Keller Texas Real Estate: 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Ever notice how most homes are designed to fit the average family, with average needs and average incomes?
But what happens if you're not average? …………..Sterling Oak is a custom home builder in the North Tarrant, South Wise and South Denton Counties.

We believe that houses can be beautiful, but the owner's taste and unique selections make houses homes. And when your house reflects your personality, you feel at home.

At Sterling Oak, we want to help you create your dream home regardless of the size or your budget.
At Sterling Oak each home is constructed the old-fashioned way – through quality construction and a commitment to serving our clients.
It is the way homes used to be built and the way Sterling Oak builds them today - with pride and attention to detail.
Yet, we rely on our state-of-the-art processes and technology to get you the best products and prices.
We are committed to the highest standards in new home construction. That is why we are designated as a Graduate Master Builder by the National Association of Home Builders and a Texas Star Builder by the State of Texas.

Our goal is to build a home you will love every day you live there.We offer innovative designs that are not only flexible, but can reflect your distinctive tastes. And if you want to start from scratch, we can do that as well.

We urge you to visit any one of our models and compare us to those of other builders. Once you do, we're confident that you will discover the unbeatable value Sterling Oak offers.

Gary M. Schecter
President

KISD Weather Notice
December 16, 2008
Dear Keller ISD Parents and Patrons,
Keller ISD schools will be open today for regular session.
Thank you.
Keller ISD Department of Communications

email: e-news@kellerisd.net phone: 817-744-1000 web: http://www.kellerisd.net/kellerisd/

Monday, December 15, 2008

Real Estate Financial News

We’ve reached a juncture in the credit markets where it really doesn’t matter how low interest rates go -- banks are refusing to lend and consumers either have no desire to borrow – or they are in such troubled financial straits they can’t meet the qualification criteria for a loan.

So what’s the Fed to do?

Many believe the Fed will announce in their post-meeting statement tomorrow afternoon (2:15 p.m. ET) that the answer to rekindling economy growth is actually quite simple – print money like crazy.

In a nutshell the idea here is that by flooding the economy with money – banks will ultimately find themselves bursting at the seams with capital – and they will essentially have no other option than to start lending.

As the short-term credit market swings back into action, business confidence will rise, employment will improve and the engines of commerce will roar back to life.

Silver Oak Mortgage
Lisa Warren
Branch Manager
751 E Southlake Blvd Ste 100
Southlake, TX 76092
office 817-410-2518
fax 817-410-2519

Keller Policeman Returns Safely from Iraq

December, 2005
Welcome Home to Johnathan Hicks
Local News
Only learned that Jonathan was reading about local news on LNO in Iraq and LNO readers were encouraged to email him. The following letter was received from Ronnie Hicks, Johnathan's wife this date.

I just wanted to let the LNO readers know that my husband, Keller Police Officer, Johnathan Hicks has returned to Texas safely from Iraq.He arrived back at Ft Hood Monday morning and is spending this week debriefing. Johnathan left for Ft Hood to begin training for deployment on August 18, 2004. He was sent to Iraq from Ft Hood the 1st week of January 2005.

He plans to take some time off before returning to KPD to bond with our 13 month old daughter.

There is a Homecoming celebration for the 3000 returning local troops at Baylor’s Floyd Casey stadium in Waco on Saturday, Dec 10th at 2pm. The public is encouraged to attend.

There is also going to be a huge military parade in Denton, honoring these men and all veterans on Saturday, December 17th. The parade route begins at the Square in Denton and is scheduled to last an hour and a half. The parade is being sponsored by the Denton VFW.

We are in debt to this organization for providing greatly needed supplies during the deployment. Under Armor t-shirts, tools and any other necessities the Army couldn’t provide were shipped to the unit upon request.

Please accept my family’s thanks to have received so much support and prayers from the LNO readers and our community. Our family is truly blessed and we could not have made it through this past year without everyone’s support.

From our family to yours, we wish you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,

Ronnie HicksWatauga, TX

Contact Us Help © 2000-2005 Local News Only.com™ Copyright - All rights reserved Published by Local Net Com, Inc.General Partner for Internet News Coverage.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Extreme Makeover: Keller, TX 76248

View Larger Map
It’s a bit unclear from Google Maps, but I believe this is the house.

http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2008/12/08/extreme-makeover-house-revealed/

The folks from Extreme Makeover have chosen the Augustin family of Keller to get the TV treatment. The action starts today, with media showing up to ooh and aah. Demolition begins Wednesday, with Wall Homes doing the honors.

The tentative Build Schedule (all times subject to change):
* Monday, December 8: Knock Day. Media may arrive at 3:45 p.m. for a press conference with the family at 4:00PM is planned for approximately
* at the home site location, 2880 Keller Hicks Road, Keller, TX 76248. Please note: the street will be closed, and security will instruct media members where to park.
* Wednesday, December 10: Braveheart Walk to kickoff of the build. Media check-in is at 8:00AM; Braveheart Walk at approximately 9:00AM. Braveheart Speech by Steve Wall will follow the walk, then demolition will begin immediately thereafter.
* Thursday, December 11: Framing throughout the day, followed by non-stop building for the next several days and nights.
* Monday, December 15: House Reveal, also known as the time for “Move that Bus!”
* Tuesday, December 16: Press Conference at new home. Time for Press Conference will be announced later.

Posted on December 8th, 2008 11:06am by Tim Rogers
Filed under Entertainment, Media, Real Estate, Television

Monday, December 8, 2008

Click here
Keller News
for Local Events, Community Corner, Groups & Organizations, Shops & Services, Videos and more....about Keller,TX

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Treasury Department Considers Plan to Lower Mortgage Rates

Financial industry lobbyists are urging the Treasury Department to take steps to lower rates on 30-year mortgages to 4.5 percent.

WASHINGTON -- Financial industry lobbyists are urging the Treasury Department to take steps to lower mortgage rates and help stabilize the battered U.S. housing market.

Under one proposal, Treasury would seek to lower the rate on a 30-year mortgage to 4.5 percent by purchasing mortgage-backed securities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Scott Talbott, chief lobbyist at the Financial Services Roundtable, said Wednesday.

If enacted, such a plan would be an unprecedented opportunity for anyone with good credit and a solid income who could qualify for a mortgage at the lowest rates on records dating to the early 1960s, said Keith Gumbinger, senior vice president at financial publisher HSH Associates.

"You would have the mother of all re-fi booms," said mortgage industry consultant Howard Glaser.

The goal of the industry's proposal would be to take advantage of the unusually large difference, or spread, between mortgage rates and yields on government debt. On Wednesday, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note yield sank as low as 2.65 percent, while the national average rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgages was 5.75 percent, according to HSH Associates.

In recent years, there has been about a 1.8 percentage point difference between the yield on a 10-year Treasury note and a 30-year mortgage rate, but that spread currently hovers around 3 percentage points.

Analysts said that the government could use its ability to borrow money at low rates to in essence flood the market for mortgage-backed securities. This increased demand would tend to push down the yield on mortgage securities sold by Fannie and Freddie, which now average about 5.5 percent because of investor concerns about default risks. Once those yields fall, the theory goes, lower mortgage rates should follow.
That would have two benefits for the economy: Immediately adding money to the pocketbooks of homeowners who can refinance their mortgages and reduce their monthly payments, and eventually help arrest the slide in home prices since much lower mortgage rates would allow more potential buyers to qualify for loans.

"The goal is drive mortgage rates so low that home prices not only stop falling but begin to rebound," said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com.
If the government does buy up mortgage securities, it would be similar to the effort announced last week by the Federal Reserve to purchase up to $500 billion of mortgage-backed securities from Fannie and Freddie. The two mortgage giants, which were seized by federal regulators in September, own or guarantee about half of the $11.5 trillion in U.S. outstanding home loan debt.

The Fed, however, did not announce a specific target for mortgage rates, which plunged about a half percentage point after the announcement.

That caused new mortgage applications to more than double last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey released Wednesday. Refinance volume more than tripled, and made up for nearly 70 percent of all applications.
Still, the industry plan is not likely to help borrowers whose credit is so damaged that banks don't want to lend to them.

"It doesn't do anything to help all the borrowers facing foreclosures," said Guy Cecala, publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance, a trade publication. "It's going to benefit the people who have equity in their home, who have decent credit and can refinance."

Treasury is considering several options, and could announce a decision as early as next week, industry sources said.

Treasury spokeswoman Brookly McLaughlin said she would not comment on speculation about actions the department may take in the future.

The proposal was reported Wednesday afternoon on The Wall Street Journal's Web site.
Treasury could make such a proposal as part of a request for the second $350 billion of the $700 billion financial rescue fund, industry sources said.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has been criticized by members of Congress for using the bailout money to shore up Wall Street banks, while not doing enough to help homeowners facing foreclosure.

