reflections Rosemary Joles
We lay aside letters never to read them again, and at last we destroy them out of discretion, and so disappears the most beautiful, the most immediate breath of life, irrecoverable for ourselves and for others. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe am the owner of a portion of an old love letter. Portion because it was cut up to fit into a frame that I purchased at an antique/vintage sale at Matilda’s Antiques in Valley Center. Love letter because it uses words like dearest and darling. I didn’t purchase the frame for the letter. I fell in love with the uniqueness of the narrow silver frame with it’s little handled bar on the left that slides up and down to open and close the frame. I loved how old it felt (although it’s probably a reproduction) and didn’t realize what it held until I took the letter out of the frame once I arrived home. Written in cursive with black ink on faded, worn lined paper, there is a piece of yellowed tape holding part of it together. The date in the upper right corner reveals that it was written in July 1943. Its greeting is to Dearest Neil; at least that’s what I think, as all I can see is t Neil. The letter is not complete, so I don’t know who wrote it. Both sides of the paper are filled as no one would have ever wasted the backside of a piece of paper during the WWII era. It’s all a bit of a mystery and has me wondering about the writer and the family. I’m guessing the writer is female, as she begins the letter stating that she is feeling blue, her mother and father are gone for the evening, and Dorothy, her sister perhaps, came that afternoon for a visit after going somewhere, as her boys were sick. Chubby, her brother (?), has gone to Shreveport, which I discovered is in Louisiana. When I learned this, it had me visualizing that the letter was written in a grand old house, with a porch filled with rocking chairs, a porch swing, and baskets of Boston ferns hanging from the porch eaves. I see her writing at an old worn, wooden kitchen table with the thick, sweltering humidity of the South about her, as the evening breeze gently blows in through the screen door. There was no television during 1943. TVs didn’t start arriving in America until around 1947-1957 so families relied on the radio for their news and entertainment. The radio this family owned was gone, (I’m assuming a tube went) and so it was very quiet as she wrote her letter. I envision the silence was equivalent to what we experience during a power outage, except perhaps you could hear the refrigerator running, or the humming of a portable fan if they were fortunate enough to own one. Portable fan companies were not making residential fans during this time, as all of their energies were going toward the war effort. The letter goes onto say that someone has told them that Neil maybe coming home with Ted. She seems confused that she doesn’t know this and is not getting her hopes up, but assumes she will see Neil before her letter reaches him. Mail wasn’t expedited for our military until 1944 when the U.S. government developed a system called V-Mail. Google “Victory Mail” and watch one of the newsreels for an interesting take on mail. It’s fascinating for us who can now talk to someone overseas via Skype. The letter concludes with the writer including a photo of herself and describing where it was taken. I treasure this letter even though it has nothing to do with my family. I am fascinated and appreciate the glimpses it gives me into a time before I existed. It makes me want to start writing handwritten letters again. I get a little nostalgic and long for a time when life was just a little simpler, and the people of the U.S.A. were united toward a single cause. FROM THE FRONT PORCH JOURNAL july/august/september contributors:
Front Cover Photography Scott Carmella
Staging
Staged Today Sold Tomorrow
Copyright ©2010- 2017 From The Front Porch Journal
Reflections: Rosemary Joles A Note from Rosemary: Rosemary Joles Mortgage Memo: Carolyn Plummer On Our Porch: Rosemary Joles Feels Like Home: Lisa Vasey The Nibblers Digest: Marco Sawrey & Karin Zonis Sawrey The Cork Connoisseur: Beth Fraitag San Diego County Fair: Adeliepenquin | Dreamsime.com Upcycle: Gail and Jim Hallemeyer Travel The World: Beth Taylor Travel San Diego: Susanne Romo Useless Knowledge: Todd Joles Bravo and Mia Bites: Todd Joles Books or Blogs: Todd Joles Podsibilities: Todd Joles Ingenious: Rosemary Joles Nitty Gritty: Susanne Romo Project DIY: Rosemary Joles Photo credits if not noted: dreamstime.com & Rosemary Joles Editing for Rosemary’s Articles: Barbara Allen
contents
JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER
2017
departments
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From the Front Porch Journal Published by and compliments of:
Rosemary Joles
REALTOR®, Cal BRE # 01095314
619·405·7673 Homes@LivinInSD.com LivinInSD.com 258 N. El Camino Real, Ste. C Encinitas, CA 92024
Follow our blog at: LivinInSD.com Like us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/LivinInSD Follow us on Pinterest Pinterest.com/rosemaryjoles/
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reflections the real estate brief a note from rosemary the mortgage memo home on our porch –casa romo feels like home –flooring part 2 bon vivant the nibbler digest –pop pie co. the cork connoisseur –vingardevalise voyage travel the world –rome travel san diego –libraries time-out –libraries et cetera where’s rosemary delish –summer quinoa salad around our town –san diego county fair minutia useless knowledge bravo and mia bites rosebud’s garden –crape myrtle upcycle –repairing painted wood grain nitty gritty insurance 411 –insurance rate increase project diy –retiring old glory bits and pieces ponderings podsibilities Ingenious books or blogs sd outdoors sd sports –padre schedule park exploration –encinitas viewpoint sd word find –birds of san diego 2 lifestyle sd theatre sd adventures sd concerts domiciles from east county to the coast our advertisers remember when –the strand theatre
the real estate brief a note from rosemary “The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” -Maya Angelou e are continuing our series on purchasing a home. This is number six in our series and it looks like I will be writing a few more as we haven’t nearly covered everything. Are you overwhelmed yet? I sure am. I’m so accustomed to what I do that when having to put it in writing, I realize just how much is involved in the purchase or sale of a home. How is that for being honest? In this article, I will cover just part of what a seller is required to disclose. Note: There are a myriad of different types of real estate transactions, including Probate, Trusts, Rural homes that may have septic and wells, short sales, mobile/manufactured homes, new construction, and raw land sales. These types of sales require different or additional disclosures that are not mentioned in this article. For ease, we will be covering a traditional sale.
