365Barrington.com

103. Barrington Real Estate Market Checkup – FEB, 2012

lizluby — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:12:26 +0000

Though winter won't change to spring until March 20th, as Realtors in Barrington, it's at exactly this time of year when we see the first signs of accelerating real estate activity and the unofficial start of the spring selling season. People who want to buy a home start contacting us for more info about available properties. People who want to sell a home call us for guidance about preparations, pricing, next steps and our recommendations for the best timing. One of the biggest things we're hearing from sellers today sounds something like this:

"Because of the state of the economy, we've been sitting tight for a while now and waiting to sell our home. But we'd rather not wait any longer. Our needs have changed and we're ready to make a move. So when is best time to put our home on the market? Should the For Sale sign go up now or should we wait?"

To answer this question, all we have to do is share the numbers in Barrington because our local real estate statistics speak volumes. To give you a quick overview of the data, here are a few simple visuals depicting some exciting new trends here in Barrington... The first two charts below show how many single family homes, condos and townhomes closed in Barrington by month since 2009. Keep in mind that the time between contract and closing for financed, non-distressed transactions typically ranges from 45 to 90 days in our market. So the sales in January and February, for example, reflect contracts accepted in the later months of the previous year. You can clearly see that the number of closings in Barrington jumps significantly in March and April each year and closings for both months were higher in 2011 than they've been in recent years. March and April closings represent contracts signed on properties within the early weeks and months of the year, in other words, RIGHT NOW!

There are home buyers out shopping TODAY and these sales will be among the finite number of closed 2012 Barrington transactions that we'll see when we review the numbers a year from now.

If you want to increase the odds of your home selling in 2012, why put off what you can do today? The buyers in the market now who are looking for a home like yours will thank you for it. (In this chart, there is no line yet for 2012 because it's still so early in the year on the date this post was published. We'll update the chart with the latest statistics in the coming months.) To look at things another way, check out this next chart which depicts the number of properties Under Contract by month. As you can see, the numbers so far for 2012 are remarkable. We're off to a really strong start. In January of 2011, there were 25 residential Barrington properties listed in the MLS as Under Contract. In January of 2012, that number was 40 residential properties Under Contract.

That's a 60 % increase!

And you don't have to take my word for it. These numbers, courtesy of the local MLS (MRED - Midwest Real Estate Data LLC) speak for themselves. Is the Barrington market gaining some momentum here? Only time will tell. But the trends we're seeing early in the new year appear to be promising. We'll be regularly tracking the latest real estate contracts and closings in the months ahead right here at 365Barrington.com so please stay tuned for our updates. In the meantime, if you'd like to take a look at the specific statistics impacting your particular home, area or target neighborhood, we've done the research and would be happy to send our info your way. Just let us know a little more in the form below and we'll follow up with the scoop on how things are selling specifically in your area of interest. *Charts and Tables Created by The Luby Group with Data Courtesy of MRED LLC

102. Amaze Your Inbox with Our New Surprise-O-Grams

lizluby — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:12:05 +0000

Would you like to receive an exciting dose of Barrington info emailed to you on a weekly(ish) basis? Starting today, we have a new way to help keep you informed about some of the coolest things happening in Barrington. But this is not your traditional email newsletter. If you've visited 365 Barrington before, you know that we like to share stuff in unexpected ways. Mystery Photos, Top 10 Lists, People Profiles, Pop Quizzes, Exclusive Offers, Event Alerts, etc. are how we roll. When we get wind of something great happening in Barrington, we love to find fun ways to spread the word because, as someone's momma once said, "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."

If you'd like to get 365 Barrington email updates about insider scoops and some of the hottest happenings in Barrington, please sign up using the form below so we know for sure that you want to be included.

Then sit back and be totally amazed when you see what happens next ;). We'd love give you a clue, but we can't. We're too busy making things up as we go here at 365Barrington.com to keep things unpredictable, on purpose.

