Elaine King's Real Estate Blog

As I have said several times: I LOVE STARBUCKS!!!  Here is another reason to love them: HALF PRICE frappucciono’s!!!  Starbucks is hosting a HAPPY HOUR from 3-5PM on May 7-16 at participating stores.  YUM!!! 

Take a friend, take a client, or just do it for yourself!  ENJOY!!!!

From my email inbox, I am sharing this with you to implement “one light bulb at a time”.   Here is the email: “I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments.  They were all made in China.  The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments; they were made in USA .  Start looking!

In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else – even their job.  So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track.  Let’s get behind her!

My grandson likes Hershey’s candy.  I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now.  I do not buy it any more.

My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico … now I have switched to Crest.  You have to read the labels on everything.

This past weekend I was at Kroger.  I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets.  I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, “Everyday Value.”  I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats – they were the same except for the price …  The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in – get ready for this – the USA by a company in Cleveland , Ohio .

Bounce Dryer Sheets, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada .  The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA ! I did laundry yesterday, and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce that I have been using for years, and at almost half the price!

So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you used every day that are made in the USA!  My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA – the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!  If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time!  Stop buying from overseas companies! Let’s get with the program and help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.”

As I mentioned previously, email is like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolate.  You never know what will end up in your inbox!  In the past few months, I haven’t shared anything new from my email, so below is something to make you SMILE!     It is called Have you ever wondered?

1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer’s history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn’t want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font!!!
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5.  I’m pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.

Palindrome’s are words that can be read from front-to-back and back-to-front and still make sense.  In this world where texts, twitters and typos are the norm, this video is VERY GOOD and makes you think!  Nothing here about real estate, mortgages or Earth Day, just a simple message to think about!

The video is less than 2 minutes, and was submitted in a contest by a 20-year old.   The contest was titled “u @ 50″ by AARP, and this video won 2nd place. So simple and yet so brilliant.

Click the link and then take a minute and watch it.  A VERY GOOD Palindrome

The Brentwood Iris Garden (195 Payne Ave) is having its annual Iris Festival this weekend on 4/17 and 4/18.  The garden hosts iris bulbs in full bloom and for sale.  Brentwood Gardens grows irises, day lilies, and chrysanthemums.  Come out and enjoy FREE hot dogs, soda and the beauty of Spring!

If you come to Brentwood on Saturday, take time to also enjoy the Brentwood Farmer’s Market.   Located on 2nd street in downtown Brentwood, street vendors offer fresh fruits/vegetables, organic eggs and meats, breads, plants, and prepared foods.  I purchased a beautiful hanging basket last weekend, so check out the Brentwood Farmer’s Market.

Plan to also sample wines at Co. Co. Wine Company, located on 2^nd Street and across from the Farmer’s Market.  They have a fun wine bar and unique wine barrel tables to enjoy your wine.  They feature Contra Costa wines, including Concord’s Sterling Albert, Walnut Creek’s Shadowbrook and Brentwood’s Tamayo wines.  Their phone number is 634-9463, and they are open noon to 11PM on Friday and Saturday and noon to 4PM on Sunday.

If you want to tour some vineyards, check out our local winery: Hannah Nicole  or try some unique flavors of olive oil at McCauley Olive Groves.  Treat yourself and come out and enjoy the bounty of this great area of East Contra Costa!

Today, April 15^th, bring in a empty reusable travel tumbler to your local Starbucks and get a FREE brewed coffee!!  As you may know, I love Starbucks, so join me in celebrating TAX DAY with a free coffee.  ENJOY!  (Click here for more information)

I love Starbucks!  My geography for a local city is based on Starbuck locations.  Since our office is virtual, my clients ask me what Starbucks do you want to meet at?  (Nice, huh?)  So, if you like Starbucks as much as I do, visit a Starbucks on Tueday, 3/23 before 10:30 AM and receive a FREE Pastry with this coupon. 

I hope this makes it a great day for you!  ENJOY!

This blog is a summary of  upcoming weekend events in Brentwood….

For your IRIS lovers, the Brentwood Iris Garden (195 Payne Ave) is opening this weekend (3/20) to showcase the early blooming dwarf iris.  Brentwood Gardens grow irises, day lilies, and chrysanthemums.  The tall bearded-iris should be growing around 3/27.  Keep your calendars open for the weekend Iris festival on 4/17 and 4/18.  

Remember, while enjoying the flowers of Brentwood, allow time to enjoy the wineries (Hannah Nicole, Tamayo, and Bloomfield) and McCauley Olive Groves for some olive oil tastings. 

Speaking of wine, the CO.Co. Wounty Wine Company is having a Wine & Chocolate Fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Sunday, 3/21.  The cost is $30 to benefit a worthy cause and sample wines & chocolates!  YUM!

Summerset 4, at the Orchard View Lodge is hosting  a Spring Boutique to benefit Garin Elementary School’s Library.  The event is Saturday, March 20th.  There will be 25 Bay Area Vendors  displaying  their wares.  For more information on Summerset, Brentwood’s original Active Adult Community, please email me.

On Saturday, March 20th, at Liberty High School; there will be a Diabetes fundraiser from 9AM – 5PM.  The money raised from the event will go toward education at schools on how to deal with emergency diabetic situations and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.  Come and support a worthy cause.

For you local historic fans, the East County Historical Society holds its annual Opening Day Celebration on Saturday, March 27th at Byron Hot Springs.  Be there from 11AM-4PM for a classic car show, to view John Marsh paintings and family enertainment. The Museum is open every Saturday and the third Sunday of the month from April thru October.

Speaking of John Marsh,  the only remaining relic of this cattle baron & pioneer is his home.  This week, the first phase of stabilization of the house  will take place thanks to a recent grant. The home, located on Marsh Creek Road, the home is fenced and needs serious renovation.   The $800,000 grant will be used to install temporary steel supports, tracing the outside walls and strengthening the roof and floor joists.  

Before the heat is upon us, come and explore Brentwood’s gardens, wineries, olive oil plants, vendors and shops.  If you have any Brentwood real estate questions, please call me.  Enjoy the weekend!

The Mar/Apr 2010 East Bay Regional Park District schedule was released and there is something for everyone!  Do you have a 9-15 year old wanting to be a Junior Lifeguard?  Are you over 50 and want to go kayaking in Quarry Lakes or Lake Chabot?  Did you ever want to learn Survival Essentials?  Do you want to teach a child to fish?  How about riding a train or seeing blacksmithing?

Learn about Lilies, Native Plants, Birds & Pollinators, and Garden Tours.  There are day backpacking trips, overnight trips, ecology & cultural history and hiking.  Now that the weather is warming up and we are looking for outdoor events to experience think East Bay Parks.  Here is the link for the complete schedule. 

BTW – they are also looking for volunteers!

With the economy hurting, you are hearing about more burglaries and robberies, especially in Eastern Contra Costa County.  According to Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book  “Burglars on the Job”.  Below are 13 TIPS from his book; his sources being convicted burglarsfrom North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky.  For more info, here is a link to security consultant’s  Chris McGoey’s websight.   

1.  Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.

12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)