Make a Good Life

Olympia in the Top Ten Places to Live or Visit

OLYMPIA MAKES #6 OF THE TOP 10 CITIES TO LIVE AND VISIT IN THE US ACCORDING TO THE JULY ISSUE OF KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE PUBLICATION. 

I posted this information before, but had someone ask about it so I thought I would re-visit it. 

HERE IS A LINK TO SEE THE VIDEO

http://www.kiplinger.com/video/index.html?bcpid=572031303&bclid=1571610693&bctid=23940572001&kipad_id=47

READ THE ARTICLE

 http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2009/07/best-cities-2009-where-the-jobs-are.html

Courtesy of Kiplinger Magazine

Seattle Voted #2 Healthiest City to Live by Outside Magazine

Out this month, Outside Magazine's top ten cities in the US, chosen on the city's "cultural vibrancy, economic well-being and overall quality of life".  Did you know that 80% of Seatllites have a library card (Seattle is also one of the "most intelligent" cities)?  Or that the median home price is $315k?  (Show me that one....) What surprised me most was that there are 3.3 MILLION people in the metro area alone.

Seattle was second to Colorado Springs, CO.  Here is what Outside has to say about Seattle's position during the recent housing crisis: "The recession arrived late in Seattle, thanks to future-trending corporations like Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing, and unemployment leveled off in March, helping the city avoid a major collapse in housing prices."

I just had a short discussion with someone today at an open house about just this thing....we are fortunate here in the Pacific Northwest....we were somewhat insulated from the very severe de-valuations seen in states such as Florida and Nevada.

While I love the hustle of Seattle, the museums and shopping, I like it when I like it....the rest of the time I will take sleepy little Olympia.

-Taken without permission from Outside Magazine Aug 2009

By the way, thanks for the suggestions so far about my new website design.  It sounds like the waterfront in Olympia continues to be of interest to people, and my special affection for the same makes that an easy choice.  I will have a chart with all current saltwaterfront listings, active, pending and sold, for your viewing pleasure.  I know I sound like a saltwater-pusher ("C'mon, everybodys doing it...") but really there are some fabulous values out there...We are off 30 to 35% in this segment of the market.  And in my opinion, the waterfront in Thurston and Mason counties rivals any in King or Pierce counties, at a fraction of the cost.  And history shows.....one day Olympia may be like today's Seattle....we must keep growing....

Lakefair 2009 Battle of the Bands!

We just received word:  My son and his band have been selected to compete in this year's Battle of the Bands opening night at Lakefair.  This is their first "gig" and they are pretty excited!  Drop by to support these great kids the night of July 15th.  I will find out what time at a meeting tomorrow night...so stay tuned!

 

July 16, 2009  They WON!  "In the Clear" won the 2009 Lakefair Battle of the Bands!!!  Congratualtions to Chance Watts, Nate Collins and Andy Miller!  You guys rocked!

Carbaryl on the Beach?

A thread from Griffinneighbors.org reads about a truck loan of the chemical substance Carbaryl being readied for the beach....and the concerns related.  Follow this link  to read more about Carbaryl.  I will find out more soon.

 

Beginning Friday night and running through Saturday.....join Griffin School and Capital Playhouse in thier middle school production of Music Man!  I have tickets....seven left.  They are $5 from me now, or $7 at the door.  Support Griffin and your favorite Griffin students!

 

Greene Realty had an opportunity to work at the Thurston County Food Bank last week.  We only divided crates of apples into individual bags to be given to needy families.  We are all familiar with the works of the foodbanks, especially during the holidays....I was less familiar than most.

I am always shocked when I discover yet another way in which my life has been sheltered.  Through my work with the Griffin Foundation I learned about  kids in the Griffin School District who needed help....food during school hours to stave off hunger.  I have to say that I was surprised that even in our little enclave of close-knit community there was such a need.

At the food bank my education was broadened after a conversation I had with Cheryl Falkenberg.  Cheryl is a board member on the Griffin Foundation and I know here through that and through the school.  What I DIDN"T know is that she also runs a program through the food bank  (and works there three days a week) that helps over 500 kids per month.  This program delivers food to Thurston County schools on Fridays so that the children will not be hungry over the weekend.

Mnay of these children are homeless...in that they are living in a travle trailer, a shelter or with another family in cramped conditions.  From the food bank they receive a bag containing simple foods in most of the food groups to hold them through a hungry weekend.  Macaroni, apples, boxed milk, cereal and canned chili are some of the staples.  Food is donated, or bought by the food bank, and delivered by volunteers.

So, I need to take my children downtown to have a turn at working in the food bank to help others.  Instead of complaining about not having the latest phone to come out, or about how they want to "re-do" their bedrooms, it may open their eyes to the good fortune life has dealt them so far.  I know it has opened my eyes.