Hot Harvet Nights Are Back!!

Sponsored by the City of San Carlos and the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce. Hot Harvest Nights features certified produce and specialty foods, musical entertainment and walk-away food. Stores throughout San Carlos' acclaimed downtown will be open for your exploration and enjoyment. Bring the entire family to enjoy this popular annual event.

The market will feature 50 to 60 booths set up in the middle of the street which will be closed to traffic.

Hot Harvest Nights will feature produce, flowers, music, food, artists - something for everyone.

This will be a chance to stroll, meet your friends and have a leisurely night enjoying the finest San Carlos has to offer. Shops and restaurants on Laurel Street will stay open late for this all-community activity. Don't miss out!

Also returning will be a booth where you can meet members of the City Council and a City Department Head. The Meet the City Officials booth will be available on the first Thursday of each month from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm. As always, we invite you to enjoy Hot Harvest Nights and also to stop by the City booth and meet the City officials.

On June 3rd, visit the City Booth where Council Member Bob Grassilli and members of the City Manager's Department will answer questions about the City of San Carlos.

For more information on Hot Harvest Nights, visit the Chamber of Commerce web site.

Hometown Days This Weekend!

Starting at 6pm on Friday, the San Carlos Hometown Dayscommittee invites you to join in and celebrate 30 years of Hometown fun. Hometown Days is a uniquely San Carlos tradition that features a parade on Saturday, May 22nd at 9:45 am, as well as 2 stages of live music, food, entertainment and fun for the entire family all weekend long.

• See Parade Map (jpg)

Don't miss the parade Saturday, the Kiwanis Steak Dinner, the Rotary 10-K Fun Run, High School Battle of the Bands, Society Skate Park, kids attractions, Pet Parade, beer & wine garden, fantastic food, the Marketplace, and more! 2 stages of live music all weekend. Headliner: The Distractions.

For more information call the Hometown Days hotline at (650) 594-2700 or click on the link to visit the Hometown Days web site.

Governor Signs Home Tax Credit Bill

Governor Schwarzenegger has signed AB 183, the Home Buyers Tax Credit legislation, into law. The legislation will provide $200 million in tax credits, allocated as follows: $100 million for qualified first-time home buyers who purchase existing homes; and $100 million for purchasers of new, or previously unoccupied, homes.

Eligible taxpayers who close escrow on qualified principal residences between May 1, 2010 and December, 31, 2010, or who close escrow on a qualified principal residence on and after December 31, 2010 and before August 1, 2011, pursuant to an enforceable contract executed on or before December 31, 2010, will be able to take the allowed tax credit.

This credit is equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the purchase price or $10,000, taken in equal installments over three consecutive years. Under the bill, purchasers will be required to live in the home as their principal residence for at least two years or forfeit the credit (i.e. repay it to the state). Buyers also must be at least 18 years old and be unrelated to the seller. First-time buyers are defined as those who have not owned a home in the past three years.

The City os San Carlos - Mission Statement

Did you know that the City of San Carlos had a Mission Statement? Well, it does!

"Providing high quality services and facilities in a fiscally sustainable, responsive and friendly manner to foster a safe and healthy community."

I know that the fiscally sustainable part has been a challenge lately - but San Carlos is not alone and they are working hard to get thinks in check.

What a great place to live!

Happy Earth Day!

I just returned from an amazing trip to Belize last week and am having withdrawal symptoms. It is such a beautiful place with so much to see and do. The above picture is from Google's earth day page and it reminded me of the jungles in Belize. We would literally walk from our room and see parrots and toucan's in the trees. The sound of animals, birds and insects was so loud at night it was hard for me to sleep. Funny though, now that I am back home I miss the sounds. I am also more aware of the lone bird chirping than I ever was before. Traveling really opens up your eyes and gives you a deeper sense of appreciation for our planet. Let's all do what we can to go green!

If anyone is thinking of traveling to Belize and would like some tips. Just ask!

How to Get the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit

You’ve decided to purchase a home and take advantage of the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit. Here's what you have to do to get your benefit:

1. Close on your home purchase between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, or have a binding written contract in place by April 30, 2010 with a closing date no later than June 30, 2010.
   
2. Decide whether to:
   • apply the credit to your 2009 tax return, filed on or before April 15, 2010;
   • file an amended 2009 return; or,
   • apply the credit on your 2010 return, filed on or before April 15, 2011.
     
3. Attach documentation of purchase to your return.

Documentation of Purchase

Details concerning the precise documents required to confirm your purchase have not yet been released. When this information becomes available, we will include instructions and links to the appropriate forms.

When to Apply the Credit

Buyers purchasing homes on or before December 31, 2009 may claim the credit on their 2009 tax returns.

Buyers purchasing in 2010 will have the option to:

• Claim the credit on their 2009 return, even if the purchase is completed after December 31, 2009;
• File an amended return for 2009 if their purchase is completed after April 15, 2010; or,
• Claim the credit on their 2010 tax returns.

If you, or your client, purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see: How to Get the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Applying the Credit to Your 2009 Taxes

You will need to do three things to claim the credit on your 2009 tax return:

1. Fill out Form 5405 to determine the amount of your available credit;
2. Apply the credit when you file your 2009 tax return or file an amended return;
3. Attach documentation of purchase to your return or amended return.

Easter Egg Hunt!

The San Carlos Lions Club presents the annual Easter Egg Hunt at City Hall Park for children aged 3 through 8. Event starts at 11:00 am sharp. Prizes for finding the "Lucky Eggs"! Admission is free. Bring your own basket. Hot dog, chips and a drink will be available at the event for $2.00. Contact Grant DuBois, San Carlos Lions Club at Grant.DuBois@cbnorcal.com or (650) 430-4090 for more information.