Art and entertainment fill the park at ArtsFest from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Koch Park & Recreation Complex, One Merrymount Parkway, Quincy. There will be live entertainment, children’s activities, demonstrations and more than 400 exhibitors. The event is free. If you would like more more information, go to www.quincyma.gov/Government/PARK/Artsfest.cfm. 09/18/2010

The South Shore Performing Artist Series will open September 17 with a benefit performance by pianist Sarah Troxler and musicians from the Longy School of Music.The concert will be held at Central Baptist Church, 67 Washington St., Quincy, MA beginning 7:30 p.m. A $10 donation is suggested , with proceeds to benefit Angles Voice Orphanage in Haiti.The series focuses on  classical chamber music. The concerts are sponsored by Amaral Musical Services.Other concerts include the Chamber Singers of Eastern Nazarene College, violinist Jin Hee Kim, and pianist and baritone Michael Amaral.For more information, call 617-479-6512. 09/09/2010

The American Red Cross has several blood drives planned for Quincy during September. Here’s a list of some of them:   2-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14. Cliffwalk Luxury Apartments, 790 Willard St., Quincy   8 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 26 Pageant Field at Merrymount Park, 100 Merrymount Parkway, Quincy   1-7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 27 Quincy Sons of Italy, 120 Quarry St.   To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-Red Cross. 09/04/2010

Quincy and North Quincy high schools are seeking families to host Spanish exchange students from Sept. 8 to 23. The students, from a high school in Vila Real, Spain, need a safe place to sleep and to practice English with their host families. The host families must have a student at one of the city’s high schools and would be responsible for providing all meals and planning weekend activities. People who don’t have a child in one of the city’s high schools can host a teacher from Spain. For more information, call Jane Scorza at 617-281-4545. This is a great way to learn about Spanish culture.   08/31/2010

Stambry’s Crescent Moon Soap Company has opened a store at 1359 Hancock Street. The shop sells bath and beauty products, aromatherapy products made by co-cowner Pamela Tand, arts and crafts item, aprons, jewelry, paintings, photos, note cards and baby gifts. For more information, call 978-973-4155 or visit the company's websitee at www.scmsoaps.com. Welcome to Quincy! 08/31/2010

Like most of the good things in my life, I literally "stumbled" over David Flannery of Dave's Auto Services, 636 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02170. A friend of mine, who was also a friend of David's, suggested that David needed some help with a Lease renewal on his premises in Quincy. I reviewed the proposed Lease, added a few clauses for David's protection, and a strong professional relationship began. Our family has three cars,  the extra one because my daughter at Catholic University in Washington, DC, convinced us that it was "more practical" for her to drive herself to school and back than take public transportation. None of our cars are new, and so we experienced the usual repair and maintenance issues that any family with older vehicles experiences. We went through the normal prog... 08/30/2010

Signup for the third annual Officer Jamie Cochrane Memorial Road Race in Quincy, MA is under way. The race, which raises money for scholarships, is held in the memory of Cochrane, who was a lifelong Quincy resident and a Quincy police officer for eight years. He was killed in a motorcycle crash on Sept. 10, 2006, while off duty. Race proceeds go annually toward six $1,000 scholarships for high school students living in Quincy. The recipients are chosen for academic achievement and service to the community. In addition, donations have been made to charitable groups including Toys for Tots, Dove Inc., the Salvation Army and The Patriot Ledger’s Lend a Hand program. The Jamie Cochrane race replaced the former U.S. Marshal William F. Degan Road Race, which took place in Quincy for 15 years... 08/29/2010

Starter condo at 21 Edinboro Road in Quincy MA 02169. The seller of this condo will entertain offers between $160,000 and $185,000, so let's make a deal.  Completely updated with a new kitchen, granite counters, breakfast bar, tile backsplash and stainless appliances, this two bedroom condo is a perfect way to start home ownership. The condo fee is a very low $120/month and the seller will negotiate.  Bring in the offer.  Call Susan Morrision at 617-686-8178 for a private showing.      08/20/2010

The Boston Landmarks Orchestra's "Classical Gems" neighborhood concert series will come to Quincy on Thursday, Aug. 26. The orchestra, led by conductor Charles Ansbacher, will give a free performance at 7 p.m. at Adams National Historic Park, 135 Adams St. The concert will feature music written by Beethoven, Haydn and Prokofiev. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at North Quincy High School, 316 Hancock Street. The concert is one of three free neighborhood concerts the orchestra is giving this year. For more information, call 617-520-2200 or visit www.LandmarksOrchestra.org. 08/13/2010

 How to save money on your Condo's Master Insurance policy: 6 Ways to save money on a master insurance policy for a condo association in MA.  Receive a discount when you combine more than one line of insurance coverage with the same company: example: Purchase your Condo's Master Insurance Policy along with an umbrella policy with the same company.  Have your insurance agent run a cost estimator which will determine the cost to reconstruct your building: Next, look at how much building coverage you currently have. If the cost estimator projects the amount to rebuild is lower than the current coverage amount you maybe over insured. This means you are paying more than you need to be and could lower the cost of your Condo's Master Policy. Examine the savings from carrying higher deductibles... 08/09/2010

 There are many parts of a Garage Insurance Program. For example, Garagekeepers’ coverage provides financial protection for loss or damage to a customers’ vehicle while it is in your possession. You may ask: Why do I need this type of coverage? You should have this because if you or an employee damages a customer’s car while it in your possession a general liability insurance policy will not pay for this mishap.  Let me give you an example that happened to my family. Our Mitsubishi Montero Sport SUV was in for an oil change and routine service. The SUV was not put on the lift correctly, slipped off, and ended up on its side wedged between the lift and ground. This caused four or five thousand dollars in damage to our vehicle. If the auto service station had not purchased Garagekeepers L... 08/08/2010

The 15th annual Quincy, MA's Marina Bay Art Fair will be held this weekend, August 7-8. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Corporate Park, 500 Victory Road. Works on display will come from 15 regional art associations. Parking and admission will be free.  Make it an afternoon affair by stopping by one of Marina Bay's famed restaurants for lunch or dinner. For more information, call 781-961-2378 or visit www.artsaffair.org. Melissa A. Juarez ~ Owner MBBA, LLC 617-633-1686 ~ majesq82@yahoo.com www.massachusettsbuyersbrokeragency.com   08/05/2010

Here are 5 simple ways to save money on Pest Management Services' Insurance! Combine multiple lines of insurance (General Liability, Business Auto, Property Coverage, etc) all with one company to generate discounts Examine the savings from carrying higher deductibles Risk Management - look at risks and past losses and determine how to avoid claims in the future. Fewer claims equal a lower cost of insurance Place your insurance with an admitted carrier Pay the premium in full or ask for free financing If you want more info about saving money on your PCS insurance program or want a quote call: AJ Marchionne: M-F 9-5 at: 617-471-5010Written by: AJ Marchionne Insurance Agency Inc. Website: www.marchionneinsurance.com Our Blog: http://massbusinessins.com/ Become a fan on Facebook: Marchionne... 08/04/2010

I previously wrote about Quincy, MA's two-year plan to replace every residential water meter.  As part of the initiative, the city will hold a community meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 19.  The meeting will take place in the second-floor conference room at city hall. The public works department, city consultants and project contractors will give a presentation on how the replacement project will work and the need for public cooperation. Replacing meters will require contractors to enter homes. Workers will be in pairs, wearing badges and traveling in marked vehicles. Photos of authorized personnel will be available on the city's website, all contractors will undergo background checks, and the Quincy police will be notified when contractors are in specific neighborhoods. The new meters will have ... 08/04/2010

Looking for a way to start homeownership? Look no further.  The totally renovated condo at 21 Edinboro Road in Quincy MA is the perfect first time buyer home.  Boasting two spacious bedrooms with a beautifully updated kitchen that includes stainless appliances, granite counters, breakfast bar and updated fixtures, this kitchen is a cook's delight. The condo has hardwood floors throughout and plenty of storage space.  Offered at $160,000 and the owner will accept offers from $160,000 to $185,000.  Call Susan Morrison at 617-686-8178 for a private showing. 08/03/2010

Condo Docs are not as confusing as they might appear. In many cases your local insurance agent can interpret them for you! Condominium associations usually have questions when it comes to insurance and would appreciate simple, but correct answers. Condo associations, in Mass, help direct their unit owners on what insurance to buy for their individual unit. At AJ Marchionne Insurance Agency Inc, we simplify this process by sending a letter to each unit owner describing the basics of what is and what is not covered under their master insurance policy. In the same letter we will recommend what type and amount of insurance they should purchase (personal condo insurance policy aka HO6 policy) to dovetail with condo's master insurance policy. Not only do we send out a letter, but at each unit... 08/03/2010

Great starter condo at 21 Edinboro Road in Quincy MA 02169. If you're a first time home buyer, you need to call Susan Morrison at 617-686-8178 to see this adorable two bedroom totally renovated condo in Quincy.  The kitchen is totally renovated and boasts granite counters, tile backsplash, breakfast bar, stainless appliances and updated fixtures. There are hardwood floors throughout this condo.  Offered at $160,000 and the owner will accept offers from that figure to $185,000. 07/31/2010

Quincy Massachusetts Real Estate Market Reports for 2009 Single Family Home Sales The Quincy, MA real estate market report indicates that there were 400 homes sold in 2009 as compared to 355 in 2008. This represents a 13% increase in the number of homes sold. The average sales price changed from $338264 in 2008 to $330098 in 2009, a 2% decrease in value. The days on market changed -4 % from 97  to 93. Visit Quincy MA real estate for information about the community, relocation, demographics, MLS search, home buying and selling guides.   Go to Quincy MA homes for sale to view current listings of homes, condos, multi-family and land listings. Condominium Sales The Quincy, MA condominium market data indicates that there were 291 condos sold in 2009 as compared to 321 in 2008. This represen... 07/26/2010

Starter Condo 21 Edinboro Road Quincy MA 02169. This is a completely updated and remodeled condo (2006) and boasts two spacious bedrooms with gleaming hardwood floors throughout the condo.  The kitchen is beautiful with granite counters, tile backsplash, breakfast bar, stainless appliances and updated fixtures.  There's generous storage space in the basement and a large backyard.  The condo fees are a very low $120/month.  This condo must be seen to be appreciated.  Offered at $189,000.  Call Susan Morrison at 617-686-8178 for a private showing.   07/26/2010

Purchasing auto insurance in Quincy, Mass can be as easy as 1, 2, 3 when speaking with a local insurance agent. AJ Marchionne Insurance Agency Inc located in Quincy, Ma simplifies the entire process of purchasing car and home insurance. After we find you the right coverage at the best price our work is not completed. If you have an auto accident we will be there to help you throughout the claim's process. AJ Marchionne Insurance Agency Inc will help you report the claim, get you immediate assistance to have your vehicle repaired, and make sure you are paid in a timely fashion. You will have one person at AJ Marchionne Insurance Agency Inc assigned to you. That way we get to know you on a more personal basis. You will always have a direct phone number to contact us with an actual person ... 07/22/2010