Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Zillow and their Zestimates

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Map of Contaminated Wells in US

http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/studies/domestic_wells/distribution.html

Recent testing of Mo wells come up negative for contaminants that are too high for human consumption.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

How to test your soil easily and inexpensively!

You will need these items:

1 Clean quart jar with a tight fitting lid

Clean water

Soil sample - take 5 hand trowel scoops of soil from about 4 inches deep in the garden - one each, from the 4 corners of the bed and one from in the center & mix together

Fill the jar with 2/3 water and 1/3 soil sample, leaving about an inch of air space at the top of the jar. Screw on the lid, and shake the jar vigorously for about a minute or two - until the soil is suspended in the water.

Allow the suspended soil to settle for about a minute, and place a mark on the side of the jar at the top of the layer that has settled out.

This is the sand layer. It is comprised primarily of sand and larger particles.

Set the jar aside, being careful not to mix the sand layer that has already settled and wait approximately an hour. Now, place a mark on the side of the jar at the top of the next layer to settle out. This is the silt layer.

Again, place the jar aside for a full day, being careful not to shake or mix the layers that have settled out. After 24 hours, or when the water is once again clear (more or less), place a mark on the side of the jar at the top of the final layer. This is the clay layer.

Measure each layer and determine the percentage it comprises from the whole. You can then determine your soil type by using the pyramid below:

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

10-12 Acre sites available in private subdivision backing to Babler Park in Wildwood Mo. Horses welcome!

Enjoy the benefits of the Natural Preservation of land,

very different from many other

St. Louis County home sites.

Often building New means tearing down the large trees that are "in the way". This developer chose to preserve the land and it's natural beauty by building the lot layout so the house will look like it has been there for decades.You can chose between several eco-friendly builders to build you a geo-thermal home and/or barn. You will have access to the 2600 acres of trails in Babler Park through your own back yard. Call Melissa for a tour. 314-565-2369 All sites are currently available!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Great way to live with horses

Love your horses and having them close by but don't have the time for all the stall cleaning and feeding?

This small subdivision has a community barn at the bottom of the hill with indoor/outdoor arena, stalls with run-outs, round-pen, pastures for turn-out, and all within trotting distance to Babler Park where you can ride all day up and down the many protected equestrian trails. Your trainer or theirs at the barn; it's all up to you as this is your own private barn shared with a few of your neighbors.

From the moment you drive down the driveway & see the approx. 6.7+/- equestrian acres w/a permanent horse riding easement to all of the horse trails you can dream of, you will fall in love!This one of a kind 1.5 story country french, Dick Busch designed home offers a chef's delight kitchen with granite counter tops,center island, beautiful tile backsplash.Newer stainless steel,top of the line appliances & all completely remodeled in 2007.Great rm w/ floor to ceiling stone woodburning fireplace w/ ample bookshelves on either side and wall of wood Anderson windows.Walk out to the private wooded setting.Enjoy the sunroom w/ wood floors & overlooking the stone,French country garden patio.Breakfast rm w/planning desk w/granite countertops & custom handmade wood cabinets.Dining rm w/custom wood trim work & picturesque wood Anderson windows. Master bed w/vaulted ceiling & wood Anderson windows looking into the private woods. Master bath w/ vaulted ceiling,double bowl vanity,& jetted tub Upper level bedrms share a jack-n-Jill bath.Upper level office/den w/ sitting area3rd bed-guest suite w/ full bath,area w/sink, refrig & microwave.LL w/ rec rm & sitting room w/ cedar closet and a perfect area for possible pool table. Horse barn w/ 4 12x12 stalls, wash rm & tack rm & ample PVC fencing

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Farmers Markets are officially Open!

Top Farmers Markets in the St. Louis Area

Soulard Farmers Market is the most well-known outdoor market in the St. Louis area, but there are some other great markets that are worth a visit. Whether you're looking for organic fruit and veggies, locally baked bread or freshly made goat cheese, you'll find what you need at these St. Louis area farmers markets.

