Marla Schneider - Move with Marla

Abraham Lincoln, one of Illinois' most famous favorite sons, was born on February, 12, 1809, making this year the 200th anniversary of his birth. Although Abe was born in Kentucky and grew up in Indiana, he spent most of his adult life in Illinois. He was especially fond of Springfield, of which he said. "To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe every thing. Here I have lived for a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man."

Both because of his personal contributions to the nation and the continual relevance of the battles he waged for race and civil rights, Lincoln's bicentennial has been observed all around the country. Right here on the North Shore, gala celebrations of his life have been underway all summer.

To join in the Lincoln celebrations and see where he actually lived and worked, take a day or two and travel to Springfield, Illinois. While in Springfield, visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum where modern technology allows modern-day visitors to feel as if they've really stepped back into the days of Lincoln. Just across the street is the Presidential Library which houses over 12 million Lincoln documents, books and objects including letters, manuscripts, photos and family albums.

Nearby is the Old State Capitol State Historic Site which is an exact replica of the courthouse as it was in the days when Lincoln practiced law inside its walls. Several original pieces of furniture and other artifacts are in the Old State Capitol.

Across the street is one of the buildings that housed Lincoln's law practice during his lifetime. This particular building is one he moved his practice into in 1843. His partner, William Herndon, joined him in 1844, and their law offices remained in business here until a move to another building in 1852. The offices are set up as they were in the time of Lincoln and Herndon, so that visitors can get a feeling for what a law office in the mid-1800s was really like.

Springfield is also home to the Oak Ridge Cemetery where the Lincoln family tomb is located. Abraham, his wife Mary, and all their children except Robert, who is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, are interred here.

Many important Lincoln sites are included in the Springfield Hub Tour, but you can "look for Lincoln" from other starting points as well. Check out Bloomington Hub Tour, the Charleston Hub Tour, or the Decatur Hub Tour. For more events, Lincoln information, and projects your kids can do to learn about this great former president, check the Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial website. You can even order Lincoln memorabilia or your own holiday ornament right from the site.

Make some plans now to get to know the area better and enjoy some of the great things that go on around Wilmette, Glenview, and Northbrook all year long. It's exciting to live in a place like this, where exciting activities, great shopping, and fine dining are available year round.

Planning a move to the area? Contact the Marla Schneider Team for help in finding that perfect home. Marla has lots of homes she can show you, one of which is probably perfect for you and your family.

Wilmette's School District 39 has come to the conclusion that the Wilmette Junior High School located at 620 Locust Road in Wilmette, is in need of some renovations. A recent study determined that the Junior High School's science labs, described as "classrooms with sinks", are totally inadequate to allow students to study today's hot topics such as pollution.

Not wanting to use more taxpayer dollars, the school district is hoping to be able to raise money from private donations and government sources for the multi-million dollar project. Applications have already been made for state funds which have been set up for school construction projects. District 39 may also be able to qualify for certain energy grants and stimulus money.

Currently, the School Board is thinking of removing a building that houses the library media resources and replacing it with a new two-story building that would include eight science classrooms with labs and a Learning Resource Center.

Encouraging their young people and giving them adequate tools for their education is a big concern for Wilmette and surrounding areas. District 39, along with other school districts in the area, are getting the ball rolling to be sure kids in Wilmette and Glenview get the great educations they deserve.

Wouldn't you like to live in a neighborhood where schools are up-to-date with the latest teaching innovations and where funding is creatively obtained in ways other than higher taxes? Visit the Marla Schneider Team and see some of the beautiful homes available in the areas of Glenview, Wilmette, Northbrook and the North Shore. Marla and her associates can help you find the perfect home for you and your family.

Today's post is the beginning of a series of tips and tricks to get your home ready to go on the market. Our first tip is about remodeling the bathroom - one of the more cost-effective upgrades you can make in terms of getting your money back at resale.

While it will probably cost around $10,500 to replace the tub and the surrounding tile, the toilet, the floor, and the vanity with its sink(s) and fixtures, you may be able to get by without spending quite this much.

If you do wind up adding a new toilet or tub, buy them in white as this allows the new homeowner more decorating leeway in the years ahead. Plus, white fixtures are usually less expensive, always a good thing to consider.

