When you are looking for a new Louisville home, you may want less space, either because of the needs of your family or your commitment to living a smaller-scaled, more sustainable life. If you want to keep the price near the average price for the area ($178,249), you may come to the same conclusion reached in a recent MSN real estate article: homes built in the 1970s have good bones, some desirable design features, and just the right amount of space. You might not seek out a home from this decade, but many had features that work well today that you might keep in mind when house -hunting..

You may see “newer” homes as “better,” but the crops of homes produce 40 years ago might be worth a look. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development say the median U.S. home was built in 1974. What’s to like about home from this era?

Smaller size: The average home size is currently 2,480 square feet in contrast to 1,660 square feet back in 1973. More space means more to clean, more to heat, and more to clutter. More homeowners are realizing this; 2011 survey from the National Association of Home Builders suggested that smaller homes are coming into vogue again.

Fewer stairs: Staircases add character to home, plus allow builders to create more less on less land. As Baby Boomers seek retirement homes, one-floor homes are easier to maneuver.

Some green features: The energy crisis of the early 1970′s jumpstarted the interest in green features in homes. Technology has improved since this time, but you might find some solar and wind energy equipment still in place.

Simpler roofs: The multiple peaks and gables of modern roofs may be attractive, but the lower, simpler roofs of years past are easier to repair.

Green walls: Letting ivy cover your siding was thought to take on toll on brickwork, but recent studies have shown that walls benefit from being covered by plants. Why? The plants absorb the temperatures, pollution, and moisture. The plant-covered wall popular in earlier days are akin to the green roofs fashionable in NuLu buildings.

Awnings: Although homeowners opt for pricey SunSetter awnings to shade porches and decks, window awnings are less popular than they were in the 70s when whole-house air conditioning was less popular. Awnings are still a great way to keep your energy bills down by keeping your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Great materials: Older homes may have used more natural materials. Cork, now a trendy sustainable flooring material, was used in the 1970′s. Wood was often from old-growth forests, now considered bad environmental practice, which produced durable boards that could be cut more accurately than wood from newer trees. Now, reclaimed wood as well as engineered lumber, attempts to offer similar benefits – but if you can get old wood, why not?  Consciousness of the dangers of lead paint came to the fore in the late 1970′s, so homes from this era or later may be free of these substances under later coats of paint.

Looking for a right-sized home that has desirable features you’ll love? Call me, Mollie Younger, of the Younger Group Real Estate. I can point you to homes in neighborhoods that have properties you’ll love that include some of the features mentioned here.

AUGUST EVENT

Thru 8/12/12      Ballparks: From Classic Cathedrals to Concrete Donuts Exhibition at Louisville Slugger Museum

8/2-8/5/12          2012 National Street Rods Plus

8/4/2012             The Falls of the Ohio Family Fun Fair!

8/4/2012             Street Rod Biergarten

8/6/2012             NightClub Salsa!

8/10/2012           GLORIANA Hot Country Nights FREE Concert

8/11/2012           SEIRD announces quarterly household hazardous waste disposal day

8/11/2012           First Annual Shawnee-Jewell Park Day

8/11/2012           August 11- Annual St. Joseph Orphan’s Picnic

Every Thurs from 8/16     Jazzyblu’s Social Summer Series

8/16-8/26/12     Kentucky State Fair 2012

8/16-18/12         Coffee Cup Theatre stages All in the Timing

8/16-19/12         Louisville LGBT Film Festival at the University of Louisville

8/18/2012           Southern Parkway Moonlight Mile & 8K Run

8/19-20/12         Salute to the Legends Golf Classic

8/25/2012           9th Annual Brew at the Zoo & Wine Too

8/25/2012           Biergarten

8/25/2012           Walk Away from Colon Cancer & 5K Run

8/25/2012           Louisville Ford Ironman

8/31-9/3/12       Kentucky Flea Market

8/31/2012           Crescent Hill Outdoor Cinema

8/31-9/2/12       10th Annual WorldFest

9/1/2012             29th Annual Pioneer 5K

9/1-9/3/12          Kentucky Bluegrass Music & Burgoo Festival

9/3/2012             Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle

9/7-9/8/12          Middletown’s Family Fun Festival and Craft Show

9/7-9/8/12          Fairdale Community Fair

9/8/2012             Schnitzelburg 12th Annual Neighborhood Yard Sale

9/8/2012             Celts on the River 2012

When it is pushing 100 degrees in Louisville, you may want to sit inside in your air conditioning and stay hydrated. When it cools off a bit, there are festivals to attend, fish to catch, and Margaritas to sip but as a homeowner, you realize that summer is an ideal time to catch up on a few maintenance items that are easy to attend to in the summer. If you decide to jump into what is turning into a Louisville seller’s market, your house will have improved curb appeal too. You might call this mini-list “summer home conditioning.”

Do a Huck Finn and attend to your fence. Are there places where the fence is rotted or rusted? Are the posts solid? Are there spaces underneath where dogs or other animals have dug ? Fix all these things, clean the boards, and then paint the fence to prevent further damage. If you have kids, you could introduce them to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, followed by an introduction to fence painting. Then, take them fishing!

