s no better way to celebrate than to participate in the free "Meet the Arts" at the Midtown Arts Center, 1590 Willamette Street, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Raise a toast to the arts, take a tour, meet and greet members and supporters of the arts scene, watch a dance class, visit the gallery of architectural design, and enjoy refreshments and door prizes. Participating arts organizations include the Eugene Ballet Company, Eugene Concert Choir, Eugene Opera, Lane Arts Council, Oregon Bach Festival, Oregon Mozart Players, American Institute of Architects, Eugene Ballet Academy and Oregon Festival Choirs. To find out more about Oregon’s Day of Culture, visit the Oregon Cultural Trust website. Demand High for Energy Assistance Recreation’s Adult Services Program began taking calls for energy assistance on October 1, and by 10:00 a.m. the next day, potential disbursements had surpassed the $48,000 available for the month through the Eugene Water & Electric Board’s (EWEB) Customer Cares utility subsidy. Adult Services administers both the EWEB program and the federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), which does not begin until November. City staff interviews applicants to determine if they meet age and income eligibility for the subsidy and disburses funds accordingly. As part of the interview process, City staff also refers seniors to other social services available to them through Lane County and other organizations. Low-income adults, 60-years-old or older, may receive up to $300 per household to pay toward their EWEB utilities through EWEB’s program. A total of 160 intake appointments are scheduled for October. People interested in EWEB’S utility subsidy program are encouraged to call the first working day of the month just after 8:00 a.m. for appointments. In November, EWEB’s funding is expected to be only $7,000, but the LIEAP program will begin, providing an additional $150-$300 in utility subsidies per applicant. EWEB’s program ends September 2010 and LIEAP ends June 2010. For more information, contact Rayna Luvert at 682-5354. Park Operations Fuel Consumption Reduction Initiative In late 2008, Parks and Open Space staff learned from the City's Climate Action and Energy Plan team that nearly 90 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions generated by their work in parks and open spaces comes from the consumption of gas and diesel fuels. Park Operations staff recognized that reducing fuel consumption would advance several of the team’s goals, including reducing their carbon footprint and overall cost of park services. In January 2009, Park Operations staff teams challenged one another to reduce their fuel consumption by five EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 October 8, 2009