Web Women Giving Circle + A Few Ideas to Give Holiday Hope

During the holidays, give yourself a very healthy time out to remember the true spirit of giving. It's easy to get caught up in the commercial aspects of the season. Let's make sure help is available for those who live without even the bare minimum. There are so many worthy causes to which we can contribute money or time. Some of my favorites are Mercy Corps, Habitat for Humanity, Heifer Project International and Doctors without Borders.

If you need help finding a cause that you can support, head to Charity Navigator a website that evaluates the level of efficiency of hundreds of charitable organizations. You can find out how much of your contribution will go directly to the needy subjects of that charity, and how much may go into the pockets of Scroogy CEOs.


Did you know you can give painlessly all year long while doing your normal online shopping?! there are two sources I use to give part of the money I'm spending anyway. First, the Web Women Giving Circle , founded by Joeann Fossland, REALTOR® and coach extraordinaire, offers the public a chance to direct consumer dollars to CARE to aid that group in providing humanitarian relief to all corners of the globe. Consider making your Amazon gift purchases here. Bookmark this site and send it to your family and friends. All monies collected in our Amazon affiliate relationship will be sent to CARE.


The second, which I've used for a while, is called Greater Good. All you have to do it start from their home page and go to many, many online retailers that will contribute a part of your purchase money to the charity you choose at Greater Good. It doesn't get any easier than that!

Snow Forecast for Topanga Canyon

Let it snow! Pine Tree Circle will be deluged with the wet, white stuff for your sliding and throwing pleasure. Snow Night is Saturday, December 16, from 5-8 p.m. in the center of town. Bring a dish to share for the community potluck. Festive music will fill the air as you carol along with the brass band. All the great shops will be open to help you check off your gift list. Bring the whole family -- there will be something for all, from grannies to babies. Dress for snow!

P.S. It's rumored that the Big Guy in the red suit will be partying with his Topanga friends!

Topanga's Own Nutcracker

Enchanting, endearing, and always enduring, the annual production of "Nutcracker" goes on stage next weekend, December 8, 9, & 10. This production by Sherry Jason's Ballet for Topanga is celebrating it's 26th year. Little dancers start their Nutcracker experience at three or four. They're always adorable and unpredictably fun! Two of the ballerinas are graduating from high school this year and off to college, so this may be their last performance. I've watched Sasha Pasternak and Kirsten Pinto grow into truly nice people. Talented, graceful and beautiful, I'm sure they will be great at whatever they choose to do.

Tickets for the show are available at Mimosa, hella bella, or from any cast member. Proceeds benefit the wonderful City Hearts program which helps bring the arts into the lives of underprivileged children.

Greenspan Speaks -- The Worst is Over

From the Boston Herald, November 29, 2006, by Associated Press:

Alan Greenspan, former fed chairman, has stated that the worst of the housing market adjustment has happened. He thinks that prices and inventory have stabilized. Greenspan will be releasing his full analysis soon. (click title post for full text)
Here in Topanga, we have seen an increase in inventory to a size we hadn't seen for about four years. Recently, though, more homes have gone into escrow and general buyer activity has picked up. Homes that are reasonably priced for today's market are moving. We still have the typical holiday slowdow, but it the market feels so much more NORMAL. I love doing business in a market where buyers feel they have more choice and the time to seriously weigh their decisions. To search the Topanga market for yourself, visit TopangaHomeInfo.

Topanga Swap Meet & Chili Cook-off

Clean out your closets, gather up your wares and take them to the Community House this Saturday for our annual Swap Meet & Chili Cook-off. There will be great local music and hot food. After the judging, the chili competitors sell off their culinary creations. It's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- come early to get the good stuff! For booth space call 310-455-1980.

Peer Pressure Affects the Real Estate Market

There was a great article by Diane Wedner in the Sunday LA Times about the influence our peers have on our home buying/selling actions. It helps explain the current market activity.

Our market is adjusting, but I see it as a positive step. Buyers have more time to make good decisions and more inventory to consider. Sellers who price their home realistically for today will sell more quickly than those sellers still clinging to yesterday's market prices. The forecast for our area is positive, that is, that prices will make a slight adjustment, but mainly the adjustment will be seen in the fact that appreciation will return to sustainable levels of advancement.

California Association of Realtors President, Vince Malta, recently summed it up:

“Although the 2007 sales decline is not expected to be as steep as what we experienced this year, the psychology of the market -- matching the differing expectations of sellers and buyers -- will continue to be a factor as REALTORS® help consumers navigate their way through a changing market. While we’re projecting a modest decline in the median price of a home, over the long term, residential real estate in California has been and will continue to be a solid investment. Since 1968, the long-term average price appreciation is 9.1 percent.”

Read the entire 2007 Housing Forecast by Chief C.A.R. Economist Leslie Appleton Young

The Monster Bash is Coming to Abuelita's!

Get ready for one haunting good time. This Saturday, October 28, the Topanga Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its infamous Halloween Party at Abuelita's Restaurant. Grab your brooms and fangs for a fun evening of good food and prizes. That's right, you can win one of the fabulous prizes either for best costume or in the big raffle. Many of our Topanga businesses have contributed to make this a success.

We do have a terrific business community here in Topanga. The Chamber of Commerce works very hard to help promote our canyon and publicize our friends and neighbors enterprizes. We are a diverse group covering many types of businesses. When you are looking for a service, check out the directory on the Topanga Chamber of Commerce website. When you're shopping, "Keep it in the Canyon!"

Topanga Real Estate & Community Blog

Dear Fellow & Future Topangans,

Welcome to the Topanga Real Estate & Community blog. You'll find features on Topanga Market conditions as well as regular updates on community events here in our beautiful community. Please stay tuned!

Best regards,
Elaine