SEN meeting May 11 to feature election, wildfire preparedness
(Agenda) Any couples using the same computer for the meeting can vote by email to the soeast.eug@gmail.com account during the meeting if they want their vote to count. Anyone calling in by phone can do the same if they are able. Topic:…
Board candidates 2021
Southeast Neighbors elects its board of directors at the May general meeting, to be held via Zoom this year on May 11, 2021 at 7 p.m. We will be electing a Chair, a Secretary, and three At-Large board members. Candidates…
Patence: Reduce wildfire fuels near your home and make an evacuation plan
Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is Saturday, May 1, and Lane County residents are encouraged to prepare for wildfire season. “We have seen firsthand the devastation of wildfire in our community,” said Lane County Emergency Manager Patence Winningham. “We know that…
Construction of two new water storage tanks in SE Eugene to begin later this year
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Walk-in vaccination for our Asian, Desi, Pacific Islander community members
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COVID-19 Update for April 21, 2021
Lane County Raised to High Risk Category - Starts April 23, 2021 Read more online: https://mailchi.mp/eugene-or/covid-19-community-update-kub3avmius-4795194?e=bbbbf9987f
InMotion celebrates Earth Week 2021
Read more online: https://mailchi.mp/eugene-or.gov/inmotion_earth_week_edition?e=ea12eb25a4
Dangerous fire conditions here through the weekend
With warm, dry, and breezy conditions Friday and possibly Saturday, there will be an increased risk of fire spread. A temporary outdoor burning ban in Lane County has been issued starting Thursday, April 15, 2021. The National Weather Service issued Red Flag…
Tugman Park volunteer event Saturday April 17, 1-3 pm
Like gardening? Want to help out at our local park? Friends of Tugman / Southeast Neighbors is having a Tugman Park work party on Saturday, April 17th, from 1-3 pm. We’re looking for volunteers to help weed, mulch, and remove…
LTD launches annual survey
It's time again for the annual American Bus Benchmarking Group Customer Survey to provide feedback for LTD. Riders can participate in the short 3-5 minute online survey through May 9. Complete the survey with your name and e-mail address to…
Learn about e-bikes April 22, May 4
“Shift to E-Bikes” is a free online workshop that covers all the basics about electric bicycles. Taking place online using Zoom, there will be two opportunities to attend: April 22 and May 4 from 7 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.Have you been thinking about…
COVID-19 Community Update – April 7, 2021
Lane County’s COVID-19 cases are on the rise, serving as a reminder about the importance of remaining vigilant and taking precautions to limit the spread of the virus in our community. Read online Para español oprima este enlaceThis document was…
EPD warns of latest phone scam
Beware Scammers Pretending to be Publisher's Clearinghouse Please be aware and know what to look for during a phone scam Eugene Police has received some calls from the public about a publisher’s clearinghouse gift card scam. Thankfully, the people who…
City of Eugene Transportation Newsletter April 2021
Transportation NewsEquity Panel ApplicationBike Map SurveyDowntown Housing SurveyTransportation Advisory BoardBicycle Master PlanLTD SurveyTransit Funding InputClimate Rulemaking Feedback April HighlightsBack to School SafetyE-Bike WorkshopHarlow Open StreetsDistracted Driving MonthFree Bikes 4 KidzCity ProjectsArea ProjectsCommunity Calendar Read more: https://mailchi.mp/eugene-or.gov/inmotion_april_2021?e=ea12eb25a4
Help FOOD for Lane County fight hunger in April
Throughout the month of April, FOOD for Lane County is asking Lane County residents to participate in a survey about hunger. FFLC and our partners track the number of people who access food assistance, but these numbers don’t tell the…
Wildfire Wednesday – March 31
From the home to the landscape Wednesday, March 31, 2021 from 12:00-1:00pm Presenters:Kara Baylog, OSU, Forestry Program CoordinatorJohn Rizza, OSU, Eastern Oregon Regional Fire Specialist For more information and to register visit https://extension.oregonstate.edu/fire-program/online-webinar-guide.
