Peter Bubel+ by | Sep 22, 2018 | Blog, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel
There is a lot more to do in Pennsylvania than just what Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have to offer. As any Pennsylvanian knows, those two cities make up a small part of the great commonwealth. Below, you’ll find a list of the top five free (yes, FREE) things to do in Central PA. Each is available year-round and each will leave a lasting impression of what makes Pennsylvania so great.
#1 Admire the State Capitol
Harrisburg’s capitol building (http://www.pacapitol.com/) is a stunning representation of its history and dreams for the future. A grand staircase welcomes visitors into the building and the stately rotunda encourages all to look to the heavens. And yet, it is not merely an aesthetically pleasing visit. With guided tours of the House of Representatives and Senate available, the capitol provides educational opportunities to all who enter.
#2 Indulge in Hershey’s Chocolate World
A short distance from the capitol lies one of Pennsylvania’s most aromatic places to visit. Hershey’s Chocolate World (https://www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld/en_us.html) brings the process of turning cocoa into chocolate to life with the sights, smells, and sounds of a simulated factory setting.
#3 Experience the craft quality of the Yuengling Brewery
You don’t have to be 21 to tour America’s oldest brewery. With a history that spans nearly 200 years, Yuengling’s tours (https://www.yuengling.com/) are tailored to educate visitors of all ages about its unique and interesting story of survival through some of our nation’s most turbulent times.
#4 Remember the fallen at the Flight 93 Memorial
The 40 passengers and crew that gave their lives on 9/11 are remembered at the Flight 93 Memorial (https://www.nps.gov/flni/index.htm). Their bravery is symbolized in the recently dedicated Tower of Voices, a 93-feet tall wood chime. A place to reflect and remember, the memorial provides all visitors the opportunity to unite and show respect.
#5 Enjoy the view at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon (http://pacanyon.com) is the perfect place for anyone loving the outdoors. Hiking, camping, covered wagon rides, and white water rafting are just a few activities the area has to offer. For those looking for a less adventurous visit, the amazing vistas are enough to entertain anyone. Stretching more than 45 miles and reaching 1,450 feet deep, the canyon is as grand as it is beautiful.
Peter Bubel+ by | Jun 22, 2018 | Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Travel
From its history of independence in Philadelphia, production of chocolate in Hershey, and its mix of coal country and agriculture, Pennsylvania boasts a landscape rich in diversity. With an abundance of unique towns and histories to explore, Pennsylvania offers prime destinations for travelers of all kinds. For those who want to explore the beauty of Pennsylvania without getting caught in crowds of vacation-goers, here’s a list of four of some of the best hidden travel spots to visit in Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens
Less than a 15-mile drive from the bustling center of downtown Pittsburgh, PA., the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens offer a luscious retreat from industrial life. The woodlands span 60-acres and offer three miles of green, serene trails for exploration. Speckled with huts, cabins, and chickens, the property also includes an award-winning Lotus Pond. Aside from trail, the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens also offers tours of the land, as well hosts special events, including yoga or botanist walks and talks.
Eckley Miners’ Village
Situated in the northeastern coal fields of Pennsylvania, Eckley Miners’ Village is a town frozen in time. Though its inhabitants have since left, the patch town remains a standing museum of coal mining during the early nineteenth century. Featuring buildings such as the Immaculate Conception Church, 1861, the Slate Picker’s House, 1854, and a 1968 reconstruction of Eckley’s company store, Eckley’s Miners’ Village offers an educational glimpse into the past of anthracite coal mining and patch towns that fueled the economy.
Wolf Sanctuary of PA
Located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA is a nonprofit organization nestled on over 80-acres of property and home to wolves without natural homes. For over thirty years, the sanctuary has become a haven for wolves and wolf dogs, and a place of education for visitors seeking to encounter the animals up close and learn more about their lifestyle and preservation. In addition to public and private tours of the packs, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA hosts Full Moon Tours, which feature live entertainment, bonfires, and more in-depth guides.
