Bath, ME

This time of year, people in Maine are always itching for a celebration. Something that says we've emerged from the icy grip of winter and are barreling headlong into a Maine springtime. Well, with the forecast predicting highs in the upper 40's for this weekend, I've got a plan where you can have fun, enjoy the warmth, and soak up some sunshine! How about joining me in Bath, Maine for a little March Madness? March "Irish" Madness that is!

This year brings us the first ever Saint Patrick's Day Weekend Celebration! The festivities include a Saturday parade, Irish music, children's coloring contest, free trolley rides and more!

The celebration kicks off Friday evening with the Moonlight Madness Sale! As the moon rises over the Kennebec River, local merchants will be holding incredible sales, and in some cases, discounts will increase as each hour passes. So for the best deals, make sure you hit Cafe Creme first and get plenty of caffeine! That way you'll be alert when they drop the prices!

As you walk through downtown Bath enjoying the festivities, don't forget to look up! You won't want to miss the banners lining Front St! Colorful canvas banners created by local artists, all following the theme of "Enjoying Bath in 80 Ways". Taking place for the 5th year in a row, this event has brought light to the numerous talented artists that inhabit our great city!

I do hope that if you're in the area you can take part in the festivities! The schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 13

• 5-6 pm Banners Over Bath artist's reception at City Hall
• 6-9 pm Friday evening retail event, "Moonlight Madness Sale" Participants and details will be published in the The Times Record and Coastal Journal on Wednesday, March 11.
• 6-9 pm Musicians in the street (weather permitting)
• 9 pm Live Irish music at Byrnes' Irish Pub
• 9 pm-12 midnight "Seize the Mike" Karaoke contest at the Bounty Restaurant -$5 entry fee

Saturday March 14

• 11 am St. Patrick's Day Parade beginning at St. Mary's Churchon Lincoln Street, continuing to Front and Centre downtown, and ending at Library Park Gazebo with an "Irish Blessing"
• Free Admission to Bath Area YMCA for those wearing green
• 9 pm Live Irish music at Byrnes' Irish Pub

If you'd like more information on the St. Patrick's Day Celebration, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to watch the parade from your own front yard, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Make sure you look for me....I'll be the one wearing green! :)

The Bath Maine residential home markets saw 9 transactions take place with a median sold price of 95K and a median days on market of 69 in February 2009. This contrasts with 3 homes sold at a median price of 120K after sitting on the market for 129 days in February 2009. In November, December and January combined only 11 homes sold thus representing a strong month in the mid coastal Maine community. Inventories rose slightly from 100 to 103 compared with the month prior.

For more information on the Bath Maine housing community please visit www.mymaineproperty.com, contact me directly at 207-650-5383 or via email at john@greentreemaine.com

There are so many great things about living and working in a close-knit community like Bath. One of those really great things is that we take care of our kids, not only by having wonderful schools with caring administrators, teachers, staff and volunteers, but by providing families with a whole array of recreational activities that give our kids alternatives to television, video games, and the mischief that boredom can create, by encouraging them to become involved in sports, hobbies and activities, getting them outdoors, and interested in all that our community and our world has to offer.

One local program that offers some interesting and fun options is “Adventures at Huse.” This program is an effort of the Sagadahoc Community Justice Project, in partnership with Regional School Union 1, to facilitate out-of-school activities for youth and families. This is a Volunteers of America New England program. Program events are held at the Huse School (hence the program’s name) and there are Saturday as well as after school programs.

Adventures at Huse is open to anyone ages 5 to 105 and programs are held at the Huse School, 39 Andrews Road in Bath.

Upcoming Saturday Adventures (held from 1 to 3 pm) include:

March 7: Knitting

March 21: Lacrosse Clinic

with Morse High School

April 4: Wool spinning & dying

For More Information: www.adventuresathuse.com

If you live in the Neighborhood, Come Join the Fun. If you would like to live in the Neighborhood, CONTACT ME - - I'd be pleased to help you find and purchase your next home.

Bath Maine real estate had a very slow January with only 2 transactions taking place at an average sold price of 137K compared with 3 transactions a year prior at an average price of 141K. Pricing thus dropped on average 4% but given the extremely small sample size it is hard to discern any clear trend. The inventory of property dropped slightly in January to 100 from 105.

To get more information on this Maine coastal real estate market please visit www.mymaineproperty.com, contact me directly at 207-650-5383 or via email at john@greentreemaine.com

Sometimes, it can be difficult for people who have never visited Maine to understand the appeal of our craggy shores, especially this time of year when we are most likely under a blanket of snow and frigid winds blow through the tree tops.

It is a beautiful, simple way to live - - I found this video that gives you a very small glimpse into the the little corner of the world that I love; if you watch carefully, you will see Bath's Maine Maritime Museum and Library Park among the scenes depicted in this video.

PLEASE ENJOY: "A Window On The Coast"