Renter's Guide 2010

2 PSU VANGUARD RENTER’S GUIDE CONTRIBUTORS ROBERT SEITZINGER

PRODUCTION MANAGER

ERIN MCINTYRE

BRYAN MORGAN

TAMARA K. KENNEDY

PHOTO EDITOR

NILESH TENDOLKAR

HEATHER NODDINGS

KAT VETRANO

EDITOR IN CHIEF

ADVERTISING MANAGER

PHOTOGRAPHERS

VIRGINIA VICKERY

JAE SPECHT

MICHAEL PASCUAL

NEWS EDITOR

ADVISOR

ADAM WICKHAM

CORIE CHARNLEY

JUDSON RANDALL

COPY EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

ADVERTISING ADVISOR

NOAH EMMIT

ZACH CHASTIANE

ANN ROMAN

ADVERTISING SALES

SPORTS EDITOR

SPECIAL SECTION DESIGN

IRIS MEYERS

ROBERT BRITT

JUSTIN FLOOD

ADVERTISING DESIGNER

COPY CHIEF

COVER ILLUSTRATION

BETH HANSEN

KRISTIN PUGMIRE

COLBY BROOKS

DISTRIBUTION CODY BAKKEN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

8 FIX’ER UP!

BY ZACH CHASTAINE

3 TENANT LAW CHANGES

BY ZACH CHASTAINE

WHERE TO FIND BARGAIN FURNITURE

BY ERIN MCINTYRE

4

9

PORTLAND MAP

BY NICHOLAS KULA & ANDREA VEDDER

DEAR LANDLORD

BY CORIE CHARNLEY

10

BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER

NEAR CAMPUS LIVING

6

11

BY KAT VERANO

HOW TO MANAGE SPACE LIMITS

BY TAMARA K. KENNEDY

PARKS AND PAVILLIONS

BY ROBERT SEITZINGER

BY NILESH TENDOLKAR

WHAT ABOUT THE DOG?

BY CORIE CHARNLEY

SHARED SPACES

BY ROBERT SEITZINGER

The Vanguard is chartered to publish four days a week as an independent student newspaper by the PSU Publications Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers, and do not necessarily represent those of the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. One copy of the Vanguard is provided free of charge to all community members, additional copies or subcription issues may incur a 25 cent charge.

The Vanguard is printed on 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper. ©2010 Portland State University Vanguard 1825 SW Broadway Smith Memorial Student Union, Rm. S-26 Portland OR, 97201

3 P HOTO B Y HEATHER NODDING S /P S U VANGUARD

WHERE TO FIND BARGAIN FURNITURE THE BEST PLACES TO BUY INEXPENSIVE FURNITURE IN PORTLAND

ERIN MCINTYRE Vanguard staff

Furnishing an apartment on a student’s budget can be daunting, but fortunately there are a variety of options to choose from.

KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH OREGON TENANT LAW

ZACH ChASTAINE Vanguard staff

W

hen looking for an apartment or home to rent, there are already a thousand things flying through your head.

Don’t let current tenant laws slip you by. There have been several updates to some laws affecting renters and landlords that went into effect this year.

Excerpted below are some of the changes that could affect you, as outlined by the Metro Multifamily Housing Association Legislative Synopsis.

Landlord Tenant Coalition Bill

Creates a 60-day no-cause eviction period for tenancies where all tenants have lived in the rental unit for more than one year.

The 30-day no-cause eviction period remains for tenancies where any tenant has lived in the rental unit for less than one year.

Tenants may still give the landlord only a 30-day notice. Concerning one-year fixed-term tenancies: At any time during the fixed-term tenancy, the landlord or the tenant may terminate the tenancy without cause by giving the other notice in writing not less than 30 days prior to the specified ending date for the fixed term or not less than 30 days prior to the date designated in the notice for the termination of the tenancy—whichever is later. In the event of a property sale, a 30-day notice may still be given within certain limits.

Changes to fees and deposits

Before the landlord enters into new written rental agreement with an applicant or accepts any payment from an applicant, the landlord must provide the applicant with a written list of all deposits, fees and rent. The landlord and applicant may agree to amend the written list before entering into the rental agreement.

For the list to be incorporated into the written rental agreement, it must describe all of the fees that the landlord may charge. A landlord now must supply a receipt for any security deposit paid by the tenant. A lease-break fee may be charged but is limited to one-and-a-half times the monthly stated rent. If a lease break fee is assessed, a landlord cannot additionally recover any unpaid rent or recover damages relating to the cost of renting the dwelling unit to a new tenant.

Regarding collecting for damages: The landlord is not required to repair the damage caused by the tenant in order to claim against the deposit for the cost to make the repair. Labor costs must be based on a reasonable hourly rate, i.e., an hourly rate of a certified contractor would be higher than an hourly rate charged by the landlord.

Carpet cleaning may be subtracted from the security deposit if: ■ The cleaning is performed by use of a machine other than a common vacuum cleaner, specifically designed for cleaning or shampooing carpets ■ The carpet was cleaned immediately prior to the tenant moving into the rental unit ■ The written rental agreement provides that the landlord may deduct the cost of carpet cleaning regardless of whether the tenant cleans the carpet before delivering possession ■ The loss of use of the dwelling unit during the performance of cleaning or necessary repairs if the cleaning or repairs are preformed in a timely manner The following is a breakdown of allowable fees that must be included in the written rental agreement for the authority to charge: ■ Late rent payment fee ■ Non-sufficient funds check fee plus any bank charges ■ Smoke alarm tampering/removal fee

Non-compliance fees for written rules or policies are allowed, not to exceed $50, for only the following circumstances: ■ Late payment of utility or service charge that the tenant owes the landlord ■ Failure to clean up pet waste from premises ■ Failure to clean up garbage, rubbish, or other waste from premises ■ Parking violations and improper use of vehicles within the premises Current customary fees that are no longer allowed: ■ Administrative fees ■ Move-in/move-out fees ■ Pet fees (pet deposits unaffected) ■ Cleaning fees (cleaning deposits unaffected) Towing Legislation

Before towing, the truck operator must photograph each vehicle in violation, noting the date and time. If the owner or operator of a vehicle is present at the time of tow the tower is required to drop the vehicle at no charge. If the vehicle is in the process of towing, tower may charge a fee to drop the vehicle.

