Fremont

Celebrating Seattle, New Year’s Parties

If these three words strike your heart like lightening as they did mine (underwater dance floor) you’ll want to be at the Bonza Bash at the Seattle Aquarium. This New Year’s Eve 2010 party is a first, as they say on the website, the inaugural bash, billed as A Diamond Night in the Emerald City.  At $75 per ticket or $230 for the VIP package, it’s about equivalent to the other AMAZING parties out there this year.  This one features the Mach One Jazz Orchestra.  Oh, and did I mention the underwater dance floor?  It’s for a good cause, too, supporting conservation work done by the Seattle Aquarium.  It’s black tie or cocktail attire (hey, go with the black tie!) and the mood is diamond bright!  And don’t forget the underwater dance floor. Giving the Bash some serious competition are two major parties, one is DList Magazine’s “New Year’s Eve 2010″ being held at Fremont Film Studios (9 p.m. to 2 a.m.).  If you haven’t at least been in the neighborhood when the Studios are lit up with a celebrity event, noticed the strings of limos and party-goers approaching (the friendly smiles of the Valet guys tell us it’s... 

5 Reasons Buyers Fail With Fixers

"Here lies Walter Fielding. He bought a house, and it killed him." These days, it is all too easy for  inexperienced buyers to become obsessed with getting the “best deal”.   I’m talking about  the “weekend warrior” buyer- the one who watches countless hours of HGTV shows that make it seem plausible that someone could seek out, purchase, remodel and flip a home for 25% profit in 30 minutes, or less. The “Hey, I bet I could do that, too!” type of buyer… There are lots of ways to cut costs when house-hunting. Buying fixers, frontier homes or former meth-labs has always been popular for those hoping to save money, and these days, short-sales and foreclosed (REO) homes are whetting the appetites of aspiring “investors” all across the country.  Certainly, there are good deals out there to be found, and there are smart ways a savvy buyer can save money. The seemingly-endless series of books, seminars, and TV shows based on that premise can attest to that.  However, in my experience as a real estate professional I have witnessed, first-hand, more than a few common mistakes that I think are worth pointing out.... 

Costa’s, not just another Greek Diner

Something about Seattle and great Greek Diners go hand in hand, but Costa’s has been one of my family’s favorites for decades.  With two locations, one in the heart of Fremont and the other in the University, the food is outstanding and all fresh and homemade.  From the wonderful breakfasts, to the hand prepared soups and sandwiches, to the Greek specialties Gyros sandwiches, Spanikopita, and Baklava, you cannot go wrong in whatever you order. My brother, the retired bank executive, began his long and successful career as a dishwasher at Costa’s in the University.  Thirty years ago, I fell in love with the lovely spices of oregano, garlic, and how they would bring color to these round french fries that he would bring home for us to eat.  I still love them and every bite brings back those fond memories.  On my last visit I tried a traditional chicken soup with rice and a lemon and egg whipped inside.  Very unique flavor that really balanced well.  But their Gyros Sandwich will remain my absolute favorite at this neighborhood place.  The pita bread has got to be freshly made with that just baked texture, the lamb and beef meat sliced so tender and spiced so fragrantly... 

Summer Solstice Festival in Fremont

It’s one of the traditions that makes Seattle what it is.  It’s anticipated for months, prepared for endlessly, and celebrated with wild enthusiasm.  The Summer Soltice Festival in Fremont brings out the crowds, first to save places to watch the parade (friends meet early in the morning and enjoy the socializing time while they wait), then the parade itself, sometimes extreme and often glorious, then all the music and booths and food and beer and wine and dancing and juggling and … yes, cameras.  Yesterday we went down as soon as we could, not getting very good positioning for the parade but not really caring either, and parked, well, halfway to Ballard.  Luckily I wore my flats.  Just the walk over along the ship canal (Fremont Cut) was delightful as colorfully dressed (in not much, as is traditional) and body-painted cyclists wheeled along departing the parade area.  Then the rocking music could be heard, and soon we were amidst a strolling crowd of beaded and bangled festival goers with kids, dogs, and food food food the order of the day, oh yes, and the bicycles.  So many happy, smiling, friendly, shopping, eating, dancing, and playing people all in one... 

Spring Comes to Fremont

Taking a walk in Fremont these days can be blissful, with the spring sunshine encouraging the bikers to get out on the bicyclist on the popular Burke Gillman Trail passes through Fremont Burke-Gillman trail, walkers and browsers, shoppers, art gallery goers, and those seeking an ethnic meal, a cup of cafe au Theo Chocolate Factory and Boutique lait, or a pub to meet friends.  Or one of my favorites, Fremont’s own trendy organic chocolate factory, Theo Chocolate, complete with tours and a tasting room! From fashionable boutiques, a great bookstore, sushi, thai, indian, greek, mexican food, an amazing indoor garden The Indoor Sun Shoppe in Fremont store, a super cycle shop, to the PCC market where you can not only find delicious nutritious produce but also homey hot meals by the pound (for example creamy chicken enchaladas or mac and cheddar) and every kind of organic and wholistic food, Fremont delights. This day I found myself strolling by the Ship Canal in search of my favorite local coffee shop (but never got there as I was distracted by a fantastic garden store, and Crusing the Ship Canal in Fremont, headed toward Lake Union then the chocolate factory!) and enjoying the huge...