Stewart Penn - Los Angeles Condo Specialist

The Washington Post has published an article stating that the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has threatened to stop social services for those in need if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law.

In terms of a bill headed for a D.C. Council vote next month, churches would not be required to perform same-sex marriages but they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gays and lesbians. This sounds decent and "Christian" to me.

But the church is worried it may be forced to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples. This doesn't sound fair nor "Christian-like" to me.

In effect the church is playing politics and using the homeless as pawns in it's Washington power play.

I believe that in such a case the church should loose it's tax-exempt status as it discriminates who it will assist based on religious beliefs.

Susan Gibbs, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese said: "The city is saying in order to provide social services you need to be secular. For us, that's really a problem."

I find this statement unbelievable ..... and wonder if Jesus would have said the same thing!

It's my opinion that the West Hollywood condo market is improving!

This month there have already been a healthy number of closings with two units selling above the magical $1 Million mark and there have also been a few units in the popular price range of $600,000 - $700,000.

1100 Alta Loma Rd - $1,775,000 (Listed at $1,995,000)

8703 West Knoll Dr - $1,100,000 (Listed at $1,200,000)

935 Westbourne Dr - $678,500 (Listed at $724,000)

1010 Curson Ave - $640,000 (listed at $674,900)

8121 Norton Ave - $612,500 (Listed at $699,000)

It's noteworthy that 33 of the 159 units currently listed For Sale are above $1 Million ..... representing 21% of active listings in the area.

(Statistics are obtained from The CLAW MLS and are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed)

CNN's Lou Dobbs ("Mr. Independent") is leaving the network.

Dobbs' resignation is effective immediately and tonight was his last broadcast on CNN.

During his final program this evening Dobbs said he has been "urged by political and business leaders to leave his television platform to engage in constructive problem-solving on national issues."

He went on to say: "Over the past six months it's become increasingly clear that strong winds of change have begun buffeting this country and effecting all of us."

I remember when Lou Dobbs handled the business reporting for CNN, and I thought he was quite good. But over the last few years he became rather pompous and bombastic. I found his program annoying and eventually could no longer watch his ranting.

I'm not sure if it was his sense of self-importance or a genuine passion for his beliefs and opinions.

Whatever the actual reason, it became clear that his presence at CNN was in conflict with the more level-headed programming of the network.

And so he "resigned" ...... but why is he leaving in such haste?

Why is Lou Dobbs really leaving CNN?

Leasing a Luxury House or Condo is an interesting job, especially when one considers the monthly rentals achieved.

Originally listed at $15,000 per month in this full-service 24-story condo tower at The Remington at 10727 Wilshire Blvd, a 2-Bed 3-Bath condo measuring 3500 sq ft recently leased for $12,000 per month. The fully furnished unit includes the services of a house-keeper twice a week. (Left Pic)

How about a 3000 sq ft 3-Bed 2.5-Bath condo with an awesome view overlooking Santa Monica Beach which recently leased for $10,000 per month? (Right Pic - View from balcony)

Renting a beach house in Santa Monica or Malibu can be a mind-blowing experience at $30,000, $45,000 or even $80,000 per month!

(Pics below) This 5-Bed 4-Bath house rented for $30,000 a month ($60,000 security deposit). The MLS Listing suggests you can "drift off to sleep with waves hitting the sand"..... unless of course you're thinking of the $30K it's costing you each month!

(The property above was Listed by Coldwell Banker - Brentwood and Leased out by Hilton & Hyland)

West Hollywood Condos - Market Report for October 2009 (September/August 2009)

Average Selling Price: $514,000 ($523,000 / $509,560)

Average List Price: $591,000 ($539,300 / $538,774)

Median Price: $462,500 ($494,500 / $450,000)

Total Sold in Dollars: $14,386,000 ($12,551,000 / $15,796,000)

Number of Units Sold: 28 (24/31)

Lowest Price Condo Sold: $235,000 ($230,000 / $299,000)

Highest Price Condo Sold: $1,200,000 ($835,000 / $880,000)

Average Days on the Market: 68 (107/93)

(Statistics obtained from The CLAW MLS and rounded off for ease of comparison. Statistics are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed)