Seattle Gingerbread Village 24th Year

Seattle Gingerbread Village, Jesse Tam. It's not the holidays in Seattle unless you visit the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton. This is the 24th year for the annual Gingerbread Village display with your favorite magic world Harry Potter. Fan and families of all ages will marvel at the life size gingerbread exhibit.  

The Gingerbread Village will be featured in the Sheraton Seattle Hotels lobby from November 22, 2016 through January 1, 2017. Visitor can view the display 24 hours, daily in the lobby and also have the chance to vote for their favorite concept throughout the duration of the holiday season. Line and wait time may be long to view the displays so plan ahead.

The hotel has been doing this every year since 1992.  More than 150,000 visitors have come to see the annual displays and donated more than $841,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. 

Where: Sheraton Seattle

1400 6th Ave Seattle, WA 98101-2318

http://www.sheratonseattle.com/gingerbread-village

When:  November 22 - January 1, daily 24 hours in  Lobby

Event  Free (donations accepted) All Ages

Bellevue New Boys and Girls Club Open

New Boys and Girls club open, Jesse Tam. Bellevue opened a new Boys and Girls Club in downtown Bellevue and replaced the main clubhouse. The new building features a gym, game room, community room, education center, tech lab, instructional kitchen and a preschool.  The 27,000 square foot new facility will improve the quality of existing program and allow the Club to serve the growing population in the downtown Bellevue area.

It will be able to nearly double the kids at this new facility.  The Bellevue Boys Club opened in 1952 and has been a part of youth development for over 64 years.  The Club was the first in the county to add girls in 1970.



For more information on the Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue and the programs offered visit the website at  www.bgcbellevue.org.

Thanks for reading, Jesse

Housing Trends for Bellevue

Housing trends in the Eastside and Bellevue market continue to be challenging with fewer inventory and home prices in the region. Jesse Tam, here's the latest for summer/fall 2016.

"Home prices in Bellevue and across the state of Washington have risen dramatically over the last couple of years. In fact, earlier this summer, CoreLogic reported that Washington State home values were rising faster than any other state in the country. Many local housing markets, including Bellevue, have experienced double-digit gains in the last year alone.

 How long can this last? Will the Bellevue housing market keep soaring into 2017, or will it level off in the coming months?   

Bellevue Home Price Trends for Summer / Fall 2016

Let’s start with a look at current home price trends in Bellevue. According to Trulia, the median sales price as of August 2016 was $740,000. That was a gain of 14% over the same time last year, more than double the national average.

Zillow reported a slightly lower number in August, putting the median price at around $717,000. Like Trulia, they too reported a double-digit gain from last year.

Realtor.com offered a similar figure in August, reporting a median closing price of $730,000 for the Bellevue real estate market"...

https://www.sammamishmortgage.com/bellevue-housing-forecast-2017/

Stay connected, thanks for visiting  Jesse   Believe you can and you are half way there.

Imagine a World of Peace

Imagine a world of peace across the globe, Jesse Tam. The United Nations and people around the world celebrate the International Day of Peace every year on September 21st.  It is also know as World Peace Day and dedicated to world peace, specifically absence of war and violence.  International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.

The peace bell is rung at the UN Headquarter in New York to start the inauguration.  

"Peace begins with a smile."  Mother Teresa 

"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without."  Buddha
"Imagine all the people living in peace.  You say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.  I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one." John Lennon

Make a Difference with TRIFC

TRIFC is hosting their 10th annual fundraising event in Bellevue. Please support one of their projects in Nepal.or fundraising dinner at Tam O'Shanter,  thanks Jesse Tam.  Join Rob, Gina and the TRIFC Board of Directors on September 17th, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Bellevue Tam O'Shanter Golf and Country club. 
Help celebrate TRIFC’s tenth anniversary by attending this year’s gala dinner event. This is our major fundraiser for the year, with proceeds from the $130 ticket price and additional donations going directly to help children and adults in Nepal! This event allows us to highlight projects which are making a huge difference for children and adults with disabilities in Nepal, especially in the areas of education, health and empowerment.

We’re proud of the impact we’ve achieved over the past ten years, and we owe our success to the supporters and donors like you! We’ve set a goal of raising $25,000 at this year’s event and will need your help to make it happen.

We are expecting to have a full-house of attendees at Tam o’Shanter Golf and Country Club. Great food and wine, warm friendship and inspiring stories will be in store for the evening.  Bring a few friends or relatives.

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Bellevue Japan Fair 2016 Celebration

The Japanese community in Seattle and Bellevue will celebrate its heritage at the First Annual Japan Fair at Bellevue's Meydenbauer Center, September 3 and 4.  The two day program will feature Japanese culture, education, food and fun. Artist booths celebrating ikebana, the traditional art of flower arranging or bonsai trees, taiko drums and Japanese styles of painting.

Japan Fair 2016 will also feature movie screenings, taiko drum performances and Japanese music. Fair goers won't go hungry, there will be ramen, yakisoba and bento boxes.The fair will run this Labor Day weekend from 10 am to 6 pm, September 3 and 4th.  Admission and parking are free.

Come early and enjoy the day with friends and families. A great way to enjoy staying in the city and not worry about traffic on this long holiday weekend.  Jesse Tam, more events and  places to see.

The Grape Fields Near Yakima

Washington state is quite well known for it's port and trade in the northwest.  Jesse Tam, touring the winery and grape fields near Yakima. Apples, cherries, produce and now wine is another exported item.  Eastern Washington's hot summer and cool temperatures in the evenings are great producers of fields for grapes.  The farms and winery are favorite places for visitors to make the short drive from Seattle and spend a day outdoor in the fields and orchards.

 Fields near Yakima grape vines and winery for tasting and sampling.

 Barrels of wood containers where the wine is waiting to be aged and bottle.

Bellevue Strawberry Festival

Bellevue Strawberry Festival,  Jesse Tam.  It's here, the weekend is supposed to bring warmer 70 degree weather and sunshine and a sunny week forecast. Come join the fun for this two day weekend event for everyone with music entertainment, an auto show, face painting, food, vendors and games for the whole family annual event that hopes to revitalize the Bellevue tradition of strawberry celebration. The event is located at the Bellevue Crossroads Park with shuttle service to event. 

          

Balance and Your Inner Self

Balance and Your Inner Self posted Jesse Tam, Bellevue. We miss things by staying in one place, so get away and do something different. For a minute, go outdoors, stand there in silence and appreciate your surroundings and nature. Remember the work life balance and refresh your inner self and start with a positive attitude each day. Connect with positive people and don't allow negative situations get you down, they are only temporary.  

We all have 24 hours in our lives. Make time for work and time for yourself and try things out of your comfort zone. Continue to grow as a person independent of your career, find outside interest and develop a hobby or join a social group.

Look deep into nature and then you will understand things better –  Albert Einstein

Thanks for visiting  https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/  follow or share

Keep Life Simple

Keep Life Simple create by Jesse Tam

Don’t become too preoccupied with what is happening around you.Escape the traffic of I-5 Seattle and 405 Bellevue to Everett. For a minute, go outdoors, stand there in silence and appreciate your surroundings and nature. Spend time with friends on the steps of Mount Rainier National Park. This is a very popular and great for families and hikers. Remember the work life balance and focus on what is important.

• Connect with those who are most important to you.
• Continue to learn and grow as a person independent of your career.
• Silence your cell phones when you are with family or friends
• Step out of your comfort zone and try something different
• Become involved as a volunteer once a month
• Keep life simple

Mount Rainier and Lake reflection

Make each day count, We miss many things by staying in one place, get away and do something different.  Thank for visiting  https://jessewa28.wordpress.com/  follow and share!  Reflect and refresh your inner self and start with a positive attitude. Keep life simple, simple life.

Discover Bellevue Water Spray Playground

Discover Bellevue water spray playground - Jesse Tam. It's a great park on the eastside with a number of picnic tables and shade/roof covering. The water spray playground where the kids can run through water or try the whale with sprinklers when the weather is warm out. The Water Spray playground area was another rotary project for Bellevue. Someplace to cool off during hot summer days. Children of all ages can enjoy the sprinkler park as they have several sections for different age groups.  Bellevue is just a short drive from Seattle across the 520 Bridge or I-90  to reach the park.   bellevuereporter.com/community/19718209.html

The park has much more to offer with nice walking trails that are surprisingly quite hilly.  The lower portion of the park, there are tennis and basketball courts plus a skateboard bowl.  A portion of the area is for a community garden to plant fresh produce during the summer season. Another great way to enjoy living in the city.

I had thought this was mainly a park for the kids, but I was wrong. This park really has something to offer people of all ages.  The Bellevue Strawberry Festival is held each year in late June. This summer community event attracts families to the festivities with live music, bands, activities, food, car show and rides for all ages. 

You will find  jogging or strolling trails with acres and acres to discover, even a par 3 golf course. Located in the Crossroads area of Bellevue. Follow my blogs  https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/   Thank you for reading.

Bellevue East Link Extension

Bellevue East Link Extension posted by Jesse Tam

Groundbreaking for the East Link Extension on April 22 in downtown Bellevue. Jesse Tam, changes with the Eastside development and growth. The light rail will cross Lake Washington from Seattle using Interstate 90 to cross Mercer Island.

The tracks will be above ground with a tunnel in downtown Bellevue and will continue near Overlake Hospital and the future Spring District.  The line will continue along Bel-Red corridor and into Redmond with 10 new stops planned along the 14 miles.

East Link light rail   http://www.soundtransit.org/eastlink

Start of service:

Targeted 2023 

Overview:

East Link will give riders a fast, frequent and reliable connection between the Eastside's biggest population and employment centers and destinations across King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. When East Link opens, passengers will be able to ride over 50 miles of light rail with other new extensions also open north to Lynnwood and south to Kent/Des Moines. 

Facts:

Length: 14 miles

Ride times:

• Mercer Island to University of Washington: 20 minutes
• South Bellevue to Sea-Tac Airport: 50 minutes
• Overlake Transit Center to Bellevue Transit Center: 10 minutes

Rider projection: About 50,000 riders will use East Link every day by 2030.

Budget: $3.7 billion

Learn more http://bit.ly/1opkxyz  Thanks for visiting, follow and share the post.

Earth Day Worldwide

Earth Day Worldwide, Jesse Tam. In 1970, the year of our first Earth Day, the movement gave voice to an emerging consciousness, channeling human energy toward environmental issues. Events from recycling in Seattle to planting trees in Bellevue are just a few ways to make a difference. 

Forty-six years later, we continue to lead with groundbreaking ideas and by the power of our example. Earth Day is more than just a single day — April 22, 2016. It is celebrated worldwide to make an impact on our daily lives. Keep the trails clean, protect our rivers and water system, electric cars or bikes are a few ideas.

 Seattle Trails - Jesse 

Skagit Valley Mount Vernon

Enjoy the colorful tulip blooms, Mount Vernon.  The Skagit Valley festival runs from April 1 through April 30 depending on weather.  Mother Nature decides when the color begins. A great place for out of town visitor and locals suggested by Jesse Tam.  It is a destination event for the Pacific Northwest held annually. 

Every spring thousands of people tour and visit the tulip fields in bloom within a short drive from Seattle and Vancouver, BC.  The fields are scattered throughout the Skagit Valley with many local events and activities throughout the festival.  The walking or biking tours are perfect day trip or weekend with friends and families. RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town with displays in gardens for visitors to view and photograph.   https://jessewa28.wordpress.com/

The festival is now 32 years and welcomes people across the United States and from around the world.  This is truly a places to visit for all ages and families during the month of April and spending time with nature.  There will be traffic on weekends and long waits on the road, so biking is a great way to view the fields.  A link for more information to festival 
 http://www.tulipfestival.org/

These official Skagit Valley Tulip Festival events include:

• Tulip Festival Street Fair in Downtown Mount Vernon- April 15-17, 2016
• Kiwanas Club Salmon BBQ - April 2-24, 2016
• Art shows at several different venues
• Tastings at local wineries and breweries
• Anacortes Quilt Walk - throughout April
• Tulip Run - April 9, 2016
• Tulip Pedal - April 16, 2016

Business After Hours

Networking is a great opportunity to connect with friends and future prospects.  Looking forward to the Business After Hours social in Bellevue sponsored by (TGSCCC)  Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber on Thursday, March 31st.  Learn about events in the community and a fun social. Registration fee $15 members, non members $20 from 6 pm to 9 pm.  Join Jesse and the Chamber for the after hours event.

