Post A Comment : A More Attractive Welcome To Keller

Friday, Sep. 12, 2008
A more attractive welcome to Keller
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By SARAH JUNEK

Construction workers and equipment, utility poles, billboards and brightly colored buildings litter the visual landscape for motorists entering Keller on southbound U.S. 377. – photo by Ray Carlin


Keller’s northern main entrance along U.S. 377 is more a picture of chaos than coordinated development – and not just because of road construction.

Workers and bulldozers leave at each day’s end. But the hodgepodge of brightly colored billboards and buildings lining railroad tracks adjacent to the highway still dominates the landscape for southbound motorists entering the city.

Keller officials aim to change that landscape in hopes of making the city’s gateway along its main commercial corridor more attractive to developers. The city has no authority over the billboards and buildings, as they are in unincorporated Tarrant County.

"First we need a vision as to what would be a good fit for that area along with the neighborhood up there," Mayor Pat McGrail said.

The neighborhood, Marshall Ridge, is under construction. When finished, it will contain about 1,000 homes, priced from $250,000 to $400,000, in an area roughly between Johnson Road and the city’s northern boundary. Officials expect more interest in that stretch of U.S. 377 once those homes are built.

To prepare, officials have met with landowners there and hired consultants to draft a development plan.

Developer’s proposal

To screen future homeowners and businesses from the eyesore, one such landowner, Hanover Property Company, a Dallas developer planning to build shopping centers around the neighborhood’s two main entrances, is exploring landscaping, such as tall trees and bushes, in the small strip of land between the highway and railway.

That may help Hanover’s mile-long stretch, but consultants are addressing options for the larger area.

The consultants, engineers with the Fort Worth firm Freese and Nichols, are exploring zoning options, driveway configurations, streetscape options and an gateway design to give the area a cohesive look.

"You can almost look at any kind of corridor that doesn’t have a plan, and there’s not a consistent sidewalk, not a consistent signage or landscape," said Wendy Shabay, lead project planner.

Snag in the plans

Engineers hit a snag during a recent public meeting when some stakeholders, who seemed to lack enough information to provide feedback and were frustrated with the technical presentation, voiced more criticism about current issues than suggestions.

"We didn’t get all that we had really hoped for ... but at the same time I think people had a different idea of what the meeting was all about," Shabay said. "What we’re trying to get is what they want it to be in the future – not today, and not necessarily tomorrow."

Specific feedback sought includes whether certain businesses, such as gas stations, should be allowed and special aesthetic standards. In addition, Shabay said, "commercial development is somewhat hindered by the lack of sewer. It is an issue, so we’re going to look at how we can make some recommendations to that end."

"There are issues up north that the majority of the people are just unaware of," City Councilman John Baker said.

Land being developed by Hanover and Meritage Homes Corporation, the Arizona-based builder of the Marshall Ridge subdivision, had multiple owners, Shabay said, adding that the meeting was intended to be an "opportunity to get together and work together as land owners."

Road construction

The plan, which focuses on about 150 acres, was begun this summer, when the city contracted the firm for $57,323. A recommendation is expected in February.

It was spurred, in part, by the Texas Department of Transportation’s $13 million project to widen U.S. 377 from two lanes to four just north of the downtown district Old Town Keller to the city limits. A stretch between Keller-Hicks and Johnson roads was finished this summer. Work on the remaining portion is expected to be completed this fall.

"All of [the owners] are interested in what they can expect as far as the finished product on the TxDOT construction," city planning director Richard Luedke said. "Once we give them that information, the longer-term things can be talked about."

Tip Of The Week

Some Scents and their reactions:
Chamomile: Calming and soothing. Eases anger and anxiety.
Clary Sage: Relaxing, euphoric. Eases anxiety, tension and stress.
Eucalyptus: Fresh cooling and invigorating. Promotes alertness.
Jasmine: Alleviates anxiety and depression.
Lavender: Calming
Lemon: Refreshing and energizing. Eases tension. Heightens mental clarity.
Mandarin: Relaxing and calming. Relieves insomnia.
Neroli/ Orange Blossom: Relieves stress, anxiety and insomnia.
Peppermint: Refreshing and stimulating. Increases alertness.
Rosemary: A stimulant that promotes mental clarity and alertness.
Sandalwood: Warm, sensual aroma. Euphoric and seductive.

