There are a number of open houses in Arlington MA on Sunday, June 6th and the weather's supposed to be gorgeous once again. So why not treat yourself to something fun after doing the serious work involved in buying a home or condo? Here are two excellent after-open house activities you can easily do in one afternoon. There's always something exciting going on in Arlington and Cambridge!
The Annual Greek Festival at Saint Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church will continue through Sunday, from 11am to 8pm. Held rain or shine - just look for the happy crowd under the big tent! Lots of wonderful food and pastries will be available, as well as rides for the kids and Greek dancing lessons! What a great way to spend the first Sunday in June! Just stop by 4 Appleton St. in Arlington to enjoy this excellent community event for yourself!
For more info, check out the Arlington Greek Festival's Fan page on Facebook or pay a direct visit to the Greek Festival website, which includes a schedule of events. If you are interested in seeing a short video clip of Sat
urday's events, visit Steve Katsos's recent video posting of it on Youtube.
And speaking of Youtube, you should check out this cute video of the Red-tailed Hawks who've setup their nest high above Fresh Pond circle. If you feel like checking them out for yourself after the Greek Festival, bring your binoculars and head on over to the Freshpond Shopping Mall parking lot. Even the hawks seem to know Cambridge and Arlington are now officially green and eco-friendly Communities!
You can get more information by visiting our Avenue 3 Real Estate community pages for Arlington MA and Cambridge MA. While there, don't forget to sign up for our real estate newsletter, The Week in Review, so you can stay on top of all the latest real estate market statistics in our area.
Until next time, Peace!
-TMC
One of Arlington, MA's most treasured spots for both residents and visitors alike is Spy Pond, located just south of Mass Ave. and east of Pleasant St. in East Arlington.
Spy Pond was originally formed during the last great ice age, about 50,000 years ago, when it was covered by the Wisconsin Glacier. As it melted, between 13,000 and 10,000 years ago, the glacier left a depression in the ground known as a "kettle hole," which then filled with water and formed the pond we know today.
As part of its rich history, Spy Pond was notable as an ice harvesting spot, supplying ice to the greater Boston area and exporting it as far as India. This prompted the building of the local railroad and an increase of manufacturing in the area, primarily ice-cutting tools.
As the area expanded and became known as "West Cambridge," the pond became a source of potable water for local residents. Eventually West Cambridge was incorporated as Arlington, MA and Spy Pond was officially named.
Today Spy Pond is one of the most relaxing and peaceful places to visit in Arlington. But it needs help to remain so. To that end, this coming Saturday, May 8, 2010, local volunteer residents, in cooperation with the Appalachian Mountain Club, will gather to clean up the shores of Spy Pond.
Volunteers are asked to meet along the Route 2 path from 9:00am until 1:00pm. Volunteers will spend time picking up trash, cleaning debris from trails, pruning, planting, and weeding out some of the invasive weeds that have infiltrated the area.
If you want to take part, all you need is some time, gloves, and a few garden tools (rakes, shovels, pruning shears, etc.). If you don't have any equipment to bring, don't worry. Everyone is welcome and snacks will be provided (free food always attracts more people, doesn't it?).
If you'd like more information on how you can help, contact either Elizabeth Karpati at 781.643.4172 (email: ekarpati@juno.com) or Stroker Rogovin at 781.641.2506 (email: stroker@alumni.clarku.edu). You may also visit the Spy Pond Vision 2020 Committee web site at www.arlingtonma.gov/spypond.
Read more about Arlington's history and get more information on the local area at these web resources:
I hope to see some of you there!
Until next time, Peace!
-TMC
May 2, 2010 - Save the date now!
The 2010 Arlington MA EcoFest will be held on Sunday, May 2 from 11am - 3pm at the Arlington, MA Town Hall Auditorium.
Featured will be a Noon-time discussion by Don Bishop, a local eco-expert, on Organic Gardening and Landscaping. Following the discussion there will be afternoon info sessions on such gardening topics as Native Plants, Invasives, and Organics.
Other highlights of the EcoFest include:
- Share eco-friendly ideas for lawn and yard gardening!
- Network with Arlington groups that are involved in sustainable actions!
- Arlington residents can purchase compost bins at a reduced price!
- Meet local sustainable landscapers!
- Learn about the newest products and ideas from local, "green" vendors!
The event if free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available for minimal cost.
For more info on the festival and to find out how you can get involved, contact Ruth at 781-316-3108 or Patsy at 781-858-8629. You may also email ecofest@town.arlington.ma.us or visit the EcoFest web site at
www.arlingtonma.gov/ecofest.
As a special treat and thanks to a grant by the Arlington Recycle Committee, the first 60 Arlington residents to purchase a New Age Composter, regularly priced at $50, will be able to get them for $25! Also available will be Bio-Orb Composters, of which the first 40 Arlington residents will only have to pay $59.95 (normally $89.95)! You may pre-order the Bio-Orb Composters by visiting
nerainbarrel.com/Arlington.html.
Do you plan on attending? Or do you currently use either of the composters mentioned above? Tell us your favorite composting story (if there is such a thing!) or share your photos of the EcoFest on our
Avenue 3 Real Estate Facebook page (and become a Fan while you're there!).
Until next time, Peace!
-TMC
APRIL-2010 Newsletter Housing Trends
Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you're in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.
The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau and Realtor.org reports, videos, key market indicators and real estate sales statistics, a video message by a nationally recognized economist, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, plus local neighborhood information and more.
Please click here to view the APRIL-2010 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter.
If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the Home Evaluator link for a free evaluation report.
Until next time, Peace!
-TMC