In an article entitled, Breaking News: It’s Not Different This Time, by Joni Clark, Chief Investment Strategist for Loring Ward, she points out that the only difference between what is going on in our economy today and what has been going on over the past thirty-five years is in the details.  Using magazine covers from TIME Magazine, she makes her point.  Consider the following cover captions:

October 14, 1974       Trying to Fight Back - Inflation, Recession, Oil

December 9, 1974     Recession’s Greetings

September 12, 1977  Sky High Housing - Building Up, Prices Up

April 21, 1980             Is Capitalism Working?

March 8, 1982            Interest Rate Anguish

December 3, 1984     America’s Banks - Awash in Troubles

November 2, 1987     The Crash - After a Wild Week on Wall Street, the World is Different

October 15, 1990        High Anxiety - Looming Recession, Government Paralysis and War

September 14, 1998   Is the Boom Over?

March 26, 2003          Looking Beyond the Bear

                                         Clark goes on to point out that in spite of the very real concerns in each of these recent decades, the ecomomy rebounded with each setback stronger than before.  Although no one can predict the outcome of our current crisis, perhaps our fragile psyches need the reassurance of our history; stay calm, nothing is really different and we will be the better for all of this.

     So, a glimmer of good news in the gloom; whether in Sherwood Forest in England or in Edmonds, green spaces, parks and playfields are good for everyone’s health.  This bit of cheerful information is brought to you by Blair Leckie, your green and healthy, Edmonds neighborhood realtor.

Since its grand opening last week, the Edmonds store has been a beehive of activity, buzzing with curious newcomers and veteran, tried and true “PCC’ers.”  But it is not just people I am talking about.  The state of the art rain garden in the middle of the parking lot is attracting, birds and butterflys and bees with its hardy northwest plantings.  It is an effective way to capture and clean rain run off from the parking lot and underscores the company’s commitment to the environment and sustainability.

 PCC is not just a supermarket.  It is a concept which combines commerce with social responsibilty, the community and reasonable, responsible ecological pro-activity.  Even if none of those things matter to you, it is place to buy your groceries that is fun to visit and quality is the standard on the shelves.  Your friendly neighborhood realtor, Blair Leckie, says, “Give PCC a try.”

So, not all of the news surrounding mortgages is gloomy.  If one could shake the mindset that has been created by all of the negative press, one could see that this is an excellent market in which to buy.  Mortgage money is becoming available and until the run on houses begins again, prices are low.  Blair Leckie, your friendly neighborhood realtor says, “Breathe easier, buy a house, invest in real estate.”

Wendy’s and McDonald’s are OK if you are in a hurry and just want to mindlessly fill the belly, heedlessly going on your way.  But if you are feeling the urge for sustenance and fulfillment that only this amazing comfort food can provide, consider a leisurely trip to one of the following establishments.   

Growing up in Ballard, Zesto’s was not only a social gathering spot for young people but a place to get the best burger in town.  Eating there, mixing as a part of the milling crush of hundreds after a game was a rite of passage.  Much has changed over the years; the nineteen cent pinky burger is long gone.  But ,the double meat cheese burger remains.  Today’s version may not be a match for the one I remember from my teen age years, but it is still most acceptable.   

It’s tough to beat Burgermaster.   The joints in Bellevue and on Aurora are drive- ins where you are waited on in your car.  All that is missing are the roller skates.    My favorite is the Combo One – a Burgermaster with everything on it, fries and my choice, a strawberry shake.  Outstanding. 

Red Mill Burgers bring gluttony to mind, are delicious and they complete you.  Forget therapy, have a Red Mill burger.  Although the fries are a bit greasy for my liking, the endless variety of burgers available makes choosing an enchanting and joyful task. 

Dick’s has to make the list even if it’s just because it has been around for ever.  It’s more of a fast food drive in, however I do have to admit, when the burger mood strikes, a Dick’s Deluxe satisfies.  

