Category Archives: St. Charles

Jan. 2011 Calendar of Events

Posted on by
Reply

January-February
Bald Eagle viewing and events
Various dates and locations
The eagles return. The Middle Mississippi River Valley is home to the second largest population of bald eagles. Various state agencies and parks, nature and other local organizations and communities celebrate our nation’s symbol with many types of viewing and educational opportunities. Participants can find those activities here.

Friday, January 7
Star Party
6:45 p.m.
St. Louis Science Center
View the brilliant night sky with the St. Louis Astronomical Society. The Society and the Science Center will provide telescopes and answer questions. For more information, call 314-289-4453 or visit the Science Center website.
FREE

Saturday, January 8
All about the farm
Primrose Farm
10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
5N726 Crane Rd.
St. Charles Park District
Learn about the historic Primrose Farm during farm story time from 10-11 a.m. Enjoy a snack and visit with the farm’s animal residents. At 2 p.m. guests can have a hands-on experience with farm animals and learn more about their care and feeding. Classes are available for both events. Primrose Farm provides interpretative experiences about life in the 19th century on a farm and how technology has changed farming life. For more info, call the farm at 630-513-4370.

Friday, January 21
Russian National Ballet presents Romeo and Juliet
8 p.m.
Bezemes Family Theater
Lindenwood University
This full length ballet is performed by the Russian National Ballet in a dramatic and visually stunning production featuring more than 50 dancers in the great Russian ballet tradition.
For more information and to purchase tickets call the box office at 636-949-4433 or vist the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts webpage.

Daily through April 3
Treasures of Napoleon
Missouri History Museum
Forest Park
Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Look inside the private life of Napoléon Bonaparte, the Corsican general who attempted to conquer Europe and North Africa. Here is a look behind the legend with a showcase of his personal possessions, historic artifacts and paintings. For info and tickets, go to the History Museum’s website or call 314-746-4599.

Saturday, January 29
Fete De Glace
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Historic Downtown
Fete de Glace or the Festival of Light is an outdoor ice-carving competition where skilled carvers from around the region turn blocks of ice into amazing creations. Coffee, hot chocolate and fire pits are available for warmth. Call 636-946-1898 for more info.
FREE

Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, January 30
The Great Train Expo
St. Charles Convention Center
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
This is the place to be for model railroad enthusiasts. The show offers a variety of model railroad and toy layouts in many different scales and gauges. Hundreds of dealers will display their wares and model train experts are there to answer your questions. There are also free workshops for beginners and more experienced collectors. For information, call the Convention Center at 636-669-3000 or visit the Expo’s website.
Adults $7/ kids 12 and under FREE

Senior homebuyers want simplification, good design, and smaller homes

Posted on by
Reply

Americans age 55+ are looking for homes close to family, work, and with a sense of style.

What does the 55+ crowd want in a home? Smaller, more energy-efficient homes in active, vital communities near work and family are the top requirements. Those are the findings from a study by MetLife and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) called “Housing for the 55+ Market: Trends and Insights on Boomers and Beyond.”

The study reveals that Boomers are looking for smaller, less expensive homes. This group isn’t ready to retire anytime soon, and with the Great Recession complicating things, they are staying in their jobs as long as possible to recoup financial losses.

The lure of “age-restricted” communities is there too, but only those that fit into the active lifestyle. These people aren’t ready for the rocking chair. The study notes that “those who moved from their existing homes did so primarily for reasons relating to their families, but the design and quality of the home, as well as the design and layout were the factors most often considered.”

Dave Crowe, NAHB’s chief economist agrees. “ A strong and growing number of retirees and empty-nesters are interested in either downsizing or moving to a more user-friendly home, especially if it’s near their existing community.”

Homebuilders are beginning to recognize what boomers want and incorporate that lifestyle in home design. In addition to a smaller home, a one level floor plan is preferable with open space and tall ceilings. Wider hallways are a plus, as is minimizing unnecessary staircases. Over 55ers want small luxuries, like double sinks and a soaking Jacuzzi-style tub, plus some space for hobbies.

