FROM THE REAL ESTATE TRENCHES: THE BIG PICTURE, PLUS LOCAL REAL ESTATE NEWS
By Charlotte Reed, REALTOR, SRES CRS Windermere SoCal Real Estate La Mesa Branch July 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –This week in the real estate trenches, we bring you some “big picture” news of landmark state legislation and a major federal court case settlement, both of which have major ramifications for our local real estate market, lenders and consumers. We also include some local news highlights of interest to the East County real estate community. The Big Picture The California Homeowner Bill of Rights signed into law July 11 is just another of many small steps to find a meaningful solution to the long and painful period of short-sales and foreclosures brought on in large part by the avarice of the banking industry. As usual, our Attorney General Kamala Harris was at the forefront of this newest bit of good news for the Real Estate industry and all those owners who suddenly found themselves, through no fault of their own, with homes that had lost as much as half their original value. In a related story of alleged unethical practices by the banking institutions, Wells Fargo Bank has settled an accusation brought by the U.S. Justice Dept. that it had discriminated against minorities in violation of fair lending laws. Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $125 million to borrowers who were steered into sub-prime mortgages and consequently paying higher fees than white borrowers even though they were equally qualified. In addition, Wells Fargo will pay $ 50 million for direct down payment assistance to borrowers in areas identified as having large numbers of discrimination victims. Wells Fargo stated that it has denied the claims and is settling for the sole purpose of avoiding litigation. Deputy Attorney General Cole said in a statement that this is the second largest settlement of its kind in history and that it sent a strong message to the banking community that these types of actions will not be tolerated. In his statement, Cole stated, "The Department’s action makes clear that we will hold financial institutions accountable, including some of the nation’s largest, for lending discrimination." Local Real Estate News Rates have held steady at around 4% for several months and unless something unforeseen happens are not expected to change for some time. The new MLS website has been a great hit with the general public. With the exception of the confidential remarks and the names and telephones numbers of sellers and agents, it is the exact information we as agents and brokers get. It updates every 10 minutes and is direct information from the MLS. Consumer.SANDICOR.COM Our inventory of available homes is extremely low and according to SANDICOR, much lower than this time last year. Many reasons, both fact and supposition, are given for the decline in housing inventory. Most owners find themselves with homes that no longer have the equity they thought they would have at this time due to the decline in values in the last few years. Only those homeowners who must sell for personal reasons put their homes on the market, while those who don’t have to sell wait out this period of stagnant growth hoping to have more (or at least some) equity when they do sell. I have been told (though haven’t verified) that the banks are not releasing foreclosures to the general public for a multitude of reasons, one being that they are selling them in lots to investors. San Diego East County The weekly East County Board of Realtors meeting appeared to be busier and the attendees more energetic than usual. There was talk about the new merger with the South Bay Board, coming events and classes, new technology that will be used by all of us and the usual power point of new listings. A former manager of Prudential California was there, the first time I have seen her since she retired many years ago. She has been hired by Sotheby’s to manage their La Mesa office. So many changes have taken place in the La Mesa real estate community this year it is hard to know where to start. When Carrie Guthrie was laid off (she thinks in preparation of the upcoming buy-out of half of the local Sotheby offices by Steve Games, former owner of Prudential California) by the owner of the local Sotheby’s owner she approached Windermere SoCal owners with the proposition of working with their company and bringing with her the bulk of Sotheby’s La Mesa office agents. A new office was acquired on La Mesa Blvd. and Carrie and 26 La Mesa agents moved in. Mike Marmion, the manager of La Mesa Prudential, was hired to manage, and re-staff, the Sotheby office. Chuck Sackett was called back from retirement to manage the Prudential office. Apparently the re-staffing of the Sotheby’s office didn’t take place quickly enough so Marmion has been replaced by Joyce Hill.
