Open House Thursday 11/29, 11 am - 1 pm - come for the cookies!

I am holding an open house tomorrow at my fabulous 2 bedroom 2 bath 'SUITE" AS PIE condo listing in Federal Way. VAULTED CEILINGS allow room for a HUGE TREE. MOVE IN BEFORE Christmas!

This is a Broker's Open that is open to the public.

We're hitting all the hot buttons with this one...
~ 2 bedroom/2 bathroom top-level condominium home all on one level (NOT a townhouse!)
~ Great contemporary floor plan (built 1999)
~ 1,241 sq ft*
~ One car garage
~ Large deck accessed from both living room and master suite
~ Master suite with double vanity, private bath, and a walk-in closet!
~ Second bedroom also has a walk-in closet
~ Open-concept floor plan with vaulted ceilings
~ Cozy gas fireplace
~ Separate laundry with washer, gas dryer, and lots of cabinets
~ Five hallway closets—tons of storage!
~ Wired for in-house vacuum and security systems

This home has it all, plus these other highlights:
* Private one car garage!
* All appliances stay!
** Just across the street from the new Casey Treat CFC South and just down the street from Weyerhaeuser International HQ
* Small, quiet neighborhood with easy access to shopping, parks, trails, and freeways.

2218 South 336th Street, #605
Federal Way, WA 98003
NWMLS #27196623
Listed at $229,950

Presented by Wendy Hughes-Jelen, Licensed Real Estate Professional and Built Green Program Member and Linda L. Lane, Licensed Real Estate Broker

Contact your agent or call 206.686.HOME (4663) for a personal tour

*Source: King County Records
All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Buyer to verify to own satisfaction.
Presented by Wendy Hughes-Jelen, Licensed Real Estate Professional and Built Green Program Member and
Linda L. Lane, Licensed Real Estate Broker
Contact your agent or call 206.686.HOME (4663) for a personal tour

EMAIL ME for a LINK to the online listing information and FULL PHOTO GALLERY

*Source: King County Records
All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Buyer to verify to own satisfaction.

You light up my life

Things are finally "shaking out" here at the new house, and we are starting to see where there is a lack of lighting - mostly because we re-purposed the rooms for our own use instead of using them according to how they were labeled on the floor plan.

We've been having trouble with lighting in our general living area - mostly because we are trying to cut down on glare on the 50" plasma screen 15 feet away. The floor lamp we had just didn't work in the same space as the very tall cat furniture tower we rewarded "the kids" with when we moved. But on occasion I would like to be able to sit here and read a magazine (this occurs most when one of us is waiting for the other to get started with a show or something).

Of course, the designer lighting we would like to have installed costs a fortune and we just aren't ready to spend that kind of money. But when I went online to the web site for Seattle Lighting I found a number of wall sconce options that could be converted to plug-in type lighting (to cut down on installation costs of course).

So the best way to get what you want is to be the one who puts together the list. I sent my husband a list of about 10 links to certain wall sconces that *I* liked. It makes it easier for him, since he doesn't have time to do the hunting, and I am not faced with choices I hate. It's a win-win situation.

Now, I wasn't looking for Energy Star lighting specifically. But I was pleasantly surprised that we intersected on a nice fixture (pictured above) that had a painted Restoration bronze finish with French Scavo glass. It includes two 13-watt spiral G24q-1 4 pin compact fluorescent bulbs. I really don't like the quality of lighting from a CFL - it's a real compromise for me to use them, despite the energy benefits. I suspect because the bulbs will be behind this beautifully colored glass I won't notice the harshness of the lighting.

This fixture meets strict Energy Star® requirements. Energy Star® is a government-backed program dedicated to promoting products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This organization assists individuals and businesses in the identification of energy efficient products.

I also am willing to use more CFLs because it is getting easier and easier to dispose of burned out bulbs. CFLs contain mercury and can not be placed in the trash. It is considered a hazardous waste. I used to kick them around the house for months before a trip to the transfer station where we could turn them in. Now many of the local hardware stores have a "take it back" program for CFLs - I am so happy about this!

