NELA Live

Center for the Arts Holiday Sale

It's a gorgeous day, come over for some holiday vibe and stroll through the holiday sale at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock at 2225 Colorado Blvd.  Los Angeles CA 90041.
There's free parking at B of A.  We'll have live music starting with Harp and ending with Acoustical Rock and a little piano, flute, and folk in between & yummy holiday treats!  Over 20 participating vendors, so you can get great gifts for yourself and others! 

Only bummer, the clown is sick, so no face painting....but clowns are scary anyway!
However.....we might have a Mime show up.....and of course the bunny will make an appearance.
Hope you will too! 

OPEN HOUSES FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30

Listing of Sunday's Open Houses from I-Tech 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. 

Year end bonfire

Every year about this time, I think about this.

There are dozens of boxes of old files and documents and stuff ready to be shredded at the end of the year.

I think it would be more fun to burn them.

In fact, I'd love to have a community bonfire to dispose of all this stuff.  A celebration in the style of Burning Man.

One special day would be designated.  The city could close off some streets, designate a large parking lot, or other concrete area for fire safety.  The fire department could stand by in case of any problem.

People would bring their boxes of old stuff to burn, and toss it all into the bonfire.

Imagine how good that would feel, seeing old love letters, old income returns, and other old crap go up in flames.

A street fair or festival could be scheduled around the event.

Yeah, I like the idea alot.

REAL ESTATE MARKET STATS 11/16 - 11/22

Real Estate Market activity in zip codes 90031, 90032, 90041, 90042, 90065 for the previous week as reported in I-Tech MLS:

New listings entered

Price reductions

Reported pending

Reported sold and closed 

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.   

OPEN HOUSES FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23

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.   

Arroyo Arts Collective: Re-Discovery Weekend

Artists represented above:  Martin Waterman, John Byram, Bill Johnson, Kikki Eder, LT Mustardseed, Brian Mallman, Sonio Romero, Rick Swallow, George McClements, Ted Waltz

Only 1 more day until the Re-Discovery Tour, the Arroyo Arts Collective's 16th annual showcase of artists' homes and studios in the Northeast L.A. communities of Highland Park , Mt. Washington and Eagle Rock.

To maximize your tourgoing experience, you can go by Future Studio today, Saturday, November 22, Noon to 5 p.m. to view representative artwork from some of the 141 artists on the Tour (up from 100 last year). This is a great opportunity to buy your tickets, plan your visits for the next day and  visit Chicken Boy. Future Studio is at 5558 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park, 90042.

Once again, the Re-Discovery Tour details:
WHEN:   Sunday, November 23
WHERE: The Re-Discovery Tour begins at the Lummis Home, 200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles, 90031 (entrance on Carlota). Gates at the Lummis open at 9:30 a.m. Artists' studios are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This is where you pick up your map, decide your route, and either start some serious walking, get on your bicycle, get in your car or get on a shuttle to visit some of the 60+ studios and homes open just for you.

We look forward to seeing you.

Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé

Beaujolais Nouveau is a very mild, light-bodied wine made from Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc grape, better known simply as Gamay.   By French law, Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be released before midnight on the third Thursday in November.

So it follows, that the third Thursday of November has grown into a day of celebration:  The first uncorking of the first wine of the season.

Local French restaurant Cafe Beaujolais in Eagle Rock hosts an annual Beaujolais Noveau celebration that has become a tradition for many residents.

More on Beaujolais Day:

Here and Here

Pat Barr,  a remarkable woman, and a long time friend, is now an associate at Bob Taylor Properties.  Here is Pat's post of our Beaujolais Nouveau celebration:

http://patriciabarr.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

   

Los Angeles Mortgage Rates Report: November 19, 2008

The economy is really sick:

Today's CPI report signals deflation, or a prolonged price slide, may become another hazard facing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and President-elect Barack Obama. Deflation could worsen the economic downturn by making debts harder to pay off and countering the impact of Fed interest-rate cuts. 

