For Sale: 5BR/2+2BA Single Family House in Victoria, MN, $325,000

 Presenting a Gorgeous Home from Stafford Family Realtors

8088 Savanna Valley Way ~ Victoria, MN

$325,000

Located in Savanna Valley on a premium walkout lot w/wetland views!  This home has been beautifully updated w/a Gourmet Kitchen, 5BAs, & fully finished LL.

For more information please visit http://www.staffordfamilyrealtors.com/or for a private showing please call 952.470.2575

For Sale: 5BR/2+2BA Single Family House in Victoria, MN, $325,000

Happy Halloween!

Looks like we'll have great weather tonight!  We hope that you all have a fun night of Trick or Treating!  Our girls will be going as a Veterinarian, a Kitty Cat, and a Butterfly Queen.   Maybe we'll see you out and about.  See below for some great Halloween Safety Tips.

Warmest Regards,
Eric & Sharla


Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Feel free to excerpt these tips or use them in their entirety for any print or broadcast story, with acknowledgment of source.


ALL DRESSED UP:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.
• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

CARVING A NICHE:

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

HOME SAFE HOME:

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:
• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
• Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
• Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

© 10/10 American Academy of Pediatrics

Appraisals: Now 'Green' Can Make You Some Green

Green or energy-efficient features in a home often don’t get factored into appraisals. But they can be an important selling point in a home, and many home owners say “green” should count when valuing homes.

A new form by the Appraisal Institute aims to make sure these key selling features–from those energy-efficient appliances to solar panels–are no longer overlooked and are factored into the equation. The form is also viewed as a big step in helping the appraisal industry standardize the way residential energy-efficient features are reported and analyzed.

The form is an optional addendum to Fannie Mae Form 1004, which is the appraisal industry’s most widely used form for mortgage purposes. It is used by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Housing Administration.

“We hope lenders, home builders, real estate agents, and home owners will take advantage of this new tool,” says Joseph C. Magdziarz, president of the Appraisal Institute. “Mortgage lenders who want to see energy features analyzed should request the green addendum to be included with Form 1004. We also encourage lenders to provide the green addendum to home owners so they can fill it out and provide it to their appraiser. If a new home is being appraised, home builders can use the addendum to provide data to appraisers. Real estate agents also can use the data to help populate the MLS.”
 
Source: By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine:  Styled, Staged and Sold

Weekend Happenenings: Halloween Festivities

If you're looking to stretch out the Halloween fun, be sure to attend some of these fun family-friendly and local events this weekend.

Goblin Boo-gie Dance Party
Shakopee Community Center
1255 Fuller Street, Shakopee, MN
Fri. October 28, 2011
10:00 am to 11:15 am
Cost:  $5 per child

Enigma becomes a haunted Halloween haven so costumed kids can march through and dance to boogie music. There will be classic disco and boo-gie tunes, dancing lights, bubble machines and hula hoops for this morning dance party for preschoolers. The entire family gets into the groove for this one-of-a-kind event. No pre-registration required.


DJ Night/ Halloween Dance Party
Shakopee Community Center

1255 Fuller Street, Shakopee, MN
Fri. October 28, 2011
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Cost $3 (grades 6-12)

 Enigma becomes a haunted Halloween haven.   Costume prizes! Bring your friends and have fun



Trunk-n-Treat
Westwood Community Church
3121 Westwood Drive, Excelsior, MN
Fri. October 28, 2011
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost: Free

Join us for a fun, fall family gathering – indoor and outdoor games, food, face painting, praise & worship and Trunk & Treating! Invite everyone!

Halloween Ghost Trolley

Board the Trolley at the Water Street Station

Excelsior, MN

Fri. October 28, 2011

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Cost:  $7 Adults, $5 Children 10 and under

This family-friendly Halloween event includes entertainment on stage (you never know who is going to show up), concessions, a trolley ride down the spooky trail, and a trip through the “haunted” museum.

Spooky Saturday
Eden Prairie Community Center
16700 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN
Sat. October 29,2011
3:00 to 5:00
Cost:  $5 per child, $20 max per family



Join us and enjoy trick-or-treating, arts and crafts activities, music and games, skating exhibitions, the Indoor Play Structure and more!  All participants are entered in a drawing to win a birthday party with eight friends and everyone who wears a costume receives a special treat!




