Biz Beat 10-10-2013

We hear Level Up Arcade is expanding into the back of its building at 13th and Oak, space previously occupied by the old Maize Lounge, and this back part will be open in about two weeks with pool tables, more games and a stage for performance. Yep, Eugene is getting a new live music venue. See www.leveluparcade.com.

The EuGenius Marketplace celebrated its first year in business in the Gateway Mall Oct. 6. The indoor marketplace and business incubator has more than 60 vendor booths and a farmers market in 14,000 sq. ft. of retail space. “We started with private money, no government loans or grants!” says David Wells, who started the market. “Gateway Mall and Rouse Properties were supportive from the beginning and have proved to be a valuable partner in making this year-round indoor market possible.” Call Wells at 729-2608 for more information.

The Advanced Technology Division of LCC has received a donation of state-of-the-art electrical, scientific and manufacturing equipment valued at $45,000 from TE Connectivity’s Wilsonville site. Donated items include high-powered microscopes and industrial lasers. Facilitating the donation was David Beede of TE Connectivity, an LCC graduate of 1995.

Eugene’s Jewish Film Festival has sold out three of its first four showings, and the next film and discussion will be at 2 pm Sunday, Oct. 13, at Bijou Metro downtown. The film will be The Attack, a controversial story about an Arab doctor in Tel Aviv, who is told that his wife organized a suicide bombing, and his search for the truth. The showing is sponsored by the nonprofit Jewish Events Willamette-valley (JEW) and the Bijou.

The Eugene-based nonprofit Sponsors Inc. has a new mentorship program that reaches out to motivated adults who are “trying to transition their lives from addiction, homelessness and crime to a life as contributing community members.” Find out more at sponsorsinc.org or call 505-5663.

The nonprofit peace group Beyond War has a new regional website, beyondwarnw.org, which just launched last week and is designed by 17-year-old South Eugene High School student Julian Mullins. Mullins says his next project is a re-development of South Eugene’s website. He can be reached at mullinsjulian@gmail.com.

Bras for a Cure is a bra-decorating contest to benefit local cancer patients, and the deadline for submissions is Oct. 19. Sponsored by the Willamette Valley Cancer Institute Foundation. Voting is open to the public Oct. 21-31, and winners get a gift certificate to Dandelions Flowers & Gifts. See brasforacure.com for details.

October is Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, and Greenhill Humane Society and 1st Avenue Shelter are encouraging dog lovers to provide homes to some of the many animals awaiting adoption. Call 689-1503, ext. 112, or email sasha@green-hill.org.

City Club of Eugene is planning a fundraising event inspired by the political satire of The Capital Steps from 5 to 8 pm Oct. 20 at Cozmic, 8th and Charnelton. To pitch an act for the event, contact Mary Leighton at 510-3819 or email leighton.mary@gmail.com. Collaborations between writers and performers are encouraged. Suggested admission will be $5, which buys five votes.

Local Toastmasters clubs are bringing in Ryan Avery, the youngest “world champion of public speaking,” to an event that is free to the first 150 people who pre-register. The event is 6:30 pm Wednesday, Oct. 16, at UO Lawrence Hall Room 177. Tickets are at howtobeaspeaker.com/tickets or pay $10 at the door.

Just heard the Basic Rights Oregon Eugene Garden Party Sept. 22 raised $12,240, and contributions are still coming in. Proceeds will go to BRO’s education advocacy activities, including the campaign to place a marriage equality initiative on the statewide 2014 ballot. See basicrights.org for more information.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!