Four Points opens in Downtown San Diego

Four Points by Sheraton which is part of the Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. recently opened their latest hotel in the United States with the Four Points by Sheraton San Diego Downtown. The new hotel is a conversion from a previous hotel, following a schedule that has been seen with Four Points by Sheraton to expand to over 160 hotels throughout the world, with 24 more hotels scheduled to open in 2012. The Four Points brand offers a "best for business" proposal for travelers looking for great hotels at great rates and has grown to become the second largest channel among all Starwood brands.

The new hotel, Four Points by Sheraton San Diego Downtown features 220 rooms, a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor heated pool, the First Avenue Bar & Grill, and 1,400 square feet of meeting facilities. This is the last really "round" hotel in San Diego that features breath taking 360-degree views of San Diego Bay and downtown, which includes extensive views from its top-floor meeting room.

Starwood’s Senior Vice President, Specialty Select Brands, Brian McGuinness stated, "San Diego is a vital market for both business and leisure travelers and we’re excited to open our second Four Points by Sheraton in this great city. Our guests are seeking an honest value, genuine service, and the amenities they need to stay productive on the road," McGuinness continued. "We look forward to continuing our commitment to providing great hotels at great rates."

In the fall of 2012, other renovations on the slate including the lobby, in room amenities, and the restaurant. The hotel is managed by Pinnacle Hotels USA, and is home in downtown San Diego, only 10 minutes from San Diego International Airport and only 1 mile from the San Diego Convention Center. The hotel offers free shuttle service to the airport. Travelers love the central location that offers easy access to Sea World, Little Italy, and Balboa Park.

A little about Four Points by Sheraton

The hotels are wonderful with great rates. There are more than 160 of these hotels spread out across 30 countries. Travelers can enjoy the luxury style, comfort, and personal service that are seen across each hotel. Four Points hotels can be found in Shanghai, Milan, and Milwaukee to name a few in locations such as close to the beach, in the suburbs, nearby the airport, and in the big city. Recently, $1 billion was invested for conversions, renovations, and the construction of new hotels which has made the brand even stronger.

Oceanside Library Events

The Wildlife Company’s nocturnal animals show, "Up All Night!" will be presented by the Oceanside Public Library at the Mission Branch Library located at 3861-B Mission Avenue, on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. While you are asleep the animals presented in the show are wide awake and going about their normal lives. During the interactive show you will get to meet nocturnal animals along with a few crepuscular and diurnal animals possibly closer than you might like. During the show, you will learn all about the tasks they do while you are sound asleep. The event is free for everyone no matter your age. Children of all ages will enjoy the show and learn more about the antics that are occurring while they are snoozing. The show is part of the Oceanside Public Library’s "Dream Big – READ!" summer reading program. For more information please call the Oceanside Public Library at (760) 435-5600 or visit our website at www.oceansidepubliclibrary.org.

On June 30th at 10:30 am, you will have the opportunity to meet Samoa author Robert Shaffer at the Civic Center Library Community Rooms at 330 N. Coast Highway. The Oceanside Public Library presents the author in recognition of the City’s annual Samoan Cultural Celebration. Samoa is an epic saga that explains the story of the islands as well as the people that call the islands home which is the result of detailed interviews with Samoans along with research in the Pacific-region libraries. Shaffer also uses his own experiences for the book including living, paddling, sailing, and walking in the same footfall of the characters in the book. The books will be available for purchase as well as signing. The event is free and is supported by the Friends of the Oceanside Public Library. For more information on Library programs and events, please visit www.oceansidepubliclibrary.org or call (760) 435-5600.

Shaffer lived in Samoa for 22 years and has been associated with people of Samoa for at least 50 years. He served three years as a Peace Corps volunteer starting in 1969 on the island of Savai’i, which was the beginning of his research for the cultural and historical aspects. He is also very fluent in the Samoan language which includes the dialect of the chiefs. He is one of a very few non-Samoans that have master the language. Today, he is a resident of Oceanside, California.

If this community sounds like a great place to raise your family where you can enjoy a variety of events year round, contact an Oceanside realtor today.

Summer Solstice in Encinitas

Today is known as the summer solstice or the first day of summer which is the longest day of the year with the shortest night.

The time that solstice occurs is around 7:09 pm tonight while the sun sits right above the Pacific Ocean just to the west of Hawaii.

If you would like to enjoy the day with the most sun of the year in Encinitas, there are a few ways you can truly enjoy the event.

The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy begins it summer evening walk series. The tour is free and runs from 5:30 to 7pm and will allow you and your family to see how the wetlands are alive at dusk as well as being one of the best places to see the sunset. The tour begins at the Santa Carina Trailhead.

A Summer Solstice Angelic Blessing and Sacred Sound Healing Circle is being offered by Soul of Yoga tonight at 7pm. The cost for the session is $10 and will be led by a yoga instructor, sacred sound healing therapist and Reiki Master Grace Ferguson along with ordained, Christopher Dilts, of the Interfaith Church of Divine Unity.

There are many other areas around Encinitas you can also enjoy the beauty of the summer solstice including the various patios around town. The newest one is a two story patio right on the beach.

What is the summer solstice?

If you remember anything from elementary school, you should know the seasons and the lengths of days and nights change throughout the year due to the earth axial tilt.

As the earth sits in the in its imaginary plane in space, the north and south pole do not truly point up and down in a straight line, but are actually 23.4 degrees off the vertical line. This means that the northern and southern hemisphere do not receive the exact same amount of sunlight during the year. Right at this time, the northern hemisphere is kind of leaning toward the sun. Starting tonight at the time of summer solstice the earth will so that the southern hemisphere receives more sunlight. The earth will remain in this tilted position until December 21 at the time of the winter solstice.

If the earth did not lean in this fashion, we would not have seasons. Even the daylight and nighttime would be exactly the same year round.

Today, we can enjoy 15 hours and 2 minutes of daylight, which is also forecasted to be the hottest day of the year in Encinitas.

Summer Solstice in Encinitas

Today is known as the summer solstice or the first day of summer which is the longest day of the year with the shortest night.

The time that solstice occurs is around 7:09 pm tonight while the sun sits right above the Pacific Ocean just to the west of Hawaii.

If you would like to enjoy the day with the most sun of the year in Encinitas, there are a few ways you can truly enjoy the event.

The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy begins it summer evening walk series. The tour is free and runs from 5:30 to 7pm and will allow you and your family to see how the wetlands are alive at dusk as well as being one of the best places to see the sunset. The tour begins at the Santa Carina Trailhead.

A Summer Solstice Angelic Blessing and Sacred Sound Healing Circle is being offered by Soul of Yoga tonight at 7pm. The cost for the session is $10 and will be led by a yoga instructor, sacred sound healing therapist and Reiki Master Grace Ferguson along with ordained, Christopher Dilts, of the Interfaith Church of Divine Unity.

There are many other areas around Encinitas you can also enjoy the beauty of the summer solstice including the various patios around town. The newest one is a two story patio right on the beach.

What is the summer solstice?

If you remember anything from elementary school, you should know the seasons and the lengths of days and nights change throughout the year due to the earth axial tilt.

As the earth sits in the in its imaginary plane in space, the north and south pole do not truly point up and down in a straight line, but are actually 23.4 degrees off the vertical line. This means that the northern and southern hemisphere do not receive the exact same amount of sunlight during the year. Right at this time, the northern hemisphere is kind of leaning toward the sun. Starting tonight at the time of summer solstice the earth will so that the southern hemisphere receives more sunlight. The earth will remain in this tilted position until December 21 at the time of the winter solstice.

If the earth did not lean in this fashion, we would not have seasons. Even the daylight and nighttime would be exactly the same year round.

Today, we can enjoy 15 hours and 2 minutes of daylight, which is also forecasted to be the hottest day of the year in Encinitas.

Safety Center Opening Celebration

The Del Mar Beach Safety Center will hold its grand opening at 1700 Coast Boulevard on Wednesday, June 17th at 3pm. Guests can enjoy refreshments and RSVP’s are not required.