Side note: One of the things I failed to share in my last article is that during the due-diligence period of the transaction and after a property home inspection, the buyer has the option to do what is called a RR (Request for Repairs). This is even if the seller has written into a counteroffer they will do no repairs. This form is used to ask the seller to give a credit to the buyer at close for repairs, lower the purchase price, or ask the seller to repair those items. (Note: any credit given to a buyer must be disclosed to their lender.) The seller will respond with a RRRR form (Seller Response and Buyer Reply to Request for Repair). The seller can elect to repair some, all, or none of the items the buyer has requested. If the seller and buyer cannot come to a compromise on repairs, the buyer can choose to not purchase the home. Now on to seller disclosures. Seller Disclosures: In the first seven days, (this time frame can be shortened or made longer via the contract) a seller will provide a buyer information about their home via a form called a TDS (Transfer Disclosure Statement). As an agent, I always ask for two additional forms called a SPQ (Seller Property Questionnaire) and a SPQA (Seller Property Questionnaire Addendum) in the offer. These forms ask additional questions that the seller needs to answer to help the buyer determine if there is anything that is not acceptable to them. In addition, it allows the buyer to ask any questions that would arise from reading through those documents. Other disclosures the buyer will receive are a NHD (Natural Hazards Disclosure) with tax and environmental report, this document will reveal if the home is located in an earthquake fault, flood, fire, or seismic-hazard zone. It will let you know if an endangered species lives in the area and what types of soils are in the area, i.e., prone to sliding or liquefaction. It will also provide local area disclosures, such as a nearby airport, if the neighborhood was used for military ordinance, etc. Another important document that the seller will need to provide is the FIRPTA (Seller’s Affidavit of Nonforeign Status and/or California Withholding Exemption). This form determines whether tax withholding is required. Each person that is on the title is required to fill out this form. If tax is due, escrow will withhold 3.5% for state and 15% for federal taxes. I’ve never understood why, but the buyer is held responsible for this tax being paid per California and Federal tax code, even though the capital gain is the seller’s. I will withhold any further comment on that matter. So on to more disclosures. The WCMD (Water-Conserving Plumbing and Carbon Monoxide Detector) disclosure. Any home located within San Diego proper has been required to install low-water fixtures at the point of sale of the home since January 2000. The new California law now requires individual cities within San Diego County and throughout the state to disclose if there are any non-water-conserving devices on homes that were built before 1994. Unlike those homes in San Diego proper, this is not a point-of-sale item. Lastly, in an offer, a buyer needs to request that the seller provide a home insurance history to see what types of claims, if any, were requested from their insurance provider. This information will provide valuable knowledge of major items that may have happened at the house. I’ve run out of space again, so in the next article we will continue to talk about other disclosures given to the buyer by the seller and the agency representing the buyer. In the meantime, if you are considering buying this year or next, it’s never too early to seek the advice of a real estate professional and lender. We are here to help you achieve your homeownership dreams and to help you determine if now is a good time for you to purchase a home. Homeowners, if you are thinking of selling, now is a great time to do it. Inventory is low, so it’s your kind of market. Plus, if you want to move up, the upper end of the market is not selling quite as quickly as homes priced below 1 million. I can be reached at 619.405.7673 or at homes@livininsd.com.
carolyn’s mortgage memo living the american dream Only in America can someone start with nothing and achieve the American Dream. That’s the greatness of this country. –Rafael Cruz think most people will agree that part of the "American Dream" is being a home owner. With all the news about increasing sales prices and interest rates, some people may think that dream to be unobtainable. Let me tell you Lino's story... Lino and his family legally immigrated from Mexico to the USA. Like many immigrants, he came to the US for better opportunities and a chance at a better life for himself and his family. He immediately found employment at a roofing company as a laborer. He also picked up handyman jobs on the weekends whenever he could for extra money. He continued to work hard not only to help his family, but to contribute to his new county he calls home. He paid federal and state taxes, studied for his contractor's license and followed all the immigration procedures to become a citizen. So far, for Lino, the "American Dream" was coming true. There was just one last piece of the dream he figured would remain out of his reach...owning his own home. Then one day one of his roofing clients, a real estate agent, told him to schedule a meeting with me regarding his home financing options. Lino came to see me on a Friday, convinced this was a waste of his time and mine. He brought me his income and asset documentation as requested. I pulled his credit, reviewed his income and worked up a pre-approval for FHA financing with 3.5% down on a single family residence in his price range. He was so excited and he couldn't wait to tell his wife. By the next day he was viewing properties with his agent and by Monday he was in escrow on a modest home in a suburban neighborhood. He closed escrow in less than 30 days. He and his family moved in shortly after closing. He is truly living the "American Dream". You, too, may be able to own a home. Please contact me to discuss your financing options.
Carolyn lives in Rancho San Diego with her husband and 2 dogs. Her daughter is in her first year of college in Northern CA. She has lived in East County for the past 22 years and loves the sunshine and sense of community. Carolyn can be contacted at cplummer@amerifirst.us or at 619.813.8934. Equal Housing Lender. I am a licensed mortgage originator, NMLS# 256447, and am licensed to originate mortgage loans in the State of California.
