I wrote an earlier post about the election last night of 14 new board members on to the Land Park Communnity Association board. I thought you might like to learn who will be representing your Land Park neighborhood interests.

Two Year Seats went to:

Terry Grimes
Craig Powell
John Jenson
J.R. Riddell
April Meszaros
Dave O'Toole
John Schade

One Year Seats went to:

Matt Traverso
Michael Mock
Jim Quessenberry
Mark Abrahams
Dennis Kellogg
Christine Ault
Paula Swayne

*This has yet to be confirmed, but should be in the next couple of days.

I hope you will find our representation of your concerns positive. I am sure if you have concerns, any one of us would be happy to hear from you.

www.PaulaSwayne.com

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION...A NEW DAY!

Last night was the BIG night...the voting in of 14 new board members! This is huge considering there is a total of 15 board members...only the current President was not on the slate of candidates.
We gathered at Tower Theater. The lobby was filled with Land Park Community Association existing members, candidates and new members. It was a full service event with the sign-up table for those wanting to become a part of this association, another table distributing ballots and another accepting proxy votes. We could even buy popcorn and sodas to support the theater and replace what would have been a healthy dinner!
At 7:00, we took our seats in the theater. It appeared that theater lights could only be so bright...because we certainly had ambiant lighting which set an interesting atmosphere! County Supervisor Jimmy Yee spoke along with Councilman Rob Fong. The last speaker was Captain Shilly (I apologize if I am spelling this wrong) of the Sacramento Police Department. We learned about the challenges facing our county, city and police budgets and how each is approaching these challenges. We spoke of the infamous Bridge to Broadway (and it's current non-status), the proposal to move the Zoo (at best 20 years away, if done at all), efforts to improve the Broadway corridor, the continuing hope that Trader Joes is going to replace the Prime Market on Sutterville and South Land Park Drive and what we can expect of our police (who I believe are doing their best in a difficult situation).
Finally, we discussed the casting of ballots and 2 new by-law changes. We adjourned to place our votes and mingle with our neighbors. It was an enlightening and interesting night!

Oh...did I mention I was fortunate enough to be voted on to the board? Yeah!

WHOOHOO...FINALLY SOMEONE ELSE IS SAYING IT!!

In recent months I have been saying that Sacramento is stabilizing...we are done with about 80% of our foreclosures, our sales have doubled since last year at this time and it appears that the decline in market values is creeping rather than racing down the speedway.
On April 28th, an article came out on the Wall Street Journal with the headline "First Housing Markets to Heal? Analyst Bets on Sacramento, Washington". Whoohoo! The analyst is John Burns. According to Mr. Burns, the fact that Sacramento's new home supply has shrunk more than other markets he tracks, along with very affordable housing and the ability to get loans improving is evidence that Sacramento has early recovery potential. He cites that employment could be a deterrent in this recovery. Personally, I am going to continue to believe that we are on our way!
Washington DC is also poised for an early recovery. While jobs are not the issue that Sacramento has, he felt that the housing market might fall an additional 5%-10%.
There are a few cities he cited as taking the longest to recover, but I want this post to be positive, so I am going to leave it here...life is getting better by the day!

REBUILDING TOGETHER...A GREAT DAY!

It was a beautiful morning (albeit early for a weekend) at 8AM. There were more trucks parked on the street than for a rodeo. The activity around the "chosen" house would put a beehive to shame. The Sacramento Association of Realtors, along with other wonderful volunteers had committed themselves to giving back to their community by helping a homeowner in need. Rebuilding Together had given us this opportunity to give back...and there were a lot that were happy to be there.
It was hard to believe that we would actually use all of the tools that were spread out like a picnic on the front yard grass. The talented and knowledgeable brought their manly power tools. Volunteers such as ourselves were relegated to the more harmless paint brushes and rollers...after all, it would take a lot to hurt ourselves or others with these!
In our morning shift, I saw a water heater being carried out of the house, a new shower surround being carried in, windows being completely replaced, fences being mended, dry rot being removed and good wood being installed...and of course there were 7 gallons of exterior paint with 3 gallons of trim that we were charged with. The house was completely painted inside and outside, including the driveway and 3 covered porches.
The best part? Maybe it was the homeowner, who sat in her front yard in total awe of the amount of tasks being accomplished in one day. Maybe it was the number of really talented artisans who put their specialties to good stead for this nice lady. For me, it was the camaraderie of fellow Realtors and Sacramento Association of Realtors staff that made me proud to be in our industry. I was proud to be a part of it!
www.PaulaSwayne.com
My camera batteries died, so I couldn't take a picture...however this one in Texas looked about the same, so I borrowed it from Flickr by wordjunky.

