There is something about professional sports that everyone loves – whether watching the game on the plasma at home with a few buddy’s or watching it live in front of you. There is a brotherhood with sports that we all love!

Here in Northwest Chicagoland we benefit from a fantastic infoor Football team – the Chicago Slaughter who play their home games right here in Hoffman Estates out of the Sears Center.

Chicago Slaughter are members of the Central Division of the Indoor Football League. They are one of three indoor/arena football teams in Chicago. Slaugher won their first championship back last year in 2009 – the fastest of any Indoor Football League team!

From early beginnings in 2006 when the team was formed (with its original planned named being the “Foxes”) , the team has gone from strength to strength and is proud to call the area home.

The team has a mascot – the official Slaughter mascot is a spin off the G.I. Joe Character Sargent Slaughter and he is popular with the fans!

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

Most people think of Chicago and the Metro area as urbane and overdeveloped, but just outside the metro area we have some great communities and locations which help personify small town America.

Within a short drive is James “Pate” Philip State Park, originally called “Tri-County State Park” but names after a Republican politician and encompassing 3432 acres of DuPage and Kane Counties. Despite being a nice rural spot, many people often wonder, why? Often state parks boast incredibly obvious sights of outstanding natural beauty worth protecting. However when you first visit this state park, many are surprised. After all, the area is predominantly old farmland and encompasses the north branch of Brewester Creek and a gravel pit close by. But – Do not be fooled! The park is more important than you might think!

On closer inspection, however you understand why! After all 3432 acres is not a small amount of land, so firstly the fact that it has been left untouched is a feat in itself. Also this area enables breeding populations of animals such as sandhill cranes, herons and Blanding’s turtles to find undisturbed habitat to raise their offspring. The area forms part of the Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve and actually contains the remnants of one of the most diverse natural systems that ever graced the Illinois landscape, the tall grass prairie. In addition a small area of wetland remains in the middle of the park – this wetland is home to an Illinois endangered species, the dwarf bur reed. This fact alone warranted this wetland to be listed as an Illinois Wetland Reserve in 1990.

Like most of the state parks the aim is to preserve the environment as be possible to ensure that natural ecosystems can remain and recover from years of destruction by development. The James “Pate” Philip Park benefits from a great visitors center which highlights the reasons and the need for restoration to occur in natural areas, where ever they may be located.

So if you wish to see natural Illinois then take a drive and see the state park!

Click here to read more on a subdivision here in Bartlett, IL near to the park!

Whether you are a first time buyer trying to determine how much you can afford, or an experienced buyer who is selling your current property and ready to buy your next home I can help you with all your real estate needs in the Chicagoland Northwest Suburbs Area.

Finding your dream home or finding a buyer is only part of the challenge of a successful transaction. Click here to search Bartlett IL, Schaumburg IL and the Hoffman Estates using our complimentary MLS Search service. You can also view our fantastic range of featured properties!

Alternatively please contact me today if you need more specific assistance in your real estate needs. You can call the office on: 847-874-6731 or Cell phone on: 847-913-2606 or of course email me at: Joe@JoeStacy.com

My expertise, experience and dedication to you and your specific needs are anything but average – it’s why this office is number one in the Northwest Suburbs year after year!

Joe Stacy
2570 W. Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60194

Planet 51

Sony pictures presents, Planet 51, an animated alien adventure comedy being released in movie theatres November 20^th.  The story is about an American astronaut, Captain Charles “Chuck” Baker, who lands on Planet 51 thinking he is the 1^st person to do so. To his surprise, the planet is inhabited by little green people who are happily living in a small, innocent town reminiscent of 1950’s America.

The film stars Dwayne Johnson, better known as “The Rock”, who plays the role of Chuck.  Other know actors include Gary Oldman as General Grawl,  Jessica Biel as Neera and John Cleese as professor Kipple.

The film is rated PG for mild sci-fi action and some suggestive humor. CLICK HERE  to enter the films web site and to view a theatrical trailer for the movie.

Kids, are you interested in learning more about space? CLICK HERE to learn more at NASA Kids Club.

Ebenezer Scrooge

Disney’s animated remake of the Charles Dickens classic tale, A Christmas Carol, arrives in theatre’s November 6^th.  

Starring Jim Carrey, who plays four separate roles; Scrooge, ghost past, ghost present and ghost future.

The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis who collaborated with Disney in The Polar Express and also directed Back to the Future and Forest Gump. The film was shot in  a process called performance capture which is the same technique used in The Polar Express.

Disney’s A Christmas Carol is rated PG for scary sequences and images. Click here to view the trailer. What to play Christmas Carol games? Click Here.

Are you a 1^st time home buyer looking to purchase your 1^st home in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL? Come and learn everything you need to know to buy that home at a FREE 1^st time home buyer seminar. Round table discussions with real estate industry experts to include a Realtor, Real Estate attorney, Licensed home inspector, and Mortgage loan officer. Experts will also be on hand to answer any questions after the seminar. Also, FREE mortgage loan approvals will be offered.

Topics to include: How do I qualify for the $8,000 1^st time home buyer tax credit? What are the tax advantages of home ownership? Do I do an inspection on a property before making an offer? What does an attorney do in a real estate transaction?

This FREE seminar is on Thursday June 11, 2009  from 6:30PM-8:30PM at the Schaumburg CRC located at 505 N. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg, Illinois. Advanced registration is required. The dead line to register is June 10^th.

