The End of the Golf Season

View from the 4th green towards the 3rd fairway at Sonoma Golf Course

Golf is somewhat of an obsession with me.  I would never have believed it had I been told that this would come to be the case – but, alas, it is.  Tom is not out on a course as often as I but he certainly watches more of the Golf Channel than I do.  We enjoy playing, watching and analyzing golf.  So in the final days of Indian summer we volunteer to marshal at the Charles Schwab Cup Tournament.  If you do not know what this tournament is, you are not alone.  There are avid golfers who do not know.  Each year the Charles Schwab Cup is the prize for having the “best” cumulative season on the Champions Tour.  Okay, you ask, “What is the Champions Tour?”  The Champions Tour is the “old” guys tour – over 50.  Some of them didn’t look all that old to me!  

Nick Price and Barbara Shula - photograph by Nick's caddie

The Charles Schwab Cup Tournament is the year end tournament and the culmination of the Cup competition.  The winner of the tournament is usually a different player than the winner of the Cup so there is still reason to play even if a player is not in the running for the Cup.  It is a smaller tournament as only the top 30 money winners are invited to participate.  Tom and I each captained the marshals for one hole.    I captained a par 3 hole and Tom captained a par 5 hole. Marshals are the people you see on TV who are holding their hands up and asking people to be quiet, looking for the arrant golf ball and making life easier for the players.  It is quite a bit of work but a lot of fun.  The people in contention for the Cup this year were Loren Roberts (who ended up winning), Fred Funk, Bernhard Langer and Jay Haas.   Loren Roberts took the Cup and John Cook won the tournament.  Okay, that is probably more than you wanted to know about all of that but I needed to set the stage for my pictures.  Wednesday is the Pro Am where each player pairs with four amateurs for a round of golf.  While many of the workers (and I am sure some of the players) hate this day – it is my favorite.  That is because some of the players are very relaxed and enter into conversations.  Two of the friendliest players are Nick Price and Jay Haas.  Both welcomed a photo session.  “Chuck” Schwab was the photographer one photo.  He was having a great day out with Jay Haas.  Nick Price is not only a player but is a network commentator for the PGA Tour.

Tony Broome, Barbara Shula and Jay Haas - Photograph by Charles Schwab

For the last seven years this tournament has been held in Sonoma County at the Sonoma Golf Club on Arnold Drive between Glen Ellen and the town of Sonoma.  In those seven years, two million dollars was raised  for local charities.  Next year the tournament is moving to Harding Park in San Francisco.  We hope to work that tournament as the tour would like the same crew but we will have to wait and see if the City of SF has other plans.  It is usually the last week of October.  Thankfully we had incredible weather this year – no rain, pleasant temperature.

So our golf life has continued.  Yesterday we played a brisk 9 holes at Northwood Golf Course in Monte Rio.  Tomorrow we are leaving for Palm Springs and plan to get out at least twice while there.  I am certainly looking forward to improving my game this year.

Living with Chalean Extreme

Since May of 2008, Tom and I have been doing exercises that are beyond what we had ever considered prior to getting into the range of senior citizenship.  Yes, we have been late to the game but Tom ordered P90X from a Beachbody infomercial.  Our journey began.  Since then, we have done P90X three times, Slim in Six, Turbo Jam and a variety of one off routines from Beachbody. 

October 1 was our first day of Chalean Extreme.  Tomorrow we are completing our 4th week.  Every muscle in my body is screaming – “What are you doing?”  They had better be burning fat, too!  This has been a great experience.  The advantages that I see for Chalean Extreme (CE) over P90X is the huge time commitment difference.  The X is a minimum of an hour every day and many are 90 minutes.  That is really tough to get into the schedule – and I need to work out in the morning or it is less likely to happen.  I got razzing about showing up a meetings with wet hair and having difficulty walking up stairs.  CE is mostly days of 35 minutes of workout with a couple of the cardio days with a total of 58 minutes.  Much easier to fit into the day.  Believe me, I cannot do anything else after the workouts are over.  On the other hand, my body seems to recover quicker to being able to do the list of life’s daily chores.  I can manage to work in the yard as well as do my regular activities with just the feel of sore muscles and not the exhaustion that drives me to the sofa.

