Yakima, WA

Genealogy is a rewarding hobby for history buffs. Not only do you seek and find your ancestors, but the research brings history alive.

I began my research as a teenager with the goal of finding the original immigrant to America in each family. Then I thought I was only researching four names, those of my father's parents and my mother's parents. It has multiplied into the hundreds as one surname leads to two more and on and on and on... Twenty-five years later, I still am searching for some elusive families. Eventually, I'd like to publish my research in a book to pass to the next generations.

I have ancestors that came on the Mayflower, Jamestown settlers, some that came to America as indentured servants, and one that came to fight against colonists in the Revolution with the goal of deserting and starting a new life here. There are Irish, English, Scots, German, and Dutch...some famous and well-to-do in their time, some poor as dirt looking for a fresh start. I've traced many families as they moved west, some coming to the Northwest over the Oregon Trail. It has been, and continues to be, a fascinating journey.

There are lots of ways to get started. Several websites provide beginner tips. Visit www.rootsweb.com , www.familysearch.org, and www.genealogy.com for blank forms and instructions for completing them. To begin, you should download a blank pedigree form and a blank family group sheet and make lots of copies. Then start by filling in the information you already know. Ask older family members for their help whenever possible.

If you live in a town that has a local genealogical society and library, go and join! In Yakima we are blessed with the YVGS (Yakima Valley Genealogical Society). Over the last few years the group has been busy moving and settling into a brand new library, and fundraising efforts to pay for it. This year the focus is on increasing membership and the collection of resource books (already one of the largest in the state).

The library is staffed by volunteers and open Monday-Saturday 10AM-4PM September through May, it's closed on Saturdays in June, July and August and also closed on major holidays. The library is located at 1901 S. 12th Ave. (just south of Washington Ave.). Non-members may visit the library for a fee, or join the society and visit as often as you'd like!

Membership fees for YVGS are $20 for individual, $21 for a couple, or $25 for the whole family. With your membership you also receive a quarterly bulletin. Meetings are held once a month and the library hosts workshops and classes throughout the year. Visit www.rootsweb.com/~wayvgs/ for more information. And think about exploring genealogy as a hobby your whole family can share!

Latino Cultural Film Series, Allied Arts Center, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave. Tapas, wine tasting 6PM, Screenings 6:45PM Discussion Follows. $5.00. 509-966-0930, http://www.alliedartsyakima.org/

• March 13, "The Motorcycle Diaries",
• March 20, "Crossing Arizona",
• March 27, "Quinceanera"

Home and Garden Show, March 14-16 Yakima Valley Sundome, 1301 S. Fair Ave. $6, $8, $16. TicketsWest 800-325-7328, State Fair ticket office, 509-248-7160

Capital Theatre, Best of Broadway Series, 19 S. Third St. Tickets: TicketsWest 800-325-7328, Capital Theatre Box Office, 853-2787

• "GYPSY" March 14, 7:30PM and March 15, 2:00PM and 7:30pm
• "LITTLE WOMEN" March 28, 7:30PM and March 29, 2:00PM and 7:30PM

Simon Edwards Gallery, 3105 Summitview Ave., 509-248-6886, 11:00AM-4:00PM Tues.-Sat

• "Wood", interpretations from around the world. Through March 28.

Yakima Area Arboretum, 1401 Arboretum Drive. Open Dawn to Dusk. Jewett Visitor Center open 9AM-4PM Tuesday-Saturday. Admission: Donation www.ahtrees.org

• March 15 , 10AM-noon, Stained glass garden art class. $35 members, $40 non-members. Class size limited.
• March 22 , 9AM-noon, Raptor class on birds of prey. Optional field trip through arboretum follows. (Bring a sack lunch). $10 members, $15 non-members

Medieval Swordsmanship, Beginner-level classes. Offered by the Fencing Society of the Academy of Historical Arts and Sciences. 509-972-8578, mail@livinghistoryacademy.org

Some Good news for Yakima in-city High School, Eisenhower...

Eisenhower High School Principal Stacey Locke was recently named the state's top high school principal for the year. The diverse population in Yakima presented a challenge to Locke when she was hired as the school's principal in 2003. Eisenhower, nicknamed IKE locally, has a student population of close to 2000. Under the guidance and direction of Principal Locke, the school population has become a "culture of one", unifying students, staffmembers, and families as a single community. She has made the high school experience more personal for each individual, raised test scores, and reduced the school's drop-out rate.

The award is handed out each year by the Association of Washington School Principals. This award places her in the running for the National Principal of the Year award.

***I'm thrilled about this because I have three kids currently attending IKE, plus one that graduated in 2005, and I have seen the dramatic improvements from a parents viewpoint. Congrats Stacey Locke!!

It's been featured recently in USA Today and on CNN. None of the national doom and gloom real estate news applies here. So what is going on in Yakima, Washington?

Yakima County is a large area and we tend to divide it into Upper Valley and Lower Valley in discussions. I do that when I look at real estate trends, too. I live and work in Yakima, in the Upper Valley, and this is the area I really know and is my focus today. For the last year, I have been tracking pending sales in the area by smaller sub-area and by price point. By doing this, I can instantly see where buyers are buying at any given time. I've been amazed at the number of real estate "experts" quoted in local news media saying that we are in a seller's market. They were so wrong! I track 12 sub-area and 12 price ranges in each, a total of 144 weekly figures, and the majority....by a large margin....are clearly buyer's markets.

A buyers market simply means that there are more homes for sale than are selling, so buyers have the negotiating edge and a great selection of inventory. In a sellers market, there are few homes available giving sellers the negotiating power.

Last week, only 13 of my 144 figures showed a seller advantage. Clearly Yakima is in the midst of a strong buyers market. Typically in a buyer's market home prices decline. Seller's have to price competitively in order to attract a sale and this usually means they are pricing at the low end of the reasonable range. But the really wierd thing happening here is that prices are still increasing. Sellers are still pricing at the high end of reasonable and they often get it. Last year the median home price in Yakima rose almost 18% over the previous year. It's predicted that we'll see a more modest increase of 7-8% this year over last. How is this happening when we have over a years worth of inventory on the market?

I think I can explain a few reasons, but mostly I'm as shocked as everyone else!

• Yakima is only about two hours drive from Seattle, so it's an easy drive. Lots of folks are looking at this area for retirement.
• Plans are being looked at for Black Rock Reservoir east of Yakima. It would be a huge recreational draw and may be bringing people to the area.
• Wine industry is big here, as is all agriculture. People visit for the wine tours and fall in love with the area.
• It's an absolutely beautiful area, and sunny most of the time. Western Washington has a cooler, wetter climate and so the dry hot summers are an attraction.
• We are close to mountains for the recreation they provide, ski areas and hiking/camping.

Whatever the reasons for the strong market we are experiencing, it's truly happening. It's exciting to be a part of the wierdness! And if you are thinking of buying a home here, this is a fantastic time to do it.