108th Annual Harvest Craft Fair in Sudbury

I just read online that this year’s Annual Harvest Craft Fair will be taking place on Saturday October 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the 108^th installment of this annual fair is presented by The First Parish of Sudbury and features a variety of crafts made by more than 65 local-area artisans and craftsmen. The fair will be held at The First Parish of Sudbury Unitarian Universalist Church and will feature a huge variety of handcrafted aromatic items, woven baskets, dolls, quilts, jewelry, clothes and accessories as well as one-of-a-kind items crafted from wood, blown glass and fibers.

If you have never been to Sudbury’s Annual Harvest Craft Fair, I urge you to make plans to attend this year. This fair is well-renowned throughout most of north New Jersey for its high quality, artisanal items. What makes the quality of the crafts for sale at this fair unique is that only craftsman can display and sell their own homemade products, resellers are not allowed to participate in this fair. There will be a scrumptious luncheon of homemade baked goods, jams and jellies made by parishioners.

The cost of admission is $3 and children under 12 get in for free. This is a great way for the whole family to spend the afternoon perusing some truly unique crafts, meeting some of the local craftsmen in the area and maybe even buy a few items that you have always wanted. There will be ample free parking.

For more information, please visit The First Parish of Sudbury Unitarian Universalist Church’ website

If you are a local-area artisan and would like to apply to take part in this annual crafts fair, here is a link to the registration application (pdf file).

New England real estate market showing signs of improvement

According to an article that I read today in the Metro West Daily News entitled, “Housing market shows progress”, Home sales are have risen over the last few weeks, as have median home values. This article attributes the rise in sales and prices to first-time homebuyers who have taken advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit and bought homes. This tax credit expires on December 1 of this year.

To qualify for the $8,000 tax credit, a person cannot have owned a home in the past three years (vacation homes do not count, only principal residences. There is also an income limit for single and married buyers. If you are not familiar with the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers, or if you would like to find out how you can take advantage of this credit, please visit the First-Time Homebuyer Credit page at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html.

This upward trend in sales and median home values isn’t unique to the New England area however. According to the national Association of Realtors all major regions across the US are also showing signs of improvement with regards to single-family home and condo sales. The NAR reported a 3.6% increase in existing home sales in June and that sales have now risen for 3 months in a row, the last time sales were that good was five years ago. The icing on the cake is that June sales jumped 7.2%, the largest month-to month increase in the last 10 years.

Please click the following link if you would like to see recent sales figures for single-family homes in the MetroWest.

$8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers

I was just doing a little research about the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, and I was thinking that this is a great time for first-time homebuyers to finally buy that home they have been waiting for. With the $8,000 tax credit made possible by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and home prices at their lowest point in years, this could be an ideal time for first-time homebuyers.

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 applies to first-time home buyers who purchased a home after April 8, 2008 and before December 1, 2009. This credit applies to either 10 percent of the purchase price for a home or up to $8,000. In order to qualify for “first-time” homebuyer status, the homebuyer must not have owned a principal residence in the last three years since the date of the title transfer of the previous principal residence they owned. Vacation homes are not considered principal residences, so if a person interested in receiving this tax credit owns a vacation property but has not owned a principal residence within the last three years, he or she can still be eligible for this tax credit. To qualify for this credit, homebuyers will have to own their home for at least three years. In the event that they sell their homes before this three year deadline, they will have to return the credit they received. The government will make exceptions in the event of death or divorce.

In order to be eligible for this tax credit unmarried buyers cannot earn more than $75,000 a year, and married couples cannot earn more than $150,000 in combined income. However, those who earn more than these amounts may still be eligible for reduced credit.

Whether this tax credit can help you to buy your first home depends on several personal factors including your annual salary. If you would like to find out more about this new tax credit for first-time homebuyers, I would recommend contacting a knowledgeable, real estate professional in your area. Consulting with someone who understands this new tax credit as well as your local-area real estate market conditions can help you to decide whether this tax credit is the right choice for you.

Workshop on Proper dining etiquette

Sudbury residents, did you know that there will be a course on “The ABCs of Dining Etiquette” held at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn on Monday, July 20^th?  Yes, I just found out about it while reading an article at WickedLocal.com entitled, “The ABCs of Dining Etiquette”. According to this article, this workshop aims to provide a venue where children can learn such important life skills. I think it is very appropriate that such age old social skill should be taught at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, the oldest inn in America that is still in service.

Parents feel a special sense of pride when their children exercise proper etiquette and manners in social situations, and this workshop is a great way for us to help our children learn more about some very important life skills. This workshop will address things such as introducing themselves using proper language, posture and eye contact as well as how to shake hands. Other fundamental skills that children will learn include, how to set a table, when to be seated, napkin handling, when to start eating, how to handle silverware, proper cutting techniques, how to eat soup and how to pass food while at the table. Those children participating in this workshop will also learn restaurant etiquette, how to make polite conversation and how to be a gracious host/hostess. Children who participate will take home a note packet along with a written summary of the skills they have learned.

