Day 24 of 365 Things To Do Around the Eastside: The Flying Fortress B-17 Bomber ~ The Liberty Belle

This weekend you can go for a ride aboard The Liberty Belle at restored World War II B-17 Bomber at the Museum of Flight. This is a very unique experience that will be something to remember forever.

During WWII there were over 12,000 B-17 built between 1935 and 1945. About 5,000 were lost in combat. Today there are only 14 B-17’s that still are flying. The Liberty Belle is painted with the colors and the nose are of the original Liberty Belle that flew missions with the 390th Bomb Group of the U.S. 8th Air Force.

From the Liberty Foundation’s web site:

What’s the story behind the Liberty Belle?

On September 9, 1944 the 390th Bomb Group attacked a target in Dusseldorf, Germany and suffered its second largest single mission loss of the war. Over the target just prior to bomb release, one of the low squadron B-17s was hit in the Bomb bay by flak. The 1000 lb. bombs exploded and nine of the twelve aircraft in the squadron were instantly destroyed or knocked out of formation.

Six of the nine went down over the target, one flew two hours on a single engine and landed at Paris, another “crippled plane” landed in Belgium and the other struggled back to its home base and landed long after the other thirty nine B-17s had returned from the mission. The one that came home was “Liberty Belle”, she went on to complete 64 combat missions before being salvaged on February 18, 1945.

The Liberty Foundation’s B-17G (SN 44-85734) has an interesting post-war history. Originally sold on June 25, 1947 as scrap to Esperado Mining Co. of Altus, OK, it sold again later that year to Pratt & Whitney for $2,700. Pratt & Whitney operated the B-17 from November 19, 1947 to 1967 as a heavily modified test bed for their P&W T-34 and T-64 turboprop engines. It became a “5-engine aircraft”, having the powerful prototype engine mounted on the nose! The aircraft was flown “single-engine”, with all four radial engines feathered during test flights.

Following this life as a test platform, it was donated in the late 1960s to the Connecticut Aeronautical Historic Association in East Hartford. Unfortunately, it was heavily damaged on October 3, 1979 in a tornado, in which another aircraft was thrown onto the B-17’s mid-section. The wreck was stored in the New England Air Museum, CT from 1981 until 1987.

(photos courtesy of The Liberty Foundation Inc. 11564 East 7th Street, Tulsa, OK 74128)

The Flying Fortress with take to the sky above Seattle on April 24 and 25 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm taking off from Boeing Field. The price for this priceless flight is $430 per person and you can make a reservation by calling 918-340-0243. Each flight experience lasts about 45 minutes, with 30 minutes in the air.

If you can’t get a reservation for a flight, you can still come out to Boeing Field for a ground tour and to watch the Flying Fortress to flight.

Advertisement

Day 18 of 365 Things To Do Around the Eastside: Take a Walk on the Sunny Side

Today the Eastside is bathed in Sunshine, so why not go for a walk and do some people and dog watching?

One of the best places to enjoy the sun while strolling along in from Downtown Kirkland to Carillon Point. It is a flat walk along the Eastside of Lake Washington.

You will encounter other people out and about, dogs, bicyclists, skateboarders, inline skaters and joggers.

In Downtown Kirkland there are several art galleries, coffee houses, real estate offices, restaurants and boutiques to wander through.

Along the walk to Carillon Point you will pass by several neighborhood parks, which offer picnic areas, swimming, volleyball, children’s play ground, sunbathing and overall some of the best Lake Front views around.

Day 14 of 365 Things To Do Around the Eastside: Tax Day and Tax Reform Events

Today is April 15, 2010 and it is the United States of America Tax Filing Day and today there are groups across the country and around Seattle that are calling for MAJOR TAX REFORM! Whether it is a Tea Party Movement, a Flat Tax, a VAT or the FairTax, everyone agrees that our current 65,000 page tax code is not working.  JUST REMEMBER THAT TAXES AFFECT YOU PERSONALLY EVERYDAY! Healthcare, while important, doesn’t have a daily impact on your wallet.

While, I am not a member of the Tea Party, I do like the fact that they have drawn MAJOR ATTENTION to reforming our tax code. I AM A VERY BIG SUPPORTER OF THE FAIRTAX!!! If you have questions about the FairTax or want to learn more, please email me Randy Randolph. The FairTax is Simple, Easy, Transparent, Equal and returns the POWER back to the CITIZENS!

While the MAIN EVENT for the FairTax is being held in Washington DC and online, there are some local “Tax Revolt” events going on that are worth attending.

Get ready for the biggest rally endeavor Washington has ever seen! Several of our state’s premier tea party groups have combined forces (and locations) to bring you “Tea for Two,” a one-day, two-part rally that will take place on both our State Capitol Campus and in downtown Seattle at Westlake Park.

Read the press release below for more details.