Monitored towing occurs when a property owner contracts with a towing operator to patrol and tow without notice if vehicles are illegally parked. In 2007, the legislature passed safeguards of formal notification and readable signage at each stall or entrance alerting residents and guests of monitored towing. In 2009, further restrictions to monitored towing were passed. Monitored towing may now only occur in specific circumstances.

Tower may tow without prior owner/agent notification for the following reasons: ■ Motor vehicle blocks or prevents access by emergency vehicles ■ Motor vehicle blocks or prevents entry to the premises ■ Motor vehicle blocks a parked motor vehicle Monitored towing is allowed to correct any posted parking infraction as long as landlord has issued parking tags or other devices that identify authorized vehicles, and there are clear and readable signs in each parking stall or posted at each entrance to the parking facility notifying of monitored towing.

If the parking facility has assigned space parking, the owner/ agent of parking facility must first notify the assigned tenant prior to towing a vehicle from that assigned space.

The landlord is also directed to provide tenants with parking tags or other devices to be used on a vehicle other than the tenant’s primary vehicle if the tenant wants to park a vehicle on the premises in lieu of the tenant’s primary vehicle.

Smoking Policy Disclosure

Beginning this year, landlords must disclose, in writing, the smoking policy for the premises on which the dwelling unit is located. This disclosure is not required to be given to existing tenants. The rationale behind this law is to highlight the smoking policy as an amenity of the unit or complex, and to ensure an applicant is aware of the smoking policy in order to make an informed choice on where to live.

House of Vintage 3315 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

503-236-1991 www.houseofvintage.net House of Vintage, located on Hawthorne Boulevard, rents retail space to over 55 independent dealers. The large open space feels like an indoor rummage sale, and the variety provided by the many different dealers is unmatched anywhere else in town. Vintage furniture from every decade is available at very reasonable prices, as well as other household items and clothing. The only downside to shopping here is the sheer size of the place and the amount of furniture to look at, so give yourself plenty of time to wander around.

Village Merchants 3360 SE Division St. 503-234-6343 Located on Division, the Village Merchants is a consignment thrift store selling furniture, household goods and clothing. Part of the furniture selection is set up in front of the store, but the real collection is located behind the store on the patio. However, don’t let the word “patio” fool you. This is a covered multiroomed patio full of vintage and new furniture at great prices.

Village Merchants provides tag sales each month, so you could get 25 to 50 percent discounts.

Rerun 707 NE Fremont St. 503-517-3786 www.portlandrerun.com/store Located on the corner of seventh Avenue and Fremont, Rerun is a consignment thrift store. Selling clothes, household goods, toys, craft items and furniture. While it offers a small selection of furniture, it has several interesting items, including vintage pinball machines, chairs shaped like hands and ’60s Formica tables.

The store also offers a consignment program, and it provides monthly tag sales for 25 to 50 percent off of certain items.

City Liquidators 823 SE Third Ave. 503-230-7716 www.cityliquidators.com Open since 1977, City Liquidators has three floors, making it one of Portland’s largest furniture stores. The first floor is devoted to household items like blenders and dish racks. The next two are packed full of new, used and discount furniture for every room in the house. It also sells Elvis statues, rain walls, light-up pictures and other unique home furnishings. Even if you walk away with nothing, a trip through the three floors of CL is always interesting.

Buy Right Outlet 3570 SE Division St. 503-232-7540 www.buyrightoutlet.com The Buy Right Outlet on Division is a furniture-only store that has some of the least expensive furniture in town. It has furniture for every room, and has especially good deals on couches (starting at $100) and mattresses (starting at $99). BRO also has an amazing selection of modern furniture, and for the prices the quality is very good.

The Goodwill Outlet 1750 SE Ochoco St. Milwaukee, Ore. 503-230-2076 www.goodwill.org The Goodwill Outlet, also known as “The Bins,” has more than just bins of clothing to pick through. Though its furniture selection is small, it is very inexpensive. The staff will also help you load any purchase into your car. As long as you have a way to transport your purchases, the Goodwill Outlet can be the best bargain in town.

4 PSU VANGUARD RENTER’S GUIDE Northwest

WHAT’S GOOD IN YOUR ’HOOD?

Breakfast: Kettleman’s Bagels 2314 NW Lovejoy St. The essential Portland bagel, done the real way by boiling. Try one of the house bagel sandwiches, like the Ross Island Veggie with sundried tomato pesto.

BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER IN EACH PORTLAND NEIGHBORHOOD

Lunch: Bridgeport BREWERY Bridgeport Brewery 1318 NW Marshall St. A classic pub with a nice Portland twist of vegetarian options as well. Go for its crisp pizzas or pub specials for creative twists on what’s in season. And of course, the beer doesn’t hurt either.

KAT VETRANO Vanguard staff

Northeast

Breakfast: Screen Door 2337 E Burnside St. In the wee hours of weekend mornings, barely-awake Portlanders are willing to wait for Screen Door. Try the garden grits—a humongous bowl of creamy, cheesy goodness with added smokiness from grilled tomatoes and spinach.

Lunch: Pho Oregon 2518 NE 82nd AVE. Nothing warms a belly, cures a hangover or mellows a cold like addictive pho. Pho Oregon on Northeast 82nd Avenue does it right with tender cuts of meat floating in rich broth, topped off with bean sprouts, basil, jalapeños, a wedge of lime and enough Sriracha to clear your sinuses.

Dinner: Bamboo Sushi 310 SE 28th Ave. Though just barely in Southeast, Bamboo is a snazzy little spot, and yes, its menu has the expected tasty sushi and clever cocktails. But the real star at Bamboo is the beef. The grilled Kobe flank with pickled mushrooms is so tender, you’d think it was dropped from heaven.

