Northwest Living | Bellingham Real Estate Market

You don’t need a chairlift to have a good time in the snow this winter. In fact, some days, the lifts just get in the way. All that time spent riding the lift and waiting in line is time you could be playing. Craig Hill a reporter for the News Tribune in Tacoma put together his list of 25 things to do in the Northwest during the winter. So, if you’re looking to save a few bucks, get a better workout or just try something new, here are 25 ways to enjoy winter without a chairlift.

1. MOUNT TAHOMA TRAILS ASSOCIATION: There is no better bargain in winter recreation than an overnight cross-country trip on the Mount Tahoma Trails System near Ashford, Wash. The MTTA grooms more than 50 kilometers of trails and maintains three huts and one yurt. You can spend the night in the hut for $5 per person per night; www.skimtta.org.

2. NORDIC SKI JUMPING IN LEAVENWORTH: Whistler Blackcomb started installing its ski jump for the 2010 Olympics this summer, so Leavenworth’s modest ski hill no longer has the Northwest’s only ski jump. However, it’s the only one you can use. While nordic skis are ideal for this jump, many use alpine skis on the two hills; www.skileavenworth.com.

3. SPEED SKATING: If you like to go fast on the ice, Tacoma’s Puget Sound Speed Skating Club offers lessons at the Tacoma Hockey Club. The club offers short track skating, but some members are training for long-track racing; (253) 272-1757, www.pugetsoundspeedskating.org.

4. VISIT SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE: Tucked away in the Methow Valley, Sun Mountain Lodge is considered the ultimate base camp for a cross country skiing adventure. From the lodge you’ll find easy access to an ice rink, more than 200 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails and more than a dozen snowshoe trails; www.sunmountainlodge.com. 

5. GO TUBING: You don’t need to know how to ski to zip down a snowy slope. You can do the same with an inner tube from your local tire store. Summit at Snoqualmie has a tubing hill (you’ll have to use their tubes). You can find free tubing hills at Paradise and the Hyak Sno-P a r k; www.summitatsnoqualmie.com, www.parks.wa.gov/winter and www.nps.gov/mora.

6. TAKE A BIATHLON LESSON: You don’t have to go to Europe to try the biathlon. The Washington Biathlon Association, based at Stevens Pass, has events throughout the winter open to all skill levels, even gun-shy rookies; www.wabiathlon.org.

7. PARADISE: Whether you’re an alpine skier, nordic skier, snowshoer or tuber, Paradise, located on the south side of Mount Rainier, has places for you to play. Call ahead for road conditions; (360) 569-2211, www.nps.gov/mora.

8. PLAY HOCKEY: The Tacoma Hockey Club offers everything from hockey lessons and leagues for kids to adult leagues to lunch hour pickup games. The pick-up sessions are $5 and 90 minutes starting at noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; www.tacomahockeyclub.com.

9. POLAR BEAR SWIM: You might need to be a little off center — not to mention thick-skinned — to enjoy this New Year’s Day tradition. Olalla Lagoon is home to Washington state’s biggest Polar Bear Club. When a cannon signals, participants dash — bridge-jumping is no longer allowed — into the frigid water. Why? Who knows; Al’s Grocery Store, (253) 851-4955. 10. CRYSTAL’S DUMMY DOWNHILL: Enter Crystal Mountain’s Dummy Downhill race. You won’t have to race, but you’ll have to build a contraption that will. The dummy mounted on skis or a snowboard will have to be sturdy enough to survive a jump. Don’t worry, there are awards for the best crashes. This three-year-old event benefits the Crystal Mountain Fire Department; www.skicrystal.com.11. MOUNT SPOKANE: Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; www.mtspokane.com or www.parks.wa.gov/winter.Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or

12. SKI ST. HELENS FOR MOM: One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber; www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/mount-st-helens.

13. SKI ICICLE RIVER TRAILS: While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails; www.skileavenworth.com. Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails; Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails;Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails;Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails;14. SCOTTISH LAKES HIGH CAMP: You can ski or snowshoe five miles into the back country at Stevens Pass to stay in one of nine private cabins, or you can hire a snowmobile driver for $60 per person. Cabins are $70-80 per person per night; www.scottishlakes.com.

Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Torin Koos of Leavenworth lists Mount Spokane as one of his favorite ski areas in Washington. Mount Spokane has 25 kilometers of groomed trails that Koos says is worth the trip; or One of the Northwest’s coolest traditions returned this year with the reopening of Mount St. Helen’s’ climbing routes. It is tradition to climb Monitor Ridge on Mother’s Day, then — boy or girl — ski down while wearing a dress. The limit of 100 climbers per day is lifted on mom’s day. Permits are $24 per climber;While Methow Valley has the reputation as a nordic mecca, Leavenworth’s trail system also draws cross-country skiers from around the Northwest. The town has trails along the Icicle River, on the golf course, at Waterfront Park and the Leavenworth Ski Hill. A $10 pass gets you access to all 26 kilometers of trails; You can ski or snowshoe five miles into the back country at Stevens Pass to stay in one of nine private cabins, or you can hire a snowmobile driver for $60 per person. Cabins are $70-80 per person per night;15. FREE SNOWSHOE TOURS: You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules; www.nps.gov/mora or www.nps.gov/olym.You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or

16. SNOWMOBILE: Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; www.parks.wa.gov/winter.

17. BLUEWOOD BASH: Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden; www.bluewood.com.You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden;You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden;You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden;You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden;18. CATT CREEK ROAD: This Forest Service road outside of Ashford is closed to vehicle traffic in the winter, leaving a snowy playground for families. When Mount Rainier National Park was closed last year, the road still lured people to Ashford; www.mt-rainier.com.

You can join free snowshoe tours at Hurricane Ridge and Paradise each winter. While it costs $15 per vehicle to enter the national parks, the free tours include snowshoe rentals. Check the national park Web sites for schedules;or Western Washington has 80 snowmobile snow parks, most of which are in the Cascades. Some of the more popular destinations include Pyramid Creek, Gold Creek, Skate Creek and Marble Mountain; Bluewood, a small resort near Walla Walla, throws a huge party every year called the BASH. You won’t need a lift ticket to try pond skimming, body bowling and polar swimming. The BASH, held the final day of the season, also includes a barbecue and beer garden; This Forest Service road outside of Ashford is closed to vehicle traffic in the winter, leaving a snowy playground for families. When Mount Rainier National Park was closed last year, the road still lured people to Ashford;19. SKI THE LIFTLESS HILLS: Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95).Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95).

20. ICE SKATING: If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and www.sprinker.org.

21. SKI WHITE PASS: The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails; skiwww.whitepass.com. Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails;Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails;Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails;Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails;22. BUILD AN IGLOO: There’s something cool about spending the night in an igloo. You can do this any place where there is ample snow and winter camping is permitted. Olympic National Park is a popular destination for igloo campers. Check out this Web site for some good igloo construction instructions; www.primitiveways.com/igloo.html.

Martin Volken, a native of Switzerland, loves skiing on Snoqualmie Pass, but he isn’t a big fan of waiting in lift lines. So Volken carves his own runs. In 2001, he decided to share his secrets in a guidebook called “Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass” (The Globe Pequot Press, $16.95). If making leisurely laps on the ice in rental skates is your thing, there are two places in Pierce County that offer open skating Sprinker Recreation Center and the Tacoma Hockey Club; tacomahockeyclub.com and The White Pass Nordic Center has one of the best cross-country ski area among Northwest resorts with 18 kilometers of groomed trails; There’s something cool about spending the night in an igloo. You can do this any place where there is ample snow and winter camping is permitted. Olympic National Park is a popular destination for igloo campers. Check out this Web site for some good igloo construction instructions;23. TRY CURLING: Curling might look like shuffleboard on ice, but you might be surprised how fun the Scottish game can be. The Granite Curling Club, the Northwest’s only curling club, is in Seattle and offers open houses Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and March 8 and 22 for $10 per person or $25 per family; www.curlingseattle.org. Curling might look like shuffleboard on ice, but you might be surprised how fun the Scottish game can be. The Granite Curling Club, the Northwest’s only curling club, is in Seattle and offers open houses Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and March 8 and 22 for $10 per person or $25 per family;

24. TAKE A LESSON: Ed Strauss offers two-hour cross-country lessons for $16 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and younger. He’ll also guide you on a four-hour tour of Rainier for $80 and $20 for each additional hour; www.mashell.com/~mtrretail/Skiing.htm. 

