Property in Santa Cruz Real Estate Blog

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.

• Read More »

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.

• Read More »

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.

• Read More »

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.

• Read More »

There are quite a number of reasons why more and more houses are making use of natural lighting. For one, a number of studies have shown that students learn more quickly when studying with natural light. Also, natural light enhances the overall health of plants, animals, and your family, since sunlight can provide a source of vitamins A and D. Natural light helps to regulate the body’s rhythm. Lack of sunlight can throw off the internal body clock and disrupt waking and sleeping patterns, causing poor performance at work or school, daytime drowsiness, and even contribute to depression It’s no wonder why many modern houses are being designed to allow the maximum use of natural sunlight. If you’re interested in a home where natural light is highlighted, a Santa Cruz oceanview home should definitely be on your short list.

But the health and mental wellness of your family is not the only reason to maximize the use of natural lighting in your home. There are a number of economic and energy saving reasons to as well. Smart use of various ways to gather and spread natural light throughout your home can reduce your heating and cooling costs, and the need for artificial light. Santa Cruz ocean view homes are a great example of how homes can use this natural resource. They have a lot of windows to let in as much natural light as possible, and of course the oceanview. If you decide that you want to transform your home with the softness of sunlight instead of the harshness of artificial light, there are a few easy changes and additions that you can make. Remember, these are just a few examples. For more ideas, check out Discovery Magazines Planet Green website, planetgreen.discovery.com.

Using Windows to Harness Natural Light and Energy

The first and perhaps most common methods of letting natural light into your home are through the use of windows. Many homes, especially those that were designed with daylight in mind, have the windows placed strategically to maximize the use of sunlight. It’s up to the home owner to make the most of these windows, and there are a number of really easy ways to do just that.

First, keep the windows clean. Believe it or not, a dirty window can prevent about a 1/3 of the available sunlight from reaching into your room. A wash with water and vinegar and old newspapers can make them shine. Next, make the most of the window dressings available on the market today. Blinds can allow you to control the amount of light that enters the room, and sheer curtains can offer a softening of the light when direct sunlight is a bit too harsh.

Tubular Skylights: A Great Way to Transform Roof Top Sun to Living Room Light

Another way that natural light can be used to bring down your electric bill is through the use of tubular skylights, commonly called Solar Tubes or Sun Tunnels. These can be installed in most homes, and provide a great way to bring soft sunlight into your home.

Tubular skylights use no energy; they simply allow sunlight to travel from the roof to the inside of the house. Light is collected at the roof mounted clear dome, and is reflected through a coated metal tube to a diffuser lens located in the ceiling. They can be easily installed in just about every situation, and a number of devices are designed with flexible tubing, so installation can be made around immovable objects. In fact, these solar tubes can even be routed through walled-in boxes to add some welcomed natural light to a basement or first floor of your home.

If you’re thinking that these small tubes of metal and glass won’t be able to bring much light into your room, you’d be surprised. A single device has the potential to light a space of between 100 and 600 square feet depending on the size. The size ranges between 10 and 22 inches in diameter. The size, as well as daily cloud cover, and relative position on the roof all contribute to the amount of light that enters into your home.

Similar to tubular skylights, normal skylights can be a great way to bring natural light into your home. They can also provide that unexpected splash of light and warmth in rooms where a large window isn’t really practical. Rooms like a bathroom or even a pantry can be brightened by a skylight.

How These Additions Can Help Your Bottom Line

Tubular skylights and skylights can bring a substantial amount of light into any home and room. Why turn on the tabletop lamp if there is soft sunlight coming through the window? Windows readily conduct heat energy, passing light from room to room in your home. This transfer of energy reduces the cost of heating and cooling your home. For example, light and heat gained through eastern and northern windows can be used to heat the associated rooms in the morning, and as the sun moves, those same rooms can be cooled by the shade left behind by the moving sun. The light and heat in these rooms lit by the morning sun can be transferred to other rooms through the use of interior windows, reflective mirrors, and even glazed tiles. By learning to adapt your home to the shifting rays of the sun, it is possible to reduce your energy costs by almost 30%.

These are just a few of the ways that natural light can be harnessed and used to enhance your home. The correct use of windows, installation of tubular skylights, and the transference of energy and light throughout the home can easily reduce the overall energy costs of your home.

• Read More »

I did a short piece on adult stem cell research and how it helped with a windpipe transplant. After some thought, it occurred to me that most people do not understand how stem cells work in the body and what part they can play in future medicine, especially for senior citizens and those with disabilities. I thought I would do a little more in-depth writing. It is going to take a couple of posts to get through it, but here goes.

Stem cells are unique from the other cells in the body. All stem cells-no matter where they come from-have three general properties: they can divide and renew themselves over long periods of time, they are unspecialized (they can become any type of cell), they can cause specialized cells to occur.

There are two types of stem cells: embryonic and adult. What scientists are trying to understand is: why embryonic stem cells can reproduce themselves for a year or more and adult stem cells cannot and what are the natural factors the regulate stem cell proliferation. Now, I think I should explain some of the terms I used already.

What I mean by stem cells are unspecialized is that a stem cell is not a specific type of tissue. It is not bone, muscle, or blood cell. It is a blank canvas of sorts. However, an unspecialized stem cell can give rise to specialized cells like heart muscle, blood cells, or nerve cells.

Stem cells can divide and renew themselves for long periods of time. Muscle, blood, and nerve cells do not normally replicate themselves. Stem cells can replicate themselves many times over. Replicating themselves repeatedly is called proliferation. So, a small number of stem cells that is allowed to proliferate for a few months can yield several million identical cells that have the same ability to proliferate. They are a little bit like cockroaches in the walls, just not as disgusting.

Stem cells can give rise to specialized cells. A blank cell can become like the cells around it if it is in the bloodstream and attaches to a piece of body tissue. If you have an injury in a muscle, it becomes muscle tissue, a joint injury and stem cells could become cartilage, and so on.

Embryonic and adult stem cells have one major difference: adult stem cells are found in an adult human body and embryonic stem cells originate from a deceased fetus. That is why the main body of research at this time, in the United States, is based on adult stem cells. Scientists also claim that their research is limited because adult stem cells do not survive as long in a lab.

Research on adult stem cells has been generating a lot of excitement. Scientists have found adult stem cells in nearly every part of the body: the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, skin, and liver. These cells are being studied for cures and treatments like: replacing the dopamine-producing cells in Parkinson’s patients, insulin producing cells for Type I diabetics, and repairing damaged heart muscle after a heart attack. Other possible treatments are for spinal cord injuries and arthritis.

Perhaps one of the most promising applications of stem cell therapy is in the generation of cells and tissues that could be used for cell-based therapy. Donated organs are used to replace ailing or destroyed organs, but the need for organs out-measures the supply. If stem cells could be regularly controlled and manipulated into becoming the needed cells, that could lead to a renewable source of replacement organs. These cells can be used to treat Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The potential uses of adult stem cells are as endless as your imagination. Working with Santa Cruz seniors, I can readily see the benefits. Not having to move from their 2 story homes to a single level Aptos home would be nice, if their health didn’t force the issue. I am looking forward to more advances and will probably need them for myself in future years.

• Read More »

Nestled along California’s Central Coast, Santa Cruz is a city whose very existence is characterized by an Eco-friendly mentality. Whether it’s current efforts to add a desalinization plant to provide water, or the community’s interest in green power sources, Santa Cruz is one of many communities across the United States that has inspired Eco-friendly behavior in its citizens.

There is probably nowhere easier for people to take environmentally positive steps than between the walls of their own homes. So what does it mean to have an Eco-friendly home? We’ll discuss the materials used in home construction, the energy efficiency of a home, and the construction techniques relevant to Santa Cruz real estate that make Santa Cruz homes, Eco-friendly homes.

Location, location, location

The location of a home can be the single largest factor in the amount of energy used to maintain the home. Homes in extreme climates will require more energy to maintain comfortable internal temperatures. Additionally, homes in extreme climates will require more maintenance than homes in moderate climates. This added maintenance consumes resources and energy further increasing the energy consumption of homes in extreme climates. By contrast, homes located in mild climates such as Santa Cruz will use less energy to maintain a comfortable internal temperature. Because of the mild climate along California’s central coast, homes in this area require less energy for heating and cooling. The cool ocean breeze that comes in every afternoon mitigates afternoon heat associated with many other parts of the nation during the summer.

