About Mendocino County, CA

After talking to numerous fellow realtors, I have discovered that there is a noticable drop in moderate to low price inventories. We are seeing more new buyers and bidding wars. With the prices dropping and interest rates low, the bent up demand is finally starting to kick in. The only lagging part of the market is the million dollar plus properties that are sitting on the market, but this can be explained by one word "affordable". Just figure if a property sells in the $400,000 area with these low interest rates the payment would be in the $2,000 a month range. A million dollar property loan would have a payment of $5,000 a month.

I'll post more examples as they appear. So stay tuned!

This past weekend Mendocino County hosted a different kind of festival, The Gaia Festival, a three-day music festival and sustainable-living fair, featuring world-class artists, and sustainable living talks and programs. The festival is held each year just north of the heart of Mendocino County on the Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville. More than a music festival, the Gaia Festival serves a growing community of people who are coming together to create sustainable and resilient lifestyles, in our neighborhoods and around the world. It is a celebration of our interconnection to each other and to Mother Earth.

The Gaia Festival this year included Aaron Neville, The Wailers, Idan Raichel, and Galactic among 35 bands, and workshops on water containment systems, Yoga, Qi Gong, puppet making, drumming for beginners, biodynamic farming, and healing workshops.

The Gaia Festival is an interactive forum for people and organizations to share ideas, information and inspiration. Through workshops and presentations discussions are hosted on topics such as: permaculture, renewable energy, green building, communal living, environmental stewardship, human rights, healing arts, indigenous cultures, shamanism and spirituality.

Celebrating the bounty of Northern California, the Gaia Festival offers great food and crafts, provided by local non-profits and artisans, featuring local, organic and sustainable products.

Like every year, this year individuals, friends, and families stayed in tents and RVs to experience as the organizers say - five stages, four directions, three days, too much fun, one love.

The Government has given in again, this time by considering a name change of a California landmark. Some folks think the name "Squaw" is derogatory (for the record, I don't), and have tried time and time again to change the name of Squaw anything to something else.

Our "politically correct" population hasn't yet been successful with changing the name of Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe, home of the VIII Olympic Winter Games held in 1960, but it looks like our beloved Squaw Rock won't be as lucky. The new name? Frog Woman Rock.

When will people learn you can change names all day long but they won't stick. Who are they trying to fool?

The San Francisco 49ers stadium will always be Candlestick Park. The San Francisco Giants staduim will always be PacBell Park. That NASCAR race track thingy will always be Sears Point.

Frog Woman Rock? Nope ... it will always be called Squaw Rock. Always.

I wrote two recent blogs on summer music events in Mendocino County. The Mendocino Music Festival,

classical music and jazz on the coast in Mendocino and Fort Bragg and Sunday's in the Park, folk, county, rock, and blues in the heart of our county, Ukiah.

A third festival starts tomorrow, June 17 - 19! The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival between Ukiah and the coast in Booneville. Boonville sits in picture perfect Anderson Valley wine country. The Festival features 3 days of the best in roots reggae and world music taking place on two stages, with a late-night “Jamaican style” dancehall.

And its not just music, not that there is anything such thing as "just" music! Along with the more than 30 bands, the 18th annual Summer Solstice and World Peace Celebration also includes an extensive schedule of children’s activities, arts and crafts, an international food court, family camping and lots of vendors. On-site camping sells out every year as it has already this year.

As in years past, you can hear local and international musicians. This year you can hear Thomas Mapfumo, "The Lion of Zimbabwe" immensely popular in his county for the political influence he wields in his criticism of President Robert Mugabe. His voice is instantly recognizable to Zimbabweans and is memorable to the rest of us. Also this year from Jamaica, Toots and the Maytals!

With so much music and beauty in our quiet section of northern California, why not call me and we can find just the right in town or country property for you. Now is a great time buy a home, vacation property, or property to develop for the future. I can send you listings targeting your interests.

Come and enjoy the music!

Every summer in Ukiah when hot mid-afternoon temperatures give way to cooler evenings, Sundays in the Park free music concerts reaffirm and celebrate the soul of our community. On the lawn of beautiful Todd Grove Park you see grandparents, parents, college, high school, junior high, elementary, and pre-school kids talking, laughing, dancing, eating food from the many local vendors and most importantly, enjoying the free concerts featuring world-renowned artists as well as local talent.

Heading now into its 20th year, there have been 121 free Sunday evening concerts featuring over 140 bands to listen to or dance and sing along with. In 1998, founder Spencer Brewer and John Schaefeer of local Real Goods Solar created a solar battery inverter system to power the series making it the first solar powered concert series in the country.

Over the years the park has rocked to top name acts like Richy Havens, Elvin Bishop, Joe Craven, Coco Montoya, Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks, Poco, Leon Russell, and Mike Marshall. Local talent has included Ford Blues Band, the Ukiah Symphony, and Hansen and Raitt, with a surprise appearance by David Raitt's sister, Bonnie Raitt.

This summer you can hear Robert Cray, Janiva Magness, Hip Service, The Funky Dozen & Top Shelf, Pete Esconvedo, and Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88's! So Bring a blanket and gather with your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy top notch performers while being part of the greater Ukiah community.