Art and Architecture of beautiful Palm Desert

Palm Desert is always in the vanguard artistically and architecturally here in the Coachella Valley. It was the first to commission signs—themed using giant slabs of flagstone—announcing various entry points of the city. The other cities quickly followed suite and the Valley is now replete with distinctive artwork demarcating each town's boundaries.

The city's homage to art is quickly apparent, with eye-catching sculpture adorning El Paseo and the major boulevards. Last week I highlighted some of the revolving artwork now gracing the sidewalks and meridians of the desert's Rodeo Drive.

 

The city recently unveiled its new Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, wonderfully ensconced on a huge lot at the corner of Hwy 111 and Monterey, across from the Westfield Shopping Center. The former empty lot has been artfully transformed into a destination showpiece encompassing the two city buildings and two high-end restaurants—Cuistot's and La Spiga.

 

Earthen berms covered in desert flora literally and figuratively shelter the city buildings from adjacent traffic, creating a veritable oasis of beauty and solitude within its protective embrace.

 

The Chamber of Commerce itself is itelf integrated into the earth, with blue agave and yellow-hued brittlebush and barrel cacti cascading down the "walls" of the edifice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strolling along the undulating paths punctuated by pots and palms, it's almost impossible to believe that Hwy 111 roars past a stone's throw away. Mosaic-infused walkways highlight the quiet spectacle of water and plants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The xeriscape includes Memorial Gardens in honor of Eric Johnson, a local landscape architect renowned for his pioneering work in drought-tolerant landscapes who left his imprint on many of the city's most distinctive landmarks.

I was remiss in not visiting the gardens upon their debut last year but now make a concerted effort to occassionally stop and savor this unique gem. If you're here in the Palm Springs area, make a point of dropping by the friendly and informative Visitor Center and perhaps get some landscaping ideas from the surrounding grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoyed reading this story, subscribe to my blog via email or news feed. That way you'll be alerted whenever I post a new article on the desert market or compelling home bargains.

Check out my website at DesertRealtoryMary

 

 

Wisconsin Bee Keeping and Waukesha County Real estate: Becoming a Creature of Habit.

We have a couple days of warm weather, and then we have some that are cold. The nights in Wisconsin are colder, and like anything else in life, cycles take place. I began to think about when I was a Wisconsin bee keeper not too long ago, how much I enjoyed it, and how it was very similar to Waukesha County Real Estate at times. If they have not done it by now a lot of Wisconsin Bee farmers will go out to their colonies , or have went out to their colonies, and after they clean the colonies, put a large sugar cake in the colony, and put a mite strip in there to protect to the colony, they will wrap the protection around the colony so the bees can get ready for Spring. The Queen will be checked to see how she is doing, the drones and workers as well. The hives with be checked for any pests or animals that may have tried to get at them, and in short, the colony will be secured until April when the colony will be opened for the bees to start their active plans. One can never understand the feeling that comes with bee keeping. Nature really took some time out and perfected the ritual. The sad thing is bees are vanishing at an alarming rate and when they are gone, there is a good chance the earth as we know it will be totally different.

Bees will go out up to seven miles and more to find flowers and flora to pollinate. In return there is nectar. I could get into the bad rap Honey bees get being put into the same categories as other bees, wasps, and hornets get classified into.That would be a whole post and it would be sad that by the time I got done you would realize how really important Honey bees play a part of life daily on earth. Further, man is doing his best to destroy them as well, and may not even know it. Awfully sad. A little trivia; the only food known to man that will never spoil, even in respect to age, is honey. Between cell phone signals, pesticides, magnetic polarities, and more factors, bees are diminishing in large numbers. Can you imagine a day when nothing, or very little is pollinated? I was a Wisconsin farmer and I can tell you that will be a sad day.

allows a person to see the organized skills paying off in their business, making sure the New Years goals are written, and ones game plan is exercised each day with consistency. Running my real estate business is really not that different from when I was a Bee keeper. The important thing that I always want to remain focused on is having an agenda. Soon I will be a part time farmer, and a bee keep again, and it will all be an adjustment; an adjustment that I will always welcome like the new business day that greets me everyday no matter where I am enjoying it. In the Waukesha County Real Estate market it's all productivity.

 

Wishing you a productive day, and see you at closing!

Tom Braatz         

Looking at finding a Waukesha County real estate agent? Like to buy or sell some Investment or Commercial property in Waukesha County? Like to know what your Waukesha Real Estate or Waukesha County Real Estate , or what your homes for sale in Waukesha County are worth on-line? Get it on-line:  Market Analysis Want to find that right home?  Dream Home Finder

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Support Our Troops on Veteran's Day AND throughout the Year

Veteran's Day is a day to loudly and proudly honor all of those who have bravely served our great country. 

