Seattle looking at possible 2024 Olympic bid - - MyNorthwest.com

Seattle looking at possible 2024 Olympic bid - - MyNorthwest.com: A lot of people believe Seattle had a good shot at getting the 2012 Olympic Games that ended up in London. But despite some deep-pocketed backing, the City Council killed the effort before it got off the ground. Now, there's talk the city could again be making a move to host the 2024 Summer games.

According to SportspressNW.com, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn's office has asked the Seattle Sports Commission to enter into "informal" talks with the United States Olympic Committee about a possible bid. The move follows a generic inquiry sent by USOC to 35 major cities that had either previously expressed an interest in bidding or were among the 25 biggest U.S. markets.

Our biggest sign of spring: Gray whales are back | Field Notes | Seattle Times

It's time to start visiting the State Parks on Whidbey & Camano Islands, the whales are back!

Our biggest sign of spring: Gray whales are back | Field Notes | Seattle Times: What’s bigger than a swallow — and brings just as good news? Gray whales, Washington’s biggest sign of spring.

The resident gray whales are back in� Whidbey and Camano Island waters once again.

The Orca Network’s Whale Sighting Network received its first report of a North Puget Sound Gray Whale on Feb. 4, and in the past few weeks have received reports identifying several North Puget Sound grays returning to feed in Saratoga Passage, from Polnell Pt. to Port Susan and Possession Sound.

You'll love one of Pierce County's largest cities, Tacoma!

Union Station Historic District/University of WashingtonLocated along Pacific Avenue, from 21st to 17th, this neighborhood contains some of the best examples of Tacoma’s historic architecture. It also offers great shopping, dining, and nightlife. Union Station displays a grand chandelier designed by Dale Chihuly, and a beautiful restoration of the building, which is now occupied by our federal court house.

Museum RowFrom the Museum of Glass on the waterfront, to the Washington History Museum next to historic Union Station, to the Tacoma Art Museum on Pacific Avenue, Tacoma offers some of the finest museum experiences in the nation. Walk across the Bridge of Glass and you will experience beautiful Chihuly glass along with spectacular views of Tacoma’s unique architecture. The Downtown area is also home to the Working Waterfront Museum, and the LeMay – America’s Car Museum.

Downtown’s Theater District has many unique Mini-Neighborhoods:
	Theater Square Long known for its contribution to the performing arts, this district spans Broadway, from 9th to 11th, and South 9th, from Market to Commerce. With theaters like the Pantages, and the Rialto, there is always a show to see. The neighborhood also boasts fine dining, fine jewelry and art, and is the seat of Downtown’s Christmas Tree and New Years Eve Celebration, First Night.
	Antique Row Historic Antique Row on Broadway and St. Helens, between 9th and 7th, is famous for its vast variety of vintage and antique goods.
	Opera Alley One of Downtown’s oldest and newest districts, this little slice of Tacoma is a collection of beautifully restored buildings. It is anchored by a café, a yarn shop and an interior décor shop, and offers many other retail shops. Stroll along St. Helen’s, north of 9th, and veer off to the right, just past the guitar shop. It’s a step back in time to a more genteel era.
	The Triangle District A business district in the Center of the Universe of Tacoma – covering the area from 6th & Tacoma Ave to 9th & Broadway – and parts in between.
	Historic Pacific Located on a dramatic bluff over-looking Commencement Bay, Tacoma’s Historic Pacific District reflects the city’s political, economic, and cultural past in significant architectural buildings and places such as Old City Hall, the Northern Pacific Building, and Fireman’s Park. The area bustles with activity from a wide variety of trendy restaurants, cozy pubs, eclectic gift shops, and restorative boutique salons and spas to infuse panache and vitality into your body and soul.

The Rhododendron Cafe in the Skagit Valley is one of our favorite places to stop and eat after a great sidecar ride down the Scenic Chuckanut Drive from Historic Fairhaven!

Open  Lunch and Dinner : Wednesday—Sunday (11:30 am —  9 pm)
 Open at 9 am Saturday and Sunday for Breakfast
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays 

 Ethnic Odyssey 2013 ~ our 30th Year!

