Tacoma Undressed

Low Flying Aircraft

Carol Miller — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:13 +0000

I thought this picture was kind of cool, so I thought I would share it with you! I know Washington state is now a hands free state which means while driving you must not talk on your cell phone without being hooked up to some type of wireless contraption. That’s a different story which maybe I will write about or do a poll on which wirless works best in the car….because I have yet to find one that I can hear clearly on. Anyway, back to my story….I don’t remember seeing any state law that says you can’t take a picture while driving!!! So this brings me to this picture. This is our troops from McCord Airforce base practicing touch and go landings. I wish I could of taken the picture when it was closer. There are times when I’m on the freeway and these big birds fly so low that you think they are gong to land on top of your car. Next time when I see one of these flying machines and I’m not on my phone…wireless of cours, I will try to get a closer picture!

Blue Mouse Theater

Carol Miller — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:56:03 +0000

Happy 85th Birthday Blue Mouse Theater! Thanks to local investors 15 years ago who restored it making it today to be the oldest operating theater in the state of Washington. The 221 seat vintage theater located in the Proctor District shows second run movies with ticket prices at $5, drawing crowds from all over. Today’s birthday celebration begins at 6:00 p.m. with music and a catered meal. The theater is located at 2611 N Proctor in Tacoma. For more information on todays birthday party or to see what movies are playing visit: http://www.bluemousetheatre.com/

What Will Happen To Mortgage Rates?

Larry Cragun — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:33:14 +0000

I was asked by a client last night, where will rates go now that we have a new President?

Maybe this little guy knows the future of rates. I am not sure who else would know for sure. But here are two things to consider. 1- During this rocky ride through the mortgage mess rates have gone down as the stock market went down and rates have gone up as the stock market has gone up. That may continue. When we recover is not certain. When we hit bottom with real estate sales and values is not certain. What is certain is that a bottom will hit and there will be a recovery. I believe rates will go up if you think the economy has turned around.

Tip: (Interest rates move on fears and hopes before facts) When their is a fear of inflation rates will go up, just based on those fears.

2- A new factor has been introduced through the so called bail out. This is important and may bring rates down. That is that the government is now mortgage money just as they are for those that loan money to the government. What makes loaning money to the government a safe place is the guarantee of the US Government. That is keeping the rates of Treasury notes around 2%. The safeness makes money looking for safety go to Treasuries. Mortgage instruments are now guaranteed in the same way but the market has not discovered or accounted for that, paying around 6%.

It is very possible a flood of money will start heading for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Hope for that because that will make rates go down, more money available to loan, more people affording housing, and a jump start to the economy.

So, now back to the question - what will happen to mortgage rates? My answer: Go fish, I don’t know.

Nordstroms Grand Opening

Carol Miller — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:05:43 +0000

The new Nordstroms store is now open at the Tacoma Mall! It is quite a bit bigger then the old one that is now sitting there vacant waiting for another retail store to take over. Here are pictures of the new store along with some art work that hangs in the doorway when you walk in. Check out the last picture of the piano player, well not so much the piano player but the man to the right sitting on the couch….here is what happens when the wife brings the husband shopping, he is given a newspaper to read and hopefully he doesn’t finish it until the wife is done looking at everything in the store!!

Tacoma Farmers Market

Carol Miller — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:51:35 +0000

It’s not too late to visit the Tacoma Farmers Market located downtown on Broadway Street. It is open every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. until October 16th. The market is lined with vendors selling fresh vegetables, baked goods, arts, crafts and my favorite; the fabulous flowers. To get additional information visit: http://www.tacomafarmersmarket.com/About.aspx

Puget Sound Sunset

Carol Miller — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:11:42 +0000

Check out this fabulous sunset looking over the sound! Lastnight after the rains left the sky filled up with this gorgeous array of color and great cloud formation lasting about 30 minutes. I was so glad I didn’t miss it!

Tall Ships are Coming to Tacoma

Carol Miller — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:00:07 +0000

If you are looking for somthing fun and interesting to do over the 4th of July, come see the tall ships in the Tacoma port! The ships sail into Thea Foss Waterway on the 3rd and will be docked until the 7th of July. I was there the last time the ships came to Tacoma and how exciting it was. The 31 sailboats are from all over, one coming all the way from New Hampshire. The ships length size is anywhere from 70 to 266 feet with mast heights up to 75 feet. One of the boats that will be here this year was built by MGM Studios in 1960 for the film “Mutiny on the Bounty”. There will be parking at the Tacoma Dome where you can take a shuttle bus to the waterway. Enjoy going aboard the ships to hear the stories the crews are willing to tell! Visit http://www.thenewstribune.com/tallships/ to check out more detailed information on each vessel and all about the festivites. Hope you can come and see the excitment in Tacoma….don’t forget to bring your camera!

Point Defiance Flower & Garden Show

Carol Miller — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 00:17:33 +0000

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend the 4th annual flower & garden show starts on June 6th at Point Defiance Park. I went by there today and the tents are up and all fenced in for the vendors to display their exhibits. It is 12 acres full of foral designs, window boxes, arts and crafts, plant market and even a jazz garden. If you enjoy playing in the dirt and planting flowers this is the place to be. Even if you are not into gardening there will be something there for you too, I’m sure! For more information regarding the events, visit: http://www.ptdefianceflowershow.com/

Museum of Glass

Carol Miller — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:58:27 +0000

Visit the Museum of Glass located in downtown Tacoma.

Union Street

Carol Miller — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:39:41 +0000

Last fall I posted a picture of Union Street in Northend Tacoma when the leaves were bright red, yellow and orange, now I wanted to show it to you in Spring. It doesn’t matter what season it is, this street is one of my favorites in Tacoma!