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Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Spring Time Bedroom Decorating Tip
Cozy Country Getaway
Sunny walls and a grassy rug bring the outside in. Landscape photographs and a nature-themed print reinforce the garden vibe. Glass objects―the display on the dresser and the elegant but humble chandelier―lend a conservatory feel and bounce around light. Big floral prints on the bed are modern and fun (tinier prints run the risk of looking granny). Antiquey, feminine touches, such as the chandelier and the curvy bedside tables, afford old-fashioned charm and warmth. Unexpected accents fend off frumpiness. An appliquéd pillow gives the bed a cool focal point, and a bold white lamp adds a modern smile to the room.
To buy: Natura paint in Jasper Yellow 2024-50, $50 a gallon, benjaminmoore.com for stores. Rosemoor standard shams, $75 each; queen duvet, $290; and Leblond Moss throw, $205: designersguild.com for stores. Beaded birdcage chandelier by Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture, $625, shabbychic.com for stores. Swedish doe-leg tables, $549 each, wisteria.com. Color Reform rug (6 by 9 feet), $3,899, ABC Carpet & Home, 212-674-1144. Artichoke lamp, $525, Barbara Cosgrove Lamps, 816-221-3461 for stores. Linen appliquéd pillow, $100, 1891bysferra.com for stores.
Sunny walls and a grassy rug bring the outside in. Landscape photographs and a nature-themed print reinforce the garden vibe. Glass objects―the display on the dresser and the elegant but humble chandelier―lend a conservatory feel and bounce around light. Big floral prints on the bed are modern and fun (tinier prints run the risk of looking granny). Antiquey, feminine touches, such as the chandelier and the curvy bedside tables, afford old-fashioned charm and warmth. Unexpected accents fend off frumpiness. An appliquéd pillow gives the bed a cool focal point, and a bold white lamp adds a modern smile to the room.
To buy: Natura paint in Jasper Yellow 2024-50, $50 a gallon, benjaminmoore.com for stores. Rosemoor standard shams, $75 each; queen duvet, $290; and Leblond Moss throw, $205: designersguild.com for stores. Beaded birdcage chandelier by Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture, $625, shabbychic.com for stores. Swedish doe-leg tables, $549 each, wisteria.com. Color Reform rug (6 by 9 feet), $3,899, ABC Carpet & Home, 212-674-1144. Artichoke lamp, $525, Barbara Cosgrove Lamps, 816-221-3461 for stores. Linen appliquéd pillow, $100, 1891bysferra.com for stores.
(Tip from http://www.realsimple.com/, photo by Thomas Loof)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Midwest Horse Fair 2010
The Midwest Horse Fair will be celebrating their 31st year and you can see anything and everything relating to the equine industry at this annual event. Shop the many vendors, attend the competitions and special events, including the World Blacksmith competition... you won't be disappointed at the 2010 Midwest Horse Fair!
Midwest Horse Fair 2010
April 16th, 17th, and 18th 2010
Alliant Energy Center
Madison, WI
Admission: Daily Pass is $10 in advance or $12 at the gate, and a 3-day pass is $27 in advance or $36 at the gate.
Tickets for the Friday night Rodeo will only be available through ticketmaster . Also available only through tickemaster is the Saturday evening "Jumping Grand Prix" event. Tickets for these events are on sale now!
FREE Home Buyers Fair 2010
FREE - 2010 Home Buyers Fair
March 20, 2010, 8:30am-3:00pm
Alliant Energy Center, Exhibition Hall
1919 Alliant Energy Center Way
Madison, WI 53713
The fair is FREE and open to anyone interested in learning about the home buying process. The fair will offer first time home buyer education classes, an opportunity to win one of two $1,500 down payment grants and there will be housing industry exhibitors on hand to answer any questions that you may have.
• Learn how to own a home for under $1,000/month.
• Earn a Home Buyer Education Certificate in one day.
• Learn how to qualify for the extended Home Buyers Tax Credit
• Win one of two $1,500 grants to put toward your down payment.
For more information about the fair, please contact:
Amanda Wilson, UW Credit Union / 608-232-5000 ext. 2060
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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Freddie Mac losses mount, warns of foreclosures
Freddie Mac lost almost $26 billion last year, ominous news for taxpayers who are footing the bill to rescue the mortgage finance company and its sibling Fannie Mae.
Freddie Mac, which has lost a total of almost $80 billion since the housing crisis started in 2007, is bracing for more pain. The McLean, Va.-based company said a record 4 percent of its borrowers are at least three months behind on their payments and facing foreclosure.
Its chief executive, Charles Haldeman, warned Wednesday of a "potential large wave of foreclosures" still to come.
This is a major problem for the federal government, which seized control of Freddie and Fannie in September 2008. The two companies have already siphoned $111 billion from the government to stay afloat. That number is expected to hit $188 billion by fall 2011.
And while Freddie Mac didn't ask for any more bailout money last quarter, the company said it will likely need more financial aid and might never repay it.
"We now have unlimited taxpayer exposure to the bailout of Fannie and Freddie, a bailout nation where the big get bigger, the small get smaller and the taxpayer gets poorer," Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, said at a House hearing Wednesday.
Fannie and Freddie dominate the mortgage market, backing about 70 percent of the loans made last year. The two companies purchase mortgages from lenders and package them into securities. Investors are willing to buy the securities because they are effectively guaranteed by the U.S. government. That puts American taxpayers at risk.
But the fragile housing sector is so dependent on the government that officials say they won't have a detailed exit strategy until next year. Underscoring the market's weakness, the Commerce Department said Wednesday that sales of new homes unexpectedly plunged 11 percent from December to January to the lowest level on record.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told lawmakers Wednesday that the Obama administration will "make sure we bring about fundamental change in the housing market and get ourselves in a position where the government is playing a less risky, but more constructive role in supporting housing markets in the future."
Separately, Freddie Mac warned there is "significant uncertainty as to whether or when we will emerge" from government control.
For taxpayers, stabilizing Freddie and Fannie Mae has been one of the costliest consequences of the financial meltdown. Freddie Mac has received about $51 billion from Treasury to date, and the Obama administration has pledged to cover unlimited losses through 2012.
Freddie Mac said Wednesday it lost $25.7 billion, or $7.89 a share, for all of 2009. Of those losses, $4.1 billion went to dividends paid to the Treasury Department, which holds a nearly 80 percent stake in the company.
In the final three months of last year, Freddie Mac posted a loss of $7.8 billion, or $2.39 a share. The results, however, were a marked improvement over the fourth quarter 2008 when Freddie lost $23.9 billion, or $7.37 a share.
During the most recent quarter, Freddie suffered $7.1 billion in credit losses and a $3.4 billion write-down in low income tax credit investments. Also Wednesday Fannie Mae said in a regulatory filing that it plans to take a $5 billion charge when it reports its fourth quarter results later this week.
(Article from http://www.madison.com/, by Alan Zibel)
Freddie Mac, which has lost a total of almost $80 billion since the housing crisis started in 2007, is bracing for more pain. The McLean, Va.-based company said a record 4 percent of its borrowers are at least three months behind on their payments and facing foreclosure.
Its chief executive, Charles Haldeman, warned Wednesday of a "potential large wave of foreclosures" still to come.
This is a major problem for the federal government, which seized control of Freddie and Fannie in September 2008. The two companies have already siphoned $111 billion from the government to stay afloat. That number is expected to hit $188 billion by fall 2011.
And while Freddie Mac didn't ask for any more bailout money last quarter, the company said it will likely need more financial aid and might never repay it.
"We now have unlimited taxpayer exposure to the bailout of Fannie and Freddie, a bailout nation where the big get bigger, the small get smaller and the taxpayer gets poorer," Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, said at a House hearing Wednesday.
Fannie and Freddie dominate the mortgage market, backing about 70 percent of the loans made last year. The two companies purchase mortgages from lenders and package them into securities. Investors are willing to buy the securities because they are effectively guaranteed by the U.S. government. That puts American taxpayers at risk.
But the fragile housing sector is so dependent on the government that officials say they won't have a detailed exit strategy until next year. Underscoring the market's weakness, the Commerce Department said Wednesday that sales of new homes unexpectedly plunged 11 percent from December to January to the lowest level on record.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told lawmakers Wednesday that the Obama administration will "make sure we bring about fundamental change in the housing market and get ourselves in a position where the government is playing a less risky, but more constructive role in supporting housing markets in the future."
