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An incredible and spacious home boasting a superb design and immaculate landscaping. A roomy kitchen featuring a large butcher block island & generous storage shares an open floor plan with an entertaining living room. Exceptional living spaces include a formal dining room, game room/5th bedroom & outstanding formal living room w/ vaulted ceilings showcasing natural light. The master bedroom greets w/ French doors and a gorgeous en suite bathroom/walk in closet. Don't miss the video tour. Features Two Story Home 2,890 Square Feet 4 Bedrooms 2.5 Bathrooms 3 Car Garage Fenced Backyard Open Concept Kitchen Cozy Gas Burning Fireplace Master Bedroom with Incredible Bath Inviting Backyard with Patio Perfect for Entertaining Large Bonus Room/Possible 5th Bedroom. See Video Tour Below Formal Living and Dining Room A spacious formal living and dining room greet you at the entry and welcome you to relax near the large window which reaches upwards to the vaulted ceiling. Living Room and Kitchen An open concept living room and kitchen are perfectly paired for a great flow and entertaining. Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom The master bedroom is located on the second floor just over the backyard. A private space with French doors leads you in to relax and enjoy. Bedrooms and Guest Bathroom Three additional well sized bedrooms sit upstairs allowing use for living, office or even a fully set-up billiard. A full bath complete with double sinks makes getting ready in the morning a breeze. Backyard and Patio A luscious, fully fenced backyard and patio offer a place to sit and enjoy the sun in the landscaped yard or enjoy an evening of shade under a beautifully constructed patio cover. Offered At: $555,000 512 SW 352nd St Federal Way, WA 98023 MLS# 1443834 Full Listing Available Here John Douville johndouville@windermere.com 253.230.4931 www.douvillehomegroup.com

Spring is here and we couldn't be happier! This month we found ways to get outside and explore Tacoma, experience light in new ways, maybe find a new job and my personal favorite, attend a yearly event celebrating Tacoma's print art scene. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll let you take it from here! April 3rd Walk Tacoma Kick Off! Walk Tacoma will be kicking off their 10th year on National Walking Day! Once a month (twice in June!) between April and August, Downtown: On the Go! hosts a short 1 – 2 mile walking tour focusing on unique areas of Tacoma. Each tour is led by one or two Tacoma locals with a knack for our fair city. This month’s walk will be led by historian Melissa McGinnis and former Mayor Bill Baarsma, where they will guide you through Wright Park and Stadium Highschool. Children’s activities will be provided by the Children’s Museum of Tacoma and ASL interpretation is available as well. You can find the complete list of walks, including a brewery walk in May and an architecture walk in June here. Register for one walk or the whole series. April 6th Fuel Yourself: Yoga and Brunch Fed and Fueled Nutrition, in partnership with Figures 247, will be providing fuel for your soul, mind, and body at their kick-off fundraiser for the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). Join them for brunch and yoga while you learn how to better respect and show love to yourself and other women. Discussions on protecting yourself from disordered eating and compulsive exercise will be led with the intention of helping to build supportive relationships as well as bring awareness to the work of NEDA. While the support of male colleagues and friends is appreciated, this is a Womxn’s empowerment event and will open to women only. April 9th Tacoma Rainiers Home Opener Our sweet city is again ready to say, “Take me out to the ball game!” The beloved Tacoma Rainiers will be taking to the field for their home opener against the El Paso Chihuahuas at 6:05pm. Reserve tickets now as it’s sure to be a well-attended game. Carpooling is recommended but if you choose to Uber or Lyft they will drop you directly at the gate. It’s all worth is for some home town cheers and local beers! Let's play ball! April 12th & 13th Lusio Lights at W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory Canvases are typically flat, cloth and wooden structures meant to be hung on walls. What happens when that canvas comes to life? Better yet, what if the canvas itself a living thing? Lusio Lights in partnership with Metro Parks will be doing just that. This after-hours light display will feature several local light artists showcasing their skill using the plant life of W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory as an earthy canvas. April 12th is a 21+ event that includes a DJ and libations. April 13th will be a family friendly version with snacks and glow in the dark face painting. Either way, come dance your way through this lit botanical scene. Your admission will provide funds to the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory Foundation, ensuring more beautiful events in the future. April 20th Salishan Easter Egg Hunt Candy, fun and FREE! Families with kiddos, I highly recommend checking out this event, especially if you are traveling for Easter or if the budget is a little tight this month. Salishan Association in partnership with Northwest Church will be playing East Bunny and hiding 12,000 eggs outside of Lister Elementary school in the south end of Tacoma. Show up with a basket and your kids will have a heyday searching for their egg treasures. Everyone is welcome! April 21st Job Fest Have you or someone you know just graduated college and are now looking for a career? Or maybe you have a teenager looking for their first part-time or seasonal job? Job Fest is the largest youth hiring event in Washington state. Over 100 exhibitors will be accepting applications, resume’s, and answering questions. This event is targeted at individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 and will be full