The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ranked California, Connecticut and Oregon at the top of a list of states improving energy efficiency to respond to high prices, energy security and global warming.
A report released Monday rated Idaho as the most improved state in this category, moving from 25th two years ago to 13th. California, Connecticut and Oregon were followed in the Top 10 by Vermont, New York and Washington state. Also, Minnesota and Massachusetts were tied, and New Jersey made the top tier of states.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy rated the states on "a wide range of the proven effective and readily available efficiency strategies." Among areas examined were building codes, transportation and land-use policies, utilities' efficiency programs, financial incentives and support for research.
The West is doing something right in regards to Energy Efficiency! With 3 of the top 6 states in the nation and Idaho making the biggest jump in 2 years, it looks like we are taking the necessary steps to improving our future.
The 6th Annual Spokane River Clean-Up is THIS WEEKEND.
Saturday, October 4 at High Bridge Park.
Start making your plans now and sign up to volunteer for this years event.
Come join me and hundreds of other volunteers as we clean up the Spokane River. Last year over 750 people picked up over 4 1/2 tons of trash and recycled over 2,500 pounds.
Spokane's Friends of the Falls
do an amazing job with this event.
For more info go to:
http://www.friendsofthefalls.org/
http://friendsofthefalls.org/documents/cu08-flyer.pdf
And to register check out:
Tucked away in a little corner behind the Looff Carrousel is a staple of Spokane's Riverfront Park that is known by locals, but often over looked by vistors in lieu of the Carrousel, the river, or other sculptures or fountains. At first sight, one would think it is strange that there is a statue of a single goat in the corner of the park. But once you see the power of this little goat, all your questions will be answered.
A button to the right of this little guy, when pressed creates a powerful vacuum that is designed to suck garbage through the mouth of the goat and shoot it out the *ahem* other end into a trash compactor. Watching kids learn the power of the goat is a kick! Heck even parents! I have seen parents get that little kid look in their eye as they walk up to feed the Garbage Goat. All of a sudden it is a search to find a piece of garbage to "feed" the goat! People of all ages try this guy out and he has dutifully kept garbage off the ground for the last 34yrs. Needless to say there is no garbage within a 50 yard radius of this little guy...now if we could figure a way to get these all over the city! :)
Created by Sister Paula Turnbull and donated by the Spokane Woman Council of Realtors for the Worlds Fair in 1974 (Yes, believe it or not little old Spokane hosted the worlds fair in 1974:)) it has been a staple in the park ever since. There was a total of 5 goats, that have been removed throughout the years, but this once has remained. As you can imagine, there is not a cleaner part of the park then the area around the Looff Carrousel!
Next time you are in Spokane, check out the Garbage Goat, you and your children are sure to get a kick out of him! Known and respected by locals, he is a Riverfront Park icon.
There is no mortgage lending crisis for community banks. That's because community banks are well run, highly capitalized and tightly regulated. We are, and always have been, common sense lenders focused on doing what is best for our customers and our communities. Having never written a subprime or Alt A mortgage, Bank of Whitman is in solid shape with money to lend.
With the most aggressive pricing in the area, in house underwriting, and 24-48hr UW turn times, we are set up to succeed in this market. Constant communication from initial application through closing will keep you and the borrower up to speed on the progress of the file.
With two locations to serve you:
Downtown at the corner of Riverside and Howard
And up north at 12812 N Addison in the Wandermere Professional Park
It may be time to look at a lender that is financially sound, fiscally savvy, and wants your business. Give us a shot, and you will not regret it. Call Casey today!
One of the coolest things Spokane Symphony does is a yearly "Concert at the Park" event. This years concerts are going to be held at Liberty Lake's Pavillian Park at 6PM on August 30th and Spokane's Comstock Park at 6pm on September 1st. The Comstock concert will include a variety of pre-concert activities, including a children's Instrument Petting Zoo, and displays from various arts organziations throughout the city. I have attended the Comstock concert numerous times and the atmoshpere is awesome! It is funny how involved people get, some seriously make it an all day event and bring down their dining room table!!!
My Family? We bring a picnic dinner, blankets, chairs, to enjoy a mix of classics, show tunes, and patriotic marches.
This concert is a perfect end to the summer, and is fun for the whole family! Hope to see you there!
