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Home My WebLink About12/23/09 - City Council Newsletter EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER December 23, 2009 Special Two-Week Edition 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 DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION OPEN HOUSES IN JANUARY WINTER BREAK AND NEW YEAR’S FUN AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY FIRST TIMERS INVITED TO “TRY SNOWSHOEING” REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF PACKAGING AND PRODUCTS CLIMATE & ENERGY ACTION PLAN PUBLIC FORUM: CONSUMPTION AND WASTE AROUND THE CITY Downtown Revitalization Open Houses in January The City Council’s December 14 work session focused on eight potential downtown projects to help boost the local economy and foster a vibrant downtown. Two open house events in the first week of January will share information on those projects and collect feedback from the public. The events will be held: Wednesday, January 6 Noon to 2:00 p.m. th 5 Street Market 296 East 5th Avenue Thursday, January 7 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts (DIVA), 110 West Broadway The open house will include a “virtual” walking tour of potential project sites and information stations where participants can learn more about the project details, job creation, costs, and timing. The eight projects include: ? Lane Community College’s Downtown Center ? Veterans’ Affairs Clinic ? Downtown Safety Improvements ? Business Assistance and Housing ? Arts & Entertainment District ? Beam Development ? Green Infrastructure ? Downtown Parking Improvements In addition to the open houses, the www.vibranteugene.org website has project descriptions and opportunities to provide feedback through online surveys and an online community discussion board. The City Council will discuss the downtown revitalization projects in mid-January. For more information, contact Laura Hammond at Laura.A.Hammond@ci.eugene.or.us or 682-6021. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 January 8, 2010 Winter Break and New Year’s Fun at Eugene Public Library During winter break, the irresistible force of the Mad Science Magnetism Discovery Station will pull kids into Eugene Public Library’s neighborhood branches. Drop in on Tuesday, December 29, between 11:00 a.m. and noon at the Bethel Branch, or between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. at the Sheldon Branch, to experiment with levitating tops and magnetic liquid, build Mighty Magnets, and more. The fun will continue at Mad Science: Fire & Ice!, a high-energy show for kids filled with dazzling demonstrations at the Downtown Library on Wednesday, December 30, at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-8316. For adults, the Downtown Library will start the new year with a new idea, hosting free one-time “try it” sessions of popular City of Eugene Recreation classes. The classes will be geared to beginners; no experience needed. Mixed Media Painting will meet on Monday, January 4, at 10:00 a.m. Restorative Yoga for Health is set for Tuesday, January 5, at noon. On Friday, January 8, at 10:00 a.m., catch an introduction to Qigong, or try Tai Chi at 11:00 a.m. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required: call 541-682-5521. For information about the “try for free classes,” call Diane Sconce at 541-682-5521. First Timers Invited to “Try Snowshoeing” As pictured on the current cover of the Recreation Guide, snowshoeing is the “hot” winter sport and the Adult and Senior Program is offering a daytrip on January 11 for those who want to try it out. The trip is designed to help participants discover this fun and easy sport. The cost is just $30 and includes transportation from Campbell Center. This activity is one of the many ways the program fulfills the diverse facets of its mission, including: promote and maintain health and well- being, enhance quality of life, and assist individuals in remaining active, productive and independent. Those interested in the Try Snowshoeing excursion should come to the free, All about Snowshoeing class from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., on January 5, at the Campbell Center. Attendees will learn what clothes and equipment they will need. For more information about the snowshoeing excursion or other Adult and Senior activities, contact Yvaughn Tompkins at 541-682-6315. Reducing Environmental Impacts of Packaging and Products David Allaway, a senior policy analyst for the Department of Environmental Quality, will share several case studies and resources to illustrate how businesses can save money and reduce environmental impacts through waste prevention at a presentation on Wednesday, January 6, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. While recycling is an important component of managing waste, David’s presentation will demonstrate the importance of focusing more on “reducing and reusing.” This workshop sponsored by Lane County Waste Management, Master Recyclers, and the City of Eugene Sustainability Program, will present ideas for businesses and others interested in cost-effective ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle packaging. The event is free, open to the public and will be held in the Bascom-Tykeson Room on the first floor of the Eugene Public Library. Climate & Energy Action Plan Public Forum: Consumption and Waste The fourth public forum for Eugene’s Community Climate and Energy Action Plan will be held Wednesday, th January 6, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the Eugene Water & Electric Board’s community meeting room at 500 East 4 Avenue. The forum, focusing on Consumption and Waste, will begin with an introduction by David Allaway from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Mr. Allaway will share research results that draw somewhat surprising conclusions about the connection between climate change, waste, and consumer habits. For more information about this forum or Eugene’s Climate and Energy Action Plan, contact Matt McRae at 682-5864 or visit the project website at www.sustaineugene.com/eugeneclimate. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 January 8, 2010 EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 January 8, 2010