Our calendar with 365 days is meant to coincide with the solar year – or the time it takes the earth to complete its orbit around the sun.  In fact, it actually takes about 365 ¼ days for earth to orbit the sun so the calendar and solar year don’t completely match up.  It may not seem like much, but over the course of a few years, those extra quarter days begin to add up.

After four years, the calendar would fall behind the solar year by a day and over the course of a century the difference would be 25 days.  Just imagine summer starting in July!  In order to allow the calendar to catch up to the solar year, a Leap Day is added every four years.

The Egyptians were the first to come up with the notion of adding a day every four years to keep the calendar and solar year aligned. The Romans later adopted this for their calendar and were the first to name February 29 as Leap Day.

While the math seems to work perfectly – add a day every four years for the extra ¼ day it takes the earth to orbit the sun, it’s not that perfect!  The solar year is actually 11 minutes and 14 seconds less than 365 ¼ days.  So by adding a Leap Day every four years, the calendar would be still 11 minutes and 14 seconds longer than the solar year.  While it doesn’t seem like much it can really add up and after 128 years, our calendar would gain an extra day.  To remedy this, Leap Years are omitted three times every 400 years, the rule being that a century year is not a Leap Year unless it is evenly divisible by 400.  By doing this our calendar and solar years differ by only about a half minute. At that rate, it will take 3,300 years for them to diverge by a day!

Who knew?!

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

At this time last year, my daughter-in-law and I had just returned from building houses in Brazil through Habitat International. What we had built were very basic accommodations that were luxurious to the women and their families who would be occupying them.

Many people assume that Habitat for Humanity was started by Jimmy Carter. That is an urban myth that was created when Jimmy and Roselyn got involved in the organization. Habitat began in Americus, Georgia, in 1942 as a self-sustaining Christian community with the concept of partnership housing – enabling low-income families to build their own homes with the help of neighbors, volunteers and a no-profit mortgage.

Habitat’s goal was to eliminate substandard housing and make real the dream of safe, decent shelter for everyone on earth. This past fall, Habitat celebrated its 500,000^th house, helping bring more than 2.5 million people home.

With the success of this organization and the very low default rate of the owners, maybe our banks should take a look at this business model and see that it pays to lend a hand to help people afford a secure home and stay in it.

Happy Holidays to all, and thank you, Habitat for Humanity.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Tax bills for the coming have been mailed for the 2011-2012 year. And the deadline to appeal the assessed amount has passed. So where are the values in Marin right now?

After a 1.18 percent decline in 2010/2011 tax year, Marin County’s valuation of its real estate is going up .08 percent this year.

In spite of this news, the new County Assessor, Richard Benson, notes that there is a continuing slide in values in some of the Marin neighborhoods. He has reduced the value of 27 percent of the county’s residential properties which means a tax break for 21,600 home owners.

Interesting note, the 15 coastal counties gained .9 percent (which accounts for 60 percent of the state’s valuation) and the 43 inland counties fell .6 percent.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) launched a public awareness campaign this year to remind the public and our nation’s decision makers that home ownership not only benefits families, it also helps build strong communities and creates jobs. The NAR campaign ads emphasize several key points, such as:

• For every two homes sold, one job is created  
• Each home purchased pumps up to $60,000 into the economy

Home ownership accounts for over $2 trillion of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product with some saying housing is responsible for 10% of the U.S. economy.

So why isn’t the government insisting the banks lend to home buyers to jump start this economy? They can bail out the banks and insurance companies, but what about homebuyers? The recent tax credit helped get real estate sales going. There must be another good idea the government can enact. And for those of us in the expensive coastal markets, we would love to see that conforming loan limit raised again.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Did you know that the 90 day rule on buying a foreclosed property and then reselling it has been lifted until December 31, 2011?

But here is the caveat. It may require two appraisals and further justification if the price is 20% or more higher than the original foreclosure purchase price.

If you are thinking of investing in a foreclosure, check with your local lender on the terms of flipping in today’s market.

Good luck!

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

What will it take to get people to buy houses?

The government keeps trying to jump start the economy. This is the lowest our interest rates have been since 1951. So why aren’t people buying houses?!

I think we need to try to opposite tactic. Raise the interest rates and then people will scramble to buy before they go up again.

What do you think will get people to buy in this low cost market?

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Through the REALTORS® Relief Foundation, launched by the National Association of Realtors in 2001 within hours of the attacks on 9/11, more than $20 million dollars has been donated to help families in need. According to 2001 NAR president, Richard Mendenhall, in this month’s REALTOR® magazine, “Many people think we just sell property. In actuality, we help people find the place they will call home and we help people find quality of life….When we see others lose their quality of life through tragedy, we take action.”

In the first three months after 9/11, the Foundation gave over 8.5 million to help 1,333 families. Money has been given to families who have experienced fires, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, flooding, earthquakes and wildfires.

I am sure the Foundation will be there again to help after Irene. Thanks to all the REALTORS® who have and continue to contribute.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Remember Nicolas Cage and his troubles last year? Here is a tale of woe for another star struggling to make house payments. It can happen to anyone.

The 75 year old “Smokey and the Bandit” star, Burt Reynolds, was hit with a foreclosure lawsuit on behalf of Merrill Lynch Credit Corp. last Tuesday that claims he’s in arrears to the tune of $1.2 million on his Hobe Sound, Florida home. The suit claims that Reynolds hasn’t made a payment on the estate, dubbed “Valhalla,” since September 2010.

Reynolds and ex-wife Loni Anderson initially took out a $1.5 million mortgage on the home in 1994. A second loan for $750,000 was also taken on the property.

Reynolds put the 12,500-square-foot home on the market in 2009 – asking price $8.9 million – but the depressed housing market made it difficult for him to sell the residence. Of course, it probably didn’t help that he was asking $8.9 for a house valued at $2.4!

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Warren Buffett said, “I buy when people are selling and I sell when people are buying.” 

At the moment, there is an abundance of homes for sale and a scarcity of Buyers. That means prices are soft which makes it an excellent time to buy for those who are able to finance the purchase of a home. For those who are able to finance, down payment requirements are still wonderfully low. Interest rates are ridiculously low.

Bottom line to Buyers is to go talk to a lender or get a lender recommendation from a REALTOR®. Find out if you can qualify for a mortgage and buy now. Better yet, if you can help your son or daughter buy in this “Buyers’ Market”, do it!

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

A recent report from Standard and Poor’s finds that it may take 49 months (more than four years!) to clear the supply of distressed properties that were on the market at the end of 2010.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Gen Xers (those aged 31 to 45) will lead the way to the housing recovery. While Generation X is not the largest generation number-wise, it makes up roughly one third of the home buying population. They are the most mobile generation, in the prime of their careers and have growing families.

Important requirements are community amenities, suburban locations with large lots, storage, open floor plans and flexibility in the garage.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

For many Baby Boomers, changes in life – a sudden empty nest, divorce, retirement, death of a spouse – can bring about new priorities and may spark the need to move to a new home. This is the time when some people consider this their last home purchase.

Whether the change in homes brings one warmer weather, lower costs, or closer to family and services, the goal is a more manageable lifestyle. This final move can also bring about some tough decisions. Selling a larger home and buying a smaller one would make sense for this last move.

If this is your situation, you may have to purge a home of decades of family collectibles. Deciding what to keep and what to discard is difficult. What do you need to take to your new home? How will you actually pack and move everything or get the kids to take a good deal of it?

Two good books to help with this process are On The Road Of Life, Drive Yourself and Moving Mom and Dad by Donna Robbins. If you need any help with creating a plan to make this last move, I am happy to provide information, ideas and support.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Everyone looks forward to sharing the summer season with their friends over a backyard BBQ. But every summer thousands of injuries result. Follow these simple safety tips to avoid accidents and potential tragedy.

Charcoal Grills

• Use only charcoal lighter fluid to start the fire. Better yet, avoid the chemicals and use a chimney
• Once coals are lighted, DO NOT add more lighter fluid

Gas Grills

• Keep LP gas (Liquid Propane) outside and at least ten feet away from the house
• Make sure your gas cylinder is equipped with an overfill protection device
• Do not use your gas grill inside or on balconies
• Since gas is heavier than air, it could pose a problem for people below by being ignited by smoking, air conditioning compressors, pilot lights, and cars
• Make sure all connections are tight and secure
• If you have a gas fire, call the fire department immediately – do not try to extinguish it yourself

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

According to the 2010 Census figures recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. population topped 308 million people in 2010, which is up 9.7% from 281 million in 2000. The West gained second behind the South with a gain of more than 8.7 million, with California being the most populous state with 563,626 people.

