Earlier this week, Katrina Munsell of Redfin’s Blog, Seattle Sweet Digs interviewed me regarding whether or not it’s time to refinance your home. Her questions are quite timely as we’re waiting for the Senate to vote on the stimulus package which includes raising the conforming loan limits and many folks are not totally certain of when refinancing makes sense. You can read the interview by clicking here.
First Mutual Bank merging with Washington Federal
January 30, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Our company received a letter dated January 18, 2008 from Jeff Olson, Senior VP of Residential Lending for First Mutual Bank, headquartered in Bellevue, stating:
"Please be advised that the merger transaction between First Mutual Bank and Washington Federal Savings is scheduled to close Friday, February 1, 2008.
In consideration of that closing date, First Mutual Bank will not accept any residential loans…after 5pm, January 31, 2008…Loans that arrive after that date will be forwarded to the Wholesale Lending Department of Washington Federal Savings…These loans will be reviewed for eligibility under the Washington Federal loan program guidelines."
From First Mutual Bank’s website:
January 28, 2008 – Washington Federal has notified First Mutual that it has elected to pay all cash consideration to shareholders of First Mutual for their shares of stock. Within 10 days following the close of the merger of First Mutual with and into Washington Federal, First Mutual shareholders will receive $26.8359 in cash for each share of First Mutual common stock owned. The merger is scheduled to close February 1, 2008
First Mutual recently constructed a bank branch in my town of West Seattle. Looks like it may become a Washington Federal branch now!
JP Patches Statue Update
January 28, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Hello Fellow Patches Pals!
As we all know, JP Patches will be celebrating his 50th anniversary of his television show that many of us in the Pacific Northwest watched as tikes to teens on February 10, 2008.
There is also a statue that has been commissioned of JP and Gertrude that will eventually be in Fremont, the center of the known universe. I believe the original plans were to unveil the statue on the 50th anniversary…I just received word from a Patches Pal that the big event (statue unveiling) is being pushed back to June.
Meanwhile…Patches Pavers are still available! Funds are still needed (to the tune of $70k) to complete this project and any excess will be donated to Children’s Hospital. You simply can’t go wrong! If you click on JP’s face on the right lower side this blog, you can order your custom paver today. I will be keeping JP’s face on my blog to help raise funds until the statue is complete or the fundraising is done (which ever comes last). Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the fundraising done by JP’s anniversary on February 10th?
P.S. Patches Pavers make wonderful Valentines Gifts! Show some love for your favorite clown.
Just for Fun…Jack Block Park in West Seattle
January 27, 2008 by 1 Comment
Today my husband and I stumbled upon a park that we probably have driven by at least 100 times! Jack Block Park in West Seattle on Harbor Avenue. It’s industrial meets Mother Nature with the shipping lanes and Elliott Bay. Lately a pack of Sea Lions have hanging around too. What a treat! We also ventured into Harbor Island…more posts will follow. Click here for more photos.
The Verve – Columbia City’s Great Wine Bar
January 18, 2008 by 4 Comments
A few weeks ago, my husband and I were looking for a place to meet some old friends we haven’t seen in a while. We decided on The Verve in Columbia City. Even though their Chef was on vacation (I understand he’s pretty incredible) we enjoyed their "limited" menu and vast selection of wines. At Verve, you can buy your wine at their store, pay a corkage fee and have a knowledgeable friendly "wine geek" provide you with tons of background information about your beverage. (This is a huge savings compared to the typical restaurant mark-up on wine). The Waiter (Wine Steward?) made a suggested for us based on wanting a special and unusual wine to 
great our friends. His selection was a 2001 Les Eres from Spain which was fantastic. We loved the wine and the meat and cheese platter they assembled (sans Chef).
The atmosphere is very clean with light woods and paint…a little sterile for my taste (but hey, you should see my messy house–or not). This is a spot we plan on returning to and can’t wait to see what their Chef has to cook up.
One thing that kind of cracked me 
up (doesn’t take much after sharing a bottle of wine) is in the restroom (yes, bathroom humor) they have a sign on the toilet warning you not to drink the water (as if)! Armed with my Treo…I captured these poor quality photos and here they are…my Friday Funny.
Do check out The Verve and the many cool restaurants in Columbia City. It’s happening and off the beaten track and the parking is free.
The Verve is located at 3820 South Ferdinand Street, Suite 102, Seattle WA 98188. You can reach them via email or by calling 206-760-0977.
Dab-nab-it the Hawks LOST
January 13, 2008 by 2 Comments
Well…the first 4 minutes were great.
Down comes the Seahawk flag in our living room and the Christmas tree (we were leaving it up as long as the Hawks were winning).
Go HAWKS!
January 5, 2008 by Leave a Comment
We have our first round play off game starting about 1:30 today. It’s a home game and you know our fans are going to be loud! Plus, we’re in the midst of a windstorm with 50 mph gusts and a possible thundershowers…I’m hoping Mother Nature will allow our power to stay on so we can watch the game and cheer for our Seahawks!
First Friday Funny of 2008
January 4, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Well…it has to be the firework display at the Seattle Center. Who’d a thunk that in the land of techno giants, we would have a computer glitch halting the show for a couple re-boots!
To view un-edited the video, click here.
No word on which computer system caused the error. In the end, the fireworks had to be manually triggered by humans.
Happy 2008 Seattle!
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