Welcome Daren Teghtmeyer to Waldo!

Let’s be honest…the task of securing property insurance…doesn’t sound like much fun, right?  Yet you must have it.  The thought of calling around to agencies, deciding how much coverage to buy, what’s the right amount, how much will it cost, what the difference between agencies..it’s easy to put off that phone call. But it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant and boring task.

Daren Teghtmeyer, American Family Insurance Agent

Meet Daren Teghtmeyer, a  new American Family agent in Becky Beck’s office at 8043 Wornall. He’s here to make the entire process easy, quick, and understandable.   I met Daren at a Brookside networking event recently.  What impressed me most was his easygoing demeanor and obvious love of the job.  Daren wanted a career where he could be his own boss and give customers the high level of service they expect along with a quality product.  And that’s exactly what he’s doing.

There are differences in insurance companies, and getting ‘the cheapest rate’ is not necessarily the best way to go. When you have a major investment such as a car or a home, it needs proper protection–for those unexpected accidents that always seem to happen at the worst time. When you need to make a claim, you want to talk to a human who will be with you at every step. You want to talk to an agent who will be there at 2am or 2pm.  I think of those folks in Joplin who suffered through the massive tornado in May.  After the shock of the catastrophe, who do you think the homeowner called?  The insurance agent.  And hopefully it wasn’t some faceless call center agent at the other end of an 800 number.

That’s how Daren runs his business.  He’s all about getting you the information you want, helping you make a sound decision, and following up on a regular basis.  He takes a personal interest in his customers.  And his customers like him:  he’s athletic, likes playing outdoors, is newly married and dedicated to his work.  He’s easy to talk to and will take the time to explain, in detail, the various insurance options you should consider.  Some important questions to ask as you consider insurance options:  How available is the agent to you? How, exactly, are claims handled? What extra coverage do you offer that X company doesn’t ?  How much insurance do I need and why?  Why should I choose you and your company–what makes you different?

Speaking of Joplin, Daren related an interesting story to me the reinforces the American Family Insurance company values.  Four days after the tornado hit, he connected with other AF agents and headed to the site with some four wheelers.  They drove around the city and stopped to help out those individuals who needed it–clearing debris, cutting trees, etc.  He wasn’t in a trailer, handling claims–he was out with the still-in-shock residents, offering his help on a one to one basis.  Daren says this showed him the spirit and the mindset of his company–how they care about their customers in more ways than just following the insurance policy.

Contact Daren (dteghtme@amfam.com)  if you need insurance or are thinking of switching companies.  After discussing your needs, he’ll work up a free, no obligation quote for you.   He’s happy to meet you at his office or at your home, at a time that is convenient for you.  Daren, we know you are another asset to our  Waldo community.  Office location:  8043 Wornall Road, in the Becky Beck agency,  816 694 3217

Back to School Dates – Please Drive Cautiously in Brookside!

You drive the same route every day…but the next couple of weeks will be different!  The school calendar is showing start dates for area grade and high schools. Here in Brookside,  please note the dates below when children will be heading back to school that first day:

Monday, August 15:  Southwest Charter, 6512  Wornall          

                                                University Academy, 6801 Holmes         

Tuesday, August 16:  St Peter’s School, 6415 Holmes

Thursday, August 18:  St Teresa’s Academy, 5600 Main

Wednesday, August 24: Academie Layfayette, 6903 Oak

As you drive to your destination in the morning, please be aware of kids walking and riding bikes to school, and crossing the streets.  Be aware of increased auto and bus traffic for drop offs near these addresses. 

Thank you!

 

Mary

Who Trims the Trees Near Power Lines in Kansas City?

This is a common question for the older housing areas in Kansas City..who’s responsible for trimming the trees near power lines?  A recent newsletter from the Homes Association of Kansas City clarified this question.  Read on for a summary:

The National Electric Safety Code requires that local utility companies trim or remove trees that may disrupt service. The
question of who’s responsible for exactly what trees is the nagging question. 
Kansas City Power and Light is responsible for trimming the pole to pole lines. As a homeowner, if you see a dangling limb that could endanger the line, call KCP&L to report it.  Someone will come out to take a look and assess the  situation.  

The homeowner is responsible for maintaining the pole to meter line–that’s the one that delivers electricity from the pole to your home. If there are limbs, vine growth and other vegetation on this line, contact a reputable tree trimmer to coordinate with KCP&L
to get it cleared up–the cost is borne by the homeowner. 