Ghouls and Goblins At The Maze
Arboretum Maze Garden on Three Mile Drive
Sat. October 29, 2011
1:00 to 5:00
Free Gate Admission (Reservations Recommended)

 

It's a spook-friendly Halloween celebration for the whole family! Come in your most imaginative costumes. At the Visitor Center, enjoy "spook-tacular" music and family-friendly activities such as decorating "apple-heads." Or walk the fun-filled Trick or Treat Trail to the Magical Maze Garden - chock full of surprises. Scare up a good time at the Arboretum!


 
 
Halloween Show At The Old Log Theater
Old Log Theater
5185 Meadville Street, Greenwood, MN
Sat. October 29, 2011
2:00 pm
Cost:  $10

This is a special Halloween show for kids featuring the Medicine Show Music Company. There will be dancing, comedy and snappy patter. In addition to Scott Crosbie playing the whiz-bang, entertainment includes Bob Andrews on bass and Bill Mooers on the giant bango. There’s even some magic and many musical surprises. The Halloween show will also present magician/comedian/juggler Craig Carlson. Come dressed in Halloween costumes!




Halloween Spooktacular At Market Square
Market Square Shopping Center
7900 Market Blvd., Chanhassen, MN
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost:  Free


A free, fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween in your community! There will be a haunted fun jump, costume contest at 1pm, games and prizes, trick-or-treating (children in costumes will receive treats from Market Square businesses), balloon animals, kids crafts & face painting at Finding Joy Boutique.

Bargains Abound: What Are Buyers Waiting For?

With low home prices and ultra-low interest rates, the housing market is offering “perhaps the best deals of a generation,” notes a recent article by Bloomberg Businessweek.


Since the housing boom of 2006, home prices have fallen about 31 percent. Also, mortgage rates have been hovering at record lows for the past few weeks (4 percent range or even lower on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, according to Freddie Mac’s mortgage market survey).

“It’s hard to see the possibility of losing on a home purchase right now, with these mortgage rates,” says economist Dean Baker. “Prices may go lower, but not by much.”

The article notes the following scenario: Buying a $300,000 home with a 4 percent mortgage rate and a 20 percent down payment would mean a $1,145 monthly payment. The Mortgage Bankers Association recently predicted that home prices may fall another 3.5 percent by mid-2012 but mortgage rates will increase by a half-point. So for that same loan under that scenario, a home would sell for $289,000 while the monthly mortgage bill would be $1,171--only a $26 difference.

For those who can qualify for a mortgage, "playing the waiting game" won't result in much gain, Nariman Behravesh, chief economist at IHS in Englewood, Colo., told Bloomberg Businessweek.

Source: “Crazy Home Deals Await the Creditworthy,” Bloomberg Businessweek (Oct. 24, 2011)

Weekly Market Update: October 24, 2011

Another week in the books arrived with another strong showing from buyers, who ramped up their purchase activity this round. Seller activity fell short of the same week last year. The net result is that inventory is continuing to drop compared to a year ago.

Balance is still the name of the game here and right now we are heading in the right direction, with the Months Supply of Inventory currently sitting at 6.8, the lowest September mark since 2004.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 15:

• New Listings decreased 17.5% to 1,166
• Pending Sales increased 35.0% to 794
• Total available inventory decreased 21.2 percent to 22,374

Source:  Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors

Celebrity Listing: Micheal Jackson

While rehearsing for his "This Is It" concert series during the summer of 2009, pop music legend Michael Jackson stayed in this French Chateau-style mansion, where he later died of a propofol overdose. In 2010, the estate was listed for a whopping $28.995 by owner Hubert Guez, chief executive of the Ed Hardy fashion brand, who later pulled the home off the market. Spread over more than 17,000 square feet of living space, the opulent residence includes seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 12 working fireplaces, an elevator, a home theater and a wine cellar.

Foyer
Located in a prestigious area of Holmby Hills, the grand estate was designed by award-winning architect Richard Landry and completed in 2002. The home's imposing entrance features a curved staircase, soaring ceilings and an oversized chandelier.

Living Room
A major achievement in design and proportion, the property incorporates classic design and impeccable craftsmanship and offers an integration of charm and elegance in a world-class setting.

Dining Room

 

Bedroom

Bathroom

Home Theater

Wine Cellar and Tasting Area

Office

 Landscape
Set on approximately 1.26 acres, the home is surrounding by lush, mature landscaping. A heated swimming pool lies between the main house and the guesthouse.

 Guesthouse
An elegant guesthouse with stained glass doors leads to the pool and gardens.

