Sara Washburn

Yes, she is giving you that look. Yes, that look.

And it's something to write home about, too. With an asking price of $17,000 Juli Adams' deeply quizzical artwork pierces the thin veneer of polite society and into your soul. You'd brush it off, if you could, but you can't. It's exceptional.

Piece by piece, Juli Adams delivers wrenching, penetrating images that both inspire and frighten you at the same time. You look. And you look again.

Jennifer Bowman changes the tempo with
works that my mother would swoon for.

Free-flowing, interpretive pieces of gardens and countrysides that you could come home to day after day, brilliant color in a creative "loosing of the tie".

Chardonnay, anyone?

Our quest for the striking would not be complete without a hefty appreciation for a bit of the modern, specifically bronze, stainless steel, and stone sculpture that belongs in the gardens and houses of those not merely content with magnificence on the wall.

James Kelsey's sculpture is an experience in scale, playfulness, and presence.

While a painting can sit amicably by itself, Kelsey's sculpture demands dialog. Its strong, clean lines belong on the edges of pools and lakes, gracing zen gardens, and in the recesses of your imagination.

Ok, Ok, what is this, you're thinking??

It's an invite to participate with me and several other stoic Brio-ites who're just as excited as I am in the Firecracker 5000, a delightful 5k walk/run happening in downtown Seattle the night of July 3rd at 11:55pm, and running into July 4th.

Have you ever run under the stars before? If today's weather is indicative of our summer, this special night will be perfect temperature-wise for those of you who'd love to live out your wild side! Or run it, if you're up to it!

Please invite your families, kids too! Friends, neighbors, anyone who'd enjoy this funtastic event! The event costs $25 if you register by the 2nd of July, and $35 for after that.

On Race Day (July 3rd):

10pm Day of race registration and bib and chip pickup in Memorial Stadium

11:55 Start of Race

12:30 Brief awards ceremony with music and refreshments inside Memorial Stadium after the run

The Memorial Stadium is located at the Seattle Center at 305 Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98109.

The direct link: http://www.promotionevents.com/events/events-08/FC5K-08/registration.htm

Call me with any questions about this superb walk/run on my cell at 206-724-6500. Come and have fun!! Look forward to seeing you there!!!!

Happy Fourth!!!!

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest,

it was common for residents of the Bellevue/Eastside and residents of Seattle not to intermingle, viewing Lake Washington as a great expanse separating two very different worlds. I still encounter people who won't jump the "pond" to the other side, but for those in the Emerald City ignoring their eastern neighbor, an almost seemingly overnight transformation is taking place.

Calling Bellevue Seattle's sister city may be a bit presumptious, but no doubt this shining star is becoming a neighbor with which to contend. Why?

Bellevue residents have the "hots" for Bellevue,

and the temperature is rising: In the city's annual performance survey, 95% of respondents said they believe Bellevue is an excellent place to live, up two percent from last year. 94% rank the quality of life in their neighborhood as good to excellent, up 4%.

Bellevue is being "urbanized":

Aside from the stunning additions such as Bellevue Towers and Washington Square in the downtown district (and a new nightlife!), Bellevue's Bel-Red Corridor will be transformed into a more urban environment, with mixed use development, new neighborhoods (including affordable housing), parks and open areas, improved transportation, and more streets, bike lanes, and trails.

Preparing for the commuting future:

Bellevue's Light Rail Best Practices Commitee issued a report on the development of light rail after firsthand observation of the light rail systems in Portland, San Jose, and San Diego. What you need to know: connections will include downtown Bellevue, the Bed-Red area, Overlake, and Seattle, while preserving and enhancing Bellevue's character. Your ongoing participation is sought by the Best Practices commitee.

Commitment to environmental stewardship:

By the close of 2008, the City of Bellevue vehicle fleet will include 31 Hybrids, as well as several "flex" fuel vehicles which run on a combination of gasoline and ethanol. Thirty-two diesel vehicles have been retrofitted with "diesel particulate filters" that trap pollution normally emitted into the air. The entire fleet (as well as maintenance equipment) recycles its engine oil, antifreeze, fluids, tires, batteries, metals, mercury switches, and brake components.

No longer in Kansas, Toto! Shopping is stepping up:

Neiman Marcus is moving into the Braven (under construction, on the corner of 8th and 112th), as well as the emergence of other stores like Burberry and Lacoste in Bellevue Square. We knew you'd finally get here!

[Picture of Bellevue Towers taken from my car heading west on Bellevue Way. These are my favorite new addition to the city!]

The Newmark Tower

in downtown Seattle, on the corner of Pike and Second Ave, is an established building with a full concierge, indoor pool, gym, spa, and an overnight guest suite.

The high rise on the left is the "Newmark", in which I sold a comfortable condo to an earth-friendly client. The Newmark Tower is a short 1.5 blocks from Seattle's renowned Pike Place Market, two blocks from Westlake Center and the shopping district, and one block from the beautiful Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony.

My client loved the location, a short bus-ride right off 2nd into south Queen Anne. She often frequents Belltown via an even shorter bus-ride, or a brisk walk. Eco conscious, she eschewed owning a personal vehicle, proving how pedestrian friendly a city Seattle really is.

The Newmark underwent extensive renovations in 2002-2003 and is a good catch for a building to buy in, if you can get it!

I captured these pictures of the building from the 9th floor of the parking garage on the corner of 2nd Ave and Union in downtown Seattle.

The next picture captures the view looking west from the parking garage, and the edge of the Newmark on the rightmost.

Mark your calendars!!

Only two days away, residents in Bellevue, Washington have the opportunity to participate in an innovative "Spring Forward Expo: Projects Affecting Your Future" event/open house Wednesday, May 15th, where experts on over 40 city and regional projects affecting the city will offer presentations and seek your feedback. The event will take place at Bellevue City Hall at 450 110th Avenue NE, on the first floor concourse. (This is your opportunity to visit the gorgeous new City Hall if you haven't done so!)

Some of the projects featured and seeking your input:

• The Light Rail Best Practices Committee draft report regarding light rail practices to be applied in Bellevue. (EXCITING!!)
  
• Aquatic Center Feasibility Study north of Main Street
  
• Boeing/Eastgate Property Master Plan
  
• Meydenbauer Bay Project and Land Use Master Plan (I Blogged about this earlier, here's the master plan we've been awaiting!)
  
• Sound Transit East Link (To be created off the Freeway)
  
• Neighborhood Sidewalk Program (Livability, Livability!)
  

...and there's a whole lot more!!! In fact, so much more, that it's guaranteed something here's going to affect you directly if you're a Bellevue resident... More info on Spring Forward Expo

Bellevue is truly a proactive city. Whereas some our neighboring cities face grumbles regarding mismanagement of resources, Bellevue deserves kudos for improving the quality of life of its residents and for its wise stewardship of resources and opportunities.