Spring 2016 escondido magazine

“What does home mean to you?” Local student writers answer on page 41.

Create Your Ultimate Spa

Bathroom More on page 9

7

An inside look at

REASONS

Tiny Houses More on page 27

You Should use a REALTOR®! More on page 38

Real Estate Escondido

Issue 27 Spring 2016

has it all! More on page 34

Special Real Estate Issue!

Escondido

Charter High School “EDUCATION IS OUR BUSINESS.” WASC ACCREDITED

• Tuition Free Public Education

GREAT PROGRAM

• Perfect Blend of Academic Excellence and Flexibility for Parents who Want to Home School

We provide a curriculum designed for High School “Home Schoolers”.

PROVIDING • Parental Choice • High-Tech Environment

• High Academic Standards • College Prep and General Curriculum for College or a Career • We Also Offer a Blended Learning All Day Flex Classroom Program (FCP)

• CIF Sports • Seminars • Considered one of the Top High Schools in the State • ”Family and Students are our Priority!”

Individualized Learning Program (ILP) • Work at Own Pace

• 3D Manufacturing

• Math Center (on campus)

• Digital Photography Class

• Criminal Justice Academy

• Video Editing Classes

• Fire Tech Academy

• Choir Class

• Drama Classes

• Art Class

(state-of-the-art theater)

Para información en español por favor visite nuestro sitio web.

echs.org

(760) 737-3154 1868 East Valley Pkwy., Escondido, CA 92027

Connecting Commerce to Community.

UNLOCK YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL With a rich history spanning more than 100 years, the Escondido Chamber of Commerce has been a driving force among

the key players in developing and implementing positive actions which lead to prosperity for the community, its businesses and its citizens.

Your business success is our mission. Partnership with the Chamber is one of the best business decisions you can make.

You may choose to be actively involved in our committees and various networking events, or simply take advantage of our business advocacy and marketing.

Volunteer leadership and dedicated staff ensures the Chamber s fiscal health, relevance and vibrancy, and is the leading component for a strong voice for business.

EVENTS CALENDAR Good Morning Escondido!

Kick off your day with an energetic networking

breakfast. Current and prospective members of the Chamber of Commerce. RSVP. Cost: Members $10, Guests $20.

• • • •

J&M s Restaurant, 7:15a.m. - 9:00a.m.

Friday, April 22 Friday, May 27 Friday, June 24

Business After Five Mixer This event provides you with the opportunity to exchange ideas, meet qualified business connections and generate new leads. Prospective members call to reserve. Sponsor tables available. Cost: Members Free, Guests $20.

Thursday, April 14, 5:00-7:00p.m.

San Diego Children s Discovery Museum Thursday, May 12, 5:00-7:00p.m.

BK Cellars Urban Winery & Tasting Lounge

Plates for Eight Network and establish connections with other Chamber business members, while enjoying lunch. Members only. RSVP required.

Tuesday, April 5, 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m.

J&M s Restaurant Wednesday, April 20, 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m.

Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar Tuesday, May 3, 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m.

Stone Bistro & Restaurant Wednesday, May 18, 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m.

Black Angus Tuesday, June 7, 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Wednesday, June 15, 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m.

On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

Call us today for more information.

760-745-2125 RSVP: claudine@escondidochamber.org

Government Affairs Committee Meeting First Tuesday of the month, 4:00p.m., Escondido Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee Meeting Second Thursday, 12:00p.m., Escondido Chamber of Commerce The Grand Avenue Festival Sunday, May 15, 2016 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m.

Grand Avenue, Escondido 106th Annual Installation & Awards Dinner Friday, June 10, 2016 5:30p.m.-9:30p.m.

Pala Mesa Resort 2001 Old Highway 395 Fallbrook, CA 92028

Gemstone Gallery Enjoy unique, stunning and beautiful jewelry along with some of the most rare and sought after mineral specimens at Gemstone Gallery. We specialize in precious stones as well as breathtaking handmade custom designed jewelry.

Stunning Jewelry and Mineral Specimens (760) 735-5700 106 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025

Lagoon Collection

E S C ON DIDO M AGAZ IN E

COVER: From Rimrock to historical

Escondido, our city has just about any style home your heart desires. More on page 34.

Contents

34

CITY SHTICKER.................................................07 Geraniums are on sale for $1.99, but flowers can go a long way.

SPA-APPEAL BATHROOMS.................................09

22

Create a welcoming and restful retreat with a spa-like bathroom.

ARE YOU LIVING LARGE?..................................12 Here’s a glimpse of home sizes around the globe in comparison with the U.S.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT........................................14

27

Don’t miss out! Participate in Escondido Shines 2016 and make a difference.

BRICK BY BRICK..............................................15

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.........................34

Learn about the connection of Adobe architecture and the city of Escondido.

IS SOLAR RIGHT FOR YOU?...............................17

Escondido’s variety of neighborhoods offers a multitude of choices.

Deciding whether or not to go solar can be a long process, so here are a few tips to help out.

NEW LOOK, SAME GREAT STAFF........................19

Why use a REALTOR® and not just a real estate agent when purchasing a home?

Family-owned Best Western Escondido undergoes major renovations in 2016.

TWO SIDES OF THE CORK..................................22

Local student writers share what home means to them.

The corkage fee is an ongoing battle between patrons and the restaurateur.

WHY SO TINY?................................................27

ILACSD has expanded the organization’s most popular volunteer program.

Why are tiny homes on wheels sweeping across the nation?

ESCONDIDO REAL ESTATE SERVICES...................31

Check out what’s going on locally this spring in Escondido.

We’ve tracked down a few of Escondido’s best companies connected with the home industry.

Five simple ways to help increase the value of your home when putting it on the market.

6 | Escondido Magazine

7 REASONS TO USE A REALTOR®.......................38

ESCONDIDO

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

MORE PAGE 31

WHAT DOES HOME MEAN?...............................41

CLEAN CANYONS FOR A CLEAN COAST.............47

UPCOMING EVENTS..........................................49

5 WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR HOME’S VALUE......50

41

HUMOR

It’s Time To Make Your

City Shticker

A Few Flowers Can Go a Long Way

Living Trust

Call Jackie Skay

For all your Estate & Trust Planning

ESTATE AND TRUST LAW

[ continued on page 8 ]

PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION

760-745-7576

100 East San Marcos Boulevard Suite 400 San Marcos, CA 92069 701 Palomar Airport Road Suite 300 Carlsbad CA 92011 jskay@estateandtrustlaw.com

www.estateandtrustlaw.com

Advertise your business for as little as

109

$

/mo “What does home mean to you?” Local student writers answer on page 41.

Create Your Ultimate Spa

Bathroom More on page 9

Escondido’s “must try” 2016 Dining Destinations. Check it out on page 31!

2015 - 2016

DINING

ISSUE

7

An inside look at

REASONS

Tiny Houses More on page 27

You Should use a REALTOR®! More on page 38

Exotic MineralsEscondido

Real Estate

and gemstones page 24

has it all! More on page 34

Issue 27 Spring 2016

THE PLANTS ALONG THE FRONT OF MY HOUSE were looking a bit tattered, so I decided to brighten things up by replacing them with some flowers. I drove over to Home Depot and purchased a half dozen colorful geraniums for only $1.99 apiece.

I pulled out the old, planted the new, then stepped back to admire my work and reflect upon how a small investment like those geraniums could result in such a huge improvement.

If I had one concern, it was the fact that, in contrast, the grass in front of those flowers looked a bit unsightly. A number of areas had brown spots, so I bought some sod to replace the faded sections. Only it looked like a patchwork since the new sod contrasted starkly with the rest of the grass.

So, I had to hire a landscaper who wound up replacing the entire lawn. He also informed me that the sprinkler system needed extensive upgrades if I didn’t want the grass to start dying again.

It was rather costly, but when I stepped back and looked at my lush new lawn against those bright flowers, I knew the investment was well warranted.

If I had one concern, it was the fact that, in contrast to the grass and flowers, the house itself looked rather drab. After all, it hadn’t been painted in over two decades. So, I hired a painting contractor who was rather expensive, because it turned out I also needed extensive stucco repair. But when it was all done, the house looked beautiful. The only small setback came when those geraniums I planted got trampled by the workers. But that wasn’t really a big deal since those flowers only cost $1.99 apiece.

If I had one concern, the roof, in comparison to the new paint, appeared rather gross. The tiles were supposed to be red, but over the years, an ugly green stain coated them, so I had to have everything pressure washed.

That made all the difference in the world, and an investment well spent even if it meant replacing the tiles the workers cracked while walking on them.

Fortunately, I only had to purchase a few tiles, but the broken ones apparently caused a few punctures, which was easily mended by a roofer who pointed out we also needed to replace some rain gutters, metal

Special Real Estate Issue!

Issue 26 Winter 2015

BY IRV ERDOS

Request a media kit today!

760-745-2125

M ASTHEAD

[ continued from page 7 ]

flashings, vent pipes and clogged drains.

Those drains ran under the new grass, which meant the turf would have to be dug up again, but the landscaper agreed to give us a discount since he had already replaced the lawn previously.

But after that was done, everything looked great.

