July 4th Activities

Wondering what to do for your July 4th celebration? 

Look NO further!

With thanks to our local Kansas City news station at KMBC, here is the official, ultimate guide of activities and festivities associated with this year's July 4th Extravaganza! 

Book Club!

Do you love to read?? Lots of us here at Pointe Royal do. We have several residents (including myself and Christina) and we have started a book club. Please feel free to join at anytime!

Memorial Day..

Tomorrow is a day that we recognize the sacrifice it takes to keep the freedom we love. While you are enjoying your barbeque, please take a moment to be grateful that we live in a country that allows for grills on the patios, swimming pools full of laughing kids, and 3 day weekends to spend with friends and family. Thank you to all those who have served!

Grocery Lists

Here's a little something for your Sunday: GROCERY LISTS!

Once a week (usually Sunday), I try to do a big grocery run, but usually I miss something. Tired of having to make an extra trip midweek, I decided I was going to look for an in-depth grocery list to accompany me..

Wellness Week

Our Spring Wishes? Beauty, Health, and Peace!


That’s why this week we are going to host a Wellness Week (along with a raffle for $100 off your rent) for all of our favorite residents – EVERY ONE OF YOU!

Something For Your Sunday

Here's a little Something for Your Sunday:

It has been said that "A comfortable house is a great source of happiness."

I couldn't agree more. Your home is the place where you get to be the most comfortable version of yourself. Your home doesn't care if you wake up with bed head, if you take the dog out in your underwear, or if you run through it's halls singing old-school Mariah Carey way to loud.

Tips to Light your Winter Fire

If you have never used a wood burning fireplace, or it has been years since you have, please follow along for some helpful tips!

Time For A Wedding!

Mark and I are two weeks away from the wedding and it seems so surreal. We have been engaged for two years and it seems like it has flown by. As we get down to the final preparations, I realize more and more each day why I am making this lifelong commitment. He is seriously my best friend. He has been my rock for almost five years now. I have never known someone who gets me as much as Mark does. I am incredibly happy that we will be taking the next big step in our relationship in two weeks. For me, it cannot get here fast enough. Plus I can’t wait to show off my wedding dress and shoes, see all of our family from out of town and party with our college friends as we did three years ago. It is amazing how time flies.

-Still searching for something blue,
Ashlee (The newest Pointe Royal Team Member)

Atlas Reborn……

My family and I have always been strong believers in rescue animals as opposed to breeders that just donate to the over population of pets. We have always had great luck rescuing dogs and this is another one of those stories. I have a 70 pound Czechoslovakian wolfdog named Skye. She is the ruler of our household but was getting lonely in the winter of 2009. We decided that she needed a friend. But Skye does not have a loving or accepting attitude toward other dogs. We knew this was going to be difficult but we were up to the challenge.

Trip to Park City, UT

My husband and I honeymooned in Park City, UT six years ago. The location was actually chosen by what resorts were available to exchange through Marriott. Mountains in the summertime quickly became my favorite place to be. The residents and vacationers are active and health-conscious. The outside invites you to spend time walking, biking and sight-seeing.

My Favorite Place to Shop

When you think of shopping, most people think of the Plaza,
Town Center, or the mall but my favorite place to shop is Westport. They have the best locally owned boutiques in
town, where you can find one of a kind items.
From jewelry to mp3 docks, they have it all in a very unique way.

At NGB (Nikki Grant’s Boutique) you can find extravagant feathered earrings and
Lady Gaga inspired sunglasses. You can
also find couture dresses that will be sure to be an eye-catcher that night!

At Bunker you can find the hottest headphones that make your jeweled iPod look
non-existent! You can also find unique
sneakers for all sexes and ages.

At Jubilee, you won’t fall short of any accessory you made need. From star-studded sunglasses to sterling
silver rings, they really do have it all to pull your outfit together. Whether you live in Kansas or Missouri, the
venture is well worth it to shop in Westport!


-Christina

Football is Back!