Raymondskill Falls
Nestled between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Delaware Water Gap offers more than 60,000-acres of lush mountains, hiking trails, and ravines. The Raymondskill Creek Trail is found at the northernmost part of the park and leads to Raymondskill Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in Pennsylvania. Though the trail is short, it offers two viewing decks of the waterfall that is only a few feet shy of matching the length of Niagara Falls.
With such diverse landscapes and histories, there’s a vacation spot for everyone in Pennsylvania.
Peter Bubel+ by | Jun 3, 2018 | Blog, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Reading
A role in leadership can appear daunting. However, a skilled leader knows how to navigate the pitfalls and stay the course with the best strategy. Individuals bring different strengths to a team. A good leader knows how to coax team members into collaboration rather than competition. A capable leader unites the team around a shared vision or goal.
Leadership skills are useful in all walks of life. Some leaders are high up on the corporate ladder, leading teams of world-wide game-changers. Others are leading a team for an assigned group project. And still others are leading the family team. These principals work in different types of settings with different types of teams.
Cast vision. While each team’s situation will be slightly different, chances are there is an end goal in mind, a final outcome that will signify completion and success or failure of the project. An experienced leader directs the team and facilitates forward momentum. A singular sense of purpose emerges as people get on the same page.
Seek input. As cohesiveness grows, collaboration increases. Team members begin to cooperate with each other. Creativity flows freely. People open up and share their ideas. They learn to trust that another team member’s idea might be better than their own. An experienced leader takes part in the collaborative process and makes room for different points of view. He or she maximizes this time as an opportunity to keep the team on task, and yet make adjustment based on input from the team.
Transfer ownership. Gradually, and almost imperceivably, the team takes ownership of the project. They develop laser sharp focus and a drive to achieve the goal. Leaders know when to let go of the reigns to allow the team to run. Leading a team is like a dance requiring a balance of supervision and control with plenty of freedom for the team members to perform at their best.
A seasoned leader is able to rally a group of Individuals with unique personalities and experiences around a common goal. That same leader knows how to connect people in a joint effort, utilizing the strengths of each member and considering different plausible team suggestions. Leadership necessitates allowing the team members to shine; after all, they are the reflection of a truly great leader.
Peter Bubel+ by | May 22, 2018 | Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Property, Property Management
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that America is home to roughly 317,000 property managers, workers that maintain regular operation of houses, apartment complexes, commercial facilities, and other buildings.
Leasing to just one bad tenant can effectively pile on countless thousands of dollars in necessary repairs and hundreds of hours of labor. Since property managers ultimately make such calls, risk is inherent in the day-to-day undertakings of people in such positions.
Natural disasters can wreak havoc on structures and land they sit on, mid-level to major crimes can generate negative publicity for properties, and tenants that disturb neighbors can encourage them to seek housing elsewhere. That’s not to mention countless other manifestations of risk that property managers must be ready to deal with in their lines of work.
While risk can never be eliminated, there are several precautions that can be taken to minimize risk.
Insurance is arguably more important than any other risk mitigation strategy
Statistics indicate that just four in ten apartment lessees in the United States hold active insurance policies that protect against emergency, theft, and other unforeseen happenings that often cause financial damage.
As such, property managers can never reasonably assume that their tenants have active insurance coverage taken care of.
Insurance is available for virtually every asset, occupation, and situation, including the ownership or management of real estate. Every property manager should maintain active insurance coverage that covers literally everything bad that could happen to properties, tenants, and guests. Further, a solid means of making sure all of the proverbial bases of properties under management are covered is requiring new tenants to provide proof of renter’s insurance prior to allowing them to sign leases.
Residents should be made fully aware of facility-wide plans of staying safe during emergencies
Active shooter threats, hurricanes, sinkholes, and earthquakes are four examples of emergencies that unfortunately rear their ugly head far too often across planet Earth. Rather than assuming they won’t happen, or that tenants and their guests will act in the best interest of their safety, property managers should make certainthat tenants are fully aware of facility-wide plans of action if any of the aforementioned emergencies occur.
Peter Bubel+ by | Oct 2, 2017 | Blog, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Property, Property Management
Artificial intelligence has risen from science fiction to become the buzzword of the decade. It seems to be disrupting every industry. For property managers, artificial intelligence can be a boon for those who know how to harness it. Ignoring it’s potential guarantees a bust.
