Tyler, TX

Don't miss the opportunity to start your spring cleaning early this year.

On March 30th form 8 am - 3 pm, Glass Recreation Center will host Spring Rummage Sale. The sale is for used items only and no baked items.

Admission is free to the public but donations will be accepted. The cost to participate is $15 per booth space (includes one table and two chairs).

The City of Tyler's Parks & Recreation Dept will hosts its 6th annual Holiday in the Park and Bazaar on Dec. 9 & 1oth.

Activities will begin Fri, Dec. 9th at 4 pm and will commence at 8 pm. Participants will have the opportunity to ride ponies, bungee jump, climb a rock wall, tubing and more. A performance showcasing Artistic Dance Concepts will start at 7 pm.

Did I mention that there will be over 85,000 lbs of snow?

Saturday, Dec. 10th, participants can shop at the Bazaar starting at 10 am until 5 pm. More than 40 vendors are signed up. Festivities will conclude with a showing of "Polar Express" in 3-D (3-D glasses provided for the first 500 participants) in the amphitheater at 6 pm.

Photos with Santa and an opportunity to bring donations for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree are other treats.

Sponsors of this annual invent include: KLTV 7, Brookshire's, Contractors Building Supply, The Tyler Lodging Association, Ted Kamel, the Owen Family Foundation, Ameritex Services and Silverleaf Resort.

This amazing "free" event will be held at Bergfield Park (corner of Broadway & Fourth St).

Christmas in the Village

Breckenridge Village of Tyler (BVT) will host its annual holiday event, Christmas in the Village - A Lighting of the Campus, on Saturday, November 19, 2011.

Christmas in the Village allows for BVT residents to showcase their talents through art and music, all the while providing community members with a better understanding of the special individuals served through Breckenridge Village. The residents look forward to this event all year, and enjoy making new friends and being able to celebrate the holidays with others.

Throughout the event, BVT residents take part in selling t-shirts, Christmas cards and framed drawings decorated with their artwork to local community, church and family members. Many residents also showcase their talents on stage, singing Christmas carols along to the melodies of their guitars and using sign language to translate lyrics.

Proceeds from Christmas in the Village go toward the BVT Scholarship Fund, which provides assistance to those residents who are not able to afford tuition costs.

The celebration is schedule from 2 to 6 pm. Breckenridge Village of Tyler is located at 15062 CR 1145, Tyler. It is east of Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

Here is the perfect opportunity to support a local non-profit, Habitat for Humanity, while at the same time enjoy some great musical entertainment.

Thursday, November 17, 2011, The 2nd Annual Heroes & Hope Benefit Concert will take place at First Presbyterian Church, 230 W Rusk in Tyler, TX at 7pm.

Admission is $35 and the featured guest is Monte Maxwell, Chapel Organist and Director of Chapel Music, U.S. Naval Academy.

Call 903-595-6630, ext. 11, for more info.

It just might be that time. If you need to sell your home and the buyers aren't coming, consider renting out your home so that you can make that move.

In some markets, home prices continue to decline so it isn't a good time to sell unless you have been in your home long enough to have equity. Unfortunately, too many homeowners are "under water".

Homeowners who decide to become landlords and rent out their property must make sure that the rent will cover the carrying costs. Having to pay each month to cover a shortage can be expected but generating extra cash is desirable.

Once rented, it is important to make sure that the property is maintained and hiring a property manager might be your best option.

Becoming a landlord is a viable option for those homeowners that can't sell due to the down market but not for everyone.