4th of July Fireworks in Olympia WA - Party Like it's 1776 **UPDATE** Information about 2011 4th of July Fireworks in Olympia WA Fourth of July weekend is now upon us. If you hadn't noticed the firework stands in every parking lot, then consider this your friendly reminder. And though the local weatherman may try to convince you otherwise, it will be a great weekend to dust off the lawn chairs, stock your cooler, and wave your sparklers into the wee hours. Dogs all over Thurston County will be howling (or hiding under the bed in the case of my dog) all weekend as neighborhoods turn into war zones. But if you don't have big party plans or a neighborhood firework contest, not to worry. The Olympia area has several opportunities for you to party like it's 1776.   Premature Celebrations If ... 07/02/2010

  Perennial Gardener - Olympia.  This nursery specializes in perennials as you might expect from the name, but also does carry annuals as well.  They have a location at 5424 Boston Harbor Rd. Olympia where they are open from 10-6 on Thursday - Sunday.  (They also are at Farmer's Market downtown those same days)  What a wonderful resource for those of us who love to garden, and appreciate not only a great selection of quality, healthy plants; but also the advice of a really, really knowledgeable and experienced gardener.   I first discovered Perennial Gardener when I was desperately trying to find something that would grow successfully under a large cedar tree in our yard.  It had to be something that didn't need much sunshine or rain, and I also wanted it to spread and be colorful.  No ... 07/01/2010

  Hands on Childrens Museum in Olympia: Children at work having fun!  This museum has so many areas for kids to explore and learn and generally have a ball!  The first Friday evening of every month is free admission, and the resulting chaos of happy, busy kids is priceless. Divided into a number of areas where kids can unleash their creativity, Hands on Childrens Museum includes many real life scenarios for them to experience. I followed my granddaughter as she made her way to the "garden" where she could "water" vegetables growing in rows, or pick them and load them into a basket.  The basket of goodies could then be sold to the "grocery store" for play money - and then the shelves are lined with cans & boxes of groceries to choose and put into your shopping basket.  Addy was fascinate... 06/30/2010

  Bigelow House in Olympia is a look back in time; a museum that captures a wealth of history about Washington from well before statehood.  Bigelow House was originally built in the 1850's by Daniel Bigelow, who arrived in Olympia by way of the Oregon Trail, and it is the oldest residence in Olympia.  Daniel established himself as a lawyer and territorial legislator, and his wife Ann Elizabeth taught school.  Together they raised eight children in the Bigelow House, and ownership stayed in the family for well over one hundred years.  The original Bigelow land claim was a narrow plot of 160 acres that started at Budd Inlet and ran clear up the eastside Olympia hill, and included an artesian spring for freshwater.  Bigelow House still sits on over an acre of that original land claim acrea... 06/29/2010

Citizens in the Olympia area should put their money into buying a new home instead of investing elsewhere. As mortgage rates drop, so does the stock market, making buying a home your best investment right now.The Dow Jones dropped 146 points last Thursday, after a slight increase on Wednesday. Many retailers feel this is from the high unemployment rate and lack of consumer spending. These issues, many fear, could stall the economy from rebounding.The government stated that unemployment claims fell last week, but levels were still high enough to signal that employers were not heavily hiring. A second report claimed for the second time in six months that orders for durable goods declined.On the up side, rates continue to drop which is great news for borrowers in Olympia and surrounding ar... 06/28/2010

The city of Olympia recently had a new traffic circle installed at the intersection of Boulevard Rd. and Log Cabin Rd. It commissioned Seattle artist Steve Jensen to carve 12 8-foot tall pillars from naturally fallen old-growth timber. Each pillar has a different design, base on themes of nature. Ten of the pillars are arranged in a circle around the inner perimeter of the roundabout and two pillars are placed near the sidewalk, so pedestrians can get a close-up appreciation of the carvings. Steve Jenson is a talented artist and at a price of $70,000, the beautiful carvings are not exorbitant, considering there are 12 of them. My only concern is that in our current economic situation, $70,000 on roundabout art seems like money that could have been better spent. According to an article ... 06/26/2010

