Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

Do remember the fervor of the Tri-City Americans when they first came to the Tri-Cities in 1988? Do you recall the two young men that became household names here in town? Well Stu Barnes and Olie Kolzig, both went on and became NHL superstars yet maintained homes here in the Tri-Cities during their careers. Wednesday marked the 5 year anniversary of their ownership in the Tri-City Americans – who are now vying for the Western League Championship for the 2nd time in 3 years, and they’ve also taken the U.S. Division Championship title three times.  These two outstanding men, their coaches and front office staff have built an outstanding team over the years, provided them with trainers and high quality facilities to train and practice in – and all of that care and concern for the players has created an outstanding Tri City Americans team, and in turn, the community has become a huge fan base. Hockey in the desert sounds kind of funny, but here in the Tri-Cities we love our Ams!  Good luck boys and show ‘em what you’re made of! We’re behind you 110%.

Full Throttle Motorcycle in Kennewick and the Desert Thunder Motorcycle Group are sponsoring the third annual Ridin’ for Rover Poker Run to benefit the Benton Franklin Humane Society. The event will be April 25. Registration and check-in will be at 9a.m. at the Full Throttle parking lot at 135 Vista Way in Kennewick. The cost is $20 per rider and $15 per passenger, plus one pet care item from the Shelter’s Wish List at www.bfhs.com. Dairy Queen is donating lunches to all registered riders and the event’s finale stop will be at Dairy Queen at 91 Gage Blvd., in Richland.

The revived Tri Cities Fever indoor football team played their season home opener in Kennewick’s Toyota Center against the Kent Predators on Saturday night. The first half was exciting with each team answer the other’s touchdown and at the half were at a 35-35 tie. After the halftime break the Kent Predators looked refreshed and proved that point with several unanswered touchdowns, meanwhile the Fever’s much smaller line was worn out after battling the three behemoths of Kent’s center and two front linemen. For the most part it was an exciting game the first half, but it became obvious quickly into the second half that they were not gonna come out victorious. We’ve definitely got some speed, but in this particular game that didn’t mean much. Let’s be hopeful that the next home game scheduled for April 10th is a better one for the Fever!

The beauty of spring has been obvious in the last couple of weeks all over the Tri-Cities, and each morning as we drive to work many of us see it and rejoice in the season filled with light greens, pinks, yellows and reds. Gardeners have begun the ritual of trimming off the old and planting the new. Am I a gardener? No not really, but I am certainly am an enjoy-er of their efforts.  Tree lined streets like West 10th in Kennewick and its flowering pear and plum trees makes me smile all the way down the stretch. The beauty of dogwoods in yards, tulips, crocuses, forsythias and other plants bring color into our desert community and the smell of new mown grass brings delight to my senses.  Walking along the waterfront trail in Richland is also a delight in color and creatures with geese and ducks quacking long the paths.  Yes, spring has sprung here in the Tri Cities after a mild and delightful winter.  Don’t let this wonderful season pass you by – stop and enjoy the beauty of all that surrounds us in the Mid Columbia region.

After many years of petition pushing by former judge Fred Staples, the petition signatures have finally been verified and now the issue of moving the county seat from Prosser to Kennewick can be placed before the voters this November.  At this point, Benton County commissioners have a conundrum before them – what is all this gonna cost and what all is involved in relocating a county seat?  Tough questions to answer and the end result may require hiring a consultant to research answers regarding state law and to explore the actual process of moving offices from Prosser to Kennewick.