I am, also, finding that it is easier to maintain a low calorie diet with CE.  It may just be the mental state I am in right now but I don’t have that craving for food that I sometimes experienced with P90X.  We are just completing the BURN stage of CE and I expect that the PUSH stage is going to be more intense.  My abs are screeching, “How can it be more intense?  I am dying here!”

If you want to check out any Beachbody product, you can visit my Beachbody website at www.sonoma-rose.com.  I am a coach and I would love to help you get fit!

Efren Carrillo’s Fiesta

Fiesta at the Guerneville Veteran's Building

Friday night was a big bash in Guerneville.  A fiesta in support of Efren Carrillo, 5th district supervisor for Sonoma County, brought out the town.  Well, more than the town since we were there from Forestville and we even saw some Sebatopolians and Santa Rosans.  I believe that all the living past 5th district supervisors were in attendance – all looking much less stressed than when they were in office.  There was a contingent of activists sporting T-Shirts asking that the landfill remain in the hands of the county.  (There is a proposal that the landfill be sold to a private company who would then get all of the garbage from Sonoma County.  It is a long story and can be read by googling “Mecham Landfill Sale”.)  Generally the 300+ people were there to thank Efren for representing the community in the multitude of issues that effect us – use of the Russian River, building codes and land use are just a few that are on the minds of Russian River residents.

Sveta Lynch with the Kitchen Help

The event was held at the Guerneville Veteran’s Memorial Building.  Food was provided by  class=”hiddenSpellError” pre=”by “>Taqueria La Tapatia, the almost famous Mexican restaurant of Guerneville.  The kitchen staff was a mix of politicos and fun loving people.  Oh, maybe they were all some of each.  The margaritas were small and the wine was plentiful.  The beverage people all seemed to be my old cohorts from the Frank Howard Allen office in Guerneville.  The Mariachi band was loud and authentic.  It was great to see everyone having a good time.

Efren Carrillo helping in the Kitchen

The Q3 Real Estate Report is Out

Every quarter we wait for the quarterly report to see if the numbers agree with how the market seems to be from an activity perspective.  It is always interesting to read how the number crunchers interpret the data.  For Q3 there is a mixed bag for Sonoma County.  As a whole, year to year comparisons are that the prices are down and the activity is slightly down.  But that is only part of the picture.  For Sebastopol, Forestville and Guerneville, the volume is up 38% from Q3-08 to Q3-09.  2008 was a very slow year in Forestville but 20 homes were sold in the last 3 months.

The buzz in the news is that there is not going to be that huge glut of foreclosures this next year.  The number of foreclosures in California have leveled off instead of escalating as predicted earlier in the year.  According to information on California released by MDA DataQuick on Tuesday, 50,013 homes were foreclosed upon in the three months ended Sept. 30, down from 79,511 for the same period in 2008.  They report an increase in default notices but the banks are attempting to keep people in their homes if at all possible. 
 The bottom of the market is being bought up by investors and first time home buyers as quickly as it enters the market.  While looking at properties in San Jose yesterday, we had to juggle around other Realtors and their clients while looking at homes priced for multiple offers.  This is happening throughout Northern California.  This is making the purchase of a home for first time buyers difficult as any reasonably nice single family dwelling is receiving cash offers.  An FHA borrower cannot compete against all cash.  The strategies to get into contract are more than price and it takes real perseverance to be successful.

Meanwhile, we are seeing a renewed interest in higher end properties.  This is good news for everyone as it signals an increase in comsumer confidence.  I am certainly feeling more confident about the real estate market – but that could pass!

Look for the Q3 Market Report for Sonoma County within the next week.  If you do not receive one, email me with your current address.  If you would like to get the Q3 Market Report for another Northern California area (like San Francisco, Contra Costa or Santa Clara counties), just ask.  I am happy to send them along.

