I was glad to be able to make it to the 2008 Italian Festival at the Poughkeepsie Italian Center on Friday night. The event ends on Sunday but with the threat of Hurricane Hanna I wanted to make certain to get there early in the weekend. For more information visit my previous post:

 "Mangiamo" - Poughkeepsie Italian Festival   

It was another well planned Italian Festival. To the planners and organizers- Gracia!  

Here are some photos:

     Italians cooking up some fun in the food tent!

          Yummy!

      The band was wonderful!

    And the crowd was dancing! 

My son is a college grad now, but I remain the "Hockey Mom" - because he can still take advantage of the opportunity to play on an adult league right here in the Hudson Valley. And, I hesitate to say - he still spends alot of time in that penalty box! But, I remember relocating to the area almost 10 years ago and appreciating the fact that youth hockey was alive and well here - and it still is!   

Hudson Valley Residents - How would you like to have a FREE pair of skates?

Does your child have an interest in playing hockey or figure skating? 

Are you a beginner adult hockey player looking for a league that will get you out on the ice and into the game?

Just want to skate for the fun of it???

....I've got just the place for you! As a Hockey Mom, I thought I'd provide some helpful community information about local ice-time opportunities! For more info call Call 845-454-5800 or visit online: www.midhudsonciviccenter.com

                                    LEAGUES ARE FORMING!

The McCann Ice Arena in Poughkeepsie at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center features an indoor NHL-sized ice sheet and the facility will accommodate seating for over 600 spectators. This is also the home ice for Marist College. Be sure to visit the game schedule at:

      http://www.marist.goalline.ca/team_schedule.php?team_id=13091

From open public skating to hockey leagues....

    ....For kids and adults - ice time is available at The McCann Ice Arena!

Open Skating: 

12-2pm Mon., Tue., Fri.  7:15-9pm Fri.   2-4pm Sat. & Sun.                         

Rates:

Ice and inline hockey activities for are available for both youth and adult players too.

A low cost instruction to youth ice hockey for boys and girls ages 4-12. This program teaches the basic skills and fundamentals of hockey with the emphasis on FUN!  Enrollment is continuous.

McCann Ice Arena also offers a recreation hockey program for both adults and teens that includes a combination of skill development and game time.   

Freeskate Promotion
A program for skaters ages 3 through adult who have limited or no skating experience.  Instructional period is a 25 minute group session.  Program also includes four free passes to practice during a public session.  At registration, you will be professionally fitted by McCann Ice Arena Staff for your FREE pair of figure or hockey skates.  Skater must be present for the skate fitting.  Class sizes will be limited.

The Advanced Freeskating Program curriculum includes the study of jumps, spins, moves in the field, technical turns, introduction of patch, creative and interpretive movements.

for more info call Call 845-454-5800 or visit online: www.midhudsonciviccenter.com 

Looking to have a doggone good time with your K9 child? You & your dog are sure to enjoy this fun-filled benefit for the Dutchess County SPCA - the 14th Annual PAWS IN THE PARK PETWALK. The event takes place on Saturday, September 13th from 11am-3pm at Bowdoin Park in Poughkeepsie. Visit the website for more information and to register, or call 845-454-5345. www.pawsintheparkpetwalk.com/home.html

This event is to raise funds to help the homeless animals at the Dutchess County SPCA.                                                     

Please look for me there and say hello to my K9 daughter (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) Lexy!

I am happy to announce that this REALTOR® will have an SRES® designation by the end of the week. I have helped many seniors and their families and realize how well I relate to this group, especially with my own parents in their 80s. So, it only makes sense for me to become a Seniors Real Estate Specialist.

For more information on the SRES designation, you can pop onto the SRES site http://www.sres.org/ 

From that site, the question is posed:

Why are 50-plus clients moving? To be closer to grandchildren. To start that vineyard they've always dreamed of. To address health concerns. The list goes on and on.

Can you speak to the unique motivation they have?

The baby boomers are retiring! This is the fastest growing market in real estate. I for one, will walk away with new designation this week but more importantly I will have better understanding and knowledge to be able to serve the real estate needs of clients age 50+. And, after-all I'm quickly approaching that mark myself! And, when that time comes I hope to be having as much fun as these folks below ....

Yes, MY gutters! Seems I spend so much time helping other people find homes or sell their houses that I have neglected my own. Yikes! Weeds in my gutters! The sweet neighbor girl next door locked herself out of her house today and came over for the spare key. She's 25 and still lives at home, and old enough to be judgmental. Thank goodness that we love each-other!

I was both surprised and embaressed that she walked the front-door path to ring my doorbell, when all our friends and family use the back door - a path we keep a little nicer because it's also the route to/from the driveway which we walk everyday. So, naturally we happen to take more notice to this area.

I joked that she walked through the jungle, but she was too polite to admit she noticed. I explained that WE had designated this upcoming weekend for lawn and exterior upkeep. Well, I did - my husband actually doesn't know it yet.

She claimed she didn't notice - yeah right, ...when her father is the King of manicured lawns!

