Vin Antico, Restaurant Recommendation

It's Friday, the end of the work week, and sometimes it feels so good to just kick back and go out for dinner. Do you know where you'd like to go? I know I have a couple places that are my go to favorite, but it's always nice to try something new. I'd love to take a moment to tell you about Vin Antico.

Vin Antico is located in San Rafael on 4th Street, just a few doors from 4th and Lootens. It's a simple but friendly storefront that evokes a modern dining experience. The inside is open and warm, with an open kitchen and Chef Counter seating, and their website really backs that image up with a statement about how they use local farms, organic meats, sustainable seafood, and many other modern comforts for the earth conscious foodie.

They have new takes with some very traditional flavors, with a mostly Italian vibe. A few selections that pop out to me:

Grilled Flatbread

Hog Island Oysters on the Half Shell

Their full menu is on their website, which changes often due to the fact that they use fresh local seasonal items as often as possible. They even have a list on their page of the farms they purchase their meats and produce from, a very cool flair.

The Wine Bar opens at 4:30 M-F, and Happy Hour is Tues-F from 4:30-6. They have also just opened up a full bar, so they're stocked and ready for any drink selections you might be in the mood for.

I highly recommend you go unwind at Vin Antico soon, feel free to hop over to their website to check them out: Vin Antico

Have a great meal, and a relaxing evening!

~Kelly Cranmer Valadez

Full disclosure, I do know the manager personally, but I will always make sure I am open and honest with you. I genuinely support this business and enjoy their food. 

Marin Gardening: Spring is Almost Here

Living in central California, we're especially lucky to get such excellent growing weather. There is a wide selection of plants that do well here so you can pretty much have your pick, whether it's growing a vegetable garden, or a xeriscape low water landscape. And to get those jobs done, Marin has a fantastic selection of nurseries and garden experts to get all the supplies and knowledge for the garden of your dreams.

Are you new to gardening? Have you heard of Marin's Master Gardeners? For all the advice from composting, to growing, to harvesting, if you head over to the Marin Master Gardeners' website you can find all kinds of resources to help with every aspect of your garden. You can even call their offices for advice from a master gardener! They're hosting an upcoming event, the 2015 Master Gardener Tomato Market and Information Exchange, on Saturday April 18th from 9 am to 12 pm, in the Bon Air shopping center, and at Pini Hardware in Novato. I highly recommend going to their website to check them out. Marin Master Gardeners.

After you've settled on what it is you'd like to do with your yard, you can head over to some of the many nurseries here in Marin, and they have so many dedicated and knowledgable people to help your foliage dreams come true.

Sloat Gardening centers are all over Marin, and they carry as many varieties of plants as you can think of. They also make sure to carry natives to the area, and that's a big plus for a yard that you want to be low maintenance. You can visit their website to get directions and hours at Sloat Gardens.

Scattered all over Marin County is a wonderful assortment of small independently owned and operated nurseries. Each nursery expresses the passion, taste and special knowledge of its owners. They specialize in offering unique, diverse plants and a depth of knowledge not found at the larger nursery chains and department store nurseries.

West End Nursery

O'Donnells Nursery

Green Point Nursery

Mostly Natives

Lastly, I'd like to close this blog with a farewell to Sunnyside Nursery, a nursery that valued its customers and community for 3 generations. They have decided that their journey is ending, although their lot will be taken up by Armstrong Gardening Centers. Small businesses are what make Marin beautiful and unique, and it's always sad to see one go. Thank you for the service you provided while you could.

Good luck on your gardening adventures, and I hope you have a bountiful harvest this fall!

~ Kelly Cranmer Valadez

2015: Year of the Goat

The Chinese New Year is the biggest and most important holiday in the Chinese calendar. Legend says that long ago, Buddha called all the animals to meet him on the Chinese New Year, and the 12 animals that showed up got years named after them. He also decreed that from then on, anyone who was born in a particular animal's year would be born with some of that animal's personality. The astrological birth chart is built by the Chinese Astrology Calendar, which is a combination counting system of Yin-Yang Five Elements and the 12 Animals. Chinese Astrology uses one's birthday and birth time to predict their fortune. The Five Elements are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and the twelve animals are Rat, Cow, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep/Goat, Monkey, Chicken, Dog and Pig. 2015 is the year of the Wooden Goat. Because Wood(tree) is connected to the color Green, 2015 is the year of the Green Wooden Goat.

Spring Festival History

The Spring Festival has a history of more than 4,000 years. It is said that it originated from a belief in deities that had to be sacrificed to every year. When the seasons changed, dictating farming activities, especially at the end of a year, people would sacrifice to the deities and pray for a good harvest.

