I Pulled the Plug on my Energy Costs just by Pulling a few Plugs

Per Touchstone Energy and their TogetherWeSave.com initiative - - its said that TV's, gaming consoles, DVR's, Cable boxes and almost anything that has a plug uses energy even when its off. You can save around $200 a year by pulling plugs and turning off power strips. What can you do? Find out how the little changes add up at TogetherWeSave.com

Winter Time Often Stands for Dry Air in the Home

If winter in your home means dry skin, scratchy throats and lots of static electricity, you may have a problem with low humidity. Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. When you close the windows and turn the heat on in the winter, you begin to reduce the humidity in your home. House humidifiers provide a large number of benefits including helping with respiratory conditions. Controlling humidity can also help you save money on energy bills. The heat our bodies feel is a combination of temperature and humidity. In other words, the more humid the air, the warmer you feel. If you add humidity to dry, heated air in the winter, you can set your thermostat lower and still be comfortable.

New Fox Team Listing

1932 SW Navajo Ln - Topeka priced at only $129.9K. Affordable home with fabulous expectations! This 4 BR home will inspire you in so many ways! Whether its enjoying the landscaping in this large fenced in yard, sipping coffee near the open/fresh kitchen and double patio doors or curling up with a book in the lower level family room for family time. Updates galore! This home offers hdwd floors, clean/fresh interior, new gutters/roof/vinyl siding/patio/garage pad/heater/h2o htr/replacement windows/flooring -so many wonderful value enhancing updates over the recent years! Fenced in yard with concrete slab for dog run or shed. Lower Level bsmt rec is cozy withthe brick fireplace. Lots of storage plus add'l unfinished bsmt area. Landscaped yard with double patio doors from the dining/kitchen. Appliances included - stove, dishwasher and refrigerator. Seller will Incl. 1-yr HBW 2-10 Home warranty!

Country Homes in Jackson County - Monthly Payments at Affordable Levels!

Country Homes in Jackson County - they are affordable, so don't miss out! MLS # Zone Price Address City State Zip 153990 Jackson County $126,300 15189 206th RD Holton KS 66436 678/mos est P&I----- 154937 Jackson County $139,500 17854 R4 RD Mayetta KS 66509 749/mos est P&I---- 150662 Jackson County $145,000 XXX 178th ST Mayetta KS 66509------ 154916 Jefferson County $155,000 11340 K-4 HWY Meriden KS 66512 832/mos est P&I---- 153801 Jackson County $170,000 16531 214th Rd Holton KS 66436 913/mos est P&I---- 144504 Jackson County $184,000 18465 W RD Denison KS 66419 988/mos est P&I--- 153836 Jackson County $220,000 13190 262nd ST Holton KS 66436 1181/mos est P&I----- 153726 Nemaha County $336,000 1661 64th ST Goff KS 66428----- 151465 Jackson County $650,000 17590 K-116 HWY Holton KS 66436----- Est. monthly pymt based on Princ & Int pymt only (assuming 100% loan if applicable, 5% int, 30 yr) Must confirm with lender any special loan reqts.

Property Updates

http://www.foxteamkansas.com/Pages/153727.html 106 W. 4th - Hoyt Kansas Don't miss out on this one of a kind property in Hoyt, just minutes North of Topeka. Priced below County appraisal - HUGE home with FULL unfinished basement - large lot, Oversized garage. $119.9K Call the Craig Fox Today to view this home! 785.305.1636 18465 W Road - Denison Kansas Amazing new berm home on 30 acres - all paved roads to Topeka! Price just reduced to $184K! 3br, CWP St Marys Cabinets - sharp! http://www.foxteamkansas.com/Pages/144504.html

Huge Win for Home Buyers

The U.S. Congress and administration recently extended the popular and successful $8,000 first-time home buyers tax credit through April 30, 2010. However, they didn't just extend the credit; they also expanded it to include a $6,500 tax credit for current homebuyers who qualify. The legislation also raised income eligibility. Single buyers making up to $125,000 and married couples making up to $225,000 can now qualify. Economists laud the tax credit as a major factor contributing to the scores of first-time home buyers who entered the market this year. According to NAR research, 47 percent of all home sales were entry-level buyers, compared to 41 percent a year ago. NAR data shows that the tax credit has contributed approximately $22 billion to the general economy. Each home purchase generates about $63,000, the equivalent of about one new job. Talk to the Fox Team to see why the tax credit is a worthy investment in the economy.

A Hopeful Housing Horizon

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun is cautiously optimistic about the 2010 housing market outlook. After a year filled with challenges, housing and the economy appear headed for a sustainable recovery, helped in part by first-time buyers. According to Yun, home prices are in the early stages of stabilizing, and with the expansion of the tax credit ot additional buyers through the middle of next year, home prices should rise between 3 and 5 percent in 2010. Housing affordability reached record high levels this year, but is expected to decline next year. Despite that, existing-home sales are expected to increase 13.9 percent in 2010 from 5.01 million in 2009 to 5.69 million in 2010. (as previously published by National Association of Realtors Nov 2009 Vol VI, Iss 11 Edition)

NEW LISTINGS

Two Great New Homes for Sale in Northeast Kansas by the Fox Team: 17854 R4 RD, Mayetta (Jackson County) Beautifully maintained and fresh decor throughout this recently remodeled 3BR ranch style home. Awesome views abound - enjoy a cup of coffee from your wrap-around deck overlooking your own 20 acres m/l. Also includes 30x50 steel frame/metal building, complete with concrete floors. Just move-in and enjoy the country! (Priced at $130's)- - - - - - - - - - - 11340 K-4 HWY, Meriden (Jefferson County) Striving for perfection? You've found it big time in this Totally Remodeled 3 BR home on over 3 acres. Updates include roof, brand new rustic hickory CWPSt Marys kitchens and bath complete with stainless steel brand new appliances, all glossy, polished hardwood floors mostly through-out, dual onyx sinks inbath, new replacement windows thru-out, many updates to list. Already has had whole house inspection complete!. Attached garage & detached 24x36open faced garage. Location & ambience unbelieveable! (Priced at $155K)

