Margaret Goss, Realtor Winnetka & North Shore Real Estate

Finally! I was so pleased to hear that the Village of Winnetka is now accepting all that little junk that we don't know what to do with. We know we shouldn't throw that stuff in the garbage - so we stick it in a drawer or box and years later, it's still there.

What stuff am I talking about? Used cell phones, digital cameras, DVD's, game consoles, ink cartridges, and laptop computers. The Village now accepts these items for recycling through an accredited recycling company. These items can contain compounds that are harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly.

The Village of Winnetka has partnered with Recycling Avenue who has contracted with Avenues to Independence in Wheeling which is run by (and for) people who are physically and developmentally challenged. You can find out more about them at Avenues to Independence.

These small electronics can be dropped of at the Village during normal working hours: M-F 8:30-5:00 and Saturday from 8:30 until noon. These donations are tax deductible to boot!

Do not bring: large items such as printers, monitors, toner cartridges, desktop computers, TVs, VCRs or stereos.

Several weeks ago I wrote a post about the possibility of Townley Field in Kenilworth being replaced by artificial turf (see Townley Field in Kenilworth Going" Ungreen"?)

The question was put to rest on Election Day when 81% of voters decided not to opt for artificial turf, even if private donations were used to purchase and install it. But . . . voters also defeated a proposal to re-sod the park and increase taxes to pay for it.

Kenilworth Park Board President Thomas Feeney has said that the village is consulting with the Chicago Bear's groundskeeper for ideas on how to improve the drainage and maintain the field. And keep within a budget that will draw on a $415,000 reserve plus additional private donations.

The Village plans to begin work on the field after the Kenilworth/Winnetka baseball and Little Springs Camp ends for the season, sometime at the end of July.

From the look of the field on a recent rainy day when soccer was in full swing, there's a lot of work to be done. Townley Field is the workhorse of Sears School and the Kenilworth Park District, hosting all types of sports events as well as picnics, fairs, games, and parties. I'm sure parents are looking forward to a newly sodded and better drained venue.

Soccer game on Saturday, April 25.

I'm still wondering where all you buyers are. . . a few of you have stepped up and bought a home, taking advantage of the large inventory and deflated prices. The majority of homes on the North Shore (Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, and Glencoe) are competitively priced to sell with new listings coming on the market everyday. Good prices, lots to choose from - who can argue with that?

Here are recent sales for the month of March:

Kenilworth - no closed sales (currently 58 single family homes for sale)

Winnetka - 8 closed sales (currently 214 single family homes for sale)

1. 861 Foxdale $637,500
2. 1271 Asbury $892,250
3. 645 Maple $1,485,000 (torn down)
4. 1189 Oakley $1,550,000
5. 100 Longmeadow $2,650,000
6. 675 Locust $3,150,000
7. 700 Ardsley $4,050,000
8. 919 Hill $6,200,000

Good news for upper end listings with 6 of the 8 sales over $1,400,000!

Wilmette - 12 Closed sales (currently 232 single family homes for sale)

1. 440 Prairie $275,000
2. 430 Pine Manor $310,000
3. 900 Pawnee $389,000
4. 407 Sandy $500,000
5. 2534 Wilmette $505,000
6. 3018 Hill $700,000
7. 935 Oakwood $775,000
8. 1937 Chestnut $825,000
9. 2201 Elmwood $890,000
10. 2132 Beechwood $950,000
11. 2707 Hawthorn $1,160,000
12. 904 Osage $1,782,500

Glencoe - 5 Closed Sales (currently 132 single family homes for sale)

1. 986 Skokie Ridge $570,000
2. 574 Drexel $662,500
3. 1087 Oak Ridge $989,000
4. 439 Park $1,075,000
5. 704 Chestnut $1,130,000

OK, so it was a slow start to the Spring market. Cold and nasty weather has kept us all indoors way beyond what feels good and I think the sales volume above reflects that. I keep repeating this: if you have job security right now, then this is the time to buy a new house. Yes, you will sell for less, but as a move up buyer you will buy at prices not seen since the turn of the century (I've been dying to use that term!) Sellers are ready to talk to you more than ever before.

Call me to get information about more great deals. I know of several: more than several actually.

A lot has happened since April 22, 1970. That was the first time a day of awareness was dedicated to our small pebble, the Earth. I try to live my life as sustainably as possible and set an example for others who struggle with this idea. But why is it a struggle?

It's so much easier to live the "throw it away" lifestyle. It amazes me that people still throw glass bottles or old newspapers in the garbage. I know some municipalities don't have recycling, but here in Winnetka, we do, but yet not everybody cares enough to do it. It's all about living with a small footprint - an image that I just love. There are so many of us that I think tiny footprints would be a good thing.

Here's a few things you can do this Wednesday, April 22, 2009 to celebrate Earth Day:

• Buy the best canvas shopping bags at: Canvas Bags or purchase reusable bags when you shop at Grand Foods in Winnetka
• Purchase earth friendly products from: Earth Friendly Products or buy these products directly at Grand Foods in Winnetka and Whole Foods in Glenview
• Make recycled craft projects with your children: Craft Projects
• Watch "Garbage Moguls" airing on Earth Day on National Geographic at 8 pm Central Time
• Learn how to keep your grass green and healthy without chemicals: Easy Organic Lawn Care
• Reduce your use of plastics: Reducing Plastic Use
• Learn about additives and chemicals to avoid in your personal care products: The Dirty Dozen
• Just because we have beautiful Lake Michigan at our doorstep doesn't mean the water supply is endless. Try turning off shower water when soaping up or shampooing.
• Try compositing - it's easy and fun. A Google search for them will bring up dozes of sites and it's a great learning experience for children.
• Ditch the plastic water bottles forever - get a water purifier instead.
• Pick up plastic bags stuck in trees and blowing across streets.

The environment is everyone's responsibility - it's not fair to assume someone else will take care of it. These are just baby steps that all of us could embrace with little difficulty. Celebrate Earth Day by reusing, reducing, and recycling!

Winnetka recently rolled out a great tool for homeowners and prospective buyers. This new internet mapping services allows users to access information for specific addresses, and provides facts on school districts, recycling day pickups. voting districts, and taxes.

Here's a screen shot of what it looks like. When you enter an address, the house will appear in the map with a small red dot and a menu appears with 5 options:

• Property Summary
• Measure Distance
• Measure Area
• Go to Microsoft Live Search Bird's Eye View
• Go to Google Maps Street View

If you click on Property Summary, you'll get detailed information on schools, congressional and house districts, zoning, floodplain, etc.

I found that the Measure Distance option did not work very well and needs some fine tuning.

However, the Measure Area worked well and will enable you to approximate the square footage or acreage of any property.

The last two options, Microsoft Live and Google Maps also worked well and gives a great shot either way you choose.

One thing I did notice, however, is that everytime a user wants to click on a different option, you have to start from the beginning and reclick the original link. Again, some fine tuning will improve this site tremendously.

Here's the link - bookmark it and keep it for a reference.

Winnetka Interactive Mapping