On an interesting note, married couples have declined to only 50% in 2010 down from 56% twenty years ago.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Zillow is an automated valuation model (AVM) that determines residential property values using county tax records. It has proven to be very inaccurate in Marin County. Zillow claims on their website to have a margin of error of 12.5%. In Marin, Zillow is much further off. For example, I took Frank Howard Allen’s last 20 sales (from our two Mill Valley offices) which ranged from Sausalito to Novato with selling prices from $299,000 to $3,000,000. The variance from Zestimate to sale price was off on average over 22%, with several off by 50% or more. One property had a Zestimate of $1,000,000 and it closed for $1,500,000 (a 50% variance). Another property had a rent zestimate of $6,950, which subsequently rented for $18,000 per month. A Mill Valley property is about to close for $1,825,000 with a zestimate of $1,416,000. This same property previously sold for $2,200,000 in 2007.

The problem with Zillow and other AVM’s are that many tech savvy buyers are using these sites, and in some cases using zestimates, to determine their offer price. In the first example above for the $1,500,000 property, one buyer offered $1,400,000 initially (expecting to negotiate) and the second buyer using the zestimate offered $1,100,000. The second buyer was not even remotely close to fair market value (FMV), and consequently the sellers negotiated the sale with the first buyer. Property values are determined by comparable sales which are then synthesized and analyzed by experienced agents to determine the best price given current market conditions. It is a combination of intuition and analytics that seasoned agents use to determine FMV. AVM’s do not consider condition, major improvements, views, lot utility and overall desirability. AVM’s take an overall price-per-foot including lot value, based on tax records which are not always accurate, and assign a value. This is way too simplistic in areas like Marin. In Marin, we have lot values assessed between $1 and $3 million is some cases. There is no way the AVM’s can factor that into their valuation. Zillow works well in areas rolling with very similar tract housing.

Get in touch with your Frank Howard Allen agent/broker or another local real estate expert for accurate assessments of local values. A local realtor can give the inside scoop on the desirability of a neighborhood, quality of the schools, microclimates, traffic patterns and ultimately, the overall value of a desired property.

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

According to MSN Money, even star power won’t keep you from having the banks foreclose on your property.

No matter who you are, if you make bad financial and real estate decisions, you are not immune to the bank taking your house.

I wonder what a foreclosure does to Nicolas Cage’s credit.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Since 1948, Mill Valley, Marin and San Francisco residents have made their way into downtown Mill Valley to dine at El Paseo, always an elegant and romantic special occasion restaurant. The vintage brick building with a European feel has housed El Paseo since its beginning. Recently, El Paseo underwent some changes. The surroundings have not changed; however, the ownership and concept have. Tyler Florence (a “Food Network” star and Mill Valley resident) and Sammy Hager (Rock and Roll and Cabo Wabo Tequila Maverick and also a Mill Valley resident) have teamed up to create a new twist on the classic American steak house at the new El Paseo, also known as “House of Chops.”

El Paseo just opened last week to great expectations and buzz. There are multiple dining rooms, a cozy wine bar, and a couple of patio areas just in time for the spring weather. I have been there twice, once at the wine bar where I enjoyed appetizers, and once on the back patio where we hung out for a couple of hours enjoying great food and outstanding wine. El Paseo is definitely the hot ticket in Mill Valley right now. Make a reservation here or stop by the wine bar for a glass or two.

Frank Howard Allen’s downtown Mill Valley is located about 50 yards from El Paseo’s brick laden entrance. So if you like the feel of Mill Valley (it’s awesome), stop by our office at 25 East Blithedale and talk to us about relocating. Check here for amazing homes available in Mill Valley!

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

The Los Angeles Times reported that million-dollar-plus sales in California were up for the first time since 2005. Every year since 2005, million-dollar sales have declined, bottoming out in 2009. However, million-dollar-plus sales rebounded by 21% in 2010 according to a report released by DataQuick Information Systems on Friday, February 11. 

