"Lights, Music, Dance" - Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Team Diva Real Estate is proud to join with Retail Therapy in sponsoring “Lights, Music, Dance”, an event to promote sustainability and economic independence in Africa. Come be part of the celebration next Wednesday, December 8th at Neumos on Capitol Hill, for a night of empowerment, music and dance. Details below!

“Use Solar, Saves Lives” is the mission statement of 2010 CNN Hero Evans Wadongo, who is working to bring solar lanterns to the poorest villages in Western Kenya and other developing communities. These lanterns provide much more than just light. They are an effective key to breaking the cycle of poverty. By using solar lanterns, the groups he works with are able to spend the money they save from not having to purchase kerosene on providing education for the children and starting economic ventures in their villages.

On Wednesday December 8^th, global and local musicians will gather to celebrate Evans Wadongo as a CNN Hero and help raise money for his non-profit, Sustainable Development for All – Kenya, an organization committed to empowering communities through environmental, educational and economic means.

Lights, Music, Dance: Fundraiser for Sustainable Development for All

Location: Neumos
925 E Pike ST
Seattle , WA

Event Date: Dec 08, 2010 8:00 PM

Tickets: $10 Advance / $12 at the door. 21+

Buy Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/138747

Critical Sun presents a fundraiser for CNN hero Evan Wadongo Featuring:

Zambuko Marimba Ensemble

Manghis Khan

Reji LeFleur

Guest appearance with Dr. Fink

Furniture Girls

Aaron Daniels

Darrius Willrich

Rob Marcus

Guest appearance by Choklate

Door proceeds benefit CNN Hero Evan Wadongo and his non-profit Sustainable Development for All

Show sponsored by Retail Therapy, Critical Sun, Zkits, Team Diva Real Estate and Good Hair Salon

Team Diva Real Estate is a huge fan of spreading the wealth in our own community. We love Seattle and its many independently owned shops, bakeries, music stores and radio stations. Sadly, we have watched some great stores close up shop this past couple of years. Other independent businesses have taken the recession as an opportunity for a readjustment. The Divas feel very strongly that community support of these independent businesses is the answer to a healthy local economy. This holiday season the Divas will be shopping local, and I know you will be there with us!

A study conducted by Civic Economics for the city of San Francisco showed that a slight shift in consumer purchasing behavior — diverting just 10% of purchases each year from national chain stores to locally owned businesses would create 1,300 new jobs and yield nearly $200 million in incremental economic activity. Knowing these numbers, it seems logical that we would buy Grandma something special at the upcoming Urban Craft Uprising holiday show, buy a lover a subscription to the Northwest Film Forum or buy yourself something fancy for the holiday soiree schedule at one of our locally owned boutiques. Whatever it is, just make sure your money is going to someone you know because it is bound to come back to the local economy.

Here are some of Team Diva’s favorite wonder women businesses that we want to share with you. Check them out!

Retail Therapy – A Unique Boutique on Capitol Hill
905 East Pike Street, Capitol Hill

Echo Norris Pilates – Personal Pilates Instruction
2915 East Madison Street, Madison Valley

Retroactive Kids – Vintage & One of a Kind Gifts for Kids
4859 Rainier Ave S, Columbia City

Magnolia’s – A Shoe & Handbag Salon
123 Winslow Way, Bainbridge Island

Remember the best recommendation is a personal one. We love to get your recommendations for your favorite local shops and services. And we appreciate all the Team Diva Real Estate recommendations you give to your friends and family throughout the year!

Team Diva Real Estate is proud to announce the launch of our Shop Local campaign for the holiday season. Many local business are dependent on the holidays to see them through the next year. This holiday season is incredibly important. Majority of the small businesses who are still open in this Great Recession have survived through innovation, community partnerships and, for some, through sheer force of will. The upcoming season is crucial for these business to continue to survive and thrive. Join us as we support local businesses throughout the upcoming season with highlighted favorites, Diva Deals and choice neighborhood spots for you to shop during the holidays.

Thanksgiving at Chez Diva

Every season Diva Chavi pours over a bevy of Thanksgiving magazines, blogs and a multitude of cookbooks to prepare for the Divas annual Thanksgiving Feast. Our guests list of 25 includes, close friends, Diva Dwellers, a few FIUTS international students, and Diva Kim’s Italian Mama from Jersey. As Diva Kim’s Mama says “Thanksgiving at the girls is not just a dinner -it’s a party!”

The menu this year may just be the most amazing spread anyone has seen at Chez Diva yet. Diva Dweller Aaron will rotisserie his Turkey bought from Bob’s Quality Meats in his oil drum BBQ. Diva Chavi is butterflying and roasting a Heritage turkey found at Capitol Hill’s own Rain Shadow Meats. Diva Kim is making cheese balls from a Cooks Country recipe, homemade crackers and a cranberry almond upside-down cake. Other friends are making homemade chevre, a glazed ham, sourdough stuffing with sausage, roasted vegetables, sweet potatoes slathered in melty marshmallows, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls from our pal Tracy’s Wyoming mama’s recipe and then there is dessert.  Brace yourself – in addition to Kim’s cake there will be pumpkin pie, pumpkin chiffon pie, pecan chocolate torte, pumpkin caramel cheesecake and sugar cookies.  And, of course, we can’t forget about our veggie eating friends. For them our pal Josh is preparing veggie stuffing and an amazing vegan gravy.

Many of us where inspired by our favorite local food bloggers. Seattle is really blessed to have such an awesome community of food writers. Below is our short list of some of our favorite folks:

• Kim O’Donnell – Great site for the meatless in all of us.
• Art of Gluten Free Baking – Our little lady of the Four Chickens is delightful and we love reading about her adventures.
• Can Across America – The kids behind teaching and inspiring canning to a new generation.
• Salty Seattle – Oh salt you make the world go around!
• Orangette – It has been awhile since our lady of Delancy in Ballard has written anything. But the blog is stunning!
• Gluten Free Girl – Always delighted to see what tasty items come out of this Vashon Island duo.
• Cook Local – Fabulous ideas for the home cook.

Enjoy this years inspirations and have Happy Thanksgiving!

The Parc - 81 Clay Street in Belltown

The Parc – Belltown
81 Clay Street, #N724
Seattle, WA
Open Sunday, 1-4 PM

Hosted by: Matt J. Miner

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orksdfwhat does it take to keep this where it need to be my goodness!

Olympic Hills - 14313 24th Ave NE

Charming Cape Code – Olympic Hills
14313 24th Ave NE
Seattle, WA
Open Sunday, 1-4 PM

Hosted by: The Diva – Kim V. Colaprete

ake to keep this where it need to be my goodness!

Plaza Del Sol - Capitol Hill

Plaza Del Sol – Capitol Hill
1711 East Olive Way, #204
Seattle, WA
Open Sunday, 1-4 PM

Hosted by: Diva – Chavi M. Hohm

Private Patio at the Park

Rarely does one have the chance to see a view home of this caliber. Unit N724 at The Parc is now on the market, and Team Diva Real Estate is excited to host an intimate soiree for you to see this home in person. Join us for a Diva Dweller exclusive viewing this Thursday, November 18th at the Parc at 81 Clay Street.

The level of upgrades and additions to the home have not been seen in years. Dark plank hardwoods, glass tile, terrazo double-headed shower in the spa bathroom and 100% wool berber carpets are the minimum of what this home has to offer. Walking in, you will be awed by the wall of windows overlooking an amazing 624 square foot private patio. The high-end kitchen will make you stop and WANT to host Thanksgiving here. Just when you thought you have seen it all at The Parc, walk outside to the private patio and enjoy the lights from the ferries reflecting off the waters of Elliott Bay as the sun sets while sipping a little bubbly.

Next Thursday, November 18th at the Diva Soiree, take a moment to truly appreciate the luxury of this amazing home while visiting with Team Diva!

RSVP Required!

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, November 18th
• Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
• Location: The Parc, 81 Clay Street in Belltown
• Parking: Easy street parking on Clay between 1st Ave and Western
• RSVP: Team Diva Facebook Page

Take a peek now to get a first look at this home before the Soiree. View after the jump>>

Lorington Co-Op on Capitol Hill at 11th & Denny

Yeah – the weather looks stunning and all of the homes are ready for their vintage tour today. Last minute we added another home to the tour at The Ives. Wow – six homes to tour this lovely Sunday afternoon in and around Capitol Hill. Cannot wait to see everyone today enjoying the musings of these unique homes.

