The artspaces’s annual “Hearts on Fire Auction” will be held on Monday, April 23rd from 5:30-800pm at Hope & Olive restaurant in Greenfield.

Enjoy a variety of items for the silent and live auction including Red Sox tickets, balloon ride, gift baskets, paintings, pottery, concert tickets and much more!
Auction proceeds support the Artspace’s art and music programs for adults and children, and free group violin/cello lessons in the Greenfield Public Schools. Admission is free. There will be a cash bar and cajun appetizers for your enjoyment.

With all the downtown redevelopment that has taken place, a new court house coming, and an opportunity to create a new high school, it is an exciting time in Greenfield!

I am speaking as a citizen of Greenfield and also as the President of the Greenfield Education Foundation (GEF), which serves to support the public schools in ways that their budget does not allow. Our job is to enhance the experience of every student who attends our schools. 

This year, the GEF is supporting the school band, the film festival, and all the school libraries; we are providing listening centers for elementary classes, tee shirts for all elementary schools, athletic uniforms for the tennis and track teams, summer programs in theater, new math/science opportunities and much more. 

Over the last two years we have raised approximately $130,000 to directly benefit all students in the Greenfield Public Schools. Our schools are on the move! Increasingly, students are choosing to attend Greenfield schools; this year’s kindergarten group is the largest in many years. The Greenfield school district offers the first virtual school opportunity, a science and math academy for 6^th and 7^th graders, and top caliber teachers, principals, staff and superintendant. Intensive work is being done to make the schools in our town the “go-to” best possible choice for educating our students. Our students are our future and they deserve our total support. 

Most urgent is the fact that we need to build a new high school. From windows to room size, to electrical, the heat system and roof, every system and feature of the high school needs replacing. In direct contrast to the innovative, exciting programs that Greenfield High School is working diligently to provide, we currently have the oldest and least attractive high school building in the county. All signs point to the fact that renovating the current high school building does not make fiscal sense; because the state will not reimburse one penny of renovation expense, the renovation option promises to be more costly for each and every taxpayer. 

Educating all students in a smart facility makes a difference. Every city official, even the most conservative, is telling us the best educational and financial decision we can make is to vote for this opportunity. We want to be proud of our schools. We want to attract the best and the brightest students. We need to do the best we can for every student. Please vote “Yes!” on May 1^st to have a new high school built, to help make our community the very best it can be!

According to the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley, Inc., single family home sales in Franklin County were up 27.1% for the first quarter of 2012. The median sale price rose 4.2% from $155,500 in the first quarter of 2011 to $162,000 for the same time period in 2012.

Single family sales in Hampshire County were up 11.3% in the first quarter of 2012 when compared to the same time frame in 2011, however, the median sale price was down 1.7% from $234,000 to $230,000.

Hamden County saw the largest median price drop of 6.4% in first quarter sales from $155,000 in 2011 to $145,000 in 2012. Collectively, there were 1,558 single family homes sales in the first quarter of 2012 in Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden Counties and the Pioneer Valley.

March was a busy month for home sales in Franklin County with 32 single family homes sold according to the Multiple Listing Service. The average listing price was $173,131 and the average sale price was $160,784.  Three of these sales were over $300,000 including a 10 room, 5 bedroom Colonial in Greenfield that sold for $315,000. A 7 room, 3 bedroom 2 bath log home in Deerfield that sold for $350,000 and an 11 room, 4 bedroom, 2 bath Colonial located in Shelburne that sold for $450,000.

In March 2011, just 16 single family homes were sold in Franklin County, however, the average list price was higher at  $190,631 and the average sale price was also higher at $181,656. It is importanat to note that these homes also took longer to sell as the average number of days on the market was 316 compared to just 182 in March 2012. 

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live in a glass house? Picture sitting at your kitchen table, still in your pajamas, savoring your morning coffee and newspaper, knowing that while you are enjoying looking out, anyone can be looking in.

This amazing architectural design allows you to live in a glass house and with just the touch of a button, slide the outer shell to control your privacy.

There is a growing sense of optimism with respect to the economic recovery as employment rose in professional and business services in the first quarter of 2012. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment figures for February 2012 remain unchanged at 8.3%. Although these figures are the lowest since 2009, many Americans looking for stable employment are catching the entrepeneurial spirit and looking to become business owners themselves.

According to the Multiple Listing Service, there are 9 business opportunities available in Franklin County. With an investment as low as $50,000 you could be the new owner of a profitable fitness center. Also for sale are a convenience store, liquor store, bar-be-que/deli, space for a laundromat, tanning or beauty salon and a bed & breakfast. Perhaps its time for you to get a business plan in place and make the move towards self employment.

If you would like to learn more about commercial property and available business opportunities, contact a Cohn & Company agent today. We’d be happy to help you get started.

A popular area to live, West County includes the towns of Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Hawley, Heath, Rowe and Shelburne. 

According to the Multiple Listing Service, there are currently 48 single family homes for sale in West County with an average list price of $273,840. These range in size and price starting with a 6 room, 3 bedroom, 1 bath Ranch in Colrain with an asking price of $36,900 to a 19 room, 7 bedroom, 6.5 bath farmhouse in Buckland listed for $775,000.

One property that stands out is a 3,700 square foot, 12 room, 4 bedroom, 2 full and 2 half bath home with skylights, central air and a 4 room guesthouse. Located in Charlemont on 10.4 acres, with a heated pool, hot tub, tennis court, pond with waterfall and outrageous views everywhere.

 For more information on all properties available in Franklin and Hampshire Counties, contact a Cohn & Company agent today. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

When Greenfield residents Linda and Priscilla decided it was time to downsize from their four bedroom Cape-style home to something smaller, they contacted Realtor Steve Schechterle to begin the process of selling their house. Steve was able to sell their house and also found them a new home to rent.

Linda wrote to say, “Cohn & Company did a great job for us right from the beginning. All their Realtors came to see our house, the virtual tour they created for the internet was excellent, as were the photos they took for the paper, etc

“Steve took good care of us, keeping us informed, continually bringing interested parties by, and dealing with the other Realtors, inspectors, and everyone else involved with the process. Our house sold in approximately four months at close to our asking price. We would definitely recommend both Cohn & Company and Steve Schechterle to anyone who wants to sell or buy a house in the Greenfield area!”

Steve has been working in real estate for over 35 years and specializes in residential and commercial properties. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home anywhere in Franklin County, you can reach Steve by phone at (413) 223-1368 or via e-mail.

This weekend the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra (PVSO) will present “A Carnival of Animals” the Greenfield High School Auditorium. This special family concert begins at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 and will include selections from The Walzing Cat, The Firebird Carnival of Animals, and more! Special guests, duo-pianists Gary Steigerwalt and Dana Muller will perform.

Following the performance, there will be an instrumental petting zoo where children can try an instrument.  For ticket information and more details visit the PVSO or call (413) 773-3664.