About Yakima County, WA

Yakima Events in April...Fun Things to Do This Month!!

04-04-08

Shannon Drew, Hometown Realty, Yakima WA

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Office: (509) 454-0207

Mobile: (509) 949-1968

Outdoor Survival Class at YVCC First class April 10, 6:30PM and runs for three consecutive Thursdays. Class taught by a Yakima County Search and Rescue veteran includes topics such as positive attitude and programming your mind to succeed and to control fear, as well as basic map-and-compass skills, telling time and direction by the stars and sun, and navigating by reading signs in plants, soils, winds, topography, temperature and wildlife. Call Don Witke, instructor, for more information 509-697-6378. To register call YVCC at 547-4712. Tuition is $30.

Temptation: A Mixed Media Invitational. Opening reception, Thursday, April 10 5:30-7:30PM, Through May 25th, Peggy Lewis Gallery, Allied Arts Center 509-966-0930, www.alliedartsyakima.org . Expressions of temptation by Becky Blair, Bill Brennan, Brian Holtzinger, Carol Hassen, Gary Dismukes, Justin beckman, Leo Adams, Lucy Valderhaug, Marcia Blevins, Penn O. Shelton, Rob Prout, and others.

Yakima Area Arboretum, 9th Annual Arbor Festival April 12, 10AM-3PM Activities for kids and adults, FREE!

Seattle Opera Young Artists, with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra April 12, 7:30PM at the Capital Theatre. Two one-act comedic masterpieces: Maurice Ravel's Fantastical L'enfant et les Sortil ges and Puccini's Gianni Schicchi. Tickets available at 509-853-ARTS, or toll free 877-330-ARTS.

YVCC Visiting Faculty Lecture Series April 14, 7:30PM. Kendall Hall Auditorium. Free. Call 509-574-4646 Diandra Leslie-Pelecky: "Building Speed: The Physics of NASCAR"

Earth Day Hike, Cowiche Canyon April 20, meet at 1PM at the Weikel Trail trailhead. (Dir: West on Summitview for 7 miles past 40th Ave., right on Weikel Rd., half-mile later turn right into parking lot for Cowiche Canyon) Participants go one way with a naturalist, who will point out local flora and fauna, and the other way with a geologist who can explain the history of the rock structures and how and what the different colors and layers mean.

Yakima Valley Community Band Spring Concert April 21, 7:30PM, Eisenhower High School's Little Theatre, 702 S. 40th Ave., FREE Broadway, Classical and Patriotic music. 509-965-2115, www.yakimacommunityband.org.

Capital Steps April 24 at the Capital Theatre. 853-ARTS, or 877-330-ARTS for tickets. Don't miss the show all of Yakima talks and laughs about for days. A highlight of the year on stage!

The Wizard of Oz, April 24-26 and May 1-3, 7:30PM, or April 26/ May 3 aat 2PM at the Davis High School Auditorium. $7 adults, $5 ages 12 and under. Presented by Davis High School drama department. 509-573-2500

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Pillar to Post Professional Home Inspection

03-14-08

Jacque Simmons

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Office: (509) 965-1541

Mobile: (509) 895-9009

In real estate, it’s dangerous to overreach when it comes to providing guidance on structural, legal, and financing matters. Here are some basics, but be sure to send buyers and sellers to the appropriate experts when necessary.

10 structural red flags

No home is perfect. “Owners have reported to us that two-thirds of home inspections uncovered problems,”saysDan Steward, president of home inspection company Pillar To Post, Tampa, Fla.

That’s why many sellers decide to have a pre-sale inspection. “For any homeowner, repairing problem areas prior to putting the house on the market can maintain or increase the home’s value and avoid unpleasant surprises during the sales negotiation or at time of closing.”

At the same time home buyers need to understand what’s normal and what’s not, says H. Alan Mooney, president of Criterium Engineers, a consulting engineering firm that specializes in building inspections. “Most foundations have cracks, and 90 percent are normal,” he says.
Help your buyer clients understand the biggest problems:

Foundation cracks

Ridges or lateral movement indicate a change in a surface that could be cause for concern. Remember, for the most part it is not the width of the crack that is important, but the displacement of the surfaces on either side of it. Find out why the change occurred to get the problem solved properly. A foundation wall could be inadequate, or too much water may have accumulated outside.*

Load-bearing walls removed.

This problem may be tough for salespeople to spot unless the change caused ceilings to sag, ceilings or walls to crack, and floors to become springy. Pay particular attention at openings in basement and lower floor areas by looking for excess deflection in the middle of the span and cracks in the corners of the openings. A history of a home’s renovation work may indicate that walls or columns were removed that should have been left.

