Palm Springs Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday morning from 8 am to 12:30 pm.  It is located on the north side of the Camelot theatres Theatres at 2300 E Baristo at Farrell – in Palm Springs. The Certified Farmers Market (CFM) brings local farmers and vendors together to showcase the fruits of their labor. The CFM is a gathering place where the community can learn about the importance of nutrition, fresh produce and organic options. The market features farm and food only vendors.organic and transitional produce, herbs, lavender,cheese, bread , honey, nuts, eggs, olives and olive oil,fresh cut flowers, orchids and plants and much more. A Market Chef booth features recipes, culinary delights, educational materials. and guest chefs from around the Coachella Valley. We will also have “Music at the Market” from 9 am to 12. Free Dog sitting is available from 9 am to noon through Fetch Pet Care and Bark Busters. More info: 760-898-5250.

Total housing starts are up for the third month in March across California, signaling the worst of the housing downturn may be over, the California Building Industry Association said Monday. For the complete article go to:

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100427/BUSINESS04/4260338/1043/business04/Region-s-housing-front-shows-positive-signs

High-end homes account for about 2 percent of overall home sales in the Coachella Valley and most of the home sales these days are closer to the median sales price range of $200,000. Real Data Strategies, which prepares a real estate market report for The Desert Sun, last week issued their first quarter 2010 data which shows million-dollar home sales up 65 percent. Total sales volume rose 57 percent to $152 million in the first quarter, as well, up from $97 million in January through March 2009.  Prices are down roughly 40 percent from 2006 levels. As an example: A  home which sold for $6 million in 2007 are now priced at $4 million, or about 33 percent less than they did three years ago.