Linda Gray's

Linda GrayCell: 440-477-1841 ext:310

Office: --

www.lindaAgray.com

Dear Friends,

Here in Northern Ohio there is a large inventory of homes on the market. For instance, as of

April 1st, 2010, Westlake in Cuyahoga Co has 338 single family residences for sale priced

from $45,000 to $2,650,000, while in North Olmsted there are 253 listings priced from

$29,000 to $750,000. In all of Lorain County 2308 homes are listed between $8,900 to

$1,995,000. But you won't have time to see them all.

Now is the time to narrow your search to take advantage of the HomeBuyer Tax Credit. Work

closely with your REALTOR -communication is key. First 2 things to discuss are where you

want to live and how much you can afford to invest. You do have your financing in place,

right? If not, meet with your lender asap. If you don't have a lender, ask your agent for

recommendations. The pre-approval letter is a must-have when you submit an offer.

Next tell your Realtor your basic needs, such as number of bedrooms and baths, garage,

basement, yard size. Is style important-colonial, ranch, bungalow or maybe a condo?

Condition is major- do you want something move-in ready or how much work are you willing

to do? Now you're ready to make your move? Let's go shopping! Linda Gray & Russell Real

Estate Services will make this a smooth and pleasant experience for you.

Linda Graywww.lindaAgray.com

440-477-1841--

Table of Contents

Welcome Home is for entertainment purposes only. This magazine is not

intended to solicit other brokersʼ listings. If you are currently working

with another broker, please disregard this information.

The information provided in this publication of Welcome Home or on any website maintained by U.S. Cybertek, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees (collectively Publisher) is intended as a general guide illustrating common methods of common practices, and the publisher makes no warranty or guarantee whatsoever of the safety, effectiveness, or other characteristic of any methods or products described herein. Neither does the Publisher assume any liability for information published in any website or other publication to which reference may be made herein. Readers are cautioned to review and comply with all written instructions, safety bulletins, and other materials provided in connection with any of the products mentioned herein and all products used in connection with any of the methods described. Neither Published nor any of its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives, licensors, licensees or employees shall in any case be liable to you or anyone else for any loss or injury or any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special punitive or similar damages arising out of your use of or failure to use any of the methods and/or products described in this publication or any other publication or websites to which reference may be made herein. Publisher disclaims all warranties, and any warranty or guarantee of safety, merchantability, or fitness for any part icular purpose l ies solely with the manufacture(s) of any product described or recommended or used used in connection with any methods described or recommended.

Editor in Chief - Phly Jambor

All pictures courtesy of sxc.hu unless otherwise noted. Thanks to Wikipedia for Random Fact information and aid.

Welcome Home!

4 Recipe And Design A tasty recipe and a stylish home design how to.

5 12 Amazing Tips To Facilitate Relocation - How to relocate, with out all the stress.

6 - 7 Moving Guide 6 methods to cut down on those sky-high moving costs.

8 - 11 Moving With Pets Keep your pet safe and happy amid the chaos of moving.

12 - 13 Mothers Day Get the who and how on this most loved celebration of Moms.

14 - 15 The Pros And Cons: Renting A House v. Renting An Apartment All the details you need to make this all important choice.

15 - 16 Ferret Out The Best Deals In A Tight Market How to find that new apartment you love, at the perfect price.

16 - 17 Products To Love! Hot trends, technological wonders of tomorrow and so much more!

18 City SpotlightSeattle Washington. Beauty and Adventure on the West Coast.

19 Businesses That Make A DifferenceWalmart, Making saving easy and a better life possible for everyone.

Fried Strawberry Pies

Recipe and Design

PreparationCombine first 3 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring strawberry mixture to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute or until thickened. Cool completely.

Roll 1 piecrust to press out fold lines; cut into 9 circles with a 3-inch round cutter. Roll circles to 3 1/2-inch diameter; moisten edges with water. Spoon 2 teaspoons strawberry mixture in the center of each circle; fold over, pressing edges to seal. Repeat with remaining piecrust and strawberry mixture.