   

``The economy's really just in horrific shape,'' said Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York. Fed officials will ``take rates as low as they have to'' to avoid ``a deflation-type scenario, which now all of a sudden is very possible.''   

   

LaVorgna predicts the Fed will cut its main rate to 0.5 percent from its current 1 percent when it meets on Dec. 16.   

       

Fed Vice Chairman Donald Kohn said today that while the risk of deflation is ``still small,'' policy makers must be ``aggressive'' in fighting the danger. The economy ``is declining right now'' and will record a couple of quarters of contraction, he said in answering questions after a speech in Washington.   

   

Fed policy makers last month forecast the U.S. economy will contract through the middle of 2009, with some officials prepared to cut interest rates further in response, according to a record of the group's meeting.

If the Fed's thinking of cutting rates further, why aren't mortgage rates going down? I think it's because the Fed has done all it can do.  Future rate cuts are like that eighth scotch.  Drinking that eighth scotch isn't going to make you feel any better than the seven prior.  It just might make you feel worse.

I advised folks, right after the election, to lock loans with rates under 6% if they were closing within 30 days. Today, I"m suggesting that you lock any loan that is closing this year.  Today, a 45-day lock for a 6.0% rate would costs 1.25%.  While you may see rates drop below 6% , in the next 45 days, the risk of them moving higher is greater.

Take 6% and run.

The economy is really sick:

Today's CPI report signals deflation, or a prolonged price slide, may become another hazard facing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and President-elect Barack Obama. Deflation could worsen the economic downturn by making debts harder to pay off and countering the impact of Fed interest-rate cuts. 

   

``The economy's really just in horrific shape,'' said Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York. Fed officials will ``take rates as low as they have to'' to avoid ``a deflation-type scenario, which now all of a sudden is very possible.''   

   

LaVorgna predicts the Fed will cut its main rate to 0.5 percent from its current 1 percent when it meets on Dec. 16.   

       

Fed Vice Chairman Donald Kohn said today that while the risk of deflation is ``still small,'' policy makers must be ``aggressive'' in fighting the danger. The economy ``is declining right now'' and will record a couple of quarters of contraction, he said in answering questions after a speech in Washington.   

   

Fed policy makers last month forecast the U.S. economy will contract through the middle of 2009, with some officials prepared to cut interest rates further in response, according to a record of the group's meeting.

If the Fed's thinking of cutting rates further, why aren't mortgage rates going down? I think it's because the Fed has done all it can do.  Future rate cuts are like that eighth scotch.  Drinking that eighth scotch isn't going to make you feel any better than the seven prior.  It just might make you feel worse.

I advised folks, right after the election, to lock loans with rates under 6% if they were closing within 30 days. Today, I"m suggesting that you lock any loan that is closing this year.  Today, a 45-day lock for a 6.0% rate would costs 1.25%.  While you may see rates drop below 6% , in the next 45 days, the risk of them moving higher is greater.

Take 6% and run.

The economy is really sick:

Today's CPI report signals deflation, or a prolonged price slide, may become another hazard facing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and President-elect Barack Obama. Deflation could worsen the economic downturn by making debts harder to pay off and countering the impact of Fed interest-rate cuts. 

   

``The economy's really just in horrific shape,'' said Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York. Fed officials will ``take rates as low as they have to'' to avoid ``a deflation-type scenario, which now all of a sudden is very possible.''   

   

LaVorgna predicts the Fed will cut its main rate to 0.5 percent from its current 1 percent when it meets on Dec. 16.   

       

Fed Vice Chairman Donald Kohn said today that while the risk of deflation is ``still small,'' policy makers must be ``aggressive'' in fighting the danger. The economy ``is declining right now'' and will record a couple of quarters of contraction, he said in answering questions after a speech in Washington.   

   

Fed policy makers last month forecast the U.S. economy will contract through the middle of 2009, with some officials prepared to cut interest rates further in response, according to a record of the group's meeting.

If the Fed's thinking of cutting rates further, why aren't mortgage rates going down? I think it's because the Fed has done all it can do.  Future rate cuts are like that eighth scotch.  Drinking that eighth scotch isn't going to make you feel any better than the seven prior.  It just might make you feel worse.

