The best part of going to Phil’s is the great conversation and sports talk. The icing on the cake is the great haircut!

At RE/MAX Prestige, we live in the communities we do business in and when we find a really cool restaurant, museum, or hang out, you can be sure, we will blog about it. This week, we wanted to share with you a really cool place to hang out in Northboro, Lalajava a funky little coffee bar right on Route 20. They sell unique coffees and teas, baked goods, and even a selection of sandwiches, like their ooey gooey grilled cheese. To top it off Lalajava also has a great collection of cool t-shirts for those that like to chill. If you are looking for a “hot place to chill” check out Lalajava…it’s not your average coffee shop! We give it five stars! www.LavaJava.com.

Many consumers ask us why is that RE/MAX Prestige continues to grow and flourish in a challenging market? Why is it that our properties are still selling while others languish on the market. The reason is simple…our agents. Our agents go above and beyond day in and day out to properly market properties to sold. Watch this quick video of a gorgeous home in Lowell. Veteran agent, Wendy Crandall, holds a catered broker open house, complete with an on-site mortgage originator, to attract all the best agents in the area. Wendy planned the event so it followed the monthly RE/MAX Prestige sales rally. By doing so, she captured maximum exposure with approximately thirty local agents that came by for a tour. By the way…this home on Belmont Street is a keeper! Private back yard! Pool and green house! Gorgeous finishes and plenty of room for a large family.

RE/MAX Prestige is extremely excited to now offer In-House video tours. Buyers today are finding their homes online. That is nothing new. What is new however is that today, the best way to find those home buyers is by providing a well crafted video tour, complete with music, voice over narration, aerial views, and syndication to websites where buyers are looking. So that we can offer the highest possible quality in our video tours we have also hired in-house videographers to go out and professionally video each property upon order.

Interested in seeing some samples of our new video-tours? CLICK HERE to see a sample!

Again, the best part of the video-tour program is the syndication to several new sites: CLICK HERE for Flyer

As an owner of 13 real estate offices all throughout MA & NH, I make it my job to find great restaurants, events, and things to do throughout New England. When I find them, I blog about them, because often times, many of our buyers and sellers come to our website to seek out little treasures of information to enhance the lives of their families living in our towns. When I find something that’s truly awesome…you can bet your bottom dollar, our Facebook fans and website followers will here about it. One such awesome place…Not Your Average Joes with fifteen restaurants across Massachusetts.

I’m no expert at cuisine but this is what I can share. I’m a vegetarian, and have been for eighteen years, and I love all of the salads and vegetarian entrees I’ve ever ordered from NYAJ. My significant other is an avid meat eater and he too has loved every entree he’s ever ordered. When you are seated at the restaurant they give you warm bread with olive oil…so good. They are quick in taking your order and rarely if ever have I waited more than 20 minutes for the order to be prepared and served. Once they do serve you, you’ll get a visit by the maitre d’ to make sure everything is to your liking. As well, the waiter or waitress will stop by every 10 minutes or so to see if there’s anything else you need.

If you enjoy a cocktail or too, you’ll love the extensive menu of drink selections available at NYAJs. From fruity tropical mixes to a wide array of beers, there’s something for everyone.

This past year, we made Not Your Average Joes in Westborough the gathering spot for our monthly birthday club where we take our agents and staff members who have a birthday that month. Everyone we bring loves it. Even though you are welcome to wear jeans and a t-shirt, you feel like you’re in a high class art gallery. If I could pick their best quality (and this is hard because there’s so many to pick from) I guess it would be consistency. I’ve been to their restaurants in Westborough (monthly), Methuen, and Acton. No matter which one I go to…the service is as exceptional as the food, the ambiance is to die for, and the experience is truly awesome.

This summer, if you’re looking for a great place to chill with the fam…try Not Your Average Joes. To find one near you go to www.NotYourAverageJoes.com

Hopkinton:
The Hopkinton Recreation Department and Committee are looking forward to seeing you this Sunday for the July 4th Parades, Family Fun Day, 5K Fun-Run and Tooky Cookie Bake-Off.

