Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 31, 2008
Real Estate Market activity in zip codes 90031, 90032, 90041, 90042, 90065 for March 24 thorugh March 30, 2008, as reported in I-Tech MLS:
These zip codes include the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 30, 2008
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from I-Tech MLS
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from Combined L.A. Westside MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 29, 2008
Listing of Saturday's Open Houses from I-Tech MLS
Listing of Saturday's Open Houses from Combined L.A. Westside MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Blue Casa
March 28, 2008
Look for La Casa Blue on "The Cho Show" on VH1. http://www.margaretcho.com/tv/tv.htm Margaret Cho recently filmed an episode of her zany show here on the La Casa Blue main stage.
Come meet our new chefs, David and Julio from Juanita's Restaurant formerly on Eagle Rock Boulevard. We have a wonderful new four page Mexican California fusion dinner menu, so come check it out.
Tuesday thru Saturday It's our Happy Hour (food specials) form 5 PM to 9 PM.
Fridays: local bands provided by Mockingbird Productions, Mystery Beer specials.
Saturday & Sundays: Open early for Champagne Brunch 8AM to 2PM.
Saturday night: Original Music performances by local musicians & 2.50 XX all the time.
Sunday: 8AM to 2PM Champagne Brunch for god sakes!
Beer bust starts at 2PM and goes till 9 pm.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 28, 2008
Republished from "A Tenderfoot In Southern California" a delightful collection of letters by Mina Deana Halsey, written in 1908 and now in public domain.
Los Angeles Streets
I got into Los Angeles in ample time to go through their annual tearing up period.
You know, there is something funny about this. Just as soon as winter comes, Los Angeles begins to tear up its streets from one end to the other.
All summer long, when mighty few strangers are in town, there is nothing doing. But just as sure as fine fall sun-shiny weather begins, then an army marches forth, and proceeds to dig up every blamed street in town.
It is just the same, year in and year out. Its got to be a joke with the tourists, for Los Angeles wouldnt look natural to 'em, when they come out to spend the winter, if the whole shopping district wasnt well nigh impassable.
They will finish putting down a macadamized street one day, and by jingo, during the following night, I'll be hanged if some fellar hasnt figured out how to tear it up. Needn't take my word for it, Bill.
Here's another fellar kicking through the columns of a Los Angeles newspaper:
SPEED THE DAY!
Will there ever come a season,
When the workmen will abstain
From ripping loose the asphalt
On Broadway, Spring and Main?
After you've cussed yourself sick, trying to squirm your way under horses' noses and women's four-story hats-falling over a couple of hundred little wooden saw-horses the workmen stick up any old place in the middle of the street, while they patch up a few dozen holes--go and hire an automobile at $4.00 per hour (--yep, they soak you that much in the Angel City) and take a ride out of the city through the beautiful residence portion of the town.
The country and residence portion is all right --glorious sunshine, and views--but suffering Peter, the roads--the roads!! Bill, I never worked so hard and paid $4.00 an hour for the privilege or doing so, in all my life--never!
We hit every chuck hole from Pasadena to the ocean. Now, when I tell you this, it means a whole lot more to me that it does to you, for it is a sore subject to look back on, I tell you.
There are little holes and big holes, long holes and short holes, holes you fall in all over, and the kind you pull in after you, on your way down. There are mud holes, water holes, oil holes, dust holes, in fact, Bill, every known variety of chuck holes you ever thought of, can be found in and around Los Angeles.
--MDH
(Editor's note: The more things change, the more they stay the same!)
Posted by ArroyoSeco Art
March 26, 2008
This estate sale one is unique to the Northeast and its place in local history. The hope is to keep some of the items local.
This weekend, starting Friday, March 28 at 8AM and ongoing through the weekend, the collection of local residents, Bill Baker and Florian Gabriel will be on sale at their 1897 Colonial Four Square home at 200 N. Ave 66, north of York and west of the 110 Fwy at Marmion Way/Ave 64 exit. -- not far from Judson Studios.
The house is filled with 55 yrs. of designer, decorator, and artist treasures. Florian was a former designer of Stephen Crane & Associates, and well known in the Tiki design movement in Los Angeles and was a volunteer at the Southwest Museum. He collected numerous cultural items that may be of interest.
Tons of great attic items are to be brought down each day for the 1st few days of the sale. (As room allows.)
