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Adding Safety to the List

Want to live in the safest city in the United States? Well, if you are a Fishers resident, you already do!!
Fishers was named the safest city in the U.S., according to CQ Press’ City Crime Rankings 2011-2012: Crime in Metropolitan America report. 405 cities (all with populations of 75,000+) were included in the report, which looked at crime statistics in categories like murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft in the year 2010. There are a number of factors that contribute to our low crime rate, but one that deserves a shout out is our awesome Fishers Police Department. Thank you Chief Kehl and all Fishers police for keeping us safe!!!

Flavor of Fishers 2011 ~ Right Around the Corner

If you’ve never been to the Flavor of Fishers, this weekend you’ll get your big chance!  The event will be held Saturday, July 30 from noon until 10:00 p.m. right by Sallie Mae in the USA Parkway Circle off Exit 5.   There will be an abundance of food, activities, and entertainment.  The vendors this year include:

Applebee’s

Archer’s Meat & Catering

Bamboo Cafe

Cheeseburger in Paradise

Costco

Culver’s of Noblesville

Dave and Busters

Encore Desserts & More

Marco’s Pizza

Mathoo’s Eggrolls 

MCL

Moe’s Southwest Grill

Qdoba Mexican Grill

Ritter’s Frozen Custard

Scotty’s Brewhouse

Scotty’s Lakehouse

Texas Roadhouse

Tijuana Flats Burrito Company

U Want Icecream, LLC

 

While you sample the tasty treats of Fishers, you can also enjoy the following entertainment: 

Main Stage

 Noon – 3:00 p.m.   “Dave & Rae Band”

 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  “Blonde Sonja”

 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.   “Toy Factory”

 Family Fun Zone

12:30 p.m. – 1:30p.m.  Magician 

Noon – 4:00 p.m.  Kids Against Hunger Pack-a-Thon

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.   Radio Disney

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.   Silly Safari

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.   Juggler

In regards to food and entertainment, there’s something (lots of things, really!) for everyone.  In addition to the above, there’s a beer and wine garden for the adults, as well as bounce houses and carnival booths for the kids.  Did I mention that kids 12 and under enter the festivities for free???  The rest of us will pay $7 at the door or $5 in advance to enter (all Fishers Marsh Supermarkets, the Fishers Farmers Market, and the Fishers Chamber Office in the Fishers Train Station sell tickets), plus food tickets can be purchased at the event for $1 apiece.  Individual vendors determine the number of tickets for each item they they will be featuring that day, and they range from one to five tickets.  It’s a fantastic opportunity to sample a variety of foods without breaking the bank or stuffing yourself so full you have to be rolled home.  It’s my favorite Fishers event of the year.

We hope to see you there!

Cookie Wars

Now this is the kind of war I like!   As a thank you to Allen for his hard work in selling her house, our “cookie client” surprised us a with a little treat of her own… more Taylor’s Bakery delici-o-so sugar cookies.  I feel like we’ve come full circle here!  It was nice to be on the receiving end, too.   Thank you, Amy!  You were a pleasure to work with!!!

Fishers’ Most Recent Honor

Fishers is once again on top!!  TLC recently named Fishers the #1 City for Families stating, “With great schools, a low crime rate and the convenience of being located at the crossroads of America, Fishers is our pick for the city most likely to steal your heart away.”  The article also highlights Fishers’ affordable housing, low unemployment, positive job growth, and abundance of charisma.  Great job, Fishers!  What a nice honor!

If you don’t live in Fishers yet, but see all the high marks it receives and want to, give Fishers Indiana Realtor, Allen Williams, a call.   There’s no one better to help you find your dream home!

Great News….

Allen sold the “cookie” house  in just over two weeks!!!

I know you’re all wondering…

… did Allen get the infamous “cookie” listing or not?  Drum roll, please…  He did! Yay!!! It was kind of funny, though, because the home owner was in the office recently and shared that as yummy as the cookies were, they had zero impact on her decision.  Now, they did win her son’s vote, but I was under the impression his vote didn’t count for too much.   Anyway, she said it was Allen’s bend-over-backwards helpful attitude that sealed the deal.  I’m so glad she saw that in him! The cookies won’t come every day, but Allen’s work ethic and dedication to his clients will.  She made a great decision, and now we just have to sell that gorgeous home!  If you’d like to take a peek, click here.

Hats off to the Big Guy

I just have to give a little shout out to my favorite Realtor…. and no, I’m not doing this because he’s the one who writes my paycheck!   We recently found out that Allen is one of the top 100 Realtors in central Indiana.  This comes as no surprise since I see how hard he works every day, and I get to experience his fun, energetic personality, but it is still awesome to see it in print!  Congrats, Allen, on your continued success!  We are all so proud of you!

On that note, when you are looking at Hamilton County Realtors and comparing what they have to offer, I hope you will consider Allen in your top selections.  Today more than ever, you really need someone with experience and proven results.  Allen has that, top notch marketing, plus an A+ personality to boot!  He may show up for a sales presentation (okay, I use that term loosely) wearing jeans and sneakers, and he just might make you laugh like a school girl, but his results can’t be beat.  Give him a call and see what he’s all about. 

