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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 2017)
Page 8A BUSINESS East Oregonian Saturday, August 5, 2017 PENDLETON Micro-distillery fi res up pizza oven By ANTONIO SIERRA East Oregonian The latest entry in Pendleton’s pizza market is also the city’s only micro-distillery. Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery will open a restaurant to complement its liquor-produc- tion business Sept. 5 and pizza will be a signifi cant part of the menu. While there are already many places to grab a slice in Pend- leton, Oregon Grain Growers aims to occupy its own niche. “It’s a little less pizza Americano and a little more traditional,” said chef Chad De Young, who used to lead the Pendleton Coffee Bean & Bistro kitchen before it closed. De Young said his pizzas refl ect the Oregon Grain Growers ethos of making something that’s handcrafted and locally sourced whenever possible. Additionally, each pizza is cooked in a woodfi re stove dual powered by gas. To refl ect this ethos, De Young has put unconventional toppings like grilled peaches and fi gs and included Oregon Grain Growers’ vodka in the cream sauce of his “Bloody Mary” pizza. While Oregon Grain Growers will have the choice of several different types of pizzas, they’ll also be given a “roll the dice” option that gives the pizza makers the liberty to experiment with the pizza and its toppings. If customers like the impro- vised pizza, De Young can incor- porate it into the menu. If not? Standard Plumbing expands PENDLETON — Standard Plumbing Supply recently supersized with a $400,000 remodel that moved the store from a relatively narrow inventory of wholesale plumbing items to a wide array of home improvement products for the general public. Last weekend the business, located at 4216 Westgate, celebrated with an open house and ribbon cutting. “We were just plumbing before. We’ve become a full-service hardware store,” said manager Dan Logman. “The company has put a big investment into Pendleton.” He said the makeover quadrupled the store’s footprint and tripled the inventory. On the shelves are products ranging from fl anges and fans to fi lters and pipe fi ttings, locks and barbecue supplies, smoke alarms and sealants, doorknobs and dowels. In the northwest corner of the store is a showroom featuring sinks, tubs and other kitchen and bathroom fi xtures. In another corner of the building is the brand new paint department. Pendleton’s Standard Plumbing store is one of almost 100 branches in the western United States. The company is based in Utah. Class in Pendleton addresses house buying safety Photo by Antonio Sierra Co-owner Rodney Bullington, left, and chef Chad De Young prepare pizzas at the Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery Friday in Pendleton. “If people really hate it, it’s on us,” he said. The distillery has softly opened their restaurant and served pizza at catered events and De Young said the menu will serve more than pizza when the restaurant opens offi cially. While the menu hasn’t been fi nalized, De Young said it will be inspired by Mediterranean cuisine and change seasonally. Beyond the restaurant, Oregon Grain Growers continue to forge ahead with their locally produced spirits. Having already started producing a vodka and corn whiskey, Oregon Grain Growers co-owner Rodney Bullington said they’re introducing a gin into the line-up. The distillery team is also working on a whiskey in time for Round-Up. Bullington said it will be called “Umatilla Gold” in reference to the way the county looks golden from above because of the acres of wheat crops. Oregon Grain Growers is located at 511 S.E. Court Ave. and is open Tuesday-Thursday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Friday, 1 p.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday 12 p.m.-9 p.m. ——— Contact Antonio Sierra at asierra@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0836. How much better can jobs report get? By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON — A drop in the unemployment rate to a 16-year low raises a tantalizing question about the job market: How much better can it get? Earlier this year, economists worried that the low unemploy- ment rate meant businesses would struggle to fi nd workers and that would drag down the pace of hiring. Those fears were height- ened by a tiny job gain in March and modest hiring in May. Yet Friday’s jobs report suggests such concerns are prema- ture. Employers added 209,000 jobs, after a solid gain of 231,000 in June, the Labor Department said. The unemployment rate ticked down to 4.3 percent, from 4.4 percent, matching the low reached in May. The U.S. economy is bene- fi ting from steady growth around the world, with Europe and Japan perking up and China’s economy stabilizing. Corporate revenue and profi ts are growing too, and the stock market has hit record highs. Economists were particularly encouraged by the fact that more Americans are coming off the sidelines and fi nding jobs. For the fi rst few years after the recession, many of the unemployed stopped looking for work. Some were discouraged by the lack of available jobs. Others returned to school or stayed home BRIEFLY AP Photo/Nati Harnik In this Thursday photo, Cheryl Bast, left, is accompanied by her daughter Liz Pierson, as she works on an application for a position with Omaha Public Schools, during a job fair held at Omaha South High School in Omaha, Neb. to take care of family. The govern- ment doesn’t count those out of work as unemployed unless they are actively searching for jobs. That trend began to reverse last year and has continued into 2017. To many economists, that means robust hiring could continue for many more months, or even years. “There’s more people willing to work than the unemployment rate would have you believe,” said Nick Bunker, a senior policy analyst at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, a liberal think tank. President Donald Trump