GM is a behemoth that the congressional leaders are wrestling what to do. Once again GM and the other automakers keep missing clues. As Toyota with its Prius and Honda with its erstwhile Civic hybrids have steadily been gaining ground, GM has been asleep at the wheel. Redux 1973.

The oil spike will be shown over time to do what common sense couldn't, change the behavior of the world and namely many people like you and me. The world is choking on our emissions and our economy is choking on its debt in large part because of George Bush. Not helping that is the fact we send 500 billion or so dollars overseas for our gas addiction.

While Ford has been proactive as of late with their Escape Hybrids, they have bought technology to get a foot in the door. GM is a latecomer, but has a real possibility with their car the Volt.

GM is working on getting the EPA to get certification of their technology forward car, the Chevrolet Volt at 100 MPG. No other car on the market now gets more than 40 or 50 miles per gallon that is generally available. If GM is able to get this certification, it will satisfy the driving needs of probably 80 or 90% of its car driving commuting customers, I suspect. I find as a Santa Cruz real estate broker I rarely drive more than 100 miles in a day.

Most commuters would be able to travel about 40 miles on its batteries, then the 1.4 liter gas engine takes over. The EPA has to develop new testing methodology in order certify this car. The car will primarily be an electric car, but the gas engine will be there for the range extending needs of its customers.

Since the classification as an electric car will allow it to shed hundreds of thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually, I suspect both parties are looking forward to getting this done.

Whether we have two major automakers of US origin or not, I don't think really matters in today's global economy. With quite a few foreign manufacturers on US soil and you and I buying the best product and value, often GM, Chrysler and Ford are not our first choices.

I am hopeful that GM with its new Volt due out in 2009 or 2010, that is will get it recharged and be the leading vehicle in its charge toward a leaner more effective manufacturer. Mangagment is largely to blame as you and I make the choices with our wallets. The executives with their fat salaries are not too keen to shake up the company, not saying turning around a battleship is a one man operation, but the lead has to start from the top.

While many decry the handing of billions of dollars without concrete assurances that further mismanagement won't continue to afflict the organization, the potential damage from walking away may be too severe. There are so many ancillary businesses and services that support or live off the those who work for the big three automakers that a flat out walkaway strategy would be more economically devastating to the region already hit by cash-flow problems.

Sometimes surgery and amputation is the only way to keep a patient alive. How they go on from whatever monies they get from this or the new administration will be seen. I am hopeful that they finally "get it" and the rest of the US wakes up t the fact global warming is a man made problem. The US as one of the largest energy users in the world needs to take ownership and responsibility for the problem and I think you and I are finally willing to do that.

The next administration in my opinion can serve us well by spending money on infrastructure of energy. Programs like solar, wind and natural gas production and distribution facilities can benefit all of us. Keeping our dollars and employment on our own shores, can help us achieve more energy independence, a cleaner emission profile, and stimulate an economic recovery quicker.

This is the time of year where we get together with family and friends. Often we give thanks for what we have, and reflection on the world. We are a nation that is reeling at the moment and many have lost their jobs. This is the time where we are most charitable, and now is an opportunity to show that in an easy to do fashion.

A local dry cleaners, Classic Cleaners ( 423-2630) is collecting, cleaning and distributing winter coats for the poor. Check your closets for those winter coats that you may have outgrown or forgot you even had.

Sometimes you find in storage, clothes and coats your kids outgrew long ago. These would be perfect for the families that need them. You can of course donate new ones, but many of us have plenty of serviceable clothes and getting rid of one or two would be a good thing.

You can donate your Santa Cruz coat and drop them off at Classic Cleaners at the main location at 609 Soquel, across from Shoppers Corner. Their other locations in Live Oak and Capitola also accept these charitable donations.

As we face more economically hard times in Santa Cruz County, these good deeds will be greatly appreciated. Santa Cruz real estate values have made it hard for people to make ends meet. With the Watsonville real estate market having a high number of foreclosures, many are now renting or left to scramble. Staying warm will be something we take for granted, and having a warm coat make life more bearable during these times of stress.

If you have other clothes, consider donating them to other organizations like the Salvation Army or St Vincent De Paul. They will often come and pick these items up. Like unused clothing that can be put to a better use if you have a home you would like to donate to charity or set up a beneficial tax structure so that you get income and the charity of your choice gets the proceeds before or after you go the the next chapter of life contact me at my site www.propertyinsantacruz.com or call me, Gregg at 831-818-7524.