In recent weeks, a diverse set of industry groups from real estate agents to carpet makers have called on lawmakers and the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama to subsidize lower mortgage rates and beef up tax credits to help stimulate housing demand.

The National Association of Realtors has been pushing a plan under which the federal government would spend $50 billion to lower mortgage rates. It says doing so would yield about 500,000 more home sales.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Home Builders is leading a new "Fix Housing First" coalition to push for aid to the ailing housing sector, including a tax credit of up to $22,000 for anyone who buys a home before the end of 2009.

Click here to read more in The Wall Street Journal.

Lisa Warren
Branch Manager
751 E Southlake Blvd Ste 100
Southlake, TX 76092
office 817-410-2518
fax 817-410-2519

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

The tax credit is available for first-time home buyers only.

The maximum credit amount is $7,500.

The credit is available for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before
July 1, 2009.

Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over a 15-year period.

NAHB is providing the information on this web site for general guidance only. The information on this site does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind nor should it be construed as such. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action on this information, you should consult a qualified professional adviser to whom you have provided all of the facts applicable to your particular situation or question. None of the tax information on this web site is intended to be used nor can it be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.
1201 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-266-8200
800-368-5242

Copyright © 2008 National Association of Home Builders. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Exterior Door Selection and Installation

New exterior doors often fit and insulate better than older types. If you have older doors in your home, replacing them might be a good investment, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs. If you're building a new home, you should consider buying the most energy-efficient doors possible.

When selecting doors for energy efficiency, it's important to first consider their energy performance ratings in relation to your climate and home's design. This will help narrow your selection.

Types of Doors

One common type of exterior door has a steel skin with a polyurethane foam insulation core. It usually includes a magnetic strip (similar to a refrigerator door magnetic seal) as weatherstripping. If installed correctly and if the door is not bent, this type of door needs no further weatherstripping.

The R-values of most steel and fiberglass-clad entry doors range from R-5 to R-6 (not including the effects of a window.) For example: A 1-1/2 inch (3.81 cm) thick door without a window offers more than five times the insulating value of a solid wood door of the same size.

Glass or "patio" doors, especially sliding glass doors, lose heat much faster than other types of doors because glass is a very poor insulator. Most modern glass doors with metal frames have a thermal break, which is a plastic insulator between inner and outer parts of the frame. Models with several layers of glass, low-emissivity coatings, and/or low-conductivity gases between the glass panes are a good investment, especially in extreme climates. Over the long run, the additional cost is paid back many times over in energy savings. When buying or replacing patio doors, keep in mind that swinging doors offer a much tighter seal than sliding types.

Also, with a sliding glass door, it's impossible to stop all the air leakage around the weatherstripping and still be able to use the door. Also, after years of use, the weatherstripping wears down so air leakage increases as the door ages. If the manufacturer has made it possible to do so, you can replace worn weatherstripping on sliding glass doors.

Installation

When you buy a door, it will probably be a pre-hung frame. Pre-hung doors usually come with wood or steel frames. You will need to remove an existing door frame from the rough opening before you install a pre-hung door. The door frame must be as square as possible, so that the door seals tightly to the jamb and swings properly.

Before adding the interior trim, apply an expanding foam caulking to seal the new door frame to the rough opening and threshold. This will help prevent air from getting around the door seals and into the house. Apply carefully, especially with a wood frame, to avoid having the foam force the frame out of square.

If needed, you'll also want to add weatherstripping. Check the weatherstripping on your exterior doors annually to see if it needs replacement.
Storm Doors

Adding a storm door can be a good investment if your existing door is old but still in good condition. However, adding a storm door to a newer, insulated door is not generally worth the expense since you won't save much more energy.

Storm door frames are usually made of aluminum, steel, fiberglass, or wood (painted or not). Wooden storm doors require more maintenance than the other types. Metal-framed storm doors might have foam insulation within their frames.

High-quality storm doors use low-emissivity (Low-E) glass or glazing. Some doors have self-storing pockets for the glass in summer, and an insect screen for the winter. Some have fixed, full length screens and glass panels that slide out of the way for ventilation. Others are half screen and half glass, which slide past each other. Some are removable for cleaning, others are not. All of these features add some convenience and higher costs.

Never add a glass storm door if the exterior door gets more than a few hours of direct sun each day. The glass will trap too much heat against the entry door and possibly damage it.

Storm doors for patio doors are hard to find but they are available. Adding one to a new, multi-glazed, Low-E door is seldom economic. Insulated drapes, when closed for the night in the winter (or on sunny days in the summer) are also a good idea.
Weatherstripping

You can use weatherstripping in your home to seal air leaks around movable joints, such as windows or doors. To determine how much weatherstripping you will need, add the perimeters of all windows and doors to be weatherstripped, then add 5%–10% to accommodate any waste. Also consider that weatherstripping comes in varying depths and widths. Before applying weatherstripping in an existing home, you need to do the following (if you haven't already):
Detect air leaks
Assess your ventilation needs for indoor air quality.
Selection

You need to choose a type of weatherstripping that will withstand the friction, weather, temperature changes, and wear and tear associated with its location. For example, when applied to a door bottom or threshold, weatherstripping could drag on carpet or erode as a result of foot traffic. Weatherstripping in a window sash must accommodate the sliding of panes—up and down, sideways, or out. The weatherstripping you choose should seal well when the door or window is closed while allowing it to open freely.

Choose a product for each specific location. Felt and open-cell foams tend to be inexpensive, susceptible to weather, visible, and inefficient at blocking airflow. However, the ease of applying these materials may make them valuable in low-traffic areas. Vinyl, which is slightly more expensive, holds up well and resists moisture. Metals (bronze, copper, stainless steel, and aluminum) last for years and are affordable. Metal weatherstripping can also provide a nice touch to older homes where vinyl might seem out of place.

You can use more than one type of weatherstripping to seal an irregularly shaped space. Also take durability into account when comparing costs.

Application

Weatherstripping supplies and techniques range from simple to the technical. Consult the instructions on the weatherstripping package. Here are a few basic guidelines:
Measure the area to be weatherstripped twice before you cut anything.
Apply weatherstripping snugly against both surfaces. The material should compress when the window or door is shut.
When weatherstripping doors:
Choose the appropriate door sweeps and thresholds for the bottom of the doors.
Weatherstrip the entire door jamb.
Apply one continuous strip along each side.
Make sure the weatherstripping meets tightly at the corners.
Use a thickness that causes the weatherstripping to tightly press between the door and the door jamb when the door closes, without making it difficult to shut.
For air sealing windows, apply weatherstripping between the sash and the frame. The weatherstripping shouldn't interfere with the operation of the window.

Copyright © 2008 ( DFW Metro Green Consulting ) All rights Reserved.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Santa, Reindeers 2008 Yard Decorating Contest Theme

Some homes put on a holiday light show. File Photo

Before you know it, Santa will be here delivering gifts to good boys and girls!

In anticipation of his arrival, the Keller Parks and Recreation is sponsoring its yard decorating contest. But you’d better hurry, the deadline to enter is closer than you think. This year’s theme is "Santa and his Reindeers."

Join in the holiday spirit and trim your yard, house or business with lights and holiday décor.

All entries must be received by the Keller Parks and Recreation Department by Friday, Nov. 28. Judging will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and participants need to have their lights on by 5:30 p.m.

Entries may be in the House, Street, Subdivision, or Business categories.

First-, Second- and Third-Place winners in each division and Best in Theme will have a sign posted in their yard, and will be listed in The Keller Citizen.

For more information, stop by the Keller Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices at Keller Town Center, 1100 Bear Creek Parkway, or call 817-743-4050.

Information provided by DeAnna Beseda, special events coordinator, Keller Parks and Recreation.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Dates to Remember

Holiday Happenings in the area.....

Nov. 14 - Jan. 3 - ICE! and Lone Star Christmas (Grapevine)

Nov. 22 - Jan. 4 - The Trains at North Park (Dallas)

Nov. 28 - Jan. 4 - Holiday in the Park (Six Flags in Arlington)

Saturday, Nov. 22 - 3:00 to 9:00 pm

Home For the Holidays (Southlake Town Square)

Tree lighting at 6:30 pm

Saturday, Nov. 22 - 24 - www.SouthlakeFestivalofTrees.com

Friday, Nov. 28 - FW Sundance Square

2:00 to 5:30 pm - Holiday Fun Zone

6:00 to 8:00 pm - Parade of Lights and Tree Lighting

Nov. 29 - Dec. 21 - Snowflakes, Sugarplums, and SANTA! (Fort Worth)

Saturday, Nov. 29 - 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Hurst Annual Tree Lighting Spectacular

Monday, Dec. 1 - 7:00 pm

Historic downtown Grapevine Carol of Lights

Thursday, Dec. 4 - 7:00 pm

Historic downtown Grapevine Parade of Lights

Friday, Dec. 5 - 6:00 to 9:30 pm

Holly Days at Keller Town Center

Saturday, Dec. 6 - 10:00 am

Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children’s Parade Dallas

Saturday, Dec. 6 - 4:00 to 8:00 pm

NRH Night of Holiday Magic at NRH20 Family Waterpark

Saturday, Dec. 6 - dusk

Twinkle Light Parade on Grapevine Lake

Happy Holidays!!!

