Biz Beat 11-21-2013

For-profit banks are losing billions as more and more people discover not-for-profit credit unions which often offer better savings and loan rates, and fewer of those fees that irritate bank customers. Bankers, naturally, have big clout in Congress and regulations are being proposed that would require credit unions to pay the same taxes as for-profit banks. Several of our local credit unions are joining to educate their members and the public about the issues. Three CEOs, Bob Newcomb of SELCO Community Credit Union, Mandy Jones of Oregon Community Credit Union and John Iglesias of Northwest Community Credit Union, are collaborating on a series of videos outlining the benefits to the public of maintaining their tax-exempt status. See the videos at selco.org.CUtaxation or check out the national website DontTaxMyCreditUnion.org.

Need help enrolling in Obamacare? Cover Oregon and The Sharing Health Care Options from White Bird Clinic will be available from 11 am to 1 pm Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Springfield City Hall. Call 541-726-2237.

Due Donne Boutique, a longtime Eugene-based fashion store, has moved to a new location at 5th Street Public Market. The business, owned by a Chris Hayward-Mahew and her daughter Clarice Hayward, was previously at 450 Coburg Road. Due Donne, which is Italian for “two women,” had its grand opening Nov. 14. Hours are 10 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 5 pm Sunday. Call 345-4411.

Cascadian Courier Collective has joined Falling Sky Delicatessen to offer pastrami and other food by bike delivery daily from 11 am to 10 pm, rain or shine, says Rob Cohen, one of the owners of Falling Sky. The delivery route covers most of downtown and south Eugene. Call 653-9167.

Just a reminder: Holiday Market will begin at the Lane County Fairgrounds this weekend, Nov. 23-24. Hours will be from 10 am to 6 pm weekends (plus the Friday after Thanksgiving) but will close at 4 pm Christmas Eve. See full schedule at holidaymarket.org or call 686-8885. Lane County Farmers Market’s Holiday Market in the adjacent Performance Hall will follow the same schedule.

The UO raised $1.4 million from local donors to keep the Ken Kesey archives in Eugene, and $100,000 came from Rogue Ales & Spirits of Newport. The company, founded by three UO grads, has a new product, a Kesey-inspired “One Brew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” in a colorful glass-enamel bottle. A portion of the proceeds will contribute to the Ken Kesey Fund at UO libraries. See rogue.com.

We hear the annual Basic Rights Oregon Eugene Garden Party Sept. 22 raised $12,240, and contributions are still coming in. All proceeds will be used by BRO to fund its education advocacy activities, including the campaign to place a marriage equality initiative on the statewide 2014 ballot. See basicrights.org.

The Benton Soil & Water Conservation District is now holding its annual Native Plant Sale and Eugene area residents can take advantage of the event to purchase low-cost native plants. Available are some 60 varieties of trees, shrubs, groundcovers, grasses and flowers with prices ranging from 50 cents to $4. This event has contributed to the planting of more than 250,000 native plants in the Willamette Valley. Ordering is available online at bentonswcd.org and the deadline for orders is Jan. 31. Plant orders are distributed in Corvallis Feb. 22. 

To honor the rare and special event of Thanksgiving falling on the first night of Hanukah, Jewish Events Willamette-Valley has teamed up with Market of Choice to do a kosher cheese and wine tasting at 3 pm Sunday, Nov. 24, at Market of Choice on 29th Avenue. It is a free tasting to “encourage people to discover award winning kosher wines from around the world and find one to bring to their Thanksgiving or Hanukah gatherings without fear of leaving out your Jewish friends.”