Tag: Oregon

Local Spotlight – Eugene Sunday Streets

Photo Source Eugene-Or.gov

Get ready to hit the pavement! Eugene’s Sunday Streets are back for another day of fitness classes, biking, live music, vendors, food, yoga, dancing, and much more! The event will be taking place on September 25th in the South University neighborhood from Noon to 4PM. Best of all, these community driven events are all free!

Eugene’s Sunday Streets was launched back in 2011 as an initiative to promote healthy active living and car-less transportation. Through the years, it’s grown in popularity and is now expected to attract 4,000+ attendees this year!

Be mindful that Eugene’s Sunday Streets will be closing miles of traffic to accommodate the festivities, so be sure to plan accordingly when you’re getting around!

Photo Source Eugene-Or.govHave that route down? Great! Here are some pictures from previous years’ Sunday Streets to get you ready for the festivities.

Photo Source Eugene-Or.gov

Photo Source Eugene-Or.govSunday Streets

Of course, it can’t be stressed enough that Sunday Streets would not be possible without help of its talented volunteers. Interested in helping out? Register here to join the team!

Sunday Streets is a terrific opportunity to intermingle with your neighbors and the greater community while adopting a couple of healthy lifestyle choices. Let’s make this year’s Sunday Streets its biggest yet! See you on September 25th!

Photo Sources: Eugene-Or.gov

Time To Get Your Culture On

Hult Center for the Performing Arts

Photo Source: Hult Center for the Performing Arts via Facebook

Eugene is a renowned destination for the culture seeker. From the University of Oregon to its beautiful parks and historic architecture, a day spent in Eugene is bound to leave to visitors inspired.

Nowhere is that more true than at these must-visit locations:

Museum of Natural and Cultural History

Breathe in that Pre-Historic Oregonian air! The Museum of Natural and Cultural history is an incomparable look into Oregon’s distant past, a good 300 million years of history in the making.

Witness the saber tooth salmon, the giant sloth, the buzz saw sharks, or head on over to the Glen Starlin Native Plant Courtyard, a research collection of over 120 of Oregon’s native plants.

Oregon Air and Space Museum

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the Oregon Air and Space Museum! Explore its collection of various aircrafts and artifacts chronicling the history of air and space travel. We recommend taking a guided tour to get a first-hand account of aeronautical history from a former aviator as they lead you through the museum.

Be sure to visit during the Oregon Air and Space Museum’s special events, which include air fairs, dinner speakers, fly-ins, and more!

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

Nothing inspires the mind quite as much as a first hand look at the masterworks of some of history’s most influential artists. From photography to sculpture to painting to manuscripts you can find it all at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art also offers various ways to get involved with regularly hosted workshops and events throughout the year.

Hult Center for The Performing Arts

Located in the heart of Downtown Eugene’s art district, the Hult Center for the Performing Arts is a one-stop shop for stage shows and concerts. Fans of the ballet and The Book of Mormon alike will find themselves at home here. After the show, be sure to check out the permanent art collection on display throughout the venue. When we say there’s something for everyone at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, we mean it.

Oregon Contemporary Theatre

Theatre in the truest sense of the word! Behold hilarious comedies, tear-wrenching dramas, and toe-tapping musicals all in a one of Eugene’s top playhouses.

Looking to take some theatre or playwriting classes? The Oregon Contemporary Theatre has you covered. For the bolder among you looking to steal the spotlight, the Oregon Contemporary Theatre hosts annual auditions to join their roster.  They also have a vibrant volunteer program and great opportunities for practicum students and interns.

Cascades Raptor Center

No, not those kind of raptors.

The Cascades Raptor Center houses one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest collections of birds of prey (over 50 species)! Eagles, Hawks, and Owls are just some of the usual suspects you’ll find in the center’s aviaries.

Tending to these beautiful creatures is a lot of work, so if you’re an animal lover looking for a way to become involved and make a difference why not volunteer and lend a hand?

