Unless you've been living in a cave, you probably know we're on fire alert here in Southern California, specifically here in Santa Clarita.John Evarts was forced to evacuate his home last night. He and his family are staying next door at the home of Martin Rodriguez. We could have a small ActiveRain gathering on our street right now. :) My family is all packed and ready to leave, IF NECESSARY, but we don't feel in danger right now. There is an aggressive air attack happening overhead right now. The fires are about 3/4 to 1 mile away, but the wind is blowing away from us at this point. The photo above was taken just a few minutes ago. It shows how close the the Canyon Country/Agua Dulce Fire has come. The photo below was taken last night before we went to bed. The fires in this photo are... 10/22/2007

Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a State of Emergency in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura due to more than eleven major wildfires.   I watched as the fixed winged planes hovered within feet of tree tops battling cross winds, fire and smoke yet they kept dropping strategic water drops on the fire with pinpoint accuracy.  Their skill and efforts limited the loss to just one home in the area of Agua Dulce hundreds of homes were threatened.  Without their efforts no doubt in my mind that these homes would be burning ashes!  These plane and helicopter pilots are incredible!!  They represent the very best of this nation in terms of bravery and skill.  Thank God we have them here to protect communities such as ours in Calif... 10/22/2007

The Santa Clarita Marathon is on Sunday November 4th 2007.   Did you know that the Santa Clarita Marathon is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon?  I guess if you're a seasoned runner you already know that.  I am going to begin to lose weight this year, so that I don't have to lug around these extra pounds when next years marathon rolls around.My understating is that there will be a full marathon, a half marathon, a 5K Run/Walk all starting at 7:00 A.M. and a Kid K fun run which starts at 8:30 A.M.These events highlight health and fitness. In fact, on Saturday the day before the marathon there will be a Free Health and Fitness Expo from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Hyatt Valencia.  The address is 24500 Town Center Dr,  at this event there will be health related vendors and informa... 10/18/2007

If you are going to be near Castaic Lake this Saturday, October 20, stop by for the 5th annual rubber ducky regatta. The Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc. will be dropping 10,000 rubber ducks into the lake as their major fundraiser for the three clinics they maintain in the Santa Clarita area for uninsured and underinsured people, which account for about 25% of our city's population. If you want to adopt a duck for $5 and have a chance to win some great prizes, go to our adoption page. 10/16/2007

This is the 7th annual Make a Difference Day for the Santa Clarita Valley resource center in cooperation with the City of Santa Clarita.This is ONE DAY a "National day of doing good"  There are about 20+ projects and the committee expects more than 750 local SCV residents will participate this year.  This is your opportunity to "Give back" to your community.This annual event was created by USA Weekend Magazine and Points of light  Foundation.Last year over 22 volunteer projects took place benefiting local non-profit organizations.  I hope to see you there on Saturday October 27, 2007To learn more about this event, to volunteer, or become a sponsor, call the Volunteer Resource Center of Santa Clarita Valley at (661) 250-3720 All views, opinions, observations are strictly my own, unless s... 10/16/2007

On Saturday morning I drove over the I-5 freeway and noticed a huge traffic jam heading south so I naturally tuned into KHTS 1220 A.M. to learn what was going on? KHTS Owner Carl Goldman was on the air discussing the events unfolding with local on air personalities Shaun Valentine.  Apparently there was a huge pileup the night before in the tunnel leading into the san fernando valley involving big rigs on fire within the tunnel.  I tuned in all weekend as new reports unfolded and was fully prepared for the challenges that we all faced for the Monday morning commute.I awoke early this Monday morning anticipating a substantially longer commute thru Santa Clarita due to the tragic 30 plus pile up in one of the most vital commuting traffic corridors leading in and out of this valley. It occ... 10/15/2007

