Overland Park Kansas

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Overland Park Home Show

Bigger classes at public schools. A tax on nursing homes. A highway plan without any money behind it. A public pension system at the breaking point.

Another year of difficult budget decisions began Monday when some Kansas lawmakers returned to the statehouse to begin work on next year’s budget.

The recession and its effect on state revenues prompted many to predict additional budget cuts are almost certain, even as demand for critical state services goes up.

First-quarter revenue for the state came in 5 percent below pessimistic projections. Lawmakers said they may have to slash $100 million from the current year’s budget before they even begin working on next year’s deficit — projected to be around $400 million.

“If our revenue continues to drop the way it has been dropping, we’re in for drastic changes to the way government is funded,” said Rep. Kevin Yoder, an Overland Park Republican who leads the House budget committee.

Last spring, lawmakers cut hundreds of millions of dollars in state spending. In response, public schools sliced $167 million and eliminated 3,700 jobs; public universities raised tuition; and correctional facilities were consolidated.

Lawmakers who work on the budget forecast that next year’s reductions could be just as dramatic. There’s no second round of federal stimulus money to help. Many lawmakers said they won’t consider general tax increases, which would affect taxpayers at the wrong time.

Legislators on the House Appropriations Committee who reviewed the situation discussed solutions. But here’s what they’re up against:

•Enrollment at universities and technical and community colleges is up as more unemployed workers go back to school. Last session, lawmakers cut funding to those institutions by $100 million. The schools are asking for $16 million next year to cover higher energy and health insurance bills.

•Demand for Medicaid and other social services is up, too, but there’s less money available to cover benefits.

•The state is due for a new long-term highway plan, but money is not set aside for it. Just keeping up with road maintenance costs $375 million a year.

•Additional cuts to public schools — the state’s single biggest expense — would mean more teacher layoffs, bigger classes and the risk of lower student proficiency.

About the Author:

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Colorado Health Insurance
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Source – Kansas lawmakers begin to confront decline in state revenues

Johnson County Home & Garden Show Kicks Off

Overland Park Awards

The Chrysler Group recently announced its plans to preserve one of the three most distinguished smokestacks on the former Jeep Parkway facility in Toledo. The smokestacks have been a well known part of the horizon of Toledo since 1915.

The oldest manufacturing facility in North America, Toledo’s Parkway Plant has built about 11 million vehicles in its 96-year history. In 2006, the operations at the site came to a halt after manufacturing Jeep brand products for 64 years. The Jeep brand included military vehicles for World War II. And just last year, the production of the Jeep Wrangler and the new, four-door Unlimited version of the Wrangler was transferred to the new, $2.1 billion state-of-the-art Toledo Supplier Park.

Deb Morrisssett, the Vice President for Regulatory Affairs for the Chrysler Group, commented that the site holds a rich history and is close to their heart though the Parkway facility does not anymore offer their manufacturing needs. He added that the group was invested in Toledo’s past and the city’s future so they were hoping that the preserved smokestack serves as a reminder to the constituents of Toledo of the significant role they portrayed in history.

The site became the headquarters and main manufacturing facility for the Willys-Overland Motor Company in 1909. Parkway started producing Jeep military vehicles in the early 1940s before shifting over to the Civilian Jeep (CJ) in 1945. The Kaiser Motors in 1953 acquired Willys-Overland. A decade later, Kaiser-Jeep Corporation took ownership and then sold it in 1970 to American Motors Corporation, the maker of quality American-motors oxygen sensor.

Aside from the preservation of the smokestacks, the Chrysler Group also announced its plans for bricks from the two crossed up smokestacks.

Frank Fountain, the Senior Vice President for External Affairs and Public Policy for the Chrysler Group, said that they were inviting Toledo constituents to own a piece of the Jeep history by buying the bricks from those smokestacks. He added that the proceeds of the sales will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo and the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund will match the proceeds that would double the benefit to this worthy cause; thereby remaining the two stacks part of the Toledo Community. The bricks can be bought at $39.99.

In the state of Ohio, the Chrysler Group has 7,941 employees and earning $465 million in annual wages and providing more than $26 million in taxable income to the state. Nonetheless, the group’s dedication to the city of Toledo and state of Ohio is not just for business sake. Chrysler also sponsors a wide array of community programs in Toledo that include the Art Tatum Jazz Heritage Festival, the Toledo Urban League, City’s Youth Entrepreneur Program, Toledo Opera, the Toledo Museum of Art, Valentine Theatre and the Diamante Awards.

About the Author:

Zeke Gervis has a degree in Human Resource Management. He is an F1 fanatic and is a collector of racing memorabilias. At present, he enjoys working at a consulting firm in Iowa.

Source – Chrysler Commemorates Jeep Brand’s History in Toledo Community

Overland Park Teacher Wins Milken Educator Award

Overland Park Newspaper

Everybody understands that every city’s housing market is unique. In the Kansas City area, there are hundreds of people trying to sell property in a market that is currently flooded with new residential construction. You can’t expect to simply put a sign in the yard that says “For Sale” and wait for the phone to ring anymore, especially if you need to sell quickly. With all the choices buyers have, you have to do all you can to make your house look like the best deal. Here are three often overlooked things to consider when you need to sell quickly:

1. Curb Appeal
Curb Appeal, or how your house looks from the road, is very important. If you aren’t careful, buyers can make up their mind, subconsciously, NOT to buy even before walking through the front door. This sounds so obvious, but you would be surprised at how many times I’ve driven up to a house in a nice Olathe or Gardner subdivision and thought how they could have at least gotten rid of that huge dead limb laying in the front yard. This is even more important in the nicer areas of town like Olathe where neglect of curb appeal will stand out even more. But this doesn’t mean that you have to spend thousands of dollars on professional landscaping. Simple things like keeping your grass mowed, picking up the dead tree limbs, touching up the paint on that railing and fixing that twisted downspout can make a huge difference. If buyers are turned off when they pull into the drive, it could well be that nothing in the inside will win them over.

