Home Maintenance Tip -

Cooktops and RangesCooktops and ranges generally do not require much maintenance, but a little care and prevention can do a lot to prolong the life of your unit. The key to maintaining range or cooktop function is to keep it clean. Wipe up spills as soon as they cool - acids from foods can cause damage, so clean up spills before they have time to react with the cooktop surface. Reflective drip pans should be cleaned regularly to maintain their shine, because shiny surfaces reflect heat back to the pot or pan. Plus keeping drip pans clean lengthens their life. When cleaning around burner elements, ensure the elements are completely cooled, (to be extra safe, unplug the unit before cleaning around burners), and be careful not to shove debris into wiring or gas ports. Choose non-abrasive cleansers to avoid scratching, pitting, discoloration or damage to vulnerable porcelain or ceramic cooktops.

Events this Week

Music City Soul Series
Thurs, Feb 25. B.B. King’s Blues Club and Restaurant. 256-2727. 7 pm. $10 - $25. Scat Springs performs with Michael Fair and Kandace Springs.

Miss Nelson is Missing
Sat, Feb 27 - Sun, Mar 28. Nashville Children’s Theatre. 25 Middleton Street. 254-9103. Show dates and times vary. $12 - $17. Miss Nelson, a teacher at Horace B. Smedley Elementary School, can not keep her rowdy students in line. Miss Nelson goes missing and a much stricter and scarier teacher replaces her.

Closing Exhibit Reception for Interior Designers, Architects and Collectors Sat, Feb 27. Davis Art Advisory. 75 Arcade. 347-306-1859. 4 pm - 7 pm. Free. Design professionals and collectors are invited to this special closing reception for “Wander and Wonder” featuring photographs of nature by Byron Jorjorian.

Preds Day at the Frist
Sat, Feb 27. Frist Center for the Visual Arts. 919 Broadway. 244-3340. 10 am - 5:30 pm. Predators fans wearing Preds’ gear (hat, shirt, jersey, etc.) will receive free admission to the center. A $10 value! Explore two new exhibitions: “Masterpieces of European Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce” and “U-Ram Choe: New Urban Species.”

17th Annual Our Kids Soup Sunday
Sun, Feb 28. LP Field, Club Level West. 341-4917. 11 am - 2 pm. $40 family (two adults and all children in household), $20 adults, $8 children and students. Sample delicious soups from over 50 local restaurants and vote for your favorite. Event benefits Our Kids Center.

Virtuoso Showcase Concert Series
Sun, Feb 28. Main Library. 615 Church Street. 862-5800. 2:30 pm. Free. Polish guitarist Lukasz Kuropaczewski will perform.

Affordable Monthly Parking

Looking to cut your monthly parking costs? Consider using our LP Field Parking Option. Park at LP Field and ride our convenient Park It! Express shuttle to your office building. Parking is free with a permit and shuttle passes are only $25/month. Click here to sign-up and here for the shuttle route map.

Events February 24 - March 14

Miss Nelson is Missing at the Nashville Children’s Theatre - through March 28

Nashville Predators present Hockey Tonk Gala at the Sommet Center - February 24

Madea’s Big Happy Family at the Municipal Auditorium - February 24

Brother Trouble at the Wildhorse Saloon - February 24

Gabe Dixon and Dylan Altman at 3rd and Lindsley - February 25

Business After Hours at the Pinnacle at Symphony Place - February 25

Music City Soul Series featuring Scat Springs with Michael Fair and Kandace Springs at B.B. King’s Blues Club - February 25

Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB at the Ryman - February 25

Verlon Thompson and Friends at the Station Inn - February 25

Eric Church at the Wildhorse Saloon - February 25

Art Making: Heroes Agora Art Making Project at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts - February 25

Eric Church at the Wildhorse Saloon - February 25

Mark Harriman and Swagger at Mulligan’s Pub and Restaurant - February 25 - 27

Sir Neville Marriner at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center - February 25 - 27

