| The Gas Guzzler In Front Of Al And Tipper’s House | July 17th, 2008 |
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The latest is a San Francisco Business Times (SFBT) report on veteran NFL broadcaster John Madden’s condo purchase at the St. Regis. Public records state he paid $2.6M for the 1,805 square foot unit, which was $200,000 under asking. The big question for SFBT is where Madden will park his ‘Madden Cruiser,’ the deluxe motor coach he’s used to crisscross the country for the past 30 years. A permanent case of claustrophobia has made plane travel impossible for the sportscaster, and his custom-built bus is a lifestyle necessity. We usually ask our buyers who have larger cars to test the parking space before they buy their new home. I’m sure, though, that Mr. Madden knew that there was no space large enough in the hotel/condo tower parking lots before he made the down payment. And I’ll lay odds that his driver just drops him off and takes care of this little problem. More interesting to me is that Al and Tipper Gore, who bought at the St. Regis when it was brand new in 2005, are now Madden’s neighbors. And the vision of an idling tour bus, emblazoned with an ad for Outback Steakhouse, right outside Al and Tipper’s front door is pretty funny, at least to me. |
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It seems that everywhere I look I see another local story about parking, driving or gas prices. Clearly these topics are near and dear to the hearts of San Franciscans these days.| Our Lust for Lists– In Search of the Best Places to Live | July 5th, 2008 |
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Some of Sperling’s lists are commissioned by companies. Keri Lotion wanted a “Best Cities for your Skin” list. At the top was Portland, OR, due to its damp weather, high altitude and chronic cloud cover. When Ambien asked for a “Best Cities for Sleep” list, Minneapolis was No 1 because its citizens had more freedom from job worries and other stress. More obscure “best city” lists are on Sperlin’s website. |
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Bert Sperling, a former software developer, has been making his living for the past 20+ years by creating lists to help people find their own best places to live work and play. He’s a smart man to play on our lust for lists. In our “information overload” era, his little lists of the best places to sleep, travel or raise children offer excellent short cuts to decision-making.| Will Suburbs Be The New Slums? | June 27th, 2008 |
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This fleeing of the ‘burbs is usually attributed to the subprime-mortgage crisis with its wave of foreclosures– which certainly is speeding up the phenomenon . But there have also been long-term structural changes in the way many Americans want to live and work. CEOs for Cities, a government-business coalition, said higher gasoline prices will push new housing developments closer to the urban core and cause further decline in outlying communities. The U.S. Dept. of Transportation reported that American drivers reduced the number of miles they drove in March by 4.3 percent over the same month a year ago. And Coldwell Banker says 81 percent of the agents it surveyed said their clients increasingly are looking to urban housing as a way to cut commuting costs. Deeper studies covering long-term socio-economic trends also point to suburban decline. In 2006, using recent consumer research, housing supply data, and population growth rates, The Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech modeled future demand for various types of housing. The forecast is a likely surplus of 22 million large-lot homes (houses built on a sixth of an acre or more) by 2025—that’s roughly 40 percent of the large-lot homes in existence today. In the meantime, over the last 20 years, the appeal of urban living has slowly taken hold in popular culture. Seinfeld—followed by Friends, then Sex and the City—began advertising the city’s renewed urban allure to Gen-Xers and Millennials. Conversely, when Hollywood wants to portray soullessness, despair, or moral decay, it often looks to the suburbs—as The Sopranos and Desperate Housewives attest—for inspiration. |
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This past March, The Atlantic Monthly noted the decline of the suburbs. In Overbuilt communities like Elk Grove, south of Sacramento, scores of homeowner have either abandoned their homes or rented them out to sketchy tenants. Other ’burbs nationwide are noted as communities with rising crime rates and places up to one in four homes stands empty.| 9 Things You May Not Know Cece Blase, the Buzz Blogger | June 19th, 2008 |
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Here are nine totally inconsequential pieces of information about me– I know it should be 10. When I think of one more I’ll add it. 1. I was born on the 4th of July. This is not as advantageous as it may seem. 2. I grew up in Portola Valley and got a pony for my 8th birthday. I hated the pony. The pony hated me. 3. I sing cabaret and have done sets at Martuni’s in San Francisco and the Sheraton Hotel in Bangkok. I am always accompanied by Dorian Sarris of Americorp Funding on the piano. 3. I was active in community theater during high school and college. My best known roles were Aunt Eller in “Oklahoma”, Lucy in “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” and Marty in “Grease.” 4. I spent a year in Paris when I was in college and speak relatively fluent French. My alma mater is Bennington College in Vermont. 5. I sang in the choir at Glide Memorial Church in the early 90s. My star turn with them was the Annie Lennox/Al Green version of ”Put a Little Love in Your Heart– ” 6. I raised a girl I met at Glide named Maia. Maia now has a daughter, Aviva. If you ever call me “grandma” I will throw you out of my car. 6a. “Aviva” is a palindrome. I think that’s cool. 7. Without glasses or contacts I have the vision of a mole. 8. My friends think my husband is stunningly handsome. And they aren’t just being nice. Of course I agree with them. 9. I love home design but hate home renovation– and only do it when necessary. Instead, I like to spend my money on travel, fine dining and lavish gifts for friends. |
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| Rising Gas Prices Another Explanation for SF’s Market Resilience: | May 4th, 2008 |