WINTER HOPEFUL TRAINS WHILE SUMMER OLYMPIANS COMPETE
By Hunter Hewitt July 13, 2012 (San Diego)–Over the last few months, athletes from all over the world have been vigorously preparing with hopes to be in peak physical condition to represent their country in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. For figure skater Christopher Caluza, however, the focus is on training to represent the Philippines in the Winter Olympics in 2014. Originally born in Chula Vista, Caluza moved to Escondido at a young age. He began rollerblading when he was seven years old, but a simple dilemma led him down a path to the world of figure skating. On a day when the nearby rollerblading rink was closed, Caluza and his parents had to find an alternative. Although the average child might be upset and discouraged because the rink was closed, Caluza simply asked his parents to find somewhere else to go. They discovered a nearby ice rink in La Jolla, and the rest is history. “When I started skating on the ice it wasn’t an easy thing, but I started to get the hang of it and started to like it,” Caluza said. “I would try to imitate tricks that I saw on TV, and I eventually fell in love with the sport.” Caluza has built up quite an impressive resume despite his young age, competing in several events and even winning the 2012 Philippines National Championship. Most recently, he placed 21st in a field of 48 competitors in the World Championships in March. Caluza’s parents were born in the Philippines, but moved to San Diego before giving birth to him, making him a dual-citizen. The 22-year-old figure skater hopes to represent the Philippines in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. “My main goal right now is to represent the Philippines in the 2014 Winter Olympics,” Caluza said. “That’s what I’m working towards for the next two years.” Caluza has been balancing an intense schedule this summer involving school and training. He is currently taking business classes at Palomar College and still manages to train up to three hours a day. Caluza now often trains at the San Diego Ice Arena in Mira Mesa, coached by Natalia Bobrina. He has scaled back his training a bit this summer, but it is still a huge time commitment. Leading up to the World Championships, he was often training five hours a day. This type of workload is nothing uncommon to an Olympic hopeful, and Caluza is determined to do everything he can to compete at a high level in two years. “I want to work hard on adding new jumps and elements to my arsenal,” Caluza said. “The next two years will have a lot of tough training, but hopefully it will all be worth it.” In the winter of 2014, if the Summer Olympians are training while Caluza is competing, it’s safe to say it was all worth it.
POWAY LIBRARY HOSTS WOODY GUTHRIE’S 100th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION JULY 14
July 13, 2012 (Poway)–Woody Guthrie lived through the most significant events of the twentieth century, forging his talents as a prolific writer who, through his songs, prose and poetry, told the story of everyman. San Diego County Library joins people around the world in celebrating Guthrie’s life and influence. Woody Guthrie’s 100th Birthday Celebration will be held at the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road on Saturday, July 14 at 2 p.m. San Diego musicians will band together in a free concert to honor the famed singer, who still has a profound impact even 45 years after his death. Chris Clarke, Dane Terry, Jeff Bertino, and Ross Moore will perform various bluegrass and folk songs in honor of the legendary musician. Other local musicians interested in participating are welcome to attend and join in the performance. Guthrie was born on July 14, 1912 in Oklahoma and left a lasting legacy of bringing voice to the disenfranchised, marginalized, and oppressed. "Often considered America’s greatest folksinger, most Americans know ‘This Land is Your Land’ but are not familiar with the often tragic life of this incredibly influential songwriter," said Moore. Woodrow “Woody” Wilson Guthrie was born July 14, 1912 Oklahoma.. His father – a cowboy, land speculator, and politician – taught Woody Western songs, Indian songs, and Scottish folk tunes. His Kansas-born mother, also musically inclined, had a major impact on his career. In his youth, the tragic death of his older sister, the family’s financial ruin, and later the loss of his mother following her institutionalization had devastating impacts on Guthrie’s life. In 1920, oil was discovered nearby and overnight his hometown transformed into an "oil boom" town, bringing thousands of workers, gamblers and hustlers to the once sleepy farm community. But when the oil ran out, the area’s economy went bust. Guthrie took to the road, traveling through 48 states, chronicling the human impacts of events from the Dust Bowl to World War II in his wanderings coast to coast. He won many awards for his songs, which continue to touch the hearts of Americans to this day. Woody Guthrie’s 100th Birthday Celebration is part of the library’s Acoustic Showcase series, which was recently awarded a National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for innovation and service to the community. The Acoustic Showcase series is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the Housing Opportunities Collaborative. The performance is free. Please visit www.sdcl.org and sdcls.homestead.com for more information. To see a full list of Acoustic Showcase dates and locations, visit http://sdcls.homestead.com/events.html. For more information on Woody Guthrie’s 100th Birthday Celebration, contact the Poway Library at (858) 513-2900.