cele- brated the data in a tweet shortly after the numbers were released. “Excellent Jobs Numbers,” he wrote, “and I have only just begun.” Trump technically tweeted too early: His comment was posted at 8:45 a.m., just 15 minutes after the report was released. Federal rules specify that White House offi cials should wait for an hour before publicly commenting. The rule is intended to allow the data to be released without political spin. President Barack Obama’s former top economic adviser, Jason Furman, noted the slip-up, calling it a “minor transgression.” The pace of hiring so far this year, while solid, is pretty much the same as it was last year under Obama. Employers have added an average of 184,000 jobs a month through July, compared with 187,000 in 2016. Monthly job gains topped 200,000 on average in 2014 and 2015. The steady hiring is adding up. In July, the proportion of Americans aged 25 through 54 who had a job or were looking for one rose to 81.8 percent, up a half-percentage point from a year earlier and the highest since December 2010. Economists focus on that age group because it fi lters out the impact of retirements by the huge baby boomer generation and excludes younger workers who are more likely to be in school. That means more Americans are optimistic about the job market and launching job searches. But that proportion is still substantially lower than the all-time peak of 84.6 percent, reached in January 1999. The unemployment rate fell to a three-decade low of 3.9 percent the following year, in April 2000. That represented the best of all worlds: A low unemployment rate with a lot of people working or looking for work. Economists doubt the jobless rate can fall that low again without touching off infl ation, as employers are forced to offer higher pay to attract workers from a dwindling supply of unem- ployed. That, in fact, is why the Federal Reserve has raised short- term interest rates three times in the past seven months, which they hope will forestall future price increases. PENDLETON — A class that provides personal life safety information for real estate agents and homeowners during the selling/buying process will be presented in Pendleton. Hosted by The Columbia Basin Board of Realtors, Jo Becker will offer the NAR Realtor Safety course Thursday, Aug. 10 from 1-4 p.m. in the Aldrich Room at the East Oregonian, 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. There is no admission fee. The session will address safety concerns and precautions related to identify theft, data security, offi ce, open house, showing safety protocols, safety-minded marketing strategies and social media best practices. People can register for the class at 800-252-9115 or www.oregonrealtors. org. For more information, call Becker at 503-765-6979. U.S. Cellular sets customer appreciation events Customer service celebrations are planned in the Pendleton and Hermiston U.S. Cellular stores. Both stores will offer a variety of giveaways for anyone who visits. Also, a mobile prize wheel provides customers an opportunity to use their smartphones to spin to win prizes that include accessory discounts, bill credits and other items. The free events are: •Friday, Aug. 11 and Saturday, Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1923 S.W. Court Ave., Pendleton. •Friday, Aug. 11 and Saturday, Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 650 N. First St., Hermiston. For more information, contact Katie Frey at kwinger@gardcommunications.com or 773-355-3275. Seminar focuses on reaching goals HERMISTON — A workshop that provides insight for organizations and individuals on overcoming fears in order to reach goals is being offered in Hermiston. Sponsored by the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer McClure, an international leadership coach, teacher and speaker, will present “Stepping Out of Stuck: The Safer Way to Overcoming Fears.” The leadership and professional growth seminar is Thursday, Aug. 17 from 8-10 a.m. at the Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395. The cost is $30 per person. To register, contact McClure at jenspurgeon11@yahoo. For more about the Hermiston chamber, call 541-567-6151 or visit www.hermistonchamber.com. “Our Roots Run Deep in Morrow County” August 16-20, 2017 FAIR: www.co.morrow.or.us/fair Thanking our Sponsors The Umatilla County Historical Society extends a special thank you to the sponsors of our 2017 Agricultural Heritage Tour. Their support enables this tour to be an outstanding signature event for the Historical Society. th Wednesday, Aug. 16 Reptile Man & Kid Zone Scarecrow Contest The Junebugs Featuring: Joe Lindsay Nate Bosford LEAD SPONSOR Columbia State Bank The McGregor Company MAJOR SPONSORS D. A. Davidson & Co. Northwest Farm Credit Services St. Anthony Hospital Wheatland Insurance Center SUPPORTING SPONSORS Bisnett Insurance Bob and Tammy Green Helix Telephone Co. Holton Secret Lab Kline Landscaping Mid-Columbia Producers, Inc. Morrow County Grain Growers We also thank the hard-working volunteers, who make this event possible Thursday, Aug. 18 th Reptile Man & Kid Zone Old Time Fiddlers Talent Show 4-H/FFA Conformation Murray's Wine Tasting 4-H Food Contest 4-H/FFA Small Animal Showmanship Ice Cream Social 4-H Archery Shoot RDO Tractor Pull Cory Peterson Band Friday, Aug. 18 th Reptile Man & Kid Zone 4-H/FFA Showmanship Ballet Performance 4-7 yrs. Master Showmanship Adult Showmanship Greased Pig Contest OTPR/NPRA Rodeo Music by: Dan Burns 3D Productions Saturday, Aug. 19th Reptile Man & Kid Zone Parade FFA Awards Buyers Luncheon Livestock Auction OTPR/NPRA Rodeo Music by: Dan Burns 3D Productions Sunday, Aug. 20th All Exhibits Released Morrow County Rodeo OTPR NPRA SLACK THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS! Fair Admission: Ages 8 & Up $4 daily or $10 week 7 & under FREE (must be with Adult) Rodeo Admission: 13 & up $10 7-12 yrs. $6 6 & under FREE www.facebook.com/oregontrailprorodeo www.facebook.com/morrowcountyfairheppneroregon
