On its own, the 2010 NW Natural Street of Dreams packs quite a punch.  With some of the most beautiful luxury homes the area has to offer, you are guaranteed to walk away thinking you got more than your money’s worth.

But as an extra perk, your ticket to the show (called a Dream Pass) also gives you access to a variety of special discounts at local businesses, restaurants and retail shops.  The list runs the gamut from free home security and air conditiong systems to discounts on gutter installation, custom framing, paint and even cat adoption fees – all just for coming to the 2010 NW Natural Street of Dreams.

Now doesn’t that sound like a dream come true?

Start saving now with the offers listed below…

Absolute Window Washing
$20 to $100 off our services depending on square footage.  Call 503.754.1396 for details.

Angela Todd Designs
www.nwinteriordesigner.com
20% off design and project concept for kitchen, bath, or whole house remodel

Baltzell Sheet Metal, Inc.
www.baltzellsheetmetal.com
$75 off any gutter and downspout order for new construction or replacement of existing gutters.  Order must be over $750 and in the Portland Metro Area. Valid 7/31/2010 – 9/15/2010.

BASCO
www.bascoappliances.com
New from Viking! D2 Smart Luxury Kitchen Package for $7599 (a savings of $1200!).  Through Sept 30, 2010.

Big Red’s Resturant
5515 Southwest Canyon Court, Portland, OR 97221
Free appetizer with meal

Chown Hardware
www.chown.com
Buy any Blanco kitchen sink and faucet and receive a free Blanco soap dispenser.  Through Sept 30, 2010.

Comfort Air Heating & Cooling
www.comfortairnow.com
$300 off air conditioner, heat pump or furnace installations.  Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Global Technology Solutions
www.globalts.net
Free Alarm system with Alarm.com Cellular Monitoring, website arm/disarm and custom modifications. System includes 2 openings, keypad, brain, siren, yardsign/stickers and cellular module.  Homeowner or landlord permission required.  OAC, $49.95 36 month monitoring agreement required.

Golf Savings Bank
www.golfsavingsbank.com
A $500 lender credit towards closing costs for any purchase or refinance loan completed by December 31, 2010.

Legend Homes
www.legendhomes.com
Free air conditioning (valued at $5,250) with purchase of a Legend home, through September 15, 2010.  Must be purchased between July 31 – Sept 15, 2010.  See sales associate for details.

Love It Design, LLC
www.loveitdesign.org
Receive a 25% discount off any purchase $500 or more. Good towards: custom furniture, custom window coverings, case goods and/or interior design service.  Expires Dec 31, 2010.

Mabel & Zora
www.mabelandzora.com
$10 off any purchase of $50 or more.  Limit one per customer.  Cannot be combined with any other offer or used with or for gift cards.

Meringue Boutique
www.meringueboutique.com
$25 off a purchase of denim.  One per customer.  Cannot be combined with any other promotions or used on sale merchandise.

Nail It! Roofing Co.
www.nailitroofing.com
$350 off a complete roof replacement.  No other discounts allowed.

Northwest Energy Savers Inc.
www.northwestenergysavers.com
$500 off energy efficient windows.  Minimum order of 5 windows.

Olson & Jones Construction Inc.
www.olsonandjones.com/home-performance
Present your Dream Pass card to receive $200 off a comprehensive energy audit of your home. Our Home Performance Team uses a building science approach to improve comfort, safety and energy efficiency. We can implement energy retrofits that transform your home.  Offer of $200 discount ends Sept 30, 2010.

Oregon Humane Society
www.oregonhumane.org
25% off the adoption fee of a cat at the Oregon Humane Society. Valid through Sept 15, 2010.  Discount good for cats seven months or older.

Patrick Schmitt, designer inc.
www.psdesignerinc.com
$300 off final price for new home design.  $300 off the total fee for the design and preparation of full construction document sets for one new single family custom home (discount taken at final billing).

Pearl Gallery & Framing
pearlframing.com
25% off custom framing or 10% off gallery purchase

Rejuvenation
www.rejuvenation.com
Free 30 minute in-store lighting and home furnishings design consult with our Rejuvenation product experts. Please register at: www.rejuvenation.com/streetofdreams

Rodda Paint Co.
www.roddapaint.com
Take $10 off any gallon of Rodda Paint’s Horizon Zero VOC paint.  Discount off EDLP Price.

