BRIEFLY.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Sale of stuffed bears

to aid women's shelter 

COTTAGE GROVE - Still need a stocking stuffer or two? A local advocacy group here is selling little "Butterfly Bears" that will make a big difference in the lives of women and children fleeing domestic violence.

The Womens Information Network Service is selling the keepsake winged bears this season as part of an effort to raise $12,500 in matching funds to secure grants from three local foundations and open its long-planned Transformation House early next year.

The residential facility would provide up to a year of shelter and services for women rebuilding their lives after leaving abusive relationships.

WINS founder Christa Loveland has lined up an estimated $300,000 in donated professional services - abuse and trauma counseling, children's play therapy, job assistance - to augment the $50,000 annual cost of operating the facility.

The stuffed 10-inch bears are available for a suggested donation of $50 to $150 at the Cottage Grove branch of Siuslaw Bank, 25 Gateway Blvd. They are also for sale at Tea & Things, 19 N. Sixth St. The WINS-operated gift shop, open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, also features specialty teas, tea sets and handcrafted items made by local women.

WINS also welcomes donations for Transformation House at P.O. Box 1631, Cottage Grove, OR 97424. For information, call 767-3330.

Extension service urges `do-it-yourself' wreaths

The Oregon State University Extension Service encourages people to make do-it-yourself wreaths over the holidays.

"Do-it-yourself wreaths are easy and fun to make," said Ross Penhallegon of the OSU/Tri-County Extension horticulture faculty. "Best of all, basic wreath materials aren't costly."

Homemade wreaths may be simple Styrofoam and ribbon circles, or they may be more elaborate combinations of evergreen boughs, ribbon and pine cones.

The Extension Service offers educational programs, activities and materials. For more information, visit extension.oregonstate.edu/ lane or call 682-4243.

Children's center offers winter break activities

Minds in Motion Discovery & Fun Center is offering several special projects and activities during the winter break.

From Monday through Friday, children can create their own ornaments, including beaded candy canes and custom-designed felt ornaments.

Kaleidoscope-making is planned from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, and super bouncing balls from Jan. 2 to Jan. 6.

All activities are included in the price of admission, which is $6.50 per child, free for adults.

The center is located at 445 Harlow Road in Springfield.

Applicants sought for health advisory panel

The Lane County Board of Commissioners seeks applications to serve on the Health Advisory Committee.

The committee makes recommendations on matters of public health, planning, policy development, control measures, funding, public education and advocacy. The term is four years.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Dec. 30. Applications are available in the Board of Commissioners' office, Public Service Building, 125 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene. For an application by mail, call 682-4207.

Eugene Fire Department gets $1.2 million grant

The Eugene Fire Department received a $1.2 million federal grant, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., announced this week.

The five-year Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant will help the fire departments gain 24-hour staffing and meet minimum firefighter standards, said DeFazio, who helped secure the grant. The grant will help Eugene fund 12 new firefighter positions and maintain the Valley River department's engine on a permanent basis, DeFazio said.

Send announcements to: Briefly News at The Register-Guard, P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440, fax [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].