If you search "Energy Star" at the online store for Seattle Lighting, called Destination Lighting, you will find 251 different products and a number of indoor and outdoor options. Light up the night and your life! We did! I can't wait for it to arrive. I guess we will have to stop moving the furniture around now.

UPDATE: Drat, backordered until December 20th! That just means we have great taste...

And put a big fat red bow on it!

I laughed in delight and appreciation when I saw the latest marketing effort by The Dwelling Company sales team down the street at the 31st Avenue Collection. This is Bungalow 2044, you can view the floorplan here. They're doing some work with the porous sidewalk out front right now so I couldn't get much closer. This photo is taken with my cell phone - well, my Sprint Pocket PC. Not bad, eh?

It would make a perfect Christmas gift for someone you love. If you are seeking Buyer's Agency representation, I'm your High Point expert! And future neighbor... Email me.

Get your Xmas groove on this weekend

There are tickets still available for Trans-Siberian Orchestra this Saturday. My husband Steve and I are going with some friends. I've always wanted to go but never managed to quite get there (Mannheim Steamroller is also on my list...maybe next year). My friend who suggested it, a mother of two boys, doesn't get out much and I expect things are going to get crazy as she is turned loose in downtown Seattle without the usual obstruction to fun two kids can create. Yes, I am child-free, and I like it that way. I don't know how people with kids even think straight over all the racket they make.

Anyway, we've got super seats for the 3 PM show in order to allow as much post-concert time downtown as possible - I hear booking babysitters, even family, for child-watching can be a real hassle! She wants a fancy dinner out and maybe some shopping. Of course we will take the Monorail from Seattle Center to Westlake Center.

We are making sure the husbands get into the holiday spirit early this year. Earlier than December 1st seemed a little unreasonable, so that's why this concert seemed to fit our bill perfectly. There's nothing like a bah-humbug partner to put a wet blanket - and not one of white snow - on holiday festivities.

Also planned this weekend is a visit to a Westover Tree Farm, a family-owned tree farm in Maple Valley (click here for a list of tree farms and u-cut tree sources). We'll select an appropriately sized Noble fir to bring back to our new townhome to decorate. The size of the tree is still under negotiation and is largely determined by my husband's energy level each year. See, stringing lights on a tree is an art. In my family, we just twirled the string around and around. When I got married and had my first Xmas with husband I was delighted by how he put the lights on the tree. He was taught by HIS dad to put the lights up and down every branch. You wouldn't (or maybe you would if you do it this way) understand what a huge difference this makes in the overall impression of the tree. And there is no going back. I am trying for a 8-footer this year, but we'll see what kind of mood he is in on Sunday.

I hope you get your holiday season off to a great start and do something fun this weekend!

"Greenwashing" does not refer to an earth-friendly laundry process

Some business 'green' boasts are suspect - Buyers should beware of misleading, irrelevant claims. This important article by Darrell Smith of The Sacramento (Calif). Bee is a reminder to you as you head into shopping this holiday season. It actually applies to your every day household shopping, not just holiday shopping. My advice to you is to "engage brain". Don't just trust what you read on a label. Read the ingredients (always) - and most anything you can't pronounce is not a natural ingredient!

You can learn even more about the term "greenwash" on Wikipedia - it has its own entry!

I've saved you a click by pasting the article below, but feel free to visit the original site thru the link above. Also, you can read the entire report, "The Six Sins of Greenwashing" here.

Many "green" claims may be shady
Survey suggests consumers should take a hard look at eco-friendly credentials.
By Darrell Smith
Last Updated 12:41 am PST Friday, November 23, 2007
Story appeared in BUSINESS section, Page D1

Products from air fresheners to toothpastes lure consumers with promises of eco-friendly ingredients, but can they back up their boasts?

