Bay Area Tops for Safety & Security

Posted on December 27, 2007 by Ginger Wilcox

Did you know the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area is ranked as the #1 most secure large U.S. city? San Francisco is #4. Farmer’s Insurance puts together the rankings, taking into account crime stats, weather, risk of natural disasters, terrorism, air quality, life expectancy and job loss numbers. Santa Rosa-Petaluma made #17 for mid-size towns while Napa was #9 on the small town list.

I guess low crime, good weather and lots of jobs make up for the earthquake risks!

Catch the full story here, and thanks to my buddies over at Soundbiteblog for sharing!

Oh yeah- at the bottom of the list- Memphis, Tennessee.

p.s.- a funny post to follow my stolen purse story!

Buzzed by a Blue Angel

Posted on October 7, 2007 by Ginger Wilcox

Sailing on the San Francisco BayYesterday was a fabulous day to set sail on the San Francisco Bay. We set out from the Sausalito harbor. Not a cloud in the sky and mild October temperatures set the stage for a gorgeous day.

This week is Fleet Week in San Francisco, which means parades of boats and the incredible Blue Angels. We motored out past the seals just as the Blue Angels lead plane hit the skies. We were front and center on the Bay when we heard the roar of the jet planes above our heads. All eyes scanned the skies and there they were- six blue planes in perfect synchronization- the world renowned Blue Angels.

Blue Angels over San FranciscoThe Blue Angels performed aerial acrobatics above the bay, frequently buzzing so close to our sail boat we could see the pilots. They would roar away and be hidden behind the Transamerica pyramid or the hills of Marin County until suddenly they were there again- passing each other upside down, doing corkscrew spirals in the air, and flying through the gates of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was an exhilarating show. Even the kids didn’t notice the roar of the planes- they were enthralled with the speed and agility of these beautiful planes.

At the end of the show, we headed back to the Sausalito harbor. It was the perfect day on the San Francisco Bay!

All content and pictures copyright © 2007- Ginger Wilcox, Marin County Realtor.

International Walk & Roll to School Day!

Posted on October 1, 2007 by Ginger Wilcox

Walk to School!October 3, 2007 is International Walk & Roll to School Day! Children and adults around the globe will be walking & biking to school.

Why?

  • Reduce traffic
  • Get some physical activity
  • Create less pollution

Teams of parents & students will have staging areas where students who live far from school can meet to join neighborhood children as they form “walking school buses” and “bike trains” to school. Check with your school to find out the location of the staging area closest to your house. According to Safe Routes to schools, the following schools have events planned for Walk & Roll:

  • Fairfax: Manor and St. Rita’s
  • Mill Valley: Edna Maguire, Tam Valley, Old Mill, MV Middle, Mt. Tam and Marin Horizon
  • San Rafael: Vallecito, Dixie, Mary Silveira, Miller Creek, Gallinas, Glenwood, and Bahia Vista
  • San Anselmo: Brookside Schools and Wade Thomas
  • Tiburon: Bel Aire and Reed
  • Ross: Ross School
  • Corte Madera: Neil Cummins School
  • Larkspur St. Patrick’s
  • Kentfield: Bacich, and Kent Middle School
  • West Marin: Bolinas/Stinson and Lagunitas
  • Novato: Pleasant Valley, Rancho and Hill Middle School

Related Posts
Get Out and Walk to School

Get out and walk to school!

Posted on September 22, 2007 by Ginger Wilcox

Marin Safe Routes to SchoolDid you know 30 years ago, 66% of students walked to school? These days, that number is about 13% nationwide. Rather scary!

Safe Routes to Schools is a program designed to increase the number of kids biking and walking to school. Safe routes says children who walk or bike arrive at school refreshed and alert. An academic benefit? Great! Obviously there are health benefits too with the addition of regular physical activity.

According to the Marin County Congestion Management Agency, 21-27% of morning traffic is caused by parents driving kids to school. More kids walking & biking could reduce morning traffic and improve the environment- fewer emissions!

Before you pick up those car keys, think about walking the kids to school. It could be great for you too!

Marin County’s China Camp

Posted on September 17, 2007 by Ginger Wilcox

China Camp is beautiful protected area in Marin County, California. Originally a Chinese shrimp fishing village in the late 1800s, China Camp is now a California State Park. China Camp is located 4 miles east of San Rafael, on the shores of the San Pablo Bay, which feeds into the San Francisco Bay. The gorgeous area features marshes and many different types of wildlife. The area has great hiking and biking trails, tent camping sites, and group picnic areas. Looking for an afternoon outing? Check out China Camp-a gorgeous natural habitat in our own backyard.

Greenbrae Community Picnic- September 9th

Posted on August 29, 2007 by Ginger Wilcox

Greenbrae School ParkThe Greenbrae Community Picnic will take place on Sunday, September 9 from 3-7 pm at the Greenbrae School Park (off Parkside Way). Children’s activities include a climbing wall, jumppee, jula hoop demonstrations & more! Watermelon BoyThe picnic will be catered by Swami Tommy’s BBQ Experience and will feature sliced tri-tip, chicken, side dishes & salad. Live bluegrass music will be performed by the David Thom Band.

Tickets: $8 children/ $12 adults in advance, $10 children/$15 adults the day of the event. Admission fee includes meal, beverage, and dessert + entertainment.
Need More Info? Contact me!

 

Marin Neighborhoods- Strawberry Part 2

Posted on August 14, 2007 by Ginger Wilcox

Strawberry Shoreline, Mill Valley, CaliforniaThis is Part 2 of my Marin Neighborhoods series about Strawberry in Mill Valley, California. (View Strawberry Part 1)

Strawberry has many diverse neighborhoods and housing styles. Despite its close proximity to San Francisco, it is still somewhat of a hidden gem among Mill Valley neighborhoods.

Continue reading →

Nearly 1700 REALTORS® in Marin- which one should you choose?

Posted on July 31, 2007 by Ginger Wilcox

ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes Like all professions, not all real estate agents are created equal. This post explores what to look for and avoid when you are looking for a real estate agent.

Hire a REALTOR®– First of all, what is this all capital REALTOR® stuff? Why a REALTOR® instead of a real estate agent? In a nutshell, a REALTOR® subscribes to a strict Code of Ethics and they are governed by them. Ethics are a good thing when hiring an agent!

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Marin Neighborhoods- Strawberry Part 1

Posted on July 30, 2007 by Ginger Wilcox

Strawberry Neighborhood, Mill Valley California The Strawberry neighborhood is an unincorporated community located just east of the 101 freeway between the Seminary exit and Tiburon Boulevard. The community is an easy 10-15 minute drive to San Francisco (about eight miles).

Continue reading →