Ignorance staring you right in the face by Feng Shui LI We had so many great adventures during our time in New Paltz and Woodstock this past weekend.  But, there was also unexpected life lessons.  After checking into the hotel in New Paltz, the individual at the front desk informed us about a local country band playing in town.  She raved about them and told us to check it out.  So we all agreed, went out to eat and afterward headed over to the local tavern.    As soon as we walked inside, the vibe felt a bit off. But trying to be open minded we agreed to sit and wait for the band to start.  Observing those around us surly indicated we were not welcomed in this particular location.  Racial comments were being said under their breaths, unsatisfied looks tossed our way and to top it off, ... 10/11/2012

Hudson Valley Farm Festival    Looking for a great family fun weekend? Come to the Hudson Valley Farm Festival at the Ulster County fairgrounds in New Paltz, New York 12561 . This is a family festival to promote and celebrate agriculture in the Hudson Valley. There will be food vendors, arts & crafts, live music, family activities. The event promises to be fun for one and all. Agriculture is a critical part of the County's economy. Come help us celebrate Harvest time in Ulster County!   Date:September 22 & 23, 2012   Time:Sat: 10 - 6; Sun: 10 - 3   Where: Ulster County Fairgrounds 249 Libertyville Road New Paltz, NY 12561   For more information go to: http://www.hudsonvalleyharvestfestival.com/ The Harvest Festival will benefit Family of Woodstock Inc and Cornell Cooperative Extension ... 09/18/2012

 Taste of New Paltz - 2012 Taft Street Guide This Sunday, the 22nd annual Taste of New Paltz takes place at the Ulster County NY Fairgrounds. This amazing event showcases all of the culinary delights that New Paltz NY and the entire Hudson Valley region have to offer. Interested in New Paltz homes for sale and want to get a sense of local culture? This is the event for you! Restaurants and eateries who participate in Taste of New Paltz sell bite-sized portions of their best dishes for visitors to enjoy. Area wineries and local farms join in the fun, offering fresh produce and delicious wines made from grapes grown right here in the Hudson Valley! If you love New Paltz (or just love food!) make sure you check out the 2012 Taste of New Paltz! Read the full Article Originally Posted Here: ... 09/12/2012

New Paltz NY Home Values - Ulster County SOLD Market Update Taft Street Realty is pleased to give you the latest home to be SOLD to one of our buyers, 66 N. Ohioville Rd. in New Paltz NY. This 3BDR / 2BTH, 1,792 square foot ranch closed on August 29, 2012 for $235,000. Custom cabinets, granite counter tops, and a master suite with its own full bath are some beautiful touches to this charming home. 3 acres of land and a nice and private back deck allows one to simply step outside and enjoy the outdoors. What do they say about location? Literally minutes from New Paltz NY a NatGeo "Best Adventure Town" Taft Street wishes nothing but the best for our latest satisfied customer and newest resident of New Paltz NY! Read the full Article Originally Posted Here: http://www.taftstreetrealty.com... 09/06/2012

Team Real Estate- John J. Lease Realtors Highland NY 12528   If you are looking for a great Realtor in the Hudson Valley, that thinks out of the box, works tirelessly and finds unique ways to market properties or find properties for buyers, whether residential or commercial- you have come to the right place. As culturally and geographically diverse as our area is, from the Catskills to the Hudson River, our team of Realtors is as diverse in our thinking. http://www.NewPaltzRealEstate.com  site features all the local areas and is courtesy of Barbara Carter, me, but that is just the beginning of the story. I am very fortunate to work with the most professional out of the box thinkers in the industry. We leave no stone unturned to get the job done for our clients. The best part is what one... 09/05/2012

  What is your investment? Do you diversify? Stocks? 401K, an annuity? Big or small we all invest in something. Money or time you are invested. You may be invested in a commitment, your kids, a project, well you get the idea.  There is a tremendous opportunity to invest in many different ways the Mid-Hudson Valley right now.   We tend to think of investments as places we put our money to grow. If you follow the economy at all the news is grime, for me downright discouraging. Over the past few months I have heard many investors say the same thing when they decide to purchase real estate, “Where else can I put my money right now?” Good question.   There are investors in Commercial Real Estate are professionals, the thing that matters is the numbers, it is all business. At John J Lease Rea... 08/27/2012

“You need a village, if only for the pleasure of leaving it.  A village means that you are not alone, knowing that in the people, the trees, the earth, there is something that belongs to you, waiting for you when you are not there.” -Casare Pavese The New Paltz, Gardiner New York and the surrounding area is an area of villages. There are many commuters and second home owners that buy in the area. As a local resident all my life I tend to forget the paradise I live in. The quote above struck a note with me. We are an area of villages. We have the benefit of fresh air, grass for our children to play, and open spaces. We do not live in high rises, we walk out our door to a yard. Foods are fresh and locally grown. We live a slower pace. We know our neighbors. New Paltz, Gardiner, Highland. ... 08/25/2012

