C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week: Reusable packing crates

When packing, take advantage of companies that offer reusable packing crates, which can eliminate excessive waste. One such outfit that rents sturdy packing crates made of recycled plastic bottles is California-based Earth Friendly Moving. The company drops off the crates before you move and picks them up afterward in its fleet of bio-diesel trucks. Another company is Rent-A-Crate, a nationwide firm that offers moving crates made of recyclable high density polypropylene.

2011 Home Decor Trends - Things are definitely looking up

According to Janet Davidsen of Details in Design, Inc., homeowners are casting their eyes upward. The ceiling will be embellished and noticed more as the “fifth wall,” and may be painted or architecturally enhanced to play more of a focal point in a space. M. Grace Sielaff also suggests homeowners consider a painted metallic ceiling with a large, eye-catching chandelier.

2011 Home Decor Trends - Underfoot…but not underrated

M. Grace Sielaff of M. Grace Designs, Inc. envisions rich-looking herringbone-patterned hardwood floors in an ebony oak finish – paying attention to board thickness and giving special consideration to products that meet industry LEED requirements. For a green touch, Jase Frederick suggests hardwood flooring from reclaimed wood or sustainably grown and harvested sources. To add warmth, Marta Cullen of Dream Interiors suggests round rugs – the bigger, the better.

2011 Home Decor Trends - You’re gotta have heart

The kitchen remains the “heart of the home” according to Andrea Vollf of Andrea Vollf Interiors. Consumers interest in remodeling their kitchens should consider a well-designed, open, airy layout that integrates the kitchen into the rest of their homes. Jeff Dross also suggests new countertop materials in lieu of granite, such as quartz stone or binding, crushed recyclable glass underneath a solid smooth surface for those seeking green alternatives.

2011 Home Decor Trends - There’s nothing bland about Neutrals

In a recent video posted on her website, Michelle Lamb – co-founder and chairman of Minneapolis-based Marketing Directions, Inc. and editorial director of “The Trend Curve – spoke about a resurgence in neutrals in 2011. These more complex “chameleon” neutrals will have more color, and will shift and change based on the light and whatever’s around them. Lamb claims that these neutrals will be “the likes of which we haven’t seen in 20 years or more.”

2011 Home Decor Trends - Illuminating Insights

As living green becomes more ingrained in our lives, LED lighting will continue to light the way, according to Jeff Dross, senior product manager of Kichler Lighting, who will introduce several new under-cabinet systems and landscape products with an ultra-efficient technology next year. For a casual, contemporary twist, Dross also suggests hanging chandeliers in new areas such as bathrooms, bedrooms and closets, and embracing today’s art glass applications, which are much more chic and casual than the Tiffany lamps of the past.

2011 Home Decor Trends - The Mad, Mad World of Furniture

Taking a nod from the award-winning AMC series “Mad Men,” Linda Fougerousse of Interior Transformation, Inc. also sees furniture styles returning to the ‘50s and ‘60s with round tapered legs on angles, geometric accents and seating with curved backs. Jas Frederick of Jase Frederick Sustainable Interiors adds that classic wood pieces made from sentimental stock like fallen trees or scrap wood from ancestral or historic structures will become heirlooms to pass from one generation to the next.

2011 Home Decor Trends - A Spectrum of Colors

Color trends will carry over from 2010 to 2011 with the soothing aqua and green hues that draw their inspiration from the verdigris deposits found on weathered copper statues, predicts design expert, TV host/spokesperson and best-selling author Kathy Peterson.

For outdoor furniture and accessories, she sees sassy colors like lime green, bold orange and Caribbean blue, along with more subdued hues such as sage green, barn red and mocha brown.

Tenth Reason to Live in an Active Adult Community

Maintain Your Independence

Not only are active adult communities vibrant and active, they also give you the freedom to be yourself. You can keep up your favorite activities as well as discovering new ones. This next exciting venture allows you the opportunity to maintain an active, inquiring, interesting lifestyle.

Eighth Reason to Live in an Active Adult Community

Feel At Home

Active adult communities help make the transition an easy one. Not only will you feel welcome right from the start, you will feel right at home on one of their large, sprawling grounds. There’s plenty of space to be yourself as well as enjoying an active lifestyle. There are often beautiful water features, grand landscaping and large park grounds.

Seventh Reason to Live in an Active Adult Community

Company Reputation

There are several quality name national developers of active adult communities and you can feel secure knowing that they a well established reputation. Every large metro area has communities built by some of these developers, as well as quality local builders.

Fifth Reason to Live in an Active Adult Community

Gorgeous Housing Options

Live in complete comfort in a house/condo in one of these communities. Not only are their properties safe and practical, they are also a pleasure to live in. Relax on your own porch, cook a meal in your spacious and tidy kitchen, and wake up to a bright sunny morning with an open light floor plan.

"Guys and Dolls" Jr. Comes to The Villages

The Villages Amateur Theatre will be presenting their spring production of Guys and Dolls Jr. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, March 12-14. This is the largest production ever presented in the Villages with a cast of over 30 people.

The cast has put in many hours in rehearsals and with such high energy of song and dance, it is a must see show! It will be presented in the Cribari Auditorium for only $8/person.

27th Semi-Annual Country Western Dance at The Villages

Attention all you Texas Two-Steppers: Roland and Sissie will be presenting their 27th Semi-Annual Country Western Dance at the Clubhouse on Sunday, March 7 from 3 to 6pm.

Dancing will include the two-step, swing, waltz, polka, cha-cha, and others. Pull out your Levis and dust off your country western boots and hats and yo'all come out for a fun afternoon.

All of this for only $6. For further information, call Roland or Sissie at 408.531.0971.

Villages Hiking Club presents a Wildflower Program

It is that time of the year when the wildflowers are starting to cover our hillsides with color!

Tonight at 7:30pm in the Cribari Conference Room, Don and Judy Mason will be presenting a visual and musical journey with the California Native Plant Society exploring flowers of Point Lobos, Anza Borrego, Carrizo Plain and Sonora Pass.

This has been a passion for the Mason's who have traveled the hills and valleys of California searching for wildflowers to identify and photography. Through the years, Judy has used Don's photos in her wildflower identification classes and Don's photos have been published in wildflower articles.

All visitors are welcome to see an excellent photography program on wildflowers.

Villages Italian Club presents "The Genius of Michelangelo"

Michelangelo is universally recognized to be among the dominant artists of all time. Michelangelo Buonarroti's career spanned the glories of the Italian Renaissance, a period of one of the greatest explosions of creative energy. His genius is apparent in every medium in which he worked and with every tool he used. During his 89 years he witnessed the pontificates of 13 popes and worked for nine of them. His works include such cultural icons as The Last Judgement, the Pieta, the David and the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Michael Rogers will provide an overview of the man and his many accomplishments. Join us at Foothill Center on Feb. 17th to hear (and see) the myriad of Michelangelo's sublime accomplishments. All are welcomed. Light refreshments will be served. The lecture begins at 7:00, but come early because seating is limited.

The Villages offer 4th Annual Crab Feed and 2010 Super Bowl

This is an all-in-one party on February 7 at the Villages Clubhouse.

The 4th Annual all-you-can-eat crab being served with Ricardo's famous homemade clam chowder, tossed green salad, corn-on-the cob and chocolates squares for dessert...AND oh, yes, the 2010 Super Bowl game will be shown on movie size screen.

Join your neighbors and friends for this great event...dress in favorite team jersey's or jeans and sweatshirts!

All of this for ONLY $45/person.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended! Signed Into Law November 6, 2009

President Obama has signed legislation to extend the Homebuyer Tax Credit. Passage of the bill was widely anticipated to further spur economic recovery in the housing sector, as more buyers are now eligible for tax breaks under the new law. The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit was originally set to expire on November 30.

In addition to offering the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, the new law also allows a $6,500 credit for repeat or move-up homebuyers who have lived in their primary residence for five years or more.

The tax credits are available to buyers who sign purchase agreements on a new or existing primary residence between December 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010. Buyers would have until June 30 to close on their new homes.

November Community Events

Holiday season is in full swing at The Villages. Come check out some of these activities:

November 5 - For the first time in 30 years, Tutankhamen has returned to the deYoung Museum and the Villagers have a tour scheduled. For $50/person the trip includes transportation and entry at the deYoung Museum. Come out to see the artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamen which provide insight into the daily life and royal burial practices of the 18th Dynasty, Egypt's Golden Age.

November 7 - Holiday Faire presented in the Cribari Center Auditorium from 10 am to 2 pm. Our residents, Walter and Hanna Howald, will demonstrate the art of chocolate confection making and 40 of our Villages artisans and craftsmen have beautiful and unique items available for sale.

November 13 - Wine Tasting and Cooking Demo event returns with wines from Tenuta Winery. The cost is $12/person. Come see what Gavin is going to prepare for our holiday special!

November 26 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
The regular Thanksgiving buffets are sold out and the restaurant is now taking reservations for mini buffet in the cafe and preparing for to-go packages.

December 2 - Holiday at Union Square
This is our Annual shopping trip to Union Square in San Francisco. The bus will leave at 8:30 am and return by 5 pm. - cost is only $28/person. Come shop til you drop, enjoy a meal at a wonderful San Francisco restaurant, view the beautifully decorated Christmas tree at Macy's and leave the driving and the parking to the bus driver.

JUST LISTED - 7708 Galloway Drive

Almost new and ready to move into!

This one story, Cape Cod style unit, is in the perfect location in The Villages Golf & Country Club, San Jose's active senior(55+) adult community. The home has 1490 sq. ft., 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, Expanded 2nd guest bedroom suite with walk-in closet, Gourmet Kitchen w/upgraded appliances, and Custom designed enclosed patio deck with double pane windows and slate flooring. The furnace was replaced in December 2008 and the hot water heater on August 17, 2009!

The community includes 18 & 9 hole USGA rated golf courses, tennis and fitness centers, 4 swimming pools, 7 1/2 miles of hiking trails, riding stable, RV and boat storage, Clubhouse Restaurant and so much more.

Listed for $420,000.

Call to see today:
Carla Griffin
Broker/Owner
B & A Realtors
DRE #00710852
408.274.8766

Co-listed with:
Erin and Jeff Benford
Alain Pinel Realtors
DRE #01372912 & #01473451
408.644.5159/5175

Please check out the virtual tour:
www.tourfactory.com/538271