Seeking living room furniture to stage house for sale Seattle area

In the interest of being green and the “reduce * reuse * recycle” philosophy…

Have a love seat or a couple of chairs that need a new home? Have something you intend to donate but just haven’t gotten around to it? Want to try out your space without a piece of furniture temporarily?

I could really use a few pieces of living room furniture to stage a house in SE Seattle I will be listing for sale the first week of December. I have the bedroom and the kitchen already covered, but need seating space, a lamp, and maybe a console table to create an entry space. Also decorative items or framed wall art could be used.

The furniture can be returned or will be donated to Goodwill or advertised as free on CL after the house is sold. I am taking a 9 month listing so don’t offer me anything you want to see back home soon!

Prefer solid material furniture in neutral colors. Please let me know, I have access to a mini van or truck to pick up items and would like to pick up stuff on Sunday, November 30th. NO COUCHES. It has to fit in a mini van and be moved by two people – one of them being me.

Please forward to Seattle area friends you know who may have extra furniture. Photos appreciated.

Send me an email with the button to the right! Thanks!

Big “green week” announcement!

This was Green Week and amid buzz words like “green collar economy” and “sustainable living” I recently took steps to further align my passion for healthy green living with my work, and I am now with GreenWorks Realty.

I was “green” long before it was a movement. So was GWR – it was the first real estate brokerage in the country to specialize in green properties. The company was founded on the idea that a local neighborhood real estate office is the perfect place to build authentic relationships, greener lifestyles, and sustainable communities. Real estate professionals are at the heart of critical transactions bringing buyers and sellers together that often signifies a central transition point in people’s lives. GWR drives its mission by focusing on the building blocks of sustainable community, green building and community designed properties. GWR is dedicated to meeting the needs of their clients through integrity and quality service.

As a life-long learner and also a community educator and organizer, it is important to me to be able to continue to build my knowledge and share my expertise in ways that will benefit the people in my life. I wanted to tell you about this career move as a friend, neighbor, client, or colleague (current or former).

Be looking for more green classes, tours, and other healthy living advice via the GreenWorks Realty web site or my blog!! As a real estate agent I serve both the traditional – and the “green” – home buyer and seller with unparalleled attention and excellent service.

All the best to you and yours during this year’s Thanksgiving.


Wendy Hughes-Jelen
Built Green™ Certified Professional: Real Estate
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, State of Washington
I am a Built Green™ Member

My team is at GreenWorks Realty, LLC

“Improving environmental performance and community in real estate”

Office: 206.283.8181
Serving all of Washington, but located at: 7406 Greenwood Avenue North / Seattle, WA 98103

ecohaus is hiring

Caught this over on CL:

General Merchandising Manager (1st Avenue South)

Reply to: pickme_ecohaus@hotmail.com
Date: 2008-11-13, 2:52PM PST

You love merchandising. You believe in global warming.
Join us – make a difference ecohaus, Seattle-based leader in sustainable and green building and finishing materials is seeking an experienced senior manager to lead our Merchandising organization. This position reports to the CEO and will work closely with the rest of the senior management team to bring to market a compelling eco-friendly product assortment to drive ecohaus’ growth.

Three primary responsibilities:
• Develop and lead the Merchandising organization
• Define the product assortment strategy and manage the mix
• Establish standards and drive inventory sales performance

A unique opportunity:
• You will be the primary owner of the merchandising strategy and will lead your team in the development and execution of comprehensive tactics to deliver optimal GMROI while balancing quality, product selection, service levels and inventory.
• You will lead and direct the establishment of product assortment and pricing to achieve goals based on historic data, current trends, and future forecasts, while supporting the overall company culture and objectives.
• You will be responsible for leveraging the assortment across four distinct channels – retail operations, e-commerce, professional (B2B) sales (contractors, architects, etc.) and wholesale – including the development of processes and tools.
• You will lead and inspire the merchandising organization to build competencies in product development, negotiations, creating and cultivating effective and profitable vendor partnerships and product offering.
• You will employ best logistical methods of distribution to ultimately ensure having the right product in the right place at the right time at the right price.