Fatburger and Kidd Valley have to be mentioned.  I put them on the list of the also- ran simply because I am not in their vicinity very often when over come with the hamburger need.  Yes, it is unfair because yes, their burgers are delicious. Locally, I must make mention of Herfy’s.   It used to be a cheap, quick in and out establishment akin to Dick’s.  As of late, and I don’t know if it is the same chain, it has morphed into a more substantial burger emporium.  There is a Herfy’s near Sherwood Forest across the street from Bartel’s Drug Store.  In any event, the burgers there are well worth exploring. 

So, when the absolute necessity of a hamburger prevails and nothing else will work, try one of the above recommendations from your local realtor, Blair Leckie.

It is a joy  living in an urban environment where green spaces and trees are viewed as welcome and necessary.  The joy is not so much obvious as it is felt.  If one slows down and takes a leisurely walk through the old Woodway Elementary School property, its inhabitants begin to show themselves.  One such inhabitant is the Sharp Shinned Hawk.  It is an exhilarating feeling to be walking and half see and half sense something out of the corner of the eye.  Then, upon looking closer, discovering this magnificent if diminutive bird of prey and hearing its shrill cry.    Essential for the livelihood of this beautiful raptor is the stand of trees separating Sherwood Forest residences, the proposed city park and the land purchased by The Burnsteads .   They make their living feeding on the small birds, rodents and large insects which inhabit the woods in our area.

So, if you get a chance, treat yourself to a leisurely walk around the proposed park grounds.  The hawks are there covertly working the woods.

In the heart of Summer around Seattle you have to love all the festivals. One of the best for many years has been the Taste of Edmonds. Rain or Shine a good time can be had by all. If you can make some time to head on over here’s a link to the schedule of Weekend activities. Cheers!

Most residents of Sherwood Forest know this tree.  Sadly, and hopefully briefly it is enclosed by a makeshift chain link barrier.  I don’t know whether this is some inane attempt to keep the glorious nature and beauty of this tree caged in or to keep us, the citizens of the forest caged out.  It has always been, in some way caged.  Earlier in its life it sat as the living center piece in the middle of a courtyard at Woodway Elementary School.  It served its purpose wonderfully by dutifully leafing out and blooming with extravagant blossoms in the spring, bearing fruit for eager birds and ever-foraging squirrels in the summer and dropping its leaves in the fall in preparation for the dormant winter months.   We have been privileged to take pleasure in its performances over the years.

No one knows for certain what the ultimate fate of this beautiful tree will be for it is also caged in controversy.  The elementary school which once surrounded it has recently been demolished.  It was the hope of many of the citizens of the forest that all of the land belonging to the school could be made into a park and a friendly gathering place for the community.  But, school district budgets, politics, fiscal responsibility and the spirit of capitalism have intervened in its destiny.  A developer wants the land to build more houses.  After some hew and cry by the citizens, approximately half of the property was allotted to the developer and half to the park which would surround the tree.  The citizens await the resolution of this controversy, hoping for the day when all of the cages are removed and the tree can at last be free to grow and show and thrive along with the community and citzens of Sherwood Forest.

Click on the map above for the location of open houses being held this Sunday, July 6, 2008.  I am happy to show or provide further information on these or any other listings about which you may wish to inquire .

Bill Church, a.k.a. Bow Wow Bill, operates a school for dogs in Edmonds.  His business specializes in all breeds of dogs and offers a variety of services both for the dog and the dog owner.  Classes ranging from puppy preschool and social hour to group obedience classes, private training and rescue dog rehabilitation are offered at Scrub-a-Pup near the Harbor Square Athletic Club in Edmonds.  He also offers services such as dog walking, waste removal, dog camping, seminars, virtual training and drop in training. 

Bow Wow Bill is a unique, caring individual and is enthusiastic about dogs and seeing that they are properly trained to be good citizens in society.  Dogs listen to him.  Perhaps the best testimonial comes from Maizie, my crazed lab pup, a recent graduate puppy preschool and anxiously looking forward to advanced work at the group training class.  She rates Bow Wow Bill  as highly recommended by giving him a maximum  five out of five wags of the tail including an unsolicited  butt wiggle embellishment.  Bow Wow Bill’s is one of the many Edmonds businesses that provides convenience, richness and diversity available to the Sherwood Forest community.