Leslie Bloss, Seattle Real Estate Professional

I just checked what the Dow is doing--it is up 360 but before I looked I was hoping it wasn't following yesterdays route. Will on Yahoo Finance, I ran into an article by one of my favorite guys "Ben Stein." He wrote an article entitled "Drill, Baby Drill" which is talking about how the "Access Bill" that has just been passed to end the 26 year ban on offshore drilling maybe not exactly what the voters want.

The drilling has to be 50 miles off shore (further out than where 80 percent of the oil and gas is). It is a compelling article and I think the next time maybe we should draft Ben Stein for President. And in the meantime, we can seriously think about whom we should vote out when they come up for election. That would also go for local lawmakers.

Wallingford, Green Lake, Capitol Hill, Fremont, Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Laurelhurst, View Ridge, and Windermere, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

It is a very good idea to look at the co-op or condo board meeting minutes as soon as you are thinking you maybe interested in a property. That way, you can find out what the association is looking at in the way of repairs which could mean some very expensive special assessments. You can also see how the reserves look and how well run the association is run.

For you Listing Agents, I would suggest you get the bi-laws, and board minutes scanned so that you can send them out as soon as someone shows an interest in the property. This can save everyone a great deal of time.

Wallingford, Green Lake, Capitol Hill, Fremont, Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Laurelhurst, View Ridge, and Windermere, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

It could mean that you haven't prospected your neighbors enough. It could mean that the sellers have previous agents they are loyal to.

It could mean that you should go across the street and meet the agents! This could be very profitable because you may wish to hold an open house for them--particularly in this case since the agents listing the home live over 40 miles away!

And, if they are pretty successful agents--you may wish to invite them to join Active Rain!

Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Laurelhurst, View Ridge, and Windermere, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

I poured beer last night at the Fremont Oktoberfest (our mugs were much smaller than the one shown because the idea is to go around and taste all kinds of beer). It is still on today until 6:00 pm and I will be there pouring again. This is a fundraiser for the Fremont Chamber of Commerce (of which I am a member). Even though it did rain some, the crowd was huge and everyone I saw was in a pretty good mood. If you are serious about your beer--they have over 80 kinds of beer. They also do have wine. I have found that there is an art to pouring--and I am starting to get the hang of it.

I did pass prospect a bit and found a young engineer that is actually going to want to find a home soon! Remember, to talk to people at these things--you can meet the most interesting people!

After my shift was over late last night I was starting to walk home and I was standing waiting for a red light to change. There was a young gal standing their sobbing and I asked if she was all right and she said "her boyfriend had just broken up with her." I asked if she was driving and she said "no, I am looking for a taxi." I asked her where she lived and it turned out it was only about three miles away so I told her I would take her home.

We actually had a very good talk and she was feeling quite a bit better by the time we got to where she lived. She said herself that she knows things will look better over time. She is a student and is a real contributor to society. I gave her my card and told her that if she ever needed someone to talk to please give me a call (that must come from my time as a crisis line worker). I am a good listener and it truly isn't a bother. Helping her was even more important to me than pouring the beer.

Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Ballard, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Laurelhurst, View Ridge, and Windermere, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.

It is that time again to come to the Wurst Festival. This year St. Benedict is celebrating their centennial, 1908 - 2008.

For those of you that are not familiar with the Wurst Festival is a "Octoberfest" type of celebration. This is their 26th year and started as a small fund-raiser for the school. Now days, the festival brings more than 10,000 visitors to the Wallingford neighborhood in one weekend. The Wurst Festival features "an array of delicious foods, games for kids of all ages, craft booths, homemade sweets, a book sale, a Biergarten and a raffle, plus live entertainment on an outdoor stage."

Regarding the food: "Of course there's bratwurst and sauerkraut, but also grilled salmon, sweet corn, baked potatoes with all the trimmings, pasta, Caesar salad, burgers and a kid's lunch at booths and in our covered outdoor restaurant. At the indoor cafe, folks can enjoy beverages with a homemade desserts. Or swing upstairs to have a snack with your beer in the Biergarten."

Activities: There are rides; more than 60 craft vendors; a raffle ticket to be purchased; the Book Shop; and games in our Fun Zone. You can sit and "watch the musicians and dancers on the outdoor stage or stick around after 9 p.m. and dance to the band in the Biergarten."

St. Benedict is at North 48th Street at Wallingford Avenue North between Interstate 5 and Aurora Avenue North.

The general hours are:

* Friday, 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Biergarten open until midnight).

* Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Biergarten open until midnight).

You can go online to get the entertainment schedule.

Wallingford, Green Lake, Fremont, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Laurelhurst, View Ridge, and Windermere, Washington Real Estate Property Listings. Just click on the blue "homes search" button and then click on the area you wish to view. You can also search by street address or the MLS number.