We all want to be winners. Here you go:
I am giving away a lottery ticket to the first 25 people who leave comments here on my blog. Extra special attention will go to people who leave a meangingful comment that actually spurs conversation
Apartment fire caused by Dryer lint February 4, 2010
Photo courtesy of the Hendricks County Flyer
The Avon Creek Apartment fire just before Christmas was a tragic reminder to me that life is precious. I felt so horrible for those people who lost so much, but thankfully, they all got out safely. Christmas decorations and gifts can be replaced, but life can not.
I was shocked to find out that the fire was caused by dryer lint. The Hendricks County Flyer reported the cause of the fire in mid January. I had always thought that only paranoid people worried about dryer lint fires. I thought it was just a scare tactic used by companies that make money cleaning out those lint traps and dryer vents.
Turns out it is as true as can be and dryer vent fires are a real hazard. The Avon Creek fire caused an estimated $750,000 in damages. When the lint builds up in the vents, and then get heated by the dryer, they can get so hot that they ignite. Because the fire is contained in the vent system, it can go unnoticed until it is too late.
Dryer fires account for an average of 10 deaths and 310 injuries and more than $84.4 million in property damage annually, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Dryer Safety Tips, from the Hendricks County Flyer:
- Clean the lint trap before and after drying each load of clothes.
- Do not leave the dryer running for an extended period of time when you are not home.
- The interior of the dryer and venting system should be cleaned periodically by qualified service personnel.
- Do not dry clothing/fabric on which there is anything flammable (alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers, dry-cleaning solvents, etc.).
- Replace plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with rigid or flexible metal venting.
- Don’t forget to read the manufacturers’ warnings in use and care manuals that accompany new dryers.
Hendricks County Schools named to “Best Buy” list January 9, 2010
Each year, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce ranks Indiana high schools based on their value to the taxpayer. They look at ISTEP+ pass rates, ISTEP+ Pass+ pass rates, graduation rates, SAT participation and composite scores, and Advanced Placement pass rates to determine the highest achievement scholld with the LOWEST amount of tax dollars.
Out of 357 Indiana High Schools, 135 were designated as “Best Buys” for 2009. On that list were ALL 6 Hendricks County high schools! Further, Plainfield was given special honors as a “Head of the Class” school, one of the TOP 5 in the state!
Congratulations to:
- Avon
- Brownsburg
- Cascade
- Danville
- Plainfield
- Tri-West
http://www.flyergroup.com/archivesearch/local_story_364000306.html
Avon Elementary Schools choose redistricting plan January 6, 2010
The Avon Elementary School Redistricting Comittee and the Avon School Board of Trustees has selected the 2010-2011 Elementary School Boundaries. Watch the Avon Schools site for information about an option for current 3rd graders to remain in their current buildings with the provision that parents provide transportation. Request forms will be available soon and will be due in early February.
My neighborhood will be attending Sycamore next year, but I do have a 3rd grader in the Multi-Age Program. In this program, the children stay in the same classroom for two years, and 3rd and 4th graders work together in the same class. It might be especially beneficial for him to stay at his current school, but that may cause transportation issues because my other son will be in 1st grade at Sycamore. Anyone have any advice for me?
What to do with that Christmas Tree? December 23, 2009
From December 28th until January 31st, the Town of Avon will be accepting live Christmas trees. You may drop off your tree anytime from 8am to 4:30pm. The trees will be hauled to a yard waste company to be recycled into mulch. PLEASE remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, and any other decorations before leaving your tree.
The live tree drop-off site will be near the Town Hall Park Shelter, located at the Town Hall and Park Complex, 6570 E. US Highway 36. Signs will direct users to the drop-off area.
Avon Elementary schools redistricting updates December 15, 2009
In the fall of 2010, Avon’s seventh elementary school (River Birch Elementary) will open, and along with a new school comes redistricting. When my son J. was in Kindergarten, he went to Maple Elementary, but that summer Cedar Elementary opened and when the new school year started, he was moved to Pine Tree Elementary. Now he is in third grade and I’m not sure which school he will attend in the Fall.There are three redistricting maps proposed for the Fall of 2010. The Redistricting Committee has looked at not only location, but also has tried to get a good mix of students. They used the following guiding principals in determining their proposed redistricting boundaries:
- Use natural boundaries.
- Maintain neighborhoods or subdivisions.
- Move as few students as possible.
- Maintain demographic balance.
- Respect target capacities for all seven elementary (K-4) schools with the understanding that River Birch’s capacity (750 like Cedar’s) will be greater than the other five schools.
For more information, and to see the proposed redistricting plans, click here!
Avon moves forward with YMCA plans December 13, 2009
An artist's rendering gives an idea of what the future Hendricks Regional Health YMCA will look like. It is scheduled to open in spring 2011. - Rendering provided by American Structurepoint
Each time I travel down Rockville Road in Avon, I take a peek at the fundraising thermometer at the site where they will build the Hendricks Regional Health/YMCA facility. I’m excited that this month the red bar that shows how many donations have been made looks like it is within about 90% of its goal. It has been interesting watching them prepare the site, and soon we will get to watch as they begin construction. Officials expect the building’s concrete pad and footings to be poured this month.
