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INSIDE • THIRD QUARTER 2011

CROSSWORD& SUDOKU

PAGE 11

THE REALROLE MODELS

HUMORPAGE 5

SUMMERAPPETIZER

WOLFGANG PUCKPAGE 9

PRACTICALCOUPONING

TREND WATCHPAGE 4

ROYALTREATMENT

PAGE 6

MEET VICTORIA’S EXECUTIVE HOME TEAM

JOHN HILYARDBUYER’S AGENT

John is a buyer’s agent.He is always helping tofind the right home forevery client. As an E-Pro professional,John assures we are upon technology andgiving you that addedleverage at all times.419-460-0400

SEE HOW A GREAT-WORKING TEAM PLAYSA BIG PART IN THE SELLING AND BUYING PROCESS

MONICA GIVENSCLIENT CARE COORDINATOR

TEAM DIRECTOR

Monica is responsive to theExecutive Home Team’srainmaker and working

team leader. She performsmyriaad tasks.Monica is the

gatekeeper to theQuality Service you can

expect from theExecutive Home Team.

quick walk around your property couldhelp you catch a number of maintenanceproblems before they have a chance to

become expensive repairs.

Here are a few things to keep an eye out for:

Take a Look at Your LandscapingPrune back any dense plant growth that couldrestrict air movement contributing to moisture orinsects, or that might thicken and scrape siding.Also, check for hanging tree branches that coulddamage roofing or windows.

Inspect Outdoor Wooden Elements for DecayThe most vulnerable areas are surfaces subject tofrequent moisture, such as wooden siding in con-tact with the ground and horizontal surfaces thatcan collect water.

Check the Outside of the House for CracksUse a caulking gun to seal cracks or joints thatmight let water infiltrate or let warm air escape.Start with the joint between the foundation andthe house. Then inspect outer window edges anddoor casings.

An outdoor home inspection could save youmoney down the road. ■

Keep an Eyeon Home’sExteriorA

HOME TIPS:

2

by Betsy Sharkey

Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the third installment ofdirector Michael “Boom Boom” Bay’s clash of the mechanizedmorphing Cybertron titans, is surprisingly minimalist in an ear-splitting, bone-rattling maximus way. Don’t get me wrong; thefranchise remains as much an endurance test as a movie, but atleast a better Bay has delivered a leaner, meaner, cleaner 3-D rageagainst the machines.

By showing a measure of restraint and using 3-D to excellenteffect, Bay finally enables the Transformers to emerge as playersin their own right, with hopes and dreams, declaiming theirphilosophies of fate, humankind and the universe in grandShakespearean style.

There are other upgrades, as well. Shia LaBeouf is back asAutobots confidant Sam Witwicky, though that smoking yellowclassic Camaro that hid Bumblebee has mostly deserted him. It’sbeen interesting to watch LaBeouf, as well as Sam, kind of growup in the role. The actor has toughened up nicely as a recentlyminted college grad with a “but I saved mankind” chip on hisjob-hunting shoulder.

Even with the added edge and all the jams Sam and the rest ofthe cast get themselves into, there’s a sense that everyone is hav-ing a lot more fun in “Moon.” Frances McDormand, as the prick-ly head of national security, and John Turturro, reprising hiscrazed former intelligence agent role, seem to be thoroughlyenjoying themselves as former colleagues who possibly did a little“undercover” spying back in the day. All of which makes “Darkof the Moon” considerably more watch-able than the last“Transformers” outing—which is the very definition of a low bar.

Screenwriter Ehren Kruger, flying solo this time around,plants a flag in the conspiracy theories swirling around the firstmoon landing in ’69, throwing in a NASA cover-up.

There is a clever cameo by elder astronaut statesman BuzzAldrin to give credence to what happened, and the whole “event”provides a reason to introduce another ancient warrior, this onewith Cybertron mettle, in Sentinel Prime (voiced by an unmis-takable Leonard Nimoy). It also sets up the showdown betweenOptimus and the Autobot good guys and those devilishDecepticons, which is the spine of the plot and “Transformers”raison d’etre, always.

To lead that charge, the filmmakers have brought back mostof the Transformers’ fighting frontline, led by Optimus Prime(Peter Cullen’s booming baritone), special-forces hunk Lennox(Josh Duhamel), and righteous renegade Epps (Tyrese Gibson).Of course the guy with the really big guns is Bay. He’s armed tothe teeth, but stripping down his battles between the metalgiants to more one-on-one action that even non-Transformerfanatics can follow.

There are wars to wage and cities (mainly Chicago) to destroy,but let’s not forget the love story, which provides the necessaryeye candy for the fanboys’ piece of the equation. Sam’s currentgirlfriend, Carly, is played by British up-and-stunner RosieHuntington-Whiteley, who delivers just as convincing a pillowypout as Megan Fox did (the actress unable or unwilling torebound from her spat with Bay).

Patrick Dempsey, more McDreary than McDreamy here,shows up as a too-slick mogul with a penchant for fast cars and

Carly’s curves. Driving the mayhem, as usual, are theDecepticons with Megatron (Hugo Weaving sounding as omi-nous as ever) plotting a comeback coup after that embarrassingsetback in 2009’s “Revenge of the Fallen.” That the world is onceagain under siege is good news for Sam, who’s already boredworking for a tanning salon-toasted John Malkovich—funnyand nearly orange in the split second of screen time he’s given.

It’s also good news for us because you don’t go to“Transformers” for the character or the plot, you go for metal-crushing, sensory-overloading action. Between Bay’s obsession tomake his 3-D matter and the artistry of the special effects legionsamassed for the project, the visual payoff is striking. The individ-ual character articulation is so finely rendered, we can see thecomplexity of the robots’ construction as they morph from theordinary—car, plane, or whatever—into their towering mecha-nized essence.

But the action sequences, while cutting a spectacular path ofdestruction, go on far too long (an ongoing “Transformers”issue), including the final pitched battle, which displays dazzlingfirepower but extends for roughly an hour.

As always, the heart of the film is in the hands of Sam and themachines, while Bay mans the battering ram. And, for anyonewho makes it through to the bitter end, I think certificates ofcompletion are in order. ■

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Short Sales Getting Fasterby Eve Mitchell

When it comes to short sales—the real estatetransactions involving a mortgage worth morethan the home to which it’s tied—has longbelied its name as a quick deal. That’s startingto slowly change, thanks to increased bankstaffing, a Department of Treasury programthat aims to speed up the transactions, andmore of a general acceptance of the deal.

Just ask first-time homeowners Michael andMay Manlapeg, who were renting a house inWalnut Creek, Calif., a few months ago. Aftersigning a pending sales contract for a home inPleasant Hill, Calif., in late January, theythought it would take as much as six monthsfor the deal to go through. Escrow ended upclosing in slightly less than three months.Regular home sales typically take 30 to 60 daysto close escrow after a pending sales contract issigned.

“I knew it could be a long, difficult process.It went faster than we expected,” said MichaelManlapeg of the four-bedroom, three-bath-room property in Pleasant Hill they bought ina short sale for $550,000.

The family moved to the Bay Area five yearsago, after Michael Manlapeg accepted a job asan I.T. manager at an employee-benefitsadministration company. They were lookingfor a home in the Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hillarea that could accommodate their four youngchildren; however, they were only findinghomes out of their price range. So, they turnedto a short sale.

Unlike foreclosures, which can sell at sub-stantial discounts, short sales tend to be priced

closer to fair-marketvalue. Still, some short-sale bargains can bestruck by negotiatingdown the price, basedon work that needs tobe done on a property.

The $550,000 pricethe Manlapegs paidreflected a $50,000negotiated discount tooffset necessary roofwork and minorrepairs. The couplefinanced the propertywith a 30-year, fixed-rate FHA loan, with a4.75 percent interestrate and a 3.5 percentdown payment. Theirnew home features a pool and creek-side deckarea. It was once listed as a regular sale for $1.1million in 2008.

The Manlapegs’ real estate agent hadexplained that short sales are taking less time todo now than a year ago, as banks have staffedup and put systems in place. Still, buyersshould be prepared to wait up to 120 days toclose, and it could extend beyond that.

Many large lenders have begun streamliningthe process in response to changes made earlierthis year to a voluntary Department of Treasuryprogram that aims to speed up short sales.

According to Colleen Badagliacco, head ofthe California Association of Realtors, “One ofthe key components [of HAFA] is that lenderswill give a response to an offer within 45 days.

... Because of that, they have had to streamlinetheir processes, which is helping them respondfaster to loans that are not in the HAFA pro-gram. That certainly is a step forward,” shesaid, adding that the majority of smallerlenders have not done as much streamlining.HAFA provides financial incentives to lendersand $3,000 in relocation assistance to sellers toencourage short sales.

It is geared to homeowners who qualified fora trial loan modification through the HomeAffordable Modification Program but wereunable to obtain a permanent modification.Homeowners struggling to pay their mortgagescan request to be evaluated for the HAFA pro-gram. ■

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

JULY July 19: Limitless - FoxJuly 19: Patiche

- Music Box July 19: Take Me Home

Tonight - FoxJuly 26: Source Code - FoxJuly 26: Dylan Dog: Dead of Night - Summit July 26: Winter in Wartime - Sony

AUGUST Aug 2: Exporting Raymond - Sony Aug 2: Rio - FoxAug 2: Soul Surfer - SonyAug 9: The Last Godfather - LionsgateAug 9: Mars Needs Moms - DisneyAug 9: Paul - Universal Aug 9: Your Highness - UniversalAug 16: The Conspirator - Lionsgate Aug 16: The Final Destination 3D - WarnerAug 16: The Grace Card - Sony Aug 16: Hoodwinked Too!

Hood Vs. Evil - Anchor Bay Aug 16: Jane Eyre - Universal Aug 16: Meet Monica Velour - Anchor BayAug 23: Sympathy for Delicious - Maya Aug 30: Bereavement - Anchor BayAug 30: Madea’s Big

Happy Family - LionsgateAug 30: Win Win - Fox

SEPTEMBER Sept 9: Warrior - LionsgateSept 13: The Tempest - DisneySept 13: 35 and Ticking - Swirl FilmsSept 20: Pirates of the Caribbean:

On Stranger Tides - Disney

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

PublisherVictoria Luhring

3555 Briarfield

Maumee, OH 43537

419 460-5587

Office/Fax 419 794 6979

LuxuryHomesinToledo.com

“007 - Carte Blanche”by Jeffery Deaver

James Bond, in his early 30s and already a veteran ofthe Afghan War, hasbeen recruited to anew organization.Conceived in thepost-9/11 world, itoperates independ-ent of MI5, MI6and the Ministryof Defense—itsvery existencedeniable. Its aim:To protect theRealm, by anymeans necessary.

A Night Actionalert calls JamesBond away fromdinner with ab e a u t i f u lw o m a n .Headquar ter shas decryptedan electronic whis-per about an attack scheduled for later in the week; casu-alties are estimated to be in the thousands, and Britishinterests will be adversely affected.

Agent 007 has been given carte blanche.Author Jeffery Deaver on Bond: “In the world of espi-

onage, giving an agent carte blanche on a mission comeswith an enormous amount of trust; it constantly testsboth personal and professional judgment. Part of thenonstop suspense in the novel is the looming question ofwhat is acceptable in matters of national and internation-al security. Are there lines that even James Bond shouldnot cross? The novel will maintain the persona of JamesBond as Fleming created him and the unique tone theauthor brought to his books, while incorporating …detailed research, fast-pacing and surprise twists.”

“A Dance With Dragons”by George R. R. Martin

Dubbed the “American Tolkien” by “Time” magazine,George R. R. Martin has earned international acclaim for

his monumental cycle of epic fantasy. Now the #1 NewYork Times bestselling author delivers the fifth book inhis spellbinding landmark series, as both familiar facesand surprising new forces vie for a foothold in a frag-mented empire.

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of theSeven Kingdoms hangs in the balance once again—besetby newly emerging threats from every direction. In theeast, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of HouseTargaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a citybuilt on dust and death. But Daenerys has three-times-three-thousand enemies, and many have set out to findher. Still, as they gather, one young man embarks uponhis own quest for the queen, with an entirely differentgoal in mind.

To the north lies the mammoth Wall of Ice and Stone,a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, JonSnow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch,will face his greatest challenge yet—for he has powerfulfoes not only within the Watch, but also beyond, in theland of the Creatures of Ice.

And from all corners,bitter conflicts soonreignite, intimatebetrayals are perpetrat-ed, and a grand cast ofoutlaws and priests, sol-diers and skin-changers,nobles, and slaves, willface seemingly insur-mountable obstacles.Some will fail, whileothers will grow in thestrength of darkness. Butin a time of rising rest-lessness, the tides of des-tiny and politics willlead inevitably to thegreatest dance of all.

“Growing Up in Heaven”by James Van Praagh

In “Growing Up in Heaven,” New York Times-best-selling author andworld-famous medi-um James VanPraagh brings tolight the amazingjourney of childrenwho have passedfrom earth to heav-en. The book fol-lows the path of achild’s soul—theirtime spent in heav-en and their connec-tion to the living.

In this, his mostmoving work, VanPraagh reveals thereality that lovetranscends the phys-ical and materialplanes of this world.“Growing Up in Heaven” lifts our spirits with the knowl-edge that our departed ones will always be with us—anextraordinary gift for all of us who yearn to understandlife on the other side.

Blessed with an exceptional gift, Van Praagh has theability to bridge the gap between this world and the next.This renowned and beloved medium takes us on a pow-erful, eye-opening, and ultimately inspiring voyage.Filled with uplifting true stories and profound messagesof love, this look at heaven provides a remarkably detailedportrayal of the child’s soul as it moves from this world tothe next. Our eyes and hearts open, and we experiencefirsthand the unbreakable bond between parent andchild, all the while glimpsing a vision of heaven. ■

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Apple’s iCloud

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Action, Fantasy, and Spirituality to Your Summer Bookshelf

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

Apple recently introduced iCloud, the breakthrough set offree cloud services that work seamlessly with applications oniPhones, iPads, Macs, and PCs. It automatically and wirelesslystores your content in iCloud, along with automatically andwirelessly pushing it to all your devices. When anythingchanges on one of your devices, all of them are updated almostinstantly. And because it’s integrated into Apple’s apps, youdon’t need to think about it—it just works.

THE iCLOUD SERVICES INCLUDE: • The former MobileMe services—Contacts, Calendar and

Mail—are all completely re-architected. Users can share cal-endars with friends and family, and the ad-free push Mailaccount is hosted at me.com. Your inbox and mailboxes arekept up-to-date across all your iOS devices and computers.

• The App Store and iBookstore now download purchasediOS apps and books to all your devices, not just the devicethey were purchased on. In addition, simply tapping theiCloud icon will download any apps and books to any iOSdevice (up to 10 devices) at no cost.

• iCloud Backup automatically and securely backs up youriOS devices to iCloud daily over Wi-Fi when you chargeyour iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

• The Photo Stream service uploads the photos you take orimport on any of your devices, pushing them to all otherdevices and computers. So you can use your iPhone to takea dozen photos of your friends during the afternoon baseballgame, and they’ll be ready to share with the entire group onyour iPad as soon as you return home.

• iTunes in the Cloud lets you download and integrate yourpreviously purchased iTunes music to all of your devices.This works, as well, with purchases not made on iTunes.They will be downloaded automatically to all your devices.This makes the matched music available in minutes (insteadof weeks to upload your entire music library).

This fall, users can sign up for iCloud for free on an iPhone,iPad or iPod Touch running iOS 5, or a Mac running Mac OSX Lion with an Apple ID. iCloud includes 5GB of free cloudstorage for Mail, Document Storage and Backup. Purchasedmusic, apps, books and Photo Stream do not count against thestorage limit. ■

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

Photo credit: Apple Inc.

The Apple iCloud, to be released this fall,automatically and wirelessly backs up, syncs,

and updates your iPad, iPhone, and iTunes content.

New versions of Apple’s desktop and mobile’soperating system, OS X, Lion and iOS 5,

will contain iCloud.

VICTORIA LUHRINGmeasures her success by the expressions of thanks her

clients give her after each transaction. As a sought-afterreal estate professional, her philosophy is simple: give to

others first. From her personal relationships to her profes-sional colleagues, Victoria always does what is necessaryto exceed expectations and obtain exceptional results.

With more than a decade as a local resident and agent,Victoria brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

Whether it’s locating the ideal home to suit a buyer’slifestyle or advising a seller on how to effectively price ahome, she’s committed to helping her clients reach their

financial goals. When you’re ready to make your nextmove in Toledo or the surrounding areas, Experience theDifference in real estate with Victoria Luhring and herExecutive Home Team. Call her today to schedule a

private consultation.

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cott Boudin’s home in Old Bethpage, N.Y., doesn’tcontain the usual telltale signs of coupon compulsion:There are no stacks of tuna cans and paper towelslooming in room corners or under beds. Nor are there

bundles of newspaper inserts and supermarket circulars ontables—the kind of evidence often found on “ExtremeCouponing,” the new TLC series that recently featuredBoudin.

Even Boudin’s dead-giveaway stockpile situated in thebasement is (sort of ) modest. Although it includes 2,500 dia-pers, 400 rolls of toilet paper and 150 rolls of paper towels,it occupies a shelving unit that takes up 14 ft. of wall space;whereas, stockpiles of other featured coupon-clippers havebeen known to encroach on bathrooms and children’s bed-rooms.

“I am not like those people,” says Boudin, a producer andon-air personality for a morning radio show. “At least, in myhead, I think I’m not.” Boudin is what he likes to call a “practical” couponer—a per-son who plays by the rules, who doesn’t split his orders intoseparate transactions, or use expired coupons. He’ll purchaseonly the items that he and his family intend to use.

“I actually enjoy doing it,” he says. “It’s not a manly thingto do, I guess, but it’s like a trophy to bring home an awe-some receipt.”

Indeed, the savings can be impressive. “These all costnothing,” Boudin says, pointing to a recent haul of eight bot-

tles of ready-to-feed baby formula, which, at full price, canretail for about $8 each. How? Boudin found the formula onsale for $5. He used four $5 coupons he found in previousweeks’ newspapers, and four $3 coupons given to him byfriends. He also clipped from leftover inserts found at work.Then he used two $5 checks from Similac, part of the formu-la manufacturer’s StrongMoms program, to cover the bal-ance.

“So, in essence, I made two bucks on the deal,” he says.And unlike many extreme couponers, who spend dozens ofhours each week going through circulars, making spread-sheets and carefully organizing shopping trips, Boudin’s sys-tem is far less labor-intensive.

On Sunday mornings, aided by a cup of coffee and theTV, Boudin combs the newspaper circulars and pairs the saleitems with the coupons he has.

“I’ll generally have 30 or 40 items on my shopping list andhave coupons for nearly all of them,” says Boudin, whobegan clipping coupons when he moved to Iowa at age 18and had to cut corners while living on his own. He also vis-its reputable websites, such as Coupons.com,SmartSource.com and RedPlum.com, for added savings. “All the supermarkets have printable coupons on their sitesnow too,” he says. “And a lot of them have e-coupons thatthey’ll send right to your loyalty card.”

The groceries that Boudin purchased for the “ExtremeCouponing” segment yielded his biggest savings yet—morethan 90 percent of his total bill.

“It was the most I’ve ever saved, because it was the most Iever bought,” he says. “But on a typical shopping trip, I’llbuy $150 worth of items and spend 30 or 40 bucks. As ageneral rule, I feel like if you can save more than you spend,you’re successful.”

Like many couponers, Boudin believes “full price is a dirtyword,” which is why his wife, Amy, is “not allowed to go any-where near the supermarket,” he says with a laugh. “I knowshe sneaks out on her own during the week, and what I don’tknow won’t hurt me. But sometimes I see bags from otherstores, and I’m like, ‘You went to Fairway? There’s nothingon sale there!’”

“He’s been like this since I met him,” says Amy Boudin, abusiness manager for Bank of America-Merrill Lynch, whoworks from home and cares for the couple’s daughters. “Atfirst, I thought it was a little bizarre. At some points, we’dhave 30 containers of body wash, and I’ll say to him, ‘Are younuts?’ But we end up using it all.”

“I look at this as Aisle 3 at the supermarket,” Boudin saysof his stockpile, “so my wife can come downstairs and getwhatever she needs. I just make sure it’s stocked, and if I cando it for really cheap or free, then more power to me.” ■

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

S

Extreme Couponing for thePractical Shopper

by Dina Santorelli

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Walking with a friend the other day, I found myself admiring hisshoes, laceless black slip-ons with a white rubber trim. Always on thelookout for interesting menswear, I asked my friend, a writer at a noto-riously hip magazine in New York, where he’d gotten his kicks.

“Oh, I like your sneakers,” I said brightly. “Where are they from?”“Urbrb rbrbrb” he mumbled in reply.

“Excuse me?” “Urban Outfitters,” he whispered—literally whispered—in the

deserted street. “Seriously?” I laughed, as he sheepishly cast his eyes downward. I let

the matter drop, after a totally necessary, “You are ridiculous.” It struckme as strange that my friend—that any guy—would harbor labelshame. Probably because when someone compliments something I’mwearing, my response is usually a proud detailing of the deal I snagged(“It was 75 percent off!”) and where I got it. And yes, the answer is oftena mass retail store.

If my friend was ashamed to be wearing shoes from the hipsterMcDonalds that is Urban Outfitters, he’d have been downright horri-fied by the humble mishmash of stores that made up the outfit I waswearing. A list that included the likes of Forever 21, Gap, Kohl’s,JCPenney and yes, Target. In his defense, the whispered response wasmore like a stage whisper, so I’d like to think he was at least half-kid-ding. But the notion that he felt guilty about his apparel’s pedestrianorigins at all … well, it worried me.

Why should anyone be ashamed to be “caught” shopping at a retail-er found in most major cities with a major e-commerce presence online?Sure, maybe Urban Outfitters is somewhat “over the hill” in its apex ofcool, but just like sometimes a $4.99 extra value meal from McD’s gold-en arches hits the spot, so does a cool pair of sneakers that probably rangin at less than $10.

Of course, I love my unique “finds,” like a handmade necklace froma craft fair, a dress purchased in France, a designer bag snapped up at asample sale for a steal. But those are the exception, not the rule. I’m gladto have some items in my closet with a good story, but sometimes thestory is the deal, or the revelation that the sweater I’m wearing is fromnone other than Abercrombie & Fitch.

Now I’m curious, is this label shame something guys out there thinkabout a lot? Or is my friend a snobby paranoid party of one? And at theopposite end of the label-conscious spectrum, I wonder how many guysexperience label envy? I know far too many women who go to beddreaming of Chanel bags; but how many guys out there lie down atnight with visions of $1,000 double-monk-strap Ferragamos dancing intheir heads? Just tell me, do I need to rethink everything I’ve assumedabout the male psyche when it comes to style? Because I’m much moreconcerned with what your clothes look like on the outside, rather thanthe label tucked inside. And I think you should be, too. ■

Your Style Girlfriend, Megan K. Collins, writes about men’s style—among otherthings—at stylegirlfriend.com. (c)2011, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

MMeeggaann KK.. CCoolllliinnss

Why Label ShameShould be Banished

by Jen Lancaster

hy are you watching that garbageagain?”

My husband, Fletch, says this everytime I tune into anything with “Real” and“Housewives” in the title. As three iterations are cur-rently airing—Orange County, New York, and NewJersey—he asks this question a lot.

Each time, my answer’s the same: “It’s education-al.” Then he rolls his eyes and heads to his woodshopwhile I settle into the couch.

The thing is, I’m serious. If it weren’t for the ladiesof reality TV, I’d miss out on so many meaningful lifelessons.

For example, now I know that it’s important for uswomen to have jobs so we can be, like, independentand stuff outside of our ridiculously, ludicrously, dis-gustingly wealthy husbands. The Housewives teachus that the very best careers are, coincidentally, theones we used to dream about as kids: modeling,designing handbags and jewelry, creating super-clevernames for lip gloss colors, and cutting albums despitelacking any discernable ability to read music or carrya tune. Who wants to go to the effort of becoming asystems analyst when we can just slap a hangtag withour names on someone else’s dress design? Not me!

Through the Orange County Housewives, I’vebeen taking notes as the Housewives compete witheach other over size, engaging in a saline-based armsrace that will eventually escalate to the winner losingall her peripheral vision. Ditto on the adage when itcomes to hair extensions, since the gal with a ponytailclosest to the size of a pony’s tail wins.

Because of the Housewives, I know that when Ihave an issue with Fletch, I should avoid addressingproblems with him directly. Instead, it’s best to

dredge up all the intimate details and share them withthe rest of the cast so that they can resolve my dilem-ma in a series of snarky asides with the Bravo TV pro-ducers. Describing my impasse to members of thepress will do in a pinch, too.

Should no drama currently exist between me andmy significant other, I should definitely plan a bath-a-deux on camera and not bother adding a lot ofpesky bubbles to obscure anything.

The gals from New Jersey have shown us that it’snever not the right time to flip a table. And that everyItalian-American family celebrates Thanksgiving witha mechanical bull ride.

The Housewives have enlightened us on one of thegreatest lessons of them all—that taking care of our-selves is key. Apparently we can accomplish this byhiring domestic help to complete the mundanechores, like doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, groceryshopping, and raising our children.

I mean, if we can’t steal away for six hours worth ofPilates, followed by binge shopping, then is life evenworth living? I think not. Also? Never, ever worryabout price tags; if we spend all our ridiculously, ludi-crously, disgustingly wealthy husband’s earnings, he’lljust make more!

Clearly, these Housewives are doing their best toinstruct the rest of us on how we can be just likethem, and I, for one, appreciate the education.

Of course, half of the Orange County Housewivesare in the process of getting divorced, and the otherhalf are in foreclosure.

But I’m sure that’s just a coincidence. ■

Jen Lancaster is author of the books Such a Pretty Fat,Pretty in Plaid, Bitter is the New Black, and the recent-ly published My Fair Lazy. ©2011 Distributed byTribune Media Services Inc.