101. Treat Your Tushie to the “Best Seat in the House”

lizluby — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:45:58 +0000

Isn't it always great to have the best seat in the house? Wouldn't it be even better if that seat wasn't 63 years old and "...re-stuffed, re-sprung and re-upholstered too many times to count!" Well, your dreams are about to come true and the booties of Barrington will benefit with a fun event happening this weekend that's all about replacing the seats in Barrington High School's auditorium. The BHS Fine Arts Boosters are hosting the "Best Seat in the House" dinner dance this Friday night, February 10th at the Onion Pub, 22221 N. Pepper Road in Lake Barrington. The funds raised will pay to replace the auditorium's 600+ seats which were originally "...sized for a 1940's population without coats, as they used to have a coat area." That's according to the event's chair and BHS mom, Chrissie Mena. Another event organizer and BHS mom, Joanne Dalessandro says, "The new seats will benefit the entire community, not just the students. The parents and grandparents come to all the performances. The Bataille Studio uses the theater for many performances as does the Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble, the group that performs the Nutcracker at BHS every year. All the speakers for college programs and community events use our BHS auditorium. We have fabulous musicals that the entire community comes out for. These seats are the originals and are 63 years old. The time has come!" Good thing it's easy to get "behind" the cause! We're all invited to the "Best Seat in the House" fundraiser this Friday night. The party starts at 6:30 and includes dancing, great food, a live auction and LIVE MUSIC! It's all about the seats who fill the seats, but people will surely be on their feet when the The Ron Bedal Orchestra takes the stage at the party this Friday night.

There will also be a must-see performances by Barrington High School's top a capella groups, X and Premium Blend. Check out this Premium Blend take on Gloria Estefan hit song, Turn the Beat Around.

Tickets for "Best Seat in the House" are $75 each and are available online by clicking HERE. If you can't make the party, but would like to sponsor one of the auditorium seats, the cost is $250 and you can make that contribution by clicking HERE. To keep track of upcoming performances and BHS Fine Arts Department events, check out their blog at BarringtonFineArts.blogspot.com or visit their website at BarringtonFineArts.com.

100. Recommend the Best of Barrington

lizluby — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:53:01 +0000

Because I've been writing this blog for two years and working as a Realtor much longer, people often ask me for recommendations, from top doctors to dog watchers, parks to pizza places, tailors to take-out. Newcomers and people who already live here are always looking for the best of the best and that personal endorsement that you won't find in any phone book. After all, isn't it always better to get your hair cut by the hands of someone who comes highly recommended? I know I wouldn't trust just anyone for advice about how to manage my money or care for my kids. I want to talk to one of the best. To create a handy resource that we can share when asked, we've set up a new way to help spread the word about the people and places in the Barrington area making a positive difference in our lives, in big ways and in small. For example, in considering a recent request for the name of a good pediatrician in Barrington, I offered our client a list of great options which includes my own kids' doctor, Mary Collins. She works with Pediatric Associates in Lake Barrington and Crystal Lake (MyPedsDoc.com) and I feel really thankful for her. Dr. Collins has helped me get through my kids' umpteen colds, coughs and fevers. I turn to her with some of my biggest questions about immunizations and how best to care for my children and, if it wasn't for Dr. Collins, the potty training process would have killed me. (By the way, stay tuned to read Dr. Collins' top tips for potty training. It's a story I've been working on and it's coming soon.) If there's a great doctor or another business, place or group in town that has earned your two thumbs up, we could use your help. Starting today, we'll be collecting your suggestions right here about the "Best of Barrington". Whether it's the best sledding hill, the best parks or the best places to watch the seasons change, we'd love your thoughts. Which area doctors, restaurants, shops, salons or gyms would you most recommend? What are your favorite events that happen locally and is there an organization that helps others that you want more people to know about? What about that person you turn to when you need great financial advice or an awesome teacher who has made a positive difference in your life? Though I've crossed paths with a lot of people here in Barrington, I often have to ask around when someone calls looking for a referral. So I thought I'd try turning to you for help. Are you still with me? Cool. Think about it for just a minute and please consider giving a shout-out to the people, places and organizations in town that you rave about. We'll start a list here at 365Barrington.com so you can also see who others recommend. And keep your eye on the "Best of Barrington" spotlight in the right sidebar of this website. This is where we'll begin to feature the people and places that come highly recommended here in Barrington. So, without further delay, please complete the form below to quickly list your picks for the Best of Barrington. If you'd like to make a more detailed recommendation to help us promote a specific business, organization or attraction in Barrington, we've created a separate survey just for you.