O dear, what about  the deer? Even if you love wildlife, you may not want to see visiting families of deer devastate your landscaping – a growing problem as these hungry animals see your plants as a buffet. Harming them is out of the question, but there are other actions you can take. Try fencing or bird netting around your plants. If you have to replace plants, check with your nursery on ones that deer are not supposed to like. Plant just a few to see if the deer stay away before spending a fortune. You can also try commercial deer sprays or make some up yourself. Your online search may reveal that others have had good luck with concoctions made of hot sauce (or cayenne pepper), raw garlic, eggs, yogurt or buttermilk, and dish soap.

Wash past seasons away. After a mild winter and an early spring, you might have done quick cleaning of your deck. Now, mid-summer, you might want to give everything a more thorough cleaning. If you rent a power washer, you can go to town on driveways, sidewalks, and garage floors.  CAREFULLY wash the deck (and maybe even your house) to prevent your next activity being repainting or restaining. Once everything is clean, you can more carefully assess if you do need to do some painting before winter. When the concrete is wet, make sure to check that water is not seeping into your basement through cracks.

Patch it up. When everything is clean and dry, properly fill driveway cracks and around the foundation. Assess if your driveway needs sealcoating.  Patch sidewalks and foundation cracks.  Tuck point those brick steps (or hire a masonry pro.) This little details show your pride of ownership to neighbors an potential buyers.

Keep outside in and outside out. Summer is a good time to conduct a do-it-yourself energy audit or call in a pro to see where air is escaping. (You can download a home-energy audit form for starters.) Even without a major insulating job, you can prevent air loss from around switch plates and phone jacks by swapping them out for insulated covers. Caulk or weather stripping does wonders to lessen air loss around mail slots, windows, air conditioners, and vents inside, as well as for gaps outdoors.

As you enjoy your summer, take time for a little “home conditioning” to keep it looking fresh. If you want to take advantage of our lively real estate market and buy or sell your home, give me a call. I’m Mollie Younger. We Know Louisville.

If you are planning to attend the Forecastle Festival by the River this weekend, you might be surprised at its early history. Now one of the top 15 festivals in the country, the festival that attracts thousands of visitors from 25 states and 271 countries started out as a free summer outdoor festival in Tyler Park in 2002. Costing only $500 to produce, the event honored the local music community and drew a few hundred fans. This solid start foreshadowed the great event that will take place from July 13-15^th at Waterfront Park.

The festival name “forecastle” refers to the upper deck of a sailing ship, specifically, the area “before the mast” where ordinary sailors live. When you look at the Forecastle website, you will note that it is nautically themed and promises great adventure.

This year’s festival marks the 10th anniversary of Forecastle and promises a fun-filled three days of live music on multiple stages  (on the Waterfront, theBelle of Louisville and at Club116), groundbreaking art, fun at Waterfront Park, afterparties, and much more. As you plan your weekend, here are some handy references:

Check out the Forecastle website for the best overview.

Follow Forecastle on Facebook for the latest news and updates on performers and events.

Take a look at the “ultimate checklist” to plan your schedule and know the rules.

For an introduction to Forecastle, especially for out-of-towners, read a Beginner’s Guide.

You can read the interesting history of the festival below, based on an account from the Forecastle Festival website. Want to know more about Louisville? I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started today!

Forecastle Milestones

In each subsequent year, the festival grew and became more popular.

2003 – After the first festival, organizer Bob McKnight was so thrilled at how the festival turned out that the next year, he collaborated with Sculptor Mike Ratterman to recruit 30 artists to join the effort. A dozen environmentalist and social –conscious groups joined in, as they saw the festival as a great forum for educate those in attendance. Forecastle took shape at the Music, Art, and Activism® festival it is today. Attendance tripled!

2004 – JK Knight regionalized the festival by bringing artists, musicians, and journalists from the region and beyond. He brought together 18 bands, 30 artists, and 25 non-profits who drew an even bigger audience. Realizing he was on to something, he applied for Federal Trademark to protect his concept of Music, Art, and Activism®

2005 – The festival moved to Cherokee Park, the first festival held there in over 10 years. The park was divided into three sections, with a national act invited to perform on one of the stages. McKnight raised over $60,000 to underwrite the festival, which attracted the largest group of musicians, artist, and activists in the state. The activism was limited to environmental ism and outdoor lifestyle activities. As the cost to produce the festival increased by 10x, corporate sponsors such as Red Bull North America and Patagonia joined forces with local businesses to cover them. The festival attracted over 5,000, more than even better financed events in the area and became a model for festival planning.

2006 – Forecastle moved to the Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center, expanded to a two day format and attracted top acts including the female trio Sleater Kinney. When the group announced they were disbanding, ticket sales for festival soared nationwide and articles about the festival appeared in Billboard,  The New York Times, MTV, VH1, CNN, and more. Forecastle was named as “One of the Top 101 things to do in America” by Spin Magazine.”