The Projected Lineup:
Mars from The Planets by Holst
Raiders' March from Raiders of the Lost Ark
Overture to the Barber of Saville
1812 Overture
Copland's Lincoln Portrait
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We offer custom tailored mortgage options on land, construction, investment, stick built and manufactured homes. ~ Dream Homes deserve Dream Loans ~
Hello. My name is Casey Brischle. I am a Mortgage Loan Officer for the Bank of Whitman in Spokane, Washington. I specialize in obtaining the best home loan possible for all my clients. Working for a local, independent, employee-owned bank has numerous advantages over the large national chains when it comes to lending in Spokane. As a local bank we treat each individual as that, an individual. You are not a number and we don't try and put you into a one-size-fits-all loan. We listen to your needs and actually get to know you, and what you want out of your transaction. As a mortgage loan officer, I am not only skilled in loan origination, but also in aspects of loan servicing, underwriting and escrow procedures, which enables me to have a full understanding of the market and factors affecting my clients. With Bank of Whitman's in-house lending capabilities coupled with access to secondary mortgage markets, I assure you I have access to the best mortgage programs with the best mortgage interest rates.
I was born in Richland, WA, and raised south of Seattle in a city called Federal Way. After high school I attended Gonzaga University where I graduated, obtaining a Business Administration Degree with a double concentration in Marketing and Finance. While at Gonzaga I fell in love with the Spokane area and decided this is where I wanted to settle down, live my life and raise a family. After college I took a job with a local start up technology company and helped it become one of the fastest growing private companies in the nation (Inc Magazine's Top 500). I then redirected my career and worked at a "refinance mill", but quickly found out that it wasn't for me. The Bank of Whitman hired me on to grow and develop the Residential Mortgage side of the Bank. I love every aspect of the bank, from co-workers, to clients, to products offered. In addition, continuing education is important to me and I am currently studying for my CMPS designation. I am aways on the lookout to learn and grow both professionally and personally and am always striving for perfection.
Giving back has been a part of my life since childhood. Not only is it rewarding, but each experience can provide invaluable education that can not be taught or found in books. So when I am not working, much of my time is involved with my local community: I am currently a member on the St. Joseph's Family Center Community Relations Committee, my wife and I both serve as members on the Gonzaga Alum Service Committee (Spokane Chapter) and regularly volunteer at our local Habitat for Humanity on the weekends. We are always contemplating and looking for more ways to get involved.
During my down time, you can find me on the golf course, running, or just at a local lake or park hanging out with my wife Christine, daughter Isabella ("B") and our black lab Beau. I am also a die-hard Gonzaga University fan! As a season ticket holder to the men's and women's Basketball, much of our winter is taken up attending games as is the spring with GU Baseball games.
GO ZAGS!
* All areas of purchase - from first time home buyers to investment properties, from stick-built to manufactured Homes * Same day approvals I've been working in the mortgage industry for over 2 years now with a financial background stretching over 7 years, and I can say I still don't know everything about this industry and am continually learning every day. I do know, however, that this industry thrives on service. It's about doing what's best for the client and their loved ones. It's about educating the borrowers on how the entire process works and making sure communication stays strong from initial application to closing. It's about making sure the borrowers are happy with the product and, ultimately, making clients for life. I strive for perfection and I want to be the best, because I believe this is what my clients deserve.
* Refinance with debt consolidations, cash-out or rate & term
* Conventional and Jumbo loan products
* Construction Loans - for builders and residents
* Land/Lot Loans
* Strategic Alliances - helping you sell and move your inventory
* Guaranteed quick and accurate turn-around w/ in-house Processing and Underwriting
* 3 Convenient Locations -- Downtown, Airway Heights and Wandermere
* Personally available 7 days a week to serve YOU!
** Specialty locations: WA, ID, OR, CA, UT **
Ability to lend in all 50 states!!
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I can provide and do everything listed above, but there's more to it than just a list of products, isn't there? You'll be hard pressed to find a loan officer on here who doesn't have access to the same mortgage products. There is some deviation, but it's all very similar. Buying or refinancing a house goes deeper than just the rate and program that is on your paperwork. I pride myself on educating the borrower. It is my goal to make sure there isn't one ounce of doubt or confusion in their minds. After all, this is more than likely their biggest investment, and honesty and integrity are essential components when dealing with people's money.
Casey,
Thank you so much for everything you did for us with our refinance. Not only did you do what you said you were going to do, but you did it fast. My husband and I were losing faith as 2 previous lenders couldn't complete the transaction. Thanks to you we have a better mortgage that is FIXED!!! We appreciate everything you did in helping us keep our home.
Sincerely,
E&K Brandt
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We love our house! We are so grateful to you for getting the loan process done fast to hit our deadline! We love our house and could not be happier! Thank you so much! -- B&K Gable
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for getting us out of our ARM and into a 30yr fixed mortgage! You truly listened to our concerns and did everything we needed you to do. I couldn't believe we could refinance and get a lower monthly payment. Will definitely recommend! -- J&A Lynch
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By far the smoothest, and quickest, refinance we've ever done. And, I don't know that we timed it as much as you encouraged moving on that rate, so we're really happy with you and the Bank's services. Thank you so much!
-- D&M K.
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