That is, until we stepped inside where we realized how, in comparison to the outside, things appeared rather dreary. We hired the same painter to do the interior since he consented to give us a discount as he already had painted the exterior.

In preparation for the new paint, we had to take down all the drapes, which drew our attention to how badly faded they were.

We picked out a nice fresh paint color, a lovely new shade that complemented the new drapes. Only it meant we’d need to replace the switch plates and outlet covers, since they were now a contrasting color. It reminded me of the time I bought that sod that hadn’t matched my grass. Thankfully, those switch plates and covers weren’t that expensive, except that we needed 165 of them. The other thing we hadn’t anticipated was the fact that along with every switch plate there’s also a switch, and they, too, were now the wrong color. They also required an electrician to rewire them.

Turns out, there’s also an outlet behind every outlet cover.

They also needed to be replaced and rewired, but the electrician agreed to give us a discount since earlier he had already done the switches.

If there was any concern, it was the fact that the carpeting looked rather dull when compared to the new paint. So, we hired a carpet cleaner who wasn’t at all that expensive. Only his shampoo machine scuffed up the baseboards so we had them touched up by the painter who agreed to give us a discount since earlier he had already painted the interior.

And before that, the exterior.

Finally, the inside was all done and looked great. If we had one concern, in contrast to the new paint and drapes, and shampooed carpet, that old couch in the living room was an eyesore, so we replaced it. We’d also like to swap that old armchair, but only if there’s anything left from the refinance.

Other than that, all the improvements have been virtually completed. The only thing left to do is to go back to Home Depot to replace those trampled geraniums I told you about.

Did I mention they were only $1.99?

PUBLISHER Escondido Chamber of Commerce EDITOR Alicia Reeves

ASSIGNMENT EDITOR Heather Petrek

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Joel Brown Tom Hogarty

ART DIRECTOR / GRAPHIC DESIGN William Daniels of SDBE Media & Design 858-229-4038 sdbegraphics@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Janet Ashforth Sarah Buchholz Whitney Butler Ernie Cowan Maurice DiMarino Stacey Ellison Irv Erdos Cynthia Gonzalez Hannah Keith Brionne Moore Heather Petrek Barbara Preston Amanda Savarese Michael Trozera Vaughn North

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Zumaya Barbara Preston PRINTING BY San Dieguito Printers

ADVERTISING SALES Claudine Rumbawa 760-745-2125 ext. 202 claudine@escondidochamber.org Rorie Johnston 760-745-2125 rorie@escondidochamber.org

Tom Hogarty 760-855-8083 tom@hogartycommunications.com Liz LaBlond 760 745-2125 ext.204 liz@escondidochamber.org

Contact humor columnist Irv Erdos at IrvErdos@aol.com

8 | Escondido Magazine

720 N. Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025 760-745-2125 | info@escondidochamber.org

HOM E IM PR OVEM EN T

Spa-Appeal Bathrooms How to create a relaxing retreat in your home

BY BARBARA PRESTON

JUMP IN THE SHOWER, THROW ON CLOTHES, drive the kids to school, race to work, grocery shop, cook dinner…our daily lives can get crowded with errands and obligations. The stress from the outside world feels overwhelming, which makes living in a soothing home environment more important than ever. Create a welcoming and restful retreat with a spalike bathroom.

A key component for a bathroom remodel is the tile selection. A neutral palette lends a relaxing spa feel and is the safest choice for resale. The simplicity of the materials and layout in one overall tone for floors and walls also allows the mind to rest. Design tastemakers are moving to large format tiles to adorn both floors and walls, which visually expands the size of the bathroom. Taking a cue from classic design, 12” x 24” or 16” x 24” are popular sizes. Large format tiles, with a matte glaze, laid in an offset pattern evoke a beautiful, timeless look. The added advantage for larger tiles is less grout to maintain. Porcelain tile does not require sealing like

natural stone and has relatively no upkeep. The technology in manufacturing has become so sophisticated with porcelain tile that a realistic natural stone look is easy to achieve.

Staying on point in bathroom design means considering bathroom amenities such as niches, benches, and grab bars.

The protruding soap dish and corner shelves of yesterday have been replaced with recessed niches. The shape and size can be personalized to accommodate individual needs. Niches are designed to perfectly house shampoo bottles, soaps, and razors. For example, a master bedroom shower used by a couple might require one large niche. Whereas, in a Jack and Jill bath shared by children, a lower placed niche would be more user-friendly. A shower bench adds an architectural element as well as being practical. Bench choices can be personal and creative. A wide bench across the expanse of a shower can lend a masculine feel to the enclosure; a corner bench will feel more contemporary while also saving space.

An often forgotten detail is the addition of a grab bar in the [ continued on page 11 ]

Spring 2016 | 9

C ON TR IBUTOR S

JANET ASHFORTH

SARAH BUCHHOLZ

WHITNEY BUTLER

ERNIE COWAN

MAURICE DIMARINO

Janet Ashforth is a writer and entrepreneur who has taken her twenty years of sales and marketing experience and combined it with her creative drive to actualize her dream company, Habitats Tiny Homes.

Sarah Buchholz is the marketing manager for I Love a Clean San Diego.

Whitney Butler is a professional freelance writer and wannabe chef. She grew up in Escondido, enjoys international travel, wearing sunglasses and managing her company Butler Ink & Media.

Ernie Cowan is Economic Development Chair for the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, serves as the Vice President of Government Affairs for the North San Diego County Association of Realtors. He also served as an Escondido City Councilman and Mayor.

Maurice DiMarino is a native of San Diego and is the Sommelier & Beverage Director for the Cohn Restaurant Group where he oversees 18 restaurants. He also writes for one of the most unique wine blogs in San Diego, mauricescru.com.

STACEY ELLISON

IRV ERDOS

CYNTHIA GONZALEZ

HANNAH KEITH

BRIONNE MOORE

Stacey Ellison is the Executive Director for the Escondido History Center located in Grape Day Park.

Irv Erdos is a humor columnist. Contact him at IrvErdos@aol.com.

Cynthia Gonzalez is a senior at Escondido High School. She serves as the editor-in-chief for the school paper, the Cougar.

She hopes to go to college, and major in psychology to become a psychologist.

Hannah Keith is a junior at San Pasqual High School, and hopes to go to college on the east coast for fashion design and journalism. She plays water polo and is editorin-chief for her school’s Eagle Eye Newspaper.

Brionne Moore is a scholar in junior year at Del Lago Academy. She participates in the Sewing Club and the LGBT Straight Alliance Club, and wishes to achieve her dream career in the field of architecture.

HEATHER PETREK

BARBARA PRESTON

AMANDA SAVARESE

MICHAEL TROZERA

VAUGHN NORTH

Heather Petrek is the Assignment Editor for The Escondido Magazine and a freelance writer specializing in fiction for adults and children.

Barbara Preston is an interior designer and long-time Escondido resident. She is currently a Public Arts Commissioner for the City of Escondido. You’ll find her at Home Remodeling Center in San Marcos.

Amanda Savarese is a junior at Orange Glen High School and plans to pursue a career in engineering. She is a varsity volleyball player, is involved with NHS, CSF and is an OG ambassador for student publications. She is also the co-editor-in-chief for the Torch Yearbook.

Michael Trozera, a native to Southern California, was born in La Jolla and raised in Del Mar. He’s been married to his wife, Shiree, for twenty-four years, has been a resident of the San Marcos area for thirteen years, and has been involved in general contracting for ten years.

Vaughn North is a member of Rotary and the founder of Escondido Shines. In addition to serving in community and church, Vaughn sings in the Center for the Arts Chorale and performs with the Poway Symphony. His hobbies are piano, cello and vocal.

10 | Escondido Magazine

HOM E IM PR OVEM EN T

[ continued from page 9 ]

shower for safety. color, dimension, and texture with A frameless shower door will luxe-looking accessories. enhance the look of your bathroom.

A well-appointed bathroom feels A well-appointed bathroom The glass comes substantially like a scrumptious indulgence. So thicker than a traditional shower indulge! There are an abundance feels like a scrumptious door because it is not structurally of bath goods available today that indulgence. So indulge! supported by a metal frame. blend function and luxury. Today’s Frameless doors with tempered accessories are inspired by the glass open smoothly. The attractive Pantone color palette. Pamper hinges, towel bars, and handles are yourself with beautiful bottles in offered in a variety of finishes selected to complement your sea glass blues and greens. Revel in thick soft towels. Soap faucets and showerheads. With no frame, the glass is easier to dishes and toothbrush holders in nature-inspired hues; body clean and generally stays spot free with a wipe of a squeegee brushes with natural bristles; and teak spa stools are some of after showering. the items you might splurge on to complete your bathroom Pantone Inc., the global experts on color, says that 2016 is oasis experience. the year where colors need to have the attitude of “well- being and serenity.” The colors of the year are “softer takes on color” like “tranquil blue.” With the foundation set for a serene space Resources: accessories pictured above are from Simply Grand and a neutral palette, there is greater freedom for bringing in (formerly The Rustic Sparrow) in downtown Escondido.

Spring 2016 | 11

LIVIN G

Are You Living Large?

