Santa Cruz real estate……. where the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk lives

Millions of tourists visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk each year, but Santa Cruz real estate owners love to have fun too, and not just when they have out-of-town guests. The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is one of California’s most beloved theme parks amusements, consistently ranking in the Top 10 for California theme park attendance. Over three million people flock to this coastal wonderland and among them are many regulars–the Santa Cruz real estate owners who enjoy great weather year round in a fun, funky, beach town that has it all.

Santa Cruz real estate owners like to take their out-of-town visitors to the Board Walk where they can have fun with more than 30 rides, four arcades with both vintage machines and hundreds of modern video games, a game deck, 26 games of skill, 30 food vendors, an electronic shooting gallery, indoor miniature golf and over 15 gift shops with everything from beachwear to sunglasses and jewelry.

Most Santa Cruz residents have their own favorite rides. Some swear by the Giant Dipper. Some old timers may remember fondly that it used to cost 15 cents– but no longer. The 74 year-old wooden classic still draws Californians by the thousands each year at $3 a ride. The best thing that Santa Cruz real estate owners and visitors like is the view of Monterey Bay when they climb up to the top and just before the gut wrenching drop at a top speed of 55 mph. Some Santa Cruz real estate owners are proud of the fact that the Giant Dipper was featured in movies such as “Sudden Impact” and “The Sting,” ’The Lost Boys,” and “Dangerous Minds!”

More than 55 million riders have enjoyed the classic wooden coaster which was built by Arthur Looff in 1924. The Giant Dipper is now the 5th oldest roller coaster in the U.S., continuously operating in its original location.

Feeling brave? Try out the Boardwalk’s newest ride, the new Haunted Castle. Get ready for a spooky adventure as you spiral down into the dark dungeon deep below the Boardwalk.

Luckily, homes in Santa Cruz don’t come with dungeons, and if you come here to look at Santa Cruz real estate  be sure to visit the city’s famous Boardwalk.  Santa Cruz real estate can give you the ride of your life with the best journey in this beautiful city on the Monterey Bay. Call us at 831-818-7524 to see some great Santa Cruz beach homes!

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The Wharf to Wharf is a fun tradition with some 50 bands playing along the way. It is like a serpentine figure writhing along the coastline. The way lined often like a parade route.

Some may favor a location near the Yacht Harbor bridge or from one of the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor homes or from the Crows Nest working on a bloody Mary. Others will no doubt like to be by the water. My preference is a place like Pleasure Point. This cute community is all about the water and the surf. With a long unobstructed view of the water, this is where I liked to watch. The runners going by and the water in the background. If you owned a place like this, these Pleasure Point Ocean View apartments you would be in the thick of things and not have to go anywhere and could have plenty of friends over to enjoy the view and the music. See the video an you will know what I mean. For info call Gregg at 831-818-7524.
Pleasure Point Ocean View Apartments

This is a great place for those who like the water and the views.

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The Capitola Wharf to Wharf is always one of those fun events. It brings together local community members as volunteers, runners and friends who like to line the race, many in their Santa Cruz ocean view homes. This is always a number of bands that play along the way to add to the fun of the event. There are walkers, joggers and downright fast runners. Many ringers come in from other nations or states for the prize money and frequently it is one of these world class athletes that takes home the loot. So while they leave with the money we still keep the prized memories of the event.

Capitola oceanview homes have a great view along Prospect, as the runners come down Cliff Street from the Opal Cliffs neighborhood down hill to the finish line. This is a sold out event most years and is a lot of fun. The Capitola Wharf is a fun place have lunch after a run. Really it is a nice place for a drink to to watch the sunset or take a boat out and go fishing with you family after the race.

The Capitola Wharf to Wharf race is held in the morning. It is usually overcast as our summer days usually are in the mornings, which is perfect running weather. For those who like to line the race course from the Santa Cruz Beach Hill area of the boardwalk all the way along East Cliff Drive through Pleasure Point to Opal Cliffs and into Capitola, the scenery is all gorgeous. Along the way the ocean is just off your right shoulder, while many lovely homes will dot both sides of the street.

The Wharf to Wharf Race is a benefit to our local schools and sports and has a significant positive impact on getting our youth engaged in sports.

Here is a map of the course that is sort of fun to check out. The race is a 10K event ( 6.2 miles) and does not have much of a hill component.

If you want to have fun and play in a group or want to do some side show, contact the site as this is a fun participatory event for many. Play your tambourines, strum on your guitar, or play your bag pipes.

Bagpipers on my Alzheimers walk

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Monterey Ca is like most cities. The forth of July is a time for fun and celebration. Like many cities in the nation, things need to be kept in check financially. Having a parade though is one of those things all like and many can participate in, but that and the fireworks have gone away this year. So while that is a bit of a shame, I think all of us can appreciate trying to run the city government fiscally. So you can visit other local events from Carmel to Santa Cruz. Aptos for one will be hosting the “Worlds Shortest Parade”, which is always a bunch of fun. Monterey will be holding a Lawn Party, which should be fun.

So while we can celebrate by decorating the house, family car or dog in the old red white and blue, the spirit of independence is often lost. I frequently am thankful to the men and women of the generations that gave the ultimate sacrifice.

We often forget the meanings of the events we celebrate, but I think this one is for fun and should be something kids get the message that liberty and freedom come with costs and sacrifice. Not saying this needs to be a full blown history lesson for every 5 year old, but I think the importance of the event has been glossed over in the selling of stuff. We Americans are good at buying stuff and sometimes forget the ideas behind the events. Have fun, let me know what your thoughts and memories of the 4th of July are or should be.

These are times that I hope not to get the Monterey real estate call where someone wants to see something. Usually we have company over or if I need to show a place people have the house full.

Houses in Monterey are decked out, spiffed up, the umbrellas are in the yard and the barbecue’s are going. Who wants to clean up or vacate for anyone but a friend?

Let me know your favorite things you did this forth that were better or different without the parade and fireworks. Have fun, be safe.

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Betty’s Burgers

The west end of 41st avenue has turned into the food destination for the casual diner looking for a good meal. Pleasure Point now has about half a dozen restaurants or food joints all in close proximity to each other. For Pleasure Point real estate owners, this nice to be able to walk or bike to. For company it is a casual good meal, close by.

The choices, and not all, are Canton Restaurant, a longstanding local favorite Chinese restaurant, back after a hiatus in lovely new building, designed by James Leung and built by his brother Conti. The Canton Restaurant has a nice feel and is different from another local favorite, Taqueria Vallarta. This local Mexican chain serves a really good burrito,and ( you can get whole wheat, spinach, tomato tortillas) the other dishes you expect, and walk away full without killing your wallet. Hanks at the hook is the anchor and also has a nice feel with a different menu. There is Pink Godzilla Sushi too and Naka Sushi.

Betty’s Burgers just opened their second local location at 1000 -41st Ave, Santa Cruz. 41st Avenue is a weird street, some parts are Santa Cruz (Live Oak) and other parts of it are Capitola. This Betty’s Burger location was ready after an extensive remodel of an old bank that sat for awhile. Santa Cruz commercial real estate has a round of vacancies and they jumped on the opportunity to join the crowd as food businesses down here seem to be doing fine.

Nearby to Opal Cliffs, Live Oak and the Capitola area, the newest addition seems to have a full parking lot when I go by. I found an opportunity to go by and had a wait of about 10 minutes. They have indoor and outdoor seating. There are about 10 hamburger selections with the last 2 or 3 being fowl or even fish. There is even a veggie burger for those who can stand the smell of hamburgers, but can’t bring themselves to eat a nice half pound of beef.

