Michelle Calkins and Associates
Home Is At The Lake | California Realtor | Blogger | Team Spirit | Lovers of Life
This weekend playing on the Center Stage in the Lake Arrowhead Village is:
ALL CONCERTS START AT 6:30 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED: BEER GARDEN OPENS 30 MINUTES PRIOR.
Be safe and have fun!
For more info, visit: http://www.thelakearrowheadvillage.com/#!events/c1df4
From DUCK FAT FRIES to FRENCH PRESS, this Bistro is serving an upscale, full-service menu sure to shake your taste buds!
Have you been to the new restaurant Stone Creek Bistro that’s sits in the tiny town of Agua Fria? If you have not stopped in to try out this new restaurant then let me tell you that you are missing out! Stone Creek Bistro is about to have their 1 year Anniversary on July 29 and the community is thriving off the good food and fun atmosphere they have provided. 
From the front page of their website: {We feature seasonally driven produce, locally sourced dairy and meats, and house-made desserts, all created with love and passion by chef Sam Perry. Our menu is moderately priced, with an eclectic mix of regional American comfort food and traditional French bistro cuisine. We use time-honored recipes as well as some cutting-edge molecular-gastronomy techniques} 
For those of you who have experienced the “New American/ French Spice/ Southern Flair” that Stone Creek is cooking up then I can bet I am making your mouth salivate just by blogging about this 😉
If you have not had the chance yet to try what Chef Sam Perry is dishing up, then I suggest you stop what you are doing and make a reservation tonight! Two of my favorite dishes are the Ahi Tuna Tartare Appetizer $14 and the Braise Lamb Osso Bucco $29!
Don’t forget to ask about the “Blue Plate Special.” 
Stone Creek Bistro is Family owned and operated, literally almost every employee is a brother, cousin, spouse or parent! The chalk art on the walls and menu boards are hand drawn by Sam’s wife Jamie Perry. Sonny Perry Sr. can be seen greeting all who come in, he is also the one who does all the beer and wine ordering, and if you were wondering… yes the beer and wine selection is just as good as the food! 
I am such a huge fan of the Interior décor. The chalk board menus, the lighting and the pallet walls are just the perfect modern touch! Sonny built the bar top with his own hands out of his garage, and all the tables came from local antique stores. 
Stone Creek Bistro Hours are:
Dinner hours: Tues – Thurs 5pm – 9pm Fri & Sat 5pm – 10pm Sun: 5pm – 9pm
For reservations call: 909-337-3663 ( Reservations are highly suggested)
Coming this Summer ~ Outdoor Patio!
For more information on the Stone Creek Bistro and to see their full menu, visit their website at http://www.stonecreekbistro.com
Pictures provided by yours truly: Michelle Calkins Realtor
Are your weeds getting out of control? Do you have pine needles accumulating on your roof? It is that time of year again that we need to start clearing away all the brush that winter left behind. Do your part to help prevent forest fires!
In Arrowhead Woods as in other forested areas, fuel load – the vegetation available to feed a wild fire – is always a threat, all year around.
Houses are prime fuel, and there is not enough fire equipment on the mountain to protect all of the homes from a major wild fire.
Home owners can lessen their risk and improve the chances for their residence to survive a wild fire by creating “defensible space” around it. In Arrowhead Woods and throughout the mountains, this means tree trimming, brush cutting, clearing roofs, decks and grounds.
The “right roof” is essential. New construction or re-roofing in Arrowhead Woods requires the most fire resistant class “A” materials, such as clay or concrete tile, fibrous cement shake, metal tile or Fiberglass composition.
Homeowners can reduce wildfire hazard by landscaping with fire resistant plants, thinning, creating distance between vegetation and buildings and pruning overhanging branches and bushy shrubs along access roads to provide passage for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles.
