California Home Sales, Median Price Rise In December

February 9, 2010

Sales of existing, single-family homes rose 1.7 percent in December, while the median price rose 8.4 percent compared with the prior year, according to C.A.R.’s latest sales and price report.  The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during December 2009 was $306,820, an 8.4 percent increase from the revised $283,060 median for December 2008, according to the report.  The December 2009 median price rose 0.8 percent compared with November’s $304,520 median price.

“As expected, the large year-to-year sales gains have diminished substantially compared with earlier in the year,” said C.A.R. President Steve Goddard.  “However, home sales in December were strong, and were comparable to sales of late 2008.  Activity in December can be attributed in part to the extension and expansion of the home buyer tax credit, as well as near-historic highs in affordability due to current price levels and low interest rates.”

source: C.A.R.

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Consumer Confidence Index rises in January

February 8, 2010

The Consumer Confidence Index rose in January to 55.9 (1985=100) compared with 53.6 in December, the Conference Board reported yesterday. The Present Situation Index increased to 25 in January from 20.2 in December, and the Expectations Index increased to 76.5 from 75.9 last month, according to the report.

“Consumer Confidence rose for the third consecutive month, primarily the result of an improvement in present-day conditions,” said Lynn Franco, director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center.  “Consumers’ short-term outlook, while moderately more positive, does not suggest any significant pickup in activity in the coming months. Regarding their financial situation, while consumers were less dire about their income prospects than in December, the number of pessimists continues to outnumber the optimists."

Consumers’ assessment of current conditions was more positive in January than in December, with those claiming business conditions are "bad" increasing to 46.1 percent in January from 45.7 percent in December, while those claiming conditions are "good" increased to 9 percent in January compared with 7.5 percent in December. Consumers’ appraisal of the job market improved moderately, and their short-term outlook was mixed, according to the report.

source: C.A.R.

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Chocolate Cheesecake

February 7, 2010

1-1/4 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
1/4 cup butter, melted
8 (1 ounce) squares semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 tablespoons Kahlua
1-teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a small mixing bowl, combine chocolate wafer crums and butter.
Stir well and press into the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of a 9-inch spring form pan.
Chill.

Preheat oven to 350*F.
In a 4-cup glass measure, place chocolate squares.
Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes until melted.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs, melted cholocate, Kahlua and vanilla until mixture is smooth.
Fold in sour cream and pour mixture into prepared crust.

Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes until center is nearly set.
Turn off oven and let cheesecake stand in oven for 30 minutes with door ajar.
Remove and cool on a wire rack.
Cover and chill at least 8 hours.
Garnish with chocolate leaves, if desired.

To make chocolate leaves:
Microwave 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips at high power for 30 seconds to 1 minute until melted.
Brush chocolate onto individual leaves.
Chill until set and carefully peel leaves away and arrange on cheesecake.

serves 8-10

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Proposed Change To Mortgage Interest Deduction

February 6, 2010

President Obama presented his proposed budget plan for fiscal year 2011.

Included in the proposed plan is a provision to reduce the mortgage interest deduction for those earning more than $250,000.

At this time, however, it does not appear that the change to mortgage interest deduction is included in any proposed legislation.

source:  C.A.R.

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Words That Don’t Exist

February 5, 2010

10 Words That Don’t Exist, But  Maybe They Should

1. AQUADEXTROUS – adj. Possessing the ability to turn the bathroom faucet on and off with your toes.

2. CARPERPETUATION – n. The act, when vacuuming, of running over a string or a piece of lint at least a dozen times, reaching over and picking it up, examining it, then putting it back down to give the vacuum one more chance.

3. DISCONFECT – v. To sterilize a piece of candy you dropped on the floor by blowing on it, assuming this will somehow "remove" all the germs.

4. ELBONICS – n. The actions of two people maneuvering for one armrest in a movie theater (airplane).

5. FRUST – n. The small line of debris that refuses to be swept onto the dust pan and keep backing a person across the room until he finally decides to give up and sweep it under the rug.

