Jean Groesbeck's Blog

Guemes Island Ferry

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:42:57 -0600

The Guemes Island Ferry Committee convenes it's annual meeting this Sunday, January 18th at 2:30 p.m. at the Community Center. Guemes Islander Glen Veal says he will seek re-election to another five year term. Other agenda will include updates on recent events -- such as more upcoming changes in the Guemes Island ferry schedule. The schedule was last changed on January 1st of this year. You can view the ferry schedule from Coldwell Banker Island Living's agent Karen Everett's website homepage. visit www.KarenEverett.com and click on ferry schedule in the Guemes link.

Anacortes Architect Richard Broderick

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:40:07 -0600

I met Richard T. Broderick, (A.I.A., Architect) through our mutual interest in dogs and community service using our therapy dogs.

After I got to know Richard as a person, I became aware of his professional skills as an Architect. Richard is a Registered Architect of over 35 years and a neighbor in Anacortes. He care about the quality of design that defines our community of Anacortes.

His belief, "I believe I offer a fresh design approach that promotes innovation and sustainability and ultimately provides a unique architectural expression in contrast with many of the routine "cookie cutter" type of new construction that has proliferated within the Anacortes community as of late. My designs strive to take total advantage of the building site with this critical integration between nature and structure apparent from every angle, within every room. I also feel that the "greenist" attribute of good design is creating a home that provides the greatest amenities and comfort in the smallest possible volume and footprint."

This careful melding of design with site, floor plan with lifestyle, sustainability with livability has led to one of my designs being selected for this past year's Anacortes Home and Garden tour.

I invite you to take advantage of my offer to provide free initial design consultations to mutually develop a design scheme that compliments your site, lifestyle and budget.

More information is available at www.richardtbroderickarchitect.com

Save the B.C. to U.S. Ferry

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:41:54 -0600

Save the Sydney Anacortes Ferry!

The organizing meeting to save the international ferry run between British Columbia and Anacortes, WA will be held tomorrow evening (1/7), 6:00-7:30, at Anacortes City Hall. The agenda includes key information on the Anacortes Ferry run and the ramifications of the potential cancellation, development of an action plan, and a comprehensive contact list. The Anacortes Chamber of Commerce will also be coordinating the Jan. 15 Anacortes Ferry Advisory Committee community meeting scheduled for the Senior Center.

Please put this one on your calendar and plan on attending. It is very important that we implement a

www.AnacortesCommunityBlog.com

Save the Sydney Anacortes Ferry

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:40:03 -0600

Save the Sydney Anacortes Ferry!

Please put this one on your calendar and plan on attending. It is very important that we implement a

www.AnacortesCommunityBlog.com

Anacortes Ferry Dock Improvements

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:34:00 -0600

The Washington State DOL announced how funds will be spent, and luckily there will be improvements made to the Guemes Island and Anacortes ferry docks.

Skagit County Guemes Isl. Ferry Dock rehabilitation combined with the Skagit County Anacortes Ferry Dock - total rehabilitation $1,522,572

Skagit County:

Construction usually brings some minor inconveniences, but these improvement are necessary.

www.AnacortesCommunityBlog.com

Taste Anacortes Tickets Available

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:50:47 -0600

Taste Anacortes Tickets Available

Taste Anacortes is back! This is a fun event and great way to taste the great restaurnats of Anacortes.

The event is the third Wednesdays of January, February and March.

Tickets are $20 to taste five restaurants on a route. Tickets are sold through the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce.

www.AnacortesCommunityBlog.com

Weather Causes Problems

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:27:42 -0600

No passenger ferry service Monday morning, Jan. 5

Ferry service between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend is temporarily cancelled Monday due to high winds. The reason is that the wind delayed the installation of barges to provide access to the passenger ferry that will serve the route during January while the Steilacoom II car ferry is drydocked for maintenance.

According to an announcement from Washington State Ferries, they will proceed as soon as the winds die down.

www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com

www.AnacoresHomeTeam.com

Coldwell Banker Newbie

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:19:52 -0600

My husband and I have just purchased the Coldwell Banker franschise in Anacortes. I am looking forward to being a member of the Coldwell Banker group on active rain to learn more about using the awesome tools that Coldwll Banker has to offer.

If anyone has words of advice I would love to hear them. You know...the "I wish I knew then what I know now." things.

We are excited to be a member of this great company, and please remember us when you have someone moving to NW Washington State!

www.CBDeceptionPass.com (New website under contruction)

WWW.AnacortesHomeTeam.com

www,AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com

A New Start for The New Year

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:36:54 -0600

Happy New Year ! ! ! !

Jean Groesbeck & Assoc. LLC, owned by Paul E. and Jean Groesbeck of Anacortes, WA, has purchased the local Anacortes office of Coldwell Banker from Judy Moore & Assoc. LLC. The name of the office will be changed from COLDWELL BANKER Deception Pass Realty to COLDWELL BANKER ISLAND LIVING.

COLDWELL BANKER ISLAND LIVING will continue to serve all areas of real estate in Anacortes, Guemes Island, Samish Island, and La Conner, as well as representing luxury homes throughout Skagit County.

Paul E. and Jean Groesbeck made the decision to purchase the local Coldwell Banker office after extensive research into different real estate models. "84% of home buyers begin their home search online" said Groesbeck, "and as an international company, Coldwell Banker attracts home buyers throughout the nation and across the globe. This makes Coldwell Banker the "go to" site for retirees, military and corporate relocations, luxury estates which are increasing in popularity among foreign investors, and anyone else looking to move to Anacortes from out of our area. The tools that Coldwell Banker provides will enable us to do an even better job for our clients." ColdwellBanker.com is the only real estate website that allows buyers to search for properties on a Blackberry or iPHONE."

Coldwell Banker Island Living is located at 3119 Commercial Ave, Anacortes and can be reached at (360) 293-4511. You can view their blog at www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com, or local websites at www.ColdwellBankerIslandLiving.com or www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com

Thank you to the The Anacortes High School Key Club!

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:18:03 -0600

Thank you to the The Anacortes High School Key Club!

Saturday, Jan. 3 the Anacortes High School Key Clug will pick up your old Christmas trees and wreaths. They do this in hopes taht you will donate canned food for the food bank or make a $5 donation to Key Club.

To participate, put your tree out by 8 a.m with your donation!

What a great program!

Taste Anacortes

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:34:53 -0600

In This Issue

Week at a Glance

Taste Anacortes

Week @ a Glance

Wednesday, December 31 - chamber office closed at noon

Thursday, January 1 - chamber office closed - Happy New Year

Click here for full chamber calendar

Taste Anacortes Tickets Available

Taste Anacortes is back - the third Wednesdays of January, February and March.

Tickets are $20 to taste five restaurants on a route.

Taste Anacortes tickets make a great Christmas gift - stop by the chamber and pick yours up for any of the three months.

Just remember that we close early on Christmas Eve.

To learn more about the restaurants involved click here

$hop Anacortes $$

Purchase $hop Anacortes dollars - they make a great Christmas gift. These gift certificates are redeemable at nearly 40 chamber member businesses. Click here for a list of participating businesses

Shop Anacortes dollars are available in $5 increments. Stop in the chamber today!

Remember to Buy Close By and Shop Anacortes

The Snow is Almost Gone

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:25:23 -0600

After 3 weeks of snow we can see grass in Anacortes! It is very rare to get more than a skiff of snow in the beautiful seaside town, but this year we got a couple of feet of snow! Fidalgo Island does not have the equipment to deal with this type of snow, so the town was crippled.

The good news is that many Anacortew home owners shopped in Anacortes instead of going to the big city for Christmas shopping. Local retailers had a good year as evidenced by the empty shelves on Christmas eve. With this economy the boost was appreciated.

But the snow is melting and Jingles is glad to see the grass back. The days are getting longer and spring will be here before you know it!

www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com

www .AnacortesHomeTeam.com

Anacortes Architect

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:19:44 -0600

I would like to introduce you to Richard T. Broderick, A.I.A., Architect

As a Registered Architect of over 35 years and a neighbor in Anacortes, Richard cares about the quality of design that defines our community.

From Richard, "I believe I offer a fresh design approach that promotes innovation and sustainability and ultimately provides a unique architectural expression in contrast with many of the routine "cookie cutter" type of new construction that has proliferated within the Anacortes community as of late. My designs strive to take total advantage of the building site with this critical integration between nature and structure apparent from every angle, within every room. I also feel that the "greenist" attribute of good design is creating a home that provides the greatest amenities and comfort in the smallest possible volume and footprint."

This careful melding of design with site, floor plan with lifestyle, sustainability with livability has led to one of Richard's designs being selected for this past year's Anacortes Home and Garden tour.

Richard offers free initial design consultations to mutually develop a design scheme that compliments your site, lifestyle and budget.

More information is available at www.richardtbroderickarchitect.com

www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com

Jean Groesbeck

Coldwell Banker island Living

Heart Lake Trail

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:02:25 -0600

The Seattle Times ran a great article on the Heart lake Trail in anacortes, WA

To read the full story click here

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/393224_hike25.htm

TRAIL DATA

Heart Lake

Length: 2- to 3-mile loop

Elevation gain: Up to 200 feet with side trips

Rating: Easy

Location: Anacortes

Scenery: Heart Lake, old-growth forest, birds, wildlife

Trail condition: Fair, muddy in spots

Challenges: None

The Anacortes City Forest Land is one of the secrets of Anacortes that many people do not discover until they live here. they move here for the great Marinas, boating, fishing... and then discover that there is a lot ot do on land!

To see more go to www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com

www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com

Jean Groesbeck

Coldwell Banker island Living

Shelter Bay Home - La Conner, WA

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:26:47 -0600

Enjoy a spectacular view from this quality WATERFRONT home situated to see the marina, grand canal of Shelter Bay & the mountains. Recently remodeled with a chef's kitchen, custom Thomasville cabinetry with cherry inlays, designer hardware & lighting and wide planked hardwood floors. New furnace, low-e windows, Trex deck, propane fireplaces, tankless water heater & more. Shelter Bay is a gated resort community with protected marina, golf, tennis, private beaches & clubhouse. Leased Land

Only $449,000!!!!!!!!

This pose is time sensative.

Jean Groesbeck 360 941 3734

www,JeanGroesbeck.com

Coldwell Banker Deception Pass

Cute Anacortes

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:15:28 -0600

Look at this cute Anacortes Home Only $215,000!

This is the perfect starter home or a great investment opportunity. This remodeled home is in a convenient location and is situated on a large lot with a detached 12x16 storage shed. 2BR, 2 full bath home features new windows, newer roof, new water & sewer line. Great basement space could be used for storage or a workshop space. This home is move in ready!

This post is time sensative. To view active listings of Anacortes Homes for Sale please go to www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com

If you are thinking about purchasing Anacortes Real Estate please visit our blog www.AnacortesCommunityBlog.com

Jean Groesbeck 360 941 3734

Coldwell Banker Deception Pass Realty

Anacortes Snow Fish

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:03:17 -0600

Most of today's blogs are about the weather in our area. Here are some great photos from Linda Harris, Anacortes real estate agent, showing off her Anacortes home covered in snow.

I love the fish garden which adds a lot of color in the winter and fits our seaside community. But they even look better in the snow!

For more photos check out our other blog...

www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com

My old Girl

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:11:26 -0600

I lost my Sheltie when she was almost 17. She had been a dear friend, loyal, gentle, full of personality, and a member of our family. She had one litter, but those materal instincts stayed with her and she took care of everyone. Of course she like everyone herded together in the same room.

This is her baby picture. She carried this teddy bear around her entire life. Of course I had to mend it many times.

