How to Choose (and Care for) a Real Christmas Tree

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Yes, there are tons of fake tree options out there from colored and pre-lit to flocked to real-looking.  While they don’t drop their needles or need watering and can be recycled year after year, none of them have the appeal of the fresh pine smell. Many Christmas tree enthusiasts are simply unwilling to overlook this.  If you are planning on getting a real tree this holiday season, here are a few pointers to help you not only pick a good one, but also to help you keep it around until the end of the month.

Choosing your tree:

• Shop early as fresh, good-looking trees tend to get picked first.
• Choose a tree lot that uses local trees; trees that have travelled farther are obviously less fresh and were cut longer ago.
• Shake the branches a few time to make sure needles don’t fall off.  A few is normal, but if you get a pine needle shower the tree isn’t fresh!
• Pluck a needle or two off the tree (it shouldn’t come off too easily) and break it.  It should be moist and smell like pine.
• Check the tree for discoloration. A healthy evergreen tree should be bright green.
• If you are concerned about pesticides shop for an organic tree from an organic tree farm.
• Measure your space before you leave home so that you are sure to get a tree that will fit.
• You can save both time and money if you research what type of tree you want ahead of time.
• Make sure the tree lot attendant cuts a fresh base for you and that you take it straight home and put it in water.

Caring for your tree

• Use a tree stand that holds water and keep it filled.  Trees can drink up to a gallon of water a day when they are fresh so be sure to keep water above the tree’s base.
• Don’t put anything in the water, some things can actually dehydrate the tree or poison pets.
• Consider LED lights as they are not only more energy-efficient, but also don’t dry the tree out as fast as traditional incandescent bulbs.
• Turn off your tree lights before going to bed or leaving the house. 
• Keep the tree out of direct sunlight if possible.
• Try to keep the tree away from heat and ventilation sources to keep it from drying out.
• Think about turning your thermostat down as trees survive better in colder weather.

These few simple tips can help you pick the perfect tree and hopefully it will last until the big day!

Debate Rages Over Kentucky’s Plan to Build an Ark

Kentucky plans to offer massive tax incentives to a group of entrepreneurs planning to build a life-size replica of the Biblical Noah’s Ark as a part of Ark Encounter, a Bible-based tourist attraction.  The Governor of Kentucky Gov. Steven L. Beshear announced the plan on Wednesday stating that his purpose in office is to create jobs in a tough economy and not to debate religion.  Critics are up in arms claiming that the government cannot back a project that is overtly religious or risk violating the First Amendment which calls for separation of church and state.

The theme park plans to bring in live animals and actors and proposes that the tourist destination will draw approximately 1.6 million visitors in its first year alone.  If all goes to plan, the Ark Encounter project will break ground on an 800 acre section of land in Grant County, Kentucky next year using Amish builders, wood pegs and timber framing.  The park will also include a Middle Eastern village circa the first century as well as a 100-foot tall Tower of Babel, play areas for kids, and numerous other Bible-themed activities. 

 Supporters of the project claim that since it is a for profit organization, they can receive government backing.  The project will cost $150 million and create 900 jobs.  The flip-side of the coin is that the park is a strictly Christian themed-project promoting Creationism as historical fact.  This is the sticky point.  By backing or funding this project critics claim that the Kentucky government advocates this view of history and supports Christianity.  At this point in our down-trodden economy does it really matter where the money comes from if it is going to create opportunity and revenue to the state?  That seems to be the big question floating around the state of Kentucky these days.

Rendering of the project curtesy of Ark Encounter

Unabomber’s Land For Sale

Ted Kaczynski is in a maximum security prison in Colorado serving a life sentence for a nationwide bombing spree that killed 3 people and injured 23 between 1978 and 1995.  He was labeled the Unabomber for targeting University scholars and airlines sending 16 mail bombs.   Kacyznski was a child prodigy, University professor and a Harvard-trained mathematician who went on to lead the FBI in one of the most expensive man hunts of all-time until being captured in April of 1996 at his cabin after a tip-off from his brother.

Kaczynski moved to a remote cabin and 1.4 acre heavily forested parcel of land in Lincoln, Montana in 1971 where he worked to teach himself survival skills in an attempt to become self-sufficient.  His bombing spree seems to have stemmed from his anger at the wilderness surrounding his remote cabin becoming developed.  His bombs were intended to raise awareness of the destruction created by modern technology.

Today his secluded patch of land in Montana with no electricity or running water is up for sale.  The cabin is not included in the listing as it is currently on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.  John Pistelak Realty of Lincoln, Montana has listed the Unabomber’s previous property at $69,500 down from a listing price of $154,500.  The listing offers potential buyers an opportunity to own a part of “infamous U.S. history,” (AP news).  The listing site shows the location as being heavily wooded, secluded and surrounded by chain link fences topped with barbed wire.  It is unclear who currently owns the property.

