Thursday, January 29, 2015

Bellevue Rental Report from A New Day Real Estate

This is the Bellevue Rental Report for January 28, 2015 by Joe Kennedy, Managing Broker of A New Day Real Estate and Co-Founder of the Bellevue Real Estate Investors Network.  It appeared yesterday at ANewDayRealEstate.com.

As of today, there are only 31 residential properties in Bellevue that are listed for rent on the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.



These Bellevue rental properties range in price from $1,200 a month for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo at the Silver Glen 55+ community to $8,500 a month for a 3,710 square foot home, with 5 bedrooms, 4 baths on Bellevue Way at the base of Clyde Hill.

Although there are a lot of other places that property owners advertise available rental units, from the current NWMLS stats, there is a real lack of available and 'affordable' rentals in Bellevue.  There are only 5 properties in Bellevue currently listed for rent at a cost of less than $2,000 a month - and those are all condos or apartments.

While some property owners are really fishing for higher than market prices and are seeing their properties languish on the market for long periods, there has recently been a noticeable number of landlords that have 'adjusted' their prices to get their properties leased out.

One professional suggestion to rental property owners, as well as brokers who manage rental properties in Bellevue:  while commissions and compensation are always negotiable, if you are listing your property for lease, it 'might' be a smart idea to fairly compensate other leasing brokers for their time and efforts.   Today I noticed one listing that is only offering a $250 commission for leasing a house here in Bellevue.  Not surprising that this house has been on the market for some time - and won't be surprising if the property never gets leased.  Just as in any other profession, leasing brokers do need to be properly compensated for their time.  If you are a rental property owner and do not want to pay a leasing broker, be prepared to do the work yourself.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Bellevue Condo Report: Inventory Extremely Low

Bellevue Towers day timeThis is the Bellevue Condo report from A New Day Real Estate for January 27, 2015.

As of today, there are currently 130 condos in Bellevue that are listed for sale on the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS).  That number is definitely a low number, but when you examine the list and realize that approximately half of those condos that are listed are located at Washington Square, it really shows how tight the condo market is here in Bellevue.


Then you add in the fact that 7 of the 10 least expensive Bellevue condos are located at the Silver Glen 55+ community and realize that at least a few of the remaining 58 condos are really not sellable because of huge and unreasonable HOA assessments.  When it all comes down to it - there are really only around 55 condos on the market in Bellevue (that are not located at Washington Square, Silver Glen or burdened with debt that make them unlikely to sell).  That means that inventory is LOW!  If you are looking to buy a condo in Bellevue right now, there is not a lot of selection available.  If you are thinking about selling your condo in Bellevue, this is GREAT news - it's a great time to list and sell your condo without a lot of competition.  Get it priced right and it should easily sell in 30-60 days.

The highest priced condo currently for sale in Bellevue is a $3.35 million dollar unit on the 41st floor of Bellevue Towers.  Besides some amazing views, this unit in Bellevue Towers features 3,403 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and has been on the market for 122 days.

The lowest priced condo currently listed for sale in Bellevue is at Silver Glen 55+ community listed at $109,950.  Outside of Silver Glen, the lowest price condo listed for sale in Bellevue is located in The Highlands condos across the street from Microsoft's Redmond campus.  The 1/1 unit is listed at $135k, but the complex has recently taken out a huge amount of trees from the property and has been discussing a future 'special' assessment against each unit owner.

As of today, there are only 41 condos in all of Bellevue that are listed at less than $500,000 asking price - and that is including at least 7 units at Silver Glen, but not including a boat slip at Newport Shores that is still listed as a condo.

Marshawn Lynch is 'just about that action, boss': Beastmode's Interview with Neon Deon

Marshawn "Beastmode" LynchHere's a great story about Beastmode's well publicized interview on Superbowl Media Day 2015.  Marshawn Lynch is a stud and when the Seahawks win their 2nd 'Big Game' he will be the one of the reasons.  #GoHawks

 

Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich is Full of Timeless Lessons



Jeffrey Gitomer King of Sales“Thoughts are things” is the title and the first words of the first chapter of the book.

When I first read those words, I didn’t really understand what they meant – even when I read the first chapter and the examples offered in Napoleon Hill’s classic Think and Grow Rich. It didn’t resonate until I got to the end of the chapter and read, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive, and believe, it can achieve.” Then I started to get it. That was 1972.

By coincidence, it was only a few days later that I heard the late, great Earl Nightingale say, “You become what you think about.” At that moment, I got it. It clicked. And it has clicked ever since then.

More reading and studying about thinking and the thought process revealed that neither Hill nor Nightingale had the original thought.

From Socrates to Samuel Smiles, to Orison Swett Marden, to Elbert Hubbard, to Dale Carnegie, to Napoleon Hill, to Earl Nightingale, to Jim Rohn – they all had their own way of saying THE SAME thing.

Your thinking becomes your actions. And it’s those dedicated, well-planned, and directed actions that lead to your outcomes. Your reality. Better stated, your success.

All of these legendary scholars can’t be wrong.

All of them told me in their writings – the same way I’m telling you – that positive thought leads to positive actions and positive results, if the aim and the purpose are passionately believed.

Orison Swett Marden’s book, He Who Thinks He Can, written in 1908, says it in the title. It’s plain as day right on the cover of his book. It was Marden, by the way, that FOUNDED Success Magazine in 1888.

Hill’s title THINK and GROW RICH tells you first you gotta THINK! Your thinking will affect your BELIEF, your belief will help you create your MAJOR PURPOSE, your major purpose will clarify your DIRECTED ACTIONS, and your actions, combined with your DESIRE, your DEDICATION, and your DETERMINATION will determine your WEALTH. First THINK, then GROW RICH.

Got it? Sure you do. Getting it, that’s the easy part. First you get it, you understand it THEN you agree with it. Easy so far. THEN the harder part, you have to believe you can do it. You have to THINK YOU CAN. Finally, the HARDEST part is you have to be willing to TAKE ACTION! Do it! That’s chapter one. Read it lately?

The rest of Think and Grow Rich contains the ideas, the definitions, and the clarifications that provide the ANSWERS. Hill describes it as the roadmap to riches. I’m telling you, it’s the most important success thinking you’ll ever be exposed to – as long as you repeat it until it becomes your reality.

But I have to stop here and clarify the book. Think and Grow Rich, and Hill’s writing, is not written in today’s language. There are no references to computers, email, the web, Facebook, social media, credit cards, or even television. Because none of those things existed when Hill penned this classic self-help book. Yet somehow the book has managed to sell more than 100 MILLION copies over the past seven decades.