I just got back from visiting Lombardi Ranch in Saugus in Santa Clarita.  Lombardi Ranch is a functioning farm that has been around since the 1940's. They open the farm usually in mid August to mid November and everything being sold at the ranch has actually been grown there. The Halloween Festival began in 1989 although they have been selling pumpkins since 1968.  Joann Lombardi shares on the Lombardi Ranch website how this festival began.  She wrote that their oldest daughter Julia invited her preschool class for a tour of the ranch sometime in October and handed everyone a small pumpkin to send home.  Well the word got out and the next thing you know this became an annual event which has blossomed into what it is today.It is an annual family outing we engage in and it's one of those ... 10/14/2007

This is a true story, it was sent to me to be shared with all.  I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, "Smile." The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally. Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be ... 10/12/2007

Just thought I'd throw out a shamless plug to the newest Santa Clarita real estate blog. I went ahead and forked over the 9 dollars to have my own domain, and be in control of my blog - sorry ActiveRain. You can now find me at http://www.santaclaritarealestateforum.com/. Feel free to to link to it from your website or blog. You can subscribe the blog by email too. I'll still post here now and then - but mainly I will be posting about Santa Clarita real estate over at my new "pad". There goes my ranking in AR!Remember...when buying or selling Santa Clarita real estate, call me 1st. Robert Mickalson, RealtorVintage Sotheby's International Realty661.219.2260 or 661.373.2374Search the Santa Clarita MLS like a pro @ www.TheScvAgent.comSearch the UP-To-Date Santa Clarita Tract Directory! Go t... 10/10/2007

I arrived home in Stevenson Ranch from a meeting this morning and I find this can of paint sitting in front of my door.  First thing that comes to mind, is this a subtle hint from my wife? No  Could it be extra paint that my neighbor across the street was giving to me after A.Allbright painted his house? No (By the way my neighbor highly recommends them)  How many contractors can you happily refer? I pick this paint can up and to my surprise it's a thank you gift from A.Allbright painting thanking me for my blog about there 3rd annual  charity event in which A.Allbright painting donates a free paint job (retail value $7,500!) to a needy family.  To read my original blog about this annual charity event click here So I bring this paint can into my home and opened the top and to my surpris... 10/05/2007

Donna Nuzzi is the City of Santa Clarita Emergency Services Supervisor.  Here is her tip for October.  This is a monthly series by Donna which provides important Emergency Preparedness information to the general public and  subscribers to the Real Estate News, Views and Insights with Pablo.   This is vital information we need to know.October - Public Health EmergenciesPublic Health Emergencies may be related to incidents or outbreaks of infectious disease (example: pandemic flu, West Nile virus), food and waterborne illnesses (examples: Salmonella, E. coli) and other threats to the public's health and safety. Although the nature of each threat varies greatly, there are steps that you can take to protect yourself.Pandemic FluPandemic influenza (flu) is a worldwide outbreak of a new flu v... 10/02/2007

 The primary role of the Valley Industrial Association of Santa Clarita is a collaboration of CEO's, local business owners who address common business and community issues and develop solutions.  They are involved in numerous other functions which you can learn more about by clicking the image to the left or link above. I spoke with Susan Reynolds a member of this association and a senior partner of  Newmarket Careers in Santa Clarita.  Susan shared with me a program the Valley Industrial Association is actively involved in.  The program is called VIA Star.  The VIA Star program was created by the Valley Industrial Association. Susan is an active participant in the association and is passionate about this program.This group of local business leaders in Santa Clarita have put together an... 09/28/2007

Come join the fun as the city of Santa Clarita is holding its 3rd Annual free outdoor Street Art Festival on September 29 & 30, 2007 from 10:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday until 6:00 P.M. .  The festivities will occur in Old Town Newhall on San Fernando Road.  There will be live entertainment; street painting, Live Music by featured musicians, and Fine Art and Craft vendors for unique wares. If your in town make it a point to attend it is a great event.  See you there?  Click on the image for more in depth information.All views, opinions, observations are strictly my own and do not reflect the views of Keller Williams VIP Properties. Santa Clarita Real Estate                                                 Join the real estate network  09/28/2007