AmeriFirst Financial, Inc., 1550 E. McKellips Road, Suite 117, Mesa, AZ 85203 (NMLS # 145368). 1-877-276-1974. Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates, and programs are subject to change without prior notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. CA: Licensed by The Department of Business Oversight under the CA Residential Mortgage Lending Act
on our porch rom the 805 head east on Chula Vista’s Telegraph Canyon Road, take a right onto Heritage Road, then a left onto E. Palomar Street, and you will drive through one of the more charming subdivisions in East Chula Vista— Heritage at Otay Ranch. With the feel of a small town and its Heritage Town Square, this subdivision houses over 2,000 families. The enclave of Heritage One finds you greeted by porches, picket fences, and pedestrian-friendly walkways. Manicured and simple garden spaces give way to one home that is a planned pandemonium of low-water plants with a design that is centered upon a triple-trunk birch tree. A dry stream bed leads to a friendly front porch with red Adirondack chairs that beckon you to sit and take part in refreshing ice-cold lemonade with a dear friend. Inside this little bit of California suburbia resides a friendly, warm-hearted, generous couple, their three rescue dogs, and cat. She is a writer, published author, traveler, gardener, thrift-store cruiser, self-dubbed colorful gypsy soul, and a successful owner of a Farmers Insurance Agency located in Serra Mesa. He is a retired, quiet, gentle, loving soul who enjoys Dodgers baseball, travel, and politics. Susanne and Ernie welcome you to their front porch.
Details Year Built: 2001 Architecture: Mediterranean Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 2.5 Square Feet: 1953 Sq. Ft. Lot Size: 5009 Community: Heritage at Otay Ranch Owners: Susanne and Ernie Romo Recent sales in this neighborhood saw homes selling in the $440,000 to $560,000. There is a monthly HOA fee of $78 per month and a annual community fee of $190.
home
feels like home n the last issue, we discussed the various types of flooring you can choose for your home…but how do you choose??? We’ll examine the things to consider with each type, in this and upcoming issues. Wood Floors It’s the “gold” standard – particularly if you’re planning on selling in the future. Everyone looks for wood, even if they end up covering it, because it tends to increase the value of the property. But there are some facts that you’ll want to consider before choosing wood.
Moisture is a critical consideration when choosing wood. Hardwood is more susceptible to moisture, so you’ll want to avoid installing it below grade - i.e. in basements, as well as in bathrooms. Hardwood is nailed into a plywood subfloor, so both layers will react to moisture. If your current subfloor is concrete, then engineered wood is your best option. However, if you have your heart set on hardwood, you can still install it on a concrete subfloor, but you’ll have to install plywood first – which will increase the cost and labor. Once you’ve decided on hardwood vs. engineered wood, you’ll want to think about durability and maintenance. The species of
Photo Credit: greggarberhardwoodfloors.com
The first choice is hardwood vs. engineered wood. The difference is that hardwood is wood through and through, and engineered wood is wood veneer laid on top of a substrate. Typically, the number of times you can refinish engineered wood is less than hardwood, but higher priced choices may offer a thicker top layer.
Photo Credit: A1woodfloors.com
wood, whether hardwood or engineered, is one element – the harder the wood, the more durable. If the floor will be in a high traffic area, and/or you have kids and pets, you’ll want a harder species such as red or white oak, or bamboo. Also, many of the more exotic woods are quite hard, but more costly. The Jenka Scale rates all species of wood, so be sure to check it before making a final decision.
Wood floors are beautiful, but in order to keep them that way, it’s important to keep the dirt at bay. It’s recommended you sweep or use a dry microfiber cloth (like Swiffer) on a daily basis. You can also vacuum using the bare floor setting. What ever you do, do NOT mop with a wet mop. Remember the moisture factor, above? Water is not a friend to wood. It’s best to use a wood cleaner monthly to keep them clean and beautiful for years to come. Lisa Vasey, lives in La Mesa with her husband and two pugs. In the next issue, we’ll examine laminate and vinyl When not staging or redesigning, Lisa likes to try new restaurants products that look like wood – stay tuned! and recipes, travel, read, and enjoy live music. You can find Lisa on the web at stagedtodaysoldtomorrow.com. Reach out to Lisa at 619.335.8550 or email her at lisa@stagedtodaysoldtomorrow.com for help with your redesign or staging project.
bon vivant Marco Sawrey & Karin Zonis-Sawrey
Pop Pie Co poppieco.com/ 4 4 04 P a rk Blvd. S a n D iego, C A 9 21 16
op Pie Co. mantra of “In Pie We Crust” let’s you know how serious they are about their pies. They offer something for all walks of life... chicken, pork, steak, even vegan! Savory or sweet, these pop pies will make your mouth water. The chicken pot pie is probably one of the best we've tried in town. While there could be more of that delicious creamy herb gravy, it's a perfect balance of vegetables to tender chicken.
The Steak & Ale tastes like a homemade minestrone, with small diced carrots, peas, and meaty beef in a dark ale gravy. The Roasted Veggie & Panang Curry brings a little heat where the rich yellow curry is offset by the flaky crust that surrounds it. If you are a fan of combining your comfort foods, they have you covered with the Green Hog & Cheese (tomatillos and chiles with pork shoulder) and the Pizza Pot Pie, your traditional pepperoni pizza with additional toppings in a pot pie. Coconut Cream Pie
Vegans are also taken care of with the Jackfruit Pot Pie. The jackfruit is a starchy fruit native to Southeast Asia. Eaten alone, it has the flavor of apple, mango and banana with a starchy and fibrous texture and is extremely nutritious. At this pie shop, the jackfruit is used to create a vegan version of the classic chicken pot pie. Their three sides include: mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn, and kale slaw (vegan). All delicious and the perfect pairing to a hot pie. Now for the sweet pies...the lemon meringue is everything you want: tart and creamy, sweet meringue tops the tiny pie. They also serve a German chocolate pie and a coconut cream pie; the handmade pies are much like turnovers that can be eaten at any time of day or on the go. These single serving pies are so rich and decadent you could share with a loved one...but you gotta really love them.