of employers looking to hire right away! April 24th Spring Pub Run! Join South Sound Running for a Ruston Way run followed by delicious deals at The Ram Brewery. After four miles along the beautiful Ruston waterfront, The Ram will be offering runner deals on drinks and food. Raffle tickets will be available for several prizes including the chance to win any pair of shoes from South Sound Running! April 27th Fernseed Grand Opening Tacoma has been booming and “blooming” with new businesses, and the Proctor area is no exception! The Fernseed will be celebrating their grand opening at 10am, serving drinks and treats (cupcakes!) as well as raffling off some great deals and free products! Specializing in modern plants, you will find planters, plant hanger, vases, potting soil and a myriad of other adorable greenery options. They also offer a variety of stationary and other home goods. So if you’re out for a stroll in the Proctor area or are looking for a way to get spring going, check out this new local business. April 28th & 29th (Favorite event this month!) Wayzgoose 2019 The Tacoma art scene is truly unmatched and Wayzgoose plays a wonderful part in that. Kings Books will be packed with print artists and their fares for two days to celebrate Tacoma’s art scene. Print your own poster, pick up gifts for yourself or others and certainly do NOT miss the steam roller print. You read that right! Steam roller! Being huge fans of Beautiful Angle, John and I made sure to arrive in time to watch Beautiful Angle artists, Lance and Tom, roll our their 6th Ave creation last year. This is such a sweet part of what makes Tacoma… Tacoma. You won’t want to miss it. Families are welcome! BONUS: Tacoma Proctor Farmer’s Market Pierce County's only four-season farmers market is now open for regular hours! Every Saturday from 10am – 1pm vendors, farmers, musicians and families will be crowding down North 27th and Proctor to gather their fresh veggies, local treats and spring flowers for the week. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit this spring, summer and fall, but remember some items are seasonal. All that to say, you should probably go as much as possible 😉

Spring has almost sprung and we are excited to escape our wintery cave and get out and about. Check out a few places you may find us this month! March 8th Tacoma Defiance Opening Match There’s a new team in town and their ready to make history! Tacoma Defiance will be taking over Cheney Stadium, turning the Tacoma Rainier’s beloved baseball field into a soccer pitch. Put on that eternal blue forever green gear and get ready to cheer as Tacoma Defiance takes on Rio Grande FC in their first ever match. Kick-off is at 7pm, so dress warm and get your tickets now! March 9th Tacoma Polar Bear Plunge This sounds a little crazy, probably because it is. Every year a crowd of warm-blooded individuals gather at Owens beach and take a giant leap into the frozen waters of the Puget Sound. All for a great cause of course! Registration fees and donations received by participants help to support over 18,000 Washington Special Olympics athletes. Too chicken to take the plunge? Don’t worry! There is a “Too Chicken” sign-up where no icy dip is required but you can still fund raise for the cause! Do you have what it takes to take the plunge? March 10th Vicci Martinez Benefit Concert for Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (T.U.P.A.C.) Help support the ever growing non-profit T.U.P.A.C. by enjoying brunch and a show with Tacoma’s very own Vicci Martinez. T.U.P.A.C.’s mission is to, “provide our most deserving youth world class opportunities to achieve Artistic Excellence in the Performing Arts.” They do this by offering professional ballet, hip-hop, West African, contemporary, and Pacific Islander dance classes at their studio on Opera Alley in Tacoma. Being non-profit, they do this for a fraction of the cost of regular schools to ensure that our under-served youth have the same opportunities. Vicci Martinez, whom you may recognize from Orange is the New Black, is partnering with T.U.P.A.C. by providing entertainment and a special ask to support our Tacoma dancers. March 13th Cat Video Fest 2019 Looking for the purr-fect way to spend the evening? Or perhaps just an im-paw-sibly fun time? The Grand Cinema will be hosting a 90-minute compilation film of that internet sensation, cat videos. Check out the best and the brightest of our feline friends and enjoy some treats in the lobby as well. Please leave your furry friends at home though, as this is an event for human attendees only. March 15th – 17th Doyle’s Public House St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2019 Of course, I couldn’t let this March blog pass without mention of St. Patrick’s Day! Doyle’s Public House will be setting up their big top tent and hosting a weekend of libations and local music. After a small indoor show on Friday, the Big Top Tent Stage will kick-off on Saturday night with the bluegrass styling of The Rusty Cleavers and close out on Sunday night as the lovely Champaign Sunday graces the stage. In between, several local artists and bands will be playing their little green hearts out. Weekend passes are currently available online and individual day passes will be available at the door. Want to skip the line? Purchase a Paddy Party t-shirt for $25 at the bar (while supplies last) to gain free entrance with ID, then hop to the front of the line (At the door, not the bar. Slow down, Paddy.). March 16th Second Use Tacoma Anniversary Sale + Party This year marks Second Use’s second year in their Tacoma location! Second Use is a community business that collects architectural salvage and reclaimed building materials to sell in their shops. All materials come from local sources and the store itself is locally owned and employed. You can find things like cabinets, light fixtures, doors, miscellaneous wood and all sorts of odds and ends! John and I recently purchased a beam from them for our own remodel. For the