 This entry to I-5 going North from Mercer Street has two lanes, or so it seems. The I-5 freeway is set up through Seattle to accommodate rush hour traffic with an express lane that changes direction depending on the time of day. There are barriers at the entry of the express lanes that open and close, and when the traffic is going south, this particular entrance to the freeway merges down to one lane pretty quickly around a blind corner. There are signs, but folks still get the surprise from time to time. Lynette Hensley Associate Broker
One of my absolutely favorite places to spend time is Edmonds. In the old, quaint village near the Ferry Teminal there are so many choices a day is much too short to see everything, but I like to gallery hop and fill up a whole day with art, and a little lunch of course. This means saving the Travel Bookstore and numerous other shops for "next time", but anticipation is a good thing, right? The Chamber's website features several " Spend the Day" theamed iteneries...all enticing! Recently a client and I discoverd a mutual love of art and took a few hours away from house  hunting to visit several of the Edmonds downtown galleries and antique shops. Each one has such a distinct flavor that we felt like children being led through the streets by a pied piper, but the temptation was visual. She was down from Alaska to relocate and trying to find the area that felt best, I couldn't resist showing Edmonds off!  First we went to Aria Studio Gallery, where proprietor Joan Archer paints and teaches art. Next door was the Fabric of Life Foundation, which teaches young women in Mali,  West Africa, to be artisan-entropeneurs and create a craft business allowing them to support themselves and their families financially. What a wonderful place to go when you need a gift...or a gift for yourself. After that we found we couldn't resist le Palmier Antiques, full of atmosphere and splindid delights from bygone eras.  We looked and looked and enjoyed chatting with the shop owners about the various goodies. And then it was time for lunch! We walked over to Chantrelle, one of the most beloved  of Edmonds eateries, where we were lucky enough to find a table for two and enjoyed specialties from the grill.  After lunch we visited a very wonderful little art/craft gallery, don't miss it if you have a chance to drop by. Semantics Gallery (at the moment exhibiting the work of Marcio Diaz) is just off the main street, so you have to make sure to walk over there, but it is well worth the extra few minutes. The owner/artist used to own the largest gem and fossell store in Pike's Place  Market, but gave that up to open this splendid gallery. Many fine craft artists are represented, including a facinating case of the owner's sculptures with stone and other natural elements in intricate  designs. He also has a great knowledge of the rocks and gemstones displayed in his cases, and we found it hard to tear ourselves away from the interesting stories. I will be sure to bring my little boy with me next time, there is so much to learn there. That day we didn't get to the Waterfront Antique Mall where there are auctions held weekly and a truly amazing assortment of displays of every imaginable antique, books, furniture, jewelry, just for a start, we had to leave that for another day...not to mention a good many other galleries in the town, the Edmonds Center for the Arts (recently built and quite impressive, with a variety of exciting performances scheduled during the season) and other very rewarding aspects of this special small town close enough to Seattle for a comfortable commute, with excellent schools, numerous community events year round (like the Taste of Edmonds Festival and the Edmonds Art Festival) and the proximity to Puget Sound that makes life seem just that little bit more special.  Edy Kizaki Realtor, Team Leader 206-331-0152 Labels: Edmonds, Edmonds Art Galleries, Edmonds Restaurants
SeattleBubbleOne of my favorite collectors of local market economy news is,
http://SeattleB ubble.com/blog/With neither a rosy or dark perspective on our current realestate market, this blog, collects news, opinion, and statistics, on todays front page, the lead article was on the buying public's current tolerance for debt including a pole and this handy calculator. (image only, go to the blog for a working model) Another example of pertinent information shown in an easy to digest visual,  are these two charts showing the relationship of listings to sales stales and listings taken off the market. (the second chart was an answer to a question raised by the first)  I appreciate the originators format and attention to feed back and commentary, often offering as much or more information in the followup articles as had been in the original post. Take a look, and dont miss the forums.  Larry Baumgartner, Realtor, CNE* email @
LarryNLynette@SeattlePowerSearch.com*Certified Negotiation ExpertLabels: expired listings, king county real estate, listings, market, trends
  This modern style Four Bedroom, Three and a Half Bath Luxury home is built with the same care and attention as the home next door, but with a sleek, modern sensibility. The atmosphere is refreshingly full of clear surfaces and fuss-free design, allowing the setting and views to take the focus and offering a serene space for living.  Larry and I had previewed the home next door, also built by Legendary Homes, and were invited back to see this home as well, and now we have both homes listed for sale. A rooftop deck is accessible from the balcony decks off two of the bedrooms to make the most of the views during good weather. 3864 Square feet of quality includes built in vacuum, high tech cabling,  fireplace in master suite, jetted tub, media room and much more. See the other home Call or email us for a personal tour of these homes Lynette Hensley Associate BrokerLarry Baumgartner Realtor, CNE, Certified Negotiation ExpertLabels: Juanita, Kirkland, Luxury, New Construction
 Two new construction homes by Legendary Homes sit almost atop Goat Hill, in the Juanita area of Kirkland. Views of the north end of Lake Washington, Kirkland and Bellevue's skylines as well as Mt. Rainier on a clear day (when the mountain is "out") have been maximized in the layouts of these two homes. First, the luxury home nearest the road has warm feeling finishes, fine woods throughout, granite kitchen counters with hand chiseled edges--a unique touch. Travertine tiles, marble touches, molten glass and metal tilework.  Interesting features include hand hammered copper sink in the media room, a wine cellar with your choice of layouts. Five Bedrooms and Four Baths make this a substantial place to live, with space for extended family, or room to wander. The media room is your own personal movie house, complete with a refrigerator, sink and cupboard space for snacks. If you'd rather enjoy the views, they are available from the main level of the home, the Master Suite, and the fabulous roof top deck, which incidentally has a kitchen on the same level--convenient! To quote the builder: " We are a small family owned and operated construction company, in business for over 20 years. We build each house to our personal standards of quality that far exceed the industries expectations. We strive to incorporate functional livability to meld seamlessly with our design elements. As an example, the walls of the media room in the home have fabric covered panels that offer a cozy warm elegant feel to the room and improved sound absorption as well as easy access to the hidden in-wall sound system and electrical components. This was an intricate custom design.
