The Bellingham Real Estate Blog » Development & Growth

Green Spring Cleaning Mixtures and Tips for Your Home and Real Estate

Fawn — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:35:21 +0000

Spring is here and with Spring often times comes the feeling to spruce things up around the house. But, don’t rush out and buy all the kitchen and bathroom cleaning chemicals you can find. You might be suprised to learn that you have many ingredients you could use to clean already in your pantry. Below are some green cleaning solution mixtures courtesy of Sparkpeople.com

- Glass: Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray on glass and wipe clean with old newspaper or a lint-free cloth.

- Countertops and bathroom tile: Mix 2 parts vinegar and 1 part baking soda with 4 parts water. Apply with a sponge, scour, and wipe away.

- Floors: Mix 4 cups of white distilled vinegar with about a gallon of hot water. If desired, add a few drops of pure peppermint or lemon oil for a pleasant scent. After damp mopping the floors, the smell of vinegar will dissipate quickly, leaving behind only the scent of the oil.

- Wood furniture: Mix equal parts of lemon juice and olive and oil. Apply a small amount to a cloth, and rub onto the furniture in long, even strokes.

- Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle a toilet brush with baking soda and scrub away! Occasionally disinfect your toilet by scrubbing with borax instead. Wipe the outside of the toilet clean with straight vinegar.

- Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar, 3 cups hot water, and 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use a spray bottle. Wipe clean.

- Mold and mildew: Wipe with straight vinegar.

- Air freshener: Sprinkle essential oil on a cotton ball, and stash it in a corner of the room. If you have kids, make sure it is out of their reach as essential oils are very strong and could irritate their skin. Lavender is a relaxing scent that is great for bedrooms, and cinnamon, clove, and citrus oils are great for the rest of the house. You can stash a few in the car too—try peppermint, which may help you to stay alert.

Source: Sparkpeople.com- Lisa Barnes

For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!

Support WWU / Support Western’s Engineering Proposal

Rich — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:42:06 +0000

Support Western’s Engineering Proposal

As many of you know, our son Graham recently graduated from WWU. His degree is in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. While WWU offers an Engineering Technology degree, they do not have a mandate from the State Legislature to offer a bachelor degree in Engineering. There is a proposal on the table that would allow them to transition to full Engineering status. This proposal would have huge benefits to WWU, it’s Graduates ie: your sons & daughters, the community & the State.

Support Western Washington University

I just received this notice from TAG, Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington. TAG informs, represents & connects Whatcom area technology businesses & professionals.

As a parent, business person & residence of Whatcom County, I would ask you to read this information & act on it.

On February 14, TAG posted a letter from Western Washington Universityannouncing their proposal to the legislature to transition Western’s Engineering Technology programs to full Engineering status.

You may be aware that business and industry leaders across the state have advocated for more college graduates with bachelor degrees in Engineering. Washington will demand 282,140 STEM jobs by 2018, requiring a 24 percent increase in training; 7 percent above the national average (and 3rd overall). Western Washington University represents the most cost‐effective way to help meet that need. Whatcom County already has a need for more engineers, and our need is growing.

Governor Gregoire included $7.6 million in her 2012 State Supplemental Budget to be divided between the University of Washington and Washington State University to address this concern. Western Washington University was not included in the Governor’s budget, but the legislature could choose to include funding for Western in its budget.

Western would add an additional 85 to 100 Engineering graduates to the state total every year if the upgrade is made to move these three programs from Engineering Technology to industry-ready Engineering Degree status.

You can help make a difference. Send your letter of support today and make your voice heard. You can use the talking points that Western provided to make letter-writing easy. Then visit their Action Page where you can enter your address and quickly email your letter to all relevant representatives in just a few clicks.

It’s that easy!

But please, act quickly. The vote could happen as soon as this weekend. There’s no time to waste, simply:

1. Visit the talking points page to craft your letter: http://tagnw.org/Resources/Documents/2012-02%20Engineering%20Letter%20Talking%20Points.pdf

2. Visit the Action Page to enter your address and send your letter to your representatives: http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/o/8502/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=8413

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center- Bellingham Employer Spotlight

Fawn — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:05:25 +0000

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center is located in Bellingham, Washington and is one of Bellingham’s largest employers with over 2,600 employees and 253 hospital beds for patients.

