AM news: real estate and river

Sales of new homes dropped nationwide more than 10% last month, the biggest drop in nine years. And in the West, the numbers were even bigger: a drop of 29.4%. Yea, maybe the market is finally softening in LA! But not so fast, lusty real estate kittens. Southern California new home sales were up 9.5% from the month before; it's the biggest gain in 18 years.

CaBoom! That's not the sound of the real estate market smashing another record, it's the west coast independent design show, and it's on today and tomorrow at the Santa Monica Civic. It ain't your daddy's home show; there are DJs and way cool exhibitors. Tickets to the exhibition hall are $20 — if you're unsure, see if Curbed LA gets a chance to post their promised weekend coverage.

Have you had a chance to review the new Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan? That's OK, there's still a chance for your ideas to be heard at a series of public meetings being held by the City. Want a pocket park? A bike path? A fishing promontory? Today's the day to share in the Valley, and other meetings are coming up. A diving board! Canoe races!

By the way, the LA Times' riverwater goldfish are doing just fine.

Photo by mentalpirate via flickr