Shrewsbury, MA
July 4, 2011
The town of Shrewsbury’s Fourth of July Celebration will include food, live music and DJs, inflatable amusements, clowns, and facepainting. A decorated bike and doll carriage parade at begins at 12:30 p.m. Location: Main Street. Time: noon-4 p.m. Cost: free. Information: 508-841-8503 or visit www.shrewsbury-ma.gov.

Sturbridge
July 3, 2011 to July 4, 2011
This Fourth of July, step back to a time when America was new, and veterans of the fight for freedom still lived. Hear a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, and leave your “John Hancock” on a giant reproduction of the document. Join a citizens’ procession. Take part in a game of early 19th-century base ball. Fireworks have been canceled this year because of flooding.Location: Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road. Time: 6 – 10 p.m on Sunday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday. Cost: adults, $12; free for children under 3. Information: 800-733-1830 or visit www.osv.org.

Sudbury
Sudbury’s Fourth of July Parade
July 4, 2011
All are welcome to come and watch one of the area’s best parades! (With a zip code like 1776, Sudbury’s patriotic spirit is one to be reckoned with…) The parade forms on Union Avenue between Station Road and Codjer Lane. Step off time is 1 p.m.

Westborough
July 1, 2011
The Re/Max Hot Air Balloon will be at the Bay State Commons in Westborough
Free hot air balloon rides start at 5:30
Block party at rotary on Main Street starting at 5:30 tonight

Andover:
The memory of former Selectman Jerry Silverman will be revived with a fireworks display launched at Andover High School on Shawsheen Road on Sunday, July 3rd at dusk.

On Monday in the Park, members of the Andover Fire Department will be flipping pancakes for breakfast beginning at 8 a.m.

Arlington:
Arlington Fourth of July Celebration 7/4/2011 Monday 6:00p
Robbins Farm Park, Arlington MA

Ayer:
4th of July – Main Street Parade Jul 4, 2011 at 2:00pm Ayer, MA St Marys Catholic Church

Chelmsford:
2011 Independence Day Parade, Events & Celebrations
Concert on the Common
Military Community Covenant presents
Rick Larrimore and AttiK
Saturday, July 2nd, 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Town Common
Country Fair
Chelmsford Lions Club
Sunday, July 3rd, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Monday, July 4th, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Town Common
Art Show
Chelmsford Art Society
Sunday, July 3rd, 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Monday, July 4th, 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
All Saints Episcopal Church
Kiddie Train Ride
Chelmsford Rotary Club
Sunday, July 3rd, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Near Fire Station on North Road
Dance Show
Dance Unlimited
Sunday, July 3rd, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Town Common
Chain Saw Sculture
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Sunday, July 3rd, 5:00 PM
In front of Old Town Hall
Jenny Smyth Yoga
Elite Dance Company
Sunday, July 3rd, 6:00 – 6:30 PM
Town Common
Twirling Exhibition
Chelmsford Suburbanettes
Sunday, July 3rd, 6:30 PM
Town Common
Band Concert
Chelmsford Community Band
Sunday, July 3rd, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Jazz Concert
Brightnight
Sunday, July 3rd, 9:00 – 10:00 PM
Coffee Shop
First Parish Unitarian Church
Monday, July 4th, 7:00 – 10:00 AM
First Parish Church
Flag Raising
Fire & Police Honor Guards
Monday, July 4th, 8:30 AM
Town Common
Annual John Carson Road Race
Sullivan Farms Ice Cream
Monday, July 4th, 9:30 AM
44th Annual Fourth of July Parade
Chelmsford Business Association
Monday, July 4th, 10:00 AM
McCarthy School to Summer Street

Concord:
Concord Fourth of July: Picnic in the Park
Picnic In the Park, Concord’s annual 4th of July celebration, will take place on … 7/4/2011 Monday 11:30a to 4:30p Emerson Field, Concord MA

Dracut:
The fireworks will be Saturday July 2nd in the Daoulas School Complex on Lakeview Avenue. Music by “Brandy” from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. with Fireworks to Follow.

