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SINGLE FAMILY HOME, CONDO PRICES RISE IN JANUARY, SAYS CALIFORNIA DESERT ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS [Public Record, The (Riverside, CA)](Public Record, The (Riverside, CA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sales of existing homes in the Coachella Valley continued the upbeat trend in 2013 with a rising median price and slower sales in January, the California Desert Association of Realtors reported. The median price for single family homes was $375,800 in January up from $304,700 in January 2013 while median price of condominiums rose about $40,000 in January over January 2013, the CDAR report showed. There were 207 condo sales in January, up from 161 the same month in 2013. Condos also saw a median price boost from $174,444 last year to $204,111 in January 2014. "This is good news as home values continue to improve and homeowners gain equity," said Sharon Rogers, president of CDAR. "Many homeowners are now above the water line and are able to carry out a 'standard sale' and not having to take the 'short sale' route." Rogers also said real estate professionals are increasingly optimistic because of the "great forecast of an improving commercial sector" announced at the recent Desert Area Commercial Information Exchange Coachella Invest 2014 Conference in Rancho Mirage. "I'm also looking forward to the upcoming real estate forecast April 17 when California Association of Realtors economist Leslie Appleton Young comes to the Coachella Valley to talk about our statewide and local real estate market," Rogers said. For the third consecutive month, the inventory of single-family homes rose in January over December. There were 2,948 single-family homes and 1,289 condos for sale in January compared to 2,690 single family homes and 1,269 condos in December. Distressed properties including both short sales and foreclosures continued to fall drastically. They accounted for 12 percent of January sales this year compared to 29 percent. in January 2013. Condos saw a reduction in distressed sales with only 9 percent falling into this category in January of this year compared to 15 percent in January 2013. The January statistics, including median and average sale prices, are based on the industry standard Multiple Listing Service in tracking sales for buyers and sellers. This report reflects sales in Bermuda Dunes, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage. SOL PALM SPRINGS CONSTRUCTION ON TRACK WITH MODELS BEING FRAMED Interested homebuyers can see the vision for Sol Palm Springs coming to life with models now being framed and construction getting underway. Streets and entryways are also expected to be completed soon for the highly anticipated new community of chic contemporary homes in the heart of Palm Springs that offer low maintenance living with style and elegance. "Enthusiasm for Sol has been growing steadily since we first announced the development details, and now with the models being framed, we anticipate even stronger interest from homebuyers wanting to get an up close look at how the community is taking shape," says Antun Barbato of Family Development. "Now is a great time for anyone interested to schedule an appointment for a personal tour." Homebuyers are discovering Sol Palm Springs evokes a fresh sensibility in step with the desert town's retro coolness. The sophisticated community of 46 detached two-story homes offers contemporary design elements inspired by Palm Springs Modern architecture while embracing comfort, convenience and a seamless indoor/outdoor lifestyle that epitomizes the desert resort culture. Two sophisticated floor plans, with up to 2,726 square feet, capture every opportunity to showcase the spectacular vistas of the surrounding San Jacinto Mountains. Each home features a gourmet kitchen, two large master bedroom suites, a Sol Room, large entertainment areas, private pool, spa, 2-car garages and front yard landscaping. Rooftop view decks are also an option that is available for each home. Residents will also enjoy a private dog park, paver stone streets and a community coffee hut. Sol boasts a prime location at the northeast corner of Avenida Caballeros and Amado Drive within walking distance to many of the most popular restaurants, shops and attractions of downtown Palm Springs. Models and the first phase of homes are expected to be completed in May. FRAMING OF MODELS UNDERWAY AT REVELLE AT CLANCY LANE The luxury home development Revelle at Clancy Lane is taking shape with models now being framed and the vision for the high-end trendsetting community coming to life in the prestigious Clancy Lane enclave in Rancho Mirage. "It's extremely exciting to see the vision coming to life as the models are framed and the community begins to take shape against the stunning backdrop of the surrounding natural beauty," says Raymond Herrera of Family Development. "At this stage of construction, it's a great time for interested homebuyers to see the beginnings of the architectural designs being realized, while still being able to enjoy early pre-sale opportunities." With spacious lots at a minimum of 15,000 square feet, each of the 32 semi-custom individual estates will be strategically positioned to accentuate the seductive views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. Five core plans, ranging from approximately 3,297 square feet up to 4,300 square feet, can stand alone or be customized in hundreds of variations with a wide variety of architectural appointments. Both exterior and interior options are available for an estate tailored to the homeowner's unique needs and tastes to create the ultimate dream home. Modern desert living rich with cosmopolitan flair will be the cornerstone of Revelle at Clancy Lane. All of the homes will boast high quality, state of the art amenities including luxurious pools and spas. Beautifully tucked away in the prestigious Clancy Lane enclave, homeowners will enjoy the exclusivity of their gated community, yet the convenience of the prime Rancho Mirage location only minutes from top-rated golf courses, entertainment, and the world famous El Paseo shopping and dining district. The Revelle at Clancy Lane off-site office is located approximately a mile south of the site at 43-645 Monterey Avenue, Suite B, Palm Desert. ICONIC POLITICAL STRATEGIST KARL ROVE TO SPEAK TO SOLD OUT CROWD OF NEARLY 2,000 ATTENDEES ON MARCH 6 Desert Town