After months of not knowing whether the 2011-2012 NFL season would start, relief came for fans last month that Football is Back! As a wife of a devout KC Chiefs fan, I am looking forward to Sundays with my home filled with friends, family and homemade chili. The sounds of cheers and boos alike truly ring in the fall season for my home.
Fantasy Football is also a strong tradition with my husband’s family. The boys gather from multiple states here in Kansas City to spend an evening drafting a hopeful strong team to bring home the big bucks in January with a “Fantasy Football Super Bowl” win. Magazines, laptops and food are spread throughout the room. Jokes and smack talk are shared to trip up the opponents’ team selections.
This year I will be hosting the gathering of the girls! We get together while the boys do their thing giving us an opportunity to visit and catch up. We drink wine, eat good food and play games. Living at Pointe Royal allows us all to meet in the same place. The boys will be in our townhome and we girls will be hanging out in the Guest Suite. The Guest Suite is a great place for our overflow guests to sleep and an excellent space for 6 ladies to spend the evening together.
The new season brings hopes for the KC Chiefs to do well and my husband’s team to earn us extra money at the start of 2012! Let’s see some Touchdowns!!

Go Chiefs,

Kelly

Write A Blog...Win An iPod

Make it a summer to remember with a new 32G iPod Touch, 2nd Gen!

Winning is simple. Just write a blog and e-mail it to one of our staff members. We will be posting all of the entries right here on our community blog.

Between now and Septembner 30th any resident that writes an article for our blob will be entered to win the iPod Touch.

Never written a blog? Here are a few ideas of what you could write about...

Do you have a hobby you want to share a little about?
Have you recently taken a trip? Tell us about of few of the highlights.
You could write about pretty much anything. :)

One winner will be chosen from all blog entries submitted at each of our KC communities.

Call the office for more details or to submit your blog

You can send your Blogs to sales@pointeroyalapts.com

Stay up to date on our entries, subscribe to our blog!

10 mistakes people make with heat

Steve Graham, Networx Steve Graham, Networx – Mon Nov 15, 3:25 pm ET

(Photo: Getty Images)

Even with a constant flow of information about energy efficiency, homeowners make major heating mistakes that end in higher electric bills and larger environmental footprints.

Here are 10 of those errors, with the cause and effect of each decision.

1. Maintaining a constant temperature

Cause: A persistent myth suggests that you can save energy by leaving the house at a comfortable 68 degrees (a widely recommended winter setting), even when you are sleeping or away at work.

The idea is that it takes more energy for the furnace to reach a comfortable temperature than to maintain that temperature.

Effect: You could miss out on significant potential energy savings by not using a programmable thermostat and adjusting the temperature overnight and during the workday.

Though the impacts of adjusting the thermostat vary based on your climate and other factors, studies show that knocking the temperature down by 10 degrees for eight hours per day can cut heating bills by 5 to 15 percent.

Sure, the furnace will cycle on for a longer period to return to the more comfortable temperature, but it will be far outweighed by hours of savings when it didn't have to work as hard.

2. Cranking up the temperature to warm up the house

Cause: You come home in the middle of the day to a cold house. You want to warm back up to 68 ASAP, so you crank the dial up to 78 to get the furnace working harder and faster.

Effect: No time is saved in reheating the house. Most furnaces pump out heat at the same rate no matter the temperature. They just cycle on for a longer period to reach a higher temperature.

The furnace will take the same amount of time to return to 68 degrees regardless of the thermostat setting. By cranking up the thermostat, you are likely to overheat the house past 68 degrees and waste energy. Just reset the thermostat to 68, make some hot chocolate, and wait.

[ Learn how to get the most out of a programmable thermostat. ]

3. Closing off vents in unused rooms

Cause: You don't want to waste energy heating rooms you aren't using.

Effect: Again, this just wastes energy and makes your furnace run inefficiently because it changes the air pressure in the whole system.

Experts recommend never shutting off more than 10 percent of vents. Sealing your ducts is a more efficient way to save energy.

4. Using the fireplace

Cause: You found some free firewood on Craigslist and think you can burn up some free heating energy while enjoying a romantic fire.

Effect: While we can't make any promises about increased romance, we can predict increased energy bills. An open fireplace flue may suck more cold air into the house than the fire can radiate into the living space.

