Biz Beat 11-12-2015

The scams are back. Local businesses are once again getting calls about Best of Eugene awards and offers to ship the awards, for a price. These offers from out of state are copyright violations at best and total scams at worst. One fellow who is soliciting fake awards says he works for Eugene Weekly. He’s calling the businesses he sees in our Best of Eugene issue and asking for credit card numbers. Of course we have never charged any business for the awards we give out. A variation on this scam involves websites where businesses can see the awards they are buying.

Pot growers, both commercial and private home-based, are causing power outages in northeast Portland, according to a story by Lynne Terry in The Oregonian Nov. 4. All those high-wattage grow lights are overloading circuits and blowing transformers. Hey local growers, do you really need a bank of 1,000-watt bulbs to make your green grow? We know the technology of lighting is evolving and improving energy efficiency. What works now that Lane County has returned to gray, gloomy weather? Send us your tips. 

Remember that time Nathan Fillion of Firefly and Castle fame came to town to test drive one of Arcimoto’s electric vehicles? Now you too can check out the latest prototype. Mark Frohnmayer, founder and president of Arcimoto, says, “The team has been burning the midnight oil” to get the new prototypes on the road.  Arcimoto shows off its Generation 8 SRK Alpha Prototypes to the public for the first time 6-10 pm Saturday, Nov. 14, at Broadway Commerce Center, downtown Eugene. 

The McKenzie Cider & Craft Beer Festival is coming up Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13-14, at the Willamalane Center, 250 S. 32nd Street in Springfield. Some 70 cider makers and craft brewers from Oregon, California and Washington will be there, along with food vendors. Tickets are $15 at the door, $12 in advance. The event benefits McKenzie After 5 and Springfield Rotary programs for kids at risk. See mccbf.com or call 225-2510.

Willamette Farm & Food Coalition is planning its fifth annual “Fill Your Pantry” event from 1 to 5 pm Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Lane County Fairgrounds. This is an opportunity to stock up on grains, legumes, dry corn, seeds, fruits and vegetables that store well in winter. So far, 17 vendors will be there. The first year of the event saw about 6,000 pounds of food sold by three vendors, but the event has grown over the years and last year nearly 28,000 pounds were sold. See a list of vendors at lanefood.org.

The Greater Eugene Community Alliance of Tenants is holding regular meetings and is planning a town hall from 3 to 5 pm Monday, Nov. 16, at Pacific Hall Room 23 on the UO campus, behind Columbia Hall. The group has a Facebook page.