HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/18/13 - City Council Newsletter
City of Eugene
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thnd
Eugene, Oregon 97401
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(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
April 18, 2013
IN THIS EDITION
EUGENE CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY
CLIMATE FOR CHANGE IS FOCUS OF EARTH DAY EVENT THIS SATURDAY
NEW RECREATION GUIDE IS THE KEY TO A GREAT SUMMER
NEWSLETTER INCLUDES PESTICIDE CHALLENGES FOR RIVERS, KIDS AND PETS
DÍA DE LOS NIÑOS / DÍA DE LOS LIBROS AT EUGENE AND SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARIES
EUGENE SAFETY TOWN TEACHES KIDS ACCIDENT PREVENTION
AROUND THE CITY
Eugene Celebrates Arbor Day
Last Friday, five Cascade Middle School “Cougars” and their principal, Dana Miller, planted 11 trees at Petersen Park. They
were assisted by Mayor Kitty Piercy, Councilor Claire Syrett, Active Bethel Citizens (ABC) neighborhood association
volunteers, Petersen Barn and Park staff, City of Eugene Urban
Forestry staff, and Friends of Trees and Eugene Park Stewards
staff and volunteers. Two high-school students, Doran Small and
Alondra Duran, Bethel Teen Court volunteers, described their
work and also told the crowd of 25 about how important shade is
to the youth in the Fun for All program held each summer at the
park.
Aleta Miller, ABC chair, told a profound story about “The Sacred
Tree,” an account of native peoples’ understanding of the
importance of trees and the benefits they provide. Mayor Piercy
told the Cougars that they were giving a gift to the people of
Eugene with their work in planting climate-adaptable trees.
Native trees were planted that are well-suited to the dry
summers here. Other trees planted were California black oak and
blue oak which may better withstand the warmer, drier summers
Cascade Cougars plant their living gift to future generations.
and wet winters predicted here.
Mayor Piercy accepted Eugene’s 34 consecutive Tree City USA award from Link Smith, district forester for the Oregon
th
Department of Forestry. Throughout Arbor Week, local volunteers also planted several trees in Milton Park, giant sequoias
and ponderosa pines in Willakenzie Park, and street trees in the West University Neighborhood as part of the University of
Oregon’s Day of Service.
Since 1872, Arbor Day has been celebrated as America's national tree holiday, a day set aside to plant trees, educate
children about the importance of trees and honor the role trees play in the lives of people in communities across the
country. For more information about the event, contact City of Eugene Urban Forester Mark Snyder at 541-682-4819 or
mark.r.snyder@ci.eugene.or.us
Climate for Change is Focus of Earth Day Event this Saturday
This year’s Earth Day event at Eugene Water & Electric Board’s River Edge Plaza will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Saturday, April 20. The event will feature more than 60 educational activity booths, music on the main stage, children’s
activities, environmental films, presentations from several local speakers, demonstrations by grades 3 -12 green schools,
Greenpower grant awards, and more. Mayor Kitty Piercy and Senator Ron Wyden will be the opening speakers at 11:10
a.m.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
April 18, 2013
The event is a collaboration of many local agencies and businesses and the Earth Day Planning Committee. The City of
Eugene stormwater program and green building and waste prevention programs will share an educational booth and
provide information about green options available through their programs.
For additional information about the stormwater program, contact Public Education Specialist Kathy Eva at 541-682-2739
or Kathy.a.eva@ci.eugene.or.us or visit www.happyrivers.org. For more information about the Earth Day event, visit
www.earthdayoregon.com.
New Recreation Guide is the Key to a Great Summer
There are some great summer memories ripe for the making in the City of Eugene’s new Summer Recreation Guide.
Whether seeking family fun, a new challenge, or just to learn something new, the Summer Guide has plenty of great
activities for everyone.
The summer guide has new features, too: adult activities are listed by community center, the
list of facilities and “How to Register” information is in English and Spanish, and water fitness
classes have been moved to the Aquatics section.
The cover of the summer guide features a smiling dad and son having fun kayaking on the
Willamette River. The book includes City of Eugene Recreation activities presented from May
through August 2013. Check it out online or pick up a paper copy at any City community
center, pool, or library, as well as many other City offices and other public locations around
town.
The 96-page guide lists classes from performing and visual arts to kayaking and swimming,
and from how to use an iPad to folk dancing. There are special summer events, such as We are
Bethel Celebration, “Summer in the City” movies, music and downtown events, the Summer
Kick-Off at Amazon Pool, speed dating for seniors, and the Campbell Neighborhood Ice Cream
Social.
The guide also lists more than 100 summer camps for children ages two-and-a-half to 18, a weeklong day camp for adults
ages 50 and older, and Summer Quest camp for individuals ages 12 -21 with developmental disabilities. Other activities
listed in the guide are summer adult sports leagues, all-comers track meets, lap swims, presentations on Medicare,
veteran’s health benefits, and many other topics, and trips, tours and excursions for adults.