Tacoma location’s anniversary, they are offering 20% off all items from 9am – 6pm. From 11am- 3pm there will be free hot dogs (veggie dogs too!) and if you bring a blank t-shirt the staff will help you screen print it for free as well! Blank shirts will also be available for $5 at the event. If you’ve never been, this event will be the perfect time to check it out! March 23rd UPS Flea Market Puget Sound Women’s League will be setting up shop in the University of Puget Sound Memorial Fieldhouse. The Women’s League will be hosting a number of booths, offering jewelry, clothing, books, and furniture, all in a flea market fashion. They have also rented out over 70 booths to local vendors, ranging anywhere from ice cream, to gardening supplies, to lotion and ceramics. Check out the Vendor list here. 100% of admission tickets and any sales made at a Women’s League booth will go towards UPS scholarships. Being their biggest fundraiser of the year (and their 51st year of doing so!) this event will not disappoint! March 30th Tacoma Sweets Tour Did you know Tacoma has a rich history in the department of confections and treats? Due to our mild PNW climate, Tacoma is a sweet spot (pun intended) for the manufacturing of chocolate and other delights. Classics like Almond Roca, Mountain Bars, Johnson’s Candy Co. all call our fair city home. Join Pretty Gritty tours as they guide you through the rich and delicious history of Tacoma. This is a walking tour with a few trips on the free downtown light rail, so be sure to wear comfy shoes and bring an appetite! March 30th Point Defiance Garden Sale Spring has almost sprung and it’s time to get some plants in the ground! If you think you have a green thumb or are just testing the waters, head over to the giant garden sale put on by The Tacoma Rose Society. Point Defiance park will be bursting with everything from roses, to garden art, to rhodies. The event is free but supplies will be limited. Hang out and chat with the vendors and gardeners to learn about the best tips and tricks for growing a thriving garden this season.

Close to the beautiful amenities of NE Tacoma sits a home with so much to give. Two story ceilings and modern lighting greet your entry. Solid oak floors carry you past a secluded den and inviting dining room. A spacious kitchen and living room pair to create an exceptional open space for entertaining. Step outside to relax in afternoon sun on a charming patio. Retire upstairs to a roomy master bedroom boasting an en suite bathroom and a view of the Cascades and Puget Sound. Don't miss the virtual/video tour below. Features Master Bedroom with View of Cascades and Puget Sound Two Story Home 2,537 Square Feet 4 Bedrooms 2.5 Bathrooms 2 Car Garage Built in 1987 Fenced Backyard Solid Oak Hardwood Floors Granite Wrap Around Kitchen Counter with Bar Stool Seating Cozy Wood Burning Fireplace Master Bedroom with Incredible Bath Inviting Patio Perfect for Entertaining Located near Dash Point State Park Living Room and Den An open concept living room and kitchen are perfectly paired with entertaining in mind. While a secluded den provides the perfect space for study or an escape. Dining Room and Kitchen A spacious formal dining room and kitchen lend style with an abundance of natural light. Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom The master bedroom can be found on the second floor. It's large windows face Northeast and allow for amazing views of sunrises over the Cascades and Puget Sound. A well designed modern master bathroom features marble counters and a gorgeous claw foot tub. Bedrooms and Guest Bathrooms Three well sized bedrooms all face Southwest and are flooded with afternoon/evening sun. Backyard and Patio A terraced backyard with privacy screening and an inviting patio provides a great place to entertain on those long summer evenings. Offered At: $520,000 5602 Norpoint Way NE Tacoma WA, 98422 MLS# 1410366 Full Listing Available Here John Douville johndouville@windermere.com 253.230.4931 www.cascadehomegroup.com

Venture below our home with us while John shows you the importance of maintaining a clean and dry crawlspace. Being one of the more rarely visited areas of your home, it’s hard to know what’s going on down below. These brief tips will help take out the guess work and provide lasting care! Debris Removal: Especially in older homes, pieces of construction projects or forgotten keepsakes tend to get left under the home. These things can deteriorate or create homes for unwelcomed pests. Be sure to take a look and clear out anything that might be appealing to unwanted guests or cause structural damage as they rust and decay. Moisture Control: Vapor barriers are a simple and cost-effective product. Most barriers are a sheet of either plastic or foil that covers expose soil below your house. This reduces moisture, preventing rust, mold and decay. Moisture can affect not only the life span of your HVAC, floor boards, and joists, it can affect the quality of the air you breathe, especially if mold is present. Some other means to reduce moisture include dehumidifiers, which are typically used in more humid environments, and sump pumps, which are useful when the water line is above your foundation. Ventilation: Ventilation is another key piece to keeping moisture beneath your home under control. Foundation vents are located along the outside of your home and create a natural air flow through the crawlspace. This airflow allows excess moisture to escape, further protecting your crawlspace. Be sure these vents stay clear and maintained. Lawn clipping and yard waste tend to build-up outside your foundation over time, so be sure to clear your vents after every mow. Also, check the mesh when clearing debris. A hole in a foundation vent is a welcome entry to some less than welcome critters. We hope these tips have been helpful, especially for our brand-new home owner friends. Feel free to leave comments below, or let us know what home projects you would like to hear about in the future!

