Michael Grimm is going to build his grandparents a home. How about building it in Benicia? It looks like he is going to also need a home. I would love to have one more Rock Star in Benicia.     Earl Miller Benicia Real Estate 707-280-6366 Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific  www.earlsbeniciarealestate.com 09/19/2010

Reach Out in Benicia Gives Back to Those in Need http://www.reachoutbenicia.com   Reach Out Benicia is gearing up here in Benicia for the holidays coming up in Nov. and Dec. We will be heading to the City of S.F. to help the Rescue Mission in the Tenderloin district. Over the last 10 years we have taken anywhere from 10 to 40 youth to the Tenderloin to help deliver hot meals to those not able to leave their rooms in the local apts. We have delivered up to 3,500 hot Thanksgiving meals and served up to 1,000 hot mealsin a day. It is such a great way to give back and a great way for the youth to see the extent of how bad it could get when you make the wrong choices.  This year we will be heading over to the City on Saturday November the 13th for the Thanksgiving Meal Delivery. We are looki... 09/19/2010

Our Benicia State Park at the end of town is the greatest place to hike and bike and walk. A 5 mile stretch of winking trails and roads that lead to the point. This is a great way to clear your head, by taking a walk or bike ride and enjoy nature. It is the more than 2000-acre wetlands designated as the Benicia State Recreation Area. This area lies just to the west of downtown Benicia and includes a large inlet off the north side of the Carquinez Strait, directly opposite the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline. These wetlands are home to many waterfowl and wading birds, as well as a popular stopover and feeding site for migrating waterfowl in the fall. The other day I took off from my house riding my bike and headed to the trail. What a great ride on a beautiful day, as the sun was up ... 09/19/2010

Ok Folks there are still a couple of shopping hours left.  It is almost 1PM here in Benicia, CA, and the  Benicia Fine Arts and Craft Fair is going on til 4PM.  I was up bright and early so I could have the pick of all the "litters".  By the time I strolled down the street from our Coldwel Banker Solano Pacific office, the event was in full swing.  My arms were tired from lugging all my goodies back to my car. For the next couple of days I will feature some great finds.  And anyone out there reading this, please know you too can buy these items so stay tuned for the next couple of days for features about Walking Stics, Gourmet Treats, and Handbags.  You did not have to go to the fair as I will write about how to contact these vendors. On my way back the other side, one of my favorite pe... 09/18/2010

Benicia Open Houses Sept 18th + 19Th Irma Ward Prudential Benicia 378 McCall Dr  Video Sat 1-5 Maria Artle ReMax Benicia 698 Earl Ct Benicia Sun 1-4 147 Panorama Dr Coldwell Banker Benicia Sat 1-4 Kelley MacInnes Coldwell Banker Benicia  160 Carlisle Way Benicia  Sun 1-4 09/17/2010

We have our own Playground of Dreams in Benicia.  This local park is located behind the Benicia Fire Station on Military Street in Benicia.  Benicia, Ca is a wonderful place to live, grow up and grow old! When my daughters were younger they nicknamed this park the "Wood Park".  With lots of nooks and crannies to hide and play imaginative games for hours, this was one of their favorite places to go on a Saturday morning.  There are plenty of picnic tables and grassy areas to relax.  About once a year the community comes together with volunteers to maintain the Playground of Dreams. There seems to be a park on every corner....or almost!!  Please read about Jack London Park Here, Gateway Park Here, Channing Circle Park Here, and Skillman Park Here. When you get a chance bring a picnic, ple... 09/17/2010

Benicia Craft Fair September 18th on Saturday Hey Bay Area residents you won't want to miss this event. Come on Saturday to Benicia and enjoy Arts and Crafts from all over the Country. I am really excited about the weekend here in Benicia, because my wife is showing and selling her art. It's heart Art.....Yeah....heart art....she is a great painter and she loves to paint hearts.....she loves love.....and I love her for it. She also has one other love besides me and her hearts and thats the beach and palm trees art.....I think that's because she loves to relax on the beach while she thinks of love....She loves love so much she got a real nice tattoo at (Benicia Bombshell Hair and Ink) and it's a heart and a cross.....and she smiles with all the joy in the world when you ask her about it ... 09/17/2010

Fabulous Friday Morning to all, Economic news: Core CPI Consumer Price Index came in flat signaling no inflation concerns. Trading will most likely be choppy. 09/17/2010

I am so excited as this coming Saturday Sept 18th starts my holiday shopping.  Or at least that is what I tell my husband.  The truth is I love the Annual Fine Arts and Craft Fair sponsored by the Benicia Chamber of Commerce. This local Benicia Event has been going on for a long time---this is the 37th year for the Fine Arts and Craft Fair.  This event fills up quickly for vendors.  Today the Benicia Herald, our local newspaper, announced there are no more vendor spots.  IF someone cancels another can slip in.  That means for us we have a whole lot of shopping to experience! Jewelry, birdhouses, outdoor plants (the ever popular African Violets), children puzzles, Fine Art, unique one of kind clothes.  OH My!!  I cannot wait. Shop Early and Often-Fun begins at 10AM and ends at 4PM.  The ... 09/16/2010

Terrific Thursday Morning to all, The markets a looking for a sense of direction: Both initial and continuing jobless claims show improvement, PPI Producer Price Index ( measurement of inflation) came in at expectations, Philly Fed manufacturing was down. Be very cautious today. Have a great morning! 09/16/2010

