Zoo Named Greenest in U.S.                                 

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for the newly opened Historic Vine Street Village.  Their Platinum certification is the highest rating awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.  The eco-friendly village entrance complex helped make the zoo the greenest in America.

You might also want to note the outstanding "Landscaping for the Homeowner Garden Series" offered by the horticulture staff.  It runs from now through Spring, detailing everything from best shrubs to outstanding perennials and award winning annuals.

The Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums honored the Betts House for its two-part exhibit, "Great Cincinnati Families at Home" and "More Great Cincinnati Families at Home."  The exhibits were curated by authors Walter Langsam and Beth Sullenbarger as well as exhibit designer Elaine Olund.

The Betts House, built in 1804, is located in the Betts-Longworth Historic District in Cincinnati's West End.  It is the oldest surviving brick building in the area and serves as a place dedicated to study early building materials, architecture and traditions.

The Betts House is open on Tuesday-Thursday from 11 am to 2 pm.  It is also open two Saturdays per month.  Check their website for dates each month.

The new Director of the Education programing is Mark Lutwak and he is intent upon bringing theater to the community, so exciting programming continues throughout the region.  Set up time to try out some of the expanded shows coming this season.  Did you know that the Playhouse reaches over 60,000 young people in a season?

Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series - Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. (ages 4+)

The Stinky Cheese Man with Paul Mesner Puppets - March 13

An Asian Occasion of Storytelling with Eth-Noh-Tec - March 20

The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi - March 27 and April 3

Meticulously maintained, with great floor plan, this Amberley Village home is not too be missed.  Great floor plan and many updates are throughout this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home. Formal dining and living rooms.  Family room has beautiful custom built-ins and walkout to large screened in porch.  First floor master is spacious.  Updated kitchen and breakfast area. Second floor bedrooms are gracious and second floor bath has recently been newly tiled.  Current owner added new windows, new 40 yr. roof, aluminum siding, deck and sliding doors to deck, landscaped yard, and much more.  Conveniently located near I-71 and minutes from Kenwood Towne Center and more.

Interestingly, in January, 2009, 49.5% of home sales were lender owned (bank owned, foreclosures and short sales). This was a result of the economic collapse that virtually closed financial markets in the Fall of 2009.  In January, 2010, only 35.1% of the sales were lender involved.

Another possible explanation for this dip is the push for sales to meet the November 30, 2009 deadline of the first-time home buyer tax credit program. This meant that buyer demand was lower.  However, nationally, home sales last month increased 11.5% from a year ago.

Now, the first-time buyers credit has been extended.  It is for 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum tax credit of $8,000.  Repeat buyers have a similar program that can give them a tax credit of up to $6,500. Current homeowners must have lived in their home for five consecutive years of the past eight years and plan to live in the home they purchase.  They do not have to buy a more expensive home of sell their previous home to qualify.  Sales must be under contract by April 30th and closed by June 30th.

It remains a good time to purchase a home, because interest rates continue to be low, approximately 5 1/4%, lower than last year at this time.  Housing inventory also remains high in all price ranges.  The steepest competition for homes continues to be for the price range under $200,000. 

List Price of Homes                       Feb. 25, 2010

Under $100,000..........................3,449 homes for sale

$100,000-$199,000.....................4,993 homes for sale

$200,000-$299,000.....................2,030 homes for sale

More than $300,000....................2,159 homes for sale

So, now the GOOD NEWS...the average price of homes increased 18.5% from January, 2009 to January, 2010. The current average price is $150,558.

Meticulously maintained custom-built, brick ranch.  Great space includes living room and dining room with gleaming hardwood floors.  Large master bedroom with ensuite bath. Beautiful lot!  Spacious home has updated baths and great closet space.  Awning-covered porch overlooks yard with birds and wildlife.  Fabulous lower level woodworking shop, sitting area and full bath.

It's comforting to know that under all that snow blanketing the ground are the first daffodil buds.

Spring is coming!

Spacious 3475 sq ft. 3-family with many recent updates.  All units are 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath. Large rooms and high ceilings. Front and back windows replaced, new roof, doors, retaining wall, interior and exterior paint.  Newer kitchens.  Lots of original woodwork. Fire escape. Walk to Burnet Woods and Ludlow shopping.  Great location near University of Cincinnati and University/Children's Hospitals. 

Don't miss Children's Theatre of Cincinnati's latest presentation at Taft Theatre this weekend...Jack and the Beanstalk.

If you remember, the traditional folk tale features Jack who trades his cow for five magic beans, much to his mother's dismay.  But, these beans are indeed magic and Jack subsequently meets the Giant.

Founded over 80 years ago as a project of the Junior League of Cincinnati, the Children's Theatre has lived on in the hearts of children, both young and old, throughout that time.  The organization aims to bring the magic of theater to children ages 4 and up.  They produce four plays each year, performing during the week for student groups and on the weekend for the general public.

For every show they produce, a study guide is designed to help students question the values taught in the show and assist learning before and after the show.  You will find the study guide on their website and might enjoy using it with your children.

The shows will be performed on Friday night 2/26 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, 2/27 at 2 pm and 5 pm and Sunday, 2/28 at 2 pm.  On Saturday 3/6 they will perform at 2 pm. Tickets can be purchased for as little as $7.

