Looking for something different to do this weekend that is not that far away?

We'll be venturing over to that quant little town of Lawrence, Kansas this evening for their annual Busker Fest.

What is a Busker?  It's a street performer and they will be all over downtown Lawrence this weekend beginning Friday night and Saturday and Sunday.

My favorite street performer Mama Lou will be performing tonight and tomorrow.  For more information about her visit strongwomanshow.com

Mama Lou can tear a phone book in half, swallow fire, drive nails through her tongue and keep an audience entertained like never before.  Her website states "Phone books or your heart neither stands a chance."

She's remarkably entertaining and extremely talented.  She's traveled from Australia to Seattle to North Carolina to New York entertaining at street festivals.

For more information on the hours and performance schedule visit   www.lawrencebuskerfest.com

See you there!

For the 13th year the Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest will be this weekend at the Oak Grove Park in Gladstone.

Oak Grove Park is located at 76th and N. Troost.

What's really nice about this bluesfest is it is FREE... that's right free and parking is only $5.00

This festival has grown to over 15,000 and attracks folks who love the blues not only from our community but surrounding counties and states.

For additional information visit the Gladstone Chamber of Commerce website.

As with each Memorial Day we should honor those who have protected our country and paid the extreme price of doing so  with their life.

Last evening we attended a wonderful Memorial Day Celebration at Union Station and the fireworks were shot by the only WWI Memorial in our nation... Liberty Memorial.

It was a great event, widely attended and music was performed by the Kansas City Symphony.

As we gather tomorrow with our family and friends..... I want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter!

In 2006 Zona Rosa in the Northland introduced an all time Kansas City favorite, the Easter Parade! It caused such enthusiam that it's become an annual tradition at the shopping area.

The community is invited to participated in this tradition which features the Easter Bunny, a petting zoo, free giveaways and a best dressed contest.

Our furry friend Buddy won't be in the best dressed contest but he certainly is festive!

Happy Easter

The Kansas City Home show was this past weekend and we went on the first evening it opened.

There were a lot of vendors there with different things:  windows, siding, housewares, guttering, roofing, more windows and more siding, fountains and all sorts of different things.

We chatted with the gentleman that was there from an invisible fence company because we are considering doing that for our little furry friend we adopted the end of January.

It was an interesting evening... unfortunately due to the weather here in Kansas City, they were reporting on the television that it drastically effected the turnout of the home show.

Here are a few shots I took there.....  I don't know why there were birds there....

I have heard that here in Kansas City there have been a couple of instances where accountants have been telling their first time home buyers that they cannot apply for the $8000.00 tax credit until 2009.

THAT is NOT TRUE! 

 I have a copy of the blank 1040.  Go to page 2, under line #69 where it says attach form 5405.  I also have also a copy of form 5405 that you will need.  You can look at  "C" at the top.  You can claim it now if purchased in 2009.  If they purchase in July, 2009, they can file an amended return and get their $8000 immediately.

However, the drawback is that the EZ form which most of them would file does not accommodate this so they will have to file the regular 1040.

I would be willing to share these forms with whomever wants them.......... just email me at franwhite@kc.rr.com........... in the subject line put TAX FORMS and I'll send them to you as PDF file you can print out.

And if you know someone who is wanting to buy, NOW is the time to do it.....if they are looking in the Kansas City North area, have them give me a call  816-682-3897

Until next time.......

Aye me little wee lads and lassys.... it's St. Patrick's Day again in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City has a very active Irish following, along with an Irish Fest that happens over Labor Day, we have a great St. Patrick's Day parade downtown!

This year the parade will run Broadway - 33rd Street (Linwood) to 43rd Street from 11 AM to 1 PM.

This is the 36th edition of this Kansas City tradition and the weather appears to be very cooperative!

Follow this link  www.kcirishparade.com  for more information....

Until next time.....

Every once in a while we venture out of our neighborhood in the Northland and go to this fabulous spice store that carries nothing but SPICES! 

I know I've mentioned before that my wonderful husband was a Chef in another life before he became a Pharmaceutical Robot Engineer........ and that the kitchen is HIS domain !

We have this special place that we go to in old Overland Park, Kansas, just a hop, skip and a jump from our neck of the woods.

Upon walking in your mouth begins to water at the mere possibilities of what you could dress up with their array of spicies from all over the world.  It's truly delightful!

You can get anything from vanilla from other parts of the world to mouth watering garlic to dried chopped celery.....

We can't even go in the place without dropping fifty bucks!  They also have boxed gift sets for every occasion

It's a real treat!  Check out their website  www.penzeysone.com

And you are ALWAYS greated with a smiling face!

Until next time...............

This week the Gladstone City Council hammered out the details of its ban on smoking in most enclosed places.... places of employment and public places within city limits. This includes Gladstone's thirteen parks.

The ban does have some exceptions for instance: bowling alleys, pool halls, bars and restaurants that seat less than 75 people as long as they post a sign that says "non-smoking areas are NOT available."

A decision to my knowledge hasn't been reached as yet... but watch for a decision to be made shortly.

Yes, you read correctly..... a lovely couple that I just worked with are getting $8000.00 for buying a home.

Of course I'd love to tell you that it was just for the pleasure of working with me, but in all honesty it's due to the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

They qualified in every way...
#1. They haven't owned a home in the last three years
#2. They purchased between 1/1/09 and 12/1/09
#3. Their combined income wasn't over $150,000
#4. They intend to keep the house for three years.

With anyone who is wanting to get a home, you need to have your credit in order in addition to all the requirements of the act.

So if you have been sitting on the fence and not making a decision to buy a home ... Now is the time!

If you need some assistance with your real estate needs, please feel free to call me. 816-682-3897