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Worcester, MA Real Estate News

By Jane Becker, CRS,ASP,ABR,CBR,CDPE,LMC,E-PRO,GRI
(Keller Williams Home Team AdvantEdge )
365 things to do in Worcester County - Chandler International Market.  Today I had an opportunity to visit my client, Marina Irger at her place of business.  Marina bought a home with me back in the 1990's and has been a long time resident of the Tatnuck area of Worcester.  Some time ago she quit her job and became an entrepreneur by opening an international market at 344 Chandler St. Worcester, MA.    The store is unpretentious, in fact if you did not know to look for it, you would probably miss it.  Marina services the international clientele at her store and American consumers typically are very naive and hesitent to try new things.  It's too bad that so many of us are just not comfortable stepping into the unknown.   I find it fascinating and adventurous to try new things and that ...
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By Jane Becker, CRS,ASP,ABR,CBR,CDPE,LMC,E-PRO,GRI
(Keller Williams Home Team AdvantEdge )
365 things to do in Worcester County - visit your favorite pet shop in Worcester.  My favorite pet shop is Tropical World.  Original name was my pet world and the location is 540 West Boylston St., Worcester.  The new location is great, it's a huge, clean new store.  Since the store specializes in fish and birds, the store's selection can not be beat.  The owner is a very tall man with a constant smile by the name of Brian Novak.  Brian is well loved by his patrons and I rarely find him alone in the store.  Brian's customers are his friends.  He is generous of heart and spirit.  But, I diverge.  Brian takes care of his charges as though they were his children.  He is so dedicated to them that quite often I see him feeding special formula through a syringe to the little squeaking beaks. ...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
You may have thought the aliens had landed! Some strange objects have appeared in Worcester's historic Elm Park recently. For the third consecutive year in a row, the Worcester Arts Council, city of the Worcester and Department of Parks and Public Works have sponsored this cultural event.Just a walk away from our house, my husband and I thought we'd take a stroll to see what all the fuss was about. Well, some unique sculptures are located throughout the park and the juried exhibition runs from August 5th to October 1st.Local artist, Lisa Barthelson from Rutland created unique rings in Elm Park's Mere Pond. Her exhibit is entitled "Water Rings". These rings represent lily pads and are made from silver dryer vent tubing. WHO KNEW? I thought the exhibit was very creative, as simple as it ...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
Voted one of the Worcester's best restaurants, my husband and I finally tried EVO on 232 Chandler Street, Worcester. Supposedly EVO is unlike any restaurant in this area, and we had heard so many good things about it. With us both being on diets for our weight loss challenge, this restaurant offers a variety of dishes for the Vegetarian, Vegan, or Gluten-Free consumers. The restaurant is located almost at the corner of Park Avenue and Chandler Street in the Living Earth building. For starters, we had each a drink and ordered the Stone Baked Avocado Tuscany Salad for $10. The salad consisted of an avocado over spinach with sun dried tomatoes, red onion, and then topped with balsamic dressing. It was so yummy, we should have ordered two! Then for our entree we split an Asian Stir Fry in ...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
WICN, a Worcester based Jazz and Folk radio station for the past 6 weeks has sponsored the Jazz at Sunset series at the Ecotarium. At the Ecotarium, the Sundial plaza is transformed into a concert area where concertgoers can pack up a picnic snack, lawn chairs and a blanket to hear the sounds of some talented jazz groups. Tonight, is the grand finale celebration and the Mohegan All-Stars will be performing! The Mohegan All-Stars will play classic rhythm and blues as well as Memphis R&B. Tickets are $18 per person and includes admission into the Ecotarium as well. If you are a Ecotarium member, tickets are $15 each.For more information, go to www.ecotarium.org/activities/jazz/.For more information, you can visit www.worcestermass.org. Stay tuned for more "What's in Worcester?" places or...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
  Well, there's goes my diet! Starting on Monday, August 2nd, Worcester restaurants will once again offer specials for the first two weeks in August. For many years, Providence and Boston have held this delicious event but last year, Worcester introduced it and it proved to be a great success! Forty-eight restaurants will have three course dinner specials for us to try for only $22.10 plus tax and tip per person. Last year, when we really weren't watching our weight, my husband and I tried many new restaurants and enjoyed the special prices, as well as the delicious food! So if you are looking for a way to spice up your summer nights and can't afford a vacation, try a sampling of these Worcester restaurants. For more information, go to www.worcesterrestaurantweek.com. Participating rest...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
 For more information, you can visit www.worcestermass.org. Stay tuned for more "What's in Worcester?" places or visit my website at www.homesweeterhome.net or my Worcester County Real Estate blog at www.telegram.com/blogs.
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
Already one month of my husband and I's weight loss challenge, my BMI is now 26.8. I need to get it down to normal range which would mean losing another 11 pounds! We have only 6 more weeks before our anniversary trip to Jamaica and we are still faithfully going to the gym every day for an hour except for Saturdays. We have to take one day off! Temptations are still with me everyday but I have a stronger willpower than I have ever had. Like anything when you have a goal, you focus on reaching that goal and everything around you becomes invisible. There are days when after my job in real estate, I don't feel like going back out to the gym, but I know that once I'm there, it feels good! So for anyone reading this and thinking how can it be done, stay positive, stay focused and have patien...
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By Jason Piedrasanta
(Seth Campbell Realty Group)
So I've had this blog for a while now, but I have yet to post anything.  I received this testimonial today, and I thought it would be a great way to start my blog.  Please share your opinions and suggestions with me.     Dear Jason,   Having made the decision to move my family across the country to Massachusetts, I began my search for the right Realtor. I spent days contacting and investigating Realtors. I wanted to ensure the agents under consideration had the right credentials, experience, solid track record, and a good reputation. After I defined the criterion, and after I interviewed the candidates, I narrowed the list to seven by testing their promptness to responding to my emails and voice messages.  I flew out to Massachusetts to make the final cut when I unintentionally met Jaso...
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By Jane Becker, CRS,ASP,ABR,CBR,CDPE,LMC,E-PRO,GRI
(Keller Williams Home Team AdvantEdge )
Yes, dear, there are three hundred and sixty five things to do in Worcester county.  And I am going to introduce you to all of them one day at a time.  Today is my birthday and my two daughters took me to Baba restaurant on Park Ave.  Baba is a very non-pretentious, somewhat expensive, exceptional service and presentation restaurant.  The food was amazing, the service was quick and courteous.  my "365 things to do in Worcester County" is off to a great start with this pick.  See, I have been telling my friends that there is more to life than Real Estate and I am going to show you what it is.  Don't get me wrong, buying and selling homes is still what I do and some times I will include the real estate world in the 365 things to do in Worcester County, but you will see that when you have ...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
  If If you would have asked me 6 weeks ago from Raincamp was, I wouldn't have had a clue! But on Monday, I ventured into Boston to attend the first Raincamp in my area to meet some of my fellow Rainmakers! This venture started early in 2010, when I confirmed a friendship on Facebook with Kathleen Cooper. Little did I know, that this friendship would lead to a whole lot of knowledge in this business and a whole lot of fun! I got to know Kathleen after discussing on each other's walls about our obsessions with "The Biggest Loser" and "The Bachelorette". Now, mind you, Kathleen is at least 25 years younger than me, but I think we made a connection in a lot of ways. Kathleen initiated some training on Blogging last month and had invited me to join the 6-week workshop. The day was phenomena...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
Two months ago, if you asked me to blog, I would have told you that I couldn't and that I wasn't even going to try! Well, that was only until I started going to a workshop on Blogging in June. Shortly after taking the class, we were told about the real estate website "ACTIVE RAIN". I had never heard of it, nor did I think I had the time for another website to utilize in my business. Spending many hours on Facebook, networking with friends, family, business professionals and clients, I thought, "Why do I need to blog?" Well, now I know why! In an hour, I am heading out to Boston to RAINCAMP! Something I never heard of 8 weeks ago and here I am! I am in an office with 75 other real estate agents and not one has heard of it, but they will soon enough. But will they blog? Some people don't...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
Well, it's week three for me and my husband with our weight loss challenge! We have been faithfully going to the gym every day except for Saturdays. Sadly, we haven't been going out to eat as often because we are both afraid of the temptations when you go out to eat. There is so much good stuff on the menu and before you even sit down, they throw the bread and oil on the table. Then comes the drinks and I'd rather eat my calories then drink them.  I've also come to realize my weaknesses. As I was driving around to showings yesterday, I went by a FRIED FISH place that I worked at as a teenager. After work, I would always take home fried clam strips, YUMMY! My mind started playing tricks with me as I drove towards this place and I so wanted to stop and get "JUST A SMALL" and maybe "JUST ...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
If you are an avid cyclist and live in the Worcester area, this bike challenge may be for you! This Sunday, July 25th starting at 8:30 a.m., you can register for the 10:00 bike challenge. The challenge is to pedal up one of Worcester's steepest hills, which is on George Street. The Major Taylor Association holds this annual event in Worcester every July but it is also held around the country in honor of one famous black cyclist, named Major Taylor. He was a one of the first African American athletes in the early 1900s. He was known for being the fastest rider in the United States and had won several races, while bearing what many considered the unlucky number "13". Back in the early 1900s, it was not common to see photos of Negroes and white people together and this rare photo shows him...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