If a sale like this appeals to you, please come out and take a look at the sale, support a local resident and see this home's recently restored exterior recognized with a recent 2007/2008 HPHT award.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 24, 2008
Real Estate Market activity in zip codes 90031, 90032, 90041, 90042, 90065 for March 17 thorugh March 23, 2008, as reported in I-Tech MLS:
These zip codes include the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 23, 2008
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from I-Tech MLS
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from Combined L.A. Westside MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Lummis Day
March 22, 2008
Noted Southern California poets Lory Bedikian and William Archila will read poetry and discuss their
participation in the Lummis Day Library Program on three broadcasts of "Poets Cafe," a regularly
scheduled half-hour program airing every second Wednesday at noon on public radio station KPFK 90.7 FM.
The first radio program in KPFK's Lummis Day series will be broadcast at noon on Wednesday, March 26 and will be heard streaming soon thereafter at www.kpfk.org The additional programs will air on April 9 and April 23. All three programs will be moderated by Kate Gaidos of the Los Angeles Public Library and produced and engineered for KPFK by Marlene Bond.
The library poetry program, which begins in late April and continues on consecutive Saturdays through May, will lead into the gala poetry reading that serves as the opening event of the Lummis Day Festival on June 1 at Lummis Home. William Archila, Lory Bedikian and others will read their work at afternoon library gatherings in April and May. On alternating weeks, Archila and Bedikian will also be conducting free writing workshops -- giving poetry lovers and library-goers a chance to find their own artistic oices. Finally, at a wrap-up party at the Braun Library of the Southwest Museum, emerging writers will share their work in company with more established poets and other artists.
William Archila received his MFA from the University of Oregon. His poems have appeared in the Georgia Review, AGN1, Crab Orchard Review, Poetry International, the Los Angeles Review, Notre Dame and Portland Review, among others. His work will also appear in Puerto Del Sol. His first book, The Art of Exile, is forthcoming from Bilingual Press.
Lory Bedikian earned her MFA from the University of Oregon where she received the Dan Kimble First Year Teaching Award in Poetry. Her collection of poetry has been selected as a finalist in both the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Open Competition and the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award Competition. She has been published in various journals including the Connecticut Review, Heliotrope, and Poetry International. She currently writes a column, "Poetry Matters," for the Armenian Reporter.
The Lummis Day library program was designed and organized by Lummis Day Community Foundation members Kate Gaidos, a librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library Arroyo Seco Branch; Elizabeth Garcia, field representative for Anthony Portantino, Assemblymember, 44th State Assembly District; Suzanne Lummis, founder, Los Angeles Poetry Festival; and Anna Liza Posas, reference librarian, Braun Research Library of the Autry National Center.
Support for the Lummis Day Library program and the Festival's June 1 gala poetry reading at Lummis Home is provided by Poets & Writers Inc. through a grant it has received from the James Irvine Foundation.
Lummis Day is presented by the Annenberg Foundation and the Autry National Center. Festival sponsors include the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Arroyo Seco, Eagle Rock, Greater Cypress Park and Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Councils, public radio station KPFK 90.7, the Arroyo Seco Journal, Poets & Writers, Inc., the North Figueroa Association, Los Angeles City Council Districts 1 and 14, the Historical Society of Southern California, Heritage Square Museum, the Highland Park Heritage Trust, the Mount Washington Association, the Los Angeles Poetry Festival and other community organizations.
Visit www.lummisday.org for updates on all Lummis Day events.
#####
Contact: Eliot Sekuler
818-535-9178
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 22, 2008
Listing of Saturday's Open Houses from I-Tech MLS
Listing of Saturday's Open Houses from Combined L.A. Westside MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Brian Brady
March 21, 2008
Los Angeles mortgage markets are taking pause today, in honor of Good Friday. It was another dramatic week with Ben Bernanke playing John Wayne. Last weekend, Bernanke brokered a deal that handed Bear Stearns over to Jamie Dimon and JP Morgan Chase. Last week, a share of Bear Stearns traded for the price of a tankful of gasoline, this week, it trades around the price of a Starbucks cup of coffee. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac agreed to buy a lot of mortgages, $200 billion worth to be precise. This buoyed up the mortgage bonds market and had a positive effect on Los Angeles mortgage rates.
Let's lock those rates, now. I don't see a whole lot more reward on the horizon and the risk of higher rates will increase next week.
