Brighton, MI

Local Businesses Provide a Fun Twist on Secret Santa with their "Finders, Keepers" Gift Bag Event

Some little extras will be scattered around town this week in hopes of spreading some extra holiday cheer over Brighton. Taking the lead from a recent Coopers & Binkley promotion, three local businesses created thirty gift bags filled with goodies that will be left in thirty area business establishments. Where will they be? That’s for the finders to find. Once they find, they keep!

"We just wanted to add a special element of fun and surprise to the season, especially with the economic climate the way it is," says Joanne Giardini of NuStar Insurance Agencies, the brains behind this project. “A friend had stumbled upon a small jewelry box containing earrings from Coopers & Binkley as they celebrated a store event. I loved the idea immediately and felt it would be something fun to spread around the community – especially during the holidays.”

Giardini enlisted the help of two local colleagues, Larry Patzsch of RE/MAX Platinum and Kathi Presutti, owner of RE:STYLE Home Staging and Redesign, to help out. The trio gathered small gift items from Biggby Coffee, Stillwater, Brighton Little Caesar’s, Rainbow Car Wash, Just So!, Shine Salon and Beaver Island Jewelry. Giardini, Patzsch and Presutti will distribute the thirty gift bags to local establishments later this week.

“We’re hoping that whomever finds these gifts will simply smile and feel lucky!” says Giardini. Let the games begin!

It looks like after many consecutive years of warmer weather and patchy snowfall that the local ski resort, Mt. Brighton, will have a great year! They opened earlier than ever this year and are making snow like crazy. A week ago today they had a 16" base on the intermediate hill. Today is the first day that all hills will be open.

Skiers and snow boarders eat at local restaurants, buy gasoline, and often shop at area stores while in town for the slopes. And Brighton has a very strong retail segment between the newer developments at Grand River and Challis and the downtown area.

Many years ago (way before Brighton had ‘grown up' development-wise), I came out for a day of skiing. I decided to take Grand River all-l-l-l the way back to Detroit. I discovered a small store just east of Brighton called Marv's Meats. I bought a couple of items and was amazed at the quality compared to my local grocery stores.

After that, I always made sure that I could stop at Marv's either before or after skiing to pick up some food. I imagine that there are many other winter sports enthusiasts that come to the area and make their own discoveries, and find new 'favorite' places.

I would have never guessed that one day I'd be living in this area. Between hunting and fishing in Livingston County with my dad and uncle, and visiting Mt. Brighton in the winter with friends, I guess I got hooked!

So you are looking for a great 100% mortgage???? Check this out! All of Livingston County Michigan qualifies. Brighton, Howell, Pinckney, Hartland, Fowlerville. Even Downtown Howell and Downtown Brighton.

Sometimes good credit and a steady income are not enough to qualify for a home loan at a commercial lending institution, such as a bank, or savings and loan company. More rural families and individuals may be eligible to become homeowners with the help of a USDA guaranteed home loan. When the federal government agrees to guarantee a loan, lending institutions can help buyers while incurring less risk. Through USDA's Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program, people can qualify for mortgages, even without a down payment.

Credit History Criteria

• No Minimum credit scores - limited credit usage is not consider as negative
• Cannot be delinquent on a federal government debt
• Applicants's with a 620 middle credit score or higher have many advantages. Any negative credit such as Foreclosure, Bankruptcy, or Collections will not be considered for qualifying
• Applicants with less than a 620 middle credit score will have the following items considered for loan approval. More than 1 30 day late in the past 12 months. Debt written off in the past 36 months. Collections opened in the past 12 months or older ones that are still open Acceptable mitigating circumstances may offset certain adverse credit issues.