Each year, county agriculture commission inspectors look for fire hazards. Typically, they require:
1. Grass and weeds mowed to four inches in height or less.
2. Tree trimmings to be removed completely.
3. Firewood stored out of doors to be stacked neatly.
4. Heavy brush thinned to eliminate dead branches and leaves.
5. Pine needles and leaves no more than two inches deep.
6. Flammable vegetation and pine needles cleared for 30 feet around all structures. If property slopes more than 15 percent, 100 feet clearance is required.
7. Vegetation and pine needles cleared for 10 feet from any road.
8. Removal of flammable refuse, including dead plants.
9. Removal of tree limbs over buildings or within 10 feet of chimney opening. A half-inch mesh chimney spark arrestor should be visible from the ground.
10. No flammable vegetation, leaves or pine needles on roofs.
Conditions, covenants and restrictions on property in Arrowhead Woods call for tree trimming and removal to be approved by the Arrowhead Woods Architectural Committee. Tree trimming along the lake front must also be approved by the Arrowhead Lake Association.
Tree work done without approval will result in damage assessment against the property owner.
The Committee finds trimming solely to improve a view especially offensive. It is likely to approve tree trimming for fire hazard abatement; for clearing around a structure or chimney; to correct hazards such as dead wood or weak limbs or forks or corrections prescribed by a tree expert, such as sanitation of infection by fungus, mistletoe or other pest.
Requests for approval a tree pruning, shaping, cutting or altering will result in a site visit by an AWAC inspector. The owner is sent written notice of the decision. For detailed information, call AWAC at 909-336-2755.
(Information was provided by lakearrowheadnews.com and the Fire Safe Council)
If you need any phone numbers of local contractors and landscapers, just send me a email and I will provide that information right away!
The 2014 Annual Antique & Classic Wooden Boat Show will take place Saturday, June 7th & Sunday, June 8th at the Lake Arrowhead Village
Antique boats will vie for trophies and can be viewed up close at the Lake Arrowhead Village docks.
On display throughout the village will be vintage woodie cars, hot rods, antique wooden boat models and early outboard motors. Antique boats will also be for sale throughout the village.
The feature boat of this year’s show will be Empress, a 1938 Gar Wood 22-foot model 915 Streamliner. Only 9 of these rare beauties were ever built. The Streamliner was intended to revolutionize the runabout market with the practicality of three cockpits forward, with seating for eleven persons in a 22-foot boat. The rear engine and V-drive configuration was very unusual in the 1930s.
The show is produced by the Rim of the World Historical Society with the assistance of the Antique & Classic Boat Society, the Arrowhead Lake Association, the Lake Arrowhead Village, the Up The Hill Woodie Club, Street Rods Forever and the Trompers.
For further information, call 909-336-6666
For more info, visit this website: http://www.rimoftheworldhistory.com/society.html#boatshow
I am sure you have all seen the iconic round building that sits in the middle of the Lake Arrowhead Village… If you have not, then you have not been to Lake Arrowhead. Let me introduce to you the famous Lake Arrowhead Papagayos! I may be biased to the establishment because after I first moved up here to Lake Arrowhead, they were the first place to give me a job! I bartended at Papagayos for 5 years/4 summers and I loved every shift I ever worked! No matter if you are a first time visitor or a regular local, you will be treated like family!
Papagayos opened their doors in 1983 at its original location in Agua Fria. In 2005 Papagayos made the big move to the iconic round building in the heart of the Lake Arrowhead Village! The following summer, Papagayos opened their lake side patio and to this day is still family owned and operated. In 2012 Breakfast was introduced and is served on Saturday’s and Sunday’s. Papagayos is known for their annual Cino De Mayo celebration, their mascot Clyde the Parrot and the ever memorable or not so memorable One Step Margaritas! If you have ever had a One Step, then you know what I am talking about. I had a customer ask me once what kind of truth serum I poured in the margarita… Still one of my favorite comments about the One Step to this day!
Regardless of the weather outside, you will feel a sense of escape when you walk through the front doors. A quote from one of Jimmy Buffett’s songs greets you when you walk in the door, “Change Your Latitude!” You might even notice a few other Jimmy Buffett quotes on the walls, or maybe see if you can’t find the lost shaker of salt! 😉
No matter what time of year or what the weather is like outside you can count on Papagayos to stick to their operating hours. I am a sucker for the summer time weather and the atmosphere on the patio, but winter time snow days are also one of my favorite times to sit inside and watch the snow fall!
