Wags to Riches (01/09)

Thank you to everyone who visits this blog (even the blog trolls) and helps raise funds for Pet Pro Life–a fantastic dog rescue program operating every weekend out of the Petsmart in Fountain Valley.

Last weekend, we stopped in for a visit and dropped off another check for $120. Just look at all of those happy volunteers in the picture.

It seems as if every organization is looking for a "bailout" these days, but in this case, I know they'll be putting the money to good use.

AdSense Update (11/26/08)

Stuck in the office today while everyone else remembered to schedule the day off, leaving you to man the fort? Why not click though a couple thousand ads on the Santiago Street Loft blog and help raise money for my furry friends down at Pet Pro Life.

As some of you may know, all funds collected from ads on this website go directly to this wonderful non-profit organization–the very same where the wife and I adopted our furry bundle of joy.

So if you have nothing to do on this day before we give thanks by stuffing our guts until we succumb to food coma, please click away!

$105.46

Thank you to all of the wonderful blog readers out there for helping me raise the first of many checks to be delivered to Pet Pro Life–the organization where I adopted my wonderful and loving doggie back in October of 2006.

By spending time on this blog, clicking on ads, or even buying something featured in one of the ads, you have helped raise this money to support a fantastic non-profit organization dedicated to helping furry friends find new homes.

Currently, animal shelters and rescue programs all across the nation are under great financial strain due to so many homeowners losing their homes and being forced to give up their pets in these tough economic times–as seen in this video featured on CNN.com.

Every penny counts and I couldn't have done it without you.
You guys ROCK–Happy Friday!

Epic Art Show @ Prime Urban (04/26)

Every now and then I'll bitch and complain about Santa Ana's water, but our water difficulties here are nothing in comparison to that of other countries.

Tomorrow night from 8PM until midnight, Prime Urban will be hosting an art show event where all proceeds will be donated to E.P.I.C–a non-profit organization working to help construct a well in Tanzania to provide clean water for over 7,000 people.

The event will feature both exhibits and live painting by ACTVST Artvarks: Justin Bauer, Meredith Ambruso, Sean Woolsey, as well as others. Music provided by DJ Matter.

$10 cover at the door. All ages are welcome.

This event is sponsored by: Ketel One Vodka, Red Bull, Prime Urban, ACTVST, E.P.I.C, TOMS Shoes, Instrumental Agency.

This event is within stumbling distance from the Santiago Street Lofts. No need to drive.

Prime Urban is located at 511 Santa Ana Boulevard, 92701.

AdSense Update

About a month ago, I signed up for Google AdSense in hopes to raise donation money for Pet Pro Life—the loving and generous organization where my wife and I adopted our adorable fur ball of joy.

AdSense works by allowing Google to populate this blog with ads that relate to the subject matter; which so far seems to be Santa Ana foreclosures and various loft developments. It's up to me to make the ads unobtrusive and fit seamlessly into the layout.

Donation money is raised every time someone comes to this site or even better, when someone clicks on the ads. Payment trickles in a few cents at a time, but every little bit counts.

In one month, you the readers have raised $28.46 just by stopping by, clicking and commenting.

You guys seriously rock and I thank you.

Keep up the good work and I'll see about getting some better (sexier?) ads on this site :)

If you are looking to adopt a dog, please consider these wonderful organizations:

Pet Pro Life
Rover Rescue
Devil Dog Ranch

I Blog for the Dogs

Today marks my 100th post to the Santiago Street Loft blog and I feel that it’s an event worth celebrating–anyone up for Chipotle?

And how do I plan on celebrating?
By placing tiny ads on the blog!

Before you say that I’ve “sold out”, or worse, turned into ad-scam scum like Don Lapre, hear me out.

All of the ads on this site are present thanks to the work of Google’s AdSense program. I get to select where the ads go, and Google populates them with content.

When an ad appears on the blog, or even better, when a user clicks on one of these ads, my AdSense account generates a tiny amount of money.

From my understanding (being that this is my first time using the program), when my account reaches a certain threshold, Google will EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) the earning into my bank account.

So now what?

As some of you may know, I’m somewhat of an animal-lover. I say somewhat because I still eat meat. But of all the things that are most important to me in this life, my doggie ranks pretty high on the list.

It has been almost a year and half since the wife and I adopted our beloved little fur-monster and still to this day I feel a debt of gratitude to the organization that helped bring her love into our loving home.

Pet Pro Life is a local non-profit volunteer organization that works to help dogs (and sometimes cats) find new loving homes when the world has turned their back on them, often rescuing animals from kill shelters or really bad situations.

As of today, all generated revenue from the ads on this blog will be donated to help Pet Pro Life continue to find good homes for great animals.

Donation updates will be posted on this blog regularly, so please continue to stop by on a regular basis and don’t be afraid to click on an ad or two.



P.S. I dare you to watch this ASPCA video and not well up–I double-dog dare you.

Phoenix House & Toys for Tots Event

If you've been looking to spread some holiday cheer this year, the Phoenix House could use your help.

Located just down the street from the Santiago Street Lofts, The Phoenix House is a residential substance abuse treatment program for adolescents and adults where residents take an active part in their recovery, and accept the support and insight of their peers under the guidance of dedicated, trained professionals.