The Santa Cruz Yacht Club is hosting it's annual lighted boat parade in the Santa Cruz, Ca harbor. This event is fun for all and it a free event. As it is done at night, be sure to dress warmly,mittens and scarves.

I find that unless you bike there, to bring quarters to feed the meters. I would also advise you to bring a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate and maybe even an umbrella in case it rains.

This fun local event is held at the Santa Cruz yacht harbor Saturday December 6th at 5:30. Come and have fun at the FREE local event.

If you want to come to an earlier event, the Tall Ships tour, Hawaiian Chieftan will be on display December 2nd -4th. This beautiful tall ship is pretty to just look at during the day. Check it out.

If you decide the yacht harbor is where you want to be and want to look at Santa Cruz yacht harbor homes, it is a great place to live with it's own different flavor. If you want to watch with a comfortable location, Johnnys Harborside restaurant has great food or the Crowsnest where you can watch from the coctail bar upstairs.

As a Santa Cruz real estate broker for 20 years I have often had the privilege of working for people that have lovely gardens. Sometimes these are homes have nice old fruit trees. When I have these Santa Cruz homes to sell, they are often vacant, it comes to mind what a waste of this lovely fruit or produce.

So in these difficult economic times it occurs to that as agents we can contact our sellers and ask if we can donate the fruit to a charity such as Grey Bears ( http://www.greybears.org/contact.html ) or Second Harvest food bank (http://www.thefoodbank.org/)

Please look into your pantries, talk with neighbors who aren't harvesting their bounty of their yards and give what you can to the needy. This time of year persimmons are usually around and are a great healthy treat and store well. Oranges are often coming into season, and sometimes a few lemons are useful as well.

If you know of a neighbor or someone who has a bounty, contact one of the above organizations or myself and we'll see what can be done to distribute the food.

If you feel like volunteering, the state has a program called California volunteers that is of course state wide.If you prefer to volunteer in our community, Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz is another place to give your time as well as things that can be life changing for both you and the child by volunteering for Big Brothers/Big Sisters.  Any of the above would greatly appreciate you help, big or small as the time or resources you can. Have a safe holiday season.

Sometimes just calling on a senior to cheer them up or a neighbor who is elderly, will give you and them cheer, so look around for opportunities. More than money your heart and help is need most. Don't get me wrong all these institutions need you support. Places like United Way of Santa Cruz help a great many organizations and are another one stop shot for donating to many causes, though you can specify which you want if you have a favorite. The spirit of the holidays is not about getting, but about giving and humanity. Be good to yourself and others.

That Detroit has it's hand out once again, surprisingly not. Detroit has been making good cars, great cars and crappy cars for a long time. Their recent failures have been in part due to management not having a diversified view. The top management has fought tooth and nail for years against the higher fuel economy regulations.

The unions have been a grab all we can get too mentality, which is not healthy. So with the phantom energy crisis in the early 70's and the later one in the late 70' s where I recall waiting in line, odd and even days as necessary, it strikes me what we have is a management problem, not a, do we know how to make good or efficient cars problem.

The 70's illustrated you couldn't continue making crappy cars, as the Japanese automakers got their foot in the door and you and I as the American consumer bought the best product at the best price. Detroit's management screwed up, which was a benefit for all consumers. The UAW is not without blame for the high cost of labor. In part, because of that ,the Japanese and Germans are building cars in Tennessee and Mississippi. The workers do high quality work, and have a wage they find acceptable, and are non-union.

So the issue is in my view is in part resources were not focused early enough and in great enough quantity on renewable or alternative energy because the auto makers were so tied to cheap gas. American consumers are culpable too as they continued to support this short sighted behavior.

The good thing is that the Americans can and do, make some great products, and do have some good technology. Why is it that Honda and Toyota were working on alternative vehicles and bringing to production the Prius and Insight? Did they see the future? We have visionaries in American industry, just not the big auto industry. I-Pod anyone? E-bay? Just a few of the game changers we all know.

This video of the futuristic plant in Brazil gives hope. With good visionary top down direction, the US Automakers can once again make great affordable products. The vast chasm of executive pay at the US Automakers and many other companies is an excess that should be stopped. Maybe bankruptcy would be the best solution? The American worker can and often is the best most efficient worker in the world, so having them be part of the solution is paramount to the US auto industry regaining it's home ground advantage and having our energy resources within country. The Future of the global auto industry

Electric cars have the potential to do vast good. Think about it, less money over seas, less noise, less global warming,less health issues from all the particulates of diesel and carbon di- and mon-oxide.

