There are some people who are touting that social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation, and that’s true. While it’s easy to hunker down and shut off, creating virtual opportunities to interact with others and still see the world is important. We’ve put together a list of resources to virtually get out, as well as Eugene Weekly’s list of still-open restaurants and other businesses.
Do you have a great local resource to share? Submit it to [email protected] for consideration!
Resources for you and yours
Need some help? Check out this list of community resources from the City of Eugene.
Natural Wonders
The Oregon Coast Aquarium has three live cams for your viewing pleasure. Watch otters, sharks, and seabirds, with occasional visits from a scuba diver.
We can’t go physically go to the coast, but OPB has provided a way to do it virtually.
Get your workout on
The Eugene Family YMCA is putting together a collection of workout videos so that you can still be active even without access to a gym. Check out their YouTube channel for yoga, HIIT, or chair workouts.
Eclectic Edge Racing is hosting the Great Community Fund Run to raise money for “charity, health, and connection.” For more details and to register, check out their website!
Feel the Music
Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor for the Eugene Symphony, will be hosting live streams of orchestral concerts. Check out his Facebook for upcoming events.
Sessions Music Hall will be hosting live concert streams, as well as posting videos of previous shows on their Facebook.
Visit the museum and support local art
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art has artists talks, gallery/exhibit tours, and more on their YouTube channel. Get your art fix!
The Museum of Natural and Cultural History has activities, games, and online exhibits on their website as well, with regular updates and new offerings.
The Maude Kerns Art Center is offering a virtual exhibit, with opportunities to support local artists who currently have work on display.
The Lane Arts Council has put together the Lane County Artist Relief Fund to help local artists during this time. Support local artists and help keep our creative sector alive.
Who’s still open?
While many restaurants have chosen to close altogether, some local restaurants are still offering take out and curbside pick up options. Eugene Weekly has been compiling a list to help you navigate.
The Eugene Chamber of Commerce has also put together a spreadsheet of open restaurants with a breakdown of how you can enjoy. Check it out here.
The Willamette Farm and Food Coalition recently released their 2020 Locally Grown Guide, with a special section dedicated to farmers and providers who have special offerings right now.
Activities for the Kids
Sign up to receive Kindness Kits from Little Hands Can. Every week for three weeks, you’ll receive an email with two different community service projects and lessons that you can do with your family.
Participate in the Discover Willamalane Scavenger Hunt! Every Friday morning, Willamalane is posting three new scavenger hunt clues to lead you to an interesting destination around town. You and your team have until the following Thursday night to find the destination and submit photos as proof to earn points.
The Eugene Science Center has collected resources to make scientific discoveries every day, even in your own backyard!
Each week, ArtSpark is releasing a new art tutorial to keep you creating. So far, they’ve done tutorials on scientific observational drawing, natural dyes, and theatre exploration. To come: puppet making, song writing, dance, and more!
Every Monday and Thursday, Nearby Nature is posting activity pages to their website. Check out their Alphabet Scavenger Hunt, how to make a garden sprite, or how to let the rain help you paint.
Oregon in the movies
Travel Oregon has put together the ultimate list of movies and shows that include glimpses and full scenes of our beautiful state. The list provides great new ideas of what to stream now that everything else has been exhausted.