There is another scenerio to be aware of:  What if there is a tree that needs to be removed  near a pole to pole power line? I see this all the time in backyards–large trees, heavy with limbs  that could be dead or dying, with branches and growth near or on the pole.  In that case, contact the KCPL Vegetation Management Center and a representative will inspect the line (free of charge) and determine if KCP&L needs to trim the tree before it’s removed.

One final tip:  when you contact KCP&L, whether it’s online or via phone, keep a log of the date/time you contacted them, who you spoke with, who answered you and when you can expect a response.  It’s common to be shuffled around a few times and have your
request go down the black hole.  By keeping good notes, you can stay on top of who is responsible for getting back to  you.

The Kansas City Power and Light website for reference:  www.kcpl.com.  Click on the Customer Service tab, then scroll down to “Tree Trimming”.

Thank you for reading this blog..your comments are welcome. 

Oh So Cute Waldo House–Under $200K!

Wonderful Waldo…the curb appeal alone will sell this house!  Out on  the Realtor tour today, this was the best house I saw under $200K. 

 

A 1920s bungalow, it features three bedrooms and two full baths–the upstairs is a spacious master suite.  One car garage, private drive,  custom plantation shutters, large eat in kitchen, formal dining room, move in ready, excellent Waldo location..this home is a real beauty that won’t last long.  Love this front porch!   It is not my listing–email me if you’d like me to send you more info.  It’s priced at $185,000.

Other nice homes I saw today include a cozy  3 bedroom,  two bath home in Astor Place (just off Oak) for $184,950.  If you are looking for something large, open, and with lots of the original woodwork, there is a 3 story, 4 bedroom, 2 full and 2 half bath home on 59th St for $375,000.   Finally, a three bedroom, one full bath bungalow on Locust near UMKC for $155,950.  Needs some updating, but good location.

The bargains out there for buyers these days…incredible!  So much inventory to look it…if you are thinking of buying a home, you are like a kid in a candy store!!

Support Community Theater–See Oklahoma! at Visitation

Looking for some fun family entertainment this weekend?  Make plans to see Oklahoma!, this year’s  Theatre at Viz summer youth musical.

Showtimes are:

Thurs July 21, 7pm

Friday July 22, 7pm

Saturday, July 23, 7pm

Sunday, July 24, 1pm

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for kids.  This will be a great performance –local kids from all ages are in the show and  there is a live orchestra , plus plenty of air conditioning!  You can buy tickets at the door.  Visitation School is located at 5134 Baltimore but  it’s easiest to access the parking lot at 5141 Main St and follow the crowds.

Join your Brookside neighbors this weekend at Oklahoma!  I’ll be volunteering at the concession stand on Saturday night and you can see my daughter Siena in the chorus 🙂

Support Local Brookside Businesses: 5B & Co Candlemakers

This is the perfect little Brookside shop:  enticing curb appeal, attractive decor inside, friendly customer service and product just about everyone can enjoy:  scented candles.  I’m burning one now as I write–“Tighty Whiteys” — a birthday gift from my daughter.

Owner Lori Woods sort of fell into opening a candle shop.  A former teacher, she was shopping at the 5B store in Weston and thought, “Why can’t I open a candle shop like this in Brookside?”.  She bought a franchise and opened her doors July 9, 2003 at 6231 Brookside Plaza. Lori makes the votives and tealights in this shop; the larger tins and pillars are poured at the Weston store.  She likens the candle making process to baking cookies:  each made one at a time.

What makes this candle store different is the whimsical names for the scents–Smelly Cat, Handyman, Group Hug, KC Barbecue.  You can’t help but smile when sniffing around, trying to decide which ones to buy.  Lori also makes the usual perfumed candle fragrances  of honeysuckle, lavender, lilac, etc–there are over 150 to choose from. Her lastest offering is called Junie Bee, a scent for her Mom, which has a peachy-apricot  smell.

Lori has weathered the downturn in the ecomony very well for a small business.  She is surprised and grateful for her loyal customers (she often hears:  ‘this is my favorite candle shop!’) and emphasizes sincere customer service with all employees.  Being the  sole owner with two small children, it’s  a challenge juggling two full time jobs (any mom can relate to this!).  Like Lori herself, employees are from the Brookside area and if you stop in–you’ll often recognize someone from the neighborhood helping you with your purchase or browsing the store.  This is part of the irristable charm of shopping in Brookside–it’s like a family of distant cousins ready to help you with what you need who sincerely appreciate your business.

