Northern California may be one of the most interesting places in the United States.  It boasts of everything from the oldest living thing in the world (a 5,000+ year old Redwood) to world-renowned wineries to the Golden Gate Bridge and on top of it all, it has a wonderful Mediterranean-like climate.  The state has the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States.

With over 34 million people, California is the most populous state in the United States.  It is nearly a nation unto itself and, in fact, boasts the eighth largest gross national product in the world.  Physically, it is about the size of mainland China.

The state was originally inhabited by as many as 300,000 Indians.  However when Europeans began hearing rumors of this magical land supposedly filled with cities made of gold, the “rush” was off.  One Portugese explorer, Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, sailed north from Mexico in 1542 and claimed the state for the Spanish crown.  The British fought this and Sir Francis Drake landed in 1579 and claimed it for the territory of England.   But, it was Mexico that finally claimed it, took over the missions started by the Spaniards and gave out generous land grants to early settlers.  In 1846, Americans grabbed the state from Mexico.  Two years later, gold really was found which brought over 100,000 people to the state in hopes of finding their fortunes and then creating a bountiful civilization.  San Francisco became the de facto capital during this time and it became one of the wildest towns of the west.  Writers such as Mark Twain and Jack London found it to be a literary gold mine.

From that rocky start, California became an official state on September 9, 1850 and has had a history of constant growth, change and prosperity.  It has established a reputation as a center of creativity, political activism, cultural diversity, innovative technology and consequently, for having a strong and diversified economic base.

Now is a great time to visit as the State Fair is being held from August 17th to Sept. 3rd. in Sacramento.  It is intended to provide a look at the California lifestyle including its industries, diversity and what the future holds.  More than a million persons attend each year and there are lots of fair specials in and around Sacramento.  The exhibits can show you what it might be like to live there.  If you do go there, go visit Northern California active adult communities and what they have to offer . . .

In-Depth Community Review

Sun City Lincoln Hills Lincoln Hills California

Featured Community

Heritage Park Sacramento
An established 55+ community minutes from our state Capitol in downtown Sacramento.  A variety of homes are available in this "gated community".  The development does not have "new" construction available.  However, many resale properties are available surrounding an unbelievable Clubhouse.  Homes range from 1/2 plex units of 1087 sq.ft. to single family homes up to 3200 sq.ft.  Priced from $300's to $700's . . . Click for more information!

International Living

Do You Know the Way to Mexico?
By Suzan Haskins
International Living

Please don't ask me how to get to Mexico…it's just too easy these days. And anyone who complains about the lack of decent flights to Mexico is just not doing his (or her) homework.

Last month Continental Airlines began a new, twice-weekly service from its Houston hub to Loreto, Mexico--its 31st destination in Mexico. Last winter Delta Airlines expanded service to Mexico from its mini-hub at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). And earlier this year Aeromexico also expanded its direct service between Mexico and the U.S.--where it operates out of 14 gateway cities--to include direct flights to Puebla from Los Angeles and New York.

This is great news for all of us who travel between Mexico and the rest of North America. But the airlines aren't doing it out of the goodness of their hearts--they're responding to increased consumer demand for flights and destinations.

And the demand is coming from several sources. Mexico tourism growth is a big factor; Mexico is a top destination for U.S. tourists (and they historically have represented nearly 90% of Mexico's foreign tourism, according to Mexican government sources). But growth in business travel has also played a role, as has growth in personal and family travel--in addition to a growing Mexican population in the U.S., there is also a growing population of U.S. and Canadian expatriates in Mexico looking for flights home.

Continental, which offers more routes in Mexico than any other non-Mexican airline, considers Mexico a key market. It has expanded its service to the smaller Mexican cities with small jets that hold about 50 people. According to news sources, the airline now wants to focus on increasing flights to its existing destinations.

P.S. OK, so getting to Mexico is easy…but how about living here? Yep, that's easy, too. Household help for $2.00/hour  …  doctor's house calls for $30.00  … sumptuous dinner and drinks for two for $35.00… Sounds pretty easy to me. In fact, Mexico today is like the U.S. was in the 1950s and 60s…but with today's modern amenities. Here you'll find a strong sense of community and a family-focused life -- which makes every day a genuine pleasure.  I'd love to tell you more.

If you'd love to listen, please join me September 23rd in Puerto Vallarta!  Click here!
 

