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.