I would like to introduce you to Richard T. Broderick, A.I.A., Architect As a Registered Architect of over 35 years and a neighbor in Anacortes, Richard cares about the quality of design that defines our community.  From Richard, "I believe I offer a fresh design approach that promotes innovation and sustainability and ultimately provides a unique architectural expression in contrast with many of the routine "cookie cutter" type of new construction that has proliferated within the Anacortes community as of late. My designs strive to take total advantage of the building site with this critical integration between nature and structure apparent from every angle, within every room. I also feel that the "greenist" attribute of good design is creating a home that provides the greatest ameniti... 12/28/2008

The Seattle Times ran a great article on the Heart lake Trail in anacortes, WA   To read the full story click here http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/393224_hike25.htm   TRAIL DATA Heart Lake Length: 2- to 3-mile loop Elevation gain: Up to 200 feet with side trips Rating: Easy Location: Anacortes Scenery: Heart Lake, old-growth forest, birds, wildlife Trail condition: Fair, muddy in spots Challenges: None   The Anacortes City Forest Land is one of the secrets of Anacortes that many people do not discover until they live here.  they move here for the great Marinas, boating, fishing... and then discover that there is a lot ot do on land! To see more go to www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com Jean Groesbeck Coldwell Banker island Living 12/28/2008

It's been many many months since our local comedy pros have taken the stage - and with all the snow and the bleak media reports about the economy, we could all use a little laughter right about now! One night only, January 9, 8:00pm at Brodniak Hall with a special pre-show at 7:30. We are sponsoring this show in conjunction with Marty, Craig, Brian, Nate and the rest to benefit SABA - the Anacortes Schools sports booster association. Tickets are available at the door - $5 - with all the proceeds going to SABA. My advice: GET THERE EARLY! It will be crowded! If you have never seen these very talented guys perform, you are in for something truly hilarious. The show is family-friendly (no swearing or off-color material, but really little kids might not get it), and pretty much guaranteed t... 12/27/2008

The Washington State Ferries are a defining feature of Anacortes in so many ways. Not only are they beautiful to watch as they come and go, they bring tourist dollars through, provide lots of jobs, are a vital link to the rest of our treasured San Juan Islands and give us an amazing, international connection to Vancouver Island and the residents of Sidney and Victoria, BC. The ferry run to Vancouver Island from Anacortes is once again in danger of being eliminated by the State of Washington as a "cost saving" measure. Once again, no one is considering the huge economic impact this ferry run has on our area. This is one of the few state ferry runs that actually operates in the black when all is said and done. Below is part of an announcement from our Anacortes Director of the Chamber of ... 12/24/2008

      M Most of today's blogs are about the weather in our area.  Here are some great photos from Linda Harris, Anacortes real estate agent, showing off her Anacortes home covered in snow. I love the fish garden which adds a lot of color in the winter and fits our seaside community.  But they even look better in the snow!  For more photos check out our other blog... www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com   12/23/2008

We hardly ever get snow... Really! Another three inches or so fell at my house last night - it just keeps coming down! Real Estate must go on, though! So I will put down my sled and take off the apron, (snow makes me want to bake - go figure) and post some real estate stats for those who are interested. 15 single family homes have closed so far in December in Anacortes and Fidalgo Island. That is already over twice as many as November. Good news! Prices are continuing to fall, and although the snow is keeping folks out of the office and off the street, things look a bit more optimistic heading into the New Year. There are currently 253 homes on the market in Anacortes - about 20 of them have accepted offers. Average price of homes sold in December is $339K. Average price of active listi... 12/22/2008

The much loved ferry service between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C., will be eliminated under Gov. Christine Gregoire's new budget. The Anacortes ferry to Sydney operates from early spring until the first week in January.  This year over 113,000 passengers rode this ferry run, which brought lots of tourist dollars to both Anacortes and Sydney. The Anacortes-Sydnay ferry run is scheduled to stop at the end of next summer.  This is a huge disappointment and the  ferry run will be missed!   www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com   12/18/2008

