Edgartown, MA

My wife was a counselor at Camp Jabberwocky many years ago, still has very good memories, and is fond of their efforts. If you don't know, Camp Jabberwocky is the longest running overnight camp for children and adults with disabilities in the United States.

Well, this weekend, in on of their ongoing efforts to raise funds, they are hosting a 5K run at 10 AM at the Farm Institute in Katama (Edgartown). There is a $25 runners fee for the 5K run (10 AM) and for the 1/2 mile fun run which follows it at 11 AM there is a $12 runner fee. There will be entertainment by the world famous Vineyard Sound at 11:30, too.

All proceeds will help Camp Jabberwocky keep providing fun summers for many kids and adults with disabilities.

If you are there for the Clinton/Obama festivities while Chelsea gets married and The Prez takes a vaca, check out the 14 Aero Ave in the Katama part of Edgartown. And if you run, the word is that the Celtics are matching the fees!

details on the camp jabberwocky web site.

Thanksgiving thoughts are traditionally very personal spiritually or family oriented. I certainly love and cherish my family and friends (and dog of course) although this year my thoughts seem to be much broader and maybe in some ways selfish. The airwaves (ok, and wires) contain quite enough bad news about the world and its new global economy, thank you very much. And yet, there seems to be more hope in the air than I have experienced in a long time. As the incoming administration forms, their popularity is on an increase, a trend we have not seen for quite some time. I am as proud of my country as I can remember. An end to an unpopular war and a return to focus on our and the world's security seems close at hand. At least for now, there is a significant rebound in the stock market. Mortgage interest rates have already dropped a full point in response to FED action. FHA loans are scheduled to increase in 2009 to a 12% market share. Home prices, locally, are at the lowest point in almost 4 years. Buyer agency becomes more and more important as the market goes through an uncertain stretch and our office is seeing as good a year as ever. For the first time in a year we have as many sold and under contract properties as new listings. Please join me in plans to greet a new paradigm. And what would Thanksgiving be without a good old fashioned Turkey Shoot? Enjoy the day in a place of peace and expectation!

The Island is always trying to come up with viable affordable housing developments. Todays' Martha's Vineyard Times reports that the latest of these "Jenney Way" will go on the market shortly. In partnership with the Island Housing Trust (IHT), IAHF will sell the nine houses to households earning between 80 and 140 percent of the Dukes County median income (MI). Sale prices will range from $160,000 to $330,000. The houses were built by and island firm "South Mountain" they are the first houses certified by the U.S. Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) on the Vineyard. Four of the houses are equipped with solar electric systems and all were built to maximize energy savings. To read more click here