November 12 through November 15, the Paderewski Festival will celebrate the life of Ignacy Jan Paderewski with special events and concerts in Paso Robles. The Denali String Quartet will open the festival with a performance at Vina Robles Winery this evening at 6:00 pm. Pianist William Koseluk will perform at Cass Winery in Paso Robles on Friday, November 13th, at 7:00 pm with a wine reception at 6:00 pm. On Saturday, November 14th, at 4:00 pm,  the winners of the 2009 Paderewski Young Pianists Competition will perform at the historic Paso Robles Inn Ballroom. Also, on Saturday evening, pianist Hubert Rutkowski will perform at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom at 8:00 pm.  Wine reception begins at 6:30 pm. Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860 - 1941) was a virtuoso pianist and composer.  His love o... 11/12/2009

Thank you to Ginny Mees, founder of Independent Women Homeowners, for allowing me to reprint this article... Rising Tide of Female Opportunity "Whether career definition for you is corporate, philanthropic, entrepreneurial, educational or working at home, the favorable global economic shift to woman holds promise and potential for you. Several recent reports and studies note the following: Information from recent Newsweek Magazine, Hear Her Roar article: In the last few months, economists, consultants, and other business types have begun to track the rise of a new emerging market, one that may end up being the largest and most powerful of all: women. According to a new study by the Boston Consulting Group, women are now poised to drive the post-recession world economy, thanks to an est... 11/12/2009

The City of Paso Robles offers a tremendous amount of activities for all ages, including trips, seminars and workshops, for all ages.  Most are free, and the rest have minimal fees involved.  Be sure to check out the Fall catalog at www.prcity.com/recreation...  Art, cake decorating, fishing, fencing, guitar, karate, dance, tennis and everything in between can be found in the catalog. If you would like to search the MLS for listings in  San Luis Obispo County,visit my website.  If you have any real estate questions or general questions about Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo County, please contact me via email or call me at (805) 235-0234 for more information. Ca DRE # 01317192 It starts with a dream... 11/08/2009

Loan Officer Pismo Coast Financial 350 James Way, Ste. 130 Pismo Beach, CA 93449 Office: (805) 773-7500 Cell: (805) 757-0544 Fax: (866) 484-1553 Justin.Stearns@prospectmtg.com "Single women account for the fastest growing segment of the home-buying population in the U.S. This trend has been on the rise for many years. From 1994 to 2002, the number of unmarried women owning homes climbed from 13.9 million to 17.5 million. By 2004, 18% of all homebuyers were single women. According to the latest NAR profile of homebuyers and sellers, that number has risen to 22%. Factors leading to this increase include the following demographic trends: better education, more women working and seeking financial independence, and young women delaying marriage. Also, women have significantly increased thei... 11/08/2009

Okay, this recipe is a little more labor intensive, but it always gets rave reviews! 9-inch baked pie shell I cheat on this and buy the Pillsbury rolled pie pastry in the box.  After many years of making my own pie pastry, I finally decided Pillsbury was as good or better than my own recipe and certainly a time-saver. Filling: 1/3 cup cornstarch 1 & 1/2 cups sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 egg yolks slightly beaten 1/4 fresh squeezed lemon juice 2 tablespoons grated lemon peel 2 tablespoons butter Meringue: 8 egg whites at room temperature 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 3/4 cup sugar Line pie plate with pie pastry & bake shell.  Let cool... Make filling:  In small saucepan, combine cornstarch, sugar & salt.  Gradually add 1 & 1/2 cups of water and stir until smooth. Over medium heat, bring to ... 11/08/2009

First of all, if you don't have a problem with salt intake, try marinading your turkey in Williams-Sonoma Turkey Brine overnight before stuffing your turkey.  This ensures a moist, succulent turkey for your holiday table.  Follow the directions on the jar. 8 tablespoons of butter 1 cup chopped onion 2 cups chopped celery 12 cups Mrs. Cubbison's Herb Seasoned cube stuffing  (or whatever is available) 2 teaspoons of salt 1/2 teaspoon of pepper 1/2 teaspoon rosemary leaves 1/2 teaspoon tarragon leaves 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves 1 cup canned chicken broth or more 1/2 cup raisins 1/4 - 1/2 cup walnut pieces 1 Granny Smith or Pippin apple cubed or diced Melt butter in skillet and saute' onion and celery until tender. Add to rest of ingredients in large bowl and toss with a fork until... 11/08/2009