Average home sizes around the world

BY HEATHER PETREK

HOW BIG IS YOUR HOME? Have home sizes changed over time?

How does the size of your home compare to homes in other parts of the country, or in other parts of the world? Here’s a glimpse of home sizes around the globe.

Based on information from the United States Census Bureau, over the past fifteen years, the size of new homes built in America has changed. The number of new single-family houses under 1,400 square feet in the year 1999 was 119,000, compared to fewer (18,000) in 2014, while homes over 4,000 square feet have increased in number – 37,000 in 1999 to 43,000 a few years ago.

In 1973, the average square footage for a new single-family house was 1,660. In 2010, that average grew to 2,392.

Where you live in the United States could also have an effect on how big your home is. In 2014, of the 43,000 new homes sold that had more than 4,000 square feet of floor space, 2 of them were located in the northeast, 5 were located in the midwest, 28 were

12 | Escondido Magazine

located in the south, and 8 were located in the west.

According to USA Today, and 247wallst.com, there are ten U.S.

cities that can boast the largest median square foot homes in the country:

Provo, UT – 1,980

Houston, TX – 1,900

Colorado Springs, CO – 1,899 Atlanta, GA – 1,872

Raleigh, NC – 1,871

Boulder, CO – 1,865 Greeley, CO – 1,854

Fort Collins, CO – 1,851 Austin, TX – 1,837 Dallas, TX – 1,828

LIVIN G

Approximately 4 ½ homes in Hong Kong could fit inside one large home in the U.S.

That’s a rough outline of the trend in our country, but how does the size of homes in the United States compare to those outside the U.S.?

Some crude number crunching yields the following comparisons: Approximately 4 ½ homes in Hong Kong could fit inside one large home in the U.S. Additionally, almost 3 ½ in China; 2 ½ Finland homes; or 1 ¾ from the Netherlands could fit inside one of the largest average square foot United States homes. But we are not the biggest. In the United States, the average square footage of a new singlefamily home is 2,204, while the average in Australia is 2,236 square feet.

The following chart illustrates the average size in square feet of new homes. The information was compiled from various sources.

Average Home Size in Square Feet

Spring 2016 | 13

C OM M UN ITY

COMMUNITY

SPIRIT Be part of Escondido Shines 2016

BY VAUGHN NORTH

THE ESCONDIDO SHINES INITIATIVE (ESI) was introduced by the Rotary Clubs of Escondido to foster a spirit of service, friendship and celebration--SERVE-SALUTE-CELEBRATE. 2015 “SERVICE” activities included February Youth Week in the EUSD and EUHSD with 20,000 yellow Escondido Shines wristbands and the “Shine Pledge” of good citizenship by our students. On April 25th, ESI joined forces with I Love a Clean San Diego in service projects at parks and city creek. During the summer, five free concerts (the friendship component of “SALUTE”) were provided at Kit Carson Amphitheater.

Escondido Shines Day on November 14, 2015 was the year’s big “CELEBRATION.” Numerous projects supported by public works in eight different parks brought over 600 volunteers shoulder to shoulder throughout the community. 25,000 yellow “Shine” bags provided a festive spirit. The Downtown Business Association’s Tamale Festival at Grape Day Park

14 | Escondido Magazine

finished the day with over 10,000 guests at Grape Day Park for fun, food and festival in a true Hispanic fashion.

What’s Next ESI now invites all organizations (businesses, churches, schools, civic groups, neighborhoods, and government) to participate in the SERVE-SALUTE-CELEBRATE theme. Just select one of your upcoming activities this year to include a dimension of community spirit by attaching the Escondido Shines logo. You don’t have to have a big Tamale Festival. Just add some yellow shine spirit to your activity. You may request promotional support from the ESI website, social media and network resources. A limited number of banners, signs and name badges are available. By adding a touch of Escondido Shines, you can contribute to the spirit of pride in this great community of Escondido.

For more information, visit info@escondidoshines.org.

HISTOR Y

An adobe brick mold roughly two feet long by eighteen inches wide was able to produce up to six bricks at a time.

Brick by Brick Adobe architecture and Escondido

BY STACEY ELLISON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ESCONDIDO HISTORY CENTER

ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING ASPECTS of working in museums is never knowing what you will come across next.

In institutions that have been operating for several decades like ours, there are often pieces in the collection that lay dormant for extended periods. Coming across these pieces and putting them on display is almost like “finding” them all over again. Then there are the unexpected treasures that walk in the front door. These are the most fun.

In late January, as the Escondido History Center and the Adobe Home Tour organization were busy promoting the March tour and recruiting docents, a donor came into the History Center with a wonderful object: an adobe brick mold. The brick mold is roughly two feet long by eighteen inches wide and can produce up to six bricks at a time (see photo). We could not help but acknowledge its relevance and importance to Escondido’s architectural history.

Adobe homes are, by nature, earthy. Traditionally, the bricks are comprised of a carefully selected mixture of clay and sand, and often include stabilizers such as grasses and straw. The ingredients are mixed with water to a plasticlike consistency. The concoction is then poured into a mold, leveled and “turned out” onto a level surface to harden. After several days, the bricks are placed on end in the sun for aircuring (see photo on page 16). This process can take several weeks until the bricks are sun-hardened and ready for use.

Mortar made of mud is used to bond the bricks during the build.

Early adobe homes had hard packed earthen floors and their traditional flat roofs were often supported by timbers stretching from wall to wall. The earthen walls remained cool in the summer and retained warmth in the cooler winter months. In locales where timber was scarce, this type of

Spring 2016 | 15

HISTOR Y

Hundreds of adobe bricks placed on a level surface to harden in the sun.

Escondido is unique as our city contains the largest concentration of adobe structures outside of New Mexico.

construction was both practical and efficient. Sometimes the structure was completed with a layer of mud – a recipe similar to that of the adobe brick – spread over the brick walls. Ochre pigments could also be mixed into the plaster to create a colored plaster. A small stone or similar tool was then utilized to “polish” and smooth the plaster to achieve the quintessential look we often associate with Southwest pueblos. As water is the primary source of deterioration in adobe buildings, it is easy to understand why adobes have endured in the arid areas of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and California.

Escondido is unique as our city contains the largest concentration of adobe structures outside of New Mexico.

Our earliest adobe structure is Juan Batista Alvarado’s adobe ranch home (now in ruins) on the land known as Rincon Del Diablo. Between 1888, when Escondido was incorporated, and the 1980s when California instituted new restrictive

16 | Escondido Magazine

building codes, a number of wonderful adobe homes were built by architects such as the Weir Brothers and George Patterson. These homes were not just practical, but works of art that incorporated distinctive aesthetic elements.

During the Adobe Home Tour, homeowners open their doors to the public for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to view homes built by outstanding architects. While many of you may have missed the chance to attend this year’s Adobe Home Tour, we encourage you to check the website frequently for the next tour date.

Note: The Adobe Home Tour was held on March 6, 2016.

Check our website escondidohistory.org for the next tour date, or join the Escondido History Center (EHC) to receive the Grapevine newsletter for all the latest news and events presented by the EHC and affiliates. Information on Adobe Home Tours can also be found on adobehometour.com

HOM E IM PR OVEM EN T

Is Solar Right for you?

The 411 on whether solar should even be an option for you

BY MICHAEL TROZERA

IF YOU LIVE IN THE GREATER SAN DIEGO AREA, or most any part of Southern California, you have probably been bombarded by numerous emails, mailers, and even people knocking at your door at dinnertime trying to convince you to buy solar. If you are like most of us, these guerrilla marketing tactics only push us away from the idea because of uninvited intrusion of our time and homes! So, what’s all the excitement about?

My objective for this article is to offer you some straight talk about the subject, arming you with enough information to start the process. Keep in mind these are just the high points. The first consideration is whether or not you own your home. Typically, as a renter, it does not make sense to consider purchasing a solar system.

How Exactly Does Solar Work?

Simply put, solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity, the inverter or inverters convert DC electricity into useable AC electricity, you use the AC electricity your home requires.

The excess electricity is sent to the grid to be absorbed by the utility, and your bill is credited for the excess, currently, under the Net Metering agreement you have with them. More on that later.

Next, how much is your power bill? If your bill is less than $100 a month, it is going to be harder to recover your investment, but anything over that, solar makes sense. So, if you are in the category of less than $100, save your money, unless you see some dramatic changes coming up in the near future, like an electric car, or kids or parents moving back into your home.

Federal Investment Tax Credit Recently, the ITC was extended until December 2019. This is a tax credit, or reduction off what you owe the Federal Government at the end of your tax year. For example, if you spend $30,000 on a solar system for your home, you save $9,000 in taxes owed!! It doesn’t get any better than this! You [ continued on page 18 ]

Spring 2016 | 17

H OM E IM PR OVEM EN T

[ continued from page 17 ]

can see the details at http://energy.gov/savings/residentialrenewable-energy-tax-credit. If roof repairs are required for the installation of the solar system, they also can be included in the cost of the system, and included in the deduction.

