Saint Patrick’s Day Parade 2013 in Dogtown

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade 2013 in Dogtown, Saint Louis, is expected to bring thousands of people together to celebrate this fun, family-friendly, and festive Holiday!  The parade will kick off at 12:30 p.m. on March 17th, 2013, starting at Tamm and Oakland and ending at Tamm and Manchester.

The parade is a family oriented tradition of honoring St. Patrick. Kids will have fun watching the floats go by while catching candy, beads, and if there lucky, a glimpse of a leprechaun.  The Ancient Order of Hibernians has sponsored this parade since 1984 – it is always held on St Patrick’s Day.

While the parade starts at 12:30 p.m., the AOH warns that parking is always a problem – the neighborhood as well of the park will likely be full long before the parade starts.  So get there early!  Also, the Dogtown Merchants Association will be enforcing a No Coolers stipulation for the 2013 parade. The association have hired off-duty police to enforce this rule.

So gather up the family (clan), buy your beads and your green attire, and head down to Dogtown to be a part of this spectacular Saint Louis tradition!

For more information, visit the AOH’s site at here!

Link:

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade 2013 in Dogtown

http://stlhomelife.com/saint-patricks-day-parade-2013-in-dogtown/?preview=true&preview_id=1499&preview_nonce=26748deb08

Kevin Bacon to Perform at 2013 Soulard Mardi Gras Pet Parade

Kevin Bacon to Perform at 2013 Soulard Mardi Gras Pet Parade

Kevin Bacon and his brother are scheduled to perform at this year’s Mardi Gras Pet Parade held annually in Soulard, Missouri. The event brings in tens of thousands of parade-goers and their four-legged friends every year, but this is the first time that organizers have booked a touring act to headline the show. The Bacon Brothers, Kevin and Michael, play a mix of lively country rock and pop rock and have played with their band-mates since 1995.  The parade will kick off at 1:00 p.m. on February 3rd at the intersection of Menard and Allen Streets.  The Bacon Brothers are scheduled to perform at 2:30 p.m. near Soulard Market Park.

The event is free to the public and costume-adorned pets are welcomed!  If you would like to register your pet to walk in the Beggin’ Pet Parade,  registration is $10  with all of the proceeds benefiting the Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a local shelter featuring dogs and cats of all ages and breeds, waiting to find their forever homes.  So, if your furry friend likes to wear costumes and would like to join the estimated 1,200 other dressed-up pets expected to walk in the parade this year, you can register online.  If you register, meet up with the other parade participants at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Menard and Allen Streets.  Pet participants are subject to the approval of Mardi Gras, Inc. and the St. Louis Department of Animal Control based on appropriateness, temperament and health.

So come out February 3rd for a day of fun and entertainment for the whole family (including our four-legged family members!)

You can see a map of the parade route here.

Link:

Kevin Bacon to Perform at 2013 Soulard Mardi Gras Pet Parade:

http://stlhomelife.com/kevin-bacon-to-perform-at-2013-soulard-mardi-gras-pet-parade/

Prepping and staging a house.

Every seller wants her home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Does that sound good to you? Well, it’s not luck that makes that happen. It’s careful planning and knowing how to professionally spruce up your home that will send home buyers scurrying for their checkbooks. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an irresistible and marketable home.
Here’s How:

Disassociate Yourself With Your Home.

• Say to yourself, “This is not my home; it is a house — a product to be sold much like a box of cereal on the grocery store shelf.
• Make the mental decision to “let go” of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer be yours.
• Picture yourself handing over the keys and envelopes containing appliance warranties to the new owners!
• Say goodbye to every room.
• Don’t look backwards — look toward the future.

De-Personalize.
Pack up those personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can’t see past personal artifacts, and you don’t want them to be distracted. You want buyers to imagine their own photos on the walls, and they can’t do that if yours are there! You don’t want to make any buyer ask, “I wonder what kind of people live in this home?” You want buyers to say, “I can see myself living here.”
De-Clutter!
People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven’t used it in over a year, you probably don’t need it.

• If you don’t need it, why not donate it or throw it away?
• Remove all books from bookcases.
• Pack up those knickknacks.
• Clean off everything on kitchen counters.
• Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
• Think of this process as a head-start on the packing you will eventually need to do anyway.

Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets.
Buyers love to snoop and will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out! Now imagine what a buyer believes about you if she sees everything organized. It says you probably take good care of the rest of the house as well. This means:

• Alphabetize spice jars.
• Neatly stack dishes.
• Turn coffee cup handles facing the same way.
• Hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
• Line up shoes.

Rent a Storage Unit.
Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage. Since your bookcases are now empty, store them. Remove extra leaves from your dining room table to make the room appear larger. Leave just enough furniture in each room to showcase the room’s purpose and plenty of room to move around. You don’t want buyers scratching their heads and saying, “What is this room used for?”
Remove/Replace Favorite Items.
If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, remove them now. If the chandelier in the dining room once belonged to your great grandmother, take it down. If a buyer never sees it, she won’t want it. Once you tell a buyer she can’t have an item, she will covet it, and it could blow your deal. Pack those items and replace them, if necessary.
Make Minor Repairs.

• Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
• Patch holes in walls.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Fix doors that don’t close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
• Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls.
• (Don’t give buyers any reason to remember your home as “the house with the orange bathroom.”)
• Replace burned-out light bulbs.
• If you’ve considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!

Make the House Sparkle!

• Wash windows inside and out.
• Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and exterior.
• Clean out cobwebs.
• Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
• Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
• Clean out the refrigerator.
• Vacuum daily.
• Wax floors.
• Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
• Bleach dingy grout.
• Replace worn rugs.
• Hang up fresh towels.
• Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.
• Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.

Scrutinize.

• Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?
• Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
• Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.
• Make sure window coverings hang level.
• Tune in to the room’s statement and its emotional pull. Does it have impact and pizzazz?
• Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You’re almost finished.

Check Curb Appeal.

• If a buyer won’t get out of her agent’s car because she doesn’t like the exterior of your home, you’ll never get her inside.
• Keep the sidewalks cleared.
• Mow the lawn.
• Paint faded window trim.
• Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive.
• Trim your bushes.
• Make sure visitors can clearly read your house number.

St. Charles Real Estate

The variety of real estate in St. Charles varies quite a bit! The County is very large and expands over 560 square miles. The majority of St. Charles real estate are single family homes located in subdivisions. If you are looking for a nice house for a nice price, then St. Charles might be the perfect location for you!

If you need help finding the right home or have any questions, feel free to contact us at 314-427-4818!

Find a St. Charles Real Estate Agent

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Hidden Valley in St. Louis allows you tear up the slopes right here in St. Louis! Whether you want to ski, ride, or tube, Hidden Valley in St. Louis is your winter oasis! So yes! You can ski in St. Louis!

If you are looking for alittle winter fun, then you have to make your way over to Hidden Valley in St. Louis! They recently finished construction on a $2 million dollar expansion adding over 30% more skiable terrain and a new four-person chair lift.

Hidden Valley in St. Louis

Hidden Valley is open throughout the winter season, however they are dependent upon colder weather. If you are planning to ski in St. Louis you should call ahead of time to make sure that they are open. Hidden Valley in St. Louis offers very reasonable rates to those looking to enjoy the slopes!

Are you ready to ski in St. Louis!

HIDDEN VALLEY in St. Louis
17409 Hidden Valley Drive |
Wildwood MO 63025
Snow Report: 636.938.6999 | Office: 636-938-5373

Or Check out the Hidden Valley in St. Louis website here.

Gioia’s Deli

Built in 1918 by Challie Gioia, Gioia’s Deli has served up some of the finest eats in the city for almost a century! Gioia’s Deli is located at Macklind and Dagget  on The Hill, an Italian neighborhood in St. Louis city. Today, Gioia’s Deli stands as the longest family owned business on The Hill! Originally operated a grocery store and sold their famous homemade sausage named Salam de Testa. Later, Johnnie and Steve Gioia added a lunch trade to the family business with the Salam de Testa as the main attraction!

Gioia’s Deli

1934 Macklind Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 776-9410

In 1980 a new era began, when the Donley family purchased the Gioia family business and converted the grocer into a sandwich shop. The Donley family has carried on the Gioia family tradition by offering the finest delicatessen St. Louis has to offer!  After almost 100 years, one thing has not changed, the Salam de Testa, wich now goes by the Hot Salami is still the most popular item at Gioia’s Deli!

Gioia’s Deli on The Hill Menu

Gioia’s Deli Website

Here at STL Homelife, we encourage you to patronize family owned businesses in St. Louis! Nothing makes our city stronger than spending money with the small businesses that operate within our city!

Gioia’s Deli and Other Small Business Spotlights

Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo should definitely be on your list of must do wintertime events in St. Louis! Take a walk through the Zoos wonderful holiday wonderland, full of animated light displays, seasonal sounds, and thousands and thousands of bright and colorful lights! WIld Lights at the St. Louis Zoo is for the whole family!

Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo General Info:

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, Nov. 23 to Dec. 23, 2012

• Nov. 23-25; Nov. 30-Dec. 2; Dec. 7-9; Dec. 14-16; Dec. 21-23

Nightly, Dec. 26-30, 2012

Tickets to Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo will be sold until 8:15 p.m. each night.