I have had lots of hints from lots of lenders over the past few days about interest rates dropping under 5% - but I just got the first actual confirmation from a lender offering a 30 year fixed at 4.5%. It looks like it's actually here. Hard to believe that they would ever be so low, but encouraging that our fed is willing to go the distance to help out home buyers! 12/17/2008

Skagit County commissioners voted 2-1 to continue to the weekday evening service on the Guemes Island ferry. However, there will be some modifications to the schedule.  During the trial period for the weekday evening runs that began in July 2006, the last ferry time was 10 p.m.  It will be 8:30 beginning on Jan. 1, 2009. The number of runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday were reduced. Midnight runs on weekend nights were eliminated. To view the Guemes Island Ferry Schedule visit our website www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com   12/17/2008

The Enchantress was a tugboat that was abandoned several years ago in Anacortes.  After much debate it was decided that it would be removed, and it turned out to be quite a process.  Global Diving & Salvage removed the engine block from the water last week.  Part of the keel was attached to it and was estimated that the weight could have been as high as 200 tons!  It took the larges barge-mounted crane on the West Coast to do the job! The company's crews were working for the Port of Anacortes and the Washington State Department of Ecology.      12/17/2008

New Anacortes, WA Website Launched (edit/delete) We would also like to invite you to visit the new website we have launched to be able to give you updates on the real estate market in a more timely fashion.  Our print newsletter has been very popular, but the data is usually 10 days olds by the time you get the letters.  Our new website is http://www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com It is an addition to our current website and not only will have information on the real estate market, but also information on local events.  If you have an event that you would like to post please send me an email. Some of things you might want to post are club meetings, garage sales, home owner association meetings, etc. We just posted some new market stats so please visit the site and give us you feedback!    ... 12/16/2008

It NEVER snows in Anacortes! Really! Except once in a while... like now! If memory serves, but it often doesn't, this year's weather pattern seems eerily similar to the winter of 1996, when we had a ton of snow throughout the holidays, even a fresh few inches on Christmas morning to cover Santa's tracks. We have escaped the usual November winds, and I don't remember a cold Northerly wind like this in the last few years. So... white Christmas? Maybe! I know my kids are hoping so! I'd tell you where the best sledding is in town, but then everyone would know and it would get crowded. All I can say is stay off the streets - that is really dangerous. If you want the inside tip on where to sled safely, call me. In the meantime, get busy on that snowman! For lots of local links and info about ... 12/15/2008

We are having a winter storm with worse weather to come.  The high winds have caused a power outage on Orcas Island so it has caused some interruptions in the ferry schedule.  You can expect power outages throughout the islands for the next couple of days if these high winds continue. Stock up on batteries now.  Be careful of using candles!!! Get your wood supply close to the house, and cover it up in case we do get snow. We get a few bad windstorms a year, but they say these is going to be a biggy! There are white caps in Guemes Channel and the Ferries are rocking.  The storm is really fun to watch, and even winter storms are beautiful in our area of the country. www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com   12/13/2008

I was recently working with a client looking at a commercial property and was sent a Google Street View link. Last I checked they were only doing major metro areas however this morning I noticed the little yellow figure on the map and gave it a try. Sure enough - The Googlers had driven through town to the end of main street and out to the ferry. Wow this is just like when we got our first traffic light, McDonald and Walgreens. Only this time we are really on the map. I suspect the Google Streetview car was through in early summer as the Fidalgo Coffee stand was open but the ACS building was not complete.    Google doesn't announce when they are going to map an areas but one needs to stay tuned to changes that can help remote clients get a feel for the area.             Rick Bunzel, CRI... 12/13/2008

