Stephen Shaw, Chapter President speaking with a new member

The new Essex, CT chapter of BNI that just formed is off to a great start with 25 new business members and that's just the beginning. Would you like to expand your business this way? Imagine having the help of 25 (and constantly growing) members each week giving you more of how you already grow your business? If so, consider this your invitation to attend as my guest this Tuesday morning at 7:30am at the Essex Town Hall auditorium. You'll be finished by 9am so you can get on with your day but with one difference. You'll be charged with the energy of the 25 people who absolutely love what they do who'll come to know you and your business so they can begin sending new customers to you. 

Here are some examples of what types of business we're looking for that aren't currently represented: 

• Business Lawyer

• Photographer

• Home Appraiser

• Payroll Service

• Personal Trainer

• Restauranteur

• Civil Lawyer

• Florist

• Bookkeeper

• Business coach

• Credit Card Merchant

• Plumber

• Office supplies

• and many more. 

If accepted into the chapter you will be the ONLY business person in that genre. What do you have to lose? Come visit, come join this Tuesday. We meet every week and we're building new business now. Don't miss out!

I, as the chapter's REALTOR®, am there to find new buyers for my existing selling customers, more selling customers. It also helps me source great services for both customer types with the comfort of knowing they'll get a great job done at a great price. My first experiences have been stellar. Yours will too.

I also serve in a leadership role as the chapter's Educational Coordinator. It is my job to help members communicate about their business message with greater clarity, understand the BNI process, and much more. My goal is to help everyone get the most for the time spent at meetings and their membership. 

I hope to see you at the next meeting. 

It was a typical busy weekend for me with client appointments, home showings, and a boatload of photography and marketing work waiting for me at my home office. On my way home  on Saturday I was famished and was thinking about what I could do quickly at home. At that moment I looked out my window and say the "Open" in the window of the new SnowDoggie establishment where the Tylerville Package Store once was just next to the Cooking Company. 

I quickly turned in to go grab a quick lunch. I entered into a brand new interior build out which still has a work in progress feel as Ron Snow, the proud and enthusiastic owner, explained his plans to make Snow Doggies stand out. Ron, also known as "Ron and on and on" because of his propensity for conversation on just about any topic. 

Proprietor Ron "and on and on" Snow

I ordered a hot dog and an extra thick chocolate milk shake. About half-way through eating the hot dog, I ordered another. They're great. He uses Muckes brand hot dogs and grills both dogs and buns, a nice departure from the boiled and steamed variety. At least I prefer a dog this way. The shake was also perfect. 

A portion of the mural that kids will love.

Ron tells me that steamed cheeseburgers will be available by the time you read this blog and is working towards adding other items to keep people coming back. In his showcase is a plethora of "penny" candies (I date myself here) so bring the kids if they've not had this experience. 

Good luck Ron. I hope you take my advice and add frozen custard to your mix of goodies. I might end up living there if you do!

We debated on whether to wait until our branded app would finally available on the App Store but hey, you're in the market now. You'll love how this free app will allow you to stand in front of any of our listings, or any other on the MLS for that fact, and see photos and up-to-the-minute details on the home you're in front of. You can easily see what else is for sale nearby to see how well it's priced and with the touch of your finger you can be talking to us immediately or send us an email with your question or request to see the home. 

4255

Download your free app today! Click the icon below and enter 4255 when prompted. It's that simple.

Tonight was no different than many in my life and that of my bride: a long day of meetings with clients and colleagues filled with fielding issues on deals in the works by phone, emails, texts, and the like. By the end of a day like this neither my wife or I can muster the energy to cook. What's worse it's Monday when most restaurants are closed. Until now we've had little choice other than order a pizza which frankly we're plain tired of. 

Solution: Go to the new Hilltop BBQ and Steak House just one week old owned and operated by Ernie and Cindy Piatti that is now open in the former Knucklehead joint (now free of knuckleheads :).