Soulard Farmers Market

When you mention farmers markets in St. Louis, Soulard Market is likely the first to come to mind. The Market, located just south of downtown St. Louis, was founded in 1838 and is the oldest farmers market west of the Mississippi. It has just about everything you could want. You'll find rows and rows of fresh fruits and vegetables, but you can also buy meats, cheeses, bread, flowers, t-shirts, purses, sunglasses and more. There's even a pet shop if you're interested in taking home a new member of the family. Unlike most local farmers markets, Soulard Market is open year-round from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, and 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. If you want to really enjoy the Market at its busiest, go on Saturday morning.

Clayton Farmers Market

The Clayton Farmers Market is a popular destination for St. Louis County residents. It has all kinds of organic and locally produced food including breads, cheeses, fruits, veggies and honey. You'll also find candles, ornaments, cookbooks and gourmet dog treats. The mission of the Clayton Market is to promote all things local, so you can be sure what you're buying was produced, grown or hand crafted in Missouri or Illinois. The Clayton Farmers Market is located at 8282 Forsyth Boulevard on the Straub's parking lot. It's open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from May 5 - November 3, 2012.

Tower Grove Farmers Market & Bazaar

Tower Grove Park in south St. Louis is a beautiful location for a farmers market. Each Saturday morning you'll find crowds of shoppers buying tomatoes, peaches, corn, blackberries and more. The list of food vendors can change from week to week, but there's always a wide variety of local and organic produce, breads and cheeses. The Tower Grove Market is located west of the Pool Pavillion in Tower Grove Park. It's open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, from May 5 - November 3, 2012.

Downtown Farmers Market

The Downtown Farmers Market is from by the same group that organizes the Tower Grove Farmers Market. More than two dozen vendors will be selling their goods including breads, chocolate, meats, fruits and vegetables. The Downtown Market is located at the Old Post Office Plaza on Locust Street between 8th and 9th Streets in downtown St. Louis. It is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from June 2 - October 17, 2012.

Alton Farmers & Artisans Market

On your next trip to Alton, consider making a stop at the Alton Farmers & Artisans Market. You'll find a large selection of hand-picked produce, plants, crafts, jewelry and other local artwork. The Alton Market is located at the corner of Piasa and 9th Street in Alton, Illinois. It's open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., from June 2 - October 2012.

Land of Goshen Community Market

The Goshen Market in Edwardsville is another good option for anyone looking for local produce and products. The Market has dozens of vendors selling organic fruits and veggies, farm fresh eggs, wild berries, fresh-cut herbs and other food stuffs. You'll also find hand-woven baskets, jewelry, pottery, lotions and soaps. When you're done shopping, take some time to enjoy the live music and craft demonstrations. The Goshen Market is located on St. Louis Street, next to the courthouse in downtown Edwardsville. It's open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, from May 12 - October 20, 2012.

Schlafly Farmers Market

Dozens of vendors set up shop every Wednesday at Schlalfy Bottleworks in Maplewood. They offer a variety of local and organic produce, as well as goat cheese, grass fed beef, honey and more. You can also enjoy a cold Schlafly beer and live music (beginning in May) while you shop. The Schlafly Farmers Market is located at Schlafly Bottleworks at 7260 Southwest Avenue. It is open Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from April through October.

Ferguson Farmers Market

The Ferguson Farmers Market was chosen as the 2005-'06 Missouri Farmers Market of the Year by AgriMissouri. One reason may be the fresh food. When farmers at the Ferguson Market say their produce is fresh, they mean fresh. That's because fruits and veggies are picked within 24 hours of being sold. The Market also sells homemade jellies, nuts, spices, and organic meats. The Ferguson Farmers Market is located at 20 South Florissant at the Victorian Plaza. It's open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon from May 5 - October, 2012.

By David O'Brien, About.com Guide

A part of The New York Times Company.

Friday, May 11, 2012

St. Louis makes Top Ten List

The Best Cities to Buy a Home Right Now – St. Louis Ranks in the Top 10

St. Louis was ranked tenth in the top ten cities to buy a home right now according to Realtor.com. The best places to invest in real estate was determined on sales data, inventory trends and the job market. If you are looking to buy or relocate to St. Louis, you’ll find that the area has a lot to offer.

“A lot of what we read is national but you have to take housing down to the local level and look at the reasons why a market may be turning around, may be a good place to buy,” says Steve Berkowitz, chief executive of Realtor.com.

Buyer Urgency Improves, More See Now Good Time to Buy

More home buyers may jump off the sidelines this spring as they get more urgent about purchasing a home, fearing that home pric

e and mortgage rate increases are on the horizon. Housing surveys in recent weeks have shown that more Americans are seeing now a great time to purchase a home.

In the most recent survey, 73 percent of Americans say now is a good time to buy, according to the latest Fannie Mae Housing Survey conducted in March. That’s up from 70 percent in February who said it was a great time to buy.

"Conditions are coming together to encourage people to want to buy homes," says Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist. "With an increasing share of consumers expecting higher mortgage rates and home prices over the next 12 months, some may feel that renting is becoming more costly and that home ownership is a more compelling housing choice."

Pending home sales increased in March and well above a year ago, another signal the housing market is recovering, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said 2012 is expected to be a year of recovery for housing. “First quarter sales closings were the highest first quarter sales in five years. The latest contract signing activity suggests the second quarter will be equally good,” he said.

Monday, April 30, 2012

More homeowners dump quake insurance each year than buy it | Consumer Watchdog

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Edward Gal, Andreas Helgstrand, Anky Van Grunsvan are in this clip as well as several other of the worlds top competitors. Wow Anky What a waste of a long neck and good gloves!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Are you a dedicated dressage rider just $25,000 shy of greatness? Here is your chance!

Print View

The Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize- $25,000

The Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize was initially funded by Carol Lavell, her friends and family, in special remembrance of her mother, May Cadwgan, and in honor of her father, Gordon Cadwgan.

Photo Courtesy of Bob Langrish

Up to two prizes will be available annually in the amount of $25,000 each, to riders who are US citizens, over 21 years of age, and are selected by a distinguished national panel of Dressage leaders. Selection criteria are merit and need.

Carol Lavell has achieved high marks in all phases of Dressage – an Olympian, rider, competitor, trainer, teacher, judge – and with her legendary horse, Gifted, brought pride and honor to our country through her performance on the 1992 United States Olympic Team. Carol Lavell knows first hand of the work, sacrifice and struggle necessary to make it to the top of the Dressage world. Through the creation of this $25,000 annual Prize, she wants to help other deserving riders who aspire to climb this high performance mountain.

Prize Recipients

2012

Heather Mason (NJ) received the 2012 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize. To learn more about Heather and her training plans, see the press release.

2011

Shawna Harding (SC) was awarded the 2011 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize. Read the news release to learn about Shawna's plans for the future!
Shawna trained and competed in Europe during the summer of 2011. When she returned, she shared a report about her experiences.

2010

Courtney Dye (CT) was awarded the 2010 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize.

The Dressage Foundation wishes Courtney well in her recovery!!!

2009

Jan Brons (FL) was awarded the first annual Prize in 2009. Read the release about Jan.
Jan used the $25,00 Prize to train in Holland with Anky van Grunsven. Follow along with his training updates!

Lavell Prize Application

Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize Application

Applications must be in our office by December 13, 2012, to be considered. No late applications will be accepted.

Please contact us at 402-434-8585 if you would like us to mail you a copy of the application form.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Trunk awareness exercises from Anne Howard, MPT
Her contact is below if you like her services.

