Archive for the ‘Tacoma’ Category
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Feb
02
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.
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Jan
30
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!
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Jan
26
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.
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Jan
20
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.
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Jan
04
Posted by matthew smith
Crista Camps
![Banner2[1]](http://southsoundproperties.neighborhoodsundressed.com/files/2010/01/Banner21.jpg "Banner2[1]")
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Hi – I’m Matt Smith of the South Sound Properties real estate TEAM (See our Website above in the Blue Bar). My wife and I have 4 sons, now age 19 to 32. All 4 boys have attended one or the other of the two Crista Camps at earlier ages and had a blast. Here’s some information and 2010 registration information on the two Crista camps….
Miracle Ranch is a Christian camp northwest of Tacoma, near Gig Harbor, that offers traditional summer camps, horsemanship instruction, Fusion camp for youth groups, facility rental for non-profits, and special events for families.
![il_landing[1]](http://southsoundproperties.neighborhoodsundressed.com/files/2010/01/il_landing1.jpg "il_landing[1]")
Island Lake is a Christian camp west of Seattle, near Silverdale, that offers traditional summer camps, facility rental for non-profits (with seasonal availability from May-Sept), and special events for families.
REGISTER FOR SUMMER CAMP
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Jan
03
Posted by matthew smith
Day Island View to Tacoma Narrows Bridge from University Place
University Place Neighborhoods
University Place is sort of “sandwiched” between Tacoma and Lakewood in the South Sound area on the shores of the Puget Sound. Day Island, a quaint small collection of waterfront homes and a marina, is accessed by a short bridge from University Place.
“I’m bored” in University Place are two words you’ll never hear (or think) again. There’s so much fun things to do nearby University Place – all you need is one place to scope out all your options. Whether your ideas of fun are dinner and a movie or helping rebuild a neighborhood, start here to find your next adventure with our University Place Things to do guide!
University Place City Guide to Entertainment, Arts and More:
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Jan
02
Posted by matthew smith
- 3 Bed Room Rental Home – Gig Harbor Area
- View From Home Accross Minter Bay
This newer luxury home rental located close to Gig Harbor on Minter Bay is available for shorter term rentals. Perfect home with awesome water fall to live in while our team helps you find a home, or a lot to build your dream home on.
Location & Waterfront Privacy. This 2008 Custom 2,680 Sq Ft home has great views accross Minter Bay that is also a salmon run for a nearby fish hatchery. Huge X-tra Large and Tall Garage for Storing your boxes or furniture while you look or build. Saves having to rent a storage unit.
Home includes Kitchen with large center island. Stainless Steel Appliances, Gas Cook Top W/Hood, Granite Counters in Kitchen and all Baths. Radiant floor tile, Cherry Hardwood flooring & carpet. Two gas Fireplaces. One in Master. Outdoor Hot Tub and Sauna. Twin water falls & pond. Paved RV Parking. Two story home with disabled access to both floors. Quiet serene water view location at end of paved lane. $2,650/Month
Contact DeeDee or Matt at the South Sound Properties Team for further information on this luxury waterfront rental home.
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Jan
01
Posted by matthew smith
South Sound Space Needle 2010 Fireworks Display
It’s official. It’s 2010 South Puget Sound Style. The fireworks went off without a hitch to ring in the New Year of 2010 from the Space Needle in Seattle Center. They were stunning. From the New York Times Square Ball Drop to the South Sound Space Needle fireworks - the country rang in the new year of 2010 from the Atlanctic Coast to the Pacific Coast.
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Dec
31
Posted by matthew smith
![time-square-drop-ball-new-year-eve-celebration-300x185[1]](http://southsoundproperties.neighborhoodsundressed.com/files/2009/12/time-square-drop-ball-new-year-eve-celebration-300x1851.jpg "time-square-drop-ball-new-year-eve-celebration-300x185[1]")
NOPE – The South Sound does not have one. Only New York Times Square has the official ball drop to ring in the new year.
We’re just as excited though through out the South Sound to ring in 2010.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all from DeeDee & Matt – South Sound Properties.
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Dec
31
Posted by matthew smith
![cheney1[1]](http://southsoundproperties.neighborhoodsundressed.com/files/2009/12/cheney11.jpg "cheney1[1]")
Our South Sound Properties Real Estate Team is proud to have worked on the fund raising for the newly opened Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Center in October. It was fun to be part of that process, and then see it become a reality. It is a fantastic facility located near Gig Harbor High and Henderson Bay High School – pretty much dead center in greater Gig Harbor.
Sunday mornings are my favorite now because our HCC (Harbor Christian Center) church services were moved to the new gym at this facility until a new church is built. I now get to experience the new club and see what it has to offer every week.
Here’s a recent article from the Gig Harbor Peninsula Gateway listing the new Boys and Girls club as No. 2 of the top 10 Gig Harbor events of 2009.
Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula-area youths got a new place to play, mingle and learn when the Boys & Girls Club of South Puget Sound, with the help of Jim and Carolyn Milgard, the Cheney family many others, opened its Gig Harbor branch in October on Skansie Avenue.
The building features a commercial kitchen, a full-size gym and a HOPE Center, deemed to be the blueprint of Boys & Girls clubs of the future.
The HOPE Center — Home of Opportunity, Possibility and Empowerment — offers space for public functions, special events and classes. The space will offer services to all age groups and income levels.
A much-anticipated senior center found a home at the club, where seniors can participate in activities and use the entire club when the children are not present.
A teen center offers a pool table, foosball and a big-screen TV. A performing arts room features hardwood floors and an exercise bar, and it will be able to host classes like hip-hop, aerobics and ballroom dancing.
Partners include the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Peninsula Athletic Association.
A unique addition at the club is the Lindquist Dental Center for Children, which will offer dental services for children up to 18 years old.
Gig Harbor Mayor Chuck Hunter said the center will provide a safe place for people to leave their children.
“Taking care of our youth is the most important thing that can be done,” he said. “Kids have outside things that are bombarding them. This center will help those kids to have a better shot.”
— Susan Schell – The Peninsula Gateway Newspaper
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