Coming Down, Part I

suburban renewalYesterday, we saw the first signs that the house in our neighborhood that was recently sold is about to disappear and be replaced by a newer, much more expensive model.   The water line was dug up and capped off. 

 

The house sold for about $466K.  Assuming that it will cost between $250K to $300K  to build the new house, the  selling price will probably be in the neighborhood of  $1M.

Most of the houses in the town we live in were built in the late 1950s/early 1960s, so I guess it’s not too surprising that they are gradually being torn down and replaced.  What constantly amazes me though is that there is no shortage of people around here that can afford to buy the new houses.  Or maybe they can’t as evidenced by the monumental collapse of the housing market a few years back!

Stay tuned for more on this latest suburban renewal project.

McMansion, the Sequel

About four years ago, the house next door to us was torn down and replaced by a McMansion.[1]

the house next door

Now it’s about to happen again on the property next to the McMansion.  The new house is advertised as being ready in Spring 2011 so I assume the wrecking crew will be here soon.  coming down soon

Hawaii 411207

The United States entry into WWII started 69 years ago today with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Looking back over the last 69 years, it also marks the beginning of the end of the ubiquitous “Made in the USA” label once seen on the vast majority of consumer goods here in the USA.

JITH 2010

click to view larger image Spent last Thursday through Sunday at the Jamboree in the Hills in Morristown, Ohio.  This was our 27th consecutive year at the JITH.

Once again a good time was had by all, including our friend Pat, who couldn’t make it last year due to illness.  This was Pat’s 30th year at the JITH.

View pictures from this and prior year’s Jamborees.

JITH 2010