As the number of renters continues to skyrocket, investment in the market follows suit. Artificial Intelligence offers property managers an invaluable edge in this dynamic marketplace. New apps utilizing AI, such as ZenPlace and Appfolio, leverage the technology to identify inefficiencies and minimize unexpected expenses. With AI, keeping track of maintenance and renewals is as easy as setting an alarm on your phone.
The future potential of artificial intelligence is even greater. While the industry remains rooted to a foundation of human relationships, most basic functions can become automated. Imagine the savings, of money and energy, if most of your customer service could be completed by a chat robot. Or, if all of your regular maintenance activities scheduled themselves?
When you get down into the details, it seems that every function of property management could be improved through the use of artificial intelligence. But, what exactly is it? This is hard to pin down and still up for debate. However, at it’s most basic, artificial intelligence is just a computer that takes in some information about the environment and tries to make the best decision possible. This broad definition translates into some powerful applications toward almost any task.
The same technology that Facebook and Google are creating headlines with can bring property managers to the forefront of their industries, too. It doesn’t take much technical skill either. There are plenty of companies competing to give property managers the power of artificial intelligence. These include the same companies that have been serving the industry for years, like Yardi, MRI, and RealPage. Taking advantage of the power of AI has never been easier.
It seems clear from how industry leaders are investing in the technology, artificial intelligence is here to stay. Ignoring this technology is ignoring a powerful tool to streamline business and increase profit margins. As this technology spreads it even becomes cheaper. There are applications for property managers with several units to those with thousands. Opportunities abound in every sector.
This is a defining moment for property managers. Those who adapt and innovate with artificial intelligence are at the precipice of a boon. The potential for profit is overwhelming.
Peter Bubel+ by | Aug 14, 2017 | Blog, PA, Pennsylvania, Peter Bubel, Reading, Sports, Travel
Reading, Pennsylvania (pronounced with a short E, for non-locals) is a destination for cyclists, pretzel lovers, and visitors to the Reading Pagoda. But it’s also a good town for sports fans. The two biggest teams in town are the Fightin’ Phils, a minor league baseball team, and the Reading Royals, a professional hockey team.
Fightin’ Phils
The Fightin’ Phils were established in 1967 in Reading under the team name Reading Phillies. They retained this team name until 2012, at which point they officially adopted the team name Fightin’ Phils.
The Fightin’ Phils hold four league titles (from 1968, 1973, 1995, 2001) and four division titles (from 1995, 2000, 2015, and 2016.) Their current manager is Greg Legg and their general manager is Scott Hunsicker. In 2007, the stadium saw its ten-millionth fan arrive for a game.
The Fightin’ Phils are not represented by one clear mascot. Their logo features either a P with a fist coming out of it or an ostrich with its wings held in fists. However, on the field they are represented by the Fightin’ Phils band, which is comprised of Screwball, a baseball-headed creature that plays the drums, Change-Up the Turtle, who plays the bongos, Blooper the Hound Dog, who formerly played tambourine but has since taken up the guitar, Quack the Duck, the singer, and Bucky the Beaver, who plays the electric bass.
Royals
The Reading Royals began in 1991 in Columbus, Ohio, under the team name Columbus Chill under the leadership of president David Paitson and coach Terry Ruskowski, formerly of the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars. Before moving out Reading, they paved the way for professional hockey in Columbus, which now hosts the NHL team the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Well-known former players for the Royals include Yataka Fukufuji, ryan Finn, James Reimer, and George Parros. The Royals have held a past rivalry with the former Johnstown Chiefs (currently the Greenville Swamp Rabbits), the Elmira Jackals, and the Trenton Titans. Currently and are currently rivals with the Penguins-affiliated Wheeling Nailers.
The Royals made it into the 2017 playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round. The team was destabilized going into the playoffs, due to the unexpected firing of head coach Courville the day before qualifying.
The Royals are represented by a roaring lion in the team colors of purple, silver, and black.
