Monday, November 29, 2010

Get Creative for the Holidays in Lexington!

Not only is Lexington, Massachusetts a city with a rich American history, but it is also a great place to be during the holiday season. If you’re desperately trying to find a perfect gift for that special someone, or if you’re looking to relax and get involved in some winter art classes, Lexington has just the thing you need.

Celebrating their 75th Anniversary, the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society offers plenty of opportunities for you to get creative this season.

Winter Classes & Workshops
Enrich your artistic talents by signing up for a class or workshop and teaming up with an expert art instructor! The Lexington Arts and Crafts Society offers classes and workshops for drawing, painting, silversmithing and jewelry. You will also have the opportunity to learn decorative painting, weaving, or wood carving. Specialized classes for teens include ceramics, weaving, and a polymer clay workshop. Remember: If you can’t find that perfect holiday gift, you can always make it!

Soup Bowls for Hunger
The Lexington Arts and Crafts Society is also sponsoring the 3rd Annual Soup Bowls for Hunger. Since September, the Ceramics Guild and Teen Pottery class have been working on handmade ceramic bowls, which are now on display and for sale at Nourish restaurant. These carefully crafted bowls are microwave and oven safe and on sale for $15. Best of all, 100% of the proceeds will go to Lexington Interfaith Food Pantry. On sale until December 31st or until supplies last, these very special holiday gifts serve a wonderful purpose. Nourish restaurant is located at 1727 Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington Center.

Holiday Marketplace
December 3rd marks the beginning of the Annual Holiday Marketplace, where thousands of handcrafted gifts will be available for purchase. Gift options include handmade baskets, paintings, cards and prints, unique fine jewelry, ceramics, woodworks, and much more! Gift certificates are available and there will be a Victorian Doll House Raffle. Admission and parking are free of charge!
Hours:
December 3rd: 10am to 9:30pm
Monday - Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Sundays: 12am to 6pm
FINAL DAY- December 24: 10am to 5pm

For more information about any of these events and activities, be sure to visit Lexington Arts and Crafts Society’s official website.

Don’t give up hope yet if you have not finished all of your Christmas shopping! You’re sure to find or create just what you’re looking for here in Lexington. Living in Lexington and experiencing this community during the holidays brings a wonderful feeling that you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re looking for a piece of Lexington Real Estate to call your own, be sure to contact me! I would love to show you around.

Theresa D'Antuono
Lexington MA Area Real Estate Agent
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Thanksgiving Day Restaurants - What's Open in Arlington, MA?

Arlington, Mass. — Courtesy of Anne-Marie Seltzer, The Arlington Advocate.

The following restaurants will be open: Classic Café, The Diner at bagels by US, Jam ‘n Java, Manna Sushi, and Pasha. Broadway Diner will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. …Cakes Bakery/Café will be open in the morning. Little Q Hot Pot and Szechuan House will be open regular hours. Punjab will serve dinner only beginning at 1 p.m. Quiznos Sub will be open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

These restaurants will be closed: Arlington Restaurant and Diner, Bella Moto Baking, Blue-Ribbon BAR-B-Q, Buona Vita!, The Chilly Cow, Flora, Francesca’s Kitchen, Fusion Taste, Gemma Italian Ristorante, Lakota Bakery, La Posada Restorante, The Meat House, Mi da mi Asian Cuisine, Mr. Sushi, Not Your Average Joe’s, Panera Bread, Prose, Quebrada Baking Company, Ristorante Olivio, Scutra, Shanghai Village, Tango, Thai Moon, Tryst, Za, and Zocalo Cucina Mexicana. Arlington Restaurant and Diner will close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24.

Flora and Prose will prepare starters, sides, and desserts for your holiday. Information follows.

Arlington Bakery, 187 Mass. Ave., offers apple, cherry, mince, pecan, pumpkin, ricotta, squash, and strawberry rhubarb pies. Please order four days in advance. Open November 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 781-646-7444.

Bella Moto Baking, 916 Mass. Ave., has apple, chocolate cream, lemon meringue, pear cranberry, pecan, and pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. Order by November 21. The bakery will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 24. It will reopen at noon on Friday, Nov. 26. The holiday menu is available. Call 781-646-2253.

