Leah Pollack

(July 4, 2008) No raining on this parade! July 4th in Santa Clarita begins with the 7am Rotary Pancake Breakfast! It is now our family tradition. Check the rotary group online at http://www.scvrotaryclub.com/

Then after eating the filling pancakes ... steps away we set down for the Santa Clarita Valley FOURTH OF JULY PARADE!!! Local Dignitaries, Local Boys Scouts, Military, and groups of cool cars, Fire Trucks, and Girls in Tiaras! This is what the community spirit is, the waving of flags and the support of our community!

Then the evening rounds out with FIREWORKS!!! Every year of my life I have seen fireworks. Even when I was blessed to travel for work and on July 4th found myself in Tokyo, Japan... in the hotel I found a with pictures of fireworks. I move the magazine high in the air, coupled with it the sounds and followed up with my awe-struck "oooo, ahhhh!"... Folks, these are traditions that I do not take lightly :-)

See the video log of this event at VIDEO LOG http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=249DF89D1B23AB92

I hope you took advantage of the free events in and around town this past weekend. And as always set your reminders for next year!

Enjoy and Have a great day!



-Leah Pollack
Your Real Estate Investing Resource
Elite Professionals Real Estate Services, Inc.
http://www.eliteprosre.com/
http://www.leahpollack.com/

(June 28, 2008) On the road in and around AND 3 hours away! Central Coast a good drive, and worth it too! Day at the beach discovering new people and new foods! Pismo Beach and the ever delightful Shell Beach. Area Event for this area can be found at http://www.classiccalifornia.com/calendar.htm
We took in the Shell Beach Farmers Market. Area goodies and great music as well as great views of the bluffs - no foolin'. LOL!
Met and chatted with the local organization that is promoting the Shell Beach Improvement Projects http://www.sbig.org/ and a local business woman who bridges the world with crafts from around the world. http://slovillages.com/
As the day went on we took ourselves to the local outlet malls and then on to the main drag of Pismo Beach! What a great time!
We took in the beautiful beach and local snacks... HotLix of Pismo Beach, CA http://www.hotlix.com/ is a word... AWESOME. Nostalgic candy as well as chocolate covered WORMS and White Chocolate covered CRICKETS. Truth be told: The worms were fantastic. I asked to purchase a quarter pound, so I could munch on them while walking around. She looked at me as if I was crazy, as they don't sell them THAT way! And the crickets? The white chocolate was very good - and if you don't mind having cricket-parts in your teeth for a bit, then I would HIGHLY recommend the experience. I also learned something very valuable... when travelling in the woods simply be sure to pack a block of chocolate, it makes those creepy-crawlies MUCH easier to eat!
That night we took in Santa Maria, CA and went to BBQ-LAND, BBQ-LAND, BBQ-LAND! Phone (805) 346-8537 A good inexpensive bbq place with ample portions - yeehah!
The next day we checked into the Guadalupe Dunes. You drive straight out, to where seems as if you are just going to fall off the earth! Surprising I had more cell phone bars than I do at my own house! We truly decompressed as we walked along the awe-inspring coast line. What a wonderful weekend getaway! 10 miles from San Luis Obispo, 144 miles from Bakersfield and about 188 miles from Los Angeles! Add this area for your consideration for a weekend out of town, a 3rd party destination for your family holiday - or perhaps a second home.
Let me know! Take the time to check out sights, sounds and tastes of the world around you! Enjoy and Have a great day!

-Leah Pollack
Your Real Estate Investing Resource
Elite Professionals Real Estate Services, Inc.
Video LOG can be found http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=249DF89D1B23AB92

http://www.eliteprosre.com/
http://www.leahpollack.com/

(June 7, 2008) We stumbled upon this Italian delicacy last year...and this year I can share it and remind you that this is an annual event, so set a reminder now :-) http://italianfeastofscv.com/


... One thing I love about the American spirit in general is that if people see that there is a festival, or an event that is NOT in their town, they just host it themselves. So far what I have seen it is making our city so much more! And when it comes to Italian Festivals, Frankie Competelli has done just that. As you go through the entry gates to check into the festival, they are a wonderful bridge from 'your day' to 'Little Italy' complete with the vendors, Italian lessons and of course Food. All the folks we met were gracious and helpful.



The jumpy-slide and laser-light tag were fantastic and so was the craft booth. The host of this event was Frankie Competelli. His story is one of inspiration how he stays true to form of his vibrant and delicious Italian New York ancestry including his passion for his community.

