Clangy

The governmental structure of Laguna Woods, which incorporated as a city in March of 1999, consists of a City Council and Mayor chosen from within the elected Council.  The council functions as most city governments do, contracting for police, fire and other public services administering city funds, etc. 

In addition, the governmental structure of Laguna Woods Village currently includes three housing corporations and the Golden Rain Foundation (GRF). Each owner in Laguna Woods Village is a member of one housing corporation and the GRF.  Between the GRF and the Housing Mutual’s, Laguna Woods Village has over $20 Million in reserves so we have a very fiscally responsible community.

The housing corporations are responsible for those things directly related to housing and the adjacent land. 

The GRF is responsible for directing the operation of all “community” facilities such as the bus system, security, clubhouses, golf courses, stables, lawn bowling, etc.

Each of the Corporations contracts with Professional Community Management (PCM), a property management firm, to manage their respective area of responsibility. 

The three Housing Mutuals are as follows:

Cooperative:  United Laguna Hills Mutual 6,323 owners
Condominium:  Third Laguna Hills Mutual 6,102 owners
Rossmoor Towers: Laguna Woods Mutual Fifty 311 owners

Each Mutual has a board of directors composed of residents elected by popular ballot of their peers. The Golden Rain Foundation is elected by the Directors of the three mutuals to manage, control and run the community facilities.  In addition to the boards of directors, some 26 advisory committees exist to assist in the complex job of managing such a large community.

If you would like any further information about Laguna Woods Village, please contact me, Patrick McNamee of Century 21 Rainbow, via my web site: www.Leisureworldre.com

therealtor37 :: Nov.30.2009 :: Uncategorized :: No Comments »

Making international phone calls from France or other European countries to the USA has never been easier or cheaper. As consumer prices continue to climb the cost of making international phone calls continue to drop. This is the result of increased competition and advances in technology. It is now possible to make free international calls using PC-to-Phone service or other INTERNET based technologies like VoIP phone service from nearly any location in the world.

The advent of the INTERNET has no doubt had an impact on international calling rates but, even without competition from the INTERNET, the cost of making international phone calls has been dropping. This has been partially due to improvements in technology but a major factor has been industry deregulation which has dramatically increased competition by allowing new companies to enter the market. There is now a wide variety of international phone cards that can be used to make cheap calls from home, business or cell phones in more than 230 countries. The quality and convenience of these prepaid products have continued to improve as the cost continues to decline.

Another interesting product that can be used to make cheap international calls from nearly any location in the world is international callback. By using international callback phone service, cheap international calls can be made from any country by routing the phone call through a low cost third country. This can save international callers in some countries a lot of money. Especially those countries that keep artificially high international rates by not allowing competition. There are still many countries that route international calls through local, monopoly phone companies and international rates from these countries can be extremely high. International callback is a great way to save money when making calls from these countries.

Making cheap calls from France and the rest of Europe is easy because the market is mostly deregulated and there are many products to choose from. We especially like prepaid phone cards because they offer good value and ultimate convenience. They can be used while traveling to make calls from land-lines or cell phones and can be used to make cheap calls from hotels. Another option is PC-to-Phone service if a high speed INTERNET connection is available. There are many options for making cheap international calls these days, the best and cheapest option typically depends on the technology available to the user and the location where the caller expects to use the products.

rdgraham535 :: Nov.26.2009 :: General, Shopping, Travel :: No Comments »

 Carpet Cleaning New Jersey

In the past several years believe it or not,there have been fantastic advances in carpet cleaning technology and carpet manufacturing. Carpet manufacturers have improved the materials greatly, And there have also been several substantial developments in carpet cleaning equipment
as well as Organic or All Natural chemicals used to clean the carpets. These very notable developments help the professional carpet cleaner get amazing results.

