I love the Fixx. I remember (well sort of remember) seeing them play with A Flock of Seagulls and Berlin at the Greek Theatre in Berkley back in the 80’s. It was an amazing show.

Well, when I heard that Cy Curnin the lead singer of the Fixx was slated to perform at the Union County MusicFest – I flipped. No way. It was as if my hair was asking me to rub in some Dep.

But wait.

There is more to be pumped about — The Alarm and Glen Tilbrook (The Front man of Squeeze) are also included on the bill.

Trust me, this is going to be an awesome show. Mark your schedules for September 12th and 13th — Oak Ridge Park in beautiful Clark, New Jersey.

Here are some of the acts that will perform – I’ll start with my favorites.

Cy Curnin of the Fixx
Red Skys at Night Video

The Alarm

Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze

Third Eye Blind
Watch Third Eye Blind Video
Uncle Kraker

Fastball

Gin Blossoms

The Might Be Giants

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Pete Yorn

Tonic
1910 Fruitgum Company

The Minus 5

For Directions and more info visit the MusicFest site.

See ya there.

On May 12th at 11:00 PM I will definitely be chilling in my crib watching the newest installment of Bravo’s Real Housewives. This time of New Jersey.

Sure, I watch the show. Why not? I’m tired of sitting at home every evening reading Nietzsche. I need some entertainment. Something light and fluffy.

I have really high hopes for this latest incarnation of the Real Houswives. Should be very interesting. Very Interesting. Did I say very interesting?

Check this out.

Keeping it in the family, there are two sisters Dina and Caroline Manzo. There’s Jacqueline Laurita the wife of Dina and Caroline’s brother Chris and two others — Teresa Giudice and Danielle Staub.

Confused yet?

Oh, and get this. According to TVWatch, Danielle Staub claims to be one of the first female American Express Black Card holders in New Jersey, an achievement for which she is very proud.

I’m not counting on this version of The Real Housewives to make home prices in New Jersey go back up – but it should be a lot of fun.

One more thing. According to one online forum, the show has been spending a lot of time in Franklin Lakes. I wonder if that’s where the gals live. If so, here’s what’s happening with the real estate market in that area.

There are a lot of great values in the current real estate market, but it’s still possible to pay too much for a home. Here are a few simple things you can do to avoid making bad decisions.

1. Focus on the numbers. When making an offer, ask your agent to show you every like kind home that has closed recently in the area near the subject property. You’ll then come up with a target price. When making your offer, start off well below your target number and adjust accordingly. Never go above your target price.

2. DO NOT GET INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE OFFER SITUATION. You’ll get sucked into the drama of the whole thing. If you lose you’ll be pissed. If you win, you’ll feel like you paid too much — and you probably did. If you absolutely must put in an offer — never go above your target price. Stay strong.

3. If someone tells you that “A house is worth as much as you are willing to pay for it.” Walk the other way. This is the biggest line of BS that I have ever heard. There are a lot of families who are upside down right now because they let their emotions get involved in the bidding process. My feeling is that a house is worth as much as the next buyer is willing to pay.

4. Do not try to keep up with the Joneses. You can afford what you can afford. Get into the market — don’t let the market get you.

5. Think with the end in mind. Look for a property that you will be able to resell easily. If the only thing you like about a property is the price, you may want to reconsider.

*6. Special Bonus. Ignore the beautiful furniture and artwork. Focus on the bones of the house. Homes that are staged well tend to sell for more. Sometimes a lot more — so be careful.

Happy house hunting.

I guess I’ll have to wait another twenty years.

Please note that the report is general in nature. Real Estate doesn’t work that way — it’s local — so please remember that it is really important to work with a professional knows the local micro markets in your area.

I hope you find this of value.

Search For a Home Now

If for some reason the establishment isn’t in business anymore — my readers still want to hear about it. Tell us what we missed out on.

Keep it personal. Tell us why you like the place soooooooo much.

I’ve been listening to the B52′s since I was in grade school in California. I remember going to the school dance with my hair all feathered out, a silver chain around my neck, corduroy bell bottoms and a huge comb in my back pocket. The DJ was cranking “Rock Lobster” and I was working up the courage to ask one of the girls to dance.

That’s all I remember. I’m sure one of the girls said yes….I think……..well whatever. It was a long time ago.

Anyhow. I have this bad boy is marked on my calender. September 5th and 6th. I wouldn’t miss seeing the B52′s for the world.

So what’s the deal with Musicfest? Who cares — it’s free and the bands are really good. Best of all it’s in New Jersey. Yeah right — not NYC. Nomahegan Park in Cranford to be exact.

Click this link for all the details.

If you’ve never heard the B52′s here’s a very cool video I pulled from youtube.

My father reminds me that Philip Roth’s new novel, Indignation, will be published in mid-September. Roth was born in Newark, and in many of his books the landscape of New Jersey figures prominently. For example, in his early novella, Goodbye Columbus, for which he won the National Book Award, the character of Brenda Patimkin lives in Short Hills, while the boy who falls in love with her, Neil Kugman, is from Newark.