Columbia, MO

Friday, October 31 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

A fun night for the kids this Halloween. All activities are free and designed for kids in grade 6 and under. Bring your pirates, princesses and teddy bears for kid's games and goblin treats. Don't forget those trick or treat bags! My kids love this local event. They get to play games to win their prizes (treats) and it is very interactive!

Park and enter on the east side of the Hearnes Center. Plan to be there early if you have little ones and plan on waiting in line for a little bit for the doors to open. The decorations are fabulous and there are some great photo opportunities. Don't forget your camera!

The event is sponsored by the Columbia Parks & Rec, the ARC, Boone Hospital Center, ABC 17, Wal Mart, the Hearnes Center and Soft Rock 101.5 KPLA.

25th Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Show
Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Hearnes Center Fieldhouse

With over 300 artists, the largest craft show in Central Missouri is held each year at the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse on the campus of the University of Missouri- Columbia. It sneaks up on me every year but is well worth the visit. Many unique and handcrafted items start the holiday shopping season! There is always a line at "opening" time so you may want to arrive early and get near the front.

My advice, arrive early and make your way from the front to the back.

Strollers are hard to maneuver because there can be so many people. You may consider using a backpack carrier or sling for your child.

An admission fee is charged at $3.00 per adult, $1.00 for kids ages 6-12 and under 6 are free.

Enjoy!

I went to a great presentation this week given by Jeff McClellan of First National Bank here in Columbia, MO. He spoke a great deal regarding the national economy and the Columbia economy. As we know, the national news media reports about how terrible and devestating the real estate market it and that it has been the downfall of the financial markets. What we do know is that real estate is local, so yes, there are areas of this country that have been very very hard hit by the devaluation of homes and increased foreclosure rates.

So what is going on in the Columbia housing market? Well, regarding foreclosures... forclosures are up from last year by about 34%. Boy that sounds like a horrible number. But the foreclosure rate in Boone County is actually only about 1/2% of all homes, as opposed to 7% in Ft. Myers FL which reports one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. So that is great news actually. Only 1/2% of homes are in foreclosure. Though if you are looking for a market with great foreclosure deals Boone County may not be the one you want to try.

What is some other good information about the Columbia economy? The National unemployment rate for September stood at 6.1%, in Columbia we are at that highest rate in years -- Again sounds really bad doesn't it. That rate is about 3.5% nearly 1/2 of the national average. That's great.

Another bad/good number. Home sales in Boone County and in particular Columbia are down approximatley 20% from last year. Again, sounds bad. The good number -- Prices are actually INCREASING -- for example, Last September average sale price was 180,083, this year it was 198,813. Thats an increase on the average sale price of $18,000. The median sale price INCREASE approximately $17,000 from 153,500 to 170,000 this September.

All in all the Columbia housing market remains strong and stable. Are there homes that are overpriced, in foreclosure, up for short sales, are their motivated sellers, the answer to all those questions is yes. But in Columbia, most homes do end up going for about 97% of asking price. Interest rates today are the same as they were in Dec of 2007 and June 2006 so with the low interest rates still available today is a great day to buy.

Celebrate small town charm and perfect weather at the 35th Annual Hatton Craft Festival in Hatton, Missouri.

175+ exhibitors and artists craft festival with dolls, hand-painted chin, paintings, wooden toys, seasion items, local produce and many more. Free wagon rides and three buildings filled with crafts. Lunch will be served. Event sponsored by the Hatton Extenion Club.

A hearty welcome to Fall and only 30 minutes from Columbia! Perfect Day Trip!

The Quality of Calories
Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Diet, Exercise & Obesity

Gary Taube

Thursday, November 13, 2008
2:30 - 4:00 PM
Monsanto Auditorium, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

The Department of Nutritional Science and the Boone County Medical Society welcomes award winner Gary Taube to Columbia on Thursday, November 13 from 2:30 - 4:00 pm. He will discuss his controversial best seller, Good Calories, Bad Calories which argues that much of what we have been told about the relationship between body weight, diet and exercise is wrong.

This lecture is free and open to the public but seating is limited so you must pre-register at the link below.

Monstanto Auditorium is located in the Life Sciences Building on the MU Campus. As there is plenty of road construction on campus, I suggest you park in the visitor lot adjacent to the Virginia Avenue Parking Lot which is located east of University of Missouri Hospital on Virginia Ave and Hospital Drive

http://www.midmissourifamily.com/register_taubes.htm