Marin’s million-dollar market overall mirrored the State with an increase activity of 21%. Southern Marin, on the other hand, had much more pronounced activity in its million-dollar market. For example, Belvedere’s million-dollar sales were up 60% from 2009 to 2010. Tiburon’s million-dollar
sales were up 53%. Sausalito was up 50% and Mill Valley up 26%. Marin’s “High End Luxury Market” is more accurately defined by homes over $3 million. 2010 brought positive gains above $3 million also. This market is a small but growing (again) segment of our overall market. Sales above $3
million grew by 22% from 2009 (50 closings) to 2010 (61 closings). Belvedere was up 33%, Tiburon up 50% and Mill Valley had no change.

Luxury Home Buyers are driven by a different set of motivations than the rest of us. Their decisions are less dependent on jobs, prices and interest rates, and more on their portfolios. Have you checked out the stock market lately? As real estate prices bottomed out, and our economic recovery has
begun, many wealthy buyers are looking for deals. In Marin, where prices have declined significantly from the peak (2007-2008), there are bargains to be found. I believe this partly explains the increase in activity referenced above. Other factors are seasonal, weather related and supply/demand ratios.

I do think we are going to have a very active spring selling season in Marin in all price categories. Stay tuned for more updates.

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

Foreclosures are down — positive housing news?

According to RealtyTrac, foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — were reported on 261,333 U.S. properties in January, a 1 percent increase from December, but 17 percent below a year ago. One in every 497 housing units received a foreclosure filing during the month. Foreclosure auctions were scheduled on 108,002 properties during the month, a 4 percent decline from December, and a 13 percent decrease from a year ago.

More than 75,000 U.S. properties received default notices in January, a drop of 1 percent from the previous month and a decrease of 27 percent from January 2010. It’s the twelfth straight month that default noticed decreased on an annual basis.

Foreclosure auctions were scheduled on 108,002 properties during the month, a 4 percent decline from December, and a 13 percent decrease from a year ago. Lenders foreclosed on 78,133 properties in January, up 12 percent from the previous month, but 11 percent below a year ago.

What are we supposed to do with this “positive” news? These are a lot of numbers. Foreclosures are actually up in January in spite of decreased from a year ago. And remember, this is nationwide, with no delineation of luxury or low end. How are you being affected, and how do you feel in this uncertain market? Let me know if you want a market snap shot of what is happening in your neighborhood in Marin County.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

This year, you won’t have to travel over the bridge to enjoy San Francisco’s Beer Week.  Marin brewers are getting into the spirit with events to highlight local breweries.

The first event on February 13, “Beers over the Bridge” will be held at Mill Valley Beerworks from 5 pm to midnight and will feature their beers as well as offerings from Iron Springs Brewery, Marin Brewing Company, and Moylan’s Brewery.  The second daylong event, on February 15, is also at Mill Valley Beerworks and will highlight botanical and hopless beers.

More information on these and other Beer Week events can be found online at: www.millvalleybeerworks.com and www.sfbeerweek.com.

Cheers!

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

According to the Los Angeles Times, home sales were down overall statewide last year, but they were up 21% in the $1-million-and-up category, according to a report released Friday by DataQuick Information Systems.

Over 22,000 California homes sold in the million-dollar-plus price range last year, up from 18,621 the previous year. Why? Reasons included greater availability of jumbo loans, the stock market rebound and buyers’ desire to get in while prices are still low.

The jump in million-dollar-plus sales compares with a 9% drop in overall home sales statewide.

Among last year’s million-dollar-plus sales, 463 homes sold for more than $5 million, 304 in the $4-million-to-$5-million range, 782 in the $3-million-to-$4-million range and 2,333 in the $2-million-to-$3-million range.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

It is the time of year when the Marin landscape starts to green. With a few layers and shoes that aren’t afraid of a little mud, one can explore the many wonders of Marin County. Here are a few options happening this month:

Feb 5, 2011: 9AM-3PM Marin County Open Space District will lead a Carson Falls loop hike up Pine Mountain fire road past Carson Canyon Falls and back up the Oat Hill fire road.

Feb 6, 2011: 10AM-4PM Dabney Smith will lead a California Native Plant Society hike from Muddy Hollow to Mount Vision with a six mile walk along Limantour Road in West Marin with views of Drakes Bay and Tomales Bay. Call 415-320-9229 for details.

