Alexsandra Stewart, Broker -Portland Oregon Real Estate-

There's always a lot going on in Portland, and it's even better in the summertime! July is a great month: shirt-sleeveless-75-degree days (unless we have a day or two heat wave!) grab-a-sweater-for-later cool evenings and sleep-under-a-light-blanket nights make for perfect days out and about in town, or day-trips outside the Urban Growth Boundary.

This Saturday, July 11, in the Pearl, at Jamison Square Park, Bastille Day will be celebrated.

I didn't kow that Bastille Day doesn't really celebrate the stoming of the Bastille, it's an observance that commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille which was 14 July 1789.

Now though we don't have to storm a fortress to enjoy the free-wheeling, excitement of a holiday. With the now traditional Waiters' Races, fencing demonstrations, a game of petanque and the Oregon Ballet Theater, not to mention food and wine at closeby restaurants, a good time is almost guaranteed.

Plan ahead and take in the 100th Anniversary of Tillamook Creamery - without driving to Tillamook, OR. Well you can if you'd like, it's a great short trip, but you can also stay in town and head down to Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, July 31st. Lots of activities, including cheese and beer pairing classes and ONE-CENT ice cream cones. Yes, point zero one of a dollar, one penny, four cents less than a nickel cones will be available. Bring the kids!

Want a great day trip July 11th or 12th? Head west along the Columbia and take in the Hood River Lavender Daze.

There will be music, arts and crafts, wreath making classes (register on line), BBQ, Lavender Gelato - that sounds absolutely fantastic!

And of course wine will be available. Would it be an Oregon Festival if there was no wine?

There will be U-Pick organic lavender plants, alpacas and ladybugs not to mention face-painting for the boys and girls!

Feeling more adventurous and want to plan your own unique Lavender destination?

Then look no further than the Oregon Lavender Festival home page, check out the 23 possible destinations and create your own itinerary. I couldn't tear myself away from the photos alone. They are scrumptious, and you'll want to hit the road.

From Sauvie Island to the Yamhill Artisan Fair, from Forest Grove to Willamina, you'll wish the festival lasted a week and not just two days.

In Portland, and all of Oregon, summer is a delicious season! Come and enjoy it!

These aren't the greatest photos I ever took -- but I was pleasantly surprized that they were relatively decent. I volunteered on Saturday at the Blues Fest - it benefits the Oregon Food Bank.

Amazing music and all for the price of 2 cans of food and $10.00. Artists like Rick Estrin & the Nightcats, Keb' Mo',Robben Ford, Candye Kane, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and many, many more. Sadly, the original opening night act, Etta James, had to cancel due to illness.

The Blues Fest ranks as of the 15 Greatest Outdoor Music Festivals in North America, according to Outside magazine (June 2009). "With 100-plus performances on four stages on the grassy banks of the Willamette River, it's by far the best bang for your buck."

I hadn't taken my camera or purse, not even a fanny pack - just a light-weight bag I could sling across my chest and wear under the T-shirt all the colunteers get. Had the iphone though, and that's what I used to get the photos here.

There were a lot of people, the Fire Marshall shut down entry a couple of times, and waited for people to leave. Even though there was a crowd, I noticed that we weren't getting as many cans and donations as the previous year.

It's one of the biggest events for the Food Bank - and the goals this year were to raise $500,000 in contributions and 70 tons of food. I wasn't surprized when I heard earlier today that they were under their goals.

I hope they made it up today - gates opened at 10 and didn't close til around 4 o'clock. The spokes person on the news attributed the lower numbers to the recession.

Did pack many boxes of cans and boxes of non-perishable food, as did others, and know it all helps. But since the need is so much higher all across the region this year, and the numbers are down -- going to have to do some more myself. Hope others who can will also!

We closed the food collection around 10 pm, cleaned and organized so the area would be ready for the next day.

Then it was on to the fireworks! They were great, love the way they reflect on the water. And how the crowd always oohs and ahhs!

Got a call from Marc - one of the founders of Forkfly, the other day.

Forkfly is the revolutionary new service - based here in Portland - that connects consumers with merchants. Forkfly features the best local merchants, restaurants, and service providers all committed to offering incredible incentives and exclusive content.

Marc wanted to thank me for writing about their service - that was nice, thanks Marc. And also to give me some updates, as well as confirm a hunch I'd had.

Forkfly has had 770% growth in three months! Wow, that's cool. Forkfly is also avaliable in San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. He said there is a strong potential for being hooked up with Denver real soon too.

And, yes - they hope to be nationwide at some point.

You can check them out at their web site Forkfly. The ap is available for smart phones, the iphone, facebook, windows and all mobile platforms. If you're in SF, LA, LV or Seattle check 'em out too. Denver, keep an eye out for news about Forkfly.

The rest of the country will just have to wait a bit longer.

Free Geek is that great non-profit organization that refurbishes old computers and other technology and then donates to schools and charitable organizations who are helping others. They provide education and training, technical support, and help people 'earn' a computer through volunteer efforts. They're a real asset to the larger Portland community.

This week they are teaming up with the Community Warehouse, The ReBuilding Center, The Habitat ReStore, SCRAP and Schoolhouse Supplies to support ReUse Week.

These organizations all share similar values: reuse, sustainability and community building. As the ReUse PDX web site puts it: "We are working together to educate the community about how and where to take items for reuse, and where to find quality, reusable goods. The reuse of materials not only conserves scarce resources, it is an invaluable tool in helping citizens improve their lives."

Today, June 10th, the Portland City Council is proclaiming June 10-18 as ReUse Week, and on June 11th, the County Commission will do the same.

Several events are planned, including a Kickoff/Collection event at the Community Warehouse, from 9-11am on Friday, June 12th. For full details you can go to the REUSE PDX web site.

It would be a great time to go through the basement, the back of the closet, the attic and garage, find those no longer working cell phones, keyboards and printers! How about all those cords that you no longer need now that you've gone wireless? Software you don't use?

Check out the other web sites, and see what else you've got that someone else could use and get involved in ReUse Week! It's a part of what makes Portland such a great place to live! Reuse, recycle, and contribute easily to the life of the community.