Separately, Freddie Mac warned there is "significant uncertainty as to whether or when we will emerge" from government control.
For taxpayers, stabilizing Freddie and Fannie Mae has been one of the costliest consequences of the financial meltdown. Freddie Mac has received about $51 billion from Treasury to date, and the Obama administration has pledged to cover unlimited losses through 2012.
Freddie Mac said Wednesday it lost $25.7 billion, or $7.89 a share, for all of 2009. Of those losses, $4.1 billion went to dividends paid to the Treasury Department, which holds a nearly 80 percent stake in the company.
In the final three months of last year, Freddie Mac posted a loss of $7.8 billion, or $2.39 a share. The results, however, were a marked improvement over the fourth quarter 2008 when Freddie lost $23.9 billion, or $7.37 a share.
During the most recent quarter, Freddie suffered $7.1 billion in credit losses and a $3.4 billion write-down in low income tax credit investments. Also Wednesday Fannie Mae said in a regulatory filing that it plans to take a $5 billion charge when it reports its fourth quarter results later this week.
(Article from http://www.madison.com/, by Alan Zibel)
Monday, February 22, 2010
8 Dream Homes for Sale in the Madison, Wisconsin Area
7326 Black Hawk Road in Middleton, WI
$2.46 Million
MLS #1566722, Courtesy of Bunbury & Assoc.
4 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 9502 sq ft, 4.3 acres
2295 Spring Rose Rd in Springdale, WI
$2.8 Million
MLS #1572037, Courtesy of Bunbury & Assoc.
6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 8255 sq ft, 20 acres
26740 Cooper Hill Rd in Richland, WI
$2.9 Million
MLS #1566191, Courtesy of Restaino & Assoc.
4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 6200 sq ft, 40 acres
W6500 Hwy B in Burnett, WI
$3.3 Million
MLS#1573293, Courtesy of First Weber
7 bedrooms, 7.5 baths, 6945 sq ft, 272 acres
W6138 Hwy J in Jefferson, WI
$3.5 Million
MLS #1463050, Courtesy of Stark Company
4 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 15,124 sq ft, 19 acres
3387 Timber Lane in Cross Plains, WI
$3.83 Million
MLS #1545264, Courtesy of RE/MAX Preferred
5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 14,126 sq ft, 26 acres
659 Farwell Drive in Maple Bluff, WI
$5.95 Million
MLS #1537504, Courtesy of Restaino & Assoc.
5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 7219 sq ft, 2 acres and 300 ft of Lake Mendota frontage
5750 Hwy Z in Wyoming, WI
$6.3 Million
MLS #1572013, Courtesy of Bunbury & Assoc.
5 bedrooms, 7 baths, 13,600 sq ft, 217 acres
Monday, January 25, 2010
Why You Should Move to Madison, WI: We've Won All These Awards!
Top 10 Outdoor-Oriented Towns
Yahoo! Real Estate, Fall 2007
Best Farmers' Market in Nation
Eating Well, August 2007
Top Medium-Sized Metro in the Arts
Creative Class Group, May 2007
#1 Walking City
Prevention, April 2007
Top 20 Children's Museums in America
Grand Magazine, March 2007
Best Road Biking Town in America
Outside, August 2006
#1 City for Cycling
Bicycling, March 2006
Most Romantic U.S. City
USAWeekend.com, February 2006
Top 10 Places for Outdoor Activities
Spearling's Best Places, Fall 2005
Top 10 Places to Live the Athletic Life
geezerJock, Fall 2005
2005 Award for Garden Excellence, Olbrich Botanical Gardens
American Association of Botanic Gardens and Arboreta, Summer 2005
Best Game-Day Atmosphere
Sports Illustrated on Campus, September 2005
Top 10 Best Places for Families
Richard Florida and the Creative Class Exchange, May 2008
Top 10 Most Livable Cities
2007 Places Rated Almanac, Spring 2007
Top 30 Best Towns in America
Outside, August 2007
Middleton: Best Place to Live
Money, August 2007
Top 25 Best Cities to Live
Kiplinger's Personal Finance, June 2007
Top 10 Greenest Cities
Yahoo! Real Estate, May 2007
Top 100 Best Places to Live
Money, August 2006
Top 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live
50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live, Gregory A. Kompes, Fall 2005
#3 in 100 Healthiest Cities for Pregnancy
