January 29, 2010 by Tina McManus
Dear Reader, 
I am writing this on behalf of my friends at Cape Ann Animal Aid in Gloucester. Although I am now in my ‘forever home”, there are many more homeless pets waiting for their own special someone. The staff and volunteers at the shelter do an amazing job in very cramped and outdated quarters. All my friends would love a little space to play and hang out, brighter rooms, and larger cages. Many more pets like me could be rescued with a larger building. Cape Ann Animal Aid is more than half way to meeting their fundraising goal for a new shelter. The site work is nearly complete and they’re hoping for occupancy in 2010. Won’t you please help?
The Cape Ann Animal Aid Winter Bash & Auction
The New Shelter Project. How to Donate.
Posted in North Shore Pet | Tagged Cape Ann Animal Aid, gloucester, homeless pets, MA | Leave a Comment »
January 26, 2010 by Tina McManus
Some good news for the Massachusetts housing market. Both the number of existing homes sold and the median price of homes sold posted gains in December. The Boston-based Warren Group reported that the median price of a Massachusetts home rose 10.4 percent in December to $295,000. The median price in December 2008 was $267,250.
Much of this gain can be attributed to the effect of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit which expires the end of June 2010. The figures substantiate the feeling of many North Shore Realtors that the market has been very busy this winter, with full-price and multiple offers commonplace on lower-priced homes.
This is the sixth straight month that the number of home sales have increased in Massachusetts, but the first increase in the monthly median home price year-over-year since September 2007. Will it last? Foreclosures and the loss of jobs continue to hang over the housing market like storm clouds. If we see improvement in these areas, then we may see a housing recovery continue after expiration of the first-time home buyer tax-credit.
Boston.com
Banker & Tradesman
Posted in North Shore Real Estate Market Reports | Tagged December 2009, Existing home sales, Massachusetts Home Sales, north shore | Leave a Comment »
January 25, 2010 by Tina McManus
Last year, National Grid was offering a free energy audit to any customer who
heated with gas. So, I decided to schedule one. There was a couple of months’ wait, but finally the day came and I met the “energy advisor” at my house. The entire process took a few hours, with me following the advisor around asking questions. Our house was built in 1992 and is fairly energy-efficient, but there were some tweaks that could be made. The big takeaway from the experience; seal air leaks. In our case, gaps around two attic access doors were allowing air to escape into the attic and out of the house, an unused fireplace chimney was a source of heat loss, as well as uninsulated outlets on our outside walls. I was surprised when the advisor told me that the attic should be roughly the same temperature as outside. It makes sense; if the attic is warm and the air outside is cool, it means that heated air from inside the house is escaping into the attic, and then heating the outdoors.
People tend to think of replacing windows when they think about saving energy, but windows are very expensive and there are many other things you can do to save on heating costs. Make sure your attic is well-insulated. Insulate and seal any attic doors or hatches. Buy insulation for the outlets on your outside walls. Install a programmable thermostat. Add an insulating jacket to your water heater if it is a pre-2004 model. Insulate your hot-water pipes. Seal any leaky joints in ductwork. Chimney “balloons” or “plugs” can stop warm air from escaping up your chimney. Even insulated drapes or energy-saving honeycomb shades can help limit heat loss. Finally, you may want to pay for an energy audit, if you don’t qualify for a free one, to find out where your house is losing heat.
Information on Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credits.
FineHomeBuilding.com and Fine Home Building Magazine are great sources for articles on insulating your home.
Chimneyballoon.us a source for the Chimney Balloon, a draft stopper.
BatticDoor.com offers chimney draft stoppers, insulated attic access door systems, attic stair covers, and clothes dryer vent seals.
Posted in North Shore Home Stuff | Tagged energy audit, Energy-Saving tips, insulation | 1 Comment »
January 18, 2010 by Tina McManus
Remember that first snow fall in December? Everyone was waxing poetic on Twitter and Facebook (including me) about the beauty, the quiet, the peace, etc., etc. of the snow. Now it’s mid-January and today I’m looking out my window in Beverly at six inches of heavy, slushy, wet snow. The only sounds I hear are of neighbors’ snow blowers. I must admit I’m feeling a bit cranky about getting out and shoveling, with my sore back and elbow. While watching the weather last night, I heard that oft-repeated phrase, “in Boston expect 2 to 4 inches, but on the North Shore, snowfall will probably be in the 6 to 8 inch range.” Arrrrrgh!
I’m watching a chickadee, titmouse, and wren huddle in our snow-covered weeping cherry - which makes me feel like I really don’t have so much to complain about. Once I
get the shoveling chores done, maybe I’ll enjoy the snow once again. Take care driving, use common sense shoveling, and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate when you’re done for the day.
Posted in North Shore Random Musings | Tagged north shore, Beverly snow storm, January snow | Leave a Comment »
January 4, 2010 by Tina McManus
Now that the excitement of the holidays is over, we have arguably the two bl
eakest months of the year to look forward to. I, like countless others, have been taking stock of the past year and making some resolutions for the new one. Last year, the year of the “Great Recession”, was challenging for many of us. It was a year when I joined the North Shore Business Forum and the Beverly Chamber of Commerce and discovered that we have many talented businesspeople right in our own community. It was a year when I tried not to let the little things bother me too much. Spending all day planting Fall bulbs – only to watch the squirrels dig them up and carry them off the next morning. Seeing all of our big, fat tomatoes succumb to blight. Losing the never-ending battle with collie hair. I’m thinking more carefully about what I need versus what I want. So, I’ll hunker down and make the best of the rest of winter. I’ll get outside and look for Bufflehead ducks in the harbor, take short walks with the dog, do a little skiing and snowshoeing with my husband, and wrap myself in a throw and curl up with a good book. Happy New Year!
