Donna Quinlan Realtor ABR CRS GRI Newburyport,North of Boston Real Estate

The annual Merrimac River Eagle Festival will be held this Saturday in Newburyport, February 11th. What a great opportunity to learn about eagles, see demonstrations and view eagles in their natural habitat!

The event runs from 9-4pm and is presented by The Mass Audobon's Joppa Flats Education Center and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport. There is no charge to attend.

There will be eagle tours every half hour. Reservations are required. Call 978-462-9998. The tours are one and a half hours in lenght.

At city hall there will be two eagle demonstrations and at Joppa Flats and the Parker River Refuge there will be crafts and games for the kids.

To get a full schedule and more infomation visit www.massaudubon.org/joppaflats.

In these tough economic times short sales are part of the real estate market. It is a chance for a homeseller to avoid foreclosure. For a home buyer it can be an opportunity to purchase a home at a great value.

Shorts Sales on the Market in the Greater Newburyport Area:

Newburyport 7 Rowley 3 Georgetown 3

Newbury 2 Amesbury 21 Groveland 4

Salisbury 9 Merrimac 4 Ipswich 5

Short Sales Under Agreement in the above towns: 14

Short Sales Sold in 2011 in the above towns: 59

Average Sale Price : Single Famiy Homes $303,639

Average Sale Price: Condo's $152,427

Short Sales on the Market in Essex County: 405

Short Sales Sold in 2011 in Essex County: 471

The Newburyport Art Associations Winter Art Show and Sale is taking place until December 24th. Located at 65 Water St. in Newburyport you will find a variety of artwork, including sculptures, photographs, paintings, jewelry and more created by members of the association. Many of the items have been specially priced for this holiday sale. Holiday hours are Monday-Saturday 11-5.

The Art Association offers educational classes in art throughout the year. Their many exhibits are enjoyed by the local community as well as those from outside the area.

The Amesbury Sport Park will open it season this Thursday December 22nd at 3:30 at 12 South Hunt Rd. in Amesbury. If you have never been snow tubing come and enjoy the fun. Snow will be in abundance regardless of the weather as the Park has snow making equipment in operation. This is a very fast, long, steep hill. Ages 4 and up are welcome to enjoy the ride, younger children must be accompanied by an adult.

With a donation of a non-perishable food that will benefit Our Neighbor's Table in Amesbury, there will be a $2 discount off of a 3 hour snow tubing pass. For more information you can call the park at 978-388-5788 or visit their site at AmesburySportPark.net.

The Anna Jacques Hospital Hospitality Cookbook is now on sale with proceeds to benifit the Hospital. Some of

the recipes included in this 243 page book are specialties from local restaurants such as the local Carry Out

Cafe's potatoe salad, and David Tavern's pumpkin pie martini, along with many favorite family recipes.

Proceeds benifit the Hospital which services the Newburyport area. Anna Jacues is a 123 bed, not for profit

facility located on Highland St. Some of the places that you can get the cookbook is at the Hospital's gift shop,

the Ruby Slipper, the Elephant's Trunk, and a few of the local banks.