5. Using electric room heaters

Cause: You spend most of your time in a couple of rooms, so you figure you will just heat them with space heaters.

Effect: This could lead to higher energy bills and greater fire risks. Generally, a central gas heating system is cheaper and more efficient than a set of electric room heaters. Electric heaters also can be a fire hazard.

There are exceptions. A single energy-efficient space heater in a small, well-insulated room can save energy if the central heater is switched off.

[ Learn how to use space heaters efficiently. ]

6. Switching to electric heating

Cause: Electric heaters are more efficient than fuel-based systems, so they must be cheaper and better for the environment, according to this popular idea.

Effect: In most areas, simply switching to electric heat leads to higher energy bills and a bigger carbon footprint. Your heater may be more efficient, but most U.S. homes are still linked to coal-fired power plants. These coal plants and their transmission systems are extremely inefficient.

Of course, it's a different story if you have a large photovoltaic solar array or your utility company uses renewable energy.

7. Replacing the windows

Cause: Those big pieces of glass get so darn cold. They must be the reason your house is so drafty.

Effect: You could spend a lot of money to only take care of part of the problem. Windows must be installed properly to avoid drafts, gaps, and leaks.

Moreover, more heat is typically lost through poorly insulated walls and ceilings than through windows.

8. Replacing the furnace first

Cause: You blame high energy bills on an old, inefficient furnace.

Effect: Your energy bills will still be higher than necessary if you don't start with cheaper, smaller upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of your home, such as caulking around windows and doors and adding insulation.

9. Upgrading to the most efficient furnace on the market

Cause: You want the sleekest, most energy-efficient furnace available because it will be the most cost effective as well.

Effect: You may end up replacing an over-sized furnace with another (albeit more efficient) over-sized furnace. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that most U.S. homes have over-sized HVAC systems.

Again, insulate and weatherize to maximize efficiency, then get the smallest system that will comfortably meet your heating needs, which will be substantially reduced. Also make sure it is professionally installed.

10. Using incandescent light bulbs for heating

Cause: Incandescent bulbs give off more heat than light, so they must be warming up the house.

Effect: It is hard to see this logic as anything but a weak excuse for holding on to the Edison bulbs rather than switching to CFL and LED lighting.

In fact, one German entrepreneur is marketing incandescent bulbs as "heat balls" to skirt EU laws against the old-style bulbs. However, I doubt he is keeping cozy this winter simply by sleeping with the lights on.

Keep Your Apartment Warm - Keep Warm In Your Apartment: Apartment Guide

Keep Your Apartment Warm - Keep Warm In Your Apartment: Apartment Guide

Keep Warm in Your Apartment

When the weather outside is frightful, the temperatures inside your apartment can be less than delightful. Here are some tips on keeping your apartment warm when colder temperatures raise their frosty heads.

• Let there be light. Open shades and curtains on south-facing windows during the day to let in the sun. While you may not be home during the day to appreciate the mid-day warmth, your apartment should stay warm enough to reduce your heating costs during the day (you are turning your thermostat down before you leave for the day, aren’t you?)
• Cover the floors. If you have bare floors (tile or hardwood, for example), use rugs to help them feel warmer in the morning and evening.
• Be a draft dodger. If you have a draft, block it. This is best done with weather stripping around leaky doors and windows, but check with your landlord or property manager before attempting anything like that. If that’s not an option, placing a blanket in front of the door could help reduce drafts.
• Heat spaces, not your whole place. If you spend the majority of your time in one or two rooms, consider the use of a space heater to warm that space instead of using the furnace to heat your whole apartment.
• Dress in layers. As mom used to always say, “Put on a sweater.” Wearing an extra layer of clothing can go a long way in keeping your body temperature up and your heating bill down. And don’t forget that thick socks or slippers can help a lot with keeping you warm.
• Be more like Linus from Peanuts – use a blanket. Why heat the whole place when you’re sleeping? Plug in the electric blanket and you can have a most cozy bed, while your house remains at an affordable temperature during the night hours. A blanket with dual temperature controls is best if you share your bed.
• Change is good. Have your furnace filter changed regularly. A dirty filter makes the furnace have to work harder, decreasing its efficiency and increasing your heating costs.
• Close the door. If you have a multi-room apartment, close the doors of any unused rooms, and close those rooms’ vents. (If you don’t use the room, there’s no need to heat it.)