6. LACTOMANGULATION – n. Manhandling the "open here" spout on a milk container so badly that one has to resort to the "illegal" side.

7. PEPPIER – n. The waiter at a fancy restaurant whose sole purpose seems to be walking around asking diners if they want ground pepper.

8. PHONESIA – n. The affliction of dialing a phone number and forgetting whom you were calling just as they answer.

9. PUPKUS – n. The moist residue left on a window after a dog presses its nose to it.

10. TELECRASTINATION – n. The act of always letting the phone ring at least twice before you pick it up, even when you’re only six inches away.

 

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Tips For Hanging Pictures And Shelves

February 4, 2010

Whether you consider yourself handy or less than mechanically inclined, one key tool could make a number of household projects more secure.

A simple stud finder can eliminate the guesswork involved when hanging pictures and shelves or securing heavy bookcases or furniture to the wall. Just slide the device across the surface of the wall, and when it detects a change in wall density it signals that it has located a stud.

If your stud finder is what’s known as an "edge finder," it will pinpoint the edges of a stud. You then simply determine the center and drill or nail. If you have a "center finder," the center of the stud will be automatically identified for you.

Choosing Tools

Not every stud finder is the same, so it’s important to do a little homework before buying. You might check out a company called Zircon Corporation that offers center-finding stud finders that are also capable of scanning for metal and electrical, in addition to the edge-finding line consisting of the entry-level StudSensor™ EDGE, e30, e40 and e50.

This line features an ergonomic design meant to make them comfortable and easy to use. Their concave grips help homeowners keep the tool flush against the wall as they sweep for studs, and intuitive user interfaces can help users quickly calibrate the tool.

The relatively inexpensive e30 offers a "WireWarning" detection feature, which warns users of live unshielded wires. The e40, a more powerful version of the e30, is capable of scanning walls up to 1? inches deep. The e50 adds a user-friendly LCD screen.

Hanging Hints

After you’ve located a wall’s studs, hanging items can be simple. Try these tips:

• If you’re hanging shelves, consider tracing a template on cardboard and taping it on the wall. Then use the template to gauge bracket placement.

• If you’re hanging a picture, place small, adhesive-backed rubber feet on its back corners. The feet will grip the wall and help keep the picture level.

 
source:  NAPSI

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Famous Birthdays – February

February 1, 2010

February 1, 1901- Clark Gable, actor, "Rhett Butler" in "Gone with the Wind"

February 1, 1938- Sherman Hemsley, actor, "George" on the Tv series "The Jeffersons"

February 2, 1937- Tommy Smothers, actor, comedian of "The Smothers Brothers"

February 2, 1947- Farrah Fawcett, TV and Movie actress, starred in "Charlie’s Angels"  

February 2, 1954- Christie Brinkley, supermodel

February 3, 1894- Norman Rockwell, renowned painter

February 3, 1918- Joey Bishop, TV star, comedian

February 3, 1950- Morgan Fairchild, actress

February 4, 1902 Charles Lindbergh, first to fly solo over the Atlantic ocean

February 4, 1905- Clyde Tombaugh, astronomer, discovered planet Pluto

February 4, 1948- Alice Cooper, rock singer

February 5, 1744 – John Jeffries, America’s first Weatherman. Also see Weatherman Day

February 5, 1919- Red Buttons, actor, comedian

February 5, 1934- Hank Aaron, Hall of Fame Baseball slugger, once long-time record holder for home runs at 755

February 6, 1895 George Herman "Babe" Ruth, the greatest baseball player of all time

February 6, 1911- Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. President (1981-1989)

February 6, 1940- Tom  Brokaw, popular and respected "NBC News" anchor

February 7, 1812- Charles Dickens, novelist, "A Christmas Carol"

February 7, 1962- Garth Brooks, country singer

February 7, 1966- Chris Rock, comedian, actor

February 8, 1828- Jules Verne, author, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"

