Ultimate Open House

SustainLane.com, a San Francisco-based web portal encouraging healthy and sustainable
living, has ranked Portland #1 for sustainability among the nation’s 50 largest cities.

The ranking examines which cities are self-sufficient and ready for unexpected events like skyrocketing energy prices and natural disasters. The 2008 Sustainable City Ranking measures America’s 50 largest cities in order from the most prepared to the least prepared. See full rankings.

Portland was selected for its ability to maintain healthy air, drinking water, parks and public transit access, combined with a the region’s robust, sustainable local economy. Portland’s economic success story includes green building, dense neighborhoods where it is easy to walk and bike, farmers markets, renewable energy and alternative fuels.

If you visited the R.E.X. Project in April during the Ultimate Open House when the house was nothing buts studs you are going to want to visit the R.E.X. Project again now that it is finished.

You can see the results for yourself on Portland’s Build It Green! home tour this Saturday, Sept. 20. Tickets are available online at www.portlandonline.com/osd/builditgreen or at Ecohaus, 819 S.E. Taylor St., Portland.

See how far the project has come on Shannon’s Blog.

According to the Cohousing Assocition of the United States…Cohousing communities are old-fashioned neighborhoods created with a little ingenuity. They bring together the value of private homes with the benefits of more sustainable living. That means common facilities and good connections with neighbors. All in all, they stand as innovative answers to today’s environmental and social problems.

Although Cohousing communities may seem radical to some they are becoming more and more mainstream.  As a matter of fact there are at least 3 cohousing projects under construction right now in the Portland Metro area.  Plus, later this month a symposium is scheduled at Portland City Hall to discuss collaborative housing developements and a community-based approach to design and developement.

Read more about cohousing in the Oregonian…

• Cohousing Condos Unite Bicyle Fans
• Metro area co-housing communities have units available for sale
• Portland renters have an new option

and the Daily Journal of Commerce….

• Fostering a sense of Community
• Cohousing is an attractive investment for bank

From The Oregonian, story by Eric Mortenson photo by Randy L Rasmussen 

Every house on the market has its issues, and the Northeast Portland home that Emily Gardner was touring with broker Kirsten Kaufman is one of those the real estate fliers delicately refer to as “needs TLC.”  It’s small, smells bad, needs fresh paint everywhere and the electrical system is funky. Filthy carpeting covers the hardwood floors. The basement has a mysterious puddle, and it looks as though squatters kept a diary on a closet wall.

But the street is quiet and the house has a garage tucked under the main floor — perfect for rolling bikes in and out to the street. From here, Gardner figures, she could whip down Ninth Avenue to Going Street, hop onto the Vancouver-Williams couplet with its comfortable bike lanes, cross the Broadway Bridge and in 15 minutes be at work downtown at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance.

Gardner is among a burgeoning class of prospective homebuyers. In addition to checking price, square footage and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, some now are looking for houses that will allow them to ride a bike to work.

Read more….

Biking is a great choice for short to medium trips. In a region known for great cycling, there are many reasons to consider biking as a transportation option from cost savings to improving your health and fitness.

Biking is healthy, for you, and the planet. A short, four-mile round trip by bicycle keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe.

Biking will increase your level of physical activity, help you lose or maintain weight and improve your energy level. Biking will also help you beat high gas prices as you pedal your way to better health.

A variety of conveniences throughout the metro area, including bike lockers, racks and changing facilities, make biking a great option for getting where you need to go.

Click here to learn more about Bike There! Metro’s popular bike route map.

The Street of Dreams opens today! 

In addition to touring homes, discovering how to make your home energy efficient, being inspired by unique design ideas and standing atop of Mt. Scott (the highest point in Portland), there is a wide variety of special events happening at the Street of Dreams. Mark your calendar now so you don’t miss out…

Friday, Aug. 15th - 6:30pm-10:30pm - A Midsummer Night’s Dream 25th Anniversary

Saturday, August 16th - 12pm to 5:00pm - American Family Insurance Family Day

Thursday, August 21st – 6pm to 9pm - Wine and Jazz

Thursday, Aug. 28 – 6pm to 9:00pm - Artist Night

Friday, Aug. 29th – 6pm to 9:00pm - Date Night sponsored by It’s Just Lunch

Thursday, Sept. 4 – 6pm to 9:00pm - Wine and Jazz

Friday, Sept. 5th – 6pm to 9:00pm - Ladies Night

Saturday, Sept. 13th - 12:00pm to 5pm - American Family Insurance Family Day

At noon today Eastern Oregon farmers, city officials and Hermiston, OR residents will be handing out farm-fresh watermelons, cantaloupes and potatoes in Pioneer Courthouse Square free of charge.

Festivities will include a watermelon seed spitting contest between City dignitaties like Hermiston’s Mayor Bob Severson and Portland Parks Commissioner Dan Saltzman. Last year’s contest winner was the returning champion, Hermiston City Councilor Jackie Meyers who spit her seed 22 feet!

Movies under the stars are a summer family tradition in Portland a listing of movie times and locations can be found here but the NW Film Center has a unique approach that looks like lots of fun.

The descriptions below are most often used to describe people living in Portlands.  Which one describes you?

Bright Lights, Big City - Very mobile singles living in the city. Singles ranging in age from early 20s to mid-40s who have moved to an urban setting. Most rent their apartment or condo. Some have a college education and work in services and the professional sector.
Aspiring Urbanites - Urban singles with moderate income. Low- to middle-income singles over a wide age range. Some have a college education. They work in a variety of occupations, including some management-level positions.
Power Singles - High-income urban singles. Highly educated professionals, many with advanced degrees. They draw a handsome salary and have reasonable living expenses while living a hip, upscale life in an urban center.
Corporate Climbers - High-income, high-expense urban singles. Urban singles with an up-and-coming income, but with higher-than-average living costs. Most have college educations and are employed in mid-management professions.
Affluent Immigrants - High-income immigrants living in suburban areas. Ranging in age from mid-30s to early 60s, these highly educated immigrants earn high salaries. A high proportion are homeowners.
Affluent DINKs - High-income, kid-free couples living in the suburbs. Middle-age Dual Income No Kids couple bringing in two attractive incomes. Most are highly educated and are employed in management professions. A high proportion are homeowners. Read the rest of this entry »

The Portland Meto area has a variety of options for those looking for fireworks this 4th of July.  The three biggest are….

Fort Vancouver Fireworks: You can spend the entire day at the Fort enjoying a touch of history and if you are early enough you can set up your spot and have a picnic in the early evening. At dusk the fireworks are started over the River. You must be there early as this is one of the busiest places to view fireworks in both Oregon and Washington.

Oaks Park: Nice if you have children and they love the carnival type rides. Bring along a picnic lunch and enjoy the park, ride the roller coaster and even spend the afternoon roller skating. Once dusk arrives you can watch a pleasant fireworks display.

Downtown Portland/Waterfront Blues Festival: The largest attraction takes place at Tom McCall Waterfront if outside picnicking isn’t your forte then by all means plan ahead and enjoy some outdoor dining while viewing the world famous fireworks. McCormick & Schmick’s Harbor side at the Marina located at 0309 SW Montgomery St. will serve you a wonderful meal while you view the Tom McCall Waterfront Park fireworks, visible from every outdoor table. Or visit the Veritable Quandary at 1220 SW First Ave to view these magnificent fireworks while you partake of the charm and ambiance of Portland as it was meant to be enjoyed.