Place pies in a single layer on a baking sheet, and freeze at least 1 hour.

Pour oil to a depth of 1 inch into a large heavy skillet; heat to 350°. Fry pies, in batches, 1 minute on each side or until golden. Drain on paper towels; sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Southern Living, JUNE 2002

Ingredients

• 2  cups  fresh strawberries, mashed• 3/4  cup  sugar• 1/4  cup  cornstarch• 1  (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts• Vegetable oil• Powdered sugar

Yield: Makes 18 pies

Instructions:

1. Fill the glass container approximately halfway with desired fruit or fresh flower heads. If using lemons or limes, slice them before placing into the container.

2. Carefully fill the container with water, leaving about 2 inches at the top. Place a floating candle on top of the water.

Tips:

• For a child's birthday party, fill glass container with marbles or small plastic toys.

• For extra sparkle, sprinkle the water with glitter before adding the candle.

• Glass container or vase• Fresh fruit or flowers• Water• Floating candle

Fresh Floating Candles

Fresh from the garden -- or the grocer's shelves -- fruits and flowers add a refreshing touch to floating candles.

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.com

What You Need:

12 Amazing Tips To Facilitate Relocation!Moving can be a pleasure if you go about it in a systematic and organized manner. There are so many things to be considered when moving, the main priority being, moving your things in a safe and timely manner - of course, you will need to make a budget, so that your expenses are kept in check. You can consult family and friends who have gone through moves and they will definitely be able to relate their experiences and give you some useful tips. But, in order to get the best service, it would be best to go online or contact a moving company. This would be the professional way to go.

Brochures that provide InformationThere are brochures that contain tips provided by moving companies. Realtors and Post offices also contain information that will help make your move smooth and give you all the tips you need to avoid hassles, financial disasters and make sure that your things arrive safely and on time.

Tips that can help youThese are some of the tips that can help you to make your move as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

- You will need to make a detailed plan, weighing all the pros and cons of the things that you need to take with you. If your move is a sudden one, involving a job change, then you may not be able to plan far ahead.- You may want to do your own packing thus saving money. If the Company is paying for the move, then you may want to hand over the reins to a mover. This will give you time to attend to other details.- You may consider keeping a pet-sitter or a baby-sitter while you are moving, so that their routine is not upset- It will be necessary to take all measurements of doors and windows, kitchen spaces, laundry area and living

room spaces, so that your furniture and appliances will fit into your new home.- It could be a good idea to keep your stress levels down by taking a break or maybe just relaxing on a week-end.- Make a note of all dates on the calendar - whether it is to pay your last bills or cancel newspapers, utilities, phones, internet etc., and all paperwork with the lawyer.- Boxes neatly packed and labeled with details of everything in the box will make it so easy for you in your new home. This may take time, but it is an invaluable help when unpacking. The last thing you need when you arrive tired at your new home, is not to know where your things are.- This is a good time to get rid of things you don't need. People get accustomed to accumulating things, clothes and artifacts. You will need to assess whether you really use them, and if you don't, then either give them away, have a garage sale or call the Salvation Army for a pick-up. There is no point in moving things that you really don't use.- On the day that you move, the place that you are leaving and the one that you are going to, should be open, so that your move is a smooth one.- Plan in advance for equipment and dollies that you will need in case you decide to move yourself. Otherwise, you can let the moving company know and they will make all the necessary arrangements regarding equipment and whatever they need to move your things.- Always go through everything in your old home, so that nothing is left behind. It is so easy to forget things like the lawn mower or other useful gadgets that are stored in the garage or in the basement.- All it requires is skillful organization, planning in detail, and with the help of good moving tips, you are on your way to a smooth and hassle-free move.

Written by Abhishek Agarwal. Courtesy of Isnare.com.

