Elizabeth Ramsey Cooper-Golden

Since moving to Madison Alabama, I have been searching high and low for a good family restaurant. I finally found it. Iveys Restaurant was so darn good! Good old home cooking. A "Meat and 3", as I like to call it. The way I define "good old home cooking" is "Clog your arteries" good. "Guaranteed triple bypass if you eat there too much" good. Let's face it. Good Southern food is by all accounts just not that healthy but it's my favorite:) Iveys DOES have plenty of healthy choices, I just prefer the less than healthy myself.

Our family went to breakfast at Iveys this past Saturday and it couldn't have been better. I had a Ham and Cheese Omelet, which came with grits and a biscuit. My omelet was loaded with ham. I mean LOADED! (There went one artery) The biscuits were light, flaky and tender. The grits were lumpy, but they were great also. Delicious grits...I don't know how they pulled that one off:)

Tim, my husband, had 3 eggs, bacon and their home fries. Again, all were delicious! Nice crispy bacon, just the way he likes it. I was also very busy eye-balling everyone else's plates as they were eating. Iveys knows how to throw down some seriously good breakfast, it appears to me!

We were greeted with a big smile, seated immediately and the wonderful service continued until we walked out the door. We sat in the solarium area and enjoyed it. The staff was GREAT.

The menu looks yummy, with daily specials for lunch and dinner. I can't wait to try a few of these: Fried Chicken, Meat Loaf, Chicken and Dumplings. Some of the vegetable choices are: Fried okra, Northern Beans, Turnip Greens, Mac & Cheese and Spiced Apples....good ole' Southern cooking! (And these are just a FEW of the many choices).

We have found our new comfort food favorite in Iveys Restaurant. This is just the beginning for us!

Iveys Restaurant is open Monday through Saturday. Saturday is "Breakfast Only" from 7 am til 1 pm.

Iveys is located at 101 Ivory Place, Madison Alabama (It's really Wall Triana, right off of Hwy 20) 256-461-8450

Search for homes in Huntsville Alabama here.

Given the recent upheaval in the financial system many Huntsville First Time Home Buyers may feel they have been shut out of the market. In today's Real Estate Market the first step of any potential home buyer must be to get pre-qualified for a mortgage.

With a $7500 tax credit available to first time home buyers, now is the time to move forward! Read all about it: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/ I have been told you CAN write it off this year, if you purchase a home before you file your 2008 tax returns. Exciting news!

The first of the year is a very good time to begin this process because assistance programs have been funded. The winter months are generally the slow home selling season with inventory and prices often at their best levels of the year. So don't count yourself out of the current market until you've done your homework and moreover we would be glad to assist you in the Mortgage Pre-Qualification endeavor! Just drop us an email and we'll get things rolling.

By far the largest obstacle for Huntsville First Time Home Buyers is the required down payment but there are options:

The Alabama Housing Finance Authority's (AHFA) First Step program is one option designed especially for low and moderate income home buyers.

• First time home buyer is defined by the IRS as not owning a home for the last 3 years (If your name is on the deed, you own it, regardless of the loan).
• 100% down payment financing is offered at lower than market rates
• The 1st and 2nd mortgages are blended so there is only a single monthly payment
• Income and purchase price restrictions do apply

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is another option:

• As of January 1, 2009 the buyer is required to provide a minimum of 3.5% down
• The down payment may be gifted from friends, family, and charitable organizations
• The seller may not provided any gifted funds for down payment purposes
• The down payment may not be borrowed
• The seller can provide assistance with closing costs and fees

While FHA requirements have stiffened for 2009 there is also a new First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit available that should not be overlooked:

• Tax credit of 10% of the purchase price up to $7,500
• The purchase must close on or before July 1, 2009
• The tax credit is an interest free loan that must be paid back over 15 years
• Re-payments begin with your 2010 tax return
• The money can be used for any purpose: pay down debt, fix up your home, etc.
• Income restrictions do apply $75-$95k for singles $150k-$170k for joint filers
• The funds can not come from tax exempt bonds such as the AHFA program

Huntsville Homes - For First Time Buyers

I know the thought of buying your first home can be very daunting. Together, we will breeze right through!

Harrison Brothers Hardware in Huntsville Alabama is a true must see destination!  I had my first visit last week and was in awe.    

Harrison Brothers Hardware is Huntsville's oldest operating hardware store, founded in 1879 by brothers James and Daniel Harrison.  Following the death of the last Harrison (Daniels son John)  in 1983, the Historic Huntsville Foundation purchased the property to carry on the tradition.  They have done a fabulous job of preserving the store!

When I first stepped in to Harrison Brothers Hardware, I immediately took in the smells of the old hardwood flooring, enjoying the sounds of the squeaking floors.