Many cultural activities occur during the festival. Rural areas and small towns retain more traditional celebrations, such as setting off firecrackers, ancestor worship, and dragon dances. Setting off firecrackers and fireworks are common during the Spring Festival season all over China; dragon dances and ancestor worship less so in the city.

Every street, building, and house is decorated with red. “Red” is the main color for the festival, as it is believed to be an auspicious color. Red lanterns hang in streets; red couplets are pasted on doors; banks and official buildings are decorated with red New Year pictures depicting images of prosperity.

The Goat's Personality: Calm and Gentle...

People born in a year of the Goat are generally believed to be gentle, mild-mannered, shy, stable, sympathetic, amicable, and brimming with a strong sense of kindheartedness and justice.

They have very delicate thoughts, strong creativity, and perseverance, and acquire professional skills well. Although they look gentle on the surface, they are tough on the inside, always insisting on their own opinions in their minds. They have strong inner resilience and excellent defensive instincts. Though they prefer to be in groups, they do not want to be the center of attention. They are reserved and quiet, most likely because they like spending much time in their thoughts. Goats like to spend money on fashionable things that give them a first class appearance. Although goats enjoy spending money on the finer things in life, they are not snobbish.

Year of Birth: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1991, 2003, 2015

Lucky Colors: Brown, Red, Purple

Lucky numbers: 2, 7

Lucky flowers: Carnation, Primrose
Famous people born in the year of the Goat: Mark Twain, Barbara Walters, Jamie Foxx, Jane Austen, Michelangelo

Happy New Year!

~Kelly Cranmer Valadez

The Morrow Report: FHA New Policy

The Federal Housing Administration was begun as part of the New Deal in 1934. It guarantees private home mortgages (FHA loans) and provides funds to promote housing ownership. The new policy lowers the cost of the FHA’s mortgage insurance premiums by 50 basis points. This action will make homeownership more affordable for over two million Americans.

FHA loans typically offer options for first-time home buyers, senior citizens and home improvements. One of the most difficult elements of the home buying process is saving up enough money for a down payment. If you are a first-time home buyer, an FHA loan may allow you to make a down payment of only 3 percent. You may also be able to roll your closing costs and other fees into the loan amount.

The lower prices will enable more qualified borrowers to enter the market.

The FHA is not lowering its underwriting standards or luring irresponsible borrowers into homeownership. Rather, it is enabling qualified buyers to safely enter the market without exposing taxpayers to unnecessary risks. If you don’t pre-qualify right away you can improve your profile so you may become eligible in the future.

Brian D Morrow

Pinnacle Capital Mortgage

Mortgage Advisor

P: 415-310-5586

700 Irwin St, #300, San Rafael, CA 94901

NMLS#3311058

Equal Housing Lender NMLS 81395
Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under California Residential Mortgage Lending Act

Marin Adventure: The Best Fishing Spots in Marin

Alpine Lake

I never imagined that I would be able to say that I enjoyed fishing, but my husband loaded up our fishing gear and took me on an eye-opening journey. We drove up to Alpine Lake, hiked over, around, up, and down to his special spot. He got me all set up and said “you have to be quiet”. What, me? But I decided to give it a try. I cast my line, did all the things he said I had to do, and waited. That’s when it happened. I started to notice how blue the sky was, how many different beautiful birds there were and the sound they made when they flew just a few inches from the water. I wanted to shout to my husband, “Oh my god! Look at all of this beauty”! But when I looked over at him, he gave me a smile and put his finger to his lips, letting me know that I still had to be quiet. Then it happened. The sound of my rod, the zing, and my husband yelling “FISH ON”! I was excited and scared all at the same time, and we reeled that bass in together. What an amazing experience and day, and also for the bass because he lived to see another one!

As the time has come for the restocking of fish in our reservoirs, I wanted to share some of Marin County’s best places to have your very own amazing fishing adventure.

Those who like to fish can find many locations in Marin County for fresh and saltwater fishing. Some of the popular places include the following:

Fresh Water Fishing

Bon Tempe Lake, Alpine Lake, Lake Lagunitas, Kent Lake, Phoenix Lake, Stafford Lake, Nicasio Reservoir and Marin County’s hidden gem, Soulajule Reservoir.

Saltwater Fishing

Paradise Pier, Elephant Rock and Fort Baker.

Bon Tempe Lake

Parks are open from sunrise to sunset, and don’t forget to get your fishing license. Children under 16 don't need a license, and you can get your license online at: CA Department of Fish and Game.

