Anyone who has seen pictures of the devastation in Haiti feels a tug to help.  Many people want to donate but are afraid their money won't help the very people who need it the most.  The most effective way to help is to donate money to a reputable humanitarian organization such as the American Red Cross (redcross.org), CARE (care.org) or through UNICEF (unicef.org)  Look for an organization that has a long history of responding to local, national and international disasters. 02/11/2010

Local police departments will conduct Drug Take-Back programs on February 20 and April 17.  Drop off locations for both days are 9 AM - 1 PM at the Ellisville, Eureka and Ballwin Police Stations.  For those closer to Clarkson Valley, Chesterfield and Wildwood, the drop-off days and times are the same but the location is the Fru-Con Building near the intersection of Clarkson and Clayton Roads.  The collection program is being conducted in conjunction with the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Rockwood School District's Drug-Free Coalition.                           Unwanted or unused prescribed medications are typically flushed down toilets or thrown into the trash.  Organizers hope more people will use this alternative drug disposal program.  This is a safe and proper way to disc... 02/11/2010

Chesterfield Missouri condo sales are noted below for January 2010.  Days on market for condos continue to increase as difficulties with getting mortgages for condos continue.  For specific information about your condo complex, call us at 314-422-2762. Condo sales can vary from complex to complex. 02/10/2010

Here is an update on Chesterfield Missouri residential real estate for January, 2010.  The market started to wake up in January.  We will post condo information separately.  Call us at 314-422-2762 for specific data for your home or subdivision.          02/10/2010

Today was a day to watch weather forecasts.  We saw the West Coast has had rain followed by mudslides.  The East Coast has a nor'easter bearing down on them to dump yet another load of snow.  We in the Midwest might have had cold weather this season but at least here in St. Louis, we are at least 7" below average for snow at this point in the winter season.  We did get a few inches yesterday that did result in some school closings but for the most part, our driveway was clear by afternoon with the sun's help and little of my snow shoveling.                                          I even had the snow blower out and tuned up ready for the 6 inches we were supposed to get, but it wasn't worth even getting it out. Truly, in St. Louis, we usually only need a snow blower a few times a winter... 02/10/2010

"If the property is ever going to sell in this market, Becky is the one to do it." Mark Wonderlin heeded this wise counsel from his brother and put a call into Becky O'Neill. Mark and Stephanie Wonderlin were preparing to relocate to downstate Illinois.  They listed their townhome with a local realtor.  Over the next 18 months that agent led them to drop the price twice and put in over $5,000 in renovations.  No offers came and the agent complained that the price was still too high and the housing market was too bad.  When the contract was up, the Wonderlin's cut that agent loose.  Mark talked with his brother and was encouraged to contact Becky O'Neill. "When I spoke with her the first time I was immediately impressed with her knowledge and aggressiveness to market the property. She ta... 01/29/2010

Here is an up to date satellite weather map for the St. Louis area.  Again, we are lucky enough to miss all of this nasty winter weather.  It might be cold, but at least we don't have snow!!!  Further south of us is getting hammered with snow - 8" this afternoon.  I will take cold but no snow any day!  Current temp is 17 degrees.  BURRRRRRRRR!! 01/29/2010

                                 I have been an associate at Coldwell Banker Gundaker for nearly 10 years.  It has been a great experience.  In our market, CBG as we affectionately call our company, is the dominate market leader.  We outsell the next 12 companies combined.  Our company is always investing in the most advanced technology which allows us to sell more property and recruit some of the best associates in the St. Louis area.  When you have referrals for the St. Louis area, think of Jim and Linda and Coldwell Banker Gundaker.  We are the Real Estate Duo.  Our license plate speaks for itself!  Love the Realtor plate!!                                               01/28/2010

Marquette School District Missouri Market Statistics January to December 2009 St. Louis County Missouri All Bedrooms: Single Family Residential Units Sold:  417 Average sold price:  $329,886 Average market time:  86 days In comparison, here is the breakdown of those numbers in relation to the number of bedrooms per sold units: 2 Bedroom units sold:  14    Average Sold Price:  $156,380  Average market time:   77 days 3 Bedroom units sold:  130  Average Sold Price:  $197,838  Average market time:  71 days 4 Bedroom units sold:  236   Average Sold Price: $374,818  Average market time:   88 days 5+ Bedrooms units sold:  37  Average Sold Price:  $572,896  Average market time:  123 days   Information compiled from Rapattoni Corporation. Real estate needs:  www.SelectAnn.com .   For all your r... 01/19/2010

Motivational Monday....  Wildwood MO Crossing The Bridge   Real estate needs:  www.SelectAnn.com .   For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area.  Updated daily.  Sign on for FREE!  Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!  All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select Properties Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood Office.  Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed 01/18/2010

Luckily, the dismantling is just for repair, not for removal!  There is some major maintenance work going on at Faust Park in Chesterfield. Some tender loving care is required for the historic Faust Park Carousel as it is in the process of being dismantled for repairs. The problem is the main bearing inside the center of the ride is wearing out and needs to be fixed. In order to get to the part, the entire carousel must be taken apart.Faust Park brought in Todd Goings, a renowned carousel expert to help with the repair process, "The project is more in disassembling and reassembling the Carousel than actually the work that will be done on the parts. It is just getting to the parts is the project."The ride normally shuts down during the month of January, but this year, it will remain clos... 01/14/2010

