Tree-Lighting on El Paseo!  Driving home from dinner in Rancho Mirage the other night... I spotted the beautiful, shining Christmas tree on El Paseo!   The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Shops on El Paseo took place on Wednesday, November 24 from 5-8pm celebrating The Living Desert and giving a sneak preview of “Wildlights” – the Coachella Valley’s favorite holiday festival. The 60-foot tree that stands on top of The Shops on El Paseo towers more than 100 feet above the street and can be seen from all around the Valley. For more valley events check in with 365 Things to do in the Palm Springs, Ca Area on Facebook! 12/12/2010

Sun City Palm Desert is a stunning active adult community featuring an astounding collection of amenities, the famous Del Webb lifestyle and a wide variety of housing options. Del Webb opened this gated 55+ community in 1992 and sold the last of nearly 5,000 homes in 2003. Not only is Sun City Palm Desert the first 55+ community in the Palm Springs area, it’s also the largest such community in the entire Coachella Valley with over 1,600 acres. The Coachella Valley offers beautiful weather including 350 days of sunshine a year. Visitors and residents alike enjoy a wide variety of community festivals, exciting casinos and nightlife, fantastic shopping and delicious dining. With such gorgeous California weather, outdoor enthusiasts will truly enjoy all the area has to offer such as hiking,... 12/01/2010

Bighorn Golf Club Named One of the Best Private Clubs                   Back in the early 90’s when Bighorn Golf Club was taking shape… I was playing on the mini-tour and worked at Bighorn during the season. I had the opportunity to be there during the Skins Gamedays and to see it grow from a small  private club… to what it has become today. Last year, The Robb Report selected a Bighorn residence as the “Ultimate Home 2009” and Palm Springs Life readers voted the club Best of the Best Private Golf Course. Situated at the foot of the stunning Santa Rosa Mountains, the club offers two dramatic golf courses: Tom Fazio’s Canyons Course features expansive rolling fairways and a trio of challenging holes, and the Arthur Hills’ Mountain Course provides rugged terrain and exacting design that c... 11/29/2010

PALM DESERT CALIFORNIA SHORT SALE REAL ESTATE AGENTS - PALM DESERT CA REALTORs   Are you looking for Palm Desert California real estate agents or Palm Desert CA REALTORs? You've come to the right place.   We can help you with your Palm Desert home search, selling your Palm Desert CA home, or if your under-water with your house we can assist you with your Palm Desert short sale.   If you're looking for the right Palm Desert REALTOR or short sale agent, we are the right Palm Desert short sale agents for you. Why? Because we are highly trained in California real estate and know how to get the best end-result for you.   But its not what we think- what do YOU think? CALL US AND INTERVIEW US. Ask us all the questions you have. We know you'll be happy with our professionalism and expertise. We... 11/27/2010

A Visit to the College of the Desert Swap Meet in Palm Desert CA The College of the Desert Swap meet in Palm Desert CA is an amazing shopping extravaganza. Are you thinking flea market? Hardly. In fact the term swap meet does not do justice to this incredible open-air shopping experience that takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 7 am until 2 pm at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert California. There are 340 spaces for vendors during the tourist season (October through May) and about 100 in the hotter summer months from May until September. Officially called the College of the Desert Street Fair, there is an amazing array of stuff - handbags, artwork, glassware, jewelry, food items, clothing, home furnishings, puzzles, hats, watches, patio furniture, golf accessories, fresh p... 11/21/2010

Palm Desert Golf Courses Open to PublicClassic Club at Northstar, 18 holes, 760-601-3600Desert Willow, 36 holes, 760-346-7060Emerald Desert Country Club, 9 holes, 760-345-4770The First Tee Golf Center, 18 holes, 760-779-1877Marriott's Desert Springs Resort, 18 holes, 760-341-1756Marriott's Shadow Ridge, 18 holes, 760-674-2700 Semi-PrivateDesert Falls Country Club, 18 holes, 760-340-4653Oasis Country Club, 18 holes, 760-345-2715Palm Desert Country Club, 18 holes, 760-345-2525Palm Desert Resort Country Club, 18 holes, 760-345-2791Sun City Del Webb, 36 holes, 760-200-2200Woodhaven Country Club, 18 holes, 760-345-7513 PrivateAvondale Golf Club, 18 holes, 760-345-3712Bighorn Golf Club, 36 holes, 760-341-4653Chaparral Country Club, 18 holes, 760-340-1501Indian Ridge, 760-772-7222Ironwood Coun... 11/14/2010

DIANA KRALL to Headline the McCallum Theatre Gala in Palm Desert Coming the end of November… Grammy and Juno Award winning jazz singer, and my favorite… Diana Krall, will perform live, on stage, at the McCallum Theatre’s Annual Fundraising Gala! This will be a magical night… and if you have not seen Diana Krall perform live… now is your chance!  We saw her at the Hollywood Bowl several years ago– and she did not disappoint! Performance tickets are available at $500 for preferred seating and $450 for orchestra seating. The evening begins at 5:30pm with cocktails and dinner at one of four excellent desert restaurants – Cuistot, Jillian’s, Le St. Germain and Wally’s Desert Turtle, followed by the performance at McCallum at 8pm. Diana Krall is a Grammy and Juno Award-winning Canadian jazz p... 10/26/2010

There are so many events in the Palm Springs area this year during the Halloween season... this is the first of many I will be featuring here! Howl-O-Ween Harvest Happening October 31, 2010, 9am – 5pm Half-price admission, Members FREE Kids of all ages will enjoy the best family fall festival in the Valley! This year Halloween Harvest has expanded to our African Village WaTuTu and includes a new Critter Costume Contest and Candy Parade, live music, Build-A-Scarecrow Family Farm, Pumpkin Bowling, Harvest BBQ and vendors, and much more! Children are encouraged to dress as their favorite animal. Generously sponsored by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. For more information, call 760-346-5694 ext 2000. For sponsorship opportunities, email fforrer@livingdesert.orgor call 760-346-56... 10/16/2010

Goody’s Cafe–Good Food in Palm Desert Goody’s Cafe in Palm Desert, located in the shopping center at Washing ton & Country Club, delivers on GOOD, FAST, CAFE,-FOOD!  Goody’s has burgers, sandwiches, salads, breakfast items, omelettes, and a full range of Mexican food choices, including fish tacos! Order at the counter and then your meal is delivered to your booth or table.  The restaurant was clean,  and the service was friendly and fast.  We had lunch with soft-drinks for 3— for under $30!  Servings are large and the prices are reasonable! Open 7 Days a week at 6am– Goody’s is a GOOD SPOT for GOOD FOOD ! 40205 Washington St Palm Desert, CA (760) 345-8941 10/09/2010

    The World Famous Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade originated in the early 60s, put together by several individuals who just wanted to have fun. Production was “iffy” depending upon whether a chairman could be found for that year or not. The parade wasn’t an every year event until 1983. In the early days, it was “Christmas in July” for the benefit of local residents who found the summers boring. The FireCliff Lodge served up turkey dinners and the carts were all decorated for Christmas. Now of course, the parade is in October, with over 10,000 spectators. And believe it or not, organizers field questions about the parade from media around the world! Recent requests for information have come from the Philippines, France, Germany and Japan.     This years 46th Annual Golf Cart Parade will ... 10/01/2010

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, located in Palm Desert, California, has welcomed a baby flamingo to the hotel’s large wildlife family.  The baby girl, born on August 5, is the newest member of the resort’s flamingo brood.    Desert Springs is currently home to 30 Chilean Flamingos, whose distinctive pink coloring is derived from their consumption of algae, shrimp, mollusks, and insect larvae.   The babies are actually born with a gray color to their feathers – quite a contrast to their pink parents!  In addition to the flamingos, there’s a large selection of birds that make their home at Desert Springs.  The hotel lobby is home to 13 exotic birds, including two Guyana toucanets.  Desert Springs’s waterways are home to six species of ducks (including neck teals to black billed w... 09/30/2010

El Paseo—Palm Desert's counterpart to Rodeo Drive—further burnished its shopping bona fides with the recent grand opening of El Paseo Village. Located next door to its illustrious predecessor, The Gardens on El Paseo, the single-story shopping plaza boasts shaded courtyards of fountains, statuary and seating areas, in addition to a luscious array of tempting storefronts. Boutiques include Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand jeans, Between the Sheets, and children's store Janie and Jack jostle bigger brands Banana Republic and bebe. Mastro's Steakhouse will soon anchor one end of the block-long mall. My girlfriend, Marianne, just in from chilly Seattle, and I strolled along the sunny boulevard yesterday savoring the balmy 82° temps and wonderful newness of it all.   On a late-afternoo... 09/24/2010

              NEW SHOPS COMING TO EL PASESO!                                                                                                                                                                                                    NOW OPEN AT EL PASEO VILLAGE! Apple, Banana Republic, Bebe, Between the Sheets, Juicy couture, Kate Spade, Janie &  Jack Coming Soon– Lucky Brand Jeans, Mastro’s Steakhouse   NEW STORES AT THE GARDENS ON EL PASEO! Anthropologie, Louis Vuitton, Eileen Fisher, She She, Teavana www. theelpaseovillage.com & www.thegardensonelpaseo.com 09/22/2010

Fine Chinese antiques and other home accessories from Dwight Polen on El Paseo. photo by Dwight Polen View Larger Map The Best Shopping in the Desert! Not only the best shopping and the most amazing stores... but the best place to people-watch too! Can you imagine a mile of divine temptations, from dazzling jewelry and exclusive international fashion to fine art, home décor, spas and salons, award-winning restaurants, and a sizzling calendar of events ?   This is El Paseo. This mix of more than 300 shops offers just about everything you could ask for. From Asian imports to luxurious accessories, it’s a one-stop shopping adventure.More than two dozen restaurants, cafés, and bakeries — many with outdoor patios — make it perfect for lunch, coffee, or a glass of wine between stops. Start y... 08/29/2010

Kelly’s Adult/Junior Desert Open Golf Tournament Adults and juniors team up to compete on the course! Benefiting the First Tee of the Coachella Valley Desert Willow Golf Resort Kelly’s Adult/Junior Desert Open – Sunday, September 19th 2010 This looks like a great idea to get kids and grownups playing together for a good cause! *Adults and juniors team up to compete on the course! Benefiting the First Tee of the Coachella Valley* Includes: Junior Skills Competition BBQ Lunch Shotgun Start Reception and Awards Presentation Format – Best Ball by Age Division Junior Age Divisions: 5-7, 8-10, 11-14 and 15-17 Up to 62 Teams   SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2010 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE Registration 7:30am – 9:00am Junior Skills Challenge Presented by Palm Desert Golf Academy 7:30am – 9:00am Continental Bre... 08/21/2010

    Short Sale's won't stop..   Short Sales are here to stay....for awhile anyway.  Just my opinion of course, but it would appear that with unemployment remaining high and the demand for housing flat, not too hard to predict.  Sales are up approx. 25% in our desert region..great news!  Inventory in particular developments in particular areas is low..hooray again!  But..we won't be seeing many new housing starts and there truly is a backlog of "shadow inventory" somewhere.  Those loans are there, we just don't see them...yet.  I have been reading about "shadow Inventory" for several years now.  From dealing with the Lenders on the Short Sales I have been working, it still feels like they are not ready to sell these properties until they are READY.  What I mean is, if an offer comes alon... 08/03/2010

Graham Holmes | REviron Realty | 888-640-2346 x111 41770 Colada CT, Palm Desert, CA Beautiful Home in the lovely Casablanca Gated community in Palm Desert 2BR/2BA Condo offered at $205,000 Year Built 1980 Sq Footage 1,280 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 3,049 sqft HOA/Maint $380 per month DESCRIPTION Beautiful Home in the lovely Casablanca Gated community. Gorgeous tile flooring throughout this Bank Owned Home. With two bedrooms including a huge master bedroom this home is move in ready. Fresh paint. 2 car garage. 4 community pools and 4 hot tubs & 3 tennis courts. Park like side yard with enclosed rear yard. Sold AS-IS, this bank/lender owned property is priced well below market and creates an excellent opportunity for you! It is a turnkey... 07/02/2010

Sun City Palm Desert is a true Del Webb masterpiece in the Coachella Valley of California. This resort-style active adult community of 5,000 homes is an amazing retreat complete with three clubhouses, two championship golf courses, multiple restaurants and so much more! The Coachella Valley is known for its perfect weather averaging 350 days of sunshine a year. Everywhere you look there are breathtaking mountain views, lush landscaped grounds and sparkling water features. The Palm Desert area is well known for its outdoor recreation including mountain hiking, camping, horseback riding and of course, golf! Active adult communities in California offer some of the best golf in the country. Sun City Palm Desert residents enjoy the Mountain Vista Golf Club boasting a total of 36-holes. Golfe... 06/17/2010

Looking for the latest "up-to-date" real  estate news or mortgage rates? Look no further. I have the latest  Real Estate News and Mortgage Information  at your fingertips! Real Estate has been a pretty "hot" topic for the past 10 years. We've seen the market soar to new heights in 2005, then begin to steadily fall from 2006 until 2010. Although some markets are experiencing price decreases, in many areas it appears we've "hit the bottom." Another area which has helped the economy recover, has been  very low, and attractive, interest rates.  They are still under 5%. This has been a big help to many who would not normally qualify, if rates had been higher.  I can still remember buying my first home in 1970. At that time rates were 8%, and we felt we were getting a great rate. When was the... 06/15/2010

Palm Desert Short Sale Listing SOLD! Bursera Way, Palm Desert CA Buyers don't let another short sale deal fall apart. Deal with an experienced Palm Desert Short Sale agent!     If you are considering selling your home as a short sale in the Palm Desert area, please contact me for a free consultation to see if a short sale will work for you. Palm Desert New Listings l Palm Desert Foreclosures l Palm Desert Short Sales 06/11/2010