I had the (Pleasure) Point Grinder, which has mushrooms, bacon and blue cheese. They have my favorites fries, sweet potatoes as well as regular. I had the onion rings which was good size and were served hot and were good. I also had a 12 ounce blackberry shake. That too was good and they have about half a dozen other flavors as well. All in all a good meal. Really the whole day’s calories in one sitting for me. The price was a bit stiff for a lunch on a regular basis, but it seems they find a steady market. Their other location on Murray in Seabright seems to be doing a good business as well. With there really not being anyone in this market space, I think they will do well. A  real hamburger joint always is in vogue with the young crowd, and the sort of throw back, but reasonable sized menu should make the place a favorite with all going away full and satisfied.

The place has a nice interior, sort of reminded me a bit of the old Pontiac Grill, but a bit more modern. The building looks fresh and inviting with a summer crowd that is sure to enjoy the outdoor patio.

So if you are contemplating a Live Oak real estate purchase, being close to shopping and eating establishments like Betty’s Burgers can help you live a big green and get some exercise going to this local favorite hangout. Ride your bike or walk on over for a burger.

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Senior Real Estate Specialists(SRES)

Seniors Enter the Housing Market

Senior Real Estate Specialists, or SRES for short, are REALTORS® who have received specialized training in order to better serve clients who are senior citizens. To receive this designation one must learn about some of the legal and tax aspects that are involved when a senior is buying or selling a home, as well as the emotional ramifications of moving later on in life. Senior Real Estate Specialists can guide seniors through the process of selling their home, finding a new house that will meet their needs, and can empathize with the emotions involved with the entire process. Like any subject from a doctor or a repairman, a specialist is better able to help you and your loved one make the transition from the beloved family home to one that is more fitting for the current needs.

While selling a home can be stressful for people of any age, it is a particularly difficult experience for older sellers. They may have lived in the neighborhood for many years, and raised their family in the home. There are many years of memories to pack up and leave behind, which can lead to a great deal of sadness and anxiety about the future. As with our current economy, confidence and having a clear sense of direction makes for a better outcome.

In addition to saying goodbye to the past, seniors must think about the future as they look at potential new homes. Do they plan to move again, or is this where they plan to spend their remaining years? If this is their final move, then the house needs to accommodate any physical limitations that the person may incur later on, such as relying on a walker or a wheelchair to get around. It is helpful to consider the family tree for which maladies maybe in the lineage, in making this choice. The doorways and hallways need to be wide enough to accommodate mobility devices, and the house itself should ideally be one level. As our bones and muscles begin to weaken, some may find stairs to be difficult, and even dangerous.

Another concern is yard size. Seniors need to keep in mind that while they can currently tend to a large garden, and mow the lawn, they will not always be able to be so active. They need a property that will be manageable in size as they get older. For some, the resources of a gardener, can be a burden as well as worrying about all the lovely plants that once adorned the yard.

Senior Real Estate Specialists also have experience dealing with the financial issues that may come up for seniors, including reverse mortgages, estate taxes,trusts and more. These agents can assist seniors with the paperwork and contractual issues that may not have existed the last time the senior was in the real estate market. All of these items in addition to selling and moving can be overwhelming, especially if the person is moving to a new area. Having an SRES by your side can be immensely helpful. As a Santa Cruz SRES, helping bridge the transition with an adult child and a parent allowing their “kids” to help is a touching and rewarding experience.

Senior specialists also know that not all seniors are the same. Baby boomers have different priorities than older seniors, and even then, everyone has individual requirements. These REALTORS® are trained to respect each seller as an individual, and to not make assumptions about their needs. Call one today and start working on your plans for change.

Gregg Camp is an experienced Santa Cruz real estate broker who has spent more than 20 years working in the beautiful Santa Cruz home market. Search for homes with a Santa Cruz Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and view property listings at PropertyInSantaCruz.com.

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History of the Looff Carousel and Roller Coaster-Santa Cruz,Ca. Home of the boardwalk

A Santa Cruz home is more than a place to hang your hat. A Santa Cruz home is also the place where historic entertainment attractions lie just outside your door.

Early development of Santa Cruz’s beach began in 1865 when the first of several public bath houses began providing amenities for enjoying the sand and ocean. A dance hall, the Neptune Casino, opened in 1904, but less than two years later this attempt to expand seaside entertainment to Santa Cruz fell victim to a kitchen fire that soon engulfed the entire structure. Plans were quickly made to rebuild. The Coconut Grove and Boardwalk officially opened in June of 1907. Since then, Santa Cruz homeowners have seen their local boardwalk honored with listings on the National Register of Historic Places not once, but twice.

The Boardwalk’s Looff Carousel was erected in late summer of 1911. Each horse was hand carved with a unique facial expression, a real horsehair tail, and agate eyes. When a hurricane damaged many Santa Cruz homes in September of 1938, the carousel ponies broke loose. Fortunately, all of them were recovered in nearby sand dunes where many of them had been buried by the stormy surf. The horses that you can ride today are a combination of many originals and a few replacements that were salvaged from other amusement parks.

The Giant Dipper, a wooden roller coaster built in 1924, also survived that storm and many since then. It undergoes constant maintenance, has had its trains replaced several times, and got a new facade in 1976, but it still delivers old-fashioned fun. Both the Carousel and the coaster were recognized by the U.S. National Park Service and designated as historic landmarks in 1987.

For those who own a Santa Cruz home, family entertainment is never more than a few minutes away. Yet many folks travel hundreds of miles to visit this last historic seaside amusement park on the West Coast.

If you live here in a Santa Cruz, home is where your heart is, be it at the beach or the boardwalk. This is such a fun place that has memories for all generations. There are things all year round for Santa Cruz homeowners, that it is often the free concerts or other events that bring us back and the fun simple rides like the Santa Cruz carousel horses that get us back on to have fun again.

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I was reading recently where there was a survey of smart phone users on their response to advertising on their cell phones. While I find more of my Santa Cruz real estate customers are using their smart phones out in the field to look up property, I think many of us are going to have concerns about receiving advertising on them.

According to the survey by Compete , 36 percent of smart phone users said that they would be most interested in receiving grocery coupons, while others indicated diverse interests. Many found an interest in being able to use scannable barcodes (29 percent) to check the price of an item,while others found offers to save on leisure items(26 percent), movie theater offers and promotions (26 percent) of interest. A newer concept to many in the public area location-based ads via SMS (21 percent) and travel website coupons (20 percent), depending on where you are. For instance if you are near a Starbucks, an add for that store might pop up and draw you in, not that you need much urging at the moment. Regular SMS ads, which some of us receive frequently on our cell phones, were in fact the least desirable. Only 15 percent of the respondents expressed interest in receiving them that way.

So it seems that with targetable advertising technology that you may soon be able to go by a real estate listing and have the info for the house be broadcast to you. That sort of thing was available in the 80′s with you driving by the Santa Cruz home of interest and tuning your car radio on to the station ,and receive the home information  while seated in your car.

If you are looking for the up-to-date Carmel real estate listings, this is the place to do so. You can find them on your smart phone and give us a call to set up 1an appointment. Call Gregg at 831-818-7524

PropertyinSantaCruz.com won’t be sending advertising, but you can get Santa Cruz  or Carmel real estate on your phone if you have an I-Phone or some other smartphone. I find many more Santa Cruz agents are able to communicate more quickly with their client as they are able to get their e-mail on the fly instead of being tied to a computer. Soon we shall all find new ways to communicate and businesses with you and you with them.

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Pacific Collegiate School is a highly sought after school. Housed in the old Natural Bridges Elementary School on the west side of Santa Cruz, this unassuming place is getting top marks for education.

So while they have slipped from their lofty heights, Pacific Collegiate School is still a school can hang their hat on with pride. So it was with that history of doing well, that it does not surprise me to hear a lottery was needed to get into the school. Mind you, this is not a school for slackers, but those who are dedicated to working hard,and excelling in school. Schools like people, are different. We all don’t learn the same way, for that reason there are many choices for people to have their kids schooled. Since schools and students are tested in a standardized fashion, it is a relatively easy means to measure up so to speak.