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CANDIDATE NIGHT

It was an interesting night. It was also an impressive night. At the front of the room at Eskaton in Land Park sat 19 candidates hoping to be elected into the Land Park Community Association board. They represented every demographic in the neighborhood. One gentleman was raised in Land Park. Another was raising his young family in the area. We had proffesionals knowledgeable about land use, events coordination, politics, construction, architecture and urban planning, business management and so much more. It is a wonderful slate of candidates and we should be proud to vote in any 14 of them.
There was a common theme...to promote and support the very best that Land Park has to offer. There are plenty of challenges...the ongoing discussion regarding a bridge over the Sacramento River connecting West Sacramento to Sacramento at Broadway, traffic and all of the issues that it brings, commercial revitalization, and cuts to William Land Parks budget, to name just a few.
The rest of the room was filled with those who care and are concerned about the future of Land Park. They sat attentively as each candidate had 3 minutes to share with the attendees their agendas and qualifications.
One complaint was that there wasn't enough specific information on how each candidate stood on important issues...and it was a valid point. Hopefully next year that opportunity will be given.
Finally, it was a night we should all be proud of...it is a new beginning!
www.PaulaSwayne.com

VISIT YOUR LOCAL CEMETARY!

I have driven by the cemetery in Land Park daily. I was always curious, but had never visited...until today! First, let me clarify. What appears to be a single, very large cemetery on the corner of Riverside Boulevard and Broadway is actually 3. The furthest south is the Odd Fellows Lawn Cemetery. Then there is the Masonic Temple Cemetery. And finally, the one furthest north that I could actually visit...the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery. It might sound a bit odd, but it was very interesting. Most of the people who died back in the 1800's seemed to live to the ripe old age of 45ish. There were too many babies. Many headstones were so weathered that they really couldn't be read anymore. However, there were many that could be read, and I thought I would share a little of what they taught me.


John A. Sutter Jr. (1826-1897)His father is famous in Sacramento history as the man who built Sutter's Fort and established New Helvetia. However, it was his son who, in 1848, planned and founded the City of Sacramento. A disagreement between father and son over the development of Sacramento initiated John Jr. to leave and in 1897, he died in Acapulco, Mexico









Hardin Bigelow (1809 - 1850)Bigelow arrived in San Francisco on the first ship to reach California from the East Coast. This Mail Steamer brought with it miners to the Gold Fields. Sacramento's first levee system was built by Bigelow. He also was Sacramento's first elected mayor in 1850.




Newton Booth (1825-1892)Booth was the ultimate statesman. He was a lawyer, merchant and politician. In 1862 he was elected State Senator, United States Senator in 1873. Booth and Company was located on Front Street between J & K.









Old Wooden Headboard (Circa 1876)Although wooden headboards numbered in the thousands, this is one of the very few that remain. If you look closely, you can barely see the remains of carving.








Mark Hopkins (1815-1878)Hopkins was a Forty-Niner, one of railroad's legendary "big Four" and was the Treasurer of the Central Pacific Railroad. This tomb dominates the cemetary, made with granite weighing 350 tons. Hopkins died before this tomb was completed, so was buried in San Francisco in 1878 and then moved to this tomb in 1880.




Albert Maver Winn (1810 - 1883)Winn was selected as President when he was elected to Sacramento's first City Council in 1849. In 1875 he founded the Native Sons of the Golden West. This monument is the tallest in the cemetary.









William Stephen Hamilton (1797 - 1850)William was the youngest son of Alexander Hamilton and the first Treasurer of the United States. He came to California in 1849 and died here 1850. Hamilton has the travel bug, dying in 1850, was exhumed in 1877 and again in 1889 and was buried three times in three different locations.









Captain Jamaes T. Homans USN (1805 - 1849)Captain Homans was initially buried in Tier grounds in the front of the cemetary before being moved by his wife so his son and he could be close together. This is the earliest known burial in the City Cemetary. As you can see, it was broken in half at one time and has been repaired.









Historic Volunteer Firemen's Plot and BellThis memorial celebrates the fact that Sacramento has the honor of forming the first Volunteer Fire Company in California (1850). These volunteers served until 1872, when a paid department was developed. This bell you see here was cast in 1859 in Sheffield, England, came around the Horn and was placed in service in 1863.






Lastly, I found this memorial...a time capsule buried in 1988. I will let you know what is in it in 2088! Okay...maybe my grandchildren will let you know!


www.PaulaSwayne.com

VIC'S...A LOCAL INSTITUTION!

After World War II, two veteran military buddies, Ashely Ruledge and Victor Zito returned to Sacramento after being stationed in Alameda. Vic was a local boy and Ashley was from Nebraska. Ashley had worked at a soda fountain before the war. They were inspired to open their own soda fountain when they saw lines going out the door at another local ice cream parlor (Gunthers in Curtis Park).
On February 2, 1947, Vic's Ice Cream opened it's doors in Land Park. They have always made their own ice cream, along with ice cream pies and cakes. It's vanilla ice cream has won "Best of" awards from several venues. Students couldn't wait to get their report card, because if they get all A's and B's, they got a free ice cream cone! Sadly, Vic passed away in 1966, leaving Ash to continue the great reputation the soda fountain had achieved
It has become a family tradition for our family's babys to go to Vic's as their first restaurant experience. My wedding cake was a three tiered ice cream cake that Ash decorated personally. We could tell that it was time to cut it when it started to lean slightly! We look forward to the seasonal favorites of Egg Nog ice cream and Rasberry Sherbert, not to mention Pumpkin.
Ashley is still involved in the business at the age of 88. His son, Craig has picked up the mantle of manager. What is amazing about this neighborhood icon is that it also gives jobs not only to young people of the area, but several families as well. Maury Hatch has been with Vic's for decades as well as Erik Downey. Maury is their Employee Manager and Erik is their Ice Cream Manager.
So, if you ever come to Sacramento's Land Park, look me up! I will treat you to a cone!







Vic's Ice Cream3199 Riverside BlvdSacramento CA 95818(916) 448 0892
http://www.paulaswayne.com/

SPRING SMELLS!

Did you know that Spring is here? How did you know? Did you look at a calendar? Did the news tell you? Did you see all of the spring bulbs sprouting their beautiful blooms? Did you smell...
Oh, wait! Where were you when you learned of Spring's arrival? I would be willing to bet that you were looking through glass...a windshield or a window. Or maybe you heard it...on the news in your car or house. Really... think about this! It is indicative of most of our lives these days. How did I come to this revelation?
I was put on "car rest"...meaning, I couldn't drive. No..not a DUI...a health thing of which I am fairly certain is now history. Anyway...on with my dialogue. I had to walk or ride my bike. I walked to a home to write an offer. I walked to open a house to a contractor. I walked to show a duplex. I walked to present an offer. Do you know what I discovered? Spring smells. Cherry blossoms, freesias, lilacs, rosemary share their wonderful aromas. Spring has a sound. Birds singing their hearts out. Bees buzzing. People out and about on walks and bikes. Spring "feels". Crisp morning air and refreshing afternoons.
My point? You think you need your car...and there are times this is true. But it insulates you from experiencing some wonderful things. You rush from car to house...and watch Spring come from inside your home. Be a part of it. Really consider the possibility of walking to the appointments you can. This isn't about "being green"...this is about not missing an important part of life.
www.PaulaSwayne.com
Photo from Flickr by 6 faves

REALTORS & PRICING...A CRITICAL TEAM

The value of a Realtor is most apparent when asked to place a market value on a property. There is no other aspect of real estate that requires as much research, knowledge and continual attention paid to the housing inventory. If sellers question why they should pay a Realtor instead of selling their home themselves, setting the correct market value is one of the most important reasons. The National Association of Realtors has researched the value of a Realtor and have found that sellers, on average, will realize 16% more for their homes by using a Realtor. I believe that a good portion of this percentage is the correct pricing of the property.
A qualified Realtor will spend a good amount of their time viewing properties within the areas they specialize. A Realtor should know every property...it's idiosyncrasies, features, and challenges. Simply reading the information on a computer printout, even with photos, will not take into account awkward floor plans, odors, cleanliness or the surrounding neighborhood.
Some neighborhoods are simpler than others. In a "cookie-cutter" neighborhood, where there are a few floorplans and all were built within a short period of time, a Realtor should be able to come within several thousand dollars of the final selling price. In older neighborhoods where houses have been altered, added on to, where their condition could be original to the date they were built or completely remodeled last year, two houses built at the same time with similar square footage could have a market value that varies $100,000 or more.
Another challenge of placing a market value on a property is the present economy. For example, I specialize in the Land Park area of Sacramento. The heart of Land Park is made up of upper end properties. In completing a market value of a home I am listing, there are no comparable properties that have sold recently. Also, there are no pending sales that are comparable. Since properties are selling tens of thousands below the asking price, I certainly can't take active properties into account. In this instance, I have to rely on my knowledge of the area and what I believe a property will ultimately sell for. I will make adjustments for properties that have sold, even though none of them come close to the features of my listing. After working this neighborhood for over a decade, I will have a "sense" of where this home should be priced.
In the end, the buyer will set the value when they offer a contract that is negotiated to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties. The Realtors job is to get that offer to the table.
http://www.paulaswayne.com/

LAND PARK IS GETTING A TRADER JOE'S...FACT OR FICTION?

