Saturday, July 3 – Sunday, July 4
Fourth of July celebration
Frontier Park
This Independence Day celebration includes fireworks at 9:20 p.m. both nights, food and beverage booths, beer garden, crafts, games, carnival rides, live music on the Jaycee Stage and the Music Tent, parade.
Free
For more information call 1-800-366-2427
Saturday, July 3-Sunday, July 4
Fair St. Louis
Gateway Arch grounds on the Riverfront
10 a.m.-10 p.m. both days
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the fair, the air shows return, plus spectacular fireworks displays both days, and free music performances. Saturday night John Legend entertains and on Sunday night the B-52s close the fair. For a full schedule, check out the Fair website.
Sunday, July 4
Fourth of July celebration
Progress Park, Wentzville
The theme for the Wentzville Fourth of July celebration is “The American Dream.” The parade begins at 3 p.m. on Pearce Blvd to Wentzville Holt High School. The celebration includes live music, games, food and fireworks at 9:05 p.m. For more information, call the Wentzville Parks and Recreation Department at 636-332-9236 or visit the website.
Friday, July 9 and 23
Friday Night Flicks
7:30 p.m.
4th and Clark
Friday Night flicks in Frenchtown continue with the movie Shorts playing on the 9th and Evan Almighty on the 23rd. Bring a lawn chair for comfort. The movies being at dusk. Sponsored by the Historic Frenchtown Association.
FREE
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Tour of the Little Hills
Registration: 7:30 am - 9 am
Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main
Become a modern day explorer and climb the “little hills” of St. Charles. This urban bicycle ride has routes of various distances along flat to rolling terrain that is moderately hilly with a few big hills and is recommended for experienced cyclists. After the ride explore the fine arts gallery that hosts juried exhibitions and features 20 working artists’ studios.
Fees: $8 Trailnet Member, $12 Non-member, $3 Children under 13
For more information call 314-416-9930 x114
Tuesday, July 20
Organic Foods: Scrumptious or Scam?
Middendorf-Kredell Library Branch
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Are organic foods really worth the extra money? A registered dietician will discuss which foods to buy organic and how you can save money. Participants will taste test organic and conventional produce.
FREE
Tuesday, July 27-Saturday, July 30
St. Charles County Fair
Rotary Park, Foristell
The St. Charles County Fair is everything an old-fashioned fair should be–4-H exhibits and livestock competition, a queen and her court, baby contest, carnival rides, a rooster crowing contest, pony rides, tractor pull, midway food, and much, much more. This is a chance for kids to experience a nostalgic tradition with an updated twist. For schedules, admission fees and other information, go to the fair’s HYPERLINK "http://stcharlescofair.org/index.html" website or call 636-970-3000.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Lower interest rates now eclipse savings on the $8,000 tax credit program
Because interest rates have gone down since April 30, homebuyers can still be ahead of the game in the long run
In looking back over the past year, did you really miss the opportunity of a lifetime by not buying a home and taking advantage of that $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit? The program did increase home sales and nudged people off the fence if they were considering a home purchase, but some potential buyers just weren’t ready to take the plunge.
But, with interest rates lower now and no sign from the Feds that rates will rise dramatically any time soon, the opportunity for a good buy is definitely there. In fact, this might be the best time to buy.
Here’s an exciting scenario for those of you who didn’t buy: interest rates have gone down so much since April 30, the end date for the tax credit program, that the buyer of a $350,000 home, financed with a $280,000 mortgage, would have seen quite a savings by waiting until May. With April’s average rate of 5.34 percent, a homebuyer would have locked in a 30-year fixed rate loan with a monthly payment of $1,561.82.
If that buyer waited for May to roll around, with a 30-year fixed rate loan at 4.625 percent, monthly payments would be $1,439.50. Computed on an annual basis, that’s a savings of $1,467. Over the 30 years of the loan, that’s $44,003 in savings. That’s an incredibly huge incentive to jump into the housing market and really diminishes the tax credit in the long run.
