Blog

Finding a good location for an observatory is tough in Britain due to the dense population and the resulting light/air pollution. That’s why the new Kielder Observatory chose a remote region in Northumberland, which offers clear skies and an uncluttered landscape perfect for star gazing. If you can handle the commute to the area, you will be rewarded by a beautifully designed all timber structure that houses both professional equipment and rooms for amateurs to enjoy the same views. The building itself is powered completely by a 2.5kw wind turbine and solar panels. What makes this project so inspiration is not simply the design, but the fact that it was built for only £415,000 (which we’re told is a good deal on an observatory). The Guardian details:

Barclay’s observatory is a happy balance between what appears to be little more than a simple, almost cartoon-like, timber gangway with some sheds on top and some fine technology inside, with the cranks and cogs needed for the telescope turrets sitting delightfully within the simple wooden walls, floors and ceilings. It is rather like being in an early Victorian steamship, especially in the dark, when the red lamps glow (red keeps light pollution to a minimum).

[The Guardian via PSFK]
(Also be sure to check out the gallery of other great observatories)

I just helped a wonderful couple purchase a home. They are empty nesters. They are young and active (actually, athletic) baby boomers that no longer have a need for a larger home in the suburbs.

This has me thinking. I believe our economy over the next generation or so will be determined in large part upon the actions, desires, needs, and, yes, spending habits of the generation that came before me. So the same will of course be true in regard to the real estate market, no?

I should think that we will begin to see the inhabitants of those wonderful suburban McMansions (often occupied by baby-boomers with children) begin to empty out as the kids move on and the parents no longer have any need or desire for their 2,500, 3,500, 4,500 square foot home. It makes sense to me that, while there will certainly be people of my own generation eager to take their place, that there just won’t be enough numbers to compensate for those looking to sell.  Where will these baby-boomers go? That is the $60,000 question, isn’t it. I don’t know. Remain in the suburbs? Maybe. Move to the cities? Possibly.

The one thing I can guarantee, though, is that most of them won’t be staying put.

[via Friends of Fremont Park]

Celebrate CADA’s 30th Anniversary and the Revival of Fremont Park!

Join the Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA), Councilman Rob Fong, the City of Sacramento Parks & Recreation, and Local 522 of Sacramento Area Fire Fighters on Friday, September 19, 2008 from 5pm to 9:45pm for food, live entertainment and Disney’s movie, “Enchanted.” Fremont Park is located at 16th and P Streets and the public is encouraged to walk to the event or utilize the free bike valet provided by Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA).

Avoid the commute and enjoy barbequed hamburgers and hot dogs starting at 5pm! Bring a lawn chair or blanket for the movie, but come early as the seating area is limited to 200 people. Admission is free and the movie is anticipated to start at dusk (around 7:30pm).There will be a bounce house, balloon artist, face painter, carnival games and free fingerprinting for the children.

For more information about CADA’s 30th Anniversary, contact Karen Fleming, CADA Communications Administrator at (916) 322-2114 or (916)384-7210.

There are few things as rewarding as helping newlyweds and first-time buyers negotiate and close on a killer house at a great price. I just had the honor of helping guide a young couple through what ended up being a very challenging transaction. There were so many opportunities this transaction could have fallen out of escrow, but the right people fought hard to make this deal happen for this ecstatic couple.

But this is only the beginning of the reward. The real reward will come as I see them complete work on the house, put their finishing touches on it, make it a home, and, of course, grow a family there. On days like this, I LOVE MY JOB.

And now, from the “Why didn’t somebody think of this sooner?” department:

With electronics everywhere these days, plugs can be at a premium. Who hasn’t had the experience of searching for a wall outlet, only to find it occupied by a gigantic power cord blocking access to the other socket ?

Thanks to designer Kim Gerard, we now have the ingenious 360 Electrical Rotating Duplex Outlet. Each socket rotates a full 360 degrees, allowing endless configurations, and most importantly, the ability to fit two bulky power cords in the same outlet.

Terrific, simple design solution - a little change with big results.

[via Remodelista]

Saturday morning, my boy and I will be getting muddy with our friends from LJ Urban at GOOD.

From their website:

On Saturday, August 23 Brian from Urban Earth Solutions is going
to be teaching a class at the Good project on how to build earth
structures. On the site there are three big oak trees and under
them we are going to build benches in the plaza that are made
out of earth bags as the core and then surrounded with cob
and earthen plaster. How fun does that sound?

When: Saturday August 23rd from 9AM - 2 ish
Where: GOOD - 5th and B Streets in West Sacramento
Cost: $10 Per person
Food: Lunch included

If you have been looking for a place to throw some mud around
then this is the class for you. There are only a limited number of
spaces available and they are going to fill up fast so be sure to
get your spot by emailing Steve@LJUrban.com.

They are actually almost full, so contact Steve at the address above as soon as possible.  It’s sure to be a good time!

Every year at about this time there is a debate in our family: to go or not to go. Since both my wife and I have a tendency to be contrarians, you never can tell which side of the debate each of us will be on.

There are definitely some cool things at the fair, including the animals, exhibits and, yes, even the rides. It’s just what you have to endure as well: the heat, the crowds, the prices, the heat, the crowds, and, oh, did I mention the heat? Last year we successfully fought the urge (yeah, you heard it right, I won). This year, however, we have been invited by some good friends (by the way, good company always limits the risk of misery). Don’t try to reach me tomorrow morning. I will be there.

So what about you? Are you going this year? What are your overall thoughts on fair?

Speaking of short sale success, I just got notified that a short-sale that was being negotiated on behalf of my clients has been approved. This was one of those deals that had all of the right signs, but, because it was a short sale, nobody was holding their breath!  It is a deal for some dream clients that have been very patient throughout the ordeal (which, I believe, began in February!).  There were a number of other offers on the table, but the listing agent went ahead with ours (obviously, the strongest).  We asked the right questions, the buyers and their lender did the right things, and, just as importantly, the listing agent’s negotiator did a bang up job making this happen.

My clients were well informed that this deal was a long shot (and certainly not a done deal yet!), so they continued to look at other properties and remained patient.  In the meantime, nothing seamed to meet their specific needs and their growing family quite like this house, so I am just thrilled for them.  We still have a long road ahead of us to make this thing close as smoothly as possible. But getting this approval (it happens with only 1 in 62 short sales on the market) was a major victory!

Please don’t ever expect to find an endorsement of any politician on this blog. I strive to limit myself solely to mockery.

That being said, I am a big fan of town hall meetings and, with a 5 year old and a baby on the way, I am extremely interested in the future of education in Sacramento. Mayoral candidate Kevin Johnson (I think he was also a professional athlete once… table tennis?), and California’s top educator, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, will be holding town hall meetings, the first of which was held earlier tonight in Oak Park.  There will be more (8/29 – North Sacramento; 9/3 – East Sacramento; 9/9 – Land Park; 9/18 – Natomas; 9/26 – Elmhurst/Tahoe Park; 10/8 – The Pocket; 10/28 – Meadowview). It should be a good opportunity to have your voice heard, whatever your political beliefs (as well, I am sure, a commercial for the candidate).

Again, this is not an endorsement and if you know of any similar events that Johnson’s opponent, Heather Fargo, is holding, please let me know and I will make sure to post it. And if any of you go (or went earlier this evening), please leave a comment.