October 4, 2008 - On the Needham, MA Town Common from 10:00 am to 3:00 pmThis is the best event sponsored by the Needham Business Association.  Every year is a pleaser.  There is so much to do and see.  The Needham Town Common is literally transformed into a beautiful fall affair.  There is entertainment and a wide variety of tables richly displayed with a showcase of products and services.  There are hayrides, childrens' activities, pony rides and just a whole lot of fun.You can join in the fun of tasting the assortment of 14 different soups prepared by the local purveyors.  For a "spoon fee" you can make the difficult choice of which one to vote for.  This is an event that will warm you up in lots of ways besides the soup.  It is a perfect weekend for having fun and let the fun begin ... 09/30/2008

The powerhouse Needham High School football team continues its domination on the field... Needham 12, Newton North 6 Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at Bentley College, Waltham Needham 12 0 0 0 — 12 Newton North 6 0 0 0 — 6 NE — Jean Baptiste 14 run (kick failed) NE — Jean Baptiste 11 run (pass failed) NN — Ben Kiley 63 pass from EC Turner (kick failed) JOHN PRESCOTT -BostonKayakGuy     Top Real Estate Agent for more than 14 years, serving the real estate needs of  Wellesley, South Natick, Weston, Needham, Wayland, Newton, Framingham and other MetWest communities.  www.johnprescott.net JOHN PRESCOTT Vice President Century 21 Commonwealth 508-523-9252   BostonKayakGuy…The MetWest Scene * Game information courtesy Boston.com 09/28/2008

Don’t miss this look at Jean Baptiste, Needham Rockets captain ! A powerhouse player, Baptiste credits 2 families with his drive, his ambition, and for making sure he gets his homework done! Needham High senior captain Jean Baptiste, at 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds, can beat defenders with speed and power. *Photo courtesy of Aram Boghosian/Globe Correspondent Boston Globe’s Brendan Hall   JOHN PRESCOTT -BostonKayakGuy       Top Real Estate Agent for more than 14 years, serving the real estate needs of  Wellesley, South Natick, Weston, Needham, Wayland, Newton, Framingham and other MetWest communities.  www.johnprescott.net JOHN PRESCOTT Vice President Century 21 Commonwealth 508-523-9252 “Boston Kayak Guy. . . The MetWest  Scene” 09/20/2008

BostonKayakGuy…John Prescott’s The MetWest Scene…   Metrowest High School Football 2008: 09/19/08   Dover-Sherborn      27             Weston 15 Lincoln-Sudbury     20             Hingham  3 Natick   34                                    Brookline 7 Needham   27                                  Milton 12     JOHN PRESCOTT -BostonKayakGuy       Top Real Estate Agent for more than 14 years, serving the real estate needs of  Wellesley, South Natick, Weston, Needham, Wayland, Newton, Framingham and other MetWest communities.  www.johnprescott.net JOHN PRESCOTT Vice President Century 21 Commonwealth 508-523-9252 “Boston Kayak Guy. . . The MetWest  Scene” 09/20/2008

This is absolutely the best time to make a purchase of real estate.  There is not a better investment that you can make than real estate.  The smart folks will buy now not to speculate but to become a homeowner while interest rates historically low and the homes are more affordable than they have been in many years. It is the best time for first-time buyers with all the perks.  Not all banks are unstable.  There are not going to give mortgages to people who have pulse any more but they are to going to give them to qualified buyers.  I truly cannot think of a better time buy and that is not because I have been a licensed real estate broker/agent for 29 years.  I believe it with all my being.  Who knows if the rates will go up and that is more reason to purchase a home. Pat Baker, License... 09/18/2008

Needham 14, Braintree 0 Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, at Needham The Needham Rockets exploded at Friday night’s game against Braintree. The Boston Herald reports that “Jean Baptiste rushed for 118 yards and a pair of touchdowns.” Final: Needham (2-0) blanked Braintree, 14-0. * Information courtesy of Boston Herald 09/13/2008

The Needham High School Rockets took to the field at Dedham on Saturday, September 6th, leaving the Dedham High School Marauders with an indelible impression. The Rockets kicked off the fall 2008 season with an explosive win over the Marauders: Needham 28, Dedham 0.   More: Boston Globe Next Game: Friday, Sept. 12 Braintree Game Schedule: JOHN PRESCOTT -BostonKayakGuy       Top Real Estate Agent for more than 14 years, serving the real estate needs of  Wellesley, South Natick, Weston, Needham, Wayland, Newton, Framingham and other MetWest communities.  www.johnprescott.net   JOHN PRESCOTT Vice President Century 21 Commonwealth 508-523-9252 “Boston Kayak Guy. . . The MetWest  Scene” Person JOHN PRESCOTT Right click for SmartMenu shortcuts 09/07/2008

