Laguna Beach Weekend Events

The weekend is upon us once more and as normal the show go on! The SawDust Festival, Pageant of The Masters, Festival of the Arts and the Art-A-Fair are all continuing daily...the Farmer's market on Saturday are all going strong and as usual. As for the other events of the weekend, away we go!

Friday:

1. Wine Tasting Party-The Laguna Canyon Winery at 2133 Laguna Canyon Road is hosting the party. Enjoy wine with hot food, snacks, bread, crackers & cheeses in the Steel Tank/Wine Room. Drop in without reservations from 6 to 9pm. Cost is $30 and there will be live music. For information, call Marlowe Huber at (949) 715-9463 or email info@lagunacanyonwinery.com.

Saturday:

1. Smooth Jazz Series-The Festival of Arts presents an astounding line up of jazz musicians from 1 to 4pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.
2. Poet Donna Hilbert-The Acclaimed Poet is coming to Laguna Beach Books, 1200 S. Coast Hwy at 5pm. For more information or to speak with Jane Hanauer, call the store (949) 494-4997 or email at jane@lagunabeachbooks.com.

Sunday:

1. "Art of Cooking" Seminar-Continues from 1 to 2pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.
2. Blues Fest-The Sunday Blues Fest continues at 2pm to 4pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.
3. Beatles' Classics-The Sunday performances with Jason Freddy and Friends continues at 6pm to 8pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.
4. Open Mic Night-No Square Theatre revives it's popular "Local Vocals" open mic nights. To be held the first Sunday of each month from 5:30 to 8:30pm at the Laguna Beach Woman's Club, 286 St. Ann's Drive. For additional information, visit http://www.nosquare.org/.

We all enjoy having the wonderful events in Laguna and they help make Laguna, Laguna! Have a fun and safe weekend. Thanks for reading and if you see me wandering around Laguna in my little grey Subaru, please say hi!!! Cole

"Life...Don't talk to me about Life!"

That quote is from Marvin "the manic depressed robot" from the British television show, "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Universe". It's not that I'm depressed...it's just seemed fitting for the "June Gloom" that has taken over July and what seems like all summer. Don't get me wrong, I personally think this summer here in Laguna has been wonderful. I just hear people talk about the "gloom".

Because of it, we have been nice and cool. Take over the weekend for instance. My parents live in Hesperia and the temperature was over 100 there! And we had the great days in the 70's!!! Anywho, I guess that the title should be "Gloom...Don't talk to me about Gloom!". And that is how my abnormally wired brain worked it's way to this. The world is created by our minds...if we perceived it differently, it would be different! So, I sentence you to be hung by your toenails until you cheer up. Let's create a world where the negative people, press, news and whatever else wants to be negative can't make us lose our positive attitude!!!

Laguna is a spiritually uplifting place and with the power of positive thinking we will change the world...at least I will change my world. I have been looking for a sign, something to guide me toward "The Path". I believe that I will see it and I hope that it shows me that I am on the right route to find it! So, call me a dreamer, a spiritualist or whatever you want to, but I am just out here in this little universe of mine trying to find happiness. I have a profession that allows me to help people find dream homes and hopefully reach their goals, but I still think of myself as a teenager looking for his endpoint. I still don't know what that is and maybe that's the point...to always be out here looking for the next bit of knowledge, to never be satisfied with what you have done.

What seems like long ago in a distant universe, I began writing in this space...pouring my heart out and putting random thoughts out into the "ether-net". I thought that I would be able to meet people and enlighten some as to what Laguna was all about. In addition to that, I have started looking deep inside, the way I haven't in years, and wondering WHY? The big why! As Douglas Adams wrote it in Hitchhiker's, "The ultimate question of life, the universe and everything!" So, Why?

I have been a believer for years that we are all together in this. If you harm or help or do anything to someone, you are doing it to yourself. I have tried to follow this creed, but it is a very hard one to follow in the real world, especially when you are the only one sharing this way. I know I won't stop, but I know that the fountain of energy can run low sometimes...I'm unfortunately not the Fountain of Youth...and I can use some outside support, energy, feedback, love, enlightenment...whatever your beliefs would call it.

