Few women worked as REALTORS^® as recently as the late 70s and early 80s. According to the 2010 NAR Member Profile, 57 percent today are women. But let’s look at a little history of women in the industry.

In 1924, the California Real Estate Association formed a Women’s Division after members founded the idea on a train ride home from the National Association’s convention in Washington, D.C. At the convention, only men were allowed to vote on issues brought before the body. In those days, women were often compensated for a closing with a bottle of champagne instead of a commission check.

In 1938, Joseph Catherine, president of the National Association of Real Estate Boards (now NAR), encouraged the formation of the Women’s Council of REALTORS^® (WCR) after being impressed by the California group. The National Association was ready to recognize women and they voted to form the Women’s Council at their annual convention held in Milwaukee in November of that year. Thirty-seven women represented nine states at the meeting and the inception of WCR.

Today WCR has more than 290 chapters and is the 12^th largest women’s professional organization providing in-depth management training, industry education and networking in addition to its own NAR sponsored designation of PMN (Performance Management Network) which I earned and now hold.

Women don’t consider themselves as a majority in the real estate industry, they consider themselves as professionals working alongside their fellow REALTORS^®.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Americans are changing the way they live and reevaluating the old fashioned features of the home. Today’s home buyer wants a smaller house in this economic climate and builders are responding. According to Heather McCune from Bassenian Lagoni Architects in Park Ridge, Illinois, most home buyers want cost effective architecture, focus on space and not rooms, and some also want homes that are designed “green”.

A recent survey conducted by AVID Ratings Co. found the top 10 must haves in a new home:

1. Large kitchens with an island
2. Upgraded slab countertops, granite or composite
3. Energy efficient appliances, insulation and windows
4. Home office/study
5. Main floor master suite (for the aging population)
6. Outdoor living room
7. Master bath soaking tubs
8. Stone and brick exteriors (wood is still popular in California)
9. Community landscaped walking paths and playgrounds
10. Two car garages

The “California design” with the kitchen open to the main living area is becoming more common with the current casual living style coast to coast while we have seen that trend for a long time here in California. Here we are about family, entertaining, environment.

 

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

It was a warm September day and I remember being in Stinson Beach the day of the Oakland Hills fire in the Bay Area. More black smoke kept drifting over Mt. Tam towards the beach and I knew something very large and bad was happening. It never occurred to me that it was clear across the bay and as wide spread as it was.

So do yourselves and your local firefighters a favor and be prepared. Whether you live in an urban environment like the Oakland Hills or southern California or in a more rural area like Mt. Vision in West Marin County or the Tahoe area, the preparation is the same to help protect your home.

- Cut your grass short, less than 3”. The county is actively cutting the grass by the side of the roads in West Marin now.

- Clean your gutters and roof. Make sure they are free of pine needles and tree branches.

- Remove brush piles. Cut down dead trees and haul away dead vegetation.

- Advertise your location with 3-4” high reflective house numbers that are easily seen day or night so your home can be found. Many towns require that now upon resale.

Get ready. Be prepared. And to learn more, go to www.readysetgomarin.org.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

I have my house on the market and love the feel of an uncluttered, edited home. However, there will still be a lot to pack up when it is time to move and more editing (i.e. trips to Goodwill/Salvation Army) to do.

So here are my tips that I will personally follow to make my move more stress free:

1. Hire a good mover. Get three quotes and recommendations. Check the companies ‘reputation’ online through the Better Business Bureau and Yelp. The federal government regulates moving companies so use their site at www.protectyourmove.gov.
2. Edit while you pack. Be ruthless. If you haven’t used it or worn it in the last year, give it away or throw it out. That way you don’t have to unpack it again on the other end.
3. Save money on packing materials. Borrow boxes from someone who just moved. Or get your boxes and packing materials at Home Depot or your local U-Haul dealer.
4. Consolidate. If you are moving long distance, see if there is someone who is going to the same destination so you can share space in a truck. Moving companies are often happy to add to someone else’s move if there is space available.
5. Make a floor plan. Give the movers a plan of where you want large items placed.
6. Mark your boxes. Make it easy to have the movers put your boxes in the appropriate room so you don’t have to move them around.
7. Get insurance. Ask your homeowner’s insurance company to insure your move for replacement cost. The moving company will charge you a premium and the standard insurance you get through them is not enough if they break something really valuable.
8. Know your destination. Do you need to pare down to small delivery trucks because of windy roads or steep driveways? Do you need to stake your claim on the street in front of your new apartment building? Discuss this with the company and be prepared.
9. Be generous to the movers. Have cookies, plenty of fluids (I order pizza) for the hardworking movers. And tip them each $3 – $5 per hour for a job well done.

Remember to have snacks for yourself, a handy toolkit for installations, repairs, and hanging pictures, and most of all, a sense of humor as you take yourself out to dinner.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Every Friday evening from around Memorial Day through August, Sausalito puts on a free outdoor live music event in a setting that is truly hard to beat – Jazz and Blues by the Bay.

Located on the lush green lawn that is Gabrielson Park, and abutting the Bay, the event is ideally located in the calmest weather location Sausalito has to offer. You’ll want to arrive early to stake out a spot if you’re hoping to get a patch of grass. On warm days those coveted spots can fill up by 5:30; the music starts at 6:30 and generally goes until 8:00.

Family and dog-friendly, kids like to catch hermit crabs between rocks near the shore, while the adults often bring picnics and enjoy the company of friends. It’s a perfect way to start the weekend. If you don’t bring an assortment of snacks and drinks, you can find plenty of great food at the nearby Farmer’s Market which starts earlier and is located in the Bank of America parking lot. BBQ and drinks are also available at kiosks at the event.

You have a number of options for arriving at the event. There is easy parking, the ferry landing is just steps away, or you can join the ever-growing contingency of boaters that anchor just off shore and enjoy the music from there. 

The music is pleasantly varied from week to week and on warm, fog-free evenings the crowd often hangs around well past sunset.  Some days are warmer than others, but with a little planning you can be sure to enjoy the event no matter the weather. Afterwards you have a variety of great restaurants, bars, and cafés to choose from that are all within easy walking distance.

Bring your sunglasses and we hope to see you there!

Posted by: Mark Rushford

A great way to spend an afternoon in West Marin is to head over to Tomales Bay and have an oyster picnic. Bring your favorite crisp white wine, some cheese and crackers and lots of napkins and you are set.

Tomales Bay Oyster Company in Marshall is just up Highway 1 from Point Reyes Station. There you can use the BBQs and picnic tables just a few yards from the bay. Check it out and make a reservation at 415-663-1242.