SAFE LIGHT PROJECT: FREE SOLAR MOTION-ACTIVATED LIGHTS FOR QUALIFYING SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS
July 13, 2012 (San Diego)–The City of San Diego and the nonprofit organization Rebuilding Together San Diego, have developed a program to increase lighting in several areas within the City. Rebuilding Together San Diego has coordinated purchase and installation of high powered, motion-activated L.E.D floodlights which are battery-operated and charged via solar panels. These lights and their installation are free of charge to qualifying residents. The lights will be available in eligible mid-city census tracts and to residents who qualify, based on age or income level. Lights are mounted on the exterior of a home and can illuminate a front yard, alley or other area where low lighting may encourage criminal activity. According to San Diego Police, this approach has had a positive impact on criminal activity in neighborhoods and brought an increased feeling of safety to residents. For more information see www.rebuildingtogethersd.org
NEED HELP DEALING WITH DIVORCE OR A LOSS?
July 13, 2012 (La Mesa) – Foothills United Methodist Church is offering two classes to help those who are coping with grief. The classes are ‘Dealing with Divorce’ and ‘Coping with Unexpected Loss.’ ‘Dealing with Divorce:’ Foothills will be offering a class in its support series to assist those who may be facing divorce or separation. Learn tips to deal with the disappointments, decisions and discoveries that come along with these changes. The class incorporates faith and prayer with ways to deal with this loss. The class meets for three weeks, Mondays on 16, 23 and 30 of July at 6:30 pm in the Pastor’s office at Foothills United Methodist Church (4031 Avocado blvd. La Mesa, CA 91941). Please call 619-670-4009 to reserve or for more information. ‘Coping with Unexpected Loss:’ This class is for people who have experienced the loss of a job, loss of health, loss of the family unit, etc. Anything that has ‘taken you by surprise’ in your normal routine or comfort zone or quality of life can be experienced as a ‘loss.’ Come expecting to gain some new insights and tools to help identify some ‘anchor points’ and coping skills. This 3 week, faith-oriented class is on Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00pm: August 6, August 13 and August 20 at Foothills United Methodist Church (4031 Avocado blvd. La Mesa, CA 91941). Please call 670-4009 to reserve a place in the class or to find out more information. More information on both classes can be found at http://www.foothillsumc.org/what-we-do/prayer/living-through-loss/
LIBRARY JOURNAL NAMES TOP GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS AND BOOKS FOR 2012
July 13, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) — Each year, the American Library Association selects what it considers to be the most notable Government documents published by Federal, state, and local governments and publishes the list in the prestigious Library Journal (LJ). Library Journal evaluates 8000+ reviews annually of books, ebooks, audio books, videos/DVDs, databases, systems and websites. Out of all of the Federal Government documents LJ looked at in the past year, below are some of those it found most notable, and what it said about each. Many are available through the Government Printing Office’s Sales Program at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/collections/notable_2012.jsp Freedom by the Sword: The U.S. Colored Troops, 1862-1867 (Paperback) Publisher: Defense Dept., Army, Center of Military History Description: In what may be the definitive operational history of black troops in action during the Civil War, Dobak describes the differences in how freedmen and runaway slaves were recruited, how they lived, and how they were trained. Most important, it considers how gallantly these men performed in combat at a time when many of their own leaders questioned whether they would be willing to fight for their own freedom and for that of their families. Much of the documentation comes from the War of the Rebellion series. Keeping America Informed: The United States Government Printing Office 150 Years of Service to the Nation Publisher: Government Printing Office Description: Liberally illustrated with historical photographs and facsimiles of famous government documents, this volume will appeal to a wider audience than depository librarians. Historians and history buffs who have an interest in government and how it interacts with both the private sector and public employee unions will find a compelling story that focuses on the federal government’s obligation to keep citizens informed about its activities. Legacy of Excellence: The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology 1862-2011 Publisher: Defense Dept., Army, US Army Medical Department Center and Schoo1, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Public Affairs Office, Borden Institute Description: In 1862, shortly after the Battle of Antietam, army surgeon general Brigadier Gen. William Hammond ordered the establishment of the Army Medical Museum. Surgeons working on Civil War battlefields were encouraged to preserve anatomical specimens, such as severed limbs and diseased organs, and send them to the museum for further research. From the start, the museum made its displays of specimens and instruments, as well as its medical library, available to the general public. Under the leadership of later curators, such as John Billings and Walter Reed, the museum evolved into the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Readers interested in the history of science, especially medical science or in the devastating effects of Civil War weaponry on the human body, will be fascinated by the hundreds of graphic photographs. Macondo: The Gulf Oil Disaster. Chief Counsel’s Report 2011 Publisher: National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling Description: The National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill was created by President Obama and charged with investigating the root causes of the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry. The committee concluded that the cause of the blowout was not mechanical. Instead, a number of poor management decisions, combined with an inadequate regulatory structure and an indifferent regulatory agency, overwhelmed the safeguards designed to prevent such disasters. Plenty of illustrations and photographs offer a glimpse into the technology of offshore oil rigs. Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012 (Hardcover) Publisher: Commerce Dept., Census Bureau Description: In addition to being the quintessential statistical resource of all time, Statistical Abstract is a Notable Document for 2011 simply because this edition will be the last produced by the Census Bureau and distributed through FDLP. Future editions will be published commercially, so librarians will still have options for maintaining the continuity of their print collections. A classic reference tool. Then Came the Fire: Personal Accounts From the Pentagon, 11 September 2001 (Paperback) Publisher: Defense Dept., Army, Center of Military History Description: In 2011, there were many publications designed to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. In addition to the 59 people aboard the flight that struck the Pentagon, 125 people in the Pentagon were killed. The editors of this memorial volume have collected the stories of eyewitnesses, including the military and civilian personnel who escaped the burning building and first responders and reporters at the scene. It also includes hundreds of photographs. Sign up to receive email updates about Newsworthy publications from GPO.
