Sara Goodwin - Portland, Oregon Appraiser

It's September Eleventh. I started out my morning a bit melancholy; reading news stories saluting those who had fallen eight years ago. Had it really been that long? Strange sensations of feeling connected yet disconnected from that day and the path in which it has detoured all of our lives.

It wasn't until the date had really sunken in that I realized I wanted to and could properly honor the emergency teams in the presence of working firemen. Today was the last day of the controlled burn that was happening down the street from my home.

For about a year now I had been bemoaning this project that would obliterate an entire city block. The owner of the land had determined that it was a lucrative decision to annihilate this block of bungalows and replace them with the increasingly popular live/work condos that are starting to pop up in the area.

I've been told that I have a problem with change. This was certainly no exception. Although the bungalows had all seen better days, I felt for them. They had histories, they had hearts... even boarded up for months they looked a bit proud in their defeated states. My final hope for them was that at the very least their turn of the century fixtures were removed and donated so there would be some memento to send into the future.

I went down to watch the fires smolder through a couple of the houses. The fire crews seemed a bit somber. I knew the significance behind today's date was etched into each one of their thoughts as they safely practiced their profession. In a twist of the moment, I realized that the sacrifice of this block was not just sad now, but so much more poignant because of the date.

This was reminder that structures will come and go, but humanity, civility and the will to survive lives on.

Today, watching those crews, effected me more than the past seven years of nine elevens. Thank you to all of the past and present members of society who have decided to take their lives into their own hands in hopes of saving us all.

Recently we were approached by the city regarding our sewer hook-up. It is located on a ‘party sewer line' where it connects into our neighbor's sewer line before entering to the main sewer at the street. It used to connect to the house on the other side of ours as well before those owners ran a new line in 2007 (which is when we first learned of the party sewer line).

The issue was 'caught' (although they have known about it for years) by the city when our other neighbors with the existing party connection had a sewer scope inspection due to the sale of their home.

The city is now saying that because they are the 'host' and we are the 'guest' in the party line hook-up (which doesn't make since as we are the middle house and it would be more likely if all the 'poop' (most literally) ran to a middle source before going to the sewer main in the street).

According to the city, we have three options to complete before January 2010:

• 1) fix the sewer line at 100% our cost... including a new connection into the city main. That alone will cost us $3,800 (mind you the neighbors don't have to shell out a dime as they are the 'host') .
• 2) Provide a sewer video scope that proves that there is no environmental hazards (we know that it is unlikely that a 65 year old sewer line is free of issue, so we'd simply be paying $100 more than the $8,500+ bill they are asking of us) or
• 3) get the neighbors to allow an 'easement' . First of course, I would require that the city can prove that the sewer line is in fact encroaching onto their property, rather than their line adjoining ours before going out to the street.

Short of bending over and paying for all costs, does anyone have any legal words of advice or personal experience in the matter? Understandably, our neighbor in the midst of selling her house has been avoiding my queries about the situation (who can blame her? She just wants to sell the house, not be burdened with updated an existing deed). I'm leaning towards option #3 for the ‘cleanest' possible solution to this situation. It is my understanding that encroachments (or would that be a 'prescriptive easement'?)such as these become easements over a certain period of time even if the encroachment is undetectable (and thus far unproven).

Here is one of the links that the city provided in the letter. In this link, the city immediately admits that they do not have accurate records of the city sewer lines.

Sadly, this is a situation that the city or our Realtor could not have warned us about prior to us purchasing the home in 1997 as their ‘Sewer Program' did not even take effect until 2007.

Any information on the matter would be most appreciated.

It is unclear in this news story whether his title is 'Banker' or 'Loan Officer'... but really, who cares? It's just one of those nice 'breather' stories that reminds us all that life is alright.

The morale of the story ... Take a break to help others every now and again... you never know, it might even turn out to be a 'marketing moment'.

See the story here

The Oregon Humane Society has seen the effects of our economy.

Hugo's family faces foreclosure so the OHS description tells. Sergio Rodriguez's family might be in the same situation. This may also be why Cassie was left on the side of the road with her pups. There also seem to be more dogs like Cooper Farris with medical issues arriving at OHS, likely more victims of the economy.

In fact, OHS has been supporting new proposed legislation that helps abandoned pets in foreclosure situation. "Suzanne Bonamici, D-Beaverton and introduced at the request of the OHS, would for the first time establish a clear process for placing animals abandoned because of foreclosure in loving, caring homes. Mortgagors, for example, would be required to provide minimum care for an abandoned animal and to contact the appropriate agency or animal shelter to take custody of the animal. While many mortgage companies and banks try to do the right thing, current law is unclear when it comes to the issues of animal care and ownership transfer."

There is an upside to the downfall of the economy. With lost jobs, more people have time and energy to volunteer at OHS and other area shelters.

This American Life episode focuses on a Chicago Condo that is going through foreclosure.

The foreclosures were due to location, condition of construction (a paid off city inspector?) and of course the current economy.

Listen to episode here.