There was a recent article in the paper about Homearama in Ashville Park this year. The article was about how there will only be 7 houses in this years show (because of the housing market). Like we needed another story about that. I’m tired of the doom and gloom in the paper all the time. There will be seven well built, beautiful homes that everyone can see in one day. How does one really enjoy 17 houses in one day. I’ve seen people that can’t get up the stairs because they are so tired from walking through ten houses. In other years people are rushing through the houses to see all 17 just so they can say they saw them all. They don’t get the chance to relax and enjoy the love and craftsmanship that goes into each house. Believe me when a builder is finished with a house he does love it like his child.

Lets look at some good stories in Homearama.

There will be a house that showcases the local baseball talent that has come from the Hampton Roads area. It seems to me we have a large number of professional baseball players from Hampton Roads. Why is that?

There will be a house that focuses on the history of Virginia Beach.

There is a charity house that is dedicated to a young boy that has struggled his entire life. This year it is built by The Walter Company. Kudos.

There is a house that may host a wedding for a soldier that was injured in Iraq.

There is a Virginia Art Festival House.

Then there is my favorite a green house with concrete walls, and solar panels that sells power to the power company. How great is that. The house that will cost less than $115/month to heat and cool. The Mothership. (Click on the link for updates and a video of the Tornado Test.)

All of this in a neighborhood that was designed by a nationally known designer. He has designed neighborhoods across the nation, Steven Fuller.

These are the real stories of Homearama. Forget the doom and gloom. Focus on the positive energy and remember Build Responsibly, Think Green

Chuck