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

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

7 Homes 2 Condominiums and 4 Condo Projects Open In Issaquah This Weekend

I would say the open house volume is low. Why? Simple. Agents feel it is a waste of time as not many of you are looking now. Why? You say. Here are the mapped locations of those agents who placed their homes as open in the MLS. By The way - it is a great way to enjoy the fall weather and do a little dreaming. Click here or the photo to go to the map.

A Nice Place to Visit and Even Better Place to Live. Tanglewood

With all the condos available right now, there are a lot to choose from. I visited Tanglewood Condos in Klahanie (still part of Issaquah) last Saturday. I was impressed, both with the units themselves, and even more so the amenities. That may be because I coveted the swimming pool, the club house, the fitness center, non of which my condo has!

Tanglewood is in Klahanie, a very family friendly community. There are parks, there are lakes and trails. And a playgrounds and an elementary school are right across the street from Tanglewood. Saturday many groups of people were out having fun, playing soccer, climbing on big rocks.

Klahanie shopping mall keeps your gas bill down as it has a QFC grocery store, UPS, restaurants and many other shops.

There is so much to tell, I need to get to Tangelwood itself!

There is the Club House with room to have a party (with a kitchen), Did I mention, a hot tub, swimming pool, a fitness center? Yes, I guess I did! Soon there will also be a business center. You really need to see this for yourself. There is also a basket ball court.

Perhaps best of all may be its affordability. Visit www.TanglewoodCondominiums.com and click to go to their Merchant Page  advertisment.

25025 SE Klahanie Boulevard, Issaquah, WA 98029

Grand Opening at Timber Ridge at Talus

The residents have been moving in for a few months, now it was time for a Grand Opening Celebration. On the evening of August 21, residents and guests and also those of us in the Chamber of Commerce gathered for the event. We have watch this facility being constructed but had never been inside. It is very impressive. Like the brochure says - “A remarkable setting, a remarkable lifestyle”, Timber Ridge sets senior living apart from any other of its kind.

Getting together for the Ribbon Cutting by Ava Frisinger, Mayor of Issaquah

Afterward everyone celebrated with tasty tibits served in many locations.

Among the amenities Timber Ridge residents enjoy are a cocktail lounge, dining room, beauty shop, art studio, business center, fitness center, library, post office, small market and cafe. I enjoyed watching the comaraderie and friendship between them. Many of them volunteered to be at these different posts to show guests, like me,  around and answer questions. All the residents I talked to, in particular the ones who signed up before it was built, expressed great satisfaction with their new living arrangements.

Shirley Jordan was one who showed me around the library. All the books are from the residents.

This view shows the setting of Timber Ridge in Talus, nestled in the Issaquah Alps.

In addition to active senior living apartments and services there is also access to assisted living and long term nursing care. There are still some units available. Timber Ridege is located at 100 Timber Ridge Way NW. 425-427-2929or 888-427-2929.  

A Little More About Central Market

We posted an article about our soon-to-be Central Market grocery in Issaquah Highlands on our www.issaquahhighlandsundressed.com titled “Central Market in Issaquah Highlands - a Good Choice”  You may want to go to that as well, because this post will be different. There is more to show and tell!

In addition to the produce, the bulk foods, the Asian market, the meat, the cheeses, the live shell fish, Vegetarian Food Bar, the Antipasto Bar, the Culinary Resource Center etc., here are a few other benefits we will enjoy.

Crops of fresh fruits and vegetables from our local Washington farms will make their appearance at Central Market locations.  We can eat good healthy foods  and support our local farmers as well.

 While shopping at Central Market if you get hungry you can fix that in many ways, by any of the many food bars or as a custom sandwich, food hot off the grill, and even Fish & Chips or Fried Chicken from The Frequent Fryer Station!

Grab a few Dungeness Crab Cakes for dinner. They looked yummy.

There is much information about gluten-free foods at Central Market. And not just information but many of these foods are available here. We know how hard that is because our daughter’s husband has Celiac disease and it is a real challenge to learn to fix foods the fit the bill and still taste good.

Central Foods has all the common ordinary foods you find at regular markets and the organic and natural foods as well.  In case you are worried, a friend that lives in Mill Creek and shops at Central Foods said they are also comparable in price to other grocers.

Friday Night at the Market - Dinner and Music - Mill Creek Central Market has this special outside event every Friday night (summer we presume) Music and dinner from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. I hope they include Music & Dinner in Issaquah.

Town and Country Markets are part of Central Market or is it the other way around?

Issaquah Open House Map - Update for August 16th Weekend

This beautiful shot is from our home in Issaquah.

Click here for the open house map.

By the way, we were showing homes the last couple of days and many sellers are pricing their homes higher than their competition. Selling your home is a game of competition. A serious game if you are a serious seller.

I was asked on the P I blog I write for what makes home prices go up. The answer was simple - multiple offers.

The same goes for going down, multiple options. Our buyers had multiple options on similar properties. They were looking in  a certain price range for a home with a swimming pool. The first home they thought they were interested in was soon devalued by $75,000.00. What caused the devalue? The home we went to 2 houses later. The fact they had more than one great option placed the owner of the first home in jeopardy of selling their  house to our buyer. That home had been on the market for 280 days, so they obviously had a problem.

