About Polk County, OR

I guess the owner does this every year when he opens but this is the first year I have heard about it: Free ice cream!!

That's right boys and girls. The best farmers market/morphed restaurant has opened for the season and is giving away free ice cream cones.

My kids and wife and I have been partaking in the soft serve for the last few years, since we moved to West Salem, Oregon, and it is worth the price even when it is not free.

Last year the little market did some renovating and added a restaurant. I have only been a few times but it is definitely worth checking out if you are headed home from the coast and like delicious food.

Check them out this week!! I think the free ice cream ends on Friday 4/24.

Media emphasises the negative news, but some economic indicators are improving!

Personal spending is tracted closely by economists because it accounts for about 70% of total economic activity. Consumer spending has increased in January and February indicating a rise in consumer confidence.

Consumer savings has increased from nearly zero a year ago to over 4% in 2009 -- good news that people are thinking seriously about their personal finances.

While personal incomes have dropped due to layoffs, these economic indicators give hope that the declining economy is coming to an end.

Better economic news coupled with lower prices, low interest rates and tax incentives should help some home buyers to realize that it may be the right time to buy a home!

Creative Concepts and Contracting provides professional home staging, repairs and remodeling for Oregon homes. An investment in staging gives home sellers the peace of mind that their home will compete for a top dollar offer in any market!

Here we go again, with the talking heads on financial news misinterpreting the impact of the Fed's actions on home loan rates.

Here's the scoop. What the Fed just announced is huge – they have committed to buy another $750B in Mortgage Backed Securities, and $300B in Treasuries.

But what does this mean and why do you care?

Their actions provide a demand for Mortgage Backed Securities, which should help keep a ceiling on home loan rates moving much higher in the foreseeable future. That's good news, for homebuyers who are seeing the bargains out there and understanding that now is the time to act. Good news for those who are ready to refinance too.

But an important distinction – this does not mean rates may move significantly lower. Depending on exactly which coupons the Fed purchases when they go shopping for Mortgage Backed Securities, their actions may keep a lid on rates, but not push them very much lower. And based on what they've been buying since the beginning of this year when they started their purchasing program – that is exactly how it has played out.

Present home loan rates are within inches of historic lows. What is keeping you on the sidelines from acting now to refinance and get some dollars back into your own pocket, where they belong – or moving forward to buy the home of your dreams, while it is still on sale?

Yesterday was the third day in a row with sunny weather. That is pretty unusual in March on this side of the Cascade Mountains. With the benefit of the sun rays for warmth I started turning over my cover crops in preparation for the later spring plantings.

Two years ago I harvested my first ripe tomato in mid October, and vowed to do better the next year. I discovered two books, written by the same author, that were a tremendous help. Anyone on this side of the Cascade Mountains that wants to grow their own vegetables should read these books: Gardening West of the Cascades and Growing Vegetables When it Counts both by Steve Solomon. These books cover gardening from general to specific and most importantly ideas for the Westside gardener.

Many books have been written about how-to grow vegetables. A majority of these books have been written by people in other parts of the country and even other parts of the world. There is a huge amount of useful information available however sometimes there are some specifics that can be confusing for gardeners on this side of Oregon. In most other parts of the country starting seedlings indoors on a sunny window sill is common. There is one big problem with that here: we don't get enough sun light. Starting seedlings requires artificial light. We just don't get enough sunshine to grow stout plants early in the year.

Last year I harvested my first ripe tomato on June 21st. With the help of lights and cloches I hope to repeat my luck with early season veggies again this year.