Watch for a letter from the Lucas County Auditor's Office arriving this summer notifying you of your home's new value and more detailed information on your property.  Your new value will most likely be less than the value you currently have.  The new value will be based on neighborhood sales from 2006, 2007, and 2008...all years in which we saw declining values in Toledo and the suburban areas of Sylvania, Maumee, Springfield Township and Monclova Township.  To check what properties were used to determine your new value, go to the Lucas County, Ohio Auditor's Site and use the tool What sales are used to influence value? to see the sales in your neighborhood sorted by sale date and size of home.

Remember that you can always challenge your valuation, but we may find that the new values are pretty close to market value or the price you could sell your home for.

I read a cautionary article in the May 3, 2009 Toledo Blade titled Homeowners tempted to skip payments that considers the real cost of skipping paying a few months of  mortgage payments in hopes of forcing lenders to modify loans.  I'd like to briefly summarize and comment on the article since we all know people who are struggling to make mortgage payments on time and we may be able to be of some help to them.

The federal government does have a new plan called the Making Home Affordable that offers incentives to lenders to modify or refinance loans for homeowners with financial problems.  But, the key is to talk with the lenders early and explain the particular set of circumstances that puts someone at risk for defaulting on the loan. The longer people wait to contact their lenders and the more payments missed really reduces their chances of getting a modification because they have dug themselves too deeply into a financial hole.

Those skipped payments impact on all types of credit making it harder to getting car loans and having credit card terms changed to higher interest rates and lower spending limits.  Cash deposits may also be required for utility turn-ons, cable TV, and cell phone service.

Even if they do skip a few payments, those payments are still owed with penalties and interest charges tacked on.  Worse case scenario is that the home is foreclosed on which really damages credit for many years.  And, now savvy apartment owners are refusing to rent places to people with poor credit.

Best course of action for people in risk of not being able to make those mortgage payments is to jump on the phone and call their lenders.  They will initially have to talk to the debt collection department, but should ask to talk with someone in the loan modification department where someone has the authority to authorize a loan modification.

I recently received a summary of tax provisions from Marcy Kaptur, the 9th District Congresswoman, for this calendar year that may benefit all people living in the Toledo area not just first time buyers taking advantage of the $8,000 Tax Credit.  I concerned as everyone is how we'll deal with the debt from all these efforts to kick start the economy, but you should  take advantage of them if you can.

American Opportunity Education Tax Credit

This provides for a tax credit of up to $2,500 for tuition and related expenses in both 2009 and 2010.

Computers Qualified as Education Expenses in 529 Education Plans

Section 529 Education Plans are tax-advantaged savings plans that cover education expenses and now include computers as qualified expenses.

Sale Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases

Through this year, new car, truck, recreational vehicle and motorcycle buyers can deduct State and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase of a new vehicle.

Looking for a last minute Mother's Day gift that will really make an impression and no doubt benefit you in the future?  Buy your mom a gift certificate for a cooking class at Georgeann Brown's un coup de main.  Better yet, join her for a class.  Cooking classes at un coup de main are always taught in small groups with participants joining in if they'd like.  The classes finish with all enjoying a meal of what has been prepared accompanied by wine specially chose by Georgeann Brown.  Just a note on Georgeann Brown's skill and training...she had been a caterer and has traveled to cooking schools in Europe for years.   

 Here is un coup de main's current class schedule...