Keep Up With What Is Happening In Keller

Check This Link Out!! http://www.americantowns.com/tx/keller

Info For Buyer's

A buyer's primer

Downpayment assistance:
There’s lots of help for buyers

In any economy, one of the best investments has always been real estate. You just can’t beat the value of your own chunk of land and a nice house to go on it. But for many potential buyers, the problem is coming up with a downpayment to make this defining purchase. The fact is that very few homebuyers have the cash available to buy a home outright. Most of us will rely on a financial institution for a mortgage, but buyers still need to raise the cash for a downpayment.

The downpayment is that portion of the purchase price you furnish yourself. The balance is your mortgage. The amount of your downpayment (which represents your financial stake, or the equity in your new home) should be determined well before you start house hunting, but in basic terms, the larger the downpayment, the less your home costs in the long run.

No matter which type of mortgage you choose, in most cases you’ll still need to come up with a downpayment of at least 5%, plus some amount on closing costs.

Programs to help
The good news is that options abound for those who want to own a home, but who might be strapped for cash when it comes to the downpayment. One is the Texas Cares program, which provides downpayment assistance gift funds up to 6% to qualified homebuyers who purchase homes using an eligible loan program, such as a Federal Housing Administration-insured (FHA) loan.

Brought to Texans by the Texas Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation, Texas Cares not only assists buyers with the downpayment, it asks the seller to contribute to a charitable organization that’s committed to ensuring affordable housing for all. Now that’s housing with a conscience. For more information, visit www.TexasCaresProgram.org.

Believe it or not, it’s also possible to buy a home with nothing down. Here are several methods that help eligible homebuyers minimize – or even eliminate – the dreaded downpayment. They include VA loans; owner financing; house trading; job-related federal programs; and state and local government programs

VA loans
Active and retired members of the military service, veterans, and the un-remarried widows of prisoners of war and those missing in action can buy homes with little or no money down under VA programs. All branches of the service including the Coast Guard are eligible. And members of Selected Reserves or National Guard who have completed six years may also be eligible, along with many with World War II servicemen from the merchant marines, military academies and others pulled into service for the war effort. Contact the VA for more information.

Owner financing and lease-purchase
If there’s a glut of unsold homes in a market, some sellers – especially those in a hurry – are more willing to help potential buyers – and more agree to finance a loan themselves. Owner financing, many times, eliminates the need for a larger downpayment.

House trading
Don’t like your house? Then trade it! Many professional investors acquire homes with no money down by trading one property for another. In some cases, they trade one large property for several smaller rental properties. Or they trade houses in different cities to acquire a vacation or retirement home.

HUD and job-related federal programs
The Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers special financing for first-time homebuyers that’s based on need and is designed to help low-income families buy their first home without significant downpayment or closing costs. And, if you happen to buy a HUD foreclosure home, a downpayment may not be required.

The federal government also has programs to help farmers and police personnel acquire homes with nothing down. For those with limited income who wish to live in rural areas, the Rural Economic and Community Development Administration offers farmers home loans with nothing down. Monthly payments may be subsidized and the interest can be as low as 1%. And, to encourage police to occupy homes in crime-targeted areas, special federal programs permit police officers to purchase homes in selected areas with nothing down. Information is available to law enforcement officers through their places of employment.

Fannie Mae (the Federal National Mortgage Association) also offers special options for first-time homebuyers, including lower cash requirements for downpayment and closing costs and reduced income requirements to qualify for a loan.

And in Texas, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs offers its First Time Homebuyer program for very low to moderate income Texas families, as well as the Downpayment Assistance Program. Call 800-792-1119 for more information.

With so many options available, the dream of homeownership can become a reality for all Texans. Without the hurdle of a big downpayment, anything’s possible.




Sources: Texas Cares; Bankrate.com

Texas Real Estate Market

Real Estate in Texas
JUL 17, 2008

Texas’ Real Estate Markets Healthier Than Most
By David S. Jones

Texas’ real estate markets never caught the housing bust bug that spread like the flu across most of the United States. But now the doctors tell me that the Lone Star State is showing some of the symptoms that flattened residential sales nationwide.

Jim Gaines, Ph.D., an economist for the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, keeps his finger on the pulse of the state’s major housing markets. If one market misses a beat, he knows it.

First, the bad news. Because Texas housing markets were at a peak in 2007, it should come as no surprise that Gaines’ latest housing market checkup shows widespread weak home sales.

Statewide, existing home sales in May 2008 were down 15.4% from a year ago. Again, that was to be expected as the Texas building and sales bubbles had to subside eventually.

