The Place You Love Is Gone!

Was going through my old copies of Preservation, the magazine published by the National Historic Trust, today – I am trying like crazy to get through the stacks of magazines I’ve been waiting for a chance to read! and I came across the July/August 2008 issue. There is a review of the book referenced in the title above by Melissa Holbrook Pierson, which was written by Dwight Young, a Trust staff contributor.

Pierson describes ‘progess’ and what it means, about losing the scenes of childhood to a form of modernzation she describes as a pulverization into unrecognizability by examining three places she lived. Young, the reviewer says the book is not just an exercise of nostalgia but also a refreshing and right outrage.

Since I love seeing the places I’ve known in my past, and share with Young the sense of miracle that comes with finding a childhood haunt unaltered by time I find I want to document what still exists.

I’ll be taking more photographs on my journeys through time. I’ll write more about what I find, or don’t find.

I’ve just ordered the book from Amazon. I’ll let you know what I think.

 

I Spy … a game updated & We’re Looking For Joy!

Decorative Sun- freeclipartnow

Sunshine and shirtsleeves! Bikers and walkers in what seemed to be greater numbers than just yesterday. The mountains were out, in snowy splendor, shining bright. People sat at sidewalk cafes with their faces turned up, catching rays. My spirits were up, it was great to be out and about dropping off gifts for a couple of clients, feeling warm in the car without the heater running! I was feeling joy, and each block along the way increased the feeling.

It was an it’s-almost-spring kind of day – the kind of day that is sometimes called a ‘fooled ya day’ here in Portland. (In February we may not get two of these in a row.) At just under 60 degrees, it was a day for not only feeling joy, but also for spying joy!

Michele M Larsen, used with permission

Michele M. Larsen, the former publisher of the NW Women’s Journal, has created a web experience and site for just these moments. She created ISpyJoy, a website dedicated to spreading joy by sharing photos and experiences of happiness from all over the world.

In her own words, she shares her thoughts behind the creation of the site: “After I lost my dream business I discovered I let too much of myself go with it. Then I made a choice: I wanted to be happy. Like the good student I’ve always been, I thought I needed to study this crazy, elusive animal “happiness.” So after reading stacks of books I came to the conclusion that happiness doesn’t come from what we do or who we think we are, it comes from appreciating the moment and finding value in simply being alive right here, right now.”

Stories and photos are varied. You’ll find photos of kids in the snow, a post about reptiles and joy, a note from a mother whose daughter has discovered her cancer has metastasized and how the ispyjoy site helped her move from despair to hope. As of the end of December, ISpyJoy had joyful images from 7 countries, 6 US states and 35 cities and counting.

I Spy Joy logo - used with permission

There is lots of encouragement to post your own moments and photos of joy. Check out the site, take a minute for joy, start your own collection of moments and sights of joy.

I Spy Joy – it’s a choice.

 

Happy Birthday Oregon, 150 years & Everyone’s Invited!

1. 

   Balloon Hearts on Strings

Oregon was admitted to the union on Valentines Day, 1859

– shouldn’t that mean Oregon is for Lovers, not Virginia? After all we have 150 years of love, not just 40!

 

All kidding aside, February 14^th is the beginning of the Oregon Sesquicentennial Year. Special stuff is going on all year!   Over 500 statewide events featuring elk viewing, arts and crafts festivals, trail clean up, painting contests, win a trip contests (see next post), paddling the South Slough Estuary at the Oregon Coast and many more incredibly fun and exciting things to do.        

 All over the state, all year long in big towns, small towns, all along the coast: Portland, Albany, Eugene, Newport, Adtoria, Philomath, Dayton, St. Paul, Salem, Lafayette, La Pine, Sisters, Baker City, the list is long!

Many events are planned for the 14^th, the annual Charleston Crab Feed for example – but you’ll find enough going on to take you into spring, summer and fall by visiting the Oregon Sesquicentennial web site.

 

 

 

 

Speaking of love – I Love Oregon WInes – (who doesn’t?) is a Valentines Day and weekend event in wine country the weekend of the 14th  through the 16th. A number of tastings and culinary events (think fine chocolate and great Oregon cuisine) are planned. The weekend also kicks off 150 Days of WIne in the WIllamette Valley in honor of the 150th birthday.

Oregon's Birthday Bash Logo

 

Birthday Bash events in Salem, the capitol city, include  Family Day, the Sesquicentennial Soiree, or the Oregon Ball.

 

 Another way to kick start the next 150 years - and  benefit the Portland Art Museum at the same time is the Portland Art Museum’s Beaux Art Ball on February 21st. Themed after the famed Ecole des Beaux Arts Balls of 17th century Paris, you’ll find all details at their web site.