BabyFit.com, December 2005
(Information from Madison Magazine, http://www.madisonmagazine.com/)
Yahoo! Real Estate, Fall 2007
Best Farmers' Market in Nation
Eating Well, August 2007
Top Medium-Sized Metro in the Arts
Creative Class Group, May 2007
#1 Walking City
Prevention, April 2007
Top 20 Children's Museums in America
Grand Magazine, March 2007
Best Road Biking Town in America
Outside, August 2006
#1 City for Cycling
Bicycling, March 2006
Most Romantic U.S. City
USAWeekend.com, February 2006
Top 10 Places for Outdoor Activities
Spearling's Best Places, Fall 2005
Top 10 Places to Live the Athletic Life
geezerJock, Fall 2005
2005 Award for Garden Excellence, Olbrich Botanical Gardens
American Association of Botanic Gardens and Arboreta, Summer 2005
Best Game-Day Atmosphere
Sports Illustrated on Campus, September 2005
Top 10 Best Places for Families
Richard Florida and the Creative Class Exchange, May 2008
Top 10 Most Livable Cities
2007 Places Rated Almanac, Spring 2007
Top 30 Best Towns in America
Outside, August 2007
Middleton: Best Place to Live
Money, August 2007
Top 25 Best Cities to Live
Kiplinger's Personal Finance, June 2007
Top 10 Greenest Cities
Yahoo! Real Estate, May 2007
Top 100 Best Places to Live
Money, August 2006
Top 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live
50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live, Gregory A. Kompes, Fall 2005
#3 in 100 Healthiest Cities for Pregnancy
BabyFit.com, December 2005
(Information from Madison Magazine, http://www.madisonmagazine.com/)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Madison Area Beer and Wine Tours
- Ale Asylum
3698 Kinsman Blvd.
aleasylum.com
Price: Free
Dates/times: Saturdays, 6 p.m.
Describe it, 10 words or less: Industrial meets chic. Plus, $2 pints after the tour.
Don’t miss: The labels—owner Otto Dilba says their label artwork has to pass the “tattoo test.” “A design won’t go to press unless it’s something … a person [would] want to get tattooed on their body.” - Botham Vineyards
8180 Langberry Rd., Barneveld
bothamvineyards.com
Price: $3
Dates/times: By appointment for groups of fifteen or more. But the tasting room is open March through December (check the website for days and times).
Describe it, 10 words or less:
A friendly, unpretentious mingling of wines, automobilia and gorgeous scenery.
Don’t miss: The Vintage Celebration in August, when vintage automobiles are
showcased at the peak of the growing season. - Capital Brewery
7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton
capital-brewery.com
Price: $3
Dates/times: Fridays, 3:30 p.m., Saturdays 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Describe it, 10 words or less: Island Wheat, Wisconsin Amber, Supper Club. Need we say more?
Don’t miss: We all know about the outdoor Bier Garten, open May–September. But drop by during the cooler months for a drink in the lesser-known Bier Stube, a cozy bar that’s open Tuesday–Saturday year-round. - New Glarus Brewing Co.
2400 State Hwy. 69, New Glarus
newglarusbrewing.com
Price: Free self-guided tour.
Dates/times: Mondays–Sundays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Describe it, 10 words or less: You can’t get their brews outside of Wisconsin—literally.
Don’t miss: Three things: the renovated hilltop facility, the tasting room where you can sample brews daily from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Wisconsin Cran-bic, part of brewmaster Dan Carey’s limited-edition “Unplugged” beer series. Carey will roll out a new set of Unplugged beers in 2010, too. - Wollersheim Winery
7876 State Rd. 188, Prairie du Sac.
wollersheim.com
Price: $3.50
Dates/times: Tours start daily at 10:15 a.m. and run until 4:15 p.m.
Describe it, 10 words or less: California vistas in Wisconsin.
Don’t miss: The west coast views are more than mere coincidence at this Midwestern winery: the first owner of the vineyard, Hungarian Count Agoston Haraszthy, left Wisconsin in 1849 for California and is known as the founder of that state’s wine industry.