2007 – Buoyed by success, Forecastle acquired national sponsors and  again moved to a bigger venue at The Riverfront Belvedere. Artists, musicians, and environmentalist  from 10 regional  cites were invited to contribute equally. The result was shows on the East and West stage, a regional art exhibition, and 50 environmental organizations, plus speakers, educational panels, an extreme sports park, eco-business expo, and “active lifestyle” event along the river. Forecastle gained national prominence.

2008 – Forecastle expanded to three days, and added a campground, plus a symposium at the Galt Hotel to promote opportunities for performers, artist, and organization leaders to interact, network, meet promoters and leaders, and share skills and concerns.

2009 – Forecastle partnered with master promoters Nederlander Entertainment  to combine their respective festival and concert expertise. The successful enterprise pulled in 44,000 attendees from 44 states and six countries. Forecastle was named among the “Top 15 Outdoor Festivals in the Country ” by Outside Magazine, the “Top 10 Events in the State” by the Kentucky Tourism Council, and “The Best Music Festival in Louisville” by the readership of LEO Weekly.

2010 – The festival moved to Waterfront Park, where it attracted 100 bands and 30,000 attendees. Forecastle also pledged its support to the 1% for the Planet, a group committed to creating a healthy planet.

2011 - Forecastle partnered with AC Entertainment, promoters of over 750 concerts each. The first joint effort was set for this year, but in 2011, the partners hosted “Half Way to Forecastle” to give Louisville a taste of the future.

2012 – The best is yet to come as the mix of festival and concert promoters are brings in bands such as My Morning Talk, Girl Talk, Bassnector, and more, artists from the American Poster Institute, and booths and activities presented by environmental non-profit or outdoor recreational groups, plus many attractions such as Kentucky Bourbon Lodge and Louisville Village carnival.

Come to Forecastle and help Louisville once again make history by making the festival the biggest and best ever.

With July 4^th approaching, you may be planning an all-American feast of hotdogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, and apple pie, washed down with some local beers. Just in case you’re wondering, what are the real “all-American” foods of Louisville?

Louisville is a town for foodies, where you can experience delicious well-prepared food in home kitchens and in the many fine restaurants all around town. Our cuisine has Southern roots, so fried chicken, fried catfish and hush puppies, and country fried steak are popular main dishes, with sides of green beans, greens. Pinto beans, fried green tomatoes, cheese grits, or fried okra. We love barbeque, especially with our favorite local sauce, with a vinegar based tang.

Over the years, we have become known for a few Louisville classics that might not be on your menu July 4^th but will surely hit your table throughout the year:

Hot Brown – Created at the Brown hotel in 1926, the Hot Brown is an open-faced chicken and bacon sandwich, covered in Mornay cheese sauce. You still order it at the Brown, but the original and variations are available everywhere. It’s also easy to make at home.

Derby Pie© – Similar to pecan pie, Derby Pie as pioneered by the Kern family contains chocolate chips. Orginally made the Melrose in Prospect, KY, the name is trademarked and secret, but there are many variations of dessert which include caramel, butterscotch, and other kinds of nuts. If you eat anything not made by Kern’s Kitchen, you can’t call it Derby Pie© or risk a lawsuit

Benedictine spread – Restaurateur and cater Jennie Benedict created this cucumber and cream cheese spread early in the last century. Flavored with a hint of onion and tined green with food coloring, the spread is a staple at cocktail parties and is used as a filling for hollowed out baked potatoes or when enhanced with sour cream, as a dipping sauce for raw vegetable

Mint Julep – The official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1938, the combination of Kentucky bourbon, mint leaves, and crushed ice is popular year round, as long as you can get the mint.

Henry Bain Sauce – Invented in 1881 by caterer Henry Bain of the exclusive Pendennis Club, Henry Bain sauce is great accompaniment for roast beef tenderloin. It is a flavorful combination of steak sauce, chili sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and chutney that is rubbed on nearly -done mean, which is roasted for another 20 minutes.

Burgoo  - A thick stew traditionally made with game meat, burgoo is still served at Keeneland Racetrack, around Derby time, and at political rallies. Modern recipes often include several meats, vegetable, and a shot of Bourbon.

Sausages – Given the large population of German-American citizens in Louisville, it is into surprising that sausage is popular in the city. With the Swift plant still operating and many local sausage makers at work, there is always fresh sausage in our city!

Bourbon balls – When Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffon said chocolate tasted better with bourbon, Ruth Hanly Booe whipped up bourbon balls at the Rebecca Ruth Candy Company. Made with dark chocolate, Kentucky bourbon, and sugar, the original has a creamy center. There are many popular variations of the treat, but the original is commemorated with a historical marker in front of the store at 112 East Second Street.

Modjeska’s – Named for Polish actress Helen Modjeska, this caramel and marshmallow delicacy was created by local candy maker Anton Busath. Currently made by Louisville locals such as Muth’s Candy and Bauer’s, the candy is often made at home.

Try some local Louisville all-American food this holiday! Happy Fourth of July, Louisville! I’m Mollie Younger from the Younger Group where We Know Louisville. Give me a call and get started today!