Haverhill
The city will hold its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display July 3 at Riverside Park, behind the Haverhill Stadium and along Nettleton Avenue. No one will be allowed inside the stadium out of concerns for the new artificial turf. Rain date is July 5. Admission is free this year. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Fireworks display is at 9:15 p.m.
Performance lineup: 5:30 to 7:30: A Good Times DJ; 7:30 to 9:15 p.m.: The Elle Gallo Band
Local vendors: Ice cream by the scoop and ice cream bars, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage sandwiches, fried dough, pizza, Italian ice and slush, and possibly a display of race cars and a petting zoo. No novelty vendors.
No alcohol, pets or bicycles will be allowed.

Lawrence:
Residents can step back into the 19th century as the city celebrates America’s birthday Monday with music, children’s games, pony rides and of course, a firework display.
Lawrence Heritage State Park is sponsoring its annual Old Fashioned event Monday starting at 11 a.m.
The Riverboat Stompers performs Dixieland jazz music, followed by children’ activities.
The event also include remarks by State Rep. Marcos Devers, D-Lawrence, flag-raising ceremony and reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Gates at Veterans Memorial Stadium for the City of Lawrence’s Fourth of July celebration opens at 5 p.m.
The B Street Bombers, a 10-piece band with a four piece horn section are the featured performers along with “La Academia” an interactive mobile sports extravaganza by Comcast.
There will also be fire jugglers, stilt walkers, clowns, domino tables and a smorgasbord of food from hot dogs, shish kabob and cotton candy.

Lexington:
Lexington Fourth of July Celebration Carnival 6/30, 7/1, 7/2, 7/3, 7/4 Fireworks, July 2nd, after sunset. 6/30/2011 Thursday 6:00p to 11:00p (repeats 4 times)
Hayden Lower Field, JW Hayden Recreation Center, Lexington MA

Lincoln:
Lincoln Fourth of July Celebrations 10 a.m. children’s bike parade 10:40 a.m. July 4th Parade 7 p.m. Concert and Barbeque … 7/4/2011 Monday 10:00a Pod B, Lincoln School, Lincoln MA

Littleton:
Littleton 4th of July town Picnic- Fay Park, July 4th, 11:30 am

Lowell:
Lowell Fourth of July Celebration
Pre-fireworks entertainment begin7/4/2011 Monday 5:30p Sampas Pavilion, Lowell MA
and will feature local bands

Methuen:
Methuen Fourth of July Celebration “Beatlejuice” kicks off the evening performing from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fireworks Saturday 7:30p Nicholson Stadium, Methuen MA

North Andover:
The town kicks off a three-day Happy Birthday America celebration Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Old Common Center with food vendors, a VFW beer and wine tent, carnival games, pony rides and a live band.
On Saturday there will be a free shuttle from the Middle and Franklin Schools to the Common where there will be events from noon to 10 p.m. ending with a showing of the movie “UP” from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Sunday, the festivities will include a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and will culminate with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m.

Pepperell:
Pepperell 4th of July Celebration Jul 2, 2011 at 12:30pm Pepperell, MA VFW Post 3291

Tewksbury:
Elvis has entered the building—well, sort of.
On Friday July 1, Elvis impersonator Dana Z will enter the Tewksbury Country Club for a tribute concert. The event is being dubbed “Elvis Salutes America” because of the concert’s proximity to the 4th of July weekend.

Monday, July 4, 2011 ~ Livingston Street Recreation Area
8:30 – 10:00 AM:
Continental Breakfast provided by the Friends of the Tewksbury Patriotic Activities Committee. Breakfast will be held at the Livingston Park behind the Youth Center.
10:00 – 12:00 PM
Track and Field Games (all ages)
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Free hot dogs (while they last) and ice cream. Served by the Tewksbury/Wilmington Lodge of Elks. Soda provided by the Knights of Columbus.
12:30 – 12:45 PM
Decorated Doll Carriage Contest (ages 3-6)
12:45 – 1:00 PM
Bicycle Decoration Contest (ages 4-8)
1:00 – 1:15 PM
Little Mr. & Miss Tewksbury Contest (ages 2-4) ~ Tewksbury residents only.
1:00 – 1:30 PM
Basketball Free Throw Contest
1:30 – 2:15 PM
Pie & Watermelon Eating Contests
7:00 – 9:30 PMl
Live entertainment featuring “The Beachbreakers”
9:30 PM
Fireworks!!!

