Montecito Antique and Apparel Resale Boutiques

One of Santa Barbara's Many Hidden Gems is 

the Music Academy of the West

located at 1070 Fairway Road, Montecito

This post is to inform you of two of their fundraising

institutions:

The Treasure House

 "offers an abundant trove of distinctive antiques,

china, silver, linens, furniture, and paintings.

Whether you are looking for a special gift or a wonderful new

accessory for your home, the Treasure House is

the place to look".

step inside

 you will be delighted

 with the amazing treasures

you will discover!

The Rack

"sells fine-quality resale apparel, including designer clothing, 

jewelry, shoes, handbags, and accessories, all at reasonable prices".

"A delightful place to find a complete outfit or the perfect item to 

complement an ensemble."

there's even a fur and ball-gown section

The Women's Auxiliary of the Music Academy of the West

is a volunteer organization that supports Music Academy

operations year-round.

Hours are noon-3 pm

Tuesdays through Saturdays
for more information about The Music Academy, click here
for information to the treasure house, click here

The Music Academy was founded in 1947  

Its lofty goals are as follows:

"to advance the development of the next 

generation of great classical musicians,

Cultivate discerning, appreciateve, 

and adventurous audience"

Message from the President of the National Association of Realtors

The American Taxpayers Relief Act of 2012

Happy New Year!  Good news bears repeating, so I’d like to recap and clarify a few things I informed you of earlier this month.

The American Taxpayers Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law on Jan. 2.  The law includes a provision to extend the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, which will for one more year exempt the taxation of mortgage debt that is forgiven when homeowners and their mortgage lenders negotiate a short sale or loan modification (including any principal reduction).  However, the California exemption expired at the end of 2012, so forgiven mortgage debt is considered taxable state income for now.

We recognize this could impact short sales in California, and that’s why the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) is sponsoring SB 30(Calderon, D-Montebello).  SB 30 will conform state law to the federal law passed earlier.  Upon passage of SB 30, the measure will be effective retroactive to Jan. 1, 2013.

Congress made permanent the repeal of the “Pease Limitations” on itemized deductions – including the mortgage interest and property tax deductions – for all taxpayers whose adjusted gross income (AGI) falls below $300,000 for married couples filing jointly and $250,000 for individuals.  Pease Limitations will be re-instituted for high income filers above those threshold amounts.  This means a taxpayer's itemized deductions will be reduced by 3 percent of the amount of his or her AGI that exceeds the threshold amount.  For example, a married couple with an AGI of $400,000 would be $100,000 over the threshold; the couple’s itemized deductions would be reduced by $3,000 which is 3% of $100,000.  No matter how high a taxpayer's AGI, he or she cannot lose more than 80 percent of the total itemized deductions.  Those most limited by Pease will be extremely high income filers who do not have many itemized deductions.

Thanks to the work of thousands of members of the NAR for contacting their Legislatures to inform them of the importance of these two items for the health of the National Housing economy.

Please contact your State Representative to let them know how important it is that California conforms to the National Law for Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief by urging them to vote for SB30!

And know that your local Realtors are busy doing the same!

Santa Barbara International Film Festival is underway

Santa Barbara International Film Festival

January 24 - February 3, 2012

An Amazing Line Up of Films and Stars

SBIFF Welcomes 13+ Oscar Nominees

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which begins Thursday, January 24, is proud to welcome 13 Academy Award nominees, as this morning’s Oscar nomination announcements brought news that many of the artists and films SBIFF has the privilege of paying homage to have earned spots on the most coveted of ballots.

For a schedule of stars, films and ticket packages, click here:

For information on special dining offers, click here

"I HAVE A DREAM"

UCSB Arts and Lectures Sunday January 20th

National Geographic:  Annie Griffiths

3-340 pm At Campbell Hall - UCSB 893-3535

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Annie Griffiths

BUY

TICKETS

SUN, JAN 20

3:00 PM

CAMPBELL HALL

(seating chart)

$20 : General Public

$15 : UCSB Students (Current ID required / Limited availability)

$15 : Youth

Add to Calendar 

 /  Forward to a Friend

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National Geographic Live!