This year, while we're remembering all of those who have served in the past, let's also do something to support our current active military.

Don't have any ideas of what you could do?  Well, here are just a few to get you started:

1. Send a letter or care package.  There are several websites that you can check out to get you the right information for this.  You can check out www.anysoldier.com, www.letterstosoldiers.org, and www.amillionthanks.org.
   
   
2. Donate blood for troops in combat.  There are blood banks and blood drives all over the country on an given day.  Your blood may stay within your community, or it could be the life-saving nectar for someone protecting your freedom.  You can check out www.militaryblood.dod.mil for more info.
   
   
3. Offer up your unused frequent flyer miles at www.homemiles.org.  This could not only get a soldier home for a little much needed R & R, but it could save us (taxpayers) a little dough, too.
   
   
4. Volunteer to foster a military personnel's pet through www.netpets.org/militarypet/foster.php.  So many of their beloved pet end up in shelters because they are leaving the country and can't take them along.  How awesome would it be for them if someone could take care of their pet while they're away, and then when they return, their pet is waiting for them!  I'm certain that's one of the best welcome-home gifts -- especially if their animals are their family!
   
   
5. Donate sports equipment, games and more to the troops through www.give2thetroops.org.  They do have some down-time, and while it isn't much, I'm sure it would be really nice to get a taste of home by being able to get a flag-football or basketball game going. 

 And don't forget to say THANK YOU to all past and active military this Veteran's Day (and after)!

  

*****************************************

We proudly serve and sell real estate in and around all of Charleston, SC.  If you are thinking about purchasing or selling your home in Charleston, Johns Island, James Island, Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, West Ashley, Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, North Charleston, Hanahan, Summerville, Goose Creek or other surrounding areas, and more importantly, want to work with a local area expert, contact us at your earliest convenience.

 

Jim and Maria Hart
Realtors®/ AgentOwned Realty
(843) 364-9845
hart@agentowned.com

 

Copyright © 2009 by Jim and Maria Hart (AgentOwned Realty).

 

Tips for First-Time Homebuyers, Repeat Buyers and Sellers to Close Escrow by July 1, 2010 (The Extension and Expansion of the Homebuyer Tax Credit)

Originally posted in my How Many Buyers and Sellers have Benefited from the $8000 Tax Credit post, which was written in line with the 2009 First-time Homebuyer $8000 tax credit deadline of November 30, the following tips may help first-time homebuyers, repeat buyers (i.e., move up buyers or empty nesters) and sellers close escrow before July 1, 2010 and reap the benefits of the Extension and Expansion of the Homebuyer Tax Credit.

FOR BUYERS who want to benefit from the $8,000 federal tax credit, taking advantage of low prices and attractive interest rates, the following tips may help you close escrow before July 1, 2010:

• You need to contact a REALTOR® today;
• You need to have a solid pre-approval from a reputable bank;
• You need proof of funds for cash deals;
• Don't waste time with low ball offers, have your REALTOR® run the sold comparable properties, make an educated offer and definitely in a multiple offer situation...put your best offer on the table because you may not get a second chance;
• Don't waste your time looking for houses out of your price range - you can only buy and a bank will only lend you money what you can afford to buy;
• Get in and out of attorney review (not sure about other states but here in NJ, listings in attorney review are still active listings and offers can still be submitted thus bumping your offer right off the table) and/or request the seller agree to back-up offers only;
• Even with the extension, most short sales, if not all short sales, will never close in time (by July 1, 2010);
• You lose control on purchases where the sellers need to find suitable housing before they can sell (your purchase would then be contingent upon the seller first finding another house); and
• You need to be under contract by the end of April 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2009.

FOR SELLERS who really want to sell their home, take advantage of today's affordability, and the expansion of the $6,500 tax credit, the following tips may help you close escrow before July 1, 2010:

• Price your home at market value from the start (Do NOT overprice);
• Work with a REALTOR® in your area who has an aggressive marketing plan;
• Make your home irresistible (do everything you can to make the home so attractive, charming, cozy, inviting, comfortable and exciting so that a buyer would want that lifestyle too);
• Be flexible with showings, lockbox and for sale sign (a home cannot sell if a buyer cannot get in to see it and even more importantly, it cannot be sold if nobody knows its for sale); 
• If you don't want to sell your house, don't put it on the market not only does it waste the time of buyers and their agents but it brings the property stats down as well);
• If selling and buying, do not make an offer on the house you want to buy until your house is under contract, and if at all possible, after the home inspection and mortgage contingencies are satisfied on your sale (most sellers will not sign a contract with a home sale contigency...would you?); and
• If selling and buying and if you qualify for the $6,500 tax credit, you need to be under contract no later than the end of April 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2009.

