Time to “Spring Forward”

Daylight Saving Time Starts this Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 2:00 am

Prepare to Spring Forward

Usually signifying that summertime is on its way, daylight savings time is approaching.  The bad part is that we lose an hour of sleep.  Some of the reasons daylight savings is observed are because daytime lasts longer.  Some people believe that having daylight last longer can reduce accidents and injuries, particularly when driving.  Longer days can also be beneficial for tourism industries because people will want to stay outside longer. 

The University of Connecticut Health Center offers these tips for managing your sleep and life this weekend – and the rest of the year.

–Practice. In the days leading up to the change, go to bed 15 minutes earlier and wake up 15 minutes earlier.
–Take a nap on Saturday – but not close to bedtime.
–Just do it. After the time change, go to bed at your usual time – even if you don’t feel sleepy. You’ll get used to it.

Real Estate Predictions for 2011

5 Predictions for 2011

Freddie Mac points out five features that will characterize the housing and mortgage markets next year

1. Low Mortgage Rates:  Relatively low mortgage rates will be a feature of the 2011 mortgage market.  Those watching the Fed expect the central bank to keep the federal funds rate at 0 percent to .25 percent.  30-year fixed rate loans will more than likely stay below 5% throughout the year.

2. Prices have hit bottom: House prices are likely to begin a gradual, but sustained recovery in the latter half of 2011.

3. Housing will remain affordable: Many first-time homebuyers will hit the housing market in 2011 because of the affodability of homes being high.  This will mean more home sales in 2011 than in 2010.

4. Refinances will dwindle: With the Making Home Affordable refinance program expiring in June of 2011, many of the eligible borrowers have already re-financed.  Refinancing will be less of an option to most home owners because although fixed-rate loans are likely to remain low, they will gradually move up.

5. Delinquency rates will decline: Based on the last several business cycles, the share of loans that are 90 or more days delinquent or in foreclosure proceedings — known as the “seriously delinquent rate” — generally crests within a year of the start of the recovery in payroll employment, and this economic recovery appears to fit within that pattern. Payrolls began to rise last January, and by the spring the seriously delinquent rate had begun to fall.

Source: Freddie Mac (12/09/10)

Santa’s Village in Poway

 FREE event for families for the Holidays

17868 Joyas Court, Poway, CA

Something fun to do with the family is check out Santa’s Village in Poway.  Usually advertised through word of mouth, as I have yet to find a website advertising it, the house on 17868 Joyas Court opens its doors to families in the community usually starting Dec. 10th and running through the 22nd of December from 6-8pm, except on Sundays.  Parking is somewhat limited, as you’ll have to walk to the house and up a bit of a hill…but it is very much worth it.  Once you get to the house, the walkway has gorgeous lighted archways.  You will more than likely see a long line…don’t fret….that line is to see and take photos with Santa.  You can easily bypass the line if you choose to go straight into the home to view the extravagantly decorated rooms.  You may be overwhelmed at how much there is to see, but take time to appreciate all of the effort that went into putting it together.  There is an area where you are free to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies.  And finally, each child is given a small gift…and by the way…everything is FREE!

Black Friday 2010

Black Friday 2010 San Diego

Strategically plan your Black Friday 2010 Shopping Day

The term “Black Friday” was coined in the 1960s to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand, and red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to a bustling holiday shopping season. 

For my fellow San Diego shoppers, I have put together a list of some of our hometown stores that will be open extra early, so you can strategically plan your Black Friday.

WalMart as always, will be open 24 hours through Thanksgiving, however they won’t begin selling their doorbusters until 5am on Black Friday.

Target will be open at 4am. 

Toys R Us will be open at 10:00pm on Thanksgiving Day.

Best Buy opens at 5am.

Fashion Valley Mall – some stores open at midnight including: Old Navy, Disney Store, Guess, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret.  Most of the stores in the rest of the mall open at 5am.  Nordstrom opens at 8am (and don’t forget to check out their always impressive Holiday Window at the front of the store)

North County Fair will also be open at 5am with certain stores opening even earlier.  University Towne Center will be open at 7am. 

Carlsbad Premium Outlets - certain stores open at midnight for their Midnight Madness Event.

Las Americas Premium Outlets – certain stores open at midnight

And believe it or not, Sears will be open ON Thanksgiving Day, but only from 7am-12pm. 

And from the website www.BlackFriday2010.com here are some predictions for this year’s shopping Season:

Black Friday 2010 Predictions

The 2010 Black Friday climate is not the greatest compared to most years. The economy is slowing down whereas last year at this time, the economy grew a bit.  This year is definitely tougher because of the unemployment rate at about 9.6%.  That coupled with foreclosure problems, a lack of credit, and an overall unease about the economic conditions have brought a lot of concern and frugality into the US household. US household average savings is now 7%, the highest in a very long time. These factors do not set up the greatest Black Friday for retailers. Specifically…

• Spending on average will again decrease from $343.31 to $330 as people continue to cut back.
• The Amount of Black Friday shoppers will increase from 195 million last year to 200 million this year. More people will be looking to save on Christmas gifts during this tough time.
• With a greater amount of shoppers the total amount of Black Friday spending will increase, yet only very slightly, from $41.2 billion to $42 billion.
• The amount of Black Friday online shopping will jump from $595 million to $1 billion as people try to avoid stores, and online shopping because more popular.

Miracle Babies 2nd Annual 5k Walk/Run

5k Walk / Run to be held this Sun, Nov 14th at Mariner’s Point

Money raised for families in need who have a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Founded by Dr. Sean Daneshmand in San Diego, Miracle Babies a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance for families with preemies in the NICU.  The 2^nd annual Miracle Babies 5K Walk / Run will be held this Sunday, November 14^th at 10:00 am at the Mariner’s Point in Mission Bay Park.  Registration is FREE for kids and $30 for adults ($35 the day of the event).  The walk will be followed by Beer Garden, jumpies, clowns for kids, band, entertainment, auction, diaper dash for kids and a fun-filled day for all.

Miracle Babies is a non-profit organization maintained by volunteers, many who are parents of prematurely born children.  Miracle Babies is committed to assisting families with items such as:

• Co-pay assistance for medical equipment (i.e. oxygen, apnea monitor)
• Hospital grade breast pump rental assistance (lactation consultants highly recommend hospital grade pumps for moms that have a preemie)
• Car bed for babies that are discharged under 5lbs
• Prescription Medicines
• Baby Supplies
• Baby Clothing
• Diapers
• Cribs
• Infant Car Seats
• Strollers (often a luxury for parents on a tight budget)
• Educational Toys
• Children’s Books
• Special Formula
• Funeral/Mortuary Assistance (the death of an infant in the NICU is so often unexpected that the family is not prepared for the financial burden of having to prepare for the necessary funeral arrangements)
• Groceries
• Rent/Mortgage Assistance
• Sibling Childcare
• Lodging Assistance for Out-of-Town Family Members
• Telephone/Cell Phone Payments
• Utilities Assistance
• Bus Passes
• Gas Money/Card
• Car Repairs
• Car Payments

Dr. Sean has been named a CNN Hero of the Week .  His work for Miracle Babies has helped 80 families in California and across the nation.  He says his main goal is to help these families be happy, healthy and together.

Deja Vu? Dream Works does it again…

Megamind comes out in theaters tomorrow, Friday, November 5th

Something fun to do with kids (adults will get a kick out of it too).

DreamWorks has done it again with the release of Megamind - a “satirical take on the superhero genre.”  With a star-studded cast of character voices including Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey & Jonah Hill, there are sure to be laughs had by all - adults and children alike.   With your choice of regular, 3D iMax 3D, you’re in for a fun ride! 

Add this to the other DreamWorks hits like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, Bee Movie and more. 

Check out Fandango to find your local theaters and show times.  Have a great weekend!

San Diego Beer Week

San Diego Beer Week November 5-14, 2010

San Diego Brewers Guild Festival

Celebrating Craft Beer in San Diego Nov 5-14,2010

Liberty Station is the place to be on Saturday, November 6. That is where beer week will kick off. Live music, food, and of course 10 tastes from San Diego’s top breweries all for the price of $35. If you are truly a beer aficionado, show up for the VIP session at 12 noon. You can meet with the brewers and then hang out for the rest of the event. VIP tickets run $50.

Events over the 10 day period range from Beer Breakfasts, Beer Pairings, Home Brewing instruction, and discounts and deals throughout San Diego.

The official closing event of San Diego Beer Week will take place from 11:30-3:30 at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Enjoy unlimited tasters of beer and food. Bringing together San Diego’s fabulous craft beers with the amazing talents of local chefs, this beer and food pairing event is unsurpassed. You won’t want to miss it.

For more information regarding the Beer festival, the events, and all of the fabulous discounts you will enjoy, visit the official website! http://sdbw.org/beer-garden/

In addition, for general information regarding the incredible beer craft industry we appreciate here in San Diego, visit the website at http://www.sandiegobrewersguild.org/. We have some of the highest rated breweries in the nation, and the world! 

http://www.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/brewery-rowe/2010/sep/18/san-diego-breweries-score-big-great-american-beer-/

Right here in America’s Finest City!!

Cheers!

La Mesa Oktoberfest

La Mesa Annual Events~Oktoberfest

37th Annual Oktoberfest October 1-3

La Mesa Oktoberfest October 1-3

It’s that time of year again. Come and stroll along La Mesa Village for the largest 3 day Oktoberfest west of the Mississippi. There will be hundreds of craft and commercial booths, a children’s carnival, food courts, and of course…what would Oktoberfest be without BEER GARDENS!!

Parking is extremely limited so take the San Diego Trolley, Orange Line. Get off at the La Mesa Blvd stop. You will be right in the thick of things! Click here for trolley information

Hours will be Friday and Saturday 11am-11:30 pm; and Sunday 12 noon- 6pm. For more information regarding this event Click here

So long…farewell…Auf wiedersehen, adieu!

San Diego Events, San Diego Restaurants

San Diego Restaurant Week September 19-24 2010

San Diego County’s Largest and Most Successful Dining Event

Celebrating its seventh year as San Diego’s largest dining event, this culinary tradition gives patrons the ability to discover new restaurants or enjoy a favorite for less. Choose from more than 180 of San Diego’s best restaurants.  San Diego Restaurant Week is held twice a year. The upcoming dates are September 19-24, 2010 and January 16-21, 2011. Enjoy a fixed price, 3 course meal for $20, $30, or $40 per person, depending on the restaurant. No tickets or passes are required, but reservations are strongly recommended. Contact the participating restaurant directly.

For a list of participating restaurants click here                         

Bon Apetite!

San Diego Events, Junior Charger Training Camp

2010 Junior Charger Camp Dates

San Diego Chargers and STAR/PAL celebrate 8 years of Junior Charger Training Camps

Junior Charger Training Camp-NLF PLAY 60

As Bob Dylan sang… oh, the times, they are a-changin’. No doubt, things are different from when we were young. Gone are the days when kids could play outside all day long.  I remember that I intentionally stayed outside as long as possible, because if I came in, and sat around…my mother would give me a chore to do. Unfortunately, it is no longer safe to allow our children to play unsupervised.

 Add to this our ever -progressing technology…video games, blu-ray, HD TV, computers, and, of course, the internet. All of these things have resulted in a diminished level of activity for our youth. Which has led to an overwhelming increase in childhood obesity.

 The San Diego Chargers, as part of the Play 60 initiative, are committed to doing something about that.  The schedule for the 2010 Junior Chargers Training Camp has been released. The training camps are presented by Kaiser Permanente this year.

 The Chargers, and San Diego’s Police Athletic League, (STAR/PAL) have been providing these free football skills camps for 8 years now. Boys and girls aged 7-14 will not only learn the basic football fundamentals, they will also learn about how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle.

Chargers Junior Training Camps are held at different locations throughout San Diego County, on Tuesday afternoons beginning at 4:00 pm.  Every child who participates in the camp will receive a t-shirt, and a Charger goodie bag! And best of all….It’s FREE!

To get more information about participation or volunteering, or to register for a camp. Visit http://www.starpal.orgor call STAR/PAL at 619-531-2718.

Who says, “Nothing in life is FREE”!

2010 Junior Chargers Camp Dates

• September 21st
• September 28th
• October 5th
• October 12th
• October 19th
• October 26th
• November 2nd
• November 9th
• November 16th
• November 23rd
• December 7th