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Local Crafts, Wizard 5k’s, and More: An Alternative Guide to Black Friday
November 27, 2019 /Local Crafts, Wizard 5k's, and More: An Alternative Guide to Black Friday With the holiday season’s arrival, my inbox is quickly filling with emails about Black Friday and other shopping deals, which are always tempting, but also, to be honest, a bit overwhelming. As such, I’m currently pondering the alternatives to spending money this week on more stuff that I probably don’t need... A note: this post isn’t to shame Black Friday shoppers! For many families, this day is an opportunity to buy gifts and have fun with each other. And for many low-income folks, Black Friday is the only way they can afford “extras” such as Christmas presents, new electronics, or new clothes. But, if you don’t need to buy anything this year, or if you’re like me and grow easily overwhelmed in shopping malls, there are plenty of other choices for the day after Thanksgiving. Shop small and local. While shopping online is incredibly convenient—how else can one order Christmas presents while eating leftovers in pajamas?—consider getting out of the houses to support businesses in your community, many of which host Black Friday events just like larger chains. Local pop-up markets and craft fairs like downtown Renton’s Small…Read more
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Six Historic Homes from Seattle’s Colorful Past
November 22, 2019 /Six Historic Homes from Seattle's Colorful Past With its ancient Northwest tribal cultures to its secret underground city to the rum-runners during Prohibition, Seattle hosts some rich history. Luckily for us, several fragments of these stories remain, in the form of historical homes around the area. If you’re interested in buying or selling your own home, historic or not, let Pickett Street help you (info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397). In the meantime, here a few historic homes if you’re in need of a fun distraction. San Fermo Seattle This Italian restaurant occupies an old pioneer house built in the 1880s. Originally located in the International District, the city eventually moved it to the Ballard Avenue Landmark District to protect it from demolition. The house is a small, carpenter-built, vertical plank, wooden structure, typical of the late 1800s. The Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center Though the existing longhouse is not an original structure, the Duwamish tribe built it on a major historical site (Duwamish Site No. 1), the location of two ancient villages called Ha-Ah’-poos (“Where there are Horse Clams”) and Tohl-ahl-too (“Herring House”). Hundreds of families lived in these villages. The longhouse comprises traditional Salish elements, including carved cedar posts and…Read more
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The Most Effective Ways to Winterize Your Northwest Home
November 15, 2019 /The Most Effective Ways to Winterize Your Northwest Home Nearly every winter without fail, my parents lose power for an unpredictable length of time, from a few hours to several days. They live in a lovely home in the woods in Gig Harbor, and their house is surrounded by tall evergreens, which, though beautiful, tend to topple over or drop large branches onto the power lines whenever it’s windy or snowing. Also every year without fail, my siblings and I gently suggest that they invest in a generator. (One year my brother even bought them this baby for Christmas.) My parents always reply that generators use too much power, are noisy, etc., and insist that they like living Little-House-on-the-Prairie-style every winter, with candles and canned soup and coffee on the wood-burning stove. To each their own. It is true, however, that you don’t have to go to the extremes of buying a generator to winterize. Here are the most effective ways to prepare your Pacific Northwest home this winter. Gutters, downspouts, sprinklers, and hoses Clear your gutters of any debris that has collected throughout the fall. This is especially important for Northwest homes, which experience large volumes of rain throughout…Read more
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Cozy Island Getaways Around the Puget Sound
November 11, 2019 /Cozy Island Getaways Around the Puget Sound The stretch right before Thanksgiving often feels like one of the hardest periods in the work year—the weather is turning colder and damper, and many of us feel tired, a little burned out, and badly in need of a pause. This last weekend, Pickett Street enjoyed a team retreat on Vashon Island, and the team highly recommends that you take some time out for yourself, too! Every year the team takes a day away from the business and the office to reflect, connect and plan for the year ahead. This is critical when it comes to ensuring that all team members are on the same page and understand the history of the team. 2020 is going to be an epic year for Pickett Street. If you’re longing to get away, but don’t have the time or money to go far, you might consider that the Puget Sound area is known for its gorgeous islands. With the currently chilly fall weather, islands can offer weekend getaways or day trips with plenty of opportunities to bundle up and enjoy fresh air, views, and good food. Vashon Island…Read more
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A Guide to Seattle’s Halloween and Día de los Muertos Celebrations
November 1, 2019 /A Guide to Seattle’s Halloween and Día de los Muertos Celebrations How was everyone’s Halloween last night? My husband and I sat on the couch and graded student papers, but at least we got to eat candy and humiliate our dog by dressing him up in one of these. Luckily for those of us who work during the week, this weekend brings more spooky festivities to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. If you’re interested in investing in real estate in the Seattle area, the first item on your agenda this weekend should be to contact Pickett Street at info@pickettstreet.com or (425) 502-5397. Then, check out one or more of the Seattle area events listed below. Día de los Muertos: 1. Día de los Muertos Community Night Out Where: Seattle Art Museum When: Friday, November 1st, 7-9pm Cost: FREE What: Every year, SAM hosts this celebration featuring a tapete (sand painting) installation inspired by Oaxacan traditions, a dance performance, and lots of art activities. 2. Court in the Square Where: Pioneer Square When: Friday, November 1st, 8pm Cost: $50 What: While this event is more expensive than the others, the price includes a…Read more
