About Boone County, MO

Most Columbia residents know that the Columbia Missouri Humane Society is excited to have won Phase 1 of the ZooToo.com Million Dollar Shelter Makeover. So, Phase 2 here we come!

On Thursday, March 19 the Zootoo.com founder and CEO will be in Columbia to interview the CMHS staff and visit the shelter. ZooToo.com representatives will be visiting the 20 shelters that moved onto Phase 2 to interview staff and visit the shelter. On April 7, Zootoo will choose 10 of the 20 shelters to move on to Phase 3 to win the million dollar makeover.

Community support is an important part of Phase 2 and can influence the decision on the shelters that will move forward to Phase 3.

From the news release:

Community support is an essential part of Phase II," said Patty Forister, CMHS Executive Director. "They need assurance that the public will help us through such a large renovation project." The CMHS would like for the community to show their support again by wearing blue. The White Knight trolley will take Thompson through town via Hwy. 63 N. to Broadway to Providence Rd. to Vandiver Dr. to Rangeline Rd. to Big Bear Blvd. People are encouraged to stage themselves along Broadway or join the welcoming committee at the shelter at 10:45 a.m. to wait their arrival.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for CMHS and the community," said Maria Furey, President of the CMHS Board of Directors. "Bring your posters and wear blue and help us get to that next phase."

Remember to thank Columbia Catholic School students, Libby Burks and Amanda Huhman, who brought the zootoo.com contest to the publics attention. Way to go Libby and Amanda!

The Mud Room is a place to explore your creative side while painting decorative and functional ceramics. A special place for the kids to paint a master piece and for ladies to enjoy a Moms night out. An experience for the whole family! Our favorite anniversary presents for grandparents are platters with the kids handprints. The Mud Room staff are excellent at helping get that perfect handprint with a "tickle" of paint on hands.

Columbia public schools will be on Spring Break next week and the Mudroom is offering the following Spring Break specials.

Spring Break- March 23-29, 2009

Open Monday, March 23 from 10:00 - 5:00 pm

Regular Hours March 24-29

50% off Kids' studio fees - Monday, March 23 - Friday, March 27
$2.00 Studio Fee 12 years & under
$3.50 Studio Fee 12 -18 year olds

Get creative and make some memories!

I ran across some information on the University of Missouri Extension website tonight that I wanted to share.

The MU student chapter of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) will host a fundraiser this spring. The annual Rent-a-Forester fundraiser. Approximately 17 University of Missouri forestry students are available on a first come, first serve basis to help trim shrubs and trees.

Their goal is to raise $2,500 to cover the expense of attending the 2009 national SAF convention this fall in Orlando, Florida.

The held this fundraiser last year as well and their time slots filled up fast so ontact members of the chapter for more information!

For more information, contact one of the following chapter officers: Dave Haberl, president, at djhwv9@mizzou.edu; Shane Botard, vice president, at sabn8c@mizzou.edu; or Ashley Owens, secretary, at amowwd@mizzou.edu.

What a clever and unique way to use their skills to earn the money they need to attend this convention!

Mid-Missouri Home and Garden Show in Columbia, Missouri

February 28 - March 1

They are predicting snow this weekend so why not spend a family afternoon at the Hearnes Center at the annual Mid-Missouri Home and Garden show. I enjoy visiting with the different businesses and community groups. My children enjoy the large amount of free marketing materials they get to pick up. Boone Electric is usually there and each year they give away tree seedlings. We have several planted in the backyard and they are doing great!

The show also features Jim Parks, host of HGTV's "New Spaces" on the expo stage.

The show is set in the Hearnes Center Field house located on the campus of the University of Missouri- Columbia. The hours of the event will be from 2 to 8 pm Friday, 10 am - 8:00 pm Saturday, and 10 am - 4:00 pm Sunday. Admission is $5 per person or free for children younger than 12. Parking is available on the east side of the Hearnes Center.

I went on a listing interview yesterday. Like always, there was a lot of research that went into pricing and sales data before I went. Once I had prepared, I was really happy with what I found. This particular home was in the $130,00-140,000 price range. For the previous month, only 5 homes in this price range sold and closed. The good news is 15 homes in this price range are under contract and getting ready to close. This means the days on the market is reducing from a 10 month supply of homes to a 3 month supply of homes. Even though it's only February, if you're thinking of selling a home in the $130,000s price range, now is the time to act.

Showing activity is way up too. We have had days of 60 showings just like the summer. The loan programs and rates are attracting buyers. It's a great time to act.