Alexsandra Stewart, Broker -Portland Oregon Real Estate-

Photovoltaic - Photovoltaics (or PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells for energy by converting solar energy (sunlight, including ultra violet radiation) directly into electricity.

Apparently, consumers in Oregon are buying together to increase their overall purchasing power. Buying through organizations such as congregations or whole residential neighborhoods in quantities of 25+ at a time really shaves down the out of pocket investment and makes going green much more appetizing to many Oregon consumers.

Another trend is that most of the mid to large size installations are merely hosting the systems through Purchase Power Agreements, resulting in virtually no out of pocket investment to the hosts, and reduced electricity costs (compared to local utility rates) as well...in this instance, the tax benefits would be to the owner - not the host - but overall, this is a good arrangement for everyone, especially the environment.

Prices on the systems have come down in the last year or so, about 5%, making these systems even more attractive for their owners.

Grants are now available from the federal governement to help rural ranchers and farmers to take part in this solar technology. You can get more information on that here.

Combining Solar and Thermal energy is a great way to reduce waste and to really USE what we have. Research is underway to determine the best ways to utilize the "waste" heat at the back of the PV system, possibly for space heating, hot water heat or other yet undetermined uses...the best thing about it is that they don't want their to be wasted energy.

If you are interested in utilizing Solar energy in your home and everyday life, please contact me, Alexsandra Stewart, I am an Energy Trust of Oregon Real Estate Professional trade ally. In addition, I am certified by Earth Advantage S.T.A.R. (Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals). I can suggest energy efficient improvements for new and existing homes and talk to you about cash-back incentives as well.

There was a surprising sight tonight in Laurelhurst Park! Hula hoopers!

The event grew gradually, from a few people to perhaps 50 by the time it was dusk.

Tricks with hoops, dancing with hoops,hoops in the air and three women in one hoop - talk about teamwork, they got it going!

We watched, and wondered who the hoopers were, and why they were at the Park with enough hoops for five times the number of people present.

As we were leaving one of our group asked. Turns out it was World Hoop Day today.

Their mission according to the World Hoop Day web site: "Since 2006, World Hoop Day has been dedicated to bringing dance, exercise and toy hoops to under-privileged children living in extreme poverty and underdeveloped neighborhoods of our world."

Some of the hoopers teach classes, organize 'hoopjams' and make hoops to sell.Two of them can be found at Hoopshine and Hooperville.

I got a tip on using a hula hoop - I've never been able to keep one going longer than two seconds! Maybe by next year I can take part in World Hoop Day and not embarass myself.

The only Oregon building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright was originally in Wilsonville, OR.

The house, designed for Conrad and Evelyn Gordon as a Usonian-style farm house is now located in Sllverton, next to the Oregon Garden. The house was moved to its present location in 2001 to prevent a threatened demolition after Evelyn Gordon's death.

In 2004 the Gordon House was recognized as a state architectural treasure and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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It is the only Wright designed house open to the public in the Pacific Northwest

Having read "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan, my book group decided to have our meeting in Silverton and tour the house. It was well worth the 60 minute trip south on a cool and cloudy day, the last Sunday of August. For $5.00 per person and advance reservations we had a lovely guided tour, with plenty of time for questions and browsing.

Wright's design sited the house with sweeping views of the Willamette River through windows on both sides of the Great Room. I wish I had seen that. It must have been spectacular!

Today the views are of massive oaks and farm land.

The Great Room, with reading nook.

The grid detail in the windows of the house was designed by Wright as a less expensive alternative to stained glass. Each piece of glass is inset between the cutout layers of plywood. Imagine the cost of that work today!

One of the wonderful features of the Master Bedroom are the unusual corner doors that open to a deck covered by an incredible cantilevered eaves.

All the floor to ceiling doors open for the lovely breezes of summer and fall evenings. Each room has the built in furniture for which Wright is known. The Western red cedar wood of the house adds warmth and adds contrast to the glass and block used throughout.

