Basket of bread at the Maddox Grill

Here is what remains of some bread.

UPDATE: Small table project

Here is what the tables look like now, after sanding and one coat of paint.

Something New Growing at St. Thomas More

Here's a catchy article from the Lynnwood Enterprise about a new community garden started at St. Thomas More Church in Lynnwood. The plan is for some of the fruit and vegetables grown to be donated to the nearby Lynnwood Food Bank.

Link: http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20080425/ETP03/546842644/0/ETPZoneMC&template=ETPZoneLTart

It's a Beautiful Day for a Swap Meet

The Puget Park Swap Meet (or Swap-O-Rama as it may be called) is a long-standing staple of the area. Located at a drive-in theater in South Everett (just off I-5), each April through October on Saturdays and Sundays many swappers from all over the region gather to try to find a bargain.

Every year there seems to be rumors that this will be the last for the Swap Meet, but so far these have proven to be false. Although E-Bay and Craigslist have definitely limited some of the bargains to be found, it's still fun to hunt through other people's junk. In my younger days, the Swap Meet single handedly helped build my collections of baseball cards, records, and CDs.

Real Estate on Whidbey

A Revolution Rooted on Whidbey Island

There's a new third-party looking to make waves in this year's presidential election. David Jon Sponheim, a Whidbey Island web developer, started the "Cool Rock" party (later changed to "America's Third Party").

See the story in the Whidbey News-Times here.

My Niece Can Sit Up!

Look at little Katie Rivers. Isn’t she cute?  And getting bigger all the time.  Photo taken by proud momma Bonnie Rivers.

Little table sanding project

I will post an update on these once they're completed.

A story about "Natives" and "Outsiders"

This story comes courtesy of my father, Gary Schwertley:

This is a story about the "natives" and "outsiders". As you know, there was a minor wave of Californians who emigrated to Washington state in the late 1980's-early 1990's and was greatly resented by some "native" Washingtonians. Moving here in Jan. 1987, we were a little early in that wave, and interestingly enough, it has been reported in the newspaper that a certain number of the emigrants from California from that time have moved back. Anyway, for many years, there were all kinds of slurs being thrown around about "outsiders" from California, "Californicators", and that sort of thing. I remember one loud-mouthed former co-worker saying, "I wish every realtor in the state would grab a Californian under each arm and go back there." He, of course, blamed increases in real estate prices on the influx of Californians.

Anyway, we learned to keep our previous state of origin to ourselves if people didn't already know that information. So, 21 years went by, and I figured that this kind of provincial, petty attitude had faded away. Those old complaints are rarely heard now. Recently, I was involved in a Group Health Cooperative study at their fancy head office at 320 Westlake Ave. N. in Seattle. I was talking to this lady across the table from me who lived in Lynnwood. She mentioned that she had lived around Edmonds and Lynnwood all her life, and hearing that I was from Edmonds, had I lived there all my life too? I said, "No, I've lived there for 21 years." She then asked, "Where did you live before that?" to which I answered, "California." Her next comment was, "Oh, one of those." I swear, the next time some congenitally inbred Norwegian-Washingtonian asks me that question, I'm going to lie and say, "Iowa." To that they'll probably say, "Oh, that's nice, what a cool state." Stoopid sonsabitches.

You know, you'd think these people still believe they live in a town of 5,000 people. This is a major metropolitan area. It's so childish and provincial of them to harbor these attitudes. What do they say to a Chinese-American, "Where did you used to live?" When he says, "China," if they respond with the same answer I got, "Oh, one of those," they'll be facing a civil rights violation lawsuit.

I guess being a native Washingtonian counts for something, and when I was a native Californian, it didn't count for shit. California was a state that was always growing with new arrivals of emigrants from all over the country and the world. When I went to grade school, lots of kids were from elsewhere, like Texas, Michigan, Ohio, you name it, even Iowa!! In Lakewood, California, the city where I grew up, entire neighborhoods consisted of people from somewhere else. Nobody ever said anything to neighbors about their former states of residence, except maybe, "Hail, fellow Iowan!"

Seattle and the metropolitan area around it strives to be a cosmopolitan, progressive place, but old attitudes die hard, I suppose. The history of mankind has been one of movement, and the "Washington native" mentality ain't gonna stop it.

What do you think? Post a comment to join the discussion.

Sno-King Driving School Closes Under Mysterious Circumstances

A driving school with several locations throughout South Snohomish County closed last week (see story in the Herald). I remember selling them advertising back in 2003, shortly after they opened. I'm honestly surprised that they stayed in business as long as they did, it seemed like a pretty strange operation. The owner, Bob Hall, seemed like a nice enough guy - but it does not come as a surprise to me that he has left the country.