But for those of you who did take advantage of the tax credit and have found it difficult to close before the June 30 deadline, there may be help. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Harry Reid (D-NV) have offered an amendment to a house bill that would extend the closing deadline to September 30, 2010. The proposed amendment only extends the deadline to close, not to purchase. If passed, this would help a lot of buyers to still receive the tax credit and buy a home.
Written by Myra Vandersall
In looking back over the past year, did you really miss the opportunity of a lifetime by not buying a home and taking advantage of that $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit? The program did increase home sales and nudged people off the fence if they were considering a home purchase, but some potential buyers just weren’t ready to take the plunge.
But, with interest rates lower now and no sign from the Feds that rates will rise dramatically any time soon, the opportunity for a good buy is definitely there. In fact, this might be the best time to buy.
Here’s an exciting scenario for those of you who didn’t buy: interest rates have gone down so much since April 30, the end date for the tax credit program, that the buyer of a $350,000 home, financed with a $280,000 mortgage, would have seen quite a savings by waiting until May. With April’s average rate of 5.34 percent, a homebuyer would have locked in a 30-year fixed rate loan with a monthly payment of $1,561.82.
If that buyer waited for May to roll around, with a 30-year fixed rate loan at 4.625 percent, monthly payments would be $1,439.50. Computed on an annual basis, that’s a savings of $1,467. Over the 30 years of the loan, that’s $44,003 in savings. That’s an incredibly huge incentive to jump into the housing market and really diminishes the tax credit in the long run.
But for those of you who did take advantage of the tax credit and have found it difficult to close before the June 30 deadline, there may be help. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Harry Reid (D-NV) have offered an amendment to a house bill that would extend the closing deadline to September 30, 2010. The proposed amendment only extends the deadline to close, not to purchase. If passed, this would help a lot of buyers to still receive the tax credit and buy a home.
Written by Myra Vandersall
Monday, June 14, 2010
Native plants show a respect for our environment and reduce the homeowner’s labor
Missouri is blessed with a burst of colorful native plants that will increase your curb appeal and show off your eco-friendly property.
Missouri is a wonderfully diverse state, with flat plains to the north and the craggy Ozarks to the south. With different terrains come a cornucopia of native plants that will do quite well in your landscaping plans and require little maintenance once established.
The first look a potential buyer has of your house is the drive-by, or curb appeal. If the buyer doesn’t like the outside, most likely the interest goes down, almost regardless of how wonderful the inside is. Enhance your property and show off the beautiful Missouri native plants, whether you are selling now or planning on staying for a while.
From a small balcony garden to acres and acres of land, planting native has distinct advantages:
Once established, native plants need minimal watering, reducing your water bill and the time it takes to spray the plantings.
Because the plants are acclimated to grow in Missouri soil, they establish quickly and don’t need pampering.
Native plants have already dealt and adapted to the problems of pests and weeds. This reduces the need for commercial fertilizers and pesticides, thereby saving you money and reducing your chemical footprint.
Birds and butterflies thrive on native plants, giving you a garden paradise and hours of entertainment watching those in flight coming and going.
Missouri native plants adapt well to sun or shade. For your sunny garden, the Missouri black-eyed Susan is a sure hit. Found in the Ozarks, this tenacious flower can handle rocky areas with well-drained soil. Another winner is the Missouri primrose, or the glade lily, which also does well in rocky areas. The lemon-yellow flowers open in the afternoon for nighttime pollination. The prairie blazing star is another sun worshipper and blooms into October to keep your garden colorful. Butterflies love these purple plums.
On the shady side, there are plenty of choices, all attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The crested iris is an impressive ground cover in partial shade and just right for landscape borders. The columbine, with its red tubular flowers, is a popular nectar source for hummingbirds and flowers from April through July in average to moist soil. Very common but still spectacular and tough is the purple coneflower. Well into October, the purple blossoms will provide flowers for cutting bouquets.
Including native plants in your yardscape is a gradual process, one the demands planning and patience, but you’ll be rewarded with a low maintenance, natural garden. To learn more about planting native, visit grownative.org and for a downloadable guide, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
Written by Myra Vandersall
Missouri is a wonderfully diverse state, with flat plains to the north and the craggy Ozarks to the south. With different terrains come a cornucopia of native plants that will do quite well in your landscaping plans and require little maintenance once established.
The first look a potential buyer has of your house is the drive-by, or curb appeal. If the buyer doesn’t like the outside, most likely the interest goes down, almost regardless of how wonderful the inside is. Enhance your property and show off the beautiful Missouri native plants, whether you are selling now or planning on staying for a while.
From a small balcony garden to acres and acres of land, planting native has distinct advantages:
Once established, native plants need minimal watering, reducing your water bill and the time it takes to spray the plantings.
Because the plants are acclimated to grow in Missouri soil, they establish quickly and don’t need pampering.
Native plants have already dealt and adapted to the problems of pests and weeds. This reduces the need for commercial fertilizers and pesticides, thereby saving you money and reducing your chemical footprint.
Birds and butterflies thrive on native plants, giving you a garden paradise and hours of entertainment watching those in flight coming and going.
Missouri native plants adapt well to sun or shade. For your sunny garden, the Missouri black-eyed Susan is a sure hit. Found in the Ozarks, this tenacious flower can handle rocky areas with well-drained soil. Another winner is the Missouri primrose, or the glade lily, which also does well in rocky areas. The lemon-yellow flowers open in the afternoon for nighttime pollination. The prairie blazing star is another sun worshipper and blooms into October to keep your garden colorful. Butterflies love these purple plums.
On the shady side, there are plenty of choices, all attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The crested iris is an impressive ground cover in partial shade and just right for landscape borders. The columbine, with its red tubular flowers, is a popular nectar source for hummingbirds and flowers from April through July in average to moist soil. Very common but still spectacular and tough is the purple coneflower. Well into October, the purple blossoms will provide flowers for cutting bouquets.
Including native plants in your yardscape is a gradual process, one the demands planning and patience, but you’ll be rewarded with a low maintenance, natural garden. To learn more about planting native, visit grownative.org and for a downloadable guide, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
Written by Myra Vandersall
Monday, June 7, 2010
Existing Home Sales Are Up 15% in St. Charles County and the Median Home Price Is Up Too
Affordable, reasonably priced homes are waiting for new buyers
The St. Charles region is in real estate bounce back mode with sales of existing homes up 15 percent during the first quarter of this year as compared to the same time last year. The median home price rose to $169,000, a $2,000 increase, beating the national media price of $166,100. This increase mirrors the price increases in nearly 60 percent of U.S. cities during the first quarter with double-digit increases in 29 cities.
Joe Sahrmann, president of the St. Charles County Association of Realtors, sees the market rebounding from the challenging times of the last few years. “We haven’t seen homes this affordable in years.” he says, “The selection is wide and varied for different income levels. Mortgage rates are staying low for now, and St. Charles is nationally recognized as a great place to live.”
And, even though the homebuyer tax credits have expired, it’s still a great time to buy a home, he says. 26 percent more homes are under contract during the first quarter of this year than compared to the same period in 2009.
Some of the increase was fueled by the government’s income tax credits for first-time and returning homebuyers. About 2.2 million households participated in the tax credit program, which cost the government $16 billion, according to the Internal Revenue Service. And, sales in March surged following a three-month decline attributed in part to harsh winter weather.
What does the near future hold for real estate? The industry is an integral part of the American economy, intertwined with employment and finance. If those factors stabilize and increase, the National Association of Realtors predicts prices will increase modestly in the second half of this year.
Slow but steady wins the race, and that axiom is certainly true for the real estate market these days. As buyers become more confident in their spending patterns and realize the market value, we’ll climb back to a robust St. Charles County.
