Biz Beat 7-25-2013

The Oregon Legislature has approved and funded $3.75 million for the new South Willamette Valley Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN), a broad initiative that “taps into the research and educational expertise of academia and aggressively moves it toward private economic growth,” says Sen. Lee Beyer. RAIN will involve collaboration between UO, OSU and the cities of Eugene, Springfield, Albany and Corvallis. Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy and Corvallis Mayor Julie Manning worked on the initiative, which will focus on nurturing small technology-based companies. 

The next Emerald FEAST (Financing Eugene Area Sustainable Talent) will be from 6 to 8:30 pm Thursday, July 25, at First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive St. Diners purchase a meal for $15 to $25 and vote to donate the evening’s proceeds to one of several small businesses and start-ups that pitch their projects. The FEAST has given away $2,900 so far in six events. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR JULY.

Share House, a nonprofit southeast Eugene foster care home for developmental/intellectually disabled women, is celebrating 28 years of service Saturday afternoon, July 27, by officially opening a new wing, an accessible new bathroom and a wheelchair ramp. All five bedrooms are now on the first level. Project plans were donated by Larry Beggs, builder was Mick Berlincourt and dozens of businesses, contractors and individuals contributed supplies, cash, landscaping and other donations, says Diane DeVillers, treasurer of the Share House Board of Directors.

A Kickstarter campaign is being launched by Doug’s Nuts of Eugene. Doug Furlong is Boss Nut, Kari Furlong is Auxiliary Nut and Lisa Bee-Wilson is Wing Nut. “It takes a lot of hands to support Doug’s Nuts,” says Boss Nut. See dougsnuts.com.

The Springfield Chamber’s monthly CA$H MOB will be at 4 pm Thursday, July 28, at Affair with Flowers, 1918 Marcola Road. The event invites chamber members to shop in locally owned businesses. See Springfield-chamber.org.

The nonprofit Springfield Gateway Arch project is using Kickstarter to help raise $2,500 to complete a 5-foot scale model of a welcoming arch to be built over Highway 126 near Springfield’s eastern city limit. Springfield once had a landmark arch near Glenwood in the 1920s but it was destroyed by floodwaters after standing only seven years. Google Springfield Gateway Arch to see drawings and find various ways to help the project.

Pacific Pub Cycle of Corvallis is an enterprise that uses a “multipassenger, community-pedaled” vehicle to move people around to visit a string of brew pubs. The business has now expanded to Eugene and had its first run July 18. Details on which pubs will be on the tour are yet to be announced. In Corvallis, the tour includes Block 15, Flat Tail Brewing, McMenamins and Sky High Brewing. The idea originated in Amsterdam. See pacificpubcycle.com or call 632-4343. 

Chaos Kolaches celebrated its first anniversary in business July 20 with a party featuring live music by Tita Louisa, a live broadcast on 1450 All Comedy Radio, face-painting for kids and other activities. The shop and coffee bar is at 388 Q St. in Springfield but it also distributes its traditional Czechoslovakian pasties around the valley through catering and special orders. The Chaos crew is Beau Mollinary, Jennifer Petersen and Aaron Nankin. See chaoskolaches.com or call 654-0831. 

CAR HELP by Oregon Auto Repair will be offering free classes on “what you need to know about your car” at 11 am Saturday mornings in August at the shop, according to new owner Bruce Robertson. He calls it the “Self Sufficiency Series.” The shop is located at 89962 Prairie Road, across from the Prairie Schooner Tavern. Call 357-7311 to register. 

Daisy CHAIN (Creating Healthy Alliances in New-Mothering) has received international recognition for “excellence in staffing and protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding.” The Eugene-based nonprofit was honored with the Care Award for Community Based Health Agencies by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Daisy CHAIN provides in-home care, 24-hour support and mother-to-mother support in Lane County. World Breastfeeding Week is coming up Aug. 1-7 and Daisy CHAIN is sponsoring “The Big Latch On” at 10 am Saturday, Aug. 3, in Monroe Park, 950 Monroe St. in Eugene. Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg will speak.