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Saturday, March 13, 2010  7:30 PM

Admission: $20 general; $15 student/senior

Canada College Main Theatre

4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City, CA 94062

The Peninsula Cantare's March concert features the toe-tapping music of George Gershwin and the clever lyrics of his brother, Ira. Enjoy the distinctive voice of George Shearing as he sets Shakespeare's words in his jazzy style. For more spice throw in The Beatles and some swinging J.S. Bach. The Cantare's versatile pianist, Alex Bootzin, and the Nucleus Jazz Quartet provide the instrumental accompaniment for this concert of familiar favorites.

You can stay informed about Cantare's Activities by signing up with the Cantare email list!

The Peninsula Symphony Orchestra is one of the many organizations that add so greatly to our Peninsula Living lifestyle. Celebrating their 60th season this year, they offer a concert series of 4 performances a year.

Community outreach and bringing music to young people is a special passion of theirs.

They are offering a FREE family concert on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at 3:00 PM. This special concert will be held at the College of San Mateo, and since seating is limited, you are asked to call their office to reserve your FREE tickets. You can reach them at 650-941-5291.

You'll be impressed with the quality of the music, and the generosity of spirit of the musicians. With music programs being curtailed and cut in many schools, this is a delightful way to bring beautiful music to young people.

Everyone is welcome--this is not exclusive to families and young people.

Bravo Peninsula Symphony Orchestra!

Have you seen this new statue in downtown Burlingame? I was walking down to the convenience store to get a Diet Coke (I'm addicted), and I saw this statue in front of the former Coldwell Banker office. This office is currently vacant, so it was strange to see this statue implanted right in front of this building.

As I was taking a picture of this statue, one of the downtown Burlingame businessmen yelled at me from the building behind "Hey, what are you taking a picture of that for?"

I said, "I think it looks pretty strange in front of this building, what do you think?" 

He said, "Well I do to, and so do a lot of the other business owners. If you don't mind, send your picture to City Hall with some thoughts on what you think of it."

Downtown Burlingame stirs the passions of the city's citizens. It has taken roughly ten years from beginning to an affirmative vote to get a new Safeway built. It took so long for several reasons, but mainly because of the differences of a couple of groups who feel very passionate about the appearance of downtown Burlingame.

I have a feeling that the future of this statue is going to debated in a public forum. It's never boring in downtown Burlingame!

Ground breaking ceremonies will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010 for the long-awaited Edgewood Education Center which will inspire and teach stewardship of Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve, a wonder in our own backyard.

Located in the hills of Redwood City Edgewood County Park is frequented by hikers, trail runners, equestrians and families throughout the year. Visitors are drawn throughout San Mateo County and the San Francisco Bay Area to enjoy its spectacular spring flower display.

Learn more about the San Mateo County Parks Foundation, the group that is bringing this to reality. If you enjoy the outdoors and are interested in volunteering with a great group of like-minded people, this might be just the spot for you.

Here is a list of open houses in Burlingame and Hillsborough that are listed for more than $2,000,000 that will occur on Sunday November 8th. The information for this list of open houses in Burlingame and Hillsborough was found on the MLSlistings.com website. 

• 2980 Privet Drive - $4,800,000 - 2 to 4
• 38 Lemon Court - $4,680,000 - 1:30 to 2:45
• 555 Craig Road - $4,295,000 - 1:30 to 4 
• 70 Joyce Road - $4,280,000 - 1:30 to 3
• 15 Jewell Place - $4,250,00 - 2 to 4
• 735 Brewer Drive $4,225,000 - 2 to 4
• 105 Baywood Avenue - $3,880,000 - 3 to 4:30
• 280 Sierra Drive - $3,650,000 - 1:30 to 4
• 50 Woodridge Road - $3,350,000 - 2 to 4
• 112 Alturas Drive - $3,149,000 - 1 to 4
• 356 Darrell Road - $3,095,000 - 1:30 to 4
• 150 Newton Drive - $2,995,000 - 1:30 to 4
• 10 Kammerer Court - $2,985,000 - 2 to 5
• 725 Hayne Road - $2,895,000 - 2 to 4
• 740 El Cerrito Avenue - $2,860,000 - 2 to 4
• 2135 Carmelita Avenue - $2,825,00 - 2 to 4
• 35 Willard Lane - $2,550,000 - 1:30 to 4:30
• 1417 Cabrillo Avenue - $2,348,000 - 2 to 4
• 1524 Newlands Avenue - $2,298,000 - 2 to 4
• 2223 Easton Drive - $2,250,000 - 2 to 4
• 1325 Cabrillo Avenue - $2,248,000 - 1 to 4
• 10 Tiptoe Lane - $2,199,00 - 1:30 to 4
• 50 Glenbrook Drive - $2,150,000 - 2 to 4
• 1435 Lakeview Drive - $2,149,000 - 2 to 5

In San Bruno on Wednesday October 21st from 6:30 to 8:00, Sylvan Learning Center will be hosting a free seminar about the stress of college test prep. The seminar is called "Test Stress: A Parent's Real Guide to College Test Prep".

Is your teenager about to take the SAT/ACT/PSAT/NMSQT or starting to think about college? If yes, then you should attend the session. This FREE, fun, interactive seminar will provide tips on helping your child deal with the stress and anxiety of taking the test. This fact-filled seminar delivers advice and pointers from leading college admissions experts to help navigate through the test-taking season and develop a high school action plan to be college ready.

The San Bruno Sylvan Learning Center is located at 751-A Camino Plaza. To register for this free college test prep seminar you can call or e-mail Jennifer Huckins. Her phone number is 650-636-1200, and her e-mail address is jhuckins@bayareasylvans.com

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Phil's Home Finance

Plonneke Thoolen has been a Realtor since 1998. She has been Prudential of California Realty in San Mateo since August of 2009. She is from Holland originally and has lived all over the states since 1980's. What she loves about Real Estate is meeting exciting new people and even being involved with some famous pieces of real estate such as Bruce Springsteins home in Belmont, CA.

She has also been an independant broker at her own firm Thoolen Paul Real Estate in San Mateo from 2003 to 2009 till she moved to the exciting offices of Prudential in San Mateo. I want to officially welcome her to the ActiveRain community and wish her the best. She may be reached at 650-520-4174 or her website at www.prurealty.com/plonneke

 Burlingame AYSO has its opening weekend this Saturday and Sunday, September 12th and 13th. Festivities start off with the annual parade at Burlingame High School. If you haven't been to the parade, you are in for a treat!

Burlingame AYSO brings in local dignitaries, such as the mayor, council members, and local religious leaders to kick off the parade with speeches. The Burlingame High School cheerleaders are present to cheer on the young soccer players. There's a lot of action happening on and around the football field. However, the real action is behind the football field, where our young athletes line up for the parade!

Kids chasing their buddies, dogs chasing kids, and coffee drinking parents trying to keep 6 year olds lined up in a straight line while they wait there turn to enter the stadium are just some of the sights you will see on the softball field. I consider the Burlingame AYSO soccer parade a right of passage into Burlingameparenthood!

Once you and your kids enter the stadium, you will see a flood of players and banners marching around the field. Burlingame AYSO has given the kids the chance to choose their team name. Blue Hobos, Fashion Police, Swimming Salmons, and Pink Booomerangs are the names of some of the teams my kids have played on.

Once the parade is over, if you want to smile and chuckle, stick around and watch the 6 year olds and under play on the softball field. Burlingame AYSO has a league for kids of all ages!

Fields all over the town are used by Burlingame AYSO. If memory serves me correctly, the 8 year olds and under play at Washington Park. BIS Osberg field, Franklin Field, Cuernavaca Park, Bayside Park, and Jim Murray field (named after the former AYSO President) are also used.

The Burlingame AYSO opening weekend usually consists of a game on Saturday and a game on Sunday. Make sure you bring your lawn chairs and sunscreen - it's supposed to be pretty hot!

One of the staples of the Burlingame AYSO soccer season is every parent's favorite, the snack schedule. The kids love to have oranges and water at halftime, and a drink and snack after the game. Don't forget to mark your snack day on your calendar. God help you if you forget, with 12 sad faces looking right at you!

As the season winds down, the competition ends with the Burlingame Cup. I have seen some of the most exciting soccer games in Burlingame AYSO during the Cup playoffs.

If a Cup game ends tied, overtime is played. If no one scores during the overtime, players are taken off of each side. I have seen some playoff games end up in two on two! Imagine running all the way up and down the field after four overtimes! Burlingame AYSO really makes it exciting with this format to determine a winner!

Burlingame AYSO does a great job teaching the kids about teamwork, competition, and athleticism. Most of all, it's just a lot of fun! See you on the field.