A Year in Review

A few years ago, I met several women (through totally different avenues) who had just moved to Fishers with their husbands and children.  Although they all came from California, none of them knew each other. (I guess that should be no surprise since California is a pretty big place.  )  Also not surprising is their reason for leaving… the crazy high cost of living there.  What DID surprise me, however, was how they ended up here in Fishers.   I would have expected a new job, transfer, family, friends… nope, none of the above.  All three of these families just knew they wanted to get out of California and did Internet searches to find the best place to live.  Never having heard of Fishers, or ever imaging themselves in Indiana period, they were all so impressed with what they read about Fishers that they quit their jobs, said good-bye to their loved ones, packed up their belongings, and made the long trek to the Hoosier State.  They found jobs, made new friends, and now happily call Fishers “home.”  It just amazed me that they would take such a leap, but I guess if you do a little research, you don’t have to actually live in Fishers to see how great it is…. It’s right there on the Internet! 

I don’t know exactly what they found in their searches, but here are some of the accomplishments and recognitions I found for Fishers in 2010….

•  Best Affordable Suburbs in America by businessweek.com ~  I think with our current economic situation this has got to be one of the best awards any suburb could receive!  Not only did we make the cut, Fishers was the #1 community where families can live for less and enjoy good schools, low crime, and reasonable commutes.  Lucky us!
• Top 100 Places to Live in 2010 by Relocate America ~ With today being the 4th day in a row that school has been cancelled due to 3 inch thick ice, today may not be the best day to say that if you have to relocate, Fishers is the place to go.  At the moment, I would vote for somewhere in sunny Florida.  However, for the majority of the year, I couldn’t agree with this more.  
• Top 100 Best Places to Live in America (#8 Ranking) by Money Magazine ~ This is a really big one!  Lots of factors went into determining who made the list including housing affordability, school quality, arts and leisure, health care, diversity, ease-of-living, jobs, etc.  They even visited towns to interview residents and assess things like traffic, parks and gathering places, and community spirit.  What an honor!
• The Indiana Public Employers’ Plan, Inc. (IPEP) Award for Workplace Safety ~ Achieved by having less than a 50% loss ratio plus an acceptable claim incident rate as compared to municipalities statewide, Fishers has received this award consistently since 2003.
• International City/County Management Association Voice of the People Award of Excellence ~ This award was given to Fishers because of the high service ratings our citizens gave to the Town Council.
• International City/County Management Association Certification of Distinction ~ Similar to the award above, the Town of Fishers received this one for exceeding the standards established by the ICMA for local government management.

Let’s make 2011 another fantastic year!

Below the Belt Tactics

This is the first blog post that I (yes, Allen and not Stacy) have written in some time. In true non-typical stuffy Realtor form, I recently sent a message to a potential client, one who I really want as a client. As you can see from the photo, I used sugar to send my message. The Seller has a gorgeous home, located in an upper end neighborhood in Fishers. I know the home, I love the home, and I really would love to have my sign in the yard. As with many smart consumers, the Sellers did their research. They brought in a handful of agents and interviewed them to see which one would be the best fit. I guarantee that I was the only one in jeans, though (they were nice ones without holes – LOL). Well, I followed up with the Seller last night and it is between me and a power house agent, one whom I have great respect for. So, do I sit back and wait? Maybe accept defeat that they will choose the bigger brand? No way, not my style….I want this listing and I know that my team will provide better service and results! It just so happens that I just listed a home for the owner of Taylor’s Bakery, an Indianapolis, and now Fishers staple. So, Matt Allen helped me out with creating a cool message on a batch of cookies. I hope that by the time the dozen are gone, I will have word that I was selected. This is one of the reasons I love this business so much. Not only can I use my creative side to market homes, but I get to meet really cool people and walk through and sell some incredible homes. Sometimes you just see a home or meet a family and you REALLY want to be “their guy.” Well, that’s what happened with this house and with this family. If I’m selected, I hope to have photos of the home up soon so you can see how awesome it is! I will keep you up to speed on my progress. Unless, that is, they pick the other guy….then I will pout, erase this post, and never mention it again .

made here. made better.

One of the things Allen loves so much about Fishers is that small town feel that reminds him of his own hometown of Geneva, New York.  He has great memories of growing up in Geneva… some sweet, some hilarious, and many that he probably won’t share with his children until they are well into adulthood.   A good portion of those memories include friends whom he still keeps in touch with today. 

Two of these friends, John Eades and Mike Ferreri , started a company that Allen is uber excited about and proud of.  You may have already heard about them… Vere Sandal Company.  Sound familiar?  They are producing high quality, comfy sandals, and using environmentally friendly methods and materials to boot.  The best part, or at least the best part for Allen in all of his Geneva pride, is that they are made right here in the U.S. ~ in Geneva, New York!  Their motto is made here. made better.  And they are!

“I just love this company’s story. Here we have two ultra successful businessmen, both who left Geneva and went on to major cities for business opportunities, but years later were pulled back to our home town to build something special. If you’re like me, you’re sick of seeing the goods we purchase coming from outside of the United States. Here we have an opportunity to support a great company, one that produces with less waste and in small town America.”
~Allen Williams

If you’d like to see what all the hype on these awesome sandals is about, check out their website at http://www.madeheremadebetter.com  and this VIDEO.  And if you love them and want to really impress your favorite Realtor, you can even buy a pair.  Total speculation here, but I think he could be so touched that maybe he would even reduce his commission on the sale of your next  home.  I mean, I’m just his assistant so I don’t really know, but it seems like that would be right up there with his daughter’s puppy dog eyes.  Hey, it’s worth a shot!  Now we just need some sandal-wearing weather. Bring on the sunshine!

 

 

 

 

{—–These are the men behind the madness…. owners and good friends of Allen… Mike Ferreri (left) and John Eades(right).

Want a Fishers Address?

Most of us who have homes in Fishers Indiana have what you would expect… a Fishers address ~ but that’s not always the case.  The “city identification” part of your address is actually determined by the post office location that serves you.  So you may live in Fishers, but if a Fortville, McCordsville, or Indianapolis post office serves you… your address will be one of those.  It can get very confusing and cause some pretty big problems.  There have been cases of companies paying taxes to the wrong municipality, fees being collected in error, and incorrect jurisdictions being identified on income tax and other financial documents.  So, the Town of Fishers is trying to help citizens and businesses alike by asking the U.S. Postal Service to survey Fishers residents.  The surveys will be mailed out sometime this month or in February, so be on the lookout.   All it takes is a simple majority of those who respond to mark that they want their address changed to Fishers and voila, the confusion can end!

12 Free Days of Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, you may need a break from the gift wrap and cookie baking chaos, but still want to enjoy some good family fun.  Indianapolis has your back!  Every day leading up to Christmas, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a free Indianapolis attraction.  It’s a great time to venture to new places you’ve never been before, or hit the places you know and love… without the price tag!  This year the featured attractions will include the Eiteljorg Museum, Circle of Lights, James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home, Meredith Nicholson House, Mistletoe Music Festival, Indy Wine Trail, Indianapolis Museum of Art, President Benjamin Harrison Home, Morris-Butler Home, Skating at the Indiana Fairgrounds, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, Indiana Medical History Museum, Celebrities and Santa at the Indianapolis International Airport, NCAA Hall of Champions, Scottish Rite Cathedral tours and concert, Indiana State Museum’s Celebration Crossing, Conner Prairie, Rhythm Discovery Center, Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, and the Children’s Museum.  Click here for dates, times, and details for each of the events. 

And as always…. a free event that’s available most every day of the year, is a visit to your favorite Fishers realtor.  Stop by to visit Allen anytime.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Santa is very busy this year… and it looks like he’s spending a lot of time right here in our town.   Allen’s just waiting to get a call that Santa’s looking for a Fishers realtor.   We will definitely jump on that one!!!

This past Saturday he was at  Fishers Town Hall for some cookies, and he’ll be back on Dec. 8th and 9th for FREE pictures with the kids.  When I’ve taken my girls to this event in the past, it’s been a packed house, but they played a movie in the room you spend a lot of your “waiting in line” time (chairs included!), so it’s a good set-up.  And you can’t beat FREE pictures while allowing your little ones to share their list with Santa. 

If your kids aren’t into sitting on Santa’s lap, or just want to double their chances of getting their favorite gifts, they can also write a letter (must include a self-addressed stamped envelope) and deliver it to Santa’s special mailbox which sends the letters directly to his workshop.  As long as the letters are received by 4:30 on December 13, your kids will receive a letter back from the big man himself.  Details below:

• Please drop letters at the Fishers Parks & Recreation at 11565 Brooks School Rd
  or at Fishers Town Hall at 1 Municipal Dr
• Santa’s mailbox is open November 22 – December 13
• Drop off hours are Monday-Friday  8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I’m telling you why…. Santa Claus is coming to town!

Lighting Up Fishers

Looking for something festive to do Thursday evening?  Join the Fishers Town Council and the Fishers Chamber of Commerce for the annual tree lighting ceremony at Fishers Town Hall from 6:30-8:00 p.m.  In addition to lighting up the 25 foot tall tree, you can enjoy refreshments and a visit from Santa!

While you are driving by, you just might see our busy little elf (aka: Allen Williams) working away in his office… it’s right down the street!  Probably more Fishers Real Estate work than toy making, but busy nonetheless!  Feel free to honk a hello as you drive by.

Fishers Welcomes a New Park

I’m anxious to leave work today so I can pick up my daughter and take her to Fishers latest addition… Cyntheanne Park.   Gorgeous fall weather and brand new ROCKSTAR playground for her to climb on ~ should be a terrific afternoon.  We’ll probably check out the trails, too.  There’s a one-mile paved trail, but also a natural area grass trail that I know she’ll love.  So what else does the new park have to offer?  It has 5 multipurpose athletic fields (soccer, baseball, football, rugby, lacrosse) with seating, a concession building, restrooms, picnic tables, a natural area, and an unstructured play area.  There are actually two playgrounds to accommodate kids aged 2-5 and 5-12.  The park is located north of State Road 238 on Cyntheanne Road.  Enjoy!

Trick-or-Treat Time

I’m sure you are as excited as I am to take your little ghouls and goblins trick-or-treating this Sunday.  Rightly so!!!  And really, it’s all about  how cute they look and how excited they are that the big day has finally arrived… not at all about dipping into their candy once they are tucked in bed.  But as excited as you all may be, nobody wants to be that family that starts trick-or-treating too early… the only family walking down the street in costume, lonely, interrupting everyone’s dinner and having to wait at the door while they quickly dig out their unopened bags of candy.  I am sure it is not out of spite from the unprepared and possibly annoyed candy giver, but we all know the result is typically the most undesirable piece of candy in the bag.  So I’m going to help you out with the trick-or-treating hours suggested by the police in each town.  This should insure that with a costume and good manners, your little munchkins will be filling your bag, I mean their bag, with the good stuff.  Happy haunting!!!