 Source:  HGTV Front Door

Open Houses: October 23, 2011

15709 Fairwood Lane - Minnetonka
$419,000
5 bedroom/4 bath
Open  12:00 to 2:00

A private .52 acre lot is the perfect setting for this lovingly maintained Rambler featuring an updated kitchen with granite & stainless steel appliances, new hardwood & tile floors throughout. Relax in the spacious backyard and enjoy the screened porch and deck. This home features a vaulted family room with exposed beams, 2 fireplaces, home office & spacious lower level family room with fireplace and wet bar!

Click HERE for more information on Fairwood Lane.

1575 Cavaletti Court - Victoria
$599,000
4 bedroom/4 bath
Open 12:00 to 2:00

Looks like a page from Pottery Barn. This popular Wakefield model is on a private lot & is beautifully finished with all the amenities for today's buyers. Enjoy a gourmet Kitchen with granite, stainless steel GE Monogram appliances and stunning hardwood floors. 4 Bedrooms up including a private master suite with a fireplace.

Click HERE for more information on Cavaletti Court.

4645 Old Kent Road - Deephaven
$749,000
3 bedroom/5 bath
Open 12:00 to 2:00

Nestled on a private lot in North Amesbury, this home offers gracious living! It is beautifully updated & designed with family and entertaining in mind. Enjoy Main Level Living with a lower level Guest Suite, Exercise Room & Custom Pub. The 5 Car Finished Garage is the perfect "Man Cave". This home is a must see! Contract for Deed financing now available. Please call 952.470.2575 for more information.

Click HERE for more information on Old Kent Road.

Master Bedroom Closet Must Haves

If you've been living in a home without enough closet space, then you know how important it is to have adequate, organized spaces to keep your things.  Master bedroom closets usually have to accomodate the clothes of two people and have become increasingly larger as master bedroom suites have increased in size.  But a closet the size of the Taj Mahal won't do you any good if it doesn't contain the elements that are important to you and make your life easier.  Read on for some practical ideas that should enhance any master closet, and some not so practical but very fun ideas as well.

Know Your Habits
Closets work best when they work for you.  Shorter people need useable shelving and spaces where they can reach them.  Do you hang all your shirts or do you like them stacked?  Do you have a large collection of ballcaps or sweatshirts?  Storage for each type can be very different.  If you bunch your socks you'll need more space than if you roll them. Think about what you wear and how you like to get dressed, and design the space to serve you: most-used items up around eye level, less-used below, and least-used high above. Most closets have too much hanging storage and far too little shelf or drawer storage.

Visibility
Some people like to see everything at a glance, others prefer a more organized look.  Either way, your options are endless.  Here a a few examples of more open and more closed designs.

Lighting
Most closets lack adequate lighting.  If you're looking to add some light to your closet keep a few things in mind.  Fluorescent lighting of the past reminds us of unflattering colors.  But flourescent lighting has come a long way and does not produce the heat that incandescent lights do, which could be a fire hazard in a small confined space.  Lighting should be placed between you and your clothes.  Lights that are behind you will create shadows and make it harder for you to see your choices.  Natural lights or skylights may seem like a great solution but sunlight has a fading effect on many clothes and accessories.  Consider carefully where sunlight will travel in your closet before installing any windows or skylights.

Smart Use of Space
Take advantage of all available space, up to the ceiling and down to the floor. Bins on high shelves, roll-out boxes that sit on the floor (available from many catalogues), even a third closet pole if your ceiling is over 9 feet high, are ideal for storing items you don't use all the time. Less accessible places work well for off-season storage; if you have enough room that you don't need to rotate clothes, use the space to get oddball shoes, hats, bags, or sentimental items out of damp basements and freezing/baking attics.

Little Luxuries
Who says a closet has to be completely utilitarian?  Chandelier in the closet...why not?  Washers and dryers are a handy luxury in your closet.  Comfortable seating, beautiful carpets, high-end cabinetry, vanities, refrigerators, full length mirrors, and televisions can all make a functional space a beautiful one as well.  Make the space work for you and enjoy EVERY room in your house!

Blood Drive At Minnetonka CBB Office

Think Dracula is the only one who likes to suck your blood?  The blood mobile will be making a stop at our office on Wednesday, October 26th between 1:30 and 4:30.  To make the process easier for you, Memorial Blood Centers has given us a web link to help our donors sign up for their preferred time slot. 

