• Waterloo Gardens Pet Night With Santa – December 8, 2011 at the Exton and Devon locations from 6pm to 8pm. Bring your pets and a camera to have their photo taken with Santa. Children’s Photo’s With Santa December 10, 11, 17 and 18th from 1-3pm. Bring your own camera.
• The Longwood Gardens Christmas features a Gingerbread Fantasy this year. Note that tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific day and time. – November 24, 2011-January 8, 2012
• Breakfast With Santa At Longwood – December 10, 11, 17 and 18th 8:30am to 10am at the Terrace Restaurant for a breakfast buffet and a visit with Santa
• Festive Christmas Fountain Shows in the Open Air Theatre at Longwood featuring holiday music. Shows are every hour from 10:00am to 3:00pm and again at 10:00pm except for Sunday’s Show which is 9:00pm
• The annual classic Pennsylvania Ballet production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is one of the greatest traditions of the holiday season at the Academy of Music – December 10 through December 31st at the Academy of Music 

• The Macy’s Holiday Light Show is a Center City Philadelphia holiday tradition featuring the historic Wanamaker Organ Concert and more than 100,000 lights – November 25th through Christmas Eve from 10am to 5pm. The Dickens Village brings the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol to life with fully animated characters reenacting  the story.
• A special free call from Santa for your little ones when you enter your information into the Christmas Dialer.
• The Radnor Hotel host the Children’s Holiday Tea December 10 and December 17thy
• The Philadelphia Orchestra presents the Glorious Sound of Christmas Concerts December 15, 16 and 17th 2011 at 7pm. The Messiah will be performed December 18th at 7:30pm, an annual tradition since 1961.
• Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge performs seasonal music of Advent and Christmas Saturday December 17th at 4pm.

Baking holiday breads, many varieties of cookies, gingerbread houses and in December of 2004 we added this fun to decorate and delicious to eat Frosty The Snowman Cake. What’s your favorite family tradition? Know of any other fun things to do in our neighborhood. Add them to the comments or send me an email and I’ll post them here.

Or feel free to call me, Judy Peterson 610-889-5509 with all your real estate questions.

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Gingerbread House Fun at The Easttown Library – Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29th and November 30th 4:15pm – 5:15pm-Pre-registration is $10.00 a person.

The Willow’s Mansion Antique Gift and Craft Extravaganza 11/18/201 – December 4, 2011- 490 Darby Paoli Road, Villanova – Mon to Fri 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sun 10am to 6pm -Holiday Crafts and Gifts will be featured in addition to an Art Gallery and collectibles. Admission is $3.00 484-582-1166

Wayne Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Friday, December 2nd – 5:30 to 7:30pm, with face painting, carriage rides and tree lighting at the Wayne Train Station

Wayne Santa Parade, Saturday, December 3rd 10am – Parade begins at the Wayne Acme and Ends at the Wayne Hotel – visit with Santa on the front porch of the Wayne Hotel until 11:30am.

Malvern’s Annual Victorian Christmas – Friday December 2nd (6pm to 9pm) and Saturday December 3rd (10am to 2pm) – Purchase tickets at the Malvern Federal Savings Bank at 100 W King Street beginning 11/16/11, featuring free horse and carriage rides, the Philadelphia Boys’ Choir. Be sure to check the itinerary for dates and times.

Devon December Christmas Tree Sale – December 2nd, 3rd and 4th and December 9th, 10th and 11th in the Devon Horse Show Parking Lot on Route 30 featuring Devon Fudge, Hot chocolate and special treats! Fridays 4:30 to 7:30pm, Saturdays 8:30am to 6pm and Sundays 10am to 4:00pm

A “Seussified Christmas Carol” Presented by The Conestoga High School Drama Club at Tredyffrin Library – Saturday December 3rd 2:00pm and 7:00pm – Admission $3.00 at the Tredyffrin Public Library in Strafford on Upper Gulph Road, or call 610-688-7092.

Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade – Saturday December 10th 1pm-3pm on Lancaster Avenue beginning at Gable Ave and going East to Whiteland Avenue/Route 113, featuring discounts by local merchants and the award winning Downingtown Marching Band and string bands.

Old Fashioned Christmas Parade in West Chester and the “Jingle Elf Run”, tree lighting ceremony at 6:15pm with a Christmas Parade at 7:15pm

A Brandywine Christmas starts at Brandywine River Museum December 3rd, 9:30am to 4:30pm, with O-gauge model railroad and charming natural “critter ornaments” made by the museum volunteers, plus a new dollhouse display. Ends January 8th.

The Wayne Art Center at 413 Maplewood Avenue in Wayne, 610 688-3553’s “CraftForms 2011” Begins December 2nd through January 21st

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Friday, December 2, 2011 and Saturday December 3rd

The Kimberton Waldorf School presents the 35th Annual Juried Craft Show beginning December 2, 2011 from 6pm–10pm, Adults Only and Saturday December 3rd from 10am-5pm for Adults and Children. Friday December 2nd, there will be fine dining in the Tea Room, Live Music and more! 

 Over 70 Fine Artisans will be presenting textiles, Jewelry, Pottery, Woodwork, Metalwork, Gourmet Foods and Handmade Toys.

 When: Friday, December 2nd 6-10pm Adults Only, $10 Admission and Saturday December 3rd, 10am–5pm, Adult Admission $5, Children Free. Special Children’s Festivities on Saturday feature a Crafters Room and more!

  Where: Kimberton Waldorf School 410 W Seven Stars Road, Kimberton, Pa 19442

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It’s time to look forward to one of my favorite events The 7th Annual Tredyffrin Township Historic House Tour, Saturday, September 24th 12 Noon – 5pm. I always enjoy being an Historic House Tour Volunteer where I get to share some of our rich history with my neighbors on a beautiful Fall Day. Stop and say hello. But get your Tredyffrin Historic House Tour Tickets early since no tickets are sold at the door.

I believe that each of us stands on the shoulders of those who came before us in a way that often inspires a sense of gratitude. My family history has a few threads of it’s beginnings in Chester County and Tredyffrin Township. My Great Grandfather attended the Diamond

Rock One Room School House on Yellow Springs and Diamond Rock Road as a child. And my Grandmother related that she was engaged to be married at the Covered Bridge in Valley Forge Historic National Park, which I believe to be Knox Bridge.

Where:

Please Note ‘New’ Pick-up Location for House Tour Tickets:
Montessori Children’s House of Valley Forge-Ivy Hollow Farm
1630 Thomas Road, Wayne, PA 19087
(located in Valley Forge National Historic Park)
House Tour Ticket Pick-Up: 11 AM – 2 PM
House Tour Hours: 12 Noon – 5 PM

When: September 24th 12Noon – 5pm

Benefits: $35.00 Tour Tickets Benefits Restoration of the Jones Log Barn

Contact: Pattye Benson, President  610-644-6759 with any questions.

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The meltdown that passed for Summer in Tredyffrin Township broke a few“heat wave” records for all of Philadelphia. Be careful not to miss the belated Summer gift of the popular Cool Beans Band Concert at The Pavilion in Wilson Farm Park. The rescheduled concert will be a welcome transition into the month of September.

Wilson Farm Park is off of Lee Road and Chesterbrook Blvd,Tredyffrin Township, September 11, 2011 at 6pm. Bring a chair or a blanket. See you there! Be sure to say hello. Daisy’s the cute one. Thanks to Horizon, Main Line Health and Paoli Hospital for sponsoring these popular Tredyffrin events.

Call Judy Peterson, Realtor Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors, Devon Home Marketing Center 610-889-5509.

Other Fun Things To Do:

• Fun Things To Do End of Summer 2011

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Labor Day September 5, 2011 – It’s hard to believe that we’re already thinking about Labor Day. Multiple heat waves made this Summer seem all too short as we hop scotched from air conditioned homes to air conditioned cars, work places and home again.  Soon, the mass exodus from the New Jersey Shore will begin.

Here’s some fun things to do in and around the Philadelphia Main Line Area and Chester County Pennsylvania:

• Tyler Arboretum in Media- Tree House Festival- features kids tree climbing and craft activities 8/6/11 from 11-3pm
• Longwood Gardens – Fireworks and Fountains August 13th and Labor Day September 3, 2011. Dancing fountains and music make these the most spectacular fireworks in the burbs. Probably not for the kids and ALL their friends due to the admission price, but The Indoor Children’s Garden is included in general admission. It will delight your children and you with 17 fun Artisan Fountains like the “Drooling Dragon”. The Bee Amazed Children’s Garden and Castle Tree Houses combine to make a family fun day at Longwood Gardens in Delaware County.
• Linvilla Orchards Peach Festival 8/4/2011-Media, Delaware County, Pa Peach Pies, Puppets, pick up local peaches PLUS a cooking demonstration!
• Ludwigs Corner Horse Show and Country Fair, 2011 - September 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2011. This Chester County Fair is a local winner for some Labor Day Weekend Fun; Horse Show, Rides, Games, Crafts and Shopping on the Midway. What’s not to like?
• The Annual Kutztown Fair August 15 – August 20, 2011 A bit of a drive but this Fair has a 145 year tradition and offers numerous family fun opportunities.
• The Colonial Theater in Phoenixville is a happenin place from Documentary and Cult Cinema to TEDxPhoenixville, to Teen and Children’s Theater- August 9, at 10:30am the Balloon Freak, John Cassidy, seen on the Today Show and Martha Stuart will entertain the little ones. Exciting fun and some relief from the heat and end of Summer, “I’m Bored” comments.
• Swingin Summer Fun in the Boro of West Chester, where there’s always something going on. Still a few Thursdays left in August for you to enjoy. Wraps up September 1, 2011 6:30-9:30pm on Gay Street.
• Washington Memorial Chapel – The Carillon Concert Series, performed in Historic Valley Forge National Park at the Washington Memorial Chapel every Wednesday evening at 7:30pm during July and August.  The concerts are free. Bring a chair or blanket. Refreshments are available at the Chapel Cabin Shop.

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Perhaps you love to play Scrabble AND you have a penchant for the world of real estate like me. As a child I spent many happy Summer days playing marathon games of Monopoly with family and friends. And even today, a few running games of Scrabble on my iPhone helps keep the mental juices flowing. Now I would be the first person to acknowledge that I cringe whenever I hear someone refer to the “game of real estate”. Somehow it always makes me think of those sleazy get rich quick guys on late night TV.

We never want to think about buying or selling a home as a game, since it’s one of the most important financial and emotional events in our lives. But here are some similarities to both events that might give a little insight by way of comparison:

1. There’s a Playing Field

By a playing field I mean that there are parameters that define each and every real estate transaction. The edges of the game board for buyers and sellers are defined by some factors like Location, Condition, Motivation, the Season of the year and the Economy. And then, just to keep things interesting, there’s Luck. Just like when you have a Q but no U, is it just luck in real estate that your target Buyer is in the market at the same time you’re selling, for example? Or can you create good luck by working smarter? Is this pic of a recent Scrabble game an example of good or bad luck? Since I’m a glass is half full person, I’ll strategize and maximize my resources. And that’s exactly what good Realtors help their clients do! Just keeping the words of Winston Churchill in mind when he said, “never, never, never give up”.

2. Play By The Rules

I love that age in children when they have the most fun making up rules to play by. Children instinctively know that a game is no fun if you don’t play by the rules. It’s my job to keep my clients well informed and protected by knowledge of the laws and rules of Real Estate. A surprising number of players struggle with this one. You know who you are teehee! If you have a bad memory and can only remember one rule, make it The Golden Rule!

3. You Can Win Be Successful

Its called Negotiation. The art of giving a little to get a little. I find it helps to think in terms of a “successful” real estate transaction, especially in this economy. Of course every board game has a winner and a loser. (Jeeze I’m so old fashioned! Is it still a board game if it’s on my iPhone?). But what makes a successful transaction? I like to think that at the end of the day a successful transaction is where each party in the negotiation has gotten essentially what they needed. There is a critical difference between wants and needs, especially in a strong Buyers Market like this one.

Don’t ya just love Scrabble Real Estate?

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So here I am now 4 months into in-tech love with my iPhone. I keep rewriting this post about how wonderful the iPhone is for Real Estate Agents. And the reason for the constant editing is that it seems that every day I find another great App that comes onto the market that’s helpful to Realtors® in the daily practice of real estate.

It’s an awesome Christmas morning feeling when I see that little update light go on telling me that there’s a new exciting feature for one of my Apps. One of life’s simple pleasures!

Now, I have some good friends that I respect. They have brand x phones or hand helds. Are you a Realtor with a brand x phone/hand held?

Give it away.  Or sell it to your friend, sister, brother or neighbor who is not in real estate and get an iPhone. Do I really mean that? I do.

Ok, now on to the fun part. It took me forever to find out how to make these cool screen shots. So now I’m going to share it with you so you can write a post and share your favorite iPhone Apps.

Here’s how to copy your iPhone screen: Display the screen you want to capture, hold down the depressed button on the bottom and then click the top on/off switch once quickly, voila a copy of the screen is saved to your photo App. See, you prolly already knew that, but I didn’t. Then email the screen capture to yourself or send it to Posterous. Easy peasy!

Judy’s 15 Must Have iPhone Real Estate Apps:

Near Buy - one of the most ingenious and useful Apps for Realtors. Showing a house? Buyer asks, “how much is that house down the street”. Walking your adorable Bichon pup named “Daisy” (oops that’s me) and a neighbor asks about a house she saw? Look it up on the spot in Near Buy. You look really smart.

Around Me – tell your Buyers about all the lifestyle, interesting places around a neighborhood like hospitals, theaters, hotels, supermarkets, taxis, parking, etc. It takes much more than 4 br 2.5 baths to make a happy client.

Smarter Agent – Accurate, clean, well designed real estate app.  It really works like a Swiss Watch for looking up property, listing contact information, etc.

Trulia – Excellent Real Estate Property App. When I’m at an Open House, my iPhone is set to open in Trulia.  Guaranteed, that someone will ask me if there are any other open houses in the area or they will ask the price of the other two listings in the neighborhood.

Zillow – Check out the Zestimates as Zillow names them. They’re often not accurate in my area, but it’s good to know what clients are finding online.

