Hurricane Ridge Viewpoint

Located 18 miles from Port Angeles in the Olympic National Park you can drive to the visitor center at an elevation of 5,242 feet. A 1.6 mile paved trail is perfect for non-hikers. Hikers have moderate to severe trials that descend to subalpine lakes. The visitor center has a gift-shop, snack bar, picnic areas and visitor tips. The mountain views along with views of Victoria and Mount Baker will astound you! Be prepared for strong winds (hence the name) and the possibility of snow even in the summer. It is rare to have a well maintained road lead this high into the mountains. Enjoy!

NW Blackberry Season

Here we are in the middle of summer and the start of free fruit season. Walkout your front door and find a sunny bramble and go for it! You can purchase local berries at PCC or farmers markets but major grocery chains don’t feature them because they have such a short shelf life. I hope I inspired you to get out and harvest some luscious berries before they are gone. Pro Tip- Off the vine on Vanilla Ice-cream.

Rent And Save Money

People accumulate a lot of stuff throughout their lives, but they may only need certain things periodically. When that’s the case, rent instead of buying to save money and help the environment!  Lawn and power equipment: Rent tillers, concrete saws, carpet cleaners, and more at your local home supply store. Most rentals are for a minimum of four hours.  Formal clothing: If you need to dress up for one black-tie event, check out renttherunway.com or lendingluxury.com. Choose the perfect outfit for the night, and return it once it’s over. Rental prices are about one-third the retail price.  Party supplies: Throw the event of the year, but don’t stress too much over all the things you need to purchase. Party equipment vendors can supply dishes, décor, and furniture, all delivered right to your door.  Recreational equipment: Thinking of taking up golf or going camping? If you only participate in an activity occasionally, rent from local sports outfitters and save hundreds of dollars on gear that would otherwise collect dust in your garage.

Schmitz Park - West Seattle Gem

Find a Hidden Gem at Schmitz Preserve Park Have you ever wondered what the Seattle forests looked like? Well the last of our untouched old growth forest is located in West Seattle! Former parks commissioner Ferdinand Schmitz was watching our forest rapidly disappear and decided to act. His 1908 donation allowed a small piece of it to remain as nature intended. Enjoy!

Budget Tips

Having a budget is more important than ever before, but sticking to one takes time and discipline. Here are ways to help you become a better money manager. •Track your spending. Most people spend their money on food, housing and transportation, but there are many other categories, like household costs, debt payments and entertainment. Try this: Write down every dollar you spend in a two-week period and see what you can cut on the list. Doing this with your spouse and your family members will turn up even more surprises. •Account for your cash. Does it just “disappear” from your wallet? Try tracking where it is spent. Sometimes, using debit or credit cards for expenditures can help with accounting. •Understand your debt (mortgage, student loans, credit cards) and set goals to reduce it. Federal Reserve statistics say the average household owes $7,529 on their cards. For indebted households, the average is $16,140. This is a major undertaking, but check out sites like www.creditcards.com for ideas on how to deal with high debt (for example, negotiate lower interest rates). •Have a savings goal, including an emergency fund, as part of your budget. What if you need major car repairs or a new furnace? Start small and add to this category gradually or you’ll have to fall back on those credit cards. For long-term planning, review your investments and consult an expert if you need one. •Use a tool like Quicken or Google Docs spreadsheets. They’re inexpensive or free and make it easier to track and categorize your expenses, set budgets, create reports and more.