Look at this happy cat

Isn't she cute? don't get too close or you may lose a finger!

Multimedia message

Waiting to board the late ferry.....

Weeping Cherry Tree in the April Snow

This photo was taken last Friday, April 19, in my backyard in Lynnwood.

Hey, I got some new shoes

Kind of orange but oh so comfortable.

Gus Mansour and Barack Obama

My friend and local real estate icon Gus Mansour of John L Scott Real Estate recently met presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Gus has been an agent in the Brier, Lynnwood, and Mountlake Terrace areas for many years and has had the pleasure of meeting many prominent figures during this time. In addition to Obama, Gus has met Bill Clinton, His Holiness the Dahli Lama (multiple times), Washington State Governors Christine Gregoire and Gary Locke, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Senator (and former Presidential Candidate) John Kerry, former Senator John Edwards, and many others. I will post some other photos and stories in the future.

Sign of the Times: Realtor Drums up Business on the Street

I haven't seen this anywhere locally yet, but I wouldn't be shocked to see it. Hey, you've got to generate business somehow. . .

Some new and exciting local Real Estate blogs

2 new blogs about Real Estate in south Snohomish County, by 2 well-known members of the local real estate scene. They both have great insights, so I'm looking forward to seeing their blogs develop:

Lynnwood Undressed, by Jim Warner of Keller Williams and the ROCS Alliance
Blog Boe, by Boe Lindren of Ashlar Realty.

Downtown Auburn

Yesterday I made my first visit to downtown Auburn. What a cool place. I mean, Sound Publishing does have a newspaper there (Auburn Reporter), but I never knew it had an old-style downtown area. Complete with little restaurants, (some) shopping, bars, etc.

Lynnwood Red Light cameras

The City of Lynnwood recently installed several red light cameras at some of their busiest intersections. The result? Way more people run red lights than the city had expected, which means way more $$$ for the city than projected.

This discovery does not come as much of a surprise to me. Traffic has gradually increased in the city to the point that it can take a ridiculous amount of time just to move a few blocks in the "downtown" area. (I put "downtown" in quotes because Lynnwood doesn't really have a clearly defined "downtown" area. But that's a topic for another post).

The Lynnwood Enterprise has written a plethora of articles about the red light cameras. Many local cities (including neighboring Mill Creek and Edmonds) have sat back and watched what Lynnwood has done and are considering adding cameras within their jurisdictions.

The debate rages on about whether these cameras are the right thing to do. I have yet to be the victim of one, so I can't really complain.

Seattle PD recruiting in New York

This article in The Seattle Times talks about the Seattle Police Department's new recruiting target - New York. It makes a good case for moving to Seattle!

Burien Duplex

Here's a duplex of mine in Burien, WA that I recently had renovated and is now available for rent. I must say, it looks pretty good. Some other time I will publish some "before" photos for comparison. It's a 3 bedroom, 1 bath unit. Rent is $1400 per month.

Support Clothes for Kids' Coins for Kids

Now through May, the annual Clothes for Kids, Coins for Kids fund drive is happening in the Edmonds School District schools. This year the CFK fund drive is benefitting from matching funds donated by local businesses. To Accept the Local Business challenge or to donate directly to Clothes for Kids, go to their website at Clothesforkids.org

Clothes for kids is a local non profit, located in the Meadowdale area of Lynnwood, WA providing clothing and other resources to less fortunate children in an effort to reduce barriers to learning in our schools.

Originally posted at Jim Warner's blog Lynnwood Undressed

Bad MLS Photo website

I came across this blog and could not stop laughing. With most Multiple Listing Services around the county allowing up to 15 or so photos these days, that adds up to a lot of pictures. And, to let you in on a secret, most real estate agents are not professional photographers. This guy has compiled a "best of the worst" at this site. Pretty funny stuff!

Best Wishes, Jim

A former colleague and good friend of mine, Jim Hills, began his tenure at Shoreline Community College this week. In Jim's new role he in charge of marketing and communications.

Last Friday was Jim's final day as Publisher of The Enterprise Newspapers, after a total of 21 years with The Enterprise/Herald. To me, Jim is "Mr. Enterprise", having been involved ever since The Everett Herald took over ownership in the mid-1990s. A fantastic journalist and publisher, Jim has mentored countless journalists that have passed through the Enterprise newsroom (many of whom have moved on to some pretty great public relations jobs in the area).

Best wishes, Jim on your new position.