2012 Tournament of Roses Parade

By Doug

Dec

31

The 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade will be held in Pasedena, CA on Monday, January 2, 1012.

This year marks the 123rd year for the parade, and one of the few instances when the “never on Sunday” rule will be in effect.  Traditionally, the Rose Parade, and the accompanying Rose Bowl Game, are held on January 1st. However, in 1893 it was decided that the parade would be held on a Monday whenever January 1st falls on a Sunday, in order to prevent conflicts with Sunday church services.  The last time the “never on Sunday” rule was applied was in 2006.

This year, the parade, which will be seen in the US, Canada, and in 200 countries across the globe, celebrates the theme of “Just Imagine…”  It will feature marching bands from all across America, celebrated equestrian units and, of course, dozens of magnificent floats covered in flowers.

photo courtesy Joe Mac1 via Creative Commons License

Daniel Drimmer New Rental Site Takes Off in Western Canada

By Doug

Dec

18

On September 1, 2011, Daniel Drimmer launched Starlight Apartments. Specializing in residential rental apartments and condos in Canada, the company offers over 5,500 units to renters from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and all major cities across the Great White North.

While a majority of the properties available are on the East Coast, Starlight President Daniel Drimmer is a resident of Toronto and the company is based there, they offer a number of units on the West Coast. Some of the cities covered include Victoria, Port Moody, Mission, and Abbotsford. There are also rentals available in New Westminster, and Coquitlam.

Many of these communities are suburbs of Vancouver, the jewel in the crown of Canada’s West Coast. Vancouver is the 3rd largest city in Canada, with over 2.3 million people living and working in the Greater Vancouver metropolitan area. Founded in 1867 as a logging town, the city now counts tourism and film production as major industries, along with forestry. It is a major sea port for the West Coast and boasts an ethnically and linguistically diverse population.

Moving a bit further inland, but still in the Western section of Canada, Drimmer’s company offers many units in the city of Calgary, the 5th largest metropolis in the country. With easy access to the gorgeous Canadian Rockies, Calagary is a great spot for vacation rentals as well as for those who are considering emigrating northward.

The company’s website is a good example of the modern real estate site. It offers interactive maps and virtual tours as well as the ability to filter searches by property type and amenities as well as cost. Drimmer was one of the first to utilize these online tools when he was heading Transglobe Property Management through the 1990s and 2000s. Starlight Apartments, and other apartment sites in Western Canada, make good use of these tools and other features that the modern apartment hunter demands. That’s what makes them popular with prospective tenants.

 

photo courtesy Creative Commons license

How to Create Energy From the California Sun

By Doug

Nov

30

Living in California, you know that the sun shines a lot. It’s probably one of the reasons you love your west coast home the most (and why you are the envy of most of the U.S.). Even during “June gloom,” that morning fog burns away to give way to glorious California sunshine. That sunshine can do more for you than give you excellent tennis weather and a bronze goddess tan. That glorious sunshine can power your home. Did you know that solar power’s been growing rapidly in California because of a Renewable Portfolio Standard? That’s a Federal regulation requiring 20 percent of California’s electricity to come from renewable sources, such as solar energy by 2010, increasing to 33 percent by 2020. At least five solar plants are under construction in the desert right now.

Consider modifying your house to produce solar power. The most common way is with solar panels, more properly called photovoltaic cells. Sunlight passing through the panels is converted into alternating current by an inverter. Alternating current is the type of electricity we use in the United States, so the current generated by solar panels is available for use by the house’s electrical system. Your local utility system buys back the extra electricity you generate. Think about it: the sun that falls on your house pays for your gas range and clothes dryer to operate. That’s why solar panels for homeowners make sense from an economic and social standpoint.

Here’s how electricity comes from solar panels. It starts when sunlight hits the panels. As you might expect, the brighter and more direct the sunlight, the more power it produces. This means placing the panels in good locations, say on parts of the roof facing west or south. Make sure there’s nothing shading the panels, no overhang of an upper story’s roof, no shade trees and no deep shadows from neighboring buildings. Now the panel converts sunlight into direct current. Solar panels are made of two layers of silicon, the same silicon that revolutionized computers. Units of solar energy called photons hit the upper layer of silicon; this moves electrons from the silicon. The freed electrons carried away by wires form direct current. Direct current can’t be used in the United States though; the United States uses alternating current. To convert direct current into alternating current, the parade of electron along the wire goes into the inverter. The inverter is usually attached to the electrical meter. What goes into the electrical system is now alternating current. What’s needed is used and what’s extra goes to the utility company. This is called net metering. If you are particularly interested in learning how to become a solar panel installer, you live in the right state to make a living and help the environment at the same time!

5 Must-See California Destinations

By Doug

Nov

20

Ever since most of us were children, we have come to revere California as a land  of hopes and dreams. From the days of Saved by the Bell and the magical trips to Sea World and Disney, California and it’s temperate and sunny weather have become something that many of us dream about. If you have been waiting to hit the coast, it’s time to turn your ‘California dreaming’ to reality, and here are five great places to start.

Napa, California, or what is commonly referred to as wine country, is located in the northern district of California. Napa boasts some of the finest vineyards in the world. The numerous wineries located in this gorgeous town are abundant and give the area it’s charm and history. The wine tasting tours can be a real joy to sample and provide plenty of culture and history to boot. Some of these vineyards are home to families who have been in the wine making business generations and you can feel the pride and the history in each visit.

San Francisco has got to be one of the hottest California destinations to travel to. The wide variety of cultures and industry makes for a fantastic show of diversity. China town located in downtown San Francisco boasts some of the best Asian cuisine around. The numerous shops are a treasure trove for any visitor to see. Getting around in San Francisco can be half the fun as everywhere you turn there is a cable car to ride. Fantastic fun at its best!

Sacramento is another destination also located in the northern valley of California and full of history. Old town Sacramento located next to the Sacramento River is chucked full of specialty shops and built around buildings that date back to the early 1800s. A short walk from old town and you arrive at the K Street Mall boasting every department store one could want. This is truly shopper’s paradise. A short jump across the street and you are at the capital. Now this is a site to behold. The white Gothic looking capital building fills a large space surrounded by trees that date hundreds of years in age. History is conveyed well and brought to the visitor’s eyes by taking a fantastic tour of this building.

Big Sur is best known as the home of the California Redwoods. Some of these trees are two thousand years old. Located along the coast one can experience nature at its best. The smell of the ocean nestled with the giant Redwoods can be breath taking. There are numerous trails for the hiker and the nature lover to find breath taking.

Truckee is a place that is a must-see destination. The town of Truckee finds its roots in the California gold rush era. Truckee seen an onslaught of mining and the lumber industry thrived during the early eighteen hundreds and late nineteen hundreds. The town boasting small western like themed shops and board walk type causeways is awesome. The history is labeled all over the town the main theme being Gold. Gold was the chief source of income for most that came to this booming town in the early eighteen hundreds. There are many interesting shops along Truckee’s downtown main street.

 

5 Ways to Save Money at Your California Beach Home

By Doug

Nov

1

It is no secret that living in a beach house is costly and is often seen as only an option  for the affluent. Whats more, if you are intending to live in a beach house in California, which is considered as one of the most expensive places to live, it can be a wonderfully privileged lifestyle, even though it is admittedly pricey. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways you can save up on your dream home near the beach and enjoy the breathtaking California sunset.

Read on as we discuss the 5 best ways to save money for your California beach house.

1. The first step in saving money for your dream beach home in California starts by reducing your monthly expenses.
Cut back on unnecessary miscellaneous expenses. Although it isn’t noticeable, little miscellaneous fees can greatly reduce your savings per month if it accumulates. A simple money saving trick you can use is to order water when you are eating at fancy restaurants. Free ice water can be requested when eating outdoors instead of those expensive yet regular sodas and other beverages that you usually accompany your meals with when eating out with your family or friends at a restaurant. Another way to save money wisely is to reduce your trips or night-outs with your family. Although it is important to spend quality time with them, you should minimize it to once or twice per month in order to save more money for your future home. Additionally, though admittedly this is a difficult one for many of us, cut back on unnecessary shopping. Also, be sure you are getting the best rates on insurance by checking in with sites like Policy Expert.

 

2. You should canvass houses in advance in order to plan the budget for the home you wish to buy.
It isn’t ideal to shop for viable options of a house to invest in in only a short period of time. This may result in the purchased property to be of less value to you as well as does not appeal that well to your individual preference.

3.  When canvassing for a house, assess the condition of the property from top to bottom.
Look for significant damages or imperfections of the house that may be passed on to you as a liability you will have to compensate for. If the house is severely damaged from its interior walls to its exterior layout, then look for another one that is in mint condition in order to save up on repair and replacement expenses.

4. When you’ve already bought the place but is still financially held up by loans and credit card debts you’ve accumulated over the past few months of your struggle to save for the house, you can save up a significant amount of cash by modifying your lifestyle.
For example, instead of buying paper napkins and towels for home use, buy heavy-duty rags that can last for longer periods of time. This will save you a hefty amount of money.