The event is hosted by the City of Del Mar along with the Friends of the Powerhouse. This new structure replaces the old structure which will ensure effective lifeguard protection as well as better access for residents and visitors to visit the beaches in Del Mar.

The Friends of the Powerhouse would like to thank everyone for their support that helped to fund, design and complete this community project. For those interested tiles and planks are still available.

Along with the above grand opening another celebration is schedule for August 1 at En Fuego restaurant located at 1342 Camino in Del Mar at 6pm.

For those looking for their new home in Del Mar contact our real estate agents today at (888) 865-5055.

Coronado Beach Best in US

It is hard to believe but there is a beach in the United States that actually sparkles like the nighttime sky and that beach is the 1 ½ mile long Coronado Beach due to the mineral mica that glistens in the sand.

Dr. Beach, professor Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University listed the beach in the 2012 survey as the #1 beach in the United States for not only the sparkling sand but also due to its proximity to the hotel that was features in "Some Like It Hot", a 1958 film starring Marilyn Monroe.

Dr. Beach has been ranking United States beaches for more than 20 years and this is the first time he has put one of California beaches in the top position. His ranking is determined by the safety provided to swimmers as well the environmental quality.

Coronado Beach is home across the bay from San Diego on a peninsula with weather similar to Mediterranean and often used for the background of postcards.

Leatherman, director of FIU’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, stated "I think it’s one of the most super beaches around."

The other beaches in the top ten include

2. Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
3. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
4. St. George Island State Park, Florida Panhandle
5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
6. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
7. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii
8. Cape Florida State Park close to Miami
9. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
10. Cape Hatteras in North Carolina

Leatherman uses a criterion of 50 different factors to rank beaches which includes the weather, look and feel of the sand, the quality of the water, facilities offered, and the visitors. The highest score given is 250. Coronado beach ranked in the 230′s, only losing points due to the temperature of the water that stays in the 60′s.

Most of the beautiful beaches in California lose points to Hawaii and Florida due to the chilly waters that only allow for a short dip. Last year, Coronado Beach came in second with Siesta Beach in Florida. After a beach has made it on the top beaches it is no longer able to be considered for future rankings.

With a top spot on the list, it usually increases the percentage of visitors 15 to 20%.

Leatherman stated that Coronado beach is great for walking and skim boarding. The flat wide beach is lined with beautiful mansions and Hotel Del Coronado referred to as "Hotel Del," which is a National Historic Landmark, built in 1888 and being the last of California’s Victorian seaside resorts.

Coronado is also the name of the community that is home to some of the wealthiest families in California along with Navy officers. To reach the community, you can take a ferry boat from downtown San Diego.

Leatherman explained that parking is free at the beach however; it is on the street which can be a bit difficult.

Nellie Landeros, lifelong San Diego county resident stated, "It’s gorgeous," and went on to say, "Just the setting alone feels like we’re in another world."

Billy Pavlacka known as Sand Castle Man, has been a regular visitor to Coronado Beach for the last 30 years. He stated, "If you look at the sand you can see it sparkling," and went on to say, "People ask me all the time if it’s gold."

Leatherman explained beaches do not pay to be included in this top 10 list.

If Coronado Beach sounds like the perfect place to call home, contact our Realtor today Toll Free at (888) 865-5055.

More Foreclosures on the Way

Recently, in the U-T business section, there was a featured story that stated homes sales surge and home prices rise in San Diego in April.

Just from that alone, the sign is that the housing market is now going in the right direction. However, this may not be true. The truth is there are many different stories all centered on the housing market. One day you will read foreclosures are down, the next short sales are down, and then home prices are slightly up. Everyone reads this as good news and the housing market is on the road to healing.

Before you start believing all this, you really need to learn more about the root of the problem and what it does to the housing market in San Diego. The current standings in San Diego are as follows.

As reported by zillow.com, 36% of homeowners are underwater in San Diego County.

Foreclosures are truly down in the San Diego County; however, this only means that the defaults are finally clearing out.

