Southwest Hills Neighborhood Association
Join SHiNA on MLK Jr. Day at 6:30 PM for our January General Meeting welcoming City Councilors Matt Keating (Ward 2) and Eliza Kashinsky (Ward 1) and the Interim Independent Police Auditor Mark Gissiner.
Join in person at Wayne Morse Family Farm (595 Crest Drive) or via ZOOM using the link and passcode provided below:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84599092204?pwd=jMDHzZLhwGZ3gTfkIOkXJn4jrLoKXL.1
Meeting ID: 845 9909 2204
Passcode: wB4ED2
A Community Conversation about Reducing Wildfire Risk and the SW Hills of Eugene
SHiNA General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Free and open to the Community
Hilyard Community Center
2580 Hilyard Street, Eugene
Please join us for the second in our series of Community Conversations on Emergency Preparedness on the topic of wildfire relative to the South Hills Neighborhood Association. A major part of being prepared is learning about what steps we as a community can take to reduce the opportunities for wildfires to start and spread. This meeting will feature representatives from local agencies speaking from each of their unique perspectives within their roles and organizations to provide insight on better adapting to the risk of wildfire in the South Hills area of Eugene. Handouts available.
Presented/Facilitated by Ian Appow, ECO System Solutions
Panelist from Eugene Springfield Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry, Eugene Parks and Open Spaces, City of Eugene, Northwest Youth Corps
Join us to hear about City Council Candidates, 4J Bond, and STAR Voting on April 16th
April General Meeting
Tuesday, April 16, 6:30 p.m
Wayne Morse Family Farm Living Room
595 Crest Drive
It has been nice to be able to meet in the living room at Wayne Morse Family Farm, after years of ZOOM meetings during the pandemic. Please join us to meet the candidates and hear about the measures we will be voting on in May. This is an opportunity to ask questions and get informed before voting.
Also on the agenda will be a discussion of SHiNA’s future meetings and activities. We hope to see you there!
Donate or volunteer for SHiNA’s Food for Lane County Food Drive, Saturday, March 2nd
SHiNA will host a food donation drive on March 2 from 10:00-4:00 at Wayne Morse Family Farm (595 Crest Drive). Swing by on Saturday to donate foods based on the “Most Needed Food Items” list OR make a financial donation via the SHiNA Fundraising Page. You can also donate directly to Food for Lane County via their Venmo, but donations will not count toward the SHiNA fundraising goal.
If you’d like to volunteer for a 2 hour shift at the Food Drive, please email shina_board@googlegroups.com.
Southwest Hills Neighborhood Association Meeting
Tuesday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Wayne Morse Family Farm Living Room
595 Crest Drive, Eugene
We extend this invitation to residents of the Southwest Hills Neighborhood (SHiNA). At our November meeting we entertained board nominations. It was moved that our current board, plus three new interested neighbors would be nominated for our 2024 board.
Candidates for board positions:
Chris Jockheck, chair
Clay Neal, secretary
Bev McDonald, newsletter
At large board members:
Rita Fiedler
Carolyn Hintz
Ralph McDonald
John Rogers
Deb Rogers
Our January meeting will include:
• Voting on our new board
• Preparing for our upcoming General Membership meeting on Defensible Space
• Annual Food For Lane County Food Drive
• SHiNA communications, responding to citizen requests, how we inform our members. We need help in this area. If you are interested in helping your neighbors stay informed and communicating with neighbors on important topics and issues, we welcome your input, advice and energy!
If you would like to get to know your neighbors and help with these activities, we encourage you to attend the January 23 meeting. Refreshments served.
Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard Street, Eugene
What are public agencies doing to protect the South Hills?
What route will I take to escape a wildfire?
In case of wildfire, what are the priorities of the fire department?
In the vulnerable South Hills, these and other questions need to be considered. Recently, the community of Lahaina was forced to evacuate when a devastating wildfire destroyed that town. It is our responsibility to be informed and prepared for appropriate action.
Please join us for a community discussion on emergency response. Panelists from various agencies will explain their role. There will be time for questions. To send questions for the panelists in advance, use this google form.
