• A meeting with the LaurelRidge PUD planning consultant is planned for 6 pm Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Comfort Suites Hotel at the I-5 Glenwood interchange. This meeting is to view the current development plans for the 126 acres southwest of Laurel Hill Valley adjacent to 30th Avenue near Spring Boulevard.
• The Oregon State Aviation Board will be holding a public hearing regarding Waldo Lake and seaplanes from 6 to 8 pm Thursday, Jan. 31, in the Ken Long Room at the Willamalane Center, 250 S. 32nd St., Springfield. Board members’ contact information can be found at http://wkly.ws/1f4
• BLM workshops on current Resource Management Planning are being held around the state and the Lane County meeting will be from 4:30 to 8:30 pm Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Springfield Public Library, 225 N. 5th St. Surveys can also be found online at http://wkly.ws/1f2
• The third annual Black History Month Banquet will be from 7 pm to 8:30 pm Friday, Feb. 1, at the Valley River Inn with a social hour beginning at 5:30 pm. Rudy Crew, Oregon’s chief education officer, will speak on “Why Inclusion Matters in Education.” The other keynote speaker will be Nate Miles, vice president for strategic initiatives at Eli Lilly and Company. Tickets are $75. For reservations, call 852-9782.
• A neighborhood open house on Willamette Street options has been scheduled for 7 pm Tuesday, Feb. 5, at Washington Park Cottage, 2025 Washington St. The meeting will include a formal presentation followed by a discussion of design options which may include removing on-street parking, adding bike lanes, and making other changes to improve transportation on this section. Email reed.c.dunbar@ci.eugene.or.us for more information.
• Friends of Trees is organizing tree planting around the valley this winter. The next planting dates are Feb. 9 and March 2. See friendsoftrees.org for details or to donate.
• A gathering led by community organizer Chrissy Peirsol will look at ideas for Creative Maladjustment Week coming up in July. The free forum will be from 5:30 to 7 pm Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Growers Market, 454 Willamette. Sponsored by MindFreedom International. Call 345-9106.
• The Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) is now accepting nominations for its first-ever Community Hero Award, launched on Jan. 10. The award aims to honor individuals across the Northwest who are leading innovative efforts to reduce pesticide use in their communities. Deadline for nominations is March 1. See pedsticide.org or email kkis@pesticide.org