Southeast

Breakfast: Little T American Baker 2600 SE Division St. Little T is a cute bakery known for its lighter-than-air baguettes and carefully concocted pastries.

In the mood for more? Try spelt bread with house-cured lox.

Lunch: New Seasons Market SEVEN CORNERS 1954 SE Division St. Although not a restaurant, New Seasons is a food lover’s dream. The love child between friendly Trader Joe’s and high-end Whole Foods, this is THE grocery store. Try the deli’s weekly Farm Plate Special, made with local and seasonal ingredients.

Dinner: ¿Por Qué No? 4635 SE Hawthorne BLVD. Here you’ll find Mexican food in a busy, colorful atmosphere for not much dinero. Tamales are melty and creamy, and tacos come with every filling you can imagine. If you’re craving seafood, go for the ceviche, served with spicy cucumber slices for dipping.

Dinner: Ping 102 Nw 4th Ave. In Chinatown, you can find the ultimate Asian street food—inside a restaurant. Owned by wellknown chef Andy Ricker, nearly every skewer is affordable and flavorful. Try salpao, a steamed bun with sweet pork and shallots in its treasure-like center.

Southwest

Breakfast: Stumptown Roasters 128 Sw 3rd Ave. You’re in Portland—Stumptown is likely your rocket fuel. To accompany your favorite espresso, try the cheddar bacon biscuit with chunks of sweet corn.

Lunch: Portland Soup Company Sw 4th and Hall In the Fourth Avenue food cart pod, one cart looks more like a tiny house than a cart. Walk up its beautifully furnished steps and order yourself the tomato bisque. Crisp olive oil-soaked croutons float in the creamy soup, and you get a hunk of fresh bread alongside it.

Dinner: Clyde Common 1014 Sw Stark St This place is hip—minus the attitude. Superstar bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler slings a life-changing Negroni, and the happy hour meals are just as memorable. Try the daily flatbread or a juicy grilled burger.

North Portland

Breakfast: Tasty n Sons 3808 N Williams Suite C This place offers family-style brunch, and it’s a good thing because nearly every item on the menu is delicious. The bambino biscuit sandwich with honey butter is a good start, but really, it’s hard to get a bad meal here.

Lunch: WAYNE’S Chicago Red Hots 3901 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Just off the North path is a little corner place on MLK Jr. Boulevard, decked out with Chicago memorabilia, that offers up the best Chicago-style hot dog in town. Drug through the garden, the Vienna beef hot dog is as visually colorful as it is delicious.

Dinner: EaT: An Oyster Bar 3808 N Williams Ave. Suite 122 Spacious and fun, Eat offers an array of raw oysters for $1 at happy hour.

HOUSING NW AD

6 PSU VANGUARD RENTER’S GUIDE

PARKS AND PAVILIONS A GUIDE TO GREEN SPACES AND FUN PLACES Robert Seitzinger Vanguard staff

D

uring rain or shine in Portland—okay, mostly rain— there are various parks and places to visit that offer a host of activities and pleasant sights. Below is a list of some spots that help cure the tedium of sitting through long classes, and many more can be found at www.portlandonline.com/parks.

McCall Waterfront Park

P HOTO BY MI CHAEL PA SCUAL /PSU VANGUARD

HOW TO MANAGE THE LIMITS OF UNIVERSITY LIVING

North Park Blocks

TAMARA KENNEDY Vanguard staff

It is no secret that floor space in downtown areas is much more limited than floor space in rural or suburban areas. Here are some ideas to maximize space for downtown university living.

In the bathroom

Forget about crates

■

■

Let towels double as décor and free up cabinet space by rolling them and placing them in baskets.

■ Purchase plastic translucent pockets for toiletry items like hairbrushes or lotions.

■ Use stackable drawers to utilize the height of under-sink cab- nets. If you don’t have a cabinet, store bath and hair products in baskets around the sink’s pedestal. It saves time, too; there is no need to move around all of the products to get to some- thing you need.

■ Utilize the space above the toilet by adding an inexpensive over- the-toilet cabinet.

In the kitchen ■

Cut a manila envelope off at the top and use Velcro tape to attach it to the inside of your kitchen cabinet. You can then place miscellaneous recipes on scattered pieces of paper inside.

Organize like things together ■

Store various pieces from collections in the same space. The objects will be much easier to find.

■ In the kitchen, store canned goods together and boxed goods together.

■ If you simply must have a few plastic grocery bags around, invest in a decorator tissue box. When the tissues are gone, voilà!

Crates look useful in the store, but they are awkward at home and take up space rather than save it.

Closet space ■

Consider using the space above you. Why put only one stor- age box on the top closet shelf when you can stack two or three to the ceiling? Also, think about weight; heavy things belong at the bottom of the closet while lighter things work well on the top shelf.

Junk drawers can get ugly fast ■

Get a drawer organizer, or design your own. Make sure to select various sizes to meet your needs.

■ If you receive monthly billing statements or other papers, invest in manila envelopes. Once again, just pop the paper in and add each new piece in front of it.

Under the bed ■

Purchase specially sized storage tubs to go under the bed. If your bed does not have enough space under it, use bed cups to give it height. Bed cups also have the added bonus of dis- couraging bed bugs.

Hanging baskets

Labeling

Hanging baskets are great in the kitchen, but make sure it is okay with the landlord to use hooks on the walls. Storing fruit, vegetables or utensils in baskets can be handy.

■

Making the space look larger

Labeling can work if the labels on storage devices are broad terms, or if you have enough of some small items to make it a reasonable way to go.

Host to such events as the Waterfront Blues Festival, the Rose Festival and just about every beer festival you can think of, there are rolling hills of grass and fountains occupying the space between Southwest Naito Parkway and the west banks of the Willamette River. There is an esplanade of posh shops and cafés at its south end that merge into the South Waterfront neighborhood, and it’s great for strolling along with friends, on a date or even for being alone and pensive.

■

Remember, mirrors are not only great for checking out your outfit, but they also make a space look larger.

