Archive for the 'What to do in San Diego' Category
I am a fortunate San Diego homeowner
August 30th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, San Diego county Real Estate News, Triathlon Club of San Diego Race Reports, What to do in San Diego
SAN DIEGO– Lately I have been feeling a bit down. Those that know me pretty well would say I am pretty optimistic guy and am there to help lift others out of their funk. Lately, I have been feeling a bit down.
See, I am a people person. An extrovert that feels most alive when around other sharing good times. This is why I love the Triathlon Club of San Diego so much. Last night for the first time in many years I attended the Friday night La Jolla Cove swim and absolutely had a BLAST!!! See I stubbornly did not want to deal with the hassle of I-5 south and La Jolla parking on a summer’s Friday evening. What a dope as I have been missing a great time. But that’s not why I have been feeling down.
I have been feeling down because I have not been working with as many clients. And while I would like to say these feelings are not at all from financial perspective, I REALLY miss working with some of the best clients most REALTORs will never be fortunate enough to have. The challenge of the financing. The hunt for the best home. The ups and downs of the negotiations and then finally the celebration of the ‘new home’. That is what I really miss. But yes, I will concede, a dwindling bank account does wreak havoc on one’s feeling of self worth and sense of security.
But this morning I woke up and I feel fortunate. See I have a home, only one, that is mine. I can do with it whatever I please and we gutted the place. The only thing in the home from when it was purchased is the framing, most of the drywall, some flooring and that’s about it. It did not need gutting, but I did. I love working with my hands and now own everything from a drywall scroll, to help install can lighting, to a table saw, for, well, 
all kinds of cool things. The best part, they are all used. However, despite this influx of both dollars and sweat equity, sometimes blood too, my home has lost about 28% of its value from the peak and I am at about break even on the purchase price.
But today I feel fortunate.
I am a 1099 independent contractor so the loan I used to buy our home was a stated income loan. Today, that loan is gone. It is now an excuse, a cause if you will, for the devastation to the housing market from the over exuberance of the closing Greenspan years. Because I write off everything I LEGALLY can as a businessman, my tax records would not support me if I tried to buy my home today using the resurrected FHA loan. Someone in my position would need roughly $75,000 to $110,000 to purchase in the $300,000 to $475,000 price range. Buying in that same price range for someone able to use FHA would require approximately $12,000 to $16,000, so there is hope for many!!!
The San Diego Union Tribune last Sunday had an article in their home section titled, “Raising the Bar”. It is a well written article about the changes in the mortgage market, but it has a troubling close.
“Tighter lending practices are making loans less likely to fail, but they’re also reducing the ability of the first time buyers to enter the market. That’s not necessarily a bad thing , said Jay Brinkman, an economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association.”– San Diego Union Tribune, 8/24/2008
I worked and am working with first home buyers and I find this statement disconcerting. I like to hear the economist representing the mortgage trace association saying,
“We are looking at ways to protect not only the housing market, but too also provide opportunities to the first time home buyer. We have always considered home ownership a huge part of the American dream and areas where home ownership is high, we see a strong sense of community.”– Brian Long, wishful thinking, 8/30/2008
But I feel fortunate today.
There is a great op-ed piece from the Los Angeles Times that looks at the positive side of the 2004–2007 home purchase and while I bought just prior to that it was a shot of sunshine. To anyone out there considering handing over the keys with the outlook that your home is an investment strategy that no longer ‘makes sense’, I would recommend printing this article and carrying it in your wallet. See you need to accept the fact that YOU ARE going to be buying home. Currently you just have the choice of whether it is yours or the landlords.
“Those of us who purchased nonspeculative property from 2004 to 2007 for the gratuitously self-indulgent purposes of raising a family and investing in our neighborhoods will ultimately have the last laugh.”– Los Anglese Times, 8/17/2008
So I feel fortunate today. (and I sure do hope this affirmation thing works!!!)
If I can help you realize your American dream or if, unfortunately, you need help do to financial hardship, call me at 760–415–3329 or email me.
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Camp Pendleton Sprint Triathlon not to be missed
August 10th, 2008 Categories: Aquathlon and Duathlon Race Reports, San Diego County Triathlon Race Reports, Triathlon Club of San Diego Race Reports, What to do in San Diego
SAN DIEGO– The Camp Pendleton Hard Corps race series features some great events. There are of course the two Mud Runs, running races of various distances, a duathlon, international distance tri and a bike race. But the best race of all is the Camp Pendleton sprint triathlon held on the Navy based home of the Swift Intruders.
