One of Santa Cruz's staple events is returning for its newest season! Santa Cruz Shakespeare will be begin their 2015 play season starting at the end of the month. This seasons plays will include Much Ado about Nothing, The Liar and MacBethMuch Ado About Nothing is a battle-of-the-sexes comedy – Fall in love with Beatrice and Benedick, both sworn enemies of Cupid.The Liar, is described as a hilarious 17th century farce. Adventure with young and dashing Dorante through non-stop laughs, deceptions, and exaggerations!And finally, MacBeth is Shakespeare’s wicked Scottish play. Follow ambitious Macbeth and his power-hungry wife in the ultimate supernatural thriller, full of ghosts, witches, and of course, blood!The 2015 Season will run from June 30th to August 30th  with regular tickets rang... 06/26/2015

As smartphones become ubiquitous in our society, more and more prospective buyers are relying on the screen in their plams to facilitate their next home purchase. This begs the question, is your website mobile friendly? The California Association of Realtors has released new data on the kinds of information buyers are looking up on their phones.  78% of respondents said that they used their mobile device to do comparative pricing for homes, with another 42% saying that they researched a specific home using their device. Astonishingly, 91% of respondents said that they had used a mobile device as part of the buying process in 2014, demonstrating the increasing importance that your online presence is mobile ready. Check the infographic below for the rest of the survey findings.If you are ... 06/16/2015

This weekend May 30th and 31st will see the return of The Redwood Mountain Faire to Felton, just up Highway 9 from Santa Cruz. The Redwood Mountain Faire is a great chance to come out and enjoy the beautiful mountain atmosphere of Santa Cruz.The faire will inlcude live music as well as craft beer and food for sale from local vendors, with proceeds going to the benefit of local non-profits. A great chance to come out and support the local community. The mission of The Redwood Mountain Faire is this, "The Redwood Mountain Faire strives to put on the best family friendly music festival in Santa Cruz County, celebrate the arts, and raise funds for local service organizations".The faire will open at 10:30am on both days. The cost of attendance for adults is $25, $20 for Students and Seniors.... 05/29/2015

As student loan debt passes the trillion dollar mark, those burdened by it are having a much harder time qualifying or affording new homes. The California Association of Realtors in association with NeighborWorks America has compiled some new survey data on the attitudes American adults have towards home ownership and the some of the obstacles they are facing in becoming homeowners. Not surpising, of those surveyed a mojority 60% said that home ownership was an important part of the American Dream. Of those surveyed 17% said that Student Loan Debt was an obstacle keeping them from home ownership. While we may be quick to think that this is a problem limited to those students just getting out of college, parents of the college bound are also taking up larger amounts of student debt as th... 05/21/2015

Looking for a fun event celebrating good design while at the same time helping those in need in our local area? This Saturday, May 17th, The Architects Association of Santa Cruz will be hosting their 20th annual Open Architecture Tour. Come see and appreciate good design around Santa Cruz.The tour will take place from 10AM until 4PM with a post tour gathering occuring at La Posta restaraunt on the East Side of Santa Cruz. The cost of the event is $36 which will admit two people to the tour. Tickets may be purchased at several locations around Santa Cruz county including Bookshop Santa Cruz, they may also be purchased online at Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz.Funds from the sale of tickets will benefit Habitat For Humanity Santa Cruz making this an excellent event to not only learn more ... 05/15/2015

2315 W Vine Hill Road Santa Cruz CA 95065 Search current inventory of Homes for Sale in Santa Cruz CA Listing DetailsHomes For Sale in Santa Cruz CA2315 W Vine Hill Road Santa Cruz CA 95065Price: $1,295,000MLS number: ML81464569 Bedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 3Square Footage: 2232Lot Size: 1.19 AcresYear Built: 1964  Call David Calvello at 408-761-2858 to see if this property is still available and arrange a showing or for information about how to sell a home in Santa Cruz CA You Will Love this Beautiful HomeAmazing long-range mountain and ocean views.  Floor to ceiling windows let in lots of natural light. Close to Scotts Valley Schools, freeway access close by.  640 square foot garage and shop with 100 amp service.  Solar system, air conditioning, and low E double-pane windows keep this home c... 05/12/2015

