Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Events this Weekend in Lexington

The holidays are upon us. Below are just a few of the things happening this upcoming weekend around Lexington MA.




First Friday Forums hosted by the League of Women Voters of Lexington

Friday, December 2
9:30am-11:30am
Cary Memorial Library, Large Meeting Room, 1874 Massachusetts Avenue
Topic: Buffer Zones - a Tool to Address Lexington's Growing Enrollment 

With enrollment rising by 690 students since 2008, Lexington’s current rate of student growth will require flexibility to adequately meet the urgent space capacity and operational demands of the school district. One approach to help address growing school enrollment has been the development of a NEW buffer zone policy by the Lexington School Committee. Although this is a new concept for Lexington, buffer zones are a tool successfully used in neighboring communities to help balance enrollment across schools while maintaining educational equity. This change would potentially affect the school assignment of students NEW to Lexington while taking into account existing building capacity. No students currently enrolled would be affected.
Join us for a panel discussion including School Committee members Judy Crocker, Eileen Jay; Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Czajkowski, Director of Planning and Assessment, Maureen Kavanaugh and Special Assistant to the Superintendent, Sandra Trach, to discuss the development of a NEW buffer zone policy by the Lexington School Committee.
Contact: Jeanne Canale   781-863-1733   lwvlexington@gmail.com

Lexington Arts and Crafts Society Holiday Marketplace

First Friday, December 2: 10 am to 9:00 pm
December 3 – 23:  Mon.- Sat.  10 am - 6 pm    Sundays: 12 pm - 6 pm
Final Day:  December 24: 10 am to 5:00 pm
Location: 130 Waltham Street, Lexington

A great place to do all your holiday shopping!  For all those on your gift lists: Thousands of excellent, one-of-a-kind gifts: Baskets, Fine Jewelry, Paintings, cards and prints, Polymer Clay/Beading, Decorative Arts, Needle Arts, Weaving, Ceramics, Ornaments, Photography, Woodworks and Gift Certificates
Admission and Parking are free.
For more information and directions please call:  781 862 9696 or visit www.LACSma.org or select our Facebook page: Lexington Arts and Crafts Society
The Lexington Arts and Crafts Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1935.

Lexington Symphony Presents Holiday POPS!

Friday, December 2
4:00pm-7:30pm
Location: Cary Hall, 1605 Mass Avenue

Celebrate the sounds of the season with the Lexington Symphony and the New England Tenors!
Affordable Fun for the Whole Family
Two Shows Only: 4:00p.m. and 7:30p.m.
Ticket Prices range from $8-$40
To purchase tickets, visit: www.lexingtonsymphony.org.  For group sales or questions please call: 781-523-9009.  **Group discounts are available

Holiday Shopping and Open House
Friday, December 2
5:00pm-8:00pm

Still have items on that list? Lexington's merchants and restaurants have just the thing to reduce your stress. Our doors are open for evening shopping and dining. We're rolling out the red carpet with snacks and treats and special offers.
Get in the holiday mood:  Enjoy music by the Boston Skyline Chorus, performing at Crafty Yankee from 6:30 - 8:30, or Check out the Boy Scouts' wreath sale at Cambridge Trust Company.
Visit your favorite stores and take a moment to discover new ones.

Waldorf School of Lexington Holiday Fair
Saturday, December 3
8:00am-3:00pm
Location: 739 Massachusetts Ave

Waldorf School of Lexington will hold its 46th annual Holiday Fair on Saturday, December 3, from 9:00–3:00 p.m. at 739 Mass. Ave. in Lexington. Admission will be free for the first time this year.
Come enjoy marionette shows, craft activities, a home cooked lunch, delicious treats, the famous Waldorf Boutique, and more. Dozens of local artisans will be selling unique hand-made items for holiday gift shopping, and our own Homespun store will be open, featuring beautiful toys, games, books, and gifts. Take part in the holiday spirit at this delightful and magical event.
For more information, please visit our website:

Holiday at Buckman
Saturday, December 3
10:30am-4:00pm

See historic Buckman Tavern decorated for the holidays, shop for holidays gifts, and enjoy music, light refreshment, and a scavenger hunt for children.  Special events scheduled every day (more details forthcoming at www.lexingtonhistory.org/tickets--schedule). Holidays at Buckman is FREE for Society members; $5 entrance fee for nonmembers.

Holiday Antique, Vintage and Decorative Arts Show
Sunday, December 4
10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Minuteman High School

All gate proceeds benefit the Lexington Historical Society through the generosity of organizer Marvin Getman. Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door. 





Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Let the Holiday Begin with Shop Lexington



Holiday Lighting with Santa
November 25 at 6:00pm
Come watch as Santa rides a fire truck into Depot Square to turn on Lexington Center's holiday lights

Singing and refreshments in Emery Park
Santa arrives at 6:30pm

Small Business Saturday
Shop Local - Dine Local
Saturday Nov. 26
Shop Local and keep your dollars in our community. Avoid the malls and see what great variety you'll find in our stores.

