Biz Beat 3-5-2015

Might be too late to reserve a seat, but we see the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a “Chamber 101” lunch at noon Thursday, March 5, in the Chamber’s conference room on Willamette Street. Pre-registration (free) is required and it appears the presentation is geared to new members. Everything is political in Eugene, and we wouldn’t be surprised if some of the participants raise political issues, such as why the U.S. Chamber has actively campaigned against reducing carbon pollution. 

For all those working in technology: We recently ran across a local networking website called eugenetech.switchboardhq.com where members share ideas about jobs, office space, internships, partnerships, user group meetings and just getting together for beer and geek speak. 

The Oregon Country Fair is looking for a new general manager. Charlie Ruff is stepping down, and the deadline to apply is 5 pm Friday, March 6. This position has been described as “one huge fucking job” requiring unique talents overseeing year-round operations. Find the job description on the OCF website.

Eugene Mindworks, Oregon’s largest coworking space, is about to grow even bigger. The shared commercial space for private offices at 5th and Pearl downtown has become a hub for local start-ups and digital creatives. It’s expanding its offices and features to meet rising demand. “Eugene is experiencing major growth in the local business community and we are excited to be a part of it,” says co-founder Aloma Murray. “Having just opened in July, we are already in our third phase of expansion. We will now have over 11,000 square feet that includes a community area, lunch room, three conference rooms and 27 private offices.” Tours of the space can be arranged by calling 515-9330 or visit eugenemindworks.com.

Julien Michels of Eugene has a new website talking about healing, personal development and group facilitation. Michels is a licensed massage therapist and has a master’s degree in psychology. See medicine-house.com.

Congrats to EPUD’s Katherine Schacht who will serve as the first committee vice-chair of the American Public Power Association’s Policy Makers Council in 2015. APPA is the Washington, D.C.–based national service organization representing the nation’s more than 2,000 public electric utilities serving 47 million consumers in 49 states. The Policy Makers Council assists APPA in promoting federal legislation that is important to public power systems and opposing harmful legislation, Schacht says. She currently serves as vice president of the EPUD Board and also serves as an officer of the Northwest Energy Coalition.

Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life is celebrating its 30th anniversary this week with a bunch of bike gear marked off 30 percent. The business started off as Paul’s Bicycle Shop at 2480 Alder St. on March 1, 1985, and is still in the original location. The store more recently expanded to an additional location at 556 Charnelton St.

Justin Freeman, Hummingbird Wholesale’s general manager, will be the speaker at the March luncheon of the GreenLane Sustainable Business Network from 11:30 am to 1 pm Wednesday, March 11, at the Eugene Hilton, 66 E. 6th Ave. GreenLane normally meets on the second Wednesday of the month and will resume that schedule in April.