Fall clean up for Leavenworth, WA, ends Nov. 15th

For City of Leavenworth residents:

Leavenworth’s annual fall clean-up for Single – Family residents will take place this year during October 16^th – November 15^th.  We are asking all residents on corner lots with street intersections to prune trees for better visibility.  Leaves, pine needles, and other yard debris is to be put into plastic garbage bags, no larger than 35 gallon size, not to exceed 35 pounds, and no more than 4 bags on any regularly scheduled garbage day.  Limbs must be cut into 4 foot or shorter in length and tied in bundles. The yard debris should be out next to your regular garbage and will be picked up at the same time. There will be no extra charge for the pickup of the first 4 bags of yard waste; additional bags will be charged $3.15 per bag.  Please remember outside burning in no longer allowed.

Source:  City Of Leavenworth Website

AMS Inspection Services is a home inspection company based out of Leavenworth, WA, with inspectors in Seattle, Wenatchee and throughout Chelan and Douglas counties.  AMS Inspection also performs blower door and duct blaster testing for new construction projects.

Tenants 4 Turns: Ski Free At Stevens Pass

To assist employees in finding housing for the winter season, Stevens Pass offers local area homeowners incentives to rent to Stevens Pass employees through the “Tenants 4 Turns” program.

How does it work?

Local landlords advertise their rental at Stevens and they maintain a list of rentals, and make it available to any hired employee.  Once they receive a signed rental agreement the landlord receives a pass or ticket package.

Are you an interested landlord or homeowner?
Do you have a house or room for rent in the area? Would you like to ski or ride this winter at Stevens Pass? Agree to list your rental through the Tenants 4 Turns program and rent to a Stevens Pass employee this winter and you may be eligible for 10 lift tickets good for the 2012-2013 winter season or a $100 season pass!

How can a homeowner sign up?
To request more information on the Tenants 4 Turns program guidelines and eligibility requirements, email humanresources@stevenspass.com.

Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Starts Dec. 2, 2011

Leavenworth’s Christmas Lighting Festival is one of the most unique holiday experiences.  It happens every year for 3 consecutive weekends after Thanksgiving.  Check out the details from the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce and book your stay now!

Photo: http://365thingstodoeastside.wordpress.com

“Remember when you were little, and you were enthralled with snow globes? A trip to Leavenworth is about as close to the real thing as you’re going to get. Nestled on the Eastern cusp of the Cascades, the Bavarian Village transforms when the snow flies, turning itself into the ultimate holiday town. Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, carolers, cocoa, kids sledding, the horse-drawn carriage…it is enough to make put any snow globe to shame. Want to make some memories with the family? Treat yourself to a winter experience that you will never forget!”

FRIDAYS

Lights Are On! 
St. Nicholas Greets
Children With Fruit
and Song

 

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 

Roasting Chestnuts, Characters,
Live Entertainment All Day!
Lighting Ceremony Begins at 4:30

Leavenworth Home Inspection: Huge Wasp Nest!

This is just about one of the scariest things a home inspector can find in a small attic…a huge wasp nest!  Anyone thinking about booking a home maintenance inspection?

AMS Inspection is a home inspection company based out of Leavenworth with inspectors in Seattle, Wenatchee, Methow Valley, Chelan and surrounding areas.

Leavenworth Food Drive Oct. 22nd

“Make A Difference Day” is Oct. 22nd.  The North Central Washington Association of Realtors is sponsoring a food drive in the following locations.  The donations collected in Leavenworth will be given to the UV MEND Community Cupboard.  If you’re not available on Oct. 22nd, contact a local real estate office.  Many of them are currently accepting food donations and will store them until then.

• Grocery Outlet ,Wenatchee 9 AM-2 PM
• Food Pavilion, E. Wenatchee 9 AM-1:30 PM
• Martin’s Market, Cashmere 9 AM-2 PM
• Dan’s Food Market, Leavenworth 9 AM-2 PM

Tenants 4 Turns: Rent a Room, Get a Stevens Pass season pass!

This is a really cool option for Leavenworth area residents.  Whether you’re a home-owner, a renter needing a roommate or a landlord…there’s a way to earn a free* season pass from Stevens Pass Ski Resort.  The “Tenants 4 Turns” program was created 3 years ago in an effort to secure local housing for their employees.  The employee housing at the resort fills up quickly and employees turn to Leavenworth for one of the best, shorter-commute options.  If you are able to rent a room, apartment or home to a Stevens Pass employee you could receive 10 free lift tickets or a  season pass* (*must pay a $50 recording fee).  The limit is one per address.  For more information email Justin Tremlin at justin.tremlin@stevenspass.com.

If you’d like to get the scoop in person, attend the Tenants 4 Turns Q & A on Tuesday, Oct. 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Icicle Brewing Company (upstairs).  Justin will be there to answer questions and sign up folks for the program.

Leavenworth Home Inspection Photo: Stick a cork in it!

I never know what I’m going to come across.  Check out this photo from a recent Leavenworth home inspection.  It’s an interesting way to fill a hole.  Now you know what to do with all those corks you get from wine tasting in Leavenworth!

2011 Tour of Homes : Wenatchee, Chelan, Malaga & Peshastin

credit: http://www.nchba.cc

The North Central Home Builders Association’s annual Tour Of Homes is coming up on Sept. 22-25th.  Most homes are in the Wenatchee area but you’ll find one in Lake Chelan, Malaga and Peshastin.  For complete details about the tour, directions, coupons and more visit their website.  As members of NCHBA we are proud to be a part of this great event!  In Leavenworth pick up coupons at Marson & Marson Lumber or Dan’s Food Market.

Leavenworth’s 16th Annual Home & Garden Tour

Photo credit: http://www.cascademedicalcenter.org

Don’t miss Leavenworth’s 16th Annual Home & Garden Tour on Sunday, Sept. 11th.  You can begin at any of the homes starting at noon and it ends at 5:00 p.m.  The cost is $20 per person and the proceeds benefit the Cascade Medical Center Foundation and their purchase of a new Automated Medication Dispensing System. 

TOUR HOMES INCLUDE: 

9343 Lone Pine Orchard

Road  10741 Titus Road

11630 Alpenview Estates

11650 Alpenview Estates

12661 Shore Street

12659 Shore Street

506 Orchard Street

Tickets are available beginning September 1 at Cascade Medical Center’s Admitting Office at 817 Commercial Street.  Tickets will also be on sale at the individual homes on September 11th.  For more information call (509) 860-1963 or email imbikin@gmail.com or visit http://www.cascademedicalcenter.org.

Improper aluminum wiring ‘sparks’ interest in a hot water heater repair.

How hot is too hot?  We recently observed this hot water heater on a Leavenworth home inspection in the upper Wenatchee Valley.  Aluminum branch circuit wiring was used to supply the hot water heater’s energy.  Improper installation caused a potential dangerous situation.  The unions between the aluminum and copper wire created galvanic corrosion which can weaken the terminal at the switch, receptacle or union.  As the branch circuit is energized the aluminum and copper wires expand and contract at different rates causing the terminal termination at the switch, receptacle or union to loosen.  The loose connections can allow arcing and pitting, creating a hazard for shock or fire, and eventually causing the circuit to fail.  To learn more information about aluminum wiring read my earlier blog entry.

And the hot water heater was still being used, but not anymore!  Based on our inspection they hired a professional electrician to fix the improper installation.  Do you want to know how your home is performing?  An AMS Home Inspection can indentify potentially dangerous conditions.  Call today for more information on home inspections in Leavenworth, Chelan, Seattle, Wenatchee and surrounding areas.