Wakefield:
Wakefield Fourth of July Festival
Our fabulous Fourth of July Parade features marching bands, floats, music, clowns . 7/4/2011 Monday 5:00p Wakefield Common, Wakefield MA

Waltham:
Waltham Fourth of July Celebration
Children’s rides, pony rides, animal shows, music, and more 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at Prospect Hill Park

Amherst
The Amherst July 4th celebration is scheduled to begin the evening of , July 3rd, with the parade to follow on the 4th, as always. The theme for the 2011 parade is “Traditions in Amherst”.
Fireworks Display & Events
Sunday, Jul 3, 2011
Souhegan High School at Dusk
Fireworks Display and Other Events
Parade
Monday July 4
Parade through Amherst Village
10am-12pm
Events will include fireworks, music, hot air balloon rides, a magician and food at Souhegan High School on the 3rd and the parade Monday morning in the village with bands, floats, mini entries, antique cars, N.H. Regiments, marchers, clowns and more. The children’s bicycle parade will begin at Knight’s Field on Main Street and precede the town parade. The political part of the parade is expected to feature local and state candidates. Events on the village green will include a reviewing stand ceremony, children’s games, booths of local organizations, food, an Art Show, craft demonstrations and a dog show.
Anyone interested in being in the parade, having a spot on the village green (non-profit organizations), or helping with the activities should contact Nancy Head, 673-1389 or njhead@myfairpoint.net. Volunteer opportunities abound

Brookline
Brookline 4th of July
July 4th
Brookline Community Church Bake Sale
The Brookline Community Church will be having a bake sale in front of the church on Monday, July 4 during the parade. Delicious homemade treats, drinks and tickes for a Red, White and Blue themed raffle basket. The sale starts at 9:30am.
PARADE!!!
The Grove is opened for the 4th of July!!
On July 4th, the Max Cohen Grove will be opened to the public after 7 PM for viewing the fireworks over Lake Potanipo.
Donations will be taken at the grove. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Derry
Fireworks
July 4
The Parks & Recreation Department coordinates and sponsors the annual 4th of July fireworks display scheduled for Monday, July 4th. There is a scheduled rain date of Tuesday, July 5th. This display will commence at dusk (approximately 9:00pm) with the best viewing areas along Tsienneto Road, Hood Commons, Folsom Road, and Crystal Avenue.

Nashua
July 4
9:00am
Revolution Run – a road race to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
10:00am
Children’s Field Day.
Carnival games, magicians, caricaturist, face painting, bounce houses and relay races. (Ends at 1:00pm)
8:30pm
Spartans Drum & Bugle Corp.
9:00pm Fireworks
4:00pm Jam Lab Concert at Greeley Park
Bandshell
Rain Date for Fireworks only: Tuesday, July 5

Pelham
Independence Day Celebration
July 3
Independence Day Celebration starts at 4pm. Food, fun and festivities culminating in a beautiful fireworks display at 9:30pm.

Salem
4th of July in Salem
July 4
Join Salem at the High School field for a 4th of July Celebration!
Concessions from 5-10 p.m. and live entertainment from 6 p.m. until fireworks begin at about 9:30.
Rain Date: July 5.

Canobie Lake
Updated Jun 7
FIREWORKS!
July 2-4
3 nights, 9:30pm, weather permitting
Windham
Updated 2 days ago
Windham Annual Town Day & Fireworks
July 2
Town Day is at Griffin from 12-3 pm. Then later on at the high school, The Mill City Revival Band will play at 7 pm; followed by fireworks! Please note that the fireworks will be released from the Windham High School! (Plenty of parking and lots of great viewing areas!)

Amherst Rockets red glare will burst over the Amherst skies on Monday during the town’s annual Fourth of July Celebration behind Alumni Stadium on the University of Massachusetts campus. Special UMass transit to the stadium will be provided. Events begin at 5 p.m. and include corn husking and pie eating contests, as well as games, bounce house, face painting and more, including an appearance by Hoopoe the Clown. Music will be provided at 8:15 p.m. by the Amherst Community Band followed at 9:30 p.m. by fireworks. Rain date is Tuesday.