Smith Family Bookstore

For an avid reader there’s a unique thrill in finding a long sought-after book. The Smith Family Bookstore is the ideal hunting ground for anyone desperately searching for that elusive signed copy of Confederacy of Dunces. They even buy and resell course textbooks so be sure to check-in at the start of the term to give your wallet a little breathing room.

With two branches in Eugene (University of Oregon campus and one downtown) you’ll have countless, countless books to choose from.

Eugene Public Library

You may be asking yourself “did they really just suggest the public library?” You’re absolutely right we did. Eugene residents get a free library card granting access to books, TV shows, movies, magazines, audio books, CDs and even video games! Treat yourself to some of the classics without spending a dime or cluttering your bookshelves.

Did you know that with Overdrive or similar apps you can be renting digital books for free just by having a library card? That’s right, you don’t even have to leave the house anymore.

When you’re done soaking in the vast teachings of the past, head on over to Sizzle Pie for a slice. Not a bad way to spend a day.

Five Fabulous Local Parks to Visit this Spring

Hendricks Park
Hendricks Park in Eugene Oregon. Source: wunderground.com

Sure, it may be cold and wet outside now but the blissful days of spring and summer will be here before you know it!  Next time we have a warm sunny day in the weather forecast, we recommend getting outdoors!  These five local parks are an ideal spot to soak up some Vitamin D and enjoy some much needed downtime.

#1 Hendricks Park

With 80 acres of stunning gardens and incredible views, Hendricks Park is a must for any nature lover. It’s the oldest park in Eugene and it’s never quite as noticeable (or incredible) as when you’re walking beneath the branches of 200-year old fir trees.  If you want a real treat make sure to visit in the spring when the flowers are in bloom.

In short, this park is ideal for anyone with an interest in hiking, bird watching, picnicking, or simply looking to relax in nature.

#2 Alton Baker Park

When we say Alton Baker is Eugene’s largest developed park, we mean it. At a whopping 373 acres there’s no shortage of space and facilities to take advantage of. Walking your dog, fishing, BMX, exercise stations, and disc golf are just a few of the options available to you at Alton Baker Park.

#3 Skinner’s Butte Park

If someone were asked to describe Skinner’s Butte in two words, they’d be “Rock Climbing.” The Columns of Skinner’s Butte offer a 50′ high rock wall that climbers can scale.

But don’t be fooled in thinking that’s all Skinner’s Butte has to offer. It’s also a pretty fantastic spot for a picnic or to ride your bike. You can even go ahead and grow your own vegetables in the community garden!

#4 Owen Rose Garden

Though the smallest park on the list at 8.5 acres, the Owen Rose Garden is no less spectacular. Named after George E. Owen who donated the parcels of land, the park has grown from an initial 750 roses to over 400 varieties displayed across 4,500 roses.

Though you can enjoy the sights of the park at your leisure, there is also the possibility of volunteering to lend a hand. The Owen Rose Garden organizes year-round Thursday work sessions where you can help manage these beautiful parks and get on some hands on experience in pruning, planting, and general rose care.

#5 Amazon Park

Though it might be easier to list the things you can’t do at Amazon Park, we’ll try to cover just a few of the activities available in the 99-acre park. There’s tennis courts, soccer fields, a skate-park, baseball diamonds, ball fields, a community garden, picnic tables, recreation centers, bike paths, a dog park, and exercise stations.

Perhaps most important of all, however, is the fact it contains Eugene’s only outdoor pool in its recreation facilities. When Summer comes around you’ll want to keep Amazon Park in mind.

Going Somewhere for Winter Break? Follow These Safety Tips

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Reposted from The Pond & Beyond

The holiday break brings relaxation from the day-to-day demands of college life and for many, an opportunity to leave the area to enjoy time with family and friends. However, students are not the only ones who look forward to this time of year!

Here are some tips to keep your things safe while you’re away.
These simple and effective tips to protect your property can make the difference between coming home relaxed and ready to take on the new challenges of winter term and becoming a statistic for future students to learn from.