Why Life Insurance

Why Life Insurance? (As previously published by Kellerman Insurance) Home Mortgage: Owning a home is an American dream. You take pride in providing a safe and stable place to raise your family. Your home is your place to enjoy family dinners, spend time together and tuck your children into bed each night. Your death could jeopardize the future of your family being able to remain in your home. Would your spouse be able to cover the mortgage? Life insurance can help your family pay off the mortgage and allow them to live without the added burden of making house payments. A life insurance policy can help protect the future of your American dream. Income Replacement: Ron and Denise lived a comfortable life; both had good paying jobs and were able to easily provide for their 3 children. When Denise was diagnosed with a terminal illness and later died, Ron was faced with finding a way to provide for his family on only his income. Thankfully, Ron and Denise had purchased a life insurance policy when they married that was able to supplement Ron’s income and allow the family to continue living the lifestyle to which they were accustomed. College costs, other bills such as credit cards, car loans and final expenses are other reasons to consider life insurance. Contact Kellerman Insurance for more information on life insurance or your other insurance needs. 785.364.2921 email: kellerman@kellermaninsurance.com

NAR Convention - San Diego

Craig and I had the wonderful opportunity to attend another National Conference for the real estate industry. The National Association of Realtors convention was hosted in San Diego this month. Appx 20,000 Realtors from across the World attended the multi-day event. Our team was able to attend 17 seminars, classes, and events while we were there for the weekend. The opportunity allowed us to network with agents across the country and listen to Nationally ranked speakers to become better versed in the industry of commercial properties, land issues, FHA & VA financing changes, and so much more! Our region has been very blessed that the media consumed verbage of falling prices, unethical tactics of many and unstable market that so many across the country are feeling has not touched us to any extreme. We look around and while lenders have tightened the belt a bit and consumers have become more savvy our well-educated Realtors have taken the opportunity to grow for the consumers best interest...learning new ways to handle tough situations to make transactions more smooth and functional for both buyer and seller, network with new and local opportunities and resources to become stronger all for the consumer! The Fox Team is proud to be a part of the Midwest Home Industry. And look forward to taking new techniques for marketing properties and so much more that we gained from this National experience and putting it to work in 2010! May it be a great and prosperous year for everyone - Buyers and Sellers alike! (Photo taken at Regional Night, post Day 1 Convention)

New Fox Team Listing

116 New Jersey Ave - Holton $50's 3 Br, 1 Ba, Detached garage. What a find! Adorable home priced in the 50's. Purchase would incl. new gutter and a home buyers warranty! Lots of interior updates. New roof last year, new electrical lines, recently painted exterior and so much more! 2 bedrooms on main with great potential to easily finish 3rd br upstairs! Detached garage w/ alley access, large open formal living/dining area! Plus eat-in area in kitchen. Fenced in back yard and adorable front porch. Easy access to downtown, schools, soccer fields and so much more!

New Fox Team Listing

15189 206th Rd - Holton Priced in the $130's. 3 BR Farm House with replacement windows, updated central heat & air, rural water, updated kitchen flooring. And on the farm...many outbuildings includeBIG barn full of character with horse stalls, add'l 30x32 garage w/ office & 1/2 bath, beautifully landscaped, round pen, all blacktop to Topeka, set-up for 4H projects & Horses! Home and property is adorable and so convenient!

New Fox Team Listing

616 Colorado Ave - Holton Priced in the $130's. This amazing ranch home is appealing to the eye from the exterior then furthers the enhancements inside with its quality build style, spacious rooms andstorage, 2 fireplaces (gas & wood burning), 2 bathrooms and so much more. Separate room for storm shelter in bsmt, lots of add'l storage & large brightlaundry room with sink off garage. Beautiful fixtures and so much more! Oversized lot with alley access to garage.landscaping with fountain, large back deck and lower patio. 1 block from elem schl & park! Call the Fox Team Today 785.364.0424

New Fox Team Listing

13190 262nd Rd - Holton Priced at $220K Large Brick Ranch walk-out on 3.5 acres m/l. Only 1 mile off Hwy 75. This substantial home offers so much space, great floor plan, large dining room/pantry, custom cabinets, coffered ceilings, deep closets, and a finished basement. Jet tub in master, 1 Year Home Warranty and large outbuilding with full concrete floor and electrical...the list goes on about the benefits of this wonderful home! Call the Fox Team Today to view - 785.364.0424

New Fox Team Listing

16531 214th Rd, Holton - Priced at $170K Spacious berm home w/ Fabulous utility bills, 2 year old roof, large rooms, formal dining and living, lots of storage areas and too many updated areas to mention. It has GREAT appeal for the aspiring chef...a DREAM kitchen with wall to wall Custom Wood Products cabinets and counters. Entertaining room galore. And for the man of the house? A detached 30x30 garage/workshop and add'l outbuilding and 7 acres m/l to call YOUR OWN in the Country! priced under cty appraisal,"1 year" Home warranty included!

New Fox Team Listing

104 W 4th, Hoyt - Priced at 119.9K Beautifully maintained 4 BR 2 BA Ranch style home,hardwood floors, MAIN FLOOR LIVING,exterior freshly painted,& newer roof,storage galore w/ full basement & saferoom. Family gatherings year around in the screened backyard porch! A LOT of house for the price county appraised @ $130k HBW 210 "1 YEAR" HOME WARRANTY included with acceptable offer, MOTIVATED SELLER, WON'T LAST!

UPCOMING OPEN HOUSES

This week we have several exciting open houses coming up! Friday, September 18th visit us at 305 Pennsylvania, Holton from 5:15-6pm and tour a historic plantation style home with 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, lots of updates, large back yard and garage and so much more...This home will also be open Saturday, Sept 19th from 9a-10a. Great home for first time homebuyers and large families! Saturday, September 26th from 9-10a is located at 124 NW Louise...This 2 Bedroom 1 Bath, many updates, hardwood floor, open - bright - fresh floor plan is located just outside of the Potwin area and only 2 blocks from Ward Meade Park. Priced only in the $60's....Move-in ready and should pass VA & FHA financing too.

New Fox Team Listing

1661 64th St - Goff Priced in the $330's. Spectacular brand new construction on 40 acres close to hwy.09 built walkout 'GREEN' home.From the solar tankless H20 htr to gas fireplace, heavilyinsulated attic, natural skylight in bathroom.Sound system, data outputs, intercom system, mosaic tiled bathroom floors and walk-in shower in mstr w/ 2shower heads.Oversize laundry w/ mini-shower for animals lrg windows offer spectacular views to your horses in the pasture over the hills.Incl. pond & smallcorral set up. Must be pre-qualified. Seller will plant yard in Fall.

