Alexsandra Stewart, Broker -Portland Oregon Real Estate-

The Pearl may have First Thursday with its galleries and artists, and lots of fun! But just as much fun and gallery hopping can be had east of the river on the First Friday of each month. There are several well established galleries and a number of studios and venues that feature emerging and innovative artists. Galleries in Sellwood, Brooklyn, Clinton, Laurelhurst, Irvington and Kerns are open.

A few of the constants on the scene include such NE galleries as 23 Sandy Gallery (623 NE 23rd Ave), B. Rogers Gallery (2415 NE Broadway) and Brian Marki Fine Art (2236 NE Broadway). Southeast galleries that almost always particpate include Tilde (7919 SE 13th Ave), 12x16 Gallery (8235 SE 13th Ave), Bite Studio (2000 SE 7th Ave) and Studio 2507, Annie Mery Artwork (2507 SE Clinton).

A complete list of the participating galleries can be found on the First Friday Gallery Guide website. You'll also be able to discover which galleries are offering live entertainment and where the artists receptions are being held.

Additional information, fun facts and information about the artists, the galleries and varying points of view at the First Friday Blog.

Most galleries are open 6 til 9pm - but you will want to check before you head out.

According to the National Association of Relators (NAR) in 2010 the typical seller had lived in their home for eight years prior to selling. 88% of sellers used the services of a real estate agent when they sold, and 83% of those sellers said they would definitely or probably recommend and use that agent again. Sellers' real estate agents were found through a referral from a family or friend 41% of the time. 23% used an agent with whom they had previously worked.

The same survey reported that the typical home was on the market for eight weeks, and sold for 96% of the listing price. 57% of the sellers had reduced their price at least once.

In order to attract buyers, 44% of the sellers offered incentives. These incentives most often took the form of assistance with a home warranty and closing costs. 86% of the sellers were at least somewhat satisfied with their home selling expereince.

91% of sellers reported that their home was listed or advertised on the internet.

As for sellers who were unrepresented in the sale of their home, half of them knew the buyer prior to the sale. The total number of persons who sold without the use of an agent was 9%. 28% of the unrepresented sellers took no action to market their home, and 56% offered no incentives. About a quarter of the unrepresented sellers reported that their most difficult task was getting the price right.

And the buyers of those homes? Their use of real estate agents increased from 69% in 2001 to 83% in 2010. Looks like buyers are searching on the internet, and also having an agent - usually found via a referral from family or friends - assist them through the multi-faceted process of negotiating, inspecting and closing the purchase on their new home.

Some February reminders for those of you who like to stay on top of what's happening at the Oregon Historical Society.

The Walls of Heritage, Walls of Pride: African American Murals, and the Marking Time: Voyage to Vietnam exhibits close on the 13th of February.

The web site for Walls of Heritage, Walls of Pride: African American Murals reminds us that African Americans have a long standing tradition of mural making, and were denied access to main stream museums and galleries. The exhibit showcases murals from all over the country with a special emphasis on work by local artists.

Marking Time: Voyage to Vietnam is a national tour­ing exhibit, featuring artifacts from the troopship General Nelson M. Walker. Graffiti, personal items left on board and other items of interest from the era are on view. It also includes personal stories of sol­diers and Marines who made voyages from late 1965 to the end of 1965, which can be heard at audio stations.

Sunday, February 13 offers free admission in celebration of Oregon's 152nd birthday. It will be a great opportunity to see the two exhibts described above before they close. There will also be a special exhibit for children at the "What is It?" table , an opportunity for hands-on exploration of artifact replicas. Birthday cake and frozen yogurt samples will be provided as long as supplies last.

February 19th is Family Day. Two children will be admitted free with one paid adult admission.

Paula Madden will be the featured speaker at the Sunday Lecture on the 20th. Her topic is "Historic Homes of Patriots and Presidents, " and will showcase some of the greatest architectural triumphs, inventions and treasures from American history, featuring notable homes like Kenmore House, Mt. Vernon, Monticello and Montpelier.

First published at Alexsandra Stewart, Portland Oregon Real Estate Blog

The signs are here, spring is on it's way. Of course we know it intellectually; the seasons move in a predictable order, even though at times the calendar seems to be in a different seasonal time zone. This year for many in the east, south, and midwest, it must feel as if winter has frozen in place.

Here, today, in Portland, I can feel it in my bones and in my heart; spring is on it's way. The sun was almost summer hot as it shone through the car window on the way back from showing property in Happy Valley. The days are longer, it's light at 530. The long, twilights at the end of day will soon arrive. Iris shoots are green and inches above their nurturing corms. Crocus, daffodil and other spring bulbs are poking through leafy winter blankets.

A truly important sign though, has been the arrival of the seed catalogues. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, the 2011 Pure Seed Book, so beautifully illustrated arrived a few days ago. It's the most beautiful one I get now, the others pale in comparison.

The tomatoes alone are worth several hours of browsing, and dreaming. Can't help but dream of the tomatoes in shades of purple, deep chocolate, terracotta pink, purple-pinks and deep caramels with hints of red and chocolate, just a few of the many varieties in the purple category.

Varieties from Russia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, North Africa, Thailand. On other pages, our own Kentucky, Virginia, California heirlooms float from photos, gently singing plant me, raise me, enjoy me. All promise to be the best, the most flavorful, colorful and heat resistant.

Icicles, zebras, oxhearts, moonglows, sunrays, green velvets: the names alone create a vision poem that can't be resisted.

All that emotion and there are still the peppers, the squash, the radishes the eggplants to scutinize.

Salad greens and melons, cukes, peas and beans, and beets.

I'm planting beets this year: golden, pink striped, albino white, early reds. I plan to have them all summer with goat cheese and a light vinaigrette dressing. Along with the sliced tomatos, that will be my new summer staple.

I know that February is yet to come, that ice storms are possible, sleet and rain, or rain and snow may yet keep us trapped at home on an early March morning. I know.

I also know that the seed catalogue will be a fine companion, with tea and toast and my spring dreams of summer's harvest.