A new survey suggests that many companies' green claims are as authentic as a $20 Gucci handbag at a flea market.

Virtually all – 99 percent – of more than 1,000 products plucked from supermarkets and box stores falsely claimed green credentials, according to "The Six Sins of Greenwashing," a survey by Pennsylvania-based environmental marketing firm TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc.

Neither the products nor their manufacturers were identified, but products ranged from deodorant to oven cleaner.

"Consumers are inundated with products that make green claims. Some are accurate, while others are just plain fibbing to sell products," said Scott McDougall, president of TerraChoice, in a prepared statement, adding that the goal is to educate consumers so "they can buy green with confidence."

Consumers should look for:

The Sin of the Hidden Trade-Off: Nearly 1,000 of 1,018 products suggest a product is better merely because it contains a so-called green ingredient – recycled paper, for instance – but fail to mention that the product contains a hazardous material.

The Sin of No Proof: A quarter of the products claimed to be "organic" but with no verifiable certification.

The Sin of Vagueness: Eleven percent of products claimed to be 100 percent natural, but that alone does not mean a product is "eco-friendly" since many naturally occurring substances are hazardous.

The Sin of Irrelevance: In labeling on 78 products, manufacturers patted themselves on the back for leaving out hazardous ingredients that were banned by law.

The Sin of the Lesser of Two Evils: Researchers singled out makers of organic cigarettes and environmentally friendly pesticides because their products pose a hazard but are marketed as a healthy alternative. Seventeen products fell into this category.

The Sin of Fibbing: About 10 manufacturers falsely claimed that they met a recognized environmental standard but did not.

The survey's findings inspired the marketing firm to coin a new word, "greenwashing." TerraChoice staff defines it as the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.

"We want consumers to leave with a healthy skepticism regarding environmental claims," said Scot Case, TerraChoice's vice president and one of the survey authors. "People are using their resources to buy greener products. We hope they will be much harder to fool."

Drawing attention to potentially misleading green claims is a good idea, said Ronald Bailey, a policy analyst at Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank in Washington, D.C. Yet he questioned how concerned consumers should be.

"I'm not going to disagree with a lot of what they say. Consumers are interested in this information, and it's important for business to give them that kind of information," Bailey said. "But there are so many dimensions of green. Who decides what's OK and how worried should we be about them?"

TerraChoice hopes to put pressure on manufacturers to develop standards to back up their environmental credentials and adhere to "ecolabeling" programs such as Canada's EcoLogo.
The program, launched in 1988 and similar to the federal EnergyStar energy conservation program, helps consumers identify products that are less harmful to the environment.
Not coincidentally, TerraChoice has managed EcoLogo since 1995, certifying companies to receive EcoLogo recognition. The firm disclosed the connection in its news release. The relationship concerns Bailey.

"Obviously, they have people they prefer. I think they prefer their clients. Bottom line, they're saying go with the labeling firms we recommend," Bailey said. "They're saying, 'Let us make the judgment about trade-offs. Don't worry, we'll decide for you.'"

As for Bailey: "I never look for whether a product is green or not green. That's irrelevant. I look for whether it works and if it's too expensive."

Go toward the light...

LED lights are everywhere these days, and for good reason. I bought my first holiday LED lights three years ago straight from the source, Inirgee, when there was only ONE DESIGN. Now there are several to choose from and I can't wait to augment my collection.


Today's Tip from Ideal Bite is called "What are the holiday lights at the end of the tunnel?" They also provide a couple of sources of lights that are new to me!

The Bite
Aren't you just dying to know? Easy: LED holiday lights. LED stands for light-emitting diode - a heavenly little bit of technology that lights things up using very little energy.

