Eugene Buzz
Posts
🏫 Layoffs hit UO

🏫 Layoffs hit UO

Eco Fest at the farmers market, an award winning cake decorator, and a fresh batch of local jobs

Derek Carlson
June 24, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Good morning, Eugene! Spring really wanted one last hurrah before summer officially arrived, eh?

In today’s Eugene Buzz:

♻️ Eco Fest at the farmers market
🎂 Eugene is home to an award-winning cake decorator
💼 Layoffs hit UO Arts & Sciences department

Let’s get to it.

-Derek Carlson

Snapshots

♻️ Eco Fest at the market

This week’s Tuesday farmers market is pulling double duty as it will also be hosting Eco Fest. This one-day event is a great way to meet local organizations that are helping to make Eugene a better place to live. There will also be hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and music to turn this green meetup into a full-blown fest. Tuesday 9 AM - 2 PM Farmers Market Pavilion

😞 UO lays off 42 employees

A few weeks ago, we shared the grim financial future that the University of Oregon was facing. Well, the cuts have begun to make up some of the shortfall, and this time around, it is impacting the College of Arts and Sciences as 42 folks have been laid off. The cuts were made across the board within the department and are estimated to save the university $3.5 million.

🎂 Eugene is home to a master cake decorator

Want to wow your birthday party guests with a cake that looks out of this world? You’re in luck as Eugene is now officially home to the fan favorite winner at the IDDBA’s (that’s International Dairy Deli Bakery Association for those of you not in the know) Cake’d Competition. Lisa Dowling took home the honor after honing her craft for 20 years at Market of Choice.

🔥 Skinner Butte summit parking lot closes

If you wanted to take in the view from the top of Skinner Butte this summer, you’ll have to hoof it up to the top as the summit parking lot is closed until October 1st. The closure is in an effort to reduce wildfire danger from folks illegally shooting off fireworks from the parking lot. I guess they figure folks who are willing to risk starting a fire won’t put in the effort to lug their roman candles up the hill. If last year was any indication, it looks like a correct hunch.

💁 How can I help

As of last Friday, the Eugene Buzz is officially one month old, and just like my kids, it’s growing like a weed! A huge thank you to the 3,127 people who have already signed up for the newsletter, and another huge thanks to everyone who has emailed in events and words of encouragement.

My ultimate goal for this newsletter is to be a go-to community resource for keeping tabs on things happening around the city, supporting local businesses big and small, and helping to bring a little exposure to the folks who are making Eugene a better place to live.

So here’s where I ask you - how can I help? What else can I add (or take away) to this twice-a-week newsletter to better serve you all? I’ll put a poll below with some ideas, but if you have any thoughts, feel free to hit reply to this email and let me know!

How can I improve the Eugene Buzz?

What would you like to see added to the newsletter?

Business Happenings

🛒 Cyber attack leads to empty shelves: You may have noticed some empty shelves at grocery stores around town over the weekend. Luckily, we didn’t go back in time to pandemic days, but unfortunately (especially for the poor IT folks responsible for fixing the mess), food distributor United Natural Foods suffered a cyber attack that severely slowed its distribution systems. At this point, things should mostly be back to normal.

@THEEUGENEBUZZ

lionandowlrestaurant
5,817 followers
View more on Instagram
lionandowlrestaurant
Add a comment...

📸 @lionandowlrestaurant | 📍Lion & Owl Restaurant
Tag @theeugenebuzz to get your photos featured!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Tuesday 6.24

👋 Artist mixer: Calling all local artists! The Hult Center is hosting an artist mixer where you can learn about opportunities at the center, meet fellow artists, and munch on some tasty treats. 5 PM Hult Center

📿 Oceana beads trunk show: Take your beading hobby to the next level with the Oceana bead trunk show at Harlequin Beads & Jewelry. 11 AM - 6 PM Harlequin Beads & Jewelry

🦋 Make your own mosaic: Enjoy a slice of ‘za from Abby’s Pizza while learning how to make your own mosaic butterfly at this family-friendly class. 6:30 PM Abby’s Legendary Pizza

💰️ Profits and pints: Meet fellow business owners and strategize on how to take your biz to the next level. Oh, and there will be beer too! 4 PM 6th St Restaurant

🏐 Volleyball at the park: Get ready for an afternoon of bumping, setting, and spiking with volleyball at the park. These matches will be played on grass. 5 PM Alton Baker Park

✒️ Flash tattoo design class: Learn how to design your own flash tattoos (these are tattoos you paint on, so no regrets if they stink) at this free event at the library. 6 PM Downtown Library

Wednesday 6.25

📽️ Magic in the woods: Learn about the 50-year history of the Oregon State Fair and the artists who brought it to life. 9 PM McDonald Theatre

🃏 Learn to play poker: Want to learn the basics of poker or need to sharpen your skills for an upcoming trip to Sin City? The Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House (or SMJ House for short) is hosting a three-part class that will turn you into a card shark in no time flat. 4 PM SMJ House

🎼 Musical trivia: Do you know every song from Cats by heart? If so, then this is your night as Starlight Lounge is hosting musicals trivia. 8 PM Starlight Lounge

♦️ Cribbage night: Put those cribbage skills to the test at The Bier Stein. A $5 entry fee gets you four games. 6:30 PM The Bier Stein

🖌️ Paint kindness rocks: Come craft with the community and spread a little kindness around town with this paint kindness rocks gathering at the library. All supplies provided. 6:30 PM Downtown Library

Thursday 6.26

😆 Aries Speares at Olsen Run: Prepare for a night of laughs at comedian Aries Speares kicks off a three-night set at Olsen Run Comedy Club. 7 & 9:30 PM Olsen Run Comedy Club

🎲 Beginner board games night: Come learn a new board game and play in a fun and (beginner) friendly environment. 5 - 10 PM Funagain Games

🔪 Horrible bingo: Bad horror movie + bingo = prizes and a whole lot of fun. Watch early 2000s horror film, Jennifer’s Body, while trying to fill your bingo board. 7 PM Art House

🐝 Bee jazzy: Get ready to do your happy little bee dances at the Bee Jazzy event at Silvan Ridge Winery. There will bee live music, wine, and a silent auction with proceeds going to Save Oregon’s Bees. 5:30 PM Silvan Ridge Winery

📖 Family storytime: Bring the littles down to the park for books, songs, and good old-fashioned fun. 10:15 PM Petersen Park

🐈️ Paint with cats: Paint your own unique cat figurine and hang out with the kitties at paint with cats at the Eugene Springfield Cat Lounge. 5:30 PM Eugene Springfield Cat Lounge

🏃 Emerald trail series race #5: Hit the dirt at race #5 of the Emerald Trail Race series. This race is the shortest of the series at 3 miles. 6:30 PM Mt. Pisgah

LIVE MUSIC

Tuesday 6.24

Wednesday 6.25

Thursday 6.26

WHO’S HIRING IN EUGENE

Looking for your next job? Here are some local listings that have popped up over the past week.

Manager Station Operations at Horizon Air
Environmental Manager at International Paper
Client Relationship Consultant at US Bank
Information Systems Architect at HEICO
Scheduling Coordinator at Volare Health

THANKS FOR READING!

If you have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our 3,100+ readers in Eugene, feel free to drop us a line → [email protected]