Events | Ellen and Janis Real Estate: Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, West Roxbury, Hyde Park

Jamaica Plain Non-Profts Make a Difference

February 9, 2012 By Janis and Ellen Leave a Comment

It’s rewarding to live in a community that is rich with socially responsible business owners and vibrant non-profit organizations. We have enjoyed watching Keshet, (http://www.keshetonline.org/) a JP based non-profit, grow from a local one person operation with a budget of $35,000 to a nine person organization with a budget over $850,000 and a national reach. Keshet’s mission is to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews are fully included in all parts of the Jewish community. In the Greater Boston area, Keshet offers social and cultural events for GLBT Jews ranging from Jewish text study to an annual GLBT Jewish speed-dating gala, Keshet Quick Dates. Nationally, Keshet offers support, training, and resources to create a Jewish community that welcomes and affirms GLBT Jews.

On March 17th the organization will host a fabulous gala evening of music, comedy, and an amazing auction, all to benefit Keshet’s work for the full equality and inclusion of GLBT Jews in Jewish life. We’re on the host committee and are looking forward to a fun evening that will include performances by actor, comedian, singer Zac Mordechai and Emmy Award-winning actress and comedian Judy Gold. We hope to see you there!

Keshet Carbaret
March 17, 2012
8-11pm at The Westin Copley Place
10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA

Filed Under: Around Town, Boston, Events, Jamaica Plain

Happy New Year!

January 4, 2012 By Janis and Ellen Leave a Comment

We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to help so many wonderful clients buy or sell their homes this year. While everyone we work with is special, the sellers of 100 Kittredge Street in Roslindale really touched us. This was not just another house, it was a very large home and carriage house that had been in the same family since the 1950’s. As the family said in their holiday news letter, the home held many fond memories of festive family gatherings and holiday celebrations. While the children of the original owners have embarked on a new chapter in their lives, they will “always treasures great memories of their home”, and they know that the new owners will take good care of a property that they will always call home.

This is one of the many reasons why we work in real estate. We are grateful to our clients and happy to be working with such wonderful people. Thank you for all that we do together…

Here’s to a happy, healthy & prosperous 2012!

Ellen and Janis

Filed Under: Holiday Happenings, Homes for Sale, Roslindale, Sellers

Last Minute Holiday Shopping in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale

December 22, 2011 By Janis and Ellen Leave a Comment

With the holidays upon us, we thought it was a great time to share a few local shopping ideas. We’re grateful to be living in a neighborhood that supports local entrepreneurs. The holidays provide us with an opportunity to give something back to the merchants who make our community diverse and vibrant. So, take a look at our recommendations and feel free to share your own suggestions!

Jamaica Plain

Station 8 is a full service hair salon offering a complete menu of spa services. Get a gift certificate for that special someone.

Salmagundi provides a full rage of hats and accessories for your next holiday party! The shop was recognized by the city for leadership in window displays and cutting-edge fashion.

Boing! offers educational toys for children of all ages.

The merchandise at Kitchenwich runs the gamut from practical to silly, affordable to splurgy. Their products have been featured several times in the Boston Globe!

At On Centre you’ll find a surprisingly wide selection of books, clothing, accessories, home decor, stationary, art, and more, nestled in colorful store displays. The store carries the owner’s signature line of jewelry!

Need more ideas? Visit Jamaica Plain Main Streets local business directory!

Roslindale
Joanne Rossman describes herself as a purveyor of the unnecessary and irresistible! Her hand-woven throws and blankets make the perfect gift.

Solera is a shrine to wine offering carefully selected vintages from around the world.

Sophia’s Grotto Can’t give your special someone a trip to Italy this year? Then a gift certificate to Sophia’s Grotto may be the next best thing.

For more ideas visit Roslindale Village Main Streets’ business directory!

Happy holidays!

Ellen & Janis

Filed Under: Around Town, Events, Holiday Happenings, Homes for Sale

Making Children’s Wishes Come True in Jamaica Plain

November 30, 2011 By Janis and Ellen Leave a Comment

We’re excited to once again be collecting toys as part of The Home for Little Wanderers’ Big Wishes for Little Wanderers holiday gift drive. Each year, holiday wishes come true for thousands of children and families in The Home’s care through generous donations to the annual gift drive. The items donated to The Home’s gift drive are given to children and families who are currently being served by one of The Home’s more than 20 programs.

You’re invited to drop off new, unwrapped toys at our office, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 713 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, by Monday December 12th. The home serves children of all ages, for gift ideas, click here.

The Home for Little Wanderers is the nation’s oldest and one of New England’s largest nonprofit child and family service agencies. Its mission is to ensure the healthy behavioral, emotional, social and educational development and physical well-being of children and families living in at-risk circumstances. For more information, visit www.thehome.org.

Happy Holidays! -Ellen And Janis

Filed Under: Around Town, Boston, Events, Holiday Happenings, Jamaica Plain Tagged With: Jamaica Plain Real Estate

Remember We Fall Back on Sunday Morning!

November 4, 2011 By Janis and Ellen 2 Comments

fallback11 e1320430007766 300x278 Remember We Fall Back on Sunday Morning!

Remember we “fall back” this weekend, Sunday, November 6, 2011, ending Daylight Saving Time, and returning to Standard Time.

It is the perfect day for an “extra” hour of sleep, the Patriots game will feel like its later and you will have more time to enjoy the beautiful fall weather.

A good idea every time you change your clocks forward or back, is to change the batteries in your smoke/CO detectors. Though many newer homes are hardwired, and do not require the batteries to operate, some homes are not, and need to be adjusted. Don’t wait until your smoke detectors start chirping — keep your family safe & change the batteries now! (Usually they take 9V batteries, which can be bought most anywhere!)

So we hope you are able to enjoy your extra hour of sleep. Of course if you are are out shopping for a new home, please make sure you check the Open House times carefully. We have 2 open houses scheduled so we hope to see you there!

-Ellen And Janis

Filed Under: Events, Homes for Sale

Halloween in Jamaica Plain

October 27, 2011 By Janis and Ellen Leave a Comment

Halloween is a holiday that’s fun no mater how old you are. Whatever your age, there are many things to do and see this Halloween in Jamaica Plain. We enjoy seeing local businesses and home owners get into the holiday spirit in so many ways.

For something new, trick-or-treat among the animals this year. Don’t miss the haunted happenings at the Franklin Park Zoo Howl, including creature encounters, creepy crafts, ghoulish games, a trick-or-treat trail and the Haunted Maze. Franklin Park Zoo Howl: Oc Halloween in JP 300x225 Halloween in Jamaica Plain tober 29-30, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. franklinparkzoo.org

On Saturday, October 29th, the Jamaica Plain Business and Professional Association and Jamaica Plain Centre/South Main Streets present a Dog Parade and Fashion Show. The parade starts at noon at the First Baptist Church and finishes at the South Street Mall at 2pm. All proceeds benefit the Animal Rescue League, MSPCA and City Shelter.

And don’t forget to stop by Coldwell Banker on Monday October 31 from 3-6pm for Halloween treats when our office participates in the Trick or Treat Halloween Stroll on Centre and South Streets. Along with our neighbors, we’ll be opening our doors to greet local ghouls and goblins. Look in the windows of participating merchants for a poster welcoming trick-or-treaters. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Around Town, Boston, Jamaica Plain Tagged With: Holiday, Jamaica Plain

A Photographic Journey Through France

June 1, 2011 By Janis and Ellen Leave a Comment

Join us on Thursday 6/2 for the next installment of the First Thursday Art Stroll series. We have partnered with our friend and client, photographer Jonathan Stark to show a collection of photographs from Jonathan’s many trips to France. A series of his photographs, Paris, Pe’tanque, & Provence will be featured at our Coldwell Banker office at 713 Centre Street from 6-8pm. Jonathan Stark’s photography is an exploration of emotion, which he describes as “falling visually in love with people and places”. Jonathan has visited Morocco, Guadeloupe, Canada, Puerto Rico, and much of Europe.

In France, the city streets of Paris and the Provencal countryside became his inspiration: “All my recent work has been created by my desire to engage people in a moment of emotional intimacy. For the time I am shooting, my subject and I are partners in the process of expressing visually the passions that reside within.”

Jonathan has had solo shows at the French Library and Cultural Center in Boston. He won a bronze award from the American Society of Media Photographers in 2009.

Filed Under: Around Town, Events Tagged With: Events

EAT, PRAY, LOVE

April 18, 2011 By Janis and Ellen Leave a Comment

is how we define Passover! First we eat and eat too much. If you know us than you know we like nothing more than to gather with friends and family to EAT and drink. Passover foods are not necessarily our favorite but we make do. We are so grateful to have so many good friends here in the Boston area as well as wonderful family. Its not often that when you settle outside from where you grew up that you are blessed with family & friends.

Filed Under: Events, Holiday Happenings

YOU Are the Reason We Are Counting Our Blessings in the New Year!

January 2, 2011 By Janis and Ellen Leave a Comment

That’s right. Its true. Without you we would not have had such an amazing year. 2010 was incredibly successful and for that we are grateful and we have you to thank. You see over 50% of our business comes from referrals or more bluntely put “word of mouth”. We work hard to provide our buyers and sellers with the best professional real estate services anyone can offer. And we give each of our clients sound real estate advice for buying or selling. We stay on top of the market data and provide resources that stretch far beyond the real estate transaction.

thankyou.jpg.scaled500 YOU Are the Reason We Are Counting Our Blessings in the New Year!

And once you have bought or sold your home (or both), we hear from you. We hear that you are happy with our services. That you liked our collaborative team approach and that you were surprised at how smooth everything went from start to finish. We’re also extremely grateful that you have been willing to write nice things about us and we are able to include your kind words in our testimonials section of our website EllenAndJanisRealEstate.com

So as we embark on the new year we know that many people will continue to buy or sell homes in Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, West Roxbury, Boston, Brookline, and Newton. And as we mentioned above, we depend on your referrals for our continued success. That said, please mention our names if you or anyone you know is thinking about buying a new home or selling their existing home in 2011.

Filed Under: Events, Holiday Happenings

What to do if you don’t celebrate Christmas

December 23, 2010 By Janis and Ellen Leave a Comment

Living in New England we are always hard pressed to find things to do on Christmas Day. So, here is our list:

1. Stay home watch a movie (or a series like Harry Potter if you never had the time to do so).

2. Stay home & order in Chinese food. Our favorite is Food Wall in JP

3. Go out and drive around an expensive neighborhood and look at Christmas lights (they’ll be no waiting in line to see the house whose lights are “over the top”).

4. Go visit friends or relatives who also don’t celebrate Christmas. you can bet they’ll be around

5. Treat yourself to staying in a nice downtown Boston hotel. There are several restaurants that are open as well.

6. Drive to a park you usually don’t go to. Even the Forest Hills cemetary is really cool place to walk around if you’ve never been there

No matter what you do, have a safe and wonderful holiday!!

Ellen and Janis

Filed Under: Events, Holiday Happenings