Ann Hayden's Real Estate Blog

Which do you like better Styx or Boston??  After attending a concert on Friday night at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri, I feel the need to ask this question.  I went to this concert thinking I like Boston but was very surprised to find out I had already missed most of the best part of the bands.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, we were late for the concert start time.  After arriving and getting our seats, it was apparent Styx plays music for the audience.  Everyone in the audience was swaying to the music, dancing and singing.  The members of the band were very fan friendly.  They put on a great show.  As Tom Shaw said goodbye, the stage was torn apart and set for Boston. 

At this point, I am happy to be in the arena.  AND then it happens, they start to play....  Needless to say, after the first seemingly endless song, I am happy I have the earplug in my ears.  The music was way too loud! 

All of those familiar songs only sounded familiar until the band started to sing.  They did not sound very good.  AND when did Boston ever have a girl play guitar in the band? 

We eventually left, before the show was over.  I spied many empty seats after Styx left the stage and only after enduring about 45 minutes to an hour of "music" did I understand why. 

Maybe Boston was having a bad day.  But then again maybe Styx is really just that good!  I was totally impressed with their performance.

Here is an invitation for anyone who ever thought they might enjoy stomping grapes!  It is a fun time in a beautiful setting.  This will be my third year attending the Stomp.  And unless I am under the weather or worse, I will be there.  Be sure to bring blankets, chairs and picnic items.  And bring your imagination.  We have had wedding parties stomp grapes together, Lucille Ball look alikes, Mario Brothers, etc.  If you can think of an original costume, come on out and stomp for style or for volume.  Either way it is a stompin' good time for all.  Audience participation is required!

 The Stompinator

"On Your Mark, Get Set, STOMPERS STOMP!"  

You only have to stomp for 2 minutes which, to most, may seem like a short amount of time.  But I can assure you, in the hot sun, 2 minutes is a LONG time.  Grapes along with the vines feel very interesting on your bare feet.  I cannot imagine doing this for a living or for actual wine consumption.  YUK!

The winery tour will give you a fairly in depth history lesson.  Stone Hill is Missouri's oldest and most awarded winery.  The tour helps you appreciate the heritage of this gorgeous area and the winery itself.  The Held Family has done a stellar job restoring the winery and capturing a piece of the past

 Please join us in picturesque Hermann, Missouri on the "hill"  at Stone Hill Winery for the annual Stone Hill Grape Stomp.  Come have a stompin' good time by stomping for fun and charity! Help celebrate the beginning of the grape harvest by stomping your toes into a barrel full of juicy grapes! The Grape Stomp is a charity event for River Bluff Industries, a local Sheltered Workshop for the mentally and physically challenged.

When: The event is August 9th,2008.  Time:  Registration starts at 11 a.m. but the line forms at about 8 a.m. since only 90 people can stomp due to time constraints and the quantity of grapes.  So come early if you want to participate!

Age Categories:  0-12 yrs, 13-19 yrs, 20-39 yrs, 40-55 yrs, over 55 yrs. Special Groups: Stomp already-stomped grapes for style points and fun. Only six special group slots. At end of competition, there will be a Grand Stomp-Off among age-group winners and Grand Style Stomp-Off among age-group style winners for Grand Prize.

Judging:  Stompers judged 80% on amount of juice and 20% on stomping style. Stompers get 30 lbs. of grapes and two minutes to stomp to music. Winner from each class with highest overall points goes on to compete in the Grand Stomp-Off for Grand Champion Stomper. Winner from each class with highest style points goes on to compete for Grand Style Stomp-Off for Grand Champion Style Stomper.

Cost:  Grounds Fee: Adults = $3.00; Children = $1.50: Preschool = Free (includes tour). Proceeds go to River Bluff Industries.
Stomping Fee = $5.00 (½ of entry to River Bluff Industries, ½ to prize money.)  Most if not all of the winners donate their prize money back to this worthy cause.