The Benefits
* Watching energy bills flatline. LED bulbs use 90% less electricity than traditional holiday bulbs.
* Killing off holiday hassle. With their 20-year lifetimes, you don't have to replace LED light-strings as often as conventional ones.
* More cash on the other side. Burning 10 strands of lights with 100 lights per strand, eight hours per day for a month costs $175 for incandescent bulbs vs. about $1 for LED mini-bulbs.
* Seeing the light, not heating it. Incandescent lights give off as much as 90% of their energy as heat, leading to fire concerns. LEDs barely warm up.

Wanna Try?
Brookstone LED Mini-Ice Lights - small white or multicolored lights; 24-ft strands ($20).
Forever Lights - pinecone-esque colored or white bulbs; 24-ft small-bulb strand, 16-ft large-bulb ($19-$29).

Building an entire green city

China's environmental problems and massive energy needs affect everything from global warming and oil prices to the air quality in Western Washington. Seattle-area experts, including venture capitalists, urban planners and architects of green buildings, are helping to change that. From business developments to plans for growing an entire green city from scratch, Seattle-area professionals are helping to clean up our air - and China's, too.

No doubt Seattle's High Point neighborhood has been toured by Chinese leaders in trying to create livable green communities. Delegations from many countries have taken a walk in High Point.

Read Can a bold new "eco-city" clear the air in China?

Mark your calendar!
On January 12th I will be leading a tour of High Point from both a resident's, and also a real estate professional's, perspective. You will also have the opportunity to speak with an Energy Efficient Mortgage professional. Stay tuned for registration information.

Dreaming of a green Christmas? Shrink your environmental footprint

Must-read article in today's Seattle PI.

Announcing the publication of my first calendar!

Announcing the publication of my first calendar, only made possible by the amazing photographers in our Italian Greyhound (IG) meetup group, IGGY Ambassadors. I initiated a photo contest a year ago and challenged members to theme photos depending on the season or holiday. I turned over management of the club to a committee of volunteers about three months ago, when I launched a new dog club in my neighborhood of High Point, called The High Point K9 Club. But I retained "control" of the photo contest and my personal mission to create a beautiful calendar with a portion of the proceeds to benefit IG rescue efforts in the Northwest, for which I have to thank for assisting me with finding and adopting Sophia (pictured here and on the cover of the calendar).

You can see a preview of the entire calendar on my web site which opens it in PDF format. It is best viewed at 40% so you can see the entire page of each month.

You can purchase a copy of the calendar here. 16% of all sales goes directly to help pay for vet bills and other costs associated with the very active Northwest Italian greyhound rescue community.

Just In Time! Tips for "Green" Holiday Shopping

Getting ready for Black Friday? I saw a TV ad this morning for Linens N Things and a 5 AM opening time. I can't believe I am entertaining the thought of arriving that early to get a good deal on window curtains for our new townhome. But as the nights get colder, it's becoming more obvious that those big northeast-facing windows - that provide the most amazing views of sunrise - are hard to protect from heat loss. We don't want to put the mini blinds back up since painting because they're too "sterile" looking. We know we want real draperies. And we can't afford the custom window treatments we worked on with our interior designer until I sell a couple more houses. I am working over the holiday weekend, by the way. If you're looking to tour green homes for sale at High Point, or would like to work with a Buyer's Agent (that's me) for home shopping anywhere in my "territory" (see my bio at right), please email me! I have a couple of time slots that might work for you.

One of the best things you can do is shop close to where you live (less gas, decreasing environmental impacts) and support independently-owned businesses in your neighborhood (always a good thing!). Four years ago I made it a personal challenge to do ALL of my holiday shopping in West Seattle, with just a bit of supplement from online purchasing made from home. I found it fun to explore stores I had been meaning to visit but hadn't had a chance to. Every year since I have done all of my gift shopping in West Seattle. This year's challenge is to not buy anything Made In China. Until you start trying to do that you don't realize how much product in our country is imported from there.

Oh, and a way to get around the electricity-wasting holiday lights is to buy LED lights. I bought my first ones three years ago and I love them!

The Environmental Stewardship Committee at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has some tips for shoppers who want to help the environment by
conserving resources.