25. WATCH THE BEST: Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24; www.cypressmountain.com,www.whistlerblackcomb.com. Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;

Get a look at future Winter Olympic athletes at future Olympic venues in February. The World Cup Freestyle circuit makes a stop at Vancouver, B.C.’s Cypress Mountain on Feb. 9-10. Whistler Blackcomb hosts World Cup alpine racing Feb. 18-24;

 Lynden, WA - The Northwest Washington Fair has announced earlier than usual it’s grandstand lineup by naming the legendary band Chicago for its Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 headline performance.  Chicago will probably be one of the biggest appearance’s for the mid August fair in many years.

Tickets for the Aug 14, 2008 Chicago Band performance can be purchased by going to Lynden Northwest Washington Fair web site. I just checked, and tickets are still available as of today. Ticket prices for this show, are $30 each for reserved grandstand seats and $40 for preferred seats.  That doesn’t include admission to the fair.

The Northwest Washington Fair will be held next summer from August 11-16, 2008.  Jim Baron, General Manager of the NWWA Fair wanted to make the tickets available early as holiday gifts.

According to the Lynden Tribune, Chicago is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The band has surpassed 100 million in record sales and 25 of its 30 albums have been certified platinum.  Chicago has recorded five No. 1 singles and 21 Top-10 singles, including “25, or 6 to 4,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day” and “(I’ve Been) Searchin’ So Long.”

The eight-person band includes Robert Lamm (keyboards and vocals), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), James Pankow (trombone), Walt Parazaider (woodwinds), Bill Champlin (keyboards, guitar and vocals), Jason Scheff (bass and vocals), Tris Imboden (drums) and Keith Howland (guitar). Four of the members date back to the band’s creation 40 years ago.

That should be an exciting nite in Lynden this coming August and probably one of the busiest days in fair attendance over all.  Lets all hope for a beautiful sunny evening for this awesome performance.

 About a week ago I came across a local web site with a holiday theme, packed with things to do during Christmas and the site is called Simplify Christmas. Go check out what an amazing job researcher and writer Rod Brock has put together for our local Bellingham WA community and beyond.

If your looking for something to do on any of these last Nine days prior to Christmas consider visiting Simplify Christmas. It looks like what ever is going on locally and else where in our Northwest WA region he seems to find it and has done a great job of posting it to his web site.  I would even read back through the blog as well, to find out where some of the good light shows and events are occurring on an on going basis through the month of December.  You might want to save his site for next year’s holiday season as well to get a jump on things to do during the holidays of 2008 and beyond.

 Bellingham, WA - Chuckanut Drive is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in the Northwest. If given the choice to take Chuckanut Drive over I-5 freeway, on my way back to Bellingham or on the way out of town, hands down, I’d choose Scenic Chuckanut Drive on a sunny day.

For even residents of this part of Northwest Washington, very few tire of what this 20 mile stretch of Highway has to offer. Chuckanut Drive runs from just south of historic Fairhaven area of Bellingham south to the Bow area of Skagit County.  There are many opportunities along the long stretch of Chuckanut Drive to park along the road and take in the breath taking views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands. 

It goes without saying that homes for sale along Chuckanut Drive tend to be expensive, but when your address ends in Chuckanut Drive most observers in Whatcom County and Skagit County would expect Chuckanut Real Estate to be pricey.  When it comes to Location as a principle of real estate, Chuckanut has to be one of the most sought after addresses for real estate.

