The Buzz

Kevin Jackson reports: I'm writing from Dallas, after having been on GBTV for two days and attending Glenn Beck's Restoring Love event, which was phenomenal. … But I do wonder if we can restore love, when the Left is all about hate. Love is ALL around them, but they choose to see racism, elitism, and in things that make America great like capitalism, Judeo-Christian values, and the military. There are far more acts of kindness in the world than racism, but the Left look through jaundiced eyes. And all for the sake of power. For an ideology that simply doesn't work, even in theory. I blame the Left for the condition of America, but I blame us for letting them get their foothold. We are well past time for standing up, and Restoring Love means in my book Restoring TOUGH Love!” http://www.theblacksphere.org

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New product in OC stores: Hope Hummus has a local connection, but the product sells out so fast Mission Viejo residents are having trouble finding it. Alek Ramoska grew up in Mission Viejo and left for Colorado to attend college. Alek and two friends developed Hope Hummus and started their company in Boulder in April 2011. Visit their website, http://hopehummus.com/

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Although developer UDR is moving forward with its controversial high-density housing project on east Los Alisos, it is withdrawing in some other areas. From the July 17 Wall Street Journal: “Apartment developer UDR Inc. is pushing forward with its plan to build up its portfolio in places like New York and Washington, while jettisoning properties in markets where it doesn't want to expand, despite a lack of enthusiasm from some investors regarding the strategy. In its latest deal, UDR, Highlands Ranch, Colo., has sold 15 apartment communities with nearly 5,000 apartments in Phoenix, Jacksonville, Fla., Dallas and Richmond, Va. The buyer, DRA Advisors LLC, paid $477 million in the deal, which closed last month and is one of the largest multifamily deals this year.” http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120717-712231.html

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Blog reader J.C. commented: “After reading about other cities in financial trouble, I would expect some of them to start selling city-owned real estate instead of filing for bankruptcy. I don’t know what would prevent them from selling things like parks, and enticing buyers with a prospect of rezoning the parcels to housing.”

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Exercise in a fun way. Try Ramblin' Rogues' Beginning Square Dance Class. Registration dates are Sept. 6, 13 and 20. Class time and location: Norman Murray Community Center, 14932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $6 per class. Couples and singles are welcome, and no dance experience is necessary. Wear casual attire and comfortable shoes. Class runs Thursday nights through June. Make this your year to get moving! For more information, call Sy or Judy (949) 322-8790.