More best-kept secrets about Rozzie

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Sacred Heart Church
Cool new signage outside the rectory of Sacred Heart Church

Besides the Roslindale Fish Market that has 7 — count ’em — 7 kinds of feta cheese and the incredible galaktobouriko at Vouros Pastry, there’s the monthly Community Leaders Meeting at the rectory of Sacred Heart Church.

Who attends?  The movers and shakers of the Roslindale and greater Boston communities:  pastors and politicians and police chiefs.  Heads of non-profits who are doing such incredible work behind the scenes.

Fr. Kelley at a meeting
Fr. Kelley kicks off last week's Community Leaders Meeting in Roslindale

Who presides?  Monsignor Frank Kelley, a huge mover and shaker himself,  instrumental in the establishment of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and a man who kept his church and  school up and running — and healthy — through the worst public relations nightmare in the history of the Boston Archdiocese.

How do you get to go?  Just show up on the second Thursday of the month at 9AM at 169 Cummins Highway.  Meetings happen from Sept. – June and take the summer off.  Ring the beautiful brass bell and you’ll be buzzed in.

JP & Rozzie break bread together at Doyle’s!

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Ray Obin of Obin Electric and Jake Hart of JP Flea enjoy a bite.

Andy Schell of Schell Printing, esteemed Treasurer

The Washington St. Business Association graciously hosted the Roslindale Board of  Trade at its monthly meeting at Doyle’s Pub last night — lots of catching up and really delicious food.

Judie Leon of Travel by Judie

Dessert included one of my favorites: Boston Creme Pie.  As a kid I couldn’t get over the fact that they named a pie after Boston — I think maybe I still can’t!  (I also believed my dad, Charlie, when he told me the Charles river was named after him.)

We heard from our men in blue, detailing the crime scene in their corner of 02130.  And  Tim Power of New York Life gave us tips on growing old with money in our pockets.

And of course, Doyle’s happy owner, Gerry Burke, was on the scene.  What a fabulous neighborhood destination he runs!

Smiling and gracious Gerry Burke of Doyle's Pub

Things I find in every home

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Channel 5 films 31 Eastbourne St. in Rozzie

Even the most clutter-free house has a couple of basic items that you, the occupant, never even think about. Remember the scene from “Repo Man” where the auto junkyard guy pulls a Little Tree off the rearview mirror of a car and says to Otto (the OTHER Estevez): “Every car has one.” ? Well, when it comes to houses, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a basement and didn’t find an old dish drainer – saved in a spirit of generosity for the offspring or friend who simply cannot afford the $6.99 to purchase a new one. Another omnipresent basement item: the hanging mesh bag of magical moisture-absorbing rocks from the 1980s. If they ever did absorb any moisture, it was before I had a single gray hair on my head, so get rid of ’em.

Upstairs I find, under every kitchen sink, a tattered plastic bag of sponges of varying sizes and colors, most of which have also been around since the ’80s, saved for that painting project you never got around to, or just because how can I throw out something I haven’t used? In the bathroom, the exhaust fan that needs cleaning. Notice how that fan seems to get noisier over the years? It’s because of dust and grime accumulating on the blades and in the mechanism. Take it apart, unplug the fan, rinse the dead bugs out of the plastic lens, and vacuum the thing. You’ll be amazed at how quiet your shower-time becomes!

Plenty going on at a less minute level — psyched to watch “Chronicle” on WCVB-TV Thursday night as I’m going to be in the featured Roslindale segment, showing off a couple of great properties. And speaking of Rozzie, Boston Magazine tipped their hat to our fine community in its current issue. I was mined for info and data and not quoted, but I’m getting over it. Here’s the blurb:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/articles/best_places_to_live/page2

That’s Show Biz!

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Got a call on Thursday from a popular network television show that’s going to be doing a piece on Roslindale as a great destination for first-time home buyers – something we’ve known for ages!

I’m scrambling to get two properties ready to film – we weren’t planning to put them on the market for a few weeks so I’m meeting with stagers and contractors so we can do the tour on Monday – yes, tomorrow.  It’s worth running around like crazy to show off a couple of great listings AND talk about one of my favorite subjects: Roslindale!

I’ll let you know when the show’s going to be on the air.

I once heard a broker describe this time of year as having listings “stacked in the hangar.”  At this writing, inventory is still quite low and people are waiting to pounce.  A few weeks from now you’ll be seeing for sale signs everywhere.

Don’t confuse eagerness with foolishness:  buyers are being super-selective and, unless they’re foreclosure/short-sale shoppers, want a home in move-in condition.  That includes heating and electrical systems, not just the paint on the walls.

And…keep an eye out for the upcoming Neighborhoods Issue of Boston Magazine – Roslindale will be featured!