Hillsdale Farmers’ Market Rocks!

Just got back from a little outing to the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market. It’s just a short walk from where I live and it is such a nice morning that we had to go. I’ll tell you, I never regret going there. They have such a fantastic variety of fruits and vegetables, salmon, lamb, and even some hot stew and bagels. We are definitely stocked up for the week.

And not only are we getting some fresh, locally grown produce, but we are buying from local farmers, which helps our local economy. In these hard times, I think it should be on everyone’s minds to shop from local merchants and to support our community!

The Hillsdale Farmers’ Market is open 10am – 2pm every other Sunday during the winter and every Sunday in the summer. It is located in the Rieke Elementary  School parking lot, right next to Wilson High School.

For more details, go to their website at www.hillsdalefarmersmarket.com.

See you at the market!

Why Won’t the Bank Do My Loan Modification?

If you got your home loan from Indymac Bank and are hoping to get a Loan Modification from them, you need to look at this video:

The IndyMac Slap in the Face

It’s an eye opening look at why OneWest (they took over IndyMac’s assets) might not have any desire or motivation to do your loan mod and help you stay in your home.

This may not be true for all banks. Take this video with a grain of salt. Some banks are doing right by their customers.

Take a look, and make sure your volume isn’t turned up too high, these guys have had way too much coffee!

Portland MAX Line Expansion to Milwaukie

When I moved to Portland in 1992 to go to college, I fell in love with the city. Portland has so many things going for it – great neighborhoods, friendly people, and a desire for a better quality of life. One of the big things that stood out was the MAX line and the commitment to urban planning.

All these years later and the commitment is still strong. Case in point, the light-rail expansion from downtown to Milwaukie. This new leg of the MAX will create the first new crossing over the Willamette since 1973 and serve the South Waterfront, OMSI, and the brooklyn, Eastmoreland and Sellwood neighborhoods.

According to Oregonlive.com, this new line will also:

* Silence noise from freight train horns that torments residents. The MAX line will include gates at major street crossings that should persuade federal authorities to stop requiring freight trains to sound horns. It also should exempt MAX from blowing horns.

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Pastini’s – Great Food at a Great Price

I just got back from eating a great Italian meal at Pastini’s. I just love this place. They have a great assortment of pasta dishes that are fantastic and it won’t cost you an arm arm a leg. If you haven’t been there, do yourself a favor and give them a try. I usually go to the one on NW 23rd and Quimby, but I’ve been to most of them and have never had a bad meal.

My favorites are the Spaghetti Agli E Olio with chicken and the baked Ziti with Italian sausage. Mama mia!

They have locations all over now, so if you want to find one near you, go to their website at www.pastini.com. Tell them Jesse sent you (they’ll have no idea who I am, but I would love to see the look on their face).