Moving Tips

There are many reasons why people moved. It could be due to a job transfer, getting married or even due to the upgrading of their home. When moving from one location to another, costs will definitely be incurred but the costs need not be high. We will look at some ways on how to bring the costs down.

1) Seek help from your friends. Instead of engaging a moving company to help you move the stuff, just give a call to ask your friends to help you out. If they have a car, ask them to drive your things to your new location and you can treat them to a nice dinner after that.

2) Get free boxes. Go to your supermarket or drug store and look for their designated area where they usually dump their boxes. They would be glad to pass you the boxes because you save them the hassle of bringing it to the rubbish dump. By doing so, you will have easily saved $100 or more when buying new boxes.

3) Use clothing to pack fragile items. Buying special materials to pack fragile and expensive items can be expensive. A cost saving tip is to wrap all these fragile items into your blankets, unwanted clothes,

Moving Guide

6 Methods To Bring Down Moving Costs

Written by Justin Koh. Courtesy of Isnare.com

bathroom towels and even bed sheets. After you have moved to the new location, you can put them into the washing machine to wash.

4) Go shopping for a moving company. Log on to the web and check for moving company that are in your area. Compare rates between them and be sure when you call them to ask for any hidden charges that might not be shown on their web page.

5) Check for insurance coverage. Check with your insurance agent if your homeowner's insurance will cover any damage to your belongings while moving. If it is covered, you do not need to purchase additional insurance from the moving company.

6) Check gas rates in truck rental. If you are renting a truck to move your things, be sure to ask the rental company for the average miles-per-gallon of the truck. With the current exorbitant rate of gas prices, estimating the cost will help you to ensure that you won't go out of budget since you are responsible for paying for the gas in the truck.

6 Methods To Bring Down Moving Costs

Moving With Pets

If you’re a pet owner and are planning to move to a new home, remember that moving can be even more stressful for your animals than it is for you. But there are several things you can do to make it easier on your dog or cat.

Start your packing well ahead of time; it’s not only easier on you, but on your pets as well. During the time leading up to your move, try to keep your pets’ eating and exercise schedules as normal as possible. Give them

the same amount of attention and affection as you always do.

Things to do before your move:

• Get copies of certificates, medical, and immunization records from your veterinarian.

• Purchase identification tags with your new address.

• If you’re planning to travel by air, schedule your flights early and try to book a direct flight – this will be much easier on your pet. You need to find out what the airline’s regulations are for transporting your pet. You will also need to find out what kind of crate will be necessary to contain your dog or cat.

• If you’re driving and the trip will take more than one day, be sure and check ahead and reserve motels that will accept pets.

• Contact the state to which you’re moving and find out the regulations regarding animals. Some states require an entry permit for pets.

• If your new home is nearby it’s a good idea to take your pets for a visit and let them become familiar with the neighborhood and the new sights and smells. This is especially true of dogs. Of course, keep the dog on a leash and the cat in a carrier.

When Moving Day Finally Arrives . . .

All the confusion is certain to upset your pet so the best solution is to have a friend or family member keep Fido or Fluffy while the loading is being done. If that isn’t an option, keep your pet in a small room, perhaps a bathroom, along with sufficient food, water (litter box for Fluffy) and some favorite toys. Attach a “Do Not Enter” sign on the door so the pet is secure and won’t be accidentally set free.

You’re on Your Way . . .

The packing and loading are all done and now it’s time to head for your new home. There are things you’ll want to make sure are packed for your pet. These include:

• The new identification tags.

• Medications and veterinarian records.

• Recent pictures of your pet in case it becomes lost.

• Litter box or scoop and plastic bags.

• Paper towels in case there are accidents.

• Leashes.

• Toys and treats.

• Food and water bowls.

• Can opener and cans that can be resealed.

• Regular food and water from the old house (enough for several days). Different water can upset an animal’s digestive tract so it’s a good idea to provide water from the old house for the first few days after moving. This would not be a good time to try a new brand of food either!

Your New Home - At Last . . .

