About Riverside County, CA

Picture this. I'm happily tucking into a Saturday breakfast repast of savory Quiche Lorraine and French-Press coffee at brand-new cafe, Il Sogno, overlooking Palm Desert's scenic boulevard El Paseo when I spy a familiar face approach the outside bistro tables. "Surely that can't be Connie Townsend," I wonder aloud to Kirk. When I see the curly-haired woman snapping close-up photos of a bandana-wearing pooch, I realize it has to be a favorite artist who specializes in canine portraits.

Connie spies me staring at her through the plate-glass window and mouths, "Mary?" Although we met once early last year at a gallery event on this same boulevard—when I was instantly smitten with her whimsical, colorful acrylics of endearing dogs and cats—we've gotten to be friends via email and animal snaps. After hugging, she said she recognized me right away from my photos. Even Kirk got a hug: "I feel like I know you, too."

Seems she slipped into town yesterday to hand deliver some new artwork to her Coachella Valley gallery and was departing later today. During the brief desert visit, she was savoring our bucolic autumn weather, sipping a foamy cappuccino al fresco and enjoying one of Il Sogno's delectable pastries.

Connie, an LA native, now resides in Flagstaff with partner, Gail, where she braves the cold—12° yesterday—and nourishes her passion for painting. Upon turning 50 a few years ago, she decided to explore the medium of paint, instantly found her new metier, and quickly established herself as a respected west-coast artist with a devoted national following. I know since I'm one of them. I bought my first piece from The Christopher Morgan Gallery, a few doors down from Il Sogno, where I'd first chatted her up as a visiting artist during an El Paseo Artwalk.

The canvas, entitled, "Deja Moo," depicts two happy dogs driving a fire engine-red Mini Cooper, a bovine watching enviously from afar. It was one of those times when you knew instantly that the spied object would soon be yours.

That led to a commissioned piece entitled, "Bloomin' Desert", starring my own beloved pooch, Angus MacDog, driving a British 1955 MG, with dogpark-pal Harry, a huge, wild-eyed Irish Wolfhound, and two of my cats, Kirby and Percy, clinging apprehensively to the dashboard.

She's even painted a small portrait of Tully, a gigantic, imperturbable feline who waltzed across the street last year as a broken-tailed, skinny 6-month-old and decided the digs were decidedly better chez MacGregor. Connie liked Tully's tale and visage and and bestowed the gift of a headshot perfectly capturing the cat's insouciant personality.

As you've surmized, Connie has a predilection for dogs and cars. Her canvases usually depict estatic canines ensconced in distinctive vehicles—she favors vintage trucks, VW bugs, and Nash Ramblers. This felicitous merging of metal and fur proved propitious with gallery-goers and her art career was off and running.

You can view more of her unique artwork at her ever-changing website, Connie Townsend. Her work can be found hanging in galleries in Palm Desert, CA; Kirkland, WA; Flagstaff, AZ; and Scottsdale, AZ.

Back to breakfast. Il Sogno—Italian for The Dream—opened its doors 1.5 months ago, taking over the premises of The Wine Cellar at 73375 El Paseo. Inheriting a richly detailed venue of brick-lined walls, granite counters and dark-wood floors, Il Sogno slips perfectly into the narrow, intimate space. Small bistro tables grace the cafe front, beckoning boulevard strollers.

Owner Mirjana Ilic serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner with local, organic and seasonal offerings. The menu encompasses baked goods, waffles and wraps, homemade soups, paninis and salads. Espresso drinks, fresh-squeezed fruit drinks and smoothies complete the beverages.

Our breakfast quiche was presented beautifully on china with a side of fresh fruit, a full carafe of dark-roasted coffee awaiting the definitive plunge. The decision process was drawn out because of the rich array of truly appetizing breads and pastries.

Serbian-born Mirjana moved to the U.S. 27 years ago after living in Italy. I coudln't resist asking her how many languages she speaks. Four, including Russian. I marvel aloud at such sophistication while she performs the typical European-countries-are-so-close-together dismissive wave of the hand. I resolve to up my French practice.

