Energy Efficient While Saving Lives: Seattle Launches Hybrid Ambulances

KOMO News | Jennifer Sullivan | December 1

http://komonews.com/news/local/energy-efficient-and-saves-lives-seattle-launches-hybrid-ambulances

“When firefighter paramedics Morlon Malveaux and Mark Pedeferri learned that their powerhorse diesel ambulance was going to be traded for a gas-powered hybrid they were more than a little concerned…But, after nearly nine months on the road with the new vehicle, neither have any complaints….The Seattle Fire Department’s vehicle change out is part of the city’s Drive Clean initiative, which calls for adding cleaner fuels and electric cars to the city’s entire fleet…XL Hybrids, the company that is outfitting the Ford E-450 ambulance fleet, said in a news release that in the night months the department has seen ‘a 19 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.’”

 

Meet the Brain Magnet That Is Metro Seattle

Seattle Times | Jon Talton | November 30

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/meet-the-brain-magnet-that-is-metro-seattle/

“Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ranked 11th nationally in the share of out-of-state adults with a bachelor’s degree, according to a Brookings Institution analysis. A total of 48.1 percent of prime-age adults fit this category here… Meanwhile, 35.2 percent of in-state adults with bachelor’s degrees were counted in the metro area. That ranked us No. 17 among large metros in the differential.”

 

Seattle Becomes Nation’s Hottest Housing Market, Driven by Tech Boom

GeekWire | Monica Nickelsburg | November 29

http://www.geekwire.com/2016/seattle-becomes-nations-hottest-housing-market-driven-tech-boom/

“Seattle’s housing market is the hottest in the nation, according to new data from The S&P Case-Shiller National Home Price Index. Home prices in the Seattle region rose 11 percent between September of 2015 and 2016, inching past Portland which saw 10.9 percent year-over-year growth. Seattle’s booming technology industry is driving record population growth as transplants flock to the region for jobs. Those newcomers tend to be skilled recruits, meaning they can afford pricier homes.”

 

Seattle’s Real-Estate Prospects Seen as Hot in 2017

Seattle Times | Jon Talton | November 29

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/economy/seattles-real-estate-prospects-seen-as-hot-in-2017/

“Once again, Seattle is among the hottest markets in the annual forecast of Emerging Trends in Real Estate by the Urban Land Institute and PwC. For 2017, Seattle ranks fourth in overall prospects among the markets to watch, behind Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Portland. It ranks first in investor demand as capital is expected to continue streaming here. Spokane and Tacoma rank 71st and 72nd, respectively, out of 78 markets surveyed.”

 

This Lounge at Sea-Tac Airport Allows Even Non-Frequent-Flies to Escape the Crowds (Photos)

Puget Sound Business Journal | Andrew McIntosh | November 29

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2016/11/25/this-lounge-at-sea-tac-airport-allows-even-non.html

“Travelers without mileage award status who are looking to get into a nice lounge and avoid the crowds at the airport are in luck. There’s another pair of lounges at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where everybody can get in and away from it all, even when your own airline’s lounge is jammed to capacity. The Club at Sea-Tac operates two lounges at Sea-Tac Airport as part of a national operation owned by Airport Lounge Development (ALD) of Dallas. You purchase a $40 a person day pass, you have full access to their lounge, no matter which airline you are flying with or which class of ticket you purchased.”