Walter Grewe III, Realtor Roanoke Homes and Real Estate

The festivities will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2009. The HomeTown Bank Celtic Festival runs from 10:00am - 5:00pm. The McDonald's St. Patrick's Parade starts at 11:00am. The Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors will be entering a float centered around "Going Green at Home".

Be one the thousands of people who come to enjoy the award-winning McDonald's St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade features over 100 entries that range from clowns to dogs to Harleys to llamas; there is something for everyone to say the least including pipe and drum bands from throughout the region! come enjoy the Hometown Bank Celtic Festival featuring traditional Irish pipe and drum bands and dancers. Plus vendors will offer a variety of food including authentic Irish and Scottish fare and crafters will feature traditional Celtic goods including jewelry, handmade sweaters, and countless other crafts and products.

The entire Celebration will proceed rain or shine so make plans and dress accordingly. A portion of the HomeTown Bank Celtic Festival site will be covered with a "big top" tent so if the weather isn't cooperating you can still enjoy the entertainment. This is one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the Mid-Atlantic region, and it grows larger every year! So bring your family, friends and neighbors to help make this a great time for everyone.

I am a fanatic for pork butt and beef brisket smoked and covered with spicy BBQ sauce. I stumbled upon Pitt Boss BBQ some time in the spring of 2007 and it has been an ongoing love affair ever since. As I became more of a regular patron I was befriended by the owner and his wife, James and Nickki Tedesco.

James graduated from Johnson & Wales University back in 1996 and married Nickki in October of 2007. After spending a few years as a professional skateboarder traveling the country with legends like Tony Hawk, Jason Lee and Mike Vallely, he decided to put his culinary training to work. Luckily for smoked meat junkies across the Roanoke region he decided to settle down and pursue life as a purveyor of bbq chicken, pork, ribs, beef and turkey, all of which is smoked onsite. Offering a selection of 5 different sauces, Pitt Boss can offer an taste to please almost any palate.

The current 28 seat Pitt Boss location at 3904 Brambleton Ave. Roanoke Va is soon the be replaced by a grander location a short distance away at 4301 Brambleton Ave. The new location will boast a 136 seat capacity, 14 televisions, an expanded menu, and onsite party catering capabilities. In recent years the intoxicating smell of their efforts has wafted through many downtown Roanoke festivals providing the citizens of the Roanoke Valley with the opportunity to indulge in some of the best BBQ I have ever eaten

Now entering his second decade of smoking meat James is well on his way to creating a must eat dining experience for BBQ lovers passing anywhere near the Roanoke area. The relaxed and inviting atmosphere harkens back to a time when restaurntuers greeted every customer as a friend and called many if not all by name. I have become a great fan of the folks as well as the food and invite you to visit with James and Nickki to experience it for yourself.

I have been seeing commercials for this on TV and decided to check it out and see what it was all about. I went to the website and this is a brief description.

From http://www.earthhour.org/about/

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote - Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

Seems like a good idea to me.

This past Monday a friend and I climbed the 3.5 mile trail to McAfee Knob. It was my first time, but definitely not my last. We took the old fire road to start, it offers a wider track and less switchbacks than the trail. It was quite chilly as we began the 1,200 foot ascent, but I soon found myself feeling challenged by the steady climb.

We hiked steadily for about an hour and a half before reaching the objective and the hype was supported by the reality. Under an azure sky dotted with puffy clouds the Catawba Valley spread out below like a picture postcard. The wind was so brisk it made my face feel hard and tight, but the joy of being alone at arguably the most beautiful spot on the Appalachian Trail made it all worth it. We didn't remain long at the top because the wind chill made it to difficult, but it was so clear that we could see Sharp Top and Round Top rising off to the northeast.

As we started our return journey I wondered aloud to my companion," How can people not enjoy the woods?" I felt so exhilirated by our hike I have vowed to make a monthly ritual of exploring the natural beauty that abounds around the City of Roanoke.

This post is aimed at first time buyers who are interested in trying to take advantage of an extraordinary program offered by the Federal Government. It is my hope that people who are considering purchasing a home in the Roanoke Virginia area will contact me with any concerns or questions regarding this or any other Real Estate issues.

Here are the highlights of the program:

1. Eight grand, new buyers: This credit is equivalent to 10 percent of the purchase price of the home--although it's capped at $8,000--and applies only to first-time home buyers and principal residences. But unlike an earlier $7,500 home buyer tax credit, this one does not have to be repaid.

2. First time buyers defined: For the purpose of this legislation, a "first-time home buyer" is someone who hasn't owned a principal residence for three years before buying a house. (The date of purchase is considered the day that the title is transferred.) That means if you've owned a vacation home--but not a principal residence--within the past three years, you would still qualify for the credit.

3. 2009 buyers only: Only those who purchase a home on or after January 1 and before December 1, 2009 are eligible for the credit. Anyone who bought a home last year won't be able to take advantage of it.

4. Income limits: The tax credit is subject to income limitations. Single buyers need a modified adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less to qualify for the full credit, that's $150,000 for married couples. Those earning more than these thresholds may be eligible for reduced credits.

5. Refundable: Because the tax credit is "refundable," qualified buyers can take advantage of it even if they don't have much tax liability.

6. Recapture: Buyers have to own the home for at least three years in order to capitalize on the credit. If they sell the home before then, they will have to return the credit to the government. (Exceptions will be made in certain cases, such as death or divorce.)

The current conditions in Real Estate these days calls for the assistance of a Professional Realtor. Please feel free to visit our website at http://www.TheRoanokeRealEstateTeam.com to receive answers to any questions you might have about the constantly changing market.