ARM rates are out of whack, again, and the fixed-rate mortgages are the best priced. Today, the wholesale rate for a 30-year fixed-rate loan is 5.625%. If you called me, you would get that 30-year fixed rate loan for 1% of the loan amount plus $499 for an APR of 5.89%. A 15-year fixed rate mortgage can be locked for 4.875% for an APR of 5.15%. That's about .75% less than what rates were on March 10. My advice to stay calm, in the face of panic, and float rates, panned out.
If you need specific advice, about a mortgage, contact me here.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 21, 2008
Republished from "A Tenderfoot In Southern California" a delightful collection of letters by Mina Deana Halsey, written in 1908 and now in public domain.
Don't Take Any Winter Clothes
When I came out to California, Bill, some blamed idiot who knew it all, advised me what to bring.
He said -- (and I'll bet my old pair of suspenders he never saw California) says he,
"Don't take any winter clothes out there with you, its such a hot country you wont need 'em".
Wall, I didnt, and by gum, I like froze to death.
All I had in that blamed trunk of mine was some peek-a-boo underwear and drop sitched stockings.
I wore a summer suit and a straw hat out on the train, to keep cool, and was snow bound on the way to Los Angeles, and frost bitten, by gum, after I got here. It sure was a cold night when we pulled in, and as the train was four or five hours late, I footed it uptown, to a hotel.
I didn't put up at Mr. Alexandria's or the Van Noose, as I heard on the train they charged you extra to blow your nose, if you stopped there. So I found a room on Main Street (which is nothing to be proud of) and the landlady hollered after me, as I went up the stairs, not to blow out the gas.
I didnt.
By gum, I was so stiff with the cold, I kept it burning all night to melt the icicles I knew must be hanging to the end of my nose. There was only one measley pair of summer blankets on that bed, and the pillows were so small, I came blamed near losing 'em in my ear before morning.
I went to bed with all my clothes on, and the rest of the night I laid there and shook with cold until I jarred the bed, and some fellar who had a room under mine, pounded on the ceiling, and told me to make less noise up there.
Wall, I couldnt help it -- the slats in the old bed were loose and rattled, anyway.
---MDH
Posted by ArroyoSeco Art
March 19, 2008
Our early ancestors were deeply aware of changes in the seasons, and changes in the heavens above them. Indeed, our ancestors ignored such changes at their peril.
While they may not have known the physical dynamics or the astronomical term Vernal Equinox, as the days lengthened and grew warmer, the ancients were aware of a coming time of balance between dark and light.
Our early ancestors would be busy now, making final repairs to their plows, preparing their draft animals to pull the plows, checking their store of seed corn to plant. Their survival in the next year would depend much upon the corn seeds they were about to plant.
Thus, rituals that marked spring planting time celebrated the fertility of the earth, the viability of the seed, and entreated the gods and goddesses to ensure an abundant crop.
The ancient Saxons celebrated these rite-of-spring rituals with an uproarious festival, called by some Ostara, commemorating the goddess of rebirth and fertility, Eostre, and seeking her blessing upon the fields and crops.
When the second-century Christian missionaries encountered the Saxon tribes of the north, they attempted to convert the tribes to Christianity. These missionaries decided to spread their religious message slowly throughout the populations by allowing the people to continue to celebrate feasts of the old ways, but to do so in a Christian manner.
As the Christian celebration overtook the old ways, the goddess name, Eostre, eventually morphed to the modern word and spelling, Easter.
In A.D. 325, the Council of Nicaea was convened by emperor Constantine. It issued the Easter Rule which states that Christian Easter shall be celebrated on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox, further blending the ancient Rite-of-Spring celebration with Christian Easter.
Posted by Brian Brady
March 18, 2008
The Federal Reserve Bank Cut both the discount rate and federal funds rate .75% today in an effort to stimulate this slowing economy. While commodities' prices accelerate, the housing market and subsequent liquidity crisis is dragging the economy into a recession.
We call this phenomenon stagflation and it's REALLY bad for the economy. The Fed has been aggressively cutting interest rates and the declining housing market is closing down mortgage companies, investment banking firms, and real estate brokerages. What more can the Fed do to help?
The Fed can (and will) buy mortgage-backed securities.
Rather than to buy treasury notes in the open market, the Fed will be buying mortgage-backed securities. They will want to get those assets off investment banking firms' balance sheets and provide stability to the MBS market. Remember when I said that only the uneducated pay attention to the treasury note to determine the direction of mortgage rates? Today is proof.
