10/06/11 - City Council Newsletter

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for schoolchildren and employees. Staff was present in the employee lunch area to ensure that all waste was sorted into appropriate recycling containers. In the end, less than a pound of actual waste – less than one small plastic bag – was generated. Other actions that helped make this this a “zero waste” event included encouraging employees to bring their own cups or glasses, washing plates and silverware rather than using disposable materials in the employee lunch area, using displays and activities that emphasized the importance of recycling, and cutting back on the number of low-value giveaways that tend to get tossed as soon as schoolchildren get home. A goal for next year’s event is to work with the schools on “packing a waste-free lunch” for schoolchildren when they visit the event. The TrashBuster Award will be presented at the Lane County Board of Commissioner’s meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9. For more information, contact Michelle Miranda at Public Works Wastewater at 541-682-8626. Author and Public Radio Host Brian Kahn at Eugene Public Library The Downtown Eugene Public Library will host a free talk by Brian Kahn about his new book, “Real Common Sense: Using Our Founding Values to Reclaim the Nation and Stop the Radical Right from Hijacking America,” on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 3 p.m. The book asks, “Who are the true heirs of Tom Paine's common sense ideology: conspiracy theorists and wealthy, tax-addled Tea Partiers, or average working class Americans?” Kahn hosts the award-winning public radio program "Home Ground." He was honored with the 2009 Montana Governor's Award for the Humanities. Kahn has worked as a ranch hand, college boxing coach, lawyer, conservationist, and journalist. His work has been published in the Los Angeles Times, The Nation, and Field & Stream. For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library. City Pools Open for Recreation Swims on No-School Days The Aquatics Program invites families to get kids active on no-school days this fall by taking them swimming. No-school recreation swims will be held from 1:40 - 3:40 p.m., at Sheldon Pool on Oct. 7 and Nov. 11. At Echo Hollow Pool, no-school recreation swims will be from 1:30 - 3 p.m. on Oct. 14 and Dec. 16. The cost is $3 for youth ages 3-17; $7.50 for a family of up to five people. For more information, call Rich Fay at 541-682-5314. Community Joins Forces for Fifth Annual Great Willamette River Clean Up The City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Volunteer Program is partnering with REI, Willamalane Parks and Recreation and other community organizations to support the Willamette Riverkeepers regional Great Willamette River Clean Up. The event will clean up a 187-mile stretch of the Willamette River. This is the fifth annual event in the Eugene area, and the second time communities along the Willamette River have joined forces to participate in cleaning up the stretch of river between Springfield and Portland. More than 150 volunteers are expected to gather Sunday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteer crews and boaters will remove garbage and debris to help restore the urban riverfront from Island Park in Springfield to the Beltline Exchange in Eugene. The event will culminate with a celebration at 1 p.m. in Maurie Jacobs Park where volunteers will enjoy free giveaways, raffle prizes, pizza and refreshments provided by TEVA and REI. www.rei.com/eugene Community volunteers can register online at or arrive at 9 a.m. at one of three locations along the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path System - Alton Baker Park, Valley River Greenway Bridge or Island Park - for check-in and safety orientation. Event organizers will provide tools, water, gloves, and instruction. Volunteers should come prepared with appropriate footwear and clothing. For more information, please contact Volunteer Program Supervisor Jackie Hallett at 541-682-4844 or Jackie.c.hallett@ci.eugene.or.us. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 October 6, 2011