Carmel Clay Schools....Doing Well By Doing Good!

One Carmel Elementary School performed 'surgery.'  One CC School raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a great local cause and a virtuoso performance by a Carmel Choir propelled them to a regional competition victory last month.  Read all about it in this edition of CCS 'Good News' which you can see HERE. Oh....as we watch gas prices skyrocket, you can also check out how much energy has been saved by CCS this year.....a pretty remarkable number!  


Carmel Indiana real estate blog, Greg Cooper, Carmel Indiana 46033 homes for sale, Carmel Clay Schools 

Going Green In 2012....

It will start with the new citywide recycling efforts that have been agreed upon and are now being implemented across the 46033.  Those yellow topped recycling bins that you've seen being dropped off will not only help get some of our consumer refuse reused but also help to change the mindset of our community.  As a real estate professional you cannot believe how many incoming transferrees I meet who are puzzled by our lack of a city wide recycling program.  It's good in practice, it's good for out city's image and there's one other little subtle message it sends.  Imagine the great affect it has on the mindset of thousands of young people who live in Carmel.  They now live in a community that en masse, cares. The hazardous waste center was a great start and the Carmel Green Initiative has been wonderful at raising awareness.  There is an appliance recycling system now in place for Carmel.  Carmel Clay Schools have been terrific at leading by example as well BUT.....the reality is that a city wide recycling program will be the open example to everyone that making a reasonable effort to taking care of where we live is valuable to our community and our region.  We are grateful it's now in place.  We think it's long overdue and hope it succeeds for decades to come.  

Year's End......Taking Stock

I realize we take it for granted in Carmel.  Year in and year out we enjoy headlines for winning a remarkable number of athletic championships.  We  see a staggering number of students excel in academics gaining awards, personal successes and acceptance to many of the nation's great colleges and universities.  This is the way it's supposed to be, right?  As we all know it's not that way in many places and what we have in the Carmel Clay School system is extraordinary.  Recently I've had the privilege of being a part of the CCS expedition, a gathering of community leaders who get to experience CCS behind the scenes.  We see the systems, meet the people responsible for educating our young people and get to ask questions of our educators on a monthly basis that most of us don't get the chance to pursue.  I'm a cynical taxpayer who comes from a household of 50 years of educational experience growing up. Having said that, overall the way things are getting done in our schools today is simply as good as it gets in public education in Indiana and frankly most any place in America.  Are they perfect?  Of course not.  We can always have a discussion about the nuts and bolts of our educational system and how it could be better.  What I'm offering as we approach the end of 2012 is that one of the things we can count as a great asset to our community is the positive influence our schools has on our young people.  I'm grateful not only as a parent but as someone who makes their living in a housing market that is heavily influenced by the outstanding performance of our school system.  

A Pretty Good Week.....

We couldn't start out this week's events in CCS without a note of congratulations to the high school varsity football team. Friday night's victory over Warren Central was thrilling and one most of us won't forget for long time to come. Next up is Ben Davis on Indy's west side this Friday night. Good luck Greyhounds! Now...on with this week's events for the week of 11/7: Carmel High School 11/8 10th Grade Counselor's Meeting; 11/9 Life Lines 7:05 a.M.; 7:00 P.M. grades 9 & 10 parent scheduling meetings; 11/10 Key Club meetings 7;15 a.m. & 3:15 p.m.; Club photos 9:30 a.m. Clay Middle School 11/7 6th grade band rehearsal 3:05 p.m. & boy's basketball, cheer parent meeting @ 5:00 p.m.; 11/8 6th grade band 3:05 p.m.; 11/9 7:00 a.m. SIRA club, 6th grade band rehearsal 3:05 p.m., NJHS meeting 3:20 p.m.; 11/10 Student Venture 7:00 a.m., Global Connections 3:05 p.m., 6th grd band/orchestra 7:00 p.m.; 11/11 Master Yoo's Tae Kwon Do 6:00 p.m. Camel Middle School 11/10 Fall Musical 4:00; 11/11 Fall Musical 7:00. Woodbrook 11/9 Pizza Night; Forest Dale EVERY DAY this week 2:35 Play Rehearsal; 11/8 Primary Election, 11/10 Veteran's Day programs @ 9:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. PTO science fair meeting; Cherry Tree 11/10 9:00 a.m. 4th Grade Informance, 2:30 Market Day, 7:00 4th Grade Informance. You can see of the latest CCS information on their Good News website HERE. 

