Car2Go is a car sharing/renting service that is similar to Zip Car, except it’s much cheaper and Car2Go uses electric cars. Basically, people sign up for the service and then they can “rent” these cars anytime they want.  You just sign up online and once you get your card, you can go up to any Car2Go car, get in and drive off.  You don’t have to sign anything, refuel(charge) it, pay for parking, return it, or even pay for it(well, you have to pay for it, but you get billed to your credit card).

Perhaps the best thing about this, is that it’s really cheap. Each minute you have the car costs $0.35(plus tax), an hour is capped at $12.99 and you can keep the car all day for only $65.99.  As someone who lives and works downtown, I can easily see myself walking out of my East Village building, on my way to Little Italy, seeing one of these cars right outside, then getting in and driving over there…no more $10 cab!  The website says you can drive the car anywhere in SD county and at $65.99 a day, it’s not a bad deal if you are brave enough to live down here without a car.

Another great feature is that you don’t have to pay for parking. I’m not sure what type of deal they worked out with the City, but you don’t have to bring quarters when you drive this.  Awesome.  Car2Go cars are all over downtown so I can’t imagine you’ll ever have a hard time finding one, but they do have an app for finding them, or you can call their hotline as well.  And for those of you who are a bit OCD, just reserve one the day before.

Hopefully this is a sign that San Diego is growing and becoming a true downtown – a downtown where people live, work and play.  I’m pretty excited to get my card and try driving around in one of these toy-like cars.  And if you click here, you can waive the one time $35 membership fee and get the first 30 minutes for free! Enjoy!

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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.

For those of you in San Diego, here’s a link to help you find your polling place.

The other day, a friend forwarded me a cartoon that made me think “ are things really this bad?  And what I decided was, yes and no.  Just like the economy, the real estate market is down.  At the same time, its worse for some, more so than others “ obviously.

My point is, while I know some people whove been laid off, its not as bad as I imagined itd be.  And in terms of foreclosures, again, its not as bad as I thought itd be.  With 47% of San Diegos sales last month consisting of foreclosures, I really dont see that type of representation Downtown.  Its mostly affecting places like East Lake, Temecula and various other non-central San Diego areas “ not Downtown.

Anyhow, I just wanted to share a bit of humor.  Happy Halloween.

These cards are like debit cards and can be used over and over throughout Downtown San Diego.  Once youve purchased one, all you have to do is put it in a meter, wait for the desired amount of time to register on the meter, then pull it out.  When youre done shopping, eating or whatever, just come back to the meter, put the card back in and collect the remaining time.  Just keep in mind, if theres any time on the meter before you put the card in, you cant retrieve the remaining time when youre ready to leave(otherwise people would go around town, stealing peoples meter time).

The parking meter cards can be purchased for $10 or $45 dollars and you must pay by cash, or check “ no credit cards(although this may have changed at some locations).  You can also reload a card, up to $49.  Id strongly suggest you call ahead, to make sure they have cards and/or they can refill your card.

For those of us who spend a lot of time Downtown and drive, these parking meter cards are life savers.  I keep one in my wallet, one in my car and one at my officejust in case I run out.

See below for the nearest location

Parking Management Division*
1255 Fifth Ave.
(corner of Fifth Ave. and A St.)
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-7145
City Store
City Administration Building
202 C St. – Lobby
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2489
M-F 9-5 (Closed 1-2)

Regional Transportation Center*
4001 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 521-2469 Uptown Partnership Inc.*
3108 Fifth Ave., Suite B
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 298-2541

Uptown Partnership.org
El Cajon Blvd. BID
3727 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
[call first] (619) 283-3608
University Heights CDC
4452 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92103
[call first] (619) 297-3166

Hillcrest ACE Hardware*
1007 University Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 291-5988
Mon.-Fri. 8-8, Sat. 9-6,
Sun 9-6

Farmers Market – Hillcrest
3960 Normal St.
San Diego, CA 92103
(corner of Normal and Lincoln St.)
Sundays 9-1

Hillcrest Association*
3737 5th Avenue, Suite 202
San Diego, CA 92103
[call first] (619) 299-3330

Hillside Artisans Childrens Boutique
827 W Washington St.
San Diego, CA 92103
M-F 10:00-5:00
(619) 293-0134

Click here for more information

Residential real estate agents only get paid when they sell a house.  Not when we list a house and not when we show you property “ only when we close a deal and a home exchanges buyers hands.  We are independent contractors and are not considered to be employees.  This means that we get no medical benefits, nor do we get our employer to match our 401Ks.  We, Realtors, essentially run our own businesses and are responsible for our own survival.  There are no salaries, no expense accounts and no bonuses.  We only get paid when we close a deal “ 100% commission.

To break it down further, most brokerages work one of two ways:

Option 1 “ Agents pay the company a desk fee, which is like rent.  Agents pay an annual fee to be a part of that brokerage and use their office space.  These arrangements typically yield a higher commission split between the agent and the broker, but the agent pays his or her rent no matter what.

Option 2 “ Agents do not pay a desk fee, but give a higher percentage of their commissions to the broker.  In other words, you dont have to pay for your desk, but you do give the office a portion of your money each and every time you sell something.

Obviously, it depends on how much business each agent does and what their split is, to determine which option is more beneficial to that particular agent.  However, aside from commissions, there are other factors as to why an agent may work for a specific brokerage.  I for one, chose to work for Prudential California Realty, because we are by far the largest real estate company in San Diego.  Prudential has an great reputation and a great team of leaders running the company.

With that said, not every agent within Prudential is the same.  Like any service industry, you should do your homework and work with someone who knows what theyre doing and someone you like.

If you have any other questions, or know of someone who might need some help, feel free to contact me.

Click here to learn more about Denny Oh.

Click here to see the best deals in Downtown San Diego.

Amelia Winslow (a good friend of mine) is a Nutritionist and Personal Chef in the Los Angeles area. She is committed to making healthy habits more convenient and more appealing for everyday people. She has

extensive experience in weight loss counseling, workplace wellness consulting, and healthy cooking. Amelia holds two Masters Degrees, in Nutrition and Public Health, from Tufts University in Boston, as well as a BA in Human Development from UC San Diego.

With her help(actually, I wont be doing anything except for posting her work), Ill be sharing her monthly newsletters with you about healthy eating and living. Feel free to contact her if you have questions, or are interested in her services.

Amelia Winslow

HealthyMeels@gmail.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 youre thinking about going, CALL TO MAKE SURE THEYRE OPEN.  As much as I try, Im only an expert in real estate “ not farmers marketssorry.

But the nice thing about these farmers markets, is that you know youre 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 Farmers 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.