New Fox Team Listing

516 Lucien - Onaga $79,900 This is a 3 BR RANCH STYLE HOME ,NEWLY REMODELED,MAINTENCE -FREE NEW ROOF ,MODERN DECOR, Fresh oversized kitchen/dining combo.seperateoffice/computer room not included in bedroom count. Extra possible bedroom downstairs not incl. bec. no egress windows. Bsmt storm shelter in addtn tofiniished walkout basement. Large shaded double lot with alley access, add'l detached garage. So much potential! Large windows thru home - so much to note...

New Fox Team Listing

124 NW Louise - Topeka Priced in the $60's! Adorable, quaint but spacious! This 2 bedroom, 1 bath home features hardwood floors, built-ins for storage, a large walk-in closet, full unfinished basement and adorable curb appeal! Bedrooms are spacious and kitchen has plenty of counter space. Lots of updates and maintained properly! Located on the outskirts of potwin community and only 2 blocks from Old Town - Ward Meade Park. Call today for a showing at 785.364.0424 - you'll be pleased you did...

A House with a Past by Leslie Whitaker

An interview was done recently on an agent who has taken her life in a different direction and written a novel about a couple who buys a fixer upper home and the story involved with it. There was something that struck me about the interview that was previously published in Realtor Mag Sept 2009, and I thought I would share it with you all..."We're willing to give up our home, no matter how many great years we've had in it, if we believe life will be better with a third bathroom. It seems sort of frivolous, but really it's an act of incredible courage and flexibility - and its fundamentally American characteristic. We're a nation of immigrants, of people willing to give up the only home we've ever known and move great distances in the hopes that our new home would be better."

New Listing - 305 Pennsylvania, Holton

Join us at 305 Pennsylvania in Holton. This classic 2 Story home is centered 1 block from downtown off Holton's prideful brick streets. 4 Br, 1.5 Baths, formal dining, formal and informal livingspaces, huge updated kitchen, large bedrooms - this home will be the one for your family! All new windows, guttering, light fixtures, updated electrical, HVAC, roof less than 10 years old, bathroom on main...the NEW list goes on and on! Lg master supports a King bed & more! Fenced in yard - w/ lrg double car det. garage off alley with extra parking. Priced below recent appraisal. May include furnishings if interested. Contact the Fox Team today to view. Priced only in the $120's this home is sure to go fast!

New Fox Team Listing

Visit our new listing at 221 NE 60th in North County, Seaman School District in Topeka. This 4 BR, 3 Full bath home offers so much 'extra'. The gas fireplace will warm you up on cold winter nights and Summers will be kept busy with bustlingchildren in and out of the large yard &walkout bsmt rec room. Elements such as pot shelves, add'l storage, vaulted & coffered ceilings, open spaces, lots ofwindows & hidden alcoves will offer years of enjoyment and be the perfect home to entertain in and show off to family! This home is located on a large corner lot, with partial fencing perfect for kids play areas or pets, large patio for family gatherings and very nice landscaping. Call the Fox Team today to view this one of a kind listing in a peaceful Seaman neighborhood.

New Listing

Visit our New Listing at 403 Hillcrest, Holton. Priced at $95K - This 3 Br, 1 Full bath property is a 1 story ranch and is a well maintained home with large eat-in kitchen, lots of windows, new roof and so much more! It sits on a oversized shaded lot with a covered back deck perfect for enjoying the morning coffee or family Sunday Bar-B-Q's. Besides the 1 Car Attached Garage, there is a recent built 2 car detached garage with concrete floor, plenty of electrical, alley accessibility and extra parking - conveniently located near the homes laundry room entry too. This home has plenty of living space, extra closets and storage areas and is located within blocks of the City Park and Downtown Holton. Contact the Fox Team today to view this new listing at 785.305.1636.

New Listing

NEW LISTING at 733 NE Monhollon Dr - Topeka Priced at $155K - 3, possibly 4 Bedrooms - 2 Bath. Built in 2006, this home offers much in space and quality design. Hardwood floors, carpet & Tile mix. Oversized, functional bathrooms with raised cabinets, Quality built kitchen with island and large dining room. Master has coffered ceiling, lots of closets and storage throughout home. 2 Large basement bedrooms or rec rooms with personal closets and walkouts to the oversized patio and pleasant partially fenced in back yard. Large upper deck spans the length of the home overlooking mature trees. The home includes a 1 Year Home Warranty as well! You must see this home today! Call the Fox Team at 785.364.0424 or Craig at 785.305.1636

Fireworks - Is your house a firework waiting to happen?

Screams of excitement from the back seat arose everytime we drove by a newly constructed fireworks stand on a corner in town. "Mommy, Mommy - when can we buy our fireworks?" "I want da smoke bombs mommy wit' all da pwetty cowols" - "I want the big rocket ones with parachutes that make big poppy noises up high mommy" - "I want those snakes that grow big that you step on and they go squish mommy" ...Yes the fun sounds of the season. And while the 4th of July has probably been one of my favorite holidays of all times with memories of skiing at Lake Wabaunsee, boat parades, lounging on the docks or lazy inviting floats all day and watching the big firework displays at night, I cant help but chuckle at our many potentially catastrophic firework incidents over the years. When I was a child, the old jumping jacks that shot into my grandmas cedar tree next to the house and burst shooting 6 foot tall beads of yellow flames towards the wooden shingles of her roof - people scampering every which direction running to find water! Or the time when the pasture started on fire near the house, the firework that fell over and shot directly onto the kids blanket at a show and exploded. And of course the scary event at some friends of ours house when the entire $1,000's of dollars worth of fireworks display was on their trailer and 1 fireworks spilt over and set the entire trailer of fireworks off at 1 time - injuring a girl that was assisting. Working near a home insurance office I think to myself how much these insurance agents must be on pins and needles during this time of year. There are risks that we take this time of year that are just unavoidable but if I can recommend a few safety items from our experiences, they may be these: 1) Check with your insurance agent and make sure you are insured for personal belongings and have had a recent analysis 2) Always have water close and handy whether it be from a hose or a few bucket fulls 3) First aid kits are always a plus 4) DON'T shoot fireworks in fields or dry grass areas - especially in the Midwest if rain has not been a recent visitor 5) Shoot items away from a home and far enough away from people to give them a chance to RUN when mishaps occur :) 6) Keep fireworks on a hard surface such as concrete or heavy large stable boards not grassy, unstable areas. #6 proved to be the issue in this years 2009 fireworks display. We had taken a larger nightworks piece out far enough away from the barn full of family so we thought we'd be safe...the first shot goes off and set a gorgeous array of colors in the sky - the next one immediately after shot into the pasture and exploded near ground (signifying the firework tipped over) the next one shot out directly opposite towards the dog kennel and goose and exploded - about that time words came out of my father-in-laws mouth to the effect of "OH NO, It better not shoot over..." we saw it coming - a flameball - directly under grandma's chair while she held 2 of the babies and next to grandpa with another little one and the WHOLE pile of fireworks waiting yet to be set off. It exploded under her chair setting sparks everywhere - everyone swinging blankets at the sparks - all the kids screaming in hysterics - and of course us adults laughing in hysterics while behind this firework was still shooting its 12 flaming balls off in different directions (we figured everytime it shot, it spun itself around another direction causing the inconsistency). It was a great evening despite the now childrens trauma and memories - thankfully everyone was safe and unharmed except for the continued worries from the kids til their heads nodded off to bed "mommy, don't get that one again."

