Schuylkill County Real Estate: April 2008

I need a higher end home in the Elysburg area for an executive relocating here within the next 2 months. Needs to be minimum 4 bedrooms, preferably in one of the newer developments.

If you have anything or can convince someone to sell, contact me!

I drove through all the developments there yesterday and couldn't find a darn thing suitable to his taste! 

There seems to be a lack of higher-end properties for sale in the area. 

HELP! 

The Schuylkill Community Action (SCA) issued their final report for a 2007 Community Needs Assessment they undertook last year. The results are not surprising (we've got a declining/aging population and our unemployment rates are higher than PA averages).

Here's a few stats:

- Schuylkill County ranked 5th among PA counties in terms of the percentage of its population with some high school but no degree.

- The county's vacancy rate of 10.7 in 2000 exceeds both state and national rates.

- Schuylkill County's homeownership rate is higher than state and national averages but rental rates are below state and national rates.

- 20% of owner-occupied units and 43% of renters are utilizing more than 30% of their income on housing costs and can be considered cost burdened.

- The Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $516. In order to afford this level of rent and utilities without paying more than 30% of income on housing, a household must earn $1720/monthly or $20,640 annually.

- 30-35% of mortgages originated in 2006 were subprime mortgages.

-The county's housing stock is extremely antiquated. Over half were built prior to 1939 (average age of homes is estimated 69 years).

I just "stole" this idea from another PA agent, so you can steal this from me!

 Go ahead... copy & paste it into the bottom of your signature!

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This link provides information on agency relationships and the duties and

responsibilities of real estate licensees in Pennsylvania. Please read it carefully:

http://www.parealtor.org/content/upload/AssetMgmt/Standard Forms/PDFs/CN.pdf

(Bingo. Another disclosure built into every email! )

I thought this info was really interesting. I had no clue about it... never really thought about the issue.

Pennsylvania has made major strides in protecting the environment in general and children in particular by cutting power-plant and vehicle emissions, but it needs the public’s help in dealing with the cancer-causing gas radon.

That was the message Wednesday from Thomas K. Fidler, deputy secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection, at the legislative breakfast of the three-year-old Pennsylvania Institute for Children’s Environmental Health. “Pennsylvania has some of the highest (radon) concentrations in the country,” Fidler told several dozen community leaders attending the breakfast at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.

He said an estimated 57 percent of Berks County homes have higher-than-acceptable levels of radon, a naturally occurring gas that Fidler said is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Discovery of radon in Boyertown area homes in the mid-1980s set off a radon scare nationwide, he said.

Click here to read the whole article, by Don Spatz of the Reading Eagle 

I just got a copy of the 2008 happenings at Sweet Arrow Lake--Schuylkill County's first COUNTY park.

Click here for the color brochure.

The lake has a rich history, beginning in the 19th century when it served as a water supply for the Union Canal. It brought prosperity to the region by supporting the lumber and coal industries. It also provided recreation for residents of that time; one popular activity was Ascension Day fishing. The dam was destroyed during the flood of 1862 and later a new dam was built to support an electric generation plant operated by the East Penn Electric Company in the 1920’s and later, PP&L. In 1972 the lake was purchased by the Borough of Pine Grove. Most residents of Schuylkill County have pleasant memories of fishing, swimming, picnicking, boating, and relaxing in the serene beauty of the lake.  On February 21, 2001, Schuylkill County purchased the lake with the intention of creating a county park. (from one of the Park's websites) and another site about the park is HERE.

I'm involved in organizing the July event, which is 4 short stories dramatized .. John O'Hara comes to Sweet Arrow Lake! Proceeds will benefit the Lake.

On Friday evening, April 18^th at 7 p.m. a private reception for artists and their invited guests will take place. Schuylkill County Commissioner, Mantura Gallagher will cut the ribbon to open the Block of Art.  The Block of Art opens to the public on Saturday, April 19^th from 10a.m. to 8 p.m. with live music to follow. The event will also be open on Sunday, April 20th from noon to 6 p.m.

Works from Allied Artist of Schuylkill County will be on view at the Pottsville Free Public Library  located at 215 West Market Street on Friday, April 18^th and Saturday, April 19th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sunday, April 20^th at 6pm, the Sovereign Majestic Theater will be showcasing two films by local, self-taught, animated filmmaker Brent Green.  His film “Carlin” was screened as part of the Documentary Shorts program at the Sundance Film Festival.

For information or to submit artwork, call (570) 640-4612 or visit the Block of Art website at www.gallery205.net.