A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel

“I have learned that even without a shared language, it’s easy to let people know that their children are beautiful, their homes are lovely… and their stories worth sharing with the world.” – Annie Griffiths

Experience the life of a photographer on assignment for National Geographic magazine – and meet a true pioneer who has crossed cultural barriers to bring unforgettable images and stories to our audiences. For over 25 years, Annie Griffiths has traveled the world, working on six continents and in more than 100 countries – often with her children in tow. Enjoy her lavish photographic on-stage journey – based on her memoir A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel – filled with astonishing cultural observations and revealing stories.

Available on the National Geographic Live! series

http://anniegriffithsbelt.com/

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Special thanks to:

CALM's Antique and Vintage Show and Sale January 25, 26 and 27th

January 25, 26 & 27, 2013 Furniture and Decorative Accessories • Porcelain,  Bronzes and Glassware Silver and Silver Matching • Paintings, Prints and  Maps • Fine and Costume Jewelry Americana and Ethnic Items • Games and  Advertising Scientific and Technological Instruments •  Industrial Items Vintage Clothing and Accessories •  Garden and Patio • Rugs and Tapestries and Much, Much More!

Antiques and Vintage Show and Sale January 25, 26 and 27, 2013 Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $6 Adults, $5 Senior (62+) Child (Under 12 Free) (One time purchase applies to all 3 days) Go to our website to download the discount flyer Click HERE

Antiques and Vintage Show and Sale   April Thede, Show Manager 805-898-9715 • Website: www.calmantiqueshows.com

Santa Barbara Artist Offers Plein-Aire Sketching Class January 16th

SKETCHING PLEIN-AIRE

Wednesday January 16, 2013

Artist Ron Doctors has been teaching sketching in Yosemite for 

many years and for the first time is offering this class locally

Meet at Douglas Family Preserve. 

Bring a chair and if it's wet class will be postponed. 

Materials are supplied. 

This is an 8 week program for anyone who would like 

to learn to sketch or improve their skills.

THE PROGRAM:

Where : Douglas Family Preserve, Borton Drive entrance, park on the street . 

When: Every Wednesday, starting January 16th for the next 8 weeks. 

Time: 1 PM- 3 PM 

Who: All who can carry a chair and walk about 1/2 mile.

The program is for anyone who would like to sketch in nature.

If you have never sketched or are an accomplished artist you will gain

from this experience. 

Cost is $20.00 /session and the total $160 is payable 

at the start of the program. 

Making a commitment to all 8 sessions is preferred

Limited to 8 - 10 students

Ron Doctors has taught sketching in Yosemite for many years and now that he is a local resident, he has often been asked to do this program in Santa Barbara.

"I like to work with a minimum of materials allowing me to focus on the subject.  Using mostly a 6B pencil, very soft and with a dense black on white paper with a slight texture allows for plenty of scope to express a sketch.  I also like to paint in both watercolor and acrylics, black ink and Chinese style brush."

"My artistic philosophy is that enjoying the process is the most important aspect and even if the resultant work is not totally fantastic, the very act of looking and absorbing the wonder of our planet makes the experience memorable."

"One of my students said that her day sketching will remain embedded in her heart for life.  She felt enriched in a special way".

RSVP: email at rdoctors@gmail.com or cell 650-388-0899

more information and website, click here:

A Picture Perfect Day for a Picture Perfect House with Panoramic Views of the Coastline in Santa Barbara!

 A FABULOUS Winter Day in Santa Barbara

Broker Tour Day on The Mesa

brought me to this fabulous home

with Panoramic Views of the Shoreline

 from almost every Public Room of this lovely Home

 Looking West from one of the Balconies

West over the Hang Gliding Park

towards Hendry's Beach

The brightness of the sun on the water

prevented better photos

and the bonus is a beautifully appointed home!

3 levels with 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths!

Consider the possibilities!

Listed at $1,629,000!

As a Santa Barbara Realtor spending my day viewing 
fabulous homes like this, I pinch myself....how lucky can a girl be!  
Wouldn't YOU like

to live in a gorgeous home like this?