What is it about Chuckanut that draws over a half million travelers up and down this beautiful stretch of highway after all…the sun setting on a clear warm summer day, does it for me. There’s a spot about the half way point where you can stop, walk along a short trail, and really enjoy some fantastic views. I named this spot “Heavens Porch”, because it truly feels like your looking out upon sheer beauty of what heaven must look like.

To find out whats for sale currently on Chuckanut Drive visit our Bellingham WA Real Estate and search Chuckanut Drive real estate. Tour the Scenic Chuckanut Drive sometime soon, you’ll remember it forever.

Jerry Campbell - Muljat Group - Bellingham WA - Chuckanut Drive Homes For Sale

 When I saw this on a home improvement ideas web site about a year ago, I saved the site and didn’t think much about it.  I was just clearing out my faovrite saved web sites the other day and thought it was interesting enough to share here with my readers. What a smart idea having several pull out drawers in your stairs. 

Some genius came up with this idea of installing custom pull out drawers under each step on the stairs.  In the example here the designer is using the space for shoes, but I could see a ton of uses for something like this.  This would be a great storage idea especially for anyone thats building a small two-story home, condominium, or townhome.

In Bellingham WA here our local public officials are attempting to solve the affordable housing issue.  I think this would be a great idea for those individuals or families that have to build a small home and need a little extra storage space.

When I first saw this I wondered how the stairs and the storage space would hold up over the years with all the up and down traffic.  According to the article though, the way the stairs are built there really isn’t any difference between this type of construction vs the normal finish.

Another area that a homeownder could pickup on extra storage space is all the area that usually goes unused under the stairs.  So many times over the last fifteen years I’ve watched homes being built and thought that space would be great for storage.  But in most cases its not used at all or just a small closet is put in and the rest of the space is unused behind a wall of drywall.

Well I hope this might give someone an idea for when they go to build a home some day.

Bellingham, WA - A local non-profit network of local, independently owned Whatcom  County businesses and supporters are going strong with the idea of Sustainable Connections.  The local group, in it’s fifth year of existence, promotes the idea of local consumers thinking local, buy local, and be local when it comes to buying decisions. It’s a great concept to support local community businesses and to strengthen the local Bellingham and Whatcom County communities as a whole.

The group of local businesses has coalesced under the banner of Sustainable Connections and put that idea to rest. Chris Webb of 2020 Engineering was one of the founders of the group about ten years ago.  Despite attracting 50-60 people to a number of events, the group lost momentum when some of its members had to put more energy into running their businesses.

Rick Dubrow of A-1 Builders met Michelle & Derek Long at a state forum on sustainable business practices.  They discovered a mutual interest in the environment, strong communities, and a “local living economy.”  Their discussions resulted in a renaissance for Sustainable Connections, an influx of new members, and a determination to keep the momentum going.  Sustainable Connections has a great article on their site written by Whatcom County Businesses Pulse, called Whatcom Group Makes Sustainable Connections that really gives an understanding of how this movement was developed.

I really hope someday that Whatcom County awards Rick Dubrow, A-1 Builders, the lifetime achievement award for all the valuable time he has donated to this county towards the green movement.  When I think about Green in Whatcom County, my first thought is Rick Dubrow.

Their membership currently stands at over 600 business, affiliate and supporter members. In the past five years they have had some heavy hitters join their ranks to include Brown & Cole’s Cost Cutter Foods, Barkley Company, People’s Bank, Samuel’s Furniture, Pioneer Ford, WECU, and so many more. Here’s a complete list of Sustainable Connections members.  Their list of local board members and advisers looks more like the who’s who of Whatcom County with the likes of: Pete Kremen, Whatcom County Executive; Dan Pike, Mayor of Bellingham; Craig Cole, CEO, Brown & Cole; Kelli Linville, State Representative, WA State; and Mark Asmundson, Director, Northwest Clean Air Agency.

To demonstrate how much their message has gotten out…after finishing some business with WECU yesterday, I was enjoying lunch at Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro and while reading Cascadia Weekly noticed the Sustainable Connections twelve page insert. I ended up taking both the Weekly and insert home with me.  On my way home I stopped in to Cost Cutter in Ferndale and got a few groceries.  I then noticed all the plastic bags were covered in Sustainable Connections information and the Buy Local logo.  All four businesses I dealt with in a span of two hours were current partners with Sustainable Connections.  Id say their getting the message out there pretty good.