The educational opportunities in Santa Cruz can be numerous. I have a list of quite a few of them with their websites or contact information.

This year they had drawing of about 250 names from a pool of 550 to find who is eligible to enroll for the next 2010-2011 school year for 7th graders. Applicants for grades 8-12 will be added to a waiting list. This was a record number of applications for the school, which goes to show the strength of interest for the education of Santa Cruz kids, even in a tough economically challenged year.

If you are lucky enough to get your kid into PCS, you may want to be in a west side Santa Cruz home so they can have the exercise and pleasure of walking to school as we did as kids. Physical exercise is as important as mental exercise and walking in the beautiful west side of Santa Cruz is a good thing to do.

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If you are resident of a Santa Cruz mobile home park, you probably know the issues that have been brewing for years with different parks around the county. Capitola mobile home park owners are in a bit of a fix and tizzy.

The basics are this. At one point in time it made economic sense for a land owner to get the zoning approvals and do all the site work and rent out the spaces in mobile home park. This provided a good return and filled a need for those looking for an inexpensive retirement location or vacation place. Capitola mobile home parks were desired, as in many places, for being cheap.

Fast forward 30 or 40 years and the property values of Capitola homes have gone up dramatically. Right now, being an anomaly for Santa Cruz home values, they climbed to heights not ever imagined. This means the underlying land values have skyrocketed up in value.

So now mobile home park owners are trying to get a better return on their investments want to sell the parks for market value of the land. The value of the land, particularly of the Surf and Sand Mobile home park in Capitola has risen dramatically as Capitola home prices have escalated and the land is under-utilized from a value standpoint. The land is much more valuable as housing. Frankly in my opinion, if there weren’t so many votes at stake, I think most any city would prefer the tax revenue that these Capitola oceanview homes would generate.

So the issue comes down to residents who have purchased their coaches now wanting to purchase the park if they can afford it, and the seller wanting to get the highest and best value for their investment. Now I know that the sellers of these mobile homes, when this park issue was not in the air, were steadfast in getting the highest value for their mobile home. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, it is uncomfortable.

Hopefully both sides can come to a place that works for both. There is in my opinion undeniably higher value given to a location with ocean views and a location close to the water. Who wouldn’t like to be close to Capitola village? As the old real estate adage, location, location, location is a big function of value, that cannot be discounted in my opinion. Here is an interesting article that may shed some idea of value. Turner Lane is a nice little park, but no where near as close to the ocean.

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Cafe Rio was a local tradition at Rio Del Mar beach. Pat had built it up over many years, then as with so many business owners sold it to retire, but probably carried a note on the sale. Pretty normal in many cases, though not totally desirable for all parties. He does still own the real estate.

The new owner made the mistake in my limited opinion of changing the menu, which meant eliminating some of what the locals had come to like. I know of several people who didn’t like those changes and didn’t go back. I would think the thing to do was to add some things and see what your sales count were for the different items, but I am not a restaurateur. So while that may have contributed to slower business, I think Wall Street greed was one of the big factors. Why you ask. If Wall Street hadn’t strong armed the security ratings agencies, AM Best, Moody’s and Fitch to rate crap loans as AAA rated securities, the banks would not have continued to sell them to public. With out those loans the Rio Del Mar Beach real estate market and other across the nation would not have become so heated.

Image all the cars replaced by dirt and construction equipment

As it was with the market imploding, little business like Cafe Rio started wilting as people were not out having their weekly or monthly dinners or lunches. With negative mortgages, lack of jobs and a major fear of the market, people contract. Recession make people withhold what they normally do.

So the final straw that killed them in my opinion WAS THE CONSTRUCTION WORK. I live near by and drive by and it was a mess. No doubt one has to work sometime and winter is better than summer, the reality is now one want to go where there is no parking or to look at piles or dirt, piping, and construction equipment. So I do think the county has a responsibility to pay the businesses for their loss of business. I had a similar occurrence in Live Oak where we were impacted by construction.

What are your thoughts? Should government ( that is us folks) pay for the loss of business that is inflicted on a business owner? I think so.

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There are a lot of advantages to owning a Santa Cruz beach house. Whether you are a savvy investor or just a person looking for a beautiful place to live, a Santa Cruz beach house may be just what you are looking for. The view of the ocean is spectacular and there are several state parks nearby that provide a variety of outdoor activities and experiences. The weather is always mild; summer temperatures are generally 70-80 degree degrees Fahrenheit and rarely falls below 45 which makes it comfortable year round.

Looking for a Comfortable Place to Live?

If you are looking for a comfortable place to live or vacation, a Santa Cruz beach house is a great idea. Whether you are looking to call this place home or just a home away from home, your beachfront dwelling offers a peaceful retreat with the smell and sounds of the ocean surrounding you. Many people who have moved from the more unpredictable climates of the Midwest enjoy not having to worry about whether they will need shorts one day and a winter jacket the next, because every day is mild and comfortable in Santa Cruz.

Is Buying a Home These Days an Investment?

It almost seems difficult to call most real estate purchases these days “investments” because the market is so volatile, but buying a Santa Cruz beach house is still a good investment for two very important reasons:

1.The prices on Santa Cruz beach houses have remained higher while other house prices have dropped and historically these houses have continued to increase in value.

2.There is always a demand for beachfront rentals in California, so you can keep it rented out almost as often as you would like. A rental home like this is a good source of residual income.

Finding a stable real estate investment these days is difficult, but not impossible because purchasing a Santa Cruz beach house is still a wise investment.

Where’s the Beach?

There are over 29 miles of gorgeous beaches in Santa Cruz County and each has its own unique features and beauty. Some of the popular Santa Cruz beach houses may be found in Rio Del Mar, Bonny Doon, Lighthouse Point, Sunset and Twin Lakes, but there are so many that it can be difficult to choose. The beaches are also surrounded by state parks so you never have to worry about the area becoming too populated, because these cannot be developed, and you are always assured a good dose of nature at your beachfront home.

Just another Day at the Beach

Breathtaking ocean views, mild year-round temperatures and beautiful state parks are just a few of the reasons to consider purchasing a Santa Cruz beach house. Other considerations may include the wider variety of eco-friendly homes available and the warm friendly neighbors with their laid-back California attitudes or the great investment potential. Whether you are looking for an investment, a full-time home or a vacation get-a-way, you may want to consider looking at a Santa Cruz beach house.

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As the winter swiftly moves into top gear and with most of the US receiving heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures, it’s only wise to beat the drop in temperatures by turning up the thermostat, shutting the doors and windows and, if possible, to light up a fire. However, considering the climbing heating costs, its important to plan and wisely choose a heating method as soon as possible – obviously when choosing a viable heating method; there are a number of variables that factor into that decision – climate, efficiency, size of the house and availability are just to name a few.

Regardless of whatever heating method you bank on; it can safely be said that “cost and affordability” are by far the biggest concerns for families all across the US. So the next logical question is, what can we do to beat the dreaded chill without spending too much? Here are some quick answers:

Take a good look at your windows: Believe it or not but windows are a money pit when it comes to wasting heat – its only wise to lake a good hard look at your windows and try to spot any gaps, cracks, drafts and leaks. If you spot too many of these, then it would be a financially viable idea to replace your old windows altogether. Yes, replacing your windows with higher efficiency windows will cost you more upfront; but in the long run it will save you a good amount of money in terms of heating costs. If you cannot replace your windows (for any reason) then try to look for a work around via which those cracks, leaks and drafts can be plugged.

You would also want to make sure your heating elements are squeaky clean. Perform frequent maintenance and regularly replace the filters so that the chances of a break down are minimized – doing this will also ensure your heating system runs less frequently; thereby pulling down heating costs.

If you want to save money on heating then you should set your thermostat timer so that it does not run while there is no one at home. You can easily plan for the heat to turn on a few minutes before you reach back home – similarly you can plan for the heat to turn off as soon as you leave for work.