Monday, November 17, 2008

How is The Real Estate Market In Keller?

Market Absorption Rate

Closed Transactions in Past
12 Months = 757
6 Months = 386
3 Months = 130

Average Homes Sold Per Month
12 months = 63.08333333
6 months = 64.33333333
12 months = 43.33333333

Current Active on MLS
12 months = 456
6 months = 456
3 months = 456

Months Supply on Market
12 months = 7.23
6 months = 7.09
3 months = 10.53

This means it is a BUYERS MARKET and a seller has 14.27% of chance in selling a home in the next 90 days.

This is based on single family residential homes
in the same area over the past 12 months trend

If you would like to list or buy a house and would like for me to work up a more detailed spreasheet on a specific subdivision, please contact me joana@soldteam.net

In the last 6 months:

Number of Properties for Sale : 149
Average List Price per SqFt : $123.75

Number of Properties Sold : 250
Average Sales Price per SqFt : $102.48

Number of Cancelled Properties : 41
Average List Price per SqFt : $135.38

Number of Properties with Expired Listings : 31
Average List Price per SqFt : $135.24

Number of Properties in Option : 3
Average List Price per SqFt : $97.26

Number of Properties with Closing Pending: 18
Average List Price per SqFt : $96.35

Number of Properties Withdrawn from the Market: 1
Average List Price per SqFt : $94.60

Number of Properties Temporarily Out Of Market: 6
Average List Price per SqFt : $122.25

Disclaimer:

Information deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED
Copyright: © NTREIS 2008 All Rights Reserved

THIS IS AN OPINION OF VALUE OR COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS AND SHOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED AN APPRAISAL. In making any decision that relies upon my work, you should know
that I have not followed the guidelines for development of an appraisal or analysis contained in
the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Foreclosure Prevention

The two secondary-mortgage-market companies are well aware of the market pain and are taking a number of steps to provide relief, particularly to prevent foreclosures.

Among other things, Freddie Mac is allowing lenders to modify their at-risk loans into 40-year, lower interest-rate mortgages and to reduce borrowers' burdens by permitting them to roll up to six months of missed payments into what amounts to an unsecured second loan. The two companies are also ramping up their staff and adjusting compensation so their internal structure better matches the size and complexity of the processing demand they face.

What’s more, to help facilitate short sales, Lockhart’s agency will be releasing a large-scale, streamlined, standardized process for expediting short sales, which he said will give lenders flexibility and tools like principal forbearance that they can’t easily use right now.

But Lockhart made it clear that the bulk of the problem isn’t with Fannie and Freddie loans, but debt in what the financial services industry calls private-label securities, the Wall Street loans, many of them subprime, that are held by investors all over the world.

The streamlined short sale process his agency will be announcing soon—he didn’t give a time line—could go a long way to focusing the minds of lenders on the problem. But ultimately the problem won’t go way until interest rates come down, buyers start streaming back into the market again, and prices firm up, he suggested.

—Robert Freedman
Realtor Magazine

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

KISD High School Tennis and Volleyball Playoff Information

October 29, 2008
Dear Keller ISD Parents and Patrons,
Keller High Team Tennis are the 5-5A District Champs

Keller High Team Tennis - Regional 1 5-A Tournament
Abilene, Texas
Match location to be determined (Regional Headquarters: Rose Park Tennis Center, 810 Portland Ave.)
Matches begin Friday, October 31st at 8:30 a.m.
Play will resume on Saturday, November 1st

Keller High School Volleyball tied for second in the 5-5A District Volleyball District

They will play bi-district competition:
Keller High School vs Coppell High School
Grand Prairie High School Turner Gym
101 High School Drive, Grand Prairie, 75050
Tuesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Admission: $5.00 Adults, $3.00 Students
Central High School Volleyball tied for second with Keller High School but will play in the third place position.

They will play bi-district competition:
Central High School vs Flower Mound Marcus
Denton Guyer High School
7501 Teasley Lane, Denton, Tx 76214
Tuesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m
Admission: $5.00 Adults, $3:00 Student

Thank you for your support!

Keller ISD Department of Communications

email: e-news@kellerisd.net
phone: 817-744-1000
web: http://www.kellerisd.net

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Mortgage Loans

URGENT!! Dont let the media spook you!! You do not have to have 20% down to obtain a home loan, we are financing people with a minimum of 3% down and even 0% down on special programs and areas. Right now is the perfect time to buy a home, it is the largest investment you and your family will make. if you do not own a home or are interested in moving to a new one please call us. We can find a program that will best suit your needs.

by:
Silver Oak Mortgage
Lisa Warren
Branch Manager
751 E Southlake Blvd Ste 100
Southlake, TX 76092
office 817-410-2518
fax 817-410-2519

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

DISTRICT NEWS

KELLER ISD HONORS MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS AND OTHER SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AT TONIGHT'S GAME
Keller ISD plans to honor service men and women past and present at the "Honor the Armed Forces Night" at Fossil Ridge's homecoming game against Grapevine at KISD Athletic Complex TONIGHT.

The day began with a group of six Medal of Honor recipients who were recognized at a breakfast reception at the Education Center. From there, the Medal of Honor Recipients had the opportunity to visit each of KISD's three high schools and share with students their experiences and acts of bravery while serving America.

The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Services that, while engaged in a conflict, performed acts of life-risking bravery and self sacrifice that stood out by going above and beyond the regular call of duty. More than 3,400 such medals have been awarded to military personnel since the award's inception in 1862.

The Medal of Honor Recipients are:
Thomas Norris
Jon Cavaiani
Michael Edwin Thorton
Bruce P. Crandall
Nicholas Oresko
Patrick Henry Brady

All men and women who have served in the armed forces will be recognized at TONIGHT'S varsity football game. First, all veterans and current service men and women will be admitted free to the game, and then they will also be asked to join the teams on the field during pregame as honorary captains for the evening.

"There are very few public opportunities to recognize excellence and service," said KISD Athletic Director Bob DeJonge. "We honor all those who have served and stand in awe of those few that are recipients of our highest honor - the Medal of Honor. The game alone will be exciting, but the addition of the tribute to these service men and women will make it an event to remember."

Service men and women in attendance are asked to meet at the flag pole on the south end of the stadium at 6:50 p.m. From there they will be escorted to midfield for the coin toss. The Medal of Honor recipients will be recognized and introduced at midfield at that time.

"This is a great opportunity to show our service men and women how much we appreciate everything they have done for our country and are continuing to do," said Superintendent James Veitenheimer. "It is just a small gesture, but hopefully it will remind the community of the sacrifices made by our armed forces to protect our country. It is our honor to host these outstanding individuals."

FOR MORE INFO ON KELLER: http://www.kellerisd.net

Monday, October 13, 2008

7TH GRADE TALENT SEARCH

Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search
date:Monday, October 13, 2008

time:4:00 PM

venue:Keller Independent School District

address:350 Keller Parkway

Keller, TX 76248

from:Duke University Talent Identification Program

Since 1980, the not-for-profit Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) has been a world leader in identifying academically talented students and providing innovative programs to support their educational development. Beginning at critical points in their school careers Duke TIP gives students (and educators!) a chance to learn more about their abilities.

Duke TIP’s 7th Grade Talent Search program focuses on the identification, recognition, and support of high-ability seventh graders. Qualifying students, among many other Talent Search benefits, take college entrance exams (SAT or ACT) as a measure of their inherent academic aptitudes. A large number of 7th Grade Talent Search participants earn scores that many high-school seniors would envy.

7th Grade Talent Search materials will be mailed to schools in early August. Most schools will likely not distribute these to students until a week or two after school is in session. Qualifying students will have scored in the 95th percentile on an accepted IQ test or on at least one section of a nationally normed, standardized test such as TAKS.

Two important application deadlines to keep in mind are October 1st for December testing (SAT and ACT) and December 5th for January (SAT) and February (ACT) testing. If you have not received an application from your school by mid-September, please contact your school counselor directly to inquire. If they do not participate in the Duke TIP Talent Search, feel free to contact TIP directly for an application or apply online.

Through identification, recognition, information, advocacy, challenging educational programs, and research, Duke TIP enjoys a long history of supporting and extending local efforts to better understand, motivate, enrich, and academically challenge the brightest students in our nation. We look forward to offering our wide array of services to you and your child this fall!

For more information, please contact Traci Guidry at TIP's Texas Satellite Office in Austin at (512) 473-8400 or email her at tguidry@tip.duke.edu.

http://www.americantowns.com/tx/keller

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Interesting Times: What the Credit Crisis Means to Your Mortgage

If there was any doubt left that the troubled US financial and credit markets are in full crisis mode, the historic events of September easily erased it. You've seen the headlines. You've heard the stories, but what does it all mean to you and your mortgage? This month, YOU Magazine will take a closer look at a September to remember and what it means to you - no jargon, no politics, just the facts.

What a Difference a Month Makes
September was a historic month in the financial markets. What started a year earlier as the subprime mortgage collapse had morphed into the perfect financial storm that wiped out some of the biggest financial firms on Wall Street. There was a general and genuine concern that the financial system was coming apart and could virtually shut down.

First, the Feds took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two government-sponsored mortgage giants that own or guarantee about five trillion dollars in home loans, or nearly half of the total US mortgage market.

Then Lehman Brothers, a prominent securities firm founded in 1850, filed for bankruptcy.

Bank of America, which earlier this year acquired Countrywide, acquired Merrill Lynch, another prominent financial firm.

The Feds were then forced to bail out insurance giant American International Group (AIG), the largest insurance company in America, which needed some $70 billion just to stay afloat.

By the end of the month, JP Morgan Chase, which bought out Bears Sterns in June, would also acquire Washington Mutual and, in a similar move, Citigroup would acquire Wachovia.

In the end, amidst the worst September in the financial markets since 2001, each of these prominent companies had failed to secure investor confidence as liquidity concerns forced their stock prices to levels that ultimately led to their demise, despite a major effort by the government and other central banks around the world to offer unprecedented financial support.

Throughout the month of September, the Federal Reserve not only injected billions into the financial market, the US Treasury was forced to guarantee nearly $2 trillion in money market mutual fund assets. The European Central Bank, Swiss National Bank, and Bank of England also pitched in a combined $90 billion in cash infusions.

Banks and Wall Street firms had essentially stopped loaning money to one another in recent weeks. That choked off the money being made available on Main Street in the form of mortgage loans, business loans, and other consumer borrowing.

To avoid further downward pressure on stock prices, the Securities and Exchange Commission banned naked short-selling and temporarily banned short-selling 799 financial companies for 10 days. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac increased their purchases of illiquid assets, including mortgage-backed securities, that have been clogging up our financial system and further tightening the availability of credit.

Finally, to avoid an all-out credit freeze, a plan to create legislation for an unprecedented bailout of our financial system was put in place by representatives from the Federal Reserve, the US Treasury, the Bush Administration, Congress, and even the Presidential candidates – a controversial $700 billion plan that, had it passed, would have cost tax-payers for years to come.

The plan, however, came up 13 votes short of the 218 votes necessary for passage. The House vote shocked financial markets, which expected the house to approve the plan – a decision that sent the Dow Jones industrial average down more than 700 points, the largest intra-day drop in history.

At the time of the writing of this article, a new plan has already been announced in the Senate.

Create Your Own Plan
As promised, we will not delve into the politics of any of these decisions by the government to bailout said corporations or the financial and credit markets – or the merits of any new plan that might be put in place. What's done is done. We won't discuss who's to blame or what should or shouldn't be done about it. Whether it's right or wrong, moral or immoral, these actions or their implications are beyond the scope of this article.

Instead, we suggest that you put together your own financial plan to address your future. Just like your fingerprint, your financial situation, needs, and goals are unique and cannot be addressed or even encompassed by a single, one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or refinance your home, you need to meet with a mortgage professional you trust right away to create a plan that best fits your individual needs as it relates to the opportunities available in today's turbulent market. What follows are merely suggested discussion topics you might want to consider depending on your individual needs.

Buying or Selling a Home
If you're looking to take advantage of lower home prices and historically low interest rates, credit is still widely available for borrowers who qualify. Qualifying for mortgages today simply means being prepared to provide documentation that supports your application. If you do have credit issues, you might want to consider government loans offered by the FHA, USDA, and VA.

If you're a first-time home buyer (someone who hasn't owned a home in the last 3 years), ask your mortgage professional about the new $7,500 tax credit. This incentive could be a valuable tool in helping you reach your homeownership dreams in today's buyer's market. There is one catch, however. This incentive is temporary, and expires in 2009, so don't wait.

It's important to note that Congress recently passed other legislation banning certain down-payment assistance programs (DAPs), so ask your mortgage professional about VA and USDA loans that, insured by the government, allow for 100% financing to qualified borrowers. There's currently a bill in the House to overturn the ban on DAPs, but congress is pretty busy right now and may not get to it before the end of the year. Some argue, this bill may never pass, so again, don't count on the government's help when you're planning your future.

For sellers it's important to understand these options as well. There are a lot of potential buyers looking to buy a home who may need creative financing options to get the deal closed. Make sure you're working with an experienced real estate agent and a mortgage professional who know how to market your property and make it stand out from the pack. In many instances, you won't have to lower your home price again to create an attractive package for home buyers.

Refinancing
September was one of the most volatile months in the financial markets in years. In one session, the Dow lost 504 points, which was the worst single-day drop since 2001. The Dow then had a two-day session advance of 779 points, the biggest since March 2000. Then, when the government's initial rescue plan was voted down, the Dow lost more than 700 points, the largest single-day decrease in history!

Mortgage interest rates, which are based on the performance of mortgage-back securities (see YOU Magazine April 2008), were so volatile in September that the market experienced price movements within days that used to take weeks or months to occur. In fact, mortgage rates reached six-month lows in September, bounced back in following weeks, only to fall again immediately after the government's rescue plan was voted down.

This volatility is a great advantage for many homeowners looking to refinance, as rates are still near historic lows. If you're connected with a mortgage professional who has access to and understands how changes in MBS pricing can affect mortgage rates on a daily basis, you may be able to secure a lower long-term rate as these short-term movements occur, depending on your situation. (See YOU Magazine July 2008 for an explanation of why bad news for stocks can be good news for mortgage rates).

Loan Modifications
Last month, YOU Magazine discussed loan modifications for homeowners struggling to make payments and/or avoid foreclosure. Print out that article and take it to your mortgage professional to discuss what options are best for your individual needs. If you've fallen behind with your payments or are currently in foreclosure, you may be able to benefit from an increased willingness of banks and lenders to work with you and help you keep your home.

ARMS
If you have an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) that is due to reset in the next 3 to 12 months, you need to know how any adjustments will affect your monthly mortgage payment. (See YOU Magazine August 2007 to learn how to understand the terms of your ARM.)

Remember, the Federal Reserve has held the line on rates for the last two meetings of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), after 7 straight cuts to the Fed Funds rate in previous months' meetings. And while the Fed has no direct affect on long-term mortgage rates, their actions can directly affect rates for ARMs and certain credit cards and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) that are tied to the prime rate – especially if the Fed begins a new financial policy of rate increases to address the growing concerns of our struggling economy. (See YOU Magazine April 2008 for more info on how the Fed affects mortgage rates).

In September, the volatility in the financial markets was not limited to the US. We live in a global economic environment, and financial markets throughout the world are more connected than ever.

Last month, we saw evidence of this in the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Set by the British banks, this rate is considered one of the most important rates globally – especially in the US, where about 6 million ARMs, including almost all subprime ARMs and 41% of prime ARMS, are linked to the LIBOR. This rate, which experienced the largest one-day increase in 7 years last month, is beyond the reach of the Federal Reserve and its financial policies. If rates stay elevated, gains may follow in the 3- to 12-month Libor indexes, which are used to calculate US mortgage resets. This volatility was seen again as the initial Rescue Bill failed in the House.

In other words, create your own plan of success. Don't wait to be bailed out or rescued by the government or anyone else. If you have an ARM, take 10 minutes to discuss your options with a mortgage professional you trust. Changes in your credit in the last few years could help you secure a fixed-rate mortgage and avoid the volatility that surely awaits us as we face what could be one of the toughest financial meltdowns that most Americans have ever seen.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Real Estate Update

Too Much To Store and Too Little Space

By Realty Times Staff

Do you have too much to store and too little space? If you're like many homeowners, finding enough storage space can be a challenge. Thankfully, remodeling professionals can help you create new ways to tuck away your family's treasures in a resourceful and sophisticated way, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

Finding storage solutions doesn't always mean undertaking a major remodel. Sometimes it's about using the square footage you already have. Remodelers can help you plan and reallocate storage to accommodate your family's changing lifestyle. Getting creative with storage can improve daily living and boost the resale value of your home.

