Take the Survey

Future Forward! is working through a series of surveys on life in the Green County area this year. Future Forward! is a local non-profit that is looking to retain and attract younger professionals in our area to keep Green County vital and competitive in the coming years.

In order to improve the life here for current residents and make our area more attractive for new residents, Future Forward! is assessing our assets and areas for improvement in seven key areas. They are doing a series of seven surveys over the year, one in each area. Two surveys are already complete, and a third is going on right now. Each survey ends with a drawing for a prize, and at the end, all survey participants will be entered into a drawing for an iPod Touch.

The current survey is about learning opportunities in the area. It is a quick survey, so please take a moment to fill it out.

"As-Is, Where-Is"

Usually when a buyer is purchasing property or a home, the seller provides a form called a real estate condition report. The seller is legally required to make no mis-representations about the property and its condition.

Sometimes, though, the condition report is not filled out or the contract contains a provision that states "The buyer accepts the property as-is, where-is. Seller makes no warranties, expressed or implied." This happens most frequently in the case of bank-owned properties (foreclosures) or when a personal representative fills out the documents for an estate, but it can also happen in regular transactions as well.

Buyers need to be very aware of what they are signing when they agree to an as-is, where is statement in a contract.

When a buyer agrees to an as-is, where is statement in the contract, they effectively lose their right to sue the seller later for mis-representation. This statement implies that the buyer is purchasing a property that is not in perfect condition and cannot rely on the seller to diclose any or all defects. Wisconsin Court of Appeals recently heard a case regarding a real estate transaction where the seller assured the buyer that the property had a clean environmental analysis, but where there was soil contamination. The buyer signed a contract with an as-is, where is provision. Because of the provision that the buyer agreed to, the court ruled that the buyer was in breech of contract when attempting to back out of the deal.

Buyers should tread carefuly with any offer that has an as-is, where is provision attached. Try to obtain any inspections or testing that could help determine condition prior to submitting an offer. Perfect properties rarely come with the as-is, where is language, so keep buyers need to be aware of any potential hidden risks.

Things to Do Around Monroe

Are you looking ahead to the weekend plans? Here is a snapshot of area events in the upcoming days:

~ Behring Senior Center in Monroe has a Brat Fest every fall, and it is here again. On Thursday from 10 am until 6 pm, you can stop in for single brats at $3 each or a meal for $6 (brat, chips, soda/water, and a cookie).

~ The Young Professionals of Green County are playing wiffleball and kickball with the YP of Freeport on Saturday at Little Cubs Field at 2 pm. Bring the whole family for a day of fun. Afterwards, some of the YPs are planning to head over to Cannova's in Freeport for dinner.

~ Bag Ladies in Monroe has an open house event this week from Thursday through Saturday. New fall purses are in, so come and browse.

~ Get your registration in for the collaborative class between Stef at Goose Chaser Farm and Laura at Kookaburra's in Monroe. The October 5 class will feature Oktoberfest foods. Who better to teach it than a native German? Brats, kraut recipes and much more including the beer. Also sign up for the Fall Foods class on October 11 where Stef will be cooking soups and stews.

~ Artisan Gallery in Paoli has a new exhibit opening on Friday evening. The opening reception of the 6th Annual Ceramics Invitaional Art Show is on September 25 from 5 until 9. The show will be on display through November 1

~ It is Oktoberfest weekend in New Glarus! Festivities kick off with a brew master from New Glarus Brewing Company tapping into a keg of their Oktoberfest Staghorn beer. There will be classic cheese fondue, a tractor pull, chainsaw wood carving demonstrations, and plenty of food and live music all weekend long.

~ Monroe Arts Center has Big Top Chautauqua’s “Wild Woods & Waters" coming to the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm on Saturday. The Blue Canvas Orchestra and singers travel to Monroe with an original musical theatre production highlighting the natural beauty and history of Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest. The multi-media performance features live music and songs by talented musicians, dramatic storytelling, and hundreds of breathtaking large screen, historical images.

~ Dance to beat of your own drummer. Oakdale Nature Preserve in Freeport will be the site of a Community Drumming Circle on Friday evening from 7 until 9. All ages are welcome and a variety of percussion instruments will be available or bring your own. Reservations are preferred by the day of the event; call 815-235-6114. $4.

~ Argyle has a Homecoming celebration this Sunday with a parade and high school football game. Come support the youth athletes! The parade starts at noon and kickoff for the football game versus Benton/Scales Mound is at 2 pm.

Green County Entrepreneurs and Inventors Club

The Green County Entrepreneurs and Inventors Club is all set to discuss internet marketing at their next meeting on October 5. The meeting, Internet Business Strategies--Gaining an Edge in Cyberspace, will feature a panel of Blackhawk Technical College teachers, including Brenda, discussing the hows and whys on internet marketing.

The panel of speakers consists of Richard Grahn, Brenda Carus, Greg Isley and Anita Huffman. Grahn will present information on internet marketing and sales, Carus on social networking for businesses, Isley on website design and creation and Huffman on the various business classes that BTC offers in Internet Business Strategies and how to register for them. Brenda will be teaching a Social Media for Small Business class at Blackhawk, and Richard will be teaching Internet Marketing for Small Business, both in October. Richard's class was very popular last time it was offered.

Internet questions are welcomed by all the participants. Each presenter will have information that attendees can use immediately and also give a taste of the class they will be teaching this fall semester in the continuing education curriculum. Come get a taste of where the web can take your business and how you can plan your own internet business strategy.

Discussion and networking among attendees will be encouraged in the evening's program, as with all E&I club events. For more information, contact the GCDC offices at 608.328.9452 or email gcdc@tds.net. The E&I Club meets in the New Glarus room of the Monroe Hospital on the first Monday of every month starting at 6:30 pm.

This event is free and open to the all without pre-registration.

Homeschool Art class enrolling now for fall session

Primitive Soul Art Studio is enrolling now for the fall 2009 semester of Homeschool Art.

There are two options for classes - Elementary Art (ages 4yrs-10yrs) and Adolescent Art (ages 11 yrs to 18 yrs).

Elementary Art meets on Tuesdays from 10am-12:30pm, from September 22 through December 22. The class will focus on age appropriate art theory, art history and creative art experiences, while helping the young artists to develop their skills, delve into their creativity and learn about the art that came before them. Students will visit the Monroe Arts Center, as well as view the world around them at the studio and in Monroe to inspire their creativity. $130 for the 14 session semester, and Primitive Soul offers family discounts for multiple children enrolled.

Adolescent Art also meets Tuesdays, but in the afternoon from 1pm-3:30pm, from September 16th through December 16th. The class will focus on art theory, art history, creative problem solving in art and self-expression. Students will have the opportunity to explore art theory, art appreciation, learn about the classics and modern art, explore various media, such as: sculpture, found object, print making, painting on canvas, life drawing and the principles and elements of design. Students will keep a weekly sketchbook that they are required to art in. $155 for the 14 session semester, and Primitive Soul offers family discounts for multiple children enrolled.

The teacher is Jennifer Edge Bethel, an artist with a masters in art therapy and years of experience in the schools and working with children of all ages. Jennifer is also the creator of The Shakespeare Project and the executive director of the arts non-profit Shakespeare on the Edge that we often talk about in this blog.