Marian S Bennett

My Mom – A Brief Mother’s Day Tribute

My mom grew up in San Francisco – Faxon Avenue I believe.  Her parents moved to Marin County when Mom and my Aunt attended Dominican College in San Rafael.  Some time later, after college, a Stanford MBA, and the Navy Waves in WWII, when it was time for the newlyweds to buy their first home in the 50′s, Mom and Dad settled in Marin also.  While Dad went off to work in San Francisco, Mom raised four children and started her own business from home.  Dad passed away almost 20 years ago, and Mom passed peacefully last year, January 1, 2011, after a full life of passion for her family, her education, her work and her volunteer activities.  Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom and ALL of my Mom readers.

Notice the blue striped shirt!  Summer 2009 at a family pool party.

We took this picture because we were to tickled with our matching shirts.  We are in front of my my Aunt’s home in Marin County around 1990.

My Mom at 4 1/2 months and her Mom, my Grandmother in 1923.

To plant a virtual flower in honor of a mother, check out EngenderHealth.

“Growing older and having youth follow makes life sweet.” – by Juliana

 

 

Tags: random

Housing Big Picture – reality show

As you know, I rarely take others videos to post on my site.  I’m posting this one because this is the only video I’ve seen where the guest is sharing an accurate summary of our current national housing market.  (sorry in advance for the ads, it came from a search site).    To summarize, the guest addresses what is one everyone’s mind:  Are We at the Bottom of the Market?  He also touches on all the major factors that are currently a force in the housing market and how buyers now need to view their home purchases.  Once you have seen the video, I’ve attached a couple links on the local San Mateo County Coastal housing market.  This site is ALL about the Half Moon Bay area housing market (and more).  In a nutshell, our market is clearly in transition.  This may be the best time for you to sell, or to buy, or do nothing; however, those current homeowners and prospective homeowners clearly need to do their homework.

 

Spring Art Stroll in downtown Half Moon Bay

This Sunday, May 6th 2-5pm indulge an hour or two on Half Moon Bay’s downtown Main Street.  Several businesses on the southern end of Main formed HMB SOMA ARTS last year to bring attention to their collaboration.

Main Street in Half Moon Bay continually reinvents itself, always with an eye towards the creative and inspirational – a natural outcome for the rolling hills backdrop and beachfront community.   The hyperlink above also provides links to some of the business and specials they are offering for this weekend’s event. 

And while you’re on Main Street in Half Moon Bay…

stop in for a to-die-for Latte at MCoffee.

treat yourself to a frozen yogurt at Nano’s Yogurt shop.

pick up a fabulous pastry at Moonside Bakery to take home.

share a glass of wine next to the fireplace at It’s Italia’s hidden patio.

daydream over Mother’s Day, Wedding, or Graduation gift ideas at the spectacular Main Street Goldworks.

Enjoy galleries at the other end of Main Street – Coastside Art Gallery, Coastal Arts League Museum, Gallery M, Light & Art.

Sales Volume on the Coastside in the last 12 months

Where are the real estate sales dollars being invested in the Half Moon Bay Coastal (including El Granada, Moss Beach and Montara) neighborhoods?  The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) chart below is based on sales volume in the last 12 months – May 2011 to April 2012 (so far).  At a glance, you can tell the neighborhoods with the highest prices – Ocean Colony, Miramar, East of Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay, and El Granada.  These are the areas with many big lots, big views, big houses.  The other neighborhoods may have had a similar number of sales, but the average price point will be smaller.

The Coast is made up of small cottages and a few A-frames, some charming mid-century designs, 20th century ranchers, two or three-story eclectic or Mediterranean styles, and spectacular one-of-a-kind/custom ocean view homes – with varying prices.

Half Moon Bay Community page.

El Granada Community page.

Picture perfect ocean bluffs, thanks to non-profit group

When I walk the ocean bluffs, I am always running into our greater-peninsula neighbors taking time out for a visit to the Coast.  I sometimes wonder if our coastal guests know what is involved in keeping the open space land pristine.  I admit neglecting to share some of this information when I’m touring clients.  As I have said before, this is another reason I write this blog – to keep you informed on tons of goodies about living here.

This enjoyment – walking, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird-watching, painting, photography, or just being alone – by many from near and far happens on protected lands purchased and managed by one of San Mateo County’s local non-profits, Coastside Land Trust.  Here are 10 important tidbits that I just read in their 2011 Annual Report and want to share:

1. Coastside Land Trust (CLT) acquired fifty-six (56) new ocean bluff-top parcels in 2011.
2. CLT manages 1035 acres along the San Mateo County Coast.
3. Off-road vehicles damaged wavecrest land last year; numerous volunteers and other organizations rallied to repair and restore the land back to its prairie habitat.
4. An Art Gallery at the CLT offices opened last September featuring local landscape artists; the Gallery became part of the new Half Moon Bay South on Main Arts (HMB SOMA).  Gallery Art Show Opening is July 4, 2012.
5. CLT offers an outdoor education program to students, called Junior Land Stewards.
6. The internship program grew to six (6) university and graduate student interns from respected local universities such as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Humboldt State, San Francisco State, and U.C. Irvine.
7. Nicotine in cigarette butts makes them little poison pellets that can kill small aquatic creatures when the butts wash into waterways.  Two thousand (2,000) cigarette butts were collected at one clean up event.
8. This year they are using technology to streamline the property inspections to provide greater accuracy in tracking plants, soils, trails and usage.
9. Hawks and owls use ocean bluff-tops as a winter feeding ground.
10. Restoration workdays are now twice a month – the first Saturday and third Wednesday, 10am-12noon.  Meet at CLT office, 788 Main Street, Half Moon Bay.

Fresh air…wild flowers…ocean breezes…priceless.

The San Mateo County Coastside.