But that is still not the answer to the question, it is only how you may or may not live life...as to the "Why?" I don't know! I just know that I will keep living, trying to support those around me with the maximum positive energy that I can muster and searching and searching. Until then, I will keep looking for the signs and "The Path".

Thanks for reading and if you see me wandering through Laguna looking for "The Path" in my little grey Subaru, please say hello and let me know if you have any directions!!! Cole

Laguna Beach Weekend Events

Good afternoon and happy Friday. I know that I normally have this all up and running much earlier then this. All the usual suspects are still in full swing...The Marvelous Wonderettes & Cabaret are still singing, The SawDust Festival, Art-A-Fair and The Festival of Arts are still there for the taking, The Pageant of the Masters is still in focus and the Farmer's Market is still supplying Saturday morning. As for the other happenings, away we go:

Saturday:

1. Art Goes Green: Eco Friendly Design-This is at the Festival of Arts and in collaboration with Endangered Planet Foundation. This is the 1st official Art Goes Green day from 1pm to 4pm at the Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
2. "For the Bible tells me so" documentary-This documentary by Daniel Karslake discusses if the love between two people can ever be an abomination, is the chasm between homosexuals and Christianity too wide to cross and how can the Bible be used to justify hate? Beginning at 7:30pm at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann's Drive. This a free screening with coffee and desert on the patio starting at 6:45pm. There will be a Q & A immediately following the screening. For information contact Julie Phillips at (949) 497-2343.

Sunday

1. "Art of Cooking" Seminar-Once again from 1 to 2pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.
2. Blues Fest-The Sunday Blues Fest continues at 2pm to 4pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.
3. Beatles' Classics-The Sunday performances with Jason Freddy and Friends continues at 6pm to 8pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.

As the weeks go by in summer, I am glad to have seen and heard of few problems in our little community and also enjoy all the fun to be had here! Keep having fun out there and being safe.

Thanks for reading and if you see me wandering through Laguna in my little grey Subaru, please say hello!!! Cole

Laguna Real Estate one of select few

According to statistics recently released, Laguna is one of only FOUR zip codes to show an increase in median home value from the same time last year. The four zip codes were 92651 (Laguna Beach, of course), 92662 (one of Newport Beach's, which was up a whopping 47%), 92657 (Newport Coast) and 92625 (Corona Del Mar). The average for the county was a 20% drop in median prices. As you can see it was localized in this area, but the down side was that the number of home sales dipped 32.5% for all of Orange County and 52% in Laguna! The nice homes are selling right now. Others are chasing the market.

We have larger than normal inventories, which create the choices for the buyers. If the buy can choose between two homes, one of which is updated and remodeled or one that is essentially original (outdated), but both are prices similar or close enough to compare, the buyers are moving on the former. We also have the "distress" properties that are starting to leak into Laguna's market. We had been relatively insulated, but they are starting to drive buyers, with pricing below market! If the market can move them quick enough to have the effect trickle up to the rest of the listed homes, we will have a much swifter recovery from the slow sales. If on the other hand we see the "distress" properties become too great a number, we could be seeing more price reductions. Then, Laguna won't be in the "select few" with median price increases from the year previous.

The moral of the story is that homes are selling (slowly) and the nice homes are selling for statistically more than before, so we can continue to look for the light at the end of the tunnel and surf the wave right up to the shore!

Thanks for reading and if you see me wandering through Laguna in my little grey Subaru, please say hi!!! Cole

Laguna Beach Weekend Events - Part 2

Hello again out there in cyberland! Hope all are having a great Friday and maybe starting the weekend early. This will be the conclusion of the weekend events that are known to be scheduled.

Saturday:

1. Big Night of Comedy-Lynn Epstein is hosting the "One Very Funny Night" comedy show at 8:30pm at the Laguna Beach Woman's Club, 286 St. Ann's Drive. Doors open at 8pm and cost is $10 in advance and $12 at the door, cash only. (Must be 21 or older) For more information or to buy tickets in advance, visit www.lynnepstein.com or call (949) 290-4679.
2. "Art of Cooking" Seminar-Once again from 1 to 2pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.
3. Blues Fest-The Sunday Blues Fest continues at 2pm to 4pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.

