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Home My WebLink AboutCC Newsletter - 09/01/05 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER September 1, 2005 City of Eugene 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 (541) 682-5010 (541) 682-5414 (FAX) www.ci.eugene.or.us IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION PROVIDING SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA RECRUITMENT FOR BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS DRAWING TO A CLOSE LIBRARY EXPANDS SPANISH/ENGLISH EVENINGS FOR ALL AGES HULT CENTER PRESENTS LINCOLN CENTER’S AFRO-LATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA AROUND THE CITY Providing Support to Victims of Hurricane Katrina In the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina, many Eugene residents are wondering how they can help the victims. Mayor Piercy said, “This is a horrific and heartbreaking disaster. Eugeneans have big hearts, as we demonstrated after the tsunami, and we want to help. Right now, the best way for most of us to help is by donating money.” Monetary donations allow local authorities to provide appropriate items to victims based on specific identified needs. A cash donation is an efficient contribution that can provide immediate help. For those wishing to help in other ways it is important to remember that all assistance must be coordinated by emergency response professionals. Specific requests for help will be communicated appropriately through the State of Oregon. The American Red Cross is one of the primary agencies coordinating early response to this emergency. American Red Local residents can help the victims of Hurricane Katrina by making a donation to the Cross National Disaster Relief Fund in any of following ways: · Online at the local web site www.oregonpacific.redcross.org or national website www.redcross.org · Call the national donation phone line at 1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) · Send or deliver to the local Red Cross office: Red Cross, Oregon Pacific Chapter, 862 Bethel Drive, Eugene, OR 97402. Other agencies such as Mercy Corps and United Way will also be involved in response and recovery, especially in later stages. A list of some of these agencies is available at the FEMA website: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18473. This disaster serves as an important reminder that as a community and as individuals, we must continually work to improve our readiness. One thing everyone can do is to make sure their own families are as prepared as possible. Every household should have an emergency preparedness plan and an emergency supply kit. “No one can ever be fully prepared for major disasters such as earthquakes, floods and tsunamis, but the City of Eugene works hard to anticipate, plan and practice specifically for these events and others including terrorism.” said Piercy. Emergency A home Emergency Preparedness Guide is available on the City’s website. Click on Management ProgramCity Highlights in the section on the main page at www.eugene-or.gov. For additional information on family preparedness, visit the Red Cross Oregon Pacific Chapter website at Brochures www.oregonpacific.redcross.org and click on in the red box on the home page. For more information on the City of Eugene’s Emergency Management Program, contact Chuck Solin at 682-5664. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 September 1, 2005 Recruitment for Boards, Committees, and Commissions Drawing to a Close The annual recruitment for City of Eugene boards, committees and commissions concludes on Friday, September 9. Applicants are being sought for advisory committees to the City Council and one intergovernmental committee. Below are other key dates in this process. ? Tuesday, July 19 Recruitment begins ? Friday, September 9 Recruitment ends ? October 4-6 Interviews for candidates for selected groups ? Monday, October 24 City Council action on appointments ? November 1 Terms begin The City is recruiting to fill vacancies on the following groups. Current members whose terms are expiring may apply to be reappointed. ? ** Budget Committee 4 vacancies (must be a Eugene elector) ? ** Planning Commission 2 vacancies ? ** Human Rights Commission 5 vacancies ? ** Toxics Board 2 vacancies (must meet specific criteria) ? Historic Review Board 2 vacancies ? Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority 1 vacancy ? Metropolitan Wasterwater Management Commission 1 vacancy ? Whilamut Natural Area Citizen Planning Committee 5 vacancies Interested persons must complete an application (**a supplemental questionnaire is also required). Application information is available at the City Manager’s Office, Room 105, City Hall or online at www.eugene-or.gov All application materials must be received by the City Manager’s Office not later than 5 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2005. Deliver or mail the application materials to: City Manager’s Office 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 Eugene, OR 97401 Materials may be faxed to: 541-682-5864, Attention: Boards Coordinator Additional information on the boards, committees and commissions, as well as application materials are available at the City Manager’s Office, 682-5406, or on the City of Eugene website at www.eugene-or.gov Library Expands Spanish/English Evenings for All Ages ¡Vamos a charlar! Talk it up! Join people of all ages at the Downtown Eugene Public Library as they make friends and conversation at Intercambio and Hora de Diversión. These events occur on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month (September 13 and 27), from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Librarian Lorie Vik reports, "IntercambioConversation Circles/Círculos de Conversación began meeting once a month in January 2005. Ever since, people have asked us to expand to twice monthly! Participants appreciate the opportunity to practice conversation—and they say they also like meeting new people, sharing cultural information, and learning about Library resources in both languages." At Intercambio ("exchange"), small groups of adults and teens talk casually in Spanish for 30 minutes and in English for 30 minutes, gaining fluency in one while helping others practice language skills in the other. Intercambio is hosted by a skilled bilingual facilitator, and conversation-starter word lists are provided. Bring the kids, too! During Intercambio, elementary-age kids are invited to Hora de Diversión (Fun Time), a lively bilingual session of stories, songs, games, and crafts. Younger children are welcome to stay with parents or caregivers at Intercambio. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 September 1, 2005 Intercambio's social approach to gaining fluency and getting to know your neighbors has proved a success in libraries around the country. According to consultant Guadalupe Quinn, Lane County Regional Coordinator of CAUSA, the statewide immigrants' rights coalition, "People want to know about one another, to learn from one another. It benefits the relationships between folks and creates a better understanding about our cultures." For more information call 682-5450; for English, press 2; para Español, marque el 5. See you there! ¡Nos vemos! Hult Center Presents Lincoln Center’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra “Kick off your shoes and shake it!” With these words Arturo O’Farrill of Lincoln Center’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra practically dares the audience to stay seated for this sizzling dance party at Cuthbert Amphitheater—Eugene’s summer stage. Dance to familiar tunes under the stars! The Jazz atLincoln Center’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) was created in 2002 at the suggestion of jazz heavy-weight Wynton Marsalis. Join ALJO, Arturo O’Farrill and special guest Paquito D’Rivera on Sunday, September 11, and say farewell to summer in style. A “City of Eugene Employee” group rate is available, and a similar discount is offered to other groups. Ticket price is $20 (regular price is $24). For more information, contact the Hult Center Ticket Office at 682-5000. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 September 1, 2005