With the economy still recovering in Thurston County, many are finding it hard to keep up with property taxes. According to the Superior Court, where delinquincy notices are filed, there were 104 property owners behind on their real estate tax payments. This number is up 30% from last year. Certificates of delinquincies are filed very June for those who have been delinquent for three years. Any property owner who has not paid since 2007 will receive the notice and can expect foreclosure procedures to begin. The owners do have until January to pay the back taxes, before the property is sold at an auction.County Treasurer Shawn Myers feels this is a sign of the times, and what a hard time many are having keeping up with bills. Myers noted that there is relief for those who still want to m... 06/24/2010

Olympia Dixieland Jazz Festival is this coming weekend (June 25-27) - get your dancing shoes on!  There will be quite a talented line-up of bands ready to entertain you and get your toes tapping.  The festival is held at St. Martin's College on Pacific Ave., and there will be multiple stages in the Pavilion, the Worthington Center and a tent outside.   This year's Dixieland Jazz Festival kicks off Friday at 2:00 PM and goes til 10:30 that night; then continues Saturday from 10 AM until 11:30 PM & winds up Sunday from 9:30 AM until closing at 3:30 PM.  Just a partial list of performers include Uptown Lowdown, Titan Hot Seven, St. Louis Rivermen, No Inhibition (don't you just LOVE these names!!), & High Sierra. So if you love jazz, do NOT miss the Olympia Dixieland Jazz Festival - and don... 06/22/2010

West Olympia Condo - Citi Life Condominiums The Citi Life Condominiums offer a low maintenance, commuter friendly option for homebuyers in West Olympia. Located less than a mile from the Cooper Point exit from Hwy 101, these condominiums are convenient to Thurston County offices, South Puget Sound Community College, and all West Olympia commerce. The complex is still being completed but the first units have been occupied since December 2007. Brand new Citi Life condo units are 1030 square feet and range in price from $149,000-$155,000. However, this resale unit is currently available for $135,000 and is in excellent condition.  Want more information about condos for sale in Olympia? I can help!    Stylish New West Olympia Condo Overview Maps Photos Features Description Home Search Neigh... 06/22/2010

Did you know that the Olympia Farmers' Market is the second largest farmers' market in the State of Washington, second only after Pike Place Market? It not only offers local quality organic produce, meats, herbs, clams & oysters, breads & pastries, fresh dairy products, plants and flowers, but also hand crafted gifts, a variety of food concessions and live entertainment. The on-site snow cone stand and the balloon artist are a perennial favorite with kids.   I love the intermingled food aromas of grilled Bavarian sausages, Indian curry and crab cakes. For visitors wanting a respite from the crowds, there is a serene garden providing benches and views of a pond.   The market is open from April until December, so come down and visit. http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/ Sandy NelsonOlymp... 06/19/2010

There's a difference between a home that freakishly sticks out and makes you shake your head every time you drive by, and a whimsical home with a little bit of an attitude. I love the homes with an attitude. The freaks, not so much. I feel really sorry for the neighbors who have to live next to the yellow house with the purple polka dots that looks like it has the measles. Olympia is a little bit of an eccentric town, a uniqueness that's reflected in some of the local homes. Sandy NelsonOlympia Realtor® Our community is important to me. I take pride in our beautiful locality, and our quality of life. Feel free to contact me for questions about local attractions, events, or real estate information.360-789-7505 www.SandyNelsonRealEstate.com   06/19/2010

Olympia Farmer's Market has Organic Cherries This Week!  Yummmmmm!! Thought I better get down to the Olympia Farmer's Market today since it looks like a busy weekend, & was delighted to see (and taste test) some delicious organic cherries. s Also had to stock up yet again on strawberries (always a dilemma between buying too small a quantity and running out before the next market day, or too many where they MUST be eaten or frozen - like quickly).  Added in some asparagus and lettuce, so I think dinner tonight will have good quantities of veggies & fruit! Then we checked out some great flowering shrubs, and pretty, colorful annuals - do I have room to plant some more???    After getting a couple more tomato plants (since our others have not exactly flourished during chilly, damp weather)... 06/18/2010

