Biz Beat 1-22-2015

If you go online to search for Prudential Real Estate in Lane County you will automatically be rerouted to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Billionaire Warren Buffet recently bought Prudential and associated businesses for an undisclosed amount and brought them under his Berkshire brand. Buffett’s purchase is considered to be another indication that the housing sector of the economy is recovering. “It’s a good sign for the market and a great sign for buyers and sellers,” says Eugene-area broker Sally Nunn who was with Prudential and now has new business cards and signs. “I’m loving it already,” she says. “Our agents have access to great technology and resources, locations to refer buyers (now worldwide) and everyone can search online with a great app.” Berkshire has about 32,000 listings worldwide. 

We did a feature story on As You Like It back on Dec. 18 (see http://wkly.ws/1wk) and the new “gender-inclusive, body-safe, sex-positive, pleasure shop committed to selling body-safe toys” held its grand opening Jan. 17-18 at 1655 W. 11th Ave. The store features many products from Eugene-based companies such as Good Clean Love, Terra Firma and Painful Pleasure Toys. Owner is Kim Marks who plans to host guest speakers, workshops and other sex-positive events at the store. See asyoulikeitshop.com for more information.

Local and regional bicycle businesses and advocates for cycling will be gathering for the Oregon Bicycle Adventure Summit from 2 to 7 pm Sunday, Jan. 25, at Ninkasi Brewing, 155 Blair Blvd. Cost to get in is two cans of food for FOOD for Lane County and registration online is requested at oregonbicycleadventuresummit.com. The event will feature information about rides in the region, bike gear of all sorts, and an opportunity to talk to cycling organizers and activists. To volunteer, call 954-1161 or email shecker@uw.edu. The event is also on Facebook.

Eugene-based Ninkasi was distributing its craft brews through the European-based Anheuser-Busch InBev but announced last week it will be switching to Oregon-based Bigfoot Beverage Distributors. The Odom Corporation, based in Bellevue, Washington, will handle western Washington state distribution beginning early February. Last week Ninkasi was honored in San Francisco with a 2015 Good Food Award by Seedling Projects. The award recognizes commitments to sustainability, quality and “strides toward creating a better community.” Beer is one category in the awards, along with cheese, chocolate, coffee and other food- and drink-related products. 

Warrior Sisters self-defense nonprofit is back on UO campus for winter term, offering free two-hour training courses once a month at the Bean-Moore Dining Hall on campus. Trainings will be held from 5 to 7 pm Mondays, Jan. 26, Feb. 16 and March 9. Find out more at womens-selfdefense.org or email warriorsisters@riseup.net.