April 13, 2010

Tea Party groups to protest in Seattle and Olympia on Tax Day

Olympia – Washington’s tea party groups and the Evergreen Freedom Foundation will come together to bring citizens “Tea for Two,” an all-day, two-part rally that will take place on both the State Capitol Campus and in downtown Seattle. The events are scheduled for Thursday, April 15, from noon to 3 p.m. on the North Capitol Steps in Olympia and then at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Seattle’s Westlake Park.

The event is hosted by Pierce County Tea Party, Seattle Sons and Daughters of Liberty, the Freedom Foundation, Tea Party Patriots, and South Sound Tea Party.

The non-partisan gathering will feature an array of dynamic speakers including David Boze, Dori Monson, Kirby Wilbur, Amber Gunn, and “Liberty Belle” Keli Carender. Both rallies are packed with an assortment of live music and family-friendly entertainment, and will give citizens the chance to make their voices heard on the issues of increased government spending and taxation as well as the recently passed health care bill.

The Seattle and Olympia tea parties are part of the National Tea Party movement taking place on April 15, the day when federal income taxes are due. In Washington, many citizens will gather to protest the legislature’s decision to raise taxes while state spending continues to increase. Others have expressed outrage and disappointment at the list of new taxes recently passed by the Washington state legislature, including candy, soda, tobacco, and alcohol taxes. The legislature passed the new tax package and adjourned their session early this morning.

“Government at all levels is continuing to grow. Though our federal tax burden is relatively low by recent historical standards, deficits, debt and entitlement obligations have reached historic levels. At some point this imbalance will have to be corrected,” says Amber Gunn, Director of Economic Policy at the Freedom Foundation.

“State officials don’t have as many options when it comes to the ‘buy now, pay later’ scheme, so they have passed the largest tax package in state history, along with a half-billion dollar debt package they hope voters will be duped into supporting. Mounting pension and retiree health obligations were completely ignored, per usual,” adds Gunn.

“As it stands, our elected officials are spending our future prosperity. This rally is one of many ways for us to hold them accountable and let them know that we will remember in November.”

For more information, please visit: http://www.teapartypatriots.com

Read more: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/politics/2010/04/14/tea-party-activists-plan-tax-day-protests-in-olympia-seattle/#ixzz0lC8GdFkz

Both rallies are packed with an assortment of engaging speakers, live music, and family-friendly entertainment, while at the same time giving you the chance to make your voice heard on issues like Health Care, Taxation, and Out-of-Control Government.

Featuring:

David Boze

Dori Monson

Kirby Wilbur

Amber Gunn

Liberty Belle

Hosted by:
Pierce County Tea Party – www.piercecountyteaparty.com
Seattle Sons and Daughters of Liberty – www.redistributingknowledge.com
The Evergreen Freedom Foundation – www.effwa.org
Tea Party Patriots – www.teapartypatriots.com
South Sound Tea Party – www.southsoundteaparty.com

If you can’t make it to a LIVE Tax Event, join the OnlineTaxRevolt.com!

You can also catch a report on all the events of the day at OnlineTaxRevolt.com, the program will be streamed live at 5 PM Eastern, 2 PM central.

Online Tax Revolt Rally Featured Speakers:

• Radio Hall of Fame Talk Show Host Neal Boortz
• Freedom Works Chairman Dick Armey

• Tea Party Express leader Amy Kremer
• Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist
• United States Senator Saxby Chambliss
• Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
• Congressman Steve King
• Darla Dawald, National Director of ResistNet a Grassfire Nation Website
• Comedienne Victoria Jackson
• Online Tax Revolt Chairman Ken Hoagland

Online Tax Revolt March for America Team Leaders:

• Neal Boortz, Hall of Fame Radio Show Host
• Michael Reagan, Eldest Son of President Ronald Reagan
• Mike Huckabee, Fox TV Network Commentator, former Governor of Arkansas
• John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona
• Ken Hoagland, National Chairman, Online Tax Revolt
• Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), the first member of Congress to join the Online Tax Revolt
• Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA), California’s leading tax fighter in Washington
• Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS)
• Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform
• Dick Armey, President of FreedomWorks and former House Majority Leader
• Richard A. Viguerie, a founder of the modern conservative movement
• Duane Parde, President, National Taxpayers Union
• Lew Uhler, President of the National Tax Limitation Committee
• The Tea Party Express
• Mike Long, New York State Conservative Party
• Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher, the more-than-plumber voice for average Americans
• Veterans Marching for America Again
• Freedom Works Chairman Dick Armey
• Tea Party Express leader Amy Kremer
• Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist
• United States Senator Saxby Chambliss
• Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
• Congressman Steve King
• Darla Dawald, National Director of ResistNet a Grassfire Nation Website
• Comedienne Victoria Jackson Online Tax Revolt Chairman Ken Hoagland

Stand Up For America and Yourself – Get involved and make a difference!

Day 10 of 365 Things To Do Around the Eastside: National Open House Weekend ~ Home Buying Season

This weekend is National Open House Weekend. Homes that are for sale across the country are held open this weekend for buyers to stop by and get a good look.