Wave of Foreclosures Coming

It is estimated that another wave of foreclosures is coming. These foreclosures are going to affect borrowers that took out Option-Arm and Alt-A mortgages. These loans gave home buyers low interest rates and low monthly payments. What is going to bring on more foreclosures is that the low interest rates on these loans are going to be reset this year and again in 2013. This can increase the mortgage payment around 50%. The home values are now at a 10 year low and due to the increase in the mortgage payments, many homeowners will decide on defaults or short sales as they will not be able to afford the higher payments.

It is estimated that Carmel Valley is going to be the hardest hit in the foreclosures upcoming. The main reason is that during the construction boom from 2000 to 2008, many homes were purchased with no down payment or small down payment, which means homeowners do not have a lot of equity in the home. The median income in Carmel Valley is $90,000 with higher end salary families have been able to stand firm, things are on the swing to change.

The news may not be great; however, San Diego County has a way to go before the housing market will be back on track. There are going to be more foreclosures, more short sales, more strategic defaults and possibly a flat line or decline in property values. Once all this occurs, San Diego will then begin to see some healing in the housing market. Just pay attention to the news in the housing market. If you notice several months of good news, then you can rest assured the worst is over and healing is on the way. A few good stories once in awhile are a false euphoria and may not last.

Now is the time to purchase a home in San Diego at wonderful prices. Contact one of our local Realtors today at (888) 865-5055 to find your new dream home.

Escondido Chamber of Commerce Award Winners

Escondido Chamber of Commerce recently announced the award winners that will be recognized on June 8th at the 102nd annual installation and awards held at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

The honorees include:

• Chuck Aeling, Aelott Air Conditioning – Business Leader of the Year
• Al Owens – Jim Felix Award, Community Volunteer of the Year
• NK Towing & Road Service – Small Business of the Year
• Westfield North County – Medium Business of the Year
• Palomar Pomerado Health – Large Business of the Year
• Kevin Svetich, CLU, Kevin S. Svetich Insurance & Investments – Board Member of the Year
• Angel’s Depot – Community Organization of the Year
• Nancy Murphy, CDC Commercial Real Estate, and Suzanne Southwell, Waddell & Reed Inc. – Ambassador of the Year
• Angelo Damante – Jack Raymond Civic Engagement Leadership Award

Soroptimist International of Vista named Kaye Van Nevel the 2012 Soroptimist of the Year. Club president, Cherie Wilson, stated the award honors a member "who has gone above and beyond the club’s obligations, providing outstanding service throughout the year."

Administrator of the Year award was given to Julie Johnson, MiraCosta College’s director of GEAR UP, from the Association of California School Administrators Region 18 and the San Diego County School Boards Association. The honor was bestowed at the annual "Honoring Our Own" Awards Dinner. She was nominated by co-workers for her "outstanding work with students and staff as assistant principal at El Camino High School".

Ron Perez was appointed to the Palomar College Governing Board on May 8 as the vice president of finance and administrative. He will begin his role on June 18th at Palomar College. Perez previously had been the vice president of administrative services at San Diego Mesa College.

The nonprofit Cancer Angels of San Diego named Marjorie Holmstrom executive director. The Carlsbad-based group provides help to stage IV cancer patients who are facing financial difficulties.

The 2012 recipient of the James O. Page EMS Achievement Award by the International Association of Fire Chiefs is Fire Chief William R. Metcalf of North County Fire Protection District in Fallbrook. This award is presented yearly to a leader that has promoted and created a national scale non-clinical achievement in fire service emergency medical services.

Dr. Rebecca Samuels, osteopathic physician has joined Palomar Medical Group in Escondido.

The 1st place winner in the printmaking/sculpture category at the Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League was Marta Hotel, Carlsbad resident and business owner. Her metal sculpture is named "Inspiration Breaks Free."

Director of Nursing of the Year for Life Care Centers of America’s Southwest Division is Gloria Arado, director of nursing at Life Care Center of Escondido. She was honored at the annual directors of nursing meeting in Cleveland, Tennessee. This award is presented to the director of nursing in every division of Life Care’s eight divisions that demonstrates qualities in various areas such as staff development and customer service ratings.

If you are looking for a home in North County contact one of our professional real estate agents today toll free at (888) 865-5055.