10 Fun Places to Visit in the Kansas City Area

1. Hallmark Visitors Center- 2450 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri 64108. 816-274-3613

There's so much to see at the Hallmark Visitors Center! Our permanent exhibits give you a glimpse into Hallmark's creative world. Be transported to a magical place where every day is a holiday, and there is always a reason to celebrate. When you visit the Hallmark Visitors Center, you enter the world of creativity and celebration of life. Don't be surprised if you laugh out loud, exclaim in amazement, or even shed a tear! At Hallmark, emotions are our business.

2. Liberty Memorial/ National WWI Museum- 100 W. 26th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 816.784.1918

The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial provides an extraordinary experience. The state-of-the-art Museum gives you the chance to explore and discover the nation’s most extensive assembly of artifacts, photography, art and narratives of the Great War ever presented in a single collection. The Museum introduces the war in unprecedented ways – through visual and audio sensory stimulation to mold an unforgettable experience in the minds of all visitors – young and old.

3. Boulevard Brewery- 2501 Southwest Blvd Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 474-7095

Founded in 1989, Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to become the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. Our mission is simple: to produce fresh, flavorful beers using the finest traditional ingredients and the best of both old and new brewing techniques.

4. KC Zoo- 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64132 (816) 513-5700

The Kansas City Zoo helps keep the fun going into the fall with a full line-up of fun, interactive events and activities. Visit the Zoo today and enjoy our daily Animal Encounters, which continue through October.

5. Nelson-Atkins Art Museum- 4525 Oak Street Kansas City, MO 64111 816.751.1ART

At The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art there is always something new to discover. Our growing collection has fascinated, illuminated and exhilarated people since 1933. Come spend time with your favorites, see what’s new on view or check out a featured exhibition.
Always invigorating, Museum programs, classes and tours bring you closer to the collection and offer inventive ways to explore on your own, with friends or family.

6. Power and Light- Located at 14th & Main St Downtown Kansas City, MO

Offering over a half million square feet, The Kansas City Power & Light District is the mid-west’s premier entertainment epicenter. With more than 45 unique and captivating retail outlets, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, the District offers something for everyone. Located in the heart of downtown, this vibrant, new eight-block neighborhood links the Convention Center to the Sprint Arena and is bringing the beat back to Kansas City.

7. Union Station- 30 W Pershing Rd Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 460-2020

The Station is once again a popular destination for the surrounding community just stopping by for lunch or to mail a letter from the post office in the west end of the Grand Hall. The station also draws tourists from all over the world who marvel at the Grand Hall's 95-foot ceiling, three 3,500-pound chandeliers and the six-foot wide clock hanging in the Station's central arch.
Today's Union Station is filled with fine restaurants and unique shops. And just like in 1914, you can catch the train at Union Station's Amtrak stop.

8. Country Club Plaza- Located at 47th & Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64112 (816)753-0100
The Plaza's popularity and reputation has been recognized around the country. The entire 15-block district, with more than 150 shops and dozens of fine restaurants, makes The Country Club Plaza Kansas City's premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination.

9. Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens 8909 W 179th St Bucyrus, KS 66013 (913) 685-3604
The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens was founded to keep the city at the forefront of environmental and ecological issues. A leader of environmentally sound community development, the Arboretum is an educational, recreational and cultural resource for the Kansas City region.

10. Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead 13800 Switzer Rd Overland Park, KS 66221 (913) 897-2360
With the Kansas Family Farm slowly disappearing, the Children's Farmstead was established in 1976, and was re-named in 1985 in honor of the first Overland Park Police Officer killed in the line of duty as the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Deanna Rose’s Legacy is to preserve the Farm Legacy so children in the city can learn facts of life from the charm of the farm. Children treasure such memories as gathering eggs, the sweet smell of hay, and learning first hand where milk comes from.

Overland Park- One Of The Best Places To Live

Overland Park is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas. Located in Johnson County, it has traditionally been considered a satellite city of Kansas City, Missouri, and is located adjacent to Olathe, Lenexa, Prairie Village and Leawood.

