I had a few things to pick up yesterday at the grocery store so on the way back from a meeting in Federal Way I dropped by Fred Meyer. I was surprised to see the parking lot almost full and wondered why. After going inside I realized that the predicted snow storm had prompted this natural occurrence. It happens every time a well-publicized storm approaches even though the forecasters are not always right, just like our economic forecasters. Here they were stocking up on canned goods, candles and batteries as if these weather patterns lasted for weeks.
I think there may be a lesson here. The store would have not seen this run on the aisles if the impending storm had not been so hyped in the media. Most people would have just stayed home avoiding the entire inconvenience. Since the great storm really never materialized anyway, just a small one, all this scurrying around was not really necessary. What if we all just quit paying so much attention to the media and went about our business as usual. We could save ourselves a lot of trouble and avoid finding ourselves among the herds.
I like reading the newspaper with my morning coffee, just like a lot of people. But I try not to let the headlines unduly influence my life. I have my own opinions and make my own predictions based on knowledge and experience. I also know that we all have something to say about our life's direction. Let's exercise that control and stop letting others impact our lives in a negative way. Let's just turn off the media and tune into life.
The photograph was taken in Merida, Mexico not at the Fred Meyer. Patrons at these mercados are not influenced by the weather, they're always crowded.
Published by Greg Saffell/South Sound Surfer
Turn off the media and tune into life
Recent articles in various publications suggest that the upswing in real estate foreclosures have helped to create an opportunity for homeowner scams. One recent incident in California involved a person who mailed an offer to homeowners who were delinquent on their home mortgage promising help with a fraudulent rescue plan. She claimed that her company, Community Home Saver Program, could delay or even stop foreclosure proceedings. The program involved transferring an ownership interest in the property to one of several shell companies and the payment of certain fees. Before this scam was exposed, about a dozen homeowners had fallen victum after paying the fees. They all eventually lost their homes as well.
Targeting homeowners in distress is abhorrent but may be on the rise. Any homeowner that has fallen behind in their mortgage obligations have consulting services available to them that are free of charge. If you know of someone in distress please advise them to contact their local HUD office for a list of approved counseling services. Let's not be deceived by offers that seem to be too good to be true.
This is a list of HUD approved housing counseling services in the Puget Sound area.
Published by Greg Saffell/South Sound Surfer
Foreclosure scamsters are active everywhere
There are many reasons to visit Tacoma regularly and one may be to see what's new at the Museum of Glass. I was there again a few weeks ago with friends to enjoy the developing waterfront area. The face of Tacoma is changing quickly and it is becoming a great destination for out-of town visitors and locals alike.
There are several museums along the waterfront that you can visit making it convenient to see them all. Plan to have lunch either at the museum or one of the many nearby restaurants along the promenade. Rain or shine, this makes for a pleasant informative experience.
For more information and directions to the Museum of Glass and to see their live webcam visit
Art Glass.
Greg Saffell/ South Sound Surfer
The Museum of Glass in Tacoma
There are many reasons to visit Tacoma regularly and one may be to see what's new at the Museum of Glass. I was there again a few weeks ago with friends to enjoy the developing waterfront area. The face of Tacoma is changing quickly and it is becoming a great destination for out-of town visitors and locals alike.
There are several museums along the waterfront that you can visit making it convenient to see them all. Plan to have lunch either at the museum or one of the many nearby restaurants along the promenade. Rain or shine, this makes for a pleasant informative experience.
For more information and directions to the Museum of Glass and to see their live webcam visit
Art Glass.
Greg Saffell/ South Sound Surfer
The Museum of Glass in Tacoma
We don't need to dwell on the faltering economy or the real estate business in particular. But problems abound in our industry and some of these difficulties are enormous. I was reading a story about a large real estate investment company that had it's humble beginnings in the grocery business. This was a generation ago but the family still controls the company, at least for now.
Like many other large organizations, they grew a bit too fast loading the company with debts of more than $27 billion. The family's ownership stake in the company six months ago was estimated at about $3.2 billion, but is now worth about $116 million. Needless to say the acting CEO and controlling family member was asked to step down by the board of directors.
It's a long story that tracks the company's growth and eventual slide into oblivion. Not unique in this unforgiving economy. For me, the most interesting part of the story deals with the personal side. Wealthy families are different that you and I. They run around the world in personal jets and can stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Nevis as long as they want.
Of course this family member had many homes in all the right places. The story mentioned their 70th floor Chicago condominium filled with modern art and hand-crafted furniture as well as their stone-and- timber vacation compound in Aspen, Colo., currently assessed at $20 million.
But the real interesting part is the company they keep. Wealthy individuals enjoy the benefits of their stature by associating with other rich and prominent individuals. This family frequently hosted dinner parties for famous musicians like Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Joshua Bell. Their annual New Year's party became one of Aspen's most coveted invites, attracting Madeleine Albright and other dignitaries.
I'm impressed. I would love to mingle with some of these people and enjoy their illustrious company. Just think, lunch with Madeleine Albright. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
Who would you like to have lunch with?
Greg Saffell/South Sound Surfer
Lunch with Madeleine Albright
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Representing buyers and sellers in Kent and surrounding communities. Well educated and competent with an easy going style.
The city of Kent Washington is located west of the Cascade mountain range and is the fourth largest city in King County. It is located directly between Seattle and Tacoma and covers approximately 29 square miles. Kent's culturally rich population is nearing 90,000.
Kent was the second city in King County to incorporate (1890). Kent began as an agricultural area originally growing hops estimated at over a million pounds a year. Much later the Kent valley was known as the "lettuce capital of the world". The verdant valley was subject to flooding until the Howard Hanson dam was constructed in 1963. Over the years agriculture has given way to commercial and industrial development which has led the city in new directions of commerce.
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For now, I'm going to use this section to post links to sites of interest to residents and visitors to the Kent, Wa area. Just click on anything that looks interesting.
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