Development: Builders are bailing on development, reports OC real estate blogger Jon Lansner. From coast to coast, builders are taking a hit on acquisition costs for land they've since decided not to develop. Further proof that the market is tanking and another reason for SoCal homeowners to drop their asking price so poor fools like us can finally afford a home.
· Builders walk on land deals [Lansner on Real Estate]
Retail: Mahamondo reports on his visit to the Famima!! at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Just as we suspected, the Famima!! offers soybean juice and grilled vegetarian panini. Mahamondo was duly impressed.
· Famima 3rd St. Promenade [Mahamondo]
Culture: No way! Something called Sundown Salon, held in a geodesic dome, and attended by hippie artists/intellectual types will be hosting it's final gathering this September. At said gathering a documentary film by local director Nils Timm will be presented telling the story of six "diverse eastside l.a. architecture and design practices." A sort of behind the scenes, real world story of the design & build community, if you will.
· Sundown Salon in LA [Gridskipper]
Environment: A friend has been badgering us to post about Drivers Ed Direct. Based in North Hills, D.E.D. (for short) is a driving school that sort of flips the driving school thing on its head. A driving instructor comes to your home and teaches you to drive using hybrid vehicles - the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape. It's a way of instilling a sense of environmental responsibility in your obnoxious children.
· Drivers Ed Direct [driverseddirect.com]