The Blog

Valencia…. It’s What You’re Searching For!

Whether it was information about new home opportunities, what schools your kids would be attending or the best restaurant in town, you’ve always been able to find what you’re searching for on the Valencia website – and now you can find it in two places! Introducing the What You’re Searching For Facebook tab!

Are you looking for the best places in Valencia to exercise, get outside for some fresh air or practice your favorite sport? Now you can find what you’re searching for on Facebook!

Want to discover awesome things to do and places to dine in town? Search no further than the Valencia Facebook page.

Whatever you’re searching for – you’re guaranteed to find the answer using this handy new tool. Now that’s awesome! So what are you waiting for? Start your search today.

Check back often to get the latest news on Awesometown and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ValenciaSoCal) or “Like” us on Facebook for frequent updates.

By John

Posted February 2nd, 2012 | 0 Comments

Your Vision into the Future

Making resolutions for the New Year can be a fairly easy task, but keeping those same resolutions can be much more difficult!

One of the things you can do to keep your goals for 2012 as current and up to date as possible is create a vision board. A vision board is a place to post pictures, text, etc., that symbolize a specific goal you want to accomplish. Here are three reasons you should consider creating your own vision board:

A vision board helps you remember your goals.
A vision board helps you focus.
A vision board can encourage you.

The great thing about a vision board is that there is no right or wrong way to make one. Some might be extremely artistic and others might be more simplistic. However you choose to make yours, here are few things to keep in mind:

Be specific when making your vision board.
Make your vision board eye-catching.
Create realistic deadlines.
Do your part!

For more information about creating a vision board, why you might want to and how you can do it, click here.

By admin

Posted January 27th, 2012 | 0 Comments

Broker Event at RiverVillage

Calling all brokers! This Friday, January 27, you’re invited to a special broker event at Lennar’s RiverVillage Welcome Home Center from 11am – 2pm.

This is a not-to-be-missed event! A light lunch will be served and you’ll have a chance to win a number of gift cards ranging from $250 – $500. Plus, you’ll also be entered to win a golf foursome at TPC Valencia – valued at $500!

Come out to see Lennar’s brand new models at RiverVillage – Brookville II and Heirloom II. They’re getting rave reviews!

Stylish single-family homes at Brookville are available from the mid $400,000s and range from approximately 2,701 – 2,910 square feet with 4-5 bedrooms and 2.5-3 baths. The Elegant and luxurious Heirloom homes range from approximately 3,386 – 3,627 square feet and are priced from the low $500,000s, with 4-5 bedrooms and 3.5-4 baths.

So make your way out to Valencia this Friday for your chance to view some awesome homes and win some awesome prizes!

Check back often to get the latest news on Awesometown and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ValenciaSoCal) or “Like” us on Facebook for frequent updates.

By John

Posted January 24th, 2012 | 0 Comments

Athletic Talent Abounds in Valencia!

Valencia is well known for a lot of things – awesome deals on new homes, excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, friendly neighbors, shopping galore and more. But there’s a new category of awesome Valencia is quickly becoming recognized for – athletic talent!

Here are examples of two local athletes, both Valencia High School alumni, who are making their mark in the professional sports world.

Jordan Taylor

Local softball superstar Jordan Taylor was named to the 2012 USA Softball Women’s National Team for the second consecutive year this past Wednesday. During her time as a Viking, Taylor received numerous accolades, including the 2007 National High School Coaches Association High School Softball Player of the Year and the Gatorade California State Player of the Year. Taylor also won the 2007 national championship title for Valencia High, setting a state record for the best season in state history.

After graduation, Jordan Taylor went on to have a successful athletic career at the University of Michigan, including three NFCA All-American records and school records for a total of 162 appearances, 107 wins, 1,220 strikeouts and eight no-hitters. Last year, Taylor was named a member of the 2011 USA Softball Women’s National Team, winning gold medals at the 2011 World Cup of Softball and the 2011 Pan American Games. In July 2012, Jordan Taylor will compete at the International Softball Federation Women’s World Championship. For more information about local superstar Jordan Taylor, click here.

