So how do we make it practical and attractive not only to spend the $ up front for long term savings, but to include the more than 100 million homes and offices we already have in the new technologies that result in these long-term savings? Looks like the plan is in place. Economically it makes sense to retrofit. Almost all older buildings could use improvements that pay for themselves and cut their power consumption in half. The loans to do it would be paid by the savings in energy. The programs to support these upgrades are starting to appear. Ideally, homeowners and small businesses could call a toll-free number and find out what local resources and loans are available to start their retrofit process in a cost effective way. Many local communities have started to develop this resources so check locally whereever you are and find out if your city provides the consumer information service to get started.

Here in Seattle, Seattle City Light has announced that it’s proud to be one of the first four Utilities in the country which is working with Microsoft in an innovative consumer support program. They are providing consumers an online application (FREE!) that helps them track their energy usage and then get personalized recommendations for improved energy efficiency! You can (and I am definitely going to, so I’ll report back) sign up to be one of the first customers to use the product! (Microsoft Hohm for Seattle.)

The activity taking place at the highest levels of government are already moving us toward lower public building utility bills. Often the second-biggest government expense after saleries, Obama’s first economic recovery packaged included retrofitting public buildings. This will help get into place worker training and factories which make energy-efficient windows, furnaces, insulation, as well as air conditioning. Local and state government energy bills will be much lower and will be able to repay the loans with their savings. Good to know!

I was up in the Vancouver BC area last week and my friend Laura Howren took me with her to see a property she just listed in Chilliwack. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the area, it’s a city in the Fraser Valley region in BC about an hour and a half away from Vancouver (home to the 2010 Winter Olympics!!) with an abundance of recreational activities…hiking, fishing, golfing, water sports, you name it.

This log home is currently a short term executive rental, rented out on a nightly or weekly basis, and is in a perfect location as it’s only 35 minutes to Harrison Hot Springs and 25 minutes to Cultus Lake, a popular camping destination. Think 26′ ceilings with ceiling-to-floor windows that take advantage of light, beautiful Hans Rhodes natural rock fire place, large recreation room in the daylight basement and a private master suite on the upper level…it’s literally the perfect Getaway!

With the exchange rates today at $1.08, with US dollars it’s like getting an 8% discount right off the top of the purchase price. The listed price is $969,000 and the home has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, about 2600 sqft and is just shy of 2.5 acres, which may be able to be subdividable in the future. The furniture is negotiable, and for those who would like to keep it as a vacation rental, the seller will negotiate the websites for the lodge as well!

For more information, visit VancouverPowerSearch.com or contact Laura at 604.209.3674 or at laura@vancouverpowersearch.com.

Click here to see a virtual tour of the property and more pictures!

Yes, it’s that time again Seattle, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are back in town.  And, if you haven’t heard already, the

Fun in the Sun at Seattle Seafair

thunderboats are back on Lake Washington.  It is truly a spectacular time of year.  Seafair is a celebration in Seattle that is truly the highlight of the year.  The City is shown off like no other time and it is family oriented to boot.  The torchlight parade is always a kid favorite as floats are all lit up and really are amazing.  If you’re a runner, there’s the seafair triathalon or the torchlight run.  Or if you’re into speed…try watching the Blue Angels and the Seafair Hydroplanes, which are my personal favorite.  There’s also a concert and fireworks Saturday Night.

Hydros jet around Lake Washington during the Seattle Seafair.

Last year, I made the trek down to south Lake Washington to see first hand what goes on at the hydroplane pits and see the Blue Angels up close.  Well as close as you can from the shore with them overhead.  They really try to make it

Flying Blue Angels delight crowds at the Seattle Seafair.

easy to get there with shuttles from the Seattle Center to the park so you don’t have to fight parking or the crowded streets.  This was a blessing in disguise as we boarded the 2nd bus and made our way there.  It took about 15-20 minutes to get there and they drop you off at the park.  There are lines to get into the main area at a cost of around $20 unless you’re in the military or work for the sponsor then you get a cut rate.  Remember family friendly, if you

Hydros pass in front of the floating bridge on Lake Washington during Seattle's Seafair.

