Portland Area Newsletter and Planner - July 14, 2023

Have you been considering buying in this market? Our favorite lender, Mark Snow from Guild Mortgage,  has let us know about a new program that can help you get into that home with less of a down-payment! Here how it works!

• Borrower provides a 1% down payment toward the 3% conventional loan minimum down payment requirement.
• Guild will contribute the other 2% as non-repayable assistance.*
• Guild will also pay 1% of your interest rate for one year to help make your mortgage payment more affordable with Guild's Payment Advantage lender-paid temporary buydown.**
• Plus, you can take advantage of Guild's Payment Protection program and qualified borrowers can refinance later if rates drop.***
***For Payment Protection program full terms and conditions, visit Guild's website here
 
Details

• Credit scores as low as 620
• AMI limits apply
• Conforming loan limits apply
• 95-97% LTV first mortgage
• First-time homebuyers and repeat buyers are eligible
• Homebuyer education required
• Primary purchase transactions only
• 1-unit properties only, including condos and PUDs

WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND?
Excerpts From TravelPortland.co

PORTLAND HIGHLAND GAMES
For over 60 years, the Portland Highland Games have delighted participants with a unique Scottish experience featuring incredible Scottish pipe bands, bagpipers and drummers, dancers and athletes. Enjoy a full day of this Scottish festival. Explore Scottish clan tents and learn about your Scottish history (you may be surprised to find a little Scottish in ya). Immerse yourself in the music and culture. Watch fun demonstrations (like the famous sheepdogs) and be inspired by powerful athletes competing on the Heavy Athletics field. Become a whisky connoisseur in the whisky-tasting tent. Shop for regional Scottish products and gifts, and enjoy tasty food (and yup, there is beer).

CATHEDRAL PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL
"Billed as the longest-running jazz-and-blues festival west of the Mississippi, this annual summer favorite is a prime showcase of Portland’s homegrown talent, natural beauty and neighborly charm. Picnicking families relax on a grassy slope nestled by the foot of the majestic St. Johns Bridge to enjoy the likes of trumpeter Farnell Newton (sideman to the likes of Jill Scott and Bootsy Collins), organist “King Louis” Pain, Pink Martini guitarist Dan Faehnle and former Motown drummer Mel Brown." – Oregon Arts Watch

The Jazz Society’s Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is a free concert open to the public and held over three days in mid-July at Cathedral Park at the base of the St. Johns Bridge in the Cathedral Park neighborhood of Portland. Nearing four decades of history, the festival is the longest-running jazz and blues festival west of the Mississippi River.

HAREFEST
The annual Harefest music festival in Canby presents the Northwest’s best tribute bands performing on three stages over two days. The Harefest experience has been described by many attendees and performers as an “adult summer camp,” not only for the fun-loving, good-natured attendees but also because of its rustic location and tent camping around the festival site.

23 outstanding bands on three stages, delicious foods, onsite camping, and a giant party of rock n’ roll revelers.

GRESHAM ART FESTIVAL
Celebrate art with free, family-friendly fun at the annual Gresham Arts Festival with more than 125 Pacific Northwest artisans, live music, Kids Village, live music and local cuisine. The Gresham Arts Festival draws thousands from around the region each year to Gresham's charming downtown streets to meet, browse and shop from a carefully curated selection of Northwest artisans, ranging from painters, potters and sculptors to woodworkers, photographers, jewelers and more.

CHAMBER MUSIC NORTHWEST SUMMER FESTIVAL
Chamber Music Northwest (CMNW) manages an unusual combination: classical music played by musicians of the highest caliber in an informal, intimate setting. Since 1971, chamber musicians have flocked to Southeast Portland’s Reed College to play the great classic repertoire with their friends. Music fans share picnics and wine on the campus lawn before heading indoors to hear the sublime music.

Returning annually, the festival is one of Portland’s rites of summer. The festival returns June 24 – July 29, and the theme for 2023 is Poetry in Music, which encompasses spoken elements in several concerts such as poetry from around the world, a poetic monodrama featuring poetry by Portland native Katie Ford, live spoken narration, and a partnership with Literary Arts. View their festival concert guide for a full lineup of events

PEDALPALOOZA
Whether you’re a cycling fanatic, an occasional cruiser or just a lover of fun events, Pedalpalooza has something for you. Held all over Portland, this bike- and fun-focused festival celebrates summer’s arrival with over 100 rides throughout town.

