7/01 Fireworks in Borden Park in Rochester Hills

7/03 Fireworks during ArtBlast in Birmingham at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center

7/03 Fireworks at Lincoln Hills Golf Course in Birmingham

7/03 Fireworks in the Parks at Addison Oaks County Park in Leonard

7/03 Fireworks over Wolverine Lake

7/03 Fourth of July Fireworks at Hazel Park Raceway in Hazel Park

7/03 Fourth of July Fireworks at Red Run Golf Course in Royal Oak,

7/04 Fourth of July Fireworks at Lakeside Park and Groveland Oaks Park in Holly

7/04 Clarkston Festival of Fun at Clintonwood Park in Clarkston

7/04 Lake Orion Fourth of July Jubilee at Green’s Park in Lake Orion

7/04 Annual Beach Bash at Camp Dearborn in Milford

7/04 Huntington Woods fireworks at Rackham Golf Course

7/04 Fireworks over Maceday and Lotus lakes in Waterford Township

7/04 Clawson 4th of July Fireworks at Clawson Park on Main Street

7/04 Fenton fireworks at Silver Lake Park

7/04 Fourth of July Fireworks at Mitchell’s Marina in White Lake

7/05 Oakland County Boat Club Fireworks at Sylvan Lake

Photo by James Marvin Phelps

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Did you know that the larges single open house event in the US takes place right here in Metro Detroit?

Last year our board of Realtors sponsored The Big Open house, a huge tri county effort to have as many homes as possible opened on one day.   Agents reported great turnout, and a number of buyers found what they were looking for that day.

You will want to save the date for this year’s Big Open House on MAY 3RD.  School districts are participating as well.

There is no denying that housing inventory is at historically high levels; however, that also means that there are incredible opportunities to purchase real estate. Even with the tightening in the mortgage market, interest rates remain near historically low levels for qualified buyers.

As the big day approaches, here are your sources of information about the houses opened that day

• Through an insert in the April 30 editions of Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News that will list all open homes by area;
• Via a Web site, TheBigOpenHouse.com, where all participating homes will be listed; you will be able to search the open houses and, using an interactive map, plot your route to visit the homes;
• And, finally, with a map included in the Sunday paper the day of the event.

Municipalities and school districts in the region are also being contacted about conducting “open houses” for their communities and schools.

WOOPS. I had the date wrong. Thanks to a reader in California (who is moving here this spring) for letting me know! It is May 3rd.

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Dmitry and I will be at our new listing at 1011 Stratford in the City of Bloomfield Hills. It is a beautifully updated ranch with a finished lower level, that we know you will enjoy seeing. The complex is right off of Woodward across from the main gate to Cranbrook. Please stop by!

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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731 S. Bates, Birmingham MI

Someone is going to get a GREAT deal on this super home, steps out of desireable downtown Birmingham. When the home last sold in 2004, the list price was $1,395,000. Dmitry and I relisted it this week for the motivated seller at $799,990.

No, nothing is wrong with the house. It is not a foreclosure, and it is in pristine condition. It is a FANTASTIC house, completely renovated with new baths, 2 kitchens, and 2 master suites. I LOVE this house.

You can take a look at the 731 S. Bates in Birmingham on line, or, better yet, stop by today between 1 and 4.

Be prepared to fall in love. I really think this home will go fast. You have been warned

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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	Coach Insignia
	Northern Lakes Seafood Company
	No.VI Chop House
	Shiraz
	Tavern on 13
	Deli Unique
	Plaza Deli

Matt wants you to vote tomorrow too, so he is said in his email

“I want you to encourage everyone to vote. Election Day is also a reward day. Dine at any of our venues and tell your server or cashier “I Voted Today” and you’ll receive 25% off your food portion of the bill. Once again, this promotion cannot be combined with any other offer.”

Why not enjoy a little of Matt’s good food!

It really struck me yesterday how the elections that get the least coverage are the ones that directly impact me most. Say for example the Millage Restoration proposal on the Beverly Hills Ballot. As a Beverly Hills resident, I understand that this proposal will help the Village to maintain current levels of service–services that I have come to expect as a resident. If it is not passed, then the council will be looking at cutting public safety, the library, or trash removal. The property tax money that I spend in Beverly Hills comes right back to me, more so than any other tax I pay. I hope to see some social security benefit someday, but there is no guarantee that it will be there when I retire or that I will live to need it. But the Village tax pays for my snow removal, leaf removal and the public service officers who keep my family safe. It gives my family access to a world class library.

