February 2nd, 2010
Posted by matthew smith
Own This Waterfront Land & View Today!
Moor Your Boat - Start the Crab Cooking Fire!
STUNNING WATERFRONT PROPERTY!!
Own one of the TOP TEN Views on the South Puget Sound in Gig Harbor!!
Views of Commencement Bay(Tacoma), Point Defiance State Park, Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains. Watch shipping lane traffic, pleasure boating, fishing, and sea life from your own beach. Access this waterfront recreationally from Gig Harbor Bay in less than 5 minutes, or from Tacoma in less than 15 minutes. Develop existing land easement road to site from 24th Ave above property. Power easement to and accross property. Potential for septic and well easements on neighbor properties. Maybe even buy them too.
As a suggestion, purchase a House Boat and store it on the level land ledge above the bulkhead.
Endless Possibilities!
Priced at only $139,000 Call DeeDee or Matt at
South Sound Properties Team today, and be ready for 2010 summer crab fests from your own waterfront retreat.
January 30th, 2010
Posted by matthew smith
Biggest and Brightest Full Moon of 2010 Tonight
Get prepared for a rare South Sound Full Moon
Tonight’s full moon will be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. It offers anyone with clear skies an opportunity to identify easy-to-see features on the moon.
This being the first full moon of 2010, it is also known as the wolf moon, a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name.
But why will this moon be bigger than others? Here’s how the moon works:
The moon is, on average, 238,855 miles (384,400 km) from Earth. The moon’s orbit around Earth – which causes it to go through all its phases once every 29.5 days – is not a perfect circle, but rather an ellipse. One side of the orbit is 31,070 miles (50,000 km) closer than the other.
So in each orbit, the moon reaches this closest point to us, called perigee. Once or twice a year, perigee coincides with a full moon, as it will tonight, making the moon bigger and brighter than any other full moons during the year.
Tonight it will be about 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than lesser full Moons of the year, according to Spaceweather.com.
As a bonus, Mars will be just to the left of the moon tonight. Look for the reddish, star-like object.
Full moon craziness
Many people think full moons cause strange behavior among animals and even humans. In fact several studies over the years have tried to tie lunar phases to births, heart attacks, deaths, suicides, violence, psychiatric hospital admissions and epileptic seizures, and more. Connections have been inclusive or nonexistent.
The moon does have some odd effects on our planet, and there are oodles of other amazing moon facts and misconceptions:
- A full moon at perigee also brings higher ocean tides in the South Puget Sound. This tug of the moon on Earth also creates tides in the planet’s crust, not just in the oceans.
- Beaches are more polluted during full moon, owing to the higher tides.
- In reality, there’s no such thing as a full moon. The full moon occurs when the sun, Earth and the moon are all lined up, almost. If they’re perfectly aligned, Earth casts a shadow on the moon and there’s a total lunar eclipse. So during what we call a full moon, the moon’s face is actually slightly less than 100 percent illuminated.
- The moon is moving away as you read this, by about 1.6 inches (4 cm) a year.
The moon illusion
Finally, be sure to get out and see the full moon as it rises, right around sunset. Along the horizon, the moon tends to seem even bigger. This is just an illusion.
You can prove to yourself that this is an illusion. Taking a small object such as a pencil eraser, hold it at arm’s length, and compare its size to that of the moon just as it rises. Then repeat the experiment later in the night and you’ll see that the moon compares the same in both cases. Alternately, snap two photos of the moon, with a digital camera or your cell phone, when the moon is near the horizon and later when it’s higher in the sky. Pull both photos up on your computer screen and make a side-by-side comparison.
Astronomers and psychologists agree the moon illusion is just that, but they don’t agree on how to explain it.
More information on full moons courtesy of your South Sound Property Team
SPACE.com offers rich and compelling content about space science, travel and exploration as well as astronomy, technology, business news and more. The site boasts a variety of popular features including our space image of the day and other space pictures,space videos, Top 10s, Trivia, podcasts and Amazing Images submitted by our users. Join our community, sign up for our free newsletters and register for our RSS Feeds today!
January 26th, 2010
Posted by matthew smith
Waterfront Homes Line The Colvos Passage
Colvos Passage is a Favorite for Barges
Mt. Rainier is revealed over Vashon Island as the Colvos Passage Fog Lifts
Colvos Passage Runs Between Olympic Peninsula and Vashon Island
A lot of folks don’t know a little secret about the tide direction through the Colvos Passage in the South Sound area between Vashon Island and the Olympic Peninsula. In all of the Puget Sound, the tide comes in and out from the Pacific Ocean. There is only one water passage where regardless of an incoming or outgoing tide, the tide is always outgoing. That one area is the Colvos Passage that borders the West side of 13 mile long Vashon Island, and the Olympic Peninsula neighborhoods of Gig Harbor, Olalla, and Southworth (part of Port Orchard).