February 8, Lana Turner, actress

February 8, 1925- Jack Lemmon, actor

February 8, 1931- James Dean actor

February 8, 1940- Ted Koppel, newscaster

February 9, 1773- William Henry Harrison, 9th U.S. President (1841) died a month after taking office

February 9, 1943- Joe Pesci, actor

February 9, 1945- Mia Farrow, actress

February 10, 1893- Jimmy Durante, comedian with a big nose

February 10, 1930- Robert Wagner, actor

February 10, 1950- Mark Spitz, 7 gold medals for swimming in 1972 Olympics

February 11, 1847- Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the light bulb

February 11, 1917- Sidney Sheldon, author

February 11, 1936- Burt Reynolds, actor

February 11, 1963- Sheryl Crow, singer

February 11, 1969- Jennifer Aniston, actress, "Friends"

February 12, 1809 – Abraham "Abe" Lincoln, 16th U.S. President (1861-1865)

February 12, 1809- Charles Darwin, Author, "Origin of the Species", Darwin’s Theory

February 12, 1915- Loren Greene, actor "Ben Cartwright" on Tv series "Bonanza"

February 12, 1955- Arsenio Hall, talk show host

February 13, 1873- L.L. Bean, outdoorsman…yes, the clothing line

February 13, 1919- Tennessee Ernie Ford, country singer/actor

February 13, 1933- Kim Novak, actress

February 13, 1944- Jerry Springer, talk show host

February 14, 1859 – George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., invented the Ferris Wheel

February 14, 1894- Jack Benny, actor, comedian on Vaudeville, radio and Tv

February 14, 1913- Jimmy Hoffa, Teamsters union leader who mysteriously disappeared in 1971 without a trace

February 14,  1921- Hugh Downs, co-anchor "20/20"

February 14, 1932- Vic Morrow, Actor, TV series "Combat"

February 14, 1934- Florence Henderson, "Carol Brady" of TV series "The Brady Bunch"

February 15, 1564- Galileo Galilei, inventor, invented the telescope

February 15, 1820- Susan B. Anthony, Women’s Suffrage

February 15, 1927 Harvey Korman, comedian

February 15, 1951- Jane Seymour, actress TV series"Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman"

February 15, 1964- Chris Farley, actor Comedian, SNL

February 16, 1935- Sonny Bono, actor, singer, "Sonny and Cher"

February 16, 1958-  Ice-T, actor, rapper

February 16, 1959- John McEnroe, hot tempered tennis champion

February 17, 1925- Hal Holbrook, actor

February 17, 1936- Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns, greatest runner in NFL history

February 17, 1954- Rene Russo, actress

February 17, 1963- Michael Jordan, one of greatest players n NBA history

February 17, 1981- Paris Hilton, grand-daughter of Conrad Hilton

February 18, 1920- Jack Palance, Oscar winning actor in movie "City Slickers"

February 18, 1933- Yoko Ono, married John Lennon

February 18, 1950- Cybill Shepherd, actress

February 18, 1954- John Travolta, TV and movie actor, "Welcome Back Kotter", "Grease"

February 18, 1957- Vanna White, TV game show "Wheel of Fortune"

February 18, 1964- Matt Dillon, actor

February 19, 1473- Nicolas Copernicus, Scientist, controversial theory that the earth rotates around the sun

February 19, 1924- Lee Marvin, actor

February 19, 1966- Justine Bateman, actress, TV series "Family Ties"

February 20, 1924- Sidney Poitier, 1st Afro-American to win Academy award

February 20, 1946- Sandy Duncan, actress

February 20, 1949- Avana Trump, first wife of Donald Trump

February 20, 1954- Patty Heart, kidnapped daughter of William Randolph Hearst

February 20, 1966- Cindy Crawford, supermodel

February 21, 1927- Erma Bombeck, columnist

February 21, 1933- Rue McClanahan, Actress, TV series "Golden Girls"

February 21, 1946- Tyne Daly, actress

February 21, 1979- Jennifer Love Hewitt, actress

February 22, 1732 – George Washington, 1st U.S. President (1789-1797)

