Issaquah Undressed

This WeekEnds Open Houses

Larry Cragun — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:16:59 +0000

The Bentley House: Near Cougar Mountain Zoo: Agents are on site:

Link to open houses listed in the MLS by their listing agents. Agents data is available if you click the balloon on the map.

For the best value in Condominiums in the high 200’s and low 300’s click here for Tanglewood.

A New Business In Our Local Network - Sterling Services Inc.

Larry Cragun — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:23:25 +0000

Lance, the owner of Sterling Services is off to a good start. His first post is interesting, or should I say fun. It is about worms no less. He also puts in a plug for landscaping:
Need a trench to drain out that marsh, I have a track hoe, need some fresh ideas for your yard undressed, need some help, ask and ye shall receive, I may have some ideas for you.

Don’t forget yards run dressed, better than undressed.

Lance

Thanks to by hylaride and FLickr for the photo.

One Night Only! Five Indoor Locations! Cider and Cocoa!

Kathleen Cragun — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:26:47 +0000

November 21, Friday, Historic Downtown Issaquah 5pm-8pm ARTISTS IN ACTION Free demonstrations Sponsored by artEAST, City of Issaquah, the Issaquah Arts Commission, Downtown Issaquah Association, 4Culture, the Issaquah History Museums and the artists.

Painted Ladies Studio 485 Front Street N #F2
UP Font Art Gallery - 48 Front Street N
Art by Fire Lobby - 195 Front Street N
The Historic Hailstone Feed Store - 232 Front Street N
The Historic Railroad Depot - 50 Rainier Blvd N

There are 15 different artists in action

The Search for Sewing Thread in Issaquah

Kathleen Cragun — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:40:17 +0000

Doesn’t sound like a hard thing. I put off mending for months (maybe years, often the item goes out of style before I get it fixed)! It used to be no problem when Pacific Fabrics was in the Sammamish Mall. Yes, a few grocery stores have black, white and maybe grey. Sometimes you need a perfect match of a different color. Going all the way to Bellevue for thread is ridiculous!

Yes, there is a place! Issaquah Sewing and Vacuum, 1440 NW Gilman Blvd #5 Issaquah, WA 98027. It is in the same mall as QFC. They have lots and lots of colors as well as sewing machine needles, etc. This may be a strange post for a blog, but if anyone is as frustrated as I was trying to find a place for thread, you’ve got it!

Now, if they just had fabric too. Photo by Shannon Archuleta

Is This The Smallest Puzzle In The World?

Kathleen Cragun — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:00:13 +0000

I went to the Holiday Gift and Craft Bazaar at Blakely Hall in Issaquah Highlands. I was amazed at the puzzles made by Cliff Nelson. This is the back. The front is a real postage stamp from somewhere in the world. Cliff cuts these puzzles all by hand, no drawn lines, no jig, no computer help. I ask him why he wasn’t a brain surgeon and he said he can’t stand blood!

These are just some of the stamps (Puzzled Postage, he calls them) he has in his available collection and it is growing. On his website he calls his business “A Hobbie Run Amuk!”

He also has Pentominos. (Shown below) There are over 2000 ways to put them back in the box! They are not your boring variety, but nice looking enough to set on a table as a conversation piece. Cliff also creates puzzles for kids, again they are not ordinary. These would make a wonderful unique gift, but I would have a hard time parting with any I purchased.

Artist Cliff Nelson, Purple Beech Crafts, is in many area craft shows, for a list and a lot more information go to his website www.puzzledpostage.com. If you have questions, his email is purplbeech@aol.com. To see IH Bazaar post click here.

Issaquah Open Houses Information, Mapped

Larry Cragun — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:46:22 +0000

Green Halloween at IH

Originally uploaded by kathleenleavitt

Don’t be afraid to look. Issaquah Open Houses are listed on this map. The map is updated from this mornings MLS information posted by the listing agents.

The Harvest is Over but Not the Harvest Dance

Kathleen Cragun — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:03:57 +0000

This fall has been one of the nicest, most beautiful that I can remember. Looking out my window now it is hard to let go of. Capture that same warm, fuzzy feeling by sharing your harvest while helping those with a slim harvest or no harvest.

The harvest is done, but not the Harvest Dance. This is a benefit for the Issaquah Food Bank. This will be a fun night with Live music by the Astro Cats & Magnolia Road AND you could be one of the neighbors helping neighbors. Tickets are available at The Issaquah Press, $10 in advance, $15 at the door….425-894-4410……LIVE AUCTION!

There is sample food from Issaquah Restaurants! YUM! Wine, Beer and Soda. DANCING!

It will be at the Pickering Barn Nov 21 (Friday) 6:30 - 11:00pm.

http://www.issaquahfoodbank.com/HarvestDance.pdf for more info.

The Harvest Dance, Take a Chance.

Real Estate Statistics For Issaquah And Open House Map

Larry Cragun — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:22:09 +0000

Sponsored by Bentley House Undressed

and the $300,000 +- Value Leader: Tanglewood in Klahanie.

This is the second Saturday and homes not in the MLS are open - Second Saturday Issaquah Highlands Tour Of Homes

The map of open houses is updated and quite handy. Well over 1000 folks have logged into our map. There are quite a few homes open this weekend, condos too. Some of the homes for sale and open this weekend are new listings and some show serious price reductions. Click here for the map.

Also, the October real estate statistics are available. The entire MLS shows that there is a 10.6 month inventory of condominiums listed for sale in King County. That shows it is still a serious buyers market.Interestingly, Issaquah is bucking the trend with a 5.7 months inventory of condos. See the chart below, and note this is fluctuating. One reason for this is the number of condos listed dropped by 45 and the sales increased from 28 to 38. The number of condos listed is the lowest number in the last 15 months.

Don’t get too excited: It was the opposite statistic for homes for sale and sold in Issaquah. Inventory was up to a 13.2 supply compared with a county wide statistic of 9.7 months.

Shanghai Garden, Restaurant in Issaquah

Kathleen Cragun — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:39:40 +0000

My sister-in-law was in town to visit her daughter. She called and invited me to lunch. It was going to be at Shanghai Garden. That sounded fun to me. I don’t usually choose to eat Chinese food but when I do I do enjoy it. The place is sparkling clean and service was very fast. At other Chinese restaurants all the dishes seem to taste alike but this was not the case here. Even though the menu has many choices, we weren’t very adventurous, next visit perhaps. We all ordered different things and shared, which is typical. We tried Szechuan Beef in Hot Garlic Sauce, General Tso’s Chicken and Snow Peas with Chicken and of course Hot and Sour Soup. The snow peas were very fresh and cooked just right, not limp and overcooked and not too crispy. I will go back.

The chef and cooks came out to dine right next to us. That indicates to me they are very confident in their craft!

If you take the kids and they don’t like Chinese food, they can be entertained by watching the fish tanks.

Shanghai Garden has several dining areas and can handle a lot of patrons. Closed Monday. They have lunch specials 11:00am - 2:30pm, week days. They are located at 80 Front Street North in Issaquah, WA 98027

Issaquah Schools Have Great Sports Teams

Larry Cragun — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:45:38 +0000

High School Baseball

Originally uploaded by harddeuce

Baseball, Lacrosse, track, Soccer, Basketball - you name it - boys or girls sports - Issaquah Schools are winners. Be you spectator or student you will find fun, enthusiasm, and excellence. If you have a photo or a story about Issaquah sports just email larrykcragun (at)yahoo.com