Because of this, the many barges headed north from Olympia at the Southern end of the South Sound and from Tacoma intentionally head straight up the middle of the Colvos Passage to take advantage of that constant outgoing tide. They sort of get a partial free ride from mother nature, and save fuel.
Here’s the reason. The tidal flow through the Colvos Passage on the west side of Vashon Island has a unique unidirectional pattern flowing only in a northern direction. This unusual tidal flow pattern in the Passage is probably caused by the ebbing current from the Narrows, west of Tacoma, that is naturally directed into the Passage by the land formation at Point Defiance State Park in Tacoma.
So, for all the neighborhood communities that border the Colvos Passage, they get an optical illusion. Though the water rises 4 to sometimes 20 feet on an incoming tide, the flow of water through the Colvos Passage always heads north. When you look at it, your mind tells you its flowing south, but it’s not. Definately a unique South Sound feature that benefits barge traffic.
January 20th, 2010
Posted by matthew smith
Spectacular Olympic View Home on over an Acre
Amazing Home. Come look again. Step inside to a welcomed open feeling. Undoubtedly you’ll love the 9′ Ceilings and Plenty of natural light. The Kitchen will greet everyone you’re entertaining. Gather around the fire or music at the piano in this spacious living room. Enjoy the awesome view of the Olympic Mountians. Three Huge bedrooms on main floor Including master suite. Upstairs you will find another suite and recreation area. Three car garage. Unbelievable comfort you’ll want to experience.
We would love to show you this home. South Sound Properties Team
January 20th, 2010
Posted by matthew smith
![103185527_8b1e180574[1]](http://southsoundproperties.neighborhoodsundressed.com/files/2010/01/103185527_8b1e1805741.jpg "103185527_8b1e180574[1]")
Home Maintenance Tip – from your South Sound Properties Team.
Keeping Your Water Heater Fit
Most people don’t give much thought to their water heater – they just turn on the faucet and expect hot water to come out. Water heaters are relatively maintenance free, and you can keep your water heater in peak operating condition just by performing two simple maintenance tasks every six months: test the pressure valve and then flush the tank.
If the pressure release valve is not operating properly, the tank can potentially over pressurize and explode. Flushing the tank prevents sediment build up, which can reduce your water heater’s energy efficiency and clog your water lines. Consult your owner’s manual or other maintenance guide for instructions on how to safely perform these maintenance tasks. You can also visit us at www.orhp.com and click on the QUICK FIX TIPS link in the Homeowner’s Section of the site for more information.
January 20th, 2010
Posted by matthew smith
Haiti in ruins from recent earthquake.
Port Orchard-Bremerton Ferry Dock
And Returns Home With Wife.
Robert Otwell was in Haiti getting his wife a visa when the quake hit
SeaTac - All of the violence and chaos is why hundreds of people are trying to get out of Haiti. They are lining up outside embassies looking for a better life elsewhere. One of those lucky to get out is a Port Orchard man. After a four year long battle to bring his Haitian wife to America she is finally by his side in Port Orchard after a long trek back to the South Sound area via SeaTac (Seattle-Tacoma) airport. Then on by ferry to Port Orchard.
Welcome home Mr. and Mrs. Otwell from our real estate team at South Sound Properties in neighboring Gig Harbor!
January 17th, 2010
Posted by dee dee arena
We hope you enjoy this tour of the Gig Harbor area. We are happy to answer any questions!
watch?v=pin2GHoPEyg
January 10th, 2010
Posted by dee dee arena
Many homes in the South Sound region have natural wood flooring. We love our wood floors, it is like bringing the outdoors inside. We have all had times when ’something’ occurs and our floors need repair. Below are some helpful hints.
The rich look of wood floors can add class and beauty to any room. The natural beauty of a wood floor never goes out of style and is very easy to incorporate in redecorating. But keep in mind that after much wear and tear, wood floors can look dull and worn and may need repairing.
Luckily, it is not always necessary to sand down the damaged part of your wood floor to give it a newer look. By filling cracks and gouges, your floor can look new again and it won’t cost you a lot of time, effort and money. With these helpful wood floor repair tips you won’t have to cover scratches or gouges with pieces of furniture or area rugs. If you have a stained floorboard that needs replacing, see How to Refinish Wood Floors. These small problems can be easy for anyone to fix with the right materials and tools. Remember that before you repair the floor, it must be cleaned thoroughly and all dust and debris must be vacuumed or swept up.