Writing Workshop

Of course writing in every day life for us is key to what we do - whether its our 987 daily emails sent out to lenders, PTO volunteers, clients with your business or journaling our memories out of the bed side stand. Every day our written words are expressed sometimes in joyous tounge, oftentimes it is perceived as a short irritated tounge of sorts. Some say it is a lost art...once the daily newspaper on your doorstep changing to a daily email update from New York Daily Times made up of a few short blogged sentences of the daily events. Even more so is the changing use of time honored written letters adapted to short and sweet texts - ex. "r u cmg to gmas house 2nite?" or "miss u". I had the great honor of visiting the Tallgrass Writing Conference in Emporia this weekend, a 24th year celebration of authors coming together to motivate others to capture their words in print. Keynote Speakers included Karen Stolz whom read from the World of Pies, Antonia Felix whom wrote an autobiography on Condoleeza Rice, Jon Chandler a western captured song writer from Denver, Johnny Boggs a well known travel writer from Santa Fe, Jim Hoy an established author of the Flint Hills and many more including Max McCoy - author of four Indian Jones novels whom also happens to be a professor at Emporia State University. I have received encouragement from all to keep journaling those wonderful memories of the boys' antics and keep those letters mom wrote me the night before my wedding day or the Valentines Card I had received in the mail from my father 2 days after he had passed away. The time was spent with my mother-in-law and step-grandmother, 2 women with motivations and creative ambitions, ready to conquer some magnificent projects that I look so forward to watch develop. Captured, the stories we all have to tell - and we all do have stories to tell. Write it, it only takes a minute.

Burnt Popcorn Smell in Microwave?

Did You Know? You can get rid of the burnt popcorn smell in your microwave, according to Heloise. Just fill a large microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water and sprinkle in your favorite spice like cinnamon or add several drops of vanilla or lemon extract. Bring to a boil. You must let it sit inside for 10 to 15 minutes to cool down. Simply wipe the walls down with paper towels. Leave the door open to further air it out. Provided by Kansas Association of Realtors.

OPEN HOUSES - Sat June 20th

SATURDAY, JUNE 20th in Jackson County - - - - FOX TEAM OPEN HOUSES - - - - 610 Ohio - Holton (120's) Sat. June 20th 10-10:45a - - 507 Butler - Circleville (60's) Sat June 20th 10-10:45a - - 327 Lincoln - Holton (60's) Sat June 20th 11-11:45a - - 620 Pennsylvania - Holton(60's) Sat June 20th 11-11:45a - - 18346 K-16 Hwy - Holton(120's) Sat June 20th 12-12:45p - -

Recipe: Peach Melba

A Tasty Treat from Campbell Vineyard and Winery Peach Melba - - - - - - - Vanilla ice cream, peach halves, raspberry jelly thinned with cherry wine from Campbell Winery, whipped cream, sweet cookies. Place a scoop of ice cream in champagne glasses. Top with peach halves and cover with sauce made from raspberry jelly thinned to pouring consistency with the cherry wine. Garnish with whipped cream around edge of glass. Serve with small sweet cookies.

Recipe: Tortellini al Victorio

A tasty treat from Campbell Vineyard and Winery East of Holton Kansas. Tortellini al Victorio - - - - - - - - - 4T olive oil, 2T butter, 1 C balsamic vinegar, 1 whole red bell pepper, 1 whole yellow bell pepper, 6 medium size mushrooms, 6-8 cloves fresh garlic. Preparation: Cut both types of peppers in half; clean out the seeds; julienne the peppers and the mushrooms. After peeling garlic, slices/crush cloves. In large saute pan, heat the olive oil and add the peppers and mushrooms. When the peppers start to brown, add the garlic. Let these ingredients simmer for about 20 seconds then add the butter and vinegar. After the butter melts, let the sauce reduce slightly. Cook your favorite cheese tortellini; toss with sauce and enjoy! Serves 4-5. Adapted from Busch & Heringlake Country Inn for Campbell Vineyard and Winery

Energy Saver

The U.S. accounts for 5% of the world's population, but uses 25% of world energy resources. Your energy choices affect the environment both locally and globally! So where do your energy dollars go... A) 49% Heating and Cooling B) 33% Lighting, Cooking, and other Appliances C) 13% Water Heating D) 5% Refrigeration Heres a few tips: Clothes Washing - Use cold water when you can and wash only full loads. Cooling - AC is great at 78 degrees! Use portable fans and ceiling fans to keep cool for less. If you do use an air conditioner, set it at 78 degrees or higher when you're home and 85 degrees when you'll be away more than 4 hours. Just don't use your thermometer like a gas pedal. Shopping? Use energy guide labels...all major appliances but ovens and ranges come with Energy Guide Labels. Use the labels to compare the energy usage of different models. The labels also tell you the typical annual operating cost of the appliance, based on national average energy rates. (Partial excerpts from WESTER Energy Promotional Guidelines)

New Fox Team Listing

Visit us at 610 Ohio Ave - Holton. Built in 1885...this home features quite a bit of the past character in the trim and details but the updates have been completed for you! 4 Bedrooms with large closets, nice size rooms - 2 on Main level and 2 up, Kitchen updated with granite counters with eating bar, new flooring and a special featured copper sink. 2 Full baths with updated plumbing fixtures and ceramic tile additions. And of course lets not forget the outside landscaped beautifully with full flower beds and a fish pond/waterscape, lots of green grass, extra parking and a 2 car detached garage with concrete floor and electric garage door opener. With new flooring, lighting fixtures, windows and so much more this home its hard to believe this home is priced in the $120's. Call the Fox Team Today for a showing or more information!