Dangers of Common Cleaning Products

You’d like to think that the cleaning products you use are making your house cleaner, and therefore safer – but many common cleaning supplies can be dangerous to your health. According to the Environmental Working Group, one of the world’s leading toxic research organizations, here are four you should replace now, along with safer alternatives: • Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. This cleaner is one of the worst because the manufacturer advertises it as “non-toxic.” Some of its ingredients are banned in Europe! A solvent it contains can also damage your blood cells. Try: Make a solution of one part white distilled vinegar/nine parts water for a cheap and safe cleaner. • Scrubbing Bubbles (Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner and Extend-a-Clean Mega Shower Foamer). Both of these products contain another substance banned at high concentrations in Europe: the solvent DEGBE, which can irritate your lungs. Try: Baking soda works amazingly well when scrubbing the bathroom, tub, and shower. It also won’t inflame your lungs. Try mixing it with a little salt and water to make a paste. • Mop and Glo Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner. This also contains the chemical DEGBE at a concentration (15%) far beyond what’s allowed in Europe (3%). Try: Make your own floor cleaner with a mixture of 50/50 vinegar and water, or 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 tsp. vegetable oil for wood floors. Also try Branch Basics at branchbasics.com or Mrs. Meyers Clean Day products at mrsmeyers.com. • Drano Professional Strength Kitchen Crystals Clog Remover. This product can cause blindness or even death if ingested. It can stay in the drain after use, and become even more hazardous when mixed with other chemicals. Try: Use a toilet plunger or drain snake when faced with clogs and skip the chemicals. You can check other products you have in your home at: ewg.org

first-time homebuyer tips

The best advice is to learn from the mistakes of others. Here are two of the most common mistakes I see: • Not knowing what you can afford. Examine your budget, get a copy of your credit report, and sit down with a qualified lender to determine how much of a loan you can afford. Ask your REALTOR® for several lender recommendations and comparison shop for a mortgage before looking for a home. • Forgetting to consider the overall costs of home ownership. You can make the monthly payment, but remember to add in the cost for homeowners’ insurance, property taxes, utilities, plus maintenance.

7 Steps to Happiness

Albert Schweitzer once wrote, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Here are seven steps you can take today to achieve more happiness and success in your life: 1. Believe In Yourself. Identify your natural talents and abilities. Do what you enjoy and what you do best. Truly successful and happy people find joy in their working lives. Invest your time in what you do best. Focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses. 2. Develop a Vision. First, define your path and start working your plan. Write down a vision for yourself and your life. Be specific. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want your life to look like in 5 years, 10 years? 3. Develop Good Habits. Happy and successful people choose good habits. If you’re watching too much TV, chronically late, or eating poorly, make a commitment to change your bad habits into habits consistent with your goals. 4. Show Gratitude. The happiest people are also the most grateful people. Count your blessings frequently and you’ll quickly start seeing a change in yourself and the world around you. 5. Take A Chance. Seize opportunities! Success and happiness does not come to those who sit and wait for it to be brought to them. 6. Give to Others. Studies reveal that the happiest people are also the most generous. Do, say, or give something nice to another and see how your own life improves. 7. Take Responsibility. You hold the key to your future. Take responsibility for your actions. Choose the work you like to do, and do it well. Ultimately, you are the master of your fate. You choose your own future by the decisions you make and the actions you take.

West Seattle Golf Course

West Seattle Golf Course is the pride of our city’s courses! Designed by H. Chandler Egan two time winner of the U.S. Amateur and The Gold Medal at the 1904 Summer Olympics. Besides designing WSGC he built Eastmoreland, Waverly CC, Indian Canyon and partnered with Alister MacKenzie to redesign Pebble Beach as we know it today. PGA of America Head Pro Colin Gants has won two national PGA President Council Awards and has been the steward of WSGC since graduating from the UW in 1990. Colin will once again oversee the final round our city’s premiere amateur tournament – The 85th Seattle Amateur Championship this July. Playing WS requires all of the shots and tons of strategy to stay below pins on the steep greens. You need to learn to hit off uneven lies and work the ball to find correct spots in the fairways. The views of Mt. Rainier and downtown Seattle are spectacular! The course is in outstanding condition! 4600 35th Ave SW 206-935-5187 premiergc.com

Player Profile – Phil Mickelson

I will be rooting for Phil Mickelson to win his fourth Green Jacket and become the oldest player to win the Masters! Phil has won 42 PGA events including 5 Majors. He is the last player to win on Tour as an amateur; he won the Tucson Open in 1991 while attending ASU. By winning as an amateur he received a 2-year exemption and was able to skip Q-School. Phil has had an amazing run in the top 50 world ranking! He broke into the top 50 in 1993 and has never left. With top 10 finishes already this year he is sure to stay in the top 50 for quite a while. Never finding the coveted world number one (ask-Tiger) he has spent 270 weeks in the second spot. Phil also holds a record that he doesn’t want; he has been runner up at the US Open six times. Part of the reason I am a fan is because he has emulated Arnold Palmer’s playing style and gallery recognition. Go Phil!

