Chanukah aka Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights begins today, at sunset December 20, 2011 and is celebrated through December 28, 2011
On the Jewish calendar, the Hebrew dates for Hanukkah are from sundown on the 25th of Kislev to sundown on the 2nd of Tevet in the year 5772.
"Today, Jews everywhere light menorahs on each night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah. Traditionally, one candle or flame is lit for each night until the eighth night, when all eight lights shine together. The menorah has a ninth "helper" flame, known as the shamash, used to light the other candles. This is necessary because in Jewish law the Hanukkah lights serve no other purpose than declaring the miracle of the holiday. Jews place the lit menorah in a prominent window in order to fulfill this commandment.
The Festival of Lights, an eight-day celebration, marks the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century B.C.E. during the Maccabean revolt against oppressive Greek rulers. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays -- perhaps due to its proximity to Christmas on the Gregorian calendar -- and is celebrated by lighting a nine-branch candelabrum commonly called a menorah.
Gift giving is now a common practice on Hanukkah, and it is therefore a beloved time for Jewish children. Fried potato pancakes (latkes) and doughnuts (sufganiyot) are traditional fare, and a spinning top (dreidel) with four Hebrew letters that have become synonymous with the holiday.
Nun - worth nothing
Hei - the player gets half the pot
Gimel - the player wins all of the pot
Shin - the player must add one to the pot
This game is usually played with raisins, nuts or gelt. (foil wrapped chocolate in the shape of coins.
One of the most successful pop singer-songwriters, Neil Diamond, has recreated a favorite pop song for those who celebrate Hanukkah. In this animated version, you’ll see Adam Sandler‘s “Hanukkah Song” literally animated for every lyric. Although it’s a bit weird to hear Diamond take on the comedy-filled song and add a couple of electric guitar solos, it’s still a pretty funny watch.
Copyright photo by Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without the written permission of Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett, The Buyer's Choice, Lincoln, RI. Permission granted with a link back to my website and/or blog providing site is appropriate for all ages.
We want to be your "Personal Certifried Exclusive Buyer Agents/Realtors for Life"
I appreciate this reminder about inviting others who might enjoy the Active rain platform of sharing ideas, advice and having fun. I am reblogging so if you missed this origniual post you can get the reminder from my blog.
One of the main catalysts for the growth we've experienced over the years, in terms of number of members, has been the ability for our members to invite other real estate professionals to the site.
One of the benefits of inviting others to the site is you earn points for doing it. (and who doesn't love some good old fashion points?) Every person you invite to ActiveRain, that creates an account, earns you 250 points. In addition to the initial 250 points you earn for inviting them, you also earn ten percent (10%) of the total points they earn on the site. We did this because we wanted there to be an incentive for people to reach out and help the people they invite to the site, as opposed to just patting them on the back and saying "good luck and have fun"
That 10% often ends up far exceeding the 250 points you get for inviting them. As an example, here are the lines in the point summary (as of 1/5/2011) for the two people that invited our current point leaders, Todd Clark and Lenn Harley:
Yep, someone was here before Todd and Lenn and sent out the invitation that caused each of them to sign up. Since Todd and Lenn are both over a million points, the folks who invited them have gotten more than 100,000 points each for having invited them. That's a lot of points.
Could you be the person to invite the next ActiveRain millionaire?
How do you invite others to join ActiveRain and get credit for it? It's simple. Here's how. On the left hand column of your 'my home' page, there is a link for 'Invite Others' (If you are logged in, you can click there and it will take you to your invite page). Once you land on the invite page, there are two ways to invite someone.
The first way (as in the example below) is to use the form we provide and input another professional's email address. Once you hit the 'send invitation' button, we do the rest.
The other option, which is often overlooked, is the ability to use a unique URL that is specific to your user name on ActiveRain. That URL is
http://activerain.com/action/referrals/arbob
That URL happens to be the one I would use to invite other people to ActiveRain. Your unique URL will have your user name at the end where mine says: arbob. Your specific URL is given in bold on the 'Invite Others' page. When inviting someone from ActiveRain, you can only invite one person at a time. If you wanted to invite more than one person at a time, let's say everyone in your office, this may take a while. Instead, you could use the unique URL and include it in an email you send to your office distribution list.
Again, you can find the invite area by going to your 'my home' page (which is a link at the top right of every page on the site) and looking down the page a bit in the left hand column, or you can access it (if you are logged in) by clicking here.
Go on now, play with it and invite some of your friends in the business, peers whom you believe would benefit from the immense knowledge shared on a daily basis here in the Rain.
I have become a social media addict. I admit I must check my Facebook fanpages and messages every day. I want to learn all I can to improve the SEO of my uses of these powerful tools. I found this blog on my Activerain real estate network and found Chris Alston from California to be sensational . He knows what he is talking about and I want to learn from him. Here is what he says:
ActiveRain RainCamp was a few weeks ago, and my presentation was recorded for all of you that missed the online webinar. The topic of my presentation was, "Using Facebook to Grow Your Real Estate Business".