Feb 9, 2011: 10AM-2PM Marin County Open Space District will lead a “Nature for Kids at Deer Park” hike. Meet at the parking area at the end of Porteus Avenue in Fairfax.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

In spite of some generally negative news regarding residential real estate from the National Media, Southern Marin real estate ended 2010 with very positive numbers and that bodes well for 2011. We keep hearing nationally, projections of a 10% decline in prices and for California declines of 4% for 2011. These numbers come from The Case/Schiller Home Price Index and NAR and CAR. Interestingly, Case/Schiller had 20 Metro Areas with declining values. The one exception was The San Francisco Bay Area where they projected a 2.2% rise in average values. In Marin County, home sales were up 7% for 2010 and median prices were up 4.5% and the average price was up 6%. Marin County Stats were buoyed by Southern Marin. For example, in Mill Valley sales volume was up almost 11% and median price increased 4.4%(for 2010), modest but moving in the right direction. Tiburon sales volume was up over 50% and prices gained almost 5%. Belvedere reported sales volume up 45.5% and Sausalito volume up 15.6% during 2010. This momentum is carrying over into 2011. Currently, we have low inventory, low interest rates and pent up demand as evidenced by the high sales volume at the end of 2010. Financing will continue to be tight, however, qualified buyers (20% down and good FICO scores) are stepping up and taking advantage of near record low rates, and they are closing transactions. In Southern Marin, we are surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, plus 85% of our land is open space. This restricts the supply of available housing and historically, we have experienced that high end buyers choose Marin.

You can find the above statistics and many more by going to www.fhallen.com and clicking on City Reports. For each city in Marin you can get the number of homes sold, median sale price, month’s supply of inventory and more useful data. This gives you a snap shot of your city and the data is updated monthly. Check it out.

The high end luxury market continues at a slow but steady pace. There were five sales in excess of $5 million during the fourth quarter 2010 in Marin. Frank Howard Allen has two amazing high end luxury properties for sale that we expect to get into contract in the first quarter of 2011. Check out www.85springlane.com and www.321summitavenue.com for a tour of two of the finest luxury properties Marin has to offer. Check for Sunday open houses on these extraordinary properties at www.fhallen.com.

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

With all the talk of HAFA and the government assisting in facilitating more short sales and helping to stem the rise in homes lost in foreclosures, home ownership in the U.S. is still on shaky ground.

Learn more by clicking here.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Gingerbread Builders is located in a store front around the corner from my office in Strawberry Village in Mill Valley. This clean, well-organized venture is fun for people of all ages. I recently spent 2.5 hours with my two grandchildren building gingerbread houses. You purchase the basic house and then craft your masterpiece from dozens of “building materials” lining the store – candy canes, marshmallows, pretzels, gumdrops…. We had fun and the kids got very creative with their designs. If this is successful, there may be a franchise opportunity next year.

When my grandchildren’s mother, Wendy, and I return from building real houses in Brazil through Habitat for Humanity, we will take the “local” houses off the shelf and eat them. Well, actually the kids will eat them. I’ve seen those hands that made those houses!

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

And you thought ice skating was only for die hard hockey players on outdoor ponds. 



One of the many benefits of living in Marin is the plethora of talented artists.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Attending the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) annual conference provides an overload of information about the current market, future trends, new tips and tricks and an enormous amount of new technology. It is also fun to meet REALTORS^® from around the country and find out how their markets are faring. When they talk about average home prices, I think not of a 4 bedroom home on an acre but a 2 bedroom condo in Novato. We certainly have our market differences.

Ron Phipps, the NAR president for 2011, opened the general session of Women’s Council of REALTORS^®. He informed us that the banks lose approximately 50% on the value of the loan when the home goes into foreclosure but averages 37% loss if it sells in a short sale. So you would think the banks would rather sell the homes instead of owning them. It is a curious situation with these banks that seems to change daily.

I can proudly say that I closed a short sale with Bank of America. It was not without its trials and tribulations and last minute sweating, oh, and a reduced commission. But the clients are happy to be out from under their home (and the obligation) that they had loved (and it was scheduled for auction) and even though they said they would not own another home due to the stress of this situation with the bank, they are thinking that when their credit clears up, they might buy another home.

