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Keeping It Healthy in Portland

Tuesday, August 28, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Clinton Downs 
In our office we have an almost daily check in about where we are with our workouts- and we put pressure on each other to make sure we are getting our physical exercise in. And, evidently, our office isn’t the only one. According to the Trust for America’s Health, Oregon is the 49th Least Inactive (or, if you’re a glass-half-full type of person, Oregon is the 3rd most active state), with only 17.4% of Oregonians reporting that they do not engage in any physical activity.
It’s been a cool and sunny summer to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, either biking, running or even walking. Here are some websites to help you plan:
 
Drive Less, Save More (great biking and walking resources!) (http://www.drivelesssavemore.com/travel/)
All Getaways (great walking maps all over Portland from their guidebook) (http://www.allgetaways.com/region.asp?areaid=100173)
The Oregonian’s Running Blog (http://blog.oregonlive.com/runoregon/)
 
And to see how many Oregonians have fun while also exercising, check out the Oregonian’s coverage of the Hood to Coast relay. (http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonianspecial/2007/08/hood_to_coast_2007.html)
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Bike Commuting in Portland

Tuesday, August 28, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Bruce Hecht
 
As bike commuting continues to grow in Portland Oregon, more and more future home
owners try to buy homes that are inline with bike path, bike lanes or bike trails that will get them to their jobs.
 
Bike commuting in Portland Oregon is up 80% from 1997 to 2006!  The highest in the United States.  The problem is, when the riders get to work, many of them have found that they forgot something they need to wear to be dressed for work.  No problem say the store workers of many of the local downtown area merchants, they are ready for them on a moments notice when they come in.
 
There are a few sites you can go to, like www.bta4bikes.org.   This site helps you learn more about what the current riders do, where they go and how they converted from car commuters to bike commuters.
 
Only in Portland Oregon can you find bike commuting going up and car driving going down.
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Choices Abound on Portland’s South Waterfront

Tuesday, August 28, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Sandra Hanis
 
In spite of a gorgeous river running through the city, until recently Portlanders haven’t had many waterfront choices in housing. All of that has changed! Unfortunately, too many residents are unaware of their good fortune.
This last week, I showed several gorgeous, nicely appointed properties to an investor from out of the area. These clients recognize the bargain that these condo homes are…and are buying this home as a second residence. To benefit you will need to contact a knowledgeable agent and The Rob Levy Team looks forward to assisting you with this search. Through extremely good planning many units have great views and even if not riverfront, many homes take advantage of nice side views. The entire area is under construction with plans for recreation, dining and amenities for daily life! Today the construction makes the search a little confusing but buyers with some vision will benefit from their foresight!
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Condition of the Mortgage World

Tuesday, August 28, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Shawn Headlee 
Good afternoon all,
 
The mortgage world is still in a contraction this week. Wells Fargo just sent out an email that they will no longer do Home Equity Lines over 90%. The norm used to be 100%, but with those loans being too risky, they are getting eliminated. 100% financing still exists, but it is just one loan and is required to have Mortgage Insurance. This gives the lender more security is case the borrower defaults. Hopefully this will all settle down over the next couple of months.
 
Have a great week!
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The Best Motocross Anywhere is in Portland

Tuesday, August 7, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Bruce Hecht
 
I was working with a buyer in the recent past who was moving to Portland Oregon for only one reason, motocross!
 
I have been working with hundreds of buyers in all of the years that I have been selling real estate in Portland Oregon.  Many people move here for the weather, the mountains, the rivers, the lakes, the parks, the ocean . . . and of course, for our very comfortable, yet diverse background of the current residences.
 
But I have never being selling a home to a buyer that wants to move to Portland Oregon, invest in some real estate because of motocross!
 
The greater Portland Oregon area is home to many indoor and outdoor tracks and venues for all kinds of skill levels.  As a mater of fact, just a short drive north on I-5, from Portland Oregon, one of the largest International competitions just took place.  Thousands of riders and spectators came from all over the world.
 
As a matter of fact, 3 of the top 12 riders in the world live in the great area.  So broaden your activity interests and grab the handle bars and ride.

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Don’t Miss the BITE OF OREGON!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Sandy Morley
 
This annual event is always a tasty treat. This year the Bite of Oregon is held on Tom McCall Waterfront Park from Aug 10th to 12th.
 
When:
FRI, Aug 10, 2007 – 11am-11pm
SAT, Aug 11, 2007 – 11am-11pm
SUN, Aug 12, 2007 – 10am-8pm
 
Try all kinds of delicious northwest food including samples of Fresh Oregon Dungeness Crab Cakes, Smoked Ribs, Corn on the Cob, Fresh Northwest Mussels, Hog Wild Wings, Huckleberry BBQ Lamb, Seafood Stuffed Avocados, Seafood Paella, Traditional Gyros,  Swiss Cheese Fondue, Home-style Mac & Cheese, Oregon Steak and Cheese Sandwiches, Oregon Berry Pies, Alpenrose Dairy Ice Cream, Berry Cobbler, Savory Poached Pears and much much more.
 
Here is a list of restaurants you can try:

Bell Buoy of Seaside, Seaside • Website »
Featuring: Cold Smoked Oysters, Dungeness Crab Cocktail, Smoked Salmon
Bluefish Bistro,Bend
Featuring: Chicken Satay with Cucumber Noodles, Potato Dumpling served in Curry Broth, Savory Poached Pear
Boyds Coffee, Portland • Website »
Featuring: HI-REV™ Mocha Freezers, Italian Sodas, Locally Roasted Coffee and Espresso
Fast Bite of Oregon – Burgerville, Vancouver, WA • Website »
Featuring: Kids Meal with Apple Slices & Milk, Pepper Bacon Tillamook Cheeseburger, Black Bean Garden Burger®, Walla Walla Sweet Onion Rings
Canby Asparagus Farms, Canby • Website »
Featuring: Chicken & Asparagus Tamale with Red Chile Sauce, Fresh Oregon Asparagus Tamale
Chefs de Cuisine Society of Oregon
Featuring: Oregon Steak & Cheese Sandwich
Foley’s Station, La Grande• Website »
Featuring: Northeast Oregon Huckleberry BBQ Lamb, Grilled Halibut Pang Pao Lettuce Cup, Silk Truffle Tart
Gary West Smoked Meats, Jacksonville
Featuring: Gourmet Smoked Meats• Website »
Greek Cusina, Portland • Website »
Featuring: Baklava, Spanikopita, Lamb and Beef Gyros
Hoffman's Dairy Garden, Canby
Featuring: Fresh Oregon Fruit Pies and Turnovers, Marionberry Shortcake
Hot Lips Pizza, Portland • Website »
Featuring: Pepperoni Pizza, Organic Veggie Pizza, Handcrafted Calzones
Jackie's Ribs, Bend
Featuring: Barbequed Brisket and Pork Ribs, Ribblet Sampler
Kinship Café at Tamastslikt, Pendleton • Website »
Featuring: Authentic Indian Taco, Salmon Corn Chowder with Bread
La Rosa Authentic Mexican, Bend • Website »
Featuring: Lobster Quesadilla, Portobello Mushroom Quesadilla, Organic Veggie Tamale
Moonstruck Chocolate Co., Portland • Website »
Featuring: Artisan Chocolates
Mo's Restaurant, Newport • Website »
Featuring: Mo’s Famous Clam Chowder, Seafood Stuffed Avocado, Slumgullion
Newmans at 988, Cannon Beach • Website »
Featuring: Fresh Oregon Dungeness Crab Cakes
Noodles & Company, Portland • Website »
Featuring: Traditional Mac & Cheese, Penne Rosa, Ceasar Salad
North 45, Portland • Website »
Featuring: Fresh Northwest Mussels, Spinach, Goat Cheese & Hazelnut Salad, Ginger Limeade 
Portlandia Ice Cream Parlor, Portland
Featuring: Alpenrose Ice Cream, Thomas Kemper Root Beer Floats 
Rafati's Elegance in Catering, Portland • Website »
Featuring: Artisan Sausages with Pinot Noir Braised Cabbage, Crab Cakes with Basil Remoulade, Fresh Seafood Paella, Wine Pairing Appetizer Board
Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club, Aloha • Website »
Featuring: Smoked Pork Loin Sliders, Blackberry Mint Julep Iced Tea 
The Rheinlander & Gustav's Pub & Grill, Portland • Website »
Featuring: Bavarian Sausages on a Bun, German Bier Pretzel, Swiss Cheese Fondue
Salty's on the Columbia, Portland • Website »
Featuring: Smoked Salmon Bruschetta, Blackened Salmon Caesar, Seafood Chowder
Stetson's House of Prime, Pendleton • Website »
Featuring: Asian Chicken Wings, Hog Wild Wings, Sauted Steak & Mushroom Bites 
 
 
The Bite of Oregon is a fund-raising event by Special Olympics Oregon for the benefit of Special Olympics athletes around the state. Admission for the event is $7 for adults and children 12 and under FREE. The admission price gets you all the entertainment once you are there. Check for special promotions like these to save you money at the door:
 
TGIF – All Adults $5 before 5pm. Good on Friday only.
 
Purchase a Bite Super Saver Pass – Allows multiple day access.
Adults - $12.00 at the gate. Limited quantities on sale at the gates Friday & Saturday only, not valid with any other offer.
 
