Annual Train Show to be Held in Edmond, Oklahoma

Everyone in Edmond, Oklahoma will soon enjoy a fun, educational exhibit thanks to the 2013 OKC Train Show to be held early in December. The train show is one of the locally loved andlong awaited annual city events which bring a variety of presentations and exciting giveaways to the community.

The Oklahoma Railway Museum issponsoring the event to provide the public with an enjoyable way to learn how railroads and trains work. ORM is a nonprofit organization that aims to preserve the rich tradition embodied by the state’s many historic railroads.

This year, the OKC Train Show will be celebrating its 37^th year.  The event will be featuring the sixth annual Great Train Set Giveaway, where children age 12 and below will have the chance to bring home a train set. Each hour, a complete model train set will be given at random to a child in attendance.

There will also be exhibits and items sold by different vendors. One hundred and twenty-one exhibitors are expected to showcase various memorabilia, supplies, and other railroad related items. Items available for purchase include calendars, t-shirts and books.

The 2013 OKC Train Show will be held on December 7 to 8 in the Travel and Transpiration Building at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Admission cost is $10 at the door. Children 12 years and below are free.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Natural Cleaning Products for Safer Home Cleaning

A lot of times, when people are at the grocery store, they are trying to get in and out quickly, so they don’t spend much time examining different cleaning products that are available.  They tend to stick to what they’ve always bought, whether they are the best and safest products or not.   There are so many different options out there now, though, especially when it comes to greener, more eco-friendly products, so it makes sense to spend a few minutes seeing what’s available.

If you don’t have the time or money, however, to purchase natural cleaning products, you will be happy to know that there are many items that you probably already have in your home that can be used as natural cleaners as well. These cost-efficient natural products can serve purposes other than what you have initially bought them for and have been proven effective when it comes to cleaning.  Here are a few examples:

1. Cornstarch. This is an effective cleaning aid for your rugs or carpets. You can sprinkle cornstarch on the carpet and leave it on for about 10 minutes. The cornstarch attracts dust, which makes vacuuming so much more efficient.
2. Vinegar. It is effective at dissolving grease, soap scum, and lime deposits from smooth surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms because it is slightly acidic. You can mix ¼ to ½ cup of vinegar with water in a bucket and use it to clean your windows, floors, and mirrors.
3. Borax. It can be used to enhance the cleaning power of soap to kill mold.
4. Baking Soda. It is known for being an efficient cleaning aid and has been used to clean everything from laundry to silverware over the years. It can also be used as a gentle fabric softener by adding a cup to your regular load before adding soap to the water. Let it stand for a few minutes and then add your regular soap afterward.
5. Olive Oil. Blend 1 cup of olive oil and ½ cup of lemon juice in a spray bottle. Mist it onto a soft cloth and polish wood furniture the natural way. Olive oil will moisturize wood and create a lovely shine, while lemon juice will clean the surface and leave a fresh scent.

Natural cleaning products are safer to use for humans and pets because they are non-toxic and do not contain harmful chemicals.  They are also safe for the environment, so you can keep your house clean in an eco-friendly, responsible way.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Making your Fireplace Safe for Kids

Winter nights ware always cozier when you can snuggle up by the fire. As enjoyable as it is to have a fireplace in your home, however, curious little hands can make it a dangerous feature. If you have kids, it is important to put proper safety measures into place to ensure that you can still enjoy the comfort of a warm home without anyone getting hurt.

There are a lot of different ways you can make your fireplace child-proof. Here are a few examples:

• Install a safety gate. Create a barricade between your kids and your fireplace, so even if they do come near, they are kept at a safe distance. Make sure that your safety gate fits perfectly on your fireplace, so that there is no risk of it falling down.
• Keep your fire tools safely away from your kids. This includes matches, gas, lighters, and ignition tools. Create a secure tool box and keep it out of reach.
• Install a guard door on your fireplace. Even if you are not using your fireplace, it can still pose a potential risk to kids, especially toddlers and babies. If left exposed, kids can grab ashes and wood particles and put them inside their mouths. They can also climb inside and become trapped.  So, either purchase a door that has a locking feature or buy a supplemental locking contraption to secure the door.
• Add hearth padding. It covers the sharp corners of your fireplace, which will prevent your kids from getting hurt if they bump into it.
• Set boundaries. Create a boundary line that serves as the point across which your kids are not allowed to pass. Be creative by adding non-flammable decorations, so your kids are less tempted to rebel and break the rules.
• Educate your kids. Your children will understand the value of safety rules  if you teach them yourself. Tell them the importance of keeping a safe distance from the fireplace and explain the potential consequences that will occur if they do not do so. If your kids understand, they will want to stay a safe distances from the fireplace, even if you are not there to supervise.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Winter Heating Assistance Offered to Low Income Oklahomans

