Welcome to The Best Things We’ve Seen This Week – Vol. 8! Reopening is the word of the week, and Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced her plan for the state. It’s a phased approach with cautious optimism. We can finally see a path through the woods but, as Mayor Lucy Vinis has said for weeks, we have to continue to do our part.
We want this space to be a place where we can share thinks we think people will like, provide tips for getting through your days at home or to just put a smile on your face. But the underlying reason why we are all home right now can’t be forgotten, so our first link every week is to a resources page on the City of Eugene website where you can find the latest information on what the City is doing, key resources and related information.
And now, enjoy this wonderful Twitter thread from a dad telling a heartwarming story about his daughter’s love for writing letters for her friends and how that sparked the United States Postal Service to respond.

(Homemade letters made by a young girl to her friends. Photo credit/Hugh Weber from Twitter).
Roundup
- Mother’s Day is Sunday. However you choose to celebrate, find some time to watch these nine live streams of baby animals. Or perhaps look through this gallery from National Geographic that captures some truly wonderful moments of animal mothers and their offspring.
- Continuing the trend, the Oregon Zoo shared a video of its animals to let everyone know that they’re doing OK. Oh, and the part with the bear taking a bath is pretty good, we guess.
- This week was also Nurses Week, and across the country there were great tributes to the frontline workers and the essential care they provide. Locally, The Register-Guard had a story about what that meant at PeaceHealth.
- Remember last week when we talked about the Hult Center Stay At Home Talent Show? Well we announced the finalists this week and Friday we announced the final five. They’re fantastic.
- The City of Eugene Cultural Services division is doing a four-week fashion challenge. Last week was facemasks. This week is all about upcycling.
- The City is also bringing the music to you. For the next four Sundays Cultural Services a weekly live DJ parade will roll through Eugene neighborhoods and share uplifting music outside your doorstep. We hope to spark joy, offer fun surprises and share in some collective happiness. We encourage “distanced dancing” from your yard. The locations will be updated at EUGfun.org and on social media.
- May is Bike Month and the City is working with local partners to still bring you great content. Eugene Rec’s River House Outdoor Center is making weekly Mechanic Monday videos, the first taking you through the steps to fix a flat tire. Handy stuff!
- Eugene Rec has also partnered with the YMCA, Willamalane and River Road Parks and Rec District on an initiative to keep kids safe around water.
- This time-lapse of light from the Hult Center for the Performing Arts is really nice.
Let’s head into the weekend with a smile
Finally, some more good news, graduation edition.
And one more thing...
This might be the best time-lapse we’ve ever seen. Here it is. Your moment of zen.
Have a good weekend everyone.