Carmel 5-8

Fishers 5:30-8:30

Fortville 6-8

Indianapolis 6-8

Lawrence 5:30-8:30

McCordsville 5:30-8:30

Noblesville  5:30-7:30

Westfield 6-8

Headless Horseman Hysteria

There are always a lot of fun things to do around Halloween, but one of  the “cannot-miss” events in Fishers is the Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie.  A little spooky, a lot fun ~ this event features a moonlit hayride through the woods of Conner Prairie… and you just might sneak a peak of the Headless Horseman yourself during the venture.  There are plenty of other activities to keep little people (and the whole family!) entertained, as well.  Enjoy The Legend of Sleepy Hollow puppet show, the Disney movie The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, a spooky story by lantern light, crafts, and a real jam session with Bill Bailey (no, I’m pretty sure this is not really Axl Rose for those of you who are wondering ).  If you want to shell out a little extra money, there are also face painting with glow-in-the-dark paint, hot air balloon rides, and yummy food available.  Click here for all the details.  And if you go next weekend, you just might see Allen with his kids there!  Have a spooky time!

Halloween Happenings

There will be plenty to do for Fishers’  goblins and ghouls, ages 6-11, at the upcoming Fishers Parks and Rec Halloween event.  The program will be held Monday, October 18, from 5-6:30pm at the Roy G. Holland Memorial Park Building.  The kiddos are encouraged to wear their costumes in celebration of the upcoming holiday.  There will be stories, games, and Halloween crafts… plus goodies for all participants to take home.  Pre-registration is required by October 11 ($14/resident, $21/non-resident).  Happy haunting!

Somethin’ a Little Different This Weekend…

So, if you feel like doing something different from your normal weekend activities, Fishers is giving you an opportunity to step out of this time and into the Renaissance Era.  The 6th Annual Fishers Renaissance Faire will be held at Conner Prairie Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 2-3) from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm ~ rain or shine!  Many people dec themselves out in full costumes, but that is certainly not required.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and children 4 and under are free.  Entertainment will be a’ plenty at the fair ~ everything from fire eaters to jugglers, storytellers to knights, nobles, musicians, dancers, and puppeteers.  And of course, there will be lots of vendors, food, and beer/wine!  I think it’s an event that every Fishers resident should experience at least once.

Just Between Friends

Are you looking for kids’ clothing at great prices?  I think today, more than ever, most people are trying to cut costs, and shopping at a consignment sale is an excellent way to get awesome deals.  A step up from garage sales in which you have to find, drive all over to, and cross your fingers for a little organization (sometimes having to dig through tubs of clothes), most consignment sales are ultra organized and a fantastic one-stop shop!  There are several terrific local consignment stores for kids in the Fishers area (Kool Kids Resale Kottage, Kids Kloset, Once Upon a Child, etc.), but this weekend there’s an even less expensive alternative to that!  Held on the Hamilton County Fairgrounds at 2003 Pleasant Street in Noblesville, there is a ginormous kids’ consignment (and maternity) sale called Just Between Friends.  I am telling you, there are massive quantities of children’s clothing, coats, toys, and baby gear of all sorts.  You have all of the organization, convenience, and product quality of a consignment store, but more to choose from.   Participating consignors set their own prices, so they will definitely vary, but I would say that prices typically fall between those found at a garage sale and those found at a consignment store (closer to the garage sale end) … And as if the deals aren’t good enough, the last day is 1/2 price day so they will practically be handing away many items on Saturday!  So, if you’d like to stop by the fall/winter sale, here’s the schedule:

September 23-25, 2010

Thursday 9am – 7pm
Friday 9am – 7pm
Saturday 9am – 2pm
~1/2 Price Day ~

Your next opportunity to attend the big event will be in the spring, and maybe at that one you will be so in love with the concept, you’ll want to be a consignor yourself.  Consignors and volunteers make money and have excellent perks!  Happy shopping!

Looking For Something to Do Saturday?

If you are 21 and looking for something fun, but low-key to do on Saturday, the second annual Harvest Wine Tasting just might be the event for you!  Held at the Historic Ambassador House & Heritage Gardens in Fishers from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can sample different vintages provided by Carmel’s Vine and Table, take in jazz music performed by vocalist Brenda Williams, and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by MBP Distinctive Catering, Epicureans, and Jacquie’s Gourmet Catering.  There will also be a silent auction featuring goods from local vendors.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 at www.ambassadorhouse.org (with an additional processing fee applied to online purchases) or at the door for $20.  You must be 21 to enter, and they will be checking IDs.   The Historic Ambassador House & Heritage Gardens is located in Heritage Park at 106th Street and Eller Road.  Procedes from the event will help fund the Historic Ambassador House & Heritage Gardens, which is a non-profit organization.