You'll find that survey by clicking HERE.

Thank you for your time and we'll keep you posted about the community's picks for the very Best of Barrington.

$10 for $20 to Spend on SweetSpot Treats for your Valentine

lizluby — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:22:08 +0000

$20.00

Expires On: February 14, 2012 23:59:00
7 buyers!
Savings: 50% off

The SweetSpot Candy Shop in Barrington is offering something brand new to help unleash your inner flirt this Valentine's Day. The shop's Candy Consultants, like store manager Michelle Eiselman, are specially trained to personalize and artfully assemble Candy Bouquets created just for the sugar babies and hot tamales in your life. And with their new Secret Admirer Services, for $2 the SweetSpot will deliver your valentine's gift to locations in Barrington with an anonymous note that's sure to make your lover, friend or special someone blush. The popular Barrington candy shop also offers customized cookie bouquets, cake pops, chocolate covered Rice Krispie treats, fudge, ice cream and old fashioned candy along with new favorites. And, as if that's not enough, they've even found a great way to sugar us up by sweetening the deal.

For $10, you can purchase a $20 voucher to buy candy bouquets, baked goods or any of the treats you'll find at the SweetSpot. It's a special reward that's available for a limited amount of time and people and ONLY right here at 365Barrington.com...

The best way to keep track of the latest events and treats available at The SweetSpot is by following their page on Facebook which you'll find by clicking HERE. You'll learn more about the items they carry at SweetSpot102.webs.com. You can reach them to place an order by phone at 847-381-2320 and you'll find the shop at 102 S. Hager in Barrington, Illinois.

99. Give it Up for “Melty the Snowman”

lizluby — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:16:07 +0000

Well it turns out our recent snowstorm didn't produce the best kind of snow for making snowmen. They couldn't create the fleet of Frosties I'd envisioned during St. Matthew's Snowman Building Day last weekend. But we still managed to find a winner for our 365 Barrington Snowman Contest. I just CAN NOT allow the Sweet Spot candy prize to go uneaten! Plus, I have this little policy of finishing what I start. So I set out to find our 365 Barrington Snowman Contest winner and I didn't have to go far. But I did feel like a big dork when my neighbor caught me taking a picture of the week-old, half-melted snowman in their front lawn. She says he looked a lot cuter last week. She's the same neighbor who recently watched me back out of the driveway, crash into our babysitter's car and then drive away to get my daughter to preschool on time. So I think this one deserves a drumroll....

And the winner of the 365 Barrington Snowman Contest is... Because this is the most beautiful (albeit the only) snowman I've seen all season, the kids who made him will receive a fabulously delicious "Candy Bouquet" from the Sweet Spot Candy Shop here in Barrington. If you like candy and haven't been to the Sweet Spot in a while, now's a great time to pay them a visit, especially if you have Valentine to impress this year. They have an awesome selection of candy, including the latest sweets to hit the market along with the oldies but goodies that'll never go out of style. The Sweet Spot made #32 on our original list of 365 Things to do in Barrington, Find the Sweet Spot, a post you'll find by clicking HERE. You can follow the Sweet Spot on Facebook by clicking HERE, you'll find their website at SweetSpot102.webs.com and you'll find the actual shop at 102 S. Hager in Barrington, Illinois. Thank you, Sweet Spot!

