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GOODBYE 2010 – HELLO 2011
Downtown San Diego Skyline
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE….
MAY 2011 BE A HEALTHY, HAPPY, SAFE, PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS YEAR.
San Diego Coastal
A WET CHRISTMAS WEEK IN SAN DIEGO
This has been a crazy week in San Diego.
We haven’t seen this much rain in…..forever.
So many vacationers are here for the Holiday Bowl (12/29) and the Poinsettia Bowl (12/23) and yet they are either hold up in their hotels watching reruns of Oprah, or braving the flooded roads and heading to our “open air” malls. The good news is, it’s about 60 degrees, and the 7-day rain is supposed to end sometime tonight.
To all those visiting from Nebraska, or the east coast…I apologize…but, I am hopeful you will see sun…..soon.
WINTER SOLSTICE, FULL MOON, LUNAR ECLIPSE
Happy Winter Solstice, and welcome to the official 1st day of winter, beginning at 6:38pm. Although for most of the country, including this very wet San Diego, winter arrived a week or two ago.
I love December 21st for two reasons.
First, today is my mother’s 85th birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom.
Second, 12/21 represents the shortest day of the year… the most hours in the day that are dark. Sunrise 6:47am, sunset 4:47pm. Beginning 12/25, the days begin to get longer…more light. And, for someone who gets up by 5am to work out, I can’t wait.
Today is rare. First day of winter, full moon and full lunar eclipse. Hmmm. Possibly buy a lottery ticket…or better yet,buy real estate.
HOLIDAY BOWL IN SAN DIEGO 12/30
San Diego will be the host for the Holiday Bowl where the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Washington Huskies will meet up in the 33rd annual event at the Qualcomm Stadium on December 30th at 7:00pm. The Honorary Chairperson is basketball Hall of Famer, Bill Walton as the Parade Grand Marshal.
I always love the Holiday Bowl because it brings people (gamers) from other parts of of the country where the weather can be pretty severe. When they arrive in San Diego and they see the sun….and feel the warmth….they don’t want to leave. So welcome Washingtonians and Nebraskans….enjoy our town….soak up the sun….eat our food….and have fun….we love that you are here.
The Holiday Bowl is more than just a college football game, it’s events for the whole family.
On 12/30 there is a 5k morning run kicks off the Big Bay Balloon Parade on Harbor Blvd. at 10:00am. Tens of thousands will line the parade route on Harbor near Ash. Click Here for info.
Parade route, click here.
POINSETTIA BOWL IN SAN DIEGO
San Diego is looking forward to two Bowl Events this year. The Poinsettia Bowl (12/23) Navy vs. SDSU, and the Holiday Bowl (12/29) UofW Huskies vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Poinsettia Bowl will be held at Qualcomm Stadium on December 23rd beginning around 5pm. This year Navy will confront San Diego State University. A parade in the Gaslamp Quarter will kick off the festivities on 12/21 at 6pm. There will be bands and marching groups beginning at each end of the 5th avenue, meeting up at Market Street.
For tickets and more information, Click here.
3 HISTORIC HOLIDAY EVENTS
Whether you live in San Diego, or visiting during the Holidays, here are 3 very historic events you shouldn’t miss.
PACIFIC BEACH PARADE – Pacific Beach will have summer-like weather this year at their Holiday Parade. The parade has something for every age, including floats, bands and muscle cars. Done in a way only Pacific Beach can do. This is a very local, but heavily attended event. Don’t miss this on Saturday, 12/11, 2pm-5pm. The parade begins at Haines and marches to Cass St., along Garnet. Click here to Map It.
MISSION BAY HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE – More than 60,000 people will be able to see 100 boats dressed up in their Christmas best parade Mission Bay. Mission Bay has long been an event most locals never miss. Whether you live on the Bay, or coming from north county, you will not want to miss this spectacle. This event can be seen on 12/18, beginning at 6pm. Come early and you may find a fire pit to make this a true San Diego experience. Easy directions: Take Freeway 5 to Grand/Garnet exit and follow west to Fanuel, turn left or South…run right into Mission Bay.
SAN DIEGO BAY PARADE OF LIGHTS – This year will mark 39 years this event has been entertaining viewers. With a theme of Sounds of Christmas, you see boats of all sizes dressed up for Christmas parading the water of San Diego Bay. For best viewing, head to Harbor Island as the fleet leaves from Shelter Island, or head to Seaport Village, near the park. This event can be seen on 2 days, 12/12 (Sunday) and 12/19, 5:30-9:00pm. Click here for map
BLACK FRIDAY IN REAL ESTATE
On Black Friday, as millions of “deal seekers” set out in the wee hours of the morning looking for a “steal”, I make it a point to not be one of them. I think of how much money I save by staying home. I love to shop…but not with a crowd.
I think Realtors miss the boat here on Black Friday. We should be holding every house that is available on the market “OPEN”, beginning at 6am. Can you imagine OPEN HOUSES at 6am? We could slash prices for just 1 day…..12 hours. We should have lenders at each house ready to pre-approve the buyers, and with prices SLASHED we may have buyers lined up out the doors….Well…just a thought….Maybe next year.
If you’re shopping for a home, think of this. Prices on most homes have been adjusted, and those homes still on the market are looking for an offer…and will take less than the list price. Interest rates are still very low…So, why wait?
