Give Blood in Carlsbad Village February 11, 2023 Once again here’s an opportunity for Carlsbad residents to help our community, and specifically the San Diego Blood Bank, with their need for blood donations. The 6th Annual Heart of the Village Blood Drive will be held in Carlsbad Village on Saturday, February 11th from 10 am until 3 pm. Thank you again to Barrio Glassworks at 3060 Roosevelt Street for hosting the blood drive. Blood donations are at the San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile in their parking lot. And you can also check out their glass blowing operations and gifts while you're there.  Over 238 pints have been donated through the previous Heart of the Village Blood Drive events! Once again the Carlsbad Village Association is the sponsor. All donations are by Appointment Only, pr... 01/13/2023

What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for December 2022 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to evolve, with changes from November and 1 year ago. These numbers do not include private sales, mobile homes or multi-family housing (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms, so they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (learn more - How Local IS Local?). Up-to-date information, and analysis, about local market conditions benefits you when you need to make buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 43 homes sold in Carlsbad in December (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), down 41% fr... 01/07/2023

2023 Carlsbad Marathon~ Sunday January 15th ~ The popular Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon is Sunday January 15th, in our beautiful village by the sea. That’s also the Martin Luther King holiday weekend - officially Monday the 16h! If you are a distance runner you may be finishing your training for the upcoming Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon. Or one of the other races, too! The Carlsbad Marathon is a very popular running event, and is a qualifying race for the well-known Boston Marathon. No doubt there are plenty of runners from other areas of the US planning on this world-class event! The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon also offers a Double Down Challenge. This is 2 races, first the 5K (3.1 miles) followed by the half marathon, for a total of 16.2 miles. The Car... 01/04/2023

First Photos of the New Year They aren't anything special, but I realized when I took them that they are my first photos of the New Year. No doubt they will be followed by many hundreds more, if my camera history in Carlsbad repeats itself. I would have liked a bright sunny day to start the New Year. However, it was quite blustery and chilly, but not an unusual winter day for us.  And we were blessed with a couple inches of rain overnight so I really shouldn't gripe. We need it desperately, and more is due. We were out running errands and drove along Armada Drive which overlooks the Carlsbad Flower Fields (due to open March 1st) and the ocean in the distance. More on the Fields as we get close to blooming time. They WILL look like the FEATURE PHOTO in the next couple of months. The top ... 01/01/2023

Free Christmas Tree Recycling in Carlsbad~ Through January 15, 2023 ~ It’s hard to believe Christmas is behind us. But some of you may already be thinking about taking down the holiday tree. As they do each year, the City of Carlsbad is offering free, curbside pickup of Christmas trees for Carlsbad residents now through January 15th. Curbside pickup is on the regular trash pick-up day unless it falls on the Christmas and New Year’s observed holidays. Christmas trees should be placed at the end of the driveway next to the green waste bin. Be sure to remove all decorations, lights, tinsel and tree stands before recycling. If possible you should cut the tree and place it in the Green Waste recycling bin for pick-up.  If your tree is taller than 6 feet it should be cut in half and placed ne... 12/28/2022

Holiday Light Displays in Carlsbad 2022 I enjoy seeing the holiday light displays in our neighborhood, and around Carlsbad including the Village at this time of year. In addition to what we see on buildings and at the shopping centers, it’s impressive to see what some private homeowners do with their homes. We have white lights on several small trees on our front patio and lighted wreaths on the front door and fence, but that’s it! TWIN INNS - This is a favorite of mine in Carlsbad Village. I really enjoy how the Twin Inns on Carlsbad Boulevard are lit up every year, especially the palm trees. I haven't seen them at night yet in 2022 but no doubt they will impress again. This photo is from a prior year. I always enjoy seeing the Holiday Tree at the Carlsbad Village Faire (300 Carlsbad V... 12/17/2022

2022 Holiday Trees in Carlsbad I really like our traditional holiday tree that stands at the entrance to the Carlsbad Village Faire in the heart of downtown, just 2 blocks from the beach.The annual tree lighting and all the festivities was held this past Sunday, which I missed due to being in LA, for the 37th year. But I also really like seeing the wizened old trees along the bluff above the beach that get decorated every year by people living in Carlsbad (perhaps visitors, too).I have no clue how old these trees are, but every year they are dressed up to brighten the bluff with holiday spirit for those who are running or driving by the Carlsbad beaches. Fun, don’t you think? 12/07/2022

What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for November 2022 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to evolve, with changes from October and 1 year ago. These statistics do not include private sales, mobile homes or multi-family housing (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms, thus they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (Learn more - How Local IS Local?). Current information, and analysis, about local market conditions benefits you when making buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 73 homes sold in Carlsbad in November (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), up 12% from October.... 12/06/2022

2022 Carlsbad Village Holiday Tree The Carlsbad Holiday Tree for 2022 is now in place. As always it’s at the entrance to the Village Faire shopping center in Carlsbad Village.  If you are in the area, don’t forget the 37th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, is tomorrow, December 4th. The event begins at 2:00, with the arrival of Santa, his Elf, and Mrs. Claus on the Carlsbad Antique Fire Truck around 2:15. There are a number of holiday performances and the official lighting is at 4:30. I typically wait to post a photo of the tree until after the lighting ceremony, which we usually attend. But family obligations take us to LA this Sunday and I won’t be back in time for the lighting festivities. The lighting ceremony and festivities are always well attended and a good time. I’m sorry I will mi... 12/03/2022

Carlsbad Art Wall November 2022 The 4th mural of 2022 for the Carlsbad art wall, now in its 8th year, was painted on November 6th and 7th by artist CJ Troxell. And it may be one of the more thoughtful murals we’ve had, with something to ponder. What do you think?  Well-known Carlsbad artist, Bryan Snyder, founded the #CarlsbadArtWall in 2015, in cooperation with the owner of Senor Grubby’s Mexican Restaurant in Carlsbad Village. Bryan also founded the Carlsbad Alley Art Wall, among other art projects in Carlsbad. The Carlsbad Art Wall provides residents and visitors alike an opportunity to enjoy a variety of temporary public art by local, regional, and sometimes even international, artists. The public also can watch the artists at work on their creations, which are typically painted ove... 11/19/2022

Carlsbad Holiday Tree Lighting~ December 4, 2022 ~ The 37th annual holiday tree lighting takes place on Sunday, December 4th in downtown Carlsbad Village. (photo is of the 2019 Holiday Tree). As is tradition, the lighting is at the front entrance to the Carlsbad Village Faire shopping center at 300 Carlsbad Village Drive. This festive annual event runs from 2:15 – 5:00 pm! Get into the holiday spirit! Come join this annual celebration, along with lots of Carlsbad residents, in the heart of Carlsbad Village, sponsored by the Carlsbad Rotary Club. There is a holiday music program from 12 until 2 pm in the Village Fair Courtyard with Adrienne Nims.   The Carlsbad Village Holiday Tree Lighting celebration begins at 2:15 with a variety of holiday activities until 4:30 pm. Santa is due to arr... 11/18/2022

Holiday at the Rancho in Carlsbad ~ December 3, 2022 ~ The 2022 holiday season is well under way in Carlsbad. Coming soon – Small Business Saturday on Saturday November 26th in Carlsbad Village. #ShopSmall for the holidays and support our Carlsbad Village merchants. Then it’s the Annual Holiday Showcase Makers Market on December 3rd. Here’s another opportunity for holiday shopping with loads of arts and crafts from multiple, and juried, artisans from around the region. And the annual Holiday at the Rancho takes place at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, also on December 3rd. You can read about film star Leo Carrillo and the Ranch at Friends of Carrillo Ranch, Inc. The 2022 Holiday at the Rancho in Carlsbad offers holiday festivities with a bit of western history, from 5 to 8 pm. Leo Car... 11/13/2022

10 Things to Consider When Buying a Second Home (Part 2) Buyers desiring a second home have some important considerations before making a decision about where, when and how to buy that property. What they specifically want and need for that second home is a critical discussion to have before getting started. These issues may differ in important ways from decisions you made for your primary home purchase. Think about what these differences might be before you get too far along – it will help you to be more effective in your home search and planning. Here’s what was discussed in Part 1: Lifestyle issues (How might your second home lifestyle differ from the way you live now?) Financial considerations (Cash versus financing; the added costs of a second home) Rentability (Do you want to also... 11/08/2022

What’s the Value of My Carlsbad Home? Carlsbad Market Report for October 2022 The Carlsbad real estate market continues to evolve, with changes from September and 1 year ago. These statistics do not include private sales, mobile homes or multi-family housing (the numbers are taken from the MLS and believed to be accurate when reported but are not guaranteed). Media reports speak in general terms, thus they do not reflect local Carlsbad housing market conditions (Learn more - How Local IS Local?). Current information, and analysis, about local market conditions benefits you when making buying and/or selling decisions about Carlsbad homes for sale. READ MORE ABOUT CARLSBADCarlsbad Village by the Sea 65 homes sold in Carlsbad in October (92008, 92009, 92010 and 92011), 36% fewer than in Se... 11/06/2022

10 Tips For Buying a Second HomePart 1 of 2Buying a second or vacation home is different than purchasing a primary home. One obvious difference is you won’t be spending all your time there.  As a result there are important considerations to think about before getting too far along in the process.Here’s Part 1, in no particular order:LIFESTYLEWhat lifestyle are you hoping to have in your second home? Will it be much the same as in your primary home or will it be different? And if so, how?Many people live differently when enjoying a second home than they do in their primary home, depending on how long they are there and how often.  And for many second home owners that’s exactly WHY they want a vacation property – to enjoy time away from home and routines like cooking, shopping, and perhap... 11/03/2022

Holiday Showcase Makers Market 2022December 3 in Carlsbad Village The 2022 Holiday Showcase Makers Market will take place on Saturday December 3rd from 9 am until 4 pm. The Makers Market has been a popular event in Carlsbad Village for 4 years now. Because of their popularity the Markets have expanded, and now include multiple events during the year, with a special one at holiday time. The Holiday Showcase Makers Market is FREE to attend. Naturally you’ll want to bring credit cards or cash for your holiday shopping. And don’t forget you can #ShopSmall at Small Business Saturday in the Village on November 26th Thanksgiving weekend. The Makers Market Holiday Showcase is outdoors at St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, located at 2775 Carlsbad Boulevard in the Village. The Makers Mar... 11/02/2022

Happy Halloween 2022 Hope you have a fun Halloween, however you might celebrate...or even if you don't. Here are some treats, and no tricks! Our neighbors up the street have a tradition our grandkids enjoy seeing every year - the purple monster! I drove by this oceanview house in Cardiff some years ago and HAD to stop and take some photos. Wouldn't you? The owner was on the balcony so of course I asked permission to do so, and then share. I keep meaning to drop by again and see what they are doing, if anything different, but haven't gotten to it yet. Maybe next year?Other neighbors up the street had these spooky eyes in their garden out front. Of course the grandkids (and I) thought they were pretty cool. They have now moved on.  Here's another fun Halloween decoration in our neighborho... 10/30/2022

Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Carlsbad VillageNovember 26, 2022 The holiday shopping season seems to arrive earlier every year. Halloween is just days away, with Thanksgiving soon to follow. That means the 13th annual Small Business Saturday in Carlsbad Village is a little over 1 month away. The first Saturday after Thanksgiving is the traditional day for supporting small businesses throughout the US. So you’ll find abundant opportunities at our Carlsbad Village merchants to #shopsmall. Many residents, and visitors, support small businesses in Carlsbad already but this is special opportunity! And with the holiday shopping season upon is, that’s good news. The Carlsbad Village Association website notes that approximately 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business remains i... 10/30/2022

2022 Carlsbad Music Festival~ Carlsbad Village ~ The 18th Annual Carlsbad Music Festival, which offers “adventurous music at the beach” (according to their website) with multiple bands, takes place in Carlsbad Village November 5th from 1 to 9 pm. This is a scaled-down version from last year where the festival was over 3 days. Check out the Carlsbad Music Festival Facebook page. The Carlsbad Music Festival, has been a crowd pleaser for almost 2 decades and 2022 should be no different. In addition to great music you can enjoy a beer garden and food trucks. The festival take place at St. Michael’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, at 2775 Carlsbad Boulevard. Here is the current full schedule with 6 different bands. There are several ticket options including a VIP Lounge, and you can buy your ti... 10/26/2022

Carlsbad Village Faire 2022 is November 6th A favorite arts and craft fair returns to Carlsbad Village on Sunday November 6 The Carlsbad Village Street Faire is the largest outdoor 1-day fair in the US, other than its counter-part, the Carlsbad Village Faire in May. The Carlsbad Village Faire is open from 8 am until 4 pm, so there’s lots of time to enjoy hundreds of vendors and shop as much as you want. The Carlsbad Village Faire takes place in the heart of town, along Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson. The Faire spills over onto side streets, including State Street. Be aware there will be some road closures in the Village and limited parking.The Carlsbad Village Faire is impressive, which you know if you’ve attended in the past. After having attended a few times myself,... 10/21/2022