Central New York Real Estate Blog

MADCATTER Sailing on Oneida Lake

Pei Lin — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:24:39 +0000

The beauty of Syracuse and surrounding towns, villages, parks and forests is the wonderful diversity of stuff to do! Downtown festivals, Iron-Girl Triathlon and Balloon-fest are just the tip of the proverbial ICEBERG (how apropos for Syracuse!). Well here’s something you may not have tried yet – sailing on Oneida Lake! Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20 you can check out Fleet 204- and their first regatta of the 2012 sailing season, the Madcatter!

Oneida Lake, affectionately referred to as the “thumb” of the Finger Lakes, offers some unique and unencumbered sailing. Watch the Hobie Cats rip across the lake from Oneida Shores or from the comfort of Borios – a favorite watering hole – on the water! On May 29th Fleet 204 encourages all potential sailors to Come Sail with Us and discover the exhilarating sport of sailing. Spectator or participant – Syracuse offers it all. If you go – we’d love to see your fab photos of Syracuse under sail! Especially pictures of Hobie Cats!

Downtown Living Tour May 19th 12-6 PM

Pei Lin — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:55:17 +0000

We can’t help but get excited for the Downtown Living Tour - we are after all realtors- we make a living when people buy places to live. But what really gets us jazzed is the diversity of shelter that the greater Syracuse area has to offer and none better displayed then the array of city lofts, green apartments, condominiums etc…at the Downtown Committee’s annual open house extravaganza.

Walking this tour really gives you the opportunity to see just how manageable a city like Syracuse is by foot. Shuttles are also available along with special discounts at downtown restaurants, shops and more.

If you’re thinking about a move downtown or your guilty pleasure is peeking at cool interiors then this is the tour for you. If you’ve got a thing for historic preservation or love that urban scene, then this tour is for you too. It’s a fun day with a great vibe celebrating the emergence of Downtown Syracuse as THE place to be and live.

Mother’s Day and the Perfect Gift!

Pei Lin — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:19:53 +0000

Just a few days until Mother’s Day – and the quest is on to find an appropriate way to let the most important woman in your life know just how much she means to you. Polls have shown that Moms nationwide really do like to receive flowers, spa treatments and thoughtful cards -both homemade and store bought. Most crave a little time for themselves but will almost always opt for some quality time with their families over any other gift ideas.

Sycamore Hill Gardens holds an annual Mother’s Day tour in Marcellus. Proceeds benefit Baltimore Woods . Even if I can’t be with my mom on Mother’s Day, I can’t think of a more beautiful way to honor her then strolling the grounds of this unique and beautiful spot while helping to raise money for the nature center. She passed her love of gardening on to me.

Spa gifts are a click away with coupons good at thousands of spas and wellness centers, or who can resist chocolate and fruit artfully arranged in bouquets?

Remember, as mom used to always say, “actions speak louder than words,” so keep the following in mind when selecting that special gift for that special someone.

Don’t buy . . . a new telephone
Do . . . call often to say I love you.

Don’t buy . . . 500-thread count sheets/ quilt cover/ bed ensemble
Do . . . let her lie in bed as long as she likes on a regular basis and bring her breakfast

Don’t buy . . . a toaster- even if this season’s model is adorned with trendy stripes
Do . . . clean out the crumbs from her old one.

Don’t buy . . . a microwave.
Do . . . take her out for dinner – regularly.

Don’t buy . . . a picture frame.
Do . . . dig out a special photograph from yesteryear and then buy a frame.

Don’t . . . ask your Mum what she wants for Mother’s Day or make your purchase at the last minute.
Do . . . think about what she’d love rather than what she needs and get the practical stuff another time. Remember, the card is as important as the gift. And making her feel special is most important of all. (Do’s & Don’ts Courtesy PerthNow.com)

National Nurses Day May 6th

Pei Lin — Sun, 06 May 2012 12:00:39 +0000

May 6 is National Nurses Day, the kick off to a week-long recognition of nurses nationwide. In fact, nurses are recognized worldwide on International Nurses Day, which falls on May 12th of each year.

My mother is 87 years old, so I’ve had plenty of opportunity to see how tirelessly these caregivers work! Sometimes they help to give crucial life and death care. Sometimes they offer solace and comfort in a kind word, a touch, a cup of tea.

We have plenty to celebrate in Syracuse. In addition to all the nurses in area physician’s offices, we have a strong health network in the 5 hospitals covering Syracuse and Central New York: Crouse Hospital, the Veterans Hospital, University Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital and Upstate University Hospital at Community General.

I think we take it for granted that we have such choices. Although my mother- and father-in-law lived in a fair sized town of over 120,000, there were times they would have to drive over an hour to Nashville in order to get the specialist care they needed. Not so in Syracuse.

The mother of our teammate had open heart surgery earlier in the year, and more recently suffered a stroke while out of town. Being hospitalized away from home, family and friends–cut off from critical support systems–can make a stressful situation even harder.

The nurses helped make Danielle and her family as comfortable as possible. They gave her the use of the spare bed, allowing her to stay with her mom during those critical days.
The good news is her mother is now home and on the road to a full recovery.

Caring and well-trained nurses can make all the difference in a stress-filled hospital stay for patient and family members alike.

So this week during National Nurses Day send a note or drop a token of thanks to your favorite nurse.

Stroke Warning Signs

Sarah — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:47:34 +0000

Our teammate’s mother recently had a stroke while out of town. Fortunately, she was near the acclaimed Strong Memorial Hospital and was able to get immediate care. Her prognosis is very good. In fact, she is home after only a week in the hospital.

Not all strokes result with such a good report. Because of our teammate’s experience, we decided it would be helpful to discuss the warning signs of a stroke. If any of these symptoms are detected early enough, medication can be administered right away to help reduce the debilitating effects of the stroke. Warning signs may actually appear as early as seven days beforehand. It is extremely important to act fast and call 911 if any of these signs or symptoms are suddenly present:

Numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
Trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Severe headache with no known cause.

If you’re not sure, remember the word FAST, and ask the person in question to do a few simple tests:

F – Face

When smiling, one side of the face droops.

A – Arms

When raising both arms, one arm drifts downward.

S – Speech

Have them repeat a simple phrase and notice if their speech is slurred or strange.

T – Time

If you see any of these signs, call 911 immediately.

Visit strokeassociation.org or stroke.org for more information.

Spring Cleaning – Go Green!

Sarah — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:47:30 +0000

As the days get longer, the temperatures rise, and everything starts to bloom, it is also the time of year to roll up your sleeves and give your home a good spring cleaning. Most people default to the standard cleaning products such as bleach, ammonia, and other harsh chemicals. This spring, why not try a new approach – green cleaning? By purchasing less toxic cleaners, you will be protecting your family and pets from harmful fumes and indoor air pollution. Another option is to make your own natural cleaners from common household ingredients. These recipes are easy, effective, and friendly on your wallet.

Some Green Cleaning Products (available at Wegmans and Target):

I love these plant-based cleaning agents, but they can get expensive. Pick up a few items at the grocery store and make your own! All you need is baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and a small bottle of tea tree oil. Baking soda is abrasive, and works wonders on dirt and grime while neutralizing odors. Simply sprinkle it onto the dirty surface and scrub with a damp sponge. Lemon juice or vinegar are perfect for grease and stains; just spray and wipe. To disinfect, mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Mist the surface, and rub it in with a cloth or paper towel. For cleaning windows and hardwood floors, mix vinegar with water. This solution leaves a nice shine and a fresh smell. It’s fun and easy to experiment with different combinations of these inexpensive products.

Please let us know your spring cleaning ideas and tips!

Springtime in CNY

Sarah — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:04:58 +0000

In Central New York, the anticipation of springtime is always palpable. There’s so much to look forward to – baseball season, outdoor festivals, and most of all an end to the dismal winter weather. Although the official first day of spring was in March, we usually don’t experience Syracuse’s unbeatable spring weather until May. This year we’ve been lucky enough to witness an early springtime.

Here are just a few of the things to savor in Syracuse during this revitalizing season:

Syracuse Chiefs Season – April 5th at 2 PM is Opening Day
Earth Day – April 22nd
Local Nature Center Events at Beaver Lake Nature Center and Baltimore Woods Nature Center
Local Parks (Thornden Park, Onondaga Lake Park)
Local Road Races in May – Mountain Goat Run (5/6), Green Lakes Duathlon (5/12), Socci Stiletto Stampede 5K Walk and Run (5/12), CNY Race for the Cure (5/19), Charity for Children Run (5/20)

What do you love most about spring? Please let us know what you will be doing this season!

Let’s Move! Program Fights Childhood Obesity in America

Sarah — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:00:33 +0000

Childhood obesity in America has been on the rise for decades. Today, one in three children are overweight or obese and could face serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and asthma. An overall change in lifestyle is likely to blame – busier schedules often lead to eating on-the-go instead of home cooked meals, kids are more likely to ride than walk to school, and active playtime has been replaced by media entertainment. Additionally, children are eating larger portions and snacking more frequently than ever before.