The Real Role Modelsof Orange County

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by Yamini Mudaliar

Pantone, the premier color authority, determined the 2011“Color of the Year,” from a palette selected by a group of pro-fessionals in fashion and design. It’s this authority that con-nects the color trends through global markets that widelyembrace the fashion industry, which then trickles to the inte-riors and furnishings markets.

Apart from Pantone, paint companies like BenjaminMoore, Sherwin-Williams and ICI Dulux decide paint-colortrends for each year. This year, Pantone decided on a hot pinkhue that gets its inspiration from the honeysuckle flower,known to attract hummingbirds more for its bright colorthan for its sweet smelling nectar.

The color came as a surprise for most people in the designindustry because it’s stereotyped as a color for little girls. Thecolor may be a challenging one; however, it’s also versatilebecause the hue has tones of red that make it a bold color.The pink tone embraces this boldness with grace.

The color is easier to use in fashion design, but it poses achallenge for interior designers. Pink dining room anybody?I would pair the color either dominantly or subtly withcreams, and undertones of gold; blue-greens with undertonesof orange; or neutrals, such as gray and brown.

What made Pantone decide on this color? LeatriceEaseman, the executive director of Pantone, said, “In times ofstress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is acaptivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenalinegoing—perfect to ward off the blues.”

In other words, it’s a distraction from the economy andgeneral state of the world.

Pantone guarantees that this bright and fresh color adds a

lively flair to interior spaces, with honeysuckle-patterned pil-lows, bedspreads, small appliances, and tabletop accessories.Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Painta wall honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the fam-ily room, kitchen or hallway.

What was the color last year? In 2010, it was turquoise, amuch-loved color that was used widely in the fashion and fur-nishings industries. Honeysuckle actually contrasts perfectly

with turquoise, yet blends to create harmony in design ordecor. The colors from the previous years don’t really disap-pear; they’re absorbed with the current color in patterns, fab-ric prints and the like. Mollie Chalk, a designer fromPineapple House, Atlanta, had a similar opinion on the rela-tionship of colors from the past.

“The 2010 color from Pantone was turquoise, and, soonenough, the 2011 Pantone color honeysuckle will reign.Although I acknowledge that the intense flowery pink willtrend in many areas of fashion and design, I think that thehoneysuckle color theme will be more successful in residen-tial interiors if used with restraint. I expect to find and utilizemore of the trending color in accents, such as pillow fabric,glassware, and decorative accessories. Although this flashypink color is this year’s trend, I think that you will find italongside turquoise and other sherbet-inspired colors”.

Sherwin-Williams, on the other hand, came up with fourinteresting trends that have color palettes reflecting brightbold to subtle shades of color. The Colormix 2011 expressesa palette that has the elegance of clean classic lines, whileembracing free spiritedness.

Benjamin Moore chose a deep luxurious yet comfortableshade called Vintage Wine 2116–20. I think this is a boldtwist to the neutral browns that we see so much these days.The color reflects warmth because of its earthy shade.

Designer Sonu, from the blog “Living in Color withSonu,” says, “Vintage Wine has a layer of a rich brown, whichis culturally a color of comfort and familiarity. Think ofthings that give us a sense of relaxation like nature [soil andwood], chocolate, and a warm cup of chai/coffee.” ■

©2011 McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

A Hot Pink How-To

by Kathryn Weber

ith the wedding of PrinceWilliam and Kate Middletonbehind us, there will

undoubtedly be a surge in little girls’dreams of castles, tiaras and golden car-riages. And while most families don’t livein palaces (and the likelihood of romanc-ing a genuine prince is low) it is possible toindulge the would-be princess in your lifewith a bedroom fit for royalty.

The Royal TreatmentStart with a royal color scheme. Instead

of the usual pastel pink, try somethingmore elegant, such as a rich taupe or abright, deep blue. Then use soft blue,pink, or lavender as an accent color. Toreally glam things up, try traditionalRococo colors of white and gray, lemonchiffon, or pale blue to achieve an ornate,graceful look. Even celadon green wouldbe a wonderfully rich departure from tra-ditional hues, adding depth and authentic-ity to the regal feel.

Gild the LilyOnce you’ve chosen a color palette, the

real fairytale work can begin. What royalbedroom would be complete without atouch of gold or silver gilding? Lots ofshiny elements and classic trim lend thatethereal quality of princess charm. Today,with many crowns and royal embellish-ments available in home-decor stores, thosefairytale elements are easy to find. Anotherkey princess touch: white furniture.

Crystallize the DreamCreating a bedroom fit for a princess

calls for a few archetypal elements like a“magic” mirror and lavishly festooned bed.Look for a mirror that’s ornate, then makeit do double-duty by combining it with adressing table.

Simple white dressing tables are avail-able inexpensively online from stores like

Ikea. Be sure to include a standing mirror,too, where your princess can try on gownsand tiaras. For the full-tilt royal treatment,add a flowing canopy over the bed, alongwith rich fabrics and accompanyingsheets. Or create your own four-poster bedby attaching a faux crown to the ceilingdirectly above the bed. Insert a ring in thecrown and add long, flowing strips of fab-

ric extending to the four corners of thebed. (For instructions, do an online searchfor “canopy bed projects.”)

Lamps or wall sconces with crystal pen-dants will add sparkle.

Go Over the TopAs a final touch, add a room divider in

one corner to create a dressing area. Play

up the theme by hanging some second-hand wedding or formal dresses on paddedsatin hangers. An ornate metal-and-glassshelf trimmed in gold and lined with vel-vet pillows is perfect for storing tiaras.These small but classic touches will makethe bedroom feel truly majestic. ■

©2011 McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

W

Create a Bedroom Fit for a Princess

Think royal color schemes and fairytale accents for your would-be princess.

7

by Kathryn Weber

Outdoor living spaces are popular places toenjoy in summer. We’re no longer content torelax outside with a folding chair and a smallcharcoal grill. Current trends in outdoor livingareas feature dining options, fireplaces, waterfeatures, lavish gardens, even higher-techaccents like televisions.

However you plan to use your outdoor space,to create a setting you can enjoy all year long, tryto incorporate a few (or more) of these four ele-ments:

The Wow FactorWhether this is a sparkling swimming pool

or a pergola, a successful outdoor space has akey feature that stands out. In designer-speak,this is called a focal point. If you can’t fit a poolor grand seating area into your budget, use anatural element, such as a beautiful tree, asyour focal point. Or create one with an inter-esting planting, arbor, patio, or seating area.

Areas of InterestOnce you have a focal point, it’s time to add

secondary areas of interest. These can include afirepit, water feature, a piece of garden sculp-ture or artwork, an interesting specimen plant,even a simple concrete bench. Try to link the

areas of interest together with paths or plant-ings. Visit local public gardens and check outhow the gardens flow from one point of inter-est to another.

