Entertainment News

Homes sales up, prices down in San Fernando Valley:In yet another encouraging sign for the Valley's housing market, sales increased 13 percent in May from a year ago, one of the best performances since late 2009, a Realtor association said Friday. Last month 567 previously owned houses changed owners, 66 more than in May 2011, said the Van Nuys-based Southland Regional Association of Realtors. Sales increased 11 percent from 512 in April. "I think we're finally starting to see the increase in activity ... we've been hearing about the last couple of months," said Jim Link, the association's CEO. The median price of a Valley home fell 6 percent to $375,000 last month from $399,000 a year ago and in April. Home sales figures released Thursday by the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at Cal State Northridge showed a 25 percent jump in sales last month. The center tracks the market from Glendale through Calabasas. The Realtors figures cover Toluca Lake through Calabasas.

Claire Danes mansion is listed for $5.988 million:Claire Danes’ house in SoHo is 4000 square feet and sports massive windows, and sunny, loft-like feel. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fireplace, and an elevator that opens directly into the apartment. The exterior of Claire Dane’s house is relatively modest, and is tucked away on a side street behind a few trees. The property is listed for $5.988 million. The building dates back to the late 1800s, and has columns and exposed wood beams. Claire Dane’s house is nothing like the opulent mansions of her West Coast counterparts, but then again, it may be that down-to-earth quality, that has made her career so successful. She began her acting career onstage in New York, appearing in various productions around the city. She then transitioned to television in the early 90s, appearing as a guest star on an episode of “Law and Order”, and then on HBO’s “Lifestories: Families in Crisis”. Just two years after beginning her on-camera careeer, she booked two jobs, back-to-back, that would make her a household name. “My So-Called Life” was a short-lived, but much beloved drama, that only ran for nineteen episodes. Her performance on the show, however, which was completely believable and unaffected, garnered her a Golden Globe, and an Emmy nomination. That same year, she starred opposite Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon in a well-received adaptation of “Little Women”. From there, she began to gain more high-profile roles, including starring in Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet”, “The Rainmaker”, “Les Miserables”, “Igby Goes Down”, “The Hours”, “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”, and “Stardust”, among other projects. She took some time off to attend Yale University, but ultimately decided to focus on her acting career. In 2010, she won an Emmy for her performance in “Temple Grandin”, followed by a Golden Globe and a SAG Award for the same performance in 2011. Since October of 2011, she has been co-starring on the hit Showtime series, “Homeland”, and recently won another Golden Globe for her work. With all of her success, it is no wonder that she recently decided to sell the co-op she owns with her husband, fellow actor, Hugh Dancy.

Claire Danes mansion is listed for $5.988 million:Claire Danes’ house in SoHo is 4000 square feet and sports massive windows, and sunny, loft-like feel. It has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a fireplace, and an elevator that opens directly into the apartment. The exterior of Claire Dane’s house is relatively modest, and is tucked away on a side street behind a few trees. The property is listed for $5.988 million. The building dates back to the late 1800s, and has columns and exposed wood beams. Claire Dane’s house is nothing like the opulent mansions of her West Coast counterparts, but then again, it may be that down-to-earth quality, that has made her career so successful. She began her acting career onstage in New York, appearing in various productions around the city. She then transitioned to television in the early 90s, appearing as a guest star on an episode of “Law and Order”, and then on HBO’s “Lifestories: Families in Crisis”. Just two years after beginning her on-camera careeer, she booked two jobs, back-to-back, that would make her a household name. “My So-Called Life” was a short-lived, but much beloved drama, that only ran for nineteen episodes. Her performance on the show, however, which was completely believable and unaffected, garnered her a Golden Globe, and an Emmy nomination. That same year, she starred opposite Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon in a well-received adaptation of “Little Women”. From there, she began to gain more high-profile roles, including starring in Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet”, “The Rainmaker”, “Les Miserables”, “Igby Goes Down”, “The Hours”, “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”, and “Stardust”, among other projects. She took some time off to attend Yale University, but ultimately decided to focus on her acting career. In 2010, she won an Emmy for her performance in “Temple Grandin”, followed by a Golden Globe and a SAG Award for the same performance in 2011. Since October of 2011, she has been co-starring on the hit Showtime series, “Homeland”, and recently won another Golden Globe for her work. With all of her success, it is no wonder that she recently decided to sell the co-op she owns with her husband, fellow actor, Hugh Dancy.