When you finally arrive at your new home, let your pet explore with your supervision. Then place Fido or Fluffy in a small room with a crate or bed (and, of course a litter box for Fluffy) while the unloading and unpacking are taking place. Make sure to put some favorite toys in there and perhaps an old sweatshirt, or something that smells familiar.

It’s very important that you not let your pet outside alone without a lead or tie for the first few days. Cats usually require about a week but dogs adapt quicker. You don’t want your pet to wander away and get lost.

Your pet may be insecure and more prone to misbehaving during the first few days in a new environment. Try to be patient and not punish the initial misbehavior, instead, try to find ways to reduce stress. Extra TLC can go a long way toward making pets more comfortable. It’s also a good idea to follow the usual feeding and exercise schedule.

In closing, there are just a couple of things you should be aware of to keep the moving experience as trouble-free as possible:

• If you intend to fly, be aware that puppies and kittensless than 8 weeks old will not be transported.

• And finally, never move a sick animal ~ it could well make his condition worse and endanger his health.

Enjoy your new home!

Written by Kyle Thomas Haley. Courtesy of Isnare.com

What would life be without mothers? They’re everything in our lives – as friends, mentors, critics, nurses, teachers… In the endless roles that mothers play so that we can feel safe, secure, and loved.

Do you know how Mother’s Day began? It has nothing to do with candies, roses or all that “stuff” that we think of when we think of Mother’s day. You’ll be surprised to know that it started with the need for sanitation. Here’s how it happened….

It all started way back in 1858 in a small town called Webster in West Virginia. There was a woman who lived there by the name of Anna Reeves Jarvis who strived to improve sanitary conditions in the town by forming Mothers’ Day Work Clubs. The Clubs raised money to buy medicine and to hire help for mothers with TB (Tuberculosis), and inspected bottled milk and food.

During the Civil War she extended the purpose of the Mothers’ Day Work Club to continuing her work for improved sanitary conditions for both sides of the conflict as well as actually treating the wounded. This somehow led to the reconciliation of several family members divided by the war, and she is credited with saving thousands of lives because of her teachings about sanitation.

The daughter of that woman, Anna Jarvis, swore at her mother’s grave in 1905 to dedicate her life to her mother’s project and to work for the establishment of Mother’s Day. True to her word, she quit her job and dedicated herself full-time to campaigning for this special occasion we now observe.

On May 10th, in 1907, the church of Grafton, West Virginia became the shrine of the first unofficial Mother’s Day.

Her hard work finally paid off in 1914 as President Woodrow signed the resolution that officially established Mother’s Day in the United States.

Ironically – in light of modern celebrations of Mother’s Day - as the years passed by Ms. Jarvis became disappointed with the increasing commercialization of the holiday. She even frowned on the practice of sending greeting cards and flowers, and later became

Mother’s Day

Written by Tracy A. Phaup. Courtesy of Isnare.com

critical of many public figures that were associated with the celebration of Mother’s Day.

Anna Jarvis died in 1948 with no children of her own and was buried beside her beloved mother.

Similarly, another woman by the name of Julia Ward Howe who was also involved in the Civil War influenced the celebration of Mother’s Day. Ms. Howe was known best for being the author of the words to the “Battle Hymn to the Republic”.

She was so appalled by the carnage of the Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War that she tried to issue a manifesto for peace at an international conference. In 1872, she began promoting the idea of a “Mother’s Day for Peace”. A year later mothers from 18 cities across America held a Mother’s Day for Peace Gathering. Some cities like Boston even continued to celebrate for many years, but the celebrations slowly died out once Howe was no longer paying for the costs.

It’s amazing to think that one woman – Anna Reeves Jarvis - whose simple goal of improved sanitation was able to build such a powerful bridge that she continues to connect people with different beliefs even today.

Modernly, Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world including Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, Philippines, and Belgium. In fact more than 40 countries officially celebrate a Mother’s Day.

No matter who we are, how we grew up, or where we live, looking back at that time in our lives when we were still fragile, naive and curious, for most of us it was – and continues to be - our mother who safely guided us on our journey of life.