PUPPY WAKES FAMILY TO FIRE, BUT DIES AS FIVE PEOPLE EVACUATE
No Working Smoke Detector July 13, 2012 (Spring Valley) — San Miguel Firefighters responded to a fully involved mobile home fire located in the 10700 block of Jamacha Blvd. Units were dispatched at 8:45 a.m. Thursday and even though the first unit was on scene in 6 minutes, the double wide mobile home could not be saved. In addition to the home, two vehicles were destroyed and another vehicle damaged. Despite the intensity of the flames, no other mobile homes at the Sweetwater Lodge Mobile Home Park were damaged, some as close as 15 feet away. The owner of the mobile home told investigators she was awakened by her pet Chihuahua. Once awake, she smelled smoke, walked into the hallway and saw the kitchen area on fire. She said she tried to pick up the six week old puppy, but it hid under her bed, out of reach. Knowing the fire was growing, she ran to wake her two adult children and two guests spending the night. Family members again tried to rescue the dog that saved them, but because the smoke was getting so thick they had to evacuate. The Chihuahua was adopted by the family just two days ago. The home owner told investigators they did not have a working smoke detector. A working smoke detector could have alerted the family much sooner, and kept damage and loss to a minimum. Of reported fire deaths nationwide, two-thirds are from home fires that did not have working smoke detectors. This tragic outcome should help remind others to make sure their smoke detectors are working. The San Miguel Fire District has a program to provide free smoke detectors for residents facing financial hardships. Residents in need can get more information by calling The District’s Public Information Officer at 619 660-5359. The cause of the fire is under investigation; early estimates set the total loss of structure and contents at $130,000. No other injuries were reported.
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: “MOONRISE” DAYDREAM
By Brian Lafferty July 13, 2012 (San Diego) – Moonrise Kingdom looks like it’s set in an alternate universe, more specifically Wes Anderson’s universe. In this world, there are no Boy Scouts, but Khaki Scouts, which are run like the military. The government has, of all things, a United States Department of Inclement Weather. The adults behave oddly while the kids are the only sane people. The film takes place in the mid to late 1960s on a New England island town. The ensemble cast includes Edward Norton as Scout Master Ward, who leads an expedition to find a twelve-year-old vanished Scout named Sam and his lover, Suzy (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward, both making their movie debuts). As Wes Anderson introduces the characters, the audience gets a glimpse of the absurdity and whimsy of this strange world. I usually get leery when people complain about a movie being predictable, and Norton’s first scene is one reason why. Robert D. Yeoman’s camera tracks Scout Master Ward as he checks on the Troop. He espies a kid dowsing an anthill with lighter fluid, ready to set it aflame. He doesn’t upbraid the kid for that. Instead, he admonishes the kid for being badly dressed. Even though I could see the punch line coming, the humor of Norton’s high-strung acting makes up for it. Edward Norton is like a harried, incompetent, would-be Drill Sergeant. Bill Murray plays a softer, and just a tad saner, version of his oddball characters from yesteryear. Bruce Willis, as the Captain, delivers his lines in a slow and borderline monotone voice that makes him sound like an oafish adult child. The thunderous, overpowering classical music and obscure sixties tunes add unique flavors to the filmic pot. Anderson also utilizes this whimsy to humorously explore the theme of the twilight of childhood. It’s that time of life when kids stop reading children’s books and progress toward young adult fare; outgrow kids’ TV shows; and realize that girls are no longer gross. It’s the first major step to adulthood. Sam and Suzy fall for each other. In one scene, they experiment with arousal. They touch and hug each other. It’s only because of Anderson’s dry, emotionless approach that the material isn’t unclean. Cinematographer Yeoman films each shot with a straight-on camera angle, with little to no panning or tilting. For camera movement, he prefers to track the camera left or right when it’s