Candles make a creative hostess gift or small ‘thinking of you’ favor.  You can spend a lot or a little–having that fresh scent burning brightens your mood and the atmosphere.   One of the biggest summer sellers in the store are citronella candles or incense sticks. She explained that for the citronella to work, the oil content must be at least 5% in the product. I bought one of her Amazon Lights candles for outdoor dining and plan to try it out this week on the patio during an al fresco dinner.

Stop by 5B & Co Candlemakers (816 361 6393) the next time you are in Brookside.  Buy a few candles to have on hand for those last minute gifts or when you need a scented mood pick up. You will enjoy your visit to 5B in Brookside!

Waldo Farmer’s Market — More than Fresh Produce

I checked out the Waldo Farmer’s Market yesterday for the first time–and I’ll be back!  It’s small, five or six stands, but already very popular with area residents.  It’s located in the shady grassy area next to the Habitat ReStore on 79th St just east off Wornall.  Every Wednesday, 3-7pm–stop by and you can sign up for a weekly email of what will be for sale that week.

This week’s produce included plenty of cabbage, garlic, leeks, kale, squash, some blueberries, potatoes, fresh herbs and peppers.  I was looking for big ripe tomatoes–too early I think.  Farm to Market had a booth full of fresh breads, another booth offered body care products and…my favorite….Fresher than Fresh snow cones!

This trailer is always at First Fridays with long lines of customers–here there was no line and an eclectic menu of the  fresh fruit flavored pairings with a twist.  I love the pineapple serrano; yesterday there was a new flavor of blood orange. It’s worth a stop just for the snow cone, even if you don’t need produce!

Remember to stop into  Habitat ReStore after your market shopping.  Or, bring something to ReStore to donate the next time you visit the Waldo Farmer’s Market.

Waldo Crawldo June 25, 2011

Affordable fun and a great way to  meet your neighbors…plan on attending the 8th annual Waldo Crawldo on Saturday June 25!  Fourteen locations are participating, along and just off  Wornall Road from approximately 75th-85th St.  There  will be a bus available  but easy to walk from spot to spot.  The Well, Waldo Pizza, Tasso’s and Swagger are just a few of the businesses that will offer specials for the night.

And you can conveniently get your tickets on line!  Just $7 on line, $5 if you stop by one of the participating businesses and $10 the night of the event. More information at  waldokc.org

Brookside Shred Event Saturday-Habitiat ReStore Sale

Free shred event fellow Brooksiders!

This Saturday June 11 , there will be an industrial shred truck parked at Meyer and Brookside Blvd by the tennis courts.  Bring the docs you want to shred–it’s free from 8am-12pm.

Also on Saturday, Habitat ReStore is celebrating it’s 11th anniversary–25% off everything in the store.  Hours are 9am-4pm, 303 W 79 St.

 

Art Installation in Armour Hills

While taking a walk last night with my daughter, we rambled over to W 66th St to check out a temporary art installation on the front yard.  The home is owned by the Bittermans, who operate The Reading Reptile on 63rd St in Brookside.  Have never seen anything like this in Armour Hills–it’s worth a look!

Art installation 14 W 66th St

Called “Exploring Point of Interest homo vulgaris”, this wooden stand has many features along with lots of information.  There’s a large plaque in the middle, with pop out wooden squares on one side and a listening post on the other.  A small map of the Country Club District is reprinted, along  with information on JC Nichols and his residential development.  The listening post has headphones; slip them on and hear recorded conversation from inside the home about the pros and cons of eating meat; a piano practice; a Royals game.  There are other points of interest around the art piece and a four-color brochure with additional explanations.  I’m not sure what the point of the work is– a portion of the description from the brochure reads: ‘an existential overlook situated along a cognitive horizon line between the natural and the built environment.‘  It seems to be a comment on how humans live within the natural environment. Even if you don’t understand the entire point of the piece, it’s interesting enough to stop by and check it out, spark some conversation with the kids while walking the dog or pushing a stroller.

Details:  14 W 66th St, Kansas City MO.  Hours are Mon-Sat 9am-dusk, closed on Sundays, holidays and rainy days.  Available for public viewing until July 30.

Thanks to the Bittermans for enriching our Brookside subdivision with art!