Don’t know where to start? Why not start at the yearly Kickoff Ride at the beginning of the festivities? Dress up you and your bike and take to the streets to celebrate biking and the community. You can also Head to Portland’s verdant Gateway Green, Portland’s very first cycling park. Or join the thousands of riders who cycle through the city in the buff during the World Naked Bike Ride.

REMBRANDT AND THE JEWS
The relationship Rembrandt had with the Jews of Amsterdam reveals a remarkable story. Most Amsterdam Jews were Sephardic – refugees from the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal. For generations, these Jews had been forced to deny their religious legacy, but in Amsterdam, they were free to reclaim traditions and return to their Judaism. Rembrandt lived in Amsterdam’s prosperous Jewish neighborhood. In his interpretation of Protestant Old Testament narratives, he consulted Jewish theologians for a nuanced perspective of these familiar subjects. He also painted and etched portraits of prominent Jews.  The exhibition will include 22 etchings by Rembrandt and one drawing by Pieter Lastman. The exhibition has been organized by the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art and will be accompanied by Memories of Amsterdam and paintings by Henk Pander

BEAUTIFICA 360
Beautifica 360 follows the No.1 fastest-selling full-dome music experience of all time, Mesmerica 360. Behind both is the inspiration of visionary composer James Hood and some of the world’s finest motion animators. Comprising a 360° journey through worlds real and imagined, the show is designed to promote joy with fantastic imagery in a full-dome planetarium experience. In short, Beautifica is a celebration of life. The last few years have been an extremely challenging and fearful time for humankind. Following the success of Mesmerica, which had truly captivated and delighted its audiences, it was time for James to go deeper as both an artist and composer. What could assist humanity in recovering from the profound effects of a global pandemic and lockdown? His answer was Beautifica. "I would like to invite you to join me on this adventure. Come celebrate the Beautifica of being alive!"- James Hood.Beautifica is the perfect night out and family event with a running time of 60 minutes.

ZOO NIGHTS
Nothing says summer in Portland like a warm evening outdoors with good food and live entertainment. On several evenings throughout the summer, the Oregon Zoo hosts Zoo Nights. : evenings filled with local music, food carts, activities for all ages, and the chance to get to know some of the animals active during twilight hours.

ALBANY FARMER'S MARKET
Founded in 1978, the Albany Farmers’ Market is the oldest continuously operated open-air farmers’ market in Oregon. Located in the City Hall parking lot and on an adjacent street that fronts the Linn County Courthouse, the market offers visitors an abundance of fresh, locally sourced food. From ripe, juicy produce to artisanal cheeses and freshly baked bread, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The market also features the Power of Produce Club, a kids’ program for ages 5-12 that provides hands-on educational activities and promotes healthy eating habits. Although the market has evolved over the years, it continues to honor its roots and celebrate the community’s deep connection to the land. So whether you’re a longtime resident or just passing through, come experience the magic of the Albany Farmers’ Market for yourself.

MONTAVILLA FARMERS MARKET
Neighborhood farmers market featuring local farms, distilleries, coffee, bakeries, flowers, hot food vendors and more.  The market was founded by a grassroots collection of neighbors who were inspired by visions of a fresh, local, food market in a shared community space within the growing SE Stark Street business district. This dedicated group opened the market in just 10 short months with a small amount of grant funds and a generous outpouring of donations from local businesses, friends and neighbors. The tireless energy of these un-paid visionaries and countless other volunteers allowed MFM to open its first market on Sunday, July 22, 2007, with 17 vendors and over 2000 visitors. Montavilla Farmers Market is a thriving, diverse marketplace where all are welcome.

PORTLAND NIGHT MARKET
The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Meet some of Portland's best makers and creators. With almost 200 hundred makers, the Night Market offers food carts, drinks, clothing, lifestyle goods, home goods, body care and art. The Portland Night Market is a FREE quarterly event open to all ages. 

FARMERS MARKET AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year-round. April through October hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Market at PSU is located in Downtown Portland in the South Park Blocks between SW College & Montgomery Streets.

HOLLYWOOD FARMERS MARKETS
Year-round on Saturdays, the Hollywood Farmers Markets hosts 50+ vendors, bringing you the best of the region’s agricultural bounty. In addition to amazingly fresh, local food,  you’ll find live music, children’s activities, and fun events throughout the season.

• April through September, every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM,
• October and November, every Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM,, and
• December through March: 9 AM to 1PM on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month