More holiday festivities are around the corner – the Encinitas Holiday Parade is coming up on Saturday, December 5th, in Encinitas CA.  The fun starts with a Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:00pm in the courtyard of the Lumberyard Shopping Center on Coast Highway 101, adjacent to the famous St. Tropez Bistro.  The Parade itself begins at 5:30, heading south along Coast Highway 101 from D Street to J Street. 

This year’s Parade theme is “Season’s GreeNings,” celebrating all things environmental in Encinitas.  Shuttle bus service will be available from parking locations near I-5 directly to the Parade. Call (760) 633-2740 for exact shuttle service locations and for general Parade information.

Bring your family and friends (and a lawn chair or blanket) to watch as nearly 100 entries make their way down the Parade route.  And stick around afterwards to enjoy dinner at one of the many great downtown Encinitas restaurants. Q’ero is one of my favorites, and the relatively new 3rd Corner is excellent, reasonably priced and has a phenomenal selection of wines.

The 3rd Corner Lounge in Encinitas CA

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued an El Nino Advisory, stating that the El Nino conditions are expected to strengthen and last in the Northern Hemisphere throughout  the winter of 2009-2010.

For those of us in Southern California, North Coastal San Diego County in particular, that means way more rain than we’re used to.  There’s no doubt we need it after so many years of water shortages, but the torrential downpours can cause problems. 

• Make sure all your drains and gutters are cleared of debris and are functioning properly before the rain hits. 
• If your home doesn’t have gutters, you may consider having them installed.
• Visually inspect nearby storm drains before the storm season and after every rain.
• If drain are obstructed, notify your local Dept of Public Works 

Stay dry and enjoy the show!

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and here in Del Mar CA, it kicks off with the 15th annual “Holiday of Lights” at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Starting with opening night on Thanksgiving, November 26th, we can once again enjoy the unique transformation of the fairgrounds into a holiday wonderland decorated with thousands of lights.

The 1.5 mile journey through luminescent tunnels, loops of garland, snowflakes and many other amazing displays all made of holiday lights is a great family experience. From the comfort of your car you’ll see everything from dinosaurs to elves playing volleyball. While driving through the spectacular displays, you can tune your radio to the fairgrounds holiday radio station and enjoy festive music to complete the experience.

In years past over 500 vehicles a day have cruised through this North San Diego Coastal holiday experience. This year’s event will run through January 3, 2010, and is open Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 5:30 to 11:00 PM. The cost is $14.00 per car for up to five occupants.

So come to Del Mar CA and experience this great holiday event. Once inside, you can drive back through as many times as you like.

The new Hamilton Children’s Garden, a place where children and families can enjoy the outdoors and experience the wonder of being close to nature, is now open at the San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly the Quail Botanical Gardens) in Encinitas CA.  The centerpiece is Toni’s Tree House, an ADA-compliant banyan tree environment that combines a man-made “trunk”, with living trees that kids can explore from roots to canopy through tunnels, walkways, and rope ladders. 

Throughout the themed gardens that make up this 1 acre space, whether it’s building structures in Earth Builders, casting shadows to “read” the time at the Amazing Sundial, hopping from rock to rock in Rock Hoppers, touching and smelling in Spell and Smell, or making mud pottery in Art’s Garden – the rule is most definitely “hands on”.  It’s a perfect location for a fun filled and educational birthday party.  Just remember – no party dresses needed!

Hallelujah!  Moments ago, Congress voted by an overwhelming 403-12 margin to approve the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (H.R. 3548) that included, as an amendment, the extension and expansion of the Homebuyer Tax Credit. The bill already passed in the U.S. Senate yesterday by a vote of 98-0, so now it will advance to the White House for President Obama’s signature. It’s one step away from being signed into law, and the Administration already has signaled its support as well as the President’s intention to sign the bill. 
 
Having already helped 5 familes so far this year that have benefitted from this tax credit, we are thrilled the extended and expanded Homebuyer Tax Credit will continue to be available to qualified homebuyers through the first half of 2010.  This will not only benefit them individially, but should benefit the U.S. economy.

To find out whether you qualify for this “free money”, and for help finding you your first home, give us a call (760-815-1318).

Now is your chance to give back to the community and help with an important and FUN volunteer project.  As most everyone who lives in the coastal North San Diego County communities knows, Batiquitos Lagoon lies between Encinitas and Carlsbad and is visible on either side of the I-5 freeway as one passes the La Costa Blvd exit heading north. But did you know that it is one of the last tidal wetlands on the Southern California Coast?

Batiquitos Lagoon

Over the next year, REI Encinitas and the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation will be working with community volunteers to restore the lagoon to its native ecosystem.  Workers will be clearing invasive species, weeding, planting, fencing, creating signage, bird counting and water sampling.

This is a great chance to do something important and fun at the same time. There is no cost for this great experience; the project begins on November 21, 2009 at 9 am.  Volunteers will meet at the Aviara Golf Club near the Argyle restaurant and follow the trail to the lagoon. For more information call REI Encinitas 760 944-9020.

By the way, there are a number of charming neighborhoods within walking distance of the lagoon.  For help finding your own home adjacent to this gorgeous nature reserve, visit our website www.DreamHomesByTheBeach.com or give us a call (760-815-1318).