Lorrie Semler, Addison Real Estate Specialist

Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Midway Meadows National Night Out has been postponed. Originally scheduled for Tuesday evening, October 13th, 2009, the new date is the following week: Tuesday, October 20th.

Need a Night Out? Sure you do! And that night should now be Tuesday, October 20th. Save the date!

National Night Out brings neighorhoods together to fight crime and increase communiity awareness through police-community partnerships. It is celebrating its 26th anniversary this year.

In conjunction with National Night Out, the Midway Meadows subdivision in Addison Texas is having a neighborhood get-together at Dome Park (corner of Dome and Sherlock) from 6:30-7:30 pm. Come meet your neighbors, visit with the police and fire fighters, and enjoy cookies and camaraderie.

If you live on any of the following streets in Addison, you're in Midway Meadows:

• Le Grande
• Winter Park
• Pokolodi
• Leadville
• Rush
• Sherlock
• Bobbin
• Dome

If you don't live in Midway Meadows in Addison, Texas but would like to, call me to find you your Addison home!

Beyond the Gray Door: Identity Theft Deterrent

Is your mail secure when it's in your mailbox? Mine wasn't. But it is now. Over the weekend, I had a residential mailbox locking system installed.

Harry Kalenberg of Plano, Texas, invented a mechanism to deter thieves from stealing mail from your mailbox. The device fits inside standard mailboxes. There is a slot so the mail carrier can insert the mail, but a key is required to open the device to remove the mail. Harry not only invented the device, but he makes, markets, and even installs them himself.

If you're interested in getting a Gray Door insert for your mailbox (they also come in a square shape), contact Harry at 800-680-7350. His website is www.mailboxsafety.com. The cost, installation and tax included, is $75. Peace of mind: priceless.

For those outside the Dallas/Fort Worth area, see Harry's website for information on how you can get a Gray Door, too.

SELLERS: Is your AGENT making it difficult to show your property?

I tried to set up a showing this morning. Rather than using a showing service, the listing agent has his number as the contact point for scheduling appointments. He did answer when I called, but we got, um, disconnected (he hung up on me?). Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I hit redial. It rang and rang and rang, then the call went to voice mail. He has not called back.

If you want your house SOLD, make it easy on the buyer agents who want to show your property. Most agents here in the North Texas area use Centralized Showing Service (CSS). Buyer agents can either call in to CSS to schedule appointments, or can set them up through the CSS website. You, the seller (through your agent), can control whether you'd like a courtesy call to let you know someone is coming, or you can confirm or reject appointments.

Sometimes you, the seller, make it challenging for us to show your house. But it is unacceptable when your listing agent makes it impossible to do so.

Addison Pacesetters Learn About The Vitruvian Park Development at Dunn Bros. Coffeehouse

Addison Pacesetters (the 50+ group) meet the first Wednesday of each month at Dunn Bros. Coffeehouse on Beltline Road and learn about the Town of Addison. This month, Carmen Moran, the Director of Development Services,spoke to us.

Here are some interesting tidbits from her presentation:

• Carmen has worked for the Town of Addison for almost 26 years. she is a landscape architect by training and now is an urban planner.
• The area where Vitruvian Park is being constructed was first built out in the 1970s with apartments that were meant to last 15-20 years.
• Tom Lamberth and UDR purchased the 9 apartment complexes up and down Brookhaven Club Drive in Addison with the intent to "re-develop" the area. It is being rebranded as Vitruvian Park.
• Addison Circle was raw land when it was built and was "developed" rather than "re-developed."
• The concept of Vitruvian Park will be like what "The Village" off of Central Expressway was in the 1980s.
• There will be extended jogging paths, public spaces, bridges, creeks, and parks on both sides of the Farmers branch of the Trinity River that runs through the area. The development will connect to the current Tom Thumb shopping center location.
• UDR owns all properties up and down Brookhaven Club Drive in Addison, with the exception of the 39 townhouses at the west end of the street, and at the north end, all but the convenience store strip and the Lemons building at the Spring Valley intersection.
• Phase 1A will have 663 apartments and they are now pre-leasing.
• Addison has a $39 Million committment and is levering the investment. UDR's committment is $1 Billion. Addison did not provide tax abatements.
• For the Addison Circle project, the town committed $11 Million and private investment totaled $340 Million.
• If UDR had taken this project to Dallas instead of Addison, it would have been a 5 year process just to get started. They chose Addison because of the "can-do" attitude.
• There will be 99 acres of residential and public areas and 20 acres of shopping.
• The build out will take 15-20 years and Addison's monetary committment will also be spread out over this timeframe.

For more information on Vitruvian Park, watch the video.

Next month, the first Wednesday is November 4th. Come out and join the Addison Pacesetters at Dunn Bros.

Addison's Nara Pizza & Oven Now Open

Looking for a great lunch deal in Addison, Texas? Try Nara Pizza & Oven, 3716 Belt Line Road (east of Marsh Lane). They have a lunch special: a slice and a drink for $3 or 2 slices and a drink for $5.

Besides pizza (thin crust), they have salads, sandwiches, calzones and stromboli. If you don't like their soft drink selection, then BYOB.

Hours of operation are Sunday - Thursday, from 11 am - 10 pm and Friday - Saturday, from 11 am - 11 pm. Phone in your to go order to 972-488-FOOD, ask for delivery, or dine in. Nara also does catering.

Their website isn't up as of this post, but when it is done, check them out at www.NaraPizza.com.