This is good information as the 2010 Census is about to BeginTHIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE: Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson With the  U.S.  Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau  (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to  become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the  2010  U.S.  Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the  addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than  140,000  U.S.  Census workers will count every person in the  United  States  and will gather information about every person living at each  address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a  U.S.  Census worker and a co... 01/10/2010

Well, it was time.  We cut down our Christmas tree during our annual Christmas tree hunt on the day after Thanksgiving.  We went to a new tree lot in Wright City, MO and despite not having a lot of trees, we found THE most beautiful tree this year.  We moved into a new home last year with 9 foot ceilings so we were able to get an 8 foot tree.  We went with a white pine this year instead of the usual scotch pine.  We sat in our family room many evenings this holiday season admiring the tree.  But on January 2, it was time for the tree to come down.  Jim had major back surgery on December 18.  It is a surgery he has had before so he knew what he was getting in to.  Originally, the surgery was planned for December 29th but we got a call on December 17th asking if he wanted to move his sur... 01/07/2010

It is that time of the year again -  Poinsettia killing season.  Now, this is certainly not a deliberate effort on my part.  I love a full, beautiful Poinsettia.  In fact, I look forward to Christmas because I love Poinsettias.  I am a traditional-look Poinsettia fan - the true red ones.  I really don't care for the variegated ones, the salmon ones or even the blue ones with glitter on the leaves (what are they thinking??)  We even purchase Poinsettias to give to clients as a holiday gift.  What I have found though, it is imperative that we distribute the Poinsettias immediately after procurement so there is no time for me to kill them.    Well, I say that it is Poinsettia killing season because now that Christmas is over, my Poinsettias are either dead or on life support.  For years, c... 01/07/2010

St. Louis Missouri Schools have First Snow Day of 2010 Yes, St. Louis, Missouri and surrounding areas have snow falling.  The roads are snow covered and very slick.  I am happy to report the districts have called school off this evening.  Most if not all schools in the area are having a snow day tomorrow January 7th, 2010. Officials are asking people to stay home unless they have an emergency.   The snow is expected to end sometime on Thursday but the temperatures are going to plummet and possibly cause re-freezing and dangerous conditions.  Friday the temperature is not going to make it out of the single digits. This is the coldest weather we have seen in nearly 30 years.  The Missisissippi River looks more like the Arctic than the midwest river...  They are predicting blizzard conditi... 01/06/2010

What are 10 Things to do in St. Louis in 2010?     It is hard to narrow down the list to only ten things to do in St. Louis this year.  Our city is so rich in culture and activities, restaurants, and services.  After much contemplation, the following list emerged.  Be sure to put all of these activities and destinations on YOUR to do list this year!  (They are listed in no particular order.)   St. Louis Gateway Arch http://www.explorestlouis.com/myStl/memberDetails.asp?mID=67&pt=1&ic=2      2.  Busch Stadium http://cardinals.mlb.com/stl/ballpark/ballpark.jsp      3.  Grant's Farm http://www.grantsfarm.com/      4.  St. Louis's World Aquarium http://www.worldaquarium.net      5.  Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour http://www.budweisertours.com/home.htm      6.  Forest Park http://www.explorestl... 01/05/2010

This is a wordle of our blog.  Don't know what a wordle is?   It is a word cloud of the words on a webpage or website.  Or, you can just create a Wordle with words of your choice.  You can customize it any way you like with color, fonts, etc.  Check it out and do your own.  This was really fun!   http://www.wordle.net/. Images of Wordles are licensed .   01/04/2010

2009 Chesterfield Missouri condo sale volume was up for 2009 over 2008.  Sales increased 6.9 % to a total of 154 units sold.  Days on market were a concern as almost half of the units were on the market over 120 days.   We will continue to keep you apprised of Chesterfield real estate trends. 01/03/2010

This is a snapshot of residential real estate sales activity in Chesterfield, MO for 2009.  A total of 458 units sold. This is down 5.2% from 2008 which had 483 sales. Days on market increase, but only slightly.  We will keep you apprised of local real estate trends for Chesterfield. 01/03/2010

10 Things to do in Chesterfield, MO in 2010                                       What are 10 Things to do in Chesterfield, MO in 2010?     It is hard to narrow down the list to only ten things to do in Chesterfield this year.  Our city is so rich in culture and activities, restaurants, and services.  After much contemplation, the following list emerged.  Be sure to put all of these activities and destinations on YOUR to do list this year!  (They are listed in no particular order.) •1.      The Botanical Garden's Butterfly House in Faust Park (my personal favorite) http://www.mobot.org/press/Assets/FP/butterflyhouse.asp •2.      The Face and the Body Day Spa (OK, also a personal favorite) http://www.faceandbodyspa.com •3.      Skyzone Recreational Center http://www.skyzonesports.com/def... 01/02/2010