Chesterfield The town of Chesterfield will hold its 64th annual July 4th Parade on Monday beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Bryant and South streets. The colorful procession will feature bands, floats, animals, clowns, antique and collectible cars, and fire and emergency equipment. Independence Day activities begin at 7 a.m. with a Pancake Breakfast at the Firehouse followed by a Heritage Pops Concert, chicken barbeque, fireman’s muster, classic car show, family softball and more.

East Longmeadow Things will be poppin’ in East Longmeadow where the Fourth of July is celebrated in grand style with a carnival, fireworks and rip roarin’ parade. The Jaycees Summer Carnival and Fireworks will be held Thursday through Sunday with fireworks on Sunday at 10 p.m. at East Longmeadow High School. The town also holds one of the largest Fourth of July parades in Western Massachusetts which this year steps off at 10 a.m. on Monday from Birchland Park Middle School. The award-winning Polish String Band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will once again be part of the parade. Other marchers will include the Springfield Italian Band, 9th Mass. Battery Light Artillery, Yankee Doodle Band, Marquis of Granby Fife and Drum Corps, Celtic Thunder Youth Pipe Band, Hartford Steel Symphony, East Longmeadow High School Band, plenty of Melha Shrine Temple Units from Springfield, Centurions Drum and Bugle Corps and much more.

Enfield Enfield delays its Fourth of July fireworks until July 10, as part of a three-day celebration that kicks off on July 8. It all begins at 5 p.m. on the Town Green with the Taste of Enfield and the 2011 “Enfield Idol” competition at 8:30 p.m., as well as several other activities, including a performance at 9:30 p.m. by the nationally-recognized Beatles’ tribute band, The Fab Four. Daylong events continue on Saturday with an Independence Day Parade, children’s soap box derby, road races and much more, including performances in the evening by Marshall Tucker Band and Dickey Betts and Great Southern. Saturday and Sunday also features an art show and craft fair and plenty of other activities capped off at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday by a performance featuring the Hartford Symphony Orchestra followed at 9:45 by fireworks.

Greenfield Greenfield will serve up all the razzle dazzle of the holiday with their annual Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks. Activities begin on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Beacon Field and the Middle School Field followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. There will be music, food and children’s activities. Rain date is Sunday. Holyoke Independence Day will be celebrated on Friday at Holyoke Community College on Homestead Avenue where events begin at 6 p.m. with live music, food, and family activities followed at dusk by fireworks. Rain date is Saturday.

South Hadley The annual South Hadley fireworks will be held on Saturday at the Michael E. Smith Middle School with festivities beginning at 6 p.m. with the sky raining down colorful pyrotechnics at 9:15 p.m. Rain date is July 8.

SpringfieldThe evening of patriotic and pyrotechnics bliss, sponsored by MassMutual Financial Group for the sixth year, will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at Riverfront Park’s Festival Field with a performance by Dan Kane’s Rising Stars, including a chorus of some 150 youngsters decked out in red, white and blue and performing a concert of standards and patriot favorites. At 9:30 p.m., Fireworks by Grucci return to make this year’s Fourth of July – Springfield 375th Anniversary celebration one to remember with fireworks bursting in air to choreographed music broadcast on WHYN-FM, 93.1, including Springfield’s own celebratory song.

Sturbridge Fourth of July revelers can enjoy the holiday in patriotic style at Old Sturbridge Village Visitors on Monday can enjoy a full day of patriotic fun including a rousing reading of the Declaration of Independence, learn dances, play games, and take part in a citizen’s procession throughout the Village led by their martial band. (Fireworks planned for Sunday were canceled because of tornado debris and recent flooding of the launch area).

West Springfield The Fourth of July will be celebrated on the Town Common in West Springfield on Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. where you can enjoy a full chicken dinner served by West Springfield Unico. There will also be performances by Russian Dancers at 11:30 a.m. and Westfield Legion Concert Band at 1 p.m. Tickets for the dinner should be purchased in advance. For more information, call (413) 896-0506.

Westfield The appropriately-titled “Fireworks for Freedom,” sponsored by Westfield Rotary Club, will be held at Stanley Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. When the sky darkens the heavens will light up with fireworks after 9 p.m. and there will be music by Cory and the Knightsmen. Rain date is Sunday.