Great news for consumers and the housing market recovery! November 4, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend the home buyer tax credit formerly available only to first-time home buyers.  As of today, the federal tax credit will be extended to April 30, 2010, with a 60-day extension available if a binding contract is in place prior to the deadline. This tax credit is now available to existing homeowners also with a few caveats.  Existing homeowners will be eligible for a reduced credit of up to $6,500 as compared to a tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time home buyers.  In addition, existing homeowners must have lived at their current residence for at least 5 years. This bill also increased the qualifying income limits from $75,000 for single tax filers and $150,000 f... 11/08/2009

Thanks to the University of Kansas Hospital Department of Nursing for the following simple ways to prevent catching the flu.  This makes sense... Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice- From: The University of Kansas Hospital Dept. of Nursing   Units 43 & 51 The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions.  While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps can be practiced 1. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water or Listerine. *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to prolife... 11/08/2009

The first Pioneer Day Parade in Paso Robles happened in 1931 at a time when bank failures were at an all-time high.  Sound familiar?  This event is held each year so Paso Roblans can celebrate their history and the pioneers who built our quaint city. At 7:00 am in the park, the volunteers start cooking huge pots of beans.   The parade starts at 10:00 am, and that is followed by the bean feed at noon.  This event has always been free; even the bean feed.  Most downtown businesses close until after the parade so employees can celebrate with their families and friends. This year's parade featured community floats, marching bands, wagons, horse & mule teams, antique tractors and equestrian groups. If you would like to search the MLS for listings in  tractor County,visit my website.  If you... 10/10/2009

In general, in order for a lender to consider allowing a short sale for a home owner, there must be a hardship. Any one of these circumstances - or a combination of them -- might constitute a legitimate hardship in a lender's eyes: Damage to property Job relocation Divorce Excessive medical bills Business failure Incarceration An upward adjustment of your mortgage payment Military service Death of a family member Separation Significant income loss Death of a spouse or domestic partner Loss of employment When you decide to pursue a short sale, one of the first things your REALTOR(R) will request from you will be a hardship letter addressed to your lender, because most lenders will require it.  The hardship letter should explain which of the hardships  listed above caused you to fall behi... 09/29/2009

The City of Paso Robles will be hosting a career and job fair tomorrow, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.  It will be held at the Paso Robles City Hall library conference room, and the event is free to the public.  If you are currently looking for employment on the Central Coast, you won't want to miss this opportunity. There will be workshops on interviews and writing resumes, how to apply for local government jobs and how to perform online job searches. If you would like to search the MLS for listings in San Luis Obispo County,visit my website.  If you have any real estate questions or general questions about Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo County, please contact me via email or call me at (805) 235-0234 for more information. Ca DRE # 01317192 It starts with a dream... 09/28/2009

If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Paso Robles, La Bellasera Hotel & Suites may be the ticket. La Bellaserra has world-class amenities, including the Enoteca Restaurant & Bar, which serves breakfast and dinner seven days a week with lunch being offered Monday - Saturday.  Enoteca offers a seasonal menu of American classics that can be enjoyed in the dining room or on the heated terrace. The hotel also offers spa treatments, has an outdoor dining terrace, swimming pool, whirlpool and a fireside cabana. Luxury accommodations feature fireplaces, wet bars, deluxe spa amenities, pillow top bedding and exterior patios, and some suites include Whirlpools and a kitchenette. All of this luxury is located in the heart of Paso Robles Wine Country and only half an hour from Hearst Castle and... 09/24/2009

In today's real estate market, there are many folks who have found themselves upside down on their mortgage; i.e., they owe more on their mortgage(s) than their home is worth.  Add to that the high unemployment rate, and the result is a financial disaster for many home owners. If you find yourself in this unfortunate predicament, just know you are not alone, and help is available.  Many REALTORS(R) are familiar and educated in the maze of the short sale process, which can be quite long and labor intensive. Some of us have actually taken specialized education and training to become a Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist, CFS.  I cannot stress enough how important it is to have someone on your side who knows the process and can represent your interests during this stressful tim... 09/24/2009

Identity Theft can happen anywhere to anyone: In line at the store, online at home or when you're buying your morning coffee.  According to the FTC, as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.  In fact, you may know someone who has already experienced some form of identity theft. LifeLock(R), the industry leader in proactive identity theft protection, offers a proven solution that prevents your identity from being stolen before it happens.  LifeLock(R) will protect your identity and personal information for an unbeatable price of $99 a year, and the service is guaranteed up to $1,000,000 Proactive Identity Theft Protection Reduce Junk Mail Reduce Credit Card Offers 1$ Million Total Service Guarantee At An Unbeatable Price of $99! If your Identity is stolen wh... 09/23/2009