Explore the World with us as we feature a different cuisine each month !
February:  Cooking around the Mediterranean
   Featuring Greece, North Africa, and more!
March:  American Regional Cooking
   A tour of some of our own Cooking styles !
April:  Spain and Portugal
   Regional Cooking throughout the Iberian Peninsula
May:  Lands of Spice
   From South of the Border to India & Asia,
June:  French and European Cooking
   Culinary tour of Western & Northern Europe
July:  Island Cooking
   Caribbean, South Pacific, Hawaii, and More
August:  Skagit Harvest  &  Northwest Cooking
   Featuring the Bounty of Skagit & the Northwest
September:  Middle East and Africa
   Exotic flavors from Persia to South Africa
October:  Foods of Fall & Best of the Rhody

Location
The Rhododendron Cafe is located on the famous Chuckanut
Drive as it drops into the beautiful Skagit Valley.
Specifically, we are at the intersection of Chuckanut Drive
and Bow Hill Road - across from the Bow, Washington Post
Office.
5521 Chuckanut Drive
Bow, Washington 98232

Directions
From Bellingham and Points North - For a drive on a National
Scenic Byway, travel south on Chuckanut Drive(Beware that
Chuckanut Drive was built to the narrower standards of the
1920's and twists and turns along the cliff as it follows
the shore - caution is urged.) For a quicker trip, take I-5
South to Bow Hill Road, turning right as you exit. We are on
your right when you reach the first stop sign.(1+ miles)

From Mount Vernon and Points South - Exit at Chuckanut Drive
(North end of Burlington), continue through the roundabout
until you are headed over the bridge over I-5.

Reservations Policy
We only accept reservations for parties of 5 or more. On
major holidays(Valentine's Day(anyone?),Mother's Day,
Father's Day, Easter, etc), we accept reservations for all
parties.
To make a reservation, call the cafe at (360) 766-6667
Call during business hours(shown above.) We are unable
to accept reservations via email or our web site.

Vegetarian/Vegan
We typically have at least one vegetarian entree on our
Blackboard Specials each week. However,  make your server
aware of your dietary restrictions and they will be happy to
recommend dishes that will fit your needs.

Urban shopping at REI includes unique cityscape views

I always enjoy spending time in the beautiful city of Seattle. Today we're at the flagship REI in Seattle and as I look around I see they blended this amazing building's design right into the beautiful urban cityscape.  It provides a great blend of nature, sports and urban curb appeal. Living in Seattle is a great experience you can drive in any directions and be in world class scenery, recreation and culture.

NWMLS Discover:Sales are Increasing-News/Events - NWREporter

NWMLS Discover: News/Events - NWREporter: Northwest MLS members reported 5,548 pending sales during January in the four-county region (King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap). That total surpassed the previous high for the month of January, which was logged in 2005 when members reported 5,426 pending sales.

Even though buyers are flocking to newly listed homes, sellers must be smart about pricing, emphasized George Moorhead, branch manager at Bentley Properties. “In my area, a home that comes on the market that is well priced for the area, style and condition is usually under contract within a few days,” Moorhead said, but he also noted homes that have been on the market for more than 20 days are subject to price reductions.

A Waterfront Lifestyle in Anacortes WA

Why not make this your front yard?  It's a great lifestyle choice to live on Anacortes WA.

Two 4 Plexes for Sale! Enumclaw, Why People like to live here!

It’s History: In 1879, Frank and Mary Stevenson homesteaded what is now the center of town. Early settlers called this area “Stevensonville,” but the name later changed to Enumclaw (which means "thundering noise") after Enumclaw Mountain near town. Enumclaw was platted on October 31, 1885, when the railroad decided to come through this area, and was incorporated on January 27, 1913.

Enumclaw is situated at an elevation of 750 feet above sea level in a pastoral setting between plateau farmlands and the Cascade Mountains. The City of Enumclaw encompasses an area of 5.1 square miles. Its beautiful homes with their well-kept yards contribute to the community being one of the most attractive in King County. The surrounding plateau, with a population of more than 40,000, is one of the largest thoroughbred horse breeding and boarding areas in the United States.

