HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/09/13 - City Council Newsletter
City of Eugene
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Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 (FAX)
www.eugene-or.gov
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
May 9, 2013
IN THIS EDITION
HARLOW NEIGHBORS SNAP INTO SERVICE
REPAIR WORK STARTS ON FIFTH AVENUE, BLAIR BOULEVARD AND VAN BUREN STREET
KIDCITY YOUTH GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
EUGENE PUBLIC LIBRARY TEEN SERVICES LIBRARIAN WINS STATEWIDE AWARD
PLAY IT COOL THIS SUMMER
2013 EUGENE SUNDAY STREETS EVENTS PREVIEWED AT NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS
CITY KICKS OFF SUMMER WITH BREAKFAST AT THE BRIDGES
PUBLIC WORKS DAY SET FOR MAY 16 AT ROOSEVELT YARD
SOROMUNDI, LESBIAN CHORUS OF EUGENE, COMES HOME TO SORENG THEATER
AROUND THE CITY
Harlow Neighbors SNAP into Service
This winter/spring, Harlow Neighbors completed their Strategic
Neighborhood Assessment and Planning (SNAP) plan. The plan is unique
to neighborhood associations in that it incorporates a strong service
component into the fabric of the organization. In fact, Harlow Neighbor’s
Feed Hope, a collaborative service project that feeds children and families
in need, was solidified by its SNAP, and has won the group a finalist
position for the annual, national Neighborhood of the Year award given by
Neighborhoods USA (NUSA)!
Harlow Neighbors’ SNAP focused on connecting with different demographic groups who
live in the neighborhood and creating an organizational structure that was flexible
enough to engage a variety of people and a variety of neighborhood interests. The
neighborhood worked with the University of Oregon, 4J Schools, affordable housing
providers, the faith community, businesses, non-profits including Food For Lane County,
and the Willakenzie Grange, to develop ways to reach out to lower-income neighbors,
university students, renters and affordable-housing residents, as well as the general
population. The service focus and flexible organizational structure, and the materials and
tools created to support Harlow, can serve as a model or provide resources for other
neighborhood groups.
The Harlow SNAP can be found at http://www.eugene-or.gov/index.aspx?nid=233. For
more information, contact Lorna Flormoe, Neighborhood Services, at 541-682-5670 or
lorna.r.flormoe@ci.eugene.or.us .
Repair Work Starts on Fifth Avenue, Blair Boulevard and Van Buren Street
Work is scheduled to begin this week on a $3.5 million project to repair badly deteriorated portions of Fifth Avenue, Blair
Boulevard and Van Buren Street in Eugene’s north downtown and Whiteaker areas. Utilities have been at work in the area
for several months, fixing underground services prior to the start of the City’s street reconstruction project. The initial
work by the City’s contractor, Wildish Construction, will focus on curb and sidewalk repairs including the installation of
dozens of pedestrian access ramps. The work should not have a significant effect on vehicle traffic, but bike lanes will be
closed and parking spaces will be unavailable near active work zones.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1
May 9, 2013
The major traffic impacts will begin in mid-June, when the contractor starts removing the badly deteriorated road and
rebuilding a new road in its place. This will result in extended full closures of several blocks at a time on Fifth Avenue and
Blair Boulevard.
The City of Eugene has worked with neighborhood groups and local businesses on a project phasing plan. The scheduling
plan and other project materials are available online at www.eugene-or.gov/FifthBlair. Weekly construction updates will
be provided at www.keepusmoving.info.
Access to residences and local businesses will be maintained to the maximum extent possible. While delays and detours
are inevitable on a project of this magnitude (more than a mile of roadway is being reconstructed), residents are
encouraged to continue shopping and supporting local businesses in the area.
When the project is completed later this fall, travel will be greatly improved for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. The
primary source of funding for the project is the 2008 voter-approved bond measure to fix streets. Other sources of funding
include approximately $180,000 from the City’s Community Block Grant program and funds from local stormwater and
wastewater funds for underground pipe repairs.
For more information, contact John Bonham, project manager, at 541-682-5300.
KidCity Youth Give Back to the Community
Youth in Recreation’s KidCity program will hold a “Carnival for a Cure” on Friday, May 17, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Sheldon
Community Center. The school-age children selected Relay for Life as their community service project this year. The
carnival is the first of two events they will hold to raise funds for cancer research.
The family-oriented carnival will include free food, 10¢ carnival games, shaved ice and other
opportunities to give to a worthy cause, such as a 10-minute massage for adults. Other fun,
free activities include swimming at Sheldon Pool and music. The event is drop-in: no
registration required.
