city news...
Jan 2,2009
Portland Water Bureau unveils toilet rebate program
by jenniferd
Beginning January 1, 2009, Portland Water Bureau customers are invited to take advantage of a new toilet rebate program sponsored by the Portland Water Bureau for a limited time. Customers can apply for a $100 rebate for replacing a traditional toilet (1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) or more) with a newer, more water-efficient model that has been labeled WaterSense, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To earn the EPA's WaterSense label , toilets must use no more than 1.28 gpf and meet rigorous performance criteria. The bureau is conducting the program until funds are depleted or until June 30, 2009. To receive the rebate: Applicant must fill out a WaterSense Toilet Rebate Form and return to the Portland Water Bureau no later than June 30, 2009. Applicant must receive water from the Portland Water Bureau and have an active Portland Water Bureau account that is in good standing. Applicant must own the property where the new toilet is being installed or obtain the signatur
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posted at 09:50 AM
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Oct 25,2008
Is Portland Falling Behind in Education?
by TeachStreet
As many of you know, this week marks the 25 th anniversary of the sobering delivery of “ A Nation at Risk ” speech, by the then President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. Reagan had understood, long ago, that the real problem America faced with regard to its national security is its education crisis. The recent news about the performance of the Oregon public school system, especially in Portland, is a continuing reminder that we, as a community, have a serious problem on our hands. And that it is our problem to fix. "If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war. As it stands, we have allowed this to happen to ourselves." ~ A Nation at Risk The progress report on the health of the education system in Oregon State was produced
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posted at 01:11 PM
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Oct 14,2008
Waterfront Pearl Lien Remains Unresolved
by shooter
The lien filed by Hoffman Construction in July against Pearl Waterfront developer Pemcorp Development and its lending partners has yet to be settled. Hoffman has taken the next step of filing the paperwork requesting a jury trial to settle the issue. Hoffman is owed $15 million.This article in the Daily Journal of Commerce goes into the details of why Hoffman hasn't been paid. As you can guess, it's partly related to the current financial mess, including a tight credit market and the decline in stock markets.
One of Pemcorp's lending partners, CDPQ Mortgage Co. , is the largest pension fund in Canada. CDPQ is currently more focused on protecting its pensioners' money than on a project in Oregon.
I'm wondering what this means for owners and anyone who is thinking of buying there. Does this lien make it even more difficult for buyers to get a mortgage? Will the lien affect the work that remains to be completed? Re
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posted at 08:13 AM
3 comments
Sep 30,2008
The Pawnshop Economic Indicator
by shooter
I found this story on the KATU site. The story examines how a pawnshop located in Kerns is a mirror of the economy. When times are good the shop sells items, but when times are bad the shop makes loans. People bring in family heirlooms and prized possessions, and take a loan against those possessions to pay bills. This one pawnshop serves about 125 customers a day. How often is this scene played out across Portland each day? These kinds of stories are written when times are tough, but for some reason this one struck me. It's not the emotional tug of people having to take loans on possessions just to pay bills. To me, it's a clear statement of how economic policy affects people. I'm not talking about the current financial market meltdown, though that is certain to make things worse. The people pawning their possessions today did not participate in the "strong economy" of the last five years or so. Though w
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posted at 09:16 AM
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Sep 18,2008
Dollars and Sense » Investing In the Wake Of An Election
by pearlgirl
By Adina R. Flynn, JDFinancial Advisor
The markets are unpredictable—rising and falling. In any election year, an additional element of uncertainty is added to the investment mix. Investors can only speculate as to the outcome of the presidential election in November. The question then becomes what to make of the results from an investment standpoint. The answer, according to recent history, is that the impact on investors may be limited. The immediate reaction to election results in the first weeks after the election, appear to work moderately in favor of Republicans. In the post-war era (beginning with the election of Democrat Harry Truman in 1948), the stock market (as measured by the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index, an unmanaged index of stocks) rose an average of 2.25 percent in years when Republicans captured the presidency (nine times). Markets gained 1.31 percent from Election Day to the end of the election year, on average, in the six times Demo
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posted at 07:53 AM
1 comments
Aug 9,2008
Dollars & Sense » Avoid A Collision When Merging Finances
by pearlgirl
Avoid a Collision When Merging Finances By Adina R. Flynn, JD
