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| 02/26/2010: Orenco Station owners--don't forget to turn in your donation slips for the West Union auction |
| 02/03/2010: One of my ex-Remax colleagues, Diane Robertson, has launched her own house cleaning service. Call her at 503-314-9184. I'll be using her for my listings. |
| 12/06/2009: We need an Orenco area rental of about 1700 s.f. or more ASAP! Please call me at 503-913-0098. |
| 11/06/2009: Check out today's blog on how you can sell your home and save a lot of money, without sacrificing service. |
| 10/27/2009: My new website is at www.portland-homes-marketplace.com. Check it out and tell me what you think! |
| 10/27/2009: An agent in my old Remax office needs a three-bedroom cottage in Orenco Station (she has a client). Contact me if you have something. |
| 10/07/2009: Pavilion remediation underway |
| 04/25/2009: A select group of us have earned certification in distressed properties. Home owners with a default notice or any other kind of mortgage pressure can get expert advice and take control. |
| 04/25/2009: Cut and paste this into your browser: http://www.viddler.com/explore/bmetzker/videos/2/ |
| 03/06/2009: Daylight saving begins this weekend. Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead Sunday at 2 a.m. (or before you got to bed saturday night). |
| 01/07/2009: I was contacted by a man who wishes to rent a single family home in Orenco Station. Since neither I nor Remax gets involved in rentals, I'd be passing the name along as an accomodation. In any event, if anyone has something available or coming up, please click on Ask Bill and I'll get the cohtact info to you. |
| 12/23/2008: According to its company phone message (a website posting is too 21st century), Cornelius Disposal is closed and won't be picking up garbage "until further notice." |
| 11/13/2008: Last night, the Hillsboro Planning Commission denied Venture Homes' application for a modification to its plan for the Orenco Woods development. |
| 11/04/2008: More research needed on the Westview High budget cuts. Info to follow at a later date. |
| 11/04/2008: Want to help determine Hillsboro's future? Would you like to see a farmers' co-op, perhaps, connecting paths to parks or something done to the old train depot off S. First? The go to downtown Open House on Thursday, 11/6, 7 p.m at the Civic Center. Check out www.downtownhillsboro.com for more information. |
| 10/29/2008: Budget cuts at Westview High...more to follow in tomorrow's (or the next day's) blog. |
| 10/22/2008: Solar World opened (see blog). |
| 10/19/2008: Orenco Station artist Eileen Kane's work is being featured all month at Frame Central on Cornell Rd., Bethany. Please join her at a reception on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. |
| 09/30/2008: The Bag 'n' Baggage production of "Steel Magnolias" at the Venetian exceeded expectations. Watch for the next play in January, Shakespeare's "As You Like It." |
| 09/03/2008: Anyone interested in attending "Steel Magnolias" can buy tickets through me at a $5 discount for a while. Let me know the date and the quantity. |
| 09/03/2008: Got to say it: I noticed the 10-year has dropped a good bit, lately, with a corresponding drop in 30-year mortgage rates--6.25% according to Bankrate.com. |
| 08/28/2008: Quatama Elementary, the Orenco Station area's brand new elementary school, opens for business next week. |
| 08/19/2008: The Wines of Shakespeare: Aug. 19, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (yes tonight!) at Orenco Station's Renaissance Wines. Only $12. See today's blog for additional info. |
| 08/15/2008: The play "Steel Magnolias" by Robert Harling and directed by Orenco Station neighbor Scott Palmer premieres at the Venetian Theatre in downtown Hillsboro on Sept. 10. More than 12 performance are scheduled, including a few Sunday matinees. Contact venetiantheatre.com for tickets, or call 503-693-3953. |
| 08/12/2008: Can't resist this: My nephew's band is on tour again. Adam is the drummer for singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, and among other places, they'll perform at Columbia Meadows Aug. 20. Adam will also be headlining with his own band, Culver City Dub, whose original sound is something like Afro-Cuban-reggae. If you can still get tickets, DO NOT MISS. |