The cold days and nights of winter are already here and many people are worrying about the upsurge of energy costs. Because of the cold weather, people are forced to level up their heating system despite the increase in energy expense.

To help low-income families stay warm during the cold months without the extreme worry on their energy cost, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services is offering a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP. It is a program where families who are eligible can obtain financial assistance in paying for their winter energy costs.

There are $8 million in federal funds allocated by OKC DHS to the support of low-income families. Funds will be available to all eligible families across the state.

Qualification will be based on household income and the size of the household in question.  One payment is allowed per year for every household.

Here is the maximum income guideline for each household:

Size of household – 1 Maximum net income – $1,053

2                                  $1,422

3                                  $1,790

4                                  $2,159

5                                  $2,527

6                                  $2,896

7                                  $3,264

8                                  $3,632

Applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP will begin on Tuesday, December 10, 2013. Households that have already been receiving assistance from DHS will no longer need to apply. They will automatically be qualified.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Creating an Eco-friendly Home

Eco-friendly and energy-efficient homes are becoming more and more popular these days as people are becoming more environmentally-conscious and interested in exploring alternate ways to save money.  The concept of green living began in the 1960s to 1970s, when the movement to reduce the consumption of modern products initiated.  Now, federal and state governments mandate five-star energy ratings for new houses and apartments, and the rating is set to be raised soon to six starts nationally.

Below are a few ways you can begin making your home more eco-friendly today:

1. Alternate sources of energy – Eco-friendly homes should not fully rely on traditional sources of electricity. You can use solar panels and wind energy to save on energy consumption and cost. You can also start using energy-efficient CFL and LED light bulbs for appliances and light fixtures, which provide good lighting and are less harmful to the environment.
2. Temperature control – Utilize ventilating systems that will efficiently cool or heat your home according to the season. There are firms that specialize in green architecture and offer windows and doors with energy-efficient finishings. You can choose from numerous options to ensure they match the rest of your home’s design.
3. Find an energy calculator – This will assess your current energy usage by calculating the energy usage and efficiency of your house.
4. Rug – Find rugs that are woven from all-natural, sustainable jute fibers.  They are free of synthetic dyes, as well as recyclable and biodegradable.  They will help retain heat in your home.
5. Conserve water – On average, it takes three times more water to take a bath than a shower, so opt for the latter. If you have a leaky toilet, get it fixed immediately because it can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.
6. Use recycled materials – Using recycled materials to decorate your home is another way to establish an eco-friendly home.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Newly Renovated Edmond Boulevard Academy Offers an Open House

Boulevard Academy was the first high school built in Edmond. After opening in 1924, the academy became an education facility for students who needed extra help to stay in school.

Last August, the 90-year-old building underwent renovations to update and repair different areas of the structure. Broken floors have since been fixed, and bathrooms and heating and electrical systems have been improved.

To showcase the new renovations, Boulevard Academy is holding an open house next Monday, November 18, from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony as well, which begins at 4:30 p.m.

Some of the renovations done in the academy include the construction of computer rooms and hands-on science rooms. Classrooms were also enhances and an elevator was installed. Renovations are made to modernize the place but were made sure that the history and character of the academy were preserved. Overall, the cost of the renovation project is $3.3 million.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Improvements Set for Restaurants in Myriad Gardens

A major aspect of popular pubic attractions is a wide variety of amenities. Aside from the lovely views and relaxing ambiance, there must be delicious food and drinks available for everyone to enjoy.

At the Myriad Botanical Gardens, renovation plans have been set in motion for two new city funded restaurants. City Council members have approved the additional funding of $210,000 for the completion of the improvement projects nearthis public attraction.

