SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA REAL ESTATE NEWS : November 2009

Christmas Carol "THE GIFT" At NDNU Belmont, California

Last Weekend to see Christmas Carol "The Gift"  Seats are very limited and some shows are sold out.

Don't forget to plan for the upcoming show: Christmas Carol "The Gift"  . The Theatre department at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont California started this wonderful production 24 years ago and it continues to be a tradition within the Bay Area community.  I have had the great pleasure of helping out with this show and seeing the cheer it brings to so many people. If you would like to see the show please visit the website:  www.christmascarolthegift.org   Ticket order forms are on the link.  Don't wait too long as the tickets go fast.

Below is a little about the show.

 

 

The Story of the Gift

Originally written by Dave Gahagen

This is the story of a dream that came true. The idea of producing The Gift originated over twenty-three years ago when two Notre Dame De Namur University employees, Michael Elkins and Steve Furgas, began discussing establishing a Christmas tradition in the Bay Area. Their idea was a Christmas musical theatre production with a different approach: Admission would be free--a gift--so anyone who would like to could attend. Those who were able would be encouraged to bring food or new toys that would be distributed to people in need at Christmas. What better theme for such a project than the story of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption as told in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol?

They approached Notre Dame de Namur University and were granted the use of the theatre and one evening in Ralston Mansion. Having a theatre to house the production, they still needed sets, costumes, properties, music, royalties, and countless other resources for the production. They could not pay a staff or even assure actors that anyone would come to see the show. Nonetheless, the two men were able to gather a group of highly talented people willing to give freely of their time and talents in order to bring this gift to the community. They named this collection of performers and artists The Performance Group. Local businesses were contacted for supplies and services needed to make the show a reality. Their generous donations were (and continue to be) instrumental in producing The Gift.

The first year, veteran director Tony Orazem agreed to stage the show with Lita Liebech as Music Director and Tony Anderson providing choreography. There were only four performances to half-full houses. In total, a few hundred items of food and toys were collected. The second year, Tony Orazem returned as Director and was joined by his wife Julia Orazem as Music Director.

As word of The Gift has spread attendance has increased substantially every year. Additional performances have been scheduled to accommodate the ever-growing number of people wanting to see the production, and we are fortunate to fill almost every seat for each of the nine performances. Thanks to the generosity of audiences, over three tons of food and hundreds of toys are collected and distributed to those in need each year. The food is distributed to nearly a dozen Peninsula food banks and the toys go to Toys for Tots.

Over the years, the casts and crews of the Christmas production have included talented performers and technicians of all ages. Notre Dame de Namur University students, faculty and staff today fill many of the critical on-stage and backstage roles. Scores of community performers and technicians, many with professional resumes and credentials, continue to serve as the backbone for this highly regarded and beloved Christmas musical tradition. Many of the staff and cast members return year after year because of the special place the show has in their hearts. Instead of being the dream of just a few people, The Gift now belongs to everyone involved in making the production come to life as well as to the audiences, who return year after year to b soth give and receive the goodwill of the Season.

This year, as in years past, all performances are free to the public except for the opening night Gala. Although The Gift's production costs are primarily supported through donated services and materials, the Gala ticket sales and cash donations are needed to help offset production costs including royalties.

A new generation of community organizers and volunteers work throughout the year to devise new and challenging projects and activities to support and improve The Gift each year. In addition to the demanding performance schedule at the NDNU Theatre each December, performers from the production travel to the Tenderloin in San Francisco and to several events on the Peninsula to spread Christmas cheer. This serves to remind Bay Area residents of the wonderful, unique holiday magic that takes place every December in the Notre Dame Theatre in Belmont, California

 

The Musical

Charles Dickens' classic gets the full Broadway treatment in Alan Menken's-Lynn Ahrens'-Mike Okrent's adaptation of A Christmas Carol. This is the version that leaves New Yorkers and tourists alike gasping in wonder and merriment every year as the story unfolds on the stage at Madison Square Garden. In 2004, this version became the basis of a NBC television spectacular featuring Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge, surrounded by an array of stars including Jason Alexander, Jesse L. Martin, Jane Krakowski, Geraldine Chaplin, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ruthie Henshall. Alan Menken (Little Shop Of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime The Musical, Once On This Island) have collaborated on a score that is filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics. Their song "A Place Called Home" has become a holiday standard.