Most energy companies offer monthly, weekly or quarterly payment plans in which they would offer to average out your energy costs and then based on the numbers, they would offer a monthly or quarterly plan. This is a good idea if your energy consumption is consistent and predictable – if not, you will end up paying a “square up” fees if you go over the anticipated average.

Paying for heating can be very expensive in the winters and that is why it is absolutely pivotal for you to pre-plan for the winters in advance. Allocating a certain budget towards heating every month is a good idea and will lessen the impact of heating expenses in the winters.

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Returning back to the nest… gracefully.

The unemployment rate in the US reached a 26 year high in October when it crept past the dreaded 10 percent mark. With over 16 million Americans unable to find jobs, more and more parents are finding their children returning back to the nest – and why not; since mom’s and pop’s house is probably the only place for these downsized and right-sized young adults to turn to where paying the utility bills, putting food in the refrigerator, cable TV and getting the laundry done etc does not cost a mini fortune. The fact of the matter is that these trying economic times have made moving back to the nest not only a financially viable option but in fact for millions of Americans it has become the only option.

However, moving back in with the folks could be anything from a seamless process to a very intricate and bumpy one. Therefore there are a few things which one should think over before making a final decision. For example, it’s a good idea to ask yourself what kind of relationship you have with your folks – the dynamics of a family seldom change with time – so if your parents were controlling, nagging, probing, irritable or aggressive, there is a very slim chance that they might have changed since you moved out. Keep that at the back of your mind.

Secondly, notice whether or not the folks have downsized their house and whether or not they still have room enough to accommodate you? It’s absolutely pivotal to know if there are other brothers and sisters still living with mom and dad – if yes, then it’s good because the folks would still be in “parenting” mode and therefore having another son or daughter around wound not really make much of difference. However, it will be a totally different and complicated story if none of your brothers and sisters have been living with the parents for a very long time.

It’s also a good idea to make a mental inventory of what you can do for your parents while you are living with them – can you mow the lawn, shovel the snow, cook, do the plumbing, the electrical work, buy the groceries etc? Look for ways to add value to the house and to save your parents some money.

Also moving back in with your parents is not the same as sharing a house with friends and roommates. There may be restrictions, rules and regulations that they would want you to adhere to. Sincerely ask yourself if you are willing to comply and give up some of your liberties, if need be.

From a parent’s standpoint, what they may want to see is your effort to make things work. Go back to your academic education or learning a new skill or language, cut your spending as much as humanly possible, tell them how exactly do you plan on getting back on your feet, keep them updated on what you are doing, respectfully listen to their suggestions and advice and thank them for their patience and support. Last but not least, when you eventually move back out, send them a sincere “thank you” note – it would mean the world to them.

“Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.”

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Do you often begin your day by looking for misplaced stuff and after a couple of hours of hysteric searching and getting ready for work you find yourself chaotically running out of the house with your energies already drained? What a way to begin a Monday morning? If this is true for you, then you are not alone and all that’s really required is some personal organization – yes, personal organization may not be an earth shattering priority for you as yet; but it can save you a lot of day-to-day suffering in the forms of late arrivals at work, missed meetings and un-kept appointments. When all these little day-to-day stresses and “time-stealing” mis-happenings are added up; you will realize that these are the very reasons why your life is out of true and therefore not conducive for any big positive changes – after all life is more than just looking for that missing sock.

Those who don’t care to de-clutter their homes and their lives, tend to be easily distracted and always striving to make it on time as opposed to those who choose to take a more methodical and systematic approach to living. The tips mentioned below are intended to help in de-cluttering your home – doing so will ultimately result in a drastic decrease in your stress level and a drastic increase in your ability to get more done everyday.

Tip – 1: First, divide the contents of your closet into three categories – one for the stuff you frequently use, the second for the stuff you sometimes use and the third for the stuff you never use at all. Out of the two garbage bags, make one a “donation bag” and the the other a “throw away bag”. Take everything in the third category (the “never use” category) and put it either in the donation bag or the throw away bag – use your best judgement to decide what is worth donating and what should simply be trashed. Usually people would hang onto useless stuff just because it reminds them of someone, something or sometime. Be strong. Put it in the bag. Other times people would hang onto something just because it is “cute” or “adorable”. Be strong. Put it in the bag.

Once you are done with your closet, move onto the other clutter centers and use the same strategy. Continue to move from one clutter center to the other until you have done away with approx 30-40 percent of your stuff.

Tip – 2: If you like to collect stuff as a hobby (like shoes, ties and designer clothes etc) then be sure to dedicate a separate space for those items and limit those shoes or ties to that space only. It is definitely not a bad idea to spend some money on a few storage containers. Keep little things, which can easily be misplaced, together. Similarly, you will save a lot of time and peace of mind if you keep smaller things together. Usually people would succumb to the temptation of not putting things back from where they got it – this is a big clutter-creator and a definite no-no. Don’t fall for that. Be strong. Put it back in its place NOW.

Tip – 3: Learn to use your space in the best possible way. Putting away seasonal items (especially huge and bulky ones like blankets and quilts etc) is one good way to get the proverbial ball rolling.

Similarly, use that extra storage space to good use by putting your extra toilet paper, towels, travel bags, CDs, books (that you don’t use very often) and idle electronic stuff in them – and be sure to store away similar stuff together with the heavier stuff at the bottom of the pile.

A healthy and organized house is the bedrock for a healthy and organized mind. Remember and live by the old saying, “A place for everything, and everything in its place”.

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Whether you are looking to visit or relocate to California, Pacific Grove may be a good place to start. Located in Central Coastal California, Pacific Grove is a quaint Victorian community. This medium sized community of around 15,000 residents is located on the coast in Monterrey County. It is known for its monarch butterfly migrations, legacy of artists, and Asilomar State Beach. It also has the largest number of Victorian houses per capita than anywhere else in the United States, many of which have been turned into bed and breakfast inns. Also located in Pacific Grove is the Pinos Point Lighthouse, which is the oldest continuously lit lighthouse on the Pacific Coast. Near all of these locations you may find some great Pacific Grove homes for sale.

Pacific Grove was founded by a group of Methodists who originally visited the area to meditate and relax. They modeled the village after the New Jersey town of Ocean Grove. The fresh scented pines and the beautiful butterflies eventually attracted more people into this coastal community where they found Pacific Grove homes for sale. Many well known authors, such as John Steinbeck and Robert Louis Stevenson, called Pacific Grove home for several years. It is also known as the place where the singer John Denver died. Its location, neighboring Carmel-by-the-sea and a short 30 mile drive to Big Sur, makes it a favorite vacation destination for residents of San Francisco, which is only 2 and a half hours to the north. If you are looking for a quiet place to relocate, consider the Monterrey area and the many Pacific Grove homes for sale. Because it is not located on a main highway, it is considered by its residents, to be a quiet community due to its being off the beaten path. If you are looking to visit the Monterrey area, including Pacific Grove, there are many sites to see such as the renowned Monterrey Bay Aquarium. Nearby is also the National Steinbeck Center, named after John Steinbeck; Colton Hall, where the state Constitution of California was drawn up; Monterrey State Historic Park, home of the Custom House, California’s first government building; and Carmel-by-the-sea, which is an artist’s paradise. You can also take whale watching or deep sea fishing excursions out into the Bay.

If you are looking for a place to live in Central California look no further than Pacific Grove. Here you can enjoy the wonderful things life has to offer, such as great year round weather, many golf course choices, ocean views, great attractions, and a quiet residence. Due to the constantly changing demographics, there are many available Pacific Grove homes for sale in the area. With the changing economy, many homes in the area have become more affordable for the average home owner.

There are Pacific Grove homes for sale in all price ranges. These include Pacific Grove homes for sale along one of the many area golf courses, such as Pebble Beach, where some of the PGA tournaments are played; or Pacific Grove homes for sale overlooking the ocean, where you could be just steps from the sandy beaches. If you have school age children, you may want to consider checking into the Pacific Grove homes for sale near one of the two elementary schools in the community. There may be some available within walking distance from one of them.