All of these factors can be changed with some commitment from parents, schools, communities, and kids themselves. First Lady Michelle Obama has initiated action to win the fight against childhood obesity. Let’s Move! is a program designed to educate families about healthier choices and help make healthy foods more accessible and affordable.

By visiting the website, you can get involved in the Let’s Move! program in many ways – taking a pledge, planning healthy meals, joining meetup groups in your area, starting a community garden, taking the President’s Challenge to get fit, and much more. There are also links for schools and local officials to make a change within the community.

The website is full of useful tips and simple plans for an affordable, healthier lifestyle. Get involved today to contribute to raising a healthier generation of kids!

Westcott Events: Music, History, and Architecture

Sarah — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:03:48 +0000

If you are looking for something interesting to do this weekend, the Syracuse Community Choir will be performing at the Westcott Community Center on Sunday 4/1 from 1-3 PM. Led and founded by Karen Mihalyi in 1985, the group is made up of a wide range of ages. The choir’s focus is on peace, justice, and sharing the inspiration of music. Tickets are $10 or $5 for students (with ID), and will benefit the Westcott Community Center. To get tickets in advance, visit the website or call (315) 478-8634.

Interested in architecture and history? The Westcott East Neighborhood Association is sponsoring a series of walking tours in the Westcott and University area neighborhoods. “Westcott Sundays” will begin at 1:00 PM on 4/15, 5/6, and 6/3 (weather permitting – rain dates are each consecutive following Sunday). All tours begin at the Petit Library located at 105 Victoria Place in Syracuse. The schedule for Westcott Sundays is:

April 15 (rain date April 29), 1:00 pm

Stately Streets: Allen and Cambridge

May 6 (rain date May 20), 1:00 pm

A Gridded Garden: Victoria, Concord, Clarke, Strong, Euclid

June 3 (rain date June 17), 1:00 pm

West of Westcott: Avondale, Trinity, Greenwood and Thornden Park

For more information on the tours, contact wenanation@gmail.com.

University Neighborhood Preservation Association

CNY Guest Blogger — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:30:50 +0000

Our guest blogger, Rebecca Shaffer Mannion, is the UNPA’s Executive Director. She is a University Neighborhood resident, and is dedicated to the community.

It was supposed to be a 3-year commitment. My husband was to complete his MFA in Photography at Syracuse University and we were outta here. That was August, 1998. Flash forward to today. We own a home that we love and care for each and every day (thanks for helping us first time buyers, Pei Lin!) We have two bright, beautiful children in addition to our cat & dog.

I decided one snowy December day about nine years ago that we needed to buy a house. We were ready to take the plunge and focus on building our life here in the University Neighborhood. I teach at Syracuse University’s iSchool and also am a librarian at the Fayetteville Free Library. My husband is at Light Work/Community Darkrooms and teaches digital photography at VPA.

In our time in Syracuse we have always lived in this neighborhood. Most of the time we can walk to work and parks; the public library, restaurants and more are all within blocks.

Recently, I was named by the University Neighborhood Preservation Association (UNPA) as the Executive Director of the Board of Directors. I am taking over the reigns from Joanne Stewart, who is leaving UNPA after eleven years of service. I wish everyone would be able to work with someone as kind, supportive and encouraging as Joanne when they take on a new job. I have been on the board since 2011 and love the work that we do throughout the neighborhood.

UNPA is a non-profit organization that promotes owner-occupancy and markets the University Neighborhood as a great place to live. UNPA has designed the Homebuyers Assistance Program as an incentive to attract buyers to the University Neighborhood and to financially assist families or individuals who are interested in buying a home in the UNPA Target Area. The University Neighborhood Home Improvement Loan is an affordable way to quickly access the money you need to make exterior home renovations and repairs — even if you have built little or no equity in your home. Hello, 2.99% interest rate!

Being community-minded, my feelings about the University Neighborhood and its draw and impact on the city first led to my involvement with the organization. We used UNPA’s grant program when we moved into our home and now have even stronger ties to the community through local friends, businesses, the university, museums, and cultural organizations. Our children attend Erwin Nursery School & UPK and our daughter will head to Ed Smith in the fall. Please have tissues handy if you see me walking around aimlessly in September!

If you’re thinking of moving, we would love to hear from you. We’d love you to learn more about our programs and all that we offer in the University Neighborhood!

Contact Rebecca at director@unpa.net or (315) 476-5228.