Wednesday, April 30, 2014

YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN

Performances: May 2, 3 & 9, 10 at 7:00 PM.  

Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for students/seniors. 

Tickets can be purchased at www.lexingtonplayers.org, at The Crafty Yankee, Wales Copy Center or by calling (781) 910-8114.  Group discounts available.


YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN – “Good grief!” The perfect family show will be presented by The Lexington Players starring that loveable balding round-headed boy with unfortunate luck, and everyone’s favorite beagle at his side!  Musical snapshots show Schroeder and Lucy at the piano, Charlie Brown and Lucy at the psychiatry booth, Linus with his blanket, Snoopy with his supper dish, and the whole gang at the baseball game. This award winning musical captures Charles Schulz’s ability to portray universal aspects of human nature through the mouths of children.  People may remember the launch of Kristin Chenoweth’s career when she performed the song “My Philosophy” as Sally at the Tony Awards in 1999.  While the title of the musical suggests a children’s show, there is something sure to be enjoyed and rediscovered by all ages. 

“Our recent productions of  ‘13’ and ‘Spring Awakening’ played to sold out audiences and received standing ovations,” said the energetic and smiling Producer of The Lexington Players, Sal Jones.  “And we were thrilled with the support we received from the local businesses, there are some wonderfully generous people in Lexington who are making dreams come true.  Their ads in our playbill really help cover expenses.” 

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream, sharing a secret...or reliving the sweet innocence of youth with Charlie Brown and Snoopy.  Hilarious comedy animated by high-energy dancing create non-stop entertainment for adults and children alike.  The Cast Includes:  Eric Knight, Emma Stewart, Gabriella Huggler, Monica Whitlock, Declan Tellier, Zachary Sneeringer, Andrew Sneeringer, Lexi Welch, Tee Bartee, Tee Bartee, Sophie Kahn, Yoojee Kim and Hannah Taylor.  Directed by Mario Salinas, Musical Direction by Bob Cook with Choreography by Katrina Rotondi.  

Performances: May 2,3 & 9, 10 at 7:00PM.  Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for students/seniors.  Tickets can be purchased at www.lexingtonplayers.org, at The Crafty Yankee, Wales Copy Center or by calling (781) 910-8114.  Group discounts available.  If you would like to place an ad in the playbill please call (781) 910-8114 for information.

www.lexingtonplayers.org   or contact Contact: Sue Scannell   508-353-5529   suescannell1@gmail.com

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Preparing Your Finances to Purchase a Lexington Home

There are many things to consider when you make the decision to purchase Lexington, MA real estate.  One of the most important is whether or not your finances support your desire to buy a home.  Taking the time to evaluate your finances before you start your search will help to streamline and prevent complications in your buying process.  So what should you do to help prepare yourself financially to buy?

Determine what you can afford.  As a rule of thumb, your mortgage payment should not exceed 30% of your net household income, and some loans require it to be less than that. The amount of money that you have available as a down payment for your Lexington home will also affect your borrowing limit.  Use a mortgage calculator to establish a price range your income will accommodate.  Be sure to take other monthly costs into account such as insurance and taxes.

Be diligent with your budget.  Whether you’re looking to buy your first Lexington real estate or to upgrade from your current, you should have a monthly budget in place.  Having a budget helps you keep tabs on exactly where your money is going.  Revisit it frequently to see if you need to make adjustments.  Are you consistently over-spending in one area?  Are there any areas where you may be able to cut back?  Sticking to a budget will help you control your spending, eliminate debt and save more for your down payment.

Evaluate your credit.  Your credit rating is a critical factor in qualifying for a mortgage.  Check your credit report regularly and monitor your score.  Review your report for inaccurate information, and get it corrected quickly.  If you are carrying revolving debt, pay it down as much as possible because your debt-to-credit ratio is also important to lenders.  A solid credit rating will not only help you get approved for a loan, but will also affect the loan type and interest rate for which you will be eligible.   

Consider getting pre-approved.  If you feel confident that you are in a financial position to start your Lexington home search, it may be time to look into a mortgage pre-approval.  Doing this will tell you exactly how much you're qualified to borrow.  In today’s competitive market, being pre-approved will also give you an advantage over other buyers who are not.  Sellers will find your offer more appealing knowing that you are able to get a home loan.

Sorting out your financial picture is the first step to ensuring a smooth home buying experience.  If you’re ready to start looking for your new home, find an knowledgeable Lexington realtor to assist you.  An experienced professional can help make the entire experience a positive one.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

12 Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

If you are considering remodeling your Lexington home, there are some things to consider before you get started. 

1. Get at least three written estimates.

2. Check references. If possible, view earlier jobs the contractor completed.

3. Check with the Lexington Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.

4. Be sure the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.

5. Make as small of a down payment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job.

6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.

7. Check that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn’t. Also, remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.

8. Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will be involved too.

9. Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet any local building codes or regulations.

10. Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage.

11. Guarantee that the materials that will be used meet your specifications.

12. Don’t make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the work.

Happy Remodeling!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Patriots’ Day Weekend

239th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington

Saturday April 19 - Monday April 21, 2014

Listing of Events:

Saturday, April 19
  1. 10:00 am Parker’s Revenge Lexington Minutemen gather on the Lexington Battle Green to reenact the second call to arms from Captain Parker with additional dialogue from Reverend Jonas Clarke. Following this event the Minutemen will march to Parker’s Revenge site on Route 2A near the Minuteman National Park Visitors Site for a  wreath laying. Free
  2. 10 am-4 pm Liberty Ride Tours: A unique 90 minute trolley tour of the historic Battle Road. Tickets required. Board at the Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington Center www.libertyride.us
  3. 10 am-4 pm Buckman Tavern Tours 1 Bedford St. Tours every ½ hour. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org
  4. 10 am-4 pm Hancock Clarke House Tours 36 Hancock St. Tours every hour. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org
  5. 10 am-4 pm Munroe Tavern Tours 1332 Massachusetts Ave. Tours every hour. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org
  6. 12:00 Noon U.S. Army "Old Guard" Patriotic Performance on Lexington Battle Green: A historic outdoor performance by the Army's 3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Members of the U.S. Army Drill Team, Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and Commander-in-Chief's guard from Fort Myer, VA demonstrate the precision and discipline embodied in Army Soldiers for over 239 years. On the Battle Green -- Massachusetts Avenue at Bedford Street. Free. www.army.mil/oldguard
  7. 4:00 pm Tower Park Battle Reenactment Massachusetts Avenue opposite Pelham Road. Free. www.battleroad.org
  8. 8:00 pm “In Their Own Words” Pilgrim Church, 55 Coolidge Avenue. Dramatic re-telling of the story of the Battle of  Lexington in the words of those who were there. Call 781-862-1703 for tickets. www.lexingtonhistory.org

 Sunday, April 20

  1. 10 am-4pm Liberty Ride Tours A unique 90 minute trolley tour of the historic Battle Road. Tickets required. Board at the  Lexington Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington Center www.libertyride.us
  2. 10 am-4 pm Buckman Tavern Tours 1 Bedford St. Tours every ½ hour. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org
  3. 10 am-4 pm Hancock Clarke House Tours 36 Hancock St. Tours every hour. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org
  4. 10 am-4 pm Munroe Tavern Tours 1332 Massachusetts Ave. Tours every hour. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org
  5. 8:00 pm Celebration of Colonial Music and Dance Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square. $5 www.lexingtonhistory.org
  6. 11:30 pm Paul Revere Ride Re-enactment Hancock-Clarke House, 36 Hancock St. Free www.lexingtonhistory.org
Monday, April 21