The Green movement seems to have really taken off nationally in the past couple of years, but to veterans like Webb, Dubrow, and the Long’s, they have been practicing this movement way before the idea even had a name. The sustainable concept is a way of life for a lot of local Bellingham businesses and residents now, and has propelled Bellingham to the epic center of a new economic model for other areas to follow.

From their own mission statement, Sustainable Connections provides support to our local community of innovators in green building, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, supporting independent businesses in town centers, and mentoring a new breed of entrepreneurs that have designed their business with a sustainable vision.

Their goal is to educate local businesses and government entities and to help them participate in the opportunities of a sustainable economy. They try to Connect businesses to each other, and to the local marketplace so they can grow the local economy.

It’s a great concept that has really taken hold locally on a grassroots basis, and has so much to gain once more and more people are educated on how easy it is to participate.  I think the current popularity of the green movement will really help the project blossom over the coming years and hopefully it becomes a standard in the way we all live our lives.

 I encourage anyone that wants to learn about making a difference, where ever you happen to live, to visit the local Bellingham Sustainable Connections site and learn how you to can make a difference in your local community as well.

Brought to you by Jerry Campbell - Muljat Group - Bellingham WA - Northwest Living

The Federal Reserve dropped the federal funds rate to 4.25 percent today. The street however was hoping the Fed might instead lower rates by a half point but chose not to. This key rate is what governs overnight lending between the nations banks.

In another move the Fed also lowered the discount rate it charges for direct loans to banks by matching a quarter point here as well to 4.75 percent. Since September the Fed has now lowered the overnight rates by a full percentage point in an attempt help the nations economy and lower the risk of falling into a recession. 

Most of todays decision was based on the nations condition with the housing sector.  With so many banks exposed to subprime loans, especially in the southern part of the country from California to Florida, that the banks are reluctant to extend credit.  The Northwest is not spared from the subprime mess, but were at least fortunate to have a much lower rate of subprime loans outstanding per loans on the market. One look at the national map of subprime loans shows that the Northwest should at least be feeling like we will get through this. 

But because the nation as a whole has several areas of concern with housing and subprime loans, it affects us all, and so the fed had no choice but to step in and react.

Outside of the housing and financial services sectors, the U.S. economy has exhibited resilience. In addition to a steady labor market, many retailers reported stronger than expected November sales and a slumping dollar helped boost demand for U.S. exports.

Also, the risk of a inflation, which the central bank had cited as a reason for monetary restraint even as financial markets clamored for rate cuts, appears to have
eased slightly. Productivity has been strong and core inflation gauges, which exclude volatile energy and food costs, have remained tame.

However, after a period of relative calm, credit markets are showing a level of strain not evident since August, when mounting defaults on U.S. subprime mortgages first led to a
worldwide pullback in money markets.

Does this mean that interest will drop in lock step, not necessarily, because interest rates are connected to long term bond rates.  Subprime borrowers will not gain from this cut, because those type of loans are keyed with LIBOR rates which actually have been trending up in recent weeks. Because of the liquidity issues in global financial markets, LIBOR rates have actually increased at the same time that treasury and other benchmark yields have been declining. The rate cuts today will however benefit those that are looking for lower rates on home equity loans, because those are tied in with the prime rate that borrowers pay on such loans.

Jerry Campbell - Muljat Group - Bellingham, WA - Bellingham WA Real Estate

 We recently updated the Northwest Living blog to include an entire category dedicated to the State of Oregon.  Under the Oregon State category viewers will eventually be able to find posts, links, and information on Oregon cities, towns, outdoors, relocation, travel, tourism, things to do, and so much more.

We will also discuss Oregon real estate since this blog covers the northwest with a real estate flavor. Since Oregon is one of the states that make up the Northwest we were very pleased with bringing in the idea of having topics on Oregon State.  Some future topics would include information about Portland Oregon, Eugene, Salem, Medford, Hood River, Cannon Beach, and the Oregon Coast.