Winery:  Tour tickets are available at the tour booth. Maximum tour size is 50 people. Tours are on the hour and half hour. Grounds fee includes tour: Adults = $3. Ages 6-12 = $1.50. Preschool = Free. Friday and Saturday Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Last tour at 7 p.m.

Chilled wine and grape juice available by the bottle at winery and Pavilion. Limited to one bottle of chilled wine per person.  Lunch served 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Accepting dinner reservations from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Call 573-486-3479 for reservations.

 COME, join us and STOMP!

We all need reminders about how important our financial health is especially in the current economic climate.  So here are 5 steps to take to check up and improve your financial health.

1)  Budget.  I know this is a dirty word to some of us but if you have no idea what you spend your hard earned money on, how can you justify the spending?  Try tracking your spending.  This does not have to be a forever exercise.  Try it for 30 days, 2 weeks, 1 week or even one day.  The idea is to see how and where you spend your money.  There will not be a quiz or anyone looking over your shoulder but honesty is what you need here.  Keep a small notebook is your pocket or purse to jot down what and when you make purchases. Also make note of how much you spend.

2)  Get a 'handle' on your debt.  Debt needs to be under 36% of your total income with your mortgage and all installment debt included.  Pay off your highest interest rate debts first.

3)  Save.  This is another dirty word.  Do not stop living but for one month try paying only in "bills" or paper money and save all the change in a jar.  At the end of the month, count what you saved.  It will likely be more than you imagined and now you can put it away for a rainy day. 

4)  Pay yourself first.  This seems silly I know but you pay everyone else, why not yourself?  The trick here is to put the money somewhere you cannot regularly "see" it.  Try to put your money in a special account. 

5)  Keep working.  Your employment history can have an impact on the interest rates on loans.  You need to be on the job and working for at least 2 years. 

Good luck!

Does anyone else feel like America is for sale?  Today Anheuser-Busch, the King of Beers, is being sold to InBev, a Belgium based company.  Why?  To keep shareholders happy.  InBex is purchasing A-B for a cool $52 Billion. 

What does this sale mean to St. Louis?  What does it mean to the country?  At this point it is difficult to say, but rest assured business will change.  New people will be in charge with new ideas.  New ideas of how to make more money.  Will this mean a change in the time honored brewing process? 

I visited the brewery last week with my brother and his family.  The tour was interesting and enlightening.  Many steps are involved in the brewing of a great beer.  The process is timed and very precise. The ingredients used are of the highest quality. Even the water is purified so all of the products taste the same no matter what state they are made in or for. 

The company's history is nothing short of amazing...American history.  The company survived Prohibition by selling non-alcoholic products. The company sold ice cream, root beer, ginger ale and baker's yeast to name a few. 

The Budweiser Clydesdales are magnificent horses and a must see on Super Bowl ads not to mention a symbol of America.  And let us not forget to mention the red, white and blue Budweiser logo or the A with the eagle swooping in.

Will this be the end of the "Real Men of Genius" commercials or just the end of "Anheuser Busch St. Louis, Missouri" at the end of the radio commercials?

Anheuser-Busch holds a 48% market share in the US.  Will this continue? 

What effect will the sale have on the real estate market in St. Louis? 

Only time will tell.

Wooded 20 acres at a bargain price of $79,999

 property begins at tree line

 middle of property            

20 Acres Willowford Rd. Robertsville, Missouri                                      $79,999

Looking for seclusion? This is the place! Heavily wooded 20+/- acres. Plenty of wildlife. Buy now and build your own private paradise.

For details:  www.selectann.com/543607  or email: ahayden@psphomes.com

Currently off the market but could still obtain one time showing.

Spacious Lake house only 30 minutes from St. Louis, MO

3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1658 sq. ft.                           $210,000

Home has been meticulously maintained. The enormous master bedroom was added in 1998. It features a great view of sparkling Lake Serene. Features include: vaulted ceiling, master bath with Jacuzzi tub, private dock, beautifully landscaped level lot and 2 car over sized garage. The floor plan is light, bright and open. Skylights give natural light thus saving you money on electric.  All this and a home warranty.

More details:  www.SelectAnn.com