Quick Facts

• Provide modest housing for moderate income families in non urban areas
• Low one time Guarantee Fee of 2% for purchases and .5% for refinances
• Up to 102% (with Guarantee Fee) financing based on appraised value versus purchase price
• Seller contributions and third party gifts allowable
• No statutory maximum lending limits
• No Monthly Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
• Not restricted to first time home owners
• Loan funds on a purchase can be used for repairs, the Guarantee fee, and most lender fees

Property Requirements

• You can input a property address to check Property Eligibility
• Primary residence only, no rentals or income producing properties
• New or existing stick built, modulars, and condos / PUD
• Manufactured units must be new with the dealer approved by RD
• Well and septic inspection for private systems
• Conventional type appraisal
• Properties with in-ground swimming pools are not acceptable
• No set lot size limit
• The site value should not exceed 30% of the total appraised value (exceptions possible)

Income and Ratios

• Income is projected forward including projected pay raises
• Verification of Employment and current paystub or acceptable alternitive documentation
• Self employed, two years tax returns and current P&L statement
• Non taxable income such as child support or social security can be grossed up by 125%

4 Women Artists Exhibit at 6020 Wyndam Lane, Brighton

Earlier this year, I saw a couple posts about using the work of local artists in houses that are staged as a great way to get more exposure for all concerned. So, when I noticed that the Brighton Art Guild was temporarily set up in a vacant storefront in downtown Brighton, I stopped in to ooooo, ahhhh, and chat. I met a few artisits and floated the idea of showcasing some of their work in an appropriate house, and they seemed interested.

Long story short, I reconnected with them when I got the opportunity to stage a spectacular house in the prestigious development of Pine Creek. And, voila--the "Home Is Where The Art Is" Open House was born. It was originally scheduled for early December, but that turned out to be less-than-auspicious timing. So, we are rescheduling it for Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Here are some photos from the "soft opening":

There will be 4 artists exhibiting, and selling, their work: Anne Marie Buckman, Linda Dunn, Kim Isaac and Kally Walcott.

Surprise! Consultation nets the 4th artist!

The Thursday morning before the December 7th event, I had a consultation with a client. In the course of the consultation, I noticed some interesting fabric pyramids. When I said "Tell me about these" she proceeded to explain that she sews, and has exhibited these at various art fairs. So I asked her if we could use them for our event, and she was more than happy to oblige! (I also accomplished some subtle "decluttering" at her residence by this suggestion!)

The large canvas on the right was finished just in time for the event. Sadly, the artist was dealing with her mother's imminent death, and used this stressful time to fuel her creative expression. Painted as a tribute to her mother, who died just after it was completed, Linda Dunn's work is a powerful as it is beautiful.

The work on the fireplace mantle was also recently completed by the artist, Anne Marie Buckman. Both these pieces bring so much life and warmth to the room, don't they?

Here is the fabric art of Kally Walcott, on the floor below the paintings by Anne Marie Buckman:

And some close ups of more of Ann Marie's work:

We had a lot of fun, and helped get more awareness for the artists, and the house! Hopefully Michigan's weather will cooperate and we'll get even more participation this time!

Event: "Home Is Where The Art Is, Too" Open House

Coffee and Dessert Artists' Reception

Where: 6020 Wyndam Lane, Brighton, MI 48116

When: Saturday, January 31, 2009; 1 PM to 4 PM

ARTISTS:

Kimberly Isaac

Anne Marie Buckman

Linda Dunn

Kally Walcott

Contact:

Sheryl McIntyre, Coldwell Banker Schweitzer

Kathi Presutti, RE:STYLE Home Staging and Redesign

On Thursday, December 4^th, I'll be joining my colleagues from the Brighton Optimist Club to ring bells for the Salvation Army. We'll be in front of Taorello's Market Place, 1007 E. Grand River, Brighton 48116, from 10 AM - 8PM.

If you're in the area, stop by and say "Hello!" to an Optimist - especially if it's a cold day. We'll be working in one hour shifts, and I can tell you that standing for an hour on a cold day is a challenge. My time slot is from 3-4pm, and I'd especially love to see you and exchange greetings of the season!

This year's campaign kicked off on November 14^th, and the goal is $145,000. The Salvation Army also runs an Adopt-A-Family program to make sure that nobody is forgotten during the Holidays.

This is just one of the many community service projects that the Brighton Optimist Club undertakes each year. Sometimes your time and energy is as important as a monetary donation (or more so!)

Contact me to find out more about the Brighton Optimist Club and the programs it conducts for the youth of the area.