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Bethel Weed & Seed Initiative Funded for Fifth and Final Year The Bethel Weed & Seed Initiative has received funding for the fifth and final year. In 2004-05, an additional $225,000 will be directed to programs in the Trainsong Neighbors and Active Bethel Citizens neighborhoods. The acquisition of this fifth year grant will bring the Initiative's total contributions to the Bethel community to well over $1,150,000. The mission of Bethel Weed & Seed is to cultivate healthy, safe, and vibrant neighborhoods by bringing people and resources together to "weed" out illegal activity and harmful conditions and to "seed" positive opportunities for community members. During the fifth year, the primary focus will be on sustaining the initiative's three priority programs - the Bethel Public Safety Station, the Club Bethel RecZone at Cascade Middle School, and the We Are Bethel Celebration - so that they continue after the grant funds are no longer available. This year, the grant will also support a Crime Prevention Specialist in the Bethel schools, juvenile and drug crime prevention/reduction police patrols, a Hwy 99 business outreach strategy, truancy prevention, youth internships, and Trainsong neighborhood housing and livability improvement activities. Bethel Weed & Seed Steering Committee meetings are held at the Petersen Barn Community Center every first Monday of the month from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Lorna Flormoe, Bethel Weed & Seed coordinator, Planning and Development Department, at 682-5293 or e-mail Iorna.flormoe@ci.eugene.or. us. Eu.qene's Transportation Options Proqrams Earn IVational Excellence Awards The Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) has awarded top national honors for creative excellence to People Powered Fridays, Eugene's summer promotion that encourages non-motorized methods of transportation. The first-place award was presented Tuesday at the association's international conference in New Orleans. The Eugene Business Commute Challenge, a fall promotion that uses a light-hearted competition between businesses to encourage employees to find alternatives to driving alone, won third place in the judging for creative excellence. People Powered Fridays was recognized for being inexpensive, innovative and original as well as successful in reducing demand on the transportation system. The program was also cited as one that can easily be adapted for use by other agencies and groups. The People Powered Fridays program and artwork has been modified for use in Annapolis, Maryland, in its "Clean Commute Fridays Challenge." As an indicator of its success here in Eugene, the alternative modes program was listed as one of the contributing factors by SELF Magazine in November 2003, when Eugene topped the "Best Environment" category in the magazine's "America's Healthiest Cities for Women" article. This year's Business Commute Challenge is scheduled for October 11-15, with a celebration and awards ceremony slated for Thursday, October 14, starting at 5:15 p.m. on the Park Blocks. Over the years, the Business Commute Challenge has earned the support of the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce. "Commute Challenge 2004 offers businesses a fun and meaningful opportunity to explore voluntary alternative transportation methods," said Terry Connolly, director of governmental affairs for the Chamber. "The results will benefit everyone by relieving traffic congestion, parking shortages, and reducing air pollution." Cindy Clarke, Eugene's transportation options coordinator, accepted the ACT awards on behalf of the City of Eugene. "I'm very proud that our community is so supportive of programs that reduce automobile use," Clarke said. For more information about People Powered Fridays or the Business Commute Challenge, contact Cindy Clarke at 682-5285 or Diane Bishop at 682-5471. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 October 1,2004