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Talking about the local markets in Central & Southern Indiana, Real Estate buzz words,financing, moving and more!! Whether moving into or out of our market - we love to share our passion!
If you do the math - that translates to 1964. I myself was in Kindergarten, but most of this still sounds familiar. It also happened to be a leap year.
President Johnson declares "War on Poverty" - Medicare and Medicaid were eventually created. (still fighting that same war)
Beatlemania hit the States when they arrived at Kennedy Airport for their first U.S. tour. (And I just saw Paul McCartney on a talk show talking about his 11 year old child....hmmm...) BTW - they appeared at the Indiana State Fair that year.
The first Mustang was produced by Ford with a price of $2,368.00 with low expectations. (A pleasant surprise for sure)
Sidney Portier was first African American to win an Oscar. (Can you name the movie?)
Demonstrations against the Vietnam War in NYC
Nelson Mandela is sentenced to life imprisonment in South Africa. He was released in 1990. This hero of human rights died last year - but his legacy will live on.
A.J. Foyt won the 48th running of the Indianapolis 500. There was also a 7 car pile up that killed 2 drivers.
President Johnson (he was busy that year!) signs Civil Rights Act and abolishes racial segregation in schools.
"Bewitched" premiers on ABC and will run through 1972. (Can you wiggle your nose?)
President Johnson (again) is elected to a second term with largest popular vote in history (61%)
The first Pink Panther CARTOON short (by Fritz Freleng) wins an Academy Award
50 years ago.....Perhaps you were familiar with all these things, maybe you learned about some in history class. It was a different world back then before the internet.....we learned about things by reading the paper, listening to the radio or watching our black and white tv news broadcasts.
No need to hibernate in January (although with this -10 degree day, it's looking like a good option!. There are still things to do in Indiana... once you get shoveled out!
Indiana Green Expo
JANUARY8,2014
Location:
Indianapolis,IN, Indiana
Convention Center
Description:
Indiana Green Expo will be held on January 8-10, 2014....View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Commercial
Indiana Home and Garden Show
JANUARY10,2014
Location:
Indianapolis,IN, The
Indiana Convention Center, Hall H
Description:
Welcome to the Indiana Home and Garden Show presented at
the Indianapolis Convention Center. The Indiana Home and Garden Show
brings...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Art
·Craft
·Commercial
Northwest Indiana Bridal Expo
JANUARY12,2014
Location:
Valparaiso,IN, Porter
County Expo Center
Description:
This is THE premier bridal event in Northwest Indiana
returning to the Porter County Expo Center for the fifth consecutive year....View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Art
·Craft
·Commercial
Indianapolis Woodworking Show
JANUARY17,2014
Location:
Indianapolis,IN, Indiana
State Fairgrounds Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion
Description:
This is an best opportunity to evaluate, manage, test, and
compare all the tools, equipment and products needed to pursue his...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Art
·Craft
·Food
·Commercial
Valley RV and Camping Show
JANUARY17,2014
Location:
South Bend,IN, Century
Center Convention Complex
Description:
This RV show offers a great opportunity to promote your
products or destination to a wide range of consumers. Hours: Friday,...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Commercial
Indianapolis Home Show
JANUARY24,2014
Location:
Indianapolis,IN, Indiana
State Fairgrounds
Description:
Find innovative products, new ideas, practical advice and
great deals in remodeling, home improvement and decor with hundreds of
experts all...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Art
·Craft
·Commercial
Outdoor Sports Lake and Cabin Show
JANUARY24,2014
Location:
Fort Wayne,IN,
Memorial Coliseum
Description:
The Outdoor Sports, Lake and Cabin Show is currently
seeking sponsors/partners for naming presenting rights for the show as well
as...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Commercial
Ladies Day Out--Shop for a Cause
JANUARY25,2014
Location:
South Bend,IN,
American Legion
Description:
Ladies join us for a day out. Enjoy Chocolate, Coffee, and
a day of fun with all your favorite vendors and...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Art
·Craft
·Commercial
Mid-America Motorcyle Expo
JANUARY25,2014
Location:
Evansville,IN,
Evansville Auditorium and Convention Center
Description:
The location of the Mid America Motorcycle expo make it a
winner. The central location allow us to draw from the...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Commercial
Indianapolis Golf Show
JANUARY25,2014
Location:
Indianapolis,IN, Indiana
Convention Center
Description:
Indianapolis Golf Show will be held on January 25-26,
2014. Show features a host of challenging skills competitions, stage
presentations and...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Commercial
Greater Kokomo Winter Bridal Gala
JANUARY26,2014
Location:
Kokomo,IN,
Sycamore Sports
Description:
Event will be held on Sunday January 26, 2014. 25+
Exhibitors and 100 Brides will gather for the Greater Kokomo Winter...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Art
·Craft
·Commercial
Fort Wayne RV and Camping Show
JANUARY30,2014
Location:
Fort Wayne,IN, Allen
County War Memorial Coliseum
Description:
Join us at this RV show which offers a great opportunity
to promote your products or destination to a wide range...View more detail »
Types of Vendor:
·Commercial
Castleton Square Mall Art and Craft Show
JANUARY31,2014
Location:
Indianapolis,IN,
Castleton Square Mall
Description:
Show will be held on 31-Jan through 2-Feb, 2014. Featuring
exhibitors displaying and selling quality handmade works such as art,
craft...View more detail »
The Indiana Association of Realtors just released some great information and graphs about the performance of our housing market in 2013.
Here are couple links to 2 different reports. For those of you that love graphs and numbers - this will make your day! It's like looking at an EEG for the housing market.
The first compiles the entire state of Indiana into the statistics:
Indiana School Grades Released.... The state’s accountability grading system measures student performance and growth in standardized tests, along with graduation rates and college or career readiness for older students. Continually failing schools are at risk of state takeover.
The following link will take you to the list of all public, private and parochial schools in the State of Indiana and it shows their last 3 years ratings for comparison purposes. Indiana School Grades
There is ongoing debate as to the validity and use of this information - but HAVING the information is a start.
Getting older is hard on everyone and everything. Taking care of yourself keeps you feeling and looking younger. The same goes for your home. Spending a little money now can save you an expensive repair in the future and also keep your home looking younger than it's actual age.
There is a thing in the appraisal world called "effective age". A 30 year old home might have an "effective age" of 5-10 because it has a new roof, updated fixtures, appliances and mechanicals - thus making it comparable to homes much younger.
A house with deferred maintenance can lose 10% of it's value. Good maintenance can add value (possibly 1% per year).
HouseLogic recommends focusing on the number one enemy of all homes...... Water. Yes, that thing that sustains life, can also destroy your biggest investment.
Water can destroy foundations, walls, roofs, floors. So, here's a good suggestion for that next rainy day...when it has ruined your other plans....
Pay attention - are your gutters overflowing? Is water coming out of your downspouts flowing away from your house or is is draining toward your foundation?
When it stops raining - do a quick check of your attic ceiling (looking for roof leaks), basement, windows, ceilings....looking for puddles, stained plywood, etc
MOST IMPORTANTLY - if you discover a problem, fix it NOW. Believe me, you do not want to see the estimates for repairing a long standing water intrusion problem that has now led to wood rot, deterioration and/or mold....that dreaded 4 letter word!
Those days when you are running around your house changing all your clocks to spring forward or fall back is also a good time to check on all those water related appliances - washer, refrigerator, water heater, HVAC, sump pump, dishwasher. Also - might throw in the outdoor spigots and irrigation system if you have one. Again - if you find an issue, fix it NOW. I guarantee a cost savings versus fixing it when something finally breaks or falls apart.
Here are some other fun winter projects for those of us that deal with cabin fever during the cold/snow seasons:
1. Clean the lint out of the dryer vent. Your machine will last longer and work more efficiently
2. Caulk and seal basement windows
3. Check ductwork for leaks that are wasting energy
4. Re-caulk the seam between your backsplash and wall in kitchen to keep moisture out
5. Be sure paint in bathrooms is moisture resistant
So, be sure to ask yourself - Is Your Home Showing It's Age? If so - make a New Years resolution to get your house in shape. You won't have to buy a gym membership or get a treadmill it will never use.
Finally - here's a financial suggestion that can make all these possible repairs, maintenance and upgrades less stressful. Keep a home maintenance fund. Experts say you should save 1-2% of your initial home price per year to pay for these items. For example, a $200K home means you should save $4K for these items. Yikes - that seems like a lot. Most items will be small potatoes...but what about that roof? Siding? HVAC? Sure would be nice to have the money on hand rather than having to default to a credit card or home equity loan. We just started this concept. We aren't hitting that 2% mark, but we are putting a little something every month in a separate savings account. We haven't had any repairs - but we have been able to pay for some wanted upgrades!
With more than 40 nominations, this display was described as a "fairytale" and "enchanted forest." Classic white lights cover every inch of trees without looking cluttered.
Directions: Ferguson Road is north of Thompson Road, between Five Points and Franklin roads.
2. 9424 E 25th St., Indianapolis (east)
Readers called it "freaking awesome" and the "best show I have ever seen." This display has more than 30,000 lights dancing to music. It received more than 20 nominations. Watch videos on their YouTube channel.
Directions: Located just north of I-70 and east of Post Road.
3. 7301 S. Franklin Rd., Indianapolis (southeast)
Nominators explained that a lot of work went into this light display. With thousands of lights dancing to music, it is another must-see.
Directions: Located near the intersection of Southport and Franklin Road.
4. 7565 W. Village Way, New Palestine (east)
One nominator said this display should "be recognized for spreading the Christmas Cheer! New Pal appreciates it!" Another says, "Christmas just hasn't been Christmas" until she has seen this beautiful display with custom decorations.
This display was described as "bringing cheer and bright lights to an inner-city area."
Directions: Just off of North College Avenue, between 33rd and 32nd streets.
6. 5460 Edlou Place, Indianapolis (northeast)
This house will make you giggle. A giant decorated Christmas tree appears to poke through the living room ceiling and bust out of the roof of the house.
This house stands out for its meticulous display of all pink twinkle lights. Nominator said they "put their heart into it."
Directions: Near N. County Road 100 and Ronald Reagan Parkway.
8. 8154 Fendler Drive, Indianapolis (south)
This house returns to our list of the best. The display synchronizes music and lights to your favorite holiday tunes. More at http://southsidechristmas.blogspot.com/.
Directions: On the south side of Stop 11 Road, just east of Five Points Road.
9. 8440 Harrison Parkway, Fishers (north)
Tune in to FM 100.1 to hear music set to 40,000 dancing lights in this computerized display. Recommended as one of the "best in Hamilton County."
Directions: Near Allisonville Road and East 141st Street.
10. 2405 Tulip Drive South, Indianapolis (south)
Another repeat from last year's list. This display includes a flying Santa on the roof. The nominator said she calls the creator of this display Clark Griswold during this time of year.
Directions: Just north of Southport Road off Derbyshire Road.
An annual must-see. Cars line up to snake through Reynolds Farm Supply to see the giant light sculptures. One display pays homage to Indiana sports teams.
Directions: Located at the corner of 126th Street and SR 37, off I-69
12. Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, 415 Anderson St., Greencastle, DePauw University (far west)
It is annual tradition for the Beta Theta Pi fraternity to brighten up its chapter house with more than 10,000 lights. The nominator said it takes "more than a week in between their activities and classes."
Directions: On the campus of DePauw University, off of US-231
Thank you to the Indianapolis Star for compiling this list!!!
Well, winter has come a little early to Indiana this year. I can remember going out to eat on my birthday (December 22) some years in a T-shirt. NOT happening this year!
So - do you have youngsters at home with cabin fever and don't want to risk frost bite?
Thinking ahead to that 2 week Christmas break and what to do after they tire of playing with their new toys (2 hours is typical)?
Try out some of these Indoor Playgrounds in Indiana !
Here are some ideas to help spend some of that energy from the candy canes:
Greater Indianapolis Area:
Recreation Unlimited - located in Noblesville (North of Indy). I highly recommend this place. I took my 3 year old grandson who is ALL boy and can run you ragged. He LOVED it. He made friends, was totally occupied and busy for hours! It's a huge indoor playground with a variety of sets, trampolines, basketball, Thomas the Train, etc. They even have a party room for birthdays. Weekdays are cheaper. Weekends are pricier. There is an age limit of 8.
More details HERE
Indy Island - if you have guppies, this is a nice smaller venue indoor water park on the SE side of Indy. Very cheap and well guarded - so you can sit on the sidelines if desired.
More details HERE
That Fun Place - located in Greenfield (East of Indy) and there's a location in Greenwood (south of Indy). A very reasonably priced playground area for youngsters and areas with games/activities for older children also. The kids playground entry is only $4.
More details HERE
Sk y Zone- Fishers and Plainfield. Indoor trampoline playgrounds. All my grandkids got gift cards to this place one year.
More details HERE for Plainfield and HERE for Fishers
Lafayette:
Tropicanoe Cove - located in Columbian Park. Great indoor water park
More details HERE
Columbus:
The Commons - a highly recommended indoor playground area with segmented areas for various ages.
Open from 7am - 9pm
More details HERE
Evansville:
Pop In Play - for the younger kids; a plethera of indoor inflatable play equipment
Open play time available Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon and Friday mid day.
Ages 1-12, $6
More details HERE
Take a book, kindle or take a nap while the little ones explore these Indoor Playgrounds in Indiana!