Panelists:
SHiNA General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Free and open to the Community
Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard Street, Eugene
Topics for future meetings will focus on other aspects of emergency preparedness: fire mitigation, role of Red Cross, FEMA, defensible space, etc.
Bring your non-perishable food or cash/check donations to:
Wayne Morse Family Farm on Saturday, February 11th from 10-4
Donate food or funds anytime by following FFLC’s online instructions.
CHANGE FROM PRINTED VERSION: The printed version that was mailed to SHiNA residents suggested that the February 15th panel discussion on homelessness will have a Zoom-in option. Due to technical limitations, we will not be broadcasting this meeting via Zoom.
Wednesday, Feb 15, 6:30-8:30PM
Hilyard Community Center
2580 Hilyard Street, Eugene
Contributed by SHiNA Chair Chris Jockheck
We see it every day.
We see it everywhere; Eugene, the Valley,
the coast, through out the state and beyond.
We turn our heads so we don’t have to engage.
We avoid certain areas, certain streets.
We see the tents, push carts, all the belongings, what is
kept and what is left behind.
We see the people: individuals, couples, children, young
and old. And we get angry. And we should be angry.
But to whom (who)? To ‘them’?, to local government?, to state government?, to federal government?, our economic system?, education system?, health care system? As we start a new year, both local and state government leaders want to address the homeless issue making it a priority. But what does that mean? How are they proposing to have the discussions so there’s a full understanding of what has created the situation? Are they dealing with the symptoms or are they going to get ‘down and dirty’, and look at dealing with the origins of the crisis? And the future (numbers are only growing).
There are many questions, and many of us think we have ‘solutions’. And we have our bias. But in order to understand the discussions that will be taking place we have to understand the issue. Who are the homeless? How does someone become homeless? Why are some people in a chronic long term situation while some are able to make a transition to a better life? What is in those carts? What role do drugs play? What role does mental health status play? A day in their life???
To help provide that understanding, SHiNA will be hosting a panel discussion and ‘community conversation’ on homelessness. Panelists will be Heather Sielicki, community advocate and; Tracy Joscelyn, manager of Nightengale safe sleeping site; and, Kelly McIver, Communications Manager, Unhoused Response, City of Eugene. We hope to see you there. This will be an in-person meeting only.
The annual SHiNA summer picnic, this time in collaboration with our Friendly Area Neighbors, FAN, returns this summer to a new location, Washington Park and YOU are invited to join in the fun! This free, family-friendly event is an annual tradition with friends and neighbors gathering on the grassy expanse behind the Community Center at Washington Park.
Sunday, August 21, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Washington Park, 2025 Washington St.
* Bring your own picnic, blanket or chairs*
Live Music • Games for the Young and Young at Heart
Enjoy a Free Root Beer Float served by Friendly Street Church of God!
Community Walkway of Community Organization outreach tables
Prize Drawings for Gifts from Neighborhood Businesses
The Blank Slate Banner – Give us your Feedback !
This year we will be co-hosting the picnic with our adjacent neighborhood association, Friendly Area Neighbors (FAN). Not only will you have the opportunity to meet and greet your SHiNA neighbors, now we also get the opportunity to meet and celebrate with FAN’s neighbors!
Tighten up your sandals for races for the young and young at heart! The games will happen following the first set of music, and there might even be prizes!! The park’s spray play will also be operating to keep everyone cooled off and entertained.
Come learn what is going on in our community. The community walkway offers opportunities to talk with representatives from community partners and nonprofits that benefit our neighborhood and community. You can learn what SHiNA and FAN neighborhood associations are up to and how you might become involved. Get your burning questions answered and share your comments about the work being done in the community.
Be sure to sign-in to receive a ticket for drawings for gifts from our wonderful neighborhood businesses. Our area businesses are a vital link in supporting a healthy and vibrant community, and we thank them for their donations to the picnic. (A complete list of donors will be shared at the picnic.)
Last but not least, there will be a beautiful paper banner to accept all your thoughts about your neighborhood association, what do we do well, what you would like to see happening, how can we improve and better engage. Your thoughts will help strengthen our neighborhood associations.
Help make this a waste-free event by bringing your own utensils & taking them home!
SHiNA 