Walk Score – Walk Score is becoming huge to City planners as more and more people seem to want a “town center” or walk to shopping. It just depends on your market. In some high end market areas it might not be a plus having a high “walk to” score. No question though, that the concept of a town center is a definite trend in housing.

My New Place – This one’s new on my iPhone. For many reasons, Rental properties may be trending stronger. Anyway, there’s always a need to share Rental costs with clients if only to illustrate the investment benefits of owning a home compared to financing the landlords real estate dreams.

Calcs Pro and Fast Figures – are two nice financial Apps that walk you through some of the important numbers that buyers and sellers need to consider. There’s no substitute for talking to a trustworthy Trident Mortgage Representative (call for the name and number of my fav), but these can help.

Evernote – is a powerful Organizer/Note taking App I learn more about every day.  You can send photo, voice notes, and to do’s to, even pdf files to Evernote. The Home Inspector hands you a business card – take a photo of the card together with the info and you won’t be searching through your pockets looking for the information when you need it.

Gas Buddy – Road Warriors can save money and find the lowest gas price no matter where you are.

Yelp – Long day of showing homes? Just open Yelp to find your clients favorite spot when you want to take a coffee or lunch break.

365 Holidays – Need to know if a contract day falls on a holiday? Of course you do.

Twitteralator Pro and Tweetie – I like both of these for keeping up with the latest and greatest on Twitter. If I had pick just one, it would be Twitteralator Pro. But I also like Tweetie because it’s simple and easy to flip through the tweets for a quick read.

Facebook – The iPhone Facebook App makes it easy to stay socially connected with friends and family and clients.

The iTunes Store has over 75,000 Apps for the iPhone and I have just 72 of them. My favorite Photo Apps will be the subject of my next iPhone post. I use my Nikon DSLR together with a fabulous wide angle lens for taking my listing photos and for my  jp Real Estate Photography service for area agents.  But a few great iPhone Photo Apps are a must have for every Realtor. You know, “a picture being worth more than a thousand words” or dollars in the case of real estate.

Stay tuned. Tell me about YOUR favorite Apps.

Buyers and Sellers, want to work with a tech savvy Realtor who will use every available real estate marketing and social media tool to get your Chester County Main Line Pa property sold or help you find you the perfect new home? Give me a call now, Judy Peterson, Realtor 610-889-5509, Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors Devon Home Marketing Center. I can help.

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Bring Canned Goods For REACT

The Deb Callahan Band Plus 15 other Bands will be performing in Paoli with a FREE Concert at the location of the Paoli Village Shoppes across from the Paoli Train Station and in other Paoli area locations such as Malvern Federal, Ace Paoli Hardware (my fav for kids toys and fix it help!), CVS in Paoli Plaza and the Paoli Design Center all sponsors of the event.

Bring some non-perishable food donations to support the REACT Food Closet. Valley Forge REACT, needs your help. REACT, together with assistance from the community and members of the Tredyffrin-Easttown Fire and Police force  assists area families in need every day and through the holidays.

Have fun and do good! A winning combination.

Saturday 10/3/09 12 Noon to 6pm RAIN OR SHINE!

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Saturday September 19th between 12 noon and 5pm (rain or shine). Mark your calendars for the annual tour of historic homes in Tredyffrin Township. The 5th Annual Historic House Tour Ticket  Order Form can be used if you like to mail your check or you can order your Tour Tickets online at the Tredyffrin  History website.

Highlights for The Tredyffrin 5th Annual Historic House Tour will

Antoinette's Day Spa Paoli Pa 19301

showcase 7  Private Historic Homes in Tredyffrin Township PLUS a bonus tour of the Wharton Esherick Museum AND a special Welcoming Tour by this year’s sponsor, Antoinette’s Day Spa of Paoli.

Come learn about some of the hidden historic gems in Tredyffrin Township. And don’t forget to thank the home owners who so graciously open their homes for us to enjoy on this special day. As in the past, a map of Historic Home  locations, a tour badge and a history will be provided at the pick up location.

Of course you can make a donation to the Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust anytime. Today would be good!

But Saturday, September 19th you also get a fabulous tour of historic homes by knowledgeable tour guides and the opportunity to enjoy our community with neighbors and friends. Contact Pattye Benson, Historic Preservation Trust President 610-644-6759, with any questions about the house tour.

*Photo Credits: Pattye Benson

Contact or call Judy Peterson, 610-889-5509 for Tredyffrin Historic Homes for sale, Tredyffrin new homes for sale and for help getting your Tredyffrin Township home sold for the highest and best price in the least amount of time. My promise – “Superb Service and Superb Results”. You deserve the best internet savvy real estate marketing in the Chester County, Main Line Pa area provided by me and my team at Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors Devon Home Marketing Center.

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