Room by Room, Inc.
roombyroominc.com
$20 off any light fixture over $50 in value, and/or $50 off any tile or carpet purchase over $200, or $300 off any carpet or tile purchase with installation over $1,000.

Skyline Restaurant
1313 NW Skyline Blvd. Portland, OR
One free ice cream cone with purchase of a cheeseburger or something of greater value.  Limit one per Dream Pass.

System Aire Inc.
www.systemaireinc.com
Free programmable thermostat with purchase of new furnace and air conditioner or heat pump

T.H.E. Remodel Group
www.tylerhartllc.com
Up to $1,000 visa gift card with the purchase of a Full Kitchen or Master Bath Renovation. See website for further details.

The Bar Method
www.barmethod.com
First 3 classes free.  New clients only.

The McDonald Group Realtors
www.YourRoadMapToHome.com
Thinking about selling your home? Meet with a member of the McDonald Group Realtors to discuss listing your home before January 1, 2011 and receive a gift card to Home Depot for $20.

Wendy O’Brien Interior Design
www.wendyobrienid.com
$1000 discount for every $5,000 spent on interior design services, or 20% off initial fee for home staging services.  Offer only good on first project until 12/31/2010.  Offer does not include furnishings or material purchases.

Whether you’re traveling from a nearby neighborhood or visiting from out of state, there are plenty of simple, stress-free ways to get to and around the NW Natural Street of Dreams in the Pearl District.

The four featured buildings are relatively close to one another and easily accessible in the city’s most walkable neighborhood. Of course, you don’t want to miss any of the sights, sounds or tasts along the way, so once you’re in the district, the best way to get around is on foot.

But if you prefer a little assistance, it’s easily accessible:

Street of Dreams shuttle (FREE): A free shuttle for Pearl Pass holders will loop around the district every 15 minutes during show hours on Saturday and Sunday.

Portland Streetcar (FREE): Your Street of Dreams ticket doubles as a pass to ride the Portland Streetcar throughout August – a great option for short hops around the neighborhood and downtown. Visit www.portlandstreetcar.org for more information and route map.

Tri-Met buses: Several Tri-Met lines serve the Pearl District. For information, trip planning assistance and route maps, visit www.trimet.org.

Amtrak: Union Station is a Pearl icon and a convenient point of entry for visitors from Seattle, Eugene and beyond. Visit www.amtrak.com for more information about fares and schedules.

Article by Emily Puro, from Explore the Pearl Magazine

Save $10 off lunch or dinner (with purchase of $25 or more, happy hour not included) with your Pearl Pass at Ten-01!!

by Christina Melander, from The Oregonian

With his gap-toothed grin and crisp black button-down shirt, Ten-01’s 25-year-old bar manager, Kelley Swenson (see video here), straddles the line between geek chic and Tom Cruise razzmatazz. Though his signature concoctions ($8-$10) often feature distinguished ingredients such as homemade grenadine, celery bitters and Ramazzotti amaro, Swenson’s bar-side manner is affable and humble. He describes his drinks simply, revealing that many are named for racehorses just because they have cool monikers, then steps aside to shake cocktails two at a time. It’s an impressive bit of theater, but it’s not overdone. The resulting elixirs, a gemlike collection of amber, citrine and ruby hues, stand out for their surprising but balanced flavor profiles. Anise-punctuated aquavit with lemon and kaffir lime may not seem like natural collaborators, but the earthy, fresh-spring taste of Turn to the Prince makes a convincing argument that they belong together.

Rest of the day: Ten-01’s kitchen is in transition. New chef Benjamin Parks, just now putting his stamp on the menu, embraces more delicate flavors than heralded former chef Jack Yoss. The bar menu retains old favorites like the $11 cheeseburger and whopping bowl of truffle fries ($8), and introduces wafer-thin potato chips as an addictive chicken liver dipper; perfectly crunchy-oozy arancini; and super-tasty mac ‘n’ cheese, recently larded with lamb, peas and pea shoots. The popular Power Lunch still offers an appetizer, entree and petite dessert for $15 (add a martini or manhattan for just $4). Happy hour offers downsized cheeseburgers for $5, one-buck oysters, a $6 cheese plate and those crazy-good truffle fries for $6.