What makes this event so unique and I mean one of a kind unique, is that the event is that the majority of the race takes place with in the ‘secret wall compund’ that houses the hovercraft. When you travel on hwy 5, you can not help but notice the towering cement walls and wonder just what the heck is going on in there.
The transtion area is set at the base of the landing ramp used by the craft 
for entering and exiting the ocean. This landing ramp also is the worst hill of the whole course and you climb it twice when leaving transition on the bike and run. So for your first event, know it doesn’t get anymore difficult than that.
The swim is an ocean swim and during the summer you should expect some surf as we see a predominant south swell and this area of San Diego county is usually a couple feet larger than most areas south. This day the surf was 2–3 with an occasional 4 foot set waves. The only real challenge was a large 7–8 foot deep trough and then a sandbar again which is where the surf broke again. This caused some funky current conditions. When the surf was down, there was a bit of a north current, but once the waves came the current turned and pushed north. Another thing you can count on is a 
perfect 68–70 water temperature.
The bike route is a very easy out and back with no real hills at all. Truly the only ‘hills’ are an overpass to cross hwy 5 and a rise out of a storm wash. Do they slow down your effort? Yes, but they really are not a climb. When you make your turn on to Las Pulgas, it does seem as though it is a constant elevation gain, so do not let your necessary extra effort discourage you as once you make the turn it will be time to drop down a couple gears and let the legs go!!
Coming back in to transition the prevailing thought for me was, “dang, now we have to run up that ramp!!” It really isn’t that bad. Just short quick turnover and get it over with. The run course is contained within the Intruders compound and you run through and around numerous hovercraft as well as the hangars, cranes and other machinery used to maintain the fleet. It really is pretty cool to be there amongst the workings. Additionally, with all the distractions and the winding unmarked course, you never really know where you are, so you don’t know if you are hurting or not. What I mean by this is, if you see a mile a marker, you gauge your effort and how your legs feel towards what is left. Sometimes this a negative mentally when you calculate that if I feel this way now, I am bummed with ‘x’ number of miles left. I guess it could be surmised as ignorance is bliss!!!
Now that the run is winding down, you come around the corner of the last 
hangar and there is the finish line. What distinguishes it is not so much the balloons and banners, it is the parked hovercraft that you cross thorough with Marines waiting for your bib and chip. That’s another thing about any of the Hard Corp races. Being on the base there are so many ‘voluntold’ Marines out there helping to make all the events GREAT. It makes these events a great opportunity to thank those guys for what they do and they really do appreciate it.
As for results, local Ironman Champion and Carlsbad resident Michelie Jones rode her bike over to make sure she got in her warm up and won the womens 
field in 1:17:15 only beating me by about 15 minutes ;-). The Triathlon Club of San Diego had a great presence at the race and had two club members, Philippe Krebs and Shane Byusse place 2nd and third overall. Funny thing, Phillipe beat Shane by three seconds, but was in a later wave. Wonder how both their times would have been if they were on the course together?
I would have to say that this race in my opinion should sell out as fast as the Mud Runs and should certainly sell out before the International. As a sponsor of both of these races my inbox was flooded with requests for entries because the races sold out. make sure you sign up early and if you can not race, call it a donation to the guys who are out there supporting our country everyday. The money from the races goes towards Marine Corps Community Services. It is a small amount of money for what these guys are doing. Especially given the current situationS our military is involved in.
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Carlsbad triathlon course preview
July 8th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, San Diego County Triathlon Race Reports, Triathlon Club of San Diego Race Reports, What to do in San Diego
CARLSBAD– The 27th annual Carlsbad Triathlon will be taking place this weekend on July 13th. This race is in the top 3 of the longest consecutive running triathlons in the country.
I went out yesterday and shot a few clips identifying some key points of the bike course and run course. The swim course is pretty self explanatory and offers no real surprises. The surf and tides forecast for the weekend call for light surf and the tide will be high at the start of the race. The main thing to remember with the swim for athletes new to the ocean is to TRY to relax. The ocean is a great medium to swim in so make it your friend!!!