She's No Lucy, Charlie Brown

Here's a story worth remembering from this Fall in east Carmel. Clay Middle School Football Player Samantha Estes not only made this year's team but can kick 45 yard field goals. Something important would get pulled if I tried that. Congrats Samantha...and to her teammates who supported her as well...what a great story!   If you can't see the video click HERE.

Worth Repeating

First of all, let's sincerely hope this conversation never has to be a part of an actual incident.  Carmel Clay Schools in conjunction with CPD are teaching students that in the event of a Columbine or Virginia Tech type of attack, they should have more options to help themselves.  Data now exists that documents kids who fought back or took other measures to protect themselves in the event of this type of incident were hurt much less than those that simply hid under desks or in classrooms.  David McAnally from WTHR covered this story and it's a fascinating change in mindset from the past.  Being prepared for this type of situation hopefully will keep everyone safer and perhaps keep students and adults alike more vigilant and aware of the warning signs before anything would actually happen.  What's your thought?  

This Week - East Carmel School Events

Carmel High School:  Red Ribbon Week ALL WEEK.   Clay Middle School:  Boys & Girls Basketball Tryouts ALL WEEK;  10/25 - Spell Bowl;  10/25 - 7th Grade Fall Orchestra Concert 7:00; 10/27 - Fall Band Concert 7:00. Carmel Middle School:  10/26 - Orange Leaf Fundraiser For Carmel Middle Activities - ALL DAY;  10/28 - Club Pictures ALL DAY.  Mohawk Trails: 10/28- Pink Spirit Day ALL DAY.  Woodbrook: Camp Tecunseh ALL WEEK;  Red Ribbon Week ALL WEEK.  Forest Dale: Red Ribbon Week ALL WEEK; Play rehearsal - 2:35 ALL WEEK; Red Ribbon Week ALL WEEK; Muffins with Moms 10/25 & 26.  Prairie Trace: Red Ribbon Week ALL WEEK. 

East Carmel Housing Blog 6.14

Picking Up Steam.
Eleven properties went under contract last week in east Carmel including this one we sold in The Lakes At Hazel Dell. Of note this home has a fantastic backyard that opens to a large common area bordered in the rear by Brookfield.  Other properties entering pending sale status include multiple homes in Carolina Commons, another property in the Lakes At Hazel Dell, Williamson Run, Foster Estates, Brookshire, Woodland Springs, Briar Lane Estates and Haverstick.  These properties will all have to pass through inspections and appraisals prior to closing later this summer. 

The average listing price of the homes that went under contract last week was $357,500 with the average days on the market to pending status being 71.  There are 294 homes on the market in east Carmel with 216 currently under contract or having closed to date in 2011.  On 6/14/2010 there were 231 homes sold but given the heavy push the market received from the home buyer credit in Q1 of 2010, the market is still quite active. 

Multiple homes came on the market last week in Stonewick (3), Haverstick, the Townhomes at Hazel Dell, The Terrace at Mohawk Crossing (all 2).  Individual properties are now available in Eden Estates, Stafford Place, Sycamore Farm, Plum Creek Ridge,  Foster Grove, Cherry Creek Estates, Plum Creek Farms, Brookshire Village, Plum Creek North, Briar Lane Estates and Northwood Hills. 

For the full detailed multiple listing information for any or all of these homes just email us for the East Carmel Housing Hotsheet at eastofkeystone@gmail.com.