Bite Gate Discount Admission Coupons– While supplies last at:
» Burgerville locations beginning July 30, 2007. www.burgerville.com
» Jiffy Lube locations in Portland, Salem and Vancouver beginning July 23, 2007.   www.jiffylubeoregon.com
» Regal Cinemas locations in the Portland Metro area www.regalcinemas.com
» All 2007 Bite of Oregon Wineries and Restaurants
 
The event is in downtown Portland so parking is limited. I recommend taking public transportation like MAX or the StreetCar. If you are driving, these are my recommended parking garages.
 
Smart Parks located at:
S.W. Fourth and Yamhill
S.W. Third and Alder
S.W. First and Jefferson
 
ENJOY!
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Entertainment at the 24th Annual Bite of Oregon

Tuesday, August 7, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Kate Baldus
 
Don’t miss the great music and entertainment that accompanies the delicious food at The Bite of Oregon.
 
Four stages host a wide variety of events! My personal recommendation for music is Todd Snider Friday night at 7:15 pm and The Freak Mountain Ramblers on Sunday at 4:20 pm. The PGE Fountain Stage will be rockin’ and the Café stage features acoustic duos. The Iron Chef competition will begin Friday and end with a final round Saturday at 7:30 on the Oregon Chef Stage.
 
 
Friday’s Festivities! 
Main Stage
Noon – 1:00

17-piece youth jazz big band
directed by Clark Bondy
www.ClarkBondy.com (WHJC)Whiskey Hill Jazz Club
1:30 – 2:30
Tween sensation performance troupe delivers a show that charms all ages
www.RadioDisney.com/PortlandRadio Disney
3:00 – 3:45
Still Pending
These 12 yr /old rockers recall early Police & Green Day w/ a dash of the Ramones thrown in
www.StillPending.com
4:15 – 5:15
Charlie Girl & The Big Package
(opener)
This dynamic 7-piece opens with an eclectic mix of rock, reggae & jazz covers plus their own funky originals
www.myspace.com/
SeeTheBigPackage
5:45 – 6:45
ROBBIE FULKS

www.myspace.com/RobbieFulksRobbie Fulks is a contrary minded Americana talent – combining classic honky-tonk & Bakersfield country w/ the feisty spirit of “Insurgent Country.” Fulks’ recent double live album showcases his incendiary live show.
7:15 – 8:15
TODD SNIDER

www.ToddSnider.netOriginally from Portland, this Americana singer/songwriter & humorist’s 8th album landed on Rolling Stone’s 2006 Top 50. Kris Kristofferson describes Snider as having “the heart & humor of John Prine, the wild unpredictability of Roger Miller & a freedom of imagination that's absolutely his own.”
8:45 - 10:15
ROBERT EARL KEEN

www.RobertEarlKeen.comCalled “The King of the Texas Music Scene,” Keen balances sensitive story-portraits w/ raucous rockers - exampled by his signature song "The Road Goes on Forever.” Keen is touring behind the release of a greatest hits collection with his ace band of 14 years.
Saturday! 
Main Stage
Noon – 1:00

Rockin blues as played by 19 yr/old Ty Curtis earned a standing ovation at the Waterfront Blues Festival
www.myspace.com/
TheTyCurtisband The Ty Curtis Band

1:30 – 2:10& Guilty Pleasures

One Hit Wonders
Starring:
Little SueLara Michell

Nicole Campbell
Pilar French
This bevy of Portland sirens give new life to those over-the-top pop classics that you love to hate
myspace.com/
GuiltyPleasuresAndOneHitWonders
2:30 – 3:10

Progressive pop quintet elevates their big sound w/ tight harmonies, smack down lyrics & a sense of musical urgency
www.TheSortOfs.comThe Sort Ofs
3:30 – 4:15

This six-piece marries the instrumentation of a jazz ensemble w/ the catchy hooks
of mainstream pop
www.TheRetrofits.comThe RetroFits
4:30
Governor’s Community Service Award to Restaurants
4:45 - 5:45

Called the top Australian band of the decade, this quintet wraps chiming guitars & keyboard grandeur around the enigmatic song craft of singer-guitarist Glenn Richards
www.AugieMarch.comAUGIE MARCH
6:15 – 7:15
(opener)
Their hard-core Bakersfield twang draws from the playbooks of Buck Owens & Merle Haggard & sometimes the Beatles
www.TheBuckles.comThe Buckles
7:45 – 9:00
T Bone Burnett calls Ralph Stanley “one of the most important country musicians in the world today.”
A musical innovator, Stanley’s poignant style, haunting melodies & "high lonesome" vocals brought a mountain style of bluegrass to mainstream audiences.
www.RalphStanley.netRALPH STANLEY
& the Clinch Mountain Boys
9:30 – 11:00