As we entered the foyer we were pleasantly greeted by Nicole who seated us and served us this evening. The decor is upbeat and bright with rustic vertical wood siding emulating the BBQ road houses I've frequented in my travels south in the Carolina and Tennessee. There are many flat screens spaced along the perimeter walls with a variety of sports, music, and entertainment channels. There's even a small one above the urinal which I think is meant to discourage the need for those who can't help but write their name on the walls. There's a great bar that's separated from the main dining area so it's appropriate for families with young ones. 

Server extraordinaire Nicole

The menu was loaded with personal favorites: Ribs, steaks, brisket, pulled pork, burgers, French onion soup, many salads, appetizers, and great deserts. We were torn so we opted for the great sampler that gave a little of a lot we were undecided about: Memphis Style Ribs (not smoked), St. Louis Style Ribs (Smoked…both varieties were perfectly cooked), pulled pork, brisket, and sweet potato fries (best we've ever had). On the table was a variety of 3 homemade BBQ sauces: Sweet, House, and HOT (the hot and house being my favorites). The ribs fell off the bone like you'd expect at a great BBQ house and they give you a bucket so the bones don't crowd your plate. The pulled pork was both sweet and savory, perhaps a mix of shoulder and butt and it was hard to decide which sauce to use next. 

Nicole (ask for her by name) was a bright and cheery server who never let you want for anything…including desert. Nicole offered us two varieties of cheesecake, key lime pie, and pecan pie. Unfortunately they were out of key lime pie so we opted for another favorite: Pecan Pie with whipped cream. It was simply over the moon. We noted a hint of Southern Comfort, a very nice crust, and filling moist and delicious with crunchy pecans on top. It felt like we were transported to the south tonight in some kind of East Haddam time machine. 

We loved that we were offered Foxon Park soda in bottles which is brewed right here in CT and of course any mixed drink that could be slid down the glossy topped bar. 

Lizzy and I can't wait to go back. Maybe to try the steak. Perhaps a burger at lunch. 

Ernie & Cindy Piatti-Owner Operators (and apparently happily married)

Get down to the Hilltop BBQ and Steakhouse soon. Say hi to Ernie and Cindy and tell them Mick sent you. They need you, East Haddam and Moodus residents to support them. If you don't, then you'll be back to a choice of Pizza, pizza, and, oh yeah, pizza. Not that I don't like pizza, I in fact love it, but too much of anything ain't good for you. 

The Hilltop BBQ and Steakhouse does not have a website yet but will have one soon. 

(Sorry about the less than perfect photos...I didn't have my Nikon with me...just my iPhone in low light)

The Haiti Art Show held on 30 January 2010 at Page Real Estate's Essex Office was a rave success!! Thanks to all of those who came to buy this wonderful art. Jenifer Grant, daughter of the founders of Hôpital Albert Schweitzer located in Deschapelles, Haiti was present to greet everyone who came buy or just to enjoy the art and festivities. Half of the art was sold within the first hour. I'm told by colleague Linda Freedman, the agent whom organized and promulgated the event and spent more hours than anyone else to make sure it was a success, stated that we raised $7,500 at last count.

The art was amazing. I decided to buy the incredible two toned steel drum sculpture that hung above my desk all week before the doors opened. I guess the trumpeting angel called to my. I will consider it a River to Shore donation to the cause. I was torn between the many styles from the varied artists styles that adorned our walls. 

Jenifer Grant will be going to Haiti soon and will bring back more art to have another fund raiser. 100% of the proceeds went to the hospital. Jenifer's generosity is immense. Come meet her at the next event.

The hospital was spared from the horrible quake that left thousands dead and the capital in total ruins and is what has motivated many to help in person or through donations. Post Gazette staff writer Dennis Roddy tells the real story that motivated this event that begins:

DESCHAPELLES, Haiti -- The earth did not quake much, this far north. Instead, the land to the south shook loose its population and the people of Haiti's capital rolled uphill.

By the tens of thousands they fled to the mountains. They changed the face of its bone-poor countryside and tested the mettle of one small hospital.

First came the wounded. Legs crushed, arms broken, bellies punctured, they were loaded into cars and pickup trucks, the famously overloaded "tap-tap" cabs of Port-au-Prince, and driven 70 miles. Some, still bleeding, legs or arms broken, arrived on the backs of motorcycles.

To finish reading the whole article go here: http://bit.ly/aPoRK0

Gregg Garafalo, a fellow iPhone fan, is always smiling and ready to help.

I wasn't out of the lot with the gen 3 version with this leading edge hybrid when I realized this way beyond what I was driving in the gen 2 that I was more than happy with just a minute ago.

After becoming familiar with all of the new features in this larger, more spacious model, I fell more and more in love with it. It's got more power, more responsive drive train, offers a power mode to jump out on the highway with confidence, and and ECO mode that I used most of the day, and a full EV mode for those rare occasions where I might run out of gas and need a couple of free miles sans gas engine to grab some fuel (believe it or not I ran out of fuel 3 time with my gene 2 and the batteries got me to a petrol station each and every time).

When I brought it back to pick up the car it was beyond service hours and I had to go through the sales room. I walked by the cordial business manage Keith and told him how much I loved the new car and was disappointed that they didn't offer a back up camera that I've come to rely upon on a daily basis. He called over salesperson Della Hamberg and he asked her to answer my question. She quickly and eagerly brought me out to a model that had the optional touch screen navigation system to show me the new layout with the impressive sweeping console that reposition the sci-fi like transmission control that is a kind of fly-by-wire control.

Della Hamberg, Sales Associate Extraordinaire

As I was thanking her for her time and telling her how I look forward to my lease coming due she asked if I'd like her to figure out how I could get one sooner. I explained I didn't want to waste her time, that I've only owned my car for 11 months and at this point was over mileage by 11K and still had 6 weeks to go before the 1 year mark ticked off my mental counter.

Della, a consummate pro with a wonderful and laid back demeanor presented the first set of numbers to me for the fully loaded Package 5 car I told her I built on-line when them came out to see where they'd be priced out and I nearly threw up blood. I thought as much I told her but she didn't give up. She simply asked where did the numbers have to be to make the deal happen. Mind you I was just picking up my car for service and here I was now in a very low key negotiation going back and fort to see how this could be done. Within 45 minutes with a little give and take from both sides I was giving her my credit card to bring down the new white gen 3 Prius I thought I'd be waiting 2+ more years to drive of in.

The members of this dealership from the service coordinator to the sales manager were beyond nice, supremely professional, and just the opposite of the stereotypical dealership experience one expects. Suffice it to say from me that this is the finest automobile purchase experience I've ever had. They made me a deal that was more than fair and was easily justifiable to do. Once it passed muster with my better half I drove of the lot feeling like a little kid on Christmas 3pm the following day…just 21 hours later.

Della and Keith and one other member of the team triple teamed me to give me the most special send off. I drove off the lot with a loaded metallic white genii 3 Prius with gray leather heated seats (a feature not available in the genii 2) and was levitating from all the new features, solid feel, and luxurious appointments. Toyota had more than corrected and improved upon their previous efforts as though they were all my ideas. I can play my iPod without wires using the built-in multi-channel bluetooth connection and listen in style on the rich JBL sound system. That same connection seamlessly hands off to the phone when I make a call or wish to answer one. It's an elegant solution to the clumsy but functional audio in function from before. What's more there is a USB 2.0 plug in the console that allows me to plug in my off the shelf iPhone cable to charge it up.

If you want to know more about this car I guess you'll have to go see Della and experience it for yourself. After you buy it you'll soon be great buds with Gregg and his other pleasant colleagues. The sales Manager José is certainly not like many I've met who sit in this chair so don't be bashful. They won't beat you up and it will be a great experience.

BTW: They tell me that if you tell Mick Marsden sent you they will give me $50 to a local restaurant. So if you do, let's meet for dinner!

Visit: http://lorensentoyota.com/Default.aspx

If you happen to drive by Essex Town Hall some Tuesday morning just before 7:30am and notice a huddle of men in women in front of the doors, don't worry, they're not about to stage a protest. These are 25 of the most dedicated business professionals in their respective fields waiting to get out of the cold to begin their weekly Business Network International meeting.

The River to Shore Group joined this new group that is to be chartered 2 February 2010 so that we could meet other business owners in myriad professions whom are committed to growing their businesses as seriously as we are. We are often asked by the many clients we serve "Do you know some who does (fill in this blank) that we can trust, will show up, and do a good job?"

It require's an auditorium and many tables to hold the expanding membership

BNI is the best place for us to meet so many different types of business owners who excel at what they do. Business Network Int'l was started in 1985 with a single purpose: to develop the referral business of the members. From that point, BNI has grown to the vast networking group it has become.

BNI is in 42 countries with over 100,000 members. There are almost 1,500 members in Connecticut in almost 60 Chapters. We allow one person per profession to join each chapter, thus guaranteeing exclusivity to the members in their business category.

Pictured: Jim O'Shea, BNI Area Director speaks it's new chapter members.

Annual membership in BNI costs less than a business suit - it's the most cost-effective way to market yourself in today's highly competitive marketplace. If you value having 30, 40, or more other business people marketing you to others, then BNI is the right place for you!

We have just 25 different types of businesses in this soon to be chartered businesses. We're looking for many more. Are you a photographer, payroll company, cleaning company, real estate appraiser, or handy man or know of one that wants to grow their business and be associated with the excellence that is required to become a member? Then please come as my invited guest any Tuesday at 7:30am at Essex Town Hall Auditorium to see what it's like and what we do. Consider it a standing invitation. There are literally 50+ plus more business types we're looking to recruit. A nearby chapter that is just 2 years old passes 400 referrals per month to it's members. Those who are referred get top notch service from that business. The referrer thanked profusely for turning them on to the source. It's a give and take that can't be topped. I hope to see you Tuesday. 

For more information on BNI visit: BNICT.com

After losing out on what they thought was the perfect house, Zach and Aimee Vetter thought maybe they'd just stay in the Manchester farmhouse they had owned for 10 years. Shortly later, though, someone came along and bought it, so the couple, 35 and 34 respectively, had to find another house, fast. 

Aimee's dad, real estate agent Mick Marsden, had an idea. Instead of looking in Manchester, where finding a prospective property could take two to three weeks, why not check out nearbyMarlborough? To minimize the chance of being outbid again, Marsden, an agent with Page Taft GMAC Real Estate, suggested the couple look only at houses that had been on the market for 180 days or more. 

Soon enough, they found a contender: a 1981 owner-built contemporary with the extra square footage and bathrooms they wanted within their $275,000 price range. The 2,300-square-foot home had been on the market for 221 days, during which the original $299,000 asking price had been reduced to $265,900. The owner, who already had bought a new house, was anxious not to have to pay two mortgages. 

Zach Vetter remembers saying "yeah, sure" when his father-in-law asked if they wanted to make an offer. Though skeptical they would get it, he and Aimee put in a bid. 

"An hour later I got a text message saying, 'You just bought a house,'" Vetter said. 

The couple paid $260,000 and closed on Oct. 30, the same date as the buyer of their house in Manchester. Though it is a little farther from the three restaurants he runs with his family, Zach Vetter said he and Aimee, a hairdresser, are very happy in their new digs.

The house has skylights, a brick vestibule and a fenced-in back yard with a fire pit and hot tub, he said. An upstairs loft doubles as an office for them and a playroom for their son and daughter, 3 and 6. 

Instead of one bathroom, the new house has two and a half, including one in the master bedroom and a Jack and Jill-style full bathroom between the kids' rooms. The kitchen is big and has granite countertops. 

"We just had a party and it fit everybody, which is good," said Zach Vetter. "We could not have done that in the old house." 

— Loretta Waldman, Special to The Courant


Click here to visit story on courant.com

TOWN FACTS:

I saw this animated graph of US employment that begins in 2007 about a year before the recession began to present. I would expect another wave of foreclosures to occur from this scary trend. CT is starting to feel this with layoffs in the CT Defense sector like Pratt and Whitney, UTC's Otis Elevator, and insurance companies like Aetna. When you look at the animation it looks like mold is growing.

Well done by Dorsey Shaw:

Here's a detail sheet of how the new bill affects eligibility: