Ke

ep

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e H

om

e F

ire

s B

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ag

e 5

One survey shows that 35 per-

cent of consumers plan to spend less for

Christmas gifts this year.

The percentage is just a

little higher than the 25 percent who

reported last January that they spent

too much. That percentage will

probably decrease when consumers

are surveyed in January 2010.

The recession has been a

wakeup call for everyone. Even

profligate spenders are planning to

cut back and charge less to their

credit cards.

Here's how to do it:

1) Calculate exactly how much

you can spend from current income plus

whatever you saved ahead for gifts.

2) Make a list of everyone you

absolutely have to buy for. Then whittle

down the list.

3) If you have a family gather-

ing where everyone buys for everyone

else, suggest a gift exchange instead.

Draw names so everyone only buys one

gift.

4) Negotiate with relatives so

only the kids get presents this year.

But couples without children who buy

for others' kids should be gifted.

5) Once your list is finalized,

decide how much of your calculated

money you will spend on each indi-

vidual.

6) Shop with a list that in-

cludes the amount to spend on each

person. Try not to exceed it.

7) Consider buying used vin-

tage books, sheet music, or bookends

for those who would appreciate them.

7 Steps To Keep Christmas Spending Under Control

Linda Lane-White

“Singing” Realtor ®

CA Lic #01091347

Notary Public

(626)786-1231

DENA LAND NEWSDENA LAND NEWSDENA LAND NEWS A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER BY LINDA LANE-WHITE—KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

SERVING MY HOMETOWN OF ALTADENA/PASADENA AND OUTLYING AREAS

December 2009

Though it’s been a tough

year for many of us, I still

wanted to wish you the many

joys of the holiday season

It's time to put aside con-

cerns about the world, the

economy and work, at least

temporarily. Fortunately, the

worst American recession

since the 1930s appears to be

slowly healing.

It's time to celebrate. The

holidays are here. The birth

of Christ, the menorah's

promise of light, and the win-

ter solstice lifting of our spir-

its.

In December, our diverse

people celebrate in different

ways but everyone can feel

the wonder of the holiday

season.

Christmas celebrates the

birth of Christ on December

25 with its traditions and

customs, including the ap-

pearance of Santa, that jolly

old elf.

Hanukkah celebrates the

lives of a people who refused

to give up. The Festival of

Lights commemorates the

Jews' rededicating the Tem-

ple of Jerusalem after a great

battle.

The lights of Christmas

and Hanukkah come as a

welcome relief since by Dec.

21, the winter solstice brings

the shortest, darkest day of

the year.

Yes, in December, ob-

serve the ecumenical won-

ders of the Jewish menorahs,

the Christian traditions, and

sparkling garlands for all.

This year, December 18

also marks the beginning of

the Islamic New Year. This

movable feast is marked qui-

etly with prayers, readings

and reflection.

We may celebrate holi-

days in different ways, but in

our work we are one group,

unified and determined to

prevail and succeed.

I wish you the joys of the

season and thank you for

being the good friends and co

-workers you have proved to

be.

Linda Lane-White ..

Christmas riddle

What would Rudolph do if he lost his

tail? (Go to a re-tail shop!)

borrowers can take FHA mortgages for as much

as $729,750 but the limits vary from place-to-

place. We can discuss FHA limits and require-

ments with you if you think such a loan would

be good for you.

There are a lot of reasons people look to

FHA loans. Today, if you want to make a down

payment of less than 10 percent, you almost

certainly will have to do an FHA loan. Borrow-

ers can get a home mortgage for as little as 3.5

percent down.

As a government-insured loan, an FHA

mortgage has easier credit qualifying guidelines

than most lenders. Today, nearly all lenders

require a credit score of 700 or more to qualify

for a conventional mortgage. FHA credit score

requirements are slightly lower.

Nonetheless, there is no guarantee that an

FHA mortgage is a better deal than a conven-

tional one. As always, shop around and deal

with a reputable lender.

Q We hear that FHA

mortgages are a

good deal these days,

but are they strictly for

lower-income home

buyers?

A In the past, most

Federal Housing

Administration (FHA)

loans were made to

lower-income borrow-

ers. In fact, that is why

FHA was established.