Papagayos Operating Hours are:
Mon – Fri: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sun: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Phone: (909) 337-9529
Sundays on the Patio you can find live music being played by Tim Grossman from 2-6.
For more info on Papagayos, visit their we-site at http://www.papagayosonline.com/
You can also visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Papagayos83
If you happen to snap any pictures of you and your friends enjoying your time at Papagayos, make sure to hashtag: #PapagayosLakeArrowhead #PapagayosPatio #Partio and #LakeArrowhead
Below you will see the Patio Bar! The Patio Bar has been open since 2008, there you can get Papagayos street tacos and nachos. This is one of my favorite summer time hangouts!
These Pictures were taken by yours truly, Michelle Calkins
Hello all! It is Broker Tour Day Thursday which means… I pass along my favorite new listings I persoanlly saw. Today there were to many to choose, so I decided to give you 5 listings to look at! Remember if you want to see any of these listings or have any questions shoot me an email, or give me a call! Enjoy!
1: 28723 Potomac Dr, Lake Arrowhead, $170,000 ( This house has Lake Right) ~ DO NOT LET THIS ONE GO… THIS IS A SELL FAST PRICE WITH LAKE RIGHTS! QUICK CALL ME TODAY! This house is on an access road. http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=1163070&idx=1
2: 27567 West Shore, Lake Arrowhead, $3,299,000! If you are looking for a perfect turnkey Lake Front, this is it! It is absolutly stunning and even comes with an elevator! I will post more pictures as they are loaded into the system. Look for my blog on this beauty in a few days!
3: 749 Brentwood Drive, Lake Arrowhead, $1,995,000. This beauty sits on the Golf Course! I personally loved the movie theater room! Here is a link to see more pictures! http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=1166052&idx=1
4: 185 Mile High, Crestline, Mile High Park, $179,000. What a cutie, this house is located in Mile High Park and has a fabulous mountain view! Snag this one before it is gone! http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=1117849&idx=1
5: 117 Pineridge Rd, Crestline, Mile High Park, $389,000. Level entry, flat lot and lots of charm! I pointed this house out before I knew it was the one we were going to. Soooo cute!
Crestline Chamber of Commerce is putting together a Fishign Derby every 2nd Saturday. Starts at 7am, tickets are $20! Tickets are available at Goodwins, 7-Eleven and Lake Drive Hardware! Grand prize of $1,000!
For more info visit their web-site at: http://www.crestlinechamber.net
Crestline Chamber of Commerce is putting on the Wine and Stein…Walk through the Pines! First Saturday of the month 4pm to 8pm ~ $20 Entry fee. Food ` Music ` Vendors ` Wine ` Craft Beer ` Prizes
For more info visit http://www.crestlinechamber.net
On occasion when I tell people I live in Arrowhead, the question arises… “Is that where Arrowhead Water comes from?”
Have you heard of Arrowhead Water? Have you ever drank Arrowhead Water? The big question is, where does Arrowhead Water come from?
The following info was found on Wikipedia:
Arrowhead Water, also known as Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water, is a brand of drinking water that is sold in the western United States, particularly in Arizona, the Northwest, and in California, where it is sometimes produced.
Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water takes its name from a natural rock formation in the San Bernardino Mountains shaped like a giant arrowhead. The arrowhead is naturally barren; it is not manicured in any way. Native American legend says the formation was burned in the mountain by the fall of an arrow from Heaven, showing the way to the healing hot springs. Adjacent streams and springs are the original source and namesake of Arrowhead water.
The first documented reference to Arrowhead springs (Agua Caliente) was in records of priests stationed at Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, around 1820. David Noble Smith was the founder of the first sanitarium facilities at Arrowhead Springs in 1863, which were used to treat patients with tuberculosis and numerous other ailments. By the 1880s, the Arrowhead waters were famous for their supposed curing powers. By the early 20th century, the hot springs were a popular resort for tourism and vacationing.
In 1909, The Arrowhead Springs Company was formed and the company’s water products were marketed in Southern California. The water was transported from Arrowhead Springs, north of San Bernardino, California, to Los Angeles in glass-lined railroad tank cars. In 1917, the bottling operations moved to a new plant in Los Angeles. In 1929, the Arrowhead Springs Company merged with the company that marketed Puritas water, and began co-marketing the Puritas products with Arrowhead water. Puritas water products were first introduced in Los Angeles in 1894.
The Arrowhead and Puritas brands were bottled in the same plants and co-marketed until the 1970s. Arrowhead Springs marketed the brands in separate containers that sometimes carried the Arrowhead or Puritas names alone, but containers were often labeled “Arrowhead and Puritas.” The Arrowhead Beverage Company was the bottler for many different brands of water and soft drinks including seltzer, fruit-flavored soda, and ginger ale.
In 1932, another important development for the company happened in the Los Angeles area, as it was named the official water refreshment of that year’s Olympic Games, held at the City of the Stars.
Arrowhead water returned to the Olympic Games again in 1984, when the games were again held in Los Angeles.
As of 2008, according to the their bottle label, sources of water used are:
A local water source since 2010 is located in Ruby Mountain Springs, Chaffee County, Colorado.
Other labels found in Washington list a source of the water as Hope Springs, Hope, British Columbia.
Do you own a home in a resort community? Do you find your self using the house less and less each year? If you are not at the point where you want to sell it, then why not try renting it! Of course if you want to sell it, please call me and I can give you a free market analysis on your home! 😉 But in the meantime, why not try making money by renting your vacation home!
Have you ever heard of VRBO.com?
I am specifically highlighting VRBO today because it is one of my personal favorite rental web-sites. I have personally used VRBO in the USA and even throughout Europe. It is such a great way to dive into the city and live like a local for a couple days. You can bring the whole family, cook your own meals and in some areas, like Lake Arrowhead, you can even use the lake! Of course in Lake Arrowhead we do have stick rules to follow, so make sure you include a guidline in your rental agreement and be very clear as to where they should and should not go.
In Lake Arrowhead alone, there are 188 current rental listings on the VRBO site. These listings range from Cottages to Lake Fronts and from 2 people to as many as you can fit! Some of the rentals have kayaks to use and others have Jacuzzi’s! Some have views and others have pure privacy and serenity! Cabins start at $110 a night and go up from there depending on where your house is located, and how many people it sleeps.
For more info on VRBO, just visit their website at vrbo.com.
There are also a couple local rental companies that offer vacation rentals and long term rental services. I just really like VRBO and wanted to share a little bit about them! 🙂
MY TIPS TO A GREAT RENTAL LISTING:
Get professional pictures done to help enhance your cabins beauty. I know first hand that pictures are the gateway to drawing people in, you have to make them fall in love with the house before they arrive! Leave out any pictures with people in them. It is an unnecessary picture that may make the renter look at the next listing.
Keep your house neutral. Treat it like a Hotel. The furnishings and décor should be non-personal. You want your future renters to feel like they are at home, not your home.
Keep one locked closet with any personal items that you do not want to share with the world.
Highlight any nearby parks, or trails. If you are catering to families with kids, try adding a picture of the local playground or swimming area!
Try investing in a Jacuzzi, it is always a selling point for mountain rentals!
Provide Wi-Fi for your guests.
Last but not least… Don’t forget to use the house yourself!
Here are a few examples of some fantastic rentals from the VRBO website:
http://www.vrbo.com/514845 $110-$50 per night, This cabin is a 1 bedroom.
http://www.vrbo.com/341887 $650-$843 per night.
http://www.vrbo.com/503582 $195-$315 per night. http://www.vrbo.com/387116# $425-$575 per night.
Remember we are only an hour and half away form LA, when people escape to the pines they really get a sense of relief from all the hustle and bustle!
Michelle Calkins and Associates 