Below are actual quotes for "why" "It's a nice place to live."  Something we regularly hear from residents of Needham."There are so many willing volunteers in town politics, religious activities, helping one's "fellow man.""Our superb local theatre group.""Our own Beth  Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Campus with ICU and Emergency Room.""Creative Council on Aging.""The town serves all religions." "The YMCA is really great.""It is wonderful to have an active Historical Society.""Our Community Council does so much for people, i.e., The Food Pantry.""The trains to Boston and buses to Newton are so convenient.""Route 128/95, which is a major highway with direct accessibility to the Mass Pike.""The incredible library, with it's great reference section and business division.""North Hill ( A... 12/22/2007

Needham Market Report as of 12/22/07It is very customary for the market to slow up in this holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Years so there are no surprises but there is activity.The report does not reflect the 10 homes temporarily withdrawn and that there were 5 homes canceled. What has changed this year over last year is that the luxury market is still very strong.  This was not the case last year.  Only 1 property that was price in the luxury price range expired in the last month.Pat Baker, Broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Needham, MA Expert also selling homes in the Boston Suburbs of Wellesley, Weston, Holliston, Sherborn, Dover, Natick, South Natick,Newton,Westwood.       617-435-3471            www.patannbaker.com  Report Run: 12/22/2007 10:12:20 AM Propert... 12/22/2007

NYN '08New Year's Needham '08....Special Celebration Events Performances and Activities  First time ever by the efforts and planning of many. Celebrating art, music, dance and magic! Monday, December 31, 2007 - Events for all ages from Noon to 10:00 PM Brought to us by NeedArts/Needham Cultural Council &  by the generosity of the following  sponsors:NStar, Roches Bros., Sudbury Farms, RCN, Wingate of Needham, Isis Maternity, Needham Bank, Life Banking Dedham Savings, Louise Condon Realty, Inc., Brookline Bank, Citizens Bank, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Middlesex Savings, Polaroid Matching Gift Fund, Prudential Prime Properties. Buttons can be purchased at Park & Recreation Department, Selectmen's Office, Needham Public Library, UMCA Charles River Branch, Taylor's Stationery, ... 12/18/2007

That is what  Anne Leonard of Needham, MA said when 25 members of the Irish Village Soccer Club did over her roof.  You may remember I wrote about this woman who have come on some really bad times and her home was in need of much repair.  The worst thing about her house was the leaking roof.  The men as you can from the picture below did work on the roof.  They will have one more Saturday to finish the work they have started. *see Homeless in Needham blogThe Irish Village Soccer Club actually raised $4,000.  The owner was able to replace her refrigerator and get some groceries and get light fixtures fixed. A gentleman named Greg Hickey who operates a website which serves as a database for local contractors also contributed to the effort:  http://www.ratemycarpenter.com Mr. Hickey was co... 12/14/2007

Nativity Returns to Sherborn, MA 15 minutes from Needham, MA Just 15 minutes from Needham on Route 16.  Re: The Downing Family Nativity on December 22 & 23.  I need to correct the performance times.  They are actually at 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm .  This is now the 30th year that they have been doing this presentation.  It started as a way to teach a foster child about the true meaning of Christmas.  The cast includes chilren, teens, and parents from Sherborn and the surrounding towns.  The part of baby jesus is central to the performance. This part is usually played by a 6 month old baby.   Come join in this true celebration of the Birth of Christ. For more information call the Downing family at 508-653-2193 or Frank Angiulo at 508-655-5264  http://www.wickedlocal.com/sherborn/fun/x16829471... 12/12/2007

Just had to tell you about an event that is not to miss in the Needham area.  It is actually in Sherborn which is about 15 minutes from Needham.  It is at a residence that is very large both inside and out.  The family has traditionally performing annually for many years.  The do a multi-media performance of that first Christmas when Christ was born. This is complete with a cast of hundreds.  My grandchildren have been in several times.  They have been drummer boys, shepherds and angels.  It is a special time that will touch your heart.  They have animals including oxen. The costumes are just wonderful.  They never seems to run out of costumes for the kids to wear too.  The music is great and some reads over the loud speaker from scripture of that night when Christ was born. There are 2... 12/08/2007

