Because Santa Monica Needs a 4th of July Parade

I am pleased an proud to announce the 2nd Annual Santa Monica 4th of July Parade, so mark your calendar!  As one of the volunteer parade organizers and coordinators, I am tickled to the core by the excitement and buzz around this year’s celebration. Last year, being the first year, we had no idea what to expect. We ended up with 52 groups in the procession, over 1000 people in total, and 26 vehicles. This year, the parade will highlight our Grand Marshal, Chief Jackman, Santa Monica Police Department Chief of Police, riding horseback with 16 mounted police, accompanied by the Color Guard! The UCLA Alumni Marching Band will join us as well as the Santa Monica High School Marching Band! To top things off, we have lots of fun participants that will guarantee the Santa Monica 4th of July Parade becomes a legacy.

On the morning of the 4th, at 9:30am, the parade will start at Main Street & Pico and will travel south on Main Street to the southern Santa Monica city border.

So calling all kids, bicycles, creative teams, neighbors, marching bands and civic-minded groups! Big and small, young and old, all are welcome! March in Santa Monica’s Fourth of July 2008 Parade on Main Street! Spectators Welcome!

DO YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE (be in the parade) ??

Pre-Registration is required to participate in the parade! There is no registration on the day of the parade. Click here to obtain a Parade Application, Guidelines and a Waiver.

DO YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER (help Ocean Park Association run the parade) ??

Please contact volunteers@opa-sm.org to help with checking participants in the morning of the parade and many other tasks.
 

What a Santa Monica Love Story!

This Wednesday, June 25th @ 7:30pm, The Santa Monica Conservancy is hosting a screening of the documentary film “Chris and Don: A Love Story”, followed by a Q&A with Don Bachardy and the film’s makers, Guido Santi and Tina Mascara.

The documentary (90 minutes in length) explores the relationship and times of British writer Christopher Isherwood and American artist Don Bachardy, who lived together in Santa Monica for more than 30 years. Isherwood is well known for, amonth many works, his book Berlin Stories, which was the basis for the movie and musical, Cabaret.” Bachardy is an abstract and portrait artist whose work has received worldwide acclaim.

Each nourished the other in their artistic endeavors. Their home in the Santa Monica Canyon was a place where artists, writers, musicians, and Hollywood celebrities gathered and connected. Through personal memories, interviews, archived films, photos, and home movies, the film offers a rare glimpse into their lives and their unique circle of friends. Actor Michael York reads from Isherwood’s diaries, letters and books.

Where: Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica

Tickets: $25 for SMC members, $35 for nonmembers, first come, first served.
You can order online with Paypal at www.smconservancy.org

What Is LUCE & Why Should I Care?

For the past few years, thousands of Santa Monica residents and businesses have been involved in developing a holistic and proactive view of how the city of Santa Monica should look and function, while building on the theme of maintaining the community’s existing character. LUCE stands for Land Use & Circulation Element - a strategy framework, an integrated community vision for the future of Santa Monica over the next 20 years.

LUCE focuses on more than just the physical attributes of Santa Monica - it is about the people and the values that the community shares. The result is a comprehensive series of strategies, policies and tools to achieve the community’s long term vision to:

- Enusre Santa Monica’s character and sense of community

- Protect and preserve Santa Monica’s residential neighborhoods

- Proactively manage congestion and reduce traffic

- Provide more housing opportunities for people of all income levels

One of the most ecologically important and substantive focuses of LUCE is to require integration of land use and transportation policies to ensure a sustainable and livable community that includes stategies to:

- Focus on locating development near transit

- Aggressively manage employee trips by offering transit incentives, parking strategies and improved pedestrian and bicycle resources.

- Foster “complete” neighborhoods with services in walking/biking distance.

- Implement new measures and benchmarks to monitor and ensure ongoing success.

Whew! What an undertaking!

Review by the Planning Commission and City Council is scheduled for 6/17 & 6/24. Then City Staff will proceed with an economic, transportation, and environmental evaluation of the LUCE Strategy Framework.  LUCE is targeted for adoption beginning spring 2009.

If you are just craving more information about LUCE, you can find it by visiting the official City of Santa Monica Shape The Future website

Who Else Loves Summer Concerts?

Mark your calendar! The Santa Monica Pier Twilight Dance Series is kicking off on June 26th! Now, more fun than could possibly be packed into two hours, the new concert hours are 7pm to 10pm! If you have never attended the famous Thursday concerts at the Pier during the summer, you are in for a magical treat. Each week, you can experience the absolute best in eclectic and worldly rock, pop, jazz, blues and a full spectrum of musical styles.  This year’s lineup includes The Bonedaddys, Carmen Consoli, Peter & Gordon (remember the 60’s???), Gerry & the Pacemakers, and Toots & the Maytals.

The concerts are free, the energy is awesome, and the venue can’t be beat.