Lubbock and McAllen received the best reports. Home sales in the High Plains market declined only 0.5%, the least of any examined. McAllen’s fell 1.7%.

By comparison, sales of existing homes were down 20.6% in Austin, 14% in Dallas, 33% in El Paso, 13.8% in Fort Worth, 15.7% in Houston, and 23% in San Antonio.

Texas home prices holding steady
The good news for Texas homesellers is that prices are holding. That’s in stark contrast to what’s happening in other parts of the country. The national median home price fell by 1.8% in 2007, which was the first time a negative change had been recorded since the 1960s. By May 2008, U.S. home prices were already down another 6.8%.

In contrast, the statewide median price for an existing home in Texas is $151,300, up 1.4% from May 2007.


Lubbock had the state’s highest price increase during the year – up 11.1% – with a median of $113,100. Amarillo’s median of $122,200 was 7.4% higher than a year ago. Austin’s 6.1% increase pushed its median to $194,700. El Paso’s median was $137,800, up 5.8% in 12 months.

Home prices in some areas of Texas did fall in the last year. Beaumont’s median of $127,600 is 7% lower. McAllen is down 5.5% to $100,400.

Statewide inventory higher than normal
One of the vital signs Gaines keeps an eye on is months of inventory on the market. That is, how many months would it take to sell all the existing homes in an area at the current sales pace? About six months is considered normal. In general, the bigger the inventory, the sicker the patient.

Texas has an overall inventory of 6.9 months. Nationally, the existing home inventory is 10.4 months (and the new home inventory is 11 months).

El Paso and McAllen are two Texas cities with bulging inventories. McAllen has the biggest stock of unsold homes – 15.2 months. El Paso is close behind at 12.1 months.

Cities with notably small inventories include Amarillo (5.5 months), Austin (5.7 months), and Lubbock (5.5 months).

“Getting back to normal” is how many real estate people describe today’s Texas market. The doctors at the Real Estate Center agree with that diagnosis.

For more information, see Gaines’ most recent “x-rays” of the Texas market.

From:Real Estate Center

News: Keller ISD

Keller ISD a Recognized district
The Keller Independent School District has been rated "Recognized" by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This is the first time that Keller ISD has been rated "Recognized" under the new, more rigorous accountability system. Keller ISD is now one of the largest districts in the state to receive the "Recognized" rating.

"We are very proud of becoming a Recognized District," said Superintendent Dr. James R. Veitenheimer. "This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of our principals, teachers and staff. It's very rewarding to see how our newly aligned curriculum has helped our students reach a new level of success. We expect to see even better results in the future."

Of Keller ISD's 33 assessed campuses, 27 earned ratings of "Exemplary" or "Recognized" according to accountability ratings. Overall, Keller ISD had 13 "Exemplary" campuses, 14 "Recognized" campuses, and five "Acceptable" campuses.

Nine campuses improved from their 2007 ratings, while 20 others maintained their standing.
The ratings reflect Keller ISD's performance for the 2007-08 school year. The performance indicators include the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills exam, the completion rate for students in grades 9-12 and annual dropout rate for grades seven and eight.

A full list of the individual campus ratings can be found here.

For a public release of the 2008 TEA Accountability Ratings for all Texas districts and campuses, see the agency's website at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/.

from Keller ISD website.

GETTING INVOLVED AT YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL

Whether your child is just starting kindergarten, entering the final year of high school, or is somewhere in between, there are many good reasons and opportunities for you to volunteer at school. It's a great way to show your child that you take an interest in his or her education, and it sends a positive message that you consider school a worthwhile cause.

Many schools now have to raise their own funds for activities and supplies that would once have been considered basic necessities, and parent volunteers are essential in helping to organize and chaperone these fundraising events, as well as to participate in other school activities.

Why Should I Get Involved?
Parent volunteers offer a huge resource and support base for the school community while showing their kids the importance of participating in the larger community.

The school isn't the only one to reap the benefits of your involvement. By offering some of your time to the school, and by interacting with teachers, administrators, and other parents on a regular basis, you can gain a first-hand understanding of your child's daily activities and some insight into the trends and fads of school life that will help you communicate with your child as he or she grows and changes (all without intruding on your child's privacy or personal space).

Even if you haven't been involved in the past, it's never too late to start; in fact, it may be more important than ever to get involved when your child reaches secondary school. However, some parents may experience "volunteer burnout" by the time their children enter high school or may decide that the schools don't need them as much when the child leaves the primary grades. But many parents who volunteered a lot of time during their children's elementary years may have returned to full-time careers by the time their children reach their teens, so there's often a shortage in the secondary schools.

Finding the Right Opportunity
One of the best starting points for getting involved is a parent-teacher conference or open house - these are usually scheduled early in each school year, and they provide a great opportunity to approach your child's teacher or principal about volunteer involvement. If you have something to offer, or if you just want to help out in whatever way you can, discuss the possibilities with your child's teacher. The teacher may arrange something with you personally or direct you to a department head or administrator who can answer your questions and make suggestions. It's also a good idea to join the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or parents' advisory council.

Here are just some of the things your child's teacher and/or the PTA can help you to do as a school volunteer:

act as a classroom helper
mentor or tutor students
help children with special needs
volunteer in a school computer lab
help organize, cater, or work at fundraising activities such as bake sales or car washes
act as a lunchroom or playground monitor
help to plan and chaperone field trips, track meets, and other events that take place away from the school
help to plan and chaperone in-school events (i.e., dances, proms, or graduation ceremonies)
organize or assist with a specific club or interest group (if you have an interest in an activity that isn't currently available to students, offer to help get a group started - for example, a chess club or cycling team)
assist coaches and gym teachers with sports and fitness programs or work in the school concession stand at sporting events
help the school administrators prepare grant proposals, letter-writing campaigns, or press releases or provide other administrative assistance
attend school board meetings
work as a library assistant or offer to help with story time or reading assistance in the school library
sew costumes or build sets for theatrical and musical productions
work with the school band or orchestra or coach music students individually
help out with visual arts, crafts, and design courses and projects
hold a workshop for students in trade or technical programs
spend some time with a specific club or interest group (approach the teacher who sponsors the group)
volunteer to speak in the classroom or at a career day, if you have a field of expertise that you'd like to share
supervise or judge experiments at a science fair

Remember that not everyone is suited for the same type of involvement - you may have to "try on" a number of different activities before you find something that feels right. If you're at a loss for how you can help, just ask your child's teacher, who will likely be glad to help you think of something!

Questions to Ask
When you offer to help out, find out how much of a time commitment you'll be expected to contribute, and if you'll be expected to help out on an ongoing basis. Are you going to repair the costumes for the spring musical, or will you be expected to keep the drama department's supplies in good condition year-round? Are you chaperoning the track meet or coaching the whole season?

Be sure to ask if there are any financial costs associated with your volunteer activities. If you're chaperoning a field trip, for example, find out if you'll be required to pay for transportation and admissions costs. Find out if you'll need to transport students in your own vehicle or if a school bus will be provided. If you're organizing or helping out with an activity that will take place off the school grounds, be sure to find out if there are any specific school regulations you need to keep in mind or any liability issues you should consider.

Getting Started
Here are a few tips to keep in mind once you've signed up for the volunteer opportunities of your choice:

Make it clear before you begin just how much time you're willing to volunteer. Even stay-at-home parents don't have an unlimited amount of time to volunteer at their child's school - many parents have other activities and interests, as well as other children to care for. Don't be afraid to say no if you're being asked to do more than you feel comfortable with - just try to say it early enough so that someone else can be found to take your place, because many trips and activities can't be taken unless the school has a certain number of chaperones or supervisors.
Start small. Don't offer to coordinate the holiday bake sale, the band recital, and a swim meet all at once! If you've taken on too much, find out if you can delegate some duties to other interested parents.
Don't give your child special treatment or extra attention when you're volunteering at the school. Follow your child's cues to find out how much interaction works for both of you. Most kids enjoy having their parents involved, but if your child seems uncomfortable with your presence at the school or with your involvement in a favorite activity, consider taking a more behind-the-scenes approach. Make it clear that you aren't there to check up on him or her - you're just trying to help out the school.

Get frequent feedback from the teachers and students you're working with. Find out what's most and least helpful to them, and get suggestions about what you can do to make the most of the time you spend on school activities. It's important to keep the lines of communication open among teachers, administrators, students, and volunteers, and to be flexible and responsive as the needs of the students and the school change.

When volunteering at your child's school, remember that the work you do not only benefits your child, but will enrich the classroom, the whole school, and the entire community by providing students with positive interaction, support, and encouragement. And don't underestimate the students - you may feel that what you have to offer might not interest them or might be above their heads, but you'll probably be pleasantly surprised. You'll be helping to build skills, confidence, and self-esteem that will last beyond their school days.

Updated and reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
From:Kid's Health For Parents
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/school.html