Cost and how to structure repayment is always a consideration with this type of investment. Typically, paying cash for a solar system is going to offer you a double-digit return on your investment. By most people’s standards, that’s a great return. However, if you are not able to simply write a check for the system, there are a number of other options. PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) programs, (HERO, or YGRENE) as well as consumer based financing programs are available that will more than meet your needs. The PACE programs allow you to pay for the system on your property tax bill, offering additional tax benefits. Unless you are a nonprofit organization, leasing

18 | Escondido Magazine

or PPA’s don’t really make sense, because they keep the tax credit. The most appropriate financing vehicle is the one that works best for you, not the company trying to sell you solar, so consider your options carefully.

Net Energy Metering, or NEM This is the agreement you enter into with the utility. It gives you permission to operate your solar system on the grid and allows you to get credit for the energy you produce and don’t use. Presently, you are going to receive baseline Tier 1 credit for the excess power you don’t consume. This is calculated on a monthly rate, and reconciled annually. The rules for all this are changing in the near future, and as you can imagine, the costs are going to increase.

As I mentioned at the beginning, there is a lot of ground to cover in the process, and I’m hopeful this helps. For a free performance and financial summary to determine if solar is right for you, visit proqualitycontracting.com.

TR AVEL

New Look, Same Great Staff

Family-owned Best Western Escondido undergoes major renovations in 2016

BY WHITNEY BUTLER

IF YOU’VE EVER DRIVEN SOUTH ON THE I-15 freeway toward Escondido, chances are you’ve seen the Best Western sign on the east side of the El Norte Parkway exit. If you can’t recall, just wait—serendipity has a quirky sense of humor.

I’ve lived in Escondido for almost 30 years, and I know exactly where this hotel is located, even if I’ve never had a reason to stay there (being from the area and all). But who knows?

Staycations are becoming a popular alternative to complicated travel plans.

Every great city needs a great hotel, and this family-owned franchise is part of one of the largest, most well known hotel corporations in the world. Best Western International made some corporate changes last year, including rebranding the logo and changing the official corporate name, now called Best Western Hotels & Resorts. Our very own Best Western is

undergoing some big changes as well.

Sandy Bagri, co-owner of Best Western Escondido has been working at the hotel since 1994.

“I was raised in the hospitality industry,” Bagri said. “I’ve been helping my mom and dad with the hotel since I was a kid.”

This memory made him laugh.

Today, Sandy is responsible for improving processes and hotel systems; his background in web designing has helped the family improve the hotel’s marketing and online presence.

Sandy’s parents were born in India, and both moved to England to go to college. Sandy and his sister were born in England and moved to North Carolina shortly after. His parents wanted to buy a hotel and start a family business, which they did here in Escondido, and it’s been a family affair ever since.

The hotel’s General Manager, Cindy Jensen, has been working [ continued on page 20 ]

Spring 2016 | 19

TR AVEL

[ continued from page 19 ]

at Escondido’s Best Western since public areas of the hotel, like the Good customer skills 1999. Bagri’s sister, Angela Bagri, is lobby, front desk, computer area, are very valuable in [the also involved, juggling administrative 1,400 square-foot business room, and hospitality] industry, duties with accounting and HR. morning breakfast area. that’s what our staff is “Good customer skills are very “The design has been completed,” known for…many of our valuable in [the hospitality] industry,” Bagri said. “It’s a long process to Bagri explained. “That’s what our staff make it all work, but we’re excited to employees have been with is known for…many of our employees get started.” us for more than 10 years. have been with us for more than 10 Bagri played a role in picking the years.” design elements for the renovation, But don’t take Bagri’s word for it, just look at the hotel’s collaborating with the Best Western Design Division and online reviews and you’ll quickly gain a sense of what people Carlsbad construction company, Level 3 Construction. This love about this hotel. In fact, Bagri pays close attention to final phase will complement what other Best Westerns are that feedback and puts great effort into upgrading the guest’s doing around the world, as they celebrate the company’s experience. In 2014, the hotel underwent considerable 70th birthday, and rein it all in with a fresh logo and stylish renovations. The 100 guest rooms got new furniture and décor accommodations for an economy price. with investments allocated toward improving wireless Internet Bagri described the new concept. “It’s warm, contemporary, and HD television. The second phase of the renovations is and visually cleaner than the old design. I can’t wait to hear scheduled to begin this spring. This includes remodeling the what our guests think.”

20 | Escondido Magazine

T R AV E L

The Finest Hotel in Escondido!

Free breakfast included.

Great Tripadvisor reviews.

A rendering of the new front desk area, scheduled for phase 2 of the reconstruction process.

To my surprise, in addition to families and leisure guests, the Best Western Escondido has some pretty interesting guests.

“We just had all the performers of Shen Yun with us,” said Bagri. “They would rehearse with their instruments in the business room. They’re very well behaved!”

In addition to traveling performers, the Best Western Escondido is also a home away from home for many traveling athletic groups including players of the Cal South State Cup, traveling Pop Warner teams, Ice-Plex, and an occasional Labrador from the San Diego Labrador Retriever Club.

The conference room is one of the biggest in Escondido, beat only by the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Palomar Hospital, Express Tires, Uber, LabCorp and other large businesses have utilized the space for various company functions.

According to Bagri, the towering sign next to the I-15 freeway will be one of the last things to change this year during their extensive renovations.

The new sign will, of course, have the company’s new blue monogram logo, reminding at least this writer from Escondido how much things have changed during the last 30 years. But it’s nice to know that some things won’t change. Sandy and his Best Western family will still be there. All I need now is an excuse to go on staycation.

• Recently renovated guestrooms & bathrooms • Heated Pool & Hot Tub • 1450 sq.ft. Meeting Room • Free WiFi Internet • 42” HD Flat Screen TVs 75 channels / HBO & ESPN • Fridge & Micro in all rooms Complimentary deluxe continental breakfast • hot waffles • bagels • hard-boiled eggs • pastries & toast • fresh fruit & yogurt • and more!

1700 Seven Oaks Road

Escondido, California 92026

760.740.1700 800.752.1710

www.bwescondido.com I-15 at El Norte Parkway Exit Wherever Life Takes You, Best Western Is There®

Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated.

LIF ESTYLE

Two Sides of the Cork

The corkage fee is an ongoing battle between patrons and the restaurateur

BY MAURICE DIMARINO

LIKE EVERYTHING IN LIFE, there are two sides to every discussion. Working in the restaurant business, I have learned to live in the grey areas. Although black and white is so much easier to live by, life just doesn’t allow for that. The corkage fee discussion is one that I would like to jump into and give my “grey” point of view, and hopefully offer a compromise between the patron and the restaurateur.

Why does the patron bring his own wine into the restaurant?

1. He wants to save money and not pay the mark-up restaurants charge on the wine list. It is difficult to walk into a restaurant and see the same wine that is offered at your local wine shop for two to three times more. Why not bring in your own wine, pay the $20 corkage and still save $10$20? I guess that only makes sense.

22 | Escondido Magazine

2. The restaurant’s wine list is pathetic and doesn’t offer wines that are suitable to drink. The most unfortunate part of this is that it is so true. I enjoy wine and I enjoy eating out. But if a restaurant only has a Central Coast Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir from California and their eclectic wine section reads: as Zinfandel and Bordeaux Superior, I need to bring my wine. One cannot blame the patron; the restaurant is not doing its job, and should put more focus on its list if the goal is to get guests to buy wine there.

3. The patron has a very special wine they have saved since his or her birth year. Or patrons have chosen this restaurant to open and celebrate their 25th anniversary. As a restaurateur, I should feel honored that they have chosen this restaurant to open such a special bottle. All said and done, enjoy that special bottle, have a great meal, but pay the corkage fee.

LIF ESTYLE

Why does the restaurateur object to guests bringing in their own wine?

1. The restaurateur can read a cheapskate from far away.

It is infuriating for any true professional to see someone come into their line of business and take advantage of their hard work only to save a buck. I’d hate to work at the Nordstrom’s shoe department and see shoes being returned because the patron decided to wear them out

for one night to dine at a restaurant where they brought their own wine from Vons. Too bad Vons doesn’t take back empty bottles of wine just because the sticker price is still on the bottle. What I am getting at is that in some restaurants the wine list took a long time to create. It was specially designed to go with chef’s cuisine, the restaurant’s concept, and they spent hours training the staff. Then we see a bottle of Turning Leaf on a table. It is [ continued on page 24 ]

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LIF ESTYLE

If you are going to bring your own wine, see if the restaurant carries it first.

[ continued from page 23 ]

a slap in the face of those who work so hard in creating a successful list.

2. Professional restaurants put lists together to provide something for everybody. It is upsetting to see a guest walk in with several bottles of wine and half of them are on the list. Obviously the guest did not do his homework and check the wine list.

3. Sometimes guests bring in wines purchased from the winery, and they do not realize that after the corkage fee they are probably paying more. The guest buys the wine at the winery for $20, the restaurant buys it for $12 and charges $36. When the guest pays the $20 corkage fee, he is paying $40. What many people don’t realize is that going to the winery does not mean getting the wines at

24 | Escondido Magazine

wholesale. In fact, sometimes the cost is 10-15% above retail. If you are going to bring your own wine, see if the restaurant carries it first.