Renting--not buying--the dream

Stina Fish regularly dines at upscale restaurants, dabbles in the stock market and has vacationed internationally twice in the past year--and she plans to tour China later this month.
With an MBA under her belt, the 33-year-old Loop resident clearly knows how to handle money, yet there is one traditional investment she refuses to make: Fish can't bring herself to buy a home.
"Since college, I've thought that Americans are generally obsessed with the idea of homeownership being some kind of superior lifestyle, but I think we get more for our money renting," said Fish, a manager of development in the public transportation industry.
Although the conventional wisdom for money management and responsible adulthood dictates buying a home, recent research shows fewer Americans are making the leap to ownership.
Economic troubles have played a major role in the nation's real estate slump, but there also is a sizable portion of renters who say they have no intention of purchasing a house, citing rental advantages such as mobility and monthly savings.
The number of households that are renting grew by 3.4 million from 2004-2009, a 10 percent increase, according to a 2010 report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.
Some of those renters are there to stay. More than a quarter of renters never plan to buy a home, according to a national survey conducted this summer for trulia.com, a real estate search engine. Of the renters who said they do plan to purchase someday, 68 percent said it would be more than two years before they do so.
Fish says she has the financial means to purchase a home, but she prefers the convenience of renting the loft apartment she shares with her husband.
The space includes many of the perks often associated with homeownership--in-unit laundry, a covered parking space, pet-friendly building rules and a view of the Chicago River. (Fish did not want to reveal what she pays for rent, but she said it is less than a mortgage for a comparable space.)
"We don't worry about special assessments. We don't worry about having to replace the dishwasher or the furnace," Fish said. "Even though I've been in the same apartment since 2003, there's still the idea that I'm free to pick up and move anywhere, at any time."
Recent economic reports suggest even more people may be moving toward renting.
Sales of existing homes in Chicago fell 25.1 percent year-over-year in July, according to data released by the Illinois Association of Realtors. And that beats the national drop of 27.1 percent to reach the lowest level since the National Association of Realtors started tracking sales of single-family homes and condos in 1999, the Tribune reported.
The dip was expected after the expiration of a government tax rebate program, said Bob Ghislandi, an associate broker with real estate company @properties.
"We're seeing a void, which makes sense," he said. "We all expected this. But anyone who buys right now is getting an incredible deal."
Among the Chicago first-time home buyers who never looked back is Travis Linz, a senior sales representative who bought a two-bedroom penthouse condo in March in Ukrainian Village. After sitting on the sidelines for a couple of years, Linz said he was glad to finally negotiate a great price for a great place.
"Interest rates were low and it seemed like we might be coming out of the recession, so I didn't want to miss the window," said Linz, 30. "I wanted something unique and I found it."
Renting had its pluses, Linz conceded, but he prefers the ownership lifestyle.
"When I rented, it was great to know I could pack everything I own in an SUV and skip town should I decide to," he said. "But I also have had a few awful landlords over the years, and I don't miss dealing with them."
Thiyag Chinnappan, a 35-year-old marketing analyst, said he considered buying a home about two years ago, but the uncertain job market strongly influenced his decision to rent. So far, he has no regrets.
"Owning a place adds the burden of immobility," said Chinnappan, who says renting the four-bedroom Roscoe Village house he shares with three others has given him the opportunity to beef up his savings and travel around the world. "[I can] save more liquid cash and make other investments instead of tying it down to a house."
Owning a home wouldn't make Chinnappan feel any more mature or grown up, he said.
"It's a very personal decision," he said "This just fits my lifestyle better."
--ERIN M. SARRIS IS A REDEYE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR. --

Before you purchase

How do you know when it's time to evict the landlord from your life? Neil Moscicki, a vice president and financial adviser with Harris Investor Services in suburban Roselle, shared five things a renter should have (left) before considering homeownership. E.S.