The Pink Paper That Could Cost You Thousands in Property Taxes

Earlier this year, your county mailed you a pink form that if you are like me, might have ended up in the trash.  Luckily I work for a fabulous realtor who clued me in to the importance of that paper… and I was able to dig it out in time. (Not really, but I did print off a new one. ) Had I not, I’d likely be paying a whole bunch of money in a couple years in property taxes.  Here’s the deal ~ in the past, you had to fill out your homestead exemption form once and it did not require re-filing until you refinanced the home or sold the property.  Times are a-changin’ and now the county is asking for everyone to complete, sign, and return the form – regardless of how long you’ve lived in the home.  So if you don’t do that you will lose your homestead deduction beginning in 2013.  You have some time, but if you want to cross it off your to-do list, you can print off the form right now.  We’ve got the links handy for you!  Hamilton County residents click here, and Marion County residents click here. Happy filing!!!

Playful City, Playful State

I know Fishers gets a lot of awards… most affordable city, best city to raise kids, etc. (and rightly so!)… but today I learned of a fun new one.  Drum roll , please… Fishers has been named one of the country’s top “playful cities.”  Apparently this is the second time Fishers has made the list.  Shame on me for not  knowing that, but it is exciting nonetheless.   There is a Washington D.C.-based non-profit organization named KaBOOM! that promotes the benefits of playing and creates the list.  They noted that Fishers’ collaboration with Hamilton Southeastern Schools on recreational activities was a key reason our town made the list.  Among the other 118 cities that made the cut were Indianapolis, Franklin, Bloomington, and Fort Wayne ~ which made Indiana the state with the fourth most communities on list.  So, congrats to our fantastic state!   We are happy to have been part of getting you such a prime spot on the list.�

Fishers Parks and Recreation Survey

Everyone likes to have a voice, right?  Fishers Parks and Rec are giving you an opportunity to help shape the future of recreational opportunities in Fishers.  It’s as easy as clicking here and answering some questions on a short on-line survey regarding our parks and recreation programs.  Just be sure to do it before noon on Thursday, August 19th!  If you have any questions, you can contact the Fishers Parks and Recreation Department at (317)595-3150.

Flavor of Fishers

If you are counting calories, you better save up for this weekend!  The Flavor of Fishers will be here Saturday, July 31st  from noon to 10:00 p.m. … and there will be an abundance of awesome restaurants to sample from.  You almost have to have a plan of attack before you even begin!  Just to name a few of the 25 participating restaurants, there’s Qdoba, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Culvers, Tijuana Flats, Goodfellas, Scotty’s Brewhouse, Encore Desserts, and many more.

In addition to all of the yummy food, there’s plenty of entertainment to keep little one’s, adults, and everyone in between happy. You can enjoy live music entertainment by Ribs n Bone, Toy Factory, and Band Wagon, as well as a Fishers Food Fight Chef Competition, a Silly Safari show, Radio Disney, a magician, a juggler, bounce houses, carnival game booths, and more!!!  The FREE Family Fun Zone will be open from noon until 10:00 p.m. For the over 21 crowd, there will also be a beer and wine garden sponsored by Cheeseburger in Paradise.

You can buy admission tickets in advance for $5 at any Marsh in Fishers, the Fishers Farmers Market,  or at the Fishers Chamber Office in the Train Station… or for $7 at the door.  Children 12 and under are free!!!  Once in, food tickets are $1 apiece to pay the vendors for their delic-i-oso samples (# of tickets for foods vary).  So we hope to see you at  USA Parkway Circle Saturday ~ rain or shine.  Your tastebuds will thank you!

Movin’ On Up

It seems like only yesterday Fishers was named #10 on Money Magazine’s list of Best Places to Live, and now it has advanced to the #8 slot!  Every year, the magazine ranks a list of towns with populations between 50,000 and 300,000 based on criteria such as housing prices, safety, health care, and diversity.  Being a “financial” magazine, it’s no surprise that economic factors carry the most weight. And to that point, it’s also no surprise that Fishers does so well on the list!  We have an unemployment rate of 6.2 which is far below the national average, as well as a job growth rate (during the past decade) of 41% ~ much higher than the “Best Places” average of 15.71%.  We are fortunate to have major employers here in Fishers, like Sallie Mae and Roche Diagnostics.  Combine that with Fishers low-cost housing, easy access to Indy, awesome schools, and community spirit, and it’s easy to see why people love living in Fishers.

Free Day at Conner Prairie

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in the 1800’s?  Visiting Conner Prairie Interactive History Park can give you a taste.  And if you go this Friday, July 9th between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., that taste will be free.  You can’t beat that!  This free community day, sponsored by PNC Bank, will feature PNC’s Mobile Learning Adventure.  Kids of all ages can dress up as firefighters, nurses, police officers, Realtors (okay,maybe that was a stretch, but you get the idea), and have their picture taken.  There are countless other activities and adventures throughout the four themed areas of the park ~ Lenape Camp, 1836 Prairietown, 1859 Balloon Voyage, and the Conner Homestead.  You can crash Jenny’s Party at the Curtis Home at 3:00, try on 1800s clothes at the McClure household, hang out with the animals in the Animals Encounters Barn, and take a stab at Frontier Survivor… a favorite activity every Friday in Lenape Camp in which you can test your skills and compete in activities such as setting traps, tracking animals, starting fires, and tomahawk throwing.  There is so much to do that you will only be able to experience a fraction of what Conner Prairie has to offer in one day, but I guarantee a fun learning experience for all.  Come rested, and be prepared for the nap you’ll want to take when you get home… you’ll need it!  It will be a blast from the past!