I advised folks, right after the election, to lock loans with rates under 6% if they were closing within 30 days. Today, I"m suggesting that you lock any loan that is closing this year.  Today, a 45-day lock for a 6.0% rate would costs 1.25%.  While you may see rates drop below 6% , in the next 45 days, the risk of them moving higher is greater.

Take 6% and run.

REAL ESTATE MARKET STATS 11/09 - 11/15

Real Estate Market activity in zip codes 90031, 90032, 90041, 90042, 90065 for the previous week as reported in I-Tech MLS:

New listings entered

Price reductions

Reported pending

Reported sold and closed 

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   

OPEN HOUSES FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16

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.   

Lower Los Angeles County Loan Limits in 2009

In my 2009 San Diego Real Estate Outlook, I suggested that lower loan limits could cause a convergence of home prices.  I expect the mid-priced homes ($500,000 to $1,000,000) to decline towards the loan limits while lower priced homes (under $500,000) already dove in 2008.

Southern California Loan Limits For 2009:

Loan Type         San Diego          Orange          Los Angeles

VA                    $697,500           $729,750       $729,750      

FHA                  $546,250          $625,500        $625,500

Conforming        $546,250          $625,500        $625,500

Originally Posted on Millionaire Real Estate Lender

In my 2009 San Diego Real Estate Outlook, I suggested that lower loan limits could cause a convergence of home prices.  I expect the mid-priced homes ($500,000 to $1,000,000) to decline towards the loan limits while lower priced homes (under $500,000) already dove in 2008.

Southern California Loan Limits For 2009:

Loan Type         San Diego          Orange          Los Angeles

VA                    $697,500           $729,750       $729,750      

FHA                  $546,250          $625,500        $625,500

Conforming        $546,250          $625,500        $625,500

Originally Posted on Millionaire Real Estate Lender

REAL ESTATE MARKET STATS 11/02 - 11/08

Real Estate Market activity in zip codes 90031, 90032, 90041, 90042, 90065 for the previous week as reported in I-Tech MLS:

New listings entered

Price reductions

Reported pending

Reported sold and closed 

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.   

OPEN HOUSES FOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 9

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.   

Equality Not Hate Rally In Lincoln Park

East Los Angeles Rally Sunday!!! 1pm Lincoln Park

PROTEST in the PARK: EQUALITY not H8TE Sponsored by the Latino/a LGBT Coalition latino.lgbt. coalition@ gmail.com

This Sun Nov 9th - 1 pm East LA : Lincoln Park
3501 Valley Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90031

A peaceful rally of the people. We rally then we march. In peace and with dignity... Everyone's voice is needed. Everyone's help is needed to spread the word... REPOST - SEND TO YOUR EMAIL LISTS & CONTACTS - SEND TEXT MESSAGES 

BE THERE! Bring signs, banners, whistles and some friends...

This image was made from a photo taken taken at the marriage ceremony of two dear friends.

I must comment that this joyous celebration was attended by elderly family members, and young children.  I didn't count noses, but my impression was that heterosexual couples outnumbered gay couples.  Believe me, no one felt threatened.

Second Saturday Art Gallery Night November 8

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, November 8 from 7PM - 10 PM.   Wrap up the evening with food and drinks at Juanita's La Casa Blue or Mr. T's Bowl.

November Highlights:

From 7pm-12am the "We Beta Foster Care Party" Come out and see our
resident artists new Murals for Fall-Winter 2008 [by Comah ] Enjoy
our Wine & Sake Bar & Free Japanese Appetizers and Pastries and music
by local band N.F.C....All for a great cause Art & Foster Children ....So
bring your pocket change to donate to Beta Foster Care because your
change can change the lives of many children.