After lagging for months Santa Cruz's median home prices have reached levels not seen since 2007. The new median home price for Santa Cruz County now stands at $749,000. Despite the higher price point, home sales were up for the month of March compared to this time last year, with 141 homes changing hands.Only 403 homes were listed for sale in April, a drop of 21 percent from a year ago. Of the homes that are up for sale, more then 1/3rd are listed above 1 million dollars. What is the cause of this rapid increase in home prices? Silicon Valley being a stones throw away from Santa Cruz. As salaries continue to rise in Silicon Valley, more and more residents of Santa Cruz are commuting over the hill for new opprotunities. Conversely, those who are already living in or around Silicon Valle... 05/08/2015

If you see drones in the air this weekend over Santa Cruz, don't be alarmed! This weekend the Drones, Data X conference will be making its way over to the Bay Area this year setting up shop in sunny Santa Cruz. the Drones, Data X conference is a unique opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in commercial applications for realting to robotics, computer visions and unamnned aerial vehicles. You will also learn about some of uses for Drones that you may not have thought of, such as search and rescue drones that can go into collpased spaces to look for survivors without putting responders lives in danger. The event will be filled with speakers talking on a variety of subjects pertaining to drones, from talks about the future of goods delivery, how 2015 will shape up to be the "y... 05/02/2015

I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw this very strange flying aircraft this evening. When I first saw this very different flying object, for a minute I thought ..."Is that a UFO"? And then after it flew by I knew I had seen this type of jet before at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas Nevada. It is called a Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber. And even if this aircraft was made in the United States of America, Vegas Bob seriously believes that the technology came from Extraterrestrials ;o) PARANORMAL STORIES and EXPERIENCES   People, friends, and others sharing stories of Real (PARANORMAL EXPERIENCES) with a group. If you are worried to Post about yourself Post someone else's story in your words. The more CREEPY the better! Robert Swetz, Founder (Vegas B... 04/23/2015

UCSC is celebrating its 50th year in 2015. The University  will be hosting its now annual Alumni Weekend event this weekend, April 23rd to the 26th. To mark the historic occassion of UCSC turning 50, several unique events are planned for those alumni returning home. UCSC has put together a photo memoir of the different decades since the founding of the college. This is a great chance to see how the campus has changed in its 50 year history, from the 60's onwards, maybe even find yourself among the photo collection. This collection is hosted online, so if you are unable to attend the alumni weekend in person you can still experience some of the 50 year history of the university.Several events are planned over the course of the weekend, enough to pique the interest of any returning slugs.... 04/21/2015

Recently there has been a resurgence in the number of homeowners who are working on big ticket remodels for their homes. These big ticket projects include attic bedrooms and basement remodels, which costs between $49,000 and $62,000 signaling that homeowners are beginning to have confidence once again in taking on these time-consuming and pricerier updgrades. The California Association of Realtors has released new data on just which remodel projects homeowners are working on. The survey found that attic bedroom and deck additions to homes are the most popular type of projectst that home owners are currently working on. The survey also found that all project types saw year over year increases in the number of projects being worked on, possibly signaling a trend. For the full list of big ... 04/10/2015

With a 4 day weekend around the corner, Vegas a Bob is not sure what he is going to do.     Vegas Bob has a 4 day weekend coming up starting on "Good Friday" all the way to Monday.   So what is Vegas Bob going to do?   I suppose I could go surfing because I will be staying in Morgan Hill, but I have never surfed the ocean before.   I have done a lot of water skiing and have surfed the waves of the Pacific Coast on a Kyak, but never on a surf board.   I could watch some music bands in Santa Cruz and pick up some Santa Cruz T-Shirts for the family.   Does anyone have any ideas what VB could do for the 4 day weekend, I am open for suggestions ;o) 04/01/2015

Staging your home for potential buyers to get a feel for what it might be like to live there for them is one of the ways in which sellers can not only increase the likelyhood their home will be sold but may also increase the price buyers are willing to offer.  The California Association of Realtors has released some new data on just how effective staging your home while selling it can be. For the full list, see the graphic below.    If you are interested in more information about Santa Cruz, such as local events please feel free to contact me at pete@petecullen.com. With such great growth coming to Santa Cruz, now is the time to make this amazing place your new home. Feel free to email me to find your new home here in Santa Cruz and make sure to check out my website!    03/29/2015

SANTA CRUZ HOME FOR SALE ON LARGE LOT 354 GOSS AVENUE, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95065   Sunny and bright Prospect Heights home for sale - great Santa Cruz home on extra large lot of just over 10,000 square feet.       Recently landscaped with drought tolerant plants, fences, sidewalk and the best of all - many raised beds for your veggie gardens!  Just in time for spring and already planted for you!  There is also a detached shed for your tools and toys.  This truly and urban garden oasis.       This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom single level home originally built in 1946 with plaster walls.   The home features granite in the kitchen and bathroom, double pane windows, built in desk in kitchen, inside laundry room, front porch.       Located in Prospect Heights, this Santa Cruz home for sale is in a ... 03/26/2015

As the weather begins to warm up here in the central coast you may be thinking about new ideas for that garden you have been neglecting during the winter months. Just in time to help you plan for that beautiful new garden of yours is the Smart Gardening Fair being held April 7th. The Smart Gardening Faire will be put on by the UC Master Gardeners of Monterey Bay. This event is for the whole family, with events and activities for everyone of all skill levels. This is a fantastic opportunity to come and ask experts in the field various questions you may have on how to make your garden beautiful. With the California drought showing little sign of letting up this is the perfect event to ask how to make the most of your water supply.  For more info about the Smart Gardening Fair check out UC... 03/20/2015

The California Association of Realtors has released new data regarding the challenges that home buyers seeking a mortgage are facing. These challenges not only affect first time buyers as one might expect but also those who have gone through the process before.  Of those surveyed 54% reported that they did not fully understand all the loan options available to them and that their loan agent was not clear in explaining the mortgage process. For the full list of all the problems facing mortgage seekers check out the infographic below. If you are interested in more information about Santa Cruz, such as local events please feel free to contact me at pete@petecullen.com. With such great growth coming to Santa Cruz, now is the time to make this amazing place your new home. Feel free to email ... 03/17/2015

Seabright is a very popular neighborhood in Santa Cruz CA.   Why is Seabright such a great place to live? Well to start with it has one of the largest white sandy beaches. This beach has life guards in the summer time, they allow dogs on a leash and bonfires at night. Seabright State Beach starts at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and you can walk till you reach the whole in the rock cliff just before the San Lorenzo River empties into the ocean by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  Seabright also has beach on a cove called Castle Beach.  This is a little history about Castle Beach. It now called Twin Lakes State Beach. This beach is a easy walk for people on Vacation and people that own beach homes on Mott and Cypress.   Across from the beach is The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History  http... 03/05/2015

With the rise of smart phones is coming a push to incorporate this technology into everyday objects to create an internet of things. What is the internet of things you ask? This is a phrase used to describe the incorporation of connective technologies into everyday objects, from your washer and dryer to your thermostat and fridge. This devices are connected to the internet and to each other, enabling you to monitor your home while you are away or automate certain tasks, such as reducing or increasing your thermostats temperature.  Who would want these kinds of devices in their home? Almost half of current home owners according to a new survey by the California Association of Realtors nearly half of respondents would want to incorporate some smart technology into their home or would want... 03/04/2015

SANTA CRUZ VICTORIAN HOME FOR SALE1104 KING STREET, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 Chance of a lifetime to own a classic Santa Cruz Victorian home!  These do not come on the market often and this is a real opportunity to live in a one of a kind home.  This property is located on the Westside of Santa Cruz and features an extra large lot (13,000+ square feet).   Built circa 1888, this Santa Cruz Victorian home for sale exudes charm and character.  The interior has amazing trim, details and moldings.  The 12 foot ceilings make the home feel extra spacious. The parlor has tall bay windows that let in lots of light.  The living room has a beautiful fireplace and there are redwood hardwood floors in the home.  The master bedroom also has a fireplace plus a walk in closet.  Upstairs there is a lovely c... 02/26/2015

Santa Cruz is not only known for its great beaches but also for its beautiful and plentiful walking and biking trails. Recently a new trail has opened to the public, the Arana Gulch Multi-Use Trail. Arana Gulch is the result of a new plan by the city of Santa Cruz to balance the needs of preserving the environment with the need for public open space. The city of Santa Cruz has spent considerable time and money coming up with their plan for Arana Gulch and as of January that plan is now complete. The Arana Gulch Multi-Use Trail will allow residents and visitors to experience the natural beauty of Santa Cruz while maintaining a balance with the local eco-system. 90% of Arana Gulch will remain in accessible to people as a means of protecting the native flora. The Multi-Use trail was design... 02/16/2015