Article of Interest

"Are Timeshares Really the Good Deal They Are Supposed to Be?"
By Global Resorts Network

Timeshares have popped up all over the country and the world.  Most of us probably have at least looked at one.  Maybe you even received some free tickets to something just to go look.  They are in beautiful locations, are loaded with amenities and offer lots of things to do either on-site or in the nearby vicinity or both.  But, if you look around on the net, you’ll see that there are nearly as many sites offering to help sell them as there are sites trying to get you to buy one.  Are they a good deal?  It depends upon what you are looking for.    People buy timeshares for various reasons.  One of them is for the flexibility they offer in unit size and time of year availability.  Another is the opportunity to exchange for a stay at other locations.  Some people enjoy the certainty of knowing the quality of accommodations and entertainment available.  Others like to buy them just to make sure they take their vacation time.  The U.S. timeshare sales volume is over 5 billion a year.  The average price for one week of use is $14,500.  The average maintenance fee for that is $385 per week of annual use.  Perhaps the most interesting stat, though, is that only an average of 26% of owners actually use their time. In response to that stat and resultant market opportunities companies such as Global Resort Networks (GRN) have started marketing travel club memberships that offer much more than timeshares can offer and at a dramatically lower cost.  GRN offers members the opportunity to be in a better position than if they owned a timeshare.  A member can travel 52 weeks a year to their choice of over 5,000 timeshare resorts in 70 countries on the most sought after beaches, mountains and golf courses in the world for as little as $298 per week with accommodations for up to six people.  There are no blackout dates and you can travel with little notice at no extra cost.  There is even an all-inclusive option.  There are no yearly dues, no maintenance fees, and no purchase fees.  The membership is also willable.

For an example, take a look at Grand Villas at World Golf Village in historic St. Augustine, FL.  It features two 18-hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.  It is located within minutes of some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida and the World Golf Hall of Fame.  When comparing a beautiful 2-bedroom unit with what you’d pay elsewhere you’ll see a significant savings.  Ex: (Note: all prices except GRN subject to change)

• Expedia:  $1,827.81

• Hotels.com: $1,821.41

• Travelocity:  $229 per night (not including local taxes and hotel fees)

• GRN:  $289 for the week

That’s a minimum savings of $1,000 for just that one week.  So, if traveling is one of your passions and you like to do it in style, check out GRN at www.globalresortsnetwork.com/wanttogetaway   

To tour the GRN registry, click on Browse in the lower right hand corner
login = resort   password = lookfor

Reader's Corner

This poem was submitted by Janet from Kentucky.  She said she wrote it after a hard day at work where nothing seemed to go right and you’ll read what she found to be the culprit of her problems.  Janet is a retired eighth-grade English teacher. 
 

Perils of Pantyhose Procured by Porcine but Pulchritudinous Persons
It isn’t easy to look real “cool”
Or to keep from constantly appearing a fool
When one’s “unmentionables” throw fits
And end up with 3,601 rips and tears and frizzles and a dimple.
Believe me, nothing about pantyhose is simple.
To start with, you must yank and tug and strain
To get that pantyhose pulled up your frame.
A heart attack seems imminent
As you yank and jerk till muscles need liniment.
And what do you have when you finish that chore?
One foot may point south and the other north.
You’ll twist and pull and contemplate
That if you don’t get it straightened, you may have to amputate.
But the biggest problem for me, by far,
Is the way I looked as I walked by to my car.
The waistband had drooped way past my hips,
The crotch to just above my knee had slipped
And the embarrassment you just can’t imagine!
As I walked, I looked like a munchkin!
Now I have come to this sad conclusion.
In order to prevent all sorts of confusion.
No more will I wear those dastardly deals
I’ll just paint my legs brown from thighs to heels!

We love to hear from you!  Tell us what you’d like to read about or send us your humorous musings to Dee@ActiveAdultLiving.com.

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Monthly Survey

This month's survey is a focus on health

Results of Last Month's Survey

How many times per year do you travel more than 100 miles from home?
6 or more times - 44.4%
Never - 1.1%
Of those trips, how many are to visit friends/relatives?
2-3 trips - 37.8%
Never - 7.8%
Average number of nights stayed?
2 to 6  nights - 68.6%
1 night - 1.1%
How many trips per year are strictly for pleasure?
2 to 3 trips - 41.1%
Never - 1.1%
Average number of nights stayed?
2 to 6 nights - 58.0%
More than a month at a time - 4.5%
How many trips are for business?
None - 67.8%
4 - 6 trips - 4.4%
Average number of nights stayed?
Not applicable - 53%
2 to 6 - 29.6%
Of your trips, how many of these do you usually fly?
Sometimes - 60%
Always - 15.9%
Never - 15.9%
Do you own a second home?
Yes - 15.7%
No - 67%
Considering - 9.0%
Do you own a timeshare of a membership in a destination resorts club?
Yes - 14.4%
No - 83.3%
Considering - 2.2%
Annual household income
$50,000-$75,000 41.0%
$75,000-$110,000 29.5%
$100,000-$150,000 5.1%
More than $500,000 0%

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