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Many large cities have very polluted air. California is one of the worst states for air pollution, in certain areas. Residents of Carmel by the sea may not have it as bad as those living in Los Angeles or San Francisco, but the risk for air pollution related breathing disorders exists throughout the state. What sort of effects can pollution have on your child? Can pollution be a direct cause of pediatric asthma? Both are very pertinent questions and the answers are in this article along with some of the signs and symptoms of pediatric asthma.

Some of the signs and symptoms that you should look for in a child living in Carmel by the sea, or any area around a polluted city, are: coughing (especially if it happens mostly at night), wheezing, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and tightness in the chest. Other signs that your child may be suffering from asthma are: fatigue and lack of energy, restlessness during sleep, unusual paleness, sweating or anxiety, and irritability. It is not so much that your child has one or two of these from time to time, but that they have many of them, frequently.

The large cities that surround Carmel by the sea spread pollution, but what is pollution exactly? A simple definition of pollution is: airborne particulate matter that is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic substances which are divided into two groups: coarse and fine particles. The fine particles include formed aerosols, combustion particles, and metal vapors. The large particles are things like dust from the road, farming or a factory. Now, what does pollution have to do with pediatric asthma? The fine particles are the ones mostly to blame. Air pollution makes all lung diseases (COPD, asthma, emphysema) worse as the smog levels go up. It has also been proven that the lung development in children in areas of high smog is slower than in other areas. Some children do not achieve full lung capacity because of the smog they live in. The good news is that lung development begins again if the child moves away from the smog. These results were published in multiple issues of the American Journal of Respiratory And Critical Care.

Pediatric asthma attacks have been shown to have many triggers. Very few children share the same full set of triggers, but pollution is a very common one in large cities and the areas around them. In some cases moving the child into an area with less pollution, like Carmel by the sea, has been shown to improve the child’s overall health as well as the number and severity of their asthma attacks. As a parent, the most helpful things that you can do is to explain asthma to your child and to provide the cleanest environment for them to live and breath in. Sometimes, making the move away from the city is your only choice for your child’s health and safety.

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Owning a Rio Del Mar beach house is a pleasure because they provide the owner with a lovely place to vacation and a great source of income when they are rented out. Rio Del Mar beach houses are always in demand by vacationers who enjoy the mild weather and beautiful sandy beaches of the Rio Del Mar beach in Santa Cruz County, California. The Santa Cruz, California area offers a relaxing and enjoyable environment that is not likely to change much due to too much construction. With the limitations of the area, the demand for Rio Del Mar beach homes is likely to continue as there is no new supply. The many protected state parks and state beaches in the area, give a sense of natural wealth and beauty to the Rio Del Mar beach residents.

Friendly to the Environment
Many new Rio Del Mar beach houses are built to be eco-friendly which is a nice fit for the nature preserves andl parks in the area, and living there is an environmentalist’s dream come true. Enjoying the beauty of nature in a home that has a minimal impact on the environment makes this lifestyle perfect for them. On the other hand, who wouldn’t enjoy the ocean breeze and calming waves washing ashore while they enjoy a relaxed California lifestyle? This is the type of thing you see in the movies and it actually exists’ in Rio Del Mar, Aptos California.

The Weather is Delightful
Another reason that Rio Del Mar beach houses are eco-friendly is that the weather is always comfortable. You don’t need an air conditioner since temperatures rarely rise above 80 degrees and a furnace is rarely turned on much of the year when temperature infrequently drop below the 40’s. A nice fireplace or pellet stove should keep you quite comfortable on those cooler winter nights. This is a great plus for saving on maintenance since there is no winterization required if you are going to leave the house empty for a long period of time, you won’t have to worry about pipes freezing and bursting while you are gone.

A Good Investment
Another great advantage to owning Rio Del Mar beach houses is that they hold their value well despite what is going on in the real estate market. You can still consider a beach house purchase in Rio Del Mar an investment and you are likely to make a profit if you decide to sell your home later on. Few places in the country today offer a stable real estate market and that is probably one of the major advantages of owning Rio Del Mar beach houses.

Friendly People
Finally, the people in Rio Del Mar are friendly and down to earth which makes living or vacationing in Rio Del Mar beach houses even more of a pleasure. Perhaps the perpetually mild weather and calming sound of the ocean helps to reduce stress and make people happier, but in any event, it is a nice place to be. So much of the hustle and bustle lifestyle that is prevalent elsewhere just doesn’t exist there. If you are looking for a comfortable place to live, a more eco-friendly environment or just a good investment, Rio Del Mar beach houses are something you will want to consider.

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As New Year draws closer, many of us feel the need to sit down and chalk out a list of New Year’s resolutions. Come February and we find ourselves, once again, feeling guilty and beating ourselves up over how and why we have let ourselves slip back into our old habits and tendencies – this has been happening for hundreds of years to almost everyone. But what is the truth about New Year’s resolutions anyway? And why, despite of our apparently noble intentions, are we so addicted to chalking out a bunch of self-promises which crash land even before they get a chance to take off? What are the mechanics behind this phenomenon and what can we do about it? Here are the answers:

The flaw lies in the process itself – meaning that we start off the New Year usually with lofty goals of losing hundreds of pounds, quadrupling our incomes, bringing that miraculous spark back into our relationships and attaining Olympic emotional and psychological strength. While writing out these promises, we easily forget that we are, after all, human and that such gigantic change does not happen just because the year has rolled over. Losing hundreds of pounds will require us to get up and get moving every day, one day at a time (no matter what month and year it is). Quadrupling the all important income stream will require careful, slow, calculated and consistent steps in the right direction everyday – this requires brutal self discipline and a never-say-die attitude (regardless of the year and the month on our calendars). Similarity, getting relationships back on track is no exception – it’s a consistent and never ending plugging away in the form of love, care, respect and truth – everyday, no exceptions.

New Year’s resolutions seem to be like an unconquerable beast; and that is because the idea that New Years are supposed to bring big changes is untrue and impractical – you can’t expect to go drunk on the night of December the 31st and then resolve to never drink again from the following morning onwards. To reiterate: the concept of making huge life changes in one day is bound to fall flat because we are creatures of habits that are hard wired into our brains via complex neuro-associations – changing these habits take time, patience, fearlessness towards failing and a resolve which grows from strength to strength with each little internal and external win over old habits.

So what is the solution? Rather than going after many huge goals; consider chopping your goals into smaller weekly (or even daily) goals. Instead of just making yourself a New Year wish list, consider devising a strategy with multiple plans, complimentary plans and backup plans. Instead of saying, “I will lose a hundred pounds”; make a resolution to simply get up from bed every morning for a ten minute walk. Instead of saying, “I will improve my relationship with my wife”; consider saying, “I will start with sending her flowers every Monday morning”. Instead of saying “I will create the next Google”; consider saying, “I will spend my weekends understanding the business, talking to the right people and coming up with unique and fresh business ideas”.

Remember that great success in any aspect of life does not come instantly. Infact, being successful is not a destination; it is a direction towards which we consistently move in, without ever giving up or giving in.

Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year – and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade! – Tony Robbins

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Type I, or juvenile, diabetes usually strikes children near their Monterey real estate and their Monterey home suddenly and makes them dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life. The disease also carries the near constant threat of crippling and devastating complications. Juvenile diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is not fully understood. Scientists believe that genetics and environment both play a role in the disease process. While insulin keeps a person alive, it does not cure diabetes nor does it prevent the eventual effects of the disease.

Children with juvenile diabetes require constant attention in their Monterey real estate and Monterey home. A sufferer of the disease will have to take multiple injections of insulin or have a constant flow from an infusion pump. This takes place while the patient tries to balance out their insulin use with their daily sugar intake. These patients must always be on the lookout for the signs and symptoms of both hypo and hyperglycemia.