I think the future can be good, but sweep out the top leadership that is in for more of the same. The high gas prices were a good thing as Americans are finally realizing that our dependence on foreign oil is not a good thing, and since we have been unwilling to install comprehensive mass transit systems, those vehicles we do ride around in, need to be powered with another source of energy from our country.

This video illustrates the need for diversity, innovation and a non segregated workforce.. Those corporate jets should be for all employees...... don't you think?

The Sea Breeze tavern is a nice local bar. It has a great location across from Rio Del Mar beach and is within easy walking distance if you are vacationing. No need to drink and drive.

It is one of those local hole in a wall places where people are friendly. The place has it's locals who enjoy being able to leave the car at home,walk down and have a beer or mixed drink. During holidays or during the summer tourist rush for the beach, this is a welcome place particularly.

The place has the feel of an old place, but this local Aptos bar is new, and old. Originally part of the Rio Del Mar Development in the mid-late 20's as the sales office, is has seem many deals. It has the old Spanish style architecture as that was the norm for Rio Del Mar. As it sits now, many deals are probably discussed in it's friendly confines. The storied history of Aptos can probably be heard in it's walls with the wind whistling outside.

It is one of those places that would be fun to hunker down with a storm out side and it's friendly confines inside. Walk out check out waves crashing on the beach across the street, see how the waves are raging on the beach from the Seacliff Beach bridge as they crash into the Palo Alto cement ship.

As a summer spot it is nice to pop in for a beer and head out to the sand for some rays. They have a mild bar menu for the casual diner who does not want one of the other lunch choices. Stop in for the holidays and have a good time. Be responsible and have fun. The Seabreeze Tavern is nice local watering hole to enjoy during the holidays and year round.

I drive around a lot as a Santa Cruz real estate broker. Since I am out a lot, I get to see many people driving. The cell phone laws changed in Santa Cruz California, as they did across the state. The first portion of the cell phone law went into effect in July 2008. The law change((California Vehicle Code [VC] §23123)) required that all drivers over 18 use a hands free devices and not hold the phones up to their ears. I am glad to see that I mostly observe teens being responsible. Yeah for the maligned teens! Now if only those 20-50 year old would wise up and save the rest of us grief and dangerous situations as they blab endlessly as they drive. Who knows, could you be one of them?

I see a lot of idiots out there who don't seem to understand they are breaking the law. I am sure you probably notice them as they swerve along the roadways. You may even see them while looking in the mirror. While the fines are only $20 for the first offense and $50 for each violation after, I am surprised I don't see it enforced much as it is so obvious. While the violation will show on your record ,you at least won't get charged a point, which would impact your insurance. Frankly I think it should based on some of the driving I have seen. You are not supposed to hold the phone, it is to be hands free.

No drivers under 18 are to be on the phone talking and driving. The loophole to this law, was that you could text,at any age. To read the text of the hands free cell phone law that did not include texting, follow the link.

While I think texting is mostly popular in the teenage set, older drivers could have done that as well.When the original hands free cell phone law went into effect, all of us thought, how stupid that texting was not included.

You definitely have to take your eyes off the road to text. We all know how teenager love to talk and text, so that loophole has been closed. That problem with the original law is going to be changed effective January  1, 2009, where California will join six other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, not just teens.The other states with the law on the books are Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington.

The original intent of the law was to make the roads safer for all, and also to protect our young drivers.The leading cause of teenager fatalities, are from vehicular accidents. According to the National Safety council's statistics, about 44% of teen deaths in the United States are from car accidents. The CHP has determined that the #1 source of driver distraction, is the cell phone, in vehicular accidents. It becomes clear that teens particularly, engage in risky behavior, and are easily distracted. It is no wonder then that 16 years old have crash rates 10 TIMES higher that drivers in the 30-59 year age brackets. Now you understand why teenage drivers insurance is so high.

As parents, one of our jobs it to be a role model, and driving while talking on the phone is not what you want to do.Not only is it dangerous, and illegal, it is not being a positive role model for your teen.

To read up on the SB 28 by Joe Simitian on the banning of text messaging while driving and other vehicle related laws affecting you during 2009, follow the link.