Hybrids help city control pollution, lower fuel costs.Byline: CITY BEAT/EUGENE By Edward Russo The Register-Guard Eugene's government is getting into hybrid vehicles This is a list of hybrid vehicles in chronological order of production: Early designs
Earlier this month, 12 Toyota Prius The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric vehicle developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation, and one of the first such vehicles to be mass-produced and marketed. The Prius first went on sale in Japan in 1997, and worldwide in 2001. gasoline-electric hybrids were delivered to the city, the largest shipment yet. At $21,280 each, the vehicles cost the city more than $255,000. However, government tax credits are expected to shave about 25 percent from the cost, city fleet officials said. City government now has 28 hybrids, including one Ford Escape sport utility vehicle. With the new Priuses, the city's passenger fleet, excluding police cruisers, will be 34 percent hybrid. Hybrids typically cost more than similarly sized, gasoline-powered cars, but the Prius's ability to get 60 miles to the gallon in city driving reduces fuel costs, officials say. Keith Nicolson, fleet and radio communication technical supervisor, said operating expenses Operating expenses The amount paid for asset maintenance or the cost of doing business, excluding depreciation. Earnings are distributed after operating expenses are deducted. have dropped 38 percent since the introduction of hybrids into the fleet. Also, he said, the vehicles emit less pollution and help the city meets its sustainability goals. Community gardens still have space available There's still time and space available to rent a spot in one of the city's community gardens. The six gardens with more than 200 plots give residents a place to grow fruits and vegetables, and a chance to cultivate friendships. The average plot size is about 500 square feet. Rent is $60 a year, and includes access to garden tools and water. The garden locations are: Amazon Park, 27th Avenue and High Street; 15th Avenue and Hayes St.; and the Whiteaker area, at the north end of Polk Street Polk Street is a street in San Francisco that travels northward from Market Street to Jefferson Street. It's attractions are the See's Candy flagship store at California Street, and is usually cleaned every Saturday by the neighborhood organization. . Also, River House, 301 N. Adams St.; Alton Baker Park Alton Baker Park is located in Eugene, Oregon, United States, near Autzen Stadium. It features duck ponds, bicycle trails, and a dog park, and directly touches the Ferry Street Bridge. , east end of the parking lot; Skinner City Farm, west end of Skinner Butte Park. Register for a plot from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Parks and Open Space, 1820 Roosevelt Blvd. For more details, call community gardens manager Matt McRae at 682-4800. Eugene library offers free workshop for writers The Eugene Public Library is having a workshop today offering guidance on how writers can connect with agents and publishers. The speakers will be Valerie Brooks of Willamette Writers; Bruce Holland Rogers Bruce Holland Rogers is an American author of short fiction who also writes under the pseudonym Hanovi Braddock. His stories have won a Pushcart Prize, two Nebula Awards, the Bram Stoker Award, two World Fantasy Awards, and have been nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award and , winner of the 2004 World Fantasy Award The World Fantasy Awards are annual, international awards given to authors and artists who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fantasy. Since 1975, when they were first awarded, they have been handed out at the World Fantasy Convention. for short fiction; and Margarita Donnelly, editor of Calyx calyx (kā`lĭks): see sepal. magazine. The free workshop, at the downtown library, runs 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Also, the last day of the Friends of the Eugene Public Library book sale is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Wheeler Pavilion, Lane County Fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground. . The sale offers thousands of donated used books, most for $1, plus music CDs, videos, books-on-tape and CDs, records and audiocassettes. Canvas tote bags decorated with the library's 100th-anniversary logo will be sold for $10. The sale is the Friends' major fund-raiser, with money going to support and enhance library programs and services, especially those for children and families. |
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