David Henke Realtor (r) Homes Just West of Philadelphia PA

The Paoli PA Station serves the SEPTA R5 Regional Rail system as well as the Amtrak Keystone Service and Pennsylvanian trains.

With its key position on the western end of the Main Line, Paoli is a prime commuter and regional rail station. It provides easy access to the city for those living locally with ample parking and plenty of space for dropping off or picking up passengers. In addition, it is surrounded by some great commercial areas.

Through the frequent Amtrak connections, it also affords convenient access to Harrisburg and points west or Philadelphia and points east. The next closest Amtrak stops are in Ardmore to the east or Downingtown (and Exton for many trains) as you travel west. The station is serviced by both Amtrak's Pennsylvanian and Keystone Service trains. The video will provide a better view of the station itself and the Amtrak Keystone Service passing through:

As far as real estate, the market here has held up very well until this year. Looking strictly at zip code 19301, sales activity peaked in 2005 when 119 units sold. This dropped to 83 in 2006, rose to 102 in 2007, and then dropped to 96 in 2008. In 2009, through July, only 38 properties have closed with an additional 15 pending - running further behind 2008.

Prices have also taken a hit recently. In the early 2000s, the average sales price was just above $300,000. This average then rose to hit a peak in 2006 at $441,000 (also the slowest recent year for sales). Prices then drifted down in 2007 to $421,000, and back up in 2008 to $440,000. In 2009, they have fallen back 15% to $377,000. There are also an additional 15 pending homes with an average price of $490,000, and 45 properties are actively for sale at an average price of $616,000. We would expect to see the average pricing rise as we continue through the year.

Paoli is a convenient station both for short distance commuting as well as long distance travel. The station is easy to access for people from throughout the area and has plenty of parking. The station is expected to undergo further renovations soon and could become a key transportation hub if plans proceed to extend service up towards Pottstown.

As always, if you need additional information, please do not hesitate to ask anytime.

(All statistics per the TrendMLS System and believed accurate but not guaranteed.)

Ken Kazanjian, owner of the Westtown Station Gallery, continues to inspire with his high fire pottery pieces.

The Westtown Station Gallery is located in the original Pennsylvania Railroad Westtown Station (originally aka Street Road Station) located adjacent to Street Rd just west of its intersection with the Thornton/Westtown Rd. Originally built in 1859, the station had seriously deteriorated by the 1980s as traffic declined and SEPTA prepared to discontinue the line. It was boarded up and ready for demolition when Ken Kazanjian found it.

Having just returned to the area from the Peace Corps, he was looking for a new home and work space and arranged to rebuild the station. Trained at the Philadelphia College of Art, over the next few years he remodeled the building to include his living area, studio, and gallery space for his future business. Today the Westtown Station Gallery features the works of Ken Kazanjian and his wife, Shelley Shultis.

Ken specializes in high fire ceramics. Based on the ancient Asian process, it allows for very strong pieces in muted colors. He is not a dinnerware potter making complete settings; rather, each piece is a unique original design meant to be used.

Over the years, they have continued to develop the space. Today, Westtown Station is a "charming art studio and gallery featuring hand crafted art pottery. Also on display, a fine collection of primitive and tribal arts, plus bronze windbells, Indian blankets, Mayan hammocks, textiles, and blown glass." On the grounds, they have created a great Outdoor Sculpture Garden and a unique Train Underpass Gallery.

If you enjoy finely crafted art or are looking for a special gift, unique accent pieces, or outdoor sculpture, you need to stop by and take a look. You can enjoy the gallery, speak with Ken, or just take a stroll in the garden. The Westtown Station Gallery is open daily from 10-5 from May through November.

This is a great time of year to get out and enjoy all the area has to offer. As always, let me know should you have any questions.

Burlap and Bean in Newtown Square is everything you wanted in a superior local coffee house - and more.

Opened in November 2006, Burlap and Bean has quickly established itself as a great hub of activity in the local Newtown Square PA area. The owners have committed themselves to running an enlightened establishment and are committed to the community - with even its own running team. It is a family owned business dedicated to their motto of "Roasting Coffee ~ Brewing Harmony". They are open six days of the week (closed on Sunday) and roast all their coffee on site so that it can be the freshest possible.