Enumclaw is the “Gateway” to both north entrances to Mt. Rainier National Park from Highway 410, and you can reach Paradise near Mt. Rainier through beautiful Stevens Canyon during the summer. Enumclaw has a current population of 11,490 with retail service, medical, cultural, educational and recreational facilities for convenience and enjoyment. The quality of life is the main reason given by local business owners and the community alike for maintaining their residence in Enumclaw.

It is within one hour of any activity imaginable in the Greater Seattle Area, skiing, hiking, beaches, large city culture, and professional sports. There are numerous local facilities for golf, tennis and youth sports.

You can see lots of community nostalgia and fun information about Enumclaw on the Facebook page:  You know you’re from Enumclaw if you   https://www.facebook.com/pages/You-know-youre-from-Enumclaw-if-you/212764928773371

If you're looking for a great investment property in Enumclaw, there are two Multi-Family 4-Plexes currently for sale.



Call Joel Semanko at 360-941-1164 about the two Multi Family 4-Plexes  MLS# 444257 & 444295

Cottages, Waterfront, Views in Anacortes under Construction! Who’s Building It?

It's another quality home project by award winning, local builder Cottage Werks.

Every Cottage Werks home is unique.  Every design is original.  Every home is built with well thought out green building principles taking advantage of high quality, sustainable and non-toxic materials for better home durability, smart environmental considerations and personal health.

Here are some of the beautiful Cottage Werks homes in the Puget Sound Region.

 Unique lots and settings are the types of spaces Cottage Werks loves to build these beautiful homes!

 

Cottage Werks specializes in the responsible development of homes that have little impact on their natural surroundings.  Placement of the home on the home site, the materials used, concerns about air-quality and rainwater run-off, as well as selection of energy saving features are all taken into account.

There are currently 3 view properties in works and permit stages in Anacortes, Bay View and Lake McMurray in Skagit County.  If you’d like to see them or find out more about Cottage Werks plans,  feel free to give me a call I’d love to Brag about Chris Chase and the amazing homes Built by Cottage Werks, It’s not like your neighbor’s house.

If you'd like more information or a preview of a Cottage Werks Home under construction, please contact: Joel Semanko at 360-941-1164 or joelsemanko@gmail.com

Curious what is being built on Thompson Beach Road in Anacortes?

It's another quality home project by award winning, local builder Cottage Werks.

Say Goodbye to the Original 1954 House

Every Cottage Werks home is unique.  Every design is original.  Every home is built with well thought out green building principles taking advantage of high quality, sustainable and non-toxic materials for better home durability, smart environmental considerations and personal health.

This wonderful new home at 8432 Thompson Beach Rd, Anacortes, WA 98221will have beautiful views looking out at beautiful Similk Bay, Snee Oosh and southward capturing the beautiful skyline over Camano Island and Port Susan.  Magnificent summer sunsets can be seen over Whidbey Island too!

We’ll be taking a journey with Local Builder, (Mukilteo born & raised) Chris Chase through this current project starting with the Purchase of the property.

You’ll see the original home built in 1954 was torn down in October 2012.  By the way, that was fun to watch!  (See Photos)

Reach Over that Roof

Look at the Whole Roof Lifting Up

Say Good Bye to the Roof and Main House

Gone in Less than an Hour!

There are currently 3 view properties in works and permit stages in Anacortes, Bay View and Lake McMurray in Skagit County.  

Stay tuned to see the Progress of this beautiful Cottage Werks home.  See a glimpse of the quality and uniqueness of a Cottage Werks home by click the video link below.  This is a spectacular home we recently listed and sold for Cottage Werks in July 2012.

Check out one of Many Cottage Werks Homes, this one is a Waterview Home in Mukilteo Wa.

Mukilteo Blvd Home by Cottage Werks

If you’d like to see them or find out more about Cottage Werks plans,  feel free to give me a call  at 360-941-1164 or email me at joelsemanko@gmail.com I’d love to Brag about Chris Chase and the amazing homes Built by Cottage Werks, It’s not like your neighbor’s house.

Watch for my next posting to show you the new site and what's being built.

HAPPY NEW YEAR Resolution: If you’re going to buy real estate, do it now!

The Interest Rates have never been lower!  There's lots of great homes for sale now in the entire Puget Sound Region

We're wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year in 2013.

We look forward to helping you Sell your house or Buy a home!