Parade to Open June 7; Featuring New Home Styles, $10,000 Automation Giveaway

The 23rd annual Parade of Homes, June 7-15, is a great event for anyone that is looking to gain ideas for their current home, or looking to buy or build a new home.  This year’s Parade features new homes, remodeled projects and a business remodel.
“Parade homes of all styles and price ranges can be seen throughout Kalamazoo County,” says Scott DeLoof, president of the HBA. “This year we are taking on the theme of energy efficiency, many of the homes will be highlighting its energy efficient features. Consumers Energy is our Luminary Sponsor, they are partnering with us to educate as many people as possible about how they can save money by having an energy efficient home.”
Homes in the Parade range from $150,000 to more than $900,000; some are custom homes, but many are currently for sale. Builders and their representatives are on-site to speak with visitors and answer questions. This year’s Parade is featuring a wide variety of exciting features from breathtaking lake homes to theater rooms, an indoor workout pool, wine rooms and much more. This is the perfect event to find improvement concepts for your home.
“Parade visitors will have a chance to win an amazing prize this year,” says DeLoof. “A $10,000 Control4 home automation system, provided by Integrated Smart Technologies, could be won by entering at any or all Parade Homes visited on the tour.” You must be 18 or older to enter.
The Parade will operate Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m, Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m, Saturdays from 1 to 9 p.m, and some homes are open Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.  Please note that homes in the Remodel category are open June 13-15 only.
Admission is $12.00 per ticket and children 12 and under will be admitted free.  Tickets can also be purchased in advance for $10 at any Kalamazoo area Lake Michigan Credit Union location. All tickets include dining deals from local restaurants including: Asiago’s Bakery & Deli, Epic Bistro, Fieldstone Grill, Martell’s, The Union and Central City Tap House.
The Parade of Homes is an official event of the Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo and is sponsored by Consumer Energy, WKZO and WVFM, MLive Group, Integrated Smart Technologies and Lake Michigan Credit Union.  

Dr. Tim Fischell Speaks to HBA About Fitness, Diet

Dr. Tim Fischell, left, autographs a copy of his book for Sean Willis as Dale Shugars looks on. Fischell spoke at the HBA’s general membership meeting in April. He spoke about the importance of fitness and diet as part of a person’s overall health.

Dr. Tim A. Fischell, M.D., was welcomed as guest speaker at the Home Builders Association’s general monthly meeting, April 9, at the WMU Fetzer Center. He spoke about his published book Burn Calories While You Sleep, Change Your Metabolism and Be Thin, Fit, Healthy and Live Longer. Dr. Fischell lives in Kalamazoo and is currently affiliated with Borgess Health System.
He emphasized on the obesity epidemic in America and how we need to change the way we think about eating. “First you need to understand why you’re gaining weight.” He joked about how “salads aren’t healthy with eight ounces of fatty dressing on them,” he said.
He gives 10 key rules about food and eating. Number one: “If you are not hungry, don’t eat!” Most of what he talks about is just common sense. We have all been told not to eat if we are not hungry, but as he also said “our parents always said, clean your plate or you’ll get no dessert.”
Which leads into his rule number two: “When you’re full, you’re done!” He shared his secret recipe for half-the-calorie French fries: “Take half your French fries and throw them away!” And number three: “Dessert is not a reward for breaking Rule 2.”
In his book, he also has a few simple tips about food and eating. In closing he closing he said “Teach this to your children, this is how we stop the obesity epidemic in this country!”
Dr. Fischell also noted that a person’s metabolism slows down as he or she becomes older because we lose muscle mass as we age. He recommends adding activities into your fitness routine that will add muscle mass.

Mike Holmes Returns to Kalamazoo to Thrill Expo Audiences with ‘Right’ Message

Bill Signed Into Law, House Bill 4134

House Bill 4134, sponsored by State Rep. (and Home Builders member) Margaret O’Brien was signed into law recently by the governor to become Public Act 494. The bill reduces the non-homestead taxes on an inventory or “spec” home for builders. Present for the signing of the law were, from left to right Dawn Crandall, from the state association, Margaret O’Brien, Gov. Rick Snyder, State Rep. Marilyn Lane and Dale Shugars, from the local association.

Jennings Shares His ‘Be Great’ Message to Home Expo Audience on March 8

  

Potential Customers Flock to Home Expo

David Brown of Stay Dry Basements talks with a potential customer at the 2013 Home Expo. Many exhibitors report good response in obtaining quality leads from the expo. Approximately 15,600 guests and vendors attended this year’s expo at the former Sam’s Club in Portage. There were 216 exhibitors covering nearly 100,000 square feet of floor space at the event.

NFL Star Greg Jennings at the Home Expo