 Goat Hill is a unique location. The houses have the convenience of a full service city nearby and easy access to Seattle. But at the same time, they are located at almost the end of a dead end street. It is a quiet and serene neighborhood with almost no traffic. In the summer the children play in the streets together safely riding their bikes, skating and visiting. You often have to drive around the old yellow retriever that enjoys his afternoon naps right in the middle of the road.
As sundown approaches the whole atmosphere of the homes begin to change. The sun back lights Mount Rainier until it appears to be aglow. The city lights come on and a calmness descends making the roof top decks and indoor views almost magical.
Whoever gets the privilege of living in these homes will find breathtaking inspirational views to renew their spirits every morning, the reassurance of good neighbors and a peaceful community each day and nature in all her majesty to awe them as they say goodnight each evening. The views and location of these homes offer a sanctuary that is truly priceless." (With permission from Debbie Kracht, Legendary Homes.) See the other homeCall or email us for a personal tour of these homes Lynette Hensley Associate BrokerLarry Baumgartner Realtor, CNE, Certified Negotiation ExpertLabels: Juanita, Kirkland, Luxury, New Construction
 Puget Sound is ever changing and one of the never forgotten facts of our lives here on the edge of the world. Living in the Pacifc Rim city of Seattle here in the Northwest provides so many opportunities to enjoy the abundant nature that surrounds us. But the Sound is for me one of the most treasured facets of our environment! A client that moved here because of work sent me a link to her photos while taking a walk with her daughter recently. I love this one showing a sail boat on the Sound with the city and Space Needle in the background. Krista, thanks for sharing a perfect moment! Edy Kizaki, Realtor
206-331-0152
edy@seattlepowersearch.com Labels: Puget Sound, sailing
 Much like speed dating, Pecha Kucha gives a presenter a defined amount of time to tell his/her story, share interests, and show pictures. Pecha Kucha is Japanese for the sound of chit chat, sort of a "sound illustration" for this movement which is now in 172 cities worldwide. This Seattle presentation was sponsored by Artist Trust, a very active organization for support of the arts in the Seattle and surrounding areas. It was held at Ouch My Eye gallery, on 1st St South, right near Quest Field. We arrived in time to find seats, many more people were standing the whole time. There was also an intermission, and the purpose of that time was to connect to other folks attending. The lineup last night was very interesting to me, included two gallery curators or directors, a former professor of ancient music who talked about the operas they produced at UW in full costume with ancient music  orchestras they imported from Italy, and a member of a local puppeteer family who talked about his interest and travels to Asia and the large puppet mechanisms he learned about there. The Italian born director of the Bellevue art museum gave us a tour through the museum, guided by a sock monkey with a mustache that looked suspiciously like his own. (Perhaps they are related!?!)
Here are the guidelines for Pecha Kucha as described on the Pecha-Kucha.org site: "Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each - giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show." This free event is produced by volunteers (Pecha Kuties) and will certainly be repeated. Many of the folks I was privileged to talk with are also planning to present at some future event. Really fun and inspiring!  Lynette Hensley, Associate Broker
Email
Labels: Arts, Events, Seattle
The Obama plan is designed to help stave off foreclosure for 7-9 million families by restructuring or refinancing their mortgages. This will keep families in their homes, keep communities stable, and strengthen confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Immediately after hearing the press conference, the anchor said that this is not enough, it's just a drop in the bucket. But I'm glad to see some help, that if it works well, could be a model for further relief. The plan also includes provision for displaced renters where the home goes into foreclosure because the owner/landlord can't afford the home anymore. Here's a summaryFeel free to call or email for more information. I do have more than the summary which I'd be happy to send to you. Lynette Hensley Associate Broker email
 "Una bella tazza di caffe", the beautiful cup of coffee at Vivace Espresso is well named. Since 1988 this company has refined it's presentation, flavor and finesse inspired by the coffee itself. We often go to the shop in South Lake Union to pick up a cuppa as well as the occasional Mighty O Donut or donut hole depending on the appetite. They offer "restretto shots" which I understand to mean that they use only the sweetest most flavorful part of the espresso shot. The owners have published books on barista techniques, coffee techniques as well as a video of Latte art. Espresso Vivace
Vivace Espresso has two locations
 Vivace Espresso Bar at Brix
532 Broadway Ave East
Seattle WA 98122
Telephone 206.860.2722
Open 6am until 11pm daily
Espresso Vivace Alley 24
227 Yale Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
Telephone 206.388.5164
Open daily 6 am until 11 pm. See you there! Lynette Hensley Associate Broker emailLabels: Capitol Hill, coffee houses, South Lake Union
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This entry to I-5 going North from Mercer Street has two lanes, or so it seems. The I-5 freeway is set up through Seattle to accommodate rush hour traffic with an express lane that changes direction depending on the time of day. There are barriers at the entry of the express lanes that open and close, and when the traffic is going south, this particular entrance to the freeway merges down to one lane pretty quickly around a blind corner. There are signs, but folks still get the surprise from time to time.