5. You should make it a point to regularly assess your home’s condition.
It is imperative that you do regular cleanings in order to restore your home and to fix parts before it goes beyond fixing.

5 of the hottest west coast fall fashion trends

By Doug

Nov

1

This year’s west coast fall collection is filled with a variety of lightweight knitted fabrics worn comfortably in layers, which is perfect for the mild temps of the west. This kind of functional layering is present in the fall trendy fashions for 2011, even with the knitted fabrics for slightly cooler weather. As part of this collection you will also see silk flowing dresses, bringing a breath of freshness to the autumn season.

Yet another hot highlight for the west coast fall fashion is the trendy boiled-wool coats and cotton button-down shirts and sweaters, for those cool autumn days or nights. Additionally,  the knitted cardigan has made a comeback and is perfect for the west coast fall temperature. For those of us who are simply “California Dreaming,” these same fashion staples can be modified for cooler weather by adding a nice warm scarf or dressing in even more layers.

For those warm days of autumn, the fall fashion collection also includes the sassy Ikat print silk dresses. These dresses are hot because of the visual effect and the comfort it gives when being worn. The variety of fabrics that has made up the west coast fall collection is perfect for the climate and the every changing temperature during this time of year.

Some other very hot fall fashions and trends for the west coast are lace details on jersey tops and sporty chunky zippers. One of the very hot fashions for this fall is the form fitting fashion that is similar to a wetsuit. The tweed baggy trousers are part of this collection, cut into angular shaped “pirate” pants, worn cropped with ballooned-out points at the bottom side of each leg. The leather skirt has made its way back onto the west coast 2011 fashion scene, along with the layered bodysuits.

The glittery accessories are also a strong 2011 west coast fashion, along with the bright colors to make a bold statement. The bright colors are very visible this fall on the shoes, over sized shoulder bags and accessories. These colors can brighten up any autumn day and create a fashion look of fun for anyone who is wearing these colors! The color orange appears to be a favorite color for this years fall fashion trends, so look out for some of your favorite fashions in this hot color! There are also some other colors to look for that is part of this fashion trend, such as very bright cobalt to indigo and the deep golden yellow. These very strong colors have been continuously appearing on the runways and popping up in the stores this fall. These are some of the hottest west coast fall fashion trends! Capture them and make them your own, no matter where you are from! Find a great deal with one of the many opportunities for discounts with the highly sought after asos discount code.

Investment Income for a California Lifestyle

By Doug

Sep

13

Many people have enjoyed the fantasy of moving to the west coast as either part of their retirement plans or to begin a new life and career change. And while the state of California tends to figure prominently into the majority of these plans, the specific area and features involved can vary drastically. Of course, the ocean and a beautiful view will almost always figure into the fantasy somewhere. And regardless of whether you’re attracted to the Napa Valley or the charm and low-key atmosphere of San Diego, California definitely has something to offer everyone. And it takes a bit of money to ensure that you are going to enjoy it to its fullest. So, do you have to be a doctor or incredibly successful lawyer to move to California? No, of course not, many careers in the computer industry also pay a healthy living salary. But really, all kidding aside, various forms of investment are the key to many families’ stability and lifestyle. And there are numerous options and investment plans that will work for you, your income and the life needs of your family. Money mutual.com and other great sites and information sources exist to guide you in your various financial options.

A lot of people rely on retirement funds from work, such as the 401k and similar others, to assist them in their post career years. However, for the working family, who wants to enjoy a great lifestyle and live comfortably now, there are some great investment plans that contribute to your annual income. There are essentially three different types of investment income possibilities and they are variable, guaranteed or predictable. And all of your options will fall into one of these three. You can have income from different interest payments, capital gains and dividends or investments of any kind. For instance, if your best friend from college talked you into sinking a few thousand dollars into his restaurant, which turned out to be the latest hit seafood place, you will either receive your investment back with interest or can continue to collect income on its growth and success by leaving your money in the restaurant. And of course if you’re thinking of opening a restaurant or any other small business, money mutual with Montel Williams is just one option available to you. Regardless of your career choice, developing some kind of investment portfolio is generally acknowledged as a financial stability, or increased income, provider. Whether you choose to live in Northern or Southern California, you’ll want to enjoy all this beautiful state has to offer.

