HOMES&LIVING

Friday, October 15, 2010

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FEATURES EDITOR: Katharine Ball PHONE: 754-4282 FAX: 754-4293 E-MAIL: living@thecalifornian.comwww.thecalifornian.com

KNOCK KNOCKOpen the door to

a new look for yourhome’s entrance.> Agave Ironworks’

small twistedring pulldoorknocker,$39 to $41dependingon finish atwww.knobsandhardware.com.

MARK YOURCALENDAR

HOTPROPERTY

Lauren Beale, Los Angeles Times

COMING SATURDAYIN LIVING

Salinas architects suggest quick waysto make the city more visually appealing.

BY KIM COOKFor The Associated Press

If you prefer a contemporary decor style, youaren’t interested in rustic jack-o’-lanterns orhomespun stuffed witches when Halloweencomes around. But fear not:Thisseason, you’ll find lots of ghoul-ish yet glamorous pieces tofete the occasion.

Modern Alchemy’sMemento Mori col-lection includes a setof beautiful blackporcelain platesetched with silverskulls.There alsoare sleek, ebony skullcandles to providedrama on a beverage bar.

Send invites using its ele-gant skull-printed stationery, or check out

See DECOR, 2B

BY BRODERICK PERKINSFor The Salinas Californian

When housing went down inthe Golden State, it took hun-dreds of California’s jobs and a$54 billion chunk of the economywith it.

According to“The EconomicBenefits of Housing,”a studyby the California Homebuild-ing Foundation, an economicresearch and consulting group,

every newly constructed single-family home generates 3.24 jobsduring construction and supportsanother 1.2 jobs, and each dollarspent building a home generatesanother 80 cents in total eco-nomic activity.

But with deep fissures in thehousing market, considered acornerstone of the economy,new home construction alonecontributed only $13.8 billionto California’s economy in 2009

and nearly 77,000 jobs, down80 percent from $67.7 billion ineconomic output and a whop-ping 84 percent from 487,000jobs when the home-buildingboom peaked in 2005 statewide.

In Monterey County, buildersconstructed 456 new homes in2008, but only 194 in 2009. WhileMonterey County’s new-homeconstruction generated 811 jobsin 2008, it could only come upwith 372 last year. New home

construction generated only$64 million in economic output in2009, down from nearly $140 mil-lion in 2008.

Statewide, at the peak, the205,000 new homes permittedaccounted for almost 3 percent ofthe state’s total economic output.That fell to 0.4 percent in 2009,when only 35,000 new homeswere permitted statewide, thestudy says.

Even at the peak, the number of

new homes permitted fell belowthe 220,000 that the state Depart-ment of Housing and CommunityDevelopment said are neededannually to meet normal popula-tion growth.

It’s not just the direct economiceffects of the new-home buildingindustry’s construction efforts.

Toss in a range of related ser-vices, including remodeling,

See PERKINS, 3B

Housing bust withered California’s economy, job market

ALAN STYLESRecycling

Library to launch newbook club Tuesday

The John Steinbeck Library,one of the branches of the Sali-nas Public Library, is launchinga new book club beginning Tues-day evening.

Any adult who enjoys readingand has an interest in meetingwith others who have the samelove is invited to participate inthe first program to initiate anew book club. Book club activi-ties will be free and open to thepublic. Participants are encour-aged to submit book titles forreading and discussion.> What: Book club launch> When: 6 p.m.Tuesday> Where: John SteinbeckLibrary, 350 Lincoln Ave., Sali-nas.> Cost: Free> Information: Jayne Wilsey, 831-758-7367 or jaynew@ci.salinas.ca.us.

‘Borat’ star also leases outhis Sunset Strip area house

Comedic actor and film starSacha Baron Cohen has leasedout his Sunset Strip-area housefor $9,000 a month. But the majorreal estate deal this summerfor Baron Cohen and his wife,actress Isla Fisher, was the pur-chase of a nearby Mediterraneancompound listed at $18.9 million.

Set behind hedges on closeto four wooded acres, the gatedproperty includes a main house,a guesthouse, a swimming pool,a detached theater, a wine room,a tennis court with a clubhouseand a caretaker’s cottage.The1940s’house has seven bedrooms

See PROPERTY, 3B

Halloween is understand-ably a favorite holiday.Between the candy, scary

stories, parties and costumes,it’s a great time to scare up somefun!