needed. The droll energy generated from this camera movement complements the editing, which possesses a forceful energy. These aren’t merely cuts, they’re smashes that pack a Rocky Balboa punch. The rugged outdoorsy colors and rough lighting breathe irony; the movie’s squeaky-clean tone subtly, but comically, clashes with the dirty wilderness. Although only 94 minutes long, Moonrise Kingdom is like going on a long, but rewarding trip into a foreign country. Actually, I’d more accurately compare it to a voyage to an alien planet. Whatever the case, the excursion is one of the year’s most memorable. This is Wes Anderson’s world, and welcome to it. B+ Moonrise Kingdom is currently playing in limited release. A Focus Features release. Director: Wes Anderson. Screenplay: Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola. Original Music: Alexandre Desplat. Cinematography: Robert D. Yeoman. Cast: Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Kara Hayward, Bill Murray, Jared Gilman, Jason Schwartzman, Frances Mcdormand, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, and Bob Balaban. 94 minutes. Rated PG-13. Brian Lafferty welcomes letters at brian@eastcountymagazine.org. You can also follow him on Twitter: @BrianLaff.
SAN MIGUEL FIRE DISTRICT PICKS ITS NEW CHIEF
By Paul Kruze July 13, 2012 (Spring Valley)–By a unanimous vote by the board of the San Miguel Fire District (SMFD) and a badge pinned on his chest, then sealed with a kiss by his wife, former Division Chief Gary D. Croucher was installed as the District’s newest fire chief on Wednesday evening at the board meeting. View a video clip of the appointment: http://vimeo.com/45691689 Croucher was appointed interim fire chief after former SMFD Fire Chief, August “Augie” Ghio Augie Ghio, was severely injured in mid-May when he crashed his Harley Davidson on Route 78 near Ocotillo Wells days before he was set to retire. The SMFD fire board at the meeting voted a $10,000 stipend to Ghio to aid in Croucher’s transition. Ghio has been released from the hospital and continues his recovery at home. Croucher said that negotiations for Cal Fire to take over direct emergency response for the District will continue with the goal of service commencing on January 1. “We are working towards making the transition to CalFire as transparent as possible,” said Croucher. He continued to say that outsourcing fire services to Cal Fire will help the San Miguel Fire District take control of a $2.4 million dollar budget deficit. During his short term as interim Fire Chief, Croucher restored full staffing of the Dehesa fire station. At the meeting, which was attended by some two dozen local residents, in accepting the position, Croucher said, in part, “I hope to make you proud.” Before the board took a formal vote to appoint Croucher as Fire Chief, board member Chris Winter said, “(Interim Fire Chief Croucher) has the full confidence of labor and the board of directors.” Board Member Chris Brainard attempted to attend Wednesday’s executive and public sessions telephonically, but his participation was limited because he was out of the area and experienced interrupted cell phone coverage. Chief Croucher is a 26-year veteran of fire service who started his career at age 14 as a Fire Explorer with the Orange County Fire Department. He formally began his career in East County when he was hired by the California Department of Forestry (CDF, which later became Cal Fire) in 1986 as a Firefighter II. In 1988 when the CDF Schedule “A” contract consolidated with the Spring Valley Fire Department, forming the San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District, Croucher worked his way up in all ranks, from Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief and Division Chief. Croucher lives within the District with his wife and two children. He is also an elected board member and Treasurer of the Otay Water District, which has sparked controversy at times, including a recent Board decision to offer lifetime pensions to its employees. In the San Miguel Fire District, which has been divided by bitter labor-management relations amid a rising budget deficit in today’s era of shrinking revenues, Croucher’s appointment drew rare praise from both labor and management. He has also heeded public concerns over fire safety in one of his first acts while Interim Chief, moving to restore services at the recently closed Dehesa station.