Former President George W. Bush will speak to sold out crowd of more than 1,600 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pennsylvania.  This will be one of President Bush's first speeches since leaving office in January.                  Bayfront Convention Center on left and Sheraton Hotel on the right connected by skywalk that is open to the public during daylight hours. President Bush will be the keynote speaker for the Erie Manufacturer & Business Association 104th annual meeting.  Security is expected to be very tightly controlled by the Secret Service and Erie Police.  After arricing at Erie International Airport Bush will receive a police escort to the convention center on Erie's bayfront. The Erie Times News website has details of two groups lining the route some supportive an... 06/17/2009

Finally Family Day with my only daughter's family at Waldameer Amusement Park was yesterday.  A month ago my grandson, Hunter, turn 8 years old and his present from me was to be Ride-A-Rama at Waldameer, however the weather delayed our fun event.  Hunter, Jacob, Tim & Stacy All winter and spring Hunter & I planned which rides we wanted to go on.  At the top of our list was the Ravine Flyer II.  Well, guess who chickened out???  (Read on . . .)    Every kids favorite These were Jacob's favorites.  He is only two & half and held tightly by one of his parents.   Ferris wheel and the yellow coaster on the pink track.   Hunter & Jacob                                 This bronze art piece reminds me of childhood visits to another park in my home town.  The cross bars were my favorite. Maybe I... 06/14/2009

I will meet you 'Under the Clock'         Meeting 'under the clock' at the Boston Store in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania was very common for many, many years.  Unfortunately times changed and the store closed in the late 70's as more and more retail stores moved to malls in the suburbs.  For many years the building once known as the Boston Store remained empty until a developer converted the upper floors to apartments.  The first floor is now home to several local radio stations and a new restaurant called 'Under the Clock Bar & Grill.' For all those Erie-ites who feel nostalgic, tonight is your opportunity to meet 'Under the Clock' from 5-7 for a good cause.  Howard Hanna Real Estate is hosting a fundraiser benefiting Hamot Hospital Second Century Fund for Neonatal Care.  Hoddy Hanna, Pr... 06/09/2009

John Maleno, co-founder of Maleno Development, announced that his company has been choosen by Extreme Makeover Home Edition to build a home in seven days starting June 25, 2009 for one of five Erie families being considered.  Julie Maleno, his daughter, had sent an e-mail to the producers of Extreme Makeover relaying her family's long history of giving back to the Erie community.  John indicated to the Erie Times News that he is scrambing to put together a team of contractors, subcontractors and suppliers willing to donate their time and/or materials.  Hundreds of different specialites will be needed.         Will you volunteer?                                 Which plan?     At this time John cannot give them the exact location or building plans.  He can tell them that the project star... 06/05/2009

Much has been written about the Underground Railroad in both history books, special publications and in documentary films.  Nothing I had seen or read in the past prepared me for an afternoon touring the exhibit "Into the Light: The African American Experience" presented by the Erie County Historical Society at the Watson-Curtze Mansion. In many ways I am glad that I went alone because this allowed me to wonder at my own pace and reflect on past struggles for freedom.  Erie, Pennsylvania's location on Lake Erie and the fact that it was and still is a shipping port made it a natural destination for the former slaves on their journey to freedom in Canada.  Many tales and legends have been told and retold over the years of homes and properties being used as 'stations' along the RR.  Many l... 06/04/2009

     We just finished our 4th "flip" house, and we agree it's our favorite one yet! I started a blog with this one that ended up being in our local paper. (www.creativespaceserie.blogspot.com)  I had no idea what was in store for us, each house is so different. This one was almost perfect! We were able to finish in 30 days, and just had over 20 people at our open house. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a quick sell because we'd like to get another one finished by the end of summer. This is the first time I had professional pictures taken, and I will never go back! The house isn't very big (1100 sq. feet) so I kept staging to a minimum and let the house speak for itself. Thanks to everyone that's checked out my blog- I will update as soon as we get a buyer!                          ... 05/24/2009

Escape to Presque Isle Peninsula Erie, PA Yesterday was my day to escape to my favorite place.  I love to walk here either alone or with a friend.  Join me as I reminisce through the photos.   Walking trail along the bay side Below--Notice the white caps on Presque Isle Bay... The temp was 8 degrees cooler here than a short distance inland. Erie, PA is off to the right approx two miles in the above picture.  Below is Lake Erie & breakwalls. Alternative energy--wind High school students on field trip.  Reminds me of my teaching days.   A Realtor friend joined me for lunch in a little coffee/art shop at the entrance to the Peninsula.  We really did talk about real estate.  Great Escape:  Presque Isle Peninsula  Erie, PA All visitors welcome UPDATED MAY 1, 2009  Read interesting article ab... 04/30/2009