Tacoma is always a bustling town, even when the temperatures drop. Check out these February activities happening throughout the city and maybe we'll see you around! February 1st & 2nd Indigo Frozen Fountain Ice Skating Rink at Point Ruston Catch the final two days of ice skating at Point Ruston. It feels like winter just got here, but watch out—it will melt away before you know it. Bring the kids down to enjoy some hot cocoa and take one last lap around the rink! February 2nd Resolution Reboot at Eastside Community Center It’s February 2nd and officially over a month since your New Years resolutions started. How ya holding up? Metro Parks would like to help with those fitness goals by hosting a free fitness and nutrition event. Try out a few classes, test the machines and taste some delightful recipes from the staff nutritionist. Local service providers will also have booths to provide help in staying fit and active. Kids are welcome, but register soon as there is limited space and child care. February 7th History After Hours: Candy Bar Come learn some Washington State history straight from the confectioner’s mouth. What? Yep! This 21+ event allows you to pair confections with local beer and wine all while learning about the “sweet” history of Washington. Check out the origin stories of Aplets and Cotlets as well as Almond Roca and get some insight on how these treats are made! February 9th Metro Parks Valentines Day 5K Yeah, Yeah. I’m one of those people that enjoys running 5Ks over the holidays. But this course is spacious, flat, and runs right along Ruston Way with spectacular views of the Puget Sound. Burn off those Valentine’s Day chocolates before you even eat them! I’ll be sporting a pink tutu and some wild socks, come find me in the crowd! February 13th (Orders in by February 8th) Valentines Day Macaron Pop-Up: Looking for a sweet treat for your loved one? Place your order by February 8th and Girls Love Cake Desserts will whip you up some amazing macarons (We can attest to their deliciousness!). Dairy-free and Gluten-free options are available. Orders can be picked up at their pop-up shop on February 13th. February 16th Tacoma Night Market The Tacoma Night Market has certainly taken the city by storm! Every third Saturday at Alma Mater, vendors, artists, and musicians come together to share their talents with our fair city. You’ll find an array of hand-crafted jewelry, homemade sweets for you and your pets, gear to sport your hometown love and a lot more. Enjoy a beer while you wander the booths, and see what these talented creators have to offer. Kids are welcome. We’ll see you (and probably half of Tacoma) there! February 20th VA Homeloan Boot Camp at 7 Seas Brewing One of the most nerve-wracking processes of home buying is acquiring a home loan. For our veteran clients, who are also often from out of state, this can be even more daunting. Come learn about the VA loan process in a casual environment while enjoying free food and drink. This one-hour course is set up to educate service members and veterans about this VA benefit and empower them to use the benefit to its fullest potential. After the cram session, decompress with a 7 Seas brew. February 23rd Fix-It Fair at Moore Library The Tacoma Tool Library hosts its Fix-It Fairs at various locations around Tacoma to ensure accessibility for all. This month, you will find them at the Moore Library. At Fix it Fairs, you can bring one or two items—small enough to be easily carried by one person—and a “fixer” will walk you through as they fix your item. Fixers are skilled at repairing appliances, clothing, toys, electronics, and much more. Check out the site for more info and guidelines. February 24th Point Defiance Zoo: Tacoma Residents Free Day You read that right! As a thank you to Tacoma voters who helped expand its programs and exhibits, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (PDZA), is offering free admission to all Tacoma residents. With valid ID proving Tacoma residency, you can explore the PDZA exhibits including the new Pacific Seas Aquarium. Please check the website for details on ID requirements and times. February 28th Party for Polar Bears at Dystopian State Brewing Co. Bears. Beers. Boss Mama’s Kitchen. Dystopian State Brewing is hosting Party for Polar Bears in partnership with Point Defiance’s American Association of Zoo Keepers and Drink for Conservation. Fifty cents of each beverage and 10% of Boss Mama’s Kitchen’s food sales will be donated to Polar Bears International. There are TOO many good things about this NOT to go. BONUS: Every Sunday at 1pm West African Dance at Tacoma Performing Arts Center with Awal Alhassan This isn’t a February only thing, but it is a fantastic addition to the schedule at Tacoma Performing Arts Center (T.U.P.A.C.)! T.U.P.A.C. is a non-profit dance studio whose mission is to provide our most deserving youth with world class dance training. This particularly high energy class makes your body comes alive and is open to all. Children and adults included. Don’t worry about bringing your dancing shoes, this is a barefoot experience that will get your heart jumping.

(This post was updated and refreshed on 03/04/2024. Enjoy!) If you’ve ever hung out with us outside of work, 9 times out of 10 there is a tasty brew involved. We watched the great “brewery boom” through Tacoma over the last few years, spreading from downtown to 6th Ave. There is even a designated Brewery District now! Another "boom" occurred in those years though, and that's the population of new parents, who are just as thirsty as they were before kids. We joined that group in March of 2022 when we welcome our daughter Fiona, who is also known as our "brewery babe". Now we know it can be tough getting out of the house between the time your bundles of joy arrive and when they turn 18. So, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite spots to enjoy a beer where the kiddos can tag along. Cheers! State Street Beer Co. 606 N State Street State Street Beer Company is a bright friendly spot located in our little 6th Ave neighborhood. There are always families catching up with old friends, young minds at work behind the keyboard, and usually someone quietly reading the paper at the bar top. This cheerfully modern corner of Tacoma offers tasty pizza, an insanely delicious burrata, rotating taps, and a cooler stocked with wine, beer, N/A options, and a selection of kid-friendly drinks. They also have a shelf stocked with cards and games as well as a basket full of toy cars, but we still recommend bringing and activity or two to keep your tiny humans entertained. You'll often find us pulled up to the family style table in the middle where Fiona can do laps and of course make friends. We love it here. Beer Star 4328 6th Ave Beer Star is a fantastic tap house located on 6th Ave. With nearly 50 beers on tap and a wall to wall cooler stocked with wine, cider, and NA options, there's something for everyone. Outside food is always welcome but local food trucks are there Thursday - Saturday. If you're only feeling "snacky", Beer Star offers a great assortment of chips, nuts, snack packs, and giants pickles. There is a family-friendly section on one side of the tap house and the outdoor seating is all kid friendly. Stay warm by the ginormous fire pit or have it made in the shade on those warm summer days! 7 Seas 2101 Jefferson Ave Being the most spacious location on the list, we often choose 7 Seas for birthday parties and other highly-attended celebrations. The large family-style tables and couch areas are great for casual gatherings. With food and coffee options from partnering companies Camp Colvos Canteen and Naomi Joe, 7 Seas can meet almost everyone’s needs. There is a pinball room everyone can enjoy, but we do recommend bringing some activities for smaller kiddos. For us though, a Rude Parrot IPA in one hand and a shuffle board puck in the other is our choice way to spend an evening at this industrial on-site brewery. BONUS: 7 Seas has a second location in Gig Harbor that is also kid friendly! Head across the bridge and check them out at 2905 Harborview Dr. Sig Brewing Company 2534 Tacoma Ave. S Sig Brewing has one of our all time favorite food menus in Tacoma. The chili gnocchi is *chefs kiss* good. What they are truly known for though is their brick oven pizzas. The classic Spekmat with pepperoni, chili honey, and parmesan is a great go-to, but anything with the Sig house sausage is always a treat. And don't skip the crust sauce! Vegan and vegetarian options are available, and if you're cutting back on the carbs, give the massive house salad a try. Sig brews an amazing selection of creative beers, from classic IPA's, lagers, and stouts, to dragon fruit golden ales and carrot cake cream ales. Children are welcome until 7pm, and with so many pizza options, there's sure to be something they'll love! North 47 Brewing 1000 Towne Center NE Suite 160 Aptly named, North 47 Brewing is located in the heart of Browns Point in Northeast Tacoma. A trip across the tide flats will get you to this family friendly little spot, with tasty beer, fun food trucks, and popcorn for all. When we do make the trip, we usually get a sampler of the latest rotating brews and chat with whichever locals are in that day. North 47 is very community oriented and we will often see them hosting local artists or holding fun crafting events. Outsid e food is always welcome and there are often rotating food trucks in the parking lot. The truckschedule is kept in their events sections online. This brewery also LOVES their Seahawks. If you're looking for a spot to catch the game, check out one of their viewing parties! Brewers Row 3205 N 26th Street Before settling into our 6th Ave neighborhood, John and I lived just two blocks from this little North End Taco-ma haven. We often strolled over for breakfast burritos, espresso, and extra habanero sauce. If it were an evening visit, we would make the tough choice of selecting one (or two) of the twenty-four rotating taps. Kids have a choice of taps from the soda fountain. With a menu that boasts street taco classics like my favorites, chorizo verde and carne asada, as well as salad bowls and burrito options, it’s hard to leave unsatisfied. Vegan and vegetarian taco lovers have multiple choices as well! So, when that nacho craving hits hard, stop by with kiddos in tow and enjoy some warm house made tortilla chips in the indoor family seating or, weather permitting, take a spot outside and enjoy a sunny day in the north end. Odd Otter 716 Pacific Ave Odd Otter is known for brewing some out of the ordinary beers, that are constantly rotating. Their flagship Ottermelon Hefeweizen is a must and recently they started brewing their own hard seltzers. One thing about Odd Otter that they like to share, is that thye like to have FUN! Not just in their unique beers, but they welcome the community to play games, join in trivia, and sing their hearts out at open mic night. Odd Otter has long supported local artists, including children who are allowed to participate in open mic nights. Outside food is always welcome and being in the heart of downtown, the options are endless! Whether you’re a parent needing to get out into some old familiar territory or you’re just the cool auntie/uncle looking to spend time with friends and family, we hope this opens up options that are pleasing for all ages.

