Washington

The Whistling Ridge Project has stirred up an ill wind regarding renewable energy versus environmental issues, including the preservation of aesthetics and habitat. A scaled down version of the project was recently approved by Washington's Governor, Christine Gregoire.

Opponents of the Whistling Ridge Project, claim dozens of 430 feet high wind turbines would be visible for many miles within the Columbia River Gorge. In addition, they say the project would destroy acres of forests and harm wildlife, especially migratory birds and bats.

The Columbia River Gorge recently ranked 6th internationally, and second nationally among sustainable tourist destinations by National Geographic Traveler. The National Scenic Area offers year round recreation amid breath taking vistas.

Travelers driving through the Columbia River Gorge are treated to views of rugged cliffs, mountains, beautiful rivers, and a multitude of waterfalls. The area encompasses 292,500 acres and spans two states, southern Washington and northern Oregon.

The Governnor's scaled down version of the Whistling Ridge Project allows for 35 new wind turbines (instead of 50) on the north side of the Columbia River Gorge. Gregoire believes the decision meets the need for clean energy resources, and brings needed jobs and revenue to Skamania County.

Developers of the Skamania county Wind Farm say a scaled down version of their project is not financially viable. For now, the Whistling Ridge Project remains on hold. Opponents will likely appeal the Governor's decision, and have 30 days to file legal challenges in Thurston County Superior Court.

It's interesting to note, the proposed Wind Farm would produce less than 25 megawatts out of the more than 17,000 megawatts of current wind energy capacity - including all built, approved and proposed projects in Washington and Oregon. Currently, much of the wind energy produced in the Northwest is shipped to California.

The Governor's approval gives the green light for construction to begin on the project within five years, and that could be extended for another five years. Therefore, it appears as if the Whistling Ridge Project has the potential to stir up an ill wind for perhaps, years to come.

If you're looking for an energy efficient home in Clark County, Washington, I'd love to be your guide. As an EcoBroker, Green Homes are one of my specialties.

If you're interested, here's more to about the Columbia River Gorge:

Exploring Clark County with Mac and Me - The Fruit Loop, A day of Distractions

Fall Hiking - The Columbia River Gorge

Downtown Camas - Gorge -ous Artwork

Seattle real estate prices actually rose in February, 2012. There is a backlog of buyers looking for homes near the job centers. In spite of that good news, location is everything, as some Seattle metro areas are experiencing a glut of foreclosures hitting the market and falling prices. Here is a link to the article from the Seattle Post Intelligencer of March 5, 2012.

http://www.seattlepi.com/realestate/article/House-prices-rose-in-Seattle-in-February-3383314.php

That being said, not all Seattle metro neighborhoods are appreciating. Some areas are actually experiencing a nasty correction. Today, location is EVERYTHING. To compare neighborhood listing vs. selling prices, go to my website, www.seattlemetrohomesforsale.com and check out the market insider section of the site. The market insider gives the current data of how sales are doing (rising or falling) in communities and neighborhoods. If you register, you will not be spammed and you can opt-out at any time.

Today's homeowners have a lot to fear. Budgets are tight and it doesn't take much before "barely getting by" tips into avoiding collector's phone calls, sleepless nights and falling further behind.

Many homeowners don't think it's possible to tip the scales back in their favor so they simply give up.

You do not have to lose your home to foreclosure!

As a real estate professional who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, I am uniquely qualified to help homeowners as they attempt to bring balance back to their budgets.

If you, or someone you care about feels like the scales are weighted against them and need help, contact me today for a confidential consultation!

Sandy Wagner

Short Sale Specialist in Tacoma, WA and Gig Harbor, WA

Helping people find a way out of foreclosure

253.225.8322

www.sandywagnerhomes.com

It's time to crack open a Guinness I think, St. Patrick's Day is upon us! This is a wee bit of a random post, but I was thinking this week about holidays like "good ole’ St. Paddy’s Day" and the memories I’ve collected along my travels over the years around this Gaelic holiday and the Irish.

Some have faded, others stick around, new and old, I find I’ve acquired quite a kaleidoscope. These aren’t about the meaning of the holiday in as much as what I think about when St. Patrick’s Day shows up. I'm sure this dates me, but oh well, I have a lot of dates...

In no particular order...

The Quiet Man. Starring John Wayne as a retired boxer who moves back to his village in Ireland. The first time I saw this movie was at a drive in with my cousins around 1960. I was bored to tears. I rediscovered the movie years later and became a huge fan. I love Maureen O’Hara, Arthur Shields, Ward Bond, Barry Fitzgerald, etc. Nobody tells a story like the Irish.


Bing Crosby in Going My Way and The Bells of St Mary’s. I’ve always connected with the Irish in their ability to take a hard knock story yet smile and joke about it. Bing was awesome in these movies with an optimism beyond the challenges of the times.

“There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met.”
~ William Butler Yeats


Arthur Guinness (the 1st one) was born in 1725 in Cellbridge County Kildare. He was a land Stewart and brewed beer for workers of the estate. When the landowner died in 1752 he left 100 pounds to Arthur who went to Leixlip in County Kildare in 1756 and set up his first brewery. The rest is history. Guiness

Pierce Brosnan one of my favorite James Bond actors (Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day) became an American citizen in 2004, and let us not forget Remington Steele! Yet I remember the dark story of The Matador and (for some reason) I am still so attracted to the movie, Dante’s Peak.

Sailing in the British Virgin Islands in May/June 2006...

Oscar Wilde is one of the most successful writers ever. The Picture of Dorian Gray was amongst his most renowned works and his only published novel. He was such a decadent cause and shrouded in controversy. That’s probably what attracted me to him in the first place!

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
~ George Bernard Shaw

I saw a program on PBS one night a few years ago and it profoundly moved me. Excavations at the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang province of China revealed over 100 well preserved mummies that were 2,000 to over 4,000 years old. They were blond and red haired with blue eyes and their DNA traced to Gaelic origins.

Paul David Hewson better known as Bono of the U2 group was born in Dublin in Ireland. He’s also dabbled in movies and is also known for his humanitarian work.

Grace Kelly was from a wealthy family yet failed admission to college because of poor math skills. Disappointing her parents she pursued an acting career and went on to the silver screen to do such memorable roles in Hitchcock classics like Dial M for Murder, and Rear Window. She became a top Hollywood Actress and in 1956 married Prince Rainier of Monaco.

John F. Kennedy became the first and only Irish-American Catholic President Of The United States of America. Born May 29, 1917, JFK served in WWII with distinction and was more than a tremendous inspiration to me growing up and still lives in my heart today. Looking back it seems amazing he was only 43 years old when he ran for office against Nixon.

Finnegans Wake is a timeless read. I consider Joyce among my dearest friends on the bookshelf. James Joyce

Frank McCourt like social media itself is the best friend I ever had and never met in person. Angela’s Ashes, ‘Tis, Teacher Man... absolutely brilliant and to me, “Oh so Irish.” If there was ever a greater storyteller, a master of the run on sentence (other than James Joyce), please let me know.

The peoples of Ireland have given us many gifts for more century's than we can remember. They are family to all of us who live on this tiny little planet called Earth. Bless you all on this day of remembrance and thank you St. Patrick for being one with courage to point us to a better future.

Enjoy the green beer, the plaids, the shamrocks, and all the wonderful stories of pots of gold at rainbows end and leprechauns. We all get to be a little bit Irish on March 17th...

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