Twelve years strong the Arlington MA Farmers Market has been bringing gorgeous fresh produce to town. With at least twelve farms bringing locally produced fruit, vegetables, eggs, fish, meats, maple syrup, honey, coffee and flowers, THIS is where you should be shopping each week!

Supporting local farms and smaller ‘mom-n-pop’ businesses is one of the pleasures of shopping here. You’ll meet hard-working sincere people who believe in what they do, and produce quality you just dont find in ordinary stores these days.

This week I talked to two nice women who wisely team up to share a tent and a good time. From The Greenest Bean (www.greenestbean.com) out of Bedford, Tricia Cowell, who roasts and grinds delicious coffee. And Maureen Harder from Sassy Sauces (www.sassysauces.us), who knocks your sox off with delicious chocolate, caramel and butterscotch sauces. You can put them on… as she puts it “just about everything”. Made from pure ingredients, it just melts in your mouth.

Never go home empty handed ~ there’s something here for everyone!

Running from June 10 – Oct 28, you can find them in Arlington Center (Russel Commons Parking Lot) Wednesdays from 1-6:30pm.

This little weekly fair is run by the energetic Patsy Kramer.

More information can be found on the Arlington Farmers Market web site, www.farmersmarketarlington.org.

What Was Different about This August in Arington?

Arlington is usually a slower month for real estate (usually less sales due to less inventory for buyers to choose from). This was true yet again in August ’09. And yet defying the doom-n-gloom of the media, and the temptation of good Beach Days, Arlington real estate broke some of last year’s records. Here are some numbers:

• Total CLOSED SALES were 59 in August ’09 (compared to 55 in August ’08)
• Condo sales were UP: 26 this year (23 last year)
• Condo prices were DOWN: average of $332K  ($354K Aug 08)
• Single family home sales were UP: 32 sales  (29 sales in Aug 08)
• Single family home prices were UP: avg of $522K ($502K in Aug 08)

We seem to be back on a roll, and with so many First Time Home Buyers out hoping to cash in on that $8,000 Tax Credit, we continue to see high numbers of buyers attending Open Houses, even on beautiful days in August.

This was a great August in terms of a healthy turnaround of the market, and the ‘bottom’ has hopefully happened and we are moving out of it. Ted Kennedy has moved on to greener pastures, kids are back in school, the days are getting shorter, and time is ticking for First Time Buyers hoping to get the $8,000 Tax Credit. Make sure YOU don’t miss the deadline. Learn all about it at the next First Time Home Buyers Seminar at the Bowes GMAC Real Estate Office Wednesday September 23. 7-8:30pm. Register by email to bija@dreamhomearlington.com.