Written by Myra Vandersall
The St. Charles region is in real estate bounce back mode with sales of existing homes up 15 percent during the first quarter of this year as compared to the same time last year. The median home price rose to $169,000, a $2,000 increase, beating the national media price of $166,100. This increase mirrors the price increases in nearly 60 percent of U.S. cities during the first quarter with double-digit increases in 29 cities.
Joe Sahrmann, president of the St. Charles County Association of Realtors, sees the market rebounding from the challenging times of the last few years. “We haven’t seen homes this affordable in years.” he says, “The selection is wide and varied for different income levels. Mortgage rates are staying low for now, and St. Charles is nationally recognized as a great place to live.”
And, even though the homebuyer tax credits have expired, it’s still a great time to buy a home, he says. 26 percent more homes are under contract during the first quarter of this year than compared to the same period in 2009.
Some of the increase was fueled by the government’s income tax credits for first-time and returning homebuyers. About 2.2 million households participated in the tax credit program, which cost the government $16 billion, according to the Internal Revenue Service. And, sales in March surged following a three-month decline attributed in part to harsh winter weather.
What does the near future hold for real estate? The industry is an integral part of the American economy, intertwined with employment and finance. If those factors stabilize and increase, the National Association of Realtors predicts prices will increase modestly in the second half of this year.
Slow but steady wins the race, and that axiom is certainly true for the real estate market these days. As buyers become more confident in their spending patterns and realize the market value, we’ll climb back to a robust St. Charles County.
Written by Myra Vandersall
Monday, May 31, 2010
June St. Charles Calendar of Events
Thursday, June 10
Debunk the Myths of Aging
Kathryn Linnemann Branch Library
10-11:30 a.m.
Enjoy a lively discussion about the myths of aging, how they shape society and our own attitudes. Exchange ideas on problems created by these myths and strategies to overcome them. Presented by Barnes-Jewish St. Peters.
FREE
Saturday, June 12
Passport to St. Charles County Parks Walk
Bangert Island Park Trailhead
9 a.m.
County Parks staff will guide participants through the Louis H. Bangert Memorial Wildlife Area to learn about riverside ecosystems and birding opportunities. Wear comfortable shoes and bring insect repellent.
FREE
Tuesday, June 15
Medication Matters
Middendorf-Kredell Library Branch
10-11:30 a.m.
Learn about medication management, how to read labels, drug interactions, and foods to avoid or include when taking medication to get the most benefit possible. Presented by Progress West. Call 636-344-2273 to register.
FREE
Saturday, June 19-Sunday, June 20
The Great Rivers Towboat Festival
Grafton, Illinois
10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday
Catch a rare glimpse inside the giant towboats that travel our great rivers and can transport a barge cargo of 1,500 tons with 10,000 horsepower. Enjoy classic folk, bluegrass and Americana music, children’s activities and model boat exhibits by the St. Louis Admirals Club. Chef Ralph Smith will demonstrate how to properly eat crawfish and shrimp, plus barbeque. More than 70 vendors selling wares from antiques to old-fashioned junk. For more information, check out the Towboat Festival website or call 618-786-3494.
Thursday, June 17-Saturday, June 19
Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26 at 6:30pm
Sunday, June 27 at 2 p.m.
A Midsummer’s Night Dream presented by the Riverside Shakespeare Company
South end of Frontier Park
Enjoy one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies performed by the Riverside Shakespeare Company and supported by the St. Charles Arts and Culture Commission. Bring a picnic basket or try local food and craft vendors. The Monkey Tales Theatre will present Past Imagination at 6:30 p.m. with the Midsummer Night curtain at 7 p.m. For more information, go to the Riverside Shakespeare website.
FREE
Sunday, June 20
Father’s Day KATY Family Bike Ride
KATY Trail from St. Charles to Defiance
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Communities along the KATY Trail celebrate the 20th anniversary with a Father’s Day ride to benefit prostate cancer research at the Siteman Cancer Center. Food, festivities and a dedication of the newly completed Defiance bicycle loop.
$10 per rider donation, $15 day of ride, children under 12 are free. Register online for the ride, and for many more KATY Trail events, check out the visit the trail website.
Saturday, June 26
The Great American Backyard Campout
First Missouri State Capitol
In conjunction with the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout, the First Missouri State Capitol hosts the campout here. Families may bring tents and activities include a hot dog roast, s’mores, crafts, camp cooking demos, a bonfire and a fireside breakfast. To register and for more information, call 636-940-3322.
$25 per family
Saturday, June 26
Archeology Day
Center for American Archeology, Route 100
Kampsville, IL
10 a.m.-4p.m.
Tour a 2,000-year-old excavation site, learn how to identify artifacts and see a flintknapping demonstration. There’s a kid’s activity area, and special exhibits at the Visitors’ Center and Museum. For more information, call 618-653-4316 or visit the Archeology Day website.
FREE
Written by Myra Vandersall
Debunk the Myths of Aging
Kathryn Linnemann Branch Library
10-11:30 a.m.
Enjoy a lively discussion about the myths of aging, how they shape society and our own attitudes. Exchange ideas on problems created by these myths and strategies to overcome them. Presented by Barnes-Jewish St. Peters.
FREE
Saturday, June 12
Passport to St. Charles County Parks Walk
Bangert Island Park Trailhead
9 a.m.
County Parks staff will guide participants through the Louis H. Bangert Memorial Wildlife Area to learn about riverside ecosystems and birding opportunities. Wear comfortable shoes and bring insect repellent.
FREE
Tuesday, June 15
Medication Matters
Middendorf-Kredell Library Branch
10-11:30 a.m.
Learn about medication management, how to read labels, drug interactions, and foods to avoid or include when taking medication to get the most benefit possible. Presented by Progress West. Call 636-344-2273 to register.
FREE
Saturday, June 19-Sunday, June 20
The Great Rivers Towboat Festival
Grafton, Illinois
10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday
Catch a rare glimpse inside the giant towboats that travel our great rivers and can transport a barge cargo of 1,500 tons with 10,000 horsepower. Enjoy classic folk, bluegrass and Americana music, children’s activities and model boat exhibits by the St. Louis Admirals Club. Chef Ralph Smith will demonstrate how to properly eat crawfish and shrimp, plus barbeque. More than 70 vendors selling wares from antiques to old-fashioned junk. For more information, check out the Towboat Festival website or call 618-786-3494.
Thursday, June 17-Saturday, June 19
Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26 at 6:30pm
Sunday, June 27 at 2 p.m.
A Midsummer’s Night Dream presented by the Riverside Shakespeare Company
South end of Frontier Park
Enjoy one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies performed by the Riverside Shakespeare Company and supported by the St. Charles Arts and Culture Commission. Bring a picnic basket or try local food and craft vendors. The Monkey Tales Theatre will present Past Imagination at 6:30 p.m. with the Midsummer Night curtain at 7 p.m. For more information, go to the Riverside Shakespeare website.
FREE
Sunday, June 20
Father’s Day KATY Family Bike Ride
KATY Trail from St. Charles to Defiance
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Communities along the KATY Trail celebrate the 20th anniversary with a Father’s Day ride to benefit prostate cancer research at the Siteman Cancer Center. Food, festivities and a dedication of the newly completed Defiance bicycle loop.
$10 per rider donation, $15 day of ride, children under 12 are free. Register online for the ride, and for many more KATY Trail events, check out the visit the trail website.
Saturday, June 26
The Great American Backyard Campout
First Missouri State Capitol
In conjunction with the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout, the First Missouri State Capitol hosts the campout here. Families may bring tents and activities include a hot dog roast, s’mores, crafts, camp cooking demos, a bonfire and a fireside breakfast. To register and for more information, call 636-940-3322.
$25 per family
Saturday, June 26
Archeology Day
Center for American Archeology, Route 100
Kampsville, IL
10 a.m.-4p.m.
