Archive for the 'This and That' Category
Homes Saved; Dozens of Others Lost
July 15th, 2008 categories: This and That
We’ll, by now, if you live anywhere in the North Valley or foothill region and if you are at all like me, you are probably pretty tired of the relentless smoke that seems to stubbornly hang in the air. Although, that inconvenience pales in comparison to the difficulties faced by the dozens of fire victims who lost their homes to the recent fires. It is certainly a tough time for many people in our area.
The good news, however, is that the smoke seems to be lifting with most of the evacuation orders in the fire affected areas of places like Paradise and Concow. Let’s hope that the worst is behind us.
One home that was spared from the fire, was the spec house we had in escrow located just below Paradise on Tuscan Dr. The day after my first fire blog post of June 11th, I found a window of opportunity early in the morning to drive up the Skyway towards the fire and our home. I spent all morning and into the afternoon with a friend from Magalia cutting hand line and laying hose and sprinklers in preparation for the fire that was burning just below us to the West.
My main concern, as the smoke below gradually moved South, was that we would get fire in the brush filled canyon that chimneys up to the road at the end of the Tuscan Dr. cul-de-sac. And, as these pictures show, that is exactly what happened. The total lack of fire resources on our street, prompted me to call the fire information number I somehow remembered from the previous nights local news cast.
It was sometime around 2:00 in the afternoon when the flames started up the canyon and towards the homes on our street and the many others that eventually burned just to our south off of Neal Rd. and adjacent neighborhoods. I advised the gentlemen on the phone that we had fire coming at us and that I was concerned that I had not seen, even a single fire engine in our area. He explained that he did not know where that street or subdivision was, but he would look into it and see what he could do. Within minutes, there was first one state employee, followed closely by about 2 strike teams of OES Fire Engines and Personel.
The last photo seen in this slide show was taken just after the police demanded we evacuate. Stuck in Paradise that night, due to road closures, I spent a long night at friends’ and checked on the house the next morning. It, and each of the others in our subdivision, were all fine. Unfortunately, that was not the case for the many others that were lost that night.
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Fast Moving Fire East of Chico, CA
June 11th, 2008 categories: This and That
Pushed by strong North winds and dry conditions, this fast moving fire broke out around 12:30 this afternoon.
Now I know this isn’t really real estate sales related information. And, maybe I’m playing a bit too much reporter… But, the “fire dog” in me felt compelled to share a pic, or two.
I first noticed this fire while driving East on Hwy 32 on my way up to Paradise from Chico. I didn’t have my camera at that time. At that time it was probably about 5 acres and initial attack was still responding and air support had yet to arrive. These photos were taken about an hour later when it was probably a couple of hundred acres.
My first concern is for any people, homes and animals located in the fires path to the South. My experience with fire in these conditions has me doubting that this fire will be stopped before threatening homes, especially in the areas in and around Stilson Canyon. And, even scarier if it gets into Butte Creek Canyon. When pushed by 25 mile an hour North winds, fires in these tinder-dry conditions are extremely difficult to stop without some sort of reprieve from mother nature.
I wish everyone well.
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Tube Good to Pass Up…
April 25th, 2008 categories: This and That
Okay… so, we took a little time last night to veg-out on some TV…
Unfortunately, our 200 channels or so didn’t seem to offer anything that we felt like watching. And, news was not an option, especially for my wife. I mean how much depressing news can a person take? Beyond that, election fatigue began right around “Super Tuesday”.Flipping through our typical favorite channels, we came across the 1999, Reese Witherspoon-John Cussack movie, Election. Now, this is a pretty funny movie… even though, we had both seen it before… we settled in and watched.
The difference, we noticed this time around (one that made the movie even funnier), was the obvious likeness one of the characters shared with one of our esteemed Presidential candidates.
I mean, it was uncanny. And, we had some good laughs because of it. Inspired to see if we were the first to make this connection, I quickly visited Youtube, only to discover that our observations were actually not new. In fact, someone had actually created a video clip using footage from the movie. I felt compelled to share… hope you enjoy…
Uhmmm… I know. I’m supposed to limit my blog musings to real estate, mortgage, and local Chico themes. Politics are definitely a “No, No”.
They say to stick to what’s safe or, run the risk of offending someone and alienating the very people who help put food on the table and pay the rent (mortgage). You know… the client. And, for the most part, I have bit my tongue and respected that rule… just good business practice, I suppose.
But, every once in a while… you’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do, even if that means breaking a rule now and then.
Some things are just too good to pass up. And, I don’t think anybody should truly be offended. But, in the unfortunate event that you are, my apologies. But, for those of you who share my sense of humor and growing sense of election fatigue, watch the movie. It is pretty darn funny.
Oh, yes. There are many great Chico, Ca real estate deals out there that are just too goo to pass up! Stay tuned and I will tell you about some of them…
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Blogging at 3:00 A.M.; Not just for Crackheads
April 1st, 2008 categories: This and That
OKAY… so, really it was about 4 in the morning when I woke up, but 3 a.m. just sounded better than 4. I ‘m not really sure why I couldn’t sleep. Regardless of what my photo on the “About” page might lead you to believe, I do not use crack and am normally sound asleep at this time of the morning. So, why am I awake and writing this silly blog now?
It could have been the restless thoughts in my head about all of the things I have to get done today… you know… the phone calls, meetings, listing appointments, files to manage, blogging… oh, and tennis lessons start today. Busy, busy, busy.
Or, maybe I just can’t sleep because I was anticipating the “cold hand, get-back” my wife promised to wake me up with this morning. This sinister retaliation was sure to come around 6 o’clock this morning (when normally I would be sleeping cozy as a baby) as a result of the afront I launched upon her sleepy self before we went to sleep last night. I guess I started it. And she did warn that my attack on her would result in a swift and decisive counter attack. Or, at least, as she predicted, a very early morning for me wondering if and when the attack would come. I guess she wins this round. But, at least no shocking wake up.
Maybe I’m just experiencing the creative energy that is proported by some to be especially strong at this time of day. According to inspirational writer, speaker, and beach lover, Wayne Dyer, we are most clear of mind and creative at this time in the early morning (I saw him speak in San Francisco once). The things we do for the people we love. Well… it wasn’t so bad.
Or, perhaps more likely, my sleeplessness comes from what this BIG calendar day represents. April 1st, or April Fool’s Day, is steeped in tradition in my family. There is a great deal of pressure to pull a good prank on someone, before they have a chance to pull one on you. And, this year, I have been so busy with other important things, that I don’t have any good jokes planned. I am uncomfortably vulnerable to getting got.
At least it won’t be by a cold hand wake-up….. Oh, she is going to be so mad… Let the games begin.
Happy April Fool’s Day!
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“BB King”, California’s Best Realtor?
March 20th, 2008 categories: This and That
What I discovered on-line the other day, stunned me.
I was checking out the competition on-line the other day. I do that occasionally. What I stumbled upon, as I bounced around real estate link after real estate link in google, was truly stunning. On one particular random site, was a testimonial quote from someone, who I can only presume is, or was a client of, the particular Chico Realtor he was hyping. For now I will refer to this local agent as, “BB”…you know…to protect the innocent and what not.
As it turns out, according to the testimony, BB is “the Best Realtor in California”.
Wow! I thought… this is amazing. What an astonishing revelation. This guy is the “king” of California real estate (think of the film, American Beauty). And therefore, it would only be appropriate to call him, “BB King”.
Mystery solved.
I guess I had better pack it in and get to searching those job classifieds for a new career. So, as I was cleaning out my desk and dialing the DRE, it dawned on me… How can this guy possibly know who the best Realtor in California is? I mean, has he done business with every single one of the 500,000 or so, licensed real estate agents in CA to reach that conclusion? And, does that mean that his reign is limited the state line? If so, one would have to conclude that there is some better agent in some other state (sorry, southern California). I know… hard to imagine. We need to send out some delegates and get this thing figured out.
Now, BB King (the real BB King), is arguably the greatest blues guitarist of all time and deserving of that recognition. The mere fact that I don’t have to explain to you who he is, speaks to this truth. Now, our “BB King”, on the other hand… well, I just don’t know. I mean, he does seem to be pretty good at what he does. But, “the Best”? Maybe so. I don’t know. What do you think?
Run with it, BB. You may have your new tagline here. Hail to the King!
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