But like many holidays, theextra waste generated by ourcelebrations can be frightful forthe environment. Here are easytricks to reduce waste as a treatto our beautiful valley.

PumpkinsBuy local and organically

grown pumpkins. Shopping localreduces vehicle emissions andgreenhouse gases.

Use the pumpkin seeds. Whenyou carve your jack-o’-lantern,salt and toast the seeds for atasty snack. If you don’t likepumpkin seeds, dry them forbirdseed.

Compost your pumpkins. Putyour jack-o’-lantern in the com-post pile to help nourish yourplants next spring. If you don’talready compost, it’s a great timeto start!

DecorationsReuse decorations. Check a

See STYLES, 3B

Easy tricksto reducewaste forHalloweenGilding the

Halloween pumpkin:Halloween pumpkin:

PHOTOS BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

This product image released byModern Alchemy shows its sleek,

ebony skull candles.

creepy chic decor

This product image released by Modern Alchemy showsits black porcelain plates etched with silver skulls from itsMemento Mori collection.

SELLING MONTEREY COUNTY FOR OVER 30YEARS.

DALE HANDLEY 595-0237

19425 PRESTANCIA CT.LAS PALMAS$792,500

9000125842

9000125842

35 Maple St. • Salinas831-424-0001

www.tncrealestate.com

FEATURED PROPERTIES

19615 Longview Terrace, Las Palmas $799,000 ........... Scott Craig 214-265118780 Ranchito Del Rio Drive, Las Palmas $671,000 ... Scott Craig 214-2651232 E. Romie Lane, South Salinas $275,000 ............. Dale Handley 595-0237345 Coleridge Dr. #77, South Salinas $194,900 ....... Mike Handley 262-240022 Santa Ana Dr., South Salinas $649,000 ................ Dale Handley 595-0237

LISTINGS

SCOTT CRAIG 214-2651

1336 DICKENSDRIVE,SOUTHSALINAS

OPEN HOUSE SUN. 2-

4

Wonderful 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath spacious down-stairs bonus room with ceramic tile, remodeledbathrooms, custom window coverings, modernlighting, new stove and dishwasher ...$269,000

SAMANTHA LIPTAK 214-2359

315AMHERSTDRIVE,SOUTHSALINAS

OPEN HOUSE SUN. 12

-2

Fantastic 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in a great neigh-borhood. Huge park-like backyard with new land-scaping. Totally remodeled to include, new floors,paint, kitchen appliances and more....$398,000

TrustRespect

IntegrityVicki

PitmanRealtor ® GRI, E-PRO, SRES

831-809-7722Pruneda Real

Estate Advisors9000124855

HOMES & LIVING Friday, October 15, 2010 3B

PERKINSContinued from page 1B

repair, brokerage, property managementand financing, and the industry gener-ates more than $347 billion of economicoutput and supports nearly 1 million jobsstatewide, according to the study.

Nearly 11 percent of California’stotal economic output is from theentire housing industry, ranking itfirst among the state’s leading outputindustries. Even after the downturn,the industry’s economic output out-paces wholesale and retail trade;professional, scientific and technicalservices and information.

While the output contributes to allcounties, benefits are highest in thelargest regions, including Los Angeles,Orange and San Diego counties.

The study was designed to reveal thesignificance of the housing industry ontwo levels:>The full range of economic impactsof new housing construction, includingsupport industries and consumption ofexpenditures generated through the mul-tiplier or ripple effect.> The still greater significance ofthe entire housing industry includ-ing residential real estate, financing,maintenance and repair, additions andalterations, construction, homeownerexpenditures, property manage andall other aspects of the entire stock ofowner- and renter-occupied housing.

> Broderick Perkins operates a digital realestate news service, the DeadlineNewsGroup. Contact him at broderickperkins@deadlinenews.com or visit www.deadline-news.com.

PROPERTYContinued from page 1B

and 10 bathrooms.“Very nice, very nice,”Baron Cohen’s

character Borat Sagdiyev might say.“Howmuch?”

The answer to that question is not yetavailable from the Los Angeles CountyAssessor’s Office, where purchases oftentake months to appear on public records.But real estate listing and data aggregatorPropertyShark.com shows it sold for $14million.

