HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/12 - City Council Newsletter
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
March 1, 2012
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 EDITION
METRO FIRE DEPARTMENTS GET NEW EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT
AUTHOR CHRIS CRUTCHER TO SPEAK AT EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY
COOKING CLASSES FOR YOUNG AND OLD
INTEREST REMAINS HIGH IN PROPOSED JEPPESEN ACRES ROAD PROJECT
AROUND THE CITY
Metro Fire Departments Get New Extrication Equipment
Eugene Fire & EMS and Springfield Fire & Life Safety (the metro fire departments) were awarded grant funds totaling
$405,000 from an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to replace all extrication equipment in the Eugene/Springfield
metro area. Earlier this week, the metro fire departments
received the new state-of-the-art extrication equipment. The
new equipment replaces equipment that is more than 20
years old, and will allow crews to cut through the high tensile-
strength steel safety cage that is required on all vehicles. The
new equipment has over four times the cutting strength,
allowing for quick removal of occupants after an accident.
Vehicles built after 2005 have advanced crush-zone
technology, multiple airbags, and boron, steel-reinforced
safety cages, requiring improved tools to free the occupants
of a vehicle after an accident.
Purchase of the new extrication equipment will improve the
metro fire departments’ ability to deliver primary services on a
daily basis, both locally and regionally. This equipment will
also make an immediate improvement to regional
rescue/extrication response capabilities, while protecting the
safety of personnel on-scene.
For more information, contact Deputy Chief of Special Operations Joe Zaludek at 541-682-7103.
Author Chris Crutcher to Speak at Eugene Public Library
The Downtown Eugene Public Library will host a free talk by Chris Crutcher, one of the most popular and critically-
acclaimed writers of realistic, young adult fiction, on Saturday, March 10, at 2 p.m. Crutcheris
also one of the most frequently banned authors in North America - a fact he considers an
accomplishment.
An award-winning author, Crutcher writes novels loved by teens and adults alike. His work is
known for a signature blend of tragedy and comedy. He transforms into fiction the real-life
pain, survival, and recovery he’s seen in decades of work as a family therapist and child
protection advocate. In this informative, funny, and inspirational talk, he will share how he
does it – and why.
Prior to his work as an author, Crutcher taught school in Washington and California, and acted
as director of an Oakland alternative school for nearly a decade. He has worked for more than
25 years as a child and family therapist specializing in abuse and neglect.
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March 1, 2012
Crutcher’s talk is part of The Big Read, a month-long, community-wide celebration of Ray Bradbury’s visionary science
fiction novel Fahrenheit 451. The Eugene Public Library and Springfield Public Library are hosting free events for all
ages inspired by the book’s themes, and Lord Leebrick Theatre Company is presenting the play adapted from the
novel. The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest; local co-
sponsors are the Eugene Public Library, Springfield Public Library, Lord Leebrick Theatre Company, City of Eugene,
UO Duck Store, Friends of Eugene Public Library and Eugene Public Library Foundation.
For a complete calendar of local Big Read events, visit www.eugene-or.gov/library or call the Eugene Public Library at
541-682-5450.
Cooking Classes for Young and Old
Recreation Services is offering two cooking classes in March that are practical and fun. The Youth and Family
Program’s “Cooking on a Dime,” will teach families how to make simple and nutritious meals with ingredients on-hand.
Adults with children aged 12 and older can register for the class. Participants should bring any three food items and
will learn how to turn them into multiple dishes to share and take home. The class will be held from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. on
March 9, at Petersen Barn Community Center.
The Adult Services program is offering, “Treats to Make with the Grandkids” on March 14. Grandparents will learn how
to make easy, healthy treats that kids love such as gummy bears, fruit leathers, healthy snack bars and candy. This
class is taught by representatives of the Oregon State University Extension Program’s Master Food Preservers and
will be held at Campbell Community Center.
For more information, call Kathy Madison at 541-682-6342.
Interest Remains High in Proposed Jeppesen Acres Road Project
A neighborhood meeting on Monday will be the third opportunity for residents on Jeppesen Acres Road to work with
staff on a proposed project to improve a section of road between Gilham Road and Providence Street.
Participation by the neighborhood remains strong, with
more than 35 people attending the first project meeting
on Jan. 10 at the Sheldon Community Center, and two
dozen people showing up last Saturday morning for a
blustery “walk-about” to point out important features
along the 1/3-mile-long neighborhood collector street.
The next project meeting is Monday, March 5, from 6:30
to 8:30 p.m. at Sheldon Community Center.
Assessments and project design will be discussed.
A project web site has been established at www.eugene-
or.gov/jeppesen to provide answers to frequently asked questions and other project information. For more information,
contact project manager Patrick Cox at 541-682-6854 or transportation planner Lindsay Selser at 541-682-5094.
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March 1, 2012