The spread between treasury notes and mortgage-backed securities has been widening these past six weeks. Why? America was considered to be a sub-prime nation; everybody was expected to default on their home loans. Expect the Fed to prop up the MBS market in the next 4-6 weeks. That will be bad for treasury notes and good for MBS.
Remember when I compared this to the junk bond crisis of the early 90's and advised you not to panic? Now is the time to take action. There will be some great opportunities to lock into a low mortgage rates during the rest of this month. If you're closing a loan in less than 14 days, lock your rate. Otherwise, float and see mortgage rates decline a bit.
I am always available for your question at (858)-777-9751. March has been a very busy month for us so I may not be able to answer your questions immediately.
Posted by Maggie Lobl
March 17, 2008
The market was hopping last week due to the warm weather, long days and – apparently – big appetites for all the new produce.
I scored a large bag of goodies – all of it organic – for what I thought was a great bargain. This week, my acquisitions included:
• 2 bunches of asparagus (both the thick and think versions were available – I chose thick, which are better for grilling).
• 1 bunch of carrots (tops on –the greens go into my compost bin)
• 3 cucumbers
• 3 zucchini
• 3 small eggplant
• 1 bunch of celery
• 3 Gala apples (Fuji were also available)
• 1 gorgeous Asian pear
• 1 plump pink grapefruit
All of the above were organic and all of it cost me a grand total of $15. As of today, we’ve eaten about half of it (there are 2 adults in my house, no kids). The asparagus and eggplant went on the grill (to go on a bed of cous cous from Trader Joes for a quick dinner ready in about 10 minutes). The zucchini was grated and mixed into pasta sauce. The celery was chopped up to add crunch to egg salad and tuna salad. I have some leftover to put into soup, along with some of the carrots. The apples, pear and grapefruit have been great just for snacking throughout the day, when my sweet tooth hits.
This is only the beginning of what promises to be a great year for locally grown fruits and veggies! All of the rains we endured over the winter will really begin to pay off now.
The market is found every Tuesday from 3- 8 p.m. on Avenue 58 and Marmion Way, between the Gold Line station and Figueroa Blvd. There is FREE PARKING after 4 p.m. in the lot adjacent to the market.
See you there. ML
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 17, 2008
Market activity in zip codes 90031, 90032, 90041, 90042, 90065 for March 10 through March 16, 2008 as reported in I-Tech MLS:
These zip codes include the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by ArroyoSeco Art
March 17, 2008
Caught at a crossroads? Having trouble with your career or personal relationships? Then come to our free workshop and see if self-help author Richard Blacker can shed some light.
Blacker, author of "Finding Your Path Through Life: A personalized guide to making life decisions that are right for you," teaches an anxiety-free way to make choices based on your unique personality.
The workshop will include exercises to enhance your self-knowledge. Even if you're content with your current path, stop by and gain a deeper understanding about life choices and decision-making skills.
All ages welcome.
Saturday, March 22, 2008 2 PM
Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library
6145 N. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 255-0537
http://events.lapl.org/viewEvent.cfm?eventID=17329
More information about Richard Blacker:
http://www.middlepathpress.com/MIDDLE_PATH.html
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 16, 2008
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from I-Tech MLS
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from Combined L.A. Westside MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 16, 2008
Republished from "A Tenderfoot In Southern California" a delightful collection of letters by Mina Deana Halsey, written in 1908 and now in public domain.
When It Rains
There are three things in California that are different from the same three things any where else on earth.
They are sunshine, moonshine, and rain. I might add the biggest liars for the fourth, but that is another story.
I've seen it rain some in my time, but by gum, when it rains in California, its got all the rest of the country skinned to death. Where one drop lights on you in a back east rain-storm, a bucketful strikes you in the same spot, out here.
It rains in sheets, in blankets, and in comforters, and then some. Every drop certainly must be a comforter, for you never saw people so tickled to death over a rain-storm as these Californians are.
Every blamed man, woman and child, acts like they'd struck a gold mine in their own back yard.
And when after one of these glorious rains, the sun comes out--I mean real California sunshine, not a blinking, watery-eyed sun, peeking around the corner of a cloud, and then dodging back for fear some one saw it--(the back home kind)-- no sir-ree, I mean the real thing that just beams on you, and throws a shine over everything until your eyes hurt, and you wonder if it aint made of different stuff than the kind you left back east in Illinois.
