Massachusetts

LOCAL HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES
FOR BROOKFIELD & WARREN

Halloween is just around the corner, can you believe it? My boys are going to dress up as Transformers this year...well, William wants to be Spiderman, but he's lost all of his old costumes. We bought him a Transformer last night figuring he'll want to join in with the other 2 boys when the night actually gets here, but so far he's not liking the idea. I better find Spiderman! What are you doing for Halloween?

Here are some local festivities for Brookfield and Warren for pumpkin carving, trick or treating and Halloween parades. Enjoy!

WARREN, MA HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

• Trick or Treating on 10/31 from 5:30-7:00PM
• West Warren Fireman's Association Annual Halloween Parade 10/31 at 7PM followed by a party at the West Warren Fire Station
• Annual Spencer Savings Bank Pumpkin Carving Contest on the Town Common on 10/26 (Tonight) from 6:00-8:00

BROOKFIELD, MA HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

• Trick or Treating on 10/31 from 5:30-7:00PM on River Street and Common Street in the center of town

100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES WINTER

Winter in New England is probably one of the most famous seasons. You either love it or you hate it. Winters in Central Mass are beautiful. You can enjoy skiing at Wachusett Mountain. You're sure to see lots of snows in the Worcester hills and heading west. We enjoy a lot at our home in Brookfield. In fact, we've already enjoyed several days of snow and winter hasn't even begun!

Winters can vary from year to year. Some years we get tons of snow and then others can be mild and almost warm! Something tells me we're going to enjoy the first and not the latter this year. James is from Texas so he absolutely loves the winters here. He enjoys the cold temperatures and the big snow storms. I have to admit, they are beautiful, but by the time the end of the season is rolling around you will be dreaming of a tropical paradise.

Our children really enjoy those days off from school to play in the snow. In the winter months they can enjoy building snowmen, sledding and snow tubing. Below are some photos of them enjoying our winters.

The homebuyer tax credit initiative has prompted hundreds of thousands of first-time buyers to seek out their "perfect starter home" over the past year--knowing that they will be eligible for up to $8000 in tax credit money that is a gift, not a loan. Although the deadline for this plan is rapidly approaching on November 30th, consumers and Realtors alike are eagerly waiting for the government's decision on whether the program will be extended into 2010 and on what terms.

Many towns in the greater Boston and Franklin area are experiencing a very limited inventory of "first-time buyer" homes due to a combination of fewer new listings coming on the market and existing homes which are under contract or sold after being scooped up by frenzied buyers aiming to meet the November 30th closing deadline. If the tax credit deadline gets extended, we believe that many more sellers will put their homes on the market--knowing that there is potentially an eager buyer waiting to purchase that home.

I thought it may be helpful to examine exactly what type of homes might a buyer expect to find in a given town for $350,000 or under. Franklin, Massachusetts offers some of the following great buys:

ROYAL BARRY WILLS Cape, with 3 bedrooms, & 2 baths on a 1/2 acre for $349,900

--OR--

A 3 bedroom, 1 bath Cape within walking distance to Kennedy Elementary school for $319,900

If you need help in finding your first home or are thinking of selling your home, give me a call and I'd be happy to help. Let me put my "Years of Experience and Years of Results" to work for you! You can reach me by email at franklinmahomes@comcast.net or by phone at 508-369-5131.

When asked what other businesses MA needs to support the studios at Plymouth Rock, he has more than a few suggestions. This is good news for the Massachusetts economy! There are about 2000 initial jobs being created by the construction of the studio. Other businesses have opportunity for growth and development similar to the growth and development of the studios themselves. (By the way, they use a question I contributed, in the interview!)

He mentions CGI, pre and post production companies, and even more sound stages in other parts of the state. The video below mentions Joe's background financial background with reputable organisations like the Boston Celtics (18 years) and his leadership of the 8,000+ member Financial executives international. The organizers and developers of Hollywood East all have very interesting backgrounds. The video below is just one of the videos in a group called "The Series" where the principles and the activities at the studios are being documented.

Earlier this month, the FTC made a ruling that basically says, if you endorse something in your blog, and you don't disclose how you benefit from the endorsement, you could be fined. And the fine could be up to $11,000! If you don't believe me, here is an ABC story on it. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Business/mommy-bloggers-held-liable-product-reviews/story?id=8764885

So does that mean all Internet testimonials are now the subject of scrutiny? Celebrity endorsements have always been seen as paid for, but they don't have to disclose that in their ads. Does the Internet provide a higher level of trust than other advertising mediums? Or is it that Mr or Mrs Normal Public has become more believable than F. Amos Person endorsements?

Whether the ruling stands or not, if you are endorsing anything or anyone on the Internet, you might consider a statement describing your relationship with it or them just to avoid any problems. For the record - I have nothing to do with ABC, nor with their writers, nor have I received any compensation or reward or even a thank you for linking to the article above. None of my relatives works for ABC, and I thought ABC was just the first three letters of the alphabet. Oh yeah, it's the first three notes, in that song, too! I don't even know who wrote that either and I have no relationship with them, get no royalties, and I am telling my kids to stop singing it!

Whew, that was close.