About Cowlitz County, WA

Cowlitz County AARP Free Taxaide Program

Once again tax season is here and as always AARP TAX-AID is here to help. The AARP Taxaide program is a group of volunteers focusing on helping senior citizens, low and middle income tax payers with their tax returns at no cost (free).

The Cowlitz County AARP team of volunteers wants to spread the word out about this free service and let the Cowlitz County communities know that this year they will be in the four following locations; Longview Public Library, McClelland Art Center, Fibre Federal Credit Union and Monticello Jr. High School. This is a group of over 20 well trained and with lots of experience volunteers. Tax returns are e-file and refund can be back within 5 day if direct deposit is chosen. First days available to do your taxes will be January 23 and 30 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Longview Public Library only after that starting February 2nd through April 15, Below you'll find the times and places where you can go and have your free tax returns done.

There is usually long lines so to make the process easier and less stressful for everyone, your are required to bring the following documents:

1. Social Security cards for ALL names listed on the returns (including children)
2. Picture ID for spouse and taxpayer.
3. All income and expense relating documents (W-2's, 1099, real estate tax paid, child care, etc.)
4. Previous year tax return to determine if entitled to additional stimulus rebate.
5. For direct deposits bring voided check.

View Tax locations in a larger map

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.

Cowlitz County Real Estate Year in Review, 2009

If you interested to know how the Cowlitz County real estate market change over course of 2009, below you'll find some graphs with the numbers for last 15 months. These graphs will provide comparison of how the Cowlitz County market changed each month, the comparison of for sale versus sold homes, the % price difference of home for sale vs. sold, average price per sq ft and months of inventory. You'll see when the Cowlitz County real estate market hit the highest point, the lowest and how both compares with the current market and so on.

If you would like to have a detail reports for your Cowlitz County city or neighborhood, make a request here.

	1 month	1 year	15 months
	Nov 09	Dec 09	% Change	Dec 08	Dec 09	% Change	Oct 08	Dec 09	% Change
For Sale	627	584	-6.9%	653	584	-10.6%	717	584	-18.5%
Sold	78	40	-48.7%	29	40	37.9%	74	40	-45.9%
Pended	33	66	100%	37	66	78.4%	51	66	29.4%

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the NWMLS. Neither Venancio, Windermere, the Board or its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Board or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Report reflects activity by all brokers participated in the MLS.

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.

Cowlitz County Home Buyers Workshop

The Time to Buy a Home is NOW and if you are ready to take advantage of the current economy, $8,000 tax credit, low home prices and interest rates but don't know where to start or have some concerns, no problem! Windermere will be having home buyer workshops every Thursday in the month of January and anyone interested on learn about the tax credit or any aspect of the buying process is invited attend one of our weekly workshops. Workshops are FREE and will be held every Thursday in January from 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Workshop location, Windermere new office, 209 West Main St. Kelso, WA 98626. Come and find out the many options available for home buyer to buy or to build a new home! Don't hesitate... your home is waiting!

Workshops will be January 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, and the 28^th.

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.

Timber Barons 97

I like to congratulate the girls and coaches in my daughter Leslie's soccer team, Cowlitz U-12 Timber Barons 97, for an amazing season. On Saturday November 14, the team clinched the title of the 2009 WSYSA District 5 League with a win over the Woodland Rangers, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! For being the first season this group of girls played together and all the accomplishments they got, it is amazing, second place and sportsman ship trophy on the Tumwater Kick in the Grass tournament, first place (CHAMPIONS) in the Cowlitz Kick Off tournament, first place (CHAMPIONS) in the Puyallup 2009 Kick-off tournament and now League Champions in the 2009 WSYSA District 5 League, my hat off to you and keep up the great work.

I also want to congratulate and thank all parents for the great commitment, enthusiasm and support through out the season. I believe that parents behavior, support and willingness to interact among each other and with the team creates the environment everyone enjoys and look forward to be part of and the results shows on how the team played. My family very much enjoyed this season watching the team play and visiting with all parents, what a great bunch!! We are looking forward to do this again next year. Thanks everyone for a great season!!

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.

Cowlitz warehouse and logistics training available
Free program for those who qualify includes job experience, certifications

LONGVIEW - Informational meetings for a new warehouse and logistics training program will take place Dec. 8 for eligible participants.

The meetings are free and will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Conference Room A in the Student Center at Lower Columbia College, 1600 Maple St., in Longview. For more information, contact Rosalind Mallett, with Longview Goodwill, at 360.425.6929.

The Career Pipeline Project, a partnership of Tacoma Community College and Goodwill and funded through a federal grant, provides the opportunity to receive a Warehouse Clerk Certificate with knowledge of shipping/receiving, packing, assembly and safe-material handling; forklift operator certification; and 15-20 college credits in logistics, math and computer use in a classroom setting. Classes will be held daily Jan. 4-March 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Longview Goodwill office, 1030 15th Ave., Suite 300, in Longview. Space is limited.

Participants must be able move 50 pounds and meet certain income requirements (discussed at the meetings); be at least age 18; unemployed or looking for career advancement; and be able to read at a high school level. Veterans are highly encouraged to attend.

# # #

About the Career Pipeline Project in Warehousing & Logistics

The Career Pipeline Project in Warehousing & Logistics is a partnership of Tacoma Community College, Tacoma Goodwill, Yakima Valley Community College, Lower Columbia College, Tacoma Community House, the Association for Washington Business and Pierce County Careers Connection. The group received a nearly $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor in February 2009 for a three-year program to train workers for the warehousing and distribution industry. The goal of the program is to create a "pipeline" of qualified and skilled workers. For more information, contact Dr. Kathleen L. McDonald, project director, at 253.460.4419 or kmcdonald@tacomacc.edu.

Venancio Gonzalez - GRI, e-PRO Realtor® with Windermere Real Estate Allen & Associates, serving Longview, Kelso and surrounding Cowlitz County real estate markets. gonzalezq@windermere.com or (360) 751 4001.