Enjoy downtown Des Moines, the beautiful marina and incredible Saltwater State Park. If you're heading North, I-5 is only minutes away and the projected Light Rail Station is just down the street. Inside you'll find gorgeous bamboo hardwoods, a spacious master bedroom with walk in closet and 3/4 bath, an open concept kitchen/dining room paired with a charming wood fireplace and an inviting living room. A generous yard great for pets or play surrounds the home. Don't miss the virtual/video tour. Features Single Story Home 1310 Square Feet 3 Bedrooms 1.75 Bathrooms 2 Car Garage Built in 1985 Large Fenced Backyard Bamboo Hardwood Floors Fresh Interior Paint Cozy Stone Fireplace Master Bedroom with 3/4 Bath Located in Neighborhood Cul de Sac Double Pane Vinyl Windows Near Downtown, I-5, Highline C.C., and Saltwater State Park Living Room Dining Room and Kitchen Master Bedroom and Master Bathroom Bedrooms and Main Bathroom Backyard Offered At: $380,000 23823 13th Ct S Des Moines, WA 98198 MLS# 1397462 Full Listing Available Here John Douville johndouville@windermere.com 253.230.4931 www.cascadehomegroup.com

Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house, were gift bags, toy wrappers and tags from your new blouse. The lights that were twinkling, have now blown a fuse and sitting in the kitchen is aunt Pam’s pie tin that you’ll never reuse. Cartons emptied of their eggnog all stacked up in the sink. And that bottle of wine? We all know there’s none left to drink. These batteries surely won’t last in that dang remote control and what about this Styrofoam packing from little Jimmy’s game console? What ever will you do with all of this holiday waste!? Why take it to Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center and they’ll process it with precision and haste! John and I recently took a guided tour of Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center, led by manager Mark Tveit. Tacoma is a national leader in recycling as they are one of the first cities in the country to offer curbside services and one of the only cities left to offer separated glass bins. That being said, we learned so much that this will have be a two-part blog. Since we’re in the thick of the holidays, we wanted to start with the do’s and don’ts of your holiday waste. We asked Mark for his biggest recycling requests of the public and he was quick to say two things. The first being, “Please, clean and dry your items.” All of what comes to the transfer center is sent to various locations for processing. The largest being the material recovery facility (MRF), where all the mixed recycling from our blue bins is sorted by hand. So if you’re in Tacoma, please use that separate glass bin to avoid creating shards of glass and rinse out your containers to help avoid a whole different kind of Tacoma Aroma. His second request, “Be a smart consumer.” Recovery staff often pull out packaging that contains multiple materials, like soup cups with plastic bowls, foam filler and a metal liner. Although marked “recyclable,” when combined as one product, they aren’t. “Unfortunately,” says Mark, “when in doubt… throw it out.” Speaking of packaging, let’s talk about all the gift’s you will be wrapping this year. Most residents have heard that gift wrap and tissue paper are no longer recyclable. The truth is, they never were. When wrapping paper is processed, it breaks down into such small fibers that there is nothing left but a very fine and unusable material. This mixed with the various dyes and chemicals can cause mechanical complications and waste a lot of time. This year, try re-using last year’s bags, fabric scraps or even some old fashioned brown paper. The kids can decorate them before you ship off packages to grandpa and grandma! While tissue paper and wrap can cause an issue, oddly enough that ol’ Styrofoam #6 can be recycled. Yep! The recovery center is home to the affectionately named “Chewbacca” who “chews” down all of the Styrofoam and processes it into cubes. It’s a difficult product to sell once processed, but the cubes are then used to fill things like picture frames and window frames for campers. Mark let us know that “there is no money in recycling” but he’s, “proud of Tacoma. We do this simply because it’s the right thing to do." This time of year also leads to a lot of “out with the old and in with the new.” Old TVs, PCUs or laptops, (working or not) can be dropped off at the Good Will station in the recovery center. Batteries that didn’t make it through day-long use in your dancing Santa (sealed in a bag) as well as burnt out Christmas lights can be recycled as well. Did you use that Christmas cash to replace an old water heater, washer or dryer this year? Great! Feel free to drop off your old one before even heading to the dump scale. The recovery center will be take care of them for free! These items are sent to Tacoma Metals, another strong partner in doing the right thing in Tacoma. Finally, what about that Ol’ Tannenbaum? Live trees can be dropped off at the center or cut to size and disposed of in your yard waste bin. If you have a fake tree that’s seen one too many Christmas’s, it’ll have to say farewell in the dump. Again, materials being used to construct fake trees recently aren’t able to be separated and the chemical composition of the plastics and other material are too unknown to effectively process. This is actually true for most plastics but we will save that for next time. Now, go out there and enjoy your busy holiday time with friends and family. Just don’t forget about your friends at Tacoma Recovery and Transfer Center. They’ll be busy too, keeping as much waste out of the landfills as possible. Seems like a "Peace on (in the) Earth and goodwill to men" kind of situation to us.