These exercises will teach us to maintain that sweet spot of the neutral spine while we are riding and going about our chores. It takes a minute of thinking and getting on the floor, but will pay off for the rest of your life.

"MARCHING"
Lying on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor, feel for the bony knobbles on the front of your hips (the ASIS). Get yourself into a neutral position with a small hollow under your low back... Lift one knee up a few inches. Did your two knobbles stay still/even? Likely the one on the side you lifted the foot dipped down a bit. Did you lose your neutral spine? Try again. Your goal is to maintain absolute stillness through your trunk/pelvis as your hip joint stays mobile (lifting the knees alternately). Play with different levels of tone in your back muscles and tummy muscles. Have someone push into your tummy with a fist (gently, please!) and then use your tummy muscles to lift their fist so your tummy isn't "deformed". Try lifting a knee with that level of tone...does it help? Did you lose the neutral spine the other direction?

This exercise can be built upon in practically infinite ways to increase the demands on your stabilization...

"ANTI-CRUNCH"
I use this exercise for riders in particular to help strengthen the "front-line" muscles (abs, psoas/iliacus) especially needed for dressage riders in collection. (Same as in the horse...hmmmm! Coincidence, I wonder! *sarcasm here*) In the same start position as before, recheck for neutral spine. Lift one knee then the other to nearly perpendicular to the floor. Keep a slight hollow in the lower back. Place your hands on your knees (harder) or lower on the thigh (easier) and push. The goal is to go nowhere - hard! Recheck your spine position frequently, do remember to breathe before someone finds you out cold! Hold this for short periods at first, building to a minute of strong pressure.
If this is too hard, try with one knee at a time at first.

"TARGET PRACTICE"
(If you can come up with a better name, let me know...the "real" name for this one is "PNF: LTR R/S". And believe me the non-shorthand isn't better!)

Same start position, this one requires a helper. Check for Neutral Spine. Put your hands together and point towards the ceiling as if about to shoot a target. Your goal is to hold this position in netral spine despite external forces. HELPER on your right side: kneeling beside the victim-uh, make that exerciser, gently push their knees to their left, and pull their hands to their right, and then release the pressure and reverse so that you pull their knees and push their hands. The helper's goal is to apply enough pressure to be a challenge but not so much that the exerciser fails. You need to monitor how they are doing in keeping their trunk still, both buns on the floor, no odd contortions through the middle, both shoulders on the floor. You may need to remind them to breathe, when they turn hot pink is a good cue. :-) Remember to apply and remove pressure slowly so they can decrease the hold and not be bounced around.

These are basic starters for trunk awareness and stabilization training, there are many more, which I'll do next edition... If there are specific questions on these or topics you'd like addressed, please let me know. Otherwise I'll do a few back ex and add balance training.

Anne "Yes, I'm available for clinics and seminars" Howard
(still removing furox, betadine, cotton wisps, epsom salts, and other unmentionables from under my nails before heading to work... Patients should appreciate this... :-)
Horses are all definitely in recuperation mode! Lindgren clinic was GREAT!)

##############################################################

V A L L E Y P H Y S I C A L T H E R A P Y --> 408/338-4458

Anne Howard, MPT
American Sporthorse - "Serious training for the serious rider, with a good measure of silliness for sanity."

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Horses are not here as partners for a select few, but as an example for all.
We can't talk about horses without talking about how much we have learned from them.

Watch this video:
http://news.yahoo.com/video/health-15749655/blind-horse-changing-lives-28968304.html

And let us know just what you have learned from interacting with horses!

Monday, April 16, 2012

As of December 1st 2011, We will have half points in dressage judging. This includes all test movements and collective marks. Are we excited about this?

Rule: DR122.8 (370-11)

So the scale is now:

10-Excellent (forget about it dreamers)

9-Very Good (perfect to us non S judges)

8- Good (awesome)

7-Fairly Good (great for a non warmblood)

6-Satisfactory (didn't get excited but didn't see anything wrong)

5-Marginal (you screwed up somewhere)

4-Insufficient (bummer)

3-Fairly Bad (not good)

2-Bad (forget the test?)

