03/11/10 - City Council Newsletter

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being part of a team and consider EPD personnel as part of my family.” EPD relies on a dedicated cadre of citizen volunteers to supplement and complement services provided to the community. Tony LaMarche is a shining example of the caliber of volunteer with whom EPD is fortunate to partner. For more information, contact Volunteers in Policing Program Manager Carrie Chouinard at 541-682-5355 or carrie.f.chouinard@ci.eugene.or.us. Comprehensive information about the Volunteers in Policing Program can be found at www.eugene-or.gov/policevolunteers. Music to “Feel/Hear” Children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing had an opportunity to “feel/hear” music recently through a hands-on music performance. After a parent noted that children with hearing impairments seldom get the opportunity to participate in music events, Adaptive Recreation Programmer Patty Prather contacted David Helfand, a musician who teaches the program’s Joy of Music class. David, in turn, contacted several musician friends and brought them together to give the children an opportunity to play several instruments, including bass guitar, piano, harp and hand drums. One of the highlights of the evening came when the children played in a drum circle with two Native Americans and participated in a Round Dance. For more information, contact Patty Prather at 541-682-5311. Police and Wastewater Staff Help Host Medicine Take-Back Event Police and Wastewater staff are partnering with other local agencies to host a one-day medicine take-back event on March 13, 2010, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The goal of the event is to collect unwanted drugs for proper disposal and, at the same time, educate the public about the proper disposal of medicines to prevent accidental poisonings, drug abuse and contamination of the rivers. The public is encouraged to bring unwanted and expired medicines from households to the event. Only prescription and over-the-counter medicines, preferably in their original containers, can be brought in by citizens. This event is part of a statewide event initiated by the Oregon Medical Association, the Oregon Medical Association Alliance and the Oregon Partnership. Locally, this event is made possible by the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), Lane County and the cities of Eugene and Springfield. Medicines can be turned in at the following th locations: EWEB, 500 East 4 Avenue, and Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth Street. For additional information, contact Sharon Olson at 541-682-8625. Spring Home Show Touts “It All Comes Back to You” Message Visitors stepping into the Expo Hall at the Lane County Home Show this week will notice the colorful, showcase display titled “It All Comes Back To You.” The purpose of the display is to provide information to area residents about steps they can take to save money, reduce pollution and protect the local environment. The booth focuses on the yard, the home and the street. An information station has take-away handouts on a range of topics such as healthy lawn care tips, safe use and disposal of hazardous household products, water efficient plants and more. Sustainable living messages are posted throughout the display and staff will be available to answer questions. Participating visitors who pledge to make a few earth-friendly choices will receive a raffle ticket for a drawing with multiple prizes donated by local businesses and several agencies. On Saturday from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m., there will be a guest appearance by children working on a light-it-forward project. This interactive booth is created and staffed by the Pollution Prevention Coalition - a group that works together to share information and inform and educate residents about pollution prevention tips. These agencies include the City of Eugene Stormwater Program and Wastewater Management Program, City of Springfield Environmental Services, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Lane County Public Works - Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Programs, Springfield Utility Board (SUB), Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA), Department of Human Services - Drinking Water Program and Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB). For more information, please contact Public Information Specialist for the Stormwater Management Program Kathy Eva at 541-682-2739 or on the web at www.eugene-or.gov/happyrivers. The City’s Stormwater Management program focuses on a commitment to protect local waterways while promoting environmental stewardship. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 March 11, 2010