Blue Highway at the Station Inn - February 26

Jonell Mosser at 3rd and Lindsley - February 26

Novena, Blue Collar Suicide and After Elvis at the Hard Rock Cafe - February 26

Dusty Hundley at Legends Corner - February 26

Make Us to Be Numbered with Thy Saints Winter Symposium at Christ Church Cathedral - February 26 - 27

The Roland White Band at the Station Inn - February 27

Songwriter Session with Victoria Shaw at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - February 27

The Nashville Opera presents The Three Little Pigs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - February 27

Lewis Copeland at The Stage - February 27

Adult Workshop: Art Bites: Heroic Foods at the Frist Center for Visual Arts - February 27

Mandy Barnett at 3rd and Lindsley - February 27

Help Haiti Live! at the Ryman Auditorium - February 27

Eric Clapton at the Sommet Center - February 27

Jamfest’s The Music Jam at the Municipal Auditorium - February 27

Nashville Ballet presents The Singing Tortoise at the Nashville Public Library - February 27

Virtuoso Showcase Concert Series featuring Lukasz Kuropaczewski at the Main Library - February 28

iMarriage DVD Study at First Baptist Nashville - February 28

Dobro Demonstration by Gene Bush at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - February 28

Playhouse Disney Live! at the Municipal Auditorium - February 28

Our Kids Soup Sunday in LP Field’s Club Level - February 28

J.R. McCoy at the Second Fiddle - February 28

Melissa Paige at Legends Corner - February 28

The Chris Weaver Band at The Stage - February 28

The Protomen at 12th & Porter - February 28

Contemplative Concert with Rolin Mains and Friends at Christ Church Cathedral - February 28

Alice in Chains at the Municipal Auditorium - March 1

Edmonton Oilers vs. the Nashville Predators at the Sommet Center - March 2

Mamma Mia! at TPAC - March 2 -7

Los Angeles Kings vs. the Nashville Predators at the Sommet Center - March 4

Anita Renfroe Live! at First Baptist Nashville - March 4

Bach’s Masterpiece at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center - March 4 - 6

Knowing Me Knowing You ABBA Tribute at 3rd and Lindsley - March 5

Kara and the Hitmen at Decades - March 5

Ohio Valley Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Sommet Center - March 5 - 6

First Saturday Art Crawl at various downtown art galleries - March 6

Gordon Lightfoot at the Ryman Auditorium - March 6

Poets and Prophets: Salute to Legendary Country Songwriter Roger Murrah at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - March 6

Songwriter Session with Karyn Rochelle and Cory Batten at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - March 6

Dolceola and Guitar Demonstration with Andy Cohen at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - March 7

Film Screening: The Winning Hand at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - March 7

Vancouver Canucks vs. the Nashville Predators at the Sommet Center - March 7

Tesla Rossa at 12th & Porter - March 7

Lady Antebellum at the Ryman Auditorium - March 10

Tyrone Wells with Tony Lucca and Roy Jay at 3rd and Lindsley - March 11

That’s Amore! at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center - March 11 - 13

SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Sommet Center - March 11 - 14

Lunchtime Organ Recital at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center - March 12

Bueller at Decades - March 12

Tribute to Michael Jackson at TPAC - March 12

Rodrigo y Gabriela at the Ryman Auditorium - March 12

Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular at TPAC - March 12

Jamie Cullum at TPAC - March 13

Songwriter Session with Gary Burr at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - March 13

Family Program: Making Records at Historic RCA Studio B at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - March 13

Banjo Demonstration with Pam Gadd at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - March 14

Company of Thieves with Jenny Owen Youngs, Bess Roger, Allison Weiss at 3rd and Lindsley - March 14

Information Provided Weekly By: www.nashvilledowntown.com

Home Maintenance Tip -

Keeping Your Water Heater Fit

Most people don’t give much thought to their water heater - they just turn on the faucet and expect hot water to come out. Water heaters are relatively maintenance free, and you can keep your water heater in peak operating condition just by performing two simple maintenance tasks every six months: test the pressure valve and then flush the tank.

