Some months ago I blogged about saving two birds from an reo property that were left for dead.  a Reuters reporter, Elaine Porterfield, picked up the story and called me for a phone interview.  That was that I didnt think much about it again until on December 5th my mother called me to say that her neighbor just said he was watching Rush Limbaugh on TV, and he mentioned my name in connection with a Reuters story about foreclosures and birds.  Then an email and more calls. The story has made it all the way to the U.K. and Quatar, which blows my mind.  To all of those who have sent me emails of thanks, thank you, I am glad I could have helped. I just dont understand why people leave their pets.  Shelters are out there. Remember if you have a pet and have to vacate your home please bring t... 12/09/2008

  I know that from Fishkill to Red Hook there are many young girls who participate in dancing; here is an opportunity to improve  your dancing skills. Marist College Dance Team will be hosting a youth dance clinic for girls age 5- 16. The participants will learn stretches, techniques, a short dance routine.  At the end the girls will perform what they learn for parents and on-lookers. WHERE:  James J. McCann Recreation Center on the Marist Campus WHEN: Saturday December 6th 2008 TIME:  10:00 a.m. - 12:00p.m. COST:$20.00 with a $5.00 discount for pre-registration CONTACT: For more information contact the Dance Team: maristcollegedanceteam@yahoo.com   Jennifer Fivelsdal -Licensed Real Estate Broker JFIVE HOMES REALTY LLC    845-758-6842  www.jfivehomes.com or www.midhudsonhomevalue.com   ... 12/03/2008

  www.sosloanservices.com SOS L Services, LLC is a Loss Mitigation Company specializing in short sales and loan modifications. We are a life preserver for those upside down in equity or drowning in their mortgage payment. With years of experience in negotiations, SOS L Services is here to help.  What is Loss Mitigation - a third party helping a homeowner that handles the process of negotiation between a homeowner and the homeowner's lender. Loss mitigation works to negotiate mortgage terms for the homeowner that will prevent foreclosure or negotiates a short sale.  Short Sale: This is a process whereby a lender reduces the principal balance of a homeowner's mortgage in order to permit the homeowner to sell the home for the actual market value of the home. This specifically applies to ho... 11/27/2008

Scrooge returns to the Bardavon 1869 Opera House for another holiday tradition in Poughkeepsie! A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens - is one of the most popular and enduring Christmas stories of all time!  Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean old miser, is given a second chance to do right after being haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve in this Dickens classic. Sunday December 7, 2008 3:00 pm. Purchase your tickets in person at the Bardavon Box Office, 35 Market Street, Poughkeepsie: (845) 473-2072  $34 Adult, $31 Senior/Student, $28 Member Bardavon 1869 Opera House         35 Market St.Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 http://www.bardavon.org/ev_dir/sub_preview.php?id=34        11/24/2008

A caregiver is an everyday hero, they take on many roles. Every single day can oresent new challenges. And, there are many tasks. A caregiver wears many hats - nurse, activities director, cook, housekeeper, chauffer, pharmacist - just to name a few. For caregivers in the mid-Hudson Valley, a FREE conference will be sponsored by the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and cooperative organizations, including the Saint Francis Hospital, Dutchess County Office for the Aging, the Manor at Woodside. Premier Home Health Care, and Wingate Healthcare.   Workshops will be offered at the conference to help cargivers find available resources and understand issues related to a caregiver's needs.  Some of the topics covered will be home care services, elder law and financial matters and pha... 10/26/2008

Nobody who's ever ventured north of NY City or Westchester County would ever imagine this! Only 70 miles away from the Big Apple is a beautiful and peaceful landscape. Manhattanites who come up here for a weekend drive usually fall in love with the Upstate NY countryside. Often I've heard it said - "I  feel like I've died and gone to heaven". No wonder one Hudson Valley town was named Pleasant Valley! Many stay long enough to check out the local real estate market -  and eventually they become residents who commute to work in The City. The smart thing, for those who have jobs that are conducive enough is to figure out a way to telecommute. Some people transition to a 4 day work week. until they can eventually retire here. One of these people is novelist and New York Times bestselling au... 10/15/2008