Lagunitas, Alpine, Bon Tempe and Kent Lake all feed into each other. Bon Tempe is a 140 acre lake and is located at the base of Mt. Tamalpais, a quick three miles outside of Fairfax. Warm water swimmers such as bass, bluegill, catfish and rainbow trout can be caught 7 days a week. With easy parking and trailheads flat enough for little ones, this reservoir is ideal for a day trip. Swimming however, is prohibited.

Nicasio Reservoir

Nicasio Reservoir is a shallow, artificial reservoir in the Nicasio Valley region of Marin County.  It covers 845 acres and was created in 1961. The reservoir is used for recreational purposes; mainly fishing and hiking. Largemouth bass, carp and catfish are caught in this lake.

Stafford Lake is located in Novato, and it's 139 acre park has a lot going on. In the summer time they have music performances, picnics and events. Stafford Lake offers shore fishing of catfish, bluegill, and bass. After spending the day fishing with your family, use one of the many barbecue facilities. For the children, they have a popular children’s play structure, lawn areas, large meadows, and Volleyball and horseshoe courts. Swimming and dogs are prohibited at Stafford Lake.

Stafford Lake

A pretty drive through the foothills of north Marin County leads to the base of the dam at Soulajule Reservoir. A short walk on a ranch road leads over a sub-ridge, where a gorgeous lake is revealed all at once. This is one of prettiest hidden spots in the Bay Area, a beautiful hike-in reservoir nestled in a long canyon. The Soulajule Reservoir, located in West Marin, is open to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. Fishing is allowed year round and is regulated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Neither boating or swimming is allowed, but pets are allowed on a leash.

With all the amazing and beautiful spots to fish in Marin County, can you wait until the weather is nicer to go out and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air?! I don't blame you if you cant. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

~ Kelly Cranmer Valadez

The Morrow Report: Don't Wait to Lock Your Rate

The Economic Calendar for this week:

The X factor this week clearly lies in the first FOMC meeting in 2015, where Fed members will meet and discuss monetary policy. The two day meeting kicks off on Tuesday and will end Wednesday with the 2:00 p.m. EST release of the Fed's monetary policy statement.

~ Look for several key housing reports, including New Home Sales and the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index on Tuesday and Pending Home Sales on Thursday.

~ We'll get a sense of how consumers are feeling with Consumer Confidence on Tuesday and the Consumer Sentiment Index on Friday.

~ On Friday, look for the first reading on Q4 2014 Gross Domestic Product, the Employment Cost Index, and manufacturing news via the Chicago PMI.

All these Economic Reports have a HIGH to Moderate Impact on Rates.

Don't wait to lock your rate!




Brian D Morrow
Pinnacle Capital Mortgage
Mortgage Advisor
P: 415-310-5586
700 Irwin St, #300, San Rafael, CA 94901
NMLS#3311058
Equal Housing Lender NMLS 81395
Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under California Residential Mortgage Lending Act

Property Taxes

Everyone who owns a home or property has them, but do you understand why? Property taxes are governed by California State law and are collected by each county. These taxes are in place to help with the upkeep of infrastructure, and all taxes remain in the county they are collected in to contribute directly back into that community. These are things like roads, street lights, schools and libraries, and many other public services.

How Property Taxes are Determined

Generally, the assessed value is the cash or market value of the property at the time of purchase. This value increases every year up to but no more than 2% per year until the property is sold or new construction has been completed. After an inspection, the Auditor-Controller applies the appropriate tax rates, which include the general tax levy, locally voted on special taxes, and any city or district direct assessments. The Tax Collector, sometimes called the Treasurer-Tax Collector, prepares the property tax bills based on the Auditor-Controller's calculations, distributes the bills, and then collects the taxes.

About Property Taxes

Homeowners pay property taxes to their appropriate assessment, collection, or franchise tax department in each county. A change in ownership or the completion of new construction could result in a change in the assessed value of the property and may result in the issuance of a supplemental property tax bill. In addition to standard property taxes, many jurisdictions also contain special assessment districts, which may have been formed as a means of financing infrastructure. Bonds may have been sold to finance the infrastructure and the ultimate property owner continues to make payments on the principal and interest on the bond. The yearly Tax Calendar varies by state, and taxes are due on predesignated dates and become delinquent when not paid. Penalties are assessed for the delinquent taxes, and properties may be sold at public auction after 5 years of tax delinquency.

For more information on local Marin County tax rates or any other questions, you can go to the Marin County Department of Finance's website, Department of Finance. You can also ask a tax advisor or go in to the Finance office at the Marin Civic Center suite 225.

Below is a chart that outlines Marin County's specific Tax Schedule to help you better understand when specific deadlines are for filings and to know when tax bills are due.

Happy Monday!
~ Kelly Cranmer Valadez


Copyright 2012 Fidelity National Title. All content herein is informational only and not intended to offer legal or financial advice.