To receive all the wealth in the book, you have to get over the fact Think and Grow Rich was written 70 years ago. As a country, we were fresh out of the Depression and the stock market crash of 1929. World War II was in full swing, the mood of the country was nervous, and Napoleon Hill – and his colleague Dale Carnegie – were screaming, “Make friends, be positive, believe in yourself, be influential, develop a goal and a plan, articulate yourself clearly, dedicate yourself to excellence, take directed action, and encourage others to do the same.” Pretty cool, eh?

These books aren’t 70 years old, rather they were 70 years ahead of their time. Maybe that’s why Hill’s Think and Grow Rich and Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People have been on bestseller lists for 70 years.

The first chapter ends the same way it began. With one sentence of immortal wisdom. “Whatever the mind of man can conceive, and believe, it can achieve.”

I’m sharing this information today in the hopes you will read or re-read this timeless classic. Rededicate yourself to YOUR best thinking (first), so you can do your best for others (second).

That’s the secret! Please tell everyone.


Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of twelve best-selling books including The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling and 21.5 Unbreakable Laws of Selling. His books are now available as online courses at www.GitomerVT.com. For information about training and seminars visit www.Gitomer.com or www.GitomerCertifiedAdvisors.com, or email Jeffrey personally at salesman@gitomer.com.





© 2015 All Rights Reserved - Don't even think about reproducing this document without
written permission from Jeffrey H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer, Inc • 704/333-1112





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Sunday, January 25, 2015

Eastgate Expounders Toastmasters: “Forget about Resolutions; Take Action!”

Too often, New Year’s resolutions are all talk or short-lived action at best. Nearly half of the American population makes New Year’s resolutions, but according to the Journal of Clinical Psychology, only 8 percent actually see their resolutions through.  For those seeking an opportunity to take action, Eastgate Expounders (www.eastgateexpounders.org), a decade-old, diverse, and active Toastmasters club in the Eastgate area of Bellevue, Wash., is offering a terrific opportunity to learn what Toastmasters is all about through a series of open house events that will be held during January and February at the Exponent offices in Bellevue.

“Most people go into the New Year with high hopes, yet often, with time, lose track of their goals,” says long-time club member Michelle White, ACS, ALB. “Sometimes the best way to start something new is to just jump into it. That is why we are hosting two months of Eastgate Expounders open house events. Anyone interested in getting to know a little more about Toastmasters is encouraged to join us any Tuesday in January or February.”

Open house events will take place at Exponent, 15375 SE 30th Place, Suite 250, Bellevue, WA.  The events run from 12:05 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. every Tuesday in January and February 2015.  Two open houses (January 20th and 27th) will be held at an alternate location: WA State Department of Ecology, 3190 160th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98008.

Three Tips for Reaching Your Goals

  1. Envision success, but be realistic – Start by identifying something you want to accomplish and imagine the successful result you want. Next, write down an obstacle that stands between you and your goal. Plan how you will respond to this obstacle. Go through the cycle of envisioning what success will bring you and contrast that with the obstacles in your way. Then, create a realistic plan to reach your goal, one which anticipates the obstacles you will run into along the way.

  2. Have a detailed plan – Plan where, when and how you will take action. Think through many if/then scenarios. By having a plan for how you will react to temptation or how you will react when you hit a rough spot, you will avoid dropping back into your comfort zone.

  3. Take action – Getting started on a big goal is often the toughest part.  Sometimes the best way to get started is to take just one small action.


Excerpted from Michelle White’s speech, January 6, 2015: “How to avoid being a New Year’s statistic”.

Explore & Learn

  • Open House: Every Tuesday in January and February, 2015, 12:05 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. at Exponent, 15375 SE 30th Place, Suite 250, Bellevue, WA 98007
    NOTE:  Meetings on January 20th and 27th will be held at an alternate location: WA State Department of Ecology, 3190 160th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98008

  • Regular Weekly Meetings: Tuesdays, 12:05 p.m. - 1:05 p.m.  Most meetings are held at Exponent, 15375 SE 30th Place, Suite 250, Bellevue, WA 98007; there will be an alternate location January 20th and 27th:  WA State Department of Ecology, 3190 160th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98008.  Guests/visitors are welcome; no pre-registration is required.  Check the Eastgate Expounders site weekly as venue changes occasionally occur.

  • Eastgate Expounders Meetup:  Sign up to attend upcoming meetings and/or an open house event: http://www.meetup.com/Eastgate-Expounders-Toastmasters-Group/.


More Information
For more information, contact Lisa Dreher, Vice President, Public Relations, Eastgate Expounders: lisaexpounders@gmail.com.

About Eastgate Expounders
Eastgate Expounders, chartered in January of 2005 (Club number 714760, Area 62, Division F, District 2, Region 1), is known as one of the premiere Toastmasters clubs in the Puget Sound area. During its first full year post-charter, the club achieved the prestigious President’s Distinguished Award, the highest award for the Toastmasters Distinguished Club program.  Since 2005, Eastgate Expounders has consistently achieved the highest number of educational, organizational and leadership goals in the club’s annual Club Success Plan.

One of the organization’s top goals is to develop engaging public speakers. Eastgate Expounders members consistently qualify to compete in area and division speech competitions; they have won area, division, and district and competitions and have presented at the regional level.  Eastgate club members have also served in a variety of leadership roles throughout the district, and two of Eastgate Expounders’ club presidents have received the District 2 Ralph Smedley President of the Year award for promoting education, membership, leadership, and competition.

The club meets weekly, from 12:05 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. every Tuesday at Exponent, 15375 SE 30th Place, Suite 250, Bellevue, WA 98007.  For more information, visit http://www.eastgateexpounders.org.

AWB to host 2015 Legislative Summit

Hundreds of business leaders will gather Jan. 27 at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia for the Association of Washington Business’ annual Legislative Summit and evening reception. Attendees will hear the latest updates on a host of issues affecting the economy, including minimum wage, transportation, taxation and environmental proposals.

The day’s agenda begins at 8:45 a.m. with the kick-off of Opportunity Washington, a new employer-led initiative promoting smart public policy and strategic investment to spur opportunity throughout the state.

It continues at 9:30 a.m. with a series of panel discussions on key legislative issues, including a transportation and environmental policy panel featuring Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima; Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale; Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island; and, Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, D-Burien.

After a short recess at 10 a.m. for an AWB member-only presentation, a panel discussing minimum wage proposals will begin at 10:45 a.m., followed by lunchtime remarks by Gov. Jay Inslee. AWB will also present its Better Workplace Awards during the lunch hour. The final issue panel begins at 2 p.m. where lawmakers will discuss tax and fiscal policies being debated in the Legislature.