Look in Unusual Spaces: Veteran remodeler Don Van Cura, CR, CLC, CKBR, and owner of Chicago-based Don Van Cura Construction, recently won a regional CotY Award for a clever storage solution he designed for stashing canned goods under a kitchen staircase. "I'm a space freak and I don't believe that any part of the house should be wasted," he explains. "Almost every section of home has a void in it that can be made into storage -- and the older the house, the more nooks and crannies you can find."
For his stair solution, Van Cura created storage bins under the wooden treads of a staircase. He did this by attaching each tread of the staircase to the frame using hidden piano hinges, which allow each tread to open like a storage chest. The homeowner could then use the space under the tread to tuck away dry goods and cans.
This storage strategy can be used in many areas of a home. In the foyer, for example, the hidden cubbies under stairs can stash shoes and outdoor gear. In the basement they store cleaning products or seasonal accessories. For a short run of stairs, remodelers can also install a set of custom drawers underneath the stairwell with access from the either the side or the back -- another great use of space. Any good stair installer or skilled remodeler should be able to do this project, but it demands a structurally sound staircase, fine cabinetry skills and careful preparation. "It's easiest if you're planning a new set of stairs, but it can also be done as a retrofit to existing stairs," Van Cura notes.

Reconfigure Rooms As Needed: Perry Szpek, design sales associate for JDJ Builders in Milwaukee, Wis. recently created more storage for a family of six by reconfiguring two existing rooms and adding some square footage. The family's mudroom was once a cramped hallway that led from the house to the garage. "Not having a place to put on and take off their shoes was their biggest pet peeve," Szpek said. As a solution, he designed two furniture-style storage units that provide both seating and a place to store outdoor gear.

On one side of the room, a large boot-bench and locker cabinet gives the kids a place to sit down or hang up coats. The bench features storage beneath the seat and wicker baskets on a shelf above the hanging area. Drawer cabinets also flank each side of the bench, creating a personal spot for each child to stash hats, gloves and mittens. Across the room Szpek planned a shorter boot bench for mom and dad that offered flip-top storage under the seat and hooks to hang coats behind them. Both storage pieces were accented with traditional beadboard backing, crown molding and a medium-brown distressed birch finish.

In the family's 120-square-foot laundry room, Szpek created a beautiful and storage-smart workspace. Upper and lower cabinetry provides plenty of storage for detergents, brushes and sponges, and a long countertop gives mom ample space to fold clean laundry. Under one area of the counter, Szpek designed cubbies that accommodate six laundry baskets -- one for each member of the family. "When mom's done folding clothes, she can separate the loads into a separate bin for each member," he says. "The abundance of storage space worked great for this family of six."

Where to Start: While some homeowners may think that a bigger home will solve their storage dilemma, this is not always the case. Often, having better storage is about making better layout choices and putting things within easy reach. Before talking to a remodeler, homeowners should take a thorough assessment of the square footage they have and how much stuff they need to store. In addition, it's important to think about day-to-day schedules. Some areas of the home, like foyers, mudrooms and laundry rooms, could use additional cabinetry or places to drop cell phones, keys and wallets. Sometimes the project is more about reworking traffic flow or designating specific spots for tasks like folding laundry, putting on outerwear and storing cleaning products.

Copyright 2008 Realty Times
All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

What'a At Stake?

Pass the Emergency Economic Stability Act
A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED ECONOMIC STABILIZATION ACT

http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.com/campaign/eesa/explanation

Monday, September 29, 2008

DEAL OR NO DEAL? ......The Mortgage Market View...

DEAL OR NO DEAL? It appears a deal has indeed been struck, as Congressional leaders and the Bush administration announced they had come to an agreement to spend up to $700 Billion on the historic Bailout Plan.

But first - a look back at the past week, leading up to the weekend announcements.
There were several major developments, beginning with the announcement that Japan's Mitsubishi Financial Bank will purchase 10% to 20% of Morgan Stanley, saving the company from the same bankruptcy fate as Lehman Brothers. On Wednesday, the financial markets received another vote of confidence with word that billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway is investing $5 Billion into Goldman Sachs. But then on Thursday, Washington Mutual was seized by the federal government, and its assets were sold to JP Morgan Chase for $1.9 Billion. The fall of Washington Mutual represents the biggest US bank failure in history.

But perhaps the biggest news of the week began on Tuesday, as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson began their testimony in front of the Senate Banking Committee on the $700 Billion rescue plan proposed by President Bush.
The plan calls for taking illiquid mortgage backed securities off the hands of lending institutions, and through the week several elements of the plan were intensely debated, including the amount of the plan, the government's role, the absence of oversight, and limits on pay for executives of bailed-out financial institutions. And while full details are still pending, it appears that an agreement has been reached, with the intent to revive our financial system and avoid negative far reaching effects to the rest of our economy.

Despite all the historic events of the week, home loan rates ended the week only around .125 percent worse than where they began. I will continue to monitor this situation closely in the days and weeks ahead, and keep you informed.
IN THE MIDST OF ALL THE HISTORIC HAPPENINGS...DON'T FORGET THAT FLU SEASON IS STEADILY APPROACHING. CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S MORTGAGE MARKET VIEW FOR PRACTICAL TIPS YOU CAN USE TO AVOID COLDS AND THE FLU!

Forecast for the Week

Besides the details that will be coming on the financial rescue plan, several important reports bookend this week. We begin the week with the Fed's favorite gauge of inflation as the Core PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditure) data will be released on Monday.

Then, definitely stay tuned for the Department of Labor's big Jobs Report scheduled for Friday, which will show the number of jobs lost or gained in September.
The Department of Labor averages their numbers, and part of each month's report includes "revisions" to the several prior months' numbers.
A positive report could be good news for Stocks, but bad news for Bonds and home loan rates.
It will be important to see how much of an impact the recent turmoil has had on the job market.

Remember when Bond prices move higher, home loan rates move lower...and vice versa.

Bonds and home loan rates have not worsened substantially, despite the uncertainty surrounding the Bailout Plan and the financial markets in general. I will be watching closely to see how Bonds and home loan rates respond to all the historic news that will be coming in the week ahead.
Fannie Mae 5.5%% Mortgage Bond (Friday Sep 26, 2008)

Autumn Ushers in the Good and the Not So Pleasant...

The Mortgage Market View...

Fall is in full swing. And that means it's time to celebrate the things we love, like kids returning to school, football season, baseball playoffs, and even the beautiful colors of autumn. But it also means the return of something less fun... the dreaded cold and flu season. And the cost of the season is nothing to sneeze at! Did you know that Americans spend approximately $4 Billion on over the counter cold and flu remedies? That's not even factoring in how much time and productivity is lost on sick-time in the workplace, or co-pays for doctor visits and prescriptions.

To Help Stay Healthy, Start Following These Quick Tips Now:Determine how susceptible you are. Start by asking yourself a few simple questions: Were you ill several times last year? Do you frequently feel fatigued? Do you sleep less than seven hours per night? If you answer yes to several of those questions, it may be a good idea to consult your doctor for a pre-flu season check-up.
Build up your immune system. Take the time now to catch up on sleep and get a flu shot. In addition, make sure you're getting enough Vitamin C and Zinc. Taking these supplements has been shown to markedly reduce cold symptoms.

Wash your hands frequently. Hand-to-mouth contact is the most common way that people get sick, so keep those hands clean and encourage your family to do the same. You can also carry a hand sanitizer with you to keep your hands germ free when you can't wash.

Wash your nose? Here's a little known--yet effective--tip for combating the cold and flu season. By using a simple saline nasal wash or nasal irrigation, you can actually help rid yourself of colds and allergies. Although it doesn't look pretty in action, it's effective in washing away germs and particulates, as well as healing and protecting your nasal passages. The fact is, when dry winter air makes the tissues inside your sinuses dry and cracked, germs have a perfect place to live and breed, which makes you sick more easily. But a saline nasal wash, available at most drugstores, can lubricate, protect and clean those nasal tissues to help keep healthy. And it may help reduce snoring!
By taking a little time to protect yourself from illness, you can help make sure that you are able to enjoy the things that are important to you... like spending time with family and friends, working hard at your career, and remaining healthy and active during the fall and winter seasons!

Remember, as a general rule, weaker than expected economic data is good for rates, while positive data causes rates to rise.

