Thursday, May 27, 2010

Congratulations


Congratulations to Luis and Teresa along with their adorable boys! We hope that you all enjoy your new home and that great big backyard!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Things to Do Around Monroe

Memorial Day Weekend is almost upon us. Where has the time gone this year? If you don't have plans yet for the weekend, here are a few options for you:

~ Sky Vu Drive-In is open! Shrek: 4 Ever After and Iron Man 2 are playing this weekend starting at approximately 8:45 pm. This year marks 56 years of continual operation for the local drive in theater.

~ There is a 3-D archery shoot at SLICE this weekend. The qualifying shoots start on Thursday evening, and the final is on Sunday. Call Boog at 817-243-9244 for more information; all ages are welcome.

~ New Glarus host a music festival this weekend. Brianna Hardyman, Swiftkick, Raindogs, 2nd Thought, Super Tuesday, Greenfield Brothers, Amber Skies, The Invaders, The Jimmys, Wildheart, New Glarus High School Jazz Band, Madison College Jazz Band, New Glarus High School Choir, New Glarus Jazz Combo, and the Kinderchor will all take the stage in the main tent. There will also be a 5k run/walk, volleyball tournament, silent auction, and more.

~ Albany comes out to celebrate with Yesteryears Days this weekend as well. Enjoy live music, a carnival, BBQ chicken 5k Reuben's Run, and a parade all in downtown Albany.

~ Come to Breakfast on the Farm! This year's breakfast is at the Devoe Farm, N266 Twin Grove Rd., outside of Monroe. Look for the directional signs from Hwy 11/81 by Juda. Breakfast on the Farm started in Green County 30 years ago, and has grown since. Enjoy ice cream sundaes with a hearty breakfast, enjoy a wagon ride, browse the crafts, enjoy photo ops at the petting zoo and much more on Saturday from 6 am until 10 am.

~ Famous Fossil Winery has a "Paint your own Wine Glass" event on Saturday starting at 3 pm. $10 includes the glass and all your supplies, so let your imagination run wild. Call ahead 815-563-4665 to reserve your seat, and make your reservation for next week's Wine Down and Cookout at the same time.

~ FHN starts their summer movie series at the Lindo Theater in Freeport. Shrek: 4 Ever After shows at 10 am with doors opening at 9:30. $5.50 per person.

~ Remember what this holiday is all about. There are Memorial Day parades in both Brodhead and Monroe on Monday.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Property of the Week


This week's featured property is a three bedroom home in Freeport

This is a great house for the price! The asking price is only $38,900!

This 3 bedroom home has gorgeous hardwood floors, huge living room with fireplace, eat in kitchen, formal dining room and a open staircase. There is over 1800 square feet of room in this large home.

Relax and enjoy evenings on the front porch with removable screen panels. Let the kids run in the fenced in back yard. This home is conveniently located to shopping and schools. Move in to a great home for your family.

The owner is a licensed real estate agent.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Primitive Soul Art Studio is enrolling for Summer classes

Primitive Soul Art Studio has a couple new classes in the offering for this summer. We've always been very happy with any class our children have taken from Primitive Soul, and we certainly recommend giving this studio a try if you have not before.



Art Exchange

We will be making artist trading cards, creative journal exchange as well as other mixed media art to share.
Dates: Tuesdays June 22nd – August 3rd (6 classes- No class July 13th)
Time: 6pm - 815pm
Who: Girls entering 8th to 12th grade
Cost: $ 85.00

Oh, the Stories We Tell

Explore folklore, fantasies and our inner storyteller through creative play and artwork.
Dates: Tuesdays June 22nd – August 3rd (6 classes- No class July 13th)
Time: 130pm – 4pm
Who: Boys entering 1st to 4th grade
Cost: $ 85.00

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

Using old art, old materials and old clothing, here we will rework them into some creative new art out of recycled goods.
Dates: Wednesdays June 23 – August 4th (6 classes- No class July 14th)
Time: 1230pm-3pm
Who: Boys and Girls entering 3rd to 6th grade
Cost: $ 75.00


Primitive Soul Art Studio is located at:
1512 11th Street
Monroe, WI 53566

REGISTER BY FRIDAY JUNE 18TH to:
Kristin Taylor by phone or email,
608-228-2960/ kristin.taylor17@gmail.com

Friday, May 21, 2010

Changing rules for rental property owners

The rules, like the times, keep on a-changin'

New rules went into effect on April 22, 2010, with regards to lead based paint. Owners of a housing property or child-occupied facility built prior to 1978 must adhere to new standards with remodeling.

If the project disturbs more than six square feet of paint in a room, 20 square feet of exterior paint, or involves any windows, the work is now regulated. Every regulated project must have at least on certified Lead-Safe Renovator to monitor compliance with lead based paint regulations, train uncertified workers and complete a final cleaning verification.

Painting projects are obviously ones that would be covered with the new regulations, but it is more than just that. Any project that qualifies under the 6/20/windows rules is covered. This includes, but is not limited to, anything that cuts into paint. Plumbing work, kitchen remodeling, redoing painted wood floors, carpentry work, and much more are all subject to the new regulations.

This new rule does not apply to homeowners working on their own residence themselves. It only applies if a homeowner hires a contractor to paint, repair or renovate the home. If the home is a rental property, the owner must hire only compliant companies or become a Certified Lead-Safe Company by having at least one Certified Lead-Safe Renovator on staff.

To become a Lead-Safe Renovator, a person must complete a one day Lead-Safe Renovation training course and them apply for certification through the Department of Health Services.

Visit the DHS website for more information on this new law or a list of approved trainers.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Things to Do Around Monroe

Have you figured out your weekend plans yet?

~ The Friends of the Badger Trail are meeting at the Old Library Building in Belleville this evening at 6:30.

~ The Distinguished Speaker Series continues at Monroe Arts Center on Thursday evening. Brett Davis, currently our state representative and candidate for Lieutenant Governor, is speaking starting at 7.

~ Pure Wood Art in Albany is opening a new show on Saturday from 3 until 9 pm. The reception will feature food and drink, and the new exhibit will feature mixed media, abstract watercolor and more.

~ Spring Fling! Monticello is celebrating their annual Spring Fling this weekend. Events start on Friday and run through Sunday. Come for music, foods, arts demonstrations and art fair, softball and mud volleyball tournaments, pig roast, car show and more.

~ Monroe celebrates A Square Affair, a grand opening finally of the newly renovated Downtown Square. Reserve a table if you plan on being there for the evening; $30 will keep your table for 8. There will be a contest for decorating the tables, so pick and era and have fun with it! There will be activities for children from 4 until 6 pm including a bouncy tent, face painting and clown. Dinner is to be served at the tables at 5 pm (reserve your suppers from Cafe Claudeen, Turner Hall, Garden Deli, Poncho and Lefty's or Chopsticks). There will also be music from the Brian Whitty band and Stranded in Iowa.

~ The Democratic Party of Green County is hosting their Spring Forward Fundraiser on Sunday from 3 until 5 pm at MAC. Meet the local candidates, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and participate in the white elephant auction.

~ Make your dinner plans for next week Wednesday evening and Take a Bite Out of Cancer. Turner Hall, Suisse Haus, Heritage House, Swiss Alps, New Glarus Hotel, Glarner Stube and Puempel's Tavern are all participating in this Relay For Life event. A portion of the proceeds from all meals at these restaurants next Wednesday will go to Relay For Life.

Next weekend, look ahead for Breakfast on the Farm, Yesteryear Days, New Glarus Community Fest and more!

Property of the Week

This week's featured property is a building site just outside of Monroe.

Build your dream home on this spacious 2.91 acre lot on Alphorn Road, just south of Monroe.

You will have the best of both worlds in this rural subdivision - room for your family to spread out and enjoy views of the rolling countryside, but a drive of less than a mile to Monroe.

