alameda news...
Jan 7,2009
Buyers Benefit From Sliding Home Values
by Agent503
For the first time since the housing bubble burst, the year-over-year decline in value for residential property in Portland is in the double-digit range. According to the S&P Case-Shiller Index, arguably the nation’s most recognized source for home price changes, Portland homes lost more than 10% since October 2007. But not all neighborhoods have been affected to the same extent. Losses in several close-in neighborhoods have remained in the single-digit range, some have even posted mild gains. In some situations sellers have lowered prices on their homes beyond the neighborhood trend, creating interesting opportunities for buyers. Find out more here .
posted at 09:58 AM
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Jan 7,2009
Notes of Interest » January 6, 2009
by pearlgirl
Yesterday's news was chock full of things Portlanders are passionate about: bikes, art, technology and beer. I guess you'd call it a good news day, right? News for bike lovers : the bike community helped land the Boise neighborhood on the pages of Sunset Magazine , and there's a new 'vintage inspired' bike apparel designer in Buckman. For art aficionados : PORT has released their picks for First Thursday—don't let the fact that January 8 is actually second Thursday fool you. Oh, it's ON! Geek news: Local social networks were given a tip of the hat on OPB—including our friends at PDXdog.com !!! For those of you who are still trying to locate the blogosphere, there's a new user group in town that can help you with your blogging needs. For beer lovers : Rogue has produced a limited edition of Jazz Guy Ale for the Portland Jazz Festival . Jazz Guy Ale will be available February 1. Mark your calendars!
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posted at 08:34 AM
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Jan 6,2009
Notes of Interest » January 5
by pearlgirl
It's always great to give and receive props. Yesterday, the news was full of 'em: props of presidential proportion were bestowed on Portland's Get A Life Marching Band —they'll march in the inaugural parade; Mayor Adams gave props to Portlanders in his first mayoral address; Willamette Week showed a little love to Old Spaghetti Factory ; Hollywood Theater was given a special designation by Sundance Film Festival; and City Council got a little LUBA-love in support of their decision to make David Douglas a satellite urban renewal district. photo: Christmas w/a K
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posted at 07:52 AM
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Jan 5,2009
Portland Neighborhood Wallpaper for Your Computer
by pearlgirl
In 2008, we captured some really great photos of Portland's neighborhoods and have selected our 15 favorites to share with you. We invite you to download the images from our Flickr photo gallery and use them as your computer wallpaper. Enjoy! About the photographs All of these photos were taken using a technique called high dynamic range (HDR). Each photograph is a composite of over and under-exposed images, combined into a single photograph on the computer. This technique provides extraordinary detail in the shadows and highlights, far beyond what a single image can capture. In addition, some images were also shot using a digital camera adapted to shoot in infrared—a spectrum of light not visible to the human eye. These photographs were finished with hand coloring in Photoshop. Sunlan Lighting, Boise Ladd's Addition, Hosford-Abernethy Skidmore Fountain, Old Town Chinatown
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posted at 01:01 PM
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Jan 5,2009
Choose Local and Save
by pearlgirl
In 2009, spending judiciously has become a priority for most of us. Fortunately, a friend of ours has devised a wonderful way to support local businesses and save money at the same time. It's called the Choose Local Card Progam . Very Portland. Although Mapclicks Owner David Bentley created the Choose Local Card Program back in summer 2007 , the program is getting loads of favorable attention these days from the likes of UrbanMamas , Around the Sun , OurPDX , KGW and other local media. Choosing local and saving money has always been a good idea, but in these tough times it has become a necessity. This year, neighborhood notes is partnering with Mapclicks to further familiarize you with the Choose Local Card Program. Every couple of weeks, we'll introduce you to a local business that participates in the Choose Local Card Program. You'll meet the owners, take a peek inside their shop, find out what type of goods and services they offer and, of course, learn about their cur
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posted at 11:19 AM
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Jan 5,2009
Notes of Interest » January 2–4
by pearlgirl
Good morning, 2009! Okay. I totally get that it's like, um, January 4—but, we've been been away from the office since Christmas Eve. It feels shiny and new to us! And, here's another thing that's new: optimism. This weekend's news was full of it: new city officials are being sworn in; a local dance company gets a new space; the bid deadline for the new park in South Waterfront was extended; and a local retailer gets a mention in Lucky Magazine. All reasons to celebrate. We like this new optimism. We'll definitely keep you posted. photo: We have the world's first pedicab peddling mayor. Cool, huh?
posted at 10:00 AM
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Jan 2,2009
Portland Water Bureau unveils toilet rebate program
by jenniferd
Beginning January 1, 2009, Portland Water Bureau customers are invited to take advantage of a new toilet rebate program sponsored by the Portland Water Bureau for a limited time. Customers can apply for a $100 rebate for replacing a traditional toilet (1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) or more) with a newer, more water-efficient model that has been labeled WaterSense, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To earn the EPA's WaterSense label , toilets must use no more than 1.28 gpf and meet rigorous performance criteria. The bureau is conducting the program until funds are depleted or until June 30, 2009. To receive the rebate: Applicant must fill out a WaterSense Toilet Rebate Form and return to the Portland Water Bureau no later than June 30, 2009. Applicant must receive water from the Portland Water Bureau and have an active Portland Water Bureau account that is in good standing. Applicant must own the property where the new toilet is being installed or obtain the signatur
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posted at 09:50 AM
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Jan 2,2009
Cinema Junkies » The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
by roxanne
If you have been thinking about seeing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , run, don't walk to see this remarkable film on the big screen. The film was directed by David Fincher (Fight Club) and based on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story of the same title. Fitzgerald wrote that the story was inspired by a comment made by Mark Twain that it was "a pity that the best part of life came at the beginning and the worst part at the end." The film has the kind of voyeuristic feel of early Truman Capote or Carson McCullers, whose fiction always seemed to capture a microcosm of humanity that was both fascinating and exposing of the dark underbelly of the deep south. Benjamin Button is an emotionally complex epic, touching all of the deep places in the heart. It is a well-told tale that centers around the big themes in life; love, separation, fear of differences, and vulnerability related to aging and mortality, to name a few. In short, this is a moving story you can really sink
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posted at 08:10 AM
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Dec 31,2008
Youth Action Grants for up to $2,000 available through the City of Portland
by pearlgirl
The Vision into Action Coalition and the Youth Planning Program are excited to announce that money is now available directly to youth to improve their communities! 2009 YOUTH ACTION GRANTS PROGRAM Click here to view the grants guidelines & sample application
A pool of $10,000 is available for community-based projects initiated, designed, and run by youth 21 and under. The Youth Action Grants Program will provide grants of up to $2,000 to youth or youth groups who want to take action that makes Our Bill of Rights: Children + Youth and Portland's community vision a reality. Upcoming YOUTH ACTION GRANT Workshops
The City/County Youth Programs are also pleased to offer three free grant workshops designed FOR YOUTH to answer their grant-related questions. You must attend at least one workshop to apply for a grant. Click Here to sign-up for a workshop!
YOUTH ACTION GRANTS APPLICATION FORM
Click Here to view application Applications
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posted at 01:45 PM
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