Irvine has a program called CERT -- Community Emergency Response Team which I just joined three weeks ago.  In the case of a major disaster or emergency to hit the city, the first responders (police people, firemen and women, doctors, EMTs, etc.) would be overwhelmed, especially with all of the growth Irvine has faced over the past ten years.  With the trained folks all up in arms, who's left to deal with everything else?  That would be CERT. CERT is composed of volunteers, who either live or work in Irvine (those of you in other cities can check out your city's emergency management group to see if something similar exists).  CERT is sponsored by the Irvine Police Association and the Orange County Fire Authority.  These classes have been occuring since 2000, and I am part of class #15. ... 04/20/2007

I'm not sure where this acronym came to be, but "No Darn Foolin' Around" stands for the dates when your property taxes are due!  For the second half of the fiscal year, property taxes are due in February and delinquent after April 10th (which was yesterday).  In Orange County, a 10% penalty is added on after 5pm.  I'm hoping you got around to turning it in earlier, because obviously I am late in reminding you!  And 10% can be a big chunk of money around here.No = NovemberDarn = DecemberFoolin' = FebruaryAround = AprilImportant Dates to remember (according to the Orange County Government Online page):July 1  -- Start of fiscal year.November 1 -- First installment of property taxes due.December 10 -- Last day to pay first installment of property taxes before penalties are added.February 1... 04/11/2007

According to SoCalMLS data, the average sales price for each of these "villages" of Irvine was:Airport Area -- $728,598 (96% SP/LP)El Camino -- $612,776 (93% SP/LP)Northpark -- $862,329 (96% SP/LP)Northwood -- $785,472 (97% SP/LP)Oak Creek -- $708,062 (96% SP/LP)Orangetree -- $380,202 (97% SP/LP)Quail Hill -- $723,718 (97% SP/LP)Rancho San Joaquin -- $526,000 (99% SP/LP)Turtle Ridge -- $1,306,701 (95% SP/LP)Turtle Rock -- $1,332,255 (87% SP/LP)University Park -- $625,176 (97% SP/LP)Walnut -- $702,607 (97% SP/LP)West Irvine -- $682,495 (98% SP/LP)Westpark -- $596,992 (97% SP/LP)Woodbury -- $628,226 (97% SP/LP)Woodbridge -- $599,786 (97% SP/LP)  04/03/2007

A cute and cozy 3 bedroom condo (no stairs!) in the Woodbridge area.  Within walking distance to lots of Woodbridge amenities, including elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as the shopping center across the street (with Starbucks, Edwards Theater, a mix of stores, and great restaurants -- I love Goro Sushi!).  Corner of Alton and Culver, just north of the 405 freeway.  Just follow the Woodbridge signs Sunday.  Home will be open from 12 noon to 3pm.  Hope to meet you there!  Questions?  Call me! 03/31/2007

My attorney friend, H. Brooks Travis, MBA, JD, will be hosting a workshop for all my clients and to the public. Here are the details:Title: "Protection of your estate and retirement assets -- Tools and Techniques Workshop"Day: Tuesday April 17thTime: 7PM - 8:30PMLocation: Centerstone Plaza, 4010 Barranca Pkwy, Ste. 253, Irvine, CA, 92604There is no cost, but RSVP is REQUIRED: Erica at erica@erica4RE.com or 714-749-0837. Seating is limited so please contact me!What you can expect to know when you attend:How you can use proven techniques and recent changes in the law to maximize the value of your estate. How proper filing of assets can protect your equity upon the sale of your property. What tools can be used to manage and protect your valuable assets How you can protect your children's i... 03/24/2007

Hi All. Keller Williams Elite Realty and the American Red Cross are having a blood drive in Woodbridge, and we need all your help to save as many lives as possible.  Keller Williams Elite Realty- Irvine BLOOD DRIVE!! Tuesday, March 20th, 20071PM - 7PMAlder-Sycamore Room (31 Creek Road) in the Woodbridge Village Assocation building All Blood Drive participants will be eligible to enter a regional drawing to win two FREE Annual Passes to Disneyland! To schedule a blood donation appointment go online to www.givelife.org and use the sponsor code: kellerwerYou do need to bring a photo ID.  To learn more about the blood donation process and donor eligibility, please go to www.helpsavealife.org 03/14/2007

Orange County, CA may be in trouble. The OC is home to the subprime lenders of America. The subprime mortgage market is collapsing like a bluff on a beach in a tsunami. Bubble bloggers dance on the graves of the fallen.  What I find amusing is that nobody feels bad for a collapsed lender.  I mean, come on, everyone knows that it's just a bunch of rich people playing with the Wall Street's money, right? Now Main Street's whitewashed windows and vacant stores Seems like there ain't nobody wants to come down here no more They're closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks Foreman says these jobs are going boys and they ain't coming back to your hometown Your hometown Your hometown Your hometownLyrics from My Hometown by Bruce Springsteen Well, let me tell you a story of the re... 03/13/2007