Sunday:

1. South County Crosscultural Council Benefit-Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Congresswoman for the 47th Congressional District, will speak at a party to benefit the South County Cross-Cultural Council, to be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the home of Mary and Herb Rabe in Laguna Beach. Food will be provided by Mandarin King and other local restaurants. For more information about the event, please call (949) 497-3936.
2. Beatles' Classics-The Sunday performances with Jason Freddy and Friends continues at 6pm to 8pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at http://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org/.

I hope everyone has a fun, wonderful and safe weekend and if you see me wandering around Laguna in my little grey Subaru, please say hi!!! Cole

Laguna Beach Weekend Events - Part 1

The usual suspects are still in full swing...meaning the SawDust Festival, Pageant of the Masters, Art-A-Fair, and the Festival of the Arts are still here for us to enjoy and as usual the Farmers Market will be there Saturday morning. As for the other things happening this weekend in Laguna, they are many and I will post this in two parts. Now here is today:

Friday:

1. The Marvelous Wonderettes-The show is running this weekend. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, matinees; 2 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, Thursday matinees; 2 p.m. July 10 & 24, Sunday evening; 7:30 p.m. August 3. Ticket Prices: $25 to $70 and special half price tickets for students, teachers, and military with ID: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings/ Saturday matinees. For information and to purchase tickets, call 949-497-2787, and for group sales, 949-497-2787 ext. 229.
2. Assistance League's Summer Sale-Located at the Turnabout Thrift Shop, 526 Glenneyre St. A garage sale will be held behind the shop. Call (949) 494-5977 for information.
3. Cabaret-The Artist Theatre, 650 Park Avenue performs at 8pm the 18th and 19th. Cost is $20-$25 for general reserved, $15-$20 for students and seniors and $10-$15 for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased through Gallimaufry'™s website at www.gallimaufry.info or by calling (949) 499-5060.

Thanks for reading and if you see me wandering through Laguna in my little grey Subaru, please say hi!!! Cole

Laguna Beach Weekend Events

While the SawDust Festival, Art-A-Fair, The Festival of the Arts and the Pageant of The Masters march on daily, we also have other events to fill our weekends. Some may begin and run on throughout the summer. Others are just one time only hits.

Friday:

1. Preview of The Marvelous Wonderettes-This musical about 4 girls going to their 1958 prom will have a preview on the 11th and regular performances begin on Sunday the 13th at the Laguna Playhouse. For information and to purchase tickets, call 949-497-2787, and for group sales, 949-497-2787 ext. 229.

Saturday:

1. Summer Smooth Jazz Concert Series-Held at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road from 1pm to 4pm.
2. Fundraiser for China earthquake victims-Being held at the Mardarin Fine Art Gallery, 1294 South Coast Hwy from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Call (949) 376-9608 for information.

Sunday:

1. Methodist Women's Carwash-From 11:30am to 1pm at the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church, 21632 Wesley Drive. Call (949) 338-6135 or email Judy Pettigrew at ltcmom@cox.net for more information.
2. "Art of Cooking" Seminar-From 1 to 2pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
3. Blues Fest-The Sunday Blues Fest begins at 2pm to 4pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
4. Beatles' Classics-The Sunday performances with Jason Freddy and Friends begins at 6pm to 8pm at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.

Thanks for reading and if anything needs to be added, please let me know. Have a great and safe weekend and if you see me wandering through Laguna in my little grey Subaru, please say hi!!! Cole

Laguna Beach Real Estate

I have been accused of being a bit over analytical. But when it comes to this market of real estate, I keep having people come up to me for my opinion on homes.

I know that many homeowners are gloom and doom. I am one of the people who purchased during the last few years, so I theoretically have lost money...on paper. Since I am not selling or planning to sell my home, I actually haven't lost anything. I know that values have returned from the ether. We need to stop thinking that the real estate world is coming to an end! We haven't returned to values from the 1970's or 80's, we've returned to where we should have stopped in 2003-2004.