The PeaceHealth facility boasts new state of the art cardiovascular facility, a cancer center and an award winning childbirth facility. St. Joseph hospital is a major hub for all medical services in Bellingham and around Whatcom County.

Employees of PeaceHealth are offered competitive industry wages and generous benefit packages, and are provided with a safe and secure workplace. If you would like to see a list of current positions open at PeaceHealth in Bellingham visit their career openings page. PeaceHealth careers include surgeons, doctors, administrative support, nurses and more.

PeaceHealth Medicial St. Joseph Hospital, Bellingham, Washington.

View more videos from Rich Johnson

If you are seeking employment at St. Joseph Hospital or any of Bellingham’s PeaceHealth medical facilities, we would be happy to provide you with an information and relocation package on the communities around PeacHealth St. Joseph Hospital.

Request your FREE Personalized Bellingham and Whatcom County Relocation Package
Courtesy of The Johnson Team Real Estate.

In your personalized relocation package you will learn about the city of Bellingham, statistics on area schools, art and cultural events, and local community and neighborhood information. If while waiting for your package to arrive you would like to further explore Whatcom County, feel free to visit the community virtual tours we offer on our website that give you a front seat tour around the sites and events of Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Bellingham is home to over 20 neighborhoods and provides a vast array of real estate options from luxury and waterfront real estate, to more modest subdivisions and historical neighborhoods: there is something for everyone in the area. To get an idea of real estate available in the area visit the PeaceHealth and St. Joseph Medical Center Real Estate Page to search for homes or property specific to your needs.

Whatcom County Rural Areas Grow While Bellingham Grew Less

Fawn — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:56:07 +0000

Below is an article courtesy of the City of Bellingham on recent census data for Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Recently published federal Census data highlights the excess rural growth Whatcom County has experienced over what was projected eight years ago, and shows increases in Bellingham resident’s ethnic diversity and age.

Bellingham residents tell us they want to protect Lake Whatcom, they want to protect open spaces and agricultural land, and they want to prevent sprawl,” Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike said. “The census data provides us the opportunity to see where our growth is going and reflect on whether it meets our community’s values.

The adopted growth forecast for 2002-2022 – used for comprehensive planning and compliance with growth management requirements — anticipated Bellingham and its urban growth areas would increase an average of 1,580 people per year. The City’s actual growth rate, per the Census data, was only 77% of the forecast, averaging 1,224 people per year. However, Whatcom County overall grew more than expected, at a rate of 113% of the forecast, averaging 3,459 people per year compared to the projected 3,072.

City and county governments planned for growth to occur in the cities, rather than sprawl into rural areas. Unfortunately, unincorporated areas grew 330% more than forecast, at a rate of 1,672 people per year, while the small cities only grew at 57% of forecasted rates. Significant growth is shown outside the city limits in the Lake Whatcom watershed. The biggest increase since 1990 is in Sudden Valley, representing a huge part of the rural growth allowed within the county over the past two decades. Interactive map of Whatcom County population growth: 1990, 2000 and 2010

What does this mean for Bellingham?
The good news for Bellingham is that density has increased by 14% per square mile, showing that the City is growing “up” and not “out.” The City overall also is becoming more ethnically diverse. The Asian population and the Hispanic or Latino population saw the greatest gains among minority populations. In addition, Bellingham is becoming “older.” The population over 18 years of age increased by over 13,000 people, while the population under 18 increased by just over 700 people in the decade from 2000 to 2010.

The greatest increases in both density and ethnic diversity occurred within neighborhoods close to the city center, demonstrating the vitality of Bellingham’s urban neighborhoods.