The Corkage Dilemma Some guests are reluctant to pay the corkage fee...well, shame on them! That’s like telling the hotel you want a discount on the room rate because you brought your own towels. The hotel still has to offer towels to other guests and your room rate is based on what it costs the hotel to run. Whether or not you use your own towels, the rates pay for everyone’s towels. In the restaurant, the owners still need to pay employees to wash your glasses and serve you. Whether or not you are drinking your own wine, you pay so the restaurant can stay in business

LIF ESTYLE

Restaurateurs, be honored when guests bring in a special bottle. Remember, they could have gone anywhere, and they chose you. That means a lot.

and give service to everyone. If the restaurant kept a BYOW policy without corkage and everyone brought their own wine, that restaurant would lose a huge chunk of profit. A functioning restaurant is normally at a 10% profit. Some of the more well run establishments are reaching 15-20% profits. A loss in wine revenue would ultimately result in the closing of the restaurant, increased food prices, or a decrease in labor, which,

in turn, affects service. The corkage fee is not in place so that the restaurant can gouge the guest; it is a way to make up for lost sales. Like in any business, sales are what keep them afloat.

Lose those sales and there is no business. If you are bringing your own wine to the restaurant, pay the fee! It is the right thing to do.

Some people believe that if you taste the server on your [ continued on page 26 ]

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LIF ESTYLE

[ continued from page 25 ]

wine they should waive the fee. That is just ridiculous! Servers are busy. They have more than your table to tend to. Imagine you’re a guest at another table waiting to order, and you’re in somewhat of a hurry. You look over at your server who is at another table tasting wine. Obviously there is pressure on the server to engage the table on what an amazing wine they have.

He has to shower them with adjectives so that they feel as though the bottle is super special. All the time you are turning red because you cannot get the server’s attention. Sorry, but half the time the server doesn’t want to taste the wine that you picked up at the winery and paid almost restaurant price. He has to work and tend to many guests. The little taste of your wine still does not pay for the busboy that clears your table, or the dishwashers that wash your glasses, or the breakage that will ultimately occur at some point when your glass is put into a drying rack. Again, pay the fee! Feel free to share your wine, but don’t be discouraged if the server declines the taste. He might be in recovery.

So, when should the corkage fee be waived? If I go to a restaurant and I am going to bring my wine, I always start with a glass of something. I might even order a bottle of white or champagne to start. I don’t expect my corkage fee to be waived,

26 | Escondido Magazine

but it sure would be a nice gesture. If the patron is supporting the restaurant and supports the wine program, restaurants should waive the fee.

What is the Corkage Fee Compromise?

1. Restaurateurs, improve your wine program. Provide a wine list that is exciting and intriguing. Be fair with your mark-ups.

2. Patrons, pay the corkage fee. You do not bring your own meat to the restaurant, so if you are bringing your own wine, pay the fee...it is a business, not a public park for you to have a picnic.

3. Restaurateurs, be honored when guests bring in a special bottle. Remember, they could have gone anywhere, and they chose you. That means a lot.

4. Patrons, think about what you are bringing in. I don’t know how many times servers and sommeliers have rolled their eyes when they see guests bring in a bottle of Justin Isosceles.

It really is not that rare, they make 30,000 cases! If you are going to bring in a wine, make it cool!

5. Restaurateurs, be generous. If the guest is supporting your program and buying a bottle or some champagne for the table, or if he is celebrating a very special evening, waive the fee...make new friends.

LIVIN G

Why So Tiny?

Tiny homes on wheels have swept across the nation

BY JANET ASHFORTH

TINY HOMES ON WHEELS have centuries. We started out calling swept across the nation like the caves our home, and back then home summer monsoon in India, and it’s was synonymous with survival. All Don’t buy into the “more highly likely you have seen pictures we needed was shelter, fire, food, is better” sales pitch. of them on the Internet or you have and water. Since then humans have Simplifying by being watched one of the many tiny home lived in tents, huts, covered wagons, selective brings less stress. shows that have popped up on yurts, cottages, boats, apartments, numerous networks. It seems like train cars, buses, slums, and, of almost everyone loves tiny homes, course, RVs. Somewhere along this even if they wouldn’t consider living dwelling timeline home has become in one. So what is it about tiny homes that has created such tantamount with success, and bigger has come to mean better. an explosion of interest that it’s now considered a full-fledged In America today, we are sold the idea that the squaremovement? footage of our homes directly correlates with our happiness Living tiny is nothing new. Tiny homes come in all shapes level. Homes are just as much status symbols designed to and sizes and people have been living in small spaces for impress others as they are shelter. The average square-footage [ continued on page 28 ]

Spring 2016 | 27

LIVIN G

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Living in a tiny house allows a level of freedom that’s not possible with traditional home ownership.

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milojohnsonautobody.com [ continued from page 27 ]

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in the U.S. has gone from 1,300 to 2,300 square feet, and the median home price in San Diego is now close to half-a-million. Half-a-million dollars for a starter home! Often, it takes two adults working 60 hours a week plus to pay the mortgage. Owning a larger home also compels you to buy more stuff. We have more things to buy than ever before in human history, and our stuff costs money and time to manage properly.

Drive down any suburban street in San Diego and you will invariably come across an open garage crammed to the rafters with so much stuff that there’s no room for a vehicle. I would venture to guess that right now you can think of a closet or two in your home that holds stuff you haven’t seen or touched in well over a year.

LIVIN G

It’s incredibly rewarding to be personally involved with the design and even the construction of your own home.

There is a whole group of individuals across the nation (and the world) not buying into the “more is better” sales pitch. They are choosing to step off of the earn/spend merrygo-round and embrace a simpler life. They have realized that living in a tiny house provides numerous benefits including a level of freedom that’s not possible with traditional home ownership. Living tiny forces them to make very careful choices about what they purchase and live with. Tiny home owners have found that a simpler lifestyle increases their level of happiness and encourages them to interact more with the outside world. Also, some think it’s incredibly rewarding to be personally involved with the design and even the construction of their own home. There is something immensely rewarding about handpicking all the materials, ordering the lumber, and driving in the nails that make up your home. The sense of community and pride of ownership

that goes along with this outside-the-box lifestyle is difficult to find in our culture today.

But let’s face it, the tiny home lifestyle isn’t for everyone.

Some people are extremely attached to their belongings and can’t imagine living with less stuff. Others think tiny homes are “low-income housing” only meant for those who can’t afford a “real” home. Then there are those whose self-worth and identity is so intertwined with the size of their home and the quantity of things they own that downsizing to a tiny home is unthinkable. However, if you crave freedom, if you can glimpse the lightness of spirit that unloading unused belongings can imbibe, if you can envision designing your own space completely customized around your priorities, then the tiny life may be one of those life choices that could change your way of life forever. For more information visit habitatstinyhomes.com.

Spring 2016 | 29

how do you find harmony?

nordahl road

78

As you come upon Harmony Grove Village, you feel like you’ve discovered a hidden sanctuary. It’s a new kind of village surrounded by rolling hills and groves.

New treasures reveal themselves—hillside trails just outside your door, The Grove pool and recreation area with ridgeline views, and festive events, to name a few.

A euphoric and intimate setting for outdoor enthusiasts and lifestyle pioneers to create a life full of wonder.

country club dr.

HGV citracado parkway

west valley parkway

15

New home neighborhoods from the mid $500s - mid $800s

4 t h o f j u ly p a r k

pre served open space

future amenities:

t h e g r o v e p o o l a n d r e c r e at i o n a r e a

eque s t ria n cen t er

dog park

find harmony. from I-15 exit West Valley Pkwy, right on Citracado Pkwy left on Harmony Grove Village Pkwy or, from the 7 8 exit Nordahl Road south

HarmonyGroveVillage.com Persons in photos do not reflect racial preference and housing is open to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap or national origin. Prices, plans, and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Hardscape, landscape, and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. No view is promised. Views may also be altered by subsequent development, construction, and landscaping growth. This ad contains general information about a new home community in California and it is not an offer or the solicitation of an offer for the purchase of a new home. This information is not directed to residents of any other state that requires registration or permit issuance prior to the publication of such information. Plans to build out this neighborhood as proposed are subject to change without notice. CalAtlantic Group, Inc. California Real Estate License No. 01138346.

30 | Escondido Magazine

R E AL ESTATE SER VIC ES

Escondido Real Estate Services If you’ve ever gone through the home buying or selling experience, you know that there are many aspects to the real estate market.

From agents to upgrades, each area of the real estate industry has an impact on your home’s value and ability to be marketed properly. For many, word-of-mouth and the internet are the only ways to choose the right candidate for your project or the selling of your home. To make help make your search easier, we’ve tracked down a few of Escondido’s best companies connected with the home industry. Check them out on the following pages. [ continued on page 32 ]

Spring 2016 | 31

R E AL ESTATE SER VIC ES [ continued from page 31 ]

2008 - 2016 Five Star Real Estate Agent

Tom Rico CALBRE 01198997

thebluebrothers.com (760) 805-6300

W

ith 20 years in the Real Estate business, I have sold more than 500 homes. My areas of specialty include Escondido, San Marcos and Rancho Bernardo. I am fully prepared to handle all your real estate needs 24/7. I am a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Legend Award recipient. Whether you are buying or selling give me a call and I will give you top level service and the expertise you’ve been looking for.

