As the new school year settles in, the number of underage alcohol purchases usually takes a spike for the worst. During this past Wednesday’s sting operation by the San Ramon Police Department’s Youth Services Division, underage decoys were successfully able to purchase alcohol at five out of twenty local businesses.

They were sent into restaurants, grocery stores, bars, convenience stores and gas stations. At two locations, the decoys bought alcohol even after showing ID revealing that they were underage.

This incident brings to mind the plot to the latest box office smash, “Superbad,” where the characters desperately attempt to get hold of alcohol to supply for a house party. One of the more memorable characters — McLovin — attempts to purchase $90 worth of alcohol at a convenience store. He almost walks out of the store with the load of booze until a mugger pops out of nowhere and decks him to get all the store’s cash. The sequence of events that follows after that scene is quite hilarious and entertaining but that’s beside the point here.

The results of the sting operation are a poor reflection of local businesses either acting indifferently or shamelessly to whom they’re selling alcohol. I’m headed off to college in a few weeks and even my doctor warned me about the pressures of alcohol abuse in college. I’m bracing myself at the prospect of getting involved in my share of late night partying, where I will have to make choices that stem from these kinds of situations.

- Joseph Natividad

I want my Verizon back! A year ago I switched to Sprint after joining Craig and Tracey in their real estate business. Since we were going to leverage technology as much as possible, we decided to get Treos and stay with Sprint, C&T’s service instead of Verizon (my service).

The decision was based on monthly service fees. In the last year of using Sprint, I run into one reason after another to want to sprint back to Verizon.

Here are the Top 3 Reasons to Sprint back to Verizon:

• Customer Service – I’m only one customer, but in my dealings with the customer service departments of both companies – Verizon wins hands down. Verizon customer service reps seem to have some power to actually help the customer whereas Sprint has the old fashion customer service – here’s how it is and I can’t do anything about it – is there anything else we can’t help you with today?
• Coverage – The last time I saw a roaming signal on my Verizon phone, I was in the middle of the Nevada desert. Here, in the Bay Area with Sprint, the word spotty seems to apply to the Sprint network.
• Text Messaging – I was surprised to find $30 extra on my bill for last month. Tracking it down, I find Sprint was charging me $.15 for every text message I was sending (can you spell GOUGING). I had never used text messaging before, but a situation arose that had me sending 6 to 10 a day for a couple of weeks. In checking with Sprint for their monthly charge for unlimited text messaging I find it is $15 a month – a little pricey since everyone else I know seems to get it free or for $5 a month.

It’s just one person’s experience, but if you’re considering moving from Verizon to Sprint my suggestion is – SNAP OUT OF IT!

Related Post

Congressman Jerry McNerney from the 11th Congressional District addressed the weekly meeting of the Valley Marketing Association in Pleasanton today.

Congressman McNerney told the attendees that two of the major issues he is concerned with are the transportaion infrastructure in the TriValley area and education. He also sponsored legislation to prevent banks from extending their reach into real estate.

The Congresman asked the attendees what was foremost on the minds of real estate professionals these days. The response was almost single-minded – FHA reform. Governement loan programs need amending to open them up to California consumers who are being shut out of these programs due to the high cost of housing in the East Bay area.

When Mike Tacconi asked the group how many had an FHA transaction in the last year – not one hand was raised – point made! As the past president of the CAMB – California Association of Mortgage Brokers – Mike is well informed on what needs to be done to help the local real estate industry weather these challenging times and to assist consumers to buy, sell and remain in their homes.

The VMA represents agents and affiliates associated with the real estate industry in Pleasanton and Dublin, CA. The weekly meeting is held at Tommy T’s in Pleasanton.

As the end of summer approaches, we find ourselves in a very mixed and volatile real estate market. The continuing effects of the subprime meltdown have moved into the Alt-A loan market and the CDO market. This has resulted in tighter loan standards for the first-time buyer to the move-up buyer.

One of the results is that Jumbo loans, those over $417K are being affected. Everyday we here from mortgage brokers and real estate agents about deals falling apart. We read a story a week ago about a buyer with 20% down and an 800 FICO score being rejected.

While reading all the press and coverage on the housing market, it is easy to lose sight of the bigger picture:

• There are about 44 million institutional mortgages in the U.S.
• About 5 million of these are subprime loans
• About 625K of these are in default
• Maybe half of these will go through the entire default process

How much does the lender lose on a foreclosed house? 100% of loan? No, the house sells for something. 90%? 80%?

98% of the mortgaged homes in the U.S. are not at risk.

Q: How Big Is the Sub-Prime Mortgage Market?

How Low Will Housing Go?

If you’re looking to buy, this is really a good time – if you have good credit and money to put down.

Why? Interest rates are low and there is considerable pressure on sellers to lower the price and throw in an incentive or two.

Here are the new listing presentations this week for San Ramon, Danville, and Alamo, CA:

• 207 North Hill Court, San Ramon
• 394 Ilo Lane, #703, Danville, CA
• 106 Kingswood Circle, Danville
• 305 Live Oak Drive, Blackhawk
• 135 Briar Place, Danville
• 2757 Deer Meadow Drive, Blackhawk, CA
• 533 Treyburn Circle, San Ramon
• 3835 Crow Canyon road, San Ramon
• 2053 Echo Place, San Ramon
• 1450 Laurenita Way, Alamo
• 2900 Danville Boulevard, Alamo

There’s a great opportunity on Biddleford drive in San Ramon, CA for a handyman, a contractor or anyone who likes to improve a property. This unfinished remodel is a four bedroom, three bath house that needs the new master suite and kitchen finished. This is not so much a fixer-upper as it is a finisher-upper.

With the addition of the new master suite, the house now has two master suites. The landscaping in the back yard needs work and there is some finish work required on the exterior.

2876 Biddleford Drive represents potential instant equity for the right buyer. The cherry cabinets are in the garage waiting to be installed, as is the flooring and the fireplace mantle for the new master suite. It’s a great floor plan (1733 sq. f.) in a great neighborhood. Within walking distance to award-winning schools.

Get more information on 2876 Biddleford Dr.

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