Wow, where did 2009 go? It's the new year, 2010, and there are still some events going on around Akron Ohio even though it is very cold and snowy! Enjoy! Arts / Theatre / Music 1/5/2010 Ask the Psychic Cuyahoga Falls Library 1/5/2010 Bedtime Snack (featured event) Mountain Rose Concerts 1/6/2010 Start 2010 off right - Dance! Ohio's North Coast Jitterbug Connection 1/7/2010 Nobody Don't Like Yogi Actors' Summit 1/8/2010 Nobody Don't Like Yogi Actors' Summit 1/9/2010 Nobody Don't Like Yogi Actors' Summit 1/10/2010 Nobody Don't Like Yogi Actors' Summit 1/10/2010 Just Plain Folk (featured event) Mountain Rose Concerts 1/10/2010 FolkNite at PAA Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 1/10/2010 Mountain Rose Concert (featured event) Mountain Rose Concerts Children Activities 1/9/2010 Super ... 01/05/2010

Portage Lakes lakefront market was active for December 2009, and it looks like there were people out there finding some really good bargains on the lake in this cold winter month! I predict that 2010 is going to be a banner year for the lakefront market and buyers are going to continue to find good buys from the motivated sellers out there! Portage Lakes lakefronts will always be sought after, and this may be the year you can get the best  deal on your dream lakeftont home! ACTIVE LISTINGS..........................49 AVERAGE PRICE............................$360,339 AVERAGE DAYS ON MKT..................176 AVERAGE PRICE/SF........................$136   PENDING LISTINGS........................9 AVERAGE PRICE............................$316,541 AVERAGE DAYS ON MKT..................176 AV... 01/03/2010

National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents Press Release Here is an excerpt from the latest NAEBA press release that I found very insightful. Pay close attention to the statistics on appreciation and foreclosures. Working with an EBA offers more than a dedicated representative. Data validates that buyers actually get better results. An EBA promises to work toward a better price and terms for buyers. A study conducted by Chandler & Chandler confirms that property purchased through an alliance with an EBA shows a 67% greater appreciation in value. Additionally, a survey conducted by the National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents (NAEBA) found that among survey respondents, there were only 15 foreclosures out of 1,849 closings. That represents a foreclosure rate of just 0.8%, com... 01/01/2010

 Christmas 2009 is over and you can tell that by the events calendar winding down! But New Years in Akron Ohio is just beginning! Please join us in celebrating the New Year in downtown Akron Ohio and our traditional First Night in Akron! It's free and a great family night out with music, food and good cheer!   Arts / Theatre / Music 12/28/2009 Monday Morning Painting Group Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 12/29/2009 Guys On Ice - Fishing Musical Actors' Summit 12/30/2009 Dance to the end of the year Ohio's North Coast Jitterbug Connection 12/30/2009 Guys On Ice - Fishing Musical Actors' Summit 12/31/2009 Creatures of the Midnight Sun Summit Artspace 12/31/2009 First Night Akron Akron Partnership 12/31/2009 Kaleidoscope Exhibition Summit Artspace 1/2/2010 Kaleidoscope Exhibition S... 12/28/2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE THIS BIRTHDAY OF OUR LORD JESUS! MAY THE YEAR 2010 BRING PROPERITY AND HAPPINESS TO ALL OF MY ACTIVERAIN FRIENDS! 12/25/2009

    CARLEY THE ELF DOG WANTS ALL THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO KNOW THAT SANTA IS PREPARING FOR HIS ANNUAL TREK FROM THE NORTH POLE TO THEIR HOMES THIS EVENING! SHE HAS CONVERSED WITH RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER AND HE IS PREPARED TO GUIDE THE SLEIGH THROUGH THE NIGHT SAFELY TO THEIR HOMES. SANTA HAS LOADED ALL THE GOODIES WITH CARE AND IS CHECKING HIS LIST AND CHECKING IT TWICE. HE IS VERY SURE HE KNOWS WHO HAS BEEN NICE!! SO ALL OF YOU GOOD LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS GET TO BED EARLY AND HAVE GREAT DREAMS OF THE PACKAGES THAT YOU WILL FIND UNDER YOUR TREE! DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE SANTA HIS MILK AND COOKIES, OR A SANDWICH. THE REINDEER REALLY LIKE CARROTS, SO LEAVE THOSE TOO!  SWEET DREAMS!!! HO HO HO MERRY CHRISTMAS! 12/24/2009

We are down to Christmas week here in Akron Ohio. While this week may be busy for you last minute shoppers, take some time with the family for the Christmas in Akron Ohio events. Go see the lights at Barberton's Lake Anna or go ice skating in Cuyahoga Falls. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!   Arts / Theatre / Music 12/21/2009 C.F. Community Band Cuyahoga Falls Library 12/22/2009 Spinning w/Cris Welch Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 12/22/2009 Enameling with Carol Adams Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 12/22/2009 Blues and Rock School! Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 12/23/2009 Holidays keeps us dancing Ohio's North Coast Jitterbug Connection 12/26/2009 PAA Fiber Cafe meetings Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 12/26/2009 Kaleidoscope Exhibition Summit Artspace 12/26/2... 12/21/2009

There is so much to do in Akron Ohio this Christmas Season! Please get out with your family and enjoy! Arts / Theatre / Music 12/14/2009 Monday Morning Painting Group Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 12/14/2009 AUDITION! Young Actors PRIDE & Weathervane Playhouse 12/14/2009 C.F. Community Chorus Cuyahoga Falls Library 12/15/2009 Kwanzaa Program - Stewart Akron Public Schools - Stewart Elementary School 12/15/2009 Enameling with Carol Adams Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 12/16/2009 AECHS Talent Show Akron Public Schools - Akron Early College High School 12/16/2009 Holiday Band Concert Barberton Public Library 12/16/2009 The Chancel Ringers Bell Choir Cuyahoga Falls Library 12/16/2009 Get rid of that stress & dance Ohio's North Coast Jitterbug Connection 12/17/2009 Akron S... 12/14/2009

The sales are continuing to come in for Portage Lakes Lakefront properties! The phone is still ringing and we Realtors(R) are busy helping clients find the right home for their lake fun! Remember winter is still a beautiful time around the lakes!   November Active Listings on Portage Lakes.................................56 Median price............................................................................$244,900 Average price/square foot.........................................................$132 Average Days on Market...........................................................159   November Contingent Listings on Portage Lakes..........................2 Median price............................................................................$241,950 Average price/square foot....... 12/07/2009

  Happy Holidays!Here is a listing of the Holiday events planned for our community!Can you believe we have this many events in our "small" Akron Ohio homes and town!    Arts / Theatre / Music 12/3/2009 Mrs. Cratchits Christmas Binge Weathervane Playhouse 12/3/2009 Guys On Ice - Fishing Musical Actors' Summit 12/4/2009 The Nutcracker Ballet Theatre of Ohio 12/4/2009 Festival of Lessons and Carols (featured event) Trinity Organ Series-Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 12/5/2009 The Nutcracker Ballet Theatre of Ohio 12/5/2009 The Nutcracker Ballet Theatre of Ohio 12/5/2009 A Concert for the Holidays Summit Choral Society 12/5/2009 Mrs. Cratchits Christmas Binge Weathervane Playhouse 12/5/2009 Christmas Candlelight Walk Cuyahoga Falls Community Chorus 12/6/2009 The Nutcracker Ballet Theatre of O... 12/03/2009

If you would like to see a life size nativity scene, drive by Cornerstone Church at 578 Killian Road in Portage Lakes, Ohio. This beautiful scene was acquired by Cornerstone Church from the old O'neils department store display that we baby boomers remember from our youth! Come by to see this nostalgic and fabulous display during the month of December! This is a must see for all visitors to Portage Lakes, Ohio! 12/02/2009

The swans on Portage Lakes, Ohio brave thewinter cold and swim gracefully around the lake for our viewing pleasure! I love to watchthe swans on Portage Lakes all year long!In the spring when they have their fuzzy littlegray cygnets they are especially entertaining!It is incredible how fast those little guys growto be adults. The male is known as a cob and the female is known as a pen! The pairs oftenmate for life. Their nest is usually near the water and is about a meter across. They have4 to 7 babies at a time and the incubation timeis 34 to 45 days. 12/01/2009

  "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.-- Cicero, 55 BC !!!!" My question this Thanksgiving week! Why must history continually repeat itself?? God Bless America and have a great Thanksgiving! We have so much!   11/24/2009

