Another in the series of Boot Sculptures for the celebration of the 150th birthday of Olathe, Kansas.Read Any Good Boots Lately? is a boot sculpture standing six foot tall and designed by Chris and Sue Langseth.  The design is in recognition of the Ladies Reading Circle which was started in 1883 and helped the Olathe Public Library get established.  In fact the location of the boot sculpture is in front of the Olathe Public Library on the east side of downtown Olathe.  The books on the boot are featured books about Kansas or are Kansas authors.For those of you who haven't read any of my prior posts on the boot sculptures, I will just note that there are twelve of these six foot sculptures displayed throughout Olathe in celebrating Olathe's 150th Birthday.The sponsor of this boot sculptu... 08/21/2007

The Sole of Downtown Boot Sculpture - another of the twelve Boot Sculptures which is in the 150th Birthday celebration for Olathe Kansas.The "Sole of Downtown" boot sculpture is sponsored by The Olathe News.  This again is one of the twelve six foot sculptures helping to celebrate Olathe's 150th Birthday.The sculpture was designed by Diane Porter Triplett, and displays the historic architecture and building materials reflected in Olathe's courthouse square and downtown Olathe.  The buildings in this display are the original Johnson County Courthouse, the Cherry Place building, Park Cherry building and an awning representing the original downtown businesses.The sponsor of this boot is The Olathe News, our local Olathe newspaper.  This newspaper use to be a daily paper, but the Kansas Cit... 08/15/2007

Another of the twelve Cowboy Boot Sculptures helping to celebrate the 150th Birthday of Olathe Kansas.The "Early Snow" boot sculpture is sponsored by the First National Bank of Olathe and is one of the twelve six foot sculptures helping to celebrate Olathe's 150th Birthday.The sculpture was designed by Linda Wisely of Rantoul, Kansas and recalls the scenery of the rural area near Olathe, Kansas.  On the boot is a cowboy, a barn scene and a buffalo in the winter snow.  The vivid aqua, violet and ochre colors give a resemblance to the winter snow reflections from the Kansas skies.  This is one of the most colorful boots on display.The sponsor of this boot is First National Bank of Olathe, (which just happens to be financial institution I call my bank), and one that has a rich heritage in ... 08/08/2007

The celebration of Olathe Kansas and its 150th Birthday with Boot SculpturesThe Proud Past boot sculpture is one of the twelve six foot sculptures helping to celebrate Olathe's 150th Birthday.The art teacher, Lora Simms, along with the students of Indian Creek Elementary School designed and painted this "Welcome Home! Cowboy Boots" sculpture.  Lora and the student's collaborative efforts were a great way for the students to get involved with Olathe's 150th celebration.The sponsor of this sculpture is provided by Security Savings Bank.  Security Savings Bank was established by Don Bell a pioneer in home development here in Olathe Kansas.  In 1989, Donald H. Bell, Sr. and his wife Faith acquired ownership of the Security Savings Bank and merged this institution with their existing institu... 08/07/2007

The Mahaffie Farmstead Boot Sculpture helps Olathe Kansas in Celebrating it's 150th Birthday. This boot sculpture is provided by the City of Olathe and is one of the twelve sculptures in celebration of Olathe Kansas 150th Birthday Celebration!  For more information on the twelve sculptures check out this link.This sculpture incorporates the landmark Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site.   The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site is Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the last remaining stagecoach stop on the historic Santa Fe Trail still open to the public here in Olathe Kansas.James Beatty Mahaffie and his wife, Lucinda, moved in 1857 to Olathe, Kansas. In 1858, James Mahaffie purchased 160 acres along the Westport Cut-Off section of the Santa ... 08/07/2007

Olathe Kansas is Celebrating it's 150th Birthday with the Hyer-Kansas School for the Deaf Connection Boot Sculpture.This boot sculpture is provided by O'Donnell and Sons and stands in front of the Olathe-Kansas School for the Deaf connection which began in 1866.  C.H. Hyer, maker of the first true cowboy boot, taught shoe and harness making at the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD) for six years.  Mr. Hyer employed many deaf workers at Olathe Boot Company until C.H. Hyer and Sons, Inc. closed in 1978.  "KSD is the oldest state educational institution in the State of Kansas. The School was founded by Philip A. Emery, a deaf man who had been a teacher at the Indiana School for the Deaf from 1854 to 1860. Emery had come to Kansas to start a new life and a new occupation; but he was persuaded... 08/06/2007

Subdivision with vision - Arbor Creek, Olathe, Kansas A community within a community!  The developers of Arbor Creek, a new sub-division here in Olathe, Kansas began by putting together a truly interesting concept that has turned into a highy sought after community.  The reality is there homes, estates homes, townhomes, a daycare, a small cafe, small mom and pop shopping centers, dry cleaning, a bank, a doctor's clinic and a small park with a fountain.  I'm sure there are more businesses I should mention, but they escape me right now.   The first phase of homes started with three price ranges including townhomes and estate homes.  During this phase, you could bring a builder into the development as long as they met the guidelines set aside by the developers. In the second phase, the bui... 07/29/2007

