Monthly Archives: December 2010

January Activities for Adults & Young Adults on Mercer Island

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BEGINNING GUITAR – Course #11462 – Start from scratch or brush up on the basics such as strumming, finger-picking, chord progressions and bar chords. Bring an acoustic or electric guitar or rent one from instructor Mary Lord.

Luther Room at the Mercer View Community Center
Mondays January 31st to March 28th
6:30 – 8pm
Ages 13 and up, $177

JAZZERCISE – Incorporates moves from hip-hop, yoga, Pilates, and kickboxing to give you a total body workout. Instructor Lori Hollow.

Mercer Room at the Mercer View Community Center
Mondays 6:45 – 7:45am, 8 – 9am, 9:30 – 10:30am, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Wednesdays 6:45 – 7:45am, 8 – 9am, 9:30 – 10:30am
Fridays 6:45 – 7:45am, 8 – 9am, 9:30 – 10:30am
Sundays 8:30 – 9:30am

Dance Room at the Mercer View Community Center
Tuesdays 7:45 – 8:45am (jazz lite), 5:45 – 6:45pm, 7 – 8pm
Thursday 7:45 – 8:45am (jazz lite), 5:45 – 6:45pm, 7 – 8pm

Gym at the Mercer View Community Center
Saturdays 8:15 – 9:15am

Ages 13 and up
$50/month for 2 month pass
$45/month for 6 month pass
$40/month for 12 month pass
$11 drop-in fee

KENDO – Course #11357 and #11358 – Become skilled in this Japanese samurai style of swordsmanship. Kendo uses powerful and graceful poses to build character, mind, and body. Instructors Cascade Kendo Kai and Gary Imanishi.

Gym at the Mercer View Community Center
Ages 8 and up

Beginner Class #11357
Fridays January 7th to March 25th
7 – 9pm, $74 for the entire course
or $10 per class drop-in fee

Advanced Class #11358
Wednesdays January 5th to March 30th
7 – 9pm, $80 for the entire course
or $10 per class drop-in fee

NAGINATA – Course #11512 – A Japanese martial art for those interested in competitive fighting or the physical beauty of choreographed, practiced movements called kata. Instructors Kurt and Karen Schmucker.

Gym at the Mercer View Community Center
Saturdays January 8th to April 9th
1:30 – 3:30pm
Ages 13 and up, $122

FRENCH: BEGINNERS II – Course #11468 – For students who have taken at least one year of French and know basic grammar and verb tenses. Instructor Chloe L. Eisen.

Mercer View Community Center
Wednesdays January 12th to March 16th
10:15 – 11:15am
All ages, $62

FRENCH: INTERMEDIATE – Course #11470 – For students who have taken at least one year of French. Culture and language skills will be stressed. Instructor Chloe L. Eisen.

Mercer View Community Center
Mondays January 10th to March 14th
11am – 12pm
All ages, $52

FRENCH: ADVANCED – Course #11472 – For students who have at least two years of experience in grammar and conversational French. Instructor Chloe L. Eisen.

Mercer View Community Center
Mondays January 10th to March 14th
9 – 11am
All ages, $77

Reminder: FREE Recycling Event, Saturday January 23rd, 9 am to 1 pm

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Reminder: Save the date for the Windermere R.E. / Mercer Island recycling event, which will be held Janaury 23rd. Items for recycling will be accepted from 9 am to 1 pm, thanks to the help from 1 Green Planet .

The recycling event is free! Below is the list of the items being accepted for recycling:

• Appliances – washers, dryers, refrigerators, etc.
• Electronics – televisions, stereos, etc.
• Scrap metal, machinery – circuit boards, etc.
• Computers (Secure data destruction) – PCs, laptops, printers,
monitors, etc.
• Batteries – car, computer, etc.
• Medical equipment
• Ink & toner
• Cell phones

It’s a New Year: Matthew Gardner’s economic reflections and thoughts

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This week, 2010 is drawing to a close and 2011 is dawning. Economist Matthew Gardner recently shared his reflections on 2010, along with his thoughts regarding 2011, over at Neighborly News.

Gardner delved into 6 economic indicators that are helpful to examine if you are considering a real estate transaction during 2011.

First he examined the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The GDP only grew by 2.5 % during the 3rd Quarter of 2010. While it was shy of the 3% mark, which indicates solid economic growth, the fact that there was growth is positive. Armed with this information, Gardner anticipates a few things: while he does not see a return to recession during 2011, he indicates that more of the growth during 2011 will occur the second half of the year.

Unemployment, which remained high throughout 2010, will likely see slow improvements during 2011. Gardner suggests that companies will reduce layoffs substantially by the end of 2011, but will hold back on hiring new employees. ” I believe that next year will see the overall unemployment rate drop, but the improvement will be slow; if we end the year at around 8.5 percent I will be happy,” states Gardner.

Regarding real estate, Garnder discusses the how the market is effected regionally. He shares his thoughts about some of the harder hit markets, like Las Vegas, Phoenix and Houston. He also briefly discusses what he expects to see, regarding national real estate pricing trends, before the end of 2011.

Gardner suggests that the growth we’ve seen in consumer confidence in recent months shall continue during 2011. Further, he is not concerned about inflation in the short-term, and projects that “core inflation” will remain below 1%.

Last, he addresses interest rates. Even though interest rates have been rising lately, he does not see indicators that they will rise dramatically during 2011. However, Gardner does suggest the trend regarding rates will be to slowly increase during the year.

I am, as ever, hopeful that the U.S. will show resilience and that better days are, indeed, ahead. ~ Matthew Gardner

Please read his blog post and examine the links he includes in the post. Gardner’s discussion of the US economy is informative and thought-provoking. Best of all, he shares his positive, but realistic, outlook regarding the next 12 months.

5th Straight Week Mortgage Rates Rose

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Freddie Mac reported Thursday that mortgage rates rose again. This is the 5th week in a row that mortgage rates have increased. The 30 year, fixed rate mortage averaged a 4.83 percent interest rate, a level we last saw May 20, 2010.

A quote from Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac:

“Market concerns over stronger economic growth that, in the near term, could lead to an increase in inflation have sparked a rise in bond yields and mortgage rates have followed.”

Mortgage rate information is something to be watching if you are on the fence about a residential real estate transaction. Please contact a real estate agent if you’d like to discuss a home purchase or sale.

November 2011 Stats Released

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Exciting Updates to the Windermere Bridge Loan Program

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There are some exciting updates to the Windermere Bridge Loan Program. Longer terms and lower interest rates were introduced to the program at the end of November.

Would you like to purchase your dream home but still have your current residence to sell? Contact a Windermere Agent to see if a Windermere Bridge Loan is a good fit for you.

It would be so lovely to ring in the New Year in your dream home, without the immediate pressure of selling your current one.

Mercer Island Holiday Tree Lighting and Firehouse Munch: December 3

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Ready for caroling, crafts, chili and other savory treats? It’s time for the annual Mercer Island Holiday Tree Lighting and Firehouse Munch, which shall commence this Friday, December 3rd. The tree lighting and caroling will begin at 7pm at Mercerdale Park (77th Avenue SE and SE 32nd Street). The fun will continue until 9pm at the Firehouse Munch, which is held at the Main Fire Station (3030 78th Avenue SE). Windermere R.E. / Mercer Island will be at the Firehouse popping up the popcorn!

The cost to participate is free. Donations of unwrapped toys for the local Toys for Tots drive would be much appreciated. See you Friday at the Main Fire Station!

Edit: Great story on Mercer Island Patch regarding the Tree lighting and Firehouse Munch, a 20 year old Mercer Island tradition!