Our main focus of our Northwest blog is about the Northwest corner of Washington State, but we felt we could provide a service by talking about other areas of the Pacific Northwest as well. If any viewer wants to suggest a topic to discuss, please add a comment below and we’ll consider it for sure.

For anyone looking for information on Oregon you might want to start with the Official Oregon Travel and Tourism.

Jerry Campbell - Muljat Group - Bellingham, WA - Northwest Living

Bellingham, WA - Western Washington University has again been ranked first among top public master’s-granting universities in the Pacific Northwest and second in the West, according to rankings of universities and colleges published by US News and World Report.  Only two public schools are ranked in the top 20 among master’s-granting universities in the West, a region stretching from Texas to the Pacific Ocean.

Western was ranked in the top five percent in a study measuring the percentage of baccalaureate-degree recipients who go on to earn a research doctorate.  The study, conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, looked at information from 1996 to 2005 collected from 560 institutions granting master’s degrees.

“We are committed to an environment for teaching and learning that has repeatedly earned Western this kind of recognition, which is a tribute to the excellence of our faculty, staff and students,” said Western President Karen W. Morse.

Since the first U.S. News rankings in 1987, Western has been highly rated in 19 of 21 years. Rankings are based on a variety of criteria including academic reputation, student selectivity and retention, faculty resources, peer assessment and financial resources.

Jerry Campbell - Muljat Group - Bellingham, WA 98225 - Bellingham Real Estate

 Before buying that brand new home you might want to consider a few things as part of the process. In the excitement of looking at a brite and shiny new home, sometimes one forgets to consider some of the following thoughts:

Check builders reputation - Ask your Realtor about the builders reputation, how long have they been building, and maybe some addresses on homes they recently built.  Nothing wrong with making sure they have a good reputation and will stand behind their product.  If you have any doubts, maybe call the local builders association and see what they say as well.

New Home Inspection - If you don’t know the reputation of the builder and especially if their only building a few homes in a community, look into getting an inspection.  Even though the home will go through a full inspection from the permit process, and the builders themselves, Items can be missed.  The builder I represent usually doesn’t mind having one, and looks at it as the final inspection to make sure he didn’t forget anything.  It also saves him the hassle of having to fix something later.  With that said, I usually only see about 1 inspection for every 4 brand new home I’ve sold in the past 15 years. It’s just something to think about and cheap insurance when your out spending $400,000 on a brand new home. 

Builder Warranty - Most builders today will provide at least a one year warranty on the purchase of a new home.  In the state of Washington it’s mandatory that all homes come with at least a one year warranty.  Make sure you read the builders warranty and what it covers.  Ask your Realtor lots of questions on this and how do you go about getting items done if problems do eventually arise.

Walk thru orientation - I’ve been working with a local builder for almost fourteen years and one added feature they provide is a 1-2 hour orientation with the new home buyers.  The builder or one of his reps will go through the entire home and explain how the house works and answers a lot of questions at the time of the walk-thru. It’s a great way to create a nice bond between the builder of the home and the new home buyer.

They don’t call it a walk-thru inspection because that sounds so confrontational to begin with.  Even though during the walk-thru orientation, there are occasional items that are addressed and then completed prior to closing of the home.

Change all the Utilities - within a few days of the closing date make sure you contact all the utility companies and make arrangements to have all the utilities changed into your name.  Sometimes you can avoid costly deposits by doing this while the utilities are still in the builders name.  The other reason you want to do this within a few day of closing, is to avoid having them turned off and then having to pay a fee to have a utility rep come out.  The builder will usually be calling the utilities to take his name off that house on the expected closing date, so I would make these calls.

I’m fortunate to live in an area like Bellingham, WA where most of the builders in the Whatcom County area have pretty good reputations. It’s always good to make sure as a new home buyer to do your home work and due diligence before buying.  When every thing falls in place though, there’s nothing like owning a brand new home.

Jerry Campbell - Muljat Group - Bellingham, WA 98225 - Bellingham Real Estate