The evening reception is for AWB members only, however members of the media are invited to attend the day’s three panel discussions and luncheon.

AWB’s Better Workplace Awards recognize member companies for excellence in workplace safety, job training and advancement, and benefit and compensation programs.

AGENDA

WHO:              Association of Washington Business

WHAT:           2015 AWB Legislative Summit

WHEN:           Tuesday, Jan. 27

Legislative Summit: 9:30-10 a.m.; 10:45-11:15 a.m.; and 12:15-3 p.m., Spruce Ballroom. Please note there will be member-only sessions at 10 a.m. and immediately following the 10:45 a.m. Minimum Wage Panel.  Media will be asked to excuse themselves during those times.

Legislative Reception: 5-9 p.m., Forest Ballroom

WHERE:          Red Lion Hotel Olympia

2300 Evergreen Park Drive S.W.

Olympia, WA 98502

About the Association of Washington Business

Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 8,300 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

I-1372, Gathers Signatures To Protect & Strengthen Medical Cannabis

Initiative Measure No. 1372 filed January 6, 2015, will protect and strengthen the medical cannabis law, RCW 69.51A, by offering compassion, clarity and consistency through the following changes:

  • Bringing Washington state law into compliance with stated federal policy

  • Allowing business owners to obtain licenses for producing, processing or dispensing cannabis in a commercial manner. Using the language from ESSB 5073, specifying cannabis for medical use licensing, allowing producers and processors to deliver cannabis to any cannabis for medical use licensee, and allowing the botanical herb tax exemption on cannabis for medical use.

  • Creating and empowering the cannabis for medical use board, made up of the state and the community, to govern all aspects of the market. Through licensing and regulation fees, revenue is generated for the board to regulate the not-for-profit cannabis for medical use market while remaining revenue neutral.

  • Maintaining small, private residential gardens and patient cooperatives that do not violate the spirit or intent of law. As well as protecting existing cannabis farmer's markets serving qualifying patients.

  • Restoring reciprocity for non-residents and other protections passed by the Legislature in ESSB 5073.

  • Removing any instances of partially vetoed language. Reinstating essential definitions including cannabis, cannabis products, plant, etc., and correcting the spelling error of “useable”.

  • Adding Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury to the list of qualifying conditions, as well as addresses suitability of organ transplants to ensure that medical use of cannabis can no longer be the sole disqualification for treatment.

  • Extending the same criminal and civil protections to qualifying patients that prescription drug patients receive.

  • Limiting housing discrimination for the medical use of cannabis.

  • Restricting employment-related cannabis testing for qualifying patients.

  • Requiring video proof of impairment for qualifying patients.

  • Adding in protection to qualifying patients under 18 years of age, patients, legal guardians, and their designated providers.

  • Expanding the tetrahydrocannabinoidols control substance exemption to health care professionals, qualifying patients, designated providers, collective gardens, cannabis for medical use licensees, licensed testing facilities.

  • Limiting cooperation with federal investigations of authorized medical use of cannabis activities.


Signatures are being gathered to qualify for this November ballot. The deadline for gathering the 246,372 signatures from register voters required to qualify is July 2, 2015. There are probably that many qualifying patients who are registered to vote. If they all make sure to sign a petition once, it will qualify for the ballot. If all the registered voters in Seattle signed a petition once, it would qualify for the ballot. Petitions are at the website: www.cppwa.org

In 1998, Washingtonians overwhelming approved I-692 creating cannabis for medical use for qualifying patients. Since then the legislature and state agencies have not shown compassion, illustrating poor judgment and lack of leadership with our medical cannabis law. In the 1999 legislative session the Legislators and the Governor needed to remove cannabis from the state controlled substance schedule one list with the new law.


The legislature directed the department of health to define what a “60-day supply” meant. In 2008, they came back with 100 square foot of grow space and 35 ounces of usable cannabis. The law enforcement community dissatisfied with the amount influenced the change to the current 15 plants and 24 ounces.


http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2008224424_medpot03m0.html


www.scribd.com/doc/208654452/DOH-6032-Limits-Draft


In April 2011, a letter from the police enforcement union to Governor Gregorie telling which sections to veto removed regulation for the medical use of cannabis, and definitions from RCW 69.51A.

www.scribd.com/doc/151838457/WASPC-2011-Letter-to-Governor-on-Medical-Cannabis-veto

In 2014, bills proposed unwarranted searches of home gardens, reducing qualifying patients amounts again, and making it difficult for veterans to get medical cannabis. These legislative bills would have also violated monopoly, HIPPA, FDA, and DOJ laws by having a registry and combing the medical use of cannabis with an alcohol control board.

The current bills proposed for the current legislative session continue to do the same thing while violate the same laws, as well as take away patients rights like eliminating private, non-commercial, patient collective gardens and ending authorizations for the medical use of cannabis. Only one, HB 1020, writes the law not using the racial slur "marijuana".

Friday, January 23, 2015

Bellevue-based Tack Welcomes John Kueber as Strategic Advisor

John Kueber Tack AdvisorTack, a media technology startup dedicated to connecting local businesses with new customers, today announced that it has added publishing veteran and digital media expert John Kueber to its Strategic Advisory Board.

“John is tremendously well respected and established within the digital media and technology space,” said Aaron Goodin, CEO of Tack.  “His industry expertise, prior startup experience and vast network of publisher connections will be invaluable to us as we increase product awareness among regional publications - and usher in a new form of media-based social advertising.”

In addition to joining Tack’s advisory board, on January 5, 2015, Kueber was also named President of Digital at Tiger Oak Media, a publishing company with more than 20 publications in a dozen markets, focusing on lifestyle, business and travel topics.  Since joining Tiger Oak Media in 2008, Kueber has been responsible for business operations and strategy for the company’s eight West Coast media properties.  During that time, Kueber has worked to develop each individual brand into a multi-platform experience through events, digital media, social media and strategic partnerships.  Prior to Tiger Oak Media, Kueber launched several startup companies, including Urban Pages Media, speechforms.com, and superbuild.com.

As a member of Tack’s Advisor Board, Kueber will be responsible for helping drive publisher acquisition and advertising for Tack.

"Tack has developed what I believe is a breakthrough technology that can help local businesses drive customer acquisition and profits through social media,” Kueber said.  “While working with the Tack team at Seattle Magazine, I’ve witnessed how Tack can help both small businesses and digital publishers gain broader distribution and increase revenue.  Not to mention, they make social media marketing easier in a time when organic reach becomes more limited.”

Since launching in October Tack has steadily built a network of local, Seattle-based publishing partners including Tiger Oak Media’s Seattle magazine and Seattle Business.