Relocating to Kansas, looking for a new home, Olathe Kansas offers a community with lots of benefits.Olathe Kansas is the county seat for Johnson County and the downtown area is the location of the Johnson County Courthouse, Olathe City Hall, the Johnson County Administrative building and a bundle of other law offices, title companies, one of the libraries in Olathe and a few other businesses.Johnson County was organized in 1855 and was named for Rev. Thomas Johnson, who in 1829 established a mission among the Shawnee Indians about eight miles southwest of Kansas City.  Rev. Johnson took the Pro-Slavery side of politics, and was the President of the first Territorial Council.  He was shot and killed, in January 1865.Information on the evolution of Olathe Kansas can be found at this link... 07/26/2007

Learning at the top of the Class - Olathe School District, Olathe, KansasThe Olathe School District puts it's stamp on the our community and the lives of those who are work in the district, learn from the services provided by the district, and provide support to the district.  I could be a bit prejudice, as my wife works in the district and my kids went to school in the district.  However, this is one of the reasons why I can express my strong beliefs in the Olathe School District.The Olathe School District, USD 233, serves students in a 75-square-mile area within the cities of Olathe, Overland Park, Lenexa and Shawnee a total of 26,000 students and 4,300 staff members.  The Olathe School District currently has 31 elementary schools, eight junior high schools, and four senior high schoo... 07/24/2007

Olathe Kansas is Celebrating it's 150th Birthday with the Day Dreamin' in Dad's Cowboy Boots SculptureThis boot sculpture is provided by MidAmerica Nazarene University and is one of the twelve sculptures in celebration of Olathe Kansas 150th Birthday Celebration!This sculpture illustrates a boy's imagination and his dad's cowboy boots.  The design provides a convergence to become a bronco bustin' cowboy. Young boys and girls growing up in the heart of America, Kansas gives way to the imagination of a backyard rodeo with your best and dearest friend, your dog!  Oh the life of a kid, lets bring back those days!Now a little about the sponsor, MidAmerica Nazarene University.  Located at 2030 E. College Way in Olathe, Kansas, MidAmerica is located on a 105-acre campus.  Olathe is the county ... 07/23/2007

Enjoy a relaxing home in Cedar Creek of Olathe Kansas Looking for an amazing community in the Kansas City area where you can sit back and enjoy that vacation style living everyday of the week!  Look at Cedar Creek, a community of over 900 families, built on over 4,500 acres of Ozark like mountain views with heavy treed lots, streams and lakes, rolling hills, and limestone cliffs.  Right here in Olathe, Kansas!Setting in the heart of Cedar Creek is the Shadow Glen Golf Club which offers an outstanding golf course with views of the 65 acre Shadow Lake, soft sponge like fairways and outstanding homes where you can get lost in a community of beauty and outstanding lifestyles.  Just look at these pictures!  The water falls cascading down the limestone walls, the bridges over the rolling stre... 07/23/2007

Olathe Kansas is Celebrating it's 150th Birthday with the Bumble B. Boot SculptureGarmin International sponsored one of twelve cowboy boot sculptures displayed around Olathe Kansas in celebration of Olathe's 150th birthday.  This boot sculpture is called the "Bumble B. Boot". It provides details of what the 1860s travelers would see as they make their way in stagecoaches to the Mahaffie Stagecoach stop. If you can set yourself back in time and imagine the images of nature that could be seen along the way, you would see vast open plains of wheat fields and blue skies.  There would also be sunflowers swaying in the breeze and an occasional bumble bee buzzing by. In the distance, travelers to Olathe would see the courthouse, a sign of Olathe's commitment to progress.Garmin is a global comp... 07/21/2007

Olathe Kansas is Celebrating it's 150th BirthdayFarmers Insurance Group is sponsoring one of the twelve cowboy boot sculptures grazing the skyline of Olathe Kansas in celebration of Olathe's 150th birthday.  This one is called the "Fluttering Along the Santa Fe Trail". This boot answers the question, "What would cover a cowboy boot walking along the Santa Fe Trail?"  Monarch butterflies and sunflowers, of course! I had the pleasure of getting to visit this boot sculpture up close and personal. It's really an amazing design, full of color and it really catches the eye of those driving by. The three-dimensional monarch that graces the top edge of the boot sculpture captures everyone's attention, it is so life like.Since Farmers Insurance Group sponsored this one, I thought I would mention... 07/21/2007

One of the things about being a busy real estate agent based out of Olathe, Kansas is the crazy hours. There are a lot of times when I want to do something fun with the family but need to provide service to my clients instead.But not last night. At 7:00 pm the Olathe Concert Series brought to our city Mark Selby along with opening act Fast Johnny Ricker. (Fast Johnny pictured right.) So Marie and I packed up the four kids +1 and headed over to Olathe's Frontier Park. Now, I've written about the Olathe Concert Series before. And we've had fun there.But last night was another level.Before yesterday I had no idea who either of these guys were. I had heard of John Ricker. But never heard anything by him. I had never heard of Mark Selby. But as it turns out, these two dudes rock and can ben... 07/14/2007

Where do you stand on sprinkler systems, do you have one, do you want one, or do you like to move those hoses and rotating sprinklers?  How many times have you gone off and forgotten to turn the water off?  Or wanted to take a vacation or short trip, but didn't have someone to home sit and water your lawn and garden areas!Why not install a programmable water system and set it to spray an inch of water per week?  Be aware that an automatic sprinkler system may increase your water usage by at about 50 percent compared to not watering. The key to your success will be in programming the system. A properly programmed in ground watering system can be more efficient and use less water.  Improperly programmed systems can easily waste water, so make sure you use a professional to help you adjust... 07/08/2007

It seems Olathe, Kansas has made it's mark as the City of Champions on eBay for sports purchases.  eBay discovered that Olathe, Kansas topped all cities in buying sporting goods and memorabilia.  Purchases were made at $196,481 with nearly 4,000 items purchased during the past three months.  The most expensive item purchased was a 1931-32 Reach Yankees baseball for $4,650.  Other items purchased were an Alex Gordon rookie baseball, a Michael Jordon Master Collection and a set of Callaway x20 tour irons by Olathe, Kansas residents.Of the items purchased, trading cards worth $33,000, almost $80,000 in golf equipment and $14,000 on autographs were made in Olathe, Kansas.  When I first looked at the items purchased, it seemed baseball was at the top of the list.  With the Royals having a be... 07/08/2007

Woodland Creek is Located in Olathe, Kansas and is located between 155th Street and 159th Street on the West side of Lackman/Blackbob.  Currently Woodland Creek has 13 homes actively listed for sale with 31 homes sold in the last year. The gives a roughly 5 months supply of homes based upon current demand. There are roughly a half dozed FSBOs on the market right now as well. The price range for the Woodland Creek Homes Listed for Sale is $194,900to $299,000 The price range for Woodland Creek Homes that have sold in the last year range from $176,000 to $263,000 If you are interested in Buying or Selling in Woodland Creek, please contact me at 913-908-2215 or Ken@Ken-Jansen.com. You can also visit my website at http://www.kansascityrealestate411.com  . View Homes for Sale in Kansas City G... 07/07/2007

This home has sold.   Thank you for your interest in 15222 W. 156th Ct. in Olathe Kansas 66062 Woodland Creek Subdivision. This home is priced at $210,000. Kansas City MLS # 1412570. This two story plan has been pre-inspected by Amerispec and comes with a one year warranty through First American Home Warranty company and the remainder of Pulte's, the builder,  warranty. Your new home has 3 Bedrooms 2 full baths, 2 half baths, a two car front entry garage, a fenced back yard, and a finished lower level. The home has a two story entry with hard wood floors, a formal dining room, Family room on the first floor with a gas log fireplace. New Frieze Carpet was installed in June 2007 on the first floor and the stairs to the 2nd floor. The Kitchen has Bruce hardwood floors, a working kitchen Is... 07/07/2007

Olathe Kansas Celebrates 150th Birthday with Cowboy Boot SculpturesOlathe Kansas is celebrating it's 150th Birthday (1857 to 2007) by featuring twelve, six-foot tall fiberglass boots through out the Olathe Kansas area.  See list below for all the locations. To view all the boot sculptures and a map of the locations, go to this link.The theme the city of Olathe provides is, "Welcome Home, Cowboy Boots!"Olathe Kansas is an ideal location for this cowboy boot display, the first true cowboy boot was made by C.H. Hyer, an Olathe bootmaker, back in the 1880's.  This makes Olathe the birthplace of the cowboy boot.Olathe Kansas is also the historical location of the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails.  About 780 miles or 1,260 kilometers long, the Santa Fe Trail (later became known as the Mountain Rout... 07/02/2007

Independence Day,  more than a day of fireworks!As Americans, most of us know, July 4th is our nationally recognized holiday of independence.  But what does this day really mean to you and to me?  Well, I believe we owe those in our armed forces a day of recognition and honor.  You are providing to us here at home, an opportunity to live in a land that is free and I honor and respect you with all my heart and soul.  I truly want to stand up and salute you!  Thank you!So, when you are enjoying your day with your family, please remember those you have given so much for all of us.  I wish each and everyone who reads this, my deepest and most sincere hope for your day to be filled with joy and happiness.  I'm also no different than many of you, I love to see a fabulous 4th of July celebrati... 06/30/2007