An event full of tradition that the whole family can enjoy!  The Nutcracker Ballet is being performed at the White Plains County Center this weekend.  Sponsored by Westchester County Parks as well as the Westchester Ballet Company, this event is always a crowd pleaser.  Kids and adults alike can create holiday memories.  Make some memories and have some fun...I remember going to the Nutcracker Ballet as a child and being enhanted. It's a way to get away from the shop till you drop madness and have a little slice of old-fashioned holiday season when things were simpler and less materialistic.   Several performances are scheduled, so working this one into your busy holiday schedule should be fairly easy: For more information – you can call 995-4050 The Event: The Nutcracker Ballet: The Pl... 12/16/2011

Looking forward to reconnecting with my Active Rain buddies this Tuesday 12/13 at 7pm at Uno's in White Plains.  The address is 14 Martine Ave, and free parking at the Seasons at 4 Martine Ave (same building...get a ticket and get it validated at Uno's). So far, I believe the following are attending Debbie Phil Faranda Dagny Eason Ruthmarie Hicks Gay Rosen Sandy Fenton Karen Haas Joanna Cohlan and a few other maybe's.   12/12/2011

When you are refinishing your hardwood floors in White Plains NY, I'd always recommend hiring a flooring contractor (rather than a general contractor or handyman) Originally posted at The Flooring Girl - Refinishing your hardwood floors - use a flooring contractor. On Saturday, I was brought in to "inspect" some hardwood floors that had just been just been refinished.  To be perfectly honest, the floor was not horrible (and I've seen way way worse), but it wasn't as good as it should have been.  The homeowner wasn't happy adn she asked the contractor to fix it, but he apparently made it worse.  Here were the issues.  (Wish I had pictures - sorry). 1.  In Living room (the main focus room), the stain was applied unevenly.  The contractor tried to solve this by adding another coat of polyu... 12/11/2011

WINTER Events Guide for Westchester and The Hudson Valley   Each season, Anthony Stokes Pereira / Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty collects information about community events throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. New events are posted weekly, so visit us often for updates on events in your area.  www.anthonystokespereira.com   WESTCHESTER, PUTNAM AND DUTCHESS COUNTIES:   Dec 17, 12:30 PM & 4:30 PM, Dec 18, 2 PM, White Plains, NY - The Westchester Ballet Company presents its 15th annual production of The Nutcracker. Advance ticket prices: Adults $20, children $14 (age 10 and under) and seniors (age 60 and up). All tickets are $25 on the day of the performance. 198 Central Ave. (914) 995-4050.www.countycenter.biz   This community event is provided as a service. As event infor... 12/10/2011

WINTER Events Guide for Westchester and The Hudson Valley   Each season, Anthony Stokes Pereira / Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty collects information about community events throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. New events are posted weekly, so visit us often for updates on events in your area.  www.anthonystokespereira.com WESTCHESTER, PUTNAM AND DUTCHESS COUNTIES:   December 10, White Plains, New York - White Plains High School PTA Holiday Craft Fair. 550 North Street. (914) 422-2000.   This community event is provided as a service. As event information is provided by organizers and can change without notice, we advise you to contact organizers directly to confirm all details. Every effort is made to provide information that is accurate. However, information of this comm... 12/09/2011

Hey everyone.  Looking forward to reconnecting with all the Westchester Active Rainers and hoping those nearby (Fairfield, Rockland, Orange, NYC) may be able to stop by. J Philip Faranda & I are organizing.  It's at Uno's at 14 Martine Ave in White Plains.  (free parking next door at 4 Martine Ave). So far, I know the following are planning to attend: Phil Faranda Ruthmarie Hicks Gay Rosen Dagny Eason So, we have great representation from the Top of Westchester.  I have a few newbies that may join as well.  I don't care if it's a small group or large group.  I just think it's fun.  And, if it's a small group, I'm more than happy to share my latest SEO new knowledge. Hope to see you there. 12/08/2011

Great news for residents of White Plains, evening and weekend parking permits have been approved!The annual permits will only be offered to residents for $75. The permit will allow residents to park in designated garages Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 12 p.m., as well as 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Designated garages include: Chester-Maple; Hamilton-Main; Lexington-Grove East; Lexington-Grove West; Longview-Cromwell; Trans Center and the White Plains Library. Permit holders will park in spots marked “permit only spaces,” except in the White Plains Library Garage. The permit will be good for one car only. Permits will be available for 2012, however those who purchase them now will be able to use them from now through 2012. For more info you can visit www.CityofWhit... 12/07/2011

