Around St. Charles County
Tuesday, September 15
Your Personal Economic Recovery7-8 p.m.Middendorf-Kredell Branch, St. Charles-St. Charles County Library District
Today's economic environment may be one of the most challenging. Take control of your financial situation - and the sooner you act, the better. Learn about the steps that can help prepare you for a potential recovery and keep your financial future on track. Presented by Gary W. Weber, Edward Jones.
Tuesday, September 15
AUDUBON OPEN HOUSE7 pm to 9 pmSt. Charles Nonprofit Development Center, 425 Spencer Road
Open House presentation by the St. Louis Audubon Society. Refreshments will be served while you wander exhibits, pickup informational materials, and meet the folks that make it happen around the Metro Region. From birding to education to hands-on conservation activities and more.
Free
Info call 314-599-7390
Friday, September 18-Sunday, September 20
MOSAICS MISSOURI FESTIVAL FOR THE ARTSFriday: 4 pm - 9 pm
Saturday: 11 am - 9 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm
Historic St. Charles Downtown District
Approximately 125 artists from across the country are selected to come to St. Charles to exhibit and sell their works. Mediums represented include painting, sculpture, jewelry, and many other fine arts. Other activities include A Mentor Me program, an Art for Youth gallery, and a Kids Creation Station. Food and other refreshments are available throughout the festival grounds.
Free
For info: call 636-940-5178 or visit www.stcharlesmosaics.org
September 25 - October 25, 2009
Quilt NationalTuesday-Saturday hours are 10 am - 5 pm
Open until 9 pm on Wednesdays
Sunday hours are 12 pm-4 pm
Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main Street
Quilt National is a biennial, international, juried and judged quilt art competition. Quilt National has showcases the most exciting & innovative trends in the medium and promotes quilt making as what it always has been - an art form. Jurors will select works that represent unique approaches and demonstrate the breadth & diversity of contemporary expressions. An educational lecture series will run in conjunction with the exhibition.
Free
Tuesday, September 29
Escape To Araluen/Ranger’s Apprentice7 p.m.Middendorf-Kredell Branch, St. Charles City-County Library
Experience the story, live the action with the Viking Story Pirates of New York City.Info: Register online at www.youranswerplace.org or call 636 978.7926
Wednesday, September 30
When Should Ms. Daisy Stop Driving?3-4:30 p.mProgress West Highway K Medical Building & Urgent Care CenterDesigned for the impaired senior driver and their loved ones, this discussion separates fact from fiction on the safety of older drivers. Call 636.344.2273 to register.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
HR 2801: Home Ownership Moves the Economy Act of 2009
There is a new Bill - H.R.2801 or the Home Ownership Moves the Economy (HOME) Act of 2009 that was introduced by Rep. Howard Coble, Republican from North Carolina, on June 10, 2009. It is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Basically, this Bill will amend the Internal Revenue Code to:
1. Extend the first-time home buyer tax credit to all individuals who purchase a principal residence. Currently, only first-time home buyers may qualify for the $8000 Tax credit. The definition of a first time home buyer under the current program states that you cannot have owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. This credit still only applies to those buying a primary residence
2. Extend such credit and the waiver of recapture requirements for such credit through December 31, 2010
3. Repeal the limitation on such credit based on modified adjusted gross income. The current guidelines read that as a single tax payer, your income cannot exceed $75,000 to receive the full tax credit. A reduced credit may be claimed up to the phase out income limit of $95,000. For married filing jointly, the income guidelines are $150,000 phasing out at $195,000. This would enable those individuals that earn higher incomes to also receive the tax credit.
This bill is still in its infancy and has a long way to go before it is passed. If you are a first time home buyer, I would advise you not wait to see if this bill will be passed. The current $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers will expire on November 30, 2009. The home you purchase must have the transaction closed by this date. If you wait, you may find yourself in a position where there is no way the closing on your home can take place by then and you will lose out on the tax rebate.
You can track the progress of this BILL at: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2801
There is a new Bill - H.R.2801 or the Home Ownership Moves the Economy (HOME) Act of 2009 that was introduced by Rep. Howard Coble, Republican from North Carolina, on June 10, 2009. It is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Basically, this Bill will amend the Internal Revenue Code to:
1. Extend the first-time home buyer tax credit to all individuals who purchase a principal residence. Currently, only first-time home buyers may qualify for the $8000 Tax credit. The definition of a first time home buyer under the current program states that you cannot have owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. This credit still only applies to those buying a primary residence
2. Extend such credit and the waiver of recapture requirements for such credit through December 31, 2010
3. Repeal the limitation on such credit based on modified adjusted gross income. The current guidelines read that as a single tax payer, your income cannot exceed $75,000 to receive the full tax credit. A reduced credit may be claimed up to the phase out income limit of $95,000. For married filing jointly, the income guidelines are $150,000 phasing out at $195,000. This would enable those individuals that earn higher incomes to also receive the tax credit.
This bill is still in its infancy and has a long way to go before it is passed. If you are a first time home buyer, I would advise you not wait to see if this bill will be passed. The current $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers will expire on November 30, 2009. The home you purchase must have the transaction closed by this date. If you wait, you may find yourself in a position where there is no way the closing on your home can take place by then and you will lose out on the tax rebate.