For a number of  decades the carpet manufacturer has had a problem with the nylon carpet pile. Nylon carpet fiber is susceptible to rapid soiling, even though improvements have been made these improvements just cover the problem instead of stopping it. The manufacturers have tried many methods to solving this problem including stain protectors which prevent the fibers from being damaged by liquids. The carpet manufacturer has had moderate success in improving the quality of their nylon carpets.

Many of the manufacturers of carpet cleaning equipment have focused on extraction equipment that cleans with less moisture to reduce the problem of overwetting. These low moisture extraction machines achieve fantastic results in cleaning nylon carpets and the benefit is that your carpets dry a lot faster. The biggest problem with getting your carpet too wet is that the moisture will penetrate into the underpad. There is never enough air circulation under the carpet to dry it properly and as a result there is a danger of developing mold and mildew. In addition to damaging the carpet this can create many health problems.

The most compelling of all advancements in carpet cleaning technology comes from the carpet cleaning chemicals. In particular many of these new chemicals use encapsulation technology. This process suspends the dirt and soil from the carpet and surrounds it. This suspended dirt is then removed by cleaning equipment. In previous years encapsulation has only been used with bonnet cleaning or dry foam but recently this technology has been extended to hot water extraction. Encapsulation chemicals clean better and help the carpets stay clean longer.

Most carpet cleaning products are designed to emulsify the dirt, this process leaves a sticky residue on the carpets and as a result many carpets will get dirty faster. Encapsulation chemistry will surround each dirt particle and crystallize so that it does not attract any other dirt. These particles then release from the carpet and are easily removed with a normal vacuuming process. The carpet stays cleaner because there is no residue left in the carpet.

Most carpet cleaning companies
that use hot water extraction will rinse the carpet with a fiber rinse. This process will remove a lot of the sticky residue that is left behind. Even with this extra step there’s still a small percentage of residue left in the carpet. Any dirt that comes into contact with the carpet will be attracted to the sticky residue left in the carpet and this is referred to a process called “rapid resoiling”. Vacuuming the carpet will remove loose dirt but cannot remove the dirt that is attached to sticky residue left in the carpet.

Many of the new encapsulating carpet cleaning products are formulated with the right balance of detergents to get the carpet clean and a crystalline polymer that will encapsulate the dirt, greasy soil and any detergent residue. This solution dries to a crystal and can be removed with a thorough vacuuming. Cleaning a carpet with an encapsulation process is the more effective method because it crystallizes any residue that remains in the carpet and this prevents rapid resoiling. These recent developments in manufacturing and cleaning technology have produced amazing results from professional carpet cleaners and the products that they use.
http://www.click-partners.com/

powerpronyc :: Nov.17.2009 :: Business :: No Comments »

A caller must use the proper international phone codes in order to place an international call. In general, the sequence of numbers used to make international calls follow a similar pattern but the exit code can vary depending on the country where the call originates. The following is an example of the dialing codes used to place an international call from the USA, Canada or other North America Dialing Plan (NANP) country.

(011) + (country code) + (city code) + (phone number)

The first number in the sequence (in this case 011) is commonly referred to as an exit code or international access code. It can also be called an International Direct Dialing (IDD) code. This code can vary between countries but it is necessary because it identifies the call as international.

The following is an example of dialing an international call to Amman, Jordan from the USA.

011 962 6 + (local phone number)

In the above example the 011 is the IDD code. This code identifies the call as an international phone call. The proper IDD code to use depends on the country where the call originates. Visit dialing codes international for further information.

The second three-digit number (962) in the above example is the country code for Jordan. The country code will vary depending on the country called; visit Country and City Dialing Codes for a complete list of country codes.

The third number (6) is the city code for Amman, Jordan. The international city code is also a specific number. In the USA, this is commonly called an area code. AT&T provides one of the most comprehensive lists of city codes available. Visit Country and City Codes for more details.

These dialing codes are followed by the local phone number.

A similar sequence of numbers is used when a call is placed to a mobile phone located in another country. However, it should be noted that the cost for calling a mobile phone is typically much higher than making an international call to a house phone or any land line phone. Visit cheap international calling for information on saving money on international phone calls made from any location in the world.

rdgraham535 :: Nov.16.2009 :: Business, General, Travel :: No Comments »

Many people want to make cheap international calls to cell phones and there are several options available today. The best or cheapest option depends on several factors so one option is not the best for every caller. Things like the location of the caller, the destination called and the type of phone the caller intends to use (land line, INTERNET or cell phone) are all important factors to consider when shopping for the international service. Most people are looking for an option that is high quality, cheap and convenient to use so we reviewed the pros and cons of a few popular options. These included two International VoIP calling plans, a PC-to-Phone service, a popular prepaid long distance phone service and a high quality phone card. The results of our review are presented below.

Several VoIP service providers now advertise that they include free international calls to several countries with their phone service. Vonage and Lingo offer two of the most popular VoIP services. In most cases, the free calls included with these plans are to landlines not cell phones, as shown later; in most cases, international calls to cell phones are not cheap with these plans. Vonage indicates that they include free calls to 60 countries with their new Vonage World plan and Lingo advertises that free calls to 75 countries are included with their Lingo World Max service. Vonage charges around $32.60 per month (including taxes and fees) for their service and Lingo charges about $31 per month (including fees and taxes). In addition to the monthly service fees, users also need to pay for a high-speed INTERNET connection so neither service is actually free. Both calling plans also require a service contract (Lingo requires 2 years and Vonage requires 1 year) and charge an early termination fee if a customer chooses to stop using the service, so they are not a convenient option for short-term users. However, both phone services are good quality and one of them may be a good deal for those who want low cost home phone service and the ability to make frequent international calls to one or more of the countries covered by their plans.

Skype offers a very popular personal computer based phone service. It can be used to make free PC-to-PC calls worldwide so it is very popular with students, international business travelers and expats living around the world. Skype can also be used as a PC-to-Phone service where users can make calls to landlines or cell phones from their PC but there is a fee for this service. As shown later, Skype PC-to-Phone rates are not that cheap and Skype is not a very convenient option since calls are made from a PC so we believe there are better and cheaper options for making international calls to cell phones.

Prepaid long distance is another option so we examined the Tel3Advantage Flex Plan, which is one of the most popular prepaid plans in North America. It can be used to make cheap long distance calls from any phone (cell, home, business or pay phone) in Canada and the USA. It is a popular service for making cheap international calls because it is convenient to use, offers some of the lowest rates and does not require a monthly fee or contract.

We wanted to compare the above options with the rates offered by a high quality phone card so we chose the Continental Phone Card. It can be used to make cheap calls from over 60 countries and is one of the most versatile phone cards on the market. It has low fees relative to other phone cards but it does charge a 15% tax (surcharge) on calls so we include this in the per-minute rates listed in the Table below. The continental card is a virtual phone card that can be used from any kind of phone. Customers get a free on-line account where they can monitor activity and make changes to their account so it is a viable long or short-term option.

We have summarized the rates charged each minute for calls originating from the USA using the options listed above in the following table. We randomly selected a variety of popular destinations in order to compare rates to different regions of the world. Note that Tel3Advantage offers rates that are similar to phone cards on calls to cell phones in most locations while both VoIP service providers and Skype charge significantly higher rates.

rdgraham535 :: Nov.14.2009 :: General, Shopping, Travel :: No Comments »

Put New Life into Old Carpets

Does your carpet look old, dingy, or stained? Are you embarrassed to have dinner guests because of the old stained carpets? Have you been considering replacement rather than spending the time to clean that old area rug in your living room? Do you just not have the time to get on your hands and knees to scrub the grape juice out of that nice Persian rug? Don’t have the extra money to spend on gallons of carpet cleaners promising amazing stain removing results? If these sound like you, have you ever considered a professional carpet cleaner?
Oriental Rug Cleaning Adelphia NJ

Are you looking for quality professional and reliable service? Does prompt delivery and pickup when you need sound like a bargain? How does reasonable pricing with free pickup and delivery sound? If these sound good it may be time that you considered us for your carpet cleaning needs. We can save you time, money and put years of life back into your carpets.

