Sherm ChavoorWhile the Tokyo Olympic Games are currently going on, I'd like to take this opportunity to honor a historic Sacramento person, who helped catapult our area into the limelight of Olympic Swimming for three decades.Sherm Chavoor, founder of the Arden Hills Swim and Tennis Club, developed and opened the hallowed ground (and waters) under his single proprietorship in 1954. This private club, in Carmichael, offered swim and tennis facilities for members; and the waters of the pools became magical to many competitive swimmers, who were trained under the watchful eyes and wizzardry of the Merlinesc Chavoor. Chavoor's training consisted of barking incantations of swimming farther and faster than anyone else (revolutionary over-distance training), his aqua alchemy produced swimmers ... 07/25/2021

Lately people have been frequently asking my take on the where housing prices are now. Are we in the “housing bubble”? The question can be phrased in different ways, but the message is the same. Buyers, sellers, economists, media personalities – you name it - are all concerned.I can’t help but find it ironic that Realtors’ brains are being picked on this topic because there has been an on-going attempt over the past 20 years by the large tech platforms to eliminate Realtors. We are the “unnecessary cost” in a Real Estate transaction from many of the pundits. Yet, they seek and value our perspective. I have always closely watched how the Commercial Real Estate market fares particularly in comparison to residential estate. In the past, residential real estate had a short-term herd mentali... 07/28/2021

2021 Carlsbad Snores and S'mores Family Campout Like other popular events, Carlsbad’s Snores and S’mores Family Campout returns for 2021 after being cancelled in 2020. The 2021 Carlsbad Snores and S’mores Family Campout will be Saturday and Sunday, August 14th and 15th at the Aviara Community Park located at 6435 Ambrosia Lane, just north of Poinsettia Lane.  The Snores and S’mores Family Campout takes place from 5 pm Saturday until 9 am Sunday (check-in and tent set up from 4 - 6 pm). There is ample parking at the park. Campout tickets must be purchased in advance at $25 per person, all inclusive (children 3 and under are free but they must be registered); no tickets are being sold at the event.  You should register online before 11:00 pm on August 13. The number of attendees is limite... 07/25/2021

The Pizza No-Recipe Recipe I started making pizzas in college, when I was paying my way through the University of Maryland, working fulltime at a local fast-food place and going to school fulltime (I later changed to a different fulltime job). Over the years I have continued to create pizzas at home, at times getting more creative and adventuresome. I cook a lot of other stuff, too, sometimes following formal recipes, but other times just creating from scratch. That’s part of the fun of cooking, isn’t it? My feeling with pizza is that the best are simply crafted, without following any sort of formal recipe…it’s all about what ingredients appeal to you, what’s in the fridge and cupboard, and combining flavors and textures to create your masterpiece.  Each one is unique, but there are som... 07/26/2021