Weekend Fun

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, 'Who's on First?' might have turned out something like this:

COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO : Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT : Mac?
COSTELLO : No, the name's Lou .
ABBOTT : Your computer?
COSTELLO : I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT : Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou .
ABBOTT : What about Windows?
COSTELLO : Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT : Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO : I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?
ABBOTT : Wallpaper.
COSTELLO : Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT : Software for Windows?
COSTELLO : No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?
ABBOTT : Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT : I just did.
COSTELLO : You just did what?
ABBOTT : Recommend something.
COSTELLO : You recommended something ?
ABBOTT : Yes.
COSTELLO : For my office?
ABBOTT : Yes.
COSTELLO : OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT : Office.
COSTELLO : Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT : I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO : I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?
ABBOTT : Word.
COSTELLO : What word?
ABBOTT : Word in Office.
COSTELLO : The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT : The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO : Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT : The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.
COSTELLO : I'm going to click your blue 'w' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO : That's right. What do you have?
ABBOTT : Money.
COSTELLO : I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT : It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO : What's bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT : Money.
COSTELLO : Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT : Yes. No extra charge.
COSTELLO : I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT : One copy.
COSTELLO : Isn't it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT : Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO : They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT : Why not? THEY OWN IT!

(A few days later)
ABBOTT : Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO : How do I turn my computer off?ABBOTT : Click on 'START'.............

Wellness made easy

If you don't have time for long workouts, short bouts of exercise can be just as good. The University of California Wellness Letter reports that a recent British study of young men found that 10 three-minute bouts of brisk walking over the course of five hours were as effective in lowering triglycerides (fats in blood) and resting blood pressure as one 30-minute bout. Other studies have compared three or four 10-minute sessions to a single 30- or 40-minute session, and found that the repeated short bouts can me just as healthful as longer ones.

This is good news for downtowners who typically walk about more then their suburban counter parts. Picking up the pace on our trek to Starbucks, the grocery store, or to the dog park can keep us just as healthy as that step aerobics class at the local 24 HR Fitness.

We should also know that Portlanders live in one of the top walking cities in the US. According to The American Podiatric Medical Association, Portland ranked number 4 in their survey of 200 U.S. incorporated cities. The survey is based on three walking conducive categories: healthy lifestyles, modes of transportation to and from work, and involvement in fitness and sport activities.

Wireless Internet for All

Many of today's condominium owners depend as much on Internet access as they do on electricity, heat, and water. After all, who needs the fridge to run if you can't get online to order the groceries or take-out? Who needs a morning shower when you're working from home on the computer? Being online is a basic, and as such, homeowners expect their online services to be not just impeccably reliable, but high-speed and low-cost, too.

A new service has rolled out in Portland from a company named Clear. They are promoting heavily so you may have seen their ads. The Clear Network is powered by WiMAX, which is specifically designed for high speed Internet data usage. You can have home service or city wide access. It's a great concept and I hope the performance of the system lives up to the potential.

Consider having wireless service anywhere you go in Portland with your laptop. Good idea.

The service is priced less then other Internet options and the data speeds are supposed to be very fast. Clear has opened a sales boutique across from our office on NW Lovejoy. I'll check it out today to learn more about this exciting technology. For now, their web site is a good source of information about the service - http://www.clear.com/.

South Waterfront Update

If you are interested in knowing more about plans for Portland's South Waterfront District, tonight is your night. Representatives from the City of Portland, area developers, and OHSU will hold a public meeting to share updates on what is happening now and what the future holds for the district.

The event, which is sponsored by the SWF Community Relations group, will be held 6:00-8:00pm at the Umpqua Bank Innovation Lab, 3606 SW Bond Ave.

Drinks and appetizers will be served.

Latest Housing Index Shows Portland Down 11.45%

The Case-Shiller Home Price Index come out with it's November, 2008 report today. Compared to one year ago, Portland area housing prices are down 11.45%. Looking at the data over a two year period shows a total decline of 10.32%. Based on the Case-Shiller data, Portland area home values have fallen back to November 2005 levels.

How do we compare to other metropolitan areas? San Diego is down 25.8%, San Francisco is down 30.8%, Phoenix is down 32.9% and Los Angeles is down 25.86%. Seattle performed similar to Portland and is down 11.2%.

Overall, Case-Shiller's index of twenty metropolitan areas is down 18.2% for the past one year.

This is one time when being below average is probably a good thing.

Modern Daydreams

While attending the OMSI Gala last Saturday night we were entertained by BodyVox, Portland's internationally acclaimed dance company. One of the items they entertained us with was this humorous video. You may enjoy it here and if you look closely, you will recognize scenes of the Pearl District, circa 2001.

The Civic

The Civic is one of Portland's newer condominium buildings. It's a sixteen story condo tower situated next to PGE park and the MAX station. It features approx 261 units configured as 196 one bedroom lofts, 56 two bedroom homes and 9 penthouses.

The Civic is an energy efficient building that is LEED certified Gold, features a public plaza, a very nice lobby, concierge service, secured entry and underground parking.

We happen to have a listing in The Civic. It's #1502, a terrific two bedroom unit with sweeping views of the city and several large mountain peaks. It's has over 14oo sqft, beautiful wood floors, a terrace, two parking spaces and is priced at just $585,000. If you'd like to see a list of all homes for sale at The Civic, please visit our website bpr.com or you can just click on our Civic page.