The origin of Thanksgiving began in 1621 when American colonists in Plymouth, Massachusetts and the Wampanoag Indians shared the first Thanksgiving meal. Given some misnomers, we don't think the menu included today's traditional Thanksgiving meal favorites. Thanksgiving historians doubt that there was pumpkin pie (sugar and flour were not available) or mashed potatoes (the Europeans still considered the potato poisonous at this time). Original feast foods that might surprise you were fish, eel, berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, venison, and plums. The original feast lasted three days and was based on traditional English harvest festivals that usually occurred in England around September 29th. It wasn't until two years later in 1623, after a horrible drought, that the actual "Thanksgiving" celebration occurred. It was called Thanksgiving because the drought finally came to an end after a period of intense praying by the colonists.

Wishing everyone and their families a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Do you ever feel like there aren't enough days in the week to get everything done that needs to be done?  Have you ever thought about exactly how many hours you waste sitting in traffic on the way to and from work?

Think no more!  According to a recent national study, drivers waste about an entire work week each year while sitting in traffic.  This means that each driver wastes 38 hours.  And there is no end in sight.  "Things are bad and they're getting worse," said Alan Pisarksy, a transportation expert and the author of Commuting in America.

The study summed up the results by saying there are "too many people, too many trips over too short of a period on a system that is too small."  Go figure!?

Holiday Traffic not included!

If only we knew?  But here's a start ... Over-sized Garages?

Home buyers in increasing numbers want garages with two or more spaces in their homes, according to the 2007 NAR Profile of Buyers Home Feature Preferences.

Since the last survey in 2004, oversize garages saw the biggest growth in terms of what recent buyers considered very important in a home, gaining 16 percent points to 57%.  Among buyers who purchased homes without this feature, 56% of them said they would have paid more for an oversize garage, compared to only 6% in 2004.

Other priorities for today's home buyers include air conditioning, with three out of every four respondents ranking this as "very important," and a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, which was very important to 53% of respondents.  Hardwood floors and granite counter-tops each gained 7 percentage points from the 2004 survey, with 28% and 23%, respectively, of buyers viewing these features as "very important."  Gaining 6 percentage points was cable/satellite TV-ready at 46%.

The survey reports responses from buyers who purchased homes in 2006.  Home buyers were asked about 75 features and room types to assess the importance of each.

According to the survey, nearly six out of 10 recent home buyers took on remodeling or home improvement projects within three months of their purchase.  Close to half of home buyers who remodeled or made improvements updated their kitchen, and nearly half remodeled or improved their bathroom.  New homeowners spend a median of $4,350 on home improvement or remodeling projects undertaken within three months of purchase.

So what is it the Buyers want?  Besides the obvious answer of a "great deal" they want comfortable amenities to make their home lives a little more comfortable.

For much of the year, Southern California's Coachella Valley weather is idyllic.  The more than 330 days of sunshine and average daily temperature of 75 degrees make the valley a popular destination.

Although the area features mostly sunny skies and little rain, residents endure occasional gale-force winds and sizzling summer temperatures that climb well over 100 degrees.  The mountains also get their share of snow storms, and in the highest elevations, cool year-round temperatures.

During an average year, summer daytime temperatures hover between 105 and 115 degrees.  In the winter, temperatures average about 73 degrees.

During spring and summer, winds pick up in the mid-afternoon and blow 20 to 30 miles per hour, a result of the unique desert valley.

Average Temperatures:

January low 43/high 70
February low 47/high 75
March low 51/high 80
April low 56/high 86
May low 63/high 94
June low 70/high 104
July low 76/high 108
August low 76/high 107
September low 70/high 101
October low 61/high 91
November low 48/high 76
December low 44/high 70

Visit www.mydesert.comfor additional information on the Coachella Valley.

Free Thanksgiving meal to be served at senior center

There will be a free Thanksgiving Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the La Quinta Senior Center at 78-450 Avenida La Fonda. Entertainment and food for the event are being donated by Desert Cities Catering. Reservations are required. Information: 760-564-0096.

St. Francis church sponsoring blood drive

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church youth ministry and senior adult ministry will sponsor a community blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 25 in Bluett Hall. Appointments can be made by visiting or calling the parish office at 760-564-1255.

Henry's collecting food for Father Joe's

Henry's Farmers Market at 79-050 Highway 111 is collecting food as part of the Grab 'n' Give food drive. Food can be dropped off in bins in front of any of the 19 participating stores until Dec. 31. The food will go to Father Joe's Villages. The organization shares its donated food supply with eight neighborhood food banks. For more information, visit neighbor.org.

Something to remember, something to think about!

Take time to work.  It is the price of success.

Take time to think.  It is the source of power.

Take time to play.  It is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to read.  It is the fountain of wisdom.

Take time to be friendly.  It is the road to happiness.

Take time to love and be loved.  It is the nourishment for the soul.

Take time to share.  It is too short a life to be selfish.

Take time to laugh.  It is the music of the heart.

Take time to dream.  It is hitching your wagon to a star.

Dilemma:

Susan has been unable to keep up on her mortgage payments on her primary residence in California.  Susan's lender has properly recorded a notice of default.  Rick is intereted in purchasing Susan's property as an investment.  He wants to pay Susan fair market value for the home before the foreclosure sale occurs.  Susan is elated at the offer and knows this will help minimize the damage to her credit.  Rick asks his REALTOR to be the agent for the transaction.  His REALTOR agrees.

Has the REALTOR violated any laws by becoming Rick's agent in this transaction?

Yes!  In order for the REALTOR to represent Rick, under the Home Equity Sales Contract Act, the REALTOR must have both a valid real estate sales license and a bond from an admitted surety insurer for twice the fair market value of the property.  Unfortunately, such bonds are not currently available in California.  Since Rick's REALTOR cannot legally comply with the bonding requirement, the REALTOR cannot represent investment buyers in purchasing properties that are in foreclosure if the property is the current residence of the seller.  Rick's REALTOR should immediately remove himself as Rick's agent in writing and no longer be involved in this transaction.  If the property is listed, his REALTOR may receive a referral fee.

Wishing everyone a happy, safe and healthy Halloween!!!!  Here are a few tips for after trick or treating is over and before your kids (or you) eat any candy:

• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible Adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.
• Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.

Every day, everybody you meet, and people who called you - send them a THANK YOU card.

You basically say, "It was very nice meeting you. Thank you for getting to know you. I am a Realtor and would
appreciate it if you would refer my name to someone you know who is thinking about buying or selling
real estate."

You handle all of your mail - especially junk mail - the same way. Thank them for the information they sent, etc. etc.

Every one you meet, talk to, or get mail from you send them a thank you note. And stretch. Send as many thank you cards as you can.

Even bills. Thank them for sending the correct bill - no errors. (whatever works ... practice DOES make perfect)!

The expense is small, but the result could be big. Everyone will remember you. The reason is ...

Nobody does it. Nobody sends thank you cards any longer. Think about it. When was the last time YOU received a thank you card? In 1983?

You can even have your assistant do this. Especially mail. Brilliant and easy way to keep your name in front of people.  Thank them when the least expect it and they will remember it and YOU forever!

Finding a community that fits your own set of criteria requires a fair amount of research:

• Before making an investment in real estate, those in the know suggest spending a couple of months in a community to make sure you like it well enough to settle there.
• Talk to locals to learn their overall satisfaction in the community's services and amenities.
• Read the community newspaper to gauge the cultural and political climate to make sure you'd be comfortable with it.
• Be cognizant of some intangible qualities that you may require such as volunteer or social networking opportunities.

Other factors to think about include:

• Availaibility of quality healthcare.
• Affordability and local taxes
• Weather
• Access to culture, shopping and entertainment
• Good transportation and/or proximity to an airport

Living in a gated community or resort area requires a little bit of effort and research but if you take your time and choose your best fit the benefits are endless!