Further up the road is Hog Island Oyster Company. They will show you their operation to educate you on the production of oysters. They are famous for Kumamotos and Sweetwaters. An oyster bar by the grills and tables is to open soon. Make a reservation at 415-663-9218.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Another fun reason to live in Southern Marin is “Friday Nights on Main” in Tiburon. It is the Ultimate Community Street Party and it is every Friday night from June 11 to August 20. The party starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 9:00 pm. Main Street in Tiburon is closed to traffic so all of the residents and guests and friends can gather for good food, good wine and good music. There is always a dance or jazz band playing in front of Servino’s Italian Restaurant. At the end of the event, the band moves to the inside of Servinos for more dancing and partying. At the other end of Main, there is usually a mellow trio or quartet playing. All of the restaurants have outdoor service as all of the people are sitting at tables set up on Main Street. Guaymas has Margaritas being served right on the street, WayPoint serves pizza, Servinos has a full menu available on the street. Make sure to check out the new spot, Bistro 35, which just opened up a couple of weeks ago. Also, most of the clothing store and retailers are open late to participate in the activities. My wife love Koze’ for Women’s clothing, very hip and cool, yet comfortable.

Friday Nights on Main is a great way to get together with family and friends. Give a shout out to your family/friends from out of the area and have come into Tiburon and join you for a night of great fun! The street is filled with mostly locals and some tourists, families with all of the kids in tow, hip young people checking out the scene and mature couples getting together. Participants arrive by foot, bike and ferry. Parking is limited so hardly anybody drives. My wife and I live in Mill Valley, so we drive to Blackie’s Pasture and walk the Tiburon path into town.

See you all there tonight!

Next week I blog about Friday Night Jazz in Sausalito…….

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

Situated in Marshall just over an hour’s drive north of San Francisco, Nick’s Cove hugs the Tomales Bay on Route One. This seaside haven features 12 luxury suites on or overlooking the water along with its award winning seafood restaurant featuring a daily menu of the freshest, local ingredients. This is the brainchild of restauranteur Pat Kuleto and chef Mark Franz.

Nick’s Cove not only offers the best clam chowder in Marin, but you absolutely sink into the down beds and awaken to heated bathroom floors and a “continental” breakfast that will feed you all day.

To book a cottage (starting at $275/night) or make a dining reservation, call 415 663-1033.

I loved my stay and you will too.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Last week I was fortunate to attend the screening of the independent film, La Mission at The Rafael Film Center. The event was a fundraiser for Wicahpi Koyaka Tiospaye, dedicated to the preservation of Native American culture.

Written and directed by Peter Bratt and starring his brother, Benjamin Bratt, La Mission is a powerfully acted and profound film. It was great to see San Francisco’s Mission District so vividly represented. During the Q & A after the film, it was interesting to find out that most of the actors were actually Mission neighborhood kids. Independent films like this one need to be seen on a broader basis. Word of mouth is their best form of advertising. GO SEE THIS MOVIE! You will be moved. La Mission is currently playing at Landmark’s Opera Plaza in San Francisco.

Mary Edwards, a veteran agent with Frank Howard Allen Realtors, coordinated this event which was well attended and raised thousands of dollars for the Wicahpi Koyaka Tiospaye Tribe. Mary’s husband, Bob Edwards, did a terrific job with the sound for the film. To learn more, visit the website: http://lamissionthemovie.com

See you at the movies…

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

Jeff Davi, California Real Estate Commissioner, addressed a group of Realtors^® at a recent Women’s Council of Realtors® meeting and informed us that in California 54% of all real estate transactions are either short sales or REOs. But unfortunately, according to statistics, only 27% of short sales actually close, and after a very long time at best. That makes buying or selling a property through a short sale an iffy proposition but one that can’t always be avoided.

Here is the story of a client of mine who attempted to buy his first home which was a short sale.  After the end investor decided to pull the property (it was not part of the 27%), it sold at auction, was remodeled and put back on the market. My client was able to purchase the property in its new state for only a few thousand dollars over his original price. And he had a new kitchen and floors. But it took him 9 months.

In the meantime, the investor lost money, the person who bought it at auction made money, and my client maintained his same position. There is definitely something very wrong about that system.

I have a new luxury home coming on the market as a short sale. It is with some consternation that I take this listing with only a 27% success rate. But the clients deserve my best efforts to assist them and I will do everything I can to facilitate a sale for them. Hopefully I will write a blog about a happy ending again.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

If you are looking for some fun outings to do this summer other than another day at the beach, consider taking a tour of some of our local Northern Bay Area businesses.  Here are some ideas to get your road trip started.

Take the Jelly Belly Factory Tour in Fairfield and learn why it takes more than a week to make a single jelly bean!
www.jellybelly.com

No need to travel to Murano, Italy when you can visit the Cohn-Stone Studios in Richmond, designers of hand blown art glass.
www.cohn-stonestudios.com

Visit the Marin French Cheese Company in Petaluma, the oldest cheese maker in the country producing award winning cheeses since 1865.
www.marinfrenchcheese.com

Tour McEvoy Ranch, the Maserati of olive oil in Petaluma.
www.mcevoyranch.com

See how fortune cookies are made at Mee Mee Bakery in San Francisco’s Chinatown who has been baking fortune cookies since 1950.
www.meemeebakery.com

Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory in Petaluma which makes 15,000 miles worth of stickers each year.
www.mrsgrossmans.com

and if that’s not enough,

See how beer is made at Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Fairfield.
www.budweisertours.com

Or visit Beringer Vineyards, the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley.
www.beringer.com

Have a great time, and I would love to hear your feedback on any tours you take or others that you know about not listed here.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Summer is here and the outdoor festivals are in full swing county wide.

To celebrate this Fathers Day weekend, here are some fun activities to consider.

Kidzstock
Joan Baez is the special guest at this all-day festival and concert in Fairfax.

Tiburon Classic Car Show
Classic cars produced before 1971 ( a good year to graduate high school-I had a convertible, yellow Malibu ) will be held at Shoreline Park.

Marin Art Festival
Outdoor art festival featuring over 250 artists at Lagoon Park in San Rafael.

Tiburon Music Festival
Listen to music all week long at St. Hilary’s Church.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

The Dipsea Race is this Sunday, June 13th at 8:30 am. The Dipsea has been run every June since 1905, making it the oldest trail race in America, and second oldest road race after the Boston Marathon. The scenic 7.4 mile course starts off in downtown Mill Valley (at The Depot Café) and ends at Stinson Beach. The Dipsea stairs and steep trails make it grueling and treacherous, but it is still considered to be one of the most beautiful courses in the world. And its unique handicapping system has made winners of men and women of all ages.

My own personal experience dates back to 1987 which was my only time competing in the Dipsea. I do run the Dipsea stairs occasionally to get my heart rate up. There are 3 sets of steps with each set containing approximately 180 steps. Everyone’s heart rate races to near maximum (even the elite runners) and the stairs are at the beginning of the race! I hope to participate in the Dipsea race again in the near future, however as a realtor in Mill Valley, Sundays are work days. If you do rune the Dipsea, count on about 3 days of recovery time and that’s if you don’t crash and get injured on the treacherous trails. It is also fun to gather in downtown Mill Valley Sunday morning to watch 1500 runners head in cascade canyon at the beginning of the race.

Don’t forget that Sunday is also a great day to check out our open houses. Go to www.fhallen.com for a list of our opens. 1500 runners will pass by our new listing at 2 Molino Avenue above Old Mill Park.

See you all Sunday morning!!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

It’s time to go watch the boys of summer play ball. Of course, the outing would not be complete without the traditional hotdog and beer. Or so some think.