Our business is carpets. We know the importance of the investments you put into your home. Carpets, like furniture or appliances are an investment. An investment in your home and your future. Regular professional cleaning and care of your carpets can extend their life for many years. All you need to do is make the call and let us worry about the rest.

We all know that replacing carpets can be a large cost. We are here to tell you that most of the time carpet replacement is an unnecessary cost. With proper cleaning and upkeep from professionals who know carpets we can keep your investments last for many years. Think of your carpet as an investment. We are dedicated to help you save money and maintain those investments that make a house a home.

A carpet is a focal point of the home. It provides decoration as well as comfort and personality; let us make sure that your carpets stay clean and beautiful, just like the day you purchased them. We can all agree that the quality and cleanliness of a carpet makes all the difference in how you feel about coming home each day. We want your carpets to look good and we want to make them look good. Let us show you that with professional treatment your carpets can look brand new again, just like the day you’re purchased them.

There is no job too small or too hard for us. Persian Oriental Silk, Dupree, Antique or Wool; whatever your carpet type, we can service it. We also pride you on honesty and commitment to our customers. If we think that the carpet is not serviceable, we will let you know. We don’t want you spending your hard earned money on something that is not a long-term investment. We pride ourselves on our dedication to customer service. Our up to the date state of the art cleaning and restoration equipment allows us to be leaders in our industry. We are committed to using all natural cleaning products. No chemicals or harmful solutions that will eat away at your carpets.

Let the professionals take the wonder out of properly cleaning your carpets. We provide price and service you would generally find with large franchises at a lower price and with a personal touch. We understand your busy schedule and offer free pickup and delivery as a part of our service package. Give us a call today, we can put new life back into your old carpets. 1–800–CLEAN-MY RUGS OR 1–800–253–2669

powerpronyc :: Nov.09.2009 :: Uncategorized :: No Comments »

Put New Life into Old Carpets

Does your carpet look old, dingy, or stained? Are you embarrassed to have dinner guests because of the old stained carpets? Have you been considering replacement rather than spending the time to clean that old area rug in your living room? Do you just not have the time to get on your hands and knees to scrub the grape juice out of that nice Persian rug? Don’t have the extra money to spend on gallons of carpet cleaners promising amazing stain removing results? If these sound like you, have you ever considered a professional carpet cleaner?
Oriental Rug Cleaning Manalapan NJ

Are you looking for quality professional and reliable service? Does prompt delivery and pickup when you need sound like a bargain? How does reasonable pricing with free pickup and delivery sound? If these sound good it may be time that you considered us for your carpet cleaning needs. We can save you time, money and put years of life back into your carpets.

Our business is carpets. We know the importance of the investments you put into your home. Carpets, like furniture or appliances are an investment. An investment in your home and your future. Regular professional cleaning and care of your carpets can extend their life for many years. All you need to do is make the call and let us worry about the rest.

We all know that replacing carpets can be a large cost. We are here to tell you that most of the time carpet replacement is an unnecessary cost. With proper cleaning and upkeep from professionals who know carpets we can keep your investments last for many years. Think of your carpet as an investment. We are dedicated to help you save money and maintain those investments that make a house a home.

A carpet is a focal point of the home. It provides decoration as well as comfort and personality; let us make sure that your carpets stay clean and beautiful, just like the day you purchased them. We can all agree that the quality and cleanliness of a carpet makes all the difference in how you feel about coming home each day. We want your carpets to look good and we want to make them look good. Let us show you that with professional treatment your carpets can look brand new again, just like the day you’re purchased them.