This Saturday, The Phoenix House in conjunction with Toys for Tots, is hosting an event where children and families of those in recovery will be given Christmas gifts by Santa Claus himself, played by California State Senator Lou Correa.

So how can you help?
Well, as with any event of this size, volunteers will be needed to help the event run smoothly. In addition, Old Saint Nick could use a few more elves to help with the gift giving.

Also, there is currently a huge shortage of toys for kids (mostly for boys) ages 12 and up. If you drop off a gift by this Friday or before, The Phoenix House will take care of the gift wrapping. If you bring a gift with you to the event this Saturday, please wrap and label your gift so the elves and Santa will know what’s being given.

All gifts given are tax-deductible.

The Phoenix House/Toys for Tots event takes place:

Saturday, December 22, 2007
9:00am to 12:00 noon
1207 East Fruit Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701

For more information on how you can help out, or to sign up as a volunteer, please contact:

Geoff Henderson, M.S.
Senior Program Director
Phoenix Houses of Orange County
(714) 953-9373, ext. 4811 (or his assistant Cathleen at ext. 4812)
ghenderson@phoenixhouse.org

Visit the Phoenix House website.

Support Thomas Anthony Gordon Tonight

Sometime ago, I was in a serious rut due to the hazards of living in Santa Ana for the last year and a half. From having our windows etched by taggers, homeless people throwing their garbage on our porch, to the serious lack of the “play” element that Lennar sold us on before moving here, I felt myself slipping down a dark and hateful path.

What started off as a simple personal chronicle for living in this city, blogging only made me even more frustrated with how poorly the city of Santa Ana is progressing in management, development and the addressing of serious concerns that have infested the city for years.

One day, my wife noticed that a Thomas Anthony Gordon of the Orange Juice Blog had picked up one of my articles and reposted it on their high-traffic Blog. I was shocked and surprised to see that someone not only took the time to read and hear my concerns, but also offered to help find a solution.

Soon after, phone calls to the city were getting returned, emails answered and hope returned to this humble soul. This Thomas guy gave me the soapbox I needed to make this city a better place, and I wanted to thank him.

I did my research on Mr. Gordon and found out that not only was he a strong and level-headed voice writing for the Orange Juice Blog, but also an appointed member of (EPIC), the Early Prevention and Intervention Commission working to reduce crime, gang activity and graffiti in Santa Ana.

After a city council meeting, I asked Michele Martinez, our ward representative/council member to help make the introduction. She pointed in the direction of the man who stood as tall as a Viking, but was as friendly and personable as someone I've known for years.

Staring me straight in the eyes with a firm handshake, I knew from the start that this guy meant business. I asked for advise on how he has been able to not let the city drain him emotionally as it has been doing to me. The more I tried to make the city of Santa Ana a better place, the more I felt my soul being sucked away, I told Thomas.

Thomas was quick to commend the blog and encouraged us as a community to not give up hope. He spoke of the many great things in Santa Ana that I have yet to experience, opening my eyes to future adventures. As a fellow food-lover, Thomas was quick to suggest restaurants for me to visit and review, thus helping local establishments attract new customers. Finally, Mr. Gordon enlightened me to several steps I could take to strengthen our community and to help build relationships with the neighborhoods adjacent to us.

After a two-hour conversation with Thomas Gordon, I felt rejuvenated and recharged. The excitement about living in this city returned to my heart. I was once again glad to have made the move here.

This morning, I was shocked to read that on the city council’s agenda tonight is an effort to remove Mr. Gordon from his position. This is just another example of the back door shenanigans that our dysfunctional council tries to pull for what seems to be only political reasons, and nothing else. I invite all that read this Blog to come support Thomas Gordon who has been championing our voice here at the Santiago Street Lofts for quite some time.

The city council meeting takes place tonight, December 3, 2007, starting at 6:00 P.M. and will he held in the City Council Chambers located within 22 Civic Center Plaza.

You can read more about the story at the OC Register and also at the Orange Juice Blog.

Thomas Gordon was there for me when I was about to give up my efforts to make this city a better place. Tonight I will be Tivo’ing Heroes to help stand up for a real one.

The 23rd Annual Food Wine & Micro-Brew Festival

So the Renaissance meeting for this week has been canceled–That doesn't mean you should cancel that Tivo recording for Earl, 30 Rock and The Office just yet!

This Thursday, October 11th, The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is throwing their Annual Event in the Crystal Court wing of South Coast Plaza from 5:30-8:30PM.

$55 at the door ($50 if you pre-register) gets you into an unlimited, three-hour orgy of mouth-watering goodies from some of the finest local restaurants, wineries, and microbreweries Southern California has to offer.

The admission price is a shock at first glance, but the proceeds go to a great cause of feeding the hungry in Orange County. Besides, where else can you sample multiple high-end restaurants in one sitting at a fraction of the cost of having dinner at just one of them?

Come get drunk with me at South Coast Plaza and later we'll terrorize the employees at the Apple Store!

KidWorks

KidWorks is a great local program focused on restoring at-risk neighborhoods. If you are interested in volunteering, give them a ring.