COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS

Sing along with the ABC "AnyBody Can" Singers at local assisted-living and convalescent residences throughout December; call Maxine 925-969-9693 or e-mail for more details! 

Songbooks are provided.  Join us if and when you can; children and pets with papers are usually welcome;

always at 6 pm unless otherwise noted: 

Nov. 11-7:45 a.m. ABC SINGERS welcome veterans to the 2nd Annual VETERANS DAY Celebration & Outreach from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Andrew's Church 1601 Mary Dr. across from PH Police Station; practice 6pm Nov. 9 at ALTERA.
Nov. 29 - 6pm ABC SINGERS Caroling Practice @ ALTERA office; caroling schedule is complete! Please call or e-mail us for the schedule! 925.407.1120 schroedermartha@gmail.com

December

Thu 1st—Chateau at Poet’s Corner, 540 Patterson Blvd., Pleasant Hill

Mon 5th—Bayberry Care Center, 1800 Adobe Street, Concord

Wed 7th—San Miguel Villa, 1050 San Miguel Rd., Concord

Thu 8th— Oak Park Convalescent Hospital, 1625 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill

Fri 9th— Muir Senior Care,1790 Muir Rd., Martinez

Tue13th—Chateau on Broadway, 1700 Broadway St., Concord

Thu 15th—Aegis of Pleasant Hill, 1660 Oak Park Blvd.

Sat 17th—12:45pm Heritage Plaza, 2020 Grant St., Concord

Mon 19th—Stonebrook Convalescent, 4367 Concord Blvd.

Thu 22nd—VA Hospital, 150 Muir Rd., Martinez, Must be over 16 years old to attend to protect Veterans’ health

Fri 23rd—Chateau III, 175 Cleaveland Rd., Pleasant Hill

Sun 25th—10am, 1pm, and 3pm @ Christmas For Everyone, New Hope Covenant Church, 2120 Olivera @ Grant, Concord; go to www.ChristmasForEveryone.com, or call 228-2233 to volunteer!

BLUE STAR MOMS - All Donations are Tax Deductible

BLUE STAR MOMS collecting items to be sent to our Troops:   cash or checks to help pay postage (postage costs:  $11.95 per box)!   Drop off at Supv. Susan Bonilla's office 2151 Salvio #R, Concord, A-1 Self Storage 5296 Concord Blvd, Concord, or Chateau III 175 Cleaveland Rd PH.  

NEEDED ITEMS:

YoYo's, Tennis Balls, Hacky Sacks, Paddle Balls, Frisbees, Playing Card, Word-Game Books, Sudoku, Crosswords, Mechanical Pencils with Erasers, 80% Cotton (or more) Crew Socks, Cider Mix, Oatmeal Packets, Drink Singles (Crystal Light, etc.), Tuna/Chicken Salad Kits, Gum & Mints, Small Bee Jerky, Small Licorice, Individually Wrapped Hard Candy, Pop Tarts, Corn Nuts, Popcorn, Granola Bars, Trail Mix, Nuts, Small Packs Snack Crackers, Knitted Caps, Baby Wipes, and money donations are always welcome. 

EMERGENCY LEAVE CLOTHING - KUWAIT PROJECT

When military personnel go home on emergency leave, they must be in civilian clothes.

Clothing needed:  New Clothing Only - Plain with no Logos:

• Men's Jeans - waist sizes 32 - 38 long inseams (no shorts)
• Men's Shirts - M, L, and XL
• Sweatshirts or Sweaters - S, M, L. XL for cold weather
• Women's Jeans - size 8, 10, 12, 14 (regular cut)
• Women's Shirts and Tops - M, L (short/long sleeves, button down or polo shirts (no tank tops) 

Cost is $11.95 per box to ship.   Make donations to:   Contra Costa Blue Star Moms POB 6379 Concord 94524.  

K-9 CARE PACKAGES – Goodies for “MAN'S BEST FRIEND”! 

Our Service Dogs need toys and treats.  What's needed:  towels, Kong Balls, Sturdy Tug Toys, Rawhide, Collapsible Bowls, Tennis Balls, Stainless Steel Food and Water Pans, Dog Treats, Grooming Brushes and Chews.  All items should be small enough to fit into a Post Office Priority Mailing Box.

 *   *   *   *   * 

ABOUT MAXINE

Just a short commute from the San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose areas, the homes in central Contra Costa County provide a quiet retreat. These communities at the foot of majestic Mt. Diablo are surrounded by colorful scenery and recreational facilities including regional and neighborhood parks, reservoirs, golf and tennis, horse and bike trails, and marinas.

A few hours' drive takes you to the roaring waves of the Pacific Ocean ... the historic wine country of Napa and Sonoma Valleys ... or Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains where you may enjoy the exhilaration of snow or water skiing, snowboarding, fishing, bicycling, horseback riding, or try your luck at gambling and other forms of entertainment at nearby casinos.

