2012 Super Bowl Countdown

A little Super Bowl Shuffle put together by many of the venues that will be hosting the incoming throngs....

The Legend of the L.S. Ayres Cherub

In 1946 WWII was over and many were returning home from military service.  One of those was Virginia Holmes.  She was a prize-winning commercial artist coming back to Indianapolis to begin her job in the advertising department of L.S. Ayres, a downtown Indianapolis department store.  She was assigned the task of putting together their 1946 Christmas catalog, but merchandise was still in short supply so Holmes created whimsical cherubs to fill the somewhat empty pages.  These cherubs charmed the public and began a tradition that continues today.

The response to the cherubs was so great that Ayres brought them back in their 1947 holiday advertising.  1947 was their 75th Anniversary so they commissioned nationally recognized Indianapolis sculptor David Rubins to create a bronze cherbu for the store's landmark clock, located on the outside of their building on the corner of Washignton and Meridian streets.

The story goes that the whimsical Cherub mysteriously appeared atop the clock on Thanksgiving Eve of 1947 to keep a watchful eye on the shoppers until Santa took over on Christmas Eve. Every year since, thousands have watched for the appearance of the Cherub perched atop the famous clock.

In 1986, L.S. Ayres was purchased by May Department Store Co and in 1992 they decided to move the Cherub to their headquarters in St. Louis.  There was such a tremendous public outcry when the Cherub did not appear that season the May Company donated the Cherub to the City of Indianapolis in 1994.  Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. is now the legal guardian of the Cherub and assures us of our heavenly shopping guardian for the future.

When you go downtown this year to look at all the beautiful lights - be sure to swing by the corner of Washington and Meridian streets and look for the Cherub.  Share the story with your kids and make it a part of your Christmas tradition.

The Indiana State Museum sells replica Cherub ornaments in their gift shop.

Indiana makes Thanksgiving Top Ten

Well, it may not be a list we want to be on - but I found it amusing!

State Farm Insurance has compiled a list of the top ten states that have the most cooking fires on Thanksgiving. Indiana came in at #9 - so in the interest of keeping everyone safe this Turkey Day, we wanted to draw attention to this fact in hopes that we can get off this list!

Evidently, cooking fire claims more than double on Thanksgiving compared to any other day in November.  The main culprit of course being the deep fryer.

Note to all:  Do not leave your fryers unattended - and make sure your fire extinguisher is close at hand and ready to go!

Here's the top ten list.....  (cue David Letterman)

1. Texas

2. Illinois

3. Ohio

4. New York

5. Pennsylvania

6. Michigan

7. Florida

8.  Minnesota

9.  Indiana

10. Louisiana

Also - be aware that this annual event is going to cost more at the grocery store this year. Indiana Farm Bureau conducted an informal survey of grocery prices on the typical Thanksgiving items:

Turkey (16lb) $23.68 (up from $20.48)

Stuffing (14oz) $2.50 (up from $2.48)

Pumpkin pie filling $3.11 (from $2.72)

Sweet potatoes are actually down! $2.94 (from $2.97)

Rolls are down also! $1.86 (from $2.12)

Milk $3.15 (from $2.83)

Cranberries $2.47 (from $2.32)

All the typical ingredients added together will total $49.38 for 2011 compared to $45.79 for 2010

 

Staging to Sell

Here are a few more thoughts on where to spend your money or what to do with what you have when it comes to getting ready to sell your home!

1 - Updating fixtures -  You can renew the look of a room just by replacing old or outdated light fixtures, door knobs, light switches, faucets.  Here's a good rule of thumb - if it's older than you - it's overdue for a switch up!

2 - Room/area transformations - The addition of a small armchair, table and lamp in a stairwell or landing can convert it into a cozy reading spot and add more liveable space!

If you have an unfinished basement - you can drape some fabric on the wall, get a carpet remnant and some throw pillows and create a yoga studio.

3 - Empty bedrooms - an inexpensive way to furnish a bedroom is to get a cheap bedframe and use an airmattress and nice linens to give purpose to the area

4 - Dated bathroom tile - did you know that you can now have tile professionally painted?  Much cheaper and less messy than tearing out and replacing! 

 

 

Veterans Day 2011

My Dad spent months at a time on a submarine during WWII.   His brother was in the Baatan Death March in the Phillipines.  Our family has great respect and gratitude for military service past, present and future.  Today - I thought we would share a little history of the celebration of Veterans Day.......quoted from the army.mil website.

While many realize that Veterans Day, which always falls on November 11, is a day to honor our Veterans, few realize the historical significance behind the day.

Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day and marked the end of hostilities of World War I that occurred at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. Therefore, the day is always recognized on November 11th, regardless of the day of the week the 11th falls on.

In 1919, President Wilson commemorated the first Armistice Day with these words:

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations..."

The day was originally set aside to honor the Veterans of World War I with a day of parades and remembrances as well as a pause in activities at 11am on the day.

In 1938, it was made a legal federal holiday for all.

However, after World War II and the Korean War, Congress recognized a need to expand the meaning of the day to recognize all of our Veterans and not just those of World War I.

In 1954, the word "Armistice" was replaced with "Veterans" as a way to formally include all Veterans of all American wars in the day of remembrance.

Today, Veterans Day is a federal holiday which many cities celebrate with parades and ceremonies.

In Washington, D.C., there are ceremonies throughout the city including a wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery.

Veterans Day is a day not only to remember those who died in service to our country, but also to recognize those who continue to serve today.

Americans are encouraged to say thank you to those who fulfill this patriotic duty to maintain the freedoms of our country.

The Indiana State Festival Association

Who knew there was such a thing as an Indiana State Festival Association?

Never too old to learn about a new association - and yet another valuable website!
http://www.indianafestivals.org/ has a very user friendly website with calendar and detailed listings and day by day festivals throughout the state.
It's the most comprehensive list I've been able to find thus far without trying to search all your favorite areas.
We''ve also added it as a permanent link under "Entertainment Links" on the right side of this website (http://www.indianaresourcecenter.com/)

Staging - The Home Sellers Buzz Word

Don't confuse "staging" with "decorating".  Decor is an expression of a style.  Staging is a strategy to attract buyers in order to sell your home.

Here's just some of our favorite thoughts beyond the common sense ones we all hear about - like curb appeal and de-cluttering and sparkling clean.

1.  Floating furniture - There is common belief that if you push all your furniture against the walls around the room it will appear larger.  Instead, try floating the furniture away from the walls, allowing walking space all around the furniture and creating conversational groupings with your sofa and chairs.

2.  Musical furniture - Give yourself permission to move furniture, artwork and accessories on a whim. Repurposing a chair or a small table or picture might create a different feel in a room

3.  By painting adjacent rooms the same color - both rooms will appear larger.  Using the same color in your window treatments will further enhance this feeling.

4.  Hanging everything at the standard eye line around a room can make them disappear.  Try displaying your artwork creatively and it will stand out and show off the space.

5.  Three's Company - Mixing accessories make a room inviting.  Odd numbers (3) are preferable. Put them in triangles mixing scale while maintaining unity in either texture or color.

More Buzzing Ideas next week!

Muncie Indiana - through the eyes of Ball State Student

This video was a student project for a Ball State Student - but I think it gives a nice overview of what Muncie, Indiana has to offer

Birds Eye View of Indianapolis

This video gives you a great view and concept of the compact layout of our downtown along with its beauty!

Columbus, Indiana - visually appealing!

Experience Columbus and it's architechture through this video!

Broaden Your Horizens In Bloomington, Indiana

There's more to Bloomington than just basketball!!!

Central Indiana Housing Report for the Third Quarter of 2011

The following info is compiled by our own Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors for Central Indiana.  Remember that Real Estate is LOCAL - so get your news here - not from the national media.

The 3rd Quarter provided the brightest picture of the year for central Indiana's housing consumers. Closed Sales were up 24.1%. Both Median and Average Sales Prices rose 4.1% in the quarter, consistent with the price stability seen all year. New Listings were down 15% in the 3rd quarter which helped to bring inventory levels down 7.7%. Months of Supply of Inventory still stands higher than sellers would like at 9.9 for the quarter.

This market stability coupled with the favorale mortgage environment is good news for both buyers and sellers. To keep momentum going into the final months of 2011, housing experts will pin hopes on more positive jobs news.

And again......

It's been said that trying to describe the national housing market is akin to trying to summarize the national weather forecast. There is no such thing. While national averages may have their place in some scenarios, truly all real estate is local.