An E-E-ERIE Night at Erie Philharmonic Pops Concert October 27, 2012 The first Pops concert of the season will be a bit off the beaten path with "Dance of the Goblins" performed by violinist Natalie Lin. The orchestra will play Neil Hefti's theme for TV series "Batman" and an arrangement from Michael Jackson's 'Thriller." The audience has been invited to come in costume so beware of witches with brooms and the boiling cauldrons.  Ring-Ring ~ excuse me.  I think my date just arrived . . . 10/27/2012

Noon-Timer Toastmasters Inducts New Members   New members Matt Hedlund and Diane Moyer were inducted into Noon-Timer Toastmasters Club in Erie, PA in ceremony led by Ed Shanley. Left to right:  Ed Shanley, VP Membership, Matt Hedlund, Diane Moyer, Brett Allen Morgan, President. Noon-Timer Toastmasters Second & fourth Thursday Noon - 1:00 Keystone Office Place 3823 W. 12th Street (just west of Powell Ave) Erie, PA 16505       Next meeting:  November 8, 2012 10/26/2012

FALL HAS FALLEN  FALL HAS FALLEN INTO MY FRONT YARD Can you guess what Dave & I might be doing today?  Yes, I love fall and I have posted some of my favorite fall views, but this is probably not my favorite. Fall Color (Colour) Guard Soak in the Beauty of Fall Colors 10/25/2012

What's for Dinner?  Your Choice   Here is one of the Yonkers favorite meals, Asian Stir-Fry, & you choose the main ingredient.  Do you prefer . . .  Steak (tasty) Chicken (grandkids favorite) Shrimp (my choice) Veggies ~ if mushrooms aren't on your list, skip 'em.  Sometimes I use asparagus or snow peas or broccoli whatever is in my refrigerator or on sale. Grated ginger tip:  peel, grate, freeze in small baggie or plastic container.  It's very handy and keeps a long time. 10/24/2012

Fall Color Guard (Colour for my Canadians Friends)   Tall & stately trees guard the road leading down to Lake Erie.  This is one of my favorite walks & Roy Kelly keeps reminding me to take my camera so I can share the beauty. What a contrast with deep blue sky, however, notice that the tree to right has very few leaves. I am so glad I took this photo on Sunday as it is raining today. Great day to teach Day 3 new agent training at Howard Hanna Airport office. Practice classes continue this weekend.  See schedule: www.alankells.com 10/22/2012

Sunday Inspiration  Let me share with you my Sunday inspiration.  As many of you know I love to walk a country road, a trail in the woods or along the waterfront.  A few days ago I had a hard time walking as I kept stopping to take pictures. Dancing in the Woods Here is one more and I hope that you feel as inspired as I do.   10/21/2012

New Agents: Where Is Your Real Estate Map? New agents where is your Real Estate map? What's your goal? Where to start? How do I find buyers & sellers? Should I do open houses? What disclosures are required? Which form do I use?  Success in Real Estate as in any field starts with a PLAN. What's your PLAN for Success? Unless you have a plan you will just be roaming around and not sure where you are going.  Too often new agents get overwhelmed and end up leaving the business disenchanted and broke. Step#1 Put your PLAN in writing (in your mind does not count) Step #2 Add ACTIONS: prospecting, networking, marketing, negotiating skills, open houses Step #3  MASTER each aspect of the Real Estate field quickly (Yes, new agents wear the 'Rookie' logo on their forehead unless they have MASTER-ed... 10/18/2012

New Agent Training Begins Today Erie, PA Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Now that you have completed Pre-license classes, passed Real Estate Exam, it's time to embark on the most critical aspect of your new career 'New Agent Training.' New Agent Training for Erie area begins today at East office 4905 Buffalo Road Erie, PA 16511.  If you are still taking classes or have not passed the test, please contact one of the Erie managers for more information.  East office:  Lynne McCullough 814-899-3005 Airport office:  Patty George 814-833-1000 (Sales Director) South office:  Mark Eller 814-864-3200 Southwest office:  Diane Potocki-Leggate 814-835-1200     10/16/2012

Soak in the Beauty of Fall of Fall Colors More Fall Colors And More Fall Colors Even More Fall Colors  Just couldn't resist taking pictures as I walked down to Lake Erie this afternoon.  As you can see the leaves along the lakeshore have not reached their peak as the ones farther from the lake.  That is because the water retains heat longer.  Lakeshore temperatures are often 5-10 degrees higher in fall than inland.  The opposite is true in early spring when lakeshore temps are 5-10 degrees cooler than even a few miles away from the giant ice cube a.k.a Lake Erie. 10/14/2012

Latino's Restaurant & Bar ~ Erie, PA Mexican Cuisine at its Finest Looking for authentic Mexican food, not the chain variety but real homemade and made from scratch.  Look no farther than Latino's Restaurant & Bar 1313 Parade Street Erie, PA 16503.  The owner, Julio Reyes, welcomes every guest and he will remember you when you return. Latino's food is neither Tex-Mex nor Americanized Mexican. Dave & I always order one of 'Grandma Hermelinda's' signature Comida Corrida, a selection of three entrees each day.  Great wine list and don't forget to order the flan. Visit once and you'll understand why they say, "Picante pero sabroso!"  Behind the piano player is dance floor.  10/14/2012

