Ahh, SPRING! Here's what it means in the St. Louis Metro area. Warm, breezy days and then a quick return to Winter! We've had some beautiful days here, the forsythia is blooming, as well as the glorious Bradford Pear trees (no fruit!).

Now come the red bud trees, along with the tulip trees. It's a sight to behold! You need to see it to believe it! Come visit us, you just may want to call me to help you buy a home!

We have four seasons here and I'm here to tell you, you never know when those seasons will do a quick switcheroo on you! Better keep the sweaters, coats and shorts out! AND be prepared for quick storms and an occasional chance of a tornado, when the cold and warm air choose to mix it up.
After the wind storms, you may need to check the trees to see how they fared. This huge one split as you can see and that's the only bad thing I can say about these lovely trees.

Well, here we go again! Our community paper WEST Newsmagazine had an article about Lewis Greenberg and his "Yard Art". Residents in the subdivision where Mr. Greenberg lives has filed complaints regarding "littering". The fuss is all about the quantity of twisted metal, decorated tree branches, rocks and what-nots strewn about the front/back/side yards/trees/porch. When I last spoke to him, he'd said he had lots more inside too. 

Only 9% of the residents didn't sign the petition demanding the artist remove the debris/art. Part of the problem is simply this; when a neighbor want to sell a home, most buyers do not look favorably on this property, which to my mind, looks cluttered. In addition, I would not like having lights turned on the property from dusk to dawn, lighting up the street!  I have to say this though, he does keep the grass cut. It makes you want to say...please, just try to be a good neighbor. This would not have been a problem, in my opinion, if the subdivision indentures had covered it in the first place.

This of course is not a finished story and I'll update you if any thing changes. But for now, Mr. Greenberg has been cited for littering.

Are you aware of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)?

If not, you may be missing out on a good thing!

This is the 6th year that Ballwin, MO will receive the grant. It's $40,000.00 this year, which is used to provide funds to benefit low to moderate income residents in the city. The funds are used for a Home Improvement Program (HIP). In order to qualify, (call Ballwin City Hall (636) 227-8580) first to find out the procedure. You can receive a five-year forgivable loan of up to $10,000. to repair your home and bring it up to minimum standards.

Current year funds have been used up, but you can still have your name put on a waiting list by calling: (314) 615-4025. Good Luck!

p.s. Other townships in the St. Louis area offer a similar program, so check it out!

Here's another tour for your consideration! 467 Talbert Court, Ballwin, MO  This property is now SOLD! Another pleased Seller & Buyer!

This fine home has so many great features that you need to see it to appreciate all it has to offer. In-ground sprinkler system,updated newer systems in 2006 included the air conditioner and furnace, in 2007, the Hot water heater. Call: Judy @ 314-744-4771. The home is located on a cul-de-sac and is within 5 minutes of The Pointe (your local Ballwin rec-center)!

You never know when you'll accidently run into some adventure in your daily excursion in your own neighborhood. A friend and I were out enjoying the day of window shopping on a lovely sunny, breezy day. Just enjoying the moments, as they came and on our whim. We decided to drive by one of the local areas, where an artist lives in Ballwin. He's decorated his yard (front, side & back) with an abundance of either trash or treasure, depending on whom you listen too. Personally, I believe you need to have an open mind to the world of "ART" and what it stands for and of course, just what it means to each individual viewing the work and the artist, himself.

So, off we went, my friend driving and myself in the passenger side of the car, camera at the ready!  I might also explain we'd been by before, on the recommendation of another Ballwin citizen, to just drive by ....and take a look! When we were there last, it was dusk and my photo's didn't turn out so hot. No matter how I tried to edit them, they were too dark. 

Prior to this visit, my friend had brought her grandson (age 9) to see the display. When asked what he thought about it, he said, " I'd like to play here!".

This display has caused some of the neighbors to object, not so much directly to the artist, but to the folks at city hall. Back to my story. As we pull around the curve, there's the house! My friend spots the owner, coming out around the side. Of course, he sees us and comes to the front door. She's somewhat apprehensive, not knowing how or what kind of reception we'll get. She says, "Tell him we're friendly!, Tell him we're friendly!". I'm thinking (sounds like we're dogs). Plus, she's wanting me to yell this out of the car...and he's a good 50 feet away. We're aware of the controversy his art display has caused and not sure if he's receptive to folks taking photos or maybe he's thinking we're going to harass him. 

Here he comes toward us, with his bike in hand, wearing  biker attire.  We explained what we were doing and he kindly volunteered that we were welcome to come into the yard and take more photos. He was very open about telling us about the neighbors and giving his opinion. He gave his name to us (Lewis Greenberg)and proceeded to tell us about the work, which represents the Holocaust.  He was also interested in our opinion and we provided that too. One of the neighbors is trying to sell his home and of course, believes that because of the artist display of his work in the yard, the home is not selling. That of course, is debatable, in this soft market and also the condition of the neighbors home. The yard is kept cut and flowers and shrubs are trimmed.  We've made plans to come back again and take a tour of the objects, both outside and in.  We ran out of time to take him up on the offer to take more photos but will do it soon! He did say that the property is lighted with dusk to dawn lights and I believe he feels that some would destroy his work, if given the opportunity. He knows his rights and plans on adding to the display, as it's a "work in progress".

It turns out I'd seen his car on the road too. He drives a mid-size car that is totally covered (not the windows, of course!) with decals! He's a free-thinker and may be eccentric (who isn't?) but enjoys life and is certainly able to carry on a conversation! We're looking forward to our next visit. I hope you'll come back to visit my blog too!

This growing city was founded by John Ball in 1837.

He moved to this area, of what is now considered to be a part of West St. Louis County, around 1797-1798. Supposedly around the same time as the Daniel Boone and his party moved to and settled in the St. Charles, Warren County areas. Records in Jefferson City show the transfer of title of about 400 acres of land along Grande Glaize Creek to John Ball in February, 1800. This is the first official record of John Ball in the West County area.

Since John Ball's property claim was derived originally from a Spanish land grant, and was land that was at the time under Spanish rule, the Louisiana Purchase raised doubts about property ownership. It took several hearings and appeals and ten years for John Ball to clear his claim to the land that would eventually become the town of Ballwin.

Missouri moved its capital to Jefferson City in 1826. Soon there was a need for an overland mail route between St. Louis and the new capital. The new road was established along a route that passed right by John Ball's property. After the road (known at times as Jefferson Road and Market Road, and presently called Manchester Road) became established, John Ball capitalized on the accessibility it provided for his property, and laid out a town.

Originally the town was recorded as Ballshow, but on February 9, 1837, Ball amended the recorded plat to be named Ballwin. No one knows for sure why the name was changed, but one of John Ball's great grandsons says it was the result of a rivalry with neighboring Manchester. According to hearsay, John Ball saw great things ahead for his new town and was confident that it would "win out" in reputation and growth over its older and more prominent neighbor, two miles to the east. Hence the "win" was incorporated into the name.

Ballwin has grown from being a town with only a few homes and businesses, to a small village of 750 people when it was incorporated on December 29, 1950, to a thriving City of  31,283 as of 2000. It covers 7.5 square miles.  Ballwin offers a mix of older and new homes. New homes are being built on lots that have older homes there and are being torn down for new development.

The town of Ballwin recently raised the ire of many folks by passing an ordinance to have all restaurants located in the area be "Smoke Free". Many heated debates were fired by this issue!

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