On June 7, the KidCity youth, who call their team, “Crayon Chaos,” will hold a donation-only car
wash from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., at Sheldon Center. For more information, contact Kim McManus at
541-682-5312.
Eugene Public Library Teen Services Librarian Wins Statewide Award
At the Oregon Library Association conference in April, Traci Glass of the Eugene Public Library was honored with the 2013
OYEA!, (You’re Excellent Award)recognizing her “positive and significant contribution to teens in libraries in the state of
Oregon.”
Glass has served as Teen Services Librarian at the Eugene Public Library since 2006. In
addition to her work managing the Library’s Young Adult collection and connecting
individual teens with books to match their interests and skills, Glass coordinates events for
teens. These include ongoing programs such as the volunteer Teen Team and monthly Teen
Book Group, as well as special events ranging from talks by nationally best-selling authors of
young adult literature to a Harry-Potter-themed rock concert.
Glass also presents at conferences and writes about her field as a contributor to the Register-
Guard, School Library Journal, Graphic Novel Reporter, and USA Today’s pop culture blog,
Pop Candy.
Teen library patrons, as well as colleagues, wrote letters in support of Glass’ nomination.
Morgan Vauk credits Glass for “opening so many doors in my life,” from participating in Teen
Book Group to volunteering at the Library to serving as youth representative on the City of Eugene Library Advisory Board.
Vauk says, “She has also helped me aspire to new heights in my academics, encouraging me to aim high and far.”
The OYEA! honor is given annually by the Oregon Young Adult Network (OYAN). For more information, contact the Eugene
Public Library at 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
May 9, 2013
Play It Cool this Summer
Everyone loves spending time outside during the long summer days. However, when the
temperatures rise, so do the risks of heat-related emergencies. Heat-related illnesses can be
serious and life-threatening. Following are tips to help beat the heat:
Drink plenty of WATER!
Avoid physical activity during the hottest part of the day (between 10 a.m. and 2
p.m.).
Wear sunglasses, sunscreen and a wide brimmed, vented hat.
Rest often in shady areas or in an air-conditioned space.
Seek medical attention if experiencing red, hot, dry skin (no sweating), dizziness,
nausea and/or confusion.
Also, don’t forget about our furry friends! Animals can suffer from heat-related emergencies,
too. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water, access to shade (or air-conditioned space),
be mindful of hot asphalt and NEVER leave an animal in a vehicle. Temperatures inside a
vehicle can rise to dangerous levels in a matter of minutes.
For more information, please contact Amy Linder at 541-682-8428.
2013 Eugene Sunday Streets Events Previewed at Neighborhood Meetings
Eugene residents can get a preview of two new Sunday Streets events – one to be held July 21 in downtown Eugene and the
other on Sept. 8 in the Bethel area – at neighborhood meetings next week.
City staff will present information about the downtown event and seek input from community members at the Jefferson
Westside Neighbors general meeting on Tuesday, May 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive
Street. Staff will present information and gather input about the Bethel event at the Active Bethel Citizens general meeting
on Wednesday, May 15, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Clear Lake School, 4646 Barger Drive.
Eugene Sunday Streets promotes healthy, active living by opening the city’s largest public space – its streets – for people to
walk, bike, and roll to discover active transportation in a safe, car-free environment. The approximately three-mile loop of
traffic-free streets will showcase each neighborhood. Monroe Park and Kesey Square will feature activity centers during
the downtown event and Petersen Barn and Gilbert Park will feature activity centers during the Bethel event. Each activity
center will provide games, live music, and other entertainment for people of all ages. The events are free and open to the
public.
More than 200 volunteers are needed for each event to make them safe and fun for everyone. To volunteer or learn more
about Eugene Sunday Streets, please go to www.eugenesundaystreets.org. For more information, contact Emma Newman
at sundaystreets@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-501-0356.
City Kicks Off Summer with Breakfast at the Bridges
A special celebration on Tuesday, May 14, will kick off a summer-long series of “Breakfast at the Bridges” events on the last
Friday of every month through October.
The May 14 event is from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. next to the Eugene
Water & Electric Board Plaza near the DeFazio Bike Bridge on the
Bascom Riverbank Trail. Bike and walking commuters will be
treated to a free breakfast of bagels and coffee, free bike bells, free
bike safety checks provided by Arriving by Bike, and bike resources
from the City of Eugene.