Washington Park is on the west end of Fidalgo Island. The 220-acre city park features camping, a boat launch, and day use picnic sites. A scenic 2.2-mile loop road winds through the park's forested hills and meadows with views of the San Juan Islands and Olympic Mountains.  The Seattle Times just ran a great article on this fabulous city park in Anacortes, WA Anacortes' Washington Park: birds, views and cool rocks.  click here to hear the entire article. If you would like to see Anacortes homes for sale click here If you would like to learn more about Anacortees, WA and Anacortes community events please visit www.AnacortesCommunityBlog.com 12/11/2008

Well, it's not exactly skinny-dipping, but it sure is fun to watch! The Thunderbirds will be going with whoever else is brave enough to jump in Clearlake for a quick swim on New Years Day, 2009. I haven't actually swam in the lake, but I was so cold last year just standing on the shore that I was pretty convinced I had frostbite! I was never so happy to see a cup of hot cocoa! If you count yourself among the brave of heart, contact me and I'll put you in touch with the powers that be to get you registered for the event and hook you up with a really cool T-Shirt that says... Penguin Dip! 12/10/2008

Congratulations are in order to the Anacortes swimmers from the Thunderbird Aquatic Club that made it into the Pacific NW Swimming Short Course Champs meet! We are sending 9 - count them - NINE swimmers this December to the meet in Federal Way over the weekend of the 13th and 14th. The Thunderbirds are a USA swimming club with age group swimmers from the very very young to the very very... well, you know what I mean! If you'd like more info about the Thunderbirds, see the website at www.thunderbirdswim.org. Please support our local Anacortes pool. Not only is it the home of the Thunderbirds, it is an invaluable community asset. The next time a pool levy is on the ballot, remember that we are so lucky to have such a great faciility!     12/10/2008

Broadniak hall is decked out for the holidays! First, it's the Nutcracker, performed by Fidalgo DanceWorks. A holiday tradition, especially in Anacortes. Only two shows, so get there early - they will both sell out as  usual! Saturday, December 13 at 7pm and Sunday, December 14 at 3pm. Anacortes High School Holiday Choir Concert is Monday at 7pm. Our choir is excellent - if you haven't seen them yet- please go to this concert. From contemporary to traditional holiday selections, our choir director likes to mix it up and she really inspires these kids. They are great! Next up it's the Holiday High School Band concert. Go Band! This is a lot of fun and will get you in the holiday mood with great symphonic band selections and some really cool drumline performances. 'Cause nothing says Chri... 12/10/2008

Attention Anacortes Boaters!   The annual Anacortes Boat Parade will be on December 19, 2008 from  06:00 PM - 09:00 PM The boats travel up Guemes Channel from Can Sante Boat Haven to just past Lourvic's and then back to Cap Sante.  The events grows each year with more boats and usually Santa is on one of the boats.   La Conner and Anacortes boaters can meet up and form a line in Fidalgo Bay outside of Cap Sante Boat Haven.   If you would like to participate call  360.507.9999 or sign up sheet at Harbor Master office, Skipper Cress Yacht Sales and Island Adventures. www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com   12/08/2008

 CHRISTMAS CANDY RECIPES at a click.  Make sure to share!   CANDY   This is remarkable. If you have no particular interest, please pass it on to the bakers in your life.  Just click on the name of the CANDY and bam the recipe appears!       2 Minute Microwave Fudge 5 Minute Fudge 7 Layer Bars Aaron's Buttery Cashew Brittle Almond Bark Amanda's Peppermint Creams Ann's Cream Nut Candy Bavarian Inn Peanut Bars Beth's Delicious Fudge Brownie Fudge Dessert Buckeyes Buckeyes Butter Toffee Candied Yams Candy Bar Brownies Candy Cane Brittle Candy Cane Fudge Caramel Krispie Treats Caramels Carmel Corn Carol's Christmas Treats Chocolate Almond Bars Chocolate Balls Chocolate Billionaires Chocolate Chow Mein Candy Chocolate Covered Cherries Chocolate Covered Nuts Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Bal... 12/06/2008