Dear Friends,

Seattle Real Estate Associates is very pleased to invite you to join us for the West Seattle Art Walk on Thursday, November 10th between 6 and 9pm. At this time, we will be hosting the incredible exhibits of Josh Pemberton and Christopher Ramsey.

Josh Pemberton

Josh Pemberton’s unique work utilizes the phenomenon of how, through even a few marks of charcoal, an artist can evoke an idea in whoever sees it. Josh’s astonishing attention to detail, and creative imagery introduces new thoughts and emotions to the viewer. It allows the viewer to introduce their own narrative to the work, and to decide for themselves it’s meaning.

Artist Statement

The phenomenon of how, through even a few marks of charcoal, an artist can evoke an idea in whoever sees it interests me to no end. In my work I strive to engage the observer in this activity through content, composition, and technique. I have heard it said that the single image is not a very effective way to convey a narrative because it relies on the viewer to bring meaning to it. This suits me just fine. I strive to balance meaning and ambiguity to challenge the viewer to bring their own narrative to my work and hopefully confront and re-evaluate it along the way.

Christopher Ramsey

A Washington native from Spokane, Chris knew he loved painting even as a child. His favorite subjects are landscapes, with a focus on Northwest light, colors, dramatic geography and textures that often are juxtaposed with the human constructed world.

Christopher’s landscapes transport the viewer to places both real and imagined. They invoke the freedom of imagination, fantasy, and reality all in a unique, and beautiful style.

Artist Statement

I am a Washington State native from Spokane. I knew I loved to paint when I was a young child and first dipped a brush into a jar of tempera paint. I have not stopped painting since. I graduated from the University of Washington School of Art with a BFA, majoring in painting.

ART WALK MISSION
The mission of the Art Walk is to acquaint the audience with Jack’s latest art as well as introduce our business to West Seattle community. The exhibit will take place at our new office located on 4535 44th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98116. Be ready for food, beverages, art and of course a lot of fun! We look forward to seeing you soon!

For more information please see our West Seattle Artwalk Website

Seattle is home to many festivals throughout the year, but Hempfest is one of its more unique inclusions. The self-dubbed ‘protestival’ is devoted to cannabis and includes speakers, performances, and vendors. This year, it celebrates its twentieth anniversary.

The three-day event starts today, Friday, August 19th, at Myrtle Edwards Park. It opened at noon and will remain open until 8:00 P.M. today. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival runs from 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. The festival location will span Centennial Park, Myrtle Edwards Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park. Admission is free.

The current festival’s stretch is a far cry from its original inception. Started by “a humble little gathering of stoners,” according to the Hempfest website, the festival had only 500 in attendance at its first festival and was located in a small park. This year, 80,000 individuals are expected to attend on Saturday.

In anticipation of high attendance levels, the festival has been extended to an extra day, but local residents in Queen Anne should expect delays and longer commute times due to large crowds.

Co-authored by: Rachel Pinter

When you’re ready to move there’s so much going on that sometimes the little things get forgotten. Hopefully the checklist below will provide some organization and ideas on for your move.

• Cancel or transfer any deliveries, newspapers, garbage collection, etc. Coordinate with the new owners to transfer gas and electric service to the new owners.
• Make certain any personal items that might be at the local photo shop, in a safe-deposit box, items at a neighbors house, on layaway or at a repair shop.
• Make the necessary arrangements for transporting plants you want to keep as well as your pets.
• Save the phone book from your former residence in case there is ever a need to tie up loose ends or for future correspondence.
• Transfer insurance policies or arrange for new policies.
• Service your vehicles before you travel to your new destination.
• Gather all valuables, jewelry, or important papers to take with you personally.
• Pack an arrival kit of necessities, just in case you arrive before the movers.
• Consider purchasing moving insurance. Your movers’ liability for lost or damaged goods will not equal their replacement cost.
• Arrange for the utilities service for your new home.
• Check with your attorney about your will, if crossing state lines.
• Ask for professional referrals, if available (e.g., doctor, accountant, dentist).
• Notify friends, relatives, and anyone else that is necessary of your new address. (Post office, banks, charge accounts, subscriptions, national and alumni organizations, church, etc.)
• Notify past employers to make sure you received your W-2 forms and retirement account information.
• Save your old address labels to speed up filling out change-of-address forms for your new address.

With all of the above tallied off, you should be ready to move! Always do a final walk around to ensure that all of your items have been taken and loaded. Have a good move!

Join the Seattle Parks Foundation on September 25^th in a celebration and dedication of Lake Union Park! The free public celebration is certain to draw families and neighbors from all around Seattle to come take part in the festivities. There will be a Family Fun Run, Sunrise Yoga on the Fitness Field, and many more activities throughout the day both on land and in the water.

Along with the general merriment, there will be other activities including:

• Musical performances

• Model boat races on the model boat pond

• Native American Canoe displays

• Amazing Seattle Food vendors including the Farmer’s Market

• Environmental education and history trail tours

• A parade of Seattle mascots along with children’s activities

• And much much more!

For more information, please visit the Seattle Parks Foundation website for all the details. See you there on the new 12 acres of awesome park space!

In case anyone else has been wondering what the black boxes above SR 520, I-90 and I-5 were…

First, no, they don’t take your picture, have lasers, or mail you tickets. The black boxes hovering precipitously above the highways are there to help with traffic. They are Active Traffic Management tools. They are essentially a series of electronic speed-limit and lane status signs that will adjust automatically to help highway-goers navigate with a higher degree of safety and efficiency.