About Tack

Tack is a media technology company dedicated to connecting local businesses to new customers in an easy, cost efficient and relevant way. Launched in 2013, Tack automatically converts social media posts into online ads and places them adjacent to relevant content. Tack helps advertisers reach new customers with no additional effort, and increases reader engagement and revenue for publishers. For more information visit www.tacklocal.com.

Tyler Burkland Returns to US Bank, Leading Commercial Banking Team in Bellevue

Tyler Burkland US Bank Bellevue Commercial BankingU.S. Bank has named Tyler Burkland to lead the commercial banking team in Bellevue, Wash. He is making a return to U.S. Bank, where he previously worked from 2005 to 2008 as a commercial banking portfolio manager and credit analyst in Seattle.  

“We are pleased to have Tyler back and leading our middle market banking in Bellevue,” said Chris Heman, president of U.S. Bank in Washington. “He brings solid experience managing a large portfolio and bringing clients exactly the type of credit and banking products they need to grow their business. We look forward to sharing his expertise in the region.”

In addition to past experience managing a $1.3 billion middle market portfolio throughout Washington, Oregon and Western Canada, Burkland has expertise in technology and special industries, along with strong deal structure experience that includes syndications.

Burkland leads a team of 13 in commercial banking. He is based at the U.S. Bank offices at 10800 NE 8th Street in Bellevue.

Burkland is a University of Washington graduate with a business degree in finance.

About U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank has 130 employees and 5 branches in Bellevue, with 1,377 employees and 92 branches in the greater Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area.  U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $403 billion in assets as of December 31, 2014, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the 5th largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 3,176 banking offices in 25 states and 5,022 ATMs and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.

Alan Thain Joins RPM Mortgage as Senior Loan Advisor

Alan Thain RPM Mortgage BellevueRPM Mortgage, Inc. is proud to welcome Alan Thain to its Bellevue office as a Senior Loan Advisor.

With more than 22 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Alan is committed to providing outstanding service and communication to his clients.  His extensive knowledge and passion for lending allow him to confidently and efficiently guide his clients through the loan process.

With access to RPM Mortgage, Inc.’s expert lending services and innovative mortgage solutions, Alan can offer his clients exceptional service and best-in-class home loan options. RPM’s “Can Do” attitude is a perfect match for Alan’s proactive approach to educating his clients and communicating with them throughout the loan process. Alan personally attends all of his closings to ensure his clients are well taken care of. Alan believes the success of his business is based upon building strong and successful relationships, and he takes great pride in helping his clients achieve their financial dreams.

Alan has been a 5-star Professional award winner for five years, and has over $400 million in career production.

Eye specialist Dr. Robert Abel Jr. says proper nutrition can treat and reverse common vision problems

For 40 years, Dr. Robert Abel Jr. has dedicated his professional life as an ophthalmologist to preserving vision. As a founding partner in a large eye care practice in Delaware, he operates on four hundred cataract patients a year, but he treats six times that number without surgery.

"We know that specific foods and nutritional supplements have value in treating specific diseases, and we also now know there are also certain foods and supplements that specifically encourage eye health," says Dr. Abel, author of the book, "The Eye Care Revolution."

Dr. Abel says by using an understanding of nutritional chemistry and other means it is possible to control or eliminate many of the factors that contribute to the development of serious eye diseases:

  • Controlled clinical studies show that the risk of developing cataracts can be decreased by more than half by eating fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, as well as the antioxidants vitamin A, E, lutein, and glutathione boosters.

  • The risk of developing glaucoma can be lowered by consuming high levels of vitamins C, Omega 3, and B12. Also rhythmic breathing and avoiding blood pressure medications in the evenings.

  • The risk of developing macular degeneration can be reduced by maintaining high levels of vitamins A, D, E, the carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein, DHA, and the amino acid taurine (found in egg whites).

  • Diabetic retinopathy can be delayed or prevented by consuming vitamin C along with alpha lipoic acid, Quercetin, and other bioflavonoids.


What is the ideal dietary regimen for someone concerned about preserving or improving eye health? In his book, "The Eye Care Revolution," Dr. Abel lists the Top Ten Foods for Sight:

  1. Cold water fish (sardines, cod, mackerel, tuna) are an excellent source of DHA, which provides structural support to cell membranes and is recommended for dry eyes, macular degeneration, and sight preservation.

  2. Spinach, kale, and green leafy vegetables are rich in carotenoids, especially lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein protects the macula from sun damage and from blue light.

  3. Eggs are rich in cysteine, sulfur, lecithin, amino acids, and lutein. Sulfur-containing compounds protect the lens of the eye from cataract formation.

  4. Garlic, onions, shallots, and capers are also rich in sulfur, which is necessary for the production of glutathione, an important antioxidant for the lens of the eye.

  5. Non-GMO soy, low in fat and rich in protein, contains essential fatty acids, phytoestrogens, vitamin E, and natural anti-inflammatory agents.

  6. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins A, C, E, and beta-carotene. Yellow and orange vegetables, like carrots and squash, are important for daytime vision.

  7. Blueberries and grapes contain anthocyanins, which improve night vision. A cup full of blueberries, huckleberry jam, or a 100 mg bilberry supplement should improve dark adaptation within 30 minutes.

  8. Wine, known to have a cardio-protective effect, has many important nutrients, which protect the heart, vision, and blood flow.

  9. Nuts and berries are nature's most concentrated food sources. Grains, such as flaxseed, are high in the beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol and stabilize cell membranes.

  10. Extra-virgin olive oil, is a healthy alternative to butter and margarine.


Dr. Abel says to maintain eye health, drink six eight-ounce glasses of filtered water every day to keep properly hydrated, as water helps create the fluid in our eyes.

New Dietary Supplement for Eye Health:  Eye Complex CS (Clinical Strength)

"While we should depend primarily on whole foods to meet our nutritional needs, we should use vitamins and supplements as an insurance policy," says Dr. Abel.

