Sarah Nopp, REALTOR(R), CRS. RE/MAX Four Seasons, Olympia WA

Here is an opportunity to let your wallet vote your Values!

Join the Olympia Weaver's Guild for their 25th Annual Show & Sale this weekend:
December 6 & 7 2008
10 am to until 6 pm
At the Boston Harbor Firestation (5046 Boston Harbor Rd NE).

There is a lot of talk about spending your dollars locally and all the benefits to the community, but sometimes there are few options to do that. Which is why the hoilday season is such fun! You will be able to find all sorts of unique handmade items, from finished clothing like scarves & hats to stocking stuffers like hand-dyed yarns from the spinners own flock.

You can't get much more local than yarn dyed with local plants, spun from the wool of sheep living a few miles away!

This annual event was previously held at the WA State Capitol Museum, but has moved now, so be sure to get the address correct. Other events that weekend

The silk painting pictured above is by the Guild's own Erica Plotkin.
(And in the interest of full disclosure, I am a newbie member of the Guild too.)

If you are interested in joining the Olympia Weaver's Guild, or are just curious what we do, please visit our website at http://olympiaweaversguild.org/ and join us for one of our fantastic meetings!

What is selling in Centralia?
Here are the market statistics, as of today, October 14, 2008, for single family homes for sale in Centralia WA in Lewis County.

Fifty percent of the sales in the past year have been under $160,000.
There is currently a 10 to 11 month inventory of available homes, so it is imperative if you are selling a home in Centralia to offer more than the competition, but for less money.

The green area shows the most up to date "snapshot" of market activity- those homes still available through the MLS that have received offers, but have not closed. This portion of the market has the same balance of sale- roughly 50% under $160,000.

Are you looking for a special home in Centralia? Give me a call and I would be happy to help you find just the right property? You can also visit my website and sign up to receive updates of everything new on the market!

And don't forget to take a look at this great listing: 1107 Marion Street.

We are very lucky to live in a community that sustains such a diversity of businesses. Downtown Olympia is chock full of little shops (culturla treasures really) that have been there for ages, specializing in some very niche items: specialty toys, custom jewelry and clothes, local coffee roasters (two of course!), a pie shop, and on and on.

But have you ever been to Buck's on Fifth Avenue?

Buck's is one of my favorite places in downtown Olympia! It is one of the smallest shop space, and is one of those wonderful places you dream about as a child: filled floor to ceiling with items of wonder from around the globe:

SPICES

That is right- Olympia has its very own spice bazaar! Well, maybe not bazaar, but it has all the right smells. And if you haven't been there, you do need to visit.

Even though it is a fantasy place for my imagination, with hints of the shops in Harry Potter, it is no antiquarian shop, stuck in the past- Buck's has a great web presence, so everyone can order from it Anywhere you live. Take a look at the site, here: Buck's Fifth Avenue.

Not only does she carry the a huge array of spices (over 400), she has the tools to use them: storage containers and grinders and roaster, rice steamers, spice mills, grilling planks, and more kinds of mortars & pestles than I knew existed. Oh- and lots of dried mushrooms- even truffles.

Just for kicks, I took a look at all the things I have purchased from the shop in the past little while and had to laugh at the really whimsical list (pictured here):

• Mortar & Pestle
• Whole nutmegs & nutmeg grinder with storage area for the nuts
• Habanero powder
• "Taste the Pain"- a delightful little collection of hot hot hot spices, with a little spoon so your skin doesn't touch it
• A variety of indian curries and spices like garam masala and groud coriander
• Three varieties of smoked salts
• Greek Oregano, Thai basil, garlic flakes, etc

Buck's first caught my attention because it is housed in one of the iconic old buildings in downtown, just across from the old theater. And I do love to look at old buildings as I walk my dog. But she reeled me in because the shop is "dog friendly"- she welcomes Dogs in for a sniff and a cookie. And of course a bowl of water on the sidewalk.

This kind of locally owned business exemplifies what is so great about Downtown and all of Olympia: the celebration of character, diversity and unique ideas.
And it is one of the reasons I love to call Olympia home.

(Yes, you can order the habanero powder and the spice kit on the webite, just like the one pictured.)

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If you would like to live near wonderful shops like this, in a downtown that is walkable and friendly, I would love to show you around and help you find a home! (I didn't even tell you about the sandwich shop or wine bar!)
We are 30 miles south of Tacoma, 60 miles south of Seattle and about 100 miles north of Portland Oregon, so very central, with easy access to 2 airports for easy travel. At only 15 miles from the Main Gate to Ft Lewis, this is a perfect place to call home for families PCS'ing to Ft Lewis or McChord AFB.
Give me a call or email to get started on the search, or take a look at all the homes available in Western Washington at my website.

Olympia is in the throes of our annual springtime Artswalk & Procession of the Species Parade!

The Procession of the Species Parade happens each Spring and is a flamboyant celebration of whatever you want to express!
Of the few rules, the most important seems to be No Written Words- so no political statements, nothing religious, no politics. Nothing to mess up a fun day. Just friends and neighbors getting together to pull around floats of giants slugs & rats, dress up like trees and elephants, and play some music on "Found Item instruments" in the Samba OlyWa dressed as the wind! The crowds are HUGE for this parade- take look!
And the website for the parade is here.

Artswalk occurs in both the spring and the fall each year. It gives local artists a chance to showcase their works, show new pieces and maybe even sell a few pieces. Their works are displayed inside the local businesses throughout downtown.
And during the parade, while the city streets are closed, chalks suddenly appears and chalk artwork appears. So the streets are a bit chalky after, but very colorful!

Throughout downtown Olympia, you will find sculpture, fine art, crafts and music. It all started on Friday night, and many of the displays will be in place for a week or a month.
Have you been looking for a reason to explore one of the shops you have never been inside before? Just look for the ArtsWalk sign in the store window.

I volunteered to host the quilts hung by my quilt guild, Washington Stars, and answer questions today as part of the ArtWalk. The quilts are hung at the well-loved Olympia institution Browsers Books (featuring new & used books of all interests!) The quilts will be on display through next Friday, so go take a look at this sampling of work. We are also selling $1 raffle tickets, so Buy One.

There are more pictures on my Other non-work Blog.

Olympia has some very beautiful parks scattered throughout. Sometimes they are hidden from both visitor and local!
The Yashiro Japanese Garden in downtown is one of the hidden gems. Named in honor of the Sister City relationship with Kato (formerly Yashiro) in Hyogo Prefecture on Honshu, this park is next to the City Hall and Police Station.

I first discovered this park while dropping off a parking ticket. Incidentally, you can also drop off your city of Olympia water/sewer/garbage bill at the same location!

The Garden includes the classic features one expects in a Japanese garden: a pond to reflect the sky and trees, places to sit and quietly enjoy, bamboo shrouded paths, staturary and lanterns, beautiful greenery and blooming plants.

In the spring, you will enjoy the cherry blossoms, the rhododendron & azalea blooms, trillium, camellia and so much more.

I think one of the reasons this peaceful place has remained so hidden from all the people who visit, is that it is just off the freeway. Most people zip right past, without a moment's glance!
To reach this little slice of peace and quite:
From I-5 take Exit 105 towards the Port of Olympia (Plum Street). The first intersection is Union, and directly after the (requisite) gas station, is the park on your right. Parking is available next to the park.

And if you have a tiny bit more time after enjoying all beautiful plants in the Japanese Garden, just cross the parking lot to the gardens surrounding Olympia's City Hall and Police Station. Including this stunning magnolia, which is currently covered in huge blooms, and surrounded by cheerful spring color.
(All photos were taken April 10, 2008.)