There was a ceremonial groundbreaking on December 3, and the project is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2011. It has also been recently announced that in addition to the YMCA and Hendricks Regional Health facilities, there will be a 10-acre public park. The park will feature open playing fields and walking paths.
Benefits to Avon residents include a $50 YMCA programming coupon for every family living in town, a free community night once a year, free monthly teen nights, and free public meeting space. The facility’s amenities will include a two-court gymnasium, indoor lap pool, indoor water therapy and recreational pool, strength and cardio equipment, multipurpose rooms, an indoor climbing wall, cafe, outdoor sports fields, an education center, medical offices, laboratory services, occupational and physical therapy areas, and nutritional counseling.
I know that my family is very excited about the YMCA and my boys can’t wait to get into the pool! I am very happy about the big picture, of how this will help our community. Having a free community meeting room is a huge benefit, and the services that will be offered will help us all. I look forward to this facility being a focal point of the community.
For more info, click here to go to the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis website.
You are invited! November 3, 2009
Join me at my office tomorrow, November 4th from 4-7pm as we formally welcome our new manager, Dave Danz!
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Carpenter Avon East Office Open House
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November 4
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4-7pm
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10332 East US 36, Avon (Behind Best Buy)
We will be serving snacks and having a great time, please stop by to say hello!
Indianapolis Suburbs- Avon October 28, 2009
Avon is just west of Indianapolis in Hendricks County. Approx. mileage to downtown is 13.4 miles. Incorporated just recently in 1996, Avon developed around the intersection of a major US highway (US 36) and a major Indiana roadway (SR 267).
Avon Schools: Avon offers 6 Elementary school, 2 Intermediate schools, 2 Middle and 1 High school. You can visit http://greatschools.net for parent reviews, tests scores and more school stats.
Businesses: There are plenty of dining and shopping opportunities in Avon, mostly along US36. The Big Four CSX Railyard located in Avon provides further incentive for economic development in the area.
Transportation: Along with the CSX Railyard which provides frieght service, Avon also provides easy access to the main interstates that run through Indiana. It is centrally located between three major interstate highways: I-74, I-70 and I-65. The Indianapolis beltway (I-465) easily connects you to any side of Indy. The Indianapolis International Airport is a quick 15 minutes away.
Housing/ Real Estate: Avon has a wide variety of housing options. Currently there are 445 residential listings available on the market ranging in price from $69,000 to $1,299,000.
For more information about Avon, please visit the Town’s website by clicking here.
Days On Market= 17!! Why this house sold so fast! July 18, 2009
I got an accepted offer on my listing at 1073 Williamsburg Way after only 17 days on the market. The very first buyer to look at the home made the offer. With so many homes lingering on the market these days, I wanted to look at the reasons why this unassuming little house got an offer so quickly.
- Price: Based on the market, the homes recently sold in the neighborhood, and the competition we were up against, it was priced absolutely right at $124,900. The seller was honest with himself about the market, and trusted the data he was given. He knew he did not want his home to just sit on the market, so he priced it to sell, without undercutting himself. This home was also in the right price range, homes in the lower $100,000′s are selling much faster than more expensive homes right now.
- Location: Linden Square is a nice little neighborhood in Avon schools, near the intersection of 10th and Raceway. While it is certainly not the most prestigious neighborhood around, it has a lot going for it. Driving to shopping, restauranst, I-465, or even dowtown is easy from this area. Taxes are low, homes and lawns are mostly well-maintained, and neighborhood amenities include ponds, gazebos, playgrounds, walking trails, and nature areas. This particular home backed up to apartment buildings, but even that slight negative was outdone by all the positives.
- Condition: I think the biggest factor in this sale was the condition of the home. The seller had me out several times before putting the house on the market to tell him what I thought needed to be done to get the home ready to show. Some sellers put their home on the market with little or no preparation, and then wonder why it won’t sell. Either that, or they take a wait and see approach, letting the potential buyers tell them what they didn’t like and then reacting to that. What they don’t realize is that many buyers (or their agents) don’t have the heart to tell them about the cat smell, or the layers of dust, or that they didn’t pay any attention to the home because of all the knick-knacks. This seller looked at his home with a critical eye, made the necessary repairs, removed clutter, re-painted, planted flowers, updated kitchen hardware, and shipped his pets off to spend some time with his parents. He made sure that the home showed extremely well, and it paid off.
- Willingness to Negotiate: The original offer was not really what he was hoping for, but the seller did not let that upset him. He kept his cool, negotiated a fair deal for himself and for the buyer, and realized that his priority was to sell his home, not to make a huge profit. The final sales price was $120,650, which is 96.6% of the original list price. Some sellers only see dollar signs and when they see a low offer they feel offended and are unwilling to even try to work it out. In this case, the seller had done his homework, with my help, and knew exactly where he stood and what he needed to be able to feel good about selling the home.
Not all homes are selling this quickly, but some are, and more homes are selling than people think. If you are considering selling your home, take these tips to heart. Take the time to get the house ready, and do your homework, and then call me!