I know...you are thinking that Land Park residents have heard this rumor before. That was my first reaction. This is just the same old rumor being reborn...except maybe not!
Land Park has longed for a Trader Joe's ever since the first time we heard of the possibility of it becoming a Land Park neighbor. It isn't that we don't have some great stores in the neighborhood. Raley's has been here for 30+ years. I have already told you about Taylor's Market. A Trader Joe's would round out our choices nicely with it's off-branding and continual offerings of well priced goods.
It would replace the now rarely used Prime Market on the corner of Land Park Drive and Sutterville Road. It would certainly be a turn-around for this shopping site. Land Park Pharmacy closing it's doors was a tragic loss. Thankfully, a pharmacy is coming back along with a few new offerings. It is my hope, and I am sure the neighborhoods as well, that along with Trader Joe's will be an improvement to the shopping center's appearance.
So, is it coming to Land Park? Well, I have heard this from people who I respect and who should be "in the know" more than most anyone I know. Let's all keep our fingers crossed!
www.PaulaSwayne.com
Photo from Flickr by voxefx

LAND PARK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS!

I wrote several posts regarding the Land Park Community Association. Within the Land Park neighborhood a rather robust discussion was being conducted regarding the association's bylaws. There were 2 factions...the status quo group made up of long-standing board members who had contributed heavily to the association and the new group made up of newer members who felt there was a need for change.
I certainly was empathetic to both groups. I had been a founding member of what was then the Association to Preserve Land Park, created approximately 20 years ago to have input into drastic proposed changes to William Land Park. One of the founding board members was still on the board up to last February. Another had been a board member almost as long. They had given generously of their time, knowledge and energy.
The "Land Park Renaissance" group felt that the old regime had such a strong hold on the board that they could reject any new ideas with which they did not agree. Being a strong proponent to term limits, I agreed with their proposal of term limits and enlarging the board in order to prevent what they felt was a inordinate stronghold on the board. I wasn't quite as enthusiastic about the strategy involved in attaining this change.
The end result was that the new Land Park Community Association bylaws did pass and now there are 11 board positions to be filled. After a long back and forth discussion with myself, I have decided to run for one of the positions. I hope I can contribute to a better functioning board, better representing the Land Park neighborhood that I love. There is a need for new and fresh ideas...so why not consider joining me and hopefully becoming a Land Park Community Association board member as well? Oh, and please wish me luck!
www.PaulaSwayne.com

TAYLOR'S MARKET...A LAND PARK TREASURE

You have seen the quaint neighborhood markets in movies and heard of them, but only in past tense. They delivered to the loyal neighbors. They listened to the neighbors and stocked their requests. Neighbors visited neighbors as they shopped.

Land Park is fotunate to still have such a market. Taylors Market is just such a market, only stepped up several notches. They ease the dinner dilemma of what to cook with ready to heat lasagna, tamales, stuffed baked potatoes, salmon, chicken and more.

They are reknown for their true old butcher shop, complete with every sort of meat, poultry and fish imaginable. The quality is unsurpassed. The selection is beyond the impressive, including such rare items as quail eggs, rabbitt, buffalo. They even pre-make marinated chicken breats, fajitas, meatloaf, stuffed salmon and much more. They are well known for their varieties of home made sausages.

If you are looking for a wonderful wine to go with that perfect dinner, just ask for "Dick's Picks". The have an extensive selection of wines and beers. Want one of those harder to find local sodas? Taylors Marke will probably have it. Do you crave fresh coffee beans that you can grind yourself? Come to Taylors and enjoy selecting your own brew.

The eclectic choices offered of marinades, vinegars, rubs and seasonings offers a great compliment to any meal. Chutneys, demi glaces, salts of every type, balsalmi vinegars...it is all here.

For those who appreciate fresh breads, Taylors brings in fresh, locally made breads daily. Baguettes, sour dough, raisen bread, bagels, and seasoned breads simply are unsurpassed.

When you are looking for that special grocery shopping experience, visit Taylors...you will never look back!
www.PaulaSwayne.com