Joyce Windschitl - MN, FL, WI & CO Mortgage Consultant

Special Events This Weekend:

Linda's Cellar - Fri 10a-4p; Sat 10a-3p. Vintage junk, antiques and seasonal décor. 112 E. 2nd Street, Chaska, 612-987-9898

Mustard Moon Occasional Sale - Fri & Sat 10a-4p; Vintage wares, home goods and seasonal décor. 300 North Broadway, Carver 952-361-3282.

Guardian Angels - Discover a little bit of Central Europe right here at GA. One of the oldest buildings in Minnesota will be open for guided exploration. Nov. 22, and 29. Doors of the church and friary will open from 2:30-4:30pm. During that time there will be two guided tours.

Community Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service- Wed., Nov. 26 Chanhassen @St. Hubert's @ 7:00pm-freewill offering for the CAP Agency. Victoria @ St. Victoria @ 7:00-freewill offering for the CAP Agency.

The Arts:

Chaska High School - West Side Story - Nov. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 @ 7:30; Nov 16 @ 2, Adults $10, Students $8.

Musical Celebration of the Christmas Season-presented by the Chanhassen Historical Society Sun., Nov 30 @ 4pm, Historic St. Hubert's Church in downtown Chanhassen. The event will feature the Chaska valley Family Theatre Players, The Chan-o-laires and the St. Hubert's Brass.

Chaska Valley Family Theater - A Christmas Carol: Dec. 4-7, The Sound of Music: Feb. 12- Mar 1, 2009, www.cvft.org

Chaos In Chaska-A two-act "whodunit" murder mystery dinner theater show. Fri: Dinner @ 6:30p, curtain @ 8p; Oak Ridge Dolce Hotel, 1 Oak Ridge Drive, Chaska, 763-391-3754.

Entertainment:

The School II Bistro & Wine Bar- Fri: Daddy Squeeze Trio. Sat: Tom Hunter Blues. 8pm-midnight. 600 Market Street, Chanhassen www.schooofthewise.net

Concentual - Fri, 8:30, $3. Thunderheads: on Sat. 8:30 $5 Floyd's, 1758 Arboretum Blvd., Victoria, 952-443-9944

Sports:

Chaska High School Girls Hockey vs Kennedy- Sat. @ 7:15pm; Chaska Community CenterGopher Men's Hockey vs. Michigan Tech - Sat @ 1:07pm; Marriuci Arena; www.gophersports.co

Gopher Mens Basketbal vs. Concordia St. Paul - Fri @ 8p; Williams Arena; www.gophersports.com

Timberwolves vs Boston - Fri @ 7p; Target Center, www.nba.com/timberwolves

Wild vs. Blue Jackets - Sat 7p; Xcel Energy Center, www.wild.nhl.com

Movie releases:

Bolt (PG)

Twilight (PG13)

I Can't Think Straight ( R )

Lake City ( R )

Special ( R )

Upcoming Special Events:

Tree Lighting Ceremony-Sat, Dec 6, 5pm, City Center Park, Chanhassen. Come and enjoy the lighting of the holiday tree, refreshments, and of course, a special visit from Santa Claus.

Breakfast with Santa-Sun, Dec. 7, 8am-1pm. Adults $8, Seniors $4, kids under 12 $4. Profits go to local charities. 952-361-3391.

Christmas Concert- Sun., Dec. 14 @ 5pm, 12th annual Advent/Christmas Concert @ St. Victoria Church. Free. Donations accepted for the CAP Agency Food Shelf. Featuring Adult Choir, Handbell Choir, and the Praise and Worship Band. Cake and coffee reception following concert.

Macy's 46th Annual Animated Holiday Show and Santa Claus: Nov 8th-December 31. "A Day in the Life of an Elf at Macy's Santa Land" will tell the story of Santa's elves at the North Pole as they prepare for Christmas. Guests will enjoy seeing what happens in a elf's life from waking up and getting Santa's mail to teaching the reindeer how to fly and learning about Christmas traditions. At the end of the display, guests will find Mrs. Claus' holiday bakery and Santa's Toy Stores. Free. Downtown Minneapolis, 8th Floor Auditorium. See their website for hours www.macys.com

Holidazzle Parade-Nov. 28 through Dec. 21, Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun @ 6:30pm. Nicollet Mall between 12th & 4th Street. 612-338-3807 or www.holidazzle.com

"Infinitely more important than sharing one's material wealth is sharing the wealth of ourselves - our time and energy, our passion and commitment, and, above all, our love." - William E Simon

Special Events This Weekend:

4th Annual Chaska Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk and Gobbler Races- Sat. Nov 15 7-10a register online at www.active.com or call Mary Anderson 651-688-9143 All proceeds support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Chaska Students. Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska.

Guardian Angels - Discover a little bit of Central Europe right here at GA. One of the oldest buildings in Minnesota will be open for guided exploration. Nov. 15, 22, and 29. Doors of the church and friary will open from 2:30-4:30pm. During that time there will be two guided tours.

Knights of Columbus - Pancake & French Toast & Sausage Breakfast. Nov 16. 8am-noon. Guardian Angels School Gym, 1st & Cedar St. Adults $7, children 5-12 $3.

