HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/10/09 - City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
December 10, 2009
City of Eugene
777 Pearl Street, Room 105
Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION
CELEBRATE OREGON WITH BOB WELCH AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
RECREATION SERVICES OFFERS AN ARRAY OF HOLIDAY FUN
CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS DOWNTOWN
FIRE OFFICIALS ISSUE WINTER WARNING
EUGENE TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROJECT RECOGNIZED IN STATE AWARD
AROUND THE CITY
Celebrate Oregon with Bob Welch at Eugene Public Library
Local columnist and author Bob Welch will read from his new book, “My Oregon II,” at the Downtown Public
Library on Saturday, December 12, at 2:00 p.m.
A companion to Welch's “My Oregon,” the new book collects more than 100 columns
touching on topics from heroes to weather, and family to the Olympic Trials.
This fall, Welch marks 20 years at The Register-Guard and 10 years as a columnist.
The National Society of Newspaper Columnists has honored him six times for his
work’s blend of heart, humor, and hope. Welch is the author of 12 books, a popular
speaker locally and nationwide, and the founder of the annual Beachside Writers
Workshop in Yachats. For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library at
682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Recreation Services Offers an Array of Holiday Fun
From card and gift-making, to social events and seeing holiday lights, it’s been and will be a busy December for
activities offered by Recreation Services. December activities which have already been held include:
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Holiday Card-Making Workshops – for youth and adults
ages 11 years and older.
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Holiday Clay Workshop – for parents and children, ages 4
and older.
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Breakfast with Santa - for ages two and older.
The following events are coming up:
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Holiday Dance – Celebrate the holiday season with
dancing, music, and other activities from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.,
December 11, at Hilyard Community Center – for adults
age 18 and older. An activity designed for individuals with
developmental disabilities.
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Holiday Tree Cutting – Find the perfect holiday tree from
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. on December 13. This trip is designed for individuals age 18 and older with
developmental disabilities.
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Holiday Lights Overnight Trip to Shore Acres – Experience 125,000 twinkling lights December 15-16 at
Shore Acres State Park on the Oregon coast.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
December 10, 2009
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Holiday Meals – Celebrate the holidays with friends and a roast beef holiday meal on December 16. A
luncheon will be served at Campbell Community Center at 11:30 a.m. A roast beef dinner will be served
at Petersen Barn Community Center.
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City Holiday Lights Tour and Dessert –Tour the local holiday light displays from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.,
December 21, and then top off the evening with holiday treats served at Campbell Community Center.
For more information, contact Kathy Madison at 682-6342.
Celebrating the Holidays Downtown
The City of Eugene and Downtown Eugene Inc. (DEI) are bundling up seasonal events downtown and wrapping
them in one big, festive package.
During December, many theaters, venues and galleries are hosting winter holiday-themed
movies, events and performances. With live performances at the Hult Center, The Shedd and
Actors Cabaret, movies at the David Minor Theater, gallery receptions at DIVA, and high
school carolers, just to name a few, there is no shortage of things to do, see or hear downtown
this holiday season. See the schedule of events at http://tiny.cc/holiday418.
To make it easier to visit downtown during the holiday rush, the City of Eugene is offering
FREE parking downtown, now through New Year’s Day. A total of 94 parking spaces will be
clearly marked to indicate that parking is free for 90 minutes between the hours of 7:00 a.m.
and 6:00 p.m. The holiday free-parking program expands current free-parking options
downtown. Free parking is always available on the weekends and for the first hour on
weekdays in the City’s downtown parking garages, except during signed events. For more
information, contact Parking Services Manager Jeff Petry at 682-5079 or
jeff.t.petry@ci.eugene.or.us.
Fire Officials Issue Winter Warning
With low temperatures dipping into the teens, and in the wake of several recent local fires with electrical causes,
Eugene Fire officials are reminding residents to use extra caution when providing power to, and using, electrical
appliances and fixtures. Just this week, the Fire & EMS Department was called to suppress a home fire caused by
overheating something in a microwave oven, and another caused by a short in the wiring to a hot tub. Last month,
overloaded electrical circuits were suspected in at least two other fires. In its public information outreach for the
rest of the winter, the department will be making electrical safety a priority, especially with regard to the use of
extension cords and seasonal lighting, but also with respect to year-round routines. Proper use and handling of
space heaters and candles – two of the traditional leading causes of wintertime fires – are also being addressed.
As always, Fire Prevention officials are available to speak with individuals or groups about these and other fire
safety topics. For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Glen Potter at 682-7118.
Eugene Telecommunications Project Recognized in State Award
At the December 10, 2009, Governor’s meeting of the Oregon Film and Video Office, an Appreciation Award was
presented to Telecommunications Program Manager Pam Berrian, Kudos were given to the City for its three-year
telecommunications demonstration project that funded the rental or purchase of telecommunication equipment for
Eugene-sited film crews. Eugene has a history of supporting the economic development benefits of attracting film
crews to the City.
Eugene’s telecommunications technology projects are funded by a telecommunications business privilege tax
adopted in 1997. A list of all funded projects is at www.eugene-or.gov/telecom.
Other Eugene telecommunications projects have been recognized. The Oregon Chapter of the American Public
Works Association awarded the Julian Prize for Innovation to Eugene for a wireless solution that monitors the soil’s
humidity levels in all Eugene parks. Sprinklers are turned on until the optimum humidity is reached and then shut
off, resulting in elimination of staff work and water usage/costs. Eugene has been recognized nationally for its
broadband development efforts and an Oregon Connections Award was given in 2008 for the telecommunications
projects program.
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December 10, 2009
Pam has served the City since 1990. The technology, regulatory, and legislative environment in this arena is
challenging and the City is pleased that its efforts are recognized in this important way. For further information,
please contact Information Services Director Randy Kolb at 682-5070.
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December 10, 2009