don’t want to pay to get in there is a hugh lawn that is free for those who want to watch the festivities.  Once you buy your ticket and get in, you have several choices, eat, visit booths, or find your space by the water to get both a good look at the air and the lake.  Some purchase tickets for the beer garden and pit area but we chose to just sit by the lake.  A hint–be sure and take something to sit on and take shifts going to get food and beverages so that you don’t lose your space.  The people, locals and visitors alike, are all very friendly and know that we’re all there for the same thing…to see the show unfold.  We were treated to an amazing performance in the air first by several other types of aircraft, then a demonstration by the Coast Guard dropping a rescue specialist in the water from a helicopter to simulate a rescue, then the Blue Angels made their appearance.  What a sight, the speed and manuverability of the planes is tremendous, these pilots are truly a great demonstration of who we have in the military to defend our country… and bring everyone to the realization that the planes are how they will do it.  And of course, I took the opportunity to purchase a Blue Angel hat and backpack…Go Navy! 

Then a while later, the thunderboats took the water.  Luckily they sped around the course without any crashes and it was fun to watch.  These boats can go extremely fast kicking up roostertails from their propellers and still turn corners all the while fending off challengers trying to pass them.  Whew, what a job. 

Two hydroplanes battle deck to deck on Lake Washington in Seattle during Seafair.

After all was said and done, we made our way back to get picked up and taken back to the Center to get the car, already thinking about how next year we’ll do it all again.  Go Seafair!

Private docks on Mercer Island Waterfront

between Seattle and the Eastside, and is crossed by I-90 on the Floating Bridge (built in 1940), it is often just passed over as commuters cross to their daily work, or Eastside residents go into the city for some cultural event or party.  But why not make it a destination, either to live, or to visit, you will find much to enjoy.

The name Mercer Island refers of course to the island but also to the city.  There are three public elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school, all top rated.  There is also a private school, the French American School of Puget Sound.  The name of the island in fact comes from early visitors, the Mercer brothers, who used to row over from Seattle to hunt, fish, and pick berries.  Well, that may have been their stated purpose, but it is hard to imagine that it wasn’t the natural beauty and astounding views that drew them to the shores of what became Mercer Island.

Since the Seafair events will be taking place next weekend, the bridge will actually be closed, and for information on that the City of Mercer Island site is a good one.  It also will go into detail on current happenings (like the free summer concert series) with an Events Calendar, and provides a link to the MI Weekly, a local publication with years of archives online, and the Mercer Island Quarterly archive as well.  And don’t forget to check out the “Parks and Recreation” link, which informs about the Community Center at Mercer View, fun things to do, and the location of parks (including Clyde Beach Park which has a beach with a swimming area and lifeguard), and Summer Camps and Classes.

Edy Kizaki
Realtor, Team Leader
206-402-9155

Breathtaking views of Lake Washington and Seattle

These studies, judged on students graduated, grades, honors classes taken,  general academic record and other critera.  Ranked in the top 100 were Bellevue’s  International School as number 11 nationwide , followed by Inglewood at 18, Newport Hills at 35, Sammamish at 48,  and Bellevue at 79.  Following those Eastside schools were Edmonds-Woodway High,  Garfield and Ingraham in Seattle, Redmond, Mercer Island, Issaquah, and Inglemoor in Kenmore. 

So what does this mean?  Seattle and the surrounding schools, especially Bellevue, Kenmore and Northshore schools consistently rank as the top schools in the nation.  For most of us that cannot afford to enroll our kids in privately schools, this is of great comfort knowing that our students will be getting a good education from our local school districts.  Sports and music, which also carry weight, are well recognized with Roosevelt, Nathan Hale and Garfield High Schools in Seattle winning nationwide awards for both their Jazz Ensembles and Athletic Achievements in Varsity Football, Basketball, and Soccer. 

Congratulations to our educators and students for their outstanding efforts in making national recognition for excellence in public high schools!   Truly an honor well deserved.

Mercer Island is a great suburb to be in for those who can afford it, with a school district that is one of the best in the nation with a strong academic reputation, and it’s centrally situated location makes commutes to both Seattle and the Eastside a breeze. Though most of the residences are single family, condos and town homes could certainly be found for a much affordable price tag.