Ho, Ho, Ho. Look Who Is on His Way  Will Santa be stopping at your house soon? Ho, Ho, Ho, the children should be snuggled in their beds in hopes that St. Nick will soon be there.  However, I remember peeking out the window to see if I could catch a glimpse of that jolly old elf and his red nose reindeer.  No, I never saw him, but he did leave a few gifts every year. Ho, Ho, Ho, the toy soldiers are dancing on my lawn.  I bet St. Nick is coming soon.  Merry Christmas to all to all a Good Night. (I think that is how the story goes.) Photos taken at Peek 'n Peak Resort in nearby Findley Lake, New York.  The Yonkers clan is looking forward to celebrating Christmas together and skiing at Peek 'n Peak.  Enjoy time with your family and friends. 12/24/2012

2013 REAL ESTATE CLASSES Erie, PA Erie, PA begin your Real Estate classes with Alan Kells School of Real Estate.  Pennsylvania Real Estate License requirements: 18 years old Complete 30 hour Fundamentals class Complete 30 hour Practice class Pass Pennsylvania Real Estate exam Fundamentals class January 12, 13, 26, 27  Practice class Feburary 9, 10, 23, 24 Cost $178 Time  9:00 -4:30 Location:  EBCO Park 2820 W. 21st Street Erie, PA 16506 2013 REAL ESTATE CLASSES Erie, PA Register now Alan Kells School of Real Estate 12/22/2012

Merry Chrismas Sunset Merry Christmas Sunset While Christmas shopping with Dave I spotted this sunset across the parking lot from Lowes and Staples.  I would have preferred to watch the sunset, but we were on a mission to complete our once a year Christmas shopping.  That is Dave was on a mission to complete his shopping as quickly as possible before dinner at Serafini's.  Less than three hours and DONE!  I am glad that I took this picture so I can relish in the after-glow of the sunset. 12/14/2012

Movie Specials at Tom Ridge Environmental Center www.trecpi.org Dinosaurs Alive!   Showtimes are 1 pm and 4 pm  Don't miss exhibit 'Age of Dinosaurs' Lewis & Clark   Showtimes are 11 pm and 3 pm Mysteries of the Great Lakes  12 pm Meerkats Movie Specials at Tom Ridge Environmental Center www.trecpi.org   Daily movie special: Two tickets for $10.00 at 3 ,4 & 5 pm Double Feature Deal:  See your first movie at regular price, then see second movie the same day for only $4.00! Monday Movie Special: Movie ticket & regular popcorn $6,00 or two tickets for $10.00 for any regular show Senior Day Tuesday: $5.00 admission for Seniors to any regular show. Movie Specials at Tom Ridge Environmental Center www.trecpi.org 11/27/2012

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas  Yes, it's amazing how a little bit of snow (at least us northerners) puts us in the holiday mood. The trees are bare, the Thanksgiving turkey and trimmings have been devoured, Black Friday and Shop Local Saturday are behind us so let's decorate. And, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Yonkers house. Dave has gone to hunting camp for two weeks and my grandsons are visiting Mickey Mouse at Disney World so I spent the weekend shopping and decorating.  Baking cookies is not my thing but I love to put an arrangment together such as the wreath and bowl of pine cones w/Christmas ornaments.  I can't take credit for the beautiful flowering cactus other than feeding and watering it through summer & fall. On the bookcase is North Pole vi... 11/25/2012

Erie, PA Are You Ready to Take Real Estate Exam? Let's Review * Test taking tips * Study skills * Content review      -Fundamentals      -Practice * Analysis of PA real estate law * Math problems w/formulas Contact an Erie, PA manager to register for review session.   Erie, PA Are You Ready to Take Real Estate Exam? 11/25/2012

Weather Alert: Lake Effect Snow Predicted Weather Alert: Lake Effect Snow Predicted for Erie, PA and northwestern Pennsylvania. Mother Nature teased Erieites with 61 degrees on Thanksgiving and now she is ready to plunge us right into winter which is still officially a month away.  Fishermen at Avonia Beach on Thanksgiving Day & My favorite bench PennDOT has been diligently preparing their fleet of snow plows, but just in case I asked C. Lloyd McKenzie to borrow a snowplow from New Mexico.  Lloyd snapped the photo while driving to Heron Lake for weekend of fishing with his buddies. Are You Ready?  Ready or not we will probably wake up with snow on the ground by morning.  Where you live will determine how much snow.  Since the wind is expected to come from northwest across Lake Erie most... 11/23/2012

Welcome www.GreenEriePA.org Lake Erie on left, Presque Isle Peninsula, Presque Isle Bay, Erie, PA on far right Bird sanctuary at tip of peninsula 7 miles of sandy beaches, 15 miles paved walking/biking trails Hiking & cross country trails Boat marina, fishing and picnic table ************************************** What's new on the green scene in Erie, PA?  www.GreenEriePA.org was designed to be a resource to help Erieites find environmentally friendly businesses and activities in Erie County. Rather than replicating data already available on the web, GreenEriePA highlights successful green initiatives in Erie County while serving as a portal to local green organizations and opportunities. It provides how-tos for individuals and businesses looking to save money while helping the environ... 11/23/2012

Erie, PA Real Estate Pre-license Class:  Fundamentals   Real Estate Fundamentals offers comprehensive overview of the technical and legal aspects of Real Estate.  The course includes:  Rights and interests in land How ownership is held Transfer of rights and interests Contract law Mortgages Fair housing laws Pennsylvania licensing laws Erie, PA Real Estate Pre-license Class:  Fundamentals December 8, 9, 15, 16 Location:  EBCO Park 2820 W. 21st Street  Erie, PA 16506   Alan Kells School of Real Estate  Mary Yonkers, instructor   Erie, PA Real Estate Pre-license Class:  Fundamentals $178   11/19/2012

Are You Ready for a Career Change?   Are You Ready for a Career Change?  Are you self-motivated?  Are you a goal-oriented individual?  Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career?  Do you enjoy meeting and working with new people?  Are you earning what you are worth? Who Does Well with a Career in Real Estate? Teachers, nurses, CPA's, attorneys, college grads, other sales professionals, housewives and recently retired professionals as well many other professions. Essentially, if you enjoy working with people and are filled with a personal drive for success and excellence a real estate career may be right for you. Advantages: Flexible schedule Unlimited income potential  Real Estate Practice  www.alankells.com December 8, 9, 15, 16  Time: 9-4:30 EBCO Park 2820 W. 21st Street ... 11/14/2012

Circle of Care Childrens Fund  Chow Chow Luncheon Howard Hanna's Erie East Office cordially invites you to Circle of Care Childrens Fund Chow Chow Luncheon. Tuesday, November 13, 2012 11:00 am -- 2:00 pm @ Erie East Moose Club 6060 Iroquois Ave., Harborcreek, PA 16421 $5.00 Includes Lunch & Beverage & Fun Bake Sale, Chinese Auction, Silent Auction, 50/50 Drawing, Wine & Liquor Basket Raffle, Tickets for $10,000 Cash Giveaway, Tip Boards and Plenty of Fun  ALL PROCEEDS will benefit the children of Erie County through Erie Shriners Hospital & UPMC Hamot 11/12/2012

Looking for Success ~ Work your 'Sphere' If you are new to real estate or just trying to generate more business before the winter lull, work your 'Sphere.'  What's my 'Sphere?'  Your sphere is your entire circle aka sphere of family, friends, neighbors, former co-workers, in other words everyone you know and everyone they know. Top producers will tell you that your sphere is the BEST SOURCE of referrals. How do you work your 'Sphere?' Be social in person Be social online Get involved in your community Get involved online Talk to people, lots of people And what to talk about? Why, Real Estate of course. Just have fun while you work and it won't seem like work. Best of all we help others accomplish their goal of buying and selling real estate and we get paid, too.   11/08/2012

Tempt Your Taste Buds at Bistro 26 Erie, PA After a busy day of appointments and Real Estate training classes Dave & I met for dinner at Bistro 26.  Bistro 26 is one of Erie's hidden treasures specializing in casual elegance great for lunch or dinner. After perusing the menu Dave chose the Stuffed Sole and I had Penne Bruschetta with Shrimp. No, we did not have their homemade Baklava for dessert, but we plan to go back for wine and dessert soon. Bistro 26 Erie, PA 11/06/2012

#27 Low Level Beauty ~ just Lower Your Eyes Most of the leaves might be off the trees along Lake Erie, however, just lower your eyes.  Beauty abounds along the ground. During the summer months we miss the beauty of small trees and bushes at ground level. Rains from Hurricane Sandy brought down most leaves on our trees however the colors along the ground are stunning.  Notice the bright green and pink hue, colors we don't see during the summer months.   11/04/2012

#29 Erie, PA Noon-Timer Toastmasters District 13 Fall Conference: Survivor, Leader, Toastmaster Twice a year, District 13 members gather for a weekend-long conference filled with speakers, workshops, recognitions, speech contests—and much more! The District 13 Fall Conference will be held from November 2nd-4th this year, at the Embassy Suites in Moon Township, PA 15108. Members from the seventy-plus clubs in our district will gather to take part in all of these activities and more, including a Friday Night Fun Nite, the Hall of Fame and a special banquet on Saturday night. In addition, Sunday will entail a special treat for us all! Friday: November 2, 2012 6pm – registration opens 7pm – First Timers Session--Survivor challenge 8pm – Friday Fun Nite--Hawaiian theme   Saturday morning ses... 11/01/2012

30 Days ~ 30 Posts Are you kidding me? Who has time during the busy holiday season to write 30 posts in 30 days?  Just ask a busy person how they do it and they will tell you Do Not Worry ~ Today about the next 29 days. Let's start today with Post#30 and tomorrow I will only have 29 posts in 29 days. No worries here.. . . Join the group Do Not Worry ~ Today Let's have fun together 10/31/2012

Advantages of Real Estate Career   Flexible schedule Unlimited income   These are the two most commonly heard reasons for getting into Real Estate.  Well, let’s define Flexible and Unlimited so we are using same definition.   Flexible:  However, we quickly learn that a flexible schedule means we, the agents, need to flex our schedule to match our clients if we want to make any money.   Unlimited income: And, unlimited income means no income unless we work with qualified buyers and sellers who are motivated to buy/sell within reasonable time frame and are realistic about today’s market conditions.   Are you?   Are you available when your clients need you? Are you willing to help your clients achieve their goals? Are you able to support yourself & your family while working on commission? ... 10/31/2012

Before Sandy ~ After Sandy   Sandy left her calling card up & down the east coast and far into the midwest.  For many the damage and loss is catastrophic.  The dollar figures can't adequately tally the emotional trauma felt by millions in Sandy's path.  Surveying the damage around my area I put together a few BEFORE and AFTER collages. Avonia Beach on Lake Erie My favorite bench after walking to Lake Erie Boys of summer; Raging waters of fall Trout Run (one mile from Lake Erie) Mouth of Trout Run at Lake Erie Notice steelhead fish trying to jump ladder in left photo.Trout Run is nursery stream. Fishing is allowed at mouth but not in the stream.  My property is one mile upstream. 10/30/2012

Blip, Burp, Flicker, Power Surge Oops, what was that? Ugh! Phew! Just a power surge. Stay in focus. High wind warnings, flood warnings, lights flicker & TV goes dark.  No problem, the fire still burns bright and we are toasty warm. The lights came back on and we had to reset the DVR and just missed a short section of Dancing with the Stars.  Small problem compared to what so many people are experiencing up & down the east coast. My thoughts go out to family & friends in the direct path of Hurricane Sandy.  Be safe.  I hope to hear from you soon & know that you are okay. 10/29/2012

Storm Chasing Chili, Wine & Fire Even the song 'Rain, Rain, Go Away' won't help the northeast today.  Let's hunker down with homemade chili, glass of wine and roaring fire. Storm Chasing Chili  One pound ground meat (I used vension today) Two cans kidney beans Two lg cans stewed tomatoes Quarter cup chopped onion or two tlbs onion flakes Fresh celery leaves or 1 tsp celery flakes Half tsp oregano flakes Two garlic cloves finely chopped or 1 tsp minced garlic One tsp Worschestershire sauce Chili powder or chipolte chile pepper (1-2 tsp) (Bay leaf & peppercorns in spice ball ~ remove before serving) Salt to taste Garnish with grated cheddar or diced onions Post all your worries in Do Not Worry ~ Today group Be safe   10/29/2012