  1. 5:30 am “The Alarm,” at the Old Belfry, Belfry Hill Massachusetts Avenue at Clarke Street adjacent to the Battle  Green “Come ring the bell that sounded the Alarm that the British were coming” Free
  2. 5:30 am Reenactment of the Battle of Lexington on the Battle Green (Rain date: 4/26/14). Massachusetts Avenue at Bedford Street. Free (Dress Rehearsal: Sunday 4/6/14, 2 pm) www.lexingtonminutemen.com
  3. 6 - 10 am Pancake Breakfasts:

• Boy Scout Troop #160 at St. Brigid Church, 2001 Massachusetts Avenue.
• First Baptist Church of Lexington, 1580 Massachusetts Avenue (across from Police Station)
• Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam Street (Massachusetts Ave @ Meriam Street)

     4. 6:30 am-8 am Buckman Tavern Walk Through Tours 1 Bedford St. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org

     5. 7:30 am Sunrise Youth Parade Starting at Munroe Cemetery driveway, proceeding west along Massachusetts Avenue  through Lexington center onto the Battle Green. Free

     6. 8 am-2 pm Buckman Tavern Tours 1 Bedford St. Tours every ½ hour. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org

     7. 8 am-2 pm Hancock Clarke House Tours 36 Hancock St. Tours every hour. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org

     8. 8 am-2 pm Munroe Tavern Tours 1332 Massachusetts Ave. Tours every hour. Admission tickets available at the House. www.lexingtonhistory.org

     9. 8:00 am “First Shot! The day the Revolution Began” Movie Screening & Question/Answer Session with British and Colonial Re-enactors Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square. $3 Adults/$1 Child at the door. www.lexingtonhistory.org

    10. 8:15 am Patriots’ Day Ceremonies on the Battle Green Massachusetts Avenue at Bedford Street. Free

    11. 9:00 am “First Shot! The day the Revolution Began” Movie Screening & Question/Answer Session with British and Colonial Re-enactors Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square. $3 Adults/$1 Child at the door. www.lexingtonhistory.org

    12. 10:00 am Lexington Lions Club 100th Annual Five-Mile Road Race Starting/ending on Massachusetts Avenue at the Battle Green. For more information call (781) 648-1170 or visit: www.lexingtonlions.org

    13. 10:00 am “First Shot! The day the Revolution Began” Movie Screening & Question/Answer Session with British and Colonial Re-enactors Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square. $3 Adults/$1 Child at the door. www.lexingtonhistory.org

    14. 10:15 am Lexington Minute Men Company/DAR Memorial Decoration On the Battle Green -- Massachusetts Avenue at Bedford Street. Free.

    15. 11:00 am USS Lexington Memorial Ceremonies Visitors Center, 1875 Massachusetts Avenue, adjacent to the Buckman Tavern. Free. www.lexingtonlions.org

    16. 11:00 am “First Shot! The day the Revolution Began” Movie Screening & Question/Answer Session with British and Colonial Re-enactors Lexington Depot, 13 Depot Square. $3 Adults/$1 Child at the door. www.lexingtonhistory.org

    17. 12:30 pm Float Judging on Massachusetts Avenue in East Lexington. Free.

    18. 1:00 pm Paul Revere Arrives at the Battle Green on Horseback  Greeted by the Board of Selectmen and the Lexington Minute Men Company. Free

    19. 2:00 pm Patriots’ Day Afternoon Parade.Starting at Massachusetts Avenue and Maple Street in East Lexington, proceeding west along Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington Center, left onto Worthen Road ending at the Town Pool Parking Lot. Free 


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

100th Annual Patriots Day 5-Mile Road Race

“Journey for Sight”


Please join us for the 100th Annual running one of the oldest road races in the United States. First run in 1914, the Patriots Day Five Mile Road Race has a long and rich tradition for runners from Lexington to all over the country. Come spend the day in Lexington, there is so much to offer. Come be a part of the Birthplace of American Liberty on the anniversary of the first day of the American Revolution

Date, Time & Location: 
  • Monday, April 21, 2014
  • Race Starts at 10:00am (By Lexington Minutemen firing muskets)
  • Adjacent to the Battlegreen, Lexington, MA (1900 Mass Ave, Lexington, MA—for mapping purposes)
  • Registration:  Please Visit the "HOW TO ENTER" Registration Page


Race Packets:
Runners who have pre-registered may pick-up their race packets on race day at registration beginning at 8:00am

Team Registration:
Teams must have a minimum of 4 Runners.

