COSTA MESA Costa Mesa resident Raven Sherwood will be competing at the 2009 Orange County Marketplace in the competition SongBurst 2009 on March 21st.  For more information, please visit www.kareokescene.com FOUNTAIN VALLEY Fountain Valley Police Officer Don Farmer was recently presented the Deuce Award by Mother's Against Drunk Drivers (MADD).  Farmer made 27 driving under the influence arrests. HUNTINGTON BEACH An exhibit entitled Ebb & Flow features photos, documentary films and historical artifacts created as a tribute to the city's centennial celebration is on display through today at the Huntington Beach Art Museum. IRVINE Nothing to report. LOS ALAMITOS Focus on the Heart is the new month-long campaign launched by the Los Alamitos Medical Center.  For more information, please vi... 02/22/2009

ALISO VIEJO An open house at Azaian Gymnastics will take place at 1pm on Saturday, February 28th. Children 18months to 5 years are invited to participate.  For more information, please call Albina Azarian at 949-455-1020. COTO DE CAZA & THE CANYONS Nothing to report. DANA POINT Monday February 23rd, a seminar entitled "25 Rah-Rah Schools that You Want to Attend" at 6:30pm.  The seminar will be presented by Dana Hills High School PTSA.  To RSVP, please email dhhsptsa@cox.net LADERA RANCH The City's Community Services Department is in the process of planning a day filled with egg hunts, carnival games and bounce house fun from 11am-2pm on April 4th. More information to come... LAGUNA BEACH On February 28th, the Laguna Art Museum will host a fundraiser from 6-10pm which will auction work ... 02/21/2009

ANAHEIM On March 4th, the North Orange County Community College District will be holding a Transition Night and Job Fair at 1830 W. Romenya Drive. The event is free. For more information, please call 714-484-7057. BREA Performances will take place at 5 and 8pm today at the Curtis Theatre during their Oscar-themed "And the Winner Is." For more information, please visit www.curtistheatre.com BUENA PARK Giving Children Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Orange County is currently seeking local artists to participate in the "My Hands Have a Voice" art show which will be held on April 18th.  For more information, please call 714-523-4454. CYPRESS Girls ages 12-18 are invited to participate in "Girls Night Out" at "The Lounge" at 7pm on February 27th.  For more information, please call ... 02/21/2009

    Please contact us for any further questions   www.TheClowardTeam.com   Nancy & Heather ClowardPrudential Clalifornia RealtyDirect: 949-495-2819 or 949-228-4523Nancy@NancyCloward.com or Heather@HeatherCloward.com       02/20/2009

  (Photo courtesey of eyelevel.si.edu) It may seem crazy to write another blog regarding cupcakes, but I assure you that I did not...I only READ a blog today regarding cupcakes after it was suggested to me by a reader of my previous post. On February 13th and 14th, an artist named Zilly Rosen created a work of art with an Abraham Lincoln/Barack Obama theme by using over five thousand cupcakes! For the entire story, click on the link below: http://eyelevel.si.edu/2009/02/too-sweet-to-pass-up.html    Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors 02/15/2009

Environmental enthusiasts were all smiles this week as they announced that an amazing underwater volcano called the Davidson Seamount will be included in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary later this spring.  Many species of sea creatures are supported by the Davidson Seamount, such as coral and sponge habitats.  To learn more about the Davidson Seamount, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidson_Seamount   Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors 02/15/2009

Recently I discovered a new cupcake bakery at the Irvine Spectrum here in Orange County called Sweet Spot Bakery.   While Sprinkles bakery has been the talk of the town among cupcake enthusiast friends of mine, many have enjoyed the convenient location, better parking and fun decorating workshops for kids and adults!   Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors 02/15/2009

COSTA MESA "Back in Time to 1859" will be presented by The Costa Mesa Historical Society at 2pm on February 15th.  For information and tickets, please call 949-631-5918. FOUNTAIN VALLEY The Mayor of Fountain Valley, Guy Carrozzo will be hosting a Mayor's Breakfast event at 8am on Thursday at the Saltzer Conference Room at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital.   The event costs $2 and is open to the public. HUNTINGTON BEACH Nothing to report. IRVINE "Dream and Art Interactive Creation and Interpretation" is the title of the next event presented by the Inside Edge Breakfast forum.  The event will take place from 6:30-8:30am on Wednesday at the University Club.  For more information, please call 949-460-4242. LOS ALAMITOS Focus on the Heart is the new month-long campaign launched by the Los ... 02/15/2009

ALISO VIEJO An open house at Azaian Gymnastics will take place at 1pm on Saturday, February 28th. Children 18months to 5 years are invited to participate.  For more information, please call Albina Azarian at 949-455-1020. COTO DE CAZA & THE CANYONS Registration begins today for a horseplay day at Saddleback Canyon Riders, Equestrian Trails.  For more information, please visit www.saddlebackcanyonriders.com DANA POINT Monday February 23rd, a seminar entitled "25 Rah-Rah Schools that You Want to Attend" at 6:30pm.  The seminar will be presented by Dana Hills High School PTSA.  To RSVP, please email dhhsptsa@cox.net LADERA RANCH The City's Community Services Department is in the process of planning a day filled with egg hunts, carnival games and bounce house fun from 11am-2pm on April 4th... 02/15/2009

Trails have to be shared...Hikers, Mountain Bikers and Equestrians all have access to trails that must be shared.  It can easily be done. You may want to think about some trail etiquette... Hikers: You have the right of way over bikers, but please yield to equestrians. Mountain Bikers: Here is the 411...you have the right of way over no one. End of story. Equestrians: You have the right of way over hikers and mountain bikers. Overall etiquette tips...be friendly, say hi to people, keep dogs on a leash, don't block a trail, pass on the left. Spring isn't far away so brush up on trail etiquette soon. Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors 02/14/2009

ANAHEIM On March 4th, the North Orange County Community College District will be holding a Transition Night and Job Fair at 1830 W. Romenya Drive. The event is free. For more information, please call 714-484-7057. BREA Nothing to report. BUENA PARK Giving Children Hope, a nonprofit organization based in Orange County is currently seeking local artists to participate in the "My Hands Have a Voice" art show which will be held on April 18th.  For more information, please call 714-523-4454. CYPRESS Nothing to report. FULLERTON Currently, at the Wayne Daniels home, there are 2,500 tulips, 600 daffodils and many other assorted flowers in bloom!  The location is 668 N. Woods Avenue should visitors wish to see the display.   GARDEN GROVE The Garden Grove Art Guild presented Sophia Livingston a... 02/14/2009

If you're like me, you've already visited Google's home page over six times today.   As Google has been known to do in the past, they've changed their logo to a cute, celebratory Valentine's Day color of red and included an "xo" in the title. What some folks do not know (perhaps they've been living under a rock), is that if you click on the logo, links related to the logo's topic (for today, V-Day) will appear. Some noteworthy links included: "Five Geeky Marriage Proposals That Worked" "The definition of Valentine's Day (per Wikipedia)" "History of Valentine's Day" (History.com)   I hope you enjoy and....Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI 2007 President, Orange County Associa... 02/14/2009

It seems like the favorite son of baseball may have the rules bent for him...good thing he's not a swimming Gold Medalist or he'd have his butt in a jam. I guess 'I'm sorry, I was young and I was stupid' will get you off the hook if you are A-Rod and making a cool is it now $40 Million a year? We can't have 2 standards, 2 sets of rules or convenient rule bending for the favorite sons of sports. What's good for one is good for all. What do you think????  Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors 02/13/2009

With many news reports stating that homebuyers are too nervous to buy, here are hard facts that state otherwise. Sales in January for homes prove that it is a... GREAT TIME TO BUY!  Homes sold in Laguna Niguel in January:                                                                      2009                                           2008   $0-500k                                                           25                                            17 $500k-1 million                                                 19                                            17 $1 million and above                                           4                                             4   TOTAL                                                                                     48                   ... 02/08/2009

Mark your calendars! The following events are scheduled to take place this May in Laguna Niguel: May 4th        Resident call in for Summer Day Camp Appointments May 5th-6th  Resident Day Camp Appointments May 7th        Walk-in Day Camp registration (resident/non-resident) May 14th      Stars Over Broadway w/ Lunch at Sea Country Community Ctr.   There are a variety of day camps available this Spring.  For a description of camps and fee information, please contact 949.632.4351.  Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors 02/08/2009

  Mark your calendars! The following events are scheduled to take place this April in Laguna Niguel:   April 6th-10th         Spring Break Skate Camp at Laguna Niguel Skate Park      April 11th                Bunny Blast at Chapparosa Park April 17th                Battle of the Bands at Crown Valley Community Park April 25th               Earth Day Celebration at Crown Valley Community Park April 26th                Aquafina MLB Pitch, Hit and Run Competition at                              Chapparosa Park   Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors 02/08/2009

Mark your calendars! The following events are scheduled to take place this March in Laguna Niguel:   March 6th               7th Grade Dance at Crown Valley Community Park March 17th             St. Patrick's Day Dinner at Sea Country Community Ctr. March 20th             6th and 7th Grade Dance at Crown Valley Community Park   Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI 2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors 02/08/2009

Nominations will be accepted for Laguna Niguel's Citizen of the Year for 2008 beginning on March 2nd. The deadline to send in nominations will be April 30th. Forms are available at City Hall. The award, first presented in 1990, will be presented to a resident of the city who exemplifies outstanding volunteer service and who makes the city a better place to live in overall. Qualified nominees will reside or work in Laguna Niguel, perform a voluntary service (the inspiration for their nomination) and should include heroic acts and or outstanding service to the community over the last or several years. For any questions regarding nominations, please contact 949.362.4375   Thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection. Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CR... 02/08/2009

Tax time is here, which means tax return time for many of us. Home remodeling is one of the many ways to literally see the money you receive back for years to come.  While many are hesitant to make any large changes to their home, remodeling a bathroom may be the answer to sprucing up your home's appearance while minding your pocketbook. Some ways to give a bathroom (or two) in your home a facelift include: Add tile around the sink area- Be sure to select a color that blends well with the wall color or drastically contrasts for a more dramatic look Replace faucets and hardware-Select a modern style that matches the theme of your bathroom and enhances the overall look.  Towel bars, toilet paper holders and cabinet handles or knobs should all look appropriate once installed. Change the m... 02/08/2009

COSTA MESA "Back in Time to 1859" will be presented by The Costa Mesa Historical Society at 2pm on February 15th.  For information and tickets, please call 949-631-5918. FOUNTAIN VALLEY Today at 11am marked the grand opening of Fountain Valley's newly renovated softball complex.  The complex is located at 16400 Brookhurst Street HUNTINGTON BEACH Nothing to report. IRVINE Tomorrow, the Irvine Police Department and the Orange County Fire Authority will face off in a basketball game as part of a DARE family night at University High School at 6pm.  The event is free. For more information, please call Lieutenant John Hare at 949-724-7112. LOS ALAMITOS Focus on the Heart is the new month-long campaign launched by the Los Alamitos Medical Center.  For more information, please visit www.losalam... 02/07/2009