The midcentury house that BaronCohen leased had been recently reno-vated.

The 1959 single-story had been for saleat $2.9 million or for lease at $10,000 amonth, down from the original $11,995.

The house, which he has owned for fiveyears, has canyon and mountain views,beamed ceilings that rise to 22 feet, a riverrock fireplace, a media room/den, threebedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms in about2,800 square feet of living space.The lot,less than a third of an acre, includes alagoon-style swimming pool, a spa, a firepit and an outdoor gym.

Baron Cohen, 38, is known for playingoutrageous characters in“Da Ali G Show”(2000, 2003-04),“Borat: Cultural Learningsof America for Make Benefit GloriousNation of Kazakhstan”(2006) and“Bruno”(2009). GK Films recently announced that

he had been signed to star in a film aboutrock star Freddie Mercury of Queen.

Soap mob boss hopes it’s a hitSoap star Maurice Benard and his wife,

Paula, have listed a Hollywood Hills-areahouse for $1.55 million.

The pair bought the place in 2007 to livein while remodeling their larger primaryresidence and, in the meantime, theyworked on customizing the smaller housetoo.

“We dove into fixing this one up,”PaulaBenard said,“to the point that we almostrebuilt the house.”

The contemporary Mediterranean hasa great room with pitched ceilings, astacked stone fireplace and slate floors.There are dormer windows, a kitchenwith a breakfast area and center island,four bedrooms, four bathrooms and 2,872square feet of living space.

The Benards like to have big parties andbuilt a covered-patio entertainment areawith a kitchen, a dining area and a flatscreen.

Although not new to remodeling andthe temptation to over-improve, the couplewanted their temporary home to work fortheir needs.They included the types ofamenities they like in a home.

“We personalized too much,”PaulaBenard said.

They bought the house for $1.25 millionand spent hundreds of thousands of dol-

lars on the work.The Benards are sellingbecause they have relocated their familyhome toTemecula.

Maurice Benard has played a mob bosson“General Hospital”since 1993.

Just the spot for an old WeezerIt may sound like an odd fit, but guitar-

ist Brian Bell of the rock band Weezer hasbought a Spanish-style house in a sedateWestwood neighborhood, for $1.6 million.

The single-story, 1920s home retainssuch period details as arched doorways.The living room has cathedral ceilings,oversized exposed-wood beams, a tile-framed fireplace and French doors open-ing to a porch and patio.There are fourbedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms in 3,000square feet of living space.

Bell, 41, who is also a songwriter andsinger, joined the band in 1993. He alsoperforms with two other groups: SpaceTwins and the Relationship.

Weezer released its eighth studio album,“Hurley,”this month. (The character fromtheTV series“Lost”graces the cover.)“Raditude”was released last year.

Sports agent is ready to dealSports agent, developer and rare-coin

collector Dwight Manley has listed aremodeled house in the Hollywood Hillsat $4,995,000.

The Spanish-style home, built in 1923,has smart home technology, an over-sized media room, three bedrooms andfour bathrooms in about 3,000 squarefeet.The infinity pool features a water-fall.

The city-view house is also available forlease at $25,000 a month.

Manley, 44, has represented NBA stars,including Karl Malone. Manley boughtthe house from actress Beverly D’Angeloin 2005 for $2.2 million, public recordsshow.

Photographer shifts his focusCelebrity and fashion photographer

Mark Liddell has listed a compound inthe Hollywood Hills area at $3.25 mil-lion.

The gated property, described as cedarlodge style, includes a main house, aguesthouse, a saltwater pool with a hottub, a meditation garden, mature treesand lawns. Designed as two pavilions,the compound has four bedrooms, fourbathrooms and 2,879 square feet of livingspace.

Liddell’s 2009 book,“Exposed: 10 Yearsin Hollywood,”looks at his more than100 shoots of A-listers and luminaries.

He purchased the house in 2007 for$2,399,000, according to public records.

> Distributed by McClatchy-TribuneInformation Services.

STYLESContinued from page 1B

secondhand store beforeyou head to the big retail-ers for decorations. Whenbuying decor, look fordurable items that can beused again.

Reusable bagsBring your own reusable

shopping bags when you’reout shopping for your Hal-loween gear and treats.