Sure, we as parents do our best to educate our children on the dos and don’ts of etiquette, but I believe that a formal workshop on this subject matter can be a great complement to that which we have instilled in our children. It’s important to note also that, even though we do our best to teach our children proper behavior in social situations, there are many external factors that can lead our children to adopt uncouth mannerisms. Media influence and peer pressure can have a great deal of impact on how our children will behave in social situations, in some cases more than parents.

I for one believe there is much less importance placed in having good social skills than in the past and would love to see more workshops teaching our young ones to grow into educated gentlemen and women.

Children will be able to practice the skills they learn while enjoying a delicious dinner. Dinner will include raspberry bisque soup, baked chicken breast with mashed potatoes and carrots and a beverage; and for desert, there will be ice cream. 

As I mentioned above, this workshop will be held on July 20, from 5-7:30 p.m. at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn. This workshop is open to children between the ages of 8-11 and the cost of this workshop is $100.

This workshop will be taught by etiquette consultant, Janet Millis. If you would like more specific information, please contact Janet Millis at 866-376-1110 or visit www.etiquetteoftoday.net.

If you would like to find out more about this workshop, or if you would like to make reservations, please visit the Wayside Inn’s website or call 978-443-1776.

Hope for our heroes

I was just reading the wickedlocal.com when I ran across an excellent article entitled, “HOPE Sudbury spring benefit drive“.  According to this article, the HOPE Sudbury organization will be sponsoring a drive to collect DVDs, gum, non perishable candies, slippers, socks, stationery, undergarments and toiletries including conditioner, feminine products, lip balm, make-up, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste to benefit Local Heroes, a Wilmington-based, non-profit organization dedicated to helping service men and women and their families.

HOPE Sudbury is a local non-profit organization that was set up after 9/11 by local residents and businesses.  HOPE Sudbury stands for Humanitarian Outreach Program, and its goal is to provide support, encouragement and financial assistance to returning service personnel and their families.  HOPE Sudbury was established in 2002 and has since sponsored many activities and events aimed at helping to bring the community together in order to help those who help those in need.

Local heroes is a Wilmington-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping military service personnel and their families.  Over the past four years Local Heroes has sent more than 8,400 care packages to our service personnel round the world.  This year, Local Heroes hopes to receive enough donations to send a care package to all of the Sudbury-area service personnel who have returned from their tours of duty as s how of appreciation for their dedicated service.

The drive starts today, Monday, April 27 and runs through Friday, May 8.  Those who are interested in helping our returning veterans can drop off any of these items at any of four locations; the Flynn Town Office Building at 278 Old Sudbury Road (next to the Peter Noyes School on Route 27), Goodnow Library at 221 Concord Road, Shaw’s Sudbury on Route 20, Sudbury Farms on Route 20 or the Sudbury Learning Express on Route 20.

If you are not able to make it to any of these locations, you can send your donations to Local Heroes by mail:

Local Heroes Inc.

P.O. Box 536

Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887-0536

Middlesex County, MA – April 2009 Events

• April 15, 2009 – Salem Arts Festival Call to Artists Extended Deadline – Contact Jennifer Bell, Manager, Salem Main Streets 265 Essex Street, Salem, MA at 978.744.0004 or visit Salem Arts Festival website.  
• April 17, 2009 – 7th Annual Boston International Film Festival – at AMC Loews Boston Common 19, the festival will feature a Red Carpet entrance and an opening and closing night Galas. It will run from Friday to Sunday, April 26, 2009.  For more information visit the Boston International Film Festival website.  
• April 17, 2009 – Death by Chocolate… not by Taxes at the First Church of Winthrop in Winthrop, MA.  A chocolate dessert and piano bar with music by Cassandra Marsh and desserts at moderate prices at First Church of Winthrop Fellowship Hall. For more information visit First Church of Winthrop website or call 617.846.0708. 
• April 18, 2009 – Fun Run/Fun Fair Wellesley High School Track, Wellesley Hills, MA. The Wellesley Community Children’s Center’s 29th annual event features races for children 3-12 years old from 9am-12. For more information visit Wellesley Community Children’s Center website or call 781.235.7667 
• April 18, 2009 – Spring Fest Charity Fair 2009 at Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA.  Boston-area charity festival to raise funds for the China Nest of Hope Orphanage. For more information on this event email info@springfestboston.com or visit the Spring Fest of Boston website.   
• April 25, 2009 – 22nd Annual Sheep shearing Festival located at Gore Place in Waltham, MA.  Demonstrations of sheep-shearing, herding dogs, spinning, weaving, and more. Large crafts fair, live entertainment, wagon rides, historic demonstrators, games and farm animals. For more information on this event call 781.894.2798 or visit the Gore Place website.  
• April 18-26, Old Sturbridge Village, offers family-friendly activities including music and magic shows, colonial crafts demonstrations, animals, historic school lessons and more. For more information call 800-733-1830 or visit www.osv.org.