Tour a 2,000-year-old excavation site, learn how to identify artifacts and see a flintknapping demonstration. There’s a kid’s activity area, and special exhibits at the Visitors’ Center and Museum. For more information, call 618-653-4316 or visit the Archeology Day website.
FREE
Written by Myra Vandersall
Thursday, May 20, 2010
First-time homebuyer credit is extended for military personnel and some federal employees
The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit program has been extended to allow military personnel to take advantage of this home ownership opportunity. The new deadline for qualified service members is April 30, 2011, with the property closed no later than June 30, 2011. The extension also includes the $6,500 tax credit for repeat buyers.
Qualified service members include members of the U.S. military uniformed services, the U.S. Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community on official extended duty. The top income limits of $125,000 for single tax payers and $225,000 for married taxpayers remains the same, but other requirements have changed to accommodate military personnel. Military buyers will not have to repay the tax credit if geographically reassigned before the three-year residency requirement.
To qualify for the military tax credit:
More than 350,000 military personnel and federal employees may be affected by this extension and will be able to own a home, plus receive the income tax credit. “Congress recognized that many service members may have missed out on the home buyer tax credit due to being posted overseas,” says Bob Jones, National Association of Home Builders chairman. “It’s only fitting that our service members be given another year to take advantage of this opportunity.”
For detailed information on the military first-time homebuyer tax credit extension, go the Internal Revenue’s website.
Qualified service members include members of the U.S. military uniformed services, the U.S. Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community on official extended duty. The top income limits of $125,000 for single tax payers and $225,000 for married taxpayers remains the same, but other requirements have changed to accommodate military personnel. Military buyers will not have to repay the tax credit if geographically reassigned before the three-year residency requirement.
To qualify for the military tax credit:
- An individual must have serviced on extended duty inside or outside the United States for 90 days or more and at least 50 miles from the principle residence and after December 31, 2008 through May 1, 2010.
- Only one spouse must be on official extended duty to be eligible for the 2011 extension, purchase a residence and claim the tax credit.
More than 350,000 military personnel and federal employees may be affected by this extension and will be able to own a home, plus receive the income tax credit. “Congress recognized that many service members may have missed out on the home buyer tax credit due to being posted overseas,” says Bob Jones, National Association of Home Builders chairman. “It’s only fitting that our service members be given another year to take advantage of this opportunity.”
For detailed information on the military first-time homebuyer tax credit extension, go the Internal Revenue’s website.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Lightning and thunderstorms can put you, your family and property at risk
Learn how to use common sense tips to avoid tragedy
With the advent of summer, thunderstorms and lightning are sure to follow. Unstable weather in the St. Louis area has almost become commonplace this year and during the latest round of thunderstorms, lightning was suspected to start a hotel fire in O’Fallon, Illinois.
May is designated National Electrical Safety month by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and gives us the opportunity to offer suggestions to keep you, your family and home safer this season. When a storm approaches…
- Unplug all appliances and electrical devices, including computers, and turn off the air conditioning. The fewer electrical connections active can mean less damage should your home be struck. And, you can avert harming your computer system.
- Don’t talk on a corded phone while a storm is in process. That small electrical current running through the phone line puts you in contact with a potential strike zone.
- During a storm is not the time to wash dishes, decided to take a shower or do laundry. Water is an excellent electrical conductor and again puts you and your family at risk.
- Stay away from windows and doors to avoid potential flying glass.
The NFPA estimates that lightning fires in the United States caused more than $213 million in direct property damage during the past seven years, more than half of that in residential homes. Since a single lightning bolt can register 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, the likelihood of fire is high.
Don’t underestimate the power of lightning–the National Weather Service School For Weather notes that lightning kills more people each year in the United States than tornadoes or hurricanes. Only floods claim more lives. To learn more about how to keep you and your family safe from lightning, check out these tips and enjoy a more carefree summer.
Written by Myra Vandersall
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