February 22, 1857- Lord Robert Baden Powell, founder of Boy Scouts

February 22, 1889 – Lady Olave Baden-Powell, founded Girl Guides, wife of Lord Baden-Powell

February 22, 1907- Robert Young, "Father Knows Best" and "Marcus Welby, MD"

February 22, 1932- Edward M. Kennedy, Mass. Senator

February 22, 1962- Steve "Crocodile Hunter Irwin"

February 22, 1975-  Drew Barrymore, actress

February 2, 1685- George Frederic Handel, German Composer

February 23, 1951 Patricia Richardon, actress, "Jill" on TV series "Home Improvement"

February 24, 1885- Chester W. Nimitz, U.S Navy commander during WWII

February 24, 1938- James Farentino, actor

February 24, 1955- Steven Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computer

February 25, 1851- Pierre Aguste Renoir, French Impressionist painter

February 25, 1901- Zeppo Marx, youngest of Marx Brother comedians

February 25,1935- Sally Jesse Raphael, talk show host

February 25, 1943- George Harrsion, one of the four "Beatles"

February 25, 1971- Sean Astin, "Samwise" in mega-movies "Lord of the  Rings"

February 26, 1802- Victor Hugo, author, "Les Miserables"

February 26, 1829- Levi Strauss, inventor of denim jeans

February 26, 1846- "Buffalo Bill Cody", Wild West Show

February 26, 1887- William Frawley, movie and TV actor, "Fred Mertz" on "I Love Lucy"

February 26, 1916- Jackie Gleason, actor and comedian

February 26, 1920- Tony Randall, actor, "The Odd Couple"

February 28, 1928- Fats Domino, pianist

February 26, 1932- Johnny Cash, country western singer

February 26, 1953- Michael Bolton, singer

February 27, 1807- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, poet

February 27, 1902 John Steinbeck, author "Grapes of Wrath"

February 27, 1930- Joanne Woodward, actress

February 27, 1932-  Elizabeth Taylor, actress

February 27, 1934- Ralph Nader, consumer advocate. Were you a "Nader’s Raider?"

February 27, 1981- Josh Groban, singer

February 28, 1915- Charles Durning, actor

February 28, 1940- Mario Andretti, race car drive

February 28, 1948- Bernadette Peters, actress

February 28, 1955- Gilbert Gottfried, comedian

February 29, 1916- Dinah Shore, singer, actress

 

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Home Sizes Fall As Builders, Buyers Embrace Economic Reality

January 31, 2010

New-home buyers responded to the tough times in 2009 by opting for smaller houses, driving down the average size of a house built in the United States for the first time in 27 years.

 

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California’s Home Inventory Shrinks To 5-year Low

January 30, 2010

California’s Unsold Inventory Index (UII), a closely watched index indicating the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate, declined to 3.8 months in December, the lowest level in five years, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).  By comparison, the UII for existing, single-family homes stood at 5.6 months in December 2008.

 

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Minestrone Soup

January 29, 2010

4 Onions, chopped
1 tablespoon Butter
1 tablespoon Olive oil
4 Carrots, chopped
4 Celery stalks, chopped
8 cups Chicken stock, low sodium
1 can Tomatoes, crushed
1 Bay leaf
2 Potatoes, diced
1 tablespoon Parsley, dried
1 cup Pasta shells (optional)
1 box Frozen peas
1 box Frozen green beans
1 box Frozen yellow beans
Salt & pepper to taste

Melt butter in a dutch oven over medium high heat and add olive oil.
When hot, sautee the onions and celery until onions are transparent.
Mix in carrots and potatoes and cook for several minutes.
Add tomatoes, bay leaf and 6 cups of chicken stock.
Cook until carrots and potatoes are cooked through.
Stir in remaining ingredients. Add remaining chicken stock as needed to maintain consistency.
OPTIONAL: Add pasta at the last minute (it will cook quickly, and absorb some of the liquid).
Sprinkle with a dash of grated parmesan cheese and serve with crusty Italian bread.

Makes approx. 12 servings

 

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