Breaking down the trade-offs

If there's one truth about taking the plunge into homeownership, it's that there always are two sides to consider. Is owning better than renting? That's up to the individual, but here are some issues to consider. E.S.

Maintenance

Owners: Your water pipe burst at 2 a.m.? That's gonna cost some money, but you've got your pick of plumbers.
Renters: This is the landlord's problem, but scheduling the repair might not be his first priority of the day--or week.

Decor

Owners: Pimp your space any way you'd like.
Renters: Who wants to spend weekends at Home Depot?

Payments

Owners: Added costs--taxes, insurance and special assessments--are part of the American dream, but so is the tax write-off.
Renters: No surprises--a single monthly check with a consistent payment.

Longevity

Owners: As long as your mortgage payments are on time, no one can kick you out of your space.
Renters: Rent increases loom large every year, but many landlords will give price breaks for signing a longer lease.

By Erin M. Sarris

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/redeye/2010/09/renting--not-buying--the-dream.html
FOR REDEYE

Events Around Town

Looking for something to do around Kansas City? Sprint Center has your answer...

c.a.r.e.s.

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. We Care about the people of Haiti who are right now suffering through a terrible tragedy following a devastating earthquake.

Fogelman CARES will be accepting your donations to help the people of Haiti in our community’s business office for the next few days. All collections will be sent to the Red Cross.The people of Haiti need our help.Please consider making a donation of any size in our business office.

Checks should be made out to The Red Cross.

Thank you for your support!

Click here to make a donation directly to Red Cross online.

Festive Things To Do This Holiday Season!

Go Ice Skating at Crown Center-

Kansas City’s only public outdoor ice skating rink is open for its 37th season of great skating fun!
Regular admission is only $6, or free for adults over age 60 and children age 4 and under. Skate rental is $3, or skaters may bring their own. You cant miss out on the fun! Get directions and more info at http://www.crowncenter.com/Event/Event.asp?EventRef=Ice

You can’t miss the 80th Annual KCP&L Plaza Lighting Ceremony -

Kansas City native and "Saturday Night Live" cast member Jason Sudeikis flips the switch Thanksgiving night. With the flip of a switch, over 80 miles of multi-colored bulbs illuminate the Country Club Plaza district as nearly 300,000 spectators applaud the start of the holiday season.

Get Tickets to “The Nutcracker”

Holiday magic sparkles as the curtain goes up for Kansas City Ballet’s enchanting presentation of The Nutcracker with live orchestral accompaniment of Tchaikovsky's famous music. Featuring elaborate scenery, stunning choreography and vibrant costumes, Clara’s magical adventure captures the imaginations of all ages. Kansas City Ballet’s The Nutcracker is the largest production in an eight state region. Over 200 area children who are students in the Kansas City Ballet School perform alongside 25 Kansas City Ballet company dancers. Visit http://www.kcballet.org/performancestickets/nutcracker.html for tickets and more info!

Take a trip through “Christmas in The Park” at Longview Lake in Lee's Summit

Christmas in the Park is one of Jackson County Parks and Recreation's most celebrated events of the year. Three hundred thousand lights and 175 animated figures and splashes of Christmas color transform Longview Lake Park into an enchanting winter wonderland. The entire family will delight in the warmth of this fun-filled, holiday display gift from your Jackson County Parks.

Stroll down the Candle lit “Holiday Luminary Walk” in Overland Park

“The warm holiday ambience makes this highly acclaimed event very special, and in order to accommodate the crowds, we’re offering four nights this year,” said Teri Shields, member of the Friends of the Arboretum. "This is a rare opportunity for those who appreciate nature to experience the thrill of the nighttime woods.” For more information, call 913-685-3604.