The funds offered by the City Hall to the Myriad Gardens Foundation will help initialize full use of both facilities.  Once the restaurants are operating at full capacity, the venues will generate income that can reduce the annual operations subsidy from the city.

The two new restaurants will be located on the east side of the garden along Robinson Avenue. One restaurant named Ice House OKC is now open with hamburgers and shakes as their primary product.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Tips for Renovating your Bathroom

The bathroom is perhaps the most used room in the house.  It seldom needs to be renovated, but when the need arises, it is important to consider certain factors.

First, you need to be clear on why you’re renovating your bathroom. Are you simply wanting to add or repair certain fixtures or are you changing its entire look? Establishing this will help you to estimate how much the project will cost and whether or not you are willing and able to afford it.

Another factor to bear in mind is the functionality of a renovation.  Since the bathroom is used so frequently,  it would be wise to consider how long the project would take to complete.  Would having your bathroom out of commission be something that would force you to have to stay somewhere else while it is being renovated or do you have additional bathrooms you could use in the meantime?  If you must stay somewhere else, that may result in additional expenses, which you will need to factor into your budget.

You also need to decide if you need to hire someone or you can do the job yourself.  If you want to do the renovation yourself, be sure you are knowledgeable on how to complete the tasks that will be involved.  You don’t want to cause costly mistakes that you will have to call in a professional to fix or redo.  This is especially true for plumbing issues.

When you’re done considering all of these things, you can then start planning the details of your renovation.  Do any fixtures need repair?  Do you need to replace your bathtub or toilet?  Are you going to use a shower door or curtain?  What kind of flooring are you going to use?

As with any other renovation, a bathroom renovation should be carefully planned to ensure that it will be done properly and give you your money’s worth. Renovations can be very exciting, so just be sure you prioritize the most important factors first, so you can enjoy it for years to come.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Finding the Perfect Vanity for Your Bathroom

Your bathroom vanity is the most-used area of the room, as it is where you get dressed in the morning and prepare yourself for sleep at night. So, you don’t just want something that is elegant and pretty – you want your vanity to be functional as well.

Here are a few tips that you should follow when choosing which vanity to purchase:

1.       Choose an area for your vanity that won’t interfere with your bathroom’s traffic flow. Make sure that it won’t block the bathroom door or shower door. Likewise, be sure that there is plenty of room around your vanity for you to be able to fully utilize it without difficulty.

2.       Position your vanity in front of the window. This will give you natural lighting on your face for when you are doing things like putting on makeup.  You can also position a table on the wall opposite a window with a large mirror hanging over it, so it will reflect light from the window.

3.       Choose the proper color. It is important to choose a color that will suit the shade of your bathroom’s wall because the unit is going to be a focal point in your bathroom. Shades like white, black, and grey are wise options because they easily complement other colors.

4.       The design should depend on the type of bathroom and its existing features. You can choose ornate traditional bathroom vanity styles or you can opt for minimalist styles. Vanities with country designs are also great if you want a warm and relaxing atmosphere.

5.       Cost is a huge factor in choosing the proper vanity. There are vanities available in any prive range, so it is fairly easy to find something that fits your needs and budget.  Consider the craftsmanship of the product as well, so you can be sure it will last a long time.

Finding the perfect vanity for your bathroom can actually be fun.  Just make sure that it is practical, functional, and will provide you enough room to utilize the space efficiently.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Oklahoma City to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of MAPS

A spectacular commemoration celebration will be held in Oklahoma City next month. In the advent of the MAPS OKC20^th anniversary, various community events will be held within selected areas of the city.

The Metropolitan Area Projects, commonly known as MAPS, is an improvement program in Oklahoma Citywhich initiates the enhancement and construction of various public structures to improve people’s quality of living. It was approved by city voters in December 14, 1993 during the governance of former Mayor Ron Norick.

To fund the initiative program, a temporary one-cent sales tax was passed for five years with a six month extension. Part of the capital improvements includes the river restoration, the Civic Center Music Hall, the State Fair Park, a new ballpark and library and a downtown transit system.

Activities of the 20^th anniversary celebration will be held at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on December 6, 2013. A special exhibit will also be held at the Oklahoma History Center.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031