Happy (Late) Earth Day

This year, on the weekend before Earth Day, I participated in Parkmead’s Annual Earth Day clean-up of the neighborhood.

Instagram users, click the link in bio for the full blog!

This year, on the weekend before Earth Day, I participated in Parkmead’s Annual Earth Day clean-up of the neighborhood. We checked in many families that came to help clean up trash in the Parkmead area, along the entrance to the Olympic freeway entrance and along South Main.

The Clean Up Crew (see above) also lent some supporting hands. It was a great time for a great cause and it always feels good to clean up the place where I live and the town I love so much! Earth Day is a really important holiday, as it reminds us to take care of this one planet we all call home.

I also thought this was a timely and interesting article, which includes all the full moons and meteor showers we’ve had and can expect. Check it out if that kind of stuff interests you! A gift from Mother Earth! Did you do anything fun for Earth Day? Did you volunteer anywhere? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Veterans Day 11/11

Tomorrow is Veterans Day – a day to honor and celebrate the men and women who protect our country. I have a son who is currently serving and know many who are veterans of the military. I’d like to first and foremost thank them for their years of bravery, courage and selflessness in defending the United States of America.

One of my main focuses in real estate is helping veterans get into the crazy California housing market. I believe those who have served our country deserve to own a home in that very same country. The VA loan is the best loan going and I strive to educate other agents about the benefits to help them when there is more than one offer. The VA loan allows our veterans to purchase with zero down, but the government backs 25% of the loan, thus it is like putting down 25%.

If you are a veteran or know anyone who is that may be looking for a new home, please contact me. For those of you who aren’t, but would like to make a difference for our veterans tomorrow, please visit serve.gov and search “veterans” to find volunteer opportunities.

Things to do Around Walnut Creek for Christmas!

It’s that time of year again when the tree lots spring up, lights blink on every corner and familiar movies play on every TV: it’s Christmas time! If you are like me, it caught up to me quickly, as I barely got my tree up, with Christmas Cards still needing to be created – maybe they will be New Year cards (now if I can only my Costco certificate for the print shop I bought 2 months ago). Thus with only a few days left until Christmas, there is still a lot of things to do….

Even though Walnut Creek is nestled in the cozy Bay Area where snow is a day trip away, the town gets into a wintery spirit for the holidays. With students coming home for winter break and relatives flying into town for Christmas and New Year’s, families are reuniting all over the Bay Area. After catch up is played, meals are devoured and egg nog is drunk, here are a few fun, local holiday events around Walnut Creek for the whole family to enjoy:

Walnut Creek on Ice

For just $15, you can enjoy some quality ice skating time right in downtown Walnut Creek. The ice rink, which has been a fixture in Civic Park for many winters now, throws fun events and never gets overly crowded. For more information about Walnut Creek on Ice, visit their website.

Santa visits at Broadway Plaza

A winter classic is taking the kids (of all ages!) to visit Santa Claus, ask for a gift and take a photo. This year, you can head right down to Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek to see him. Make sure to hurry on this one, though; he can only hang around through Christmas Eve, before taking off on his sleigh to deliver his gifts!

Holiday Train in Blackhawk

Take a little drive to Blackhawk and get a nice meal with the family, before rewarding your kids for their patience with a fun train ride at Blackhawk Plaza! All you need is to make a purchase at the plaza, and you’ll receive a ticket for the train too. Nothing says holidays like a wintery train ride for the little ones.

Volunteer in the East Bay

There are endless volunteer opportunities around the East Bay, especially around the holidays. From helping distribute food, clothing and toys to less fortunate families, to caroling at local senior centers, there are tons of ways to help give back with your family this Christmas. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

Catch a Christmas movie

Everybody has their favorite Christmas movie, but many people don’t realize that they can watch some of the classics from the Century Theaters in Walnut Creek! For example, this Wednesday night the theater will be showing Miracle on 34th Street, and then It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve. What better way to spend some warm, relaxing family time than getting a Christmas classic on the big screen?

Do you have any other fun ideas for this week and weekend around Walnut Creek? Happy holidays!