Hope For Ventura Real Estate

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Labor Day Weekend in Ventura

I was looking back over previous posts to my blog and found last years Labor Day post.  How soon we forget!  Last year we were having a heat wave and temperatures were in the triple digits in Ventura County.  This is extremely rare for Ventura County.  Everyone was flocking to the beaches where the weather was a perfect 75 degrees.  It was a nightmare to find parking, most had to park about 4-6 blocks away, but the cool breezes were well worth the walk! 

I glanced at the weather predictions for this weekend and it looks like the weather will be perfect!  I'm sure the beaches will still be "the place to be", though.  Have fun and ejoy your last days of summer!

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0 commentsHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 29 2008 09:51AM

PiruFest 2008

The Piru Neighborhood Council will hold it's annual PiruFest this coming Labor Day weekend.

Festivities will kick off at noon and continue until 10 pm. Planned activities will include performances by youth musicians, Native American Dancers and the ever-popular "Dan Torres and Piru River Band" at the Piru Depot and Gazebo Park. Amusement attractions and youth recreational activities will be featured at Warring Park throughout the day.

When:  Saturday August 30, noon to 10 p.m.

Where:  Piru Depot and Gazebo Plaza Park on Center Street in the historic downtown district

Sponsored by the Piru Neighborhood Council.  For more information contact (805) 844-0121

Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate Listings at

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0 commentsHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 26 2008 08:51AM

Ventura Community Events

Monday August 26, 6 to 8 p.m.
Green Building Council monthly meeting
Patagonia Firehouse Building, 280 W. Main St.
California Central Coast Chapter of the U. S. Green Building Council monthly meet.  Joel Barai and Jeff Bricmont, principals of Modern Earth Finance, will discuss residential loan financing with an emphasis on sustainability.  For more information contact (805) 648-2394 or http://www.usgbcc4.org .

Monday August 25, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Weekly ballroom dance
Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road
The Poinsettia Ballroom Dancers invite singles and couples to the group's weekly ballroom dance. It features a live band playing traditional ballroom music. Refreshments provided. Coast is $7 for members, $8 for others and free for single men on their first visit.  For more information contact (805) 672-2891.

Tuesday August 26, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Weekly dance party
The Family Center, 10369 Telephone Road
Country Lovers Western Dance Club holds its weekly dance party, which includes lessons and open dancing.  Admission is $3 general, $2 for active military and free for kids younger than 13 and first time visitors.  For more information contact (805) 647-1893 or http://www.countrylovers.com .

Wednesday August 27, 1:30 p.m.
Urban Ecology and Green Building discussion
Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St.
The president of the California Central Coast Chapter of the U. S. Green Building Council will discuss urban ecology and green building while citing regional and national examples including Santa Barbara County's Energy Flow Chart.  For more information contact Kaizer Rangwlal at (805) 677-3918 or krangwala@cityofventura.net .

Thursday August 28, various times
Friday August 29, various times
Saturday August 30, various times
Sunday August 31, various times
West Coast Latvian Song Festival
Various venues in Ventura
West Coast Latvian Song Festival featuring Latvian music, folk dancing, art exhibits, children's activities and more.  Tickets are $15 - $35 per event.  For more information contact (805) 216-0612 or http://www.westcoastlatviansongfest.org/latvian/english.php .

Saturday August 30, 8:30 to noon
Blood Drive
Ventura certified farmers market at Santa Clara and Palm streets.
United Blood Services blood drive van will be at the farmers market for a blood drive. For more information contact (805) 654-8104 or http://www.bloodhero.com for an appointment.

Saturday August  30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Main Street Mini Fair
300 block of Main Street, mini park.
Volunteer artists and musicians offer live music, arts and crafts and children's activities to promote downtown as a cultural destination. Free. More information: (805) 648-1902 or email: MainStreetFair@yahoo.com

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1 commentHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 26 2008 08:44AM

Oxnard Events

Oxnard is a great place to call home.  Here are some of the events happening in and around Oxnard over the next week:

Thursday August 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Senior & Caregiver Health Fair
Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Center, 800 Hobson Way
Senior & Caregiver Health Fair.  Free health screening, wellness checks, information and resources for senior citizens.  Sponsored by County of Ventura Human Services Agency.  For more information contact (805) 654-3217 .

Thursday August 28, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Weekly Dance
Oxnard Performing Arts & Convention Venter, 800 Hobson Way.
The Oxnard Ballroom Dance Club hosts its weekly dance, featuring live Latin and swing music. Singles and couples are welcome. Admission is $7, free for single men on their first visit. For more information contact (805) 647-2603 or (805) 647-2963.

Friday August 22, 6 p.m.
Friday Night Concert Series
Heritage Square, 715 South A St.
This week's concert: . For more information contact (805) 483-7960.

Saturday August 30, 4 to 6 p.m.
Concerts By The Sea
Peninsula Park, 3701 Peninsula Road
Channel Islands Harbor presents a free summer concert series, Concerts by the Sea, featuring an array of musical styles, including jazz, rock, Rhythm and Blues, Cajun, zydeco, fold and oldies. Parking is free.
For more information call 805-985-4852 or on the web at http://www.channelislandsharbor.org 

Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate listings at:

www.VenturaRealEstate.org

 

 

0 commentsHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 26 2008 08:38AM

Volunteer Opportunities in Ventura County

Volunteering feeds the soul.  It can also be worthwile enrichment for your children, especially when you volunteer together.  The following is a list of volunteer opportunities available in and around Ventura County. 

Alzheimer's Association: 485-5597. Seeking support group facilitators. In-depth knowledge of dementia desirable. Training provided.

American Cancer Society: 800-ACS-2345; for Moorpark, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks, 529-2530; for Ventura and Oxnard, 278-6100. Seeking volunteers to drive patients to and from their treatments. Driver's license, car insurance and clean driving record required. A volunteer coordinator is needed in Ventura.

American Red Cross of Ventura County: 339-2234, Disaster volunteers needed.

Assistance League of Ventura County: 643-2458. New member volunteers needed to assist in fitting school clothing for underprivileged children and staffing the ALVC resale shop.

Assisted Home Hospice: Dagmar Jacobson, 677-7405. Seeking volunteers to visit terminally ill patients and their families in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Office support and vigil team members are also needed. Training provided.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County: 484-2282. Looking for caring mentors to work with children on a consistent weekly basis or at a special monthly event. Training provided.

For more volunteer opportunities, go to click here.

Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate listings at:

www.VenturaRealEstate.org

 

0 commentsHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 26 2008 08:31AM

$7500 Tax Credit for 1st Time Homebuyers in Ventura County!

Just one more reason it might be a great time to get into the market!  You are eligible for this credit if you haven't owned a home in the past 3 years and you are buying this home as your principle residence.  The $7500 credit is available for any qualified purchase between April 9, 2008 and June 30, 2009.  You can get more information on this tax credit at http://www.realtor.org/GAPublic.nsf/files/chart_homebuyer_tax_credit_.pdf/$FILE/chart_homebuyer_tax_credit_.pdf

Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate Listings at:

www.VenturaRealEstate.org

 

0 commentsHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 21 2008 12:27PM

Maximum Security Prison Hospital Proposed for Ventura County

It's true... currently there are plans to build a maximum-security prison hospital facility in Camarillo.  On the good side, it will surely bring more jobs to the area, which will, in turn, stimulate the housing market.  On the bad side, you may be worried about property values and community safety.  Whether you are for or against these plans, here's a way to get involved:

The Prison Hospital Action Committee (PHAC) Hosts Panel Discussion with Resident Experts & Political Representatives

On Thursday, August 21st, the PHAC is hosting a panel discussion with local resident experts and political officials about the proposed Ventura County prison hospital.

The resident experts will discuss the project's damaging impact on the community in various ways. Then, elected officials (and those running for office) will be invited to join the discussion and talk about actions they've taken, or propose to take, to help the community stop the proposed facility from being built.

Here are the details:

Attendance: This is a public meeting - everyone is welcome.
Date/Time: Thursday, August 21st at 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Board of Education, 5100 Adolfo Road, Salon A, Camarillo, 93010.  Seating capacity: 300.
Directions to the meeting: copy the link below into your browser http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Camarillo&state=CA&address=5100+Adolfo+Road&zipcode=93012

Speakers:

Bob Brooks, Ventura County Sheriff
Jerry Bankston, Camarillo City Manager
Jerry Arcuri, VP Hospital Association of Southern California
Bob Majorino,  Broker/Owner of Prudential California Realty

Handel Evans, President Emeritus, Cal. State University, Channel Islands


Invited political panel members include:

Diane Feinstein (a representative from Senator Feinstein's office will attend)
Elton Gallegly
Hannah Beth Jackson
Kathy Long
Ferial Masry
Tom McClintock
Audra Strickland

www.VenturaRealEstate.org

 

0 commentsHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 21 2008 12:18PM

FHA Foreclosure Rescue - Will It Really Help?

FHA foreclosure rescue is a refinance program for homebuyers with problematic subprime loans. Here's the specifics:  Lenders would write down qualified mortgages to 85% of the current appraised value and qualified borrowers would get a new FHA 30-year fixed mortgage at 90% of appraised value. Borrowers would have to share 50% of all future appreciation with FHA. The loan limit for this program is $550,440 nationwide. Program is effective on October 1, 2008.

It remains to be seen if current lenders will particiapate in writing down their loans.  In addition, borrowers will need to qualify with income and credit.  Many borrowers loans were based on stated income.

Here's an idea - how about lenders get proactive and refinance their own borrowers by writing down loans based on current appraisal values?  They keep the loan, and at some later date when the property is being sold, they recover all, or a portion of the write down.    

If you think this new program might help you keep your home, get in touch with a Ventura County Loan Agent or REALTOR for more information.

 Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate listings:

www.VenturaRealEstate.org

0 commentsHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 21 2008 12:10PM

Looking for Something To Do in Oxnard This Week?

There's always something fun to do in Oxnard!  Make sure you get out to Channel Islands Harbor for the this summer's Concerts By the Sea - they end soon!  Check out this weeks community events:

Thursday August 21, 6 p.m.
Open House
445 E. Esplanade Drive, Suite 200
Azusa Pacific University Ventura Regional Center Open House.  For more information contact Rudy Sahagan at 626-815-2244 or http://www.apu.edu/ventura

Friday August 22, 6 p.m.
Friday Night Concert Series
Heritage Square, 715 South A St.
This week's concert: . For more information contact (805) 483-7960.

Saturday August 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Third annual Veterans Health and Resource Fair
1701 N. Lombard St
Assemblyman Pedro Nava, the ProCare Foundation and the Veteran Steering Committee of Ventura County will be hosing its 3rd annual Veterans Health & Resource Fair.  The fair will feature representatives from county, state and federal veterans agencies and local healthcare organizations who will provide information regarding benefits, healthcare and free health screenings.  Food and entertainment will be available.  There will also be the Oral History Project in which stories will be recorded so that future generations do not forget the sacrifices of veterans.  Veterans are encouraged to bring historical photos for the interviews.  For more information contact Assemblyman Pedro Nava's Ventura County office at (805) 483-9808 or ProCare Foundation at (805) 988-1173.

Saturday August 23, 4 to 6 p.m.
This Saturday through August 30th.
Concerts By The Sea
Peninsula Park, 3701 Peninsula Road
Channel Islands Harbor presents a free summer concert series, Concerts by the Sea, featuring an array of musical styles, including jazz, rock, Rhythm and Blues, Cajun, zydeco, fold and oldies. Parking is free.
For more information call 805-985-4852 or on the web at http://www.channelislandsharbor.org 

Search the MLS for Oxnard Real Estate at:

www.HopeGoss.com

 

0 commentsHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 20 2008 10:21AM

Ventura Parents Have Very Good Day!

It's back to school day for Ventura parents!  Remember that commercial a few years ago for an office supply chain where the parents were skipping happily through the isles and the kids had sour looks on their faces?  Love, love, love that commercial.  Don't get me wrong, I look forward to school letting out for the summer every year.  It's great to plan trips to the lake, and camping at the beach, and pancake mornings, and all that.  BUT, like everything good in life, moderation is the key.  SO, here's the schedule for all you parents with beautiful children attending schools in the Ventura Unified School District:

August 19    First Day of School

October 20-24    Fall Vacation

November 26-28    Thanksgiving Holiday

December 22 - Jan 2    Winter Vacation

March 30 - Apr 3  Spring Vacation

June 11 Last Day of School

More information on Ventura's Calendar at http://www.venturausd.org/HTMLobj-3931/08-09_SY_Calendar__6.pdf

Oh, by the way, have fun today!  And, if you're looking for a new home, search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate at www.HopeGoss.com

 

0 commentsHope Goss Ventura Real Estate • August 19 2008 11:01AM