Timing Chip:
The Timing Device for the Patriots Day Road Race is the Chrono Track B-Tag: A single use bib tag. Your timing chip placed on the bib is included in your race packet.

In order to receive an accurate time, please confirm your bib is 1) clearly visible on the front of the torso, 2) unaltered and unmodified (Do not fold or wrinkle), 3) pinned in all four corners, 4) not covered (jackets, runner belts, water bottles, etc.).


Age Group Awards & Other Trophies:
  
Currier Cup* - 1st Place Overall Finisher
Team Competition - 1st Place Team
Sgt Norman Carlson Award - 1st Lexingtonian
Age 12 & Under - 1st & 2nd Place Male, 1st & 2nd Place Female
Age 13 – 19 - 1st & 2nd Place Male, 1st & 2nd Place Female
Age 20 – 29 - 1st & 2nd Place Male, 1st & 2nd Place Female
Age 30 – 39 - 1st & 2nd Place Male, 1st & 2nd Place Female
Age 40 – 49 - 1st & 2nd Place Male, 1st & 2nd Place Female
Age 50 – 59 - 1st & 2nd Place Male, 1st & 2nd Place Female
Age 60 – 69 - 1st & 2nd Place Male, 1st & 2nd Place Female
Age 70 & Up - 1st & 2nd Place Male, 1st & 2nd Place Female***(new)

The Currier Cup is a Special Silver Cup that is presented to the first place finisher of the race by
the family of the first Place finisher of the First Patriots Day Road Race in 1914 Ralph “Curlie”
Currier.

Fees:
Mail-in and On-Line Pre-registration is $25.
Day of Race Registration is $28.
For a details on the layout of Course please see our Course Map Page

Parking:
Parking is available at either the Library Parking Lot, or at one of the near by Churches.

Water Stops:
There are 4 water stops along the race route. Close to each mile marker.

Refreshments:
Refreshments and fruit are served at the end of the race.

For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.lexingtonlions.org/5MileRoadRace.cfm




Wednesday, April 2, 2014

10 Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

After a long, dark winter in Lexington, spring's bright sun and warm winds are, well, a breath of fresh air. The only downside? All that sunshine spotlights your leaf-filled gutters, cracked sidewalks and the dead plants in last year's flower beds. Dwight Barnett, a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors, shared this checklist to help you target the areas that need maintenance so you can get your chores done quickly, leaving you time to go outside and play in the sunshine.

  1. Check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris.
  2. Low areas in the yard or next to the foundation should be filled with compacted soil. Spring rains can cause yard flooding, which can lead to foundation flooding and damage. Also, when water pools in these low areas in summer, it creates a breeding ground for insects.
  3. Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Make repairs now before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood.
  4. From the ground, examine roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during winter. If your home has an older roof covering, you may want to start a budget for replacement. The summer sun can really damage roof shingles. Shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose or are missing granules need to be replaced. Flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys need to be checked and repaired by a qualified roofer.
  5. Examine the exterior of the chimney for signs of damage. Have the flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.
  6. Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. All exterior slabs except pool decks should drain away from the home's foundation. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete.
  7. Remove firewood stored near the home. Firewood should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground at least 2 feet from the structure.
  8. Check outside hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you're at it, check the garden hose for dry rot.
  9. Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Change interior filters on a regular basis.
  10. Check your gas- and battery-powered lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer use. Clean equipment and sharp cutting blades will make yardwork easier.
Tips provided by http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/a-few-tips-to-herald-the-arrival-of-spring/index.html