Cheyenne Wyoming Area Expert Connie Webb: Wyoming

Good news to residents of Wyoming:  U.S. News has named Wyoming the "Best State to Build a Nest Egg."

Eight million jobs have been wiped out and portfolios have crumbled with the aftermath of the recession and Americans are still struggling to rebuild their nest eggs.  The housing market is still weak, unemployment rates continue to stand in the way of sustainable recovery and many long-term investments are back to where they were a decade ago.

U.S. News created an index to measure which states are the best for Americans to reside who are saving for retirement.  By looking at each state's housing market, unemployment rate, per capita income and taxes they were able to get a sense of where Americans are most likely to be able to tuck away money for their nest eggs.

The information used to form this index came from 2010 state-by-state income figures, unemployment rates from June 2010 and tax burdens from a 2008 study by the Tax Foundation.  Based on this information. the highest possible score that a state could earn was 42 points.

Wyoming scored 40 and took the crown as "the Best".  The reason for this?  Wyoming's loose tax code.  Residents don't pay taxes on wages or on capital gains which allows workers to save noticeably more of their earnings, both from investments and jobs, for use in retirement.  Wyoming residents also have well-above-average incomes compared to the rest of the country.  Only 5 states and the District of Columbia have higher incomes than Wyoming's per capita income of $45,584.  Wyoming's unemployment rate of 6.8% also contributes to their #1 ranking because it is also well below the national average.  Lastly, home prices are expected to grow 4.5% annually between 2010 and 2013 (according to Moody's Analytics).  Since most people heading towards retirement usually downsize once they get there, price appreciation will help them grow the size of their nest eggs.

States that ranked in close with Wyoming are New Hampshire (Score, 39), Alaska (Score, 38), Washington (Score, 32), and North Dakota (Score, 30).  And you are all probably wondering which states came in as "the Worst" states to build a nest egg, well those would include Ohio (Score, 9), California (Score, 11), Kentucky (Score, 12), Indiana (Score 14), and Georgia (Score 16).

All of us have been effected by this recession in one way or another.  Luckily for us, being residents of Wyoming, tests show that we are sitting in better condition than those residents of other states throughout the nation in terms of saving for retirement. 

I thought we could all use a little encouragement that things are and will continue to get better and hope you enjoy this extra tid bit of information!

View the full article released by Yahoo Finance, provided by U.S. News.

Beautiful scenery, great trails and fun in the sun; that's what the parks of Cheyenne are all about!  Whether we want to admit it or not, summer is passing us all by, and fast!  Take the time to enjoy one of Cheyenne's many parks this summer.

Absarraca Park:  Located N.W. of Carey at Kennedy Road, this park features boating, fishing, pond, picnic facilities, restrooms and a dump station.

Brimmer Park:  Located at Perhing Blvd at Windmill Road, this park features picnic facilities, play ares, concessions, softball field, restrooms, and a skate park.

Holliday Park:  Located at 19th Street at Morrie Avenue, this park features an art center, basketball courts, bike path, horse shoes, pond, picnic facilities, play areas, rental shelter, restrooms, four tennis courts and volleyball courts. 

Lions Park:  Located at Carey Avenue at 8th Avenue, this park features a beach, bike paths, boating and boat rentals, botanical garden, concessions, fishing, fitness trails, mini golf, picnic facilities and more.

Mylar Park:  Located at Seminole Road at Mylar Park, this park features a bike path, fishing, horse shoes, a pond, picnic facilities, play area, rental shelter, grills and frisbee golf.

North Park:  Located at Mynear Street at Ridge Road, this park features picnic facilities, play area, eight soccer fields, tree farm, archery ranges, restroom and concessions.

Pioneer Park:  Located at 1331 Talbot Court, this park features baseball fields, basketball courts, concessions, picnic facilities, play area, recreation building, tennis courts and restrooms.

South Park:  Located on Parsley Blvd, this park features softball fields, picnic facility, youth activity center and frisbee golf.

The following parks have shelters available for rental between May 1 and September 30 for $20/hour:

• Holliday Park
• Lions Park North Shelter
• Lions Park Gazebo
• Mylar Park
• Pointe Park
• Holliday Park West Picnic Shelter
• Sun Valley Picnic Shelter (located along 12th Street near Centennial)

Contact the Parks Department at 307.637.6429 to reserve a shelter.

With summer being half way over already, its getting to be that time to start planning for one of Cheyenne's biggest events of the summer:  Cheyenne Frontier Days 2010.   From Country music stars, to tours of historical Cheyenne, there is something for everyone to experience at this years event.

