Ithink we can all agree that Summer in Seattle is an incredibly special time. There are so many activities to enjoy and the weather can be spectacular. Long lazy days, incredible sunsets and the sun-sparkled blue of Puget Sound are all to be enjoyed. It’s a great time to explore and enjoy our gorgeous natural surroundings and appreciate the benefits of our community.
As residents of Magnolia and Queen Anne, we are so fortunate to have one of the best events of the season right in our own backyard – Magnolia Summerfest. Now in its 62nd year – yes, that is amazing - this year’s celebration is shaping up to be Bigger and Better than Ever! A collaboration of Seafair and the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce, this event has provided decades of enjoyment to generations of Seattleites.
For some in the community, their first memories of Summerfest may be watching the parade as a child. Walking down to the Village with family and friends to choose their favorite spot to watch (and most advantageous location to spring out to catch candy thrown from those on the march.) For others in the community, they first discovered the activities as parents who were looking for fun activities for their young kiddos. Many of us in the community have fond memories of pushing decorated strollers or helping propel decorated bikes through the route of the Kids’ Parade (eventually carrying both the bikes and the exhausted toddlers!). And let’s not forget the universal action of covering our ears when the Seafair Pirates are ready to fire their cannon! Marching bands, drill teams, unicyclists and Scouts – all sorts of proud participants that are so fun to watch and enjoy.
But the real marvel is that the parade is just one piece of this fantastic community event. From 6pm on Friday evening to 6pm on Sunday evening, the schedule is packed full of fun activities and entertainment. The opening of the beer garden on Friday evening provides the
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8 Household Items You May Need To Replace
BY FAMILY FEATURES
There are items in your home that you know to replace on a regular basis, such as a toothbrush, air conditioner filter or water heater. There are also things in your home that you may not replace until they are worn out, when in fact, most household items also have a shelf life that should be adhered to for efficiency, safety and health reasons.
Here are eight household items that could need replaced:
REFRIGERATOR
According to “Good Housekeeping,” there are several signs your fridge is going from running to walking. If it no longer cools to below 40 F or is more than 15 years old, it’s time to check out the appliance aisle. You could consider getting it repaired, but first weigh the cost savings of investing in a new one versus paying for potentially recurring repairs. A general rule of thumb: pay for repairs only if the cost is less than half the price of a new refrigerator.
MICROWAVE
Generally, microwaves last 10-12 years, but it varies based on the amount of use. Some internal issues that often arise include longer than normal time to properly cook food or worn out gaskets inside the door. However, some outward ways to tell it might be time for a new one, include the keypad sticking or it sounding like a lawnmower when warming up food.
Dawn Bourdo & Corey Hays mrmagnolia.com
Photo from MagnoliaSummerfest.org/
Summerfest Activities
➧ SUMMERFEST, from Page R1
perfect opportunity to connect with friends and relax, while listening to music. The kids will love hanging out late to catch a screening of Teenage Mutant Turtles under the stars. This is followed up by two full days of bouncy houses and face painting, music, dance and lots of art. This year, in addition to the art show, you can also enjoy The Coloring Project, free kids’ activities and 70 vendors from Urban Craft Uprising.
All of these activities may raise your hunger level, but no worries, there will be upwards of a dozen food vendors there to visit. (You may need a little extra energy after the free Zumba session on Sunday morning at 10.)
Saturday evening is Teen Night, followed by a Youth Talent Show on Sunday. The closing ceremonies this year will also be very special as Pet Pros is putting together the Magnolia Summerfest Pet Parade. Simultaneous to the Fest activities, there will also be an annual sidewalk sale in the Village – don’t forget to shop local! What an incredible opportunity to celebrate summer and enjoy a sense
of community! This year we are really excited to be one of the Silver Sponsors for this fantastic tradition. As you can imagine, an event of this size takes loads of time and financial support to get it off the ground and keep it moving forward. A small, but incredibly dedicated band of volunteers has been working tirelessly to make this an incredible celebration and they can use your help! There are many ways to participate – through your time, a monetary donation or even through the purchase of Summerfest Blend coffee at Caffe Appassionato (available at the Farmers Market, Albertsons or ordered online). Proceeds from the sale of this special blend are donated to Magnolia Summerfest. So please – check out the Magnolia Summerfest website today – magnoliasummerfest. org - and see how you, too, can become a part of this wonderful community tradition!