Fall is here. The days are shorter and the air is crisp, which probably means… you’re cold. We at Cascade Home Group have decided to share with you a few of our favorite tasty places to stay toasty this fall, because it’s soup season, y’all. Moshi Moshi: 110 N Tacoma Ave, Ste B www.moshitacoma.com Ramen is more than mere "soup" but it will still warm you right up! Still fairly new to the area, Moshi Moshi is located in the Stadium District next door to its sister restaurant, Indo Asia Eatery. Moshi Moshi’s ramen menu contains a variety of bone and miso broths, individually paired with a plethora of ingredients including rice noodles, aji tomagu, pork belly, tofu and loads more. The spicy Tan Tan red miso ramen is a favorite in the Douville household—it's exceptionally rich in flavor and loaded with a bang of spice. The menu doesn’t stop at ramen either, Moshi Moshi offers several Japanese dishes like dumplings, bao, and a selection of donburi (bowl) dishes. Throw in a drink off of their fun cocktail menu for a pretty sweet (or spicy) date night. Bonus, they are also vegetarian and vegan friendly! Happy Belly: 1122 Market St happybellytacoma.com The motto at Happy Belly is “Feel. Good. Food.” and they couldn’t be more correct. Although they offer an assortment of sandwiches, rice bowls, and fresh squeezed juices, it’s the Tom Kah no Gai soup that brings me back every time. The owners and staff of Happy Belly Pride themselves in their use of the freshest organic ingredients, meaning somedays—like that last time I went in for a bowl of the delicious coconut veggie soup—when it’s gone, it’s gone. Fear not though, because there's always a tasty alternative such as the red pepper kale soup or the green curry garden bowl. Also, if you find something you like and don’t feel like leaving the comfort of home, they offer “Feel Good Food Classes” where you can learn how to whip something up in your own kitchen! Infinite Soups: 445 Tacoma Ave S & 1102 A St infinitesoups.com & Facebook for daily menu updates Oh man, what a classic Tacoma spot. I can’t take any credit for finding this little gem, which is why I have asked for a guest writer on this piece. A true ambassador of Infinite Soups, Jawanza Damany Barial-Lamumba was once a Tacoma transplant who attended UPS and decided to bless us with his presence for several more years while working at the downtown YMCA. Now relocated (sadly) to the Chicago YMCA, he still has a lot to say about this savory place: (Catie and Jawanza being themselves.) “I regularly come back to Tacoma, Washington in the spring, summer, and fall (not usually the winter) and whenever I do, Infinite Soups is always on my agenda. What I love about Infinite Soups is the fact they have a big selection (usually around 20) of different soups, with a variety of different flavors, styles, and choices of ingredients. It can be rich and flavorful, warm and soothing, [but it's] always tasty and filling. I can bring any of my friends, inclusive of vegan friends and gluten-free amigos, grab a handful of soups and always walk away full and happy. The only downside is that it’s hard to find another soup shop that can do soup justice after the infinitely delightful experience I have here.” Pho Bac: 1115 S 11th St It’s small, simple, cash only, but so dang good. Pho Bac is the epitome of a “hole in the wall” restaurant. They’ve also become so familiar with us that John barely has to nod and the staff knows we’re in need of a couple large rare beef #1s. The true-to-northern-Vietnamese flavors of Pho Bac are a favorite of mine, especially the meaty, salty and simple clear broth. Add a couple of fresh spring rolls and a complimentary pot of tea and you’re in for a full, warm belly. If you’re on a chilly walk in the Hill Top area and craving some salty goodness (maybe after a long night), I highly suggest stopping in. Just don’t forget those dollar bills! There is no website, because they are THAT small, so here’s a picture of the menu! Bonus Fun Fact: There are actually multiple types of Pho! Pho Bac’s southern Vietnamese counterpart uses a much sweeter, often cardamom-filled complex broth commonly known as Pho Nam. Stay tuned because we will be exploring Pho Nam at a later time! We hope our friends are all staying warm this time year but if not maybe a few of these places can help!

An adorable Dutch Colonial in the heart of N. Tacoma. Step into a home that defines cozy and comfortable. A kitchen centrally located to entertain on the intimate rear patio or within the naturally lit dining room. Cuddle up with a book next to the inviting gas fireplace. Enjoy morning coffee within the wrap around solarium. Escape upstairs to a large master bedroom paired next to a beautifully remodeled bathroom. Explore neighborhood favorites including the Proctor district and Brewer's Row. Features 3 Bedrooms on upper floor. 1.5 Bathrooms included fully remodeled upper bathroom. 2424 Square Feet. Large unfinished basement. Built in 1922. Dutch Colonial Style Architecture. Oak hardwoods throughout majority of the home’s main level. Original craftsman trim. Incredible wrap around sun room. Decorative doors invite entry into the sun room. Colonial grid vinyl windows in master bedroom. Incredible claw foot tub in updated bathroom is perfect for relaxing. Penny round mosaic tile floor in upstairs bathroom. Updated high efficiency furnace. Ornamental pruned shrubs and trees decorate front entry and encircle the lot. Quaint patio for hosting with fantastic privacy. Living Room A warm and inviting Living room with ample light, access to the sunroom, and a gas burning fireplace. Dining Room A large dining room flooded with natural light and craftsman charm. Sun Room A wrap around sun room featuring dual sunsetters, fit for gardening or just relaxing. Kitchen Bathrooms A fully remodeled bathroom on the upper level and a half bath located just off the kitchen. Bedrooms Three large bedrooms can be found on the upper level. The Patio A quaint patio perfect for entertaining. Offered At: $510,000 3020 N 24th St. Tacoma, WA 98406 MLS# 1379275 Full Listing Available Here John Douville johndouville@windermere.com 253.230.4931 www.cascadehomegroup.com

Tucked into the downtown corner of 11th and A is a little spot you’ve probably walked past several times. On first glance you may only notice the USPS trucks, customers with packages and a dreary, long post office line. But then, what’s that smell? Fresh pasta? A hint of sherry? And red wine... mixed with coca-cola? YES! That is what you smell! Now, drop off your package and head to the twinkling lights next door. The entrance of En Rama. Although small in size, once through the front door, En Rama radiates the Tacoma motif. Instantly greeted by local Beautiful Angle poster art, your eyes (and nose) are drawn back toward the open view kitchen which is encased by bookshelves containing classic cooking literature and a small library of libation-focused content. Cozy, yet open, seems the best description of this little slice of Courthouse Square. Last month, John and I came in to celebrate our one year anniversary using a gift card given to us as a wedding present. After taking a seat, I glanced over the cocktail menu and there it was, the “Lavender”. A drink I adore and only ever experienced at the now closed Hilltop Kitchen. Lavender simple syrup, vodka and lemon shaken together with coconut milk makes for a delicate and delightful experience. All I can say is, “It’s like a spa day, for your mouth.” Down the menu we went-- Starting with small Spanish-inspired tapas and a charcuterie plate for two. I have a few dietary restrictions and the staff were happy to work with me, while doing their best to keep the flavor original. We’ll just say there was goat cheese-a-plenty (Amirite’ my fellow lactose intolerant friends?). We each selected a house made pasta from the seasonal menu and hardly spoke as we took in the first bites of fall. Rich, but not too rich, our carefully crafted dishes warmed us up until the very last bite. This year one anniversary was a great success. Oh, and dessert? Another “Lavender” please. While on this visit, I also learned about another “quirk” that makes En Rama unique and quite possibly the reason why it exists at all. You’ve seen rum bars, whiskey taverns and beer tap houses, but have you ever heard of a sherry bar? Us either. With such a large selection of styles, how most people explore the flavors of the world by plane or plate, these guys take you there glass by glass. Of course, I wanted to know more. So, a week or so ago, I headed downtown with past client and now close friend, Laura Ingalls (real name!), to do a little research for this Fair Pair blog. After all, Fair Pair is focused around taking our clients to local spots where we explore the tastes, stylings and history of Tacoma. Lucky for us, owner Chris Kiel was behind the bar the day we came in. Chris has actually had a few Tacoma dining endeavors, including 1022 and Hilltop Kitchen. Oh how happy I was to find him (and my drink again), but the story of En Rama was different from the rest and he was happy to share. Chris had gone on a backpacking trip with friends a few years back. When not venturing around, Chris used his down time to crack open a book and relax. The subject of the book he brought? You guessed it - sherry. Most evenings, the group would gather to share a meal and recount stories about their travels. One particular evening, Chris realized he had actually packed a bottle of his current literary choice and decided to share. Out the bottle came and around the group it went. The conversations carried through the evening as they discussed passions between sips of sherry and bites of classic camping snacks. Chris specifically remembered passing around Cheetos. As most know, camping cuisine hardly qualifies as a fine dining experience. That night though, in the midst of sharing the fortified Spanish wine, they realized, “Man, sherry really goes with… anything.” There gathered with friends surrounded by “unique” flavors, the idea for En Rama was born. Laura and I wanted to test this “anything goes” idea but instead of diving into the sea of sherry options, we strolled through the craft cocktails page. I of course started with my “Lavender” and searched for our strange snack pairing. I came across a homemade classic from the menu that I couldn’t resist, pickled vegetables. It sounds like a strange pairing, but these babies are well flavored, seasoned in house and remind of the times when our neighbors would pass a jar of personally crafted pickles over the fence. It’s also these types of pairings that tend to worry John our family might be growing (No mom, you’re not a grandma yet). Laura however explored a drink that made us reminisce in the days of sitting on the back porch enjoying a frozen Push Up. You know, Fred Flintstone’s favorite frozen treat? The “Clever Liza” consists of coconut infused vodka, orange, peach, vanilla and sparkling wine. And when you’re a big kid in your 30’s, wine pretty much makes everything better. Speaking of which, we also spotted a concoction Laura informed me is a Spanish-inspired favorite of hers. Far from the scope of our previous choices, somehow the red wine based “Black Vulture” landed in front of us. Stirred with Amaro and Mexican Coke this boldly bittersweet drink was the perfect metaphor for the end of our evening. The classic T-Town love story of “old building meets new exciting ventures” plays out well in the booths of En Rama. I would recommend grabbing a seat at the bar and letting your senses guide you through the menu. If you don’t trust your senses that day, tell Chris what you’re in the mood for and he’ll whip you up a “Bartender’s Choice”. Either way, I’m sure you will find a flavor you can also reminisce in while enjoying a venue that takes care to not only showcase Tacoma’s art and dining scene but it’s spirit.