10 Things to Do to Prepare Your Home for Fall

Fall is a wonderful time in the Tri-Valley — if your home is ready for it. Yes, this is the time of year to fix small problems before they become big, and big ones before they become catastrophic. Here are 10 tips to help: Look up. Examine your roof closely. Remove moss, clear debris from…

6 Tips to Keep You Swimming Safely

When the temperature heats up in the Tri-Valley, all you can think about is cooling off at the local pool or even at {name of nearby lake, river or bay that people frequent for swimming}. Just remember: Where there’s water, there’s risk. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t jump in (carefully) and have some fun with…

Taxes and ID Theft

4 Things to Know About Taxes and Identity Theft In 2014, almost 18 million people in the U.S. were victims of identity theft. Two-thirds of them said they suffered a direct financial loss because of it, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). During tax season, your personal information is particularly vulnerable. After all,…

Your First Spring Garden

How to Create Your First Garden This Spring   From genetically modified crops to the environmental and health effects of pesticides, more and more Tri-Valley residents are questioning whether they should grow what they eat. Wherever you stand on the issues surrounding today’s food supply, however, there are several good reasons to start your own…

Fire-wise landscaping tips

Making a Case for a Fire-Wise Landscape You’ve heard all about the record dry weather across the country, and you’ve probably heard about the increased threat of wildfires, too. But, have you considered the fire risk of your own landscaping here in the Bay Area? While there’s no such thing as a “fire-proof” plant, you…

How Efficiently (or Inefficiently) Do You Use Your Heat?

Many homeowners in Livermore see their energy bills each winter and think, “How can I be spending this much when the house isn’t even that warm?” To get an answer to that question, you should start with some other questions that will help determine just how efficiently you’re heating your home. Where is the warm…

The Light Side of Home Security

Leaving your lights on — is it really a good way to keep burglars away from your Pleasanton home, or can it actually attract them? Or, is it just a “good” way to increase your electricity bill? As with so many questions in life, there isn’t one “right” answer. Using lights to enhance your home security…

Heavy Rain? Be on the Lookout for Heavy Damage

Your home protects you from the elements, but heavy rains can weaken that protection. With a little maintenance and a lot of vigilance, it’s not hard to stay safe and dry. Spring rainstorms are a fact of life in many areas of the country, and they help keep things green, even if they keep you…

5 Dos and Don’ts of Flying a Drone

5 Dos and Don’ts of Flying a Drone   Drones are exploding in popularity in California, and so are the news stories about someone flying too close to a commercial aircraft or shooting down a drone. These are real incidents, but with these five dos and don’ts of drone operation, you don’t have to experience…

How to Check Your Property for Damage After a Storm

How to Check Your Property for Damage After a Storm When a big storm hits the Tri-Valley, you hunker down inside, relying on your home to protect you and your family. Once that storm passes, though, it’s time to repay the favor — identifying damage and protecting your home from further issues. The National Storm…