Archive for August, 2010
Posted by Laura Nelson on August 1, 2010
This year, Bev Griffith marks her 35th year of directing, teaching and introducing young children to music at the Wheaton Yamaha Music School. The school opened in 1975 with 35 students. Today, there are more than 220 budding musicians enrolled in the school’s piano/keyboard classes.
Children ages 3-8 learn singing, ear training, solo and ensemble keyboard playing, keyboard harmony, theory, technique and music appreciation in an atmosphere that is nurturing, rewarding and fun.
Having introduced thousands of children to the wonders of music, Griffith says “We know that music touches people deeply in ways like nothing else can. It makes us better, kinder and more connected human beings.”
Summer Camps are going on during August; registration for the fall session is ongoing.
Wheaton Yamaha Music School is at 935 W. Liberty, Wheaton. (630) 682-1334. Contact the school for a complete schedule, or visit www.WheatonYamahaMusic School.com
Posted by Laura Nelson on August 1, 2010
Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) offers high school juniors and seniors 20 career and technical education programs as part of their high school curriculum.
Enrollment takes place through the member high school’s guidance office, with participating member high school districts covering the cost of tuition.
Technology Center programs include a wide variety of hands-on instruction in varied fields such as culinary arts, graphic communications, landscape design, certified nurse assistant, cosmetology, construction trades, pre-engineering, and more.
Students have the opportunity to earn college credit through College of DuPage and other participating colleges, take part in paid internships and job shadowing, prepare for state, federal or national licensing and certification exams, qualify for apprenticeships, and earn scholarships and grants toward college or technical school.
Instructors at TCD are state-certified teachers with extensive work experience in their field.They hold associate, bachelor, masters and Ph.D. degrees–among them are chefs, firefighters, ASE-certified automotive instructors, registered nurses, architects, and cosmetologists.
For more information or to schedule an individual or group tour, contact Kathy Rosenwinkel at (630) 691-7525 and visit tcdupage.org
Posted by Laura Nelson on August 1, 2010
By John Karmis
John Karmis (right), Karmis Carpets
Every wonder what happens to all those recycled pop and water bottles?
Americans recycle millions of plastic soft drink and water bottles every day. Environmentally-friendly companies are finding ways to recycle these disposable bottles to keep them out of landfills while engineering superior products for customer use.
The Mohawk Flooring Company has made a commitment to reduce, recycle, reuse, and renew. Mohawk makes over 200 products with recycled content.
Corn sugar is also a renewable resource that replaces ingredients normally derived from petroleum. Products made from corn sugar require less energy and emit less Greenhouse gas. The new SmartStrand carpet uses DuPont renewable resource technology to give an unbeatable combination of superior stain resistance, plush softness and better durability. Carpet fibers have permanently engineered-in stain protection that can’t wear off.
SmartStrand carpets feature lifetime stain resistance–even for pet urine, bleach, mustard and hot coffee. The color assortment is outstanding, and it resists fading.
See SmartStrand carpets in the showroom now. Karmis Carpets offers a huge assortment of flooring materials at 682A Roosevelt Rd., Pickwick Place Plaza, near Trader Joe’s, Glen Ellyn. (630) 790-4332
Posted by Laura Nelson on August 1, 2010
Yes, says Dennis Taylor, owner of the Kitchen Taylor, it’s possible to update cabinetry after you’ve installed a new granite countertop. The best option, according to Taylor, is to reface the cabinets.
“Refacing sometimes has a bad connotation it doesn’t deserve,” says Taylor. A quality job done by experienced professionals can result in a job that has a custom look. But the final outcome depends on the craftsmen doing the work.
A refacing job means changing the door and drawer fronts, while keeping the rest of the cabinets intact. Taylor says he can alter the size and finish of the fronts–making them complete overlays, which is a custom design feature.
“When we finish a job, you can only tell it’s not custom by opening the cabinets. Together John and I have more than 50 years experience and have 8,000 satisfied customers in Kitchen Taylor’s 34 years,” says Taylor.
Beware, says Taylor, of signing on for a remodel with a big box store. While they have a big name, they hire independent contractors to do the work. The job may be done by a pro–or a novice.
To learn more about updating your kitchen, call Dennis Taylor at (630) 653-5402. The Kitchen Taylor is a full service design and remodeling company specializing in custom and redi-made cabinetry, cabinet refinishing and refacing, recessed lighting, plumbing and electrical. www.thekitchentaylor.com
Posted by Laura Nelson on August 1, 2010
First Choice Bank, a full-service community bank with locations in Geneva and Wheaton, is introducing an innovative lending program for what many refer to as “distressed” properties–homes that may have been vacated in less-than-pristine condition, and have deteriorated from lack of maintenance. Many of these homes on the market today lie vacant, not for want of buyers but for lack of adequate mortgage programs.