un coup de main Spring-Summer 2009 Classes Printer Friendly Version May - Let's begin our season by remembering the joys that can be brought forth from your kitchen 921-Mother's Day Luncheon May 9 10:00am-2:00pm $65.00, 2/$115.00* >>Closed Treat the favorite mom in your life to an elegant lunch class. Chilled Yogurt-Spinach Soup; Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Bacon Tart; Poached Salmon Salad w/Mustard Vinaigrette; Coconut Cake w/Lemon Curd Filling 922-Baking By Hand May 22 9:00am-3:00pm* $75.00 >>Register Now Experience the satisfaction of baking from scratch Rustic Olive Sandwich Rolls; Dried Apricot and Sage Scones; Braided Challah; Sour Cream Flaky Dinner Rolls; Orange-Rhubarb Quick Bread (Salad lunch will be served) *Please note time of class923-All about Fish and Seafood May 30 10:00am-2:00pm $65.00 >>Register Now A 'how to guide' that helps us learn which fish and seafood are the healthiest to eat and which are not sustainable (overfished) and should be avoided. Scallops Baked w/Onion and Serrano Ham; Cod En Papillote (packets) w/Zucchini, Cherry Tomatoes and Parsley Pesto; Seared Salmon w/Balsamic Vinegar, Honey and Rosemary; Shrimp and Fennel w/Spinach Fettuccine; Lemon Sorbet   June - In summer, people always ask me which I like more: gardening or cooking. I'd say it depends on which I am doing at the moment. Anyway, cooking outside and gardening go hand in hand. Since summer goes by in a flash, let's raid the herb garden for the next 2 months as a springboard for good eating. 924-Handful of Herbs June 6 10:00am-2:00pm $65.00 >>Register Now While touring my herb garden, our discussion will focus on choosing which culinary herbs to grow, planting, uses and harvesting. Lemon Verbena Fruit Salad; Chicken Breasts Stuffed w/ Herbed Chevre (goat cheese) and Olives; Roasted Potatoes w/Sage; Peach-Lavender Cobbler   925-Fire Power-Foods Made Fast on the Grill June 20 10:00am-2:00pm $65.00, 2/$115.00>>Closed We kick off the outdoor grilling season by helping you make the most out of your time at the grill. Grilled Asparagus and Portobello Mushroom Salad; Grilled Vegetables w/Seasoned Bread Crumb Topping; Grilled Pork Chops w/Pineapple Salsa; Grilled Nectarines w/Blueberries and Homemade Ice Cream 926-Paris-City of Light June 24 10:00am-2:00pm $65.00 >>Register Now Paris is called many things, but I just call it Delicious Chilled Watercress Soup w/Leeks and Crème Fraîche; Warm Crab Tartlets; Potato, Green Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad; Lemon Soufflés July - Food with friends, and impromptu get-togethers call for casual entertaining-isn't that what decks and patios are for? 927-Hot off the Grill July 1 10:00am-2:00pm $65.00, 2/$115.00 >>Register Now Chili Glazed Shrimp w/Tomatillo Sauce; Southwestern Watermelon; Flank Steak Fajitas; Grilled Corn and Tomato Salad; Mocha Ice Cream Sundaes w/Coffee-Caramel Sauce

928-Eating the Colors of the Rainbow-The Vegetarian Table July 11 10:00am-2:00pm $65.00 >>Register Now Fresh Shell and Snap Bean Salad w/Winter Savory; Tapenade Toasts; Cannelloni Pasta Filled w/Chard and Mushrooms, Topped w/Fresh Heirloom Tomato Sauce; Peach Upside Down Cake 929-Alfresco Dining and Keeping it Simple July 18 10:00am-2:00pm $65.00 >>Register Now Grilled Pita w/Tomatoes, Olives, Feta and Basil; Chicken, Red Onion and Mint Kabobs w/Spicy Yogurt Sauce; Cilantro Rice; Plum Tart Class Features: Intimate setting & small class size (6 students) encourages individualized instruction and participation. Recipes are provided for all prepared dishes. Seasonal menus throughout the year. Georgeann also offers you the opportunity to host special cooking classes in your home. Class Format: Class size is limited to 6 students.The instruction portion of the classes will run for 3 hours during which we will introduce and prepare the set menu. Most of our classes are participatory, but if any student prefers to sit back and relax, that is their option. The class will then sit down to enjoy the meal and discuss the techniques learned. Our classes are geared for adults 18 and older. Registration: Registration is first come, first served. You are encouraged to register on our web site. If you cannot register via our web site please register by phone 734.529.2318. You may also register by email.   Cancellation Policy: Students who cancel their registration 5 days or more before the class will receive a 100% refund. Please allow two weeks for refunds. If you are unable to attend a class you may send a friend in your place. Please mark your calendar; we are not responsible for missed classes. We reserve the right to modify classes without notice based on availability or quality of ingredients. Liability: By registering for a class, the student agrees to hold un coup de main, its owners, officers, members, manager, employees and agents, if any, harmless from any and all costs or liabilities arising out of student's attending or participating in classes conducted by un coup de main. Privacy Statement: un coup de main uses information obtained from clients for registration purposes only. Your information will remain private and will never be sold, traded, or exchanged with any other entity.   Gift Certificates Available - Call or register   Private Lessons are Available - Call or e-mail

Link to the cooking school site here for more information.