Comfort and UtilityAn outdoor living space needs to be com-

fortable and usable, but you’ll also need toaccount for things like storage. You might needa place to stack wood for a fireplace, store seatcushions, or stow pool equipment. If heat is aproblem this summer, consider a misting unitto lower the temperature. If you plan to be out-doors when fall arrives, you might want to adda portable outdoor heater.

LightingThis is one of the most overlooked consider-

ations outdoors, but it can really enhance theenjoyment of your “outdoor livingroom.”Lighting sets a mood and creates a romanticand charming ambiance indoors and out.Include lighting for tasks, such as cooking. Forsafety, use walkway lights to illuminate pathsor steps. The dining area is also a natural spotfor creative lighting solutions. Instead of anoverhead light, for instance, try a hanging can-dle chandelier for a romantic glow. ■

©2011 McClatchey-Tribune Information Services

A Recipe for YourOutdoor Home Space

by Kathryn Weber

In the 1980s, painting transformedfrom simply coloring a wall intodesign techniques, such rag-rollingand sponging; these techniquesbecame wildly popular. In the 1990s,the trend moved toward faux paint-ing, as homeowners searched forunique methods to make their wallsand trim appear more custom andchic. Murals, faux marble, andVenetian plaster became trendy. Itwas no longer fashionable to just rolla coat of paint on the wall.

But is it time to ask if we’re overfaux? Well, yes and no.

FAUX PASThe trend in recent years has been to

make our environments more harmo-nious, elegant and nature-based. That’sled to high-contrast paint colors andpainting techniques falling by the way-side. The faux of today is lighter,brighter, and more integrated in bothtone and design. Gone are the darkwalls with light-colored marbling effects.

Today’s look is to create a simple,elegant faux design that mimics a nat-ural element, such as stone. Using alayered approach, with shades thatare closer in color to each other, cre-ates a more subtle and natural effect.

CLASSIC REIGNSLoud, bold faux painting has also

given way to classic paint and designtechniques like Venetian plaster. Withits cool, stone-like quality, plasteringgives a timeless, elegant look. Theproblem is, Venetian plaster is laborintensive, and it may be more thanthe average DIYer wants to tackle.Ken Wampler is the executive direc-tor of New York City-based AlphaWorkshops, which is a custom-designpainting firm. He says Venetian plas-

ter is best left to the professionals. “You can’t skimp on this technique,

or you just won’t get the right look,”he notes.

Fresco is an option that’s easy anddoesn’t “over-faux.” It has a timelessfeel, giving your walls depth anddimension. It’s also a terrific painttechnique if you have imperfectwalls. In fact, it’s one way to play upthose imperfections to look timelesslyimperfect. The fresco technique usesa basecoat, then a topcoat of glaze,with two tints that are close in colorapplied randomly with a roller. Theresult is a beautiful, classic finish thatlooks as authentic today as it did100 years ago.

FAUX FIXESWampler recommends homeown-

ers use sample boards before attempt-ing any new painting technique.

“It’s better to get it right on the sam-ple board first, before it’s wrong onthe wall,” Wampler says. He alsosuggests referring to a picture of theeffect you want while you’re working.

Faux-painted furniture is alsotrendy.

“Right now, we’re working ontables and cabinetry, and addingfaux ivory and malachite to thesepieces,” says Wampler. “We recentlyfaux-painted 40 light switches tomatch wood paneling.” Wamplersays. He continued, explaining thatadding a faux finish to furniture is agood way for homeowners tobecome acquainted with faux-paintfinishes. ■

For more information, contact KathrynWeber through her website, www.redlo-tusletter.com. ©2011 Distributed byTribune Media Services Inc.

TRENDS IN PAINTING:

Is Faux Over?

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8

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re we in South Carolina yet?” 6-year-oldMelanie asked.

We hadn’t even made it out of New Jerseyand already the back of the van was a crumb-and-paper-strewn mess.

Barely an hour from home, 11-year-old Reggie took offher earphones just long enough to ask, “When can westop?”

“We should have flown,” grumped 13-year-old Matt,who guarded his territory fiercely to avoid sharing his spacewith his sisters. (Yes, there were times they marked theirspace with masking tape.)

I don’t know how we did it—all those minivan trips thattook us camping in Maine, fishing in Minnesota, and ski-ing in Vermont. We piled the kids in the minivan to go toSouth Carolina’s beaches, family reunions in Colorado,Colonial Williamsburg and Gettysburg, where we tried, notalways successfully, to teach the kids a little history. Weweathered bad weather, speeding tickets, carsickness, andsibling squabbles along the way. (The van was so stinky atGettysburg that the volunteer guide literally wrinkled hisnose when he got in to show us the battlefields.)

All those trips took place long before backseat DVD play-ers and smartphone apps with games that make restaurantstops along the way more palatable. (We relied on audiobooks and a grab bag of inexpensive toys that got pulled outwhenever we crossed a state line. And when all else failed,we pulled out the Tootsie Roll pops.)

This summer, armed with iPads and DVD players, anddespite high gas prices, most of us will still hit the road,according to AAA. However, nearly four in 10 of us willadjust our travel plans as a result, suggests a new surveyfrom TripAdvisor.

In fact, AAA says 34.9 million Americans will travel 50miles or more from home this summer—the vast majorityby car, with the majority reporting they aren’t letting gasprices keep them home.

I wonder why more of us don’t take the train. Kids up to15 travel for half price on Amtrak, which has launched anew website, Kids Depot(www.amtrak.com/media/KidsDepot/KidsDepot.html)

offering fun facts and computer games. Hotels are hearingour pain; they’re responding with gas cards, city-passcoupon books, discounted admission to major attractions,and so on, according to Discover America.

Still, no matter how much gas costs (check AAA’swww.fuelcostcalculator.com to figure out how much it’sgoing to cost you to get where you’re going), it’s cheaper todrive than buying four or five plane tickets. And you won’tget dirty looks from strangers on a plane if you can’t quietyour toddler or if your kindergartner forgets to use her“inside” voice.

Wherever you go, make sure your safety seats are installedproperly. Most aren’t, according to the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration, although it’s easy to find aChild Safety Seat Inspection Station near your home. TheNHTSA has recently revised its guidelines: You should usethe rear-facing position until age two, or as long as kids fitwithin the height and weight limits of the car seat. Andremember, no matter how much they beg, kids youngerthan 13 should ride in the back seat.

The bad news: No matter how many movies, toys, andelectronic games you bring along, kids will think it takestoo long to get wherever you’re going. Chances are theywon’t appreciate the scenery, so at some point, they’re goingto wonder why you left home in the first place.