Join neighborhood walk audit March 30
Join Better Eugene Springfield Transportation on Tuesday, March 30, at 10:00 a.m. with your questions or observations for the second event in our Safe Streets for All workshop series. We will build on themes from the first event to learn…
City of Eugene COVID-19 Community Update
This document was published March 23, 2021. For the most up to date information on the City’s work related to COVID-19, please visit our website. This update provides information on the latest City activities and links to more information. For…
Free wildfire assessment
Your neighborhood association is collaborating with the Neighborhood Leaders Council's Eugene Wildfire Preparedness Coalition and the Oregon Department of Forestry to identify properties that are in need of tree pruning and invasive plant removal to lower the risk of wildfire…
Community Safety listening sessions scheduled
The Eugene City Council wants to hear from community members about community safety needs as they finalize funding priorities for the Community Safety Payroll Tax. In addition to an online survey (open through March 31), Eugeneans can attend virtual meetings this month to…
City of Eugene COVID-19 Community Update
March 9, 2021. Lane County Lowered to Moderate Risk Category - Begins Friday, March 12 Oregon’s Risk and Protection Framework uses data to help inform safety measures at the county level. Every two weeks, Governor Kate Brown’s office announces the revised risk status of…
EWEB unveils McKenzie fee, describes tank construction
Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) announced a Watershed Recovery Fee, approved by commissioners last week. The flat fee for all residential and commercial customers will fund critical projects such as reforestation in the McKenzie River valley. A typical residential…
2021 marks final year of construction on South Willamette
South Willamette Street is transforming into a vibrant urban corridor accessible by foot, bike, bus, and car. Work resumes this month on South Willamette Street. The South Willamette Street Improvement Plan—to improve function, safety, and pavement condition from 23rd Avenue to 29th Avenue—started construction…
‘Safe Streets for All’ interactive workshop part two 3/9
It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work! AARP Oregon, Better Eugene Springfield Transportation (BEST) and Safe Routes to School welcome you to join our neighborhood safe streets workshop part 2 on March 9, 2021 from 10…
City of Eugene Transportation News March 2021
View the InMotion newsletter for March 2021 online. Transportation NewsStrides for Justice ProgramUO Gold Level Bike StatusStrategies for a Growing EugeneBicycle Master Plan Open HouseBikeLink Bike LockersHouse Bill 395 March HighlightsElectric Vehicle WorkshopLearn to Ride ClinicsLTD Driver AppreciationLTD Rewards PassCity…
Understanding the Oregon recycling bill HB 2065
by Rob Fisette, SEN Board Member, for the Environmental Stewardship Committee If you’re like me, you try to recycle and do your part, but frequently get frustrated that much of the packaging bearing the three chasing arrows recycling symbol is…
City considers renewing franchise agreement with Northwest Natural Gas
by Nan Ahnert, Environmental Stewardship Committee The Northwest Natural Gas (NWNG) franchise agreement is up for renewal by the City of Eugene. There are many moving parts involving the city and NWNG. The City of Eugene and NWNG have a…
Police seek help in tire slashing spree
Call 541.682.5111 With Surveillance Footage and Tips Since February 21, local residents in the 4600 Block of Hillside Drive, W. Amazon and University areas have reported 11 tire slashing incidents, with six additional residents still awaiting contact, for a total…
Creating a fire-safer urban landscape
Environmental Stewardship Committee News, February 2021 by Devon Mann, SEN Board Vice Chair An unfortunate combination of land management practices and climate change have brought the risk of wildfire to our doorsteps. Much of the hills of the Southeast Eugene…
Metro offers sessions on regional transportation plan
The Central Lane Metropolitan Planning Organization (CLMPO) is conducting an online open house to support the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The RTP serves as a blueprint for Central Lane County’s long-term transportation projects and is updated every four years. It guides how…
Learn how Oregon communities are preparing for urban wildfire
The Eugene Wildfire Preparedness Coalition will present the Zoom webinar "Community Engagement for Urban Wildfire Resilience" on Weds. Feb. 24 at 6:00 p.m. Hear latest strategies for neighborhood and community resilience from two Oregon advocates: Katie Gibble, Fire Adapted Communities…
How would you like to travel?
