Marian Gregor ~ Ann Arbor area Real Estate ~

The winter of '08-'09 was a doozie, wasn't it?

From snow in what is usually warm California and Georgia to ice storms blanketing the northeast I think that we have all had our fill of the ice and snow. In between the storms we had a delightful event in Plymouth, Michigan.

That is the annual ice sculpting festival.
It was just a quick 15 minute drive from Ann Arbor to enjoy the activies and people watching. Hundreds of people with kids and pets in tow traipsed through the city park sipping steaming hot cups of cocoa or munching on the goodies from a multitude of vendors.

The city had its act together as several hundred hand warming packets were given out (for free) to the visitors during the frozen weekend.
It was especially fun to watch some of the master carvers at work.

First ever Blogging course approved for Con Ed in the United States!

Ann Arbor, MI was the location of a much anticipated blogging event hosted by the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors. They were two back to back blog courses given by noted Blogger Lola Audu. Ms. Audu taught the lively group about the development of social networking.
She dealt with the conceptual aspects as well as the nuts and bolts. She touched on where society is moving as a whole and what the Gen X & Y members would expect.

Ms. Audu suggested some of her favorite books. One is about Survival techniques-

“Mere Survival today depends on being able to do something that overseas workers can’t do cheaper, that powerful computers can’t do faster, and that satisfies one of the nonmaterial, transcendent desires of an abundant age”
Daniel Pink, author A Whole New Mind
Grown Up Digital by Don Tapscott How the young movers think.
Groundswell by Forester Research tells how to incorporate this movement into ones business.

Some of the questions that she so eloquently answered
Why Blog?
What works?
Who should set it up?
Search Engine Optimization- Get more?
Measure how successful are your efforts
Creating online Loyalty
Do you need Animation, audio, video?
Are tags important?
Should you tell a story?

The second topic covered Blogging & Ethics for the Real Estate Professional

Some quick snippets-
Long tail
Web1.0 Marketing vs Web2.0
Disclaimers
Plagiarism
Copyscape
Utterli
Flickr
Naymz, counterguide, freefind……

A big Thank You to Ms. Audu for providing the most enlightening continuing education I’ve had in my 20+ year Real Estate career. If it’s offered near you- take it!

Is it Possible to eat too much chocolate?

Well, I intend to find out this Valentine’s Day at the Downtown Chelsea Chocolate Extravaganza. Trinh Pifer, owner of the Garden Mill, got the bright idea of organizing the extravaganza. And what an extravaganza! Over 30 Chelsea businesses and organizations are participating.

Whereas most such chocolate extravaganzas cost an arm and leg to sample the goodies, this one will just cost you any pledge you made to never over-indulge. Really! There will be free -- that’s right, free – tastings at many of the shops, although I am sure they will happily sell you more to take home, if you haven’t yet made yourself sick at the thought of chocolate. But is that possible?

If you don’t mind parting with your money, plenty of chocolate-themed merchandise will be on sale. Additionally there will be door prizes and various activities from 12 to 5 pm. All of the participating stores will have brochures available that direct you to the events.

But if all you want is chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, you will find truffles galore, organic chocolate, a chocolate fountain, chocolate baked goods, hot chocolate beverages, and more!

Participating businesses will have a red and chocolate-brown heart on their doors, so you can just follow the trail of hearts, gorging along the way. If you happen upon me with my chocolate glazed face mumbling incoherently, get me into a warm, chocolate-free shop until the sugar shock passes. Too much indeed? No, never.

An American Opera

The Greatest Pet Rescue Ever!

I had the good fortune to see this film at its world premier at the Chelsea Library (Chelsea, Michigan) in November. Mr. McPhee grew up in Dearborn and moved to Chelsea just last year. After the showing of the film, Mr. McPhee entertained questions about it. As at Chelsea, a reception will precede the film at the Michigan, in Ann Arbor followed by discussion with McPhee, at 7:00 PM.
The Michigan Theater itself is worth a visit, a historic theater now run by a non-profit. Tickets are $10 ($25 VIP for the meet and greet the director reception). Proceeds will benefit The Michigan Humane Society, Best Friends Network, and other organizations. See www.michtheater.org for more information.