If I am going to the park, I love the old Fenway and Wrigley Field, then I am going to take advantage of the fact that in San Francisco at AT&T Park, we have world class food in our world class city. AT&T Park boasts some of the tastiest food in all of baseball. You can get jerk chicken with pineapple salsa at Orlando’s or fresh crab sandwiches at the Crazy Crab Wharf. That is better than a Nathan’s dog any day.

But the best known treat at the park is the garlic fries. After all, we are near the garlic capital of the world, Gilroy. If you want to make your own garlic fries, here is how you do it. Make them to go with your hamburger and listen to the game in the backyard on a hot summer night.

Oven Roasted Garlic Fries, Serves 4
-  1 pound frozen French fries
-  2 tablespoons minced garlic
-  2 tablespoons olive oil
-  2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
-  Salt

Cook fries according to the package directions. While baking, sauté garlic in olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Do not let brown. Remove fries from oven and toss in garlic mixture and parsley. Salt and serve.

Enjoy.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

To me, Memorial Day signals the “official” start of summer and will again this year despite our persistent winter like weather.  To help start your summer off here is a recap of some of the popular Memorial Day weekend activities scheduled around Marin County. 

Marin Greek Festival – Saturday/Sunday 11am-10pm 
Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, Novato
(Note that some of the proceeds will go to my favorite organization, Marin Advocates for Children of which I serve on the board)

Larkspur Flower & Food Festival – Sunday 11am-6pm
Downtown Larkspur, Magnolia & King Streets

Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighter’s Barbecue – Sunday 12-5pm
Muir Beach Picnic Grounds(There is a great silent auction and wonderful t-shirts for the whole family)

Caledonia Street Fair – Sunday 11am-6pm
Caledonia Street, Sausalito

Mill Valley Volunteer Firefighters Annual Pancake Breakfast – Monday 7-11am
Masonic Lodge, Mill Valley

Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade – Start time 10:30am
Old Mill Park, along Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley

Come to each of these fun events dressed for un-summer like weather and have fun!

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Dmitri Vedensky, one of the Bay Area’s most esteemed architects, is known for tucking a house into the landscape without disturbing it at all. He designs thinking of three dimensions-absorbing into consciousness the slope of the land, the vault of the sky, the reach of the horizon, and the undulations underfoot. He knows the course of the sun, the presence of the neighbors, working with the land. And he fuses elegant design sensibility with the specifics of the site.

This is very evident when you look at 657 Lovell Avenue in Mill Valley.

Vedensky studied at Cal with Eric Mendelson and William Wurster, and was an architect working with Joseph Esherick when The Sea Ranch, a planned community located along the Sonoma County coast, was created. One of the first eco-communities in California, Sea Ranch homes are noted for having simple timber-frame structures and combining modern and local architectural styles. Vedensky served on the The Sea Ranch design committee from 1986 until he died in 1997. When you drive up to 657 Lovell, you immediately feel as if you are at Sea Ranch but in the trees.

The home at 657 Lovell is bathed in sun in a clearing in the trees. The living room becomes one with nature through the use of a large picture window that lets in the soft natural light and allows you to feel as though you are outside. It is a quiet place to read with a fire and a cup of tea and watch the winter rain. The dining room is open, communicating with the living room and kitchen. During the day, there are differing kinds of light that bathe the house.

Come see this classic example of Vedensky’s work. For more information, contact judy@marindreamhome.com.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

I feel very blessed to live in Mill Valley with the ability to explore and experience all the Marin has to offer. Anther super cool Mill Valley/Marin event begins this weekend!

This week marks the beginning of a well-known Marin County tradition of Mountain Play, held annually on Mt. Tamalpais. This has been a production brought to Marin since 1913. Mountain Play is a once yearly non profit production that serves to strengthen the community and give a “spectacular, outdoor theatrical experience that nurtures an appreciation of Mt. Tamalpais.”

This year features a crowd favorite rendition of Guys and Dolls: “A fable about what happens to gambling men and the women who long to tame them.” The whole day includes a picnic contest, a raffle, a costume contest and guest performers and a puppet show for the kids before the main event.

Tickets start at $36 and the Greek-style open auditorium is all general admission, so it’s first come first serve with seating. Tickets can be purchased online at the Mountain Play website, or over the phone only. More information and to purchase tickets is available at www.mountainplay.org. Also on the website is a link on directions for cars, bikes, and a free shuttle, as well as what you might want to bring for your Mountain Play experience.

It’s a Marin County favorite so head over to the web site and plan your day out with family and friends, you won’t regret it!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

I enjoy attending continuing education and networking meetings within the real estate industry. I always come away with some new tips and tricks as well some renewed positive energy.

At a recent Women’s Council of REALTORS meeting in California, there was a dynamic speaker addressing the traits of leadership. He quoted John Maxwell, author, from his bestselling book The 21 Indispensable Qualities of Leadership. When he listed the qualities of a good leader, it seemed to me that they were also the necessary qualities of a good real estate agent. Here is the list. The definitions are fairly self explanatory.

Here is the list. The definitions are fairly self explanatory.
Character
Charisma
Commitment
Communication
Competence
Courage
Discernment
Focus
Generosity
Initiative
Listening
Positive Attitude
Passion
Problem Solving
Relationships
Responsibility
Security
Self Discipline
Servanthood (Put others first)
Teachability (Keep learning)
Vision

You can look at this list and see why each and every quality is important in selecting your real estate agent, preferably a REALTOR®. If there is something I missed, by all means let me know. My goal is to possess each of these traits throughout my transactions in order to better serve my clients, and of course their friends and family. I hope I can serve you in some way as well.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

I woke up this morning in Mill Valley (because I live there), and I was pleasantly surprised to see all of the vintage cars lined up in front of Piazza D’Angelo at 7:00 am. This is part of the weekend festivities planned for The Marin Sonoma Concours d’ Elegance.

They proceed to drive from Mill Valley and wind through West Marin to the Rockin’ H Ranch for lunch. The drivers end up at II Davide Restaurant for a wine and cheese event. The drive includes 75 Porsches, including Janis Joplin’s Psychedelic painted Porsche, and 75 pre-1978 vehicles. It looks like a lot of fun!

This evening (Saturday, May 15, 2010) is a reception at The Acqua Hotel for the participants and community supporters of this awesome event.

Sunday, May 16th is the big event at The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Main Civic Center, a landmark building that was the world renowned architect’s last major project. An outstanding selection of 200 classic and special interest cars will be displayed alongside the beautiful lagoon on the grounds of the Civic Center. The gates open at 9:00 am (until 4:00 pm) and general admission is $15.

Frank Howard Allen Realtors is a proud sponsor of this second annual Concours d’ Elegance and the event is benefitting Hospice by the Bay.

See you all there!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

The five homes featured in this coming weekend’s American Institute of Architect’s Marin Home Tour, showcase how design and nature can work together when building a home. From the Mill Valley home designed to follow the curve of a forest ridge or the Sausalito home highlighting panoramic views of Richardson Bay, these homes embrace our beautiful Marin landscape.