Lemon Meringue
Vegetable Curry Pie with Kale
The staff and space are friendly and inviting so get yourself down to the Pop Pie Co and start living the “Pie Life”!
Chicken Pop Pie with Creamed Corn
bring wine with you! discovered the coolest travel buddy this week: The VinGardeValise. I have been looking for a better way to travel with wine for years. The amount of money I have spent shipping wine to vacation destinations or paying the shipping rates to have wine shipped home must be in the thousands. I finally found a great solution; a new product called VinGardeValise. It is the finest and most versatile wine luggage I have ever seen. It is a hard-shelled wine suitcase that can safely transport up to twelve bottles of wine. However, unlike other wine carriers, this versatile travel case can hold wine and personal effects all in one unit. The suitcase has inserts to accommodate up to six bottles on each of the two sides of the design, allowing you to combine your own personal effects with the bottles of wine you want to bring with you. You can pack it full of wine bottles on the way to your vacation destination and when the vacation is over and all the wine you brought has happily been consumed, you can load it up with souvenirs, or local wines from the area you vacationed in. Alternatively, you can pack all your clothes and personal effects in it, along with a back pack or duffel bag on your way to wine country, whether it’s Napa/Sonoma, Willamette Valley or Tuscany, then fill it with your new-found wine discoveries and use the back pack or duffel bag to carry home your clothes and personal items.
The design is fully compliant with FAA or TSA luggage regulations and will weigh under 50 pounds when packed with 12 bottles of wine, thus avoiding all over-sized weight limit charges. With typical shipping rates from domestic wine regions being more than $50.00 per case, this will easily pay for itself in just a few visits. If you use it for international travel the suitcase would be paid for in just one or two trips! And because it can accommodate a variety of different sized bottles, you are not limited to just wine! Don’t ever be disappointed again while traveling to destinations where wine may not be accessible or palatable. Bring your favorite bottles along and when you do find a gem, bring it home with you to enjoy with friends & family and relive the memories made while traveling. Happy Travels! Photo Credit: Vingardevalise.com
Beth Fraitag is a lead wine consultant with Quigley Fine Wines. Wine is her passion and she works one on one with individuals who also enjoy popping the cork from time to time. Her specialty is small production wines from around the globe where sustainable farming practices have been the norm for generations. Her belief in biodynamic methods to bring mother nature's bounty into our lives is the basis for the wines she represents. She can be reached at 619.742.0245 or beth@quigleyfinewines.com. Check out the QFW website at quigleyfinewines.com for additional information.
Beth Taylor
deeply rewarding.
ome was not built in a day, and cannot be seen in a day, a week or even a year! Since time is not on your side, consider moving Rome higher on your list of places to visit, and start planning now. With a little organization and a good travel consultant, your trip to Rome can be not only fun, but
The Roman Forum, though a mass of tumbled stone and ruin, still provides a glimpse of what was once the center of the great city, and perhaps the entire Roman world. Romans conducted their public business in the Forum, and the road leading into the Forum is the "Via Sacra", the route for sacred processions. The Colosseum once seated 60,000 people! The floor of the Colosseum could be flooded to float small boats. Over the centuries, the walls of the Colosseum began to crumble, but lighted at night, the structure still emits a stately glow. No trip to Rome is complete without seeing the Spanish Steps. The Spanish Embassy was at one time at the bottom of the Steps, hence the names - the "Piazza di Spagna" or the Spanish Steps. Early in the morning the steps are relatively empty, providing a great opportunity to view them without large groups of tourists covering their beauty.
To many visitors, a highlight of their trip is Vatican City. See St. Peter’s Basilica on any day other than Saturday and Sunday and you’ll avoid the crowds that line up on the weekends to hear the pope. Inside the massive church are the works of the great masters and many holy relics. The Pantheon is the best preserved of the ancient Roman buildings. Its dome is more than 130 feet high and at the top is a large opening, the oculus, which is the only source of light. Built in honor of "all gods", the structure has survived largely intact. Photo Credit: blogtravellingworld.blogspot.com
roman holiday
Photo Credit: pcwallart.com
voyage
Photo Credit: cntraveler.com
The Trevi Fountain is a center of tourist adoration not to be missed. Legend has it that if you throw a coin into the Trevi fountain, you will return to Rome. It’s a good place to deposit your spare change, so give it a toss because even if you have visited everything on this short list of favorites, you’ll still find much more to do in the Eternal City and will want to return again.
Beth Taylor is a local travel consultant who has been in the travel industry for over 30 years. She specializes in group and family travel. Her experience has taken her to places around the world. She’d love to help you plan your own unique vacation or simply “talk travel” with you! She can be reached at TMTravel@cox.net or 619-303-8771. Visit her website at BethTaylorMadeTravel.com for more tips about travel and some of the latest travel specials.
destination-libraries Susanne Romo hen I was growing up, a library was a place you went to do research and check out library books, and maybe hang out in the summer since it was air-conditioned. A lot has changed in the decades since then! On a recent library crawl, I discovered that San Diego County has incredible libraries! The Encinitas branch offers sweeping ocean vistas to read by, as well as a coffee cart, used book store, art exhibits, an extensive study area, and private rooms. They offer free classes from yoga to poetry; citizenship classes, classes designed for teens, as well as story time for younger children. You can even attend a Death Café at most San Diego County libraries. deathcafe.com The Cardiff library offers discussions on affordable trips to Africa as well as knitting classes, plus they have a beautiful, shaded patio surrounded by a drought-tolerant Demonstration Garden covered with succulents. The librarian I spoke with was knowledgeable and pointed out they have a special section just on surfing culture, as well as free Wi-Fi, computers available for job searches, researching, as well as reading your email.