Please click on the link to choose from the available time slots: http://www.mbc.org/searchdrivesWe hope you'll join with us in making sure there is enough blodo for those who need it.

You will need to enter sponsor code 1242 and hit submit. You will then click on the October 26th, 2011 link on that page. You simply need to enter your email address and birth date and select a time slot. The process only takes a few minutes.


 
Best Regards,
Eric & Sharla

Weekly Market Update: October 17, 2011

It seems like every passing week brings not one but two new record declines: inventory levels and mortgage rates. The week ending October 8 was certainly no exception. The number of active listings on the market fell 21.0 percent to 22,434 units. Mortgage rates fell below 4.0 percent for the first time ever. The last time inventory was that low? February 2009.

It’s partly due to sellers not contributing many properties to the bin and partly due to buyers doing their part to absorb existing supply. New listings were down 13.0 percent to 1,262 for the week, and pending sales were up 48.3 percent to 851 purchase agreements signed.

The keen observers noticed that September’s preliminary monthly numbers came out last week. This round, those preliminary figures were revised slightly as new status changes filtered in. A few noteworthy observations:

• Prices posted the smallest year-over-year decline in eight months.
• Days on market posted its smallest increase in nine months.
• Sellers received more of their asking price for the second month in a row.
• Absorption rates posted their third consecutive month of improvements.

The Perfect Pantry

In recent years, the kitchen pantry has become a sought-after feature in many homes. With more homeowners buying groceries in bulk to save money and spending more recreational time on cooking, having plenty of storage adds instant value to your home.

CURRENT TRENDS

•Separate and stylish. A large walk-in pantry is standard for high-end homes with large kitchens. For the average home, a butler's pantry offers convenience and style. It can be tucked in an alcove off the kitchen or dining room or configured into a small hallway or under a staircase. It can feature architectural details, decorative shelves, display areas, plate racks and wine racks.

•Pantries that blend in. Rather than build a custom pantry, many homeowners are finding existing space in or near the kitchen that can be configured into a small pantry. A small unit can be created in a larger storage room off the kitchen or shelves or cabinetry can be added to an existing room.

•Organized for convenience. Whether you build custom cabinetry or buy a packaged system, look for value-adding features like roll-out shelves for canned goods and spice racks.

BIGGEST MISTAKE


Appraisal Institute president Leslie Sellers cautions homeowners against building a new pantry themselves.

"Amateur workmanship would have a detrimental effect on the value of the home," Sellers says. "When it comes to the kitchen, you need good materials. It's easy for a pantry to go from inexpensive to extremely expensive if you don't know what you're doing."

"Only bite off as much as you can chew," he adds.

EXPERT TIPS

•On a Budget: You don't need to build a fancy walk-in pantry to get extra storage space. Look for existing nooks in the kitchen or dining area that can serve as a small pantry. Install shelves for convenient organization.

•Mid-Range: Whatever your budget, make sure your pantry project is proportional to the rest of the house. "If you build a $7,500 elaborate custom storage area in a $100K house, you won't get the amount of cost you spent on it," Sellers advises. "It may only add $2,500 to the value if it's much more elaborate compared to the rest of house."

•High-End: A walk-in pantry that offers convenient access to items while keeping them out of sight is common for high-end homes. Know what's standard for your neighborhood.

Source:  HGTVs Front Door:  Maximum Value Projects

5 States With the Highest Home Ownership Rates

Where is home ownership the highest? Home ownership rates tended to be highest in states that are less populated and with low home prices, according to a review of recently released 2010 Census Data by 24/7 Wall St. On the other hand, states with the lowest home ownership rates tend to have more pricey homes and be in large cities.


The following are the states with the highest percentage of homes occupied by their owners.

1. West Virginia
Home ownership rate: 73.4%
Median home value: $94,500

2. Minnesota
Home ownership rate: 73%
Median home value: $200,400

3. Michigan
Home ownership rate: 72.1%
Median home value: $132,200

4. Iowa
Home ownership rate: 72.1%
Median home value: $122,000

5. Delaware
Home ownership rate: 72.1%
Median home value: $294,400

The state with the lowest home ownership rate? New York, which has a home ownership rate of 53.3 percent.



