News About The Glen

Improving Consumer Confidence Boosting Housing Sales

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Southgate is experiencing a much improved year in terms of housing sales, just as we are seeing across the country, in Chicagoland’s North Shore, and throughout the other neighborhoods in The Glen.  Certainly low housing inventory, low interest rates and pent up demand are factors.

Another huge factor is the improved financial health of American families.  In particular family net worth has been on the rise as the stock market more than doubled since the low point of the Dow at 6,443 in March of 2009.  Modest improvement in home values has also impacted family financial health.  According to some economists, the combination of dramatically improving equity markets and improving home values has increased net worth to within 5% of the peak prior to the Great Recession.

The result of improving family financial health is growing confidence in the future.   The Conference Board tracks consumer confidence monthly.  After examining its September poll Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at the Conference Board, said this:

Consumers feel more positive in their assessment of current condition, in particular the job market, and considerably more optimistic about the short-term outlook for business conditions, employment and their financial situation.

Confidence in the future translates into housing purchase decisions; and this is a huge driver of housing’s rebound.  There is evidence of this in Southgate where twice as many homes have sold in the first three quarters of 2012 as compared with all of 2011.  With three more months to go, it is likely that Southgate will experience its best sales year since 2007.

Wagner Farm’s Farmers Market, a Hit With Glen Residents

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A large variety of fresh foods on display at Wager Farm’s farmers market.

A short drive from The Glen takes you to Wagner Farm, one of the few remaining farms in north suburban Cook County.  The Wagner family worked and lived on the farm until 1997 when the Glenview Park District purchased it for the benefit of Glenview and area residents.   It is preserved as a working farm to allow children to learn about farming and animals.  The district tells us that Wagner Farm is “where education meets history”.

There are many special events at Wagner Farm including picnics, barn dances, build-your-own scarecrow, a harvest bonfire, hayrack rides, and ice cream socials.  My family and I have taken advantage of many of these since we moved into our Tower Crossing townhome in 2003.  Our favorite activity, though, is the Wagner Farm Farmers Market which runs each Saturday morning from mid-June to mid-October.   In addition to the many booths and tables of farmers and local artisans, a musical artist or group performs; and local chefs perform cooking demonstrations using food from the market.  “The Green Table” is staffed by experts who provide education about sustainable living.

Wagner Farm’s Farmers Market is a special treat for residents of The Glen.  Not only can we purchase wonderful, fresh food, but it provides us with an opportunity to mingle with neighbors and catch up on our families and activities.  Wagner Farm is located at 1510 Wagner Road in Glenview, and parking is available across the street at Saints Peter and Paul Church.

Margaret Ludemann, Realtor, @properties

847-401-1802    MargaretLudemann@gmail.com

Von Maur Anchors Glen Town Center Shopping

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Von Maur in the center of Glen Town Center

Glen Town Center in THE GLEN, Glenview Illinois, is a jewel for area shopping and dining.  With 26 stores, shops and boutiques – and 16 restaurants (including The Glen Club‘s beautiful restaurant) – it is a destination venue beyond comparison in the Chicago area.

Anchoring Glen Town Center’s retail offerings is Von Maur, an upscale clothier for men, women, and children.  In addition to offering top of the line clothing brands, Von Maur sells shoes, handbags, accessories, jewelry, beauty and fragrance products, gifts, and collectibles.  Von Maur is a regional retail powerhouse with 27 stores throughout 10 Midwestern states (plus Georgia).  It has been in business well over 100 years, and it shows.  What really sets Von Maur apart from many upscale retailers is the shopping experience.  Upon entering the store one hears music.  That’s not unique…but in this case it is.  Our Von Maur here in The Glen has a pianist playing live music on a beautiful, black grand piano.  My husband and I have actually visited Von Maur just to hear the lovely music!  I should also point out that gift wrapping and shipping is free!

Von Maur is on Tower Drive (our “Main Street”), only steps away from my Tower Crossing row home.  It is also walking distance from other Glen neighborhoods such as Southgate, Cambridge, Landings, Chapel Crossing and Patriot Commons.  On either side of Von Maur are Dick’s Sporting Goods and Pascal Pour Elle spa.  And it’s steps away from our very own movie theater, Regal Glen 10.

We’re spoiled here in The Glen.  And we love it!

 

Attea Middle School – More Than Meets the Eye

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Last week my son started sixth grade at Attea Middle School right here in The Glen.  And when I say “right here” I mean that it’s smack dab in the middle of our wonderful Glen community.  It resides adjacent to Gallery Park and Lake Glenview.  It is across the street from two of our wonderful neighborhoods, Chapel Crossing (single family detached homes) and Tower Crossing (luxury row homes).  It is also walking distance from the Southgate, Landings, Cambridge, Patriot Commons and Regency neighborhoods.

Like many schools on the North Shore, Attea is thought of as an excellent school.  But what sets it apart is its rich offerings of voluntary activities for kids with all kinds of interests.  There are music clubs such as the Flute/Clarinet Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Band (in addition to the regular curriculum of vocal choir, band and orchestra).  My goodness, Attea even has a Ukulele Club.  Yes, you read that correctly…a ukulele club!

There are endless sports opportunities.  Intramural flag football, golf, fitness & conditioning, basketball, volleyball, softball, badminton,  and soccer are open to all Attea students.   The Art Club, Drama Club, and Set Design Club are available for students with creative interests.  And for those with more academic interests Attea kids can join Science Olympiad, Fantasy Math, Peer Tutoring, and Computer Programming clubs.  Other volunteer organizations include Builders Club, Green Club, and even…my son’s favorite…the LEGO Club.  Whatever a student’s interest, there is a club to enjoy!

Art Fair Returns to Glen Tower Center

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Thousands attended The Glen’s annnual Art Fair

The annual Glen Town Center Art Fair returned to Tower Drive in The Glen last weekend.  The entire street was filled with booths displaying various forms of art by nationally known and very prominent artists.  Both sides of our “main street” were packed with gawkers and buyers alike.

My son was the first in my family to head “downtown”.  Having just received his allowance he grabbed his wallet and walked the half block to where one end of the fair began.  We live in the Tower Crossing townhome community which borders Glen Town Center on three sides, so we were particularly close to the action!  Most of the art was well beyond his financial means, but there was one artist who created fanciful characters out of metal…any old kind of metal such as nails, scissors, bolts and washers.  While this particular artist had many expensive items, he displayed some smaller pieces within the budget of an eleven year old boy who had been saving up for a couple of months.  He made a purchase from this artist last year, but his acquisition last weekend was a special treasure…a musician with guitar.

Paintings, photographs, hand crafted jewelry, tiles, silver work, pottery, and wood craft were among the art forms for sale at this year’s fair which attracted a couple thousand people during the weekend.  My husband and I enjoyed strolling down the street looking at the displays, visiting with artists, and running into Glen neighbors.  We have such a vibrant community here in The Glen, and our annual art fair is a great example.  We can hardly wait for next year.