Bill Blog

Today my family and I spent most of my time watching TV. While channel surfing we came across a marathon on A&E called "Parking Wars". It's a reality TV show that shows the daily events of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. The show has periods where the camera crew follow "meter maids", tow truck drivers and the staff at the impound lot.

As you might expect, the public that is shown is not in a good mood. Most of the public is either being ticketed for being parked in a no parking zone, next to a fire hydrant or in a rush hour zone. One lady we saw today was double parked. Other vehicles were having a "boot" placed on a tire so they couldn't leave or the vehicle was being towed. These vehicles had an excess in parking tickets.  

My wife and I watched this show with interest because we own a business that at one time was on Broadway in downtown Paducah. The parking on Broadway in this part of town is similar to parking in a big city. The city of Paducah actually removed the parking meters long ago but parking in this section of downtown is limited to 2 hour parking. At one time the city's "meter maid" actually marked tires with chalk and ticketing vehicles parked in the same spot for more than 2 hours.

Being a business owner, this two hour parking limitation was very important to us. Western Kentucky residents aren't acustomed to parallel parking nor having to search for a parking space and then walking a couple of blocks to the store. With our business model it's even more detrimental. Many other business' employees or people going to the federal courthouse on 5th Street would park and stay all day. We needed these spaces open for customers.

A couple of years ago we moved our business a couple of blocks to a building that has it's own parking lot. It still has a few parking spaces on the street but we aren't dependent on those.

Paducah's GPS RecycleNow recycling efforts have expanded hours and a new location!

Now, you can bring your recyclables to 1830 North 8th Street during the following hours:

• Thursday 12pm - 6pm
• Friday     7am - 12pm
• Saturday  9am - 1pm

Volunteers are needed to help. Volunteering information can be found at http://www.recyclenowpaducah.com/node/18

An example of acceptable recycables are shown below.

When I married my wife back in 2001, the deal included a couple of winter tires!

One of the things that intrigued us when we first talked on the phone before our blind date was the fact that we both owned Ford Broncos. She had the one her dad gave her and I had one I bought myself. Her Bronco was an '86 and mine was a '92.

Her dad had bought a couple of WinterTrax winter tires for her. For as long as I've known my wife she never used the tires. it doesn't really snow that much around here. I never installed them on her truck or any other vehicle.

A few years ago I asked her if it was ok to sell those tires. I listed them on our local Classifieds web site for a few dollars. This web site is always hopping with visitors and ads - which I happen to manage . I didn't get a single response.

So these tires sat next to my shed in the back yard for a few more years. I finally decided to ask the wife if I could just give them away. She agreed!

So, at about 9:30pm one night this week, I put them back on the Classifieds and advertised "Free WinterTrax winter tires!". I included the size and two pictures of the tires with rims. Within 10 minutes I had an email reply.

The next morning, I had another email and within a couple of hours I had 5 phone calls. I had left these tires at the end of my driveway so whoever showed up could get them without me being there. I live at the end of a short dead end street so there wouldn't be any passersby see these tires.

When I got home that evening the tires were gone. I don't know who got them but I hope they can use them. They weren't used a single time by me.

How is this related to real estate?

One of the gentleman asked me if I was a realtor. I had used my realtor profile on the Classifieds to advertise these tires. He asked me how the market was right now and said he was going to sell his home and move to Princeton, KY sometime. I honestly told him it wasn't very good right now. He asked me to call him when the market was "HOT!" so we could get it listed. I started smiling to myself because of the words he was using. He was an older guy so the words kinda surprised me. It was quite interesting for such a short conversation.

Before writing this blog entry I start wondering if there was anything else I could put at the end of the driveway!

BTW, the tires shown are the actual tires I was giving away.

This week Kentucky Govenor Steve Beshear (D), begain shutting down online gambling web sites. The list of web sites counts 141 domains that have been "legally" hijacked in the name of consumer advocacy. In reality, it's to complete an issue he's been fighting for - legalized gambling.

Why does this hit a cord with me? Gambling was a political issue during the last gubernatorial election. Steve Beshear stated repeatedly stated throughout his campaign that he WILL get gambling approved in the state of Kentucky. See this page for his praise from his casino supporters.

In Feb 2008, he lost his first attempt to get the voting issue on the ballot in Kentucky. Afterward, he repeated his campaign goal of getting gambling legalized in the state. He must now wait until the General Assembly meets in 2010.