Fixing a Scratch on a Natural Finish
Tools and Materials You Need: · Polyurethane or urethane finish (small amount) · Artist’s paintbrush · Dry rag Apply the Finish: Get a small can of wood floor finish, usually polyurethane, urethane or varnish (If you are not sure, use polyurethane.) The sheen of your floor may be satin, semi-gloss, gloss, or high-gloss. Try to match the new finish to the finish on your floor so it blends well. These types of finish cover the scratch best on a floor that has been finished naturally, or with no coat of stain. Apply the polyurethane or other finishing material to the scratch with an artist’s paintbrush or any tiny paintbrush. The porous part of the scratched wood will absorb the finish and cover the scratch.Buff the Scratch: Wipe away the excess polyurethane finish before it dries. If excess finish is not wiped away, it will be noticeable when the light shines on that spot. Buff with a rag to help the scratch to disappear.Fixing a Scratch on a Stained Finish
Tools and Materials You Need: · Stain or furniture touch-up marker (similar color to your floor’s stain) · Polyurethane or urethane finish (small amount) · Artist’s paintbrush · Dry rag
Apply the Stain and Finish: If your floor was stained before it was finished, you must stain the scratch before applying the polyurethane or other type of finish. Use an artist’s paintbrush or any tiny brush and apply stain to the scratch using a similar color to that on the floor. You can also cover the scratch with furniture marker in place of stain. Let the stain dry for at least 24 hours and then apply the polyurethane using the same brush. Buff the Scratch: Wipe off the excess polyurethane that is not absorbed into the scratch before it dries so it does not leave a mark. Buff the scratch lightly with a dry rag to help it disappear.
Fixing Gouges
Tools and Materials You Need: · Latex wood filler · Putty knife · Sandpaper · Artist’s paintbrush · Stain (if needed) · Polyurethane, urethane or varnish (small amount) · Dry rag
Fill the Damaged Area: Fill the gouge with latex wood filler and smooth it over using a putty knife, removing the excess filler. Let the area dry completely and smooth it with sandpaper. Stain the Latex Wood Filler: If the filled gauge is very noticeable, it can be stained even if it is a natural finished floor. Use an artist’s paintbrush or any tiny brush to apply stain to the dried latex wood filler. Let the stain dry for at least 24 hours. Use a stain that matches the color of your floor as closely as possible. Apply the Finish: Using an artist’s paintbrush, apply polyurethane or any other finish to the area once it is dry. Wipe away excess finish before it dries and buff the area with a dry rag.
January 8th, 2010
Posted by matthew smith
Ferry headed for Southworth (Port Orchard) Landing
Loading your body and/or car onto a ferry to get from one side of the South Sound is a daily experience for many – and a rare and exciting experience for some. The Southworth Ferry Landing on the eastern shores of Port Orchard makes almost hourly trips, daily. There’s not just one ferry either. More like 3 of them. They travel a triangle between Southworth, Vashon Island, and West Seattle’s Fauntleroy landings.
If you are traveling by car, you can stay in your car, or go above deck and enjoy a snack bar, rest room facilities, but most importantly – the view. From the upper decks you can view the Olympic Mountain range, the Cascades Mountain Range, and Mount Rainier that seem to surround you. Passing freight ships and barges being pushed or pulled by tug boats are not an uncommon sighting. Neither are seals, whales, and plenty more sea life. The seaguls keep pace with you as well.
Wet, windy, stormy days are fun too. You won’t see mountains. You will feel the swells, and wonder how on earth the captain pilots the ferry and docks it against mother natures forces.
Taking a Washington State Ferry on the South Sound may take as long as driving around to get to the other side. It eliminates that driving stress, and there are no traffic jams. You’re relaxed and refreshed when you get to the other side.
There will be times you won’t want to depart the ferry at all.
Courtesy of South Sound Properties Team - South Sound, Washington
January 5th, 2010
Posted by matthew smith
![29077719_14[1]](http://southsoundproperties.neighborhoodsundressed.com/files/2010/01/29077719_141.jpg "29077719_14[1]")
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Just about 15 minutes from the South Sound City of Gig Harbor you’ll find the community of Olalla, Washington. It is bordered on the east side by Puget Sound’s Colvos Passage that separates the Olympic Peninsula from Vashion Island. You will find a good supply of residential horse farms, some fortunate enough to also have water front or water and mountain views. There’s also horse back riding available at Pets Galore Horse Rides, and many other stables.
Olalla has a tranquil small town feel, because there isn’t much town to it. But it’s within minutes of major shopping centered between Gig Harbor and Port Orchard.
Our South Sound Properties Team would love to show you around the Olalla area. You’re sure to fall in love with it – even if you don’t ride a horse.
