New 10 year Report On Southwest California Demographcs Available - 04/29/08 06:41 PM
Public Policy Paper   By far the most comprehensive study of the Inland Empire region of Southern California in recent years has just been published by the Public Policy Institute of California. Compiled by Hans Johnson, Deborah Reed and Joseph M. Hayes, the report examines the economic and demographic trends of our region out through 2015. The analysis is summarized in a 141 page report replete with charts, graphs and analysis of population growth, migration, job growth, ethnic make-up, educational challenges and political activism. Among the more interesting points from a real estate perspective: The fastest growing region of a fast … (0 comments)

Southwest California Homes Sales - 4/08. No Irrational Exuberance Required - 04/23/08 09:30 PM
March Housing Numbers Here's the March update of housing figures for Southwest California, including Temecula, Murrieta and Lake Elsinore. (Whoop-de-Freakin' Doo) (Please remember that month to month numbers can be relatively meaningless. A single month snapshot may include anomalies, drops or surges that are not necessarily indicative of a trend & may or may not be reason to become irratioanlly exuberant or despondent. Sales data source: Chicago Title.)      While it appears that our market is still headed South, the numbers don't really tell the whole story. Our office, among others, has seen a noticeable increase in Buyer activity during the … (2 comments)

'Winning Championships' - The Temecula State of the City Address - 04/18/08 01:02 PM
Winning Championships – The Temecula State of the City On April 17, Temecula Mayor Mike Naggar presented the 19th Annual State of the City Address at the Pechanga Resort & Casino. For his theme this year Mayor Naggar chose the sports metaphor “Winning Championships”. He reminded the gathering of business, community and civic leaders of the many championships Temecula has won in the past and how that positions our community to continue to win championships even in difficult situations. Mayor Naggar introduced the championship team by discussing partnerships, including the Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, area schools and other government entities … (3 comments)

I'm So Confused. Which article to believe? - 04/16/08 07:32 PM
I'm So Confused This news really hit home. The following articles graced the front pages of our 2 local daily newspapers this morning. Both articles were written in response to the latest release of Southern California housing statistics released Tuesday by DataQuick Information Systems. Though both rely on the same data and quote some of the same sources, one provided a decidedly negative slant from the headline on down while the other emphasized a more positive read on the numbers, including a sidebar feature and front page photo of a recent homebuyer. It's no wonder our clients are perplexed and grumpy when … (9 comments)

More Scam Artists Trying To Take YOUR Money. - 04/15/08 06:32 PM
GET IN MY PANTS I don’t know about you, but I’m stretching my pennies these days. I’m squeezing every nickel until Ole’ George hollers. A lot of you are in the same boat. Times are tight right now – people losing their homes, a gallon of gas heading for $4 with a gallon of milk costing even more, auto sales slumping, advertisers cutting their budgets, everybody doing what it takes to get through this little gulley in the financial roadway of life. But it seems every time I turn around there’s somebody else trying to get their hand into my pocket … (7 comments)

Celebrating a Day for the Earth. - 04/14/08 07:36 PM
Earth Day On April 22, 1970, some 20 million people across America celebrated the first Earth Day. Today Earth Day is celebrated annually around the world. Through the combined efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots organizations, and everyday citizens, what started as a day of national environmental recognition has evolved into a world-wide campaign to protect our global environment.
Earth Day is actually a name used for two different observances. Both are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day, as founded by John McConnell in 1969, each year on the March … (1 comments)

The Marines Remember One Of Their Own. - 04/13/08 02:18 PM
Tommy Thompson Yesterday I had the privilege to attend a memorial service for a Marine. Colonel Robert A. 'Tommy' Thompson was my fiance's Uncle. He was 92. I never had the opportunity to meet The Colonel. My loss. By all indications, he had a spectacular career, a wonderful life and was the kind of stand-up guy that defined out nation during some of it's proudest moments. Raised in Pennington Gap, VA., Tommy ran away and joined the Marines right after his 18th birthday in 1934, just days after his older brother had been killed in a mine accident - the only … (3 comments)

In Home Concert Series - A Temecula Valley Treasure - 04/10/08 09:28 PM
musicians workshop 2 Last post I told you a little about The Musicians Workshop in Temecula, founded by my good friends Jon & Jane Laskin. These folks do a world of good for young people in our area b y exposing kids to a variety of musical expressions from instrumental to vocal to dance. It's a 501-C3 organization which means they rely on grants and contributions to fund their acquisition of instruments, music and sound equipment, maintenance of the 10,000 piece Chuck Niles Jazz Collections, and pay rent on a facility to teach, record and play. We are in the midst … (0 comments)

Texas Loosey's - A Temecula Tradition - 04/10/08 08:56 PM
texas looseys A recent evening found companion and I headed for a local theatrical opening and in need of a some fortification. For a little something different, we stopped by Texas Loosey’s, cousin to legendary Temecula steakhouse Texas Lil’s, for a little down home cookin’. Loosey shares parentage with Lil, some menu items are the same and the servers are equally comely – all good things.
Texas Loosey’s menu is pretty extensive and includes some Country Salads, Tex-Mex Specialties, Fishy Things and of course Ribs & Steaks and Trail Boss Favorites. For a little lighter fare there’s also some hefty burgers, … (0 comments)

The Musicians Workshop - A Temecula Valley Treasure - 04/09/08 08:27 PM
Musicians Workshop Every community can be defined, in part, by the variety of fine arts and entertainment its residents enjoy. In the Temecula Valley one of those defining factors is The Musicians Workshop. Founded in 1998 by my good friends Jon & Jane Laskin, the Musicians Workshop was started not just to provide music to the community, but as a means to encourage talent within the community, by nurturing and training our young people. The center has evolved from a simple music education facility to a full-on contemporary Children’s After School Performing Arts and Music Education Center providing programs and events … (2 comments)

Today's Best NY Times Headline - for laughs. - 04/08/08 05:39 PM
A biker is riding by the zoo, when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage.  Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents.
The biker  jumps off his bike, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly. 
A NY Times reporter has seen the whole scene, and addressing the … (10 comments)

Just A Box Of Rain - Not For DeadHeads Only - 04/08/08 05:07 PM
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day and we got to reminiscing, as Old Dudes sometimes do, and we soon settled on a topic of mutual interest - The Grateful Dead. Now my friend is about as button-down looking as you get, a suit-and-tie kind of Realtor, brush-cut hair, well respected in his community, active in his Association, very successful but with a crazy gleam in his eyes - if you look closely. 
Well, he gets to telling me about the first Dead show he went to in '68 and the copious amount of pharmaceuticals that were present … (12 comments)

Southern California's Premier Wine Country - Temecula Valley - 04/04/08 08:24 PM
The name Temecula comes from an old Luiseno Indian word commonly translated as 'Where The Sun Breaks Through The Mist.' It conjures up images of sun drenched rolling hills, snow capped mountain peaks and fresh ocean breezes - in short, an area that might lend itself to the cultivation of vineyards and the production of fine varietal wines.
Less than 60 miles north of San Diego and 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles lies Southwest Califiornia and the Temecula Valley Wine Country. Rolling hills covered with vineyards, expansive views reaching to 11,000 foot high mountains, air swept by ocean breezes, and a … (5 comments)