The population was 149,080 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 171,231 in the 2008 census data. Overland Park has consistently ranked in the top 10 of CNN/Money and Money magazine's 100 Best Cities to Live in the United States. In the 2008 rankings, Overland Park placed 9th. Additionally, the city was ranked as one of "The Best Places to Raise Your Kids in 2009"and was ranked 3rd for "America's 10 Best Places to Grow Up". It is also the setting for the Showtime series The United States of Tara.

Whats Going on in KC This Weekend? 10/24/09

Looking For Something To Do This Weekend In Kansas City?



Here are 7 GREAT ideas we wanted to share... (weekend of 10/24/09)


1. Grab Dinner and a movie at AMC-Olathe. They have a great Fork & Screen. http://www.moviewatcher.com/ Now...what move will you see? Amelia? Couples Retreat?

2. Meet some friend at Worlds of Fun. Halloween Haunt is in full swing! Get your tickets in advance at http://haunt.worldsoffun.com/ All your fear is here!

3. Take the family to The Louisburg Cider Mill. They have an amazing corn maze! The mill was named one of the top 10 cider mills in the US. For more info go to http://www.louisburgcidermill.com/

4. Catch a double feature at Union Station. Night of the Living Dead and The Last Man on Earth. Get in the ghoulish Halloween spirit as you enjoy these timeless cult classics! www.Unionstation.org for info FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ONLY.

5. Pick a pumpkin at Powell Pumpkin Patch. Just like when you were a kid! Then take it home and carve it. http://www.powellpumpkinfarm.com/ We can't wait to see it on display on your patio.

6. Get Scared in the West Bottoms downtown! Just take IU-35 North to the 12th St exit. Take a group to The Beast or The Edge of Hell. Doors open at 7:00pm

7. Get tickets to the Rodeo with Sara Evans in concert at Kemper Arena. Tickets start at just $15! http://www.kemperarenakc.com/ for online tickets and info. It is sure to be a great ride…if you can stay in the saddle.


Hope this gave you some ideas! Be sure to tell us if you do any of these things and also what great ideas you have!

FMG Cares- Information

At Fogelman Management Group, We Care. We Care about our customers… We Care about our associates…We Care about the local communities where we live and work. We endeavor to leave things a little better than they were when we found them.

Fogelman CARES was established to facilitate and organize FMG’s involvement in supporting charitable organizations and in “hands on” volunteerism, with the ultimate goal being to improve the local communities where FMG properties are located. CARES is an acronym for Compassionate Associates Responding & Embracing Service.

In addition to coordinating “hands on” service projects for our FMG associates throughout the year, annually Fogelman CARES selects one primary charitable organization to support. In 2008, Fogelman CARES selected the Make a Wish® Foundation as its primary charitable endeavor. Make a Wish® grants wishes to children who suffer from life threatening illnesses. We are pleased to announce that through the efforts of our 500-plus FMG associates, FMG CARES raised over $10,000 for Make a Wish during 2008, which resulted in the granting of two separate “wishes” through the Make a Wish program.

For 2009, Fogelman CARES has selected The Ronald McDonald House Charities as our primary charitable organization. Ronald McDonald Houses are located throughout the United States and abroad, and provide a home away from home for children receiving life-saving medical treatments at a distant medical center. Each FMG managed community has focused their support on their local Ronald McDonald House.

In addition to supporting our primary charitable organizations, throughout each year every FMG on-site team takes part in hands-on service projects in their local community. Through Fogelman CARES, FMG is doing its part to give back to our local communities.

FMGreen- Information

Program Overview:

FMGreen is Fogelman Management Group’s environmental awareness/energy conservation initiative. This program was established in response to the growing concerns about climate change and its impact on the long term stability of our environment. It is our belief that through greater awareness, education, and programs, our FMG-managed communities can do their part to help protect and enhance the environment.