The new focus from NAR is “Home Ownership Matters” and I agree. Homeowners are more involved in their communities than renters. Studies show that home ownership has a significant positive impact on net worth, educational achievement, civic participation, health and overall quality of life.

So I hope the economy can continue to turn around and allow more individuals to find their piece of the American Dream through home ownership.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

What a great time of the year in the Bay Area! We have the Giants in the World Series, the 49ers playing the Denver Broncos in London, England and the Golden State Warriors begin the NBA season with a victory over the Houston Rockets. On Sunday, October 31st, the Giants play the Texas Rangers in Game 4 of the World Series, The 49ers play the Broncos in England and the Warriors play the Los Angeles Lakers in LA. I believe this is the first time all three bay area teams have played on the same day! Not to mention this is Halloween! What a weekend! Take your pick. Halloween is always a treat in San Francisco as kids and adults alike go all out with their costumes. Check out the Castro District in San Francisco if you can handle some X rated activity. It is always great fun.

This is also Indian Summer in the Bay Area which brings warm days followed by cool nights. This is harvest season in the Wine Country which makes it an excellent time to visit the wineries and engage in some tasting of our fine wines. The 4th quarter (2010) and Indian summer are also a great time for our high end real estate market in Southern Marin. This weekend we expect viewings on 9 Cloudview in Sausalito, 321 Summit in MillValley and 85 Spring Lane in Tiburon. Some of these showings are to very prominent members of the San Francisco Giants and one most valuable member of the Philadelphia Phillies, who lives in Marin during the off season. The Phillies season was cut short by our own SF Giants 4 games to 2 in the NLCS!

Let’s recap, we have exciting games involving bay area teams (plus the Raiders play Seattle Seahawks in Oakland). We have prominent athletes viewing our luxury properties for sale and we have Halloween! I will be involved in all of these activities…….so I’m sure I will run into many of you out and about. This will be one big celebratory weekend! Enjoy!! 

P.S. I will be open on Sunday (Halloween) at 85 Spring Lane in Tiburon from 2 to 4. Come on by for a trick or treat……..

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

No, not the Golden Gate Bridge which brings people to Marin County. That is a true marvel. But there is another true engineering feat that I thought worth mentioning. The Mike O’Callaghan-PatTillman Memorial Bridge in Nevada.

Huh, you say? This bridge was designed to allow for additional traffic that normally uses the Hoover Dam to get to/from Arizona to Nevada, namely to Las Vegas. After 9/11, trucks were banned from the Hoover dam which is the largest dam in the western hemisphere and considered to be a terrorist target. That detour costs truckers at least an hour. Now, with the opening of the new bridge sometime in the next couple of weeks, vehicle traffic will soon be moving across four lanes of the bridge in addition to the foot and vehicular traffic on the two-lane Hoover Dam Bridge which is actually lower than than the bridge.

I, for one, can’t wait to see it. It is as majestic as the famous Golden Gate but in a totally different way.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

I went to my first Notre Dame game in South Bend, Indiana to see them play Stanford. It was noted that Stanford came without the band or the tree.

But speaking of bands! I do love a good marching band. And the Notre Dame band is huge. Before the game they divided into groups, large groups, such as all the saxophone players, the trumpet players, drums, etc. The groups each played several songs before lining up in formation to march through the campus to the stadium. Individual members were then responsible for making sure that everyone’s hat, tassels, tartans, etc. were adjusted and the members were lined up just so. The detail was impressive. 

Unfortunately, they fell into the practice as most marching bands do of playing old rock songs that should not be played on a football field or anywhere by a marching bands. I counted 12 cymbal players, 7 of which were female. And that was just the cymbals. 

Then I came home and went to the opening of the Marin Symphony season the following week.

While they were very good, the difference in number and appearance was staggering. The symphony had only one multi-tasking cymbal player. A small but mighty orchestra. Their numbers didn’t even fill up the stage.

It makes me wonder about all that funding for a collegiate marching band and how many of them will go on to play professionally in any capacity. And it also makes me wonder how the Marin Symphony will survive in a county of 252,000 with other acclaimed symphonies nearby. I hope they can continue to thrive and find the necessary funding.