Fourth of July Festivities

Still trying to decide how to celebrate the 4th of July?  There are plenty of options ranging from a low-key evening at home with a box of sparklers to an all-out festival with fireworks that will knock your socks off.  Here are a few local events that you can add to your list of choices:  The Noblesville Parade and Fireworks Festival will begin at 5:00 on the grounds of the Noblesville High School with a parade, and continue with a festival featuring a classic car show, bounce houses, an obstacle course, face painting, food vendors, and much, much more. The evening will end with a patriotic fireworks show at 10:00.  Westfield Rocks the 4th is an all day event at Asa Bales Park beginning with Bike It! (a bicycle ride for prostate cancer) at 9:00a.m., followed by a car and motorcycle show, and finally a Battle of the Bands.  There will also be a kids area, food, and marketplace open throughout most of the day.  The fireworks celebration will begin at 9:45.  My families’ favorite is Blast on the Bridge at Geist.  A boat parade will begin around 6:30 p.m., a ski show at 8:00, and the fireworks at 10:00.  You can watch by land (Fall Creek Bridge will be closed to traffic ~ open to people) or water and tune in to Oldies 101.9 who will be broadcasting live and simulcasting to the fireworks display.  If you want to see the largest fireworks display, you’ll probably want to go to downtown Indy and watch the display shooting from the top of the Regions Bank Tower.  The Regions Bank Freedom Fest will begin their fireworks display at 9:47, but the celebration begins much earlier in the day.  You can enjoy FREE admission to the Eiteljorg Museum, The Indiana State Museum’s FREE Canal Family Fest, and the Indiana Historical Society’s FREE Concert on the Canal.  Did I mention all of these events are FREE???  And if whatever you choose to do for the 4th is not enough, or you just simply can’t get enough, there is the CarmelFest which begins on the 4th and ends with fireworks at 9:45 on the 5th.  This is a huge event featuring live entertainment, a parade, a ball, tons of kids activities, a 4 mile run, and more.  There is definitely something for everyone!  Happy 4th of July!!!

Fishers Freedom Festival Just Around the Corner!

Whether you are new to Fishers or you grew up here, the Fishers Freedom Festival is the annual event you won’t want to miss! It is located at Roy G. Holland Park (One Park Drive) and draws in a crowd of over 60,000 people from all over the U.S.   Beginning Saturday morning with a 5K run and 2 mile family walk and ending with fireworks Sunday night, there are countless events in between.  There is something (actually, lots of things!) for everyone!  For the kiddos, there is face painting, arts & crafts, free games, a kiddie run, a children’s parade in which they can dress up and decorate their bikes, wagons, strollers, etc. in a patriotic theme… plus tons more!  Teens and adults can enjoy the entertainment tent (featuring everything from live music - to a Hamilton County Law Enforcement K-9 demonstration – to Bingo), street & teen dances, vendors of all sorts (arts, crafts, food, etc.), a corn hole tournament, scuba diving, a basketball shoot, a climbing wall… the list goes on and on.  Most people will agree that the two parts of the Fishers Freedom Festival you can’t miss are the main parade at 4:00 Sunday and the fireworks at dusk.  Thanks to all of the hardworking volunteers and sponsors that put it together, this event is FREE.  Enjoy the weekend!

The Farmers Market’s Back!!!

Another favorite among Fishers’ residents is the Saturday morning farmers market.  Running every Saturday from June 5 to September 25, 8:00 a.m. to noon, there is something for everyone!  Whether you want locally grown vegetables (the sweet corn is my favorite!), BBQ sauce, cinnamon rolls, or a baby blanket… you can find it all and TONS more at the farmers market.  Located on the grounds of the Fishers Train Station, you will be just a hop, skip, and a jump from our office.  So stop by and say “hi” ~  and if we’re not there, there’s a pretty good chance we can be found at the farmers market, too.

Tuesdays on the Town

It’s that  time of year again that Fishers’ residents love… summer concert series time!  Last week the summer concert series kicked off with a rockin’ performance by Living Proof.  Join the fun every Tuesday evening from 7-9 on the lawn at the Fishers Town Hall.  Bring a picnic dinner, dance the night away, or just sit, relax, and enjoy some great music and an entertaining atmosphere.  You might even see Allen and his family there!  I assure you that’s great entertainment in and of itself!   Remember, thanks to awesome volunteers and sponsors, the concert series is free to everyone.  Click here for the lineup.  Hope to see you there!!

Race Around the Reservoir

Last weekend my nine-year-old and I did one of the neatest things together… we ran our first 5K.  Thanks to the St.Vincent Geist Half Marathon & 5K, we were able to get some great exercise, share in a common interest, push each other (sometimes literally!), and enjoy lots of laughs along the way to the finish line.  Considering that I don’t know that I could have run one mile, let alone 3.1, at my daughter’s age, I was so proud of her I could have burst.  We didn’t even have opportunities like that when I was growing up.  I think it’s just awesome that Fishers not only holds this annual race, along with the Half Marathon, but the schools are involved and it gets lots of Fishers kids from 3rd grade up out and moving.  They train for almost 2 months for the big event and put in plenty of miles.  A good portion of the proceeds also come back to HSE schools to be used for health and fitness programs/materials.  What a fantastic program to keep kids active!   I’m already excited to do it again next year with my little energizer bunny.  And maybe, just maybe,  in a few years she’ll be ready for her first half marathon…