How do you travel to work, school, and to run errands? How would you like to travel? What is challenging about our current transportation system --- our sidewalks, streets and roads, public transit, bike and walking trails? Read more about…
Vaccine preregistration now available from Lane County
Vaccine preregistration is now available for all Lane County Residents! Lane County Public Health has opened up preregistration for vaccination to all members of the public. This preregistration information effort will help populate a centralized database to help vaccinating health…
What’s new with EUG Planning
This month's EUG Planning Newsletter provides updates on: What Are Land Use ApplicationsThe Urban Reserves Adoption PhaseThe Middle Housing ProjectThe River-Road/Santa Clara Neighborhood Plan, andMeet the Interns
Covid-19 Vaccination Information for Oregon & Lane County
Oregon.gov has the following informative website listing the Covid-19 Vaccine who, where, and when as well as other helpful general information and state guidelines. https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov/ Lanecounty.org has the following link with information about how to get vaccinated for Covid-19 in…
‘Lessons of the Wildfire Season’ Feb. 4, 6 p.m.
The Eugene Wildfire Preparedness Coalition is presenting the “Lessons of the Wildfire Season” PowerPoint presentation. Wildfire is the new normal and one of the greatest threats to our rural and urban communities. We need to take the lessons from the…
Blood donors can win a car
Two GREAT reasons to donate blood in February! ONE: We’re at the midway point to the Bloodworks Rev It Up Sweepstakes – no time to take a pit stop! In partnership with Haselwood Auto Group, you may have heard Bloodworks…
Pledge to Prepare in 2021 – EWEB can help
Emergency planning experts advise Oregon residents to prepare to be on their own for a minimum of two weeks following a disaster. That means storing 14 days of water, food, medicine and other supplies. Starting your kit from scratch can…
EWEB: 5 emergency water stations now operational
Just as your household invests in emergency supplies, EWEB is making investments to make sure safe, reliable water continues to flow, especially in the days and weeks following a natural disaster or other emergency. This includes renovating the Hayden Bridge…
Love is a Choice
...Coming together to clean is an example of an attitude of choosing to love the neighborhood. Whether tending your garden or clearing litter on Amazon Creek, neighbors are nurturing community, growing bonds with one another, and a loving attitude makes…
City releases guidelines for urban camping during COVID-19
The City has been working throughout the pandemic to balance the needs of people experiencing homelessness to have a safe place to sleep. The goal has always been to slow the spread of COVID-19, and work inside of guidance of the…
Donate blood and help the community
Bloodworks Northwest provides the blood to 100 percent of the hospitals in Lane County. We need your help making sure they have plenty of blood. Blood donation remains an essential and encouraged activity as Gov. Kate Brown implements new coronavirus…
City of Eugene COVID-19 Community Update
Dec. 2, 2020. As we turn our calendars to December, we’d like to share gratitude for those who modified their Thanksgiving holiday - potentially sacrificing time with loved ones - and helped to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, region and state. We know it’s…
City of Eugene COVID-19 Community Update
Nov. 24, 2020. Thanksgiving is this week, and what would normally be a bustling time of year looks like a slow-motion video. One way you can help our community during this two-week freeze, if you are financially able, is to purchase pick-up orders from our…
City of Eugene COVID-19 Community Update
Nov. 18, 2020 Eugene is once again in a make or break moment. Our COVID-19 cases have been rising steadily for weeks and our hospitals are sounding the alarm. To prevent hospitals from being stretched to capacity, Governor Brown has…
Enduring the pandemic, preventing wildfires, and developing neighborhood evacuation plans
Our world is ever changing and this year has demonstrated that change can occur rapidly and with devastating results. We became aware of the COVID-19 outbreak in China late last year and by February the World Health Organization had declared…
Neighborhood leaders host wildfire webinar