You can track the progress of this BILL at: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2801
Monday, July 6, 2009
PENDING SALES RISE FOR THE SIXTH STRAIGHT MONTH
For the sixth month in a row, pending sales in June saw an increase over the previous month, according to the St. Charles County Association of Realtors. Pending sales, homes placed under contract, increased 3 percent in June over May. This followed consecutive increases of 11 percent in May, 16 percent in April and 26 percent in March!
June pending sales in St. Charles County were 10 percent higher than pending sales in June of 2008. This is the second month in a row that pending sales this year have been greater than the comparable sales one year ago.
For the sixth month in a row, pending sales in June saw an increase over the previous month, according to the St. Charles County Association of Realtors. Pending sales, homes placed under contract, increased 3 percent in June over May. This followed consecutive increases of 11 percent in May, 16 percent in April and 26 percent in March!
June pending sales in St. Charles County were 10 percent higher than pending sales in June of 2008. This is the second month in a row that pending sales this year have been greater than the comparable sales one year ago.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Home Sales on the Rise!
Sales of existing homes showed another gain in May, benefiting from favorable affordability conditions and a first-time buyer tax credit, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ®. May's increase was the first back-to-back monthly gain since September 2005.
Existing-home sales - including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops - rose 2.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.77 million units in May from a downwardly revised level of 4.66 million units in April. Sales remained 3.6 percent below the 4.95 million-unit pace in May 2008.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, expected an improvement in sales. "Historically low mortgage interest rates clearly drew buyers into the market, and housing remains very affordable even with a recent uptick in rates," Yun says. "First-time buyers also are being drawn off the sidelines by the $8,000 tax credit, which is helping to absorb inventory.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Around St. Charles County
Thursday, July 2-Saturday, July 4
Riverfest, Frontier Park. Games, food, crafts, carnival rides, parade, fireworks and fun for the entire family.
Thursday, Bluegrass Festival
4:30-9:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday
Music at 2 stages. Parade at 10:00 AM on July 4th. Fireworks at 9:20 PM. On Friday and Saturday www.stcharlesriverfest.com
Friday, July 3-Saturday, July 4
O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest
Friday, 4-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-11 p.m.
Ozzie Smith Sports Complex.
National bands, fireworks, carnival rides, family-friendly shows, kids’ activities, festival food and beverages, Independence Day parade. Info, www.heritagandfreedomfest.com. Or (636) 379-5614.
Free
Saturday, July 4 - New Town St. Charles
1 p.m. Parade 4-8 p.m. music
Friday, July 10
Bicentennial Historical Trolley Tours
1-4:45 p.m.Tour of Old Cemeteries Historical Trolley Tours developed in conjunction with the Greater St. Charles CVB, the Bicentennial Committee & Steve Wiechens of the First Capitol Lions Club. Trolley Transportation will be provided by the CVB. Participation is limited to 20-22 people per tour and is by reservation only on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Info, 636-255-6154
Free
Saturday, July 11 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
MoCHIP - Child Identification and Protection Program: Keeping MO Kids Safe!
Little Guppy Child Development Center, 3151 Elm Point Industrial Drive.
MO Masonic Family will be on hand to further ensure the safety of area children free of charge. Representatives from the police department and fire department to discuss child safety. Car seat and helmet safety checks, games, ice cream social.
Info, 636-530-6069.
Free
Friday, July 17-Saturday, July 18
Friday, July 24 - Satuday, July 25
7:30 p.m.
Lindenwood Center for Fine & Performing Arts Events
Production of Pulitzer Prize Broadway play Harvey
Tickets available at Lindenwood Box Office, www.telecharge.com or 800-447-7400.
General Admission $10.
Info, 636-949-4433
Thursday, July 23 1:30 p.m.Middendorf-Kredell Branch, St. Charles Library District
How To Find Medical Information
Consumer health librarian Denise Ulett helps patrons research understandable, reliable sources for healthcare consumers. Navigate print and electronic information.
Free
Sunday, July 26 1-4 p.m.Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton
Hummingbird Festival
See hummingbirds up close. The Illinois Audubon Society will band birds. Adopt a hummingbird for a small fee.
Info, 618-786-2331, ext. 338
Free
Friday, July 31 2:30-4:30 p.m.Corporate Parkway Branch, St. Charles Library District
Teen 80s End of Summer Party
Games, trivia, snacks, prizes for best dressed.
Register online or call 332-9966
Free
Thursday, July 2-Saturday, July 4
Riverfest, Frontier Park. Games, food, crafts, carnival rides, parade, fireworks and fun for the entire family.
Thursday, Bluegrass Festival
4:30-9:30 p.m.Friday and Saturday
Music at 2 stages. Parade at 10:00 AM on July 4th. Fireworks at 9:20 PM. On Friday and Saturday www.stcharlesriverfest.com
Friday, July 3-Saturday, July 4
O’Fallon’s Heritage & Freedom Fest
Friday, 4-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-11 p.m.
Ozzie Smith Sports Complex.