****The material contained in this newsletter has been prepared by an independent third-party provider. The content is provided for use by real estate, financial services and other professionals only and is not intended for consumer distribution. The material provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment and/or mortgage advice. Although the material is deemed to be accurate and reliable, there is no guarantee it is not without errors.
As your trusted advisor, I am sending you the Castle Financial newsletter because I am committed to keeping you updated on the economic events that impact interest rates and how they may affect you.
In the unlikely event that you no longer wish to receive these valuable market updates, please email: SLRIVERA@METLIFEHOMELOANS.COM
The Mortgage Market Guide, LLC is the copyright owner or licensee of the content and/or information in this letter unless otherwise indicated.
MetLife Home Loans is a division of MetLife Bank, N.A.****

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Keller man gets national honor for service at children's grief camp

Keller man gets national honor for service at children's grief camp
By ALEX BRANCHabranch@star-telegram.com
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Denis Cranford of Keller volunteered at Camp El Tesoro de la Vida, a children’s grief camp, 16 years ago, and the first few days weren’t perfect. It was scorching hot, and he was in charge of third-grade boys.

One day, the boys asked whether any of his loved ones had died.

No, Cranford said, but one day they probably would.

If he had any second thoughts about volunteering again, what the boys did next ended them.

"They huddled around a camp T-shirt and wrote their names and phone numbers on it," Cranford said. "So one day, when I lost somebody, I could call them and not have to go through the experience alone."

Cranford hasn’t missed a camp since. This week, he received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his work at the weeklong camp, held at Camp El Tesoro on the Brazos River in Granbury.

President Bush planned to present the award to Cranford during a stop in Fort Worth, but Hurricane Ike interrupted his plans. So first lady Laura Bush presented it to him Tuesday.

"The whole thing has been quite a surprise," said Cranford, 46.

A few years after he first volunteered, Cranford became volunteer director of the grief camp, which is run by the Camp Fire USA First Texas Council. Every August, it provides activities and specialized programs for about 100 children ages 6 to 16 who have lost family members, usually a parent or sibling.

As director, Cranford personally recruited more than 60 volunteers, raised money and mentored more than 1,000 children, said Angela Downes, Camp Fire’s vice president of marketing.

Planning the camp is a year-round project. Cranford helps do it around his full-time job as a vice president and performance manager at JP Morgan Chase.

"There is Professional Denis who wears a suit and tie," said Sheri Willis, the camp’s lead therapist for 11 years. "And there is Camp Denis who clowns around with the kids and challenges the older boys to see who can eat the most Salisbury steaks.

"The camp is very near and dear to his heart."

Toni Hooten, director of the campsite, which hosts activities year-round, said, "The kids love him. He strikes the perfect balance between work and play. He knows when to have fun and when to be serious with them."

This year’s camp ended a few weeks ago. Cranford is already setting up planning meetings for next year’s.

The kids make the time and energy worth it, he said.

"One of my favorite things is that once they enter camp, social status is left behind," he said. "The kids’ experiences bind them, and they share things they don’t share at school. They are all buddies.

"That’s what I think is amazing every time."

Camp El Tesoro Camp El Tesoro is owned and operated by the Camp Fire USA First Texas Council. CampElTesoro.org or 817-831-2111.

ALEX BRANCH, 817-390-7689

Monday, September 22, 2008

Keller ISD - Mock Election

Dear Keller ISD Families and Friends,
Welcome to Keller ISD E-News for September 19, 2008!
DISTRICT NEWS
STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A MOCK ELECTION
With the excitement of the 2008 Presidential Election building, the Education Center is facilitating a district wide mock election for KISD students. Kindergarten through 12th grade students will get a chance to participate in a history-making election via the internet through the Youth Leadership Initiative. Students will complete voter registration cards in their social studies classrooms in the coming weeks and the mock election will run October 27-30th. Internet voting will take place at a designated polling location on each campus. After the results have been tabulated, they will be posted on the KISD homepage for the parents and community to view. Stay tuned!

KELLER EATS!
It's the annual tailgate party at the First United Methodist Church of Keller. FUMC is hosting two tailgate events this year. The first event will be Friday, September 19th for the Keller High School Homecoming and the second event is Friday, October 10th for the Fossil Ridge vs. Central High School game. Both events will happen from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm and will feature live music and food from local restaurant vendors for $4.00. Fifty cents of each meal sold will be donated to Habitat for Humanity.

"I know that hundreds of families coming to the game will enjoy some fantastic pre-game meals and snacks, myself included!" said Bob DeJonge, Athletic Director of Keller ISD.

All football fans are invited to stop by KELLER EATS! Free Parking is located just north of the football stadium at the First United Methodist Church of Keller, which is located at 1025 Johnson Road.

DESTINATION IMAGINATION PARENT INFORMATION MEETING
Destination ImagiNation is a place where kids take what they know and what they are good at and learn to apply it to solve challenges, working together and cooperatively with a team and pushing the limits of imagination to best not their competition, but themselves. Destination ImagiNation is a community- based, school-friendly program that builds participants' creativity, problem solving, and teamwork in enjoyable and meaningful ways.

Please attend the Destination ImagiNation® Information Meeting on Thursday, September 25 at 7:00 pm at the KISD Ed Center inTexas Rooms II & III.

Check out the Destination ImagiNation website: www.IDODI.org 2008 BOND ELECTION
On Aug. 26, 2008, the Keller ISD Board of Trustees officially called for a bond election for Tuesday, Nov. 4. The bond package, which totals a little less than $168 million, will include two separate propositions.

Proposition One is dedicated to creating new facilities, improving existing assets and other infrastructure to address the school district's growth, security and safety concerns. It calls for the construction of an intermediate-middle school hybrid campus; an elementary campus; the purchase of land for a future elementary campus; the renovation of a current complex to create a multipurpose instructional facility, enabling the district to offer full-day kindgergarten; addition to the KISD Natatorium; and 10 new tennis courts.

Proposition Two will provide funding for a second district multipurpose athletic stadium to accommodate the addition of a fourth high school varsity program. The new stadium would be located on the site of Timber Creek High School which opens in the fall of 2009 and will begin varsity competition the following school year.

For more information, please visit our Web site at www.kellerisd.net. To ask questions relating to the upcoming bond election, please email BondQuestions@kellerisd.net.

FOOTBALL PLAY-BY-PLAY TO BE BROADCAST ONLINE
We are excited to announce that Champion Sports Radio is going to broadcast several of our football games this year. Most of the broadcasts will be via the internet. This means that anyone with a computer can listen live or even access a game from the archives anytime they choose. This will be great for local fans who can't attend the game and even better for friends and family who live out of town.

Go to www.championsportsradio.com. Select archives and select the game you want to listen to.

CAMPUS NEWS
PINWHEELS FOR PEACE
In observance of International Peace Day, Willis Lane Elementary School will be joining thousands of other children around the world in voicing their support of World Peace through a project called "Pinwheels For Peace." Kindergarten through 4th grade students designed and created the pinwheels based on their feelings about peace, tolerance and living in harmony. The pinwheels will be "planted" outside of Willis Lane in the courtyard on Monday, September 22 at 8:15 am. A special thanks to Home Depot for donating 600 paint sticks for the construction of the pinwheels.

CENTRAL CHARGER BRIGADE MARCH-A- THON and GARAGE SALE
The annual Central Charger Brigade March-A-Thon will be held on Saturday, September 27 from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.

The March-a-Thon route will be as follows:
Central High School, 8:30 - 9:00am
Friendship Elementary, 9:15 - 9:45am
Jets Pizza Parking Lot, 10:15 - 10:45am
Park Glen Elementary, 11:15 - 11:45am
Hillwood Middle School, 12:15 - 12:45pm

During the March-A-Thon, Central High School is also hosting a garage sale in the parking lot. The community is welcomed to stop by for some great deals!

STUDENTS TAKE PART IN BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
On Friday, October 3, Central and Keller High Schools will put aside their rivalry and come together to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. During half time of the district game to be held at the Keller ISD Athletic Complex, a representative from Susan G. Komen for the Cure will accept a check from the Central and Keller High cheerleaders. Prior to the game, cheerleaders from both schools will be selling pink t-shirts and other pink items to raise money and to "Pink Out" the stands for the game. Pep rallies will be held at both schools at the end of the day on Friday to get pumped up for the game and for this great cause!

BLUEBONNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
We are excited to announce that Bluebonnet Elementary School has been selected to the Texas Business and Education Coalition Honor Roll. This award recognizes schools that have demonstrated three years of consistent, high performance in all subjects compared to other schools serving similar student populations. Of the over 8,000 Texas public schools, less than 4% are selected to receive this prestigious award. Bluebonnet will be honored at an TBEC awards banquet on November 10th in San Antonio.

Congratulations to Principal, Ken McGuire, and the outstanding Bluebonnet Elementary staff.