Boomers, 38.9 million over the age of 65, are well-traveled, sophisticated consumers who have a good sense of what they want. And for housing, they want simplification that will enhance their lifestyles.

Written by Myra Vandersall

May Events around St. Charles Missouri

Posted on by
Reply

Sunday, May 1
Run, Walk, Roll Away From Violence
Frontier Park
7-11 a.m.
Sponsored by Bridgeway Behavioral Health Foundation, this event will benefit the domestic violence and assault programs. The event features a warmup, a competitive 5k race and a 5k fun walk and roll. To register, visit the Bridgeway website.

Sunday, May 1
The Vino Fondo, Missouri’s Grand Fondo Bicycle Race
Begins in Augusta at Mt. Pleasant Winery
8 a.m.
A traditional pairing of challenging riding and a tour of some of Missouri’s best and oldest vineyards. Fully supported with three different ability rides. Proceeds from registration will benefit Trailnet. The ride is sponsored Big Shark Bicycle and Mt. Pleasant Winery. For more info go to the Trailnet website or call Big Shark at 862-1188.

Sunday, May 1 – Monday, May 31

Antique Quilt Show
Frenchtown Heritage Museum, 1121 N. Second Street
Wednesday – Saturday: 12-3 pm
This special exhibit of antique doll quilts and beds as well as quilts from the past centuries on display for you to enjoy. A special viewing will be held Mother’s Day Sunday, May 9th from 12 pm -3 pm.
For more information call 636-946-8682.
FREE

Thursday, May 6
Concert in the Park
St. Peters City Centre Amphitheater
7-8:30 p.m.
For the St. Peters centennial celebration in 2010, the city hosts a series of concerts. This week the Kelly Band, a traditional and contemporary Celtic band will entertain concert goers.
FREE

Friday, May 7, Saturday, May 8
Some Enchanted Evening
Lindenwood University’s J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts
7:30 p.m.
The Theater Department presents a revue of production numbers from the musicals of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, including “Oklahoma,” “Carousel,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I” and “The Sound of Music.” For information or to order tickets call 636-949-4433 or online at the Center for the Arts website.

Saturday, May 15
Historical Children’s Festival
First Missouri State Capitol Historic site, South Main St.
10 a.m.-4p.m.
Modern day kids can live and play as children did in the 1820s. Hands on activities include butter churning, quill pen writing, cow milking, candle dipping, baby farm animals, and storytelling about Missouri’s struggle for statehood. For information call 636-940-3322.
FREE

Saturday, May 15 –Sunday, May 16
Lewis and Clark Heritage Days
Frontier Park
Historic St. Charles Downtown District
9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday

This annual festival features an authentic reenactment of Lewis & Clark’s encampment in 1804 prior to their journey up the Missouri River. Also featured are re-enactor encampments, Fife and Drum Corps demonstrations, boat replicas, museum tours,19th century crafts and period food.
For more information call 1-800-366-2427 or visit the Heritage Days website.
FREE, some activities charge a fee

Saturday, May 15 –Sunday, June 6

Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire
Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day only

Wentzville Rotary Park 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Travel back to a 16th century French village and thrill to the exploits of jousting knights; roam the village shops; enjoy stage acts performing comedy, music and daring feats; and interact with colorful villagers, nobles, and peasants. There will be food and fun for the entire family.
$13; seniors, students, $11; 12 and under, $8
For more information call 636-916-1643 or visit www.stlrenfaire.com

Friday, May 21-Sunday, May 23
Friends of the St. Charles City-County Library book fair
St. Charles Convention Center
9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
As one of the largest book fair in the metro area, attendees can choose from more than 250,000 hardback, paperbacks, set, records and magazines. Proceeds benefit the Library.
FREE, except on Friday-$5 admission or Friends membership. For information call 838-441-2300 or visit the Friends’ website.

Sunday, May 23
Mountain Biking 101
St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Broemmelsiek Park, Shelter 2
Learn the basics of mountain biking and maintenance with experts from the Gateway Off Road Cyclists. Following each session is a guided ride. All ages and abilities welcome. Participants should bring their own bikes and helmets.
FREE

Brought to you by St. Charles County Real Estate >> SCHNEIDER Real Estate

Down payment assistance makes home ownership easier

Posted on by
Reply

Homebuyers can take advantage of a variety of tax credits to choose the perfect home.

An array of financial assistance for home purchase is available for qualified buyers in just about every income level. Of course there’s the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers, which expire on June 30, but potential buyers can also look for help with the down payment.

Here’s a run down of what to expect:

The city of St. Charles– The HOME St. Charles Down Payment and Closing Costs Assistance Program helps low to moderate income purchasers to become homeowners. HOME St. Charles will make up to $10,000 available for qualified households to help with the down payment and closing costs. Down payment assistance for St. Louis County is $3,000 and Jefferson County $7,500.

Income levels apply and the sale price must be under $185,000. A mandatory nine-hour home buying seminar and a one-on-one counseling session to review finances and credit history is also required.

And there’s more. The Missouri Housing Development Commission is offering up to a $1,250 credit in property tax breaks for qualified buyers with an extra $500 thrown in if the house is energy efficient or if the buyer begins energy efficient steps within 60 days of closing. The MHDC offers more assistance, administering a number of housing programs, from purchasing a home with a First Place loan, assistance for veterans, buying property in a disaster area, foreclosed properties and home repair grants.

The federal government is also offering tax credits for energy efficient upgrades, up to $1,500 or 30 percent of the improvement cost, which includes windows and doors, insulation, roofs, air conditioners and furnaces. The tax credit is applied for either 2009 or 2010 taxes and expires on December 31, 2010.

With all of this assistance, plus a wide variety of properties to chose from, now is really the time to make that move!

St. Charles County Real Estate

Written by Myra Vandersall

Missouri transfer tax on real estate tax

Posted on by
Reply

Say YesToSaveHomes.com and no to a transfer tax on real estate sales

Yet another tax on real estate transfers is double taxation. A petition drive to prohibit the tax would protect buyers and sellers from additional expense.

With deficit budgets and declining revenues, legislators are looking for new sources of revenue and a transfer tax on real estate sales is potentially viable. The Missouri Association of REALTORS® (MAR) is working proactively to prohibit such a tax in Missouri by sponsoring a grassroots petition drive to place a state constitutional amendment on the November ballot prohibiting such a tax.

A transfer tax is a tax levied by a governmental entity when ownership of a home, land or other real estate properties. When the tax is approved by legislators, the rate can be increased without a popular vote.

Homeowners already pay property taxes and Realtors consider a transfer tax as double taxation. The tax would also lower homeowner equity, negatively affect the buying and selling process, and target property owners and lower income residents equally.

To engage public support and encourage Missourians to sign the petition, the MAR website YesToSaveHomes.com is a convenient way to learn more about this initiative and register your support for no tax transfer fees. The group needs more 157,000 signatures from registered voters to place the amendment on the November ballot.

Here is the proposed amendment: “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to prevent the state, counties, and other political subdivisions from imposing any new tax, including a sales tax, on the sale or transfer of homes or any other real estate?”

Because of the wording required by the Missouri Secretary of State, a vote of “yes” is necessary to pass the amendment. When it comes to tax increases, voters are used to a “no” response, but in this case that would be a vote for transfer taxes.

The past few years have been difficult at best for Missourians and additional taxation will only have a negative impact. Thirty-seven states have a transfer tax; Missouri Realtors want to head off taxation in this state so as not to be the 38th state.

St. Charles County Real Estate

Written by Myra Vandersall