Built smarter, maybe by accident

Current green building techniques involve facing homes to the south to take advantage of the sun for natural heating. In California our climate is generally warm enough that many times the only temperature issue we face is cooling our homes in the summer. Because many of the homes in Santa Cruz are situated to face the west, the brunt of southern afternoon sun falls on the southwest portion of the home as opposed to the western face of the property. Generally this results in slightly lower internal temperatures. The orientation of the home combined with the onshore afternoon breeze in Santa Cruz mitigates the need for running air conditioning.

Green construction and furnishing in Santa Cruz

Up until recently Santa Cruz enjoyed having two dedicated Eco-friendly materials providers for construction and furnishing. Despite the economic hardships that have curtailed spending in many areas, you can still get everything you need for your Santa Cruz eco-friendly home at Greenspacecompany. By having a local green building materials provider, Santa Cruz contractors and residents have access to ecologically friendly paints, plaster, flooring, counter tops, sealers, and landscaping supplies. Operating an Eco-friendly home is just one aspect of going green. Choosing to use ecologically friendly materials in the construction of your home will ensure that every aspect of your residence makes a minimal impact on our environment. Each of us individually can make a difference, eventually our leaders will follow.

• Read More »

Many people dream of buying Rio Del Mar beach homes, however, once they’ve purchased their dream Rio Del Mar beach homes, the real test of creativity and ingenuity often comes in. Creating the dream home you want on a budget!

Upgrade Your Hardware

You’d be surprised at what a difference new hardware, in the form of door handles, mailboxes and lights can make to your home’s appearance. Look for bargain items that create the look you want for less at discount hardware stores like Home Depot, and since you can fit most of these yourself, there’s no contractor required!

Add an Accent Color

Chances are, your Rio Del Mar beach home’s a neutral color – which is great! Bright houses are tricky to pull off! That doesn’t mean you need to avoid color altogether though. Why not choose a complimentary accent tone and spend the weekend adding color to doors, window frames, gutters and garage doors? Choose a color in a similar tone to your house for a muted look, or opt for a bright sea green, blue or similar shade to evoke a feeling of the sea.

Give Your Entrance a Makeover

If your Rio Del Mar beach home’s entry way is dull and dreary, why not put back the pizzazz? Add a timber bench or porch swing, or flank your door with topiaries in beautiful pots. Large wine vats, cut in half makes a great mini koi pond, with the addition of a few stones and a small pump, or why not add beautiful lights? There are even solar powered lights on the market that you can use to light up your pathway with no extra power usage!

Look for the Unconventional

You’d be amazed what can be used to give your house a great new look. For instance, instead of buying expensive pots for plants, why not use an old wheelbarrow, or even a steel watering can to house a plant, and look great.

Likewise, if you’re looking for unique features, fittings and accents for your house, going to flea markets or junk shops can yield a great many items that may look battered, and the worse for wear, but could become beautiful with a little TLC. Old brass fittings will look new after they’ve received a good polish, while garden furniture can be given a new lease on life with a lick of paint, and maybe a new table top. If you really want to go wild, why not save up old broken dishes, and create a mosaic, either on a wall, or on one of your new “retro” garden furniture pieces.

If you’re looking for items that are out of the ordinary, that will give your home a unique and one of a kind look, they may be as near as your own garage, so start looking around with a keen eye, and you should find a few diamonds in the rough.

All of the tips in this article on revamping Rio Del Mar beach homes are ideas that you can do yourself, with little more than a visit to a hardware store, but they’re a great start when it comes to creating the Rio Del Mar beach home you’ve always dreamed of.

• Read More »

After donating a kidney to a loved one, you can expect to live a life that is as normal as anyone. There are no limitations on your lifestyle, exercise, or life span. A recent study by the University of Minnesota found that donors had a normal life span and were as healthy as people who have two functioning kidneys.

There are probably a few questions you have before donating a kidney. What you should know is that the risks of donation are similar to those involved with any major surgery, such as bleeding and infection. Death resulting from kidney donation is extremely rare. Current research indicates that kidney donation does not change life expectancy or increase a person’s risks of developing kidney disease or other health problems.

A person can lead an active, normal life with only one kidney. Studies have shown that one kidney is sufficient to keep the body healthy. After recovering from surgery, a donor can work, drive, exercise and participate in sports, though contact sports are not recommended. A donor can continue in all types of occupations, including military duty. Also, being a donor does not impact a person’s ability to have a child.

A recent article that evaluated data on a donor’s ability to obtain life, disability, or health insurance after surgery found that the majority of donors surveyed did not experience any problems. However, the article indicated that a small percentage of donors reported some difficulty with obtaining insurance.

When you return home, your activities will be limited. You should not lift anything that weighs more that 20 lbs for the first four weeks. You may feel tired for the first week or two after the surgery and may need frequent naps. However, donors are encouraged to be active in between their periods of rest. Walking is considered excellent exercise during this time. You may also have some swelling around the incision area and should plan to wear loose, comfortable clothes. You will likely be able to return to work 2-3 weeks after the surgery, depending on the type of work. However some donors require a longer recovery period if their work requires heavy lifting or other physical demands.

Although there may be some small changes in your life during the first 1-2 months, you will be able to resume a normal life after that and enjoy knowing that you saved the life of a loved one.

• Read More »

If you own property in Scotts Valley, you’re lucky to be living in a temperate area, so you’re already saving on heating bills. Every little bit adds up though, so we’ve collected some nifty ideas that you can use to reduce your utility bills for your property in Scotts Valley, and anywhere else for that matter. Here goes – our top saving tips for utilities:

•Use energy saver or compact fluorescent bulbs instead of regular light bulbs. These use a fraction of the energy of regular bulbs, and last around ten times longer!

•Make sure your water heater is set to around one hundred and ten degrees. That’s hot enough for most things, and you’ll save a bundle.

•Consider insulating your water heater. These units have thermostats, so when the temperature drops, they automatically begin heating again, using power. Insulating it will keep it hotter for longer, saving you money.

•You could also have a timer fitted, to switch your water heater off automatically, when you’re not home, and back on before you return from work.

•Buy an old fashioned clothes drying rack, and use that instead of the dryer. Dryer’s use enormous amounts of power, and you’ll be amazed how much you save. Only use the dryer for emergencies.

•Use the microwave where possible, which uses far less power than the stove. Boil vegetables, or par cook foods in the microwave before continuing with conventional methods. You could also cook rice, pasta or potatoes in the microwave.

•When it comes to water, and power, only doing full loads of laundry, or dishes, in the washer or dishwasher, will save you a bundle in both.

•Check your plumbing regularly. A leaky faucet or pipe will cost you a fortune over time, so get yours checked, and fix any leaks.

•This may sound odd, but placing a brick in your toilet cistern will actually save you money. The brick displaces water, meaning each flush will use less. If you have recently bought or sold your property in Scotts Valley or Santa Cruz County, you would already have a low flow toilet, if you don’t and have an old toilet, then the result could save you money.

•Don’t use hot water to wash clothes. Rather opt for warm or cold water, and you’ll save on electricity.

•Choose to shower over bathing, and install a flow restricting shower head. This is something that almost all of today’s codes require at the time of sale. That way, you should save a whole lot of money on water, and the power required to heat it.

So, there you have it. Easy ways to save money on your utility bills for your property in Scotts Valley, without even feeling it.

Despite the economic downturn, using these, and other simple money saving tips will help you save more money, and give you more money for the important things in life. Or spend a little time and money on figuring out how you can save, and using those ideas on your property in Scotts Valley, then put the money you save aside, and use it for something you really want. Maybe a new item of furniture? Or a short weekend getaway?

Whatever you use it for, saving money on your property in Scotts Valley’s utility bills will give you more to spend on what you really want to spend money on.

• Read More »

Maybe you’ve just bought an East Santa Cruz home, or maybe you’ve lived there for years. Chances are, at some point, you’re going to want to hire a contractor to work on something, and when you do, these tips should help you get more bang for your buck:

•Shop around. Get quotes from a variety of contractors, and look for the best value offer.