New Fox Team Listing

507 Butler - Circleville 2 BR, 1 Bath $69,900 WOW! NEWLY updated and remodeled home,tasteful modern decor,newer roof,vinyl siding,hvac,waterheater,flooring and so MUCH MORE. Guys...new concrete floored 20x26 garage with 220 electrical, maintainable yard with mature shade trees, 3rd bedroom upstairs w/o closet - perfect for computer room, tv area or study. Quiet small town living, move in ready! Seller also offering HBW 210 HOME WARRANTY!

It's Hard to Buy a House...Here's how to save for your first

It's Hard to Buy a House…Here's how to save for your first By Kelly K. Spors From RealEstateJournal.com It's a dream of many young adults to buy a first home. But there's an unfortunate reality: Even buying a "starter home" can mean saving tens of thousands of dollars for a down payment. How do you pull it off? The key, obviously, is to save like crazy. Beyond that, here are several suggestions that may make the path to home ownership a bit easier. 1. Aim for 20 percent down Timothy Wyman of the Center for Financial Planning in Southfield, Mich., says you may be able to get by with putting only 10 percent of the purchase price down, as long as you are confident your income will remain steady or grow and you plan on keeping the home at least five years. But Mr. Wyman says buyers should ideally aim to save up 20 percent or more of the price. The risk of putting down too little: If the home falls in value and you sell at a loss, you'll owe more to the lender than you receive from the buyer. In addition, many mortgages require buyers who put down less than 20 percent to get private mortgage insurance, which can add $80 to $100 to your monthly bill. And the less you put down, the higher your loan balance and therefore your monthly payment will be. For example, a buyer who puts down 5 percent on a $300,000 home with a 6 percent 30-year fixed-rate mortgage might pay $1,809 a month, including $100 for mortgage insurance, while a buyer who puts 20 percent down would likely pay $1,439 a month. You'll also need to save money for closing costs, such as title insurance and mortgage fees. Figure that closing costs will be about 2 percent of your loan value. You should also put money aside for points to lower your mortgage rate. If you plan to stay in the house for several years, you can save money after several years by paying points with each point equaling one percent of the loan value. 2. Keep it separate Set up a separate account for your down-payment funds, so the money doesn't get intermingled with other savings and you can keep track of how much you save. This would probably be a taxable account at a bank or brokerage firm. Wyman suggests setting up regular automatic deposits from a checking account into the down-payment account to force regular savings. "You want to be moving money to this account before you spend it," he says. 3. Consider your time horizon How best to invest down-payment money depends on your time horizon for purchasing a home. Those planning to buy in three years or less should put the money in conservative investments such as short-term certificates of deposit or short-term bond mutual funds to shield themselves from potential market downturns. If you're waiting at least five years to buy, you can invest more aggressively. A balanced mutual fund that invests in, say, 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bondd is a good choice and should perform better over the longer period. 4. Get extra help Few first-time buyers pony up the entire down payment on their own. Nearly a quarter of down payments from first-time buyers are gifted by relatives and friends, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors. Although such assistance is great, there are also other places you can look. There are many down-payment assistance programs for first-time buyers that are offered by banks, local governments and charities. Many are open only to low- or moderate-income buyers and some are targeted to specific communities. It's always good to check because you may be surprised at income levels that qualify, especially if you live in a high-cost area. Some programs lend buyers a substantial portion of the down payment. For example, the California Housing Finance Agency can provide eligible first-time home buyers in Los Angeles 3 percent of a home's purchase price as down-payment or closing-cost assistance. The money must be repaid when the buyer sells the home, refinances or pays off the loan. Many lenders have information about assistance programs. 5. Clean up your finances Your credit history will go a long way to determining the loan terms and mortgage rates you will be able to get. You could be offered a smaller loan or charged a higher rate if a lender is concerned you might not be able to repay. So before approaching lenders, first-time buyers should give themselves the financial equivalent of a physical exam, says Ellie Deskin, a financial planner in Troy, Mich. This means checking your credit score and credit reports with the three major credit bureaus and fixing any errors. You can contact each of the bureaus, which are required by law to give you one free report per year. Also consider paying down some debt, especially high-interest debt such as credit cards, that might flag you as a riskier borrower. Although some debt is OK, being overloaded will likely tarnish your loan terms. 6. Weigh mortgage tradeoffs Lenders increasingly offer creative loans, such as interest-only loans and certain types of adjustable-rate loans, that can reduce your monthly payments -- at least for a while. But these alternative loans can be much riskier than fixed-rate loans because monthly payments can jump after a few years. A general rule of thumb is that your monthly mortgage payment shouldn't exceed 28 percent of your household's gross monthly income. Use mortgage calculators available online to calculate what your monthly payment would be with different types of loans. 7. Hands off retirement savings If you're just shy of saving up enough for a home, you might consider taking a small loan from your 401(k) plan or withdrawing some principal from a Roth IRA. But many financial advisers caution against tapping retirement accounts too heavily for a home purchase. For one thing, you're going to need your retirement savings, so you don't want to gouge it. Taking a loan from your 401(k) can also be risky, since you may have to pay it back if you leave the company. And if you take money out of your Roth, you can't replace it, so you lose some of the Roth's long-term benefit of tax-free earnings.

Winery for Sale in North East Kansas

Have you been interested in owning a winery, vineyard and bed and breakfast? If so, this may be for you! Located Just East of Holton off Hwy 116 is a lucious fed 5 acre country spot with 2 acres of grape vines, ponds with fountains, patios with trellis', bridges, landscaping, wildlife and so much more. This turn-key opportunity offers a wine tasting room, climate controlled production facility, climate storage units, outbuildings, plenty of parking for events and a 3 BR 1.5 bath home with walkout basement. Priced at $650,000 this opportunity includes all the supplies, equipment, machines and so much more! Currently Campbell wines are in 60+ locations including reputable restaurants and liquor stores thruought Northeast Kansas and growing every day! Call the Fox Team today for your private showingat 785.364.0424! An experience of a lifetime and a lifestyle just perfect for you!

