Things to Do This Weekend in San Diego: May 17-20

Friday, May 18

Salsa Under the Stars6 to 9 p.m., The Headquarters at SeaportHit the courtyard at The Headquarters at Seaport for this Friday night salsa dancing session under the stars. Manny Cepeda and his orchestra will provide the toe-tapping tunes; no partner or experience necessary to join this fun, free event.

• 'Saved By the Bell'-Themed Pop-Up Diner Opening in WeHo

Dirty Heads6:30 p.m., Mattress Firm AmphitheatreFour reggae-rock bands are bringing their summer concert tour to the Mattress Firm Amphitheatre for one night only. Headliners Dirty Heads will perform songs from their newest album "Swim Team" and classics from their albums dating back to 2008. The band will be accompanied by Iration, The Movement and Pacific Dub this island-vibing concert in Chula Vista. Tickets start at $20.

Movies on the Bay: Wizard of Oz6:30 p.m., Tidelands Park
Bring the family and a blanket to Tidelands Park on Coronado for a free movie. This week, Movies on the Bay presents the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz." This musical tale shares the story of Dorothy, a midwestern girl (Judy Garland) who is swept into another world where she encounters a unique trio of characters as she journeys to get back home.

The Story Behind the Cardiff Kook

On HIghway 101 north of San Diego, there's a statue that was once ridiculed but has grown to find its own place in the hearts of the public. 

(Published Monday, April 16, 2018)

  

Hops on the Harbor7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Flagship Cruises & EventsThe ever-growing local beer maker Mike Hess Brewing joins Hops on the Harbor this month with a selection of four 6-ounce samples to accompany a dinner menu and cruise around San Diego Bay. This month, Hops on the Harbor will feature: a ceviche bar and citrus marinated local white fish with a topping of your choosing -- from pico de gallo to avocado and mango salsa -- paired with Mike Hess' "Steel Beach" lager; and a blood orange, barbecue-grilled chicken plated with an arugula and feta raspberry vinaigrette salad paired with "Blood Orange IPA," to name a few. The dinner cruise boards at 7 p.m. from 990 North Harbor Dr. and sails past the San Diego skyline, USS Midway, Star of India and other Maritime Museum ships and the Coronado Bay Bridge. Tickets cost $69.50 for adults and $41.70 for children ages 4 to 12; kids 3 and under are free. Reservations are recommended.

Classic Albums Live: The Beatles Abbey Road 7:30 p.m. (Friday & Saturday), Moonlight Amphitheatre (Vista)Classic rock albums will be brought to life in this concert series debuting at Moonlight Amphitheatre. First up is the iconic 1960s Beatles album "Abbey Road" featuring songs like, "Come Together," "Something" and "Here Comes the Sun." Guests can experience the entire album, song-for-song and note-for-note, in North County’s open-air theatre with a ticket starting at $15. On Saturday, Classic Albums Live will bring Led Zeppelin II to the stage. 

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Celtic Woman: Homecoming Tour7:30 p.m., San Diego Civic TheatreClassically-trained Irish musicians tour the globe as part of the performing collective, Celtic Woman. They stop in San Diego Friday to share Ireland’s rich culture through song and dance. Tickets to the musical experience start at $42.

The Comedy of Tim Allen8 p.m., Copley Symphony HallTim Allen rose to national stardom with his television show, "Home Improvement" in the '90s and went on to star in comedies like "The Santa Clause" and animated films like "Toy Story." But the comedian has stayed true to his roots by continuing to bring his stand-up comedy routines to audiences across the country. His latest tour makes a stop in San Diego Friday. Tickets start at $34.

Photos: What to Eat at Petco Park in 2018

Bradley Schweit Photography/Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill

Saturday, May 19

Rock the Yacht! Cruise9 to 11 p.m., Hornblower CruisesA dance floor will take over one of Hornblower Cruise’s yachts as a DJ spins for a two-hour floating dance party. The ship-turned-nightclub will cruise San Diego Bay, giving guests a view of a twinkling San Diego skyline, the Coronado Bridge, USS Midway and more with a $30 ticket. Food and drink are not included but will be available for purchase. After the cruise, guests will disembark a few blocks from the Gaslamp.

