Our Green Initiatives Team set out at the beginning of the year with the goal of reducing Valley River Inn’s environmental impact.  With several exciting initiatives already in place, such as new energy and water efficient laundry machines and lighting policy changes, we have already been able to make a significant amount of progress in 2013.  In fact, in April we were awarded the Silver Level Green Leader award by TripAdvisor.  After receiving this prestigious award, we are now focused on further decreasing our environmental impact with the goal of being awarded a Gold Level Green Leader hotel in Eugene, Oregon.

There is nothing quite like spring time in the Willamette Valley, the sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming and on rare days you may even find that you can sit outside on the patio in some cold drink sipping weather. As we near our 40th anniversary of the Valley River Inn we flash back for this month’s signature cocktail, the Riverside Mai Tai.

Spring has sprung in the Willamette Valley and that means that it is time to get out and enjoy all the fun things that Eugene has to offer. From rafting, to biking, or just enjoying the lush green scenery, there is nothing better than having fun in the sun in Eugene Oregon.

Each year, on April 22^nd we celebrate Earth Day, which is considered the anniversary of the modern environmental movement in 1970.  Earth Day first came to prominence after Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, witnessed the widespread damage from the massive 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.  At the time, in the middle of what came to be known as the hippie/flower child era, the political climate was increasingly focused on the Vietnam War, with protests taking place weekly at campuses across the nation.  Inspired by the anti-war movement, Senator Nelson realized that if he could combine that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, environmental protection would become a central component of the national political agenda

The Destination Culinary™ Chefs are pleased to introduce our “Study of Salmon.”  With so many recipe options and methods of preparation, Salmon is a food sure to please even the most discriminating of palettes. 

With summer fast approaching families and couples throughout Oregon are planning their summer vacations. For those looking for a little inspiration this year, Valley River Inn is offering a Countdown to Summer promotion. Here are a few reasons why we at Valley River Inn believe Eugene should be your next destination:

In honor of the upcoming American Whippet Club Show at Valley River Inn, this signature cocktail is a spin on The Greyhound.

Located on the banks of the Willamette River, Valley River Inn is conveniently located along the Eugene bike path network.  With over 60 miles of bike paths in Eugene, bike tours are a unique way to see Eugene. Here are some of our recommended stops for your bike tour of Eugene:

There is nothing more fun than enjoying some of the traditional Irish Favorites on St. Patrick’s Day! Sweetwater’s on the River is hosting a March Madness/ St. Patrick’s Extravaganza featuring all your favorite game-day appetizers such as sandwiches and wings, in addition to St. Patrick’s originals like corned beef!  

There is nothing more exciting than getting together will all your friends for the big event, Selection Sunday. You wait all season for it, watching your favorite teams going from on the bubble to large contender in the elite March Madness tournament. 

Coincidentally, this year March Madness’ Selection Sunday also falls on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, a day known for crazy shenanigans and of course green beer. At Valley River Inn we decided that this was something to celebrate so we are hosting a Selection Sunday/ St. Patrick’s event where Widmer Brewery is cosponsoring with us to offer a March Madness bracket with all proceeds going to KIDSPORTS Basketball Camp. We are offering amazing prizes such as a brand new 40in flat screen TV and a Date Night Package to the individuals who can guess the bracket most accurately.

For many years our head chef Michael Thieme has spent his free time mentoring and coaching the North Eugene High Schools culinary team.  The team is comprised of students who have a knack for the Culinary Arts and plan on pursuing a career in the industry. Students who join this small team, led by teacher Miho Hosaka and Chef Michael, find that they not only develop their talents in the field of culinary arts but gain key skills like team building, formulating recipes, and great resume building skills. Many previous students on Chef’s Team have been hired by the hotel in the kitchen and at Sweetwater’s on the River Restaurant.

This year, since two of March’s best holidays fall on the same day we decided that a celebration was in order! On March 17th we will be celebrating Selection Sunday and St. Patrick with one huge party! Come to Sweetwater’s on the River between 2-6pm to enjoy delicious appetizers, watch live reporting of selection Sunday, and fill out a bracket with all proceeds going to the U.S.  Marines and Pearl Buck.

In honor of this celebration our signature Mixologist Lucas Buhr created a new signature cocktail, The Hooley, which means party or celebration in Irish culture. This drink combines the fresh taste of a mojito with the zest of the Irish to create a light and fun drink.

As the countdown to Selection Sunday begins, everyone in Eugene is starting to wonder will the University of Oregon Ducks make it into March Madness? As the question lingers we ask ourselves about the journey that the Ducks have made in the last two years from Mac to Matt.

Every year Valentine’s Day is one of those days that sneaks up on you. All of a sudden it’s February 13th and you are stuck with no plan and no ideas for romance in Eugene. Here at Valley River Inn we have your back with a few simple quick Valentine’s Day Romance ideas.