Fall in Sonoma County

This last weekend I heard someone lament that California does not have “seasons”.  Now I know that seasons are different in other parts of the country but I beg to differ that we do not have seasons.   We have winter but no snow.  That is fine with me.  I went to school in Boulder, Colorado and as seldom as it snowed in Boulder, it was too much.  We have rain but we, also, have those wonderful weeks of sun.   The most common complaint of Easterners is that we do not have Fall colors.  Well, take a look at these grapevines.  Northern California has a few trees that have leaves that turn to bright colors in the fall.  Most of them are non-native.  We have a native plant – poison oak – that turns a beautiful red this time of year.

Vineyard on West Dry Creek Road

We had a small touch of winter the last week.  It was a wet and windy couple of days that turned our golden hills green.  Of course, this week we had one day of rain and are expecting 80 degrees and sunshine for the rest of the week.  When it becomes full winter, I will talk more about what it is like. 

Just remember that Fall in the Wine Country is colorful, beautiful and easy live in.

Bas Molenkamp – October 2009 Artist Profile

For the last eight years I have been writing an Artist Profile for our local monthly paper, The Gazette.   The paper was first The Forestville Gazette – then The West County Gazette and now - The Sonoma County Gazette.   The publisher, Vesta Copestakes  is a tireless community advocate and a tremendous asset to our community.  If you ever meet her, you will be infected by her love of the county and life in general.  She asked if I would write an article when she first began privately publishing the paper.  Today there is still a local cast of writers who fill the pages with good news, current events and controversial topics.  The first seven years I wrote a monthly article so there are close to 84 artists whom I have interviewed.  Wow, when I think of it that way, I am amazed that so many articles have been written.  No wonder I cannot remember all of their names.  This year I have only done an article every other month.  Let’s face it – I have taken up this blog, have a new grandchild and am trying to make a living in a very down real estate market.  

To date I have not posted any of my Artist Profiles on this blog.  Why?  Because I have just never gotten around to it.  Now that is a pity because it is material already written and everyone tells me that they like to read it.  So I am offering you my most recent artist – Bas Molenkamp.  His paintings are currently being shown at the Prudential CA Realty Office at 7300 Healdsburg Ave. in Sebastopol.  Yes, that is our office.  It is not often that the artist is showing at our place but it is convenient.  Come by and see them if you are in the area.  Let me know when you are coming and I will even give you a tour.

Bas Molenkamp

Bas Molenkamp

Bas Molenkamp is young, creative and passionate.  What a delight to interview!  Right at the start he has a fresh, new story to tell.  I met Bas in his home on West Street in Sebastopol.  The easel set up in the corner of the living room seemed as natural as the sofas around the fireplace. 

“When did you start painting?” I asked.

“A couple of years ago,” he replied.

“How did you get started?”

His eyes lit up and he began his story.

Bas Molenkamp is Dutch.  He met his wife, Alia, while traveling in India.  They traveled together until their joint resources were spent. They arrived in Berkeley, Alia’s family home, and prepared for a less nomadic future.  Wanting bucolic surroundings, they began their journey northwards with Mendocino the chosen destination.  A stop in Sebastopol to have lunch at Food For Thought (that is now Whole Foods) altered their plans. They were so impressed with the friendliness and casual acceptance of them by Sebastopolians, they settled right here. 

Now the story up to this point is not all that unusual.  Boy meets girl – okay, not usually traveling in India – boy marries girl – this has some practical side effect, like being able to stay in the US – couple visits Sebastopol – what better place to settle down and have a family.  Once established in Sebastopol, Alia became a masseuse and eventually started painting.  Bas worked in construction until he was injured, then at the Wild Flower Bakery in Freestone and last went to massage school when Alia became pregnant with their child.

The first time Bas ran his hands over a human body with the intention of relieving stress, he knew that this was the profession for him.  The tactile sensation of detecting the sinuous path of muscle and tendon with the fluidity of oil on skin brought a peace within that made the massage a healing for both masseuse and his subject. 

Bas attributes his frugal nature to his ancestry.  He cannot bear to see anything wasted.  As Alia painted, she would leave large blobs of paint on her palette which would eventually dry up – never to be used.  One day Bas decided that he would help her out and prepare a canvas with what was left on the palette so that it would not be wasted.  He was hooked by painting with the first stroke of the brush.  Bas relived the same epiphany that massage had delivered.   Alia never got to use that canvas and Bas has been painting ever since.