This video is the first of a weekly series that I will be hosting and launching next Wednesday. The topics will change weekly and will fall into a regular rotation and times. Bob and I will be finalizing the times and topics in the next few days. The online trianings will be on topics like lead generation, listings, buyers, social media, validity, and much much more!
Look for an official post (and one from me in the next 48 hours with all the details!
But for now, check out the latest webinar that was recorded. And yeah, that's me talking!
I, too attended that Continuing Education class for the renewal of my MA license in Newton, MA and was surprised when the Attorney conducting the class stated that the buyer would lose his deposit. As a Certified Exclusive Buyer's Agent, I would do my utmost diligence to make sure we went for an extension and that the buyer was fully aware of the ramifications if he lost his job and could not get financing.
Last week I attended a real estate class for my renewal of my Ma licensee. One of the topics the attorney covered was on MA offers and Purchase & Sales Agreement. One of the sections he discussed was on the mortgage contingency clause in the MA offer agreement.
The attorney proposed a question for the group of us, What would happen if the mortgage clause date went by without an extension and the buyer lost his job prior to closing on the property and the lender could not give the buyer a mortgage, would the buyer lose the deposit? The majority of the group thought that the buyer would get the deposit back, since it was out of the buyer’s control.
The attorney stated that the buyer would lose his deposit. He suggested that it is very important to keep track of the dates in the offer since the offer dates are of Time is of the Essence meaning that the dates are drop dead dates. If there was any concern with the buyer getting a mortgage than you would need to get an extension of the mortgage clause otherwise the mortgage clause is waived from the offer if it goes by the mortgage contingency clause date.
The "mortgage contingency clause" is a provision in the offer that protects the buyer being able to obtain a mortgage on the property, if the buyer is not able to get the financing terms that the buyer specified in the clause or is unable to get financing by the mortgage contingency clause date, the buyer can cancel the agreement and get his deposit back. If the seller and buyer agree, they can extend the mortgage contingency clause date to a future date, this is called an extension.
What's your thoughts on this?
If you have excellent credit, and will be purchasing a $200,000-$1,500,000 or more home or condo in the Providence, Rhode Island area, or surrounding RI neighborhoods or Southern Massachusetts in the next 90 days and would like to be represented by the Corbett TEAM of Certified Exclusive Buyer Agents (Trained in "Negotiation" for representing ONLY BUYERS 100% of the time!)"Call me at401-265-5947for a phone consultation!
I totally agree with this lender to keep people in their homes, the answer is not short sales to foreclosure but short financing is a much better option.
Short refinances should be the norm. They keep the homeowner in their home AND they reduce losses for the lender AND they improve the economy since home ownership stimulates economic growth.
A short refinance keeps the homeowner in their home, thus reducing the supply of homes on the market .Short sales result in the homeowner losing their home; the loss of the American dream and creates economic disaster for everyone.
A short refinance entails the current lender or lenders forgiving debt based upon the current market value of the home.The homeowner then refinances the remaining debt into a new mortgage.For example, a home is currently appraised at $200,000.The homeowner owes $275,000.95% of the current value is $190,000.The difference between $190,000 and $275,000 is $85,000.The current lender(s) forgive the $85,000, enabling the homeowner to refinance the remaining $190,000 into a new mortgage.
As you can see, a short sale does the SAME action as a short refinance: a forgiveness of debt, BUT with a short sale, a stranger buys the home and the homeowner loses their home AND the supply of homes increases. Lenders suffer larger losses, as well, with a short sale since they are typically sold for less than 95% of current value. A short refinance keeps the homeowner in their home.
Now, we could take this one step further and SAVE the lenders their losses by doing the following along with a short refinance.We could place a silent 2nd mortgage on the home after the refinance to allow the former lender(s) to salvage their loss upon any sale of the property in the future.In this way, it is a win-win-win for both the homeowner, the lender and the economy.
So, I as I have been asking myself for years now, who came up with the SHORT SALE transaction idea and ignored the OBVIOUS benefits of the SHORT REFINANCE transaction? Homeowners have been told to be late on their mortgages to obtain loan modifications, which have failed miserably. The homeowner then becomes so far behind, even if they hear of a short refinance, it then is too late. Short refinances are not discussed in the media and the lenders do not speak about short refinances. WHY? Short refinances are available and the BEST option for everyone's sake.
Is it too late for short refinances to now be the norm?NO!It is never too late, but no one is listening.I have gone to our senator and approached other politicians.They all love the idea, but no one has made it their platform.
I will keep promoting this until someone does listen AND enacts this better solution to KEEP HOMEOWNERS IN THEIR HOMES AND START TO BRING THIS ECONOMY BACK!
