This really seems like a crap move by MetroFi, especially when you consider this word of news that the company will be selling its nine city networks across the country. This move casts doubt, I think, on the viability of metro-wide Wi-Fi. We still have all those Personal Telco network hubs out there, but if you aren’t near one and don’t have another way to access the Internet, you’ll probably soon be out of luck.

Proceeds from sales of the HotLips Pizza Bull Run Water are being donated to “drinking water advocacy.” The move is part of National Drinking Water Week, currently going on, and is targeted towards getting us away from water bottled in plastic in far away lands.

How does Bull Run Water taste, you might ask? You can swing by HotLips to find out, or just open your tap at home in most cases. It is also interesting to note there are other places around town where you can enjoy the local water in glass bottles.

As a result, Microsoft executives were surprised when Mr. Ballmer on April 5 letter sent a letter to Yahoo directors threatening a hostile approach if they didn’t reach a friendly deal by April 26. That spurred Yahoo executives and an entourage of bankers and advisers from both sides to meet with Microsoft on April 15 at a Portland, Ore., law firm. A presentation from Yahoo included a slide that said Microsoft’s offer “significantly undervalues” Yahoo.

Late into the meeting Mr. Ballmer addressed the elephant in the room: “Where are we on price?” he asked Mr. Yang, according to two people who were present. Responding to Mr. Ballmer’s question, Mr. Yang repeated that the original offer of $31 a share “substantially” undervalued the Internet company. Mr. Ballmer again asked for a firm price, and Mr. Yang said he didn’t have a number.

They also reportedly met about “social issues,” such as management and perhaps corporate cultures. I find it interesting the two giants chose to meet in Portland for this meeting. Apart from the law firm, Portland seems to be a good middle ground for the two of them to have traveled to. Wonder if they got a chance to enjoy Stumptown Coffee or Voodoo Doughnuts while here? Anybody know what that law firm is?

POST UPDATED 10:48 AM with more links and info.

As for the game, the Beavers played with a winning attitude all night. They pulled off a solid win over a struggling Fresno team. A rain-free night saw the Beavos pitching plenty of strikeouts, swatting several impressive home runs and showing a level of field caliber I haven’t seen in awhile. It was, of course, a little on the chilly side once the sun dropped, but the action on the field kept me there the whole game and on my feet cheering several times. (more…)

Jason Quick reports for The Oregonian that Oden more or less strolled onto the basketball court at the 24 Hour Fitness location and played whoever was around in two pick-up games. One of those he played later went on to recount his good times on a basketball Internet forum and, of course, word got back to the Blazers and the coach.

Not surprisingly, they weren’t happy.  McMillan called up Oden and told him in so many words to chill, that your time will come. I personally say, why not? It was a fun one time thing for him to do and it sure gave people at that 24 Hour Fitness a nice bonus event. Now, don’t do that again Oden :)

1. Rising Star Chef of the Year: Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon
2. Best Chef: Northwest: Scott Dolich, Park Kitchen

You can view the entire list of nominees by category here. What’s up with this JBF? Seattle, San Francisco and others got way more than PDX, which is the hometown of your namesake. Maybe you didn’t like the fact we got such media spotlight as an under the radar kind of place? You nominate like four Washington chefs and only one Oregon person for Best Chef: Northwest, as an example.

Beard must be rolling right now…

The Tap Water Project, which I just learned about via the Portland Water Bureau, is a nationwide effort to raise money to help provide children in areas of poor water quality an improvement on that issue. Between March 16 and 22 you’ll be able to visit select Portland area restaurants and donate a $1 for the tap water you are served normally for free. The money raised will be donated through UNICEF.

Kinda feeling like that week I’ll be making a lot of trips to the men’s room…

[image via Portland Water Bureau]

Mmm….birthday cake and ice cream….

Popular Science did this particular rating, saying this of Portland:

America’s top green city has it all: Half its power comes from renewable sources, a quarter of the workforce commutes by bike, carpool or public transportation, and it has 35 buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Eugene was in there as well, ranking at number 5. Seattle was number 8.

[via Portland Business Journal]