Discover North Seattle with Jay Silver

Seattle Parks and Recreation is holding a public meeting on Tues. April 6 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Meadowbrook Community Center in North Seattle to discuss the improvement project for Field #1. If you're interested in stopping by and lending your opinion, come on down.

Here's the flyer:

I remember back when I was 9 years old I received something in the mail. I was so excited at the idea that someone would send me mail! I tried to imagine what could be in the envelope. Was it money? A letter? A coupon for a free "Lion-O" toy (I was big into Thundercats)?

I tore open the envelope and saw the words "You're invited!" at the top of the green card. "Mom, I've been invited to something!" I shouted. My mom asked me what I was invited to, so I started reading it out loud. "We would like to invite you to join us, the Shoreline..." And then my voice started fading as I exhaled (read: deflated). "The Shoreline what?", said my mom. "Oh, nothing.", I replied. But mom was too curious and eventually wore me down. "I've been invited to join the Girl Scouts.", I mumbled.

That could have been the best day of my life up to that point... if I were a girl. But I hold no hard feelings! And that's why I'm writing this today, because I have the opportunity to help a Girl Scout troup that's trying to help someone else. There's a church on Queen Anne that allows a local Girl Scout troup to meet there on Fridays, and to repay the kindness the troup is volunteering to do some basic gardening and weed pulling there at the church grounds.

So this is your chance to be a Girl Scout for a day! Wanna come help them out? It's not much work, and it's mostly about pitching in in the community. So whether you're a boy or a girl, if you'd like to relive the good ol' days of the scouts this Saturday, come on down!

I know, it's not exactly North Seattle, but hot dogs will be served for volunteers and you'll get a chance to help scouts earn another badge! What's better than hot dogs and a sense of accomplishment?

Here are the details:

Time: 10am - noon

Location: 2555 8th Ave West, 98119

You can contact me if you need more info (look under my pic on the right for contact info). Let's have some fun this Saturday!

Cash and Carry

(206) 364-1733

13102 Stone Avenue North, Seattle

My wife and I like to save money on groceries when we can, but our famliy consists of just the two of us. So paying for a Costco membership doesn't make as much sense because we don't go very often. Also, my favorite thing to do for a client who's just bought a home is to help them throw a houswarming party, and this is where a bulk food store comes in handy.

Well, there's a Cash & Carry in the Bitter Lake neighborhood of North Seattle. You'll find it right behind the Albertson's off 130th and Aurora. It's been there for as long as I can remember, but I rarely carry cash with me so I didn't really go inside until recently. Guess what? They take both cash and cards! They have a pretty big selection of food items and you don't need a membership to shop there. Oh, and you don't need a business license either. Just go in, shop, and enjoy.

There is one drawback to shopping here; there seems to only be one cashier working at any given time. So try not to go if you're in a hurry.

Happy Shopping!

Whether you're looking to rent or buy in North Seattle, there are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you. There are all kinds of decisions to be made about the location in terms of commute time to work, distance from leisure-time activities, and proximity to shopping, schools or any other places you frequent. And there are so many differences in neighborhoods around North Seattle. Here are some tips on and ideas on ways to check out a neighborhood before moving there.

Scout out the Neighborhood!

It is important that you scout the neighborhood in person.

• Talk to people who live there.
• Drive through the entire area at different times of the day, during the week, and on weekends.
• Look carefully at how well other homes in the area are being maintained-are they painted; are the yards well cared for; are parked cars in good condition?
• Check out web sites like www.walkscore.com that help you understand the area better.
• We have links to the right for several neighborhood blogs so you can learn more about a North Seattle neighborhood before moving there. Heck why don't I just post them here as well...

Ballard Blog

Fremont Blog

Lake City Blog

Magnolia Blog

Maple Leaf Blog

Phinney-Greenwood Blog

Pinehurst Blog

Neighborhood Factors to Consider

• Look for things such as access to major thoroughfares, highways, and shopping.
• Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc.
• Smell the air for nearby industry or agriculture.
• Check with local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find information about the area.
• Research environmental topics such as soil and water quality, as well as floodplain implications.
• Study traffic patterns around the area at different times of the day and measure drive time from the area to work.
• Is the neighborhood near parks, places of religious worship, recreation centers, shopping, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc.?
• Does the neighborhood have a Homeowner's Association?

(ARA) - You've made the decision to sell your home. But before you put the "for sale" sign in the yard, make sure it's ready to make a good impression on prospective buyers and clearly stands out among the many other homes on the market.

There are many easy and inexpensive ways to clearly differentiate your home so that it appeals to a wide range of buyers ... and in return, yields a fast and profitable sale.

To begin, purge. Nothing makes a home look smaller than cluttered countertops, cupboards and closets. Plus, buyers want to envision a home with their own possessions - not yours. As you start cleaning, sort items in three categories: donate, sell or keep. Soon, your home will look neater and you may add some cash to your wallet or gain a tax write-off.

Next, consider tackling projects that are easy, fast and inexpensive - but will significantly boost your home's appeal. Magazines are a great source of inspiration, and brands such as Krylon even have Web sites (www.beamoverandshaker.com) that offer practical advice and dozens of projects specifically designed to stage your home for sale.

Some indoor and outdoor projects that are quick, inexpensive and guaranteed to get your home noticed include:

Focal point finishes
Lighting fixtures are the focal point of many rooms - but replacing them can cost hundreds of dollars. With a little elbow grease, $20 and less than two hours, you can update your existing ones with a new, more attractive and popular stainless steel finish.

Directions: Cover your work area with newspaper and disassemble the fixture. Clean the pieces and tape off areas that don't need to be painted. Following the instructions, apply indoor/outdoor primer followed by the new metallic paint. Once dry, remove the tape and reassemble the chandelier.

Cover the smallest details
When sprucing up your home for sale, sometimes it's the small details that can make the biggest impact. Painting dull, dirty or chipped register covers or light switch plates can give any room a quick pick-me-up, in less than an hour.

Directions: Remove register covers or light switch plates and place them on newspaper. Sand the surface lightly and wipe clean. Clean all pieces to remove any built up dust and grime. Following instructions, apply a number of light coats of primer, followed by a couple coats of gloss or metallic spray paint. Once dry, reinstall and enjoy.

Illuminate the exterior
Exterior lighting showcases the beauty of your home, so make sure that your light fixtures are just as attractive. Update faded, rusty or outdated finishes with a fresh new finish for a minimal price and maximum impact.

Directions: Turn off power to the lights and detach the fixture from the house. Remove the light bulb and mask off any parts that should not be painted - including wires. Place the fixture on newspaper and lightly sand. Clean all pieces and wipe dry. Following the directions on the can, spray several light coats of Krylon's Outdoor Spaces Metallic Finish. Make sure to evenly apply paint to the entire fixture. Once paint is completely dry, reattach the parts, reconnect the lightning fixture and turn the power back on.

Freshen up with flowers
The right landscaping and use of plants and flowers can greatly improve your home's curb appeal for prospective buyers. Brightening up your flower boxes is a quick and easy way to add some color to the front of your home in just a few hours.

Directions: Place a clean flower box on newspaper, sand the exterior to create a smooth surface. Apply several light coats of indoor/outdoor primer to help ward off drips. Next, apply a few coats of indoor/outdoor paint in your favorite color. Once dry, the box is ready to display your favorite flowers.

Whether you're prepping your Seattle house for sale or fixing up your new home, you'll find dozens of fast and easy projects at beamoverandshaker.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent