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The nationwide housing slump is reaching into our community.  According to the real estate website Zillow’s latest Home Value Report, home values in Wilsonville decreased 5.3% in the first quarter of 2008, compared to the first quarter of 2007. Nationally, single-family home values decreased 7.5% while condo values declined 9.0% during this same period.  Zillow’s ‘zindex’ rates the average Wilsonville home at $390,000 after the decline.  Comments?

I had been meaning to get to Wine Xing for months now.  Several people had recommended it to me as a great business to do a focus on.  I finally made it last week.

First of all, if you never get up to the North end of town other than to shop at Costco or Target, you are missing something.  In the industrial complex on Canyon Creek Rd. just behind Costco, there are anumber of small businesses and even an eatery or two.  Wine Xing is one of these small businesses. 

Eric and Linda Bean opened up shop in November 2005.  They were people who in the words of Eric, "just liked wine."  They had been in an active wine tasting group for over 20 years in California. 

"I really grew passionate about wine," says Eric.  So, he sold his business in 2000, and traveled the globe tasting wine.  And then came the decision to leave California.  The Beans had been through Oregon a few times when they visited relatives here and did some wine tasting.  They liked it.  Initially, they tried to locate in Newberg, but in Eric’s words, "..it just didn’t work out." 

After a few months of looking all over Washing and the Willamette Valley, and knowing they didn’t want to live in the big city, they tried to lease a place across the freeway from Bridgeport Mall.  It didn’t work out, but the property owner was able to direct them to the location they are now at in Wilsonville.

"Wilsonville is a really nice community, " said Eric, " we’ve made friends here.  That didn’t happen in Newberg. Most of our customers are local.  some work here and live elsewhere, but probably 80% of our customers live within five miles of the store."

The Beans host Wine Tastings every Friday and Saturday until 7 pm.  The charge is $10 to try 10 wines.  Five are red, and five are white.

"I like to talk about where wines come from, why they are the way they are, and discuss the wine making process," tells Eric, "well made wines should be about a sense of place."

And information is exactly what the wine shopper will find at Wine Xing - the walls have placards near each display of wine giving all kinds of information about the bottled contents.

Wine Xing is located at 25977 SW Canyon Creek rd, Suite D and is open from 11 am - 7 pm Tuesday - Saturday. 

eWomen Network is hosting  "Accelerated Networking Dinner"  featuring inspirational speaker and author, Kellie Poulsen-Grill Tuesday January 22 from 6-8:30 PM at the Wilsonville holiday Inn.  The focus of the event is to present   goal setting techniques for those who are uncomfortable with business and career decisions.

Current eWN members can attend for $35, non-members will be charged $45 per person.  Table rates are available.  As of January 18, all registrations will be $55

for details, or to obtain tickets, contact Stacie m. Miner at stacieminer@eWomenNetwork.com

I was able to speak with the property manager mentioned in yesterday’s article about the closing of the Hallmark store.  She was unable to comment, but was able to get a comment from Dave Hamilton, Vice President of Property Management for Norris & Stevens.  He is apparently "unable to comment at this time due to the current negotiations."   

We received the following email: 

I just discovered that Hallmark (by Thriftway) is closing after 15 years in Wilsonville.  What a shame!  Seems as though someone else wanted the space when their lease was up and was willing to pay a whole bunch more.  Perhaps you could find out the whole story.  I hate to see these businesses close - the people there were so friendly and knew everyone in the community.  - Angie Stoffregen

Wilsonville is losing small businesses right and left it seems.  The Jewelry store in the Wilsonville Town Center (Thriftway complex,) the Hallmark/Gift Shop in the Target-Costco complex, the Palms Salon, and now the Hallmark Store, again in the Thriftway complex.

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Every summer the Wilsonville Kiwanis puts on the Wilsonville Fun Run for students in grades Pre-K -8. It’s a fun day at Memorial Park and features a run,BBQ, trolley rides, inflatable slides, etc.

Every year a hold a contest to design a logo that will go on the T-shirts, medals, brochures, and advertisements. There are cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place. Artwork can be submitted as a hardcopy or digital format, but must be signed original artwork and include the "Wilsonville Kool Kat" (see link.) 

Artwork must be submitted by Friday,January 4. If you have any questions or to submit an entry, please contact Jen Tinker, Key Club advisor at Wilsonville High School. Phone: 503-673-7638 or Email: tinkerj@wlwv.k12.or.us

With Mark Ottenad’s sudden departure from the chamber to "pursue other opportunities,"  you might be wondering who to go to with your questions about Wilsonville Chamber Events. 

I contacted the Chamber and was told nothing about Mark’s greener pastures. (If anyone has information on this and would like to let us in on it, we’d be happy to pass the information on to everyone else.)

I was, however, told by Debbie that anyone who has Chamber-related questions "may contact either myself or Candi – we have been here for over 12 years and could hopefully answer your questions."

Or, questions can be directed to members of the Board, whose contact information is attached to this link.

I tried to get an interview in with Sarah Carlson, the Manager of Piper’s Jewelry, but she was quite busy with customers and hasn’t gotten that press release to me as promised. 

So, here’s everything I know about the closing of Piper’s Jewelry -  They are selling out their stock at a pretty good discount and re-opening only in their Woodburn location with, I hear, some new lines of jewelry. 

As soon as I get the rest of the details, I’ll post them right here where you can find them.

Today I had the pleasure of attending Kiwanis’ monthly lunch and meeting at the Wilsonville Public Library.  I was not prepared for just how positive that environment would turn out to be!

Kiwanis is a service organization focused on the development of future leadership - that is, kids.  This diverse group of people is involved in a variety of activities that benefit the kids in our community.  They are involved in the Kid’s Fun Run here in Wilsonville, among other things, and are affiliated with WHS’ Key Club. 

After being introduced to people in both the private and public sectors, as well as consultants - we all settled in to a presentation by Boeckman Creek Principal Charlotte Morris, and Boones Ferry Assistant Principal Jennifer Patterson.  The elementary schools have quite a lot going on - and were able to share with Kiwanis members the number of ways they could support the students in our elementary schools. 

To learn more about this dynamic service organization, click here to visit Wilsonville Kiwanis‘ home page.

When I first moved to Wilsonville, one of the names I saw all over the place was "Jay Puppo, State Farm Insurance. "  I thought it was time to meet him, so this week I did.

Puppo is no stranger to insurance.  He started out working in State Farm’s corporate offices.  When he and his wife began to have children, they thought twice about all the moving around involved in corporate life, and decided to take the opportunity to settle down.  A State Farm agent was retiring here in Wilsonville, so Puppo took over the agency, and half of the retiring agent’s business.

That was seven years ago, and it has taken awhile to really build the business.  It took residents awhile to warm up to a new face in town.

“People in Wilsonville are very loyal,” said Puppo. 

Warm up they have, though.  Wilsonville has been growing at a fast rate, and for the first time, Puppo’s agency is on the list of the fastest growing State Farm Agencies around.  In fact, he estimates his business’ growth at about 23 percent in the past year.

That coincides with a move to a new office.  Puppo’s office was located deeper in Old Town Wilsonville.  Sometimes, he says, it was difficult to achieve visibility.  In September 2006, he moved the office to the revamped Old Fellows Hall on Wilsonville Road.  It has increased his visibility dramatically.
Other civic activities have helped to improve his visibility as well.  Puppo has made a concerted effort to be a part of the Wilsonville community with active memberships in Kiwanis, the Chamber of Commerce, and taking part in the Adopt-A-Road program with an assignment at Memorial Park. 

This is how recent the growth in Wilsonville is – Wilsonville Kiwanis only began six years ago, and Puppo was the second person to become a member. 

Puppo’s State Farm agency provides both insurance of all types, and financial services. 

“I can offer retirement planning, college savings, 401K Accounts, IRA and IRA Rollover plan, as well as auto, home, life, and medical insurances,” he tells. 

For more information, email Jay Puppo or call him at 503-582-8181.