High-Rise Market Booming In China

While most countries are suspending construction on tall high-rises due to a fumbling economy and financial crisis, China is on a predicted pace to claim 34% of the world’s 100 tallest buildings in the next few years.  This will surpass the United States by a massive margin!  The skyscraper was born in America and in 1990 was home to 80% of the world’s tallest buildings.  This number drops to 12% by the year 2012 at the current pace. 

The Chinese economy is bouncing back and construction continues on high-rises at a staggering rate.  With overcrowded downtown areas and a massive amount of people in small spaces, China is building up.  Chinese leaders want to be recognized as worldwide commercial centers and believe stunning architecture can help accomplish this.  High-end office space is in high demand both for local and foreign businesses in China so the worry that office space will remain vacant is moot.  Right now 4 of the 10 tallest buildings under construction are in China.

AP Shanghai Tower

Candy Cane Lane Turns 25!

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Several streets around the world from Edmonton, Alberta to Westwood Hills, California to Seattle, Washington have laid claim to the name “Candy Cane Lane” around the holidays.  These particular streets put up thousands of lights on their houses in tandem every year.  Extravagant moving light displays, parades and even visits from Santa Claus himself set these streets apart from most neighborhoods. 

The Milwaukee, Wisconsin neighborhood with claim to the famous Candy Cane Lane name is celebrating 25 years of being lit this year.  Over 300 homes participate in the West Allis neighborhood between Oklahoma and Montana Streets.  What started as a neighborhood block party of sorts has now turned into a massive fundraising event for the MACC Fund which benefits children with cancer and blood disorders.  While admission to the public is free for both cars and pedestrians, donations are encouraged.  West Allis’s Candy Cane Lane has raised over a $1 million throughout the last 25 years during the month of December. 

For the 25 year anniversary of the neighborhood project, you can see several dance teams, ice carving, choir performances and a procession of emergency personnel on different nights throughout December. If you are in the area, check out the Christmas light display on Candy Cane Lane from 6-9 pm on weeknights and 5-10 pm on weekends from now until December 27th.

Foreclosures Still Dragging Housing Market Down

Cities where the average person could never afford a home are seeing record low prices and mortgage interest rates are at a 60 year low.  This would lead you to believe that there may be a light at the end of these dark real estate market times.  Unfortunately this is not the case. The number of foreclosures in most American cities continues to drag home prices down and is playing a major role in keeping the real estate market from rebounding.  There are currently millions of home loans that are delinquent in the country and a good four million more that are at least 90 days past-due and most likely headed for foreclosure.  RealtyTrac reports that 1/3 of home sales in 2010 were short sales and foreclosures at an average discount of 26%.  In October concerns over foreclosure processing put a halt to many foreclosures as the need to investigate arose.  If this process takes awhile, the more foreclosed properties will pile up and when they do finally hit the market it will depress prices even more.  Add these issues to the high unemployment rates and it would appear that we are far from seeing any kind of improvement in the housing market anytime soon.

Tips For Hosting Holiday Houseguests

The holidays can be a magical time with a warm home filled with laughter and joy.  Of course if you are hosting, it may also leave you frazzled trying to accommodate all your guests and their needs.  Here are a few tips for helping your holidays go smoothly for both you and your guests.

• First off be sure that you have time to relax and spend time together!  One of the main complaints of guests during the holidays is that they didn’t get to spend any time with the hosts.  Hosts can feel that they need to do so many things to keep everything running smoothly that they never actually just sit down and talk with the people who came to see them!  Be sure to plan some down time, everyone will appreciate it.
• Hosts should lay down the house rules and expectations right away.  This eliminates anyone feeling put-out that things aren’t being handled the way hosts want and also helps guests feel at ease knowing what is acceptable in a new home.  Guests need to know what your policies are on whether or not they need to take their shoes off when coming into your home, where you allow eating and how you feel about smoking to name a few.  Explaining these things up front eases any discomfort down the road.
• As a host, consider installing power strips or docking stations for guests to charge their electronics on.  There is nothing worse than searching for an outlet to charge your phone in the middle of the night!
• Put easy-to-use alarm clocks on the nightstand in the guest room.  This eliminates guests trying to figure out a new and complicated clock, but also ensures they can catch that early flight out!
• Also consider black-out shades for the bedroom.  These are inexpensive and can ease a lot of discomfort.  Some of your neighbors may have holiday lights on their houses that shine in the guest room at all hours.  These shades are also great for your guests travelling with kids who may be on a different schedule and helps them be able to sleep even if it isn’t dark out.
• Be sure to add plenty of blankets to the guest bed so that no one is shivering in the middle of the night.  It is always easier to take layers off than to try to find blankets in a strange house after dark.  You may also add a plush throw rug to wood floors to avoid creaking floors when your guest has to find the restroom in the night and is afraid they may wake you.  It not only dampens the sound, but also is inviting and comfortable!
• Put a small basket on the nightstand with headache medicine and travel essentials next to a coaster and water glass.  This is a nice touch that will help your guests feel at home as well as combat those holiday hangovers!