The Del Mar branch has high ceilings with skylights and charming nooks with Craftsman-style chairs to read by. Take a few minutes and enjoy the outside mosaic retaining wall, created by Pat Welsh (a longtime resident, author and speaker (patwelsh.com/). Look for shells, old telephone wire insulators and pelicans. I loved that the children’s area was secluded, had a place for children to play with toys, as well as an area with children’s books in both Spanish and French. You can order books online and pick the branch you wish the book to be delivered to. There are DVDs that are either free or some libraries have a small yearly fee to check these out. And, of course, you can stay connected to the San Diego library system via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram at sdcl.org or #ilovesdcl Susanne Romo is a freelance writer who blogs at susymusings.com & healingjourneyblog.com. She is the co-author of Pebbles in the Pond: Wave 4 and Your Big Idea Book, both available on Amazon.
“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.” -Mark Twain
time-out family-friendly places to go with kids in and around san diego
Why Kid Friendly? Demonstration Gardens Wi-Fi Computer Stations Story-time Tutoring Children’s Play Area Computer Programming Dinner & a Movie Toddler Yoga Doggie Story-time Infant Time Classes Daddy & Me Story-time sdcl.org
Libraries
where’s rosemary?
In every issue of From the Front Porch you’ll find a photo of different places that I’ve been in San Diego County. Your goal is to figure out where I took the photo. Be specific and submit your guess as fast as you can (You have competition!!!) The first correct answer will win movie tickets for two! You can email, Homes@LivinInSD.com, or call us at: 619-405-7673.
pinterest.com/rosemaryjoles/home-cookin-wee-humble-cottage-approved/
et cetera
Summer Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
where was rosemary? Lake Miramar 10710 Scripps Lake Dr. San Diego, CA 92131 sandiego.gov Winner Kathy Hunyor Clairemont
delish
1 cup uncooked quinoa 1 red onion, chopped 3 sweet peppers, I use, red, yellow, orange 1 cup broccoli 1 cup corn 1 can black beans, rinsed
Handful fresh basil, chopped 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 Tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp sea salt Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Let quinoa rest for 5 minutes then fluff with a fork. Allow quinoa to cool before adding to the rest of the salad. 2. Meanwhile, sauté onion and sweet peppers with just a bit of olive oil until onion is translucent and peppers are soft, about 3 minutes. Add mixture to cooled quinoa then add broccoli, corn and black beans, mixing well. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper and red flakes. Add to salad and toss well. Once salad is coated, add fresh basil and allow to sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Enjoy. Service Size: 1/2 cup WW Points+: 3 pts. Serves: 12
Photo & Recipe Credit: eatyourselfskinny.com
around our town
minutia
Photo Credit: Detroit Public Library
When George Lucas was mixing the American Graffiti soundtrack, he numbered the reels of film starting with an R and numbered the dialog tracks starting with a D. Sound designer Walter Murch asked George for Reel 2, Dialog 2 by saying "R2D2". George liked the way that sounded so much he integrated that into another project he was working on...
Todd Joles is now known as Mr. Useless Knowledge (this is an affectionate title), is a business associate of his wife Rosemary, a passionate woodworker by night, mandolin/bluegrass aficionado by choice, chief cook and bottle washer because he loves his wife and a purveyor of this useless knowledge.
bravo & mia bites
useless knowledge
Dogs never bite me, just humans - Marilyn Monroe
Photo compliments of: Rebecca Johnson Bravo and Mia are the fur-children of Rebecca Johnson. They are the grand puppies of Rosemary and Todd Joles.
botanical name: Lagerstroemia indica common name: Crape Myrtle Likes: Full Sun Needs: Regular water, do not overwater. Blooms: Pink, Fuchsia, Red, Apricot, White Note: Deciduous, interesting bark, is really a shrub and likes to revert to if not kept in check.
Photo credit: commons.wikimediia.org
rosebud’s garden
Gardening is the slowest of the performing arts. -Mac Griswold Photo credit: tropical.theferns.info To see more SD plants go to: livininsd.com
Rosemary Joles is passionate about low-water gardening in San Diego. She loves creating gardens that look like lush water thirsty gardens, yet need very little moisture to maintain them. Her other passions include real estate, lattes, spending time with family and friends, reading, music and laughter!
upcycle repairing painted wood grain At Upcycled Home and Garden, we focus on “what can be” rather than “what it was”.’ Gail and Jim Hallemeyer
Photo credit: happygoluckyblog.com
uch of the furniture that is sold today comes out of China. The wood material is an MDF, fiberboard or practical board. The visual surface looks like a beautiful wood grain but unfortunately that surface is just a sprayed on coating. Even the high quality retailers are selling this type of furniture to the public and it is not always revealed as to the quality of the underlying wood product. A sign that the furniture is not true piece of wood can be that the furniture just weighs a lot for its size as glue generally weights more that wood. Another sign is that the grain does not show on the other side of the wood. So perhaps you have bought a nice looking furniture item and brought it home. In your enjoyment of the item, something happens and the surface gets a scratch. What can you do to hide or restore that imperfection? If the scratch is just a slight marking, you might first try to find a sharpie magic marker of similar color to the wood paint. Then, with a black sharpie, you might try to dot in some color to give it some depth. As you apply the magic markers, rub a cloth over your markings, as that will help blend in the scratch to the rest of the piece.