How about a taste of soup to help out local families? Mark your calendars for Soup-a-Bowl, the 1st Annual Poughkeepsie Celebration of Food and Art. This soup luncheon, served in handmade pottery bowls, will promote local restaurants and culinary talent while showcasing the work of local pottery artists. Fresh, homemade soup & hand-crafted pottery! Following the model of a nationwide fundraiser, one local nonprofit will host Poughkepsie's first "Soup-A-Bowl" featuring a variety of soups concocted by local restaurants. Some of the local restaurants cooking the soup for this event are Twisted Soul, The Artist's Palate, Soul Dog, Silver Spoon. This inaugural event will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2008, 12:00 - 2:30 at the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum Pavilion on the banks of the H... 09/09/2008

I was glad to be able to make it to the 2008 Italian Festival at the Poughkeepsie Italian Center on Friday night. The event ends on Sunday but with the threat of Hurricane Hanna I wanted to make certain to get there early in the weekend. For more information visit my previous post:  "Mangiamo" - Poughkeepsie Italian Festival    It was another well planned Italian Festival. To the planners and organizers- Gracia!   Here are some photos:      Italians cooking up some fun in the food tent!           Yummy!       The band was wonderful!     And the crowd was dancing!    09/06/2008

My son is a college grad now, but I remain the "Hockey Mom" - because he can still take advantage of the opportunity to play on an adult league right here in the Hudson Valley. And, I hesitate to say - he still spends alot of time in that penalty box! But, I remember relocating to the area almost 10 years ago and appreciating the fact that youth hockey was alive and well here - and it still is!    Hudson Valley Residents - How would you like to have a FREE pair of skates? Does your child have an interest in playing hockey or figure skating?  Are you a beginner adult hockey player looking for a league that will get you out on the ice and into the game? Just want to skate for the fun of it??? ....I've got just the place for you! As a Hockey Mom, I thought I'd provide some helpful communit... 09/06/2008

Looking to have a doggone good time with your K9 child? You & your dog are sure to enjoy this fun-filled benefit for the Dutchess County SPCA - the 14th Annual PAWS IN THE PARK PETWALK. The event takes place on Saturday, September 13th from 11am-3pm at Bowdoin Park in Poughkeepsie. Visit the website for more information and to register, or call 845-454-5345. www.pawsintheparkpetwalk.com/home.html        This event is to raise funds to help the homeless animals at the Dutchess County SPCA.                                                                                                    Please look for me there and say hello to my K9 daughter (Greater Swiss Mountain Dog) Lexy! 09/06/2008

GOT BEER? Germania of Poughkeepsie will be hosting Oktoberfest Septrmber 12th -14th. This is a major fundraiser event for the German heritage club. In addition to German food, there will be music and beer.   http://germaniaoktoberfest.homestead.com/ Fiday night - music by Rhinehold Wiedermann Saturday afternoon - The Austrian Boys Band Saturday night & Sunday - The Bergholz Band $6 cover charge daily (under 12 is free) - food and beer extra   Germania Picnic Grounds Old Degarmo Rd   Poughkeepsie, NY 12603  845-471-0609   09/03/2008

Poughkeepsie is gearing up for one of the area's best festivals of the year! It's time to savor the flavors of Italy. Who can resist this sampling of the best authentic Italian cuisine in the Hudson Valley? This weekend's festival is a reminder of the very strong ethnic heritage of our Italian-Amercan community. I love grazing through the festival as I listen to the upbeat sounds of the band and watch as the members of the crowd dance. This is one local event I am sure to never miss - See your there! ...Mangiamo! Thu Sep 4, 2008 11:00 AM - Sun Sep 7, 2008 9:00 PM The Italian Center 227 Mill St. Poughkeepsie, Phone: 845-454-1492                     We're Gearing Up                 Festa Italiana !! Thursday Sept 4 - through Sunday Sept 7 Thu  6:00 -10:30 PM Fri 5:30-11:00 PM Sat 1:00-11:... 09/02/2008

Well, how can I be considered the Poughkeepsie expert if I can't throw around some trivia about this place I call home? Did the title of this post grab your attention? Well, how about taking the time now to figure it out? I didn't just make this up - somewhere hidden in the trivia below is the answer!       Samual Morse, the inventor of the telegraph, moved to Poughkeepsie in 1847 and lived here until his death. The Poughkeepsie Journal is the third-oldest active newspaper in the United States. Poughkeepsie was the capital of New York State from 1777-1783. Until 1972 Poughkeepsie was home to the Smith Brother cough drop factory and the Smith Brothers' grave site is in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. (ps. my church was donated by the Smith Brothers' in memory of their sister who was a nun).... 08/11/2008