5th Annual Santa Barbara Community Seed Swap

Christie's New Issue of Luxury Homes Available

The New Issue of

Christie's Luxury Home Magazine

is now available

Christie's International Real Estate presents the most luxurious homes, estates and apartments for sale around the world. From Marrakech to Massachusetts, no two homes are alike; each bringing with them their own gilded history, magnificent lineage, or new beginning for their very lucky new owners. 

to receive a copy

Call me at  805 689-7343

or

click here to contact me by email

Home Prices Poised for Growth in 2013

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Wall Street Journal Report:

By Stefanos Chen

Associated Press

In stark contrast to this time last year, the housing market is chugging into 2013 with a head of steam.

Home-listing prices were up 5.1% nationally in December on a year-over-year basis, according to data released Thursday by real-estate listings and data company Trulia. Out of the 100 major metro markets covered by the report, 82 of them saw year-over-year gains. At the end of 2011, asking prices had fallen 4.3%, and only 12 markets had posted positive price changes.

“Prices are going into 2013 with strong tailwinds,” said Jed Kolko, chief economist for Trulia. He cites a general strengthening of the job market, which in turn means more families able to cover a sizeable down payment. An increase in household formation, which is also the product of improving job prospects, and home construction could further bolster demand.

Mr. Kolko notes that the sharpest tightening of inventory is taking place in Western states. Four of the top 10 cities to see the largest asking price recovery were in California, including Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and Fresno.

Las Vegas, which was hit hard after the bubble burst, came in at the top of the list with a 16.3% year-over-year listing price increase. In the same period in 2011, prices dropped 11.2%.

To be sure, even among the markets with major gains, some are better positioned for a sustained housing recovery than others.

While Las Vegas may have seen the largest asking price turnaround, it remains far below pre-bust levels. The problem, Mr. Kolko says, is that the market remains unstable, with high vacancy rates, lingering foreclosures and subpar job growth.

On the other hand, metros like Seattle, which came in second on the list of cities with the highest asking-price recovery, are on a smoother path to growth because of their strong economic fundamentals, he said.

Meanwhile, rents rose nationally 5.2% in the same period. In 17 of the 25 biggest rental markets, home prices are rising faster than rents, according to Trulia. Whereas ownership was typically more affordable than renting in most markets in recent years, as sales demand rises, that edge is becoming less apparent, Mr. Kolko said.

• Asking Prices, 
• California, 
• Jed Kolko, 
• Trulia

Santa Barbara ZOO News to YOU!

News from the ZOO

Left to right from the top: Baby face! This handsome reptile, a prehensile-tailed skink, is the third of its kind born at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Photo: Sheri Horiszny    |    From Canada to California! Early in the year, we were delighted to welcome Michael, the #1 recommended breeding male, to our giraffe herd! The driving journey of nearly 3,000 miles took less than a week. Photo: Sheri Horiszny     |    Goma, one of the Zoo’s two western lowland gorillas, comprises half of a bachelor troop at the Santa Barbara Zoo. A bachelor troop is a type of natural social group found in the wild. Photo: Sheri Horiszny     |    Anara the anteater cools off in the pond. Anteaters are good swimmers, and can use their long snouts as snorkels. Photo: Sarah Varsik    |    The pride of the Santa Barbara Zoo! Chadwick and Gingerbread, long time residents of the Zoo, got two new roommates at the end of October. Neema and Kadi arrived from the National Zoo and are quickly adjusting to their new home. Photo: Sheri Horiszny     |    Katniss, the small-clawed otter, is enchanted with a piece of brightly-colored watermelon. Enrichment such as fruit cut into interesting shapes is part of daily life for the animals here at the Zoo. A tender moment between mom and baby. Our surprise calf, Daniel, taught us all about hand-raising giraffes. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Photo: Sheri Horiszny     |    Capybaras don’t dance, but they do at the Santa Barbara Zoo! The world’s largest rodents will do almost anything for the attention of zookeeper Maria who has been with the Zoo for over 20 years! Photo: Sarah Varsik    |    Wanna flamingle? Five chicks from this year’s record nineteen hatches are being hand-raised. They will join the rest of the group on exhibit early next year. Photo: Tony Luna    |    Twin female meerkat pups, born in spring 2012, are eager to explore their surroundings. Photo: Sarah Varsik

for more Zoo information, click here