There’s lots more going on and lots more to let you know about.  It’s a great year to visit Oregon, it’s better than ever here! As always I’m avaliable to answer questions about Portland and the state that I love – real estate and more.  Let’s stay in touch!. 

 

 

 

 

The Garden is a Disaster: will it come back? a metaphor

Remnants: Artichoke Plant

It’s that time of the year.

  My garden is in horrible shape, seemingly fatally wounded by winter’s wrath.  While Portland gardens most always are fairly uninspiring and bleak in January, this year the garden seems to be in worse condition than usual.
The artichokes look dead.  Leaves of mush and slime, lying against dirt.  Over half of the strawberry plants are brown, brittle, broken.  And the swiss chard which has wintered successfully for two years – with a little protection on a few nights each year – has disappeared.  Melted I guess. December’s ice and snow have really taken a toll. 
Daisies, and phlox stems which were left in their beds for visual interest, now look stranger than fiction, primed to topple and stifle any nearby growth.

Garden in Disarray

January’s high winds have flattened the grasses, broken the thermometer and tossed a bird feeder to the squirrels.
 

The vine encrusted weather-vane frame is also a victim of the east winds. It now lies on the flagstones waiting for assistance: the roots not strong enough to withstand the gusts.   
Now it’s the first of February, and I wonder if the garden can be saved, will be as beautiful as in years past. I know it will come back.

Crocus Shoots

The signs of life and renewal are already there.  Green shoots of crocus, daffodils and tulips have poked through webbed, grey  leaf debris.  The irises are seven inches high. The dandelions, almost as great a harbinger of spring as the fat robin, are planning to erupt with bright yellow andy moment.  Newly folded, tender leaves lie against thorny rose canes, ready to pop at the first sunny, 55 degree day, and the rose buds won’t be far behind.
It’s time again for weeding, and cutting back, trimming and pruning.  Some of the plants won’t come back and will need to be re-seeded.  That’s true every year.  Maybe there will be a few more casualties this season – that will give me a chance to plant something new, try a different variety. The garden won’t be the same, with the same beauty as before, but it never is.  Each year the garden is a new garden.

Perhaps you’ve already seen it? The similarity this garden has to the business of real estate?  There’s been ice and snow in the industry: the media reports daily on the frozen banking and loan industry.  If you only listen to those reports, you miss the full picture, just as if you only see the damaged artichoke. Under the layers of media reporting, there is something else. Buyers ARE obtaining loans, making offers, receiving acceptances and moving into their new homes.  Sellers ARE pricing appropriately, putting their properties into tip-top condition, getting offers, and moving on with their lives.  

Last Year's Garden

The high winds of change, of correction have taken a toll.

In 2008 new homes sold at the slowest pace since 1982.

According to the National Association of Realtors, there are 10% fewer real estate agents than two years ago.   Short sales and foreclosures have become common words in our vocabularies.  This has been a hard winter for many; some roots were not strong enough.
Trimming and pruning are not just  spring tasks.  I’ve examined where and how I spend my media dollars, taken time in evaluating leads and client lists.  Assessed how motivated sellers are, reminded buyers that we’ll only know we’ve reached the bottom when we look back at it.  And meditated on which networking events will provide the best seeds for repopulating the pipeline.

As in the garden, I spend time noticing growth where I see it. Sales are up in some of the national markets that were hard hit, and nationally, December’s existing-home sales were up 6.5 % over November. Houses are affordable. Sellers are flexible. Loans are available. My January this year was stronger than January of 2008. Just as I see flowers in the earth, under fallen leaves and know they do come back; I see buyers and sellers, and under the uncertainty the pent-up demand I know is there. I see their hope, their desire.

 The market blooms each season, differently than last season’s. Each one is new, just as each year the garden is new. 

Anticipating

It’s still true, people need and want to move, to sell and buy homes, to create their own gardens.

 

 

 

photos by Alexsandra Stewart

 

Snow Days

 

Not enough words to describe the snow today. All the trite ones have been used – fluffy, drifting, winter wonderland, magical, and so on. The flakes were lazy, floaty, light appearing, but still heavier than air.

 

Snow Fall, Sellwood Middle School Fields

The snow fell.

The fallen snow was greater than a dusting, and while there were white-out conditions in the Gorge, I don’t think it could be classified as a blizzard – at least not by mid-west standards.

The trees are more than frosted, flocked. Walking leaves a crunch that lingers in hat covered ears. Chained tires roll past the walkers with off-key notes of worry. Sidewalks have disappeared and skis and sleds have claimed the side streets.

