Orange County Blog

The holidays are approaching.  We look forward to reconnecting with family and friends as we step back into traditions that are lost during the busy year. But with holiday travels in the near future, have you thought about what you are going to do with your pets?  Pets are such an important part our families, but sometimes for a variety of reasons it just make sense to take them with you.  Happily, there are options.  Some swear by boarding their pets.  Others want the security of knowing their pets are in the comfort of their own homes.  Check out a few benefits of both options at www.WelcomeToOC.com

Serving the Least, the Last, & the Lost in Orange County

Orange County weekend events should include community service.

The mission of The Orange County Rescue Mission is to “minister the love of Jesus Christ to the Least, the Last, and the Lost of our Community through the provision of assistance in the areas of guidance, counseling, education, job training, shelter, food, clothing, health care and independent living communities”.  Take a look at just a few of the services offerred and how you can help at www.WelcomeToOC.com

Easy Steps To Finding More Time - Using A Concierge Service

In today’s fast paced world, the dream of rest and relaxation stays just that, a dream. You want to be in control of your life, but how?  Work, family, friends, volunteer work, there just isn’t enough time in the day.   With all the choices available you today, there is one choice that will help you carve out time in your day.  A personal concierge service is just what the doctor ordered. Learn about the many services a concierge offers on www.WelcomeToOC.com

Orange County weekend events sometimes need to start at home. It’s time to get organized!  The piles of Christmas decorations yet to be put away and future garage sale items still sitting on the garage floor are getting harder and harder to ignore. It is easy to turn the other cheek to the whole idea of cleaning out and organizing your garage when there is ANYTHING better and more fun to do! After all, when you live in Southern California, you don’t have the cold and snow to force you to face the “inside” chores that simply must get done.  Eventually, something usually inspires us to want to organize and clean! Be inspired by our blog at www.WelcomeToOc.com

To regift or not to regift, this is becoming an increasingly popular question especially at this time of year.  For many regifting (to give a gift to someone after it has already been given to you) comes into play when you have received a gift for which you have absolutely no use.  So what are the rules for regifting?  Can regifting be avoided?  Check out this article on www.WelcomeToOC.com.

Before settling down for football, family, and feasting, start your day with an invigorating run. Dana Point offers the opportunity to tour its beautiful beach, majestic cliffs and coves on Thanksgiving Day with its annual Turkey Trot - a 5K, 10K, and/or Kids’ Race. Enjoy pounding surf, rugged cliffs, and cool ocean breezes as you sail through the Dana Point Marina, Doheny State Park and pass the Historic Tallship Pilgrim moored in Dana Point Harbor. Hosted by the Dana Point Chamber of Congress, the Dana Point Turkey Trot is considered one of America’s most scenic coastal runs, and draws as many as 10,000 participants.  From beginners to elite runners, this event is for everyone!

This year on Thanksgiving Day, you can run so others can eat by Partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank. When you register to run the race, please join the Pledge Drive and ask 10 people to donate $20 each or just make a donation. The 2008 Turkey Trot raised over $40,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank and this year the need is greater than ever. Second Harvest is working to eliminate hunger in Orange County. They provide over 1 million pounds of food each month for over 220,000 people in need. The Food Bank currently serves more than 397 member charitable organizations that reach the hungry, including church pantries, shelters, senior centers, rehabilitation centers, homes for abused children and many other emergency assistance organizations. Your donation can make a difference!

For information on registering for this fabulous, not-to-missed event, go to: http://bit.ly/1KKaQG and click on Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.

OC residents know that reducing their carbon footprint is paramount to the future of their world and are actively researching solar energy businesses. Our environment’s resources are not limitless and we should always be looking for ways to be good caretakers of Mother Earth.  Using the sun to turn your roof into a miniature electrical power plant for your home makes sense on two fronts.  One, solar electricity is a clean power source.  It generates electricity that is free of harmful CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases.  Two, many state and local government programs offer incentives and rebates to subsidize the cost of equipment and installation so it makes good financial sense to go solar.  Solar electricity converts sunlight directly into electricity, which can help reduce your electricity bills by as much as 60 percent. What a great savings!

Don’t delay.  Make a difference today.  Visit www.welcometooc.com to help you plan your conversion to solar energy.

Storage, admit it, we all need it with some of us needing it more than others.  Sometimes we are self-proclaimed pack rats.  Other times we find that when moving, storage is something that we need whether for the short term or long.   So when the time comes to look for an off site self storage location, there are several things to consider.  Some are the more obvious concerns are of safety, security, and quality of management, but consideration should also be given to the hours of access and how access is regulated especially if 24 hour access is an option.  Indoor/outdoor temperature should also be considered as well as insurability and other risk factors.  Read what Don Willis of Storage West suggests when considering self-storage at www.welcometooc.com