Rincon Valley is home to many parks, big and small.  It is also home to millions of ticks, all waiting to get under you or your dog's skin. With all the rain this season, there is a bumper crop of ticks out and about.  Here is what you need to know:Ticks can transmit: Lyme Disease Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Tularemia Babesiosis Anaplasmosis Ehrlichiosis Ticks do not jump, fly, or fall onto their victims.  They wait patiently on tall grass, and when  a warm blooded animal brushes past they climb on.  Once they are on their victim, they look for a prime spot to burrow their mouth parts into and under the skin where they feed on the blood.  Feeding on blood caused the tick to become engorged.  Prior to feeding a tick is about the size of a sesame seed.  When engorged, it may resemble a R... 04/24/2017

Come to Sugarloaf State Park, make some new friends, get some exercise, and help our parks!  Team Sugarloaf is working with the California State Parks Foundation to hold a work party at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park lower Brushy Peaks Trail.  The work party will meet from 9am to 1 pm on Earth Day April 22.For more information go to Sugarloafpark.org   04/21/2017

Rincon Valley gets to enjoy Sonoma County's "Perfect Air Quaility" score published in the State of the Air 2017 national report.  Sonoma County has had no reported days of air quality that exceeded particle pollution federal standards in 4 yearsThe State of the Air is a national report compiled by the American Lung Association.  To see how your city rates, go to: Healthy AirOne more reason Rincon Valley is a great place to live! 04/21/2017

This gentleman is frequently seen driving around Rincon Valley  in this beautifully modified car. Yes, those are used felt tip markers.  A Rincon Valley classic!   04/19/2017

Like the rest of the nation, Rincon Valley is experiencing a lack of real estate inventory. Prices are going up, and mortgage rates are still relatively cheap. Unfortunately, when an attractive home goes on the market, there are 10 other buyers ready to pounce. So what is a buyer to do? I have 3 proven strategies to help ensure you are at the top of the seller's choice: Pre-approval letterI know a lot of buyers who do not want to be bothered seeing a mortgage broker until they find the home that is right for them. Unfortunately, that seems to always happen on a Saturday. Buyers think they can just submit an offer today and talk to their bank on Monday. Hey.... that's why you keep losing out on these homes! That's not working for you... get your approval NOW before you find the home of y... 04/18/2017

Hey Rincon Valley, not into dying Easter eggs and hiding them in you yard, or around your apartment?  Enjoy some of the community egg hunts in and around Rincon Valley: All events are on Saturday April 15th History Museum Egg Hunt 13 and under $7 Free for accompanying adult Must arrive by 1:30 Egg decorating 425 Seventh St Santa RosaMuseumSC.org Spring Hills Church Eggstravaganza Egg hunt 3-5pm games, bounce house, crafts food 3700 Fulton Rd Santa RosaSpringHills.org Glen Ellen Fire Egg Hunt10amDunbar School707.869.9177     04/14/2017

 This was a gift from my mother years ago.  I use it as art and keep it on a bookcase, but it has a real purpose. Any guesses? 04/13/2017

Looking for somewhere in Rincon Valley to celebrate Easter alone or with your family? Consider these options: New Vintage ChurchOffers services at 9:30 & 11:15Pancake breakfast before each serviceEaster Egg hunt after each service  3300 Sonoma Ave Santa Rosa 707.545.7344 NewVintage.org  St. Mark Lutheran Church7:00am sunrise worship & communion8:30am Praise worship w/contemporary music11:00am festival worship w/traditional musicFamily breakfast buffet 7:45-10:45Children's EGGstravaganza 10:10-10:50am  4325 Mayette Ave Santa Rosa 707.545.1230 StMarklc.org  Bible Church Santa RosaGood Friday Service 4/14 7:00pmSunday English service:  9:00 & 10:30Sunday Spanish service:  10:30  4575 Badger Rd Santa Rosa 707.538.2385 SRbible.org  The LighthouseService 10:30Complimentary continental breakfa... 04/13/2017

This is what my kids think is funny when going to the beach.  They are too old to build sand castles, but road kill, really?? Bodega Fisherman's Festival Bodega Bay, CA 04/10/2017

Hard to go back to the rain when we've had such beautiful weather the past 2 weeks in Rincon Valley.  Temps in the 80's.  My weather watchers will wait it out till the sun comes out again.   04/07/2017

 Silhouette of Lonely oak Hwy 12 @Calistoga Road Rincon Valley More rain coming to Rincon Valley and more snow for the Sierras!   04/05/2017

For the last 10 years, I've focused my marketing on Rincon Valley. I became a real estate sales associate in 2003 and worked for a local franchise that was a major player in Sonoma County real estate. I chose residential home sales because I've owned a number of homes, and I have never owned a business or commercial property. Residential sales just seemed to make sense to me. In the beginning, I  (like most agents) promoted myself as being an expert in the entire county from Petaluma to Cloverdale (those are 50 miles apart), and all 6 cities in between. I was not blogging or doing much in the way of advertising. I mailed out the new agent postcards the franchise gave me, and I mailed open house fliers to friends and family. It was not until I attended Dick Betts Real Estate Technology c... 04/04/2017

Saturday April 1st, I went on Sonoma County Historical Society's 20 mile historical hike.  Ouch, it was a long day on the feet!  But worth it.  Every year the historical society does a 20+ mile hike somewhere in the north bay. Last year it was through San Francisco, other years it's been on the coast, and this year it was northern Sonoma County.Walking north along the vineyardsThe hike started at 6am, walked through Healdsburg north to Geyserville, through Asti, and wrapped up with a dinner in Cloverdale.  The hike was $75 per adult (10 for kids), and benefited the Sonoma County Historical Society.  The hike was well attended by about 100 walkers.  I'd say the average age was 58 surprisingly.  I felt young (finally).  Peacock showing off at Isis Oasis We were lucky enough to have the He... 04/03/2017

 Bud break on Old Vine Zinfandel 04/01/2017

My son with "Jerry" at Spring Lake Park 03/26/2017

                                      SOLD! 5082 Firestone Ct  Santa Rosa, CA 3 bedroom 2.5 bath Rincon Valley Price: $459,000 1520 sq ft  Living room/dining rooms: Hunter Douglas ceiling fans Hunter Douglas wood blinds Glass slider leading to deck Recessed lighting Brick fireplace & hearthGlo King efficient woodstove insert Kitchen: Schrock custom cabinetsautomatic quiet close function Custom counters Recessed lighting Frigidaires side by side refrigerator withautomatic ice & water dispenser Jenn-Air downdraft range & oven Self cleaning 2 burner Grill grate attachment Whirlpool dishwasher Whirlpool waste disposer Guest bath: Custom cabinet & sink Tile floor Master bedroom: Large his and hers closets Attached bath Private wooded views 3rd bedroom converted to an office but could revert ... 03/24/2017

Villa Los Alamos is a popular and affordable condominium complex in Rincon Valley.  It is a beautiful complex built in the early 1970s.  Villa Los Alamos is located on the banks of Santa Rosa Creek, in the eastern part of Santa Rosa just off Hwy 12, almost at the city limit.   The development was built almost 40 years ago, so the landscape is mature with beautiful trees.  There are 2 pools, tennis courts, barbecue area, and club house.  Each owner gets a secure garage near their home. 79 of the units are "townhouse" style attached single family homes.  Most are 2 stories, and attached on either side to another unit.  There are a few 1 story units.  All the units have either a balcony, or a patio.  Some have both.  All units have fireplaces, electric kitchens, and forced air natural gas ... 03/17/2017

This is Ricky, my new foster beagle.  I have 2 beagles of my own, and I frequently host foster beagles upon request from North Bay Beagle Rescue.  Ricky is a 2 year old beagle/Jack Russel mix.  He likes to be held, chase balls, be held, explore, be held, and go for walks.  He sleeps in a crate, but he'd prefer to sleep in a bed with the new family who is going to adopt him someday... 03/15/2017

The Cascades is a condominium development in Rincon Valley. It is located on Mission Boulevard just off Hwy 12. It was built in 1987 and consists of 37 two-story units that range is size from 700 sq ft to 1188 sq ft. The Cascades circle around a central landscaped courtyard. There is only one gated entrance where owners need a key, and guests need to be buzzed in via an intercom system. Once inside the courtyard, all of the individual unit front doors can be accessed. Parking is subterranean and also secure. Each unit is allowed 2 spaces. The courtyard is nicely landscaped with mature trees shrubs and bushes. There is an inconspicuous pool behind a wood fence. The individually owned units have the following amenities: 2 stories Fireplace All electric kitchen, and patio Heated by forced ... 03/14/2017

There are no Speakeasy SF spoilers in this post. Saturday night, I took the "Little Lady" out to a Speakeasy in San Francisco. A few months ago we'd heard about this Speakeasy club where you were required to wear period 1920's era clothing, and no modern conveniences like cell phones, cameras, or credit cards were allowed. We made our rather pricey reservations ($300 for the both of us total) and were told via email that at an appropriate time we'd "hear" from The Speakeasy with directions to the club. All I knew was that it was somewhere in the North Beach/Chinatown part of San Francisco. On Friday night I got a text stating to go to a specific alley in SF and that at a very specific time I was supposed to walk down the alley and look for somebody wearing a specific outfit. Of course, ... 03/13/2017