Donated Art Selection: 100% of Sales Will be Donated to BETA Foster Care!
Designer Clothing Sale
Contemporary Graffiti art
Custom Hand Painted Bikes
Live Music by: NFC
Japanese Appetizers
Wine & Sake BAR
Pastries
@Bholanath Foto Studio & Urban Art Gallery
6042 Monte Vista St LA CA 90042
November 8th 2008
7pm - 12pm

Saturday, November 8, 7-10pm

Tickets for The Arroyo Arts Re-Discovery Tour will be available at the Arroyo Arts Collective Preview Party at Future Studio Gallery, 5558 North Figueroa Street, Highland Park, 90042. On display will be small works by many of the 140+ artists on the Re-Discovery Tour so you can begin to decide whose work you would like to see more of on the day of the Tour (November 23, 10am to 5pm). The Preview Party is free, there will be artists in attendance and snacks. Come by, check out the samples and buy your tickets!

httP;;//www.nelaart.

Art Opening at the Avenue 50 Studio - November 8

Curated by J. Michael Walker

Peter Liashkov
Eloy Torres
Carol Colin
Ted Waltz
Sophia Gasparian
Cindy Suriyani
Ed Fella
Kathi Oshima
Tammy Abbott
Poli Marichal
J. Michael Walker

Opening reception: Saturday, November 8, 2008 7-10 pm

In 1966 the Chilean songwriter Violeta Parra composed perhaps the most enduring and enchanting song of her time - "Gracias a la Vida" (Thanks to Life) - wherein she expresses undying gratitude, at an almost mystical level, for all the miniscule beauties and unexpected joys of a fraught and troubled existence.  In 2008, we confront a failing economy, harrowing world violence, troubled and troublesome relationships; and an endangered, fragile natural world; and still we seek those poignant moments and scenes which enrich and nourish us.  This Thanksgiving season, artist-author J Michael Walker - fresh off his exploration of Los Angeles' cultural heritage in "All the Saints of the City of the Angels" - gathers local artists and poets to seek, as Violeta Parra did four decades ago, the quiet, still reasons to be grateful for our world, our society, and our lives together.

Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto,
Me ha dado la risa, me ha dado el llanto,
Así yo distingo dicha de quebranto,
Los dos materiales que forman mi canto,
Y el canto de ustedes que es mi propio canto.

Thanks to life which has given me so much,
It's given me laughter, it's given me tears,
Thereby I distinguish good fortune from ruin,
The two materials that make up my song,
And the song of all of you that is my own song.

About Gracias a la Vida:  Gracias a la Vida is the best-known composition of the Chilean poet, artist, and musician Violeta Parra. Violeta traveled all over Chile and collected folk songs. She was friends with Pablo Neruda and shared his vision of art as being from and for the people.  Joan Baez recorded a version of this song in the 60's, and there are numerous recordings of it by other artists. The original version (performed by Violeta) is in print but difficult to find.

Opening reception: Saturday, November 8, 2008 7-10 pm

Avenue 50 Studio, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit art gallery, 131 No. Avenue 50, Los Angeles, CA  90042, 323/258-1435

Measure J Results

J - SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT BONDS -

YES -- 849,759 -- 69.86 %

NO -- 366,678 -- 30.14 %

From http://rrccmain.co.la.ca.us/  (Local Contests->School Districts)

Los Angeles Mortgage Rates Report: November 5, 2008

We have a new President and his name is Barack Obama. Is that good for mortgage rates?

I think either man being elected would have been good for mortgage rates provided the victory was decisive.  The Obama victory was clearly decisive and markets should reward that.  In anticipation of this decision, mortgage-backed securities rallied today bringing mortgage rates to the 6% level  I thought we might reach this week.

On Wednesday, conforming mortgage rates should be offered at 6% or below; take any rate under 6% if you're closing in the next 45 days.  While the euphoria of an Obama victory may bring mortgage rates even lower, the risk of a quick reversal still exists.

Mortgage rates under 6% are about as good as it gets.

Originally posted on Mortgage Rates Report

We have a new President and his name is Barack Obama. Is that good for mortgage rates?

I think either man being elected would have been good for mortgage rates provided the victory was decisive.  The Obama victory was clearly decisive and markets should reward that.  In anticipation of this decision, mortgage-backed securities rallied today bringing mortgage rates to the 6% level  I thought we might reach this week.

