Santa Monica Airport’s Soccer Fields: A Perfect Spot for Friends, Fitness, and Friendly Competition

I have to admit, I never grew up a big soccer fan. Although I played a bit as a kid, I have always been more of an “Americanized” sports guy obsessed with the Big Three: Football, Basketball, and Baseball.

Despite this affinity for other sports, my friends recently encouraged me to join their men’s soccer league at the Santa Monica Airport Soccer Fields, and I took on the challenge. Little did I know that all this time I had been missing out on a great resource – and a lot of fun – at the Santa Monica Airport Soccer Fields. Its was almost as if I had missed out on a secret.

My soccer skills were significantly below average to start; but, after practicing with the team for a few months, I began to feel comfortable and started to enjoy this traditionally European sport. It scratches that competitive itch, plus it’s just a great way to exercise outdoors and spend time with your friends.

Eventually, I was ready for my first game at the Airport Fields and I was impressed, even a little intimidated, by the whole experience.

The Airport Fields are a tremendous resource for the Santa Monica community, and really, all of West LA too. The field is turf – one of the best in LA, so I’ve been told – and has room for three soccer games to be played at once. The field is literally packed all the time. There are pick up games that go until 10:00 at night on the week days, practice time after school for kids, and weekend games that go all day. The referees always call a good game and they keep the play clean and fun.

I think the best part of the Airport fields is the diversity that they bring. In my league there are people of all different skill levels from beginners like me, to even some ex-pro players. All different age groups are represented and there are women’s and coed leagues as well.

The Airport Leagues have become a great bonding event for my friends and me. After the games we sometimes meet at each other’s houses to barbeque and talk about our games. Recently, for the USA’s World Cup game against Ghana, our whole team met at the Spitfire Grill – located directly across from the fields – to enjoy some professional soccer before our game. Despite the US loss, it was a great experience that I never would have had if it weren’t for the Airport League.

The easy thing is that even if you can’t field a whole team, all you have to do is register with the league and show up for the pick up games during weeknights. The crowds are always friendly, and there is a good chance a team may want to pick you up for their league. It’s great fun and even better exercise, so don’t miss out on this secret anymore.

Alex Quaid is an Associate Partner for Partners Trust Real Estate and Acquisitions. He is an avid surfer and is unhealthily obsessed with the Lakers. Connect with him via twitter @alexquaid5

June Santa Monica Market Update

Alex Quaid is a Realtor and neighborhood expert,
focusing on the Westside communities of Los Angeles.
Follow Alex on Twitter via @alexquaid5

Celebrating Alumni Donations: Champagne Campaign 2010

College.

The word brings back great memories of an exciting time filled with hopes, aspirations, and life changing experiences. But how often do you reconnect with your university? Are you in touch with your friends and classmates from school?

Loyola Marymount’s Champagne Campaign is built around the idea of getting young alumni together to stay involved with the school, network with fellow classmates, and give back to their University.

Loyola has a program for recent graduates (up to ten years out) where a $250 to $500 gift allows them to support a department or initiative of their choosing and opens them up to more opportunities to be engaged by the university.

With this donation, alumni receive a number of courtesies including an invitation to Champagne Campaign. Champagne Campaign is a yearly social event held every spring on the beautiful campus and is punctuated by a champagne toast to the donors.

Having just donated for my first time this year, this was my first Champagne Campaign and I thoroughly enjoyed it. After getting to mingle with fellow classmates and sample the tasty appetizers, we were addressed by Senior Vice President Dennis Slon, who shared with us not only the importance of our contributions but also an overview of the university’s plans for the future.

Events like Champagne Campaign assure me that my donations are going to worthy and meaningful causes and also make me feel appreciated, even if my donation won’t be enough for a new library.  Not to mention, it’s a great party where you can catch up with old friends and network with new acquaintances. As a real estate agent, these events are not only fun, but imperative to my business — I have had a couple sales as a result.

If you’re not already connected with your alumni base, get involved. It’s a fun way to give back, stay in touch with friends, and build new relationships. If you are already involved, share a few of your favorite moments with me below.

Alex Quaid is a Realtor and neighborhood expert,
focusing on the Westside communities of Los Angeles.
Follow Alex on Twitter via @alexquaid5

Santa Monica May Market Update

Farmer’s Market Offers Much More Than Fresh Fruit

As summer rolls around I always make an effort to do more outdoor activities. I mean if you’re going to live in Los Angeles – especially, Santa Monica – you might as well take advantage of the beautiful weather as much as possible, right?

I love how this city embraces that necessity to be outside: many restaurants provide patio seating, the 3rd Street Promenade and The Grove move shopping outside, and farmer’s markets offer fruits and vegetables while walking in the sunshine on Sunday mornings.  And of those, it doesn’t get any better than the farmer’s market on Main Street in Santa Monica.

I live within biking distance, so I always enjoy a gentle cruise down to the farmer’s market on Sunday morning. Obviously, my main motivation to go there is to get fresh produce – of which there is an abundance – but the reason I continue to come back to this particular farmer’s market above all others is that it is a community gathering point, not just a place to get fruits and veggies.

It accomplishes this by setting a relaxed atmosphere that inspires patrons to stick around and have fun, instead of simply buying groceries and heading home. Live bands play throughout the morning to entertain the adults while a pony ride pleases the youngsters.

Most importantly, they serve hot food! Vendors serve everything from piping hot omelets and French toast topped with freshly picked strawberries and blueberries in the morning to tacos and grilled corn on the cob at lunchtime. My favorite is to grab one of the enormous blueberry pancakes and chow down while I listen to one of the bands.

I am always amazed at the amount of people just hanging out here.  Young couples sitting around sharing a cup of coffee with each other and parents socializing as their children ride the ponies and run around the market are normal happenings, not the exception to the rule.  Of course, scenic Main Street offers enough distractions to keep most people around to window shop long after they have experienced the market. And don’t forget, the beach is merely two short blocks away giving you another great outdoor activity to enjoy on your Sunday.

Do you frequent a local farmer’s market? If so what do you like or dislike about it? If Main Street isn’t close to you, would you consider making a day trip there to take in the experience?

Alex Quaid is a Realtor and neighborhood expert,
focusing on the Westside communities of Los Angeles.
Follow Alex on Twitter at @alexquaid5


Image courtesy of Vaguely Artistic