National bands, fireworks, carnival rides, family-friendly shows, kids’ activities, festival food and beverages, Independence Day parade. Info, www.heritagandfreedomfest.com. Or (636) 379-5614.
Free
Saturday, July 4 - New Town St. Charles
1 p.m. Parade 4-8 p.m. music
Friday, July 10
Bicentennial Historical Trolley Tours
1-4:45 p.m.Tour of Old Cemeteries Historical Trolley Tours developed in conjunction with the Greater St. Charles CVB, the Bicentennial Committee & Steve Wiechens of the First Capitol Lions Club. Trolley Transportation will be provided by the CVB. Participation is limited to 20-22 people per tour and is by reservation only on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Info, 636-255-6154
Free
Saturday, July 11 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
MoCHIP - Child Identification and Protection Program: Keeping MO Kids Safe!
Little Guppy Child Development Center, 3151 Elm Point Industrial Drive.
MO Masonic Family will be on hand to further ensure the safety of area children free of charge. Representatives from the police department and fire department to discuss child safety. Car seat and helmet safety checks, games, ice cream social.
Info, 636-530-6069.
Free
Friday, July 17-Saturday, July 18
Friday, July 24 - Satuday, July 25
7:30 p.m.
Lindenwood Center for Fine & Performing Arts Events
Production of Pulitzer Prize Broadway play Harvey
Tickets available at Lindenwood Box Office, www.telecharge.com or 800-447-7400.
General Admission $10.
Info, 636-949-4433
Thursday, July 23 1:30 p.m.Middendorf-Kredell Branch, St. Charles Library District
How To Find Medical Information
Consumer health librarian Denise Ulett helps patrons research understandable, reliable sources for healthcare consumers. Navigate print and electronic information.
Free
Sunday, July 26 1-4 p.m.Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton
Hummingbird Festival
See hummingbirds up close. The Illinois Audubon Society will band birds. Adopt a hummingbird for a small fee.
Info, 618-786-2331, ext. 338
Free
Friday, July 31 2:30-4:30 p.m.Corporate Parkway Branch, St. Charles Library District
Teen 80s End of Summer Party
Games, trivia, snacks, prizes for best dressed.
Register online or call 332-9966
Free
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Handy Hints
It's just about time to turn on the air conditioner again. Did you know approximately one-third of a home's energy is lost through its doors and windows and this is when they are closed? You can save money and energy by simply insulating and checking your weather-stripping.
To check for leaks in a door, open it and place a piece of paper in the doorjamb. Close the door and try to pull the paper out. If it comes out easily, there is an air leak. Try the same thing on your windows.
If you need to purchase new weather-stripping, get one that's easy to install and comes with a warranty. To insulate an exterior door, apply weather-stripping to the door-jamb and to the top and bottom of the door frame.
For a double-hung window, cut the weather-stripping to size and peel off the backing.
Apply the weather-stripping in the channel, which is the groove in the window frame on the bottom of the sash on the lower window and in the channel on top of the sash on the upper window. Then apply the weather-stripping into the middle channel of the vertical jambs on both sides of the window.
Now you will keep all that cool air inside your house and the hot air outside!
It's just about time to turn on the air conditioner again. Did you know approximately one-third of a home's energy is lost through its doors and windows and this is when they are closed? You can save money and energy by simply insulating and checking your weather-stripping.
To check for leaks in a door, open it and place a piece of paper in the doorjamb. Close the door and try to pull the paper out. If it comes out easily, there is an air leak. Try the same thing on your windows.
If you need to purchase new weather-stripping, get one that's easy to install and comes with a warranty. To insulate an exterior door, apply weather-stripping to the door-jamb and to the top and bottom of the door frame.
For a double-hung window, cut the weather-stripping to size and peel off the backing.
Apply the weather-stripping in the channel, which is the groove in the window frame on the bottom of the sash on the lower window and in the channel on top of the sash on the upper window. Then apply the weather-stripping into the middle channel of the vertical jambs on both sides of the window.
Now you will keep all that cool air inside your house and the hot air outside!
As reported on the St. Charles County Association of Realtors website: "The number of pending sales, homes under contract, in St. Charles County jumped 26 percent in March. “This strong increase over February numbers is an indicator of increased market activity in St. Charles County and across the nation,” commented Karen Vennard, 2009 St. Charles Association President.These numbers reflect the reports we are getting from brokers all across the county who are seeing an increase in property calls, showings and general business activity, reported Vennard.Brokers point to the $8,000 tax credit for first time buyers, record low interest rates and stable prices as the reasons for the increase in activity.“People are realizing that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy a home,” added Vennard. “Interest rates haven’t been at this level since the 1950s and if you are a first time buyer, Uncle Sam is giving you $8,000 in free money, so why would you not buy now, “concluded Vennard.These incentives have helped to keep housing affordability at record high levels. In March, the national housing affordability index stood at 166.7 percent. An index of 100 means that the family making the median income could afford the median priced home. In March that family making $61,100 per year could afford a home valued at $291,600. The index assumes a 20 percent down payment.“The market is rebounding and there may not be a better time to buy in our lifetime,” concluded Vennard".
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