1-Very Bad (stop beating your horse)

And now all the .5 points will include thoughts from the judges like:

"I'm not sure I was watching--give her a 6.5"

I'm interested in your thoughts and how you think this will affect us all.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

By Dana Dratch | Bankrate.com – Fri, Apr 13, 2012 3:08 AM EDT

Unless you keep those projects practical, though, you might just be kidding yourself.

For example:

Steel front door: Good.
Master suite addition costing more than the average American home: Bad.

Every year, Remodeling magazine looks at the hottest home upgrades and renovations and calculates just how much owners get back with they sell.

[Related: 10 home maintenance tips for spring]

Upkeep is more popular than upgrades these days, says Sal Alfano, editorial director for Remodeling. These are the projects that often recoup the biggest slice of expenses at resale. But prices and returns do vary regionally, he says.

Ever wonder what brings the lowest return when you plant that "for sale" sign? Think high-dollar, high-end and highly personalized add-ons that make you drool. Like a totally tricked-out garage built from the ground up. Or a super luxe master suite addition. Or the home office redo designed just for you.

Here are the six improvements that, in their 2010 report, ranked dead last nationally when it comes to getting those renovation dollars back at resale.

Home office remodel

Want to get an idea what today's office-away-from-the-office looks like? Walk into Starbucks.

These days, a home office consists of a multiple-choice combination of wireless laptops, smartphones, PDAs and touch-screen tablets. And that worker bee might be toiling anywhere from a home patio or a favorite restaurant to a park bench.

The standard home office renovation, meanwhile -- complete with plenty of built-in storage and high-tech wiring -- is this year's biggest loser in the resale value sweepstakes. Nationally, homeowners spent an average of $28,888 and can expect to recoup about 45.8 percent at resale, according to the report.

Return on investment doesn't reflect your enjoyment of the space, Alfano says.

He offers two tips for home-office remodelers when they sell. First, opt for something that can be easily converted back into a bedroom or den for (or by) the next buyer.

Second, when you're selling, call it a study, den or hobby room. "There's lots of call for multipurpose space. Don't lock yourself into that one use," Alfano says. Don't use words that invoke images of actual work. Or the office.

Backup power generator

You see a backup generator and imagine all of the comforts no matter what the weather.

But potential buyers hailing from outside your local area may not share that vision. (And a handful of those who do might have watched too many zombie movies.)

On average, when homeowners have a heavy-duty backup power generator installed, they spend about $14,718, according to the report. Going with a slightly less expensive model or having a less complicated installation could cut the costs significantly, Alfano says.

Average amount of the price recovered at resale time: 48.5 percent.

Sunroom addition

Real estate agents will tell you that potential buyers want square footage, pristine condition and lots of light. So a brand-new room that has the word "sun" in it, it has to be great for resale value, right?

Not necessarily.

Your first clue: The word "addition" -- which means expanding the footprint of your home -- indicates that this is not a renovation for the faint of heart (or wallet). "It's one of the more expensive projects," Alfano says.

While it seems simple enough, the national average for a sunroom addition is $75,224, according to the report. Homeowners can expect to recoup about 48.6 percent when they sell.

That doesn't mean that adding a sunroom is always a bad move.

If your home needs another common area, a sunroom could be the answer, says Katie Severance, co-author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Selling Your Home." An addition is best considered in the context of the whole home, she says. "The doctor has to treat the whole patient. You have to look at the house and say 'What's out of balance?'"

Upscale master suite addition

Who doesn't want to wake up in a five-star-hotel-quality suite with an attached spa bathroom and a kitchenette that affords you coffee and pastries before facing the world?

Once you see the price tag, it won't just be the coffee keeping you up at night.