Our deepest secrets, hurts, fears, and aspirations are all still kept in her locket of memories, and in ours. She nurtured our pain as hers; sometimes sacrificing the things she would have like to have bought for herself just to be able to buy us our latest whim.

However Mother’s Day is celebrated, we just have to keep in mind that it’s not the things we buy for her that matters, it’s the counting of our blessings, the appreciation of the love in our loves, and the opportunity to create a truly memorable Mother’s Day this year – both for yourself – and for those special people in your life.

From growing families to space concerns to parking, these are all things to consider when making the decision between renting a house and an apartment. For a breakdown of the benefits and disadvantages of both rental arrangements, keep reading.

The Benefits of Renting a House:

1. More space, including outdoor space. Typically, a house is going to provide you with more room inside as well as outdoor space like a yard. If you've got pets, children or a lot of stuff, this could be a huge incentive.

2. Parking. While many apartments come with a parking spot, a large number of urban apartments, particularly older buildings, don't. If you have a vehicle or two, you may want to look at renting a home with parking.

3. Privacy. Typically, a house is going to afford you a lot more privacy. With no neighbors listening through the walls or complaining about your footsteps in the morning, you have a lot more freedom in a home.

The Benefits of Renting an Apartment:

1. Low maintenance. Depending on your rental agreement, renting a house may also mean taking on shoveling the walkway, mowing the lawn, maintaining the garden and general upkeep of the house. In an apartment, the grounds and outdoor maintenance are all taken care of for you.

2. Professional management. Typically, homes are rented by individual property owners while apartments are managed by a building supervisor and a property management firm. This means you have on-call support that's professional, business-minded and knows and follows the tenancy laws.

3. Location. If you're looking for a prime location right in the downtown are, in the heart of the city, you're most likely going to be looking at an apartment. Single-family dwellings are usually found in more suburban or outer-city regions.

Renting A House Versus Renting An Apartment

The Pros And Cons

The Disadvantages of Renting a House:

1. Landlords. As mentioned earlier, houses tend to be rented by individual owners and while you may know your rights as a tenant, they may not.

2. Maintenance. Along with the space and size of a house comes additional maintenance. There are more windows to clean, more floors to vacuum, more lawns to mow and more gardens to tend.

The Disadvantages of Renting an Apartment:

1. Neighbors. If you're a loud person or someone who needs a quiet environment, apartment living may not be for you. Remember, in many apartments, there are people and families living on all sides of you.

2. Space. From available closets to cramped storage units, apartments don't usually offer a lot of storage space.

3. Infestation. Though you may be a clean individual and maintain your home similarly, that is not necessarily the case with neighbors in an apartment complex. If, for example, others in the complex have roaches or ants invading their abode, those same pests are likely to eventually find their way into your home as well.

Additional Considerations for Either

Before you sign a lease for a house or an apartment, make sure you understand what is and isn't included in the space. Some include heat and power in the rental agreement, while others don't. Others include cable television and grounds maintenance, while others don't. It's important to know exactly what you can expect from your landlord and what they expect of you before you sign.

You should also ask about pets, children and roommates before committing to a space. Make sure you understand whether animals, kids, or even extended house guests are permitted on the property before you sign the lease.

Written by Jo Alelsto. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com, Photograph by Dani SimmondsWritten by Bruce Roberts. Courtesy of Isnare.com

Ferreting Out The Be$t Deal$

In A Tight Market

With summer fast approaching and the deals fading like a paycheck in a 22-year-olds wallet, itʼs time to get moving to find your right apartment home.

Make it your duty, nay, your right, to find the right apartment at the right price. It isnʼt as impossible as it sometimes feels.

Look reality in the face, then laughAccept that you may not find an apartment for $1,000s cheaper than you are paying currently in the same location. But do expect that you can most likely, with some research, pay $50 to $100 less per month for a similar apartment in a similar location. How is this possible, with specials so few and far between?

