Ho ho ho, Santa Claus is planning to visit Brookside twice before Christmas!
The New Dime Store
You can visit the big guy at The New Dime Store on December 20 from 5-7pm and December 22 from 6-8pm.
Remember, shop local for your holiday gifts. If there’s someone on your list that’s difficult to buy for, I bet you’ll find just the right present in Brookside!
Regular readers of this blog know I am a real estate agent and one of my specialty markets is the Brookside/Waldo area. My former company, Prudential Kansas City Real Estate, changed last week to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes (yep, that’s a mouthful!). Soon you will start seeing Better Homes and Gardens signs in homes for sale around the metro area.
Why the change? Last year, the national Prudential company sold off the real estate division. Eventually, all Prudential Real Estate franchises will change names. We are still locally owned and operated, and our owners wanted to brand with a franchise that wasn’t already in the marketplace. They feel BHG Real Estate, very successful in other US cities, has the tech tools and marketing support to make our local company even more successful.
So basically, this is a branding change for us. It will take many months for the metro area to become familiar with the name, logo, and new marketing features. Just know we still have the same professional, dedicated agents, the same owners, the same office locations and phone numbers.
Now I have to get back to work updating my online profile and marketing materials. If you would like to check out the national Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate website, click here. My new business email address is: mary.hutchison@kansascityhomes.com
Thank you to all of my customers and clients for their loyal support during this change!
Another family event tonight in Brookside–Christmas in the Park happens Thursday, December 6, at 6pm in the park at 63rd St and Brookside Plaza.
Christmas in the Park, Brookside
Plan on stopping by and enjoying some light refreshments as we sing holiday carols and visit with Santa! Visitors in period costume from the John Wornall House will be there, and don’t forget to enter the drawing for local gift certificates! You can plan on shopping that evening as well–many merchants will be open and offering special 20% discounts.
Please think of Brookside as you plan your holiday shopping and support our locally owned shops and businesses. More information at the Brookside website, www.brooksidekc.org
We Brooksiders love our neighborhood, but dislike our non-energy efficient homes. I’ve read so many articles on how making just a few changes in your older house can make a big difference. This year I helped energy-conscious Matt and his wife buy a home just off Gregory. Matt is in the process of an energy audit, and we thought it would be good to write about his experience in the blog. The best thing about this energy audit is there are two programs that essentially pay for upgrades to weatherize the house!
Matt’s home recently went through a free energy analysis with Jon of Community Energy Heating and Cooling. (sometimes links don’t work via this blog, irritating! The site is www.communityehc.com) This process took a few hours and was conducted on a Sunday morning. Part of this audit resembles a home inspection: Jon first did a walk around of the exterior of the home, looking for grading at the foundation and leak points. He measured all rooms, and then creates a ‘footprint’ of the house using special software so he knows how much cubic square feet he’s working with. This helps determine the return on investment for the suggested improvements. Inside the house, John looks for safety issues and pointed out various places where heating/cooling can escape (through the floor joists, attic space, vents, fireplace, etc). He also did a blower test of the entire house, which pinpoints where the air is leaking out of the structure. In Matt’s home, the primary air leakage is in the basement on the east wall. Also, his daughter’s room has too large of a return with the vent going into the attic. A new attic hatch will also keep warm (and cool) air inside the main part of the house.
Currently there are two sources of funding for the energy audit programs available to KCMO residents. Kansas City Power and Light along with Missouri Gas Energy sponsor the Home Performance with Energy Star program. This plan will pay $400 for the audit, up to $500 for insulation and up to $400 for air sealant and window upgrade incentives. The homeowner doesn’t receive cash–the money comes in the form of credit on your gas and electric bills.
The other fund is handled by EnergyWorks KC. This is a city funded program which expires March 31 next year. Once the homeowner can verify a 15% drop in energy usage, s/he receives up to $1000 in cash; and another $1000 if there is a 30% energy use savings. Matt plans to take advantage of both programs.
The next step in the process for Matt is to wait for the written energy analysis. After reviewing the document and suggested improvements, he will have one year to make some energy saving improvements to be eligible for credits through the Home Performance with Energy Star program. Since the EnergyWorks KC program ends in March, he has less time to prove increased energy efficiency for a cash reimbursement. Part Two of this blog will outline the suggested improvements from the audit, what improvements were made and how the energy savings will be measured. I’m also scheduling an audit of my own home so I can report first hand about the experience.
It may sound unusual to read about essentially ‘free money’ to upgrade your home, but it’s out there. Some research and paperwork is involved, but it’s well worth the time to save money on your heating and cooling bills..especially since KCP&L is asking for a rate hike!
Celebrate the holiday season as the Germans do! Visit the 20th Annual Kriskindl Markt this Friday and Saturday at the Country Club Congregational Church, 205 W 65th St in Armour Hills.
Country Club Congregational Church in Brookside
I really enjoy this event for several reasons: it’s a smaller, neighborhood gathering; the homemade crafts make great holiday gifts; and there’s lots of holiday craft activities for the kids. It can get pretty crowded, but that is part of the charm. If you live in Brookside, chances are you will see some of your neighbors here!
The Kriskindle Markt is full of crafts and gifts, authentic German food, live entertainment and a craft room to keep the kids busy. Free admission!
I’ll be walking over to attend this treasured Brookside event over the weekend–make note of the hours: Friday Nov 30 from 5-9pm and Saturday Dec 1 from 10am-8pm.
I don’t usually address politics on my blog, but decided to write about each candidate running for the open seat on the Kansas City MO school board: Gunnar Hand and Stephen Himes. Full disclosure up front–I know Gunnar as I serve with him on the Armour Hills Homes Assn board, and Stephen Himes teaches at St Teresa’s Academy, where my daughter attends school. I am not endorsing one candidate over the other. My approach to this blog was to ask each candidate the same four questions, and write the answers as spoken.
A short background regarding this election: When former board member Derrick Ritchie moved to Nashville, a special election was needed to fill his position. The term of this new board member will end in 2014. There are nine members of the Kansas City School Board, and this seat represents the 2cd subdistrict. The rough boundaries are Troost, 85th St, State Line Rd and Brush Creek. It is not a paid position. Two days ago I published the interview with Stephen, today’s post is about Gunnar.
Gunnar Hand and family
Gunnar Hand grew up in Kansas City, attending parochial schools. He lives in Armour Hills and has his own design/consulting firm, MOCK Studio. His wife Ashley is the chair of Friends of Hale Cook, a local organization dedicating to reopening Hale Cook Elementary. You can read more about Gunnar’s background here. This interview took place on Oct 24, 2012. Continue reading
I don’t usually address politics on the blog, but decided to write about each candidate running for the open seat on the Kansas City MO school board: Gunnar Hand and Stephen Himes. Full disclosure up front–I know Gunnar as I serve with him on the Armour Hills Homes Assn board, and Stephen Himes teaches at St Teresa’s Academy, where my daughter attends school. I am not endorsing one candidate over the other. My approach to this topic was to ask each candidate the same four questions, and write the answers as spoken.
A short background regarding this election: When former board member Derrick Ritchie moved to Nashville, a special election was needed to fill his position. The term of this new board member will end in 2014. There are nine members of the Kansas City School Board, and this seat represents the 2cd subdistrict (which includes Brookside). The rough boundaries are Troost, 85th St, State Line Rd and Brush Creek. It is not a paid position.
Stephen Himes
Today, I’m writing about my conversation with Stephen Himes. He is at St Teresa’s Academy, is an attorney and a doctoral candidate in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis program at the University of Missouri. He is from Clinton, MO and lives with his wife in Waldo. I am not endorsing one candidate over the other. We talked recently at Axios in Brookside, after he finished his school day. Continue reading
Today’s blog is a quick reminder of some upcoming events in Brookside — make note in your calendar!
*Monthly networking event is this Wednesday, Oct 24 from 8-9am at St Elizabeth’s Church, 2 E 75th St. Beverages provided–come network with local businesses and residents.
*Annual Brookside Trick or Treat Street, Oct 31 from 4-6pm along 63rd St between Wornall and Main. Hundreds of kids will be walking along these blocks–be extra careful when travelling through the area.
Watch for trick or treaters in Brookside!
*E Waste Recycling, Saturday Nov 2 from 9am-1pm at the UMKC parking lot, 51st and Oak. Drop off your electronic waste (computers, TVs, VCRs, cellphones, microwave, etc) for recycling.
Need more information on Brookside? Email me!
OK, what’s up with the stoplight changes in Brookside?? Surely you’ve noticed–at several intersections where there was a working stoplight (Main and Meyer, Main and Gregory, Meyer and Oak), there are newly posted stop signs. I spoke with Wei Sun at the Kansas City MO Public Works department to find out what’s going on.
New stop sign at Main and Meyer, Brookside
Mr Sun noted these are permanent changes to the intersections.
Apparently these intersections do not meet the Dept of Transportation traffic safety guidelines to warrant a stop light (see more here: www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov — expect to spend some time translating this mumbo jumbo of government speak!). Based on traffic patterns, the fed says KCMO should have stop signs in these areas instead of stop lights. Continue reading
It’s here…one of the MOST FUN weekends to live in Kansas City! Everyone likes a vibrant, entertaining outdoor festival, and this weekend offers two events to enjoy:
Plaza Art Fair 2012
The 81st Annual Plaza Art Fair is happening Friday (5pm-10pm), Saturday (10am-10pm) and Sunday (11am-5pm) on the Country Club Plaza. Walk along the streets offering 240 artists’ booths, three different music stages and a kids art workshop sponsored by the Kansas City Art Institute. One of my favorite parts of the fair is snacking my way through the food booths–delicious street food of all types from local and national restaurants. The Plaza Art Fair is also ideal for people watching–you’re bound to bump into someone you know here. And be sure to check out local band She’s A Keeper, performing at 2:30pm Sunday at the INK stage, near Plaza III Steakhouse. She’s A Keeper plays catchy, melodic songs featuring Brookside resident Colin Nelson.
The Waldo Fall Festival is a smaller gathering but just as much of a good time. Very family oriented, the Waldo event offers a dog show, a family bike ride, local business vendor booths and Mr Stinky Feet Jim
Waldo Fall Festival
Cosgrove performing on stage. There will be food, giveaways and kids’ activities too. The Waldo Fall Festival is Saturday from 10am-5pm at the corner of 75th and Wornall.
With warm and sunny weather forecast for the weekend, both of these festivals will be packed with people. Join your friends and neighbors this weekend for the Plaza Art Fair and Waldo Fall Festival!
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 