According to James Caulkins, one of the managing partners…

Econation is an exciting new “green” alternative to traditional ground transportation.  With a great assortment of hybrid and alternative fuel based sedans, utility vehicles and buses, it’s an easy way for individuals and corporations to be environmentally and socially conscious without sacrificing comfort or style. Each ride includes healthy refreshments and optional high speed in car wireless internet and touch screen digital entertainment.

Along with Caulkins, Ben Bloch and Nicole Pisklo recently launched Econation in Los Angeles.  Econation has been a huge hit and the company is expanding and has now come to San Diego.  The company offers Priuses, Yukons and Tahoes, Town cars and even luxury rides from Lexus and Mercedes – all of which are eco-friendly.

Econation is currently working with GM to pilot the Equinox, a Hydrogen run SUV and continues to work with Mercedes, anticipating the addition of their BioDiesel SUVs next year.  Econation constantly evaluates the “most environmentally friendly options on the road” and offers a travelers an opportunity to change the world.  For more information, please visit www.Econation.com or email them at info@econation.com.

This might not interest all of you, but for those who care, here you go:

TUESDAY

• Coronado: 2:30-6 p.m., corner of First and B streets (Old Ferry Landing). Manager: Mary Hillebrecht (760) 741-3763.
• Escondido: 2:30-6 p.m., Grand Avenue between Broadway and Kalmia Street. Manager: Debra Rosen (760) 745-8877.
• UCSD/La Jolla: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. UCSD Certified Farmers Market at the Price Center near the bookstore near Lyman Lane and Library Walk. Manager: Bonnie Harmon or Christine Woolery (858) 534-4248.

WEDNESDAY

• Carlsbad: 2-5 p.m., Roosevelt Street between Grand Avenue and Carlsbad Village Drive.
• Ocean Beach: 4–7p.m. (stays open 1 hour later in the Summer), 4900 block of Newport Ave between Cable and Bacon St. (619) 279–0032
• Chula Vista: 3-7 p.m. (closes an hour earlier in winter) Third Avenue at Center Street. Manager: John Ward (619) 422-1982.
• North Park: 4-7 p.m., North Park Way and Granada. Manager: David Larson (619) 237-1632.
• El Cajon Marketplace: 3 to 6 p.m. (7 p.m. in summer) Downtown El Cajon at Orange Ave and Main St. (858) 272-7054.

THURSDAY

• Downtown: 10a.m.-3p.m., 225 Broadway(at the bottom of the NBC building, North of Horton Plaza). 619–615–0947

FRIDAY

• La Mesa Village: 3-6 p.m., Allison Street, east of Spring Street (at La Mesa Village). Manager: Suzanne Bendixen (619) 440-5027.
• Rancho Bernardo: 9 a.m.-noon, Bernardo Winery parking lot at 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte. Manager: Mike Machor (760) 723-2469.
• North Pacific Beach: 3 – 6 p.m. – November-February; 3 – 7 p.m. – March-October. Corner of Cass St and Chalcedony. Manager: Ron LaChance (858) 272-7054.
• Borrego Springs: 7 a.m. to noon (Nov thru June) Christmas Circle Community Park at Christmas Circle and Palm Canyon Dr. Manager: Erica Savage (760) 767-5555.
• Clairemont Mesa: 3:30 to 7 p.m., Temporarily closed (winter), Ray Kroc Middle School, 5050 Conrad Street, Clairemont Mesa and Highway 805, Manager: Susan G. Beach (858) 272-4267.

SATURDAY

• Clairemont Market and Bazaar: 3 – 6:30 p.m. 6991 Balboa Ave at Lindbergh – Schweitzwer Elementary School. Manager: David Robert (619) 602-3644.
• Pacific Beach: 8 a.m.-noon, Mission Boulevard between Reed Avenue and Pacific Beach Boulevard (at Promenade Mall). Manager: Mary Hillebrecht (760) 741-3763.
• Vista: 7:45-11 a.m., corner of Eucalyptus and Escondido avenues (City Hall parking lot). Manager: Margo Baughman (760) 726-8545.
• Poway: 8-noon, corner of Midland Road and Temple Street (in Old Poway Park). Manager: Suzanne Bendixen (619) 440-5027.
• Del Mar: 1-4 p.m., corner of El Camino Del Mar and 10th Street (City Hall parking lot). Manager: Alan Usery (760) 727-1471.
• Scripps Ranch: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ellen Browning Elementary School at 10380 Spring Canyon Rd. Manager: Bev & Mike Cassity (858) 586-7933.
• Temecula: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Old Town Temecula at 6th and Front Street. Manager: Gayle Cunningham (760) 728-7343.
• Carlsbad: 8 a.m. to noon Roosevelt St between Grand Ave and Carlsbad Village Dr. Manager: Christy Johnson (760) 434-2553 .
• South Park: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Corner of 30th & A Streets, Albert Einstein Academy playground, Manager: Darcy Young (858) 405-6086.
• University City – TEMPORARILY CLOSED: 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Spreckels Elementary School, 6033 Stadium Street, San Diego 92122, Manager: Mike Echavarry (619) 729-4333