The primary objectives of FMGreen are (1) to reduce energy consumption, (2) to eliminate waste, and (3) to educate our associates, residents, clients and visitors on ways to protect our environment.Some of the steps FMG have undertaken are more complex while others are simple in nature. These steps can range from installing devices that disable our irrigation systems during periods of rain to the more mundane, like recycling paper in our offices. All are designed to reduce FMG’s consumption of energy and non-renewable resources and all are done in conjunction with our client’s wishes. To learn more, ask an associate.

To see tips on how you can "go green" Visit our website http://www.pointeroyalapts.com/fmgreen_tips.asp

Rent Forever, Don’t Buy A Home- By Jim Wang

*This is a Devil's Advocate post.

With the new year comes the inaugural post for my new series, the Devil’s Advocate posts, where I try to argue the other side of common sense personal finance advice (read the Devil’s Advocate series introduction post). This post will tackle one of the cornerstones of well-accepted advice: rent as little as possible and buy a home as soon as you can, renting is just like throwing your money away. I think that, like all one-size fits all advice, is completely wrong and here’s why.

Renting Keeps You Flexible. When you rent, you can pick up and move almost whenever you want, with very little penalty (perhaps an early termination fee of some kind); when you own, selling a home can take a very very long time. You lose a lot of flexibility when you “put down your roots” and this is one the biggest reasons why you shouldn’t buy. When you want to look for a new job, you’re restricted to looking in the geographic area around your home. If you ever get a job offer in another area, you have to go through the headache of selling your home before you can take advantage of it. If you rented, you could just end your lease, rent a moving truck (avoid U-Hauls!), and just go.

Someone Else Does The Repairs. When you own your own home, every time something breaks, you have to fix it. Every time something breaks and can’t be repaired, you have to fork over the cash to buy a new one. A new refridgerator costs thousands, a new washer and dryer is on the hot side of a thousand bucks, a new dishwasher can set you back a couple hundred bucks, and that’s just the cheap stuff. When you rent, hopefully your landlord will take care of all of your problems, fixing things that need fixing, replacing things that need replacing, and if you pick your landlord correctly, it’ll be a corporation with deep pockets.

Owning A Home Is More Expensive Than It Looks. With renting, you do throw your money on rent because you never gain ownership of the place you’re renting. However, when you own a home, you also throw your money away on other fees and taxes that never go towards your home ownership. For example, you’ll pay property taxes, homeowners association dues, condominium fees, and any number of other fees associated to the area your home is in – none of which go towards the equity in your home. For example, on my home, I pay about $3,000 in property taxes each year plus $30/month for HOA fees, and $500/yr for a parks and recreation fee.

Renters Insurance Is Much Cheaper. When it comes to home related insurances, renter’s insurance is ridiculously cheaper than homeowners insurance – oftentimes ten times cheaper. I was able to get renter’s insurance when I was renting for as little as $7 each month but now I’m paying for homeowners insurance at $55 each month – a difference of $576 each year.
Home Prices Can Go Down Short-TermOne of the cornerstones of the argument to buy a home is that home prices always go up. I’m not one of those haters who sees the current housing market and is ready to throw falling prices into the faces of all those people who bought a home (I bought one last May, arguable near the peak of the housing prices nationally), but if you treat the housing market like any other market, you’ll recognize that in the long run every market will go up (yay inflation). The problem with that theory is the fact that while you can invest in the long term, reality forces you to live in the short term and in the short term the market can go down. Is this a strong enough argument to rent? Likely not, hence being placed last in the set, but it is a consideration.

Summary-Owning a home is something seriously significant, it’s a life changing decision, unlike investing in a 401K, which would likely not change much in your life right now; and so it’s not one that should be entered into lightly. My honest opinion is that the general rule of “buy a house, stop renting” is probably the most strongly believed but most weakly defensible of the common sense personal finance advice concepts out there.



http://www.bargaineering.com/articles/rent-forever-dont-buy-a-home.html

Our Clubhouse Renovations!

Well our clubhouse renovations are in full swing now. Hopefully everyone is as excited to see the new place as we are! Pictures are being posted on Facebook and we now have a slideshow on the right side of our blog page, so make sure you check out our progress!

www.facebook.com/pointeroyal

More to come...

Top 10 Cheap Getaways for Family Travelers

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