Volunteers from Southeast Neighbors and the Eugene Neighborhood Preparedness Network hosted informative presentations on wildfire on Thursday, Oct. 29. The presentation slides are embedded below, and the Zoom webinar recordings are available here: Part 1: Eugene / Springfield Fire Chief…
SEN launches Human Rights Committee
Over the summer of 2020, in response to greatly increased attention to human rights issues both nationally and locally in southeast Eugene, a group of neighbors and SEN board members began meeting to explore formation of a Human Rights Committee…
SEN General Meeting Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
Southeast Neighbors General Meetings are now virtual! Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pmZoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99365055352 Theme: Hate, Bias and Race in EugenePresenters: Fabio Andrade, City of Eugene Human Rights & Equity Analyst, Eric Richardson, Eugene/Springfield NAACP…
Slow down, save lives and $$$
Speed limits will drop to 20 mph on non-arterial streets in residential districts in Eugene. The new 20 mph speed limit legally goes into effect on each street when the existing speed limit signs are replaced. That started for Southeast…
City of Eugene Community Update – COVID-19 May 27
Posted on: May 27, 2020 May 27 City of Eugene Community Update - COVID-19 Good morning Eugene, There has been slow and steady progress to safely reopen in the last two weeks. Since we entered Phase 1 of Governor Kate…
To Wear Or Not To Wear A Mask?
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Tips For Managing Stress In Uncertain Times
Aimee Yogi, Eugene Springfield CERT Trainer Our community is in the midst of worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The nature of this crisis mandates very little contact in public. Social distancing, masks and gloves have become part of our social interactions. Activities outside the…
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Para español oprima este enlaceThis document was published April 28, 2020. For the most up to date information the City’s work related to COVID-19, please visit our website.Great work, Eugene! Data suggests that our community’s continued commitment to stay home to…
COVID19 Support
Southeast Neighbors (SEN) is here to support you during this unprecedented time. Here are some links to vital information. Stay safe!! Promote the practice of everyday preventive actions. Share health messages and materials developed by credible public health sources, such as Lane…
How are you, neighbor?
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Car? Bus? Bike? We need to hear from everyone
TAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY ON TRANSIT (4 minutes) This survey was designed to help neighborhoods collect more detailed information about how we use (or don't use) buses in our neighborhoods and how Transit Tomorrow may impact neighborhoods. The information we…
Petition to “Stand Up For Your Bus Access” Over 2,300 signatures
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South East Neighbors 2019 Annual Summer Picnic
Join your neighbors and friends on Saturday September 7 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Tugman Park for the annual South East Neighbors Summer Picnic and Party! Tugman's NEW playground will be ready and waiting for the kids! They can also look…
Aimee Yogi, Eugene Springfield CERT Trainer
Our community is in the midst of worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
The nature of this crisis mandates very little contact in public. Social distancing, masks and gloves have become part of our social interactions. Activities outside the home are limited to essential errands and appointments. What distinguishes this disaster from other massive natural disasters is this mandated isolation. The change in routine, lack of social supports, financial problems, confinement, lack of activities outside the home, online classes – all contribute to the anxiety and stress of an already fearful pandemic.
How do we manage the isolation and stress? How can we take care of ourselves, for our own safety, in order to help our neighbors and community? Here are some tools and strategies that can be used to alleviate anxiety and help us to provide aid to our neighbors. The goal is to build personal and community resilience.
FEMA’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Student Manual provides the Psychological First Aid tools described here. These simple steps can be used and shared to maintain mental health in a disaster.
