Hermiston
A4
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015
B USINESS
HERMISTONHERALD.COM
U.F.O. Gaming Arena lands on Main Street
Mike Engelbrecht
joins Irrigation
Specialists as
general manager
By JADE MCDOWELL
Staff Writer
Lindsay Corporation, maker of
Zimmatic irrigation systems, an-
nounces the addition of Mike En-
gelbrecht as general manager of
Irrigation Specialists, based in Pas-
co, Washington.
Irrigation Specialists was es-
tablished in 1970 and is one of
the largest agricultur-
al irrigation sales and
service providers in
the Paci¿ c Northwest,
with additional of¿ c-
es in Grandview and
Othello, Washington,
and Hermiston. The
Mike
company, which has
Engelbrecht
nearly 100 full-time
and seasonal employ-
ees, sells center pivot and drip ir-
rigation systems as well as residen-
tial irrigation parts.
Engelbrecht previously worked
for RDO Equipment Co. where
he held positions of increasing re-
sponsibility since 1997, most re-
cently as the division manager of
ag exports in Hermiston. He has
also held positions with Sire Power
and the U.S. Department of Agri-
culture.
“I’m tremendously excited to
join Irrigation Specialists and pro-
vide unparalleled irrigation sales
and service to the diversi¿ ed grow-
ers in our region,” Engelbrecht
said.“Water is the life-blood of the
diversi¿ ed agriculture in our area
and our job is to help growers con-
tinue to produce abundant crops as
ef¿ ciently as possible through great
sales, service and product support.”
Engelbrecht holds a bachelor
of science degree from Iowa State
University where he majored in
dairy science with an emphasis in
agricultural business. He and his
wife, Christina, are originally from
Iowa and have four children, ages
7 to 19.
A new Main Street business
is hoping to foster a more con-
nected community of gamers in
Hermiston.
Robert Rivera, owner of
U.F.O. Gaming Arena at 256 E.
Main St., said he knows people
can play video games in their
own homes but U.F.O. Gaming
offers the opportunity to get out
of the house and meet other vid-
eo game enthusiasts.
He said his shop — com-
plete with six high-de¿ nition
televisions and Xbox Ones,
new games, two top-of-the-line
gaming computers, an array of
couches and a supply of snacks
for sale — is similar to the one
he and his friends hung out in
when he was growing up in
California. He hopes U.F.O.
Gaming becomes a go-to hang-
out in Hermiston.
“There’s not that much stuff
for youth to do around here,” he
said.
In addition to regular pay-by-
the-hour gaming, Rivera said
he plans to host local tourna-
ments with pri]es and is happy
to rent out the store to anyone
who wants to throw a birthday
party or other event inside.
He plans to put together a
tournament to celebrate the re-
lease of Halo 5 at the end of
the month. He said one bene-
¿ t of coming down to U.F.O.
Gaming is getting to try out
new games, and also to be able
to play friends online even if
gamers don’t have their own
Xbox Live account.
“Not many kids can afford
Xbox Ones and then fork out
$60 for every new game they
want to play,” he said.
The concept of video games
as sport is taking a long time to
catch on in the United States,
but in other countries the cham-
pionships for various games ¿ ll
6TAFF 3H2T2 %< -AD( 0cD2W(//
Owner Robert Rivera stands by a Thermaltake gaming computer at U.F.O. Gaming Arena.
stadiums and draw major spon-
sorships. The League of Leg-
ends World Championship held
in London this past weekend
offered a $1 million pri]e to the
winning team.
Rivera said he would love
to see a minor league or major
league gaming team come out
of Hermiston eventually. He
plans to contact area schools
to see if they are interested in
hosting gaming clubs.
After being open about six
weeks, Rivera said word is ¿ -
nally spreading and he is getting
more regular customers. One
group came in recently and spent
the entire day at the store, not
leaving until close to midnight.
“Their parents were ¿ ne with it,”
Rivera said. “They said, ‘At least
they’re staying out of trouble.’”
U.F.O. Gaming Arena is
open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday
through Thursday, 11 a.m. to
midnight on Friday and 10 a.m.
to midnight on Saturday and
Sunday. On Monday through
Thursday the cost is $6 an hour
per person, $8 for three hours or
$12 for an all-day pass. On Fri-
day through Sunday cost is $8
an hour, $12 for three hours or
$20 for an all-day pass. Specta-
tors are admitted free.