Michael Herrick

Also a graduate of Valencia High School, quarterback Michael Herrick, the California all-time passing yardage leader, is headed to the pro league – in Germany! During his varsity career as a Viking, Herrick amassed 11,022 yards. Upon graduation from Valencia High, Herrick attended the University of Mississippi and eventually Northern Arizona University, where he put up 6,469 yards in three seasons, including 574 yards in a single game in 2009. Herrick returned to his roots in 2011 and become the quarterbacks coach for Valencia High School.

Now, we’re proud to report that Michael Herrick was signed to a contract this past Saturday to play for the New Yorker Lions of the German Football League out of Braunschweig, Germany. Historically, the Lions are the most successful team in the 32-year history of the professional league, holding seven titles. Herrick will leave for the Lions’ preseason camp held in Milan, Italy this March and will play out the seven-month season in Braunschweig. Look for his first game to be played April 7, 2012. For more information about professional footballer Michael Herrick, click here.

Can you name any other up-and-coming or professional athletes who have hailed from Valencia, CA? Share them on the Valencia Facebook page.

Check back often to get the latest news on Awesometown and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ValenciaSoCal) or “Like” us on Facebook for frequent updates.

By John

Posted January 20th, 2012 | 0 Comments

Your Vision into the Future

Making resolutions for the New Year can be a fairly easy task, but keeping those same resolutions can be much more difficult!

One of the things you can do to keep your goals for 2012 as current and up to date as possible is create a vision board. A vision board is a place to post pictures, text, etc., that symbolize a specific goal you want to accomplish. Here are three reasons you should consider creating your own vision board:

  1. A vision board helps you remember your goals.
  2. A vision board helps you focus.
  3. A vision board can encourage you.

The great thing about a vision board is that there is no right or wrong way to make one. Some might be extremely artistic and others might be more simplistic. However you choose to make yours, here are few things to keep in mind:

  1. Be specific when making your vision board.
  2. Make your vision board eye-catching.
  3. Create realistic deadlines.
  4. Do your part!

For more information about creating a vision board, why you might want to and how you can do it, click here.

Check back often to get the latest news on Awesometown and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ValenciaSoCal) or “Like” us on Facebook for frequent updates.

By John

Posted January 5th, 2012 | 0 Comments

Spending the Holidays in Valencia!

There are a number of things you can do this holiday season out in Valencia, but there is always something comforting about spending this time of year in your home trying something new and out of the ordinary.

That’s why we wanted to share this recipe and set of directions to help you and your loved ones create a gingerbread house! Here’s a bit of history about the making of the gingerbread house. Gingerbread houses seem to have originated in Germany. It is in the German fairytale Hansel and Gretel that we are first introduced to the witch with a house made of tasty gingerbread. Since that time, creating gingerbread houses has become somewhat of a novelty during the holiday season. In fact, each year in Bergen, Norway, for the past 20 years, the town has tried to build the largest gingerbread house in the world.

Click here for your easy step-by-step directions to create your own masterfully planned gingerbread house.

If you’re looking for other fun things to do this week in celebration of the holidays, click here.

We want to thank all of our readers for your continued support. Happy holidays to you and to all the residents of Valencia!

Check back often to get the latest news on Awesometown and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ValenciaSoCal) or “Like” us on Facebook for frequent updates.

By John

Posted December 22nd, 2011 | 0 Comments

Ideal Recipe for Your Holiday Party

Getting ready for holiday meals can be both taxing and challenging on the host and chef for the evening.

Here is a quick and easy recipe to add to your holiday menu that will fill the hungry stomachs of those waiting for the holiday feast. Hopefully, by satisfying your guests’ cravings, you can alleviate some of the stress many of us find ourselves in as we prepare to host friends and family. Plus, you’ll be surprised just how healthy this dish is!

Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Roasting tomatoes brings out their inherent sweetness.

Serves: 14

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ready in: 1 hour

Ease of prep: Easy

Recipe Ingredients:

3 pints cherry tomatoes

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

3 cloves minced garlic

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

¼ cup sliced fresh basil

1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar

14 slices baguette (preferably whole-wheat), toasted

Anchovy fillets, Kalamata olives or sliced basil for garnish

Recipe Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325ºF
  2. Toss tomatoes with oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast until broken down, 45-55 minutes
  3. Combine the roasted tomatoes with basil and vinegar
  4. Top baguette slices with the roasted tomato mixture. Garnish with anchovy fillets, Kalamata olives or sliced fresh basil

Health Advantages: Diabetes appropriate, heart healthy, low saturated fat, low cholesterol, low sodium, low carb, low calorie and healthy weight.