Posted on September 3, 2008 by bostonkayakguy  A recent study commissioned by Needham School officials has resulted in findings sure to stir controversy.   CONFUCIUS SAYS:TOO MANY SECRETARIES!! Sent from BlueOrganizer   According to Superintendent Dan Gutekanst in a recent report in WickedLocal.com,  the study conducted by Evergreen Solutions evaluated the school system’s resources including finances and the management of support and clerical staff. Evergreen's professional consultants were charged with enhancing the effectiveness of Needham Public Schools staffing operations. The results being released at this time indicate that Needham Schools may  be “overstaffed” when compared to other metrowest school systems.  Some Needham school officials disagree. Needham Public Schools are also... 09/03/2008

We have 93 single family listings on the market through today 9/2/08.  I am expecting to see a lot of new listings coming on in the next couple of weeks.  The children will be back to school by Thursday so that should make a difference. The average list price is $1,002,611.  The lowest price is $349,500 and the highest price is $3,500,000.  The concentration are in the following price points: 13 in the $500,000 to $599,999 16 in the $600,000 to $699,999 19 between $1,000,000 and $1,499,999 13 between $1,499,999 and $1,999,999 The median price is $769,000 and the average days on market are 162 There were 17 properties that went  under agreement in the last month. 29 properties sold in the past month with the average price being $921,888 and the median price being $810,000 with the days o... 09/02/2008

Posted on September 2, 2008 by bostonkayakguy | Edit Countdown to Football !!! The Needham High School Football Team kicks off its season Saturday, September 6th at Dedham! Needham Football: * courtesy Boston.com JOHN PRESCOTT -BostonKayakGuy   Call John Prescott 508-523-9252 regarding your professional real estate services.     Top Real Estate Agent for more than 14 years, serving the real estate needs of  Wellesley, South Natick, Weston, Needham, Wayland, Newton, Framingham and other MetWest communities.  www.johnprescott.net http://www.boston.com/partners/globesports/schools/teams/sfb/4272.html       Conference: Bay State (Carey) Date Opponent Time/result Sat., Sept. 6 at Dedham 10 a.m. Fri., Sept. 12 Braintree 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 19 at Milton 7 p.m. Sat., Sept. 27 at Newton North 6 p... 09/02/2008

  Numbers don't lie. Or do they?       WELLESLEY VS NEEDHAM Sent from BlueOrganizer Long time rivals Needham and Wellesley's latest skirmish isn't on the playing fields; rather it's taking place at the dump.  Or actually the transfer station where town recycling takes place. Numbers released for 2006 (the most up to date figures) indicate that 69% of Needham residents recycle, compared to 49% of Wellesley townspeople. According to Mass. DEP, Needham is the "best in the state!"     * courtesy Boston Globe   But Wellesley officials take issue with this, since all communities "self report."  They report that Wellesley's numbers are in fact much higher.  Self reporting by municipalities is now the standard procedure.       And as such, these reported numbers are subject to interpretation...... 09/01/2008

Posted on August 31, 2008 by bostonkayakguy | Edit Needham Public Schools welcome their returning students on Wednesday, September 3rd. Motorists, a gentle reminder that the opening of school will bring increased foot traffic and increased traffic on commuter routes. 2030 02 4 prev  *courtesy freefoto.com Sent from BlueOrganizer For information on School Bus Routes for 2008 - 2009: http://district.needham.k12.ma.us/ss_transportation_bus.htm Transportation: Transportation Department Frequently Asked Questions WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION IN NEEDHAM? All Needham students in grades K-6 who reside beyond 2 miles from their assigned school. WHAT IS THE FEE-BASED BUSING PROGRAM?. Fee-based busing applies to: all students in grades K-6 who reside within 2 miles of their assig... 09/01/2008

Often when I am helping a client in their home search in Needham I am asked what is the best elementary school. The answer is they are all great.  If your friends have children in one particular school or other they will say that is the best school, but Needham has nothing but best schools.  There is a real sense of community in each of the schools.  I have also included 2 other high school options and the link to Educational Cooperative Tech. All schools open September 3rd, 2008 and the kindergartners will start on September 4, 2008 Link to Bus Schedules:  http://district.needham.k12.ma.us/ss_transportation_bus.htm IAt this website you will find a map of the location of each of the schools as follows: http://district.needham.k12.ma.us/gi_district_map.htm Broadmeadow - k-5  http://broad... 08/30/2008

This is just a small capsule of Needham, Massachusetts but a good one. Stay tuned for upcoming events. Plans are already underway for our Tercentennial celebration in 2011. Contact Bill Dermody 781-444-7400 Bill.Dermody@nemoves.com To watch the Needham Channel and get an inside peak at the Field of Dreams at Memorial Park and DeFazio Field so tune in as follows: Channel 9 -- Comcast Channel 15 -- RCN Channel 29 -- Verizon Written by: Pat Baker, Licensed Real Estate Broker/Agent of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of Needham, MA 08/26/2008

To our family of three it has been a wonderful life.  It sounds like a title to a movie doesn't it?  If we look at the years since we married and before that it has been a great life in Needham and we could not have chosen a better place to live.  We just happened to find a neighborhood that had the best family ever living just behind us.  So for all the years we have lived in our home and raised our son we were lucky to have our best friends living right behind us.  They have been like second parents to our son and we have been there for their three children as well.  We have been able to lean on each other when things were tough for either of us and somehow it got us through.  My husband has lived in Needham since he was 3 and I am a late comer because arrived just after graduation at... 08/25/2008

Needham Business AssociationHarvest Festival this year is on October 4, 2008                              between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. This is really one of my favorite events in town.  It is great to see friends and enjoy the ushering in of the Fall.  It is a hit for any age group.  It is just a fun place to go. One of the best features of the event is the "Souper Bowl" under the tent.  It is a soup tasting of some of the restaurants in Needham along with a vote for the best tasting by the samplers and a select group of judges.  Then there will be a "People's Choice" award given to the purveyor of the best soup.  Generally there 8 to 14 soups to taste. The town common transforms into a fair extraordinaire.  There are tables organized by local merchants and a chance to sample their war... 08/22/2008

    Have you heard it?  The clock is ticking!     Exactly 2 weeks from Wednesday, you'll hear even more.   There will be the frantic search; cabinets and cupboards being opened and closed.  Drawers closed in frustration.  Doors slammed.   Clothes will be taken from the closet.  Some will land on the floor.  Missing shoes will be retrieved.   Breakfast will remain untouched in some instances.  Hairdryers will be humming.  iPods will be removed from the bedroom, family room, car, ...and other sundry places.   Running feet will be heard...out the front door.  Car doors will be slammed; buses will be waiting. Moms and Dads will start their engines.  And they'll all be headed to the biggest gathering of friends since summer began.   That's right!  You guessed it!   Two weeks from Wednesday, ... 08/18/2008

"Green Goes With Everything." by Sloan Barnett I love passing on great information. I also love being green and have been since 1982. I am thrilled that the word is out. We switched to green products back in 1982 and I did everything I could to recycle and think green. I could say more but her video says a lot. There are a lot of kids with asthma these days. As a child and on into my adulthood I was very bad with asthma and used inhalers. I had to get away from the products that made me sick. I did back there in 1982. The products she shows are the ones we have used all these years. That is the title of a new book coming out in September.  You may know the author her name is Sloan Barnett and she is a regular on NBC Today show.  She tells her story regarding her son got asthma and it se... 08/17/2008

Needham Luxury Market Report 2003 - 2008 Properties sold over $1 Million 1-03 --6-08 Here are some interesting stats for the luxury home market as follows:                              2003            2004           2005            2006           2007         20008 1 Million $ bracket -    17               41               47               48               57               23 2 Million $ bracket -      4                 8                4                 8                 5                 2 3 Million $ bracket -      1                 0                0                 0                 1                 0 4 Million $ bracket -      0                  0                0                 0                0                 0 5 Million $ bracket -       0                 0                1... 08/15/2008

Have you heard it?  The clock is ticking!                                         Exactly 3 weeks from today, you'll hear even more.   There will be the frantic search; cabinets and cupboards being opened and closed.  Drawers closed in frustration.  Doors slammed.   Clothes will be taken from the closet.  Some will land on the floor.  Missing shoes will be retrieved.   Breakfast will remain untouched in some instances.  Hairdryers will be humming.  iPods will be removed from the bedroom, family room, car, ...and other sundry places.   Running feet will be heard...out the front door.  Car doors will be slammed; buses will be waiting. Moms and Dads will start their engines.  And they'll all be headed to the biggest gathering of friends since summer began.   That's right!  You guessed it!... 08/13/2008