Indy SurviveOars

Anyone who spends time out on Geist Reservoir has probably seen the pink dragon boat, but what is that unique boat all about?  The 43 foot long custom boat is special… it’s the first pink dragon boat that long-time boat manufacturer, Swift Dragon Boats of China, has ever made. It is also the first boat in the world to have a pink head and tail.  But it’s not all the pink that makes this boat so special… it’s the amazing group of breast cancer survivors who train to paddle together, support each other, learn from each other, and overcome fear together that make it one-of-a-kind.  These women are all members of Indy SurvireOars, a group whose mission is to provide breast cancer survivors with a strong message of hope, inspiration, and encouragement.  This team is one of about 50 other breast cancer teams to launch in the United States.  In addition to the social, emotional, supportive benefits for these women, there is also a physical benefit.  More and more research is suggesting that physical activity improves quality of life and the chances of survival after the diagnosis of cancer.  Rowing, in particular, is proving to help with lymphedema which is associated with breast cancer.

The women train together on Geist three times a week.  Last year they won first place for the Breast Cancer Division at the Dragon Boat Bash in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  Thanks to generous donations they received at their first annual fundraiser last November, they are currently preparing for a trip to Peterborough, Canada in June to compete in the world dragon boat championship.  Good luck, Indy Survireoars!  We will be cheering you on!

November Referendum in the Works

Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday the town of Fishers was passing a referendum to help with Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ budget?  And now there is another one in the works???  Don’t worry, this one is different.  The referendum from this past November was due to changes in the formula that determined how much money individual school districts receive from the government.  Our fast growing community was hit hard, and without the referendum, the quality of our schools would have declined drastically.  The school district didn’t need the money because of frivolous spending (trust me, as a parent in the school system I got to hear their presentation multiple times), it was truly because of an unfair formula.  In fact, HSE is suing the state in hopes of getting that formula changed, and if we win, our taxes will go back down.  The referendum that will likely be on the ballot in November 2010 involves our growth, but not our pocketbooks.  This referendum simply asks for permission to build a new junior high and turn one of the existing  junior highs into a freshman campus.  This will help alleviate some serious growth and overcrowding at Hamilton Southeastern High School.  The total cost of this huge project (also including a new elementary school by 2013) is about $62 million.  By law, a referendum must pass in order for a school district to spend over $20 million for a new building.  State law also prohibits a school corporation from promoting a construction referendum.  So with that, HSE officials are recruiting community members to form a group called “Vote Yes” to promote the referendum.  HSE will be retiring bonds used for two previous construction projects, and the new projects effectively will replace payments for the previous ones ~ so an increase in taxes will not be necessary.  To parents of children in the school system, this is a no brain-er.  The referendum in November was a no brain-er.  We want the best for our kids, and overcrowded classrooms with 35 students and overworked, underpaid teachers is far from the best.  But what is the motivation for community members who do not have children in the school system?  Why should they vote yes?   Hamilton Southeastern is the fastest  growing school district in the state!  There are many reason for that, one of them being our terrific schools.  If our schools aren’t up to par, will people want to continue to move to Fishers?  What will happen to our property values?  This will affect all of us.  If you are interested in learning more, there will be a public hearing on May 20 at 7:30 a.m. at 13485 Cumberland Road.  At this hearing, school officials are expected to make their plans to move forward with the referendum official.  Maybe I will see you there.

Keep the Awards Coming, Fishers

The word continues to spread… Fishers is a fabulous place to live!  Most recently Fishers found itself on Relocate.com’s  “Top 100 Places to Live in 2010″ list.  This is the third time since 2006 that Fishers has been named to the list.  Selections are based on a series of  interviews with local leaders; feedback from residents; and economic, environmental, education, crime, employment and housing data for the past year.

This is just one of several national awards Fishers has received in 2010.  Here is a more complete list:

Best Place to Raise Your Kids – BusinessWeek.com

#1 Best Affordable Suburb in U.S.- BusinessWeek.com

#2 Best Under-rated Golf Community in U.S. – Livability.com

Healthiest County in Indiana – Community Health Network

Top 100 Places to Live in 2010  - RelocateAmerica.com

You can check out Fishers’ entry here.   Awesome job, Fishers!!!

Coupon or Groupon?

We all like to save a dollar, right?  And the feeling that results from getting a good deal is almost as good as the money you save, right?  Okay, maybe that’s just me… but I am always on the lookout for a bargain.  Well, I’ve recently been hearing about this new web-based marketing tool called Groupon, so being the bargain seeker I am, I had to check it out.  I’m so glad I did!!   Here’s how it works:  Each day,  there is one local (Indianapolis area) deal of the day offered on the Groupon website.  It’s usually a pretty good one, too.   The only catch is, the business owner offering the deal determines how many Groupons need to be purchased before it will benefit him/her.  If the minimum number is not met by midnight, the offer is cancelled.  So for example, today’s deal is a $40 gift certificate to Agio for $20.  A minimum of 75 had to be purchased in order for the deal to be on.  It’s 1:00 pm and already 448 have been sold, so the deal is on!  If at midnight tonight 74 or fewer had been sold, those 74 would have been out of luck (not out of money though, credit/debit cards are only charged when the deal becomes active).  I’m sure one of these days I will get on Groupon and proudly make my purchase, only to be shot down later when my deal is cancelled, but until then, I’m just going to love on Groupon.  I think it’s fabulous!