New Fox Team Home

We would like to welcome you home to 724 Pennsylvania - Holton. Priced at only $77,900 this 2 BR, 2 Full Bath home will offer you years of wonderful living! Bright, open living, Lg Kitchen w/ plenty of counters and cabinets - full unfinished basement, corner lot, fenced in back yard, double garage plus add'l storage shed, back deck, covered front porch! Priced affordably and PERFECT for first time home buyers, empty nesters or if you're looking for a move-in ready starter home! Call the Fox Team today to view this home! 785.364.0424 or 785.305.1636.

Stimulus Misconceptions

7 Misconceptions About the Stimulus Kimberly Lankford Thursday, April 9, 2009provided by Kiplinger Since President Obama signed the economic-stimulus package into law February 17, I have received many questions about its provisions. And I've noticed that there are a lot of misconceptions about the plan. Here's the lowdown. Misconception #1: Most people will get their stimulus money as a check this year. Instead of receiving a check from the government, most single taxpayers will see an adjustment to their tax withholding in their paychecks in 2009 and 2010, giving them about $45 extra per month for the rest of this year (married workers will receive an extra $65). If you're self-employed, you can adjust your quarterly tax payments to benefit from the tax credit. Then you will claim the credit when you file your 2009 tax return next spring, bringing your tax bill in line with your reduced payments. The stimulus also provides a one-time payment of $250 to recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement and Veterans Administration benefits.(People who applied for any of these benefits for the first time after January 31 don't get the money; only those on the rolls in November and December 2008 and January 2009 are eligible.) You'll get the money electronically or by check, depending on how you receive those benefits. Retired government employees who don't receive Social Security will also get a $250 credit when they file their 2009 returns. Misconception #2: The adjustment to withholding will have to be paid back when you file your tax return next year. Wrong -- the stimulus is actually a tax credit of 6.2% of taxable wages in 2009 and 2010, to a maximum each year of $400 for single taxpayers and $800 for married couples filing jointly. The credit is refundable, which means that you can still receive the full credit even if it is worth more than your total tax liability. Paychecks are being adjusted now to get more money into the economy faster. You'll claim the credit when you file your return next year, so your tax bill should adjust in line with the stimulus money (and you might get some extra money at tax time if your withholding wasn't adjusted enough to account for the extra credit during the year, which ay happen for some married people in single-earner households). But not everyone qualifies for the credit. It begins to phase out for single filers with adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 or higher, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly, and it disappears entirely for single filers with AGIs of $95,000 or more, or $190,000 for joint filers. Misconception #3: The first-time home buyer's credit needs to be repaid. You may not have to repay the credit, depending on when you bought the house. If you buy a house between January 1, 2009, and December 1, 2009, you could receive a credit for 10% of the home's purchase price, up to $8,000. This credit does not have to be repaid as long as you own the home for at least three years. If you bought a first home between April 9, 2008, and December 31, 2008, you are eligible for a tax credit of 10% of the home's purchase price, up to $7,500 -- but the credit must be repaid over 15 years, starting two years after you claim the credit. If you sell the home before you finish paying back the credit, the balance is due in full the year of the sale. The 2008 and 2009 credits begin to phase out if your modified adjusted gross income is more than $75,000 (or $150,000 if you're married filing jointly). The credit disappears entirely after your income reaches $95,000 if you're single, or $170,000 if married filing jointly. You are considered a first-time home buyer if you (and your spouse, if you are married) didn't own a primary residence in the past three years. The credit does not apply to rental property and vacation homes. Misconception #4: You can't get the 2009 first-time home-buyer tax credit until you file your tax return next year. Actually, taxpayers who buy a first home in 2009 do not need to wait until they file their 2009 return (by April 15, 2010) to benefit from the credit. To get the money into the economy faster, the federal government is giving you a choice of claiming the first-time home-buyer credit on either your 2008 or your 2009 tax return. There's actually a way to benefit from the credit even before you buy your first home. If you plan to buy by the November 31 deadline, you can reduce your withholding on your paychecks right away. The increased take-home pay could help you with the down payment. File a new W-4 form with your employer to adjust your withholding. (And remember to re-adjust your withholding again next year.) If you have already filed your 2008 return, you can use Form 1040X to amend it. If you purchase a first home after the 2008 tax-filing deadline of April 15, 2009, you can still claim the credit on your 2008 tax return either by requesting a six-month extension for filing your return (which doesn't extend the deadline for paying any taxes owed) or by filing an amended return. Misconception #5: You need to apply through the government to get the COBRA health-care subsidy. Contact your former employer, not the government, to take advantage of the COBRA subsidy. If you were laid off since September 1, 2008, and are already receiving COBRA coverage, then you'll pay 35% of the COBRA health-insurance premiums, and your former employer will pay the remaining 65%. The government will then reimburse your former employer for the subsidy through a payroll tax credit. If you were laid off on September 1, 2008, or later but didn't sign up for COBRA coverage, you'll get a second chance to elect COBRA and benefit from the subsidy. You should receive a notice from your former employer soon, or contact your former employer to find out about the steps for signing up. Misconception #6: You can receive the COBRA subsidy the entire time you're covered by COBRA. Federal law requires most companies with 20 or more employees to let former employees keep group health-insurance coverage for up to 18 months after they leave their jobs. But the 65% COBRA subsidy lasts for only nine months. After that, the premiums will jump back to the full price - and the average employer health-insurance plan costs $12,680 per year for family coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. If you have health issues, COBRA may still be your best bet despite the hefty price tag. But many people can find a better deal by buying their own health insurance. You can get price quotes for individual policies at eHealthInsurance.com, or find a local health-insurance agent at the National Association of Health Underwriters Web site. Check out your options at least one month before your COBRA subsidy expires so you'll have plenty of time to find out how much an individual policy would cost. The subsidy ends if you find a job and your new employer offers health-care coverage or you become eligible for Medicare. And COBRA does not apply if the company stops offering health coverage to current employees or shuts down entirely. Misconception #7: The number of weeks you can receive emergency unemployment benefits has been extended. The stimulus does not provide additional weeks of benefits for people who use their 33 weeks of emergency unemployment-compensation benefits; it just expands the dates that the program will be available. A federal law passed last year provides an extra 20 weeks of emergency unemployment compensation to workers who exhausted their regular unemployment benefits, plus an additional 13 weeks of extended benefits for residents of states with high unemployment rates (contact your state unemployment-benefits office for details about your state's rules). The emergency unemployment-compensation program was scheduled to expire on August 27, 2009, and the last day to apply for benefits was originally set to be March 31, 2009. As a result of the stimulus law, unemployed people who exhaust their regular state benefits now have until December 31, 2009, to apply for extended benefits and can receive compensation until May 31, 2010. Copyrighted, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.