For a super-deluxe master suite addition -- which adds square footage and uses only top-dollar materials -- the average cost is about $232,062, according to the report.

That's 460 nights at a posh resort with enough left over to raid the minibar.

[Related: Best way to pay for home improvements?]

In years past, this project was "sort of a trend in vacation homes" that migrated to primary dwellings, Alfano says. Sellers can expect to recover about 52.7 percent at resale.

Your buyer can purchase a newer house with the same features as part of the original floor plan that "probably lays out better anyway," says Loren Keim, author of "How to Sell Your Home in Any Market."

So while the next buyer may appreciate your luxury accommodations (which could even tip their decision in your home's favor), chances are they won't want to pay the full tab for your remodel.

Bathroom addition

Unless you're a hermit who never entertains, you've probably wished for an extra bathroom now and then.

But bathroom additions require serious coin. For a moderately outfitted addition with synthetic stone or plastic laminate surfaces, figure parting with about $21,695, according to the Remodeling report. Go upscale, with finishes like premium marble or fine tile, and you can easily spend in the neighborhood of $40,710.

Either way, you get about the same return: 53 cents on the dollar. "In the buyer's mind, the additional bathroom isn't worth that additional $20,000 to $40,000," Keim says.

Investigate a less-expensive way to get the same result without flushing quite as much cash. While additions usually cost more, pros might be able to reconfigure your existing space to add a bathroom for less, Alfano says.

Upscale garage addition

Instead of cleaning out the garage, how much would you pay to have a new one built from scratch?

This time, it would have all the organizational built-ins, and a durable, easy-to-clean floor to ensure it would never be messy again. And windows for natural light.

Oh yeah, and you could store a couple of cars in there, too.

The price tag for a top-of-the-line detached two-car with all the trimmings is about $90,053, according to the report. You can expect to recover about 53.6 percent of that when you sell.

"This one is completely decked out on the inside," says Alfano. "It's a dream garage."

And that's likely some of the problem with recovering the value at resale. Says Keim, "You've got a very small target audience out there that wants an upscale garage."

Friday, April 13, 2012

The Dressage Judge and non-Warmblood horses

Anyone thinking dressage judges give handicaps for quarter horses...think again. Go out and buy that expensive warmblood if you want Blue Ribbons:

Candace asks:

“I have a question about dressage judges and breeds of horses. Do most judges take into account the way of going of different breeds? Should they? I have heard the owner of some PRE Andalusians state that it is always hard for his horses to score well because most judges prefer the Warmblood way of going, and might penalize the Andalusians for their natural difference in foot action or speed.”

Axel Steiner replies:

The short answer to both of your questions is, “No.”

The longer answer: Dressage training is beneficial for most breeds of horses. However, dressage competition is judged on standards based on the conformation and movements of European warmbloods. These standards and requirements are codified in rules books all over the world. (See the US Equestrian Federation rule book.) Therefore, it is not that a judge might “prefer” a warmblood, it is more that the non-warmblood may have difficulty meeting the established standards for the level being shown. Breeds that are not bred specifically for the gaits and movement of dressage competition may have trouble achieving those standards. In order to become more competitive, several non-warmblood breed organizations are now striving to breed their horses in such a way that they more closely meet the competitive dressage standards. You can see this already in some of the very competitive Friesians, Andalusians and Lusitanos that are now coming into the sport.

Thank you for a good question!

One great idea in St. Louis for horse lovers who are dust haters!
Follow this link below to find 2 homes for sale in a subdivision built for horse lovers. The common area is a barn with indoor arena, fields, and outdoor arena. Trails are close by with Babler State Park within trotting distance. Subdivision fees are only $1000 a year and the board is reasonable with all the flexibility you would have in your own barn.
Call or e-mail me for your own private viewing!
http://matrixreports03.marismatrix.com/MatrixReportServer/Output/15514/Client_Detail7378.PDF