Marin County, people, places, culture and real-estateHere are some new sales charts comparing Marin County real estate in 2007 through 2004. The number of Marin County homes sold in 2007 has continued to decline each year since 2004. Despite the number of Marin homes sold going down, both the median and the average sales price of Marin County homes has increased since 2004.
Statistics from BAREIS MLS® January 10, 2008.
The city of Novato was named the the “Best Affordable Suburb in California” by Sperling’s BestPlaces. Novato is definitely the most affordable spot in Marin. In addition, Sperling ranks it high because of factors like low crime and good schools. If you are thinking about moving to Novato, this 3.5 minute video is worth a look.
When I tell people I volunteer with the Junior League, they either think the Junior League is a kids baseball team or have this impression of a snobby group of society women who wear pearls and drink tea. Books like The Devil in the Junior League haven’t done much to help (although quite funny!)
Earlier today, my friend Larry Bettag was giving me a little flack about being a JL member (his wife has The Devil in the Junior League book). So, Larry inspired me to explain what the JL really is.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger proposed a budget on Thursday that would cut nearly 10 percent of the funding for public education. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the budget would cut nearly $4 billion dollars from public education and would suspend Proposition 98 which requires a minimum funding level for schools.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell said this: “Our state shouldn’t punish our children for its grown-ups’ mistakes.”
Yet another good reason to pass Measure A…
This just in… the Marin IJ reported late this afternoon that Trader Joes is planning to add a third Marin location. According to the IJ, Trader Joes is set to take over a 10,000 square foot spot at Cost Plus Plaza, just off the 101 freeway at Lucky Drive in Larkspur (in the old Tower Records spot). Beverages & More just opened up in the center as well.
Southern Marin Trader Joes’ fans like myself will be happy to avoid the San Rafael congestion at this new central spot!
There are many child friendly restaurants in Marin. Here are just a few of my favorites:
350 Harbor Dr, Sausalito – (415) 331-3474
This Sausalito restaurant is pricey, but I love it. Order at the counter and sit inside or out (but bring a coat). The fish tacos are great, the setting is fantastic. The fish is fresh and local!
301 Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera (415) 413-9890
P.F. Changs in Corte Madera is a great addition to kid friendly restaurants in Marin. Mine seem to love all the noodle and rice dishes. We dined recently at 5:30 p.m. and ran into many families just like us, trying to dine early before bed time for young kids. P.F. Chang’s is located at Corte Madera Town Center. Check out my review of P.F. Changs when it first opened in Corte Madera.
800 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley – (415) 383-0600
Pizza Antica is located in Mill Valley’s Strawberry Village, just off the 101 Highway at Tiburon Boulevard. It is noisy and perfect for kids, with a large menu featuring pizza, pasta and salads. Think black and white checkered floors in a big open room. The decibel level goes up at Pizza Antica when it gets crowded, so don’t go for a romantic dinner for two.
15 Main St, Tiburon – (415) 435-3440
Located on Main Street in downtown Tiburon, this charming pizzeria is a great place to take the kids. The atmosphere is very warm and inviting. The menu includes pizza, pasta and some really good salads. If you are going with a larger group, check to see if the back room is available. It is a great place to let the little ones run around while you have an adult conversation.
286 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur – (415) 924-7676
Great food, and kid friendly- hard to imagine! This Larkspur restaurant is part of the Lark Creek Restaurant Group- so the food is simply outstanding. It is located just a short distance from the Lark Cree Inn in an old house. The front has outdoor picnic tables which are great for families. It is open and inviting in the summer months, enclosed and heated in the warm months. Kids love the sandbox on the outdoor patio.
Want to watch some surfers grab 20-20 foot waves? The legendary Mavericks surfing contest takes place today in Half Moon Bay. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, more than 40,000 people are expected to descend on the area to watch the extreme surfing contest. Want to watch it online? View a live webcast Saturday morning of the Mavericks Surf Contest.
To Kentfield & Greenbrae Residents: protect your property values and support the local schools- vote YES on Measure A. Why?
Need more info? Visit the Kentfield-Greenbrae Measure A website.
The most read story today on SFgate.com, the San Francisco Chronicle’s website was: “Man Cuts Off, Microwaves His Own Hand.” Sfgate readers are pretty darn intelligent. How can that possibly be the most read story? Another top story was titled “Police: Father throws four children off bridge.”
Why do people flock to coverage of the train wreck Britney Spears?
Bad new sells. Clearly, good honest journalism doesn’t.
Earlier today, I read a post on Soundbite.blog in which Sparky said, “if one more TV News Starlet, scratching her way to higher ratings, refers to the current housing market as a ‘Holocaust,’ I promise I’m gonna hurl!”
So eloquently put Sparky.
Media reporting about the real estate market is about ratings and clicks, not about truth and honesty. Want to know what is really happening in your neighborhood? Find an honest, reliable real estate advisor to give you the real deal.
As Rich says, “Please, don’t allow the Media’s broad brush strokes to paint an incorrect picture of YOUR market.”
Even within a small community like Marin, we have a widely varied real estate market. Going gangbusters in certain areas or price ranges, and in the tank in others. Broad generalizations of the market don’t benefit anyone.
Looking for a good burger in Marin? An exceptional martini? A delicious Ahi tuna nicoise salad?Buckeye Roadhouse is the place to go. Described as “a beautiful, cozy, Aspen lodge-like dining room, complete with fireplace,” “The Buckeye” is tops. It is probably one of my all time favorite restaurants. Located just off the 101 freeway in Mill Valley at the Stinson Beach exit, the Buckeye is convenient, but more importantly, a fabulous Marin dining experience.
Most nights the bar is packed, as is the restaurant, so make your reservations well in advance. Think two martini lunches are long gone? Not at the Buckeye -any time seems worthy of a martini.
It seems like it would challenging to make a burger special- but Buckeye does it. Think mouthwatering, juicy, yum-yum good. Other great finds- oysters bingo, chili-lime “Brick” chicken, the filet mignon & the pulled pork sandwich with homemade potato chips. Top it off with an glass of wine from the exceptional wine list and first class service- this is dining at it’s best! (Did I say how much I like The Buckeye?)
The Buckeye Roadhouse
15 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley, California (415) 331-2600.