Las Lomas (Little Hills) is a proposed development by Dan Palmer of approximately 5,800 to 9,670 homes in the Newhall pass, where the (I-5) freeway and the (14) freeways meet just south of the city of Santa Clarita.  The project would be limited to 247 homes while under the county jurisdiction and the developer is trying to manuever its jurisdication over to the City of Los Angeles to allow it's full potential of 5,800+  homes and commercial uses which the city of Santa Clarita Opposes but does not fall within the city limits.  They are currently going thru all of the legal proceedings related to the approval of this project and who's jurisdiction will eventually prevail. There are an average of 230,000 commuters traveling through this corridor daily at an average whopping speed of 26 m... 09/24/2007

For those of you who are not familiar with Paul Pots, he was a contestant on Britains show "Britains got Talent"  I cannot replicate this rare television moment in text so I invite you watch through the entire video to get the full experience first.  STOP HERE AND VIEW After viewing the video continue reading below. Paul Potts is simply a Cinder"fella" Story.  It is an inspiration to everyone who has a dream, he is now living his!.  Here is a cellphone salesman who had self doubt and lacked confidence,  yet he had just enough confidence to participate in this contest and later won it!  Do you have a dream?, do you have self doubt?  Imagine if Paul had talked himself out of partaking in this contest.  We would never have experienced this moment and an incredible career would not have bee... 09/23/2007

I am a Farmer's Insurance agent in Santa Clarita, California. It is fairly easy for a homeowner to apply for and get a policy through Farmers or any other company here in Santa Clarita. But is it too easy?Many people do not realtze that it is a priviledge to have a good, solid insurance policy that will cover them against a loss to their home and its contents. Even though your lender requires fire insurance that does not mean that they guarantee you a good policy and a good agent. Contact me at (661) 288-2001 if you have any questions about homeowner's, renter's, or auto insurance in the greater Santa Clarita area. 09/23/2007

Now many of us already high speed travel through Santa Clarita? The city of Santa Clarita has made efforts to slow many of us down for our own safety and others.  Some of the programs the city has initiated in this cause is the installation of controversial photo traffic enforcement cameras.  These traffic enforcement cameras are located at key intersections throughout the city.  Some argue that the root reason is the revenue generated from these devices and not our safety.  I personally believe that it has reduced the number of accidents in these locations, but admittedly I do not have the statistics to back up this opinion.So why is the city of Santa Clarita a member of the Orange Line Development Authority which was created by the group of cities along the Orangeline corridor?  Aren'... 09/21/2007

Technorati Profile The following statistics are a side by side comparison of the Valencia market from 7-1-2006 to 9-19-2006 compared to the same period this year in 2007 of single family homes. 2006 StatisticsTotal sales for this period 146List price average $690,000List price compared to Sales price 98%Sales price average $679,000Average Days on market is 57 2007 StatisticsTotal sales for this period 127  a drop of 14% from the same period last yearList price average of $686,000 a price drop of 1%List price compared to sale price 97%Sales price average of $667,000Average Days on market is 57The most notable change between this period and the same period last year was the number of sales which dropped 14%.  Average sales prices dropped very little and the days on market are the same as ... 09/17/2007

 "Light The Night" on Sunday October 17th begins at 5:00 p.m. with the walk beginning at 7:00 p.m. Light The Night  is a national walk in which supporters carry illuminated red balloons and cancer survivors carry white balloons. The light symbolizes hope.  This national campaign helps create awareness of these diseases while raising funds. There is no minimum dollar amount to register, just sign up, activate your web page and ask people to pledge to your web page.The mission is to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma and to provide support to patients and their families. Aiden Bryan was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia when he was only two.  He has gone through more operations than most do in a lifetime.  His last chemotherapy treatment was in 2005... 09/16/2007

Everyone seems to be aware that they need homeowner's insurance because it is required by the lender. But what about renter's insurance? The majority of people who are currently renting or leasing a home or condominium have not investigated the reasons for obtaining such a policy.If there is damage to your personal effects due to theft, fire, water damage or other catastrophe, the owner of the property is not liable. A renter's insurance policy will cover all of your belongings should you suffer a loss. It can be good for "peace of mind" and chances are likely that you will need this type of coverage at least twice during your lifetime.Call me at (661) 288-2001 to discuss your insurance needs. 09/16/2007