In La Jolla (92037 zip) there are 234 homes on the market, $599,000 - $29,500,000 – and 178 condos for sale, $199,000 – $8,750,000
In Downtown San Diego (92101) there are 444 condo/townhouses for sale, $110,000 – $6,750,000
In Mission Hills (92103 zip), there are 72 homes for sale, $280,000 – $3,095,000
There are many more homes and condos available throughout San Diego County, most (if not all) of them you could buy less than the listed (retail) price.
Like retail sales, home sales will help the economy. So, why wait in line, or get up before dawn…shop for your home online without leaving your house. I’ll help you find the right house, and negotiate that price with the seller….just call me.
THANKSGIVING WEEK IN SAN DIEGO
Raining in San Diego
As I write this on Sunday…looking outside, it’s raining. It’s raining in San Diego? I remember years past while living in LA, Thanksgiving week would be warm, if not hot…even now in San Diego, these past few years have been sunny. Who would have thought it would be this soggy. But, as if Father Joe’s prayers would be answered, the forecast for the week is….SUN.
So…what can you do while you’re here in San Diego over Thanksgiving?
First….Give thanks.
Here are some fun activities (and a Thanksgiving recipe) you can do in San Diego.
MUSEUM OF MAN in Balboa Park. Even though it’s closed on Thanksgiving day, the hours are 10:00am – 4:30pm. It’s located in the historic California Building at Balboa Park.
USS MIDWAY is also closed on Thanksgiving day, but is open from 10:00am-5:00pm all other days. Midway is located at the Navy Pier at the end of Harbor.
USS Midway Museum
SAN DIEGO ZOO…Now, who doesn’t like a zoo? But the San Diego Zoo is special…and especially during the holidays. Please, please, please…if you haven’t been to our Zoo…don’t miss it!
BIRCH AQUARIUM IN LA JOLLA is a sleeper…Most people forget we have a wonderful aquarium right on the coast of La Jolla.
CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT is a great place to hang out and has unbelievably beautiful ocean, city…and heaven views.
TROLLY TOUR is not to be missed. Again, they don’t operate on Thanksgiving Day, but it’s the best Sightseeing Tour in the city. It’s so good…even locals take the tour to re-visit the historic neighborhood information.
CHILDREN’S POOL IN LA JOLLA, even though it’s highly controversial, for example, who has the right to the beach? The seals? The swimmers? Who cares? Don’t miss this very enjoyable sight. The seals inhabit the area, the rocks and the sand. You and your family can walk on the breakwater (permitting the wave action) and watch the seals up close.
Children's Pool in La Jolla
TURKEY DINNER BROUGHT IN – If you are not up to cooking your Thanksgiving dinner…or, God forbid, you found out Uncle Dan, his wife and 4 kids announced they are driving to your house, you may consider having the dinner catered. In that case, Elijah will do that for you. Click here for your link to Elijah’s Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner.
FATHER JOE’S 5K RUN/WALK…IS…something you can do Thanksgiving morning. The race begins and ends in beautiful Balboa Park. Don’t worry if you’re not a runner…just do it.
PURE FITNESS RACE FOR THE HUNGRY. If you’re looking for a more challenging race on Thanksgiving Day..try this one. Begins and ends at Petco Park, East Village, downtown San Diego. Run off the pounds before you put them on.
Every year I volunteer to help on Thanksgiving Day at either Father Joe’s or with St. Vincent De Paul handing out turkey dinners to families who need assistance. But last year and this year I signed up too late, and had to find another way to give back. Last year I cooked a turkey, made yams, gravy, cranberries and finished with pumpkin pies. I was able to get 20 meals loaded on paper plates and drove them to Pacific Beach and offered them to homeless men and women. Believe me, it was incredibly satisfying…a lot of work…but very fulfilling. This year…I am doing the same, but I will prepare more meals with less work. My neighbor and I will cook two turkeys and distribute them together.
Here is the Sweet Potato Wedges w/maple honey glaze recipe I will use this year in additional to the turkey and cranberries.
Recipe from Cooking Class at CUPS
Serves 10
5-6 sweet potato peeled and cut into wedges, 4t olive oil, salt to taste, 1t cayenne pepper for the glaze, 1/2 pound of melted butter, 1C high quality maple syrup, brown sugar to taste.
Preheat oven to 400, Toss potato wedges with oil, salt, pepper. Spread wedges on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake until they are tender inside and nice and browned and crispy on the outside. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add maple syrup. Add brown sugar until desired sweetness is reached. Drizzle hot glaze over potatoes before serving. I used caramelized pecans at the end.
Recipe thanks to “CUPS’ www.cupsLJ.com
SAN DIEGO BEER WEEK – 11/5 – 11/14
Is there anything San Diego doesn’t celebrate?
This week, (well, beginning last week) November 5th – 14th, is the San Diego Beer Week (SDBW). You will celebrate dinners, festivals, brewery tours, tastings and more. There are hotel packages available, transportation, and a schedule of events.
Click Here for a calendar of events.
So much is happening all over San Diego. It’s a true Beer Lover’s delight. Check out the Beer Garden on Sunday, November 14th.
FALL BACK
Here we go….Time to FALL BACK.
The only states not observing Daylight Savings, is most of Arizona and Hawaii.
Adding an extra hour to our mornings will give you a little more light on those early morning workouts, give you an hour to think about rolling out of bed, an extra hour to be the early bird that catches that worm….and possibly for some who forgot to set the clock, arriving early to a Sunday morning appointment.
DON’T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS B-A-C-K at 2:00 a.m.