UPCOMING EVENTS
2ND ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITING THE KELLER HIGH SCHOOL MEN'S SOCCER PROGRAM
Keller High School is proud to present the 2nd Annual Four Man Best Ball Golf Tournament benefiting the Keller High School Men's Soccer Program. This year's goal is to raise $5,000.

The Golf Tournament will be held at Sky Creek Ranch on Sunday, September 21, 2008. The cost is $80/person. Registration begins at noon with a 1:30pm Shotgun Start.

For more information, please contact Rick Hinojosa at 817-431-8325 or enrique.hinojosa@baesystems.com.

LONE STAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOOK FAIR
Lone Star Elementary School is having their first book fair of the year. Book lovers of all ages are welcome to visit the Lone Star Library and buy some great books!

The book fair will be held September Monday, Sept. 22 - Friday, Sept. 26 and is open to everyone. Family night is Thursday, September 25, from 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm. The book fair will be open: Monday-Thursday, 7:40 am - 3:30 pm and Friday, 7:40 am - 11:00 am.

FLORENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE EXPLORATION FAIR
Florence Elementary School is hosting a Science Exploration Fair Monday, September 22 - Friday, September 26. Come and support the FES Science Lab. They will have educational products with items ranging from prisms to science kits and also live animals in their habitats available for purchase (Please note that a parent must be present in order to purchase animals).

The science fair will be held in the library from 8:00 am - 3:30 pm daily. There will be a special evening session on Monday, September 22, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. All FES parents, students and community members are welcome to attend!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING SEPT. 22
The Keller ISD Board of Trustees will convene for a regular meeting on Monday, September 22. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm in the Rock Gym.

KELLER ISD GOLD CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Keller ISD Gold Classic marks its 10th year of celebrating excellence in student athletics, recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of players and coaches from Central, Fossil Ridge and Keller high schools. During the past nine years, the Classic has provided $72,000 in scholarships and equipment for Keller ISD Athletes. This year's tournament will be held on Monday, October 20 at Sky Creek Ranch Golf Course. The deadline to register for this event is Friday, October 10. Applications are available on the KISD Web site, under Athletics. Please contact the Athletics Department at 817-744- 1066 for more information.

BROWN BAG LUNCH
Keller Middle School PTA will host a brown bag lunch with Keller ISD Superintendent James R. Veitenheimer, giving parents and community members the chance to discuss district events and hot topics. Guests are invited to ask questions and share information. The Brown Bag Lunch will be held at Keller Middle School on Thursday, October 16th at noon.

KISD PARENT UNIVERSITY
A joint effort between Keller ISD and the Parenting Center, KISD Parent University is a new program designed to bring ideas, insight, and strategies to parents in the Keller ISD community. Parenting University courses are held once every month, are free and open to the public.

The next session is on Bullying and will be held on Thursday, October 16 from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the Education Center in Texas Room II (350 Keller Parkway). Interested parents can RSVP to 817-744- 6011.

Please encourage your friends to visit the Keller ISD web site, www.kellerisd.net, to sign up for the e-news group. We're looking forward to sharing our students' successes with you in 2008-09.
Sincerely,

The Keller ISD Department of Communications
e-news@kellerisd.net

Monday, September 15, 2008

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Tip Of The Week

Some Scents and their reactions:
Chamomile: Calming and soothing. Eases anger and anxiety.
Clary Sage: Relaxing, euphoric. Eases anxiety, tension and stress.
Eucalyptus: Fresh cooling and invigorating. Promotes alertness.
Jasmine: Alleviates anxiety and depression.
Lavender: Calming
Lemon: Refreshing and energizing. Eases tension. Heightens mental clarity.
Mandarin: Relaxing and calming. Relieves insomnia.
Neroli/ Orange Blossom: Relieves stress, anxiety and insomnia.
Peppermint: Refreshing and stimulating. Increases alertness.
Rosemary: A stimulant that promotes mental clarity and alertness.
Sandalwood: Warm, sensual aroma. Euphoric and seductive.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Keep Up With What Is Happening In Keller

Check This Link Out!! http://www.americantowns.com/tx/keller

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Info For Buyer's

A buyer's primer

Downpayment assistance:
There’s lots of help for buyers

In any economy, one of the best investments has always been real estate. You just can’t beat the value of your own chunk of land and a nice house to go on it. But for many potential buyers, the problem is coming up with a downpayment to make this defining purchase. The fact is that very few homebuyers have the cash available to buy a home outright. Most of us will rely on a financial institution for a mortgage, but buyers still need to raise the cash for a downpayment.

The downpayment is that portion of the purchase price you furnish yourself. The balance is your mortgage. The amount of your downpayment (which represents your financial stake, or the equity in your new home) should be determined well before you start house hunting, but in basic terms, the larger the downpayment, the less your home costs in the long run.

No matter which type of mortgage you choose, in most cases you’ll still need to come up with a downpayment of at least 5%, plus some amount on closing costs.

Programs to help
The good news is that options abound for those who want to own a home, but who might be strapped for cash when it comes to the downpayment. One is the Texas Cares program, which provides downpayment assistance gift funds up to 6% to qualified homebuyers who purchase homes using an eligible loan program, such as a Federal Housing Administration-insured (FHA) loan.

Brought to Texans by the Texas Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation, Texas Cares not only assists buyers with the downpayment, it asks the seller to contribute to a charitable organization that’s committed to ensuring affordable housing for all. Now that’s housing with a conscience. For more information, visit www.TexasCaresProgram.org.

Believe it or not, it’s also possible to buy a home with nothing down. Here are several methods that help eligible homebuyers minimize – or even eliminate – the dreaded downpayment. They include VA loans; owner financing; house trading; job-related federal programs; and state and local government programs

VA loans
Active and retired members of the military service, veterans, and the un-remarried widows of prisoners of war and those missing in action can buy homes with little or no money down under VA programs. All branches of the service including the Coast Guard are eligible. And members of Selected Reserves or National Guard who have completed six years may also be eligible, along with many with World War II servicemen from the merchant marines, military academies and others pulled into service for the war effort. Contact the VA for more information.

Owner financing and lease-purchase
If there’s a glut of unsold homes in a market, some sellers – especially those in a hurry – are more willing to help potential buyers – and more agree to finance a loan themselves. Owner financing, many times, eliminates the need for a larger downpayment.

House trading
Don’t like your house? Then trade it! Many professional investors acquire homes with no money down by trading one property for another. In some cases, they trade one large property for several smaller rental properties. Or they trade houses in different cities to acquire a vacation or retirement home.

HUD and job-related federal programs
The Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers special financing for first-time homebuyers that’s based on need and is designed to help low-income families buy their first home without significant downpayment or closing costs. And, if you happen to buy a HUD foreclosure home, a downpayment may not be required.

The federal government also has programs to help farmers and police personnel acquire homes with nothing down. For those with limited income who wish to live in rural areas, the Rural Economic and Community Development Administration offers farmers home loans with nothing down. Monthly payments may be subsidized and the interest can be as low as 1%. And, to encourage police to occupy homes in crime-targeted areas, special federal programs permit police officers to purchase homes in selected areas with nothing down. Information is available to law enforcement officers through their places of employment.

Fannie Mae (the Federal National Mortgage Association) also offers special options for first-time homebuyers, including lower cash requirements for downpayment and closing costs and reduced income requirements to qualify for a loan.

And in Texas, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs offers its First Time Homebuyer program for very low to moderate income Texas families, as well as the Downpayment Assistance Program. Call 800-792-1119 for more information.

With so many options available, the dream of homeownership can become a reality for all Texans. Without the hurdle of a big downpayment, anything’s possible.

Sources: Texas Cares; Bankrate.com

Texas Real Estate Market

Real Estate in Texas
JUL 17, 2008

Texas’ Real Estate Markets Healthier Than Most
By David S. Jones

Texas’ real estate markets never caught the housing bust bug that spread like the flu across most of the United States. But now the doctors tell me that the Lone Star State is showing some of the symptoms that flattened residential sales nationwide.

Jim Gaines, Ph.D., an economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, keeps his finger on the pulse of the state’s major housing markets. If one market misses a beat, he knows it.

First, the bad news. Because Texas housing markets were at a peak in 2007, it should come as no surprise that Gaines’ latest housing market checkup shows widespread weak home sales.

Statewide, existing home sales in May 2008 were down 15.4% from a year ago. Again, that was to be expected as the Texas building and sales bubbles had to subside eventually.

Lubbock and McAllen received the best reports. Home sales in the High Plains market declined only 0.5%, the least of any examined. McAllen’s fell 1.7%.