While the Madison Square Garden staging contains spectacular special effects and scenic elements, A Christmas Carol can be equally effective on a more intimate scale. The book by Mike Okrent and Lynn Ahrens is character-driven, and all of the featured roles are developed to give performers many chances to shine. Of course, at the center of the piece is Ebenezer Scrooge himself, taken from the pages of Dickens' immortal tale and delivered full-blown in a role suitable for your local star.

There are many adaptations of A Christmas Carol out there, but only one Broadway version! Now this holiday treat can delight your audiences as it has annually in New York City for so many years.

 

Thanks for coming to the show

Have a Great Day!

Jim Light

www.interorealestate.com/agents/jameslight

 

 

 

2 comments • James Light San Mateo Real Estate Agent (Realtor) • November 19 2009 11:03PM

Ten Reasons You May Need A Private Money Loan In San Mateo County

Here are ten reasons why you may need a private money loan in San Mateo County:

  • Speed - private money lenders can move fast because they can give more attention to the files submitted. They are not processing hundreds or thousands of files per day, like banks do.
private money
  • stated income - private money lenders may not require income documentation as long as the file falls within regulation Z guidelines regarding stated income.
  • low credit score - private money lenders are more willing to work with clients who have credit scores that fall below what the banks require. Their primary concern is equity in the property. Secondarily, they are concerned with the client's exit strategy, meaning the plan to get the private money loan paid off when it becomes due.
  • High loan amount - many banks have reduced their maximum loan amount. Private money lenders can fill the void by funding large loan amounts.
  • Unlimited Cash-out - The restrictions on cash-out have been tightened by institutional lenders. Private money lenders have the ability to fund loans that do not have restrictions on the amount of cash-out.
  • Vesting - Many lenders do not allow title to be held by a corporation or LLC. Private money lenders are often able to fund loans with the property vested in a corporation or LLC.
  • Bridge Loan - If you want to buy a home before you sell your current home, you may need a bridge loan. Private money lenders are often the source for this type of loan.
bridge loan
  • Rental property cash-out - This type of transaction is another type that has had its guidelines tightened by most financial institutions. Although the rates are usually higher, private money lenders can fund this type of transaction.
  • Incomplete construction - Construction projects sometimes stall because the financing source runs out of money. To complete construction, a private money lender can be a source of funds to fill the gap to finish construction.
construction
  • Pay off another private money loan - Private money loans are usually written for a short term (1 to 5 years). The private money borrower may not be able to qualify for an institutional loan when their current loan becomes due. Their only choice may be another private money loan.

If you are a borrower or a mortgage broker in San Mateo County, or anywhere in California, I can help you obtain private money financing.

Contact Me

What Is A Private Money Loan?

 

 

 Do you need help structuring a loan, or getting a rate quote? Call me at (650) 222-0386, or e-mail me                                                                                                           

 


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2 comments • Phil Caulfield Jumbo and FHA Mortgage Loans California • November 12 2009 07:42PM

What's moving in the Baywood Neighborhood? San Mateo CA 94402

What's moving in the Baywood Neighborhood? San Mateo, CA 94402

What's moving in the Baywood Neighborhood?  Here is a list of the active properties both single family homes and condos 

Street Address City List Price Beds Baths Bldg SqFt Lot Size Range Class
CRYSTAL SPRINGS RD San Mateo $2,700,000     8603 .25+ to .5 Acre 3
PARROTT DR San Mateo $1,849,500 5 3 3150 8,000+ SqFt to .25 Acre 1
W 3RD AV #1003 San Mateo $1,698,000 2 2 2212   2
EDINBURGH ST San Mateo $1,639,000 4 3 2610 6,500+ to 8,000 SqFt 1
W 3RD AV #504 San Mateo $1,628,000 2 2 2543   2
CRYSTAL SPRINGS RD #1410 San Mateo $1,485,000 2 3 (2/1) 2341   2
CARMEL CI San Mateo $1,299,500 3 3 2530 4,500+ to 6,500 SqFt 1
CRYSTAL SPRINGS RD #1204 San Mateo $1,244,100 2 2 1732   2
1ST AV San Mateo $1,150,000     4500 4,500+ to 6,500 SqFt 3
CRYSTAL SPRINGS RD #1408 San Mateo $1,108,800 2 2 1739   2
W 3RD AV #106 San Mateo $998,000 2 2 1958 1 to 4,500 SqFt 2
W 3RD AV #206 San Mateo $898,000 2 2 1958 1 to 4,500 SqFt 2
CRYSTAL SPRINGS RD #1207 San Mateo $844,800 2 2 0   2
CRYSTAL SPRINGS RD #2214 San Mateo $759,000 2 2 0   2
VIRGINIA AV San Mateo $700,000 2 2 1606   2

 

Update on the active properties in Baywood  neighborhood.  There has been some movement in the neighborhood. With properties priced right, they don't last long. If you or someone is looking in the Baywood Manor neighborhood please feel free to contact me.

