Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HHNCC) will host a Homeownership Seminar on Saturday, February 5, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 13th and Rodney Streets. The session is a homeowner orientation for residents of Delaware who would like to stop renting and own their own home. Parties should arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. as the session could reach capacity and it is first-come, first-served. Only the first 100 people will be admitted. No children, please. Applicants must be a first-time homeowner, and be unable to obtain a mortgage through the conventional means.  Families will be considered if annual income is above $24,000. For median income chart and family size, visit www.habitatncc.org/apply/index.php 02/02/2011

The Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware (RDC) is presenting RiverFeast with several restaurants along the Wilmington Riverfront. The special dining event will continue through the month of February. Participating restaurants include Big Fish Grill, FireStone Roasting House, Iron Hill Brewery, Harry's Seafood Grill, and Timothy's. During RiverFeast, when diners spend at least $50 at any participating restaurant, they will receive a $20 voucher for a return visit. RiverFeast will be available during lunch and dinner, Monday through Thursday, for the entire month of February.  Vouchers may be redeemed Sunday through Thursday, between March 1 and April 21.   For information on the restaurants participating in RiverFeast, log on to www.riverfrontwilm.com.                          ... 02/02/2011

Poet Robert Frost may have said "Good fences make good neighbors," but I say good neighbors with snow blowers are more precious than gold. I have been working at clearing my driveway in spells today, not looking forward to trying to get through the 4' high wall left by the snowplow. Just as I was approaching the "wall," not even considering shoveling the long sidewalk to the north, the sound of a snow blower was heard.  There was a neighbor from 4 houses down steadily chugging down the block clearing sidewalks. Most people had already gotten through to the street and its wall of snow. He could see I was dreading this job, and miracle of miracles, he worked on the wall and its icy contents until the way was clear. I can at least get out of my driveway now, and am hoping the snow predicte... 01/27/2011

This graph is an update on the number of homes for sale and sold in the last 6 months in Brandywine Hundred. As you can see, the number for sale has held relatively steady, while sales have ebbed and flowed. Presently, at the end of January, 2011, there are 290 homes on the market from $200-999,999, 57 pending sales, and 262 homes in this category have sold since July 10, 2010. 01/21/2011

The 2011 Victorian Lecture Series presented by the Friends of Rockwood Museum in Wilmington, Delaware, will begin with "Victorian Postcards" presented by Rachael Baitch, John Sweeney Fellowship recipient. It will take place Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 2 PM in Bessie's Parlor, at the Museum. The series will continue March 20, with "Servants at Rockwood", April 10, with Social Aspects of Hatpins, and September 18, with Victorian Jewelry.  And don't forget, you can dress up in Victorian fashion at the Victorian Style Costume Ball, Saturday, February 26, 2011. For more information, see http://www2.nccde.org/rockwood.                                          01/18/2011

The  "Brandywine Valley" can be a mystery  to some. Where is it, exactly ? It is a wonderful place of natural beauty, culture and history, 40 minutes outside Philadelphia including Southeastern Pennsylvania, and northern Delaware. It means residents have an array of places to enjoy - from top classical and rock musical venues to professional sports to arts of all kinds - major universities and colleges.  EMPOWERED YOGA is one of my haunts and upcoming is Awakening From the Daydream: The Wheel of Life with David NichternFriday, February 11th 6:00-8:00pm* Open House and Introduction*Suggested donation: $15Saturday, February 12th 11:00am - 1:00pmSaturday, February 12th 2:30pm - 5:00pmEmpowered Yoga - Wilmington Tuition: Saturday morning session - $45, Saturday morning and afternoon session... 01/13/2011

        If you have only been to Rockwood Park and Museum to hike the grounds in warm weather, you might consider a visit when the grounds are covered with snow. This 150 year old estate is now a New Castle County, Delaware public park. Being located on hilly terrain, from which the original owners could once see the Delaware River, there is plenty of good sledding, as these pictures illustrate. For information about visiting the Rockwood Park and Mansion, see http://www2.nccde.org/rockwood/default.aspx The park is open dusk to dawn daily, and is located near the intersection of Marsh Rd. and Washington St. Extension, north of the City of Wilmington. And here are more pictures of those fun-loving sledders.       01/13/2011