By comparison, sales of existing homes were down 20.6% in Austin, 14% in Dallas, 33% in El Paso, 13.8% in Fort Worth, 15.7% in Houston, and 23% in San Antonio.

Texas home prices holding steady
The good news for Texas homesellers is that prices are holding. That’s in stark contrast to what’s happening in other parts of the country. The national median home price fell by 1.8% in 2007, which was the first time a negative change had been recorded since the 1960s. By May 2008, U.S. home prices were already down another 6.8%.

In contrast, the statewide median price for an existing home in Texas is $151,300, up 1.4% from May 2007.

Lubbock had the state’s highest price increase during the year – up 11.1% – with a median of $113,100. Amarillo’s median of $122,200 was 7.4% higher than a year ago. Austin’s 6.1% increase pushed its median to $194,700. El Paso’s median was $137,800, up 5.8% in 12 months.

Home prices in some areas of Texas did fall in the last year. Beaumont’s median of $127,600 is 7% lower. McAllen is down 5.5% to $100,400.

Statewide inventory higher than normal
One of the vital signs Gaines keeps an eye on is months of inventory on the market. That is, how many months would it take to sell all the existing homes in an area at the current sales pace? About six months is considered normal. In general, the bigger the inventory, the sicker the patient.

Texas has an overall inventory of 6.9 months. Nationally, the existing home inventory is 10.4 months (and the new home inventory is 11 months).

El Paso and McAllen are two Texas cities with bulging inventories. McAllen has the biggest stock of unsold homes – 15.2 months. El Paso is close behind at 12.1 months.

Cities with notably small inventories include Amarillo (5.5 months), Austin (5.7 months), and Lubbock (5.5 months).

“Getting back to normal” is how many real estate people describe today’s Texas market. The doctors at the Real Estate Center agree with that diagnosis.

For more information, see Gaines’ most recent “x-rays” of the Texas market.

From:Real Estate Center

Thursday, August 28, 2008

News: Keller ISD

Keller ISD a Recognized district
The Keller Independent School District has been rated "Recognized" by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This is the first time that Keller ISD has been rated "Recognized" under the new, more rigorous accountability system. Keller ISD is now one of the largest districts in the state to receive the "Recognized" rating.

"We are very proud of becoming a Recognized District," said Superintendent Dr. James R. Veitenheimer. "This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of our principals, teachers and staff. It's very rewarding to see how our newly aligned curriculum has helped our students reach a new level of success. We expect to see even better results in the future."

Of Keller ISD's 33 assessed campuses, 27 earned ratings of "Exemplary" or "Recognized" according to accountability ratings. Overall, Keller ISD had 13 "Exemplary" campuses, 14 "Recognized" campuses, and five "Acceptable" campuses.

Nine campuses improved from their 2007 ratings, while 20 others maintained their standing.
The ratings reflect Keller ISD's performance for the 2007-08 school year. The performance indicators include the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills exam, the completion rate for students in grades 9-12 and annual dropout rate for grades seven and eight.

A full list of the individual campus ratings can be found here.

For a public release of the 2008 TEA Accountability Ratings for all Texas districts and campuses, see the agency's website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/.

from Keller ISD website.

GETTING INVOLVED AT YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL

Whether your child is just starting kindergarten, entering the final year of high school, or is somewhere in between, there are many good reasons and opportunities for you to volunteer at school. It's a great way to show your child that you take an interest in his or her education, and it sends a positive message that you consider school a worthwhile cause.

Many schools now have to raise their own funds for activities and supplies that would once have been considered basic necessities, and parent volunteers are essential in helping to organize and chaperone these fundraising events, as well as to participate in other school activities.

Why Should I Get Involved?
Parent volunteers offer a huge resource and support base for the school community while showing their kids the importance of participating in the larger community.

The school isn't the only one to reap the benefits of your involvement. By offering some of your time to the school, and by interacting with teachers, administrators, and other parents on a regular basis, you can gain a first-hand understanding of your child's daily activities and some insight into the trends and fads of school life that will help you communicate with your child as he or she grows and changes (all without intruding on your child's privacy or personal space).

Even if you haven't been involved in the past, it's never too late to start; in fact, it may be more important than ever to get involved when your child reaches secondary school. However, some parents may experience "volunteer burnout" by the time their children enter high school or may decide that the schools don't need them as much when the child leaves the primary grades. But many parents who volunteered a lot of time during their children's elementary years may have returned to full-time careers by the time their children reach their teens, so there's often a shortage in the secondary schools.

Finding the Right Opportunity
One of the best starting points for getting involved is a parent-teacher conference or open house - these are usually scheduled early in each school year, and they provide a great opportunity to approach your child's teacher or principal about volunteer involvement. If you have something to offer, or if you just want to help out in whatever way you can, discuss the possibilities with your child's teacher. The teacher may arrange something with you personally or direct you to a department head or administrator who can answer your questions and make suggestions. It's also a good idea to join the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or parents' advisory council.

Here are just some of the things your child's teacher and/or the PTA can help you to do as a school volunteer:

act as a classroom helper
mentor or tutor students
help children with special needs
volunteer in a school computer lab
help organize, cater, or work at fundraising activities such as bake sales or car washes
act as a lunchroom or playground monitor
help to plan and chaperone field trips, track meets, and other events that take place away from the school
help to plan and chaperone in-school events (i.e., dances, proms, or graduation ceremonies)
organize or assist with a specific club or interest group (if you have an interest in an activity that isn't currently available to students, offer to help get a group started - for example, a chess club or cycling team)
assist coaches and gym teachers with sports and fitness programs or work in the school concession stand at sporting events
help the school administrators prepare grant proposals, letter-writing campaigns, or press releases or provide other administrative assistance
attend school board meetings
work as a library assistant or offer to help with story time or reading assistance in the school library
sew costumes or build sets for theatrical and musical productions
work with the school band or orchestra or coach music students individually
help out with visual arts, crafts, and design courses and projects
hold a workshop for students in trade or technical programs
spend some time with a specific club or interest group (approach the teacher who sponsors the group)
volunteer to speak in the classroom or at a career day, if you have a field of expertise that you'd like to share
supervise or judge experiments at a science fair

Remember that not everyone is suited for the same type of involvement - you may have to "try on" a number of different activities before you find something that feels right. If you're at a loss for how you can help, just ask your child's teacher, who will likely be glad to help you think of something!

Questions to Ask
When you offer to help out, find out how much of a time commitment you'll be expected to contribute, and if you'll be expected to help out on an ongoing basis. Are you going to repair the costumes for the spring musical, or will you be expected to keep the drama department's supplies in good condition year-round? Are you chaperoning the track meet or coaching the whole season?

Be sure to ask if there are any financial costs associated with your volunteer activities. If you're chaperoning a field trip, for example, find out if you'll be required to pay for transportation and admissions costs. Find out if you'll need to transport students in your own vehicle or if a school bus will be provided. If you're organizing or helping out with an activity that will take place off the school grounds, be sure to find out if there are any specific school regulations you need to keep in mind or any liability issues you should consider.

Getting Started
Here are a few tips to keep in mind once you've signed up for the volunteer opportunities of your choice:

Make it clear before you begin just how much time you're willing to volunteer. Even stay-at-home parents don't have an unlimited amount of time to volunteer at their child's school - many parents have other activities and interests, as well as other children to care for. Don't be afraid to say no if you're being asked to do more than you feel comfortable with - just try to say it early enough so that someone else can be found to take your place, because many trips and activities can't be taken unless the school has a certain number of chaperones or supervisors.
Start small. Don't offer to coordinate the holiday bake sale, the band recital, and a swim meet all at once! If you've taken on too much, find out if you can delegate some duties to other interested parents.
Don't give your child special treatment or extra attention when you're volunteering at the school. Follow your child's cues to find out how much interaction works for both of you. Most kids enjoy having their parents involved, but if your child seems uncomfortable with your presence at the school or with your involvement in a favorite activity, consider taking a more behind-the-scenes approach. Make it clear that you aren't there to check up on him or her - you're just trying to help out the school.

Get frequent feedback from the teachers and students you're working with. Find out what's most and least helpful to them, and get suggestions about what you can do to make the most of the time you spend on school activities. It's important to keep the lines of communication open among teachers, administrators, students, and volunteers, and to be flexible and responsive as the needs of the students and the school change.

When volunteering at your child's school, remember that the work you do not only benefits your child, but will enrich the classroom, the whole school, and the entire community by providing students with positive interaction, support, and encouragement. And don't underestimate the students - you may feel that what you have to offer might not interest them or might be above their heads, but you'll probably be pleasantly surprised. You'll be helping to build skills, confidence, and self-esteem that will last beyond their school days.

Updated and reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
From:Kid's Health For Parents
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/school.html