Capital Civil War Tour - State Capital, Saturday 1-2:30. www.mnhs.org/statecapitol

The Arts:

Chaska High School - West Side Story- Nov. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 @ 7:30; Nov 16 @ 2, Adults $10, Students $8. Order tickets online at www.cvft.org

Craft Festival - Canterbury Park, Thu/Fri 11a-9p; Sat 9a-7p, Sun 10a-5p. Adults $8, Seniors $7 www.canterburypark.com

Chaska Valley Family Theater - A Christmas Carol: Dec. 4-7, The Sound of Music: Feb. 12- Mar 1, 2009, www.cvft.org

Entertainment:

The School II Bistro & Wine Bar- Fri: Jimi "Prime Time" Smith & the Chicago Flavor. Sat: Tex Pistols. 8pm-midnight. 600 Market Street, Chanhassen www.schooofthewise.net

Jonathan Earl Band - Fri, 8:30, $3. No Exit on Sat. 8:30 $5 Floyd's, 1758 Arboretum Blvd., Victoria, 952-443-9944

Sports:

Gopher Men's Hockey vs. Michigan Tech- Sat @ 1:07pm; Marriuci Arena; www.gophersports.com

Gopher Mens Basketbal vs. Concordia St. Paul - Fri @ 8p; Williams Arena; www.gophersports.com

Timberwolves vs Portland - Sat @ 7p; Target Center, www.nba.com/timberwolves

Wild vs. Blue Jackets - Sat 7p; Xcel Energy Center, wild.nhl.com

Movie releases:

Quantum of Solace (PG13)

The Dukes (PG13)

Faded Memories (PG13

Upcoming Special Events:

Community Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service- Wed., Nov. 26 Chanhassen @St. Hubert's @ 7:00pm-freewill offering for the CAP Agency. Victoria @ St. Victoria @ 7:00-freewill offering for the CAP Agency.

Tree Lighting Ceremony-Sat, Dec 6, 5pm, City Center Park, Chanhassen. Come and enjoy the lighting of the holiday tree, refreshments, and of course, a special visit from Santa Claus.

Breakfast with Santa-Sun, Dec. 7, 8am-1pm. Adults $8, Seniors $4, kids under 12 $4. Profits go to local charities. 952-361-3391.

Christmas Concert- Sun., Dec. 14 @ 5pm, 12th annual Advent/Christmas Concert @ St. Victoria Church. Free. Donations accepted for the CAP Agency Food Shelf. Featuring Adult Choir, Handbell Choir, and the Praise and Worship Band. Cake and coffee reception following concert.

Macy's 46th Annual Animated Holiday Show and Santa Claus: Nov 8th-December 31. "A Day in the Life of an Elf at Macy's Santa Land" will tell the story of Santa's elves at the North Pole as they prepare for Christmas. Guests will enjoy seeing what happens in a elf's life from waking up and getting Santa's mail to teaching the reindeer how to fly and learning about Christmas traditions. At the end of the display, guests will find Mrs. Claus' holiday bakery and Santa's Toy Stores. Free. Downtown Minneapolis, 8th Floor Auditorium. See their website for hours www.macys.com

Holidazzle Parade-Nov. 28 through Dec. 21, Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun @ 6:30pm. Nicollet Mall between 12th & 4th Street. 612-338-3807 or www.holidazzle.com

This is just a heads up that as our lending industry changes, everything is under more scrutiny including Debt Forgiveness. Lenders are now concerned about misleading and possibly illegal practices in the industry associated with debt forgiveness programs and refinance offers.

Be careful if you or your client is offered "debt forgiveness OR settlements with the promise that any negative information will NOT be reported to the credit bureaus related to the settlement or delinquent payments, if the loan is refinanced".

Some lenders (others will follow suit) now require the following verifications for Rate/Term and Cash-Out Refinance transactions where the loan payoff amount is considerably less than the amount indicated on the credit report:

• Borrowers must explain why the balance is different (did they/you pay additional payments or principal on the loan after the date of the credit report)
• 12 month payment history that supports the explanation
• Copy of all canceled checks or bank statements supporting the on-time payment history.

This is a change that many do not know about or anticipated. I have found that if one lender starts the action, it is only a matter of time before they are all following the same guidelines.

I hope this helps you in some small, but possibly important way....

"Some may try and tell us that this is the end of an era. But what they overlook is that in America, every day is a new beginning, and every sunset is merely the latest milestone on a voyage that never ends. For this is the land that has never become, but is always in the act of becoming. Emerson is right: America is the land of tomorrow." - Ronald Reagan

Special Events :

Excelsior Arts & Crafts Fair - 30 local vendors selling paintings, photo's, jewelry, clothing and other works. Nov 8 11a-4p. 3820 Grandway, St. Louis Park

Chaska High School - West Side Story - Nov. 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 @ 7:30; Nov 16 @ 2, Adults $10, Students $8. Order tickets online at www.cvft.org

Upcoming Special Events:

4th Annual Chaska Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk and Gobbler Races - Sat. Nov 15 7-10a register online at www.active.com or call Mary Anderson 651-688-9143 All proceeds support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Chaska Students. Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska

Community Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service - Wed., Nov. 26:

Chanhassen @St. Hubert's @ 7:00pm-freewill offering for the CAP Agency.