“One of the best ways to take good care of the environment is to vote with your dollars and buy products that are environmentally friendly,” said Cindy Parker, MD, MPH, a research scientist and a member of the School’s Environmental Stewardship Committee.

Gift Ideas

Avoid gifts that will be thrown away, use excessive packaging, or are made from environmentally sensitive materials, particularly tropical wood such as mahogany, teak, or rosewood.

Buy gifts made from recycled materials or use natural materials such as unbleached cotton or beeswax.

Choose durable, energy-efficient gifts that use wind-up power or use rechargeable batteries. Give energy-saving products such as florescent light bulbs or low-flow shower heads.

Give recycled gifts such as antiques, family heirlooms, or personal items.

Give non-material gifts such as tickets to an event, dance lessons, spa visit, or membership to a museum or gym. Offer your time for babysitting, dog walking, or car washing.

Make edible gifts such as breads, cookies, dried fruits, or nuts. Package them in reusable tins, baskets, jars, or decorative bags or boxes. Sew, knit, or paint a homemade gift. Tape a personal message for family and friends.

For kids, consider giving an environmental excursion, such as whale-watching or camping trip or make a gift to charity in a loved one's name.

Shopping

Combining multiple shopping trips or sharing rides with friends, family, and neighbors saves fuel.

Shopping for gifts online reduces energy consumption and air pollution.

Use your own reusable bags for shopping or combine purchases from different stores into one bag.

Gift Wrapping

According to the Use Less Stuff Report, Americans increase their trash by 25 percent each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s—approximately 1 million extra tons of trash per week. If every household reused just two feet of ribbon each year, the resulting 38,000 miles of ribbon could tie a bow around the Earth.

To wrap your gifts, buy recycled wrapping paper or add a personal touch by using old maps, sheet music, newspaper comics, or colorful ads from old magazines.

Use useful items for wrapping such as scarves, dish towels, or handkerchiefs.

Use popcorn or newspaper for packing and reuse your packing materials. You can also reuse boxes, baskets, bags, and tins. Old cards can be recycled into gift tags.

Send e-mail holiday greeting cards. According the Environmental News Network, Americans send 750 million greeting cards each year. They estimate that a 10 percent reduction could save an estimated 30,000 trees.

Decorating

Buy a living Christmas tree and plant it outside after Christmas. Make sure you dig the hole before the ground freezes.

If you do buy a cut Christmas tree, take it to a tree collection center so it will be recycled for mulch for use in city’s parks and does not become part of a landfill.

When decorating the tree, minimize the size and amount of electric lights to save energy. Use decorations like strings of popcorn or dried cranberries, which can be fed to birds after the holidays.

Operating lights for no more than six evening hours a day keeps energy use and costs under control. Timers are a simple and safe way to turn lights off. For safety, always unplug lights before going to bed or leaving home.

Use energy efficient lighting. LED light strings use one-tenth the energy of incandescent lights.

New “icicle-style” lights use more lights per linear foot than regular light strands and use more energy.

Entertaining

Set out containers to collect bottles and cans for recycling.

Use regular dishes instead of disposable ones. If you must use disposables, use dishes made out of recycled paper.

Donate leftover food to local food banks and shelters.

Turn down the heat a few degrees before guests arrive. All those bodies will warm up the room.

Avoid using disposable cameras for pictures.


If you would like a printer-friendly version of this "green" shopping checklist, email me and I would be happy to send you one.


Public Affairs Media Contacts for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health:Tim Parsons or Kenna Brigham @ 410-955-6878 or paffairs@jhsph.edu.

Green is the new black

Americans are willing to pay more for a "green" home if, that is, lawmakers are willing to offer ways to help defray the extra cost, a recent survey found.

Seventy-eight percent of registered voters polled last month in a survey commissioned by the National Association of Home Builders said they'd be more inclined to purchase a home with environmentally friendly features if the government offered incentives or rebates. Among those who said they'd be willing to pay more for a green home, 74% said they'd be willing to pay no more than an extra 10%.

Interestingly enough, I've heard green builders in the Pacific Northwest say over and over again that adding green features might only increase a home's price by 7-10%. I recently toured "The Homestead", new Martha Rose Construction in the Greenwood neighborhood and she confirmed those numbers. Those green features will also create energy savings down the road. The use of solar could even make your meter run backwards and you could get a check from the Seattle City Light instead of getting a bill from the utility.

Watch this video of the Martha Rose Construction process to get a thorough understanding of what differentiates a green home from just any other home. And, of course, if it had not been pitch black out when my Green Real Estate class toured these homes, I would have more pictures! And it goes without saying if you're interested in touring these homes as a prospective buyer, email me using the button on the right hand side of your screen. What environmentlal conscious home buyer wouldn't want to buy a house from a cool builder that had not one, but TWO, Smarties in the garage at the construction site?

The findings illustrate an important point: While green features enjoy popularity these days, consumers aren't blind to the immediate effect the technologies will have on their pocketbooks.

There's no doubt that green is hot, but most consumers have to balance that desire to be environmentally conscious with their concern for preserving the greenbacks in their wallets.

Yoga With Dogs

The High Point K9 Club is trying to organize a “yoga with your dog” class or workshop. Please email me if you would like to be added to the list to be notified when one is announced!

I had the opportunity to take a "yoga with your dog" class series at the Humane Society last spring. It is an ongoing class in Bellevue. But the instructor lives in West Seattle, Brenda Bryan, and she is a teacher at 8 Limbs Yoga in the Junction.

I spoke with her about trying to find a west side location for a class. High Point Community Center has agreed to work with me to provide a location for a class or workshop.

I am trying to gauge interest since a minimum of 4 people is required to run any program at the community center. Participants can come from anywhere, not just West Seattle.

Please see the additional information to learn more about "yoga with your dog" and Brenda Bryan. Be sure to contact me if you are interested in participating.

Here's more info about Brenda Bryan: http://brendabryan.net/index.html Her blog has a list of links for TV appearances: http://www.dogyoga.blogspot.com/

Other press about this phenomenon:
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/04/03/doga_ani.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17930468/

Green schools save money and energy

Heads-up 7-Up! Remember that game in school? Well, reducing the carbon footprint of school campuses around the Puget Sound area is no game these days. Highlighted today in the Seattle Times are students at Redmond High School and Issaquah High School who are saving their schools money and reducing the school's carbon footprint by 72 tons! (Go Redmond Mustangs!)

The King County Green Schools Program helps schools and school districts to:

• Initiate or expand conservation practices and reduce related costs.


• Increase awareness of conservation strategies among administrators, staff, students and parents.


• Receive recognition as stewards of the environment who serve as models for their students and the community.

You can see the complete list of participating schools and school districts and read some of their success stories here.

Great job everyone!

Just for fun

If you have forgotten the rules of Heads Up Seven Up, here is a refresher!

Seven students were in front of the class. The class laid their heads on their desk. The seven went out and each touched a person. That person would stick his or her thumb up. Then the seven would say "heads up seven up" and each student got one chance to guess which of the seven touched him If they guessed right than they changed places. If they did not the same person got to stay up.

OR

Played inside a classroom...everyone puts their heads down on their desks and extends one thumb. The teacher chooses one person as "It." He/she goes around touching the thumbs of six people. If your thumb is touched, you go to the front of the room. When this has been accomplished, "It" yells, "Seven up!" Everyone raises their heads and has to guess which of the seven people is "It."

Get that super tall Christmas tree you always wanted...

Tooting the horn on my fabulous 2 bedroom 2 bath 'SUITE" AS PIE condo listing in Federal Way. VAULTED CEILINGS allow room for a HUGE TREE. Vacant and READY for MOVE IN BEFORE Christmas!