Having the right real estate agent means having an agent who is committed to helping you buy or sell your home with the highest level of expertise in your local market. This means also to help you in understanding each step of the buying or selling process.

This commitment level has helped me build a remarkable track record of delivering results. My goal is to make the biggest asset

you buy the smartest investment you own.

Nothing is more exciting to me than the gratifying feeling I get from helping people meet their real estate needs. You can count on me to always do what’s in your best interest. I pride myself on being honest, trustworthy, and knowledgeable in the real estate market. I know how important it is to find your dream home or get the best offer for your property. Therefore, I will make it my responsibility to help you achieve those goals.

Whether you are an experienced investor or a first time buyer, I can help you in finding the property of your dreams. Please feel free to browse my website or let me guide you every step of the way by calling or e-mailing me to set up an appointment today.

Email: tomrico@cox.net

Celebrity Landscape Expert, TV Host & Speaker

Ahmed Hassan ahmedhassan.tv (510) 376-3228 Ahmad Hassan Landscape Service (C27 lic#917788)

A

ttending the Grand Avenue Festival this year will be Celebrity Landscape professional and Green Industry expert Ahmed Hassan. Ahmed and his wife own and operate Ahmed Hassan Landscape Services, a landscape consulting, design and installation firm. Hassan is a California native who enjoys making outdoor spaces beautiful, and spends a considerable amount of time teaching others how to do so. Since 2007, he has been seen on television, hosting for the DIY (Do It Yourself) Network, and HGTV on such programs as “Landscape Smart,” “Yard Crashers,” and “Turf War,” among others. He has cohosted and consulted for the Nate Berkus Show, and is welcomed as a regular guest contributor for the CBS Early Show, and NBC’s Today Show. Ahmed also shares his knowledge and expertise

32 | Escondido Magazine

as a guest columnist for many industry publications and HGTV Magazine. But speaking and showing the tenets of quality landscape on television via landscape construction projects are perhaps the aspects of his career that Ahmed enjoys most. To be able to teach in an engaging and entertaining way is a special quality that makes him one of the most sought after specialists in his field. Ahmed is living proof that working hard at something you love grows success and allows creativity to blossom. Ahmed is a 27-year expert; a California licensed Landscape Contractor, and PLANET Certified Landscape Maintenance Technician. Don’t miss the chance to see him at the Grand Avenue Festival, which takes place on Sunday, May 15th from 9:00 to 5:00 on historic Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido.

R E AL ESTATE SER VIC ES

Judy Jessup

Cindy Waasdorp Selling Escondido for 31 Years!

CALBRE 00909905

CindyWaasdorp.com

CALBRE 00829148

(760) 745-1621

C

indy Waasdorp is the #1 Agent for the Escondido office and she consistently ranks in the Top 1% of Agents Nationwide. During her 31 year career, she has won top awards for her sales production and customer service.

Over 90% of her business is from past clients and referrals.

Take advantage of her knowledge and expertise of our local market and contact her at (760) 745-1621 Direct or (619) 987-1656 cell/text Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

• #1 Agent Office • Top 50 Agents San Diego County • Top 1% Agents Nationwide • 5 Star Best in Client Satisfaction Award

JudyJessup.com

(760) 807-1829

I

have been part of a long time Real Estate family right here in Escondido, having started my career with Jessup Realty back in 1981. After raising my children & working for the family contracting business, I went back into real estate full time in 2003 with Century 21. I love the business, & helping people buy or sell, most likely the largest asset of their life.

Real Estate transactions are quite complicated these days, unlike the two page hand-written contract we had back in 1981, with hardly any inspections & quick escrows. It takes a dedicated, experienced professional to help you along the way, and I have helped many North County families, especially here in Escondido. Currently I am an agent for RE/MAX Associates, located in Ranch Bernardo. However, I still live in Escondido, & for over 35 years have always called it “home”.

ProQuality Contracting, Inc

Kay Lowery Bates

CALBRE 01332568

kaybates.net

K

(760) 715-9263

ay Lowery Bates has worked in the Real Estate industry since 1992. Her 18+ years of experience in commercial and residential Real Estate includes; property management, real estate portfolios in excess of $13 million, inspections, loan draws, tax filing, budget and audits. Kay has made herself a crucial asset to the clients she serves daily. Kay has lived in Escondido since 1992, both of her children graduated from schools in Escondido and her husband works for the City of Escondido. She volunteers her time and makes donations to local non-profits such as InterFaith Community Services.

Kay Lowery Bates has appreciated the beauty and love of Escondido and is proud to be a part of the community.

Email: kay@kaybates.net

proqualitycontracting.com

(800) 356-5686

C

onsidering solar for your home? ProQuality Contracting, Inc. is your local trusted resource for solar installations that save you money now and in the future. As an Escondido Chamber member and ambassador, Michael Trozera, President at ProQuality Contracting, Inc. provides you with a no pressure, free financial and performance summary so you can see how much you can potentially save with solar.

With every installation done by ProQuality Contracting, Inc., a contribution is made to the Escondido Chamber. So you’ll not only be supporting the chamber, but you’ll be saving money, creating your own energy, reducing your utility bill, and increasing your home’s value.

Spring 2016 | 33

C OM M UN ITY

There’s No Place Like Home Escondido’s variety of neighborhoods offers a multitude of choices

BY HEATHER PETREK

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Urban Excitement If you wish to live in a vibrant is a phrase coined by real estate Escondido’s neighborhoods and active neighborhood that agents as the ‘number one’ rule for contain homes to meet offers convenience, energy and purchasing property. Simply stated, a wide and varied criteria activities all within walking distance, property’s location is one of the most Downtown Escondido is the place and provide something significant aspects to consider when to be. Within a half-mile radius of contemplating buying, and when unique for everyone.

Grape Day Park, residents choosing looking for the special location that a home in urban Escondido have will suit your needs and preferences, easy access to restaurants, markets Escondido’s variety of neighborhoods offers a multitude and entertainment.

Grand Avenue is the center of it all with of choices. Whether seeking an area that features urban bustling events including Cruisin’ Grand, Farmers’ Markets, conveniences, historic charm, comfortable suburbs, retirement Street Fairs, parades and other special events held throughout communities, acres and acres of space, or panoramic views, the year. Movie theaters, a performing arts center, shopping, home seekers will find that Escondido’s neighborhoods contain public library, museums, galleries, sidewalk cafés, and other homes to meet wide and varied criteria and provide something amenities including transit and health care make downtown unique for everyone.

34 | Escondido Magazine

C OM M UN ITY

the perfect place to live for those seeking an active urban lifestyle that’s close to every modern convenience.

Historic Charm Escondido’s historic neighborhoods include a special appeal for those who would love a one-of-a-kind place to call their own. These fine-crafted single family neighborhoods are close to downtown and steeped in iconic architecture ranging from the 1890s – 1950s. Mature, tree-lined streets make the area not only picturesque, but also add to its walkable attractiveness.

The unique character, classic charm and a special sense of community pride are reflected in each home’s exceptional features, and are distinctive of Escondido’s rich history.

Escondido offers stunning luxurious estates as well as one-of-a-kind fine-crafted historic homes.

Comfortable Suburbs Dads and moms particularly interested in a family address near parks, schools and other convenient amenities have a multitude of comfortable suburban neighborhoods from which to choose. These areas extend out from Escondido’s urban [ continued on page 36 ]

Spring 2016 | 35

C OM M UN ITY

Suburban neighborhoods extend out from Escondido’s urban core and offer a bit more space and freedom for active family lifestyles.

[ continued from page 35 ]

core and offer a bit more space and freedom for active family lifestyles. A variety of family-oriented options abound including Escondido’s earliest suburban neighborhoods dating from the 1950s and 1960s, to more modern master-planned and gated communities containing golf courses, trails, recreational centers and community buildings.

Retirement in Style Southern California’s Mediterranean climate provides the perfect environment for retirees choosing Escondido as their place to call home. A variety of senior-oriented housing options exist in Escondido including mobile home parks, condominiums, apartments and assisted living facilities that offer a variety of activities geared toward every retiree’s lifestyle.

Acres and Acres of Open Space Those seeking a place to spread out with more ‘elbow room’ should head to the outskirts of Escondido’s northern, eastern and southern borders. The homes here are more spaced apart and served by long driveways that extend from two-lane country roads. It is here where vineyards, citrus and avocado trees

36 | Escondido Magazine

outnumber residents, and those residents wouldn’t have it any other way! These areas offer dark, star-filled skies at night with temperate days that are perfect for raising crops and enjoying family life.

Panoramic Views Even though Escondido is nestled in a valley, there are plenty of neighborhoods where homes feature panoramic views. Areas nearest Escondido’s urban center, and within the historic and suburban neighborhoods include several ‘foothill’ ranges where the right location presents distinctive urban views allowing residents to gaze upon the cityscape that stretches out for miles.

For more dramatic panoramas, residents can head to higher elevations in the dramatic mountains that ring the valley. Truly jaw-dropping vistas are found here and residents who so desire will enjoy unobstructed views out to the blue Pacific.