Got Clutter?

Got Clutter? Author Peter Walsh says do the trash bag tango! Have your family go around the house with two trash bags in hand. Place items to throw away in one and items to donate in the other. Do this often and you’ll clean up in no time!

Life’s Truisms…

• Money doesn’t bring you happiness, but it enables you to look for it in more places. • Your conscience may not keep you from doing wrong, but it sure keeps you from enjoying it. • The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket. • A closed mouth gathers no feet. • Money isn’t everything...there’s credit cards, money orders, and travelers checks. • A modern pioneer is a woman who can get through a rainy Saturday with a television on the blink. • Misers aren’t much fun to live with, but they make great ancestors.

West Seattle Will Thrive!

You might be worried about living in West Seattle sans bridge but Westseattleites are not easily scared away. West Seattle was incorporated as a city in 1902 and annexed into Seattle along with the City of Ballard in 1907. If you are worried about the detraction of home values just wait until the new bridge is built or the current one is repaired. You have all you need and much more! Alki has 135 acres of public space and a sandy beach with views of downtown, shipping lanes, and the Olympic Mountains. This is paradise right in the city and with the bridge out it should be less crowded and more relaxing for those living in West Seattle. Lincoln Park is a nature lovers gem with old growth forest, miles of walkways, tennis courts, ball fields and a saltwater swimming pool. It is a great place to birdwatch for Bald Eagles and watch the ferry traffic. West Seattle Golf course was designed by U.S. Amateur Champion H.Chandler Egan in 1940. Incredible layout makes you hit a wide variety of shots; most from uneven lies. The final round host of the Seattle Amateur Championship is a stern test for all skill levels.

Reduce Your Diabetes Risk

You may not be able to totally prevent type 2 diabetes, but there are steps you can take to lower your chances of getting the disease. • Talk to your doctor about your personal risk factors, such as age, weight, cholesterol level, blood pressure and family history. Make a personal lifestyle plan. • Choose healthier foods. Add these foods to your diet: broccoli, fish, blueberries, olive oil, spinach, walnuts, and dairy. For details, search for “Top 10 Super-foods For Type 2 Diabetes” at www.webmd.com. • Avoid sugary beverages, including soda and energy drinks. One 12-ounce can of regular soda has 150 calories and 40 grams of carbs. That’s the same amount of carbs in 10 teaspoons of sugar! • Exercise every day. Everything counts: walking, swimming, gardening. Just keep moving.

Dangers of Not Enough Sleep

Did you know that the quantity and quality of your sleep may be the biggest indicator of your health? Dr. James B. Mass, bestselling author of Power Sleep, and Cornell University professor, reports that sleep can have an enormous impact on your overall health, outlook and productivity. It may also be the biggest predictor of how long you live – even more than diet, and exercise! How do you know if you’re getting enough sleep? Most people should get eight hours, experts say. If you fall asleep the minute your head hits the pillow, if you’re frequently tired, irritable, or if you have trouble getting up in the morning, you need more sleep. What can you do? Here are seven important strategies to help you get a better night’s sleep: 1. Maintain A Regular Sleep Schedule. Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time every day; allow for at least 8 hours per night. 2. Keep Your Bedroom Dark and Quiet. Your body’s response to darkness is to produce an increase in the naturally-occurring hormone, melatonin – proven to produce a deeper, more restful sleep. 3. Exercise Daily. Exercising daily relieves stress and improves your overall health; however, avoid exercising right before bedtime. 4. Avoid Alcohol and Stimulants. If you have any trouble sleeping, avoid alcohol, coffee, caffeinated drinks, tea, chocolate, and nicotine. 5. Make Sure Your Bed And Pillow Are Comfortable. Choose the right bed (and pillow) for you. If you’re having trouble sleeping you may want to shop around for a new bed or pillow. 6. Put Your Worries In Jar. Write down any worries, put them in a jar, and let them go for the night. You can set aside time the next day to handle them. 7. Sleep Alone If Your Partner Keeps You Awake. If your mate is keeping you up with his/her snoring, sleep in another room. A good night’s sleep is essential to your good health. Make it a priority!