Hall, presented by The H. N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, introduces Karl Rove Thursday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. Karl Rove is an iconic political strategist, whose provocative and robust knowledge of the major political issues of the day have made him one of the most sought-after political pundits of our time. As former deputy chief of staff and senior adviser to former President George W. Bush, bestselling author, Fox News contributor and Wall Street Journal columnist, he has more than two decades of experience in the political arena. Following Rove, the final speaker of the 2014 season is also sold out with the renowned Dr. Benjamin Carson, pediatric neurosurgeon, inspiring storyteller and New York Times best-selling author. Carson's remarkable journey from tough, inner-city youth to history-making neurosurgeon celebrates and illustrates the power we all have to excel and influence others. His wife, Candy Carson, will speak to 150 area high school students as part of Youth Town Hall. The lecture series is sponsored by a number of local companies, organizations and philanthropic individuals. Desert Forum, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational corporation, produces Desert Town Hall. A portion of the cost of the tickets is tax-deductible. As part of its philanthropic mission, Desert Forum, Inc. invites 150 local high school students to attend each lecture. The students participate in a hosted evening where the featured speaker visits with the youth. Sponsors of the series include the presenting sponsor, The H. N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, along with The City of Indian Wells, The Desert Sun, Lois U. Horvitz, Rabobank, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Roemer & Harnik LLP, Sunrise Company/Toscana Country Club, and Valentine-Dougherty-Clark/111 Wealth Management Group. PALM SPRINGS WRITERS GUILD CREATES OWN VERSION OF "SHARK TANK FOR WRITERS" The Palm Springs Writers Guild continues its season of specialty writing workshops Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Mission Hills Country Club "Fifty-Fifth Grill Room" in Rancho Mirage. The Cost for Guild members is $30 and non-members $45. Non-Members May Attend Per Space Available. To register for this workshop and for additional details please visit: www.palmspringswritersguild.org. "Shark Tank For Writers" promises to be entertaining and educational offering "news you can use" The Shark Tank workshop closely follows the format of the popular television show, where entrepreneurs present their business plans to the Sharks with the objective of receiving financing. The workshop's format is similar except several authors will be presenting book marketing plans gaining valuable feedback from the Sharks. The workshop attendees/audience will see four author teams individually present their book marketing plans to the Shark Tank panel of distinguished authors. The panel will then question and critique each plan, giving feedback. Time will be allotted for the attendees/audience to participate in a Q and A with each author. Presenting authors will receive feedback and suggestions on all aspects of marketing, including speaking, social media, radio interviews, email campaigns and more. "Shark Tank for Writers" is an interactive learning workshop where attendees will gain valuable insight from the presenting authors, the Sharks, and from the questions and comments from the audience. The "Sharks" John Hagen is author of the best-selling historical story Play Way Please, the tale of the sale of Golf's greatest icon, the St. Andrews Old Course Starter's box. His second book, Pebble Beach - A Novel, will be coming out this fall. John is an active marketer and speaks widely on his book to golf enthusiasts, at golf tournaments and on radio shows across the world. He has sold more than 100,000 copies of his book internationally. Lynne Spreen is the author of the award-winning novel Dakota Blues, an empowering midlife coming-of-age story about celebrating life after 50. Lynne is the. Palm Springs Writers Guild's popular go-to authority on using social media to market your books. Ed Lopatin is the author of several books, including How to Survive Your Promotion. His latest book, How to Survive Your Vacation, is due out this summer. Ed is an active speaker and marketer of his books and is Chairperson of the Guild's actively attended Writers Corner discussion group, which tackles writers' issues on writing, publishing and marketing for all genres. Ed is also the organizer and talented MC of the Guild's popular Author Recognition Day program. CORD MEDIA HITS TRIFECTA WITH NEW CLIENTS Cord Media Company, a full-service agency specializing in creative services, media, integrated marketing and branding, announced three new clients have been retained with Video Gaming Technologies, Inc., Trio Palm Springs and Back Nine Greens. Video Gaming Technologies, Inc. (VGT) is one of the leading manufacturers for Class II and Skill-based gaming systems, more commonly known as the "bingo game" slot machines frequently seen in casinos. In business since 1991, VGT brings more than 20 years of experience to the table for Class II gaming and has a proven track record to back them with their numerous Native American Tribe licenses and their great success in diverse markets like South Carolina and Oklahoma. Located in the Uptown Design District of Palm Springs, Trio is a chic restaurant crafting simple comfort food with a very contemporary flare. Their extensive menu features a variety of dishes plus seasonal items from local growers and farmers, allowing Executive Chef and co-owner Mark Van Laanen to change up the menu often. With a mid-century modern look and remarkable energy, they have furnished a swanky space for guests to enjoy their dining experience. Back Nine Greens has been installing the highest quality synthetic lawns and artificial grass putting greens available since 1997. With uncompromising commitment to quality and expertise that can only be had through success with thousands of custom designed installations, Back Nine Greens stands at the head of the class in this rapidly growing market. Their wide array of outdoor products and expertise range from artificial grass to putting greens, pet areas, sports fields and play areas, all to create the best quality outdoor experience. REPORT GIVES GLIMPSE INTO HEALTH OF LGBT COMMUNITY IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY A first-ever health report being released this week by health officials gives a better insight into the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Riverside County. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Health and Wellness Profile reports on a segment of the population that has been traditionally underserved and provides a benchmark that will help Riverside County health officials track the health of the community for years to come. The 108-page report took months to complete and is a collaborative effort by the Riverside County Department of Public Health and a variety of agencies and organizations. "This is a significant document, not only because of what it tells us about this portion of the community, but because of the questions and issues that it raises," said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, public health officer for Riverside County. "As we gather more data in the future, we hope to make real progress on the health issues and disparities that affect them." Among the findings in the report: Gay and lesbian teens smoke at a rate twice that of their heterosexual peers. Bisexual women report intimate partner violence at a rate nearly three times that of their heterosexual female peers. Nearly a quarter of lesbians and bisexual women report having an asthma diagnosis, a rate that is nearly double that of the general female population. The report also found that the lack of quality data severely limits knowledge of this community and information on the transgender population is almost non-existent. "When we better understand the risks and resiliencies regarding a myriad of health issues facing LGBT people, we can better address unmet health needs. It can also help guide decisions on where to better direct scarce financial resources," said Dr. Jill Gover, director of counseling for The LGBT Community Center of the Desert. MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER MONTH Eisenhower's 11th Annual Community Cancer Awareness Day will take place at Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center Saturday, March 8 from 9 a.m. to noon in the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Auditorium. The event is FREE and open to the public; reservations are required. To make a reservation, call (760) 834-3798 by March 7. A welcome and continental breakfast begin at 9 a.m. in the Healing Gardens. At 9:30 a.m., a lecture and panel discussion - Focus on Colon Cancer: Risk Factors, Prevention and the Latest Treatment Options - will be presented by Eisenhower Gastroenterologist James Conti, M.D.; Colorectal Surgeon Scott Gering, M.D.; Radiction Oncologist Robert Johnson, M.D. and Medical Oncologist Henry Tsai, M.D. From 10:45 a.m. to noon, guest speaker, colorectal cancer survivor and comedienne, Brenda Elsagher will share her compelling story through humor, wit and compassion: Bringing Laughter with a Message. The author of four books, including, If the Battle is Over, Why am I still in Uniform and Bedpan Banter, Elsagher is a storyteller who "guarantees laughter." The Minnesotan has won several awards, including the Twin Cities Funniest Person contest and the American Cancer Society's Golden Mic Award. Elsagher will make you laugh, possibly make you cry, but will always leave you hopeful and with a smile on your face. Eisenhower Medical Center is a not-for-profit, comprehensive health care institution that includes the 540-bed Eisenhower Hospital, the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center at Eisenhower and the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower. The Betty Ford Center is also located on the Eisenhower campus. An accredited teaching hospital, the Medical Center is renowned for its Centers of Excellence in Orthopedics at Eisenhower Desert Orthopedic Center, Cardiovascular at the Eisenhower Smilow Heart Center, Neuroscience at the Eisenhower Neuroscience Institute, and Oncology at the Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center. Situated on 130 acres in Rancho Mirage, and with locations across the valley, the medical center has provided a full range of quality medical and educational services for more than 40 years for residents and visitors to the greater Coachella Valley. COVERED CALIFORNIA UNVEILS NEW ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN Covered California announced new television advertisements that began airing statewide yesterday in both English and Spanish. The "I'm In" campaign ads show the transformative effect Covered California is having on people's lives through personal stories, in their own words. They also show the tangible benefits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as well as how people feel now that they're covered. The ads are intended to motivate and inspire viewers to enroll in a quality, affordable health insurance plan that can give them the peace of mind of knowing they will not face financial ruin if they ever have a medical emergency. "We want Californians to see these ads and relate to the people in them," said Covered California executive director Peter V. Lee. "These new ads complement our overall marketing strategy by having Californians, in their own words, share why getting coverage matters." The new ads will be followed by additional 30-second and 15-second testimonials representative of California's diverse audience. In addition, newspaper advertising will begin next week in major English newspapers in select markets as well as local print advertising reaching Latino, African-American and Asian/Pacific Islander communities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. Starting in March, billboard advertisements, transit shelter displays and convenience store posters will appear in a variety of languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Tagalog. Wednesday, Covered California unveiled the Spanish-language version of the campaign titled "Tengo un Plan ("I have a plan"). The Spanish ads will complement a grassroots outreach strategy to reach Latinos in California. Covered California is the state's marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage starting in 2014, Covered California helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits. Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market work for California's consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. (c) 2014 Desert Publication, Inc. and Sharon Apfelbaum |