Goes good with Coffee or Tea... October 1, 2008

Hi Friends, Fall is such a wonderful time of the year.  Leaves change to breathtaking colors that stretch our imagination.  We pause and wonder as they fall into their own season.  Being bombarded from every direction with the current financial crisis, I hesitate to give you my take on it. However, since I have been actively involved in real estate since the mid 1960s I have some lasting memories of events that lead to the financial and housing crisis we have today.  No doubt you've heard so much blaming that you just might be dreading the thought of voting in the upcoming election.  Suffice it to say, both political parties have a history of contributing to the events that lead to the present debacle.  Make your decision as to who you should vote for based on your own research.  Don't rely on emails as many of them are filled with bad information.  FactCheck.org is a good site where you can get to the truth.  Next time you read a gossipy story, check it out at Snopes.com Taking a break from work is what Coffee Break is all about. For those of you new to Coffee Break it consists of a little of this and a little of that.  Hopefully all of it interesting, informative and punched with humor.  If you have seen something you think others should know about or have read something amusing and would like to contribute it please, send it to me on the Contact Joanne form or in an email. October is a special month in so many ways. Enjoy it! Stay in touch, and hold good thoughts, Joanne Your San Francisco Bay Area Real Estate Broker... and coffee lover.

You heard it here...

If you haven't registered to vote in the November elections, remember your vote counts. Take a moment to register at California Voter Registration.  Find out how accurate politician are with the claims they make at FactCheck.org   "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have." - Thomas Jefferson

About Area Codes ~ Thanks to Ms. Barbara Jones We actually received a call last week from the 809 area code.  The woman  said "Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed you. Get back to us quickly.  I Have something important to tell you."  Then she repeated a phone number beginning with area code 809. We didn't respond. Then this week, we received the following e-mail: Subject: Don't dial area code 809, 284, and 876 This one is being distributed all over the US.  This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call.  Be sure you warn your friends and family. They caller gets you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc. In each case you are told to call the 809 number right away.  Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.  If you call from the  US you will possibly be charged  $2425 per-minute.  Or you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges.  Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, you'll often be charged more than $24,100.00. WHY IT WORKS:  The 809 area code is  located in the British Virgin Islands (The Bahamas), the Dominican  actually.  The charges afterwards can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company.  You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong. Sandi Van Handel AT&T Field Service  Manager Additional information on these area codes can be found from ATT at: 809 scam

72# or *72 Scam The scam usually referred to as the "72#" or "*72" provides fraudulent callers with free access to a phone line, a line that is not their own, by asking innocent customers to forward calls. Many of these fraudulent callers may request calls be forwarded to a collect, long-distance or other pay-service phone number. The charges for these calls are placed on the forwarding customer’s account, instead of to the phone from which the call originated. Additional information on these area codes can be found from ATT at: 72# or *72 Scam

Green Tip:  LOVE THAT LINOLEUM If it's time to change the break room floor, opt for linoleum instead of vinyl. Linoleum is made from all-natural resources, while vinyl is made from petroleum.

A person of inspiration...

Paul Newman The legendary actor, racecar driver, political activist, and philanthropist. Paul Newman's face has been on everything from movie posters to bottles of salad dressing. He has come to represent quality and integrity. Newman's Own - Scroll down for a short video message from Paul himself  Our company motto, "Shameless Exploitation in Pursuit of the Common Good," was Paul's vision for Newman's Own and it is a philosophy we are proud to continue. Watch Video - The beginning Watch Video - The later years Read Paul's biography

A chuckle or two...

Country Logic ~ Thanks to Mr. Jim Knudsen

A bus load of politicians were driving down a country road when all of a sudden, the bus ran off the road and crashed into a tree in an old farmer's field. The old farmer, after seeing what had happened, went over to investigate. He then proceeded to dig a hole to bury the politicians.  A few days later the local sheriff came out, saw the crashed bus, and asked the old farmer where all the politicians had gone.  The old farmer said he had buried them.  The sheriff asked the old farmer, "Were they all dead?" The old farmer replied, "Well, some of them said they weren't, but you know how they lie."

Two little boys ~ Thanks to Ms. Juanita Whiteside

After a hardy rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets and alleys, a young mother watched her two little boys playing in the puddle through her kitchen window. The older of the two, a five year old lad, grabbed his sibling by the back of his head and shoved his face into the water hole. As the boy recovered and stood laughing and dripping, the mother runs to the yard in a panic. "Why on earth did you do that to your little brother," she asks as she shook the older boy in anger? "We were just playing 'church' mommy," he said. "And I was just baptizing him... in the name of the Father, the Son and in the hole-he-goes."

Magic Gopher ~ Thanks to Ms. Linda Bruton

This is really freaky!  I didn't even write my number down in case this little thing was cheating by peeking!  Magic Gopher  Can you figure it out?  Tell Joanne if you do.

Cuddles, the aged Poodle ~ Thanks to Ms. Esther Snyder

A wealthy old lady decides to go on a photo safari to Africa , taking her faithful aged poodle named Cuddles, along for the company. One day the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, Cuddles discovers that he's lost.  Wandering about, he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch. The old poodle thinks, 'Oh, oh! I'm in deep doo-doo now!'  Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat.  Just as the leopard is about to leap the old poodle exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?" Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.  "Whew," says the leopard, "That was close! That old poodle nearly had me!" Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard.  So off he goes, but the old poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up.  The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!" Now, the old poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?"  Instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet and just when they get close enough to hear.  The old poodle says "Where's that damn monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!"

About Maxine ~ Thanks to Ms. Barbara Jones

Creator of Maxine - Mother, grandmother inspire Hallmark artist John Wagner to create Maxine. Whatever pops into her mind, Maxine says. Ordinarily, folks might be offended. But instead, millions of Americans have identified with the crabby, irreverent Maxine, The popular Hallmark character that lambastes everything from holidays to aging, and does not hesitate to tell it like it is - or as she sees it. Maxine keeps up with the times. 'I'd like to try day trading,' she says. 'I'd start by trading Mondays for Saturdays.' Or she might snap, 'You're a year older?...Want me to moon the birthday fairy for you?' Nobody and nothing is sacred to Maxine. She's not your typical warm and fuzzy greeting-card character.  The only thing warm and fuzzy about Maxine is her bunny slippers - and her dog Floyd!  She points and shakes her finger at you. She dishes out philosophy to any one who will listen:  'When life hands you lemons...tuck 'em in your bra. Couldn't hurt, might help.' John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother, the woman who bought him art lessons when 'fill in the pumpkins' was about the extent of his art classes at St. John's Catholic School he attended in Leonia , N.J. John remembers doodling as a preschooler, and says both his grandmother and his mother encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston and landed at Hallmark as part of a new artists group. But it was the birth of the humorous Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986 that added a new dimension to John's professional life. The Shoebox way of seeing the world unleashed his talents and he created Maxine.  "Cartoonists are sensitive to the insanities of the world; we just try to humanize them," John says.  "If Maxine can get a laugh out of someone who feels lonely or someone who is getting older and hates the thought of another birthday, or if she can make someone chuckle about stressful interpersonal relationships, then I'm happy. Putting a smile on someone's face is what it's all about." Those smiles have led to Maxine's becoming a bit of a celebrity. She (and John) have been the subject of media stories, including People, USA Today, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, St. Petersburg (FL) Times, and Las Vegas Journal-Review, and they have been included in a major Associated Press story. Collector and trade publications have reported that fans nationwide are collecting Maxine items. Letters from consumers and fans to John and Maxine reveal a very personal connection to Maxine. Many people say they are just like Maxine. Why the name 'Maxine'?  People at Shoebox started referring to the character as "John Wagner's old lady." "And I knew that would get me into trouble with my wife," John says. The Shoebox team had a contest among themselves to name the character, and three of the approximately 30 entries suggested "Maxine." John says the name is perfect. John, who says he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud of her.

New Wine for Seniors ~ Thanks to Mr. Richard DeBiaso

California vintners in the Napa Valley area, which primarily produce Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio wines, have developed a new hybrid grape that acts as an anti-diuretic. It is expected to reduce the number of trips older people have to make to the bathroom during the night.  The new wine will be marketed as Pino More.

Acts 2:38 ~ Thanks to Ms. Florence Pierson

An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church services, when she was startled by an intruder. She caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables and yelled:  "Stop! Acts 2:38!"   (Repent and be Baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven). The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar: "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you." "Scripture?" replied the burglar. "She said she had an Ax and Two 38s!"

New U.S. Dollar ~ Thanks to Ms. Florence Pierson

As a result of the current financial situation in this country, the U.S. Mint has redesigned the U.S. Dollar

God's Problem Now ~ Thanks to Ms. Florence Pierson

When the graveside service had no more than terminated there was a tremendous burst of thunder accompanied by a distant lightning bolt and more rumbling thunder. The little old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, "Well, she's there."

Dumber than a preschooler ~ Thanks to Ms. Florence Pierson

I already knew I was dumber than the fifth graders, now it's the pre-schoolers turn! A PRE-SCHOOL TEST FOR YOU Which way is the bus below traveling? To the left or to the right? Can't make up your mind?  Look carefully at the picture again. Still don't know? Pre-schoolers all over the United States were shown this picture asked the same question.  90% of the pre-schooler's gave this answer:  "The bus is traveling to the left." When asked, "Why do you think the bus is traveling to the left?" They answered:  "Because you can't see the door to get on the bus."

Worth a thousand words...

Fall at Butchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C., Canada  ~ Thanks to Ms. Uzma Husaini Visit Butchart Gardens web site

Before you go, remember your comments, suggestions, and contributions are always welcome. When you come across something funny or informative and in good taste, please send it along.  I would love to include it with your name and our thanks.  Tell your friends about Coffee Break, and explore the other sections of our web site.  I leave you to ponder these golden words a good friend shared with me:  "The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along their way." For information on buying or selling east bay homes, please contact me at 510-429-4800 or send me a note on the Contact Joanne form.  Sign up for email alerts Thank you, Joanne P.S.  Be sure to add us to your favorite places. ~ Joanne L. Gardiner, Broker, e-PRO Realtor Advantage Realty Advantage Mortgage Associates 3205 Whipple Road - Union City, California 94587 (510) 429-4800 San Francisco Bay Area  ~ San Francisco East Bay Real Estate web site: http://www.joannegardiner.com Contact Joanne Our primary realty service areas in the San Francisco Bay Area: Hayward, Castro Valley, Fremont, Newark, Niles, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Sunol, Oakland, Foster City, Burlingame, and San Mateo. The types of real estate in which we specialize are:  single family homes, detached homes, attached homes, duets, condominiums, townhomes, garden homes, PUDs, manufactured homes, mobile homes,  income property, investment property, tri-plexes, four-plexes, apartment property, and special use properties such as churches for sale.