Check out A Christmas Story- The Musical

Now in its 45th season, Kansas City Repertory Theatre is one of the Midwest region's premier professional theatres. The professional theatre-in-residence at UMKC, the Rep has two performance spaces: Spencer Theatre, which is located just four blocks east of the Country Club Plaza, and Copaken Stage, located in the heart of the Power & Light District. For more information: http://www.kcrep.org/

Reserve your tickets at the Sprint Center to see Trans-Siberian Orcherstra

With the long awaited new album Night Castle on the verge of being released, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), one of rock music’s biggest arena attractions, announces it will once again launch another monumental North American tour playing more than 80 cities in a nine-week period including a Wednesday, December 23 show date in Kansas City with two spectacular performances at Sprint Center at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m Visit www.sprintcenter.com for Tickets and more information

See David Archuleta Perform Live at Midland Theater

Singing on stage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles was a moment David Archuleta will never forget, but there were a number of pivotal moments that happened in his (even) younger days, and he'll never forget any of them either, including singing for the first season "American Idol" contestants in Hollywood in 2002, when he was just 11 years old. For Tickets go to http://www.midlandkc.com/eventdetail.php?id=25066

Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Crown Center

Join KC native Eric Stonestreet, star of ABC's "Modern Family," as we light the 100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree. The tree, one of the nation’s tallest, is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration. It's a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which is dedicated to assisting the city’s less fortunate. Friday, Nov. 27 at 5:30 pm Visit Http://www.crowncenter.com/Event/Event.asp?Key=424&~=

Dine Out On Thanksgiving & Watch The Lighting Ceremony

The tables are set for Thanksgiving on the Plaza where the atmosphere is inviting and dinner is definitely delicious! Reservations are now being taken at these Plaza restaurants for spirited celebrations before the lighting ceremony... or after.

Capital Grille will offer a traditional turkey dinner along with regular menu items. Hours will be 11am-8pm. Capital Grille, 4740 Jefferson, 816.931.6548

Chaz on the Plaza Thanksgiving Dinner, November 26; a prime spot for enjoying a Thanksgiving tradition on the Plaza. Chaz features a special three course menu with a selection of starters, entrees (including roasted turkey with traditional accompaniments) and desserts. $38 per adult, $19 per child age 3 – 12. Chaz on the Plaza, 325 Ward Parkway, (816)802-2152


Figlio’s Italian Restaurant Thanksgiving Brunch with the traditional Thanksgiving dishes including carving station with prime rib and ham. 10 am – 6 pm. Adults: $26.95. Kids under 5: Free. Kids 5-10: $9.95. Figlio’s Italian Restaurant, 209 W 46th Terrace, (816)561-0505

McCormick & Schmick’s will open 11am-8pm offering a traditional Thanksgiving plate along with regular menu items. McCormick & Schmick’s, 448 W 47th Street, 816.531.6800


M&S Grill will open 11 am-8 pm offering a traditional Thanksgiving plate along with regular menu items. Turkey dinner $17.95 and ham dinner $15.95 served all day. After 2 pm enjoy a Prime rib dinner $19.92, and pumpkin pie $2.95. M&S Grill, 4646 J.C. Nichols Parkway, 816.531.7799


Plaza III will be open 11am-9pm in addition to their regular menu, Plaza III will offer a traditional Thanksgiving meal, $23.95 per person, adults $11.95 children ages 5-10, under 5- FREE. The Club at Plaza III will also open that evening with live music 12pm -4 pm. Plaza III, 4749 Pennsylvania, 816.753.0000


Starker’s Restaurant, Thanksgiving at Starker’s Restaurant; make reservations for our 3 for 33 menu (3 courses for $33.00) from 11:30am-3:00pm of traditional and non-traditional items for Thanksgiving lunch on November 26. Become a friend of Chef/Owner John McClure and Starker’s Restaurant on FACEBOOK for updates and details of special events at the restaurant. Starker’s Restaurant Thanksgiving reservations; 816-753-3565.

ALSO OPEN…

Fogo de Chao, 816.931.7700: Lunch 11am-2pm, Dinner 5pm-10pm
Granfalloon, 816.753.7850: 5pm- 3am
810 Zone, 816.268.9663: open at 4pm
Baja 600, 816.931.6600: 3pm-midnight
California Pizza Kitchen, 816.561.2420: 4pm-9pm, limited menu