THE FIRST STEP IN FINANCIAL PLANNING IS CREDIT Raise Your FICO Score 15 – 25 Points www.optoutprescreen.com Free Credit Reports www.AnnualCreditReport.com Increase Your FICO Scores Step 1: Pay Every 10 Days = 1 Point Step 2: Pay Over Minimum Amount = 1 Point Six Points Per Card/8 cards = Sixteen Points/12 Months = 192 Points REMOVE BANKRUPTCIES/FORECLOSURES/ SHORT SALES/LATE PAYMENTS www.CreditRestorationWebsite.com 100% Guarantee/1 Year of Credit Restoration $499.00 Live Customer Service Department Open 9-5 Daily Web Access 24/7 APPROVED BY THE IRS AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE CREDIT RESTORATION TO AMERICA WE ARE A BANK – FDIC INSURED WE ARE A CREDIT UNION WE ARE A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION MASTERCARD – EVERYONE APPROVED- NO ONE DENIED Re-Establish Credit – Reports to the Cred... 09/07/2009

When you come to Paso Robles for wine tasting, visiting Sculpterra Winery is a must. Sculpterra Winery is located at 5015 Linne Road, Paso Robles, Ca 93446.  Phone is (805) 226-8881. Not only will you be able to taste fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Statuesque, Maquette and Figurine red blends, but you will see a plethora of stunning sculpture throughout the garden by world-renowned artist John Jagger.  You can also view more sculpture online by John Jagger at Danskin Galleries. If you wish to have a preview of Sculpterra Winery before visiting in person, you can view a video on YouTube. The Sculpterra Winery Visitor Center is open Friday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Appointments are welcome Monday ... 08/02/2009

Registration for fall classes at Cuesta Junior College San Luis Obispo Campus and Paso Robles North County Campus are underway.  The fall semester starts August 17th and ends December 18th, 2009. Be sure to check out their class catalog and register at www.cuesta.edu. As for myself, I plan to take an Adobe Photoshop Class at the North County Campus as a prerequisite for taking the Dreamweaver Web Design Class in the Spring.  Maybe I'll see you there! If you would like to search the MLS for listings in San Luis Obispo County,visit my website.  If you have any real estate questions or general questions about Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo County, please contact me via email or call me at (805) 235-0234 for more information. It starts with a dream... 08/02/2009

1.  Start a down payment fund. You goal should be to save a 20 percent down payment if you can.  Set up monthly savings goals.  Work more if you have to as the reward will be lower house payments and higher equity when you sell in the future. If a 20 percent down payment is just not feasible, you can always apply for an Fha loan, which only requires a 3% down payment, plus closing costs, and sometimes the seller will agree to pay some of your closing costs...  Check with a loan professional. 2.  Negotiate for extras. In our current market this makes sense, unless it is a short sale or REO (bank-owned property). In a short sale situation, the seller is already in a position of no equity and most likely behind in their house payments, so extras are pretty much out of the question. If it i... 08/02/2009

This year looks to be another decline in new construction for San Luis Obispo County.  Residential building permits throughout the county dropped 46% through June compared with the same period in 2008. For instance, the City of San Luis Obispo has issued only 3 permits for commercial buildings this year compared to 12 permits last year. The only projects under construction in Paso Robles are the Lowe's project at Golden Hills Plaza, which includes Bed, Bath & Beyond, and a Jack-in-the-Box on Golden Hill Road. Many projects are on hold since the collapse of the real estate market as builders and developers are finding it hard to obtain financing.  Adding to the issue is the fact that many hard money lenders have gone out of business, and they were a primary source of funding for commerci... 08/02/2009

I cannot believe the time has gone by so fast!  The California Midstate Fair ends today...  Temperatures will be mild, only 89, so be sure to bring a jacket if you are attending the rodeo tonight... Bull Wins For those of you who were able to attend, thank you for visiting our beautiful Paso Robles.  For those who couldn't make it, we hope to see you next year. Scroll down for today's calendar of events... If you would like to search the MLS for listings in San Luis Obispo County, visit my website. If you have any real estate questions or general questions about Paso Robles or San Luis Obispo County, please contact me via email or call me at (805) 235-0234 for more information. It starts with a dream... 9:00a Country Rodeo Covered Equestrian Center 9:00a Round Robin Showmanship Livestoc... 08/02/2009