There are drawbacks, there always are when Lady Nature throws a loop at us. Planned life was interrupted, days and nights disrupted. People who were traveling for the holidays are now sleeping in the airport. Roads and ramps closed, parties cancelled, and the Christmas Ships won’t parade the Willamette on their last two nights to shine.

Freezing rain is next on the weather agenda. Portland will stay shut down a short while longer.

photo by Alex Stewart

 

Helping Your Neighbors, Helping the Oregon Food Bank

It’s been a hard year for many people, and this is a season where families and individuals often feel even more of a pinch.  .

Shelves of Canned Goods

Unemployment is up, savings are down and personnel at the Food Bank have said that the demand for emergency food is greater than ever. On the  Oregon Food Bank web site the OFB reports that the Network’s first-quarter reports (July 1-Sept. 30, 2008), distribution of emergency food boxes increased 13 percent in Oregon and 8 percent in Clark County, WA, compared to the same period in 2007.

46% of households receiving emergency food have at least one working member.

   Let’s see how much we can help.

The Oregon Food Bank has placed a contribution barrel in the RE/MAX equity group office at 7886 SE 13th Ave in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood -- the library building.

Oregon Food Bank Needs These Nutritious Foods:

* canned meats (i.e., tuna, chicken, salmon)

*  canned and boxed meals (i.e., soup, chili, stew, macaroni and cheese)

* peanut butter

*  canned or dried beans and peas (i.e., black, pinto, lentils)

*  pasta, rice, cereal

*  canned fruits

*  100 percent fruit juice (canned, plastic or boxed).

The barrel will be at RE/MAX  until the 24th.  Hope you’ll come by and drop off some needed food and add support for someone in need. 

Please share – because no one should be hungry.

 

Make an Ornament, Have Some Fun and Support a Great Organization!

Prefontaine Studio

Fused Glass Art Sale

&

Ornament Extravaganza to Benefit

Sisters of the Road

Saturday and Sunday

December 6 & 7 2008

10:00 am to 4:30 pm

6410 SE Ash Street

(One block South of Burnside on SE 65th)

503-260-6900

Prefontaine Studio invites you to celebrate their Holiday Fused Glass Art sale.  There are holiday designs as well as creative art for your home to enjoy year-round.  Studio glass bowls, platters, plate, vases, artwork and more.

Glass art is the perfect gift if you’re looking for something different from “The Mall” and pricing for everyone’s pocket book.

For those looking to give a gift from the heart this is your chance! Make your own fused glass holiday ornaments.  Just $10 each, two for $17 and 3 for $25.  It’s a lot of fun and everyone has the skills needed to participate.

 

For each ornament you create Prefontaine Studio will contribute $2 to Sisters of the Road.  This is especially great timing since there are matching grants that could double the $$ for SOTRC.

 

 We’ll be with you in the studio to assist you through fused glass.  Ornaments will be fired during the following week for pick-up on Saturday the 13th of December, from 10:00am to 1:30pm.

 

 Gift certificates are available to gift the experience of a half-day glass fusing workshop where certificate holders may create a 9″ bowl.  Workshops will be held on three dates during the winter months of January, February and March. More gift certificate details available at Prefontaine Studio

 

Please, no children under 14 in the studio and please wear closed toe shoes and long pants if you’re going to make ornaments.

 

Bring a friend, share the news and spread the word… Santa’s on his way and Prefontaine Studio is the place to be on December 6th & 7th!

 

 

 

Flame Vase Red and Yellow from Prefontaine Studio

 

Holiday Market – Support Local Women Owned Business

Women In Business Holiday Market Logo

Women in Business Holiday Market

 

 It’s a chance for some one stop shopping – and gift wrapping to boot! 

Saturday, 6 December 2008, 9am – 3 pm, at Kennedy School Gym. 5736 NE 33^rd Ave, Portland, OR  

Gifts and gift certificates for your entire family from local women retailers, artists, clothing and jewelry designers, botanical-based spa and body products, health and wellness gift ideas, the latest eye wear and more. Door prizes and a silent auction – with all auction proceeds to benefit the Oregon Food Bank.

More than 20 vendors including

Arbonne – Tonya DeCroce and Loris Eastman

Buchic Clothing – soft, stylish and sustainable wear for women and children

Wrapped Gift

Lia Sophia Jewelry – stocking stuffer ideas

Music and CD’s, Folk, Blues, Musician, teacher – Anne Weiss

NO Sweatshop Children’s Clothing - Maggie McOmie

Re/Max equity group, Alex Stewart, Broker – register for door prizes

Symple Life Concierge – Services for busy people

Sofia’s European Boutique -European Style Clothing for the urban woman

For a complete list of vendors, and more information visit the Women in Business Holiday Showcase website.  For vendor inquiries: call 503-998-6157

 

Special Day– Moreland Farmers’ Market

 

Red Apples

Just in time for the holidays, the popular Moreland Farmers Market has scheduled a special market day.

