It’s National Women’s Health Week. Our club is nearly 50% women – some of the strongest and most involved women in our communities. Let’s celebrate each other! Get inspired and get healthy! What is National Women’s Health Week? National Women’s Health Week empowers women across the country to get healthy by taking action. The nationwide initiative, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH), encourages women to make their health a top priority and take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier...

Charter papers for the Rotary Club of Fern Ridge (Veneta) were signed Monday, May 5th, and are on their way to RI for review and final approval. The club is chartering with 20 members and is tentatively planning its charter party on Saturday, June 28th. Many thanks to Helen Lucas, PDG Judi, Cliff Kuhlman, Nelson Maler, Mary Fipps, ME Riley and the sponsoring “mother” Rotary Club of Eugene Airport for their ongoing support in this process. And above all, thanks to the members of Fern Ridge for believing the time was right to become the 70th club in District 5110. Look for more...

As the humanitarian crisis worsened in Myanmar’s delta region after a powerful cyclone hit on 3 May, a response team of four specially trained volunteers moved into devastated areas on Thursday to distribute more than 800 ShelterBox containers. ShelterBox, a grassroots disaster relief organization supported by Rotary clubs around the world, was among the first charities to reach cyclone victims. Desperately needed aid from many other international groups had been stalled at the border for days by Myanmar’s military government. Read more…

The  inbound Group Study Exchange team arrived from Argentina  on Friday, May 2. After a relaxing weekend at the home of GSE chair Chris Duncan, the five GSE members spent two busy days in Eugene, paired with a professional in their field. Monday night, the team visited the beautiful new King Estate Winery and enjoyed a tour, tasting and dinner. President-Elect-Elect Jeff Apland was on the GSE committee and spent time with the team as they got to know Eugene. From Rotary’s Web site (about the GSE): The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational...

University of Oregon Professor, Dr. Marcela Mendoza, presented intriguing information about Latino immigrants in Oregon and their integration into society. The 1990s brought the third large wave of immigration. The majority of Latino immigrants are employed in agriculture, such as farming, forestry, and fishery. There are over 5000 Latino immigrants in Junction City making up about 15% of the population. Of the 11,000 babies born in our area, 6000 are Latino which demonstrates the growing population. Many of the families stay together but are not married. Mexican workers are very integrated...

Kari Westlund, with the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon (CVALCO), presented on Eugene ‘08, the 2008 Olympic Trials that will be held in Eugene this summer. Kari and CVALCO work to make Lane county a key visitor destination with the Eugene ‘08 campaign. Eugene has a long track history and has hosted the Olympic Track Trials in 1972, 1976, and 1980. CVALCO promised precise execution for the meet, an athlete friendly environment, and the best track and field trial! So far, 40,000 rooms have been booked for the trials with an economic value of $28 million. Donations...

George Evano, the Communication Director for the Oregon Bach Festival, described the wonderful festival for this summer and the Festival’s integration with the 2008 Olympic Trials. The Festival will run from June 27 thought July 13. The Festival has four main themes this year. The first theme is the City of Portland. This year, the Festival will open with shows in Portland which will draw in a larger audience and bring more visitors to Eugene. The second theme will focus on the Olympic Trials. There will be a special tribute performance for Bill Bowerman, who helped found the Oregon...

Little Stars Pediatric Hospice helps and educates about end of life issues with children. The program takes a holistic approach to helping children and families by offering emotional, spiritual, and medical help for children ages zero to nineteen. Services include twenty four hour palliative care/hospice nurse, flexible and individualized care plans, hands on instruction to assist and support family members in caring for the child, education on the changing needs of the child, specialized services that focus on symptoms and end of life comfort care, and many more. Children who qualify includes,...