So “hears” to marching bands and symphonies everywhere. Thanks for enriching our lives musically.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Another great benefit to living and working in Mill Valley and Marin is the Marin Theater Company, located in Mill Valley. Currently, In the Red and Brown Water is playing there, and due to popularity and demand, it has been extended through October 10. If you like quality theater, DO NOT MISS this production. It is part one of a trilogy by Tarell Alvin McCraney. In the Red and Brown Water takes place on the Louisiana Bayou. The time is “the distant present.” The characters share names with West African Gods from the Yoruba tradition. My wife and I experienced this slick theatrical production just the other night and we were blown away. This play is powerfully acted with all kinds of metaphors hidden in plain sight. The simple device of actors speaking their stage directions subtly elevates the drama to a momentous occasion.

Jan and I are definitely going to see parts two and three of this awesome Brothers/Sisters Trilogy. Part Two is The Brothers Size playing at The Magic Theater in San Francisco and Part Three is Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet which is being performed at A.C.T in San Francisco. I will review parts two and three in future blogs.

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

Hurry! Time is running out for you to take advantage of the Energy Tax Credit which expires on December 31^st. This federal tax credit, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, allows homeowners to claim a $1,500 tax credit for energy efficient home improvement. This means you will get a dollar off your taxes for every dollar you spend on items such as new windows and doors, insulation, heating and cooling equipment. But the improvements must be done by December 31^st to qualify.  

If you completed the work in 2009 but didn’t claim a credit, you might want to amend your return. To collect the rebate, file IRS form 5695 with your 2010 taxes. Keep a copy of the manufacturer’s certification statement along with all receipts and itemized bills.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

Marin real estate ranks among the most desirable in the world. It uniquely affords an idyllic location to everything outdoors, is a foodie and winelover’s paradise, and is immediately adjacent to a world class metropolitan city with ever-changing and captivating views.

This past week brought two new properties to the forefront – one is the traditional fixed real estate on land and the other arrived on the Bay – both equally rare.

Corinthian Island is comprised of about 58 homes and while not currently an island (maybe it was 150 years ago), it does boast the kind of prestige and desirability one would expect from an island with a Portofino feel. 35 Bellevue is one of those amazing homes and was recently listed for $7,995,000.

As a waterfront home, boat enthusiasts will love the ability to dock their boat or tender here. And for those of us that enjoy a swim in the Bay, it doesn’t get any easier. 35 Bellevue is south-west facing for maximum all day sun and has decks on all three levels to enjoy sweeping San Francisco to Mt. Tamalpais views. After two years of updates, the first class detail and custom work were worth the wait. There are 4 bedrooms, an office and good sized theatre room. Of course there’s a hot tub and sauna too. The kitchen/living level has soaring ceilings with floortoceiling glass doors that open completely creating wonderful indoor/outdoor dining and living. Entertainment for many is a cinch on the lower dock- level deck and can also be accessed by an enclosed hill-a-vator. With 3,400 square feet of living space and 3-car parking, unparalleled views, a short walk to the town of Tiburon, two yacht clubs nearby, and the Corinthian Island address… quite simply it’s a rare property. A mere $2,351/sqft makes you the owner today.

But maybe you’re looking for something a little more mobile. What if you could find a property that does 24 knots, has a master suite larger than most homes on the planet, 3 pools, a small fleet of boats neatly tucked away below deck, and a helipad? Incredibly it exists.

The superyacht “A” is currently anchored off of Sausalito. Looking exactly like something out of a James Bond film, it is the result of visionary design and some very deep pockets. Though not readily accepted in the yachting world because of its radical design departure from the norm, it has captured the imagination of what’s possible. It’s almost 400 feet in length, making it around the 10th largest private yacht in the world, and has 23,600 square feet of living space. You can go anywhere and – with a crew of around 38 to manage it and serve you – you can do anything.

Apparently implementing this vision came at a cost of around $300 million. If you’re doing the math, that’s around $12,700/sqft, conservatively. They say it costs 10% of the purchase price of a boat each year in upkeep (I can attest). So with an estimated $20 million a year to keep it going, it’s really a deal – right?

Each of these particular properties, 35 Bellevue and “A”, are undeniably unique. They are one-of-a-kind. That they are here together, even for the moment, further reminds us of what an incredible place we live in.

