Biz Beat 2-27-2014

Cascade Raptor Center on Fox Hollow Road took a big hit in the recent snow and ice storm, says Louise Shimmel of the center. She says volunteers wore hard hats as they were feeding the birds and checking on them amid crashing branches and even falling trees. The birds survived despite damage to their aviaries, though a couple of traumatized owls and a kite needed to come inside for the weekend. A supply shed was damaged, along with the mouse barn and a car. The center was closed for two weeks and is now fundraising to help pay for the damage and lost revenue. See eraptors.org or call 485-1320 to help.

A free PTSD community clinic is being offered by Suzanne Fairchild, L.Ac. and Lisa Harrick-Varga, IARP of Harmonic Health. Along with monthly guest healers, the two are donating their time, energy and materials the first Sunday of the month to deliver care, acupuncture and Reiki to patients with PTSD. Patients do not have to be veterans, but “This is a patient population that has been and is underserved and it is a true joy and honor to offer this to them,” says Fairchild. The next clinic will be from 2 to 4 pm Sunday, March 2, at the Stellaria Building, 150 Shelton McMurphy Blvd. Donations not required but will be accepted. Email suzannefairchild@gmail.com. 

The Gluten Free Cart opened in downtown Eugene last week at 225 W. Broadway, across the street from Noisette Pastry Kitchen. The business, which also has a display at the EuGenius Market at Gateway Mall in Springfield through March, offers gluten-free mixes, pastas, fresh-baked goods, gift baskets and gourmet foods. Call 912-5370 or find them on Facebook. The cart will also be at EW’s Spring Wellness Summit March 29 at Cozmic.

Bicycle businesses in Lane County are gathering and celebrating with a fundraising event starting at 7 pm Tuesday, March 4, at Cush Café, 1235 Railroad Blvd. Two local bands will play and speakers will talk about “pioneering” bike businesses in the city and the future of bike enterprises. Participating will be Patchwork Repair, Cascadian Courier Collective, Pedal Power Music, Crepe Cyclette, Emerald City Pedicabs, Hummingbird and others. Find the event at wkly.ws/1oy. 

Springfield Shelter Rights Alliance, a program of Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC), is busy building Conestoga huts to house the homeless in Springfield. Two huts will be constructed March 1 at Northwood Christian Church, 2425 Harvest Lane. The Springfield City Council approved the huts, which cost about $1,200 each for materials. The city pays for portable toilets and garbage collection. See calclane.org for details and to contribute.

A free small business clinic is planned for 5 to 7 pm Thursday, March 6, and again March 27, at the Eugene Public Library downtown. Sponsored by the LCC Small Business Development Center and SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business. Topics include “Start and Grow an Arts & Crafts Business.” Pre-registration is required, call 682-5450.