•Have the contractors who quote you split their material and labor costs – that way, if necessary, you can find your own materials at discount stores or from clearance sales, and save on the material cost.

•Make the job as easy as possible for your contractor. If you can, let them use your water or power, and let them know at the start of the quote process that you aim to do that – if you don’t, they’ll just add the cost of providing their own, and a markup, to your quote.

•Consider doing some of the prep work for them – for instance, if you’re retiling, remove the old tiles yourself, or if you’re fitting new kitchen units, do the demolition and removal of the old units yourself.

•Never pay upfront, always get a detailed breakdown of quotes, and pay based on work completed. It may be rare, but it’s not unheard of for contractors to disappear with deposits or even full payments if the going gets tough!

•Don’t assume that the cheapest quote is going to cost you the least – shoddy workmanship that needs to be repaired or replaced later can land up costing you more than a decent job by a reputable company. Ask for references, and check up on them, to make sure you’re getting a good deal, both in terms of money, and on quality.

•Make sure that whether you buy them yourself, or your contractor does, good quality materials are used. Even the greatest contractor or artisan can’t be expected to deliver top notch results when working with substandard materials.

•Never skimp on the cost of hiring a licensed, qualified plumbers or electricians. Some general building is suitable for DIY, or even cutting corners as far as cost goes, but if something goes wrong with plumbing or electrical work, it could mean disaster.

•Last but certainly not least, keep track of the work. Horror stories abound of home owners leaving a contractor unsupervised, only to return home to utter disaster.

East Santa Cruz homes, like any other, need a little sprucing up once in a while, and if you follow these tips, you should save some money hiring a contractor, but still get high quality work. Remember, you’re going to have to live with it for a couple of years to come – or pay to have it fixed.

Make sure you get hiring a contractor, and managing the work right first time, and you’ll save a bundle in the long term.

• Read More »

When buying a home, whether Santa Cruz CA home or a home anywhere else in the world, there are a host of other factors and costs you will need to consider, that will affect your monthly costs. Insurance is certainly one of those.

If you own a Santa Cruz CA home, or a home anywhere else, you can use the following tips to lower your monthly insurance premiums.

•Have a look at security. Santa Cruz CA homes, like any other, may be broken into. Check the security measures on your house, and consider adding items like burglar proofing, burglar alarms, infra red beams or perimeter security. Most insurers offer rebates on premiums, based on the security measures you have.

•Shop around. Insurance premiums can fluctuate wildly from one insurer to another.

•If you’ve been with your insurer for a while, don’t assume you’re getting the best deal. Insurers, as a rule of thumb, increase premiums across the board, regardless of whether your risk has increased, at least once a year. Call a few competing companies, and if they’re offering a better deal, negotiate with your insurer. If they won’t budge, switch! Although most insurance companies will give you a better deal, particularly if you are a loyal client.

•Find out how much you can save by having more than one product with a particular insurer. For instance, if you insure your home, vehicles and take a life insurance policy with a single company, you may find you get a better deal than having individual products with different companies.

•Read the fine print. There’s no use getting what you think is a great deal, only to find, at crunch time, when you need to claim, that there are more exclusions than inclusions in your policy. If your Santa Cruz CA home gets broken into, for instance, and you aren’t able to claim via a technicality, you’ll end up fuming.

•Before you buy Santa Cruz CA home, find out what the crime rate, and average insurance premium for the area that interests you is. Often, the suburb you live in can have a big impact on the premium you pay, and if you haven’t budgeted for it in your monthly payments for your Santa Cruz CA home, you may be in for a nasty surprise! You could even call an insurance company or two for a quote, to find out what you’re likely to be looking at.

Insurance is, at best, a grudge purchase. It’s something we purchase because we have to, not because we want to.

When looking for insurance on your Santa Cruz CA home, be sure to follow the above mentioned tips, look online for great deals or websites that offer insurance comparisons, and make your choice based on price and service.

If you have friends who own Santa Cruz CA homes, finding out who they insure with can help you make an informed decision, and if they’re willing to give a particular company a referral, there’s probably a reason!

• Read More »

Stem cell research, though limited in the United States, is going ahead at a feverish pace in many other countries. Most European countries have government backed stem cell research programs. It is not the intention of this site or author to get into a political discussion on the ethics of stem cell therapy, only to show that it works and can be very useful in easing human suffering and returning some adults to a near normal level of functioning.

The most politically charged and ethic-bending form of stem cell research involves embryonic stem cells. The cells of an unborn fetus are used to test their ability to repair and re-grow adult tissue. Most people are unaware, or ignore, that the adult body naturally carries its own stem cells. These cells exist to repair tissue damage. Some of today’s cutting edge stem cell research is done with those cells that are taken directly from a patient’s body and used to re-grow tissue and re-implant it into the donor’s own body.

A case in point of this type of stem cell therapy would be Claudia Castillo, a young mother of two who had suffered from tuberculosis for several years. A severe bout left her with a badly damaged lung that doctors thought may have to be removed. Dr. Paolo Macchiarini thought that a windpipe transplant would do, instead. As with most transplants the biggest fear is that the new organ will be rejected, but if you use the patient’s own stem cells to line the new organ, the body is less likely to reject it. After a donor organ was found it was stripped of all cells, Ms Castillo’s stem cells were taken from bone marrow in her hip and used to line the new windpipe with her own cells. At this time she is living a near normal life without having to take immunosuppressant drugs. These drugs can cause high blood pressure and cancer.

I have simplified the process quite a bit, but the end results are well documented in the San Francisco newspapers and the American Society of Transplantation Journal. The ramifications of this type of stem cell research are enormous. Not only can it be applied to windpipe transplants for adults and children, but why not arthritis sufferers or people with chronic inflammatory bursitis. The worn out tissue can be replaced by cells that are currently in your body, thus minimizing rejection and nearly eliminating any ethical or religious arguments to the treatment.

There is currently research going on into the use of adult stem cells in cerebral palsy, spinal cord trauma, arthritis, and many auto-immune disorders. The debate still rages on about the use of embryonic stem cells, but where and what are the issues with an adult using their own cells to help heal themselves? There are products available that claim to be able to enhance adult stem cell production all naturally. I cannot tell you what to do, but I cannot see any reason that this type of research should not be used to ease the pain and stiffness of elderly patients so that they can have a better quality of life, later in life.

• Read More »

As you have aged you have discovered that you cannot lift the same amount of weight nor can you stoop over as many times. Moving requires both and then some. I look forward to a move nearly as much as having an extra hole drilled into my head. Many senior have found that there is a new, and growing, group of movers that specialize in moving seniors (they are called senior moving managers).

Many seniors have found that they cannot handle the same home they had while their children were with them. Stroke, osteoporosis, and other disease process have slowed movement and made housework difficult to do. A smaller home or an assisted living unit may be the best solution, but getting all of your stuff there is really difficult.

Many people, especially seniors, have been known to suffer from a phenomenon known as relocation stress syndrome. It is a documented set of stress related illnesses that has been described in the Journal of Practical Nursing. It can make an otherwise healthy senior citizen become disoriented and combative while leading to an increased chance for heart attack, stroke, or death.

The groups of people who specialize in senior moving are trained to listen as well as do the lifting. Some people have lived in the same home for their entire life and are extremely afraid of moving to a new place. Many of them need help in deciding what things need to be let go in order to fit their belongings into a smaller place.

One of the biggest challenges facing a senior when they move is the grief for the things they will not be able to take and the independence they feel in their own home. For a senior leaving their home represents a loss that will never be replaced.

There are 22 certified relocation and moving specialists in California alone. The business is growing as the numbers of senior citizens grow. A few keystrokes can help you find the mover that is right for you. Most of them will send a moving expert to you to get a quote on the job and give you a chance to get a feeling on whether they are the company that is right for you.

• Read More »

REO Secrets for Buying Foreclosed Homes

With so many bank owned, foreclosed homes flooding the market these days, there are plenty of home owners and property investors out there just itching to get their hands on a bargain home, whether it be in Santa Cruz,Ca, or anywhere else.

The truth is, often, these homes are underpriced, but because everyone already knows that, you may find that instead of the easy sale you hoped for, you’re up against up to twenty other bidders – which is when things can get sticky for you and your dream home in Santa Cruz!

