Call to Action

The $8000 First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit has been a boon to many across our county this year. However, this credit expires on November 30, 2009. The National Association of Realtors is encouraging people to contact their congressional representatives and urge them to vote to extend this credit.

Several analysts credit this program with helping home prices and home sale rebound in many parts of our nation. However, there is concern about what will happen when the credit expires. To quote a recent article in the Washington Post, "If the first-time homebuyer tax credit expires as scheduled on Nov. 30, many analysts expect a drop in home sales and prices, though they disagree on how big the drops will be. The situation looks even more dire once swelling unemployment numbers and related delinquencies and foreclosures are factored in."



If you would like to take action and send a message to your representatives, this link makes it easy for you. Put in your name, address and email address, and the system will send out a message to your representatives.

Things to Do Around Monroe

~ Green County Tourism welcomes Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism Kelli Trumble to the New Glarus Brewing Company Hilltop Site for a tourism meeting on Thursday, October 8. There will be a reception at 5 pm featuring the Bounty of Green County and local foods. At 5:30 Secretary Trumble will speak on the Wisconsin Tourism brand and Green County's relationship with it and culinary tourism. RSVP to Noreen at Green County Tourism.

~ Cycling enthusiasts, remember Earth Rider Cycling's Once in Blue Moon ride this Saturday. Meet at Twining Park in Monroe at 5 pm on Saturday to head down to the Orangeville Haunted Mill (20 mile round trip). If you prefer a shorter ride, meet at Clarno Lumber Parking Lot around 6 pm (10 mile round trip). The ride is free, but a trail pass is required along with lights. Costumes are optional!

~ Area farmer's markets are still open and teeming with local foods. Leeks, herbs, eggs, squash and much much more can be found at Monroe, Lena, Paoli, Belleville, Freeport markets. Know your farmer, know your food, and keep the local economy strong!

~ Rainbow Fleece Farm is having their 19th annual Autumn Fiber Extravaganza from 11 until 4 on Saturday. Come for needlefelting talks and workshops from artisans, spinning, knitting and more. Call Patty at 527-5311 for directions or more information.

~ Did you get your tickets for the Austin Lounge Lizards performance at the Monroe Arts Center this weekend?

~ Goetz Theatre is showing "Zombieland", "Surrogates" and "Fame" this weekend. Sky-Vu Drive-in is still open too! This weekend's features are "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and "The Ugly Truth."

~ Guerin Chiropractic is hosting a free Trigger Points workshop on Tuesday, October 13. Luis and I attended one is September, and it was very interesting. You do not have to be a patient at Guerin to attend. The workshop starts at 6, and supper is included. Call Gloria at 325-2626 to sign up with a partner.

~ Looking ahead to next weekend, Inn Serendipity is hosting a Sustainable Living in the 21st Century workshop, registration required. Green Haven is having their second annual Scavenger Hunt Expedition.

New restraurant open in Monroe

Monroe's downtown is home to a new dining establishment as of this weekend. Many of us have been watching the old Wolf Office Supply building all summer long as the the new owners, Russ and Nadine, have been working hard on the renovations, turning it into a southwestern inspired setting for casual dining.

Pancho & Lefty's is now open for business.

I stopped in today after hearing raves for multiple friends who eat there over the weekend. The dining area and bar are not huge, but they are filled with comfortable tables and chairs. The decor and dark red walls lend to the intimate, relaxed feeling.

The menu sounds great, and the prices are all quite reasonable. The main entrees include steak, chicken, burritos, pulled pork, burgers and more. There are a variety of appetizer choices, including deviled eggs that I have heard are fabulous. Desserts are limited to a lime mousse with gingersnap crust or chocolate bread pudding, and both are affordable add-ons at only $3.50.

Pancho & Lefty's does serve beer, including local options from New Glarus Brewing Company. Russ and Nadine are making an effort to support the local foods movement. In addition to the beer, they have Roth Kase cheese and bread from the famous Monticello Yodeling baker.

Pancho and Lefty's is located at 1018 17th Ave on the east side of Monroe's Downtown Square. They are open for lunch and dinner, and are open all week including Sundays and Mondays. Bring the checkbook as they accept cash or local checks, but no credit cards.

First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit

60 days and counting for the First Time Home Buyer's $8000 tax credit...

This video is from last spring, but it does a nice job covering information on the tax credit itself. Time is running out, so if you want to take advantage of this tax credit, contact us today!

Things to Do Around Monroe

Here is our weekly look at events going on in the area in the next few days.

~ Frehner Gallery in the Monroe Arts Center has a new exhibit opening on Thursday evening. "Out of the Woods - Remembering Nate Roth" is a tribute to long-time area resident and woodworker, Nate Roth.

~ The Green County Humane Society has their fall garage sale/bake sale fundraiser going on. Located at Monroe Auto Sales, the sale takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

~ Bring your tastebuds to the Downtown Square in Monroe on Saturday for the annual Chilifest! This tasty tradition kicks of at 11 am, and will feature food and beverage vendors, artisans, bands and more. Have you seen how great the newly completely renovations to the north side looks? Come check it out!

~ The Orangeville Education Foundation has a 5K run/walk on Saturday morning. The race starts at the Jane Addams Trailhead shelter house, and runs along the trail, a flat crushed limestone surface accessible to all. $20 for race day registrations. Registration starts 7 am, and the race begins at 8 am.

~ Big Brothers and Big Sisters Tour de Cheese bike ride is also on Saturday. These 15, 30 or 60 mile rides begin at Spring Square and end at Minhas Brewery parking lot in Monroe. Same day registration is available for $40, and minors under 17 are free with a paid parent or guardian. Helmets are required. Registration is from 7 until 9 am on Saturday.

~ Saturday is also the day for Albany's annual Fall Festival. Come celebrate the changing of the season with your friends and neighbors!

~ Don't forget about the Monroe Firefighter's Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning. Fill up on pancakes from 7 am until noon at the firehouse, and stay for rides and games. Adults are $6, children from 4-12 are $4 and kids 3 and under are free.

~ Come out to the Green County Entrepreneurs and Inventors Club meeting on Monday at the New Glarus room of the Monroe Hospital. This month will feature information and discussion on internet strategies for business.


~ Woo00OOOO00oooo! Get ready for the Haunted Bike Ride. Earth Rider Cycling is leading this evening ride on the Badger State Trail to the Haunted Mill in Orangeville on Saturday, October 10. Registration is not required for this ride. Gather at Twining Park, and the riders will leave at 5 pm. Contact Sharon at Earth Rider if you have any questions.