"My life has been a series of marvelous opportunities and challenges that have provided me with the chance to grow."  The American Dream

MOVING ON AND STILL GROWING

Year-end 2009... No more administrative duties for Maxine!  Working at another brokerage allows freedom to devote more time to clients and networking with other agents.  What it means to you is Maxine can now spend more time in the field and not at the office - but feel free to send an email or call her cell #925.969.9693 for personal help in real estate or your community activity.  Office info:

Altera Signature Properties

Phone (925)407-1120

531 Main Street

 Martinez (Downtown), CA  94553-1127 

Born in San Francisco's Chinatown, Maxine grew up in a largely immigrant neighborhood. Most of the residents barely spoke English and in those days the children served as interpreters for parents and neighbors. For most of these families home consisted of a room or two in a multi-story building with shared kitchen and bathing facilities. Neighbors helped each other to find work and housing. From her childhood, Maxine learned the values that continue to shape her life. In time she discovered that many people that she met would touch her life with their individual knowledge and qualities, whatever their cultural or racial backgrounds.

"Getting to know others is an enriching benefit of our business. Can you think of a better industry where you can enjoy socializing while making a living helping others?"

After high school, Maxine found work in the San Francisco financial district and then moved to Santa Clara Valley, a booming high-technology area where employment opportunities were plentiful. She found that hard work and tenacity earned rewards in enhanced employment opportunities.

LIVING IN THE EAST BAY

The more relaxed lifestyle in the suburbs of San Francisco was very attractive to Maxine. Marriage and family planning eventually moved her to settle in central Contra Costa County where city workers can easily commute by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. Having been a home buyer and seller several times, entering the real estate field was the logical career move for Maxine in 1977, allowing her to combine her life experiences with her desire to help others, while providing the flexibility to spend more quality time with her family.

Being in real estate allowed Maxine to get involved in local community service. One of her greatest joys is giving a little of herself back to the community which has greatly enhanced her life. She actively promotes interracial and cross-cultural harmony and understanding in her network of contacts, helping to organize cultural festivals, health fairs, workshops and classes.

HAVING FUN!

Maxine created a sing-along Christmas caroling program in 1984 which performed annually at various retirement homes and convalescent hospitals. She has also collected canned food for the needy and toys for the U.S. Marines' Toys for Tots program. After 9-11, Maxine expanded the singing activity with a program of patriotic and military songs, and changed the group name to "ABC Singers" ... meaning Any Body Can! Anyone interested is welcome to participate.  "Everyone is encouraged to join us. We just try to stand next to someone with a good voice so we get drowned out when we sing off-key!"

Maxine feels strongly about giving back to the industry that has been so good to her. Her designations include Certified Residential Specialist, VIP Relocation Coordinator, Broker, and more recently e-PRO and Seniors Real Estate Specialist, and SFR (foreclosure and short sale specialist). She was a partner for many years in a large franchised office, which allowed her to share her experience and knowledge with others seriously interested in a successful career in real estate. From 2004 through 2009 Maxine founded and operated the American Brokerage Company/ABC Real Estate Team, selectively hiring only those who share her philosophy of mentoring with honesty, integrity, teamwork, and service to the community.  Mentoring others is her passion!

She found the world of real estate created a great network of associates whose support enables her to do much more than merely making a living. Maxine has been active in the Contra Costa Association of Realtors, Women's Council of Realtors, and the Contra Costa Realtors in Motion. Some of her favorite committees are with the CCAR Special Events and the WCR annual fashion show. Many events are open to the public, and those interested in attending the annual crab feed, golf tournament, or fashion show may call Maxine for details.

"It's very satisfying to me that I can make an impact while having so much fun!"  Maxine said.  In 1998, Maxine was recognized by the Contra Costa Chapter of Women's Council of REALTORS as their REALTOR of the Year. In 2000, she received the REALTOR of the Year award from Contra Costa REALTORS in Motion. She was honored once again in 2002 when named REALTOR of the Year by her peers at CCRIM, and then once more in 2004.  In January of 2005, Maxine was appointed by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to be a member of the County Human Relations Commission.  She was elected by her peers to chair the Commission on November 1, 2006, a one-year position.  Maxine also served a Directorship of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce for 2006-2008, as well as the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS in 2006-2009.  She currently serves on the Local Government Relations Committee and the Business Development Technology Committee at CCAR, is an Ambassador and serves on the Government Affairs Committee of the Pleasant Hill Chamber, and is an active member of CAPA, the Chinese-American Political Association. 

Maxine Chan is passionate about helping people achieve their dreams. Helping people buy, sell, and rent homes is something she's very good at. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she has a unique understanding of the area and all of its selling points. But that's just part of the story. Maxine excels because she is committed to your goals and because she cares about your needs. Whether you want to buy or sell a home, Maxine uses her own natural resources--smarts, hard work, commitment, and creativity - to get results for you. Maxine's passion for her work translates into incredibly effective service when she goes to work to help you buy or sell your home.

Call Maxine today and let her put her resources to work for you. A native of San Francisco, active in the East Bay community, and a resident of Central Contra Costa since 1977, her local knowledge and real estate expertise will help make the perfect choices for you. Together with the Team's commitment to putting your best interests first, it's an unbeatable combination!

Maxine Chan  is "Making the American Dream A Reality!"

Cell #(925) 969.9693

 Fax # (925) 407-1134

E-mail:  maxineABCTeam@aol.com