Thurston county residents will be happy to hear that home buyers are coming alive again. As mortgage rates fall, applications rise. The last few weeks have seen a significant increase in the number of applications for new home buyers, as well as those who are refinancing their current mortgages.   Applications showed an increase of 7.6 percent from present weeks according to the Mortgage Banker Association. Those looking to refinance represented more than 79.4 percent of all applicants, the highest since April 2009.    While applications to refinance rose 8.6 percent, new home applications were up 3.4 percent, and government purchase applications were up 8 percent.   Mortgage rates in the Olympia area continue to fall as they follow the falling trend of falling U.S. Treasury bonds. The ... 08/05/2010

08/04/2010

I'm always on the look-out for unusual sights and special events in Olympia for my Olympia Uncovered blog. This morning on my way to work on Olympia's West Side, I came across this sight on Black Lake Boulevard.     I did a little bit of googling when I got back to the office and learned that Pastor John from the Evergreen Christian Center is planning on living on this platform, 40 ft. in the air, in an effort to raise money for Project Rescue in India and Africa's Hope. Project Rescue is working on ending sexual slavery. Africa's Hope is helping equip pastors with the necessary tools needed to train believers. John will be camping out from August 1st until August 8th. It's supposed to get pretty hot in the next couple of days, so you may see him hanging out under the sun umbrella. Peop... 08/02/2010

07/28/2010

Kids 16 and under will flood the streets of downtown Olympia wearing costumes and showing off their animal family memebers. This will be the 81st annual Pet Parade in Olympia. Parade participants number more than 1000 and a huge variety of pets are featured.    Prizes are awarded in many catagories and donations are accepted of unopened bags and cans of pet food. The parade starts in Heritage Park on Water Street adjacent to Capitol Lake.  The parade route runs eight blocks to Sylvester Park on Legion Way. Parade marchers will begin lining up at 8am and the parade begins at 10am. The judgeing is from 8:30 am to 9:45am at Heritage park in Olympia. The catagories are Pets, Wheels, Impersonations, Big Dogs, Little Dogs, and Floats. For more information contact Tammy at 360-754-5420   For a... 07/27/2010

Although the pace of job growth in Olympia and elsewhere has slowed, economists at the National Association for Business Economics say businesses are hiring more and cutting less jobs in the second quarter.Between April and June of this year, a survey showed that 31 percent of businesses added workers, which is the highest level in over three years. It was also reported that 39 percent  say they expect to hire more workers over the next six months - the most since January 2008. Many new jobs created are from the manufacturing industry. These increases are up six percent over last year and up 22 percent from last quarter. Layoffs are also down by more than half over last year. While companies who produce goods are doing a great deal of hiring, the service industry may still be seeing som... 07/26/2010

Burfoot Park, Olympia WA Burfoot Park in Olympia, WA is located at the mouth of Budd Inlet very near Boston Harbor. The park is property of Thurston County and includes over 50 acres of nature trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and beaches. The beaches include views of the Olympic Mountains, Budd Inlet, and the state capitol dome as well as plenty of opportunities for hands on learning about Puget Sound creatures. Crabs, clams, geoducks, jellyfish and more can all be seen and studied from the beaches of Burfoot Park.   Directions to Burfoot Park, Olympia WA From I-5 take the Olympia City Center exit and follow north to Plum St. Once you cross over State Ave. it becomes East Bay Dr. A scenic drive past East Bay Harbor and Priest Point Park will put you in Gull Harbor where the road change... 07/26/2010

Thurston County residents have their pick of homes at great prices, as the U.S. Housing Market which began to show improvement in 2009 has taken another fall.It's a great time to become a homeowner as home prices continue to dip. Figures, soon to be released by Zillow.com, are expected to show a 1.7 percent decline in home prices throughout the nation in the past five months.Radar Logic, a NY-based data firm which tracks trends in the top 25 cities, showed values were up 1.9% through April 30. Many feel, however, that this was due to the spring home buying season and the extension of the first time home buyers tax credit.Analysts from investment bank Goldman Sachs claim their housing data shows 2009's recovery in values has stalled. They also believe U.S. housing values will fall 3 perc... 07/21/2010