In the 1930s, a working

person would have to

save 50 percent of the

value of a house before

being able to get a mort-

gage. The FHA

changed that with pro-

grams that guaranteed

loans made to people

with lower down pay-

ments.

FHA itself does not

actually lend money or

set interest rates. In-

stead, it guarantees

loans, insuring that pri-

vate lenders are pro-

tected against defaults

on loans. Today the

FHA has a variety of

loan guarantee programs

for first-time borrowers,

reverse mortgages, and

refinances. The percent-

age of FHA loans in the

mortgage market is

about 25 percent.

In fact, while FHA

loans still require

smaller down payments

and often have low in-

terest rates, not all FHA

borrowers are low in-

come. In areas where

real estate is expensive,

Across

1. Engine need

4. Band performance

7. La Scala highlight

9. Dotty

10. Huckleberry ___

11. Midterm, for one

12. Like some glass

14. Clock standard: Abbr.

15. Glut

19. Large butte

20. Arthurian lady

22. Big-ticket ___

23. French novelist Pierre

24. Driveway surface

25. Votes against

Down

1. Blockhead

2. Camera part

3. Fluff

4. Old German duchy name

5. "Good grief!"

6. Tartan cap

8. Rearrange letters

9. Refined

13. UN agency

15. ___ good example

16. ___-friendly

17. Knowing, as a secret

18. Josip Broz, familiarly

19. Cambridge sch.

21. Criticize, slangily

CHRISTMAS DECO

The title is a clue to the word

in the shaded diagonal.

Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com

Ask an

Expert

Happy Birthday David Rutherford—5th

George Van Alstine—5th

Laurie Williams—10th (Happy 50th)

Cynthia Perello—17th

Dana Hause Gaspars—19th

Jessica Williams—22nd

Vickie Westgate—23rd

Carol Lane-McCoo—24th

Meyosha Scott Williams—30th

Peter Larson—31st

Happy Anniversary Glenn & Shanti Molina—22nd

Ivory and Marilyn Webster—27th

Want to know what has sold re-

cently in YOUR area. Send me an

e-mail or give me a call and I’ll

custom tailor a list just for you! Linda Lane-White (626) 786-1231

or lindalanewhite@sbcglobal.net

It’s December—Make a List and Check It Twice ...When Buying or Remodeling

S anta Claus is coming to town ... and you never

can tell what might happen. He's making a list

and checking it twice. So should you.

If you are thinking about the home you want in

the coming year, this is a good time to compile your

wish list, whether you're looking to Santa or not.

After writing your dreams and wishes, your list

of must-haves comes next.

Give yourself the gift of time to create the lists.

You can enjoy that time whenever a new idea comes to

you, whether it's in the middle of the day or in the mid-

dle of watching NCIS on television.

Builders of up-scale homes say a state-of-the-art

kitchen, walk-in closets and whirlpool tubs rank as the

three most-coveted elements Americans over age 25

want in their dream homes. The survey of builders was

made by market-research firm GFK Roper.

Your own list will be a lot longer as you custom-

ize it according to how your family lives. Fortunately,

most of your needs today can be met by an existing

home, and many of your wishes can be fulfilled at the

same time.

A dream home doesn't have to be a palace, but

with home prices at their current levels, dreamers have

the opportunity to buy more than they could in earlier

times. If you don‟t want to move—remodel! Just make

sure to use a licensed contractor who knows current

code in your area and make sure you‟re named as ad-

ditional insured under the company‟s liability insur-

ance. DON‟T TAKE CHANCES WITH UNLICENSED

WORKERS WHO “SAY” THEY‟RE CONTRACTORS.

Check their license at www.cslb.ca.gov

A few things you may want to include in your

list:

A separate laundry room.

A mud room with a half bath attached for

washing up.

Extra storage space for toys and sports

equipment.

Large kitchen with space for family dining.

Fenced yard to keep small kids and big

dogs contained.

No home will have them all, but many will have

other amenities you will like even better.

If you're a baby boomer or beyond, that home

could be

your re-

ward for

a life-

time of

work

service

to

others.