Blue-Ribbon BAR-B-Q, 905 Mass. Ave., has sweet potato, pecan, and Key Lime pies for the holiday. A family dinner with smoked turkey breast, cornbread stuffing, gravy, smashed potatoes, and butternut squash will be available for pickup on November 24. For prices and ordering information, go to the Web site or call 781-648-RIBS.

…Cakes Bakery/Café, 795 Mass. Ave., will have apple and sweet potato bourbon pies, pumpkin cheesecake, and apple maple cake. Please place your orders one week in advance. Call 617-337-9540.

The Chilly Cow, 451 Mass. Ave., is accepting frozen custard pie orders for Thanksgiving. Flavors include Death by Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Pumpkin Pecan, Peanut Butter Lovers, and Coconut. Order early so you won’t be disappointed. Pies can be picked up on November 24 until 9 p.m. Call 781-648-4360.

Classic Cafe, 1313 Mass. Ave., will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast will be served all day. For $9.99, customers can get a complete turkey or ham dinner between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dinner includes homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. A lamb shanks dinner with rice and grilled vegetables is also available. Take-out meals should be ordered two days in advance. Walk-ins are welcome. Call 781-646-7871.

The Diner at bagels by US, 789 Mass. Ave., will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. A light breakfast will be available to eat there or take out. Call 781-646-2662.

Flora, 190 Mass. Ave., will help you with dinner. Get the special form at the restaurant, fill it out, and return it by email, fax, phone, or in person by Sunday, Nov. 21. Pick up your order on Tuesday, Nov. 23, between 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Lexington Farmer’s Market at Season’s Four Store, 1265 Mass. Ave., Lexington. Menu offerings include Spiced Winter Squash Soup, Traditional Gravy, Chestnut Stuffing, Whipped Ginger Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Apple Crumble, and Ginger Ice Cream. Prices range from $6 to $13. Call 781-641-1664.

Francesca's Kitchen, 164 Mass. Ave., will have turkey and chicken potpies that serve three or four persons for $14.95. Order by November 22 for pickup on November 24 between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Call 781-648-0005.

Jam ‘n Java, 594 Mass. Ave., will serve coffee and pastries from 6:30 a.m. to noon. Call 781-316-8400.

Lakota Bakery, 1375 Mass. Ave., has chocolate pecan pies for $17, turkey, football, and maple leaf-shaped shortbread cookies, and chocolate-dipped teepees. Order pies two days ahead. Bakery hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24. Lakota will open at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 26. Call 781-646-0121.

Manna Sushi, 9 Medford St., will serve dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Call 781-648-8878.

The Meat House, 1398 Mass. Ave., is now accepting orders for turkeys from Plainville Farms. The turkeys are fresh, all natural, free of antibiotics and growth hormones, and weight 10 to 30+ pounds. Orders will be taken until the supply runs out. Cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, sweet and mashed potatoes, and other sides will be available and do not have to be ordered in advance. The dessert selection includes pies, cookies, ice cream, and other treats. Call 781-643-6328.

Pasha, 669 Mass. Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 781-648-5888.

Prose, 352 Mass. Ave., has an “Everything But the Turkey” catering menu with starters, sides, and desserts. Call or stop by the restaurant for menu specifics. The deadline for orders is November 18 for pickup by arrangement. Call 781-648-2800.

Quebrada Baking Company, 208 Mass. Ave., has turkey-shaped shortbread, chocolate-dipped pumpkin-shaped shortbread, gift bags of shortbread cookies, and loaves of pumpkin bread. Apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies and petite and regular Thanksgiving-theme cupcakes in chocolate and yellow are available. Order pies at least one week in advance. Order cupcakes two days in advance. Pumpkin whoopie pies are available for the holiday and throughout the winter. The bakery is open November 24 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 781-648-0700.


Happy Thanksgiving!

Theresa D'Antuono
Lexington MA Real Estate Agent
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Monday, November 22, 2010

Giving Back in Lexington Shows a Thankful Holiday Spirit!

Lexington’s historic past has carried with it a sense of pride in our country to today’s Lexington residents and with the season of Thanksgiving upon us; many decided to band together to give back. This past Saturday, November 20, over 200 volunteers gathered at the Hanscom Air Force Base during the Operation USO Care Package event.

