Toni Bird

Next Tuesday, November 4^th is the Big Day. Election Day. No matter which of the 6 (yes 6) presidential candidates you want to see leading this great country, it is imperative that YOU go to cast your vote.

Every vote counts. I find it really irritating that the news channels will predict a winner with only 60, 50 sometimes 30% of the vote in. It makes you wonder if your vote even matters. But remember there were 5 big decisions made in this country by only one vote:

-made English the language of America instead of German (1776)
-approved American independence from England (1776)
-gave Thomas Jefferson the presidency (1800)
-admitted Texas (1845) and California (1850) into the Union

So yes, your vote IS important.

If you will not be in town on November 4^th, you can vote absentee. There are other reasons for voting absentee. Do any of these apply to you?

- You will be out of the county or the state, or the municipality for municipal elections, on election day.

- You have a physical illness or infirmity which prevents your attendance at the polls.

- You work a shift which has at least ten (10) hours that coincide with the polling hours at your regular polling place.

- You are enrolled as a student at an educational institution located outside the county of your personal residence, attendance at which prevents your attendance at the polls.

- You are a member of, or a spouse or dependent of a member of, the Armed Forces of the United States or are otherwise similarly qualified to vote absentee pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff.

- You have been appointed as an election officer at a polling place which is not your regular polling place.

You have until this Thursday (October 30^th) to apply for an absentee ballot. If you go to the office of your county's election manager (for a list click here), you can even go and vote right after you fill out the application.

I mentioned the presidential election, but there are other candidates and issues on the ballot as well. To see a copy of the ballot click here and look for the county in which you vote. Knowing what you will see in the voting booth will help you prepare for those important decisions.

If you see something on the ballot that you are not sure about, you don't have to vote for that item in order for your presidential vote to count. But, doing some research (and I don't mean believing outrageous e-mails or inflamatory TV commercials) and voting for the candidate you feel represents your views is what being an American is all about.

Don't forget to vote on November 4^th.

Most roofs come with a life expectancy - people say "this is a 30 year roof or a 20 year roof". That means you can expect the roof to start leaking by the time it hits that timeframe.

There are things that can cut the life of your roof, like having branches from trees lying on the roof (I don't think you should cut down the tree because the branches are touching it, just keep them trimmed back). Fungus can attack the roof (this is what makes the roof look stained). This staining can be cleaned off (it's not that expensive) and it extends the life of your roof. Storms can also cause the roof to fail before it comes to the end of its useful life. I see lots of roofs with missing shingles that have blown off in a storm and hail is hard on a roof.

When it is time to replace the roof, there are many options. Asphalt shingles are the most common here in Hoover, Alabama. Roofs can also be made of cedar shake, slate (which was common in Louisiana years ago) and metal.

If you want to "go green", consider a metal roof. They are long lasting, come in multiple colors and styles, help to deflect heat in the summer, are often made of recycled materials, and are recyclable. Asphalt shingles are short-lived, made of oil (here we go with petroleum again), are rarely recycled and give off toxic VOCs. If you have to go with asphalt shingles, make sure you choose a 50 year asphalt shingle that contains recycled materials.

People are wondering what they can do to help with global warming. We all have heard about the light bulbs, but every decision we make when we go to the store should be filtered through the question, is the best choice for the environment. A metal roof may be more expensive initially, but in the long run, it will save you money and help the environment.

Here in Hoover, Alabama there are not many Homes for Sale with metal roofs. Perhaps in the years to come, this will change.

August sales were good, but The Real Estate market in Homewood definitely slowed in September. In September 18 homes closed, down from 32 in August and 43 in July. The average salesprice was 284,991 which was down slightly from August, however, a year ago the average salesprice was $236,786. No condos closed this month. Sales ranged from $146,000 for a home on Berry Rd. to $578,000 for a 4 Bedroom, 4.5 Bath in Huntington Glen. The median price was $273,525. The supply of homes for sale has grown to 343 which represents an 19.05 month supply.

If you would like any specific information about YOUR neighborhood, or to sign up for Hot Breaking News about new listings, call me at 205-821-3312 or send an e-mail to Toni@ToniBird.com.

Every year on the 3rd Saturday of October, the Hoover High School Band hosts the Hoover Invitational Marching Band Festival. I have been to many of these festivals in the past and the atmosphere is warm and inviting as the spectators cheer on the various students. I am really looking forward to some great entertainment.

The first Hoover Invitational Marching Band Festival was held in 1978 at Berry High School and was called The Over the Mountain Invitational Marching Band Festival. There has been only one year since 1978 that there has not been a Festival. In 1994, with the opening of Hoover High School, The Festival was moved to The Hoover Metropolitan Stadium and renamed to The Hoover Invitational Marching Band Festival. The Hoover Invitational Marching Band Festival is held at Region's Park Stadium. Region's Park (formerly called the Hoover Met) is the home of the Birmingham Barons Baseball team. This facility is converted to a football stadium during football season and the Hoover High Bucs play there as soon as the baseball season is over (they played their first game at the High School field this year because the Barons were in the playoffs).

The stadium comfortably seats over 12,000 people for football season so there is plenty of room for spectators at the band festival. Many of the lower chairs have backs with bleachers seats in the remainder of the stadium. It has plenty of parking, large restrooms, numerous concession stands (I hear the chicken finger basket is one of the best in town), and is easily accessible from major interstates - just one mile off of I-459 at HWY 150.

The Hoover Invitational has become one of the premier marching band festivals in the southeastern United States. They will have over 25 bands participating in the event. Once all the competing bands have played, the Hoover High Band will take the field in exhibition. After that, the University of North Alabama "Pride of Dixie" Marching Band will entertain the crowd.

The first band (Locust Fork High School) will take the field at 11:30 and the Awards should be presented at 8:00. Weather this year should be sunny and in the high 60's. Hope to see you at this wonder fall event in Hoover Alabama!

If you would like to LIVE in Hoover Alabama, let me know. I can help you find the home of your dreams. Checkout the Homes for Sale in Hoover Alabama on my website at www.tonibird.com.search.asp?

The numbers are in for September 2008.

Russet Woods and Southwood are neighborhoods conveniently located near I-459 and South Shades Crest Rd. in Hoover Alabama. Students attend Hoover High, Bumpus Middle School and either South Shades Crest or Deer Valley Elementary.

There were 4 homes that sold in these Hoover Alabama neighborhoods in the month of Septmeber. Prices ranged from $230,000 to $265,000. Click here for details on the homes sold. The home at 1701 Russet Crest Circle had a beautiful outdoor pool with an outdoor kitchen and entertainment area.

If you would like information about homes sold in YOUR neighborhood, let me know at www.ToniBird.com.