Keep in mind these five tips to help you hit the roadsmarter and saner this summer, without busting thebudget:• Count before you go. I’m not talking about kids, though

that’s probably wise whenever you stop. I’m talking aboutsuitcases. We got all the way to Cape Cod one year beforewe realized we’d left one daughter’s duffel by the frontdoor.

• Vacation closer to home. Not only will you save on gas,but also you won’t be stuck in the car as long with thekids. As a result of rising gas prices, according to a newTripAdvisor survey, 24 percent of U.S. travelers say that200 miles is the maximum distance they’re willing todrive for a leisure trip this summer.

• Skip restaurants. Choose picnics, takeout by the pool,and breakfasts at the rental condo. You will not only savemoney and eat healthier if you stay at a place with akitchen, but you can relax over your meal without keep-ing the kids corralled at the table.

• Let the kids help navigate. Before you leave home,encourage them to find places to stop along the waywhere they can burn off energy: Slide Rock State Park inArizona, for example, where they can slide down a slicknatural water chute; Muir Woods, just north of SanFrancisco, with its giant Sequoias; or places they can shoptill they drop, like outlet stores. Websites like www.dri-vei95.com can offer offbeat stops from Florida to NewEngland. Www.planyourroadtrip.com can assist you withyour All-American road trip.

• Stay put once you arrive. Whether you’re heading to anational park or a big city, stay in one place. Explore onenational park rather than three, and use public trans-portation to get around the way locals do.

Now where are those cherry Tootsie Pops? ■

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

“A

Taking the Kidson Road Trips

Despite Sky-High Gas Prices

by Eileen Ogintz

“This summer, armedwith iPads and DVD play-ers, and despite high gasprices, most of us will stillhit the road…”

One of the best ways I know to start a party, whetherI’m entertaining in one of my restaurants or having acasual gathering at home, is to offer my guests quick lit-tle bites of food that they can pop in their mouths—some-thing bright and beautiful that explodes with deliciousflavor.

When you’re entertaining in summer, somethingcool and refreshing is the way to go. You want somethingyou can prepare in advance and keep in the refrigerator,ready to serve with drinks, wine, or cocktails. It alsohelps if the dish works equally well as a sit-down firstcourse or as a tray-passed hors d’oeuvre. (The Frenchterm hors d’oeuvre, by the way, literally means “outsidethe work,” something that comes before a meal’s progres-sion of courses.)

Stuffed vegetables play the part perfectly when theweather is warm. You have a wide variety of choices forthe vegetable base, from endive leaves to mushroomcaps, sections of cucumber to curved wedges of crispybell pepper. The fillings can be equally diverse, includingcreamy cheeses mixed with fresh herbs, chopped veg-etable salads, Middle Eastern hummus, or any of theother kinds of thick, flavorful mixtures you might alsoserve as dips.

One of my favorite stuffed-vegetable appetizerrecipes begins with bite-sized roasted peppers, such asthe mildly spicy and sweet Spanish variety, known aspiquillos. If you can’t find them fresh in the market toroast for yourself at home, look for jars of already roast-ed and peeled whole piquillos in well-stocked markets.You could also use whatever other mild to moderately hotpeppers are available in your market, choosing those thatare one or two big mouthfuls in size. And if you can han-dle a little extra spiciness, try using big, plump redjalapeno chilies.

Most supermarket seafood departments sell goodcooked lump crabmeat, ready for you to use in the filling.Just be sure to take the little extra effort to sort throughthe crabmeat, using clean fingertips to pick out any bitsof shell or cartilage. If you prefer, you could also substi-tute chopped cooked shrimp or even lobster meat. A littleextra chopped chili pepper, chopped fresh herbs, and asplash of fresh orange juice brighten the seafood’s flavor,and good-quality, prepared mayonnaise binds the mixturetogether. Just before serving, add a drizzle of extra-virginolive oil and more herbs for final aromatic bursts.

by Mary Beth Faller

As an eco-friendly floor option, the first bamboo floors inthe mid-1990s came up short.

In China, where many of the grass stalks were harvested,natural habitats were destroyed, and the bamboo was harvest-ed before maturity. This produced a weaker product thatbuckled and cracked.

“Bamboo got sort of a bad rap because it was a difficult prod-uct to work [with],” said John Toliver, president of Toliver’sCarpet One Floor and Home stores in the Phoenix area.

Today, several brands of bamboo, including Teragren andEcoTimber, are much more environmentally friendly forthese reasons:• The companies ensure the bamboo is harvested at maturi-

ty, after five to six years, when fibers are denser. This makesthe resilient planks easier to install.

• Much of the bamboo used in flooring now is harvestedfrom plantations, not natural habitats. (The companiespoint out that the bamboo used in flooring is not the samespecies that pandas eat.)

• When bamboo is harvested, the source plant is notdestroyed. As quickly as bamboo grows, the harvest cycleis about 10 years.

• Teragren said bamboo stands release more oxygen into theatmosphere than a comparable group of hardwood trees. In

addition, bamboo plants “hold” more carbon than trees, off-setting the carbon expelled during shipping from China.

Still, the Forestry Stewardship Council notes that becausebamboo used in flooring is grown in China, it’s not alwayspossible for the companies to monitor working conditions,and the product must still be shipped from Asia.

Bamboo flooring is classified as hardwood flooring, andstatistics on its popularity aren’t available. But Wanda Toliver,an interior designer at the Toliver’s in Tempe, Ariz., said itaccounts for about 10 percent of the hardwood sales there.Her store sells the Teragren brand.

“Lots of people come in and ask for it, and I think part ofit is the green movement,” she said. “They understand thatit’s durable.”

Bamboo is naturally light tan. The planks can be car-bonized, meaning they are super-heated, which caramelizesthe sugar in the fibers, producing an amber shade. It can bestained any color.

The planks come in several types:• Horizontal bamboo planks are cut so that the “knuckles”

from the bamboo stalk joints are visible in the grain.

• Vertical bamboo planks have a cleaner, more linear grain,without the knuckles.

• Engineered bamboo planks are made with 1/8-in.-thick bam-boo over a backing, which is sometimes made from postin-dustrial content. They come in vertical or horizontal grain.

• Woven bamboo, in which the bamboo strands are shred-ded and pressed together under extreme pressure with aresin, creates a harder product with more of a whorledwood-grain look. This makes it good for high-traffic areas.“It’s stronger than red oak,” she said. Her store sells theEcoTimber brand.Wanda Toliver said that bamboo is “open-celled” and

absorbs more moisture than regular hardwood.“If it’s going to be constantly wet, with standing water or

steam, like in a bathroom, it’s not the best choice,” she said.“But for normal drips and things that happen in the kitchen,it’s fine.”