I have to admit that I am a newbie at ACTIVERAIN, just started last month, but I'm glad I joined! It has been such a powerful tool in my business! I'm excited to be attending the Raincamp in Boston, next Monday, July 26th too! I'm looking forward to meeting other fellow Rainmakers like yourselves and talk about your success stories! This week, I received an email from Activerain that I was upgraded to the VIP seating for no additional charge! Initially when I bought my ticket, I ordered the Gold Seating, wishing I had ordered the VIP and my wish came true. Next Monday can't come fast enough. It should be a great experience and I'm ready to learn so much more about ACTIVERAIN!Stay tuned for more "What's in Worcester?" places or visit my website at www.homesweeterhome.net or my Worcester...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
Bancroft Tower in Salisbury Park is right in my neighborhood. Situated on one of the seven hills in Worcester, one of the wealthiest men in Worcester in the late 1800's, Stephen Salisbury III donated over 11.8 acres of land in this area and built this tower. Constructed for around $15,000, this tower similar to a castle was built out of granite, boulders and cobblestone. He then named the tower "Bancroft Tower" in honor of George Bancroft. George was a statesman, politician and had written a ten-volume history of America. He was also the euologist for Abraham Lincoln and the founder of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Once constructed, Stephen Salisbury III opened it the park to the public and visitors could climb the 56 foot tower to see breathtaking views of the city. T...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
"ICE CREAM, ICE CREAM!". This Saturday at Elm Park in Worcester, the Children's Friend organization is sponsoring an "All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival!"The Children's Friend organization opened it's doors as the "The Worcester Children's Friend Society" in 1849 and helped orphaned, abandoned or neglected children. Later, they became founding members of the Child Welfare League of America and the Children's League of Massachusetts. In the early 1940's, the organization then become a foster home for children awaiting families. Forty years later, they became one of the first agencies in the state to be licensed as a child and family mental health clinic. Every year, this event draws crowds and let's hope the weather is hot! Kids 10 and up are only $5, Ages 5-9 are $2 and anyone age 4 an...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
One of my favorite restaurants in Worcester is Piccolo's on Shrewsbury Street. Since my husband and I have lived here, we have been sampling many of the restaurants in this area. One area in Worcester, called "Restaurant Row" is on Shrewsbury Street. About 40 different eateries are within a 1.5 mile stretch. The dark wood interior and soft lighting along with Frank Sinatra tunes add to the warm ambiance. You may even hear the Dean Martin tune, "That's A'More!" when you are there dining too. The place is quaint and the wait staff is very friendly. The food is the best Italian food, I've had anywhere but the entrees can be allittle pricey, between $12-$24. Our best item on the menu is the Insalata Bel Mondo and we always get the larger portion! It's a salad with romaine lettuce, dried cr...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
Another reason to be in Worcester! Starting at 11:00 tomorrow morning on the Worcester Common, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce brings back this great lunchtime event. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., every Friday during the months of July and August, live performances will be held on Worcester Common. Crafters, artisians and a farmer's market will also be on hand as well and let's hope the weather cooperates!  JULY 9           Blackstone Mountain Daredevils JULY 16         Curubande with Salsa Storm JULY 23         Little Red Riders JULY 30         Johnny Dollar Experiment AUGUST 6      Kalifa and Koliba AUGUST 13    After Burner AUGUST 20    Hat on, Drinking Wine AUGUST 27    Jason James For more information, you can visit www.worcestermass.org. Stay tuned for more "What's in ...
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By Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS, 'Helping You Make the Best Move"
(ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group)
My husband, Ken and I have been anxious to visit the Perfect Game on Water Street in Worcester. It's one of the newest sports bars in Worcester. From time to time, we like to go out and watch all the major sports teams on TV. The Perfect Game is the perfect place to do that! The Perfect Game is located on Water Street along with local businesses of all sorts. An art gallery is right across the street and a bakery is a few blocks away. Easily located off of Route 290, I think Perfect Game will help with bringing more to that area. While watching the Boston Red Sox play against Tampa Bay, we enjoyed a few drinks and ordered salads along with sliders and a wrap. Both were good size portions and the salad dressings were all homemade. The bar area had many flat screen TVs to watch various s...
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