Active Adults Corner Trust Linda Lane-White as your Seniors Real Estate Specialist®

CEEDUB

CONSTRUCTION RESIDENTIAL & LIGHT COMMERCIAL

With over 30 years of experience, we work

with you to achieve your dream.

Call Today For A Free Estimate

(Licensed/Bonded/Insured)

(626) 786-1229 CHRIS WHITE, OWNER

Ca Lic #883002

www.ceedubconstruction.com

The scammers, spammers, and rip-off

artists are out in force this time of year.

But you can protect yourself. On the

telephone, never give an unsolicited caller

your account numbers.

To protect yourself from email scams,

don't click on links within emails, open

unexpected attachments, or call phone

numbers included in emails from financial

institutions.

If you think you have received a mes-

sage by email from your bank or financial

institution, do not click on the link. Open

a new window in your browser (Internet

Explorer, for example) and type the ad-

dress in the address blank. If the email

urges you to call the bank, go to call the

bank by the number listed in the telephone

book, not the email.

„Tis The Season: Watch Out For E-Mail and Phone Scams

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

5 2/3 cups flour

1 ounce active dry yeast

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup candied citrus peel

1/2 cup almond slivers

1/2 cup powdered sugar.

Directions: Scald milk. Add

granulated sugar, butter and

salt. Cool to lukewarm. Add 2

whole eggs, and 2 yolks. Mix.

Add to 3 cups flour and yeast in

food processor. Process and let rise until

double.

Add spices, raisins, citron, al-

monds, and rest of flour. Process and put

on floured board and knead. Let the

dough rise in greased bowl.

When risen, cut into 3-4 pieces.

Roll each into an oval, butter, and fold in

half lengthwise. Put on greased baking

sheet, cover, and let rise until double.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 min-

utes. Remove to rack. When cool, dust

with confectioner's (powdered) sugar.

When Buying or Refinancing...

Call Peter First Peter Cosfol

& Augusta Financial

Get Pre-Approved Senior Loan Officer Augusta Financial is a service oriented mortgage company that specializes in residential

financing. We have many loan programs to help our clients with all of their mortgage needs.

Peter offers the best pricing with the lowest fees!

Peter will personally address all of your questions and concerns regarding the loan process!

Augusta Financial makes the loan process seem easy!

Augusta is both Broker and Mortgage Banker!

We offer In-house processing and funding!

It’s A GREAT Time To Buy or Refinance!

(661) 260-2970 Office · (661) 291-2234 Direct · (818) 281-1466 Cell

Who do you know right now who’s looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate? Give me a call or send me an E-mail. I’m never too busy for your referrals to friends or family.

Linda Lane-White (lindalanewhite@kw.com or 626-786-1231)

Disclaimers: All real estate information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change, or withdrawal. Neither

listing broker(s) nor this company shall be responsible for typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. If your property is currently listed with another

real estate broker, this is not a solicitation of that listing.

Level 1-Commercial 560 sf

Level 2- 1 BR/1BA 560 sf

2 Car Garage 400 sf

Laundry Room 64 sf

2,997 sf lot

Separate HVAC Units

Separate Electric Meters

Dual pane laminate glass

Alarm System

Security Gates

(Buy with only a $49,900

down payment)

Highlights

Mixed Use

Live/Work

Owner/User

Investment

Enterprise

Zone

Tax Credits

Hiring Credits

Zoned FGSP-CL-1B

Use Code: Retail/

Residential

1564-66 N. Fair OaksAve., Pasadena

Free LCD TV if you bring me a $499,900 buyer!

Completely renovated, vacant, free-standing

building, great street frontage Call (626) 786-1231 for more information

www.1564NFairOaks.com (Construction by Ceedub Construction)

Oh, the weather outside is frightful,

but the fire is so delightful! That crack-

ling, cheerful dancing fire in the fireplace

is sure to kindle deep appreciation from

family and guests on chilly winter days.

Throughout the ages, the home hearth

has been the center of cheer on dreary

days.

For some, keeping the home fires

burning, is virtually a sacred tradition.

Mary-Anne Robb resident of the stately

Cothay Manor in Somerset, England

keeps the fire burning in her Great Hall

from October until Easter. “Old

houses,,”she says, “should smell of bees-

wax and wood smoke.”