Now Beshear is shutting down online gambling sites claiming unregulated and unlicensed online gambling prey on the states citizens and youth, stealing millions of dollars of revenue from the state each year. The press release even says "It's an underworld wrought with scams and schemes".

IMO this is Beshear taking an iron fist to force the gamblers of this great state to legalize gambling. Will it work? He's undertaken an uphill battle from the start but now he's taking away a liberty from many of the people he needs support from.

Thursday, September 25

Family Entertainment – Wilson Stage

5:30 PM – Elsenpeter Marionettes

6:00 PM – Elsenpeter Marionettes

 

Family Entertainment – Four Rivers Church Hospitality Tent

Big Screen T.V.’s will be showing the latest in family films nightly

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Clay Creation Station – Bring your entire family to take part in this hands on creative experience.

 

Main Stage Entertainment

5:00 PM – 5 on Friday

7:00 PM – Murr-Vegas All Stars

 

Friday, September 26

• Lots of Tasty Barbecue and Fixin’s at various booths
• Children’s Activities at Wilson Stage and Four Rivers Church Hospitality Tent
• Live entertainment on the Main Stage in front of the Beer Garden which opens at
• 13th Ever Media Cook-Off - Come out and cheer on your favorite media personalities as they compete in the Iron Chef Style Cooking event.

 

Family Entertainment – Wilson Stage

4:00 PM – Elsenpeter Marionettes

4:30 PM – Eldon Roark – Magician

5:00 PM – Babaloo – Family Comedian

5:30 PM – Troy Roark – Master Entertainer

6:00 PM – Elsenpeter Marionettes

6:30 PM – Eldon Roark – Magician

7:00 PM – Babaloo – Family Comedian

7:30 PM – Troy Roark – Master Entertainer

Nitro Joe’s Mad Science Booth will be froom 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM on the West End of Wilson Stage area up near the floodwall.

 

Family Entertainment - Four Rivers Church Hospitality Tent

Big Screen T.V.’s will be showing the latest in family films nightly

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Clay Creation Station – Bring your entire family to take part in this hands on creative experience.

5:00 PM – Live Children’s Entertainment

6:00 PM – Live Children’s Entertainment

7:00 PM – Veggie Tale’s Autograph Session

 

Main Stage Entertainment

3:30 PM – Special D

5:30 PM – Partial Post

8:00 PM – The Cruisers

 

Saturday, September 27

 

• Lots of Tasty Barbecue and Fixin’s at various booths
• Children’s Activities at Wilson Stage and Four Rivers Church Hospitality Tent
• Live entertainment on the Main Stage in front of the Beer Garden

 

10:30 AM ‘til the Barbecue runs out!

The public is invited to PIG OUT on over 35 tons of Barbecue and the fixins’

Symphony Beer Garden opens at 11:00 am

9:00 AM – United Way 5K Run – Starts and finishes at Paducah Bank

For more information visit www.unitedwaypaducah.org.

 

Marine Industry Day – Riverfront at the Foot of Broadway

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Towboat Tours – Sponsored by Ingram Barge Company

9:30 AM – 5:00 PM – River Heritage Museum open to the public

10:00 AM – Calliope Concert

Seamen’s Church Pilot Training Simulator – Tours start at 10:00 AM – on the ½ hour thereafter to 1:30 PM.  Limited group size – please sign up for a tour!

1:00 PM – Line Throwing Contest – Cash Prizes

              First Prize - $125

              Second Prize - $100

              Third Prize - $75

              Traveling Company Trophy

The following will be set up for display throughout the day:

              St. Louis Admiral’s Club – remote controlled model boats

              James Shipyard – Towboat Wheel Display

              Towboat Artwork by Randy Mayse at Doe’s Eat Place

              Riverwork Discovery by AEP

The Ohio River Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) Aquarium will be set up for viewing on Thursday, Friday & Saturday at the corner of Broadway & Water Street.

 

 

Family Entertainment – Wilson Stage

11:00 AM – Nitro Joe – Mad Science

11:30 AM – Eldon Roark – Magician

12 NOON – Randy Erwin – Singing Cowboy & Rope Tricks

12:30 PM – Troy Roark – Master Entertainer

1:00 PM – Nitro Joe – Mad Science

1:30 PM – Eldon Roark – Magician

2:00 PM – Randy Erwin – Singing Cowboy & Rope Tricks

2:30 PM – Troy Roark – Master Entertainer

3:00 PM – Nitro Joe – Mad Science

3:30 PM – Eldon Roark – Magician

4:00 PM – Randy Erwin – Singing Cowboy & Rope Tricks

4:30 PM – Troy Roark – Master Entertainer

Nitro Joe’s Mad Science booth will be open at the times listed below at the West End of the Wilson Stage area up near the floodwall:

12 NOON – 1:00 PM; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM; 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

 

Family Entertainment – Four Rivers Church Hospitality Tent

Big Screen T.V.’s will be showing the latest in family films nightly

10:00 AM – 9:00 PM – Clay Creation Station – Bring your entire family to take part in this hands on creative experience.