No matter where you live in Escondido, the variety of neighborhoods affords a ‘location, location, location’ that will meet nearly every home seeker’s discriminating taste. That’s one reason why so many residents smile when they say, “there’s no place like home, in Escondido!”

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Escondido Neighborhoods Map

HISTORIC CHARM

PANORAMIC VIEWS

URBAN EXCITEMENT

COMFORTABLE SUBURBS

ACRES AND ACRES OF OPEN SPACE

Shaded regions suggested by this map are general approximations.

Spring 2016 | 37

R EAL ESTATE

7 Reasons to Use a REALTOR

®

How working with a REALTOR® can help your home buying experience

BY ERNIE COWAN

BUYING A HOME IS A BIG DEAL. No doubt the biggest deal in your life, complete with significant legal and financial consequences.

Unlike anything else you have purchased, real estate is an investment and that means you should have an expert who is looking out for your best financial interest.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, home buyers and sellers are wise to seek the services of professionals. A REALTOR® is not just an agent. REALTORS® are professional members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to a strict code of ethics.

Here are seven reasons why you should work with a REALTOR® in a real estate transaction.

38 | Escondido Magazine

REA L E S TAT E

1 - A N EXPERT GU ID E

Selling a home usually requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures, and other technical documents. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes. Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved, so you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.

2 -O B JECTIVE IN FORMATI ON AND OP I NI ONS

REALTORS® can provide local information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They also have objective information about each property.

REALTORS® can use that data to help you determine if the property has what you need.

3 - PROPERTY MARKETI NG P OW E R

Property doesn’t sell due to advertising alone.

A large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts with previous clients, friends, and family. When a property is marketed by a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

4 - NEGOTIATION KN OW L E D GE

There are many factors up for discussion in a deal. A REALTOR® will look at every angle from your perspective, including crafting a purchase agreement that allows you the flexibility you need to take that next step.

NOW HIRING! Outside Sales Reps!

“What does home mean to you?” Local student writers answer on page 41.

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[ continued on page 40 ]

7

An inside look at

REASONS

Tiny Houses More on page 27

You Should use a REALTOR®! More on page 38

Real Estate Escondido

Issue 27 Spring 2016

has it all! More on page 34

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Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each sale. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. REALTORS® handle hundreds of transactions over the course of their career.

6 - YO UR R O CK DUR IN G E MO T IO N A L MOME NT S

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A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And for most people, property represents the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.

7 - E T H IC A L T R E AT ME N T

Every REALTOR® must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As a REALTOR®’s client, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters.

Recent polling has shown that the American Dream of homeownership is still alive. Despite student debt, high housing prices, and the lack of homes to buy, families today still want the comfort and security of their own home. The community benefits from high home ownership are also well documented. Crime rates are lower, school test scores are higher and community philanthropy is higher as homeownership rates increase. To reach this goal, seek the help of a real estate professional. If you need help finding a REALTOR®, visit www.nsdcar.com and click the “Find a Realtor” tab.

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What Does Home Mean?

Local student writers share what home means to them

TO HIGHLIGHT THE STUDENT WRITERS in our Spring 2016 issue of EM, we asked each of them to write a personal essay, answering the question “What Does Home Mean to You?” These were their responses.

Brionne Moore - Del Lago Academy Many people would define home as a house, apartment, or any place that you go to after a long day of the usual routine and enjoy a nice meal on a comfy couch while watching your favorite television shows. Although this may be true to some extent, I believe that there is more to the word “home” than a place that provides us a roof over our head and comfort. In my eyes, “home” is a place where all harm is non-existent and you are accepted for your true personality, despite whatever flaws you may have.

Although a house or an apartment is a fine place to call a home, I believe that home can also be found in the arms of those I care for, like my best friends or my family. Whenever in

the arms of a family member or a close friend, I earn a warm sense of happiness and feel as though no harm can ever reach me. In other words, it feels like home, for I receive so much comfort just by receiving a loving gesture from someone who truly understands my personality and who I am as a person.

In fact, any place you receive a sense where no harm can reach you can be defined as a home.

In addition, that place can be real or imaginary. Whenever I am reading a very good book, watching an Internet video or a television program that makes me laugh, or doing any of my favorite hobbies, I feel serene and protected from anything that has made me feel uncomfortable, upset, or even irritated.

In a place where you feel happy, comforted, and protected, that place can also be considered a home.

Overall, to me, “home” is a place where all harm is nonexistent and I am accepted for my true personality, despite my flaws. I love coming to my house and relaxing on the couch while eating a snack after a long day of school as much as the [ continued on page 42 ]

Spring 2016 | 41

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In a place where you feel happy, comforted, and protected, that place can also be considered a home.

- Brionne Moore

next high school or college student, but I think having more than one home, or having a transportable home is possible.

There is no need to have a roof over your head in order to feel at home. Whenever I am hugging my best friend, absorbed in a great book, or relaxing on my bed, I feel at home.

Cynthia Gonzalez - Escondido High School Here’s to the smell of lavender, light laughs and cries, the random dinner parties and peaceful arguments that remind me that this is home. I want to feel my dad’s hugs, hear my brother’s light laughs and smell my mom’s pasta alfredo because it brings the feel of home to me. I surround myself with my immediate family that I know love and care for me. If it weren’t for them, where would I be?

At home I know my family is there to cheer me up after a long day at work, or days that I feel like my dreams are too far away. They are the ones that taught me that no matter how difficult life might hit, I can keep going. They are there for me in the comfort of my own home, the people I trust the most are waiting for me.

42 | Escondido Magazine

Home isn’t just about the shelter, but the comfort. Not everywhere that I have gone have I found someone that cares, someone that won’t leave my side. Home brings everyone together. Even after a long day of whatever we are doing, we all come together at home and share our days together. Nowhere else can I find that exact experience. It is where I can share my emotions and receive the correct advice.

With or without a roof, across the city, state, country or the world, home will always be the people I surround myself with rather than a place with four walls and a bed, which is not bad at all, but it’s the people that make it remarkable. They make me mad and smile at the same time, but they are family and they are the ones that make me feel like I’m at home. Home can be in the middle of nowhere, but I’d rather be there than anywhere else because I’m surrounded by family that by one joke, a million others surface and laughter is what reminds me that they are my home away from my four walls. They accept me even with my smart mouth, sarcastic answers, lame jokes and silly puns because they love me regardless. Endless love is what provides the home feeling – and add the scent of lavender

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Home isn’t about the shelter, but the comfort.

- Cynthia Gonzalez

and I know that my home is right where I’m standing.

Hannah Keith - San Pasqual High School To some, home is a place. To others, home is a person. To many, home is the feeling that these things give us.

After just 17 years of life, I’ve lived in 11 different houses so far. Different memories and different locations for each one.

Each was a whole different piece of my life. There’s the house in Texas where I was born and when my parents were still together. There’s our first house in California, the one we lived in when my parents divorced. My mom stayed in that house.

There were the apartments and condo where it was just my dad, brother and me. There’s the house we lived in when we moved in with my stepmother and stepsister. There’s the house my mom rented for less than a year, with the leaking roof and lots of orange trees. Then the house after that. And after that.

And again after that.

If home were a house, I probably lived there for a few years.

But it’s not a place. Home is so much more than that; it is even more than just a single feeling. To me home is where you feel at

peace, feel safe, and feel confident.

I never worried about moving so much, because I knew that my true home would always move with me. My family is my home; even though my parents are not together anymore and have moved on to different people, it just means more family for me. Each person has their own way of making our house feel like home, and without them our houses would be nothing more than an address.

Although my family will always be my home, sometimes it can be a little chaotic in my houses and I need to escape to a quieter place. I have always found peace at the beach, and since I have been living so close to it for so long, it has become another home. When I need to escape my house, I go home to the beach with my camera and find comfort in the constant turning of the waves. My camera can make me feel at home anywhere, it makes me comfortable and confident in other places. Even while photographing an old abandoned house, I felt at home there behind my lens.

After three dedicated years of water polo, the pool has become another home of mine, leaving me constantly smelling

[ continued on page 44 ]

Spring 2016 | 43

C OM M UN ITY

[ continued from page 43 ]

like chlorine and reminding me where I belong. My team is my family and we bond in the pool, making memories and making each other feel confident and loved. No matter what is going on in the house I know that the pool is always a place I can run to for comfort.

Home is a funny thing, and hard to explain at times, but once you find it, you’ll know. Whether it is the arms of a loved one, a pool, a field, or something else, put all of your heart into it and never let it go.

Amanda Savarese - Orange Glen High School Home can be many places. The place you were born and raised, a safety zone at school where you can be yourself, or even that certain place that has always had a welcoming atmosphere. Despite this usual definition of “home,” my home is not based on a certain place, but a certain person. Home has always been where my mom is.

Since I was little, my home has always moved around. I have lived in six different places that I have called “home.” When

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Home is a safe haven.

- Amanda Savarese

my mom and my dad got divorced, my mom and I went to live in many different places while my dad has stayed in one house. I’ve lived in three different houses and three different apartments. One of those houses was with my grandparents for six years until my mom and I were finally able to get a place to call our own. Through all the moving, there has always been one constant the entire time, my mother. No matter where we lived or who we lived with, my mom and I have always been

together through thick and thin. My mom has always been my home.

