When looking for a place to call home many people look for a city that is great for raising a family. Kiplinger recently released a top 10 list of the greatest American cities for raising a family. In order to make it on the list cities had to have a healthy economy, strong schools, low crime rates, job growth, vibrant local culture, and lots of parks and recreational activities. These are a lot of factors to consider when looking at so many American cities, but they did it and on that list is none other than our local Kennewick Washington.

The city of Kennewick with a population nearing 70,000 is a largely a research based economy, they were able to withstand the recession quite well with only a 6.2% unemployment rate and abounding high-tech jobs in nuclear and others forms of sustainable energy. Employment is up 1% in the area bringing in more people to the area with their families. Schools in Kennewick and surrounding areas are doing well, GreatSchools.com rated them 6 with 10 being the highest. The parks and recreational opportunities are plentiful with parks all over and many recreational activities for all ages. Being situated on the confluences of the Columbia, Yakima, and Snake Rivers there is plenty to do outdoors on any of the nearly 300 days of sunshine the area boasts of.

The community of Kennewick is very safe, crime rates are very low, Kiplinger reported 373 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Combing the low crime rates with the low cost of living and reasonable housing costs (median home values are $150,000), I would say that makes for a great place to live!

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

The Allied Arts Gallery in Richland Washington will be hosting the annual Northwest Designer Craftsman exhibition this year. The exhibition began on August 31 and will go through September 24. This annual exhibition began in 1954 and features various art created from traditional material that blurs the line between craft and fine art. The exhibition was primarily created to promote excellence of design and craftsmanship as well as to fuel the public’s appreciation and interest in art and fine craftsmanship. On September 12 the gallery will be holding a reception for the artists from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. The Allied Arts Gallery’s will have the exhibit out on display for the public free of charge during their regular business hours which is from 10:00am to 5:00pm daily. For more information about the exhibit or the gallery itself call 509.943.9817 or visit the Allied Arts Gallery’s website.

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

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Barnard Griffin Winery’s 5 for $5 at 5:00pm

On September 1, Barnard Griffin will be holding their 5 for $5 at 5:00pm wine tasting event at their Richland Washington tasting room. The event will feature a selection of 15 different wines from the Barnard Griffin cellar. Of the 15 wines you will be able to choose 5 to taste with your $5 admission, there will also be tasty nibbles for you to enjoy. If you end up purchasing a bottle of wine before the evening is over, your $5 tasting fee will be reimbursed. Some of the wines available for you to taste will include their Riesling which has been named one of the Top 100 Most exciting Wines for 2009 by WINE SPECTATOR, another one of their wines, Rose of Sangiovese has been rated Gold for 5 years in a row at the San Francisco Chronicles Wine Competition. The family owned Barnard Griffin is one of the oldest wineries in Washington as such it is an important stop for any wine lover going through Washington’s wine country. Barnard griffin is the only winery to have an artisan glass studio on the premise. Come check out this family owned winery in Richland, Washington and enjoy some of their wine. For more information about the wine tasting or the winery visit the Barnard Griffin website or call 509.627.0266. Happy tasting!

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

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On September 3 come on out to Leslie Groves Park in Richland Washington and take a relaxing Kayaking tour on the Columbia River down to Columbia Point Park. The guided tour down the Columbia River will be a relaxing time with whomever you wish to bring with you. The Kayaking tour will begin at 1:30pm, the tour will take you down to Columbia Point Park where you will disembark and enjoy a 4-course meal at Anthony’s Restaurant. There will be a shuttle at Anthony’s ready to take you back to Leslie Groves Park. The whole day will go until about 6:00pm. The cost is $54 per person and includes your kayak, shuttle, equipment, guide, dinner, and gratuity; the deadline to register is August 30. For more information or to register for the Kayak Tour and Dinner call 509.545.3456.

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

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Tomorrow, August 28, head on out to Howard Amon Park in Richland Washington for the Bark for Life Rally. For several years now the nationally recognized Relay for Life event has begun a Bark for Life Rally. This rally is a place where dogs and their owners can participate together with the purpose of raising money to support the American Cancer Society. This year it has been decided to throw a rally here in Richland. There will be many Demonstrations and Vendors available at the rally to help raise money. The top 12 fundraising dogs or dog families will earn a feature spot in the 2011 Bark for Life Calendar. All contributions made will be totaled at the close of the event. Registration on the day of the event costs $25, if you have more than one dog than there will be an additional $5 registration fee for each additional dog. The day begins at 9:00am and goes until 12:00pm. For more information about the event call 509.521.4637.

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

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On the second Saturday and the fourth Friday of every month the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory in Richland Washington, also known as LIGO, is open to the public. Come on out at 3:00pm on the fourth Friday and at 1:30pm on the second Saturday of the month for a drop in tour to learn about what takes place at LIGO. No reservations or ID checks are needed and international visitors are welcome. This is a great family friendly event open for all ages and admission is free.

LIGO was founded in 1992 by Kip Thorne and Ronald Drever of Caltech and Rainer Weiss of MIT with the mission of observing gravitational waves of cosmic origin. By observing these gravitational waves scientists are hoping to soon be able to harness these waves to be used in scientific research.  Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space caused by violent collisions between two cosmic entities. In order for LIGO to be effective in observing the gravitational waves the scientists need to be able to determine where the waves are coming from. For this reason there are a few other facilities being created in other locations throughout the world by scientists for more effective observation of gravitational waves. One of the scientific goals of LIGO is that it would be used for research in the nature of science and that it will open up a new window into the universe thus being a scientific tool for both physics and astronomy.

For driving directions, to learn more about this event or to learn more about LIGO visit LIGO’s website, send them an email, or call 509.372.8181.

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

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The Benton Frenklin Chapter of the American Red Cross will be holding a fundraiser garden party dinner and auction on Saturday, August 28. This event is being held to raise money for the services proved by the Benton Franklin Chapter of the American Red Cross. Rouge Royale will take place on the beautifully landscaped grounds of the Moore Mansion in Pasco Washington. The evening will feature a silent auction, a live auction, hors d’oeuvres , fine wines from local wineries, and an exquisite dinner prepared by highly acclaimed Northwest Chef Frank Magaña. The cost to attend Rouge Royale is $150 per person, tickets must be purchased online prior to the event or by calling 509.183.6195; there will be no tickets sold at the door. For more information about the event call 509.183.6195, send an email, or visit the Benton Franklin American Red Cross Chapter’s website.

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

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This Friday evening, August 27, be prepared to have your socks knocked off with a live jazz funk fusion concert. "The Dara Quinn Project” was created by Dara Quinn who put together a quartet to perform a mix of jazz, rock, funk, and disco fusion. Dara Quinn is on the keys, Andy Evens is on the Sax, Justin Chapman is on the Bass, and Luther Hughes is on the Drums. Come on out Friday night for a free performance at Bookwalter Winery in Richland Washington. You don’t want to miss out on The Dara Quinn Project! For more information about the performance or for more information about the winery visit the Bookwalter Winery website or call 509.627.5000.

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

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Monterosso’s Italian Restaurant Offers Complimentary Wine Tasting

Monterosso’s Italian Restaurant in Richland Washington offers a complimentary wine tasting every other Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This coming Tuesday, August 24, enjoy some fabulous Italian cuisine while trying a sip of three different wines before dinner. If you find a wine you enjoy, order it with dinner or better yet, purchase a bottle as you leave at lower retail to-go prices and take it home. For more information call 509.946.4525.

All aboard!! Monterosso’s Italian Restaurant is situated in Richland Washington in a retired train car. Back in 1971 the 1947 vintage Pullman dining car was brought over to the Tri Cities from St. Paul, Minnesota, where it had been lying dead on the tracks, and turned into a respected tailor’s dwelling. Then in 1994 the owners of Monterosso’s bought and restored train car back into a dining car. In 1995 Monterosso’s Italian Restaurant boarded its first guests. Since opening in 1995 the staff and management have continued to strive to provide their guests with a delectable and enjoyable dining experience.

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

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This coming weekend, August 28-29, Mary Hill Museum is offering free admission to residents of Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin, and Klickitat counties. This Goldendale Museum features a variety of exhibits for you and your whole family to enjoy. There is the famous Stonehenge replica built by Samuel Hill in memory of those lost in war, the 4 mile Maryhill Loops Road is available to be driven on, it is the first paved road in the Pacific Northwest, and Art in the Gorge. There is also the Columbia Hill State Park which includes Petroglyphs & Temani Pesh-wa Trail, Dalles Mountain Ranch State Park, and the Maryhill State Park. Maryhill is located in the Columbia Gorge and is surrounded by several wineries including Maryhill Winery, Cascade Cliffs Winery, Marchal’s Winery, and Waving Tree Vineyards.

Maryhill Museum is open 7 days a week from 9:00am-5:00pm. Normally the cost of admission is $7 for general admission, $6 for seniors, and $2 for children ages 6-12, the August 28-29 admission is free to residents of Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin, and Klickitat counties. Large backpacks and purses are not allowed. The museum has two strollers and a wheelchair available on a first come first serve basis.

For more information about the museum call 509.773.3733 or visit the Maryhill website.

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

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