Here are possible physical symptoms you may experience or observe in others:
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches or chest pain
• Diarrhea, stomach pain, or nausea
• Hyperactivity
• Increase in alcohol or drug consumption
• Nightmares, inability to sleep
• Fatigue or low energy
Here are psychological symptoms:
Emotional: nervousness; helplessness; shock; numbness; inability to feel love or joy; feelings of abandonment; agitation; depression; grief; feelings of detachment; exhilaration as a result of surviving; unreal feelings; feelings of being out of control; denial; feelings of being overwhelmed; and feelings of fragility.
Cognitive: difficulty making decisions; reoccurrence of disturbing dreams; memories and flashbacks; hypervigilance or being on constant alert; feelings of dissociation; distortion of time and space; rumination or racing thoughts; or repeatedly replaying the traumatic event.
Spiritual: loss of hope; limited expectations about life, intense use of prayer; loss of self-efficacy; feelings of despair and disillusionment; questioning (“Why me?”); loss of meaning and importance of life.
Use this Self-Care Toolkit for your Psychological First Aid (PFA):
Stress Reduction tools: if you are anxious, etc., use these tools to alleviate it so you may move forward.
Grounding: concentrate on your body in your current surroundings. You are present. You are safe.
1. Find a comfortable position.
2. Name 5 things you can see.
3. Name 5 things you hear.
4. Name 5 things you can touch.
5. Name 5 things you can taste.
6. Name 5 things you can smell.
Controlled Breathing: concentrate on the count; breathe through your nose. This will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system which will slow your heart rate. You are present. You are safe. You are not alone.
1. Inhale, 4 count.
2. Hold, 4 count.
3. Exhale, 4 count,
4. Hold, 4 count.
5. Repeat for 5-10 minutes.
Pandemic Self-Care Kit: Include whatever brings you comfort
Books, music, comfort objects
Watch TV/You Tube videos of art museums, exercise, etc.; *limit news on TV/social media to 1 hour/day*
Exercise outdoors: walking, hiking, forest bathing;
Meditate, walking, sitting, tai chi, yoga
Draw, photograph, paint, write
Journal
Use phone/social media to keep in touch with family and friends
When you are ready, go out and help your neighbors. Here’s how you can help:
Psychological First Aid for your neighbors: Listen, Protect, Connect
Listen. Ask if they need help. Pay attention to what they say, how they act and to what they need right now. Let them know you are willing to listen. They may not be ready; let them know you will check in later.
Protect. It helps everyone feel better when you take actions to provide support, encouragement and reassurance. You can make informed decisions to:
Offer to seek information and resources.
Answer questions simply and honestly, clearing up any confusion they may have.
Empathize and let them know they are not alone in their reactions to the event.
Provide opportunities for them to communicate, but do not force them.
Talk to them about what is being done to keep everyone safe from harm.
Connect. Connecting neighbors to their friends, loved ones and other resources has a positive impact on their wellbeing.
Ensure that you are connecting with them regularly.
Help them find access to resources that can offer support.
What NOT to say:
“I understand.” In most situations, we have not had the same experience.
“Don’t feel bad.” They have the right to feel bad and needs time to feel differently.
“You’re strong,” or “You’ll get through this.” No one knows for sure.
“Don’t cry.” It’s okay to cry.
“It’s God’s Will.” Giving religious meaning to an event may offend them.
“It could be worse,” or “Everything will be okay.” They decide this, not you.
These responses may elicit a negative response from the neighbor. It is okay to apologize if you said something wrong.
SAY this instead:
“I’m sorry for your pain.”
“Is it all right if I help you with…?”
“I can’t imagine what this is like for you.”
“What do you need?”
Our reactions to stressful situations differ in degrees. Psychological First Aid is not therapy or treatment. If someone has suffered trauma or losses previously, their reactions tend to be more severe and may require therapy. If you are experiencing symptoms for more than a month, seek treatment. Eugene has several counseling agencies, which are low-cost and low barrier, including these:
Center for Community Counseling
1465 Coburg Rd., Eugene
541 344-0620
Trauma Healing Project
1100 Charnelton St., Eugene
541 687-9477