■

Fancy yourself a baller? Then keep going north past Lincoln Hall and up the Park Blocks until you pass Northwest Couch Street to play on some of Portland’s most popular concrete hoop havens, either by yourself during off hours or in a pick-up game sometime after lunch and before dusk. There are various historic statues in the area as well, if you just feel like taking in some Rose City culture.

South Park Blocks

If you live on or near campus, you’ll grow weary of shopping at Safeway in a hurry. However, the South Park Blocks on and near campus offer a seasonal farmers’ market every Saturday, and a smaller gathering each Wednesday. You’ll come to know these blocks well as a student, but unless you suffer from dendrophobia, it’s perhaps the best part of Portland State’s semi-urban scenery. More details at www.portlandfarmersmarket.org.

Washington Park

This park is home to several Portland landmarks, from its internationally renowned Rose Garden to the Hoyt Arboretum, and includes over 100 acres of trails, playgrounds, event stages and bird observatories. The expansive park is adjacent to the Oregon Zoo and has many entrances, though the easiest way there from campus is to head west of PGE Park and up the hill of Park Place. There is plenty of parking, and non-drivers can also reach the park via several bus lines or the MAX.

Skidmore Fountain

This storied fountain between Southwest Ankeny and Pine streets at Southwest Naito Parkway Avenue is home to the Saturday Market (www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com), and attending at least one is practically a requisite for any Portlander. During the rest of the week, it’s not too exciting during the day, but be sure to head down there after midnight if you’re a danger junkie seeking the thrill of a possible mugging (or a smack junkie seeking smack).

Keller Fountain

As seen in The Hunted (Benicio Del Toro, Tommy Lee Jones), this water fountain is a gorgeous example of aquatic architecture with nooks and crannies galore. It provided hiding places for the aforementioned film’s antagonist, but it’ll likely just provide you with a place to cool off on warm days, and something to marvel at on cold ones.

Lents Park

HEY NEIGHBOR!

I

t’s nice to be neighborly, even if you don’t actually see your neighbors that often. When you live in an apartment it’s good to meet the people who live around you, or at least to introduce yourself at some point. That can make it easier for you later if you need to ask them to turn their stereo down during the early morning hours. Or perhaps they will ask you to turn yours down instead of calling the police.

There are a lot of easy ways to be neighborly, like waving to people as they pull out of their driveways, or offering to help

carry groceries up stairs. It’s always nice to know the people who live next door are happy to see you.

Maintaining good relations with your neighbors can open resources to you that you may not otherwise have. For example, if your toilet gets plugged and you don’t have a plunger, you can go borrow one from the people who live next door.

You don’t have to be best friends with your neighbor, but a little conversation now and then can go a long way.

—ZACH CHASTAINE, VANGUARD STAFF

Own a dog? Have kids? Hold interest in any outdoor sport known to man? Then this is the park you’ll come to call home away from home. With 28 acres of beautiful landscape and attractions, it’s a wonderful place to unwind when the pressure of studying, exams and long-winded professors becomes too much.

Head out to Southeast 92nd Avenue and Holgate Boulevard to see what I mean, and be sure to bring Fido/the kids/a Frisbee along.

Woodlawn Park

Sometimes, a student just needs to be entertained. Woodlawn Park, at Northeast Dekum Street and 13th Avenue, has a great performing stage that hosts everything from pre-planned shows with a few groups to random, bleary-eyed bums playing harmonica just looking for a crowd. It’s also home to some nifty water features to play in, so head over in some digs you don’t fret to get wet.

7

CLOCKWISE FROM L TO R: Keller Fountain, Fountain at Tom McCall Waterfront, View from Waterfront.

ALL P HOTOS B Y ADAM W I C K HAM / P S U VANG UARD

8 PSU VANGUARD RENTER’S GUIDE P HOTO B Y HEATHER NODDING S /P S U VANGUARD

FIX ‘ER UP! Easy fixes to help spruce up your home ZACH ChASTAINE Vanguard staff

A

new home is exciting, and for most it’s often a big step up. A place that you can decorate and make into your own. The reality is that you often enter your new rental home or apartment and become suspicious that it was the scene of a homicide involving cat litter and cigarettes. You still can’t complain about the price. Luckily, there are a lot of little fixes that won’t cost you much money and can help spruce up a neglected home into a space that you’re happy to live in.

General cleanup

Removing light fixtures

The best way to start any sort of job in a residence is to get everything as clean as it can possibly be. Almost all home improvement tasks can be made a little more pleasant if the space you are working on is clean. Luckily, cleaning supplies are fairly cheap, so don’t fret if you’re strapped for cash.

Ceiling fans are nice, unless they are ugly and broken or you want to paint around them. No matter your reason for wanting to take the lights down, you need to take steps not to get electrocuted. To do this, just locate the breaker box, which is typically on a wall somewhere. One of the switches in the box will shut down power to the area you are trying to work on. When the power is cut off you can replace your light fixture without getting zapped. If in doubt, play it safe and consult an expert.

Some things you will need: Washcloths Mop and bucket Garbage bags Rubber gloves Scouring pads Depending on the previous residents and the management of the property, this can either be a very short or long process. The idea behind cleaning is to make the space better for habitation. It will help keep away things like bugs and rodents, or better yet, it will help you get rid of that mysterious odor.

Step 1–Start by removing clutter and little pieces of trash until everything is clear of small objects and junk that is out of place.

You want to be on the lookout for leftovers from repairs or trash left behind by previous renters.

Step 2–Once the big junk is out of the way, it is time to get to the details. If you have carpet, vacuum first and then shampoo the carpet to help get smells and grime out. You will be glad you did when the carpet turns a lighter shade than when you started.

If you have wood floors, then you can hit it with a mop and some Pine-Sol. During this step it’s also wise to vacuum out air ducts and replace the air filters if your rental has a central heating and air unit. Write down and save the size of the filter before tossing the old one.

Step 3–Surfaces such as counters of all types can usually be cleaned up just fine with some warm water and a sponge, but for tougher smudges a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser usually does the trick. Wipe off grime around the base of toilets and check under counters to make sure there is no mold or leaks.

