Nicole Charles & Associates Real Estate Newsletter

Nicole Charles & Associates has a new newsletter! In it you will find Madison area housing statistics, information about the first time home buyer tax credit, Nicole Charles' current featured listings, and more! Each month we will have an article submitted by a local expert, and information about upcoming Madison events!

If you would like to receive our free monthly newsletter by mail, email your name and address to abbyolson@kw.com!

Nicole Gives A Speech!

Here's Nicole, giving a speech at her BNI (Business Networking International) meeting!

Upcoming Events in Madison, WI!

October 2009

Oct. 18 - Jungle Jack Hanna, Capitol Theater, Overture Center for the Arts, more info
Oct. 23-25 - Madison Food and Wine Show, Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center, more info
Oct. 27-29 - Wisconsin Truck Expo, Exhibition Hall at Alliant Energy Center, more info
Oct. 30 - Freakfest Halloween Weekend, State Street, more info
Oct. 31 - Arts Ball 2009, benefit for MMoCA, Nakoma Country Club, more info

November 2009

Nov. 8 - Wisconsin Dog Fair, 8am to 9pm, Exhibition Hall, Alliant Energy Center, more info
Nov. 14-15 - Winter Art Festival, 9am to 5pm Saturday, and 10am to 4pm Sunday, Exhibition Hall, Monona Terrace, more info
Nov. 14-15 - Kids Expo, Exhibition Hall, Alliant Energy Center, more info
Nov. 21-22 - One of a Kind Rubber Stamp & Scrapbook Show, 10am to 5pm Saturday, and 10am to 4pm Sunday, Exhibition Hall, Alliant Energy Center, more info

December 2009

Dec. 4 - Step Afrika!, Capitol Theater, Overture Center, more info
Dec. 4 - Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony, Capitol Rotunda
Dec. 8-13 - "Grease" featuring "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, Overture Hall, Overture Center
Dec. 18-20 - "The Nutcracker," Overture Hall, Overture Center
Dec. 29 - Mannheim Steamroller, Overture Hall, Overture Center


January 2010

Jan. 23-24 - Flake Out Festival, Wisconsin Dells
Jan. 24-29 - Winter Restaurant Week, various locations in Madison
Jan. 26-31 - "Rent," Overture Hall, Overture Center
Jan. 29-31 - Monster Truck and Thrill Show, Coliseum, Alliant Energy Center


February 2010

Feb. 14 - Peking Acrobats, Overture Hall, Overtune Center
Feb. 26 - Red Stick Ramblers, 8pm, Music Hall


March 2010

Mar. 12-14 - Bike-O-Rama, Arena, Alliant Engery Center
Mar. 14 - St. Patrick's Day Parade, Capitol Square
Mar. 19 - Shidara, Japanese drum company, Capitol Theater, Overture Center


April 2010

Apr. 9 - The American Bluegrass Masters Tour featuring Bobby Osbourne, Capitol Theater, Overture Center
Apr. 15-18 - Wisconsin Film Festival, the annual celebration of cinema, several location in Madison
Apr. 16-18 - Midwest Horse Fair, Alliant Energy Center
Apr. 27 - May 23 - Disney's "The Lion King," Overture Hall, Overture Center
Apr. 29 - Monterey Jazz Festival, featuring Kenny Barron Trio, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling and Russel Malone, Capitol Theater, Overture Center


May 2010

May 28-31 - World's Largest Brat Fest, Willow Island, Alliant Energy Center
May 30 - Madison Marathon, Half-Marathon and Quarter-Marathon


July 2010

Jul. 3 - Rhythm & Booms, music and fireworks display, Warner Park
Jul. 14-18 - Dane County Fair, Alliant Energy Center
Jul. 16-18 - Maxwell Street Days, Downtown Madison

(information from the 2009 Answer Book)

I GOT JELLO'ED LIKE DWIGHT!

Okay fine, I'm a high C. I like my stuff to be in its place. When we moved to the new office at the beginning of September I had a new spot for everything, and even brought in some decorations to add some color to our desks.

About a month ago one of my perfectly positioned plastic oranges went missing. Could it have been knocked off my desk by a careless passer-by? Was it stuck under a desk or cabinet, waiting for me to rescue it? I looked everywhere, but found no evidence of my immitation citrus. My desk looked so wrong without it! Could it have been stolen?

The first few days without my orange were the hardest. Where could it be? Who was taking care of it? Was it cold? Lonely? As time passed I began to adjust, but I never filled that hole on my desk in case some how, some day my orange came back to me.

When I woke up this morning something seemed different. The sun somehow shone brighter, and my frosted flakes tasted sweeter. I knew something magnificent was about to happen. I arrived at work, approached my desk, and could not believe my eyes.

ORANGE? IS THAT YOU?

I got dwight'ed.

$8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension!!

Excerpt from the trusted Kiplinger Tax Letter:

"Tax and benefits bills are beginning to move, spurred by Congress' desire to extend expiring breaks and to solve a problem that low inflation has created in 2010 for Social Security and Medicare recipients.