Report Run: 12/5/2007 3:28:30 PM Property Type(s): SF Start Date: 11/5/2007 End Date: 12/5/2007 Towns: Needham, MA Active Listings Price Range# ofListingsAvg. Dayson MarketUnder $50,000--$50,000 - $99,999--$100,000 - $149,999--$150,000 - $199,999--$200,000 - $249,999--$250,000 - $299,999--$300,000 - $349,999-- $350,000 - $399,999 3 329 $400,000 - $449,999 3 133 $450,000 - $499,999 3 41 $500,000 - $599,999 8 55 $600,000 - $699,999 17 53 $700,000 - $799,999 12 172 $800,000 - $899,999 4 81 $900,000 - $999,999 6 79 $1,000,000 - $1,499,999 22 126 $1,500,000 - $1,999,999 6 371 $2,000,000 - $2,499,999 2 40 $2,500,000 - $2,999,999 3 226 $3,000,000 - $3,999,999 2 58 $4,000,000 - $4,999,999--$5,000,000 - $9,999,999--Over $10,000,000--Total Properties91Avg. 127 Lowest Price: $375,000Median Price:... 12/05/2007

Not far from Needham, about 35 minutes is one of the best musicals I have seen.  The musical is "Ebenezer Scrooge: A Christmas Carol" back by popular request.The location is:   The Emerson Umbrella for the Arts, 40 Stow Street, Concord, MA  The dates are:  December 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23I personally have gone numerous times because I take various friends and family.  It is great if you can plan to come early and see how pretty Concord is at Christmas.  The tickets are available in advance or you can go to the website: www.newlifefinearts.orgThe talent, the costumes, the lovely location, and the great intermission refreshments.  A combination of talented performers, musicians, colorful sets, period costumes, special effects, Dicken's Christmas Carol philosophy "Christmas can be every... 12/04/2007

Needham Market 11/3/07 to 12/3/07  Please note the last column in this report.  This is the ratio of the original price vs the selling price. Please note: The 8 properties at the top off the report under $50,000 are rentals. There is more bang for your buck in Needham with the services provided, the schools are outstandng, the convenience in Needham's transportation and proximity to major highways. Needham is close to Boston by car or public transportation.   Needham is close to great shoppping, starting with the shops in Wellesley, new shops in Natick, Framingham, & Burlington.Pat Baker, Realtor, Needham and surrounding  towns of Wellesley,Weston, Dover, Dedham, Natick, So. Natick, Holliston, Newton visit our website: www.patannbaker.com  **At our website you will be able to get all so... 12/03/2007

We know it as the Bradley Estate.  This  property along with many acres was given to the Town of Needham for its useby the former owner many years ago. Lots of weddings have been held here.   There are presently Rangers who take care of the property and prepare it for events.  It is a another place I like to come to get away from the noise and just read or relax in the beauty of the country side.  There are walking trails and in the summer there is a day camp across the road from this building. It appears that this will be the site of the Senior Center.  The present Senior Center really needs so much work and there isn't adequate parking.  It looks like there is a green light to go forward with the project to house the Senior Center at the Bradley Estate site.  They will ask for $500,00... 12/01/2007

We are a college town now.  Olin College of Engineering is located on Great Plain Avenue.  It actually backs up to Babson College, Wellesley, MA  The original administration building is where my husband's uncle lived and raised his family.  Where the college sits they kept horses back in the 30's and 40's.  Just kind of neat to see this beautiful campus and know the history of the land. 12/01/2007

Needham Women's Club Annual Holiday House Tour - Dec. 2,  1 - 4:30 PM tickets in advance are $25.00 before 12/1 or $30.00 at the doorColdwell Banker Residential Brokerage is one of the House Tour sponsors.  This the 10th annual.  Tickets can be purchased at Roches Bros. and Sudbury Farms Grocery Stores' Customer Service Desks.   There are six homes featured this year. Two of the homes have historic significance.  The tour will kick off the Needham School House at the  Historical Society on Central Avenue, Needham, MADec. 2, Parent Talk hosts Saturday Holiday Stroll - 10 am  - 3 pmWe hope you will be able to join us this year for our 5th annual event. The event will be held on Saturday, December 1st at the Congregational Church 1154 Great Plain Avenue (across from the post office) from 1... 11/29/2007

  10/24/2007  11/24/2007Price RangeNumber ofListingsAvg. Dayson Marketvs. todayNumber ofListingsAvg. Dayson MarketUnder $50,000-- --$50,000 - $99,999-- --$100,000 - $149,999-- --$150,000 - $199,999-- --$200,000 - $249,999-- --$250,000 - $299,999-- --$300,000 - $349,999-- --$350,000 - $399,9993287 3318$400,000 - $449,9998120 5104$450,000 - $499,999441 329$500,000 - $599,9991168 1162$600,000 - $699,9991385 1463$700,000 - $799,99917124 13165$800,000 - $899,999557 470$900,000 - $999,99912138 6118$1,000,000 - $1,499,99928131 26131$1,500,000 - $1,999,99910252 7308$2,000,000 - $2,499,99910 229$2,500,000 - $2,999,9994113 4145$3,000,000 - $3,999,999297 388$4,000,000 - $4,999,999-- --$5,000,000 - $9,999,999-- --Over $10,000,000-- --Total Properties118Avg. 125 101Avg. 126 Lowest Price:$385,000Medi... 11/24/2007