Can't recommend a visit to the Gordon House enough. It is a unique treasure to which Oregonians are fortunate to have access.

The green beans are making their way from their trellis to the arch with the climbing roses. New Dawn pinks are dancing with the red of Scarlet Runners. A ‘mess' of beans was picked this morning and will be steamed by evening.

Six quarts of pasta sauce rest in the freezer thanks to the prolific output of heirloom tomatoes: red Legends, Nebraska Golds, and the gorgeous yellow of Taxi.

When the Sun Gold cherries make it to the kitchen and don't get eaten straight from the vine, their tang perfects the panzanella salad and the basil pesto for pasta. Almost too pretty to cook, purple eggplants have had their day on the grill, and the Baby Dumplings are waiting for another cool day and their roasting date with the oven.

Overgrown and over blown, the roses are past their prime, need trimming, yet have buds waiting to bloom - a final push before their season truly ends. Poppies are faded and the phlox has fallen over on itself.

It's as if the garden knows Labor Day is just a few, getting-shorter days from now.

And of course, it does. We all know.

Mother Nature has been sending signals to us for at least a week. She's put that slightly bittersweet taste on our tongues, a damp and musty odor in our nostrils, the failing, softer, late light in our eyes.

It's a vague voice being received by our semi-conscious minds. Gentle hints sotto voce; the whispers and murmurs in the air: "summer is almost gone."

Children shriek in the street, reluctant listeners to mothers calling. Back-to-school shoe shopping is an interruption and not on any 12 year old boy's play list today.

Adults notice in themselves the cloudy yearning that isn't quite nostalgia, but a sense of things undone, or moments misplaced. For a few there is a sense of urgency. Others touch the excitement of summer's end, remembering the promise and unrevealed anticipation of the return to school.

For them Labor Day announces what has always felt like the authentic New Year, the genuine new beginning and time for resolutions.

As with every year, Labor Day approaches with two-fold meaning.

Another shop in my neighborhood is closing! It's the second in a month!

Signs of the times all over the city include “Going Out of Business”, “For Lease” and “Tenant Relocating” notices.

That’s why I love the idea of the 3/50 project. It’s a program designed to support local economies and independently owned businesses, and believe me – they need our support. Business continues to be slow on my favorite streets in Sellwood and Westmoreland. I stop in periodically to talk with a few of the business owners with whom I’ve become friends. I’d miss all of them if they had to close up shop, and I know if not true for them in particular, it is not a farfetched possibility for some in the neighborhood.

The 3/50 project asks each of us to think about three independently owned businesses that we’d miss if they were gone.

That’s not hard – the wine shop, the gift boutique, the flower shop, the great place to run in and grab a prepared and lovely meal, are just a few I’d miss terribly.

The project suggests we stop in, say hi, chat a minute and pick up a little something that will make someone smile. It’s our contributions that keep those businesses going!

Think about the project’s brochure statement: “If just half of the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.*” They go on to ask, “Imagine the positive impact if ¾ of the employed population did that?”

While imagining that outcome is exciting, I found this even more exciting, and interesting: “For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.” Wow! Let's keep it at home as much as possible!

Here's how the 3/50 project works: Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.

It only takes one person to start a trend, a movement. Could you get a bottle of wine from the neighborhood wine shop – once a month? Could you pick up two boxes of note cards from the little card shop down the street? (You know you want to send more cards to your friends and clients!) - once a month? Could you pick up a plant or bouquet for a pop-by – once a month? I’ll bet that’s $50 or close to it! And close may count – the merchants tell me that small sales do add up.

The 3/50 project’s tag line: “Saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on.” Wouldn’t it be great to be a part of that? I love the idea that we can make a difference by doing the things we normally do, just by doing them a bit more intentionally!

Let's stop the proliferation of going out of business sale signs!

*Employment statistics courtesy U.S. Department of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2/6/2009 as quoted on the 3/50 project web site.

For Lease and Entire Store for Sale photos from Public Domain Pictures, used with permisison.