98. Snowman Building Day & Contest for Candy Prize

lizluby — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:54:05 +0000

They had to cancel the event due to a lack of snow last year, but thanks to our well-timed snowfall today, the St. Matthew Church Barrington Family Snowman Building Day IS ON for tomorrow and we're all invited!!! So get your gear ready before bed tonight and have some sweet snowman dreams for a major community event that has inspired a new contest and tasty prize here at 365Barrington.com. St. Matthew Church has a huge snowy field ready and waiting for Frostys of all shapes and sizes to to pop up tomorrow. So the timing is perfect for our first ever 365 Barrington Snowman Photo Contest. Whether you build a snowman at St. Matthew's or find one chillin' in your own yard or neighborhood, snap and submit a photo and you could win a delicious prize from one of the sweetest spots in Barrington! So here's the scoop: Bring extra hats and mittens to the West Field at St. Matthew Church, 720 Dundee Avenue, in Barrington tomorrow and join the fun as the community comes together to build an army of Frosties from 10 a.m. until noon. Snap a photo of your snowman to submit in our contest and you're eligible to win. The hats and mittens donned by the St. Matthew's snowmen tomorrow will be donated to a local shelter, by the way, so it's also a super cause. And kudos to St. Matthew Church for coming up with such a cool community event. You'll find more info about St. Matthew Lutheran Church on their website at StMatthewBarrington.com. If you can't make the community snowman party tomorrow, but your kids build their own snow creatures in your yard or neighborhood in the next few days, snap a photo to enter in our contest and YOU are also eligible to win the grand prize for yourself or your family. The prize is a "Candy Bouquet" filled with a great selection of the most popular items available at the Sweet Spot Candy Shop in Barrington. They're throwing in a gift certificate, too, so you can select some of your own personal favorites. The Sweet Spot carries the best assortment of candy I've ever seen. If you've got a sweet tooth, this is your cure. You can read more in our post called Find the Sweet Spot by clicking HERE and you'll get a great taste of their sweetest treats if your submit the winning snowman photo in our contest which starts tomorrow. It's easy to enter and win. Here's how. Just upload your photo in the form below over the weekend or on Monday or Tuesday of next week. We'll open the contest up for a vote on Wednesday and announce the winner on Friday, one week from today. It's as simple as that! I have a feeling there'll be extra votes for originality so I can't wait to see your creations. Good luck! For photo credits, click HERE, HERE and HERE.

97. Get Lucky with ‘Year of the Dragon’ Menu at Pl8

lizluby — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:27:40 +0000

A popular Barrington restaurant is making it easy to welcome the Chinese New Year this weekend and my mouth is watering just thinking about the festive menu and fun specials they've lined up. The Chinese New Year officially starts on Monday, January 23rd, but they'll be celebrating all weekend long at Pl8 Simply Asian with food and wine tastings, lucky surprises and symbolic menu specials to mark the Year of the Dragon. They have a lot to celebrate at Pl8 Simply Asian in the new year. The restaurant is about to mark its first anniversary since they opened for business in Barrington. In the past year, Pl8 has built a great reputation for creating a whole new trend in Asian cuisine with an imaginative menu of classic Chinese dishes plus Japanese kitchen creations and sushi. Are you hungry yet? If not, read on for details about the special holiday menu that they're serving as we speak... Before I get to the menu, I want to make sure to mention something super cool that's happening at Pl8 TONIGHT. If you want to get lucky, here's your ticket! Traditional Chinese Lion Dance: Friday, January 20 The Chinese Lion dance is said to bring happiness and luck and scare off any evil. Guests will witness the spread of fortune and wealth when Chicago Chinese Cultural Center performers present the sacred tradition. The dance begins at 6:30 p.m. at Pl8. If you can't make tonight's Lion Dance, don't worry. Pl8 has more ways to get lucky planned for tomorrow and Sunday. Feeling Lucky Weekend: Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22 The number eight is significant in the Chinese culture because when translated it sounds like “good luck.” Guests who join Pl8 Saturday and Sunday will receive lucky red envelopes, traditionally given to children from their parents for good luck, with a chance to win PL8 gift certificates and a special dinner for 8 people. In addition to the red envelopes, on Sunday, any guests born in the “Year of the Dragon” will receive $8 off their final bill. So were you born in the Year of the Dragon? You were if your birthday falls within the ranges on this chart from Wikipedia:

16 February 1904 – 3 February 1905: Wood Dragon
3 February 1916 – 22 January 1917: Fire Dragon
23 January 1928 – 9 February 1929: Earth Dragon
8 February 1940 – 26 January 1941: Metal Dragon
27 January 1952 – 13 February 1953: Water Dragon
13 February 1964 – 1 February 1965: Wood Dragon
31 January 1976 – 17 February 1977: Fire Dragon
17 February 1988 – 5 February 1989: Earth Dragon
5 February 2000 – 23 January 2001: Metal Dragon
23 January 2012 – 9 February 2013: Water Dragon
10 February 2024 – 28 January 2025: Wood Dragon

Now to the symbolic special menu. The selections were creatively crafted to bring you wealth and good luck, liveliness and bounty and a long life. I'll have one of everything, please!

Jaoizi Dumplings $7 - Filled with shrimp, crabmeat, garlic, ginger, napa cabbage shiitake mushrooms and Shaoxing wine; steamed and served with a Black Vinegar dipping sauce. Boiled Dumplings: considered to usher in wealth and good luck.
Salt and Pepper Shrimp $8 - Shrimp are wok tossed with a special salt and pepper spice mix; served with sliced red and green bell peppers and Chinese parsley. Shrimp: said to signify liveliness and bounty.
Tangerine Chicken $14 - Marinated in a coconut batter, wok crisped and topped with a house-made tangerine sauce; served with candied tangerine peels and fresh citrus. Tangerines and Pommelos: displayed in homes and stores to bring good luck and wealth.
Long Life Noodles $13 - White Marble Farms all natural pork braised with star anise, rock sugar, soy, ginger root and orange peel; shredded and tossed with fresh wheat noodles, Shanghai bok choy and fresh shiitake mushrooms. Noodles: to ensure a long life.
Whole Crispy Fish $24 - Red Grouper served whole, deep fried and served with a spicy red chile sweet and sour sauce. Fish: a common staple in the Chinese diet and a central dish during the New Year.
Chocolate Treasure Molten Cake $6 - Rich chocolate cake topped with candied tangerine segments, tangerine sauce and pomelo whipped cream. Tangerines and Pomelos: displayed in homes and stores to bring good luck and wealth.

So grab your phone and call Pl8 for a reservation before it's too late. You can reach them by phone at 847-382-1988, make a reservation online by clicking HERE or read more on their website at Pl8SimplyAsian.com and you'll find Pl8 at the Foundry, 736 W. Northwest Highway in Barrington.

Happy New Year! - 新年快乐 (Xīnnián kuàilè)

Photo Credit

96. ‘Dance for a Difference’ with Bataille Academie Concert

lizluby — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:30:45 +0000

Performers from Barrington's Bataille Academie of the Danse are presenting a special concert called Dance for a Difference this Saturday to raise awareness and funds for five causes that touch many lives here in Barrington. [caption id="attachment_17176" align="aligncenter" width="625" caption="Courtesy of Bataille Academie of the Danse"][/caption] Tomorrow's performance is part of Bataille Academie's Integrity Dance Project, a concert level dance opportunity where students learn from professional choreographers, perform in community venues and give back to the community in important ways... Tomorrow night's Dance for a Difference will start at 7:30 p.m. in the Barrington High School Auditorium and will feature guest performances by members of Optima Dance, from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Tickets will be available at the door and cost $5 for students and $10 for adults. A portion of the proceeds will support Gigi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Awareness Centers, the Barrington Area United Way, American Cancer Society, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Icoda, the International Center on Deafness and the Arts. Bataille's Integrity Dance Project is open to dancers ages 12-21. Bataille's Artistic Director and instructor, Dee Dee Gallagher-Johnson says, "The project challenges each dancer's skills and their spirit as well. Integrity Dance Project reaches out to the community for change and awareness and fulfills the dancer in and out of the classroom." Members are currently assisting in the "Shining Stars" curriculum, a dance class for dancer's with Down's Syndrome. For more information, call 847-381-1459 or visit BatailleDanse.com.