The amazing lighting displays are constructed of hundreds of thousands of lights and create an assortment of enchanting formations. Some of the most popular light displays of Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo include:

• Penguins in paradise
• Swan Lake
• Fantasy butterfly garden
• Snowfall Flurry Walk
• Poppin’ prairie dogs
• Gingerbread Village
• Numerous trees and plantings ablaze in lights

How Much is admission to Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo?

• $4 for Zoo members (no passes)
• $5 for general public
• Free for children under 2
• Tickets to Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo will be sold until 8:15 p.m. each night.

Parking Information:

Free Parking for the Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo is available on the South Lot on Wells Drive near US40/I-64. Enter the event through the South Entrance.

ATTENTION: The Living World North Entrance and North Parking Lot will not be open for Wild lights at the St. Louis Zoo.

Food & Shopping

• Hot chocolate, meals and snacks will be available for purchase at Lakeside Cafe.
• Shop our gift shops during Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo and receive 10% off any purchase; Zoo members receive a 20% discount.

Wild Lights at St. Louis Zoo Sponsors

• U.S. Bank
• North Star Frozen Treats
• Prairie Farms
• Build-A-Bear Workshop® at the Zoo
• Media sponsor Fresh 102.5

More info on Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo

Are you in need of a new roof?

How often do you actually look at your roof? Most homeowners take pride in keeping their home up to date and looking nice! However the roof is often overlooked. By having a St. Louis roofing company perform regular inspections of your roof and making little fixes as needed, you can prevent costly repairs in the future.

How do I know if I need a new roof?

The following are things that may indicate that your roof needs replacing, if you are unable to determine if you need a new roof, you should contact a St. Louis roofing company:

• Missing, cracked or curling shingles
• Peeling paint
• Shingle, sheathing or siding decay
• Leakage in the attic after heavy rains
• Stains on interior walls or ceilings
• High energy bills

St. Louis Roofing

There are hundreds of St. Louis roofing companies to choose from, so how do you choose the right one? With so many roofing companies in St. Louis, it can become quite a headache when it comes to choosing a qualified St. Louis roofing company. STL Homelife is here to help all of your roofing needs!

Get A Free Estimate from a qualified St. Louis roofing company  by clicking below!

Call for a Free Estimate on Vinyl Siding! 314-427-4818

Vinyl siding is the #1 choice when it comes to remodeling the exterior of your home or building a new home. Insulated vinyl siding offers the warm, high quality look of wood without the expensive maintenance and updates. All vinyl siding companies will tell you that by choosing vinyl siding you can rest assured it will not start to rot or peel. In addition, vinyl siding does not have to be painted!

Vinyl siding is made of PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) resins, combined with other elements to increase durability, flexibility and color retention. Acrylic components help vinyl siding resist denting and exposure to extreme weather conditions, such as colder climates. Titanium dioxide and other chemicals are added to protect the color from sun exposure and to prevent fading and chalking.

For more information please call us at 314-427-4818

If you are looking for vinyl siding companies in St. Louis, look no further! We have partnered with qualified siding contractors in the St. Louis and surrounding areas to make your search easier! Our network of qualified vinyl siding contractors are available to answer your questions and even give you a FREE ESTIMATE!

Vinyl Siding Companies

St. Louis Home Improvement

When your are making updates or renovations to your home it is very important to hire the right St. Louis Contractor for the job! We have all heard the horror stories of fly-by-night companies ripping of homeowners, taking heir money and never finishing the job! You can easily avoid this potential headache by choosing the right St. Louis contractor in the first place. Here at STL Homelife, we have established a network of qualified St. Louis Home Improvement companies that specialize in a variety of areas.

• Roofing

• Siding

• Windows

• Decks and Fences

• Concrete

• Basements

• Painting and Drywall

• Gutters

• Sunrooms

• Landscaping

• Pools

Do you have a home improvement project? Give us a call 314-427-4818

St. Louis Home Improvement

Our network of qualified St. Louis Home Improvement companies is for your benefit! Once we understand the unique needs of your St. Louis Home Improvement project, we will browse through our list of contractors to find one that meets the needs of your specific project! We have partnered with accredited St. Louis Home Improvement companies that have outstanding craftsmanship, superb customer service, and use the highest quality building materials. Each St. Louis Home Improvement company on our list offers fair pricing and has a proven track record of delivering quality workmanship. When choosing one of our qualified contractors, you can rest assured that you are in good hands!

If you would like more information or need assistance in finding the right St. Louis Home Improvement company, feel free to Give Us a Call: 314-427-4818

Or Click Here to get a FREE ESTIMATE for a St. Louis Home Improvement