Using Technology Improves Traffic

Active traffic management tools have been proven to be effective at reducing collisions and improving traffic flow in Europe. The use of the technology has reduced collisions by around 30% and increased the total traffic capacity on the roadway.

The goal is to utilize the traffic management signs to reduce congestion and help make travel safer and efficient.

For more information, please see the WSDOT web page for SR 520 and I-90 active traffic management.

Held at the Seattle Center each year, the Bite of Seattle is one of the most popular and anticipated events each year. While the name suggests that food is the attraction, you’ll also have the opportunity to enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, and family oriented entertainment.

When: July 16^th – 18^th, 2010
Hours: Friday 11am – 9pm, Saturday 11am – 9pm, Sunday 11am – 8pm
Admission: Free! (may be costs associated with food and drinks)
Where: Seattle Center
More Information: 425-283-5050

Visitors will be treated to all kinds of tasty foods including entrees, desserts, fruit drinks, microbrews, and wine. Many varieties of ethnic foods will be available as well including Thai, German, Greek, Filipino, French, Russian, and Hawaiian. A majority of the food booths will have samples that you can indulge in for free!

There’s Drinks!

Adults can savor the Bite of Seattle’s beer and wine gardens. Beers of the world, Northwest wines, and brand name cocktails can be enjoyed at specifically designated areas throughout the Seattle Center.

There will be music!

In between chowing down or enjoying delicious cocktails or fruit drinks, live music will be performed all throughout the Bite of Seattle event from noon to closing. Rock-n-roll, jazz, swing, and several classical styles will be performed.

There’s more!

Visitors to the bite of Seattle will also have the opportunity to attend contests, comedy shows, commercial exhibits, and a comedy club.

Congress recently passed a bill that will extend the closing deadline on the Homebuyer Tax Credit. The extension lengthens the closing date to September 30, 2010. This deadline is for home purchases that had a signed contract by April 30th of this year. There will be no gap between June 30th and the date the President signs the bill into law.

Additionally, Congress has extended the National Flood Insurance Program through September 30th as well. This bill is retroactive and will cover the lapse period from June 1, 2010, to the date the law is enacted.

In the spring of 2011, all-electronic tolling will begin on the SR 520 Bridge to help pay for the construction of a new, safer bridge.

Good To Go! electronic tolling uses technology to keep traffic moving with no toll booths, no stopping, and no slowing down.

Customers can set up prepaid accounts linked to a Good To Go! pass that is installed in your vehicle or linked to your license plate. Automatic replenishment allows you to never have to worry about running low in your account. Simply link a bank account or credit card to the account and your Good To Go! account is automatically replenished when you run low.

As you drive under electronic sensors on the east high rise of the 520 bridge, the toll will be automatically deducted from your prepaid account.  If the driver does not have a prepaid account, a photo will be taken of the vehicle’s license plate, and a bill will be sent in the mail to the vehicle’s registered owner.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has launched an extensive outreach campaign to educate drivers about electronic tolling on the SR 520 Bridge.  To reach as many bridge users as possible, WSDOT  is on the radio, in newspapers, online and out in the community.  WSDOT is currently meeting with community and business groups throughout the region to answer questions about the SR 520 Bridge electronic tolling program.

The message is simple: Get ready for all-electronic tolling on the SR 520 Bridge by signing  up for the interest list at http://www.goodtogo520.org/, and stay up-to-date on tolling developments.  Subscribers will receive regular updates about rates, account options, special offers and customer service resources.  Interest list users will be among the first to be able to sign  up for a Good To Go! account beginning January 2011.

Thanks to the WSDOT team for helping with this article. For up to date traffic information and projects, please see the WSDOT website.

On May 21^st, Seattle Symphony Music Director Gerard Schwarz will lead the Orchestra and local teen soloists in a free community concert 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 21, in the Seattle City Hall lobby, 600 Fourth Ave. This special performance is part of Seattle Symphony’s ACCESS Project (Artistic and Cultural Community Engagement with Seattle Symphony). ACCESS is dedicated to bringing classical music to communities throughout the region, especially those areas that don’t often have the opportunity to participate.

After the the concert, audience members can mingle with Symphony members at a post-performance reception in City Hall’s Bertha Knight Landes Room.

The Symphony will perform works by our own Seattle Symphony Composer in Residence Samuel Jones, Ernest Bloch, Charles Tomlinson Griffes, Tchaikovsky, and Mozart. Featured soloists include University of Washington freshman and violinist Jocelyn Chang, Roosevelt High School senior and flutist Lauren Glass, and Issaquah Pacific Cascade freshman and cellist Karissa Zadinsky.

This will be the fourth year in a tradition started in 2006 where the symphony will play to standing-room-only crowds of more than 300. Don’t miss this opportunity to listen to some of the greatest works of classical music and support the young soloists and the rest of the symphony.

During the regularly monthly meeting in Olympia, the Washington State Transportation Commission will continue to discuss the SR 520 toll setting.

Tolls for the SR 520 Bridge have not been set but will be discussed during the meeting. There won’t be any toll booths on the bridge; tolling will be done electronically. Motorists will prepay into a “Good to Go” account. When cars approach the bridge, an overhead device reads a transponder sticker on the windshield and automatically deducts the toll from the account. For those who don’t have an account, cameras will record license plates and send out a corresponding bill.

During the meeting, the Commission will work with the Washington State Department of Transportation to develop the toll rate structure. The discussions will cover the setting of the timeline, potential rate levels, and the rate structure.

The meeting is open to the public if you’re interested in attending.

The two-day meeting will be held at the Transportation Building in Olympia at 310 Maple Park Ave. SE. Meeting times are 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18 and 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19.