The first thing you are going to face coming out of the swim and leaving T1 is the hill that will take you out of the Tamarack state beach parking lot to the coast highway. You need to make sure you have selected a proper gear prior to the race as mounting at the base you will not have time to build any speed. I have seem people almost crash struggling to get up this hill.
Next out on the bike course, you will find a pretty flat nice road. Just south of Palomar Airport Road you will find the only ‘hill’ on the course. It is at the Encinas creek crossing just before the campground. While it is short, it will put a hamper on your effort so be prepared to hit this hill twice. Once on the way out and then on your second lap. One nice thing through this stretch is the city has 
repaved what used to be a very bad road.
Remember this is a two lap bike course. Your first turn around comes at La Costa Avenue just after crossing the Aqua Hedionda lagoon jetty. Remember to use caution as you move over from the right lane to the center divide to make your ‘U’ turn. There will definitely be some fast riders coming up and diving into that turn. Once you have made your turn try to get over to the right as soon as you can to allow others to pass.
The second ‘U’ turn comes at Solamar Drive which comes about 2/3 of the way back to the transition. It is just south of Palomar Airport road. If you were to look at the course on a map, it is a paper clip. When you approach this turn you will need to move in to the left traffic lane, again carefully, as the right traffic lane is reserved for the cyclists heading back for T2.
The run course is also pretty flat with a turnaround almost even with the smokestack of the power plant. The biggest thing to keep in mind with the run course is you leave T2 on the flat boardwalk. At the end of the boardwalk the course goes up a 
short steep rise at Pine Avenue. While this is short it will certainly spike your heart rate as you are already coming out of T2 with some anxiety, urgency, anticipation and an elevated heart rate as it is. If you have spectators coming to the race, the best place to spectate for the run is at the top of this little rise as you will be going pretty slow and they can identify you coming up the hill. From there they can easily get to the finish to see you cross.
Have a great race!!!
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Is it time to convert to solar water heaters?
June 28th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, San Diego County Community News, What to do in San Diego
SAN DIEGO– While in Oregon for a family vacation and to do the Pacific Crest triathlon, I caught a glimpse of an article in the local paper about Hawaii passing a bill mandating solar water heaters on all new home construction.
I have been very tempted to go solar with both our hot water and electrical needs. There is a neighborhood near mine, The Summit, where it seems as though half the homes have solar hot water heaters. I feel guilty everytime I drive by. Living in San Diego county, we surely get our share of sunshine!!
So, the biggest concern I have is cost. I know that there is $1500 rebate offered which should bring down my cost to about $2500. Additionally there are tax credits also, but I can not find a good reliable number on this.
Now, according to FINDSOLAR.com, at the cost of $2500 I should be able to break even in about 3 years from my energy savings and the tax credit. The bug benefit though is in the process, I would save 33 tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. Seems like a no brainer.
Once home I am going to use the FINDSOLAR.com site to start the process of finding a contractor and verifying this information. Stay tuned.
If you have experience with converting your home to solar could you please send a comment. Thank you.
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The shortsightedness of California offshore oil drilling
June 19th, 2008 Categories: San Diego County Community News, What to do in San Diego
“We are in this situation because of our dependence on traditional petroleum based oil”– Govenor Schwarenegger, North County Times,6/19/2008
SAN DIEGO–The best thing to come out of the rapid rise in cost of crude oil prices is the increased focus it has cast on alternative energy. But now, President Bush is trying to turn California offshore oil drilling in to a solution to the current situation. What I appreciate about our Govenor is his strength of resolve to call himself a Republican, yet not tow the party line when he knows it is bad for California.
Offshore, California is reported to sit on a reserve of approximately 11 billion barrels of oil. According to a 2005 report from the California Energy Commission California’s current oil production reached its peak of 72 million barrels 
1995. Now with new technology it should be safe to assume that production could be increased from this number, but we’ll stick with the 72 million figure. Using this number it would take less than 16 years to pump all of the reserve.
Now, let’s pretend we will be opening this NEW supply as well as areas of the Atlantic and the Gulf Coast region not in production to help our current crisis. When could we expect these regions to come online and what would be the impact?
According, to a 2007 report by the Energy Information Administration using official US government data, we should not expect these resources to come online until sometime around the year 2017 and the impact of these new resource through 2030 would be ‘insignificant’ with only an increase of production near 7%.
The cost of offshore drilling in California
Local congressional Representative Darrell Issa(Vista) has weighed in as, in favor of opening the coast to drilling. His reasoning according to todays North County Times is twofold. 
First he feels we are “running out of options” and, there is a “greater likelihood of spills from ships than from platforms” that are now needed to bring oil into California. While the first comment made from the congressman shows either his ignorance to the importance of developing new energy alternatives or his desire to tow the party line, the second comment is not based on fact.
Californian, in 2005 burned 44 million gallons of gas and 10 million gallons of diesel EVERYDAY. Our oil consumption is so great that in 2005 we could only produce 37% of the oil needs of the state. The only way to turn back those ships Congressman Issa is so worried about is to stop using so much oil. In order to do this we need to invest in alternative energy strategy and look at new ways of developing biodegradable non petroleum based ‘plastics’.
Besides the occasional oil spill, which we are all keenly aware of, a not so apparent impact on the coastal environment would be the removal of the old offshore oil platforms themselves.
They have already started to decommission old oil platforms and many more will be running dry. There are a couple schools of thought going and a state assembly bill about this problem.
The oil companies would prefer to remove the above sea structure while leaving the submerged legs in place. This process is termed ‘rigs to reefs’. The idea being that these legs become artificial reefs. In fact in 1996, 2,700 tons of mussels, scallops sponges and other sea creatures were left 
rotting on the docks in Long Beach when Chevron removed four platforms off Carpinteria. This tactic could save the oil companies approximately 600 million dollars. But this is not just favorable to the oil companies. The blasting necessary and other heavy work required to remove these legs from the sea floor would be very detrimental to sea life.
It seems the environmentalist most opposed to this have teamed up with an adversary, the fishing industry. See the fishing industry is opposed to this solution as it would prevent from using trawlers to fish for fear of snagging their nets. This method of fishing in and of itself is not environmentally friendly.
The beginning of the end.
Ultimately, there seems to be nothing substantial or positive gained from opening offshore oil reserves to drilling. Instead of having the government 
and energy companies investing hundreds of millions to extract this finite energy source many years down the road, our citizens deserve this money to be used in developing alternative energy sources and other alternatives to petroleum based products that will produce long term benefits. More is learned in the time of crisis than during periods of abundance. That is when complacency sets in.
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Dean Karnazes is on a Mission
May 30th, 2008 Categories: San Diego County Community News, San Diego County Triathlon Race Reports, San Diego County run routes, What to do in San Diego
SAN DIEGO– Last night the Triathlon Club of San Diego hosted the public premiere of the Dean Karnazes film UltraMarathon Man at the La Paloma theatre. As president of the club, Bob Babbitt of Competitor magazine, sent over the idea about a month ago. I knew this would be a special night about a great athlete and told Bob he had the club on board. The idea was then sent to Dean and Journey Film filmmaker JB Benna whom both jumped at the idea and the plan was set.
We were able to sell out the club’s first 100 tickets, the theatre holds about 390, in about a day so we purchased 150 more and in no time the theatre was sold out. As the planning went on through the normal process, Dean decided to throw in a twist. He was going to run from San Francisco to San Diego, culminating with doing the San Diego Rock N Roll marathon. 
During his introduction he dead panned that he did because with the of gas it was so much more cheaper and the only he could afford to get here!!!
The run Dean did though was to try out a vision of a race he has planned. The multi stage race that would raise awareness of, not only the importance of fitness, but also on the importance of California Missions to our state’s history and much needed revenue to help maintain these icons.
My hope is that this endeavor will evolve into an ongoing yearly event. My vision is that there would be a competitive
division, for those looking to race to each Mission Tour de France style, though most of the participants would run or walk between Missions as the challenge (and adventure) of a lifetime. Many of the Missions are in a state of disrepair and in dire need of restoration and refurbishing. This could be a way to help revitalize the Mission system, while simultaneously promoting health and physical wellbeing in a State where childhood obesity and adult inactivity are rampant. Participants wouldn’t have to run or walk between all twenty-one Missions. They could choose the ones that appealed to them the most, maybe two or three, and could spread it out over a number of rest days, if so desired.– Dean’s Blog May 16,2008
As a native Californian I think this would be a great idea. Right now most elementary schools study the missions as part of their curriculum. Would it not be special to also hold running events for these young minds and the community on the mission grounds and or the area?
