New Endeavor

My good friend Jason Barrow has been a real estate agent in Tri-Cities, WA for the last 5 or so years. He's been quite successful and is always looking for new ways to expand his network of clients. In addition to my "day job" at Sur La Table, I will be helping Jason leverage technology to boost his business.

Jason has the benefit of working in what Yahoo! News has called one of the best housing markets in the country. While almost everyone's home values are going down, the Tri-Cities market (Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland) is increasing in value.

In the past week, I've setup a fan page on Facebook, established a Twitter feed and created a blog. We've even setup a YouTube channel to host the video tours of his featured listings. We will be using these services as a vehicle to deliver important real estate topics as well as to promote his listings.

I am also going to help administer his main website to maximize his exposure and to help link up with these other new resources.

If you know anyone in the market for a home in the Kennewick, Pasco, or Richland, WA area, I highly recommend Jason's services. He has lived in the area a majority of his life and knows the benefits of my hometown.

To learn more about Jason's ability to help with the purchase or sale of real estate in the Tri-Cities, WA area, visit the following links:

Jason's Website
Jason's Twitter Feed
Jason's Facebook Fan Page
Jason's YouTube Channel

Washington State Parks....Part 2

Yes, the list is long, but I think the impact of these decisions is better seen on a map, so here you go:


View Affected Washington State Parks in a larger map

And, so you can see exactly which parks will remain funded, here is that map:


View Non-Affected Washington State Parks in a larger map

Now, I haven't been to many of the parks on the list that will remain open. I'm sure people out there that have great memories of these parks and I may find myself there some day as well. All I can go on is my experiences and those of my family/friends.

A few things that I noticed when I was making the map above. First, look at how many of the parks are islands. I wonder how many of those are really accessible from the average citizen. Second, there are a few parks that aren't on the map because they didn't come up on Google Maps (i.e. Centennial Trail, Columbia Hills, Doug's Beach just to name a few). I'm sure people visit those locations, but the Internet is a great thing. People are always willing to tell anyone that will listen about their experiences and especially if it involves a picture. All I am saying is that if no one in the Internet world saw fit to post anything about these parks, are they really that important? I sure don't.

Lastly (here comes the conspiracy theorist in me - look out your windows for black helicopters flying around), I think there are partisan politics here. Not Republican/Democrat, but East vs. West. Look at the map and tell me it isn't disproportionally littered with parks on the westside. Granted, something can be said about the spread of our population on the west side, but I think the allocation of Park money is erroneous. That's my dos centavos.

Washington State Parks....go now or forever hold your peace

Well, maybe not, but damn I'm mad.

In talking with my dad, he pointed me in the direction of the list of potential Washington State Parks that may be "mothballed" due to budgetary concerns. What does this mean? According to the report published by Washington State Parks Department, the term "mothballed" means:

"The gate would be closed, and utilities would be turned off. Restrooms would be locked. The agency would provide minimal stewardship oversight. Rangers would not cite citizens who enter on foot."

Basically, it means that the funding, maintenance and oversight for these parks would go by the wayside in an effort to reach the budgetary constraints placed by the Governor's Office. Specifically, these parks all into this category:

Jarrell Cove
Fields Spring
Federation Forest
Sacajawea
Rainbow Falls
Beacon Rock
Lewis and Clark
Fort Columbia
Alta Lake
Columbia Plateau
Wallace Falls
Lake Easton
Yakima Sportsman
Maryhill
llahee
Dash Point
Potlatch
Twin Harbors
Ginkgo/Wanapum
Flaming Geyser
Saltwater
Ocean City
Fort Ebey
Wenatchee Confluence
Lake Wenatchee
Fort Flagler
Mount Spokane
Millersylvania
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls
Larrabee
Fort Casey
Saint Edward

That is in addition to the closure of such parks as:

Osoyoos, Brooks Memorial, Schafer, Bogachiel, Tolmie, Fay Bainbridge, Fort Okanogan, Wenberg, Fort Ward, Joemma Beach, Kopachuck, Lake Sylvia and Old Fort Townsend.