RIBFEST! It is time for a Rib Throw Down! This Saturday and Sunday August 18th and 19th at the Ulster County Farirgrounds on Libertyville Road in New Paltz NY will be the site of the annual Hudson Valley Ribfest. 50 teams of competitors will fire up their cookers and compete for prizes and money. Entertainment and parking included in the $5.00 admission charge. Beyond the Ribs there are vendors with all sorts of food and drink to delight every taste.  Hours are Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 to 5:00 pm. Come out to a feast for your senses! The Hudson Valley Ribfest!   08/17/2012

Buyers are finally getting it in New Paltz New York. The phone is ringing, the emails are coming in and there are loads of registrations on my website. It has been building up gradually with plateaus here and there, but the market is peaking now. I am seeing that the inventory is declining in specific types of homes. There is a demand to unigue homes. For the most part the market has many raised ranches. Buyers are looking for the Craftsmen, Contempo, homes with character and charm.   If you are considering selling your New Paltz home I would love to sit with you and develope a unique marketing strategy with you. Your home will be featured on top websites, HomeFinder and the Poughkeepsie Journal, and NewPaltzRealEstate.com, my own highlay ranking website.   Call today and put my team in... 08/14/2012

Team Real Estate- In and Around New Paltz 12561   If you are looking for a great Realtor in the Hudson Valley, that thinks out of the box, works tirelessly and finds unique ways to market properties or find properties for buyers, whether residential or commercial- take a look at Http://www.NewPaltzRealEstate.com. As culturally and geographically diverse as our area is, from the Catskills to the Hudson River, our team of Realors is as diverse in our thinking. NewPaltzRealEstate.com features all the local areas and is courtesy of Barbara Carter, me, but that is just the beginning of the story.  I am very fortunate to work with the most professional out of the box thinkers in the industry. We leave no stone unturned to get the job done for our clients. The best part is what one of us lacks... 08/12/2012

  Ulster County Fair- New Paltz NY 12561 A Real Country Fair   If you are looking for some good old country family fun, come to New Paltz NY Tuesday July 31- Sunday August 5th.        Entertainment will be:   Tuesday July 31 7:00 pm - Hot Rod Band   Wednesday  August 1st 8:00 pm- Lee Brice   Thursday August 2nd 8:00 pm- The Village People   Friday August 3rd   4:00 & 8:00- TJ Sheppard and Janie Fricke   Saturday August 4th 4:00 & 8:00 Amber Leigh   Sunday August 5th 5:30 John Michael Montgomery   There is fun and food for everyone.  Games and rides are enjoyed by kids of all ages.  What would a day at the fair be without cotton candy or a candy apple?   It is an opportunity for the local 4-H to highlight their exhibits.  The focus of the fair is the local agriculture.  Be sure to visit ... 07/27/2012

 Mountain Views-River Views, It's all in the New Paltz/Highland Area When people come to the New Paltz area the recreation, often, centers around the mountains. The Shawangunk Ridge and the Mohonk Mountains are breathe-taking and create a relaxing atmosphere for the area. Those who are lucky enough have a view from their home making homes with views highly desireable and sought after. To the east another desirable feature is Hudson River views. Now with the Walkway over the Hudson becoming increasingly popular I expect the Highland/New Paltz area to grow in interest for high-end home buyers.  Governor David A. Paterson opened the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park on October 3, 2009. The beautiful views are enjoyed by pedestrians, hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and people with di... 07/08/2012

Taft Street Realty presents, (Almost) Wordless Wednesdays. A picture is worth a thousand words, so every Wednesday we'll post a photo from the Hudson Valley Region. Other than a brief description, (sorry, we just can't help ourselves!) we'll let the images speak for themselves! Enjoy... Ahoy There! - Is that a sea monster? Or pirates perhaps? No, this menacing vessel is actually a contestant in the 2012 New Paltz NY Regatta. This fun and wacky boat race is a local New Paltz NY tradition that started at SUNY New Paltz back in the 1950's. Featuring colorful, creative, and sometimes technically challenged watercraft, half the fun is seeing what the boats look like, and whether or not they'll actually float or sink! Taking place on the Wallkill River, the New Paltz Regatta is a great way to... 06/27/2012

Taft Street Realty presents, (Almost) Wordless Wednesdays. A picture is worth a thousand words, so every Wednesday we'll post a photo from the Hudson Valley Region. Other than a brief description, (sorry, we just can't help ourselves!) we'll let the images speak for themselves! Enjoy... Quack Quack! A new class has moved onto the SUNY New Paltz campus for the Summer 2012 semester. These ducks have made themselves right at home on one of the campus' ponds. Known on campus as "the Gunk", it's a series of connected ponds that flow between the Student Union Building and Esopus Hall. Flocks of geese, swans, and ducks make their homes here every season, adding a little bit of wildlife to this tranquil and peaceful part of campus! National Geographic recently named New Paltz NY, "America's Bes... 06/20/2012

Ulster County NY Real Estate Update, New Paltz Father's Day Challenge, 1/2 Marathon & Family 5KIt's almost here! Father's Day 2012 is just around the corner; and what has evolved into a healthy-themed series of posts about Ulster County Father's Day weekend activities concludes with the ultimate Father's Day activity: the New Paltz Challenge - 1/2 Marathon and Family 5K! Presented by the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce, this is a family event designed to get everyone moving (not just the Dads!) A 1/2 marathon is a real challenge and requires training and dedication; but you can ask anyone who's ever ran a marathon, the payoff is more than worth it! However you don't have to train hard to participate in the New Paltz NY Challenge; the Family 5K can be done by all ages at any pace! It's mor... 06/16/2012

32 Lunch in Rosendale NY32 Lunch in Rosendale NY is a charming little diner that serves up one of the best breakfasts in town! You'll feel as though you've stepped back in time as you grab a booth in the old school diner; where Owners Maria & Nolly will give you a warm welcome and some great food. It's the type of place where after a few visits they know your name and order; and it offers the tasty, hearty food you'd expect from a quality local diner! 32 Lunch has been serving great food to the Rosendale NY area for over 27 years. Featuring traditional diner food served up fresh right off the griddle, 32 Lunch is a local favorite for a tasty (and affordable!) breakfast and/or lunch with friends. Have a chuckle at their witty menu and enjoy the classic rock playing softly in the backgrou... 06/13/2012

Taft Street Realty presents, Wordless Wednesdays. A picture is worth a thousand words, so every Wednesday we'll post a photo from the Hudson Valley Region. Other than a brief description, (sorry, we just can't help ourselves!) we'll let the images speak for themselves! Enjoy... Talk about history! New Paltz NY is a cool little Upstate NY town with deep roots. Founded way back in 1678(!) New Paltz is home to the oldest continuously inhabited street in the United States. Present-day New Paltz NY is buzzing with a youthful energy thanks to SUNY New Paltz. Less than a 2 hour drive from New York City, homes for sale in New Paltz are very popular among New Yorkers seeking a mountain retreat. The Shawangunk Mountain Range, known as the Gunks, offer world-class climbing and are just minutes fro... 04/18/2012

  RELOCATE TO GARDINER NY   At the base of the Shawangunk Ridge is the quaint town of Gardiner New York.  A short distance from New Paltz, Gardiner is a favorite destination for tourist and homebuyers. The attraction of the Gardiner area include 3 season farmers markets, wineries, skydiving, world class rock climbing, local shops and boutiques and the great hiking and biking trails. Gardiner real estate is highly sought after.   Visit the Town of Gardiner  website for Gardiner government information. The population is 2,948 in 1,124 households and the average age is 39.16. The local business association promotes shopping local at the wonderful local businesses.     Gardiner is in the Wallkill School District.  Elementary School depends on the Gardiner neighborhood.   The crime rate in G... 12/31/2011

Homes for sale in New Paltz, New York 2011 was a tough market for home sellers and real estate agents in New Paltz. At the end of a long tough year what are the current homes on the market in New Paltz? The following homes are listed with Ulster County Multiple Listings Service: Active listings maybe currently active, back on the market, pending continue to show (and accepted offer but not yet in contract), or pending continue to show with a major contingency. 11 Townhouse/ Condominiums are listed as active- average days on the market is 174, Prices range from $230,000- $89,900. 67 Single family homes are currently listed of those 9 are pending continue to show. Prices range from $1,200,000 to 59,000. Average days on the market are 168. 1 73 acre horse farm is listed for $895,000 listed... 12/27/2011

  Relocating to New Paltz? New Paltz is a highly desired location for the City of New Yorkers. Noted for it’s beauty and the hub of activity in the Mid Hudson Valley, New Paltz is an easy commute only 90 minutes from Manhattan. The Historic Hudson Valley is full of things to see and do, all within minutes of New Paltz and all it has to offer. Some of the local attractions are: The Culinary Institute of America    http://www.ciachef.edu/ Home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt http://www.nps.gov/hofr/index.htm Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill http://www.nps.gov/elro/index.htm Vassar College Shakespeare Gardens http://admissions.vassar.edu/tour/noflash/outdoor_shakespeare.html Historic West Point http://www.usma.edu/ Historic Huguenot Street  http://huguenotstreet.org Walkway over the Hudso... 12/24/2011