On Wednesday, conforming mortgage rates should be offered at 6% or below; take any rate under 6% if you're closing in the next 45 days.  While the euphoria of an Obama victory may bring mortgage rates even lower, the risk of a quick reversal still exists.

Mortgage rates under 6% are about as good as it gets.

Originally posted on Mortgage Rates Report

Election Day in Northeast L.A.

When was the last time you saw a line outside a polling place in Northeast Los Angeles?

Arroyo Arts Collective "Re-Discovery Tour" Nov 23

The Arroyo Arts Collective presents the:

Re-Discovery Tour --

 

16^th Annual Showcase of Artists’ Homes and Studios

 

a self-guided auto tour of artists’ homes and studios in Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Mount Washington

 

Sunday, November 23, 2008

9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Starts at the Lummis Home, 200 E. Avenue 43, Highland Park, CA 90031 (Tour-goers check in and receive a map to the day’s open studios; there are also exhibiting craftpersons at Lummis Home all day)

Tickets: $10 in advance at www.ArroyoArtsCollective.org or $15 at the Lummis Home on the day of the Tour.

 

Special Preview Party, Saturday, November 8, 7 to 9 pm, Future Studio Gallery, 5558 North Figueroa Street, Highland Park 90042

Samples of Tour artists’ work will be on display (and tickets to tour will be available, preview party is free)

For Information: www.ArroyoArtsCollective.org or by voice mail at 323-850-8566

Email contacts: Amy Inouye at futurestudio@sbcglobal.net or Laurie Arroyo at llarroyo@hotmail.com

 

Camelot! Brigadoon! Shangri-la! Northeast LA! Places loved once, lost sight of for a spell, then miraculously re-discovered! The first three are challenging, but on Sunday, November 23, the artists’ homes and studios of the mysterious Northeast, artist colony for over a century, will be revealed at the Arroyo Arts Collective’s “Re-Discovery Tour” – the 16^th annual self-guided auto tour of artists’ homes and studios in Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Mount Washington. The Arroyo Arts Collective, a grassroots community arts organization in Northeast Los Angeles invites the world to discover the art in the heart of Northeast L.A. Sixteen years ago 50 artists opened their studios - this year the roster tops 140 - old favorites side by side with fresh finds, featuring painting, sculpture, ceramics, collage, computer graphics, photography, letterpress, printmaking, fiber arts and spray can art., something for everyone (in a good way). This is an opportunity to engage with the artists, and view their homes and studios firsthand! For the first time this year, several Franklin High School students, some of whose work was supported by previous Tour proceeds, will also appear on the Tour.

Tour tickets can be purchased in advance ($10) online at www.ArroyoArtsCollective.org and at Galco’s Old World Grocery, 5702 York Boulevard, Highland Park. Tickets the day of the tour ($15) will be available at the Charles Lummis Home located at 200 E. Avenue 43 in Highland Park beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tour ticket holders will receive a comprehensive map of artists’ studios and homes; studios and homes will be open between 10 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

A preview party showcasing Tour artists and their work will be held in conjunction with NELAart Second Saturday Gallery Night on Saturday, November 8 at Future Studio, 5558 North Figueroa Street, Highland Park. Artist images and links will also be posted at www.ArroyoArtsCollective.org prior to the Tour.

Measure J Affects the Southwest Museum

Measure J on tomorrow's ballot is a $3.5 billion bond for the Los Angeles Community College District.

But did you realize that a YES vote on this measure possibly endangers the Southwest Museum by turning the Museum into a campus? 

Zuma Dogg: Why Measure J (Nov 4) Means ADIOS To The Southwest Museum And It's Billion Dollar Artifcats 

Boulevard Sentinel  (Scroll down to the 14th article)

On the other hand Los Angeles Times takes the YES position and, curiously, although the article was posted in October, there are no comments.  Could it be that some comments have been deleted?  Did any Southwest Museum supporters try to comment there?

Some background information here: Understanding the Southwest Museum Controversy