Dawn Bourdo and Corey Hays are the mrmagnolia. com team. They are licensed brokers with Coldwell Banker Danforth. Together they have over 48 years of combined real estate experience.
Household Items Have A Shelf Life
➧ REPLACEMENTS, from Page R1
TOASTER
While any household appliance can be a hazard, toasters are particularly temperamental as they get older. If a toaster isn’t cleaned regularly, leftover crumbs inside have the potential to catch fire from. Six to eight years is the recommended maximum amount of time you should wait before replacing your toaster.
MATTRESS
According to a Mattress Firm and Oklahoma State University study, mattresses more than eight years old contain large amounts of fungus and bacteria, which can increase allergy and asthma symptoms. An old mattress can also contribute to aches and pains in your neck, back and shoulders. While there are some proactive measures you can take, such as using a mattress protector, it is best to replace your mattress every eight years to ensure you’re getting a great night’s sleep. Learn more at MattressFirm.com.
PILLOWS
Between makeup, dirt, hair products, dust and sweat, your pillow collects debris - just like your mattress - that can affect your sleep. While proper care of your pillows, including washing every two weeks, can help keep this problem in check, it is best to replace pillows every 18 months to two years.
WASHER/DRYER
If your washer is more than 10 years old, it may be close to its last spin cycle. Dryers generally follow the same shelf life. These items are often expensive to fix, plus by upgrading to an energy efficient model, you save money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
VACUUM
While the EPA suggests replacing your vacuum cleaner every five to eight years, people tend to replace them more frequently. Replace belts, bags and filters as recommended by the manufacturer to extend the life of your machine, but once it won’t start or is no longer sucking up dirt and dust, it’s time for a new one.
SMOKE DETECTOR
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing your hard-wired smoke detectors at least once a month and replacing the batteries yearly. A chirping sound is an indicator that it could be time to replace the unit altogether.
To get the most out of your household essentials, make sure you replace them regularly.
4 Projects to Breathe New Life into Your Home
BY FAMILY FEATURES
As warmer weather approaches so do opportunities for homeowners to get outside and get to work on the home projects they’ve been dreaming of throughout the cold and rainy months. If you’re eager to dust off those tools, wash the paintbrushes and get to work outdoors, here are four projects to revive and restore and your house:
Spruce up your outdoor space. Many homeowners use their deck or patio as an extension of their living room in warmer months, so reviving this area of your home is a great way to welcome warm weather. If your patio furniture is still in good shape from last year, give it a good clean with soap and water, then spray it down with a hose. If entertaining is your forte, consider adding string lights and a metal bar cart to your space, making your home the neighborhood go-to for outdoor parties and barbecues.
Give the deck a makeover. A lot of dirt and debris can collect on the deck during less-used months, so, first and foremost, you’ll want to clean your patio or deck with a deck cleaner, rinse with water and let dry. Always be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for deck cleaning products. Then, to protect against the elements and ultraviolet light, use Paramount stain-andsealant-in-one from Pittsburgh Paints & Stains, a super premium stain that offers advanced protection and durability. To truly extend your living space to the outdoors and create a seamless transition, use an outdoor
stain color that is similar to any existing hardwood floors inside your house. With more than 70 stain colors in the line to choose from, this is the recipe you need to highlight the natural beauty of your home’s woodwork.
Start your garden. Warmer weather means the return of bright colors and fragrant greenery. What better way to add curb appeal and a pop of color to your home than by planting your favorite flowers? If planting a garden doesn’t strike your fancy, simply purchase a beautiful bouquet and place it in a highly visible area of your home, such as the living room, on your bedroom nightstand or the kitchen table.
Add some color. By the time warmer weather rolls around, we crave a bit of brightness. Thanks to breakthroughs in technology from Pittsburgh Paints & Stains, Paramount super premium interior and exterior paint-and-primer-inone products allow you to complete your paint job with just one vibrant coat that also provides excellent ultraviolet and weather resistance. With almost 900 colors available in the color palette, there’s never been a better time to freshen up your home and achieve a high-end look and lasting protection without breaking the bank.
There’s an incredible amount of satisfaction that comes from improving your house and getting the job done right the first time with top quality products. Learn more about Pittsburgh Paints & Stains Paramount products, available only at Menards, at pittsburghpaintsandstains. com.