If your tub is full of chips, has lost its color, or simply can't be removed because it's too big, consider spending $300 to $400 to get it re-glazed. It never has to leave the room, and it will gleam like new when it's finished. Replacing shower doors and faucets can give the bath a sparkling new look as well.

You can probably do any necessary caulking yourself as there are tools available nowadays to help put caulk on. Just be sure it doesn't get wet until it's had plenty of time to dry and set up. You might want to carefully fill the tub with water, however, to allow the caulking to stretch into place as it dries.

Making the walls look better is a huge improvement. New paint or wallpaper can give a small, dark bathroom an airy feel. Pick a color scheme and use coordinating colors for your walls, towels and accessories to tie the whole room together. If you're wallpapering, choose a wallpaper you like and look for accessories that feature items from the wallpaper design.

Even if you don't plan to replace the sink, you may want to think about putting in new, modern faucets. Nothing shines like a new faucet, plus it will work better too.

When deciding what upgrades to make to the bathroom, consider how much you can spend, how much of the work you can do yourself and how much you will have to hire out. Create a list of what simply must be done along with what will make it look better to buyers. Use this budget and list to come up with a plan for remodeling the bathroom. Most bathroom re-dos are recouped from a better sale price, but be realistic in your calculations too.

Keep an eye open in the weeks ahead for more tips on updating your home to get a better sales price.

For help in selling or buying a new home in Wilmette, Glenview, Northbrook or on Chicago's North Shore, talk to the Marla Schneider Team. Marla and her team have many resources to help you get your house ready to sell or find the perfect home for your family.

Want to live on the beach but don't want to buy ocean-front property? If you prefer life in the Chicago area, the best beaches you're likely to find are on beautiful Lake Michigan. Due to the poor economy there are more lakefront properties for sale now than is usually the case. Many boast their own private beaches, some have boat launches, and of course, access to the lake itself.

Since lending is tight, a buyer with cash-in-hand can easily pick up a historic landmark or a new home along Chicago's North Shore. There are listings available from $2.3 million up to $15 million and several in between in Glencoe, Highland Park, Winnetka, Lake Bluff, and Lake Forest. Even Wilmette has two beachfront listings; here you can get a four bedroom on an acre of land with a pool and its own beach for $5.3 million.

If you need more bedrooms, how about a 14-room house, including five bedrooms, great views of stunning Lake Michigan and a private sandy beach for $6.5 million.

Why limit your time at an urban beach to lunch time walks on the Oak Street Beach when you can own the view and the access? To see lakefront properties, or any other properties for sale in Glenview, Wilmette, Northbrook, or on Chicago's North Shore, visit our Move with Marla website and learn about the Marla Schneider Team. See what we can do for you in your search for a beautiful lake front home. Then give us a call and personally see what is available. You can live on the beach without living near the ocean.

It's almost time again for the Hair Cuttery Share A Haircut program. Take your kids into any Hair Cuttery and have their hair cut and a disadvantaged child in your community will get a free hair cut from the Hair Cuttery. This is the 10th Annual Share A Haircut event and in the past nine years, the 800 Hair Cuttery shops around the country have given away over 450,000 haircuts to underprivileged kids.

This year's program is running from August 1st through August 15th with free haircut coupons being given out via the local Social Services Agencies after August 15^th - just in time for everyone to get a haircut for starting back to school. Thanks to you and the Hair Cuttery, now all those back-to-schoolers can have a great new haircut and the confident feeling they'll get from looking good when they return to school.

The Hair Cuttery also supports "Locks of Love" which helps provide hairpieces to kids who have lost their natural hair because of genetic conditions or illness, the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and several other very worthwhile organizations, such as Buzzing4Change, Special Olympics, National Kidney Foundation, and the City of Hope.

If you'd like to participate in this year's Share A Haircut, there's a Hair Cuttery salon at the Shoppes of Heatherfield right in Glenview, plus another 42 shops in nearby suburbs and in Chicago. Times may vary but they're generally open seven days a week. See you there!!

It's great to see local businesses reach out to our larger community and provide a way for you to help while you are preparing your own kids for school. Want to hear more about other Glenview business with a heart? Meet the Marla Schneider Team. Marla and her associates can help you find the perfect neighborhood in Glenview, Wilmette, Northbrook or on the North Shore.