LACONIA — Happy Tails Dog Park of the Lakes Region is kicking off 2013 with a fundraiser on Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Beane Conference Center in Laconia.
There will be skits, music and so much more to benefit Happy Tails.
The cost to attend is $10 pre-purchase and $12 at the door. To pre-order tickets, please call 848-0967 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Happy Tails Dog Park of the Lakes Region is a 501(c)3 non-profit group of pet parents.
The organization was founded in 2008 with the mission of improving the quality of life for the human and canine residents of the Lakes Region through recreation, education and empowerment.
The organization is hosting fundraising events with the ultimate goal of building an off-leash dog park as well as continuing to educate and bring together pet parents across the Lakes Region.
Beane Conference Center is located at 35 Blueberry Lane in Laconia. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. More information can be found at www.happytailsdogparknh.org or at www.beanecenter.com.

LACONIA — An informative session entitled "Downsizing: It's Not That Impossible and How to Sell Your Home" will be held Friday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to noon in the Woodside Building at Taylor Community.
The seminar provides helpful tips and advice from senior move manager Mariluz Flanders for anyone planning to downsize. The event is free and open to the public.
Many seniors have lived in their home for years, even decades, during which time they've accumulated a lot of personal possessions. Paul Charlton – who works with seniors planning their move to Taylor Community – notes it can be overwhelming for many. "I talk with people who are really excited to move. Then they go home and become paralyzed when they look at all the stuff in their closets, attics, sheds and basements. That's where senior move managers can help; they do this for a living and their help is invaluable."
The other major challenge many face when they choose to downsize is selling their home. While the
housing market remains well off the peak of the market in 2006-07, experts point to encouraging signs.
Experienced Lakes Region real estate professional Jerry Love reports realtors are seeing a significant
positive turnaround in activity. "We're extremely busy right now and we're not even into the time of the
year when real estate transactions typically increase," he said. "Sales of existing homes in our area are well up, interest rates are at historic lows, and there are active buyers out there." Love noted that this is a good time for people to be listing their homes. "Interest rates at some point will start going up, so there's merit to listing sooner rather than later. We're also getting close to spring when more homes are bought and sold."
To reserve a place at the seminar, call Taylor Community at 524-5600.

The Lance Houston Jazz Quartet will perform at Pitman's Freight Room on Thursday March 7 at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 and Pitman's is a BYOB venue. Lance Houston (Berklee College of Music) and his talented jazz quartet produce magical and imaginative interpretations of jazz standards. Houston has performed internationally with his distinctive approach to jazz improvisation. After a five year hiatus from performing (law school), Houston has returned to the east coast jazz scene and performs with Davis Whitfield on piano and Raphael Pannier on drums. (Courtesy photo)