Teresa's Seattle Blog

I’m a big fan of “New” – New Construction, new ideas, new technology, I love NEW stuff.
I love old stuff too but... 

I’m sharing because when I hear the word “green”...that historic turn-of-the century home is not the first thing that comes to my mind – but maybe it should be? 

While reading  green home tips online I ran across a thought provoking opening line:
-Here’s the opening line:                                                                                         

“The greenest house is the house already built”

- (from Preservation Magazine January/February 2008 issue)

A straightforward interpretation of “going green” can be to upgrade to newer, energy saving, more eco-friendly product versions as they’re developed, and that can effect our home and lifestyle choices BUT sometimes it isn’t as simple as all that. The question might be: At what cost?

What cost to the environment for disposing of those outdated items being replaced and what cost to our communities culturally and historically when it involves teardowns and replacing things as significant as homes.

Materials and energy that would be consumed to build new homes in their place and amount of space consumed at the landfills for disposal are two obvious considerations but there are more

Even “New” fans can acknowledge how existing and older homes and communities contribute to sustainability and “greenness” Their relevancy to the three R’s “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is HUGE! With education and awareness we can continue to help clients make informed choices because “green” is a color as diverse as the types of homes and people who live in them are.

So whether you agree with the statement or not... I Like it!
Is it true?–that may depend on the particular circumstances and perspective.

Seattle Home Show Online - Willie’s Blackberry Crisp - Anthony’s

The Seattle Home Show is available to browse online for those who missed the February event and there’s no need to fly to Seattle to check out some great exhibitor products. The site is also sharing some culinary delights that I can’t wait to try...namely the Blackberry Crisp from Anthony’s Chefs.... this yummy dessert and other Recipes online Seattle Home Show  

SWEET!

Today Default Research Inc suggests a decline in March 2008 home foreclosures in the Seattle area and parts of King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties, according to a PR.com Press Release. The April 4^th Report refers to Serdar Bankaci of Default Research Inc, to indicate that Seattle remains to be one of the least risky real estate markets in the nation.

Whether or not you use Flickr to display your photos online, here's a fun FREE online utility to create puzzles, inspirational posters, matted frames, magazine covers, movie posters, name badges, calendars, maps, trading cards and other unique items using your own digital photos.

The flickr toys selection of designs also include billboards, slideshows, widgets, and even a comic caption template. Customize your creations or download a Retouching tool FREE and have big huge fun at BIG HUGE LABS.  

Stamp, Matte and Motivational examples below:

As the Seattle GreenFestival kicks off at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center April 12-13 2008

         

Volunteers will be gathering at several Seattle area parks to help in a little greening themselves

Sunshine is the Seattle Saturday forecast so it could be ideal weather to spend some time outdoors. If you're interested in volunteering to help remove invasive plants, clean up litter, mulch or plant native species....join a work party! Work party locations are posted on Seattle Parks and Recreation Calendar online. Browse which sites will be providing light refreshments, snacks, drinks, tools or gloves to volunteers and remember many are teen friendly. Contact information and work scope summaries can be found online as well. Think Green!

• listing presentations
• single property websites
• listing advertising
• listing widgets

 

OK Google Gadgets may not be new - but I wanted to share a Seattle area widget I ran across the other day - it appears to be available for various other cities as well and I think is an awesome informative little do-dad...

It's a One-Stop center for "the" city sports, weather, news, airport and transit info, white pages directory, gas prices, even a movie guide presented in a compact and easy to reference widget for your site and yes it's FREE so if you want to check availability for your city, here ya go:

 

1. In the search box from Google Gadgets For Your Webpage:
2. Enter the name of "your city" and type "links"  - i.e "Seattle Links"

                                        See what you think.

 

 

 UPDATED  Brad Updated and created a very user friendly way to achieve a- Stylized AR Blog -  LOVE IT!

 

Testing the "new" look for Active Rain Blogs which is a result of changing the style sheet and that's all new to me but ...very cool if I can create a new style sheet from the instruction post that looks like the example then I'll be in biz. It's worth a shot because the example is terrific! Here Goes...

Now How about that! It actually was easy as pie instructions from: Brad

Brad Carroll - Real Estate Web Designer
Raleigh, NC

THANKS BRAD WHAT A DIFFERENCE - I LOVE IT!

 

Speaking of Ditch the bottled water habit Posted @ ActiveRain by Lisa Santacaterina

Lisa's post inspired me to write about a campaign started in Seattle to do just that!

A movement focusing on "ditching the bottled water" to reduce pollution, landfill waste and energy consumed is WATER WITHOUT WASTE and they site some incredible statistics you have to see to believe - example below  

Did you know that: · 4 million water bottles are used each day in WA  
from Peter Gleick, Co-founder and President, Pacific Institute http://www.pacinst.org/  

EEK! and that's just one day... in one state!
Enough to get the attention of some city/gov officials, non-profits and individuals who are joining the Washington WATER WITHOUT WASTE campaign

I never really got into the bottled water craze - in fact I'm far too busy drinking coffee to get very intimate with my water - but most of my people (nieces, nephews, siblings etc) ARE into it... so I've been known to keep a small supply in the frig.

That'll change (grin)- eco-friendly is even more friendly when it makes CENTS for the pocketbook and the environment. I LIKE! Don't you?