If the pressure release valve is not operating properly, the tank can potentially over pressurize and explode. Flushing the tank prevents sediment build up, which can reduce your water heater’s energy efficiency and clog your water lines. Consult your owner’s manual or other maintenance guide for instructions on how to safely perform these maintenance tasks. You can also visit us at www.orhp.com and click on the QUICK FIX TIPS link in the Homeowner’s Section of the site for more information.

Information Provided By:

Old Republic Home Protection

Cameron Foster
Sr. Account Executive
(800) 282-7131 Ext. 1436
CameronF@orhp.com

Home Maintenance Tip -
Seal Up Cracks and Gaps and
Save on Your Energy Bill If you were to measure the total space of the cracks, gaps and holes around the perimeter of an average home, you would find a hole that is roughly three feet square. Imagine how much heat can escape, or moisture can enter, through a space that large. To prevent these problems, inspect the perimeter of your home and apply caulking or weather-stripping wherever necessary. Both caulking and weather stripping can reduce the flow of cold air in, warm air out, and ultimately cut energy costs. How to Caulk: Clean surface by removing dirt, loose paint and old caulk, and thoroughly dry the surface. Determine which caulk to use based on the size of the crack or gap and the surrounding material. Cut the tip off of a tube of caulking at a 45° angle and load it into a caulking gun. The nozzle is tapered, so the amount you cut off determines whether you have a thin, medium or heavy bead of caulk. Cut near the narrow end for a narrow bead or further up for a wider bead. Use a long nail to break the inner seal and to plug the nozzle when finished. Apply caulk by laying a uniform bead of caulk that overlaps both sides, and completely fills, the crack. Remove excess caulking and allow it to dry.

We just received news that Congress approved the legislation on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 to extend the tax credit past it’s orginal deadline of November 30th, 2009.  It will also expand to a larger portion of home buyers!  The legislation should be signed into law very soon by President Obama.  This will allow home buyers that qualify to put a contract on a home by April 30th, 2010 and close on their new home by June 30th, 2010.

This legislation will also include a new $6,500 credit for owners of existing homes who are purchasing new primary residences.  An existing home owner can back claim this new credit, if he/she has resided in their primary residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.

This information was provided to us by THDA: Tennessee Housing Development Agency.

Plus, THDA will be extending their Stimulus Second Mortgage Loan Program past November 30th, 2009 to incorporate the new deadlines.  They will however, not incorporate the provision for existing home owners under the Stimulus Second Mortage Program.

Join Rambo’s family at Hillwood Strike N Spare Family Fun Center: 3-6pm Saturday 10.17.09 to raise funds for Rambo’s expensive treatment.

Rambo is a 4yr old Great Dane who was diagnosed with a painful disease called Wobblers.

Unable to make it?  You can still donate to his cause - Check Payable to:

Doug Bruce Jr. / 5510 Oakmont Circle / Nashville / TN / 37209

THDA has introduced new rates effective 10.20.09!

Great Rate: 5.00%

Great Advantage: 5.30%

Great Start: 5.60%

Contact Your Move Real Estate for more information!

Most of you are aware that the $8000 tax credit for first time home buyers ends on November 30th. November is a short month, with only 17 business days. Tennessee Housing (THDA) has established November 16th as the deadline to submit files for closing prior to the November 30th expiration date. Because these loans have to be complete when lenders submit to THDA, lenders need adequate time to originate, process, and underwrite the files prior to the THDA submission. Therefore, we are making October 16th our deadline to turn in a file for THDA financing. This will allow us approximately 21 business days to work on the file, and send to THDA.
For first time homebuyers not using THDA, but still expecting to close on or before November 30th, we are requiring loans to be submitted to underwriting by October 22nd.
Loan submission means that we have a complete application, signed disclosures, credit docs (paystubs, w-2’s, etc..), and contract by October 22nd for non-THDA loans (October 16th for THDA loans).