Start with the first time home buyer credit, the $8,000 break that is set to expire Nov. 30.

The credit will be extended for a few months, and lawmakers will clarify that first time purchasers don't have to complete the sale by the expiration date to get the tax credit. They need only sign a contract. The odds are low that Congress will expand the credit to folks who aren't first time home buyers, or increase the credit limit to $15,000."

Stay tuned! We'll hear more about this soon!

iPhone Augmented ID from TAT

This is so cool. Pretty soon your iPhone will be able to recognize people, even if you don't! By simply pointing your phone at a person with a registered profile, your phone will be able to tell you that person's name, email, telephone number, and any other information that person chooses to share on his profile!

This technology is also being used with the new Yelp iPhone app. For example, by pointing your phone at a restaurant you can see it's name, address, rating, and reviews on Yelp!

This could be HUGE for the real estate industry! Imagine you're driving by a house with a for-sale sign out front. You slow down, open the Augmented Reality app on your iPhone, point your phone at the house, and BAM! Tons of photos and information about the house are right there for you to scroll through!

Why don't I have an iPhone yet?

"Augmented ID is a TAT concept that visualizes the digital identities of people you meet in real life. With a mobile device and face recognition software from Polar Rose, Augmented ID enables you to discover selected information about people around you. All users control their own augmented appearance, by selecting the content and social network links they want show to others. Modifying your augmented ID is easier than fixing your hair in real life and, of course, TAT Cascades will make sure you look great!"

(Video and information from TAT's blog)

Mummy Halloweenies with Mustard Dip!

These little Mummy treats will be a hit at any Halloween party!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Start to Finish: 40 minutes

44 Servings

1 can (8 oz) flaky dough sheet with no seams

44 cocktail-size smoked link sausages (1 lb package)

1/2 cup creamy Dijon mustard-mayonnaise spread

1 tablespoon dried oregeno leaves

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line two 15x10x1-inch pans with cooking parchment paper.
2. On work surface, roll dough sheet out to 14x11-inch rectangle. Cut vertically to make two 11x7 inch rectagles. Cut crosswise into total of 44 (7x1/2-inch) strips. Pat sausages dry with paper towels.
3. Wrap 1 strip of dough around each sausage to look like a littly mummy; press firmly at each end to secure. Place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart for even browning.
4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix mustard and oregano. Place two small dots of mustard on each sausage for eyes. Serve warm with mustard dip.

(Image and awesome recipe from the Pillsbury Halloween Fun magazine. Visit http://www.pillsbury.com/!)

Best Apple Ever

Are those apples or basketballs?
Now she's just trying to make the rest of us look bad.

Thanks again Marlys! Biggest/best apples EVER. ;)

Creepy Halloween Lady Finger Pretzel Snacks!

Ingredients
Makes 4 dozen

• Red or green food coloring (optional, for fingers)
• 24 blanched almonds, halved lengthwise
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees), plus 3 quarts, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast (1/4 ounce)
• Vegetable oil
• 5 to 6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 large egg
• Sea salt
• Fried rosemary (optional, for toes)

Directions

1. Place a small amount of food coloring, if using, in a shallow bowl, and, using a paintbrush, color the rounded side of each split almond; set aside to dry.
2. Pour 2 cups water into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough-hook attachment. Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Sprinkle with yeast, and let stand until yeast begins to bubble, about 5 minutes. Beat in 1 cup flour into yeast on low speed until combined. Beat in coarse salt; add 3 1/2 cups flour, and beat until combined. Continue beating until dough pulls away from bowl, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup flour. Beat 1 minute more. If dough is sticky, add up to 1 cup more flour. Transfer to a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth, 1 minute.
3. Coat a large bowl with cooking spray. Transfer dough to bowl, turning dough to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap; let rest in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a 6-quart straight-sided saucepan over high heat; reduce to a simmer. Add baking soda. Lightly coat two baking sheets with cooking spray. Divide dough into quarters. Work with one quarter at a time, and cover remaining dough with plastic wrap. Divide first quarter into 12 pieces. On a lightly floured work surface, roll each piece back and forth with your palm forming a long finger shape, about 3 to 4 inches. Pinch dough in two places to form knuckles. Or, to make toes, roll each piece so that it is slightly shorter and fatter, about 2 inches. Pinch in 1 place to form the knuckle. When 12 fingers or toes are formed, transfer to simmering water. Poach for 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer fingers to the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough, blanching each set of 12 fingers or toes before making more.
5. Beat egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush pretzel fingers and toes with the egg wash. Using a sharp knife, lightly score each knuckle about three times. Sprinkle with sea salt and rosemary, if using. Position almond nails, pushing them into dough to attach. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on wire rack. Fingers and toes are best eaten the same day; or store, covered, up to 2 days at room temperature.

(Photo and Recipe from www.MarthaStewart.com.)