Victoria @ St. Victoria @ 7:00-freewill offering for the CAP Agency.

Tree Lighting Ceremony - Sat, Dec 6, 5pm, City Center Park, Chanhassen. Come and enjoy the lighting of the holiday tree, refreshments, and of course, a special visit from Santa Claus.

Breakfast with Santa - Sun, Dec. 7, 8am-1pm. Adults $8, Seniors $4, kids under 12 $4. Profits go to local charities. 952-361-3391.

Christmas Concert - Sun., Dec. 14 @ 5pm, 12th annual Advent/Christmas Concert @ St. Victoria Church. Free. Donations accepted for the CAP Agency Food Shelf. Featuring Adult Choir, Handbell Choir, and the Praise and Worship Band. Cake and coffee reception following concert.

Macy's 46th Annual Animated Holiday Show and Santa Claus: Nov 8th-December 31. "A Day in the Life of an Elf at Macy's Santa Land" will tell the story of Santa's elves at the North Pole as they prepare for Christmas. Guests will enjoy seeing what happens in a elf's life from waking up and getting Santa's mail to teaching the reindeer how to fly and learning about Christmas traditions. At the end of the display, guests will find Mrs. Claus' holiday bakery and Santa's Toy Stores. Free. Downtown Minneapolis, 8th Floor Auditorium. See their website for hours www.macys.com

Holidazzle Parade - Nov. 28 through Dec. 21, Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun @ 6:30pm. Nicollet Mall between 12th & 4th Street. 612-338-3807 or www.holidazzle.com

Entertainment:

Schleprocks - Fri, 8:30, $5, Floyd's, 1758 Arboretum Blvd., Victoria, 952-443-9944

Sports:

Gopher Men's Hockey vs. New Hampshire - Fri @ 7:07pm, Sat @ 6:07pm; Marriuci Arena; www.gophersports.com

Vikings vs. Green Bay - Metrodome, Sun @ 12p; www.vikings.com

MSHSL State High School Volleyball Tournament - Thursday-Saturday, Xcel Energy Center, www.xcelenergycenter.com

2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars - Sun 4pm; Excel Energy Center, www.xcelenergycenter.com

Movie releases:

Madagasca: Escape 2 (PG)

Role Models (NA)

Soul Men ( R )

House ( R )

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (PG13)

The Arts:

Chaska Valley Family Theater -A Christmas Carol: Dec. 4-7, The Sound of Music: Feb. 12- Mar 1, 2009, www.cvft.org

The other day I had a parent contact me via ActiveRain from my local community. Their son and daughter-in-law both lost their jobs and the wife was pregnant. Their kids decided to walkaway from the home that the parents co-signed for on the mortgage. Can they do a short sale? Yes, if ALL parties on the mortgage application are in a REAL financial hardship. The hardship will have to be proven with all asset and liability documentation. Will it affect their credit score? It depends on how they report the short sale or if there are mortgage lates. Our conversation also detailed alternative options to consider. I felt really bad for the parents as they just tried to help their son and didn't expect this to happen. She was grateful she had found a non-judgmental and knowledgeable person to assist them through ActiveRain.

But the question remains, should we loan money to our grown kids or co-sign for a mortgage? Have I done it? Absolutely, for all three of my kids - loaning them money and co-signing. But not all kids and situations will procure the same results. Nor are our economic times and the housing market conducive to stability in your loan.

Getting a home loan is more difficult. If your kids do not have much cash or credit history you may be their only option to take advantage of the current buyers market.

Just be careful that you do not lend money to support bad habits or ruin the relationship you have with your kids. If you decide to lend them money, carefully think out a plan and set up the terms.

Things to consider:

• The request - is it for a really good reason?
• Are they financially responsible? Understand the logistics of whether you will be paid back.
• Can you afford to loan them the money?
• Can you survive if they do not make the payment or you do not get paid back at all?

If you have doubt about any of the above, consider all other options first:

• Co-sign loan - you are still liable and it will affect your credit if the payment is not on time.
• Wait to purchase.

Let's say you decide to loan the money for a home purchase or give them a gift - make sure the TERMS are CLEAR. Communicate that you are making a loan not a gift and what the repayment terms are. If it is a mortgage or 2nd mortgage, make sure you have the proper documentation filed and of record at the courthouse.

Are you going to charge interest for the interest earnings you lose because it is not invested? You might charge the same rate the money would be earning if it were in a savings account, or what the bank charges for a similar loan, or perhaps the prime rate. It is up to you and your children as to what you agree to. You will also want to talk to your CPA for tax purposes.

And please, protect yourself and your children - put every last detail in writing with all parties signing to make it official before a notary. This can become a serious transaction if something should happen to one of you, or conflict arises and you risk ruining your relationship.

All that being said, my parents helped me when I bought my first house. They charged me interest. A mortgage and note were filed. Every payment was made. The foundation of financial responsibility was long established for my children as the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

This is my personal opinion and not a professional opinion.

Make today a great day.