Home staging expert Gretchen Wheeler , and her husband Randy, are presently "flipping" their 4th home in Erie PA. In a recent article in the Erie Times News, Gretchen was quoted as saying "I think one of the hardest things when rehabbing a house is not overdoing it. It is so easy to just keep adding extras. There is such a fine line between creating "selling points" in a house and adding something because you know it would look good ( or be really fun to do). The decorator in me wants to add glass tile backsplashes, and built-in window seats, but the flipper in me is counting every penny we are spending, keeping an eye on the profits." You can follow along as the Wheelers transform an eyesore into a beautiful investment at their new blog: www.creativespaceserie.blogspot.com       04/28/2009

Feels like a Zoo Day!!  The weather is warm and the sun is out.  Put the kids in the car and let's go to the    Erie, PA has a wonderful zoo.       Are we there yet?  How many times have we heard that? How big is the giraffe's tongue?                   Of course the train ride is a must!!         Oh, inquiring minds want to know why????  The conductor pointed out the deer (Pere David Deer) we saw near the tracks.  Hunter wanted to know why they were called Pere David Deer.  Answer:  Pere David is the name of man who helped to protect these deer from extinction in the wild.  Now they only live in zoos and sanctuaries. What a fun day!       04/25/2009

Local Erie, PA businesses team up with Junior Achievement (JA) to bring financial & business topics, current issues and career options to grades K-12.  Volunteers from local businesses visit the schools presenting age-appropriate lessons in workshops over a five-week period or a one-day event known as "JA In a Day."  The format is fun and dynamic for the students as well as teaching them valuable lessons about personal finances and what it takes to be successful in the business world.  The volunteers willing share their personal reflections on career opportunties, the traits & skills needed in both the business & financial sectors.  Sandi Carangi, Erie Federal Credit Union and JA Chairwoman, says, "The kids always ask, When are you coming back?"  Good work Junior Achievement, Erie, PA. ... 04/03/2009

  Meet: Posi  Posi will introduce each positive post. Good Samaritan The Erie, PA newspaper, Erie Times News,headline didn't read, 'Good Samaritan' but read: Man shot on area street.  It wasn't the headline that caught my attention.  It was the name of a middle class suburb in my hometown of Erie, PA.  Like other cities we expect such events to occur inner city not the suburbs.  The first sentence of the article told of a ten year-old being awakened by a gunshot outside her home just before six a.m.  She woke her father who opened his door to assist the wounded young man at his doorstep.  Details aside, while her father called 911, the young girl brought the man a pillow, blanket and tweezers to remove the bullet.  Her father remarked about her calmness.  "She's just an amazing kid.  I ... 03/26/2009

Challenging economic times are driving even the most seasoned real estate agents back to the basics we learned as Newbies in FastStart or Sweat Hog training courses many years ago. Let's look at a few key basic tactics that lead to our initial success and will get us back on that success track again. PROSPECT, PROSPECT, PROSPECT  The more people we talk to the more opportunities we have to generate leads that will lead to listings or sales.  Schedule time each day to make calls.  I prefer warm calls to cold calls so I suggest that you start with your past clients who will appreciate a call.  They may even recommend you to a friend or co-worker who needs to buy or sell.  I find that when I make calls first thing in the morning I am less likely to get distracted and say, 'I will do it tom... 03/25/2009

Mercyhurst College, Lady Lakers Women Hockey team is disappointed because they lost the national women's hockey tournament called the Frozen Four, but they are proud of the strides they made as a team and the development of individual players.  No one likes to lose, but Mercyhurst College's, Lady Lakers hockey coach, Michael Sisti, & team captain, Meghan Agosta, displayed more than good sportsmanship in losing.  Both Mike & Meghan complimented the team first on getting to the finals and then thanking each player for their individual contribution.  Prior to going to the Frozen Four competition in Boston, MA Meghan spent time helping younger less experienced players prepare mentally for the stress & pressure of playing in a national championship.  Meghan who came to Mercyhurst College fro... 03/24/2009