Source: U.S. Census Bureau and “States With the Highest (and Lowest) Homeownership,”

Open Houses: October 16, 2011

7284 Bent Bow Trail - Chanhassen
$500,000
4 bedroom/3 bath
Open:  12:00 to 2:00

Nestled on a private, wooded lot, this beautiful home features Pottery Barn finishes throughout. Enjoy features such as a Main floor Office, a freshly remodeled Gourmet Kitchen with professional grade appliances, new furniture island and stunning cabinetry. Built with family and entertaining in mind, spaces such as the Screen Porch & Paver Patio are perfect for any gathering. With the winding streets, private parks and walking paths, you’ll enjoy the location of this neighborhood nestled between the City of Chanhassen and the Village of Excelsior. Experience all that Lake Minnetonka has to offer and all the conveniences of Chanhassen. Longacres is a unique neighborhood that has a welcoming feeling of community; many social events take place throughout the year including an Annual Picnic, Bunko, Book Clubs and numerous parties. Made up of 225 Lundgren built residences, Longacres is a neighborhood people aspire to live in. Chanhassen is desirable to families and businesses alike due to the many recreational opportunities, fine public & private schools and residential options. The many festivals and events receive tremendous support from the local businesses; it is these celebrations of community that keep the small town feel alive in Chanhassen.

Click HERE for more information on Bent Bow Trail.


7705 Ridgeview Way - Chanhassen
$535,500
4 bedroom/4 bath
Open:  12:00 to 2:00

Nestled on a .43 acre lot, this home shows like new construction! With a Great Room floor plan, Office & Gourmet Kitchen, Private Master Suite & Bonus Room. Relax in the private backyard or take a dip in the neighborhood pool.

Click HERE for more information on Ridgeview Way.


2350 Hunter Drive - Chanhassen
$550,000
4 bedroom/3 bath
Open:  12:00 to 2:00

The unique & desirable Lismore Model from Lundgren is now available! Nestled on a quiet, private drive with pond views, a private yard and mature trees this is the perfect tranquil setting. This home boasts a wonderful array of features including new stainless steel appliances in a Gourmet Kitchen, an executive Office, a private Master Suite with a Sitting Room & a great Play Space in the lower level just waiting for you! This is a must see in demand Longacres!

Click HERE for more information on Hunter Drive.


2219 Longacres Drive - Chanhassen
$599,900
5 bedroom/5 bath
Open:  12:00 to 2:00

Nestled on a private lot across from neighborhood park, this well appointed and beautifully finished Kenton floor plan features a Gourmet Kitchen, Great Room, 2 Offices, finished lower level, spacious deck & stunning screen porch. This home will not disappoint!

Click HERE for more information on Longacres Drive.


22310 Brackets Road - Shorewood
$585,000
5 bedroom/5 bath
Open:  2:30 to 4:00

This beautifully finished center-stair Colonial home is sited on over 130 feet of shoreline on Galpin Lake in the heart of Shorewood. Well appointed, this home offers designer finishes throughout including 3 wood-burning fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, stunning lake views and a true chef's kitchen. Enjoy all that historic downtown Excelsior has to offer from the shores of Lake Minnetonka to the charming shops of Lake Street.

Click HERE for more information on Bracketts Road.

Weekend Happenings: Fire Department Open Houses

Fall is the time for Fire Department Open Houses!  There are several happening this weekend and one happening tonight (Wednesday) if you just can't wait.  Check them out below for tons of family fun!

Carver Fire & Rescue Open House
Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011 
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
County Road 11 and 6th Street

Meet the local firefighters, take a ride on a fire truck, and watch them in action during safety demonstations. Free food & beverages provided.  Play in the Dalmation Jumper.  Enter the Kid’s Coloring Contest!

Eden Prairie Fire Dept Open House
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
14800 Scenic Heights Road


Entertainment - Tours - Refreshments - Demonstrations - Fun - Information

Chaska Fire Dept Open House
Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
285 Engler Blvd

Fire Truck Rides - Medic Helicopter - Fire Demonstration - Safety Trailer - Free Food

Chanhassen Fire Dept Open House
Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
7610 Laredo Drive



Come meet the members of your Fire Department and shake hands with Sparky the fire dog! There will be lots to see and do including fire truck rides and demonstrations of extrication and the proper use of fire extinguishers. You'll also be able to spray water at the house of fire. The Carver County Sheriff's Department, the Mounted Posse, City of Chanhassen Community Service Officers and Crime Prevention Specialist, and CenterPoint Energy will also have demonstrations and exhibits. Food and refreshments will be available. So kids, grab your parents and come to the Fire Station for this big event! Don't forget your camera because Sparky loves to have his picture taken!   Find us on Facebook!