Archive for December, 2010
And the Winner Is…Where Are the Best OC Holiday Lights?
People aren’t the only ones dressing up special for the holidays. Orange County is decked out bright and festive with holiday lights galore. From one end to the other, the OC has been transformed into a twinkling fairlyland of illumination. Which raises the 
question – where are the best lights? With so many possibilities to choose from, there’s no easy answer. Here are just a few of the contenders well worth having a long look at —
- The Newport Beach Boat Parade – Over a hundred years old, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade brightens the harbor with a dazzling holiday spectacle.
- Zimmerman’s House/Balboa Island – Located at 327 Saphire, the renown residence has garnered numerous awards, and has been spotlighted in many newspapers such as the LA Times.
- The Eagle Hills Community/Brea – A total community showcase of holiday magic that can best be described as hundreds of Griswald homes all in one place. This definitely is a five star destination.
- Nellie Gail Ranch/Laguna Hills – A truly unique show that coordinates music and lights into a fantastic display of color and sound.
- Rogers Gardens/Newport Beach – Their popular Winter Wonderland transports you to an enchanted new world highlighted by a community of charming cottages, each with a different theme. Set against a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.
- Plus there’s ‘Lively Shively’ in Ladera Ranch and all those amazingly-decorated trees on La Paz.
Where are the best OC holiday light displays? Tweet us your faves.
And if you’d like any more information about celebrating the holidays in OC, I’ll be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
Happy Holidays!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Not Quite a Million and One Reasons to Luv Laguna Niguel
Just a few
miles inland from the beach with the same first name, Laguna Niguel definitely is one of the best places to hang your hat in Orange County. There are about a million and one things this upscale community can offer anyone seeking a blend of suburban sophistication and laid-back charm. Due to space limitations, however, only some of the highlights will be mentioned here. Here are a few of the biggies –
- Lots of Sol – Cathin’ a few rays is easy in the land where So Cal sunshine pours down the year round.
- Friendly Folk – There’s only one thing warmer than Laguna Niguel sunshine — the community’s residents.
- Close to All – Laguna Niguel is just a pebble’s throw from the oceanfront thrills of Laguna Beach. The community also is conveniently close to OC’s leading business centers, major shopping centers such as South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, hundreds of world class restaurants, and charming Dana Point harbor.
- Outstanding School System – Laguna Niguel schools are among the nation’s most highly rated. Schools here have racked up reading test scores 51% higher than the national average, while math scores stand 27.4 % above the average.
- Low Crime Rate – The Laguna Niguel crime rate is considerably lower than both the national and California averages.
- Spectacular Views – Greenbelts abound, creating picturesque vistas in every direction.
- Activities for All – From world class golf courses and tennis courts to acres of lush green parks, Laguna Niguel offers something for everyone who realizes there’s more to life than video games.
Laguna Niguel’s appeal has even caught the attention of the media. Among the community’s many distinctions is being named (yet again) one of Money Magazine’s best places to live.
Can you see yourself in this amazing community? If you’d like to learn more about finding the ideal home in Laguna Niguel, I’ll be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )Mission Viejo Means Year-Round Enjoyment
With temperatures dipping to wintertime lows, Mission Viejo isn’t providing as much fun-in-the-sun as it did a few months back. 
Nevertheless, even with the Brrr factor entering the picture, this premier destination offers residents and visitors plenty to do and see. Here are a few highlights —
- Mission Viejo Library – Besides boosting brainpower, the library plays host to a series of marvelous events and activities such as Story Time for tots, the Timeless Melodies Holiday Christmas Program, and Guitar Lessons for all you budding rock stars.
- The ‘Character Quality’ sign on the corner of La Paz and Marguerite.
- Lake Mission Viejo – It might be too cold for sunbathing, but you can still bundle up and thrill the Parade of Lights or see your kids rise to superstardom in the 18th Annual LMV Kids’ Fishing Derby.
- Mission Viejo High School – Recognized as a California Distinguished School and National Blue Ribbon School, this leading educational institution also has a powerhouse football team and hosts a number of community events.
If you’d like to learn more about all that Mission Viejo has to offer, I’ll be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408 angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )‘Tis the Season to Beat the Burglar
It just doesn’t balance out. Only one person will sneak into your beautiful Orange County home this holiday season and leave nice things for you. But there are hundreds who’ll be more than happy to slip into your comfy crib and permanently remove things – often very valuable things. Known as burglars, these predators luv this time of year – empty houses, lots of expensive gifts inside. Remember ‘Home Alone’? 
Fortunately, a little knowledge goes a long way in minimizing the chances of burglary. The key to protection is being aware of burglar behavior patterns.
A burglar always:
- Looks for newspapers piled up on the driveway. Talk about giveaways. An especially enterprising crook might even leave a flyer on your front door to see how much time elapses before the literature is removed.
- Knocks first. And not out of politeness. If someone answers, a burglar will have a ready-made excuse – “Can you please tell me how to get to Albuquerque?”
- Checks dresser drawers, bedside tables, and even medicine cabinets.
- Avoids kids’ rooms (usually).
- Leaves a locked safe locked but will gladly carry it away if not bolted down.
- Is more deterred by a loud TV or radio than even the most sophisticated alarms.
- Goes all out to never resemble a crook.
- Hates loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
- Loves people who forget to set alarms, shut windows, and lock doors.
Don’t give a burglar the gift of an easy break-in. Be guided by the above behavior patterns, and stay several steps ahead of the crooks.
If you’d like to learn more about protecting your Orange County home this holiday season, I’ll be delighted to help. You can connect with me at 949.338.7408, angie@askangie.com, @AngieWeeks or @WeeksTeam.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
Orange County Real Estate Success 