Top 10 Cool Things For Free on Craigslist

There is a great website out there called Craigslist. If you have no idea what it is, it is similar to the classified section of the local newspaper. You can find a job, a car, the local garage sales, even items that people list for free. It is free to post an item for sale, and it is free to connect with the seller on an item you want to buy. The most successful sellers also attach a picture of the item which helps the potential buyer to see the item they wish to purchase. The reason I like this better than the EBay auction site is that all the items are local, and there are no shipping costs. You can either post your phone number or use their cloaking email method which lets potential buyers send you an email without them knowing your actual email address.

I have bought and sold everything from playground equipment for my son, to jukeboxes and even a car. I find myself checking the FREE section almost daily to catch a bargain before it gets away. You know what they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This week my top 10 list is the cool stuff people give away for free on Craigslist. To check more free stuff, go to www.craigslist.org

1. Hot Tubs. Almost every week, there is someone that is moving and cannot take their jacuzzi with them. Grab a truck, several strong guys, and with the right electrical hookups you could be kicking it in style for free in your back yard.

2. Furniture. Hey college student, you don’t need to spend all of your parent’s hard earned money at the local Ikea store when there are plenty of used couches, chairs, tables and futons for free!

3. Televisions. Now that everyone has made the switch from picture tube t.v.’s to digital flat screens, there are a ton of perfectly good outdated models out there for free. Hook up your gaming system to one, since that is about the only thing they are good for now that the cable companies have all gone digital.

4. Fill dirt. I don’t know where all this fill dirt comes from, but there are atleast 4-5 people everyday that want you to have theirs. If you have big holes that are bothering you, the solution is just a click away.

5. Trees and Plants. I don’t want to put anyone out of business, but if you can do your landscaping for free, make the phone call. It is better to relocate than to dump them in the city landfill.

6. Tools. I think it is great that people will give perfectly good items away rather than just dump them. If you have an extra weed eater, give it to someone who can use it. Don’t just clutter up your garage. Give it to someone else and let them deal with it.

7. Kids toys. If you bought them for your little one, and they don’t use them anymore, give them away to someone who can appreciate them. Remember, you bought them for a reason, so I am sure some other child will like them too. Besides, it is nice to share.

8. Office Supplies. Just because your business failed, don’t blame it all on the equipment. Someone else may be able to use that office desk and actually be productive. Give the stuff a chance to feel the success you have been keeping from it for quite some time.

9. Exercise Equipment. No one uses treadmills or exercise bikes at home. They just become a large piece of furniture to hang clean (or dirty) laundry on. I bet if you own one of these right now, it isn’t even plugged in. You know I am right. They are only effective at the gym, and even there people only use them to scan the room searching out the hotties without looking too creepy. Once again, you know I am right. Still, if it is free, someone will want them.

10. Firewood / Pallets. I love to camp, and I also hate to pay for something that is free. A lot of companies have broken pallets that they chop up for you. All you need to do is drive by with your truck and load up. It is a great symbiotic relationship. They want the wood gone, and you get free wood for your fire pit. Win – Win !

Use Craigslist correctly, and everyone benefits. There are a lot of scammers out there, so read and play by the rules. Don’t mail anything to anyone out of town. Ask questions prior to meeting the individual, and bring a friend with you when you go for the exchange. The other thing to remember is most transactions are on a cash basis and sales are final. If you are buying an iPod for 20 bucks, it is probably broken or stolen. There are a lot of good people out there, they just have too much stuff. I say, go out there and get it!

Top 10 List of Holiday Favorites

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and with the impending holiday comes a few challenges. How big of a turkey do you need? Do you use an oven bag, or just a roasting pan? Do you make that green bean casserole even though no one but your crazy Uncle Joe eats it? And the biggest decision of all – Who has to be the one adult that sits at the kid’s table?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving and I love to eat turkey. I like the day after almost as much, with cold turkey sandwiches made with real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip. I love visiting with my relatives, in-laws, and invited guests. It seems like this is the official start to the Holiday Season. It doesn’t matter what religion you practice, there is just something in the air that changes your mood and makes you want to hug someone. And it also makes you want to eat. Not just a meal, not just because it is lunch or dinner time, but it is time to eat things you only eat once or twice a year. Here is my list of Holiday Favorites that for some reason I only eat during this time of the year.
1. Turkey. I don’t know why we don’t cook a turkey other than twice a year. Are they only in season after October? I don’t know.
2. Oven baked rolls. I love them, either white or wheat, but definitely fresh out of the oven and covered with gravy.
3. Stuffing. The commercials for Stove Top Stuffing are great, but for some reason we stick with potatoes the other 364 days of the year. Even better, pour gravy over the stuffing while you are at it.
4. Pie. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, heck I even like mince meat pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and that rum sauce poured on top (it is almost like covering it in gravy!). If you like pumpkin pie, my tip to you is to go to CoCo’s Restaurant and pick up one of their Harvest Pies. It is a variation of a traditional pumpkin pie, with the bottom half being pumpkin, the top half pumpkin chiffon. Once you try this, you will never want just plain pumpkin again.
5. Green bean casserole. The one with the fried onions on top. I don’t like it, but my wife swears by it, so it makes the list. She is the boss of me. Deal with it and move on to #6.
6. Olives. We used to only have the black pitted ones so you can put one on each finger and eat them one at a time. Now we have moved on to the stuffed ones, with garlic or jalapenos in the center. Yum!
7. Cranberry sauce. There is always a minor debate of which is better, the one with whole cranberries or the jellied, gelatinous cylindrical goop that holds its form from the can. We buy both just in case.
8. Nuts. We buy the mixed bag and let everyone pick their favorites. Walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, and those dark brown ones that look like orange wedges. Half the fun is busting them up with the nut crackers.
9. Eggnog. You can drink it plain, or sprinkle nutmeg on top. For adults, mix in a little rum or brandy and you can make it through the evening with a house full of people you only invite over a couple of times a year.
10. Holiday cookies / sweets. My grandmother was Norwegian, and she would bake a variety of cookies, fudge, and rum balls that would make a diabetic fall into a coma. Fortunately she passed on both a love for these traditions and the recipe books to make them. I have my son help to make them now, so the tradition lives on.
I hope you enjoy this list, and I also wish you all a happy holiday season. Don’t forget the most important part of this season: everything is good in moderation. And if you overindulge, the local gym is counting on you to sign up in January anyway. Look for the specials to be popping up soon. Seasons Greetings!

3-Day Breast Cancer Walk Hits San Diego Nov. 21-23, 2008

The Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting Susan G. Komen For The Cure is coming to San Diego November 21 – 23. This is a 3 day walk that covers 60 miles, and the money raised goes to support those affected by breast cancer, and towards breast cancer research. It is a remarkable event, one that I hope you will support either with a donation or participation. 85% of the net proceeds stay in San Diego, with 15% being contributed to breast cancer research. Last year, out of the 12 cities nationwide that participated in the 3-Day events they raised over 86 million dollars through donations, contributions, and sponsorships.

There are many ways to support the walkers: You can organize a group to host a cheering station during the walk, or get a group of “Camp Angels” to assist participants with setting up & striking tents and unloading gear. You can help raise money, or just line the streets during the walk and show your support for those brave walkers as they hit the streets on their 20 mile per day journey. Make signs of encouragement, and get the kids involved. It is unbelievable how much you get back by helping the volunteers accomplish their goal of finishing the 3-Day Walk.

The staggering numbers show that the chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman’s life is about 1 in 8. It can hit any one of your friends or family, as it did to my family. My wife is a breast cancer survivor. She detected a small lump while doing a self examination, and quickly went to see her doctor for a more in depth checkup. Then came the mammogram, a trip to see a surgeon, biopsy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and more surgeries. There are several things that were critical to my wife surviving: early detection, aggressive treatment by her oncologist, surgeon, & radiologist, and the love and support from her friends and family. It has been almost 6 years since her first diagnosis, and now she is an inspiration to many others either beginning their battle with this cruel disease, or as support for family members looking for guidance through this emotional roller coaster.

That is how I first found out about the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and why I am presenting this information to you. Being part of the 3-Day in any manner is heartwarming, from the stories shared while on the walk, to the crowd support as the walkers pass by. We plan on showing our support this year by setting up an area with banners and playing music for the walkers. Each day, there are a few pre-determined areas for the cheering stations, as listed below. Please join us in showing support for these amazing men and women, and you will see just how important this cause is.

Cheering Stations Schedule:

Friday 11/21 Day 1

6:30 a.m. Del Mar Fairgrounds: Opening Ceremonies (walkers arrive 5:30 – 6:00)

11:15 – 2:30 Coast Blvd Park, La Jolla 430 Coast Blvd, south of Cuvier St.

2:00 – 5:30 Fanuel Street Park, Mission Bay 4000 Fanuel Street

Saturday 11/22 Day 2

9:00 – 1:30 Ocean Beach Surf Spot Park Grass area at Abbott St. & Newport Ave

10:30 – 3:30 South Mission Grass area just north of South Mission Parking Lot
2600 Mission Blvd. (turn west on N.Jetty Rd into parking lot)

Sunday 11/23 Day 3

7:00 – 9:00 De Anza Cove 2700 North Mission Bay Drive

11:00 – 3:00 Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater Lawn Area 2150 Park Blvd.

Closing Ceremony Information:

Location: Petco Park 100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Walkers arrive at Holding Area

3:30 pm: Spectators arrive and should head directly to the stage

4:00 pm: Participants begin lining up for victory walk

4:30 pm: Closing Ceremonies begin

Friends and Family should plan on arriving an hour early due to crowd congestion. Please use public transit (the trolley is a lot of fun, and drops you off in front of Petco Park) and expect very large but friendly crowds. For more information, call (800) 996-3DAY or go to the 3-Day website.

Other great sites for information, support, and 3-Day gear:
www.the3day.org
www.komen.org
www.thebreastcancersite.com
www.bcsupport.org
www.breastcancer.org
www.nationalbreastcancer.org
www.pink-link.org

Brian Maienschein Farewell / Chamber Meeting

Mira Mesa says goodbye to Councilmember Brian Maienschein at a farewell get together at Callahan’s Pub & Brewery, Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 5:00 p.m. The public is invited to join local Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Business Members and Residents of District 5 in wishing well our Representative of the San Diego City Council. Brian has been on the City Council since being elected in November 2000. Due to term restrictions, he will pass on his seat to Carl DeMaio.

Coincidentally, the Chamber of Commerce meeting has been moved to Callahan’s to enable the Chamber Members the opportunity to wish Brian well. The meeting will start at 6:15 and run to 7:30. The topic of this meeting will be fire safety, and our second presentation will be from our Treasurer, Brian Wissinger of the Wissinger Financial Group, on the state of our economy.

Please Help Remove Useless Restrictions

The Mira Mesa Community Planning Group will be voting on a petition to remove the “Turning Restrictions” at certain times on Black Mountain Road where it intersects with Capricorn Way and Gemini Avenue. These restrictions are ineffective in deterring traffic as vehicles still drive through these side streets.

Instead of turning left on Black Mountain Road (which is illegal under these restrictions), drivers simply go straight through the intersection and then make a quick u-turn and then turn on Black Mountain Road, which actually causes more traffic congestion.

The original reason for these restrictions was to keep commuters from cutting through Mira Mesa to get to Rancho Penasquitos and other northern communities during rush hours, but it really never worked too well, as drivers found ways around the rules.

There was talk that when the 56 opened up they were going to remove the restrictions, but that has not happened yet, so local residents took it upon themselves to do something about it and got a petition going.

Now they got enough signatures to get the Planning Group to take a look at the proposal, but they really need people there to help get these “Restrictions” removed. So please help by showing up at the next Planning Group meeting and let them know how you feel. EVERY BODY counts, so please don’t assume that there will be enough other people there that you don’t need to show up. The more people that show up, the better chance there is to get these restrictions removed.

Please “Mark Your Calendar”
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Mira Mesa Planning Group Monthly Meeting

Mira Mesa Library Meeting Room
8405 New Salem Street
San Diego, CA 92126

November 17, 2008 at 7:00 PM

America Recycles Day – Saturday, Nov. 15th at Miramar College

Sony Electronics Inc. and Waste Management Recycle America are sponsoring an electronics day at Miramar College on Saturday, November 15 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Parking Lot #1. You can drop off your unwanted computer electronics, cell phones, stereo equipment, and other electronic devices for free. Not only will you benefit by getting rid of those unwanted items that are taking up space, these items will be recycled which will save space in our landfills. For more information, call 877-439-2795.

2008 Komen San Diego Race for the Cure

It was a great day for a three mile walk with over 10,000 people sharing the same goal: to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure here in beautiful San Diego. The clouds were dark and ominous, but the rain stayed away during the event held in Balboa Park. For those not familiar with this major fundraiser, the Komen Race for the Cure raises money by having groups and individuals pay an entry fee, and the challenge of raising an additional $125 in donations which would cover the cost of a mammogram.

A lot of money is raised, of which 75% of the net proceeds stays in San Diego to support the uninsured and under insured individuals touched by breast cancer in the areas of diagnostics, screening, treatment, services and education. The remaining 25% is used to support national research. The 2008 goal of $650,000 was exceeded by raising over $814,797, with more than 490 teams participating, and more than 10,660 people and their pets taking to the streets for this worthy cause.

The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman’s life is about 1 in 8. It is essential that women and their loved ones know that early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer. There are three simple steps to ensure that if you are the 1 in 8 to be diagnosed, you and or your doctor will find it in its earliest stages.

Three Steps to Breast Health:

1. Starting at age 40*, have an annual screening mammography. *Some women with a family history of breast cancer or other concerns may be advised by a trained medical professional to start earlier than age 40.
2. At age 20 – and at least every three years – have a clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional. Women age 40 and over should have a clinical breast exam every year.
3. At age 20, begin doing monthly breast self-exams.

Save your life or that of someone you love by practicing the 3 Steps to Breast Health and encouraging loved ones to do the same. Although the Komen Race for the Cure has just passed, their next big event is the Komen 3-Day, which is a 3 day walk which covers 60 miles, Nov. 21-23, 2008 through the streets of San Diego. This is an amazing event for both the participants and the thousands who line the sidewalks of the course to show their support. Still, the cause continues and needs community support. Here is a brief history of Komen for the Cure:

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure® and the Breast Cancer 3-Day, the organization has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1.877 GO KOMEN.