Preparation Since there are hundreds of projects that could be done in most rentals, we can’t focus on all of them here. These steps here are intended to be generally helpful for any task you undertake.

Before trying any home improvement project you should talk to an expert, which can be found at most hardware stores. They can give you some pointers for your specific needs.

Some things you will need: Hammer Paint scraper Sandpaper Screwdriver Removing wallpaper Wallpaper has been around for a long time, but that doesn’t mean you need to keep it. Luckily it’s easy to take off. Using a washcloth or sponge with warm water you can soak the wallpaper until it is a little soggy. Then, using a paint scraper, scrape the wallpaper off bit by bit.

Trim and switches When it comes to rentals it’s not uncommon to find cracked trim, switches or plugs. Luckily, both are easy to remove, and often inexpensive to replace. For switches and plugs, you can unscrew the plate without needing to cut off the power. This can be done with a handheld screwdriver. For trim, which is often located around the bottoms of walls, it is usually very easy to simply pry it off with the back of a hammer. If the trim or switches are stuck onto the wall with paint, use a hammer to gently tap them free. To replace trim, you can find pre-fabricated trim at the hardware store that you can measure, cut and nail in yourself with a hammer and some small nails.

Wall damage Depending on what your walls are made of, this may not be a problem. If it is, then wall damage can mean holes from little pinholes left by pushpins—which can be easily covered with paint—or drill holes and gashes. The latter must be plugged before you paint, and should be plugged regardless. To do this, find yourself a jar of putty from the hardware store. All you have to do then is put some putty on the hole or gash and scrape it smooth with your paint scraper. Once applied, simply let dry. If you find a patch of broken wall you will need to have the drywall repaired. Otherwise, you could also cover it with a painting.

Additionally, if you want to hang up a painting, cabinet or anything that requires drilling into a wall, use a stud finder to locate wood posts in the wall so that when you hang up something heavy it doesn’t rip your wall out.

Toilets and showerheads If your toilet is making noise constantly it may be broken or made from cheap parts. You may find the showerhead shoots water at the ceiling or not at all. While these can both be repaired or cleaned, over time you may find it easier just to replace them. So head to the hardware store to get a complete toilet replacement kit and a new showerhead, but also get yourself an adjustable wrench and some Teflon tape. After that, follow the instructions included and be sure to have the water turned off for both. The water valve on a toilet is located behind the bowl.

PaintinG Painting a room can accomplish several things. It changes the way light works in the room, changes the atmosphere and covers odors. That is part of the reason you should give a lot of thought to what paint color to use. The other part is that it’s frustrating to paint a wall and realize you hate the color.

The best part about painting is that it can be done fairly cheaply.

Most tools only cost around $5, while a gallon of paint ranges from about $20 to $40. If you plan carefully, you can avoid additional costs.

Some things you will need: Brushes Rollers Paint tray Drop cloth Step 1–Use your drop cloth to cover furniture and flooring.

Use painter’s tape to protect switches, counters and windows.

Once prepped, determine whether or not you need to prime what you are painting. If the wall is already colorful or black, you should prime before painting. A primer is a solid thick paint that covers old paint to make your new paint work better. If your wall is white, or only lightly colored, it is probably okay to paint without primer.

Step 2–Crack open your paint or primer and mix it with a stick. If you don’t have a stick you should shake the can like crazy. Pour some paint into a paint tray if you’re using a roller, otherwise, just dip your brush. Spread the paint out across the wall with the roller and use the brush for finer details.

Step 3–Let the paint dry so you can spot anything you missed, or to see if you need to paint additional layers. Use a washcloth or sponge to wipe up stray drops of paint.

Decor is key!

Is your place looking a little sparse to the point that those cinder block walls are starting to lull you into a mild depression?

Add a little spark to your place with some simple decora- tions. Here are some ideas to help you get started: ■ Make ■Hang

a mural out of old CD or vinyl covers

a cool sheet across the ceiling

■ Find some nice houseplants to put in corners or next to furniture ■ Put

a bouquet of flowers on the table

■ Get

some extra lamps to brighten up a dim area

■ Put

a rug in the bathroom or entryway

■ Find ■ Put

all of your old printed photos and frame them

a nice full-body mirror in your bedroom

■ Buy

a ton of magnets for the fridge

■ Make

your own wall art with some friends

■ Find

some gigantic pillows

■ Add

a photo book to your coffee table

■ Start

putting some fruit in a bowl on the kitchen counter

9 ILLUS TRATION B Y HEATHER NODDING S /P SU VANGUARD

DEAR LANDLORD… Top 10 questions to ask the landlord before moving in CORIE CHARNLEY Vanguard staff

A BRIEF GUIDE TO PORTLAND’S NEIGHBORHOODS

NICHOLAS KULA & ANDREA VEDDER Vanguard staff

P HOTO B Y MI C HAEL PA S C UAL / P S U VANG UARD

1. When is the rent due? Paying rent is inevitable, and there is no way to get around it, so be sure to pay it on time to avoid unnecessary late fees. Also, it’s wise to ask the landlord which form of payment is permitted, as well as where it should be sent.

North Portland

NEXT BIG THING SINCE `04

As it stands, if you were smart/lucky/broke enough to stake your claim in certain areas five years ago when it was still affordable, consider yourself victorious. Unless that is, of course, you’ve been subject to a very likely rent spike, in which case let’s hear it for landlords, eh? That said, a majority of North Portland is still pretty “up and coming” as the people say. Along its lifelines of North Williams Avenue, North Mississippi Avenue and North Killingsworth Street, you’ll find ample bounties of primo amenities. If you’re the McMenamins type, you’ll find its headquarters on North Killingsworth Street in the form of the Chapel Pub. Though parts of North Portland are growing just a little too bourgeoisie (an oyster bar? Please), other parts are gems just waiting to be discovered (I’m looking at you, Dekum). If house shows are your bag, you’ve got plenty of venues to choose from. The once dirt-cheap property values mean that Portland’s youngest entrepreneurs can snatch them up and destroy them for your entertainment! Dedication to a scene? I think so.