| 08/04/2008: THE ORENCO GARDENS NEIGHBORHOOD WILL HOST A COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE THE WEEKEND OF AUG. 9-10. AT THIS SALE MORE THAN ANY OTHER, THE EARLIEST BIRDS GET THE BEST WORMS! |
| 07/31/2008: SAVE THE ELM TREES!! Old Orenco neighbor Erica Dirriwachter, in the course of her research of the Oregon Nursery Company, discovered that the firm had planted 100 elms trees 1n 1912. She needs help getting the trees nominated to the Oregon Historic Tree Program. Contact her at EricaDirriwachter@comcast.net |
| 07/30/2008: Watch for another fundraiser for Bag n Baggage at renaissance Wines. Check the schedule when you stop by for a taste. |
| 07/30/2008: Interest rates continue to tick up. |
| 07/22/2008: The 10-year hit 4.10% today, according to Bloomberg. Thirty-year mortgages ended at 6.47%. The trend is up. |
| 07/18/2008: In a couple more weeks, I'll be adding videos for my listings. |
| 07/18/2008: The 10-year T-bill moved above 4% today. |
| 07/14/2008: The fundraiser for Ban 'n' Baggage exceeded expectations! Watch for another. |
| 06/28/2008: Mark July 8 on your calendars for a wine-tasting fundraiser at Renaissance Wines benefitting Bag and Baggage, a local theatre production company. |
| 06/28/2008: Family with two boys and one small dog is moving to the Orenco area from Japan. They need a condo, townhome or even a house to rent for a while. Please click on Ask Bill if you have or know of something. |
| 06/14/2008: Want to enter a name the fairgrounds contest? See the 6/14 Ask Bill blog to find out how. |
| 06/14/2008: Patty Pence has been elected to serve a term on the Dawson Station HOA board! |
| 06/13/2008: Warnings from two local lenders: rates are inching up to a significant degree. Several are strongly encouraging buyers to not wait if they are considering a purchase. |
| 06/13/2008: A breaking news alert from the New York Times has just announced that NBC journalist and host of "Meet the Press" Tim Russert has died of a heart attack. |
| 06/03/2008: Mortgage interest rates remaining stable. |
| 05/07/2008: No surprise--it appears as though invasive inspections for building defects have commenced at the Orenco Sation brownstones. |
| 05/07/2008: Hang onto your hats! A Famous Dave's restaurant will be going in at the Butler-Cornell Rd.-Cornelius Pass triangle. Famous Who, you say? |
| 04/25/2008: Mortgage rates seem to be holding steady, according to bankrate.com, ticking up barely a basis point to 5.87% for a 30-year fixed. Jumbo loans (a loan more than $417,000) remain problematic, as does financing for condominiums without FHA approval. |
| 04/25/2008: A friend needs to rent a detached home in the Orenco area. No fees involved. |
| 04/17/2008: Rumor has it that Whole Foods will be opening April 23! |
| 03/13/2008: Mortgage interest rates rising. Bankrate.com reports 30-year fixed at 5.96%, up from 5.63% last month. This does not include points or other fees. |
| 02/24/2008: Orenco-area artist Kristina DiTullo's work will be featured for the month of March at Insomnia Coffee at 53rd and Baseline. |
| 02/22/2008: Current market data posted |
| 02/22/2008: Interest rates are nudging up. |
| 01/23/2008: Just as I was musing over the 5.31 mortgage rate, the mortgage guy from Equity Mortgage stopped by my office to let me know he'd closed two 5%, 30-year fixed rate loans this morning before rates crept back up. Amazing times. |
| 01/23/2008: The Washington County Fair Board is seeking public comment on proposals to develop the site. Go to www.co.washington.or.us/fairgroundstaskforce. |
| 01/23/2008: An amazing thing: Thirty-year mortgage rates dropped to 5.31% today, according to Bloomberg News. |
| 01/22/2008: Meanwhile, according to Bloomberg News' website, mortgage rates for 30-year mortgages dropped to 5.42% in today's stock market selloff. |
| 01/22/2008: Latest RMLS data released a couple of days ago--I'll be updating the sales info as soon as I can get to it. |
| 01/12/2008: Again, I implore all cottage owners to please get their inspections done and repairs scheduled. Construction defects are showing up consistently, and the statutory dealine to demand and receive repairs is fast approaching for many. |
