We welcomed our newest Club member last week as Bill Baron joined the Club. Baron brings with him a long history in Rotary, having been a board member and international service chairman for Rotary - this while based at the Rockaway NJ club. Bill was also a member of the Lions Club in NJ and served on boards at various charities in the NJ area, including  Gift or Life a Rotary based organization.  Before retiring from dentistry, Bill, a graduate from U of Pennsylvania was a member of just about every professional organization you can imagine.  Bill and his long time bride Joanna live parttime in Pittsfield and the rest of the year in Florida. Setting himself up for a major fine when he returns, the freshly minted Pittsfield Rotarian instantly invoked senior status and bolted for the warmer southern climes. We look forward to seeing you on your return Bill - and welcome!

Corey Bishop, pictured nearby, principal at Bishop-West Real Estate, joined us with a briefing on the real estate market, both locally and to our south. While the real estate market in the Berkshires remains solid and prices remain fairly high, home sales have slowed somewhat. Homes are selling when priced at current market value, but people are not pushing offers way over the asking price as they were in the last few years. Bishop tells us the market in Florida where the firm has a sales office, has weakened considerably with prices falling. Bishop believes at least some of the price crash will make it's way to our area in time. Bishop's other main focus was to explain the recent changes in real estate law where fees paid to buyers and sellers are much more negotiable to the point that a buyers agent may not have any percentage of the sale if the seller so choses to go that way. Bishop said this and other changes have "changed the dynamic" of the real estate business.  The changes were brought about by a lawsuit that alleged the market in general and the MLS services and others in a way conspired to harm the consumer in the percentage of sale based reward system for agents. In the argument, the charge was that one's own agents would be or could be working against them in price negotiations. 

Guest of Honor: Last week we were joined by Brandon Vallone, guest of Christian Bianchi

 

Sink of Swim?: Sparks Tower is eagerly awaiting the Josh Billings stories as Team Rotary appeared to have bit of a rivalry with Team Hassett Pipers

 

Cocktails Anyone?: As President Tom noted in last weeks meeting, please make your best effort to attend the 3rd Thursday social events. The Club spends a few bucks each time for snacks and we are sure the venue could use the sales... and of course it looks good on the Club if there's a good showing.

Jim Bronson 11/14

3rd Thursday Social 11/21

Thanksgiving 11/28

Mark Busch 12/05

Erin Carlotto 12/12

3rd Thursday Social 12/19

Holiday Week 12/26

Gwen Davis 01/02

 

 

Please make sure if you are to be absent from your assigned invocation date that you secure a replacement or let President Tom know of your absence.

No birthdays this week but we do celebrate the anniversary of Brooks Sherman - 9 years (11.12.15)  

 

With 33 cards in the deck and no lucky winner last week, the pot is at $541.00!  You have to play to win so bring your cash!