Your qualities:
• Successful track record of 10+ years leading the development of new, innovative, branded products in a lifestyle-brand retail company
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing hardlines sourcing and buying strategies
• Proven history of affecting positive change and developing people
• 7+ years of P&L; responsibility
• A passion for teamwork, problem-solving, and achieving results
• Broad-banded to make executive level decisions and take rolled-up-sleeves action
• High level of initiative and self-motivation, and the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in all MSFT Office applications
• Familiarity with ERP systems and not afraid to learn new tools and technology
• Related Bachelor’s degree. MBA preferred.

If this sounds like you, and you clearly possess the experience described above, please send a resume and cover letter to: pickme_ecohaus@hotmail.com (no phone calls or visits, please.)

We offer a competitive salary, bonus program and a full benefits package, 401k, Paid Time Off, and a casual work environment.

About ecohaus: Environmental Home Center in Washington and Environmental Building Supplies in Oregon, helped pioneer the green building industry in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1990’s and combined today, ecohaus is a leading supplier of sustainable building and finish materials. ecohaus offers stylish, durable and price competitive products in addition to expert advice and customer service to both homeowners and professionals.

Location: 1st Avenue South
Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!

“Don’t miss this” round-up

A round-up of some of the best articles I have read this week!


How Dirty is Your Zip Code?
Use the EPA’s tool to find out how clean your area’s resources are (or aren’t) and how you can help make your home town healthier and more environmentally friendly.

Are you debating whether to replace your kitchen surfaces?
Read today’s Ideal Bite eco-tip

Best Choices When Organic Isn’t Available
Become a more health-conscious shopper. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s list of most- and least-contaminated fruits and vegetables.

Green Gardening: The finer qualities of mint
Garden expert Ann Lovejoy discusses the positive aspects of mint, that notorious land-grabber that has overrun many a garden plot.

Fantastic four of Seattle parks
String together these emerald parks for a gem of an urban hike

And something actually real estate related:

Why next year’s home buyers should pay attention to credit scores today – If you’re planning on waiting out this housing downturn, intending to buy a home when the coast is clear, you better start checking your credit reports now. There may be some surprises waiting for you. Credit-card companies are reducing credit limits on some borrowers. And for some people, that may cause a drag on their credit score.
See full story.

Six Feet Under

Man, how I miss that show. The funereal industry was fascinating. The show even touched on natural burials for the environmentalist wife of Peter Krause’s character. It’s been so long I don’t remember the character names much.

Anyway, I came across an article in the Seattle Times today that brought all this to mind, and if you are environmentally conscious as well, you will want to read about a Clark County Cemetery a pioneer in green burial trend.

Personally, I have my mind set on an Eternal Reef, unless being blasted into space becomes more affordable. They keep promising a West Coast reef soon. You can even have your pets memorialized this way.

And SFU? These days I get my Peter Krause fix on “Dirty Sexy Money”.

More about Eternal Reefs:

Plot space is running out across America. Families are moving, couples are divorcing and no one visits their local cemetery to check on their final resting place. What are the burial options for the next generation? For families and individuals that choose alternative burial, a new memorial option is gaining popularity – reef burial.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 23, 2008 — Plot space is running out across America. Families are moving, couples are divorcing and no one visits their local cemetery to check on their final resting place. What are the burial options for the next generation? Cremation is growing dramatically in the United States, and by 2010, the procedure may be included in 40 percent of funerals, according to the Cremation Association of North America. Given these cremation statistics, alternative burial trends are on the rise, including eco-friendly or “green burial,” urging many Americans to think about leaving a permanent eco-living legacy. For families and individuals that choose alternative burial, a new memorial option is gaining popularity – reef burial.