If you are looking for a dream home in Olympia, buy that dream home now, while rates are at record lows.According to Bankrate, rates are the lowest they have been in over 25 years, in part due to Europe's debt crisis. A 30-year mortgage can be obtained for under 5 percent. Today, you can even get a jumbo loan for under 5 percent.The large amount of inventory and low housing prices are other reasons this is the optimum time to purchase a home. If you are already in a home in the Olympia area, refinancing deals are out there also.Europe's debt crisis has made many investors quite nervous. Many are leaning toward the security of U.S. Treasuries, which brings down their yield and influences a host of consumer interest rates - including those on mortgages. Chief Economist at Bankrate, Greg M... 06/17/2010

06/16/2010

After a number of weeks of unseasonably chilly, damp weather, today's BEAUTIFUL sunshine brought what looked like most of the town down to Olympia's Farmer's Market!  Definitely one of those days when you have to circle the parking lot watching for someone heading to their car to leave - then lurk to grab their space as soon as they back out. Musicians were just tuning up on the stage, and many people were already filling the tables in front , ready to enjoy the music while they munched on some late breakfast, early lunch or just snacks. Yummy looking asparagus, Walla Walla onions, apples & pears were going like the proverbial hotcakes.  I got there too late to get any raspberries but apparently they will be back tomorrow at 10 - so I may be too! Bedding plants are still a very popular ... 06/12/2010

I'm a big supporter of recycling and reducing waste, and it seems to me that garage sales represent a wonderful opportunity to support those goals by recycling!  You know they say that the very best way to reduce waste is to reuse things - so today I was doing my part by hitting some garage sales in the Olympia/Lacey area!  My other motivation was to find some games, puzzles, childrens' books and toys for us to keep our office well stocked for when my own granddaughter or the kids of clients come in. I found quite an assortment of the usual household items, collectibles, strange unidentifiable objects - hey half the fun of a garage sale is never knowing what you might find - a treasure - or some truly odd junk! The upper eastside neighborhood of Olympia was doing a multi-family group of... 06/12/2010

Olympia's South Capitol Neighborhood consists of over 400 well preserved homes, varying in styles from the English cottage look, Spanish style, to Victorian and Craftsman. In 1991 the entire South Capitol Neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic places.   The decline in home prices throughout Thurston County and in Olympia has not spared the South Capitol Neighborhood, but due to the uniqueness of this neighborhood, the pricing pressure is not as extreme as in other communities. Here is a list of the homes sold on the MLS within the past six months. As you can see, the final sales prices are on average 3.75 percent lower than the last list price. Note that one home actually sold above the listed price. There are several home currently "pending" sale and there is a m... 06/10/2010

While completing my studies for the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation, I've had the chance to get a tour of Olympia's Capitol Place Retirement Community. Eventually there comes a time when seniors are ready to focus more on themselves and no longer want to devote precious time on maintaining a large house and yard. The desire to downsize and simplify things also comes with a desire to use the freed-up time with meaningful relationships, fun events and interesting activities. Capital Place offers an independent retirement lifestyle that alleviates the burden of grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning so the residents have the time and energy to enjoy their retirement. Located right across the street from Westfield Mall and just a short distance from the highway and from downtown,... 06/09/2010

    While walking through Tumwater Falls Park, I noticed a goose wading in the water at the bottom of the waterfall. It kept pacing back and forth and it took me a while to notice the focus of the goose's attention right before my eyes. A nest of goose eggs laid in the middle of a concrete pile in the water. How exciting to encounter nature and wildlife so close to the city. After doing a little bit of research I've learned that the nest is likely like to get additional eggs, which will hatch in about a month. I'll be sure to return to see the results. Canada Goose Facts (courtesy of www.geesepeace.org) · Life expectancy about 20 years · Geese mate for life and will stay together during all seasons. · Geese return to the general area of their birth each year to mate and nest. Sometimes ... 06/08/2010

If your Olympia home is about to be foreclosed on, please remember the consequences. Your credit score will be ruined and will take a long time to repair, so it's best to stop and think before defaulting on your home mortgage. Some homeowners who have to default on their mortgage do not mind taking a credit hit if it means getting out from under the mortgage. Their reasoning is that since it will not be worth what they owe, they might as well walk away. They often believe that in no time they can raise their FICO scores by paying their bills on time. This is not always true. Those who lose their home due to a job loss or divorce may be able to repair their credit in 2 to 5 years, but people who decide to walk away from their homes may have to wait up to ten years to rebuild their credit... 06/07/2010