10:00 AM – Live Children’s Entertainment

2:00 PM – Live Children’s Entertainment

4:00 PM – Veggie Tale’s Autograph Session

6:00 PM – Live Children’s Entertainment

 

Main Stage Entertainment

11:00 AM – Vintage Alley

12:30 PM – The Redding Brothers

2:30 PM – Bawn in the Mash

4:00 PM – Awards Presentation

5:00 PM – Timeless

7:00 PM – Lew Jetton & 61 South

 

Old Market Days
Thursday
NOON - 10:00 PM
Friday & Saturday
10:00 am - 10:00 PM
 

More info available at http://www.bbqontheriver.org/

The remains of hurricane Ike passed just west and north of western Kentucky this morning. At 7:10am the power at my home went off. After a couple of hours the power came back on for a few minutes and went out again. Four hours later the power came for good.

I had to respond to a power outage downtown and check on my wife's store. The roof of her store has a rubber roof on it. The rubber roof was being so inflated it almost looked like a balloon. I thought the high winds were getting between the rubber and the roof through a big hole somewhere so I got up there to check it out. I took a roll of duck tape with me. I did not find a big hole but did try to foolishly apply some duck tape in a few places. The duck tape wouldn't stick to the rubber.

The Paducah area literally looks like a tornado went through town. Signs are laying on the ground everywhere. Trash cans are laying on their sides a block away. Big and small trees are down everywhere. My neighbor tells me that a house down the street is a total loss after a large tree up rooted. His neighbor had a large limb fall through his bedroom. That limb went completely through the house and stopped when it in the ground under his bedroom floor.

This part of the midwest may get some tornadoes from time to time but we certainly aren't used to the persistent winds like we saw this morning. Anything that wasn't battened down got blown away and any trees that weren't in good shape got blown over.

Single Family

$24,900 513 Thurman Street Paducah, KY 42001 McCracken County MLS # 44246 Bedrooms: 3 Full Baths: 1 Half Baths: 0 Approximately 1,032 square feet Basement: No Approximately 0.2 acre(s) Schools: Elementary: Morgan Middle: Paducah Middle High: Tilghman This home is ready to move in. Home includes all items currently inside (washer, dryer, gas stove, frig, couch). New wider plumbing installed in early 2008. Owner wants an offer! To view this home call Bill at 270-994-3749 or email. Property Listed By: Bill Dunn of Prudential Premiere Realty. Request More Information Send This Home to a Friend

 

Features
Occupant     Vacant Location     In City Limits Access     Blacktop Possession     Immediate with Deed Documents on file     Lead Based Paint     Property Disclosure Utilities available     Garbage - Public     Natural Gas Available     Street Lights Water     Public/Municipality Sewer     Public/Municipality Gas Company     Atmos Energy Electric Company     Paducah Power Sys Water Company     Paducah Water Works	Style     1 Story Construction     Frame Foundation     Brick Roof     Composition Shingle Garage type     Attached Heating     Forced Air Cooling     Central Air Water heater     Natural Gas Attic     Crawl Opening Walls     Dry Wall Doors & windows     Storm Doors	Basement     None Laundry location     Utility Room Dining/kitchen     Eat-In Kitchen Appliances     Dryer     Refrigerator     Stove Floor covering     Carpet     Carpet Over Wood Fireplace/woodstove     Living Room Interior features     Attic Fan     Closet Light(s)     Garage Door Opener     Smoke Alarm     Washer/Dryer Hookup Exterior features     Exterior Lights     Fenced Yard     Gravel Drive     Sidewalks

