Biz Beat 10-31-2013

Residential property sales are up significantly in Lane County, comparing last September with this September, according to a Regional Multiple Listing Service report passed along to us by Prudential broker Sally Nunn. The median residential sales price is up 15 percent, the number of new listings is up 15 percent and the number of closed sales is up 16.8 percent. Neighborhoods leading in average price change are Mohawk Valley, Springfield, McKenzie Valley, River Road, Coburg/I-5 and southwest Eugene. Price inflation is good news for homeowners underwater and those needing to sell, not such good news for investors who have been sitting too long on the sidelines.

The McKenzie Cider & Craft Beer Festival is back for its second year from 5 to 11 pm Friday, Nov. 1, and noon to 11 pm Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Willamalane Center, 250 S. 32nd St. in Springfield. Sponsored by the McKenzie After 5 rotary and Springfield Rotary. Tickets are $15 and proceeds benefit Belly-Full, a Rotary project in conjunction with FOOD for Lane County. See mccbf.com.

The International Art and Gift Market sponsored by Women’s Opportunity Worldwide will be from 10 am to 8 pm Friday, Nov. 1, and 10 am to 5 pm Saturday, Nov. 2,  at the Broadway Commerce Building, 44 West Broadway. Features fair trade crafts, art and photography from around the world. Proceeds benefit women and their families. The event will happen again Nov. 22. Call 741-7198 for more information.

Adoption Connections of Oregon’s 12th annual conference will be from 10 am to 3 pm Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Oregon Research Institute, 1776 Millrace Dr., off of Franklin Boulevard, opposite Agate Street. Elaine Walters, executive director of the Trauma Healing Project, will lead a workshop on “Nurturing Attachment and Resilience in Adopted Children” for adoptive parents, pre-adoptive parents, adoption professionals, foster parents and all others who care for children who have experienced trauma. $15-$25 suggested donation. Lunch provided with pre-registration. See adoptionconnectionsoforegon.org or call Sue Barnhart at 342-1953.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Cascade Coast Education Conference for Caregivers will be from 9 am to 3:30 pm Saturday, Nov. 2, at Eugene Faith Center, 1410 W. 13th Ave. Conference fee is $25 for family caregivers, $50 for professionals. Register at act.alz.org or call (503) 416-0214.

A fundraiser for McKenzie River Trust will be all day Monday, Nov. 4, at Fisherman’s Market, 7th and Blair, with 50 percent of restaurant sales from 4 to 8 pm going to the nonprofit. $1 each from Ninkasi pint sales that day will also benefit MRT. See mckenzieriver.org.

Café Yumm! is expanding into Washington state and will open its first Seattle store this weekend at the corner of 7th and Pine near the Pike Street Public Market. This will be the 12th restaurant for the company and Yumm! Sauce can now be found in 120 grocery stores on the West Coast.

The Original Potted Christmas Tree Company of Portland is expanding to Eugene this holiday season, according to owner John Fogel. His business model is unique, says Fogel. He sells and delivers potted trees to his customers for $75 to $115, then picks them up after the holidays and resells them for $10 each to parks departments, wildlife agencies and schools. He offers cedars, junipers, pines, spruces and Douglas firs. See livingchristmastrees.org.

Results from the BRING Home & Garden Tour Sept. 8 have been compiled and this year’s tour produced a record 685 ticket sales and a record 482 people at a single site, the LUCiA development on Friendly Street. Second most popular site was architect Mark Gillem’s Fairmount reconstruction with 445 visitors. EW was one of the co-sponsors of the event. See story and photos at wkly.ws/1lj.

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