Business Spotligh - Europa

Europa has been a mainstay business in Monroe for years. The store is well known for heritage lace, stocking items of a quality that is difficult to locate in this pre-fab world. The inventory also has always included a variety of collectibles and interesting items.

Europa has had some changes in recent months, though. After moving to the Downtown Square, Europa then changed owners. New ownership always alters a store slightly, and the new owner, Heather, has been busy updating the stock at Europa, so if you have not been in lately, stop by for a peek at what is new.

Naturally, the heritage lace items are still present. If you are looking for lace curtains, tablecloths or runners, Europa should be the first place on your list to look. These items are incredible in their quality, and they will last for generations.

However, Europa has much more than just lace items. If you are looking for interesting home decor pieces, you need to check out the inventory at Europa. This is not the place to find run of the mill pieces. The items here are stylish, unique and sure to liven up any interior. Heather has figurines, table top pieces, artwork and more. There is something here for everyone, every generation. Her selection of glassware includes everything from classic leaded crystal to fun decorated martini glasses.

Need a unique baby gift? Heather stocks a variety of interesting items including a selection of locally made blankets, taggies and hats crafted from plush fabrics and adorable patterns. She also has figurines and other gift items for the new little one in your life.

Brides, after shopping at Julie's Bridal next door, be sure to stop at Europa to pick out your wedding stationary items along with specialty items like champagne flutes, unity candles and more.

Europa is one of those stores that is plain old fun to browse through. Stop in next time you are on the Square in Monroe and take a look for yourself.

Property of the Week

This week's featured property is ranch home on Skinner Creek.

Unparalleled style at any price!

This 2 year old, 3 bedroom ranch home has an enormous, bright and open great room with a large stone fireplace. The dramatic formal entry is a lovely way to enter your home every day or greet your guests. Your family will appreciate the oversized closets in all bedrooms, and the 2x6 construction with R19 insulation rating will help keep the utility bills low all winter.

This home is located on 2.57 acres with both woods and pasture. Nature lovers will love looking out there windows and gazing at deer and wild turkeys drinking out of Skinner Creek as it moseys through your land. You will be walking distance to Cadiz State Park and just a couple of minutes outside of Monroe.

Asking price is $189,000.

Things to do

~ Tour a local garden with the Green County Garden Club on Thursday. Jeff Burandt will give a guided tour of his ponds and a discussion on water gardening. Call Wanda at 608 219-8480 for time and address.

~ Have you signed up for the Sugar River Golf Outing? The Belleville Chamber put together this outing for Saturday at Arguement Golf Course. $25 includes includes 9 holes of golf with a cart, along with steak dinner and beer after wards, and prizes. Call Dave Ace at Eyeball Machine or Regina Moyer at Amcore Bank-Belleville to sign up.

~ Come listen to live music this Saturday at either Baumgartners (Monroe) or Tofflers (New Glarus).

~ If you prefer your music outdoors, come to the Brooklyn Bluegrass Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Ameteurs and professionals will gather for workshops, concerts, homemade food, campfires, local beer and more.

~ Are you looking to try something new? Susan Myoyu Andersen Roshi is having an introductory class on Zen meditation at the Great Plains Zen Center on Saturday, June 7 from 9am - 11:30am. Suggested donation is $15 ($8 for seniors and students). The Zen Center is wheelchair accessible.

~ The Zor Shrine Circus is coming to town next week. Come to one of the shows on Wednesday, June 10 at the Green County Fairgrounds. Do you need some buy one, get one free tickets? Drop us an email and we will mail you some.

~ Next week, come Downtown in Monroe for the first Concert on the Square for the summer. Horsefeathers plays rockabilly on Thursday, June 11 from 6:30 until 8:30. Box lunches are available from some of the Downtown restaurants: Cafe Claudeen, Garden Deli, Turner Hall.