• Music Man: Meet San Diego’s New Civic Organist

Fiesta del Sol 20189 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fletcher Cove (Solana Beach)A two-day festival to kick off the summer season returns to Solana Beach for its 39th year. The music and arts festival will be filled with dozens of booths selling original paintings, handcrafted jewelry, pottery clothing and other unique artisan goods. As customers browse, a lineup of rock, reggae, soul, jazz, latin and worldbeat artists and bands will perform. The free event will also feature gourmet food trucks and vendors and kids will have their own area equipped with bounce houses, crafts and other activities.

Yoga in the City9 a.m., The Headquarters at Seaport VillageYogis, bring your mat to Seaport Village this Saturday for a free teacher-led yoga session presented by Scripps Health. All levels and ages are welcome but participants are asked to register in advance here. 

Raul Prieto Ramirez on the Spreckels Organ Pipes

Spanish organist Raul Prieto Ramirez is San Diego's new Civic Organist. You can see him perform on the historic Spreckels Organ at Balboa Park. Here, he shows NBC 7 some of his fancy footwork.

(Published Friday, Jan. 12, 2018)

San Diego Taco Fest11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Waterfront ParkA celebration of all things tacos is coming to San Diego. Taco Fest gathers popular local vendors -- including ¡Salud!, Lucha Libre, TJ Tacos and dozens more -- for this food and music festival at the city’s Waterfront Park. Throughout the day, artists will take the stage for a concert series headlined by the hip-hop/rap group Salt-N-Pepa with Spinderella. A $30 ticket to the event does not include food or drink but guests will have access to Lucha Libre wrestling matches, a Chihuahua beauty pageant and race and more at this all-day event.

Armed Forces Day: Operation Appreciation11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oceanside Pier AmphitheaterSaturday is Armed Forces Day and the city of Oceanside wants to show its appreciation for its men and women in uniform. All active-duty military will be treated to a day of free food from a variety of local restaurants, entertainment for the kids and live music at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater. The event is open to the public but only active-duty military with ID will have access to unlimited carnival rides, activities and a free lunch.

• Matt Kemp Puts San Diego Mansion Back On Market

Stone Liberty Station 5th Anniversary Celebration 2 to 4 p.m., Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens (Liberty Station)It’s been five years since Stone Brewing debuted at Liberty Station and the local beer maker is hosting a party to celebrate. Guests are invited to the World Bistro & Gardens where for $35 they can sample eight 3-ounce pours of Stone Brewing's popular suds. Each person will be given a commemorative glass and be treated to tasty bites from other vendors that make up Liberty Station.

Lynard Skynard: Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour 6 p.m., Mattress Firm AmphitheatreOriginal Lynard Skynard member Gary Rossington keeps the band's legacy alive by touring the country to grace cities with rock-n-roll. The Hall-of-Famers bring their latest tour, Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour, to Chula Vista accompanied by Outlaws, Jamestown Revival and Georgia Satellites. Tickets for the concert start at $22.  

Sunday, May 20

Beautiful Blooms: The Flower Fields in Carlsbad

A aerial view via News Chopper 7 of the vibrant blooms at The Flower Fields at Carslbad Ranch on March 21, 2018.

(Published Wednesday, March 21, 2018)

Pirate Days10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday), San Diego Maritime MuseumAhoy, matey! A two-day celebration of all things pirate is coming to the Maritime Museum. This all-ages festival will feature cannon firings, sword fights and scavenger hunts for pirates booty throughout the day. Children can participate in a costume contest and any guest who wears a pirate or mermaid costume will receive $2 off the $18 price of admission for adults or the $8 admission price for kids 3 to 12 years old. Children two and under are free. For an additional $20 ($10 for children) visitors can be trained in pirate life --learning how to sword fight, bail water from a sinking ship and more as part of an interactive show "Boarded! A new Pirate Adventure." 