Ann Sabbagh, Vice-President
"The BEST compliment is a client referral: Thank YOUUU!"
Seacoast Mortgage Corporation
401-305-6906 or 508-243-1190
Residential & Commercial Financing
MLO10920
RIAR: teacher for "The Mortgage Course"; "Valuation of Commercial/Investment Real Estate"; "Reading Financial Statements"
"When you choose me as your mortgage consultant, you also choose a financial planner who cares about YOUR financial strength."
Copyright photo by Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without the written permission of Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett, The Buyer's Choice, Lincoln, RI. Permission granted with a link back to my website and/or blog providing site is appropriate for all ages. Thank you.
Copyright photo by Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without the written permission of Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett, The Buyer's Choice, Lincoln, RI. Permission granted with a link back to my website and/or blog providing site is appropriate for all ages. Thank you.
Today was no ordinary day, it began by attending a barbeque pot luck Fourth of July event at the new Lincoln Senior Center. We had entertaining music too and many friends some new and some we had just met wishing John and me a Happy 42th Wedding Anniversary.
To the man I love on our Anniversary
There is a hand I love to hold, a face I love to see,
There is a voice I love to hear, that means the world to me.........
There is a tender, loving kiss that warms me through and through,
There is a certain smile that always cheers me when I'm blue........
There is a heart that understands what I am dreaming of......
and all of these belong to you-
the wonderful best friend of 42 years-
YOU - John
I love You
Happy Anniversary
It was such a hot day as today, high 90's So hot that I remember a bride passing out from the heat at Slater Park as we waited our turn to walk on the bridge to have pictures taken. Would you believe our marriege was a bit shaken by finding out as we attended our dinner and reception at the Falstaff, Seekonk, MA that their air conditioner had let go the morning and since they couldn't get it fixed, they would have fans throughout.
That was nothing to us missing our ship to Bermuda later on as we flew over New York pier with the air traffic situation
Let say our 42 years have not been a bed of roses. more like a ROLLER COASTER, with its mamy sharp turns and the up and downs. Would I trade all these expereinces, good and bad? NO WAY
. Kathleen Ann Pacheco Corbett and John William Corbett
Our rocky beginnings has built a strong foundation for us to build our marriage of 42 years STRONG today June 28, 2011.
WHAT A WAY TO SPEND A HONEYMOON EVENING... It had been a most wonderful memorable extremely hot 90+ degrees Saturday, that June 28, 1969. The 11:00am wedding mass was at St Francis Xavier Church in East Providence with Father Rego and Father Diogo officiating. Following taking pictures at Slater Park in Pawtucket, RI,
We gathered family and friends to the Falstaff Restaurant in Seekonk, Ma. We were scheduled to leave the Warwick Greene Airport on American Airlines at 7:00pm for a flight to New York city to meet the Franconia Cunard line ship to go to Bermuda for our honeymoon. At about 9pm were were still flying in the air actually flying in circles. and hovering over New York city Laguardia Airport. We told the crew that the ship was leaving at 10:30pm and we were going to miss their departure if we did not land soon. they allowed us to talk ship to shore with the Captain of the liner. He told us that he could wait until 11pm, the latest, so he would not disrupt his schedule. Our luggage was red tagged, so we would be the first to get off and a cab would be waiting to take us to the pier. We held our breaths and prayed for a safe landing in time to meet this time frame, HOWEVER this was not going to happen... this was during the time the air traffic congestion was occurring.
Our American Airline could not get a clear for landing from the traffic controller, there were just too many plane in the air all waiting to land and they each had to wait their turn. As the time progressed to 10pm than 10:15, we knew we were staying in New York and not leaving with our ship to Bermuda. When we eventually landed at 11:25pm we went to the American Airline office to request a solution to this situation. there I was in my purple going away outfit with hat and corsage sitting on my Samsonite luggage waiting for my new husband to return and tell me everything was all right. It was past midnight now and "what a way to spend our first night together married, our Honeymoon evening.
Resolution was that American Airline would fly us on Monday, June 30th to meet the ship docked in Bermuda. they agreed to put us up at the Lexington Hotel in NY City for Sunday, now June 29th , my birthday. All in all it wasn't so bad. We spent our honeymoon in New York City and Bermuda; A strange occurrence though, my wedding announcement stated that we would be going to Bermuda with a short stay in New York,
BIZARRE AND WEIRD.......
This anniversary ends on a positive note, just received a call from our team partner, Mark, informing us he has a signed offer from one of our clients. He took it this evening and said, I am out eating with our client now and willl see you later.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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Short refinances should be the norm. They keep the homeowner in their home AND they reduce losses for the lender AND they improve the economy since home ownership stimulates economic growth.
Kathleen Ann Pacheco Corbett and John William Corbett