For more information or tickets for the tour visit the American Institute of Architects at: www.aiasf.org or call 415-362-7397.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Each month the Mill Valley Art Commission works with local businesses and artists to put together an eclectic art show showcasing local talent. The first Tuesday of every month, between 6 and 8 PM, is the premier event – First Tuesday Artwalk – in which Mill Valley businesses, galleries and restaurants unveil the art along with hosting receptions to meet the artists.

Frank Howard Allen agent Tom Bolles will have his work on display at our downtown Mill Valley office (25 East Blithedale Avenue) through May 30. Please stop by tonight for the “Cuarto de Mayo” Opening Reception and view Tom’s collection: Bite Size, 20 Years of Small Artworks.

Other venues include the Mill Valley Public Library, the Depot Bookstore & Café, 142 Throckmorton Theatre and Tyler Florence. For a map and full listings, visit the Art Commission Page on the City of Mill Valley website.

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

Opening day on the San Francisco Bay is the last Sunday in April (April 25, 2010 this year) and is the Northern California sailing season’s official opening day. Join in on the festivities and watch over 150 boats, beautifully decorated and adorned, cruise across San Francisco Bay in parade formation.

This annual event, dating back to 1917 and organized by the Pacific Inter-Yacht Club Association, is open to all vessels that pre-register. Opening Day on the Bay is one big party for both the sailors and the spectators. There are boats decked out for the party and some really wild themes “come about” to both the amusement and amazement of the spectators. This event is well worth the price of admission…….free for spectators. There are several spectacular vantage points from both San Francisco and Marin to view the activities. Try the Sausalito waterfront or Sam’s Anchor Café in Tiburon. Many of the boats will anchor in Sausalito and Tiburon and they invite spectators onto their boats to party with them.

The event starts at noon. Also on Sunday, April 25, Frank Howard Allen will be holding it’s Open House Extravaganza where we will have over 100 of our listings open from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. From many of our Sausalito, Tiburon and Mill Valley listings, you will be able to see the opening day activities as they happen. Stop by 122 Crescent in Sausalito and enjoy the view from the deck over looking the Bay!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

I have clients from Washington, D.C. who have fallen in love with Bolinas. Of the houses they have seen, many need major remodeling. That is a problem because even if they can get permission from the necessary authorities – Public Utilities District (BPUD), the county of Marin and in some cases, The California Coastal Commission.

Bolinas is a true throw back to the tie-dye days of the protests on the campus at Berkeley. The locals don’t want their town changed. That can be good in keeping the sleepy village feel but it can be bad for it is virtually impossible to update what is there.

According to yesterday’s story in the New York Times it will cost you if you want to build a house in this country hamlet in West Marin. And if you do, it will take 4-7 years of planning and the approval process to get a project finished. Bottom line, if you love Bolinas that much then you have to have a lot of patience and deep pockets to live the quiet, hippy inspired life in Bolinas.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

These are very stressful times in our challenged real estate market and in this recessionary economy. One of the many options in Mill Valley that helps me (and my colleagues) persevere and stay positive is Tuesday night comedy at 142 Throckmorton. Every Tuesday night you can enjoy comedy at The Throckmorton Theater starting at 8:00 and going to 10:30 and sometimes even 11:00. The Tuesday night comedy is called Mark Pitta and Friends. Laughter is a great stress reducer in these stressful times. I went last night with a group of friends and we saw several local comedians and we laughed our selves silly. Sometimes laughing at yourself is the most fun. As a Mill Valley resident and local realtor I try to attend Comedy night once a month. It is a great way to get together with friends and have dinner at one of our local restaurants and walk over to 142 Throckmorton for an evening of laughter. Many times local residents, Robin Williams and/or Dana Carvey, will show up and practice their routines on us before taking to the road (i.e. Las Vegas, New York etc.). The comedy is always funny and occasionally a bit raunchy. The performers will pick on audience members so be prepared to be put on the spot. For times and performances go to www.142throckmortontheatre.com and you can buy tickets in advance. It’s $20 a head for comedy and, in my opinion, it’s one of the best values you can find in Marin!

This is just one of the many “quality of life” benefits Mill Valley has to offer. Whether you choose to mountain bike, hike to the beach, meet a friend at a local café, enjoy dining at one or our quality restaurants or enjoy an evening of comedy, Mill Valley is the place to do it. On other nights The Throckmorton features music, dancing and theater. Oh, by the way, if you do not live in Mill Valley, see me at www.fhallen.com and I think I can help you find an awesome place to call home!

Posted by:Andy Gellepis

On a beautiful Saturday or Sunday when the traffic is backed up at the Stinson Beach exit at Highway 101, people assume that everyone is headed for the beach. Not necessarily so. At the foot of Mt. Tam State Park rests Muir Woods, the national monument consisting of 559 acres of old-growth redwood forest. Only 12 miles from San Francisco and close to the ocean, it is often shrouded in fog.

Muir Woods is awe inspiring not just for the giant redwoods but also the peace and quiet (go early or at off hours and have the valley to yourself). Salmon spawn in the creek, the birds are plentiful and the plant life green and lush. It is also inspirational to read the history of how its conservation came to be by the dedication of William Kent.

The “monument” is only open during the day; there is no camping. This is a magnificent day trip to hike on both paved and unpaved trails that wind around these magnificent trees. On busy weekends (aka full parking lots), parking is provided at the Highway 101 exit and shuttle buses will take you to the entrance.

If you are a local and haven’t seen this breathtaking forest of redwoods, don’t wait for out-of-town guests as an excuse to go. And if you are visiting the Bay Area, do yourself a favor and take this little detour to Muir Woods. You will never forget it.

If you’re traveling north and would like to experience the splendor of the redwoods in Sonoma County, check out the Armstong Woods post on our GuideMeHome2Sonoma blog.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Be trained for an emergency. It will be necessary to use volunteers in a large scale disaster. With this in mind, Marin County and its many fire departments have joined forces to create the CERT (Community Emergency Response Training) program for civilians to be trained in the case of widespread disaster. I just received my official card registering me as a disaster service worker from the Marin County Disaster Council. This is based on the FEMA CERT program and the program is designed to prepare volunteers in basic emergency skills such as:

• Fire prevention and suppression
• Search and rescue
• Disaster first aid
• Emergency preparedness
• Terrorism watch out situations

Living in an area known as “earthquake and wildfire country” it is important to take responsibility for our own safety for five days. Taking this training will help you learn how to do that for your family and your neighbors.

Watch for more information this month, Disaster Preparedness Month, to what steps you can take to prepare. Be trained for an emergency.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Disaster preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. We cannot rely on the government for help. Previously, with Helpful Hint #1, I discussed how to use an old pair of loafers as part of your disaster plan so that you can safely and easily get mobile. Next, you’ll need food and water to survive. Most everyone knows they should have an emergency food supply at home, and this will be discussed at a later time. However, even more important is your emergency WATER supply.

Helpful Hint #2: Cool, clear water
A person can survive weeks without food, but only a few days without water. How much should you store?

Store a MINIMUM of 5 gallons of water per person (1 gallon per person per day for 5-7 days). And the more you can store the better—and, don’t forget about your pets!