We're hitting all the hot buttons with this one...
~ 2 bedroom/2 bathroom top-level condominium home all on one level (NOT a townhouse!)
~ Great contemporary floor plan (built 1999)
~ 1,241 sq ft*
~ One car garage
~ Large deck accessed from both living room and master suite
~ Master suite with double vanity, private bath, and a walk-in closet!
~ Second bedroom also has a walk-in closet
~ Open-concept floor plan with vaulted ceilings
~ Cozy gas fireplace
~ Separate laundry with washer, gas dryer, and lots of cabinets
~ Five hallway closets—tons of storage!
~ Wired for in-house vacuum and security systems

This home has it all, plus these other highlights:
* Private one car garage!
* All appliances stay!
** Just across the street from the new Casey Treat CFC South and just down the street from Weyerhaeuser International HQ
* Small, quiet neighborhood with easy access to shopping, parks, trails, and freeways.

2218 South 336th Street, #605
Federal Way, WA 98003
NWMLS #27196623

Presented by Wendy Hughes-Jelen, Licensed Real Estate Professional and Built Green Program Member and Linda L. Lane, Licensed Real Estate Broker

Contact your agent or call 206.686.HOME (4663) for a personal tour

*Source: King County Records
All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Buyer to verify to own satisfaction.
Presented by Wendy Hughes-Jelen, Licensed Real Estate Professional and Built Green Program Member and
Linda L. Lane, Licensed Real Estate Broker
Contact your agent or call 206.686.HOME (4663) for a personal tour

EMAIL ME for a LINK to the online listing information and FULL PHOTO GALLERY

*Source: King County Records
All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Buyer to verify to own satisfaction.

Cool City Pets

The Seattle Animal Shelter continues showcasing “cool city pets” for adoption every third Saturday of the month. For the remainder of the year, the dates are Nov. 17 and Dec. 15. Between the hours of 1 and 3 p.m., potential adopters can get acquainted with the many small animals available for adoption from the shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., about a mile south of the Ballard Bridge. Available small animals include hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and mice

"The Seattle Animal Shelter isn’t just about cats and dogs anymore,” says Director Don Jordan. “Because of our tremendous success in adopting out cats and dogs, we are now entrusted with the lives of all animals when pet owners can no longer care for them. Adopting an animal from the Seattle Animal Shelter is the right thing to do.”

Volunteer small-animal specialists are on hand to help adopters find the right pet for them. They provide information about each animal’s characteristics and needs, demonstrate basic care and handling skills, and answer questions.

All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Animals may be adopted by adults only. Adopters must be prepared to provide proper housing, food, water, toys and other materials necessary for the good health of the animal.

If you would like more information or directions, please call (206) 386-PETS(7387) or visit the shelter’s website at http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org/. The shelter is open every day, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for licensing.

The Seattle Animal Shelter reserves the right to approve or deny any animal adoptions and limits the number of small animal adoptions to no more than three per household.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Don Jordan (206) 386-4286
Katherine Schubert-Knapp (206) 684-0909
Kathy Sugiyama (206) 684-0909

Get your free trees, Seattle homeowners!

The Parks Department has some free, very nice, thornless Hawthorn and Ash trees available for private property - you just have to pick them up. They are a good size, and they fit in the average hatchback car. If you are interested, contact Linden Mead in the Urban Forestry group.

These trees were bought by the city for the Mayor's initiative to increase canopy cover in Seattle.

What's your carbon footprint - for those boots?

Sign me up! It's hard work trying to figure out what is the most environmentally-responsible product to purchase when faced with so many choices. Now Timberland, the boot manufacturer, is starting to put "carbon labels" on some of their footwear! Too cool, and what a useful tool being willingly provided by this forward-thinking company. Thanks Timberland! King5.com print story here and video here.

iApartment, Euro-style

There's been some buzz about Unico Properties "inhabit" modular apartments, currently on exhibit downtown. Unico will be going for LEED certification with these hot pads, soon to be built in Seattle and Portland for the hip and environmentally conscious.Read the news story at King5.com and take a video tour here.