Monthly luncheons with guest speakers are held in English and Chinese between Seattle and Bellevue area.  A great way to learn and hear about business updates.   https://jessetam.com/

Join the Chamber and keep updated on current events, trade, international business monthly speakers and more.

New Light Rail Link

 Exciting new link will connect light rail from University through Capitol Hill to downtown Seattle and Sea Tac airport. Jesse Tam, visitors will have easy access to the city and university. Leave the driving to others and reach your destination in 8 minutes without the worry of traffic or high price of parking.  Photos of land bridge and transit platform at Husky Stadium station,  The new route will provide ease for visitors arriving at the airport to reach downtown and the university.

Seattle New Rail Link, Jesse

The service will open by the end of March after years of planning and construction for quick travel between the University, Capitol Hill and Sea-Tac Airport.  The 3.15 miles extension from HuskyStadium to the Capitol Hill station is expected to serve 71,000 passengers by 2030. https://jessewa28.wordpress.com/

The $1.9 billion project was funded by sales tax and other fees with a large portion of the funding also from federal grants. 

Seattle Breaks Winter Record

The winter months have also been warmer than usual in Seattle with no measurable snow between December and February of this year. It definitely was grey skies and windy long dark commutes for travelers.  A great time to think of indoor activities, movies and slipping in a hike between showers. 

The National Weather Service reports Seattle has broken a record for winter rainfall with a total of 22.78 inches of rain  The previous record was 22.77 inches set in the winter of 1998 through 1999.  It was another mild rainy season for many in the region, Jesse Tam  with flood watches.

February is not over and the rain is going to keep falling. More rain continues Friday and Saturday is expected to be dry but more rain forecast for Sunday in Seattle. Some regions have been hit with severe flooding and damage to homes due to mudslides. Snoqualmie River flooded in Fall City due to heavy rain this year.

 http://bit.ly/1LxOCB2

The rainy week again with sun breaks and mild temperature for the remain month.  Ski areas are opened this year and good place for winter snow tubing and boarding.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year begins on  Feb,8 is also known as Spring Festival in China. It is the Year of the Monkey according to the Chinese zodiac. The tradition of family gatherings and reuniting during this 15 day holiday.      
   
The Spring Festival Travel Rush, also known as Chunyun in Chinese, or Chinese New Year Travel Rush, Lunar New Year Travel Rush is considered to be the largest annual migration. It is the special period when China faces an extremely high traffic load, which results in great transportation problems, especially on the railway services.

Millions of people working or studying out of their hometowns will be hurrying home.  Similar to the Christmas Dinner in western countries, the Reunion Dinner has significant meaning to Chinese people, because it is the time that all family members reunite together. With the reunion dinner, the whole family welcomes a new year happily. The most important food in this dinner is the dumpling, which is very popular in the northern part of the country.   https://www.pinterest.com/jessetam28/

Lion Dance - Jesse

Seattle's New Light Rail

Seattle's regional growth in the job market, housing and companies expanding created a  traffic nightmare commuters and drivers.  Recent tolls and changes on SR 520 and I 405 added  more congestion to the new configured lanes.  The Sound Transit extension will be opening the Husky Stadium and Capitol Hill Links in early 2016.

Husky Stadium, Sound Transit's University of Washington Station will provide easy regional access to campus, UW Medical Center, other Husky athletic sites and surrounding neighborhoods.  A new pedestrian bridge allows walkers and bikers to avoid traffic and will alleviate congestion by directly connecting the station to the upper campus and Burke-Gilman trail.

This new addition will be easier for football fans and students to ride quickly and not worry about parking at the events.  It will connect the University of Washington and Capitol Hill to existing light rail service from downtown Seattle to the airport without the addition traffic jams on the freeways.

Riders will board trains underground. Ride to downtown Seattle fromthe new  Husky Stadium link in 8 minutes or to the airport in about 42 minutes.  A great mode of transportation and quickest way to get around the city once the project is completed.