Biz Beat 7-31-2014

Kaiser Permanente announced this week that it will open a medical office in Eugene in late 2015, according to a press release. Medical office sites are being evaluated to accommodate at least four primary care physicians and their staff. Kaiser Permanente is a nonprofit provider of integrated health care services and insurance plans, serving 9.3 million members, including about 495,000 members in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

A Tour de Lane bicycle makers mixer will be from 1 to 3 pm Friday, Aug. 1, at Hop Valley, 990 W. 1st Ave. Co-motion, Rolf Prima and Bike Friday are local bicycle manufacturers that will have representatives available to meet and greet. The public is invited. Contact Anne at rally@mhevent.com or call 896-3088 for more information.

The first regional skateboarding competition at WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza will be Saturday, Aug. 2, and up to 60 professional and amateur skateboarders from the West Coast and beyond are expected to compete for $6,000 in prizes, including a $1,000 best trick contest. The event is called Northwest Jam and sponsors include Tactics Boardshop, Nike SB and Independent Truck Co. Tactics held two qualifying events earlier this summer to select six local skateboarders to compete with the regional skaters. A party at Cozmic, 199 W. 8th Ave., is planned at 8 pm after the event, sponsored by Tactics, Emerica Footwear and Ninkasi. Tactics is also celebrating 15 years in business. Tickets for the party are $5 in advance at Tactics or $8 at the door.

Coffee Plant Roaster, 2836 W. 11th Ave., is celebrating its first anniversary beginning at 11 am Saturday, Aug. 2, with live music by Banda Super Mercado. Free coffee samples, sales on all beans to go and surprises all day are planned, says owner Robert Rubin, including a new “Birthday Blend.” The business offers organic coffee beans grown on small farms and roasted daily on-site in a vintage roaster. Call 359-1505 for more information.

A free small business clinic “Ask the Experts” will be from 5 to 7 pm Thursday, July 31, at the Eugene Public Library downtown. Sponsored by LCC Small Business Development Center and SCORE. Pre-registration required by calling 682-5450.

The 18th annual Holistic Health, Psychic & Crafts Fair is happening Aug. 2-3 in Yachats. Artists, exhibitors and seminar leaders are coming from all over Oregon and as far away as Ohio and Texas. A donation of $3 is asked for the weekend. See chucklingcherubs.com.

The nonprofit Cascades Raptor Center is planning its annual benefit dinner at King Estate at 6 pm Saturday, Aug. 9. This event often sells out. Call 485-1320 for reservations.

Green Lane’s August luncheon will focus on the “sustainable remodel of Eugene City Hall, “with architect John Rowell, at 11:30 am Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Eugene Hilton downtown. Lunch is available for purchase. See greenlane-sbn.org.

Nominations are due by Aug. 13 for the Serenity Lane Community Service Awards. Categories include addiction professional, community leadership, community youth leadership, human resources/EAP, health care professional and legal professional/uniformed public service. A new category this year is the mayor’s award, nominated by mayors of both Eugene and Springfield. The awards will be presented at a community breakfast Oct. 22 at the Eugene Hilton. See serenitylane.org/csa.

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!