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Urban real estate markets like San Francisco which feature short commutes fare better than those suburban neighborhoods where homeowners drive significant distances to work. It seems that the longer the commute, the greater the drop in existing home prices. Investors who believe the cost of gas will continue to rise may want to focus on neighborhoods close to the City’s core– or explore areas well-served by public transit in and out of the City (think BART and CalTrain). With gas prices skyrocketing, more buyers are taking driving distance and the time they spent commuting into consideration when they look for a home. Maybe this is why the new construction in San Francisco continues unabated. Our new housing is also meeting demand from the growing market of empty-nesters and younger singles. With the percentage of couples with children declining, the trend toward suburban living is expected by some to continue to moderate even after the housing market recovers. I also see a correlation between close-in locations and higher rents– highrise buildings within walking distance of the Financial District (like 199 Montgomery, 246 2nd and The Metropolitan at 351-355 1st) command some of the highest rents per square foot in the City. In the meantime, those who decided to “drive until they could buy” and purchased in places like Antioch and Brentwood are suffering a double-whammny with an expensive daily commute on top of their declining home values. You can hear more on this story at NPR |
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| Some of my Favorite Numbers | April 2nd, 2008 |
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Following are two numbers I keep on speed dial: They help me get things done fast and easy: The first two are public information services: 511 is a free phone service that consolidates Bay Area transportation information into a one-stop resource. I use 511 to get traffic information and estimated drive-times. When I call 511, I get an enthusiastic automated voice that sounds like a radio announcer. I usually start my conversation by barking “DRIVING TIMES.” Then I follow his prompts to tell him what City or landmark I’m starting from and where I plan to end up. He responds with the ideal route, how long it will take and where I can anticipate slow-downs or accidents. 511 also provides schedule, route and fare information for the Bay Area’s public transportation services, instant carpool and vanpool referrals and bicycling information and more. 1-800-GOOG-411 This number is definitely meant for speed-dial. Too many digits and too hard to figure out that alpha-numeric thing. Also known as “GOOG-411″ its a free information directory that is infinitely better than any 411 you call from any phone. When I call GOOG-411 I get a sleepy automated voice that sounds like a yoga instructor. I usually start my conversation with him by barking “SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.” Then I follow his prompts with the name of the business or person I need to reach. He responds with the name and phone number and then says “I’ll connect you.” If I need an address, I bark “INFORMATION” and he’ll tell me where the place is. (That was very helpful when I couldn’t find Agave Restaurant on Townsend Street the other night– I thought it was near Delancey Street instead of down by the train station.) |
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| Hello DOL-ly | April 2nd, 2008 |
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San Francisco’s annual Dining Out For Life event known to those who are in the know as the DOL event, is Thursday, April 24 this year— As one of the smaller restaurants participating, it will be a great opportunity for all of my favorite, cool people to meet each other, donate and dine for a great cause. For those of you who have never been there, the South Park neighborhood is un quartier exceptionnel and well worth the visit. Because a special meal deserves a perfectly paired wine the La Crema Winery will be donating $5.00 for each bottle of wine that is purchased that night. To help support the cause and because I am a tres committed to this worthy project, I will be personally donating a bottle of La Crema vino for each table. But wait, it gets better—as part of the event , DOL is holding a raffle for airline tickets for two and a weekend stay in Palm Springs. Many other restaurant gift certificates will be yours for the winning. I have a surprise, show- stopping raffle prize of my own which will be available exclusively to all of my favorite people at South Park Café. If you can’t make it, you can still visit my personal Dining Out for Life Website to make a donation and buy raffle tickets. For more information about South Park Café, visit: SouthParkCafeSF.com. For more information about La Crema wine go to http://www.lacrema.com I hope you’ll make your reservation soon and join me for this soiree magnifique. |
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| An Art Show for Art Lovers | March 24th, 2008 |
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This year, John and Leslye decided to ‘spread the joy’ and offer some of their works for sale, most notably their Jack Hooper prints and paintings. Hooper is a brilliant, eccentric (aren’t they all?) artist John and Leslye discovered living up-country in rural Mexico. Prior to Hooper’s move South-of-the-Border in the late-80s, he was represented by Vorpal and enjoyed national renown, with his work featured at the Whitney Museum and SFMOMA. He has remained prodigious during the past twenty years. Still a vibrant artist, his paintings have become increasingly personal and emotionally resonant as he approaches his eightieth birthday. John and Leslye are putting up a show of Jack’s work at the Thomas Reynolds Gallery, 2291 Pine (at Fillmore) in April. Jack Hooper will be at the show’s opening on Thursday, April 3 and Friday, April 4 from 5-7:30 pm. You can preview some Hooper works at John and Leslye’s online gallery. Please be aware that the works are much more vivid live than online. The pieces are relatively large, saturated with color and beautifully framed. I hope you can join me, John and Leslye to celebrate the life and work of this amazing artist. I believe you’ll find Hooper’s work to be inventive, lively, surprising and accessible to all. |
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This Buzz is shamelessly promoting my dear friends John and Leslye Larson, who have amassed a fabulous contemporary art collection over the past 30+ years.| Props to Some of my Favorite People | March 8th, 2008 |
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Thanks again for the business you send my way! And special props to Derek Stavenger of Stavenger Painting, lighting contractor | The Rich Really Are Just Like You And Me | March 8th, 2008 |
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An article from last Saturday’s Chronicle about the consumer habits of the rich was chock full of interesting statistics. Here are some things I learned: • Households with $5 million in assets, not including the house, rose by 26 percent in 2006 alone. |
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Hello My Favorite People!
