Archive for May, 2009
San Diego Treasure, The Rancho Bernardo Winery Arts and Crafts Fair
May 11th, 2009 categories: Local San Diego News You Can Use, Market and Forecast Updates For San Diego, San Diego Real Estate, William's Life in San Diego Musings
A San Diego Treasure, The Rancho Bernardo Winery. This past weekend I had the good fortune of attending the Bi-Annual Rancho Bernardo Winery Arts and Crafts Fair.
For those of you who live in San Diego that don’t know of this place, it is one of the oldest continually operating wineries in southern California. And for those who don’t live here, this needs to be on your itinerary the next time you visit.
The Rancho Bernardo Winery was founded back in 1889 on what was a Spanish Land Grant, the winery was opened and operated until Prohibition. The winery is located in a valley that used to be covered with vineyards and with the advent of Prohibition, the winery went up for sale. When it was purchased in 1927 by Vincent Rizzo, the harvest was then used to produce grape juice and sacramental wine. After Prohibition ended, the winery became a major wine producing company along with it’s famed Cold Pressed Virgin Olive oil made from the many olive trees that were found on the property.
As the valley began to grow and the land was purchased for residential development, the vineyards disappeared and today, the Rancho Bernardo Winery imports most of its wine making grapes from around the county and state. In 1962 when Ross Rizzo, the son of the founder took over the winery, he turned it into what it is today, a destination.
When you visit the Rancho Bernardo Winery, you will be overtaken with the vast amount of antiquities found everywhere on the property, even to include a museum. There are over a dozen village shops, a wine tasting room, a coffee shop, an award winning cafe and more charm than you can fit into an afternoon.
The Arts and Crafts Fair was filled to capacity with local artists showing their creations. I was taken with several of them for their unique design qualities as well as with the artist themselves.
Two artists that create these sculptures from gourds really caught my eye.
Ruth Phillips and Vickie Echols proudly display their creations. Each artist creates their unique pieces using the gourd as inspiration and from there, their artistry takes over and you can see here for yourself, each one is its own little unique masterpiece.
Ms. Vickie Echols (on the left) creates beautiful object d’arts using gourds as the core of the piece then enhanced with a woven reed type material. Many of her pieces have a distinct Southwestern influence. Each one is totally unique and a real stand out.
Ruth Phillips also uses gourds in her designs ( one of my favorites that first got my attention is the purple gourd pictured here) some of which also have the look of metal sculptures like her bird collection. Ruth’s Bird designs are made completely from gourds or cuttings from gourds finished in metallic finishes that would simulate aged and weathered bronze. These pieces are truly stunning! Both Vicki and Ruth will showing at the 13th Annual Gourd and Fiber Art Show May 17th through June 28th, 2009 at the Falbrook Art Center.
Another artist, Susan Smith, who I had the pleasure of visiting with is a world traveler and has her art studio in Spanish Village in Balboa Park. Susan uses computer software to create her work by enhancing her photography creating the affects of oil, acyclic and water colors. One of my favorite pieces that Susan has done is shown below titled “Vernazza II” ~ Cinque Terre. Her technique is called Fauxtography. A true Artist and a lovely person to boot. Susan can be reached at susankphotography@yahoo.com Read the rest of this entry »
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The History Of Mother’s Day
May 10th, 2009 categories: Local San Diego News You Can Use, San Diego Real Estate, William's Friends and Family, William's Life in San Diego Musings
Though Mother’s Day today is one of America’s most successful commercial holidays of the year, it’s origin and how it became significant across America has a long history. Many women have done and contributed much to the history of America. Some would argue that the observance of honoring mothers had its origin as far back as the Egyptians, but many historians credit a social activist by the name of Julia Ward Howe and a school teacher by the name of Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis for our modern-day holiday.
It was Julia that first used the words “Mother’s Day” in her “Mother’s Day for Peace” movement back in 1872. If Julia were alive today, she might be categorized as a modern day peace activist in that she promoted peace after having observed the carnage about the Civil War and Franco-Prussian war. Her campaign was to inspire women the world over to rise up against war. Read the rest of this entry »
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City of San Diego Now At Level 2 Water Emergency
May 6th, 2009 categories: Legislative, Local San Diego News You Can Use, San Diego Beach Communities, San Diego Condominium Guide, San Diego Real Estate, San Diego Real Estate News
The city of San Diego is now at Level 2 Water Emergency. San Diego city Council yesterday voted eight to zero to impose mandatory outdoor water usage restrictions throughout the city of San Diego, effective June 1, 2009.
The newly enacted measures call for the following:
Watering of lawns and landscapes throughout the city and its jurisdictions can only be done from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.
Outside watering ( applicable to residential and commercial properties) can only be done three days per week.
Each property owner must follow the assigned days of week according to the property address. Read the rest of this entry »
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Up to a $10,000 Tax Credit for California NEW HOME Buyers
May 2nd, 2009 categories: Legislative, Local San Diego News You Can Use, San Diego Mortgage Banks and Loans Info, San Diego Real Estate, San Diego Relocation
The Governor signed into law a senate bill that provides New Home Buyers with a tax credit when they purchase New Construction as a primary residence in California.
Between March 1, 2009 and March 1, 2010, New Home Buyers can earn a tax credit up to $10,000 on a qualified personal residence. The qualified property an be a single family home or an attached property. There is 100 million in tax credit available so it will be available on the next two years on a first come, first serve basis.
The qualifying rules are as follows:
The Buyer must occupy the New Home for at least 2 consecutive years after the purchase.
The Seller of the new home must certify within one week of the sale that the New Home has never been lived in. Read the rest of this entry »
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Are Reverse Mortgages Your Golden Egg ?
May 2nd, 2009 categories: Local San Diego News You Can Use, Market and Forecast Updates For San Diego, San Diego Mortgage Banks and Loans Info, San Diego Real Estate, San Diego Real Estate News, San Diego Relocation
With our economic system in a tailspin, for the older generation hit the hardest by declining fortunes coupled with the rise of unemployment, property values and retirement investments,there may be yet another way for them to tap into the greater amount of their home equity in these hard times.
For home owners that are age 62 or older and have a good amount of equity, Reverse Mortgages may be their Golden Egg that helps them through the tough times and ensures they can stay in their homes.
While there are scores of Reverse Mortgage offerings out there from private companies and even some state and local government types, the federally insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage might be a good place to start in the discovery of the costs and requirements to see if the idea of a Reverse Mortgage is your Golden Egg.
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