Mount Vernon, WA

I thought I'd share this message from the Lincoln Theatre's executive director:

In light of the horrific events we are witnessing in Haiti, the Lincoln Theatre will be stepping up to support the aid effort while bringing our community together. This Saturday, the Lincoln is donating net proceeds from Cambalache, the Northwest's hottest salsa band, to the William J. Clinton Foundation Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Ticket prices have been dropped to $15 general admission, to allow as many community members as possible to come together and make an impact in the face of a world tragedy.

The Lincoln is a platform for connecting our community, making it a perfect place to respond to this disaster together. The scope of the devastation in Haiti is unimaginable, but as a community which cares about the world's people, we have much to offer if we come together to help out. I hope you will join us on Saturday as we celebrate life while helping those whose lives have been inalterably changed. One event will never be enough to ease all the heartache and pain playing out just beyond our borders, but I hope you will find this an opportunity to take one small step together. And perhaps, if every community around the globe does the same, we will be able to bring a positive message of support and hope to people who need to know the world is there for them- now more than ever.

Thom Mayes, Executive Director

Lincoln Theatre Center Foundation

360-419-7129 - exec.dir@lincolntheatre.org

If you are unable to attend and would like to donate, please contact the Lincoln box office; checks made out to the Lincoln with the memo ‘Haiti relief' will be donated will concert revenues on behalf of the Citizens of Skagit County, Washington.

Cambalache makes their Skagit County debut, with a special performance at 8pm Saturday, January 23^rd. Before the show, the band also offers free salsa dance lessons at 7pm. Cambalache has broken attendance records at virtually every salsa club in the Northwest, with performances including Bumbershoot, NW Folklife, and the 2001 MLB All-Star Game. As the Everett Herald says, "expect a festive atmosphere created by one of the northwest's best salsa bands!" Their show is a high-energy celebration of music and dance and creates the ideal venue for gathering our community to make a difference in the lives of others. For more information, contact the Lincoln Theatre box office noon-5pm at (360) 336-8955.

To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.lincolntheatre.org/performance/cambalache-haitian-relief-benefit

Hey Everybody,

According to an article in BusinessWeek and Yahoo! Finance from November 6th, 2009, our great little town of Mount Vernon Washington is expected to top the Nation's job growth in the first three months of 2010.

Wow!

The article says that our "tourism, retail and hospitality will make a comeback as the economy improves." I think that is outstanding and likely to become the reality.

In Real Estate, we're already seeing the recovery. In the latest monthly recap published by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, Pending Sales in the month of October 2009 were up an amazing 94.44% from the October 2008 Sales in Skagit County.

Simply amazing! The recovery is here and it is real.

Add this to the near historic low interest rates and the $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit, or the $6,500 Tax Credit to people that have owned their home for at least 5 years and you have a fantastic opportunity for buying real estate! If you've been waiting for the right time to buy, wait no longer!

-Bill