Edmond Approves New Police Records Management System

To help police officers easily identify people who may pose a threat to society, a reliable police record system is important. That type of system manages  all of the police records, so it is easier and faster for police officers to locate the files they need.  However, in Edmond, the Police Records Management System is outdated and losing its functionality.

The current system used by the police is a 1998 system, and it needs to be replaced.  So, the City of Edmond is doing just that.  The City Council has already approved a new Police Records Management System for a cost of $922,768, and the New World Systems Inc. record management software suite is now what the police department will be using.

Though the new system is estimated to become fully operational by 2014, the city has already set the bid for the system to be easily moved to its new location at the new Public Safety Center and Ancillary Facility at 100 E. First St. According to city officials, the new system will be paid for by the Public Safety Center Capital Improvements Tax.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Adding Curb Appeal to Your Home

If you are planning to sell your house or simply want to impress your guests, then it’s time to add some curb appeal to your home. Improving the exterior of your home helps to attract potential buyers and makes your guests excited to come inside and have a look around.

Here are some creative ideas on how you can add curb appeal to your house:

• Create an attractive mailbox. Don’t just stick to the typical shape and look of a mailbox – dress it up. You can make it look like a small version of your house or simply complement it by using similar materials and colors.  Or, you can take an otherwise ordinary mailbox and turn it into something extraordinary by surrounding it with beautiful flowers.
• Add a lighted entrance. Install some outdoor lighting along your pathway to create a feeling of grandeur. You can hide small fixtures in between plants or position tall lampposts on each side of the walkway.
• Create a garden in your front yard. Nothing is more attractive than beautiful, bountiful flowers. For year-round color, add a blooming flower bush.
• Install a pergola in your front yard. It will add a touch of elegance and offer a welcoming feeling as people enter your yard. Add a table with comfortable chairs and pillows to create a little oasis where you can snack and chat with your guests.
• Paint your front door and windows an attractive color. You may decide to paint them the same color, or you may decide to make them different colors.  If you opt for more than one color, just be sure they complement each other because you do not want to make the exterior look like a mess. Bright colors make it more attractive and easily stand out from the rest. You can also finish off your front door with a pretty wreath or ornamental hardware.
• Make your front porch welcoming. Add some lovely seating with decorative cushions and pillows. Decorate with potted plants and hanging flowers to add color to the space. Also, most importantly, make sure to keep it clean at all times.
• Add tiles to your stoop. Make your home especially inviting by permanently setting welcoming tiles in front of your door. Add brick below the stairs and finish it off with classy tiles or stones just outside your front door.  Once you do that, welcome mats are no longer needed.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Important Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Plumber

When you encounter problems with your plumbing, the first thing that comes to mind is to call a plumber. But, just like any hired professionals for home repairs, plumbers need to be able to do the job better and faster than you, so you can use your plumbing again in no time. Having to go through a number of plumbers can be overwhelming, but it’s worth it once you find the perfect person to do the job.

To help you evaluate whether or not your potential plumber is the right kind of person to work for you, ask these important questions before hiring. Knowing the answers to these questions will give you a clear idea of whether or not a particular person is the plumber for you.

• Do you offer a 24-hour emergency service? Plumbing problems are not restricted to only certain times of the day. You may be taking a shower in the middle of the night when your plumbing goes out. Best to have a plumber you can call at any time.
• Do you have a license? Are you willing to work with someone that cannot provide a guarantee of his expertise? If you are not willing to take that risk, consider a licensed plumber.
• How quickly can you arrive at my house? Knowing this will allow you to determine when your plumbing will be fixed if/when it encounters problems. Though most plumbers can come as soon as possible, some may take several hours.
• What is your service rate? Ask this ahead of time so you will know how much to pay him after he is done with the job. This will also prevent problems in case your plumber tries to quote you a higher price later.
• Are there possible references in my neighborhood? Try to know more about the quality of job your potential plumber can provide by asking his previous clients. It would be easier for you to seek references from people that are within your area.

Do not be afraid to evaluate your potential plumber first before hiring them because you want to be sure you get the most out of your repair cost and reduce the risk of total damage to your plumbing.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Lights of Awareness Featured at Integris Health Edmond

Holiday lights and bright Christmas trees are all around us this holiday season. They remind us of the joy and happiness that surround this time of year.  But, no matter how we celebrate and enjoy the holiday season, there are many people who may not be able to fully revel in the celebration because they are battling life-threatening illnesses like cancer.

To offer support and awareness for people who are suffering from cancer, Team Outdoor Lifestyle has partnered with Integris Health Edmond to showcase a well-lit group of Christmas trees at Integris Health Edmond.  Team Outdoor Lifestyle is a landscaping and creative outdoor lifestyle company that offers lawn care and maintenance, as well as other outdoor features. may be battling.

The light display will feature 42 trees lit with 300 strands of holiday lights, or 21,000 lights total. There will be nine different colors on each tree, with each olor representing a disease. AIDS will be red, breast cancer will be pink, lung cancer will be white, Leukemia will be orange, colon cancer will be royal blue, bladder cancer will be yellow, prostate cancer will be in light blue, and kidney cancer will be green.  Purple will represent general awareness.

Light displays will be available for viewing outside the Integris Health Edmond until January 31, 2013.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Common Home Security Mistakes to Avoid

Home security is important for keeping your family and property safe from thieves and intruders. When implemented properly, you can feel very secure, knowing that it will be extremely difficult for unwanted trespassers to enter.  However, there are still people who don’t prioritize their home security enough and therefore leave their houses more vulnerable to theft and unwanted intruders.
To increase the level of your home security and prevent situations of robbery or theft, avoid these common mistakes:

• Hiding keys in obvious places. You may want to hide a spare set of keys somewhere outside your house in case you lock yourself out, but be careful where you stash them because thieves are very familiar with that practice and therefore usually look for them. Hiding keys under a big rock or under your doormat is really common. If you need to hide a spare key, put it in a more challenging, unexpected location.  If you can put it on the other side of gate that you are able to access, that’s even better.
• Not fixing broken doors or windows. If you leave a full crack on your window, thieves can easily break through it. The same is true when you fail to fix your door hardware. Repair broken windows, doors, and other exterior openings as soon as possible.
• Leaving doors and windows unlocked. Needless to say, if you unlock your door or window, anybody can come inside. Make it a habit to lock your doors prior to going to bed or, even better, immediately after you come inside.  Check your garage door as well to be sure it is closed and locked.
• Turning off the lights when no one is in the house. If you and your family need to go away for a few days, don’t make it obvious that your house is empty. Having a dark house is a big signal to thieves. If you need to leave your home, even for a few hours, leave a light by a window on or put your lamps on automatic timers.
• Having an overgrown garden. One of the appeals of larger vegetation is that it makes your yard more private.  But, keep in mind that tall plants can also conceal lurking intruders. Keep your garden properly maintained and at a level that keeps you safe.

 

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Benefits of Using Interior Glass Doors

Decorating your home with interior glass doors is a perfect design solution if you want to integrate beauty and function, such as creating a room divider, establishing an entryway, or closing off a nook or closet.  In fact, there are many benefits of glass doors.  Here are a few:

• Open up a dark entryway – Glass panels are ideal if you want to let natural light come in. If you have a dark hallway with limited lighting, install a glass door to allow light to come in even when the doors are closed.
• Augment your home’s aesthetic value –The beauty of interior glass doors makes any home look more attractive and valuable. Guests and home buyers automatically view them as a luxury item.
• Make a small room look bigger – The see-through interface of glass panels widens your sight perspective and makes any room look bigger. Your eyes can see through the door, so you see not only all of the room, but also beyond.
• Reduce your energy costs – Since natural light can easily filter in, there is no need for added lighting during the day. This will help minimize your energy costs.
• Bring the outdoors in – Installing glass doors instantly gives you a glimpse outside. You are able to maintain your privacy while still enjoying your garden.
• Easy to maintain – Glass doors are easy to clean and maintain because they are immune to termites or other insects. Simply wipe your glass panels clean when there is dirt, and you will have a door that is as good as new.
• Enhance your interior view – Glass doors allow you to see beautiful features of other rooms. For example, while sitting at your dining table, you and your guests can enjoy the view of the fireplace in the next room.
• Close for privacy – If you want more privacy in your home office, but don’t want to feel isolated, glass doors will help you achieve that.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Preparing Your Home Entrance for Holiday Guests

As exciting as it is to have guests over for the holidays, sometimes you do so much to prepare for them on the inside that you forget to prepare on the outside for their arrival.  The front door lacks holiday decoration, the walkway outside is too dark, and there seems to be no place to hang their coats. Holiday guests may only stay for a few hours or a few days, but making their stay with you special from the time they arrive will create an experience they will never forget.

Prepare your home entrance for welcoming your holiday guests with these helpful tips:

• Create a festive welcome. Decorate your foyer with beautiful holiday lights to greet your guests. Make the place bright and fill it with holiday decorations. You may also want to hang a lovely Christmas wreath on your front door.
• Enhance your main door. Check for possible repairs that should be addressed, like unpleasant cracks or scratches on the door. Give your main door a fresh coat of paint several weeks before your guests arrive. Also check for loose hardware and replace hinges or door knobs if needed.
• Place a welcome mat at your door. It will make your guests feel welcome and will also protect your floors from snow and mud that may be on your guests’ shoes.
• Clear the pathway. Starting from your pathway outside up to your hall, clear the way of obstructions like potted plants, garden tools, snow piles, leaves, umbrellas, and shoes.
• Install hooks for hats and coats. To prevent your guests from bringing their outside clothes into the main part of the house and scattering snow everywhere, have them hang their coats and hats the moment they arrive at your house. Install several hooks near your door entrance or in your mudroom.
• Provide a place to sit and remove their shoes at the door.  This will protect your home from snow and mud.
• Check your outdoor lighting. Some of your guests may arrive at night, and it can be hazardous for them to walk up your walkway and stairs without proper lighting. Install outdoor lighting if you don’t already have it, so your walkway is highlighted. If you do have outdoor lighting, check to be sure it is functioning properly  and that it’s bright enough for everyone to see where they are going.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Edmond Public High Schools to Undergo Drug Testing in January 2013

When Edmond Public Schools students return to school after their holiday break, some of them will be undergoing drug testing as part of a continued campaign to reduce the influence of drugs within the student population.

School administrators reviewed the drug policy and approved it last October.  Public high school students in Edmond who are involved in extracurricular school activities will be required to go through drug testing, starting January 7, 2013.  According to Edmond Public Schools, as well as the Supreme Court, students who participate in extracurricular activities serve as role models and leaders among their peers and therefore need to remain drug and alcohol-free.

About $35,000 will be allocated to the drug testing of students. High school students who want to participate in any extracurricular activities in school, such as sports and clubs, must go through drug testing first. A consent form will have to be signed by the student, a guardian, and the coach or organization’s sponsor, in order for the student to join. Students who are already in extracurricular activities are subject to the same requirement and can be requested by their coaches to go through drug testing.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Holiday Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights This Weekend in Edmond

The holidays will soon be in the air in Downtown Edmond, as several holiday events are scheduled for this Saturday, December 8.

First is the annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting, which will start at 6 p.m. Those who want to witness the grand lighting of the city’s Christmas tree can do so at Shannon Miller Park.

After the lighting presentation, the winners of the 2012 Mayor’s Essay Contest will be presented. The theme of this year’s essay is “If you were Cindy Lou Who, what would you do to convince the Grinch not to steal Christmas and help his heart grow three sizes too big?” Winners will have the opportunity to join the Edmond Electric Parade of Lights.

The holiday festivities continue with the annual Edmond Electric Parade of Lights, which will start at the UCO campus and continue through the downtown area.

To end the evening, after the parade, people can enjoy the Outdoor Ice Rink sponsored by Edmond Electric until 10:00 p.m.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

City of Edmond to Install Greener Lights for Christmas

Christmas is in the air in Edmond with beautiful lights scattered around the city.  And, despite last year’s problems with the holiday lights, city officials are bringing brightness and cheer to residents once more.

Last year, the city’s holiday lights were damaged by the contractor who was overseeing their installation.  So, to avoid the same issue this year, city officials decided to replace the old lights with greener and more cost-effective LED lights.  LED lights are more energy-efficient than incandescent lights, which will also save the city money in energy costs.

The city spent nearly $43,000 for the new LED light, which will decorate 36 trees and 38 poles on Broadway from Edmond Road to Hurd, 22 trees and 23 poles on First Street, 6 downtown buildings, and the Festival Market Place pavilion.  About 5,000 bigger lights will be installed on buildings and 6,000 lights will be installed on trees.  The city will also install two six-feet-tall lighted wreaths for the Festival Market Place.

The new LED holiday lights are expected to last for 8 to 10 years and will save as much as 60 percent of the energy used for incandescent lights.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031