for larger areas, small woods chisel maybe helpful. Once you are content with the surface, apply the wood putty to the area bringing the surface back to the original level. Sometimes using an old credit card can be a useful tool in shaping the putty or fitting into any carved out areas or just as a scrapper to smooth out the top layer. Allow the putty to dry for a day. A light sanding usually helps to fine-tune the surface. Now you will need to try and replicate the painted wood grain. Again, a sharpie of similar color and a black sharpie will be a first line of action to blend in the damaged area. So lets say you tried to color it in and that did not work as expected. The next thing you can do is go to an art store and buy a few tubes of acrylic paint, some fine tipped paint brushes and attempt to repaint the grain back on to the surface. Another choice, and a much bigger project, would be to go to a wood store that sells thin laminate sheets. They will also sell the glue to adhere the laminate to the surface. Again, you will need to smooth and level the underlying surface before you attach the thin wood laminate as discussed above. When it is dry, a light sanding will be needed and a stain will be needed to blend in the new surface with the other portions of the furniture. Once that is complete, a top layer of a polyurethane or varnish will be needed to harden the surface and to replace the level of gloss appropriate to the piece. As you can tell the repairs to this painted surface furniture is far more difficult than repairing a real wood piece of furniture. The initial cost of real wood maybe more but the maintenance is so much easier and the useful life is much longer. Sometimes just getting an older piece of furniture and modernizing it is much cheaper and longer enjoyed than dealing with these painted items.
Before However, sometimes the scratch is deep or the piece of furniture was hit causing a much larger indentation. What then? In most cases the new eyesore can be minimized but it will show. But lets look at what can be done. At the hardware store you can usually find wood fillers of various colors. They are usually in the paint area next to the stains. In preparation, you will want to clear any lose material or bulging material so you have the best possible starting surface to build from. Light sandpaper usually works but
After
Upcycled Home and Garden is located at 4747 Oceanside Blvd, Suite I, Oceanside CA 92056. We can reached at 760-908-9800 or info@upcycledhomegarden.com. We offer classes in Milk Painting, Succulent Planting, Garden Art, Chair Upholstering and more, check out our website upcycledhomegarden.com for detailed information. You can also find items we have upcycled on our site. We are open Wednesday thru Saturday, 10:00am-5:30pm. Come by and say hello.
nitty gritty insurance 411 why did my insurance rate increase...and other insurance questions he most common reason your rates increase is you have an at-fault accident or get a ticket and don’t go to traffic school. Your rate doesn’t actually increase. What happens is you lose a superior driver or good driver discount, which can be substantial. The result is the cost increases . I know, semantics, but you really
didn’t get a rate increase. You lost a substantial discount.
The same thing applies to a home claim. The claims-free discount can be up to 40%, so it is always a good idea to determine how much over your deductible the claim is before filing with your company. In some cases it may not even meet your deductible, and if you called in the claim, even though you did not continue with it, it still shows as a claim on your record.
Another factor is that cars cost more to repair. Before, a rear bumper was just....a bumper. Relatively easy to repair or replace. Unfortunately, bumpers are no longer just … bumpers. They have back-up systems, sensors and technology in them. Sometimes when an insurance company has to replace a bumper, it is actually replacing a computer.
Youthful or elderly drivers. Either of these drivers will be put on the most expensive car to insure. Just because they normally drive
the 2005 Hyundai does not mean they don’t have access to the 2017 Mercedes.... Look into Good Student discounts and also Senior Driver courses to minimize rates. If there are two drivers and only one car, the highest-risk driver will be the one rated on the car. Ask about professional / occupational discounts when you talk to your agent.
Last but not least. Your child delivers pizza. Is this covered on your personal auto policy if s/he gets into an accident? No. Not at all. The reason is that you have a personal – use auto policy. Pizza delivery falls under the business-use of an auto. You need to confirm in writing what coverage your child’s employer provides before you put your home, income and financial future on the line. Remember, always shop coverage, not price.
Susanne Romo, LUTCF has been working in insurance since 1986. Her passion is showing her clients that there can be a vast difference between just ‘having’ insurance…and being properly insured. She can be reached at: 858 751 0956 or at sromo@farmersagent.com
project diy retiring old glory
he United States Flag Code (ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm) outlines proper flag etiquette for everything from properly folding a flag to flying a flag correctly. It even describes in great detail how to retire an American flag respectfully. When an American flag becomes worn, faded, torn or soiled, it should be retired and replaced with a new flag. There are several ways to respectfully dispose of the American flag without showing disgrace. The most common method is burning the torn or tattered flag in a special ceremony. Here are the steps you should follow.
The Veterans Department of Affairs suggests starting by folding the flag in a customary triangle manner. Then prepare a large enough fire space to sufficiently burn the flag completely. Next place the flag in the fire and while it burns, individuals at the ceremony should salute or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Finally, end the ceremony with a moment of silence and bury the ashes once the flag is completely consumed. Many groups (The American Legion or Boy scouts for example) that hold annual or semi-annual flag retirement ceremonies often have their own unique traditions they also follow. But these are the minimum steps everyone should at least follow when they retire an American Flag. –Source collinsflags.com
Millicent
and Company Salons
MEGAN MCGHEN Hair Stylist
619·464·3166
4695 Palm Avenue · La Mesa · CA · 91942
Out of the Mouths…. My IDENTICAL twin boys had us rolling in tears of laughter a few weeks back when they were arguing passionately over who was "more handsomer" than who. -Heather
podsibilities
books or blogs
Photo credit: google.com
Have
you ever wondered where to find old, I mean really old, out of print books? Check out Google Books! Google books was started as a way to catalog the vast academic libraries of the world and great in roads were made into bringing access to the public. Since its inception, the rise of digital e-books, have amassed a great market and the powers that be have tried to make them disappear. While somewhat difficult to navigate, Google Books does still exist and can be a great source for old material.