(List from http://www.madisonmagazine.com/, article titled "Seize the City! 62 things every Madisonian should do in 2010" by Brennan Nardi, Shayna Miller, and Katie Vaughn. Photo from http://blog.wisconsinbrewerytour.com/)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Madison, WI: Home Value Trends
This chart compares home values over the last several years in the Madison, Fitchburg, Middleton, Mount Horeb, and Waunakee areas.
Send Your Name to Mars!!
http://marsparticipate.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/participate/sendyourname/
Follow the above link to send your name to
Mars
on a microchip carried by
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover!
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory rover!
Video: Cross Plains' St. Francis Football
It's the little Catholic School that could. It has 200 kids that play football and that's the same as the entire population of the school. The program has such a great reputation kids from all over the area come to play for St. Francis Xavier in Cross Plains. They have a rich tradition of sportsmanship and winning. It's viewed as a feeder program for the perennial powerhouse Middleton High School Football Cardinals. One of their players has even gone pro. Patty Loew reports on the secret to their success.
Click here to watch the video from Wisconsin Public Television.
Click here to volunteer to help support Wisconsin Public Television.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Good News, Sellers!
Sick of dirty footprint trails around your home after a Showing to potential Buyers? Well now you can leave your Swiffer in the closet, because we've ordered a huge supply of "Disposable Shoe Covers" that will easily stretch around your guest's shoes and keep the mess off your floors!
(Photo by Abs, Modeled by Miss Mahliss)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
All Star Rodeo Challenge 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin
- When:
Friday, January 15, 2010 and Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 7:30 pm to 10 pm - Where:
Alliant Energy Center Coliseum - Description:
This rodeo event will surely be a hit with the entire family! There will be bulls, broncs and babes to entertain and amaze. All cowboys in each event will be matched up against the rankest bucking horses and bulls in the nation. And some of the most talented women in the Midwest will compete on some of the fastest horses in the Midwest. Punkintown, one of the funniest rodeo comedians you'll ever see, will introduce you to Diamond and bust some moves like you have never seen before! Admission - $37 (Gold Buckle), $27& $18.50 Kids 1/2 price day of show, or $5.00 in advance (Excludes Gold Buckle Tickets). Tickets on sale now! For more information visit http://www.allstarrodeochallenge.com/.
(event information from www.alliantenergycenter.com)
Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest 2010 in Madison, Wi
- When:
Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 1 pm to 5 pm - Where:
Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall - Description:
Taste Wisconsin's finest beer and cheese at this event while learning about what beers go best with what cheeses, chocolates and everyday foods from the experts! You can dance to great live music from the Cork n' Bottle String Band while mixing and mingling in the beer garden. Tickets are limited and can be purchased in advance for $40 at www.TheDailyPage.com/beercheese. Time of event is from 1pm to 5pm. Tickets also available at the Isthmus office (101 King Street), and at Star Liquor, Fromagination, The Malt House, and Steve's Liquor locations. Save $5.00 on tickets at Star Liquor and Fromagination with qualifying purchase. See store for details. Take Union Cab to and from the festival! Show the driver your ticket for a FREE ride to the festival, and/or $5.00 off your ride home.
(event information from http://www.alliantenergycenter.com/)
Notes from Nicole
New Year’s Resolutions. I feel like they’re the same every year: spend more time with my kids, lose weight, become more organized. This year they’re very similar, but with a different twist.
Many of you know that I have a prosthetic leg. Many of you also know that I’ve been struggling for years to lose weight. For the past couple of years I’ve been fantasizing about running a marathon. This last summer I started working out on a regular basis and really watching what I’m eating. So far I am down 44 pounds, but still have quite a ways to go. I started running (more like a glacially paced slow jog) and am able to go a couple of miles (still have a long way to go!), but it’s quite an improvement from even just a few months ago. This year I will be running the ½ marathon in the Madison Marathon on Memorial Day weekend. Towards the end of 2010 my goal is to be in good enough shape to run a full marathon. Along with my training and diet/exercise regimen, I have started to journal my progress. I plan to write a book called “The One Legged Fat Girl Runs a Marathon”, have already started a blog (not publically published yet), and started a YouTube series to chronicle the journey.
This time next year I hope to be writing to you in review of the journey from couch to marathon, and telling lots of exciting tales in between. Hmmm, maybe next year’s resolution will include an Ironman?
Happy New Year!
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