For more information on the First-Time Homebuyer $8000 Tax Credit Extension and the Expansion Credit of $6,500 to move-up buyers, please read my post First-Time Homebuyer Extended through April 30, 2010 and Expanded to Include Qualified Homeowners.

Even with the extension there is no reason for New Jersey buyers and sellers to still be waiting on the fence.  It takes time to buy and sell your New Jersey home.  Don't wait until the last minute...wouldn't you like to be in your new house before we spring forward?

 

 

 

 

Gina Chirico, Sales Associate

973-715-1158 (cell)

973-992-6363 ext 116 (office)

Gina.Chirico@PrudentialNewJersey.com

http://GinaChiricoRealEstate.com

****With deep roots in the Essex County, I service buyers and sellers throughout many Essex County communities and neighboring Morris, Passaic and Union Counties, specializing in the entire West Essex Communities (including Fairfield, Caldwell, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, Roseland, Essex Fells, Verona and Cedar Grove) and my hometown areas of Belleville, Bloomfield and Nutley.****

 When Opportunity Knocks...Make Sure Gina Chirico is There to Answer Your Door!

                   

Golf Carts on La Quinta Streets

This past Tuesday, the La Quinta City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that will allow a pilot program for golf cart use on certain city streets.  The pilot program may be implemented as soon as mid-January with the issuance of two-year permits.  The cost of the permits is expected to be available at the Council's December 1st meeting.

Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage are two Coachella Valley cities that are currently using the program with great success.  The program abides by state law that does not allow the use of the golf cart for more than two people and 16 year old drivers must have a valid driver's license.  Seat belts and a rooftop are also required.  The maximum speed of a golf cart cannot exceed is 15 MPH and the golf carts will be restricted to designated golf cart lanes on city streets, designated golf cart paths and select neighborhoods with streets that have 25 MPH speed limit postings.  The main idea, explained in the council meeting, is to allow access throughout La Quinta Cove, to the Village and Old Town La Quinta areas, the SilverRock Resort and the La Quinta Resort and Club.  After reviewing the success of the pilot program, City Council members have indicated that the program may go citywide. 

 

To view La Quinta developments, custom estates & golf course communities visit our comprehensive website at www.LQ-Homes.com.  Contact us at 1-760-567-9100, we are here to help you find the desert home of your dreams or sell your home for top dollar!

Copyright © 2009 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 

Barry Manilow's "Gift of Love" Charity Shows at the McCallum

Barry Manilow will be performing at the McCallum Theater December 4th -5th and December 7th - 9th with all the proceeds from the concerts going to 25 local charities. 

As a resident of our Coachella Valley, Barry Manilow's impact and generosity toward his neighbors in the desert is legendary and we are proud to have him represent us!  Tickets will range from $85 to $250 and a limited number of Premium Tickets from $750 to $1,000, which include a champagne reception and photo with Barry.  Barry Manilow is scheduled to perform his hit songs and special holiday songs from his new Christmas album.  As Barry Manilow fans, we will be there and hope to see you there also!

Below is a list of charities that will benefit from Barry's concerts at the McCallum:

ACT for MS - Palm Desert
Angel View Crippled Children's Foundation
Animal Samaritans
Barbara Sinatra Children's Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS of the Desert)
Boys & Girls Club of the Coachella Valley
Desert AIDS Project
Desert Arc
Desert Samaritans for the Elderly
Desert Paws
FIND Food Bank, Inc.
Gilda's Club Desert Cities California
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Healthy Family Foundation: The Ophelia Project
Joslyn Senior Center
Mourning Star Center
Olive Crest
One Heartland
Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped
Shelter From The Storm
Stroke Recovery Center
Temple Isaiah Fund
The Living Desert
United Cerebral Palsy - Inland Empire
Variety Club of the Desert

 

To view La Quinta developments, custom estates & golf course communities visit our comprehensive website at www.LQ-Homes.com.  Contact us at 1-760-567-9100, we are here to help you find the desert home of your dreams or sell your home for top dollar!

Copyright © 2009 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 

History Of Veterans Day - November 11th

History Of Veterans Day - November 11th

So have you wondered why Veterans day is always on November 11th with no accounting for what day of the week it falls on?  Why not on Monday like most other holidays?

Here is a short History Of Veterans Day.  Go back to 1918 when an armistice or cessation of fighting went into effect during World War I.  The armistice began at 11:00 in the morning on November 11th, and I remember as a kid hearing the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month was "armistice day."

For years starting in 1938 Armistice day was the holiday until 1954 when it was changed to Veterans day and became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars.  They also changed the date to Monday to allow for a longer holiday.