How Downsizing Led One Man to Happiness and Wealth I have read quite a lot about "mini homes" in recent years, and I can't help but think the days of over-sized homes full of unnecessary belongings may be coming to an end. Economic factors combined with environmental concerns are causing people to analyze their budgets and lifestyles, as we usher in a new era of responsible living. One of the pioneers of this movement is Jay Shafer, a man who proved to the world that 89 square feet is more than enough to find happiness at home. While Jay Shafer may have gone to the extreme with his 89 square foot dwelling, there is no denying the importance of the lessons we can all take from him: Make the most of what you have, don't live outside your means, and spend your time and resources pursuing t... 07/19/2010

You better believe it. Each year, as soon as Lake Fair opens, peculiar things start to happen along Olympia's Capitol Way Boulevard. Stakes are being pounded in the narrow strips of real estate between the side walks and the street. An out-of-towner might thing there is major land surveying going on, as square claims are meticulously platted with different color ropes and tape. But within a day or two, as chairs and blankets start to appear, it becomes apparent that these miniature land plats and subdivisions are being claimed for reserved seating for the Lake Fair Parade that will head down the Boulevard on Saturday. This yearly occurrence reminds me of a similar ritual German tourists are fond of performing at their vacation resorts. They will rise in the early morning hours (yes the... 07/16/2010

  Welcome to Ralph's Weekly Feature: Two Truths and a Lie: Guess Which One Is The Lie? Each week, I'm going to feature one Active Rain Member, with their photo, and what I'm going to do is tell you 2 Truths about them and 1 Lie. The object of the game is to guess which of the 3 bits of trivia about them is a lie! I will post the answer after a few days so you can all find out! It's a great way to get to know your fellow Active Rain members and staff. This week, we will be featuring:  Nancy Conner OK, Here goes: 1. I once lived in Taiwan and ate things in my landlord’s restaurant that he said he couldn’t identify for me because they “didn’t translate”. 2. I was a certified real property appraiser. 3. I have lived in 5 different cities in Washington. OK, gang. Tell me which one is the lie... 07/14/2010

Capital Lakefair - An Olympia Tradition *UPDATE: Get 2011 Capital Lakefair infomation now!* Starting today downtown Olympia will be transformed into a bustling hub of activity. The annual Capital Lakefair festivities will be running from July 14-18 2010 around Capitol Lake. Funtastic Carnivals will bring the rides and games, local vendors will provide the food and drink, and local artists will add a spark of entertainment. Some highlights of Capital Lakefair in Olympia include: Lakefair Car Show at Marathon Park Lakefair Queen Coronation and Royal Court Annual Lakefair 3K and 8K Races Annual Lakefair Volleyball Tournament Capital Lakefair Grand Parade Capital Lakefair Fireworks   Get the complete Capital Lakefair Schedule of Events   07/14/2010

Washington residents should be excited to hear $30 million is on the way from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to help clean up Puget Sound.The money will help with 36 Puget Sound restoration and protection projects that span from Bellingham to Olympia. Thurston County is getting $885,641 to help the cities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, Rainier and Yelm design land-use plans based on watersheds rather than political boundaries.The largest part of the grant, $2 million, with an additional $3 million allocated over the next three years, will go to the Puget Sound Partnership for public outreach, education and stewardship efforts.The money will allow the partnership to establish a Puget Sound Outreach and Stewardship Coalition, made up of more than 300 agencies and organizations ... 07/12/2010

  Lakefair - an Olympia, WA community tradition will be opening up this year on Wednesday, July 14th.  The food booths will be drawing hungry folks downtown, the carnival rides will be spinning & roller coastering along with the lake and the Capitol dome in the background, the game booths will be tempting you to try to throw that ring around the peg - hey you could win a stuffed animal!! Lakefair brings back a lot of memories for me of all the years we have attended, clear back to when our son was tiny and we took turns holding him on our shoulders during the parade - the very, very, VERY long parade if you have a toddler on your shoulders!  There are elaborate floats from many of the other towns & cities across the state; marching bands and drill teams; antique cars & motorcycles; hors... 07/11/2010