Green hostess gifts : How to give the gift of apple cider

Just came across a great video on King5.com, my husband's and my favorite King County farmer, Wade Bennett, of Rockridge Orchards. Watch the video here.

You can visit Wade and taste all of his wonderful ciders and wines (and tomatoes and pears and everything else they grow) at the West Seattle Farmers Market on Sundays. And he will be there thru the end of February! They also can be found at Columbia City, University Heights, and Ballard Farmers Markets.

Our secret recipe is to add his Raspberry Wine to Blue Sky Cream Soda. It's our very own special spritzer!

Personal space near a green place

Who wouldn't want to live close to parks and trails? This condo is great and if I was sick of waiting to get my foot in the door of homeownership, this would be the way to go.

So...what are YOUR hot buttons? Are you looking for...
~ 2 bedroom/2 bathroom top-level condominium home all on one level (NOT a townhouse!)
~ Great contemporary floor plan (built 1999)
~ 1,241 sq ft*
~ One car garage
~ Large deck accessed from both living room and master suite
~ Master suite with double vanity, private bath, and a walk-in closet!
~ Second bedroom also has a walk-in closet
~ Open-concept floor plan with vaulted ceilings
~ Cozy gas fireplace
~ Separate laundry with washer, gas dryer, and lots of cabinets
~ Five hallway closets—tons of storage!
~ Wired for in-house vacuum and security systems

This home has it all, plus all appliances stay!
Located just across the street from the new Casey Treat CFC South and just down the street from Weyerhaeuser International HQ. Walk to work!
Cute, small, quiet neighborhood with easy access to shopping, parks, and trails.

2218 South 336th Street, #605
Federal Way, WA 98003
NWMLS #27196623

Presented by Wendy Hughes-Jelen, Licensed Real Estate Professional and Built Green Program Member and Linda L. Lane, Licensed Real Estate Broker

Contact your agent or call 206.686.HOME (4663) for a personal tour

*Source: King County Records
All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Buyer to verify to own satisfaction.

My 15 Seconds of Fame

Yesterday was a big day for me. High Point was presented with an international Award for Excellece from the Urban Land Institute and I was asked to make the welcoming remarks as a resident of the neighborhood. I brought along my 4-legged visual aid, Sophia.

The West Seattle Blog summarizes it best in their post High Point's Party, and also includes the KIRO 7 news video clip that was featured live from High Point yesterday. Check it out!

Of course, I closed with the remark that there were only a few homes left for sale in this phase, and that I would be happy to help anyone wanting to make the move to High Point!

I will say it again - if you have not toured High Point yet, you need to. Please drop me a line!

Keeping it local for a green Thanksgiving

Don't miss this great article in the Seattle PI about reducing your carbon footprint by eating locally grown food this holiday season.






My recommendations? A free-range heritage turkey (if still available) from Skagit River Ranch (family pictured here), potatoes and vegetables in season from your local farmers market, and if you're not a baker, pick up really nice organic pies at PCC. Or, if you want a little less work, you can order an entire organic Thanksgiving meal from PCC as well. Order online here.

Whole Foods also offers a holiday menu.

And just a note...If you've not been to a local farm lately, you need to go! Pet some chickens, feed some pigs, and talk to the people who are growing your food. You will learn a lot! I have visited Skagit River Ranch in Sedro Woolley numerous times. There's always great stuff to sample at the farm store and everyone is so nice! Find a farm to visit here.

And even more information...
If you would like to learn more about how to eat locally this Thanksgiving, Seattle Tilth is hosting a free event this Tuesday, Nov. 6th. The Eat Local Thanksgiving campaign is off and running! 1,214 pledges as of when I made my pledge at 2 PM Sunday, Nov. 4th. Estimated Pounds of CO2 Emissions Prevented: 2,670.80 Read how this was calculated.