| 01/04/2008: Mortgage rates remain around 6%. The spread between adjustables and 30-years is widening a little |
| 12/23/2007: Orenco Station building remediation: Targeted completion date for non-detached housing (except for the condos)is sometime im March. Opinions are quite mixed on whether or not the endgame will be then |
| 12/06/2007: Mortgage rates fell today to a two-year low, Freddie Mac reports. See my blog |
| 11/27/2007: HOA annual meeting will soon begin. PLEASE return your ballots and, if possible, attend the meetings. |
| 11/18/2007: Some cottage Owners in Orenco Station have begun building remediation progress, thanks again to the professional responsiveness of Pac Trust. A few have even finished. |
| 11/18/2007: Only two sales in the last 30 days in Orenco Station and Orenco Gardens. RMLS Oct. data will be posted in a day or two. |
| 10/31/2007: Morello construction begins 11/5, not 11/2 as previously reported |
| 10/30/2007: On the vacant lot next to Marriott Suites, where the medical building is supposed to go--the current site grading is to provide a place for the construction workers to park |
| 10/30/2007: Demolition on Morello Townhomes is supposed to begin 11/2. |
| 10/25/2007: You read it here second: A large, so-called "lifestyle" shopping center called West Village will be constructed north of the Sunset Highway at Cedar Hills and Cornell. Half the size of Bridgeport Center, West Village will be anchored by Big Al's, which is a hyperventilating bowling alley from Vancouver, and a gourmet food store (rumored to be Whole Foods). |
| 10/18/2007: The Hillsboro Airport will host an open house on Saturday, 10/27 from 2 to 5 p.m. Aircraft displays, kids' tours, etc. |
| 10/16/2007: More market action soon. Looking good for buyers. |
| 10/16/2007: Inspections and repairs continue on Orenco detached homes. Pac Trust is once again stepping up to the plate. |
| 10/05/2007: You saw it here, first: On the vacant lot next to Marriott Suites bound by 63rd, Ashberry and Corenell--currently being used as a staging area for construction remediation--a medical office will be built. |
| 10/03/2007: I have a one-level, ground level Orenco Station condo listed for sale |
| 10/03/2007: Construction remediation has begun on some Orenco Station cottages. |
| 09/27/2007: Announcements slow--no computer for more than a week. |
| 09/17/2007: Latest market action just posted. |
| 09/16/2007: Dog Park (supposedly) opening tomorrow! Whoo-hoo! Exciting news for us dog folk, not to say the dogs. |
| 09/13/2007: Travelling over the holidays? I'm booking a flight from Istanbul for my daughter and grandson, and there's some great rates out there. |
| 09/13/2007: A couple of neighbors saved hundreds of dollars on their flooring with the Macadam Floors offer. |
| 09/06/2007: Check out the Just Sold homes--so different than what my Trendwatch Newsletter reported. It had to rely on old data because of lag time between prep and printing. |
| 08/28/2007: For the shoopng addicted, the Woodburn Outlet Mall stores all seem to have some steroid discounts this weekend |
| 08/23/2007: The Hillsboro Farmers Market at Orenco Station is hosting the Perfectly Popular Produce Festival this Sunday, with a salsa contest. Singer/songwriter Lauren Sheehan will perform. |
| 08/23/2007: A neighbor reported that the Orenco Station Grill was the subject of Fox 12's "Dirty Dining" segment. A records check shows the incident(s) occurred in April |
| 08/15/2007: HYPERTENSION: NATURAL STRATEGIES FOR A HEALTHY HEART: A class will be given on this topic at New Seasons on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. Reserve space--these fill up quickly. |
| 08/15/2007: The Hillsboro Parks and Recreation Department would like to discuss Orenco Station's participation in the Adopt-A-Park program. Click on Ask Bill to volunteer. |
| 08/06/2007: That earthwork going on on Cornelius Pass Road and Cornell? Please contain your excitement for the opening of a Del Taco and a Burger King. |
| 07/27/2007: A property owner has applied to split a 15,000 s.f. lot in two and build a home on each lot. The property is on NW Birchbetween 231st and 228th. The Hillsboro planning dept. will accept written comments until 5 p.m. on 8/8. |