Faulty or insufficient wiring.

Again, this won’t be easy to spot, unless wiring was done poorly or wires remain exposed. Have buyer clients ask whether wiring in older homes was updated and whether wiring can handle all their tech needs. A telecommuter might need extra capacity. A family with teenage children might overtax a system that was fine for an older couple.

Water, water everywhere.

Stains may indicate prior water problems, but so can surfaces recently painted to camouflage past problems. When you smell fresh paint, use your judgment to determine whether the house has been redecorated for sale or painted only in certain areas to mask a problem. When in doubt, ask the sellers. But be wary when they say they’ve corrected past problems; that doesn’t guarantee new problems won’t happen, says Mooney.

Leaky roofs.

Stains within a home may indicate water problems. Even a new roof won’t guarantee that a problem was totally resolved. “An owner may have added another layer of shingles on top of an existing leaky roof. The problem also may be due to inferior flashing,” Mooney says. Buyers should ask how a problem was fixed and who did the work.

Ineffective windows.

Windows that can’t be opened and closed are problematic and should be serviced, repaired, or replaced. Windows that fog up may need maintenance or repair because they leak. The problem may be the result of poor installation which Mooney calls “a major epidemic.” Steward says double-glazed windows that fog up due to faulty seals may look unattractive, but it’s rarely cost effective to replace them if energy savings are the only goal.

Damp facades.

Stains on wood siding may reveal entrapped moisture; cracks around bricks may indicate missing mortar. Know that hairline cracks around bricks may be OK, but in climates where freezing takes place, it’s advisable to seal the cracks to reduce the possibility of freeze/thaw action causing spalling, or deterioration of the brick’s face.

Pesky pests.

Termites and carpenter ants may reside in your home and dine without being invited. They also leave few signs, except some mud tubes and sawdust, known as frass. Best rule: Quiz homeowners about prior unwanted pests and what they did to cure problems.

Sagging wood floors.

Like foundation cracks, variations in wood floors are normal since wood is not a perfect material. Not acceptable: excessive slopes or a floor that feels like a trampoline when walked on. A marble is the simplest device for checking a wood floor. Place the marble on the floor. If it rolls away quickly, call an expert.

Rot.

Most wood that’s not treated is often vulnerable to moisture and fungal growth. Red flags are decay that appears brown and crumbly, breaks into cubes, or is soft. Pay attention to wood that touches dirt since it’s more susceptible to picking up moisture and decay and allows an easy pathway for insects such as termites. Watch masonry or joints that are slow to dry.

If seller clients are required to make repairs before a closing, advise them to get three recommendations and bids before proceeding. If work was previously done, tell buyer clients to check permits to ensure the work was performed in compliance with local regulations.

Sources: H. Alan Mooney, Criterium Engineers, Portland, Maine; Diane Saatchi, The Corcoran Group, East Hampton, N.Y.; Dan Steward, Pillar To Post, Tampa, Fla.

Jacque Simmons
509-895-9009
Jacque.Simmons@pillartopost.com

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Mighty Tieton

03-10-08

Shannon Drew, Hometown Realty, Yakima WA

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Office: (509) 454-0207

Mobile: (509) 949-1968

Tieton, Washington is a small community that is in the beginning stages of a rebirth thanks to Ed Marquand and his vision for this community.

The town of Tieton is only about 15 minutes from Yakima, and less than three hours from either Seattle or Portland. It used to be a bustling agricultural/fruit area, but in recent years has declined. Many businesses were boarded up when Mr. Marquand first came through town. The story has been repeated many times... he was on a bike ride through the area and ran over some goatheads which flattened his tires. He stopped at the town square, a grassy, well-kept area in the center of town, to make repairs before moving on. It was here that he had his vision for the town.

He envisions a community of artisan businesses and hospitality enterprises that will be recognized for the creative and imaginative ventures of it's residents. He calls this vision "Mighty Tieton".

(For more info visit the website, www.mightytieton.com )

Several projects have already been started, some completed. A fruit warehouse has been converted into live/work lofts, another warehouse is headquarters for a letterpress print shop and artist studios. A church that was abandoned has been converted to a community events center called Harvest Hall. Anyone interested in investing in the development of a small inn and tavern can contact mtieton@yahoo.com.

Real estate is still very affordable and there is a ready work force in the area. Average price for residential property is between $175,000 and $275,000.