Northwest Portland

PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ

One huge plus about living in Northwest is that you’re amongst the huge buildings, pretty people, excitement and everything else generally thought of as “downtown living,” though you’re just a stone’s throw away from the real deal.

Parking is free if you go deep enough (Northwest Johnson Street and up is generally a good rule to follow). There are tons of things to do—ample bars, eateries and even two very formidable karaoke joints within blocks of each other (Gypsy and Voice Box). Northwest oozes class and refinement—if you have a Northwest address, everyone’s gonna want to party at your house whenever the idea is tossed around. You’re within walking distance of everything you’ll need. You will have five grocery stores at your fingertips. Many banks and ATMs are all over the place. You’ll rarely have to leave Northwest! The world is your oyster! Alas, living in this magical land comes with a price, and that price is astronomical. Sure, there are $400 studios, but even stretching your wingspan to its fullest potential in them is a task in itself. If you’ve got money, by all means—go for it. But finding a nice, cheap space anywhere in Northwest is a monumental undertaking—just ask all the Chinese businesses that used to populate the neighborhood which bears their namesake.

Southwest Portland

TREES OR TOWERS?

Unless you actually want to live in the labyrinthine mess that is Garden Home or on the long, straight and boring Tigardian gateway that is Barbur Boulevard, downtown and its immediate surroundings are your best bet. Northwest charges scads of dollars to live a quick jaunt from downtown, so actually living in downtown Portland must be a financial nightmare, right?

Surprisingly, that’s where you’re wrong—living downtown is surprisingly very affordable. Choosing downtown might not be for everyone, however. If you’re accustomed to large volumes of noise, by all means live amongst the hustle and bustle. On Friday and Saturday nights, this choice might prove to be wrong, and if you have a car, forget about it. Street parking is good for five hours maximum in certain areas, and if you actually want to own a car, you must pay parking garages hundreds of dollars a month to store your car whenever you feel like it. This, in turn, puts your rent up somewhere near the Northwest stratosphere.

Is living in downtown just as expensive as in Northwest? No! There’s a solution. On the outskirts of downtown, just before Goose Hollow, there exist a ton of cheap apartments, priced nearly the same as student housing without all the noise rules and quiet times. Sell your car, you’re in Portland now!

2. What utilities are included in the rent? Cheap places are alluring, but not if you’ll be paying over $100 in utilities every month. Luckily, there are plenty of rentals around Portland that include utility fees in the monthly rent.

Southeast

Intro to Portland For most newcomers, this is the first quadrant to call home.

Cheaper than the west side (ostensibly), safer than every other part of town and chock-full of coffee shops, bike shops, co-ops and more, Southeast Portland appeals to transplants of all ages.

There are also large immigrant communities in both inner and outer Southeast, and these streets offer easy access to the best Chinese and Vietnamese food in the city. Hawthorne is popular and (surprise!) totally overrated. Unless the bars are nearly closed and you need a hot dog or french fries with rosemary ketchup stat, venture out—Stark Street and Powell and Woodstock Boulevards are this area’s most underrated streets for food, drink and entertainment. As far as shopping goes, the thrift stores on Division Street are pretty great and the Goodwill on Grand Avenue is one of the biggest we’ve got. And here I will concede— Hawthorne’s House of Vintage is not to be missed. Parks are nice. In the Southeast you have everything from the Springwater Corridor Trail and the Eastbank Esplanade (a lovely bike ride) to an extinct volcano and a couple of buttes to explore. Laurelhurst Park is a personal favorite; there are ducks. Illegal activities are available on Southeast 82nd Avenue and the Reed College campus. Enjoy!

Northeast

VERY INTERESTING… Home to Portland’s only ice skating rink, the Banfield, IKEA and most of the Portland Police shootings, Northeast is at once fabulous and depressing. Lloyd Center: very depressing; Franz bakery: absolutely fabulous! The airport: strangely unnerving; Marine Drive and its bike path: pretty perfect. Northeast 82nd Avenue is super creepy; around the corner is Rocky Butte Natural Area or Rose City Park, and those are super awesome.

Northeast Portland is also gentrification central: “New” neighborhoods are located on Alberta and Killingsworth Streets and Williams Avenue, but all they seem to house are yoga studios, art bars and boutique clothing stores that no one under 35 can afford without their parents’ help. That said, Alberta does offer fresh late-night donuts, cheap burritos, mojitos and an extensive whiskey selection. However, the same can be said for Northeast Sandy Boulevard. No fancy renovations, just an ugly, busy street with a whole lot of bars and shops (with some serious gems sprinkled into the mix). And when you’re a little closer-in, Northeast Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard may be as good as it gets. Ethiopian restaurants outnumber coffee shops, there is a candy store, a 99-cent record store and not one, but two Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits. Mmm hmmm.

3. How long is the lease? You want to make sure the lease agreement is right for you. If you’re the type of person that moves around a lot, it’s best to scout for a place with a monthto-month lease. If this is the route you decide to take, make sure that you will not have to renew the lease each month.

4. Have there been problems with rodents, pests or mold in the past? Maybe the apartment looks clean, but you can never be too sure. Problems such as pests and mold can be both expensive and dangerous in the long run.

5. What are the neighbors like? In general, how old are the people in the building? Is it quiet? Are there a lot of students?

Nothing is worse than bad neighbors, so you’ll want to be nosy and scope the place out before making any commitments.

6. What is the parking situation? The downside of living in a city is finding parking. Make sure to ask if you’ll have assigned parking or street parking, and whether or not you’ll need a permit.

7. How safe is this place? It’s important to verify that all of the locks on both the doors and windows work. Also, if the place is located in an apartment complex, ask the landlord if the main door to the building is secure.

8. How do I request a maintenance repair? You don’t want to have to put up with that noisy fan in the bathroom or the flickering light for long, so make sure the maintenance staff is readily available to help out. How big is the staff? What are their hours?

9. Will modifications be permitted? It’s nice to make a place feel like home by adding some personal touches. Make sure to get the “OK” from the landlord before painting the walls, refinishing the floors adding a garden in the backyard.