Artists registered to date include:

Duane Morris, Kingston, PA - Photography

Cindy Essig, New Cumberland, PA - Oils

James LoBue, Allentown, PA - Acrylics, Oils

Tim Weaver, Drums, PA - Watercolor

Sophia Kelly Shultz, Pottsville, PA- Gouache

Mark M. Russell, Ocean City, MD - Photography

Kathy Connelly, Marlin, PA - Watercolor

Mary Beth Harvey, Pottsville, PA- Watercolor

Bob McCormick, Ashland, PA - Oils, Watercolor

Mary Byrne, Pottsville, PA - Pottery

Robert J. Kline, Pottsville, PA - Watercolor

Joan M. Kline, Pottsville, PA -Watercolor

Brent Green, Cressona, PA- Short films

Maggie Platko, Pottsville, PA - Photography

Cherie Roberts, Auburn, PA - Glass Painting, Acrylic/Collage, Oils

Barb Leymeister Jucker, Schuylkill Haven, PA - Watercolor, Acrylic

Patrick M. “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, St. Clair, PA - Acrylic

Kristine Miller-Siple, Schuylkill Haven, PA - Mixed Media, Acrylic

The Grateful Thread, Pottsville, PA- Recycled Fibers

Nicole Cunkle, Lancaster, PA - Photography

Helen Mills, Pottsville, PA - Watercolor

Celeste Johnson, Ringtown, PA- Oils

The Pottsville Framer, Pottsville, PA - Prints

Charles Spector, Schuylkill Haven, PA - Photography

Arthur L. Harris, Pottsville, PA - Hand planed wood

Louis Upton Rice, Jr., Harrisburg-area, PA - Oils

Elizabeth Weiser, New Cumberland, PA - Lithograph print, lithograph print and collage, woodcut print

Carly Martin, Pottsville, PA - Sculpture

Phyl Harper, Cumbola, PA - Acrylic on wood pickets, acrylic on glass, acrylic on wood

Ra Lee, Pottsville, PA - India ink, paper sculpture, acrylic, photography

Evonne Flickinger, New Ringgold, PA - Pottery

Valerie Perez, Frackville, PA - Jewelry

Mimi Heller, Pottsville, PA – Watercolor

Yobel Parra, Venezuela -Acrylic

Jose Guedez, Venezuela - Acrylic

C. Courtad, Dominican Republic - Acrylic

Carlos Rivero, Venezuela - Oils

G. Giovinvo, Venezuela/Italy - Oils

Carlos Fonseca, Venezuela - Acrylic

Looking for something to do on Saturday?

April 19
“Jeff’s Swamp Journey”
from 1:30-4:30 p.m. with “Big Owl.”
A moderate hike meeting at the carpool parking lot of the Ravine Exit of I-81/Rt. 125.
See interesting swamp plants, an artesian spring, and beautiful DeHaas Run.
Part of Saint Anthony’s Wilderness – largest open space area in SE PA.
All hikes are free and open to the public.
Please no pets due to insurance risks.
Dress according to the weather and bring water, snacks, bug spray and sunscreen.
Poor weather cancels!

More information: “Porcupine Pat” @ 570.622.4124 ext. 113 or porcupinepat@yahoo.com

If you know Porcupine Pat (Porky!) you know he's a lot of fun to be with. He's a fountain of knowledge on these hikes. If you are in the area, don't pass this up! 

I am a creature of habit.... and don't often find new places that I love to eat at. Here are a few of my favorite haunts, all around Schuylkill:

Breakfast:

3C's

2212 Centre Turnpike (Rt. 61),
Orwigsburg, PA 17961-9112
Conveniently located on Rt. 61 South in Port Clinton. Voted "Best Breakfast" by Schuylkill Living Magazine. Breakfast anytime.

Hours: Mon - Fri 5 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sat & Sun 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Phone: (610)562-5925
Fax: (610)562-0990

Lunch:

Maroons Sports Bar
556 North Centre Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
570-628-4625
Dining Hours Mon. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Bar open until Midnight

Dinner with my family/kids

Michael B's Restaurant & Tavern
1596 Centre Turnpike, Rt 61 South
Orwigsburg, PA 17961
(570) 366-8655

Located just a few minutes north of Cabela's and Hawk Mountain.
Join us in our warm and inviting dining room for fine food and fine spirits. Offering all your favorites including steaks, seafood, mexican, sandwiches, salads and a great kids menu.

Dinner & Drinks: 

O'Neal's Pub
112 S. Tulpehocken St.
Pine Grove, PA 17963
(570) 345-4316
Good Friends & Great Food
Wed. - Thurs. 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

and for a quiet escape with my husband:

Nutty Pear

Schuylkill Haven

(Adamsdale Road)

It's April and now, with the first few warm days of spring here, golf is popping up!

Here are 2 of my favorite public courses in Schuylkill County:

Hidden Valley Golf Course,
18-hold Public Golf Course featuring manicured trees, fairways and greens.
1753 Panther Valley Rd., Pine Grove, PA 17963
(800)428-4631
Pro Shop, Snack Bar and Bar.

http://hidden.distinctgolf.com/ 

Mountain Valley Golf Course,
Burma Road, Exit 131A off Interstate 81.
Located near Locust Lake State Park.
1021 Brockton Mountain Drive, Barnesville, PA 18214
(570)467-2242
Call for more information and tee times.
Reasonable rates.
Snack Bar available.
Email: mtvalley@verizon.net

And for private courses, there's the Schuylkill Country Club course, designed by Donald Ross:

Schuylkill Country Club

877 West Market Street Orwigsburg, PA 17961 (570)366-0622

Located along Route 443 just west of Orwigsburg. A highly rated private golf course conveniently located just off of Route 61.