New Fox Team Listings

Here are 2 Country Opportunities for you! The first one is located at 502 McKinley in Circleville! Priced in the $80's, this Large home on a large lot is perfectly suited for your family! 3 Bedrooms, 2 full baths - with master suite included a large corner soaker tub! The basement is a large unfinished space for plenty of opportunity for family growth! The home includes a nice detached garage as well! Fresh eat-in kitchen with formal dining room and spacious living room with fireplace. Call Craig and Sara to view today at 785.305.1636! And do you know someone who is looking for good fertile farm/crop ground? Just south of 182nd and U road is a 70 acre tract, featuring terraces and good access roads! Priced competitively, this is going to be a fast sale - so call today for more information! 785.364.0424

New Fox Team Listings

Here are 2 new listings you may be interested in! Potential Business Owners: Liquor Store for Sale - TURN-KEY priced at only $85,000! Great lot location on Mayetta's main street with plenty of parking and placed near the Prairie Band Casino and Hotel Hwy 75 Exit! 7 DAY LIQUOR SALES too! Includes everything! Contact the Fox Team today at 785.364.0424 for more information or a personal tour! Another exciting opportunity exists for investors in the East Topeka community. Priced in the 30's - this move in ready home needs a bit of fix up work in the kitchen and some paint in the remainder of the home. This large 2 Story home includes 2 Oversized bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2 living rooms - 1 with a playhouse loft built into the ceiling - partially fenced in yard and near schools and churches. Call today for a viewing! 785.364.0424

Tax Credit Approved

Congress Improves Homebuyer Tax Credit The centerpiece of the tax section of the stimulus package was the first-time homebuyer tax credit. After considerable and stressful negotiations, the tax-writers who negotiated the final package were able to make only modest improvements to the rules enacted in 2008. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules: the credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser. In brief, these are the changes made: ● The credit amount is increased from $7500 to $8000. ● The credit continues to apply only to first-time homebuyers. ● Changes are effective for purchases on or after Jan 1, 2009 and before Dec 1, 2009. ● 2009 purchasers can make an election to claim the credit on their 2008 tax return. ● The credit is refundable. The amount of the refund is computed as part of the 1040 tax return filing. ● The unpopular repayment feature of the 2008 version is eliminated for 2009 purchasers. Unfortunately, eligible 2008 purchasers will still be required to repay the credit. ● While the repayment is eliminated for 2009, any credit that is taken for 2009 will be recaptured and paid to the IRS from sales proceeds if the residence is sold within three years of the date of purchase. ● DC homebuyers are eligible for the $8000 credit (In 2008, DC homebuyers had a separate, nonrepayable $5000 tax credit available to them that had already been in effect for several years.) ● Purchasers who finance their 2009 purchases with funds from a state/local housing bond authority will be eligible for credit. (A Partial Segment published to local area Realtors by Topeka Area Association of Realtors, Feb 20, 2009)

A Greener Life - At Business, At Home, At Play!

Want to make a difference in the little things you do day to day? At work, at home, walking down the street? These little things add up big...check out this web-site for fun ideas and to calculate the huge savings in your day to day life! http://www.creativecitizen.com/

Insurance Tip: Annual Review of Policy

Insurance Insight from Kellerman Insurance With the new year here, this is a great time for an insurance review. Throughout the year people make improvements to their home and don’t always think about how that could effect their insurance. Maybe you got some big ticket items for Christmas that need special insurance such as a new laptop computer or that big diamond ring. Your insurance policy may not cover these the way that you think. Give us a call or email us at kellerman@kellermaninsurance.com for an insurance review.

Price Reduction! 2646 SW Sherwood Park Dr

LARGE PRICE REDUCTION! $174,900! New Construction - Sherwood Park Subdivision - Washburn Rural School District - 3BR, 2.5 Ba - 2 Car Gar - Hogue Built home, the quality you've come to know and trust! http://www.realestateshows.com/351972

Top Five Myths About Loan Modification

MYTH #1: My bank wants me out of my house. My bank wants my home! - Fact: Banks and other lending institutions do not want to foreclose. They earn more money if you can make your payments. When they foreclose, they not only lose your monthly payments, but they also have the expense of foreclosing (attorney fees), rehabbing the home, and then sellit it. In today's market, there's a good chance they'll have to sell the home at a loss. This is all good news for you - it means the bank is highly motivated to make a deal with you. MYTH #2: My credit score is bad so I won't qualify. Fact: Unlike the option of refinancing out of trouble, which requires yout to apply for a new loan, loan modification simply adjusts the terms and perhaps reduces the balance of a loan you already have. Your credit score is much less of a factor in determining whether you qualify for a loan modification. In addition, a successful loan modification can actually improve your credit score over time, especially if it prevents you from ending up in foreclosure or bankruptcy. MYTH #3: I am not late on my mortgage payments so I won't qualify. I have to miss a payment to be eligible. Fact: Early on this was true. In fact, some early eligibility requirements stated that you had to be 61 days delinquent in order to qualify. In other words, you would have had to have missed two full payments. The truth is that the eligibility requirements are constantly changewing and differ among lenders. Discuss your situation with your local lender. MYTH #4: I would be better off walking away or declaring bankruptcy than modifying my loan. Walking away from the home and filing for bankruptcy are certainly two options, but they are rarely the best options when you are facing foreclosure. If you simply walk away, the lender is unlikely to pursue legal action against you, but in some jurisdictions, the lender can pursue a deficiency judgement aganist you to collect the difference between what the lender receives for your home at auction and what you currently owe on the balance of the mortgage. Filing for bankruptcy may be better than just walking away, but it can leave a blemish on your credit history that makes it difficult to borrow money in the future. A successful loan modification is almost always a more prudent choice. MYTH #5: It's too late. I have already received a foreclosure notice. As long as you still reside in the home - that is, you didn't voluntarily abandon it, and the home hasn't been sold at a foreclosure auction - you may still have time to work out a loan modification with your lender. The sooner you take action, the more options you have available and the more time you have to pursue the best option, but you can still negotiate late in the process. By contacting the lender or, better yet, having your attorney contact the lender on your behalf, you demonstrate a good faith effort to work out a solution and can often buy yourself extra time to negotiate a loan modification.

