About Irvine's Woodbridge, South Lake

I was taking the dog for a walk around South Lake in Woodbridge last night, and the view of the lake was quite stunning. Here's a short video I took with my iPhone.

I really love working and living in Woodbridge, and it's not only because of all the activities in and around the two lakes, or the 31 parks, the 24 pools, the 4 tennis court complexes, the 8 basketball courts, the barbeques and tot lots. Perhaps it's the shopping & restaurants, or the great schools?

(My youngest kid loves Woodbridge High where she is a Junior, and also Springbrook Elementary & South Lake Middle, where she was enrolled prior. There are four Elementary schools, two Middle schools & one High School, in Woodbridge.)

Perhaps it's the great people I've met, and continue to meet, that appeals to me about Woodbridge, but after thinking about it, there probably isn't just one reason, but an accumulation of all of the above reasons!

If you know anyone who'd like some information about Woodbridge, please let me know. I'll be happy to send them a package, and if they're interested, I can show them some properties that are for sale or for lease.

102 Woodbridge homes are currently "for sale", and the prices range from $209,900 for a 2 bedroom attached short sale condo in the Village Green tract, to $1,159,900 for a 3 bedroom 2,366 square foot SFR on Lakeview in Arborlake.

I love easy. Buy a log at the store, wrapped in yellow paper with black and red letters. Take it home and set it on the fire grate. Bend the paper edge up just a little and light the edge where the arrow indicates. Wait a couple of minutes and you'be got a great glow in the fireplace, a little bit of warmth and tada...so easy.

Or, go out in the back yard, look for the gloves you left, somewhere, and reach under the potting table for a heavy, dirty, spidery log. Haul it off the pile and drop it on the cement, end up, to shake out any "beings" that you don't want to bring into the house. After repeating this process with at least 3 to 5 of those misshapen hunks of wood, pick them up with your right hand and balance them in the crook of your left arm. Leave the 2 that are too heavy to carry, out on the patio and go to the sliding door and balance and heft the door open. Rush over to the fireplace, and drop the logs onto the hearth. Beware of the "beings" that may now be awake and rushing for cover.

Run back to the slider which is still open and heft it shut. Go back over and stack the 3 logs, boy scout style, onto the grate. Get the red firestarter stick and lean way over to the right while you click the lighter on and lean left and fiddle with the gas lighter on the wall and turn it on. Get ready for the Whoosh of gas and ignition...protect your hair, hands and dog from this event.

Well, now enjoy. It's a rainy Valentines night and either way you light a fire, fake logs or real, enjoy the glow.

As I rounded the corner on my usual morning walk to South Lake, I had to stop and stare. The mountains looked amazing - all covered with snow. I'd figured there'd be snow on the mountains after yesterday's hail and rain-storm in Woodbridge, but I wasn't expecting anything so beautiful.

Of course I rushed back home to grab my camera, and when I returned, two other walkers, (or joggers - I can't be sure), had also stopped to admire the breathtaking view. One asked me why on earth anyone would choose to live anywhere else in Irvine, but here in Woodbridge?
I answered that I honestly did not know, and told her that I'd post the photos onto my website www.WoodbridgeIrvine.com/ and she was welcome to download them from there.

That invitation is extended to you too! Enjoy!

One of my favorite places to visit at times during the past five years ... for about 15 to 30 minutes each time ... once about every three weeks ... is UNIVERSITY PARK BARBERS, 18048 Culver Drive, Irvine, CA.

This barbershop is located located in the University Park ... Irvine Company retail mall ... at Culver and Michelson ... and about 15 minutes from our home in the Turtle Rock area. It's a bit of fun and good haircut at a reasonable price ... and save time too.

Jim Anderson is a family man living at Lake Forest, CA ... he talks from time to time about his wife and son, who will start his junior year at Rancho Santa Margarita High School ... and involved with the marching band at school.

Jim was busy today at his UNIVERSITY PARK BARBERSHOP ... enjoying the attention received last week from reporters at Orange County Register and Irvine World News who visited and wrote about his being in business at this location for forty years.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JIM AND OTHERS AT UNIVERSITY PARK BARBERS FOR THE 40-YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

I got my money's worth and a good haircut today ... Jim and I visited about 10 minutes. I don't have the amount of hair to fuss with as in years passed ... not using the entire chair time. We talked about politics and had some laughs. The man moved on to the next customer.

Jim's next client after me today was Daniel ... seen here thinking about and getting ready for his 15 minutes in the chair.

UNIVERSITY PARK BARBERSHOP is close to our world of business, commercial office buildings, community centers, condominium complexes and homes, well-known grocery stores, tennis clubs, and busy Culver Drive near Interstate 405.

Jim's store is ancient at 40 years and counting ... THE OLDEST CONTINUOUS BUSINESS OWNED AND OPERATED IN THE CITY OF IRVINE, CA.

Anderson celebrated last week with lack of fanfare ... and then back to work and $13 haircuts. He and Mac and other barbers are busy and have strong client followings.

Many of our friends from Irvine and elsewhere visit Jim and others barbers there. Lots of these guys drive miles to get the good haircut at reasonable price ... UNIVERSITY PARK BARBERS.

Jim's resting here after brief celebraton and between the 15 minutes allocated for clients, like me.

This is a no-nonsense place ... my kind of business ... with not much worrying over styles ... no shampoo or hair coloring ... and no web site.

The six barbers at the shop keep the place old-fashioned, with cuts short and prices low. A normal haircut is just $13 ... or $12 for seniors "95 or older".

Jim Anderson ... like others there ... is on his feet most of the day. Bob, another barber, helps to keep the place clean.

If you want a good haircut ... at a reasonable price ... with little or no fancy stuff ... and like to save time ... check out UNIVERSITY PARK BARBERS, 18048 Culver, Irvine, CA, telephone 949-786-6404.

Posted by Harrison K. Long, Explore Properties Group, Irvine, CA

Sources: Jim Anderson and The Orange County Register