| 07/18/2007: The owners of 23013 Chestnut St. (about a block off 231st) have applied to the Planning Commission to build a 9,000 s.f. shop/storage bldg next to their home. Details are at the Planning Dept., who is accepting public comment. |
| 07/18/2007: A hearing on a proposed 55-unit residential community to be called the Pitman Place will be held at the Hillsboro Planning Commission on 7/25 at 6:30 p.m. The development is north of the MAX, east of 229th and south of Cherry Dr., roughly afdjacent to Stonewater. Both sfd's and condos are planned. |
| 07/18/2007: Learn to defend against Lyme-disease-carrying ticks by attending a free talk at New Seasons on 8/7 at 7:30 by Dr. Greg Nigh. Reserve space by calling the Wellness Dept. |
| 07/17/2007: Real estate alert: If you know of someone looking for a one-level condo, have her or him contact me. |
| 07/17/2007: Real estate alert: I need an Orenco Station cottage with an attached carriage house sometime next year. Buyers from Olympia want to move here next year, probably in the fall, so they'd be buying in spring or summer of 2008. If you have such a home and will be selling, call me or click on Ask Bill for special arrangments. |
| 07/12/2007: At Orenco Station, the wild rumpus has begun on bldg. 3 and on at least one of the Parkway Twnhome buildings. Building 4 is ahead of schedule. Cottage owners are still forming a strategy for inspection, detection and reflection. |
| 07/03/2007: Deck and building envelope demolition and reconstruction begins next week on the Orenco Station Rowhomes bldg. 3. |
| 07/03/2007: Orenco Station Cottage Owners: A Steering Committee has formed to help address possible construction defects issues. This could be extremely important! Please click on Ask Bill for more info |
| 06/20/2007: Construction is underway at Bldg. 4 at the Orenco Station Rowhomes. Work begins on Bldg. 3 in a month or so. All of the work will be complete by the end of the building season. |
| 06/14/2007: Macadam floor is offering a 50% discount if you'll present my business card when you stop by. They do these promotions every once in a while and have top-quality flooring, counter tops and carpet. |
| 06/13/2007: It's looking like June 19 for a meeting of the Orenco station cottage owners to discuss options in having building defects remedied. A lawyer will be present to discuss the pertinent statute |
| 06/13/2007: Construction (de-construction?) to begin on bldg. 4 of the Orenco Station Rowhomes on June 18. |
| 06/07/2007: Orenco Station cottage owners: Watch for notice of a meeting to discuss options available to you for possible building defects. It will come in a mailing from Bluestone and Hockley and will occur the third week in June. |
| 06/06/2007: Interested in PSU's quarterly real estate report? Click on Ask Bill and I'll send it in pdf |
| 06/02/2007: HEAT EXHAUSTION TREATMENT: Get person out of the heat to a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply water and/or wet cloths. Give water if person is conscious and make sure he/she drinks slowly. Half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. No caffeine or alcohol. HEAT STROKE TREATMENT: This is life-threatening! Call 911. Move the person to a cooler place and cool the body by immersing in cool water or wrapping in wet sheets and fanning. Watch for breathing problems. Keep the victim lying down and cool the body in any way possible. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting, or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give food or water. |
| 06/02/2007: Signs of Heat Exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness and exhaustion; body temp mear normal. Signs of Heat Stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness;rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temp can be as high as 105 degrees F. Skin may be wet if person was sweating from heavy work or exercise. Othrwise, it will be dry |
| 05/30/2007: Alert: Dishwasher danger and recall. This from a neighbor to Bluestone and Hockley: On May 16, 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the General Electric Company (GE) announced a recall of 2.5 million GE built-in dishwashers manufactured from September 1997 to December 2001. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Ask Bill for more details. These might catch fire. |