  City of Akron Holiday Lighting Spectacular Date: Friday November 27th, 2009Time: 7 p.m. Location:  Historic Akron Ohio Lock 3 Park  The Lighting Spectacular is the official opening of the 6th Annual Holidayfest and Chriskindl Market. Families and out of town guests are invited to kick off the Holiday Season as downtown comes alive! The 1/2 hour show will include the lighting of the city's buildings and official Christmas Tree and end in a fireworks display. This show will start promptly at 7pm.   The Polar Express - Akron Northside Departure | 7:00 PM Click here for schedule! How's this for fun with the entire family? Pajama clad families board the train for this magical journey! This fun-filled evening excursion includes hot cocoa and cookies, a reading of the classic story, a lighte... 11/23/2009

 It's Thanksgiving week so events are a little trimmed down in Akron Ohio homes and neighborhoods. The things I want to do are the Christmas Tree festivals of which we have some good one's. The events are for chairity and the trees are usually amazing and gorgeous, hand made by folks every year. Happy Thanksgiving ! Arts / Theatre / Music 11/24/2009 Enameling with Carol Adams Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 11/24/2009 Blues and Rock School! Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 11/25/2009 Dancing before Thanksgiving Ohio's North Coast Jitterbug Connection 11/28/2009 PAA Fiber Cafe meetings Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 11/28/2009 The Nutcracker Ballet Theatre of Ohio 11/28/2009 Barberton Christmas Walk Grow Barberton Inc. (GBI) 11/28/2009 The Nutcracker Ballet Theatr... 11/23/2009

What a welcoming sight here in Portage Lakes, Ohio!The fall color of these maple trees along the drivewayto the VanDevere farm are the last color of the season. Portage Lakes is a great place to enjoy thefall season with the lake as a back drop. The fall willgently turn to winter when we will eventually see thelake take a different look as the temperatures drop andthe shimmering waters turn to ice. The skaters will beout and the snow mobilers will buzz over the ice in search of a warm place to share a meal and a drinkin one of the cozy establishments along Portage Lakes.Come out and visit Portage Lakes, you will want to stay for the lifestyle!!! 11/18/2009

The Goodyear Blimp is a commonsight in the skies over Akron, Ohio.Portage Lakes sees the blimp oftenbecause they cruise over the lakesand the Firestone Country Club during golf tournaments! No matterhow many times you see the blimpyou still get as giddy as a school kidwhen you see that familiar airship! 11/15/2009

The University of Akron men's soccer team has been one of the most productive programs at the university since its inaugural season in 1955.  No other program has been ranked among the nation's best at the university through its history.  Yes, there have been spurts of greatness at the university among over the years: John Heisman led the Zip's football team to a 12-6 victory over Ohio State in 1896. Bob Huggins led the Zip's basketball program to several 20 game win seasons The men's basketball team played in the NCAA tournament and ran into Earl "the Pearl" Monroe as they lost to Winston Salem. The football team made a played in the Grantland Rice Bowl in 1968 only to be picked apart by a little known quarterback (at that time) by the name of Terry Bradshaw.  Of course four super bow... 11/13/2009

Want to Buy a Real Estate Short Sale? When lenders agree to do a Short Sale in Real Estate, it means the lender is accepting less than the total amount due on a mortgage or note. This can be great for a buyer looking for a deal but comes with its share of problems as well. First of all, not all lenders agree to accept Short Sales and not all buyers will qualify. (Your pre-approval letter will go a long way here.) Just because it's a short sale does not necessarily mean it's a good deal. You still have to do your "due diligence." Check comparable sales in your market. Don't' go by list prices. You need to see what similar homes have sold for in the neighborhood. It is important in any real estate transaction to have proper representation. Remember, the listing agent represents the seller... 11/10/2009

World War 1 ended at the 11th hour on the 11th Day of the 11thmonth in 1918. Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car just outside Compiegne, France on November 11, 1918. Check out the listing of community events, click on the link for additional information about the event. Thank you Veterans for your service to our great country!   Arts / Theatre / Music 11/9/2009 Monday Morning Painting Group Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 11/9/2009 UA Symphony Orchestra School of Music 11/10/2009 Philip-Lorca diCorcia Lecture Akron Art Museum 11/10/2009 Cuyahoga Photographic Society Cuyahoga Valley National Park 11/10/2009 Enameling with Carol Adams Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academy 11/10/2009 Blues and Rock School! Fine Art Services/Peninsula Art Academ... 11/09/2009