Musical Headliners

• KISS w. Alana Grace - July 23rd -Kiss is regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all-time, holding honors as one of America's top gold record champions, recording 37 albums over 36 years and selling over 100 million albums worldwide.  Together with Alana Grace, a prolific songwriter, singer, performer, musicians and a working actress poised to make a lasting impression.  (Buy Tickets on-line)
• Brooks & Dunn w. The Band Perry - July 24th -Superstar performers, Brooks and Dunn are on the true bedrock artists of contemporary country music.  Together with The Band Perry, siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry, who inherited a cross-pollinated love of country and rock & roll from their parents.  (Buy Tickets on-line)
• Aaron Tippin & Neal McCoy - July 25th -Tippin is a force of nature, a man whose passion for music fuels an array of other vigorous enthusiasms.  Together with Neal McCoy, the one-of-a-kind country singer and consummate live performer.  (Buy Tickets on-line)
• Clay Walker w. Glen Templeton - July 28th - Walker's dedicated work ethic, combined with talent have made him one of the most successful country acts of the past decade.  Together with Templeton, one of Country music's most promising up and coming stars.  (Buy Tickets on-line)
• Dierks Bentley & Miranda Lambert - July 29th -Bentley's ind of country has been a hybrid of honky-tonk, bluegrass, singer-songwriters, classic country and modern rock & roll, forging his own sound along the way.  Together with Lambert, two-time CMA Horizon Award nominee, who returns with a new album raising the stakes both musically and emotionally.  (Buy Tickets on-line)
• Sugarland w. Danny Gokey - July 30th -Sugarland is reinterpreting love in a raw-but-graceful collection of new songs, cutting a wide swath across country music.  Together with Danny Gokey, who is blessed with a voice that sing any style of music.  (Buy Tickets on-line)
• Alan Jackson w. Josh Turner - July 31st - Jackson will showcase his newest collection which has already generated a trio of back-to-back-to-back chart topping singles.  Together with Josh Turner, a country Barry White, whose burning voice can tease sensuality in unlikely places.  (Buy Tickets on-line)

Other Events

• Midway Carnival - July 23rd-August 1st - Bring the whole family for fun games, rides and good times.  $3 gate admission for 10 and older.
• Chuckwagon Cookoff - July 28-31st -Authentic chuckwagon crews compete in a free cooking demonstration.  Crews are given a standard set of ingredients, then judged on not only the wide range of foods produced, but also by wagon, tools and campsite.  FREE to public.
• Cowboy Church Service - July 25th - Services will be held in the B Stand and provided by Christian Cowboys.
• Fort D.A. Russell Days- July 23-25th -Historic home tours, military reenactments, tours of Minuteman III and Peacekeeper missile systems and more are on tap for those who dare to look back in history and forward to the future.  FREE to public.
• Free Entertainment in the Oasis - July 24th-August 1st - This is non-smoking area with specialty food vendors and shaded seating area.  FREE to public.
• Grand Parades - July 24, 27, 29 & 31st - Historic downtown Cheyenne.  Floats, marching bands, and Cheyenne Frontier Days peerless collection of antique carriages, automobiles and riders in period dress.  FREE to public.

Click for a full 2010 Event Schedule.

This event is for locals as well as newcomers to the city.  If you are traveling into town for this year's events, there are numerous accommodations available to you.  For more information call 1.800.227.6336 or visit www.cfdrodeo.com/.  Plan ahead and enjoy this wonderful event that showcases Cheyenne's history from the past, present and now the future.

Father’s Day, just like any other hallmark holiday, can get very busy, hectic and expensive.  All dad is looking for is a special day with his loved ones that he can enjoy by relaxing rather than working.  Here are a few simple ideas on how to keep the little ones busy as well as give dad a very special Father’s Day.

Cards From the Heart … Rather than going to your local card store, have the kid give dad a card that’s made from the heart.  With a few sheets of paper, crayons, markets flue and scissors, your children can create their own Father’s Day card for dad that is sure to be a keepsake.

Plan a picnic for Sunday afternoon … Pack up some sandwiches, a bag of chips, juice and some fruit and take dad to the park.  This is a low cost solution to avoiding long waits at restaurants as everyone likes to go out for Father’s Day brunch/dinner.

A Little R&R for Dad … Just let dad enjoy being a dad for the day.  Play ball outside or bring out the board games or cards for family game night.  Allow dad to get away from his day to day work and just enjoy his family.  Let him take a nap and while he’s sleeping bake some brownies or cookies to surprise him with when he wakes up.

These are just a few ideas on how to spend Father’s Day this year.  It doesn’t really matter what you do with dad or what you get him, but what does matter is the time you spend with him.  For more ideas and events going on this Father’s Day in Cheyenne visit the examiner.com.  I wish all the dads of the Cheyenne area a Very Happy Father’s Day this year!

Dear Military Personnel or Family or Friend of the Military:

I have just been made aware that it may be possible for you to still take advantage of the first time home buyer tax credit. There may be an extension for military personnel who were overseas. Please see details below:

Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this special rule. It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual’s spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.