The living embodiment of New Orleans’ rich musical heritage, Dr John blends voodoo mysticism, funk, R&B, psychedelic rock & Creole. The multiple Grammy winner is famous for the songs “Right Place Wrong Time” & “Such a Night” as well as for his celebrated live shows.
www.DrJohn.orgDR JOHN
Sunday!
Main Stage
10:00 – 10:30The Oz St. Fossils

Piano, clarinet, cello, drums & musical saw create a modern antique sound
www.myspace.com/
OzStFossils
10:30 – 10:45

Large scale puppet troupe charms bikers of all agesCardboard Songsters
10:45 – 11:30
Stumptown Jug Thumpers
Multi-piece old-time jug band delivers a sassy blues/minstrel hybrid
www.myspace.com/
StumptownJugThumpers

11:45

Prize DrawingsProvidence Bridge Pedal
12:00 – 1:00
Lively dust bowl folk
www.myspace.com/
SassparillaJugBand
Sassparilla
Hillstomp
Hill trance country blues
www.Hillstomp.com
1:30 – 2:30

Uplifting 17-piece contemporary Gospel group has become a Sunday morning
Bite tradition
www.SouthlakeChurch.comThe Southlake Band
w/ The Brown Sisters
3:00 – 4:00

Sensational 'Old School' sax-fusion revue w/ guests Lee Garrett (Stevie Wonder’s co-writer); Portland's Neo-Soul diva Liv Warfield; & the scintillating “Soul of a Free Man” horn section
www.PatrickLamb.com Patrick Lamb Soul Revue
4:20 – 6:30
BINGO’S DREAM BAND
Transcendental Americana by way of Joshua Tree California
www.BingoBand.com
FREAK MOUNTAIN RAMBLERS

www.FreakMountain.comBeautiful bedlam from Portland’s urban folk legends
In A Rare NW Appearance

7:00 – 8:30

2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee plays what she calls “three chords merged with the power of the word.” Inspired by the spiritual & the political, the Grammy nominee merges recording, performance, art & writing w/ activism. This legendary musical revolutionary seeks to save the world w/ love & an electric guitar
www.PattiSmith.netPATTI SMITHAN EVENING WITH PATTI SMITH
 
See ya on the dance floor!
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This Week in Stocks

Wednesday, August 1, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties
Submitted by Shawn Headlee
Hello All,
 
I am sure you all felt the pain of the stock market drop last week. If you are investing long term, then this was just a blip on the radar screen. I actually saw it as an opportunity to buy. The old saying goes “Sell when everyone else is buying, and buy when everyone else is selling!” This means that if the market has had a large run up, be careful to be the last one holding the bag and if the market has tanked, be ready to scoop up cheap shares. SMARTMONEY.COM is a great site to do research.
 
Have a great week!
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Move to Portland and You too Could Hold Your First Triathlon

Wednesday, August 1, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Submitted by Bruce Hecht

Almost anything is possible when you live in Portland Oregon.

Just ask Jeff Anderson.  He moved to Portland Oregon two years ago and thought, "this would be a perfect city to have a triathlon right in the heart of downtown".
 
So this Summer, about 500 swimmers, bike riders and runners will be competing in the first ever event of it's kind, held in downtown Portland.
 
This is how folks think forward and aggressive in Portland Oregon.  Imagine this, T-Shirts for the event will be made from Bamboo, not Cotton!  Bamboo is softer, biodegradable, moisture wicking and anti-bacterial, to prevent odor.
 
They will also feature some other "out of the ordinary" programs at this event.  They will have naturopathic medicine booth for athletes, organic energy bars made by famed local chef Vitaly Paley, all natural juices from Viso, another local maker of products.  The goal is to stay true to what Portland Oregon is famous for.
 
The swim is 0.9 miles in the Willamette River, one of only a few rivers in the world that run to the North.  Next is a 25 mile bike ride through the city.  The last leg will be a 6 mile run along the same river where the swim event took place.  There will also be a relay division for participants that want to take that route.

For more information about this event, log onto www.onemillionrevolutions.org   or you can also go to www.pdxtriclub.org
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Farmers Market Rule!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007
by Rob Levy, Prudential Northwest Properties

Submitted by Sandra Hanis

Summer time and the living is easy! And in the Northwest that means sunny skies brings fresh, organic and local produce, free-range meat, and bakery goods. And who can resist a few fresh flowers for the table as well as new plants to bring home to our gardens. Almost every neighborhood sponsors their own Farmer's Markets so in addition to not having to travel far from home...you can also visit different markets to find the ones that best meet your needs. My favorites are the Beaverton market on Saturday, PSU on Saturday and Hillsdale on Sundays. Give it a try...besides providing great inspiration for summer cooking, it can be a terrific outing for the whole family!

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