For eye health, Dr. Abel has formulated a special multivitamin, Eye Complex CS, which contains important nutrients supportive of the retina and having a protective effect on the lens:

Vitamin C       250 mg    N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 50 mg    Selenium         .05 mg
L-Glutathione  2.5 mg    Alpha Lipoic Acid         25 mg    Vitamin E        100  IU
Lutein           10 mg    Zinc                7.5 mg    Bilberry            40 mg
Zeaxanthin      0.5 mg    Taurine             50 mg          Riboflavin B-2  15 mg
Vitamin B-6      10 mg    Vitamin B-12            0.1 mg    Rutin              100 mg
Grape Seed Ex 25 mg    Citrus Bioflavonoids        100 mg         Chromium      .05 mg
Ginkgo biloba  20 mg        Beta Carotene            10,000 IU     Eye Bright      100 mg
CoQ10      10 mg        Green Tea Ex             50 mg

ABOUT DR. ROBERT ABEL, JR., MD (www.eyecomplexcs.com)

Dr. Abel earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in 1969, completed his ophthalmology residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital and was a Cornea Fellow at the University of Florida. A board certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Abel is on the staff of the Christiana Care Health System. He is a former Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University. He founded and has been Medical Director of the Medical Eye Bank of Delaware since 1981. He teaches locally and internationally on numerous subjects, including cornea, cataract and nutrition. He instructs the Cornea Microsurgery Workshops at the Academy of Ophthalmology meetings annually and has been on the Academy's Committee of International Ophthalmology.

Dr. Abel has done active research on corneal transplants, corneal pathology, contact lenses and drugs as they relate to the eye. He holds two patents on artificial corneas and has received the AAO Honor Award and the Senior Honor Award. Dr. Abel is the author of the popular new book, "The Eye Care Revolution," which teaches patients how to treat and reverse common vision problems, and he has written eight other books. Other information concerning eye care can also be found on his website, EyeAdvisory.com.  He was also voted "TOP DOC" by Delaware Today Magazine.  In his spare time, he practices Tai-Chi, and studies alternative medicine systems.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Despite tight inventory, Northwest MLS brokers complete more than 77,000 sales valued at nearly $28 billion during 2014

This is the official media release from the NWMLS - Northwest Multiple Listing Service and originally appeared at A New Day Real Estate.

Members of Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported 77,276 closed sales during 2014 to outgain the prior year’s volume by 1,759 transactions for a 2.3 percent increase.

Measured by dollars, last year’s sales of single family homes and condominiums were valued at nearly $28 billion. Compared to 2013, that dollar volume represents a 9.4 percent gain.

The sales activity reflects the work of more than 22,000 brokers across 21 counties in the member-owned Northwest MLS.

Last year’s completed sales included 66,716 single family homes (about 86 percent of the total) and 10,560 condominiums. The total units and dollar volume are the best since 2007 when members registered 82,197 sales valued at $32.3 billion.

The area-wide median price for last year’s sales of single family homes and condominiums was $285,000, improving on the previous year’s figure of $270,000 (up nearly 5.6 percent). A comparison by county shows median sales prices ranged from $119,900 in Pacific County to $399,750 in King County.

Prices for single family homes (excluding condominiums) rose about 5 percent from 2013, increasing from $281,000 to $295,000. Condo prices jumped 11.4 percent, rising from the 2013 figure of $202,000 to last year’s median selling price of $225,000.

Home buyers who shopped during 2014 often had lots of company – and competition. Brokers notched more than 102,000 pending sales (mutually accepted offers) during 2014, while adding 107,722 new listings to inventory. Brokers said depleted inventory led to bidding wars for homes in the most desirable areas, and led to disappointment for indecisive or unprepared bidders.

During 2014, the average area-wide supply, as measured by months of inventory, fell below 3.5 months. King County had the lowest level, averaging only 1.9 months of supply. Industry insiders tend to use a 4-to-6 month range as an indicator of a balanced market, favoring neither buyers nor sellers.

Further evidence of a housing recovery is reflected in high-end sales. Northwest MLS members reported 2,069 sales of single family homes priced at $1 million or more, up nearly 28 percent from the 2013 total of 1,621 “luxury” sales. Condos priced at $1 million and up accounted for another 152 sales. A total of 878 condos commanded sales prices of $500,000 or more, up 20 percent from the figure for 2013.

The highest-priced single family home that sold during 2014 by a member of Northwest MLS was a property in the Town of Hunts Point that commanded $9.1 million. Topping the chart of high-priced condominiums was one in a downtown Seattle high-rise that sold for $6.1 million.

Among other highlights in its annual compilation of statistics, Northwest Multiple Listing Service reported:

  • About 46 percent of last year’s single family home sales had three bedrooms.

  • The median price for a 3-bedroom home that sold in 2014 was $262,500, about 5 percent higher than the previous year’s figure of $250,000. A comparison by county shows the median price for this size home ranged from $143,500 in Pacific County to $410,000 in San Juan County.

  • More than three-fourths (75.2 percent) of condos that sold had two or fewer bedrooms.

  • Of the condo sales, about six of every 10 (61.9 percent) were located in King County, primarily in Seattle or on the Eastside.

  • Last year’s sales included 8,177 newly built single family homes that sold for a median price of $374,000, and 607 condos that sold for a median price of $369,950.

  • A comparison of median prices of single family homes shows more than half the counties served by Northwest MLS have improved on prices reported for 2005.

  • Prices vary widely among school districts. Homes that sold in school districts on Shaw Island and Mercer Island fetched median prices of $1 million or more.


In addition to summarizing sales and listing activity, Northwest MLS also reported enhancements to several services for its growing membership. Among 2014 highlights was the launch of an advanced system for online forms, document storage, electronic signatures and related tools. The MLS also upgraded its keybox program, involving the exchange of more than 90,000 devices.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service, owned by its member real estate firms, is the largest full-service MLS in the Northwest. Its membership includes more than 22,000 real estate brokers. The organization, based in Kirkland, Wash., expended services to two new counties (Chelan and Douglas) during 2014. With those additions the MLS network now encompasses 23 counties in Washington state.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Washington Wine Institute Names Josh McDonald New Executive Director

The Washington Wine Institute (WWI) has appointed Josh McDonald as its Executive Director, effective January 5.

He will be responsible for managing the complex policy and regulatory issues facing Washington winery owners who make up the second largest wine industry in the U.S., after California.

Marty Clubb, WWI President and owner of L’Ecole No 41 winery, in Walla Walla, stated “With the exciting growth of our industry in the past few years, the timing is right to build on our legislative and regulatory successes in Olympia with a full-time Executive Director who can provide critical outreach to our winery members.” He added, “Josh has the association background, organizational development skills, and political experience that will help take WWI to the next level so wineries can realize even more value for their membership.”

Prior to joining the Washington Wine Institute, McDonald was the State and Local Government Affairs Manager for the Washington Restaurant Association.  There he was responsible for building the association’s local government program and for managing the association’s interests on issues including tourism, food safety, the environment, immigration, taxation and regulation, in Olympia.

“The Washington Wine Institute has been the industry’s leading advocate before the Legislature and Liquor Control Board for many years,” said McDonald. “I am looking forward to continuing this legacy while at the same time strengthening our presence in Olympia and around the state.”