While we may get more visitors to the Bay Area arriving in ever more unique vehicles – the inventory of truly unique and rare properties on land is finite. And wouldn’t it be nice to set down roots here? It just so happens there’s a great place for sale – 35 Bellevue on Corinthian Island in Belvedere.

Posted by:  Mark Rushford

The San Francisco Bay Area has about as many microclimates as it does ethnicities, religions and cultures, a lot. Summer in the Bay Area can range from less than 60 degrees in the Sunset district of San Francisco to over 100 degrees in Walnut Creek and the far East Bay! There is something for everybody. If you enjoy swimming and tanning, head inland, for sailing, windsurfing and kite boarding, hit the bay and ocean. Mountain biking on Mt Tam, you will experience a wide range of climates, while riding up Mt Diablo will be super hot.

Southern Marin (Mill Valley, Tiburon, Sausalito and Belvedere) has what I consider to be the “perfect climate”. It is almost always sunny, but never hot enough to require air conditioning. Summertime, which from a climate perspective, runs from March to October. The temperature ranges from the sixties to the eighties with two or three heat waves when the mercury can reach 100 degrees! WE DO NOT worry though, because invariably, the hot air rises creating a suction type affect which pulls in the cool air off the ocean, which, when mixed with the hot air, creates our fog. When this occurs the temperatures can drop from the nineties to the sixties in a matter of hours. It is also a spectacular sight to see the fog rolling in from the Pacific Ocean and coming over the Marin Headlands and engulfing the Golden Gate Bridge. As soon we start complaining about the heat, the heat rises and our natural air conditioning (fog) rolls in rapidly to cool us off. This “summer weather pattern” of warmth followed by fog is at its most predictable during the real summer months of June, July and August. This phenomenon causes tourists and the bridge and tunnel folks to perceive that summers are cold in San Francisco, and they are right. Mark Twain said it best, “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”! During the “summer”, San Francisco’s temperatures range in the sixties to seventies, Marin runs in the seventies and eighties and the east bay valleys go nineties to over a hundred degrees. Our best and warmest months are in the fall or what we refer to as “Indian Summer”, September, October and into November. We experience spectacularly warm days and cool nights.

Even a small town like Mill Valley can have an extraordinary number of microclimates due to its proximity to the ocean and bay, plus being surrounded by mountains that create valleys and canyons. For example, on any given summer day, Tam Valley can be a temperate 68 degrees, Homestead Valley will experience 74 degrees and the folks on Middle Ridge will by swimming in 80 degree heat. So, make sure if you are looking to buy a home in Mill Valley (or anywhere in the Bay Area), your Realtor knows their microclimates, and schools, values and other lifestyle features that makes each of our locations so unique.

See you all on Sunday at our hosted open houses……

Posted by:  Andy Gellepis

My nephew Jamie, who is working on becoming an Eagle Scout, just returned from the Virginia area and the Boy Scout Jamboree, a 10-day scouting extravaganza. This year, the Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its centennial with an estimated 43,000 Scouts, leaders and staff from the U.S. and around the world in attendance.

My brother, Scott, is an Eagle Scout. I haven’t heard of anyone trying to achieve this milestone for years. But this special celebration and my nephew going to the Jamboree had me doing a little homework. We all buy Christmas wreaths or some fundraising item from Boy Scouts, but fewer than 5% of all Scouts make that mark. Each of these Scouts must conduct community service as part of their leadership training.

Well known Eagle Scouts include Neil Armstrong, William Bennett, Michael Bloomberg, Dr. William DeVries (first artificial heart transplant), Philip Farnsworth (inventor of the television), Gerald Ford, Steve Fossett, Robert Gates, John F. Kennedy, Donald Rumsfeld, Stephen Spielberg, H. Ross Perot, Gen. William Westmoreland and Sam Walton.

If you want to learn more about Boy Scouts of America and their 100 Year Jamboree, log on to www.BSAJamboree.org or www.Scouting.org/100years.

So what does Scouting have to do with real estate? Boy Scouts of America and Frank Howard Allen Realtors in Marin County, California share the celebration of growing and leading in the community for 100 years. So if you want to learn more about Frank Howard Allen and their history and community contributions, log on to www.fhallen.com.

Join me in celebrating both of these outstanding organizations.

Posted by:  Judy LeMarr

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