These properties appeal to first-time buyers for their attractive selling prices, providing the opportunity of home ownership to many who otherwise might not qualify for a mortgage on a home in a desired community or neighborhood. Prospective home buyers can’t obtain financing because due to low appraisals and loan-to-value obstacles in distressed property transaction.
The last two years of economic downturn, brought about in part by loans made to buyers who couldn’t afford and shouldn’t have qualified for them, have made most lenders slow to innovate new loan programs and more so on loans for distressed properties.
Rehabilitation mortgage programs such as the FHA203K and Fannie Mae Rehab Loan were designed to address the unique obstacles of financing distressed homes, but the application and approval process is a complicated and lengthy one–often many months.
To help move these homes off the market and into the hands of waiting buyers, First Choice’s new mortgage program dramatically cuts the time from offer to close, provides liquidity to the borrower to repair/rehab the home, and reduces or completely removes interest rate risk for the homeowner during repair. As importantly, First Choice developed it to help rebuild communities hard-hit by the recent economic downturn and escalated home foreclosures.
“We’ve all–Realtors and lenders–had transactions derailed by a home that cannot pass appraisal review with end lenders, or suffered through the multi-month process of an FHA 203k,” noted Chris Freemott, First Choice Bank Vice President/Manager, Residential Mortgage Lending. “We think we can change this and help our communities rebuild.”
Much like FHA 203Ks, First Choice’s lending program provides funds strictly for non-structural changes/repairs: paint, carpet, appliances, roofing, HVAC changes, fixtures and traditional remodeling needs such as cabinets and vanities. Loans do not allow for structural rehab such as removal of walls, additions, completions, decks (other than cosmetic repair or for safety issues), pools, spas, fences and other “cosmetic” or lifestyle-enhancing features.
Freemott said that First Choice is also removing the lending limits ($35,000 for FHA and Fannie Mae, for example) and can fund the acquisition loan very quickly. It will review each deal on its own terms rather than industry terms which tend to be much more restrictive.
Borrowers will be required to make an initial investment, which will be a percentage of the final value (acquisition plus improvements) at the closing. For example: A home is purchased for $100,000 needing $15,000 in repairs with a final assumed valuation of $150,000. As lending standards require the lender to only use the acquisition price plus rehabilitation expenses as the value, an FHA buyer would be required to invest a minimum three (3) percent of $115,000, or $3,450.
Borrowers can also take advantage of the new First Choice Bank mortgage program if they are using another form of financing such as 20% down, 80-10-10 loan, mortgage insurance or IDHA loans.
“And, to ensure that these rehab projects are completed properly,” said Freemott, “we will be providing general contractor oversight to relieve the borrower from the challenges of project oversight.” Though homeowners may not act as their own general contractors, they may choose to work with the First Choice GC to purchase supplies, or on their own.
Chris Freemott can provide details of First Choice Bank’s distressed properties lending program. He can be reached at (630) 845-2827 or online at www.firstchoicebank.com. First Choice Bank is an Equal Opportunity Lender.
Posted by Laura Nelson on August 1, 2010
By Sherry Nelson
Betty James Hoppensteadt, Owner, The Genuine Article
Artists enjoy being surrounded by beautiful things. Glass artist Betty James Hoppensteadt, owner of The Genuine Article in downtown Wheaton, is no exception. Her bead studio and workshop consume about half the floor space–with the balance devoted to the display and sale of fine art by prestigious, international artists.
“When I outgrew my home studio, I wanted to make sure I was surrounded by beautiful things,” says Hoppensteadt. Including exceptional glass art and unique sculptures in a gallery atmosphere was a natural step, she says.
One of the most recognizable artists featured is Tim Cotterwill, often called “The Frogman.” Cotterwill, a California artist, specializes in cast bronze, enameled, hand-painted frog sculptures from small pocket-sized creatures to large table-sized centerpieces. Prices range from a hundred dollars into the thousands.
Glass artists David and Jeremiah Lotton are also prominently represented in the gallery. The Lotton “Bride” sculpture (pictured) is designed to reflect ambient light glowing from a radiant bride, adorned with a veil.
Hoppensteadt has also included affordable art in the gallery. The Jean-Pierre Weill glass series of whimsical art is in the $60 range. The artist draws and paints on multiple layers of glass to simulate painting in three dimensions. Born in Paris in 1954, Weill was raised in New York, and now lives in Boston.
Besides running the gallery, Hoppensteadt designs, teaches and creates bead and jewelry art. Classes and workshops are plentiful. Custom designs and private jewelry-making parties are available and noted at the website: BettyJamesStudios.com.
The Genuine Article is at 201 W. Front St., Wheaton. (630) 690-2323
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