Gaslamp Artisan Market10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fifth AvenueA new marketplace is making its debut on the Gaslamp Quarter’s Fifth Avenue between Market Street and Island Avenue. Local artisans will be able to showcase their goods at the Gaslamp Artisan Market every Sunday starting at 10 a.m. Guests can stop by the popular shops that and restaurants that line the Gaslamp as they make their way through booths filled with handcrafted goods.

• In This Corner: Lucha Libre Opens in Carlsbad

Brunch With the Birds11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Free Flight (Del Mar)Free Flight, the exotic bird sanctuary on Jimmy Durante Boulevard, is hosting its annual Brunch With the Birds to raise funds for the feathered friends that call the sanctuary home. Guests can sip on refreshments while learning about the sanctuary and interacting with the parrots in their care. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for children.

BYOD: Bring Your Own Dog 12 to 5 p.m., QuartyardThis party’s going to the dogs. Quartyard held its grand re-opening party for humans a few weeks ago, but now, they are throwing one for furry companions. Bring your dog to the urban park located in East Village for this free event that will feature dog-friendly vendors and music. The event is free before 2 p.m. or $5 after.

Inside Liberty Public Market: Fall 2017

It's been a year-and-a-half since Liberty Public Market opened in the heart of Liberty Station. With more than 30 vendors lining its halls, the 25,000-square-foot marketplace has quickly transformed into a food emporium, with interesting treats to be had at every turn. Here's a glimpse at LPM, as it looks in fall 2017. 

(Published Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017)

Nomad Donuts & Mike Hess Brewing12 p.m., Mike Hess Brewing (North Park)Nomad Donuts’ Chef Kristianna Zabala and Mike Hess Brewing’s Lead Brewer Paul Deras worked together to create the perfect pairings of breakfast treats and locally-brewed suds. For $22, guests will be treated to a three-course pairing menu that includes: an Ube/Taro Coconut Donut from Nomads paired with a pour of Mike Hess' "Grazias Vienna Cream Ale;" an Eight West Spiced Coffee Crueller matched with "Umbrix American Imperial Stout;" and a House-cured Salmon Bagel paired with "My Other Vice Berliner Weisse." Tickets must be purchased by Friday to attend this event at Mike Hess Brewing’s North Park tasting room (3812 Grim Avenue).

Sunday Organ Concert2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Spreckels Organ Pavilion at Balboa ParkEnjoy a free, hour-long organ concert Sunday at Balboa Park’s famed Spreckels Organ Pavilion. At the keys, the audience will find Raul Prieto Ramirez, the city’s newest San Diego Civic Organist and Artistic Director of the Spreckels Organ Society. Prieto Ramirez hails from Spain and, as he told NBC 7, hopes to keep the program interesting – from Bach to Queen – at the historic Spreckels Organ.

• Eater San Diego: Portland Burger Concept Heads for San Diego

Free or Cheap Things to Do in San DiegoTimes and locations vary
Looking to save some cash, but still enjoy the city? In San Diego, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy for free or on the cheap. Go for a hike at Torrey Pines State Park or Cowles Mountain, stroll Balboa Park, try a new craft brewery, admire the murals of Chicano Park or read a book at a downtown park. Get out there and explore America’s Finest City.

Courtesy of NBCSANDIEGO https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-weekend-events-204328381.html

5 Ways Tax Reform Has Impacted the 2018 Housing Market

Starting late last year, some predicted that the 2018 tax changes would cripple the housing market. Headlines warned of the potential for double-digit price depreciation and suggested that buyer demand could drop like a rock. There was even sentiment that homeownership could lose its coveted status as a major component of the American Dream.

Now that the first quarter numbers are in, we can begin to decipher the actual that impact tax reform has had on the real estate market.

1. Has tax reform killed off home buyer demand? The answer is “NO.”

According to the Showing Time Index which “tracks the average number of buyer showings on active residential properties on a monthly basis” and is a “highly reliable leading indicator of current and future demand trends,” buyer demand has increased each month over the last three months and is HIGHER than it was for the same months last year. Buyer demand is not down. It is up.