There is no job too small or too hard for us. Persian Oriental Silk, Dupree, Antique or Wool; whatever your carpet type, we can service it. We also pride you on honesty and commitment to our customers. If we think that the carpet is not serviceable, we will let you know. We don’t want you spending your hard earned money on something that is not a long-term investment. We pride ourselves on our dedication to customer service. Our up to the date state of the art cleaning and restoration equipment allows us to be leaders in our industry. We are committed to using all natural cleaning products. No chemicals or harmful solutions that will eat away at your carpets.

Let the professionals take the wonder out of properly cleaning your carpets. We provide price and service you would generally find with large franchises at a lower price and with a personal touch. We understand your busy schedule and offer free pickup and delivery as a part of our service package. Give us a call today, we can put new life back into your old carpets. 1–800–CLEAN-MY RUGS OR 1–800–253–2669

powerpronyc :: Nov.09.2009 :: Uncategorized :: No Comments »

The last thing most people think about when preparing for an international journey is a calling card but it may be one of the most useful things to bring. There are many important items to remember when packing for an international trip, like travel documents and plane tickets, but an international phone card should be high on the list. A good international phone card is useful because it can be used to make cheap international calls from nearly any kind of phone (including airport pay phones or hotel phones). A phone card can also save money. One of the first things most people want to do when they reach a foreign destination is to call friends or loved ones at home. International hotels know this and typically charge exorbitant rates for international calls. A few short international calls from a hotel room can cost as much as the room charge. That is why experienced travelers save time, hassles and money by packing a couple international phone cards before leaving home.

Other than saving money, there are other good reasons for purchasing international phone cards before traveling. Some of these are listed below.

• It is a great way to budget money for phone calls since phone cards are prepaid and can be purchased in small denominations.

• There is a wide variety of virtual phone cards available on-line that can be used to make calls from nearly any country in the world. They can be used to make low cost long distance calls from pay phones in airports, hotels or nearly any major city in the world.

• Virtual phone cards are convenient because users can access their on-line account via the INTERNET from any location. Many virtual phone cards have an on-line call history so users can view a record of the calls and charges made on their phone card or even transfer funds between cards. They can also conveniently refill their phone card from any location.

• Virtual phone cards are safely stored in a customer’s online account so they cannot be lost or stolen.

Remember that phone cards do not have universal coverage so check the rates and accessibility for the countries you plan to use them from before making a purchase. Some merchants, like phone cards international, allow users to transfer funds between phone cards. This can be done conveniently through a customer’s on-line account and is a nice feature for those who plan travel to multiple countries or regions of the world. In any case, purchase high quality phone cards and check to be sure they will work from the countries being visited. This is easy to do if the phone cards are purchased from a reputable on line merchant.

rdgraham535 :: Nov.08.2009 :: General, Shopping, Travel :: No Comments »

I just received the condo sales report for Orange County for the month of September and the average Condo in Orange County is listed for $315,528 while the median list price is $299,000.  Just for comparison sake, the average condo in Laguna Woods Village is listed for under $200,000 – that is 1/3rd off what the “average” condo is listed for in Orange County.  I have always said that Laguna Woods Village was a bargain!

Also out this week was the sales report for September.  30 condos sold in Laguna Woods Village for an average purchase price of $240,000.  839 Condos sold in all of Orange County last month for a median  purchase price of $300,000.  Once again, Laguna Woods Village comes in almost 1/3rd less in price on the “buy” side than any other condo in Orange County.  BUT, prices are rising, especially the condos on the low end of the market.  Average days on market has gone down to 102 days, a little more than 3 months on the market for the average listing…  That is down from 150 average days on market 3 months ago.  So we are seeing a trend develop!  WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MARKET RIGHT NOW.  I will put that in caps because I really believe it!  Inventory is going down and there is pent up demand to purchase – at least in Laguna Woods Village – remember, Real Estate is very local, and what is happening here might not be happening everywhere…  If you would like to purchase a home in Laguna Woods Village, call Patrick McNamee at 949-293-7814 or visit his web site at: www.leisureworldre.com

therealtor37 :: Nov.01.2009 :: Business, General :: No Comments »