Usually, banks will simply accept the best offer, however, there are times when they will reject all but one or two, and ask those potential buyers to rebid. Whichever way it works though, getting your hands on that property you want in Santa Cruz at a bargain basement price is going to depend on a few key factors. Each lender will have a different process so be sure you agent finds out how it is likely to go. Banks do change their minds too depending on how many and the types of offers they get on a property. So you may think things will be handled one way and they aren’t. The bank like the seller of any home has prerogative on how or if they respond to offers.

1. First things first – you’re going to need to have a starting point for your bid, so find out what the house sold for, what the foreclosure price is, and any other pertinent history, like loans and second mortgages. REO purchases may seem random, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the bank is already thinking of a number!

2. Compare the property to other sales in Santa Cruz, or wherever else you are hoping to buy. Looking at what the market is doing in terms of home prices is a good way to get an idea of the ballpark figure you should be bidding – this is especially true if you’re up against a lot of competition! But make sure that you compare apples with apples, by looking at similar properties , and only in the recent past, or even current pending  sales activity.

3. Look at the listing agent’s history. Most REO listing agents work in one area, and for one or two financial institutions only. If you can search through their listing and sales history of the recent REO sales, through your own agent, you can see what their average difference between list price,  and sale price is. Once you have that, you’re sure to be on the right track!

4. Check out the competition! If you’re bidding against twenty people, you’re going to need to offer more, if you want to secure the property. If there’s no one else bidding, you have a golden opportunity to bid keen, and get your dream home at a bargain. Be realistic, and make sure you know who you are up against!

5. Leave the niggling until after the deal is done. If there are repairs to be done, they’ll probably be your problem, but problems found during an inspection may be up for renegotiation.  Shortening the inspection period may also indicate to the bank that you are serious, and not just window shopping!

6. Get pre approved. In fact, get pre approved by the bank that owns the property, and your own mortgage company. That way, there will be absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind!

7. Offer to split fees – if you are getting a bargain, you can afford to be generous, can’t you?

As you can see, there’s a lot you can do to make sure that your offer on that foreclosed Santa Cruz home of your dreams is the winning bid! So be proactive, and find your dream  home at a bargain price!

• Read More »

Wind might just be considered the ultimate form of renewable energy. Nearly everyone has felt the force of wind, or seen wind mills in operation on a larger scale. Those enjoying coastal properties see the power of wind on a daily basis. The question is, however, how practical are wind mills on a smaller, residential scale? Can the cost of installation and maintenance outweigh the savings on your electric bill and energy consumption? This article will show you how to decide if residential wind mills are a practical choice.

If you’re considering installing a residential windmill to decrease your electric bill, there are a number of factors that you should consider. The first is whether or not your property has a good wind resource. In California, the Santa Cruz properties offer some of the best places to harness the wind energy available. One way to help determine this is to take a look at a wind map of your area. A great resource for finding this information is the windpoweringamerica.gov website, by the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, chances are your local or state government could have additional information on wind resources in your area.

The size of your property is also something to consider when thinking about wind generation. Santa Cruz real estate can offer the land you need to handle the equipment necessary for wind generation you need approximately an acre of land, ideally in a rural setting. Of course, you also have to consider your local zoning codes and ordinances; sometimes there are limitations on what can be constructed, and the sizes involved. Also, the closeness of your neighbors and their desires should be considered. Some people might object to having a windmill in their field of view, and considerations might have to be negotiated. Thankfully, properties found within the Santa Cruz MLS property list can be a great source for prime properties. Finally, you should consider whether or not you’re comfortable making a long term investment, and the amount of your monthly electric bill. If it averages more than $150 a month, chances are a windmill might be a practical choice.

If you’ve determined that placing a residential wind mill on your property can be feasibly done, the next thing to consider is the cost of the system. Wind mill installation costs can vary greatly, and depends on local zoning, permitting, and utility connection costs. A small turbine can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $50,000 installed, depending on the size, application and service agreements with the manufacturer. In fact, the American Wind Energy Association, awea.org says that a standard home wind system costs about $32,000. Although this should be considered a significant investment, the overall cost can potentially be much less than other renewable resources, and can be extremely competitive with traditional energy resources. For example, a comparable solar energy or photovoltaic system can cost more than $80,000. Once you factor in the savings in lower utility costs, the relative impact on the environment, as well as the renewable nature of wind, it might compare favorably to what the power company supplies. If these alternative power sources are less, or even, a residential windmill might be a practical choice.

• Read More »

In America today, we spend over $100 billion each year on fuel and electricity for our homes. Even Seascape condos, often models of efficient living can have utility bills that can make the owners cringe. Nearly half of this cost is taken by the heating and cooling of the home, with water heating accounting for 14% and appliances account for approximately 41%. If you’re interested in lowering your overall energy bills, there are a number of household items that can help you in your quest.

Changing the appliances in your home is one of the easiest ways to not only reducing your overall energy bill, but also your overall impact on the environment. Two great places to start are your washer and dryer. Prior to 1998, washers were significantly inefficient. In fact, if you have an older washer, you might be paying almost $150 more each year on your utility bill than if it was more energy efficient. Unlike the older washers, today’s energy efficient models use a small amount of water since they don’t have a central agitator. Advanced top loaders and front end loader machines use a sophisticated wash system to spin and spin through a smaller stream of water. These newer designs dramatically reduce the amount of hot water used in the wash cycle, reducing your water consumption, and the cost of heating it. Plus, the higher spin speeds of these more efficient motors allow more moisture to be extracted from the clothes. This means less time spent in the dryer. These are just a few of the many reasons why Seascape resort condos make use of these more efficient machines.

Of course, a washer or dryer can be a sizable investment. If you want to start on a smaller scale, there is still a lot that you can do as a home owner. One of the easiest and quickest ways to reduce your utility bill and help the environment without sacrificing is by changing your light bulbs.

Surprised? You shouldn’t be. Incandescent light bulbs are remarkably inefficient, both in their manufacturing, and in the amount of light emitted by the bulbs themselves. There are a number of more energy efficient choices available. Two of the most popular are Compact Fluorescence Light Bulbs (CFLs) and LED lights.

CFLs use significantly less energy to produce the same lighting effect. In fact, a CFL bulb can use only 13 watts of electricity to provide the same light as a traditional 60 watt incandescent bulb. According to the Department of Energy, an Energy Star qualified CFL bulb can use up to 75% less electricity, and can last up to 10 times longer. Since lighting can account for almost 20% of the cost of your electric bill, using these more efficient bulbs can be a great way to not only save energy, but also a lot of money. In fact, if every home in America replaced just one traditional bulb with a CFL bulb, enough energy would be saved to light nearly 3 million homes in just one short year.

Of course, CFL bulbs are not the only energy efficient choice when it comes to lighting in your home. LED lights, or light-emitting diode lights, use approximately 15% of the energy of a traditional light bulb. They’ve been around for quite a number of years, and are very durable. A quality LED has a lifespan of approximately 60,000 hours, almost five times longer than the compact fluorescent bulbs described above, and almost 60 times longer than a traditional bulb. In fact, these bulbs use so little energy, that they are often used in outdoor lanterns, since they can easily be powered by solar energy or a small battery. As the cost comes down and more manufacturers integrate them into household lighting, they will become more familiar and available.

Another way to conserve energy and help the environment is by installing a Programmable Thermostat. This thermostat can allow you to automatically adjust your home temperature based on your daily routine. By making sure the house is warm or cool only when you need it to be, you can potentially lower your energy bill by almost a third. When you’re not using your Seascape home, you’ll be helping the environment by conserving energy by just pressing a few buttons.

By installing and learning how to program an energy saving thermostat, you can make sure your home furnace, and air conditioning systems operate only when they are needed. Depending on your family’s schedule, you will be able to see significant savings in your electric bill, and the reduction in power usage will also make your environmental impact less. The key is to make sure that you use the programmable thermostat so that your home is heated and cooled only when you need it to be. Programmable thermostats on the market today are extremely user-friendly and often come with pre-programmed settings that match average settings for daily, weekly and monthly schedules. If your daily schedule tends to change, a 7 day model programmable thermostat is the best choice. It gives you the most flexibility for those times when your children come home early from school or your mother-in-law stops by for Sunday dinner. Seven day programmable thermostats usually have four possible temperatures period for the day, so you can change things as you need to. If your schedule isn’t as dynamic, other options for thermostats are available.

