Justin Zeulner scores environmental win for Portland Trail Blazers

0114 FOB ProfileGame night, Moda Center. The arena’s approximately 16,000 light fixtures are ablaze. Water cascades from countless taps. Trash bins are filled, emptied and filled again. During each Portland Trail Blazers matchup, the energy expended on the court pales in comparison to that used up by Moda Center’s power, water and waste systems — not to mention fans’ transportation to the stadium.

Homeowners dwindle

0114 FOB BTNWhile the real estate picture has vastly improved in Oregon and the rest of the country since the depths of the recession, falling and rising tides did not sink and lift all states equally.

Industry cluster talk

0114 Input 1600pxStick with natural resources, but stay abreast of new developments in science and technology. That’s one takeaway from our poll on industry clusters.

4 strategies to keep from losing out to chains

BY MICHAEL BECK | OB BLOGGER

11.07.13 Thumbnail SmallBusinessIt’s worth looking at why some small businesses thrive while others fade away. People choose where they shop based on value, quality, variety, and the experience the business provides. Here are some strategies to think about if you’re a small business – regardless of whether or not you’re competing with a chain, and regardless of whether you offer a product or a service.