It makes the trees come back to life and grow young again, the flowers open up in brighter colors than before, and the hills are carpeted with green velvet, as far as the eye can reach.
And a funny feeling comes creeping over you--they've all got it out here--but for the life of me, I cant describe it to you. You'll have to come out and feel it for yourself, Bill.
---MDH
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 15, 2008
Posted by Avenue 50
March 12, 2008
Artists In Discussion
Please join the Aliados Con Amnesty network of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) and Avenue 50
Studio as we present a discussion from selected artists of this year's Presente! Homenaje a la Mujer
exhibition. The artists will relate the inspiration and story behind their work. Aliados Con Amnesty
Network of AI will introduce their “stop violence against women” campaign. Please join us for a
moving, as well as educational, discussion.
When: Thursday, March 13, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Where: Avenue 50 Studio, Inc., 131 No. Avenue 50,
Highland Park, CA 90042
For more information contact: Kathy Gallegos, 323/258-1435
Avenue 50 Studio131 No. Avenue 50 Highland Park, CA 90042
Posted by Brian Brady
March 10, 2008
Warren Buffett describes his investment philosophy as being fearful when everyone else is greedy and greedy when everyone is fearful. Today, fear abounds in the mortgage bonds market and that is driving mortgage rates higher.
Rampant fear is why I'm suggesting that borrowers float their mortgage rate. I had been advising borrowers to lock loans, until all hell broke loose, on March 6,2007. Investors are worried that the mortgage bonds they hold will be worthless. This market is a lot like the junk bond market of the late 80s. Those that panicked lost money; those that kept a cool head, profited.
Today a 30 year fixed rate loan is offered at 6.25%, up from 5.875%, and a 7 year ARM is at 6.125%, up from 4.875%.
Can you see how much panic there has been in less than a week?
I think the market will calm down and traders will pay attention to the economic figures. The Consumer Price Index is due out Friday and that should be the big market mover. Float your mortgage rates, for now. Keep alert and keep checking back.
Contact me at (858)-777-9751 with questions or apply for a mortgage online for a quick response.
Posted by Maggie Lobl
March 10, 2008
Hi, everybody! It's been a long time since I've written in.... I got very busy with work (I'm sure many of you can relate) and then I was out of town for a bit. But now I'm back. The weather is gorgeous and as of this weekend, the days are even longer. That means that it's still light out at the market in the evenings, up until almost 7, so it's easy to get there after work and you can actually see the produce you are selecting.
And there are so many good things to buy right now! Citrus, of course, is king this time of year. The lemons, oranges, tangerines, tangelos and grapefruit are abundant, juicy and delicious and packed with vitamin C. Other good things to indulge in right now are eggplants, broccoli and asparagus.
Here's a fantastic and simple way to eat farm fresh, spring asparagus... Snap off the hard ends and simply boil or steam it until is is bright green and still crisp (maybe 5 minutes, if it's thin), then just toss it with a little bit of butter, a squeeze of lemon juice (see citrus, above) and salt and pepper. The whole operation takes about 10 minutes and this is a nice side dish with any kind of protein you like or maybe just for a healthy snack or even with an egg and toast for breakfast (and don't forget the fresh squeezed orange juice!). Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and a great time to get in a few servings of fruits and vegetables.
The market is found every Tuesday from 3- 8 p.m. on Avenue 58 and Marmion Way, between the Gold Line station and Figueroa Blvd. There is FREE PARKING after 4 p.m. in the lot adjacent to the market.
See you there. ML
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 10, 2008
Market activity in zip codes 90031, 90032, 90041, 90042, 90065 for March 2 through March 9, 2008 as reported in I-Tech MLS:
These zip codes include the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 9, 2008
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from I-Tech MLS
Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from Combined L.A. Westside MLS
Featuring Open Houses in the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 8, 2008
The second Saturday of every month is Gallery Night in Northeast Los Angeles: Your opportunity to explore the Galleries, Shops, Restaurants and Nightlife in the historic and eclectic neighborhoods of Northeast Los Angeles. Maybe even purchase art for your home or office.
Tour participating galleries this Saturday, March 8, from 7PM - 10 PM, then wrap with drinks and music at Mr. T's Bowl, or La Casa Blue.