Purchased bottled water should last 1-2 years. If you bottle it yourself, add a few drops of chlorine bleach, and then again a few more when you drink it. This water should be changed every 6 months. (Think Daylight Savings Time – replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and your emergency water supply.)

Don’t store the water near toxic substances such as pesticides or gasoline as the vapors will penetrate the plastic over time.

To purify water, boil it vigorously for at least 10 minutes. If no heat is available, add liquid bleach with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) in the following amounts:

Wait 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine smell; if it doesn’t, repeat dosage and wait 15 minutes more.

To take a local disaster preparedness class or to get more information, visit:

Tiburon/Belvedere: www.getready94920.org
Marin County: www.getreadymarin.org
National: www.ready.gov

Posted by:Jean Cromwell

It has always held true in real estate that the most desirable neighborhoods have the best public schools and consequently, buyers pay a premium to live there. The San Francisco Chronicle featured the good school/premium price relationship in today’s Cover Story. You can read it here.

My own experience as a father and a realtor living and working in Mill Valley has been profound. Back in 1992 when our son started public school (first grade) we made a decision to move to Mill Valley for all of the fabulous lifestyle reasons (recreational activities, weather, proximity to San Francisco and so many others). However, the primary reason we moved to Mill Valley was the quality of the public school system. We were not disappointed. Our son embraced the whole larger public school scene including Tam Valley Elementary, Mill Valley Middle and Tam High. He excelled in school which says a lot about him, but he believes (as do his mom and dad) that the school system was conducive to his success. Billy graduated in 2004 and had several great choices for college including one Ivy League school. He chose UCLA and that decision was based partly on the larger public school environment he grew up in. Billy excelled at UCLA where he graduated in 2008 and is now working in a challenging but rewarding position that he thoroughly enjoys.

As a realtor for over 20 years in Marin/Mill Valley my experience has been equally positive. I have worked with many corporate transferees and their families relocating to the bay area for other parts of the country (and the world). I have also counseled countless families moving from San Francisco to Marin. 75% to 80% of my clients gravitate to Mill Valley, Tiburon-Belvedere, Corte Madera-Larkspur and Kentfield-Ross for many positive lifestyle reasons. In surveys, we found out that once again, schools are the number one factor in their decision making process. In the end, buyers will compromise on the size, age and amenities of the house to live in the best neighborhood with the BEST schools. That old real estate adage will never change!

Click here to get detailed neighborhood and school information for Marin County.

Posted by:Andy Gellepis

There is a common theory that the home values on the coasts are highest and they diminish by the time you get to middle America.

According to www.CNNMoney.com, that theory stills hold true. The highest values are on all three coasts, Left (aka East), Right (aka West) and the best of all, Hawaii. What that means is that these areas are also the least affordable, not good if you practice real estate in these communities or are looking to buy real estate in these communities.

So here is the list:

1. San Francisco, California
Median Home Price: $625,000
Median Income: $ 96,800
Affordability Score: 22%

2. Honolulu, Hawaii
Median Home Price: $450,000
Median Income: $ 79,300
Affordability Score: 33.8%

3. Santa Ana, California
Median Home Price: $435,000
Median Income: $ 86,100
Affordability Score: 34.5%

4. New York, New York
Median Home Price: $425,000
Median Income: $ 64,800
Affordability Score: 19.7%

5. Los Angeles, California
Median Home Price: $320,000
Median Income: $ 62,100
Affordability Score: 36.8%

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

A beautification project along the Tiburon/Belvedere Peninsula is now in the works. Spearheaded by local residents Randi Brinkman and Hazel Carter of Frank Howard Allen and Charles Auerback, the former Mayor of Belvedere, flower baskets will be erected mid-April to line Tiburon Boulevard leading to the entrance of the downtown area of shopping and restaurants and the ferry to San Francisco. This project is being funded by local businesses and residents; the City of Tiburon is providing the watering and maintenance. It has truly become a community project and the hope is it will expand across the Peninsula.

Mark your calendar for these other upcoming Tiburon events:

Tiburon International Film Festival – March 18-26. More info.

Tiburon Wine Festival – May 15. More info.

Tiburon Art Festival – August 28-29. More info.

What events are you most looking most forward to this spring and summer? Let us know in the comments.

(Artwork by Shelly Bowes, Tiburon Office)

Posted by:Randi Brinkman

One of the many benefits of living in Marin is the dedication to nature and open space in our county. One such example is the Audubon Canyon Ranch in Stinson Beach overlooking the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. This thousand-acre wildlife sanctuary supports a major heronry of Great Blue Herons and Great and Snowy Egrets. It was founded in 1962 to save the heron and egret nesting colony from development. The birds nesting at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve are a main attraction of this preserve, even though there is an abundance of other species making their home in the area.

This time of year the Audubon Canyon Ranch, whose mission is to protect the natural resources of its sanctuaries, is open for visitors to see the nests and babies of the herons and egrets that return to this location annually to build their nests and hatch their eggs. The number of nests varies but usually totals more than 100. Pairs of herons and egrets return each spring to nest in the tops of the tall redwood trees in Picher Canyon and feed in the shallow waters of Bolinas Lagoon and nearby tidelands.

Sunday, March 14th is Community Day at the Ranch. Celebrate with the family with hikes, kids’ activities, your favorite picnic, ice cream and more. Open from 10am to 4pm, this is the perfect way to celebrate spring, new life and the beautiful nature of the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve of the Audubon Canyon Ranch, located at 4900 Shoreline Highway, three miles north of Stinson Beach.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Recently we saw the devastating effects of the earthquake in Haiti…then came Chile…then Taiwan…and just today, a 6.0 quake in Turkey.

Ask yourself: are you ready should a disaster happen in your neighborhood? Could you subsist without outside support for up to 72 hours after a disaster? If you think we live in such a civilized area that surely help would reach us quickly, you must have missed the Katrina debacle.

The truth is, if we have a major disaster, we may need to rely on our own devices for quite a while. And in the aftermath of Katrina, it became obvious that few people were prepared. At the urging of the Belvedere and Tiburon Foundations, a task force was created to address this on the Tiburon Peninsula and the GET READY program was born. Designed by the Tiburon Fire Department, a 2-hour course is offered to teach residents how to better prepare for a natural disaster. This program is ongoing, and is so successful it has been expanded to all of Marin County. To date over 14,000 Marin residents have been trained; over 3,000 residents on the Tiburon Peninsula alone. If you are interested in taking the course, call your local Fire Department. Is it worthwhile? Your life may depend on it!

Helpful Hint #1

Just what do you do with an old, comfortable pair of loafers you can’t bear to throw out?

Answer: SAVE THEM! They should be placed under the bed and left there. In an emergency (most likely an earthquake in this area) your first reaction will be to get up and run. You will need something nearby to get into fast. If you try to escape in bare feet and if there is any broken glass nearby (again most likely) you will be in big trouble. Without your mobility you will be unable to help yourself or your family.