Middlesex County, MA – March 2009 Events

• March 11, 2009 – Fleetwood Mac at TD Bankworth Garden in Boston at 8 pm, for more information call 617-931-2000 (venues website)
• March 12, 2009 – Stories and Crafts for Kids in Sudbury at the Goodnow Library This Thursday at 9:30 am.  For more information call 978-443-1035 ext 2
• March 13, 2009 – The Beauty Queen of Leenane at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham this Friday at 8 pm.  Call 508-405-2787 for more information.
• March 13, 2009 – Gary Fieldman Quartet, “Field Effect” at the Acton Jazz Cafe this Friday starting at 9:30 pm.  For more information call 978-263-6161
• March 14, 2009 – BugFest 2009 Family Festival at Harvard Museum of Natural History this Saturday from 11 to 5 pm.  For more information call 617-495-3045
• March 14, 2009 – The one & Only Boston Chocolate Tour in Boston – Starts at 11 am and last 3 hours. Very fun event, for more info call 617-269-7010
• March 15, 2009 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Boston at Broadway “T” Station starting at 1 pm this Sunday. 
• March 20, 2009 – Paradise City Arts Festival in Marlborough at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center from 10 to 5 pm, for more information on this great even call 508-460-0700
• March 21, 2009 – Wine Testing and Jazz Styling at Congregation Beth El of Sudbury River Valley starting at 7:30 pm. For more information call 978-443-9622
• March 21, 2009 – Character Visit – Meet Arthur at Barnes and Noble from 11 to 11:30 am, for more information call 508-628-5567.
• March 29, 2009 – Boston Bazaar at the Cambridge Community Center from 1 to 5 pm. For more info call 781-302-4835

Live show to help benefit our local food pantries

Recently I wrote a blog entry about the Sudbury Community Food Pantry and how those who are interested can help those who are in need helping make ends meet. Today I saw an interesting article in the WickedLocal.com entitled, “Sudbury coffee house show to benefit local food pantries”.

According to this article, the Women’s Alliance of First Parish Sudbury will be hosting a Coffee House and Open Mic on Saturday March 7 at 7:30 p.m. to benefit our local community food pantries. New England Weather and Terry Lockhart will be the featured performers for the evening.

New England Weather ins a Boston-based band and gets its name from the unpredictability of New England’s weather patterns. New England Weather is an accomplished band that covers a broad range of genres and styles during their show.

Terry Lockhart is a baritone soloist who forms part of both the First Parish Choir and the Halalisa Singers World Ensemble. With Steve Campbell on the piano, Terry is scheduled to perform a set of Cole Porter songs.

The Coffee House and Open Mike will be held at the First Parish of Sudbury, located at 327 Concord Road. This event will feature wheelchair accessibility as well as accessibility for the hearing impaired. The price of general admission is $12 and there will be refreshments starting at 7 p.m.

If you love live music, his is a great way to get out for a night of entertainment while helping our local food pantries.

To find out more about this event please call 978-443-2043 or visit the First Parish of Sudbury’s website at fpsudbury.org.

Click to read this article in its entirety at WickedLocal.com.

The Flatbread Company fundraiser for canines

I was just wandering around online a little when I noticed that the Flatbread Conpany in Bedford, Massachusetts will be holding a fundraiser for Save A Dog. Save A Dog is a local all-volunteer, all-breed, canine rescue group dedicated to helping find homes for friendly dogs.

The Flatbread Company will be donating a portion of all their proceeds from pizza sales between 5 p.m. And 9 p.m. On Tuesday, February 17^th to Save A Dog. They encourage everyone to come on out and enjoy a delicios pizza to help benefit a good cause. There will also be a raffle as well as a Save A Dog retail table where attendees can shop.

Shirley Moore and her husband David Bernier founded Save A Dog in 1999, but it wasn not until last year that they were able to find a place from where they could run this all-volunteer organization dedicated to finding good homes for stray and unwanted dogs. Before they found their new locale at 604 Boston Post Road, they ran their operations from their home.

It’s good to see an organization that is not funded by tax dollars helping to reduce our stray dog population here in Sudbury and it is even better knowing that these dogs are not being euthanized, but rather, are finding great homes with local dog lovers who will love and caref or them.

I hope tha anyone reading this will be interested enough to visit the Save A Dog website to find out more about this worthy organization and maybe even donate some money or time to helping their cause.

Please click to visit the Save A Dog website and find out more about how you can help.

Please click to visit the Save A Dog store.

Massachusetts Upper-tier Real Estate Market Review