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Gene Mundt, Mortgage Lender - Direct: 815.277.4036    Cell/Text: 708.921.6331
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Recent Posts

Opening Night Coming for Joliet Slammers Baseball!
Multiple Offers and Appraisals ... Learning to Co-Exist Successfully
Buyers Decide Within 8 Seconds Whether They Are Interested In A Home
Students from Naperville, IL to Appear on "Late Show with David Letterman", Thursday, May 10th
I May Not Be Yoda, but I'm Darn Close!

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Gene's Bit of Blogging

Illinois

Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, IL School Matinee Series and Educational Programs


 Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, IL
School Matinee Series and Educational Programs  



     I recently came upon some pretty exciting information and I thought I'd pass it on just in case there are others in the Chicagoland area that, like myself, are unaware of it.  I think this info will be of special interest to parents, educators ... anyone that knows, loves, or has interest in the education of youngsters.

    The Rialto Square Theatre  in Joliet, IL  offers a matinee program aimed at kids, Kindergarten through 12th grade.  This program is meant to support the curriculum of the Joliet area's school systems.

     The Rialto Square Theatre  (map/directions)  serves as an educational center, providing entertainment that stimulates learning ... while also creating a love for the performing arts.  The culturally diverse performances given become teaching tools that have assisted over 500,000 students from over 50 of Joliet's surrounding communities.

     Seats MUST BE RESERVED in advance for the approximately one-hour performances.  The programs offered are NOT open or available to the general public.  Seating can be arranged for groups with special needs students, but the Rialto Square Theatre box office must be alerted to those needs at the time of ticket order.

   There are two performances remaining in this year's schedule.  They are:

   I Have a Dream - February 1, 2012
     10:30 am  &  12:30 pm
     Grades:  3rd through 8th
     By:  Bruce Craig Miller

     The life and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is chronicled in this dramatization. 
    
    Super Scientific Circus  -   February 27, 2012
    10:30 am for Grades:  Kindergarten through 2nd
    12:45 pm for Grades:  3rd through 5th

    This Super Scientific Circus proves that science is fun ... AND funny.  Boomerangs, beach balls, bull whips, bubbles, and magic are all used to prove the principles of friction, inertia, aerodynamics, sonic booms, ultraviolet light, centripetal force, and air pressure.

   Tickets for the performances are $6.00/each.  To place Group Reservations, please contact the Rialto Theatre Box Office  at: 815.726.6600.  Be aware that Contracts to secure seating may be needed, depending on the number of students attending. 

    Further information regarding the Rialto Square Theatre Matinee Series can be found at: www.rialtosquare.com/educational_programs.asp 
   
    Information on the Rialto Square Theatre, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, can be found at:  

    I have referred to this spectacular and historic piece of architecture to be found within the downtown of Joliet, IL on another occasion, but I hope if you have not previously had the opportunity to visit our area's remarkable treasure, that you will do so soon.



    *  If thinking of buying a home, refinancing, or seeking information regarding credit/credit repair and mortgage services in the Joliet, Will County, Lincoln-Way Communities, Chicagoland area ... please contact me.  I have lived within the area and served the residents of these communities my entire/business life.  I know the people.  I know the housing.  And have 35 years of experience and expertise with which to serve you.
   I can be reached through any of the following means:
Direct:  815.277.4036   Cell/Text:  708.921.6331
Skype:  630.219.1316


    

    

"Winter on the Green" to be Held in Frankfort, IL on Sundays, January 8th to February 12th, 2012



"Winter on the Green" to be Held in Frankfort, IL on
Sundays, January 8th to February 12th, 2012  

  


    Breidert Green, located at Ash and Kansas Streets, in the historic downtown region  of Frankfort, IL, will once again be the site for the "Winter on the Green" series of festivities starting this weekend on January 8th.

    January 8th, 2012  -  Between the hours of 1 pm to 3 pm, professional ice sculptors will be hosting demonstrations of their sculpting expertise.  You can see displays of their work throughout the downtown while riding on a heated trolley ... all FREE of charge.

    The Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association  will also be in attendance.  Visitors to the "Winter on the Green" festivities will be able to interact and meet with the dogs and learn of the valuable work this organization does on behalf of these beautiful animals.

    January 15th  -  Bring your dancin' winter boots!  DJ Don Gray, Rainbow the Clown, and Frosty will all be on hand between the hours of 1 pm to 3 pm to help you celebrate the Winter Carnival.  Games, music, balloon animals made while you enjoy the beautiful winter weather.  You can even try-out some snow shoes, if you'd like.

    January 22nd  -  Love friendly competition?  Then this is the place you should be!  There will be 3 on 3 hockey, all-weather/all-terrain sled races, or punt & pass contests to take part in and get your blood pumpin' in the cold.  Prizes will be awarded!

    January 29th  -  Bring your appetites along today between the hours of 1 pm and 3 pm and enjoy the tasty competition in the 17th Annual Chili Cook-Off.  Taste tests are free ... and you can sample your way to help choose the Cook-Off winner. 

     For Chili Masters wanting to compete in the Cook-Off  ... registration forms can be picked-up at the Frankfort Village Hall located at 432 W. Nebraska Street ... or you can go online to: www.frankfortchamber.com to download the form.

   February 5th  -  It's Superbowl Sunday!  Come have some fun pre-game tailgatin' from 1 pm to 3 pm.  "Elvis" will be there and you can share some FREE hotdogs, grilled right onsite with him.  Watch the "Puppy Bowl" that begins at 2 pm.  All participating dogs will be in their favorite team's jerseys.  Trophies will be awarded for multiple categories, but ALL dogs in attendance will be given a free gift.

    February 12th  -  It's Valentine's Day Weekend ... so bring your "sweetie" to taste wonderful chocolate fondue concoctions to her heart's content.  Homemade hot cobbler will be made in Dutch ovens by the Frankfort Boy Scout Troop 270 and offered to attendees between the hours of 1 pm to 3 pm.

     The "Winter on the Green" festivities are brought to you by the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, the Frankfort Park District, and the Village of Frankfort.

     For further information on the "Winter on the Green" events, please go to: www.villageoffrankfort.com.



     *  Looking to work with a mortgage lending professional that knows the Frankfort, Lincoln-Way Communities, Will County, Chicagoland areaContact me!  I grew-up in and have served  these communities and region the entire 35 years I've been in the mortgage industry.  I know the people.  I know the housing.  I know what it takes to assist you with your home buying, mortgage goals, and dreams ...  and I'd love to hear from you.
    I can be contacted through any of the following means:
Direct:  815.277.4036   Cell/Text:  708.921.6331
Skype:  630.219.1316
    
    

Good News for Illinois! We're Ranked #26 ...

 
 
    
 
      As anyone that follows the news closely knows, the State of Illinois and Chicagoland has had it's fair share of troublesome press as of late. Oh heck ... the truth is we've had alot of troublesome press! Whether about our former governors or financial issues, the news has been rather negative (and frustrating) of late for the residents of our state.
 
      But now ... there is some good news to report.
 
      In a survey conducted by Bankrate.com, the State of Illinois was reported to rank #26 in results measuring mortgage "Closing Costs", (tied in that spot with Delaware). Yes, the state had slipped some from last year's survey where it ranked as #31, but still ... the spot at #26 is very good news for potential Illinois and Chicagoland home buyers or those hoping to refinance.   
 
      Wow!  I'm not used to receiving GOOD news regarding our state. These results are refreshing!
 
      How did Bankrate.com determine the rankings?  Rankings  were determined by averaging Closing Costs charged (high to low) by at least 10 lenders within each state during June 2011. Good Faith Estimates were compared for loans with a 20% downpayment and a single-family home purchase price of $200,000.
 
     (It should be noted, that Closing Costs will actually be higher than reported, as the variable costs included in obtaining a mortgage are not included. Those variable costs being taxes, other government fees, and possible escrow fees.)
 
      There were a few surprises for me within this survey. A few states had average Closing Costs higher than what I would have guessed they would. And although there is always room for improvement regarding the costs of Illinois and Chicagoland mortgage Closing Costs, there is also reason for celebration. As evidenced by this survey report, things could be worse.
 
      And THAT'S news we residents of Illinois and Chicagoland don't see or hear often these days ...
 
 
    *  Contact me today for your own good news on mortgage rates and mortgage Closing Costs when buying or refinancing a home in Chicagoland and Illinois.  I can be reached at:
Direct:  815./277.4036   Cell/Text:  708.921.6331                  Email: gene@chicagobancorp.com
Website: http://www.genemundt.com