This gently sloping lot allows for construction a home with exposed basement. Enjoy sunrises from your back windows as you look out over acres of farmland.

This lot would be perfect for a home with passive solar orientation, and photovoltaic panels could be a possibility here as well.

Priced at only $26,000, this is a lot that has many possibilities.

Monday, May 17, 2010

"All the world's a stage"

If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then unto me.

Another season of the the Shakespeare Project has wrapped up locally here in Monroe, and it is time for the youth to do their annual performance.

The words of the Bard will resonate through the Monroe Arts Center tomorrow evening as the youth from the project perform acts from many of the timeless classics. The performances start at 6:30 pm. As in past years, admission is a free will donation to Shakespeare on the Edge. Shakespeare on the Edge is a non-profit, so all donations are tax deductible.

Talking isn't doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds.

Take a little action and support these youth who are taking a step into the performing world. Creativity and enthusiasm abound during the performances by the members of Shakespeare Project and Shakespeare on the Edge.

Friday, May 14, 2010

April 2010 Market Report

We knew that April was shaping up to be a great month for single family home sales here in Green County, but it ended up exceeding our expectations, to be honest!

Regarding the number of single family homes that sold in Green County in April of 2010:
  • 50 homes sold in April of 2010,
  • The homes were on the market for an average of 116 days,
  • The average sale price was $131,080,
  • The median sale price was $120,650,
  • The highest priced property sold was $302,500,
  • The lowest priced property sold was $5,500.


Let's compare with April of 2009:
  • 18 homes sold in April of 2009,
  • The homes were on the market for an average of 145 days,
  • The average sale price was $140,824,
  • The median sale price was $125,200,
  • The highest priced property sold was $340,000,
  • The lowest priced property sold was $24,235.


Clearly that first time home buyer's tax credit was working here. Sales were way up, and the number of classic first time buyer homes were certainly up too. 37 of those sold properties were priced under $150K. It is nice to see that the higher priced home market is moving a bit more as well. Five homes priced over $250K sold last month, which is a big change from a year ago when only two homes in this range sold. This higher priced range has been hit the hardest locally, with the largest price drops and the highest inventory counts. Seeing these homes starting to change hands with more regularity two months in a row is great.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Property of the Week

Luis Carus Towne Square Realty 608-214-5797
1005 16th Ave, Monroe, WI
On Monroe's Historic Downtown Square
Retail/Commercial
offered at $139,900
Year Built1874
Sq Footage5,900
Floors3
ParkingUnspecified
Lot Size1,980 sqft
Maint$0 per month

DESCRIPTION


Great location on the west side of Monroe's busy Downtown Square. Perfect for retail space, business office, or service industry needs.


see additional photos below
PROPERTY FEATURES



- Rare available property on Monroe's Square
- 220 electrical service
- Finished lower level
- Rear entrances for all three levels
- Adjacent to city parking lot


LOCATION FEATURES


- Located on busy west side of Square


ADDITIONAL PHOTOS



Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5
Contact info:



Luis Carus
Towne Square Realty
608-214-5797
For sale by agent/broker

powered by postletsEqual Opportunity Housing
Posted: Mar 2, 2010, 7:09am PST

Monday, May 10, 2010

Baumgartner's

We've talked about Baumgartner's on this blog before, so imagine how tickled we were to see Chris Soukup and Baumgartner's featured in an interview on the Madison news recently.



If you are new to the area or just visiting, stop in for a sandwich, a beverage or some cheese. Baumgartner's is a staple on the west side of Monroe's Downtown Square for good reason. Now, I have not tried the Limburger sandwich yet, but I can say that the roast beef is excellent. Someday I'll make my grandpa proud and give the Limburger and onions a try...

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Things to Do Around Monroe

What are your plans for this Mother's Day weekend?

~ Treat Mom to a meal out at any of the wonderfully locally owned restaurants in the area. Whether her taste runs to a tasty brunch, elegantly prepared gourmet, hearty Tex-Mex or classic American fare, there are so many options. Check with your favorite to see if they are taking reservations for Sunday.

~ "Over the Porch Rail" opens tonight at Frehner Gallery in the Monroe Arts Center. This textile art exhibit features Mosinee, Wisconsin artist Sharon Rhotz. Rhotz will give a gallery talk tonight at 5:30.

~ Tour the Farm day in Brodhead is a popular local event. Five area farming businesses will be open to the public from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm on Saturday. Come see one or see them all! Sugar Maple Emu Farm will have structured emu farm tours starting every half hour with pen tours and meat tasting. Scotch Hill Farm has goats, vegetable gardens and soap at a local sustainable level. At Kinkoona Farm, you can learn about sheep farming at a local sustainable level. Neiman Dairy Farm at W1614 Hwy F is a local, family-owned dairy farm, and Applied Ecological Services will open the Taylor Creek Nursery with a diverse selection of native plant species.

~ Don't forget Mom's flowers either. Many of the local florists are taking orders still for Mother's Day, and some will be open special hours on Mother's Day as well if you need a last minute something.

~ Green Haven Family Advocates has their annual Mother's Day plant sale if you prefer something for the garden. Plants are available on Friday and Saturday at First National Bank and Trust in Monroe, at the Juda Oasis, at the Mini-Mart or First Banking Center in Albany, or at the New Glarus Hardware Store. All plants are locally grown through Ahrens Acres in Brodhead. Kudos to Green Haven working with a local supplier for their fundraiser!

~ The Apostolate to the Handicapped has their annual cheese-tasting fundraiser on Saturday. Come to Old Smokey's in Monroe between 4 and 8 pm on Saturday. There will be cheese from over 20 countries and 30 states, a huge variety available for tasting. There will also be steak sandwiches, sweet corn and all the fixin's, plus free beer. Don't miss the silent auction! All proceeds to the Apostolate to the Handicapped. Carry-outs are available. Sponsored by Foreign Type Cheesemakers here in Monroe, and the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Assn. $20

~ Shop for bargains at the Monroe Citywide garage sales! The event takes place Friday and Saturday throughout the city. Maps are available at the Chamber of Commerce or their website, Pick-n-Save or Piggly Wiggly.

So much to do, so little time! There is even more going on that I had space to list here - Youth Hockey golf outing, master gardener plant sale, lawnmower races, Oakdale family days, plus all the area parks are open for hiking, playing or picnicking.

Have a great weekend here in Green County!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Property of the week


Time to move on up? Here is the perfect home for a growing family. Expand your living space with the finished lower level family room and wet bar or move outdoors to enjoy the 24x18' cement patio with 6' privacy fence and the yard. This 3 bedroom ranch has had updates to kitchen and bathroom, plus the Energy Star furnace, air conditioner and water heater are all just 5 years old. Come take a look today!

Bounty of Green County

I don't know about you, but I am eagerly anticipating the return of fresh local produce. Everything is turning green, and the plants are popping up all over the garden. This time of year means that the opening of the local farmers markets is just around the corner.

Monroe's Farmers Market opens next week, May 12. Open on Wednesdays from 2 until 5:30 and Saturdays from 8 until 1 pm, the Monroe Market is on the Downtown Square.

The market in Darlington is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am until 7 pm at the fair grounds.

The Paoli market opens in June, and takes place in the park on Wednesdays from 3 until 6 and Saturdays from 9 until 1.

Belleville's Farmer's Market opened last weekend. It is in the library park on Wednesdays from 2 to 6 and Saturdays from 8 until noon.

If you need something in between markets or something that you cannot find at a market, check out the Bounty of Green County list as well.

There are so many wonderful foods being made in our area, and buying directly from the producer is important on so many levels: money stays local, consumers can talk with the producer about what they are purchasing and how it was grown/created, and producers feel more accountable when they sell directly, so they provide a consistent, quality product.