If you’re ready for business, we’re ready for you. Let’s meet on Main Street. Here’s a short list of space available in downtown Milwaukie.

Call your favorite commercial real estate agent for details.

Commercial Real Estate Available

- $1785 / 1500ft² – Retail Space for Lease -Historic Milwaukie (2029 SE Jefferson Street) http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/off/3791362706.html -

$75 / 100ft² – Individual Storage Space – Multiple Spaces Available (Milwaukie, OR) http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/prk/3791360331.html -

$750 / 620ft² – New Façade/ Complete Renovation ((2027 SE Jefferson Street) http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/off/3791359283.html – $595 / 240ft² – Newly Renovated Office Space, Internet and Utilities Included (Main Street, Milwaukie) http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/off/3791357210.html -

$690 / 311ft² – Newly Renovated Office Space, Internet and Utilities Included (Main Street, Milwaukie) http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/off/3759584627.html

Contact Information Ed Aaron C: 415-533-3282 H/O: 503-239-5272 Email: caaron@organonweb.com

In every real estate news report, we inevitably hear the same thing: “Houses are underwater!” It seems we connect housing being underwater with everything from current low inventory to diminished consumer spending. Sadly, in some parts of the country, homeowners are downright drowning. But what does underwater mean? Are homes underwater here in Milwaukie? And if you are underwater, what are your options?

Underwater does not mean your house is worth less than it used to be. You are only “underwater” if you owe more on the property than you could sell it for. Many people who are in that situation either purchased a home in the boom with an 80/20 loan or 100% financing or tapped all their equity when their home value peaked. How do you tell if your home is underwater? The easiest way is to call a Realtor and ask for a “Net Analysis.” You’ll need to provide any amounts you owe on your home such as taxes, liens, mortgage, and lines of credit. The Realtor can provide a Comparable Market Analysis based on similar homes that have sold in your neighborhood, and will estimate what your profit or loss would be, including fees and potential commissions.

If you’re not underwater, you can sit tight or you can consider taking advantage of the low interest rates and market to make a change. If you are underwater, you still have options. The first is you can remain in your home and keep making payments. If for some reason you cannot stay in your house, you can examine renting your home out, or if you have a verifiable hardship such as a job transfer or financial problems, you may be able to explore a short sale.

It’s very easy to be pessimistic, but the housing situation is starting to improve nationwide, and here in the Portland Metropolitan Area. With an average year-over-year sales price increase of 5.9%, less than three months of inventory, and the forthcoming MAX line, Milwaukie is well-positioned to continue improving.

If you are interested in finding out specifics about your neighborhood or home’s value, feel free to call me at 503-482-9355 or email me at andi@503realestate.com. There is no charge or obligation, and questions are always free.

First, thank you to Mandy for welcoming me to the real estate section of Milwaukie Rules! Each month a market report comes out from the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS), which details out real estate statistics throughout the Portland metropolitan area. Moving forward on MR, we’re going to hit the highlights of the area nearest and dearest to our heart.

In Milwaukie, OR there is approximately three months of housing inventory available; a “healthy” inventory is generally considered to be six months. This means we are seeing a shift towards a sellers’ market with multiple buyers pursuing the same property. Properties with desirable features that are priced correctly are selling. As you can see from the chart below, prices are remaining stable and improving.

Milwaukie is contained in Area 145, referred to as the “Milwaukie/Clackamas” statistical region. It is a rather large area that contains, Milwaukie, Linwood, Oak Grove, Oatfield, Happy Valley, and extends to the rural areas of Damascus and Estacada. This means the following numbers are averages of the entire area.

As of March 2013 there are:
Active Listings: 577
New Listings: 250
Pending Sales: 218
Closed Sales: 158
Total Market Time: 105 Days
Avg. Sales Price % Change: 5.9% (Over Last Year)

If you are interested in finding out specifics about your neighborhood or home’s value, feel free to call me at 503-482-9355 or email me at andi@503realestate.com. There is no charge or obligation, and questions are always free.

Come down to Kellogg Bowl on Friday May 3rd between 3 and 5 pm to participate in a family bowling tournament to help raise money for Riverside Elementary School. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Riverside. First prize will be a free family cosmic bowl here at Kellogg Bowl.

Are you interested in how the arts can shape Milwaukie? Do you want to network with other artists and arts supporters? artMOB has lined up an exciting speakers series this summer. Enjoy the First Friday Art Walk (starting at 5:00pm) then drop in for Tim DuRoche–“Jazz and the Art of Community Building”—sponsored by Oregon Humanities Project at 7:30pm at Marla Baggetta’s Studio (1926 SE Scott St.) RSVP is not required but much appreciated. RSVP to info@artmob.net 

MAY EVENT LIST:

MAY EVENT LIST:

1. WARRIOR ROOM: Treasure Hunt Stop; Riverside Elementary School Auction 5 – 8:30
(silent auction open to the community); Arcangelo Portrait Studio Photo Booth with the
Portland Aquarium Mermaids
2. STARK FAMILY MARTIAL ARTS: Live Fire Spinning
3. SALON DEMARA: $3 Tinsel Strands (proceeds donated to Riverside Elementary
School)
4. DUFFY’S IRISH PUB: Live Music, Darby O’Gill
5. CHA CHA CHAS: Live Latin Music and Mezcal Tasting: Mezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant original con México.
6. ST. JOHN the EVANGELIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Treasure Hunt Stop, Poetry
Reading 6 – 7 pm, Milwaukie Elementary School artwork.
7. AMA MASSAGE AND HAVENS ACUPUNCTURE: Chair Massages, Raffle for a free
massage and Acupuncture Demonstrations
8. BRIGHTSTONE GALLERY: Opening of show, “Details Matter”, by Tasia Markoff
Photography
9. THINGS FROM ANOTHER WORLD: Comic Book giveaway
10. MAIN ST. COLLECTORS MALL: Treasure Hunt Stop
11. ACME VIDEO: Video Editing Seminar at 7pm and 20% off all DVDS!
12. DUSTY TIGER ANTIQUES AND TOYS: “Oregon History through Art and Industry” –
sales on dozens of areas of collectibles – display sale of various Oregon artists as well
as historical products!
13. WINE :30: Live music by Will Scrivens and photographic art by Ken Roberts
14. CITY HALL: Artist, Connie Emmons
15. CITY HALL PARKING LOT: School of Rock musicians; Vendors; Breakside Brewing
beer garden; BUNK food cart
16. UNDER 300 GALLERY: Art show opening, “Gleaning” 4 – 8pm
17. MILWAUKIE KITCHEN AND WINE: 4 – 6pm Happy Hour; Cooking demo at 6pm;
Artwork by artist, Yannick Hamon; J. Gelati Italian ice for sale (proceeds donated to
Riverside Elementary School)
18. OHANA HAWAIIAN CAFE: Live Music, Ukulele band
19. WIND HORSE COFFEE AND TEA: Art and Jewelry
20. MARLA BAGGETTA STUDIOS: “Jazz and the Art of Community Building”, a
conversation with Guest Speaker, Tim DuRoche at 7:30pm
21. SPRING CREEK COFFEE HOUSE: Treasure Hunt Stop
22. KELLOGG BOWL: 3 – 5pm Family Bowling Tournament; $5 for shoes and bowling
(Proceeds donated to Riverside Elementary School)
23. PIETRO’S PIZZA: Treasure Hunt Stop

If you like what you see on Milwaukie Rules!, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, subscribing to our newsletter, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up.

When: Sunday, April 28th from 12pm – 5pm
Where: 3012 S.E. Balfour Street (Near our future neighborhood park)
Cheers everyone!  Please join the Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood for their plant sale! Bring your plant list, plant lust, and plant enthusiasm, and come buy some choice plants to take home.  Plants have been donated from some of our accomplished neighborhood master gardeners, and some of our wonderful neighborhood gardeners.  This plant sale is a fundraiser for development of a park master plan and will be located near the future new park. Please bring cash or check only, as there will not bplante a debit/credit machine available at the checkout. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa at: 503-754-1655.  For more information, also check out our website: www.ardenwald.org

From 1980 to 2001 the distance that food traveled from farm to table increased by 25 percent, which means that by the time you actually purchase those veggies from the store it may last you a whole three days.  Although the process of picking up produce from the store may seem like a quicker option fresh produce can last up to two weeks – saving you trips to the store as well as having to clean out rotting fruit in the fridge.

Compared to Portland Milwaukie neighborhoods tend to offer bigger plots of land as well as allowances for up to 25 chickens (Portland stops you at 3.) This has been a draw for many residents in the Ardenwald area, in particular, Donna Smith, who for many years was a Portland resident who was and still is a founding member of Your Backyard Farmer. Started in 2006, Your Backyard Farmer is a non traditional community supported agriculture venture boasting 67 Portland spaces. These guys will come in and build beds in your backyard and even tend to them for you with a weekly visit to insure your farm is growing well–including pest inspection, weeding and planting. Also included is a weekly harvest basket at your backdoor (If you want to do the work Your Backyard Farmer also has a consulting program to teach you how to grow your own food! Your backyard farmer has space available for this next season. Contact them at: farmers@yourbackyardfarmer.com ) Ardenwald neighbor Jennifer Dillan sought out Smith with an offer she could not refuse – more land. Dillan purchased a large property with promises to fix up the house that rests on the land and lease it back to Smith, giving her over a half an acre to sew her wild oats on. This is now where Clackamas Counties Urban Farming Center resides, as well as being a small community supported agricultural farm and education center. This little organic method farm also sells to small restaurants, as well as having farm shares available to pick up weekly. With such a large allowance for chickens on a property one may wonder what kind of noise level that creates, but when you are able to seduce your neighbors with fresh eggs the noise ceases to be an issue. This next season the educational center will be fully up and running, teaching classes in sustainability, and other interests such as how to compost with worms, how to raise chickens and goats, fermenting, salt making, and traditional Japanese cooking. Her pear tree alone boasted 400 pounds of pears, sending Smith into a canning frenzy. Towards the back of the property she was babysitting a portion of Naomi’s (of Naomi’s Organice Food Supply) plants until she is able to relocate into another space. An afficianado (somewhat) of rare seeds, Smith actually sought out the near exctinct seed of the Ozette potatoe – and with Your Backyard Farmer was delighted to be able to share this with Pasta Works, as it was something they were until then unable to obtain.

