Preston Castle - Bloodthirst 2: Revenge of the Chupacabras - 02/28/10 05:05 PM
Preston Castle at Ione, CA (1 picture - no slide show)
A sunny day in Sacramento is usually quick to have me hopping out of bed near first light to see what the day has to offer. The plan was to drive south-east out of town on highway 16 and then over to highway 49, to delightful place called Daffodil Hill. I'm really anxious for winter to be gone, and for spring to sprout forth signs the earth is ready to rise anew. Sadly, after driving the 37 miles or so, a lady near the entrance told me, the daffodils aren't quite … (12 comments)
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California State Indian Museum - A Must See - 02/27/10 08:45 PM
This past Thursday, when I wrote the blog about Sutter's Fort, titled, "Just Imagine You Are a Kid Over 150 Years Ago," I wanted to also tell of another fantastic Sacramento visitor attraction, dwelling a few feet outside the walls of the Fort here in Sacramento. It is the California State Indian Museum!The Indian Museum is a wealth of exhibits and artifacts, which make up an astonishing historic collection of our California Native American peoples.When I first entered the museum, I hoped to be able to photograph things inside to share with you on this blog. Alas, the California State … (12 comments)
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Just Imagine You Are a Kid Over 150 Years Ago! - 02/25/10 07:02 PM
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Have You Ever Wondered What Happens to Your Luggage Lost on Airlines - 02/24/10 05:18 PM
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So You are Interested in Buying Distressed Properties - 02/22/10 06:25 PM
It isn't unusual for folks to contact me asking about buying distressed properties. Periodically, I bring out and dust off a great article written by Elyse-Umlauf-Garneau for the California Association of Realtors. It was written back in late 2007. But, the points made are as true today as when first written. It follows here:
Buying Distressed Properties
by: Elyse-Umlauf-GarneauCalifornia Association of RealtorsEvery cloud has a silver lining, and the rise in California home foreclosures is no exception. That's if you're an investor hunting for good deals.Investing in foreclosures is no low-risk venture. You often need to act quickly, have ready cash … (5 comments)
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The Blessing of the Crustaceans - 02/21/10 10:24 AM
Each year at this time, there are a group of rituals that take place in the Greater Sacramento area. These rituals are the Annual Crab Feeds, which various charitable groups, organizations and churches host around town. I really look forward to these events.Last evening, I attended the one for St. Mel's School in Fair Oaks. I have a grandkid that attends there. The parish priest provided the Blessing of the Crustaceans, while wonderful appetizers were being served, and then it was on to the salad, the pasta, the shrimp, and ultimately all the crab you could eat with rolls.My family … (20 comments)
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Ways of Holding Title in California - 02/20/10 04:06 PM
I often receive calls from clients or others, asking about ways to hold title in California. Here's a little information that may assist those who have the same or similar questions:One of the decisions that you will be asked to make as you are completing the purchase of a property, is how you are going to hold title to the property (the vesting). The vesting will appear on the Deed of Trust and the Grant Deed, which are recorded documents. Usually, your escrow officer or lender, or possibly both, will ask you how you want to hold title. The manner in which … (10 comments)
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A Cuban Sprimp Recipe from the Florida Everglades - 02/19/10 10:43 AM
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Florida Key Ecotourism - 02/17/10 07:41 PM
There is an area on Islamorada Key, which hails as a shopping mecca for serious sport fishermen. It is The World Wide Sportsman. The multi storied building, is a wonderful emporium for everything fishing! Inside, there is what is billed as the "sister ship" of Hemmingway's "Pilar." However, some say that it is a replica of the original, which still remains in Cuba. Either way - it is worth climbing aboard and checking it out. When I first tried to photograph it, I kept getting unusual violet streaming lights, that weren't visible to the naked eye, but would show up on … (19 comments)
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Wandering around Key West - 02/16/10 08:25 PM
The opening words of Ernest Hemmingway's "Old Man and the Sea," begin as follows, "There is an old fisherman, Santiago, in Cuba who has gone eighty-four days without a catch. He is "thin and gaunt with deep wrinkles in the back of his neck,...and his hands had deep-creased scars from handling heavy fish on the cords. But none of these scars were fresh. They were as old as erosions in a fishless desert". Santiago's lack of success, though, does not destroy his spirit, as his "cheerful and undefeated" eyes show. He has a single friend, a boy named Manolin. Who … (16 comments)
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The Sons and Daughters of Flipper - 02/15/10 06:16 PM
There were a couple of things acting as catalyst for my making this trip to Florida and Florida Keys. But primarily it was the extraordinary and relentlessly gloomy winter in Sacramento. Other than a couple of days where we had a few minutes of sun, it had been weeks of fog, rain, and overcast skies. Chris, my "Come to Florida Friend," had been after me for years to come her way. She exclaimed, "Come to Florida, and we'll go down to the Keys." When we talked in January, Florida was socked in unusual freeze, which severely froze the citrus crop, and had lizards … (18 comments)
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Perfect Valentine Day Endings and a Beginning or Two - 02/14/10 07:19 PM
One of the more wonderful things about being in the Florida Keys, is the ability to be in a place which produces gorgeous sunsets, as well as equally spectacular sunrises.The Keys are islands connected by bridge. Depending on whether you are looking east at dawn, or west at dusk, will produce copious amounts of eye candy - What's not to love!Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!
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On The Way to Visit Cats with Six Toes - 02/09/10 07:40 PM
Somewhere along the Florida Keys, but before you get to Key West, the southern-most key, is the amazingly beautiful key, Islamorada - the fishing capital of the world. Some scenes above are from my hotel deck, others, are on the grounds of the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant, and the very well stocked World Wide Sportsman outfitters. Those in the Greater Sacramento area, would be able to compare to Cabella's near Reno - although more specialized in fishing.We had amazing lobsters at The Fish Company restaurant last evening, but were equally impressed with the Yellow Tail fish cooked Cuban style at Uncle's … (22 comments)
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Florida Happy Cows - 02/07/10 02:10 PM
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Locating Reliable and Legitimate Mortgage Counseling - 02/05/10 10:04 AM
Before the clock had struck 7:00 am this morning, I received a call from a troubled acquaintance, who is hoping to get a better mortgage, or take advantage of the lower interest rates currently available.Because the news media has provided many reports about foreclosure scams, and many folks are a little gun shy of beginning the process that could very well improve their financial lot.There are a number of qualified, honest and caring professionals trying to help the multitudes with loan modifications. But the question remains - How do you identify a legitimate agency from a scam?There have been so many unscrupulous scam artists … (11 comments)
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The Sting From the Bow - 02/04/10 08:46 PM
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A Superbowl Favorite Recipe - Chili Verde - 02/03/10 10:02 PM
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All in a Day's Work - 02/02/10 09:46 PM
Awhile back I was brainstorming with another real estate professional. Both of us agreed that in addition to helping buyers purchase property, and sellers to sell their homes, we had voluntarily been helping a few past clients, friends and family, to stay in their economically challenged homes during these difficult times.It isn't unusual to receive an occasional call, running the gamut consisting of the following:(1) A friend, who bought a house in the 1990s, built up equity, then put on a second mortgage to finance an improved life-style with boats, RVs, vacations, big screen TVs, etc. (2) A couple, who had … (7 comments)
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A Little Advice From Punxsutawney Phil - 02/01/10 09:00 PM
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