Frankie's Restaurant will open this summer in the Bridgeport Marketplace. If the food at the Feast is any indication of what we are in for this is a MUST CHECK INTO see him online at http://www.frankiesonmelrose.com/




The next big Italian event is The Feast of San Gennaro in Los Angeles September 25-28, 2008. To learn more.... http://www.feastofla.org/







And back at The Italian Feast of Santa Clarita... Did you see the Gelato-guys? I also spoke with a photographer who photographs Italy and sells these wonderful photos at Festivals. She was extremely passionate about Italy, the culture, the people and the architecture. I was blessed in my younger days to spend 11 days in Italy. I still think fondly on the time when I was 'getting' lost in Rome all in search for a poster of the Spanish Steps. I keep stumbling upon bits of antiquities and street markets, And at night - still posterless- I came upon a street festival with music and huge mylar balloons - it was so welcoming and fantastic!

What a great reminder in Santa Clarita to take the time when you are driving around; meandering through the parks and festivals, talking to people, glance around the community boards if you see a sign about a festival or a new restaurant or shop or one that is 'new-to-you' check into it. Find the pockets of celebrations in Santa Clarita and build your memories of exploration that will continue the traditions and make some new traditions of your own in this our vibrant city.


Enjoy and Have a great day!



-Leah Pollack
Your Real Estate Investing Resource
Elite Professionals Real Estate Services, Inc.
Video LOG can be found http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=249DF89D1B23AB92
http://www.eliteprosre.com/
http://www.leahpollack.com/

(May 31, 2008) Every year during the third week in May, I have an appointment reminder. It says - CALL CHERRY, and in my contacts CHERRY HOTLINE (24 Hours): (661) 266-7116. I listen intently, as this phone recorded message will share with me when the Cherry Orchards of Leona Valley will be open for picking.

Now this is A GREAT DAY OUT! The beautiful drive north to the end of Bouquet Canyon Road and make a left toward Leona Valley. Your first stop is the local General Market. You can see what is going on in town. Chat with locals.

This year we met the group promoting the Leona Valley Area Events. The Cherry Festival Parade (June 14th) and the Wine Tasting (June 21)! Check into the video below for details as well as the pic of the flyer.




After visiting... then you go on into the General Store and get your map. They will tell you who is open for picking. We go to whichever strikes our fancy. You arrive at the orchard and gracious Orchard teammates will direct you where to get your bins. Bins will either be baskets, buckets or wagons. Some hard-core pickers bring their own receptacles and ladders to get to the high fruit. Most everyone else brings themselves and comfortable shoes and the picking begins!

I pick anywhere between 8-20 lbs of cherries. This year I picked 11 lbs! I pit them using this great little pitter tool, bag and freeze them.





Soon, or not so soon, they will be made into pies, jam, and my favorite--snacked on frozen during the upcoming Fourth of July parade in Newhall, CA. I hope to see you there!


Once again keep your eyes open to the community events you can be a part of in and around Santa Clarita Valley.

Enjoy and Have a great day!

-Leah Pollack
Your Real Estate Investing Resource
http://www.leahpollack.com/

(May 17, 2008) Pine Mountain Club--the nearby faraway place--is one of Southern California's best-kept secrets... http://www.pinemountainclub.net/


The mountains, the fresh air, the pine trees, the lilacs, the craft fair! This Annual Event brings vendors from all around California to descend on a town that is so beautiful during the winter, but in spring with the hiking and the Craft Fairs and do not forget about the WINE IN THE PINES! Saturday June 7, 2008. This town of locals is fantastic!




I spoke with Maxine, a Craft and Gift vendor from Bakersfield (Maxine of Rconnect4U@aol.com) who returns each year to ensure she reconnects with the beauty of the surroundings, but also with the people of Pine Mountain.




As we had dinner of local pizza, I chatted with a wonderful man who provided some insights: I shared that I came for the day as lilacs remind me of my youth. He so gently said, come for the day for this Annual festival, return a different day for another event (Wine tasting!), perhaps even stay the night (I said there would be wine!). Come back for an accessible get-away weekend in the mountains. Connect with the community and share in its wonderful annual events and recreation of spring hikes and fun-filled winter snow days.
... I wholeheartedly agreed... At such a short drive from Santa Clarita, wont you check into it too? http://www.pinemountainclub.net/

http://www.wineinthepines.com/

Lilacs in Pine Moutain CA and near Santa Clarita CA - Crisp Air and Great View of Pine Mountain Sky






Keep you eyes open for great community events this summer and all year round!

Enjoy!
-Leah Pollack
Your Real Estate Investing Resource
http://www.leahpollack.com/