Friday, May 25

• Unity Foundation "Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast" @ Broadway Ballroom 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Saturday, May 26

Unless otherwise stated, all events will take place on 2nd Avenue by Big Ole Central Park in Alexandria

• Rev up your day with the Vintage Car Club’s "Show ‘n Shine" Display 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. • New in 2012 – Corvette Club Show n’ Shine Displays Added
• Runestone Museum hosts "Breakfast with Big Ole" in Fort Alexandria 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 
• Farmers Market – Enjoy locally grown fresh produce 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 
• "Wake Up the Lakes" with YOGAjoy @ Big Ole Central Park 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Bring your own mat or a beach towel 1 hour session ‐ FREE
• Rich Wieber's "Extreme Bicycle Stunt Show" (3 FREE performances) 9:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m. / 12 Noon Sponsored by the Alexandria Parks Department & Alexandria Clinic
• Erickson’s Petting Zoo & Pony Rides – Giddyup! 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• DJ Music provided by Livewire Entertainment 12 Noon to 5:00 p.m.
• Everett Smithson “Blues for Kids” training for ages 8‐16 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Session One) • Learn how to play the harmonica, a disappearing art 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Session Two) • All music and harmonicas are provided – sponsored by MN Blues Society • Pre‐Registration at the Chamber Office – Class size is limited to 15 kids per session
• Downtown Merchants Sidewalk Sales All weekend
• Habitat for Humanity Motorcycle Ride (begins at Apol’s Harley Davidson) 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Beer Garden 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• "Rib Fest!" 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Everett Smithson Live Blues Music 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Fireworks over Lakes Agnes and Henry by Zambelli Fireworks Company At dark
• Live Music at Carlos Creek Winery & Sixth Avenue Wine & Ale Call for Times
• 5 WISSOTA Classes NLRA Late Model Special at the Viking Speedway Races 5:30 p.m.
• 80’s Party at Fat Daddy’s Bar & Grill 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. • Live DJ, cash bar and a chance to win a $100 Cash Prize!

Sunday, May 27th

• City Park Church Service presented by 1st Lutheran Church 11:00 a.m. to Noon • Service is non‐denominational – everyone is welcome!
• Awake the Grapes 5/10k Fun Run at Carlos Creek Winery First race begins at 10:00 a.m. • Packet/T‐Shirt Pick‐Up 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
• Connie Lee Stich live performance at Tennessee Roadhouse 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Monday, May 28th

• 1st Congregational Church Pancake Feed 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon 
• Memorial Day Parade on Broadway to Kinkead Cemetery 10:00 a.m. begins at 8th and Broadway Memorial Day Service at Kinkead Cemetery 11:00 a.m.

All three of the lake lots listed below should prove to be good real estate investments or provide a setting for a cottage or lake home that your family will enjoy for years. All located in Douglas County, each is different from the other but all have attractive features and attractive prices. They all are listed with Counselor Realty in the Alexandria, MN MLS.

(1) .97 acres with 237 feet of frontage on Smith Lake. Located on a point with mild elevation from the sandy/rocky shorline. A smartly designed home would have lake view south, east, and northeast.
MLS 10-9258 $125,000

(2) .55 acres with 100 feet of frontage on Lake Vermont. A perfect front row seat for sunsets. Moderate elevation from sandy/rocky shoreline to the lot.  A new home was recently built on the neighboring lot to the south.  MLS 10-8724 $127,999

(3) .92 acres in an association located at the southeast side of Lake Ida. The lot is lake front but your boat lift will be located in a community marina a short walk from the lot. City sewer is available for connection and the assessment balance is zero. Located near the marina is a gazebo that you can use and the lot has an underground irrigation line. Also, it is a short drive to downtown Alexandria, Arrowwood and the Three Havens area. MLS 10-8786 $80,000

Earlier this morning I was sitting outside with some coffee and the June 2012 issue of Coastal Living and came across this ad. Part of the ad copy says "Preferred by builders across the country". That isn't hyperbole. I recently met with a respected local builder, John McCabe, at a lake home a client of mine is buying in Alexandria. There is quite a bit of work needed including replacing the deck. John told me that Azek is the best. He said while he likes Trek, it will stain and get scratches while Azek won't.

Learn more at azek.com

The first quarter of 2012 was a good one nationwide for real estate sales according to the National Association of Realtors. The median sales price increased from a year earlier in 74 of 146 metropolitan areas measured. In the fourth quarter, only 29 areas had gains.

In Greater Alexandria Area Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, the real estate market in the first quarter of the year also improved nicely.

• The median sales price for all residential home sales in Alexandria, MN increased nearly 20% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.
• Lakefront homes (excluding deeded and association access) , the median sale price was essentially flat ($220,000 in 2011 versus $219,075 in 2012) but the volume increased this year with 22 sales ($5,649,850) compared to 19 ($4,668,200) last year
• Lake homes that are part of an association there were 3 sales in 2012, 1 in 2011 and deeded access sales took a big jump with 22 sales in January, February and March of 2012 contrasted against 1 in 2011.

Leaf Lane is located on the east side of Lake Ida and is pretty much at the center point between the lake's north and south ends. The result of this location is a broad, pleasing view of the lake and a nightly show provided by the setting sun. A few days ago, owners of a two bedroom, two bathroom home with a two car garage listed their property for sale with Counselor Realty. It has the qualities that many want and desire such as a lot that has a gentle walk to a sandy shoreline and a well cared for year round home that is ready to go so you can spend your time enjoying the lake on weekends instead of working on projects.

MLS 10-9531 details and photos