With the explosion of video on the Internet, and a similar explosion in the number of video capable devices in the world, content providers and Internet service providers have a problem: how to serve video to all those different formats. How do you solve that problem? One way, is to tap the hardware and software of Portland-based Elemental Technologies.

Elemental Technologies Inc. has raised $13 million in a Series C round that will help the fast-growing video processing company reach new global markets.

Is Old Town Chinatown at the tipping point?

It could be years before the question is answered with any degree of certainty. Still, investments in Old Town are adding up, hinting at a future that doesn’t rely solely on social service agencies that dot the district or its reputation for drug-related crime.

This week, foodie website The Daily Meal put out a list of the 30 Most Powerful People in Drink -- a sort of “who's who” list for the beverage industry. One name on the list caught my eye: Duane Sorenson, the founder of coffeehouse chain Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Portland, Ore. With only nine stores, I was surprised to see him listed among the expected big names, such as Starbucks' Howard Schultz and beverage executives at Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch.