Here’re some photos and a few videos for you to enjoy:

Fagin and his Gang performing “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two!”

It’s a Fine Life (Reprisal)

“Reviewing the Situation” with Fagin and Specialty Dancers

“I Shall Scream” with Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney

Oliver was directed by Janet Jackson and choreographed by Jackie Kopcsak. The kids put on an awesome show!

Oliver! was the first musical adaptation of a Charles Dickens’ work to become a hit on stage. Based on “Oliver Twist,” musician Lionel Bart wrote the book, music and lyrics for the original London production. The show launched the careers of
Davy Jones, Phil Collins and Steve Marriott. Oliver! became the first British musical to transfer successfully to Broadway and is still popular today.

Thank you to all the parents and supporters without whom, this show would never take place.

A California state approved recycler will accept computers, laptops, TVs, monitors, VCRs, DVD players, cell phones, auto batteries and most electronic waste items.

If you have any questions regarding other items, please call 877.866.0128.  The drop off location will be at Huntington Middle School’s North Parking Lot on 1700 Huntington Drive.

Proceeds generated from this event will benefit San Marino schools.  For additional information, please visit www.smusd.us/pdf/tech/ewaste_feb2010.jpg.

The new ordinance allows residents five (5) free overnight parking permits per calendar year.  This is five permits per address.  The software that issues the permits keeps track of the number of permits issued to an address, the vehicles they were issued to, and the person who applied for the permit.  Additional permits can be purchased on line for $5.00 a night.

Residents can obtain these free overnight exemptions or purchased permits on the Police Department’s web page by clicking on the Overnight Parking Permits link.  https://www.paymycite.com/sanmarino/Temporarypermit.aspx

In situations where a resident cannot apply for, or print, a permit, the Dispatcher can complete the application screen and print the permit.

If for some reason a resident is issued a citation they believe should not have been issued because they obtained a permit, the resident can appeal the citation and a check of the electronic permit records will verify if a valid permit had been issued.  If such a permit was issued (free or purchased) the overnight parking violation will be dismissed.

These recent amendments to the municipal code also made provision for long term permits in special situations, such as construction projects or catastrophic illnesses.  In these situations an applicant can submit a letter to the Chief of Police with the required $50.00 fee.  This letter must articulate the reason the special exemption is being requested and provide the license number(s) of the vehicle(s) that will be parked on the street.  If this request is granted the applicant will be issued hard copy permits with the applicable license number(s) as well as the expiration date of the permits.

The intent of modifying the overnight parking ordinance and the mechanism by which it is administered was to improve and streamline the process that maintains our aesthetics and safety by keeping cars off the street, yet also accommodates the occasional needs of residents to park on the street overnight.    Like any change, this transition may well require additional refinements as we see how it works and make changes to improve it.

Should you encounter difficulties with this process or have any questions, please feel free to call the Police Department.

San Marino Luxury

#5) 1200 Old Mill Rd. San Marino, CA

5 Br/5 Ba 4,221 Sq.Ft.  Sold at $3,499,800

Exquisite, two-story Georgian on a beautifully landscaped half acre lot in the Library District. Offering the finest in architectural details, the home features high ceilings, exposed hardwood floors, panelled walls, custom doors and archways, bay windows and French doors. Master bath, pool/spa, 642 square foot pool house with kitchenette and rear landscaping all redone in 2005-06. Separate breakfast room; small bonus room on second floor – could be office, nursery or laundry room. Over sized basement and garage plus a 1400 plus sq. ft. floored attic provide abundant storage space.

#2) Oak Knoll Ave. San Marino, CA

8 Br/8 Ba 5,841 Sq.Ft. Sold at $3,800,000

IRINA NETCHAEV & ASSOCIATES

San Marino Real Estate Agents

Pasadena, California

(626)629-VIEW(8439)

Additional Reading:

San Marino City Guide

California Real Estate Forecasts for 2010

The holidays are upon us, and as we get ready to take part in our celebrations; let us be reminded that this season is a time for us to spread joy and happiness to our loved ones and those who have touched our lives in a special way!

As part of our Holiday fun we invite you and your friends and family to play a little Real Estate Holiday Trivia.

Answer the questions below and have your responses in to us by January 6^th 2010. You can email, fax, mail, or stop by the office and drop off your answers. We will be doing a Live Stream drawing and announcing our winners Wednesday January 6^th at 3:00 p.m.

Real Estate Holiday Trivia Questions

1) What does Alvin the Chipmunk want for Christmas?

2) How long does the average escrow take?

3) What popular drink is only available during the holiday season? Need a hint? Unscramble – GOGNEG

4) What is the last item you receive when you purchase a home? (Hint: If you receive more than one, they jingle.)

5) What country did the Gingerbread House come from?

Be sure to have your name and contact info on your answer sheet so that we may notify our winners! You have a chance to win Starbucks Gift Cards, 1 lb. of See’s Candy, and /or Movie Tickets! Your answer sheet must be in to us for you to be entered in our drawing.

It has been a pleasure to serve you during your real estate endeavors. We look forward to hearing from you, and we wish you and your loved ones a very merry Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!

IRINA NETCHAEV & ASSOCIATES

San Marino Real Estate Agents

Pasadena, California

(626)629-VIEW(8439)

Additional Reading:

Grandstand Seating for the Tournament of Roses Parade

San Marino City Guide

Search San Marino Homes

Once again it’s that time of year! Come out and join the merchants on Huntington Drive for San Marino’s Traditional Christmas Around the Drive.
The festivities take place on Huntington Drive between Del Mar Ave. and Bedford Rd.

Santa will be arriving on the Old #1 Fire Truck at City Hall at 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy treats from the shopkeepers as they will be keeping their businesses open after hours to offer you snacks as you stroll down the drive. There will also be trolley rides and carolers to get you into the Holiday spirit!

Be sure to come out and support the businesses on Huntington Drive who have made this evening possible for the community for over 15 years.

For additional information please call 626.286.1022.

 Take a look here at some photos from last seasons Christmas Around the Drive.

Interested in other Holiday festivities taking place near you? Please visit Pasadena Festivities for additional holiday fun!

From our family to yours Happy Holidays and Warm Seasons Greetings!

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PRICE AND VALUE

In a market where prices are rising fairly consistently, price per square foot is essentially flat. This often implies
that new homes coming on the market are pricier, and also larger than older homes. As a result the value one can buy stays the same.

INVENTORY

Inventory has been falling in recent weeks. Note that declining inventory alone does not signal a strengthening market. Look to the Market Action Index and Days on Market trends to gauge whether buyer interest is changing with the available supply.

Photo by Sasha Netchaev

Interesting article in City of San Marino’s community Newsletter about “Owner Builders” responsibility in pulling permits.

A home owner-builder is a term that indicates that the owner of a property acts as teh general contractor on the home imporvement job and either does the work b themselves or has employees (or subcontractors) working on their home project.

When a San Marino home owner signs a building permit application as an owner-builder, the owner assumes full responsibility for all phases of their home project. I the home owners uses anyone other than an immediate family member or a licensed subcontractor to do the work, the home owner may be considered an employer.

As an employer, a homeowner must register with the state and federal governments. You will be obligated to participate in state and federal income tax withholding, federal social security taxes, workers’ compensation insurance, disability insurance costs and unemployment compensation contribution. City of San Marino will ask for proof of these items if a licensed subcontractor is not listed on an owner-builder permit application.

If a homeowner’s workers are injured and subcontractors are not licensed or do not carry liability insurance or workers’ compensation, the homeowner could be liable for injuries and rehabilitation costs.

The permit fees are the same whether the owner or contractor pulls the permit. It is in the best interest of the San Marino property owner if licensed contractors are used exclusively and take care of the permitting process. For more information or to find out if your contractor has a valid license, visit the Contractors State License Board at www.cslb.ca.gov or you may call them at 800-321-2752.

Interested in seeing what San Marino homes are available for sale? If so, take a look at the Multiple Listing Service information below. Property information is updated as homes come up on the market for sale.

For specific home details on any of these homes, please visit San Marino Homes for Sale.

If you have not visited Sweet & Savory in San Marino, you are truly missing out!

Sweet & Savory markets itself as a bakery and edible delights specializing in Old-Fashioned American baked goods. They are open for breakfast, lunch and offer dinner to go.

My daughter first told me about the cafe and said that they rival Heirlooms when it comes to cupcakes. As a fan of South Pasadena’s Heirloom’s unbeatable Hostess cupcake, I had to try these for myself.

Granted, I’ve been working really hard on trying to lose 10 or so pounds that I’ve put on this year by signing up at San Marino’s Women’s World so… I had to think long and hard how much exercise time I’d have to add in to work off the cupcake, but curiosity and the moist looking chocolate cupcake easily won.

Also, Sweet & Savory is the only place around Pasadena that carries Intelligentsia coffee. So… armed with my youngest kid, I drove up to the bakery and, unfortunately, saw the closed sign.

Fortunately for me, we glimpsed a lady in the back of the cafe and knocked – putting on the saddest face I could manage.

I explained that we had a cupcake emergency and just had to try their Chocolate cupcakes. It turns out that Dora, the owner of the cafe, was very sweet, took pity on us and opened up the bakery to sell us 2 of her last 3 cupcakes – yeah!

Dora also said that she’s at the store most evenings and Sundays working on paperwork and not to hesitate to knock in the future. I love that!

The cupcakes were absolutely creamy, moist and delicious! At $3 per cupcake, a great deal for baked fresh every morning home made dessert!

Try some for yourself! Sweet & Savory is located at 2142 Huntington Drive just a bit West of San Marino Avenue.