Alexsandra Stewart, Broker -Portland Oregon Real Estate-

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.

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.

Photo from Burning Well and used with permssion.

Thank goodness this frozen kind of day -- it will be a week of cold they say -- is rare! We are breaking records that are 36 years old. Last night we broke a record low set in 1972! People are covering their pipes, letting water trickle in vacant houses - better a slightly higher water bill than the plumber's bill for a broken pipe!

Photo courtesy of Tami Vroma under the Creative Commons license

Our office was closed today because the streets are iced. I drove there this mornng - six blocks in very slow motion, feeling extremely grateful for the chained and studded tires of the day before that left so many little ruts in the ice! Walking like a first time skater on ice. Wouldn't have gone out at all except I needed to send an offer for a client's signature.

Our average December temperatures are highs of 45 and lows of 34. Todays high was 24 degrees! Tonight's low is expected to bottom out at 17 degrees. Brrrrrr! Wind chill at this moment is 11 degrees. I'm reminded of living in Minnesota! But today my daughter told me the temps in St. Paul dropped 50 degrees yesterday, and right now it is minus 14 there, with wind chill of minus 27! So I'm grateful! It is not soooo bad here when I take that bit of news into perspective.

And I know that after January with similar averages, and maybe an ice storm - although not every January - it will soon be February.

Our temperatures will be averaging 51 degrees during the day and the early spring flowers will be poking their green heads two and three inches above the winter mulch.

It will almost be time to plant early lettuce and peas, the sun will feel warm, the days will be longer, and daylight savings will only be eight or so weeks away!

The short, and usually mild winters are just one of the many reasons I love living in Portland! Ask me about the other reasons, I'd love to tell you!

Skater and crocus photos from FreeFoto, used with permission.

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 for year-round enjoyment. 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 the Studio has 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 the fused glass process. Ornaments will be fired during the following week for pick-up on Saturday the 13th of December, between 10:00am and 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!

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?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

Concerned about the environment, global warming, rising energy costs or home-related health issues? Are you aware that there are more and more homes that address these concerns? Did you know that Earth Advantage*, a regional leader in green home certification, has a realtor certification program, EA S.T.A.R. (Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals)? According to Sean Penrith, Executive Director for Earth Advantage, the program goal is to "equip realtors with the necessary knowledge and tools to educate their clients on products, features, building methods and values that make homes energy efficient, healthier, and green."

What might an EA S.T.A.R. certified realtor do for you? A lot!

They can point out features that are more efficient, such as Energy Star(r) appliances and give you information about the initial costs and long-term savings associated with them.

They can inform you about products that off-gas and what that means for your family's health and well-being. And tell you why linoleum is a better flooring choice for the environment than vinyl flooring. They can introduce you to suppliers and builders, architects and designers who focus on sustainable, durable and renewable products and materials. They can help you find a green certified home, or a home with green features. They also have information about financing, appraising and insuring a green built or remodeled home. And that's is just the tip of the information an EA S.T.A.R. certified realtor has.

Many work closely with and are Trade Allies of The Energy Trust of Oregon, a public-purpose organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. The Energy Trust will schedule a free one-hour walkthrough of your home and give you personalized, energy-saving recommendations and tell you about Energy Trust cash incentives and programs.

If you have not scheduled such an energy review, please do. You will be amazed at how a few small changes will decrease your energy use, and save you money. Plus they will bring you some CFL's (Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs) - and that will result in a lower electric bill!

Talk to an EA S.T.A.R. realtor even if you aren't buying today, it's never too early to start thinking about how to live more sustainably. Talk to one to get information even if you plan to stay in your home a long while - upgrades you make now will help sell your home later. More and more people want energy efficient and healthy homes.

And yes, I am an EA S.T.A.R. certified realtor. Get in touch anytime you want more information about living green -- I love to share what I know.

*Earth Advantage, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, is a leader in the sustainable building industry in the Pacific Northwest. At a minimum, Earth Advantage homes are designed to use 15 percent less energy than houses built to standard code practices. Earth Advantage homes adopt the philosophy of holistic sustainability (4-pillar approach) and are accordingly certified for energy efficiency, healthier indoor air, resource efficiency and environmental responsibility. The organization has the ability to certify homes as Earth Advantage (Gold and Platinum levels exist too), ENERGY STAR®, or LEED for Homes® and certified close to 2,500 homes in 2006.