These are just a few of the easy to use household items that can help reduce your environmental impact as well as your energy use. There are many more, and a number of websites can give you great ideas. One of the easiest to use and understand is the Government’s Energy Star website, energystar.gov. You’ll be able to read about which items have be awarded the Energy Star certification, and get helpful hints on what you can do to make your home more energy efficient.

• Read More »

With the advent of the green movement, a number of alternative fuel vehicles are starting to become more available to the consumer. Two choices available today include flex fuel vehicles, which make use of E85 fuels, and biodiesel vehicles. Each of these alternative fuels has their good points and problems; the trick is to understand each one and decide which will fit your needs. These alternative fuels might be a great way to help conserve both the environment and your money as you drive around the coastal properties.

For many people, a flex fuel vehicle is seen as a stepping stone between the old gasoline combustion engines and future transportation methods. These types of vehicles use E85 fuel, which is a type of motor fuel blend that contains 85% ethanol, and 15% gasoline. It has a number of great assets including higher octane levels, comparable fuel mileage, less production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and less reliance on foreign petroleum. Drawbacks, however, include variable performance, and a somewhat limited availability of E85 fuel.

For many cars, their performance depends greatly on whether or not they can get the most from their fuel. Undoubtedly you have seen gasoline pumps which have designated octane levels indicated on the side, ranging from 85 to 93 octane level near various coastal properties. This octane level indicates the amount of fuel that can be compressed by the cylinder before it ignites due to compression instead of being ignited by the spark plug. The higher the octane level that your car uses, the less chance of knocking and the greater the available horsepower for your engine to use. If your vehicle’s engine can handle it, this is where the higher octane levels of E85, namely between 95 and 97 can be great for the performance.

Another great advantage of flex fuel vehicles and E85 fuel is their lower impact on the environment, and their ability to lower this countries dependence on foreign petroleum products. Ethanol is created from corn and other plant based products. Anyone living in the Midwest and Central United States would tell you that this renewable resource is in good supply. Also, the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is less throughout the production and consumption of this fuel, generally speaking, though some content otherwise. There is a wide range of current research on algae’s that produce oil that has a potential to cut down on this concern of using a lot of fossil fuels in the production of something that it is trying to eliminate.

Of course, just like any alternative fuel available on the market today, there are some drawbacks. One of them is the fact that not all of the vehicles on the road today are designed to utilize E85 fuels. While it is possible to retrofit older vehicles, it is usually a cost prohibitive process. In addition, not every region of the United States has the E85 fuel available for use. hankfully this is rapidly changing as the popularity of flex fuel vehicles grows. If you’re interested in learning more about how E85 fuel is being incorporated into American life, be sure to take a look at the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (E85fuel dot com). This is a non-profit organization that promotes the use of this alternative fuel source.

If you don’t want to make the investment of a new flex fuel vehicle, or search out E85 fueling stations in your neighborhood, a possible alternative is to make use of biodiesel. Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines that comes from natural oils like soybean or vegetable oil, and must meet the specifications of ASTM D-6751. It contains no petroleum, but it can be easily blended with any amount of petroleum diesel gasoline. It can also be used in many normal diesel engines without the major mechanical modifications necessary for E85 fuel usage. It is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and is essentially void of sulfur and aromatics.

Many metropolitan areas are exploring the idea of using biodiesel fuels in their buses and other public transportation vehicles. It makes sense, considering it is already a registered fuel additive, and many fleets can be switched over to this fueling method with minimal initial cost. Not only that, but this fuel type is supported by a number of governmental agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy as a viable option and many communities with coastal properties are realizing how little impact this fuel could have on the environment. States, such as Texas and Minnesota have designed regulations to encourage the use of this alternative fuel.

With all these advantages, one would wonder why more people are not taking advantage of this alternative fuel. One of the current disadvantages of biodiesel is that it is a little more expensive, and a little less available for public consumption. Also, the production of biodiesel requires a significant amount of arable land use, since plant material is used in its production. There is also some evidence of increased nitrogen oxide emission from biodiesel vehicles, and slightly lower mileage. Finally, biodiesel because of its chemical nature will not easily flow at lower temperatures, making it use in colder climates problematic. However, advances occurs all the time, as detailed by the National Biodiesel Board. You can read more on that at (biodiesel.org).

• Read More »

Hybrid cars are quickly becoming a popular choice in transportation based in part on their better gas mileage and lower impact on the environment. In fact, their popularity can be seen as I drove around looking at Capitola condos; chances are you’ll see a few driving around. Just as with any other new vehicle, though, there are potential safety concerns. The next few paragraphs will detail some of the safety concerns associated with this relatively new technology, and will hopefully help you decide if the practicality of hybrid cars is worth the investment.

Truth be told, the fact that hybrids run on both gasoline and electricity has no real bearing on their safety. Each individual hybrid car has been tested time and time again by various accident rating institutions such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, and Safe Car. Many of the hybrid cars are smaller in size, more maneuverable, and more able to avoid collisions. They also rank relatively high in safety ratings for vehicles in their weight class. Their safety, overall size, and fuel economy make them a great choice for visiting a few of the homes featured at a Capitola real estate broker.

It should be noted, however, that hybrid vehicles do present some unique potential hazards when they are involved in an accident or when they need to be repaired. However, by understanding them, and taking some commonsense precautions, the risks can be minimized. The first potential hazard to consider is that the high voltage hybrid battery and the vehicle’s power train components create a shock hazard. While there is no confirmed record of a person being electrocuted while servicing a hybrid, certain precautions must be taken.

Hybrid vehicles by their very nature contain high voltage electronics. Because of this potential safety concern, high voltage cables and parts are usually color coded to warn of the potential danger. Unless the battery is disconnected, these cables should be avoided. As for the batteries themselves, all hybrid vehicle batteries have a safety switch or a quick disconnect mechanism. It is these and other safety protocols that have been instigated by hybrid car companies to ensure the safety of their clients, rescue workers, and mechanics. This is not a job for the back yard mechanic who lives in a Capitola condominium.

Of course, those who drive, repair or rescue accident victims are not the only people that should be considered when it comes to hybrid safety. Bystanders and pedestrians are also an important consideration. For many of them, one of the perceived advantages of hybrid cars could cause a potential danger. Hybrids cars are extremely quiet on the road. This lack of sound makes their approach fairly unnoticeable, especially by those with vision impairment. Thankfully, there are some industry insiders are trying to create technology to slightly increase the sound of the hybrid engine, and is being developed by Lotus.

Hybrid cars are not only becoming more practical and affordable, but their safety is comparable to conventional vehicles of the same size class. Depending on your transportation needs, and financial status, a hybrid vehicle might be a great investment for you. Whether you buy a hybrid or a Capitola condo for frugal reasons, but have their places as investment in living a good life and being responsible.

• Read More »

Santa Cruz homes are becoming more and more popular, but, with the economy in the state it’s in, many new buyers of Santa Cruz homes find they buy their new home, and then don’t have the spare cash to renovate to their liking.

While we can’t help you with large projects, such as alterations or additions to Santa Cruz homes, we can give you some budget friendly decorating tips that can make a big difference.

1. It’s a cliché for a reason, but nothing lifts a room, or a whole house, like a fresh coat of paint! A complete change of color, or a new paint effect, even a stenciled trim, can make a huge difference to the feel of a room, without breaking the bank.

2. Likewise, old furniture, whatever the material or construction, can benefit from a DIY facelift. Try sanding, staining and varnishing wooden pieces, or for a lighter feel, why not lime wash them? Glass can be updated using sand blast film, which gives the appearance of sandblasting in minutes, and steel can be sanded and painted, or powder coated, although the latter will require a professional!

3. If you’re looking for new furniture to suit your new Santa Cruz home’s style, why not look online? Sites like www.ebay.com, www.overstock.com, or even Craigslist offer bargain deals on new or used items. But just because it belonged to someone else, doesn’t mean it’s not new to you.