Many efforts are underway to encourage people to locate within the Bellingham city limits. These include the Infill Housing Toolkit, Urban Village planning, increasing mobility options, improving park and trail networks and incentivizing sustainable development.
What does this mean for Whatcom County?
Providing residents in unincorporated areas with public services is more difficult and more expensive. Costs of providing fire, police and other emergency services, supplying adequate roads and utilities, and other public services are increased when extended into less populated areas with less existing infrastructure. People spend more time and personal resources commuting to work and for other services, putting more wear and tear on roads, and ultimately increasing overall costs of living.
Market forces are powerful,” Pike said. “As long as any level of government takes actions or approves policies that allow high levels of rural development, especially in the Lake Whatcom watershed, we will fall short of the public’s goal to contain sprawl and protect our drinking water source.

More Census data is expected to be released during 2011. To view several tables and interactive graphics based on the new data, see the City’s website at http://www.cob.org/services/maps/population/index.aspx.

Bellingham Police Department- Block Watch

Fawn — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:58:24 +0000

Monthly, the Belligham Police Department puts together what they call the “Block Watch.” The Block Watch is a wonderful newsletter updating Bellingham residents on community and police issues. This month’s Block Watch features articles on Graffiti, Medical Identity Theft, and Emergency Preparedness. To view this month’s Bellingham Police Department Block Watch click here.

Check back next month for the newest issue of Block Watch! If you have any crime prevention issues in Bellingham you are welcome to contact Katrin Dearborn at the Bellingham Police Department (360) 788-8660.

Top Bellingham and Whatcom County Private Sector Employers

Fawn — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 04:21:52 +0000

Bellingham and Whatcom County as a whole, is blessed with a very diverse economy. The Bellingham Business Journal recently came out with their list of Whatcom County’s top public sectors employers based upon number of employees. While these large companies are wonderful, Whatcom County’s economic strength is also based on a myriad of smaller businesses, many of whom sell their products far from our borders but have chosen to operate here due to the quality of life and quality of employees who live in Bellingham and around the smaller suburban and rural towns of Whatcom County. The list of the largest private sector employers in Bellingham an Whatcom County was posted last week you can view it here.

Below you will find a list of the top five public sector employers in Whatcom County based on number of employees. To view the full list of the top twenty five employers visit The Johnson Team Top Whatcom County Public Employers Page.

Western Washington University
516 High St, Bellingham
(360) 650-3000
Number of Employees: 2,196

Bellingham School District
1306 Dupont St, Bellingham
(360) 676-2793
Number of Employees: 1,278

City of Bellingham
1306 Dupont St, Bellingham
(360) 778-8000
Number of Employees: 840

Whatcom County
311 Grand Ave, Bellingham
(360) 676-6700
Number of Employees: 838

Ferndale School District
6041 Vista Drive, Bellingham
(360) 383-9200
Number of Employees: 685

For the full list of the 25 largest employers in Bellingham and Whatcom Count visit the Johnson Team Top Public Sector Employers Page. If you are looking to transfer jobs to the Bellingham area The Johnson Team specializes in helping to make a job relocation easy. To search for real estate in the Bellingham area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com

Bellingham State of the City Address with Mayor Dan Pike

Fawn — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 13:57:36 +0000

Thursday, January 13th from 7:30am to 9am Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike will be at Fox Hall in Bellingham giving his State of the City Address. Mayor Pike will be addressing the latest in Bellingham news, the economy and taking questions from the audience. Admission to the event is $20 for Bellingham Chamber of Commerce Members and $25 for non-members.

If you would like to learn more about the state of the Bellingham Real Estate Market you can visit the Bellingham and Whatcom Count Market Update Page. Here, you will learn the latest in trends in the Bellingham and Whatcom County Real Estate Markets including the latest in sales numbers, pricing trends and short sale and foreclosure updates.

Fox Hall is located at 3992 Bennett Drive in Bellingham. For more information call (360) 734-1330

Whatcom County’s Growth Management Coordinating Council Meeting

Lylene — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:36:48 +0000

Provided by David Stalheim, Director, Whatcom County Planning & Development Services

Please find attached the proposed agenda for the upcoming Whatcom County Growth Management Coordinating Council. The information provided to the Coordinating Council is posted on our web site. You can obtain the background information, review public comments we have received, and obtain other information by going to our web site (www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/2031).

