Agilyx lands $22M from investors led by Kleiner Perkins

Posted on April 3, 2011 by admin

Agilyx Corp.'s method of turning waste plastic into crude oil has now produced a roster of big-name investors.

The Tigard-based company on Thursday announced it has closed a $22 million Series B round, led by prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

The round also features participation from some giants in the world of waste and energy: Houston-based Waste Management Inc., the nation's largest waste industry player with $12.5 billion in revenue last year, and Paris-based Total S.A., one of the world's biggest gas and oil exploration companies with annual revenue of nearly $225 billion. In addition, the round included participation from previous venture capital investors; Vancouver, British Columbia-based Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital, London-based Saffron Hill Ventures and Portland-based Reference Capital, which each contributed to a $4.25 million Series A round in April 2009. Read more

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LOVE! Olson Kundig Architects

Posted on April 2, 2011 by admin

Olson Kundig Architects began its creative existence with architect Jim Olson, whose work in the late 1960s explored the relationship between dwellings and the landscape they inhabit in the Northwest. Olson started the firm based on some simple ideas: that buildings can serve as a bridge between nature, culture and people, and that inspiring surroundings have a positive effect on people’s lives. Rick Sundberg joined the firm in 1975, and its commitment to urbanism and civic life became evident as they began designing and developing modern urban buildings in and around Seattle’s national historic districts Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square. Link

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Carbon Monoxide Detectors are Required!

Posted on April 1, 2011 by admin

As of APRIL 1, 2011 – When conveying fee title or transferring possession under a land sale contract of a one and two family dwelling or multifamily housing that contains a CARBON MONOXIDE source, the dwelling or housing must have one or more properly functioning carbon monoxide alarms installed in locations that provide carbon monoxide detection for all sleeping areas. All rental dwelling units that have a carbon monoxide source or are located within a structure having a carbon monoxide source are required to have a carbon monoxide alarm.

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Inflation Watch March 2011

Posted on March 31, 2011 by admin

Inflation Watch March 2011

• Producer prices showing signs of inflation, consumer prices are more tame, but higher than expected
• Underlying inflationary pressures seen in commodity prices
• Oil / energy prices are increasing
• Gold, other metals and commodities prices high
• Dollar is weak, however some are forecasting it to rise this year. A weaker dollar makes imported goods more expensive and adds to inflationary pressure
 

The deflation talk has quieted, but inflation has become a growing concern. Some that stagflation will take hold with the current weakness in the job market (high unemployment and high inflation). This situation can be very difficult for the Fed to combat inflation due fear of further job market deterioration.

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What It Will Take to Fix the Housing Market

Posted on March 30, 2011 by admin

A sign the housing bust could end soon.

"The job market is improving, shoppers are more willing to spend, and corporate profits remain strong. Those are all preconditions for a housing rebound, which is inevitable as long as the nation's population continues to expand and the economy keeps growing. The only question—and it's a big one—is WHEN."

Here are six missing pieces that still need to fall into place for a housing rebound to take root: more job gains, fewer foreclosures, a stable homeownership rate, clarity from Washington, rising rents and some courageous buyers. Read more

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Spring Gardening FREEbies

Posted on March 28, 2011 by admin

Plant A Tree – Get Money Back!
Every tree planted in Portland contributes to cleaner rivers and streams. So, if you plant a tree on your residential property, you will receive a rebate of up to $50 Link

Natural Gardening $5 off coupon!
Compliments of participating retailers, Metro and OSU Extension Service $5 off total $20 one-time purchase of compost, native plantsor hand-weeding tools. Link

Dennis' 7 Dees 20% Discount Coupon
Dennis' 7 Dees 20% Off Native Tree Coupon. Redeemable only at any Dennis’ 7 Dees Garden Center Location. Not combinable with other discounts. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Expires 04-30-11. Link

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A couple of my favorite things! Storables, recycling & Hoyt Arboretum.

Posted on March 28, 2011 by admin

Hoyt Arboretum

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February Pending Home Sales Rise

Posted on March 28, 2011 by admin

Washington, March 28, 2011

Pending home sales increased in February but with notable regional variations, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator, rose 2.1 percent to 90.8, based on contracts signed in February, from 88.9 in January. The index is 8.2 percent below 98.9 recorded in February 2010. The data reflects contracts and not closings, which normally occur with a lag time of one or two months.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, says it’s important to look at the broader trend. “Month-to-month movements can be instructive, but in this uneven recovery it’s important to look at the longer term performance,” he said. “Pending home sales have trended up very nicely since bottoming out last June, even with periodic monthly declines. Contract activity is now 20 percent above the low point immediately following expiration of the home buyer tax credit.”

Yun notes there could have been some weather impact in the February data. “All of the regions saw gains except for the Northeast, where unusually bad winter weather may have curtailed some shopping and contract activity.”  Read more

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Better Living Show – Home, Garden & Lifestyle

Posted on March 25, 2011 by admin

Portland Expo Center – 2060 N Marine Dr, Portland, OR
Friday, March 25 Noon – 9 pm
Saturday, March 26 11 am – 9 pm
Sunday, March 27 11 am – 5 pm
Cost: Free
 

Live well and have fun doing it. Earth friendly products for you, your Northwest home and garden. From cutting edge solar technologies and eco chic fashion to better energy efficiency and sustainable outdoor living, if it's green and it's beautiful – it's here at the Better Living Home Garden & Lifestyle Show! And best yet, admission is free. We'll introduce you to businesses and groups in our region that will help you make choices you feel good about. All presented in an entertaining way like you've never seen before. If you are looking for green products, this festival is simply too good to miss. Held the last weekend of March every year at the Portland Expo Center.  Learn more

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Nuclear Power Plant in the NW

Posted on March 24, 2011 by admin

Nuclear power plant

Nuclear Power Plant – Richland, Washington
3 hrs 53 mins / 217.62 miles from Portland

Columbia Generating Station is a 1,150-megawatt boiling water reactor that uses nuclear fission to produce heat. It is the only commercially operated nuclear power plant in the Northwest. Uranium, a naturally occurring element, is the primary fuel source.  Our nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, and solar projects deliver nearly 1,400 megawatts of reliable, affordable, environmentally responsible electricity to the Northwest power grid. We continually explore and develop new generation opportunities while offering a wide range of energy and business services.

Since nuclear power plants do not emit regulated air pollutants and greenhouse gases, nuclear power is considered "clean energy." The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) estimates that the nation's 104 operating nuclear plants accounted for the avoidance of the following total emissions in 2008:

• 2.65 million short tons of sulfur dioxide.
• 0.91 million short tons of nitrogen oxides.

• 689 million metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Emissions avoided by Columbia Generating Station in 2008 were estimated by NEI to be approximately:

• 9,750 tons of sulfur dioxide.
• 11,900 tons of nitrogen oxide.

• 7,960,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Learn more

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