Cool Kids in a Hot Air Balloon! Annie Sullivan Middle School Franklin MA

It happened yesterday morning around 8 am.  

After much anticipation and a few delays due to weather, the 7 th grade classes of the Annie Sullivan Middle School Franklin MA were about to watch what they had been studying this year come to life right there in their school yard!

All part of the "Challenge the Wind" program here for the 7th graders.  The curriculum couples studying physics with hot air ballooning and what better way to learn science in real time than to have "Big Max" right there in the school yard!   

Students wrote essays in the hopes of earning the opportunity to ride in the hot air balloon or help balloon pilot Chris Mooney set it up.    I'm sure it was a very difficult task as all the essays were excellent, but
16 of the students had their essays chosen by the pilot and took a teathered ride into the beautiful morning sky in Franklin MA.

The entire 7 grade filed out to watch.   Outside, they came equipped with thermometers, tape measures, notebooks, pens and a lot of energy and enthusiasm!

The test balloon went up to check the wind direction and the real time lesson began.   Watching a hot air balloon being set up is something to see and the Cool Kids of the 7th grade of the Annie Sullivan Middle School in Franklin MA had their eyes full. 

 "Big Max" was taken out of his tiny bag and stretched out on the field.   Kids and parents were helping by moving the ropes and getting them in the correct position and attaching the basket to the balloon.     A fascinating site made even more so by the size of the balloon when you are up close and personal.

The balloon is inflated with a fan.    As it filled the pilot began heating the air until it rose majestically and cast a shadow over us all!

The cheers came up from the kids and then the fun began.     One by one they got into the basket and pilot Chris Mooney took it up!   What a sight!


          Pilot Chris Mooney was excellent giving all a job including "Daisy chaining" the ropes to pack it away!    We all learned something new and had fun while doing it!   What's better than that?
Just a couple of excerpts from the winning essays:

"Even if I don't get to fly in it, I would enjoy seeing the burners going, and observe how the balloon itself changes when the burners are off or on.   I like seeing how parts work together, and that is one reason I would be thrilled to ride in the balloon."   EM

 "One reason is because it would be a very cool experience.   I have never been in a plane so it would be my first time high in the air!"  SG

" I have always dreamed about drifting along the clouds under a huge balloon.  I think they're beautiful and I hear that it's like flying.    Additionally I'm good at taking directions.   I promise I will do whatever you tell me to."  CL

"I only know a couple things about hot air balloons. I know that the parachute valve controls which altitude you are at the given moment and that the burners mix propane gas with air to create flame to propel the hot air balloon."  GC

Wow!   So you can see these kids of the Annie Sullivan Middle School in Franklin MA are really Cool!

Many thanks to balloon pilot Chris Mooney for bringing this adventure to the Franklin MA schools, and  to all of us  who were there to watch and learn!

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.FranklinMAAreaHomes.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Walpole MA Real Estate Market Report for September 2011

This report contains information on the September 2011 real estate market in Walpole MA (source MLSPIN) and how it relates to the September 2010 market.    Home and condo sales are up.  The average sales prices are not.   

Today however presents the "perfect storm" for folks looking to get into home ownership for the first time, looking to trade up or down. 

We have been selling and marketing homes in the local area for the past 24 years.   If you have any questions or need assistance, please give us a call.     508-494-9061   or email   Cal@AlandCal.com 

Medfield MA Real Estate Market Report for September 2011

Real Estate Market Report for September 2011.     If you have any Real Estate questions or are looking to Buy or Sell a home, please give me a call.    508-494-9061 or email  cal@alandcal.com

The Charles Cafe Millis MA Just Opened Their Bar!

For years, "The Charles"  located on the banks of the Charles River on route 109 exactly on the Medfield/Millis line was a favorite spot to head down to for dinner and or drinks. 

The food was good, exotic it was not, and the bar was one where you might find a group of guys sitting around playing cards or just the kind of place you could drop into after work and see your friends for a quick one before heading home.    One thing for sure, it was a friendly place where everyone knew your name  or if they didn't they quickly would.  A comfortable kind of place!

The very long time owner and legend, a former Marine, affectionately known as "Buckshot", moved on and passed the restaurant bar on too.     It closed for a long time leaving the locals with a void in their dining and social routines.

Nicely remodeled, it reopened a while back for breakfast and lunch.   The food was good and the service with a smile....but still it lacked the old "bar" side that we all loved.  
             
Guess what?    They brought it back!    The bar is back at the Charles Cafe!  

And looking fabulous too I might say!    I stopped in there last night to check it out.  The new owners have done a wonderful job.     Soon, folks were were coming in that had used to stop by the old Charles!

It's an intimate place with a granite topped bar, comfortable stools and two big screen T.V.'s.   Music was playing, there are tables for dining or for a group gathering.   There is a fireplace which will be amazing on a cold snowy night, and tonight, Saturday, they have a piano bar!   
The service is still fine and with a smile.  The menu looked good.  I didn't have time this trip to grab a bite.

So now we have it all!   

The gathering spot on the Medfield/Millis line is back but better.   Food is good, drinks are flowing, and they also have an outdoor seating area!  
Want to get some exercise in before that dinner.    Rent a kayak right there take a two hour paddle on my favorite river and then come back and wind down!   

So if you are looking for a friendly (and now trendy) place to go that everyone will know your name, this is the spot.  

Good food, drinks, music and a little friendly conversation!    

What's better than that?

The Charles Cafe
35 Main St. (Route 109),
Millis MA 02054

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.FranklinMAAreaHomes.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

Have Pets? The Barking Dog and the Home for Sale

I need to preface this post by saying that I LOVE dogs.   All kinds, shapes and sizes....  here is my story.

A warm Sunday afternoon and we get the call.    "I need to sell my Bellingham MA home!"     Over we go with market analysis and marketing plan in hand.

The home is lovely.    A young multi bath colonial.   A classic home for the area.  Well maintained.  I know immediately we are going to get a lot of showings.   It should sell quickly.    We do our thing, establish a price.   I get out the camera and take some great photos of the home and get the marketing started.

On line it goes, into MLS and the showings begin!  That's when it starts! 

The neighbor's dog is a barker.   Now these homeowners did not know that as they were out working all day.    Their very next door neighbor tied the dog up on the deck and bark it did.    Incessantly for hours on end out there on that deck.    Well... I am not quite sure about that, but the feedback I got from every showing had to do with how obnoxious the barking was.

We are never going to sell this home with Fido over there barking to beat the band!!!

   
We informed the Seller of the situation and asked them to speak to their neighbor.    They did.
The barking continued, and continued.   I went over to meet some buyers and heard it for myself.  

Oh!  This will never work.    I walked next door to talk to the homeowner.    "Please", I say, "is there anyway we can bring the dog inside when you see a showing happening next door?"   I went on to explain to her that this could ultimately effect her property value if my listing ends up staying on the market longer than it should.  

The homeowner didn't realize that the poor pooch on the porch was barking all day, having a negative impact on our showings!

She promised to bring Fido in when the home was being shown.    In fact, she wasn't going to leave him out there all day anymore!

With Fido happily inside, the offer came in.

Here are My Pet Tips for Selling your Home.

• If you have pets, establish a showing plan that includes them.
• When at all possible remove pets from home for showings.
• Asking an Agent to keep Houdini the Cat in, can detract and distract from the showing, find a way to corral him.
• Make sure the showing agent knows there are pets in the home and what to expect.
• If possible, crate your pet to keep him safe.   A "friendly" pet might not remain friendly when there are strangers in their home and you aren't!  Buyers young children are either looking to pet your "baby" or they are petrified.   Either one is not good for a showing.
• Keep litterboxes clean and odor free.
• Make sure the back yard free of debris, if you know what I mean!
• Let your neighbor's know that you are selling.   

Selling you home is stressful for everyone in your household.   That includes your Pets too.   You know what is going on, but they don't!    Make it easier for them and you will have a higher degree of success in getting your home sold quickly!      

Looking to Buy or Sell at Home?    I have 24 years of experience helping folks with their Real Estate matters!  

Carol-Ann Palmieri

Al and Cal Realty Group

www.FranklinMAAreaHomes.com

Cal@AlandCal.com

508-494-9061

2 Bedroom Condo for less than Renting Franklin MA

599 Old West Central St D1 Franklin MA Condo for Sale

Offered at $109,900,

This garden style first floor 2 bedroom condo is a must see for anyone looking to jump into the real estate market in Franklin  MA.    With interest rates at an all time low, someone can get into this home for less money monthly than they would be paying for rent in a comparable style and size home!    That includes paying the real estate taxes. 

This ground floor condo consists of 885 square feet and has sliders that walk out to a patio that overlooks the wooded courtyard.       There are laundry facilities, plenty of parking and an association pool too.

The condo fee is $276 per month and includes heat and hot water, sewer, insurance, maintenance, landscaping, snow and refuse removal so it is really quite economical!


599 Old West Central St D1 Franklin MA is conveniently located and is literally just minutes to good shopping, Boston commuter rail and highways.  

This is an amazing opportunity for a first time buyer or someone looking to downsize, an investor, or a "snow bird" looking for a summer nest to hang their hat. 

Would you like more information on this condo or would you like to set up a personal showing?  
Please contact me  
Carol-Ann Palmieri      508-494-9061       Cal@alandcal.com

Inspiration in Small Packages A Story!

This post is about my sister Teresa and her young daughter Siobhan

I come from a medium size family.   Mom, Dad, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.    We are all very different from each other, but all very close and supportive of what ever we decide to do. 

We all have our "thing", but when Teresa told me that she was going to tackle a triathlon with her daughter, I was nothing but amazed.    Like really?   Who would even think to do such a thing.

I watched or really heard of her training all summer, on her own, without a trainer.   No one pushing her but herself!   Can you imagine how hard it is to do 44 laps in an outdoor, unheated pool each morning, regardless of weather (in New England) before work!  Bike rides up and down on a beast of a bike no less.   And then there is the dreaded running.   (I should mention, Palmieri's don't run.)  
They worked hard.   I was in awe.    I do complain that I don't have enough time to do what I want, but really, when I look at the determination here, I have to be embarrassed for myself for even thinking that.   

This past Sunday the event took place.    Hopkinton State Park.   8 am.    I will say it did warm up, but I had a sweatshirt on for the beginning of the event.   The thought of getting into the frigid water, never mind a long swim was daunting at best.

Sister Nancy and I found a cheering spot for the swim part of the race.  In true Palmieri form, you could hear us cheering for the swimmers as they exited the water and ran up the path, tearing off their hats etc to get a jump on the cycling part of the race.    We know that Teresa and Siobhan are in pink hats in the water.    We start cheering for them.. yelling their names as the pink swim caps are passing in front of us out in the water.   
What happens next is we hear them yelling back to us!     Can this be true??   Swimming and cheering from the water??     I guess all those frigid laps in the morning has paid off!  
4
We can't wait to see them on the path to the bikes.    Here they come, looking like a day at the beach! 

On to the cycles they went.     Up and over the hill and back to the starting point.     As they passed by me, I wanted to cry.

They moved on to the grueling finish.

And finish they did.  Side by side, Mother and Daughter. 


An inspiration to me, these two small packages of women hood.   


Through my sister and niece, I am reminded of what it takes to accomplish a seemingly impossible goal.   

Determination.   Practice.   Teamwork.