Vicky Scharlau, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers (WAWGG), said that McDonald’s appointment would bolster how all facets of the industry are able to work together.

“WAWGG welcomes Josh to the Washington Wine Institute.  Working together over the past decade, WWI, the Washington State Wine Commission and WAWGG have made huge strides on behalf of grape growers and wineries.  We look forward to adding Josh to the team as his hiring can only strengthen our partnership as we meet the needs of a quickly expanding industry,” Scharlau said.

Mr. McDonald holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics and Government from the University of Puget Sound. He was born and raised in rural Northwest Montana.  He lives in Tacoma with his wife, Chelsea Levy, and their son, Liam.

The Washington Wine Institute is the leading advocate for Washington wineries.   WWI unites wineries big and small to make sure the collective voice of the Washington wine industry is present and strong in Olympia.

University Book Store Turns 115

University Book Store turned 115 years old on January 10, 2015, maintaining its membership in the elite group of centenarian businesses in Washington. With headquarters on University Way NE, also known as “The Ave”, status as a private corporation, and nine Puget Sound locations, University Book Store is local, independent and large.

University Book Store is often recognized for its reigning position in the literary Northwest. City Arts magazine noted the store’s iconic status in its series on independent bookstores:

“University Book Store looks great for its age. Nearly 115 years old, the flagship University District store predates many of the classics on its shelves. It beat James Joyce’s Ulysses by 20 years and L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by a few months. For a centenarian shop, however, it feels eternally youthful thanks to a perennially new crop of fresh-faced students crossing paths with the wider community. It is the Grande Dame of Seattle’s indie lit scene. It remains impressively current and cool—more Dame Helen Mirren, less Dame Edna.”

Starting in January, University Book Store is marking its century-plus milestone with sales, giveaways, birthday treats, and even the debut of its new mascot “Ubie” to thank loyal customers on campus and throughout the communities it serves. Store displays will highlight black and white vintage photos and bestsellers from 1900. Even book choices for kids’ story times will reflect the colorful history of University Book Store.

 

Born in a Coat Closet

University Book Store first opened for business on January 10, 1900 in a cloakroom next to the University President's office in Denny Hall. Two enterprising students are credited with establishing the student store; one of them was to become the store's first manager. Although the Student Assembly, later to become the ASUW, gave its moral support, no start-up capital was available. Instead, it was proposed that the store be self-supporting. The store opened with only a sparse inventory of goods that could be obtained from suppliers willing to extend credit. At the close of spring term, just four months after the store first opened, an accounting showed it to be technically bankrupt. Two concerned faculty members stepped forward with words of encouragement and a gift of $100 to pay off the store's debt. The store opened for business the following fall quarter and has grown and prospered since. The $100 gift is the only outside capital invested in the store to this day.

 

The Early Years

During the early years, the store was managed by a succession of students each appointed to a one-year term and reporting directly to the Student Assembly. The store was operated only a few hours in mid-day so that the manager could attend classes. By 1907, the business had grown and the last of the part time student managers became the store's first full time manager, a position he held for 15 more years. As the store's business expanded, it was forced to move from one campus location to another, the last of which was in the basement of Meany Hall. However, the University's fire marshal concluded that the basement location was a safety hazard and ordered the store to vacate the building. Since there was no other adequate space on campus, a hasty search was made for a nearby off-campus site.

 

Move to The Ave

The timely closing of a pool hall in the building at 4326 University Way opened up a rental space and University Book Store once again moved to what was thought to be only a temporary location. The sudden appearance of a busy new store on “The Ave" attracted a new and larger clientele. The unplanned benefits of an off-campus location were quickly realized and sales jumped by 25 percent during the first year. In 1927, the rented building was purchased and became the store's permanent headquarters. Just three years later, the adjacent building was also purchased and renovated.

 

Incorporation and Trust Agreement

The Great Depression brought major consequences both to the UW and its student bookstore. In 1927, the ASUW had financed the construction of Clarence "Hec" Edmundson Pavilion largely by issuing interest bearing bonds. As these bonds began to mature, the ASUW found it increasingly difficult to make the necessary payments and rumors of a possible bankruptcy surfaced. Since the bookstore was the most valuable asset held by the ASUW, its legal separation came to light as a means both to help the ASUW and protect the store. The store was hastily incorporated on April 29, 1932 and by pledging its assets immediately borrowed $50,000 from four banks, $30,000 of which was loaned to the ASUW. Over the next several years the ASUW was able to recover and paid off its loan from the store. At the time of incorporation, 1,000 shares of capital stock were issued, 933 shares to the ASUW and seven shares to the board of trustees organized to direct the affairs of the new corporation. The members of the board included four students and three faculty members. By its actions, the ASUW had retained its ownership of the store but had passed direct supervision of management to an appointed group of representatives. Operating as an independent corporate entity, the store became a more professional and responsive business that could better meet the needs of its growing clientele. A significant change in the store's organization came in 1964 following a comprehensive review of the University's relationship with the ASUW and, indirectly, with the bookstore. One of several results of this review was a change in the legal status of the store. It was concluded that the store had operated as an implied trust since its incorporation and that the trust should be formalized. A trust agreement was prepared and then adopted by the UW Board of Regents, the ASUW Board of Control, and the University Book Store Board of Trustees. This agreement set out the purpose of the trust, described the appointment, responsibilities and authority of the trustees, and identified UW students, faculty and staff as beneficiaries of the trust. The board was increased to nine members and, in 2005, a fifth student trustee and the store's CEO were added to create the current-day 11-member configuration. The ASUW agreed to transfer all of its stock to the store's Board of Trustees to hold "in trust" for students, faculty, and staff of the University. The Board now had two roles to play. As trustees and shareholders, they were obligated to ensure that the corporation upheld the purpose of the trust. By electing themselves directors of the corporation, they also assumed the responsibility of overseeing strategic direction and guiding store management.

 

Rebate Established

The transfer of stock served to more clearly identify University Book Store as an independent business entity and the store took on many of the characteristics of a consumer cooperative with its "members" being UW students, faculty and staff and its governing board comprised of representatives of each of these member groups. The store's practice of annually returning rebates to beneficiaries based on their purchases, resembles the practice of co-ops returning dividends to members. This structure remains in place today and members qualify for a 10 percent annual rebate.