Why positive affirmations can help self confidence

By Doug

Sep

8

 In the average day, any one of us thinks negative thoughts to ourselves. Most are simple but have their profound effects. If we think of ourselves as  stupid several times a day, it can seriously change our mood and even how we feel through the next few hours. If we tell ourselves we are stupid every hour, it will probably have an impact on our mood all day long. So if we tell ourselves we are stupid every few minutes or more, then it will be likely to diminish our ability to function positively every few minutes. In a very short time period our productiveness and our ability to function will be greatly diminished, all by the impact of thinking negatively about ourselves.

Change begins with how we think about ourselves.Well the same is true if we were to think that we are brilliant every few minutes, we should become more uplifted and happy from giving ourselves over that more positive thought pattern. In theory this is true about how we think, so the next logical step is to reinforce the way we feel by saying our thoughts outloud. If we do this the impact on the mind and body is greatly increased. This act of saying a positive thought aloud to ourselves is called using positive affirmations. By choosing to say positive affirmations about ourselves and the things we need encouragement in, we can overcome many internal behavior patterns that we are unaware that we feed ourselves with daily.Change becomes reality in the way that we talk to ourselves.

Why positive affirmations can help self confidence and using them can change your life, it is so simple that it almost goes unnoticed by us all daily. We change the way we feel by having a change in moods emotionally. When we change our emotions and our self talking affirmations, we then begin to think, act or even believe differently about ourselves. This is the way to change everything from the inside and eventually we begin to show it externally. We are what we think we are in our subliminal minds and we believe what we we say we are with our words.

Change balances everything as we see ourselves, as we really are inside and out.

Alternatives All the Way to Reno

By Doug

Aug

24

It’s not necessarily true that the west coast has the strongest alternative healing community.  But it does seem to be deeply connected to it at the origin, and any trace can be related back to the Pacific.  It might have something to do with the unique propensity that practitioners have of relating everything to everything else, and is certainly likely to be connected to the mindset of meditation in general.  Meditating, from nearly any cultural or historical perspective and tradition, does tend to have the notion that everything is connected, ultimately.

However, when moving to a new city, one can find plenty of evidence that alternative healing is alive and well all over.  So finding such a welcome web in places like Reno won’t be shocking.  It’s not entirely on the west coast, but there are definitely cultural similarities.  Or it could be something much simpler, like the idea that the world is indeed smaller, and the things that work well in one place can easily translate to another.

On some level, of course, every place is connected, and every place can be its own miniature version of the whole world.  If someone is looking close enough, the things one might find in Jakarta will also be in Las Vegas.  There are some times when it takes a little more investigation, but the seeds are all contained in each pot.  One can find an expert in reflexology just as one can find a Lawyer in Reno, which just goes to show that the human being is a complex organism.

The influences of the alternative healing movement in Reno don’t end with the human, either.  True, there are a wide varieties of services one can find in the city to help deal with any number of issues related to human health.  There are also services where one can find the same care and holistic attention payed to the animal kingdom in Reno.  Here, the knowledge and wisdom that come from multiple systems of healing from all over the world are applied to taking care of pets.

So while the busy mind has tendencies to find too many connections between things, there is also plenty of evidence to show that the connections are actually there, from animals to law offices to wellness.  It’s not the west coast exactly, but sometimes, if it’s in the same universe, that’s close enough.

Summer Heat is Tough on Cars

By Doug

Jul

30

The summer months can be particularly rough on cars, the heat seems to really take a toll on the engine and the fans that cool the engine. It is not uncommon for cars to experience all sorts of problems during the hot months as it becomes prone to overheating. If your car starts to act up during the summer, your best option is to take it to a mechanic.

carsSome people will try to fix the car themselves because they have an auto repair book, but unless you are very auto savvy, it is better to take it to a professional. When something is wrong with the car, it can be difficult to tell what exactly is wrong and what needs to be fixed. Repairs can range from small engine carburetor repair to replacing hoses. Another benefit of taking the car to a mechanic is that they will look over the entire car to make sure that everything is fixed as opposed to just fixing the problem at hand.

Cars can be fickle to deal with sometimes, but typically they are relatively easy to fix. Having your car checked out before the summer months is probably a good idea because then it will help to avoid any potential problems that may arise. It is also a good idea to have some coolant on hand in your garage, as cars seem to go through a lot of it during the summer months. Also, putting up the shades on the windshield will protect the interior of the car and it will keep the inside cooler. There is nothing worse than getting into a burning hot car and waiting for the air conditioning to come on.

Summer can be an extremely difficult time on cars and their engines, but if you have the right mechanic and know when to have your car looked at, there shouldn’t be too many problems.