2. Have the tax changes affected America’s belief in real estate as a long-term investment? The answer is “NO.”

Two weeks ago, Gallup released its annual survey which asks Americans which asset they believed to be the best long-term investment. The survey revealed:

“More Americans name real estate over several other vehicles for growing wealth as the best long-term investment for the fifth year in a row. Just over a third cite real estate for this, while roughly a quarter name stocks or mutual funds.” 

The survey also showed that the percentage of Americans who believe real estate is the best long-term investment was unchanged from a year ago.

3. Has the homeownership rate been negatively impacted by the tax changes? The answer is “NO.”

Not only did the homeownership rate not crash, it increased when compared to the first quarter of last year according to data released by the Census Bureau.

In her latest “Z Report,” Ivy Zelman explains that tax reform didn’t hurt the homeownership rate, but instead, enhanced it:

“We have been of the opinion that homeownership is most highly correlated with income and the net effect of tax reform would be a positive, rather than negative catalyst for the homeownership rate. While still in the early innings of tax changes, this has proven to be the case.”

4. Has the upper-end market been crushed by new State and Local Taxes (SALT) limitations? The answer is “NO.”

In the National Association of Realtors latest Existing Home Sales Report it was revealed that:

• Sales between $500,000 and $750,000 were up 4.5% year-over-year
• Sales between $750,000 and $1M were up 15.1% year-over-year
• Sales over $1M were up 17.3% year-over-year

5. Will the reforms in the tax code cause home prices to tumble over the next twelve months? The answer is “NO.”

According to CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Insights Report, home prices will appreciate in each of the 50 states over the next twelve months. Appreciation is projected to be anywhere from 1.9% to 10.3% with the national average being 4.7%.

Bottom Line

The doomsday scenarios that some predicted based on tax reform fears seem to have already blown over based on the early housing industry numbers being reported.

What If I Wait Until Next Year to Buy a Home?

We recently shared that national home prices have increased by 6.7% year-over-year. Over that same time period, interest rates have remained historically low which has allowed many buyers to enter the market.

As a seller, you will likely be most concerned about ‘short-term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As a buyer, however, you must not be concerned about price, but instead about the ‘long-term cost’ of the home.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae all project that mortgage interest rates will increase by this time next year. According to CoreLogic’s most recent Home Price Index Report, home prices will appreciate by 5.2% over the next 12 months.

What Does This Mean as a Buyer?

If home prices appreciate by 5.2% over the next twelve months as predicted by CoreLogic, here is a simple demonstration of the impact that an increase in interest rate would have on the mortgage payment of a home selling for approximately $250,000 today:

Bottom Line

If buying a home is in your plan for this year, doing it sooner rather than later could save you thousands of dollars over the terms of your loan.

Contact us today for more information and to get started on your home search. 

San Diego Waives ‘Granny Flat’ Construction Fees to Help Increase Housing

In an effort to increase the supply of low-income housing, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously Monday to waive fees associated with construction of “granny flats.”

Development Impact Fees, Facility Benefit Assessment Fees and General Plan Maintenance Fees for the construction of “companion units” — otherwise known as accessory dwelling units or granny flats — were waived for homeowners who want to build secondary living spaces on their property.

“One of the fastest and least expensive ways we can increase affordable housing in San Diego is to make it easier to build granny flats,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. “With these new incentives, we’re removing barriers to encourage the construction of new units that San Diegans can actually afford. This will be another tool we’ll use to tackle our housing needs.”

In addition to the waived fees, Faulconer also directed $100,000 to the Public Utilities Department to cover the cost of Water and Sewer Capacity Fees for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2018. He also plans to commit an additional $300,000 in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget to cover the cost for additional fee waivers designed to increase granny flat supply.

“Companion units provide a great housing option in the city that we desperately need and today we have moved one step closer to increasing the number of these units by reducing the burdensome fees,” said Councilmember Scott Sherman.

–Staff

https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2018/04/30/to-help-tackle-housing-needs-san-diego-waives-granny-flat-construction-fees/