Info Provided By:

Joe Repass
Regions Mortgage
40 Burton Hills Blvd., Ste. 370
Nashville, TN 37215
Direct: (615) 748-2824
Cell: (615) 400-7564
Fax: (615) 748-2823
joe.repass@regions.com
www.regionsmortgage.com/joerepass

http://www.mystridesvideo.org/movie.asp?crypt=%A0%D9%D2%A3%B5%DF%DF%CA%C6%99%D7%D8%A1%B2%D5%C9%E1%DD%DA%D4%8E%C4%E2%D8%D9%D5%C8%B0%92%9C%A2%A9%98%9F%9F%A9%9B%CE%ED%CA%E7%E6%DA%DB%B2%9A%A4%A3%92%AA

Home Maintenance Tip -

It’s Fall: Time to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Fall maintenance is important because it helps make homes more energy efficient during the winter months, and will safeguard homes against potential seasonal ‘disasters’ such as leaking roofs or home fires caused by neglected chimneys. Here are ten tips to a safer, warmer winter.

TIP #1 — Check the heating system. Check the filter, pilot light and burners in a system fueled by gas or oil. Fireplaces, boilers, water heaters, space heaters and wood burning stoves should also be serviced every year. Have the specialist inspecting your unit show you how to change the filter and then you should change it at least once every 2 months. Clean ducts in the heating system. Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold air returns. Dust build-up in ducts is a major cause of indoor pollutants. Ducts should be professionally cleaned about every three years.

TIP #2 — Have the chimney inspected by a qualified chimney professional. Chimneys should be checked and cleaned, if necessary, on an annual basis. If you are using a wood stove this season, be sure that the stovepipe was installed correctly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and local codes. If there is any doubt, a building inspector or fire official can determine whether the system is properly installed. If you have a chimney that will not be used, consider having it sealed shut.

TIP #3 — Test fire alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and vacuum out the dust. Batteries should be checked every six months to ensure that they’re working.

TIP #4 — Remove excess leaves and damaged branches from trees surrounding the house. Dead branches have the potential to break and fall, ruining roofs, decks, or vehicles and the possibly causing injuries to people.

TIP #5 — Maintain gutters. Remove all debris that can slow or impede the ability of water to drain effectively from the roof. Trapped water can be destructive not only to the gutters themselves but to the adjoining roof as well. Make sure gutter water drains away from your home.

TIP #6 — Inspect the roof. Look for damaged or loose shingles, gaps in the flashing at joints with siding, vents and flues, as well as damaged mortar around the chimney.

TIP #7 — Inspect exterior walls, doors and windows. Check walls and window sills for damage such as cracks, gaps, loose or crumbling mortar, along with splitting and decaying wood. Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors, which helps keep the home weather tight and lower heating bills. Check windows and doors to make sure locks work properly and that they are in good condition. Clean tracks and lubricate hinges. Repair or replace any cracked windows.

TIP #8 — Maintain steps and handrails. Repair broken steps and secure loose banisters and handrails. Broken steps can cause a dangerous fall. Similarly, a person slipping will grab a handrail for support.

TIP #9 — Inspect the attic and basement or crawlspace. Insulate voids in the attic - the entire attic floor above a living space should be insulated with at least six inches of insulation, except around electrical fixtures such as recessed lights that aren’t rated for contact with insulation. Damp basements and crawl spaces can become mold and mildew problems. Watch for leaks from your water heater, plumbing system and seeping rain water from the roof. Locate and maintain a clear access to your main water shut off valve. If you have a sump pump, test, clean and lubricate it.

TIP #10 — Shut down sprinkler systems and outside faucets. Homeowners can shut down outside faucets, however weatherizing the underground sprinkler system is best performed by industry professionals who will flush the system before the cold sets in, preventing cracked pipes.

Excerpted from http://rentonwa.gov/

Information provided By:

Cameron Foster
Sr. Account Executive
(800) 282-7131 Ext. 1436
CameronF@orhp.com