Perhaps with the rising costs of fuel,

more homes will rekindle the tradition of

a merry fire. If

you are consider-

ing building a

holiday fire, one

of the first things

you have to do

choose wood. Of

course different

woods smell dif-

ferently and burn

for different peri-

ods. Dense hard

wood such as oak

and ash are slow,

lazy burners.

Spruce or cedar smell lovely but burn

quickly. If you cut your own wood, cut

your logs to size immediately then let

them season a year.

A fire can take an hour or so to warm

up a room, so plan ahead if you want to

have one as a backdrop for dinner.

Robb recommends keeping a good

layer of ash in the often-used fireplace,

since it holds heat and cuts down on

smoke. Remove some ash every two

weeks or so, depending on the size of

your fireplace. You can distribute it over

your rose beds.

The editors at County Life UK recom-

mend purchasing a firelighter to start your

fire. To lay a proper fire, crisscross a

layer of extremely dry kindling. Above

that put two

small, very dry

logs balanced

against each

other as an arch.

Start the kindling

and logs with

your firelighter.

When the flames

are high and go-

ing well, add coal

or larger logs.

American Christmas: Blending Customs

Keep the Home Fires Burning

For more than a thousand years, we

have evidence that Christmas has been a

time of joy and celebration, but just what

kind of celebration depends on time and

place.

Not surprisingly, North American

Christmas traditions are a blend of cus-

toms.

In England during the 1700s, Christ-

mas was a time for parties, fox hunts,

balls, and merry-making -- all the prov-

ince of adults with no wide-eyed children

in sight.

Meanwhile, in colonial Williamsburg,

as you might expect, Christmas was

treated very much as a religious holiday,

centered first around church services, and

then around friends, family, and, of

course, food. In these celebrations chil-

dren were almost certainly included and

encouraged to participate, setting the

American colonials apart from their Brit-

ish contemporaries.

The tradition of the Christmas tree,

seems rightly attributed to the Ger-

mans. More than 1,500 years ago a monk

who became known as St. Boniface used a

fir tree to explain the Trinity to his Ger-

man audience. By the 12th century the

tree was being hung upside down from

ceilings at Christmastide.

Although there exist reports of deco-

rated trees in England and Germany in

the 15th century, the idea of a Christmas

tree didn't really catch on in England

until 1848. At that time, Queen Victoria

and Prince Albert were pictured in the

Illustrated London News standing with

family around a decorated tree. Sud-

denly the Christmas tree was all the

fashion.

While Americans are often ac-

cused of over-lavish Christmases, Vic-

torian celebrations of the 1890s were

over the top: Heaps of toys, food, and

trees crammed with every kind of

decoration.

By contrast, on the vast American

continent, traditions varied but by

1900, all the elements of the modern

Christmas were in place. Woolworths

sold decorations and even little hooks

to hang them on. Strings of lights were

available. And people thought giving

gifts to loved ones was a good thing.

Beechwood fires are bright and clear

If the logs are kept a year;

Chestnut's only good, they say,

If for long 'tis laid away;

Make a fire of elder tree,

Death within your house shall be;

But ash new or ash old

Is fit for Queen with crown of gold.

Birch and fir logs burn too fast,

Blaze up bright and do not last;

It is by the Irish said

Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread;

Elmwood burns like churchyard mould

E'en the very flames are cold;

But ash green or ash brown

Is fit for Queen with golden crown.

Poplar gives a bitter smoke

Fills your eyes and makes you choke;

Apple wood will scent your room

With an incense like perfume;

Oaken logs, if dry and old

Keep away the winter's cold;

But ash wet or ash dry

A King shall warm his slippers by.

FIREWOOD (Author Unknown)

Dena Land News—Linda Lane-White • Keller Williams Realty (626) 786-1231 • www.lindalanewhite.com

Dena Land News December 2009 Happenings

Various Dates Support our local Coffee Gallery in Altadena. There are some AWESOME acts this month!

