The Richland School District has a list of Sports, Music and Art programs for school age kids for this upcoming summer.

Richland School District Summer Camps

For more information visit www.rsd.edu/camps at their website you will see a complete list of activities, costs and times.

Mid Columbia Gymnastics has a nice selection of summer camps for the 2013 summer season. Everything from cheer camps, gymnastics camps, and tumbling camps.

For more information call Michelle at 509-735-3861 or visit their website at www.mcga.org

This year the 2012 Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo is “Rock with the Stock,” come check out all the fair has to offer. Every year the year is a ton of fun for all ages. To start things off there is a Demolition Derby the night before the fair begins at 6:30pm with trials and 7:30pm is the racing; gates open at 4:00. There will be kiddie rides for the little ones and larger adrenaline pumping, carnival rides for the older ones. One could spend the whole day wandering through the exhibits, meeting new people, trying new food, and admiring the craftsmanship on display. There are also a wide variety of animals for show including sheep, cows, pigs, ducks, bunnies, and more. Of course there is also the Rodeo at 7:00pm Wednesday through Saturday, where there are events such as calf roping, bareback riding, carrel racing as well as other events and entertainment. As If that wasn’t enough to keep you busy at the fair, every night at 7:30pm there is a concert this year the concert lineup is REO Speedwagon on August 21, Hinder on August 22, Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy and Bradley Gaskin on August 23, Foghat on August 24, and Jerrod Niemann on August 25. Check out the full schedule of events here!

The fair this year will take place August 21st-25th, 2012. General admission into the fair costs $10 for adults (13 & Up) and $5 for ages 6-12 and seniors. If you are planning to ride the bus to the fair then you can purchase fair/bus combo ticket, adults cost $11.50 and the youth/senior fair/bus combo ticket costs $6.50. There are also tickets for purchase for reserved seats at various events at the fair. Reserved tickets for concerts cost $10. Tickets for reserved seats at the Demolition Derby cost $15. Individual tickets can be purchases for the carnival rides or you can buy a carnival wristband for $23. Tickets for reserved seats at the Rodeo are $10 each or there are general admission tickets which are free. On Wednesday kids get in for only $2 as part of the Kid’s Day. Tickets can be purchased online at the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo General Store or at Ranch & Home.

For more information about the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo visit the BFFair website or call 509.586.9211 ext. 3.

Posted by Joe and Colleen Lane, your Tri Cities Real Estate Agents. Call or email us today! 509.438.9344

Hope to see you there!

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Benton County was just named the most affordable metropolitan county in the state for first time homebuyers. This is a title Benton County is familiar with due to high wages, this is seen when looking at the first time homebuyer affordability index which is at 127.9(seasonally adjusted data). This means first time homebuyers come in with 28% more income then the minimum needed to qualify. When looking just one county over these numbers drop, in Franklin County the first time homeowner affordability index is 102.1, meaning first time homeowners come in with 2% more income then the minimum. This number is lower than Benton County but it remains higher then the statewide first time homeowner affordability index of 95.5, with the average homeowner throughout the state coming in with 5% less commission then the minimum needed.

Home sales in both Benton and Franklin Counties are showing better numbers when compared to last year. Benton County has seen a 2% increase in home sales during the second quarter, while Franklin County saw a little over 3% increase in home sales during the same time. The average price of homes sold in both counties was $181,400, a 4% increase from last year. Overall both Benton and Franklin Counties are doing well, in 2011 there were fewer foreclosures than the two previous years. So far in 2012 there have only been 149, if this trend continues the total this year will be about 300, less then 2011.

Posted by Joe and Colleen Lane, your Benton and Franklin County Real Estate Agents. Call or email us today with your Real Estate needs. 509.438.9344

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"Top 10 Places People are Moving To" Puts Tri Cities at Number 1
The Tri Cities, Washington is a great place to settle down and plant some roots. If you don’t believe me then check out the newest “Top 10” list the Tri Cities made it on to. According to The Fiscal Times’ most recent study, the Tri Cities is the number one place people are moving to. In order to see the truth behind this new study all you need to do is look around. For starters there is the decommissioned nuclear facility where tremendous amounts of effort is being put into cleaning up the site. The Tri Cities is also home to 3 hospitals, one of which, Kadlec, has been recently recognized for being the safest hospital in Washington. Over the past year the Tri Cities has made it on to several other lists such as, “Best Place to Raise your Kids,” “13th Strongest Economy,” and “Top 10 Real Estate Markets to Watch in 2011.”

Tri Cities, Washington

The Tri Cities is located in southeastern Washington along the Columbia River. The Tri Cities is a great place to live due to the close proximity of everything as well as the entertainment opportunities and recreation in the Tri Cities at your fingertips. No matter where you are in the Tri Cities you are rarely ever more than 15-20 minutes away from your destination. The Tri Cities is a very active place with miles of biking/walking/running paths throughout the area and the Columbia River flowing through the heart of the Tri Cities, great for water recreational activities. Entertainment is never hard to find in Tri Cities, there is always something for everyone, whether its music you are interested in or outdoor recreational events. There is something for every interest.

Posted by Joe and Colleen Lane, your Tri Cities Real Estate Agents. Call or email us today with your real estate needs! 509.438.9344

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47th Annual Columbia Cup Hydroplane Races on the Columbia River

Well it’s that time of year again, time to head down to Kennewick Washington’s Columbia Park for the 47th Annual Columbia Cup for the Unlimited Hydroplanes race at the 2012 Water Follies. The Columbia Cup is the 8th race in the Oberta Sausage company’s Oh Boy! Oberta Championship Series. The Water Follies sponsored by Lamb Weston will take place, July 27 – 29, and will be full of high speed hydroplane racing in the Columbia River and an over the river air show. The weekend festivities will begin on Thursday, July 26 with a Fluor Hydro Golf Tournament and finish up on Sunday, July 39 with the Lamb Weston Columbia Cup Unlimited Final. The rest of the weekend will be full of various hydroplane heats, air shows and fly-ins, food, and other festivities here is a complete schedule of events for the weekend.

The cost to attend the Water Follies varies depending on the type of package you would like to purchase. A weekender two-day admission ticket would cost $25 for adults and $10 for children (ages 6-12), a Saturday general admission ticket would cost $15 for adults and $5 for children (ages 6-12), a Sunday general admission ticket would cost $25 for adults and $5 for children (ages 6-12), a one day pit access (which does not include park admission) would cost $10 per person, or you could purchase a 3-day pit pass which includes park admission for $45. There is no admission charge on Friday, only a $5 parking fee, and during the weekend all children 5 and under are free. Parking at Columbia Park costs $5 per car on Friday or Saturday and $10 on Sunday, the only entrance for parking at Columbia Park is right off the Blue Bridge where the Hydorplane stand is, there is also parking in Pasco off of Sylvester Street that is free on Friday, costs $5 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Or if you would like to avoid paying parking fees then take the Benton Franklin Transit who will be shuttling people back and forth between the park and various places around the Tri Cities, check out the special event schedule to find when and where busses are leaving from.

Weekend’s Schedule of Events:

Thursday, July 26
1:00pm Fluor Hydro Golf Tournament – Canyon Lakes

Friday, July 27
8:15am Grand Prix West Testing
9:10am H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Testing
11:30am – 1:30pm HAPO Community Credit Union Air Show
1:50pm H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Qualifying
4:00pm Legends Casino Vintage Hydroplane Exhibition
4:35pm Grand Prix West Dash for Cash
5:05pm Charter Business Unlimited Hydroplane Dash for Cash

Saturday, July 28
8:15am Grand Prix West Qualifying
9:10am Unlimited Hydroplane Testing
11:30am – 1:30pm HAPO Community Credit Union Air Show
12:00pm Metz Mobile Marine Autograph Session
1:45pm Legends Casino Vintage Heat 1
2:15pm Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 598 Grand Prix West Heat 1A
2:45pm Cascade Natural Gas Unlimited Hydro
plane Heat 1A
2:30pm HAPO Air Show Autograph Session
3:05pm Cascade Natural Gas Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 1B
3:35pm Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 598 Grand Prix West Heat 2A
4:00pm Legends Casino Vintage Heat 2

Sunday, July 29
8:00am Testing, Unlimited & Grand Prix West Hydroplanes
9:30am Legends Casino Vintage Hydroplane Exhibition
10:15am Opening Ceremonies
10:45am Connell Oil Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2A
11:05am H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 2B
11:30am – 1:30pm HAPO Community Credit Union Air Show
2:00pm Atomic Screen Printing Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3A
2:20pm H1 Unlimited Hydroplane Heat 3B
2:45pm Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 598 Grand Prix West Final
3:15pm Legends Casino Vintage Finale
4:00pm Lamb Weston Columbia Cup

HAPO Community Credit Union Air Show Daily Schedule

For more information about the Tri Cities Water Follies call 509.783.4675, visit the Water Follies website, or email the Water Follies team.

Posted by Joe and Colleen Lane, your Kennewick Real Estate Agents. Call or email us today! 509.438.9344

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Tri Cities Ranks in 9 Fastest Growing Housing Markets

The Tri Cities Washington area is a great place to buy a home, if you don’t believe me then check out the recent data released by the Case-Shiller Housing Index. The Tri Cities, Washington area made it into the top 9 fastest growing housing markets in the country.