95. ‘Express Yourself’ at Photo Exhibit’s Opening Night

lizluby — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:53:40 +0000

What would you picture if you were asked to photograph something that makes you laugh, cry, something you love, something beautiful or something you can't live without? Your images would undoubtedly speak volumes about your values, your personality and the people who matter to you most. Barrington portrait photographer, Thomas Balsamo, recently posed that challenge to 28 area special needs children in a contest called Express Yourself. With the help of special needs advocacy group, Barrington Area Special Voices, this project is the latest way Thomas has used his lens to both enlighten and empower. [caption id="attachment_17029" align="aligncenter" width="625" caption=""Express Yourself" Photo Contest, Courtesy of Thomas Balsamo"][/caption] For the Express Yourself Photo Contest, Thomas armed contestants with cameras, confidence and a few tricks of his trade. He paired them with local photography experts, encouraged them to explore and inspired them to share their feelings creatively. [caption id="attachment_17028" align="aligncenter" width="625" caption="Express Yourself Artists in Action, Courtesy of Thomas Balsamo"][/caption] He rewarded their work with prizes and praise. The project became the focus of his latest book and a brand new photography exhibit debuting in Barrington this week. And now here's where we come in... [caption id="attachment_17009" align="aligncenter" width="625" caption=""Express Yourself" Artists, Courtesy of Thomas Balsamo"][/caption] During the official exhibit opening this Friday night, January 13, Express Yourself photographers will be standing proudly by their works on display at the Barrington Area Library. We're all invited to meet the young photographers, hear their stories, appreciate their art, request their autographs and shake hands with their mentor, Thomas Balsamo. With over four decades of experience behind the camera, he has a rare gift for capturing magnetic portraits that pull you closer and make you say, simply, "Wow!" [caption id="attachment_17108" align="aligncenter" width="625" caption="Barrington Photographer, Thomas Balsamo, in his Home Office"][/caption] "I had great expectations from the beginning that they would deliver images that would surprise people. I know their capabilities and how intelligent they are and I knew they would come up with things that would be incredible. The images are amazing." Without giving too much away, in this exhibit you'll find photographic portrayals of siblings and pets, patriotism and nature, music and humor. Even produce takes center stage in one of my favorite photos depicting things that 'make you cry'. "These kids are pretty intelligent. They see things from a different perspective than some of us and have so much to offer society. They just communicate different from the rest of us and, if you give them a chance, maybe you can learn something from them. You probably will." It's a conviction Thomas holds so strongly, he made the kids' exhibit the focus of his most recent book, Express Yourself, The World Through Their Eyes. It's the latest in his series of published works for his media company, Books that Touch. "I studied my whole life to create images that are valuable and the valuable ones are the ones that create an impression on people's hearts and minds. If I can hook my images up with a cause and if I can help a group of people then I'm doing what I'm supposed to do." Express Yourself is the second book for Balsamo, a Barrington High School graduate with three sons of his own. In 2003, he published his first book of portraits, Souls, Beneath and Beyond Autism, a beautiful collection of images portraying individuals with autism along with the writings of Sharon Rosenbloom, a speech and language pathologist and parent of an autistic child. Of both books, Thomas says, "I believe in the power of the image. And I believe I have a big responsibility to use it for doing good things....Express Yourself was my opportunity to inspire special people to begin the discovery process of finding and using their gifts, passions and talents to enhance their lives and the lives of others." Thomas will be on hand to sign copies of Express Yourself, The World Through Their Eyes at this Friday's exhibit opening, book signing and artists' reception. It's happening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. For more information, call the library at 847-382-1300 or visit their website at BarringtonAreaLibrary.org. You can read more about Thomas Balsamo's projects at BooksThatTouch.com. You'll find his photography website at PortraitsbyThomas.com. You'll find a great local resource for kids with special needs on the Barrington Area Special Voices website at BASV.info. And to witness how Thomas Balsamo's images stir emotion, you need look no further than this slideshow he created to become a true believer.