| 05/30/2007: Check out Entrees Made Easy by clicking on Coupons and Perks! Recently Costco's Business of the Month, this company does all the drudge work of gourmet cooking and lets you do the fun part. And it's so close! |
| 05/30/2007: An office condominium building is coming to Tanasbourne. |
| 05/23/2007: Rhonda reports that there's new pet food recall: Nutra Nugget Lamb Meal and Dry Rice formula for dogs with the best-buy date of Oct. 9 - 1o 2008. This product was sold at Costco. |
| 05/15/2007: The new library on Shute Rd. is supposed to open May 20. |
| 05/10/2007: New Seasons will be doing a Shortcake benefit Saturday from 11 to 5 to benefit the Soroptimist Northwest Region. |
| 05/10/2007: Don't forget Mother's Day this weekend! |
| 05/08/2007: What fabulous weather! |
| 05/08/2007: This from Rhonda the (wonderful) Dog Lady, whom many neighbors know: "For those of you who may be interested, this Saturday is the 2007 Portland Doggie Dash for the Oregon Humane Society. Check out the link if you would like to sign up and join in the fun. If you register before Wed. midnight the cost is only $20.00 and that includes the T-shirt. After Wed. you will need to register at the event and it goes up to $25.00. "The weather is going to be great, so come join in the fun! Oh and for those of you who have never done this before, there are always some great vendors at this event giving away free doggie treats. Your dog will have great fun and will thank you for the goodies." http://www.oregonhumane.org/doggiedash/index.htm |
| 05/02/2007: What depressing weather! |
| 05/01/2007: The Orenco Station market will open Mother's Day, 5/13. The Hillsboro Farmers Market on Main and 2nd downtown will open Saturday, May 5. The Beaverton Farmers Market opens Saturday, May 12, on Hall Blvd. between 3rd and 5th. Cedar Mill Market opens May 26 on Murray across from Sunset High School. Forest Grove opens May 16, on 21st Ave. between College Way and Main. |
| 04/25/2007: No word on whether the recent crash of the BLue Angels jet will affect the team's planned appearance at this year's air show. |
| 04/25/2007: Want to learn about or even take part in Hillsboro's future? Don't miss Hillsboro 2020 Vision Town Hall event on April 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. MOre info at www.hillsboro2020.org. |
| 04/25/2007: MAX line to Forest Grove? A study has been released showing light rail heading to Forest Grove through Hillsboro, using the railroad tracks that run north of Hwy. 8. Now, if the entities involved can pony up the estimated $2 million... |
| 04/20/2007: Development alert: Southeast corner of NW 264th and NW Evergreen, a 15-acre site is being prepared to house nine businesses. Some could move in this summer and the project will be complete by the end of next year. |
| 04/17/2007: Don't forget to file your tax returns or extensions. Today is officially Diem Carpe! |
| 04/12/2007: Hwy. 26 closure: All westbound lanes between downtown and the Oregon Zoo will be closed from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday for slide cleanup. Alternate routes are NW Cornell Rd., which turns into NW Lovejoy downtown, and SW Barnes Rd., which becomes Burnside, are alternate routes. The Beverton-Hillsdale Highway is another choice. Then, there's MAX. |
| 04/12/2007: Gut-wrenching issues facing adult children who become decision-makers for aging parents is the subject of a free, 90-minute discussion at Tuality Healthcare on Thursday, 4/19 at 6 p.m. Claudia Coke and Lucy Warren of the Senior Guardianshi Assistance Program with be the presenters. |
| 04/12/2007: Got some hazardous waste hanging around? Metro's Hazardous Wastemobile will be at Century HIgh School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday so you can dispose of hazardous waste, free, and not let it do into the landfill. Call Metro Recycling at 503-234-3000, or visit its website at metro-region.org/article.cfm?articleid=760 |
| 04/11/2007: Handyman Bob Strong (see Vendors Rated) has a nephew in the Peace Corps in Georgia (in the former Soviet Union). He needs English language books for K through 7 early readers. Visit http://web.mac.com/markschaerrer. |