Bas paints landscapes.  They are what I would call “abstract” landscapes as they come from his imagination and draw upon the observer’s.  The enthusiasm of youthful exuberance jumps off the canvas as he plays with the nuances of color and form.  He uses words such as “delicious” and “dancing” to describe the creation of his images. He experiences a “roar of wanting to go to the canvas” – “a shift in the brain” when a brush is in his hand.  Have I already said that he is a delight?

Bas cites Matisse and Renoir as influences in his craft.  His results are very different and modern when compared to these masters but the emotion is evident.  Bradford Brenner, the nationally acclaimed Sebastopol artist, is a neighbor and friend who has taken an interest in the progression of Bas’ painting.  Brenner’s influence is evident and his helpful comments are acted upon.

The first public showing the paintings by Bas Molenkamp is October through January at the Prudential California Realty office at 7300 Healdsburg Avenue in Sebastopol.  The Opening Reception is Friday, October 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Marcy Basel, previously featured Artist Profile, will be sharing the walls.   Bas offers massage at Osmosis in Freestone or at his home in Sebastopol.  If you cannot make it to the opening of his show, please stop by the Prudential office anytime during business hours.

The Pears Got in Before the Rain

The last batch of pears was harvested just as the rains were coming into California.   With the force of the winds and rain, I would not have had a pear on the trees if I hadn’t made the time to get out there.  What a storm we had!  Our green bin is full of a 1.5″ rose cane that snapped at the middle tie, a couple of good sized oak limbs and two large limbs from my crape myrtle.  I feel fortunate as my daughter’s chicken coop was severely damaged by a falling tree.  Thank goodness the chickens are fine – albeit cold and wet.

White Doyenne and Louise Bonne de Jersey pears

 A couple of weeks ago, I brought in the Louise Bonne de Jersey and White Doyenne varieties.  These varieties are moist and sweet – perfect for dehydrating!  And what else do you do with all these pears!  Our Dacor ovens have the ability to maintain a very low heat so after a quick blanch of the sliced pears, I popped them into the oven at 135 degrees F for about 48 hours.

Pears in the Oven

  The result was fantastic.  A cereal bowl of dried pears resulted and were they ever delicious.  I have at least three more batches to do as the last picking were the Comice  pears which are still sitting on the coffee table and I still have a small table of the rest.  The first batch of dehydrated pears are already gone as they were quickly munched on each time we passed the counter.  I am hoping when I get the others done we will be able to get some in the freezer for the winter!

Comice Pears - the last to ripen

Retirement has a new meaning to me!

On Thursday and Friday of this last week, I joined about 25 other Realtors in a class called Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES).   This class leads to a designation which is accredited by the National Association of Realtors.  I am interested in learning the information because I have worked with a number of clients who have moved from their long term homes (30+ years) into less demanding living spaces.  One relocated to an adult community (55+ age requirement). One moved to a smaller home in town.  One decided that assisted living was the next step.  One is now living in the granny cottage on her daughter’s property.  In all of these cases, I learned a great deal about the issues we will all face as our life circumstances change.  But I didn’t know if I was giving the absolute best service possible. 

In the process of these transactions, I came across rules for “adult” communities, how to get the most “stuff” removed in the least disturbing manner and the pros and cons of reverse mortgages.  I wanted to know if there was a better way to do things.  The good news from the class is that I did everything in the recommended manner.  The bad news is that I have so much more to learn – that is good news too because it means I can give even better service in the future.  I am now in the process of meeting professional organizers, elder law attorneys, designers for universal use, insurance agents, reverse mortgage experts - the list goes on!

The huge choices for retirement living arrangements is beyond what I had an inkling.  Cruise ships are being built where you can buy a unit (just like buying a condo) and cruise around the world 365 days a year.   These floating cities are geared to active 80+ people who want to see the world without flying or living in hotels.  Communities are available that have beautiful apartments or garden homes and a full care “memory” center for the spouse who has developed Alzheimers.  I was blown away by the options that are being developed so that those of us who never want to be “old” can enjoy life without expending so much energy!  Over the next few months, I am going to visit the various options in Sonoma County so that I can be informed.