       I know some people think it is really corny, but I always get a kick out of seeing houses that have "over the top" decorations at Christmas. Although my own neighborhood does not have anything to equal this, just up the road at Silverside Rd. and Prior Rd., adjacent to I-95, the Christmas light show at this house takes the cake for me.       I especially liked the Saint Bernard pulling a sleigh full of presents and the arches they put up every year over the path that snakes around their lawn. I heard two men discussing a strategy for re-creating this Christmas light show at home, and the man giving advice to his friend, who said, "All you have to do is go to (big box store) the day after Christmas and buy everything at really low prices."  Wonder if they are at the mall today?  A... 12/26/2010

Written in 1897  by veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church, this New York Sun editorial has since become history's most-reprinted newspaper editorial. I step aside for a moment of remembering this well known screed. Is there a Santa Claus?We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:Dear Editor! I am 8 years old.Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun it's so." Please tell me the truth: Is there a Santa Claus?Virginia O'Hanlon.115 West Ninety-Fifth Street.Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe exc... 12/24/2010

            This weekend is the time to bring the family out for Rockwood Museum in Wilmington's Holiday Open House. Last night was great, from the smiling face of a baby greeting an "Elf" and "Rudolph" (took me a while to figure out who he was supposed to be, but then I'm not into costumed characters). A very talented group of youngsters, the University of Delaware Children's Chorus serenaded us before the tree lighting. To hear this group of children singing the Charlie Brown song Christmas Time is Here with their sweet little voices was very effective.      There were groups of young people selling their handicrafts in the Carriage House and I must say I found a few very well made stocking stuffers and more here. Here we see visitors entering the mansion, a Victorian fantasy built ju... 12/04/2010

As you can see from this picture I took yesterday of the Queen Theatre on Market Street in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, it's not quite ready for prime time. But at least it has a roof on it, which is progress from a couple of months ago. And they have even uncovered some murals under all the muck on the balcony. The Queen,is a former movie theatre which originally opened in 1916 and was built at a cost of $250,000, and could seat 2000. It was actively used for movies until 1959. The Queen Theatre is scheduled to open as a live music venue in April 2011, with shows presented by Philadelphia's World Cafe Live. In May, they will hold the NON-COMMvention at the Queen, and have already announced 4 acts: the New York Dolls with David Johansen, John Popper of Blues Traveler, DeVotchKa, and G... 12/03/2010

    Alert to garland, poinsettia, and great decoration lovers! Rockwood Museum in Wilmington, Delaware is having their annual Holiday Open House this weekend, from 6-9 December 3 and 4 and 1-4 December 5. See details on location at http://www2.nccde.org/rockwood/default.aspx     Since a friend and I did most of the floral arrangements, (but not the decorating of the museum) we are giving you a sneak preview of what you will see at Rockwood during the holidays. One of the items I really wanted to see displayed is the "plateau" on the dining room table. This silver-rimmed, mirrored surface piece comes in 3 parts and the table had to have an extra leaf put in the table to accomodate its large size It looks great with the silver champagne bucket containing a live poinsettia. We tried to do ... 12/01/2010

First time home buyers seminars every month, call me for more details!  302-530-9186 Delaware First Time Home Buyers Seminar New Castle County  Nov. 20  Time is running out register todayThis is a not to miss event and seats always fill up quick so be sure to register today if you wish to attend.  We do have monthly seminars to assist you in buying that first home so if you can not make it this month give a call and we will schedule you for the next First Time Home Buyers Seminar.   11/18/2010

     Wilmington, Delaware is home to a rare survival of a Victorian rural Gothic mansion, and a tribute to Joseph Shipley, a Quaker merchant who built the house between 1851 and 1854, and his descendants, the Bringhurst Family, who preserved the house and gave it to New Castle County.  It now sits in a 6 acre County park, with hiking trails and a Carriage House/ Barn which has been turned into a caterer run party facility. It is fully furnished and contains much family furniture and clothing, which is in remarkable condition. But one of the things that is in need of help is the conservatory, which is a rare American survival of this type Victorian  structure.     There are two public events coming up which sound like a lot of fun. First is the Annual Rockwood Holiday Open House, Decembe... 11/12/2010