Over the past seven years, Atlanta-based Company Eternal Reefs has offered underwater burial at sea in an artificial reef called a “Memorial Reef.” Eternal Reefs is the only company in the United States to combine an individual’s cremated remains with eco-friendly cast concrete to form a designed reef called a reef ball. Weighing anywhere from 400 – 4,000 pounds, each Memorial Reef placed on the ocean floor creates a new marine habitat for fish and other forms of sea life, allowing a new ecosystem to develop. Memorial reefs have also been a solution for the “shelf people” crisis across the country. An astonishing 45 percent of families that have chosen cremation still have their loved ones remains sitting on a shelf or in a closet. Thousands of individuals pass away unexpectedly and don’t leave a will, leaving the next generation to handle their remains. Eternal Reefs offers a final resting place for those individuals.

With every Memorial Reef, the executor of the estate receives two memorial certificates that identify the longitude and latitude of the memorials, which are marked with bronze plaques. Loved ones can participate in every step of the Memorial Reef process and gather for the reef casting, viewing and placement ceremonies. Throughout the year, families and friends often return to the memorial reef site to dive, fish or even visit by glass bottom boat.

“You’re seeing a change culturally. Rather than passing down an urn to future generations or taking up space in a cemetery, this memorial is a true living legacy, says Don Brawley, founder, Eternal Reefs Inc. “Our families find comfort in knowing their loved one has a final resting place and a meaningful environmental tribute to life.”

2008 Eternal Reefs locations include:
Fort Myers, Florida – February 5, 2008
Sarasota, Florida – February 8, 2008
Miami, Florida – February 11, 2008
Ocean City, New Jersey – May 16, 2008
Ocean City, Maryland – May 19, 2008
Sarasota, Florida – July 15, 2008
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida – July 18, 2008
Charleston, South Carolina – October 10, 2008
Chesapeake Bay – October 13, 2008

For more information about Eternal Reefs visit: http://www.eternalreefs.com/

About Eternal Reefs Inc.
Eternal Reefs, Inc is the first company in the United States to offer green burial at sea in an artificial reef ball to memorialize the cremated remains of a loved one. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company incorporates cremated remains with environmentally safe concrete to form an artificial reef formation called a Memorial Reef. The artificial reefs are dedicated as permanent memorials while also bolstering natural coastal reef formations. Over 1,000 Memorial Reefs, have been placed off the coasts of Florida, South Carolina, Texas, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia.

For more information, visit: http://www.eternalreefs.com/

Are You Ready To Take the 100-Mile Thanksgiving Challenge?

Turkey day is less than three weeks away. That still gives you plenty of time to learn how to green up your Thanksgiving dinner.

A couple years ago, TreeHugger ran a contest based on the 100-Mile Diet that challenged readers to create a Thanksgiving dinner using only locally sourced food found within 100 miles from their homes. The contest turned out to be a huge success, proving not only that eating local is possible, but also easy, fun, and affordable. Are you up to the challenge? Do like the pilgrims and Indians, and enjoy your local bounty. TreeHugger.com

TreeHugger has posted its green holiday guides.

If you would like a little help in meeting the 100-mile challenge in the Puget Sound area, I suggest you check out your local farmers market and PCC. And if you do not know where to find an open farmers market this time of year, Puget Sound Fresh publishes a “fresh sheet”, and also gives you a list of farmers market locations. You can pledge to eat local this Thanksgiving on their web site.

I personally recommend calling your closest PCC if you want to have a chance at getting a local or heritage turkey. If you really want to cut corners, you can order a prepared holiday meal that you just finish off at home. I am not certain if all of the food in their meal package deals comes from within 100 miles, however. You may want to ask.

I hope you enjoy your green Thanksgiving preparation! You will discover that eating locally and sustainably is a lot easier than you thought.

Just Say No to Ivy

Great article by Val Easton in this weekend’s Home & Garden section of The Times. I became a Native Plant Steward with the Washington Native Plant Society in 2001 and the 100 hour training course was very enlightening!!

If you ever dabble in the dirt and plant anything in your yard or garden, you better read Know what’s invasive and what’s banned when deciding what to plant

OK, bottom line, which plants should we never allow into our gardens? “English ivy and any of the knotweeds. All knotweed cultivars are quarantined,” says Reichard (see www.nwcb.wa.govto learn which plants are outlawed and/or quarantined in our state).