VA Home Loan Info

Sepulveda Basin Dog Park- Sometimes, a man’s best friend needs a break from you! Sometimes, dogs need to be let loose and be able to run wild with other dogs. The Sepulveda Basin Dog Park is a great place for dogs of all sizes to mingle, run around, and do what dogs do! This park is well organized and has all the amenities a mans best friend can ask for! Ok, maybe I took it a bit too far, but I am serious when I say that dogs have what they need at this park!

The Sepulveda Basin Dog Park has separate areas for each dog size. There are areas for small/timid dogs, medium sized dogs, and the larger sized dogs. All the areas are gated, have water bowls, trash cans, chairs, benches (for owners and dogs), toys, plastic bag dispensers, and of course plenty of yard space! I forgot to mention that this dog park is also an off-leash park! This allows for the owners to sit down, relax, read a book, or chat away with other dog lovers.

The park is open from dawn to dusk. So next time you feel like taking your road dog with you, stop by the Sepulveda Basin Dog Park.

Oh, and that is my dog "Weezy". I know you can't really see him but he was running around so it was hard to take a picture!

17550 Victory Boulevard, Encino, CA

http://laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/dogparks/sepulvedaBasinDogPk.htm

View Sepulveda Basin Dog Park in a larger map

VA Home Loan Info- The VA Home Loan is a great loan program for Veterans. I was surprised to learn that many veterans do not know about this loan program. I personally helped out a veteran who did not know that the VA Home Loan was a 0% Down Loan!

This video provides basic information on the VA Home Loan. Every veteran is in a unique situation, so they might need more documentation than others.

PTSD Help for Veterans- Many Veterans returning from a War Zone will experience changes in themselves. Sometimes, many choose to deal with these changes on their own. Many also think that this is normal, or that it will go away after a few days. Every individual will experience war in an own unique way. It is something that affects each individual differently.

One issue that many returning Veterans face is the fear of being looked down upon by their comrades, or feeling “weak” because they ask for help. Many choose to hide their emotions and will not tell anyone how they feel, or that they need help.

According to the PTSD VA Website, PTSD is “an anxiety disorder that can occur after you have been through a traumatic event. A traumatic event is something horrible and scary that you see or that happens to you. During this type of event, you think that your life or others' lives are in danger. You may feel afraid or feel that you have no control over what is happening.”

 I urge you, or anyone you may know to get help. PTSD Help for Veterans is something that we should not feel ashamed of getting. If you want to meet other Veterans and share some of your stories, join us.

LA County Holiday Celebration This will be the 52nd Annual LA County Holiday Celebration. Stop by on December 24,2011 from 3-6PM. The event will be at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Enjoy:

• Choirs
• Music Ensembles
• Dance
• Many different neighborhoods/cultures of LA
• Best of all, it's FREE!!!

Operation Gratitude- For the past 10 yrs, our country has been at war. For many of the soldiers, the opportunity to come home for the holidays is rare. Operation Gratitude, is an organization that sends care packages to soldiers serving in a hostile region. These care packages are filled with snacks, personal letters and entertainment items.

Operation Gratitude mission: "Our mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people."

To volunteer and be part of Operation Gratitude email: OpGratVolunteer1@yahoo.com

Volunteer Days/Hours

Open House San Fernando CA - $279,000 This is a great remodeled home:

 14075 Daubert St, San Fernando 91340 

San Fernando, CA. The main house is a:

• 3 Bed 2 Bath home
• It features a formal Dining Room
• Family room (with fireplace)
• Upgraded Home
• Stainless Steel Self Clean Gas Range
• New Granite Counter Tops
• New Cabinets
• Dishwasher

   

Candy Cane Lane Woodland Hills, CA  If you want to take your family somewhere where they can enjoy this holiday season then look no further! Candy Cane Lane Woodland Hills is a small neighborhood in Woodland Hills that has been decorating their homes with lots of lights, extravagant decorations, and many other fun displays for the whole family to enjoy!! Since 1952, this area known as Candy Cane Lane Woodland Hills has been bringing holiday spirit to neighbors and visitors across town!

Candy Cane Lane Woodland Hills Residents Request That Visitors Drive by no later than10PM ON WEEKNIGHTS, 11pm on WEEKENDS.

Directions:

• 101N Exit Winnetka Ave, Go North, Turn Right on Oxnard St
• At intersection of Lubao and Oxnard St.

***IF THERE IS A LARGE AMMOUNT OF TRAFFIC, it is suggested that you park your car and enjoy the walk =) (Dress Warm)***

Candy Cane Lane Woodland Hills

Homeless Veterans in Los Angeles

According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, from the current homeless veterans, 47% served during the Vietnam Era, 17% served during the Post-Vietnam era. Of these, 76% experience alcohol, drug, or mental health problems. In 2009 alone, the Veterans Administration (VA) estimated that 107,000 homeless veterans sought assistance.

Veterans-For-Change will be accepting the following items on 12/3/2011. They will assemble backpacks and fill them with:

• T-Shirts
• Shampoo
• Sweaters
• Shaving Cream
• Sweaters
• Jackets
• Food Gifts Cards (McDonalds, Carls Jr., Burger King, etc.)
• Backpacks

If you would like to donate items or volunteer for pack assembly stop by Saturday December 3, 2011 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 10212 Stanford Ave., Garden Grove. Stop by to help the Homeless Veterans in Los Angeles. For more information on how to help email: Jim.Davis@veterans-for-change.com   Homeless Veterans in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Veterans Day Events 2011 Being a Veteran, I take great pride and honor in saying so. I don't say it to get thanks, praise or acknowledgment, rather I say it to thank those who have served and continue to serve. The military will always be a part of my life. I am reminded each day of certain events, people, and situations I was in while serving my country. To me, Veterans day is to remember and thank those who I served with. To remember those lives that were lost, especially those I knew. Sometimes I find myself searching for the addresses of the parents and family members of those who lost their lives. I do this because I want each and every one of them to know that I have not forgotten about their loved ones. I never will. I tell people that no matter what political party you vote for, no matter what your agreements or disagreements about war are, there are men and women out there that put their lives on the line for each other. 

The brotherhood/sisterhood that soldiers develop is one of a kind. While at war, we fight for each other. We fight to come back home. We fight to see our parents, kids, family and friends again. We fight to live normal lives. So to all deserving Veterans, family members and friends, here is a list of Los Angeles Veterans Day Events 2011. Take some time and stop by some of these events and thank those who continue to serve.

Other freebies for Veterans on Veterans Day

 Los Angeles Veterans Day Events 2011

So here I am, finally posting my first blog of many to come. (I hope!) It reminds me of my first day of attending new schools. The first day is always interesting. I always wondered what type of friends I would meet, how my teachers were going to be and of course, hopefully not do anything embarrassing!

Like the first day of school, I am anxious to see what type of response I will get from this blog and future blogs. I am also interested in finding out what type of people I will meet. But most importantly, I am happy to know that this community offers very useful and insightful information. Working in Real Estate, we know that rules, guidelines and markets are always changing. I have noticed that Activerain bloggers post information that will benefit me and also consumers. I expect to make mistakes. Like anything else, I will learn from them. I would also appreciate some constructive criticism. I will do anything that will help me be successful in this market. So here it is AR crowd, my first blog and hopefully not my last!