https://www.carealestategroup.com/monthly-newsletters/july-2023-newsletter/
At night, any bright light that’s shining in our eyes will cause glare and make it harder for us to see. Light your deck and patio floors with step lights or rail-mounted lights to keep the light low and discreet. You can install lights directly into the deck or patio or get creative with continuous LED strips hidden below steps and platforms.
Outdoor wall sconces or hanging lanterns with clear glass — which allow you to plainly see the bulb — can cause major glare issues at night. For usable light, choose fixtures that hide the bulb deep inside the fixture or have frosted glass to help diffuse the light.
In rural areas with limited light pollution, you might be able to gaze at plenty of real stars. In brighter urban and suburban environments, try mimicking the look of stars with hanging string lights. The small bulbs will add a soft glow at night without too much glare.
Our attraction to flame is strong, some might even say primordial. Outdoor fireplaces, kerosene lanterns and even grouped candles will delight family and friends with their mesmerizing flickers.
You can expand the visual space of your patio or deck by selectively illuminating nearby features such as trees, landscaping and walls. This allows you to see past the edges of the patio or deck, making the space feel larger. Limit light pollution by using the lights only when you’re outside to enjoy them.
To really experience the night, leave some areas of your patio and landscape dark. I try to avoid placing lights in a “dark zone” from about waist-high to just above your head. This keeps offensive light out of your eyes so you can better enjoy the fire, gaze at the landscape and linger long into the night.
The illustration above visually recaps the six lighting tips discussed here. Consider pulling all them together to create the perfect nighttime patio experience.
The Laguna Beach 2023 Pageant of the Masters Theme is ART COLONY: IN THE COMPANY OF ARTISTS.
This theme acknowledges the deep connections of the Festival and Pageant to the early artists who settled in Laguna Beach. It will also feature other memorable stories of artists assisting one another through cooperation and fellowship in vastly different eras and circumstances around the world..
This one-of-a-kind theatrical event, featuring live narration and original music performed live by the Pageant’s orchestra, takes place in the beautiful Irvine Bowl on the grounds of Laguna’s Festival of Arts July 7-September 1, 2023, every evening starting at 8:30 p.m.
Pageant of the Masters is at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach.
Two Shows for the Price of One!
Don’t forget your Pageant ticket gives you unlimited access to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show all summer long. Come early and listen to some great music, get a glass of wine, see and purchase some fabulous art.
You can Purchase Pageant of the Masters Tickets Online or at The Festival Box Office
Celebrity Benefit Saturday August 26, 2023
Festival of Arts Raffle Information Is Online
All summer long, Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters guests have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win a brand new 2024 C40 Recharge Twin Ultimate (approximate retail value $$63,000)! On Saturday, August 26, 2023, the lucky winning ticket will be pulled. Tickets are sold for $5 each or 5 tickets for $20.
Festival of the Arts Pageant of the Masters Dining
Laguna Beach Pageant of the Masters Parking
The Festival of the Arts Pageant of the Masters is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road.
Laguna Beach Parking Guide Is Online
Laguna Beach Free Summer Trolleys to Pageant of the Masters
The Festival of the Arts is a 5-10 minute walk from downtown Laguna, Main Beach and the other Laguna Beach art festivals.
keepingcurrentmatters.com | May 25, 2023
If you’re trying to decide if now’s the time to sell your house, here’s what you should know. The limited number of homes available right now gives you a big advantage. That’s because there are more buyers out there than there are homes for sale. And, with so few homes on the market, buyers will have fewer options, so you set yourself up to get the most eyes possible on your house.
Here’s what industry experts are saying about why selling now has its benefits:
“Inventory levels are still at historic lows. Consequently, multiple offers are returning on a good number of properties.”
“We have not seen the traditional uptick in new listings from existing homeowners, so undersupply of housing will continue to heighten market competition and put pressure on prices in most regions. Some markets are already heating up considerably, but price premiums that we saw last spring and summer are unlikely.”
“Well-priced, move-in ready homes with curb appeal in desirable areas are still receiving multiple offers and selling for over the asking price in many parts of the country . . .”
“. . . sellers who price and market their home competitively shouldn’t have a problem finding a buyer.”
If you’re thinking about selling your house, connect us at CA Real Estate Group and we can share the expert insights you need to make the best possible move today. Call Christine Almarines at 714-476-4637.
No matter whether you rent or own, you should be keeping an eye on these eight hidden dangers and tossing them as soon as they become problematic.
It’s never good to keep known toxins in or around your home, which is why Kevin Geick, manager of Bio Recovery, says you should dispose of hazardous materials such as old paint cans, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, or batteries following local regulations as soon as you’re done with them.