For more information, please visit:

Tiburon/Belvedere: www.getready94920.org

Marin County: www.getreadymarin.org

National: www.ready.gov

Posted by:Jean Cromwell

Despite the ongoing rain, the real estate market has blossomed for spring. This is evidenced by a substantial increase in activity, more listings, more sales, more closings and more traffic visiting our listings at weekend open houses and private showings. This activity is being driven by quality inventory which I define as, well-located and well-priced homes in desirable locations. Inventory as of March 1, 2010 is still running behind March 1, 2009 listings. On the other hand, closings through March 1, 2010 are 258 compared to 193 during the same time frame in 2009. The percentage in contract (number of homes under contract as a percentage of total homes available) as of March 1, 2010 is 41% versus 30% last March 1. These numbers are significant because they reflect the fact that buyers are making offers on our quality inventory this year as opposed to “waiting for prices to drop” last year. This is also an indicator that buyers believe that the market has bottomed out.

 

Frank Howard Allen, Mill Valley is doing its part to launch the spring market with several new desirable properties. Please check out www.226juliaave.com, www.81hillsideave.com and www.378woodside.com. It will be a very active spring. The lower-end of the market is most active right now. However, we are starting to gain some momentum in the $1-plus-million market and even the $2-plus-million market. Stay tuned for further updates on how spring plays out.

Posted by:Andy Gellepis

For potential homebuyers who are still unsure about making a move, the next few months signify a countdown of sorts.

The first countdown is the extension of the federal tax credit for first time buyers (see my previous blog post about this) and the expansion of the credit to include move-up buyers as well, which both expire April 30, 2010. For more information, visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

The second, and relevant to all buyers, is that the Federal Reserve (the Fed) will soon wind down its program to keep home loan interest rates low.

Here’s how we got to the current low home loan rates: the Fed purchased Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) in 2009; this helped to keep prices of the MBS high and push home loan rates low.

The good news is that the Fed continues that program through March 31, 2010. But…here is the alert. The Fed’s purchase of the MBS peaked in May 2009 at an average of $25 Billion per week. In November, the average dropped to $14 Billion per week. By the end of that month, the Fed had used over 80% of their allocated funds for the program. There is not much left, especially since the tax credit program has added new loans to the pool.

So why sound the alert? As the Fed’s program winds down, we will likely see higher levels of volatility with shifting rates and since MBS will have less support from the Fed (i.e. they won’t be buying them), other investors will have to buy the securities, and as industry observers believe, rates are likely to rise.

The Wall Street Journal published two pieces today on this matter:

From WSJ / Economy: Bernanke: Low Rates Still Needed

From the WSJ Developments blog: Analyst: Pressure Will Build on Fed To Extend Mortgage Program

So what to do? Beat the spring rush, get qualified and buy while home loan rates are at an all time low.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

One of the many reasons that Marin continues to enjoy high real estate values is due to the many county, state and national parks in our area. Marin County is dominated by 70-80% open space, which includes this network of parks, many of which are suffering due to the California budget crisis.

There is a proposed state ballot measure, sponsored by the Marin Conservation League, which would create the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010. The purpose of the measure would be to protect state parks and conserve wildlife where, by law, the funds could only be spent on state parks, urban river parkways, wildlife, natural lands and ocean conservation programs. These funds would come from an $18 annual State Park Access Pass surcharge added to the license fee on all California vehicles annually. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would receive free, year-round admission to all state parks. This fee is expected to generate $500 million a year and take the funding of the state parks out of the state general fund.

To learn more about the measure and how you can help gather signatures to ensure its place on the November 2010 ballot, log on to the California State Parks Foundation website. You can also learn more about this issue locally on the Marin Conservation League website or email subvw@yahoo.com.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

In an effort to save paper (and trees) the Planning and Building departments of the City of Mill Valley in Marin County, California, are both Tweeting and using Facebook.

The departments are sending out messages about upcoming meetings, vacancies on the commission and the like. No specific projects are discussed. They also have a joint Facebook page, which provides information about meetings, workshops, applications, etc.

To follow the planning and building in Mill Valley on Twitter, go to twitter.com/mvplanning or twitter.com/mvbuilding.

You can also follow Frank Howard Allen on Facebook and Twitter.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Mention Valentine’s Day and our thoughts turn to cards, chocolates and roses. But have you ever wondered how we came to celebrate this holiday?

According to www.history.com, the history of Valentine’s Day and St. Valentine – its patron saint – is a mystery. Valentine greetings can be traced as far back as the Middle Ages and Valentine’s Day as we know it today has remnants of both Christian and Ancient Roman traditions. To read more on the history of Valentine’s Day, visit www.history.com.

If you are planning on buying flowers this February 14, here are some thoughts to keep in mind. Certainly you can order flowers from an online or 800-number referral service, but you won’t know who is actually filling your order or the quality of the flowers being sent. If at all possible, it is better to order from a local florist – especially on Monday mornings when most flower shops restock. To help you locate one, here are my picks for some of the best florists in Marin:

Sausalito	Nancy Ann Flowers & Balloons (A good source for gardenias)	415.332.6272
Tiburon	Hearts and Flowers	415.435.1971 or 415.388.6660
Mill Valley	Bloomingayles Mill Valley Flowers	415.381.2272 415.388.7781
Larkspur/Corte Madera	Bloomers of Larkspur	415.927.7422
Greenbrae/Kentfield/Ross	Woodlands Floral	415.455.8856
San Anselmo/Fairfax	Bloomworks	415.453.2478
Stinson Beach/Bolinas	Meristem Florists	415.868.0666

FYI….The trick to making cut flowers last longer is to re-cut the stems on an angle before putting them in water; and don’t forget to mix in the flower preservative which came with them. Change the water every other day and wash the vase with soap and water at the same time. If you are out of flower preservative, try this: mix 1/4 part 7-Up with 3/4 parts water and add 2-3 drops of bleach.

For more local resources email me at judy@marindreamhome.com.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

The Home Buyer Tax Credit, initially set to expire on November 30, 2009 has been extended into this year. Additionally, the tax credit has been expanded to include current homeowners looking to purchase a different home. The key points of the tax credit bill is as follows:

• First-Time Home Buyer Credit
  The $8,000 credit is available to first time buyers defined as a person who has not owned a principal residence for three years prior to the purchase. This applies to both parties in a married couple as well. If one spouse has owned a home for three years, but the other has not, then neither can qualify for the credit.


• Current Home Buyer Credit
  The tax credit has now been expanded to include current homeowners who wish to purchase a different home. To qualify for the $6,500 credit, a current homeowner has to have owned and lived in their home for five consecutive years of the last eight. Current homeowners do not need to sell their existing home to qualify for the credit. They may hold onto it as a rental property.


• Timeline
  The credit is available for homes purchased between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Home purchases in a binding contract by April 30, 2010 will qualify for the credit as long as closing occurs by June 30, 2010.


• Income Limits
  Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with joint income up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit. Partial credits are available to single taxpayers with incomes between $125,000 and $145,000 and married couples with earnings between $225,000 and $245,000.

Under the new bill, the tax credit may only be issued for homes purchased for $800,000 or less. The tax credit is a true credit and does not need to be repaid, provided the homeowner stays in the home for at least three years The credit will be paid to eligible taxpayers even if no tax is owed or the credit exceeds the tax owed.