Don’t stress about those guests this year, rather relax and enjoy your time together with these few simple tips for a wonderful visit!

Israel Markets Harry Potter Connection

Tourists are flocking to Ramle, Israel to see the grave of Harry Potter.  Not to worry, the wizard character created by author J.K. Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe the actor who plays him in the extremely popular movie series are still alive.  Radcliffe’s newest installment in the Harry Potter series Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows- Part 1 opens in theaters on Friday keeping the series very much alive and at the forefront of many minds.  While Rowling has on one hand confirmed that there will be no more books featuring the young British wizard, she has recently admitted that she hasn’t ruled it out either.  Harry Potter is a household name.  So why are people rushing to the backwater town in Israel to get a look at his grave if he isn’t dead?

Pvt. Harry Potter from the British military who was killed in battle in 1939 at age 18 (although the tombstone incorrectly says he was 19 since he lied about his age to enlist) is buried in Ramle in a British military cemetery.  Pvt. Harry Potter was born near Birmingham, England and enlisted in the British military in 1938 being killed in Palestine in battle just a short year later.  Despite Pvt. Potter’s obvious lack of connection to the literary figure, tourists are still drawn to the site to view his tombstone. 

Ramle, located in central Israel, is a working-class town that welcomes tourists every year to view archaeological ruins in part due to the city’s central location.  Five years ago, the city found the tombstone bearing the famous name nestled in among 4,500 graves and added it to the city’s tourism website.  Now thousands of people every year rush to the cemetery to take pictures of the famous site.  According to tour guides, the lack of connection to the famous Potter is irrelevant, the name itself is famous and is marketable (AP news).

AP Photo/Moti

Homes Getting Smaller

The days of bigger being better seem to be over, at least for now.  People are downsizing due to necessity these days.  The real estate slump has the median American home size down from 2,300 at the peak in 2007 to 2,100 square feet today according to a study done by Trulia.  During the peak, people were financing home remodels and additions through re-financing deals.  Now most of those loans are a thing of the past.  Home owners can’t get re-financing loans and most can’t afford them anyway.  The unstable economy also may give many homeowners pause when considering expansion.  With unemployment and foreclosure rates so high, many homeowners are just trying to keep their heads above water and hold onto the home they have.  Some are even downgrading from larger to smaller homes.

While downsizing seems to be out of necessity, this is not the only reason for the shift from bigger to smaller.  Both established baby boomers and new-in-the-market millennials are preferring smaller homes and backyards with more of a sense of community.  Communal green spaces and front porches seem to be more desirable than sitting rooms, formal living rooms and extra bathrooms that go unused.  The new millennial generation are buying their first homes and seem to want to live in more urban and walkable communities as opposed the suburbs.  Baby boomers are getting older and prefer smaller floor plans and more manageable homes. 

Whether the reason for the shift is cultural or necessity, homes in America are getting noticeably smaller.  This year’s concept home, the ”Home for the New Economy” according to Builder Magazine is only 1,700 square feet.  This home is built to represent the current state of the economy.  The super size everything mentality may just be a thing of the past.

Tiger Woods’s Bachelor Pad Ready to Move-In

This photo taken by Jeff Lichtenstein Realty shows Tiger Woods’s newly remodeled $50 million home on Jupiter Island in Florida.  Tiger originally purchased the 12 acre property on the water for $35 million 3 years ago and has now sunk an additional $15 million into renovating it.  He added a 6,400 square foot gymnasium/bar/media room that is attached by a glass walkway to the already 9,729 square foot mansion.  He also added an elevator, reflection pond and narrow lap pool. 

Perhaps what makes this property most unique is what appears to be a personal golf course complete with a speculated sub-air temperature and humidity control system to allow for non-native grass to be grown, several options to practice his short game and many other features all surrounded by dense vegetation.  Tiger also built the golf course closer to the intercostal waterway than he did the house, reversing what the natural order would be.  Tiger Woods can now practice his golf game under various conditions and best of all, he can do it in private.