Andy Green

The Villebois Sunday Market has been fortunate enough to attract a number of high-quality vendors, and with the help of Costa Pacific Communities and Arbor Custom Homes, Wilsonville, Oregon's farmers market was able to expand onto a gravel area off Villebois Drive in the heart of the award-winning Villebois neighborhood.

Unfortunately, gravel is not wheelchair-accessible, and so the Villebois Sunday Market has had to restructure its market map, reducing the number of available spaces to vendors.

The Villebois Sunday Market is committed to standing by its founding objectives:

- To provide an informal, social gathering place in an open-air setting;
- To provide a community-building event in Wilsonville's Villebois Village Center;
- To give the community access to a wide variety of fresh, local, in-season farm products direct from the producer; and
- To give local producers a centralized location to provide customers with a wide variety of fresh, local, in-season farm products.

This means that the Villebois Sunday Market has had to re-evaluate some of its non-farmer vendors, so that the market could make more space for farmers who sell produce. So, if you are missing a vendor who is no longer at the market, please feel free to contact the Villebois Sunday Market Manager at villeboissundaymarket@gmail.com, and she will do her best to put you into contact with the vendor you miss.

Speaking of vendors... Don't miss the fresh strawberries that are currently for sale in the Villebois Sunday Market. Visit the United Farm booth next to Café Fratelli's coffee stand. United Farm picks its strawberries fresh every Sunday morning before the market, so you can rest assured you are getting the very freshest fruit possible!

Take advantage of the local farmers market in the beautiful Villebois community before it closes for the winter on October 18^th. For more information about the Villebois Sunday Market, visit VilleboisSundayMarket.com. You may also call 866.580.2836 or email villeboissundaymarket@gmail.com.

Do you and your coworkers bicycle to work?

Does your office lack bicycle parking?

Do you want to create an incentive to encourage more of your coworkers to use public transportation?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you better listen up! Washington County's Westside Transportation Alliance (WTA) recently launched an incentive management program called the Westside Commuter Club (WCC), which will provide up to two FREE bicycle racks to companies that sign up to belong to the WCC.

For residents living in and around the Westside Express Service (WES) commuter rail line, the opportunity to belong to the WCC couldn't be better.

Oregon's award-winning Villebois neighborhood was built in close proximity to Wilsonville's local WES Station. Offering residents easy access to bike from home to the WES and on to work anywhere in the Portland metropolitan area, the community's commuter-friendliness is unparalleled.

Here is some helpful information from Trimet when it comes to riding the WES commuter rail:

How to Load Your Bike on WES

Each WES commuter rail car has room for up to six standard-size bikes on board. There are two bike racks, and room for up to four more bikes in the priority seating areas.

Using the Rack

When the WES arrives, just roll your bike inside and place it in one of the vertical racks near the doors. The rack will automatically secure the front wheel in place. There is a strap for the back wheel for added security.

Using the priority seating area

There are two priority seating areas on each WES car for seniors and individuals with disabilities. If both bike racks are full, you may use the straps provided to secure your bike in the priority seating area (unless it is occupied or needed by a senior citizen or a rider with a disability). Please make sure that the straps are securely fastened and that your bike is not blocking the aisle. Two bikes can be stored in each priority seating area.

Federal regulations require bikes to be secured in one of the racks or areas provided. If both racks and priority seating spaces are occupied, you must wait for the next train.

If you ride your bike to or from WES on a regular basis, consider locking your bike at the WES station near Villebois in one of its designated bike locker spaces. This convenience saves area residents time and gas. Not to mention, riding the WES commuter rail gives the environmentally conscious individual peace of mind that he or she is helping offset their carbon footprint.

Learn more about bike parking at WES stations

Rent a bike locker or check availability

If you have questions or comments for TriMet, please email bikes@trimet.org.

If you would like more information about the Villebois Village Center and its commitment to its residents as a transit-oriented development, visit ChangeHowYouLive.com, or call 866.580.2836 or email Blog@CostaPacific.com.

Costa Pacific Communities recently announced that Tracy Baker of Wilsonville, Oregon, joins the Villebois Sunday Market as the new market manager. Market contact information remains the same. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail Tracy Baker at VilleboisSundayMarket@gmail.com.

Additionally, as school starts and the days grow shorter, we are quickly slipping into fall. With the change in seasons, comes a change in goodies at the Villebois Sunday Market in the heart of the Villebois neighborhood! The last day of the market season is October 18^th, so don't miss your last opportunities to pick up fresh vegetables, seasonal plants or start your holiday shopping early!

AND - Don't miss concert rock violinist Aaron Meyer's performance at the Villebois Sunday Market on September 20th between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Listen to Aaron's cutting-edge music while you browse the market.

Visit villeboissundaymarket.blogspot.com for all the latest details about vendors and market events or call 866.580.2836.

100% financing is still available on the homes in the Villebois Village Center! Spread the word to your family and friends about how easy it is to own a home in the award-winning Villebois community in Wilsonville, Oregon.

The Guaranteed Rural Housing Program is designed to eliminate the barriers of homeownership with a 100% financing solution for qualified homebuyers.

• 30 Year Secure Fixed Loan
• No Mortgage Insurance
• Credit Score of 600+ Required
• Primary Residences Only
• Income Restrictions Apply

For more information about financing incentives offered on the homes in the Villebois Village Center, please call Costa Pacific New Home Specialist Andy Green at 866.580.2836 or email Info@CostaPacific.com.

According to a survey published by the National Business Travel Association, Portland, Oregon, was named the city with the lowest average tax burden for business travelers throughout the nation.

The report found that Portland's single-day tax burden was $21.49 on business travelers, which was the lowest out of the 50 U.S. cities analyzed. The average tax burden throughout the country was $29.71.

Besides Portland, the lowest tax burden on business travelers can be found in Detroit, Honolulu, Fort Myers, Florida and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston ranked the highest when it comes to tax burden on business travelers. Chicago's single-day tax burden was nearly $50!

In addition to the survey published by the National Business Travel Association, a study completed by FORTUNE Magazine this past Spring ranked Portland Number 6 (out of 100!) when it comes to the top places in the country that offer the perfect blend of business opportunities and an appealing lifestyle.

This is excellent news for people who are thinking about buying or building the home of their dreams in the Portland metropolitan area! The Villebois community in Wilsonville, Oregon - just south of Portland - is the perfect place to begin your new dream life. Offering a lifestyle unavailable in traditional residential developments, Villebois is a close-knit urban village - a place where residents truly feel a sense of community.

For information about the current housing marketing in the Portland metropolitan area and/or to learn more about the latest homes on the market in Wilsonville, Oregon, visit www.ChangeHowYouLive.com. Or call 866.580.2836 or email Blog@CostaPacific.com.