Dona Reynolds, Blog: February 2010

Today after a showing appointment in the Northeast section of St Joseph, I stopped and visited with Dan and Amy Stanton at Cabinets, Counters & More.  I have known Dan and Amy almost 20 years since they first opened the "Kitchen Specialists" store.

Cabinets, Counters & More provides custom and box cabinetry for both commercial and residential clients, you also can choose from a variety of manufactures like Merillat and Showplace with some cabinetry lines available in less than 2 weeks.  They have a wide variety of counter-top choices, Caesar Stone, Silestone, Cambria, granite, concrete and butcher block to name a few.

Recently they have included Jetta whirlpool tubs and Swanstone shower surrounds.

Cabinets, Counters & More have a dedicated sales staff to provide design and layout services along with full time installation specialists which serves a six state area.

Stop by Cabinets Counters & More, at 6015 NE Woodbine Road, in St Joseph, or call (816) 233-4830

St Joseph Mo has had a lot of severe weather this last week with 4-5 inches of snow on Friday and another 8 inches on Sunday for a total of about 35 inches for the winter season.  This evening at dinner my husband looked out the kitchen window, spotting these beauties, Real Life Yard Art! 

While watching these beautiful creatures of nature, they were actually looking for something to eat, seems the only thing above snow level was the bark off the neighbors tree.

Last Thursday was the kick-off for 2010 St Joseph Regional Association of REALTORS®  members in St Joseph.  President Mary Kay Lyle, exciting theme for the event was                                            

"THE FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT-YOU GOTTA WEAR SHADES"

Fellow Realtors®, Bobbie Jo Howe and Scott Mears wasted no time in capturing the spirit of the event.

The highlight of the event, was a presentation by 2001 President of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Richard Mendenhall. Richard is a REALTOR from Columbia, Mo, and is the fifth generation of his family in real estate.  He is the owner of Remax Boone Realty in Columbia.  

During his term as NAR President, Richard spearheaded the establishment of the Realtors® Housing Relief Fund one day after the September 11th terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon.  Mendenhall mobilized the 1,000,000+ member organization in a rapid response to establish funds to help pay mortgage and rent costs for victim's families. The focus of the keynote presentation was Courage.

Richard shared his belief that courage is a common trait shared by REALTORS®.  He pointed out that REALTORS® get out of bed and go to work every day not knowing if they will earn a paycheck or not. This takes courage! He said that average people, like REALTORS®, are the real heroes in today's world.

A few other highlights:    *Highest affordability in 35 years    *Lowest conventional in 40 years   *Approximately 1.2-1.4 million new house-holds each year

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®                                                                                                                   Housing Affordability Index                                                                                                                        *2006 107.6           *2008 134.9             *2009 167.7      *Midwest region 211.8

Richard pointed out that in the fast paced world we live in today some things quickly became obsolete in the last 10 years:

1. Film Development
2. Movie Rental
3. Land-line Phones
4. Long Distance Charges
5. Public Pay Phones
6. VCR's
7. Books, Dictionaries, Encyclopedias
8. Boundaries
9. Loosing Touch

Currently the second Ranking Seach Engine is YouTube 

I-pod applications downloads hit 1 billion in 9 months

The St Joseph Regional Association of REALTORS® , suprised President Mary Kay Lyle with a oversized Birthday cake.  Happy Birthday Mary Kay! 

Richard Mendenhall's presentation for the St Joseph event

Yesterday, I stopped in to visit Erica Garrison at the Comfort Center and see their new 3,000+ sq. ft. show room located at 1804 North Belt Highway, St Joseph MO.

The Comfort Center opened in 1980 as a fireplace store in a 200 sq. ft. building and sold wood stoves.   They now carry a large selection of wood, gas and pellet stoves, inserts and outdoor kitchen islands.

Keeping up with the latest trends, in 1986 The Comfort Center added this first inground pool display.  Now with four pools and a gazebo, they have created an outdoor pool park where customers can browse and get a feel for their own backyard look.      

The Comfort Center offers above and inground pools, spas, and all your chemicals in just one store.

The Comfort Center is known in St Joseph for "building your backyard dreams."

Stop in to see Erica or visit their online store.