Tower Heist in Review A stellar performance by Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda, Casey Affleck and Matthew Broderick in Tower Heist.  Tower Heist is spin-off on the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme although much more entertaining.  I found myself laughing hilariously at times at the antics of Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy.  At other times I was totally disgusted by the disrespect shown to staff workers by the wealthy residents especially Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda).  After working their entire lives as doormen, bellhops, maids catering to the whims of others their hard-earned pensions had been mismanaged by investor and master chess player, Arthur Shaw.  At first you will want to cry and then you will be ready to strangle someone, but don't miss the 'checkmate' ending. Brush up your chess game... 10/11/2012

Pennsylvania Real Estate Practice Class   Erie, PA   $178 October 13, 14 and 27, 28   Real Estate Practice offers comprehensive overview of the technical and legal aspects of Real Estate with emphasis on residential brokerage.   The course includes:                                    Brokerage Agency Listing contracts Sales contracts & addendums Residential finance techniques Appraisal Real Estate math     Location: EBCO Park 2820 W. 21st Street Erie, PA 16506 www.alankells.com  10/11/2012

Apple Pie & Ice Cream Anyone?  Fall apples, cooler temperatures, longer evenings.  Let's bake an apple pie.  Add a little vanilla ice cream.  What a treat!  Let's curl up and watch a movie.  Tonight's movie:  Tower Heist  I will post a review tomorrow. Real Estate Practice begins this weekend October 13, 2012.  Details:  www.alankells.com 10/10/2012

Tickle My Fancy with Tonight's Sunset   Tonight's sunset photo was taken by Hunter, age 11, with my cell.  I was driving west on I-90 with Hunter & his brother, Jacob.  Jacob was mesmerized by the vapor trails playing Tic Tac Toe in the sky. Hunter told his brother the mariner's tale, 'Red sky at night sailors delight; Red sky in morning sailors take warning.' And, I had three reasons to be tickled: 1) beautiful sunset 2 & 3) two beautiful grandsons having fun and learning to appreciate life's beauty and life's lessons.   10/09/2012

Success in the Woods Congratulations First shot with bow!  I saw Dave coming home an hour before dark and thought, 'How nice, an early dinner.'  When he walked in the door I couldn't believe my ears when he announced, "I just shot a deer."  This was his first with bow and first success across the road from our house. (See sunset post) Since childhood I have had hunters in my family but have never participated in bringing the deer out of the woods, etc. so tonight was a new and exciting experience.  Can't wait for venison steaks or roast.  Yum!   10/08/2012

Winter Forecast:  Normal = 101 inches in Erie, PA The National Weather Bureau just issued its winter forecast for USA, including the Northeast. Northeast winter forecast:  below normal temperature and NORMAL precipitation. Yes, a normal winter in Erie, PA = 101 inches of snow along the lake shore.  Inland the snow belts often receive twice that amount, however, that is where the ski slopes and snowmobile trails are. What does 101 inches look like in Erie, PA?    Outside my back door overlooking Trout Run I will still fill the bird feeders each day but I may be tempted to join a few snow birds on their trek to warmer temperatures for a few weeks. Maybe the weather man will be wrong 10/07/2012

Add a Splash of C-o-l-o-r to My World   S-u-n-s-e-t, a wonderful time of day. No matter how the day went a beautiful S-u-n-s-e-t lifts my mood and washes away the trials and tribulations of the day and sets the tone for tomorrow.  This view is across the road from my house, but a chain link fence often blurs the photos.  This photo was taken by holding the camera's len through the fence sections. I had to be careful crossing a small ditch and climbing a slight incline in the twilight to capture the sunset without the fence.  E-N-J-O-Y 10/05/2012

Are You Spooked by Real Estate Math? Having Trouble with PA Real Estate Exam?   Join me for FREE Coaching Class for Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam   Test taking strategies & study skills Thorough analysis of ALL content areas related to Uniform Exam Thorough analysis of PA State Law portion of exam Math skills with formulas needed to pass exam Common math problems Sample tests Let's take the SCARY out of Real Estate Math with FREE Coaching Class CONTACT:  Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 1-800-656-7356 ext. 306 Are You Spooked by Real Estate Math? Are Having Trouble with PA Real Estate Exam? 10/04/2012

Lake Front View without the Work! Lake Front without the Work!  No erosion worries, no storm debris to pick up.  No high price and taxes.  Just sit back and enjoy the view . . .  Let's take the front row seat today . . . Avonia Beach, Lake Erie We should have brought our lunch.  Maybe a little nap before we get back to work.  Wow! I feel like I could sit here all afternoon.  Often I have pinch myself and tell myself how lucky I am to live within walking distance of such a beautiful view.  Best of all it's FREE.  The land was donated to Fairview Twp who has been developing it as public park. 10/02/2012

Alien or Not He Is so Lovable, Isn't He?   "Can I take him home, Mom?"  I can just imagine my almost six year old grandson, Jacob, asking his mother that question as she snapped this photo.   My sister & I treated Stacy & kids to two-day package at Splash Lagoon recently.   She sent me this photo with 'Thank You' text.       Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Erie/PA 10/02/2012