Posted in North Shore Random Musings, Uncategorized | Tagged beverly, Chamber of Commerce, north shore, North Shore Business Forum | Leave a Comment »
December 14, 2009 by Tina McManus
If you’re looking for a good-looking, contemporary, and greener countertop material, you should read this article about IceStone. One of the newer alternatives to granite and quartz.
stories of sustainability: IceStone
Posted using ShareThis
Posted in North Shore Home Stuff | Tagged countertops, green materials, icestone | Leave a Comment »
December 14, 2009 by Tina McManus
Sunday at 10:30 a.m., Beverly Main Streets began registration for their first annual Santa Shuffle. A mile run/walk that started out from Balance Training Studio on Rantoul Street and proceeded up School Street, along Cabot, and down Broadway back to the studio. Luckily the rain held off for the event and it was warmer than it has been in recent days. Gretchen Driscoll was kind enough to donate her studio as headquarters and many volunteers worked as Santa’s helpers to decorate, sell raffle tickets, and check in the participants. My husband, dog – Casey, and I walked along with a group of cheerful Beverly residents, including those who brought their dogs along. Carolers sang at the start of the walk, cookies and hot chocolate were sold inside; and when we returned, Santa was there to pose for pictures with the children, and a small orchestra provided lovely music. Prizes were awarded for best costume and the raffle winner was drawn. All in all a merry start to what we hope will be an annual fun event by Beverly Main Streets.
Posted in North Shore Events | Tagged beverly, MA, Main Streets, Santa Shuffle | Leave a Comment »
December 12, 2009 by Tina McManus
I’m off to the Open Studio Tour hosted by the Salem Arts Association today (Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Some of the artists have opened their own personal studios and others are being hosted by downtown businesses. A great time to look for unique Christmas gifts. More information and map here.
Posted in North Shore Events | Tagged MA, Open Studio Tour, salem | Leave a Comment »
December 6, 2009 by Tina McManus
Yesterday, I meant just to run a quick errand with my husband, delivering a Christmas tree to Balance Training Studio in Beverly for next Sunday’s Santa Shuffle. Then I remembered that the Salem Garden Club was holding their annual Holiday Boutique, where we got our wreath last year. So…we bopped over the bridge to Salem and St. Peter’s Church. We met Mike’s mom there and browsed among the bea
utifully decorated wreaths, boxwood centerpieces, swags, and assorted holiday greenery. They were also selling tickets to the Salem Christmas house tour, so it was quite busy and festive. I picked out a wreath and centerpiece and we decided to grab a late breakfast/early lunch at Red’s. As usual, a bit of a wait, but the line moved fast. Leaving there, I remembered a book that I’m trying to find – cheap – and wandered over to Derby Square bookstore, where most of the time the books are 50% off. You have to be brave to step in there as books are piled up almost to the ceiling on precariously leaning shelves. They didn’t have the book I’m looking for, but I always 
find it fun to spend time there. Heading back to the car, I had to make one last stop at Pamplemousse. A great shop to find something unique for a gift or for yourself. They also have a nice selection of wine and beer. Gift baskets are a specialty. Satisfied, we walked my mother-in-law back to her place, said good-bye and headed back over the bridge.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
November 27, 2009 by Tina McManus
Thanksgiving morning I got up bright and early and went to Gloucester to help my friends at Cape Ann Animal Aid. On the way home, I decided to try and find the Myopia Thanksgiving Day Hunt. I knew they met somewhere near Waldingfield Road in Ipswich at 10:00 a.m., but wasn’t sure exactly where. Parking on the side of the road, I hooked up with a small group of people who were also trying to find the hunt. Deciding there was strength in numbers, I willingly followed them along wooded paths and picked my way through muddy fields. The gray and drizzly day made everything around me look ghostly, including a large flock of geese that took flight when we startled them. Suddenly, on a ridge, we saw a group of riders. Once we climbed up the hill, we could see the large gathering of horses, riders, and hounds before us in the distance. It was a sight to make me forget about my soaking wet and muddy feet. Once the group shouted “hip, hip, hooray!” they were off. The group of bystanders waited patiently for the riders to reappear. All of a sudden, the hounds came into view, running excitedly down the field. Horses and riders followed in hot pursuit. The black and tan hounds, red, blue and gray blazers of the riders, assorted colors of horses, and the muted scenery made for an extraordinary sight. When it was over, I wasn’t quite sure how to find my way back to the car; but after asking a few kindly strangers and walking a few miles, I finally found it. It was a nice way to spend Thanksgiving morning before leaving to be with family and eat myself silly. I’ll definitely make this a Thanksgiving tradition, but will be sure to wear rubber boots next year!
Posted in North Shore Events, North Shore Places | Tagged Cape Ann Animal Aid, gloucester, horses, Ipswich, MA, Myopia Hunt | Leave a Comment »