Like Cats and Dogs.....

Rain. Drizzle. Precipiation. Shower. Deluge. Downpour. Cloudburst, Mizzle, Scotch Mist, Torrent.  It doesn't much matter how you say it, for 25 of the last 35 days in Carmel, we've had it according the National Weather Service.  Most of us including this Japanese Chin on Maplecrest Drive (East Main Street) have had enough.  Good thing we've got two weeks until most area pools open up.  Plenty of time to dry off and warm up before then and hopefully call off the Ark building.  (photo courtesy East Of Keystone home office)

One Mother Of A Sunday.....

Even though it was Mom's day, the games went on at both the East Main Street (Badger Field) and 126th and River Road Dad's club locations.  A Lacrosse or Soccer win surely was all Mom could have wanted. The ever elusive orange ball actually made several appearances in the southern sky capping a beautiful Mother's Day weekend in Carmel. 

Greg Cooper, east Carmel homes for sale, real estate blog

18-17-16.......

Hard to believe there are only 16 more schools days left on the Carmel Clay Schools calender.  Considering Forbes Magazine recently named CCS as one of the top districts in America, it's no doubt been a productive year.  With a little luck, these middle schoolers getting on the bus Thursday morning on Main Street east of Keystone Parkway won't need heavy coats much longer!  

Greg Cooper, east Carmel homes for sale, real estate blog

All Signs Point To The Future

Congratulations to Mayor Brainard on his primary victory Tuesday in Carmel. With no candidate opposing him in the Fall he's assured reelection. Congrats are also in order to Carmel city council elect members Kevin 'Woody' Rider, Ron Carter, Sue Finkam, Rick Sharp, Luci Snyder, Carol Schleif and Eric Sidensticker.  Try not to miss those witty political marketing ads....at least for a few months!

Greg Cooper, east Carmel homes for sale, real estate blog

A River Runs Near It.....

If you slice your second shot on the 7th at Prairie View this weekend...let it go.  The White River is gobbling up everything that comes it's way for the next few days....

East Of Keystone Housing Blog 4/26/2011

NEW, UPDATED HOUSING BLOG COMING TUESDAY MAY 3rd!

East Carmel is selling.

Get full information about these homes by asking for the EAST OF KEYSTONE HOUSING HOTSHEET.  [Greg@GregCooper.com]

For the Two Week period April 11-25.

15 homes went under contract during the last two weeks East of Keystone and the trend was OLDER.  11 of those 15 homes were 15 or MORE years old which is the opposite of what we've seen for so long in Carmel and Hamilton County.  COOL CREEK had four pending sales during that time, WOODFIELD, HAVERSTICK and WOODLAND SPRINGS had two.  Other sales also occurred in Williams Ridge, Brooks Landing, Cricket Knoll, Cherry Creek and Carmel Village.   Keep in mind these are under contract homes that have yet to close.  Inspections, appraisals and financing have all made the post contract portion of selling a home a treacherous one....stay tuned!

New Listings 4/18 - 4/25

Waterstone had 3 new homes on the market in the last week (2 in Bayhill and 1 in Windpointe).  Haverstick had two new available homes for sale while Williamson Run, Avain Glen, Woodgate, Brookshire North, Plum Creek North, Lakes at Hazel Dell, Plum Creek Ridge, Cool Creek Estates, Shadybrook, Eden Park and the Townhomes at Hazel Dell each had one.  In all 17 new listings of homes for sale came on the market in East Carmel last week!  

As of 4/26 there are 304 homes for sale East Of Keystone in Carmel. 

Questions? Comments?  Got a piece of information or a great picture to share about something in east Carmel?   Please drop us a line or call us anytime.  Greg@GregCooper.com or 317.848.GREG (4734). 

What is EastOfKeystone.com?

Greg Cooper, Cricket Knoll, East Carmel Indiana homes for sale, real estate blog