In 1977 President Jerry Ford signed into law that starting in 1978, by the will of the American people, that the date would revert back to the 11th of November.

This is, I believe, more fitting as a special day to honor our Veterans and should not fluctuate.

Remember all our Veterans at 11:00 on 11/11/2009.

 

Pick up the phone and let me welcome you home!

Cochran Air Show in Thermal

Today is the Jacqueline Cochran Air Show in Thermal.  Aircraft, aviators and skydivers will be performing or displayed on the ground and in the air.  The show will also include the Air Force F-16 Viper West Coast Demo Team and the U.S. Navy F-18 Demo Team, along with 21 members of the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight program and the Golden Stars Skydiving Team.

As the daughter of an Air Force Officer, I have always loved watching the air shows when we lived at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and now the same thrills can be experienced at our local air show!  The cost is FREE and is at the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport at 56-850 Higgins Drive in Thermal from 9:45 AM to 3 PM today.

9:45 am	Opening Ceremonies
10:00 am	T-28 Formation Fly-bys
10:20 am	Martin Kennedy
10:35 am	Jon Melby & Rob Harrison
10:50 am	Model Aircraft Group
11:20 am	Doug Jardine
11:40 am	Red Bull Mig
11:55 am	Melissa Pemberton
12:30 pm	Bear Cat & Zero Performance
12:45 pm	Martin Kennedy
1:00 pm	Rob Harrison and the Zlin 50
1:15 pm	Jon Melby
1:35 pm	Golden Stars Skydiving Team & Melissa Pemberton
1:50 pm	Viper West F-16 Demostration Team & Heritage Flight
2:15 pm	Doug Jaradine
2:30 pm	C-17 Demonstration
3:00 pm	Fly-by's as Authorized

To view La Quinta developments, custom estates & golf course communities visit our comprehensive website at www.LQ-Homes.com.  Contact us at 1-760-567-9100, we are here to help you find the desert home of your dreams or sell your home for top dollar!

Copyright © 2009 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 

Patriot Park "Healing Field Memorial" Ceremony

This Sunday, November 8th at 11 AM, there will be an opening ceremony  for the Healing Field Memorial at the Patriot Park located at the northeast corner of Date Palm and Dinah Shore Drive.  Five thousand six foot flags will be displayed and each honors a military serviceman or servicewoman killed during operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

For the past four years this event has commemorated the sacrifice our servicemen and women have experienced fighting for our country. Each flag will have the name, age, hometown and branch of service of each service member who has lost their life. Four of the flags will honor those soldiers from the Coachella Valley.  The Healing Field will be on display until November 14th.

I have been unable to attend the Patriot Park ceremonies in the past, but recently was in the hills above Malibu by Pepperdine and can tell you that it is an incredibly moving display of the losses our country has sustained in the fight for freedom.  Whatever your politics, this is an event that is worthy of your support.

To view La Quinta developments, custom estates & golf course communities visit our comprehensive website at www.LQ-Homes.com.  Contact us at 1-760-567-9100, we are here to help you find the desert home of your dreams or sell your home for top dollar!

Copyright © 2009 Susan Laxson. All Rights Reserved. Information from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 

Three Tips On Choosing Something Or Not

In the field of time management sometimes many of us feel like the Wizard of Oz character the Scarecrow and say to ourselves, "If I Only Had a Brain." Well we all have a brain and we need to use it with our selections in life. Here's

Three Tips On Choosing Something Or Not.

1) Values / Meaning - Look at what you are doing and ask yourself if it is "aligned" with what is important to you. For example I can't help but chuckle in the blogging world with those that spend countless HOURS blogging each day but complain there business has suffered for the year. Maybe less blogging??! Duh.

 

2) Substitution - this is such an elemental observation that completely eludes most people. You CAN'T do it all. If you pick up volunteering on Thursday afternoons and that is important to you, guess what? You can't also be doing money producing activities like showing clients houses that day. Remember as you add a new item to your choices you are typically subtracting something else. The art of carefully subtracting those things you don't want to do anymore is where your brain needs to be fully aware of something "LEAVING" your life. It is all good, if you are the one in control.

3) Finally, Evaluation. It is ok to be a different person today than you were a year ago. Last year was practicing Yoga. This year you are training for marathons. Last year you were part of a team at a big established, national name Realtor company. This year you are your own Broker at Susie's XYZ Realtor company and more your own boss. Evaluate constantly. Unsubscribe from those distribution email lists that you THOUGHT originally provided you with meaningful information but now just clog up your InBox.

You are in charge. Your life is made up of a series of choices. Keep making better ones as you go along. Whether high heels, running shoes, flats, or 'Texas' boots, make your way through life in your style. And ENJOY the ride.