Quality bamboo flooring costs about the same as wood,about $10 to $12 a square foot installed, Toliver said. ■

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

9

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A REFRESHING SUMMERTIME APPETIZER

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Eco-Friendly Bamboo Flooring

Crab Stuffed SweetSpanish Peppers

Serves 6

• 7 small red piquillo peppers• 7 small yellow piquillo peppers

(or 7 more red piquillo peppers)• 1⁄2-pound cooked crabmeat• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh chives, plus

extra for garnishing• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh chervil, plus

extra for garnishing• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon, plus

extra for garnishing• 1⁄4 -cup mayonnaise• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice• 1 teaspoon sugar• Salt• Freshly ground white pepper• Extra-virgin olive oil• Aged balsamic vinegar• Preheat the broiler.

Arrange 6 red and 6 yellow piquillo peppers (or 12red ones) on a foil-lined broiler tray. Slide the peppersunder the broiler and cook until their skins are evenlybrowned and blistered, and the peppers have turned ten-der, watching carefully and turning them frequently usingtongs.

Remove the tray from the broiler. Protecting yourhands with oven mitts or pads, carefully fold up andcrimp the edges of the foil to enclose the peppers. Leavethem to steam inside the foil until they’re cool enough tohandle (at least 30 minutes).

Open the foil carefully to let any steam escape with-out burning you. Working on a cutting board, use a knifeto cut off the stem end of each pepper at the pepper’swidest point. Peel off and discard the blistered skin. Witha teaspoon, scoop out and discard the seeds and veins

from inside each pepper. Set the peppers aside.With your fingertips, make sure to sort through the

crabmeat to remove any fragments of shell or cartilage.Put the crabmeat in a mixing bowl. Halve, stem, seed, anddevein the remaining 2 peppers, and cut them into smalldice. Add them to the crabmeat, along with the chives,chervil, tarragon, mayonnaise, orange juice, and sugar.With a fork, mix gently but thoroughly. Taste and correctthe seasonings with salt and pepper.

Using a teaspoon, stuff the roasted peppers with thecrabmeat mixture. If not serving immediately, cover withplastic wrap and refrigerate.

To serve, arrange the peppers on a platter or individ-ual plates. Drizzle with a little olive oil and balsamic vine-gar, and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

(c)2011 Distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc.

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P U Z Z L EtÇáãxÜácreated by Crosswords Ltd.

1 1

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59 Encountered

© 2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

RECENT SALES STATISTICSSCHOOL DISTRICT AVERAGE SALE PRICE CHANGE UNITS SOLD CHANGE

2010 2011 2010 YTD 2011

Anthony Wayne $234,304 $237,858 +1.51% ▲ 272 131 -4.00% ▼

Maumee $116,001 $107,597 -7.35% ▼ 173 66 -24.00% ▼

Ottawa Hills $264,433 $323,157 +22.00% ▲ 75 27 -28.00% ▼

Perrysburg $203,955 $204,855 +0.44% ▲ 324 168 +4.00% ▲

Springfield $182,780 $151,618 -17.15% ▼ 245 106 -13.00% ▼

Sylvania $176,491 $185,151 +4.9% ▲ 522 216 -17.00% ▼

Toledo $48,482 $46,309 -4.59% ▼ 2,185 918 -16.00% ▼

NW Ohio $104,971 $100,421 -4.44% ▼ 6,375 2,968 -7.00%All Combined

▼

Working with Victoria Luhring is aPOSITIVE EXPERIENCE You’ll Remember.

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE CALL VICTORIA 419-460-5587We don’t list homes, we SELL Homes.Visit www.LuxuryHomesInToledo.com

MY FEATURED LISTINGS

29774 Foxhill

29829 E River Road

26831 Riverford

One owner home w/gourmet kitchen, hardwoodfloors, high ceilings, and private rear yard.

$284,998

2812 River Road

River Front with over $600,000 in updates.A Must SEE!

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The Ridge at Wrenwood

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OUR RECENT MONCLOVA TWP. SALES

5541 Richfield Center

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17804 River Road

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Stillwater

$300,000

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$385,000

Salisbury Landings

$260,000

11869 Eckel Junction Rd.

Soaring ceilings, Gas fireplace, Skylight in familyRoom. remodeled eat-in kitchen, new roof in ‘09,

Updated bathrooms and newer flooring.

$164,500

3075 Villa Drive

Spacious living room. Formal dining room,Eat-in kitchen. Family room w/ brick WB FP.

Master suite w/full bath.

$167,500

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7748 Sioux Ridge

$249,900

4158 Back Ridge Way

$519,900

17738 River Road

$480,000

4328 Pine Ridge

$459,900

8132 N. Bridgeway

$369,900

SOLD

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The Homestead

$425,000

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The Hamlet’s. Move-in condition, 1st floor master.

$322,000

Magnificent grounds and panoramic river views fromalmost every room. Over $750,000 in updates.

$1,375,000

100 South Huron

5843 Sweetgum

5 Bedroom home. Large open floor plan. 5th bed onmain floor w/full bath. 3 car garage, 3 full baths.

$324,900

3959 Magnolia

Wrenwood Subdivision, large lot. Move-incondition, neutral décor, finished basement.

$345,000

Completely renovated downtown historic district.Located in gated community, with private garage.

$84,900

SALE PENDING

3449 Deer Creek

Unbelievable home. Finshed lower level w/walk-out basement, 2-Story gr. room and designer kit.

$469,900

NEW LIS

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The Ridge at Wrenwood. 1 Acre private ravine lot.Over 4,000 sq.ft. w/First floor master, stunningkitchen and elaborate woodwork throughout.

$599,900

NEW LIS

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SALE PENDING

3006 Lexington Glen

Large Private Lot. Very open floor plan, 2-storygreat room, first floor master, and 3-car garage.

$319,900

SALE PENDING

SALE PENDING

7060 Deer Hollow

Spectacular lake front property,2- story entry, privateden, gourmet kitchen w/ granite countertops &

octagonal Eat-in area w/Tray ceilings.

$539,90019496 W River Rd

Over 600ft. of river frontage, easy access on level,flat stone banks. Masterbath has whirlpool tub, sep.shower, & large vanity. 3-car Garage w/workshop.

$450,000

7950 Dana Rae

Open Floor Plan. Gourmet Eat-in Kitchen w/CenterIsland. 1st flr. Master. Rec room, bar, & home theater

in bsmt. Large backyard w/patio. 2.5-car garage.

$274,900

THE HAMPTONS

Anthony Wayne’s Newest Subdivision. Located off Stitt Rd. just West of Waterville Monclova Rd.Enjoy 1-acre private estate lots offering you the ability to build the home of your dreams.

All lots offer city water, sewers, gas & electric utilities.

$99,000 to $124,900

Wrenwood

$253,800

SOLD