BURGLARY PREVENTION

Lock doors and windows
Take valuables like small electronics with you
Cose your blinds and leave a radio or TV and a light on

THEFT FROM VEHICLE PREVENTION

Don’t leave ANYTHING in your vehicle
Lock all doors and windows
Park in well-lit areas

THEFT OF VEHICLE PREVENTION

Use a steering wheel locking device
Use a vehicle security system that disables the ignition

Not Leaving for the Break?
For those who will be in the area for winter break, help protector your neighbor’s stuff by reporting suspicious activity to the Eugene Police non-emergency number at 541-682-5111!

Be sure to click here to download our Winter Break Safety Tips!

photo credit: UC Irvine via photopin cc

Twelve Things to Do for Free (or really Cheap) in Eugene, Oregon

Photo Source: Eugene Saturday Market via Facebook
Photo Source: Eugene Saturday Market via Facebook

One of the biggest challenges of college life is managing your finances. Between college tuition and living expenses, most of you are probably on a tight budget.

Fortunately, you don’t need a lot of money to take advantage of all that Eugene Oregon has to offer; it’s is a vibrant, friendly, community oriented city full of cheap and free things to do!

Though there are probably too many to list, here are twelve recommendations to get your started. With your student ID, many of these activities are either free or discounted.

1. Check out a Zepplin, Beatles, U2, or Pink Floyd Laser show at the Science Factory Children’s Museum & Planetarium (November-December). Click here for info.

2. Find unique treasures at local Saturday morning garage sales (various locations around town) and Eugene Saturday Market: Oak Street and East 8th through mid-November. Saturday Market features hundreds of local crafts artisans, great food, live music, and a fabulous Farmers Market!

3. Take a hike up Spencer Butte.

4. Take in 15,000 years of human history and 200 million years of geology at The U of O Museum of Natural History, the largest natural history museum between Seattle and San Francisco and a center for archaeological and paleontological research in the Pacific Northwest and the wider world.

5. Take a visit to Pre’s Rock, the site where Olympian Steve Prefontaine died at 24 when his convertible crashed into the ledge. Pre’s Rock is now a shrine memorializing the legendary distance runner. Click here for directions and info.

6. Catch a movie at the Bijou Art Cinemas (next to our office) which has provided the finest Foreign, Indie and Classic Films to Eugene for over 30 yrs. David Minor Theater, Eugene’s first & best downtown movie theater/pub, is also a fun place to catch a flick. For super cheap movie tickets, check out Discount Day on Wednesdays at Cinemark Movies 12 in Springfield.

7. Unwind at Alton Baker Park. Run, bike, walk, or roller blade along the riverfront bike path and pedestrian bridge, bring a picnic and your favorite book, and enjoy the relaxing views of the river and ducks.

8. Spend an afternoon at The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA), a premier Pacific Northwest visual arts center for exhibitions and collections of historic and contemporary art. Check out their vast collection of Asian artifacts & Pacific Northwest Art.

9. Go Ice Skating at The Rink Exchange $5 admission with student ID. Located on the Lane County Fairgrounds, be sure to check their calendar or call in advance for Public Skating times.

10. Take in the many free art exhibits available at The Maude Kerns Art Center. Lane Arts Council’s First Friday ArtWalk is also a great way to explore local artists and galleries for FREE (always the first Friday of the month from 5:30-8pm ). Click here for details on the next

11. Pack a picnic lunch and spend a sunny afternoon strolling through the lush forest and world-renowned 12 acre rhododendron garden at Hendrick’s Park on Summit and Skyline Drive.

12. Visit Mount Pisgah Arboretum, featuring a 209 acre living tree museum, riverside trails, open wildflower meadows, fun educational events and more.

For More ideas, visit For more ideas, visit
www.uodos.uoregon.edu
Free and Cheap Things To Do in Eugene Oregon

Did you Know? 12 Interesting Facts about Eugene, Oregon

Eugene

If you are new to the Eugene, Oregon community, you will be happy to know that you are living in what we believe is one of the best places to be on earth!  We should know, the Von Klein family have been members of this community for decades.