BRIEFCASE
3rinted on
recycled
newsprint
Boardman
subdivision set for
grand opening
The city of Boardman
has announced the grand
opening of the new
Tuscany subdivision.
The public is invited to
tour the houses constructed
by Riverwood Homes of
Boise. The open house
is Friday from 3-6 p.m.
The subdivision is located
on Main Street south of
Wilson Lane, Boardman.
Refreshments will be
served and guests will be
entered into a drawing for a
rafÀ e pri]e.
Business luncheon
highlights workplace
morale
Susan Bower will talk
about how to boost morale
and increase productivity
in the workplace during
the upcoming Hermiston
Chamber of Commerce
B2B Luncheon.
Bower, a professional
development specialist and
human resource consultant,
will summari]e key points
outlined by best-selling au-
thors Ken Blanchard and
Sheldon Bowles. The pre-
sentation is Tuesday, Oct.
27 with networking starting
at 11:45 a.m. at the Herm-
iston Conference Center,
415 S. Highway 395. The
lunch, which is catered by
Country Gentleman, cost
$10 for members and $13
for non-members.
In addition, the Hermis-
ton Herald is interested in
feedback about its recent
enhancements. Bower will
lead a focus group discus-
sion following the main
program. People are en-
couraged to come and meet
the Herald team and share
their thoughts about the
newspaper.
For more information or
to RSVP, contact 541-567-
6151 or kelly@hermiston-
chamber.com.
Sun Terrace
celebrates 15 years
In recognition of its 15th
anniversary, Sun Terrace
Hermiston is hosting an
open house.
The public is invited to
celebrate the occasion Fri-
day from 2-4 p.m. at 1550
N.W. 11th St., Hermiston.
The event includes door
pri]e drawings, refresh-
ments, music and a tour of
the model room. People are
encouraged to stop by and
share memories and make
new friends.
For more information,
call 541-564-2595.
will present information
about free business resourc-
es.
For more information,
contact MaryAnn Rhoads
at 541-429-7188 or mary-
annrhoads@ctuir.org.
Wildhorse hosts
employment fair
The Hermiston Herald
accepts news announce-
ments about job changes
and promotions, business
ownership changes, reno-
vations, remodels, changes
in business hours, new
business openings, busi-
ness owner retirements and
related items. Submit your
business news and photos
to newsroom@hermiston-
herald.com.
VOLUME 109 ɿ NUMBER 57
Gary L. West | Editor • gwest@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4532
Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4539
Sam Barbee | Sports Reporter • sbarbee@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4542
Kim La Plant | Multi-media consultant • klaplant@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4530
People seeking jobs are
invited to the Employment
& Training Career Fair.
The event is Thursday
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in
Cayuse Hall at Wildhorse
Resort & Casino, off High-
way 331, Mission. It is free
of charge.
About 30 vendors will
be present and some may
conduct on-the-spot inter-
views. People are encour-
aged to bring a resume.
Also, a workshop at 10 a.m.
Join the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce
& Visitor Center for the 3rd annual
Jade McDowell | Reporter • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536
Sean Hart | Reporter • smhart@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4534
Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media Consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531
To contact the Hermiston Herald for news,
advertising or subscription information:
• call 541-567-6457
• e-mail info@hermistonherald.com
• stop b\ our of¿ ces at 333 (. 0ain 6t.
• visit us online at: hermistonherald.com
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0ember of (2 0edia *roup &opyright 2015
McKay Creek Estates
presents:
SAFETY
FIRST
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Join us as we host a lecture series to
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The Truth Behind Senior Moments - C O N C L U D E D
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 3:30 PM
Dog Costume
Contest!
Saturday, October 31 • 10 A.M.
West McNary Park,
Umatilla
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$5 per dog (3 dog limit)
Free for the dog’s family
Each dog must be on a leash.
Scariest • Funniest • Most Original
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For more information, please call the
Umatilla Chamber at 541-922-4825.
Tickets be available at the chamber office.
Learn what’s normal and what is not when it comes to short-term memory loss.
Learn the early signs of Alzheimer’s and other related dementias. We will discuss
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 3:30 PM
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 3:30 PM
Learn how to identify and manage depression. Life’s changes can have adverse
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For more information or to RSVP, call us at (541) 276-1987 or visit us today!
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