SUNDAY

• Hillcrest: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., corner of Normal and Cleveland streets (DMV parking lot). Manager: David Larson (619) 237-1632.
• Solana Beach: 2-5 p.m., 410 to 444 South Cedros Ave at Rosa St. Manager: Barry Koral (760) 631-0200 or (760) 455-1261.
• La Jolla: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., Girard Avenue at Genter Street (La Jolla Elementary School). Manager: Darcy Young (858) 405-6086.
• Downtown Third Avenue Market and Asian Bazaar: 9 to 1 400 block of Third Avenue between Island Ave and J Street. Manager: David Klaman (619) 279-0032.
• Leucadia/Encinitas: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Paul Ecke Elementary at Union St and Vulcan St. Manager: Ron La Chance (858) 272-7054.

*most of the information from www.about.com

If you’re thinking about going, CALL TO MAKE SURE THEY’RE OPEN.  As much as I try, I’m only an expert in real estate – not farmer’s markets…sorry.

But the nice thing about these farmer’s markets, is that you know you’re getting fresh produce, from a local farm.  Over 6,000 farmers contribute to a billion dollar agricultural industry, here in San Diego each year.  The Farmer’s Markets are also certified by the State, meaning that everything is home grown and meets all the necessary standards.  So go out, walk around and buy some healthy food.

SanDiegoish is a San Diego blog about interesting things happening in and around town. That means San Diego: arts, Chargers, events, fashion, music, news, Padres, people, places and more. 

I think I like that this site is maintained by San Diego natives and that it has that cozy, almost mom and pop type feel to it – not to mention, SanDiegoish provides a lot of useful, interesting information.

Another site I frequent is www.sdurban.com/blog.  This site “is about life in san diego’s urban neighborhoods,” says Paul Jamason, the blog’s author.  The best thing about this site, is that Jamason isn’t afraid to be honest and is to the point.  His views might not be the same as mine or yours, but at least they’re honest.

I hope this helps.  If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know.

Other Must Reads:
What’s Near Your Home?
What’s In Little Italy?
Anthology

Email me at denny@sandiegoh.com

In 1985, CCDC used eminent domain to take control of the property and in 1992 the Balboa Theatre Foundation successfully listed it as a nationally recognized historic building. The goal of the foundation is to “transform the Balboa Theatre into a contemporary performing arts venue treasured by patrons, producers, presenters, performers and San Diego’s regional community, while contributing to redevelopment and the advancement of a vital downtown theatre district.”

Reopening this month, Balboa Theater will be hosting its grand opening with a Roaring Twenties themed fundraising gala on January 31^st. This event begins at 7pm, with the show beginning at 8:30. Click here to see more info on tickets and shows.

Balboa Theater – just one more feature that makes living Downtown convenient and exciting.

Balboa Theatre

868 4th Avenue, 92101
Ticketing – 619-570-1100
Administration – 619-615-4000

Click here to get a free list of homes for sale and click here to search for homes yourself.

Related Must Reads:

CCDC Who?
Anthology – Live Music and Great Food

Email me at denny@sandiegoh.com

What began as a relatively modest $575,000 remodel project, soon snowballed into a $3 million dollar renovation for Jim and Jerilyn Shaw.

Purchased in 2004, the Shaw’s purchased this 4,391 square foot, two story penthouse for less than $1.9 million! After spending $14,000 a week in labor costs, the renovation is finally complete – we think.*

Having been in the self-proclaimed Palazzo de Cielo (“Sky Palace”), I can vouch that this is a truly unique home. Styled with an Italian Renaissance baroque theme, the 10,000 feet of walnut, sculpted ceilings and incredible attention to detail is what really distinguishes this penthouse.

Currently listed at $10 million dollars*(originally listed at $12.5 million), with the Neuman and Neuman team of Prudential, this penthouse has the potential to set a new record for the most expensive residential sale in the Downtown area. Currently held by a $7.25 million dollar sale at the Harbor Club (the most expensive condo sale in SD County), only BOSA’s 8,361 square foot Bayside penthouse(which is also priced at $12.5 million) is challenging the Palazzo de Cielo.