This opportunity to give back has been taking place since 2003 and more than 1.5 million care packages have been sent to troops. The Lexington volunteers formed assembly lines and with a sense of purpose and joy in the air; they created 10,000 care packages that will reach deployed military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan by December 3rd. Students at the Hanscom Middle School were happy to participate this year and kicked off the day at 8 am with their rendition of the national anthem. Volunteers enjoyed donuts and coffee to get things going and they finished their goal by 11am! Local business Lockheed Martin Informational Systems and Global Services (IS & GS) sponsored the event, with their President Gerard Fasano flying in for the fun, and were happy to serve along with their customers.

The thoughtful packages contained items such at Starbucks instant coffee, Sudoku puzzles, nuts, hygiene kits and much more. Not only does this event give locals a chance to show their appreciation for those serving our country, but gives our soldiers who are thousands of miles away a taste of home and a sense that those at home are thinking of them over the holiday season.

Lexington MA has always had a strong tie to the freedom that our country is blessed to experience on a daily basis and is part of what makes this town so unique! There are many things to be thankful for this holiday season and for me, living in Lexington is one of the many elements of my life that I am so thankful for! As always, if you have any questions regarding the Lexington Real Estate market, I would love to meet with you! Feel free to contact me at any time and have a Happy Thanksgiving!


Theresa D'Antuono
Lexington MA Real Estate Agent
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Monday, November 15, 2010

5 Unique Features that Can Help You Sell Your Lexington Home!

Lexington MA is a great place to live for a variety of reasons. If you’re a history buff, you’ll enjoy the rich history Lexington has to offer. If you enjoy a close knit community; you’ll soak in the year round events that Lexington hosts. Beautiful homes in great neighborhoods are ideal for those who are looking for a great place to raise a family. And, while I hope that those who choose to make Lexington their home stay for good, I know that life happens. Job transfers, family changes and other various circumstances can produce the need to sell your Lexington home.

It can be a little intimidating to think of selling your home knowing that the current Lexington Real Estate market is in favor of buyers. However, there are some tricks of the trade that can help you in making your home more attractive to Lexington buyers! Below are 5 unique features that can help you sell your Lexington home.

1. A Backyard Oasis- Creating a backyard oasis for your Lexington home can be a huge selling point to buyers. They will see this as one less project that they will have to do themselves and will easily visualize themselves relaxing in this scenic space. Be sure to use plants and items that are easy to maintain, otherwise buyers may be scared off by the amount of upkeep. If you’ve already created this space with delicate plants and flowers, just be sure to recommend a good local nursery where the buyers can turn to for questions, or feel free to make up a small “instruction manual” for maintaining the beautiful oasis you’ve created.

2. A Perfect Playroom- Oftentimes when looking at homes, one of the first things parents will look at is space for their children to play. If there isn’t a designated play area, some buyers might get the feeling that their children will be able to let loose. Whether you have an entire room that can be offered as a play area or just a portion of the lower level; make sure to enhance it with toys or décor to let buyers know it’s a play space. Keep it neat and free from damage such as crayon marks on the wall if it’s currently being used by your children. If, however, you’re in a neighborhood that appeals more to mature buyers or young, single professionals; a home office can have the same sense of appeal.

3. Unique Architecture- If your home boasts architecture that is unusual or unique to Lexington or your Lexington neighborhood, be sure to point it out! Whether it’s beautiful archways throughout the home, custom built-ins, a turret or even a classic “servants’ staircase”; your homes’ story can carry a lot of weight with buyers who want to feel part of Lexington’s rich history or unique character.

4. Bathroom Blisss- It’s no surprise that a beautifully updated bathroom with all the amenities one could want is a large bonus to Lexington buyers. Putting money towards creating a spa-inspired master bathroom can pay be a huge payoff in the sale of your Lexington home. Don’t have a lot of money to spend updating? Try changing out the vanity with a new style or update lighting fixtures and faucets. Anything you can do to update your bathroom will be well worth it!

5. Green Features- It’s apparent that the more we learn about our earth, the more people want to “go green.” If you already have green features in your home; highlight them! If not, you can start making your home green by using LED lightbulbs, replacing old windows with high performance ones, or trade out old appliances with new, energy efficient options.