Yesterday on my Day 5 update, I shared that I used Hootsuite to save time posting to Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and I got a bunch of questions about how I used this, so I thought I would explain. What is hootsuite? First, hootsuite is a FREE program you use to SCHEDULE your status updates on social media.  This is a huge benefit because rather than going in every day or 3-4 times a day (whatever your preference), you can do it all at once.  I don't know about you, but I'm rather busy so I'm always looking for ways to save time.  Plus, I forget to go into these forums every day. Not only does hootsuite allow you to schedule tweets/updates for the future, but you can simultenously post to multiple social media places all at the same time.  So, I will send to Facebook, LinkedIn and Tw... 12/05/2011

Flooring Trend posts - Westchester County - Fall 2011 I just wanted to capture all of my trend posts from the Fall of 2011 all in one place.  These are organized by surface and by room.  Hope this info is helpful.   Hardwood Trends Hardwood Flooring Trends - Westchester County - September 2011   Tile Trends Tile Flooring Trends - Westchester County - 3rd Quarter 2011 Bathroom Tile Trends - Westchester County - 3rd Quarter 2011 Kitchen backsplash trends - Westchester County - Fall 2011   Carpet Trends Carpet Trends - Westchester NY - August 2011   Trends by room Kitchen Floor Trends - Westchester NY - August 2011 Basement Flooring Trends - Westchester County - Fall 2011   General Flooring Trends Green Flooring Trends - Westchester County - October 2011 Flooring Trends - August 2011 - Wes... 12/03/2011

Hey Westchester/Fairfield counties (and surrounding areas of NYC, Rockland, Putnam< Orange) Phil Faranda & I are organizing a meet up in Westchester on Tuesday 12/13 at 7pm at Uno's in White Plains- 14  Martine Ave.  (You can park for free at The Seasons at 4 Martine Ave...just get ticket and have Uno's validate).  this is right off Exit 5 on 287...we chose this to avoid holiday traffic at the mall at Exit 8.  Also, for any in NYC, you can take train - it's 2 blocks from train station. Dagny will have a CT meet up on Thurs at 4pm in Wilton. Phil & I intend to go to both and Dagny is planning to come to this one.  I thought the first one we had in September was fun and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again, and meeting a few others that couldn't make it last time.  (I know we had ... 12/01/2011

As White Plains NY condos go, Jefferson Place offers a great deal in the way of amenities for the money. The Residences of Jefferson Place is a condominium complex with a split personality. The complex spans on square block between Livingston Ave. and Rutherford Ave. in White Plains, NY with units on 300 Mamaroneck Ave. and 31 Greenridge Ave. Jefferson Place is located a scant half -mile from Trump Tower, the Ritz Carlton and the White Plains City Center.  The city side – facing Mamaroneck Ave. is an eight-story urban mid-rise with a sophisticated brick façade. The façade reflects the growing urbanization of the city and is just steps away from all the shopping and dining that downtown White Plains has to offer. The suburban side of the complex on Greenridge Ave. gives a bow to the Hig... 11/30/2011

Kitchen backsplash trends - Westchester County - Fall 2011 1.  By far, the biggest trend is subway tile.  This is a classic - what's old is new. It's modern and retro at the same time.  The longer shape elongates the space and carries your eye so the space looks larger.  It's also very cost effective option and easy to clean. 2.  The subway tile shape in natural stone.  The shape is so popular and looks so good in natural stone, too.  Some of my customers prefer the natural color and the color variation that just can't be replaced with porcelain or ceramic.  Travertine, durango and tumbled marbles seem to do well here - usually in lighter newtral tones - sometimes brighter; sometimes pale - it depends on the overall combo of the granite and cabinets. 3.  Small mosaics - sometimes glass,... 11/27/2011

Here's the 11th installment of some of my older flooring posts. At the end of this post I've added links to Parts 1-10 , in case you missed them or want to bookmark them. 1.  Kitchen flooring - which is better?  Hardwood flooring or tile flooring?  This epxlains the pros and cons for both types of flooring and the costs involved 2.  Selecting tiles for your bathroom?  This is the thought process I use when selecting tiles with my customers. 3.  Did you have a flood in your basement?  Is your carpet drenched and smelly?  This provides advice on what to do/who to call if/when you or one of your customers has a flood.  If you don't move quickly, the issue coulc become much worse with mold and it is a lot more expensive to fix. 4.  Cork flooring - in honor of Earth Day.  Some more info on c... 11/25/2011