Homes currently listed in Tieton range from $89,000 for a 1 bedroom home with workshop on half an acre (see photo, left) to a $735,000 horse ranch. Land starts at $35,000.

Search for Tieton real estate at www.shannondrew.com.

The opportunities are wide open for artists of all kinds in this town. Consider being a part of it's future.

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Genealogy is a hobby the whole family can enjoy!

03-08-08

Shannon Drew, Hometown Realty, Yakima WA

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Office: (509) 454-0207

Mobile: (509) 949-1968

Genealogy is a rewarding hobby for history buffs. Not only do you seek and find your ancestors, but the research brings history alive.

I began my research as a teenager with the goal of finding the original immigrant to America in each family. Then I thought I was only researching four names, those of my father's parents and my mother's parents. It has multiplied into the hundreds as one surname leads to two more and on and on and on... Twenty-five years later, I still am searching for some elusive families. Eventually, I'd like to publish my research in a book to pass to the next generations.

I have ancestors that came on the Mayflower, Jamestown settlers, some that came to America as indentured servants, and one that came to fight against colonists in the Revolution with the goal of deserting and starting a new life here. There are Irish, English, Scots, German, and Dutch...some famous and well-to-do in their time, some poor as dirt looking for a fresh start. I've traced many families as they moved west, some coming to the Northwest over the Oregon Trail. It has been, and continues to be, a fascinating journey.

There are lots of ways to get started. Several websites provide beginner tips. Visit www.rootsweb.com , www.familysearch.org, and www.genealogy.com for blank forms and instructions for completing them. To begin, you should download a blank pedigree form and a blank family group sheet and make lots of copies. Then start by filling in the information you already know. Ask older family members for their help whenever possible.

If you live in a town that has a local genealogical society and library, go and join! In Yakima we are blessed with the YVGS (Yakima Valley Genealogical Society). Over the last few years the group has been busy moving and settling into a brand new library, and fundraising efforts to pay for it. This year the focus is on increasing membership and the collection of resource books (already one of the largest in the state).

The library is staffed by volunteers and open Monday-Saturday 10AM-4PM September through May, it's closed on Saturdays in June, July and August and also closed on major holidays. The library is located at 1901 S. 12th Ave. (just south of Washington Ave.). Non-members may visit the library for a fee, or join the society and visit as often as you'd like!

Membership fees for YVGS are $20 for individual, $21 for a couple, or $25 for the whole family. With your membership you also receive a quarterly bulletin. Meetings are held once a month and the library hosts workshops and classes throughout the year. Visit www.rootsweb.com/~wayvgs/ for more information. And think about exploring genealogy as a hobby your whole family can share!

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Local Events in March

03-08-08

Shannon Drew, Hometown Realty, Yakima WA

view my blog
Office: (509) 454-0207

Mobile: (509) 949-1968

Latino Cultural Film Series, Allied Arts Center, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave. Tapas, wine tasting 6PM, Screenings 6:45PM Discussion Follows. $5.00. 509-966-0930, http://www.alliedartsyakima.org/

March 13, "The Motorcycle Diaries",
March 20, "Crossing Arizona",
March 27, "Quinceanera"

Home and Garden Show, March 14-16 Yakima Valley Sundome, 1301 S. Fair Ave. $6, $8, $16. TicketsWest 800-325-7328, State Fair ticket office, 509-248-7160

Capital Theatre, Best of Broadway Series, 19 S. Third St. Tickets: TicketsWest 800-325-7328, Capital Theatre Box Office, 853-2787

"GYPSY" March 14, 7:30PM and March 15, 2:00PM and 7:30pm
"LITTLE WOMEN" March 28, 7:30PM and March 29, 2:00PM and 7:30PM

Simon Edwards Gallery, 3105 Summitview Ave., 509-248-6886, 11:00AM-4:00PM Tues.-Sat

"Wood", interpretations from around the world. Through March 28.

Yakima Area Arboretum, 1401 Arboretum Drive. Open Dawn to Dusk. Jewett Visitor Center open 9AM-4PM Tuesday-Saturday. Admission: Donation www.ahtrees.org

March 15 , 10AM-noon, Stained glass garden art class. $35 members, $40 non-members. Class size limited.
March 22 , 9AM-noon, Raptor class on birds of prey. Optional field trip through arboretum follows. (Bring a sack lunch). $10 members, $15 non-members

Medieval Swordsmanship, Beginner-level classes. Offered by the Fencing Society of the Academy of Historical Arts and Sciences. 509-972-8578, mail@livinghistoryacademy.org

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