Taste for Justice Event, Santa Maria, CA Legal Aid’s Annual Taste for Justice Wine Tasting Event is coming around again. The event will return to the Loading Dock in Orcutt. Last year, we held it at the Discovery Museum in Santa Maria and it was a blast. We also introduced the first Gourmet Gavel food competition and beer tasting. Both new elements were a huge success and we are going to continue them. Allan Hancock College culinary students will compete and be judged on a challenge dish they prepare. Local restaurants will provide appetizers, local breweries and wineries will pour, and a live auction will be held. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. The event this year will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2009 from 1pm – 5pm. If you would like to buy a ticket, give me a call at (805) 878-9879 or click here and buy tickets online.
Mint Properties is an event sponsor of Taste for Justice. Those of you who know me know of my commitment ot Legal Aid and the work they do here in our community. I currently serve on the Board of Legal Aid and hold the office of President Elect. In this economic downturn, Legal Aid’s work is even more vital and the needs of the community it serves have increased. Legal Aid fills the gap in legal services to victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, and housing discrimination. Now that resources are stretched thin, it is even more important for the community to come together and support Legal Aid. Since this event is such a pleasure, it is a great opportunity to have some fun, visit with friends, and do some good for the community. I hope you will join us.
Short sales dominate the Santa Maria and Orcutt CA market. Simply put, short sales are sales where the owner owes more than the house is currently worth. Currently, 50% of the active listings in Santa Maria and Orcutt are short sales. However, 60% of the homes sold in the past 30 days are bank owned homes (REOs), and only 10% of sold homes in the last month were short sales.
The Historic Carriage District is one of Santa Maria's oldest and most charismatic neighborhoods. Have you seen my video about the Carriage District? Older homes aren't for everyone - they are truly a labor of love. I grew up in this neighborhood (on Palm Court Drive) and it resides in my heart. There is a significant amount of Santa Maria history in this neighborhood. The Carriage District lies on both sides of Speed Street, between Broadway and Miller and it is anchored by the Santa Maria Inn and Santa Maria High School's Ethel Pope Auditorium.