Below is an email that I wrote to as many State parks address I could find. I also sent it to the Govenor's office as well as the major State newspapers. I encourage everyone to weigh in on the decision to pull the funding from these parks. Granted, I have not been to all parks listed on the State's list of active parks and I realize that all parks have a local significance. That said, not all parks have a State, National, or general historical significance. Identify those that don't, reallocate them, and allow those that do to thrive.

Mrs. Gregoire,

I have seen many reports indicating the changing economic climate and how it affects us locally, but the report your office has put out is one of the most irresponsible I have seen yet. The list of potential "mothballed" State Parks is a disgrace. What the Department has done is take some of our most precious recreational and educational assets and put them aside at the expense of the Bureaucracy. Some of the parks listed (i.e. Sun Lakes-Dry Falls, Lake Wenatchee, Wanapum-Ginkgo and others) have to be the most visited parks in the State. How can you come to the conclusion that these parks must be closed in order to meet you budgetary restrictions? Where are the transparent traffic numbers? I assert there must be other alternatives.

I grew up in Tri-Cities and the annual family vacation was Sun Lakes. These trips not only fulfilled our family's bonding time, but it allowed me a glimpse into the awe-inspiring history of our State's geological history and to bask in the educational significance. After graduating high school, my parents moved to Cashmere, which led to pilgramiges to Lake Wenatchee, both in the summer and winter. People flock to these destinations. In some respects, like in the case of Lake Wenatchee, the State Park is one of the only ways to access to such incredible sites.

I know the economic climate is such that changes must take place. I take a look at your listing of State Parks and see many that are not affected. To that I say your decisions do not pass muster. Many of the parks unaffected should be closed while more visited and historically significant should be spared. Olmstead Place is one such park. I graduated from Central Washington University in Ellensburg. During my time there, I made many trips from Ellensburg to Tri-Cities to visit friends. Many times I have passed by the Park only to wonder about the historical signifigance since I never saw anyone visiting. I have fished Battleground State Park enough to find that the park is primarily for day use only and mostly by those that live within a stone's throw. While I do believe these spaces have significance, I believe their underlying importance must be weighed. Is Olmstead Place more or less valuable than Sacajawea State Park? Is Kinney Point more important than Wanapum-Ginkgo even though it is only accessible by boat? To both questions, I answer in the negative.

My point is that I believe your choices for discontinued funding are flawed. I understand that you have a magical number you must reach, but cutting expenses is not the only option. I believe that the people of today that visit State Parks fall into two categories. First, you have the families that visit the parks as a right of passage. Secondly, you have families that are visiting the parks, perhaps for the first time, because they cannot afford the luxuries of a traditional (and spendy) destination vacation. In both cases, I believe an increase of $2-$5 per night will not decrease revenues for the State, but rather will allow the State more flexibility. This is in addition to a proposed fee that would govern those day-time users. The "green" movement is such that people are learning to evaluate and cherise the resources our land has to offer. People are "getting back to their roots" and reaffirming their love of nature and all that it has to offer. Use this momentum to keep these opportunities alive.

I summarily ask that you reconsider your decision to "mothball" the listed properties and consider other alternatives. Washingtonians are blessed with the opportunity to view landscapes from the sea to the mountains to the desert. Allow them the opportunity to continue. Use the "fine-toothed comb" to find your way to that magic budget number, but do so logically. Look at both the overnight and day-use numbers. Consider raising the fees for such use $2-$5. I think you will find that the impact on the average family is palatable and will spare our most precious resource, our land.

Sincereley,

Jeff Hadley
206-450-7533

P.S. Direct email address would be helpful. Webforms are not what your constituents want. I would have added Margarita Prentice, Zachary Hudgins, and Bob Hasegawa to the distribution list but webforms require redundancy. I know you hate redundancy. Thanks.

We don't need no stinkin' Sonics!

Anyone that knows me knows that I love sports. I will try pretty much anything and can sit and watch almost everything....golf, NASCAR, beach volleyball, you name it. If there is competition involved, I'm there! Those people that know me also know that I LOVE SOCCER! Aside from a time called "college", I've played the game since I was about 5 years old. None of the twenty-some odd years I have played soccer, nor the thousands of games that I have watched prepared me for the experience I had on March 19th......the first ever Seattle Sounders FC game.

I was lucky enough to be on the presale email list the team sent out and scored two tickets for the inaugural game. I decided to take my brother to the game, knowing his love of the game rivaled mine. After procuring the required Sounders FC gear, it was on!