Now that you are scared stiff at your Monterey real estate and in your Monterey home by the challenges faced by your child, let’s try and look at some of the ways that you can help your little one. The single greatest asset that you have is your ability to give them emotional support. These little guys will be scared to death and feel ill pretty frequently, especially when they are first diagnosed. The second thing that you can do is to help them learn how to watch their diet. They will need this skill for the rest of their life and it will help to extend their life.

You already know how to give them the support that they need. So, let’s look into what food you can buy near your Monterey real estate and serve in your Monterey home that will help them keep a balance between their sugar intake and their insulin levels. Start off by learning the diabetic conversions of certain foods. Your health care provider will give you this chart as soon as a diagnosis is made. Next, comes the tough part: learning the right foods to buy and getting your child to like and eat them. To help you with that, I have added a nice recipe to this article. There is a full list of diabetic recipes at this link.

This is a recipe that you can make with your child to help them learn about their own unique food needs.

Italian Baked Eggs

Ingredients:
• One small zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
• ½ cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped red or green sweet pepper
• Two cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Six egg whites
• One egg
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1 tablespoon shredded fresh basil
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. This equals one ounce

In a medium skillet cook zucchini, onion, sweet pepper, and garlic in hot oil until onion is tender. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together the egg whites, egg, milk, and basil. Stir in zucchini mixture. Pour into four individual quiche dishes or shallow casserole dishes that are about 4-1/2 inches in diameter.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until set. Sprinkle each serving with mozzarella cheese. Let stand for five minutes before serving. If desired, sprinkle with chopped tomato.
This will make four nice servings.

Juvenile diabetes presents many challenges to you and your child, but they can all be accommodated to help your child live as normal and as long a life as possible. New and interesting areas of research may help the health care providers near your Monterey real estate and your Monterey home to find better treatments or possibly a cure for this horrible disease in the future.

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It’s not difficult to visualize the immense impact of having students from various geographical locations and backgrounds collaborating and sharing experiences and knowledge on a given subject.

Even though many people wish they could get a good university or college degree, very few actually manage to achieve that. The reason for this is because a person’s work and family commitments generally take precedence over the need to be present at a university or college campus – it’s the classic case of doing what’s urgent and pressing over what’s important (but not necessarily urgent). Yes, finances too play an integral part in deciding on whether to get enrolled in a university or college or not – but, it seems that time-related problems hold people back more than money-related problems. However, the gigantic strides in technology may present a viable solution to this predicament.

Distance learning tactics have now managed to bring themselves at par with conventional on-campus learning. The problems that arose from inefficient communication mediums have now been laid to rest. Thanks to the advancements in technology – today students can learn, research, network and share information with fellow students in ways that were inconceivable just a few years ago. For instance, instant messaging services and discussion boards have opened the flood gates for mind opening debates, discussions and collaborative study. These communication tools also now allow students to easily evaluate their progress and their knowledge against that of other students.

Apart from the ease in communication, the internet has also allowed students access to premium information for absolutely no cost at all. Previously this kind of information was only available in either huge libraries or accessible via subscription to expensive journals. The internet allows everyone an equal opportunity to share their views and perspectives on any given subject – this promotes open-mindedness, independent thinking and a three sixty degree perspective on the most important questions. This is diametrically opposite to the lopsided education that students were being given previously.

There is no doubt that virtual education has immense potential and the challenge therefore is to ensure that it realizes its fullest potential by harnessing the oceanic and highly versatile powers of technology. There are examples like Second Life which have virtual classrooms, campuses, laboratories and other research facilities all in one location on the internet. It’s not difficult to visualize the immense impact of having students from various geographical locations and backgrounds collaborating and sharing experiences and knowledge on a given subject. It is for this very reason that many top-tier Universities, like Harvard, are now jumping onto the virtual bandwagon.

Distance learning would also positively impact the educational system by allowing struggling students to learn at their own pace and in their own unique ways. It would also allow them to be more open and ask more questions without the fear of embarrassment. Technology can help us retain the community-like environment of traditional universities and colleges while doing away with the hassle and pointlessness of being physically present in a classroom.

The only reason why distance learning has not yet overtaken conventional learning is probably because many students are yet to mentally accept that they can get an equally good education without needing to step outside their homes.

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If you have come here in search of information on Carmel homes, then you probably already know what this beautiful California city has to offer. Voted year after year as a top tourist destination, there is no American city more breathtakingly beautiful than Carmel. Located on sugar white beaches and bordered inland by vibrant greenery, Carmel is a humble European style town. Those who are looking at Carmel homes, most surely appreciate fine dining, topnotch shopping, and romantic scenery, all of which are to be found in Carmel.

Many Carmel homes on the market are constructed in classic California style which reflects the rich and vibrant history of this California community. Some of the very first settlers to the West found this region and decided it was too beautiful to leave. Since then, Carmel has always had a thriving community. It has long been a destination for those seeking creative inspiration: actors, writers, musicians, and artists. If you decide to move into a Carmel home, there is no telling who your neighbor could be. The people of Carmel are a close-knit community. They work together to put on annual festivals which display local talents. The Annual Carmel Art Festival, Annual Carmel Shakespearean Festival, and Annual Bach Festival are true crowd pleasers.

Another unique feature of Carmel which especially appeals to home buyers with an eye for going green is the city’s transportation system. Within the Carmel city limits, there is never need to set foot behind the wheel of an automobile. Carmel has a free trolley system running around the interior square of the city. Hop on anytime you please, and save yourself the expense of parking and gasoline.

Carmel may be a world unto itself, but if you are looking for Carmel homes, you need not worry that you would be cutting yourself off from the rest of civilization. Many other California cities are little more than a hop skip and jump away. The big cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco are only a few hours away, which keeps your options open for shopping and weekend vacations.

But who would want to vacation away from Carmel? Carmel homes are a treasure unto themselves. A walk around the city will reveal hidden courtyards tucked away, and classic homes of stunning design. Carmel homes are among the most stylish in the country. The residents who live and build in this community have held their building up to a very high standard. Each home is stylish and held to the highest quality of construction. Granite countertops, brass fixtures, stainless steel appliances, and in-ground swimming pools are par for the course here in Carmel.

Treat yourself and your family to a top of the line living experience. Life is too short to settle for second best. The American dream is alive and well, waiting to be found by you, here in Carmel.

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Remodeling a home is something you need to consider thoughtfully.Many a marriage has been on the rocks because a project went over budget or never got done.  Have the end result in mind for your Santa Cruz home or Seabright Beach cottage.

So here are some questions you and your mate should discuss before embarking on the plan, with a careful set of pros and cons, and what if’s, will be helpful to have a happy result.

1. Will you be doing the remodel yourself? If so do you have the skills personally to frame, do electrical, plumbing?
2. Have you ever done a project like this where you acted as the contractor? How’d it go if you did?
3. What is the scope of what you will be doing? Is it a minor change of a vanity in the bathrooms or a new kitchen?
4. Will you be changing walls or adding rooms? If so you probably need permits and plans. Think abut the time and cost for that. The permit and design process will take the better part of a year, or more for many but the simplest jobs.

Where to start?

Make a list of what you like and what you don’t like. What are things that you can do without changing walls and installing new windows in different locations?

Most money invested is returned in either higher resale or a quicker sale in doing kitchens and bathrooms. when you sell. Will you be competing with new homes that have new everything including insulation, heaters, window, roofs, etc?

Measure the rooms that you want to change. Get some graph paper and plot out what is there. Take your drawing to a designer for general ideas on pricing then have them come over and measure and consult with you on the what is suitable for your situation. Often times big box stores have in house designers who can do these lay outs and give you estimates based on cabinet styles and materials. Some higher end contractors also have this software and design capability and having all in one of often very helpful. Use local people when possible.

