Darien Real Estate Market Jumps

Moving ahead...

                      Landing in the Quiet Water, Arthur Shilstone, jrusselljinishiangallery.com

Darien Real Estate Market Jumps

Darien's residential real estate market jumped in the week ending today with increased activity in every category.

Results reported on the Darien MLS included:

-- 21 new listings of property for sale;
-- 11 price changes;
-- Seven accepted offers;
-- Six properties going under contract, and
-- Seven closings.

For details:

Bears are Awesome

If mom can do it...

 

Black bears, constantinealexander.net

 

 

Bears are Awesome

 

 

Here's a good example of the many reasons why bears are so awesome.

A black bear and its cub were spotted climbing the Santa Elena Canyon wall in Big Bend National Park in Texas in March 2014 by a pair of passing kayakers.

It's a bit of a big climb for the little guy, but see what he does.

For video:   http://twistedsifter.com/videos/rock-climbing-bears/

 

 

18 Unforgettable Restaurants

Something a little different...

Tour Eiffel, D. Milherou, twistedsifter.com

18 Unforgettable Restaurants

If you're looking for a really different restaurant, you might like to consider 18 unforgettable places recently featured on twistedsifter.com.

They range from one under the sea to those high in the sky, each with unusual surroundings that are remarkable.

Each would be a memorable dining experience, whether you're stepping into the past or gazing as far as the eye can see, the website reports.  

I especially like those in France and Italy.  

For more:  http://twistedsifter.com/2014/04/restaurants-with-unique-surroundings/

Bon appetit.

China's Economy Surpassing the U.S.?

Well, it depends...

 

 

Beijing traffic jam, paviavio.wordpress.com

 

 

China's Economy Surpassing the U.S.?

 

 

What's the story behind reports in the past few days about China's economy surpassing the U.S.?

Well, "let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that China’s economy is on the verge of surpassing the U.S. economy in size. (By one measure, anyway—purchasing power parity as calculated by the World Bank’s International Comparison Program.) What does it mean?," asks Peter Coy writing on today's businessweek.com.

Start with what it doesn’t mean, he suggests.

"It doesn’t mean China is rich. All that gross domestic product has to be spread around more than a billion people. On a per-capita basis, the highest-income country in the world in 2011 was the oil-soaked and lightly populated Gulf monarchy of Qatar, at $146,000 per person. The U.S.," (as, the chart below shows), " was No. 12, at just under $50,000," he reports.

For more:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-05-01/the-u-dot-s-dot-is-big-and-rich-dot-china-is-just-big
 

Mobile Tech Ups Work Hours

Staying in touch...

 

Mobile tech, Alejandro Pinto, Mashable

 

 

Mobile Tech Ups Work Hours

 

 

It's no secret that smartphones and tablets increase levels of interpersonal communication. It's never been easier to get in touch with family and friends, Matt Petronzio reports today on Mashable.com.

However, results from a recent Gallup poll show that mobile technology influences other areas of American adults' day-to-day lives as well, such as business and politics, he writes.

According to the poll, conducted in late March, 37% of employed American adults between the ages of 18 and 29 said that mobile tech greatly increases the amount of work they do outside of work hours.

For more:  http://mashable.com/2014/04/30/mobile-tech-millennials/

 

 

 

Most Expensive Homes for Sale in the U.S.

Stylish living...

 

Most expensive homes for sale in the U.S., realtor.com, msn.com

 

 

Most Expensive Homes for Sale in the U.S.

 

With the recent $120 million sale of Greenwich's Copper Beech Farm, previously the priciest single-family home in America, it's time to update our list of the most expensive homes currently for sale, Neal Leitereg of realtor.com writes on msn.com.

While a prime 258-acre parcel in the Bel Air community of Los Angeles ranks as the most expensive property with an ask of $125 million, the crown of "most expensive home" now rests on an opulent mansion-estate in New York City, he reports.

For a slideshow of homes:  http://realestate.msn.com/most-expensive-us-homes-for-sale

 

 

 

Musical Moments: Synchronized Swim Without a Pool

Great act...

 

Synchronized swim without a pool, Kansas City Star

Musical Moments:  Synchronized Swim Without a Pool

 

Usually this space features music and artists I've enjoyed over the years.

 

But this time it's about a wonderful kids' story making its way around the Internet.

 

Turns out, you don't actually need water or a pool to pull off synchronized swimming, just a little creativity (and a blue tarp), the Huffington Post reported today.

                        

A group of fifth-grade students proved that during a recent talent show at W. A. Porter Elementary School in Hurst, Texas. Watch the video below -- which is going viral on Facebook -- to see them perform an "air guitar"-esque version of a traditional synchronized swim.  I've seen this stunt before, but it's still fun.

 

For video:  http://mashable.com/2014/04/26/talent-show-synchronized-swimming/