2029 N Lake Call 626-398-7917 or www.coffeegallery.com

Now—Dec 20 Baby It‟s You. Pasadena Playhouse 39 S El Molino.626-356-7529 $varies

Now—Dec 12 Altadena Sheriff‟s Stations Annual Christmas Food & Toy Drive. Drop off unopened food

items or unwrapped toys at the Station or Altadena Library. Call Deputy Sam Estrada at 626-798-1131

Dec 8 Five Acres Festive Holiday Open House. 6pm (cocoa, hot cider & hors d‟oeuvres) 7pm (program)

8pm (special wine reception to celebrate the new Zeilstra Research & Training Center w/campus tours)

The program includes the Henson Puppets, the Rose Queen and her Court, and performance by the chil-

dren. 760 W Mountain View, Altadena. Brighten a child‟s holiday. Bring an unwrapped gift! RSVP to Mar-

garet 626-798-6793 ext 2244 or mmorici@5acres.org. www.5acres.org

Dec 12 10-11:30am Altadena NAACP & LEAD Program Reception. Parents and 10th and 11th graders are

encouraged to attend. Community Center 730 E Altadena Dr., Altadena www.leadprogram.org

Dec 12 2pm Christmas Tree Lane Winter Arts & Crafts Festival. Altadena Library—Santa Rosa/Mariposa.

6pm Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony. Call 626-786-1231 for more info

Dec 12 7pm-11pm North (Pole) Lake Shop Hop Festival. Galloway Alley. Live Music, Food, Sledding on

Real Snow. Lake/Mariposa

Dec 12 The Nutcracker. Pasadena Dance Theatre. San Gabriel Mission Playhouse 320 S Mission Dr., San

Gabriel. www.pasadenadance.org 626-683-3459 Prices vary from $15 to $42

Dec 13 9am-3pm Rose Bowl Flea Market. 1001 Rose Bowl Drive $8.00

Dec 13 4pm-6pm Chanukah Menorah Lighting Celebration. Glendale Galleria 100 W Broadway, Glen-

dale. www.chabadcenter.org 818-240-2750 Free

Dec 13 4pm Christmas w/the Pasadena Master Chorale joined by students from Muir, Blair and Washing-

ton Middle School. Altadena Community Church 943 E Altadena Dr. www.pasadenamasterchorale.org

626-208-0009 $10.00

Dec 13 7pm 8th Annual Christmas Concert & Carol Sing Along. Westminster Presbyterian Church 1757 N

Lake, Pasadena 626-794-7141 Free

Dec 18 7pm Pasadena Conservatory of Music Annual Holiday Sing Along. 100 N Hill, Pasadena Free

Dec 19 10am-12pm Merry Merry Movie Holiday treats and surprises await all who attend. Pasadena Play-

house District Assoc. 673 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena 626-744-0340 www.playhousedistrict.org Free

Dec 22&23 Nutcracker by Long Beach Ballet at Pasadena Civic.300 E Green pasadenacivic.com $20-$85

Dec 26 9pm-midnightGreg Poree with Robert Kyle (awesome sax/flute player) performs at Red White &

Bluezz 70 S. Raymond, Pasadena www.robertkyle.com

Pasadena Market Center

445 S. Fair Oaks Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91105

Cell: (626) 786-1231

Home Office: (626) 798-2382

Fax: (626) 296-1979

lindalanewhite@sbcglobal.net

Home Office: 519 Alameda, Altadena

In Tune With Your Needs

If You Would Like To Receive This

Newsletter on a Regular Basis for

Guaranteed Delivery (Snail or E-Mail)

Call me or send me an E-Mail...LLW

Linda Lane-White

“Singing” Realtor®

CA Lic #01091347 (since 1990)

Notary Public (since 1987)

Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated

www.lindalanewhite.com

Search the MLS on my web site!

www.lindalanewhite.com

89th Annual

Christmas Tree Lane

Winter Festival &

Lighting Ceremony

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009

2:00 Festival Begins

6:00 Ceremony Begins

Location: Altadena Library—

Corner of Mariposa and

Santa Rosa Ave

Danny’s Farm Petting Zoo,

pics with Santa Claus & his

sleigh, various arts & crafts,

and entertainment (including

the John Muir Alumni Drum

Corps) and mingle with your

neighbors!

Call (626) 786-1231 for more

information.

www.christmastreelane.net