10 totally random things you probably didn’t know about me... 1. In 2002 then 2004 I had total hip replacement surgeries. I’m eternally grateful for modern medicine everyday. Otherwise, I’d be in a wheelchair. Happy to report I can still tear up a dance floor! I tell my kids, “I am your inheritance!” When I kick the bucket cash me in! There’s a whole lot a titanium here and it’s worth a bunch! 2. I became a professional musician and joined the Renton Auburn Local 360 Musicians Union when I was 16 years old (before I had a drivers license) and played guitar in several bands around the Pacific Northwest at local Taverns, Nightclubs, and Dance Halls for well over 10+ years. I actually made a very decent living at it in the 60’s and 70’s. Those were different times. 3. My first acting job w... 03/19/2015

I’m headed into the city this morning for appointments and I love this view of downtown as you enter the International District from North Beacon Hill over the Jose Rizal Memorial Bridge. To the left in the skyline cluster is Seattle’s oldest skyscraper, the Smith Tower. Built in 1914, the 38 story building was until 1931, the tallest building west of the Mississippi. The cities’ sky high honor now resides with the 76 story (943 foot tall) Columbia Center Tower completed in 1985. I worked just one block away back then and it was amazing to watch this building go up. If you ever get the opportunity on a trip to Seattle visit the observation deck known as Sky View. Click the link for a stunning 360 degree panoramic view like none other of Seattle and the entire region. Just to the right o... 02/10/2015

November, Autumn in Seattle I love the Pacific Northwest! Especially this time of year when the weather oscillates back and forth between clear cool sunny days and blustery windy rainy gray one’s. A week or so before Thanksgiving I was driving through downtown Seattle on one of those windy rainy days. That wind was really blowing off the bay and the trees were swaying. I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I often avoid the freeway. It’s a lot more interesting to drive through the neighborhoods. The fall colors linger yet they are losing their brightness and are fading for the season until next Spring. As is typical (and happened) the wet pineapple express shifted a few days later to clear and freezing and the leaves have fallen. I enjoy these kind of stormy days, all nice and warm in m... 12/03/2014

The Arctic Club building in Seattle was built in 1916. It's now a Double Tree by Hilton Hotel. I worked on the 2nd floor for Northwestern Title Company from 1984 to 1990 when the building was owned by the City of Seattle. It's a beautiful old building and I love the Northern Lights Dome Room. This huge room has a leaded-glass domed ceiling complete with Rococo motifs. The light is filtered through the domes colored glass and makes for a wonderful atmosphere. As a hotel, it's was beautifully restored in 2008 with great attention and detail to its original glory. The Arctic Club was a fraternal organization originally formed in 1908 by those who returned to Seattle after striking it rich in Alaska in the Klondike Gold Rush. Note the terra cotta walrus heads along the third story facade. T... 05/17/2014

The Seattle Municipal Tower 700 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 Construction started in 1987 and the building was finished and opened in 1990. At 722 feet tall with 62 stories, it was the tallest building constructed in Seattle during the 1990s. Now in 2014 it’s the 4th tallest building in Seattle and houses almost 5,000 tenants. Originally named the AT&T Gateway Tower then later renamed the Key Bank Tower the City of Seattle purchased it in early 1996 for $124 million. On May 17, 2014 the building will celebrate its 10th anniversary as the “Seattle Municipal Tower.” The building is home to many of the cities departments including the Seattle Public Utilities, the cities IT department, Seattle City Light, the Human Services Department, and the Office of Economic Development among others... 04/27/2014

Downtown Neighborhood Homes in Seattle WA   Find homes for sale in Downtown Neighborhood in Seattle WA.  Downtown is a commercial and business area in Seattle.  Seattle’s diverse and distinctive assets make it a getaway of both reflection and discovery. Become part of our canvas and see why Seattle is a community like no other. The beauty of Seattle's makes this a great place to live in! Living in Downtown Neighborhood in Seattle WA Downtown is the residential area in Seattle, with great schools. The schools are part of the Lake Washington School District. The southern half of the Subarea contains more residential development than the northern half. Residential areas are generally located around the boundaries of the Subarea. Shopping in Downtown Seattle is an experience in itself. With... 04/03/2014

Walk Score did an interesting story this week on the best cities in the country for public transit.  Those of us in Seattle know that while our light rail is improving, we've got a long way to go with buses and cross-lake traffic. Still, though, Seattle came through on the West coast as the second-best city for transit.  We were also ranked #8 nationally.  While our Transit Score of 57 is a far cry from San Francisco's 80, it's a nice reminder that the transit options in the greater Seattle market are improving. The interesting turn in the story is the connection to real estate values and quality of life.  I'll let the Walk Score folks put it in their own words: There’s growing evidence that buying a house or renting an apartment near public transit is a smart idea. First, it’s likely a... 01/28/2014