Do the math, based on your floor spaceI mean literally. Want to find out if the price you are paying is the exact same for one apartment as for the next? Take the total price of the apartment per month, and divide it by the total square feet in the apartment. Itʼs the same way people buy houses…by the square foot price. Theirs is usually in the $100 per square foot range, yours will be in $1 per square foot range, but itʼs the same concept.

So, if apartment #1ʼs rent is $1,000 a month and the square footage is 886…then youʼre paying $1.13 per square foot. If apartment #2ʼs rent is $972 and the square feet is 823…then youʼre paying $1.18 per square foot. Apartment #2 may actually appear to cost less per month, but per square feet of living space, it actually costs more. Cool, huh? Buy a calculator.

Compare, compare, compareNot sure where to start with such comparisons? You can go to apartmenthomeliving.com and check out starting prices on any floor plan easily online. Then do the math test on it above.

Too hard? Drive around, look for the blue banners with the communityʼs text code, then see starting prices of their floor plans…this will let you know if you are interested in stopping in to begin more investigating.

Then, youʼll want to see each floor plan offered with the number of bedrooms youʼre after. Donʼt just look at one floor plan of the one bedroom size at one community; look at every floor plan the community offers in a one bedroom size. You may find you can get over 200 s.f. more for as little as $20 or $30 more per month, or that one particular floor plan has a decidedly better special on it.

More math: work out your specialSo now youʼve gone to a few places and youʼve got everyoneʼs special. You can simply “weigh” it all in your mind, you can do the actual math to figure out what really is the best deal. If itʼs 2 weeks free, is that $300 off, or $350 off? What would that work out to a price if you spread it across your 12-month lease, $25 off a month? The $350 a month is really $29 off a month. Is the difference great enough between the two floor plans youʼre interested in worth $4 a month? May so, maybe not. Depends on if youʼre trying to figure out a way to eat, or just figure out a way to save for retirement.

Look for new construction apartmentsSurprised? New construction communities often have the biggest specials because they MUST be full in a certain amount of time to start repaying their bank loan. And because they are offering a big special, the communities in close proximity need to offer similar specials to remain competitive. So youʼll still find more specials in these areas. Look for the construction signs, then sign up.

Whatever you do, donʼt give upFinding an apartment can take time, and a lot of effort. But great resources like this catalogs, apartmenthomeliving.com, text messages from communities youʼre interested in, and some good ʻole research can be key that brings you, a great apartment, and enough money left over for a vacation next year all together. Start early, and donʼt give up.

Written by Brad Smith. Photograph by Zsuzsanna Kilian Written by The Apartment Dude. Courtesy of articlesbase.com

Products To Love In May

No more labels! No more dried out markers! No more boring packing tape that does nothing more than blah-ly seal your boxes! This has got to be one of the cooler packing/moving related products to hit the market in a long time. Dottie, our favorite of the Decorative Packing Tape line by TapeSwell, is a super fast and fun way to pack, label and seal all with one swipe of a tape gun. With many other designs and colors available you can choose what color suits your stuff best and then assign a design to each room. Then just pack it up, tape it closed and you are ready to go! Just remember to write down which design is which! Please click here for more information.

Oh the Pain! ...well hey, itʼs gone! Looking something to help with those muscles you have just finished abusing by loading a giant moving truck? I tested out these Advil Liqui-Gels-Ibuprofen Pain Relievers, and I have to say that they really do live up to their promise. After an exceptionally long day of stripping wallpaper, sanding walls, priming for painting, hauling boxes, helping with a yard sale, cooking dinner, cleaning house and looking after my 4 year old my everything was begging for mercy! Two of these and twenty minutes later and my legs love me again. Important Note: Please ask your doctor before taking any pain reliever and always follow all instructions on the bottle! Please click here for more information.