Benicia....Oh my......the trains keep coming and I am learning so much. I thought the art was good and now I find out that the signatures are famous also. I started seeing this signing by Conrail Twitty and I shot a picture, so I came home and lookied it up on Google. Wow what a story this guy has, but he has since passed away. I am forever grateful that the art caught my eye and now I can spend some time learning about the history of tagging. Benicia has a rail system that goes on each day that I never really paid attention to. It's awesome and it takes my mind off the crazy stuff and let's me focus. Benicia.....I love this City and you will too! If you are thinking about moving here let me know and I will put everythnig I have into making it one of the best decisions you have ever mad... 09/16/2010

Benicia art show on wheels is happening everyday out in the Benicia Industrial Park. Yesterday i was driving in Benicia and down in the industrial park and I couldn't believe my eyes. I had a couple of friends (Nick and Chris) in the car and asked if I could stop for a minute and shoot some photos..... They were just as amazed at the art as I am. We were so excited to see what the artists had left us. I was so blown away and I was clicking away like a madman and then my camera stopped working, as I was looking at some of the best art I have seen in quite some time. The battery had gone dead and I was bummed. I am sitting at home charging my battery and hoping the trains are still there, because the art was so great I am heading back this morning as soon as the camera is ready. Benicia ... 09/15/2010

We have so many parks in Benicia. It is going to take me a few weeks to try and feature every one of them. I am slowly getting the task done. My daughters visited many of these parks when they were younger. Now that they are almost adults and fantastic babysitters, they can take their young charges to play. Skillman Park is located on Rose Drive. It has playground equipment, open grassy fields and a basketball court. Most evenings or weekend you can drive by and there are kids playing basketball. Sure beats mom and dad buying the hoop and tripping over it in driveway! Stop by and pay a visit to one of Benicia,Ca lovely parks!! 09/15/2010

If You Really Knew Me - MTV Shows If you really knew me. this video is about a show on MTV .Challenge Day http://www.challengeday.org/mtv/ is one of the greatest things I have ever been a part of. I have been to about 10 Challenge Days and was working to be a trainer for some time. My schedule and the work I do www.reachoutbenicia.com with the children and young adults in Benicia Ca. was more than I could handle. The founders of Challenge Day are two of the most caring and wonderful people on the planet. If you have children have them watch this short video and then tune into the show. Ask your schools to bring Challenge Day to your school and you will see a change that will be for a lifetime. Earl Miller Benicia Real Estate 707-280-6366  www.earlsbeniciarealestate.com Coldwell Banker S... 09/15/2010

My daughters enjoyed going from park to park in Benica, CA when they were young.  There seems like there is a park on every corner and major street.  I have recently featured Channing Circle Park and Gateway Park. Today I am featuring Jack London Park on the corner of Hastings Drive and Rose Drive.  This park was nicknamed the "White Park" by our family.  The reason why is when you see the pictures.  A modernistic park with white architectural elements.  It has wide expanse of grassy areas to play ball or catch.  A playground fit for kids of all ages.  Plus picnic tables and grills close by.  Plenty of parking is available. If you have not had a chance to visit this park in Benicia, CA bring a picnic, the family, your neighbors, and anyone else for a great outing in our lovely city of B... 09/14/2010

Terrific Tuesday Morning to all, Economic news: Retail sales better than expected, Business Inventories up slightly, Economic optimism up slightly. Be careful as W-St might gain ground this afternoon. Have a great day! 09/14/2010

  Should I just let the bank take my home? (edit/delete) Benicia Residents:  There are so many ways to lose your home but signing away your ownership that destroys your credit should be looked at real close before deciding to do that.  For owners who can no longer afford to keep their mortgage payments current, there are other ways to get passed this big mess the Country is going through.  One of those options is called a "short sale." Basically, the definition of the short sale is when the lender of a property allows the property to be sold for less than the amount due on the mortgage loan. The best benefit to the short sale is that it allows the seller to avoid the credit report damage as with a foreclosure. A foreclosure can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years. Did you know... 09/14/2010

Benicia Arts, Trained Art Show Just Passing By! Benicia has so much to offer everyday I thought I would find something different here in town that might be fun for the readers. I jump in my car everyday and drive around our beautiful City and look at all the great things Benicia has to offer. Which is one of the reasons I sell Benicia Real Estate.  I would love to share this town with folks who appreciate the good life. I call this Art show......JUST PASSING BY! I love taking pictures everyday and I really like the Benicia Canvas. You could spend a lifetime taking pictures here and never capture it all. I am going to share something today that is close to my heart.....Graffiti...You got it.... Graffiti.... Graffiti that rolls through our Benicia, ca. and the canvas changes everyday. Tra... 09/13/2010

Marvelous Monday Morning to all, New bank reserve regulation’s give stocks a boost. Europe’s growth is expected to be better than prior expectations + China’s growth in August beats expectations. W-St is on the rally again be very careful> bias towards locking if we drop below 101.20. Have a great day! 09/13/2010

When working with buyers who want to buy a  Short Sale, we have to have the "Short Sale Strategy Conversation". Do you really lovvvvveeee this house? Do you want to know how to position an offer so the seller will accept your Benicia Short Sale offer?  There are some strategies that most buyers will not do and the other percentage of buyers who listen will get into contract.  The ones who continue to struggle to get a Short Sale offer accepted is based on many reasons, because their agent who has never sold a short sale told them, they read all over the Internet "how to get the best short sale bargain", they already know how to buy a house because the brother/neighbor/colleague told them how, you get the picture. As a Benicia Short Sale buyer, you have to be committed and know this is t... 09/12/2010