What are you going to be doing yourself? Can you live without a kitchen for a week or two? Will you add more lighting or electrical outlets? You may need permits for changes like that.

What will you do with the flooring? Tile, Carpet, Engineered hardwood? Will it be pre-finished or need finishing- sanding, staining, etc in the house. Can you live with a lot of dust?

How about the color of the paint? Paint schemes make a big difference. Start by painting small samples on the walls and see how you feel.Kids often have wild color choices.,great for them, but when it is time to sell, paint a more neutral color. You’ll have to get the room de-cluttered anyways, so might as well start.

Are there areas that are damaged and need replacement? Have you home inspection and termite report to illuminate any damage before you start so you remedy major things first?

While these are not an all inclusive list of things to do or consider, they will get  you on the path. Check with reputable professionals for a good job that gets done on time and budget. Allow for “extras” as things are not always perfect and changes in all homes have to be made, as well as actually seeing something in the rough stage where you realize you need a bigger closet or that a pantry would be nice. In Santa Cruz Seabright beach homes, many of these things may be lacking. Call us to find the right Santa Cruz Seabright beach cottage for you at 831-818-7524.

Santa Cruz Seabright beach home bungalow style-www.propertyinsantacruz.com

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Is it possible to rewire your brain to learn new tasks? Researchers at the University of California campus near your Santa Cruz home believe so. Until recent studies at UC Santa Cruz, it was thought that the brain was only resilient, malleable, and morphable to young children. This malleability, called brain plasticity, has been shown to still exist in adult lab mice and should transfer over to the brains of adults who have had brain injuries, stroke, and other conditions. If this study is correct, patients should be able to recover some of the memory loss associated with these conditions.

The study done near your Santa Cruz home, showed that learning a new task causes the brain to create new nerve paths. The lab mice were painstakingly taught a new task. This caused the dendritic spines in their brains to form new synapses( neural pathway). What the study found was that once a task was learned the new synapses became permanent. In addition, as new tasks were learned, the old synapses stayed intact. It was sort of like proving the old adage that ”once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget how”. The results of the study by neurobiologist, Yi Zhou, were published in the online journal Nature.

What about the paralyzed stroke patients in hospitals near your Santa Cruz home? Many are able to recover far more function than with conventional physical therapy alone. This is thanks in part to new rehabilitation programs that utilize methods based on brain plasticity. Other treatments have been or are being developed for learning disorders like dyslexia. Still others are researching senility, post-traumatic stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and other dysfunctions of the human mind. Some of the new techniques are so low-tech that they could classify as arcane.

Some of the researchers on the campus near your Santa Cruz home point to a much more ancient practice that has always relied on brain plasticity: Tibetan Buddhism. The full-fledged scientific investigation of Buddhist meditation is the focus of a book titled The Brain That Changes Itself written by Sharon Begley. The book recounts the story of the collaboration of modern science and Buddhist monks, including the Dalai Lama. This study involved measurable, replicable effects of Buddhist meditation practices on the mind and brain. Brain scans reveal that the neural activity of highly trained monks is incredible when compared to meditation novices especially in the caudate, right insula, and the left prefrontal cortex. The marks of the meditation remain after meditation.

With the current and past research available to scientists, it is hard to tell what researchers near your Santa Cruz home will be able to develop in the way of new therapies. Having proved that brain plasticity exists in adult brains is only the first step towards helping patients to recover full function of their brains and perhaps their bodies.

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Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, a dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest – Robert Montgomery

Generally, the smartest thing to do is to purchase your own home – especially if you plan on holding on to it for a minimum of five or so years. However, there are a number of variables that can factor into and influence such a decision – do you have a stable enough job and whether or not both partners (if married) are equally excited about owning a home are just to name a couple. Also, if due to financial constraints you are unable to buy a NEW home then you also might consider going for a comparatively older home. In this case you would want to think through whether or not you have the financial strength to cope with unanticipated repairs that are associated with older homes? However, even though people who are planning to own a home for the first time are told that they may apply for mortgages and therefore do not have to pay any closing costs and any other such fees; the fact of the matter is that these fees are simply built into the money being borrowed. This is something you should keep in mind when they tell you that the closing costs etc are being paid by the seller.

Let’s look at a few upsides and downsides of owning your own home:

The Upsides
One of the biggest upsides of owning a home is that the money paid out every month is balanced out against the principle amount – therefore owning a home is more of an investment than any thing else.
Anyone who has rented a house would tell you how much they abhor the untimely and unexpected visits from the landlord and more importantly, the idea that someone could enter into your house while you are not at home.

Since you own the home, there is total control over when and how you decide to deal with repairs – this is a huge upside of owning a home considering the fact that most landlords can be painfully careless to such calls to action. The same applies to the painting, remodeling, renovating, modernizing and restructuring of the home – you have total and full control. By the same token you also do not have to fret over your dear landlord suddenly selling his property and handing you a cruel thirty day notice period which leaves you with a mountain of expenses to deal with.

And now, the downsides
There is no risk of you missing a mortgage payment and having to deal with a bad credit score. In such a scenario a landlord would generally be comparatively more lenient. Similarly, there is always the very real risk of losing your source of revenue (whether it be a job or a business). In such a case, you will end up with being unable to pay your mortgage, a bad credit score and emotional distress.

Another upside of renting is that you are not responsible if anything is damaged or destroyed. A phone call to your landlord is all that you will be obligated to do – yes, its true that landlords wouldn’t generally be very excited to get thing fixed because (obviously) the reason they are renting out is to make rake in some cash – spending it isn’t really a very high priority.

Another problem with buying a home is that you cannot really move without compromising your financial position. If your job or business suddenly requires you to move; you will find yourself in a predicament – since you can expect your home to sit on the market for an average of six months; you will end up with a mortgage payment, another payment elsewhere, and a heavy cost of shifting.

Some quick fire suggestions before deciding on a home: take your time and never be hurried into a purchase, check out nearby schools, malls and hospitals etc, check out how old the roof is, closely inspect the heating and cooling system, watch out for termites and other bugs and last but not least, ask for the home to be thoroughly inspected by a professional.

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Biotech companies near your Carmel real estate and Carmel homes, researchers have been searching for the cause of Alzheimer’s disease for a couple of decades now. The hope has always been that finding the cause would lead to the cure or at least a reasonable treatment. Recently, research scientists with Genentech and the Salk Institute have announced what they think could be a breakthrough in the study of Alzheimer’s. They believe that a protein in the brain releases two components that can cause nerve cells to die. The protein called APP seems to unleash a deadly combination of harmful effects on nerve cells.

Nearly all of the drugs developed, and being developed, to treat Alzheimer focus on the main component of APP. That component, called amyloid beta peptide, is known to collect in the brain in the plaque that researchers relate to the disease.


Actually, the presence of that plaque is a definite sign of the disease. The new research has found that the other aspect of APP, named N-APP, has been found to start a chemical chain reaction that destroys neurons in the brain. Their research was published in the science magazine Nature. The results of the research can be read on line in the privacy of your Carmel homes or at the library near your Carmel real estate.

Having another protein to treat could lead to a whole new class of drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease by the doctors close to your Carmel homes or near your Carmel real estate. In order for these new drugs to be developed there is a major question that needs to be answered: ”What percentage of the neurodegeneration is triggered by the amyloid beta peptide and how much is caused by N-APP?” There are plenty of things that need to be accounted for, before a drug can be developed and used effectively. No one seems to know for sure which is the causative factor or if one protein increases the effects of the other. Theories abound, but researchers are still scrambling to find concrete proof. Genentech and Merck have begun work on experimental drugs that they hope will stop the progression of the terrible effects of N-APP.

What is known is that Alzheimer’s disease affects as many as 5.3 million people in the United States alone. Many of them are close to your Carmel homes and are owners of neighboring Carmel real estate. The disease is progressive and fatal. It robs seniors of their cognitive abilities slowly, but surely. The Alzheimer’s Association was developed to help patients and their families deal with the progression of the disease and to provide a place to gather all of the information that they may need to help them do that. The group also has a lobby group that works to increase the amount of research funding coming from Congress as well as trying to increase medical benefits for seniors.