 

Expansion

Although the store's legal status has remained unchanged since 1964, its operating and merchandising practices have evolved and its business has grown exponentially. At the time of incorporation, merchandising categories included textbooks, general books, classroom supplies, office products, sporting goods, and sportswear. During the following decades, the flagship store underwent vast transformations: a third floor was built, floor space was increased by 40 percent to today’s 90,000 square feet, and new departments were added including The Husky Shop, kids’ books, gifts, technology, and a Clinique counter. The first permanent branch store opened in the Husky Union Building (HUB) in 1961, followed by a second branch store in the medical school building (later moved to a new and larger location in the South Campus Student Union Building.) In 1987, a 22,000 square foot store opened in downtown Bellevue, marking the first expansion away from the campus. In 1991, stores opened in Bothell and Tacoma to serve UW extensions. In 2004, the 16,000 square foot Mill Creek Town Center store opened to serve a fast growing population in Snohomish County. In 2010, a 2,000 square foot store selling Husky apparel, souvenirs, books and supplies was opened in downtown Seattle at 4th and Union as part of the UW Husky Central project. And in 2011, a 3,000 square foot store opened at the Landing in Renton focusing on UW insignia products and general books.

 

Although it is one of more than 5,000 college stores in the U.S., University Book Store can be likened to very few. It is third in total sales volume and leads all college stores in the sale of books and supplies. It is one of only a few that is organized as independent, tax paying corporations with direct student involvement on the Board of Directors. And it is one of the few that annually returns rebates, or patronage, to its campus customers.

 

Facts about University Book Store

  • Nine locations in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Renton, Mill Creek and Bothell.

  • The oldest and largest independent bookstore in Washington State.

  • Nation’s largest college store based on total sales of books and student supplies.

  • Largest seller (combined online and in-store retail sales) of UW insignia gear.

  • Approximately $1 million in UW Customer Rebates and discounts provided annually; more than $28 million in UW Customer Rebates provided since 1930.

  •  $1.2 million in cash paid to UW students in 2013-14 school year through textbook buyback program.

  •  Approximately $1.6 million in savings provided through the sale of used course books (compared to new book prices) each year.

  •  Over $750,000 in UW student scholarships granted.

  • UW Laureate Contributor status (Donations to UW in excess of $1 million).

  • Special academic pricing of computer hardware and software, including Apple Computer products.

  • One of the first college book stores to offer an online textbook price comparison tool.

  •  Ten percent discount given to members of UW Alumni and UW Retirees.

  • Host to over 450 authors for book signing events each year. Recent authors include Hillary Clinton, Lena Dunham, John Cleese and Norman Lear.

  •  Free gift-wrapping year round and free shipping of general books anywhere in the U.S.

Robert Flowers Elected as Chairman of AAA Washington Board of Trustees

Robert Flowers (Seattle), retired senior vice president of Washington Mutual Bank, was elected as chairman of AAA Washington’s Board of Trustees. Flowers was with Washington Mutual Bank for 35 years where he served in several leadership roles, including senior vice president and manager of Commercial Real Estate, before retiring in 2005 as the senior vice president of Community Lending and Investment.  He has been a board member at AAA Washington since 2005.

Flowers is an active member of the community and has served on several other boards including: Washington State Convention Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital and Seattle Children’s Foundation, The Seattle Foundation, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, University of Washington Evans School Advisory Board, African American Heritage Foundation and the Museum Development Authority for the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Sports Commission, and is a former trustee of Evergreen State College.

Newly elected officers of the AAA Washington Board of Trustees include David Madeira (Gig Harbor), CEO of LeMay – America’s Car Museum, who was elected vice chairman; Carolyn Kelly (Seattle), former president and COO of The Seattle Times, was elected Treasurer; and Kirk Nelson (Sammamish) was re-elected as president and CEO of AAA Washington.

New to the AAA Washington Board of Trustees:

  • José Gaitán (Seattle), managing member of the Gaitán Group, PLLC, a Seattle law firm. During his extensive career as a lawyer, Gaitán has served as counsel to seven of the Global Fortune Ten companies in addition to serving as counsel to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Resolution Trust Corporation, Fannie Mae, General Motors and more. He currently serves on boards for the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Independent Colleges of Washington and the University of Washington President’s Advisory Committee. Gaitán recently concluded his term as Chair of the United Way of King County.



  • Patti Paris (Moses Lake), CFO of Columbia Colstor, Inc., a public refrigerated warehouse company. Paris has been with Columbia Colstor, Inc. for nearly 15 years. Prior professional experience includes leadership at LeMaster & Daniels, Grant County PUD and 10 years at Pacific Northwest Bell. Paris is also a board member of IARW (International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses), AWB (Association of Washington Business) and an Executive Board member of Grant County Industrial Power User Association.


Returning trustees are: Greg Bever (Spokane), retired publisher of Spokane’s Journal of Business; Gigi Burke (Everett), former co-owner and executive vice president of Crown Distributing; Don Brunell (Vancouver), vice president, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs; Marilyn Batt Dunn (Seattle), retired senior counsel, UW Medicine Advancement; William Lampson (Pasco), president of Lampson International; Steve Matsko (Spokane), retired regional manager of U.S. Bank; Dennis Okamoto (Seattle), retired executive of US West Communications; and Ken Ryals (Beaux Arts), senior director of citizenship and public affairs at Microsoft.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Hempfest Announces The Hempfest Business Showcase

With a flourishing medical industry and an emerging statewide legal recreational cannabis market, cannabis businesses are blooming.  The Hempfest Business Show, taking place August 15 & 16, 2015, at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, is about creating an environment in which these industries flourish & mature.  Running concurrent with Seattle Hempfest, which will be taking place just minutes away, Hempfest Business will connect business owners with the suppliers of cultivation equipment, packaging, marketing, web design, insurance, nutrients, & the myriad of other products and ancillary services it takes to run a cannabis business in the modern age.

Hempfest Business offers the opportunity to intermingle with the activism and cultural celebration taking place on the gorgeous Seattle waterfront nearby, at the original event that tilled the soil in which these new American made business opportunities are now starting to flourish and grow.

Seattle Hempfest is Washington’s oldest cannabis business, They’ve been here for 24 years paving the way for cannabis legalization. They’re proud to further facilitate the relationships it requires to be successful in today’s cannabis marketplace through educational panels, forums, & business to business enterprises.
Also:  Hempfest Business Mixer Location: Skyline level of the Space Needle, 400 Broad Street Seattle, Wa 98109 8:00 PM - Midnight
The Hempfest Business Mixer, taking place at the Skyline level of  Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, will be the party of the summer.  The movers & shakers of the emerging cannabis market will intermingle while enjoying the world famous view.  The night will also host our first ever Hempfest Business of the Year award.

More info can be found at Hempfest.org

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

AWB to Governor Inslee: Keep Focus on Economy

Now is the time to build on the success of Washington’s slowly improving economy by making smart investments that will result in expanded opportunity for everyone, according to Kris Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business.