As an active agent working in this challenging market here in Dutchess County, New York - I would like to use this forum to caution desperate homeowners who might be facing foreclosure. DO NOT use a 3rd party negotiator who will charge an UPFRONT FEE for a short sale (pre-foreclosure). Don't spend a dime on this service when all you really need is an experienced real estate agent and a good local attorney who is an expert in negotiating with the banks.                                             In the Poughkeepsie area I am hearing stories of a 3rd party negotiator who is taking upfront fees from destitute sellers - a fee of $1,000-$3000. Understandably, anybody facing foreclosure does not have this kind of money, yet many homeowners have been desperate enough to scrape it together jus... 08/03/2008

From the quiet surroundings of Poughkeepsie ...NY City is a just a commuter train away. For the Manhattan worker, finding affordable housing is becoming more and more of a challenge. Many people seek affordable housing solutions in the suburbs. The further out, the more affordable. Westchester, Bergen, Nassau and Putnam Counties were once highly regarded as the affordable suburban communities, and commuting became the great alternative from these nearby areas, so close to Manhattan. However, many home buyers have found themselves priced out of these increasingly expensive real estate markets too now. As housing prices increased in the New York City metropolitan area over the past several years - more home buyers have been moving even further out in search of affordable housing. And, man... 07/22/2008

                                                   Jonathan Drapkin CEO of Pattern For Progress at mike   On June 11th I attended the Pattern For Progress Housing conference at Marist College in Poughkeepsie NY.  The conference was well attended and both the private and public sector were well represented. The first guest speaker was the Duchess County Executive William Steinhaus.  He too was encouraged by the attendance.  His speech focused on the need for land use policies to address affordable housing.  I think the point that stood out most was when he spoke about the fact that the Hudson Valley has spent billions of dollars educating our children - this is very evident from the many educational institutions to be found locally -  however, the big problem is that once these students ... 07/02/2008

Do remember drive-in movies? Drive-ins have just about become extinct. Did you know that in the United states there are only a few hundred drive-ins left? Well, two of them are right here in Dutchess County. Load up the station wagon, SUV or mini-van with lawn chairs, pile in the kids lawn and call it a night out! This weekend I even made it through a double feature at the Hyde Park drive-in- yeah, 2 for one! The movie critic in me tells says I should warn you against seeing Get Smart but I'm giving 4 stars to Sex In The City. Both theaters feature a full-service snack bar and radio sound. Below is a link to the websites: DriveInMovie.com/NY.htm Hyde Park Drive-In TheaterLocation: 510 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park.Contact: 845/229-4738Hours: Apr.-Oct. Overlook Drive-In TheaterLocation: 126... 06/25/2008

Most people when they hear the term affordable housing immediately think of housing for the homeless are for the very poor.  Many go so far as to say they don't want such projects in their neighborhood as it would attract the wrong crowd. Yes this is a common misconception of what affordable housing is. According to a report on the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) as defined by HUD,  the Area Median Income for a family of 4  in the Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown NY MSA is $78,900. The Labor Department statictics in May 2006 for MSA areas on wages provided the follow figures for the Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown MSA area Elementary Teacher $59,540 Register nurse           $62,750 Paralegal                   $48,970 Firefighter                 $44,480 Police                       ... 06/18/2008

Last Wednesday was a monkey wrench day for me.  While doing my occupancy checks I found one that had gone vacant.  The power was off, the lawn had not been cut the trash was not taken out, the doors were open.  To be sure I went to the neighbors who verified the vacancy. The garage door was unlocked so my assistant and I went in, the house was a mess, then we heard a noise.  Birds the occupants had left two pet birds behind.  The police humane officer refuses to assist because it was not a dog or cat, the SPCA was closed, this day.  What to do? I am far from an animal lover but what to do with two birds left for dead?  Luckily a local bird store agreed to take the birds in and care for them so I placed the birds in their cages, that had mounds of feces 6-7 inches in height in my car and... 06/07/2008

It has been sometime since my last blog, I think it was early March or so.  Since then I have literally been working 12-16 hour days between managing foreclosures and managing my life as a father of 4 not one older than 9.  Sleep has not been in my vocabulary, its been all about feeding those children.  Well I guess my hard work paid off because last week I spent a little under an hour being interviewed by a reporter from the associated press.  Late Friday night I received an email that I had been quoted in the AP Newswire.  The article was picked up by Cnnmoney.com Forbes.com, Businessweek.com, CBS.com, Foxnews.com and various print newspapers across the country.  To me this is an honor, however so small. Here is a link to the article.  A few others from AR were also quoted.  http://ap... 06/07/2008