If you plan on experiencing the Twilight Dance Series, here are some important tips:

- Parking near the pier is limited. Plan to walk, bike or take the Big Blue Bus. If you must drive, the best parking options will be at The Santa Monica Place (2nd & Colorado) or at the beach parking lot about 6 blocks south of the Pier.

- If you plan to ride your bike, there is FREE bike valet starting at 6:30. You will find it on the south side of the pier, just by the bike path. They can accomodate thousands of bikes (hint, hint)

- Pack a picnic and a blanket and set yourself up on the sand to the south of the pier. Don’t waste your time trying to battle the crowd on the pier in front of the state. It’s much funner on the sand, and you can always go up the stairs to check out the show up close.

Get the complete schedule by clicking here to visit the Santa Monica Pier.

Santa Monica Pier Just Keeps Getting Better

There was alot of noise recently when the magnificently lit ferris wheel on Santa Monica Pier was sold at auction to the highest bidder. Local residents were truly up in arms. How can they take away one of the true icons of Santa Monica? Well, now the new ferris wheel has been installed…and WOW!!! Everyone is so excited. It’s quite state-of-the-art! Take a look at the opening ceremony just last week!

Something else that’s equally as wonderful has just taken place on the Santa Monica Pier, which already boasts colorful characters, rides, games, and fun. The circus festival atmosphere has just been ’stepped up’ with the addition of the Trapeze School New York, which opened for business just last week.From what I’ve learned, there will be classes that are open to the public, they’ll have student recitals and professional shows. It seems to me that for the average Joe or Jane, the thrill of having such a venue in our own backyard is the drama and thrill of flying for the first time. I can’t imagine the sense of triumph and struggle that one would experience!The co-owners are of the belief that flying serves as an effective tool to expand peoples’ views of what they are capable of taking on. I can definitely see how this would be true! Not to mention the super cardio workout that you’d get…talk about using muscles you didn’t even know you had! I think I’m going to sign up this Summer! It sounds like a totally new experience in life.

If you’re interested in learning more, the open-air school is nestled on the Pier in an area where there is great visibility for passerbys to watch the trapeze in action. Consider this: classes will be offered for everyone from the first-timers to advanced flyers (cool…you could be a ‘flyer’). There are multiple class discounts, group classes, workshops, special events, and even birthday party packages…what fun!!! You can get more info at the TSNY website by clicking here or visit the Santa Monica Pier in person.

It’s crazy how much great stuff is going on in Santa Monica! I would LOVE to learn from YOU about your favorite events, restaurants, venues, etc.

How to Sell A Venice, CA Beach House Well in a Sluggish Market

It’s been 8 days since my latest listing went on the LA Westside Multiple Listing Service. Frankly , I’m not surprised at all that we received 3 offers within 6 days, and the phone continues to ring off the hook for showings. You might be asking why I’m not surprised. Well, let me tell you…my client was totally and completely coachable and open to the Principle of the Three P’s.

Product. Pricing. Promotion.

Getting a home sold quickly and for top dollar requires all three. If you don’t have the best product in the market in your price range, all the promotion in the world won’t sell it. And if you have a great product, and your price is too high, all the promotion in the world won’t sell it. If you have lousy promotion, but a great product and price, it will sell, but probably take some time to gain the necessary exposure. But if you have all three, it’s the magic formula to a rapid sale for the greatest net.

In the case of my client, Anthony, he has a really cute house on a so-so block. The house is in Venice situated on a kind of funky street where there are commercial loading docks across the street that support the retail businesses on the adjacent street, which is Lincoln Blvd. Thankfully, he had the foresight many years ago to plant tall shrubs that do a great job of separating the home from the world outside. And because of how the home is situated on the street, it’s not directly across from the loading docks. So I’d give the home a 6 for location, overall.

Anthony has lived in the home like a bachelor, although he has a strong artistic aesthetic. The place really has great charm, but didn’t show very well….too much furniture, art that didn’t match the decor, piles of paperwork and ’stuff’, bookcases full of ’stuff’. All in all, the home needed some ‘fluffing’ as I call it.

I hired my stager Annie Pinsker-Brown of Stage to Sell. Of late, I’ve made it standard practice to hire Annie for a consultation for every listing. This woman works magic when it comes to staging a home to sell. Working from the philosophy that the way you live in a home and the way you sell a home are very different things, she can make what seem like simple tweaks, the difference in getting the house sold.

Santa Monica Real Estate Market Update

Listed below are the current inventory and May, 2008 statistics for home sales in the Santa Monica real estate market. If you have any questions or need more information about real estate in Santa Monica, CA call me at (310) 392-0096 or email me at Dana@BestSideOfTheWestside.. I’m looking forward to earning your business!