Many serious topics were covered in the class and I am no expert on any of them.  The attendees where asked to give the age of the oldest person they knew.  The average age was 94.  These 94 year olds were mostly active and living independently.  By the time the baby boomers (yes, that is where I am) are nearing the end of their lives, that age will be around 104. Right now 60 doesn’t sound so old. We all still have a lot of time to plan.  From the senarios given in the class, there could be three moves after age 60.  1 – Downsizing for more time to do activities. 2 – Relocating to be nearer the children or other support group.  3 – A home with 24 hour care.  Some people will move to communities that have all of these options.  Others will stay in their homes with support staff.  The varieties are endless   Over the next year, I plan to learn a lot more about these things.  I want to be prepared for what is coming.

Visiting Gardens south of Sonoma County

During Shari-Lyn’s visit, we not only visited gardens in Sonoma County but took in a few south of there.  If you have not read my September 29 post to learn about Shari-Lyn and our Sonoma County garden visits, check it out.

Carolyn's arrangement of Hi, a micro-mini available from Vintage Gardens in Sebastopol

Carolyn Parker is an artist and writer who lives in Lafayette which is east of Berkeley.  She is best known for her lovely book, R is for Roses, which takes the reader through the alphabet of wonderful roses.   Shari-Lyn and I had a great visit and roamed Carolyn’s home garden.  Carolyn’s esthetic sense comes through in her garden design and airy, inviting home.  You can learn more about Carolyn at her website: www.rosesfromatoz.com.

Shari-Lyn Safir at Carolyn Parker’s home – the lovely rose is Lady Hillingdon, a fragrant tea rose.

An unidentified rose cascading over the wall of Morcom Rose Garden

Traveling through Oakland we rendezvoused with Jolene Adams, Vice-President Elect of the American Rose Society.   Jolene befriended me at the first District Rose Society meeting that I attended.   She is a serious rosarian who is a lot of fun to be around.   It is no surprise that she is popular throughout the rose world.  In the midst of her busy life, she took the time to have a wonderful lunch with Shari-Lyn and me at Jack London Square.   We then jumped into the car and headed to Morcom Rose Garden.   This rose garden was build in the 1930’s and has a wonderful history.   In current times the garden has been given a new life and the East Bay Rose Society has been a part of it.  Jolene is writing a history of the garden.  Check out the website http://www.friendsofoaklandrose.com/.

Rock Animals

 At the entrance to the Morcom Rose Garden is a personal garden which is sculpted from rocks.  It has animals. mushrooms, daisies, cacti and trees – all made of granite.    The antithesis of roses but, oh, so delightful. 

 Annie’s Annuals (www.anniesannuals.com)  is an incredibly beautiful nursery in a very scary part of Richmond.   Annie’s 4″ pots are found in most nurseries in Northern California.  I remember seeing them for the first time at the San Francisco Garden Show some multiple years ago.  I did not know that they had a retail outlet but Shari-Lyn did.  Fortunately we were driving by Richmond and had 15 minutes to drop in.   I was like a kid in a candy store. 

Asarina scandens 'Joan Lorraine'

 

 

I left with only one plant, asarina scandens ‘Joan Lorraine’.   I think it will look wonderful on my front trellis with Mme. Alfred Carriere.   Of course, I went back for the weekend sale on Sunday.  I now have all the plants to turn my front yard into a  low water, Mediterranean landscape.  Look for a future post on the final result.

 

Looking across the flats at Annie's Annuals

What is on the market for less than $160,000 in Guerneville?

Yes, I do work even if it seems like all I do is look at gardens, play in my garden and enjoy my home. The link below is for a property that came on the market yesterday in Guerneville.  It is only 740 sq. ft.  That is obvious when you get into the house.  The video is a bit dark because it was after I had closed down the office at 5.  This is a bank owned property and there is no water or electricity.  The home is connected to utilities and is in the sewer district.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGuGiaLOFuk

The lower priced homes in West Sonoma County, Rohnert Park and surrounding areas are beging to rebound.  Mid range and higher priced homes are still seeing considerable price pressure.  The third quarter report will be available in a week or so.  If you are not on my mailing list, please send me an email and I will make sure that you receive a copy it. 

My DRE# is 01359647.