Cookeville, TN

I know the big buzz is everywhere about the great tax credit for first time home buyers and I will have to jump in and talk about this great incentive too! Here is a simple run down of what to expect!

• First time home buyers only
• the tax credit does not have to be paid back
• the tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum $8,000
• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after Jan 1, 2009 and before Dec 2009
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the tax credit.

Simply put, how this works:

To claim your tax credit, you will claim it on your federal income tax return. Specifically, home buyers should complete IRS form 5405 to determine their tax credit amount and then claim this amount on line 69 of their 1040 income tax return. No other applications or forms are required, and no pre-approval is necessary. However, you will want to be sure that you qualify for the credit under the income limits and first time home buyer tests.

For example, when you file your return next year, if you qualify for the full $8,000 credit and owe $1,000 on your tax return, you will receive a check for $7,000.

For more information on the 2009 tax credit, click for the Federal Housing Tax credit website.

March 2009

Mar 1 - Mar 13 Joan Derryberry Art Gallery Exhibit: Aaron Lee Benson - Ceramic Sculpture
1st Floor Roaden University Center on TTU Campus

February 17, 4:30pm Reception/Gallery talk
Mr. Benson has a BFA, BS in Art Education and MFA in Sculpture/Ceramics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is currently the Chairman and Professor Fine Arts in Sculpture and Ceramics at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. He has shown his work throughout the south and northeast including Vanderbilt's Sarratt Gallery and Duke University's Louise Jones Brown Gallery. Benson has received several public commissions including work for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He mainly works in clay producing large-scale architectural forms as well as figurative, narrative monoliths. In his work he is attempting to combine the figure with architecture and narrative. He works now mainly in highly textured, organic sense of form that finds its origins in nature. Mr. Benson has been inspired by his many hiking trips to Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. He has also backpacked in places around the world, the Alps in Europe being one of those trips. His works have taken on a strong natural quality that echoes many of these landscapes.

Contact: (931) 372-3637
http://www.tntech.edu/centerstage/exhibits.html

Mar 1 Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Cookeville Drama Center
Reserved seats advance sales
$15/Adults
$14/Seniors (65+)
$8/Full-time students

Reserved seats day of performance
$17/Adults
$16/Seniors (65+)
$10/Full-time students

Contact: 931-528-1313
www.cookeville-tn.org/dramacenter

Mar 2 - Aug 3 Cooking Classes at Maddux Station
Maddux Station
319 E. Spring St.

Cooking Class Schedule 2009:

Braising
Basic techniques of slow cooking meats and vegetables $25
March 2, 2009 6pm

Cooking for Teens
Teens will learn basic skills in preparing meals for themselves and their families $25
March 16, 2009 6pm

Sauces and Soups
Introduction to mother sauces and basic soup techniques $25
April 6, 2009 6pm

Cooking with Kids
Parents and children prepare a meal together $40
April 20, 2009 5pm

Pasta
Basics of fresh pasta making as well as appropriate sauce combinations $30
May 4, 2009

Cooking with Kids
Parents and children prepare a meal together $40
May 18, 2009 5pm

Knife Skills
Basic knife skills as well as learning to sharpen and hone $20
June 8, 2009 6pm

Rubs, Marinades, and Grilling
Learn how a few simple ingredients can add flavor and tenderness to your meats and vegetables $30
July 13, 2009 6pm

Cooking with Kids
Parents and children prepare a meal together $40
August 3, 2009 5pm

Contact: Maddux Station (931) 854-0883
www.madduxstation.com

Mar 3 Center Stage Concert: Anonymous 4
7:30 PM
Wattenbarger Auditorium on TTU Campus

Renowned for their unearthly vocal blend and virtuosic ensemble singing, the four women who comprise Anonymous 4 combine musical, literary, and historical scholarship with contemporary performance intuition as they create ingeniously designed programs, interweaving music with poetry and narrative.
http://www.allianceartistmanagement.com

Contact: 931-372-3637
http://www.tntech.edu/centerstage/concerts.html

Mar 6 - Mar 8 Upper Cumberland Home & Garden Show
Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion
Presented by Home Builders Association of the Upper Cumberland and benefits Habitat for Humanity.

Home Show Hours:
Friday, March 6: 5pm - 9pm
Saturday, March 7: 9am - 8pm
Sunday, March 8: 12 noon - 4pm

Contact: 931-528-1711
www.uchomeshow.com

Mar 6 - Mar 7 Live Music & Movie Night at Intrepid Traveler Cafe
Intrepid Traveler Cafe
121 W. Broad St, Cookeville

Our Mostly Unplugged performance series returns on Friday, March 6, with a live acoustic performance by Michelle Corley. Check out her music at www.myspace.com/shell27songs. Showtime is 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

This Saturday, March 7, Movie Night features the 1932 film "Speak Easily" directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Buster Keaton in a speaking role, Jimmy Durante, and many more. Storyline includes a fake inheritance, a scheming vixen, a gaggle of chorus girls, and classic slapstick. Showtime is 7 PM.

Contact: 931-372-7564
www.theintrepidtravelercafe.com

Mar 7 Red Cross CPR Training
9:00 AM
Cookeville Red Cross office, 1 South Jefferson St., Suite 201.

Training: Babysitters Training

To Register: 615-250-4277

Mar 14 Irish Road Bowling
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a fun Irish tradition - Road Bowling!

Gather your friends or your family and put together a team of two, three or four and come ready to have FUN rolling a 28 ounce iron ball along a designated road course. Irish Road Bowling is a great family activity and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Don't miss the fun of this traditional Irish sport!

For more information please call 931-520-4FUN (4386).
www.cookeville-tn.org/ls

Mar 14 - May 1 "The Soft Voices of Putnam County: Exploring the Lives of Women"
On display at the Cookeville History Museum to celebrate Women's History Month.
Free Admission
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10am - 4pm.
Contact: 931-520-5455

Mar 16 - Apr 10 Joan Derryberry Art Gallery Exhibit: Shawn R. Skabelund - Environmental Installation
1st Floor Roaden University Center on TTU Campus

March 17, 4:30pm Reception/Gallery talk
Mr. Skabelund has a BFA in Drawing from Utah State University and a MA and a MFA in Drawing/Painting from the University of Iowa. Currently he is teaching at the School of Art at Northern Arizona University. Skabelund exhibits his drawings, sculptures, and site-specific installations nationally. The artist will create a site-specific installation for the gallery here. He prepares each piece by researching the area's history and determines the interaction between the wild and the human that created the direction and cultural makeup of the local community. He calls this "collaborating witha place."

Contact: (931) 372-3637
http://www.tntech.edu/centerstage/exhibits.html

Mar 16 - Mar 17 Center Stage Concert: Canadian Brass Quintet
7:30 PM
Wattenbarger Auditorium on TTU Campus

Feb. 16: 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17: 11 a.m. Masterclass

The Canadian Brass Quintet is one of the best known chamber music ensembles in the world. Their programs offer a selective mix of classical, jazz, and popular arrangements, served with lively dialogue and theatrical flare.

http://www.canbrass.com

Contact: 931-372-3637
http://www.tntech.edu/centerstage/concerts.html

Mar 17 Center Stage Concert: Stephen Beus - Pianist
7:30 PM
Wattenbarger Auditorium on TTU Campus, Bryan Fine Arts Building

Mr. Beus is recognized as one of the finest of the new generation of American virtuoso piano soloists. He is the 2006 Max I. Allen Classical Fellow of the American Pianists Association, winning one of two $75,000 fellowships in April 2006 at the Finals in Indianapolis. In June 2006, he subsequently won the Gold Medal at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in Salt Lake City, and in July 2006 at the Vendome International Piano Competition in Lisbon, Portugal.

Contact: 931-372-3637
http://www.tntech.edu/centerstage/concerts.html

Mar 20 - Mar 28 Backstage Series: "8x10"
7:30 PM
Cookeville Drama Center
production dates March 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 2009
$10/Adults
$8/Seniors (62+)
$5/Full-time students
Tickets go on sale March 9

Contact: 931-528-1313
www.cookeville-tn.org/dramacenter

Mar 21 Cookeville Jaycees and TTU Cross Country Team 2nd Annual 5K Run and Fitness Walk
8:00 AM
Race starts at 8 am
$15 pre registration before March 13th
$20 after and on day of the race
Location: Tucker Stadium on TTU Campus
Go to www.CookevilleJaycees.com for information and registration forms
Contact: Michelle Daniels 931.267.8644
www.CookevilleJaycees.com

Mar 21 Red Cross CPR Training
9:00 AM
Cookeville Red Cross office, 1 South Jefferson St., Suite 201.

Training: Adult CPR, AED with First Aid

To Register: 615-250-4277

Mar 22 Bryan Symphony Orchestra Concert
3:00 PM
TTU's Wattenbarger Auditorium.
The program includes Bach's Suite no. 3 in D major and Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks, with works sung by soprano Diane Pulte of the TTU faculty.

Wattenbarger Auditorium is the concert hall of TTU's Bryan Fine Arts Building, located at 1150 N. Dixie Ave., in Cookeville.

Tickets are limited; contact the symphony box office at 931-372-6088 for availability. Learn more about the BSO by visiting
www.bryansymphony.org

Mar 26 Small Business Expo & Chamber Business After Hours (Members Only)
Leslie Town Centre

March Maddness!
Expo: 4-8 p.m.
Business After Hours: 5:30-7 p.m.