Which type of polyurethane is better for refinishing hardwood floors - water-based or oil-based polyurethane? We offer both options, but I strongly prefer oil based poly over water based because: 1.  It looks better 2.  It lasts longer 3.  It costs less. So, it seems like a no brainer, right?  Well, usually it is a simple decision, but there certainly are some exceptions and different customers have different needs. So, let's delve in a bit further. Benefits of oil-based polyurethane. 1.  Oil based polyurethane looks better.  It has a more depth - both in color and shine and it looks the way we expect hardwood to look.  Water based polyurethane has both a duller color and a duller finish.  I wish I had some good pictures to demonstrate, so instead I'm going to link to the trusted author... 11/24/2011

Small Business Saturday  had its debut last year.   But they are upping the publicity and ante this year.  In my opinion – a program like this is a step in the right direction.  In Washington they jawbone about supporting small business – but talk is not action.  Yet small business, including bricks and mortars  have traditionally been the backbone of American exceptionalism and success. They need and deserve our patronage and support. Our love affair with big-box stores and rock bottom prices has  come at a price.  Service?  What’s that?  Knowledge of the product? You’ve got to be kidding me?   In addition there have been bankrupt businesses, lost jobs that paid decent wages and less money coming into the community.  Consider this:  when you spend $100 with a local merchant, $68 return... 11/22/2011

Gerry Magnarelli & Nick Wolff of Rand Commercial Services sucessfully completed the White Plains Department of Public Safety Citizen's Academy on November 15, 2011.This is another example of the caliber of men and women associated with Rand Commercial. Giving back to our community is a core value for Rand Commercial Services and it's agents.We are proud of the efforts and commitment that both Gerry Magnarelli & Nick Wolff made by participating in the White Plains - Dept of Public Safety Citizen's Academy.Gerry Magnarelli & Nick Wolff were both presented with Certificates from White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach, Police Commissioner David Chong, Police Chief James Bradley and Fire Chief Richard Lyman.                   Anthony Stokes Pereira (845) 624-8100 Ext. 188 Better Homes and Gardens R... 11/18/2011

Enough with the posts about features arleady!  I care wayyyyyyy more about reblogs than features. Yes, of course it's an honor to be featured and it's an opportunity to get more subscribers.  But, honestly, often, while it's fun, it's more of distraction...so much time to answer all those comments.  (Now, occasionally, I'm thrilled w/ all the comments...when I'm seeking advice.  In fact, I've had 2 features where the comments were OUTSTANDING - wonderful learning for me an other AR members...see links below).  So, besides the fact that features don't really build my biz (rather keyword posts do and relationships here on AR do for sure), these actually distract me from my actual business at hand.  And, they always seem to come when I least expect them and when I'm super busy. .............. 11/16/2011

In spring of 2007 when I saw an article in the local paper, the story of a furniture bank that just opened in Westchester. Wasn't quite sure what a furniture bank was, but it sounded interesting. Turns out there were several stories: what a furniture bank was, how it's long-planned grand opening coincided with the income-tax day nor'easter which flooded a lot of the Sound Shore area. Then, how 65 families in need were furnished , for free, in the 10 days after the storm. The article ended with what was still needed, and going forward, how people could donate to Furniture Sharehouse. Still in retail at the time, it was a great referral. Clients buying new furniture were always asking me if I knew who could use what they no longer needed, or wanted. Up to that point, best suggestions I h... 11/09/2011

Late last week, a short obituary ran for Joan McGovern. She was 86 years old and a 50-year resident of White Plains. The Westchester-Putnam Association of Realtors also also ran a short tribute to her, as she was a former licensee with Century 21 Wolff in White Plains. A mother to 13 children, that her loss would be felt in numerous circles would be understandable. But that is not the end of the story. Simple math tells us that a mother who raises 13 children will serve about 85,000 meals in their collective first 18 years. Joan served 2 million. In 1991, Joan's son Tommy died of complications from AIDS. As she states in "A Mother's Story" on her website: the night he was inducted into the National Honor Society—he informed me that he was gay.It never changed our relationship; he was s... 11/07/2011

  Many homeowners in lower Westchester have been hoping to downsize but stay local.   In some cases, the children are gone but these empty nesters have careers that keep them local or perhaps some have grandchildren that live in the area and they wish to stay near family.  Particularly after the big storm that we had yesterday – downsizing to something a bit easier to manage feels right for those who have been struggling with Nor’ Easters and hurricanes.  We now seem to be having the storm of the century every six months – and tackling all the resulting issues can be a lot of work.  I know it is – because I own my own home….   Condo and townhouse prices remained stubbornly high – until now….   One of the biggest impediments to downsizing has been the cost.  Single family homes corrected... 10/30/2011