Financial Advisor So you're getting married. In addition to planning your wedding, your preparations should include planning how your finances will blend in your new joint household. Since money is a frequent sore spot for couples, you can get your union off to a stronger start with a proactive approach to merging your finances. Start by laying your cards on the table before the vows are exchanged. There should be no surprises about lingering debt or unpaid child support after the nuptials have occurred. Current and future obligations, earnings, savings and also personal spending habits are all fair game for this heart-to-heart talk. If you've previously been married, your former marital status and the presence of children could affect your combined financial picture significantly. For instance, under certain circumstances, an ex-spouse may be entitled to some or all of your retirement benefits (if a Qualif
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posted at 03:22 PM
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Jul 18,2008
Dollars & Sense » Professional Wisdom for Same-Gender Couples
by pearlgirl
Same-Gender Couples Can Benefit From Professional Wisdom By Adina R. Flynn, JD Financial Advisor Sexual orientation may determine your life partner, but it shouldn't determine whether you seek guidance in important areas of your life. Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) couples who want to protect their status need the help of qualified professionals in the legal, medical, tax, insurance and financial fields. Because same-gender couples are treated differently under the law, they need to build their own protections with the help of supportive professionals. While married heterosexual couples are afforded certain benefits under state and federal laws after they are married, same-gender couples in committed relationships do not receive the same treatment. As a result, they must take extra steps to ensure the welfare of both partners in the event one becomes ill, becomes unemployed, dies or experiences another of life's calamities. The same holds true for heterosex
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posted at 09:44 AM
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Apr 27,2008
Dollars & Sense » Tax Refunds: Saving Strategies to Help Avoid the 'Spring Tax Spending Spree'
by pearlgirl
Tax Refunds Saving Strategies to Help Avoid the ‘Spring Tax Spending Spree’
By Adina. R. Flynn, JD
Financial Advisor
This is the time of year when many taxpayers rejoice. Those are the ones who have just received or are about to receive a refund check from the IRS. For many, it feels like a bonus. After all, in a sense it is “found money” that can be used any way they like. But there is a catch. This “found money” was really your money from the start. Another way to look at it is that you just gave the government an interest-free loan over the past year because you had too much money withheld from your paychecks.
In some cases, the amount we’re talking about is significant. So far, the average tax refund in 2008 totaled more than $2,400. In other words, millions of taxpayers are overpaying $200 in taxes every month (on average) that, instead, they could keep in their pocket throughout the year. For most
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posted at 06:05 PM
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Mar 31,2008
Dollars & Sense » Spring Clean Your Finances
by pearlgirl
By Adina R. Flynn, JDFinancial Advisor
As the first signs of spring arrive and you get the urge to clean your house, don’t forget to tidy up your finances as well. Whether you are just entering the workforce, peaking in your career or contemplating retirement, periodic cleaning will help keep your financial house in order. So roll up your sleeves and get to work on this checklist of financial chores.
Straighten your financial paperwork
Are you hording copies of bank statements, cancelled checks and other financial miscellany? It may be time to purge. Check into current guidelines on retaining financial records and shred excess documents that aren’t required. Then date and store records you need to keep in a safe and private location.
Check your credit score
Every year you are entitled to a free credit report from three main credit reporting agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. If you haven’t done so already,
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posted at 06:00 PM
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Mar 1,2008
Dollars & Sense » Investing in Uncertain Times
by pearlgirl
Investing in Uncertain Timesby Adina Flynn
A financial environment clouded with economic uncertainty has sent the stock markets into a volatile pattern, resulting in a rocky start to 2008. It is important to remember that fluctuation in the markets is commonplace, including periods with wild swings like we’ve recently experienced.
While many issues affect the markets, one thing particularly true during times like these is that the immediate future can be very difficult to predict. Many commentators and prognosticators may tell you what to expect, but in the short term, it is always a challenge to determine where the market is going. However, history can be an indicator of what might happen in the long run.
Just like old times
Since reaching its most recent peak value of 14,164 on October 9, 2007, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (through Jan. 22, 2008) has lost 15.5 percent of its value. A drop of this magnitude is not unprecede
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posted at 06:00 AM
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