Mimi Helms Naperville Real Estate

Looking for Oktoberfest? This year the Rotary Club of Naperville is starting a new tradition. "SOUPS ON" This event is a fundraiser to benefit three local charities Loaves and Fishes, Hesed House, and DuPage PADS. It is being held Saturday Oct 19, from 11:30am-6pm, at the Tellabs Atrium at 1415 West Diehl Rd (corner of Diehl and Raymond in Naperville).

This event features two live bluegrass bands-Grasstowne and Wildfire, children's activities sponsored by the DuPage children's museum, silent auction, and of course SOUP (really soup, chili, stew, bread and deserts too)

Tickets are available at the door:

adults $40

children 6-18 $10

children under 6 free

So take your family out and enjoy!

For more info go to www.soupsonrotary.com

Now that you've had a chance to take care of those outside "chores", or at least assigned them to the appropriate people, let's move inside and see what needs to be done there.

Furnace-before you need to fire it up for the winter, have it cleaned and "tuned up". Once that's taken care of be sure to change your furnace filters monthly. This helps your furnace run more efficiently.

Smoke detectors/Carbon Monoxide detectors-first of all make sure you have both of them! The "fall back" time change provides a good reminder to check their batteries and make sure they're working properly.

Fire extinguishers-make sure you have one, especially in the kitchen. If you've had one for awhile you should probably just replace it. They're usually good for 10 years, but who wants to find out it's expired when you need to put out that inferno raging on the stove.

Windows-don't forget to replace your summer screens with your winter storm windows...unless of course you have those lovely thermal double pane windows...This is also a good time to check the window seals and caulk them if they're cracking or have gaps. This prevents that winter wind from whistling through your house!

To prevent freezing pipes-drain any pipes that run through an unheated area (like the garage, unheated porch, or crawlspace). If they're in use year round wrap them with foam insulation to prevent them from freezing.

Fireplace/Chimney-before you have that crackling fire to fight off the chill in the air, have your chimney professionally cleaned.

That should cover most of the main areas. Let me know if you have any tips you'd like to pass along, I'd be glad to post them as well!

Happy raking, Naperville leaf collection starts October 20 and runs through November 26. To participate rake your leaves into the street, next to the curb, (avoiding the storm drains of course) at the beginning of each two week cycle Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 17. Your leaves will be gobbled up by city crews once every two weeks. Remember leaves only...we wouldn't want to damage those cool leaf eating machines. For more info visit www.naperville.il.us/leafcollection.aspx

Ah the leaves are changing, the weather is cooling off, it looks like fall is officially here. Now is a great time to do those outdoor "winterizing" chores and enjoy the nice fall weather. These are easy things to do that will save you time and money later. Of course over the years, I've learned some of these things through first hand experience...the hard way.

In the YARD- Trim those trees away from the house and wires, this helps prevent damage from falling branches and keeps bugs and animals away from the house. Fall is a great time for planting, plant those spring bulbs now! Move wood piles away from the house to prevent bugs. Clean and store your garden tools. This includes the lawn mower-drain out the gasoline before you put your mower away for the winter.

Clean out those Gutters- get rid of all those beautiful fallen leaves, then run water through the gutter to make sure they're not clogged. This is much easier to do in the fall, then it is to get up on your ladder in the middle of January.

Lawn Furniture- This sounds like common sense, but sometimes after a busy fall I've looked outside after the first snow to see my lawn furniture still out and uncovered. Also be sure to empty your favorite planters, especially those made of clay/ceramic, and store them inside so they don't crack or break.

Roof- Replace missing or loose shingles to prevent leaks.

Air conditioner- you can purchase a cover for your AC unit-similar to a vinyl grill cover, to protect it from the elements. This can be put on after you're done using your AC unit for the summer. Also be sure to clean the condenser and filters-shop vac works well. Make sure the condensate drain is clear as well.

Water systems-drain and disconnect your garden hoses, this prevents freezing pipes and/or faucets, even if faucet is in the garage! Underground sprinkler systems are fabulous, but they need maintenance too, be sure to drain them as well.

Feel free to print this out as a honey do list, coming soon indoor preparations for winter.

Remember a little home maintenance goes a long way towards preventing larger problems.

I almost forgot to mention, this weekend is also the Downtown Naperville Fall Open House Weekend. Many of these luxury homes are within walking distance from downtown Naperville. So after you check out the Fine Arts Festival, look for the open house signs and see what it could be like to live near the restaurants, shopping and riverwalk in that is the heart of downtown Naperville.

Open house hours today, Sunday from 1-7pm.

For a list of homes check out www.livedowntownaperville.com, then click on fall open house, on the fall open house page click map for this weekend's featured homes.

Whether you're looking to purchase a home or looking for the latest in flooring, decorating, and interior design, get out and check out these open houses.

As Ivan dumped buckets of rain last weekend, leaving behind many with flooded basements, I am reminded of the awesome power of mother nature. It makes me appreciate the Midwest and the changing seasons, which allow us to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Speaking of outdoor activities, this weekend, checkout the Riverwalk Fine Arts Fair, held along the Naperville river walk, beginning at the corner of Jackson and Main. This event is free and sponsored by the Naperville Art League. It will be held Saturday, Sept 20, and Sunday, Sept 21. The hours are 10am-5pm both days.

The fair features many different artists exhibiting paintings, sculptures, jewelry and fabric art. This is the 23rd annual Riverwalk Fine Art Fair which mixes returning favorite exhibitors with some new faces. So get outside and enjoy downtown Naperville and the beautiful fall weather.