The picture above is her as a mama. She had two pups, one of which we kept. My brother and sister-in-law kept the other one.....both girls.

Mira with Hattie. I will post more photos later...I have to get to work now. But I like telling people about them...they were special. Both Shelties, also called Shetland Sheepdogs.

Why pipe need to be insulated

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:14:49 -0600

For those of you that are in Washington state looking outside of your window frustrated with the storm...I offer these photos to remind you that someone is in worse shape that you. Here is a garage that had a pipe in the attic space that was not insulated.

One more reason to make sure that you hire a really good home inspector. There will be lots of leaking pipes in the next few days If your home is vacant make sure someone checks on it!

Don't Take Our Ferry Run!

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:24:06 -0600

The much loved ferry service between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C., will be eliminated under Gov. Christine Gregoire's new budget.

The Anacortes ferry to Sydney operates from early spring until the first week in January. This year over 113,000 passengers rode this ferry run, which brought lots of tourist dollars to both Anacortes and Sydney.

The Anacortes-Sydnay ferry run is scheduled to stop at the end of next summer. This is a huge disappointment and the ferry run will be missed!

www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com

Do Something For Our Troops!

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:44:37 -0600

This is a great idea and easy to do. An easy way to remember those who are serving for us overseas.

Go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks. com
<http://www.letssayt hanks.com/> , pick out a thank you card and Xerox
will print it and send it to a soldier currently serving in Iraq . You
can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed
services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!
This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com

www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com

Guemes Island Ferry

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:24:39 -0600

Skagit County commissioners voted 2-1 to continue to the weekday evening service on the Guemes Island ferry.

However, there will be some modifications to the schedule. During the trial period for the weekday evening runs that began in July 2006, the last ferry time was 10 p.m. It will be 8:30 beginning on Jan. 1, 2009.

The number of runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday were reduced. Midnight runs on weekend nights were eliminated.

To view the Guemes Island Ferry Schedule visit our website

www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com

Goodbye Enchantress

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:55:16 -0600

The Enchantress was a tugboat that was abandoned several years ago in Anacortes. After much debate it was decided that it would be removed, and it turned out to be quite a process.

Global Diving & Salvage removed the engine block from the water last week. Part of the keel was attached to it and was estimated that the weight could have been as high as 200 tons! It took the larges barge-mounted crane on the West Coast to do the job!

The company's crews were working for the Port of Anacortes and the Washington State Department of Ecology.

New Anacortes Real Estate Website

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:59:44 -0600

New Anacortes, WA Website Launched (edit/delete)

We would also like to invite you to visit the new website we have launched to be able to give you updates on the real estate market in a more timely fashion. Our print newsletter has been very popular, but the data is usually 10 days olds by the time you get the letters.

Our new website is http://www.AnacortesRealEstateBlog.com

It is an addition to our current website and not only will have information on the real estate market, but also information on local events. If you have an event that you would like to post please send me an email.

Some of things you might want to post are club meetings, garage sales, home owner association meetings, etc.

We just posted some new market stats so please visit the site and give us you feedback!

Jean Groesbeck and Associates, LLC
COLDWELL BANKER - DECEPTION PASS REALTY

info@JeanGroesbeck.com

www.AnacortesHomeTeam.com
www.AnacortesRealEsateBlog.com

Jean Groesbeck (360) 941-3734

Orcas Ferry Schedule

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:43:05 -0600

The power outage on Orcas Island has disrupted ferry service. The biggest issue is that it is taking longer to load and unload. Also the high winds are slowing the boat travel a bit so just plan on a wait. But sitting at the terminal watching this beautiful winter storm is fun in itself!

Stock up on batteries now. Be careful of using candles!!! Get your wood supply close to the house, and cover it up as snow is fore-casted for tonight. We don't expect much, but you never know.

It's a good time to snuggle by the fire, play board games, or read a book. There are also som great cookie recipes taht do not require baking that you can make!

The storm is really fun to watch, and even winter storms are beautiful in our area of the country.