Can San Diego attract buyers who can afford these million dollar penthouses? Well, the Harbor Club penthouse sold in just 38 days! Prior to that sale, Downtown has had a dozen or so other sales, ranging in price from about $3 million to $6 million.

I agree, that at $2,841 per square foot, this penthouse is way over priced (based on comparable sales), but when we’re talking about one of a kind penthouses, do comps really play a factor? Will a potential buyer say yes to a sales price of $11 million, but no to a price of $11.5 million? My guess is that when you get to this level, buyers who fall in love with the home will pay top dollar. I’m not saying that the people who can afford these homes are careless with their money, rather that they will pay for what they want – if they truly love it that is.

*Click here to see all the homes currently available at The Renaissance. 

Other Related Posts:
The Grande North Penthouse
Mission Beach Boardwalk
Search the MLS

For questions or comments, please call Denny Oh at 858–243–2092. You can also email me by clicking here.

* Information is based on the San Diego Union Tribune 11/4/07 issue.

Type in an address and find out where the nearest grocery store is…or the nearest bookstore…Drug store? Library? How nice would that be?

Now you can. Walk Score is a new service that allows you to do exactly that – just type in an address and a full map, with everything you’re looking for instantly pops up. Thinking about moving? Want to know where the nearest grocery store is? How about the closest gym?

Within a few seconds, a map of the property’s neighborhood will be generated and a detailed list of grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, movie theaters, schools, parks and so on, will be mapped. You can scan the map and click on categorized icons, or you can look at the detailed list to find what you’re looking for.

Walk Score even lists how far away these places are and you can scroll through the list of gyms, bars and restaurants, assuming there are more than just one. I have to admit, this is a pretty awesome tool.

After the map is generated, a Walk Score is generated. A score of 90–100 is a “Walkers’ Paradise” and well, you get the idea. After typing in various addresses, I’d have to agree with most of the scores. Some things that the site doesn’t take into account though, are how large/small the streets are. A busy street is seen just like a small street…weather isn’t taken into account, crime isn’t and a few other factors are neglected.

Overall, I think this is a great way to see what services are near your home, or future home. Aside from knowing the area, or driving/walking the neighborhood, this acts as a very good alternative. Happy hunting.

Click here to search your neighborhood.

If you haven’t heard already, the Red Bull Air Races are coming to San Diego! Red Bull has chosen San Diego to be one of only two US cities to host this worldwide event this year (the other being Monument Valley in Utah). This year’s other hosts include Abu Dhabi, Rio de Janeiro, Monument Valley, Istanbul, Interlanken, London, Budapest, Porto and Perth.

For those of you are unfamiliar with the event, the Red Bull Air Races are “an exciting competition in which the world’s most talented pilots are up against each other in a race based on speed, precision and skill.” This event is unique in the sense that the races will be held in close proximity to the spectators and because of the extremely low flying levels.

The first Air Race was held at AirPower in Zeltweg, Austria in 2003 and becuase of it’s huge success in 2005, Red Bull began its World Series of Air Races. The pilots are tested on speed, agility and strength and travel at speeds of up to 250 mph and pull up to 10 Gs.

This should be an awesome event and I would check it out if you can. This just goes to show once again, what an amazing city San Diego is. Have fun.

Tickets are available by clicking the link here or by calling 1-877-840-0457. You can also email Red Bull at ticketing@redbullairrace.com

Directions:
From the North: Inbound – Take Interstate 5 South. Exit Front Street and continue on Front Street until you reach Harbor Drive. Turn left on Harbor Drive.

From the South: Take Interstate 5 North. Exit Crosby Street. At the bottom of the off-ramp, turn left onto Caesar Chavez Parkway. Follow Caesar Chavez Parkway to Harbor Drive. Turn right on Harbor Drive.

As the most popular district of Downtown San Diego, Little Italy provides entertainment for everyone. People want to eat there, live there, shop there and pretty much, just hang out there. Hosting a variety of annual events, such as the Artwalk, the Stickball competition and Carnevale, Little Italy is an integral part of Downtown San Diego’s culture.

San Diego’s Little Italy has been a ‘stable ethnic business and residential community since the 1920’s’ and is currently going through another growth spurt. With the assistance of the Little Italy Association and Downtown’s overall growth, Little Italy is seeing quite a bit of change.

With new condos like Aperture, Breeza, Pier and some others, more San Diegans will soon be able to enjoy living in this exciting neighborhood. Visitors and residents will be also get to enjoy the new parks and changes that the North Embarcadero Visionary Project will bring.

Overall, Little Italy is a great place to shop, eat, people watch, go out and of course, to live.