Date Archives: February 2022

Some parts of Washington never really get enough ice to make ice fishing possible. But here in the Spokane area, our cold winters are a blessing in disguise. Local anglers look forward to ice fishing all year. 

Our real estate agents look forward to it too. If you happen to be in the Spokane area and are looking for a place to drop a line, be sure to check out these great local ice fishing spots. 

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For more than 25 years in Spokane, the Hispanic Business Professional Association of Spokane (HBPA) has been promoting and serving Hispanic/Latinx cultural, business, professional, educational and social justice interests in the Inland Northwest.

HPBA supports families and individuals in the community in many different ways with an ever-growing list of services. From scholarship programs and small business development assistance to food pantries and rental assistance, HBPA helps facilitate many social services to families and individuals needing support.

Abran Alvarez first found out about HBPA through social media and began his involvement by attending one of their monthly meetings. Their professionalism and passion towards their goals in helping the community is what sparked him to continue helping out where he could.

"I saw what they were doing offering various workshops, scholarships, food pantries and their ever-growing list of services, and I thought it'd be awesome to jump in and use my bilingualism to help in any way that I can," Alvarez said.

HBPA's membership is comprised of businesses, organizations and individuals, with the vision of connecting members to the community by build professional and personal relationships.

Alvarez is an active member and attends monthly meetings. They host many events and volunteers are often needed for setup and cleanup. They also request volunteers to help with their small business workshops in teaching and speaking to members, he adds.

"They've done a really good job at developing relationships, networking, and building a really good sense of community within the Hispanic and Latinx community, which is continuing to grow here in Spokane," Alvarez said.

For more information about Hispanic Business Professional Association of Spokane, visit hbpaofspokane.org, call 509-557-0556 or email hbpaspokane@gmail.com.

Join us in celebrating our Doers of Good by getting involved in one of the programs we will spotlight over the next several months.

The Spokane River Centennial Trail is just one example of what there is to see and do in the area, and it can provide day after day of outdoor adventures. Whether you prefer more urban activities or want to hike your way through gorgeous topography, the trail has something for everyone. Nearly 2 million people visit the trail each year, a testament to its popularity and the gorgeous scenery it offers.

Our real estate agents share what you need to know about exploring Spokane's Centennial Trail:

History of the Trail

Spokane River Centennial Trail is 40 miles long, starting at a recreation area on Lake Spokane before winding its way to the Idaho border and beyond. It generally follows the contours of the Spokane River as it makes its way through many diverse areas of both states.

Construction for the trail began between 1989-1991 in celebration of the Washington State Centennial. All of the trail's miles are completely paved, with many stretches separated from vehicular traffic.

The trail takes you through areas ranging from basalt canyons to hip urban centers. 

For example, you may want to spend time in historic downtown Spokane and the more urban areas of the trail before heading out to explore more rural areas and their spectacular views. You can traverse the trail's entire length on a long bike ride, or take several days to hike your way through.

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Test Your Valentine's Day Knowledge

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!  Today is the day for love and romance, heart-shaped chocolates and candlelit dinners.

What do you really know about Valentine's Day? Here are some fun trivia questions to test your knowledge.

1. When was the oldest-known Valentine's Day message written, and from where? 
2. When was February 14^th first declared as Valentine's Day? 
3. Who invented the first Valentine's Day candy box? 
4. What is the average number of marriage proposals on Valentine's Day each year? 
5. How much on average is spent on chocolate in America for Valentine's Day each year? 
6. How many roses are sold on Valentine's Day each year? 
7. How many Valentine's Day greeting cards are purchased in the U.S. each year? 
8. How many people typically purchase Valentines for their pets? 
9. If you send a snarky insult on Valentine's Day, what kind of "greeting" are you sending?
10. What year were the popular "conversation Sweethearts" not available?

Ready for the answers?

1. The oldest-known Valentine was in 1415, sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife from the Tower of London where he was imprisoned. 
2. Valentine's Day was declared an official holiday in 1537 by King Henry VIII. 
3. English entrepreneur and chocolate-maker Richard Cadbury created the first heart-shaped box of chocolates. 
4. 220,000 
5. It is estimated that over $1 billion is spent in the U.S. each year for Valentine's Day. 
6. 189 million 
7. Approximately 1 billion 
8. 9 million 
9. Insulting Valentine's messages are known as "Vinegar Valentines."
10. The ever-popular "Conversation Hearts" were unavailable in 2019 after their manufacturer Necco declared bankruptcy in 2018. Thankfully, the Spangler Candy Company purchased the rights, and the candies returned in 2020.

How'd you do? 

Whether you are celebrating with your beau, your best friends, your pets, or your neighbors, we wish you a day full of love!

Winning Snacks for a Super Bowl Crowd

For the vast majority of Americans, Super Bowl Sunday is a national holiday. Big gatherings, team jerseys, and food. Lots and lots of food. In fact, according to Wikipedia, roughly 28 million pounds of chips are consumed just on this day. Add to that 1.25 billion chicken wings and 8 million pounds of guacamole! 

Perhaps you're looking for some great ideas to add to the menu. Read on! 

Artichoke Dip

• 2 cans of non-marinated artichoke hearts
• 1 c. mayonnaise
• 1/2 c. sour cream
• 1 can of diced green chilis
• 1 c. shredded parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients in a small baking dish and bake for 20 minutes at 400°. Serve with tortilla chips.

Dill Pickle & Ham Pinwheels

• ½ lb. thinly-sliced ham
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 4 large whole dill pickles

Pat pickles dry with a paper towel. Cover each pickle with 1 oz. of the cream cheese & wrap with ¼ of the ham. Repeat with the remaining pickles & refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Slice into 1" pieces & enjoy!

Tequila-Spiked Salsa

• 2 c. chopped, seeded tomato
• 1 c. chopped onion
• 1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/3 c. peeled, chopped avocado
• 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
• 2 tsp. tequila (optional!)
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Combine all ingredients & toss gently. Serve with tortilla chips.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

• 10 oz. chicken breasts, boiled & shredded
• 2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 c. ranch dressing
• 3/4 c. (or more based on taste/preferences)
• pepper sauce (e.g. Frank's Red Hot®)
• 1-1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Place shredded chicken & hot sauce in skillet & heat over medium heat until heated through. Stir in cream cheese & ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended & warm. Mix in shredded cheese & stir until melted. Transfer to the crockpot to keep warm & serve with tortilla chips.

Oreo Popcorn

• 20 Oreo cookies
• 2 bags of microwave popcorn, popped
• 2 c. white chocolate chips

Place Oreos in a large Ziploc bag and smash. Heat white chocolate chips in microwave on high for 30-second intervals up to 2-3 minutes, stirring until melted. Mix popcorn & melted chocolate in a large bowl until well-combined. Slowly add the cookies & mix. Turn out on waxed paper until cool. Break into pieces & enjoy.

After the big game, when you find yourself wishing for a media room or better entertaining space, give us a call. We will guide you to the perfect home!

View our comprehensive Kootenai Country real estate market report for the month of January!

The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTORS© and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and correct.

Download the January Market Report PDF here.

Want more info about the current real estate market? Contact us today to speak to an agent. 

View our comprehensive Spokane real estate market report for the month of January!

The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTORS© and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and correct.

Download the January Market Report PDF here.

Want more info about the current real estate market? Contact us today to speak to an agent.