For more details on the Home Buyer Tax Credit email me at jlemarr@fhallen.com.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

As 2009 comes to a close and we look to set our resolutions for the New Year, are you thinking of ideas for sprucing up your home? If you are, REALTOR Magazine, as part of its Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report suggests these big impact, low-cost remodeling projects:

Add or replace tile – By using very inexpensive tile to update a kitchen backsplash or renew the look of a bathroom you can change the look of the room.

Add a breakfast bar – If you have a wall that separates a kitchen from a family room, consider cutting an opening in the wall and adding a counter top to create a breakfast bar.

Install granite tile – Using low-cost granite tiles in place of slab granite counters can add a lot of impact for a fraction of the cost.

Simple bathroom updates – If your bathroom is starting to look its age, consider these simple, low-cost ideas: replace the medicine cabinet and light fixtures, install a new faucet or new vanity. Another idea – install a glass shower door if your bath does not already have one.

Spruce up cabinet fronts – Worn-looking wood kitchen cabinets can be given a facelift simply by reconditioning with oil and updating the hardware. Likewise, painted cabinets can be given a fresh coat of paint – same color or something entirely different!

Replace light fixtures – In the entry, kitchen or bath replacing dated light fixtures can add a new look and feel for not a lot of money.

Hope these low-cost remodeling ideas inspire you. Even these small changes can make a difference in the value and appeal of your home.

Send your ideas for low-cost remodeling projects to me at Judy@MarinDreamHome.com.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

You bet! This time of year is known as Indian Summer – and while the warm weather is still with us, it can be a great time of year to showcase your home, especially in Marin.

Indian Summer is a period of unseasonably warm weather following a cold spell (or a hard frost in other parts of the country with less mild climates). While there are no actual set dates, the warm streaks usually occur during October and November .

The Old Farmers’ Almanac says: Indian summer can occur between St. Martin’s Day (November 11) and November 20. Although there are differing dates for its occurrence, for more than 200 years the Almanac has adhered to the saying, “If All Saints’ brings out winter, St. Martin’s brings out Indian summer.”

And, according to the Farmers’ Almanac, there are two generally agreed-upon criteria for the term “Indian Summer”: Temperatures must be above 70 degrees for 7 days following the autumnal equinox and, in colder climates, it must occur after the first frost.

If you’d like to read more about Indian Summer, this is a fascinating article by weather historian Bill Deedler, examining the history and origins.

While I’m not an expert on the topic, I do know that this time of year brings about beautiful weather in Marin County with no need for sweaters – even in the evening . So if you are debating whether to put your home on the market, now just might be the right time.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Friday evening, October 30, was a magnificent Indian summer night in Tiburon. San Francisco glistened as our backdrop to a wonderful performance by Elizabeth Pitcairn on “The Red Violin.” The Marin Symphony organized this event as part of the Prelude In-Home Concert Series and we were proud to open up 85 Spring Lane for this musical recital. There were 110 guests, most of whom were patrons and supporters of The Marin Symphony. We enjoyed fine wine, superb appetizers and world class music. The Red Violin has inspired many, including Hollywood, which made a movie about it. The Red Violin was crafted in the 16th century and has quite a history. I don’t know all of the details, but I’m told that this violin is worth millions of dollars! Elizabeth played beautifully and everyone was mesmerized by her performance. An eleven-year-old prodigy also played a number on The Red Violin.

The Golden Imperial Burmese teak floors provided great acoustics when combined with our spacious rooms and high ceilings. All 110 guests were seated comfortably for the performance and the patrons were very appreciative and complimentary of the home and the ambiance.

For more details and photos of 85 Spring Lane, go to www.85springlane.com. We have reduced the price from $10,995,000 to $9,995,000.

If you ever have a chance to see Elizabeth Pitcairn perform, JUMP at the opportunity. We all feel blessed to have seen her play. It gave me a whole new perspective on classical music and the violin.

Posted by:Andy Gellepis

Halloween weekend is here and it is time to bob for apples at the neighborhood Halloween party. Not only is it fun and wet, but if you are lucky enough to snag one of those apples, you are in for a delicious and nutritious snack.

Apples have a lot of nutritional value. In addition to being rich in antioxidants (they fight cancer) and phytochemicals (they reduce the risk of heart disease, colon, prostate and lung cancer), apples have no fat, sodium or cholesterol. Oh, and they are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates which give you sustained energy.

So pack an apple in the kids’ lunch or better yet, make a yummy apple crisp with raisins and cranberries for a delicious fall treat.

And now you know that when you hear “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” you should believe it.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

HVCC stands for Home Valuation Code of Conduct . Effective in May of this year, the HVCC was established to change appraiser selection criteria that will help eliminate conflicts of interest on mortgage appraisals. Consequently, many lenders are required to source appraisals through an appraiser network. This is where it is important to use a lender who has more options than just contacting a call center in Minnesota and being assigned an appraiser who happens to be the first to respond and may not even live in the area.

According to the USPAP, Uniform Standard Professional Appraisal Practice, an appraiser should have competency in valuing property in the local market. Unfortunately, under the new HVCC regulation, this doesn’t always happen.

If you are in the market for a new home or are looking to refinance your current home, here are some very important questions to ask an appraiser:

1. Do you have access to local MLS data?
2. How far is your office from the subject property?
3. Are you familiar with the area?
4. When was the last time you were in the area of the subject property?
5. How frequently are you in the area of the subject property?
6. How long have you been appraising?
7. What are your credentials?

And be sure that you know what the following “codes” mean when you ask that last question.

AT: Trainee

AL: Appraiser does not do FHA loans and only loans under $1 Million

AR: Certified Residential Appraiser who can appraise any value

AG: Commercial Appraiser who also can do residential appraisals

If you have any concern about the appraiser assigned to your loan, call the lender and immediately ask for someone qualified to evaluate the property. Any flag at all and you should get reassigned.

Let me know if you have had any bad experiences with the HVCC.

Judy LeMarr, 415 793-5030

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

Every year I send out time change announcements to my clients and friends without even thinking about why we change our clocks. This year I got to wondering: Where did the idea of Daylight Saving Time originate? (Yes, it is singular!)

Curious, I decided to do a little research and was amazed at the detailed information I discovered. If you, too, are interested, here are some things I learned from the California Energy Commission Website:

• Daylight Saving Time is observed in most of the United States and approximately 70 other countries.
• Daylight Saving Time has been around since the earliest part of the 20th century and even earlier. However, the American law that causes us to change our clocks did not emerge until 1966.
• One of the main reasons we change our clocks is that it reportedly saves energy. In fact, the most recent change to Daylight Saving Time came as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which, beginning March, 2007, extended Daylight Saving Time by one month.
• Benjamin Franklin first wrote about the idea in an essay titled ”An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light” in 1784. More than a century later, an Englishman named William Willett again suggested the idea culminating in the introduction of British Summer Time in 1916. In addition, recognizing that the nation could save energy, England changed their clocks during World War I.
• In the U.S., Congress put the country on Daylight Saving Time in 1918 for the remainder of World War I in an effort to conserve resources for the war. The law was so unpopular that it was later repealed. At war again, Congress reinstated Daylight Saving Time in February, 1942. It remained in effect until September 1945.
• From 1945 to 1966, states and localities were free to choose whether to enact Daylight Saving Time or not, which resulted in widespread confusion for trains, buses and the broadcasting industry. Congress stepped in with the Uniform Time Act of 1966 which stated that Daylight Saving Time would be consistent across the country.
• Two more changes to Daylight Saving Time dates were later made by Presidents Ronald Regan and George W. Bush.
• Today, Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 AM on the Second Sunday in March and lasts until 2 AM on the First Sunday of November.