The purpose of the Growth Management Coordinating Council is to guide the development and adoption of a coordinated management strategy among all jurisdictions in Whatcom County that addresses growth and development over the next 20 years. While the recommendations of this Coordinating Council are not binding on the individual jurisdictions, they provide a common basis andunderstanding that can be agreed to by the County and Cities.

If you wish to provide input to the Growth Management Coordinating Council regarding the items onthe agenda, please send comment letters to the attention of Kate Koch, Public Involvement
Coordinator (KKoch@co.whatcom.wa.us). These comments will be posted to the web site.

Thank you for your interest in Whatcom County growth management efforts.

AGENDA

July 1, 2009

Cornwall Church “Commons”, 4518 Northwest Road, Bellingham, WA, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

I. Welcome and Introductions Jack Louws

II. Minutes – Review and approve minutes of June 3, 2009

III. Urban Growth Area Review Recommendations – 90 minutes

Review and consideration of draft policy paper regarding the UGA review.

IV. Future of GMCC – 20 minutes

Review of GMCC issues and interest in continuing forum.

VI. Other Business

Help Clean Up Little Squalicum Beach this Saturday, Jan. 17th from 12noon to 2pm

Fawn — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:55:27 +0000

Join The Johnson Team Real Estate this Saturday, Jan. 17th at Little Squalicum Beach in Bellingham for a community beach clean up and hot dog lunch.

View the photos below to see how little Squalicum Beach currently looks – clean up efforts could help to maintain the beach as a lovely waterfront retreat.

As a result of the flooding, large tides and high winds, Little Squalicum beach is currently littered with debris. Come out this Saturday and help make one of Bellingham’s beaches the best that it can be! Pending a large turnout we may be able to clean up Locust Beach as well.

Clean up will begin at 12 noon and go until 2pm. The Johnson Team and Re-Sources will be providing bags and surgical gloves for garbage retrieval. The Johnson Team will also be providing a trailer and hauling vehicles and RDS has agreed to provide free disposal of the collected debris.

If you, your friends or family are interested in attending the Little Squalicum Beach Clean Up please RSVP with the Johnson Team by calling 527-8766 or sending us an email at Info@JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com

View a map and directions to access Little Squalicum Beach below.

View Larger Map

Add to your bookmarks:

Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan Input

Lylene — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:21:58 +0000

I have always felt that people who don’t vote have no right to complain about what government does. Whatcom County Planning and Development Services, via a questionnaire available online, has given all of us the opportunity to provide input (similar to voting) on the comprehensive plan update which is currently underway. Following is their request, as sent to me by Paul Davis, editor of The Tome of Lummi Island.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please take some time to tell us what you think!
We just posted a questionnaire to the website to help us gather more information from the public
to help inform our comprehensive plan update. We want feedback from you about population and employment growth, the county’s quality of life, and much more. Please follow the link below to download the questionnaire.
http://www.whatcomcounty.us/pds/2031/pdf/20081010-questionnaire.pdf

Please take some time to check it out, fill it out, and pass the link on! We will hand out the questionnaire at the Vision Workshops on Oct 15/16 (see the website for more information about these meetings) but we encourage you to print out a copy and send it off to us!

Go to http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/pds/2031/ for all the most up-to-date information about the Whatcom 2031 process. And, don’t forget our Vision Workshops:

October 15: 6-8 p.m., Bloedel Donovan Park (multi-purpose room), 2214 Electric Ave, Bellingham
October 16: 9-11 a.m., Bellingham Public Library (lecture room) 210 Central Ave, Bellingham,
October 16: 6-8 p.m., Lynden Community Center, 401 Grover Street, Lynden

Feel free to email or call me with any questions!

Kate Koch
Planner II, Long-Range Planning
Whatcom County Planning and Development Services
360.676.6907
kkoch@co.whatcom.wa.us