No, that is not a misprint. For second year in row Home Prices Are UP in Erie, PA.  Unlike the rest of the country Erie prices are up 1.3 percent.  Modest though it is a 1.3 % increase in home prices in Erie, PA contrasts sharply with the national average of 11.6 percent decline in home prices.  This small increase in home prices won't set the market on fire, but it comes as no surprise to the Erie real estate community.  Unlike other sectors of the nation Erie never experiences the drastic highs & lows that the media reports about constantly.  We never had a bubble to burst.  Our market is often described as 'Slow & Steady.'  Our foreclosure rate is lower than the state average and our local banks are lending, too. A report by First American CoreLogic indicated that home prices in Erie... 03/24/2009

Mercyhurst Lady Lakers defeated #2 team in women's ice hockey in the semifinal game of the Frozen Four tournament in Boston.   Mercyhurst ....5 Minnesota.....4 Today Mercyhurst will face off against Wisconsin, #1 team in champsionship game of the Frozen Four tournament at noon.  Watch game on CBS College Sports (CSTV). Meghan Agosta, Mercyhurst junior from Ontario, is one of ten finalists for top hockey honor, Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.  Good luck Meghan. Being a graduate of Mercyhurst College long Mercyhurst had a college sport team of any variety or even men living on campus, I love following the successes of the Lakers.  Unfortunately I live in an area where TV reception via satellite is limited at best and the cable company won't bring their line to my house without a huge fee. ... 03/21/2009

When my realtor called me and said "can you come right over?" I knew it was serious. She had received a call from two brothers who had been trying to sell the home they grew up in for the past 18 months , listed with another realtor. They had repeatedly asked the other realtor what they could do to get the house sold and she would only say "there's nothing you can do, bad market, bad economy". My realtor knew better and called me! My name is Gretchen Wheeler and I own Creative Spaces in Erie, Pa. When I entered the home, the first thing that hit me was the smell. Not a foul odor, more just musty and "old". And rightly so, everything in the home was old. Carpets, vinyl, kitchen, no cosmetic changes had been made in at least 25 years. Luckily, the "bones" of the house were good- newer roo... 02/12/2009

With the media constantly telling all of our potential clients that the economy is horrible and house prices are falling, it is with great joy that I share with you how the Erie market is doing.  According to Cyberhomes, an Irvine, California based company that publishes a database of real estate information.  "Erie County ranked second out of 150 communities in the United State for having the strongest home appreciation year over year. So hopefully, some of your clients are thinking of relocating to Erie or buying some investment property here.  We need to work together to combat the news media's stories of doom and gloom. Do your research! Let the consumers in your community know what the true picture is. Good luck to all of you. 01/17/2009

Bob Sanders, Colts Safety Has a Soft Spot in His Heart for KIDS.  Yes, THE BOB SANDERS, the Super Bowl Champion, two time Pro Bowl safety for Indianapolis Colts is the local boy from Erie, PA has just rushed back to Erie on Friday to help the Erie Zoo and Erie's Experience Children's Museum by making $10,000 donations to each foundation.  Yes, football is his job, but helping kids is his TRUE PASSION. For the last two summers, Bob has returned to Erie to host a football camp for Erie county high school players.  Not only does he foot the bill, but he works with the players.  He has returned several times in recent years to meet & talk to Erie schools, sports group and community groups. Bob is truly a local boy who made it big in NFL, but has not forgotten what in important in life! Erie... 01/10/2009

Hello fellow Real Estate professionals.   I wanted to share with all of you how things are going here in Erie,PA. Erie has a stable market house prices have actually increased.  In the first 11 months of 2007 the Median residential house price in Erie county was $103,950 and in the first 11 months of 2008 it increased by 3.3% to $107,500. Looking at the same time frame in 2007 the average price of a residential property was $130,265 and in 2008 the average price of a residential property increased by 1.5% to $132,301. Also, here in Erie the banks are lending money and the rates are low.  I Have heard that in some parts of the country buyers need 30% down no matter their credit score or income.  That is not the case here in Erie. On a 30 year conventional your buyer could qualify for onl... 12/09/2008

    I have recently signed up to be a rep for www.signaturehomestyles.com    It is a great Home Decor company that I feel will really complement my home staging and design business. They have some beautiful pieces. What I will do is have some of my clients host a "decorating show" in their homes . I'll go ahead of time and do a little decorating with some of their own pieces and some of the SHS pieces. Then the hostess will have her friends in to see how nicely her home is decorated, and introduce them to the SHS line. The picture I posted is a system called Wall Wizard. It is a series of frames and inserts that are all interchangeable.  www.wallwizardideas.com   They will be great for staging. If anyone would like me to send them a catalog or offer more info, please email me. www.crea... 11/19/2008