Attention: Toyota Truck and SUV Owners

“Catalytic Converter Theft Warning” (Courtesy of a local Boeing employee)

Just when you thought you’ve heard it all, something else comes along. Thieves are stealing catalytic converters off parked cars at an increasing rate. This is a trend that is happening all over the country and has recently found its way to El Segundo and other surrounding South Bay communities.

Chances are most vehicle owners don’t even know that they have a catalytic converter. But scrap metal thieves do. This device, mounted beneath your vehicle, helps control emissions as part of the exhaust system.

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foreclosure CNBC is reporting a 90% jump in housing foreclosures in May 2007 when compared with May 2006. Nevada is leading the foreclosure trend, followed by Colorado and California. California is the largest state hit by high foreclosure rates, increasing more than 350% from May 2006. Statistically in California, there is 1 foreclosure filed for every 308 households. California also has the sad honor of harboring the nation’s top 3 metro area foreclosures, with Stockton leading the pack at 1 foreclosure per 88 households, Merced at 1 foreclosure per 100 households, and Modesto at 1 foreclosure at 118 households. Other California cities with high foreclosure rates included Riverside-San Bernardino (No. 5), Vallejo-Fairfield (No. 6), and Sacramento (No. 7). Source: CNBC.

If you are a transplant to the state of California like I am, then you know how stressful moving is. Moving to California is not just about adjusting to a new state – or in my case – a different coast. When I moved from New York to California, I felt like I was uprooting myself and my entire life across 3000 miles. More »

Some time ago Southbay Residents may remember a news story about an officer being shot and paralyzed. Officer Kristina Ripatti was a Los Angeles police officer and became paralyzed when a suspect shot her multiple times. One bullet remains lodged in her spine, paralyzing her. See the CBS 2 announcement of the show. More »

I filled up on gas this afternoon, and my gas bill came to $49 for a full tank of regular unleaded gas – and I don’t even drive an SUV! Gas Buddy is a tool that will let you search for – and to report – the cheapest gas prices you can find in the area. With gas prices going the way that it’s been going, I’ll be checking with Gas Buddy before I fill up the fuel tank – and no road trips for a while!