4. Instead of changing your floor coverings, why not opt for a trendy, easy to do painted floor? Whether concrete or wooden, creating a painted floor is as simple as lifting any old carpet, and using an industrial floor sander to smooth the surface, before applying your color of choice, and a floor sealer. Sanders can be rented from tool rental companies, and you can make a weekend project of it!

5. If your budget is very tight, and none of the above is suitable for your Santa Cruz home’s transformation at the moment, a couple of dollars, and a trip to a discount home wares store can create a new look for you. An old couch is easily updated with a new throw, or some scatter cushions, and the same goes for lamps, which you can revamp with a new shade. Small, cheap accessories can totally change the look, and feel, of a room.

By using these tips, spending a little time trawling hardware stores, online shopping sites, and even thrift stores, you can get the Santa Cruz home look you want, at a fraction of the cost.

Spend a little time, and a little money, on your Santa Cruz home’s décor, and you’ll find you can have.

• Read More »

Alzheimer’s is one of those diseases that you don’t really hear much about until you have a loved on get afflicted. It is something that mostly affects the older part of the population. For instance 50% of the people over 80 have it.

It is a disease that wrecks emotional and financial ruin to the lives of the effected and unaffected. The costs are high financially; if you know someone who has it and the struggles their spouses go through or the kids in trying to manage the care themselves or professionally,you will realize the gravity of the situation.

If you would like to donate to Alzheimers or want to volunteer against it, sign up here.

If you have a senior that needs help, give me a call and I can point you in the right direction as I am a Seniors Real Estate Specialist( SRES). You can call me at 831-818-7524.

• Read More »

Rheumatoid arthritis is a slowly progressive disease that there is no cure for. The disease attacks your joints causing pain and swelling. Even though there is no cure at this time there are several medications that are offering increased effectiveness at fighting the progression of the disease process. Although none of them can reverse the effects, they do reduce the symptoms and force the disease to slow down.

The normal signs and symptoms of RA are:

Stiffness :: Especially in the morning. People with RA may take several hours to feel as if their joints are loose enough to function properly.

Swelling :: Fluid fills your joints causing the stiffness to be worse.

Pain :: The swelling in the joints makes them tender and sensitive to touch and movement.

Redness and Warmth :: The joints become red and warm to the touch when they are swollen.

These are the symptoms that are in your joints. RA can affect your whole body by causing fatigue, a general malaise (feeling ill), loss of appetite, and muscle aches. It is hard to live with many of these symptoms. Occasionally, in the early stages, RA is misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or vice versa. The swelling and pain will begin to interfere with your daily life in your Capitola home, and the work that you do. There are some common coping mechanisms people use to deal with all of this.

Usually the first thing that people do is slow down at work. You may type fewer words per minute, take more breaks from the work that causes the pain. Not real breaks, but short time-outs where you rub your hands or the affected joint. If it is your knees, you will begin to walk more slowly and stiffly, taking great amounts of time to climb and descend stairs.

Next, you will find yourself avoiding activities that cause you pain: knitting, sewing, and golf. The fun things in life that brought you joy for years are now too painful to deal with. Finally, you decide to see your doctor. You know it has to be arthritis, but what kind and what treatments are there?

The first thing your doctor will tell you is that he is going to recommend medication and physical therapy. You will want to get active again and stay as active as possible. Swimming near your Capitola home is a great way to do that as the ocean is close by. Swimming is a low impact exercise that will strengthen the muscles and tendons that are key to the movement of your joints. It will also help to strengthen the abdominal muscles and that helps your back pain, too. Many Capitola homes have pools, which are a great place to exercise in a low impact manner.

There are lots of signs and symptoms for RA. Only a doctor close to your Capitola home can correctly diagnose what is wrong with you. Once you have been diagnosed with RA there are several treatment options. They include medication, surgery, and physical therapy. The medication and therapy may prevent the surgery option. Living with RA does not have to be a set of coping mechanisms; you can remain active long after retirement.

• Read More »

Probably this should be titled, “Save a cop, save a life in Santa Cruz, and help the local economy”. The reason being is, that I see so many people driving around self absorbed with the phone glued to their ear. Hopefully some of the money will be used to keep our cops employed, as many have been cut or cut back in many departments. They have a thankless job, and I am thankful of the duty the do, so thank you officers.

When I drive around,  mostly the offenders I see are soccer moms and 30-50 year old guys. Mostly the teens get it. The law changed a year ago and I regularly see people swerving around. I wrote about California Cellular Hands Free law awhile ago and have seen it virtually ignored by the police.

I am glad to see that Santa Cruz County is going to finally start enforcing the law. I see several good things that will come from this.

1) For those that have not gotten a corded headset( $10-30 bucks mostly) or a blue tooth one ( $40-140) it will spur some economic activity at our local stores, which is good.
2) Our courts will bring more money into the county government, which it sorely needs as the first offense with court cost will be somewhere around $140.
3) People will be more focused on the road resulting in fewer accidents.
4) You will get to your destination faster as you are more focused on the road and not in trying to hold the phone and looking around trying to not get caught.
5) If one life or serious injury is avoided, it will be well worth it.

I probably see 10-20 people a day with a phone glued to their head, I am sure you do to. In the last year only about 2400 people were ticketed by the CHP, which is pathetic enforcement. I can see a learning period, as the news was constantly broadcasting the changes for a month or two, but look around and see what you think?

I have a corded and blue tooth headset. I find sometimes there are problems and I am forced to use the speaker phone until I can get the device to synch. I do realize that many people have gone completely cellular and the cell phone is their business and main line, but set up your voice mail and check back in if you won’t use the hands free options that are available to you.

The whole point of the law was to make it safer to drive, so no texting or taking with the phone to your head. Personally, while it would be inconvenient for those of us in sales or on the road alot, to ban talking while driving,the phones are distracting while driving. That is not what the law try’s to stop entirely, just partially, for safety.

So the things that we will be seeing soon is the choice to change or pay for the privilege of learning the law via the CHP and the Santa Cruz County court system, or by purchasing a headset.

Drive safe, and be vigilant.

• Read More »

Arthritis sufferers look for pain relief where ever they can find it. There are two exercises that can offer pain relief and the benefits of muscle strengthening to any age group. Both are low impact, low stress exercises and can be done in your Santa Cruz home. What are these wonder exercises you ask? Swimming and Tai Chi. Both offer a low impact way to strengthen muscles and tendons without putting stress on your joints.

Tai Chi for arthritis
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art form that has become recognized for its health benefits. There are several things that Tai Chi improves through its slow movements and concentration:

• overall physical condition • muscle strength • coordination • flexibility • balance • pain levels and stiffness • sleep disturbances • general well being

The various movements of Tai Chi are designed to flow into the next. Posture, movement, concentration, and breathing are essential in Tai Chi.

Arthritis Care and Research did a study that showed Tai Chi could offer modest benefits to people with different forms of arthritis. This study looked at the results from seven different clinical tests. Tai Chi was the only treatment used for muscle and joint pain and it worked in all seven clinical trials.

You can do Tai Chi movements in your own Santa Cruz home once you have the basic moves down. To get started though, you may want to find out if the local YMCA has classes. It is fairly common for a Y to offer them.

Swimming for arthritis
Swimming gives your entire body a great workout. Since it is so low impact, any age group can do it. You do not have to swim vigorously to reap the benefits, either. A modest lap of the pool is better than the time spent on the couch. Swimming is also a social exercise. You may get to know the people who share the pool with you and make new friends near your Santa Cruz home.

Swimming offers several health benefits: • overall physical condition • muscle strength • coordination • flexibility • pain levels and stiffness • sleep disturbances • general well being

You will notice that they are almost the same as Tai Chi. The buoyancy of the water carries your body weight and your heart rate stays lower than it does with other types of exercise. You won’t have to go anywhere far from your Santa Cruz home to swim. If you are afraid that the ocean is too strong, there are treatment centers and family YMCA’s around that offer senior swim times or water aerobics classes. Local pools such as the Simpkins Swim Center in Live Oak or the Harvey West pool in Santa Cruz can be home to these exercise classes, so check them out as well.

With both forms of exercise your will need to go through a stretching and warm up before you start. A pulled muscle is no fun and if you are already in constant pain, you do not want to add to it. There are many benefits to both types of exercises including that they can be done together and near your Santa Cruz home.