Leopold Schmidt died in 1914. His eldest son Peter took his place at the helm. In 1916 prohibition came to Washington state, 4 years before the national prohibition. The brewery kept alive by brewing a near beer as well as several sparkling fruitjuices. One, from apples was called "Appleju". In 1921 fruit juice production ceased due to a shortage of sugar caused by WW1 in Europe.   By the early 20's the Schmidt family had branched into luxury hotels, founding what is today the Westin hotel chain. When national prohibition took effect the old Olympia Brewhouse was sold and became a paper mill.  With the repeal of prohibition in 1933 Peter Schmidt decided to return to the core family business of brewing. He has two problems, owned plenty of land in Tumwater but no longer owned the brewery... 07/11/2010

Its Lakefair time again in Olympia, the 53rd annual in fact. The 5 day celebration kicks off Wednesday at Heritage Park along Capitol Lake. At this point several days away it looks like the weather is set to cooperate as well. Wednesday kicks off at 11am lasting until 10pm. Wednesday is also teen night at Capital Lakefare schedule as follows... 6:30 to 10pm free admission with student I.D. for Battle of the Bands Thursday Capital Lakefair is scheduled from noon to 10pm with the arrival of the Old Man IV at Percival Landing. 5-7:30 is the coronation of the Lakefair Queen and Gimme some Lovin plays from 8-9:45 Friday July 16 Capital Lakefair schedule is for Senior Day entertainment from  10am to 3pm, 4:30 to 9:15 is the car show and 8:30 to 10:30 is Rock city Saturday is Capital Lakefair ... 07/10/2010

al·fres·co   /ælˈfrɛskoʊ/ [al-fres-koh] -adverb 1. out-of-doors; in the open air: to dine alfresco. If you want to enjoy the nice weather and beautiful Olympia sights while going out to eat, there are plenty of restaurants in town to choose from that offer outside dining. Here are just a few of the local alfresco dining options: Budd Bay Cafe                                                       Anthony's Seafod Dockside Bistro                                                      Anthony's Hearth Fire   Waterstreet Cafe                                                   Oyster House   Mercato's                                                              Sorrentos   Fishtail Brew Pub                                                    The Sidewalk Cafe                                    ... 07/09/2010

The Olympia Brewery, or rather the Olympia Brewing Company was started in Tumwater, Washington by a German immigrant named Leopold Schmidt as the Capital Brewing Company. The original brewery was built in 1896 and included a 4 story wooden brewhouse, a five story cellar building, a one story ice factory and a bottleing and keg plant. The original brewery is built near the Tumwater falls on the Deschutes river. The ice plant was powered by the lower falls. In 1902 the actual "Olympia Brewing Company" was formed and the timeless slogan "Its the water" was invented.   Next: Prohibition! Leopold F Schmidt 07/08/2010

Olympia area residents may have noticed fewer SOLD  signs in front of homes lately. This trend started after the government home buying incentives expired, so offers some excellent opportunities for potential buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors, May's adjusted index of sales agreements for previously owned homes dropped 30 percent in May from April. This was the lowest reading since 2001.This reading gives us an early measurement of home sales as there can be up to a two month lag between when the contract is drawn up until the closing.The drop in sales was seen across the nation: Pending sales dropped by 33.3 percent in the South, by 32.1 percent in the Midwest, by 31.6 percent in the Northeast, and by 20.9 percent in the West. Home sales were boosted in the sprin... 07/07/2010

Olympia Farmers Market - peaches have arrived - YUM!  Headed down to the market in search of berries for jam making, I quickly got sidetracked by the luscious looking peaches that are in now!  The market was hopping with activity as people stocked up for their 4th of July barbecues - long lines at the meat, seafood and bakery booths.  And the berries were almost gone when I got there at 11:30 ish.  Got some though - success!  The Walla Walla onions and the apricots & cherries were also still very, very popular items.  I love this time of the year when every week brings some new fresh produce to make meal planning a delight.  And as I thought I was ready to leave the market - peaches, check; more salad greens, check; flat of strawberries, check....I got mesmerized by these really cool lo... 07/03/2010