Imposing a costly new cap-and-trade tax on some of the state’s best employers, raising the state’s highest-in-the-nation minimum wage and eliminating tax incentives on select industries threatens to derail the recovery we have waited on for so long, Johnson said Tuesday in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s “State of the State” address.

“Employers care deeply about Washington’s environment and they are an important reason that our state is among the greenest in the country,” Johnson said. “The best way to make progress is to build upon our past success, not to impose a punitive new tax on employers, branding them with the label ‘polluter’ and jeopardizing jobs at a time when the unemployment rate is finally moving in the right direction.

In his speech, the governor said his plan would make ‘polluters’ pay for transportation investments rather than raising the gas tax on everyone. In fact, the governor’s cap-and-trade proposal will amount to a new $1 billion energy tax that will hit every family that buys gasoline, heats their homes and purchases products.

It’s true that Washington faces some big challenges, including how to fund education and transportation improvements, and we are pleased to hear the governor highlight those issues in his address.

Unfortunately, the governor’s previously-outlined plan to link funding for schools and roads to an untested, unsustainable cap-and-trade tax system does not address the state’s long-term needs, harms our ability to compete in a global economy, and diverts attention from our top priorities.

Employers understand that investing in education is not just a requirement of the Supreme Court’s McCleary ruling, but it is also one of the keys to Washington’s economic health.

Likewise, Washington’s employers need a transportation network that gets products to market in this trade-dependent state, and gets people to their jobs in a safe, efficient manner. So we share the governor’s desire for progress on this issue.

But as the governor and lawmakers embark on a new legislative session, it’s important they remember that despite some positive economic signs, the recovery is still fragile and it has not reached all parts of the state. Now is not the time to abandon fiscal responsibility and adopt a tax-first approach to governing.

On behalf of more than 8,300 private employers, we look forward to working alongside the governor and all lawmakers to find bipartisan solutions to our collective challenges, building upon our past successes, and positioning our state for economic growth.”

About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 8,300 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Increase Your Bottom Line by Improving Customers' Shopping Experiences

Bellevue-based Outerwall will showcase its services and products and its suite of kiosks this week in booth #36047 at CES 2015 in Las Vegas, a global trade show known for launching products and devices many consumers can only dream of owning.

 

Outerwall's mainstay brands, Coinstar and Redbox, help consumers maximize their budgets by transforming spare change into cash or no-fee eCertificates and offering the best value for new release movie entertainment. And for the first time ever, the company will feature its entire family of automated kiosks together at CES, including the newest offerings:

  • ecoATM – available throughout the U.S., ecoATM kiosks pay cash instantly for used cell phones, tablets and MP3 players;

  • Coinstar Exchange – with hundreds of kiosks in the U.S., Coinstar Exchange kiosks offer instant cash for unused gift cards; and

  • SAMPLEit – currently in pilot stage and available in select markets across the U.S., SAMPLEit kiosks are an easy and affordable way to discover and try new products from leading brands, and save money on full-size versions with valuable coupons included with each purchase.


"Outerwall will be presenting our vision for the future of smart shopping based on our core capabilities and assets," said J. Scott Di Valerio, CEO of Outerwall. "We'll also continue demonstrating our commitment to simplicity, convenience and value by showcasing our newest kiosk solutions: ecoATM, Coinstar Exchange and SAMPLEit."

As consumers continue looking for ways to save money and get the best value for their dollars, they're also looking to retailers to help them find ways to shop more effectively.

The brick and mortar store, once the "holy grail" for a point of sale, now has an opportunity to be reinvented as the lines between digital and physical retail become blurred. Retailers can transform the shopping experience for their customers – from a chore to an interactive, personalized experience in the digital age.

"Smartphones forever changed how connected consumers are all of the time," said Leslie Hand, vice president for retail insights at IDC. "Technology innovations in the retail industry will enable previously unprecedented levels of personalized interaction with customers, who will continue integrating mobility into the fabric of their lives."

Smart shopping is the key to retailers' success

At CES 2015, Outerwall will demonstrate unique potential smart shopping concepts by illustrating a next-generation, in-store retail shopping experience that leverages the latest mobile technologies. In the Outerwall booth, conference attendees can view three demos of shopping scenarios where retailers can connect directly with consumers during their consideration journey.

Through its prevalent network of more than 65,000 kiosks, the company understands how consumers' relationships with retailers are changing amidst the convergence of online and physical retail. And with 91 percent of the U.S. population living within five miles of an Outerwall kiosk, the company is positioned to help retailers orchestrate innovative ways of interacting with loyal customers in addition to engaging new consumers.

Outerwall is creating and evaluating real world concepts of innovative consumer shopping experiences that could change the way people interact with the stores they frequent and the brands they love. Visit Outerwall in booth #36047 at CES this week to learn more.

About Outerwall Inc.

Outerwall Inc. (Nasdaq: OUTR) has more than 20 years of experience creating some of the most profitable spaces for their retail partners. Outerwall delivers breakthrough kiosk experiences that delight consumers and generate revenue for retailers. As the company that brought consumers Redbox entertainment, Coinstar money services, and ecoATM electronics recycling kiosks, Outerwall is leading the next generation of automated retail and paving the way for inventive, scalable businesses. Outerwall kiosks are in neighborhood grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchants, malls, and other retail locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Bellevue Residential Rental Report January 5, 2015

Publisher's Note: This YouTube video and blog post were first posted at A New Day Real Estate in Bellevue.

This is the Bellevue Residential Real Estate Rental Report on January 5, 2015.



There are currently 42 residential properties listed for rent on the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. They range in price from $1200 a month for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 744 square foot condo in the Silver Glen 55+ community to $8,500 for a 5 bedroom, 4 bath, 3,710 square foot home on Bellevue Way NE, at the base of Clyde Hill and across the street from Diamond S Ranch (which has been on the market for over 6 months now).

There are only 8 separate properties in Bellevue that are listed for lease at less than $2000. There are only 23 listed at less than $3k a month - and there are 8 residential properties in Bellevue listed at $4500 or more - and NONE of them are waterfront property.

If you are interested in leasing a house or condo in Bellevue, or would like more info on our property management services, please contact us.

If you are interested in investing in real estate in and around Bellevue or the Eastside, you are invited to the first meeting of the Bellevue Real Estate Investors networking group tomorrow night (January 6, 2015). Please see http://BellevueRealEstateInvestors.com for more info.

We are currently building a team for Bellevue House Flippers and looking for an equity partner (money person) and a contractor partner who is experienced with quick turn around projects. Come on by tomorrow night!