• Read More »

One of the most common diseases that affect the aging population of California is COPD. COPD( chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. “Progressive” means the disease gets worse over time. There is no cure; doctors try to treat the symptoms to relieve the patients’ discomfort. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.

To understand COPD, you need to be able to figure out the lungs work. The air that you breathe goes down your windpipe into tubes in your lungs called bronchial tubes, or airways. The airways are shaped like an upside-down tree with many branches. At the end of the branches are tiny air sacs called alveoli. The airways and air sacs are elastic. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air like a small balloon. When you breathe out, the air sac deflates and the air goes out.

In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of one of the following reasons:
• The airways and air sacs lose their elastic quality.
• The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed.
• The walls of the airways become thick and inflamed (swollen).
• The airways make more mucus than usual, which tends to clog the airways.

COPD is made worse by a lot of dust in the air or on days that smog is really high. The smog and dust will close the airways, causing a person to have even more difficulty breathing.

California has recently passed some new emissions control laws to help people with lowered lung capacity. These laws require trucking companies to operate trucks that have a new pollution control system. The new pollution control systems are projected to decrease the amount of fine particulates (smog causing) released into the air by as much as 75% to 85%. These laws don’t go into effect until 2010. Although the new laws are coming in the future, they represent a ray of hope for COPD sufferers.

COPD patients can reduce their symptoms by making a few changes in their lifestyles. The biggest is to move away from the smog centers in California. Not everyone can do that, so try some of these other things: avoid lung irritants, get ongoing care, manage the disease and its symptoms, and prepare for emergencies.

Avoid lung irritants means to stop smoking, and avoid air pollution as much as possible. You can avoid air pollution by closing your windows and have filters on your air condition that filter out the smallest particles as possible. Visit your doctor regularly to receincieve ongoing care and to manage your illness and all of the symptoms as they appear. Prepare for emerges by having inhalers on hand and oxygen nearby.

States are trying to pass laws to lower air pollution, treatment is getting better, and patients are becoming more aware. While a cure is not on the horizon, treatment and prognosis is improving.

• Read More »

In California there are over 1 million diesel semis’ that belch tons of fine particulates into the air each day. It’s no wonder that several of the cities in California are rated as having the most polluted air. Trucking companies wouldn’t police them and fit their rigs with better air pollution controls, so the state had to step in.

The new laws call for all trucks that do business in California to be fitted or retro fitted with new pollution control systems: diesel particulate filters and oxidation catalysts. The state believes that thousands of lives can be saved by starting to clean up the air from dirty diesel trucks. The new diesel truck laws go into effect in 2010 under the direction of the California Air Resources Board.

The state’s truckers believe that some of the smaller companies may be forced out of business by the $12,000 per truck cost of the new filtration systems and the fact that many will have to replace motors to meet the new guidelines. The total cost to trucking companies could be as much as $5.5 billion dollars, but the state has offered $1 billion in assistance.

While the trucking industry cries foul over their costs, the state points to 9,500 lives saved and $50 billion in health care costs savings. The state government hopes to see a reduction of particulates by 75% to 85%. That may be an optimistic goal, but even half of that would save on the medical bills of children who may not develop asthma.

Another answer could be alternative fuels or additives that reduce emissions by creating a cleaner burn. A fellow by the name of Ozzy Freeman has introduced one such invention. According to his system, you can take a container of distilled water (H2O), and run 12 volts of electricity through it from the vehicle’s battery by turning on the ignition. This starts up a process called “Electrolysis” which separates the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the water and forms a gas called “HHO” (Hydrogen + Hydrogen + Oxygen). The hydrogen gas gets sucked into the vacuum air intake system of the engine where it combines with the diesel and produces a super level of combustion… three times more powerful than diesel alone, thus requiring a lot less fuel and greatly reduces toxic emissions. Read more about HHO hydrogen fuel, and decide what you will. If true, could be a 2 for 1 great deal, better mileage and less pollution.

Whether the solution lies in burning our fuels more efficiently or finding new fuels isn’t the main question. Air pollution is killing our children and elderly in the same way the cigarette smoke does. California has made a huge leap into the future with its new legislation. Personally, I think that those same tougher rules should be enforced on factory emissions as well. The initial coast to business may seem daunting, but how will they feel when their health care costs go down and fewer employees call in on a daily basis? Better yet, how will you feel if there is even one less day that your eyes burn and your lungs feel like they are on fire? While most of us in Rio Del Mar don’t have to suffer that unless you get caught behind a school bus, many in big cities do face that problem daily.

While we have the coastal air to help cleanse our environment, there is still a problem here, especially in inland valley communities. While this law attacks part of the same issue that created the “Spare the air” day, trucks contribute a lot to particulate pollution. Part of the issue is that trucks have long life spans and have escaped regulations because of that. Many trucks are still needed to build the empires of silicon valley that are build with our concrete from Davenport and the sand from our quarries in Scotts Valley and Zayante. These trucks emit the particulates as well as dispersing the fine particulates from the mining operation into the air as they drive. There has been outcry from the mining particulates at times too.

I am all for this additional pollution controls and thinks the costs are relatively minimal compared to the total cost of health care and environmental damage to our trees. If you want to search for Santa Cruz eco friendly homes, that don’t emit so many pollutants you can find some of the here.

• Read More »

According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, a total of 751,051 “green jobs” were created or maintained in 2006. Of those jobs, almost 127,500 of them related to renewable power generation. The majority of the jobs in question, approximately 85% were located within metropolitan areas. However, with the increasing popularity of renewable energy in today’s market, the potential for employment in these areas can increase greatly. Santa Cruz Ca, real estate benefits when people improve their home with energy efficient products.

Projected Renewable Energy Jobs and Industries
The Energy Information Administration estimates that the electric power sector generated just over 4 trillion kilowatt hours. Of that, just about 8% was generated from renewable sources. Hydroelectric power is perhaps the largest contributor to the generation of electricity, and has been a significant creator of jobs in both manufacturing and operation of various hydroelectric jobs around the country. Since hydroelectricity has been a part of the infrastructure for a number of decades, the workforce is becoming older, and the need for an influx of skilled workers will undoubtedly increase in the coming years.

One of the most promising sources for alternative energy is wind. Geographically speaking, the areas with the highest potential for employment generation with a new energy infrastructure are in the northern and western parts of the country. In considering Santa Cruz real estate for wind potential, a survey of the area winds is helpful to determine the suitability of the site. If wind energy is pursued, the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas and Texas would be the most likely places for wind energy generation farms, and the associated employment opportunities. They are estimated to have a total potential power generation of approximately 4,500 billion kilowatt hours, which is more then enough to power the entire United States for at least 9 months. In addition, states such as Maine, New York, and Michigan also provide many opportunities for wind generation. If wind is actively pursued as a source of alternative energy, a substantial amount of jobs can be created and maintained. Potential jobs could include construction and maintenance of the wind generation farms, construction and maintenance of new transformers for electricity transportation, and jobs to regulate the flow and amount of electricity geographically. The American Wind Energy Association is a great place to find more information at awea.org.

Another potential powerhouse when it comes to alternative energy is solar power. Solar power has the potential to generate a significant amount of jobs, as well as decrease our national reliance on fossil fuels. The basic technology has been around for years, but the widespread adoption has not occurred basically due to the higher cost of power generation compared to fossil fuels. However, with the increasing cost of using fossil fuels, as well as advancements in solar panel technology, the cost difference is becoming smaller everyday.

Solar power generation supports many additional manufacturing jobs, as the final product producers make use of raw materials and intermediate goods from suppliers. There is not only potential job creation within the solar panel industry, but all the industries that supply materials needed for production.

A third source of alternative energy that could create new jobs is that of geothermal energy. The technology used in geothermal energy uses the heat and steam within the ground, and either uses them directly or indirectly to generate electricity. Unlike solar and wind generation, which so far has contributed little to the country’s energy infrastructure, geothermal energy has been a part of it since the early 1970’s. In fact, between the years of 1970 and 1980, the net generation of electricity by geothermal methods have increased by a factor of ten, and tripled by the early 1990s. However, a plateau was reached, and in 2007 geothermal energy produced approximately 14.9 billion kilowatt hours of power to 1.3 million homes. This equals approximately 4.7% of the all renewable power generation, leaving a significant room for expansion. In fact, the U.S. Geological survey has indicated that the geothermal potential might be as much as ten times higher than what is currently utilized.