~ Thespian alert! Monroe Theatre Guild is auditioning for the role of Scrooge for this winter's performance. Auditions will be next Friday, June 12. You can pick up the script, which is new this year and an original piece written by Fr. Klarer, at the library.

Questions and Answers

Yes, I know I just talked about the first time homebuyer tax credit last week, but there is so much misunderstanding out there about who qualifies and who does not that I thought I would pass this along to our readers. I will admit that even I had thought incorrectly on one of these scenarios.

This is from Steve Bechtolt, vice president of residential lending here at Wisconsin Community Bank in Monroe. Steve and the people at WCB are very helpful, and I would not hesitate to recommend any of them to buyers looking for financing.

First-Time Homebuyer Credit: Scenarios

Q. If a single person (Taxpayer A) qualifies as a first-time homebuyer at the time he/she purchases a home with someone (Taxpayer B) that is not a first-time homebuyer and then later that year they marry each other, is the credit still allowed?

A. Eligibility for the first-time homebuyer credit is determined on the date of purchase. If Taxpayer A, a first-time homebuyer, buys a house and then later that year marries Taxpayer B, not a first-time homebuyer, the credit is allowable to Taxpayer A. Taxpayer A may take the maximum credit.

Q. Taxpayer A is a single first-time home buyer. Taxpayer B (parent) cosigns for A and does not qualify. Both names are on the mortgage. Can Taxpayer A claim the credit and, if so, how much?

A. Yes. Taxpayer B is not a first-time homebuyer and cannot claim any portion of the credit, but A may claim the entire credit ($7,500 for purchase in 2008; $8,000 for purchase in 2009), if the home was purchased as Taxpayer A's primary residence.

Q. A taxpayer owned her principal residence. Several years ago, she decided to relocate to a rented apartment, but did not sell the former residence. Instead, she rented it out to tenants. Now the taxpayer plans to buy another house and make it her new principal residence. Does she qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit?

A. A taxpayer who owned rental property within the past three years is still eligible for the credit. The taxpayer cannot have owned and used a home as his or her principal residence within the last three years.

Q. If husband and wife wanted to sell the home that the wife owned when they got married, and the husband had not owned a home within the past three years, could he qualify as a first-time homebuyer for the credit even though the wife would not qualify?

A. No. The purchase date determines whether a taxpayer is a first-time homebuyer. Since the wife had ownership interest in a principal residence within the prior three years, neither taxpayer may take the first-time homebuyer credit. Section 36(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code requires that the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse not have an ownership interest in a principal residence within the prior three years from the date of purchase. The husband may not take the credit even if he filed on a separate return.

Sponsors needed

The folks over at Monroe Theatre Guild are gearing up for their next performances. Odd Couple is set to debut on June 19. Then, in July, MTG has the first run of their new Fairytale Theatre children's theater workshop and performance.

Up to 60 children ages 8-18 may enroll in this combination workshop and performance event. However, Fairytale Theatre is much more than just a play for children. High school students will direct it under the tuttelage of Dave Bristow, learning the art of directing in a hands on fashion. Kids ages 12-18 have the option of enrolling as part of the scenic and technical crew. They will learn directly from MTG powerhouse Suzanne Miller as they help to design, build and paint the set. This crew will also learn all of the backstage jobs - lighting, running the crew, and stage management.

The cost for this workshop and theater exeprience is $50 for member, $60 for non-members, but MTG wants to be sure that money will not stand in the way of any child who truly wants to take part in this experience. MTG is actively looking for sponsors for scholarships at the moment. Please consider sponsoring a scholarship yourself or in conjunction with a couple of friends. Five friends each contributing just $10 would enable a deserving child to participate in Fairytale Theatre this summer.

If you are able to sponsor a scholarship or raise the funds for scholarship, you can send a check to Monroe Theatre Guild, c/o Suzanne, 907 13th Avenue Monroe, WI 53566. Include a note stating that is for a scholarship for Fairytale Theatre. Sponsors will be named in the show program, but you do have the option of remaining anonymous if you prefer.