Setting the Stage - Sellers Advice

Clever tips will draw attention to your home for sale! 1) Remove some photogoraphs that remind buyers they don't live there. Also remove any collections. 2) Scour your kitchen - it should be spotless. Oil wood cabinets to give them luster. 3) Invest in fresh paint. Earth tones and neutrals are best. Also use real plants 4) Accentuate the architectural interest: fireplace, mantel, built-in bookshelves. 5) Eliminate clutter - and show the space! 6) Remove the oversized-dated big screen TV or multiple hunting trophys off the wall (unless its an appropriate tie in of a log cabin home) 7) Freshen drapes, flooring - all should be clean and fresh. 8) Hire a design analyst to come in and run thru your home for an hour making final tips - ask the Fox Team for more information on this, as we have a Wonderful resource we currently utilize in some of our homes to assist with pre-sale decor evaluations. (Some of this excerpt from LJW 01/22/09)

Hosting a GREEN Party

I want to host a greener party — where should I start? Take your party outside. Find a venue that incorporates elements of nature and host your event early — you’ll use less energy if you take advantage of natural light by hosting your event while the sun is still shining. Find a garden or terrace for drinks at sunset — it’s Mother Nature’s entertainment! I’ve got hungry friends. What about the food? Contrary to what you may think, an eco-friendly menu does not consist of bland, vegan food. If you serve organic and locally grown food, you can have pretty much any type of cuisine you desire, but without nasty pesticides, chemical additives or antibiotics. Most leading grocery or specialty-food stores now offer organic produce and hormone-free meat. Or, find a local green market (Spring thru Fall, the Holton downtown Square hosts a delectable Farmers Market) and support local farms and food artisans. Food that is in season and sourced locally is better for you and the planet. It’s fresher because it doesn’t have to travel as far to get to your plate. You can also set up a farm table with local artisan cheeses, organic fruits and vegetables and freshly baked bread. They’re thirsty, too. Is it possible to serve eco-friendly cocktails, beer and wine? Better ingredients make better cocktails, so stock your bar with organic wine and beer as well as spirits that are made in a sustainable way. Parducci is an organic winery that’s powered by solar panels and wind energy and also uses earth-friendly packaging.(Campbell Vineyard and Winery of Holton Kansas streamlines many organic features into their local vineyard processing) Peak Organic Beer has four signature brews made with barley and hops that are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. For eco-chic cocktails, we like to use Reyka, an Icelandic vodka made at a distillery powered by geothermal steam and to stir in natural mixers from Stirrings. Disposable plates and silverware can’t be good for the environment, right? What are the alternatives? When possible, use glassware for your events instead of plastic (which is made from petroleum) or paper (which ends up in the landfill). Tableware and glassware can be rented from local rental companies or through your caterer. They can deliver right to your door and will take away all the used items afterward — no dirty dishes to wash! If you are dining outside and need a nonbreakable alternative, there are a few companies that make clear cups out of polymer, a substance that is made from corn and is 100 percent biodegradable. And Preserve by Recycline has great-looking tableware and cutlery sets in different colors made from 100 percent recycled plastic. What about décor? How do I create a party atmosphere that will make both my guests and the planet happy? Be creative with your décor. Buying mass-produced, disposable themed décor is unoriginal and, if you only use it once, pretty wasteful. You can find interesting ways to create atmosphere with everyday items. For example, vintage tea tins make great vases. Or find brightly colored fruit that’s in season to display as an edible centerpiece. You can also buy seasonal flowers from the green market or an online retailer like Organic Bouquet that specializes in sustainably grown, fair-trade flowers. Their roses come in many different colors and smell amazing. Small potted plants are also an easy way to incorporate florals without having to arrange cut flowers. They can be given to guests as they leave or be enjoyed by you after the party. And invites? Go digital! The best way to save paper (and money) is to send a digital invitation. Pingg.com is a new online invitation and event management company that offers a great selection of modern images. Not only are the invitations free of advertising, but the interactive Web pages will let you upload photos, video and even set up a gift registry. If your event is more formal, try paper invitations that are made from 100 percent organic cotton and printed with vegetable inks that are nontoxic. One of my favorite stationery companies is Smock, which handprints the most exquisite wedding invitations and birth announcements. They are the only letterpress printer in the U.S. that uses paper made from bamboo, which is a renewable resource. There’s always so much left over at the end of a party. What’s the best eco-move for extra food, flowers, etc.? Dealing with your post-party cleanup is the least glamorous part of your event, but an important aspect of being green. Sending your guests home with leftover food and bouquets of flowers is a thoughtful way to lessen your load. You can also put out different bins for recycling bottles, cans and paper. This sends a low-key green message and helps to educate guests. If you hire a green caterer, they will be in charge of separating compostable food from garbage and will dispose of it properly. Leftover food that hasn’t been touched can be donated to your local food bank. Make arrangements beforehand and find out their specific requirements. What if you don’t have access to eco caterers and other green vendors? Can you still throw a sustainable soiree? If eco-friendly vendors are scarce in your neighborhood, hop online to see what might be delivered to you. Or, be creative and use what you already have in your home. Vintage items and heirloom tablecloths are eco-friendly because you are continuing to use them and not buying something new. Ideas from the Today Show Aug 08

Energy Saving Gift Ideas

Why not consider giving Birthday, Anniversary or Mothers day presents that use less energy and create less trash this year? 1) Give Energy - Efficient Small appliances like kitchen aids and grooming devices. 2) Baskets full of Compact flourescent light bulbs 3) Bewstow blankets, sweaters or scarves that help to hold down heating costs 4) Create a hand-made gift like a basket of baked goods or fruit and a collection of family favorite recipes...As you continue in your year of celebrations, remember to enjoy giving and give usefully! Who knows how far the benefits will spread! (Revised excerpt from Brown Atchison News)