Holiday Open House
Friday, December 2
Still have items on that list? Lexington's merchants and restaurants have just the thing to reduce your stress. Our doors are open for evening shopping. We're rolling out the red carpet with snacks and treats and special offers. Local singers and musicians, on the streets and in our businesses, will put you in the holiday mood. Visit your favorite stores and take a moment to discover new ones.
Roving performers include - Lexington Pops Chorus, Lexington Christian Academy, Yamaha Music School and SNAP
In house performers - Lexington Chamber Music Center at DCU, Lexington High Jazz Combo a Eagle Bank, Sorry Honeys at Cambridge Trust Co

Gals and Pals Night Out
Monday, December 7
Whether you are ready to finish your shopping, just beginning or looking for a night to escape the frenzy of the season, this is the night to Shop Lexington. Check out the great promotions and the holiday cheer being offered. There's great dining for the perfect shopping break, and special offers left and right.  







Wednesday, November 16, 2016

6 Sneaky Ways to Make Your Lexington Home Look Expensive

Want your Lexington home to look like those home design website images you drool over? Of course you do! Problem is, your budget may not match your design aspirations. Fear not! Making your home look high-end isn’t always about spending tons of cash.

It’s a matter of taking the time and care to arrange things in an eye-pleasing way—and making small, inexpensive updates that have a big impact. In other words, it’s about being sneaky.

Here are a few tricks to pull if you want to add the illusion of luxury.

1. Declutter
Walk through each room of your home and edit items. Make some tough decisions. Sure, you love your grandma’s vintage Chinese vase, but does it really jibe with your West Elm look? It might be time to store it or let it live in another room with similar family heirlooms.
Next step: Tackle any stuff that piles up—toys (if you have kids), shoes by the door, mail on the dining table. At the very least, find places for your stuff to live in a more organized way; an upgraded closet with beautifully sorted nooks and crannies looks luxurious.

2. Eliminate grunge
You may not have time for intensive cleaning on a weekly basis, but a once- or twice-yearly deep clean is an easy way to make your home look far more luxurious.
Go through your home and search for overlooked areas that have become dirty and downright gross. You’ll want to pay special attention to the grouting, says designer Young Huh. The process is simple and inexpensive.
Try steam cleaning wood floors for an immediate lift to the finish.

3. Add—or rearrange—lighting
Designers use lighting to define spaces and separate rooms, making a small space grand.
Think of where you might have a reading nook, sofas and chairs for company, and a television. Visually differentiate among the areas by using different kinds of lighting: Add a table lamp beside your cozy reading chair and sconces behind your couch for conversation. Consider a dimmer for overhead lights.
Bonus cheapskate tip: Use warm-colored lightbulbs, Huh says. Cool tones are a “sure-fire way to make your home look down-market,” she says. Daylight bulbs work best for reading nooks.

4. Upgrade your hardware
Tired of your brushed-steel drawer pulls? Try gold, bronze, or even crystal—or make an adventure of it and scour your local thrift store for vintage hardware that screams your style.
It’s not hard to find attractive options in any decor style for next to nothing (a drawer pull, for instance, might start at just $3 or less). For hard-to-find designs, search etsy.
Changing the countertop and faucets is another change that can make your home look much pricier, Huh says. If you have the budget, exchange your dated sink accessories for something fresh that matches your brand-new hardware.

5. Repaint
There’s no simpler way to make an old home feel new than painting.
You can’t go wrong with classy neutrals. Minimalists might love a bright white combined with a bold accent wall; DIY decorators might enjoy a tasteful, sandy tan tone, which pairs well with any number of woods.
Paint isn’t just for your walls: Add some color to your front door, window trims, or even the floor, if you’re brave (hardwood can look amazing when painted white).

6. Focus on the decor details
Does your home feel a little meh—and you’re not sure how to change it? Try vignettes—combine decor items (e.g., vases, frames, and objects) that add visual interest to an otherwise bland area—perhaps a shelf or console table.
Organize your vignette around a theme so that the decor items are unified and tell a visual story. Go around your house and cull items you love that need a new home (see tip No. 1 on decluttering).
Another way to go: Grouping together multiples of the same objects (e.g., glass vases in the same color) is an instant update. Decorators often use odd numbers because they are said to be more appealing.


With these simple tips, you can make your Lexington Home even more appealing!



Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Family Feud! Lexington Community Center



WHEN: Friday, November 18 from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

WHERE: : 39 Marrett Road Lexington, MA 02421 CC Dining Room 139

HOW MUCH: Fee: $10/Family      Ages: All

Has your family always wanted to participate in Family Feud? Well, now you can! Sign up at the Community Center with a team of 3-6 and be speedy with the buzzer and a quick thinker! Entrance fee covers prizes for the night.

