HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/11 - City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
February 3, 2011
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
THOUSANDS CELEBRATE COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
ALL-INCLUSIVE SNOWBOARDING LESSONS OFFERED FOR TEENS
ENJOY BRIAN DOYLE’S “IRISH BLARNEY” AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
AROUND THE CITY
Thousands Celebrate Community Champions
Thousands of people flocked to the streets and downtown Park Blocks on Saturday, Jan. 22, to celebrate the
University of Oregon (UO) and community champions. Enthusiastic supporters were lined up two- or three-deep
th
along the parade route on 13 Avenue and Oak Street to show their appreciation for the “Ducks” football team and a
broad selection of university and community programs.
About half of the 49 parade entries
represented a full range of the UO’s
academic, cultural and athletic programs.
The other half was selected to represent a
wide variety of community champions,
including school marching bands,
veterans, youth sports programs, and
much more. The City had three parade
entries, including one titled “City of Eugene
– Proudly Serving Our Community of
Champions,” which included the Mayor,
City Councilors and executive managers,
followed by staff representing many of the
City’s best-loved, award-winning services.
A crowd estimated at several thousand
people filled the Park Blocks to enjoy
performances by the award-winning UO
Gospel Singers, local singing group
4ToFly, and the UO’s On the Rocks a cappella group. Brief remarks by Mayor Kitty Piercy, UO President Richard
Lariviere, and Athletic Director Rob Mullens, preceded the final guests - UO football coach Chip Kelly and the
football team, with the Ducks marching band and cheerleaders.
A unique community-building event, “Celebrating Champions – Honoring Excellence on the Field, in the Classroom,
and in the Community” was successful in meeting several university and City goals. In the short term, it gave the
community an opportunity to greet and congratulate the football team in a fun, yet planned way, without crowds and
significant service impacts at the airport and other public spaces. It gave the university a way to share the spotlight
gained by the success of the football team with other less-publicized, but equally excellent university programs.
Longer term, it addressed several council goals, including bringing positive activities downtown to support
revitalization, making recreation and cultural activities accessible to everyone in the community, and strengthening
the partnership between the City and the university.
Many staff from across the City, as well as at the university, worked hard in a short period of time to make it all
happen. Mayor Piercy said, “This was a wonderfully successful event, crossing many different parts of the
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February 3, 2011
community and all age groups, creating good feelings about our community and all the work we do together.’’ Video
and pictures of the parade are available on the University of Oregon’s website and the City’s website www.eugene-
or.gov/champions and Facebook page, with links on the City’s homepage. For more information, contact Jan
Bohman at 541-682-5587.
All-Inclusive Snowboarding Lessons Offered for Teens
The Outdoor Program is making it as easy as possible for teens to learn how to
snowboard or improve their snowboarding skills by offering all-inclusive, three-day
workshops which provide professional instruction, equipment rental, lift tickets,
transportation, helmets and even clothing. These classes are offered in partnership
with SOS, a values-based snowboard program.
In the Level I class, offered Mar. 13, 20 and 27, students are given an opportunity to
overcome fears and discover new possibilities. In the Level II class, offered Feb. 13,
27, and Mar. 6, students will take their riding to the next level by experiencing
achievable challenges in a supportive environment.
For more information, call Colette Ramirez-Maddock at 541-682-5369.
Enjoy Brian Doyle’s “Irish Blarney” at Eugene Public Library
“Readings should be fun!” exclaims acclaimed Portland writer Brian Doyle. Join him for a hilarious evening of
storytelling and “Irish blarney” on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 5:30 p.m., at the Downtown Eugene Public Library. The
program is part of the Windfall Reading Series, with admission and refreshments free-of-
charge.
Doyle won the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature in 2008, and is
the editor of Portland Magazine. His work has been widely published, including in the
anthologies “Best American Essays,” “Best Science and Nature Writing,” and “Best
Spiritual Writing.” His most recent novel is “Mink River.”
Four of his 10 books of essays, “proems,” and nonfiction have been finalists for the Oregon
Book Award. Perhaps the most popular is “The Grail,” which documents the winemaking
process in an entertaining mix of fact and opinion.
The Windfall Reading Series is co-sponsored by the Eugene Public Library, Lane Literary
Guild, Friends of the Library, the Eugene Public Library Foundation, and the Lane Arts
Council, with support from the City of Eugene Cultural Services Division. For more
information, contact the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
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February 3, 2011