1001 N.W. Couch St., 503-226-3463, lunch, dinner, happy hour Mon-Sat, reservations, ten-01.com

First Thursday
July 2, 2009
www.explorethepearl.com

Art lovers, collectors, artisans, exhibitors and crafts loves can enjoy the art scene on the First Thursday of every month. Pearl District art galleries hold receptions and stay open later into the evening to launch new art shows and exhibits. Non-traditional venues also host public art exhibits such as retail clothiers, flower shops and private practice offices. First Thursday is a celebration of art and artists. In the Pearl District, art can be seen anywhere it is given a stage. First Thursday gallery opening receptions are generally free and open to the public. Receptions run from about 6 pm until 9 pm (actual gallery hours may vary).

Bark and Bank Pooch Shoot
June 29, 2009 11:00am – 5:30pm
Umpqua Bank
1139 NW Lovejoy

You can deposit your pooch with the photographer, while banking, or just stop in for the mini portrait. 5×7 or 8×10 prints will be offered. Pictures are printed in fine art, archival paper.
5×7 prints are $45
8×10 prints are $65

www.poochinipetportraits.com
www.melodysaundersphotography.com

Our Architecture: A Retrospective of 150 Years of Oregon Architecture
Now – June 26, 2009
The Center for Architecture
403 NW 11th Avenue
www.oregon150.org

An architectural tribute to Oregon’s sesquicentennial, “Our Architecture” celebrates 150 years of significant architecture and provides a visual perspective on the development of Oregon’s communities.

The Pearl District has the highest walkability score in Oregon. Walkable communities tend to have the following characteristics:

A Center: Walkable neighborhoods have a discernable center, whether it’s a shopping district, a main street, or a public space.
Density: The neighborhood is dense enough for local businesses to flourish and for public transportation to be cost effective.
Mixed income, mixed use: Housing is provided for everyone who works in the neighborhood: young and old, singles and families, rich and poor. Businesses and residences are located near each other.
Parks and public space: There are plenty of public places to gather and play.
Accessibility: The neighborhood is accessible to everyone and has wheelchair access, plenty of benches with shade, sidewalks on all streets, etc.
Well connected, speed controlled streets: Streets form a connected grid that improves traffic by providing many routes to any destination. Streets are narrow to control speed, and shaded by trees to protect pedestrians.
Pedestrian-centric design: Buildings are placed close to the street to cater to foot traffic, with parking lots relegated to the back.
Close schools and workplaces: Schools and workplaces are close enough that most residents can walk from their homes.

Find the walk score of your neighborhood at www.walkscore.com.

METRO’S WALK THERE
June 14, 2009 9:00am – 1:00pm
REI Portland – 1405 NW Johnson

Metro’s WALK THERE
PORTLAND: PEARL TO PITTOCK HIKE*
9 AM TO 1 PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 14

Join Metro Council President David Bragdon on this 2.8-mile one-way hike, led by walking guru and author Laura Foster. The walk begins in the flats of NW Portland and gains over 800 feet as it climbs some of the city’s longest staircases through Westover Heights, a neighborhood with spectacular Cascade Mountain views. The return trip by way of NW 23 and 21 avenues, offers many places to eat and rest, and a total of 5.6 miles on your pedometer. *long distance, elevated terrain

Meet at Portland REI, 1405 NW Johnson at 8:45 AM. For more information call 503-813-7475.

The 2009 show, which runs August 1-30 in the city’s exciting Pearl District, will highlight nine upscale penthouses in four buildings, allowing guests to experience coveted views of the city while envisioning the urban lifestyle. That experience will continue on the ground where attendees can explore the cultural flavor of the area with their ticket, The Pearl Pass, which includes:

*More than $2,000 in discounts at more than 50 Pearl-area restaurants, spas, breweries, boutiques and other businesses
*Transportation discounts such as free streetcar rides throughout August, free shuttle service on the weekend, and discounts at select parking sites
*Free admission to the Idea Gallery, a 35-vendor mini-tradeshow showcasing cutting edge products and services in the home building industry
*Admission to each building on the tour once, allowing guests to see all the condos in a single trip or to spread them out over several visits

Portland Farmers Market at Ecotrust
The Market Returns! Thursday, June 4
Ecotrust Parking Lot

The Portland Farmers Markets strive to bring you healthy, local food and artisanal bounty. Plus, there are activities and fun for the whole family. So come experience the market. Enjoy the music. Learn from top chefs. Make your own statement in support of local food! Market is from 3:30-7:30pm every Thursday in the Ecotrust Parking Lot.