Have a great day!

Jim Light

www.interorealestate.com/agent/jameslight

www.interorealestate.com/agents/jameslight

0 comments • James Light San Mateo Real Estate Agent (Realtor) • November 10 2009 11:10AM

What's moving in San Mateo Westwood Knolls?

Here is a list of the active homes for sale in the San Mateo Westwood Knolls neighborhood.

Street Address City List Price Beds Baths Bldg SqFt Lot Size Range Class
GREENFIELD CT San Mateo 1548000 4 3 3000 .25+ to .5 Acre 1
41ST AV San Mateo 1099000 5 3 3580 4,500+ to 6,500 SqFt 1
EASTWOOD DR San Mateo 998000 4 3 2680 4,500+ to 6,500 SqFt 1
36TH AV San Mateo 995000 3 3 1780 4,500+ to 6,500 SqFt 1
HACIENDA ST San Mateo 844900 3 3 (2/1) 2610 4,500+ to 6,500 SqFt 1
41ST AV San Mateo 825000 3 2 (1/1) 1280 4,500+ to 6,500 SqFt 1
 W 39TH AV San Mateo 799950 3 2 1950 .25+ to .5 Acre 1
41ST AV San Mateo 595000 2 1 1430 4,500+ to 6,500 SqFt 1
BERESFORD CT San Mateo 490050     1410 4,500+ to 6,500 SqFt 3

 Update on the active properties of the San Mateo Knolls neighborhood.  There has been some movement in the neighborhood. With properties priced right, they don't last long. We had a recent house on Winway that our office sold in one week with multiple offers. If you or someone is looking in the San Mateo Westwood Knolls neighborhood please feel free to contact me.

Have a great day!

Jim Light

www.interorealestate.com/agents/jameslight

 www.interorealestate.com/agents/jameslight

0 comments • James Light San Mateo Real Estate Agent (Realtor) • November 10 2009 10:59AM

The New and Improved Home Buyer Tax Credit

 

Here is the latest about the home buyer tax credit. If you are looking to buy a home in San Mateo County you should probably familiarize yourself with the requirements to qualify.

The home buyer tax credit is going to be extended to move-up buyers. What kind of impact do you think this will have on the real estate market in San Mateo County?

 

Via Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Exclusive Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel):

House on tax refundThe much-anticipated extension to the home buyer tax credit has finally been approved.  The Senate's vote yesterday resulted in a 98-0 win and today it was passed in the house.  The bill now moves to the President's desk for a final signature. 

First-time home buyers have been eligible for tax credits of up to $8,000 since last January as part of this year's economic stimulus package.  The newly backed program will expand the credit to include existing home owners.  

Under the revised program, those who have owned a home for at least five years will be able to apply for tax credits of up to $6,500 when they purchase their next home.  To qualify, buyers will have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30. 

The maximum purchase price on a home will be $800,000 with vacation homes not eligible. Income limitations are $125,000 for single tax payers and $225,000 for joint filers. 

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) have been lobbying hard for the extension and expansion of the tax credit.  NAR claims that so far, about 1.4 million first-time homebuyers have qualified for the program and they estimated that 350,000 of these buyers would not have otherwise purchased. 

The tax credit is also set to be extended for another year for military personnel serving outside of the United States until June 30, 2011. 

Senator Johnny Isakson, who heavily pushed for the extension, along with his own version that would have increased the credit to $15,000 stated, "This is probably the last extension." 

But, is this really true?  When April 2011 comes around and the housing market is still not in full recovery mode, will the politicians be able to let this go and actually come to an end, or could it possibly become a more permanent subsidy? 

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Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, TheBuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446  - E-mail    

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 Do you need help structuring a loan, or getting a rate quote? Call me at (650) 222-0386, or e-mail me                                                                                                           

 


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1 comment • Phil Caulfield Jumbo and FHA Mortgage Loans California • November 05 2009 10:43PM