Start at the Lorington, grab a cup of hot apple cider from Diva Kim V. Colaprete and get a map for the rest of the tour.

What is the Tour: Tour of six vintage homes for sale in some Capitol Hill’s most charming buildings.

When: Join us on Today, November 7th from 1-4pm.

Where: Here is the list of fabulous homes >>

Take: VintageHomeTour

Team Diva Real Estate has long been a huge supporter of our local food purveyors and champions of of the Slow Food movement.  We believe buying your food locally is not only good for the environment, but good for the economy.  Throwing a fabulous Thanksgiving soiree always has more meaning for us when we take the time to purchase our fruits, vegetables, meats and wine directly from local producers.  From a purely economic standpoint, studies have shown if you buy from a local store about $45 out of $100 stays local, as compared to buying from a chain store where only $13 of $100 goes back to the community.

Team Diva is thankful for all the support we receive throughout the year  from our family, friends, clients and our community. This year we will be giving back by making sure that the meal we serve our guests on Thanksgiving is locally sourced from our favorite purveyors of fabulous food and wine.

Below is the Diva’s short list of local places to buy great meats, cheeses, veggies and fish, plus a few wineries as well:

• Bob’s Quality Meats – Amazing selection of home cured hams, turkeys ready for the grill and anything else meaty one might need for a homemade Thanksgiving.
• Rain Shadow Meats – Stunning addition to Capitol Hill’s foodie circuit.
• Better Meat - Old school butcher for our Northend friends.
• Mutual Fish Company – Best place for fresh seafood. Crab and oysters will be on our holiday table this year.
• Calf and Kid – These kids really go out of their way to find some amazing locally produced cheeses.
• Seattle’s Winter Farmer’s Markets: Pumpkins, roots for roasting and tons of other yummy winter veggies.
• Des Voigne Cellars: Family biz making some of the best handcrafted Syrah, Merlot, Zin and Sangiovese in the area.
• Edmonds Winery: Produces some lovely Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for your Thanksgiving table.
• Kennedy Shah: The Kennedy Shah Foundation, created by Woodhouse Family Cellars, donates 20% of its gross revenue to local organizations serving women & children – and they make a killer Tepranillo!

Our favorite Cook Local blogger team has a fabulous post to get you started on an amazing Thanksgiving dinner made with items grown locally and sustainably. Check out Cook Local’s Thanksgiving after the jump.>>

Happy Thanksgiving from The Divas!

The September market reports from our friends at Rainier Title are in and show a really interesting picture. Overall sales of single family homes are up an average of 2% from 2009. But sales are down 43%. The big winners still remain Capitol Hill, Montlake, Queen Anne, West Seattle, Mt. Baker and North Beacon Hill. For condos the 98102 (Capitol Hill) show a 29% increase in prices but a huge 58% drop in home sales.

The Team Diva Real Estate perspective is that Seattle overall has maintained its value but we are also impacted by the lethargic buyers. The Divas predict that we will see an increase in sales this late fall as many folks take their homes off the market reducing inventory levels. Less inventory is good for a slower market allowing folks who really need to sell their homes to pick up the remaining buyers.

All things are local – Check out your hood below:

King County Single Family Homes – Sept

King County Condo Report – Sept

The Ives in North Capitol Hill

Seattle homebuyers have a love affair with old world charm. We adore our fir floors and leaded glass windows. We crave our Craftsman porches and our Tudor arches. We also love the quintessential brickcharmers that dot the Capitol Hill landscape; whether it is a historically significant Anhalt or a turn of the century factory turned artist’s loft.

This Sunday you can indulge your vintage love affair. Join us on November 7th from 1-4pm for a tour of five homes for sale in some Capitol Hill’s most charming buildings. Whether you are a devout fan or a willing convert, you will be delighted by these classic homes and enjoy some fall treats along the way.

Here is the list of fabulous homes >>

Quick map of all the vintage homes for you to take with you on the tour >>