Thanks to our Sponsors: Frontier, Highways, Inc., Hooper, Huddleston & Horner, Institutional Wholesale Company

Contact: Chamber 931-526-2211

Mar 27 Conductor Jack at the Cookeville Children's Museum
10:00 AM
Cookeville Children's Museum
36 W. 2nd Street
Join us for a toot-tooting good time! Free with admission to the museum. Members are always free.
Contact: 931-979-PLAY (7529)
http://www.cookevillechildrensmuseum.org/Home.asp

Mar 28 Annual Bangham Community Inside Yardsale
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Bangham Community Center
Contact: Judy 931-526-3754 or Bev 931-537-9880

Mar 28 West Side Eats
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Hosted by the West Side Business Association at Twin Oaks on the West Side.
Featuring food from more than 10 eateries located in the West Side district.

Limited tickets are available: $35 per person, $50 per couple. Tickets are available by contacting Michelle O'Neil at West Textures Framing & Fine Art at 24 W. Broad St or call 931-526-6015.

To add an event to the Chamber calendar contact Laura Canada at 931-526-2211 or lcanada@cookevillechamber.com.

Since it snowed here yesterday, after the rain and sleet, I went out and took some pictures.

Those are Trumpeter Swans! Swans in Jackson County Tennessee! I was very surprised. They are Huge!

I played with this one some in photobucket to give it an older look.

The beautiful rolling hillside of my sisters farm in Jackson County.

Roaring River sure was roaring yesterday!

WHY RE-LOCATE TO TENNESSEE?

You can live cheaper here and enjoy a bountiful natural paradise with ammenities minutes away!

Did you know that Cookeville Tennessee is ranked in the Top 5 areas to live in the United States?

The Upper Cumberland area of Tennessee is well noted for its serene and natural beauty that comes with rolling hills, vast bluff views, abundant wildlife, State parks, amazing lakes for recreation, colorful and breathtaking Spring and Fall Seasons, mild climate,etc. But did you know what else?

Tennessee is also attractive for its Low Property Taxes! and No State Income Tax! Yes, you get all the beauty and easy living in this great State!

Kay Bennett is your best Real Estate Professional. Formerly a native of Texas, Kay has had the experience of "moving" here from out of state. She always makes certain that care and support is given to her clients to assist them in a positive and exciting move. Kay is a multi-million dollar producer, and a member of the NAR (National Association of Realtors), TAR, Tennessee Association of Realtors,KAAR (Knoxville Area Association of Realtors) and UCAR (Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors)

If you are looking for a Realtor that will work for you, listen to you and be fully committed to your needs, then you have found the right person.

Selling your home?

If you are looking to sell, Kay's marketing plan will lead you to a successful and profitable sale with less stress for you. Kay will feature it on her Virtual Tours, and market your property extensively via Internet and local circulation. Also, Kay is networked with two area Multiple Listing Services, the Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors, and the Knoxville Association of Realtors. Your listing exposure more than doubles with me as your agent!

Buying?

If you are looking to buy, Kay will help you find a home to fit your budget and criteria. Kay will take special care in making your home buying experience as knowledgeable and exciting as it should be with as less stress as possible. With access to both Multiple Listing Services, she can find you homes in a wider region of this area in Tennessee and cover more possibilities in finding your perfect dream home! Kay will assist you in finding the right type of financing that you need and have the knowledge of first time buyer programs and resources for those who have special credit needs. In most cases, Kay can assist you in getting pre-approved for a loan in less than 24 hours

Let Kay Bennett take care of your Real Estate needs, and put her expertise to work for you TODAY!

Thank you,

Areas of Expertise

Kay specializes in:

Area: The Upper Cumberland area to include: Putnam, White, Clay, Overton, Cumberland, Jackson, and Van Buren Counties. My extensive daily research for the markets in these areas will assure you that my knowledge and expertise will make your Real Estate transaction worth while.

Land - Lots, Areage tracts, Farms, Ranches

Homes - Single Family Homes, Multi-Family Homes, Luxury Homes, Town Homes, New Construction, Log Homes

Styles - Cape Cod, Ranch, Colonial, Contemporary, Log Homes

Commercial Business - Relocation, industry research, CMA (Would you like to transfer your business/industry to Cookeville? Ask me to help you get started.)

First Time Buyer? - Kay can assist you with special programs and incentives to make your home buying experience a very affordable and profitable one. Just give me an email to receive free tips and information to get you started in owning your first home!

I am your Relocation expert. I provide links in extensive searches for homes, business, jobs, etc. Making an easy transistion for you is my top priorty!