Lewiston: Adventurer's Paradise

Photo Credit: Blue Lotus

River-wrapped Lewiston has made the news again. Cited in the USA Today, September's National Geographic Adventure Magazine named Lewiston, ID as one of the best waterfront cities to live and play in.

With numerous new waterfront developments such as Water's Edge Condominiums, the Two Rivers Project, and Bighorn on the River, Lewiston is home to settling retirees, casual recreationalists, and hard-core adventurers. It's always a pleasure to have a little recognition for the little town we call home.

Economic Predictability

Living in the Lewis-Clark Valley is predictable. That is one of my favorite things about living here for the past 17 years… Steady and predictable.

Sunday, The Lewiston Morning Tribune printed an update about the real estate market having made a "correction". As a 14 year REALTOR^® in the Valley, I couldn't agree more.

It was predictable!

The article also rocked the emotions of many folks who called me with unnecessary fear and trepidation. Potlatch has transferred about 25 upper level employees to their Spokane, WA operation. Fear overcame several sellers who called me—they were sure the sky was falling.

Predictable LC Valley
Yes, Potlatch (a major employer) does move their management around every several years. Yes, the real estate market has more inventory now than in the last three years, and less are selling. Yes, the overall prices of real estate sold has escalated in the last 36 months.

Is the sky falling? NO! NO! NO!

We are back to the predictable real estate market in our valley. It is a value-driven market again! Nice properties are selling to nice people for fair prices, again!

The Potlatch scare is just that—LC Valley losing sight of its most precious commodity—stability and predictability!

After calling several insiders about the rumor, it is true that there are some corporate changes ahead. However, it is also true that many of the affected employees will not sell their LC Valley properties!

They may choose a new route this time. They may keep their homes here, rent for a time elsewhere, and return to our Valley as soon as their life plans permit.

Why? Because the LC Valley is stable and predictable! They WANT to live her. They CHOOSE to retain Idaho roots! Their end goal is to remain proud of our Lewis Clark Valley... and come home.

Taste of the Valley 2007

Photo Credit: Anissa Belkheir

Business Day in the Valley is a great place to learn about local businesses. If that doesn't interest you, be sure to check out "A Taste of the Valley", where local restaurants offer samples of their menu. The Taste will be a part of Business Day. Learn more at the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce.

August 2007 Statistics

	August
Lewiston	2006	2007
Min of Sold Price	22,500	70,000
Max of Sold Price	485,000	349,500
Average of Sold Price	165,414	188,680
Min of Days On Market	1	19
Max of Days On Market	399	378
Average of Days On Market	82	110
Total Sold	33	29
	August
Clarkston	2006	2007
Min of Sold Price	11,100	63,000
Max of Sold Price	381,900	545,000
Average of Sold Price	147,434	172,994
Min of Days On Market	5	13
Max of Days On Market	256	456
Average of Days On Market	76	99
Total Sold	29	44

Main Street Pedestrian Mall

I grew up in a mid-west town which was built in the early 1900's by entrepreneurs who used building models from Northern European countries. Many of our buildings looked similar to the Lewiston Civic Theater, pictured above, a landmark church which is now a thriving community theater serving our LC Valley. Preserving our landmark buildings is important to growing communities as ours, as they attract newcomers who add depth and talent to our areas.

Yesterday the Downtown Lewiston supporters met to plan a potential kick off for restoration efforts for our Valley by affiliating with the national Main Street program. It is a part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Their field teams have gone to several cities to help preserve their historic buildings from extinction as urban growth pushes into communities.

The foundation to save such historic buildings became the Main Street program, and has helped revitalize the Walla Walla, Washington downtown area, a quick 2 hour drive from our Valley on Hwy 12.

The Lewiston Morning Tribune has recently printed several excellent articles on the Main Street Program as an avenue to revive Lewiston's downtown core, which has many such buildings in need of renewal.

The thought of saving these buildings and integrating them into a pedestrian friendly Downtown is exciting! I love the energy this movement is beginning to create in our business district which historically was the First Capital of the State of Idaho!

How do you feel about being part of this movement?

Patriot Day: Remember and Reflect

This morning, we heard someone say, "Happy Nine Eleven." We know it wasn't meant to be disrespectful, but really, what do you say?

Officially, today is Patriot Day. It's a day to remember the thousands that were lost at the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. Take some time out today to remember them, their families, and reflect on our own lives.

This past week I have been reading about Islam and comparing the life style I would NOT have--to what I DO have-- living in the United States at this time in history--- IF our country was successfully over turned by the terrorists who struck 9-11-01.

Today is a day to rejoice and praise the Lord Jesus Christ for our protection! I pray for our President's continued wisdom and political leadership to keep our country ONE NATION under the Triune God. It may not always be so.

I submit we DO say "Happy 9-11" today and thank our elected leaders for the ensuing 6 years which have allowed our continued FREEDOM!

Small community joys

Relationships with community members are huge in the Lewiston Clarkston Valley. It is so rewarding to have just suggested a reliable handy man to a senior citizen to solve a home maintenance problem. We were able to find the handyman quickly through a happy homeowner who had used Rick (the handyman) last month. It's problem solving through good relationships!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Oh happy day! My mom is 85 years young and we celebrated on the river. Imagine mom, able to climb into the truck cab, hang out while we launch the boat, hang on while we ride the waves and love it!

Why no picture of mom? Because I wanted to show you our 2-and-a-half year old grand daughter "drivin" the boat with Gompo (my husband)! ...HOW did we get so old so fast?!

Livin' on the river is the best part of small town life here in the Lewis Clark Valley. We can launch the boat and enjoy the warm sun, cloudless blue sky, and the clean, cool water all within 5 minutes of our doorstep.

Jim and I are water lovers and we boat with our family and friends as often as we can. That's why we choose living in a little known area where there are few traffic lights, no 5 o'lock rush hour, and lots of wide open spaces.

Orofino Lumberjack Days

Visit Orofino and experience Lumber Jack Days, Sept 13-16, 2007.
http://www.orofinolumberjackdays.org/

Labor Day Boating

Living in the LC Valley is easy. Have boat, will travel! Labor Day weekend here was hot and wet... but it didn't rain!

Our boat is our family's home on the river...and the river was popping with traffic. We zipped over wakes and cooled down with the refreshing spray, and then beached up for a picnic along the Idaho side of the Snake River--The Gateway to Hell's Canyon (pictured).

A whole beach to ourselves, we swam and ate, and Liza (3) and Lauryn (2) made sandcastles and sand art till dusk. How sad to pack up and call another Labor Day history as we boated back to the launch site and headed home!

Back to Washington (across the river) we headed home and ended the day watching stars in the hot tub without mosquitos and swimming in our clean, sparkling pool.