Photo credit: idolator.com
Soon
after Jason Mraz moved to San Diego in 1999, he quickly became a fixture at Java Joe’s in Ocean Beach, where he played weekly for almost three years. In 2001 he released the live album Live At Java Joe’s. After numerous albums and the success of I’m Yours, he is still loyal to his roots. Living in an avocado grove in Bonsall and owning a coffee farm in Oceanside, Mraz has given back to the community through local concerts and via numerous philanthropical organizations. Check him out here on YouTube: youtu.be/EkHTsc9PU2A
bits and pieces ingenious
personalized photo map
Photo credit: pinterest.com
you have a travel buff in the family? Are you the traveler? What better gift could you give them or yourself but a personalized photo map of travel memories. Learn how to create this fun map at: cutcraftcreate.blogspot.com
from marcandangel.com
ponderings
Do
What is something that you would hate to go without for a day?
P A D R E S
7/1
Dodgers
7:10p
7/26
Mets
7:10p
8/17
Nationals
7:10p
9/8
@D-backs
6:40p
7/2
Dodgers
1:40p
7/27
Mets
6:10p
8/18
Nationals
7:10p
9/9
@D-backs
5:10p
7/4
@ Indians
4:10p
7/28
Pirates
7:10p
8/19
Nationals
5:40p
9/10
@D-backs
1:10p
7/5
@ Indians
4:10p
7/29
Pirates
5:40p
8/20
Nationals
1:40p
9/12
@Twins
5:10p
7/6
@ Indians
4:10p
7/30
Pirates
1:40p
8/22
@Cardinals
5:15p
9/13
@Twins
5:10p
7/7
@Phillies
3:35p
8/1
Twins
7:10p
8/23
@Cardinals
5:15p
9/15
@Rockies
5:40p
7/8
@Phillies
1:05p
8/2
Twins
12:40p
8/24
@Cardinals
4:15p
9/16
@Rockies
5:10p
7/9
@Phillies
10:35a
8/4
@Pirates
4:05p
8/25
@Marlins
4:10p
9/17
@Rockies
1:10p
7/14
Giants
7:10p
8/5
@Pirates
4:05p
8/26
@Marlins
4:10p
9/18
D-backs
7:10p
7/15
Giants
5:40p
8/6
@Pirates
10:35a
8/27
@Marlins
10:10a
9/19
D-backs
7:10p
7/16
Giants
1:40p
8/7
@Reds
4:10p
8/28
Giants
7:10p
9/20
D-backs
6:10p
7/17
@Rockies
5:40p
8/8
@Reds
4:10p
8/29
Giants
7:10p
9/21
Rockies
7:10p
7/18
@Rockies
5:40p
8/9
@Reds
4:10p
8/30
Giants
6:10p
9/22
Rockies
7:10p
7/19
@Rockies
12:10p
8/10
@Reds
9:35a
9/1
Dodgers
7:10p
9/23
Rockies
5:10p
7/20
@Giants
7:15p
8/11
@Dodgers
7:10p
9/2
Dodgers
5:40p
9/24
Rockies
1:40p
7/21
@Giants
7:15p
8/12
@Dodgers
6:10p
9/3
Dodgers
1:40p
9/25
@Dodgers
7:10p
7/22
@Giants
1:05p
8/13
@Dodgers
1:10p
9/4
Cardinals
1:40p
9/26
@Dodgers
7:10p
7/23
@Giants
1:05p
8/14
Phillies
7:10p
9/5
Cardinals
7:10p
9/27
@Dodgers
7:10p
7/24
Mets
7:10p
8/15
Phillies
7:10p
9/6
Cardinals
7:10p
9/29
@Giants
7:15p
7/25
Mets
7:10p
8/16
Phillies
12:40p
9/7
Cardinals
6:10p
9/30
@Giants
1:05p
sd outdoors park exploration
word search –birds of san diego-part 2
Baltimore Oriole Summer Tanager Golden Crowned Sparrow American Goldfinch American Pipit European Starling American Robin Purple Martin Mountain Chickadee Red Winged Blackbird Black Headed Grosbeak Spotted Towee Purple Finch Cedar Waxwing Sage Thrasher California Scrub Jay Barn Swallow Oak Titmouse Find the answers at www.LivinInSD.com/ws
lifestyle Lamb’s Players Theater lambsplayers.org
The Old Globe theoldglobe.org
Vista’s Broadway Theater broadwayvista.biz
Big Fish June 9-July 30
King Richard June11-July 15
The Drowsy Chaperone August 4-August 27
The Explorer’s Club August 11-September 24
Guys and Dolls July2-August 13
San Diego Rep sdrep.org
Robin Hood July 22-August 27
24th Annual Lipinski Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival May 21-July 9
Hamlet August 6-September 10
Evita August 3 - August 27
Broadway San Diego broadwaysd.org The Book of Mormon July 25-30
Roz & Ray September 7 - October 1
An American In Paris Sept 5-10
North Coast Repertory northcoastrep.org At This Evening’s Performance July 12-August 6
Disney’s Little Mermaid September 19-24
San Diego Adventures Carlsbad Triathalon July 9 carlsbadca.gov Junk In The Trunk Vintage Market July 15-16 junkinthetrunkvintagemarket.com Opening Day at Del Mar Race Track July 19 dmtc.com Unleashed - Surf Dog Competition July 29 surfdogevents.com
july | august | september Bike the Bay August 27 www.bikethebay.net San Diego Festival of Sail September 1-4 www.sdmaritime.org San Diego Blues Festival September 9 www.sdbluesfest.com Photo Credit: dmtc.com
Encinitas Taste of Main Street August 8 encinitas101.com Carlsbad Art in the Village August 13 kennedyfaires.com/carlsbad World Bodysurfing Championships August 19-20 worldbodysurfing.org
Photo Credit: movoto.com
sd concerts
Diana Krall
San Diego Symphony Copley Symphony Hall 750 B St., San Diego, CA 92101 619.235.0804 sandiegosymphony.org Bayside Summer Nights 2017 7/1-2 Star Spangled Pops 7/4 America’s Birthday with Wynonna 7/6 Herb Alpert & Lani Hall 7/7-8 Leslie Odom, Jr. 7/12 Tony Bennett 7/14-15 Air Supply 7/27 New Orleans Jazz Feat. Dr. John 7/28 Hooray For Hollywood! 7/29-30 Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets 8/4-5 Boz Scaggs with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra 8/6 Sergio Mendes 8/10 Latin Jazz Masters 8/11 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial In Concert 8/12 La La Land In Concert 8/13 Angélique Kidjo 8/18-19 To Life! Bock & Harnick On Broadway Feat. Fiddler On The Roof 8/20 Boléro By The Bay 8/24 John Beasley Presents Monk’estra 8/25 Amos Lee 8/26 The Commodores 8/27 Ozomatli 9/1-3 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay 2241 Shelter Island Drive San Diego, CA 92106 Humphreysconcerts.com 7/13 The Temptations/The Four Tops 7/14 50 Summers of Love starring Micky Dolenz, Mark Lindsay and the Fab Four 7/17 Chris Isaak