So…while I prefer the longer days of summer and will have to bid them farewell until next spring, don’t forget to “Fall Back” on Sunday, November 1, at 2 AM. Oh, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to also change the batteries in your smoke detectors!

San Francisco won big with hosting the 2009 Presidents Cup. The hotels are happy, the golfers are happy and the management of Harding Park Golf Course is ecstatic.

The opening ceremonies took place Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 7) with former Presidents Clinton and George H. W. Bush in attendance. Practice rounds started Tuesday, the only day photos were allowed. I walked in the gate and immediately saw co-captain Michael Jordan sauntering down the fairway with Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker. Michael was the only person allowed to smoke a cigar on the course no doubt.

Adding to the excitement, the Blue Angels are in town for Fleet Week, and you may even catch a glimpse of them as they begin their survey flights and practice in the skies over San Francisco starting on Thursday afternoon.

With a sagging convention and hotel business, the people coming in from other locales such as Texas and Europe (both very foreign) to see the US team challenge the International Team are giving a real boost to the local economy.

And for those of you non-golfers, the International Team is any golfer who qualified who is NOT from Europe. And they get no winnings, other than a LOT of free clothes, golf bags, stuff and hopefully bragging rights. Oh, and they get to donate to their local charity.

Follow the Presidents Cup standings, news and analysis on the official website and stay tuned. It is rumored that President Obama may attend the closing ceremony on Sunday, the 11th.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

It’s that time of the year again when the film world converges on Mill Valley for the 32nd Annual Mill Valley Film Festival. Frank Howard Allen has been a sponsor and supporter of the MVFF for ten years and counting and we are thrilled for this event to be back in town.

The Festival begins on Thursday, October 8, with two opening films (The Boys Are Back and Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire), followed up by an Opening Night party where we’ll be hanging out with invited guests Clive Owen, Scott Hicks and Lee Daniels. The 11-day event continues with a full line-up of movies, parties, tributes, spotlights, and live performances. It is so much fun to discover small independent films that can have a huge impact when they get released. The local restaurants and bars are energized with a little bit of “Hollywood” going on, minus the “LA thing.” There are also seminars for aspiring filmmakers and tributes to many fine actors, writers and directors. This year’s tributes include: Uma Thurman, Woody Harrelson and Anna Karina.

Each year, the stars and film people always seem to fall in love with Mill Valley and Marin – We have plenty of homes to choose from this year, so if you’re in town for the event, think about this: you could be living a fabulous but low key/high quality lifestyle in Mill Valley, and only travel to Los Angeles to make your movies…I’m SOLD !

The MVFF wraps up on October 18 with the closing films (Looking for Eric and The Young Victoria) and a Closing Night party and moonlight cruise aboard the California Hornblower.

Frank Howard Allen’s downtown office is located in the heart of all the MVFF action. We are located at 25 East Blithedale between Sunnyside and Throckmorton and across from Bungalow 44. Please stop in and say hello.

Check out www.MVFF.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

See you at the movies…

Click on photo for larger image

Posted by:Andy Gellepis

On Thursday, September 24th we hosted a “twilight open house” at 85 Spring Lane in Tiburon. We invited members of the community, friends, and family, clients (past and present) as well as select agents and brokers. The event was catered by Bistro 35, a new restaurant opening soon on Main Street in Tiburon. The event was a huge success attended by more than 100 people. The feedback has been fantastic about the house, the food and the overall high energy vibe everybody felt. Twilight opens can be very effective when planned for and executed in a timely fashion. 85 Spring Lane was the perfect house for “twilight”. It was a beautiful evening and a great time was had by all. BTW, we have a couple of showings lined up as a result of our event. Please view at www.85springlane.com.

The next event scheduled for 85 Spring Lane is a Marin Symphony Recital scheduled for October 30th.

Posted by:Andy Gellepis

One of the reasons people want to move to Marin is for the good public education. Families move here from San Francisco and corporate relocation clients also chose Marin for the public schools. After all, with our price of real estate, why pay for private education if you don’t have to.

The schools in Marin are consistently achieving good high scores. The reputation for our schools is known nationally. For additional information on the schools and their scores, log on to www.greatschools.org. Stay tuned for follow up info on specific school districts in Marin.

Visit my website for more information on Marin.

School is in session. Drive safely.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr

I didn’t do it…I swear I didn’t do it!

I was nabbed in Alamo Square Park in San Francisco, dragging my leash, one starry August night. My two “Finders” decided to take me to the Pet Clinic on Fillmore Street, in the posh Pacific Heights area, because this particular clinic had animals up for adoption, and the two decided that, if my owner could not be found, at least I would have a chance at a new home. Little did I know that they would transfer me to the County Jail (San Francisco Animal Control). There they put me through a battery of tests. They located my chip, which had some of my vitals, and attempted to locate my owner. After two very quiet weeks at County, with no word from my owner (through no fault of my own, by the way) they quickly changed my sentence to guilty (of neglect) and placed me on death row—no appeals, nothing!

My finders were outraged by this arbitrary decision. With less than 48 hours left, they decided to plead my case, lead by David Sutton, my brilliant defense attorney. They were successful in springing me! They put me up in temporary housing where I am recuperating from a recent hysterectomy (done without my permission, by the way,) but necessary for my parole. My new foster grandparents are taking care of me on the Belvedere Lagoon. They are very motivated to find me a new home.

I am very sweet, loyal, and small for my age, and am having a ball getting to know my new foster brother and sister. I will say, they have put me through a grueling basic training course. I have passed most of my tests with flying colors and am diligently working on the rest. Unfortunately, I will need to find a new permanent home, because there is not enough room for me there indefinitely.

Female
14 months old
spayed
petite
light brown with white chest and feet
Shots & vaccinations up to date
I will soon have my own website stay tuned…

If you know of anyone interested in a young, loving Boxer, I sure could use a good home. You can visit me by calling Katie at 213-926-6165. She knows just where to find me. Please pass this message on to anyone who would make me a good home

Posted by:Jean Cromwell

Sunday September 6th, 2009 join Tiburon and Belvedere for their Labor Day Parade starting at 1 PM. The parade runs from downtown Main Street and ends up at Belvedere Park for the final “Concert in the Park” featuring Cosmo Fraser and his reggae group. Bring your children for a photo op on a San Francisco Trolley hosted by Frank Howard Allen at the end of the Parade in the Belvedere Park.

Look forward to seeing you all there…

Posted by:Randi Brinkman