10. How long has the rental company been in business?

To save yourself trouble, make sure you’re dealing with qualified, respectable and legitimate people. Try looking online to get feedback about the place you’re looking at to get a feel for how the tenants are treated. Also, if you’re dealing with a company that owns numerous properties, make sure your place is a highpriority.

10 PSU VANGUARD RENTER’S GUIDE

Near-campus living A guide to four hyper-local apartment complexes Nilesh Tendolkar Vanguard staff

If you decide to stay off campus but still don’t want to do a great deal of traveling back and forth for your daily classes, you are in luck—Portland offers a wide selection of rental opportunities near Portland State. Below, we have a roundup of a few of the best places to stay near campus.

PHOTO S B Y ADAM WI C K HAM/ PSU VANG UARD

Harrison Tower apartments 222 SW Harrison St. 503-295-5559 The 25-floor Harrison Tower apartments was built in 1968 and completely renovated in April 2008. The Harrisons offer one, two and three bedroom apartments but no studios. The prices for these range from $1,049 a month to $3,299 a month.

“The rooms on the higher stories get an eagle’s view of downtown Portland, while the apartments on the Eastside get to see the river and the mountains,” leasing agent Jeniffer Rosales said.

Harrison Tower apartments offer an eight-foot-deep swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, a sauna, a cyber café with free wi-fi, a laundry room and a fitness center as part of their amenities. The fitness center has three cardio machines, flat-screen televisions and weight machines.

The parking consists of three garages, and visitors are charged $5 a day for parking. A Saturday brunch and yoga classes are held every week.

THE VUE

HARRISON TOWER

Village at Lovejoy Fountain and Tower 245 SW Lincoln St. 503-223-5314 The Village at Lovejoy Fountain (VLF) apartment complex comprises the Fountain and the Tower buildings. The 15-story Tower was built in 1980, while the newer four-story Fountain complex was constructed in 1999.

VLF’s arsenal consists of studios, 1 bed-1 bath, 2 bed-1 bath and 2 bed-2 bath apartments. The rent for the studio apartments starts at around $555 a month, while the other rooms range from $820 to $1,500.

The rooms in the Tower apartments facing the west get to see the Willamette River and Mount Hood on a clear day.

“It’s a million-dollar view,” said VLF office assistant Sean Harry.

VLF’s amenities include a fitness room, a five-foot-deep swimming pool, a hot tub, a sauna, a shower and a laundry room. The newly renovated fitness center includes two treadmills, three ellipticals, a recumbent bicycle, a stair stepper, a weight machine, free weights, exercise balls and three 34-inch flat-screen TVs. The lobby is equipped with free wi-fi and a “Meet your neighbors” brunch is held in the lobby every Sunday. There are two levels of parking and visitors can park their cars free of charge.

“We have more parking spaces than the number of apartments,” Harry said.

The Vue Apartments 1717 SW Park Ave. 503-228-9573 The Vue Apartments was constructed in 1950 and boasts 15 floors of rentals overlooking the Park Blocks and downtown Portland. It offers studios, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments.

The Vue’s amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, a rentable media room, and a rooftop terrace that is accessible until 10p.m. They also have on-site laundry.

It’s conveniently located near the Trimet MAX and Streetcar stops. The building has a secure parking lot and visitors are charged $10 for parking.

Park Plaza Apartments 1969 SW Park Ave. 503-227-7485 Park Plaza Apartments was built in 1950 and offers studios, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments ranging from $735 to $1,600 a month. The apartment complex is 11 floors high and looks over the Park Blocks, downtown Portland, the north side and the West Hills.

“The 24-hour fitness center has treadmills, ellipticals and weight machines. Other facilities we offer include rooftop access from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.,” said leasing consultant Mariah Aksenova.

There are two garages for residents’ parking, while visitors are charged $5 a day for parking.

11

What about the dog?

ALL P HOTO S B Y HEATHER NODDING S /P S U VANGUARD

SHARED SPACES SHOULD MEAN HAPPY FACES Basic etiquette for dorm dwellers

Canine-friendly apartments in Portland

Robert Seitzinger Vanguard staff

Corie Charnley Vanguard staff

It’s hard finding a place to rent, but having a dog makes it all the more difficult. Check out these dog-friendly properties around Portland for some ideas about where to start hunting.

R

enting near Portland State’s urban campus is no miserly endeavor. Many students elect to reside as close to their classes as possible, and cost issues will mean dormitory life for many of you.

What follows is common sense for many renters, especially after freshman year. But where there is mass housing, there are obnoxious tenants, so read on and pass this along if you know some of them.

On hygiene

Buckman Heights 430 NE 16th Ave. 503-232-4040 www.buckmanapartments.com

The Biltmore 310 NW 6th Ave. 503-228-4550 www.rhp-apts.com

The Buckman Heights Apartments are located in northeast Portland’s Kern Park neighborhood, just one block away from Buckman Field. This dog-friendly property offers everything from studios to two-bedroom units.

Dog-friendly attractions: Aside from being located only one block away from Buckman Field, a 12-acre park that offers tons of free space to roam with your canine, Buckman Heights is also near the Eastbank Esplanade.

Pet fees: Buckman Heights charges a $200 pet deposit, in addition to a $20 per-month pet rent.

Breed/weight restrictions: Before moving in, the staff at Buckman Heights must meet the dog. In addition, all dogs must be of a non-aggressive breed and under 35 lbs.

The Biltmore is operated by Round Hill Pacific Properties, which owns a variety of dog-friendly properties around Portland.

Not only is it located near Couch Park, it is also located downtown, making it easy to commute anywhere.

Dog-friendly attractions: Couch Park is only a short walk away, which offers an off-leash area. In addition, the waterfront and the North Park Blocks are close by.

Pet fee: The Biltmore, as well as RHPP’s 12 other properties, charges a monthly pet rent of $24 per dog.

Breed/weight restrictions: There is no weight limit, but Pitbulls and Pitbull mixes are prohibited.

Gallery Park Apartments 1436 SW Park Ave. 503-223-5314 www.villageatlovejoyfountain.com

Kearney Court Apartments 2250 NW Kearney St. 503-223-7623

The Gallery Park Apartments are located on the Portland State Park Blocks, right near the university’s campus. In addition to being dog friendly, tenants have easy access to the MAX, the streetcar and downtown. The complex offers one and two-bedroom units which generally start at $1,065.

Dog-friendly attractions: The Park Blocks are literally right outside of its front doors, making it convenient for you and your pooch to go for a stroll anytime. The waterfront is also only a short trip away.

Pet fees: Gallery Park charges a non-refundable deposit of $87.50 for one pet, and $131.25 for two pets, in addition to a $10 pet rent per month.

Breed/weight restrictions: While there is no weight limit, Pittbulls, Doberman Pinchers, German Shepherds, Dalmatians, Chows and Rottweilers are prohibited.

The Kearney Court Apartments are located in the heart of northwest Portland, just one block way from Northwest Lovejoy Street and Northwest 23rd Avenue. The property offers units starting at around $800.

Dog-friendly attractions: The property is located near Washington Park, MacLeay Park and Wallace City Park. Couch City Park is also nearby.

Pet fees: Tenants with pets are charged a pet rent of $25 per month. Fortunately, the fee is per apartment, not per pet. Up to three animals are allowed per unit.

Breed/weight restrictions: While there is no weight limit, aggressive breeds are prohibited. In addition, the Kearney Court staff requires each dog to be interviewed before moving in.

Everyone has different standards for what qualifies as good hygiene. Regardless, the scraggy-bearded, soap-fearing miscreant who thinks brushing his teeth is a weekly activity ruins his sensible roommate’s dorm experience in a stark, unpleasant way.

Not every dorm room has a shower or bath, so daily showering may slip in the face of constant study hours and 18-hour Pabst parties. However, each residence hall offers some avenue of bathing—though if you can’t bring yourself to cleanse communally, go home or to a friend’s house every few days and wash off the stink of academia and secondhand American Spirit smoke.

Renters with private bathing quarters should do themselves, their roommates and building mates a favor and use them regularly. It can be a quick rinse with a dollop of Axe gel; it can be an hour spent shaving, tweezing, rinsing, scrubbing and exfoliating.

Either way, you’ll feel better about yourself when you’re clean and the folks next to you in cramped lecture halls will appreciate it.

On music

You’ve just picked up AC/DC’s greatest hits album. (Too old?

I’m a classics guy. Feel free to substitute with a Lady Gaga/Adam Lambert/B.o.B. album…I saw those names on the VH1 website, so they must be hot.) You know it’s gonna sound awesome with the bass high, the treble low and the volume set to max. You’re going to have a rocking good time…and then find burning bags of poo outside your door.

Music usually sounds better loud, but it doesn’t need to thud through walls or bounce down hallways. Note that you can get written up for noise complaints, which is training for big-people dorms (known also as apartments), though unlike the 50 warnings you’ll get on campus, a real-life landlord will evict you after three. Learn the lesson now, and only crank it if you know the people in earshot will appreciate it.

On waste

Please don’t be that jackass who leaves their busted crap in the laundry room, the stairwell or the elevator lobby in sheer laziness. If it’s broken furniture that can’t be repaired or sold on Craigslist, dispose of it properly. If it’s a bag of garbage with week-old, unfinished tuna salad sandwiches in it, be an adult and take it outside your damn self.

Also, it comes off as crass and selfish to decorate the hall with crumpled paper, McDonald’s cups, inkless pens and the like.

This is usually the fault of freshmen who don’t have mommy around to ground them for making a mess. The worst mess you can make, however—well, see below.

On booze/drugs

Capitola Commons 10706 SW Capitol Highway 503-246-5521 Capitola Commons is surrounded by several parks, including Dickinson Woods. In addition, it offers one, two and threebedroom apartment homes which generally start at $740.

Dog-friendly attractions: Capitola Commons is in walking distance from Dickinson Woods, West Portland Park, Maricara Natural Area and Holly Farm Park.

Pet fees: Capitola Commons charges a $400 deposit for the first animal, and an additional $200 for the second animal.

There is a maximum of two pets per apartment home.

Breed/weight restrictions: Doberman Pinchers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Pitbulls are prohibited. In addition, all dogs must be under 50 lbs.

The Cornerstone Lloyd District Apartments 1425 NE 7th Ave. 503-235-2869 www.thecornerstoneapts.com The Cornerstone is located in the center of the Lloyd District in northeast Portland, near Trimet and MAX lines. The property offers one and two-bedroom units, starting at around $935.

Dog-friendly attractions: The Cornerstone Apartments are near Holladay Park and Buckman Field, and are just a few blocks away from Pets on Broadway.

Pet fees: Tenants are charged a $300 deposit per pet. There is a maximum of two pets per apartment.

Breed/weight restrictions: While there is no weight limit, aggressive breeds are prohibited.

For more dog-friendly apartments in Portland and its surrounding areas, visit www.portlandpooch.com.

This part is almost exclusively for the frosh who are, for the first time, experiencing the liberty and independence of life without their folks. I won’t ask you not to enjoy the rite of passage that is unpunished “shit-facery”. I’m just asking that you not be obnoxiously loud when you stumble toward your door, and if you’re going to puke, please make it back to your room or else don’t leave wherever you were drinking until you stop spewing your ethanol-bile soup in every direction—I’ve seen too many vomit streaks on walls, stairs and elevator doors in my dorm history.

As for drug use, it gets vexing when everyone on your floor has to smell the wafting smoke of your joints. Moreover, if your roommate isn’t on the same page as you, a quick complaint and disciplinary action awaits you each time you toke at home or spill bong water on university-owned carpet (trust me on this one). Past that, if you’re going to play around with harder stuff, you’d better be absolutely certain your roommate won’t be offended. Actually, just leave your hard partying for term breaks when you’re off campus—it’s no fun taking a sociology exam with a skull full of ketamine, anyhow. Or just apply at Reed and enjoy Renn Fayre.