Biz Beat 9-17-2015

We hear Pacific Recycling has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is currently closed. The scrap metal processor based at 3300 Cross Street in Eugene had employed an average of 55 full-time workers. It listed assets and liabilities ranging between $10 million and $50 million in a petition filed in Oregon Bankruptcy Court, according to a story Aug. 31 in the industry newsletter American Metal Market. Company President Rod Shultz told AMM that “we’ve overcome many obstacles while heavily investing in new capital improvements. However, timing has not been on our side and poor market conditions have made it difficult to support this expansion.” The recycler figures it owes $4.55 million to its 20 largest unsecured creditors, according to the story, and a meeting of creditors was planned for Sept. 17. EW has tracked Pacific Recycling’s history of DEQ fines, including a “$327,686 penalty for repeatedly discharging harmful levels of industrial pollutants to waters of the state and failing to install a treatment system,” in our Pollution Update. Shultz did not respond to an EW request for comments by press time.

The seventh annual BRING Home and Garden Tour Sept. 13 drew large crowds to 10 sites around Eugene. “We continue to be gratified by our community’s interest in sustainable living,” says Ephraim Payne, BRING’s director of development and communications. “Hundreds and hundreds of people spent the day visiting neighbors and learning about green living in all of its forms. With sites focusing on everything from artistic materials reuse, energy efficiency and outdoor living to permaculture, urban farming and mycology — not to mention school gardening — this year’s tour truly had something for everyone.” As a follow-up event, BRING is hosting a free workshop on mosaic tile stepping stones from 11 am to 2 pm Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Planet Improvement Center, 4446 Franklin Blvd. The workshop is the first in a series of such events at BRING. See bringrecycling.org.

Pedalpalooza, featuring pedal-powered gizmos, will take over Riverfront Park in Corvallis from noon to 3 pm Sunday, Sept. 20. More than two dozen community organizations and local businesses are coming together for the event in celebration of pedal-powered and solar-powered machinery. The free, family-friendly event leads up to World Car Free Day on Sept. 22. Email info@sustainablecorvallis.org or call 230-1237.

Local businesses and agencies involved in disaster services will participate in an Emergency Preparedness Vendor Fair from noon to 2 pm Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Kesey Square downtown. Booths at the free event will include TheEpicenter.com, EWEB, Norwest Safety, Community Emergency Response Team, OregonSelfDefense.com (Train Like You Mean It!), American Family Insurance, American Red Cross and the city Emergency Management department. Call 682-5640 for more information.

Kaiser Permanente has announced it will be opening a dental office at Valley River Plaza off Delta Highway early next year. Valley River Dental Office, at 1101 Valley River Way, will be a few miles from Kaiser Permanente’s primary care medical office at 13th and Olive, slated to open next January.

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