Check back often to get the latest news on Awesometown and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ValenciaSoCal) or “Like” us on Facebook for frequent updates.

By John

Posted December 16th, 2011 | 0 Comments

Meet A Neighbor!

Born and raised in Valencia her entire life, Christy Wheeler always knew that the family-friendly location was the perfect place to live out the American dream and raise her growing family.

After settling down with her husband, who works for Disney in Simi Valley, Christy was in the market to purchase a home to start a family in. The Wheelers searched carefully for their new home, considering many pre-owned options in both Santa Clarita and Simi Valley as well as new homes in both locations.

After years of driving by the gated RiverVillage community, Christy and her husband decided to take a look. Christy says, “The people at Lennar made the stress of buying a new home so minimal! Everything was so easy and comfortable. Everyone bent over backwards for anything and everything we needed.” Christy believes that the staff at Lennar’s New Home Showplace wanted her and her family to live at RiverVillage just as much as they wanted to live there.

Living in Valencia was a natural fit for the Wheelers, and so was choosing a home at RiverVillage. Christy says her home is close to everything from her children’s schools to local grocers like Trader Joe’s and anywhere else a mother of two could possibly need to go, including Accent Nails & Spa , where she has been getting her nails done for the past 13 years, and Priscilla’s, her hair salon.

With longstanding credentials to thoroughly evaluate life in Valencia, Christy Wheeler says it’s the people, shops, family atmosphere, safety, schools and recreation that make Valencia such a desirable locale. In particular, Christy notes the new and beautiful recreation center within RiverVillage, which she says is “top-notch and state-of-the-art!” The deluxe rec center’s most outstanding features include the pool, which the Wheelers and almost every other family in RiverVillage spent nearly every day at during the summer months, and the safety of the center, which has a security staff on site. Plus, Christy notes that spending time at this community center was the best way to get to know her neighbors at RiverVillage.

For more information on these exceptional new home communities, please visit www.Valencia.com, call (888) 203-1680 or stop by the Brookville and Heirloom models in RiverVillage, located at 26619 Millhouse Dr.

Check back often to get the latest news on Awesometown and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ValenciaSoCal) or “Like” us on Facebook for frequent updates.

By John

Posted December 7th, 2011 | 0 Comments

What Does Thanksgiving Really Mean?

For many, Thanksgiving is a time to stop, remember and give thanks for the many moments in our lives that have been touched by acts of kindness and caring from others. Families often have their own traditions handed down from generations past, and each year we seem to add on – creating new lasting traditions for the children for many years to come.

But what does Thanksgiving mean to the children at the table? This Thanksgiving week, we wanted to share this short video with you to help answer that question.

Don’t forget to ask the kids at your Thanksgiving feast – what does Thanksgiving really mean? You’re bound to get a chuckle from at least one thing shared!

Check back often to get the latest news on Awesometown and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ValenciaSoCal) or “Like” us on Facebook for frequent updates.

By John

Posted November 23rd, 2011 | 0 Comments

Quick & Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipe

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means you’ll probably have an increased number of guests visiting your home in the coming weeks. You may even have some unexpected visitors whom you love to see but haven’t had enough time to prepare to host. That’s why it’s always good to have few quick and easy recipes up your sleeve that will dazzle every house guest and free up more of your time, so you can enjoy the visit with friends and loved ones.

This appetizer is a definite crowd pleaser and can be served hot or cold, but for the sake of time, consider treating guests to this hot version, which only takes 15 minutes to prepare, cook and serve.

Quick & Easy Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Yield: 1 batch
Level: Easy

Total Time: 15 min

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 5 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup thawed, chopped frozen spinach
  • 11/2 cups thawed, chopped frozen artichoke hearts
  • 6 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Boil spinach and artichokes in 1 cup of water until tender and drain. Discard liquid. Heat cream cheese in microwave for 1 minute or until hot and soft. Stir in rest of ingredients and serve hot.

For more easy and awesome Thanksgiving recipes, click here.

Check back often to get the latest news on Awesometown and be sure to follow us on Twitter (@ValenciaSoCal) or “Like” us on Facebook for frequent updates.

By John

Posted November 16th, 2011 | 0 Comments

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