The kickoff event coincides with the Business Commute Challenge,
a fun and friendly week-long competition where local employers
and work-place teams join forces to turn the daily commute into a
transportation adventure to think outside the car. See
www.commutechallenge.org for more information.
The first regular Breakfast at the Bridges event is May 31, at 24 Avenue and Amazon Path. The complete schedule of
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events includes the following dates and locations:
May 31 – 24 Avenue and Amazon Path, sponsored by Arriving by Bike
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EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
May 9, 2013
June 28 – Greenway Bridge, sponsored by Arriving by Bike
July 26 – DeFazio Bridge, sponsored by Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life
Aug. 30 – Fern Ridge Path
Sept. 27 – Delta Ponds Bridge
Oct. 25 – Frohnmayer Bridge, sponsored by Blue Heron
Breakfast at the Bridges is designed for path users and commuters to grab a quick bite to eat and a cup of coffee, meet City
staff, learn more about transportation in Eugene, and get a bicycle safety check. This signature summer event series
celebrates the outdoors and encourages active transportation – especially walking and bicycling – to meet larger City goals,
including healthy living, sustainability and a vibrant business community. Breakfast at the Bridges features local advocacy
organizations and local businesses who actively work toward these City goals. For more information, contact
Transportation Options Coordinator Lindsay Selser at 541-682-5094.
Public Works Day Set for May 16 at Roosevelt Yard
The 26 annual celebration of Public Works Day is scheduled for
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Thursday, May 16, at the Roosevelt Yard, 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard.
More than 1,300 schoolchildren and nearly 350 adults are signed up for
the event, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All 300 students at
River Road Elementary will be attending, and Mayor Kitty Piercy is one of
more than 50 tour guides who will help students and teachers navigate
the many displays and answer questions about the variety of services provided by Public Works.
The event is free and open to the public. City Councilors and members of boards and commissions are encouraged to stop
by and learn more about Public Works. Because the Public Works yard will be wall-to-wall kids from mid- to late-morning,
an early afternoon visit might be more relaxing and offer more opportunities to visit with staff. For more information, go to
www.eugene-or.gov/pwday, or contact event manager Kim Mast at 541-682-5548.
Soromundi, Lesbian Chorus of Eugene, Comes Home to Soreng Theater
Four giggling teens sit fidgeting in the front row of the Kilworth Memorial Chapel while 70 women on stage file past a drum
kit and electric bass. The audience starts to applaud and continues until the very last choir member is on stage. One of the
teens looks at her program, counts the songs and
whispers to the boy next to her, “After the fifth song!”
It’s a Friday night in Tacoma, and Soromundi, Lesbian
Chorus of Eugene, is on the road, bringing songs and
stories to northwest cities in support of LGBTQ youth.
Soromundi’s Be the Change tour started with a warm-
up concert at Lane Community College in February and
will officially end at the Hult Center’s Soreng Theater
on Saturday, May 18. Soromundi was started in 1989 in
Cultural Services Manager Karm Hagedorn’s living
room. Since then, the choir has grown to over 100
members, including City staffers Anne Donohue and
Amber Dennis.
“There is a growing understanding nationwide that
LGBTQ youth are socially marginalized and in need of support and visibility. All youth are at risk of being bullied or
harassed, but LGBTQ students face particularly hostile environments,” says Soromundi President Amber Smith. She notes
that suicide rates continue to be high in these at-risk groups. “We want to show up for these kids,” says Smith. “The tour is
designed to create connections, increase community education, and build community support for diversity.”
To prepare for the show, choir members gathered into groups by age and talked about what it was like when they were
younger, how things are different now and what it means to “be the change” in the world. Youth groups in tour-stop cities
Eugene, Portland, Tacoma and Seattle followed the same process. The experiences of all the participants were then
combined to create stories read by choir members, which are woven between the songs throughout the concert. If there
are youth volunteers brave enough to read, as there are in Tacoma, they will anxiously await their turn to head for the
stage and pick a story.
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May 9, 2013
As the choir finishes the final notes of the fifth song, one of the girls in the front row walks the stairs to the stage, opens a
book and reads at the microphone. “When my best friend came out to her dad in senior year. . .” Her hands are shaking but
she’s not alone - there are 70 women who stand behind her.
Soromundi’s third CD, Love Rescue Me, was released last year. Tickets for Soromundi's Be the Change concert, on Saturday,
May 17 at the Hult Center are available at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?pid=7457357. For more
information, please contact Libby Tower at 541-682-8380.
EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5
May 9, 2013