She and her husband perfected their culinary and restaurant skills with their first Il Sogno in Pacific Palisades where they raised their two children. The 14-year tenure included a Zagat award honoring the area's top restaurants.

Although she is perfectly capable of making every pastry herself, the majority of her wide-ranging baked goods arrive daily from her LA patisserie connections while the fresh bread comes from local bakery, Artisan. She includes catering among her services.

"I want this to become the local hang-out place," she declares passionately. Let's hope her wish is fulfilled.

Here a few more Connie Townsend pieces to enjoy:

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Below is the current market report for the homes in the golf course community of The Citrus Golf Course:

Current Available Listings: 33

Least Expensive Home on the Market: $500,000 - 3 bdrm/3.5 bth, 3,306 sq. ft.

Most Expensive Home on the Market: $2,250,000 - 4 bdrm/4.5 bth, 4,835 sq. ft.

Current Homes in Escrow/Under Contract: 2

Most Recent Sales (past 180 days): 14

Least Expensive Sold: $520,000 - 3 bdrm/3.5 bth, 2,577 sq. ft.

Most Expensive Sold: $1,350,000 - 4 bdrm/4.5 bth, 3,971 sq. ft.

Whether you are interested in selling your home or buying a home in The Citrus Golf Course, contact us anytime to assist you in meeting your real estate needs!

Below is the current market report for the homes in the golf course community of Rancho La Quinta Country Club:

Current Available Listings: 101

Least Expensive Home on the Market: $380,000 - 3 bdrm/1.75 bth, 2,038 sq. ft.

Most Expensive Home on the Market: $1,995,000 -4 bdrm/4.5 bth, 4,243 sq. ft.

Current Homes in Escrow/Under Contract: 7

Most Recent Sales (past 180 days): 31

Least Expensive Sold: $450,000 - 3 bdrm/2 bth, 2,038 sq. ft.

Most Expensive Sold: $1,650,000 - 4 bdrm/4.5 bth, 4,243 sq. ft.

Whether you are interested in selling your home or buying a home in Rancho La Quinta Country Club, contact us anytime to assist you in meeting your real estate needs!

Below is the current market report for the homes in the gated community of Palmilla:

Current Available Listings: 16

Least Expensive Home on the Market: $799,000 - 5 bdrm/5 bth, 4,296 sq. ft.

Most Expensive Home on the Market: $1,349,000 -5 bdrm/5.5 bth, 4,358 sq. ft.

Current Homes in Escrow/Under Contract: 3

Most Recent Sales (past 180 days): 3

Least Expensive Sold: $615,000 - 3 bdrm/3.25 bth, 3,251 sq. ft.

Most Expensive Sold: $800,000 - 4 bdrm/4 bth, 3,895 sq. ft.

Whether you are interested in selling your home or buying a home in Palmilla, contact us anytime to assist you in meeting your real estate needs!

Foreclosures in the California Inland Empire; Where ARE they?? I'm out here every single day, slugging it out, trying to find homes within a certain price point, in a certain location. Buyers from out of town, are reading about all the Foreclosures in the Coachella Valley..La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indio, and when I struggle to find enough properties to show them, they cannot believe it! This past year has changed dramatically in the desert. We are a resort town for many, and a year round home for even more, so we have several demanding buyers markets.

The reality is this..homes in the very low end have been stabilized for the past 12 months with more Buyers than Sellers, which are usually banks or Short Sales. Investors with lots of cash have been cruising the desert's lowest priced developments the entire time, and are now finding less properties to choose between. This is a good thing! Even with more Foreclosures predicted in the desert, the pent up Buyer demand will move the low end homes that the banks release.

I have also noticed a settling of the mid to high (up to $1,000,000) homes, especially in golf course communities. A year ago, I didn't think they were a particularly good investment..now I do. You can now purchase a gorgeous, 2004 or newer, 3/3ba on the fairway with a pool/spa for less than $500,000. This is about .60cents/on the original dollar which was what got the bottom priced homes moving. This market is the one that many buyers have been waiting for, and they are now making their moves. Again, there is a shortage of REO's, and when one appears, it is snapped up or generates multiple offers.