Use a reusable bag fortrick-or-treating — they’redurable and strong! Cre-ative costumers can incor-porate their reusable bags

(or bag alternatives) as partof their costume design.

CostumesRent a costume.You’ll

find better costumes oftenfor the same price as buy-ing one.

Reuse a costume. Holda costume exchange withyour friends, or buy onefrom a secondhand store.Thrift stores have racksof gently used costumesfor a fraction of the cost ofnew, plus loads of uniquefashions and accessories tocreate something cool.

Donate your used cos-tumes, or save for a cos-tume exchange next year.

Keep them in circulationand out of the landfill.

Greening your Hallow-een is another step towarda future without landfills.Share your Halloweenwaste-reduction tips,and your creative reusecostume and decorationdesigns on the SalinasVal-ley Solid Waste AuthorityFacebook page. Be safeand have fun!

> Alan Styles is recyclingcoordinator for the SalinasValley Solid Waste Author-ity. His column appears thethird Friday of the monthin Central Coast Living.Contact him at alanst@svswa.org.

Draw a crowd to yourDraw a crowd to your

Advertise in theAdvertise in the call 424-2222call 424-2222

Square footage is approximate and may vary in production. Prices, plans, features and specifications are subject to change without notice. All homes are subject to prior sale. Receipt of special offer is predicated upon buyer executing our standard purchase agreement by 6 pm on October 31, 2010, the close of escrow, and maynot be paid to buyer in cash. Value of special offer varies per community and cannot exceed maximum concession available per home. *Based on a note rate of 4.375% on a 30 Year fixed loan with seller paid 1 discount point and APR of 4.375%. Sales price of $604,990 and a total loan of $483,950. Payment includes taxesand insurances. Homeowners association dues, if applicable are the responsibility of the homebuyer. Available only for closed purchase agreements with financing through K. Hovnanian American Mortgage LLC. Seller contribution limits apply and closing cost as-sistance not to exceed 2%, subject to final negotiation of contract terms and is subject to all RESPA guidelines. Alternative loan options available. All loans are subject to qualification, credit approval, income verification and collateral evaluation. Interest rate quotedis not guaranteed and is subject to market conditions and may change or program cancelled without prior notice. This flyer is an example and an estimate only. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunitythroughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. This offer is for selected homes only.K. Hovnanian American Mortgage L.L.C., 3601 Quantum Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Fl. 33426. NMLS# 3259. Licensed by the Department of Corporations under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act.

1. Legacy at Fiddyment Farm in Roseville2,110 to 2,756 Sq FtFrom the low $300,000s2451 Big Brook Way, Roseville, CA 95747(888) 466-1074 Toll-Free

2. Rio del Sol at Sunridge Park in Rancho Cordova1,767 to 2,100 Sq FtFrom the mid $200,000s12367 El Portal Way, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742(866) 927-0660 Toll-Free

3. Sheldon Grove in Elk Grove2,152 to 2,583 Sq FtFrom the low $300,000s8715 Winterfest Way, Elk Grove, CA 95624(866) 978-3443 Toll-Free

4. Medallion in Manteca1,886 to 2,358 Sq FtFrom the mid $200,000s132 Feverfew St., Manteca, CA 95337(888) 693-9010 Toll-Free

5. Parkside in Livingston1,733 to 2,231 Sq FtFrom the mid $100,000s1013 Fernwood Way, Livingston, CA 95334(866) 730-3719 Toll-Free

6. Eagles Ridge in Santa Nella1,878 to 2,905 Sq FtFrom the $170,000s13563 Luis Ave., Santa Nella, CA 95322(888) 854-3032 Toll-Free

7. Mesa Ridge in Gilroy2,869 to 3,334 Sq FtFrom the high $500,000s5851 San Justo Ct., Gilroy, CA 95020(877) 700-3135 Toll-Free

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9. Bella Vina in Fresno1,715 to 2,028 Sq FtFrom the mid $100,000s2572 S. Adrian Ave., Fresno, CA 93725(866) 526-8187 Toll-Free

10.Muirfield in Dinuba1,632 to 2,532 Sq FtFrom the mid $100,000s1752 Golden Way, Dinuba, CA 93618(888) 356-0431 Toll-Free

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