Home is a safe haven. When I am at school, most people believe me to be older than I am. Since I am in a leadership role in Journalism, it is expected that I be someone that others can look up to and follow. While I may have silly moments at school, it is a far cry from who I truly am at home. My home has turned into the place where I can freely be myself with no limitations [ continued on page 46 ]

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I have always known that I could go home and forget about all my worries...

- Amanda Savarese

[ continued from page 45 ]

or expectations. One time my mom and I even did the Chicken Dance together in her bathroom because we were feeling outrageously silly that day. My home is also the place where I can be free with my emotions. I have never really been a very emotional person. I am the type of person that likes to bottle things up in order to make others not worry and feel better. Yet, when I am at home, I can never seem to keep up the facade in front of my mother; she sees right through me.

Home is the place where I can be my true, whole self.

Home is the place where my worries fall away. The past couple of years, there have been many major health issues prevalent in my family. My grandmother has been dealing with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a condition that attacks the nerves and makes them feel numb, and both her and my grandfather

46 | Escondido Magazine

had surgery to remove cancer. It has been a rough time for my family, but we all keep positive and have faith that everything will turn out all right. Through all this, I have always known that I could go home and forget about all my worries, at least for a couple of hours. No matter what has happened, my mom has always made it her duty to keep everyone in my family happy, and to keep the peace between all of us when things get rough. My home is a break from reality, no matter how small of a break it may be.

Although my version of home may not be the norm, it is all I could have wanted from a home. Despite it having never been a singular place, I always know that wherever my mom may be, I will always feel welcomed.

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Clean Canyons for a Clean Coast ILACSD’s Adopt-A-Canyon expands to Escondido

BY SARAH BUCHHOLZ

I LOVE A CLEAN SAN DIEGO (ILACSD) has expanded the organization’s most popular volunteer program, Adopt-ABeach (AAB) or Canyon, which currently engages nearly 10,000 volunteers annually. ILACSD’s Adopt-A-Canyon expansion will include two adoptable sites in Escondido: Dixon Lake and Kit Carson Park. ILACSD invited the Escondido community and neighboring areas to help kickoff this new program by attending the first Clean Canyons Cleanup at Dixon Lake. It was held on Saturday, February 27. The expansion was made possible through a grant from the Escondido Charitable Foundation.

I Love A Clean San Diego’s Adopt-A-Beach (AAB) volunteer program, a statewide program funded by the California Coastal Commission, offers San Diegans the convenience of planning local cleanups that fit their own schedules. The Adopt-ACanyon Program, a sister program of AAB, aims to prevent

litter from traveling through the region’s eleven watersheds and ultimately littering San Diego’s beloved coastline. ILACSD plans to build upon the program’s popularity and success in Chula Vista and the City of San Diego by adding two adoptable Escondido sites. ILACSD provides Adopt-A-Canyon volunteers with cleanup supplies and data cards to better understand the types of litter that impact San Diego’s environment.

The program’s tagline, Clean Canyons for a Clean Coast, was inspired by the fact that 80 percent of marine debris originates at inland sources such as parks, canyons and urban streets. Once this debris reaches the coastline, and ultimately the Pacific Ocean, it is difficult to remove and poses serious health threats to marine animals and humans alike. Through ILACSD’s Adopt-A-Canyon program, volunteers are able to participate locally to make a lasting impact on the whole region.

[ continued on page 48 ]

Spring 2016 | 47

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[ continued from page 47 ]

Those interested in adopting a canyon are invited to attend a canyon cleanup prior to adopting a site. For general information about adoptable beaches and canyons, please visitAdoptSD.org.

As San Diego’s most influential advocate for sustainability, I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD) is an environmental catalyst, awakening passion and inspiring action, empowering everyone to improve the health and beauty of our local

48 | Escondido Magazine

environment. For over sixty years, we’ve brought the best in all of us together for a lasting, positive impact on our region.

We are passion in action.

For more information, to volunteer or donate, visit www. cleansd.org, or call 619-291-0103. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Save the date for our annual Earth Month volunteer event, the Creek to Bay Cleanup, on Saturday, April 23rd!

Upcoming Events

San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum Spring Gala celebrating Brazil San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum Saturday, April 30th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm Join San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum for our annual Spring Gala on April 30th from 5:00pm - 9:00pm as we celebrate the culture and cuisine of Brazil.

(760) 233-7755 sdcdm.org/spring-gala-2016-brazil Seussical The Musical at the Center California Center for the Arts Escondido March 24 - 27 starrepertorytheatre.com Butterfly Jungle San Diego Zoo Safari Park March 12 - April 10 sdzsafaripark.org

Co Fr nc ee er t!

! ck Ba ’s It

Fe Ev atu en re t! d

See visitescondido.com for a complete listing of events.

Cruisin’ Grand Grand Avenue, Escondido April - September 5:00pm - 9:00pm [Fridays] cruisingrand.com

1st Wednesdays Free Concert at The Center 4:00pm – 7:00pm artcenter.org

Dixon Lake Trout Derby Weekend Dixon Lake, Park & Campground April 23 - 24 escondido.org/dixon-lake.aspx

2nd Saturdays Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Open Kit Carson Park 10:00am – 2:00pm

Dancing With Our Stars Gala California Center for the Arts Escondido April 2, 2016 7:30pm artcenter.org

1st & 4th Wednesdays City Council Meetings 201 North Broadway 4:30pm escondido.org

Tuesdays Farmers Market Downtown Escondido 2:30pm – 7:00pm Grand Ave between Kalmia and Juniper

Sundays North San Diego Farmers Market 12655 Sunset Drive 10:30am – 3:30pm northsdfarmersmarket.com

Spring 2016 | 49

HOME

5 Ways to

Increase Your Home’s Value 1.) Keep it Clean A clean environment translates to a happy buyer. So keeping your rooms, floors, walls, railings, windows and mirrors clean can translate into a much easier sell.

2.) What’s your Curb Appeal?

You never get a second chance to make a first impression! The exterior of your home tells a story even before potential buyers tour inside. And yes this includes your patio. Guaranteed if you’re not home, you’ll have a few curious buyers peeking over the fence.

3.) Is it Hot in Your Kitchen?

It’s well known that an old and tattered kitchen with broken appliances will diminish your “perceived value.” If you don’t have the cash for a remodel, take care of a few essentials like: painting, updating the outlets and switches, removing the clutter on the counters and maybe even refinishing the cabinets instead of replacing them.

4.) Handle the easy repairs If it’s been broken for years, it’s time to fix it. Broken closet doors, windows, base boards, lighting and items like these can really turn buyers off. So make a list, and plan a Saturday, then Get-er done!

50 | Escondido Magazine

5.) Spa-rific Bathroom Let’s face it, the “Zen” bathroom is in.

So if you’re going to upgrade the most used room in your home, do it right.

You’ll find great sink, countertop, vanity combo deals at your local hardware store. Buyers love neutral tone tiled showers and great shower heads. Plus, if planned right, much of the work can be done by yourself.

BUSIN ESS DIR EC TORY

Directory Aelott Air Conditioning..............................................35 Ahmed Hassan................................................................32 Best Western...................................................................21 California Center for the Arts...................................23 Cindy Waasdorp............................................................33 Constance Larsen Attorney......................................39 Elizabeth Hospice.........................................................04 Escondido Chamber of Commerce........................03 Escondido Charter School.........................................02 Estate and Trust Law –Jackie Skay........................07 Gemstone Gallery..........................................................05 Habitat for Humanity..................................................51 The Hair Lounge............................................................40 Harmony Grove Village...............................................30 Judson Real Estate........................................................52 Judy Jessup.......................................................................33 Kay Lowery Bates.........................................................33 Milo Johnson Autobody..............................................28 Murphy’s Fine Woodworking..................................44 North County Insurance.............................................25 Pacific Standard Insurance.......................................45 ProQuality Contracting, Inc......................................33 SD Children’s Discovery Museum..........................28 Tom Rico...........................................................................32

JUDSON REAL ESTATE Service That Exceeds Expectations

Lynn Judson The only name you need to know for real estate in Escondido!

Andrew Bridges 858-705-0930

Andy Judson 760-604-9895

Arleen Lively 760-594-1355

“Kaye Atkins has been a pleasure to work with.

She is professional,energetic and goes above and beyond expectations.” - Bret and Lauri “Professional, courteous, good listener, empathetic and dependable are my initial thoughts when I think of Cindy Cochran.” - Pam Fellows

Cindy Cochran 760-845-1261

JoAnn Case Rady 760-884-6943

Jim Bordeaux 760-207-4435

“ Arleen is a delight to work with. She is never too busy to make you her #1 priority.” - Lori H. ‘Priscilla was very patient and helped me find a great home. She knows Escondido well, I would definitely recommend her.” - Andy S.

Steven Shedd 760-390-2595

Kaye Atkins 760-500-0882

James Visser 760-484-3159

Priscilla Bozarth 760-594-1040

Karen Braaten Arizona Office 602-803-2033

Carol Pauley Office Manager 760-741-9895

760.741.9895 JudsonRealEstate.net

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