The most awe inspiring part of this project is the plan that Smith has for the front of the property. “Next spring we are going to turn the front yard into a wheelchair accessible area with raised beds and put them in a shape that is easy to navigate. The pathways will be compacted soil so that they have an easier time tending to the gardens with their wheelchairs.”

For more information:

The Urban Farm Center and CSA – urbanfarmcenter@gmail.com FACEBOOK $650 a year, pick up is every Friday after 4pm June through October. Deposit required then payments, or payment all up front.

 ::Organic gardening classes at Milwaukie Grind by Your Backyard Farmer::

Traditional Japanese cooking -  Sundays at 10:30 am

Miso soups – April 21

Sea Vegetables  – May 19th

Japanese Pickles – June 23

Natto – July 21st

Vegetable dishes – Aug 18th

Fish  – Sept 15th

Comfort foods Oct 20th

Nourshing Traditions  Saturdays at 10:30

Bone broths -  May 4th

Greens – May 25th

Enzyme rich sauces, salad dressings and condiments  June 8th

Dairy ferments – Jun 29th

Grain and Legumes  July 27th

Liver Sept – 28th

Hands on Composting -June 22nd

Wholesome Pantry year around preserving calendar class  -

August 24th 1:00 pm

If you like what you see on Milwaukie Rules!, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, subscribing to our newsletter, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up.

SAVE 3 CREEKS (Facebook page: )

It’s Greg from Straw Bale Films and Bike Milwaukie – I hope you are well. Our film ‘Lonely Tree’ along with countless others helped shelve the Sunnybrook West Blvd. Extension through the 3-Creeks Natural Area. Clackamas County planners are back at it and have renamed the Sunnybrook West Extension. It’s now called the Southwest Connector and it has returned to the forefront of County road projects. In addition, all public comment has been discarded. I have been told all public comments were considered and integrated into the ‘new’ project. But we still get the old project with all it brings to all that is left.

Here is a link to a new interactive map to leave comments.
http://maps.kittelson.com/clackamascountyprojects

Last year’s interactive map for the whole of Clackamas County got 180 pins; over 100 of the pins opposed the Sunnybrook West Extension. (TSP ID 2102 Sunnybrook Blvd.) There were 0 comments for support. The message did not get through. We need to do it again and again until the county gets it. Please go to the interactive map. (Watch out – it’s super confusing. Click the link. Zoom in on the 3 Creeks area. Click on the red line where they want to put this road. It will pop up as “Sunnybrook West”. The left side of your screen will show you options for leaving comments and personal info. You don’t even have to technically put anything in the comment box other than “Duh”. But, be sure to select the option that says “Do Not Support”.) .

This is really important. I urge you to Save 3-Creeks.

BIKE MILWAUKIE TO 3 CREEKS
Who’s ready for a Bike Milwaukie ride? Our next ride will take us back out to the 3 Creeks Natural Area for another tour like we did last year. The timing of this ride is interesting because the County has decided to once again consider building a road over the ancient Willamette white oak trees which reside there. Meet this Sunday, April 21st at 9:30 at City Hall.

If you like what you see on Milwaukie Rules!, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, subscribing to our newsletter, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up.

If you want to receive an e-newsletter about artMOB projects, please subscribe to our Supporter Newsletter list.

Are you interested in how the arts can shape Milwaukie? Do you want to network with other artists and arts supporters? artMOB has lined up an exciting speakers series this summer. Enjoy the First Friday Art Walk (starting at 5:00pm) then drop in for these special speakers. Each event is free and light refreshments will be served.  Each event will be held at 7:30pm at Marla Baggetta’s Studio (1926 SE Scott St.) RSVP is not required but much appreciated. RSVP to info@artmob.net

May 3rd –Tim DuRoche–“Jazz and the Art of Community Building”—sponsored by Oregon Humanities Project

 June 7th–Keith Daly–“From Space to Place: The Art of Placemaking”

July 5th—Networking Event—Come meet other artists and art supporter for a fun and relaxed social gathering!

Aug 2nd—Special guest (TBA) and Marla Baggetta— “The Fine Art of Success”. (Tips and encouragement from two local artists making a living through art.)

RSVP for the events via email at info@artmob.net or on the Facebook events page here:

More information about us can be found on the artMOB website and the artMOB Facebook page.

If you like what you see on Milwaukie Rules!, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, subscribing to our newsletter, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up.

Community partners include: Milwaukie Rotary Club Willamette View Milwaukie Presbyterian Church Milwaukie High School Historic Milwaukie NDA Island Station NDA SOLV Cha Cha Cha Starbuck’s Coffee Pietro’s Pizza