2. Know Your School Districts
If you are considering selling your house yourself, without a Realtor, make sure your potential buyers know what schools are around your neighborhood. Many potential homebuyers are looking to live in specific school districts (Fort Osage or Grain Valley for example) and may not know if your house is included in the district they prefer.

3. Possibility of Creative Financing
In today’s credit crunch, many people with great credit ratings find that they are unable to get a good home loan through a bank. You might consider offering your potential buyers some form of down payment assistance or owner financing. In this way, you are increasing the number of people who actually CAN potentially buy your home. Legal papers for these types of transactions can be set up by real estate attorneys in your area for a fee. This strategy is especially effective in areas like Overland Park and Olathe where there are large numbers of new home construction that are being offered using only conventional financing.

There are many other additional tips and techniques available that can help you sell quickly. Taking advantage of them will help put you above the other sellers in Kansas City who do little more than list their house for sale in the newspaper.

Michael Friedl

About the Author:

Michael Friedl was a graduate of the University of Iowa and has worked in the Kansas City area for the past 8 years, 6 with Liberty Homebuyers. He specializes in residential property in the KCMO, Blue Springs, Liberty and Grain Valley areas.
He can be reached at www.kchomesolutions.biz

Source – 3 Things to Remember When Trying to Sell Your House in Kansas City, or Anywhere Else

Dr. Jeremy Fry on KC Live 11/08/07

Overland Park Entertainment

Have you ever thought what a luxury safari in Kenya really involves? Have you ever thought what you could experience by taking luxury Tanzania safaris? Here is a hint: the answer to these sentences is the “luxury” part. Most tourists don’t consider luxury when they take a safari, partly because this is Africa with bad roads and if so they consider it too expensive to even seriously consider. A safari to Africa is truly a once in a life time experience, It is one of those vacation holidays which many only imagine because we think it is out of our budget. Luxury safaris in Africa are becoming a reality for a lot of tourists and it is entirely possible to enjoy a luxury one.

The design of a luxury holiday is custom made and well executed. On a luxury safari, however, that is just part of the appeal; visualize all of the things you will be able to see on safari, the chance to see exquisite, intriguing wildlife in their natural habitats does not come around every day. When you consider how breathtakingly beautiful those habitats are, you will see even more appeal. There are many tour operators and safari companies that focus on quality luxury safaris. They offer exclusive travel to tourists who prefer a little luxury and thanks to local experts and guides, you will get a truly unique experience.

Africa tour operators have the expertise to create a remarkable luxury safari for you and your family with amazing memories, the higher your expectations, the more they endeavor to meet them and then to exceed them. That is why there are always local guides ready to help you to enjoy the landscape and the experiences as a native.

You will be able to take your safari in Kenya Tanzania and Uganda in any number of ways. Can you imagine, for instance, touring the Tanzanian savannah on the back of a horse? You will be able to witness scenery and wildlife you would never notice if you were in safari mini-bus or land cruiser. A lot of safari companies also offer relaxing boating safaris, where you float gently down rivers and enjoy the scenery.

These two options are also better for the animals you see. They will not be scared by the noises of a mini-bus. To put it simply, taking a luxury Africa safari can really be revealing It will open your eyes to culture and a new way of life. It will definitely be something to remember for the rest of your life.

There is no better option than undertaking a luxury safari to some exotic locations in this world so as to provide your stressed-out mind and body the much-needed relaxation. The accompaniment of your beloved ones with you can make your trip more enjoyable too. Africa is now becoming a hot spot for luxury safaris and expeditions, its various habitats and landscapes are a source of fascination and diverse wildlife is rarely found anywhere in the world.

Great hospitality and cultural richness make a luxury safari in Africa a lifetime opportunity. Whether you’re interested in a photo safari or luxury mobile camping safaris the are great facilities for each one of them meeting your individual requirements. You won’t come across a better luxury safari with 5 star accommodations and fool-proof, planned vacations for each individual’s desires.

Most of the Africa luxury safari providers have their lodge or tented camp accommodations amidst the nature with wildlife roaming all around to generate a thrilling experience for their guests. Lodges and hotels boast lavishness in the form of different animal motifs, and attractive furnishings. They are also equipped with fresh linens, A/C and heating, mini-fridges, drinkable water and all other modern amenities. There won’t be a single moment during the tour when you feel that you’re far away from your homeland.

A luxury safari in Africa remains unfinished without watching its rich wildlife from a close look. The continent is famous for a large number of national parks, private reserves and game ranches. By opting for a guided safari or an overland excursion, you can sit back and relax in a vehicle and pay attention to spotting the animal while someone else does the driving. Another specialty of Africa luxury safari is its fun-filled activities that harmonize your daily game drives, Enjoying pool games, nature walks, the beating of African drums proves to be a great source of nonstop entertainment.

About the Author:

Esther is a specialist in African Safaris and a tour operator. The tour company she co-owns, African Safaris & Adventures, has presence in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Egypt, Madascar, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Seychelles.

Source – Luxury Safari to Kenya Uganda Tanzania

Overland Park Entertainment District? Part – 6

Overland Park Video

Question: Does anyone know the name of the video game design company based in Overland Park, Kansas?

Any contact information would be great too.

Answer: I have found a lot of software companies in Kansas but not one video gane company.

Overland Park Real Estate, 15845 Briar Street Video Tour