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

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.