”Walk-ins” are welcome, but pre-registration is required to be guaranteed participation in this event.
Sign up at the front desk of the Community Center or online!

Make sure to like us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/lexreccommunitycenter/



Tuesday, November 8, 2016

How to Pick Countertops for Your Lexington Kitchen

Choose countertops that will work in your Lexington kitchen.
If you are thinking about upgrading your Lexington home's kitchen, you probably know that you have lots of options as far as which kitchen materials to use, and therefore you’ve got many decisions to make. As your Lexington real estate agent, I’d like to help you out with one of those decisions today, and that is which countertop material to use!

Kitchen upgrades can often increase the value of your Lexington home, if done correctly. This is a smart renovation to make if selling your Lexington home in the near future!

HouseLogic shared a detailed analysis of the most common countertop materials on the market, and the pros and cons of each. Here is a quick summary:
  • Quartz – Quartz combines natural materials with manmade materials to create the most durable countertop option! It’s almost indestructible and doesn’t require sealing. Cons: It’s more expensive and less heat-resistant than other options.
  • Granite – Granite is still considered the most popular choice among homeowners. It’s attractive and tough, resisting cracks, chips, heat and stains well. Cons: It’s not indestructible. It can chip, it must be sealed regularly, and it’s unpredictable design-wise.
  • Crushed Glass – This is a newer option, and it is stunning and durable. The glass is recycled, therefore an eco-friendly option. It doesn’t chip, scratch, stain or burn. There is no sealing involved, and it doesn’t fade over time. Cons: the corners could crack from weight, and acidic foods could eat away at acrylic.
  • Laminate – Laminate is still a popular option for its inexpensive price tag and its infinite colors and patterns to choose from. It doesn’t need special sealers or cleaners, it’s stain-resistant and it can mimic the look of any other material. Cons: It can crack, scratch and scorch, and it’s difficult to repair.
  • Tile – Tile is versatile, as you can make it look crafty or contemporary. It’s tough and easy to clean. It resists cuts, stains and heat. It’s easy to replace if cracked. Cons: It can easily crack, it’s an uneven surface that can cause accidents, and grout lines can collect dust and grime. Sealing is necessary.
  • Solid-Surfacing/Corian – This is made from acrylic, polyester resins, marble dust and more. It comes in many varieties, it’s nonporous and doesn’t need any special treatment. Scratches can be easily sanded. It can match the backsplash or sink bow seamlessly. Cons: It’s pricey, it scratches and burns easily, and it’s not eco-friendly.
For more details, along with price per square footage for each option, check out this HouseLogic article.

As you can see, there are many options! Feel free to call me, your Lexington real estate agent, to see what local buyers find most appealing. When ready to sell your Lexington home, or when ready to buy a Lexington home, contact me! I am here and ready to help you.

Theresa D'Antuono

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

21st Annual Genesis Battlegreen Run


The Genesis Battlegreen Run will be celebrating 21 years on Sunday, November 6, 2016 in Lexington, MA! Since its inception in 1996, the Genesis Battlegreen Run has been established as one of the most popular road race events in New England. This race event is unlike any other racing event from start to finish. Rene Rancourt, voice of the Boston Bruins, sends the runners along their way with a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by musket fire, courtesy of the Lexington Minutemen. Another signature component of the racing event is the post-race buffet, which includes a variety of food options generously donated by many local restaurants and food vendors.
This event, which has become a Lexington tradition, offers a beautiful course that will challenge runners and walkers alike. After the race, join participants, friends and family for entertainment and a taste of our local food fair!
REGISTER ONLINE                   REGISTER BY MAIL                    MAKE A DONATION

When:
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Where:
Lexington High School, 251 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA 02421
Race Details:
Registration begins at 9:30 am and the day includes 4 events :
• Boston Volvo Family Fun Run – 11:15 am (free of charge)
• Memorial Cancer 5k Walk – 12:00 pm (
$20 for Students, $20 by August 31, $25 September 1 – November 3, $30 November 4 -November 6 Race Day)
• Ralph Lord Memorial 5k Run –12:15 pm (
$20 for Students, $20 by August 31, $25 September 1 – November 3, $30 November 4 -November 6 Race Day)
• Genesis Battlegreen 10k Run – 12:15 pm (
$20 for Students, $20 by August 31, $25 September 1 – November 3, $30 November 4 -November 6 Race Day)
**T-shirts are available to registered participants for $5 and must be purchased at time of entry! Any additional t-shirts we have leftover will be sold on race day for $10. **
Why:
Proceeds from the 21st Annual Genesis Battlegreen Run help fund Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at Mass General Hospital, the Pauline Briggs Scholarship Fund, the Genesis Community Fund, Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA MASS), Esperanza- Hope for the Children, the Lighthouse Animal ShelterSpecial Needs Art Programs, Inc. (SNAP),  the Bedford VA Research Corporation (BRCI) and the New England Innocence ProjectRunning for Innocence.