About Bellingham's Fairhaven

Yesterday I posted that Shaun Donovan, Secretary of HUD announced that buyers could get the $8000.00 tax credit to use as a bridge loan for a down payment on a home.

I read the information at the National Association of Realtors website.

There was a letter put out by HUD which may no longer be available.

Well it seems that this information is WRONG!! At least today that is.

I called HUD to find out for myself and they told me "the letter that had stated this information had been rescinded." That was all the information they would give me, no reason, nada.

Sorry if we got some peoples hopes up, I think Secretary Shaun Donovan ought to provide some kind of explanation.

Great news for first-time home buyers. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development secretary Shaun Donovan said that the Federal Housing Administration is going to permit its lenders to allow homeowners to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment.
Mr. Donovan was speaking at the Mid-year conference of NAR in Washington when he said "We all want to enable FHA consumers to access the home buyer tax credit funds when they close on their home loans so that the cash can be used as a downpayment," he According to Donovan, the FHA's approved lenders will be permitted to use the tax credit through short-term bridge loans which will allow eligible home buyers to access the funds immediately at the closing table. This will basically gives first-time homebuyers $8000 towards a down payment and/or closing costs on the new home.
I think this is a great step to help the housing market make a comeback as a down payment can often be a stumbling block for first-time home buyers. The government is finally stepping in to help them.

Backyard Habitat and Native Flora Fair on the Fairhaven Village Green - Saturday, May 9, 10am-4pm

Want to attract some birds to your yard? Enjoy a day in Fairhaven and learn about native habitat for your homes. Native plants can provides food and shelter for local songbirds and other wildlife, reduces the need for water and chemical pest control, and increases the biodiversity of our town.

The Fairhaven Village Green will be the site of this annual free event which will features guided walks and garden tours, a presentations on native plants and backyard habitat gardening, a native plant sale, backyard tours (11am-3pm), information booths, and a chance to build a nesting box with folks from the North Cascades Audubon Society.

This event is sponsored by the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Backyard Habitat Program and the Koma Kulshan Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society.

image courtesy of flickr.com by law_keven

Looking for something fun to do with mom. Head to Fairhaven for an afternoon of boutique and gallery shopping. Whether it be art, shoes, clothes, home furnishing, flowers, jewelry books or toys you are bound to find something fun in Fairhaven. While in the stores ask for the Fairhaven Shopping Guide, which is a directory for store information, maps, services and health care within the district. You can also get a walking tour map that will show you the streets, trails and stores.

For an additional treat, check out CreaTiviTea and paint your own pottery. There are hundreds of pieces to choose from or you can design your own Fused Glass. Located on 11th Street, stop in with mom and create heirloom pieces together.

Wander and stroll the district, while enjoying the historic architecture of the old and new mixed use buildings. Look for the plaques on the ground in various areas, especially down Harris Avenue and learn about the history of Fairhaven. If you stop in the Village Green you can see the bronze statue of Dirty Dan Harris sitting on a bench and the antique Tulip fountain.

And when you are hungry, stop in at one of the fine eating establishments in Fairhaven. Whether it be soup, steak, fish, Thai, Italian or Mexican you will be able to find a great meal to satisfy you and mom.

After a nice meal, a walk along the 10th Street trail to Taylor Street dock, and if you are up for it around the point to Boulevard Park. A nice way to finish the day with mom in Fairhaven.

Whatcom County is not only an active community, but a creative one as well. Whether it be theatre, music, comedy or dance, there is something for each one of us to appreciate. There is a wide array of activities in "the arts" for both adults and children to enjoy.

The Historic and renovated in the recent past, Mount Baker Theatre located in downtown Bellingham and Western Washington University's Performing Arts Center bring world class performers to the stage for our community members to enjoy. Currently, the Golden Dragon Acrobats, a premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company is back by popular demand on May 16th and the WWU-PAC has two plays running on the mainstage performed by the students in the Theatre Arts programs.

While the Lynden Performing Arts Guild presents Something's Afoot, a murder mystery musical that spoofs all things detective the Bellingham Theatre Guild concludes it's 2008-09 season with "The Boys from Syracuse", a madcap musical. Both theatres are operated by dedicated community members that are passionate about acting.

Looking for a laugh, then check out The Upfront Theatre downtown on Bay Street. You can see stand up comedy, live improv or take classes at the theatre. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly plays every Thursday at 8pm.

To stay on top of the many different creative avenues available to you pick up a copy of Entertainment News NW, which has a calendar of events to include descriptions and ongoing activities.