Prevent Cloud Hackers

Never heard of “Cloud Hackers?” You undoubtedly know the importance of backing-up photos from your smartphone and documents on your computer to cloud storage, just in case something happens to your devices. While it’s nice to know you have a copy of your digital files that can be retrieved from almost anywhere, it’s also important that you take steps to protect data that you store in the cloud from hackers who may attack or break into online storage centers. • Avoid automatic backups. Yes, having your devices automatically backed up means you don’t have to worry about it, but this also means every single photo, video, and file you create is sent to the cloud – and accessible by hackers. You may have several apps uploading photos, so you need to disable each and every one. Note that the built-in Camera app on iOS and Android can’t be disabled and every image is uploaded to the cloud. To delete them, you need to remove them directly from the online storage space. You can disable this feature for mobile devices, and upload on your own schedule. • Check files that are already backed up. Take some time to browse your cloud storage to make sure there aren’t sensitive items like bank statements or questionable photos that you wouldn’t want others to find. • Strengthen passwords. Create a 12-character password or longer for your cloud storage system, and change it a few times annually. Use a variety of capitalization, numbers, letters, and punctuation, and avoid using names, places, or actual words (or have passwordsgenerator.net make one for you).

Check out the Edgewater!

The Edgewater is located on Pier67 it’s the only over-water hotel in Seattle. Zoning changes will never allow anything like this to be built again! It was built for the opening of the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962. It has hosted famous guests including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, President Clinton and many more. It allowed guests in the North wing to fish from your room. I was recently invited to share in my friend’s anniversary dinner and really enjoyed the food, service and being right on the water overlooking Elliott Bay and West Seattle. If you want to go out for a special event you should give it a try. Prices are high and in the summer months I was told it is extremely busy and you need to make reservations. ENJOY

Summer Grilling Tips

Charring a steak on the grill can release cancer-causing agents. Reduce the dangers by:  Marinating the meat first  Letting the flames die down before cooking the meat  Seasoning the meat with garlic, rosemary and sage (they help block production of those agents)

Alternatives to Bottled Water

You’ve likely heard that bottled water has major environmental consequences, but how bad is the problem? Here are a few facts from thewaterproject.org that illustrate the severity of the situation: • Approximately 80% of single-use water bottles in the U.S. become “litter,” and one bottle takes more than 1,000 years to bio-degrade. • U.S. landfills have two million tons of discarded water bottles in them. • It takes three liters of water to package one liter of bottled water. In response to the bottled water problem, some cities and businesses have banned it, but what can you do? • Skip the single-use water bottle, and invest in a reusable water bottle. If you forget it, buy multiples to keep in vehicles, the office, and your gym bag. • Drink tap water. Several studies have been done to show municipal tap water is usually just as safe as bottled water. • Refrigerate water. Cooling tap water helps remove the chlorine taste many people feel is in tap water. • Boil water if you are concerned water might be contaminated.

Are You Really Eating Healthy?

To buy healthy food, you look at the Nutrition Facts labels on food products. But do you understand what Percent Daily Value (%DV) next to a nutrient really means? The percentage is based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet for adults, and it can help you determine if a food is high or low in a specific nutrient. For example, 18% for “Total Fat” means one serving furnishes 18% of the total amount of fat you should eat in a day. The general guideline for any one food is 5% or less of a nutrient is low; 20% or more is high. Here are the recommended daily values: Nutrient Ideal DV %DV Total Fat Eat Less Than 65g =100% Saturated Fat Eat Less Than 20g =100% Cholesterol Eat Less Than 300mg =100% Sodium Eat Less Than 2400mg =100% BONUS TIP: When comparing two products, make sure “serving size” is similar. For example, if two jars of peanut butter claim to have “reduced fat,” compare the %DVs for “Total Fat” on each label.