We are in a buyers market. Not enough listing agents are receiving offers on their listings. Buyers agents have clients that are in control.

To sell your home and not list your home so it is clearly the best value in its competitive market is asking to just list your home and watch it sit. Sorry for the bad news sellers - welcome to the good news buyers.

ArtWalk in Issaquah August 1

August 1st, that’s the 1st Friday of the month, was a perfect night. The weather was wonderful, people were out enjoying themselves and the art was varied and interesting, sometimes inspiring.

We started early walking down front street, got sidetracked by the temptation of Stan’s BBQ. Satisfied we began again.

The Boys from Welderville, as the UpFront Gallery calls the creators of these unique tables and accents. Very interesting.

I could see really enjoying these in my home. They are bound to create lots of comments and conversation.

Miska, also at UpFront Gallery, part of Collective Works - Fairytales! Fables! & Folklore!

Belltown Martial Arts Lion Dance Team - The drums announced their arrival with gusto and the crowd gathered to watch. Lion dancers performed all up and down Front street, energy not stop.

Rae Soloman gives us a little country in front of the Hailstone Feed Store.

Flying Pie Pizza had a Creation Station for kids

Background Noise gives much more than background noise in front of the library.

There is only one more ArtWalk of the season Sept 5th!

Movin’ and a Groovin’ at Concerts on the Green

Tuesday night was the first Concert on the Green for this season, at the Issaquah Community Center lawn. Thing were really cookin’, people of all sizes and shape and ages were having a great time. The New Blues Brothers were first on the agenda.

Schedule for Tuesday Concerts 7:00 - 8:30pm

July 1 The New Blues Brothers

July 8 Beyond the Fringe

July 15 Brickhouse Show Band

July 22 Cherry Cherry

July 29 The New Brittns

Aug 5 Northwest Rock Legends II

Aug 12 Chuckanut Drive

Aug 19 Andy O

Aug 26 Freddy Pink

Issaquah Highlands has a Concert on the Green in Central Park on Aug 2 Saturday 6:00pm, at Central Park

The Mariner Moose is Coming to Issaquah for a Grand Slam Celebration!

The Klahanie neighborhood will be visited by the Mariner Moose this coming Sunday, July 27th.  Tanglewood Condominiums located at 25025 S.E. Klahanie Blvd is sponsoring a special event from 11-3 pm.  The Mariner Moose will be there from 11:30-12:30 to sign autographs.  There will be inflatable games for the kids.  Including a speed pitch game to test their baseball throwing skills!  Also, if they wear a little league uniform they will receive a limited edition T-Shirt.  Everyone that takes a tour at Tanglewood during this event will get dinner at Ivar’s.  Every 30 minutes between 11-3, Mariner tickets will be given away by Star 101.5.  Free hot dogs are provided by Dante’s Inferno Dogs,  free crackerjacks and more! 

Tanglewood Condominiums has over 95 happy homeowners already.  There are 2 & 3 bedroom homes with prices starting from the mid $200’s.  If you can’t make it on Sunday, give Nick a call for a tour at 425-369-1000.  Click on the picture below for a video tour of Tanglewood Condominiums.  To view floorplans, directions and more features, please click here.

Issaquah Highlands Hosts Highlands Days

Even if you don’t live in Issaquah Highlands, you can come to Highlands Days, and by the look of things many of you did. You don’t even have to live in Issaquah. I know people from Covington, Woodinville, Seattle and Bellevue who joined the folks having fun yesterday. Take a look. There is also a post on www.IssaquahHighlandsUndressed.com.

There was a Kids Parade, Food Booths, Entertainment, Vendors, Carnival Fun to name a few things. Ashley and Sara take a spin. Alexia, Chase, Kayla and others swing through the air with the greatest of ease. But things got a little tramatic when Chase had to get off! He was not happy!

Tootsie Pops can make you forget a big disapointment, at least when you are two. Or how about a Goldfish toss.

The Fabulous Roof Shakers

Poasted Pig anyone?

Bubbleman gets ready……………………..  www.bubbleman.com

PLEASE don’t touch the BIG BUBBLES, or the Bubbleman. And don’t cross the purple line!

There was Pizza, Pork, Hotdogs, Mexican Food, PCC Food, Snow Cones, Popcorn, Root Beer, Beer, etc. Was it a little too pricey?

Sarah rides in the parade, as does this electric car, plus ballerinas and bears.

Not everything was just for kids, if you didn’t stick around or come back for the last 3 hours or so, you missed a lot.

The Seattle Matsuri Taiko Drummers

and the Te Fare O Tamatoa Tahitian Dancers

I missed the following presentations:

The Sabha India Dance Troupe…You can find out about them at www.FromWithinAcademy.org.

Dance Heads…looks like fun www.danceheads.com.

Panduo Steel Drum Duo www.leapfrog-entertainment.com

MK Ballet…..Check out our post on this delightful ballet studio http://issaquah.neighborhoodsundressed.com/2008/04/25/mk-ballet-an-exciting-addition-to-issaquah/