To register online, go to www.chicagolandhomebuyerseminar.com and fill out the electronic form. Any question call 847-874-6731.

Looking for some fun filled activities to do with your kids this weekend? Why not celebrate Earth Day at  James “Pate” Philip State Park – Bartlett Nature Center located at 2054 W. Stearns Road in Bartlett, IL on Saturday, April 25^th from 12:00-4:00. Come see a variety of family activities, educational exhibits and demonstrations, hands-on activities and see live animals as well. In honor of Arbor Day, 40 Blue Spruce saplings will be handed out courtesy of Joe Stacy, a real estate agent who lives and sells homes in Bartlett.

Join The MIX 101.9 Road Crew who will be playing music and enter a chance to win a prize too.

SIMS Recycling Solutions will also be on hand to do Eco-Day recycling. You can drop off your old computers and peripherals, video equipment, TV’s, calculators, phones, hand held devices, data center equipment and test equipment. No appliances or loose batteries will be accepted.

This Earth Day celebration is FREE and no reservations are required. Call 847-608-3100 for more information or visit them at www.bartlettparks.org.

Biking season is right around the corner and there is no better area in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago to enjoy cycling than Schaumburg.  In 1999 Schaumburg was officially designated a “Bicycle Friendly” community by the League of American Bicyclists who recognized Schaumburg’s 87 miles of on- and off-street bike paths and trails.  The Schaumburg Bicycle Club is a group of local Chicagoland outdoor enthusiasts who offer bicycle rides for all ages, speeds, abilities, & terrains.  For fun, fitness, or just meeting new people in the area, this is a great group to get involved with!

If you are interested in joining the Schaumburg Bicycle Club, the cost of membership for an entire year is $15 per person or $20 per family.  Print and complete the membership form here and then just mail it to the following address:

Animal House Shelter’s Annual Spring Fundraiser will take place on March 21 at The Onion Pub & Brewery in Lake Barrington, IL from 6:00 pm to 11:00 p.m. The event will feature cocktails, food and a silent/live auction with great prizes available! Admission is $30.00 and Raffle Tickets are $5.00 each or 5 tickets for $20.00 (you do not need to be present to win the raffle).  You can purchase your tickets by clicking on any of the “donate now” buttons on their website or you can get tickets at the door. For more information, click here!

Prizes include:

-$1,000 Minimum Cash Prize

-Flat Screen TV

-Trip To Las Vegas

-Day At The Spa

-50 Yard Line Bears Tickets

-Golfing For 4 At Barrington Hills Country Club

Every year, between 6-8 million dogs and cats are turned over to animal shelters. Sadly, between 3-4 million of them are also euthanized by shelters each year. Together we can reduce this number by considering adopting a shelter pet as opposed to purchasing one from breeders or pet stores.  If you are willing to provide a forever home for a homeless animal in Chicagoland, here are a few shelters in the area:

Animal House Shelter

13005 Ernesti Rd
Huntley, IL  60142
(847) 961-5541
Website

Animal House Shelter has cats and dogs for adoption. Adoption hours are daily from 11AM-7PM

Anderson Animal Shelter

1000 South LaFox Street
South Elgin, IL 60177
(847) 697-2880
Website

Anderson Animal Shelter has cats and dogs for adoption. Adoption hours are Monday & Thursday 2:00p.m. – 8:00p.m, Tuesday & Friday 12:00p.m. – 6:00p.m, and Saturday & Sunday 11:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.

The Buddy Foundation

65 W Seegers Rd
Arlington Height, IL 60006
(847) 290-5806
Website

The Buddy Foundation has cats and dogs for adoption. Adoption hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10AM-12PM and from 4PM-8PM, Saturday from 10AM to 4PM, and Sunday from 10AM to 2PM

Dupage County Animal Care & Control

120 County Farm Rd
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-2800
Website

Dupage County Animal Care & Control has cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and hamsters for adoption. Adoption hours are Monday and Thursday from 12pm to 7pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 pm to 4:30pm, and Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm

West Suburban Humane Society

1901 West Ogden Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 960-9600
Website

The West Suburban Humane Society has cats and dogs for adoption. Adoption hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 11 am – 2 pm and 7 pm – 9 pm Saturday, Sunday from 11 am – 3 pm

On Saturday, February 21 the Tyson American Cup will be taking place at the Sears Center Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL.  For those who don’t already know, the Tyson American Cup is the most prestigious international Pre-Olympic gymnastics competition that features top gymnasts in the country. The event will feature fun activities for fans, including but not limited to:

• “Celebration Of Champions” Autograph Signing- Several Olympic gold medalists will sign autographs for fans from 12:30 – 1:10 p.m.

• Tyson Fitness Challenge Zone- Kids can learn about the importance of health and fitness while having fun participating in activities centered on strength-building, flexibility, cardiovascular exercise and good nutrition. Those who complete the Tyson Fitness Challenge Zone will get autographs from 2004 silver medalist Blaine Wilson. This activity runs from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

• Chicago 2016 Booth- Stop by this booth to pledge your support for Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games

The Sears Centre Arena is in the Prairie Stone Business Park, located at 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway in Hoffman Estates.  For tickets, visit the Sears Center Arena box office or buy them online at www.searscentre.com or www.ticketmaster.com.  You may also buy tickets by calling (312) 559-1212.