The Billionaire Takes A Bride – Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg Marries Sweetheart

BREAKING–Together for nine years, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan wed Saturday in a small ceremony with a small number of guests who thought they were attending a celebratory party for Chan’s graduation from medical school.

The groom ditched his trademark hoodie for a suit and tie.

Photo provided by Facebook, Allyson Magda Photography – Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan at their wedding ceremony in Palo Alto, Calif., Saturday, May 19, 2012

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg marries sweetheart – Yahoo! News.

Related articles

• Day After IPO, Mark Zuckerberg Marries Longtime Girlfriend (techcrunch.com)
• Mark Zuckerberg Ties the Knot (bits.blogs.nytimes.com)

American Mogul – Seacrest Buys DeGeneres’ Home at $12 Million Discount

Ryan Seacrest at the Seattle auditions of American Idol, September 2006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Looks like Ryan Seacrest is well on his way to becoming “American Mogul!.”

Seacrest has reportedly built his net worth to about $125 million and has recently added network duties at “The Today Show” to his growing roster of media commitments.

And now he has added a 9 bedroom, 9200 sq ft palatial estate to his balance sheet, signaling to the Hollywood glitterati his intention to be firmly ensconced on top of the nation’s entertainment empire.

Seacrest Buys DeGeneres’ Home at $12 Million Discount VIDEO | AOL Real Estate.

Related articles

• Ryan Seacrest Buys Ellen DeGeneres’s Beverly Hills Estate (blogs.wsj.com)

Game Changers: NYT Mike Lupica Bases New Book on Doug Flutie

Game Changers by Mike Lupica -  For Kids, Parents, Coaches, and Sports Fans – New York Times’ best selling author Mike Lupica has written a book to inspire young athletes, “Game Changers,” which is sure to be a big hit!

Lupica’s main protoganist was inspired by Boston College alum Doug Flutie who as Lupica points out, was never expected to be a major football star or to have a 20 year career in the NFL, based on his size.

Size and speed are the hallmarks of football greats and the obsession of school coaches across the country.

Inspired by Boston great Doug Flutie

Many an aspiring athlete has had their dreams disintegrate when their physical size didn’t match up to to traditional standards.  Yet for those who had the opportunity to persevere, many went on to achieve greatness.

And no one exemplifies that better than former Natick High School star Doug Flutie who went on to play for Boston College and chronicled a noteworthy career in the NFL.

Flutie was an extraordinary player.  His career highlights are legendary.

Parents looking for role models for their kids who participate in sports, need look no further than the man who during his college years made headlines for his famous ‘Hail Mary Pass,’  but continues to be not just a media sensation following his outstanding pro football years, but a sensational community member in Natick and greater Boston, championing local causes as well as his beloved Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation highlighting autism awareness.

Football greats may be taller and beefier, but none of them are greater, especially for those who have seen Flutie’s agility on the field as well as his dedication to his family, hometown, and the causes he believes in.

The man has values and he lives by them.

Lupica has created a good read, aimed at the middle school sports set, which is the first book in a planned series.

Game Changers by Mike Lupica: Ben McBain is every football team’s dream player. He’s a jack-of-all-trades guy that can handle almost any position. When the game is on the line, Ben’s number is the one being called for the final play. But Ben wants to be the starting quarterback and the one thing standing in his way is the coach’s son.

Shawn O’Brien looks the part. He has been groomed by his father, a former professional quarterback. But despite his size and arm strength, Shawn is struggling.

Ben is torn between being a good teammate and going after his own dream. As Ben finds out, Shawn isn’t the easiest person to help. And when Ben gets an unexpected opportunity, the entire game will change for the both of them.

- GoodReads.com

Best-selling author Mike Lupica kicks off a winning new series about sports and friendship that will captivate readers.

Some athletes are born with natural talent, but dedication, practice, and teamwork can also turn an athlete into a champion. Author Mike Lupica  chats with the TODAY team about his new book for middle schoolers, “Game Changers,” featuring an ambitious young football player inspired by real-life quarterback Doug Flutie.