I hope these tips are helpful to you as you begin thinking about selling your Lexington home! Of course, if you need help in any way; let me know! Having worked as a Lexington Real Estate agent for years, I can help make the home selling process as smooth and as stress free as possible. Feel free to contact me today to get started!

Theresa D'Antuono
Lexington MA Real Estate Agent
Lexington MA Homes For Sale
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Lexington, MA - Lexington Historical Society Fall Programs

Mark your calendars for some great family events courtesy of the Lexington Historical Society!

1. A Family Program: "Honoring Veterans Through the Ages" featuring Period dress and music.

Where: 13 Depot Square, Lexington Center
When: Thursday, November 11th
Time: 5:00 PM
Cost: Free


2. A Quick Trip to the Boston Athenaeum. Returns to Lexington by 1:00 PM.

When: Tuesday, November 16th
Time: Departs 9:00 AM from 13 Depot Square, Lexington Center
Cost: $20.00 Society Members; $25.00 Non-Members
Reservation Required: 781-862-1703


3. The Holiday Festival Night - co-sponsored with LexFUN.

When: Friday, December 3rd
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Cost: Free - except small charge refreshments.


Theresa D'Antuono
Lexington MA Real Estate Agent
Lexington MA Homes For Sale
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Monday, November 8, 2010

The Sounds of Lexington!

Lexington MA, as we know, is full of a rich American history that offers visitors, as well as Lexington residents, the opportunity to experience life as it used to be and a strong sense of where we came from as a country. It’s the famous “shot heard round the world” that put Lexington at the forefront of history and those living in Lexington have beautifully preserved the towns’ quaint and historic atmosphere. However, great history is not the only thing Lexington has going for it! If music is your passion, you’ll find Lexington arts and culture side is alive and well and this weekend is your chance to enjoy the sounds of Lexington!

This Friday evening, enjoy the sounds of live jazz as the Lexington High School students in the Seminar for Jazz Improvisation, student-directed Jazz Septet, and Combo present a night of jazz improvisation and music. Tunes will include favorites from George Gershwin and Ben Bernie. The concert will take place at Lexington High School on 251 Waltham street at 7:30pm. This free event is open to the public and is a great way to show your support for the Lexington school system and its students!

Another way to take in the sounds of Lexington this weekend is the kickoff concert for The Metropolitan Wind Symphony’s 40th season! This unique concert will begin with a lecture by MWS music director Lewis J. Buckley at 1:30pm that will enhance the . At 2pm, the concert will open with the beautiful music of John Heins’ Metropolitan Fanfare. The first half of the concert will also feature The Billboard March, Guy Woolfenden's beautiful Illyrian Dances, and Percy Grainger's classic Molly on the Shore. A special opportunity is presented in the entire second half of the show when Johan de Mej’s grand Symphony No 1 from The Lord of the Rings will be heard in its entirety! You don’t want to miss this magnificent concert from the Metropolitan Wind Symphony. View the MWS website for more information.

I hope you get to enjoy one or both of these concerts this weekend in Lexington! If you are relocating to Lexington and are visiting to get an idea of what Lexington has to offer, please let me know! I’d love to set up a meeting with you to show you around or answer any questions about the Lexington Real Estate Market! I look forward to hearing from you!


Theresa D'Antuono
Lexington MA Real Estate Agent
Lexington MA Homes For Sale
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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Lexington, MA - Lexington Old House Clinic


If you have a historic Lexington Home - this clinic is for you!


The Lexington Historical Society is holding an "Ask the Experts" Old House Clinic: Understanding Your Historic Wood Frame House.


When: Sunday, November 7th

Time: 1:00pm to 3:30pm

Where: Lexington Historical Society, The Depot Building, Lexington Center



Description: Presented Jointly with Historic New England.


Historic New England experts Joseph Cornish and Sally Zimmerman will present a seminar on maintenance and preservation issues related to wood frame houses from 1700-1860.


Advance registration required by calling 781-862-1703 or emailing office@lexingtonhistory.org. $25: Lexington Historical Society/ Historic New England Members, $15: Historic New England Historic Homeowner Members, $45: Non-Members.
Theresa D'Antuono