| 04/09/2007: Building repairs will soon be underway at the Orenco Station rowhomes. Interested parties may e-mail me for details |
| 04/06/2007: Check out the upgraded Property for Sale link, as well as the upgraded search engine. Please give me your feedback. |
| 04/05/2007: Citizen Participation Orgnization (CPO) 9 will me from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Rm. C113 at the Hillsboro Civic Center. OSU Extension Service-run CPO's help citizens share neighborhood information, and CPO 9 covers the Orenco area. Call Patt Opdyke at 503-725-2117. |
| 04/04/2007: A broker in our Remax office needs a one-level Orenco Station townhome or condo. Click on Ask Bill if you want to sell yours. |
| 04/04/2007: Be sure to check out the Back Fence Forum for a discussion of the ongoing poisonous pet food issue and what we can do to protect our pets. |
| 04/04/2007: The Hillsboro 2020 Vision Town Hall event is being held 4/30 from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring live performances and door prizes. This is an opportunity to learn about the vision for Hillsboro's future. Call 503-681-6224 or e-mail jenniferp@ci.hillsboro.us for further information |
| 04/04/2007: New Seasons wellness classes are listed in the Back Fence Forum under "What's Happening at New Seasons." |
| 03/20/2007: Also, please note the new FSBO listing--a desirable Club 1201 one-bedroom condo |
| 03/20/2007: Neighbors--I'm off to Istanbul to see my 1st grandchild, Ender James, now a month old!Consistent internet service will be iffy, so please excuse late responses. |
| 03/19/2007: A land use change clarification: Del Taco and Burger King will be moving in on the Southwest intersection of NE Butler and Cornelius Pass Rd. The previous announcement gave the location at Butler and Cornell. |
| 03/14/2007: Hee! The Hillsboro Water Dept. is donating three obsolete fire hydrants for use at the new dog park on 229th. Hondo Park, named after a K-9 corps German Shepherd killed in the line of duty in 1997, will open in the late summer of 2007. |
| 03/14/2007: The developer of the property on Butler and Cornell has applied to put in two fast food restaurants |
| 03/14/2007: Persuant to today's "Ask Bill:" Anyone want a free Comparative Market Analysis? Click on Ask Bill and I'll send one (free:) in pdf format. |
| 03/09/2007: Nike gives $200,000 to Hillsboro schools! |
| 03/05/2007: New Seasons grocery and Hawthorne Farm Athletic Club have become corporate members of our Orenco Neighbors site! Click on Coupons and Perks, and check back often. |
| 02/22/2007: Major exhale! Sarah gave birth this morning to an eight-pound baby boy. She went in last night for labor to be induced, and voila! Mother and son and Papa are doing great. Can't say the same for Grandma and Grandpa. |
| 02/20/2007: Significant land use changes: The Son Rise Church has applied for a zone change on a 9.77-acre parcel at Cornell, 231st and Campus Way. Access to the multi-level church will be from Campus Way. Also, the school district has applied to build an elementary school on the adjacent 10-acre parcel. E-mail me for more info |
| 02/12/2007: Links to Citysearch and Oregonlive are now included on the announcements page. |
| 02/12/2007: Our neighborhood will be featured in the upcoming issue of Portland Monthly! Ernie Helvogt, who serves on the Orenco Station HOA board with me (and graduated from Hillsboro High in 1942), and Monika Rostel of Windemere granted the interview. |
| 02/09/2007: Starting soon--maybe even today--logon will not be required to access the classifieds. Neighbors should get better exposure when using this section. |
| 02/01/2007: Congratulations to the owner of the Club 1201 condo on 1220 Horizon Loop! She just sold her place that she advertised on our website. |
| 01/29/2007: Doing a For Sale By Owner? Click on the ASK BILL icon and I'll give a some no-obligation, no-pester-you freebies |
| 01/25/2007: Construction of Whole Foods begins Feb. 14 at Cornell and Amberglen Pkwy., anchoring the Tanasbourne Market Center. Also moving in are Jared's Jewelers (whozzat?), Peet's Coffee (yay!) and Daphne's Greek Cafe. |
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