  Behold the Jenny Burger: eight ounces of juicy, grass-fed heaven. When a group of big guns from Harry’s Hospitality Group (the people behind Harry’s Savoy, Seafood, and Market)—namely, Xavier Teixido, David Leo Banks and Kelly O’Hanlon—purchased Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House and Saloon in September, observers wondered what sort of changes might occur at the already well-established and popular neighborhood spot. Certainly one big change I learned about after speaking with chef Banks last week is a renewed attention to fresh ingredients at Kid's. The Jenny Farm Steakburger, a new signature item, is made from choice cuts of grass-fed beef (hence the “steak” in the name) from Green Valley Farms in upstate New Jersey. Kid's Loaded Potato Skins The Jenny is just plain made from superior be... 11/09/2010

    Not content to just walk along the Riverfront in Wilmington Saturday afternoon, I stopped by the Junior League of Wilmington's Whale of a Sale around 1 pm. There were still people going in and out with their bargains, but it was rather calm inside. After all, the early birds had been in line since 3 am for the 8 am opening, and they were long gone. Reports are that the sale added $27,000 to the Junior Leagues charitable efforts, and it made use of the former Vanity Fair outlet space in the former outlet mall.       My impression of the mood Saturday afternoon---We are looking for bargains!   And they were giving the vendor outside the door a hard time when he defended the $2.50 for a hot dog, saying, "Hey, I'm not inside where the prices go down as time passes!  My prices go up beca... 11/07/2010

       These friendly faces were unloading old statements and receipts for the shredder, and an old computer for the "hazardous waste" truck at Saturday's event sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control at the Wilmington Riverfront. What a relief to empty many storage shelves full of paper which no one has any use for, and to get that computer out of my way. A laptop is so much easier to manage and I can take it to the office and all the information will be current. I know many of you are thinking this is a dinosaur attitude and that I can compute in a "cloud," but this is one less skill I have to learn. I am a Realtor, not a "techie."    And in case you wondered, that last picture is not yours truly, but a leftover from a "decorate a dino" contest from ... 11/06/2010

When I agreed to work at the polls November 2nd, I really had no idea what it was going to involve. Now that I have been through the process, I have to congratulate all the Americans who have facilitated this process through the years. I'm sure it is a slightly different process in other states, but here in Delaware, it starts with a letter asking you if you would like to be a poll worker on election day. If you agree to this, you may then get another letter telling you that you have been chosen to work at a given polling place. I later learned from the nice crew with whom I worked that they are not always at their "home" polling place, but are sometimes assigned to nearby polls. Then you are given a choice of times and places for a training class. I chose an evening class at DelTech. T... 11/03/2010

Citizens are invited to a document shredding, hazardous waste disposal and electronic goods disposal event on Saturday, Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot of Frawley Stadium at Wilmington's Riverfront. This popular Wilmington disposal and shredding event is sponsored twice each year by the City's Clean Wilmington Committee and the Delaware Solid Waste Authority. The event offers local residents an easy and convenient way to dispose of hazardous materials and electronic equipment and to shred important or sensitive documents on-the-spot. For a complete list of the materials or equipment that citizens may dispose of at the event, visit the City of Wilmington's website at www.WilmingtonDE.gov or the Delaware Solid Waste Authority's website at www.dswa.com. Thanks to Wilmingto... 11/03/2010

Model train layouts in private homes are highlighted in a month-long event running from October 30 to November 30. What is possibly the largest event of its kind covers Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. Complete information is on the Model Train website http://www.modelrailroadopenhouse.com/ The picture here is one I took at a celebration in Ellicott City, Maryland.  The B&O Railroad Museum: Ellicott City Station is the oldest surviving railroad station in America, and was the original terminus of the first 13 miles of commercial railroad in the country.  See my previous post on the Frank Furness designed Baltimore and Ohio Water St. station in Wilmington, Delaware, which recently hosted a group from the B&O RR Historical Society.  Who knew that my love of architectural ... 10/28/2010