If you could help end childhood hunger in America...wouldn't you?

These are the last two days of THE GREAT AMERICAN DINE OUT! All across America cooperating restaurants have banded together to help reduce childhood hunger by donating a portion of their receipts.

Most of us dine out at least occasionally. The food will taste even better knowing that you are helping a great cause!

If you are within the sound of my voice the amazing PACIFIC GRILL in Tacoma is the place to be. Home of one of Food and Wine Magazine's top ten new chef's you will savor every item on Chef Gordon Naccarato's menu. Located in Tacoma's wonderful restaurant row at the head of the Museum District and the University of Washington Tacoma campus you can truly make it a magical adventure.

So tonight or tomorrow...EAT OUT WITH A PURPOSE! Join people across the country in the Great American Dine Out.

If you or anyone you know need help buying or selling a home please contact me through this blog or at Karin Kay Properties.

40 years! She's still my Bride! I am blessed!

Ordinarily I have lots to say about the real estate market...the trends.. the first time homebuyers credit but tonight my thoughts are filled with memories of 40 years ago. That day an undeserving boy from Yakima Wa had all of his dreams come true. I still remember looking down that long aisle and through tears of disbelief the most beautiful girl in the world appeared on her daddy's arm.
Now,40 years, 5 children and 12 grandchildren later I am still that undeserving boy who somehow won the heart of the most wonderful woman in the world. In our courting years I saw glimpses of such grace and strength and faith...the years and trials and joys have only increased the lustre of her beauty.
If I were able at this moment. I would shout from the highest roof top, "Dianne Rieder you have made me the happiest man in the world"...but since it is the middle of the night I believe I will, instead, whisper it in her ear!
Good night my love, may God but grant us 40 more...

DO SOMETHING AMAZING FOR LOCAL FOOD BANKS!

Karin Kay Properties has partnered with Minder Farms Of Bremerton to sponsor a corn maze for the benefit of local food banks.

The Karin Kay Team will be on hand the week of September 21-25 to help you load your food and toiletry donations directly into the waiting trucks from area food banks. Your donation will earn a $1 discount in the admission price to the corn maze. In addition Minder Farms will donate one dollar of the admission price, in cash, directly to the food banks. The maze is nearly two miles long and can take as much as 45 minutes to complete.

In the meantime, or anytime, if you find yourself lost in the real estate maze and would like help
finding your way out please contact me through this blog or at Karin Kay Properties.

The more things change the more they stay the same....

Back in the day...the late 1950's...one of the great treats for me was when my family would visit Tacoma, and stay at the home of my mother's college friends the Thompsons. I knew them as Franklin and Lucille and there daughters Marty and Mary. Franklin had been a professor of my mother's at Willamette University years before. Now we lived in Yakima and they had moved to Tacoma where " Franklin" (Dr.T to most) was the President of the University of Puget Sound.

Their brick home, which still stands on the NW corner of the university campus, was a magical place. The stage in the basement theater was the scene of countless original plays written, directed and performed by Marty, Mary, my sister Neena and myself. (Though as memory serves me, I as the youngest was seldom more than a necessary prop in the performances.) There were even secret passages between some of the upstairs rooms.

On really special occasions for us kids we would walk up the wide median of Union Street under the old trees that still form a canopy overhead. On 26th Street we would turn left towards Proctor. Next a mandatory stop at the "Five and Dime" (now Rainier Cyclery) to hand select our favorite penny candy from the bins. Once these treasures were safely deposited into small white bags, we were off to the Blue Mouse Theater (Then the Proctor Theater) for a movie complete with cartoons and a newsreel.

Many Presidents have led the university since then, but the house still stands. Many children have walked the median of Union Street, but the trees still stand. Though many of the tennants have changed the Proctor District looks very much the same. And if you are looking for something special to do this Saturday with your children or grandchildren take in a movie at the Blue Mouse Theater...it's still there.

If the North end of Tacoma is a place where you might like to live please contact me through this blog or at Karin Kay Properties.

Got Blood? Give it! Remember the 9/11 victims.

I first donated blood in basic training in the Army in 1967. I'm not sure of my motive those first times, I suspect it was because you got the rest of the day off after donation. Soon I was assigned to the infantry and was sent to Vietnam as a radio operator in an infantry platoon. With in a few days I understood the real reason for blood donation. The equation is simple...our bodies make more and some folks, for various reasons, don't have enough.

For the last 42 years I have remained a regular blood donor. I'm no longer in combat but like most of you I have had countless friends who have needed blood or blood products like plasma or platlelets to save or extend their lives.

In Pierce County and South King County blood is provided by Cascade Regional Blood Services .
Established in 1946 they have been a faithful neighbor always ready to meet the needs of the community they serve.

This year as we remember the victims of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 why don't we all roll up our sleeves and give the gift of LIFE. Please call CRBS today someone needs you!

If you're giggin' for grub in Gig Harbor...

The beautiful waterfront community of Gig Harbor has many incredible places to go for a great meal...but if what you want is grub with a capital GRR and a view with a capital IEWW ...then you want the TIDES TAVERN . This unique restaurant has been serving up the best of food and good times for over 30 years and has always been a favorite South Sound destination whether you arrive by yacht, kayak, seaplane, foot, car or rickshaw (just kidding about the rickshaw, though I know you'd be welcomed if you arrived in one). Check out their website for a great picture of 7 vintage t-birds parked out front.

If you or anyone you know is needing expert real estate assistance in this area please contact me through my blog or at Karin Kay Properties.

See this "Secret Garden"

If you're like me traveling to Bremerton Wa. on SR 16 you may have missed one of the most beautiful and inspiring stops along the way. Elandan Gardens is a "secret" to most people because we're always in a hurry and our life's pace carries us right past the gate before we can even slow down. If you do stop though, as I did yesterday, you are rewarded with a world where time and hurry do not exist. Join the "ancients" in the Bonsai Museum. Browse the endless number of one of a kind items in the gift shop. Or...just walk and breathe in the beautiful gardens with their panoramic waterfront views.

Now with a second location in Gig Harbor you have no excuse. Get in on the "secret" and stop by Elandan Gardens soon!

If you our anyone you know is moving here to the Bremerton, Silverdale or Gig Harbor area Please contact me for expert relocation service at Karin Kay Properties or through this blog.

They gave their last full measure.

If you listen carefully you can still hear the planes leaving the deck, fully armed, in search of the enemies of our country. Anxious moments as the ship's crew awaits the safe return of each pilot. Today, four flat tops bob up and down with the tide at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard, like Gulliver tethered to the ground, unable to move. Their missions now complete. But deep within their hulls, if you are still, you too will hear the heartbeat of freedom.

Each day when I come to my office in Bremerton Wa. I am reminded of the tremendous price that has been paid by so many for the freedom I enjoy. I hope that this picture can serve as a reminder of that fact for you as it does for me.

Secure the value of your new home!

As you search for your new home, pay close attention to the home values in the neighborhoods you like. An important question to ask yourself is "What anchors the value of homes in this area?" A number of items may come to mind such as:
* Schools and Parks
* Scarcity of available homes/ influx of population
* Historical Landmarks
* Proximity to entertainment and shopping
* Views and waterfront
One neighborhood that has met each of these tests for decades is the Northend of Tacoma Wa. Anchored since the late 1800's by The Univesity of Puget Sound, Annie Wright Seminary and Stadium High School this community enjoys countless parks, excellent public and private schools and breathtaking views of Commencment Bay, Mt Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.
If you or someone you know is moving to the Tacoma Wa. area please let me help with our excellent relocation service. Experience matters and you can contact me at Karin Kay Properties.