Long Beach Backyards-Ponds and Nasty Swimming Pools

LONG BEACH CA REAL ESTATE

Do you have a nasty old pool detracting from your Long Beach backyard?  Don't use it anymore?  Takes up valuable space?  Costs a small fortune to maintain!   Afraid it may get in the way of selling your Long Beach Home?

Not all Long Beach Buyers are interested in maintaining a swimming pool.  For many first time buyers the expense of maintaining the pool is just too much for them to deal with.  If the pool is not in pristine condition it could turn off a buyer, nobody wants to take on potentially unknown expenses.  Removing an existing pool can be very expensive. It is time to get out of the box in your thinking. 

Wouldn't you just love to have a beautifully landscaped pond instead?  Apparently you are not alone! 

Imagination!   It amazes me!  Some people are blessed with not only a fabulous imagination, but also with the ability to bring their dreams into reality.  Erik, of Portland Oregon is such a man. 

Erik purchased a home with a swimming pool and made his dream of a large pond come true.  His blog recounts the entire conversion process with beautiful photos.  His talents are limitless.  He not only converted the pool, his landscaping talents are unparalleled.  Erik designed a biological vegi filtration system for his pond which keeps the water crystal clear, uses no chemicals, the pond is self-sustaining and he makes it look effortless. 

The kicker is, he did this for only about $2,000.  Yep, here is his estimation:

• Pond 11,000 gallons estimate, Filter 500 gallons
• Fill dirt, $400 (4 truck loads)
• Sand bags, $100
• Liner (for pond and filter), $750ish (I think it was .65 sq. foot)
• Rock, $200
• Pump, $250 (first one died for some reason, so Im on a second)
• Plumbing, $200 (that flex tubing is expensive)
• Landscaping ties, $100
• Plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, $600
• Gravel delivered for filter, $60
• Occasional replenish of water cress ($10) from Safeway
• Occasional replenish of water hyacinth ($40) from a mail-order company.

Visit Eric's blog and read his story of the conversion of his yard to a paradise worthy of the Better Homes and Garden's Article which he received as a result of his incredible talent. 

Erik's Swimming Pool to Pond Conversion

Definitely something to think about if you are planning on filling in your pool or selling your Long Beach Home.  In Long Beach we certainly have the climate to support a fabulous pond year round.  This beautiful pond can be accomplished for much less instead.  Seems to me this backyard would be a slam dunk selling point for any Long Beach Home.

Posted on July 15, 2007 15:29:15 by Laurie.Manny

AVP Crocs Tour Bud Light Long Beach Open Comes to Alamitos Beach and Downtown Long Beach July 16-22, 2007

AVP Crocs Tour Bud Light Long Beach Open

ASSOCIATION OF VOLLEYBALL PROFESSIONALS (AVP)

July 16 - 22, 2007

AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour comes to Long Beach at Marina Green Park later this month.  Take part in the excitement as the world's finest players 'serve up' the best of beach volleyball. 

Come cheer on Gold Medalist and Cal State Long Beach Alumna, Misty May-Treanor and watch the volleyball legend, three-time Gold Medalist, Karch Kiraly play his last season.  Don't miss out on the action! 

150 of the sport's top players will play a series of matches and chances to win prize money, at Alamitos Beach in Downtown Long Beach.  The event has become a part of the Long Beach Sea Festival.

This is the first AVP that has come to Long Beach. 

Fans and guests are being encouraged to get involved by volunteering at the games as ballshaggers, scorekeepers and information tent personnel. 

Teenagers aged 12-18 interested in learning more about the sport, free workshops will take place onsite from 5 PM to 7 PM on Thursday. 

Fox Sports Net and NBC will air the event.  The Association's Web site will stream live coverage at www.avp.com. 

Competitions will take place along Alamitos Beach.  The final matches will be at the stadium set up at Marina Green Park On Shoreline Drive. 

Tickets are still available:

• $20 General Admission
• $40  Courtside
• $10 Students
• $10 18 or younger
• Group ticket prices are also available

Posted on July 14, 2007 16:43:04 by Laurie.Manny

Long Beach Presents the 44th Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii

 LONG BEACH CA REAL ESTATE

44th Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii

Entries officially closed Thursday, Jun 7th for the 44th Transpacific Yacht Race from Long Beach to Hawaii. 

There will be 76 Yachts of all shapes and sizes setting sail from our beautiful Palos Verde Peninsula.  They will travel 2,225 nautical miles to the island of Waikiki arriving at the Diamond Head Lighthouse where they will be greeted by spectators lining Diamond Head Road to view their stunning arrival.  

• 3 of the ships are from Japan
• 1 is from Australia
• 2 from other countries
• 6 will be returning to their home state of Hawaii
• 64 represent 9 other states

Participants and crew began to arrive in Downtown Long Beach on July 6th.  Festivities, Cocktail Parties, Dinners and Ceremonies have commenced and go on through July 12th.

On Monday, July 9th the first of the Yachts will begin their trip across the great blue sea.  The starts will be staggered with groups beginning on July 9th, 12th and the final group on the 15th.  

On Friday, July 13th:

• 2:00 PM -  all Transpac boats will be in Rainbow Harbor ˜dressed and ready to receive visitors. 
• 2:30 PM - They will be welcoming a delegation of young people from the southern California Chapter of the Special Olympics.
• 3:30 PM - Governors and Mayors visit the Transpac Fleet
• 4:00 PM - Transpac Skippers and Crews will be introduced on stage
• 4:30 PM - The Mayors of Long Beach, Honolulu and the Governors of Hawaii and California will be introduced.
• 5:00 - 6:00 PM - Cocktail Reception

The Final Start will be at 1:00 PM Sunday, July 15, 2007.  What an incredible sight this will be. 

Further details, including crew lists may be found on the Transpacific ˜07 website. 

We will be covering the Transpacific Race from both sides of the ocean.  Randy Prothero will be covering the finish line on Active Rain.  His first post is already up:  TRANSPAC 07 Starts This Week for the 44th Time.

We will keep you updated both here and on Active Rain.

Patricia Garfield and Dianne Murray talk about their record breaking womens doublehanded Transpac race on a Catalina 470.

Posted on July 07, 2007 20:37:43 by Laurie.Manny

Just For Fun - Who?

My Generation

The Zimmer's

Posted on June 18, 2007 19:19:36 by Jessica.Malinowsky

Downtown Long Beach California Vision

Downtown Long Beach has been revitalized over the last several years. High Rise Condominium Projects continue to sprout along our lovely waterfront. Historic Buildings continue to be gutted and re-created into beautiful Manhattan style lofts. Fabulous restaurants and incredible attractions like the Aquarium of the Pacific, The Pike, Shoreline Village and Pine Avenue continue to draw crowds seeking the fabulous entertainment and fine dining experiences they provide.

A projected park system, Riverlink, is in the works, it will travel up the LA River clear up to the City of Paramount providing a green front all along the Downtown water front, wrapping around Downtown and heading North for many miles along the LA River.

Now all we need is for the Port of Long Beachs Clean Air Action Plan to take effect and we will certainly be one of the most desirable places on earth.

Posted on June 18, 2007 02:09:24 by Laurie.Manny