Throughout the country the projected housing markets are rather bleak. Out of the 384 largest metropolitan areas in the United States only 50 are expected to remain unchanged to the dropping prices. These 50 states will not experience large gains in housing prices; rather they will see modest climbs. The Tri Cities has done well, home values are expected to grow 3.6% over the next year. The growth is due in part to the low interest rates buyers are taking advantage of along with several other factors. These factors include competitively priced homes listed for a short time on the market receiving multiple bids and showing in a short amount of time.

Posted by Joe and Colleen Lane, your Tri Cities Real Estate Agents. Call or email us today with your real estate needs! 509.438.9344

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This summer Hapo, the official sponsor of summer, is holding the 9th annual Live @ 5 concert series on Thursday nights at 5:00pm. Each year these weekly concert series throughout the summer draws thousands of people. Live @ 5 is a family friend event held in Richland WA’s John Dam Plaza. These weekly concerts are free but make sure to bring some money there will be vendors present as well as activities for the kids. Both regional and local talent will featured.

Concert Schedule:
June 21, 2012 – VooDoo Alley – Playing Party Rock Music
June 28, 2012 – 3rd Date – Playing Rock and Roll and then some
July 5, 2012 – M80′s – Playing heavy metal and dance tunes.
July 12, 2012 – Colorblind – Playing high energy rock
July 19, 2012 – Freddy Pink – Playing classic R&B hits of the 60s and great rockin horn bands of the 80s and 90s
July 26, 2012 – Fallout – Party band, playing 4 decades of music

Posted by Joe and Colleen Lane, your Richland Real Estate Agents. Call or email us today. 509.438.9344

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West Richland’s 2012 Hogs & Dogs Event

If you are looking for something to do this weekend why not check out one of the largest motorcycle event in Eastern Washington? Hogs & Dogs is a major attraction every year in the Tri Cities Washington. Last year there were about 4,000 motorcycles and over 8,000 people who attended. Thursday, June 21, come to the annual Hogs & Dogs event at the Bombing Range Sports Complex in West Richland Washington presented by top dog sponsor CH2MHILL Plateau Remediation Company. The event will begin at 4:00 pm and last until 10:00 pm.

Bring the whole family and enjoy hot dogs, live music, a raffle, and over 4,000 motorcycles; there will also be a beer and wine garden for those who are of age. The hot dog dinner costs $7.00, a family 4 pack can be purchased in advance for $20.00. Any motorcyclist is welcome to take part in the show & shine, the entry fee is $10.00. Already raffle tickets are on sale for a Victory 2012 High Ball Motorcycle and can be purchased at Yoke’s Fresh Market in either West Richland or Pasco, Victory motorcycle, Ranch & Home, Thunder Alley Victory and the Chamber office for $10.00 each and, if not sold out, at the Hogs & Dogs Event.

For more information about the 2011 Hogs & Dogs event call the West Richland Chamber of Commerce at 509.967.0521.

Posted by Joe and Colleen Lane, your West Richland Real Estate Agents. Call or email us today! 509.438.9344

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Tri Cities Washington Independence Day and 4th of July Festivities

Independence Day or Fourth of July; the phrase evokes fond memories to many people of family get-togethers, good food, parades, fireworks, and various community festivities. This year around the Tri Cities there will be plenty to keep you busy all weekend.

Grand Old Fourth

Dust Devils Game: The City of Pasco Parks & Recreation will jumpstart the Grand Old Fourth celebration with "the great American pastime," baseball. The Dust Devils will kick off the 4th of July celebrations with a game at Gesa Stadium in Pasco, Wa at 7:30 on July 3.
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast: On July 4, Kiwanis will help you start the day off right with a pancake breakfast, at 7:00 am in Memorial Park in Pasco.
Camp Patriot Fun Run: Once your fill up with those delicious pancakes how about a run? The Camp Patriot Fun Run includes a 1 mile and 5k run beginning at the Pasco Softball complex. The run will begin at 8:00 am.
Kids Dance: About 9:15, before the parade begins, let the kids have some fun at the pre-parade street dance at Memorial Park off 14th in Pasco.
HAPO Grand Old 4th Parade: The parade will begin at 10:00 am at the Franklin County Courthouse and end near Memorial Park.
Fireworks: No 4th of July celebration is complete without fireworks! The Grand Old Fourth will wrap up the day down at the Dust Devils stadium with fireworks at around 10:00 pm, gates open at 8:30 pm.

River of Fire Festival

The 26th Annual River of Fire festival at Columbia Park in Kennewick Washington will be full of fun activities for the whole family! On July 4th there will be a kid’s area, food and craft vendors, and the largest fireworks display in southeastern Washington which will be launched from a barge in the middle of the Columbia River. The day of festivities will begin at 8:00 am and end at 10:00 pm with a fireworks display. The cost is $7 per carload to get into Columbia Park.

Posted by Joe and Colleen Lane, your Tri Cities Real Estate Agents. Call or email us today! 509.438.9344

Have a Happy 4th!!