My brother and I decided to grab a beer or two at a local pub before gametime and it was a good value. $5/beer outside vs. $7.50 inside. It doesn't take an AIG accountant to do that math. Now that we had the prerequisites down, we were headed to the game.

The scene outside Qwest field was festive, but also borderline hyper. There was a tangible excitement to the event and we weren't even inside yet. Once we entered the stadium on the north end, we ascended the stairs that gave way to an unreal sight....soccer in Qwest field. Luckily, our stop for the brews (and my initial forgetting of the tickets at home) didn't mean we missed out on the opening ceremonies.

We finally made our way to our seats and my most unbelievable sports moment began. The opening ceremonies left a little to be desired on the field, but the crowd made up for that. I have never been to a game of any kind where everyone....and I mean EVERYONE, was decked out in the home gear. When Drew Carey told everyone to raise their Sounders scarves, it appeared as though EVERYONE had one. It was quite a site.

Before I get to the game, I must say that the sight of a yellow-clad linesman sprinting is one of the funniest things that I have seen in a long time. The guy had to run from the center circle to one end and check the net in the goal. Funny stuff!

There really isn't much to say about the game....not because nothing happened, rather my vocabulary is missing the approriate words. We (Sounders) scored fairly early and the stadium erupted. From that point on, the crowd was chanting, singing, and cheering more than I have ever witnessed at a sporting event. We scored twice more and with each goal went a little more of my voice. My brother and I were high-fiving people near us that we had never met.

As we approached full time, the energy was unbelievable. In the end, we won, but we had also shut out a team that was in the league finals the previous year. There was confetti everywhere and the sight of it falling all around was unreal.

I'm mixed as to whether I will attend another Sounders FC game. I just don't want to be disappointed if it doesn't top what is the best game ever. But then again, each game will bring back memories of that night. A night that will be remembered by all that were there. It was great to experience it with the guy I grew up playing with...and in some cases against.

Oh What A Glorious Day!

As I awoke today, the first thought that popped into my head was....go back to sleep. But then it hit me. Today is January 19th, 2008. MLK-day! And, better than that...George W. Bush's last day in office. Oh what a day. Today is a day that I have been waiting for. Today we can turn the page and finish an 8-year chapter of economic despair, deceit, and mis-guidance. Do I think the world is going to change at the stroke of midnight? No. Not even close. But, I have faith in the new leadership that the future is brighter, much brighter than the murky waters known as the Bush presidency.

I started the day with a trip to downtown Seattle in the hopes of watching the marching bands and dance teams perform during the MLK parade. Unfortunately, only 3 groups showed up and the parade was canceled. While I was disappointed at the lack of coordination for an event that is meant to celebrate the life of one true hero, I was struck by the energy of those in the downtown area.

One of the things that I love about living in Seattle is that every day is different. I can become a tourist in my city and experience things as though it is my first time. No place allows that more than the Pike Place Market. I've been to the market dozens and dozens of times. This time was different. While there is always a buzz of activity at the Market, people have always seemed to keep to themselves or to their company. Today it was like the sun came out and people's social bubbles burst. People seemed.....excited. That is the only word I can find to describe today's setting at the Market.

As a baseball fan, I'm not foreign to a similar feeling at the beginning of spring training. The beginning of a new season brings overwhelming optimism. This will be the year we go all the way. As a Mariner's fan, I think this "excitement" is greater than it would be if I were a Red Sox or Yankees fan because the Mariners haven't experience the sucesses of those other clubs. The more you succeed, the more excitement wains and success is viewed as a right of passage. Anything less than being number 1 is a failure.

I draw the baseball analogy because I think we (the US) has become accustomed to being the World Series champion every year. For the most part during the 90's we were on top of the world. Unfortunately, we brought in a General Manager named Bush and our team chemistry went out the window. Now, we must rebuild, re-tool, or restructure. We've been at the bottom of the division too long. We demand better.