The First Annual Holiday Market will be held 25 November 2008, 1:00 to 5:00 pm, at the market’s usual space, Bybee Boulevard at 14^th Avenue SE. 

Apples and cider — and perhaps an apple pie?

Broccoli

You’ll be able to take something home for dinner, find a special treat for turkey day, and grab some prepared food to put in the freezer.  Many of our favorite vendors will be there with lots of winter produce.  You’ll find greens, winter squash, root vegetables, apples, pears, chestnuts, hazel nuts and more.

Little Pots and Pans will offer their savory specialties.  Finales Desserts will be on hand with their fabulous desserts and pies. Baird Family Orchards, as well as vendors with goat cheese, fresh eggs and chickens, goat and lamb will also be setting up their stands. 

There will be lots of variety as you’ll also find other cheeses, honey, specialty items and gifts for purchase.   Mocha Mama will have her coffee van on site with coffee, tea, sandwiches and more good things to eat while you shop!

 

Vintage Green Bus

Attention seniors and persons with disabilities, Project Linkage will offer rides to Moreland Farmers Market’s holiday market.

Service is scheduled to and from Sellwood Landing, Sellwood Center, Kenilworth Plaza, Westmoreland Union Manor and Sacred Heart Villa. For schedule and reservation information please call Project Linkage at 503-249-0471 or 503-341-9350. Seniors and persons with disabilities who cannot get to these locations may also call for service to the market.

 

 

Vegetables in Baskets

A special event will help others.  A fresh produce food drive is planned to benefit FISH Emergency Service.

 FISH distributes to residents of N, NE and SE Portland and feeds about 1700 people each month. Children are one third of the recipients!  Anyone who donates $5.00 or more will be entered in a drawing to win a New Seasons gift basket.  Many thanks to New Seasons for their support!  The winner’s gift basket will be delivered the Monday after the holiday.

Treble Clef

Music, Music, Music!  As always there will be live music for your enjoyment.

Market tokens and Oregon Trail tokens can be purchased at the information booth and used at the market or given as holiday gifts for use at the Moreland Market next season.

I’ll be at the Information Booth from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, stop by and say hi.

Brown Eggs

REMEMBER – parking is available at 14^th Avenue and Glenwood, across the street from the market.

 

 

Mortality, Change, and the Market

Riverview Cemetery

I drive past the Riverview Cemetery on Taylor’s Ferry Road several times a week.  Several of my great, greats are buried there, I always think of them, the Langworthys and Fosses. I’ve looked for and found their grave sites.

It is a little uncanny to look at a mossy headstone, see names and dates that are a hundred years old and reflect that the dust under the stone was once flesh and blood.   

 

 

It is only recently that I’ve thought about mortality as I pass Riverview. My mortality to some extent, since I haven’t decided where I want my ashes scatered, or stored!  But also mortality in the sense of change since change is a kind of death.  One thing ends, becomes something else, shifts, modulates or crashes.   I’ve been rediscovering how hard it is to let go of the old story, the what used to be.

Change- Quarters, Nickles, Dimes

The reluctance to change, deal with new realities comes in many forms.

And while I resonate with the closing lines of the Dylan Thomas poem, “do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light”, I’ve learned there are times to let go, to accept the death as part of the story.

 

I know that change is scary, just as death can be. I’ve heard my own reluctance to accept change in my little inner voice that complains about current conditions, or something else that is out of my control.

I’ve heard it from the seller who is thinking in terms of last year’s market, or even more problematic, 18 months ago. Who is saying, I know it is worth more than THAT!  I’ve heard it from some fearful buyers who thought the wild ride would be there when they were ready to purchase.  They express concern that maybe we aren’t at the bottom, that there won’t be appreciation in the house they buy. I’ve heard it from other agents in a variety of ways, and I’m sure you have too.

A Pair of Dimes!

Just as hospice and care can ease the passing to the biggest change, easing this change, the passage to this market is part of our role.   

I’m being more explicit with sellers, giving lots of statistics and graphs, talking current market realities, and reminding them that they may be getting less than they thought perhaps, but they are also going to pay less for their next home. And I’m providing care and comfort.

I’m spending some time handholding with a few first time buyers.  I’m even more consistent in my education about current market values and historically low interest rates.  I’m reminding them about the appreciation trends over time, and real estate as a long term investment.  I’m saying the market has a future, and now is a great time to buy!

The market has changed.  The old market is dead!  Long live the market! 

It’s a market with incredible opportunities.