  Harrison Brothers Hardware is ran by all volunteers.  Cliff, one of the 25 volunteers,  was on duty that day and  happily took the time to show me so many details I would have never noticed. Cliff has been volunteering his time at Harrison Brothers Hardware since 1991. 

                                        Meet Cliff.  What an awesome volunteer!

From nails to cast iron skillets, you will find a bit of everything.  They even sell marbles!  You will find the store FULL of things, stocked from floor to ceiling, literally.  I found a beautiful crisp linen hand towel for myself.  There are gorgeous old rolling ladders that reach to the ceiling for the goods nestled up high and a functioning rope elevator that is hand operated. 

Harrison Brothers Hardware was a great way to spend my afternoon. Much thanks to Cliff for making it even more enjoyable by giving me such a wonderful tour! Take the family and experience it for yourself.  (There is a toy section also:)

                                                This is the working Elevator!

                                                           Need Marbles? 

The old scale.  They still use it!

Harrison Brothers is open Weekdays from 9-5 and Saturdays 10-4.  They are located at 124 South Side Square, in downtown Huntsville.  They are located directly across the street from the Courthouse.  You can reach them by calling 256-536-3631.

Homes in Huntsville Alabama

The City of Madison Alabama unveils the new "Access Madison" Initiative. Mayor Paul Finley and members of the Madison City Council are gearing up for Access Madison. The new initiative is designed to improve communication, increase accessibility and encourage proactive interaction between Madison residents and our city leadership. We all heard promises during the election last year about "bringing our city government closer to the people it serves". Well, the promise has been kept!

Mayor Finley believes that by involving members of our fine community in our city government, the stronger and more effective our city will be. That makes perfect sense to me.

Several component will be a part of Access Madison and these are a few of the components to kick it off:

Madison City Website, www.madisonal.gov -The city website will be redesigned and upgraded, allowing residents and visitors one-click access to city information. They will feature email updates for community news and events, road closures and much more.

Monthly Community Forums- Starting February 6th, Mayor Paul Finley will host monthly open community forums. Each month will feature info on the services of a different city department. The department head will be in attendance for question and answer sessions. The times will be rotated monthly to accommodate everyone. Breakfast meetings one month, lunch the next, etc.

Individual Meetings with the Mayor-Beginning January 20th, any city resident can set up a personal 30 minute meeting with the Mayor, to discuss any issues, concerns or ideas to improve the quality of life and city services improvements. The Mayor will designate 2 hours, twice a month. These spots are on a first come first serve basis, so call early to reserve your appointment. The Mayors office number is 256-772-5603.

Mayor Finley has stated that these steps of Access Madison are just the beginning. He feels it is important for our citizens to be informed AND involved.

This is our opportunity to become a true part of our community. I personally am so excited about the new leadership here in Madison Alabama and look forward to becoming more involved with my community!

For more information on Access Madison, contact the Mayor's office or email at mayors.office@madisonal.gov

The 2009 Community Meeting Schedule is as follows:

Breakfast meetings will be held from 7:00 am to 7:45 am and will be held at Ivey's Restaurant. The dates are: March 6, May 1, July 10, September 11 and November 13. Ivey's is located at 101 Ivory Pl
Ivey's is located at 101 Ivory Pl Madison, AL 35758 (256) 461-8450‎

Luncheon meetings will be held from 11:30 to 12:15 and will be held at Oh Bryan's Family Steak House. The dates are: February 6, April 10, June 5, August 7, October 16 and December 11th. Oh Bryans is located on Brownsferry Road: 100 Plaza Blvd, Madison, AL‎ - (256) 325-8646‎

Huntsville Alabama Homes

Madison Alabama gals, let's learn to kick some butt! The Madison Alabama Police Department is now offering Rape Aggression Defense Systems Physical Defense Courses. They will be offering 2 classes in the spring and 2 in the fall. The spring class dates are March 9-13 and April 13-17th.

The classes are FREE! They are limited to only 20 participants so be sure to sign up quickly if you are interested. This would be a great class to bring your teen daughter. Minimum age is 12. Classes are held 5 nights, Monday-Friday and will last approximately one hour each night. This year they will be offering an additional night of advanced training.

Of course, appropriate attire is required. Tennis shoes and athletic attire are probably your best bet and all class material will be provided by the instructor.

For registration or further information, please contact Investigator Christie Gover at 256-772-5618. She is a certified RAD Instructor!

So come on ladies, let's learn how to kick some butt, if needed of course :) Thanks to the Madison Alabama Police Department for caring enough to give us the tools to keep us safe.

Huntsville Alabama Homes