3565 Linwood Ave in Mt. Lookout is a wonderfully maintained 2 bedroom, 2 full bath Cape Cod.  A remodeled kitchen features Corian counters & all stainless appliances and sink.  Walkout from kitchen to large entertaining deck with private yard and wooded view.  Gleaming hardwood floors throughout first floor.  Light and airy dining and family rooms are enhanced by natural wood work.  Master bedroom has great organized closet space and full bath. 

Exquisite executive style home in the Sanctuary of Ivy Hills, Anderson Twp.  Four bedroom and four and half baths.  This unique home has a recently updated kitchen. Includes lovely eat-in kitchen with exit to deck for outdoor cooking, hard wood floors, plenty of counter tops, fine cabinetry, island and planning desk.  Family room, centralized by a fireplace, is open to kitchen and can be extended to living room via pocket french doors.  Formal dining room features lovely chandelier, crown molding, and chair rail.  Master bedroom has oversized closet and bath suite including whirpool tub overlooking back private lot.  All second floor bedrooms have ceiling fans and are connected o full baths.  Large lower level gaming room/recreation room walks out to back yard. 

The weekend exemplifies the goal of the Fine Arts Fund to "enhance our community with arts and cultural experiences that offer joy, promote inclusion, and inspire creativity for a strong region."

Sample ideas that might be fun for you or your family include:

SATURDAY

Contemporary Arts Center -Talk with Shepherd Fairey, 4PM

College Hill Presbyterian Church - Cincinnati Opera performs Oh Freedom!, 10AM

Cincinnati Art Museum - Cincinnati Black Theatre Company performs A Revue of our Motown Celebration in the auditorium, noon

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park- Diane Macklin, storyteller, 10:30 AM and 1PM

SUNDAY

Cincinnati Art Museum - Madcap Puppets, noon

Cincinnati Ballet- Anaya Gypsy Dance performs a fusion belly dance, 1:30 PM

Greenacres Arts Center - Southern Gateway Chorus, 1PM

Carnegie Center in Columbia Tusculum - Ballet Theater Midwest - ballets including the Beatrice Potter Portfolio followed by a garden party and tea, 1PM

There will be activities all over the city, so why not experience one in your neighborhood?

Have faith, Spring is on its way!

Did you know that Cincinnati is tied for third nationally for the number of booksellers per 10,000 residents?  Plus, the Hamilton county voters showed their belief in the value of books when they supported the tax levy to maintain services at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton county. Both of these statistics add to Cincinnati's clout.

Seattle, Washington, D.C., Minneapolis and Boston all ranked ahead of Cincinnati.

Billing itself as the place to spend time with your family, the home-style atmosphere at the Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center helps everyone relax from their busy lifestyles.  In their old, Northside mansion, there are multiple classes for all ages and even informal Friday night get togethers.  The Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center has classes for infants (Tummy Time, Baby Yoga, Time Out Together, Jammin' in our Jammies), for families (interactive story time, Wiggle Worms, Spanish for the family), and for parents (Mom encouragement, pregnancy celebration).   Wellness classes include pediatric massage, CranioSacral therapy, baby reflexology and pampering of Mom.  Winter is a great time to experience these indoor activities.

The Best of Cincinnati named them the Best Place for Families!

The MLS uses the CAGIS system (http://cagis.hamilton-co.org) as a source for the neighborhoods of the City of Cincinnati.  From now on, MLS will review all listings and verify that the area location placed in the Multiple Listing Service information corresponds with the CAGIS System.

You can expect that properties affected most by this change in policy will be those close to the border of various neighboerhoods.  Prior to CAGIS, there was no source of accurate neighborhood lines.  Authorization follows census tract data and community councils and city planning guidelines.

MLS verifies that the suburb code entered for a Cincinnati neighborhood is correct.  Recently, I have seen changes in the locations for several Hyde Park neighborhoods, changing them to Oakley.  For instance, Broadview and Country Club have long been considered Hyde Park streets as has the condo developments off Ashworth.  Aparently the CAGIS maps shows them in Oakley, so they are being changed.

This will affect average and median prices in both Hyde Park and Oakley.  So, is MLS going back and changing all these listings back in history as well?  No one knows for sure.

Do you live on a street affected by these changes?  Maybe you know the exact line between Hyde Park and Oakley, or between Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout, or between Mt. Lookout or Hyde Park.  Do you even know if your street could be considered part of another neighborhood? 

Thursday, Feb. 18

Review and Discuss Traffic Lane Changes

 in Hyde Park

Hazardous or Helpful?

WHAT: Special community meeting about the traffic lane changes on:

• Erie Avenue, between Zumstein and Madison

• Observatory, near Madison 

• Dana, from Madison to I-71

• The intersection of Erie and Delta

Meet with representatives from the City of Cincinnati Traffic Engineering Department. Ask questions, raise concerns, share suggestions and express your opinions about the recent changes. This is your chance to be heard!

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Knox Church (corner of Observatory and Michigan Aves.)

Common Room  (enter from parking lot on Observatory Ave.)

Let your voice be heard! We hope you will attend.

Fabulous opportunity for you to move in to a great location near Ault Park.  Enjoy a well maintained home on a lovely street.  Tremendous home with an open floor plan and first floor half bath.  Beautiful arched ceiling entering the dining room. Grand white kitchen with counter bar and grand counter space.  Don't miss the large walk in closet by the Master bedroom.  Wonderful fenced-in back yard.  Walking distance to Ault Park, East Hyde Park and Mt. Lookout.