I understand that the economy is tough right now. I feel it as much as anyone. I am not anxious to pay more, but I think that preserving the services we have is important to helping us preserve our property values as a community.

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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HALLOWEEN HOOT- Beverly Hills

The 13th Annual Halloween Hoot takes place Sunday, October 26th at Beverly Park.

* 10 am – Noon – Topping & Gutting Pumpkins (Volunteers needed)

* Noon – 2 pm – Carving Pumpkins
* The first 200 youngsters can carve a free pumpkin

* 6 pm – 8 pm – Trick or Treating
* Children can trick or treat along the “friendly” path of the park’s wooded trail

Halloween Parade & Pumpkin Patch – Birmingham
Date: 10/26/2008 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Shain Park
Birmingham, Michigan 48009

The Pumpkin Patch will be held in Shain Park: 1:00PM – 4:00PM. The Halloween Parade will begin at 4:00PM.

For additional information contact:
Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber – 248.644.1700
Jr. League of Birmingham – 248.203.9841
The Community House – 248.644.5832

Photo by Minipixel

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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For me, Sophie was the highlight of the day. She actually sold out of drawings while we where there.

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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I intentionally hadn’t much mentioned the trip to the Dr.’s office today because I did not want her to get all worked up.  But when the topic did come up as she got dressed, I showed her the pictures of Dr. Molly’s on Molly’s blog.  Looks pretty cool.  No stuffy lab coats.  No scary looking equipment.

Filled with funky bean bags, and other kid’tastic finds, Birmingham Pediatrics feels hip and comfortable.  Dr. Molly’s daughter Mairen greeted us and got Katya settled in with a fun filled activity pack that kept her occupied while I filled out papers.  Mairen suggested we might be more comfortable over in the bean bag corner.  When Katya wanted to take a look at the Kresge Farm out of Dr. Molly’s private office, Mairen took her right in and then told her that Katya would have binoculars in her exam room.  Actually, I don’t think they call ‘em exam rooms and they don’t look like exam rooms.  There was no table with a roll of paper on it!

Katya had a great visit.  Tonight she told me she loves Dr. Molly and asked when she could go back.

Dr. Molly has figured it out.  Your kids will love you for taking them to see her.

You can follow Dr. Molly’s adventures on her blog

Birmingham Pediatrics and Wellness Center

Molly O’Shea, MD, PLLC
3270 West Big Beaver • Suite 400 • Troy, MI • 48084

248 816 2558

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Look for me Sunday morning, perusing the wonderful offerings at the Birmingham Farmer’s Market.  The season kicks off at 9 am in the parking lot on Old Woodward at the end of Harmon, kitty corner from Booth Park.

The organizers have done a GREAT job with the farmer’s market since it started, and I know they have lots of fun events planned for this season.

The Birmingham Bloomfield Realtor Network is happy to be sponsoring the farmer’s market this year, and we will have members there 5 Sundays to chat with you.

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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We are also excited to be sponsors of the 2008 Birmingham Farmer’s Market.  The market is a favorite with all of us.  Our members will even be there to greet you 5 weekends throughout the season:

• Renee Acho
• Kevin and James Cristbrook
• Michael DeForrest and Kristi McAuliffe 
• Frank and Julie Flynn
• Maureen Francis and Dmitry Koublitsky 
• Cindy Kahn
• Sara Lipnitz
• Rebecca Meisner 
• Chris Pero

The BBRN represents the largest real estate offices in Birmingham Bloomfield market (SKBK Sotheby’s, Max Broock, Hall and Hunter, Hannett Wilson & Whitehouse and Weir Manuel). It’s a super collaboration. 

More on our sponsorship later, but be on the lookout for us on Sunday mornings at the market! 

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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polar bear, originally uploaded by Maureen Francis.

Been to the Detroit Zoo lately? No school today, so we took a rare family trip to the zoo to enjoy the first days of spring. The polar bear exhibit is one of our daughter’s favorites, and today we were lucky enough to catch this guy swimming in the water right over our heads!

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Come see 284 Tilbury with Dmitry on Tuesday morning.

Tour information on LastTuesdayTour.com

Written by Maureen Francis
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty, 248.430.4450
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Search for homes in Oakland County