Single Family

$189,900 351 Forest Circle Paducah, KY 42001 McCracken County MLS # 43378 Bedrooms: 3 Full Baths: 2 Half Baths: 0 Approximately 2,628 square feet Basement: No Approximately 0.22 acre(s) Schools: Elementary: Clark Middle: Paducah Middle High: Tilghman This home is ready to move into and priced under appraisal for a quick sale. Includes frig, microwave, dishwasher, stove, gas logs. Hardwood floors. Home has 2 fireplaces. Seperate thermostats for downstairs and upstairs. Whole house fan to help save on electric bill. Spare room can be made into a 4 bedroom again. Motivated sellers. To view this home call Bill at 270-994-3749 or email. Property Listed By: Bill Dunn of Prudential Premiere Realty. Request More Information Send This Home to a Friend

 

Features
Occupant     Vacant Access     Blacktop Possession     Immediate with Deed Documents on file     Lead Based Paint     Property Disclosure Utilities available     Garbage - Public     Natural Gas Available Water     Public/Municipality Sewer     Public/Municipality Gas Company     Atmos Energy Electric Company     Paducah Power Sys Water Company     Paducah Water Works TV/Cable     Cable Available	Style     2 Story Construction     Frame Foundation     Crawl Space Exterior finish     Vinyl Siding Roof     Dimensional Shingle Garage type     Carport     Detached     Workshop Heating     Forced Air     Natural Gas Cooling     Attic Fan     Central Air Water heater     Natural Gas Attic     Crawl Opening Walls     Dry Wall     Plaster	Doors & windows     Storm Windows Basement     None Laundry location     Utility Room Dining/kitchen     Breakfast Area Appliances     Dishwasher     Microwave     Refrigerator     Stove Bath features     Double Vanity     Separate Shower     Whirlpool Floor covering     Carpet     Ceramic Tile     Vinyl/Linoleum     Wood Interior features     Attic Fan     Book Shelves     Ceiling Fan(s)     Closet Light(s)     Smoke Alarm     Walk-In Closet     Washer/Dryer Hookup     Other/See Remarks Exterior features     Concrete Drive     Court Yard     Covered Porch     Deck     Patio     Sidewalks     Trees

$69,900 3228 Rucker Avenue Paducah, KY 42001 McCracken County MLS # 44203 Bedrooms: 3 Full Baths: 1 Half Baths: 0 Approximately 1,178 square feet Basement: No Approximately 0.14 acre(s) Schools: Elementary: Clark Middle: Paducah Middle High: Tilghman This nice home has fresh paint inside and out. Really nice curb appeal and deck with screened in back porch. Back yard is completely fenced in. New wall surround in shower. Home includes gas stove, dishwasher and a frig. Portable pool in backyard stays with home. Home warranty available.

Features Location In City Limits Access Blacktop Possession Negotiable Documents on file Lead Based Paint Property Disclosure Utilities available Garbage - Public Natural Gas Available Street Lights Water Public/Municipality Sewer Public/Municipality Gas Company Atmos Energy Electric Company Paducah Power Sys Water Company Paducah Water Works TV/Cable Satellite Owned Style A-Frame Foundation Slab Exterior finish Asbestos Shingle Roof Composition Shingle Garage type Carport Heating Forced Air Cooling Central Air Water heater Natural Gas Attic Partially Floored Pull-Down Stairs Walls Dry Wall Doors & windows Wood Frame Basement None Laundry location Closet Dining/kitchen Kitchen/Dining Room Appliances Dishwasher Disposal Refrigerator Stove Floor covering Vinyl/Linoleum Wood Interior features Attic Storage Ceiling Fan(s) Smoke Alarm Walk-In Closet Washer/Dryer Hookup Exterior features Deck Exterior Lights Screened Porch/Room

More information available at www.RealtorBillDunn.com

Having a background in web site design, I make my own web site. It's cheaper and gives me complete control over features in it.

Earlier this year I began downloading the listings directly from the MLS, courtesy of my MLS administrator and some paperwork. It took me a while to get the data working but it turned out pretty well. I have further plans but with my schedule some things just have to get in line.

My MLS administrator told me this past week that we have a new field in the MLS I will soon be able to take advantage of. It's actually part of a feature I had wanted to add to my web site recently. I talked with him about it but was not able to do so because it would violate MLS rules.

The new feature pertains to "Foreclosures". When adding a new listing there is a new field that allows you to specify if the property is a foreclosure. We currently have to look at the Owner's Last Name field to determine if it is a foreclosure so this field will make it cut and dry.

With the permission of the MLS board, I intend to add a new feature to my web site that will list foreclosures specifically. I hope this will generate more business. I have received phone calls from people that were interested in purchasing foreclosures but sometimes they go so fast average buyers don't have a chance to look at the property before it's received a contract.