- Today Show

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Related articles

• Doug Flutie: ‘Defensive Players Would Rather Make A Big Hit Than Make A Play’ (wzlx.radio.com)
• Alexa Flutie Makes Chargers Cheer Squad (lostlettermen.com)
• Doug Flutie Remembers A Great Friend & Teammate In Junior Seau On The K & M Show! (wzlx.radio.com)

Top Spots To Live in Boston 2012 – By Street

Residence, Wellesley, Massachusetts (Photo credit: Cornell University Library)

Think you know the most charming street in your town?

Do you live on the “Wisteria Lane” of the western suburbs?

Or do you think the appeal of Wellesley’s Cliff Road or Weston’s Boston Post Road ranks right up there with Otis Street in Newton?

Or is it time to foresake the old favorites and find the newest and best new construction on the valuable streets and roadways of our own special communities?

A street where everybody knows your name perhaps?

Or a stately boulevard such as Fair Oaks Park in Needham?

Well the Boston Globe has just released their take on this age-old dilemma, and you may be surprised by their findings…

Top spots to live 2012 – The Boston Globe.

Related articles

• Top spots to live 2012 (boston.com)
• If You Can Tear It Down, Buyers Will Rebuild It (bostonkayakguy.wordpress.com)

If You Can Tear It Down, Buyers Will Rebuild It

As a successful realtor in greater Boston’s western suburbs, I hear it all the time from people relocating from other locales across the country: “The closets are small, the bedrooms are tiny, the kitchen needs updating, and the prices are high.”

Yup.  Boston is one of the most sought after cities in the country.  And we all know why.  We love living here.  It’s why we put up with the traffic, taxes, and crazy weather.

But for people from younger cities and towns, the older construction and lack of modern amenities at what they perceive to be as ‘high prices’ confounds them.  And so, with many of these folks flush with cash from relocation packages or their own house sale, they decide to pick a modest home in a good location with the intention of tearing it down and building something larger and more modern.

And while it used to be that slab ranches and 2 bedroom construction was the primary focus for a rebuild,  in recent years I’ve seen that even sprawling homes built in the 1980′s are the target for teardowns!

People want ‘new,’ and in Boston to find ‘new’ is nearly impossible since the land is but all built out.

So popular towns, like Wellesley, Needham, Newton and other communities typically with good school systems and within easy commuting distance to Boston, are the targets of choice for buyers looking to find the perfect location to build their dream house.

And while many towns have tried to deal with the popularization of “McMansions” being built in some areas, which can squeeze out those on fixed incomes who’ve lived in these communities their entire lives;

List of numbered routes in Massachusetts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

for the most part, the influx of dollars and families is welcome.

Route 128 towns are by far, the most popular for people looking for the right location who realize they might not find the right house.

A recent article by Scott Van Voorhis in the Boston Globe, gives us a look at the current state of what is essentially  “If  You Can Tear It Down, They Will Rebuild It…”

Teardowns on the rise in some communities inside Route 128 – The Boston Globe

…Wellesley also saw demolition permits dip during the recession, down to 38 in 2009. But there has been a steady rebound since then to 46 in 2010, 48 in 2011, and 15 in 2012 as of the middle of last month, according to Meghan Jop, Wellesley’s planning director.

“We have never really seen a falloff in demolitions,” Jop said. “Wellesley is a pretty built out community in terms of new home construction. It is teardown/rebuild that we primarily see.”

- The Boston Globe

Related articles

• South Natick Real Estate Update (bostonkayakguy.wordpress.com)
• Rosé Wine, Ming Tsai, and Wasik’s Cheese…What More Could You Ask For? (bostonkayakguy.wordpress.com)
• US Home-Buying Season Finally Signaling Recovery (bostonkayakguy.wordpress.com)
• The best streets to live in Greater Boston (boston.com)
• Goodbye, Million-Dollar Starter Home. Hello, Half-Million-Dollar Teardown (reason.com)
• Wellesley’s new high school cost $115M (myfoxboston.com)
• Move to Boston if You Want to Solve Real Problems, Says Bain Capital VC (bostinno.com)

Rosé Wine, Ming Tsai, and Wasik’s Cheese…What More Could You Ask For?