Administrative Assistants’ Day, Allen-Style

One of the great things about Allen is that he prides himself on being a “think outside the box” type of Realtor.  It’s one of the things that sets him apart from many other Realtors and has definitely contributed to his success.   I’m starting to see that this is not just how his mind works when trying to market/sell a home, it’s how his mind works all the time. 

Yesterday I learned that April 21 is Administrative Assistants’ Day.  Being a first time assistant, I didn’t know such a day even existed.  Yay~ what a great idea!!!  I was sure Allen would love to do something special for Brenda (Allen’s other terrific assistant) and me, and being the ever-so thoughtful assistant I am, I didn’t want him to feel badly if he missed it, so I kindly left him reminder sticky notes all over the office about the upcoming “holiday.”   I even left one in the restroom in case he had an extra moment to think about what special plan he could come up with to make us feel the ultimate appreciation.  Not long after he came into the office and discovered the notes all over, he scurried back out in his normal on-the-go fashion as if he was on a mission…. “to find the perfect gifts,” Brenda and I assumed. 

So fast forward to this afternoon when I arrived at work anxious to open my much anticipated gift ~ the one that a half hour earlier he had called to tell me was waiting for me at my desk.  Would it be a gift certificate for a pedicure? A massage? Maybe a restaurant gift certificate for my husband and me?  My imagination had taken me far beyond the standard box of chocolates one might hope for. The possibilities were endless!!  But as I walked up to open my nicely packaged gift, I found all of my sticky notes were decorating the bag.  Seemed a bit odd… but whatever.  I was just anxious to get inside to see what my ultra generous, awesome boss had to surprise me with.  And there it was, underneath all of the cutesy orange and purple tissue paper, a carton of moldy strawberries.  Okay, for a millisecond I was disappointed (although instantly thought “I should have gone with my instincts and suspected!”) but then started laughing and couldn’t stop.  Typical Allen!!!  I realized he gave me the same gift he gives me, and all of those who work with him, every day… his never-a-dull-moment, constant, quirky, pee-your-pants funny at times sense of humor that makes him so much fun to work with. I just received it in a nice, pretty, orange gift bag today.   So happy Administrative Assisants’ Day to Brenda and all assistants out there!   I can’t wait to get our “next” gift tomorrow.

Healthy Living, Healthy Kids

Thanks to Geist Half Marathon, Inc., the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation was granted $15,000 dollars in late September to fund various health and wellness initiatives. Kuddos to all of those who participated in the 2nd annual race! Last year there were over 6,000 runners and walkers, selling out the “Race Around the Reservoir”. If you’d like to participate in the 2010 race on May 22, check out the Geist Half Marathon & 5k website .   Happy running!

My Latest Hero – The Fishers Parks Department

Well, now that spring has FINALLY arrived, hibernation time is over and everybody is coming out of their homes to play, exercise, socialize, and get their yards back in to tip-top shape.  The Fishers Parks Department is doing the same for our parks!  They have a number of projects in the works… and those of us with younger kids will especially appreciate their efforts.  Among them is the rehabilitation of Roy Holland Park which will involve restoration of all multi-use fields and new replacement fencing around the baseball diamonds.  By fall, the construction of Cyntheanne Park should be complete.  This awesome park will feature five multi-purpose fields, a state-of-art playground with an innovative design, and a concession building with restroom facilities.  As much as I am looking forward to having another park to take my kiddos to, the project I am most excited about is the construction of a restroom building at Brooks School Park.  Being closest to my home, this is a park that we use most often AND the park that we typically have to leave the quickest.  Let’s face it…  porta potties and 5-year-olds just don’t mix.  Or maybe, moreso, porta potties and 34-year-olds don’t mix, but that’s beside the point.   I think we can all appreciate a flushing toilet!!!  So thank you to the Fishers Parks Department for make our park going experiences even better in the upcoming months.

You’ve Done It Again, Fishers!

What was important to you when you were choosing a community to live — great schools?  lots of amenities?  low crime rate?  Well, Fishers has all of these things, and more.  Among them is affordability.  In fact, last month Business Week  named Fishers America’s best affordable suburb to live in.  There were a number of factors that went into that rating… we scored the highest points for livability, safety, education, and economic performance.  Our town manager, Gary Huff, has said, “We have a very diverse housing market and that enables people to buy within their income levels.”  In addition, we have the lowest tax rate in Hamilton county.  I know in my heart what a great place Fishers is to live, but it’s exciting to see it in print, from a non-biased source, that it’s not just me.  Fishers truly is among the very best!!!

Help Support Fishers ~ Super Speedy Internet in the Works!

Wouldn’t it be great to have ultra high speed internet at our fingertips???  Fishers is working on it!  Google plans to build fiber networks in a select number of communities across the nation that will communicate 100-300 times faster than average cable or DSL speeds.  The Town of Fishers is campaigning to become a test area… which would be an awesome opportunity for all of us. You have to check out the website they’ve put together!  There is a ton of information there, including a link for the nomination form. And for those of you technologically savvy folks, you can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  As a special bonus, you’ll find the Lady Gaga parody song/video our creative little town has put together.  It almost brought a tear to MY eye… now let’s just hope it has the same effect on the Google people.  Now come on everybody, we only have until March 26^th to nominate our fabulous town.  Let’s make this happen!!!