Say goodbye to the old days of running in circles and pulling out your hair! While trying desperately to pack up you house and make order out of chaos stop of just a second and take a much needed breather to check out the literary gem we offer. The completely funny and super helpful book How to Survive A Move: by Hundreds of Happy People Who Did and Some Things to Avoid, From a Few Who Haven't Unpacked Yet by Hundred Heads Survival Guides will have you laughing with glee and packing like a pro in no time at all! Please click here for more information.

FIELD TESTED

Reviewed by Rural Jungle Testing

Products To Love In May

Sometimes there is just not enough time in the day to get everything we need to done. This is especially clear when it comes to moving. Already forgotten which box you packed your toothbrush in? No, you say? Oh, we get it! Because you were smart about it and used these fabulous Sterilite 30-Quart Ultra Latch Boxes with Titanium Latches. No toothbrush searching for you tonight! Keep the guess work out of your packing with these see through plastic wonders that will last you many a move to come. Please click here for more information.

Wether you are just taking a drive to the store or setting out on a cross country trip to move your family, you still have your pet to consider. Make their journey brighter with the Outward Hound Small Pet Lookout Car Booster Seat. This ingenious easy to attach seat lets your pet sit at eye-level with the window so they can see out, but keeps them comfortably leashed in for their safety. Please click here for more information.

When packing for a move the thing that always seems to drive you crazy is trying to fit the bulky items, like pillows, blankets and comforters, in boxes. They take a ton of room and you have to practically jump on the box to get it closed! Well grab your vacuum and check these out! The Space Bag 12 Storage Combo Pack in Color has all the space saving ability of the originals but comes in three colors, Ruby, Teal and Indigo, to make organization a breeze. Keeps dirt, dust and water off and all the bugs out. Please click here for more information.

City Spotlight

If you’re heading to Seattle then there are some great sights and attractions you definitely shouldn’t miss. The top must-sees are:

Pike Place Market: Go in the early morning when the market first opens for fresh-cut flowers, super-fresh fish, mouth watering food and lots more. An open-air shopping haven and Seattle institution, take your camera and be sure to watch the flying fish! Pike Place is also home to the original Starbucks and often has colorful street performers. If you need to have a mid-morning pause, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in this area.

Seattle Space Needle: The most iconic sight in the city, if you’re feeling energetic, climb the 520 feet to the observation deck for amazing 360 degree views of Seattle. Actually 605 feet tall, the space needle now has a new information system called SkyQ – an interactive plasma screen which allows visitors to search for and see different locations around the city. And for food-lovers, the tower’s rotating restaurant, SkyCity, turns one complete orbit per hour.

Woodland Park Zoo: An award-winning Zoo, Woodland Park has over a thousand animals, the largest live collection in Washington State, just minutes from downtown.

The zoo boasts a tropical rain forest, a Thai village, African landscapes, and the ‘Zoomazium’ an all-season nature play space where kids can connect with animals, habitats and more. For a trip down memory lane, children and adults alike can ride on the zoo’s historic carousel, and then stroll through the award-winning rose garden featuring more than 290 varieties of roses. The zoo’s new penguin exhibit is home to Humboldt penguins and for those who want to learn more, there are a host of zoo classes and programs year-round for all ages.

Safeco Field: Home of Mariners Baseball, sports fans will love that they can tour one of the premier ballparks in America. Tours include areas of the ballpark that are not normally open to the public: press box, luxury suites, field, visitors’ clubhouse, and much more. Cameras are welcome. Groups may schedule private tours at a discounted rate.

Seattle Aquarium: With a beautiful location at Pier 59 on the waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium features creatures from the Puget Sound area and other underwater habitats. During public feedings throughout the day, visitors can watch trainers feed sea otters, harbor seals and diving birds. Their collection also includes a giant octopus, sea lions, and fur seals. In special exhibits, kids can feel a wolf eel's teeth or shake hands with an octopus, or they can find out what real starfish and sea urchins feel like in the touching pool. The IMAX Theatre is located next door to the Seattle Aquarium. If you plan to go to both, buy a combo ticket to save money.

Museum of Flight: The home of Boeing, Seattle is lucky enough to have one of the world's largest air and space museums, with indoor and outdoor exhibits spread over 12 acres. The museum has a replica 1903 Wright Flyer, history's first successful powered airplane, on display. "Space: The New Frontier Gallery," is a 6,000-square-foot gallery featuring a full-size walk-through Destiny module mock-up, moon rocks and a meteorite. The Personal Courage Wing highlights the stories of dedication and heroism of those involved in fighter aviation in both world wars, and visitors can participate in the exciting 3D flight simulators, with special effects such as wind and smoke, and plenty of motion.

Seattle, WA

Written by Ina Rena, courtesy of Isnare.com Photo By Tim Kinght

Sam Walton said it best, “If we work together, we’ll lower the cost of living for everyone…we’ll give the world an opportunity to see what it’s like to save and have a better life.” Saving people money to help them live better was the goal that Sam Walton, our founder, envisioned when he opened the doors to the first Walmart.

Today, more than 40 years later with operations in 15 markets worldwide, we continue to deliver that promise to families around the globe. It’s the focus that underlies everything we do at Walmart. And for the millions of customers who shop in our stores and clubs around the world each week, it means a lot.

The side of Walmart that most people don’t see, The Walmart Foundation, is the really impressive part of taking their “better life” motto to the next level. The foundation strives to provide opportunities that improve the lives of individuals in our communities including our customers and associates. Through financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteerism, the Walmart Foundation supports initiatives focused on enhancing opportunities in our four main focus areas: Education, Workforce Development / Economic Opportunity,

Environmental Sustainability, Health and Wellness.

The Walmart Foundation has a particular interest in supporting the following populations: veterans and military families, traditionally underserved groups, the disability community and people impacted by natural. In all of our giving efforts, we strive to meet the unmet needs of underserved populations and support organizations that give individuals access to a better life. We believe in operating

globally and giving back locally.

Check out www.walmart.com to find out more.

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About Linda Gray Linda Gray has been a full time professional Realtor® since 1988 and continues to actively work

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This month's random fact covers that corrugated miracle, the fabulous friends of movers every where, cardboard.

The technically correct name for what everyone calls cardboard is actually corrugated fiberboard. It has a layer of

corrugated, or pleated, ultra heavy paper attached to one, or more commonly sandwiched between two, pieces of

flat liner boards.

The history of this paper based, all purpose wonder-kid is actually pretty simple. In the mid-19th century, an

ingenious concept enabled flimsy sheets of paper to be transformed into a rigid, stackable and cushioning form of

packaging for delicate goods in transit. Corrugated paper was patented in England in 1856, and used as a liner for

tall hats, but corrugated boxboard was not patented and used as a shipping material until December 20, 1871. The

patent was issued to Albert Jones of New York City for single-sided corrugated board. Jones used the corrugated

board for wrapping bottles and glass lantern chimneys. The first machine for producing large quantities of

corrugated board was built in 1874 by G. Smyth, and in the same year Oliver Long improved upon Jones' design by

inventing corrugated board with liner sheets on both sides. This was corrugated board as we know it today. The

actual box we all know and love was invented by Robert Gair in 1890 - flat pieces manufactured in bulk that folded

into boxes. Gair's invention came about as a result of an accident: he was a Brooklyn printer and paper-bag maker

during the 1870s, and one day, while he was printing an order of seed bags, a metal ruler normally used to crease

bags shifted in position and cut them. Gair discovered that by cutting and creasing in one operation he could make

prefabricated paperboard boxes. Applying this idea to corrugated boxboard was a straightforward development

when the material became available in the early twentieth century. This material is also fantastically recyclable

resource because it is so easily broken down and re-used, in fact many of the boxes used today are recycled from

other paper products. So the next time you open a cardboard box, or put something in one, give yourself a second

to wonder where in the world it might have traveled over it's combined, recycled life. Just remember to recycle your

boxes when you are done and keep the cycle going!

Random Facts