I would be happy to help you look for your new home. Interest rates remain low and the inventory is high, so the time is perfect to find that new home.

Click here to Search for Your Cheyenne Home now.

Cheyenne Wyoming Military...Thank You For All That You Do for Us.  Here in Cheyenne we have the privilege of being the home to F. E. Warren Air Force Base.  F.E. Warren is the host to the 90th Missile Wing, which was activated July 1, 1963.  The 90th Missile Wing employs approximately 3,361 military members and 964 civilian employees. With their families, this adds over another 5,000 people to our community.  Then add in the Retirees, this makes for a lot of Military folks  in our area.

Many of our Military are staioned overseas at this time.  These men and women give so much to our country.  A friend of mine is now in Afghanistan..  Here is a picture of him and his team.

Here is a picture of our team. PRT stands for Provincial Reconstruction Team. Our mission is to help build Afghanistan. Daily our team does dangerous missions to facilitate and help the Afghans rebuild their
country. From Schools, to hospitals, to roads, etc. We have a great team and do it proudly.

 Please take time to thank these wonderful men and women for all that they do for us and our country.

Great Places to Eat in Cheyenne Wyoming:   Great Harvest Bread Company. On my way to work this morning, I stopped by The Great Harvest Bread Company located at 5249 Yellowstone Road.  If you have not stopped in there, you are really missing something. The staff is so polite and accommodating.  The breads are just wonderful. They use the freshest ingredients and whole wheat. In fact, they give FREE samples of their breads.  Not a teeny tiny bite, but a real slice of bread..with butter if you want.  I tried the 9 Grain Wheat bread. MMMMMMMMMMMM...so good!!

This family owned business does not just have breads, they also have soups, sandwiches, scones, muffins, salads and other baked goods.  They open up about 6:30 in the morning and close around 5:30 in the afternoon, or after all their product is sold.  They are closed Sundays and Mondays.   Visit them on the web at  www.greatharvestcheyenne.com

Cabin Site Near Cheyenne Wyoming.  20 Acres..Trees, Rocks, and Wildlife!!  It isn't very often that this type of a property comes available.  20 acres with trees and rocks and wildlife and only 30 minutes from Cheyenne and Laramie.  It is located in the Harriman area and has easy access to Fort Collins also.

This great property is priced at $74,900.  Click on this link for a Video...  You will not  be dissapointed.          http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=2161317

The elk you see in this picture were on this property last winter.            

Now,  How about these for Close Neighbors????  More wildlife around..Antelope, Deer, and ????? Need to go and hang out and see for yourself!!  

This is a great vacant lot to build your dream home on or maybe a summer cabin.  Very affordably priced. The  adjacent 20 acres ( which has a well, septic, and electric and a pole barn on it)  can be added to this package also.   Call Connie for details and pricing.

Cheyenne Wyoming Dog Friendly Places.  As we venture into Spring and Summer, we see people out with their dogs..either walking, jogging, playing fetch, or just having a good ole time.  I am looking to see where Cheyenne residents think the most Dog Friendly places are. 

Holiday Park and Lions Park have great walking paths, and lots of open space to play.  Near the Humane Society is a dog park.   The walking paths throughout Cheyenne also afford great places to walk your dogs.

Please respond with your favorite places, as Gus wants to know!!   

GUS at 9 weeks old.   Gus is an English BullDog and comes to work at the Century 21 Bell Real Estate Office.  He is getting a bit tired of just walking around the office and is wanting some more excitement in his life!  As a puppy he has a lot of energy and needs to find a lot of excitement...

Here is a link to Dog Friendly Places in Cheyenne.  Click on this link to take you to great places for your dog. 

 http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/us/cities/usonlinecityWYCheyenne.shtml

Shopping For a New Home? Cheyenne is a Great Place to Buy!  If you are in the market for a new home, there are a lot of things to consider.  Do you like to cook?  Then you will want a home with a well equipped kitchen.  How about gardening?  Is a big yard important?   Here is some great infomation that I found on the Century21 Network.  Makes a lot of sense.  Click on this link or paste it in your browser.  http://www.21online.com/ViewNewsItem.aspx?ID=9

The time to take advantage of the Tax Credit is coming to an end.  I have heard rumors that this may be extended, but nothing to back it up as of yet.  Remember, you DO NOT have to be a First Time Buyer to take advantage of this.  Talk with your lender and they can tell you if you qualify. 

Interest rates are still great...today the rates were ranging between 5% and 5.125%.   Interest rates are credit score driven, so the better the credit, the better the rate.  FHA is changing some of their guidelines in April, so be sure to visit with your lender to find out what these will be and if they will affect any buying power that you have.

If you are Military, a First Responder, in the Medical Field, a Policeman or Firefighter, you may qualify for the Homes For Heroes Program.  This is my way of giving back to the ones who protect us and take care of us.  A great program...