While there are no known definite cures or preventative measures that have been proven, there are a few theories. It is widely believed that factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking all contribute heavily to the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Diets like the Mediterranean diet, which are good for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, are thought to slow or prevent the disease. These diets rely heavily on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. That has led some people to think that the use of vitamins C and E in combination with vitamin B12 can accomplish the same effects.

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A Health Resource List That You Need from Property in Santa Cruz….. your Seniors Real Estate Specialists ( SRES)

With all of the information available about diseases, it might seem a bit overwhelming and daunting to try and wade your way through all of the ones that have good information and the ones that want to sell you something. What is being offered in this article is a list of some of the most comprehensive information sites that specialize in certain diseases. Each section on a disease contains several very informative sites that you can use to help you understand the disease that is affecting your family. None of them asks for personal information or sends you overs through your email. A life free of spam is a better life, I always say.

If there is one disease that commonly affects families, it is Alzheimer’s disease. It can be one of the most insidious disease to affect one of your loved ones. Here are a few reference sites to help you. Each of these sites will give you some very pointed information.:

Alzheimer’s Association

National Institute On Aging: a branch of the National Institute of Health.

WebMD

MedicineNet

http://www.alzinfo.org/

Another disease that stalks millions of people around the world is Crohn’s disease. Although not as well known as Alzheimer’s, it is a common digestive disease that affects millions of people around the world. It can severely interfere with a person’s ability to enjoy their life.

National Institute Of Health

Crohn’s And Colitis Foundation Of America

MedicineNet

WebMD: a diet plan for Crohn’s sufferers.

Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of  Americans without regard to race or sex. This disease is spread across the globe. There isn’t a country that does not feel the effects of this disease. Each of these sites offer diet recommendations and links to other informative sites. There are no links to any of the ”diabetes diet” sites because most of them want you to join or pay for their diet plans.

American Diabetes Association

Center For Disease Control

National Institute of Health

These three diseases are easily the most common in the United States, affecting tens of millions of people across the country. Having said that, there are still dozens of diseases that many people are suffering from and need information about. So, here are several more resources that offer information about many different diseases without trying to get you to buy something or join a club.

WebMd

MedicineNet

National Institutes Of Health

Centers For Disease Control

Wikipedia

It is my sincerest wish that you are able to find the information that you need about the disease that is affecting your family. I have not listed any resources to help you research mental disorders or disease. That is not a lack of sentiment for people inflicted with these disease, it is just a topic for a different article. If we can help you find a Santa Cruz home or there are other Santa Cruz MLS listings you want to see, stop on by. We have a seniors section with links to local Santa Cruz seniors resources to help with housing, the different types of care,and veterans assistance.

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Santa Cruz Real Estate… a great Alzheimer’s tax deduction

The Santa Cruz area is delightful. If you own a Santa Cruz home that you have had as a family home for years, that you have had the pleasure to enjoying with grandma or grandpa, then it is one that could help Alzheimer’s research. As people age, and don’t shudder,that can be from a teen who knows it all, to those who retire and have reached sunset.

A Santa Cruz home is a great place to enjoy life, but what if you have outgrown it and want to create a charitable trust or something to donate to a great charity like the Alzheimer’s Association? I implore you to consider this wonderful opportunity where a donor will match your donation TWO for ONE. Santa Cruz homes are a great donation source for this devastating disease.

Alzheimers is stalking your brain

So I ask you to please donate here to the Alzheimer’s cause and your donation will be matched TWO for One. Please go here for an Alzheimer’s donation or if you have questions tweet me or e-mail me.

Thanks, that is a really bad disease that as a Santa Cruz Seniors Real Estate Specialist ( SRES) that I champion. Thanks Gregg Camp, Santa Cruz real estate broker.

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The Monte Foundation has been doing the fireworks event along with games and music for 15 years. This event is their way to help raise money for local schools and other charitable events. The Monte Foundation, which is run by the family that owns our local gourmet grocery store, Deluxe Foods in Aptos, has been involved in this wonderful annual event and is it’s unique creator.

Whilst it is about the only fireworks display one sees in the Santa Cruz area, earlier this year was a very nice one done for the city of Capitola’s 60th birthday. That was great, but a rare event. The Monte Fireworks is always nice too an eagerly looked forward to by local residents. But don’t miss all the fun events during the day down at Seacliff State Beach. Tickets for this event are $15 today and $30 the day of the event. So get you tickets at:

Purchase tickets at Deluxe Foods of Aptos, 783 Rio del Mar Blvd., Aptos; Cabrillo College Bookstore, 6500 Soquel Drive in Aptos; or at any high school in Santa Cruz County.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, THE FIRST SATURDAY—– IS THE DAY OF THE EVENT.

Where is the event being held. Seacliff State Beach: 1-10 p.m. Oct. 3, rain or shine
When is it being held- from 1PM to 10Pm

Parking and a shuttle is usually done from Cabrillo College as over 30,000 people attend this even popular event.

So go out and buy a ticket to fun. Your kids and you can enjoy music, fun and games at the beach. Our own local Babe Marissa Miller will be here as well as a number of different musical genre’s. So go out have fun, dress according for the beach, hot and cold, and take your water, money to spend for food and games and sunscreen.

The area and exits to the park are closed off, so be sure to park at Cabrillo for best results.

View Cabrillo College-Monte Fireworks parking in a larger map

Click on map to ZOOM to see road and locations more clearly. Grab with the “hand” and move the map to see where you need to go. Usually take the Park Avenue Exit in Capitola. Cabrillo College is located at
6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA 95003, call: 831.479.6100

Monte Foundation-Kim Gallick, Executive Director
KGallick@monte-foundation.com

783 Rio Del Mar Boulevard
Aptos, CA 95003
PHONE (831) 685-3317
FAX (831) 688-1051

Have fun, support our schools and kids!! Buy a ticket.

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Airborne particulate matter is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic substances that are divided into two groups: coarse and fine particles. The fine particles include formed aerosols (gas that turned to particles), combustion particles, and metal vapors. The large particles are things like dust from the road or a factory. The fine particles are the ones most directly linked to acid rain and those are the ones that we are going to deal with today. They have the most relevance to the new laws in California regulating the emissions from semi-tractor trailers. While Santa Cruz is not a big city, we have a major artery, highway 1 which runs through our lovely ocean side communities as well as mining in the mountains which generate particulates too.

Particulate air pollution is a mixture of solid and liquid particles that are suspended in the air that you breathe. It is best to classify air particles by the aerodynamic properties because these properties determine the removal of them from the air, and where they deposit in your respiratory system.

The fine particles are mainly created from gases. There are four major origins for the gases that are to blame for these particles: heavy metal (vaporized during combustion or casting), carbon from combustion, organic carbon, sulfates and nitrates. Take sulphur dioxide. It is created during engine combustion, but when it gets into the atmosphere and mixes with rain it turns into sulphuric acid. We all probably know what that can do- as it is highly corrosive and dangerous in concentration.

The relationship between air pollution and lung cancer has been well established. The fine particles are the ones mostly to blame. Air pollution makes all lung diseases(COPD, asthma, emphysema) worse as the smog levels go up.

It has also been proven the lung development in children in areas of high smog is slower than in other areas. Some children do not achieve full lung capacity because of the smog they live in. The good news is that lung development begins again if the child moves away from the smog. These results were issued in the American Journal of Respiratory And Critical Care in 2001 and 2002.

The damage being done to the growing lungs of our children and the irritation in the lungs of the elderly, has led to tougher emissions control laws being enacted in California. Not every child or senior can move away from the danger, so the danger should be minimized for them.

I plan to discuss these new emissions control laws in my next post. I hope you come back and read on with me.

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