That’s right, Winterfest is back! We at Suncadia are ready to welcome the holiday season with a festival that celebrates all thing wintery, joyful and fun. The 7-week event kicked off on November 23 with a tree lighting celebration, holiday cookies, caroling (cuz it’s never too early to Christmas carol!), and an early visit from Santa (cuz, let’s be honest, his calendar is pretty open until December 25th) at Dawson Park.
If you missed the Lighting Celebration, don’t worry because there are plenty of opportunities to get in the holiday spirit. You can get a photo taken with Santa December 1, 8, 16; you can send the kids in their PJs to hear Peanut the Penguin read the season’s favorite tales on December 15; you can shop every weekend at the Winter Market, which features various vendors from across Washington.
Your little elves will love Santa’s Workshop, where they can get crafty during a variety of activities that sparkle the imagination. For the little Zaha Hadid architect in your family, there’s a gingerbread house making workshop (pre-register here). Little Martha Stewarts will love to make snowflakes, dream catchers, ornaments and other wintry crafts. At the Bear Factory, kids stuff and fluff their very own signature stuffed animal. Got a green thumb? You can add to your family’s tradition when you take home a mini Christmas tree (pre-register here) that you can plant in your backyard and watch grow.
Of course, it wouldn’t be winter without some outdoor fun. Round up the whole family, put on your ice skates and see who does the best toe jump. Afterwards, warm up by the firepit while you sip hot chocolate and make s’mores.
Hey parents, need a little me time? Head on over to the Glade Spring Spa for some much needed R&R. Dazzling Fingers is a 50-minute manicure followed by a glass of bubbly while Sugarplum Massage for Two is exactly what Santa ordered for mom and dad. Remember that old saying: a couple at the spa is a couple at peace. (We made that up, but we stand by it.)
Want more winter fun ideas? Take a look at Suncadia’s Winterfest 2018 guide or ask Concierge for recommendations.
See you at Winterfest!
Building a custom-designed home probably ranks high on every homeowner’s dream list. At Suncadia, we know how important it is for members of our community to build a home they will love for years to come, one that fits their lifestyle and that they are happy to come home to weekend after weekend. That’s why we have partnered with some of the best home builders and architects in Washington.
Meet Rick Jones, an architect who has focused on designing residential architecture since launching his practice in 1987. For Rick, designing a home goes beyond structure, building codes and budget; it’s about listening to the client and working to create a home designed with a custom look and fit. “I want my client to be happy beyond expectations,” says Rick.
At his firm, Rick Jones & Associates, Rick and his team approach the design of a new home by ensuring that it is integrated into the landscape, that it fits the setting and takes full advantage of orientation and views. No stranger to Suncadia, Rick has designed homes in the community for many years. In fact, he designed the second home to ever be built in Suncadia back in 2004.
“The homes that I design in Suncadia are unique because of the setting, climate, lifestyles, and the design guidelines,” he says. “That second home was well received and looks as good today in its setting as it did when it was first built,” he says proudly. Ask how many Suncadia homes he has worked on and he thinks for a minute before saying, “I’ve lost count but it is well over 70 homes.”
Rick, who also designed the Miner’s Camp neighborhood, says he has seen many changes as the development of Suncadia has progressed. “But the design guidelines have remained true to the original vision for a mountain home community.” He should know. Rick has been involved in the evolution of the design guidelines and thus has insider knowledge on how to design within those guidelines to ensure a quick approval from the Design Review Committee.
Well composed and aesthetically pleasing, Rick Jones & Associates homes are as comfortable on the inside as they are pleasing to the eye on the outside. “I incorporate solid timbers into my designs both on the exterior and interior of the homes,” he says. “The look is the expression of a cascade mountain home because the timbers are visually strong as well as structurally strong, which is required to withstand the heavy snow loads in the area.” Natural light is very important as well and a great deal of thought is given to ceiling heights and the placement and number of windows to bring natural light into the interiors.
When designing the floorplans, Rick and his team think about the flow of the circulation in the home. “I explain the circulation as being like a stream and the rooms like eddies off of the stream. This is important because the plan should flow with the way that you live and entertain in the home,” he says. Outdoor living is equally important to the Suncadia lifestyle and he designs so that the circulation from inside to outside is fluid and natural. His homes often feature outdoor spaces with fireplaces, BBQ, outdoor kitchen, firepit, and hot tub or swimming pool.
Working with clients to design their dream home is something that Rick and his team take seriously. “Our goal is to apply this experience and passion for design to create a cost effective, satisfying experience for every client,” he says.
Interested in learning more about custom designing your home or viewing a home designed by Rick Jones & Associates? Contact a member of the Suncadia sales team at 509-649-6000.
At Suncadia, you step out of urban life and into something that’s all too rare: a place where you know your neighbors instead of just passing them on the way to work. And as visits become longer and more frequent, you get to know the people who help shape Suncadia into a community you hold close to your heart. This column celebrates the Suncadia staff who play a role in the way residents and guests enjoy their time here. Some might be familiar faces or names, and others will be new to you. This week, we chat with Nanci Koss, a Suncadia realtor for more than a dozen years.
THIS IS ME
I’m originally from Northern Virginia but spent a lot of time in the South. I was lucky enough to move to the NW & Suncadia from knowing a marketing company that was putting together a team of agents for the release of our Lodge. Given that my Mom lived in AK and our kids were both on the West Coast it seemed like the perfect fit. I’ve now happily been working in Suncadia for more than 12 years.
WHEN I WAS A KID
When I was a kid I wanted to be a forest ranger or work with underprivileged communities or kids in some way.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
My favorite part of my job by far is getting out on property with clients who have their families with them. I love helping them find them their dream spot for a home in Suncadia!
FREE TIME
Suncadia puts on some great festivals but my favorites are the downhill dummy in the winter, or the fundraising we do for Life Support. I love the group hikes to improve the local trails, or maybe the outdoor concerts. Rafting is always a blast and just riding my bike on the trails is so relaxing.
BREAK TIME
My favorite place for a break is to sit out back of the Inn, looking over the pond and sweet view of the mountain ridge line. Also the back of the Lodge with the mountain view is amazing.
IN ANOTHER LIFE
If I weren’t a realtor I would be working with kids in some capacity.
CURRENTLY ON MY NIGHTSTAND
It’s hard to pick a favorite but probably Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand.
ON REPEAT
Right now I’m into a bluesy band called Pressing Strings, and their tune called The Wake Up Song because it’s melodic and makes me feel good!
LIFE ADVICE
My Mom always said to listen to your inner voice and to stay true to what you know is right, and always do your personal best.