The average North American household spends $1500 annually on energy bills, a number that may go up as much as 50% this year.  In the face of higher energy costs this winter, improving energy efficiency is more important than ever to homeowners.  Below are some simple and inexpensive steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient.  Why not start this week-end?

                                                       Bundle Up

         If you have a tank-style water heater, wrap it in an insulation blanket to prevent needless energy loss.

Anacortes named One of Top Places to Retire

When Lucie and Rick Yeomans wanted to retire from Intel Corp, the couple’s decision to relocate here was helped by hearing local teens talk about enjoying community.  “Our general area of focus was really good schools and a beautiful place and a small town,” Rick Yeomans said.  “When you are here, you are in a really special place and you’re not in a suburb of Seattle .” 

Apparently, Lucie and Rick, now 46 and 47 respectively, were ahead of the game when they relocated from Vancouver, WA .  In a listing of the top 10 places in the United State to retire young, CNN Money.com ranked Anacortes sixth.  It was the only Washington community in the ranking, which was published April 12, 2007.  Anacortes followed Coeur d’Alene, ID, Charlottesville, VA, Logan, UT, Blacksburg, VA and Burlington, VT.

To arrive at their choices, CNN Money editors looked at various communities’ proximity to major metropolitan areas, median home price, population growth, cost of living and economic health, proximity to colleges or universities, and availability of recreational and cultural activities.  CNN’s article also touted Anacortes’ proximity to British Columbia and boating community, as well as shopping and entertainment.

Anacortes Mayor Dean Maxwell said he was pleased to be included on the list and thought it was possible business owners in others areas could see the CNN piece and consider relocating to the 16,000-resident community.  “I think it says a lot about the community from an overall quality of life perspective,” Maxwell said.  “I’m sure not any of us are really looking for a wave of new folks to come to our community.  We only have so many spaces available.”

Maxwell also said he found CNN’s article somewhat ironic.  “Although the article highlights very nice things, we still struggle with a lot of things other communities struggle with,” said Maxwell, adding that affordable housing is a concern.  “Most of us are working one or two jobs, and the thought of retiring young eludes us.”  Anacortes isn’t the most “senior” municipality in Skagit County , according to the U.S. Census.  It comes a close second to another waterfront town, La Conner.

There are benefits to having a large proportion of retirees, whatever their age, Maxwell said.  The city has an active volunteer force that is involved in a number of service groups, he said.  “They give back and help the quality of life here.”

U.S. News & World Report  "Best Places to Retire"

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           Anacortes, Washington:  In this city of 16,000 on Fidalgo Island , Mount Erie looms above four lakes, 3,000 acres of city-owned forest, beaches, rocky cliffs, 12 city parks and Puget Sound .  The waterfront city is great for boating, kayaking and bird-watching.  And it gets 30 percent of Seattle’s rainfall!

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