We can debate all we want about who led us to our current state and who should share in that blame. In my opinion, there is plenty of blame to go around and we all need to eat a slice. That said, we need to move on. There is a lot of work to do. We need to fix our economy. We need to repair our reputation around the world. We need to get back to doing the thing we do best....showing the world how a successful country can prosper. This is not an easy task, nor is there a quick solution. There may be some setbacks, there usually are. There may be some unpopular decision, you can count on those, too. I believe President Obama can put us back on track.

As we creep closer to the dawn of a new era, it is always good to stop and take a look around. Look where we are, look at what's happening around the world. I bet a lot of what you see isn't pretty. The good thing is that we have hope. Hope for change. The train is leaving the station and Tomorrow is our next stop. Are you coming? Or, are you going to remain in Today, dwell in the past and fear what Tomorrow will bring?

As for me, I'm going to wiggle my way into the best seat in the house. Hell, I might even go out and see if I can play.

The Devil's Workshop

I'm sure you have all heard that "idle time is the devil's workshop". Well, at work, we had some idle time....or at least we made idle time. My boss, Tom, decided he and his partner should take a vacation to Playa del Carmen, Mexico while Seattle dipped into a winter storm. Unfortunatly for him, we made him pay. Now, I cannot take complete credit for the idea. Our VP decided that Tom had been part in too many jokes around the office and it was his time to pay the piper. We researched (?) a proper approach and came up with this response. My friend Adam and I spent the better part of a morning "gift" wrapping EVERYTHING in his office, including his business cards, scissors, pictures on the wall, and each individual file folder he had. The funny thing is that we only used about half of a Costco-sized roll of foil. Good god, how big is that roll?! Unfortunately for us, I think we paid a greater attention to detail to this task than we do to our REAL jobs. Oh well. Maybe we have another calling.

Now, as you've seen in my earlier entries, I'm pretty concerned with the environment. To make up for my wasteful use of aluminum foil, I walked 2.9 miles in the snow to work today to help offset my actions. I hope that is enough. If that wasn't....my boss's reaction was enough to let me sleep soundly. He enjoyed the surprise when he returned today so I feel lucky that I will not add to the already high unemployment rate in Washington. The downside.....I go on vacation next week. I wonder what time will tell.

George W. Bush II

As I stated in an earlier post, I think that Dubya is to blame. He is the one ultimately in charge of signing off on the decisions that were, and continue to be, made. I have watched, heard, and read a lot of information regarding the lead-up to the war...from both sides of the aisle. One resonating theme that I extract from that information is that our overall concentration to win the "war on terror" was shifted from Pakistan/Afganistan to Iraq prematurely. It seems there was a deliberate change in our focus at a time when our focus was just fine.

It doesn't take a brain surgeon to understand that, if done properly, we create our focus based on information. We don't tailor the information to fit our focus. I firmly believe that the intent to affect a regime change in Iraq was on the table before 9/11 and that the events of 9/11 gave the Bush administration the opening they wanted. They took the small bits of intelligence they had and created a case to invade Iraq. Do I think that Iraq (and the world for that matter) is better off without Saddam Hussein in power? Absolutely. Do I think that outcome should have come at the expense of the momentum we had in Afganistan/Pakistan at the time? No, and I'm not the only one. Read the statements made by many of the former theater generals and you will find that they are of the same mind.

If you think I'm wrong, ask yourself:

Why the Bush administration would take the testimony of an informant they never spoke with 1st hand (code named Curveball regarding the mobile WMD laboratories)?

The informant was brought to the attention of German intelligence officials by the head of the Iraqi National Congress, an organization that would have greatly benefited from the removal of Saddam Hussein. The German's passed along the information they obtained from the informant to US officials and declined requests to interview the informant directly. Yet, we decided to believe what Curveball had to say.

I understand that US intelligence capabilities in the region greatly diminished over the years, but this needs to be understood by those using the intelligence. To me, it seems to indicate that the Bush administration wanted to invade Iraq and would use whatever information at their disposal to make that case. Even if the information is faulty.

Now, do I think that we would be further along in the "war on terror" if we would have continued the resource support in Afganistan/Pakistan? I don't know. We will never know, because Dubya made the choice to deviate. And, by the way, I don't necessarily think the idea was his. I blame Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz for that one.

In the end, we are where we are and I don't like it. Thousands of US lives have been lost and a much larger number of Iraqi lives have been shortened because of the decisions Dubya made. But, what do I know? I'm no one.