Then she laughed with me when I asked "well, how will I ever sell the house next door when my own home looks like this?"...Because, I am the listing agent of HER house. Yes, my next door neighbor's house is for sale and the house that shares a property line - MY HOUSE, is looking so neglected. She let me off the hook by reminding me that she really doesn't want to move and she assured me that I can relax. She also stated that it was the first time she took the front-door path to my house. So, she did notice the jungle!

My house is unkept right now! Looks nice from a distance. From the street, I probably have not lost any curb appeal. What can I say, we were on vacation! Well, I've also been busy too - helping other people find homes or sell their houses. Usually, I love working outdoors but I haven't had much time for that this summer. So, I was hoping we could tackle this project over the weekend...oh, oh - but now we're especting the effects of hurricane Hanna. 

You know, I bet people think Realtors live in beautiful homes, if only my clients knew that even I don't live in a perfect world! Yes, even I have weeds growing in my gutters!

Humor! What a wonderful way to wrap up a week that ended up a tad bit depressing for me! Well, I have at least enjoyed getting to know our presidential candidates over the last couple of weeks. Things are growing interesting now.

Usually, I hate politics.

When McCain announce Sarah Palin would be his running mate my husband said she looked a little like Tina Fey. I thought she looked like somebody but I just couldn't put my finger on it. Apparently, she looks like alot of people and we were not alone in thinking this. I just found this website bellow that provides Presidential Lookalikes Photos! Enjoy!

http://photos.tmz.com/galleries/sarah_palin_lookalikes#25841

   Hmmm! Maybe I'll wear my hair up and don some glasses for   Halloween! Wonder if hubby will allow me to spray paint his hair white! How fun would that be?

GOT BEER? Germania of Poughkeepsie will be hosting Oktoberfest Septrmber 12th -14th. This is a major fundraiser event for the German heritage club. In addition to German food, there will be music and beer.   http://germaniaoktoberfest.homestead.com/

Fiday night - music by Rhinehold Wiedermann

Saturday afternoon - The Austrian Boys Band

Saturday night & Sunday - The Bergholz Band

$6 cover charge daily (under 12 is free) - food and beer extra

Germania Picnic Grounds

Old Degarmo Rd   Poughkeepsie, NY 12603  845-471-0609

Pretend it's not politics. Pretend you're a homeowner looking for a real estate agent to sell your house in this very challenging market. Pretend that credentials don't matter. Well, they do - but your on the fence. Pretend you want a listing agent who will understand and relate to you as a person, somebody who is not afraid to show his/her human side.

         The Elephants?              OR             The Donkeys?

You want an agent who is caring and compassionate. After-all, these are tough times and you're feeling a little anxiety about selling your home. Maybe you are even at risk of loosing your home if you can't get results quickly enough. You want somebody who will be a go-getter. You want a real estate agent who is energetic and will give it their all. You want an agent who has a solid history of being level-headed and not burning bridges with others. Your listing agent must get along with other agents to be able to successfully negotiate and manage the transaction. Pretend you want a listing agent who will lure buyers with a certain charisma - a trait of a good sales or business person.

It's nothing personal - just business.

You need to employ a team of agents to handle the largest investment of your life and this team will be obligated by law to provide you - Confidentiality, Loyalty, Obedience, Accountability and Disclosure. Who will you TRUST?

Pretend you have only these two teams to select from. Which team of real estate agents would you want representing you? Which team - The Elephant Team (Team McCain) Or The Donkey Team (Team Obama)?     

BTW - Pretend the pictures below are the photos on their business cards! Which one needs a new photo to appear a little more "approachable"?

GORGEOUS 2004 TRANSITIONAL COLONIAL IN A SOUGHT AFTER LAGRANGE NEIGHBORHOOD. QUALITY ABOUNDS W/CHERRY, GRANITE, & STAINLESS EQUIPED KITCHEN, QUALITY MOLDINGS/DOORS & STONEWORK. BOASTS HARDWOOD FLOORS, 2 STORY ENTRY & FAMILY ROOM, 2 STAIRCASES, SPACIOUS BEDROOMS & FABULOUS MASTER SUITE. MANICURED LAWN, PROFESSIONALLY LANDSCAPED W/UNILOCK WALKS, WALL, PATIO & AN AWESOME  CASCADING WATERFALL. GARAGE ACCESS TO FULL BASEMENT. CLOSE TO TACONIC STATE PARWAY & 10 MINUTES TO TRAINS. SHOWS LIKE NEW!

ONE LEVEL LIVING - 3 BEDROOM RANCH ON 1.3 ACRES WITH LARGE POND. ATTRACTIVE KITCHEN, HARDWOOD FLOORS, BRICK FIREPLACE. GOOD MOTHER/DAUGHTER POTENTIAL. NEWER SEPTIC TANK & LEECH FIELDS, NEWER ROOF/WINDOWS, REBUILT FURNACE. LOCATED IN LAGRANGE, CLOSE TO COMMUTER ROUTES, EVERYDAY CONVENIENCES & EXCELLENT SCHOOLS. $285,000