The Doobie Brothers
7/19 Happy Together Tour 2017 8/1 Huey Lewis and The News 8/8 Diana Krall 8/12 America 8/16 The Doobie Brothers 8/17-18 Lost 80’s Live 8/23 Bryan Ferry 8/24 Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home “Love and Comedy” Show 8/25 Dave Koz & Larry Graham: Side By Side Summer 2017 8/26 Pink Martini 8/27 The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes & Tonino Baliardo 9/6 Stephen Stills/Judy Collins 9/9 Jake Shimabukuro 9/10 George Benson/Kenny G The Breezin' & Breathless Tour 9/13 Indigo Girls 9/14 Steve Windwood 9/15 Il Divo 9/20 City and Colour - USA Tour 2017 9/23 An Evening with The Beach Boys 9/24 Bill Maher 9/29 Tower of Power Belly Up 143 S Cedros Ave. Solana Beach, CA 92075 858.481.8140 Bellyup.com 7/1 Tainted Love 7/3 Atomic Groove Happy Hour 7/6 Easy Wind - Dead Heads to the Rescue a Fundraiser for Erika Lazzaro 7/7 CalPhonics Happy Hour/The PettyBreakers and The Wilburys Experience 7/8 Band of Gringos 7/9 Band of Heathens 7/14 Mike Pinto 7/15 Super Diamond 7/18 The Sword 7/19-20 Colin Hay with San Miguel
Sergio Mendes
7/21 Atomic Groove Happy Hour Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 7/24 Blackberry Smoke 7/25 Delta Rae 7/26 John Waite-The 40th Anniversary Tour 7/27 Reckless Kelly 7/28 Atomic Groove Happy Hour Beatles vs Stones 7/29 Robert Cray 7/30 Maxi Priest 8/1 The Marshall Tucker Band 8/2 Through The Roots 8/3 Turnpike Troubadours 8/6 10,000 Maniacs 8/8 James Vincent McMorrow 8/10 Steve Earle & The Dukes 8/12 Wayward Sons 8/17 Brazilian Girls at The Casbah 8/20 Young Dubliners 8/31 David Cook 9/14 Leo Kottke 9/15 Black Uhuru featuring Duckie Simpson & Andrew Bees
front porch pickin san diego music from classical to bluegrass
domiciles
San Diego-Hartley Estates · $349,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Downtown SD-Smart Corner · $440,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Hillcrest · $630,000-$650,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Oceanside · $735,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Oceanside · $950,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Downtown-City Mart · $949,900-$1,019,900 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
from east county to the coast
Fallbrook · $490,000-$515,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Oceanside · $650,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Chula Vista · $799,000-$839,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Downtown San Diego-The Mark · $847,500 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Carlsbad-Aviara · $1,350,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
La Costa · $2,200,000-$2,600,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
OWN A HOME?
Has The Value Of Your
Gone up in the last 6 months? Don’t rely on online websites for your homes value. While they can give you a rough estimate of value, they can be off by as much as 20-40%. For a more accurate no obligation home evaluation please call: Rosemary Joles at 619.405.7673
Rosemary Joles ∙ Realtor | Bennion Deville Homes | CalBRE 01095314
Front Porch Wisdom
To Know what you know and to know what you don’t know, that is real wisdom.
1928
Remember When
The Strand Theatre
Architectural Style: Mission Revival| Built: 1925 4950 Newport Ave. | Ocean Beach, CA 92107| wingsbeachwear.com| Retail
Photos: cinematreasures.org & Rosemary Joles
2017
C
all me now to sell your home!
PENDING · $169,000 · 3/2 livininvista.info · Vista
SOLD · $279,900 ∙ 2/1 livininsancarlos.info ∙ San Carlos
SOLD · $310,000 · 2/2 livininmiramesa.info · San Diego
SOLD · $369,000 ∙ 3/2 livininlamesa.info · La Mesa
SOLD · $435,000 · 4/2 livininsantee.info · Santee
SOLD · $650,000 · 5/3.5 livininfletcherhills.info ∙ Fletcher Hills
SOLD · $799,000 · 4+/2.5 livinintierrasanta.info · Tierrasanta
SOLD · $845,000 · 4/2.5 livininsd.com ∙ El Cajon · Hidden Mesa
SOLD · $1,138,000 SOLD · $1,138,000 ∙ 5+/3 livinincarlsbad.info · Carlsbad livininsd.com · Carlsbad
Whether you are looking to sell, buy, or lease a home we have the skills to get the job done right. LETS GET STARTED TODAY! CALL 619.405.7673
Rosemary Joles Every home is a masterpiece 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 Five Star Real Estate Agent REALTOR® | Cal BRE #01095314 Residential Sales· Leasing· LUXE Director 619· 405· 7673 Homes@LivinInSD.com | LivinInSD.com