There are some dynamic changes in the number of sales in a lot of the communities here.  Most dramatic being Dover with 160%.  I look at these and I am encouraged.  The luxury markets are still strong.  Median prices have basically moved down except for Dover and Dedham.   These are very interesting stats I think. Sales Review by Town                                    Number of Sales                                                                   %Chg      2006    2007              %Chg        Median Price % chg. 0607                8/06   8/07      6/07       YTD     YTD         6/07   ___________________________ Needham     40     72        80%       355     432         22%           1%Wellesley     36     49        36%       319     343          8%           -12%Dover            5... 11/21/2007

Here are some helpful websites for the area: Great organization for young parents: http://www.parenttalk.info/newsite/ Needham Golf Club for all ages www.needhamgolfclub.com/ Women's Club - very active and fun www.needhamwomensclub.org Needham School Profiles http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/search.asp?orgtype=0&location=268&word=&submit=Find+Organization&mode=o MCAS test results spring 2007 http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/home.asp?mode=o&so=-&ot=5&o=1147&view=tstBy no means is this an exhaustive list but as time goes by I will be adding other organizations and helpful web links in order to know the town of Needham and its people a little better.  11/17/2007

Well there is one more thing about Thanksgiving that I think of and that is wonderful Owen's Poultry Farm.  It happens to be within walking distance of my house.  That was great place to go when my son was growing up.  We would walk over to see the chickens, turkeys, pheasants, bunnys, pigs, horses, cows, emus, lambs, roosters, geese and occasional ducks.  It was great. I didn't have to jump in the car.  Now I have 3 wonderful grandchildren that I also take over to Owen' Poultry Farm on 585 Central Avenue, Needham .  Prior to Thanksgiving they have  kept a large cage with all these turkeys in it.  Well now the blog is to tell you that they have the most amazing Turkeys there.  This year I am picking up a fully cooked, stuffed and complete very large turkey.  It is frozen and all I have ... 11/16/2007

November 17th Village Fair at the Congregational Church of Needham, 1154 Great Plain Ave, (corner of  Linden and Great Plain Ave.) Across from Post Office  10-3 - Baked goods, silent auction, luncheon, Attic treasures.Wellesley Event at Mass Bay Community College, just over the Needham line:  3 PM November 18th - Wellesley Symphony Orchestra  featuring Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales.  11/14/2007

The Annual Blue Tree Lighting and Holiday StrollEvery year since 1954 to start off the holiday season a very large tree in the Town Common and a Tree Lighting at Avery Square in Needham Heights.  This year's lighting is November 24. 2007.  After the lighting there ae Santa rides in the Town Common.  Between 5:20 and 5:45  Shoppers stroll through Needham shops and there is just a very warm spirit  and one not to miss.  This event is sponsored by the Needham Business Association.  They have done some great things in town for beautification.  I will speak more of this in future blogs.  Pat Baker, Realtor Needham, MA  11/14/2007

In the last 5 days 6 properties in Needham went under agreement.  The list prices were as follows:1 at $529,000; 1 at $569,000; 1 at $750,000; 1 at $799,000; 1 at $975,000; and 1  at $999,000A Total of 5 newly listed propertiesas follows:$519,000, $529,000, $539,000, $575,000 and $735,000.There are 110 properties on the market as follow:3 between $350,000 - $399,9993 between $400,000 - $449,9995 between $450,000 - $499,99913 between $500,000- $599,99912 between $600,000 - $699,99912 between $700,000 - $799,9998  between $800,000 - $899,9997  between  $900,000 - $999,99927 between $1,000,000 - $1,499,99910 between $1,500,000 - $1,999,9992  between $2,000,000 - $2,499,9993  between $2,500,000 - $2,999,9993  between $3,000,000 - $3,999,999   11/10/2007

Thanksgiving in Needham brings a couple of great events to mind.Needham High School and Wellesley High School holds the national record for the oldest (public schools) Thanksgiving day football game.  Only interrupted once in 1921. It is now 125 years since Arthur Judson Oldman posed the challenge to the students nearby to a "friendly game of ball."In honor of this annual football event the Rotary Clubs of Needham and Wellesley host a dinner on the Tuesday evening before the game and invite the football teams and coaches.  They include a speaker who is usually a  professional athlete and it is just a lot of fun.   The Rotary Club of Needham in conjunction with the Needham Community Council runs a dinner for folks who might be otherwise alone on Thanksgiving.  For those who are unable to... 11/10/2007