Each of these renewable energy sources, if pursued has the potential to create a number of new jobs in the production of raw materials, construction of the equipment need for power generation, and the operation of the new infrastructure. In addition, since the technology is fairly new, how they impact the environment and the population is relatively undetermined at this time. This lack of information can also lead to jobs created in order to regulate and study the energy generated from these sources.

Creating a new energy infrastructure will be a daunting undertaking, and the need for skilled workers cannot be overly stressed. By understanding which industries affect and are affected by renewable resources, the areas of potential job growth can be easily seen.

• Read More »

There is present and future fuel alternative that is certainly gaining more notoriety. Hydrogen fuel cells are a potentially great way to address two of growing energy concerns in America today, including those living in La Selva Beach homes. The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and lessening our dependence on foreign petroleum resources is extremely important. Hydrogen can be produced from abundant and diverse domestic resources, and the fuel cells in production and development can provide a clean and efficient way to use this energy. Together they represent an extremely different approach to energy conversion and transportation.

FCV’s or fuel cell vehicles are propelled by electric motors. However, unlike battery electric vehicles, which gain their energy from an external source, FCVs create their own electricity. Just think, as you’re driving back to your La Selva Beach home, you’ll have both a clean fuel source, and the power you need to get the job done. The onboard fuel cells create electricity through a chemical process that uses hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air. The fuel is stored onboard in high pressure tanks. In addition, with the help of a “reformer” device, fuels such as natural gas, and methanol can be used after they have been converted to hydrogen gas. These vehicles are quiet, offer little emissions into the air besides water, and heat. In addition, their efficiency has been shown to be at least twice as comparable combustible vehicles.

In 1999, the members of the California Fuel Cell Partnership started to make progress towards creating and maintaining a commercial market for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. By 2008, a total of 250 fuel cell vehicles were driving down California roads, and refueling themselves at 25 stations scattered throughout the state. California is one of the first states to recognize hydrogen as an alternative fuel source, and subsequently began the regulation process to enable retail sales of the fuel. In July of 2008, members of CaFCP published a unifying vision for the expansion of hydrogen stations and fuel cell vehicles between now and 2017.

At this time, automakers project that thousands of fuel cell vehicles will be available for California consumers by 2012, and the earliest examples will undoubtedly be constructed using both private and governmental funding. With the expected increase in fuel cell vehicles on California roads, an estimated $90 million dollars could potentially be spent to create the necessary infrastructure by 2013.

In a conference at the SAE 2009 World Congress in Detroit Michigan, people from Nissan, Toyota, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will most likely be an important component of the nation’s transportation by 2050. The main reason for this delay is the fact that a new infrastructure must be created, or the old one needs to be drastically changed in order to incorporate hydrogen as a fuel. In addition, because of hydrogen’s volatile nature, safety is of great importance. Thankfully, state of the art materials and techniques have made the fuel cells some of the safest sources for power on the grid today.

Making the switch to alternatively fueled vehicles is just one way that you can make sure that you grow, and the environment is preserved. Making the right choice for you is dependant on a number of factors, including the availability of the fuel, performance of the vehicle, and your desired impact on the environment. Before making any decision, do the proper research, and chances are you’ll make the right one for you.

• Read More »

Whether you own property in Capitola, or anywhere else, chances are, after a few years of staring at the same old kitchen, you’re itching for a chance to revamp it.

However, kitchen renovation is an expensive exercise, and you may be wondering where you’ll find the money to fix up your tired old units, and get some great new accessories, without breaking the bank.

Here are a few great tips that will give your property in Capitola a great new kitchen, without costing you a fortune:

─•• Decide on a theme. This is very important, because once you know what theme you like, you can start doing some research. Are you looking for a clinical white minimalist kitchen, or does country or shaker style suit you more? Do you like modern, contemporary, or traditional? Knowing what you like can help the creative process, and once you have some direction, you can look through decorating magazines or websites for more inspiration!

─•• If you don’t have money for new cabinets, why not sand down your existing units, and give them a fresh coat of varnish or paint? Almost any surface can be painted, but make sure you check with the hardware store that you have the right primer, or undercoat. Some paints won’t stick to certain surfaces.

─•• Adding new handles to your existing units can take them from boring and outdated to fabulous in minutes. Why not take a trip to your nearest hardware store, and find some great new handles, that you can fit yourself?

─•• Update your curtains. It’s amazing what a change new curtains or blinds can do for a kitchen, or any other room for that matter. Just make sure you match your choice to your theme – delicate lace curtains will look out of place in a cutting edge modern kitchen, while slick venetian blinds won’t suit a country style.

─•• Choose timeless colors. When it comes to cabinets, walls and floors, you don’t want to be getting too adventurous with color. Choose something that you’ll be able to live with for at least a few years to come, and add color with great, cheap accessories. A fabulous cookie jar, or set of bright canisters, will lift the look of the room, without costing a fortune, and when you’re tired of them, invest in new ones.

─•• When shopping for appliances, have a look online. There are sites that sell well known brand name appliances at budget friendly prices. Have a look at us-appliance.com, or type cheap appliances or low cost appliances into your browser for lots more results.

Whether you’ve owned your property in Capitola for years, or if you are looking at buying property in Capitola, getting a modern, up to date, state of the art kitchen need not be the major expense you think it will be. Save money by being creative, giving the major features a face lift yourself, and shopping around for funky, well priced appliances and accessories.

• Read More »

With all the hype and then subsequent let down of the electric car movement many people are beginning to wonder if these cars will ever become mainstream or if they will remain the occasional oddity on the road. Many gas-electric hybrids by companies like Toyota, Ford, Lexus and Mercury are already enjoying some success, but true electric cars are still not capable of attaining the speed or traveling distance required to make them a viable alternative to the gas guzzling vehicles that many Americans are still driving. And the cost is still prohibitive for the average person as well. Saving money on fuel expenses isn’t likely to help the average household afford a vehicle in the $80,000 to $500,000 price range any time soon.

Keeping Kurrent in the Neighborhood
Still, electric vehicles are getting better and there are some inexpensive models on the road from independent companies like American Electric with their Kurrent selling for around $10,000. However, this is not a family vehicle as it only seats two people. It isn’t meant for cruising down the highway either, the manufacturers suggest that people need to “slow down” a bit anyway and tout this vehicle as a “neighborhood vehicle”. This would be perfect for college students or people who live a short distance from work, but it won’t replace your regular vehicle just yet. Meanwhile, countries like Norway have been driving electric cars like the Think which can go 112 miles on a charge at top speeds of 62 mph for years now and these vehicles are expected to hit US markets within the next couple of years for less than $20,000.

Innovations on the Rise
Most Americans aren’t ready to settle for driving 30-100 miles on a charge and then waiting many hours to get back on the go and so the car manufacturers are still working hard to overcome the obstacles and build better batteries and vehicle designs that will extend the driving distance and increase speed. Ideas being developed include hydrogen fuel cells and plug-in hybrid. Either manufacturer are going to have to find a way to create electric vehicles that are comparable in performance and price to conventional vehicles or Americans are going to have to alter their lifestyles by limiting the number of hours driven per day and their driving speed. Since the latter is unlikely in the near future, automakers will have to keep working on new designs.

Weighing the Options
There are several good, inexpensive electric vehicles on the market right now for people who travel short distances to work or to the grocery store like the Kurrent, the Fly bo (made in China), and the GEM. There are also more expensive electric cars like the Venturi Fetish that top out at speeds of 100mph and have an equally impressive price tag at over $400,000 in the US. Meanwhile, it will likely still be few years into the future before the electric car becomes a viable option for the majority of people in the United States.

The American Electric Car
GM is not the first and certainly will not be the last American auto manufacturers to create a mass marketed electric car. GM did it in the 90’s with the “EV” which was a success to the consumers, but not for GM as it was more of a test car. They are working on a car, the “Volt” which will be designed to travel 40 miles solely on battery power. Something like 75% of Americans travel less than 40 miles in their commute to work. So it can provide a clean means to travel and will have a small engine for those with greater distances. The Volt is highly anticipated to charge into American’s lives.

• Read More »