Total Homes Available:

242 (as of June 4, 2008)

• Single-Family: 98 (7.5 month supply*)
• Condo/Townhouse: 144 (4.6 month supply*)

Total Contingent and Pending Sales:

139 (as of June 4, 2008)

• Single-Family: 48
• Condo/Townhouse: 91

• Single-Family: 84
• Condo/Townhouse: 78

CLAW/MLS deems information reliable but not guaranteed. Information is for MLS area 14.

* - Supply = Homes Available/April Sales

Trapeze School Lands at the Santa Monica Pier!

There was alot of noise recently when the magnificently lit ferris wheel on Santa Monica Pier was sold at auction to the highest bidder. Local residents were truly up in arms. How can they take away one of the true icons of Santa Monica? Well, the rest of the story is that supposedly the ferris wheel will be replaced by an even more fantastic, late model…safer, bigger, and an even better light display. We’ll see…

In the meantime, something wonderful has just taken place on the Santa Monica Pier, which already boasts colorful characters, rides, games, and fun. The circus festival atmosphere has just been ’stepped up’ with the addition of the Trapeze School New York, which opened for business just last week.

From what I’ve learned, there will be classes that are open to the public, they’ll have student recitals and professional shows. It seems to me that for the average Joe or Jane, the thrill of having such a venue in our own backyard is the drama and thrill of flying for the first time. I can’t imagine the sense of triumph and struggle that one would experience!

The co-owners are of the belief that flying serves as an effective tool to expand peoples’ views of what they are capable of taking on. I can definitely see how this would be true! Not to mention the super cardio workout that you’d get…talk about using muscles you didn’t even know you had! I think I’m going to sign up this Summer! It sounds like a totally new experience in life.

If you’re interested in learning more, the open-air school is nestled on the Pier in an area where there is great visibility for passerbys to watch the trapeze in action. Consider this: classes will be offered for everyone from the first-timers to advanced flyers (cool…you could be a ‘flyer’). There are multiple class discounts, group classes, workshops, special events, and even birthday party packages…what fun!!! You can get more info at the TSNY website by clicking here or visit the Santa Monica Pier in person.

Do You Love Sushi Like I Love Sushi?

I’m such a foodie, I can’t help but share great LA dining experiences.

 Just west of the 405 freeway on Santa Monica Blvd, upstairs in an obscure strip mall, is hands down, one of the best sushi bars I have ever eaten at. It’s called Echigo. I love turning people onto this place, but only those that are willing to give up control.  You see, if you want to sit at the sushi bar and get the whole experience, then you’ll have to go with the Omikase style, or Chef’s Choice menu. But trust me, you won’t regret it for a second.

 The meal is not cheap, but it’s not ridiculously expensive, either (figure $40-45 per person). You’ll start with a sashimi plate, and end with a blue crab roll (ooohhh…there’s NOTHING else like this!). That’s a given. But each time you dine at Echigo, you’ll get to experience one piece of about 8 different fresh specials, and it will hardly ever be the same meal twice.

 The place lacks a personality, but you can always count on meeting interesting people at the sushi bar (it’s very close to UCLA, so lots of fascinating academians hang out). You can always order from the menu or off the specials board, but only if you take a table.

 Some call Omikase the “Sushi Nazi” style of dining. I happen to appreciate the notion that someone else is taking control of my gastronomic pleasure, and it’s their job to ensure I have a great dining experience. I will tell you that I’ve been to this restaurant no less than a dozen times, and have never been less than TOTALLY satisfied.  Of course, the sake doesn’t hurt none.

 Read some entertaining and insightful reviews on Yelp by clicking here.

 Echigo

12217 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 201
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 820-9787

 It’s crazy how much great stuff is going on in this town! I would LOVE to learn from YOU about your favorite events, restaurants, venues, etc.

If You’re REALLY a Buyer, Then Where Are You?

While today’s market plays to the advantage of buyers who should be swooping in to make the most of reduced housing costs and favorable interest rates, most are sitting by, waiting.

I consider it my job to mobilize potential buyers to invest in home ownership now. Fact: when the market turns, today’s bargains will be yesterday’s missed opportunities.

While it is conceivable that home prices may drop further, it is likely that these decreased prices will be accompanied by increased financing costs due to rate cuts by the Fed. This means that any money saved on paying less for a house in a few months time will be offset by having to pay off your mortgage at a higher interest rate making “playing the waiting game” a waste of time (and very little fun).

This rate increase isn’t just speculation. Just a couple of weeks ago, in early February, the fixed mortgage rate jumped a full half-percent, making it the fastest rate increase in 20 years.

The table below demonstrates how even as home prices may drop, monthly mortgage payments basically stay the same; due to increased interest rates:

Scenario 1:
Prices decrease by 5% and interest rates increase by 0.5%

Scenario 2:
Prices decrease by 10% and interest rates increase by 1.0%

Table: Kadlec, Dan. “Ignore the Headlines!” Time 25 February 2008

Why should you spend months in a situation that you want out of when you can begin your new life in your new home today, with less interest?