More info here: http://www.nelaart.org/
And here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NELAart/
Mr. T's Bowl: http://mrtsbowl.tripod.com/
La Casa Blue: http://www.lacasablue.com/
Posted by Brian Brady
March 6, 2008
Los Angeles mortgage rates skyrocketed this week and are .5% higher than Monday. Two things have driven mortgage rates higher:
1- The threat of inflation is omnipresent in every economic report.
2- Two mortgage companies defaulted on their lines of credit.
Remember when I talked about how important it is to use a mortgage planner who subscribes to real-time MBS pricing?
Why am I so adamant about the fact that the ten-year treasury note is not the determining factor of mortgage rates? The statement is factually incorrect. While the two securities often move in concert, polarity can occur and sometimes does; this is one of those times. The ten-year T-note is considered the benchmark, not bellwether fixed-income security. This means that all other securities are compared to the 10-year T-note (we call that the “spread”). It is GENERALLY a guiding indicator of ALL rates, however, in times or crisis or exuberance, it can’t be relied upon for other fixed-income securities’ direction. Spreads to the T-note widen and narrow due to extraneous variables.
Today
is what of those times. Most loan originators will be telling you to
lock today because the treasury bond market is up. Today, I'm telling
you to hold off your rate locks until the mortgage market goes through
some price discovery.
I think that traders are
overreacting to the defaults. New mortgages, funded today, do not have
the same risk to investors as the loans funded in 2003-2006. The
stricter underwriting guidelines will actually be the saving grace;
mortgage rates will come back down when Wall Street realizes that the
past doesn't equal the present. Big economic news is due out on
tomorrow; the employment report.
So, wait. Don't lock your mortgage rate today. You should check Mortgage Rates Report often to see any developments. While I recommend that you float your mortgage rate (if you don't have it locked already), I could change that recommendation on a dime.
Posted by Avenue 50
March 4, 2008
Presente! Homenaje a la Mujer ~ Homage to Woman
A Group Art Exhibition
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 7:00 pm
The Aliados con Amnesty network of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) and Avenue 50 Studio present
¡Presente! Homenaje a la Mujer, a group exhibition including nearly 100 artists from the U.S. and around the world. The exhibition includes a variety of 2-D and 3-D art by both male and female artists. The exhibition coincides with International Women’s Day. Its purpose is to celebrate women and to create awareness of AIUSA’s Stop Violence Against Women Campaign.
The Aliados con Amnesty network is a group of young Latino activists engaged in promoting human rights and to inspire activism. Avenue 50 Studio is a non-profit art gallery located in Highland Park that enhances public recognition and appreciation of multicultural art. The exhibition is being organized by three women: Kathy Gallegos, Director of Avenue 50 Studio; Julissa Gómez, AIUSA Field Organizer; and Liliana Herrera, AIUSA Latino Outreach Coordinator, all of whom are passionate about “artivism” -- activism through the arts.
Exhibition Dates: March 8 – April 6, 2008
Avenue 50 Studio hours: Tue-Thurs 10:00-12:00; Sat-Sun 10:00-4:00 or by appointment
Avenue 50 Studio
131 North Avenue 50, Los Angeles, CA 90042
www.avenue50studio.com
Posted by Brian Brady
March 3, 2008
Lock all interest rates at application. The unrest in Asian markets is bleeding to the US and traders are more concerned about the inflation risk than the possibility of a recession. Economists believe that The Fed's easy money policy is really an investor bailout disguised as a recession aversion. They think it's compromising the integrity of our economy. As commodities prices (oil, food) accelerate, so may consumer, non-essential prices.
I still favor mid-term ARMs over 30 year-fixed rate loans. We offer a 7-year fixed period ARM at 4.875% (5.18% apr) while a 30-year fixed rate loan is a full percentage point higher.. When you consider that the average hold time for a mortgage is five years, the 7-year fixed period ARM makes a whole bunch of sense.
It should be a volatile week ahead with lots of economic data being released. Keep checking www.mortgageratesreport.com for updates. Want your rate quote and good-faith-estimate reviewed FREE? Fax it to (858)-605-4230 and call (858)-777-9751 to let me know it's there.
Posted by Cheryl Johnson
March 3, 2008
Market activity in zip codes 90031, 90032, 90041, 90042, 90065 for February 25 through March 2, 2008 as reported in I-Tech MLS:
These zip codes include the Los Angeles communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Sycamore Grove, Garvanza, Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Monterey Hills, and Hermon.
Posted by Lummis Day
March 1, 2008
3rd Annual “Lummis Day: The Festival Of Northeast Los Angeles” Scheduled For Sunday, June 1, 2008, 11am-7pm
Los Angeles— The 3rd annual Lummis Day: The Festival of Northeast Los Angeles event, a free, public celebration of the diverse culture and history of the L.A.’s Arroyo neighborhoods, will take place on Sunday, June 1, featuring musical, visual, culinary and literary artists representing an array of the region’s cultural traditions.
This year’s Lummis Day event will be presented by the Annenberg Foundation and the Autry National Center, with over a dozen community organizations, neighborhood councils, City Council Districts 1 and 14, the Department of Recreation and Parks, public radio station KPFK 90.7 and KMEX-TV acting as sponsors.
Principal activities for the event will be staged as Sycamore Grove Park at 4900 N. Figueroa Street, where music, art, multi-cultural performances and food service begins at 12:30 pm, and at Lummis Home, 200 E. Avenue 43, where the program will begin with an 11:00 am poetry reading followed by a “trek” led along the route of Arroyo Seco riverbed. The Festival will feature musicians, local restaurants, dancers, performing artists and visual artists representing many cultural traditions of the Southern California region.
Last year’s event drew over 3,500 people to events at Sycamore Grove Park and Lummis Home. Over 25 community groups, a dozen galleries and half dozen restaurants participated.
Lummis Day takes its name from Charles Fletcher Lummis, who served as the L.A. Times’ first city
editor in 1876. Lummis was also one of the city’s first librarians, founded the Southwest Museum and helped introduce the concept of multi-culturalism to Southern California. The Lummis Day Community Foundation--composed of a broad cross-section of community activists-—hopes the third annual event will again serve to celebrate the diverse culture and history of the Arroyo neighborhoods, strengthen linkages among cultural, commercial and community resources and create a framework for future civic, creative and commercial growth in Northeast Los Angeles.
The Lummis Day program includes an educational curriculum offered to teachers in the Los Angeles
Unified School system which has already provided training and background to over 40 area teachers in the history, geography, demographics and cultural life of Northeast Los Angeles.
A program of reading and presentations in Los Angeles libraries, begun on a modest scale in 2007, is
expanding this year to include events on four consecutive Saturdays beginning April 26 at the El Sereno Branch Library and continuing with events at the Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library (May 3), the Eagle Rock Branch Library (May 10), the Cypress Park Brnach Library (May 17. The series will culminate in a Saturday May 24 party at the Southwest Museum's Braun Library with music, poetry, an open mic, refreshments and a book sale. All events are free and open to the public. The Lummis Day Library program and the Festival's June 1 gala poetry reading at Lummis Home are sponsored by Poets & Writers Inc. through a grant it has received from the James Irvine Foundation.
“Lummis Day” is presented by the Annenberg Foundation and the Autry National Center and sponsored by the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, the Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council, the Department of Recreation and Parks, public radio station KPFK 90.7, SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans) and the North Figueroa Association with the support of Los Angeles City Council Districts 1 and 14, the Mount Washington Association, the Heritage Square Museum, the Highland Park Heritage Trust, the Eagle Rock Arts Center, the L.A. Poetry Festival and other community organizations.
Established in 1989 by Walter H. Annenberg, the Annenberg Foundation provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations in the United States and globally through its headquarters in Radnor, Pennsylvania and offices in Los Angeles, California. Its major program areas are education and youth development; arts, culture and humanities; civic and community life; health and human services; and animal services and the environment. In addition, the Foundation operates a number of initiatives which expand and complement these program areas. The nnenberg Foundation exists to advance the public well-being through improved communication. As the principal means of achieving this goal, the Foundation encourages the development of more effective ways to share ideas and knowledge.
The Autry National Center was established in March 2003 following the merger of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, the Women of the West Museum, and the Autry Museum of Western Heritage. Leveraging the resources and talents of these three institutions, the Center’s mission is to explore the experiences and perceptions of the diverse people of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inform our shared future.
Lummis Day information and updates are available at http://www.lummisday.org. Lummis Day: The Festival of Northeast L.A. is organized by the Lummis Day Community Foundation, Inc.
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Contact: Eliot Sekuler 818-535-9178
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