“Many communities have designated drop-off points for hazardous waste,” he adds. “These materials pose potential risks to the environment and human health if not disposed of properly, so it’s important to discard them as soon as possible to prevent accidents or contamination.”
Fire extinguishers are essential safety devices, but many people overlook the fact that they come with an expiration date, shares Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless Cleaning. “Expired fire extinguishers might not work effectively during an emergency, which would put lives and property at risk,” she says. “It’s crucial to regularly check the expiration dates and replace or recharge them accordingly.”
You may already know that it might not be a good idea to eat food that has gone way past its expiration date and shows signs of spoilage, but did you know it can be harmful to even have those items hanging out in your fridge or pantry? That’s why Geick says it’s so important to regularly check your pantry and refrigerator for expired or spoiled food.
“Discard any items that have passed their expiration dates or show signs of spoilage,” he says. “These items can harbor harmful bacteria or toxins, leading to foodborne illnesses, so it’s crucial to discard them promptly to maintain a safe and hygienic environment in your home.”
Believe it or not, household chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, and drain cleaners can pose serious health and safety risks if mishandled, stored improperly, or kept past their “good by” date.
“People often forget about partially used containers or overlook the expiration dates,” Toner says. “These chemicals can lose their effectiveness or become unstable over time, leading to potential accidents or chemical reactions.” You should safely dispose of expired or unused chemicals at designated collection centers or hazardous waste facilities.
Parents, especially parents with multiple children or kids with large age gaps, know just how easy it is to accumulate baby products like car seats, strollers, and cribs. “However, safety standards and regulations for these items evolve, and older products might not meet the latest safety requirements,” according to Toner. “It’s crucial to stay informed about product recalls and dispose of outdated or recalled baby items properly to ensure the safety of infants and young children.”
Angela Lee, a content writer for Hellamaid, says holding onto coffee mugs or dishware with cracks or chips in them is just a disaster waiting to happen. Not only do you run a risk of getting cut on the sharp edges of these pieces, but you’re exposing yourself to an additional risk of being burned or badly injured if your dish fails while you’re using it.
Perhaps even more concerning, you may be unknowingly exposing yourself to bacteria and mold by using these pieces. “The cracks and crevices in chipped or cracked items can harbor bacteria, especially in porous materials like ceramics,” she says. “Even with thorough washing, it can be challenging to remove all the bacteria from the damaged areas. This can potentially lead to contamination and increase the risk of foodborne illnesses.”
Keeping your favorite lipsticks, eyeliners, and mascaras in the rotation past their shelf life can have dire consequences, according to Rocky Vuony, founder and director of Calibre Cleaning. “Over time, these can harbor bacteria, leading to skin infections,” he says. “Dispose of any items past their [expiration] date.”
Air vents and ducts accumulate dust, pet dander, and other allergens, which Muffetta Krueger, cleaning expert and founder of Muffetta’s Domestic Assistants, says can affect indoor air quality. “Regularly cleaning and maintaining these areas can improve airflow, minimize allergens, and enhance the overall indoor environment.”
The frequency of cleaning air vents and ducts depends on various factors, according to Krueger, including the environment, the presence of pets, and the overall air quality. “As a general guideline, it’s recommended to have your air vents and ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years. However, if you notice excessive dust buildup, mold growth, or experience worsened indoor air quality, it’s advisable to have them cleaned sooner.”
From festivals and fireworks to Independence Day parades, here are the best 4th of July events for your entire family.
** Due to possible last minute changes to times & locations to the events below, we encourage you to click on the link of the event holder (or contact the host city) to get the most updated information.
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Jun 21, 2023
If you’re looking to buy or sell a home 🏠, you’ve probably heard the term “seller’s market,” but what is a seller’s market, and how does it affect your homebuying process? 🤔
A seller’s market often results in higher home prices and bidding wars on desirable properties. When you find a property you want to buy 😍, it’s best to have a CA Real Estate Group agent 💁🏻♀️ on your side to help you navigate the waters of the seller’s market.
Let’s take a closer look 🧐 at a seller’s market over the next few Wednesdays, see how it differs from a buyer’s market, and how we can help you through the current real estate trends. 📈📉📊
Southern California is home to some of the most diverse and famous shopping centers! We have everything from heavily discounted outlet malls to the glamour and glitz of luxury malls. Stroll through these sites to decide where you’d like your next shopping destination to be!
June 14, 2023
From YouTube to TikTok to the backyard barbecue, there are plenty of narratives regarding the pending doom for housing that the underlying data does not support.
It’s a hot market that we’re advising all Sellers take advantage of! ACT SOON and contact us to get your home sold for a great price!
If you have a fruit fly infestation, take a look here! We love following @theboardhousewifepdx and she says that she’s tried a lot of fruit fly traps in her time, but this is the most effective method. EVER.
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