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Making the conscious decision to give blood for the benefit of others is one of the greatest gifts one can give. Blood is a precious resource that is always needed and choosing to volunteer to donate today can save somebody’s life. Here are just some of the reasons why you should give blood today (info from redcrossblood.org):

1. For one donation, a donor can give as much as a pint of blood – and just that much can save as much as 3 lives.

2. Blood is a constant need. Every 2 seconds, someone is in dire need of a blood transfusion – over 5 million patients in the United States alone need blood each year.

3. With less than 38% of the population eligible to give blood, eligible donors are constantly needed, as the shelf life of blood is limited.

4. An eligible donor can give blood every 56 days (3 months), while platelet donors can give every 7 days.

5. Donating blood usually takes less than 15 minutes, and involves a simple four-step process: registration, medical history, mini-physical, donation and refreshments.

Convinced? Here are the nearest American Red Cross Blood Donation Centers located nearest Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon, Wagon Wheel, Trabuco Canyon, StoneCliffe, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch and Mission Viejo that you can visit today to give blood to those who need it the most:

Coto de Caza
Nearest Blood Donation Center: Laguna Hills Donor Center
Address: 22971 Mill Creek Dr, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Distance from Coto de Caza: 13.2 miles
Estimated Travel Time: 22 minutes by carvia Oso Pkwy and I-5

Dove Canyon, Wagon Wheel
Nearest Blood Donation Center: Rancho Santa Margarita
Address: 30902 La Promesa Rancho Santa Margarita Community Library, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Distance from Dove Canyon: 1.8 miles
Distance from Wagon Wheel: 5.3 miles
Estimated Travel Time from Dove Canyon: 4 minutes (via Dove Canyon Drive & Antonio Pkwy)
Estimated Travel Time from Wagon Wheel: 7 minutesvia CA-241 S

Trabuco Canyon
Nearest Blood Donation Center: Laguna Hills Donor Center
Address: 22971 Mill Creek Dr. Laguna Hills Blood Donation Center, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Distance from Dove Canyon: 13.1 miles
Estimated Travel Time from Dove Canyon: 23 minutes via Alicia Pkwy

StoneCliffe
Nearest Blood Donation Center: Fountain Valley Donor Center
Address: 17800 New Hope St, Suite A, Fountain Valley Blood Donation Center, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Distance from Stonecliffe: 11.9 miles
Estimated Travel Time: 14 minutes via I-405 N

Nearest Blood Donation Center: Santa Ana Donor Center
Address: 600 Park Center Dr., Santa Ana Blood Donation Center, Santa Ana CA 92705
Distance from Stonecliffe: 10.9 miles
Estimated Travel Time: 17 minutes via I-5 N

Rancho Santa Margarita
Nearest Blood Donation Center: Long Beach Donor Center
Address: 3150 East 29th Street, American Red Cross Greater Long Beach Chapter, Long Beach CA 90806
Distance from Dove Rancho Santa Margarita: 42.3 miles
Estimated Travel Time: 39 minutes via I-405 N

Ladera Ranch
Nearest Blood Donation Center: Laguna Hills Donor Center
Address: 22971 Mill Creek Drive, Laguna Hills Blood Donation Center, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Distance from Ladera Ranch: 10.3 miles
Estimated Travel Time: 15 minutes via I-5 N

Mission Viejo
Nearest Blood Donation Center: Santa Ana Donor Center
Address: 600 Park Center Drive, Santa Ana Blood Donation Center, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Distance from Mission Viejo: 15.0 miles
Estimated Travel Time: 16 minutes

Nestled right below the foothills of Orange County is Ladera Ranch, a 4,000-acre master-planned community. Designed to be a family-oriented community, Ladera Ranch is situated just outside the communities of Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, and Rancho Santa Margarita. Construction for the community began in 1999, on land that was originally part of Rancho Mission Viejo, O’Neill, and Avery.Ladera Ranch has an estimated population of nearly 23,000 permanent residents who live in its nine villages, which are: Township, Avendale Village, Terramor Village, Bridgepark, Echo Ridge Village, Covenant Hills Village, Oak Knoll Village, and Flintridge Village.

Quick Facts

• The Capistrano Unified School District serves Ladera Ranch. Schools within the community are the Ladera Ranch elementary and middle schools and the Chaparral and Oso Grande elementary schools.

 

• Ladera Ranch Community Services (LARCS) is a non-profit public benefit corporation dedicated to enhancing the lifestyle of the community’s residents. The organization is in charge of neighborhood events, recreational programs, clubs and groups, volunteer opportunities, and more.

 

• The Orange County Sheriff Department (OCSD) provides law enforcement services to Ladera Ranch.

Features and Amenities

All residents at Ladera Ranch are issued a membership card, which serves as their ticket to all the amenities the community offers. Residents here can enjoy a wide spectrum of activities, as the community boasts plenty of amenities like miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails, several clubhouses, tennis courts, outdoor pools, and two spacious community gardens. A huge variety of classes and programs are also offered exclusively for residents, such as basketball camps, acting and modeling workshops, dog training classes, swimming lessons, tennis clinics, music and dance classes, and many more.

Ladera Ranch residents also enjoy convenient access to local shopping hubs, fantastic restaurants, and plenty of community parks, skate parks, and water parks. This truly is one of the best places to live not just in the OC, but in Southern California as a whole.

Incorporated in the year 2000, Rancho Santa Margarita is one of the youngest cities in all of Orange County. The upscale, master-planned community is located on the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains and is bordered by Trabuco Canyon, Coto de Caza, Mission Viejo, and the Cleveland National Forest, which can be found east of the city. The community occupies a total area of nearly 13 square miles, and has an estimated population of almost 50,000 permanent residents.In Rancho Santa Margarita, residents can enjoy beautiful views of rolling hills, a fantastic balmy climate, a vibrant community atmosphere, and plenty of parks. RSM as a whole is very family oriented.

Quick Facts

• Rancho Santa Margarita was originally home to the Shoshone Native Americans.

 

• The Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation, also known as SAMLARC, is in charge of maintaining the parks, trails, lakes, and pools within the community.

 

• Central Park is one of Rancho Santa Margarita’s most popular parks, where most of the community events and activities take place. The park features a large amphitheater as well as a roller hockey rink.

 

• Rancho Santa Margarita is home to three major residential communities – Dove Canyon, Robinson Ranch, and Las Flores.

Features and Amenities

Residents at Rancho Santa Margarita look forward to enjoyable annual events throughout the year, such as the Taste of Rancho food festival, the Summer Concert Series at Central Park, and the grand New Year’s Eve celebration that features live music, food, and entertaining performances.

Outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home here, as the city has an abundance of parks great for all kinds of sporting activities as well as simply walking your dog or enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Joggers, hikers, or bikers can spend many enjoyable hours exploring the network of winding trails around the area, including one particular path that offers breathtaking views of Lake Rancho Santa Margarita.

Each year, shelters all over the United States have to care for roughly 6 to 8 million dogs. Though many of them are reclaimed or adopted, around 4 million dogs are left in tiny, cramped cages and kennels, leaving shelters no choice but to keep them there for a limited period of time, until they are forced to euthanize the animals in order to accommodate more.

The problem with most shelters isn’t the lack of donations, nor is it the number of volunteers – there are many compassionate individuals who are more than willing to donate their money or their time in order to lend a helping hand. What shelters need are adopters. Without adopters, the number of dogs in shelters will keep on increasing, and those running the shelter really can’t do anything about it.

This is where Lovebugs Rescue comes in. The non-profit organization works with overpopulated animal shelters so they can help lessen the amount of dogs being euthanized. They are able to do this by taking in some of the dogs from different local shelters, have them examined by vets, treat them, and spread the word on their own site, as well as sites like Adoptapet.com or Petfinder.com.

Lovebugs Rescue has an excellent foster care program, in which they match the dogs with potential adoptive parents. These foster parents provide a temporary home for the dogs, caring for them until someone who wants to adopt them for good comes along. Lovebugs interviews and takes the time to know potential adoptive parents, so they can select the ideal dog that will fit their home environment perfectly. They organize plenty of fundraising events as well to raise money for food, medicine, surgeries, and other equipment required by the dogs that are in their care.

Overpopulation at local shelters is a very serious issue, but thanks to volunteer organizations such as Lovebugs Rescue, many dogs are given a second chance at life.

If you’d like to donate, adopt, or help them out, visit the Lovebugs Rescue website here.

With numerous initiatives scattered across the country, Second Harvest Food Bank continues to collect and distribute food to various institutions such as shelters, rehabilitation centers, and homes for children and abused women. Its sector in Orange County is no exception; through partnerships with over 340 member charities, SHFB Orange County is able to feed approximately 200,000 individuals in over 470 locations across the county.
The Food Bank planted its roots in Orange County when the non-profit organization, under the guidance and leadership of Dan Harney, provided food for the less fortunate in October 1983. By 2007, SHFB Orange County was fully established in the county with a base in Irvine. Over time, the organization has doubled its capacity and became an independent 501c3 corporation in 2012. Ever since its foundation, SHFB Orange County has helped local charities by donating around 270 million pounds of food.

There are several ways to contribute to SHFB Orange County. Depending on your capabilities, you can either donate food, volunteer, or donate funds.

Food Donations

You can donate food in two ways.

• Through a Food and Funds Drive – You can choose to build a team and hold a Food and Funds Drive in your area. To learn more, click here.

 

• Through individual food donations – You’re most welcome to drop by the SHFB Orange County from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The following items are most needed: peanut or other seed butters, healthy snacks (low sugar granola bars, raw nuts, dried fruit), whole grain cereal, whole grain pasta, brown rice, low sodium canned vegetables, canned meats and fish. Personal care items are also very welcome.

Monetary Donations

You can donate funds online, by mail or fax, by phone, or in person. For more information on how to make monetary donations, click here.

Volunteer

Whether you choose to dedicate your time individually or through a group, as long as you have the heart to help then you are most definitely welcome. To learn more about various volunteering opportunities, log on to http://feedoc.org/HowToHelp/DonateTime.aspx.

Event Participation

SHFB Orange County hosts multiple events throughout the year. The organization has some things lined up for the months of April and May. For more information regarding SHFB Orange County’s events and food drives, head over to http://feedoc.org/NewsAndEvents/Events.aspx.

Considered to be one of Orange County’s best-kept secrets, Dove Canyon is a master-planned golfing community located in Rancho Santa Margarita. It is found in the southeast portion of Orange County’s foothills, right along the border of Coto De Caza.This exclusive suburban boasts a family-friendly atmosphere in a relaxed, laid back environment that offers privacy and peace of mind. Home to many of California’s movers and shakers, the neighborhood is surrounded by plenty of retail, entertainment and dining destinations.

Quick Facts

• Composed of over 1,200 single-family detached homes meant for 5,000 residents, this master-planned guard-gated community has a land area of 6.938 square miles and a population of 1,189 people.

 

• Dove Canyon holds plenty of exciting community events every year – just some of which are the Annual Dove Dash and the Pancake Breakfast that happen every March. During Halloween, there’s an event called the “Boo Bash” where kids from the neighborhood dress up in their creative costumes and battle it out for exciting prizes. Every December, the community celebrates Holiday in the Park, where everyone comes together to celebrate with lots of fun activities, food and drinks.

 

• Children in Dove Canyon attend schools managed by both the Capistrano Unified School District and the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.

 

• The nearest shopping and retail destinations are the Shops in Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo and the Irvine Spectrum Center.

Features and Amenities

Dove Canyon has two parks where you can enjoy a plethora of outdoor recreational activities. You can head over to Starr Ranch Sanctuary and to the nearby Cleveland National Forest where you can go biking, horseback riding, hiking, camping, fishing, and more.

One of Dove Canyon’s main attractions is the Dove Canyon Country Club Clubhouse – spanning 40,000 square feet, it’s one of the neighborhood’s most significant landmarks. The neighborhood also has a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, which has consistently won various awards and serves as the host to a lot of major golf tournaments each year.

If you’re looking for ways to increase the value of your home, the simple solution to your dilemma is to renovate your property. Remodeling can include a wide scope of features, but what are the upgrades that will virtually guarantee increased home value and investment returns? Let’s find out!

Revamp your kitchen

Often considered the heart of the home, a newly renovated kitchen can pay off from 60 to 120% of your investment, according to HGTV. The kitchen is one of the important rooms that make or break a home because it’s one of the first things potential homebuyers look at. It’s important to remember, however, that just because a kitchen upgrade typically results in increased returns, it doesn’t mean you should go all out. Consider your home’s overall look and make sure the kitchen still matches the rest of the house. The last thing you want is to spend thousands of dollars on a kitchen that doesn’t jive with your home. Aside from making for a confusing space, it’s also quite unattractive.

Remodel your bathroom

When done right, an upgraded bathroom can yield an average return of 62%, according to U.S. News. You don’t need to do major upgrades if a simple facelift is all that’s needed, but don’t scrimp on the work if your bathroom is outdated. Custom showers, great lighting, and at least two sinks are some of the features an average homebuyer looks for in a bathroom. Pick a paint color and finishings in neutral tones to make the space look fresh and modern. If you’ve got additional space to spare, increasing the size of your bathroom can also pay off.
Green additions

Environment-friendly upgrades such as energy-efficient insulation and windows are modern additions that can increase your home’s value and, at the same time, decrease your carbon footprint. Aside from being able to recoup more than 50% of your costs, energy-efficient windows also allow you to save hundreds of dollars from heating and cooling expenditures. This is true with insulation as well. Not only are you helping the environment and increasing your home’s value, you’re also saving a ton of money in the long run. It’s a win-win situation!

For more information and ideas on how to make the most out of your home renovation, head over to http://www.moneycrashers.com/7-home-improvements-to-increase-its-value/.

Established in 1968, the exclusive master-planned community of Coto de Caza in Orange County is considered one of the oldest, most exclusive private communities in California. The community features over 4,000 homes, which are predominantly single-family, including custom-built and tract homes.
The community is located in Trabuco Canyon, just north of Wagon Wheel Canyon in the southeast area of Orange County. This suburban community has a relaxed rural vibe, which is one of the reasons why it’s such a desirable place to live. The area allows for privacy, serenity and plenty of avenues for entertainment, golf, tennis, horseback riding, and outdoor recreation, making for a truly well-balanced lifestyle.

Quick Facts

• This master-planned private, guard-gated community is also considered a census designated place (CDP). It has a land area of 7.9 square miles and a population of 15,041 people as of 2014.

 

• There are no public schools within the Coto de Caza gated community – students who reside here attend schools under the Capistrano Unified School District, which are located outside of the private community’s gates.

 

• The Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park, which serves as a wildlife and plant sanctuary and contains trails for equestrian riding, hiking and biking, is just outside the gates of Coto de Caza and the Cleveland National Forest surrounds the community.

Features and Amenities

Within the community, you will find the Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club which has two Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed championship caliber courses and features a 44,000 square-foot clubhouse, 10 tennis courts and three swimming pools. This country club is the first 36-hole country club to be built in Orange County.

Coto de Caza’s sports club features state-of-the-art fitness equipment by Star Trac and holds a diverse array of fun and interesting daily group fitness classes, personal training and nutrition counseling and other fitness programs, all dedicated to help members achieve their personal fitness goals. The Spa & Sports Club offers luxurious spa services that can be enjoyed by non-members as well.

Real Estate in Orange County is deemed to be among the priciest in the country, and is right up there in terms of valuation with neighboring Los Angeles County and Austin, Texas. It would be interesting to see how the real estate market will turn out as the first quarter of 2015 moves along, especially considering the fact that the market performed so well at the onset of 2014. Here are some key trends worth noting:

Foreclosures at an all time high

The number of foreclosures throughout the real estate markets of Southern California was at a two-year record breaking high at the start of 2015. Orange County was not the only market affected by this – Riverside County, San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County were also badly hit by an increase in distressed homes. The phenomenon was attributed to banks adjusting to the Homeowner’s Bill of Rights, which was passed to protect the interests of mortgage lenders; giving them more time by extending the foreclosure process.

Finding balance in an erratic housing market

The market also slowed down in Orange County as 2014 ended.Home sales fell 6.8% from 2013’s figures despite a robust housing market throughout the majority of 2014. Affordability was the salient variable that affected the market – simply put, people couldn’t keep up with the increased home prices in the area. However, as the economy has been picking up and with wage and job growth improving in the area, the market is expected to bounce back as 2015 progresses.

A more balanced housing market

Housing market analyst Steven Thomas from ReportsOnHousing.com predicts that the housing market in the OC will stabilize later on – buyers and sellers can expect a more “balanced” market wherein more sellers will be listing and more people purchasing homes in the area – despite the fact that home prices are expected to increase as the year progresses.