Can You Afford to Purchase a Home?

Real estate trend, Jesse Tam. Buying a home in the Puget Sound Seattle/ Bellevue metropolitan region has increased over the past year. Fewer new houses on the market and low inventory makes purchases a home more challenging. The houses are sold quickly and at times with multiple offers above the listed price. New homeowners must be ready to make a decision quickly with financing and bank approval information ready.

The real estate website Estately recent report showed that nearly 40 percent of all houses in the Seattle area market are listed at more than $1 million. Seattle ranks 10th among King County cities. Lists of King County homes   http://bit.ly/2n23C82   Thanks for reading Jesse

Best Preparation for Tomorrow

Best preparation for tomorrow, Jesse Tam. Just something to ponder upon as we continue our daily work and family life.  How many of you have considered making an impact in society as a mentor or volunteer? Those who have not given back to the community missed a wonderful experience in life. 

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today"

Here are a few tips to start with making an impact in your community.

• Work with non profit organizations as a volunteer or become a member
• Become a mentor at your local school or Boys and Girls Club
• Assists with preparing food or sandwiches at local charity centers
• Find a project with assisting seniors in need
• Be kind to others and treat each individual with respect
• Listen, Give and Do

Winter Storm and Travel Snarled

Winter storm and travel snarled with Jesse Tam Seattle.  February's unpredictable weather dumped a few inches to over 2 feet of snow in Seattle and the surrounding Puget Sound area. What a surprise when the city becomes blanked in white.  The snow caused business, college and school closures for several days.  Some neighborhoods awoke to power outage due to fallen branches, trees, heavy snow and landslides.

Storms hit New England with up to two feet of snow creating traffic hazards, slick roads and slowdown in the region.  Blizzard warning continues from New York to Maine.  Close to one thousand flights were canceled due to blowing wind and heavy snow.  Residences were warned to stay off the road unless necessary to venture outdoors.

The West Coast continues to get drenched with heavy rain and quick snow melt in the Sierra mountains which led to flooding in parts of Nevada and Southern California.  The weather service has called this the wettest winter season in more than 100 years

Thanks for reading  https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/  Jesse, keep safe on the road.

New Eatery Rating System

Dining emoji released, Jesse Tam in the greater Seattle, Bellevue for King County will receive a new food safety rating system from letters.  The informational food safety rating sign will be displayed on a restaurant's window.  The sign will help diners to understand how a restaurant practices food safety.

Three main components used to determined restaurant's rating category.

Trend of food safety practices over time. Good food safety needs to be practiced every day. The food safety rating window signs will reflect how well a restaurant has performed over time, not just on a single inspection. A restaurant’s food safety rating will be determined by the average of red critical violation points from a restaurant’s last four routine inspections.

Scale of performance. King County residents want to know more than if a restaurant passes or fails an inspection. The restaurant window signs will show how well the restaurant practices food safety beyond meeting the minimum standard.

Rating on a curve. Consumers tend to dine locally by their zip code or area. Rating on a curve provides accurate and useful information to consumers about how well a restaurant performs on food safety compared to other restaurants nearby.  Also, restaurants within an area tend to have the same food inspector. Inspectors go through extensive training and all focus on food safety. 

The four food safety ratings are:

• Needs to Improve: The restaurant was either closed by Public Health – Seattle & King County within the last year or the restaurant needed multiple return inspections to fix food safety practices.
• Okay: The restaurant has had MANY red critical violations over the last four inspections.
• Good: The restaurant has had SOME red critical violations over the last four inspections.
• Excellent: The restaurant has had No or Few red critical violations over the last four inspections.

Stay connected with Jesse, thanks for visiting https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/

Frigid Temperature Driving Tips

Frigid weather for Bellevue and Seattle with snow to begin 2017. Jesse Tam, coldest month in 8 years, with average temperature of just 37.5 degrees. Seattle hasn't had a chillier month since December 2008--when the average temperature was 36.9 degrees. Cold continues into the week with high pressure over Alaska forcing cold air south into Pacific Northwest.

Here are the AAA winter driving tips during the winter months. 

AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:   Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.

• Never run a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle

Thanks for reading, Jesse  https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/

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.

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. 

          

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. 

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.

Are You A Leader?

We are all leaders in one way or another, one needs to find that unique gift in themselves. You may be talented in the arts, music, creative skills, math, sales or natural athletics; remember to take the steps to follow though on an idea or project.  Success and leadership outcome results in many form.  Believe in your ability and use your instincts.  Keep a positive attitude...

How many of these qualities do you have?    

            Six Qualities of a Leader 

1. Confidence - believe in yourself
2. Commitment - follow though on your goal
3. Positive Attitude - stick with positive people
4. Intuition - trust your own judgment
5. Creativity - use your own ideas
6. Ability to Inspire - work as a team

Leadership skills and motivation - maintain a positive attitude.

The Gum Wall in Seattle

The Gum Wall In Seattle, Jesse Tam

The Seattle gum wall started years ago by audience members waiting in line for the late night show near the market. Jesse Tam tourist in the area ask about the site on Post Alley near Pike Place.  An estimated of over millions of pieces of gum are on the walls in all all forms and shapes.  

Removing and cleaning of this Seattle iconic gum wall will take place over a 3 day period near Pike Place with a crew of three steaming the walls.  The sugar and weigh on the wall was a caused of concern to the brick walls.  Once the wall is cleaned, the gum will be weighed to determine just how much was stuck to the walls. The Market has steam washed some of the walls, but this will be its first full cleaning. Workers wearing rain gear will shoot out water heated to 260 degrees to get the gum down.  

It’s a disgusting attraction, but locals and tourist make the trek to take photos and place their chewing gum on the wall.  

Changing of the Season

Fall is the changing of the season when the fields are harvested.  Do you have a favorite memory or event?  Jesse Tam, autumn season filled with crops of greens, stalks of corn fields, pumpkins, The apples are harvest from orchards ready for the cider press. Time to gather the crops from the long summer days. Oh, the cooler breeze whispering in the air.

Leaves changing colors yellow, orange and red.

The rustling leaves falling to the ground under your feet.
Days are getting shorter.
Nights are growing longer.
Fall is Here.

https://www.pinterest.com/jessetam28/

Richmond Night Market

The Richmond Night Market is located just footsteps away from the Canada Line's Sky Train Bridgeport Station and the River Rock Casino Resort. Jesse Tam, only a short 2.5 to 3 hours drive from the greater Seattle area to spend a fun cultural experience. Spend a fall day or extended weekend in this fun-filled shopping & eating paradise.  What an experience viewing the outdoor open evening market under the skies and looking at the various booths.

 This event has become an annual tradition and one of the flagship summertime events of the region. It runs every weekend starting at 7:00 pm, including statutory holidays. This outdoor event features 100 food booths (the largest international food court ever), 250 merchants & corporate sponsor booths, more than 1,000 on-site parking stalls, free live entertainment nightly on a top-notch performing stage, games & more.

Weekly on Friday-Sunday from Friday May 15, 2015 to Sunday October 11, 2015.  There is a $2.75 fee for regular admission (subject to changes)   Free admission for children 10 & under and for seniors 60 & up.

Discover the Olympic National Park

Whether it is a short getaway or flight across the skies, explore and take time to appreciate nature. Jesse Tam discover the outdoors with a stroll along the river, ride your bike along the trails or take a short hike in the mountains.  A fantastic place to visit is discovering the Olympic National Park and Peninsula in the northwest.  

The Olympics mountains area is a place to visit year round from winter storm watching to the spring time flowers in the meadow and camping.  A few day to refresh the spirits in thoughts, away from the bustling crowd of the city and traffic. 
Discover the glacier capped peaks, rain forest, hot springs and rugged Pacific coastline.  

Olympic National parks offers many types of lodges from campsites, cabins to historical lodges.  It offers cultural experiences and outdoor adventures for all age groups.

Summer Travel Ahead, Jesse Tam

Sea-Tac Airport is the fastest-growing U.S. airport among the top 20 largest, with traffic up 35 percent. Sea-Tac is Delta’s eighth-largest hub.  Alaska Air Lines and Delta Air Lines are the two primary airlines serving the greater Seattle, Tacoma and becoming a hub for international travelers from Asia.  Jesse Tam suggests for visiting the northwest region. New routes to Asia were recently added or increased to several air carriers in the region.  Summer time travelers heading to Alaska during the cruise season increases traffic and visitors to our city and airports.  

Looking for a few places to see during those long layovers at the terminal?  Seattle International airport has a light rail train which you can ride to directly to downtown Seattle.  You will be in the heart of the city and no traffic congestion or delays.  Spend an hour or two in the city within walking distance to the famous outdoor Pike Place Market, shop at Nike, take a walk to the waterfront where and visit the first Starbucks store.  There are open stalls to sample the fresh food and smell the flowers from local vendors as well as crafts from local artists.

Seattle Waterfront
 Ride the Ferry and view the sites of the city

Best Airports in the World

Business or leisure travelers will peak in Seattle with the beginning of summer and conventions throughout the year.  Jesse Tam shares an interesting article for the 10 Best Airports in the World.  Seattle International will filled with first time visitors heading to the cruise ships to Alaska.  We'll see foreign visitors from Asia enjoying the fantastic weather and fresh seafood during our summer months.

There are long lines at airport terminals awaiting flights, but some of these transfer places are quite interesting and relaxing layovers. The following are the features making them unique and on the top 10 best list.  I have actually been to 9 out of the 10 airports on the list.

1)  Singapore Change' International,  placed 1st  three years in a row, filled with movie theaters, spas and corkscrew slide.

2)  Incheon International,  2nd best is just outside of South Korea with a Korean culture museum.

3)  Munich, 3rd display of historic aircraft

4)  Hong Kong, 4th is one of the busiest airports in Asia.  Play a round of nine hole golf near Terminal 2.

5)  Tokyo Haneda, 5th is a popular port of entry for business travelers and tourists.

6)  Zurich Airport, 6th is 8 miles from Zurich.

7)  Central Japan International, 7th rank

8)  London Heathrow Airport, 8th is the world's 3rd busiest airport and largest serving primary airport London.

9)  Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, 9th is one of the busiest airports in Europe.

10)  Beijing Capital International Airport, 10th rank is the 2nd busiest airport in the world and has played a major role in the Chinese capitals growth.