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My Facebook Business Page

A Burlingame business networking group was recently formed in June, 2009. It is under the auspices of BNI, the largest business networking group in the world. The goal of this group is to pass referrals to business owners that we know, like, and trust.

If you are unfamiliar with BNI, here is a little bit of information for you. The networking group meets weekly. During the meeting there is an opportunity to network with members and guests. Each person is also allowed to give a 30 to 60 second "infomercial" about their business and the type of people they would like to meet.

Only one person per occupation is allowed in each chapter. There is an intial fee to join, and monthly dues are charged to cover the costs of the meeting room and meals.

Guests are encouraged to attend our networking group. Guests are allowed to attend two meetings before deciding to make a commitment to join our group. 

The Burlingame BNI networking group meets every Thursday from 7:30 AM to 9 AM at Sapore Italiano restaurant. The restaurant is located at 1447 Burlingame Avenue in Burlingame.

If you are looking to grow your business, please come as my guest to see if this networking group would be of benefit to you. We are looking for owners or representatives of all types of businesses. If your occupation has been committed to in our group, we may be able to refer you to another local group.

I look forward to meeting you!

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Are you looking at homes for sale in Burlingame? Burlingame is a very desirable area to live. Here are some tips for you if you are planning on financing with a loan the purchase of one of the Burlingame homes for sale.

Although many of the homes for sale in Burlingame are valued for more than one million dollars, there are plenty of homes that sell for less than this amount. A 10% down payment is required for conventional financing with a purchase price up to $810,833. This sale price will allow an agency jumbo loan of up to $729,750. An agency jumbo loan is a loan that can be purchased from the lender by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.  

If you need to borrow more than $729,750, then you will need to obtain a jumbo loan. Here in August, 2009, the jumbo loan market has become more accessible than it has been in the last two years. This accessibility is great news for homebuyers that are looking at homes for sale in Burlingame.

Here are the maximum loan amounts for a fully documented loan to purchase one of the homes for sale in Burlingame with a jumbo loan:

• 80% with a maximum loan amount of $1,100,000
• 75% with a maximum loan amount of $5,000,000

These maximum loan amounts require certain credit scores. If you do not have the minimum credit score required, then you will have to make a larger down payment.

On the subject of credit scores, some lenders will reduce the points charged based on certain credit scores of the borrower. If you have submitted an application to purchase one of the homes for sale in Burlingame, ask your loan agent if you qualify to have the points charged reduced.

Suppose you need to stretch your budget because the homes for sale in Burlingame are expensive. Here is a strategy that can help you maximize the loan amount and sale price that you are comfortable with - it's called the "buydown strategy".

Here is the buydown strategy in a nutshell: instead of insulting the seller of one of the homes for sale in Burlingame with a lowball offer, try this: make an attractive offer to the seller on the sale price, and ask the seller to credit you at closing up to 6% of the loan amount toward non-recurring closing costs. With this credit toward closing costs, you can use these funds to buy down your interest rate. This strategy will increase your purchasing power by roughly 14%.

For example, if you thought your monthly budget would allow you to purchase one of the homes for sale in Burlingame for $1,000,000, the monthly equivalent budget would be up to $1,140,000 with the buydown strategy, more or less.

One of the most important tips I can give you if you are going to make an offer on one of the homes for sale in Burlingame is to get pre-approved for your loan. Homes for sale in Burlingame that are in a good location and priced attractively often receive multiple offers. If you are not paying cash, you will lose in a multiple offer situation without a pre-approval letter.

In order to obtain a letter of pre-approval, you will need to provide your loan agent an application, along with your income and asset documentation. Your agent will obtain a credit report, and ask you what the maximum sale price, down payment, and monthly payments you are comfortable with for your offer or offers on homes for sale in Burlingame. With this information, they will submit your file and get it pre-approved prior to making your offer(s).

If you have a difficult time proving that you can afford the monthly budget to afford one of the Burlingame homes for sale, there are programs available that do not require you to provide income documentation. Here are the maximum loan amounts for this program:

• 75% of the sale price up to a loan amount of $1,000,000
• 70% of the sale price up to a loan amount of $1,500,000
• 65% of the sale price up to a loan amount of $3,000,000
• 60% of the sale price up to a loan amount of $4,000,000

My last tip is that if you want to purchase one of the great homes for sale in Burlingame, work with a competent loan agent. Getting a low rate is important, but getting your loan approved quickly with the least amount of hassle is just as important!

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