Some 12,000 residents decided against receiving a paper guide and instead will get an email notice when a new virtual
Recreation Guide is posted to the Recreation website. Paper copies are mailed to more than 8,000 residents who have
requested to be on the mailing list. Another 8,000 guides are available for pickup in public places around town. For more
information, contact Kathy Madison at 541-682-6342.
Newsletter Includes Pesticide Challenges for Rivers,
Kids and Pets
Although specialized chemicals such as pesticides are designed to
kill or damage insects, plants, molds and rodents, they come in
contact with more than their intended targets. The spring issue of
Stormwater Connections explores the impact that pesticides have
on vulnerable members of the population - children and pets. A
second article points out the importance of pesticide labels for
effective, safe and legal use of these products.
Other informative topics include highlights about a sustainable
landscape program for homeowners interested in using earth-
friendly yard care. Readers who are curious about protecting their
gardens naturally can learn more about pest control squads. The
photo gallery features a few of the superstar beneficial bugs.
Planning a fundraising car wash? Groups interested in hosting a
fish-friendly car wash can borrow a free car kit to keep soap suds
Volunteers work in Ferndale Park.
out of storm drains and rivers. Interested in volunteering in one of
the parks or local waterways? Read about a few of the current projects and how to get involved.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
April 18, 2013
The focus of the Stormwater Connections newsletter is educating and informing community members about stormwater
pollution and ways to protect the local waterways. Articles in Stormwater Connections typically address seasonal or current
issues and include one page of interest for younger citizens.
Copies of the newsletter are now available electronically at www.eugene-or.gov/happyrivers. Eugene residents can also
expect to receive the newsletter via mail next week. For more information or additional copies of the newsletter, contact
Kathy Eva, public information specialist for the Stormwater Management Program, at 541-682-2739 or
Kathy.a.eva@ci.eugene.or.us.
Día de los Niños / Día de los Libros at Eugene and Springfield Public Libraries
Children and families are invited to celebrate Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros from 1 - 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at the
Springfield Public Library, and on Sunday, April 28, 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Downtown Eugene Public Library. Admission is
free.
Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) is an international holiday celebrating “many children, many
cultures, many books.” The family festival at Eugene and Springfield public libraries includes storytelling, live music and
dance, and creative activities, plus free books for kids to take home.
The City of Eugene, City of Springfield, and State of Oregon issued official proclamations in
honor of Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros 2013, emphasizing the importance of literacy in
building a positive future for children and communities.
At the Springfield Public Library on Saturday, April 27, there will be free events including a
welcome by Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg, bilingual storytelling by Carmen “T”
Bernier-Grand (pictured at left), an award-winning children’s book author, storyteller, and
educator; music and dance by Taller de Son Jarocho Eugene; folklórico dance by Alma de
México; and Bhangra Dance with Sat Pavan Kaur Khalsa.
Festivities at the Downtown Eugene Public Library on April 28, between 2:30 and 5:00 p.m.,
include free events including a welcome by Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, bilingual storytelling by
Bernier-Grand, Niños de Bethel Ballet Folklórico, and music by Samuel Becerra and Tito Amaya.
Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros is co-sponsored by the Eugene Public Library, Springfield Public Library, Community
Health Centers of Lane County, Food For Lane County, Springfield Public Schools, Bethel School District, Eugene School
District 4J, Downtown Languages, SELCO, and United Way of Lane County.
For more information, please contact the Eugene Public Library at 541-682-5450 (press 5 for Spanish) or go to
www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Eugene Safety Town Teaches Kids Accident
Prevention
Eugene Police will hold Safety Town, a popular, two-week
accident and safety program for children entering
kindergarten, from July 15 – 26, at either, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.,
or 12:30 – 3:00 p.m., at Eugene Christian School, 2895 Chad
Drive (across from Costco). This year, the program has new
mats courtesy of AAA of Oregon.
The comprehensive educational program introduces pre-
school children to safety awareness. It teaches children who
will be entering kindergarten in the fall some basic safety
awareness and accident prevention through hands-on
learning activities.
The life-saving lessons covering topics such as pedestrian,
bicycle, school bus, poison, basic fire, gun, home and water safety are presented in age-appropriate fashions through
instruction, song and hands-on activities. Safety Town students will have an opportunity to explore a police car, police
motorcycle, fire truck and school bus, and will receive a T-shirt for participation in the program.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
April 18, 2013
Camper registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline is June 24. The camp fills
up quickly, so sign up soon at www.eugene-or.gov/safetytown.
Safety Town also offers a unique volunteer opportunity for area teens, 13-19 years of age. The teen volunteers are used as
camp “counselors.” Not only do they have the opportunity to help the pre-kindergarten campers learn important safety
lessons, but they get to learn leadership, team-building and job skills. Teens will be required to pass an interview and
background check. They are not required to be City of Eugene residents. Teen volunteer applications are due by June 1.
Register at www.eugene-or.gov/safetytown.
Safety Town is not possible without generous donations/sponsorships by area businesses and residents. There are a
variety of ways to help make this great program happen. For more information, please contact Sergeant Lisa Barrong at
541-682-8248 or lisa.r.barrong@ci.eugene.or.us.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4
April 18, 2013