University of Oregon DucksOur area is known as one of America’s most livable communities with easy access to arts and culture, numerous parks and gardens, culinary offerings and miles of running and bike trails.

So for all of you new to town, we want to welcome you by sharing some interesting facts you may not know about our “Emerald City”.

Did you know….

1. Eugene recently ranked in the Top 10 on the Livability.com 100 Best Places to Live list,ranked on the Best Places for Business and Careers -Forbes and we ranked 10th on the 2013 Allstate America’s Best Drivers Reportâ„¢ just to name a few…

2. The University of Oregon, founded in 1876, is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast…

3. Eugene is the only U.S. city to host three consecutive U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field (1972, 1976, 1980). It’s also home of the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field. In fact, Historic Hayward Field is one of the most famous track and field-only facilities in the world…..

4. Donald Duck, the mascot for the University of Oregon, is the ONLY sports mascot by Disney….

5. The “Civil War”, the U of O’s annual match up against Oregon State, is the seventh oldest rivalry in college football…

6. Eugene is home to some of our regions best breweries, while downtown Eugene hubs are infused with bottleshops, taphouses and growler fill stations. Well-known breweries include Ninkasi, Rogue and McMenamins…..

7. Eugene is named after its founder, Eugene Franklin Skinner. Until 1889, it was named Eugene City…..

8. Eugene’s slogan is “A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors”. It is also referred to as the “Emerald City”, and as “Track Town, USA”….

9. Springfield, Oregon is the real life inspiration for the Simpson’s hometown….

10. Eugene is the birthplace of Nike….

11. Oregon’s largest sports arena/stadium is the University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium……

12. Eugene is consistently ranked as one of America’s “Most Bicycle Friendly Cities”….

Performing arts centers, galleries, music and cultural festivals, museums, as well as the dynamics of the University of Oregon’s intellectual and athletic inspiration keep the area thriving with vitality.  So, get out there and enjoy all that our community has to offer!

Story Source: www.eugenecascadescoast.org

photo credit: Erik R. Bishoff via photopin cc

photo credit: Don Hankins via photopin cc

Spotlight on Eugene: a.k.a. Track Town USA

 

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It is well known that Eugene is home to the University of Oregon, but if you look closer, the city is also known for its natural beauty, eclectic shops, restaurants, music, festivals, arts, and outdoor recreational opportunities like bicycling, kayaking, and running.

Eugene is often referred to as the “Emerald City” mostly due to our lush green landscape of the Willamette Valley. But perhaps we are best known as “Track Town, USA“, a nickname we take great pride in.

Why are we known as “Track Town, USA”? It could be the miles and miles of running trails or the numerous venues and events focused on track and field and the local running community.

Eugene is the host city for World-Class Track & Field events such as 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and the 2009 and 2011 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials
U.S. Olympic Team Trials

In the summer of 2014, Eugene will be the host city for the IAAF World Junior Championships. Eugene 2014 marks the first time the IAAF World Junior Championships has been held in the United States and the first IAAF event held on U.S. soil since 1992!

Historic Hayward Field is one of the most famous track and field-only facilities in the world. Built in 1919 on the University of Oregon campus, this historic venue has hosted nine NCAA Championships, six national championships, three Olympic Trials, 30 Prefontaine Classics and numerous other prestigious track and field events.

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It was here where Steve Prefontaine captured national attention and University of Oregon Track Coach Bill Bowerman formed a partnership with Phil Knight that launched Nike, the largest sports and fitness company in the world.

Eugene is also home to Oregon Track Club Elite athletes, considered among the nation’s best, all of whom live and train in the Eugene area.

The annual Eugene Marathon Draws more than 5,000 runners from around the nation and beyond, and was recently named one of the “Top 10 Best New Marathons in the U.S.” by Runner’s World magazine.

It’s no wonder we are known as Track Town USA!

Track Town USA photo credit: andrechinn via photopin cc

Archived U of O track photo credit: gbaku via photopin cc

U.S. Olympic Team Trials photo credit: U.S. Army IMCOM via photopin cc