This year it is even MORE important since the FIRST TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT expires in just 19 days!!! If you want totake advantage of the TAX CREDIT program, then you HAVE TO BE OUT LOOKING AT HOMES TODAY!!!

Just in case you don’t think there are any quality homes out there for you to look at:

Redmond has 85 Open Single Family Homes! Priced from $197,000 to 1,499,000!

Redmond has 41 Open Condos! Priced from $150,000 to $519,990!

Kirkland has 80 Open Single Family Homes! Priced from $228,000 to $5,995,000!

Kirkland has 56 Open Condos! Priced from $155,000 to $2,250,000!

Bellevue has 90 Open Single Family Homes! Priced from $309,000 to $3,797,000!

Bellevue  has 63 Open Condos! Priced from $145,000 to $1,295,000!

Sammamish has 59 Open Single Family Homes! Priced from $347,000 to $1,499,900!

Sammamish has 4 Open Condos! Priced from $245,000 to $305,000!

Issaquah has 56 Open Single Family Homes! Priced from $328,900 to $2,490,000!

Issaquah has 27 Open Condos! Priced from $125,950 to $900,000!

Woodinville has 47 Open Single Family Homes! Priced from $319,000 to $1,895,000!

Woodinville has 12 Open Condos! Priced from $295,950 to $725,000!

I will be hosting an OPEN HOUSE on Sunday April 11, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Redmond. This Custom Built Craftsman Home is situated on just over 1 Acre and is surrounded by Million Dollar Estates.

• Priced Competitively at $609,900

• Custom Built in 2004

• 5 Bedrooms

• 2 1/2 Baths

• 2650 Square Feet

• 3 Car Garage

• Hardwood Floors on the Main Level

• Formal Living Room

• Formal Dinning Room

• Spacious Kitchen with Pantry

• Gas Cooktop

• Eating Area in Kitchen

• Large Family Room with Gas Fireplace & Built Ins

• Private Den on Main Level

• Master Retreat Features Gas Fireplace & Wired for Flat Screen TV

• His and Hers Closets

• Master Bath has Skylight

• Corner Soaking Bathtub

• Separate Double Headed Shower

• All Bedrooms are Ample Sized

• HUGE Bonus Room could be used for Media Room

• Upstairs Laundry Room

• Roomy Deck for Summertime Entertaining

• Large Grassy Backyard

• Side Yards have Amazing Trees

• Secluded Private Setting

• Extra Parking for Boat, RV and other Toys

24540 NE Union Hill Rd

Redmond WA 98053

Custom Built Craftsman

Wonderful Front Porch

Large Kitchen

Home Sits on over an Acre

Find Me Here

Find Me Here

Find Me Here

Find Me Here

Day 1 of 365 Things to do on the Eastside – Easter Egg Hunts

There are a dozen Easter Egg Hunts going on this weekend on the Eastside. Most are very TRADITIONAL and a few are VERY DIFFERENT. Here are a few to check out:

In Issaquah there is something called an UNDERWATER EGG HUNT! It will take place on Friday April 2 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm at the Julius Boehm Pool. Bring your swim suit, towel and basket for collecting the eggs. It will be help in the shallow end of the pool. There will be prizes awarded for the most eggs collected. Cost: $6 per child and $4 for each adult with a child.

Hunt times:

• Ages 1-5: 6:45-6:55 p.m.
• Ages 6-9: 7:30-7:40 p.m.
• Ages 10-16: 8-8:10 p.m.

The pool will also be featuring open swim time in between the egg hunts.

More information can be found here: Underwater Egg Hunt

The FLASHLIGHT EGG HUNT!!! I have never attended a Egg Hunt at night, but it could be fun – unless you happen to step on an egg in the dark. LOL

The Flashlight Egg Hunt is this coming Friday, April 2from 6:00 to 9:00 (so it really won’t be all that DARK). It will be held at Farrel-McWhirter Park, 19545 NE Redmond Rd. The cost is $10 per person in advance and $12 at the event. You should bring your own Flashlight and basket.

For more information checkout: Eggstravaganza

The Traditional Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast will be held in Redmond on Saturday April 3 at the Senior Center. The Pancake Breakfast starts at 8:00 am and the East Egg Hunt begins at 10:00 am SHARP.

Tickets in advance are $10 for adults (13+), $8 for children (3-12) and $8 for seniors (50+). Tickets at the door are $12 for adults (13+), $10 for children (3-12) and $10 for seniors (50+).

The Redmond Senior Center is located at 8703 160^th Ave NE.

For additional information visit Redmond Easter Egg Hunt or call 425-556-2300

In Kirkland the 35th Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held ON EASTER SUNDAY April 4, 2010 at 1:30 pm.

It will be held at Peter Kirk Park in Central Kirkland. It is a FREE event and there will be 3 different age group hunts. They are promising lots of CHOCOLATE!!!

Peter Kirk Park is located at 202 3rd Street

For additional information visit 35th Annual Easter Egg Hunt.