Burlap and Bean Coffeehouse promotes global awareness through Fair Trade and is 100% Fair Trade Organic. "The Fair Trade Label guarantees that a product was grown and traded in a socially and environmentally responsible manner." Now, after tons of additional work, they are Pennsylvania Certified Organic as an officially certified Coffee Roasting Facility using only the finest fair trade organic coffee. They also meet all the requirements of the USDA's National Organic Program.

The owners go well beyond a coffee shop with their support of the local music scene and the arts. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, they transform themselves into an intimate music venue. Thursday night is Open Mic Night with performances starting at 7:30 and lasting for 15 minutes each. Burlap and Beans is one of the local venues participating in the Summer 2009 Battle of the Open Mics. Contestants will battle through August 9th to be one of 2 representatives from each venue to go to the finales at the Steel City Coffee House August 19th.

They continue their commitment to music with a long standing program of live performances every Friday and Saturday night. Hosting a wide variety of entertainers and styles, the series continues to grow in popularity with many sold out dates in 2009. Their site lists the upcoming performances and provides tremendous details and backgrounds of the various artists. All taking place in an environment enhanced with a rotating display of local artists works displayed on the walls of the space and even a book exchange.

Whether you are looking for some great organic coffee, the newest live music, local art, or just a spot to sit back and relax for a bit, you need to check out Burlap and Bean in Newtown Square PA.

Questions on the local area? Don't hesitate to contact me anytime.

Today, the tradition continues as the 2009 Delaware State Fair celebrates its 90th Anniversary.

This year the Fair is running from July 23 through August 1, 2009. It is located on the State Fair Grounds in Harrington Delaware just west of the South DuPont Highway / Route 13. It is also adjacent to the Harrington Raceway & Casino. The Casino is open during the fair while the Raceway is being used for the Grandstand Concerts and Events.

As always, the fair is packed with activities. Events are being held every night including Darius Rucker Wednesday Night, the 2009 Summer Jam on Thursday, Demolition Derby Friday, and finally Kelly Clarkson this Saturday night. Wade Shows will be running the Carnival which is opening at 1:00 every day till closing. As always, there will be tons of livestock competitions, various exhibits, Kids Entertainment, and contests throughout the week with live broadcasts from the grounds and even a nightly parade.

Take the day, take the evening, or take the weekend and visit Harrington to enjoy the DE State Fair. Participate in some competitions, learn all about Delaware agriculture and new Green programs coming up across the state, and just enjoy some time out with the family.

Another great area event and a great way to get out and enjoy all the area has to offer. As always, I am available anytime if you have any questions or need any additional information.

Just a couple of quick SEPTA Update points for residents and those visiting the region:

If you need access to public transportation on only a day-to-day basis, SEPTA has now added 3 new passes: the One Day Independence Pass, the Family One Day Independence Pass, and the One Day Convenience Pass. The primary differences between the Convenience Pass and the Independence Passes are that the Convenience Pass can not be used on the regional Rail Lines and is limited to only 8 trips. The Independence Pass only places limits on the regional Rail Lines prior to 9:30 AM.

All three passes are designed to make using the system as easy as possible. If you only need access to the SEPTA system while visiting for a short time, these options allow more flexibility then the traditional Weekend Passes or weekly TransPass and TrailPass. For all the options and costs, be sure to check the SEPTA site.

Also be aware that SEPTA is now beginning the projects approved under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funding has been approved and awarded for various projects across the region so be prepared for some possible disruptions in your daily routines. The complete project list covers everything from Station Renovations to basic Yard and Right of Way work. Many of the projects have been discussed in a recent article from the Delaware County Sunday Times. A key change to note is the upcoming closure of the Route 101 and Route 102 trolley lines for up to a year as the entire line is upgraded.

SEPTA continues to provide many transportation options throughout the area to serve the needs of the local residents. With these changes both to fares and the physical system, this service should be in better shape for years to come with better equipment and service.

As always, if you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.