Image of Chateau d’Esclans via Snooth

Six delicious courses of scrumptious food by Blue Ginger Restaurant, paired with the ROSÉS of Chateau D’Esclans, and completed by the cheese offerings of Wasik’s Cheese Shop of Wellesley – a dream come true or an exquisite dinner planned for May the 21st?  Both, as it turns out since the rosé dinner is the next Blue Ginger event!

What better way to kick off the sultry siren of summer than with a dinner of vibrant ROSÉS from Chateau D’Esclans and tasty morsels from the kitchen of the Food Network’s Ming Tsai?

Mark your calendar for this widely anticipated event and reserve your place now!

125.00 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity

Contact Blue Ginger Events to purchase tickets or call 781-283-5790 x18

ROSÉ WINE DINNER

Monday, May 21 at 6:30pm

Menu Degustation

Asian Gazpacho Consommé with Island Creek Oysters
Chateau D’Esclans “Whispering Angel” 2011

~~~

Crab Coated Halibut
Toasted Almond-Mint Risotto
Chateau D’Esclans 2009

~~~

Sauteed Shrimp with Fresh Bamboo Shoot-Spring Pea Ragout
Japanese Yam Puree
Chateau D’Esclans “Les Clans” 2009

~~~

Slow Roasted Chicken with Butter Poached Yukon Golds
Sambal-Pineapple Syrup
Chateau D’Esclans “Garrus” 2009

~~~

Wasik’s Cheese Course
Chateau D’Esclans “Whispering Angel” 2011

~~~

Blue Ginger Dessert

Chateau D’Esclans Wine Dinner — Ming Tsai http://bit.ly/IGGVuj

Related articles

• Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rose 2010 (westlakewineclub.wordpress.com)

 

- Rose Wines is last section of video featuring Today Show at Cannes Festival 2012

US Home-Buying Season Finally Signaling Recovery

Panorama of Boston (USA).. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

US home-buying season is finally signaling a recovery.   In many parts of the country, including thriving areas of Boston, Dallas and Seattle, confidence is rising along with prices…

US home-buying season finally signaling a recovery.

Related articles

• In Lucky Housing Markets, Bidding Wars Are Back (businessweek.com)
• South Natick Real Estate Update « BostonKayakGuy John Prescott…Wellesley Natick Needham & Metrowest Real Estate
• Where to Find Unique Eats in Boston (apartmentguide.com)

South Natick Real Estate Update

Pleasant Street bridge, South Natick Massachusetts, September 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What’s available in South Natick real estate?

Inventory is still very tight.  I am continuing to see multiple offers.

There are 8 sales pending and 2 newly listed homes as of this morning.

But there are homes for sale at every price point, which is good news for buyers!  http://bit.ly/Hr3FRe

23 Hopewell Farm Rd 23 Natick, MA 01760

$529,000

3 beds   |   2 baths   |   1 half baths   |   1,800 sq ft

Just Listed - South Natick!

23 Hopewell Farm Rd 23 Natick, MA 01760 – Real Estate | CENTURY 21 

43 College Road Natick, MA 01760

$949,900

4 beds   |   2 baths   |   1 half baths   |   3,088 sq ft

New Construction - Morse's Pond - Natick

43 College Road Natick, MA 01760 – Real Estate | CENTURY 21

Call me at 508 – 523 – 9252, and I’d be delighted to arrange showings for you!

Related articles

• Natick Real Estate.. Springing to Life? (bostonkayakguy.wordpress.com)
• Open House Spactacular Sunday 3/4, 1:30-3:30 SOUTH NATICK (bostonkayakguy.wordpress.com)
• Winning Season for Natick Real Estate 2011 (bostonkayakguy.wordpress.com)