Some individuals, realtor's included, began to believe that values would never stop going up, or even slow down the increase. Well that has caused a lot of heartache and in the worst case, loss of home! Average prices have dropped, median prices have dropped, amount of homes for sale have increase, but for those who purchased for the right reason and with the truthful information about themselves are still holding on to their homes. The best place to invest, especially right now, is still real estate...as long as you are looking for LONG TERM investing! Whether we look into the crystal ball and it tells us that the market will go up or down in the immediate future, it doesn't matter for the long term. If you can TRUTHFULLY afford a piece of real estate to invest in for the long term, real estate won't let you down. I read all the doom and gloom in the paper...just as I did in the 1990's...and I know that those who understood bought! Those who didn't waited until the press, news and media told them to buy and then were upset that they had to fight for the property...not only that...they had to pay more for the privilege to fight for the property. I'm not saying to buy or sell because the market is at the bottom...I'm not saying to buy because you can turn an immediate profit...I'm saying to buy (or sell to buy up) to enjoy LONG TERM wealth...to have something of your own for the long haul. I look at flipping very much like day-trading on the stock market...unless you have a large sum of expendable money, you may want to jump out your window right after you threw your computer out the window!!!

Laguna Beach has been slightly insulated by it's proximity to the water, but that didn't last forever and we must be looking toward the future, not the past. The real estate is worth what it is today, not what it was worth in 1970, 1980, 1990 or even last year! I have seen areas where up to 80% of all properties for sale are because of financial troubles, but we only had 22 out of over 360 as of last week. That will change. But if we use our intellect and planning we can reduce the chances in the future.

Thanks for reading and if you see me wandering through Laguna in my little grey Subaru, please say hi!!! Cole

Laguna Beach 4th of July Weekend Events

Happy 4th of July! This last week seems to be a vacation week for many, which would include my blogging. My old college buddy, Wright R.S. Block, has been out for the last week visiting and because of that, I couldn't think of a thing original to say or write! Now as to the weekend ahead of us, it's going to be a bang, right. Lot's of Firework shows, but no playing with them and getting ourselves in trouble. Theme for the weekend: Happy, Safe & Sane!

Friday (4th of July):

1. God Bless the USA-From 10:30am to Whenever/TBA the Laguna Community Concert Band will perform patriotic favorites at the SawDust Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road. Call (888) 308-8324 for information.
2. Wine Tasting Party-The Laguna Canyon Winery at 2133 Laguna Canyon Road is hosting the party. Enjoy wine with hot food, snacks, bread, crackers & cheeses in the Steel Tank/Wine Room. Drop in without reservations from 6 to 9pm. Cost is $30 and there will be live music. For information, call Marlowe Huber at (949) 715-9463 or email info@lagunacanyonwinery.com.

Saturday:

1. Farmers Market-Once again we can go stock up on natural foods in the parking lot next to City Hall on Forest from 7am.
2. Adopt Your Street/Beach Pick-up-This is the 1st Saturday of the month ritual held by Zero Trash Laguna from 8am to whenever at various streets and beaches in Laguna. After the parties that most likely brought people from out of the area into Laguna, we need to put our hands together and pick up whatever we can!

Sunday:

1. The Festival of the Arts!-Another piece of the Laguna Summer jigsaw puzzle falls into place on this day. From 10am to 11:30pm at the Irvine Bowl, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. Approximately 150 painters, sculptors, ceramists, jewelers, photographers and other artist will display and sell original works in this juried show. $7 for a season pass, $4 for seniors and students. Laguna residents and military are free with proper ID, as are children under 12 years of age. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the show, there is a special 75 cent admission fee after 7:50pm. There will be free workshops, tours & demonstrations throughout the days and some lessons for fees if interested.

Additionally the SawDust Festival and the Art-A-Fair are still going strong to make there lots of entertainment for the holiday weekend. Please enjoy yourself this weekend and be safe! Thanks for reading and if you see me wandering around Laguna in my little grey Subaru, please say hi!!! Cole