To see more about Dean’s current events you can go here. Also, his book UltraMarathon Man is also a great read. How strong is Dean’s pull? We had
runners who flew down from Cananda to see the film and get to run with Dean as well a gentleman who flew in the day of the showing from Chicago to see the film and then run the marathon!!
If you would like to buy your own California Mission Bell, they are being cast from the original molds used to reline the El Camino Real from 1906 to 1913.
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Local developer offers two for one new home sale
May 11th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News, San Diego County Community News, San Diego county Real Estate News, What to do in San Diego
SAN DIEGO– Just how desperate have new home builders become to get cash back into their coffers? How’s a 2’fer?!
Local developer Michael Crews Development is now employing this strategy of the coupon industry. If you purchase a home for $1.59 million from them in San Pasqual Valley they will throw in a new attached home in downtown Escondido valued at $400,000.
In Sunday’s Business section the North County Times(5/11/2008) reported 
the offer combined a 4,000 square foot, 6 car garage home with a pool with the 2,000 square foot condo. Mark Connal who is the sales director stated that the free home deal is not subsidized by raising the price of the high end homes in San Pasqual. The San Diego MLS has one home listed in San Pasqual by Michael Crews that is just over 3700 square feet, has a 4+ car garage and no pool. The listed price is only $1,099,900. Now I have never paid to have a pool put in and I am sure 
Mark Connal was being truthful, but $500,000 more for 800 square feet of garage space and a pool?
If you happen to be in the market for two homes, give me a call. I’ll rebate the commission on the condo back to you(principles only).
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Triathlon Club of San Diego plays the fool
April 12th, 2008 Categories: San Diego County Community News, San Diego County Triathlon Race Reports, Triathlon Club of San Diego Race Reports, What to do in San Diego
SAN DIEGO– Triathlon club of San Diego had there club race on Fiesta Island today and the pranksters of April Fools showed up.
For San Diego, the weekend came with predictions of a santa ana condition and the possibility of record high temperatures. There were actually some set yesterday, Friday, so the weather forecasters were right on target and race morning air and Mission Bay water temperatures were PERFECT.
Coming out today to join in the race were a couple national caliber athletes, 2007 U23 National Champion Ethan Brown and Cal Berkeley triathlon team president and Auburn International course record holder of 2:08, Steve Sexton. Yes these guys are fast!!
As the swim started, our guests blew out so fast and actually swam right past the first buoy. One of the course lifeguards took off in hot pursuit and eventually caught them to get them on track. I was out on the swim with the first group and again with the beginner swim that I missed all of the swim to bike transition.
The swim mistake obliviously wasn’t too costly to the Olympic boys as they were the first in to the transition to discover we had moved all of the running shoes out of the racks and stacked them on the street. Later Ethan told me this was the weirdest race he had ever done. When asked what he meant, he told me, “ first we miss the buoy and then we get into the transition and you guys took our shoes”. My comment to him was, “welcome to club racing!!!”.
It really was a fun time watching the athletes come in and try to figure out why the heck their transition looked different. Some athletes, three, 
took off barefoot and completed the run minus some skin. Club member Chris Stergers actually used to run this way on purpose so he should not be too worse for wear. The other two guys, may be walking a bit gingerly tomorrow. There too were athletes that just so happened to have another pair in their bags, so did not miss too much a beat.
I do not have times yet, but our Olympians smoked the course then the club finishers were Philippe, Paul and Tim with the girls going Andi Ramer, 
Sara Cates and Stacy Schuckler.
I believe everyone had a great time. Again Denise and Zarah had a great spread of scramble eggs, smoked sausage, soy sausage, hash browns, muffins and everything to make yogurt and berry parfaits. Also, BIG THANKS to all the volunteers that made the race and all club events possible. It was the perfect start of a beautiful weekend and we were fortunate to finish before the strong offshore winds kicked up. I watched a eucalyptus tree split on the side of highway 5 on my drive home. The riders out on their weekend ride had to be having a rough go with winds gusting to 35–40 mphs.
Go here to check all the pictures. While there if you are not a member of TCSD and participate in or have considered doing triathlon, JOIN. It will be the best $60 you will ever spend.
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